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Concert held to mark 75th anniversary of China-Poland diplomatic ties

Xinhua) 08:31, September 23, 2024

WARSAW, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- A concert was held here on Sunday night to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Poland.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Chinese Embassy in Poland, the concert was performed by musicians from the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, together with Polish musicians.

Sun Linjiang, Chinese ambassador to Poland, said that music has played an important role in promoting cultural cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding between China and Poland.

Nearly 400 guests from the two countries enjoyed such well-known pieces as "Blooming Flowers and Full Moon," "I Love You, China," "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon," and "Chopin: Fantaisie Impromptu, op. 66."

The performance earned rounds of applause from the audience.

Joanna, a Polish member of the audience, said that she was very happy to see the Chinese art troupe come to Poland, and she expressed the hope that cultural exchanges between the two countries will become richer in the future.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The Lausanne Movement has released the Seoul Statement as the Fourth Global Congress on World Evangelism (Lausanne 4) kicked off in Incheon, Korea on September 22. Unlike its predecessors that were published following the event, the statement is meant to inform and inspire participants deliberations throughout the gathering rather than summarize what was discussed, according to Program Director David Bennett.

Commenting to the press, Bennett emphasized that the purpose of the Seoul Statement is not to be a new stand-alone response to the missional challenges that the global Church is facing today.

Instead, it stands as part of the larger collection of key documents within the Lausanne Movement, building on the legacy of the Lausanne Covenant, the Manila Manifesto, and the Cape Town Commitment. It is designed not to replace, but to complement these foundational documents, providing fresh insights into contemporary theological and missional challenges.

The statement also adds additional theological perspectives to the State of the Great Commission report that Lausanne released earlier this year, which identified 40 gaps in the Churchs pursuit of fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.

Four years ago, we began a series of listening calls asking: What are the primary gaps that remain unfulfilled regarding the Great Commission? Where are some breakthroughs and innovations? Where there is more collaboration and research needed? What voices need to be part of conversation? Bennett said.

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The result was the 500-page report that Lausanne released in April describing it as a document compiling the best global data and key strategic thinkers to understand where the greatest gaps and opportunities are for the Great Commissions fulfillment, as Christian Daily International reported at the time.

Simultaneously, Lausannes Theology Working Group, a collective of global theological thinkers and practitioners, was working on addressing key theological gaps deemed necessary for strengthening global mission today, according to Bennett. The group was led by co-Chairs Ivor Poobalan (Sri Lanka) and Victor Nakah (South Africa).

Statement laments failure of nurturing believers & training leaders

Acknowledging some positive developments alongside the expansive growth of the Church primarily in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the Statements preface highlights that the Great Commission is not only about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ but also raise the believers faith.

It laments that the Church has struggled to effectively nurture the faith and discipleship of millions of first-generation Christians and not adequately provided the teaching necessary to help new believers develop a truly biblical worldview.

The Church has not sufficiently prepared new believers to live out their faith in every aspect of live, whether they are at church, at home, at school or at work.

It has also struggled to equip its leaders to respond to trending social values and to distortions of the gospel, which have threatened to erode the sincere faith of Christians and to destroy the unity and fellowship of the church of the Lord Jesus. Consequently, we are alarmed by the rise of false teachings and pseudo-Christian lifestyles, leading numerous believers away from the essential values of the gospel, it says.

Affirming centrality of gospel, faithful reading of Scripture to meet todays challenges

Building on the previous three key documents, the Seoul Statement seeks to renew believers commitment to the centrality of the gospel and the faithful reading of Scripture. This will lay the firm foundation that will allow the global Church to meet the specific challenges it faces today, the preface concludes.

The main body of the 20-page statement features seven key themes that are broken down into sub-sections and ultimately 97 articles. The themes are:

I. The Gospel: The Story We Live and Tell

II. The Bible: The Holy Scriptures We Read and Obey

III. The Church: The People of God We Love and Build Up

IV. The Human Person: The Image of God Created and Restored

V. Discipleship: Our Calling to Holiness and Mission

VI. The Family of Nations: The Peoples in Conflicts We See and Serve for Peace

VII. Technology: The Accelerating Innovation We Discern and Steward

Participants are encouraged to study the statement and consider how various elements apply to the issues they seek to address as they join issue groups and collaborative afternoon sessions revolving around 25 of the 40 gaps, which the State of the Great Commission report identified.

Bennett leaves open whether or not there will be some form of summary of the conversations that take place throughout the week. But the Statements conclusion already invites participants to join in expressing their desire to rectify some of the Churchs shortcomings that have been revealed in recent years.

We return to our places of service in every corner of the world with a renewed commitment to love as he has loved us, to lay aside selfish ambition, to work in gospel partnership, and to grow daily in prayerful dependence on his Spirit and the knowledge of his will, his ways, and his word, it says in anticipation of the conclusion of the Congress.

This repentance and renewed determination to become more Christ-like in pursuing the fulfillment of the Great Commission is needed, So that we may declare with one voice the excellencies of the One who alone is the hope and light of the world. So that we may display with one heart the holiness and love of the One who gave himself for sinners. So that we, the church, may declare and display Christ together!
Arcapita Group Holdings Limited, the global alternative investment firm based in Bahrain, said its consortium with Dgpays, a leading financial infrastructure technology provider in the EMEA region, has entered into a deal with Mashreq, one of the UAEs leading financial institutions, to acquire a majority stake in one of its units Neopay, for $385 million.

Neopay is the UAEs fastest growing payment solutions provider, with a strong foothold among merchants and e-commerce players.

Founded as a strategic division within Mashreq, Neopay experienced significant growth in recent years, serving a diverse client base across key sectors such as retail, hospitality, government, and e-commerce.

Its expansion is driven by the UAE's dynamic economic landscape, which is characterized by a young, digitally literate population, robust GDP growth, and the governments ongoing initiatives to promote digital transformation and a cashless economy.

The UAEs card transaction value is expected to grow at double-digit rates over the next five years, presenting substantial opportunities for Neopay to capture further market share.

The acquisition represents a significant milestone for the Emirati group as it aims to expand its presence in the rapidly growing digital payments sector in the Middle East.

The strategic support of the consortium, positions Neopay to further accelerate its growth trajectory and offer new services, leveraging Dgpays cutting-edge technology.

Serkan Omerbeyoglu, CEO of Dgpays, said: "We are excited to support Neopays transformative journey in partnership with Mashreq. Neopay has demonstrated exceptional growth and innovation in the UAEs digital payments landscape, and we see tremendous potential in expanding this success across the broader Middle East region. At Dgpays, our mission has always been to drive digital transformation in financial services through cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships."

"By integrating our fintech solutions with Neopays robust platform, we aim to unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation and present these innovative solutions to the enterprise and SME market of the UAE and broader GCC market," he noted.

Atif A. Abdulmalik, CEO of Arcapita, said: "Neopay is fully aligned with Arcapitas investment strategy which focuses on acquiring companies that are not only market leaders but also have strong growth potential driven by favorable macroeconomic trends."

"Neopay is well-positioned to benefit from the UAE's ongoing shift towards digital payments, supported by rising GDP, a tech-savvy young population, and government-led initiatives for digital transformation. Arcapita will support the next phase of Neopays growth into value-added services and new markets," he stated.

Ahmed Abdelaal, Group CEO, Mashreq, said the transaction was a key milestone in Neopays journey, allowing it to continue its strong growth trajectory as a regional leader in digital payments.

"We are confident that Arcapita and Dgpays have the right expertise and vision to help Neopay achieve its ambitious expansion plans across the Middle East. While Mashreq retains a significant stake in Neopay, we are excited to see the company reach new heights as it scales its operations and reinforces its market leadership," he noted.

Vibhor Mundhada, CEO of Neopay, said the group was thrilled to embark on the next chapter of its growth with the support of Arcapita and Dgpays.

"Neopay has established itself as a leader in the digital payments sector by consistently innovating and delivering value to our clients. With the technological and financial backing of our new shareholders, alongside Mashreqs continued support, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth in the UAE and expand our footprint across the Middle East," stated Mundhada.

"We remain committed to advancing e-commerce payments and driving the broader adoption of digital payments across the region," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Gulf Capital, a leading private equity firm, has formally joined the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration (ADSFD), formalising its commitment to a sustainable finance and investment industry.

The Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration is a voluntary membership-based initiative led by ADGM with support from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Central Bank of the UAE, and the Securities and Commodities Authority.

It is a public-private ecosystem of like-minded investors, financial institutions, government bodies, members of the academic community, and other stakeholders working together to establish a healthy sustainable finance industry.

Perfect platform

Dr Karim El Solh, co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Capital, said: "Gulf Capital aims to contribute to the development of a more sustainable global and regional financial system and Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration is the perfect platform for reaching our aspirations.

As an industry leader, Gulf Capital was the first Middle East and Africa signatory to the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) which was launched by His Majesty King Charles III, and which provides a roadmap for businesses to move towards a sustainable future by 2030.

Gulf Capital is also a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) as it incorporates Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors into all its investment and ownership decisions.

Additionally, the firm was designated as an official Climate Action Supporter for the UN Conference of Parties COP28, the global climate change conference which was organised under the presidency of the UAE.--TradeArabia News Service
Santander Private Banking, has established a new office in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) reinforcing Dubais strategic position as a premier hub for private banking operations.

Authorised by Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the independent regulator of financial services conducted in or from DIFC, Santander Private Banking, opened its first headquarters for regional private banking in DIFC.

Santander Groups capabilities and international private banking platform, combined with DIFCs world-class infrastructure, access to top talent, and legal and regulatory framework will allow Santander Private Banking to house a significant team of elite private bankers in DIFC. This team will serve current clients and extend the banks range of bespoke wealth management services to the rapidly growing high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth communities across Dubai and the region.

Formal welcome

To formally welcome the bank to DIFC, Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Authority, recently met Alfonso Castillo, Global Head of Santander Private Banking. Other executives that attended the meeting included Antonio Costa, Chief Executive Officer of Banco Santander International SA, Switzerland; Masroor Batin, Chief Executive Officer Middle East of Banco Santander International SA DIFC Branch, UAE; and Ahmed Al Aulaqi, Vice President, Banks & Capital Markets, DIFC Authority.

Castillo said: Entering the Middle East aligns with our relentless dedication to providing exceptional financial services, cultivating long-term partnerships, and delivering unparalleled value to our clients. We are delighted to have established our Branch in DIFC, and we look forward to forging trusting partnerships, fostering growth, and achieving remarkable milestones together.

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer, DIFC Authority, said: Banco Santander Internationals status as the number one private bank in Spain and credentials for being relationship focussed, coupled with DIFCs position as the Middle East, Africa and South Asias leading financial centre provides a perfect foundation for accessing opportunities from the $8 trillion of private wealth in the region. We look forward to seeing Banco Santander International achieving their strategic growth goals as a result of operating in DIFC.

With a 20-year-strong reputation for transparency, effective regulation, and knowledge-building, DIFC has earned the trust of 230 banks, including 27 of the top 29 globally systemically important banks (G-SIBs), and more than 400 highly reputable wealth and asset management firms.

In 2023, DIFC launched the first Family Wealth Centre of its kind in the world to advance and grow its thriving ecosystem for global family wealth, and support family businesses as they future-proof their growth ambitions and succession plans.

Unrivalled connectivity

Strategically located as the largest financial centre between London and Singapore, DIFC offers Santander Private Banking unrivalled connectivity, a diversified economy, an exceptional international talent pool, a comprehensive legal and regulatory environment, and future-forward infrastructure.

According to the Worlds Wealthiest Cities Report 2023, Dubais population includes over 68,500 HNWIs, or individuals with at least $1 million in liquid assets, 206 centi-millionaires, or those with a net worth of at least $100 million, and 15 billionaires. The UAE is also set to be the No 1 wealth magnet in the world, with an inflow of over 6,700 millionaires by year-end, according to a recent Henley Private Wealth Migration Report released in June 2024.--TradeArabia News Service
Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded an AED1.8 billion ($490 million) contract to Alec Engineering & Contracting for the construction of its exclusive residential tower Como Residences on the Palm Jumeirah.

Scheduled for handover in Q2 2028, the 75-storey residences will stand over 300 m tall and offer its residents 81 units, ranging from two- to seven-bedroom apartments, including a spacious duplex penthouse.

A maximum of two apartments occupy each floor, providing an exclusive lifestyle for residents, served by access-controlled elevators leading to private lobbies, said the Dubai developer in its statement.

This distinctive design means that each apartment enjoys a breathtaking 180-degree view of the sea and skyline, while apartments placed from level 23 and above have an extraordinary 360-degree panoramic view of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab to the east and Ain Dubai to the west, making Como Residences one of the most unique living experiences in Dubai.

"Nakheel has a proud legacy of delivering iconic projects like Palm Jumeirah that transform Dubai's skyline," remarked Khalid Al Malik, the CEO of Dubai Holding Real Estate.

"Como Residences builds on this legacy, reflecting our commitment to developing world-class destinations. This is more than just another residential development; it's a statement of Dubai's ambition and sets a new standard for waterfront luxury. With its limited collection of exquisite residences, breathtaking views and unparalleled amenities, Como Residences will solidify Dubai's position as a global leader in real estate," he stated.

On the contract win, Alec Engineering & Contracting CEO Barry Lewis said: "With its curated amenities and opulent finishes that will rival those of even the most luxurious properties, Como Residences promises to stand apart as the pinnacle of urban living."

"We are pleased that Dubai Holding Real Estate is entrusting this iconic project to us. I am confident that given our track record of executing some of the most ambitious projects in the region, we will be able to deliver a tower that will further elevate Dubais world-renowned city skyline," he added.

In line with Nakheels heritage for creating acclaimed waterfront living experiences, Como Residences architectural design takes inspiration from the sea that it overlooks, with sinuous lines reflecting the patterns of a seashell, providing an organic reflection of the beauty of nature.

An entirely unique feature of Como Residences is its series of elevated private sandy beaches, with most levels of the residences featuring both communal and private pools, echoing the views of the sea from each apartment.

Within the apartments, the contemporary interiors will feature high-end finishings and luxurious design, said the developer.

"Residents can also enjoy a stunning rooftop infinity pool and an observation deck on the 75th floor, providing panoramic views of the Dubai skyline and Arabian Gulf. Amenities will also include private parking, an onsite spa, fully equipped gym with spectacular views, green spaces and childrens play areas," remarked Al Malik.

"Como Residences also features an architecturally unique entrance and main lobby, replete with valet and concierge services, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
As Saudi Arabia marks its 94th National Day today (September 23), celebrating a remarkable transformation since the launch of Vision 2030, the construction industry is playing a pivotal role in preserving the nation's heritage while shaping its future, said a leading player in the sector.

A prime example of this balance is the Diriyah Project, a $63 billion development transforming the birthplace of the Saudi kingdom. The project features Riyadh limestone, a sustainable and locally sourced material that blends seamlessly with the region's traditional architecture, says Wajdi Marroun, the Managing Director of Versatile International, which is providing destination-scale developers with a stone management consultancy and project oversight service.

Diriyahs pale, sandy-hued mud-brick and stone buildings pay homage to its rich architectural heritage, blending tradition with modern vision.

Versatile International has been instrumental in incorporating Riyadh limestone into Diriyah's cultural district. Tens of thousands of cubic meters of the stone are being used for foundations, curbs, and gutters, ensuring the project's authenticity and sustainability.

Elaborating on Diriyah, he said: One of the standout materials used in this project is Riyadh limestone, a highly durable stone known for its natural warmth and subtle variations in colour, making it ideal for both structural and aesthetic applications. Upon completion of the Diriyah Project, over 700,000 sq m of this limestone will have been incorporated into the paving and cladding of its public spaces and architectural assets.

Riyadh limestone is unique not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ability to preserve the authenticity of the Najdi style - a traditional architectural form native to Saudi Arabia, characterised by simple, geometric structures made from mudbrick and stone with minimal ornamentation. The Riyadh limestones earthy tone and raw, unpolished look, blends perfectly with this style, allowing the area to maintain a strong sense of cultural continuity.

Beyond its visual appeal, Riyadh limestone is also a highly sustainable choice, he stated. Like other traditional materials such as mudbrick, its more environmentally friendly than modern engineered alternatives.

Sourced from local quarries, it requires minimal processing and transportation, resulting in a carbon footprint over 70 lower than that of steel or concrete. Unlike steel and concrete, its production process is nearly chemical-free, requiring no high-heat treatments or harmful additives, further reducing its environmental impact. Most importantly, the stones versatility allows it to easily bridge traditional aesthetics and modern structural design, he said.

Citing Diriyah Art Futures as an example, he said, this 12,000 sqm multi-use structure, built in part with Riyadh limestone, features narrow, deep passages that mimic the organic streets and buildings of Diriyahs historic neighbourhood. The limestones warm glow in the exhibition hall creates a serene backdrop for digital art displays, merging tradition with modernity. The structure also houses state-of-the-art facilities, including an educational centre dedicated to new media, which showcases the stones ability to adapt to contemporary needs while honouring the past.

As the Middle Easts first stone project management consultant, Versatile International has been working closely with Diriyah on more than 50 assets within its cultural district. Tens of thousands of cubic meters of Riyadh limestone will be used for foundation plinths and hundreds of kilometres of the stone used for curbs and gutters throughout the project including the gated community of Wadi Safar.-Tradearabia News Service.
The demand for premium office spaces across the UAE has risen thanks to an increasing number of companies in the UAE returning to face-to-face work and several overseas companies wanting to set up operations in the country.

As businesses are also increasingly seeking high-quality, well-located office spaces to meet their evolving needs, Bayti Real Estate, a specialist in premium real estate services focusing on providing high-quality commercial and residential spaces across the region, has revealed that it has recently closed a deal for a record-breaking price per square foot of office space in Dubai.

The sale transaction involved a 2,879-sq ft premium office space located at The Opus, Business Bay, which they have sold for AED7,040 ($1,917) per sq ft. This represents the highest sale value per sq ft of any sale transaction recorded by the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

New benchmark

This office, which was designed by the legendary Zaha Hadid, exemplifies the demand for premium, Grade A office spaces in Dubai. Clearly, the sale has set a new benchmark for commercial properties in the area, highlighting the continued appeal of The Opus as a business hub.

Commenting on the transaction, Tariq Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Bayti Real Estate, said: This transaction is reflective of the ongoing positive trend in property demand across Dubai, the UAE and the rest of the region. We are seeing a significant shift in how businesses are approaching their office requirements.

With increasing demand for flexible, fully serviced offices in prime locations, companies are prioritising spaces that can accommodate hybrid work models and offer collaborative environments. High-end, move-in-ready spaces in premium locations such as Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, and DIFC are in particularly high demand.

With prime locations in short supply due to rising demand, businesses are increasingly seeking high-quality, well-located office spaces to meet their evolving needs. Dubais office market has responded with increasing occupancy rates, rising from 90.1% in Q1 2023 to 91.3% in Q1 2024, according to CBREs latest report, Williams added.

Shorter flexible lease terms

Leasing trends across the UAE indicate a growing preference for shorter, more flexible lease terms, as well as office spaces that integrate cutting-edge technology and sustainability features. Many businesses are now seeking prestigious office locations that reflect their corporate image while offering scalability and adaptability.

This demand for flexibility and high-quality office environments is driving competitive bidding for Grade A spaces, with businesses keen to secure prime locations that offer both functionality and prestige, Williams explained.

The strength of Dubais commercial property market is underpinned by solid economic fundamentals and strategic urban planning initiatives like the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. As Dubai continues to invest in infrastructure and enhance its appeal to international investors, the real estate market is expected to maintain its upward trajectory, with sustained growth anticipated through 2025.--TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has announced the receipt of a bidder proposal for the potential development of Jubail 4 & 6 Independent Water Project.

A consortium of Saudi-based utility project developer Acwa Power, Haji Abdullah Alireza & Co. and AlSharif Contracting and Commercial Development has submitted the bid proposal for the project.

Jubail 4&6 IWP will produce 600,000 cu m/day of potable water and will also incorporate an electrical substation.

In September last year, SWPC had announced that nine leading utility developers/developer consortiums, had qualified for the project. These included: Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa); Acciona Agua; Saudi developer Acwa Power; GS Inima; International Power (Engie); Marubeni Corporation Power and Water Utility Company for Jubail and Yanbu (Marafiq) as well as consortiums of Ajlan & Bros and Rawafid Industrial Company and that of Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company and Sogex Oman.

SWPC said it will conduct a competitive tender process to select a private sector developer/developer consortium that will be responsible for the funding, construction, procurement, implementation, operation and maintenance of the project.

The successful bidder, through a project company to be incorporated, would develop the project and sell the entire capacity and output to SWPC under a 25-year concession pursuant to a Water Purchase Agreement.

The commercial operation date for the project is likely in the first quarter of 2028.-TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) successfully wrapped up a week-long visit to India which kicked off earlier this month on September 9, 2024, and spanned across the cities of Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

Led by Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB, with the support of senior members of the investment promotion agency, the visit comprised a series of select events and meetings to showcase value-adding opportunities across priority sectors, namely manufacturing and information and communication technology (ICT), to targeted investors.

Designed to strengthen economic and business ties between the two countries, as well as promote high-impact investment opportunities in Bahrain to a curated selection of India-based investors, Bahrain EDB hosted several events as part of the roadshow.

In Mumbai, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), an exclusive dinner was held at Taj Mahal Palace, where the gathering offered an opportunity to connect with key decision makers from select leading Indian companies, said EDB in a statement.

Two forums were held showcasing the kingdoms investment landscape with an in-depth discussion of expansion opportunities available for businesses to leverage Bahrain as a hub to expand across the Gulf and greater Middle East and North Africa region.

The first was held in Mumbai, the second was held in at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, both events held in partnership with Grant Thorton focusing on investment opportunities within Bahrains thriving manufacturing and ICT sectors.

On the sidelines of the events, Bahrain EDB announced securing investment commitments valued at just under $33 million stemming from leading India-based companies across multiple sectors.

The cumulative impact of these investments, particularly Polymatechs entry into Bahrain, will contribute to the Kingdoms ongoing journey towards economic diversification, sustainable growth, and its goal of becoming a hub for innovation and technological excellence in the region.

Bahrain and India enjoy strong bilateral and economic ties, where the Asian giant is ranked as one of Bahrains top 6 investing partners, with its FDI stock in the kingdom soaring to over $1.5 billion in 2023.

Earlier this August, in a significant expansion into the Middle East, The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), Indias largest hospitality company, announced the launch of two luxury properties in Bahrain under its iconic Taj brand.

The strategic move, in partnership with Kingdom Projects, marks a significant milestone for IHCL as part of its growth-oriented plans to expand its global footprint under its portfolio of leading hospitality brands across the Middle East.

Bahrain remains committed to fostering a supportive ecosystem for investors, with forward looking policies aimed at simplifying business operations, offering unique competitive advantages leading to success stories with local roots and global impact, said the statement from EDB.

These factors, combined with a highly skilled, bi-lingual, and diverse talent pool, advanced infrastructure, and strategic location, continue to cement Bahrain as an attractive destination for global investors around the world, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
3t, a UK-headquartered leader in the provision of training for safety-critical industries, has announced it will make its seventh acquisition with the purchase of GTSC, the largest energy training business in the Middle East, bolstering its presence across the region in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt.

Founded in 1993, GTSC has trained almost one million people in the Middle Eastern energy sector and has unrivalled regional facilities and heritage.

The company boasts an extensive array of industry-accredited technical, offshore survival, HSE, firefighting and road safety training courses.

3t has acquired GTSC from Al Mansoori Specialized Engineering. The acquisition sees over 100 GTSC employees and several purpose-built training facilities become part of 3t.

The UK group is backed by specialist private equity firm, Bluewater, whose value creation model has helped drive the companys ambitious growth strategy which is centred on internationalisation and market diversity with the aim of becoming a global leader in safety critical training.

This is 3ts seventh acquisition since 2017 and closely follows its June 2024 acquisition of ALL STOP!, a leading safety-critical training business in the US.

The recent acquisitions position 3t on track to break through the $100 million revenue mark in 2024, following a record-breaking year of profitability and growth in 2023. This move is a key component of 3ts transformational year, marked by the successful acquisitions of ALLSTOP! alongside a $100 million Nordic bond raise.

3t provides over 600 different training courses at 11 global centres, training more than 100,000 people every year to the highest industry standards. 3t is renowned for service quality and has built long-standing, highly-valued relationships with market leading customers.

Its training provision is bolstered by its deep-rooted learning technology offering which includes its world-leading simulators, state-of-the-art virtual reality and digital twin technology, as well as a host of digital learning solutions and programmes. 3t has long-standing relationships in the Middle East, and already provides a broad range of services to the region.

With the training and development of skilled workforces in higher demand than ever, the acquisition will ensure personnel in the Middle East in safety critical roles across sectors including renewables and oil and gas meet the highest levels of safety, compliance and competence.

The combined business offering will directly impact regional efforts to increasingly train its local workforce, ensuring they have the correct skillset required to meet the growing demand for energy and other safety critical industries

On the new move, CEO Kevin Franklin said: "The Middle East is booming with projects across the whole energy spectrum; demand for world-class training and skilled workforce is high. Our offer of exceptional quality training and technology has proved compelling."

"The GTSC team has developed a strong business that is highly respected, with a track record that speaks for itself  we complement each other well, allowing us to invest and build a stronger service for our customers,"

he noted.

Mario Nahas, CEO of GTSC, says: I am delighted that GTSC has found a partner to support us on the next phase of growth. I am immensely proud of how the business has developed under the ownership of Al Mansoori and the support and leadership provided by their CEO Nabil Al Alawi. We have gotten to know 3t well and I am excited by the next phase of development for GTSC.

Martin Somerville, Managing Director at Bluewater, added: We are pleased to support the 3t management team on this next phase of their growth journey. Having built 3t into a clear UK market leader in recent years, this pivotal acquisition underscores the groups international ambitions and their commitment to becoming a global powerhouse.

Bluewaters experience in the Middle East is quite unique for any private equity firm, noted Somervill.

"We have actively been investing in the region for over 10 years and now have many of our portfolio companies based there," he noted.

"The recent sale of Kent, as well as this acquisition for 3t demonstrates our ability to successfully transact in this region hence it remains a strategic focus for us as we launch our third fund," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The recent IDC Saudi Arabia CIO Summit 2024 brought together more than 1,000 of the kingdom's top IT decision makers to explore the theme, The Future of IT: Rethinking Digitalisation for an AI Everywhere World.

"AI sits at the heart of Saudi Arabia's vision for a dynamic, future-ready economy," said Hamza Naqshbandi, IDC's Country Leader for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. "The kingdom's commitment to AI innovation positions it as a global leader in the digital era, driving sustainable growth, security, and opportunities for future generations."

Thomas Meyer, general manager and group vice president for IDC EMEA, presented the event's keynote, which examined the disruptive power of AI and the critical need for CIOs to adopt an AI-first strategy. "AI is not just the next wave of innovation; it's the cornerstone of competitive advantage in today's digital economy," said Meyer. "Those who harness its potential will lead the next era of digital transformation."

CIO50 Saudi Arabia Awards

The summit also played host to the inaugural edition of the CIO50 Saudi Arabia Awards. Organised by Foundry (an IDG company), the awards honoured the kingdom's top 50 CIOs and senior technology executives for their role in driving extraordinary innovation and change within their organisations and across Saudi Arabia.

The summit's agenda included a series of specially curated tracks that provided a blueprint for how organisations can unlock new growth opportunities, optimise operations, and enhance customer experiences.

These sessions addressed the most pressing issues facing IT leaders in today's increasingly AI-powered world, with a focus on unlocking business value from data, harnessing GenAI, automation, and low-code platforms, and reimagining security, resilience, and business continuity for the 'AI Everywhere' era.

Another highlight was the numerous panel discussions that took place throughout the event. Featuring exclusive insights from respected regional and international industry pioneers, these sessions explored critical topics such as the development of optimal IT operating models, the enhancement of citizen centricity through smart cities, the optimisation of IT performance and business value, and the implementation of best-practice strategies for vendor selection and management.--TradeArabia News Service
In my last article, I proposed that a non-profit organization should be prepared to get along well with the government to achieve its missional purpose. I mentioned the Prophet Daniel as a model. He cared about the well-being of the brutal king, Nebuchadnezzar. Through the sincerity of his respect and concern, the king recognized the holiness in Daniel. Then, he was given a chance to come to know the Most High God.

Here, I extend our perspective from Daniel serving the ruler in the court to the common Jews in exile. They all lived in a religiously restrictive nation. Understanding what God expected them to do helps us guide us toward how we should react in nations with restricted religious freedom. For my context, I will use China as an example.

God told them to seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which God would carry them into exile.

Jeremiah, against all odds, convinced the Jews, the envoys of surrounding countries, and the king in Jerusalem that they were doomed to suffer the rule of the cruel king Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 27). At the point of the prophecy coming true, the Lord revealed how his people would thrive in a land full of hostility until they could return to their homeland seventy years later. Through Jeremiah, God told them to seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which God would carry them into exile. They should also pray to the Lord for its peace and prosperity, because if the city prospered, the exiles too would prosper (Jeremiah 29:7).

In other words, they were supposed to do two things:

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The exiles should work actively to build the peace and prosperity of the city. Peace and prosperity refer to shalom in Hebrew. This word connotes the outward abundance in society and the inward well-being and harmony of the people. They should keep praying to the true God and hold on to the faith that only he could bestow all manner of blessing to make shalom a reality.

Christians serving under a cruel Caesar

This practice of praying and building shalom in the Old Testament became a precursor for the Christians facing the cruel Caesar, Nero, in the first century (when what we now know as the New Testament was being written). An example can be found in Pauls letter to Timothy:

Concerning prayers, in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul writes, First of all, then I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may live a peaceful and quiet life, godly in dignified in every way. From the context of the letter, we understand that the prayers and intercessions were concerned about having a suitable ground for preaching the gospel in society.Good governance benefits peoples spiritual welfare as they can lead peaceful and quiet lives. (Peaceful, eremos in Greek refers to outward peace while quiet, hesychios, inward peace.) Praying for a peaceful and orderly society is essential to ensure the best possible conditions for evangelistic mission. Concerning actively building wellness in community, throughout the letter, Paul encourages the whole congregation to uphold righteous acts and avoid evils. At the climax of the instructions, in 6:17-18, Paul commands those with riches to perform good deeds and generously share their wealth. Thus, Paul ensures their actions for community care are consistent with what they faithfully pray for.

Paul wrote this epistle to Timothy in the AD 60s, during the reign of Nero. Paul was once under house arrest in Rome. From the Praetorian Guard (Philippians 1:13), he would have received firsthand information about Neros tyrannous rule, his murderous acts in the royal family, the immorality of his life, and depravity of the feasts he held. Nero had possibly already set fire to Rome and persecuted Christians when Paul wrote this letter. The theme of praying for shalom and performing good deeds in society reemerged in the early church for coping with the adversities in preaching gospel.

Non-Profits are licensed to promote shalom

In China, some roles of the government in building social development, community service, and social governance are shared with non-profit organizations. In many cases, the concerns of such social organizations are rooted in addressing difficulties in certain social strata and the social dysfunction arising from them, especially in the areas overlooked by government officials.

Christians and churches are encouraged to... take part in praying for and actively building of shalom even while facing restrictions on preaching the gospel.

The scope of services includes care for the underprivileged, poverty alleviation, respect for the elderly, psychological counseling, rights of women and children, neighborhood mutual help, environmental protection, mental wellness, public health, and so on. Reports show that social organizations are effective in working across individual needs and social issues. They also uphold righteousness and integrity in society. Their service programs can be summarized as caring about the outer prosperity and inner peace for the community. Christians and churches are encouraged to follow the exile paradigm mentioned above, so that they can take part in praying for and actively building shalom even while facing restrictions on preaching the gospel.

Wisdom in scoping the community service offered

Many Christians would like to join social service as witnesses to Christs love. No doubt this is of foremost importance as loving-kindness is the distinguishing hallmark with such activities. Bearing in mind that a non-profit in China works closely with a government that holds a stance of atheism, we must prudently align our faith with wisdom to gain favor with the Lord and the ruler (see Proverbs 16:12-15, 24:21-22). Consideration about the scope of services we can provide are necessary to ensure that we achieve our ultimate (gospel) purpose, especially in the following aspects:

Developing Specialized Capabilities

One recent survey showed that voluntary public welfare services in China have grown rapidly. In 2021, registered volunteers surged up to 270 million. That was 74 times higher than 10 years ago, reaching 15.4% of the population. The number of voluntary programs increased to 5.41 million. While various kinds of voluntary work have emerged, a missional non-profit could focus on some specialized areas.

Then, its team members can develop their expertise in effectively resolving the problems of the clients. This will make the distinctiveness of the organization stand out in an ocean of community services. Your loving-kindness will earn positive recognition by the public and the government. "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Finding Common Ground with the Officials

In general, a government may make policies for or against our biblical values. There can also be different shades of gray area in between. In China, there is an abundance of measures beneficial to the livelihood of the people publicized on the websites of the central government and locational bureaus in different provinces, cities, and townships.

We can select those in line with our principles to support and develop programs in accordance with strengths of our team, keeping in mind that we express biblical truth through our services. In this way, we can actually cooperate with the officials and work with them closely. Building relationships is pivotal to enlarging our positive influence in the communities through their support.

Conclusion

It is our responsibility to actively seek the opportunities to build shalom and to pray earnestly for the authorities until we see alternative doors opened.

Ever since the fall of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel, Gods people in exile were deprived of the freedom to worship the only true God for a long period. A significant part of the Old Testament was written under these oppressive conditions. In the New Testament, the long persecution of Christians came just 30 years after Jesus ascension. Again, a significant portion of the Apostles epistles was written in this sort of pressurized environment. From this perspective, we should be able to find relevant principles in the Bible for coping with contexts of religious restriction. I believe when one door is closed, God opens some other doors for the furtherance of the gospel and the extension of God's Kingdom shalom. It is our responsibility to actively seek opportunities to build shalom and to pray earnestly for the authorities until we see alternative doors opened for holistically blessing the people around us.

Originally published by China Source. Republished with permission.

JI Yajie (a pseudonym) has worked with an NGO in China for more than a decade and has the desire to bring the gospel holistically to unreached people in creative access countries.
The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said it has partnered with Powerlec Bahrain 2024, the international trade fair and conference on solar, renewables, storage, power and electrical industry, as part of reinforcing the countrys renewables push in line with the Vision 2030 for a clean energy future.

Powerlec Bahrain was officially inaugurated today (September 23) in Manama by Mohamed Abduljabbar Alkoheji, Second Vice Chairman of BCCI, who also delivered a key note address at the expo.

The show organised by Verifair, will run until September 25 incorporating a conference with the theme, Bahrains Net Zero Ambition  Unfolding Renewables, Green Hydrogen for a Sustainable, Decarbonized Economy.

"Bahrain has always been ahead of many countries in the region to put in place and initiate a renewables and energy efficiency strategy to contribute to global sustainability movement, and in mitigating adverse impact of climate change from fossil fuels, one of the major causes for global warming," remarked Fareed Bader, Chairman, Industry & Energy Committee, BCCI.

"Partnering with Powerlec Bahrain 2024, is yet another opportunity for the Government of Bahrain to highlight its achievements in the circular economy space," he stated.

Quoting the US Governments International Trade Administration (ITA), and pointing to the kingdoms pioneering leadership in sustainable practices and commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he said that the country reached its energy efficiency target of 6 per cent six years ahead of the schedule.

Besides BCCI, the key partners of Powerlec Bahrain 2024 include the Dubai Renewable Energy Business Group (DREBG), Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA)

"Under the key strategic pillars of Bahrains sustainability roadmap - the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) and the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) - the country has been making significant strides to be a leader in this domain in the entire Middle East and Africa (MENA) region," said Hinde Liepmannsohn, the Executive Director of MESIA.

"As part of these plans, Bahrain been focusing increasingly on solar, wind and waste-to-energy projects to meet its energy efficiency and renewables targets. According to ITA, the country needs to produce 280 megawatts of electricity from renewables by 2025, and increase it to 710 megawatts by 2035 to meet the targets," he added.

LK Verma, the Chairman, Dubai Renewable Energy Business Group (DREBG), Dubai Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is the first time in Bahrain such an extensive debate on sustainability is hosted and we have a eminent speakers in the panel who will speak on how to accelerate measures to protect environment in line with the NEEAP and NREAP under the Vision 2030 of the Kingdom."

The other key speakers include Engineer Ebtisam Isa Al Shenoo, Chief, Industrial Operations Section, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain, Basim Al Saie, Board Member, BCCI and Chairman, GITHAA-Bahrain Food Holding Founder & Managing Director, Jassim Al Shirawi, Secretary General Elect, International Energy Forum (IEF) and Chairman & Managing Director, JAIS Energy Services, Bahrain, IMED Derouiche, Hydrogen Tunisa, Eng. Fatima N. Al Bastaki, Head of R&D Division, Technology Engineering Company (TE), Dr. Abeer Shaheen, Corporate Sustainability, Harvard Fellow, Bahrain Petroleum Company, Ali Salman Ali Salman, DRRG & EVSE, Electricity and Water Authority, Bahrain and Bhami Ilyas, Regional Business Director, CPP Wind Engineering Consultants.

"The Kingdom has rolled out a slew of projects to enhance energy generation from renewable sources in the last few years through proprietary and partnership initiatives," stated Jeen Joshua, the Managing Director of Verifair.

"Powerlec Bahrain 2024 will be a converging point for experts in the circular economy realm who have been supporting and contributing to this pivotal and continuing transformation and decarbonization and share their insights," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road has been awarded the Green Globe Certification, a prestigious global recognition for its commitment to sustainable practices, and its continuous efforts to integrate innovative strategies that reduce its environmental impact.

The hotel won the award for successfully meeting the stringent requirements of the Green Globe Standard 1.7, positioning it among a select group of eco-conscious establishments in Saudi Arabia.

The Green Globe Certification is a world-renowned benchmark for sustainability within the tourism and hospitality industries that recognises businesses that uphold environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road has implemented advanced water filtration systems and sensor technologies to optimise water consumption, while energy-saving initiatives, such as the use of LED and CFL lighting, have contributed to reducing the propertys carbon footprint.

The hotels building management systems ensure efficient air quality control and energy consumption, enhancing both guest comfort and sustainability. Additionally, the hotel has launched a zero-waste initiative to minimise food waste, using monitoring systems that ensure responsible resource management.

By introducing eco-friendly alternatives, such as sugarcane straws and sustainable guest amenities, Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road demonstrates a proactive approach to reducing single-use plastics.

Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road also engages with the local community through various environmental activities, including beach cleaning efforts, and actively participates in global conservation events like Earth Hour.

Mahmoud Omar, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Northern Ring Road Riyadh expressed enthusiasm about the certification, said: Receiving the Green Globe Certification underscores our commitment to responsible hospitality.

Our goal is to provide an exceptional guest experience while contributing positively to the environment and the local community. This recognition motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable luxury.  TradeArabia News Service
Wyoming governor Mark Gordon has ordered state agencies to take steps to ensure Wyomings elections continue to be secure.

The executive order signed Thursday is in recognition of voter concerns over non-citizens attempting to vote nationwide, according to a press release from the governors office.

The states chief election officer  Secretary of State Chuck Gray  applauded the decision but also stated it does not go far enough to secure Wyomings elections.

The order prohibits state agencies from providing voter registration materials to non-citizens and also prohibits the agencies from coordinating with any federal programs or agencies to provide voter registration materials to non-citizens in Wyoming.

State agencies must also confirm that there is no requirement to provide voter registration materials to non-citizens or otherwise require voter registration activities for non-citizens when entering into or renewing contracts with federal agencies or partners.

It is illegal under current federal law for non-citizens to vote in federal elections.

The order additionally states that state agencies are to expeditiously report any suspected instances of non-citizen voting in the carrying out of their duties.

Recognizing the Biden/Harris Administrations disastrous border policies compel us to do all we can to protect the integrity of our elections, I, alongside fellow Republican governors, have taken the action afforded to me by the Constitution and the Laws of Wyoming to confirm the security of Wyomings elections, Gordon said.

The order encourages the Secretary of State and County Clerks to continue to effectively and efficiently use the tools provided to each of them by Wyomings election code to investigate and verify voter registration.

Residents can be confident that this order removes any confusion and clarifies for our agencies  should there be any doubt  that they will not enable or facilitate any noncitizen to register to vote or help them to vote, Gordon said.

Gray following the signing of the order welcomed the decision but stated stricter rules are still needed.

The governors statement and executive order show he may be beginning to take the issues we previously identified, Gray said in a press release.

But this statement and executive order do not address in any way the problem he created when he vetoed our rulemaking in April, which would have been the key fix to stop illegal aliens from voting.

Gordon in April vetoed proposed voting rules by Gray that would have required Wyoming voters to prove residency in the state if their identification did not already show it.

Gordon, in a letter to Gray in April, stated that Grays proposed rules would need to be passed by the legislature.

I do not believe it is within the scope of authority delegated to the Secretary of State by law, Gordon stated.

Gray at several times since the veto has called for stricter voting rules.

Wyoming needs proof of residency and citizenship verification for voting to ensure that only Wyomingites are voting in Wyoming elections, Gray said. As I have previously said, we also need a durational residency requirement. I continue to hope that Governor Gordon will agree to work with us and the legislature to actually address the problem head-on.

There is no evidence of widespread voting by illegal immigrants in Wyoming. When asked, Gray has only pointed to a single case in which an illegal alien was found to be on the Wyoming voter rolls.
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.
European delegates are right now arriving in Korea to join over 5000 Christian leaders from all over the world in the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, starting tomorrow (Sunday).

Fifty years after the landmark Lausanne Congress in Switzerland, guided by Billy Graham and John Stott, the process of listening, consulting and collaborating through congresses, forums and smaller gatherings will be taken to a new level this coming week (22-28 September).

In addition to those gathering in Seoul, Korea, thousands more will interface digitally with the many conversations focused around multiple themes. The congress deploys the term polycentric Christianity to describe the shift from being solely a EuroAmerican religion to a global one. Global missions is now from many centres, from everyone to everywhere. This chart, drawn from the World Christian Encyclopedia, reveals the dramatic shift of the centre of gravity of the global church from the West to the Rest  particularly to Africa.

For those of us not in Korea, there are several ways to participate, as outlined here. Details about programme and speakers show a global lineup of contributors reflecting the polycentric nature of global Christianity today. A 516-page report on the State of the Great Commission is available for download, an impressively informative sourcebook for mission strategising and planning.

The 100-page section of regional profiles offers insightful overviews around the world. For those of us engaged in the re-evangelisation of Europe, the ten pages devoted to the first continent to be completely Christianised and then substantially de-Christianised deserve close study.

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The authors, Julia Garschagen, Luke Greenwood, Rolf Kjde, Jim Memory, Usha Reifsnider and Janet Sewell, challenge us to reflect on six themes essential to mission in contemporary Europe: the meaning of trust/truth; the place of community; the challenges and opportunities of the digital world; creation care and climate justice; unprecedented demographic change; and a shift in morality affecting how the good news of the gospel is interpreted by many Europeans.

Restoring Truth

Personal experience has become key to validating truth, rendering all-encompassing truth claims as unethical claims to power. Each person lives on their individual truth island. While Europeans crave for orientation and meaning in life, few look for help in the church. The good news has become bad news: it is morally corrupt, intellectually naive, and emotionally irrelevant. We must ask: How can we live and speak of the power, beauty, and truth of the gospel so that Europeans perceive it as good news?

Reshaping Morality

Today mission is seen as imposing ones truth on others, which, by default, is a claim to power and a violation of the other persons rights. For many Europeans, values like authenticity, justice, and care of the environment are important, but they do not see the church represent those values. We should ask: What can we learn from societys criticism? Yet a new conversation about moral orientation has started. Secular thinkers are beginning to realise that human rights and dignity presuppose an objective moral ground that cannot be found in secular relativism; and that European values are in fact deeply rooted within the Christian framework.

Rebuilding Community

Searching for freedom and autonomy, we have become our own enemies, destroying family values and real community. The paradox of disconnectedness in a digitally connected age, loneliness in the crowd of the dense and affluent urban centres, presents a great mission challenge. Millennials and Gen Zers lack meaning and experience loneliness. Yet a new generation of missionaries is creating stories of the gospel proclaimed on European streets and squares again. Movements like Steiger Ministries, the FEUER network, Revive, The Send and Circuit Riders are reaching secular young people and students, and mobilising and sending out thousands of young Europeans to reach their generation for Jesus.

Reconnecting Digitally

Our theological, missiological and ecclesiastical thinking needs to be adapted to the new reality of the digital world. The Web3.0 space offers collaboration for building community online. Young people today spend hours online playing games and making friends around the world. In 2011, 11-year-old Daniel started his own church in Roblox, an online gaming environment. Within seven years he had a church of 15,000 young people from fifty countries and today has over 54,000 members! Union School of Theology in the UK is building the first Christian metacampus where students will gather in their learning communities within virtual reality. Decentralization is a key ideology within Web3.0., meaning that churches could operate with less governmental oversight, especially in contexts of persecution.

Respecting Creation

Faith in sustainable growth in all nations has been overly optimistic on behalf of the environment and at the expense of the Majority World. Even though the European Union is leading the world on initiatives against global warming, Western consumption is also the main factor behind the global disaster. Thus, our nations have a higher moral obligation to act against the crisis and restrict our demands on common goods. Consumerism fosters greed. Fostering alternative living as disciples of Jesus Christ has always been part of the Lausanne movement. Just as health care has been a priority in Christian mission for generations, caring for the health of creation is now pivotal to our priorities.

Regarding Demography

Falling birthrates, an aging population, and sustained migration from the Majority World together are changing Europes demographics dramatically, and also the context for mission in Europe. Birthrates across Europe have been below replacement level for many years. This demographic imbalance is unprecedented. It will be pervasive in its extent, profound in its implications, enduring in its impact, and there is no going back. Europe desperately needs a renewed and healthy vision for marriage, parenthood, and the family. This is an opportunity for the church.

Flagging birthrates and aging populations inevitably lead to smaller workforces, the need for millions of migrant workers and rising costs of sustaining pensions and healthcare for the elderly. Intergenerational tensions are inevitable as younger generations will carry the burden of the burgeoning generation of pensioners. Will the church provide a model of a truly intergenerational community, where mutual support and mentoring between the generations is an example to the world of Gods new society?

Lausanne 4 is an opportunity for us all to reflect on these themes in our own circles and to be listening actively to Gods Spirit as to how to rise to these challenges.

Originally published by Jeff Fountain's Weekly Word. Republished with permission.

Jeff Fountain and his wife Romkjeare the initiators of the Schuman Centre for European Studies. They moved to Amsterdam in December 2017 after living in the Dutch countryside for over 40 years engaged with the YWAM Heidebeek training centre. Romkje was founder of YWAM The Netherlands and chaired the national board until 2013. Jeff was YWAM Europe director for 20 years, until 2009. Jeff chaired the annual Hope for Europe Round Table until 2015, while Romkje chaired the Women in Leadership network until recently. Jeff is author of Living as People of Hope, Deeply Rooted and other titles, and also writes weekly word, a weekly column on issues relating to Europe.
A Pima Community College student was shot to death on the University of Arizona campus late Sunday night, when a fight escalated to gun violence during a volleyball game outside a campus dormitory.

The shooting took place about 11 p.m. on the volleyball courts outside Arizona Sonora Residence Hall, a dormitory near Park Avenue and Fourth Street on the southwestern portion of the campus, the University of Arizona Police Department said.

Officers with the UAPD, who were alerted to the shooting by the Tucson Police Department, arrived on scene to find Minhaj Jamshidi lying next to a car in the parking lot of the dormitory.

Witnesses told the UAPD that Jamshidi had been shot on the volleyball court during a fight and had been carried to the parking lot where they waited for emergency responders to arrive.

Jamshidi died at the scene despite life saving measures being administered, police said.

University of Arizona police refused to disclose Jamshidis age. Pima Community College said he took classes in Building and Construction Technology.

We heard five to six shots. After the first shot, we froze, (after) the second shot, we started running and hid behind the concrete wall that we have right in front of AZ-SO (Arizona Sonora Residence Hall), said Devin Garmo, who was nearby. Then we opened the door, pushed all the girls and guys inside and we ran out, because I was like, I need to make sure the kids OK.

The fight, which broke out between two groups involved in the volleyball game, began when one man cursed at a woman in the game and her boyfriend started fighting in return, said Garmo who was studying in a study room on the dormitorys second floor. By the time he and his friends came down, the fight had escalated and one person pulled out a gun, he said.

According to Garmo, the two groups in the fight involved about 20 to 30 people, though he estimated there were about 100 witnesses in the area.

Garmo said Jamshidi was shot multiple times. No other injuries were reported.

The suspect, who fled the scene before police arrived, ran north from the volleyball courts, according to UAPD. He was described to be 6 feet tall, 19 to 25 years old with collar-length, dark curly hair and facial hair, and was wearing a white short-sleeve T-shirt and tan shorts.

UAPD says the suspect isnt affiliated with the university.

Housing and Residential Life, the UA campus housing body, refused to comment on the situation.

This incident is the second fatal shooting to take place on campus within two years, the last one having occurred on Oct. 5, 2022 when former UA Professor Thomas Meixner was shot and killed by a student in the John W. Harshbarger Building. Additionally, on April 28, a UA sophomore, Erin Jones, was killed during a shooting at a house party off campus.

This incident also comes days after an Arizona State University student suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being stabbed in a classroom on Thursday, according to The Arizona Republic. One student was taken into custody while the student who was stabbed was taken to a nearby hospital, according to ASU spokesperson Jerry Gonzalez.

University of Arizona police will conduct extra patrols in light of the deadly incident. Classes were held Monday, Sept. 23, as officials considered it to be an isolated incident and didnt believe that the campus was under any ongoing threat. However, university mental health services was made available to students in need.

Pima College also offered support services to students impacted by Jamshidis death.

Several students who witnessed the incident were leaving town for a few days as a precaution, according to Garmo. Students in neighboring dormitories talked about the environment being very tense and sad since the shooting had taken place so close and those were areas they themselves frequented in the late hours of the evening.

The incident is being investigated as a homicide by the UAPD and TPD. Anyone with information is asked to contact UAPD at 520-621-8273. Anonymous tips can be called in to 88-CRIME.
Eight-foot wrought iron fences, shatter-proof glass windows and modernized security cameras.

Decades ago, these safety features were best suited for jailhouse security as a way to keep bad guys in.

These days, Tucson Unified School District is planning to use these same measures to keep bad guys out.

Sprawling campuses, once built as soft, open spaces and neighborhood gathering places, have changed drastically since the days of the 1999 Columbine High School mass shooting, TUSD Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo said. Now were in a place where we have to harden those targets.

Last November, voters passed Proposition 496, which allowed TUSD to issue and sell $480 million in General Obligation Bonds for school improvements. Because of this, TUSD is on its way to making these security changes a reality, school officials said in a town hall meeting last week addressing recent unfounded threats targeting schools across the Tucson area.

This (money) is going to do wonderful things for our district, Trujillo said, pointing out that TUSD already has the states only armed school safety force.

The other measures will be coming down the pipeline, and district officials said they hope these might ease the minds of parents and students.

This month, in a weeks time, the Tucson Police Department investigated more than 100 9-1-1 calls regarding alleged threats, questioned numerous students, and arrested seven teenagers under the age of 15. Since the school year began, there have been no credible threats to any Tucson-area schools, police said.

Whether a threat is found to be valid or not, TUSD parents should rest assured that officers are working to figure out just that, police said.

Instead of reporting a potential threat to community groups, social media sites, and friends, Tucson Police Department officers pleaded with parents and students to call authorities and not repost the message.

Parents who are concerned about their childrens safety will never be judged by keeping their child home from school, Trujillo said.

Its called parental authority, and we dont challenge that, he noted, adding that if a child misses 10 days, the student could be dropped from the district. Parents can meet with the district to discuss alternative options, such as attending a virtual school or being placed in a smaller educational setting.

As far as communication goes as it relates to school safety, TUSD Safety Director Joe Hallums said the district can and will do better. The districts goal is to make sure every parent is signed up for text and email alerts. But, parents and guardians must also be patient while police and school officials do their jobs and investigate potential threats, TUSD officials said.

Trujillo said a threat posted online at 5 p.m. on a Sunday might go viral, and 20 minutes later, parents will expect a response from the school district. This is not always a feasible request, he said.

Were not sitting on info, Trujillo said. Were giving law enforcement time to do their jobs. Once we hear from them, then we communicate it with all of you.

But what if there is no social media warning, no heads up or threat to confront outside? What if the threat is inside the school already? How do fences and shatter-proof windows help then?

For protections from threats that may already be inside the school, we are implementing the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), said Karla Escamilla, TUSD director of communication and media relations. This evidence-based approach allows us to proactively identify and intervene with students who may pose a risk to themselves or others before an incident occurs.

CSTAG focuses on early identification, assessment, and management of potential threats through a multi-disciplinary team approach by emphasizing early attention to problems such as bullying, teasing, and other forms of student conflict before they escalate into violent behavior, Escamilla said. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about the consequences of posting false threats and rapidly sharing them.

Whether youre a parent, guardian, student, administrator, friend, or neighbor  we all share the same goal: keeping kids and staff safe in our schools, TPD wrote in a social media post addressing parental concern. Have those courageous conversations to help kids understand the dangers and consequences of creating, posting, or sharing any threat of violence.

What may seem like a prank, a joke, or even sharing someone elses threat can lead to criminal charges and expulsion from school. Report it, dont repost it!
Will there be room for new voices, will there be space for surprise? asked Valdir Steuernagel in a speech he gave at a meeting of Latin American leaders in the lead up to Lausannes Fourth Global Congress (Lausanne IV) in Seoul, Korea that begins this Sunday, September 22.

Calling for a renewed affirmation of the evangelical identity and encouraging new conversations involving evangelical leaders from every part of the world, Steuernagel traced the history of the movement back to its beginnings in 1974. He recalled significant breakthroughs and ongoing tensions, offered new and timeless perspectives on global missions recognizing that the task of the Great Commission is still unfinished, and concluded with his prayer for what is expected to be a significant event in Church history.

Back in September 2023, the Lausanne Movements regional leaders in Latin America convened a consultation in Montevideo, Uruguay that featured keynote speakers Valdir Steuernagel, Norberto Saracco (Argentina), Karen Bomilcar (Brazil) and Jaime Memory (United Kingdom). It was part of the lead-up to Lausanne IV where each region would guide participants through a process that would prepare them for the global event where some 5,000 Christian leaders from every corner of the world will strategize about world missions.

Steuernagels speech captured the regions perspective so well that World Vision Latin America together with the regional Lausanne leadership published an edited version in English that would provide a conversation starter not only for Latin Americans but also for participants from around the world.

A prominent theologian and esteemed Brazilian evangelical leader, Steuernagel served on the Lausanne Central Committee for several years and has intimate knowledge of the movement. He was also president of World Visions International Board as well as a member of the World Evangelical Alliances International Council, among various other roles he held over the decades of his ministry.

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The history and Spirit of Lausanne

For decades, the Lausanne Movement has been a part of my life. I am a kind of child of Lausanne, although a belated one, Steuernagel said, pointing out that he wasnt present at the International Congress on World Evangelization held in the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974, nowadays referred to as Lausanne I.

The global event convened by Billy Graham and Jack Dyan brought together 2,300 participants from 150 nations, and  under the guidance of theologian John Stott  produced the landmark Lausanne Covenant that remains influential to this day.

Lausanne I was indeed a breath of the Spirit that surprised the broader Christian family and left its mark on the evangelical world, which was already emerging as a significant stream within the global Christian community, Steuernagel said.

The event catapulted the evangelical world, both internally and externally, into a new self-perception, into a visibility hitherto unknown, and into the need to become a dialogue partner with other Christian groups and with the contemporary world itself.

It came at a time of increased missionary activity, growth in the Church, expanding resource mobilization and the emergence of international leaders and respected personalities, such as Billy Graham.

Evangelicals now filled stadiums, captivated large audiences, and used television as they had previously done with radio, Steuernagel said, noting that the Gallup Report marked 1966 as the year of the evangelicals in North America. But as 1974 came around, it became evident that it was indeed a global phenomenon as there was an evangelical church flourishing in many other places, notably in various African countries, many Latin American countries, and some Asian countries.

Lausanne I recognized this change at the event and adapted to the contemporary world, as was expressed in the Lausanne Covenant.

Steuernagel emphasized that it was done in an evangelical style. A style that never considered giving up its identity, affirming, therefore, the centrality of Jesus, the authority of Scriptures, human sinfulness, the missionary calling of the church, and the hope for a new heaven and a new earth.

But what also happened at the event is that the gate was open for new conversations and open to accentuate identity and mission, he said, as North American missionary and evangelistic organizations increasingly became international, while national churches brought new perspectives to the conversations.

It is worth noting that Lausanne I was a pioneer in allowing the growing evangelical diversity, with a strong ethnic-geographic aroma, to take the stage, without forgetting how much this diversity was already present in the audience.

According to Steuernagel, the development brought an element of shock and surprise to evangelical culture that historically struggled with diversity. And he added that [this] shock and surprise manifested as a latent and continuous tension in the Movement.

It is important for participants of the upcoming congress to understand these historical dynamics as they continue to this day and will likely be felt at Lausanne IV once again, he asserts.

Evangelization versus total mission of the church: emerging voices from the Global South

It became clear early on that Lausanne I would be followed by a Continuation Committee, which then met for the first time in January 1975 in Mexico City. It was there that tension emerged with significant visibility, Steuernagel said.

In seeking to define Lausannes mandate, the question arose whether it should be specifically focused on evangelizing the unreached, i.e. proclamation, or whether it should emphasize the total mission of the church, i.e. a more holistic approach, which the Lausanne Covenant already affirmed.

The committee struck a balance, saying they understood that the advance of the churchs mission means encouraging all the people of God to go into the world as Christ was sent into the world, giving themselves to others in a spirit of sacrificial service, with evangelism being primary in this mission.

Tensions persisted, however, as leaders from what then became known as the Global South continued to speak up.

These voices reflected the journey of young churches and emerging Christian leaders in search of a relevant Christian experience for their context and in pursuit of a dialogue with their respective realities, questions, cries, and experiences, he said. Voices that raised critical questions about an evangelistic practice that emphasized soul salvation at the expense of living an incarnate faith.

These concerns had been raised at Lausanne I by Latin American leaders Rene Padilla and Samuel Escobar, with Padilla addressing the theme of Evangelization and the World, and Escobar discussing Evangelization and the Quest for Freedom, Justice, and Fulfillment by Man.

They advocated for an evangelistic practice with cultural sensitivity, a missional experience expressed in social responsibility and the pursuit of justice, and a life marked by simplicity and sacrifice, as found and modeled by Jesus, Steuernagel said.

Global South leaders celebrated the Lausanne Covenants emphasis on mission that encompasses all areas of life throughout ones life. Leaders mainly from North America, however, raised concerns about the need to maintain a focus on the verbal proclamation of the gospel and on spiritual and personal conversion.

Steuernagel recounted that in 1975, John Stott responded to some of these concerns by noting the lack of Global South representation at the Mexico meeting and the insensitivity with which some North Americans emphasized the need to restrict to evangelism and not focus on broader concerns as expressed in the Covenant. And in an article titled The Meaning of Lausanne, Stott later wrote that he believed regional groups would find their way according to their own discernment.

Lausanne I opened the gate, will Lausanne IV keep it open?

Steuernagel went on to highlight Lausanne I as a historic moment, a kind of opening of the gate, that articulated an evangelical identity and stance that represented all evangelicals and proved relevant to the lived reality.

The gospel of Jesus Christ as the good news was affirmed, and it was highlighted that the gospel should be proclaimed everywhere and at all times as universal and sufficient, and in such a way that people can recognize Christ in us.

In addition to these foundational truths, however, Steuernagel highlighted that the Lausanne Covenant also emphasized that the Scriptures must be embraced in their entirety. Hence the expression the whole gospel, necessitating a departure from any reductionism, segregation, or dilution of the Scriptures.

It also affirmed Jesus as the center determining all areas of life. Hence the expression the whole gospel for the whole person. Therefore, any separation between body and soul, individual and community, present and future is rejected, as it would be a denial of both the gospel and humanity.

These and other affirmations led to joy and expectations but also tensions, Steuernagel said. The presence of God and the breath of the Spirit was felt, which led the church to a new moment of fellowship, integration, and assimilation of new leadership and voices. There was anticipation of the Church waking up to its true calling.

At the same time, there was tension because the more customary leaders were no longer the only ones who could express their perspectives. Certain biblical interpretations as well as some of the mission and strategic agendas seemed less relevant or in need of reassessment. And new leaders, especially from the Global South, were emerging and wanting to sit at the table and have access to the microphone.

Despite fluctuations of the years and changes in Lausannes leadership, Steuernagel said the gate that Lausanne I opened did not (completely) close again.

Padilla and Escobar are illustrations of the tension as they represented the new and surprising voices at Lausanne I but then did not have the same space, neither personally nor in terms of the proposed agenda, at Lausanne II. At Lausanne III, however, the iconic figures returned and were recognized and affirmed, Steuernagel said, adding: The gate remained lifted.

Looking ahead at Lausanne IV considering these past dynamics, the question is whether it remains open, Steuernagel said.

He wonders if there will be room for new voices, emphasizing that there are new voices to be heard. And he asks if there will be space for surprise.

Surprise that bears the mark of the Spirit and leads the Church to rethink its missional experience based on a new encounter with the Scriptures, a necessary conversation among churches from everywhere and in every place, and a new reading and appropriation of the context we live in, Steuernagel said.

If the Spirit blows, there will be surprise and there will be tension, and this is something we should know and accept.

Lausanne IV must reaffirm the evangelical identity in todays context

Steuernagel emphasized that a key outcome of Lausanne IV must be the reaffirmation of the evangelical identity in consideration of todays context, so that the Churchs testimony will be relevant and effective.

Christian faith gives birth to identity, he said but cautioned that this identity is never abstract, conceptual or theoretically doctrinal. Instead, it is always communal and relational. Furthermore, while the Christian identity does not depend on the context, it does not assert itself without a context either.

It is nourished and inspired by the identity of the God of revelation and incarnation. And He is the only God who makes himself known.

He is the God with a name  the God of our fathers and mothers, the God of Jesus Christ; has a presence  the Jesus of Nazareth; and has an address  Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth, Steuernagel said, and highlighted: Each of these places needs to be identified, encountered, named, respected, loved, and established in common coexistence.

He adds that the Christian faith identity takes shape in the experience of vocation through which God calls us to Himself and sends us in His name.

Identity is always missional because God is always missional; He is the God who goes out of Himself, meets the other, and reveals Himself as the God of love. He is the incarnate God who calls us to sit around Him, as He did with the disciples (Mark 3:14-15), and from this place shows us the way: go; indicates what must be lived and what must be done: proclaim the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons (Mark 3:14-15, Matthew 10:1).

Steuernagel believes one of the most significant affirmations of Lausanne I was that identity and context go hand in hand. But the identity that was formulated was clearly evangelical and therefore clearly distinguished itself from the ecumenical Christian world that was marked by a tendency towards a more liberal and political theology.

In Lausanne I, the evangelical identity was affirmed, and that was the direction Lausanne wanted to take, he said. By the time Lausanne III took place in Cape Town, the context had changed, but the evangelical identity would be reaffirmed.

Steuernagel felt that Lausanne III affirmed an identity and mission paradigm that was marked by the language of love. This was a noticeable shift from the previous language that focused on discerning tasks, programs and resources.

Lausanne III and the resulting Cape Town Commitment recognized that many times in the past, our attitudes and missionary practices were marked by a divisive spirit, a belligerent attitude, and conquest goals, sometimes enveloped in colonialist and civilizing practices, he said.

Now, we were saying that it was necessary to convert to the language and attitude of love and the practice of welcoming and caring, so that new generations and communities may believe, and with them, we become an expression of the Body of Christ. Believing in a loving God. A caring and trustworthy God. A God of shalom.

Fourteen years after the Cape Town gathering, Steuernagel said it is necessary to reaffirm the Christian identity again at Lausanne IV. And we need to do it in harmony with the breath of the Spirit that leads us to listen to the voice of God anew and to do so prophetically in the time and context in which we live.

Doing so is important because identity is not something that is inherited, rather it comes as the fruit of conversion.

Identity needs to find its space for testimonial gestation in each generation and in each context because our identity is not disconnected from our mission. Identity is a missional affirmation, Steuernagel stated.

He described how the process leading to Lausanne III included a season of listening and discerning the challenges of mission in the first decade of the new millennium. Similarly, participants in Lausanne IV must once again discern the time and context, as well as internal and external challenges and opportunities that require us to affirm our identity in firm and loving testimonial conversations.

A Latin American perspective on todays issues the Church needs to address

Steuernagel himself highlighted a number of todays key issues, some of which he says are not new, including the superficialization and syncretism of faith due to the rapid growth that Church experienced. Faced with this reality, it is necessary to reiterate and emphasize the Scriptures, reacting to biblical illiteracy.

However, he also cautioned that this emphasis on the Scriptures needs to strike the tone of enchantment, acceptance, and grace, overcoming the harsh, dry, separatist, and authoritarian language by which we have characterized ourselves many times and for a long time. The Scriptures need and want to be encountered as the word of a caring God.

A second concern revolves around the widespread divisions within the Church. Our identity needs to lead us to speak with one voice and express a common sentiment, Steuernagel said.

In the day-to-day of our history, we have specialized in divisions that, in many cases, represent conflicts of egos and interests and have nothing to do with the breath of the Spirit and the call to unity by the voice of the Scriptures. We need to overcome our separatist and individualistic culture to generate a unity that becomes a testimony, even if it may find different organizational paths. Our identity needs to make outsiders say about us: See how they love each other!

As a third concern, Steuernagel emphasized that our identity needs to be multifaceted and inclusive.

The growth of churches in various places and among different cultures signals the transformation of the face of the Church into a multifaceted and multicolored one, bringing honor to the gospel and value to Gods invitation to all people everywhere.

He laments that for a long time, in modern times, the Christian faith was perceived as something associated with the white, fueled by white male leadership, and sustained by the green money of the white empire.

He goes on to emphasize the urgency of addressing other pressing issues, such as the need to care for Gods creation, to recognize the reality and significance of migration and the importance of welcoming refugees, and to emphasize affirming life amid a culture of death that celebrates abortion and euthanasia, among others.

Open conversations could lead to new paradigm shifts in missions at Lausanne IV

Looking back at the first gathering in Lausanne, Switzerland, Steuernagel highlighted how mission perspectives and the understanding of the task shifted as evangelicals encountered new frontiers and contexts.

When Lausanne I was conceived and organized, what was desired was very clear, Steuernagel said. This was expressed in the events name  International Congress on World Evangelization, in the events theme  Let the Earth Hear His Voice, and in its purpose, which stated: Mobilize the whole church to proclaim the whole gospel to the whole world. The focus was on global evangelization, and there was a reading regarding this possibility and necessity.

The historic understanding of mission that formed the backdrop to Lausanne I was rooted in the modern missions movement that was marked by William Carey. However, new perspectives came to the fore when Donald McGavran began to speak about evangelizing human groups rather than only individuals.

He argued that individual evangelism would not complete the task of world evangelization and that it should take into account realities in which conversion could and even should be collective, aiming to encounter human groups with the gospel and their possible conversion, Steuernagel highlighted.

Similarly, Ralph D. Winters concept of Unreached People Groups (UPGs) contributed to a paradigm shift in mission strategy.

Winter played a significant role in Lausanne I, where he was one of the speakers, according to Steuernagel. [He planted] the seed of the movement around identifying these unreached people groups and pointing to the need to reach them and establish a church among each of them. This movement marked the history of world evangelization and energized the mobilization toward a missionary effort through which these people groups could be mapped and reached.

At the same time, people like Billy Graham successfully used mass media, filled stadiums and brought a lot of visibility to evangelicals.

Thus, Lausanne became a movement that emphasized open and public evangelization, while also nurturing next-level mission strategies like Winters UPGs and considering the growth of the Church outside the Western world.

Lausanne created space for new and emerging churches, especially from the Global South, to be seen and even, in some cases, invited to occupy a seat on the platform and use the microphone, Steuernagel said.

This led to richer and simultaneously more demanding and challenging conversations because as these churches found their vital space and discerned their vocation amid the construction of new partnerships, they began asking questions. Questions about the nature of the evangelization being operationalized, the mission being carried out, and the churches being established vis-a-vis their transformative or accommodating impact on society, he said.

The resulting conversations were marked by a simultaneous tone of gratitude and criticism and broadened and enriched the evangelical Church, which continued to grow and manifest itself as a living force in many of our societies.

Steuernagel said that in the lead up to Lausanne IV and during the Congress, there are certainly new conversations that need to happen, recognizing that the task is unfinished.

The strong mobilization of new generations, the reconfiguration of missionary vocations marked by an entrepreneurial bias, the growing perception of mission as multifaceted  these are some signs of life in a missionary journey towards a new and continuous obedience. Obedience to the mandate of Jesus, he said.

Considering new Bible passages for missions that go beyond Matthew 28 and Acts 1

Following his own reflection on Biblical passages that speak to missions, Steuernagel suggests to consider the relevance of Luke 10:1-20 for todays world.

He pointed out that historically, Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8 had been key in the hermeneutics of the missionary vocation as expressed and experienced by the evangelical community in its various traditions and expressions.

It was John Stott who later drew attention to a different aspect of missions by pointing to John 17:18 and 20:21. By saying, on two occasions, As the Father sent me, so I send you, it becomes clear and crucial that Jesus himself models the mission of the church, Steuernagel said, and added: Our mission, therefore, is to follow Jesus and, in following him, be sent into the world; to be like him  incarnate  and to do the mission the way he did it.

The mission is not something of ours that can be done in our way, he emphasized.

Steuernagel notes that each Bible passage that was highlighted was specifically relevant to its time. Carey pointed to Matthew 28 at a time when the Church was hesitant and even denied its missionary vocation beyond borders.

Stott on the other hand spoke about the verses in the gospel of John at a time when the experience and practice of missions had gained traction, expanded, and even risked losing focus and being enchanted with its own projects and strategies.

Thus, we discover that biblical texts inspire us, mobilize us, warn us, correct us, and put us in tune with our time, acquiring a mobilizing force for obedience that bears the mark of Jesus, Steuernagel said.

While keeping these historic perspectives and relevant passages in mind in moving towards Lausanne IV, he said he felt God leading him to meditate on the meaning of Luke 10:1-20 and found in it a paradigmatic text for this mission in the model of Jesus in our time.

The text echoes the sending explicitly stated in Matthew, takes steps toward the mission outlined in the model of Jesus, and points to important dimensions in these days, according to Steuernagel.

Days in which we need to focus on a mission that expresses itself as incarnation, reflects the totality of the gospel, reconciles life well with verbal testimony, discerns the need for mission with spiritual authority and its origin, and is lived in a movement of sending and rediscovery of the Jesus who reminds us of what is fundamental  to be known by the Father, he said.

He considers Luke 10 an important addition to todays missional hermeneutics in light of the tensions we experience in our own evangelical community with its programmatic outbursts and illusory certainties, as well as in light of challenges that have become as complex as the world in which we live.

While admitting that a fuller treatment would require more space than what was available in his address, he pointed to a few clues that stood out to him. These include the announcement and experience of peace and peace as the culmination of the mission. This appears especially relevant amid todays climate of division, polarization, and anger.

He also highlighted the transformation through sharing the gospel, healing the sick, and liberating from demonic oppression. This mission seeks the unreached, the forgotten, and the discriminated against.

Other themes include prayer, readiness for sacrifice and persecution, the centrality of accepting the message proclaimed as the Kingdom of God, and the return to the one who sponsored the sending.

Returning is necessary because, upon returning, we are reminded of our priority and our identity, he said.

Approaching Lausanne IV with repentance, a dream and a prayer

Steuernagel concluded by highlighting what he hopes to see at Lausanne IV: repentance and a dream, and he offered a prayer for the right atmosphere at the event.

He first pointed to Chris Wrights presentation at Lausanne III about the acronym HIS: humility, integrity, and simplicity, in which he called participants to an attitude of repentance and renewal of commitment.

The same was reflected in the Cape Town Commitment, which states: Since there is no biblical mission without biblical life, we urgently renew our commitment and challenge all those who profess the name of Christ to live radically differently from the ways of the world, to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:14).

Secondly, Steuernagel spoke about the dream that should inspire participants saying the word dream is meant to resonate on the journey to Seoul, Korea, in 2024.

A dream marked by the love and grace of God. A dream that envisions churches marked by restoration, hospitality, and care. A dream of communities without borders that takes us as far as the unreached borders. A dream in which there is a place for everyone and for all of nature. A dream and not a program, for a program is always imposing and excluding. A dream that opens the doors to surprise, he said.

According to Steuernagel, Lausanne I was a surprise, and Lausanne III was a dream. And he encouraged participants, Let us move towards Lausanne IV in prayer that finds its fertile ground between this and that.

He finished his speech by reciting a famous prayer of Francis of Assisi that he hopes will inspire and challenge those who will be in Korea this time:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred, let me bring love

Where there is injury, let me bring pardon

Where there is discord, let me bring unity

Where there is doubt, let me bring faith

Where there is error, let me bring truth

Where there is despair, let me bring hope

Where there is sadness, let me bring joy

Where there is darkness, let me bring light

O Master, grant that I may seek

To console rather than to be consoled

To understand, rather than to be understood

To love, rather than to be loved

For it is in giving that we receive

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned

And it is in dying that we are born

To eternal life.

Amen
Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

What brought Will Ferrell to a small town in Oklahoma?

Ferrell and friend Harper Steele popped in to socialize at a bar in Meeker while on a road trip across the United States. Footage filmed at the bar will be part of a documentary, Will & Harper, that will premiere Friday on Netflix. Meeker is south of Interstate 44 between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The backstory on the friendship: Ferrell and Steele were part of the same rookie class at Saturday Night Live in 1995. Ferrell was hired as a performer, and Steele was hired as a writer.

As a newbie, Ferrell wasnt quite sure how he would fit in at the show  and performers throughout SNL history will tell you the importance of having writers who get you and will write material for you. Steele deciphered that Ferrell was indeed funny and relayed that to others on the show.

Two stars were born. Ferrell became a go-to cast member, and Steele eventually graduated to head writer of SNL.

Ferrell and Steele remained friends after their tours of duty on the show ended.

Three years ago, Steele sent letters to close friends with the intent of communicating heres something you should know about me. That something was this: Steele decided to transition from man to woman.

If you were, like Ferrell, one of those friends who received a letter, you might have questions. Steele loves road trips and loves her country. What better way to ask those questions than by going on a cross-country road trip together?

Will & Harper documents a journey from New York to Los Angeles in which Ferrell and Steele explored the U.S. and the new normal for both of them. Said a story on Netflixs media site: Over the course of their 16-day trip, Ferrell and Steele traversed the length and breadth of the American heartland, from Indianapolis to the Grand Canyon, striking up conversations and making new friends in bars, gas stations and rodeos along the way.

Ferrell and Steele appeared on a segment of CBS Sunday Morning to promote the documentary this past weekend. The segment included snippets of their visit to Meeker.

So were heading to Meeker, Oklahoma, Ferrell said to Steele in a video clip from the road trip.

This is in the category of places you would have visited and not thought twice about. What are you feeling? What are you thinking?

Im nervous and anxious, Steele replied. I spent my life going to little towns like this  stopping in bars, drinking, meeting people. I just dont know if I can anymore.

Having Ferrell along for the ride allowed Steele to feel safer.

Trans people for sure have to be careful, Steele said during the CBS Sunday Morning appearance.

There are people out there who are filled with hate, and its not necessarily going to be aimed at me. Its going to be people who dont have the kind of advantages I have. Im not advocating everyone run out in the middle of the country and run around. I swear to God. We have some people out there who are not good people.

The Meeker leg of the road trip was apparently a positive experience. In a clip from the documentary, Steele raises her beer bottle for a toast and says, Oklahoma, thank you.

And, at the end of the road trip, Ferrell and Steele were two old friends whose friendship had been strengthened.

I could almost pinpoint the moment where Im like, Will sees me the way I want him to see me now,  Steele said in a story on Netflixs media site. It was a wonderful experience to see someone not struggling with accepting me, but working to understand how I wanted him to understand it.

Said Josh Greenbaum in a directors statement: Will & Harper is a story about friendship, allyship and the journey to becoming your true self. Its about identity, America, pain, laughter and acceptance  both of each other and, more importantly, of ourselves. Its also about the power of Pringles, cheap beer and road trips with your best friend.



The Tulsa World is where your story lives




Former Tulsa priest Father Stanley Rother was named the first martyr and saint from the U.S. after he was murdered in 1981 in Guatemala.

His beatification ceremony was on this day in 2017 in Oklahoma City.

A martyr is someone who dies out of odium fidei, or hatred for the faith, said said Diocese of Tulsa Bishop David Konderla. If Rother had been killed in an accident, he would not be considered a martyr.

But Rother was murdered for speaking out in favor of the poor and marginalized who were being oppressed at the time, he said.

Its a big deal for us, Konderla said at the time.

Its a relatively rare thing. Heres this guy from Okarche, Oklahoma, a farm boy, who struggled so badly with academics in seminary that he was dismissed after the first year, Konderla said.

He reapplies to a different seminary, finishes, and goes to Guatemala, to a people without a published language, manages to learn the language and then helps them translate the Bible into their language. Its kind of amazing.
Boeing was committed to helping Vietnam build an aviation ecosystem in the coming time, Brendan Nelson, senior vice-president of The Boeing Company and president of Boeing Global, told a meeting in New York on Sunday with Vietnam's Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, as part of the top Vietnamese officials ongoing trip to the U.S..

The Boeing executive stressed that the support would focus on infrastructural development, workforce training, airport construction, and aircraft repair and maintenance facilities, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Nelson reaffirmed that Boeing had organized several meetings with leaders of Vietnam Airlines to provide financial support and seek solutions to both immediate and long-term challenges, with determination to fulfill the contract signed during U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam last year by 2028.

He underlined that developing the aviation industry would give more opportunities to the country and Vietnamese people.

Appreciating Boeings business achievements, as well as its support for Vietnamese airlines, Party General Secretary and State President Lam thanked the corporation and acknowledged its commitments to support Vietnam in developing its aerospace and aviation industrial ecosystem in the coming time.

Speaking of the strong growth of the Vietnam-U.S. relationship, especially after the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September last year, the top Vietnamese official affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, state, and people are committed to creating favorable conditions in accordance with legal regulations for U.S. companies in general, and Boeing in particular, to invest and operate effectively and sustainably in Vietnam.

He encouraged Boeing to continue closely collaborating with Vietnamese partners to complete and deliver the aircraft orders signed in the past.

Also, he urged the U.S. aerospace company to research and invest in building component manufacturing factories and a regional maintenance center linked to major airports in Vietnam.

He called on the firm to enhance cooperation in human resource training, research and development, and technology transfer to help Vietnamese partners join Boeing's supply chain more deeply.

Apart from highly valuing the top Vietnamese leaders vision and perspective regarding the importance of the aviation economy in supporting Vietnam's socio-economic development, Nelson underscored that Boeing's strategies and commitments to Vietnam in the immediate future aim to ensure that more residents have access to aviation services.

Party General Secretary and State President Lam, accompanied by his spouse and an entourage, arrived in the U.S. late on Saturday afternoon (local time) to attend the United Nations Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79), as well as engage in other working sessions in the North American country.

The Vietnamese leader was set to attend the two-day Summit of the Future on Sunday and Monday, themed Multilateral Solutions for a Better Future, and the UNGA 79, centered on Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations, which lasts from Tuesday through Saturday.

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Chinese car manufacturer Great Wall Motor Company Ltd (GWM) inked a deal with Vietnams Thanh An Group JSC in mid-September to assemble cars in Vietnam by the end of 2025.

GWM, headquartered in Hebei, China, mainly produces sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks.

As per the agreement, the two firms will cooperate to cover the assembly of completely knocked-down GWM models in the Southeast Asian country, according to Car News China.

These cars are set to roll off the assembly line in Vietnam by the end of 2025. But as for how many they will be making each year, that is still under wraps

GWM officially entered Vietnam in August 2023 after it signed a deal with Thanh An Group to distribute Haval cars in early 2023.

The carmaker plans to introduce its Tank 300 and Tank 500 autos to Vietnam.

The automaker manufactured some car models similar to the Mazda and Toyota, and then quickly became one of Chinas leading firms.

Though GWM previously tried to expand its reach to the world, especially in the European market, it gained lower-than-expected success. Therefore, the carmaker decided to tap the Southeast Asian region.

In January this year, GWM signed an assembly agreement with Malaysian-listed EP Manufacturing Berhad Group, the first in the ASEAN region.

GWM has locations in Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Brunei, and Vietnam.

The Chinese carmaker is planning to build another knocked-down assembly factory in Indonesia.

Vietnam has the fourth-largest car market in Southeast Asia. Last year, members of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association sold 301,989 cars.

Last year, GWM vended over 1.2 million cars, up 15.3 percent year on year, with more than 310,000 units exported to markets outside China.

Between January and August this year, GWM sold 280,140 autos in the global market, a 54.2-percent year-on-year hike, representing 37.6 percent of the firms total sales.

Thanh An Group is a distributor of some South Korean car brands. In 2023, it became the first distributor of the Haval, a car brand owned by GWM, in Vietnam.

In early 2024, the group announced its plan to open an additional 12 showrooms to sell Haval cars in Vietnam.

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Authorities in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam on Sunday awarded investment policy decisions, registration certificates, and memoranda of understanding on investment to 18 projects, including some executed by South Korean tech giant Samsung, Taiwan-based Foxconn, and Amkor Vietnam, with a total pledged capital of over $5.5 billion.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended a conference to announce development planning for the 2021-30 period and investment promotion activities in the province in 2024, witnessing multiple major firms getting these decisions and certificates.

Samsung pledged to expand its investment with a total registered capital of $1.8 billion this year, aside from a previous investment of $6.5 billion in Yen Phong Industrial Park.

At the event, Vietinbank Trade-Union Investment Joint Stock Company received a decision to allow it to invest in the Hong Lac-Xuan Lam ecological urban area project in Thuan Thanh Town with a total pledged capital of more than $1 billion.

Technology firm Amkor Vietnam was also permitted to add nearly $1.1 billion to its semiconductor and material production, assembly, and testing plant in the province.

In addition, Foxconn Singapore, a Singapore-headquartered subsidiary of Foxconn, received an investment registration certificate to inject more than $383 million into the FCPV Foxconn Bac Ninh electronic factory.

The provincial administration also issued a certificate to Goertek Technology Vinas electronics production plant with a pledged capital of $280 million.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L, 2nd) awards a decision to approve Bac Ninh Provinces development planning to a representative of the provincial administration. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre

Speaking at the conference, PM Chinh lauded Bac Ninh Province and the Ministry of Planning and Investment for their cooperation in holding the event and some groundbreaking ceremonies at low costs to set aside funds for victims affected by typhoon Yagi, which made landfall in northern Vietnam on September 7.

Yagi, the third storm to hit Vietnam this year, has caused an estimated loss of over $1.6 billion, possibly lowering the countrys 2024 GDP growth by 0.15 percentage points from the earlier forecast rate, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The government leader also praised the province for its efforts to invest in traffic infrastructure and arrange accommodations for workers to attract highly skilled employees and talents.

PM Chinh said that apart from attracting investment flows, Bac Ninh Province should focus on upskilling its workforce and improving social welfare.

Moreover, he hinted at boosting regional connection and production cooperation to make breakthroughs in high technology and added-value agriculture.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at a conference to announce development planning for the 2021-30 period and investment promotion activities in the province this year on September 22, 2024. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre

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The potential for cooperation between Vietnamese and U.S. partners in high-tech spheres, such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), is extremely huge and significant in this new era, Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam said during a seminar in New York on Sunday.

Lam attended the seminar on enhancing Vietnam-U.S. cooperation in semiconductors and AI as part of his stateside visit scheduled for September 21-24.

The seminar was also attended by experts from leading semiconductor and AI entities in the U.S., such as Google, Marvell, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), and the Global Semiconductor Alliance.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam affirmed that Vietnam is giving science, technology, and innovation priority amidst a competitive economy.

Vietnam encourages and prioritizes hi-tech, semiconductor, AI, renewable energy, and green hydrogen projects.

The cooperation with U.S. partners in the semiconductor and AI industries will open up opportunities for businesses of both countries to exploit their advantages.

Highlighting Vietnams strengths and opportunities for semiconductor and AI development, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam said Vietnam had trained hundreds of thousands of programmers and millions of information technology personnel over the past 20 years.

Vietnam currently has many large electronics, information technology, semiconductor, and AI enterprises, such as Viettel, VNPT, and FPT. Many foreign firms, including Samsung, Amkor, Hana Micron, Intel, Foxconn, and LG, have invested in these sectors in Vietnam.

Other major investors are completing final procedures to deploy research and development, production, and business activities in the country, the Vietnamese leader added.

He stressed that Vietnam always values international cooperation and understands that it has to cooperate with partners to build a solid value chain to succeed and advance in hi-tech fields, especially the semiconductor and AI industries.

He also welcomed U.S. enterprises and organizations to Vietnam to jointly develop creative and sustainable solutions.

Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (C) affirms that Vietnam also has strengths in AI and semiconductor development. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre

Speaking at the seminar, Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung highlighted the steady progress in Vietnam-U.S. relations, particularly in the areas of economy, investment, and trade.

One year after the two nations upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued a program on September 21 aimed at developing human resources for the semiconductor industry, along with national strategies for its growth.

In particular, Vietnam will boost high-quality manpower training for the semiconductor and AI sectors, with a view to training 50,000 engineers by 2030.

Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam hails the cooperation between Vietnamese and U.S. enterprises in semiconductors and AI. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre

During the seminar, representatives from various organizations and tech firms shared their experience in the development of semiconductors and AI.

John Neffer, president of the SIA, expressed his honor in meeting Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.

He affirmed that SIA views Vietnam as a valuable partner with great potential and is eager to share expertise and support the countrys efforts in these sectors.

He emphasized that countries are in a race to become destinations for semiconductor and AI manufacturing.

He advised that Vietnam should show its determination and competitiveness through drastic actions.

The experts highly evaluated Vietnams semiconductor and AI development strategies, adding that Vietnam would become an attractive destination for investors and achieve more success in the future.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse, and an entourage are in the U.S. to attend the United Nations Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, and engage in other working sessions in the North American country.

Lams working trip is taking place as Vietnam and the U.S. are celebrating the one-year anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership and looking forward to welcoming 30 years of the normalization of diplomatic relations in 2025.

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Six people died after a car lost control and slammed into bikes and other vehicles on a bridge in central China's Hunan province early Monday morning, police said.

Police said the car was rear-ended, sending it into incoming traffic travelling in the opposite direction.

Another seven people were injured, police said.

Footage on Chinese social media Monday showed a large white van rushing into oncoming traffic and barreling through vehicles on Lusong Bridge in the city of Zhuzhou.

The footage showed debris scattered across the road as at least four ambulances were at the scene, blocking traffic.

The cause of the accident is being investigated, according to state media Xinhua News Agency.

Deadly traffic accidents occur frequently in China, due to lax safety standards and widespread disorderly driving.

This month in a separate incident, a school bus ploughed into a crowd of people outside a middle school in eastern China, killing 11 parents and students.

State broadcaster CCTV said the driver "lost control" of the vehicle as it approached the school in Shandong province's Tai'an city.

And in July, police said a vehicle crashed into pedestrians in the central city of Changsha, killing eight people and injuring five.

A 55-year-old suspect living in the area was detained pending an investigation, but it was not clear if the incident was intentional.
Bangkok -- Each year the world produces around 400 million metric tons of plastic waste, much of it discarded after just a few minutes of use.

Negotiators hope to reach the world's first treaty on plastic pollution this year, but across five very different countries, AFP found single-use plastic remains hugely popular as a cheap and convenient choice, illustrating the challenges ahead:

Bangkok

On a Bangkok street lined with food vendors, customers line up for Maliwan's famed traditional sweets.

Steamed layer cakes -- green with pandan leaf or blue with butterfly pea -- sit in clear plastic bags alongside rows of taro pudding in plastic boxes.

Each day, the 40-year-old business uses at least two kilos of single-use plastic.

"Plastic is easy, convenient and cheap," said 44-year-old owner Watchararas Tamrongpattarakit.

Banana leaves used to be standard, but they are increasingly expensive and hard to source.

They are also onerous to use because each one must be cleaned and checked for tears.

It "isn't practical for our pace of sales", said Watchararas.

Thailand started limiting single-use plastic before the pandemic, asking major retailers to stop handing out bags for free.

The World Bank estimates 11 percent of Thailand's annual plastic waste goes uncollected, and is burned, disposed of on land or leaks into rivers and the ocean. Photo: AFP

But the policy has largely fallen by the wayside, with little uptake among the country's street food vendors.

Thailand produces two million metric tons of plastic waste a year, according to the country's Pollution Control Department.

The World Bank estimates 11 percent goes uncollected, and is burned, disposed of on land or leaks into rivers and the ocean.

Watchararas tries to consolidate purchases into fewer bags and said some customers bring their own reusable containers and totes.

But Radeerut Sakulpongpaisal, a Maliwan customer for 30 years, said she finds plastic "convenient".

"I also understand the environmental impact," the bank worker said.

But "it's probably easier for both the shop and the customers".

Lagos

Two 500-millilitre water sachets sell for between 50 to 250 naira (3-15 US cents), compared to 250-300 naira for a 750-ml bottle. Photo: AFP

In the Obalende market at the heart of Nigeria's economic capital Lagos, emptied water sachets litter the ground.

Each day, Lisebeth Ajayi watches dozens of customers use their teeth to tear open the bags of "pure water" and drink.

"They don't have the money to buy the bottle water, that's why they do the pure water," said the 58-year-old, who sells bottles and bags of water, soap and sponges.

Two 500-milliliter sachets sell for between 50 to 250 naira (3-15 US cents), compared to 250-300 naira for a 750-ml bottle.

Since they appeared in the 1990s, water sachets have become a major pollutant across much of Africa, but they remain popular for drinking, cooking and even washing.

Around 200 firms produce the sachets in Lagos, and several hundred more recycle plastic, but supply vastly outstrips capacity in a country with few public wastebins and little environmental education.

Lagos banned single-use plastic in January, but with little impact so far.

The United Nations estimates up to 60 million water sachets are discarded across Nigeria every day.

Rio

Vendors walk the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, lugging metal containers filled with the tea-like drink mate and stacks of plastic cups. Photo: AFP

Each day, vendors walk the sands of some of Rio de Janeiro's most beautiful beaches, lugging metal containers filled with the tea-like drink mate.

The iced beverage, infused with fruit juice, is dispensed into plastic cups for eager sun worshippers dotted along the seafront.

"Drinking mate is part of Rio de Janeiro's culture," explained Arthur Jorge da Silva, 47, as he scouted for customers.

He acknowledged the environmental impacts of his towers of plastic cups, in a country ranked the fourth-biggest producer of plastic waste in 2019.

But "it's complicated" to find affordable alternatives, he told AFP.

The tanned salesman said mate vendors on the beach had used plastic for as long as he could remember.

He pays a dollar for a tower of 20 cups and charges customers $1.80 for each drink.

Bins along Rio's beaches receive about 130 metric tons of waste a day, but plastic is not separated, and just three percent of Brazil's waste is recycled annually.

Evelyn Talavera, 24, said she does her best to clean up when leaving the beach.

"We have to take care of our planet, throw the garbage away, keep the environment clean."

Plastic straws have been banned in Rio's restaurants and bars since 2018, and shops are no longer required to offer free plastic bags -- though many still do.

Congress is also considering legislation that would ban all single-use plastic.

Paris

In France, single-use plastic has been banned since 2016, but while items like straws and plastic cutlery have disappeared, plastic bags remain common. Photo: AFP

In France, single-use plastic has been banned since 2016, but while items like straws and plastic cutlery have disappeared, plastic bags remain stubbornly common.

At Paris' Aligre market, stalls are piled with fruit, vegetables and stacks of bags ready to be handed out.

Most are stamped "reusable and 100-percent recyclable", and some are described as compostable or produced from natural materials.

But experts have cast doubt on the environmental relevance of some of these claims.

Vendor Laurent Benacer gets through a 24-euro ($26) box of 2,000 bags each week.

"In Paris, everyone asks for a bag," he told AFP.

"I'd stopped, but my neighbors continued, so I had to restart."

There are alternatives like paper bags, but some customers are simply not convinced.

"Plastic bags remain practical, so everything doesn't spill everywhere," insisted 80-year-old customer Catherine Sale.

Dubai

Single-use plastic accounts for 40 percent of all plastic used in the United Arab Emirates. Photo: AFP

At the Allo Beirut restaurant in Dubai, plastic containers are piled high, waiting to be filled and delivered across the city.

"We receive more than 1,200 orders a day," said delivery manager Mohammed Chanane.

"We use plastic boxes because they are more airtight, and better preserve the food," he said.

With few pedestrians and an often-scorching climate, many of Dubai's 3.7 million residents rely on delivery for everything from petrol to coffee.

Residents of the United Arab Emirates have one of the highest volumes of waste per capita in the world.

And single-use plastic accounts for 40 percent of all plastic used in the country.

Since June, single-use plastic bags and several similar items have been banned. Polystyrene containers will follow next year.

Allo Beirut is considering using cardboard containers, a move customer Youmna Asmar would welcome.

She admitted horror at the build-up of plastic in her bins after a weekend of family orders.

"I say to myself, if all of us are doing this, it's a lot."
Fulani herdsmen in central Nigeria killed two Christians on Thursday and three others at church services the prior Sunday, when they also kidnapped a pastor and 30 congregation members, sources said.

A band of armed herdsmen on Thursday (Sept. 19) attacked Kurmin-Kare village, a predominantly Christian community in Kachia County in southern Kaduna state, killing two Christians identified as Audu Bala and Jonathan Moses, said area resident Solomon Sanga.

Audu Bala and Jonathan Moses were working on their farms when these Fulani herdsmen waylaid them and shot at them, Sanga told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The two died instantly, while another Christian victim, Japheth Zarma Yakubu, was kidnapped on Sept. 10 also while he was working in his farm.

The assailants have phoned Yakubus family with a ransom demand of 30 million naira ($18,295 USD), he said.

On Sept. 15 in Kajuru County, also in southern Kaduna state, Fulani herdsmen attacked an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation and a Catholic church as they worshipped in Bakinpah-Maro village, killing three Christians and abducting the ECWA pastor and 30 other Christians, area residents said.

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The terrorists, whom we believe are armed Fulani herdsmen, attacked the churches during Sunday morning worship services, killing three Christians and kidnapping 30 more Christians, including the Rev. Bernard Gajere, the pastor of the ECWA church in the village, Cafra Caino said.

On Sept. 8 in predominantly Christian Kallah Afogo village, Kajuru County, suspected Fulani herdsmen at about 11:30 p.m. attacked the Primary Health Care Clinic, killing at least five Christians and kidnapping dozens of others, residents said in text messages.

Benjamin Maigari, an area community leader, identified those killed as Garkuwa Alfarma, Buhari Maidiga, Uba Auta, Yakubu Gaku and Atabata Naallah.

Hassan Mansur, spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, confirmed the attacks in the areas and said officers and other security agency personnel were attempting to rescue those abducted.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam delivered a speech at the United Nations Summit for the Future in the U.S. on Sunday, in which he conveyed a message of solidarity, cooperation, and mutual respect for the sake of the world and future generations.

The two-day summit kicked off at the headquarters of the UN in New York with a theme of Multilateral Solutions for a Better Future, gathering a global spectrum of high-ranking leaders diplomatically and regionally.

In his remarks, General Secretary and State President Lam said that human intelligence has changed the world  but it also causes many difficulties and challenges, such as climate change, epidemics, resource depletion, and the production of weapons of mass destruction.

Stressing that the choices people make today will shape their future, Lam said the worlds sustainable development goal and the well-being of humanity must be placed at the center of all efforts and remain the ultimate objective of every country.

Scientific and technological achievements must serve social progress, focus on humanity, liberate individuals, promote comprehensive human development, and continually improve living standards, for the interests and happiness of society and future generations.

According to the top Vietnamese leader, scientific and technological advancements must also focus on economic development, building a fair and civilized society, improving people's quality of life, and eliminating poverty.

These achievements should foster cooperation and must not be used as tools of aggression or to undermine the aspirations of nations for peace, development, fairness, and justice.

An overview of the United Nations Summit for the Future in New York, September 22, 2024. Photo: Lam Khanh

For the goal of peace, stability, sustainable development, and equality among nations and peoples worldwide, countries should boost investment in areas such as medicine, education and training, digital transformation, green transformation, and solutions for serving the masses, while restraining investment in the research and production of weapons of mass destruction.

In order to achieve these objectives, the Vietnamese leader called upon countries to strengthen solidarity, expand cooperation, and enhance mutual respect, while complying with international law and the UN Charter.

He underlined that every country, especially large, needs to act responsibly and share common achievements in scientific and technological research for mutual development.

Vietnam supports the UN and regional organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to take the lead in promoting cooperation and coordinating actions to respond to global challenges and make the best use of opportunities from scientific and technological advances, Lam said.

The Party and state leader pledged that Vietnam will continue making effective contributions to joint efforts to build a peaceful world with equal development for a prosperous and happy life of humanity.

He affirmed that Vietnam welcomes the work of the summit, including a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations., which outline ambitious actions and objectives in all cooperation areas of the UN.

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Party General Secretary and State President of Vietnam To Lam met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in New York on Sunday morning as part of the top Vietnamese officials trip to the U.S. from Saturday to Tuesday.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The two offiicals highly commended the positive progress in Vietnam-Vatican relations, especially the appointment of the Vaticans Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam and the opening of the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi in 2024.

Party General Secretary and State President Lam expressed thanks to Pope Francis for offering his sympathy and encouragement to the people of Vietnam who have coped with the aftermath of the devastating typhoon Yagi, which made landfall in northern Vietnam on September 7, claimed the lives of more than 290 people, and wreaked havoc on 237,000 homes.

The top Vietnamese leader acknowledged and highly valued the fine sentiments expressed by Pope Francis and Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin toward Vietnam.

President Lam emphasized that Vietnam has facilitated pastoral visits by the current Resident Papal Representative and the non-resident special envoy.

He also expressed his respect for the messages, teachings, and letters sent by previous Popes to the Catholic community in Vietnam.

These communications highlighted the view that "a good Catholic is a good citizen," encouraging the Catholic Church in Vietnam to make contributions to the national life for the interests of the entire population through dialogue and cooperation.

Secretary of State Parolin recalled a good impression of Vietnam from his previous visit and affirmed that the Catholic Church in Vietnam is committed to supporting the country's development.

Both sides underlined the importance of maintaining the exchange of high-ranking delegations and the meetings of the Vietnam-Vatican joint working group to promote mutual respect and understanding.

Parolin affirmed that the Holy See's Resident Papal Representative is actively cooperating with Vietnam and shared that Pope Francis hopes to visit the country soon and bolster the Vietnam - Vatican relations.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam spoke at the United Nations Summit of the Future, which opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Sunday (local time).

-- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in New York on Sunday (local time) on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Society

-- Typhoon Soulik, the fourth storm to enter the East Vietnam Sea this year, has left five people dead or missing after making landfall in central Vietnam last Thursday, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority.

-- Due to the influence of typhoon Soulik, Muong Lat District in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam experienced heavy rain over the weekend, with rainfall reaching 106.6mm, leading to landslides and flooding that have isolated the district from the lowlands since Sunday evening.

-- The Department of Health of Bac Kan Province in northern Vietnam on Sunday afternoon reported that test results indicated nearly 70 hospitalized patients with similar symptoms were suffering from a gastrointestinal infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Business

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted separate receptions for general director of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho, CEO of Taiwans Phu My Hung Holdings Group Gary Tseng, and general director of AEON Mall Vietnam Co. Ltd. Tetsuyuki Nakagawa as part of his trip to the northern province of Bac Ninh on Sunday.

Lifestyle

-- Park Bom, the main vocalist of famed South Korean girl group 2NE1, held a fan concert at Hoa Binh Theater in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday evening.

Sports

-- Vietnam finished 25th at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad Budapest 2024, with Le Tuan Minh earning an individual bronze medal in the final round on Sunday night.

World News

-- SpaceX plans to launch about five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars in two years, CEO Elon Musk said on Sunday in a post on social media platform X.

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The South Korean Chamber of Commerce (KOCHAM) in Vietnam expects the local government to quickly restore infrastructure, such as power supply, roads, and bridges, to help enterprises stabilize their operations following typhoon Yagi.

Hong Sun, chairman of the Korean Business Association in Vietnam, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper in an interview that he has lived in Vietnam for three decades but has never experienced a typhoon as catastrophic as Yagi.

Hong said Vietnam and South Korea shared many similarities, including their populations being steadfast and energetic. He expressed his belief in Vietnam's success in the restoration process despite various difficulties.

Sharing about the impact of the typhoon on South Korean enterprises in Vietnam, Hong claimed that many South Korean firms in northern Vietnam encountered huge losses similar to Vietnamese businesses.

South Korean firms in Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City suffered the greatest losses, while those in Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, and Phu Tho Provinces experienced less damage.

Their goods were damaged, factories and warehouses collapsed, and machines were broken due to flooding.

It will take them months to restore their normal operations, Hong informed.

A factory in Hai Phong City was forced to close after its basement and first floor were submerged in floodwaters, prompting the company to order new machinery and equipment.

Shipments have been delayed, and the factory faces significant compensation payouts to clients, as some contracts lack insurance coverage for natural disasters.

Hong Sun, chairman of the Korean Business Association in Vietnam. Photo: Supplied

Local authorities have quickly deployed plans to ease the aftermath of the typhoon, helping domestic and South Korean firms restore production.

However, many areas are still confronted by a power blackout and factories there have been forced to remain closed.

Several areas in Thai Nguyen and Phu Tho Provinces remain flooded, and employees struggle to reach their workplaces because of bridges collapsing.

Hong emphasized that the post-typhoon recovery should be associated with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).

Hong hoped enterprises will improve their awareness of ESG after typhoon Yagi.

He shared that South Korea often faces storms in summer, but the government provides urgent loans to storm-hit people and enterprises to accelerate the restoration process.

Taxes and fees are exempted or have their payment deadlines extended, and the state and local budgets are disbursed quickly, Hong added.

Typhoon Yagi made landfall in northern Vietnam earlier this month, killing more than 290 people and damaging 237,000 homes.

It is the most powerful storm to have entered the East Vietnam Sea over the past 30 years and the worst typhoon to have hit Vietnam in the last 70 years.

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Dive into Australias iconic surf lifesaving culture, as Back Roads this week heads to 90 Mile Beach in Victorias Gippsland region.

Heather Ewart visits one of the longest, uninterrupted stretches of coastline in the world, and discovers the undercurrents of community spirit that link three of the coastal towns along 90 Mile Beach: Lakes Entrance, Seaspray and Woodside.

Connected by this iconic beach, these three small beachside communities always have each others backs, but that doesnt mean they arent fierce rivals too! This on full display as Heather takes in the annual surf lifesaving carnival.

The local Nipper movement is teaching life-saving water skills to children as young as seven, ensuring they respect this sometimes-dangerous stretch of coastline. These beaches may look stunning, but they are notorious for rips, as the brunt of the powerful winds and currents of Bass Strait bear down on them.

As she travels the length and breadth of the beach, Heather meets the people behind the flags and learns the difference between a lifeguard and a lifesaver.

In Seaspray she discovers a genuine lifesaving Legend, in Lakes Entrance she finds a former Victorian Lifesaver of the Year and at Woodville Beach she meets 19-year-old lifeguard Charlie Dillow, whose hearing impairment hasnt held him back.

Plus of course, there are the adorable little Nippers. More than just being a whole lot of fun, the surf lifesaving culture creates family bonds, forges lifelong friendships and offers young people new pathways into the future. Heather also addresses a burning question: How long is 90 Mile Beach? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think.

8pm Tuesday on ABC.
The Australian Film Television & Radio School has announced the establishment of a new scholarship with Constellation Creatives, founded by actor and investment manager Orion Lee.

The Constellation Creatives Scholarship will provide financial support for living expenses, educational resources or other related costs for an individual from Asian descent in the Australian screen industry.

The successful applicant for will be selected based on creative excellence and the impact that the scholarship would have on their education.

I am delighted to welcome Orion Lee and Constellation Creatives to our scholarship program, said Dr. Nell Greenwood, CEO at AFTRS. This scholarship will be a real game changer for a prospective student out there and were so grateful to Orion and the team for their generosity and their support of Asian Australian creative representation in our cultural landscape.

Orion Lee, Constellation Creatives founder, said: Constellation Creatives is a charity dedicated to promoting greater understanding of our shared humanity. Film and television are a medium by which we connect and gain understanding and compassion for other peoples lives. We are proud to support this scholarship with AFTRS to promote diversity in Australian crews and increase Asian Australian representation in Australian media. We look forward to helping with the cost of your studies and seeing your future career grow.

Orion has garnered awards recognition for his leading performance as King Lu in A24s First Cow. He also performed in the Oscar-nominated Pixar film Turning Red as well as appearing in several renowned theatres, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Court. Other film and television credits include Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Skyfall.

The scholarship is valued at a minimum of $15,000. An additional, one-off payment of $5,000 is available to the Recipient in Year 3 of the Course if they choose the Industry Placement elective. This elective provides the Recipient with invaluable on-the-job experience and networking opportunities in the screen industry.

AFTRS works with its partners to offer over 35 scholarships each year that prioritise access and equity, so that the most talented creatives across Australia can access AFTRS world-leading creative education.

Applications for the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production close on October 8.

aftrs.edu.au/students/future-students/scholarships-and-financial-support
This week on Dateline

Fifty years on from the Vietnam War, a Japanese American veteran searches for the soldier who saved his life when US army soldiers mistook him for the enemy.

As a Japanese-American fighting in the Vietnam War, Bruce Nakashima experienced a conflict of identity during the war that was made worse after he lost contact with his best friend.

vvvThere are moments from the Vietnam War that haunt Bruce Nakashima  moments he hasnt spoken of in the decades since he returned home.

Hell never forget the terror he felt in a helicopter, in 1966, wounded and weak, as he watched his fellow American soldiers throw Vietnamese prisoners to their deaths.

I remember I was getting kind of weak, and I looked over at LV to make sure he was breathing, but he wasnt conscious for a while, Bruce recalled, referring to his friend LV Hendking who was wounded alongside him.

Bruce and LV were taken to hospital but separated shortly after the incident  it took them more than 50 years to find each other again.

9:30pm Tuesday on SBS.
MI Khan, TwoCircles.net

Patna: In a harrowing display of community strife, Dalit victims in Bihar are pleading for patta (lease deeds) of land to resolve a bitter ownership dispute over government-owned land. This urgent call comes as dozens of impoverished families from the Mushahar and Ravidas communities find themselves homeless, forced to endure the elements after their thatched and bamboo huts were set ablaze in Nawada district. The flames were allegedly ignited by powerful people from the Paswan and Dusadh communities, also Dalit groups, raising alarming questions about the struggle for land and dignity in a region rife with caste tensions.

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The survivors of the incident have been living under the open sky since the night of September 18. They claim that their huts were set ablaze by a mob mainly led by armed Paswan, with the aim of taking hold of the land where their huts stood and asserting this gair majarua malik zameen (government-owned land) as their own during the ongoing land survey in the state. However, the victims are determined to maintain their claim on the land and have sought government intervention to provide patta of land without delay.

The burning of 34 huts  21 fully damaged and 13 partially  in the Dalit tola (hamlet) of Krishna Nagar village, situated just 1 km from the local Mufassil police station, has become a significant embarrassment for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the state led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. This incident not only involves Dalit victims but also saw Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi directly blaming the Yadav community, a powerful OBC caste, for the arson.

However, it soon emerged that this was a Dalit versus Dalit conflict. The main accused, Nandu Paswan, a retired police constable in his late 60s, locally known as Dabang (muscle power), led the mob and was arrested along with 14 others by the police. According to police statements, only one of the 15 arrested belongs to the Yadav caste.

The police have lodged an FIR against 28 named accused and others in this case, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to arrest the absconding accused.

Ironically, Manjhi, former Bihar chief minister and founder of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), an ally of the ruling BJP-led NDA, who himself belongs to the Mushahar community, attempted to deflect blame by naming the Yadav community, associated with opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, as responsible for the burning of the huts. However, as reports emerged confirming Paswans involvement, it became an embarrassment for the NDA, since Paswan overwhelmingly supports Union Minister Chirag Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (R), an ally of the BJP-led NDA. Most of the survivors were supporters of Manjhi, while the accused were supporters of Chirag Paswan.

RJD leaders targeted Manjhi for spreading false information related to the incident.

An initial probe into the incident by district police revealed that the accused who attacked and burned the huts were claiming the government-owned land as their own and had been eyeing to take possession for a long time, despite the fact that this land has been occupied by several families of Mushahar and Ravidas for years.

While it is clear that this latest violent incident in Nawada relates to a land dispute, it differs from previous conflicts. It was not a case of Dalits versus powerful upper castes. In this instance, the poor and landless Mushahar and Ravidas, struggling for survival, were targeted by a group of Paswan, who have emerged as a politically powerful Dalit community. It appears that the burning of their huts was part of a calculated effort to force them off land where they have lived for years.

A dominant factor in this incident is that Paswan, largely considered better-off compared to Mushahar and Ravidas, behaved like a feudal force against the poorer Dalits, who fight for basic existence daily.

According to the socio-economic data from the Bihar caste survey report made public in November last year, the ground reality of land ownership among different castes, including Dalits, is stark. The Mushahar population is 3.9%, but they own only 0.2% of the land; the Ravidas population is 5.2%, but they own 0.5%; while the Paswan population, also at 5.2%, owns 1%  the highest among Dalits.

The data highlights that poverty is rampant in Bihar, with 34.13% of all families classified as poor. The highest number of poor families is among SCs and STs, followed by OBCs and EBCs. Among SCs (Dalits), poverty is most severe among the Mushahar community, with about 54% of Mushahar families living in poverty, followed by 53% among Bhuiyan and 42% among Jatav or Mochi (Ravidas).

Mushahar are known as one of Indias most marginalised communities in the caste hierarchy, primarily working as landless laborers to earn their livelihoods. Historically, Mushahar have been forcibly displaced by powerful landed classes, mostly from upper castes.

Asharfi Sada, president of the Musahar Vikas Manch, noted that most in this community live with their families in thatched houses built on government-unclaimed land, as neither they, nor their fathers or grandfathers, owned any land. This situation has persisted for generations. For centuries, the Mushahar community has lived in Musahari or Musahar Toli (exclusive hamlets) on the outskirts of powerful upper or dominant caste villages across Bihar, and they are still considered untouchable, he told TwoCircles.net.

According to last years Bihar caste survey report, there are 215 castes in Bihar, and the total population of Bihar is 13.7 crore, which includes 36% Extreme Backward Classes (EBCs), 27% Other Backward Classes (OBCs) (OBCs and EBCs together account for 63%), 19% SCs (Dalits) and 1.68% STs (Adivasis).

Over three million Mushahars live in hamlets spread across drought-prone central and southern Bihar and flood-prone northern Bihar.

Dhiru Manjhi and Laxminiya Devi, both from the Mushahar community, have lived for years in thatched huts on gair majarua jameen but were forced to take shelter under a nearby tree after their huts were burned by Nandu Paswan and others.

We are living for over three decades and fully aware that this is government land and not private land. Nandu Paswan and others are eyeing to capture this land; they attacked us and burnt our huts. But we are landless and poor, and the government should give us land patta to end this dispute, Laxminiya said.

Dhiru Manjhi lamented, We lost everything, including goats, clothes, food grains, and utensils when the accused set our huts on fire. Now we are left with some half-burnt bamboo from the thatched roof scattered around, fully damaged food grains, and household items. We have to rebuild our huts, and it will take time to return to normal life.

Gorelal Ravidas, another survivor, recalled, Armed attackers surrounded our huts, and Nandu Paswan loudly ordered the mob to set the huts on fire and destroy everything. Nandu Paswan had threatened us repeatedly to set our huts on fire to vacate the land; he finally did it. He also warned us not to allow us to live on this land. The government should distribute land patta to us now to end the dispute over this land.

A police official stated that Vayas Muni, a witness to the incident, said it is an old land dispute and a title suit is in the district court of Nawada. Muni reportedly informed the police that the attackers, some on motorcycles, fired indiscriminately in the air to create panic among the poor settlers on the government land, set huts on fire, looted household items, and threatened them to vacate the land or face dire consequences.

According to Muni, he heard that decades ago, a Muslim landlord claimed ownership of this land; later, he transferred it to another Muslim man, who reportedly sold the land to Nandu Paswan and others. With the fresh land survey underway, Nandu Paswan and others attempted to take possession of the land to claim it as their own.

Land disputes are not new in semi-feudal rural Bihar. They remain a primary cause of violence and crime, including killings. After the Nawada incident, Chief Minister Kumar publicly admitted last week that the number of killings over land has decreased from 60% to 46.69% over the past few years.

Taking serious note of the burning of Mushahar and Ravidas huts in Nawada, he directed that compensation be provided to the victims and asked a top police official of ADG rank to oversee the ongoing investigation and ensure the arrest of all accused.

Satyanarayan Madan, convenor of the Jan Pahal, a peoples organisation, stated that a team visited the incident site but police and local administration did not allow them to talk to the victims. Heavy police deployment made it difficult to meet and talk to the victims. But a few victims informed us that local administration officials ordered them not to talk to outsiders and to praise the government measures like community kitchens and other relief provided to them after the incident.

Different teams from the RJD, the CPI(ML) and the ruling JD-U visited the victims on September 19 and 20.
Beef in Tirupati Laddu and Curious Silence of Cow Vigilantes

The cow vigilantes, on the prowl to kill the Muslims at the slightest pretext for eating beef, and also the Hindu icon Yogi Adityanath and the Haridwar priest gang, are in complete silence following th finding of beef in Tirupati Temple laddu

Monday September 23, 2024 10:47 AM , Syed Ali Mujtaba

The Hindus in India were shocked to hear the news that their sacred Laddu at the Tirupati Temple contains beef, pork, and fish particles. Lab report of samples sent from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam to the National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat said:

"The samples certify that beef tallow and animal fat - lard, and fish oil were used in the preparation of Ghee which was supplied to Tirumala had 19.7 % of such contents."

This news also shocked the Muslims who are lynched, bruised, and battered in several parts of the country for alleged beef eating.

Muslims are curious as to why cow vigilantes are keeping silent on the beef controversy that erupted at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

That means if Hindus are made to eat beef then it is an act of religiosity and piety but Muslims cannot do that, because for Hindus its a sacrilegious act.

The cow vigilantes, on the prowl to kill the Muslims at the slightest pretext for eating beef, are in complete silence about how to defend the Hindus, when they have committed the same sin and whose punishment is death for the Muslims.

The Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh is one of the wealthiest temples in the world. Its net worth is 3 lakh crore Indian rupees. The TTD net worth is more than the capitalization of Wipro, Nestle, ONGC, IOC, and many other companies listed in the Indian stock market. Many state governments in India, approach TTD to lend money on interest to pay salaries to its employees.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust oversees the upkeep of the Venkateswara Temple which receives 50,000 to 100,000 visitors per day. This makes this temple one of the most visited religious sites in the world, attracting 30 to 40 million visitors annually.

The TTD prepares and distributes over 3,50,000 laddus daily to the devotees. The laddus are offered as 'mahaprasadam' to devotees after the Darshan of the Lord Venkateswara Swamy. A simple calculation can tell how many Hindus have been made impure by consuming beef through the ladus.

A firefighting exercise is going on right now, and the blame game is moving in circles with each stakeholder saying I got nothing to do with this controversy.

The first to issue clarification is the TTD saying that the divinity and purity of Srivari laddu is 'unblemished.' It adds that now it has set up a testing laboratory within its premises to avoid such controversy erupting again.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has alleged that previous CM Jagan Mohan Reddy was responsible for comprising religious purity of the Hindus who were forced to consume adulterated ghee that contained beef.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu blamed Jagan Reddy for stopping supplies from his Heritage Dairy, which had supplied Ghee to the TTD earlier.

YSRCP leader Jagan Reddy hit back at Naidu accusing him of politicizing the issue. The ex-Chief Minister has moved the Andhra Pradesh high court to demand an investigation into Naidu's claims, demanding action against him for twisting facts.

AR Dairy, a Dindigul-based firm in Tamil Nadu that was short-listed among the five companies to supply Ghee to the TTD is right now at the center of the controversy of supplying adulterated Ghee to the TTD. AR Dairy spokesperson told the media:

"We used to supply ghee to the TTD till June- July but have stopped since then. We supplied only 0.1%, of the total supply made to the TTD from other sources.

In the same context when the Gujarat lab broke the beef story, some social media users without verifying facts started attacking Amul Dairy for committing such a sacrilegious act.

Amul Diary immediately issued a rebuttal and is now flinging FIRs against the media outlets that went gung-ho against the taste of India Company that brought white revolution in the country.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has ordered an SIT inquiry into the adulterated Ladus being distributed at the Shaivite temple in south India. He is also consulting Hindu priests to do the samprokshana (ritualistic purification) seeking forgiveness for the sin of consuming beef.

The Hindu icon Yogi Adityanath and the Haridwar priest gang that has openly given a call to kill Muslims are total sixes and sevens on how to blame Muslims for waging 'Laddu Jihad' in the country.

Trivia: I disguise myself as a saint or anybody on Ghalib and watch the activities of the world.

"Bana kar faqeeron ka hum bhes Ghalib, Tamasha-e-Ahl-e-Karam dekhte hein"

[The writer, Syed Ali Mujtaba, is a journalist. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com. Views are personal.]

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On September 22, the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (Lausanne 4) opened in Incheon, Korea bringing together some 5,000 participants from nearly every nation in the world, with as many expected to join the virtual experience online.

Presented as the largest and most diverse event in the history of evangelicalism, Lausanne 4 seeks to address the challenges and gaps in the Churchs effort to fulfill the Great Commission: reaching the world for Jesus Christ. Held from September 22 to 28, it marks the 50th anniversary since the first global congress on world evangelization that was held in the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974.

And like Lausanne 1, the fourth Congress began by acknowledging the Churchs own failures in its witness to the world.

50 years [after the first Lausanne Congress], we are humbled and we recognize that we still have a flawed witness in the world and a flawed mission to the world, said Dr. Michael Oh, Global Executive Director of the Lausanne Movement, in his opening address.

While celebrating the progress over the past decades in reaching thousands of unreached people groups and the growth of the Church in Africa, Asia and Latin America, commonly describes as the Majority World or Global South, Oh highlighted that this growth comes in the context of explosive population growth overall. This means that rather than seeing an acceleration of sharing the Gospel, the trajectory shows a deceleration.

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Echoing the call for repentance at Lausanne 1 led by the late Rev. Billy Graham, Oh lamented that 50 years later there continues to be a need for repentance for our failures.

The reputation of the bride of Christ in many places around the world is not good. Rather than people stumbling over the message of the Gospel as we see in Romans 9, too many are stumbling over the messengers. Too many scandals of pride, power, and impurity have robbed the Church and compromised our witness, he said. The rise of social media also meant that these failures are more public and profoundly felt and seen globally than ever before.

Both the deceleration of growth and the tarnished reputation of the Church inspired the theme of the Congress to let the Church declare and display Christ together, he said.

Despite the failures, however, Oh struck a hopeful tone for the Congress, saying we have every reason [] to be confident to gather together. Firstly because of the Gospel and secondly because of Gods strategy. Gods plan to reach the world is accomplished through Gods people, Oh said and told participants, That is why you are here.

He went on to emphasize what he described as the four most dangerous words in the global Church today. They are not I dont like you, as some might think. Instead, they are I dont need you, Oh said.

He pointed to the passage in 1 Corinthians 12 where the Apostle Paul uses the image of the body of Christ cautioning believers that just as an eye cannot say to the hand I dont need you, no believer can say to another that they dont need them.

Were so self-focused, self-confident, self-sustained and perhaps flat out selfish, that we dont see a need for a competitive advantage to working with others - other ministries, other businesses, other schools, other denominations or parts of the body, Oh lamented.

This has led to isolation in ministries, competition between ministries, fighting over financial resources, and ultimately ineffectiveness and ugliness of the body of Christ and one of the greatest reasons for the ineffectiveness of the body is the failure to incorporate the whole body into Gods mission.

Oh then talked about the importance of the 99% of the Church that are not directly working in ministry as missionaries or pastors, but are called to be witnesses of the gospel in the marketplace. Whether professors, doctors, engineers or teachers, they are called to be faithful in following Jesus Christ and sharing the gospel with those around them.

He also called for greater collaboration, a theme that defined the format of the Congress as an interactive space where every participant onsite and online will be invited to contribute not only their thoughts but also whatever they have to bring to the table in terms of gifts and ministry.

Returning to the Congress theme, Oh called for greater unity as the paths that will lead to a stronger witness to the world.

In our world today, it has perhaps become more difficult to declare Christ because we have not effectively displayed Christ. But if we are able to beautifully display Christ as the global Church our declaring of Christ will become more effective.
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Massive protest at IISc Bangalore against India-Israel Business Summit

Students, Academics, peace and rights activists Monday (September 23, 2024) held a massive protest against the India-Israel Business Summit held at Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) Bangalore

Monday September 23, 2024 6:01 PM , ummid.com Social Media Desk

Bengaluru: Students, Academics, peace and rights activists Monday (September 23, 2024) held a massive protest against the India-Israel Business Summit held at Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) Bangalore.

While addressing a press conference, the students, academics and activists expressed their shock and outrage against the hosting of the business summit at IISC Bengaluru at a time when #Israel is waging a relentless genocide in Palestine and terror attacks in Lebanon.



The protesters were carrying placards written with demands to impose arm embargo on Israel and end of the occupation of the Palestinian lands under the Zionist illegal control.

During the protest, an argument erupted as Karnataka Police Personnel tried to seize the Palestine National Flag from the hands of a protesting student.

Watch Video

In a video shared on social media two policemen are seen trying to snatch the Palestinian Flag from the protesting student.

Some activist tried to persuade the policemen saying nothing is illegal if one holds or carry the Palestine Flag.

"Holding Palestinian Flag is not illegal, Sir. We have here the Indian Flag as well."

You can invite Israel and hold a business summit. (But) we cant carry the flag of Palestine? the student is heard saying in the video.

India-Israel Business Summit

The India-Israel Business Summit held at IISc Bangalore Monday from 10:00 AM to 04:30 PM.

The summit was organised by Think India, the Indian Chamber of International Business and the Mysore Lancers Heritage Foundation.

Earlier, more than 1,300 students and academicians from IISc and other universities and colleges in India had signed a letter urging the IISc Bangalore to cancel the summit.

Calling IIScs participation in the event as unconscionable, the letter said the event would amount to direct support for Israels genocide in Palestine and its aggressive actions against its neighbours.

The letter highlighted the scale of violence unleashed by Israel in the months since the October 7 Hamas attack last year .

Israel has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children. A report in the Lancet suggested that the true casualties might be four times higher, which would amount to about 10% of Gazas total population. Israel has destroyed every University in Gaza. "It has also destroyed healthcare facilities, leading to the resurgence of diseases such as polio, it said, adding that Israel was also responsible for several civilian deaths in Lebanon in the deadly pager explosions. We request you to stop the India Israel Business Summit event on 23rd September and not allow the use of the Indian Institute of Science as a platform to legitimise genocide and colonialism, the letter addressed to IISc director Govindan Rangarajan read.

The summit however went ahead as per the announced schedule.

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Watch: German Police chase kid holding Palestinian Flag

In a shocking incident that came to light late Sunday, dozens of German Police Personnel chased and later detained a 10-year-old teen who was holding a Palestinian National Flag even as some Berlin residents tried to stop them.

Monday September 23, 2024 3:10 PM , ummid.com Social Media Desk

In a shocking incident that came to light late Sunday, dozens of German Police Personnel chased and later detained a 10-year-old teen who was holding a Palestinian National Flag even as some Berlin residents tried to stop them.

The incident occurred at a pro-Palestine rally in the Germany capital, Berlin, Sunday September 23, 2024.

In a video of the incident, German Police Personnel  male and female both, are seen chasing the young kid who was holding the Palestinian National Flag.

The boy is seen running from pillar to post to save himself from the unruly Police personnel.

Suddenly, other participants of the rally and some onlookers surround the scared kid in an attempt to save him from the hostile security personnel.

The Police however did not budge, and detained the kid and took him away in a police vehicle.

Watch Video

The pro-Palestine protest in Berlin Sunday was part of the world wide anger against the far right Zionist regime in the Middle East involved in the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank and other occupied Palestine lands.

Huge Outrage

Social media users on X (formerly Twitter) harshly condemned the incident.

"Berlin police detained a 10-year-old boy for carrying a Palestinian flag. Disturbing, shameful, 2024 Germany," said one user.

"Brave Berlin police arrested the most dangerous child in the city. He wanted to use his flag to overthrow the federal government and declare a Palestinian state, another user wrote in a sarcastic post.

"Berlin police chased a ten-year-old boy. There are no words to say," one more X user said.

The Israeli Occupation Forces have massacred more than 42,000 Palestinians  majority of them women and children, since Oct 7, 2023.

The UN General Assembly in a resolution last week taking note of a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which termed Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands  including Jerusalem, as illegal, asked the Zionist regime to end all its occupation in a year.

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HA NOI  Non-life insurance and reinsurance companies in Viet Nam are having to transfer a large proportion of their premiums to foreign reinsurers to ensure security, industry insiders said.

According to data from the Ministry of Finances Insurance Supervision Agency, Viet Nams total insurance premium revenue in the first half of 2024 was estimated at more than VN109 trillion, down 3.8 per cent over the same period.

The non-life insurance market revenue last year recorded more than VN71 trillion, up about three per cent against the previous year.

According to Nguyen Anh Tuan, chairman of the Vietnam National Reinsurance Corporation (Vinare), about 40 per cent of the total premium revenue was from reinsurance. For the remaining 60 per cent, which came from health and motor vehicle insurance, non-life insurance companies were able to handle it themselves through reserves.

In 2023, Vietnamese companies reinsured only VN6 trillion of domestic reinsurance premiums, while they had to transfer VN22 trillion of the premiums to foreign reinsurance companies to ensure safety.

According to Tuan health or motor vehicle insurance has small insurance value, ranging from several hundred million to several billion Vietnamese ong, so local insurance companies can reinsure domestically.

Meanwhile, commercial insurance, such as for property, engineering and marine projects and construction projects or national key projects in the fields of thermal power, bridge, road and airport, often required much larger amounts of money. Therefore, most of them will have to be reinsured abroad.

However, this situation is not unique to Viet Nam, but happens in many developed countries and regions in the world.

According to Tuan, for a developing country like Viet Nam, with GDP increasing, the transfer of VN22 trillion of domestic reinsurance premiums to foreign insurers is reasonable. Domestic reinsurers cannot reinsure more to ensure risk sharing.

Tuan recommended when reinsuring abroad, domestic reinsurance companies must choose quality and reputable partners who can pay insurance on time and in full for customers to recover production and business if losses occur.

Vinare often chooses foreign reinsurance companies which have credit ratings by S&P Global and AM Best, similar to those in the banking industry.

According to the provisions of the Law on Insurance Business, for key and large national investment projects, foreign reinsurers must have a minimum credit rating of A-.

Tuan said that domestic reinsurance companies needed to closely monitor credit ratings of foreign reinsurers as ratings could change in response to annual financial reports.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam could earn US$300 million from shipping frozen durian to China on the back of a recently signed protocol on plant quarantine requirements.

The protocol is huge for the Vietnamese durian industry, promising a breakthrough in the export turnover of this fruit in the near future, according to Huynh Tan at, Director of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Durian can be exported by land, air and sea.

Although frozen durian products boast huge export potential, enterprises face some major challenges in food safety requirements, packaging, origin traceability and food safety and hygiene processes.

Enterprises need to improve their freezing technology, product quality control and traceability systems, as well as controls on the production process of frozen durian.

at ordered agencies of the department to continue providing technical support and training for localities, associations, cultivation areas, packaging facilities and exporters, while working closely with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to settle issues in a timely manner.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development must work to raise public awareness of Chinas regulations on frozen durian imports, while localities must step up inspections to promptly detect any violation of plant protection and food safety regulations in production and packaging.

Meanwhile exporters, packaging facilities and producers must meticulously study Chinas regulations, and strictly comply with the requirements under the protocol. They must also develop substantive chains that link growing areas, packaging facilities and exporters, as well as build a traceability system, he added.

Viet Nams frozen durian products set for export to China include whole durian, mashed durian and durian flesh, according to Nguyen Quang Hieu, deputy director of the Plant Protection Department.

Durian is frozen at a temperature of -35C or lower for at least one hour until the core temperature reaches -18C or lower. This temperature is maintained throughout the storage and transport process in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods.

Frozen durian exported from Viet Nam to China must comply with China's laws and standards related to food safety and plant quarantine, Hieu noted.

Products ready for export must be selected to remove rotten and damaged fruit and to ensure that they do not contain impurities, he said.

Frozen durian exports must originate from durian orchards that are registered, managed and supervised.

Facilities for producing, processing and preserving the products must be registered with Chinese customs.

Packaging materials for the frozen fruit must be clean, hygienic, unused and comply with food safety and hygiene and plant quarantine requirements.

Each box must be labelled in Chinese or English with the product name, origin, name and registration code of the production or processing facility, name and address of the exporter, production date, expiry date and the sentence "This product is being exported to the People's Republic of China", Hieu said.

Last year, China spent some $6.7 billion importing fresh durian and $1 billion purchasing frozen durian from Thailand and Malaysia.

Viet Nam now has around 150,000 hectares of durian, with growers able to harvest the tropical fruit all year round. The country holds a competitive edge over its regional rivals regarding the costs of logistics. This year, Viet Nams durian exports may surpass $3 billion.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Sunday hosted separate receptions for leaders of big foreign groups as part of his trip to the northern province of Bac Ninh.

Meeting General Director of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho, PM Chinh spoke highly of the groups business and investment strategy in Viet Nam, calling its fruitful cooperation and investment a model of the economic ties between Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea.

He suggested Samsung engage more deeply in digital economy transformation, green economy, and knowledge-based economy in Viet nam, especially newly-emerging sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and innovation.

The leader also urged the group to step up technology transfer and human resources training, share governance experience, raise the localisation rate, enhance cooperation with Vietnamese enterprises and help them participate in global supply chains.

For his part, Choi said Samsung Vietnam has six manufacturing plants, one research and development centre, and one sales entity, with a cumulative investment of US$22.4 billion.

With its effective operation, along with the strong support from the Vietnamese Government, ministries, and localities, Samsung has decided on a long-term investment strategy in the Southeast Asian nation.

As part of this, it has committed to a new investment project worth $1.8 billion in Bac Ninh province. In addition to OLED products for mobile phones, this new project will see Samsung establish production lines for OLED products for IT devices and automobiles.

Samsung hopes that Viet Nam will continue to provide favourable conditions for its development and supply high-quality human resources to support its new projects, he said.

During his meeting with Gary Tseng, CEO of Taiwan (China)'s Phu My Hung Holdings Group, PM Chinh congratulated the company on its successful investment and business activities in Viet Nam, contributing to the country's socio-economic development.

Gary Tseng shared that Phu My Hung has been investing in Viet Nam for over 30 years, primarily in real estate and urban development. With support from the Vietnamese government, ministries, and localities, the company has seen effective investments and continues to expand its projects across many provinces and cities in Viet Nam.

The company hopes that the Vietnamese government and local authorities will continue to remove difficulties and create favourable conditions for its further expansion, he said, noting its desire to participate in Vietnam's stock market to mobilise additional resources for investment.

Welcoming Phu My Hung's continued investment expansion in Viet Nam, the Prime Minister asked Phu My Hung, along with developing modern and civilized urban areas, to invest in affordable residential projects but with high infrastructure and service quality.

Additionally, he encouraged the group to provide more social infrastructure and consider deeper involvement in developing cultural, healthcare, and educational infrastructure in Viet Nam.

Meeting with Nakagawa Tetsuyuki, General Director of AEON Mall Vietnam Co Ltd, PM Chinh was informed that its 7th shopping mall in Viet Nam and the first in the central region - AEON Mall Hue was officially inaugurated on September 21 and has welcomed over 330,000 visitors in six days.

Noting that AEON has received investment certificates for other malls in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh and Thanh Hoa city in the central province of the same name, and is accelerating procedures for more in Viet Nam, including one in Bac Ninh province, he expressed his wish that the Vietnamese leader will direct local authorities to create favourable conditions for the company to quickly implement these projects.

Welcoming AEONs investments in Ha Long and Thanh Hoa, the Prime Minister affirmed the government's support for the company to start construction this year, given the significant potential of these two localities, which are major tourism hubs with large populations and relatively high per capita income.

Chinh pledged that the government is ready to create all necessary conditions to facilitate AEONs operations in Viet Nam. He also suggested that the company consider investing in other localities such as Khanh Hoa, ak Lak, Gia Lai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Nghe An, as they play key roles in the supply chain linking VietNam with Japan and vice versa through AEON.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnam International Garment and Textile Industry Exhibition - VTG 2024 will take place in HCM City from September 25  28.

The event, which will gather over 380 exhibitors from 12 countries and territories around the world, will feature the latest technological advancements in fabrics, yarns and accessories, while also showcasing textile solutions, machinery for footwear production and computerised sewing machines.

It will focus on promoting digital transformation in footwear production and environmentally friendly dyeing solutions to help Vietnam's textile industry meet the stringent EU/ ESG standards.

The event will include seminars on technological advancements and automation, along with global supply chain integration. Viet Nams economic outlook for the footwear industry will also be a key topic for discussion, as are strategies to improve the value of the textile and garment industry through high-impact fabric supply chains.

The exhibition is jointly co-organised by the Vietnam National Trade Fair and Advertising JSC (Vinexad) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Yorkers Trade & Marketing Service Co., Ltd., the Guangdong Sewing Equipment Chamber of Commerce, the Guangdong Shoes-making Machinery Association, and the Paper Communication Exhibition Services.

VTG 2024 will take place in parallel with the Vietnam International Textile and Apparel Accessories Exhibition (VITATEX), the Vietnam International Dyeing & Chemical Industry Exhibition (DYECHEM) and the Vietnam International Footwear Machinery and Material 2024 (VFM).  VNS
HA NOI  The stock market opened the new week with a fall, ending a four-day winning streak, while liquidity also fell sharply.

The VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) finished the day at 1,268.48 points, down 3.56 points, or 0.28 per cent.

On the southern bourse, market breadth was negative, with 194 stocks declining, 115 advancing and 55 remaining unchanged. Liquidity plummeted to VN12.9 trillion (US$527 million), a 40 per cent drop compared to the previous session.

The VN30-Index, which tracks the top 30 stocks by market capitalisation on the HoSE, also fell by 4.88 points, or 0.37 per cent, to close at 1,321.12 points. In the VN30 basket, 17 stocks fell, 11 rose and two remained unchanged.

Leading the markets downturn were large-cap stocks in the financial and manufacturing sectors, with the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID) posting the steepest decline in market capitalisation, dropping 0.71 per cent, which contributed nearly 0.5 point to the VN-Index's overall decrease.

This was followed by FPT Corporation (FPT), which declined by 0.96 per cent and Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SSB), which fell by 3.63 per cent.

However, losses were mitigated by gains in some key stocks, led by the Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (VCB), which rose by 0.33 per cent, contributing over 0.4 points to the VN-Index.

Experts from Viet Dragon Securities noted that liquidity has dropped sharply, reflecting limited support from cash flow. However, despite the market's decline, supply pressures remain subdued. They anticipate that the market will continue to undergo a supply-demand testing phase in the coming sessions. Maintaining levels above 1,260 points is seen as a key factor in supporting a potential recovery.

Investors are advised to closely monitor supply-demand dynamics at this support level and focus on stocks with stable performance that have recently attracted cash flow. However, the experts recommend considering profit-taking during any recovery phase or adjusting portfolios to mitigate risks.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index also dropped by 0.39 per cent to close at 233.38 points.

During the session, shares worth more than VN852 billion were traded, with a total trading volume of nearly 44 million shares on the northern bourse.

Foreign investors resumed their net buying trend, with purchases amounting to over VN213 billion on the HoSE.  VNS
HA NOI  A student from Nguyen Tat Thanh High School in Ha Noi Vu, Minh Anh, has donated VN121 million (US$5,000) to female students of the Ha Noi Blind Association and help people in the flood-affected area in the northern provinces.

The high school student initiated a community project titled 'One drawing - a million joys' with 32 artworks from the past three years, aiming to express her love for art and respect for the lives and souls of Vietnamese women.

The funds raised from the successful auction were used to pay for scholarships of 40 female students from the Ha Noi Blind Association, as well supporting those hurt by Typhoon Yagi.

She named her collection 'Women in Folk Songs and My Eyes' inspired by images of women, countryside themes and Vietnamese folk songs and proverbs.

"I am always aware that women are facing difficult circumstances, struggling day and night to make a living, yet they still possess hidden beauty that brings happiness to their families and those around them," Minh Anh said.

"This is especially true for visually impaired women, whose lives are even more challenging. Although they cannot see the light and colours of reality, I believe that the light from the soul and heart of each person always shines brightly."

The Principal of Nguyen Tat Thanh High School, Pham Sy Cuong, expressed great pride in his student for her profound understanding of life and her use of talent to support many individuals facing challenges.

"She chose a meaningful and deeply Vietnamese theme, folk poetry and mothers, expressing it through her feelings, talent, and modern perspectives," he said.  VNS
A week after police in Pakistan allegedly killed a Muslim accused of blasphemy, Muslims celebrated the murder of another blasphemy suspect by bestowing garlands on police suspected of killing him, sources said.

The killing of a Muslim doctor in Sindh Province on Thursday (Sept. 19) after he was charged with blasphemy the previous day followed the murder of Abdul Ali in Quetta, Balochistan Province on Sept. 12, shocking rights advocates, Christians and other religious minorities vulnerable to vigilante attacks rooted in Pakistans widely condemned blasphemy laws.

The Muslim doctor slain in Sindh Province, Shah Nawaz Kumhbar, was accused of disrespecting Islams prophet, Muhammad, on Wednesday (Sept. 18) by Umerkot police, who registered a case against him under Section 295-C of the blasphemy laws, which carries a mandatory death sentence for convicts.

Accused of posting disparaging content on social media, Kumhbar had posted a video on Wednesday (Sept. 18) saying his account had been hacked and that he could not imagine disrespecting Muhammad. Islamist groups had demanded the arrest of the doctor, who was said to suffer a mental disorder, and they mounted protests and burned a police van during demonstrations.

Circumstances of Kumbhars death were unclear. Police claimed he was riding a motorcycle with a colleague on Thursday (Sept. 19) when he was stopped at a checkpoint and opened fire on the officers, resulting in a shootout in which he was killed. After rights organizations raised suspicions about that account, however, police changed their statement, saying he was shot dead by the colleague who then fled scene.

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Local media, however, reported that Kumbhar had escaped to Karachi after allegations against him surfaced, and that Umerkot police arrested him and brought him to Mirpur Khas District, where Sindhri police allegedly killed him in an encounter. Police denied arresting Kumbhar from Karachi.

A video that now suspended Mirpur Khas Deputy Inspector General Javed Jiskani posted on social media shows leaders of an Islamist group garlanding him with flowers after the killing of Kumbhar.

When police officers start acting like vigilantes, theres no hope left for justice, attorney Lazar Allah Rakha told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

These officers have sworn to protect citizens, including those accused of crimes, but by indulging in extrajudicial killings they are not only breaking their oaths but also motivating others to follow their example.

Rakha, who has successfully defended several people accused of blasphemy, said the recent violence was shocking and disturbing for all progressive Pakistanis, particularly the vulnerable Christian community.

If people and police personnel start assuming the role of judge and executioner, then no one will be safe, including lawyers, as they could be considered facilitators of alleged blasphemers, he said. This is a very dangerous trend, and the government must act now to curb it before it gets too late.

After Kumbhars death, his body was handed over to his family, who brought it to his native village Janhero for burial, but an Islamist mob refused to let them bury it. They later reportedly seized his body and set it on fire.

Kumbhar is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter.

Media reports quoting Kumbhars family and locals stated that he had struggled with a mental disorder and had been under treatment for four years. Kumbhar was a dedicated doctor who went missing from work on Sept. 12, possibly because of a psychotic episode, according to the Umerkot District Headquarters Hospital medical superintendent.

A doctor based in Ireland who knew Kumbhar, Dr. Mataro Hingorjo, told Dawn newspaper that he was a deeply religious person.

Academically, he was among the top 10 in his class  an intelligent, dedicated nationalist with a strong spiritual side, at least during his periods of mental clarity, Hingorjo reportedly said.

Alarming Situation

While the Sindh government has suspended Mirpur Khas Division DIG Jiskani, Senior Superintendent of Police Asad Ali and eight other policemen and ordered an investigation, international and local human rights organizations warned about abuses by law enforcement officials.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said in a press statement that it was gravely concerned by the alleged extrajudicial killing of two people accused of blasphemy.

This pattern of violence in cases of blasphemy, in which law enforcement personnel are allegedly involved, is an alarming trend, the statement read.

Amnesty International also called for an investigation into the killings of Kumbhar and Ali.

Pakistani authorities should complete a thorough, impartial and independent investigation into the incidents, Amnestys South Asia office said in a press statement, calling on the government to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted in fair and transparent trials.

The horrific spate of extrajudicial killings of people accused of blasphemy in Pakistan highlights the governments ongoing failure to uphold their obligation to respect and protect human rights, including the right to life, freedom of religion or belief, and prohibition of discrimination, the statement read.

Though killings of blasphemy suspects by mobs are common, those by police are rare in Pakistan. Accusations or mere rumors of blasphemy spark rioting and rampage by Muslim mobs that can escalate into killings.

Under Pakistans blasphemy laws, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or Islamic religious figures can be sentenced to death, though authorities have yet to carry out a death sentence for blasphemy.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in attacks on blasphemy suspects in recent years.

In June, a mob broke into a police station in the northwestern town of Madyan, seized a tourist and killed him over allegations that he had desecrated the Quran.

In May, a mob attacked a 75-year-old Christian in Sargodha after he was falsely accused of desecrating the Quran. Nazeer Masih Gill succumbed to his injuries after fighting for his life at a hospital for eight days.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year.
NEW YORK  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in New York on September 22 (local time) on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

At the meeting, the two sides highly evaluated positive progress in relations between Viet Nam and the Vatican, notably the Vaticans Resident Papal Representative in Viet Nam and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi began operations in 2024.

Lam thanked Pope Francis for his sympathy and encouragement to the Vietnamese people to overcome the consequence of typhoon Yagi.

The top leader highly appreciated the fine sentiments that the Pope and the Secretary of State have reserved for Viet Nam and stressed that the country has created favourable conditions for pastoral visits by the current Resident Papal Representative and the non-resident special envoy in the past.

Lam highly evaluated the messages, teachings and letters sent by the previous Popes and Pope Francis to the Catholic community in Viet Nam, which highlighted the spirit of good Christians and good citizens and encouraged the Vietnam Catholic Church to contribute to the national life, for the interests of the whole nation in the sprit of dialogue and cooperation.

Parolin recalled his good impression of Viet Nam during his previous visit and affirmed that the Vietnam Catholic Church always wants accompany the countrys development in the spirit of sincerity, responsibility and trust.

The two leaders held that maintaining the exchange of high-level delegations and the meetings of the Viet Nam-Vatican joint working group has played an important role in promoting mutual respect and understanding.

Parolin affirmed that the Vaticans Resident Papal Representative has actively cooperated with Viet Nam and Pope Francis wants to visit Viet Nam soon, thus helping to promote connections between the Vatican and the Vietnam Catholic Church and further enhance the relations between the Vatican and Viet Nam. VNS/VNS
NEW YORK Party General Secretary and State President To Lam hosted a reception in New York on September 22 afternoon (local time) for President of Boeing Global Brendan Nelson, during which the Vietnamese leader thanked and acknowledged Boeings commitments to support Viet Nam in developing its aerospace and aviation industrial ecosystem in the coming time.

Highlighting the fine development of the Viet Nam-US relationship, especially after the two countries recently upgraded it to a Comprehensive strategic partnership, Lam affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people are committed to creating favourable conditions in accordance with legal regulations for US investors in general, and Boeing in particular, to invest and operate effectively and sustainably in Viet Nam.

In this spirit, he urged Boeing to continue closely collaborating with Vietnamese partners to complete and deliver the aircraft orders signed in the past time.

He emphasised the need for the worlds biggest aviation group to research and invest in building component manufacturing factories and a regional maintenance centre linked to major airports in Viet Nam; and enhance cooperation in training human resources, and collaborate in research and development (R&D), and technology transfer to help Vietnamese partners participate more deeply in Boeing's supply chain.

For his part, Nelson highlighted Boeing's effective collaboration and support for Vietnamese airlines during their operations and in aviation services.

Highly valuing the top Vietnamese leaders vision and perspective regarding the importance of the aviation economy in supporting Viet Nam's socio-economic development, he also discussed Boeing's strategies and commitments to Vietnam in the near future, aiming to ensure that more people have access to aviation services.

Nelson reaffirmed that Boeing has held numerous meetings with leaders of Vietnam Airlines to provide financial support and seek solutions to both immediate and long-term challenges, with a determination to fulfil the contract signed during President Joe Biden's visit to Viet Nam by 2028.

Stressing that the development of the aviation sector will create new opportunities for Viet Nam and its people, he affirmed Boeings commitment to support the establishment of an aviation ecosystem in Viet Nam, with focus on infrastructure development, workforce training, airport construction, and aircraft repair and maintenance facilities. VNS
NEW YORK  Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attended a seminar on enhancing Viet Nam-US cooperation in the development of the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries in New York on Sunday as part of his attendance at the High-level Week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly and working trip to the US.

The event saw the participations of leaders and experts from the worlds leading technology groups and organisations in the semiconductor and AI industries such as AMD, Google, Marvell, the US Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and the Global Semiconductor Alliance (SEMI).

Opening the event, Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said Viet Nam-US relations have constantly been developing in all areas over the past time, especially economic-investment-trade partnerships.

Dung highlighted the huge potential for cooperation between Vietnamese and US partners in the field of high technologies such as semiconductor and AI, stressing that this partnership will open up opportunities for enterprises of both countries to uphold and exploit each sides advantages.

Viet Nam promulgated a strategy on AI development in 2021 and the Prime Minister on September 21, 2024 signed to issue a programme on developing human resources for the semiconductor industry and a national strategy on developing the semiconductor industry, he said, adding that the country will step up the training of high-quality human resources for the sector in coming time with the aim of training 50,000 engineers by 2030.

At the seminar, representatives of leading technology organisations and groups of the US and the world shared international experiences in developing the semiconductor and AI industries, and pointed out huge potential and cooperation opportunities with Viet Nam in these fields.

Experts highly evaluated Viet Nams strategy on developing the semiconductor and AI industries, and expressed their belief that, with these orientations, the country will become an attractive destination for investors in these areas and achieve successes in the future.

Speaking at the event, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam clearly stated that Viet Nam has defined rapid and sustainable national development based on science-technology and innovation.

The Vietnamese Party and State already defined three strategic breakthroughs for socio-economic development, namely institutions, infrastructure and human resources combined with restructuring the economy and renewing the growth model, and promoting the national development based on science-technology, innovation and cultural values of Vietnamese people, he said.

Developing the semiconductor and AI industries is an objective requirement, a strategic choice and a priority in scientific and technological development, which will push up the development of other supporting industries, the top leader stressed.

Lam noted that Viet Nam is currently at an important moment in the transition towards a digital economy, green economy, and circular economy and is prioritising the strong development of science-technology and innovation to create breakthroughs in productivity, quality and increasing the competitiveness of the economy.

In that context, Viet Nam encourages and prioritises attracting selective investment, targeting high-tech projects, semiconductor and AI research and development, renewable energy, and green hydrogen, building synchronous infrastructure, he said, adding that these are also areas where US investors have a lot of potential and strengths.

Reviewing the positive results that the Viet Nam - US cooperative relationship has brought since the normalisation of relations in 1995, Lam affirmed the cooperation potential of Vietnamese and US partners in high-tech fields such as semiconductors and AI is extremely huge and meaningful in the new era, especially after Viet Nam and the US upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with two breakthrough cooperation pillars: innovation and semiconductor industry.

The leader expressed his belief that cooperation in the semiconductor and AI industries will open up opportunities for businesses of both countries to bring into play and exploit each others advantages.

Highlighting Viet Nams strengths and opportunities for the development of the semiconductor and AI industries, Lam said over the past 20 years, Viet Nam has trained hundreds of thousands of programmers and millions of personnel for the information technology industry. These are an important foundation to affirm that human resources in the AI and semiconductor industries are one of the strengths of Viet Nam, he elaborated.

Currently, many large enterprises in electronics, information technology, semiconductor and AI industries such as Samsung, Amkor, Hana Micron, Intel, Foxconn, LG, Viettel, VNPT, and FPT are investing in Viet Nam while many other companies are completing final procedures to deploy research and development, production and business activities in the country, Lam told participants.

Lam affirmed that Viet Nam always values international cooperation and understands that to succeed and advance in high-tech fields, especially the semiconductor and AI industries, it is necessary to go together and build a solid value chain. At the same time, Viet Nam welcome US businesses and organisations to the country to jointly develop creative and sustainable solutions, he stressed.

The leader expressed his belief that with the contributions of all, the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will become increasingly practical and effective, contributing the sustainable development.  VNS
HAVANA  The upcoming state visit to Cuba by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam is expected to usher in a new phase in the cooperation and special friendship between the two countries, with more substantive and sustainable results, a Vietnamese diplomat has said.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long said the visit holds significance, adding it is Lam's second overseas trip and his first visit to Cuba in both his roles as Party General Secretary and President of Viet Nam.

It demonstrates the high regard the Party and State of Viet Nam place on the development of the special friendship, and strongly reaffirms Viet Nam's consistent support for the just revolutionary cause of the Cuban people, he continued.

The visit is made in the context that the brotherly solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries have been consolidated and strengthened across all channels and sectors, with mutual support and assistance maintained at both bilateral and multilateral levels, the ambassador emphasised.

It offers an opportunity for the top leaders of the two Parties and countries to inform each other about the situation of their respective Parties and countries, and exchange views on international issues of shared concern.

They will hold in-depth strategic discussions to identify key directions and measures to make the relations between the two Parties and countries more comprehensive, substantive, and sustainable, while enhancing cooperation and mutual support in international organisations and multilateral forums, for the happiness of Vietnamese and Cuban people, for the cause of national defence and socialism building in each country, and for peace and progress of humanity.

The visit also looks ahead to the 65th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations, Long added.

He said Lam is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with the top leaders of the Cuban Party and State. The two sides will review the bilateral comprehensive cooperation and seek major orientations and measures to improve the effectiveness of the established cooperation mechanisms across channels.

The relationship between the two Parties serves as the political foundation, while diplomatic and defence-security relations are the pillars. Economic, trade, and investment ties act as the driving force, and cooperation between localities and people-to-people exchange a catalyst for stronger bonds.

According to the ambassador, the leaders of both countries are interested in strengthening cooperation in priority areas, particularly agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, health care, energy, telecommunications, tourism, construction, transportation, high technology, digital transformation, and innovation.

The visit is expected to provide strong momentum for the two countries to increase and diversify bilateral trade, making their economic, trade, and investment relations on par with their strong political ties.

The top leader will also meet representatives of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and the Cuba-Viet Nam Friendship Association, Cuban intellectuals, and those who studied in Viet Nam.

On this occasion, Viet Nam and Cuba will issue a high-level joint statement, and sign important documents regarding Party, State and local cooperation.

Regarding the bilateral economic, trade, and investment relations, Long said the leaders of both countries have agreed to facilitate the cooperation, making it match the close and trusted political ties as ample room remains in this regard.

During the visit, the Cuban government is expected to announce the approval of two new investment projects by Vietnamese businesses there, further affirming Viet Nam's role and position as the largest investor from the Asia-Pacific in Cuba.

The ambassador emphasised that the Caribbean nation is calling on Vietnamese businesses to increase their presence and participate in projects in Cuba to enhance production, ensure food security, and focus on exports, particularly in the fields of agriculture, livestock, and energy.

He also suggested the two sides optimise the Viet Nam-Cuba trade agreement, which took effect in April 2020, and step up trade and investment promotion.

For cooperation between localities and people-to-people exchange, Long said they have received the attention from the Vietnamese Party and State, and more locality-to-locality cooperation agreements are expected to be reached on this occasion.  VNS
NEW YORK  Party General Secretary and State President To Lam affirmed that one year after Viet Nam and the US elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, there remains significant potential to further deepen bilateral ties.

This evolving partnership will benefit the people of both countries and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and globally.

He made these remarks on Sunday evening (local time) while attending an event in New York celebrating the first anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development, which also marked the lead-up to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the United States.

The event was attended by former US Secretary of State John Kerry, Senator Dan Sullivan, numerous current and former senior officials from the US Government, as well as many American friends and members of the Vietnamese community in the US.

Reflecting on the history of US-Viet Nam relations, General Secretary and President To Lam noted that the relationship serves as a rare and exemplary model in international diplomacy, illustrating how two nations can heal and rebuild ties after war.

Despite initial interactions more than two centuries ago, the two countries have overcome numerous challenges and profound changes, evolving from former adversaries during the war to become trusted partners. Their relationship progressed to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2013, and after a decade of fostering this framework, the two nations achieved significant milestones in strengthening mutual trust and understanding, paving the way for the 2023 upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development.

He stressed that this accomplishment is the culmination of tireless efforts to mend and build trust over the past three decades, driven by generations of leaders, governments, legislatures and citizens from both nations.

Looking ahead to the 30th anniversary of US-Viet Nam diplomatic relations in 2025, the top leader urged both sides to continue working closely together to effectively implement the 2023 US-Viet Nam Joint Declaration.

He specifically called for strengthening high-level exchanges, enhancing cooperation in high-tech fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) and prioritising high-quality human resource development.

He also emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to address the legacy of war, which will contribute to building and reinforcing mutual trust. He also advocated for fostering open, constructive dialogue, sharing mutual interests, addressing legitimate concerns and collaborating to further peace, stability and prosperity regionally and globally.

Quoting the 16th US President, Abraham Lincoln, who said: The best way to predict the future is to create it, General Secretary and President To Lam once again emphasised that over the past 30 years, both sides have worked together to create an historic milestone and a model for international relations.

The Vietnamese leader also expressed his gratitude to the US Government and people for their timely support to the people of Viet Nam during the recent typhoon.

Speaking at the event, former Secretary of State John Kerry shared his experience witnessing the challenges in normalising and advancing relations between the two countries.

He emphasised that thanks to the efforts of generations of leaders and citizens from both sides, the two nations have found a formula for healing, ending conflict and embracing future opportunities for development.

US Senator Dan Sullivan, for his part, offered condolences to the families of the victims of Typhoon Yagi and expressed his deep respect for the contributions of US lawmakers, such as the late Senator John McCain and former Senator John Kerry, in normalising and advancing bilateral relations.

Senator Sullivan affirmed that the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership enjoys bipartisan support in the US, with vast potential for growth. He also noted the partnership's positive contribution to peace, stability, cooperation and development both regionally and globally, emphasising that the US Congress will continue to support Viet Nam as a key player in the region.  VNS
NEW YORK  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had meetings with the foreign ministers of Cuba, Latvia, and Uzbekistan and the UN Secretary-Generals Special Envoy on Myanmar in New York on September 22, on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future and the high-level general debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79).

Talking to Cuban FM Bruno Rodriguez, Son thanked the Cuban Party, State, and people for extending sympathies to Viet Nam on the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi as well as the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Viet Nam always treasures and wishes to keep nurturing the special ties with Cuba, he remarked, noting that the coming state visit to the Caribbean nation by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will set a new milestone for the comradeship, fraternity, and all-round cooperation between the two countries.

Viet Nam is ready to expand collaboration in such fields as health care, pharmaceutical, tourism, agriculture, energy, and construction and share its experiences in the areas matching Cubas demand, the Deputy PM said.

Expressing his countrys willingness to help Viet Nam settle disaster consequences, Rodriguez highlighted the special solidarity, friendship, and fraternity between the Cuban and Vietnamese peoples, and that the Cuban Party, State, and people are looking forwards to the state visit by General Secretary and President To Lam.

The two officials agreed that Viet Nam and Cuba will coordinate closely to fruitfully carry out high-level agreements and bring into play bilateral dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, including the two foreign ministries political consultation, the Inter-governmental Committee, the defence dialogue, and the two Parties cooperation mechanisms.

The countries will also step up parliamentary, locality-to-locality, and people-to-people ties while effectively organising activities in celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, they added.

Meeting with Latvian FM Baiba Braze, Son emphasised that Viet Nam always attaches importance to and hopes to enhance the traditional friendship and sound cooperation with Latvia.

He appreciated Latvias support for Viet Nam's candidacy for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council in the 2023-25 tenure, asking the European country to continue advocating Viet Nam's efforts to run for membership of other UN mechanisms in the coming time.

The Deputy PM also called on Latvia to help promote the nine remaining EU members ratification of the EU - Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), as well as the European Commissions removal of the yellow card warning over illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnamese seafood exports.

Braze affirmed her countrys support for the EU remainders early ratification and implementation of the EVIPA to help generate practical benefits for the two countries economic, trade, and investment links.

The two sides agreed to work together to foster partnerships in economy, trade, education - training and, especially, such new areas as digital transformation and green transition. Cultural and arts activities will be held to help deepen mutual understanding between the two peoples. The countries will also consider renewing the memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two foreign ministries.

At the meeting with Uzbekistan FM Bakhtiyor Saidov, the Vietnamese Deputy PM and FM thanked the Uzbek President and people for sending sympathies and encouragement to the Vietnamese people following Typhoon Yagi.

Viet Nam always attaches importance to the friendship and multifaceted ties with Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, Son went on, noting with satisfaction the progress in bilateral relations as seen in many bilateral meetings at various levels.

Saidov said Viet Nam is one of the leading partners of Uzbekistan in Southeast Asia, and that his country hopes to foster bilateral partnerships in all aspects, especially economy, trade, investment, energy, oil and gas, agriculture, and education, in a result-oriented manner.

The two countries will work closely to bolster bilateral cooperation in the fields matching their potential by arranging all-level mutual visits and soon holding the 8th session of the Inter-governmental Committee on economic - trade and scientific - technical cooperation, according to the officials.

Receiving UN Secretary-Generals Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop, Son congratulated Bishop and said he believes she will excellently fulfil her duty on the new position.

He affirmed Viet Nam's readiness to cooperate with and support the role and efforts of the Special Envoy in seeking a durable peaceful solution for the sake of the Myanmar people, as well as regional peace and stability.

Viet Nam always hopes that the Myanmar situation will be stabilised soon, and it will actively discuss with the related partners and parties to promote self-restraint, dialogue, reconciliation, along with the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Deputy PM continued.

He also underlined the necessity for prioritising the settlement of socio-economic difficulties and the humanitarian issue through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management.

Bishop affirmed the attention to and support for ASEANs centrality and efforts in seeking a solution to the Myanmar issue.

She also highly valued Viet Nam's active engagement and shared some priorities to be carried out in the time ahead to secure a solution to this issue.  VNS
HAVANA  Viet Nam and Cuba share a special and historic relationship, and the upcoming state visit of Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to Cuba will mark another significant milestone in their close ties, remarked Luis Enrique Gonzalez Acosta, President of the Cuban news agency Prensa Latina.

In an interview ahead of the Vietnamese leader, he told the Vietnam News Agency that the upcoming trip continues the bilateral traditional friendship established by their leaders Ho Chi Minh of Viet Nam and Fidel Castro of Cuba.

Each visit by leaders of the two countries is a new step forward in solidifying their friendship, as they provide opportunities for the leaders to meet and discuss ways to further enhance this fraternal relationship, Enrique said.

He held that the political and diplomatic relations between Cuba and Viet Nam are at an exceptionally high level and that the upcoming state visit will help elevate bilateral economic and trade relations. This occasion allows both countries to identify new areas of cooperation, enabling Cuba to boost investment in essential products or services in Viet Nam, and Viet Namto continue to invest and support the Cuban economy.

According to him, Viet Nam, one of Cuba's main trading partners in Asia, has already reaped early successes in agricultural cooperation and investment in the Mariel Special Development Zone.

Enrique went on highlighting the historical nature of the two nations relationship and the importance of educating their younger generation about this history. For the special ties to continue flourishing, the journalist recommended their young people need to understand its origins and development, how Cuba supported Vietnam in the past, and how Viet Nam is currently assisting Cuba.

Despite the geographical distance, Enrique asserted that when it comes to Viet Nam and Cuba, it is about the bond between brothers. He expressed his firm belief that the relationship between their people serves as a solid foundation for the future growth of the countries relations.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Lebanon on Monday issued an urgent notice recommending Vietnamese citizens living and working in Lebanon leave the country when commercial flights are still operational, in the context of escalating and spreading conflict in the region.

In its notice, the embassy also advised Vietnamese citizens planning to travel to the Middle East country to suspend or cancel their trips until the situation stabilises. For those currently living and working in Lebanon, the embassy emphasised that if they cannot leave the country due to force majeure, they should remain vigilant, keep a close watch on developments on local media, minimise gatherings in crowded places, and avoid approaching the Lebanon-Israel border, the southern areas of Beirut, and the northern regions near the border with Syria.

The embassy urged Vietnamese citizens to find temporary shelters in safer areas and prepare a stock of food and medicine in case of worse situations.

The agency stated that it will continue to monitor the situation and keep close contact with citizens to prepare contingency plans in case of an emergency. It is also ready to coordinate with relevant authorities when evacuation or protection of citizens from Lebanon is necessary.

In case of an emergency requiring assistance, citizens should contact the embassy via the hotline: +20 102 613 9869; the Vietnamese Honourary Consulate of Viet Nam in Lebanon: +961 70 229 300; or the citizen protection hotline: +84 981 84 84 84.

In August, the embassy said there were 11 Vietnamese citizens living and studying in Lebanon, mostly in capital city Beirut area.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Monday for Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding (APM Holding) and Chairman of Maersk - the shipping arm of APM Holding, a global business and investment group from Denmark renowned for its operations in logistics, renewable energy, finance, banking, and consumer products.

He praised the capital, technology, and advanced management capabilities of A.P. Moller and Maersk, highlighting their significant investment activities in Viet Nam which have contributed substantially to the development of its maritime industry and economy. He also acknowledged Maersk and APM Terminals' vision for building green and smart ports there.

Viet Nam is ready with all possible support for foreign investors in logistics projects, he said, noting that the country has over 3,200 km of coastline and ranks among the top 20 economies in terms of international trade volume.

According to the leader, Viet Nam is actively enhancing its transport infrastructure, including maritime transport and shipping fleets, to reduce high logistics costs and boost the competitiveness of its goods and economy. He welcomed APM Holdings plans to expand investment in Viet Nam, particularly in green and smart port systems, logistics services, and green maritime transport.

He suggested the group explore specific investment projects, such as Lien Chieu port in a Nang City and Can Gio international port in HCM City, and several others in the northern, central, and southwestern regions.

The host also expressed a desire for the group to invest in other areas such as digital transformation, green transition, and circular economy; share expertise in port management and operation, and help Viet Nam access international financial resources for infrastructure development, including seaports, airports, and high-speed and urban rail systems.

Robert Maersk Uggla, in turn, praised the Vietnamese Governments achievements in improving the business environment and facilitating foreign investment, as well as its efforts in digital transformation and green transition aimed at sustainable development, which align with its commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

He said the group sees significant potential and opportunities in Vietnam, and wishes to contribute further to its development, particularly in investment opportunities to build large, modern deep-water container ports and strategic logistics projects.  VNS
NEW YORK  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam on September 23 morning (local time) visited and delivered a policy speech at Columbia University in New York as part of his trip to the US to attend the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79).

In his speech, the leader mentioned several issues on the path towards the era of Viet Nam's ascendance, the Viet Nam-US relationship, and the vision for building a better future for all humanity amidst significant changes.

Lam said nearly eight decades since its founding and nearly four decades of renewal, Viet Nam has achieved monumental success, a testament to the right path chosen under the leadership of the CPV and the efforts and determination of its people. From a war-ravaged country, Viet Nam has not only regained its independence but also emerged as a dynamically developing economy, ranking among the top 40 and top 20 economies globally.

Once isolated, Viet Nam now boasts diplomatic relations with 194 countries, strategic and comprehensive partnerships with 30 nations, including all major powers and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. It is an active member of ASEAN and more than 70 international and regional organisations, with trade ties with 224 markets across all continents.

He stressed that Viet Nam's ambitious goals cannot be achieved without solidarity, valuable support, and effective cooperation from the global community. The country is committed to pushing forward its comprehensive reform, openness, and global integration, aiming to remain a stable, reliable, and attractive destination for foreign investors, businesses, and tourists.

Amid the rapidly changing global landscape, Lam affirmed that under the CPV's leadership, Viet Nam will continue to pursue its consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism and diversification of external ties. The country aims to be a friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community.

Viet Nam will steadfastly uphold its "four no's" defence policy, strongly support the settlement of disputes and disagreements through peaceful means based on the United Nations Charter and international law. The country opposes unilateral actions, political hegemony, and the use or threat of force in international relations, he noted.

According to Lam, Viet Nam has been recognised by the UN as a leading nation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite numerous challenges, the country remains committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Over the past decade, Vietnamese peacekeepers in UN missions have left positive impressions in several African countries, contributing to international peace and security, and supporting local communities in their daily lives.

Viet Nam is prepared to make more proactive and constructive contributions to global politics, the world economy, and human civilisation. The country aims to work alongside friends and partners to tackle urgent global challenges such as climate change, food security, health security, and water security. Additionally, Viet Nam is committed to promoting the establishment of a fair and equitable international order, grounded in the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, he added.

Viet Nam-US ties

Referring to the Viet Nam  US relations, the leader noted that President Ho Chi Minh sent eight letters and telegrams to President Harry Truman, affirming Viet Nam's desire for "full cooperation" with the US. However, due to historical circumstances, it took 50 years for the two countries to normalise their relations.

In nearly 30 years, Viet Nam and the US have undergone a remarkable transformation, from former foes to comprehensive partners and now comprehensive strategic partners. Since the normalisation of the relations, many Vietnamese leaders have visited the US, notably the historic visit by late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in July 2015, and all US Presidents have visited the Southeast Asian nation.

According to the Vietnamese leader, cooperation between Viet Nam and the US across areas, from politics - diplomacy to economy - trade, defence - security, war legacy remediation, education - training, and people-to-people exchange, as well as in addressing regional and global issues such as climate change and terrorism, and in UN peacekeeping, has made significant and substantive progress.

Notably, people-to-people exchange and educational cooperation have become increasingly vibrant, he said, adding that around 30,000 Vietnamese students are studying in the US, including the Columbia University.

Lam affirmed that the most important factor enabling the bilateral relations to reach its current fruitful stage is the tradition of compassion and forgiveness of the Vietnamese people, and the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.

The support of many US friends and partners, such as President Bill Clinton and his successors, senators John McCain, John Kerry, and Patrick Leahy, and others, and the strong bipartisan support in the US for the bilateral relations, have also been crucial, helping the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership grow more stably, sustainably, and practically in the time ahead.

Reflecting on the journey of the Vietnamese people and the success story of the Viet Nam-US relations, Lam affirmed that in order to build a better common future for all, it is necessary to emphasise and uphold the spirit of reconciliation, and mutual respect and understanding, with the respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems the most important.

The leader highlighted Viet Nam's proactiveness in healing war wounds, noting cooperation in addressing war aftermath served as the foundation for the two countries to reconcile, move toward normalisation, build trust, and deepen their relations.

These will continue to be key cooperation areas in the coming years as war consequences remain severe, especially for Viet Nam, he said.

To promote the bilateral relationship, the leader held that the sides need to step up research on each other's history, culture, people, political systems, and socio-economic conditions.

In the era of science and technology, we can take advantage of new methods, such as digital platforms and tools, to foster broader connections and deeper understanding among nations, he continued.

Lam also stressed the need to promote the culture of dialogue, taking the Viet Nam-US relations as an example. Although the two countries have made significant progress in their relationship, there are still certain differences in perspectives on human rights issues in the fields of economy, politics, and social and religious affairs. However, they have chosen dialogue instead of confrontation, in an open, frank and constructive spirit.

Dialogue should become a common practice, and a useful and important tool for human civilisation, Lam emphasised.

The leader also stressed the highest sense of responsibility towards the international community, saying beyond the bilateral framework, the Viet Nam-US cooperation has gradually taken on regional and global significance, particularly in areas such as climate change response, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, counterterrorism, UN peacekeeping, and cybersecurity.

This cooperation has increasingly contributed to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the Asia-Pacific and the world at large.

Vision for better future

In the context of global uncertainty, the Party General Secretary and President of Viet Nam said countries should be responsible for their relations and contribute to peace, cooperation, and development worldwide, while raising the sense of responsibility for the future and human civilisation.

People should be put at the centre, he said, highlighting the principle shared by Vietnamese and US leaders in national construction and development that is building a state "of the people, by the people, and for the people".

Regarding solidarity and the future, he stressed that amidst the global evolution, a long-term vision and solidarity are needed more than ever as no nation, no matter how powerful, can solve today's challenges alone.

Lam reiterated Viet Nam's spirit of putting aside the past and looking toward the future, and expressed his belief that with the approach that promotes international solidarity and looks to the future, as well as the success story of the Viet Nam - US relations, the world can turn the impossible into possible, continuing to build a sustainable, progressive civilisation for humanity.

He reaffirmed a strong commitment to realising the nation's aspirations, while calling for support from friends, partners and circles in the US to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership.

During a discussion with the schools professors, lecturers, and students, he addressed various questions regarding national defence, socio-economic issues, and Viet Nam's foreign relations, and global issues. He reiterated Viet Nam's consistent policy of independence, self-reliance and promoting dialogue to achieve peace and stability for Viet Nam, the region and the world.

He also outlined socio-economic directions and development priorities, encouraging the application of scientific and technological advancements, creating institutional breakthroughs and enhancing the quality of human resources, so that Viet Nam can confidently step into a new era.  VNS
PHNOM PENH  A delegation of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Battambang province and the Viet Nam - Cambodia Business Association (VCBA) has made a fact-finding trip of some floating classrooms for Vietnamese-origin students on Tonle Sap Lake in Pursat province to help with infrastructure upgrade.

The fact-finding trip from September 19 to 21, led by Consul General Nguyen Thanh Van and VCBA Chairman Oknha Leng Rithy, aimed to serve the building of a support programme for classroom repair and upgrade as proposed by the Pursat branch of the Khmer-Vietnamese Association.

Visiting some floating classrooms in Kandieng and Krakor districts of Pursat, a northwestern province of Cambodia, Van said the Vietnamese Party, State, and people always view overseas Vietnamese as an integral part of the nation, and have paid constant attention to the Vietnamese-origin community in Cambodia.

He asked the Vietnamese-origin residents on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater body in Southeast Asia, to comply with local law and not to break rules, especially the annual ban on illegal fishing. He also called on them to exert efforts to integrate into the Cambodian society, thereby improving their life quality and contributing to the two countries relations.

With regard to classroom repair and upgrade, the diplomat underlined the priority for education so that Vietnamese-origin children can secure a better life in the future.

Particularly, he suggested them enroll their children in public schools of Cambodia in order for the children to fulfill the host countrys general education programme, acquire certificates, and make decisions on their careers.

The delegation will consider assistance for upgrading the classrooms in need within the VCBAs capacity, Van added.

During the trip, VCBA representatives also had a working session with the Vietnamese Consulate General to discuss measures for assisting needy Vietnamese-origin residents on Tonle Sap Lake, including support for education, to help improve the quality of human resources and life and develop a strong Vietnamese-origin community in Cambodia.

Vietnamese-origin people in Pursat province have difficult living conditions. The majority of them reside on Tonle Sap Lake and depend on fishing for their livelihood, according to the Vietnamese Consulate General in Battambang province. VNS
HA NOI  The Red Cross Society of China has released emergency aid of US$100,000 through the Viet Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC) to help the Vietnamese Government and people overcome the consequences of Typhoon Yagi and floods.

Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam He Wei handed over the donation to the VNRC president Bui Thi Hoa at a ceremony on Monday in Ha Noi.

At the event, Wei expressed his deepest condolences on the losses Viet Nam and the people who have suffered from Typhoon Yagi and the subsequent floods.

I believe that with the leadership of the Vietnamese Party and Government and the joint efforts of all walks of life in Viet Nam, the people in storm and flood-affected areas will soon overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes, said Wei.

VNRC president Bui Thi Hoa highly appreciated the friendship and long-standing traditions shared by the Party, Government and people of China.

The support of the Red Cross Society of China will provide additional resources for the Viet Nam Red Cross to contribute to providing timely assistance to typhoon and flood victims so that people can soon stabilise their lives, said Hoa.

The VNRC has deployed emergency relief money and goods worth nearly VN10 billion to help more than 10,300 households or more than 41,500 beneficiaries in 15 provinces and cities affected by Typhoon Yagi and floods. Specifically, VNRC has provided VN3.25 billion in cash, 3,200 boxes of household goods, 3,300 bags of emergency relief goods and one hundred home repair kits.

Since launching a community fundraising campaign on September 7, the VNRC has received VN16 billion in donations from many organisations, businesses and individuals. Specifically, the VNRC charity account has received more than 21,000 donations with a contribution amount of more than VN10 billion.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also launched an urgent appeal in an effort to mobilise a budget of four million Swiss francs ($4.7 million) to help Vietnamese people affected by Typhoon Yagi.  VNS
HCM CITY  The 2024 Vietnam Industrial Architecture Awards have honoured eight outstanding architectural projects at a prestigious event held in HCM City.

The awards provide a specialised, international platform for industrial architecture and cultivate high-quality human resources in industrial design for Viet Nam.

Launched in collaboration with the University of Architecture HCM City (UAH), the awards attracted 33 high-quality projects spanning 18 provinces and cities, submitted by 15 leading design consulting firms nationwide.

At the final event of the awards held in HCM City on September 20, the eight outstanding projects were honored for meeting the criteria of unique and impressive design, innovation in structure and functionality, and sustainable design.

The design of the Hayward Quartz Technology Factory in Binh Duong Province by M.I.T.A Business Construction and Service Company Ltd won the long-lasting beauty prize, while the design of the DBW Garment Factory in Long An Province by Viet Engineering Value Construction Consultants JSC (VEV) won first prize.

Two second prizes were presented to designs of the VinFast Automobile Manufacturing Complex in Hai Phong city by VCC Engineering Consultants JSC, and the Goertek Manufacturing Plant in Nghe An Province by Thanh Nam Consulting Construction JSC.

Three third prizes went to designs of the Kizuna Ready-Built Warehouse in Long An Province by National General Construction Consulting JSC (NAGECCO), the SLP Park Xuyen A Ready-Built Warehouse in Long An Province by SEAS Project Consultants CO., Ltd, and the Song Hong - Nghia Hung Export Garment Factory in Nam inh Province by Vietnam National Construction Consultant Corporation - JSC.

And the design of Space 4 Youth in HCM City by 23o5 Studio won the innovation prize.

Notably, the top two award-winning projects, the DBW Garment Factory and Hayward Quartz Technology Factory, will represent Viet Nam at the BlueScope Steel Architectural Awards ASEAN 2024 to be held in Malaysia in November, 2024.

All projects showcased the distinctive features of BlueScopes COLORBOND and ZINCALUME steel, known for their aesthetics, creativity, and sustainability in industrial building materials.

ang Thanh Hung, vice president of NS BlueScope Vietnam, said as a global steel corporation that has supported the development of Vietnams industrial architecture for over 30 years, the company is committed to elevating Viet Nams industrial architecture, and this award is part of this mission.

This is also an opportunity for domestic industrial architecture talents to engage with leading regional experts, expand their connections across Asia, and pave the way for nurturing future talents, he said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Architect Le Van Thuong, rector of UAH, said the university continually creates opportunities for students to acquire knowledge and gain real-world experience with global enterprises and talented architects to enhance the quality of human resource training for the industry.

The awards and other meaningful activities will unlock knowledge, create a specialised playground, and provide international learning opportunities for the countys industrial architecture talents, he said.

The awards also featured a series of impactful activities, including an exhibition of industrial architectural projects, a seminar on enhancing human resource quality, an event honoring talented design consultants, and scholarships awarded to UAH students.  VNS
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha recently signed Decision No. 996/QD-TTg in mid-September, approving the investment policy for the expansion of My Xuan B1 - Conac Industrial Park (IP) in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

IDICO Petroleum Construction Investment JSC (CONAC) has been approved as the investor, contributing $15.44 million towards the total $79.56 million investment. The project will be implemented in Phu My, with a timeline of up to 24 months from the date of land handover, and an operational period of 50 years from September 17.

The DPM has tasked the Ministry of Planning and Investment with overseeing project appraisals and managing the industrial zones as per the Law on Investment and other related legislation.

Relevant ministries and agencies are responsible for appraising specific project aspects within their remit, in line with the Investment Law and related regulations. Additionally, Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee is required to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with approved plans, as well as to supervise the project's alignment with local planning standards.

The My Xuan B1-CONAC Industrial Park located in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Photo: VGP

The committee has been tasked with directing the management board of IPs and other relevant agencies to guide the investor through the necessary construction procedures. The committee will also ensure the project's location, scale, and land use conform to national standards and safety regulations.

My Xuan B1 - Conac IP originally received its investment certificate in 2012, with 163 hectares of industrial land available for lease. In July 2018, the investor proposed an expansion due to 100 per cent occupancy. The initial proposal aimed to expand by 251 hectares, split between industrial land and reserve development. However, only hectares were approved for expansion, which corresponds to the recently approved project.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau currently has 17 IPs, 13 of which are operational, covering 7,243ha. Four additional parks, including the My Xuan B1 - Conac expansion, are planned but have yet to engage significant investment.

Since the beginning of 2024, the operational IPs in the province have attracted projects with a total investment capital of $2.56 billion, 4.5 times higher than the same period in 2023.

The province plans to establish 24 IPs by 2030, with a focus on developing a key economic corridor centred on industry and the Cai Mep - Thi Vai seaport complex, connected to inter-port transportation systems and National Highway No.51.

During the 22nd session of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Peoples Council in mid-July, Nguyen Cong Vinh, Vice Chairman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Peoples Committee, emphasised that while the province aims to draw in strategic investments, it is not focused on rapid expansion. The key is ensuring that projects, even if not requiring large land areas, provide effective investment returns, Vinh said.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau steps up FDI attraction The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau is emerging as a prime investment destination in Vietnam, driven by a favourable investment climate and ambitious development plans.

Becamex Binh Dinh Industrial Park attracts $80 million premium instant coffee project Binh Dinh Investment Promotion Centre announced on September 7 that the province will expedite a premium freeze-dried instant coffee project with an investment surpassing $80 million.
"We encourage Boeing to swiftly research and implement investments in component production plants and a regional maintenance centre linked to Vietnams key airports," Lam said.

The proposal was made during a meeting with Brendan Nelson, Global President of Boeing, on September 22 in New York, where President Lam was attending the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He also called on Boeing to enhance cooperation in human resource development, technology transfer, and research and development, while integrating more Vietnamese companies into Boeings global supply chain.

Additionally, President Lam requested Boeing's collaboration with Vietnamese partners to expedite the completion and delivery of aircraft purchase agreements that have been signed recently.

Expressing appreciation for Boeings business successes and longstanding partnership with Vietnam, including with Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, Lam thanked Boeing for its contributions to developing Vietnams aviation and aerospace industries.

"We recognise and value Boeings commitment to supporting the development of Vietnams aerospace ecosystem in the coming years," he remarked.

He also highlighted the strengthening ties between Vietnam and the United States, especially following the recent upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

"Vietnam is fully committed to providing better conditions for US investors, including Boeing, to operate successfully and sustainably within the country," Lam added.

In response, Brendan Nelson reaffirmed Boeings dedication to supporting Vietnam's aviation sector, with a focus on building aviation infrastructure, training skilled personnel, and establishing airport and aircraft maintenance facilities.

"Boeing remains committed to Vietnam, especially in helping to develop its aviation ecosystem and infrastructure," Nelson said.

He further emphasised Boeings close collaboration with Vietnams national airline to address both immediate and long-term challenges, including financial support and fulfilling contractual obligations.

Nelson reaffirmed Boeings goal of delivering on its commitments, particularly regarding the aircraft purchase contracts signed during US President Joe Bidens visit to Vietnam last year.

"The growth of Vietnams aviation sector will unlock numerous opportunities for the country and its people," said Nelson.
The Dutch Lady milk brand, under FrieslandCampina Vietnam, has extended its assistance to those affected by Typhoon Yagi in the northern provinces of Ha Nam and Yen Bai.

Nearly two weeks after Typhoon Yagi passed, significant damage to livelihoods and production has been reported across the region. In keeping with the spirit of mutual support and affection, Dutch Lady has delivered nearly 70,000 servings of fresh milk to these areas, aiming to provide both nourishment and motivation to the affected citizens.

In Ha Nam, one of the areas severely impacted by the floods, FrieslandCampina Vietnam was among the first foreign-invested enterprises in the dairy sector to contribute to the provinces socioeconomic development.

The Dutch Lady milk brand quickly implemented various practical activities to support dairy farming households in Ha Nam

Nguyen Van Cuong, a dairy farmer who has participated in FrieslandCampina Vietnams Dairy Development Programme for nearly 30 years, said, When the floods came, the grass was submerged, and the cows couldnt eat fresh grass. Thankfully, we received timely support from the company, including silage bags, ensuring our cows didnt go hungry during this challenging time.

A representative of the local government said, During the floods, essential supplies like nutritious food, especially milk, are critical for supporting the community, particularly children. Many have been living in flooded conditions for days, lacking necessities. The support from Dutch Lady is very timely, and I believe that with solidarity, the community will soon overcome these difficulties and stabilise their lives.

The whole country is focusing on the north, and the Dutch Lady brand wishes to contribute a small part

In recent days, hundreds of thousands of households have been in extremely difficult situations, lacking essential supplies. Additionally, many people in various places are still living in isolation. Many heavily devastated areas have yet to be reached. The recovery efforts from the floods in the northern region will be very challenging ahead.

In Yen Bai province, many families are facing difficulties in recovering and stabilising their lives after the disaster, especially children, who are the most vulnerable. Yen Bai is one of the localities that suffered severe damage from the recent floods and natural disasters.

Dutch Lady milk brand representatives have visited Yen Bai, providing tens of thousands of milk portions

Recovery in the northern region remains challenging, with many households still in difficult conditions, lacking essential supplies. Numerous areas, heavily devastated, are yet to receive aid.

In Yen Bai province, the recovery process is especially tough for children and families, who are among the most vulnerable. Yen Bai was hit particularly hard by the floods and natural disasters, leaving many families struggling to rebuild.

Volunteers from Dutch Lady were deeply moved by the unfortunate circumstances they witnessed. Eight-year-old Nguyen Thi An and his siblings were overjoyed to receive Dutch Lady milk, their first since the disaster. Nguyen Thi Linh, their mother, said, Since the disaster, weve received food and supplies from benefactors, but this is the first time my children have had milk again, and they were so excited.

As a global leader in nutrition, FrieslandCampina Vietnam has collaborated with organisations such as the Vietnam Red Cross Society, the Vietnam Womens Union, and local distributors to provide practical gifts and small joys to people in flood-hit areas. Representatives from Dutch Lady have undertaken numerous timely initiatives to help families rebuild their lives, including offering support to the companys employees and distributors.

Although the milk portions are small, they carry heartfelt sentiments, with the belief that peaceful days will soon return. Dutch Lady is committed to continuing this journey, working with local distributors to offer price support for charitable organisations, and providing free transportation to deliver aid where it is needed most.

Dutch Lady forming nutrition habits An initiative from Dutch Lady, a brand of milk producer FrieslandCampina, has reaped impressive outcomes, contributing to the countrys efforts to provide more nutrition and physical development for millions of children.

Dutch Lady promotes its nutrition mission in Vietnam Vietnam has set the right ambition and actions for its nutrition strategy and vision. The most important task now is to quickly implement it on a larger scale for greater impact. President of FrieslandCampina Asia Corine Tap spoke with VIRs Thanh Dat about the companys mission as a world-leading nutrition company through its many brands familiar with Vietnamese consumers including Dutch Lady, Yomost, Friso, and Fristi.
Themed "Empowering Innovation for Vietnam's Sustainable Healthcare", the event will assess the importance of innovation for the sustainable development of the medical and pharmaceutical industry in the new development period, the importance of fostering an enabling environment for health innovation, the opportunities and challenges, and lessons learned from other countries.

VIR to host health conference

The conference will feature keynote speeches from Atul Tandon, general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam; Dion Warren, Area Head of Takeda India and Southeast Asia; and Radhika Bhalla, Head of Vietnam and Asia Alliance Markets.

The panel discussion sessions are expected to have the voices of the National Assembly's Committee for Economic Affairs, the Foreign Investment Agency of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health, the Health Strategy and Policy Institute, the Pharma Group, EuroCham, and others.

The event will also attract many domestic and international organisations, including the World Bank, the US-ASEAN Business Council, UNICEF, HealthBridge, Vietnam Medical Informatics Association, and the Vietnam Pharmaceutical Companies Association among others.

Undoubtedly, 2024 is a pivotal year for the healthcare sector as it reviews and amends important laws and regulations that will shape the performance of the medical and pharmaceutical industry in the next decade, contributing to developing a sustainable health system, and creating an ecosystem enabling innovation.

Especially, the draft amendments to the Law on Pharmacy were discussed at the June session of the National Assembly, and are expected to be adopted in October. At present, the Ministry of Health is working on suggestions from organisations, experts and the business community before completing the draft.

Innovation in healthcare is not only a matter of industry development, but also associated with social benefits for patients and the wider community, contributing to solving challenges facing the healthcare system, as well as enhancing Vietnam's competitiveness.

Vietnam aspires to become one of the top countries in the region in testing, researching and producing high-quality drugs, striving to contribute over $20 billion to the countrys GDP by 2045. Thus, a new approach with an enabling environment to develop the medical and pharmaceutical industry focusing on innovation, technological advancement and digital transformation is considered a key driving force for success.

However, there are a number of difficulties facing innovation in Vietnams health, meaning the country must have a new approach, and solutions, and stakeholders need to contribute more to change the situation.

The event is expected to set off a policy dialogue between government agencies and the business community, and serve as a platform for stakeholders to make themselves be heard, as well as help foster business cooperation opportunities.

The half-day conference, set to take place from 8am-12pm, September 25, at the Sheraton Hotel in Hanoi, will be covered extensively across VIRs various print and online offerings, as well as by leading TV channels and media agencies.

VIR to host health conference on July 20 Around 200 representatives from relevant ministries, agencies, international organisations, and the business community, including well-known experts, will gather at a health conference on July 20 to discuss innovative approaches to pharma-healthcare development.

Strategic actions for digital healthcare gain Vietnams healthcare sector is making efforts to adopt innovations. Le Minh Sang, senior health specialist at the World Bank Vietnam Office, provides an analysis on how to foster an enabling environment for health innovations.

Growing AI applications now prevalent in healthcare AI is now getting increasing attention and more investment in research, with AI application success in many fields, including healthcare.
At the 2024 Investment Legal Support Forum in Ho Chi Minh City on September 20, Nguyen Xuan Thang, vice president of the European Business Association in Vietnam, said he appreciated the development of solar energy as well as the city's efforts to promote green investment, but the there were several issues to be tackled.

The 2024 Investment Legal Support Forum taking place in Ho Chi Minh City on September 20 discussing solutions to develop solar energy in Vietnam

One of the difficulties Thang mentioned was the long time it takes to develop instructions for implementing solar power projects, with most regulations are still in the drafting process.

This causes a deadlock for investors operating a solar energy project, and it creates hesitation for investors who want to deploy new projects. In addition, Resolution No.98/2023/QH15, limits the responsibility for allocating the city budget and installing solar power systems on public buildings to the people's committee, which limits private sector participation," he said. Removing these limitations will not only promote wider adoption of solar energy but also reduce the financial and administrative burden on the city government.

To solve these challenges, Thang cited a number of models in successful international solar energy development in countries around the world, such as Singapore and India.

Nguyen Duc Minh, senior lawyer of Kim & Chang Law (Vietnam), presented a report on applying legal regulations on investment in renewable energy projects in Ho Chi Minh city.

Minh analysed current regulations and pointed out limitations in the legal framework, including the necessity for a separate law regulating the field of renewable energy.

Currently, electricity purchase contracts must use templates and limited agreements between the parties. Thus, it is possible that the interests of the parties are not in a completely balanced position," Minh said.

Thus, Ho Chi Minh City, with support from Resolution 98, which grants special policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City, needs to take more drastic steps to take advantage of special mechanisms.

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngoc, deputy director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, has revealed the problems the city is facing when developing green projects.

Being a big special urban area, Ho Chi Minh is a densely populated place, which means that the city's energy consumption needs are also high," Ngoc said.

However, with its geographical location, Ho Chi Minh City does not yet have the strength to develop many types of other energy.

Recognising the limitations of the available land and taking advantage of the strengths and specific mechanisms of Resolution 98, Ho Chi Minh City plans to develop rooftop solar power and electric power from solid waste.

Ngoc also said that converting energy sources with high carbon emissions to renewable energy sources brought investment opportunities for energy developers and ensured that the city could achieve its sustainable target.

Renewable energy is important for the development of a modern urban area like the Ho Chi Minh City.

This is not only an urgent requirement to meet energy needs in economic development and daily life but also an opportunity to build a smart, green and sustainable city, Ngoc said.

According to Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the city has drafted the Green Growth Action Plan for 2024-2030 to implement the national Green Growth Strategy to achieve sustainable development.

"Accordingly, the city identified 14 main task groups that emphasise "green" elements in development, notably emphasising the importance of renewable energy projects," Hoan said.

Dr. Tran Du Lich, vice chairman of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre, said that promoting the development of renewable energy, especially wind, solar, and biomass energy, not only helped cope with harmful effects on the environment, but also created benefits for localities and countries in global greening.

So far, "greening" and "renewable energy" are still phrases that are not familiar to businesses, while the regulatory framework in Vietnam is incomplete.

"This leads to obstacles for both enterprises and authorities. The lack of regulations and instructions also increases the risk of disputes arising, leaving investors and the government concerned," Lich said.

MoIT advises caution over residential solar systems The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is advocating a conservative approach to residential solar installations as it warns of potential grid instability and increased operational costs, particularly for grid-connected systems, as part of the latest regulatory framework.

Vietnam authorises DPPA for rooftop solar and biomass projects A recently issued government decree permits rooftop solar, waste-to-energy, and biomass projects to engage in direct power purchase agreements (DPPA) without routing through Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

Excess rooftop solar power sales capped at 10 per cent of capacity Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on July 10 to present a plan that will enable households to sell excess rooftop solar power, capped at 10 per cent of their total capacity.
Kojima Masao, regional head of MUFG Bank Vietnam (left) and Shintaro Suzuki, director and head of Asia-Pacific Regional Business, Zeroboard, Inc., at the signing ceremony

Through this MoU, the companies will support the decarbonisation journeys of MUFGs corporate customers, collaborate in the promotion of sustainability efforts in Vietnam and Japan, and foster greater economic linkages between the two countries.

The partnership reaffirms MUFGs dedication to being a trusted partner to its clients and its unyielding commitment to empowering a brighter future.

In Japan, where the bank is headquartered, MUFG entered into a business alliance agreement with Zeroboard in 2021, culminating in an investment in the startup in 2023. By combining Zeroboards capabilities with MUFGs banking products and services, the bank will provide a comprehensive suite of solutions to its customers. To date, the bank has introduced Zeroboard's services to over 300 companies around Japan.

As the race towards net-zero intensifies, this partnership will be crucial in deepening business collaboration between MUFG Bank Vietnam and Zeroboard.

Under the MoU, MUFG will introduce Zeroboard to its corporate customers, while Zeroboard will provide GHG emissions calculation and data visualisation services measuring energy usage across production lines, waste treatment, and supply chains.

To better support customers with their decarbonisation efforts, MUFG offers a comprehensive suite of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) financing solutions.

The companies will support the decarbonisation journeys of MUFGs corporate customers

Kojima Masao, regional head of MUFG Bank Vietnam said, MUFG Bank understands the various challenges clients face in managing sustainability. There is a general lack of understanding around ESG reporting and insufficient data for incorporating ESG considerations into business strategy. Additionally, Scope 3 GHG emissions data collection and reporting continues to be difficult as these emissions occur beyond a companys operational reach."

"Therefore, MUFG Bank has been striving to support clients in overcoming these challenges, through active dialogue and engagement. Beyond banking solutions, MUFG provides regular market intelligence such as MUFG Transit, a monthly publication on the latest ESG developments in the Asia-Pacific region. With Zeroboards capabilities and MUFGs deep financial expertise, we can enhance our clients transition to more sustainable business practices in Vietnam, in alignment with their ESG commitments and targets.

Representatives of MUFG Bank, Vietnam and Zeroboard, Inc.

Shintaro Suzuki, director and head of Asia-Pacific Regional Business, Zeroboard, Inc. said, Our excitement knows no bounds as we extend our collaboration with MUFG Bank Vietnam. Zeroboard, a software solution developed by us, enables corporations to calculate, visualise, and manage the reduction of their supply chain GHG emissions by simply importing or linking relevant activity data."

"It is used extensively in major corporations to aid their GHG management efforts, eliminating the need for high-cost consulting services or packaged products. With the integration of MUFGs network and our advanced applicability technology, our aspiration is to set Zeroboard as the unquestioned standard for GHG data infrastructure, and thereby increase our visibility in Asia together," Suzuki said.

Under the current medium-term business plan 2024-2026, MUFG has raised its commitment to sustainability-related financing from JPY35 trillion to 100 trillion ($244-698 billion) by 2030.

MUFG pilots sustainable deposit scheme in Vietnam MUFG has piloted sustainable deposits in Vietnam with placements by Taikisha Vietnam Engineering, Acecook Vietnam, and Arcelik Hitachi Home Appliances Sales Vietnam.

MUFG N0W (Net Zero World) launches in Vietnam A thought leadership event brought business leaders, industry experts, and senior officials together on May 8 to enhance collaboration and propel the countrys green transition.
WATERLOO  The Grout Museum Districts application for an historic preservation grant to repair and restore an historic American flag is being sponsored by the Cedar Falls chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

It will cost roughly $10,000 to repair and stabilize the nearly 90-year-old silk flag which is believed to be the first American flag carried onto European shores as the United States entered World War II.

The museum is completing the grant request and raising matching funds for a $10,000 grant from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Cedar Falls DAR is also providing a letter of support.

Were hoping with the Grouts matching funds and the support of our chapter and the community that the grant application will be successful. Its such a great story, said Lisa Lang, Cedar Falls DAR regent.

Nicholas Erickson, Grout registrar, discovered the flag in the collection several years ago. Intrigued, he searched Grout records and learned the flag had been donated by Col. Howard J. Rouse in 1960.

Rouse, of Waterloo, was commanding officer for the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Division, also based in Waterloo. It was the first regiment of the new American Expeditionary Forces to land in Europe during World War II.

Life magazine and British newsreels captured the arrival of those troops at the port of Belfast, North Ireland, on Jan. 26, 1942. The bullion-fringed American flag and the regimental colors are clearly visible.

The flag was presented to Rouse as a gift from the men he commanded upon his retirement.

The pitch to DAR was made by Erickson; Pat Kinney, Grout oral historian and grant writer; and Sgt. Wade B. Corell of the Iowa National Guards 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Ironman, still headquartered in Waterloo.

It seemed like a good fit and the grant was the right size for the cost of the project. The DAR was very receptive to the idea, said Kinney.

The whole story is pretty touching about how it was donated to the Grout and how the flag is so historically important to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area, Lang explained.

Cedar Falls DAR members voted unanimously to support the Grouts grant application. Its astounding when you think about it, that such an important flag in American history is part of the Cedar Valleys history, Lang said.

Kinney said the Grout has raised nearly $4,000 of its $5,000 matching funds to qualify for the National DAR grant. Although the grant application isnt due until Oct. 31, Kinney hopes to reach the goal by Oct. 1.

The veterans community is always supportive of these kinds of efforts, he explained, including American Legion Post 138, Cedar Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3896, retired U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Evan Curly Hultman and the Rouse family. Sgt. Correll also has helped raise funds among current and former Iowa National Guard members.

We passed the hat at one of the veterans coffees at the Grout and raised a few hundred bucks, Kinney said. Small donations from the public make a difference, too. We welcome any size donation.

Erickson continues to delve deeper into the flags provenance. Documentation, including a handwritten note from Rouse and news photographs and articles seem to confirm the flags history, but he said, Im still hoping for more definitive proof, but so far, nothing.

A quartermaster stamp inside the flags hoist end is dated June 5, 1935, which means it is the right age range for having been flown at the European landing.

The 48-star flag is bordered with gold bullion fringe and measures 51 inches at hoist and 52 inches at the fly. The bottom is 67 inches and the top 68 inches. White stripes have yellowed and there are a few tears but, overall, the flag is in fair to good condition.

It is currently at the Midwest Art Conservation Center in Minneapolis, awaiting repair. Among the issues cited by the conservators are overall creasing, slight puckering of fabric along seams, discoloration shattering of fly ends of all white stripes and some silk loss.

The flag will be cleaned to remove dirt bound up in its silk fibers, and theyll get all the wrinkles out of the flag, a process that can take weeks in a humidification chamber that doesnt involve heat. It makes the flag go flat, Erickson said.

Yellowing will be removed from the white stripes, another lengthy and delicate process. Broadly speaking, the flag will be stabilized to get it into a condition that will increase its life as an artifact. All artifacts break down. The reality of museum work is that its impossible to preserve an artifact forever. What youre doing is extending its life, Erickson explained.

Flag raising ceremony set in Evansdale







The Cedar Falls chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution has received a flag replacement grant, one of only 250 grants offered annually nationwide by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Our local chapter applied for one of these grants and are thrilled that it was approved. I received the flag last week, said Carla Lown, chair of the chapters Flag of the USA committee.

The flag will be presented to BPI of Iowa-Building Products, Inc., in Evansdale during a flag-lowering and raising ceremony at 4 p.m. Sept. 30. It will replace the companys current flag in need of replacement. A certificate be presented to BPI from NSDAR.

A U.S. flag flies daily over the national DAR headquarters, Continental Memorial Hall, in Washington, D.C. When these flags are taken down daily, they are offered for sale to the general public.

However, this fall NSDAR offered a flag replacement grant to its chapters, to be used to replace a worn or tattered flag on display in their communities, said Lown.

Only one grant can be awarded to any individual chapter (there are over 3,000 chapters worldwide, most of them in the U.S.)

Close Nicholas Erickson, artifacts registrar at Grout Museum District, looks over the telegram sent to Henry Grout informing him his brother, Warren, had been shot and killed in Tombstone, Ariz., in 1883. A photo of Henry Grout hangs on the wall at the Grout Museum of History and Science. Various firearms from Henry Grout's collection. Nicholas Erickson, artifacts registrar at Grout Museum District, unwraps a woman's buckskin, dated to 1820 from the Umatilla Nation, part of the museum's Henry Grout collection. A woman's buckskin, dated to 1820 from the Umatilla Nation, part of the museum's Henry Grout collection. Various items in the Henry Grout collection at the Grout Museum of History and Science. The telegram sent to Henry Grout informing him that his brother, Warren, had been shot and killed in Tombstone, Ariz., in 1883. Bullets removed from Henry Grout's brother, Warren, when he was shot and killed in Tombstone, Ariz., in 1883. Henry Grouts .25-caliber percussion muzzleloader on display in the Grout Museum of History and Science's Pioneer Hall. Warren Grouts saddle on display in the Grout Museum of History and Science's Pioneer Hall. Henry W. Grout's collection at the Grout Museum Photos of the artifacts Henry W. Grout collected during his travels. Nicholas Erickson, artifacts registrar at Grout Museum District, looks over the telegram sent to Henry Grout informing him his brother, Warren, had been shot and killed in Tombstone, Ariz., in 1883. A photo of Henry Grout hangs on the wall at the Grout Museum of History and Science. Various firearms from Henry Grout's collection. Nicholas Erickson, artifacts registrar at Grout Museum District, unwraps a woman's buckskin, dated to 1820 from the Umatilla Nation, part of the museum's Henry Grout collection. A woman's buckskin, dated to 1820 from the Umatilla Nation, part of the museum's Henry Grout collection. Various items in the Henry Grout collection at the Grout Museum of History and Science. The telegram sent to Henry Grout informing him that his brother, Warren, had been shot and killed in Tombstone, Ariz., in 1883. Bullets removed from Henry Grout's brother, Warren, when he was shot and killed in Tombstone, Ariz., in 1883. Henry Grouts .25-caliber percussion muzzleloader on display in the Grout Museum of History and Science's Pioneer Hall. Warren Grouts saddle on display in the Grout Museum of History and Science's Pioneer Hall.
AMES  The University of Northern Iowa has proposed offering resident tuition to students from neighboring states as a workforce development tool.

This isnt about growing our enrollment, thats a side thing, UNI President Mark Nook told the Board of Regents on Thursday during its meeting at Iowa State University. The emphasis is on getting people to the state of Iowa ... preparing them to take the jobs that are available.

Nook was explaining UNIs portion of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations request that will be made to the Legislature when he presented the idea to the governing board of Iowas public universities. He is asking for $3 million to support workforce recruitment, which would offset the cost of giving in-state tuition to students from states that are contiguous to Iowa.

Currently, the annual base rate tuition for resident students at the Cedar Falls university is $8,396. Nonresidents pay $19,940. Neither number includes other costs like room and board.

Nook said when he became the universitys president in 2017 the largest economic issue in front of the state was the fact that we had 60,000 job openings and 40,000 unemployed people. Its a gap of 20,000 jobs that simply cant be filled because the people arent here.

He noted the gap has grown a bit since then.

We can talk about getting more of our citizens actively into the workforce but, ultimately, we need to recruit people from outside of the state if we have any hope of closing that gap, said Nook. With capacity on campus to educate and house students, he said the University of Northern Iowa is uniquely positioned to help with this. We also know that between 40% and 50% of our students that graduate from UNI that come from out of state take their first job in the state of Iowa and they stay.

He contended that allowing students from neighboring states to pay the same tuition as resident students would greatly increase our enrollment, based on reciprocity reports produced by Minnesota about its arrangements with Wisconsin and South Dakota. Nook estimated conservatively that UNI could triple enrollment growth from neighboring states and said the data suggests that there could be as much as a sevenfold increase.

That would put us on a path to achieving our enrollment goals within a five year period, he told the regents.

UNIs enrollment bumped up this fall for the second-straight year, increasing 2.9% to 9,283. According to a five-year strategic plan released by the university in 2023, its target enrollment by the fall of 2028 is 11,116  just under 2,000 more students.

When you go through and actually calculate the number who would graduate and the percentage for those, assuming its 40% that stay in the state, it would produce in the neighborhood of 300 new workers per year once the program has been established, said Nook. So, the recruitment cost is actually quite low when you think of this as an economic development project.

UNI is also seeking a $2.5 million general fund appropriation to hold our tuition down as much as possible, said Nook, and differentiate it from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, which are both research-intensive institutions. Since 2018, that difference in tuition between UNI and the other two universities has grown from $188 to $1,099.

In addition, $1.63 million is being sought for UNI@IACC. The partnership provides seamless access for Iowa community college students to complete bachelors degrees through the university. In the past, it has been funded with $4.17 million in federal American Rescue Plan money.

Another $1 million appropriation would go toward a new Center for Civic Education being proposed by UNI. Level funding is being sought for other special programs at the university. The regents approved the appropriation requests to the Legislature for UNI and the other two universities.

PHOTOS: SMU at Northern Iowa volleyball, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024
Longtime GOP activist Stephanie Jones was scrolling through Facebook when she saw a targeted ad from a group wanting to help get Patriots elected.

The group behind the ad, the Patriots Run Project, was looking to recruit Donald Trump supporters to run as independent candidates in key swing districts against Republicans in races that could determine which party controls the U.S. House next year  an effort that could help Democrats.

A former volunteer with the Trump campaign in 2020 and other GOP campaigns in the state, Jones said she filled out an online form to help get patriots elected.

Jones is a Knoxville native now living in DeSoto, about 25 minutes west of Des Moines. She said the group asked her to run as an independent in southeast Iowas 1st Congressional District against Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, even though Jones does not live in the district.

Federal rules dont require members of Congress to live in the district they represent, just to reside in the same state.

Jones said she called the Iowa Secretary of States Office to confirm that she could run for the seat, and filed paperwork in April with the Federal Elections Commission registering her principal campaign committee to run as a candidate unaffiliated with a political party in Iowas 1st District.

She had phone conversations over the ensuing months with operatives who identified themselves as Will Haywood and Johnny Shearer.

Jones said the group paid Common Sense America, a Nevada limited liability company, to gather nominating signatures on her behalf to get her on the ballot, unbeknown to her, but fell short. She also unsuccessfully sought the Libertarian Party nomination with an operatives encouragement.

The group also recruited Trump supporter Joe Wiederien to run against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn in Central Iowas 3rd District. But Wiederien later dropped out after realizing he had been duped.

The secretive group, the Patriots Run Project  and Wiederiens and Jones stories  were the subject of an Associated Press report that revealed the groups operatives scouted conservative candidates online and aided their efforts to qualify for the ballot to run as spoiler candidates in some of the nations most competitive congressional districts, including Iowas 1st District.

The APs reporting detailed how little is known about the group  which is not registered as a business, political committee or nonprofit organization. The group has been accused of violating campaign finance law in a complaint filed Sept. 17 with the FEC.

The AP story provoked a swift reaction from Republicans. House Speaker Mike Johnson last week called out Patriots Run Project as a shady group resorting to unethical  if not illegal  tactics to manipulate Iowans to run as potential spoiler candidates to siphon votes away from Nunn and Miller-Meeks.

Johnson, Nunn and Miller-Meeks have suggested the effort was evidence of election interference by Democratic operatives. Patriots Run Project allegedly had ties to several Democratic consulting firms, according to the APs reporting.

Miller-Meeks, in a statement, accused Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan, a former state lawmaker and University of Iowa law professor, of leaning on a desperate  and possibly illegal  effort by Democrat operatives to buy her a seat in Congress.

Bohannans campaign manager said it had no involvement or knowledge of the effort. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of House Democrats, and House Majority PAC, the Democrats congressional super PAC, also told the Associated Press they had no knowledge or involvement.

I dont think theres any information that substantiates that claim, Jones said of Democrats being involved in the effort to recruit her to run against Miller-Meeks. I dont know who the funder was (behind the effort to gather signatures to place her on the ballot)  Republican, Democrat or independent. I have no idea.

Jones said she believes those behind the effort were genuine, and does not believe she was being manipulated or duped into siphoning votes away from Miller-Meeks to help Democrats.

I didnt get any impression like that at all, she told the Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau.

Jones said she responded to the Patriots Run Project because she viewed Miller-Meeks as a RINO, or Republican in name only, and part of the uniparty.

Jones and some on the far-right claim there are not really two major parties in the United States, but one conglomeration of politicians in Washington who are ignoring the desires of the American people. The term disparagingly links supposedly apostate Republicans to Democrats across the aisle, despite evidence that the parties in Congress have steadily drifted further apart ideologically.

Jones, who ran for Iowa State Senate District 14 in the 2012 election and lost to Amy Sinclair in the Republican primary, in part cited Miller-Meeks support of an independent, bipartisan investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol to support her claim.

Miller-Meeks was one of just 35 House Republicans to vote with Democrats to form a review committee. The effort ultimately failed in the Senate. The measure would have set up a 10-member commission evenly split between Democrats and Republicans and modeled after the panel that investigated the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Miller-Meeks has said she voted for a bipartisan commission to support the Capitol police officers who defended the building and those inside as an angry mob of pro-Trump supporters breached the halls of Congress.

All of the people that were on that committee were literally against Trump, Jones said of the House select committee that was ultimately formed to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Miller-Meeks, however, voted against the resolution establishing the select committee, which featured seven Democrats and only two Republicans. Asked, by The Des Moines Register in 2022 of her appraisal of the work of the Jan. 6 select committee, she said she was not in favor of a commission that has only a singular focus.

Jones said she sought to challenge Miller-Meeks to be the true conservative patriot to represent Iowas 1st District.

There are people within the party who dont like her, Jones said.  There were multiple individuals as I was gathering signatures that dont like either option thats available and want more options on the ballot.

Miller-Meeks fended off a primary challenge in June, defeating an underfunded candidate with little name recognition outside of the Quad Cities. A passionate right-flank campaign and low turnout helped propel Davenport prayer breakfast organizer David Pautsch to within a surprisingly close 12 percentage points of the GOP incumbent.

Jones said she wanted to fight government corruption and to be part of the cure.

I want to stop letting our country get sold out to corporate America, because Americans are hurting right now, Jones said. We have middle-class Americans who are struggling (from) more debt (and) more stress.

A couple weeks after being told the group was working to gather signatures to get her on the ballot, Jones said she called Will to get an update and was told all the groups pages on Facebook got nuked.

All their pages got removed, and now they dont have a funding source to collect signatures for me, Jones said. I honestly, through the whole thing, I didnt think I was being ticked.  From my impression of what we were doing was to actually win to help take our country back.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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Search and rescue teams in Yellowstone National Park have asked for the public's help finding a missing hiker and concessions employee who missed his ride to work on Friday.

Austin King-Henke, 22, was last heard from on Sept. 17, when he called family and friends from the summit of Eagle Peak in the park's remote southeast corner. King-Henke, who attended Cotter High School and lists himself as from Winona on Facebook, had taken a week off work from his concessions job in the park to backpack and summit the peak.

On the summit, King-Henke described fog, rain, sleet, hail and windy conditions. Concern started when King-Henke failed to arrive for his boat pickup near Yellowstone Lakes Southeast Arm on Friday.

Search and rescue teams from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, along with Park County and Teton County, Wyoming, are actively looking for King-Henke in the vicinity of Eagle Peak, Eagle Pass Mountain Creek Trail and Eagle Creek Trailhead in Shoshone National Forest.

King-Henke is 6 feet tall and weighs 160 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing glasses, a black sweatshirt and gray pants.

Search and rescue efforts began at first light Saturday morning. Crews conducted aerial reconnaissance and ground search operations in the high mountain areas of Eagle Peak and surrounding areas including Yellowstone Lake. Rescuers discovered King-Henkes camp and personal effects Saturday evening in the upper Howell Creek area.

As of Monday, more than 20 ground searchers, two helicopters, unmanned air systems and a search dog team were focusing efforts near Eagle Peak.

Park officials said anyone traveling in the backcountry near Eagle Peak since Sept. 14 may have seen King-Henke and ask that anyone with information regarding his whereabouts contact the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at 307-344-2643.
Rare Gobi bears captured on camera in wild through expedition

Global Times) 08:32, September 23, 2024

Photo: CCTV

In a remarkable breakthrough, a team of Chinese and Mongolian experts has successfully captured footage of the elusive Gobi bear, a species so rare that only about 50 individuals remain in the wild - making it even scarcer than the giant panda.

Featured in a recent episode of China's state broadcaster CCTV's scientific exploration series, the expedition traversed 4,000 kilometers across the grasslands, deserts, and remote areas of Mongolia to uncover the secrets of the endangered creature.

Although classified as a carnivore, it primarily feeds on plants, much like its more famous counterpart, the panda. However, climate change and human activities have severely impacted its habitat, leading to dwindling water sources and food supply.

The bears now inhabit a mere 45,000 square kilometers of protected area, a stark contrast to their once-thriving environment, the CCTV reported.

During their journey, the expedition team used 150 infrared cameras to monitor the bears in their natural habitat. Despite the bears' notorious shyness, the team found evidence of their presence through tracks and droppings, though they never encountered them directly. The footage revealed these elusive creatures bathing, foraging, and nurturing their young in the sparse oases of the desert.

CCTV-Global Times

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Most Americans understand the importance of planning to secure their economic futures and advance directives to prepare for their health care as they age. But for too long, there has been no federal action plan to protect our nations growing older population.



By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older. Yet many government policies and programs have not addressed the unique needs of the aging population.

Members only

AARP has a plan to help change that.

The good news is that a growing number of states are developing and adopting comprehensive plans to support their aging population. AARP has been deeply involved in supporting those efforts. About half the states have implemented, developed or initiated multiyear strategies, commonly known as multisector plans for aging (MPAs). Although state MPAs vary in scope  and in their goals and target populations  they all encourage collaboration among governments, private entities and people.

Yet there is no comparable national plan. The federal government has recently taken steps toward developing such a strategy. The Older Americans Act reauthorization of 2020 set up an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities (ICC). The committee issued a Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging in May.

Among other things, the report focused on age-friendly communities, housing, increased access to long-term support and better health care services, especially for people with low incomes. To get input from older Americans, the ICC holds listening sessions across the country. AARP helps organize these discussions, which kicked off in Washington, D.C., in May.

Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

AARP wants to play a more critical role in this process. We recently released our own vision for a national plan on aging  part of our Aging Well in America Initiative.

AARPs report emphasizes four goals that can help guide efforts to establish a national plan, along with the policies for implementing those goals.

Promote healthy living and access to affordable, high-quality health care.

Support family caregivers and affordable, high-quality long-term care with dignity, independence and security.

Provide ample opportunities to achieve financial security.

Create age-friendly, livable communities that enable people to age in place.

AARP will continue to work with states and expand our own initiatives that have helped make our communities more livable for older residents and have fostered better aging policies at the local and state levels. Were committed to the development of a national plan on aging that will enable all people to maintain good health, build financial resilience and remain in their homes and communities as they age.

With the population aging at a rate never seen in history, its time for policymakers, government officials and organizations involved in aging to seize the opportunity to address the needs of older Americans now and into the future.
World first blood test for esophageal cancer shows 94% accuracy in clinical validation study



Esophageal Cancer Diagnostic Delivers Excellent Results

Perth, Sep 23, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd ( ASX:PIQ ), a pioneer in predictive diagnostics and precision medicine is pleased to announce outstanding results for its world-first diagnostic blood test to identify esophageal adenocarcinoma, PromarkerEso. The results from the Company's clinical validation study will be presented today at the 20th annual ISDE World Congress for Esophageal Diseases, in Edinburgh, Scotland, held 22-24 September 2024.



- Proteomics International's novel PromarkerEso blood test for esophageal adenocarcinoma shows 94% accuracy in clinical validation study



- Esophageal cancer is the 6th leading cause of cancer-related death, responsible for 1 in 20 cancer-related deaths worldwide, with a five year survival rate of 20% due to late diagnosis



- Results from 165 patient study using the world-first blood test presented at the 20th annual ISDE World Congress for Esophageal Diseases, Edinburgh, Scotland



- Current screening requires a specialist endoscopy procedure and the annual expenditure on treating esophageal cancer in the US is $2.9 billion



- Global health impact: currently 90% of esophageal adenocarcinoma cases go undetected - improved surveillance of at-risk patients using PromarkerEso could enable earlier diagnosis and significantly improve health outcomes



Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is the predominant type of esophageal cancer in North America, Australia and Europe, and 1-2% of western population are considered at-risk for developing this cancer.



The prevalence of EAC has increased dramatically worldwide, with a six-fold increase over the last 40 years, and it has become the 6th leading cause of cancer-related death and 7th most common cancer, now affecting more than 600,000 people globally each year.



Proteomics International's PromarkerEso blood test utilises glycoprotein biomarkers-'fingerprints' in the blood-to screen for EAC. In this clinical validation study 165 samples (N=66 EAC; N=99 healthy controls) from the Victoria Cancer Biobank were analysed to determine which individuals had EAC and which did not.



The results demonstrated accuracy of 94% and an AUC of 0.93, indicating outstanding diagnostic performance for identifying patients with EAC.



The latest study also included assessment of the refined PromarkerEso test on a previously analysed cohort (Ochsner, USA), which also resulted in strong diagnostic accuracy. These new results build on the Company's previous findings which enabled development of the prototype test [ASX 8 September 2023] and validation of the biomarker panel [ASX 1 February 2024]. In total, nearly 300 samples have now been analysed across three independent patient groups.



Proteomics International Managing Director Dr Richard Lipscombe said the latest results for PromarkerEso represented an exciting breakthrough in identifying this cancer which is notoriously difficult to detect. "We see enormous market potential for a diagnostic test to improve screening and surveillance in at-risk populations. If we can detect esophageal cancer earlier with PromarkerEso then we can help reduce the enormous cost burden of this disease on healthcare systems and save many lives."



Current gold-standard screening for the disease requires a specialist endoscopy, an invasive procedure that costs between GBP1,000-2,000 in the UK, and US$2,750 in the United States, where total expenditure on treating EAC was US$2.9 billion in 2018. In the US 1.5 million endoscopies with biopsy are performed annually in individuals with chronic acid reflux symptoms, but despite this up to 90% of EAC cases continue to go undetected.



The five-year survival rate for EAC is less than 20% because it is frequently diagnosed too late for effective treatment. Men over 50 with history of obesity face elevated risk of EAC, alongside risk factors such as chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Barrett's Esophagus is the only known precursor to EAC, however, 95% of people with Barrett's Esophagus never develop EAC and 95% of patients diagnosed with EAC have no preceding diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus.



Next Steps



PromarkerEso has patents granted in Europe, China and Australia, with other territories (including the USA) pending. Proteomics International is now preparing to launch PromarkerEso in Australia under ISO 15189 accreditation, targeting Q1 CY25, with other jurisdictions to follow in due course. In the USA, the Company will use its solid understanding of the Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) pathway and the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Code (reimbursement) process to accelerate commercialisation. Proteomics International is pursuing go-to-market routes comprising both traditional out-licensing and direct-to-patient strategies.



Presentation details: International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus 20th World Congress 2024, Poster 387 [copy attached; summary below]



Title: Validation of PromarkerEso, a diagnostic blood test to identify esophageal adenocarcinoma Scott Bringans, Jordana Joubert, Iris Wang, Marisa Duong, Gursimran Dhamrit, Richard Lipscombe Proteomics International, Perth, Australia



Summary of the Study



Aim: To assess the performance of the PromarkerEso diagnostic test in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) against healthy controls (HC).



Method: The PromarkerEso test measures the concentration of 4 glycoprotein biomarkers combined with a patient's age and BMI using a bi-model logistic regression approach. Glycoproteins are extracted from a standard blood sample using a lectin pull-down assay and their concentrations determined by mass spectrometry. The statistical model was developed by comparing N=60 EAC patients versus N=43 HC from the PROBE-NET Study, Australia (the 'development cohort').



Diagnostic performance of the model was then tested in two independent cohorts (N=10 EAC, N=14 HC [Ochsner Health System, USA] and N=66 EAC, N=99 HC [Victoria Cancer Biobank, Australia]. The PromarkerEso test results are presented using a "traffic light" system with green (low-), amber (moderate-) or red (high-risk) cut-offs to optimise test performance.



Results: In the primary clinical validation study PromarkerEso showed accuracy of 94% in both determining patients as having EAC, or not having EAC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.93, sensitivity 93.1%, with low false positive rate (3.4%), and specificity 96.6% and high "rule-out" capability (NPV= 93.8%).



Conclusion: This clinical validation study of PromarkerEso demonstrated excellent discrimination performance and confirms the diagnostic accuracy of this novel blood test for distinguishing patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma from healthy controls.



About PromarkerEso



PromarkerEso is a novel blood test that measures the concentration of four glycoproteins combined with a patient's age and BMI to produce a risk score. Patients identified as high risk of having EAC are recommended for an endoscopy. Glycoprotein concentrations are measured using a proprietary mass spectrometry-based workflow. PromarkerEso test results are presented using a traffic light approach to optimise test performance with the patient ranked as low- (green), moderate- (amber), or high- (red) risk for EAC. Promarker Eso has patents granted in Europe, China and Australia, with other territories pending.



About the PromarkerTM Platform



Proteomics International's diagnostics development is made possible by the Company's proprietary biomarker discovery platform called Promarker, which searches for protein 'fingerprints' in a sample. This disruptive technology can identify proteins that distinguish between people who have a disease and people who do not, using only a standard blood sample. It is a powerful alternative to genetic testing. The technology is so versatile it can be used to identify fingerprints from any biological source, from wheat seeds to human serum. The Promarker platform was previously used to develop PromarkerD, a world-first predictive test for diabetic kidney disease, that is currently being commercialised. Other tests in development include for endometriosis, asthma & COPD, esophageal cancer, diabetic retinopathy and oxidative stress.





About Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd





Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX:PIQ) is a wholly owned subsidiary and trading name of PILL, a medical technology company at the forefront of predictive diagnostics and bioanalytical services. The Company specialises in the area of proteomics - the industrial scale study of the structure and function of proteins. Proteomics International's mission is to improve the quality of lives by the creation and application of innovative tools that enable the improved treatment of disease.

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Market Update

Melbourne, Sep 23, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Lithium Universe Limited ( ASX:LU7 ) ( KU00:FRA ) ( LUVSF:OTCMKTS ) outlines the following update in respect to the activities of the Company.



Performance Rights



The Company refers to the allotment of performance rights to Mr Fadi Diab on 12 July 2024 (Performance Rights). It is noted that despite Mr Diab's resignation as a director of the Company, Mr Diab is entitled retain his performance rights for the following reasons:



1. the Company's shareholders had approved the issuance of the Performance Rights to Mr Diab at the Company's Annual General Meeting, which was held on 14 June 2024 (Resolution 10); and



2. Clause 9.4(a) of the Company's Employee Securities Incentive Plan (Plan) would at face value require that Mr Diab's Performance Rights are forfeited, given that Mr Diab voluntarily resigned from the Company, which would make him a "Bad Leaver". However, Clause 9.9 of the Plan provides that the Board can exercise its right under Clause 9.9 and permit Mr Fadi to retain his Performance Rights.



The Company has taken the position that Mr Diab is a "good leaver" and someone who will continue to contribute to the success of the Company going forward.



In addition to the above, it was noted that Mr Diab undertook considerable work for no remuneration and as such, the retention of the Performance Rights was treated as compensation for past services performed.



Canada Investment Act



Lithium Universe is pleased to share that it has proactively initiated the voluntary notification process under the recently amended National Security Review of Investments Regulations. This step demonstrates the Company's commitment to regulatory clarity and aligns with the updated Investment Canada Act requirements.



The purpose of this review process is to ensure that investments in Canada align with Canadian values and do not pose risks to national security. Recent media coverage has highlighted that this process is particularly relevant for investments from Chinese companies and Chinese state-owned enterprises.



The Company provides assurance to its stakeholders that, based on the Company's thorough preparation and compliance efforts, there are no issues anticipated in advancing this application. The Company's proactive approach enables us to move forward with confidence while aligning with Canadian regulatory standards.



Educational Institution Partnership



Lithium Universe is actively seeking a partnership with a prominent educational institution in the Montreal Metropolitan area. This collaboration aims to support integration studies for our Becancour lithium refinery and adapt the Jiangsu design to the Quebec operational environment.



Given that the lithium industry in Canada is still emerging compared to established regions like Western Australia, the Company is taking proactive steps to address the educational and skill gaps in this sector. Lithium Universe's objective is to advance lithium expertise in Montreal and broader Quebec by partnering with a university that is committed to developing knowledge in lithium processing and mining.



The selected partner will play a key role in project-specific tasks, including the operational integration of the Jiangsu lithium carbonate refinery design, collaboration on enhancing supply chain management and exploring environmental innovations.



Exploration Projects Update



Further to an extensive review of its project portfolio, the Company's Board has decided the following in relation to its exploration assets:



1. Adina West and South (Quebec) and Lefroy Lithium Project (Western Australia): indicated low chance of prospectivity. Accordingly, these project should be relinquished.



2. Margot Lake (Ontario): following review of its Traditional Owner obligations, the cost of meeting these obligations are likely to exceed the potential benefits. Accordingly, this tenement should be relinquished.



3. Voyager REE Project (Tasmania): Rare Earth projects are not the focus for the Company. Accordingly, the Voyager REE tenements will be relinquished.



As a result, of the above, Apollo Lithium Project will remain the only exploration asset for the Company. The Company's Board is looking to undertake a further review of the project during the 2024 calendar year following receipt of the laboratory assay results sourced from the Company's extensive field work program that was completed in August 2023.



Based from the August 2023 work program, it appeared that an east-west trending fault shear corridor feature extended from the east of the project (refer to ASX announcement dated 29 December 2023). However, prior to committing to the proposed drilling program, the Company's in-house geologist has advised that the results obtained from the December 2023 assays will require further assessment via an on-ground exploration program to accurately target the correct drilling area.



The Company has commenced the process of relinquishment of the projects, which will be completed upon the lodgement of the required documentation to the relevant government agencies. Additionally, the Company is in the process of fulfilling its requirements under terms of the joint venture arrangements that govern the Adina, Margot Lake and Voyager Projects.





About Lithium Universe Ltd





Lithium Universe Ltd (ASX:LU7) (FRA:KU00) (OTCMKTS:LUVSF), headed by industry trail blazer, Iggy Tan, and the Lithium Universe team has a proven track record of fast-tracking lithium projects, demonstrated by the successful development of the Mt Cattlin spodumene project for Galaxy Resources Limited.

Instead of exploring for the sake of exploration, Lithium Universe's mission is to quickly obtain a resource and construct a spodumene-producing mine in Quebec, Canada. Unlike many other Lithium exploration companies, Lithium Universe possesses the essential expertise and skills to develop and construct profitable projects.

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4th Quarter & Annual Presentation

Sydney, Sep 23, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Tamboran Resources Corporation ( ASX:TBN ) ( NYSE:TBN ) ( TBNNY:OTCMKTS ) announce the 4th quarter and annual presentation.





FY24 Highlights include:



Achieved the highest normalized flow rates from the Beetaloo Basin to date from the Shenandoah South 1H (SS-1H) well



Secured funding of US$82 million (precosts) for Tamboran's operated 2024 Beetaloo Basin drilling program via the successful IPO on the NYSE



Entered into a Strategic Agreement with Liberty Energy (including US$20 million investment) to import modern US frac fleet into the Beetaloo Basin



Signed a 15.5-year Binding Gas Sales Agreement with the Northern Territory Government for proposed SS Pilot Project (Phase 1)



Signed LOIs with six East Coast gas buyers for up to 875 MMcf/d (>50% current East Coast gas demand) (Phase 2)



Signed two MOUs with bp and Shell for 2.2 MTPA of LNG each and awarded Bechtel Pre-FEED activities on proposed NTLNG project at Middle Arm (Phase 3)



*To view the 4th Quarter Results and Annual Presentation, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/0S7HJGK3





About Tamboran Resources Corporation





Tamboran Resources Corporation (ASX:TBN) is a natural gas company that intends to play a constructive role in the global energy transition towards a lower carbon future by developing low CO2 unconventional natural gas resources in the Beetaloo Sub-basin within the Greater McArthur Basin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Tamboran's key assets are a 25% working interest in EP 161 and a 100% working interest in EP 136, EP 143 and EP(A) 197 which are located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

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Malibu, CA, Sep 23, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In this segment of Money Talk Radio's The Ellis Martin Report, we speak Terry Lynch, CEO of Power Nickel Inc. ( CVE:PNPN ) ( PNPNF:OTCMKTS ) ( IVV:FRA ). The company just released news announcing that 10 out the 12 holes drilled so far from the Company's summer drilling program at the Lion Zone discovery have intercepted sulphides mineralization.



The High-Grade portion of the Lion Zone one continues to the west, with a shallower plunge than what was previously anticipated, as shown by holes PN-24-69 to PN-24-074.



The Lion Zone is present at depth, as shown by holes PN-24-063 toPN-24-068, expanding its footprint deeper by another 150m vertical.



Ground-based geophysics is underway at Lion Zone and new targets from the consolidated gravity and EM surveys interpretation are anticipated to be available when drilling resumes mid-October, after the traditional month long "Moose Break".



"Our 2024 summer drilling program had two objectives: (1) Grow the Lion Zone and (2) Establish a process designed by Dr. Steve Beresford to maximize our ability to explore the project on a systematic basis, using approaches he used successfully with First Quantum, MMG, and IGO. I am very pleased to report success in accomplishing these objectives. The first results you will note in our Lion Zone growth and in the pictures below. The second will come in our planned fully funded 30,000 meter winter drill program. The Lion Zone, and indeed Nisk overall, is blossoming into what we believe will be a world-class polymetallic discovery. We look forward to building on this summers hard work and success into what we feel will be a company defining winter program," stated CEO Terry Lynch.



The Company's 2024 summer drill program is currently focussed on drilling systematically the Lion Zone using a 50 to 75 m square grid approach, which allows a better understanding of the internal distribution of the high-grade polymetallic mineralization within the zone. Three areas have been successfully tested so far: A- the area directly below the zone (holes PN-24-063 to -068), expanding the zone by 150 m vertically, B- the west boundary (PN-24-069 to -071), where the zone appears to be thicker and more massive in nature, and C- below the known west boundary, following the interpreted plunge of the zone. With the new holes considered, the Lion Zone now shows a footprint reaching 350 m laterally and 450 m vertically, representing a significant increase in size.



To Listen to the Interview, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/20RNGR13





About Power Nickel Inc.





Power Nickel Inc. (CVE:PNPN) (OTCMKTS:PNPNF) (FRA:IVV) is a Canadian junior exploration company focusing on developing the High-Grade Nisk project into Canada's first Carbon Neutral Nickel mine.

On February 1, 2021, Power Nickel (then called Chilean Metals) completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CVE:CRE). Subsequently, Power Nickel has exercised its option to acquire 50% of the Nisk Project and delivered notice to Critical Elements that it intends to exercise its second option to bring its ownership to 80%. The last remaining commitment to exercise the option was the delivery of a NI-43-101 Technical report which has now occurred.

The Nisk property comprises a significant land position (20 kilometers of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts. Power Nickel is focused on expanding the historical high-grade nickel-copper PGE mineralization with a series of drill programs designed to test the initial Nisk discovery zone and to explore the land package for adjacent potential Nickel deposits.

In addition to the Nisk project, Power Nickel owns significant land packages in British Colombia and Chile. Power Nickel is expected to reorganize these assets in a related vehicle through a plan of arrangement.

Power Nickel announced on June 8, 2021, that an agreement had been made to complete the 100% acquisition of its Golden Ivan project in the heart of the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle has reported mineral resources (past production and current resources) in 130 million ounces of gold, 800 million ounces of silver, and 40 billion pounds of copper (Resource World). This property hosts two known mineral showings (gold ore and Magee) and a portion of the past-producing Silverado mine, reportedly exploited between 1921 and 1939. These mineral showings are Polymetallic veins containing quantities of silver, lead, zinc, plus/minus gold, and plus/minus copper.

Power Nickel is also 100 percent owner of five properties comprising over 50,000 acres strategically located in the prolific iron-oxide-copper-gold belt of northern Chile. It also owns a 3-per-cent NSR royalty interest on any future production from the Copaquire copper-molybdenum deposit sold to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Inc. Under the terms of the sale agreement, Teck has the right to acquire one-third of the 3-per-cent NSR for $3 million at any time. The Copaquire property borders Teck's producing Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile's first region.

About The Ellis Martin Report

The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) is an internet based radio program showcasing potentially undervalued companies to an audience of potential retail investors and fund managers that comprise our listening audience. TEMR is broadcasted on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel and The Opportunity Radio Network. CEO and company interviews are paid for by those represented on the program.

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Joseph Schumpeter's economic theories: An analysis By Isaiah Varghese

web posted September 22, 2024 Joseph Alois Schumpeter was among the most influential economists of the 20th century. During his tenure as a professor, Schumpeter's published writings experienced varying degrees of success. The most noteworthy of these, Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy, would later be considered one of the greatest economics texts of his time. In this book, Schumpeter faulted socialism and democracy for being quixotic and praised capitalism as a whole, but noted some of its inherent faults. Schumpeter's controversial opinions were initially abandoned in favor of the more popular economic theories of the time. Keynenism, which ranked among these popular theories, was based on the influence of statistical aggregates and lauded static equilibrium for catalyzing growth. Schumpeter believed that Keynenesians ignored too many variables and therefore lost sight of accurate economic predictions. Furthermore, he claimed that individual actions could not be ignored among aggregates, and that static equilibrium dulled the economy's ability to grow its production possibilities frontier. Instead, he proposed continual innovation, which entails creative destruction. Creative destruction, a term coined by Schumpeter himself, describes how capitalism replaces withering businesses with modern and growing ones. Entrepreneurs, another term coined by Schumpeter, were at the forefront of innovation in capitalist economies; whenever an entrepreneur reduced the opportunity costs of producing a good, created a new good, or increased demand was deemed an innovator. Innovation, Schumpeter claimed, was the mechanism that drives the economy forward. This was the basis of his theory on business cycles a circular flow which reaches a dead equilibrium until the entrepreneur innovates, which disturbs the equilibrium and stimulates the economy. Schumpeter's theory of economic growth was initially unpopular, but eventually became the centerpiece for modern economics as it aptly described the state of capitalist economies such as those in America and Australia. After decades of economic study, Schumpeter published Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy in 1942, which suggested capitalism as the ideal economic environment to promote growth, albeit with a caveat. Socialism, he believed, did not properly incentivize the economy to be productive nor laborers to gain human capital. On the contrary, he suggested that capitalism's abrupt and often uncomfortable market evolution facilitated economic growth. However, despite his ardent belief in capitalism, Schumpeter admitted almost cynically that he believed it was inherently destined to fail because of its own success; because of its success, capitalism would create a large intellectual class that survived by attacking the very freedom that sustained its existence. As a result, capitalistic societies would crumble and resort to socialism. On the whole, I agree with Schumpeter; I agree that economists such as Keynes must take care not to overgeneralize the economy. In addition, I also believe that pure democracy is a poor solution because of the superficial nature of humankind and the general lack of legal knowledge. I also firmly believe that capitalism and continual innovation are the greatest and, surprisingly, the most stable way of expanding the production possibilities curve of a given economy. However, I disagree with Schumpeter's assumption that capitalism will eventually fall to socialism, because he failed to account for the role of the government. Capitalist economies will continue to find new ways to innovate, until innovation is no longer needed and production finds an equilibrium. Then, when innovation turns to the production of goods to solely satiate consumer desires, governments will step in to protect the freedom of individuals and corporations, because they do not wish to upset the production equilibrium. After this point, entrepreneurs will continue to innovate, providing for the wants of the people, until they must stop because of government regulations. At this point, production will hit its final equilibrium, and innovation will cease because there is nothing more to innovate; all factors of production have been found and are being utilized in a state of maximum productivity. In this final equilibrium, the individuals, corporations, and government have checks and balances which prevent the economy from becoming socialist. For example, if the government tried to seize control over the corporations, the masses would defy their government to protect their freedom, and the corporations themselves would protest by cutting production and crippling the economy and government in question. Although Schumpeter's economic propositions were initially abandoned in favor of more popular economists at the time, such as John Maynard Keynes, his theories regarding capitalism, long-term economic growth, and entrepreneurship have become essential in explaining how modern capitalist economies evolve to satiate consumer demands more excellently than other forms of economic governance. (c) 2024 Isaiah Varghese. This is Isaiah Varghese's first contribution to Enter Stage Right. Home
Celio, the premium French menswear brand, celebrates the festive spirit with the launch of its new digital film, capturing the essence of love, joy, and shared moments during the Durga Pujo and Dussehra festivals. The brands heart-warming campaign showcases how Celios versatile premium menswear collection helps you find your perfect style match, while also celebrating the bonds of togetherness.

This festive season, Celio brings its latest campaign to two culturally rich markets West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh-Telangana. Recognizing the nuances of these regions, the brand has adapted the film in Bengali and Telugu languages to create a more personalized and relatable experience for local audiences. In Bengal, the digital film stars popular actors John Bhattacharya and Ushasi Ray, while in Andhra Pradesh-Telangana, well-known actor Akhil Sarthak and actress Pujita Ponnada bring the story to life. The films art direction, set design, and casting have been thoughtfully tailored to reflect the cultural vibrancy and regional flavour of each market.

Sharing his enthusiasm for the campaign Satyen Momaya, CEO of Celio India says, Festivals are a time to celebrate the bonds we share, and our new festive campaign perfectly captures the warmth, love, and spontaneity that make these occasions so special. We wanted to tell a story that resonates across India, while also paying homage to the unique cultural nuances of Bengal and Andhra Pradesh-Telangana. These two regions are very important to us, and this campaign is our way of deepening our connection with the people there. We aim to make Celio a part of festive celebrations, ensuring that no matter the occasion, one can find their love and style match with us. Through this film, were inviting everyone to embrace the festive spirit and celebrate in style with Celio, doing it your way.

Produced by Schbang Motion Pictures, the film brings a heartfelt story to life, drawing on real-life inspiration and leaving viewers with a smile as they connect with the essence of love, style, and festive cheer.

The digital film follows a relatable and playful storyline of a young couple navigating the typical last-minute festive shopping. Their light-hearted banter revolves around the husband's habit of procrastination, much to his wifes amusement. As the wife takes charge and buys him a stylish festive shirt from Celio, the story takes a sweet twist when the husband surprises her not only with a beautifully decorated home but also by wearing the very same shirt she had picked out for him. The couples shared taste in fashion becomes a touching symbol of their love, adding warmth and joy to the festive celebrations.

Simran Kulkarni, Group Creative Manager, Schbang says, When writing this script, we drew inspiration from a real-life story that instantly brought us joy, and we knew it would do the same for others. Its been wonderful to watch how our production team at Schbang Motion Pictures brought this story to life, capturing the emotions and warmth in a way that leaves you with a smile. It's a feeling that everyone can relate to, and thats what makes it so special.

The festive film showcases Celios versatile collection, featuring a range of stylish and comfortable pieces such as loose denims, cargo pants, embroidered and flat knit shirts, premium soft-touch jeans, and polos perfect for any festive occasion. Each piece blends fashion with comfort, allowing individuals to express their unique style while celebrating with loved ones. Available both online at www.celio.in and in Celio stores across India, the brands premium collection is crafted to elevate the festive spirit.
Mirah Hospitality, the group behind acclaimed restaurant chains such as Bayroute, Hitchki, Rajdhani, and more, is excited to announce the appointment of Abheet Singh Bagga as their Head of Brand and Marketing. In his new role, Abheet will lead the brand and marketing strategy for all of Mirah Hospitality's brands across India and Dubai, including Hitchki, Bayroute, The Mezze Company, Rajdhani, and Rajdhani Street.

Abheet is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a proven track record in the food and beverage industry. His expertise spans brand strategy, marketing, sales, operations, events, and owner relations. Abheet's creative vision and problem-solving acumen have consistently delivered exceptional results throughout his career.

Jino Joseph - AVP  Human Resource & Operations, expressed enthusiasm about Abheet's appointment, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Abheet to Mirah Hospitality. His passion for the industry, coupled with his extensive experience, makes him the ideal candidate to lead our brand and marketing efforts. We are confident that Abheet will play a pivotal role in driving our brands to new heights."

Speaking on the new appointment, Abheet Singh Bagga said, "I am thrilled to be joining Mirah Hospitality and to have the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of these iconic brands. I look forward to working with the talented team at Mirah Hospitality to further elevate the dining experiences and brand presence of Bayroute, Hitchki, and Rajdhani."

Prior to joining Mirah Hospitality, Abheet held leadership roles at several prominent organizations, including DEFY Vodka, Greater Than Gin and The Habitat. Abheet's appointment comes at an exciting time for Mirah Hospitality as the company continues to expand its footprint and innovate within the Indian dining scene.
Print ad space per publication in H1 of 2024 grew by 5% compared to H1 of 2023 and 11% compared to the same period of 2022. Print ad space in the first half of 2023 also grew by 5%, as per TAM Medias report on print advertising in January-June 2024.

Education sector topped with 19% share of the ad space, followed by Services sector with 15% share during Jan-Jun24. The Top 3 sectors maintained their positions from Jan-Jun24, consistent with their rankings in the same period in 2023. The Top 5 sectors together accounted more than 60% share of the ad space in the Print medium. Telecom Products was the only new entrant among the Top 10 sectors in Print medium.

Advertising for Cars category topped during H124. The Top 10 categories together accounted for 45% share of the ad space in Print. Four out of the Top 10 categories moved up in ranking during Jan-Jun24. Multiple Courses, Properties/ Real Estates, Retail Outlets-Electronics/ Durables, and Schools categories maintained their respective ranks in H124 compared to H123. Three out of the Top 10 categories were from the Education sector and two were from the Auto and Services sectors each.

The Top 10 Advertisers contributed 14% share of the ad space in Print. Similar to Jan-Jun23, Maruti Suzuki India led the list of advertisers in Print, with SBS Biotech following in the same period of 2024. Eight of the Top 10 advertisers from Jan-Jun23 were still in the Top 10 of Jan-Jun24. Ranking of Samsung India Electronics and Kent Ro System shot up to the Top 10 list of Jan-Jun24 compared to Jan-Jan23. Top 10 Advertisers of Jan-Jun24 saw two new entrants.

The Top 10 Brands contributed 6% share of the Print ad space. Honda Shine 100 was the top brand in Print during Jan-Jun24, followed by Aakash Medical/ IIT-JEE/ Foundation. Among the Top 10, three brands were from the Auto Sector and four were from the Education sector. During Jan-Jun24, there were total 105K+ brands that advertised in Print.

Over 280+ Categories registered positive growth. Cars saw the highest ad space growth, that is, 25% increase during Jan-Jun'24 over Jan-Jun'23. In terms of growth %, Cellular Phones-Smart Phones category witnessed the highest growth % among the Top 10, that is, 2.9x in the Jan-Jun24.

The Top 5 Publications  Hindi, English, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil  remains same in both Jan-Jun23 and Jan-Jun24. Hindi and English language publications together contributed more than 60% share of the print ad volume during both Jan-Jun23-24.

Sales Promotion advertising covered 28% share of the ad space in Print during Jan-Jun24. Among Sales Promotions, Discount Promotion was on top with 44% share of the ad space, followed by Multiple Promotion. The Top 2 promotions solely covered 85% share of the ad space in Print during year Jan-Jun24.
This Daughters Day, Stayfree, one of India's leading menstrual hygiene brands launched its latest digital campaign which highlights the importance of healthy period conversations within families that help the girl to become comfortable about her periods. Within a family construct, normalizing periods among young boys is a critical step. Stayfree encourages parents to talk to their sons about periods from a young age. With this campaign, Stayfree has come up with a simple idea yet powerful idea for parents to initiate this conversation by asking them to buy a sanitary napkin.

Four years ago, Stayfree launched its Its Just a Period campaign champions healthy period conversations amongst people who matter most to a young girl- her family. The campaign aims to positively change the narrative of shame and silence often associated with periods and instead create a world where conversations about periods are normalized. In this journey, Stayfree first encouraged fathers to be a part of period conversation with their daughter, which then extended to Talk to your Sons campaign encouraging parents to tell their sons it's just a period. This year, Stayfree with its latest film takes another bold step in this direction with a simple call to action #BetaStayfreeLeAana to end generations of taboo.

Conceptualised by DDB Mudra, the new digital film captures poignant everyday moments in families, conversations between parents and their sons which are heartwarming and relatable. From a mother encouraging her young son to not feel awkward about buying sanitary napkins on a grocery run, to another mother explaining period as a regular and healthy phenomenon for every woman, to a father explaining to his son the need to care for women during their periods, the film sensitively highlights various situations in the household that makes boys feel comfortable with the topic of periods. The film leaves us with a powerful yet very simple message, When we make our sons comfortable with periods, we make our daughters comfortable with it too.

Manoj Gadgil, Vice President, Marketing and Business Unit Head- Essential Health, Kenvue said, Periods have traditionally been a hush hush conversation limited to the women of the house with male members asked to look away creating a society where periods are seen as social stigma. When one half of the population is kept out this conversation true change in society is impossible. At Stayfree, we are committed to normalizing period conversations and to create a world where no girl feels shame, fear or discomfort about periods. In our fourth edition, we take a real actionable step by not only urging parents to tell their sons Its just a period but also perhaps to go buy a sanitary napkin for their mother or sister taking a decisive step to end generations of stigma associated with periods.

Rahul Mathew, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Mudra Group shared, Over the years, Stayfree has been committed to normalizing the conversation around periods. And a big cohort in the normalization journey needs to be men. Women feel more uncomfortable because men are not comfortable around the topic of periods. So, a good place to start the conversation is with boys.

As a part of the new campaign, Stayfree has collaborated with popular national and regional influencers to highlight the important of healthy period conversations in families sharing personal experience of how they have normalised period conversations with their sons. The digital campaign will be seen across Youtube, Meta and leading OTT channels.
Congress Suspends Rebel Leader Chitra Sarwara Ahead of Haryana Elections 2

In the lead-up to the Haryana Assembly elections, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has suspended rebel leader Chitra Sarwara for six years over accusations of engaging in anti-party activities. Sarwaras decision to run as an independent candidate from the Ambala Cantonment constituency is being cited as the main reason for her suspension.

According to Congress officials, Sarwaras decision to contest independently against the partys official candidate, Parvinder Pal Pari, is a violation of party policies. The AICC, in an official statement, mentioned that several reports from party workers indicated that Sarwaras actions were harming the Congresss interests.

After reviewing the evidence, the AICC decided to suspend Sarwara, stressing the importance of maintaining party discipline. The Haryana Assembly elections are set to take place on October 5, with results expected on October 8, coinciding with the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party in Haryana, winning 40 seats, while the Congress secured 30 seats. The Congress is currently focusing on increasing voter turnout through various outreach efforts.
Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies' Makes The Cut As India's Oscars 2025 Entry 2

India has officially selected Laapataa Ladies as its entry for the Best Foreign Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, the film stands out for its focus on important social themes like gender equality and womens empowerment in rural India.

The announcement was made by Kiran Raos team, confirming the selection of this impactful film, which tells the story of two brides who are mistakenly switched during a train journey in 2001. The film stars Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, and Nitanshi Goel in leading roles, creating a blend of engaging storytelling and social commentary.

Laapataa Ladies recently gained attention during a special screening at the Supreme Court of India, where Kiran Rao expressed her gratitude to the Chief Justice for showcasing the film. The screening helped broaden its audience, emphasizing the films importance in addressing rural social issues.

The film also features Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma, contributing to a strong, diverse cast. Released in March, Laapataa Ladies has garnered critical acclaim for its compelling narrative and performances.

The submission deadline for the 96th Academy Awards is November 14, 2024. The shortlist for Best International Feature will be announced on December 17, with the final nominations revealed on January 17, 2025. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025.
Scientific trends: Integrity in research, development and delivery By Charlotte B. Cerminaro

web posted September 23, 2024 The word science is defined as a search for knowledge conducted on objective principles involving systematized observations of and experiments with phenomena, especially materials and functions of the physical universe. It is an organized field of trained endeavor: Unbiased data collection, experiments and research are tools; discovery and innovation are goals. Cutting edge research can lead to discovery but hard science requires many incalculable factors. It is born of a free exchange of ideas - from observant, curious, open minds - cultivated by self-discipline and honesty, without bias, censorship or discrimination. Science is neither a blind, unquestioning belief nor the result of coercion..of any type. It is a well-known fact that everyone has inherent biases, that no human being is completely objective about anything. And this includes scientists. Ultimately, scientific datasets are only as reliable as those who interpret them and are, generally speaking, more factually responsive before a status quo of public opinion is set in stone. Thankfully, many of the best scientists know this and take active steps in every phase of their work to ensure that their own biases aren't affecting experimental and research outcomes. However, when significant pressure is applied or incentives offered in exchange for a specific outcome that conflicts with hard data -- it is difficult to get the most direct answers to the questions at hand, or the best solutions for emergent problems. In most professional journals, researchers who receive financial or academic incentives are considered to have "significant ties" to factors that would likely influence (ie., bias) their findings. Such relevant information is rarely offered to the casual seeker and requires a little more time and persistence. With larger incentives pushing faster results, it is not surprising that we start to witness increasingly dramatic examples of cutting scientific corners. One memorable and glaring tragedy was the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The Rogers Commission (specifically, Nobel physicist Richard Feynman) found that a major oversight was the key factor in a booster rocket's ruptured seal. Signs of O-ring damage and design flaws were overlooked in an effort to rush the launch date. Skewing or ignoring the data - the very information vital to safe and effective decision-making  is a dangerous bias, one that will take its toll sooner or later. In the early weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic there was a virological discovery, an important singular behavior of the novel coronavirus: Most respiratory viruses have an affinity for localized inflammatory receptors on cells lining the respiratory tract, but SARS CoV-2 has an unusual affinity for ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) receptors. These potent systemic receptor sites line countless blood vessels in the lungs and elsewhere; complementary viral proteins binding to ACE sites can start a severe immunological reaction. Vasodilation, inflammation, interstitial fluid build-up and systemic release of proteins called cytokines are hallmarks of the cascade reaction known as a "cytokine storm". Respiratory collapse from inflammation and coagulopathy is a predictable outcome. Anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant therapy is the best, most efficient means of saving lives. Healthcare providers on the frontlines discovered this treatment very early in the pandemic but there was widespread top-down resistance in implementing this basic therapy in favor of new and unproven antivirals  specifically, Remdesivir. Long before vaccines became available, the US government and Gilead Science pharmaceuticals spent billions of dollars rushing Remdesivir through the FDA approval process. ER physicians were pressured to prescribe it, though it quickly proved to be a resounding failure. Following proper trials and research protocols would've revealed its ineffectiveness against SARS CoV-2 long before it was approved for general public use. In hindsight, there have been numerous overt biases presented as facts via corporate- and government-funded scientists. Surely no one has forgotten Dr. Anthony Fauci's sworn testimony, defending his repeated decisions to quell important new data from dozens of top ranked researchers, stating with utter contempt, "I am science!" Dr. Richard Feynman faced similar hostility within the Rogers Commission toward his own research data while Americans were still in shock, from a tragedy that was undoubtedly preventable. It would be remiss not to mention Elizabeth Holmes, former CEO of the fraudulent medical device company Theranos. A timely and cautionary tale of the human carnage in the wake of a scientific hoax, not one of the Silicon Valley VC's did their due diligence to research her ideas at the very outset before funding this complete fraud. A professor at Stanford University, Dr. Phyllis Gardner, sounded a clear warning about Ms. Holmes and her ideas but she was ignored. Elizabeth Holmes is now serving 11 years in prison for fraud and physical damages, among other charges. Hard science is far too vital to be an expedient dueling weapon of the politically elite. Mass media has been complicit in some of these power games as its sole responsibility is to find the truth, not follow the rhetoric. Considering matters of health and safety, Americans would be well-advised to keep an open mind, always, to seek and weigh all information not with bias or contempt, but with a healthy degree of curiosity and skepticism. Charlotte B. Cerminaro is a Juilliard-trained classical musician and recording artist. In her free time she enjoys writing and regularly contributes to Enter Stage Right and she attained a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology. Home
PM Modi Meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Expresses Concern Over Gaza Crisis 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in New York on Sunday during the UN General Assembly. In their bilateral talks, PM Modi expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and reiterated Indias continued support for the Palestinian people.

The meeting was highlighted by Randhir Jaiswal, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, in a post on X, where he reaffirmed Indias commitment to a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today.



PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed s continued support to the people of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/6SvSBBds0x  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2024

PM Modi had earlier condemned the terror attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7 but continues to voice concerns over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza. India has also extended humanitarian aid to the region, releasing $2.5 million in 2024-25 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.

During his visit to New York, PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Kuwaits Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, focusing on strengthening ties and fostering further cooperation.

Earlier, PM Modi met top tech CEOs at a roundtable hosted by MIT School of Engineering, emphasizing Indias potential for growth and collaboration in various sectors. The Prime Minister will also address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly.
Sri Lanka's New President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Aims to Strengthen Ties with India 2

Sri Lankas President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday for his congratulatory message following his election victory. In a social media post, Dissanayake highlighted the importance of strengthening relations between India and Sri Lanka, pledging to enhance cooperation.

Thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for your kind words and support. I share your commitment to strengthening the ties between our nations. Together, we can work towards enhancing cooperation for the benefit of our peoples and the entire region, Dissanayake stated. Prime Minister Modi had extended his congratulations after Dissanayakes victory in the presidential election on Sunday.

Thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for your kind words and support. I share your commitment to strengthening the ties between our nations. Together, we can work towards enhancing cooperation for the benefit of our peoples and the entire region. https://t.co/rtQEXyiFUI  Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) September 23, 2024

PM Modis message emphasized Sri Lankas importance in Indias Neighbourhood First policy and Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which promotes regional security and stability. Congratulations, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on your victory. Sri Lanka holds a special place in our policies, and I look forward to strengthening our multifaceted cooperation, Modi said.

Indias High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, also congratulated Dissanayake, reaffirming Indias commitment to deepening bilateral relations for mutual prosperity. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party, was officially declared the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka after the countrys first-ever presidential election run-off.

The election commission confirmed his victory after a historic second vote count. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe was eliminated in the initial round, marking his third unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
Get the Ed Chat newsletter: Enter your email for weekly updates about Alabama schools from the Education Lab at AL.com:

Five Alabama schools were recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools on Monday.

The schools are among 356 national recipients, which were honored for their academic performance, or for progress in closing achievement gaps. The Blue Ribbon award is the highest national honor given by the U.S. Department of Education to a school.

Alabamas 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools include:

EPIC Alternative Elementary School, Birmingham City.

East Elementary School, Cullman City.

Carver School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Dothan City.

Crestline Elementary School, Hartselle City.

Brookwood Forest Elementary School, Mountain Brook City.

EPIC Elementary, a competitive specialty school in Birmingham, Hartselles Crestline Elementary and Dothans STEM-focused Carver magnet school are Title I schools, meaning more than 40% of their students are economically disadvantaged.

In their applications, Alabama winners described setting strong academic and behavioral expectations for students, as well as using data and best practices to drive their success.

They also noted efforts to make their schools safe places for students to explore their interests and contribute to society: At Carver, students can take courses ranging from embryology to LEGO engineering, and at EPIC, students designed tornado aid efforts and other community service projects.

The five schools will join 130 Alabama Blue Ribbon schools that have received the honor since the program began in 1982.

The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nations students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a news release. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.

Nominated schools complete an extensive application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures and parent and community involvement.

They are awarded based on student and subpopulation scores in state or nationally normed assessments, as well as graduation rates.

All Alabama recipients were recognized as Exemplary High Performing schools, which have among the highest test scores in the state.

Of this years national recipients, 316 were public schools and 40 were non-public schools.
More than a week of steady bloodshed on the streets of Birmingham continued Sunday night when three people were shot on the citys east side, one of them fatally.

The killing came less than 24 hours after a mass shooting in Five Points South that left four people dead, and 17 others wounded.

Police officials on Sundays night scene said they had not ruled out the possibility that the gunfire could be linked to Saturdays carnage in Southside.

One of our personnel received intel that this may be related,' said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. So anytime we have a community member willing to step up and give information, were going to investigate that the best we can.

Police Chief Scott Thurmond on Monday said the shootings might not be linked.

Just before 9:30 p.m. Sunday, the citys gunfire detection system - Shot Spotter - alerted officers to shots fired in the South East Lake community, specifically the 700 block of 81st Place South.

Shot Spotter registered at least 30 rounds fired, and there were multiple evidence markers placed in the middle of 81st Place South.

Once on the scene, they found a man unresponsive on the sidewalk and a woman unresponsive in a front yard.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service rushed both of the to UAB Hospital, where the man died.

He was identified as Jamarcus Desean McIntrye, 32, of Birmingham.

The womans injuries, Fitzgerald said, are life-threatening.

Police then learn another gunshot victim showed up by private vehicle at St. Vincents East.

The initial report was that the victim was shot in the same incident but Fitzgerald said they are still working to positively confirm that.

No arrests have been made.

Witnesses are coming forward. They have been helpful,' he said.

Were hearing reports the shooter was possibly in a vehicle. However, were working to confirm if the shooter fired shots from the vehicle, or exited and then fired shots,' Fitzgerald said.

Birmingham police investigate a deadly shooting that happened Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in the 700 block of 81st Place South.(Carol Robinson)

In the past nine days, 11 people have died due to violence in the city.

On Friday, Sept. 13, a Birmingham Housing Authority contract employee was gunned down in broad daylight in the Collegeville public housing community.

Five days later, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, a 26-year-old man was found shot to death in the 1700 block of Laurel Avenue S.W.

Within hours, police were investigating another killing that happened in Brother Bryan Park on Magnolia Avenue, a half block away from where Saturdays nights mass shooting took place.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, a 35-year-old woman was fatally shot inside a Birmingham bar.

Early Friday, a Bessemer man was shot to death during an argument with another man inside Third Avenue Package Store.

And, on Friday afternoon, a 27-year-old woman who had not been seen or heard from since the previous night was found dead in a Glen Iris apartment.

Then, on Saturday, the drive-by shooting outside Hush lounge - which police believe was a targeted hit - happened.

Fitzgerald was asked if any of the shootings appeared to be gang-related.

He said what police typically see in Birmingham is neighborhood-based cliques or groups that have isolated beefs that have bled out into our streets.

Thats why its important that anyone that has information on these shooters to give us that information as quickly as you can,' he said. Because, as weve seen tonight, no one took last night as a warning of what can happen when you let tempers flare and bullets fly.

Sunday nights homicide victim is the citys 123rd so far this year. Of those, eight have been ruled justifiable and two happened in previous years and died in 2024.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 155 homicides including the 123 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Federal legislation backed by Republicans, and twice defeated in the U.S. Senate since June, puts Medicaid funding for states in the crosshairs of the debate over in vitro fertilization - one of the hottest political issues born out of Alabamas highest court.

The IVF Protection Act, co-sponsored by Republican U.S. Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, would bar states from receiving federal Medicaid dollars if they were to prohibit the procedure.

Critics of the IVF Protection Act say there are too many unknowns behind the legislation including the definition of what in vitro fertilization prohibition means, and whether tying Medicaid to the issue could create additional worries for 1 million low-income Alabama residents who rely on Medicaid.

Britt and GOP proponents defend the bill, saying Medicaid isnt really in danger because there are no states, including Alabama, poised to ban IVF - a fertility treatment where eggs are combined with sperm outside the body in a lab to form an embryo.

Republicans also say their bill, and not one pitched by the Senate Democrats that provides blanket federal protections for IVF treatments, offers the best chances to both protect the procedure while safeguarding religious liberty.

The Republican IVF Protection Act doesnt specifically mention religious liberty but says the act would not compel any individual or organization to provide in vitro fertilization services.

Meanwhile, Democrats back the Right to IVF Act which calls for a statutory right to access fertility treatments but does not tie Medicaid funding as a condition. That act would supersede state laws that limit fertility treatments, including laws that restrict the ability of individuals to receive fertility treatments based on marital status or sex, including sexual orientation or gender identity  a provision opposed by Republicans.

Both the Democrats and the Republicans bills were again shot down in U.S. Senate votes last week.

Prohibition and worries

Alabama has been Ground Zero in the nations IVF debate over the past year. And its where 21% of the overall population covered by Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) could lose their health coverage if the Republican backed IVF Protection Act was approved and if there was later a determination that the state was banning the procedure.

The death knell to this state would be a ban on Medicaid, said Sheena Gamble, spokesperson with the Alabama Democratic Party.

The criticism isnt just from the Democrats. The Heritage Foundation, among the most conservative and controversial think tanks in the country, is raising doubts over what an IVF prohibition means under Britts legislation.

According to a May analysis by the Heritage Foundation  the same organization criticized for its Project 2025 policy document -- the bill backed by Britt and Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz fails to outline where prohibition ends, and acceptable regulation begins.

Alina Salganicoff, Senior Vice President and Director of Womens Health Policy at KFF  a nonprofit health policy research, polling, and news organization  said its hard to think about what is meant from a complete revocation of Medicaid to low-income residents if that determination was connected to a states IVF ban.

Its critical to low-income people particularly for children, pregnant women and seniors, she said. I dont know of any state that has proposed to ban IVF, but this law doesnt guarantee a right to IVF. And because of what happened in Alabama, people have begun to pay attention.

Worries continue in Alabama over the fate of a procedure that accounts for approximately 2% of births in the U.S. and remains extremely costly and out of reach for many low-income people who need the technology to start or grow families. Depending on ones needs, an IVF cycle can cost as much as $30,000.

Veronica Wehby-Upchurch holds a sign and son Ladner Upchurch as hundreds gather for a protest rally for in vitro fertilization legislation Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Montgomery, Ala. Alabama lawmakers are moving fast to approve measures to protect in vitro fertilization clinics from lawsuits in response to an uproar sparked by a state supreme court ruling last month that found that frozen embryos have the rights of children. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP, File)AP

AshLeigh Durham, a family attorney based in Hoover, said IVF remains in jeopardy in Alabama, despite efforts by lawmakers to protect it following the Alabama State Supreme Courts controversial decision in February.

She said one of her biggest concerns include a rise of states introducing so-called personhood legislation by religious conservatives to grant embryos the same rights as children.

The legislation pitched in Alabama and other states like Iowa and Mississippi, would follow the Alabama State Supreme Courts ruling that frozen embryos used during IVF were protected under the states wrongful death law.

Any senator who is acting like IVF isnt at risk is gaslighting their citizens, Durham said. IVF is at risk. If embryos are given the same rights as a person, we are looking at no longer having the ability to freeze them, genetically test them, destroy the ones that are not compatible with life, or many of the other ways we utilize IVF healthcare in order to allow families to procreate, the ability to continue to procreate.

Uncertainty

The Alabama Supreme Court, save for Chief Justice Tom Parkers, made police cover-ups easy when it exempted nearly all police records from the Alabama Open Records Act.

Legal uncertainty in Alabama abounds. As reported by The New York Times last month, a handful of the states seven fertility clinics were moving embryonic cells out of the state to have them stored or potentially discarded elsewhere. Huntsville Reproductive Medicine, which operated for 20 years, announced it was closing in January.

The uncertainty exists despite the Alabama Legislatures action in March to grant legal immunity to IVF providers. The Legislatures actions occurred amid swift backlash to the high courts ruling that included a highly religious opinion from Chief Justice Tom Parker.

Since then, one of the couples whose lawsuit paved the way for the Alabama Supreme Court decision, is moving forward with a case asking a Mobile County Circuit Court judge to find the Legislatures immunity law unconstitutional. The Alabama State Supreme Court could, once again, get involved in the matter.

There is also potential that the U.S. Supreme Court could also get involved in Alabamas IVF case. The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Mobile Infirmary are requesting the U.S. Supreme Court consider their arguments that the plaintiffs in the Alabama case lacked standing to sue and that their due process protections were violated.

Not only is IVF at risk in Alabama, it is at risk in the United States due to the Alabama State Supreme Court, Dunham said.

Defending policies

The potential to remove Medicaid benefits could also loom as concerning to Alabamas hospitals.

Though the Alabama Hospital Association has no position on the IVF Protection Act, the organization says it would oppose any initiative that eliminates, reduces, or jeopardizes Medicaid funding.

Britts office, in response, provided a list of health care initiatives she has backed during her first 15 months in office.

Examples include:

Political posturing

The U.S. Supreme Courts potential involvement in the case is an animated political issue for Democrats, who link the issue with federal abortion rights that were undone with the 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jacksons Womens Health Organization.

But Britt and Republicans say its the Democrats who are creating a political stunt by repeatedly bringing up an IVF access bill that guarantees federal protections and insurance coverage for treatments.

Senate Democrats did so for the second time in three months on Tuesday, seeking a vote after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called himself a leader on the issue and said he supported the federal government covering the treatments.

IVF, as Britts staff notes, is accessible in every state including Alabama, and they say the legislation they propose ensures that remains the case. The Britt team also says there is no scenario under which Alabamas Medicaid funding would be cut as a result of the IVF Protection Act passing.

Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said the state legislature has already passed a law making Alabama a pro-IVF state, so Senator Britts legislation would not affect Alabama.

Wahl referred to the March passage of the Legislatures bill granting immunity to health providers if frozen embryos are destroyed during procedures or while in storage.

The Republican Party strongly believes in respect for all human life, Wahl said. That includes the rights of parents hoping to start a family and citizens across the state needing medical care. It is the big government policies of the Democratic Party that have strangled doctors, hospitals, and healthcare options across Alabama and the nation.

Gamble, with the states Democratic Party, said if Republicans really wanted to protect IVF, they would do so by approving the Democrats legislation that does not tie-in Medicaid benefits or includes any references to religious liberty.

Democrats are pushing the issue because the polling is on their side. More than 80% of Americans back IVF procedures threatened by the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling and 7-in-10 adults say IVF access is a good thing, while only 8% say its bad, according to a Pew Research Center poll in May.

The Democratic legislation, which received support from Republican Sens. Terri Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska but fell short of the 60-vote threshold for passage, grants federal protections and insurance coverage for IVF treatments.

Senate Democrats pushed for the legislation after the GOPs presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, called himself a leader on the issue and said the federal government ought to cover the treatments.

Susan Pace Hammill, a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law, called the Democratic version a reasonable attempt to protect IVF rights.

No federal law currently governs IVF, and there is only one regulation requiring clinics to report their success rates and basic birth outcomes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

I cannot think of a good reason for Katie Britt to oppose it other than Trump and his followers oppose anything sponsored by Democrats, Hammill said.
Authorities in Limestone County said 10 men were arrested last week following a joint operation focused on men seeking sex acts with children.

The Limestone County Sheriffs Office and the Athens police conducted the operation, which identified men looking to contact and solicit children for sex online.

According to the sheriffs office, the men instead unknowingly contacted undercover officers posing as children in chat rooms, on social media, specifically Snapchat, and other online portals.

These offenders agreed to pay to engage in sexual acts with children and then traveled to designated locations in Limestone County to commit these sex crimes, the sheriffs office said in a statement.

Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said at an afternoon news conference that parents should make sure their children are not communicating with adults, as predators are not just on social media apps, but also in video game chat rooms and other forums where parents might think them safe.

We dont solicit people, they solicit our decoys, McLaughlin said.

Those arrested were:

Barry Louvert Knight Jr., 23, of Madison, charged with attempted human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Knight is being held in the Limestone County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Cederick Lamar White, 40, Athens, charged with attempted human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. White is being held in the Limestone County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Ladi Antiono Hernandez, 26, of Indian Town, Fla., charged with attempted human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Hernandez was released from the Limestone County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Enrique Marquez Hipolito, 23, of Decatur, charged with attempted human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Hipolito was released from the Limestone County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Raul Aguilar Martinez, 36, of Decatur, charged with attempted human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Martinez was released from the Limestone County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Brandon Lee Smith, 28, of Prospect, Tenn., charged with attempted human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Smith was released from the Limestone County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Daevid Marcelius Williams, 34, of Huntsville, charged with attempted human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Williams was released from the Limestone County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Jakobe Ray Fields, 22, of Muscle Shoals, charged with attempted human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Fields was released from the Limestone County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Trinton Obryan Bouldin, 19, of Huntsville, AL charged with attempted human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, and second degree possession of marijuana. Bouldin was released from the Limestone County Jail on $201,000 bond.

A Huntsville man was also arrested on public intoxication, attempting to elude law enforcement, and marijuana possession charges. He was released on $2,500 bond. Authorities said at a news conference Monday afternoon that while this man was on the scene, he was only charged with these offenses and not with any of the trafficking charges.

If you suspect that a person may be a victim of human trafficking, call local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hot Line at 1-888-373-7888. Authorities say you should never attempt to confront a suspected trafficker or rescue a suspected victim.
A major cruise line is banning a staple item for many tourists.

Royal Caribbean recently updated its list of prohibited items, adding multi-plug outlets to the list, according to Royalcaribbeanblog.com. The devices are popular for cruisers looking for multiple charging sources to best utilize limited plugs in cruise cabins.

Extension cords and power strips were already on the list of banned items.

All of the items are listed under the flammable items category of prohibited items. That list includes candles, irons, travel steamers, hot plates, incense and burners, hookahs and water hookah pipes.

USB blocks and charging cords for phones are allowed, as are curling irons and hair dryers.

Officials have long warned of onboard fire hazards posted by power strips and surge protective devices due to differences in wiring on the vessels.

Most commercially available (surge protection devices) are design for use ashore and will interrupt only the hot conductor when a surge occurs, the Coast Guard explained in a statement. It means while these devices may provide protection in our homes and offices these same devices may be a fire risk onboard vessels.

Other banned items include, per Royal Caribbean:

Illegal drugs and substances

Guns, including replicas and ammunition. This ban includes BB guns, pellet guns or realistic replicas of firearms.

Explosives, including fireworks or replicas of explosives.

Knives and other sharp objects. All knives with a blade length of 4 inches or greater are prohibited, including knives that are designed to look like regular objects such as credit card holders, pens, etc. Knives that incorporate locking blades are not allowed. Scissors with a blade length of 4 inches or greater that could be used as a weapon are not allowed. Other banned sharp items include box cutters, ice picks, and razor-type blades.

There are exceptions for recreational diving knives but they must be held in the custody of the Chief Security Officer until they are used. They must be checked in and out by the owner. You are allowed personal grooming items such as metal nail files, cuticle tools, scissors for trimming facial hair and manicure sets.

Most tools are prohibited, including hammers, drills and other tools greater than 7 inches in length. Any type of martial arts or self-defense items such as brass knuckles, night sticks and mace are banned.

You can see the complete list here.
The U.S State Department has updated its travel alerts for Mexico.

Citing widespread and common violent crimes such as homicide, kidnapping and robbery, parts of the country remain under a do not travel advisory  the most severe warning issued by the department. Only two states- Campeche and Yucatan  are under the lowest exercise normal caution. Neighboring Quintana Roo, home to popular tourist destination Cancun, is under exercise increased caution due to crime.

Violent crime  such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery  is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities, the advisory noted.

Special regulations, including limiting travel between cities after dark and not hailing taxis on the street, are in place for government employees.

Travel alerts are routinely updated by the State Department based on a countrys conditions.

READ MORE: US travel alerts: Increased caution reissued for 2 European travel hotspots

Here are the Mexican state-by-state advisories:

Do Not Travel To:

Colima state due to crime and kidnapping.

Guerrero state due to crime.

Michoacan state due to crime.

Sinaloa state due to crime.

Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping.

Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping.

Reconsider Travel To:

Baja, California state due to crime and kidnapping.

Chiapas state due to crime.

Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping.

Guanajuato state due to crime.

Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping.

Morelos state due to crime and kidnapping.

Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping.

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

Aguascalientes state due to crime.

Baja, California Sur state due to crime.

Coahuila state due to crime.

Durango state due to crime.

Hidalgo state due to crime.

Mexico City due to crime.

Mexico State due to crime and kidnapping.

Nayarit state due to crime.

Nuevo Leon state due to crime.

Oaxaca state due to crime.

Puebla state due to crime and kidnapping.

Queretaro state due to crime.

Quintana Roo state due to crime.

San Luis Potosi state due to crime and kidnapping.

Tabasco state due to crime.

Tlaxcala state due to crime.

Veracruz state due to crime.

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

Campeche state

Yucatan state

You can go here to see recommendations for traveling in alert areas.
A man shot by a Muscle Shoals police officer Sunday night has died.

Colbert County Coroner Justin Gasque said the shooting victim, whose name has not yet been released, was taken to Helen Keller Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Alabama Department of Forensics will conduct an autopsy.

Muscle Shoals police announced that an officer shot a person after officers were called to Tuxedo Avenue Sunday night.

It was not clear what the nature of the call was, or what led police to fire.

As protocol, The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) was called to the scene and the investigation was turned over to their agency, the department stated.

The Officers involved are on Administrative Leave per protocol. More information will be provided as it becomes available per ALEA.

Further information is expected to be released by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Tradition and liberty in science fiction and fantasy: Part Ten  Three key works By Mark Wegierski

web posted September 23, 2024 There exist those kinds of works, which, although they could be classified as "science fiction", contain an enormous profundity in themselves, to the extent they constitute both fine literature and a deep analysis of the problems of the current-day world. Two such paradigmatic works are, of course, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World (1932), and George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949). It may be said that, while Huxley's work represents "soft totalitarianism", and Orwell's "hard totalitarianism" there are certainly some similarities in the exercise of power in both these dystopias. Huxley's work shows how a system of exercising power can be incredibly "soft", yet extremely totalitarian at the same time. As Mustapha Mond (a "World Controller") himself points out over various passages, the most important elements of exercising rule in such a consistently modern regime are the negation of God, history, family, and indeed of all "strong emotions", of all matters over which one has to feel very strongly about. Although Orwell had focussed on a system that was extremely totalitarian in the openly coercive sense, despite this he pointed out in the "Appendix" that ultimately, the whole system rested on the appropriate control and steering of semantics and terminology -- "Newspeak is Ingsoc, and Ingsoc is Newspeak". In today's West, the managerial-therapeutic elites understand that there is no great need to invent all that many new words, or to formally ban the use of old words  although this is indeed taking place to some extent. But there is certainly, absolutely no need for book-burnings. All the "old words" seem to be going out of fashion and departing from the world-historical scene apparently of their own accord. (Albeit with a little help from the mass-media, mass-education, and consumption systems.) Often these "old words" gain new meanings, sometimes virtually opposite to their "old meaning". Musty old texts can continue to exist, but almost no one can now understand, or, more importantly, recreate in their own hearts, the words found there. Consider, for example, how a word like "virtue" -- for which many persons from years ago were ready to dedicate or give their lives without hesitation -- is now usually only met with a derisive half-smile. Another highly insightful thought of Orwell, concerns his understanding of the role of "Goldsteinism" (i.e., of a bugbear or bogeyman) in maintaining the cutting-edge dynamism of a ruling ideology. Orwell writes: "... the more the Party is powerful, the less it will be tolerant: the weaker the opposition, the tighter the despotism. Goldstein and his heresies will live for ever. Every day, at every moment, they will be defeated, discredited, ridiculed, spat upon -- and yet they will always survive." Does this not offer us a certain insight into the mentality of some left-liberals in a society like America? It would seem, on the face of it, that America is a uniquely liberal society, when looking at the broad world-historical landscape. But American left-liberals are always spying out some "dark forces" threatening this society from within. This gives them the ability to carry out a recurring "morality-play", where the "good, decent liberals" are always in danger from "dark forces" -- which of course demands a general mobilization of "progressive forces" -- culminating in the highly-satisfying defeat, and consignment to oblivion, of the insidious bogeyman. New threats indeed always arise, spreading to gargantuan proportions, but are somehow always beaten back "in the nick of time", and "by the slimmest of odds". Another insight into some left-liberals' unusually vindictive stances is offered in Berthold Brecht's statement to Sidney Hook about Stalin's show-trials: "The more innocent they were, the more they deserved to be punished!" The third work to be mentioned here is the very serious, shattering book of the French author Jean Raspail, "Le Camp des Saints" (The Camp of the Saints) (1973) which portrays the literal fall of the European world, under the tide of uncontrolled Third World immigration. This book has been described as the dystopia closest in spirit to our contemporary times. One might well ask, what the new-old society represented by the term "feudal values plus high-technology" could mean today? It could be seen as a society that would combine the deep wisdom and spiritual satisfaction of premodern societies with the advantages of technology used for humankind, not against it. It would be a society in which persons who seek "the higher things" would be cherished and respected, while at the same time the entire society would be integrated into an overall harmony full of meaning, fulfilling the archetypal desire for that which is truly natural. It might well be admitted that this is a direction appearing rather utopian in the current-day context. Science fiction, however, offers us a series of warnings as well. If we do not take some kind of course in "a better direction", there might well await us a whole series of liberal "utopias" (which are actually dystopias) (typified by Aldous Huxley's Brave New World), or coercively totalitarian dystopias (typified by George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four), or the "gritty future" of cyberpunk, or possibly even some kind of technological catastrophes (e.g., through out-of-control nanotechnology or bio-engineering), as a result of which humankind will literally become extinct. It may nevertheless be hoped that perhaps the warnings may indeed be heeded. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
Mainstream news propagandists are busy touting Dick Cheneys endorsement of KamaLOL Harris and Tim the Walrus as proof that their brand of communism appeals to Americans across party lines. I dont know whats funnier  that Democrats have become Cheney superfans or that they think his opinion holds any sway with conservative voters.

Ol Dick is about as popular among regular Republicans as Hillary Clinton is  which is to say, his endorsement is the kiss of death for any candidate unlucky enough to receive it. Since Commie-la and the Walrus won both war criminals thumbs-up, Im surprised the Democrats installed ticket hasnt gone up in a puff of smoke. Following Dick Cheney and Hillary Clinton down any path is like taking a shortcut to Hell.

Savvier political animals on the left know that Darth Cheney does nothing to push the electoral needle toward Giggles-a-Lot (I think Liz Warren gave Kam-Kam that Cherokee name). Ive looked at polling breakdowns many times over the last decade, and there is just no sizable contingent of former Bush/Cheney voters who prefer Biden/Harris/Xi over Trump. The Pravda press make it seem as if there were some huge faction of True Conservatives (darn it, now I have to mail a royalty check to Bill Kristol) out there whose defection will sink Trumps chances, but thats all horse pucky. Trump enjoys historically high levels of Republican support.

Pretty much all the pro-Cheney/anti-Trump Republicans in existence have lucrative gigs on cable TV. Most of those simps ran the losing political campaigns for John McCain and Mitt Romney or worked as left-leaning speechwriters for Bush: Part II. Theres even a former Republican National Committee chairman who worked hard to get Biden and Harris elected (Who knew that Steele could be so malleable?). Kind of explains why the Republican Party has stumbled around like a kid with a Kick Me sign on his back for most of the last three decades.

However annoying it is for Republican voters to watch Democrats posing as Republicans on television, those frauds are the only Bush/Cheney voters eager to pull the lever for Willie Browns fourth-favorite mistress. In fact, I have real doubts that those pretenders even voted for Halliburtons best salesman back in the day. Cucks who are so severely conservative that theyd prostitute themselves for Kam-WOWs kind of communism most likely fan-girled for the sky is falling climate alarmism of Al Gore and John Kerry, too. Its certainly true that the Bush administration spent more time apologizing for conservatism than defending conservative principles. Thats why Dubya sold his canned conservatism as compassionate  a not so subtle rebuke of his own voters and a bit of a valentine to progressive (yet regressive) Democrats.

Why would Dim-Dems take a chance at angering their own rabid anti-Bush voters by celebrating Dick Cheneys admiration for a low-I.Q. globalist puppet who openly campaigns for censorship, gun confiscation, world war, and mass surveillance? It most likely has nothing to do with actually persuading Republican voters to join the ranks of the Dark Side. No real liberty-lover would ever support a political party that shares an ideology with Stalin, Castro, Pol Pot, and Mao. Only trademarked True Conservatives jump into action when trains, gulags, or mass graves need to be filled with unruly political dissidents.

I suspect that Cheneys support for Ka-Mao-la and Tiananmen Walz has more to do with post-election spin. Should election-riggers succeed in flooding battleground states with enough fraudulent mail-in ballots to drag the least popular vice president in modern history (Kamalas even less popular than Dick Cheney! Can you believe it? No wonder he likes her.) across the finish line, they can claim that a large number of Bush/Cheney Republicans secured her victory.

Since Kam-Kam is too dumb to handle media interviews without her emotional support governor at her side (hat tip to Megyn Kelly for that pearl!), the narrative engineers (AKA journalists) will need to juggle as many lies as possible to justify back-to-back election thefts from the American people. Installing Dementia Joe was tough enough, considering that President Trump earned over ten million new votes in his 2020 re-election bid  a feat that had always been a surefire sign of an incumbents victory until the era of anonymous mail-in ballots proved otherwise.

Tipsy Harris might need so many extra ballots printed in her favor that some jurisdictions will seemingly double in population overnight. (Hmm, no wonder impeached Department of Homeland [in]Security Secretary Mayorkas keeps seeding small towns in crucial battleground states with illegal aliens.) By the time Democrat election-riggers find enough votes to put Cackles and the Walrus over the top, Barack Obamas once sizable share of the electorate will look downright paltry by comparison. No credible journalist will dare call it fraud. But many will probably attribute the vodka veeps victory to Cheneys crucial endorsement. Propaganda never sleeps.

Should the ruling Establishment pull off another steal, dont be surprised if Bush the Younger (AKA the Decider-in-Chief) comes out of retirement to vouch for the security of the 2024 election. When he recently opted not to endorse a presidential candidate, Dubya seemed intent on preserving some vestige of impartial authority that could be cashed in at a later time. Get ready for a poorly executed Texas Two-Step. I imagine that the Decider is eager to declare Trump a loser and the MAGA movement dead. I am certain that he is excited to inform Republican voters that they must return to the Bush/Cheney/McCain/Romney Uniparty fold. Should we have to deal with another round of Republican leaders shivving us in the backs, Ill have one answer: Nuts to that!

There was a time when I would have done almost anything for President Bush. Islamic militants attacked us on our own soil and knocked the Twin Towers down in an act of absolute barbarity. To this day, I cannot forget the images of men and women jumping to their deaths from the top floors of those burning buildings. Shortly after that tragedy, Bush enjoyed broad support from the American people that remains unprecedented in modern political history. Americans came together in common cause to extinguish one of the worst evils the world had seen.

So many patriotic Republicans went to war because George Bush and Dick Cheney told them that they were fighting evil and preserving freedom. They left their families to spend years in Afghanistan and Iraq. They sacrificed everything. Then battle turned into occupation. A Global War on Terrorism became an amorphous struggle against undefined extremism. At home, we got the TSA, DHS, the PATRIOT Act, and mass surveillance. By the time Barack Obama and Eric Holder retooled all of these unconstitutional abrogations of Americans rights into weapons for persecuting ordinary Americans for their beliefs, it was clear that a new kind of evil was destroying freedom. As Sundance over at The Conservative Treehouse once said, we should have never agreed to take off our shoes at the airport. It was all downhill from there.

Remarkably, the very patriots who reacted to 9/11 by volunteering to defend their country have become the principal targets of todays national security surveillance state. And while the Deep State censors, harasses, and demonizes those who have given so much for their nation, George Bush and Dick Cheney have chosen to remain silent. They have turned their backs on those who had theirs. A quarter of a century after the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor, our former Republican leaders endorse outright communists.

This kind of repugnant betrayal is why so many Americans adamantly support President Trump and why MAGA will never, ever go away.

Image: Dick Cheney. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
The MAGA or America First agenda places Americans at the head of the line, providing economic opportunity. Harris and Bidens America Last agenda favors securing other countries borders while leaving Americas borders wide open. Economic opportunity is going to foreigners, not Americans.

One example is jobs. As a Fox affiliate reported, Majority of employment growth since COVID-19 goes to immigrants. Leave it to the mockingbird media to spin employment in the Outlaw Josey Wales fashion of pissing down your back and telling you its raining.

CNBC gaslights, How immigrants are helping keep job growth hot. Or from PBS, How migrant workers have contributed to strong U.S. job growth. Tell that to the millions of job-seeking Americans. Migrants first, Americans last.

I used the term aliens rather than migrants or immigrants in my title in polite deference to President Bill Clinton, who in his 1995 State of the Union address said, All Americansare rightly disturbed by the large numbers of illegal aliens entering our country. The jobs they hold might otherwise be held by citizens or legal immigrants. He was spot on, so I honored him by using his words.

When it comes to Americans marrying foreign nationals, once again, its illegal aliens at the front of the line.

According to the New York Times,

President Biden on Tuesday granted far-reaching new protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have been living in the United States illegally for years but are married to American citizens. Under the new policy, some 500,000 undocumented spouses will be shielded from deportation and given a pathway to citizenship and the ability to work legally in the United States.

Note the words illegally and its euphemism undocumented. This is like calling criminals the tapioca- justice-involved individuals.

What about the spouses of American citizens, those who follow the rules (and the law), apply for a spousal visa, and wait years for approval, necessitating a long-distance international marriage?

YouTube screen grab

The US State Department  Bureau of Consular Affairs  explains the process, using that triggering alien word again.

The first step is to file a Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130, with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for your spouse to immigrate to the United States. After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). Once the NVC determines the file is complete with all the required documents, they schedule the applicants interview appointment.

This sounds like the State Departments version of the DMV.

This is not an appointment for a haircut where a same-day or week appointment is available. Instead, it is much longer, The current wait time for the CR1 visa is 13.515 months if youre married to a U.S. citizen.

A Georgia immigration law firm explains further:

The processing time for the approval of Form I-130 is approximately 10.5 to 30 months. The time on the waiting list is much more difficult to predict for obvious reasons. Once the interview is held, five to ten months will pass before the immigrant visa is in hand.

In other words, this entire process could take 3-4 years. The married couple would live apart or commute, with the American spouse having to travel to the foreign spouses country, not vice versa.

While Acting President Harris sends those following the law, playing by the rules, to the back of an extremely long line, she has opened Americas borders to hordes of unvetted aliens, many illiterate and unskilled, carrying infectious or psychiatric diseases, some with criminal records and bad intentions, and even some terrorists.

All to the tune of 10,000 known crossings a day. How many gotaways or unknown crossers a day? 50 percent more? Double the known crossers? We dont know what we dont know.

According to US Customs and Border Control, 2.75 million foreign nationals have entered the U.S. without authorization in the current fiscal year. This is through August, with the fiscal year ending September 30.

Am I hyperbolic about the terrorists? I dont think so. NBC News confirms, DHS identifies over 400 migrants brought to the U.S. by an ISIS-affiliated human smuggling network.

Why am I concerned about this bureaucratic injustice? I have a family member going through the endless wait for a spousal visa. His and my frustration is shared by so many who are being punished for following the rules.

Rather than quoting statistics and wait times, what do Americans standing at the back of this long line say? From the comment section of the NY Times article mentioned above,

Chris J, Atlanta GA I have spent over $6,000 on legal fees and have been waiting two years to bring my spouse to the US legally. The Biden Admin has made no effort to make legal immigration any easier and the NYT hasnt reported at all on the long wait times for visa interviews ongoing since the pandemic. This is incredibly insulting to those who choose to go the legal route. Pip, Philadelphia @Chris J Could not say it any better. I was in the same situation with my spouse abroad. It took 25 months, and $6,000+ in legal fees to get a green card following the legal process, and we were separated the whole time. The rules need to change not to punish the ones following the rules. C, Denver @Chris J Not only have they done nothing to make legal immigration easier, the Biden admin has significantly increased fees for legal immigration, by 100% or more on some fees. Their policies feel like a constant slap in the face for people who wait and pay to do things right. AACNY, NY Biden is once again signaling to the world that entering the US illegally has its rewards.

The last comment sums it up. This is the natural result when politics trumps the rule of law and the Constitution, which opens with these words, We the people of the United Statessecure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity?

Going to the back of the line is hardly a blessing of liberty. Instead, its a slap in the face. Follow the rules and get punished; break the rules and get rewarded. America last. Everyone else first.

Shame on the Harris/Biden administration for once again prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens.

Brian C Joondeph, MD, is a physician and writer.

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Fiddling with the Constitution to limit existing state rights in favor of pure majority rule should be rejected.

Yet, theres a movement afoot to do just that. It really isnt all that new. An earlier example of this movement culminated in 1913 with the ratification of the 17th Amendment. The primary changes the 17th Amendment made to the Constitution was to provide for the direct popular election of U.S. senators, a function originally reserved only for the states legislatures. As a result, the ability of less-populated states to exercise their co-equal rights was eroded.

Presently, a push is gaining momentum to circumvent the Electoral College, in favor of a national popular vote. Changing how Senate seats are assigned to states is also being advocated. A census-based system like the one used for determining the number of seats in the House of Representatives, thereby, giving more populated states more seats and votes in the Senate.

Whatever form and approach, the common goal is to replace the democratic republic form of federal government with pure democracy.

The Supreme Courts recent reversal of Roe has increased calls for eliminating the Senate filibuster. Its true the filibuster is only a Senate rule, not law, so its elimination wouldnt directly challenge, or violate the Constitution. However, it does indirectly affect the co-equality of states guaranteed by the Constitution.

Bruce Ledewitz, a law professor at the Catholic-affiliated Duquesne University, gives what he considers four good reasons in his recent opinion piece in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

According to Ledewitz, supporters of ending the Senate filibuster believe that the potential benefits from the filibusters demise, both for the Senate and for American democracy, outweigh any potential negative consequences.

Proponents view one probable consequence of ending the filibuster to also be a welcomed benefit. Ledewitz enthusiastically anticipates and endorses that it will permit voters to [give] control of the government to one party, that party could enact anything that the Constitution permits.

He glibly dismisses this outcome as, So what? We have a name for that situation. Its called democracy Sounds like a good system. We should try it. Presumably because voters can always vote out the one party out. This naively ignores the reality of how difficult it is to remove one-party rule once in power.

Most Americans would agree that one-party rule does not sound(s) like Democracy. Because it is, in fact, tyranny, only going by the name of democracy. And its not at all what the Constitutions framers envisioned for a democratic republic form of government.

A good argument can be made that one reason for the filibuster rule in the Senate is to give a tool to senators in the minority for asserting or forcing senators in the majority to recognize their states co-equal rights. The left-leaning non-profit Brennan Center for Justice acknowledges, that a group of senators representing a small minority of the country can use the filibuster to prevent the passage of bills with broad public support. Predictably, they view this practice unfavorably. But, in fact, the practice is vital for ensuring equal footing among all states in the union on the Senate floor.

Without the filibuster, states whose senators are not in the majority risk losing their co-equal footing with the states in the majority. They will become more prone to having their Senate voices and rights diminished, ignored, or abused.

Supporters of pure democracy would do well to first reflect on the Framers own reasoning for rejecting it. The Framers chose their words carefully and precisely. They did so because they knew well that their words would one day be used against them, or rather, more detrimentally, against the Constitution which they were setting down as the new law of the land.

It's important to note that the Framers deliberately chose to open the Constitution with We the People. This introduction was not phrased this way only to show whose authority and behalf they were given the power to represent and speak. But also, whose rights and interests they were beholden to defend.

If they intended only to speak for the majority of people, as in a pure democracy, they would have rightly and precisely written, We the Majority of the People... They did not, because they intended to represent equally all the people, the people both of the majority, and of the minority. They intended to create what Abraham Lincoln would later immortalize at Gettysburg, a national government of the people, by the people, for the people -- all the people.

The Framers didnt reject pure democracy because they instead preferred minority rule, but because they had a keen understanding and distrust of human nature. More so, of the tyrannical tendencies of human nature concentrated anonymously as The Majority. One party ruling over a minority is the same as an absolute monarch, as King George. They absolutely did not want or intend this.

That same precision was used in the careful choice the words when naming the new country. The name was to describe its true character, The United States of America. States, by design, hold a prominent and central position in the name.

Subsequent nations would choose names familiar to all as much for what they are, as for what they are not, such as, the People's Republic of China (PRC), and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), aka North Korea. These nations, of course, are neither (purely or remotely) democratic nor protective of individual rights. The American democratic republic, the United States of America (USA), is both!

Had the Framers intended a pure democracy, pure majority rule, they would have enshrined it in the nations name. They would have named it some variation to those chosen by China and North Korea. And if they had, time would have proved pure democracy to be no less tyrannical in practice than the actual systems of these two other countries with free-sounding names.

States hold a prominent and central position in the naming of the United States of America by design because the Framers wanted to clearly communicate that the new nation was to be a union of individual states, peopled by individuals with common but also distinct interests.

By experience, from when the states were joined together only by a loose confederacy, they knew a republican form of government was preferable to a confederacy. They could also perceive how one day, whats good for a California and a New York may not be good for a Montana and an Ohio. Thus, they also knew that a democratic republic form of government was preferable to either a pure republic or a pure democracy.

pure democracy may sound good on paper and may seem a no-brainer to modern American mind. But for good reason, it does not appear anywhere on the paper of the U.S. Constitution. The Framers understood well that pure democracy would ultimately only lead to poor democracy. Pure democracy is poor democracy because it does not adequately protect the rights and unique interests of all the people from the dangers of a tyrannical majority. If pure democracy did not sound good to the Framers, most assuredly, one party rule did not sound to them anything at all like democracy. We definitely should not try it.

Image: Pixabay
When individuals kill themselves, we look for answers in their DNA, their environments, their personal reactions to feelings of impotent rage, rejection, disappointment, heartbreak, and mental illness.



But how to explain group suicide? There are numerous examples, going back to 206 B.C., and these relatively recent cases:

In 1943, in the final phase of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, many of the Jewish fighters besieged in the bunker at Mia 18 committed mass suicide by ingesting poison rather than surrender to the Nazis.

In 1945, about 1,000 residents of Demmin, Germany, committed mass suicide after the Red Army had sacked the town.

In 1978, 918 Americans  including 276 children  ingested cyanide in the Peoples Temple, after being exhorted and compelled to do so by their cult leader, Jim Jones, in Jonestown, Guyana.

In 1997, 39 followers of the Heavens Gate cult in California died in a mass suicide, believing they would travel on a spaceship that followed comet Hale  Bopp.

Clearly, some groups took their lives en masse for ideological reasons, whereas others  particularly vulnerable people in dire need of a leader  simply followed orders. In all the mass suicides in recorded history, dozens, hundreds, and up to one thousand people took their own lives.



But today, when looking at suicidal Jews, the numbers could be in the millions!



Currently, out of a worldwide population of eight billion people, there are about 15 million Jews  approximately seven million in Israel, almost seven million in the United States, and one million throughout the world. This is, by any measure, a few grains of sand compared to the massive total population of the world.



According to U.S. voting patterns, Jews are overwhelmingly liberal  up to 80 percent  which means they vote in huge numbers for leftists like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. These peoples staffs have comprised, almost exclusively, career antisemites, who have done everything in their power to effect anti-Israel policies like the Iran nuclear deal, knowing that the fanatical mission of the mullahs in Teheran was  and is to this day  to wipe Israel off the map and exterminate every Jew in existence.



As Karin McQuillan explained in Leftist Jew Hatred Has Come to America, the Left began with blacklisting and boycotting conservatives. Now American Jews are in the crosshairs, no matter how liberal their politics.



But they wont jump off the bandwagon, she wrote, because that would mean losing your friends, being shunned at synagogue, and stunting your career[.] ... [C]hanging party affiliation is such a tall cliff, it feels suicidal, that is the loss of their entire identity.



McQuillan quotes the estimable Daniel Greenfield: There is no future for Jews on the left except as collaborators in anti-Semitism.



Look no farther than the full-bodied ideological and financial support that liberal  suicidal  Jews lend to virulently anti-Israel organizations, many of them founded and financed by leftist Jews, such as the Womens March, Black Lives Matter, the fascistic Antifa, J Street, If Not Now, Americans for Peace Now, BTselem, Bend the Arc, Breaking the Silence, New Israel Fund, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, the newspaper The Forward (recently defunct), Michael Lerners Tikkun magazine, Reform Action Center, Truah (formerly Rabbis for Human Rights), Jewish Voice for Peace, and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, et al.



Why? Because its hard to be a Jew, and liberal Jews are simply not up to the task. The desperate need to be liked, accepted, admired, and embraced is the historical downfall of weak Jews.



That is why so many Jews adored President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who stacked his administration with Court Jews and then stabbed every Jew in the world in the back, refusing refuge to the few who escaped Hitlers murderous onslaught by turning away thousands from our shores and sending them back to their grisly deaths. And he counted on  who else?  weak liberal Jews and a complicit leftist media  to cover for his mortal sins!



WHO HATES THE SUICIDAL LIBERAL JEWS?

Black leftists. According to historian Rafael Medoff, American Jews played a significant role in assisting the African-American community throughout the past century  having a central role in creating the NAACP, building more than 5,000 schools for rural African Americans from 1914 to 1932, and participating actively in the black civil-rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. But when the Black Power movement arose in the mid-60s, the first people blacks irrationally turned against were the Jews.

The World Council of Churches, which represents 350 member churches in 110 countries, and half a billion Christians throughout the world, fully embraces the vicious Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) campaign to destroy Israel.

Amnesty International, which obliterates Jewish history. The organization, as you can read here, has gone full-blown antisemitic.

Doctors Without Borders prides itself on its neutrality but consistently launches venomous anti-Israel political campaigns.

Airbnb, an American company offering short-term lodging services to lease or rent internationally, removed all listings of Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria (AKA the West Bank), although not in other disputed territories owned by Turks in Cyprus, Moroccans in the Sahara, Chinese in Tibet, or Russians in the Crimea, et al.

The American Friends (Quakers), who boast of their history of nonviolent activism, yet work to destroy the Jewish people and their ancient homeland, Israel, by inciting others to strive for Israels annihilation, often through violence.

The unhallowed halls of academia are a hotbed of virulent antisemitism throughout the country, with Columbia University leading the pack.

The Anti-Defamation League under the leadership of Jonathan Greenblatt, a former Soros employee and Obama official. As Daniel Greenfield expresses, [o]nce upon a time, the ADL was a Jewish civil rights organization. Now its just another generic lefty group that pretends to care about Jewish causes only long enough to fleece some of its donors. As the Left goes antisemitic, the ADL is becoming a threat to Jews.

The United Nations, a cesspool of tin-pot dictators and antisemites on 1st Avenue in N.Y. City, which has a virtual fetish with the Palestinian issue, and just the other day issued a Resolution calling for the Old City of Jerusalem to be free of Jews, which passed by a 124-14 margin.

The heads of the Womens March: Linda Sarsour (nothing creepier than Zionism), Tamika Mallory (white Jews, as white people, uphold white supremacy), and Carmen Perez  all ardent admirers of hate preacher and head of the Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan (Jews are termites). All of them share Ms. Mallorys sentiment that Israel doesnt have the right to exist, as do Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and many others who have joined this hate fest, and lets not leave out Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who has called these Jew- and Israel-haters the suffragists of our time.

We Jews are taught by our sages to accept and embrace all Jews, no matter their flaws or shortcomings. We are a tiny people, and only by understanding the imperative for unity will we survive. Look for the good in even the most egregious behavior of our fellow Jew  does he help the poor, take in the widow and orphan, donate generously to charity, etc.? Then accept that Jew, embrace him, love her.

In Genesis 12:3, God tells Abram (before he becomes Abraham): I will make you into a great nation[.] ... I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.

Personally, I dont embrace the quisling Jews and other antisemites who opt for the toxic American liberalism that vilifies Jews and Israel. I curse them. And I promise them that their determination to destroy the Jewish state  because of their rancid hatred and obsessive jealousy  will fail as thunderously as all attempts over the past 5,000 years have failed.

Joan Swirsky is a New York-based journalist and author. Her website is www.joanswirsky.com, and she can be reached at joanswirsky@gmail.com.

Image: hendricjabs via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
A reformed Chicago gangster sounds the alarm on whats brewing in the Windy City: a metropolis up in flames and a bloody turf war of blacks versus migrants.

Tyrone Muhammad was once a Chiraq gangbanger whose life changed after he spent twenty years in a state prison for a murder conviction. Since his release, hes devoted his energy to street patrols and violence prevention, starting a group known as Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change, and hes warning the public about what he sees as a very real possibility if the Biden-Harris illegal aliens continue to be given the free rein on our tax dollars and in our nation.

Here are the details, via an exclusive report at the New York Post yesterday:

Muhammadsays Venezuelan criminal gangs flooding shelters and taking over apartment buildings are the last straw for the struggling African-American community. He says they are furious at seeing government money going to what they call non-citizens. It is impossible to release gang members and criminals into our country through the borders and broken walls and infiltrate them in our community thats already impoverished and broken, Muhammad told The Post last week on the O Block, a stretch along South King Drive thats considered the most dangerous in the city. When the black gangs here get fed up with the illegalities and criminal activities of these migrants or non-citizens, the city of Chicago is going to go up in flames and there will be nothing the National Guard or the government can do about it when the bloodshed hits the streets. Itll be blacks against migrants.

As if the violence in Chicago werent bad enough, the city is at the precipice of whats fixing to be territory disputes of a whole new magnitude:

Some [migrants] belong to the one-time Venezuelan prison gang turned vicious multinational crime syndicate Tren de Aragua who sources in Chicago told The Post are heavily armed, brazen and spilling into areas of the South Side. Those areas are traditionally controlled by hundreds of entrenched gangs from the Gangster Disciples and Black P Stones to the Vice Lords, Latin Kings and Satan Disciples. TDA members flashing gang signs and wearing their uniforms of choice  Chicago Bulls T-shirts and caps  could be seen outside the Standard Club migrant shelter downtown, where two local Chicago police officers told The Post they were trying to encroach on a local gangs drug-dealing corner near a 7-11 store.

Heavily armed? Why am I completely unsurprised that gun control doesnt actually keep criminals from acquiring guns? Let me guess, these TDA gangsters ran next door to Indiana and bought the firearms from gun shops there, before bringing them back to Chicagothat is the Democrat narrative, right?

And brazen? What in the world would give these illegals such hubris in their criminality? Oh, maybe because Joe Biden and Kamala Harris coaxed them here when they erased the southern border and promised endless handouts, showing these thugs that America was up for the taking?

For reference, the NY Post item also reports that the city of Chicago has spent around half a billion dollars on the roughly 42,000 illegal migrants in less than two yearsthis works out to about $12k per man, woman, and childwhich has manifested like this:

Many [migrants] have been given money for rent, food stamp cards and even cars  and some landlords have pushed out local African-Americans because they can get more government money for housing migrants.

Meanwhile black Chicagoans cant afford food, their property taxes are skyrocketing, their families are the casualties in gang violence making up endless statistics, and their children are locked into failing schools because Democrats care more about political support from teachers unions than holding anyone accountable for abysmal results.

The proof is in the pudding. Progressive Democrats hate impoverished black communities, but they (barely) tolerate them as a political strategy; well, all pretenses went out the window now that Democrats have imported millions of new voters.

We owe Kamala Harris a debt of gratitude for all the joy shes brought to the American people!

Image: Public domain.
Ready to shake and tremble?

Seems Ben Rhodes and 740 of his closest friends in the deep state have put their noggins together and came out with a big endorsement for Kamala Harris for president.

Through something called the National Security Leaders for America, Ben and his friends, led by retired Rear Admiral Michael E. Smith and a whole lot of other self-important entities, awash with titles, consultant contracts, and degrees, along with a few housewives there for being married to someone important, made their magisterial decision to endorse Kamala "the giggler" Harris for president of the United States.

Like we are supposed to be surprised.

The meat of their statement reads as follows:

We do not agree on everything, but we all adhere to two fundamental principles. First, we believe Americas national security requires a serious and capable Commander-in-Chief. Second, we believe American democracy is invaluable. Each generation has a responsibility to defend it. That is why we, the undersigned, proudly endorse Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States. This election is a choice between serious leadership and vengeful impulsiveness. It is a choice between democracy and authoritarianism. Vice President Harris defends Americas democratic ideals, while former President Donald Trump endangers them. We do not make such an assessment lightly. We are trained to make sober, rational decisions. That is how we know Vice President Harris would make an excellent Commander-in-Chief, while Mr. Trump has proven he is not up to the job. As leaders, we know effective leadership requires in-depth knowledge, careful deliberation, understanding of your adversaries, and empathy for those you lead. It requires listening to those with expertise and not firing them when they disagree with you. Vice President Harris has proven she is an effective leader able to advance American national security interests. Her relentless diplomacy with allies around the globe preserved a united front in support of Ukraines fight against Russian aggression. She grasps the reality of American military deterrence, promising to preserve the American militarys status as the most lethal force in the world.

They lost me at "serious and capable" to describe Kamala Harris, the stupid fool who let the border go to hell as hundreds of terrorists rolled in, and who lectured a room full of NATO dignitaries in Germany that Ukraine was "a country in Europe."

Sober and rational? Not them. More like "Trump-deranged" to the point that it affects their judgment.

As for Harris defending "democratic ideals" do they mean leaving the border wide open to all comers in complete contravention to U.S. law, or that time she kept prisoners in jail beyond their terms in order to use their labor to fight wildfires? Harris is about as lawless as such people come.

As for "in-depth knowledge, careful deliberation, understanding of your adversaries, and empathy for those you lead," they must be joking. Harris does none of those things, and with her 92% staff turnover, yes, she fires a lot of people who disagree with her.

The whole thing is ridiculous, given that they tried this earlier with the 51 "former intelligence officials" who lied that the Hunter Biden laptop had all the earmarks of a Russian disinformation operation, but which most of them knew very well was completely true.

Now this group is singing Harris's praises, for all that "in-depth knowledge" and "understanding" of America's adversaries. Fact is, she hasn't a clue about any of these things. She's nothing but a puppet for the deep state, and these once-important-long-ago non-entities have now stood up and allowed themselves to be counted.

It seems that Smith, who organized this petition, putting Rhodes in one of the signatories' slots, despite his reputation as a smarmy boob who authored the Iran deal and gave the Castro oligarchy normalized relations in exchange for nothing, has tried this before.

His bio says he organized a group of 780 bemedaled officials, apparently in the past, to come out against Trump. This time, he only got 741, including the housewives and Rhodes. Seems at least some of them are not coming to the phone.

It's likely a lot of these people are the authors of America's foreign policy failures like Afghanistan and the various messes with Hamas and the United Nations, as well as swamp things who feed at the trough of endless wars.

Clicking through the bios, one can see that they are married to each other, have lucrative post-government consulting contracts, work for big Pharma and other big businesses, use the revolving door in and out of government, proudly display all their many titles and degree and basically form the entire swamp establishment that President Trump is out to shut down.

So they get all pecksniff on us and use the language of democracy and military service to tell us the ridiculous Harris is somehow better than Trump, calling Trump "erratic" instead of unpredictable, an unpredictability that effectively kept our enemies at bay, not wanting to mess with him for fear of what he could do. Putin himself has said as much, happily endorsing Harris alongside Iran, the Cheneys, and these deep-state egos.

They can't stand that.

What an ugly picture. It's a good thing they came out of the woodwork for this. When they approach President Trump for a job in the next administration, he'll know who not to hire.

Image: White House Archives, via Picryl // public domain
JD Vance took heat for his observation that many prominent Democrats are childless cat ladies. Paraphrasing Shakespeare (Hamlet): The [cat ladies] doth protest too much, methinks.

Too much because its true that liberals tend to be cat people, whereas conservatives tend to favor dogs. This is very general of course, but nevertheless quantified. This extensive research delineates the contrasts:

Based on a large sample, we found that greater conservatism predicts less liking for cats and a greater preference for dogs over cats. [snip] Those with strong conservative views had more negative implicit associations with cats than those with strong liberal beliefs.

Im not surprised. Much research, summaries of which are compiled in this article, reveals that cats can be selfish, unfeeling, and environmentally harmful. They often use and manipulate their owners; they rarely show genuine affection (even their purring has questionable motives); they are an environmental nightmare, eviscerating our wonderful bird populations, and taunting endangered Western gray squirrels.

Um, selfish, unfeeling, and environmentally harmful reminds me of someone. Oh yeah, Democrats, to wit:

Selfish. Its well documented that conservatives, at an individual level, are much more giving than liberals. To JDs point, conservatives are more willing to sacrifice selfish desires to raise wonderful families. They are more pro-family.

Unfeeling. Liberals pretend to care about the masses, but when it comes to individual interactions and empathy, theyre all too often callous and catty.

Environmentally Harmful. At first, this may seem counterintuitive, but liberal policies, including building wind farms, kill hapless wildlife happening to be swimming or flying by on their wondrous migrations. Moreover, pausing liquefied natural gas exports, while importing dirty oil from Venezuela (and enabling more dirty Russian oil production), arent helpful. America has the technology to produce clean energy, if the Democrats would not cut off their nose to spite their face.

So give JD a break  he was really onto something. Its clear why so many catty Democrats are childless cat ladies: their shared traits include being selfish and unfeeling, with not one whit of authentic concern for the environment.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
When I saw this article, I thought how great this was for America:

Chicago Schools Tell Teachers to Pass Migrant Students Regardless of Performance A new report revealed that illegal immigrant children are receiving special treatment over U.S. citizen students in several schools within the district. WGN News reporter Sylvia Snowden said she spoke with multiple Chicago Public School teachers who admitted to passing illegal immigrant students after being instructed to give them a passing grade, even if that meant deliberately falsifying grades.

We are constantly told by the media, other Democrats, many economists, and businessmen about how great it is that migrants are coming into the country to take the jobs that Americans wont do, and to fulfill needs for high-skilled jobs.

But if teachers are told to pass migrants, no matter how poorly they do, how can we believe that migrants are good for America? If they dont learn to read, speak English, or do math, what economic value can they possibly bring? It looks like Democrats dont care if these people end up being dependent upon the government, which Democrats see as a permanent voting base.

Passing migrants despite lack of performance is no different than the way Chicago schools treat all their students. After thirteen years of public education, only about 25% can read, and only 18% can do math at grade-level. This also leads to generational poverty and dependence on the government, instead of utilizing capitalism and education to give poor children the opportunity to move up. From an Illinois Policy report:

About three-quarters of Chicago Public Schools students cannot read at grade level on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness in 2023. Nearly 83% did not meet proficiency in math.

It is no surprise that kids who are so poorly educated when they graduate from high school have trouble achieving good results. From the Chicago Sun-Times:

The 4 years fallacy: CPS students struggle to graduate from college in less than 6 years, UChicago study says Just 30% of Chicago Public Schools grads in the study who immediately went to bachelors degree-granting universities graduated in four years.

And what do Chicago teachers demand for these pathetic results? $50 billion dollars more.

And what are some of the things they need the money for? Well, abortions and migrants:

According to the document, CTU plans to demand an additional $50 billion in contract negotiations. Thats an additional $50 billion. These funds  to be extorted from already stretched taxpayers  will cover large annualized pay increases for staff, fully fund abortions for members, provide new services and accommodations for migrants, and more LGBT requirements for classrooms. Even as taxpayers tried to pick their collective jaws off the floor, the unions boss referred to the brazen leftist shakedown as being transformative. Consider this opportunity for transformation: 80% of 8th graders in union-controlled Chicago schools are not proficient readers. This shameful reality is not of interest to the union. They dont care about failing the children whose parents pay for the public schools. Johnny might not be able to read, but its time for his parents to pay up to make sure migrants are accommodated. The union also wants more taxpayer funds to go to migrants in its far-reaching plan  earmarking $2,000 to be given to each migrant to help with academics, transportation and mental health counseling. The union additionally wants each of the 646 public schools to have a newcomer liaison for new students as well as migrant students and unused school facilities to be converted into housing for migrants.

And what do Democrats, who have super majorities in both state chambers along with controlling all state offices and Chicago, do when the results are so poor? They remove school choice for poor children, including minorities, because they dont care about education:

Even as more Americans hunger for educational freedom, school choice is about the only thing that Illinois Democratic governor J. B. Pritzker wont throw money at. After initially feigning support for the Invest in Kids program, Pritzker refused to lift a finger this past week when Democrats in Springfield axed it from the state budget. Launched six years ago at the behest of Republican governor Bruce Rauner, the program allowed private citizens and businesses to receive a 75 percent income-tax credit for donating to a state scholarship fund. It resulted in thousands of Illinois students attending private schools, including more than 9,600 students served this year and more than 20,000 others on a waitlist.

Isnt it time for people posing as journalists and other Democrats to stop lying to the public saying they care about children, when results clearly dont matter?

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
A truism about police is that they usually arrive on the scene too late to stop a crime. This isnt their fault. When it comes to gun crimes, people first find safety and then call the police. In Chicago, though, the ShotSpotter system changed that dynamic. Monitors mounted on poles used technology to locate gunshots and notify the police. The system worked, but Chicagos hard-left mayor, Brandon Johnson, allowed the contract with ShotSpotter to expire. Although the mayor complains about the systems price (which he gets wrong) and about a corporation making money, his real problem is that its racist, because it mostly captures shootings in minority neighborhoods.

According to a September 9 report from a local Chicago news station, the Chicago Police Departments records showed that the ShotSpotter has helped capture criminals and save lives:

"ShotSpotter has accuracy rating, in current data period, 99%. That is not ShotSpotter data. That is Chicago police," said Public Safety Committee Chairperson Ald. Brian Hopkins. Broken down more specifically, this new Chicago police data shows gunfire generated nearly 30,000 ShotSpotter alerts in the first eight months of 2024. Roughly 75% of those alerts had no corresponding 911 call. [snip] Chicago police data shows since January of this year, police have responded two-and-a-half minutes faster to gunfire alerted only by ShotSpotter, in about 12 minutes, than the 14.5 minutes it takes officers to arrive when responding to a 911 call without a ShotSpotter alert. [snip] In response to those alerts, Chicago police data shows officers have aided 143 gunshot victims since January.

That last data point is especially interesting. It means that the police were probably able to save the lives of people who were unconscious or too badly injured to call for help.

ShotSpotter has helped police make several arrests simply because it allowed them to arrive at the scene of a shooting before the shooter escaped:

Our team reads hundreds of Chicago police reports every week. We can say with certainty that ShotSpotter alerts routinely result in the arrests of armed menand theyre almost always menafter shots are fired in the city.

Just recently, ShotSpotter proved its worth when it enabled police to get to the scene of a mass shooting (one dead, several wounded) in time to arrest a suspect. And while the article doesnt say, its entirely possible that the speed with which the officers arrived kept the shooting from being even deadlier.

Intriguingly, information from an analysis by the Cook County attorneys office is quite different. (The outgoing department head is Kim Foxx, a Soros prosecutor.) That office claims that the system helped only minimally in prosecuting gun violence cases, leading to arrests in just 1% of more than 12,000 incidents in five years. Given the $50 million contract, this cost almost $15,000 per arrest and slightly over $700,000 per conviction. That latter number, by the way, suggests a prosecutorial problem, not a ShotSpotter problem.

SoundThinker, which is ShotSpotters parent company, noted problems with the analysis:

The company said other factors need to be considered while pointing to the technologys key purposes: responding to gunfire thats not typically reported to 911; assisting victims; bolstering officer safety; helping cops collect evidence; building community trust. During its time in Chicago, SoundThinking said ShotSpotter has been credited with saving more than 125 lives and has led to the recovery of more than 3,000 illegal guns and over 25,000 pieces of evidence.

What seems to be the real problem for the Soros crowd, including Johnson, is the claim that the system, which records and locates the sound of gunshots, is racist: Community public safety groups argued that the system sends police officers to predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods for often unnecessary and hostile encounters.

Police leaders responded with the obvious point: They argue that crime rates  not residents race  determine where the technology is deployed.

Speaking of money, Mayor Johnson has a problem with a corporation getting money to stop Chicago crime:

They said. ... it would reduce gun violence by 50% and that this was going to make neighborhoods safer, Johnson said at an unrelated news conference Monday at Soldier Field. We cannot afford the interest of corporations to play off the pain and the suffering of the people of Chicago. The city spent $100 million for a walkie-talkie on a pole, and the reason why they said we needed it was to reduce gun violence, he added. It didn't do that.

In other words, corporate profiteering! However, the same report explains that the city had spent only $53 million on the system, meaning that Johnsons financial facts were off by almost 100%.

What really tells you about the systems efficacy, though, as compared to Mayor Johnsons bias, is that the City Council is opposed to his decision to scrap the system. Last week, it voted 33-14 to overturn that decision, the second time its done so. Yesterday, though, Johnson finally responded to the pressure to say hes put in an official request for a task force to investigate alternative options.

Johnson wont find any alternative options, of course, because theyll all end up being racist. Chicagos criminal elements and Chicagos minorities live in the same neighborhoods. If there are gunshots fired, its a good bet that theyre fired in a minority neighborhood with a minority hand on the trigger. (Harris-Biden illegal immigration is not helping the situation.) As Willie Sutton answered when asked why he robbed banks, Because thats where the money is. The same is true for Chicago gunshots.

Whats really racist is to allow your anti-racism to turn minority neighborhoods into war zones where good people of all colors cannot live safely and never know whether their children will make it through the streets alive.

Image by Andrea Widburg using a YouTube screen grab.
Kamala Harris should probably stay away from religion, from her own perspective at least, given her legislative and prosecutorial acts persecuting peoples of faith.

But here she is, out courting the Mormons for votes in Arizona, a state with a huge Mormon, or Church of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) presence.

According to the Associated Press:

PHOENIX (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris is stepping up her efforts to win over voters who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, enlisting prominent members of the faith to make the case in pivotal Arizona that Donald Trump does not align with the churchs values. Her state campaign announced on Thursday an advisory committee to formalize the outreach to current and former members of the church, widely known as the Mormon church. With nearly 450,000 church members in Arizona, about 6% of the states population, Latter-day Saints and former church members could prove critical in what will likely be an extremely close race.

She probably didn't count on running into Sen. Mike Lee, a conservative Republican, and LDS member from nearby Utah, who exposed her religious record on 'X.'

 1. A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote against any religious institution, including schools, universities, hospitals, and charities. The media doesnt want you to know about the Do No Harm Act. They wont ask her about it because they know the answer. https://t.co/6fQ0LtItRq  Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) September 22, 2024

Harris is not just a secular humanist in herself, with her pro-abortion values from it obvious enough, she has an actual executive and legislative record of persecuting others like a drunken Roman emperor who don't share her unholy brand of faith or her immoral values on abortion, the transgender ideology, Israel, or anything else that is sacred to peoples of faith.

Lee laid out her record point by point in his long Twitter thread and pinned it to the top of his page:

Foremost was her sponsorship of the 2018 "Do No Harm Act," her signature legislation in the Senate, and probably the only thing she actually did while she was there, which was all about forcing Christians and other peoples of faith who oppose abortion -- to perform abortions at religious clinics and crisis pregnancy centers or be charged with discriminating against women who want them.

It certainly would have shut down the Little Sisters of the Poor for refusing to promote, provide and pay for abortions at their hospitals.

No conscience exceptions, as if Harris would know what a conscience was anyway, everyone would be forced to do it whether they liked it or not.

It mercifully did not pass.

In that same year, she told a judicial nominee that his membership in the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men's service organization best known for its fish fry suppers and work with the poor and disadvantages, was disqualifying for any federal office based on its adherance to Catholic teaching on abortion. (Michael Gerson at the Washington Post has an even more damning description of that exchange.) In short, no believing Catholic should ever be allowed in government based on her abortion stance. That's pretty serious discrimination right there.

Nor does she respect any Constitutional protections.

According to an op-ed by Ashley McGuire in the New York Post:

Witness her stunning attack on the venerable Knights of Columbus in 2018, during Brian Bueschers nomination hearing for a federal judgeship. Then-Sen. Harris subtly criticized the charitable and fraternal organization for being an all-male society comprised primarily of Catholic men, then not-so-subtly slammed it for adhering to his faiths core  or extremist, to use her word  beliefs about life and family. She implied that Bueschers membership in the group basically made him unfit for the bench, setting up Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii to ask if the nominee would, if confirmed, end [his] membership with this organization to avoid any appearance of bias. Thats what they call a religious test for office, and its illegal. See the US Constitution, Article VI, for more on that. In short, Kamala Harris doesnt think Catholics, or any person whose religion conflicts with her political ideology, should hold public office.

McGuire pointed out that she also advocated other conscience-raping legislation, such as the Equality Act, forcing religious institutions to adopt the transgender ideology, and the FACT Act in California, which would have forced religious-based crisis pregnancy centers to refer clients to abortion clinics, but of course, not require Planned Parenthood, which performs abortions and then cuts up and effectively sells aborted babies for spare parts, to refer their clients to crisis pregnancy centers. It's all one way.

Combine this with her long California state record of prosecutorial abuses, such as withholding evidence that would have exonerated a man in a death penalty case, keeping black men imprisoned for petty crimes in prison beyond their terms in order to use their labor to fight wildfires, and using the Los Angeles Police Department as her personal bodyguards as she traipsed from party to party and the whole picture demonstrates that not only does she have no respect for religious faiths of any kind, she has no respect for law, either, and she's perfectly willing to use that brazen disregard for the law to get what she wants.

That's a grim picture for religious people and peoples of all kinds of faith, and any of them who vote for her are voting for their own persecution, their own Roman gladiator lions to maul them. It's shocking that the pope doesn't know this, as he equivocated between Trump and Harris, given Harris's long record of hatred for the Catholic Church.

She even insults Catholics further by playing pope for them, telling them they can be all for abortion and remain Catholics in good standing as if she had the pope's power to grant dispensations.

It's disgusting, a thoroughly reckless record against religious conscience and Constitutional rights, done over and over and over again. It makes one wonder why she's so adamant about this beyong the vote-getting power of it. One wonders if she has had a lot of abortions in her lifetime and wants justification or it.

Regardless of what it was, now she's playing Eddie Haskell with the Mormons, buttering them up for their votes, and thank goodness Mike Lee is there at the other end to lay out her bad record.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, via Picryl // public domain
Daiso opened its first store in San Antonio in the Alamo Ranch area this summer and is slated to open another store near Castle Hills this week. Paul Stephen/Staff

Shoppers hunting for bargains will soon have more options in the San Antonio area.

Japanese dollar store chain Daiso plans to open its second San Antonio store Saturday at 8523 Blanco Road in the Valley View shopping center. The 6,616-square-foot store near Castle Hills follows a store that opened in June to great fanfare in the Alamo Ranch area on the citys far West Side.

Daiso plans to open additional locations near Loop 410 and Texas 151 on the far West Side and at Jones Maltsberger Road and Thousand Oaks Drive on the North Side, according to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

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Texas-based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region, John Clarke, chief development officer at Daiso USA, said in a statement.

Ollies Bargain Outlet Inc. also is opening another store in San Antonio.

The Pennsylvania-based company bought a building at 2942 Old Thousand Oaks Road that previously was occupied by discount chain 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, which shuttered all 371 of its stores nationwide this spring. The Ollies store is slated to open Thursday and will be the chains fifth location in the area.

The company also is taking over former 99 Cents locations in McAllen, Houston and Dallas and said its thrilled to provide shoppers  with a treasure hunt experience where they can find a huge selection of brand name bargains at prices that wont break the bank.

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Several other discount stores have also opened new stores recently. Five Below opened a store at Wonderland of the Americas in Balcones Heights and Nordstrom Rack added a location at the Bandera Pointe shopping center.

San Antonios retail sector has been a bright spot in commercial real estate, with few vacant storefronts remaining dark for long.

The areas biggest shopping centers and malls were 95% full at midyear, unchanged from the end of 2023 and the highest level since Weitzman began assessing the market in the mid-1990s, according to a biannual report from the Dallas-based commercial real estate firm.

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Democrats are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, plastering swing states with mobile billboards calling Trump "a chicken" for declining to participate in another three-against-one presidential debate, such as was done earlier this month. Nobody with any brains would do a rigged show like that again, so Team Kamala's bid to call President Trump to debate with chicken images is pretty much like telling Trump to step right here onto this trap door for us and watch what comes next.

Sorry, pals, Trump isn't dumb.

Nor is Trump a coward. We all saw him after the first assassination attempt as if there were any question about it.

The authentic coward, in fact, is Kamala Harris.

According to the Associated Press:

PHOENIX (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris will skip this years Al Smith charity dinner in New York, breaking with presidential tradition so she can campaign instead in a battleground state less than three weeks before Election Day. The dinner benefitting Catholic Charities traditionally has been used to promote collegiality and good humor, with presidential candidates from both parties appearing on the same night and trading barbs. Harris team wants her to spend as much time as possible in the battleground states that will decide the election rather than heavily Democratic New York, a campaign official said Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss campaign plans and confirming a decision first reported by CNN. Her team told organizers that she would be willing to attend as president if shes elected, the official said.

Actually, she's probably afraid to go to that dinner, and for a number of reasons:

One, Trump may filet her with his barbs and mean-tweet humor. Kamala likes to break into peals of hyena laughter but she rarely says anything funny, so she would be no match for Trump on the humor front.

Two, she can't speak without a teleprompter, and this kind of freewheeling dinner is going to be very unscripted indeed.

As the New York Post notes in an editorial:

...more likely, its just her fear of having to be spontaneous: After all, she just bungled a friendly conversation with Oprah Winfrey, whos endorsed her.

Three, she's got an atrocious record with Catholic voters -- persecuting the Little Sisters of the Poor into paying for abortions, throwing pro-life activists into prison, ignoring horrible acts by Planned Parenthood, demanding absolute conformity to her wokester stance on transgender ideology, going into full Eddie Haskell mode telling faithful Catholics they can still be faithful Catholics by violating their consciences and supporting abortion like she does, which is pretty much the same as peeing down their legs and tell them it's raining. She's supported awful legislation violating religious freedom protections like her "Do No Harm Act" and her FACE Act, which would have forced crisis pregnancy centers to make abortion clinic referrals in contravention to their entire missions, once again, targeting people with consciences and running roughshod over their rights and freedoms.

More specifically, she's on record as illegally demanding a "religion test" against Catholic voters, claiming they are unfit to hold public office unless they are in favor of abortion same as her. She actually did that to a judicial nominee, Brian Buescher, who was a member of the Knights of Columbus, which is a large Catholic men's service organization that is best known for its fish fries, tossing this little Vyshinsky-style stink bomb, this little echo of Joe McCarthy at him.

According to National Review:

Several of those questions were posed by Harris herself, focusing especially on Catholic candidates. In late 2018, for instance, Harris grilled Brian Buescher, nominated to be a federal district judge in Nebraska, about his membership in the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization with more than 2 million members worldwide who conduct charitable work. Heres one of Harriss written questions to Buescher: Since 1993, you have been a member of the Knights of Columbus, an all-male society comprised primarily of Catholic men. In 2016, Carl Anderson, leader of the Knights of Columbus, described abortion as a legal regime that has resulted in more than 40 million deaths. Mr. Anderson went on to say that abortion is the killing of the innocent on a massive scale. Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed a womans right to choose when you joined the organization? She went on to ask whether Buescher was aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed marriage equality when you joined the organization and whether he had ever, in any way, assisted with or contributed to advocacy against womens reproductive rights.

According to Aaron Flanigan, writing in Amac, a Catholic group has taken out a series of television ads highlighting Harris's hideous record to voters in battleground states Arizona and Nevada, which includes a large Latino-Catholic bloc.

A simple Google search of Harriss record on Catholic issues brings her severe vulnerabilities with Catholic voters to light. Moreover, her partys unique vulnerability among Catholic votersparticularly Hispanic voters in key battleground states like Arizona and Nevadawas recently put on display in a series of TV ads produced by Frontiers of Freedom Action, which are now running in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The information-laden, fact-heavy ad kicks off by highlighting Democrat Senate candidates cruel war against the Little Sisters of the Poor (it notes that the senators provided the deciding votes in the Senate confirmation of Biden-Harris Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, a key player in the lefts persecution of the Catholic group. Sherrod Brown joined the Democratic Partys cruel war against them by giving the winning vote to the 23 Attorney Generals trying to force the sisters to violate their faith and pay for abortion pills, the ads narrator states in the Ohio version of the TV spot. The ad also notes prominent Democrat senators [read: Harris -ed] attempts to impose an unconstitutional religious test against Catholics nominated to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court and other roles within the federal judiciarya move that caused even prominent secular figuresincluding the president of Princeton Universityto speak out.

(Another Catholic group, CatholicVote, has a separate series of ads running in places like Pennsylvania on her support for taxpayer-funded "transition" surgeries on children.)

She's a nasty piece of work on Catholics who actually believe in the precepts of the Catholic faith but perfectly comfortable with those who wear their Catholicism like a skinsuit, the way Joe Biden does, in opposition to everything the faith stands for, jingling his rosary beads for the camera at campaign time.

No wonder she's hiding out from the Al Smith dinner.

The New York Post in its editorial notes that no one has done that, save for Walter Mondale, who lost his election to Ronald Reagan bigly.

Now she's running like Walter from the throes of all those dreaded Catholics she hates anyway at the Al Smith dinner. Good luck with that one, doofus.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
Liz Cheney is very, very, upset with the Republican Party. She'd like someone else to start another for her.

She's calling for this new party based on all her virtue and principle.

According to the New York Times:

Whether its organizing a new party  look, its hard for me to see how the Republican Party, given what it has done, can make the argument convincingly or credibly that people ought to vote for Republican candidates until it really recognizes what its done, Ms. Cheney said at the Cap Times Idea Fest in Madison, Wis. There is certainly going to be a big shift, I think, in how our politics work, she continued. I dont know exactly what that will look like. I dont think it will just simply be, well, the Republican Party is going to put up a new slate of candidates and off to the races. I think far too much has happened thats too damaging.

Good luck with that, Liz.

It's as bizarre and pathetic a suggestion as any she's ever made. Notice that she wants someone else to do it in her statement, as she can't be bothered to put in the work for such an impossible endeavor.

It's odd logic because normally you start a third party when you have some kind of popular groundswell for it. She has none. Would Democrats go for this third party? It's doubtful. Would Republicans? Probably even less so. Somehow, they're all in for Trump, and what's more, Trump is expanding his political tent, attracting new voters from political bases it had been thought Republicans could never attract -- blacks, Latinos, Asians, ex-Democrats, and more. So where she's going to get the base for this new party? Parties need voters, Liz.

Sure, there are a few neverTrumps out there, mostly the wretched remnants of the intellectual class that used to write for once-important journals like the Weekly Standard and some sections of National Review.

But Cheney's NeverTrumps are a pinched and ever shriveling group that hasn't managed to elect a single person to any office on the neverTrump agenda. There are neverTrumps in Congress, sure, but the loudest of them have already been drummed out by voters, including Cheney, who lost her congressional reelection race primary by a 30-plus-point margin, 66.3%-28.9%, while the rest simply hide it, pretending they are pro-Trump, until it matters.

The even more ridiculous thing about this Cheney idea beyond the lack of voters to join it is that it's been tried before -- by former Democrat Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

How did that attempt to form a third party work for him? While Liz keeps raving about the un-Constitutionality of the Republicans, claiming that they, not the Democrats, are the bad guy here, Kennedy saw the Democrats swoop right in to shut Kennedy's third party effort down, rigging votes and keeping him off the ballot, despite his significant groundswell of popular support. They did the same to third-party candidates Jill Stein and Cornell West despite their smaller and far less threatening bases of support.

Democrats don't fool around, they shut down third parties like the best of the dictator class wherever they find them.

How does she think her vaunted Democrats would deal with her new party idea now that they've got lots of practice shutting down third party candidacies?

Yet there she goes out and about calling the Republicans anti-democratic and anti-Constitutional despite the real anti-democrats being the party she now supports side by side with Vlad Putin, Iran, the Hollywood Diddy crowd, and smarmy Ben Rhodes.

Let's get into what this is really about: The Cheneys hate Trump because he effectively repudiated the entire Cheney agenda of endless wars, nationbuilding, consultant contracts, cronyism, and war profiteering which took over during the Bush administration.

That stings, that wounds the Cheney ego, because it was Liz's entire lifework. Cheney's hate for Trump is nothing but a personal grudge.

Yet Trump rose and won support from Republicans because they couldn't stand what the Republicans had become with Cheneys in power.

After that, Cheney took to anti-Trump crusading, which went over like a lead balloon to Wyoming's conservative voters, who threw her out of Congress with a big majority against her in the primary.

That's the Republican Party -- strong, fighting back, and utterly rejecting of Cheneyism and the neverTrumpism that it morphed into.

And she can't accept it. She not only hates Trump, she hate's Trump's voters, who are numerous. So now she wants to pick up her marbles and go home. Who she's going home to is anyone's guess -- the Republicans have united around Trump, and her belief that they would move over and unite around her is pure delusion.

Let's hope she gets bogged down in this nonsense given that she is clearly out of ideas and about as popular as turd in a punch bowl among the broad groundswell of Republican voters united behind Trump.

All that's missing are the voters, Liz.

Image: Screen shot from The Capital Times video, via YouTube
Another Democrat campaign built on lies? Color me shocked.

According to Joseph Simonsons new piece at The Washington Free Beacon, Sherrod Brown, the Democrat candidate for a senate seat in Ohio, recently released a campaign ad featuring (ostensibly) disenfranchised Republicans, conservatives so turned off by the extremeness of President Trump and his agenda to secure the border, restore law and order, and limit abortion to the second trimester (not exactly an abortion ban now is it?), that theyre going across the aisle.

But funny enough, at least one of the featured Republicans isnt actually who he claims to be; Republican voter David Vaziri has a long history of supporting Democrats, along with his wife Kelly, who is also featured in the ad. Heres what Simonson writes:

The two are registered Democrats with a history of supporting Brown and his partymates. Kelly Vaziri has donated more than $10,000 to Brown since 2017, public financial records show. Both Vaziris also voted in the 2022 Ohio Democratic primaries, when Brown wasnt on the ballot, according to voting records. The two went on to host a fundraiser that year for then-Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley. Kelly posted an ActBlue link on her Facebook page, asking her friends to consider donating to this historic campaign.

As Simonson also notes, Brown voted with Joe Biden a whopping ninety-eight percent of the time, but Ohio is Trump country (he easily took the state in 2016 and 2020) so naturally, the ad aims to convey a very moderate, middle America demographichence the Republican crossovers.

But, what kind of average Republican has $10,000 to drop into a single Democrat campaign?

What kind of average Republican votes in Democrat primaries, even when the outlier who supposedly brought them over (Brown) isnt on the ballot?

What kind of average Republican hosts fundraisers for Democrat gubernatorial candidates, and posts ActBlue links to their social media pages?

What kind of average Republican has a child who starts a woman-owned business hawking Biden merch, then donates the proceeds to the Biden campaign all to defeat Trump? (The Vaziris daughter did exactly that.) As Kelly Vaziri said, shed seen enough MAGA hats.

These people sound like (and look like) operatives, not organic Republican defectors.

Again, this is just one more Democrat campaign built on lies.

Barack Obamas campaign was built on lies about his personal life (go look up Larry Sinclair), his personal (Marxian) beliefs, and his birthplace?

Bidens 2020 campaign was built on lies about Hunters role in political dealings, his cognitive function, and his obvious corruption.

Harriss campaign is endless lies, from what shes said about fracking to her stance on using tax dollars to fund illegal aliens medical transitions, from her recitation of debunked narratives like very fine people to her Im a gun owner and anyone who comes into my house is getting shot charade.

Whats so ironic is that any conservative voter who is voting for Trump (like myself), who sincerely believes in the limited government principles of our founding (like myself), is actually voting Democrat this year, because Trump is a normal Democrat albeit from 20 years ago.

Image: Marc Nozell, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr, unedited.
The media repeats the talking point that humans and our use of natural resources causes warming without any data to show that its true.

Yet, when the Biden-Harris administration builds up the war chest of Iran, and wars and terrorism subsequently skyrocket, they cant seem to spot the correlation. We are falsely told how great it is that the adults are back running the show.

According to this piece at the WaPo, Israel is blocking the brilliant Biden administration from preventing a wider war. Somehow it is not Iran and the terrorists fault.

Israels clash with Hezbollah strains U.S. effort to prevent wider war The deadly explosion of pagers and walkie-talkies across Lebanon this week dealt another blow to President Joe Bidens beleaguered efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East, even as his top diplomats were present in the region reciting calls for calm.

The poor, beleaguered Biden administration has been working its tail off trying to get Israel to cave to a ceasefire as it is attacked from all sides by Iranian-supported terroristsheaven forbid that Israel respond to terrorism by destroying groups who pledge death to Israel!

Why dont we play a little game here?

Lets say that Iran, which pledges death to both the U.S. and Israel, decides to fund bases in Canada and Mexico that are filled with terrorists like Hamas and Hezbollah. Lets say that they start attacking and killing Americans from the north and south.

Should the U.S. response be de-escalation? Should we be obligated to sit down and negotiate a ceasefire with the terrorists? Should we ignore the reality that Iran is funding them? Should we forgo economic sanctions and allow them to continue to build their war chest by selling oil to China and elsewhere? That is what Biden, Harris, and much of the world is telling Israel to do while they are under constant attack.

Or should we obliterate them, and cut off the cash flow to Iran, which funds these escapades. That is what President Trump would do, because thats how he kept peace in the Middle East while he was in office.

We know what Obama-Biden did while they were in office. They spent a lot of time working to help Iran improve its finances because somehow, they trusted these tyrants.

We know what Obama-Biden did while Hezbollah was making a billion dollars a year running drugsObama obstructed justice by dictatorially ordering the Justice Department to let these dangerous criminals roam free and terrorize the U.S. and the world:

In its determination to secure a nuclear deal with Iran, the Obama administration derailed an ambitious law enforcement campaign targeting drug trafficking by the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah, even as it was funneling cocaine into the United States[.]

Did that appeasement make the world more or less safe? The answer is clear.

How many people have died from drugs or terrorism due to Obamas desire to work with Iran?

How many people at the Justice Department are culpable because they kept their mouth shut and didnt care about what was right? Were they more concerned about keeping their jobs than they were about protecting America?

How many of the 700 intelligence officers who are supporting Kamala Harris knew that Obama endangered America and the world?

Harris, Pelosi, Schumer, and Garland should be asked why it was O.K. for Obama to allow dangerous terrorists to roam the streets dealing drugs, since they say that no one is above the law? Why do people posing as journalists pretend that no one is above the law and that the Justice department under Democrats is not politicized?

The Biden-Harris administration has only made things worse in the Middle East as it has built up Iran and lectured Israel:

The US is more hands-off than usual in the Middle East. It fears making things worse The Biden administration is taking a more hands-off approach than usual during a week of dramatic escalation between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, with top U.S. officials holding back from full-on crisis diplomacy for fear of making matters worse.

Last week, Trump said Harris hates Jews, so the Democrat campaign workers at ABC trotted out Tim Walz to refute the charge. His response was to repeat the known lie about what Trump said at Charlottesville, and to claim without evidence, that Trump has repeatedly made antisemitic comments. Of course, the only example he gave was a debunked lie, and ABC didnt correct him because the destruction of Trump, not truth, is their goal.

Maybe ABC should have asked why Kamala repeatedly asks Israel to step back and why the Biden-Harris administration, along with the Obama-Biden administration, has worked so hard to build up the finances of Iran that funds the terrorists who seek death to Israel?

If ABC were an honest media outlet instead of a political arm of the Democrat party, it would have pointed out to Walz that

Trump was the president who kept the promise to move the embassy to Jerusalem, unlike previous presidents who made the same promise but didnt fulfill it;

Trump has a son-in-law and daughter who are Jewish;

Trump, with the great help of his son-in-law, secured the Abraham peace accords, which were making Israel and the Mideast safer;

Trump was cutting off Iran from resources which made the World, Israel, the U.S., and the Mideast safer.

In 1995, Trump opened up his private club in Palm Beach to Jews and blacks, which is something other clubs werent doing:

Trump used Mar-a-Lago as a private residence until 1995, when he turned it into a private club, open to anyone who could afford the $100,000 initiation fee. That made his club different from other Palm Beach clubs (only one was open to Jews). Trumps club was the first to accept African Americans and openly gay couples, according to the Washington Post.

(Those are not the acts of someone who is a racist or antisemite.)

Shouldnt the public be told the truth before they elect a dangerous, incompetent person like Harris?

Sadly, most of the media havent cared about the truth for a long time.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
The Springfield, Ohio, story is just the latest example of opening the border and its consequences. How do you expect a city of 40,000 to absorb 20,000 new residents? You can't, and the local reaction is exactly logical. Again, put yourself in their shoes and how would you react?

Senator Marco Rubio was on Face the Nation and explained this whole thing very well. Let's check out what he said:

I think one of the problems here is that somehow Americans who are not intolerant, they're not bigots, they're not --- but they are troubled by the fact that their city is being flooded. In Springfield, you see reports, these are legitimate reports of huge increases in traffic accidents leading to slower police response time, overcrowded schools. I mean the strain this puts on a community, and if you complain about it, somehow you're a bigot, you're a racist, you're a hater -- That is a story here that everyday Americans are being made to feel like they're haters because they're complaining about something al -- any of us would complain. If any of us, I don't care who we are, live in a city of 4,000 people, and you bring in 2,500 migrants overnight into one place, there are going to be problems there.

And that's right. As a legal immigrant and naturalized citizen, I understand how these people feel. Legal immigration is orderly for a reason. You must control how people come into the country, under what conditions and put them through common sense vetting.

So calling those folks in Springfield haters and bigots is totally unfair. Yet, it's what the other side does to avoid a real conversation about a problem created by them.

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

Image: AT via Magic Studio
Googles latest streaming device has already reached some end-users before its international availability. Quite a few social media users unboxed the new and powerful Google TV streamer and confirmed the contents of its retail box.

Google TV Streamer is already in stores around the world

Google announced its latest Android TV set-top-box called the Google TV Streamer, last month. The power-packed streaming device replaces the old Google Chromecast products.

The pill-shaped Google TV Streamer is similar to an Android TV box, unlike the Chromecast products, which were dongles. The new form factor packs a more powerful processor and offers Google AI integration, smart home functionalities, and the latest Google TV experience.

Google was to release the Android 14 set-top-box internationally on September 24. However, quite a few early adopters managed to buy the Google TV Streamer early, unboxed it, and posted photos online.

Multiple Reddit posts indicate the Google TV Streamer has reached stores in the UK, Germany, and Canada. Needless to say, it is an established practice to ship products early. This ensures they are available to customers on the launch day.

Google ships the Android 14 set-top-box without an HDMI cable

As the images reveal, Google has opted for simple yet clever packaging for the Google TV Streamer. The search giant has packed a power adapter, a voice remote, and a long USB-C to USB-A cable (1.8 M) along with the streaming device. According to a user, the streaming device has around 26GB of storage space free from the 32GB claimed capacity.

Google has placed each of the four pieces in a single tray, with two outer ones bending (at a right angle) to fit into the box, reported 9to5Google. According to Googles plastic-free packaging design guide, this packaging, allows the entire insert (or tray) to be removed as a unit with little to no risk of products falling out prematurely.

It is interesting to note that despite asking about $100 for the new Android 14 set-top-box, Google hasnt bundled an HDMI cable. This means users would have to repurpose an old one or buy a new HDMI cable.
The United States could take a new step in its trade restrictions policy against China. Recently, the government announced heavy tariffs on Chinese EVs. Now, a new report claims that the United States will soon propose a ban on Chinese software and hardware for connected vehicles.

The connected and autonomous vehicles segment is booming in the Asian country. Chinese companies have been developing connected and autonomous EVs for a long time, a sector where even Xiaomi has ventured. However, the United States government is responding with protectionist policies on the local market.

Washington may soon propose a ban on Chinese hardware and software for connected vehicles

Recently, Washington announced a severe 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. According to Reuters, the next step will be a proposal for a total ban on hardware and software used in connected vehicles. If it sounds familiar, its because the United States did the same thing years ago with Huaweis telecommunications equipment. The United States Department of Commerce could announce the measure on Monday.

As with Huawei, the US Department of Commerce will give connected vehicle manufacturers a period to adjust to the new law. The software ban would come into effect in 2027, while the hardware ban would do so in 2030. So, companies will have to look for replacements for components from other suppliers outside China. As is normal, this could have an impact on an overall increase in costs.

Chinese EVs have not yet entered the US market. Even so, there are companies, local and international, that use hardware and software components of Chinese origin. Searching for a replacement could disrupt their medium and long-term plans. Indeed, a trade group comprising prominent brands like Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors, and Hyundai cautioned about the challenges to overcome to locate replacements for all the targeted components.

Trade war impacting some big Chinese companies, but also American ones

The trade war has had a direct impact on more than just Huawei. TikTok is in the middle of a legal process that could lead to ByteDance, its parent company, divesting itself of its US division. In similar cases, Washington often uses the protection of national security as its main argument, although with TikTok it also added the protection of children. However, protectionist policies may also backfire on the US market.

Regarding the potential ban on software and hardware for connected vehicles, tech industry experts say that they may be too costly for companies operating in the US. Mobile carriers and internet providers also had to make huge investments to replace all Huawei equipment years ago. In the end, the measures may not achieve the desired effect for the US, as Chinese industry has sought ways to continue developing amid the tense environment. In related news, Google is working on a Gemini-powered Android Auto for an advanced navigation experience.
Verizon will be dealing with a couple of lawsuits from disgruntled customers. The company has been particularly busy lately, handling 5,000 worker layoffs and moving forward with the acquisition of Frontier. Now, Verizon must contend with a lawsuit pertaining to the use of voiceprints and another concerning website accessibility.

Verizon does not ask for consent to collect voiceprints, lawsuit says

Thelton George Parker Jr. and Steven Doyle filed the first lawsuit. They allege that the mobile carrier is violating Illinois data protection laws with its Voice ID feature. Voice ID is a biometric identification system that allows customers to access their Verizon accounts when they call. The system uses the customers voiceprint instead of a numeric password, making it more secure. However, the plaintiffs claim that the carrier does not correctly request prior authorization to capture and use voiceprints.

The Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) in Illinois mandates the use of additional layers of protection for voiceprints due to their potential for individual identification. State law mandates that companies provide customers with specific information about the handling of their data, including its use and duration of storage. The law also requires companies to request consent from customers. According to the plaintiffs, Verizon should have sent them a written request to consent to the recording and use of their voiceprints.

Its unclear whether the lawsuit against Verizon over voiceprint use can go very far. Voice ID is our biometrics system that uses your voice, with your consent, to help authenticate your account when you call Verizon, reads the services support page. So, it appears Verizon does obtain customer consent in some form. Also, the same support page includes a How long does Verizon keep my voiceprint? section. So, another of the plaintiffs allegations would be invalid.

Carrier sued over accessibility issues on its website too

Parker Jr. and Doyle are not the only disgruntled Verizon customers. Derek Pollitt, a legally blind person, is also suing the mobile carrier. Pollitt believes Verizons website is very unfriendly to people with visual impairments. The plaintiff asserts that Verizon designed the website entirely with a visual focus. Verizon allegedly didnt resort to technologies such as alternative text, accessible forms, descriptive links, resizable text, and limited usage of tables and JavaScript. As a result, Pollitt was unable to purchase a phone through Verizons website himself.
Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net.

Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023.
A five-month-old baby girl has been found safe and well following a car hijacking in Dublin.

Irish police said they had serious concerns that there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of the girl and issued an urgent Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) alert just before 4pm on Monday.

The car, a silver Nissan Qashqai hatchback, had last been seen prior to the alert in Mountjoy Square in the capitals city centre at around 1.50pm on Monday.

We are urgently requesting your assistance in locating a missing vehicle, Silver Nissan Qashqai Hatchback: 10-D-21328. This vehicle was last seen in the Mountjoy Square area of Dublin at 1:50pm. Do not to approach the vehicle. Report any info or sighting by calling 999/112. pic.twitter.com/S2WGAn5XsI  Garda Info (@gardainfo) September 23, 2024

Gardai said the car was hijacked by a man who was not known the girl or her family.

Members of the public were asked not to approach the vehicle and were instead instructed to report any information or sighting by calling 999 or 112.

Shortly before 4.20pm, gardai cancelled the CRI alert and announced that she had been found safe and well in Dublin City Centre.

They added: We would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.
Thousands of children will get access to free breakfast clubs from April under plans set out by Rachel Reeves as she sought to offer a more optimistic vision in her first Labour conference speech as Chancellor.

Ms Reeves confirmed up to 750 schools in England would be offered the chance to take part in the first stage of the process next year.

The Chancellors speech, a little over a month before her first Budget on October 30, was an attempt to strike a more optimistic tone about the UKs economy after months of gloomy messages about the inheritance she was left by the Tories.

She said: I will judge my time in office a success if I know that at the end of it there are working-class kids from ordinary backgrounds who lead richer lives, their horizons expanded, and able to achieve and thrive in Britain today.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Peter Byrne/PA)

That starts by taking the first steps on delivering another manifesto commitment, our promise, led by our Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, to introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school across England.

Today, I can announce that that will start in hundreds of schools for primary school-aged pupils from this April ahead of the national rollout, an investment in our young people, an investment in reducing child poverty, an investment in our economy.

The plan was backed by 7 million of funding and the Department for Education would work collaboratively with schools, businesses and charities to test the delivery of the breakfast club programme ahead of the wider national rollout.

A spokesman for the Chancellor said the pilot would cover the period between April and July in the 2025 summer term before its expansion as soon as possible, potentially as early as September.

He played down suggestions that Ms Reeves speech had been an attempt to reset the dial with a brighter tone or that there had been a danger of discouraging investment with too much pessimistic messaging about the state of the economy.

But he conceded it had been an effort to show what the prize (is) at the end of this.

We had to be honest about the scale of the challenge the speech is not a response to that, but it was answering the question what is the hard work for? the spokesman said.

The speech follows a row over Ms Reevess decision to means-test winter fuel payments, stripping the handouts worth up to 300 from millions of pensioners.

Ms Reeves insisted that her plans would not amount to the return of Tory-era austerity.

Because I know how much damage has been done in those 14 years, let me say one thing straight up: there will be no return to austerity. Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services and for investment and growth too, she said.

Yes, we must deal with the Tory legacy and that means tough decisions but I wont let that dim our ambition for Britain.

So it will be a budget with real ambition, a budget to fix the foundations, a budget to deliver the change that we promised, a budget to rebuild Britain.

The Chancellors speech was briefly disrupted by a heckler complaining about arms sales to Israel.

As the protester was hauled away by security, Mr Reeves said: This is a changed Labour Party, a Labour Party that represents working people, not a party of protest.

Campaign group Climate Resistance claimed responsibility for the protest.

Ms Reeves still faces lingering anger over her decision to limit winter fuel payments only to pensioners on pension credits or certain other benefits.

Some of Labours biggest union backers are behind a conference motion demanding a U-turn on the measure, which is expected to be considered on Wednesday.

I know that not everyone in this room or in the country will agree with every decision that I make, the Chancellor said.

I will not duck those decisions, not for political expediency, not for personal advantage.

Faced with that 22 billion black hole that the Conservatives left this year and with the triple lock ensuring that the state pension will rise by an estimated 1,700 over the course of this Parliament, I judged it the right decision in the circumstances that we inherited.

Rachel Reeves was speaking during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

The Unite and CWU unions, which have tabled motions calling for the policy to be ditched, are furious that a debate on their demands was not scheduled for Monday alongside the Chancellors speech.

Sharon Graham, Unites general secretary, told the PA news agency: Right now it is fair to say that the Labour leaders have tried to silence the voice of pensioners, workers and communities at party conference, in this blatant manoeuvre to block debate on winter fuel cuts and the departure towards austerity mark two.

Dave Ward, general secretary of the CWU, said he was really disappointed that the debate on the winter fuel allowance had been put back to Wednesday.

It should have been heard today, he told PA.

We will continue to campaign for the policy to be reversed whatever the outcome of the vote.

We dont accept that it is good economics or the right policy for the Labour Party to be pursuing.

Campaigners said breakfast clubs alone would not address child poverty.

Becca Lyon, head of UK child poverty at Save the Children UK, said: If the Chancellor is serious about helping working-class kids from ordinary backgrounds lead richer lives, then they need to remove barriers like scrapping the two-child limit to Universal Credit.

Child Poverty Action chief executive Alison Garnham said: Breakfast clubs are a welcome start but meeting Labours ambition to end child poverty will need much more from this government.

And even with a pledge of no return to the past, austerity is the reality for more and more children as theyre hit by the two-child limit. The policy must be scrapped  and soon  if the Government is to deliver on its mission to reduce child poverty.

Shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: The last few months  and todays speech  were a big opportunity to set out plans to grow the economy. The Chancellor once again wasted it with discredited attacks on the Opposition.

That is not governing  and business confidence is now vanishing as a result.
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.
Police seizures of illegally modified electric bikes (e-bikes) soared in the past year amid concerns their speed and weight present a lethal threat to pedestrians, an investigation has found.

Forces across the UK confiscated 937 e-bikes in the year to August 11, according to Freedom of Information (FoI) figures obtained by the PA news agency.

That is compared with 511 during the previous 12 months.

Under UK law, e-bike motors must cut out when a speed of 15.5mph is reached.

But police are increasingly finding many have been modified to reach much faster speeds.

It is also common for officers to find e-bikes that can be powered without the pedals being turned, effectively making them electric mopeds or motorbikes which must be registered and taxed.

Conversion kits are available online for as little as 300.

City of London Police recently seized an e-bike capable of reaching 70mph, which featured an electronic display indicating it had covered more than 6,000 miles.

During another operation outside London Liverpool Street railway station earlier this month, it took officers just minutes to catch a rider using an illegal e-bike.

The e-bike had a motor with a maximum power output was 500 watts  twice the legal limit  as well as severely worn out tyres and a bundle of loose electric wires stored in a soaking wet pouch.

An officer at the scene described it as a death trap, adding: This could easily kill him or someone else.

E-bikes are a common form of transport for food delivery workers (Jonathan Brady/PA)

No action was taken against the rider  a food delivery worker  but his e-bike was confiscated and will likely be destroyed.

Twenty-seven out of 46 police forces provided data in response to PAs Freedom of Information requests.

Among the forces with the largest year-on-year increases in e-bike seizures were Wiltshire Police (from 24 to 64), Police Scotland (from 60 to 233), Derbyshire Police (from four to 23), Northumbria Police (from 18 to 58) and South Wales Police (from 66 to 137).

Some forces said their figures related to all e-bike seizures, while others specified their statistics were for illegal e-bikes.

The overall 83% rise in e-bike confiscations suggested by the investigation underplays the true scale of the surge, as some forces did not provide comparable figures.

These include City of London, which alone confiscated 295 in the year to August 11  more than all other forces that provided data  but could not issue a total for the previous 12 months.

Acting Sergeant Chris Hook, who is part of the leadership team within the forces cycle unit established in July 2023, explained that a broad spectrum of people ride illegally modified e-bikes, such as commuters, food delivery workers and criminals snatching phones.

He said: The high speed and power of these vehicles means theyre ideal for riders to come in, take the phone and get away before the victim knows whats happened.

The speed and weight of illegally modified e-bikes also massively heightens the danger for pedestrians involved in collisions, Acting Sgt Hook said.

The heaviest one Ive seen was in excess of 50kg. That bike (could reach over) 60mph.

If that impacts with somebody, its likely to cause either serious injury or, God forbid, death.

City of London Police has a compound for confiscated e-bikes (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Acting Sgt Hook said people caught riding an illegally adapted e-bikes could face prosecution for a variety of offences such as not having insurance and number plates.

But on most occasions, the only action taken is to destroy their vehicle.

This keeps them and the public safe, and going beyond that doesnt feel reasonable, he added.

Tanya Braun, director of policy and communications at walking charity Living Streets, said illegally modified e-bikes used on pavements pose the same danger and provoke the same fear as a motorbike coming up alongside a pedestrian.

She stressed the need for properly resourcing community policing to support enforcement of e-bike laws, and for awareness of the safety hazard the vehicles create so users know what it is they are buying.
Emma Raducanu has been forced to pull out of this weeks China Open due to a foot injury.

The British number two had to withdraw from her match against Daria Kasatkina at the Korean Open last week.

Raducanu qualified for the main draw in Beijing having recently boosted her ranking to 54 in the world.

Hello, last week in Seoul i sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need some more time to heal. It means i cant play in Beijing but I hope to be back competing as soon as i can   Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) September 23, 2024

But in the latest of a long line of frustrating injuries, the former US Open champion has had to drop out of the tournament.

The 21-year-old wrote on X: Hello, last week in Seoul I sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need some more time to heal.

It means i cant play in Beijing but I hope to be back competing as soon as i can.

Injuries have dogged Raducanu since her shock triumph at Flushing Meadows three years ago and she spent much of 2023 recovering from surgery to her wrists and ankle.
Formula One drivers are set to hold crunch talks to determine whether they take on FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem after Max Verstappen was hit with a community service order for swearing.

Verstappen said the FIAs move to sanction him for describing his Red Bull as f***** in a televised press conference to preview the Singapore Grand Prix could hasten his departure from the sport.

Verstappen, 26, effectively boycotted the governing bodys mandatory post-qualifying media call on Saturday in response to his punishment and then kept his answers to a minimum after he finished second in the race.

Max Verstappen has been penalised for swearing in a press conference (David Davies/PA)

Lewis Hamilton has urged Verstappen to ignore the penalty  the details of which are yet to be finalised by the FIA  while Lando Norris, who trails Verstappen in the standings by 52 points following his win in Singapore, said it was unfair and he didnt agree with any of it.

Alex Wurz, who competed for Benetton and Williams and now chairs the Grand Prix Drivers Association, said: As GPDA chairman, I have to officially say that we will of course discuss it internally, first reach a full consensus and then we will consider whether, and in what form, we will talk to the FIA and the president.

In an interview with Formel1.de, the 50-year-old Austrian continued: How many lifetime community services would (former Haas team principal) Guenther Steiner have to serve for using the F-word?. He was glorified for using the F-word.

Netflix broadcast this worldwide, no problem. But then to suddenly change like that?

Drivers have to be allowed to express themselves authentically to some extent. Of course, it shouldnt be personally offensive and it shouldnt be discriminatory either. For me, the penalty is too severe.

Verstappens punishment was served up 24 hours after Ben Sulayem claimed the grids stars had a responsibility to stop swearing on the radio.

I wonder how many days of community service Guenther would get pic.twitter.com/G7ikK2HJMl  alex wurz (@alex_wurz) September 22, 2024

Emirati Ben Sulayem, 62, also said the drivers should not act like rappers  a remark Hamilton said carried a racial element to it.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he did not ask Verstappen to tone down his language on the radio during Sundays race.

Max has made his feelings clear, said Horner. Of course, all of these drivers are role models but this is language that is used in everyday life.

It should perhaps have been dealt with slightly differently and that would have avoided any awkwardness.

This is a driver (for whom) English is not his native tongue. We have seen members of of the Royal family telling photographers to take a f****** photo, so reactions need to be relative.
Britains biggest building society will lend first-time buyers up to six times their income, increase the maximum amount that people can borrow and cut some mortgage rates from Tuesday.

Nationwide Building Society will increase the maximum loan-to-income (LTI) ratio through its Helping Hand mortgage range from Tuesday.

The mortgage will give people with a deposit as low as 5% the option of borrowing up to six times their income when taking a five or 10-year fixed-rate.

The Societys standard lending maximum is 4.5 times income and it has previously offered a maximum multiple of 5.5 for first-time buyers taking out a Helping Hand mortgage.

Sole applicants for a Helping Hand mortgage need a minimum income of 30,000, while joint applicants need a combined income of at least 50,000.

The increased maximum loan-to-income ratio means a first-time buyer couple with a joint income of 50,000 can now potentially borrow up to 300,000, assuming deposit and that no other costs affect affordability.

The society said that applications will continue to be subject to robust underwriting checks, including full assessments of credit scores and additional credit commitments.

Nationwide is also increasing its maximum loan sizes for borrowers above 75% LTV (loan-to-value)  which could be of particular interest to first-time buyers as for those with a deposit as low as 5%, the maximum is being increased from 500,000 to 750,000.

It pointed to UK Finance data showing around 5% of house purchase loans were for over 500,000 in the six months to June 2024.

The society is also cutting mortgage rates from Tuesday.

First-time buyer rates will be reduced by up to 0.31 percentage points and the Society will offer a sub-5% rate to borrowers with a 5% deposit.

The refreshed range includes a five-year fixed-rate for borrowers with a 5% deposit at 4.99%, reduced by 0.05 percentage points. The product has a 999 fee.

A 10-year fixed rate deal with no fee at 4.69%, reduced by 0.31 percentage points, will be available for people with a 25% deposit.

The Society said that, since 2021, it has lent more than 7.5 billion through Helping Hand, with around 40,000 borrowers using it to get onto the property ladder.

Debbie Crosbie, Nationwides chief executive, said: Helping Hand has supported around 40,000 people onto the property ladder since we launched it three years ago.

We want to do more and are boosting the scheme to six times income and increasing the maximum loan size.

Nick Mendes, a mortgage expert from broker John Charcol, described the announcement as a game-changer for first-time buyers.

He said: This increased borrowing power can make all the difference for aspiring homeowners, especially in a challenging market where property prices often feel out of reach.

David Hollingworth, associate director, communications at L&C Mortgages, said: Building an adequate deposit is hard enough especially when the available mortgage borrowing is capped, and prices remain high.

Opening the potential for higher borrowing amounts for the right borrowers will help target the twin challenges that first-time buyers face across the UK. Using the existing experience and success of Helping Hand to further enhance the maximum multiple will give more prospective first-time buyers the hope that ownership can become a reality.

Nationwide said take-up of the Helping Hand mortgage so far has been particularly high in London and the South East, where house prices are often relatively high.

Matt Smith, a mortgage expert at Rightmove, said Nationwides changes are likely to be particularly beneficial in areas such as London and the South East where house prices are often higher  and currently the average asking price of a home is more than five times the average salary of two people.

Mr Smith said: Weve been highlighting affordability as a key issue facing first-time buyers this year and calling for innovations that help overcome these challenges in a responsible way.

We welcome this move and hope this is the start of a new and accelerated wave of support for first-time buyers. The timing of this announcement will be welcomed by many first-time buyers, as were seeing a much more active housing market than at this time last year, with buyer demand increasing into the traditionally busy autumn season.
A man has been jailed after fraudulently receiving a 50,000 government-backed Covid loan to help pay a 72 million court order linked to a previous fraud case, police said.

Gerald Smith, 69, was imprisoned for 18 months over the bounce-back loan after he spent 22,000 of it on court fees relating to a 2006 fraud case he was involved in, City of London Police said.

He also spent the money on a lavish lifestyle of eating at Mayfair restaurants and purchasing designer clothes, Apple products and flights abroad, the force added.

Bounce-back loans were issued to support UK businesses during the pandemic and applicants could request up to 50,000.

They would apply to a nominated lender and the funds were guaranteed by the government.

Smith, of Southampton Row in Bloomsbury, central London, applied for 50,000 using the name Ian Dunbar, who was listed as a director of Arcana Solutions, the force said.

The funds were paid out by Arcana Solutions and signed by electronic signature as Ian Dunbar, it added.

Officers found Ian Dunbar and Smith were the same person and he was arrested in 2022.

The force said he remained silent throughout all questions put to him after his arrest.

Detective Inspector Andrea Bakewell, from the fraud operations team at City of London Police, said: When many businesses were struggling to keep their head above water during the Covid pandemic, criminals were making use of the financial aid on offer.

Gerald Smith was jailed for eight years after he stole more than 34m from a computer software company in Berkshire (PA)

Gerald Smith demonstrated an incredible degree of manipulation, conceit and greed as he exploited the bounce-back loan scheme offered by the government.

This level of exploitation during one of the hardest periods this country has ever faced is something we will not tolerate.

In 2006, Smith pleaded guilty to stealing more than 34 million that belonged to a software firm called Izodia, based in Slough, Berkshire, after an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.

He had acquired a stake in the company through his Jersey-based firm Orb Group and transferred more than 34 million of Izodia cash assets to Jersey which he used for himself, City of London Police said.

Smith was given an eight-year jail term in 2006 and a judge made a confiscation order of about 40 million in 2007.

He owes more than 72 million after interest, the force said.
The Duke of Sussex has kicked off a run of high profile appearances in New York, as he joined the charity set up in memory of his late mother to discuss the global mental health crisis facing young people.

Harry is championing causes close to his heart and those associated with Diana, Princess of Wales on the solo east coast trip with two days of events in the Big Apple during UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week.

The Kings youngest son took part in a panel on Monday with the Diana Award, which was set up in honour of the princess and marks its 25th anniversary this year.

Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex will join the CEO of The Diana Award, Dr. Tessy Ojo, CBE, for a conversation on youth mental health at the 14th Concordia Annual Summit! Read more here: https://t.co/7qGlB8ZB9v pic.twitter.com/ZZa3zJE7in  Concordia (@ConcordiaSummit) September 9, 2024

Harry joined the charitys chief executive Tessy Ojo and two winners of the Diana Legacy Award, Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang, 18, from Indonesia, and Christina Williams, 27, from Jamaica.

Dr Ojo said ahead of the event: The Diana Award is delighted to put young people centre-stage at The Concordia Annual Summit in New York alongside Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.

There is reason to have hope. When empowered and given the tools to unlock their potential, we know young people can lead the positive change the world needs.

The Duke of Sussex turned 40 on September 15 (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

On our 25th Anniversary, this event gives us the platform to share our insights and launch our ambitious plan for the next decade.

Harry is following this later with an appearance for the Halo Trust, the landmine clearance charity supported by Diana, and then a private engagement with conservation group African Parks.

The duke, who celebrated his milestone 40th birthday a week ago, is forging ahead with his charity work after describing how fatherhood has given him a renewed sense of purpose to make this world a better place.

He is one of the star guests with former US president Bill Clinton on Tuesday morning where he will discuss finding solutions to global challenges.

Harry is to appear with former US president Bill Clinton on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA)

Harry will join Mr Clinton, the former presidents daughter Chelsea Clinton, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, US broadcaster Katie Couric and primatologist Jane Goodall at a session called Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Clinton Global Initiatives annual meeting.

Other events on Tuesday see the duke focus on Lesotho, the impoverished southern African country where he set up his Sentebale charity to support Aids orphans, and the Travalyst organisation, which aims to encourage the tourism sector to become more sustainable.

Harry is travelling to the UK for the WellChild annual awards next Monday.

The Diana Award event was part of the Concordia Summit, the largest nonpartisan forum alongside the UN General Assembly.
All Irish soldiers on a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon are safe and accounted for, Irelands Defence Forces said.

Irelands premier Simon Harris has said they are closely monitoring the situation involving Irish troops.

Israel launched its deadliest and most intense barrage against Hezbollah in nearly a year on Monday in strikes that have killed more than 180 people in Lebanon.

Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign against the militant group.

Oglaigh na hEireann confirmed that all its personnel deployed in Lebanon are safe and accounted for and are actively monitoring the evolving situation.

It added: Despite the increased tensions and volatility in the region, particularly within the area of operations for the 124 Infantry Battalion, framework operations continue where possible.

The safety of our personnel remains a priority as they continue to promote peace and stability in the region. Our troops continue to demonstrate their commitment to their mission, working to uphold security and cooperation in this challenging environment.

It thanked the families and friends of its personnel for their steadfast support throughout this deployment.

Update following most recent developments in Lebanon Oglaigh na hEireann can confirm that all personnel currently deployed in Lebanon are safe and accounted for. Following concerning developments along the Blue Line in recent days, the Defence Forces, in coordination with pic.twitter.com/T9mKXHKNBe  Oglaigh na hEireann (@defenceforces) September 23, 2024

The Taoiseach said he was deeply concerned by the escalation of military actions on the Israeli-Lebanon border and called on all sides to pull back from the brink of all-out war.

Mr Harris said: I am extremely concerned by the overnight bombardment of southern Lebanon, the massive loss of life reported there and the spectre that now arises of a second catastrophic front in the war in the Middle East.

Mr Harris said that he is closely monitoring the situation with Irish troops.

The Government is receiving regular updates, and the Chief of Staff and Defence Forces are in constant contact and monitoring developments. Our troops in Unifil are well trained and their safety is our main concern, he added.

The Taoiseach will meet a number of heads of government and state from the Middle East at the UN.
By Ari Rabinovitch and Maya Gebeily

JERUSALEM, BEIRUT (Reuters) - Residents of southern Lebanon received calls from a Lebanese number ordering them to immediately distance themselves 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) from any post used by Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, a Reuters reporter in the south said.

The Reuters reporter received the call on Monday. In his televised statement earlier, the Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari issued a similar warning and said it was being "distributed in Arabic on all networks and platforms in Lebanon."

The Israeli military, meanwhile, launched its most widespread wave of airstrikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah in nearly a year of conflict, simultaneously targeting Lebanon's south, eastern Bekaa valley and northern region near Syria.

Asked by reporters about a possible Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon, Hagari said "we will do whatever is needed" in order to return evacuated residents of northern Israel to their homes safely, a war priority for the Israeli government.

The latest attacks came amid some of the heaviest cross-border exchanges of fire in a conflict raging alongside the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Hagari said that Hezbollah over the years has stashed weapons, including cruise missiles, in houses and buildings throughout southern Lebanon, and called on residents to stay away from these sites.

Hagari presented in a media briefing an aerial video of what he described as Hezbollah operatives trying to launch cruise missiles from a civilian house in Lebanon, and the subsequent Israeli strike moments before it was launched.

"Hezbollah is endangering you. Endangering you and your families," Hagari said.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, Tom Perry and Maya Gebeily in Beirut; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Stephen Coates and Sharon Singleton)
Products featured in this Yahoo article are selected by our shopping writers. We will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

John Lewis has an epic line-up of alcohol advent calendars this year. (John Lewis / Yahoo Life UK)

John Lewis is showing no sign of slowing down as far as Christmas is concerned, with the launch of not one, not two, not three, but four alcohol advent calendars to choose from this year. With a particular pick set to fly off the shelves in anticipation of the festive season: John Lewis's 100 Wine Advent Calendar.

Inside, there's a mix of 24 miniature bottles of vino, giving you a chance to taste some of the retailer's favourite wines across red, white and rose categories.

John Lewis Wine Advent Calendar Get treated to 24 miniature bottles of vino across white, red and rose in the lead up to Christmas. 100 at John Lewis

Perfect for wine lovers, it can be used to countdown to the big day, for stocking up ahead of the festive season in general, or even as a gift to your wine-loving best friend.

Packaged in a large cardboard advent box with 24 little windows and a festive print on the front, expect to discover wines from brands like Founders Stone, D'Vine Angels, Freixenet, La Vielle Ferme and more. Plus, newer names such as Nice Drinks, which is the only wine that comes in a handy can.

If wine is your drink of choice, this boozy advent calendar is perfect for you. (John Lewis)

100 at John Lewis

What's inside John Lewis's Wine Advent Calendar?

Alma Terramater Sauvignon Blanc 187ml, 13% ABV

Altaria Merlot 187ml, 12.5% ABV

Dos Condores Merlot 187ml, 12.5% ABV

D'Vine Angels Pinot Grigio 187ml, 10.5% ABV

Founders Stone Chardonnay 187ml, 13% ABV

Founders Stone Merlot 187ml, 13.5% ABV

Founders Stone Shiraz 187ml, 12.5%ABV

Hacienda Calidad Malbec 187ml, 13% ABV

Yarra Creek Chardonnay 187ml, 12.5% ABV

Founders Stone Pinot Grigio 187ml, 10.5% ABV

Freixenet Pale Rose 187ml, 11.5% ABV

Orario Pinot Grigio 187ml, 13% ABV

Pink Fox White Zinfandel 187ml, 11% ABV

Valle Condor Cabernet Sauvignon 187ml, 13% ABV

Silver Creek Chardonnay 187ml, 13% ABV

Silver Creek Shiraz 187ml, 13.5% ABV

McGuigan Black Label Shiraz 187ml, 13.5% ABV

La Vielle Ferme Rose 187ml, 12.5% ABV

Waters Edge Chardonnay 187ml, 12.5% ABV

Waters Edge Merlot 187ml, 13.5% ABV

Waters Edge Pinot Grigio 187ml, 10.5% ABV

Waters Edge Sauvignon Blanc 187ml, 13% ABV

Nice Drinks Pale Rose 187ml, 12% ABV

Yarra Creek Shiraz 187ml, 13.5% ABV

Available to shop now at 100 from John Lewis, we suggest placing your order ahead of it selling out, just as it has in previous years.

Shop now: Wine Advent Calendar | 100 from John Lewis

Shop now

If you prefer sparkling wine, John Lewis is also selling a a Fizz Advent Calendar which features 24 miniature bottles of bubbly for 145. The ultimate way to celebrate Christmas, it spotlights wines from big names like Bottega, Charles Mignon, Freixenet and more.

John Lewis Fizz Advent Calendar Behind each window, you'll find a selection of 13 different varieties of sparkling wine  from Prosecco to Champagne, Moscato to rose  that can each be enjoyed as a solo evening treat or weekend indulgence. 145 at John Lewis

The excitement doesn't stop at wine and fizz, either, with the relaunch of John Lewis's hugely popular Beer & Snacks Advent Calendar. Behind each window you'll find a range of complimentary beers and snacks from brands and breweries up and down the country, including Cold Bath Brewing Co, Toast, Harviestoun Brewery and Keith Brewery.

John Lewis Beer & Snacks Advent Calendar Containing 14 glass bottles of beer and 10 snack packets, it's arguably the tastiest and most refreshing way to spend the Christmas countdown. 80 at John Lewis

And finally, there's even a Cocktail Advent Calendar complete with a mix of 24 cans and bottles of premium, pre-mixed cocktails, each carefully chosen (and tasted) by the team at John Lewis, with highlights from the likes of Moth Cocktails, Funkin and East London Liquor Co.

John Lewis Cocktail Advent Calendar Enjoy a total of 24 pre-mixed, premium cocktails every single day in December. 125 at John Lewis

Always drink responsibly. Visit Drink Aware for advice.
Labours revival is only half written, the partys Scottish leader Anas Sarwar said as he set his sight on becoming the countrys next first minister in 2026.

Claiming that Scotland had been stuck with two incompetent governments, Mr Sarwar said that Labours victory in Julys general election had removed the Tories from power.

But, as he hit out at two decades of SNP failure north of the border, he said Scottish Labour would finish the job and oust them from power in Holyrood at the next election.

Thats the next stage of change for Scotland, Mr Sarwar told the Labour Party conference.

Addressing the UK-wide gathering in Liverpool, Mr Sarwar said: The story of Labours revival is only half-written.

He told party supporters: For lots of you, there was only one incompetent government to get rid of.

But in Scotland we were stuck with two.

So, at the general election, we got rid of one incompetent government.

And, in 2026, we finish the job and get rid of the other one.

Hitting out at the SNP, which has been in power at Holyrood since 2007, Mr Sarwar said Scots had had to watch public services crumble before their eyes because of two decades of SNP failure.

Last look over speech! Ready to address Labour Annual Conference in 10 minutes. #Lab24 Watch live here: https://t.co/dO2oipOKfS pic.twitter.com/y8pEe9ASvO  Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) September 23, 2024

Arguing that fresh leadership was needed, he insisted that all the SNP offers is internal division and outward incompetence, accusing them of having the same tired people in power peddling the same old excuses.

Mr Sarwar declared: Frankly, the time is up for the SNP.

They are a party that has lost their vision and lost their way.

And above all, they have lost their ambition for Scotland.

Adding that he is determined to bring about a brighter and more prosperous Scotland, Mr Sarwar told the conference: At the general election, we did half the job.

In 2026, it is our chance to finish the job by electing a Scottish Labour government that works for everyone in Scotland.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray also addressed the Labour Party conference in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

His comments came as Scottish Secretary Ian Murray warned Labour can take nothing for granted in the run-up to the next Scottish elections in May 2026.

Mr Murray said: It took us 14 years to get rid of one of Scotlands two failing governments, but the real hard work started the day after the election to get rid of the other.

Adding that there are only 592 days until Scots go to the polls for Holyrood, Mr Murray added: As wonderful as Julys result was, we can take nothing for granted.

To be successful then, he said that Labour must deliver for the Scots who had voted for them in this general election.

He told the conference: Those who voted for Labour in Scotland on July 4 voted for change because they had been let down badly by their two governments.

They did not come home to Labour. They chose us in the hope and expectation that we will deliver for them. And that is what we must, and are determined, to do.

SNP MSP Kevin Stewart claimed Mr Sarwars speech was a textbook example of putting party before people.

Mr Stewart said: Instead of standing up for Scotland against policies like the two-child cap, and Labours cut to the Winter Fuel Payment, he spent 10 minutes placating his Westminster bosses with empty words and meaningless slogans.

He added: Anas Sarwar is content to defend the indefensible, whether that be the two-child cap that is pushing 87,000 children into poverty or the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment from 860,000 Scottish pensioners.

Ian Murray and Anas Sarwar should also be explaining where the 150 million poverty fund they promised has gone.

Mr Stewart said: The SNP is the only party presenting a positive, hopeful vision of a more prosperous Scotland, which we can only achieve with independence.

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: Anas Sarwars crowing about the election result is unlikely to impress Scottish voters who are already disillusioned with a grasping Labour Cabinet, which has gladly hoovered up thousands of pounds in freebies while betraying almost one million Scottish pensioners ahead of a difficult winter.

While the SNP have done untold damage to Scotland over the last 17 years, the idea that Scottish Labour would represent change is for the birds.

He added: Only the Scottish Conservatives are standing up to this tired and failing SNP Government, while Anas Sarwars Scottish Labour all too often backs them.
Prosecutor Thomas Damico pulls up a video of 4-year-old Benjamin Cervera during the child injury trial of Miranda Casarez on April 9. The video shows Cervera crying as Casarez drives and films the video. The trial for Brandon Lee Cervera, the boy's father, accused of starving his 4-year-old son to death in 2021, begins Tuesday. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Prosecutor Thomas Damico, center, shows a picture to witness SAPD Officer Rosendo Hoyos during the child injury trial of Miranda Casarez on Tuesday, April 9. The trial for Brandon Lee Cervera, the boy's father, accused of starving his 4-year-old son to death in 2021, begins Tuesday. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

The trial for a San Antonio father accused of starving his 4-year-old son to death in 2021 begins Tuesday.

Brandon Lee Cervera, the father of Benjamin Benji Cervera, is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

Cervera, 31, is accused of withholding food and water from Benji and failing to seek proper medical care. His case is being heard in the 186th District Court, with Judge Kristina Escalona presiding.

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In April, a San Antonio jury found Benjis stepmother, Miranda Casarez, 25, guilty in his death. The jury sentenced her to 25 years in prison for injury to a child by omission causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony.

Benji died on Aug. 17, 2021  just a month before his fifth birthday. He weighed only 28 pounds.

Bexar County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kimberley Molina said Benjis cause of death was due to the purposeful withholding of food.

While Casarezs defense attorneys alleged during arguments that Benji could have had an underlying health problem such as type 1 diabetes, Molina maintained during testimony that Benjis death was a homicide and that he had no life-threatening health conditions. She said Benji was markedly underweight and had no body fat.

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In an affidavit supporting Cerveras arrest, detectives said they found multiple photos and videos of Benji being physically and mentally abused. Police used the videos to create a timeline that showed his condition deteriorating.

In one video, Benji is seen just hours before his death shaking uncontrollably and crying as he begs his parents for bread and water. In other videos, Benji is seen being forced to eat bread crumbs from the bathroom floor and begging for water after he was forced to drink hand sanitizer.

During Casarezs trial, she testified that she was under the control of Cervera, whom she accused of spanking, hitting and dragging Benji through the house because he would soil his diapers.

Detectives who searched the apartment where Benji lived said everyone has a bed except Benji, who had a small mattress with a blanket that was covered in urine. Detectives also observed locks on the refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, pantry door and Benjis door  to lock him inside.

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Casarez testified that it was Cervera who decided to put locks on the food pantry and refrigerator.
The director behind a BBC documentary into Nicola Bulleys disappearance has said it was nerve-racking to put the partner of the Lancashire mother-of-two back into public focus.

The Search For Nicola Bulley explores the media coverage and the impact of amateur internet sleuths conducting their own investigations, as well as hearing from Lancashire Police and Ms Bulleys family.

She disappeared on January 27 2023 while walking her dog in St Michaels on Wyre, shortly after dropping her daughters at school.

The partner of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, Paul Ansell (PA Video)

Her sister, Louise Cunningham, along with her parents Ernest and Dorothy Bulley and partner Paul Ansell all participated in the documentary as they reveal the impact of the public scrutiny on their lives.

Director Rachel Lob-levyt, who worked on Louis Theroux Interviews and Hospital, told the Radio Times that the family tell their story in their own words, unfiltered.

She added: We had a viewing with the family. It was difficult  obviously emotional for them. They feel the documentary really honours their experience, and honours Nikki.

At the time she went missing, Paul was subject to a really difficult level of scrutiny.

The idea of putting himself back in the public eye is nerve-racking but ultimately, he thought it the right thing to do.

The social media sleuths felt entitled to say whatever they wanted. In the past wed have talked about these things in the pub, whereas now people broadcast it online and everything is accelerated. Opinion takes on similar weight to verified information.

Flowers and ribbons on a bridge over the River Wyre in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire (Dave Nelson/PA)

A coroner recorded Ms Bulleys death as accidental, and said she fell into the river and suffered cold water shock, and there was no evidence to suggest suicide.

Police had accused TikTokers of playing private detectives in the area amid her disappearance, and said they were inundated with false information, accusations and rumours relating to the case.

People on social media made false accusations about their being third-party involvement, and rumours were spread about a derelict house on the other side of the River Wyre, a red van in the area, a fisherman seen nearby and a glove belonging to Ms Bulley, which were all dismissed by police.

Her family have previously hit out at wildly inaccurate speculation after the 45-year-olds death.

They released a statement through the production company Rogan Productions about the new documentary, saying that taking part wasnt an easy decision.

They added: Nikkis face and name quickly became very recognisable, but there is so much to share about Nikki the person.

Our sole aim is to provide the definitive record on Nikki to ensure she has the legacy that she deserves. Many people have aired their views about her disappearance and her untimely and tragic death, only we can speak about her as a mummy, partner, daughter, and sister.

The family also said: It was emotionally draining reliving some of our experiences, but we wanted to do this for Nikki.

An independent College of Policing review of the investigation into her disappearance found the relationship between police and the media to be fractured, and urged for it to be rebuilt.

It also criticised the disclosure of personal information about Ms Bulleys health struggles as avoidable and unnecessary.

Her body was found in the River Wyre on February 19, about a mile from where she vanished.

The Search For Nicola Bulley is set to air on October 3 on BBC One.
Keir Starmer shakes hands on stage with Debbie Weinstein, a Google vice-president, at Labour's business day. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Big banks, oil companies and tech firms were among the more than 500 lobbyists and executives who flocked to Labours biggest ever business event at its conference, paying 3,000 a ticket for the chance to gain access to ministers.

Keir Starmer was introduced by the chief executive of HSBC and interviewed by the UK chief of Google, and told businesses they should come directly to No 10 if they had any problems being heard by the government.

The 3,000-a-head business day was sponsored by firms including Heathrow airport, which in July said it would put forward a new blueprint pushing for expansion, and HSBC, whose analysts recently claimed that Labours plans to bring in a genuine living wage would risk harming the economy.

The event was more transparent than in previous years and those at the Conservative party conference, with delegates given the chance to question Reeves, Starmer and Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, in hour-long sessions in front of an audience.

Starmer was introduced by Ian Stuart, the HSBC chief, who said there was optimism among companies about a reset in relations with the EU and praised Labour for pursuing a genuine partnership with business.

The prime minister then told Debbie Weinstein, Googles UK chief, that he was inviting business to partner with us, acknowledging there was some frustration about not being heard.

However, the mood among many of the lobbyists and business representatives appeared to be anxious over tax changes and the prospect of the governments new workers rights bills, which will bring in day one rights for employees and an end to exploitative zero-hours contracts.

One delegate expressed disappointment that there were no roundtables where you get the chance to raise things with ministers  unlike at the Conservative conference  and that businesses were finding it difficult to secure meetings with ministers.

We dont really have the feeling that we are being listened to and there isnt much of a chance for one-on-one chats with ministers, one business representative said.

Another lobbyist said: They talk a good game about being pro-business but we are all nervous about what we are going to see in the budget and what the workers rights package will end up looking like. Thats what we are all talking about here.

Delegates were also grumbling about the stale sandwich buffet lunch and lack of top-tier cabinet ministers in attendance at the networking section of the event.

The event has doubled in size from last year, when Labour was in opposition, and it raised the cost for attendance by almost 50% to 3,000 a seat.

There were more than 100 executives in attendance, from companies including Uber, the private equity firm Blackstone and the oil companies ExxonMobil and Shell, as well as the banks Citi Group and JP Morgan Europe.

Many of the questions from the floor pressed for more details on the governments planned industrial strategy, its approach to taxation and how it would implement its package on workers rights.

On employment rights, Reeves struck an emollient tone as she said she hoped businesses would be happy with the compromises made. She said it was necessary to make sure our labour market treats working people with respect in relation to zero-hours contracts and sick pay.

She added: I hope you will have seen this, over the last 80 days we have been in office, we have worked really closely with the business sector  We will be publishing more details in the next couple of weeks but I hope that you see your concerns have been addressed and understood because we dont want to do anything that makes it harder for you to take a risk and employ someone.

Some business leaders expressed frustration at the pace of change the government was applying to certain decisions, including on its plans for a modern industrial strategy.

Reeves announced in her conference speech that the plan, which will outline the governments priorities for particular sectors of the economy, would be unveiled next month.

However, attenders at the business event said it was still unclear who would lead the governments industrial strategy council, a body that will be set up to oversee the policy, and grumbled that an investment minister had yet to be appointed to work with business.

We asked for it as quickly as possible but we still dont know what it is, or who is leading it, said one senior industry representative.

Others said they expected to learn little from the event before the chancellors budget next month. We didnt get anything new, did we? said a representative of one leading industrial company.

Some also commented on relatively thin early attendance levels at the event, until fireside chats with the chancellor and prime minister at the end of the day, before a packed-out drinks reception sponsored by the financial data company Bloomberg.
Elon Musk takes a photograph at the US Open - Reuters/Mike Segar

On the face of it, Joe Bidens effective ban on Chinese technology in new vehicles appeared to be a devastating blow to Beijings burgeoning electric car industry.

In reality, it poses the greatest threat to Tesla, the US car giant owned by Elon Musk, Donald Trumps cheerleader-in-chief.

On Monday, Gina Raimondo, the US commerce secretary, raised the terrifying scenario of a rogue state controlling Americas cars remotely.

It may sound like science fiction but its a real and present danger.

In an extreme situation, foreign adversaries could shut down or take control of all their vehicles operating in the United States at the same time, said Ms Raimondo.

Modern cars, connected to the internet, possess cameras, microphones, GPS tracking and other technologies which, said Ms Raimondo, are in the hands of foreign adversaries could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the privacy of US citizens.

The chilling warning came with a proposed block by the US Department of Commerce on the import and sale of cars that rely on Chinese software and hardware to connect to the internet.

Ban also impacts the Russians

The ban - which also affects Russian suppliers - will take effect on new models from 2027 with further restrictions from 2030.

Microchips used to receive and transmit information such as location or traffic data or for use with self-driving technology will be prohibited.

The proposed ban could also include cars that use Chinese technology for keyless unlocking.

It followed an investigation into cybersecurity risks posed by Chinese software.

On the face of it, any such ban would spell the death knell for Chinas nascent electric vehicle (EV) industry in the US.

But the reality is it may have little effect because Chinas new generation of EVs - prevalent in the UK and Europe - are barely on US streets.

Bidens eye-watering tariffs on Chinese EVs

Tariffs, announced by President Biden in May, rose from 25 per cent to an eye-watering 100 per cent, doubling the cost of Chinese cars and pricing them out of the market.

Canada has also imposed a 100 per cent tariff.

The new software ban is prohibiting vehicles that no one in their right mind would actually buy because of the cost.

But it is likely, experts warn, that China could retaliate. Bill Russo, founder and chief executive of Shanghai-based investment advisory firm Automobility, told Bloomberg that any ban would be met with reciprocity that will impact US business in China.

How that would manifest is unclear at this stage.

But there is an obvious target: Tesla, the worlds second biggest manufacturer of EV cars, which last year sold more than 600,000 cars in China, its second largest market.

BYD, a Chinese conglomerate, is the biggest EV maker on the globe but its cars are not even sold in the US.

Geoffrey Gertz, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, warned that China could now come after Tesla.

US automakers dont see a big impact [on this ban], said Dr Gertz, There are already a number of measures designed to keep Chinas EV makers out Its hard to speculate what exactly any retaliation might be. I suspect there will be something but certainly Tesla has a foothold in China.

Nobody is suggesting President Bidens move was politically motivated although it can only help Kamala Harriss cause.

The swing state at the heart of the issue

Detroit in the swing state of Michigan is the centre of the USs auto industry.

The fact that Elon Musk, who has used his social media platform X to promote Trump and push his agenda, could be damaged by any Chinese blowback will likely not cause too many sleepless nights in the White House.

Professor Weisong Shi, who runs the Connected and Autonomous Research Laboratory (CAR Lab) at the University of Delaware, said: Because of the tariffs, we havent seen too many China EVs here.

The latest sanction covers software for future connected and autonomous vehicles, and as a result, we are not going to see software made by China in US markets.

This will be a big challenge for China. I dont know whether China will retaliate, but they might. If you think about Tesla vehicles operating in China, the software they are running is being made by Tesla.

That is potentially somewhere for China to go.

Musk, normally not shy in his pronouncements on X, hasnt commented on the proposed ban.

Tesla also did not respond to a request for comment.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing scrutiny over donations to his party - Anthony Devlin/Getty Images Europe

A Cayman Islands hedge fund handed Labour its largest-ever donation just days after the general election was called, it has emerged.

Quadrature Capital Limited, whose parent company is based in the Caribbean tax haven, donated 4 million to Sir Keir Starmers war chest.

Labour accepted the donation just before campaign rules kicked in requiring parties to make weekly declarations during the election period.

The disclosures come as No 10 is embroiled in a row over the scale of gifts handed to frontbenchers including the Prime Minister and Chancellor. Downing Street is also facing growing questions over its reliance on a handful of large donors and the potential influence they could wield.

Quadrature Capital is registered in central London and invests on behalf of Quadrature Group, whose funds are Cayman Islands-based.

In a statement, the company said it had chosen to support Labour because of the partys commitment to the green transition of the economy.

Having analysed commitments set out by each party, we donated 4 million to the Labour Party, in support of policies that will deliver climate action while also promoting social equity and economic resilience, it said.

This was a values-based donation, not a political donation, as Quadrature Capital Ltd remains non-partisan and apolitical.

Going forward, our private giving will continue to be led by our values, and any further donations to political parties will depend on the parties commitments, track record, and alignment with our mission for sustainable and equitable growth.

An investigation last year by The Guardian found that the company owned $170 million (125 million) of shares in fossil fuels firms, including major polluters. It also reportedly holds millions of pounds worth of shares in US-based private healthcare companies and arms manufacturers.

Quadrature Capital is registered in central London and invests on behalf of Quadrature Group, whose funds are Cayman Islands-based - Blue Sky/iStockphoto

The firms gift to Labour has only now come to light because it was accepted just before tighter transparency rules kicked in for the election period.

Normally donations are published every three months, but during campaigns parties must declare what they have received every week.

Rishi Sunak called the snap poll on May 22, with the Electoral Commissions pre-poll reporting obligations kicking in a week later on May 30.

Electoral Commission records show that Labour accepted the 4 million from Quadrature on May 28, before the new rules had come into force. As a result, the donation was not made public until long after the election took place.

The timing of the declaration will raise questions over whether the party was seeking to avoid the controversy of it being published during the campaign.

Quadrature has said that while its funds are established in the Cayman Islands, it pays UK corporation tax on all of the profits from them.

In a statement on its website, the company says: Quadrature does not seek to obtain a UK corporation tax advantage by establishing its funds in the Cayman Islands.

Since the funds have historically been managed exclusively from the UK by Quadrature Capital Limited, all of the trading profits of the funds have been subject to UK corporation tax.

Labour declined to comment.
Former CEO of Barnabas Aid Noel Frost

A Christian charity mired in scandal over its finances is to be investigated by the regulator.

Barnabas Aid, which helps persecuted Christians around the world, has recently dismissed its CEO after thousands was splurged on company credits including on flights to Las Vegas.

There are questions over money given to some of its directors and trustees, including 50,000 to the Marquess of Reading, to fight claims he was selling access to Vladimir Putin through his friend Prince Michael of Kent, the Telegraph has revealed.

The Charity Commission has now confirmed that it has opened a statutory inquiry into the charity, which is the highest level of probe under the regulators remit.

The charity is the main organisation in a network of charities and legal entities around the world which have estimated assets of up to 100 million, with most of the funds coming from the UK.

It is feared that there could be a 15 million hole in the groups finances, internal documents show.

The allegations have emerged amid a major split at the organisation which has seen three of the founding members suspended and the dismissal of Noel Frost, its international CEO, who was on the side of the divide.

Amid the fracas and allegations of a toxic culture created by charity founder the Rev Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, a law firm was brought in to investigate claims including financial impropriety.

The interim report, seen by this newspaper, details how Mr Frost 47, used charity cards to pay for flights, bikes, electronics and to transfer more than 130,000 into accounts linked to him personally.

Charity founder Dr Patrick Sookhdeo - GARY DOAK / Alamy Stock Photo

He told investigators that the flights were paid for in error and denied transferring money into his personal accounts. Investigations are ongoing.

Mr Frost was dismissed after it emerged that he had been struck off as a solicitor in his native South Africa for defrauding his clients just months before taking the promotion to CEO.

Lord Simon Reading, 82, is also facing questions over the 50,000 payment to pay for proposed defamation proceedings after he was caught in an undercover sting offering to sell access to the Kremlin through Prince Michael.

In response to the article, Prince Michael said he had had no contact with Putin since 2003 and made suggestions which he would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil. Lord Reading said that he made a mistake and over-promised.

Charity payments to Lord Reading running into six figures including for rent, hearing aids and a car are also being examined by the legal team. He disputes the figures and is cooperating with the investigation.

Dr Sookhdeo and his wife Rosemary are being asked to explain 1.3 million they are accused of receiving.

A Charity Commission spokesperson said: On Tuesday 17th September, our engagement with Barnabas Fund (Also known as Barnabas Aid) was escalated to a statutory inquiry. In line with our usual policy, we will publish a public statement setting out the scope of our inquiry in due course.

A spokesman for the charity said: The independent investigation has been going on for months and we welcome the Charity Commissions statutory inquiry into activities that happened in the past. We will continue to work closely with the commission.

Caroline Kerslake, one of the founding members, wrote to the regulator on Sunday, saying: The founding leaders are determined to stop anyone depleting charitable funds which we have built up over the decades for the service of those truly in need.

She said that they are willing to co-operate with any genuinely impartial investigation into the charity, adding the the money to the Sookhdeos was over the course of more than three decades and mostly in ring-fenced donations from supporters made specifically for the Sookhdeos, in lieu of salaries.
File image of police investigating a crime scene

Some of the most notorious unsolved crimes in Britain could finally be cracked with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), a police chief has said.

Technology developed in Australia is being used to examine cold cases in the UK, identifying fresh leads and investigative opportunities.

Using the latest cutting-edge AI systems, computers can quickly sift through vast amounts of evidence  and spot clues and potential new avenues that may have previously been missed.

Detectives in Avon and Somerset, using a system called Soze, completed a review of all the evidential material in 27 complex cases in the space of just 30 hours  something they estimated would have taken 81 years to do manually.

The force is now carrying out further tests with the system with a view to it being rolled out across other forces.

Gavin Stephens, the chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council, said the potential benefits to policing from such AI technology were enormous.

He said: I can imagine from my experience this sort of thing being hugely useful for cold case reviews.

You may have a cold case that looks impossible because of the amount of material there and if there is a system like this that can just ingest it and give you an assessment of it then I can see that being really helpful.

Subtle clues

It is one of several AI applications being looked at by UK police in a bid to integrate technology with more traditional crime-fighting.

West Midlands Police have introduced an AI system to support staff who answer calls to the 101 non-emergency number.

The system is intended to help with callers reporting matters such as lost property and abandoned vehicles, freeing up staff to deal with more serious issues.

However, it has also been designed to flag subtle clues in a callers voice indicating vulnerability, such as in cases of domestic abuse, that may have been missed by a human call handler.

Other forces are making use of AI tools to assist with the time-consuming job of redacting sensitive evidence, which if done manually can consume a large amount of an officers time.

Mr Stephens said it was vital that police made the best use of emerging science and technology but stressed it was equally important that innovations were adopted across the country rather than just by individual forces.

We are not short of innovation and ideas but what we have not been great at in the past has been getting them widely adopted for everyone to use, he said.

We want to make the best of technology in order to help us bring criminals to justice and give a better service to victims but we are also acutely aware that there can be a fear or concern about some of the technologies we adopt, so it is really important we have good quality discussions and debate about how things are implemented and adopted.
Prices at the News Corp-controlled realestate.com.au can be as high as $4,000 for a single listing, prompting complaints from vendors, agents and industry disruptors. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

The assistant competition minister, Andrew Leigh, says he is concerned Australians are paying the highest costs in the world to advertise their homes for sale online.

After a Guardian Australia investigation into the market power of the Murdoch-controlled REA Group, which owns realestate.com.au, Leigh said he wanted to see costs in the property market come down.

Im concerned every time I see Australians paying a lot. Weve got cost-of-living pressures right across the board. Im certainly concerned right across the house buying cycle, Leigh, the assistant minister for competition, charities and treasury, said.

Related: Why News Corps realestate.com.au can put fees up and up and up, according to ex-CEO

House buyers are feeling the pressure of rising prices, particularly if youre going into the market for the first time, youre really stretching for every last dollar, so anything we can do to keep the total bill as low as possible is good.

Australian house sellers face the highest costs in the world to sell their properties online, paying up to $4,000 for a single advertisement in inner-city areas. This is a 50-fold price hike in the past 15 years.

The Greens have said the situation underscores the need for new price-gouging laws, while Rod Sims, the former chair of the consumer watchdog, has called for the regulator to consider whether REA Groups practices are anti-competitive.

Leigh would not be drawn on whether the price hikes constituted price gouging, saying the concept was hugely contested overseas, but conceded the 5,000% price increase certainly seems a lot.

Getting a good deal for consumers has always been our focus, [and] firms charging better prices is always a good thing, Leigh said.

REA Group, and to a lesser extent Domain, have come under fire from real estate agents and industry disruptors who say the pricing structures and practices of the companies is stifling competition.

REA has defended its cost increases, saying they reflect the additional value delivered to vendors and agents in digital prime experiences as its audience has grown.

Leigh said he could not comment on the specific practices of the companies, and maintained it was up to the regulator to consider whether there was any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour.

Related: The bear at the door: estate agents say they fear speaking out about realestate.com.au price gouging

The ACCC [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission] has the tools and resources it needs on this one. I dont know enough about the specifics of whats being alleged, but I do know that the Australian economy needs more dynamism, needs more competition and has monopolies everywhere you look, he said.

I think there is rarely an industry where the ACCC looks into it and doesnt manage to produce useful insights, but of course they cant look at all industries all the time.

Its certainly open to the ACCC to look into it and, if it sees something that is to the detriment of consumers, to act.

He said the regulators action against Coles and Woolworths for alleged illusory discounts this week demonstrated that it was not shy [about] taking action against big players.

Leigh said the government did not have a position on whether private individuals should be allowed to sell their homes directly online, but said his general disposition was in favour of competition and new market models.

More competition is always healthy and if that involves different ways of doing things then thats normally a good thing for consumers.
Underpinning Democrats fears is the knowledge that Donald Trump greatly out-performed predictions in all three states in 2016. Composite: Zuma/Rex/Shutterstock, AFP via Getty Images

Democrats are increasingly worried that pollsters are undercounting Donald Trumps voter support, rating his prospects of winning Novembers presidential election as much higher than headline opinion polling figures suggest.

While most national surveys show consistent, though moderate, leads for Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, some supporters are unnerved by the small margin of her advantage in three northern battlegrounds  Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin  which are deemed must-wins in her quest for the White House.

Although some polls have shown the vice-president with leads of between four and six points in Pennsylvania  generally judged the most important swing state  others show Trump trailing by smaller deficits. Narrower gaps separate the two in Michigan and Wisconsin, where Harriss lead is just 1 or 2%, according to several different recent polls.

Underpinning Democrats fears is the knowledge that Trump greatly out-performed predictions in all three states in 2016, when he narrowly won them en route to his election triumph over Hillary Clinton, and in 2020, when he was pipped by Joe Biden by far smaller margins than forecast.

Related: Did Trump fail to deliver on this landmark project? The answer could decide the election

The worries are compounded by the latest New York Times/Siena poll, which records Trump performing more robustly in three Sun belt battleground states  Georgia, Arizona and North Carolina  than he has in weeks.

The survey shows the Republican nominee leading by five points  50 to 45%  in Arizona, which Biden won by just over 10,000 votes in 2020, and four points  49 to 45%  in Georgia, which was won by the president by a similar margin. In North Carolina, where Trump is trying to avoid being tarred by revelations over past comments by Mark Robinson, the GOPs candidate for governor, he has a smaller advantage, 49 to 47%.

Putting the Democrats worries into perspective are projections showing that Trump will win all seven designated battleground states  the seventh being Nevada  if he outstrips polling predictions by the same margins he achieved in losing the 2020 election.

A separate projection by Focaldata  using a model that takes into account different demographic factors in determining the likelihood that certain cohorts will vote  reduces Harriss lead by an average of 2.4% across swing states.

In an election which could be decided by just 60,000 voters in November, this margin could easily be the difference between a right and wrong call on the election winner, writes Focaldatas Patrick Flynn. Pollsters who simply rely on self-reporting [in defining likely voters] may be subject to another polling miss in Trumps favor.

The one piece of encouraging news for Harris is that she will win every swing state except Georgia if the polls turn out to be as wrong as they were in the campaign for the 2022 congressional midterm elections.

That has not placated some Democrats, who note that both Clinton and Biden were performing better against Trump in polling  both nationally and in swing states  than Harris is now.

Thats ominous. Theres no question that is concerning, but youre working as hard as you can work, no matter what, the Hill quoted one unnamed Democratic senator as saying. My sense is theres not a lot more you can do than were already doing.

John Fetterman, the Democratic senator for Pennsylvania, told the same site that Trump was a threat despite some buoyant recent polling for Harris in his state. Polling has really been seriously damaged since 2016  Trump is going to be tough in Pennsylvania, and thats absolutely the truth, he said.

In a further worrying sign for Harris, the New York Times/Siena poll indicated that her bounce from this months debate against Trump  which most surveys indicated she won  was the smallest enjoyed by any presidential debate-winning candidate in the 21st century.

On average, Kamala Harris is faring about one point better across 34 polls that measured the race before and after the debate, wrote the New York Times chief polling analyst Nate Cohn, concluding that the contest remained deadlocked despite the encounter.

George W Bush, John Kerry, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and, yes, Donald J Trump earlier this year, all peaked with gains of at least two points after their debates.
Emma and Andy Godfrey, owners of Wellbread Bakers in Swaffham, fear for their business - SWNS

Plans to open a Greggs in a market town have caused dismay after claims that it will force independent bakeries out of business.

The high street bakery chains proposals to take over a vacant unit in Swaffham, Norfolk, prompted criticism from residents, who said big name businesses were unwelcome.

Residents of the Georgian market town near Sandringham have rushed to the defence of Well Bread Bakers, a family bakery that has been a Swaffham staple for 40 years.

A petition declaring opposition to the new Greggs was set up by Karl Chappell, a resident, and has amassed more than 950 signatures in three weeks.

The proposed site for a new Greggs in Swaffham, Norfolk - JAMES LINSELL CLARK/SWNS

Emma and Andy Godfrey, owners of Well Bread Bakers, said their small business could be forced to make people redundant if people chose to go to Greggs.

Ms Godfrey, 35, said: We are making enough money to pay for our outgoings and just enough to keep going.

But if a big enough portion of our takings are lost, were going to have to look at different ways to cut our costs.

She added: For visiting trade, people see a name they know and go in there rather than explore a little hidden gem.

Well Bread Bakers has held a place on Swaffhams Market Place for 40 years, with Andy Godfrey, 61, taking over the business in 2002 after working there most of his life.

Ms Godfrey said soaring wage and energy costs had taken its toll on small businesses such as theirs.

She said: We sell filled rolls and hot food  with Greggs coming in that is going to affect our takings. Wed have to make redundancies as we cant keep putting our prices up.

Hundreds of Saffham residents have voiced their opposition to Greggs arrival - JAMES LINSELL CLARK/SWNS

The bakery was the couples only source of income, paying their mortgage and for their two children.

We cant just shut the doors and jump into another job. My husbands skill is in baking, she said, adding: I dont think the town council for Swaffham is bothered and neither are Breckland.

They dont want an empty shop and we understand that as business people. But one shop isnt worth losing three more.

No need for Greggs

Marian Gibson, 73, who has lived in Swaffham for 40 years, said there was no need for a Greggs when the town already had its own independent businesses.

She said: I dont think we need it. Weve got a good bakers and we dont need the competition.

Swaffham should stay as a market town  weve already got loads of supermarkets and we need to keep these small family shops running.

It comes after Gails, the upmarket bakery chain, faced resistance to its plans for a new shop in Walthamstow Village, east London, over competition fears.

More than 1,800 people have signed a petition opposing the cafe and bakery opening to safeguard the soul of our beloved neighbourhood.

Greggs, Swaffham Town Council and Breckland Council have been contacted for comment.
Users will still be able to hire shared e-scooters in the City of Yarra and the City of Port Phillip, but will not be able to ride them through the CBD. Photograph: Nadir Kinani/The Guardian

About 1,500 e-scooters across Melbourne were on Monday being loaded, one by one, into trucks and taken out of city limits hours before a ban on rental operators took effect.

On Tuesday, the City of Melbournes ban on shared e-scooters will begin, right before the AFL grand final weekend  one of the busiest times for users in the year. The two companies who operated schemes under a trial, Lime and Neuron, will be subjected to penalties if they do not remove the scooters from city streets by the morning.

It understood any rental e-scooters not collected will be impounded and providers required to pay a release fee for each vehicle held by the City of Melbourne.

In a statement, Neuron said it was extremely disappointed that operations in the municipality will cease at midnight on 24 September. This follows the councillor vote to reset the program, which was beyond our control, the spokesperson said.

We sincerely apologise to the hundreds of thousands of e-scooter riders who have relied on our service as a convenient and sustainable transportation option over the last two and a half years.

The spokesperson said Neuron looked forward to returning to Melbourne when new opportunities arise.

A spokesperson for Lime said the company remained optimistic the ban will be repealed and was looking to place the scooters in other municipalities that may want to start their own trials.

Lime is confident that our continued focus on safety, sustainability, and technological innovation will demonstrate the value of regulated shared e-scooter services, the spokesperson said.

Melbourne will join other global cities including Paris, Montreal, Rome, and Toronto in winding back or banning the use of shared e-scooters. Scooter users will still be able to hire them in both the City of Yarra and the City of Port Phillip, but will not be able to ride between the two, as the CBD ban has cut the two areas off.

The lord mayor, Nicholas Reece, supported the ban which was passed by council with a 6-4 vote in August and said there were serious safety concerns.

There are just too many people breaking the rules  people not wearing helmets, double dinking, riding on footpaths, creating a hazard for people around the city, Reece said at the time.

The premier, Jacinta Allen, has previously said she opposes the CBD ban on the scooters and hopes the council will overturn it.

Victorias e-scooter trial began in February 2022, with 1,500 Lime and Neuron vehicles initially placed across three council areas  Melbourne, Port Phillip and Yarra. In July, the state government announced e-scooter hire schemes would be permanently legal from October.

The City of Melbourne ban will not apply to privately owned e-scooters.
Two loose dogs approach Animal Care Services Officer Ericka Colon as she responds to a call on San Antonios South Side. Animal Care Services receive 3,000 to 4,000 dog bite reports each year. Josie Norris / San Antonio Express-News

Roaming, aggressive dogs long have been a public safety problem in San Antonio. Last year, dog attacks killed two people, one of them an 81-year-old Air Force veteran.

Here's what you can do to keep yourself, your loved ones and your neighbors safe.

If you see a dog that poses a danger to the public, call 311 or 210-207-6000. You may also report the problem online at 311.sanantonio.gov/services or by using the 311 mobile app.

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If a dog attack causes an injury serious enough to be a medical emergency, call 911.

'Critical calls'

Animal Care Services says it will respond "promptly" to "critical calls"  for example, when a loose animal is actively displaying aggression or has killed pets or livestock, regardless of whether the animal has an owner or is a stray.

An ACS officer will go to the site to investigate "if the offending animal is currently loose" and will try to capture the dog and find out who the owner is. Once identified, the owner will be cited, the agency says.

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Ramon Najera Jr., 81, was killed by two pit bulls that escaped from their yard in the 2800 block of Depla Street on San Antonio's West Side on Feb. 24, 2023. The dogs killed Najera when he stepped out of his car to help his wife as the animals were mauling her. The attack was unprovoked. Courtesy photo/Raymond Najera

How to escalate a complaint

If a dog has attacked a person or a pet, ACS encourages the victim and any witnesses to file sworn, notarized affidavits outlining in detail what happened. An affidavit may take about 45 minutes to an hour to complete. An ACS officer can help you prepare the affidavit and notarize it at no cost. You can download the four-page form here.

A complaint supported by an affidavit will be escalated to ACS' dangerous dog investigators.

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The agency typically will respond to sworn affidavits reporting a "critical" incident in about 12 hours, according to the city's aggressive animal web page. The agency takes up to five days to respond to affidavits reporting less serious incidents.

An investigation can result in a dog's being formally designated as "dangerous" or "aggressive." Each is a legal term with a precise definition under the city's animal welfare code, which tracks state law.

The designations aren't based on a dog's breed or size but on its behavior. Both labels carry serious consequences.

Abilene Schnieder, left, and husband Christian Alexander Moreno, both 32, react to being sentenced by State District Judge Velia Meza. The couple's pit bulls killed Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr., 81, in an unprovoked attack last year. Schnieder was sentenced to 15 years in prison, Moreno to 18. Each also was fined $5,000. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

'Dangerous dog'

A dog may be declared "dangerous" if it makes an "unprovoked attack" that causes "bodily injury" to a person outside the dog's enclosure.

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A dog may also be declared dangerous if it commits "unprovoked acts" away from its enclosure that cause a person "to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person."

RELATED: San Antonio residents vent outrage over string of dog attacks

'Aggressive dog'

An aggressive dog is defined as one that "engages in threatening behavior."

There are three levels of aggressive behavior.

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Level One: The dog's actions "cause a person to reasonably believe that the animal will engage in an unprovoked attack and cause bodily injury."

Level Two: While unrestrained, the dog injures a pet or livestock.

Level Three: While unrestrained, the dog kills a pet or livestock.

Max De Los Santos is wheeled into a news conference by his wife Beatrice. A neighbor's dogs attacked De Los Santos, then 76, while he was in his own yard on the West Side on Aug. 16, 2023. The dogs inflicted injuries so severe that surgeons had to amputate both of De Los Santos' legs. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Consequences

When a dog is designated aggressive or dangerous, a battery of requirements kick in.

Let's start with an aggressive dog: The owner must have the animal fitted with a microchip, must keep it in a secure enclosure and must post warning signs. The dog has to be muzzled when outdoors.

The owner of a dangerous dog has to comply with all those restrictions and more: The dog has to wear a special ID collar and must be spayed or neutered. On top of that, the owner has to take out a $100,000 liability insurance policy, attend a pet ownership class and allow an annual inspection by ACS.

That's it?

Irresponsible dog owners not only can be cited by ACS, they can be sued in civil court by their victims. If an attack is severe enough, they can also be prosecuted criminally.

That's what happened to Christian Alexander Moreno and his wife, Abilene Schnieder, a West Side couple whose pits bulls attacked and killed Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr. last year.

Najera and his wife were in the neighborhood to visit a friend. Moreno's and Schnieder's dogs escaped their fenced yard next door and attacked first Najera's wife and then Najera. One of the animals ripped a dialysis shunt from Najera's body. Najera suffered bone-exposing bites and  muscle-shredding wounds on his arms and other parts of his body, according to court records.

Moreno and Schnieder weren't home when the dogs attacked, but they were criminally charged all the same. They had failed to secure or adequately restrain the animals even after a string of previous attacks on people.

The couple pleaded guilty to dangerous dog attack causing death, a second-degree felony. Last week, a state district court judge sentenced Moreno to 18 years in prison and Schnieder to 15. They were also fined $5,000 each. Judge Velia Meza said that although the defendants, both 32, didn't intend to harm Najera, they had been "criminally negligent."

Where are San Antonio's dangerous dogs?

ACS maintains a registry of 181 dogs deemed dangerous or aggressive. They're listed by address and plotted on a map.
Olaf

While the SPD  party of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz  may have won another term at the helm of Brandenburgs state parliament yesterday, it is hard to consider them the true winners of the night. That accolade, instead, jointly goes to the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) and Bundnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW).

The AfD may sit on the far-Right of German politics and the BSW on the far-Left, but the two parties are more similar than they would care to admit. Both are anti-establishment, anti-Ukraine and  critically for Scholz and his party  anti-immigration. With crime, in particular that committed by those born outside Germany, on the rise in the country, both parties have spent the summer making hay at the expense of the government in Berlin on the subject of migration. Two terror attacks committed by failed asylum seekers in the past three months have strengthened both parties arguments in favour of a migration crackdown and increased deportations.

In last nights vote, the AfD came in second, winning just under 30 per cent of the vote, losing out to the SPD by just over a percentage point. Meanwhile, the BSW  founded just nine months ago  gained an impressive 13 per cent of the vote. The parties performed similarly well in state elections held in Saxony and Thuringia at the start of the month, setting them up well for next years federal election.

With twelve months to go until the national vote, the success of the AfD and BSW at either end of Germanys political spectrum is ratcheting up the pressure on the establishment parties in Berlin. According to current polling, the AfD would become the second largest party with 19 per cent of the vote, were a national election to be held today, while the BSW would win 10 per cent. With nearly a third of the seats in Germanys parliament on course, then, to be claimed by parties in favour of clamping down on the number of migrants in the country, the issue of immigration will be all the harder for the other parties to ignore.

Germanys historically lax policy of migration is a direct and understandable legacy of the countrys Nazi past. This reached its peak in 2015 when the then chancellor Angela Merkel threw open the countrys borders to allow nearly 1.3 million asylum seekers into the country in the course of a single summer. In the ensuing nine years, that number has risen to approximately 3 million.

But those days are no more. The AfD, in particular, has set out to punish the conservative CDU  currently set to win next years election  for Merkels migration policy during her time as the partys leader. To counter this, the CDUs now leader Friedrich Merz has turned the screws on Scholz, refusing to participate in the Chancellors panicked migration summit earlier this month unless he agreed to introduce a blanket rejection of asylum seekers at Germanys borders. In a move Scholz may have hoped would take some of the heat off him, he felt the need a few weeks ago to introduce controversial checks at the border.

Germanys political parties have so far pledged never to enter into coalition with the AfD on account of their extreme policies. But as the partys support grows, and with it the votes it is likely to pick up, its harsh anti-migration message will become harder to ignore. The row heating up over migration in Berlin shows that the AfD is already succeeding at destabilising traditional German politics. As next years vote looms closer, things are bound to get messier.
At least 492 people have been killed and 1,645 injured, Lebanons health ministry has said, after a wave of Israeli airstrikes on alleged Hezbollah targets that left the country with its highest daily death toll since the end of the 1975-90 civil war.

Tens of thousands of people fled from south Lebanese towns and villages along the main road towards the capital, Beirut, in Israels most intense barrage in nearly a year of cross-border clashes, as sirens were also heard in the northern Israeli city of Haifa. The Lebanese health ministry said 35 children and 58 women were among those killed.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said the military was changing the security balance along its northern border. I promised we would change the security balance, the balance of power in the north  and that is exactly what we are doing, the Israeli prime minister told a security meeting on Monday.

The Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, said the Israeli military was preparing for the next phases in Lebanon, saying he would elaborate later. Essentially, we are targeting combat infrastructure that Hezbollah has been building for the past 20 years. This is very significant, he said.

The IDF said it had hit more than 1,300 Hezbollah targets in the previous 24 hours, in its biggest attack on the militant group since the Gaza war began last October, when Hezbollah began strikes in Israel in support of Hamas. Israel also carried out airstrikes in the Beqaa valley and its second airstrike on Beirut in a week, with what it said was a limited airstrike in the southern suburb of Dahieh. Israeli media reported that the target of the strike was Ali Karaki, Hezbollahs number three military commander, although the group said he was in a safe location and unharmed by the attack.

About 35 rockets were meanwhile fired from Lebanon towards the Safed area of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces said, with some coming down in open areas close to the community of Amiad.

The US president, Joe Biden, who on Tuesday addresses the main debate of the United Nations general assembly in New York, said he was working to calm the situation. Ive been briefed on the latest developments in Israel and Lebanon. My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and were working to de-escalate, he said as he held talks with the UAE president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the White House.

Earlier in the day, the IDF had warned Lebanese people in Beirut and other areas via a phone call to evacuate their residences and distance themselves from any buildings holding Hezbollah weapons.

The actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern [Israel] residents safely to their homes, the Israeli defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said in a video published by his office, setting the stage for a long conflict as Hezbollah has vowed to fight on until there is a ceasefire in Gaza. These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure.

Roads leading out of south Lebanon were jammed with traffic as people fled the relentless bombing, with areas that have served as safe zones for displaced people since last year suddenly in the crosshairs of the Israeli military.

The airstrikes have reached us, on the outskirts of [Tyre]. There was a strike just 100 metres behind the [displacement] centre, there were three of them, said Bilal Kashmar, a coordinator in a displacement centre in the southern city. He showed a video of a plume of smoke rising just across the street from the shelter that houses hundreds of families.

The displaced have stopped coming to us, those that want to flee are leaving the south entirely, Kashmar said.

Tyre has hosted thousands of individuals displaced by fighting, as the city had largely been spared from airstrikes until now. Before Mondays fighting, more than 110,000 people had been displaced from south Lebanon.

The airstrikes arent stopping, airstrike on airstrike. People are scared, said Hassan Dabouk, the head of Tyres union of municipalities.

Videos of collapsed buildings and of bombs falling from the sky and the resulting explosions shaking the hands of those filming circulated on social media as people tried to track the extent of Israels campaign. In one video, a driver films as smoke fills the air on the road ahead of them after a strike. Stop, stop, stop! one of the passengers yells as the video cuts.

An important thing to note is that the roads are not safe, Dabouk said. There is bombing from where we are [in Tyre] all the way to Saida. One needs to think before they leave in this situation.

People with family and friends leaving the south made public appeals for any empty apartments or rooms that could host their loved ones. Spontaneous initiatives to provide housing emerged, with individuals marshalling calls for available rooms, and hostels offering discounted rates for displaced people.

We are collecting numbers right now from people that have connections in safe areas, in Druze and Christian areas, said Faten Jebai, a journalist from south Lebanon. Jebai has urged those without a place to reach out to her, as she and other volunteers work to connect displaced people with those who will open up their homes or rent at low prices.

More than 80 members of my family are now leaving the south, so I am searching for them but also for my friends and friends of the family, Jebai added.

The UN peacekeeping body in Lebanon (Unifil) asked its civilian staff to relocate from south Lebanon northwards, as a precautionary measure as fighting in south Lebanon escalated on Monday. UN peacekeepers and critical staff will remain in the south.

It issued a statement expressing grave concern for the safety of civilians in southern Lebanon amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October and urging de-escalation.

Any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences, not only for those living on both sides of the blue line, but also for the broader region, the statement read.

Since the beginning of the war between Hamas and Israel, the Israeli military and Hezbollah have engaged in a limited conflict of attrition.

However, escalating strikes and counterstrikes have raised fears of an all-out conflict. Last week, walkie-talkies and pagers bought by Hezbollah for its members exploded, killing 42 people and wounding more than 3,000, and on Friday an Israeli strike on a Beirut suburb killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen fighters, as well as dozens of civilians including children.

On Sunday, Hezbollah launched about 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for Fridays strike.

Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group, while Israel says it is committed to returning Israelis to the border region who were evacuated when the rocket strikes began.
Nevey Smith outside Manchester Crown Court - STEVE ALLEN

A young mother who took her baby to a riot at a hotel used by asylum seekers has been spared jail, with a judge asking her: What on Earth were you thinking?

Nevey Smith, 21, brought her 20-month-old son in a pram to the disorder outside the Holiday Inn in Newton Heath, Manchester, and threw water at police officers trying to contain the violence.

A large mob descended on the hotel and hurled bottles, bricks and eggs at the building as riots broke out across the country in the wake of the Southport killings on July 29.

Daniel Calder, Smiths lawyer, told the court that she did not know what an asylum seeker was.

Judge Patrick Field KC, sentencing Smith at Manchester crown court on Monday, told her: You chose to join, notwithstanding that you had your 20-month-old child in a pushchair.

What on Earth were you thinking? I doubt you had his safety in mind.

The judge also told Smith, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, that she had a lot to learn and quite a lot of growing up to do, labelling her misguided, naive and immature.

He added that her role was minimal and peripheral as she had not been involved in throwing bricks or encouraging others to do so.

Mr Calder told the court that Smith had not set out to attend the protest on the day, and had been passing the riot when she foolishly got involved. He added that she had not expressed discriminatory views.

Smith was given a community order and made to attend reviews at a womens problem-solving court and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Her mother, Vanessa Smith, 42, was also at the protest and admitted violent disorder. She will be sentenced on Thursday.
Kamala Harris's increasing use of expletives may be a campaign strategy, but it could also be a sign of the political times

The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Legislative Summit seems an unlikely forum for the woman who wants to be the next leader of the free world to drop an f-bomb. But thats exactly what happened when Kamala Harris, the US vice president, addressed a gathering of young Asian American and Pacific Islander people in May. We have to know that sometimes people will open the door for you and leave it open, Harris said, a few weeks before Joe Biden announced he would not be seeking re-election. Sometimes they wont, and then you need to kick that f---ing door down.

A few decades ago her audience might have gasped or silently taken in the expletive, but now they clapped and laughed. Excuse my language, Harris added. Yet it wasnt the first  and it wont be the last  time the Democratic presidential candidate publicly uttered a four-letter word.

It was a masterclass in how to swear, says Melissa Mohr, the author of Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing. It was boring until she said, kick that f---ing door down, and then she started laughing  and everybody else laughed. She grabbed their attention  it was a great example of what swearing can do.

Donald Trump, her presidential rival, also seems partial to profanity. Whether its referring to African nations as s---hole countries, or calling former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney a pompous ass, Trump is renowned for deploying foul language to the extent that the politically incorrect former president is widely perceived to have made the US political climate coarser. Trump often calls his assorted indictments bulls---, even inspiring an evangelical crowd at a rally at a megachurch in Phoenix, Arizona, recently to chant bulls--- in support of him.

Trump may have more greatest hits, but Kamala Harris could yet become Americas most expletive-friendly leader ever should she triumph in Novembers presidential election. The evidence is mounting that she is becoming the political doyenne of the dirty word.

During Harriss doomed 2020 presidential bid, when she was asked for her favourite curse word, she responded it starts with an m and ends with an uh (many also noted that during the recent presidential debate, she called Trump this mo former president.)

Another clip you're probably looking for.

"This.former President." pic.twitter.com/1mtY4S71a1  Olga Nesterova (@onestpress) September 11, 2024

Harris has form with the super-expletive, having previously defended Left-wing Democrat congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for saying of Trump that she wanted to impeach the m----------r. Harris told daytime US television show The View in 2019 that Tlaib is not the first nor will she be the last elected person to curse in public.

Asked by the podcast Pod Save America about the then president in 2017, Harris said, I was told one should not say m----------r in these kinds of interviews.

In an interview with Rolling Stone in June, referring to arguments in the Supreme Court over emergency abortions following the Court overturning Roe v Wade in 2022, Harris said: Its f----d up. In the same interview she acknowledged her escalating expletive count: What have I done differently since Ive been in this office? I curse more. Harris has also sworn about more lighthearted subjects, telling her niece Meena Harris: You need to learn how to f---ing cook!

The question is, why? Is she looking to gain some campaign advantage? Or is she just a fouled-mouthed sign of the political times?

Research by software platform Quorum found US congressional politicians deployed the f-word 205 times last year on X (formerly Twitter), including retweets, compared with zero times in 2015. Interestingly, despite the linguistic belligerence of high-profile Republicans such as Trump and outspoken Georgia representative Majorie Taylor Greene, Quorum found Democrats in 2023 used the words s--- 161 times, compared with Republicans using it 70 times; Democrats used hell 620 times, compared with the word being tweeted 472 times by GOP lawmakers.

In politics it seems like some sort of dam has broken, Mohr says about the rise in swearing. Its partly due to social media, and also American politics is very apocalyptic now with the divide between the Left and the Right. Both Republicans and Democrats see the world burning for different reasons and they feel swearing is the appropriate language to use when youre faced with existential threats. The time for parliamentary language has passed so that brings out the f---s and the s---s!

Harris has publicly acknowledged that she is cursing more frequently than in her 2020 campaign for the Democratic nomination - Getty Images North America/Kevin Dietsch

Its a far cry from when swearing was considered scandalous in American politics and presidents wanted to be publicly sworn in, not swear in public. Richard Nixon, Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson all frequently cursed, but only behind closed doors. When politicians did cuss, they expressed regret for being found out (such as in 1988, when George HW Bush, who would duly become president, was overheard saying he tried to kick a little ass after a vice-presidential debate).

Or take that staple Trump expletive: bulls---. As late as 2012, Barack Obama caused controversy by telling Rolling Stone that kids would say about his presidential rival Mitt Romney: Well, thats a bulls----er, I can tell. Romney senior adviser Bay Buchanan fired back, Women in particular do not think that name-calling is an appropriate response.

Fast-forward to now. Leading Trump loyalist Nancy Mace might have a name straight from a post-war novel, but during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing in the aftermath of the first assassination attempt on Donald Trump, she blasted former secret service director Kim Cheatle for her bulls--- and being full of s---. Far from being contrite, footage of Maces profanities were posted on her website.

Republicans and Democrats are, as usual, divided on whats causing this spike in political profanity. Neither side wanted to be identified analysing the dark art of the political diss, but a Republican consultant says: When Donald Trump swears, its always referencing an issue, an opponent or a Left-wing injustice. When Kamala Harris and Joe Biden swear, they do it for the sake of it or to try to be cool.

If youre fighting Donald Trump, you have to forcefully take him on, counters a Democrat consultant. Its like that scene in [1987 film] The Untouchables where Sean Connery says to Kevin Costner about fighting Al Capones gang: They pull a knife, you pull a gun. Thats how you defeat bullies, and Kamala Harris isnt afraid to use choice words.

Peter York, style guru and the author of new political culture wars book A Dead Cat on Your Table, thinks Harris is out to be more relatable in her rudeness. Kamala Harris is being down with the people [when she swears], he says. Trump is fantastically rude and mean about other human beings, but Harris comes out of a culture on the Left where shes trying to be the rock star, the feminist.

Trump is renowned for deploying foul language to the extent that he is widely perceived to have made the US political climate coarser - AP/Alex Brandon

Whatever the reason, such swearing would be inconceivable in Britain, where, in 2018, the mere report that former prime minister Boris Johnson had used the phrase f--- business sparked outrage (though admittedly the venue for his alleged outburst was supposed to be a diplomatic meeting). Nor did it go down well when David Cameron said, too many twits make a t---. And Keir Starmer quipped while opposition leader: My dad was a toolmaker  although, in a way, so was Boris Johnsons.

When British politicians use expletives, I think people find it shocking or pathetic, and when done openly, an apology is expected, says James Frayne, the founding partner of the opinion research agency Public First. Because of the dominance of the BBC and the national media generally, which is averse to bad language, British politicians learnt to self-censor more than in the US.

There seems to be now so much desire for attention on social media in the US, and so many politicians trying to get their name out there, that many will do anything to get themselves known. They [the US public] dont find it as surprising or disapproving.

Reflecting on an early stint of his career spent in New York, Frayne says: Its ironic people in the UK find politicians swearing strange, because I found most ordinary Americans swear very little and many British people swear all the time.

Some experts foresee the exponential rise in expletives among American politicians will decline. If we get to the point where politicians are swearing all the time, its not going to be as useful anymore, Mohr says, and theyll step back and stop swearing so much.

Yet for now Peter York, who has chronicled transatlantic trends for half a century, believes top US politicos should derive inspiration from the special relationship to curb their public swearing habits: American politics needs to be more boring, more polite and more British.
The initial wording of the Unite motion calls on the government to reverse cuts to the winter fuel allowance in the October budget. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA

The Unite union has accused Labour conference organisers of seeking to silence them by scheduling a vote that could condemn cuts to winter fuel payments for the very end of the gathering.

Unite and the Communication Workers Union, which co-sponsored the motion calling for ministers to reverse the removal of the allowance from all but the poorest pensioners, had hoped it would take place on Monday, the busiest day of the event in Liverpool.

But it has been shifted to the very end, on Wednesday morning, after the final ministerial speeches and when many delegates will have left. Unite called this the graveyard slot.

The chair of the conference arrangements committee (CAC), Lynne Morris, faced boos and heckles from some delegates after she announced the timing for the debate and vote, which could well be passed given the union backing.

This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and Im going to take this back straight to CAC and Ill come back to you with an answer asap, she said, calling on the hecklers to show a little bit of respect for each other.

Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said: Right now it is fair to say that the Labour leaders have tried to silence the voice of pensioners, workers and communities at party conference in this blatant manoeuvre to block debate on winter fuel cuts and the departure towards austerity mark two. When this becomes widely known there will be real anger among everyday people. Real anger.

The CWU said it was concerned the debate could be squeezed out altogether.

While the leadership of Unite in particular has often been critical of Keir Starmer, the decision announced in July to remove the annual payment of either 200 or 300, depending on age, from all pensioners apart from those who receive income-based benefits has caused wider concern in the government and the party.

Speaking to the BBC before her main conference speech on Monday, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said such cuts were not changes that I expected to make or wanted to make, but when faced with a situation when theres a 22bn black hole, not some year in the future but this year, in the public finances, it requires difficult decisions.

While the vote would be non-binding, a major show of dissent from unions and delegates could make for a downbeat ending to Labours first conference in government for 15 years.

Unite has proposed a motion to condemn the cut that is likely to end in a revised compromise motion being agreed with other trade unions, similar to a motion that passed at the TUC conference. The initial wording of the motion calls on the government to make a U-turn in the October budget by reversing all cuts to the winter fuel allowance.

The backing of major unions would be likely to give the motion enough support to pass the conference floor, despite the fact the vast majority of Labour member delegates at the conference, without a significant leftwing bloc, are supportive of Starmers leadership.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Wheel of Liverpool, which lies just outside of the main conference zone, to urge the chancellor to reverse her decision.

The union members stood in the pouring rain, with some holding placards that said: WarmMongering  Not War-Mongering!

This cut isnt set in stone, but why is a Labour government considering this move in the first place? one said, as a crowd of protesters chanted: Winter fuel cuts go away, tax the rich and make them pay.

Unite member Josh added: Weve organised this protest as weve got 100,000 retired members and the vast majority of them are going to be losing their winter fuel payment. Theres more than enough money in society to pay for the winter fuel payments; it needs to be taxed because its currently held in the hands of very few people.

The 50 richest families in Britain are worth a combined 500bn, which is the same as half of the UK population. Were not a poor society but the state needs to tax that wealth and redistribute it.
Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer

As the late French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent once put it: The clothes are the message. When it comes to the Left, such a statement couldnt be more true. In the throes of Cool Britannia  when the London members clubs for creatives were banning ties and the indie rave scene singing that attire had to be loose fit to enable liquid freedom of movement  Tony Blair stalked the halls of Downing Street in open-neck shirts and comfy chinos.

During the Corbyn era, the Labour look was suffused with anti-corporate contempt, with its leader sporting 80s shell suits, Lenin caps, and ill-fitting suits. In contrast, the fashion at this years Labour conference scintillates with sly splendour  all neon Stella McCartney blazers and Armani tortoise-shell spectacles. Outside the gates, the usual Trotskyists chant against the Israeli genocide and Sir Kid Starver. But the conference arena is a symphony of surreptitious self-expression: in between speeches, the main stage clinks with the rose gold hardware of Michael Kors handbags. Windowless fringe events on the New Deal whiff of Calvin Kleins gender-neutral CK One.

This is all to say that there is something disquietingly furtive about Starmers Labour. It is as if they are not quite willing to reveal their true selves; to state who they are and what they believe in. Some claim that the partys rapid descent into sleaze and Machiavellian power plays is a sure sign that Starmer is not up to the job. Then again, most government honeymoon periods come to an end prematurely. After bungling a donations row involving Bernie Ecclestone, Tony Blair was yellow and gaunt by the autumn of 1997. Margaret Thatchers Cabinet was racked by infighting and Whitehall plunged into confusion, as she proved naively vague about apportioning roles, and overworked herself. A rocky start is not necessarily a sign of an inevitably weak government.

And yet, one gets the feeling that there is something profoundly amiss with this Labour administration. The temptation is to attribute Labours chaotic start to the weakness of its leader. The source of the problem may in fact be much worse  namely the duplicity of the movement that would rather endure sleazy headlines than show the country its hand. One might speculate that this is because Labour simply doesnt have a grand vision. The darker alternative explanation is that it does  but it isnt ready to quite reveal it for fear it will scare the middle class.

True, the Chancellor yesterday announced an end to trickle down and trickle out economics. But the clunky choice of words suggested she didnt dare openly say what she really meant  namely that Thatcherism and globalisation are dead and Britain is returning to socialism. The Chancellor spoke of a Britain able to realise the untapped potential of its citizens, not held back by inept cronyism, Little Englands Brexit red tape and systemic inequality. This is a bold  and potentially powerful  attempt by the Left to redefine freedom fundamentally, from a matter of individual rights and state non-interference, to a quest to liberate humankind from systemic obstacles. Yet Labour doesnt dare explicitly lay out its new philosophy.

Labour needs to find some red meat to distract the news hounds at conference. But when it comes to its ideological mission, it is petrified that the truth might be difficult for people to digest  or worse, that powerful figures in the business world and government blob might choke. So it plays it safe.

Keir Starmer and his chancellor could point out that Britain, and the wider West, is approaching a historic turning point, with government and unions starting to do the unthinkable and sing from the same hymn sheet. They could have pointed out that  after decades of attack from Left-wing economists, as well as ideological U-turns by the IMF and OECD  the Thatcherite belief that countries need flexible labour markets while overpowering unions are an obstacle to growth is on the cusp of being overturned. He could declare Thatcherism finished, and that a new age beckons. Yet, intriguingly, Starmer is unwilling to admit this  or at least not quite yet. It is telling that the Chancellor blandly declared she is proud to give the public sector a pay rise as it is the right choice for retention.

Labour may be fearful that it will spook investors who are already rattled by No 10s performative pessimism. After militantly suppressing their convictions to survive the Corbyn terror, the Starmerites have developed a compulsive and pathological aversion to stating what they believe for fear it will be their downfall. Starmer is also concerned about upsetting the Treasury bean counters. The Government may be gambling that as the global orthodoxy continues to shift  perhaps helped along by the rise of blue-collar populism on the Continent and a victory for Kamala Harris in November  the British establishment will naturally drift further to the Left. All it needs to do for now is tread water, and pay lip service to fiscal rectitude while pilfering pensioners to line the pockets of its union chums.

Of course, the risk is that without a strong sense of mission, Starmers government wont survive long enough to see in the revolution, becoming quickly overwhelmed by scandal and swallowed by the Blob. Indeed, No 10s mishandling of the winter fuel payment policy is a warning sign. Its acceptance of the off-the-shelf proposal, apparently without even bothering to ask how the most vulnerable would be cushioned, speaks to a government that will mindlessly take orders from the Treasury. Given a confrontation with the Treasury over the UKs commitment to mass immigration seems inevitable, such an attitude could well prove its downfall.

If Labour prematurely implodes that will be no bad thing for the country. The insanity of Trussonomics was the belief that we could push through unfunded tax cuts while simultaneously doubling down on a multi-billion-pound energy bailout support package at a time when the debt pile was ballooning. But the equally foolish conceit of Reevonomics is that a country that is already in a doom loop can impose wealth taxes to fund more public spending.

The self-proclaimed socialists, stalking the corridors of power with their distressed Balenciaga satchels, may not be in control for long. Without a confident mission for change, they could find themselves in the same trap as their Tory predecessors, drowning in sleaze and clinging to power for powers sake.
Celina*, aged 37, had her right temporomandibular joint replaced with the Maxoniq OMX TMJ device, but claims it had inherent defects and left her with increased pain, nerve damage and limited jaw movement. Photograph: Arnold Thomas Becker lawyers

A medical device that was intended to replace a patients jaw had inherent defects and caused increased pain, nerve damage and limited jaw movement, according to a statement of claim lodged in the county court of Victoria.

Guardian Australia has previously reported that two other patients whose jaw pain was treated with the Maxoniq OMX TMJ prosthesis device alleged in separate cases filed to Victorias county court that they suffered life-changing injury, loss, and damage due to complications after their surgeries. In those cases, the patients are taking legal action against maxillofacial surgeon Dr George Dimitroulis, a company director of Maxoniq and who also oversaw their treatment. Dimitroulis is defending the claims.

In a third case, a patient, Celina*, had her right temporomandibular joint replaced with the OMX TMJ device in September 2017 . The temporomandibular joint, known as the TMJ, connects the jaw to the skull, with one on each side of the head.

One year later, Celina also had her left TMJ replaced with the same device, the statement of claim filed to the county court in July says. The goal of both surgeries was to replace her damaged joints with a durable device that would restore jaw function and reduce joint pain.

Celina is now suing Maxoniq Pty Ltd, which manufactured the OMX TMJ device, in a case filed by law firm Arnold Thomas & Becker. Celina alleges in her statement of claim that neither of the devices were fit for purpose. They were not durable, they were not free from defects and they were not as safe as would be expected by a reasonable consumer, it is alleged.

The failure defects, and the risk of adverse events were inherent in the OMX replacement system, the statement of claim alleges.

Maxoniq denies the OMX device was subject to inherent defects and says the claim fails to account for significant pre-existing conditions, including chronic inflammation and degenerative bone disease.

In 2020 Celina underwent revision surgery where it became clear one of the screws in one of the devices had come loose, it is alleged. All four of the screws across both devices were replaced during that surgery.

A scan taken one month later revealed three of the four replacement screws had since fractured.

Maxoniq says the screws are not an inherent part of the OMX device and the choice of screw length or type is at the surgeons discretion.

A further revision surgery was ordered and took place in 2021 with a different surgeon, who discovered two of the replacement screws had come loose. Both OMX devices were removed by this surgeon and replaced with a different brand of device, the statement of claim says.

Celina, now aged 37, alleges that as a result of the OMX device allegedly not being of acceptable quality, the original surgeries to implant it and the surgeries required to address the device defects, she suffers more pain in her jaw and face, nerve damage, a speech impediment including a lisp and has limited range of motion when she opens her mouth.

At the time of the first OMX joint surgery, the plaintiff was employed, the statement of claim says. She required time off work as a result of the poor results from the first and second OMX joint surgery and the revision surgeries. She makes a claim for past and future loss of earnings.

A statement on the Maxoniq website says: The prosthesis is designed to replace a non-functional TMJ, restoring function, reducing pain and ultimately improving the patients quality of life.

The statement of claim says on 16 June 2021, medical regulator the Therapeutic Goods Administration issued a recall action notice against Maxoniq for the OMX device due to the issues with the screws.

Maxoniq claims the OMX device was not recalled. Instead the company notified the TGA itself and a hazard alert notice was issued in relation to two components.

A defence filed to the court on 30 August on behalf of Maxoniq states that the surgical screws in question do not form part of the OMX replacement system.

The choice of screw length, type and manufacturer of screws is at the surgeons discretion, and so does not comprise an inherent part of the OMX replacement system, the defence document says.

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The failures of the device described were a result of improper installation or surgical technique and not a defect in the OMX replacement system, the defence alleges.

The defence further states that Maxoniq provided information and documentation to all surgeons to present to all patients using the OMX replacement system including information about common risks.

The failure defect and the risk of adverse events are not inherent to the OMX replacement system, the defence document states.

Nytia Rajan, associate with Arnold Thomas & Becker, who is representing Celina, said it would be alleged that as a result of the treatment provided to our client, she has experienced a significant injury in the jaw and face, including nerve damage, limited opening of the mouth, and subsequently a speech impediment.

All three patients alleging damages due to the device were treated by the same surgeon, Dr George Dimitroulis, who is the founder and a company director of Maxoniq. All were implanted with the same OMX TMJ prosthesis device.

One of the former patients alleged Dimitroulis did not disclose his commercial interest in the company and that this represented a conflict of interest.

In his defence filed to the court in that case, Dimitroulis denied the allegation. He also denies allegations made in the two cases filed to the county court that those patients were not fully informed of the potential risks of the procedure.

His defence in those cases states that patients were adequately advised of the risks and likely results of the procedure, and that he acted in a manner that was widely accepted in Australia by a significant number of respected practitioners as competent professional practice.

Dimitroulis has not responded to numerous requests from Guardian Australia for comment.

*Name changed to protect identity due to sensitive medical information

Do you know more? melissa.davey@theguardian.com
Israel attacked over 800 targets across Lebanon on Monday - Reuters

The US is sending additional troops to the Middle East amid Israels deadliest barrage on Lebanon since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

Israeli airstrikes killed more than 490 people, including more than 90 women and children on Monday, the Lebanese health minister said.

Israels military claimed to have hit 1,300 Hezbollah targets in what it called the start of a proactive offensive operation against the Iran-backed militia.

The Pentagon said it was sending a small number of added troops to the region after thousands were deployed earlier alongside warships, fighter jets and air defence systems.

Joe Biden, whose country is Israels main ally and weapons supplier, said Washington was working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely.

Irans president, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Monday accused Israel of laying traps to lead his country into war. They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go, he warned.

It comes after Benjamin Netanyahu urged all Lebanese civilians to get out of harms way in an evening video message, telling them Israels fight is with Hezbollah, not Lebanon.

An Israeli strike also hit southern Beirut targeting one of Hezbollahs last battlefield commanders. The fate of Ali Karaki, the head of the southern front, is still unclear.

09:17 PM BST

Todays live coverage has ended

Todays live coverage has ended. Heres a roundup of the days events:

Israels air strikes on Lebanon killed a large number of Hezbollah militants, the Israel Defence Forces said.

The US said it would deploy additional troops to the Middle East.

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon killed more than 350 people, including 24 children, the Lebanese health minister said.

Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanese citizens to get out of harms way after Israels military pounded over 1,300 targets across the country.

Hezbollah denied claims that one of its top commanders was killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut.

09:01 PM BST

Pictured: The aftermath of an Israeli air strike on Beirut

A damaged vehicle is seen in a southern suburb of Beirut after an Israeli military strike - WAEL HAMZEH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock

Security forces arrive at the scene after the Israeli military carried out an airstrike on the Dahieh district of Beirut - Anadolu/Anadolu

08:54 PM BST

Israel says large number of Hezbollah militants killed

Israels military said a large number of Hezbollah militants were killed in strikes targeting the group in Lebanon on Monday, after Lebanons health ministry gave an overall death toll of more than 350.

Among those killed were a large number of Hezbollah terrorists who were next to the weapons that we targeted, military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a press briefing.

He added that secondary explosions of weapons stores were responsible for some of the casualties. He did not provide a figure.

08:50 PM BST

Watch: Get out of the way! Netanyahu warns in video message to all of Lebanon

Benjamin Netanyahu has warned all Lebanese civilians to get out of harms way in an evening video message.

I have a message for the people of Lebanon, Israels war is not with you its with Hezbollah, he said after Israels military pounded over 1,300 targets in the countrys north and south.

Dont let Hezbollah endanger Lebanon. Please get out of harms way now, he said, telling civilians they can return to their homes once our operation has finished.

08:40 PM BST

Hezbollah says top commander was not killed in Israeli strike

Hezbollah has denied claims that one of its top commanders was killed in an Israeli strike on Monday.

In response to the zionist enemys claims of assassinating our brother, the fighter Ali Karaki, we confirm that our dear brother, the fighter leader, Hajj Ali Karaki, is fine and, God willing, in full health and wellness and has moved to a safe place, the terror group said.

Israeli media had earlier reported that Karaki was the target of an Israeli air strike on the Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs of Beirut.

Karaki is the head of the Hezbollah unit responsible for the groups activity in southern Lebanon. He also a member of the Jihad Council, the body responsible for directing Hezbollahs military activities.

07:23 PM BST

350 killed, including 24 children, Lebanon says

Lebanon said more than 350 people including 24 children had been killed in Israeli strikes on the countrys east and south Monday - the deadliest day in nearly a year of cross-border clashes.

Israeli enemy strikes on towns and villages in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa and Baalbek in the east, killed 356 people, including 24 children and 42 women, and injured 1,246 others, the health ministry said in a statement.

07:15 PM BST

IDF says its airstrikes hit 1,300 targets in 24 hours

The Israeli military said late Monday that air strikes in Lebanon hit more than 1,300 targets of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in the previous 24 hours.

The strikes hit over 1,300 targets, army spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing.

An earlier statement from the Israeli army specified that the targets included buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure where rockets, missiles, launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles posed a threat.

07:13 PM BST

Pictured: Israel intercepts Hezbollah rockets

Rockets are launched from Lebanon towards Israel amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel - Reuters

Israels Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts incoming rockets - Reuters

Explosions are seen in the air as the rockets are hit by interceptor missiles - Reuters

Rocket debris falls over northern Israel following fresh attacks by Hezbollah - AFP

07:07 PM BST

Irans president: Israel is laying traps to lead us into war

Irans president accused Israel on Monday of seeking a wider war in the Middle East and laying traps to lead his country into a wider conflict.

Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran doesnt want to see the current war in Gaza and airstrikes across the Israeli-Lebanon border expanded.

He said while Israel insists it doesnt want a wider war, it is taking actions that show otherwise.

They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go...There is no winner in warfare, he said. We are only fooling ourselves if we believe that.

07:03 PM BST

Other countries react to the escalation in violence

Egypt has urged the UN Security Council to intervene after what it called a dangerous Israeli escalation in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Turkey said Israels strikes on Lebanon threaten to drag entire region into chaos.

Iraqs prime minister, Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, is seeking an urgent Arab meeting at UN General Assembly over the escalation in fighting.

06:46 PM BST

Biggest blow to Hezbollah since 2006 war - analysis

Israel attacked more than 1,100 Hezbollah targets in the past 24 hours, marking the biggest blow to the terror group since the 2006 war.

In TV studios the conflict is now being referred to as a full-fledged war by some pundits for a number of reasons; the scale of todays attacks, the mass evacuation of Lebanese civilians and finally the long-range rockets fired at the West Bank, likely aimed at central Israel.

Some still dont consider it a full-scale war as Israel hasnt launched a ground invasion yet.

But Israel is now attacking Beirut on a regular basis, taking out top Hezbollah commanders and destroying its missile depots across the country, clearly marking a vastly different level of the conflict from the past 11 months.

06:41 PM BST

In pictures: Inside Israels war rooms

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (second from left) approves plans for strikes in Lebanon, alongside other top military officials

Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, meets with IDF leaders at the Kirya military headquarters

06:26 PM BST

Israel struck over 1,100 Hezbollah targets in single day - IDF

06:23 PM BST

Fate of senior Hezbollah commander targeted in strike unclear

An Israeli strike on Monday evening on the southern suburbs of Lebanons capital targeted senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki, the head of the southern front, a Lebanese security source told Reuters.

Karakis fate is unclear, the source added.

An IDF infographic shows Hezbollahs chain of command with those it has eliminated - there is no picture of Ali Karaki

06:07 PM BST

Pictured: Aftermath of Israeli strike on Beirut

Emergency responders gather at the site of an Israeli strike on Beiruts southern suburbs said to have targeted a senior Hezbollah commander

06:05 PM BST

Israel army chief: We are preparing for next phase

Herzi Halevi, Israels army chief, said that this morning was the start of a proactive offensive operation to target Hezbollah weapon sites in Lebanon.

Essentially, we are targeting combat infrastructure that Hezbollah has been building for the past 20 years. This is very significant. We are striking targets and preparing for the next phases, which I will elaborate on shortly, he said.

Ultimately, everything is focused on creating the conditions to return the residents of the north to their homes.

05:59 PM BST

Fresh rocket sirens in Haifa

Israelis are running for cover in the northern coastal city of Haifa and nearby towns as fresh rockets sirens sound, according to witnesses.

It is the first time since war broke out in October that a Hezbollah rocket attack has set off sirens inside the city and not its suburbs, which were hit on Sunday.

Israels Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept rockets launched from Lebanon at Haifa, northern Israel - AP

05:55 PM BST

Biden says working to de-escalate in Lebanon

President Joe Biden said on Monday that the US was trying to calm the situation in Lebanon after Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds killed at least 274 people, including children.

Ive been briefed on the latest developments in Israel and Lebanon. My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and were working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely, Biden said as he held talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president, at the White House.

05:53 PM BST

Watch: Israel strikes hundreds of Hezbollah targets across Lebanon

05:49 PM BST

US sends more troops to Middle east

The US is sending additional troops to the Middle East in response to a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, would provide no details on how many additional forces or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. currently has about 40,000 troops in the region.

In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region. But for operational security reasons, Im not going to comment on or provide specifics.

03:00 PM BST

Netanyahu: we are changing security balance in north

Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces are changing the security balance in the north of the country, near the border with Lebanon.

Mr Netanyahu vowed last week to facilitate the return of thousands of displaced Israelis to their homes in the north after they were evacuated due to rocket attacks from Hezbollah.

Speaking after 182 people were killed in strikes on Monday, the Israeli prime minister said his forces do not wait for threat but preempt it.

02:50 PM BST

Schools in Lebanon to be used as shelters

Schools in Lebanon will be turned into temporary shelters for residents evacuating the southern border.

Buildings in Beirut, Tripoli, eastern and southern Lebanon will open for displaced people, according to Lebanese media reports.

02:40 PM BST

Watch: Israel destroys Hezbollah weapons

The IDF has posted footage showing Hezbollah weapons being destroyed in an air strike in Lebanon on Monday.

The Israeli military said it was targeting homes in southern Lebanon where the weapons are stored by the Lebanese terror group.

02:14 PM BST

Iran warns Israel of dangerous consequences

Iran has warned Israel of dangerous consequences after it carried out deadly strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.

Nasser Kanani, Irans foreign ministry spokesperson, said the strikes were insane and warned Israel against its new adventure.

Mr Kanani said the strikes represented a clear example of a serious threat to regional and international peace.

Some 182 people were killed and 727 injured in Mondays strikes, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

02:02 PM BST

Israels patience is not inexhaustible

Israels patience is not inexhaustible, a government spokesperson has said, after being asked about escalating clashes between Hezbollah and the IDF.

David Mencer said Hezbollah havent stopped, not for a single day attacking us, not for a single day.

No country can accept the wanton rocketing of its cities, Mr Mencer added.

Asked if Israel had declared war on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Mr Mencer said: Israel has a responsibility to defend its northern border. That is precisely what we are doing.

Israel attacked more than 300 targets across Lebanon on Monday, focusing primarily on the south of the country - REUTERS

01:55 PM BST

Death toll rises to 182 - health ministry

The death toll from Israels air strikes in Lebanon on Monday has risen to 182, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

At least 727 more were injured, including women, children, and medics, the ministry added.

01:38 PM BST

IDF orders more evacuations ahead of new strikes

The IDF has ordered more evacuations in the Beqaa Valley - around 30km east of Beirut - as it prepares to carry out another round of air strikes.

Daniel Hagari, the IDFs spokesperson, insisted in a statement on Monday afternoon that all strikes had hit Hezbollah weapons.

Every house that we strike contains weaponsrockets, missiles, UAVs that are intended to kill Israeli civilians, the IDF said in a statement.

01:20 PM BST

IDF: Lebanon strikes target Hezbollah weapons

The IDF has said that all air strikes targeted homes in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah is known to have stored missiles, drones, and rockets, causing secondary explosions.

Daniel Hagari also warned civilians in the Beeqa Valley to stay away from areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons as the IDF prepares to launch more air strikes.

12:48 PM BST

Israel attempts to call 80,000 Lebanese residents

Israel attempted to contact at least 80,000 Lebanese residents to warn them to evacuate their local areas ahead of a new wave of air strikes.

Imad Kreidieh, head of local telecoms operator Orego, told Reuters Israel was engaging in psychological warfare to make havoc and chaos.

12:25 PM BST

Death toll rises to 100 - health ministry

The death toll from Israels strikes on Lebanon on Monday has risen from 50 to 100, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

At least 400 more were injured, the ministry added.

The figures do not differentiate between civilians and Hezbollah fighters.

12:02 PM BST

In pictures: Israeli air strikes hit Lebanon villages

Lebanese civilians watch on as Israeli air strikes hit villages in southern Lebanon - REUTERS

Israel said it launched at least 300 attacks on Hezbollah targets on Monday - AFP

11:51 AM BST

Fifty killed and 300 injured in Israeli strikes

At least 50 people were killed and 300 injured in Israels latest round of air strikes on Lebanon, the countrys health ministry has said.

The Lebanese health ministry said this included women, children, and medics, in strikes which largely focused on southern Lebanon.

The IDF confirmed earlier on Monday that it had attacked 300 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.

11:30 AM BST

Hezbollah strikes back at Israel

Hezbollah said it launched three strikes at Israel after the IDF carried out 300 attacks across Lebanon on Monday.

According to the IDF, 35 rockets were fired by Hezbollah at Israel.

A statement read: Following the sirens that sounded at 12:24 in the areas of Amiad and Safed, approximately 25 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted a number of projectiles. Numerous falls were identified in open areas and adjacent to the area of Amiad. Following the sirens that sounded at 12:43 in the Lower Galilee area, approximately 10 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

Numerous falls were identified. Following the sirens that sounded at 12:19 in the area of Alkosh, the details are under review.

11:12 AM BST

Lebanese hospitals scrap non-urgent procedures

The Lebanese health ministry has told hospitals in the south and east to suspend all non-urgent surgeries in order to treat those wounded in Israeli air strikes.

10:49 AM BST

Lebanon PM denounces Israels destructive plan

The Lebanese prime minister denounced Israels destructive plan as the IDF carried out a fresh wave of air strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday.

The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns, Najib Mikati told a cabinet meeting.

Mr Mikati urged the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries... to deter the (Israeli) aggression.

Israel said it attacked hundreds of targets in Lebanon on Monday morning - REUTERS

10:24 AM BST

Israel launches 300 strikes on Hezbollah targets

The Israeli military said it launched around 300 strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday.

It came after Lebanese residents were told to evacuated their homes ahead of extensive, precise air strikes.

09:58 AM BST

Sirens heard in northern Israel

As the IDF confirmed it had launched a fresh wave of air strikes against Hezbollah, air sirens were heard ringing out in communities in northern Israel, close to the border with Lebanon.

09:39 AM BST

IDF begins new wave of strikes against Hezbollah

The Israeli military has launched a new wave of attacks against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The IDF (Israel Defence forces) is currently conducting strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon, the military just said in a statement.

09:21 AM BST

IDF tells Lebanese civilians: strikes are imminent

The IDF has posted a message in Arabic telling Lebanese citizens that strikes on homes used to store Hezbollah weapons are imminent.

Hezbollah is lying to you and sacrificing you, Avichay Adraee said. Its missiles and drones are more valuable and important to it than you are.

It comes after Lebanese citizens were warned to evacuate areas near sites where Hezbollah weapons are stored. Residents have reported receiving text messages and calls warning them to leave.

This includes residents in the capital city of Beirut ahead of an anticipated large-scale attack by Israel.

09:00 AM BST

We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon

Israel is deepening its attacks against Hezbollah, Israels defence minister said, as he urged the public to show composure in the coming days.

Speaking on Monday, Yoav Gallant said he expected intensified fire from across the border this week.

We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon, the actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes, Mr Gallant said.

These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure.

Yoav Gallant, Israeli defence minister, said he expects more attacks from Lebanon in the coming days - Anadolu

08:44 AM BST

IDF lays out goals in Lebanon

An IDF official has said the military will only carry out an aerial bombardment campaign after being asked if a ground invasion of Lebanon was imminent.

The Israeli military wants to degrade Hezbollahs ability to fire rockets over the border at communities in northern Israel and push its fighters back from the border.

The third aim is to destroy the terror infrastructure built by the Radwan forces, Hezbollahs elite infantry force, which the official said would be used to attack Israeli citizens.

The Israeli military will only focus on an aerial campaign, according to an IDF official - AFP

08:18 AM BST

Analysis: Why Hezbollah wont fire its most advanced missiles  yet

It might be foolhardy to poke the Russian bear, but poking the Lebanese one seems to be a different matter.

Hezbollah is almost unquestionably the worlds most formidable non-state fighting force. Its military capability exceeds that of the armies of many Middle Eastern states, Lebanon among them. Its vast arsenal includes guided missiles that could hit any Israeli city.

Yet the groups response to days of provocation has been pretty tepid so far.

Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, had repeatedly warned Israel that any airstrikes on its strongholds in southern Beirut would be met with a salvo of rocket strikes on Tel Aviv.

In the past two months, Israel has twice bombed the Lebanese capital, killing some of Nasrallahs most experienced battlefield commanders. Last week, thousands of Hezbollahs rank-and-file were incapacitated in synchronised attacks on the groups pagers and walkie-talkie radios.

Hezbollahs response has not quite been to bend over and ask for more.

Read the full story here.

08:01 AM BST

In pictures: Israel launches extensive air strikes

Israel launched a fresh wave of extensive, precise air strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday.

Below we can see the aftermath of those strikes, with smoke billowing through the sky as civilians walk along a nearby beach.

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon after Israel launched a fresh wave of extensive air strikes - REUTERS

People walk along a beach as smoke billows over southern Lebanon following a new wave of Israeli air strikes - REUTERS

07:50 AM BST

Israel briefed US on Hezbollah strikes

Israels defence minister said on Monday that he spoke with his Washington counterpart about the militarys latest strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Provided the Secretary with a situation assessment of Hezbollah threats and briefed him on IDF (Israel Defense Forces) operations to degrade Hezbollahs ability to launch attacks against Israeli civilians, Yoav Gallant said.

We also discussed the wider regional situation and the threats posed by Iran and its proxies, he added.

07:43 AM BST

IDF tells civilians to evacuate Lebanese villages

The Israeli army is calling on civilians in Lebanese villages to evacuate from areas where Hezbollah is storing cruise missiles, rockets and drones in civilian buildings.

We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harms way for their own safety, Daniel Harari, the IDFs spokesperson, said.

The IDF also released drone and 3D illustrations allegedly showing how Hezbollah is storing large cruise missiles in civilian homes throughout southern Lebanon.

A military official said in a briefing to foreign journalists that this marks the first time since Oct 8 that the army is issuing this type of advanced warning in Lebanon, after Israel detected a 300kg Russian-made cruise missile about to be launched at Israel from a civilian home.

We are using all available media platforms to communicate this warning in Arabic, a military official said.

The official said that the Russian-made cruise missile was likely smuggled from Syria into Lebanon, adding that Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a battlefield by embedding its military capabilities into civilian homes.

07:36 AM BST

Middle East headlines

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

Were bringing you the latest from the Middle East as Israel and Hezbollah continue to fire rockets at one another amid escalating tensions.

Heres the latest headlines:
The total for the year so far is 21 per cent lower than the same period in 2022, the record year for crossings - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

One in five migrants crossing the Channel are claiming to be children amid claims it could boost the chances of asylum, a minister has warned.

Dame Angela Eagle, the border security minister, said the signal had gone out to migrants that they could get a better deal if they claim they are children.

Official figures have previously suggested between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of children where there were contested age claims were subsequently found to be adults.

Dame Angela told a fringe event at the Labour conference in Liverpool: There is an issue about identifying, correctly, those who are children.

About 20 per cent of the people that come across in boats are claiming they are children. Not all of them are. So clearly, the signal has gone out that if you claim youre a child, then you are going to get a better deal.

There are safeguarding issues one way or the other, if you let adults into the childrens system or children into the adults system that we have got to try and sort out.

The Tory government proposed using bone and teeth scans to check the age of child migrants but a scientific study questioned the accuracy of the methods.

More than 25,000 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, with the figure emerging as Border Force rescued more people from a sinking dinghy.

Home Office figures showed that 717 migrants crossed in 13 boats on Sunday, taking the total for the year to 25,052 to date. It was the third highest number of arrivals recorded on a single day this year, after 882 on June 18 and 801 on Sept 14.

A rescue operation was launched to save a migrant boat in difficulty on the English side of the Channel on Monday. Strong winds and choppy conditions made the already risky crossing even more dangerous.

An RNLI lifeboat and a search and rescue helicopter were deployed by the Coastguard, and the rescued migrants could be seen swaddled in blankets and wearing life jackets as they disembarked from a Border Force boat at Dover, Kent.

Sundays 717 arrivals mean 1,424 people crossed the Channel this weekend, with 707 having arrived in 11 boats on Saturday.

The total for the year so far is up four per cent on this time last year, when it stood at 23,996, but 21 per cent lower than the same period in 2022 (31,686), the record year for crossings.

Since the general election, 11,478 people have arrived in 202 small boats despite the Governments pledge to smash the gangs.

A Home Office spokesman 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.
Thousands of nurses walked out in a strike over pay last May - Guy Smallman/Getty Images

Nurses have voted to reject the Governments pay uplift of 5.5 per cent.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced the results of a vote on pay as Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, addressed the Labour Party conference on Monday.

The RCN said two-thirds of its members voted against the pay award for 2024-25 in a record high turnout of 145,000.

Nurses will still get the uplift next month, which will be backdated to April, and the union would have to reballot its members to take any form of industrial action.

The RCN has been in a pay dispute with the Government since 2022, but did not pass the threshold required to continue striking in a second ballot after staging walkouts throughout the winter of 2022-23.

It also rejected the pay increase given to all NHS staff last year, and was the only health service union to vote against the uplift this time around, almost two months after it was first announced.

The RCN said the number voting in its consultation on the pay award was higher than its 2022 and 2023 ballots on industrial action.

Our members do not yet feel valued

In a letter to Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, Prof Nicola Ranger, the RCN general secretary, said nurses wanted urgent action.

We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the determination of nursing staff to stand up for themselves, their patients and the NHS they believe in, she wrote.

To raise standards and reform the NHS, you need safe numbers of nursing staff, and they need to feel valued. Nursing staff were asked to consider if, after more than a decade of neglect, they thought the pay award was a fair start. This outcome shows their expectations of Government are far higher.

Our members do not yet feel valued and they are looking for urgent action, not rhetorical commitments. Their concerns relate to understaffed shifts, poor patient care and nursing careers trapped at the lowest pay grades.

The union argues that the pay of an experienced nurse fell by 25 per cent in real terms under the Conservatives between 2010 and 2024.

We know what nurses have been through

Mr Streeting said: We know what nurses have been through in recent years and how hard it is at the moment. Thats why, despite the bleak economic inheritance, the Chancellor awarded them an above-inflation pay rise.

For the first time in a long time, nurses have got a government on their side that wants to work with them to take the NHS from the worst crisis in its history, to get it back on its feet and make it fit for the future.

We will work with NHS staff to turn this around together.

Ms Reeves told the Labour conference she was proud to stand here as the first Chancellor in 14 years to have delivered a meaningful, real pay rise to millions of public sector workers.

She added: We made that choice not just because public sector workers needed that pay rise, but because it was the right choice for parents, patients and for the British public.

Extra 1,500 a year

The Government accepted the NHS Pay Review Bodys recommendation for all NHS staff in England on Agenda for Change contracts to receive a 5.5 per cent rise this financial year.

It means newly-qualified nurses on a band five salary will take home an extra 1,500 a year, up to just short of 30,000, which would rise after two years of service.

The announcement followed a vote last week by resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, to accept a 22 per cent multi-year pay rise to end their strikes.

Members of the British Medical Association voted by two-thirds in favour of the deal, which included the Government agreeing to change the job title assigned to the profession.

The RCN announcement came as Ms Reeves finished her speech to Labour members in Liverpool on Monday, where she was also interrupted by a pro-Palestinian heckler.
Kinmen receives first mainland tour group in four years

Xinhua) 08:32, September 23, 2024

TAIPEI, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Kinmen on Sunday received its first tour group from the Chinese mainland in more than four years.

The group of 20-plus tourists arrived in Kinmen from Xiamen, Fujian Province, on the Chinese mainland, and will go on a two-day sightseeing tour that ends on Monday.

On Aug. 30, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the decision to resume allowing residents in Fujian Province to travel to Kinmen.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
X-ray images showed dozens of packages inside the body of the 30-year-old woman - South African Police Services/via REUTERS

A suspected drug mule was arrested on arrival at South Africas busiest airport after X-rays showed she had swallowed scores of packages suspected to be cocaine.

The unnamed Namibian woman, 30, is the tenth suspected drug mule to be seized at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in the past two months.

Police said they had recovered more than 60 of the bullet-shaped pellets from her so far.

Officers arrested the woman after being tipped off that a person with drugs was on the flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Brig Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesman, said: The team immediately intercepted the drug mule as she was making her way through immigration.

She was immediately arrested, taken to a local hospital where a medical X-ray confirmed and detected foreign objects in her stomach.

She has already released more than 60 bullets of suspected cocaine thus far. She is currently under police guard and custody.

Officers said they had recovered more than 60 of the pellets so far - South African Police Services/via REUTERS

Police said it was too early to speculate about the street value of the drugs haul.

More than R13 million (560,000) worth of drugs have been seized at the airport in the past two months.

Last week, police arrested a man with 450 grams (1lb) of cocaine hidden inside headphones. The man had travelled from Sao Paulo and was due to catch a connecting flight to Nigeria.

A cleaner who allegedly handed him the headphones at the airport fled the scene and was on the run, police said at the time.
Shelley, one of the missing teenagers, was last seen in Eastleigh near Southampton, Hants, six days ago - Hampshire Police/Solent News & Photo Agency

Police have said they are increasingly concerned after three teenage friends have all gone missing.

Fears are growing for the welfare of Shelley, 14, Roxanna, 13, and Jack, 15, who have not been seen for several days.

Officers went public with their appeal for Shelley  who was last seen in Eastleigh near Southampton, Hants, six days ago  on Monday.

But now, they have now extended that search to include Jack, who has not been seen in the same town since Sunday, and Roxanna, who was last seen at her home in nearby Bursledon on Saturday morning.

Police believe that the trio may have travelled to London.

Roxanna was last spotted at her home in nearby Bursledon on Saturday morning - Hampshire Police/Solent News & Photo Agency

Jack, 15, has also not been seen for several days - Hampshire Police/Solent News & Photo Agency

Shelley is described as being white, 5ft 3in to 5ft 5in, with long light brown hair that is usually worn in a bun. She was last seen wearing black leggings, a blue T-shirt and a white puffer gilet and carrying a black handbag.

Roxanna is described as white, 5ft 3in to 5ft 5in, average build with blue eyes and long brown hair. She was last seen wearing a grey hoodie, a black puffer jacket and black trainers.

Jack, who is also white, is described as being 5ft 9in, of slim build and with dark ginger hair that is long on top. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, light blue cargo trousers, white trainers, a black coat and carrying a black bag.

A spokesman from Hampshire Constabulary said: Weve been carrying out a number of enquiries since they went missing, but are now turning to the community for help.

Were growing increasingly concerned for their welfare and would urge anyone who has seen them since they went missing, or anyone who might know where they are now to contact us immediately.
Prince Harry makes his debut on stage in New York

The Duke of Sussex said he believes the phrase mental health should be replaced with mental fitness as he made his debut on stage in New York.

Prince Harry, 40, joined Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award, for a panel discussion about the global mental health crisis.

Dressed in a dark blue suit and matching tie, he appeared nervous as he walked onto the stage at the Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan to rapturous applause.

There was standing room only at the Concordia Annual Summit event and attendees quickly pulled out their phones to capture the royals arrival.

The Duke watched intently as Dr Ojo delivered her opening remarks, stating that she was very grateful for the Dukes presence and describing him as a passionate advocate for mental health.

He actually said to me, as we came in, that actually, we should no longer talk about mental health, we should talk about mental fitness, she said. His dedication to this cause strengthens our mission.

The Duke of Sussex listens on at the Diana Awards - Getty/John Nacion

Prince Harry said mental health was a very, very important subject that affects every single one of us from top to bottom, from the youngest to the oldest.

He hailed the way young winners of the Diana Award were using their voices to bring about change, stating that his late mother would have been immensely proud of them.

The Duke also called upon governments to involve young people in their decision making processes, noting that solutions do exist.

He appeared nervous throughout the 30-minute appearance, repeatedly fiddling with his tie and jacket and shifting in his chair.

The Duke and Dr Ojo were joined on stage by two winners of the Diana Legacy Award, Christina Williams from Jamaica and Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang from Indonesia, taking turns to ask them a series of questions about their work and their hopes for the future.

Surely one of the solutions here is for governments to implement, or at least find people - young people like yourselves - and bring them into decision making, policy-making situations, before the problems exist, Prince Harry said.

Were very good at creating problems for ourselves to try and solve, but surely by bringing young people in at the early stages surely that is where the difference is going to be made.

Why is that not happening?

The Duke also thanked the two award winners for leading the charge in hopefully being able to break down the stigma about mental health.

So many people are looking for solutions, he said. And the fact of the matter is, there are solutions to all of these issues.

I applaud you, certainly at your age, to be on this stage, to have the confidence that you do and to be able to speak as clearly and as passionately as you do.

He added: I know that my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys the way that you do it, your activism, your compassion, those two things are so true to how my mum led her life and what she believed in. And the way that you do it is incredible, so thank you.

The Duke said that the courage shown by the younger generation gave him hope.

Every single one of us needs courage in order to really move the dial and create positive change in todays world, probably more so now than ever, he added.

Now we need to listen, constantly listen, and then act on the advice and the vision that you have because otherwise its your future thats being stolen from you and that is unacceptable.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry have long supported the Diana Award, a charity set up to reflect the late Princesss belief that young people can change the world and the only one to bear her name.

The event was the first of several for Prince Harry, who has travelled to New York without his wife, Meghan, for a series of high profile appearances covering a range of his key interests from conservation to sustainable travel and landmines on the sidelines of the UN General Assemblys high level week.

He later spoke on behalf of the Halo Trust, the charity for which his late mother famously issued a clarion call for action by walking through an Angolan minefield in 1997.

During the event, which was held in partnership with the Angolan government, the Duke described how he walked in my mothers footsteps through the former minefield in Huambo, in 2019.

Where she first walked in 1997, I found a bustling, vibrant town, he said.

Addressing the room, the royal added: Much has changed in my life and the world since 2019 when I first visited Huambo.

In those five years, Ive become a father for the second time, and while you dont need children to have a stake in the future of our planet, I do know that my mother would have been horrified that anyones children or grandchildren live in a world still invested with mines.

Harry also spoke of his resolve to finish the work his mother had started for the charity almost three decades ago.

Carrying on her legacy is a responsibility incredibly seriously, he said, adding: and I think we all know how much shed want us to finish this particular job.

As he ended his remarks, the Duke made a touching tribute to his late mother, suggesting that once the charitys work is complete, she would be able to rest knowing the mission she championed was finished.

Lets renew our commitments and lets finish the job for all our sakes, so we too can look back in awe and relief, and so those who started this recovery and regeneration many years ago can rest knowing that we really did finish the job.
The Nebraska state senator Mike McDonnell of Omaha in the legislative chamber in Lincoln in 2019. Photograph: Nati Harnik/AP

A Republican attempt to change the electoral system in Nebraska to give Donald Trump a possible advantage in the event of a tied presidential election has been rebuffed after a state legislator refused to back the plan.

Mike McDonnell, a former Democrat who crossed to the Republican party this year, said he would not vote to change the midwestern states distribution of electors to the same winner-takes-all process that operates in most of the US.

His decision followed intense lobbying from both Republicans and Democrats, who anticipated that a change in the allocation of Nebraskas five electoral college votes could have have a decisive impact on the outcome of the 5 November poll.

It reduces the possibility that the former president and Kamala Harris could be tied on 269 electoral college votes each, a scenario that would throw the final say on the elections outcome to the House of Representatives.

A tie scenario could have arisen if Trump earned five electoral votes  rather than four, as expected under the present set-up  from winning Nebraska, then won the four Sun belt states of North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona, while the vice-president carried the northern battlegrounds of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

US presidential elections are not decided by the popular vote nationwide but by which candidate wins a majority of 538 electoral college votes, usually awarded to the winner of the popular vote in each state.

Nebraskas Republican legislators, egged on by Republicans on Capitol Hill, proposed to change the distribution of electors to ensure that Trump would be awarded all five electoral votes if, as expected, he wins the solidly pro-Republican state.

That would have upended the status quo under which Nebraska, unlike every other state apart from Maine, splits its allocation to give two to the presidential candidate that wins the popular vote while awarding the other three on the basis of who prevails in each of its three congressional districts.

The states second congressional district, covering its biggest city, Omaha, was won by Joe Biden in 2020, a feat Harris hopes to emulate.

The spotlight had fallen on McDonnell, a former firefighter and the chair of Omahas federation of labour, because his support would have provided the two-thirds majority needed in the state legislature to change Nebraskas distribution system law, which has operated since 1992.

Related: Republicans step up effort to change Nebraska voting rules to help Trump

In a statement, McDonnell, who had seemed to wavering in recent days from his earlier vow not to vote to restore the winner-takes-all system, made it plain that he had not moved from his original position.

Elections should be an opportunity for all voters to be heard, no matter who they are, where they live, or what party they support, he said. I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from election day, is not the moment to make this change.

His announcement came despite a meeting with the Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, who travelled to Nebraska last week to lobby local legislators, and appeared to end plans by Jim Pillen, Nebraskas governor, to call a special legislative session to change the law.

With Mike McDonnell being an absolute no, that kind of closes the lid, the Republican state senator Loren Lippincott told the Nebraska Examiner newspaper.

McDonnells stance won praise from a former ally, Jane Kleeb, the chair of Nebraskas Democrats, who hailed him for standing strong against tremendous pressure from out-of-state interests to protect Nebraskans voice in our democracy.
The companies are accused of misleading Ofwat and the Environment Agency by significantly or systematically underreporting the number of sewage discharges. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Rex/Shutterstock

Six water companies overcharged customers between 800m and 1.5bn by significantly or systematically underreporting the true scale of their sewage pollution of rivers and waterways, a tribunal has heard.

In the first environmental competition class action against water companies in England, lawyers argued that the privatised firms had abused their monopoly position to mislead regulators over the amount of sewage they were discharging from their assets over the past 10 years.

As a result, the companies, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, Severn Trent, Northumbrian Water and United Utilities, were able to charge customers higher bills than they would have been allowed to if they had provided the regulators with a true picture of their sewage pollution.

Prof Carolyn Roberts, a water resource specialist, is taking the action in the competition appeals tribunal and seeking to represent millions of consumers who she believes have been overcharged by hundreds of millions of pounds.

Julian Gregory, for Roberts, told the tribunal on Monday that all the water firms were monopolies that were not subject to any competitive pressures to provide sewerage services to the public. The companies were all legally required to report pollution to the regulators  the Environment Agency and Ofwat, he said.

Sewage spills pose a threat to wildlife, the environment and public health, said Gregory.

The pricing regime, controlled by Ofwat, allows the regulator to limit the amount charged to customers for the monopoly services of providing drinking water and sewerage.

The structure provides a financial incentive for water companies to reduce sewage pollution.

Gregory said the six companies had misled both Ofwat and the Environment Agency by significantly or systematically underreporting the number of sewage discharges from their treatment works and combined sewer overflows from 2014 onwards.

By misleading the regulators on the true scale of sewage discharges, they had been allowed by Ofwat to charge customers higher prices than if they had reported the sewage pollution accurately, said Gregory.

Carolyn Roberts estimates across the six water companies customers may have been overcharged 800m to 1.5bn, he said.

Many people care deeply about the state of our rivers  sewage spills to them can be incredibly damaging. As the true number of sewage spills have become apparent there has been a public outcry, he said.

If the defendants [water companies] have been underreporting spills they will not have been properly incentivised to reduce sewage spills.

Gregory said analysis of Thames Water data alone suggested the company may have failed to report more than 6,000 raw sewage discharges.

Roberts is applying to the tribunal for collective proceedings orders (CPOs) against the six water companies.

If the orders are granted, the proposed claims can proceed to a full trial to establish whether water companies have been overcharging household customers. Customers would automatically be refunded millions of pounds.

As a professor of the environment, I have a deep appreciation of our waterways and their influence on our wider environment and firmly believe in preserving them for future generations, said Roberts.

I hope to be authorised as the class representative to bring these claims on behalf of millions of household consumers who have been overcharged due to the anti-competitive practices employed by these six water companies.

The six water companies are defending the allegations in the tribunal.

A spokesperson for Water UK, the industry body, said: This highly speculative claim is entirely without merit. The regulator has confirmed that over 99% of sewage works comply with their legal requirements. If companies fail to deliver on their commitments, then bills will automatically be reduced.
Angela Rayner with the Superlambanana clown sculpture at the Museum of Liverpool - Elliott Franks

Angela Rayner faces an investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner over the use of a $2.5million New York apartment lent by Lord Alli, the Labour peer.

The Telegraph can reveal that the Conservatives have written to Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, seeking an investigation.

The Tory letter claims that Ms Rayners failure to properly register the New York flat donation means the House of Commons code of conduct may have been breached.

It comes after it emerged that Sam Tarry, a former Labour MP, joined Ms Rayner for parts of her stay at the flat from Dec 29 to Jan 2 but was not named in the parliamentary declaration.

During an interview on BBC Ones Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Rayner denied any wrongdoing, saying: I think I followed the rules.

Addressing the backlash, she added: I get that people are frustrated, in particular the circumstances that were in, but donations for gifts and hospitality and monetary donations have been a feature of our politics for a very long time.

People can look it up and see what people have had donations for, and the transparency is really important.

Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, with Sam Tarry, the former Labour MP for Ilford South - X/Twitter/Sam Tarry

Ms Rayner did declare to the parliamentary authorities the donation from Lord Alli that saw her use his apartment but did not detail publicly that Mr Tarry, then the Ilford South MP, had also stayed there.

According to the rules, MPs must declare foreign trips which they, or anyone connected to them, undertake if a donor pays for part or all of it as a result of parliamentary or political activities.

Ms Rayner argues that the trip was a personal holiday and denies any rule breach. Lord Alli is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Questions about the scale of donations from Lord Alli, a former TV mogul said to be worth 200 million, overshadowed day one of Labours conference in Liverpool.

The peer has decided to attend the conference despite a week of headlines about his hundreds of thousands of pounds of donations to the party.

Sue Gray, the Downing Street chief of staff also in the headlines for her salary exceeding that paid to Sir Keir Starmer, has skipped the gathering.

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, on Sunday admitted receiving 14,000 from Lord Alli to help pay for events to mark her 40th birthday, but argued it was a work event.

Speaking on Sky News, she admitted some of the cash was used to pay for a 40th birthday event held in December at the Hoare Memorial Hall, a venue with views of Westminster Abbey.

Ms Phillipson said: It was used to fund two events, all of which was declared properly and thoroughly  thats why that informations in the public domain. The first event was ahead of my birthday, so I was turning 40.

I thought it was a good opportunity to get people together in a professional context  so it was journalists, trade unionists, education people, MPs and shadow Cabinet. The second event was an event that I held also, again, for Lobby journalists, for people in the education world, as part of a reception. It was in a work context.

Ms Phillipson also defended accepting free Taylor Swift tickets, telling ITV: Look, Ill be honest  it was a hard one to turn down. I appreciate there was a big demand for the tickets, it was a privilege to be there.

On the opening day of the Labour conference, Ms Rayner attempted to deflect attention away from Labours donations row by telling delegates at the partys conference to remind voters of partygate.

She said: Dont forget what they did: partygate, Covid contracts, the lies, division, scapegoating, and the unfunded tax cuts for the richest that crashed our economy. Dont forget any of it. The Tories failed Britain and they tried to cover it up.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said: Conference, for 14 long years, the Conservative Party misused the British state, handing out crony contracts to their mates, crashing the economy with their delusional ideology.

There were no references to the donations row, and Andrew Bowie, the Tory shadow veterans minister, said: Labours hypocrisy is off the scale. They spent years taking the moral high ground and now theyre excusing their freeloading as the done thing.

On Sunday night, it was also reported that Ms Rayner had come by a chief photographer on a taxpayer-funded salary of up to 66,000.

According to the Mail, Simon Walker has been appointed Chief Photographer to the Deputy PM and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

A department spokesman said: This is a Civil Service role and will be part of MHCLGs communications team.
Two protesters are detained by police at a banned rally in Dar es Salaam on Monday. Photograph: Anthony Siame/EPA

Police in Tanzania have arrested three leaders of the main opposition party in a series of detentions to prevent a planned anti-government protest, the latest in a string of events that analysts and rights groups say erode hopes of a new style of politics under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Freeman Mbowe, the chair of the Chadema party, was arrested on Monday in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, while speaking with journalists. The partys deputy chair, Tundu Lissu, was taken from his home in the city in a fleet of 11 vehicles, the party said. Godbless Lema, a central committee member, was also arrested, police said.

Demonstration is our constitutional right, Mbowe said before police took him away.

The arrests came on the day Chadema had planned to protest against the alleged disappearances and killings of its members and other government critics by security forces. The protest was banned by the police earlier this month.

Jumanne Muliro, the commander of the Dar es Salaam special police zone, said 14 people, including Mbowe and Lissu, were arrested on Monday for disobeying the ban.

Mbowes daughter was also taken into custody moments after her father, and the Citizen newspaper reported that police arrested two journalists from its parent company, Mwananchi Communications, although one was later released.

Riot police were positioned in different areas of the city to prevent the protest.

Chadema has accused Hassans administration of targeting critics. Numerous party members have gone missing recently. Earlier this month, Ali Mohamed Kibao, a member of the partys national secretariat who had been abducted by armed men, was found dead, severely beaten and his face doused with acid, Mbowe said.

Hassan became president after the sudden death in 2021 of John Magufuli, whose rule was characterised by censorship and repression and whose administration used oppressive laws to clamp down on criticism and opposition.

Her assumption of the presidency raised expectations that she would usher in a new era for Tanzania. She reversed some of Magufulis policies, including lifting a ban on opposition rallies and that of four newspapers. But hopes have dimmed amid a wave of arrests, including of people planning protests against a port management deal last year, and last months detention of Mbowe, Lissu and about 400 Chadema supporters.

Analysts and rights groups say she is using the same authoritarian tactics as Magufuli, and that the situation is getting worse ahead of elections expected next year.

Oryem Nyeko, a Tanzania researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that while there were positive signs at the start of Hassans presidency, its starting to look like more of the same.

The arrests of Mbowe and Lissu send a troubling message about how tolerant the president is of the opposition, he said. Theyre raising legitimate concerns about important issues and she should be listening to them, and addressing them, instead of clamping down on them.

Tito Magoti, a Tanzanian human rights lawyer, said Hassan had taken a more radical stance towards the opposition and civil liberties because she was feeling the pressure of more people wanting to participate in government and growing calls for respect for human rights.
Angel Nakhle arrived from Lebanon in November 2015 and could not get a school place until January. Photograph: Refugee Education UK

Thousands of teenage asylum seekers are thought to be spending up to a year out of education in a no mans land because schools are reluctant to accept them if they arrive after the start of the school year, a report has warned.

Teenage asylum seekers are seen as too old to be easily integrated into mainstream schooling and too young for further education, leaving many stuck in a limbo that leaves them vulnerable to isolation, mental health deterioration and exploitation, according to research conducted by the charity Refugee Education UK (REUK) and funded by the Bell Foundation, an education charity.

While all teens are affected, those who struggle most are aged 15 to 17 and looking to enter year 11, when their peers are preparing for GCSEs, the study showed.

One charity worker told the researchers that [young] people  particularly unaccompanied young people  are particularly vulnerable to victimisation, trafficking and exploitation as a result.

Catherine Gladwell, REUKs chief executive, said that education can have a transformative impact and offers the key to integration, wellbeing, and a meaningful future, and ultimately, enabling them to make a positive economic and social contribution to the UK.

But she added: For many young refugees, this right remains far from the reality.

She noted that in 2023, 7,290 unaccompanied refugee and asylum-seeking children were supported by local authorities, most of whom were aged 14 to 17, meaning thousands of children have likely been trapped in an educational limbo.

Related: Threefold increase in lone child asylum seekers in UK, figures show

REUK is calling for the Westminster government to include asylum seekers and refugees in its new childrens wellbeing bill, which aims to tackle school absences, and to introduce a strategy for integrating these children faster, including incentivising schools to accept in-year arrivals with extra funding, as well as to monitor asylum seeker and refugee access to education.

The research drew on the insights from more than 400 people working to support asylum seekers and refugees. While all regions of the UK were represented in the underlying research, responses were weighted towards the south of England and REUKs recommendations are, therefore, focused on England.

Four-fifths of 112 survey respondents thought it was difficult for a young person to get a secondary school place after the winter break of year 11. This was Angel Nakhles experience. She arrived from Lebanon aged 13 in November 2015, and after a couple of weeks her family was moved into a house in Dudley, in the West Midlands. While her younger siblings were immediately placed in primary school, her case worker was unable to find her a place until January.

She said: My English was not that great at the time. It wasnt really fluent, I didnt understand it that well. When youre a child and youre used to the lifestyle of going to school every day then you move to a different country, its so hard to adapt to the culture. I was in the hotel isolated from people for a while. It was really hard. If Id got into school a little earlier I would have adjusted a bit better into the environment.

Asylum seekers and refugees over 16 can find that their options narrow and are often limited to Esol or vocational courses that do not always advance their education or career aspirations, the report found.

REUKs research found a number of barriers to education, in particular a lack of available school places and uncertainty over accommodation, including being moved across the country at short notice. Current dispersal policy, and the constant uncertainty and instability it generates, causes significant disruptions to late arrivals education, the report stated, suggesting that the Home Office should factor access to education into dispersal decisions, and provide more advance notice where it is unavoidable.

Related: We talk about boats  not people: UK dehumanising refugees, Toby Jones says

The report also found fear among schools of placing in-year arrivals, or of the potential negative impact on performance tables from taking children who are new to the school systems in the UK, including anxieties about additional English language support. Diana Sutton, the director of the Bell Foundation, said schools felt unprepared and unsupported due to funding cuts and an English as an additional language policy vacuum.

The report also identified very few programmes aimed at supporting refugee children in their integration, including language, numeracy and life skills.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: Tackling the national epidemic of school absence is a top priority for this government, because we know how important school attendance is if we are to truly spread opportunity across the country.

Where children arent in school, local authorities already have a duty to locate and support children back into education where necessary. Our childrens wellbeing bill will go further, requiring councils to have and maintain registers of children not in school, ensuring fewer young people slip under the radar.

 This article was amended on 23 September 2024 to add text clarifying that REUKs recommendations are focused on England, owing to the weighting of the underlying research responses.
More than half of respondents did not believe Sir Keir would lead Labour into the next election - Kin Cheung/AP

Three in five people already expect Labour to lose the next general election, according to a poll.

Sixty per cent of voters believe Sir Keir Starmers party will not manage a second term in power, less than three months after its landslide election victory.

The poll, by the More in Common think tank, also found more than half of respondents did not believe Sir Keir would lead Labour into the next election.

Forty-eight per cent of those surveyed said they believed he would still be Prime Minister by the next election, with 52 per cent saying they did not.

Labour has endured a difficult start in government amid a row over Lord Alli, the Labour peer and millionaire donor, donating thousands of pounds towards clothes for Sir Keir.

It emerged earlier this month that the Prime Minister broke parliamentary rules by initially failing to declare more than 5,000 towards clothing that the peer had given to Lady Starmer.

Further damage was done by the revelation that Sue Gray, Sir Keirs powerful chief of staff, is being paid 3,000 more than him.

He also suffered the biggest rebellion of his premiership a fortnight ago as dozens of Labour MPs refused to support taking winter fuel payments away from 10 million pensioners.

The More in Common research found that almost one in five Labour voters (17 per cent) now regretted their decision to back the party, with Sir Keirs net approval rating down to -20 points. It had been as high as 11 points in late July after his landslide win.

But his honeymoon period proved short-lived, with the public now more likely to think that he is doing a somewhat bad or very bad job.

The think tank said Labour must hit 36 per cent of the popular vote if it is to hold power at the next election, likely to take place in 2029. The party won 33.7 per cent of the vote on July 4, and even a modest Conservative recovery, in which votes were regained from Reform UK, would see the Tories overtake Labour.

The Tories were able to increase their vote share for three elections in a row after their return to power in 2010 before falling to a historic defeat under Rishi Sunak in July.

Luke Tryl, the UK director of More in Common, said: It may seem extremely premature to be looking ahead to the next election just months after the last one.

But with such a volatile electorate, Labour needs to be thinking not just about how to hold on to its existing coalition but how to grow that broad but shallow base of support if it is going to have any chance of holding on to power.

Mr Tryl said that if Labour was unable to pass the 36 per cent threshold, it could be ousted even without losing a single vote.

Meanwhile, Prof Sir John Curtice warned delegates at the Labour conference on Sunday that Sir Keirs gloomy message about the state of the country could potentially go down badly.

Speaking at a fringe event, the election guru said: A message that says its all terrible, and its the other lots fault that isnt accompanied by an attempt to construct a narrative about the future would potentially go down badly because thats not what the public wants to hear.

He also expressed doubt that the Prime Minister has the ability to construct that narrative of optimism, adding: Rishi Sunak couldnt construct the narrative. I certainly dont think that Sir Keir constructed the narrative during the election.

The question is, does he have the political ability to do so? That is still an open question, but constructing that story is important.

Prof Sir John also said Labour had made a mistake putting a focus on trust and integrity and warned that the party could sow what you reap. He added: Some of the mistakes of this Government are just to do with straightforward political antennae. Its just spotting the bear traps quickly enough, and the Government does seem to be very slow.

I think politicians have also made a major mistake about focusing on personal mistakes and foibles and all the rest of it. The truth is, what you sow you reap, and I think you must expect, given the way that you very heavily attacked the integrity of the last Conservative government, that the Conservative Party is going to return it in spades.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will say that Scotland is crying out for change - PA

Scotland needs to get rid of a second incompetent government and oust the SNP from power, Anas Sarwar is to argue.

The Scottish Labour leader is to tell the UK party conference that his partys political revival is only half-written after its landslide general election victory in July.

Although the Tories have been kicked out of office at Westminster, he will argue that another incompetent government remains in power in Scotland.

Mr Sarwar will state that its time up for the SNP at the 2026 Holyrood election, by which time the Nationalists will have been in power for almost 20 years.

Under SNP rule, he will argue that Scots are being forced to watch public services crumble before their eyes despite being forced to pay higher taxes than in England.

Anas Sarwar will say Scotland is being held back by the SNP - GETTY

While Scotland needs fresh leadership and new ideas, he will claim that all the SNP offers is internal division and outward incompetence and the same tired people in power peddling the same old excuses.

But the SNP said Scots would not support a Labour Party that was inflicting billions of pounds of spending cuts while senior figures were lining their own pockets with donations and freebies.

Mr Sarwars speech at the Liverpool conference comes after his party routed the SNP in Scotland in the general election, winning 37 seats, while the Nationalists held only nine.

However, there is rising concern in Scottish Labour ranks that a sharp decline in the popularity of Sir Keir Starmers Government could cost them power after the May 2026 Holyrood election.

Senior figures are extremely concerned about the cumulative impact of the furore over the Chancellors decision to means test the winter fuel allowance and days of headlines about senior figures accepting thousands of pounds of free gifts.

The Sunday Times also reported that Mr Sarwar was encouraging Sir Keir to adopt a more upbeat political message, following weeks of issuing dire warnings about the state of the economy Labour inherited from the Tories.

Even before the freebies row reached its zenith, a poll last week found backing for Labour in the Holyrood constituency vote had declined by 10 points compared to before the general election.

Mr Sarwar is expected to say: Scotland is part of Labours history but we are also part of Labours present and Labours future. But the truth is that the story of Labours revival is only half-written.

It is clear that Scotland is crying out for change after years of SNP and Tory failure. We might have got rid of one incompetent government at the general election, but in Scotland another incompetent government remains in power.

He will add: Scotland is a country of enormous potential and is brimming with talent. But we are still held back by an SNP government that is failing Scots on a daily basis and that has nothing but decline and division to offer the people.

Record NHS waiting lists

The Scottish Labour leader will cite record NHS waiting lists, drug and alcohol deaths that are stubbornly high, record homelessness, a huge education attainment gap between rich and poor pupils and a flatlining economy.

Mr Sarwar will say: How does the SNP government react? It hikes taxes on working people and doubles down on the politics of blame and division. Working Scots should not pay the price of nearly two decades of SNP failure.

But Keith Brown, the SNPs depute leader, said: Anas Sarwar must think people in Scotland are zipped up the back if he thinks they will vote for a party inflicting billions of pounds of cuts on Scotland whilst lining their own pockets with donations and freebies.

SNP ministers have followed the Chancellor by means testing the winter fuel allowance in Scotland, claiming they had no choice because of the financial impact on their budget of the decision south of the Border.

Craig Hoy, the Scottish Tory chairman, said: The notion of Scottish Labour representing real change is blatantly false, because on a host of issues you cant fit a cigarette paper between them and the SNP.
Scott Huddleston is a veteran staff writer, covering education, local history, preservation and the Alamo. He can be reached at shuddleston@express-news.net.

He has been reporting for the Express-News since 1985, covering local government, public safety, criminal justice, flooding, transportation, military, water and the environment. He is a native Texan and a longtime San Antonian.
The minister in charge of irregular migration, Angela Eagle, was speaking to a Refugee Council fringe meeting at the Labour conference. Photograph: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Donald Trump and senior Conservatives have helped to create a space for overt racism that has spilled on to British streets, a Home Office minister has told Labour delegates.

Angela Eagle, the minister in charge of irregular migration, said the Republican presidential candidate had helped to create vitriol against migrants through social media.

She said unnamed rightwing Tories had used language that had given a yellow flashing light to racists, using a toxic discourse as they fought off the challenge from the Reform party.

Speaking at a fringe meeting at the Labour conference on Monday, she said it was difficult for new immigrants to rise above the constant drumbeat of toxic anti-immigration, anti-immigrant rhetoric that has become emboldened, not only in Britain but across the western countries.

I mean, Trump does the same. If you look at some of the memes that hes using with the wall stuff at the moment, its astonishing, quite the level of vitriol that it has created, she added.

She told the Refugee Council meeting that the Tories obsession with the challenge from Reform as the general election approached had prompted the partys ministers to use toxic language against asylum seekers.

Related: Teenage asylum seekers arriving after start of school year in no mans land, report says

We had a discourse as the right of the Conservative party got more and more obsessed with what Reform was doing that was very toxic indeed, othering asylum seekers, othering human beings in general, and creating a space, I think, for overt racism on our streets.

Because lets face it, talking about asylum seekers in the way that some government ministers did, at least gave, let me say, at least a yellow flashing light to people that wanted to indulge in a discourse about people whose skin wasnt the colour that they wanted it to be.

Lets just put it that way. And I think creating that kind of toxic discourse around asylum is a real problem, she said.

Asked which former ministers she was referring to, she told the Guardian: I wont name them but you can probably guess.

Eagle said she wanted to make the processing of asylum seekers less traumatic. A lot of people who claim asylum in this country have been through horrific experiences and often had a difficult journey, may have been abused in various ways on the way, and have traumatic experience which will cause them mental anguish. And what we need in our system is to create a system which doesnt make that worse and deals with them quickly and fairly.

Thats the ideal. It doesnt sound like much, but it will be a major change if we manage to bring it about clearly, she said. Theres a clear connection between being an immigrant and mental health issues because of racism.

She said the government would stop the industrialisation of small boat crossings by cooperating with other countries.

[We are] shifting some of the money from the failed Rwanda scheme into trying to deal with the gangs that are currently getting people across the Channel in an uncontrolled way for money, exploiting people, putting their lives at risk, [so that they] are actually dealt with in a proper way. And that means actually cooperating with our neighbours in Europe, rather than blaming them the whole time for allowing people to come here, she said.

It means actually being able to go upstream and do operational work with other law enforcement agencies to deal with gangs, who are cross-border and very, very established in the way in which they work. That requires intelligence capability. It requires international cooperation, which is why we put more resource into our presence in Europol. It requires us dealing with our counterparts in Europe and beyond, to deal with the threats that this trade represents.

On Tuesday, the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, will tell the conference hall that impunity that built up during the Tory years encouraged criminals to riot across the UK this summer.

In an address to delegates, she will announce powers to respond to antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and off-road bikes, with more neighbourhood police expected in communities.

Cooper will bat away claims from some commentators that the riots were a form of protest. She will say: Dont tell me it was about immigration, or policing, or poverty. Plenty of people across Britain have strong views. On immigration, on crime, on the NHS and more. But they dont pick up bricks and throw them at police officers. They dont set light to buildings when they can see people trapped inside.

It happened because criminals thought they would get away with it. They saw the cracks in the system. The impunity that built up through the Tory years. And when they decided to run riot those early August days, they thought no one would stop them. They were wrong.
People enjoying the nightlife of Soho in central London - fotoVoyager

City and town centre areas are to become zero tolerance zones for anti-social behaviour under plans by Labour to tackle street crime.

Police will be given powers to target persistent offenders with respect orders  a new revamped form of Asbos  that allow them to ban offenders from city centres if they have been plaguing the public with harassment, intimidating behaviour, drug use, littering and street drinking.

If they try to return to the city or town centres, they will face criminal sanctions ranging from fines to community payback punishments for breaching the order.

Police hit squads are to be ordered to target knifepoint robbery hotspots, particularly when the new iPhones are released amid growing concern at a 40 per cent rise in snatch thefts and knife-enabled crime.

Police will also get new powers to crack down on nuisance quad bikes terrorising rural communities. Officers will be able to scrap noisy dirt and quad bikes within 48 hours without giving a warning, instead of having to keep them impounded for two weeks.

No one comes and nothing is done

In a speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, will on Tuesday say that a Labour Government will rebuild respect for the rule of law, claiming the Tories left too many people feeling that no one comes and nothing is done when crimes were committed.

You dont get social justice if you dont have justice. Respect is the very foundation of our democracy. Those Labour values are at the heart of all we do. And they are at the heart of our mission for safer streets too, she will say.

Where rising street crime has driven people from our high streets, corroding the fabric of our communities, this Labour Government will bring in new powers on antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and off-road bikes and put neighbourhood police back on the beat.

Police patrol Leicester Square in central London. Ms Cooper reaffirmed a party pledge to recruit 13,000 extra police and police community support officers - Paolo Paradiso/iStock Editorial

Ms Cooper reaffirmed the partys manifesto pledge to recruit 13,000 extra police and police community support officers to the 43 forces in England and Wales. They will be paid for by mandating closer collaboration between the constabularies to make efficiency savings in areas like procurement.

Asbos, introduced by Tony Blairs government in 1998, were ditched by David Camerons coalition government in 2014 for being too complex, bureaucratic and criminalising young people. They were replaced by civil injunctions which have been used infrequently by police as officers cannot arrest those who breach them.

The new respect orders would only be used against adults and targeted at persistent offenders. Although a civil order, breaching them would be a crime enabling police to arrest offenders. Breaching an Asbo carried a maximum five years in jail but Labour plans to consult on the custodial terms for respect orders.

Ms Cooper also announced a new knife enabled robbery taskforce, to combat a 13 per cent increase in the crime in the last year alone. Knife enabled robbery now makes up 42 per cent of all police-recorded knife crime.

The taskforce will bring together ministers, police chiefs and community safety partners, to set out best practice on policing geographic hotspots, blocking the onward pipeline of stolen goods and disrupting supply chains to disincentivise theft.

The Home Office will work with the National Police Chief Council on week-long operations when violent robberies are likely to peak, including around the release of new iPhones. Labour has committed to halving knife crime within a decade.

Mobile phone companies will be told to introduce a kill switch that allows smartphones to be disabled as soon as they are stolen in an effort to address the soaring rate of muggings.

Ms Cooper will ask companies to present solutions at talks she will host dedicated to tackling the crime later this year. She wants companies to develop a safety feature that would prevent stolen phones being re-registered, rendering devices useless and potentially reducing the demand for stolen phones.
The summit is billed by the UN as the Super Bowl of global diplomacy. Photograph: Vanessa Carvalho/Rex/Shutterstock

The 79th United Nations general assembly is to open on Tuesday morning amid a massive bombing campaign in southern Lebanon that has brought Israel and the Shia militant group Hezbollah closer than ever to all-out war, despite fevered diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

On Monday, diplomats huddled behind the scenes at the United Nations headquarters and midtown Manhattan hotels for bilateral and ministerial meetings on issues from Atlantic Ocean ecology to Ukraines energy supply, before what the UN bills as its own Super Bowl of global diplomacy.

At the same time, media livestreams showed Israeli shells and bombs raining down over southern Lebanon in strikes that killed at least 490 people and displaced thousands, according to the countrys health minister.

The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns, the Lebanese prime minister, Najib Mikati, told a cabinet meeting, according to local media.

He urged the United Nations and the general assembly and influential countries  to deter the [Israeli] aggression.

But key Israeli allies including the US voiced only muted criticism over the new bombing campaign, raising questions about what diplomatic pressure was being put on the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as his government claimed it was escalating the conflict in order to pressure Hezbollah into negotiations.

Speculation remains over whether Netanyahu will attend the general assembly, as he may remain at home to manage the government during the escalating violence in southern Lebanon.

As of Monday, he was still slated to arrive in New York towards the end of the week and address the UN on Thursday or Friday. Mikati has already cancelled his trip to the US.

In a statement on Monday, Netanyahu issued a defiant message that Israels war was not with the people of Lebanon but with Hezbollah. For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields  once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes, the message said.

The United Nations interim force in Lebanon (Unifil), a peacekeeping mission, expressed grave concern for the safety of civilians in southern Lebanon amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October.

The attacks harming civilians are not only violations of international law but could amount to war crimes, the statement said.

The Unifil commander, Lt Gen Aroldo Lazaro, had been in contact with Lebanese and Israeli parties, and had made efforts to reduce tensions and halt the shelling, it said.

UN peacekeepers were deployed to monitor a ceasefire along the so-called blue line between Israel and Lebanon under resolution 1701, which brought an end to the war between the two sides in 2006. The mission includes recording violations of the ceasefire.

Netanyahu, a former UN ambassador in the 1980s, is famously critical of the institution, which he has accused of providing a forum for antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

An appearance by the Israeli prime minister would probably spark a walkout of a number of UN delegations who have criticised Israels war in Gaza. It would also come as a panel of judges from the international criminal court considers whether to charge him for war crimes.

He hates and mistrusts the institution but he does like coming here to tell us that were all rubbish, said Richard Gowan, UN director at the International Crisis Group.

The summit will mark Joe Bidens last address before the United Nations as the US president caps off five decades of government service with an effort to settle one of the globes most intractable conflicts.

He has said repeatedly that a diplomatic resolution remains possible in the nearly year-old war in Gaza sparked by Hamass 7 October attack on Israel, but has been unable to secure a temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange that would be the first step of a potential peace deal between the two sides.

Speaking with reporters after arriving at the White House on Marine One, he confirmed that he was worried about the rising tensions in the Middle East. Were going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out. And were still pushing hard, he said.

On Monday Biden met Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the first visit by a United Arab Emirates leader to the US since 1971. While Biden was successful at strengthening regional ties with Gulf states such as the UAE, relations have become increasingly strained over the US support for Israel in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia last week said it would not recognise Israel unless it agreed to a two-state solution with an independent Palestine, and the Emirates have said they would not support postwar reconstruction in Gaza unless it was part of a plan to form an independent Palestinian state. The US vice-president, Kamala Harris, is to meet with Zayed later on Monday.

Keir Starmer and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, will also attend this weeks summit, where the UN will review a number of initiatives to reform its security council that will probably be blocked owing to divisions with other permanent members Russia and China.
Former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace giving evidence to the inquiry on Monday. Photograph: Afghanistan Inquiry/PA Wire/PA

The former defence secretary Ben Wallace was advised by his permanent secretary that a public inquiry into allegations of SAS executions in Afghanistan would be expensive, unproductive and extremely bad for the reputation of the British military.

Sir Stephen Lovegrove tried to persuade Wallace not to commission formal hearings in August 2020, fearing the Ministry of Defence (MoD) would be embarrassed if soldiers and key figures said they could not remember what had happened.

The civil servants advice was made public as Wallace was giving evidence to the inquiry that he did ultimately commission in response to allegations that up to 80 Afghan civilians had been summarily killed by members of the elite force.

During a daylong evidence session, Oliver Glasgow KC asked Wallace what steps he had taken while he was defence secretary in the last Conservative government to try to get to the bottom of long-running concerns about SAS conduct in Helmand between 2010 and 2013.

The barrister focused on a part of document Wallace had received in response to recently emerged claims by two Afghan families in the civil court which had been extensively reported by the BBCs Panorama and the Sunday Times.

It was dated 26 August 2020, and Glasgow told Wallace it was sent to you by the permanent secretary. He proceeded to read out extracts , which began by noting: I and the team are acutely aware of the political challenges ahead.

I believe that we should also continue to resist commissioning a public inquiry, Lovegrove continued. It would be expensive, unproductive and extremely bad for the reputation of defence and for armed forces morale, particularly if, as seems likely, a succession of witnesses were unable to recall their part in events on the ground.

Wallace told the hearing that by this time his mind was turning to the fact that the only real solution was a public inquiry, which as youll see from the documents officials didnt want. New information that was unknown to ministers kept emerging, he said, and indicated there was a case for the SAS to answer.

Questions about the conduct of British elite soldiers in Helmand had been swirling around the military and the MoD from the early part of last decade. However, an investigation by military police and prosecutors, Operation Northmoor, led to no charges and was shut down in 2019.

But suspicions lingered. A mixture of media reports and civil claims turned up fresh evidence and, in particular, the MoD unexpectedly disclosed documents in the spring of 2020 in response to the claims from the Afghan families.

In one email, an SAS sergeant-major ironically described the deaths of four men from one family on a night raid as the latest massacre!. Another document revealed that a secret review had been conducted into a series of incidents, where the SAS had suddenly killed men because they were said to have produced a gun or grenade.

Other official papers released to the inquiry show that shortly after Wallace became defence secretary in July 2019, he was asked to approve the closure of Operation Northmoor quickly in order to get ahead of investigations by Panorama.

A memo told him the Panorama programme was likely to be highly critical of the handling of historical criminal allegations from Afghanistan and Iraq, and he was advised it would be advantageous for MoD to shut down Northmoor before transmission  advice that Wallace said he rejected.

A few months later Jonny Mercer, a junior minister responsible for veterans, told Wallace he was concerned that he had misled the Commons, when in an adjournment debate in January 2020 he had denied that the SAS operated death squads in Afghanistan. Mercer said he wanted to correct the record.

Wallace told the inquiry he had advised Mercer it was a very difficult language to correct because the alternative is that it is true. The former minister said it was the purpose of the public inquiry to establish whether there was evidence to substantiate this allegation  and at the end of his evidence called for anybody who had direct knowledge of what had happened in Afghanistan to come forward.
The protester was removed from the conference hall by security

Rachel Reevess speech at the Labour conference was disrupted by heckling from Pro-Palestinian activists.

A young man was dragged out of the main conference hall in Liverpool after standing up and shouting: We are still selling arms to Israel  I thought there was supposed to be change, Rachel.

A security guard scrambled to haul the man out of the building as he shouted: Rachel Reeves, the economy is in a mess and were still putting the burden on working people.

Another man could be heard chanting: Stop arming Israel. Stop backing oil.

The protests were drowned out by boos and chants of out from the audience, and the Chancellor responded: This is a changed Labour Party and a Labour Party that represents working people, not a party of protest.

Climate Resistance, a campaign group, claimed responsibility for the protest.

Sam Simons, a spokesman, said: Labour promised us change  instead, were getting more of the same. The same pandering to the fossil fuel industry, the same arms licences that are fuelling a genocide in Gaza, and the same austerity that sees the poorest hit hardest.

Its time for Labour to start putting the needs of people before the interests of profit. That means immediately stopping arms licences to Israel, blocking new oil and gas and standing up for the communities already being devastated by the climate crisis.

The protester was removed from the conference hall by security - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph.

It comes weeks after David Lammy announced that some arms licences to Israel would be suspended following a review that found a clear risk that UK arms may be used to violate international law.

Around 30 out of 350 licences were suspended in a move the Foreign Secretary described as not a blanket ban and not an arms embargo.

But pro-Palestinian Labour MPs, unions and campaign groups have demanded that the Government go further by suspending all arms licences to Israel amid its war in Gaza.

Ms Reevess speech, her first since becoming Chancellor, sought to assure delegates that there would be no return to austerity.

She told the conference: Because I know how much damage has been done in those 14 years, let me say one thing straight up  there will be no return to austerity. Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services, and for investment and growth too.

Yes, we must deal with the Tory legacy, and that means tough decisions, but I wont let that dim our ambition for Britain. So it will be a Budget with real ambition, a Budget to fix the foundations, a Budget to deliver the change that we promised  a Budget to rebuild Britain.

Ms Reevess response to the heckling echoed that of Sir Keir Starmer after his speech last year was interrupted by a protester who leapt on the stage and threw glitter over him.

The then-leader of the opposition responded: Protest or power  thats why weve changed.

Follow the latest updates from the Labour conference in our liveblog.
DIY SOS star Nick Knowles has said he is convinced he will continue to perform on Strictly Come Dancing despite suffering a shoulder and arm injury.

The 62-year-old said in a post on Instagram that he had suffered the injury while changing a tyre on his car as quickly as I possibly could at the side of the motorway.

It came after Knowles jived to We Built This City by Starship with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk on the first live episode of the BBC dancing shows 20th anniversary series.

In the post, Knowles said: Good morning, I thought Id give a little update, as you can see, my arm is in a sling, and thats because at the weekend my car broke down at the side of the motorway.

I had my little boy in the car, so I wanted to change the tyre as quickly as I possibly could to make sure we were safe, and in the process of hurrying to get the wheel off as quickly as I possibly could, as it was a big wheel on my big car, I managed to damage my shoulder and arm a little bit.

Im not quite sure how or what, but its been quite painful, although a little better this morning.

So Im on my way up to London to Harley Street, to get a scan done and to get some top medical advice, but I am heading to training afterwards so I can learn the steps of my next dance.

Ill see you on It Takes Two a bit later today, where hopefully Ill have more information and be able to update you, but Ill keep you posted during the course of the day anyway.

Not ideal, but Im convinced (its) not something thats going to stop me dancing this weekend.

Judge Anton Du Beke described his dancing on Saturday night as uplifting and added he felt elated after watching the performance, which scored 18 points.

Knowles was then given a cake by professional dancer Carlos Gu, who appeared in hi-vis gear and a builders hat.

It Takes Two will air on BBC Two at 6.30pm on Monday and the next episode of Strictly Come Dancing will be broadcast at 6.15pm on BBC One on Saturday.
Sometimes when us pet parents get bored, we do really silly things with out pets. Abram Engle is no exception, and on Saturday, September 21st, he decided to wrap his orange cat Kurt up like a 'purrito'. It's the cutest thing you'll see today!

Abram starts with a beach towel or blanket that looks like a flour tortilla. He then grabs yellow, green, red, and white towels that represent cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. And don't forget the meat! That would be Kurt...the orange cat is at the center of the burrito, I mean purrito. Watch on as Abram rolls Kurt up into the most adorable burrito you've ever seen!

Kurt does not seem to mind being wrapped up like a purrito at all! I think he looked super cute, but my favorite part is when Abram unrolls the cat; his exit was absolute perfection! Commenters got a kick out of the orange cat's chill attitude over being wrapped up. One person was shocked and asked, "Bro how is your cat that still?!" @chachapeters1 called Kurt a, "Perfect Purrito!!!" @Tyler made us laugh with, "The exit is when I try to take the biggest bite imaginable and it spills out the other end LOL!" Sounds about right!

Related: Orange Cat Greets Owner in an Unusual Way and It's Beyond Precious

Fun Facts About Orange Cats

There's something about orange cats that everybody loves. Maybe it has to do with the original grumpy orange cat, Garfield or maybe it's because all orange cats seem to have the same standoffish personalities. Whatever the reason, we can't get enough of them! I did some research to see what I could learn about orange cats, and turns out, there are some pretty cool facts about them.

Although we call them "orange cats", they are not an actual breed. Most of them are Tabby cats, though other breeds can be orange as well. Did you know that the majority of orange cats are male? The number is estimated to be around 80%. The Y chromosome cannot carry the orange gene, and so in order for a female cat to be orange, they need to receive the gene from both parents. The orange color comes from a pigment called pheomelanin, and interestingly, it's the same pigment that gives humans red hair!

The Vets shared this little known fact about orange cats, "Due to their tabby cat stripes, most orange cats will have an M-shaped marking on their forehead. There are many legends surrounding this M. The first is from the ancient Egyptians where cats were called Mau (due to the noise they make). The Islamic world suggests that Mohammed had a tabby called Muezza who saved his masters life. Every tabby born with an M is a reminder of Mohammeds love for his cat. Others believe the mark came from Mary stroking a tabby cat that kept baby Jesus warm in his manger."

Pretty interesting stuff, and just a few more reasons to love orange cats!

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.
A rare antique diamond necklace which was worn at two British coronations is expected to sell for more than 1 million when it goes under the hammer.

The 18th century diamond piece of approximately 300 carats was worn to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth IIs coronations by members of the Marquess of Anglesey family, who had it in their collection for around 100 years before it was sold to a private collection in the 1960s.

It may also be linked to Marie Antoinette as some jewellery historians believe it features diamonds from the infamous necklace which created a scandal for the Queen of France.

Most likely created in the years before the French Revolution, it was part of the Marquess of Anglesey family jewellery collection for about 100 years (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

What became known as the Affair of the Necklace was an incident that occurred when Marie Antoinette was falsely accused of not paying for an extravagant necklace, which was actually taken by a trickster who claimed to be acting on her behalf.

The exact origin story of the necklace going for auction is not recorded but it is thought to have been created in the decade before the French Revolution, likely for royalty or a high-ranking aristocrat.

After not being seen publicly for 50 years, the unique necklace is estimated to sell for 1,800,000-2,800,000 dollars (1,348,416 to 2,097,536) when it is offered in the Sothebys Geneva sale in November.

The piece is composed of 500 diamonds which feature on three ropes which gather to create naturalistic-looking diamond tassels.

Andres White Correal, the chairman and head of the royal and noble sales at Sothebys for Europe and the Middle East, told the PA news agency: I think that the most important part, other than the value of the diamonds, is the fact that it has survived.

You only see these things in museums when it has been from royal families who are still reigning, like the collections here in Britain, or when you go to former imperial and royal collections in places like St Petersburg or Moscow, where you can see the collections of the Tsar

So yes, you go to a museum and you can see a jewel of this level. Normally, you dont see it in private hands.

The piece is composed of 500 diamonds which feature on three ropes which gather to create naturalistic-looking diamond tassels (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Mr Correal said he hopes the necklace is acquired by an institution or for a private collection which appreciates the jewels.

He added: I would either would love an institution to have it so that most people could enjoy it, go look at it and learn about jewellery from the 18th century and how this near miracle of still being together, rather than having been separated, (and) how people wore jewellery in the 18th century.

And if that wouldnt be the case, I would love for the necklace to go to a solid and wonderful collection where a person who appreciates this type of jewel would safe-keep it for the next generation.

I dont think that objects like this you actually own, you are merely the custodian of such an incredible object to pass it on, either to a new generation or to an institution where many other people can enjoy it.

The necklace will embark on a global exhibition tour with a stop at Sothebys London auction house until Wednesday before it travels to Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, Taipei and Dubai.

It will be auctioned at Sothebys Royal and Noble sale on November 11 at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva.
Rachel Reeves will insist that tough decisions on the public finances are needed to prevent economic ruin but she will attempt to persuade her critics that there will be no return to austerity.

In her first Labour conference speech as Chancellor, she will also promise action to tackle tax dodgers and claw back money from flawed Covid-era contracts.

But her decision to strip winter fuel payments from 10 million pensioners is likely to be the focus of a fierce debate at the partys conference in Liverpool, with major trade unions demanding a U-turn on the policy.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves preparing her keynote speech in her hotel room in Liverpool (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Union sources indicated the issue would be debated on the conference floor after Ms Reeves speech on Monday, although a vote on the call for a reversal of the policy could be pushed back until later in the week.

The Chancellor will say her October 30 Budget statement will deliver on the change Labour offered at the election.

After weeks of warning about a poor economic legacy left by the Conservative government, Ms Reeves will attempt to strike a more positive note, saying my optimism for Britain burns as bright as it ever has done.

I can see the prize on offer, if we make the right choices now. And stability is the crucial foundation on which all our ambitions will be built, she will say.

The essential precondition for business to invest with confidence and families to plan for the future.

The mini-budget showed us that any plan for growth without stability only leads to ruin.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to tech firm PsiQuantum (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ms Reeves will insist economic stability is the crucial foundation on which all our ambitions will be built, as she seeks to justify to Labour members the spending restrictions which are aimed at filling a 22 billion black hole in public finances.

She will say: There will be no return to austerity. Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services  and for investment and growth too.

We must deal with the Tory legacy and that means tough decisions. But we wont let that dim our ambition for Britain.

So it will be a budget with real ambition. A budget to fix the foundations. A budget to deliver the change we promised. A budget to rebuild Britain.

In a signal of Labour keeping its manifesto commitments, Ms Reeves will promise not to raise national insurance, income tax and VAT.

She will also say corporation tax is to remain at its current level for the duration of this Parliament.

Other measures in her speech will include:

 A recruitment drive and reforms to HM Revenue and Customs to tackle tax dodgers because at a time of hard choices, I will not tolerate the minority who continue to avoid paying what they owe.

 A promise to recoup money from Covid contracts, reversing the previous governments policy of waiving 674 million of disputed deals because we wont turn a blind eye to rip-off artists and fraudsters who used a national emergency to line their own pockets.

 Confirmation that the Government will produce a new industrial strategy next year, with an initial green paper produced at the time of the Budget.

But anger at Ms Reeves decision to means-test the winter fuel payment, worth up to 300 for pensioners, risks overshadowing her speech.

The Unite and CWU unions have tabled motions calling for the decision to restrict the payment to pensioners on benefits to be abandoned.

Their stance is backed by other unions including Unison, but Ms Reeves has insisted the move  which will save around 1.3 billion this year  is essential to help fill the black hole in the public finances.

The wording of the motion which will be put to a debate and vote at the conference will be a compromise based on several different submissions on the same topic, some of which may attempt to water down the unions demands.

A protest organised by Unite is expected in Liverpool on Monday, ahead of the potentially charged debate at the conference.

But union sources believe a vote may not take place until Tuesday, the day of Sir Keirs keynote speech, with the result possibly not revealed until Wednesday when there will be less attention on the conference.

Jeremy Hunt, the shadow chancellor, contested Labours assessment of the UK economy, and claimed Ms Reeves had already damaged the UKs international reputation by talking down her inheritance in order to score political points.

He added: If she believes in growth, where is the plan? People are beginning to suspect there may not be one.

If all we get in the Budget is tax rises and employment laws that deter investment and job creation she will have thrown away a golden opportunity.
FILE - Transgender activist Cecilia Gentili poses for a photo at the offices of the Oxford University Press in New York on April 24, 2014.(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NEW YORK (AP)  Two men have pleaded guilty to providing the fentanyl-laced heroin that killed prominent New York City transgender activist Cecilia Gentili earlier this year, federal prosecutors said Monday.

Michael Kuilan, 44, pleaded guilty to a charge that he distributed and possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Brooklyn federal court on Monday, according to U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace's office. Antonio Venti, 52, entered a guilty plea to the same charge in July.

As part of their plea deals, prosecutors said the men admitted they caused Gentili's death. They said text messages, cell site data, and other evidence showed that Kuilan, a Brooklyn resident, had supplied Venti, a Long Island resident, with drugs that he then sold to Gentili.

Law enforcement officials searching Kuilans home also found hundreds of small bags of fentanyl, a handgun and ammunition.

While these guilty pleas cant undo the tragic loss of transgender rights activist Cecelia Gentili, it sends a message that we will do everything we can to make sure those responsible for drug related deaths face the consequences for their actions, and the families of those who lost their lives receive justice, Frank Tarentino, special agent in charge of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's New York office.

Gentili was a former sex worker who became a leading advocate for other transgender people, as well as sex workers and people with HIV. She also acted in the FX television series Pose, about the underground ballroom dance scene in the 1980s and 1990s.

Her well-attended funeral at St. Patricks Cathedral in Manhattan drew outrage from some in the Catholic community, including from the venerable churchs own pastor.

Gentili was found dead in her bedroom on Feb. 6, the day after purchasing drugs from Venti. Prosecutors say the 52-year-old Brooklyn residents death was due to the combined effect of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine and cocaine.

Kuilan is expected to be sentenced in January, and Venti will be sentenced next month. Lawyers for the two men didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment Monday.

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This story has been corrected to show Kuilan will be sentenced in January, not next month.
Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept rockets that were launched from Lebanon, as seen from Haifa, northern Israel, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Baz Ratner/AP An armed Israeli fighter jet is seen from Hadera as it crosses towards northern Israel, on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Ariel Schalit/AP Emergency workers use excavators to clear the rubble at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Hassan Ammar/AP A man watches rescuers sift through the rubble as they search for people still missing at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Hassan Ammar/AP Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept rockets that were launched from Lebanon, as seen from Haifa, northern Israel, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Baz Ratner/AP A wounded boy lies in a hospital bed in the southern village of Saksakieh, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Mohammed Zaatari/AP Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the Mahmoudieh mountain, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Hussein Malla/AP Lebanese citizens who fled the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes Monday, sit on their cars at a highway that links to Beirut city, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Mohammad Zaatari/AP Children play as they take shelter in a school in Beirut, after fleeing the Israeli airstrikes in the southern Tyre district, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Bilal Hussein/AP Flames and smoke rise from an Israeli airstrike on the Mahmoudieh mountain, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Hussein Malla/AP A wounded girl lies in a hospital bed in the southern village of Saksakieh, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Mohammed Zaatari/AP People who fled the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes Monday, sit in their cars as they are stuck in traffic at a highway that links to Beirut city, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Mohammad Zaatari/AP Men stand on the rubble of a building hit in an Israeli airstrike in the southern village of Akbieh, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Mohammed Zaatari/AP Lebanese citizens who fled on the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes Monday, settle at a waterfront promenade in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Mohammad Zaatari/AP A Lebanese woman who fled the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes Monday, settles with her kids on a public beach in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Mohammad Zaatari/AP

MARJAYOUN, Lebanon (AP)  Israeli strikes Monday on Lebanon killed more than 490 people, including more than 90 women and children, Lebanese authorities said, in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of its widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since 2006.

Lebanon's health ministry said the strikes killed 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, and wounded 1,645 people  a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

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In a recorded message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to heed Israeli calls to evacuate, saying take this warning seriously.

Please get out of harms way now, Netanyahu said. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.

Israel's military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the army will do whatever is necessary to push Hezbollah from Lebanons border with Israel.

Hagari claimed Mondays widespread airstrikes had inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah. But he would not give a timeline for the operation and said Israel was prepared to launch a ground invasion of Lebanon if needed.

We are not looking for wars. We are looking to take down the threats, he said. We will do whatever is necessary to do to achieve this mission."

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Hagari said Hezbollah has launched some 9,000 rockets and drones into Israel since last October, including 250 on Monday alone.

The military said Israeli warplanes struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets Monday, destroying cruise missiles, long- and short-range rockets and attack drones. The spokesman said many were hidden in residential areas, showing photos of what he said were weapons concealed in private homes.

Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone, he told a news conference.

Israel estimates Hezbollah has some 150,000 rockets and missiles, including guided missiles and long-range projectiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.

Earlier Monday evening, the Israeli military said it had carried out a targeted strike in Beirut. It did not give details. Lebanons state-run National News Agency reported three missiles hit southern Beirut's Beir al-Abed neighborhood. Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV said six people were wounded.

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Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said the earlier strikes hit hospitals, medical centers and ambulances. The government ordered schools and universities to close across most of the country and began preparing shelters for the displaced.

Some strikes hit residential areas in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley. One hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos, more than 80 miles (130 kilometers) from the border north of Beirut.

Israel said it was expanding the airstrikes to include areas of the valley along Lebanons eastern border with Syria. Hezbollah has long had an established presence in the valley, where the group was founded in 1982 with the help of Irans Revolutionary Guards in the wake of Israels invasion and occupation of Lebanon.

Israels military chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said Israel was preparing its next phases of operations against Hezbollah, and that its airstrikes were proactive, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure built over the past 20 years.

Halevi said the goal was to allow displaced Israelis to return to their homes in northern Israel.

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Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it fired dozens of rockets toward Israel, including at military bases. It also targeted for a second day the facilities of the Rafael defense firm, headquartered in Haifa.

The evacuation warnings were the first of their kind in nearly a year of steadily escalating conflict and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire Sunday. Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed a top commander and dozens of fighters.

The increasing strikes and counterstrikes have raised fears of all-out war, even as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza and tries to negotiate the release of scores of hostages taken in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group.

A spokeswoman for President Joe Biden said the administration was concerned about whats happening between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and insisted that getting a cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza was key to easing tensions in the region.

Its in everyones interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters traveling with Biden to New York, where he is to deliver his final address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.

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A State Department official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the private diplomatic efforts, said the U.S. and numerous other countries were keen to present an off-ramp for both Israel and Hezbollah to reduce tensions and prevent an all-out war.

The U.S. has concrete ideas for restoring calm that it will present to allies and partners at this week's U.N. General Assembly, the official said. He wouldn't detail what the concrete ideas were because he said they had yet to be presented to allies and partners for what he termed a stress test for their likelihood of success.

U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border, meanwhile, have stopped their patrols and are staying in their bases given the volume of exchange of fire, a U.N. spokesman said. Stephane Dujarric told reporters that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was alarmed at the escalating violence and large number of civilian casualties reported in Lebanon.

Monday's death toll far surpassed that of Beiruts devastating port explosion in 2020, when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse detonated, killing at least 218 people and wounding more than 6,000.

The Lebanese Health Ministry asked hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley to postpone non-urgent surgeries to treat people wounded by Israels expanding aggression on Lebanon.

On Monday, residents received text messages reading: If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, Lebanese media reported.

Lebanon's information minister, Ziad Makary, said his office in Beirut had received a recorded message telling people to leave the building.

This comes in the framework of the psychological war implemented by the enemy, Makary said, and urged people not to give the matter more attention than it deserves.

Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure. That could lead the Israeli military to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

An Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen fighters, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000, many of them civilians. Lebanon blamed Israel, but Israel did not confirm or deny responsibility.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel a day after the Oct. 7 attack in what it said was an attempt to pin down Israeli forces to help Palestinian fighters in Gaza. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes, and the conflict has steadily intensified.

Hezbollah has said it will keep up attacks until there is a cease-fire in Gaza, but that appears increasingly elusive as the war nears its anniversary.

Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 captives are still held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November.

Israel's offensive has killed over 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and fighters. It says women and children make up a little over half of those killed. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

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Lidman reported from Jerusalem, and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut; Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani in New York; and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

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Whether traveling by air for business, pleasure (girls trip, anyone?), or something in between, flight attendants always help you reach your destination safely and as comfortably as possible.

While their responsibilities havent changed much over the past century, their look has evolved  in more ways than one. In fact, the first flight attendants were male, usually the sons of airline financiers known as "cabin boys," according to Society Pages.

The shift to more female-friendly skies occurred in the 1930s. During this time, women came on board to serve as nurses tasked with keeping passengers safe and tending to those who became airsick.

World War II soon followed, causing men in aviation to enroll in the army, leaving flight attendant positions widely available to women. Soon, it became a female-dominated field, with women making up the majority of flight attendants.

During the 1950s and 1960s and what many consider the Golden Age of air travel, flight attendants became a coveted, well-respected, and glamorous profession. They were outfitted in eye-catching uniforms with sleek hairstyles to round out their prim and proper ensembles. While they looked polished, everything wasnt as glamorous as it seemed. In actuality, many flight attendants faced sexism within the industry. In the past, some airlines would fire women if they gained weight (well into the 1990s) or became pregnant.

Thankfully, those negative and discriminatory standards and times have changed. What's more, many flight attendant uniforms are a bit more relaxed and casual, and their hairstyles aren't as restricted.

Take a fun trip (no luggage needed) down memory lane with this historic visual look at the illustrious profession.

1930s

The first "stewardess" was a 25-year-old registered nurse named Ellen Church from Iowa, according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. She was hired by United Airlines in May of 1930, and is credited with convincing the airline that nurses should be employed as flight attendants.

getty images

1930s

American Airways flight attendants Mae Bobeck, Agnes Nohava, Marie Allen, and Velma Maul are poised, each with her right hand on the guard rail, as they descend the boarding steps of an American Airlines Curtiss T-32 Condor II in 1933. Each of the women was registered as a nurse, a stipulation of the job description.

Authenticated News - Getty Images

1930s

Flight attendant Izola Readle greets legendary cartoonist and entrepreneur Walt Disney (with his Mickey Mouse creation in tow) in Newark, New Jersey, as he boards an airplane on his way to the World's Fair in Chicago.

Bettmann - Getty Images

1930s

Following Church's lead, nurses were hired by many airlines as the first fleet of female flight attendants. This strategy was used to make passengers feel safe since many still considered flying dangerous.

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1930s

In Europe, Candor Airlines was the first to employ a stewardess. A Swissair stewardess stands in front of a Condor aircraft at Tempelhof Airport in Berlin in 1934.

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1930s

In this 1935 vintage photo, a male flight attendant serves tea to two women lying in berths aboard a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines airplane.

Hulton Archive - Getty Images

1930s

The profession was one of the few in the United States that permitted women. Women rapidly replaced male stewards, and by the mid-1930s, women dominated the field, according to this 1937 report by Time.

Fred Morley - Getty Images

1930s

Trainee flight attendants graduated from the American Airlines Stewardess College in Chicago in 1939.

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1940s

Joan Waltermire was an instructor at the American Airlines Stewardess College in 1941.

Bob Landry - Getty Images

1940s

An early fleet of flight attendants holds hands in front of a large twin propeller commercial airplane.

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1950s

The 1950s ushered in the "Golden Age of Travel." Commercial air travel became more accessible to the public and altogether more luxurious for the rich and famous.

Bettmann - Getty Images

1950s

The commercial air travel boom of the 1950s was not unique to the United States. Here, Nigerian Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa greets stewardess Christina Twsela after the inaugural flight of the West African Airline Company.

getty images - Getty Images

1950s

In-flight meals became common (and more elaborate) in the Golden Age, replacing the frozen foods and minimal variety of earlier years, according to the Washington Post. Here, a pair of flight attendants serves refreshments on a Japan Air Lines flight from San Francisco to Tokyo.

Peter Stackpole - Getty Images

1950s

In 1958, Ruth Carol Taylor became the first Black flight attendant in the United States, according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Her first flight was aboard a Mohawk Airlines flight from Ithaca to New York City. She was fired six months later due to a common marriage ban.

New York Daily News Archive - Getty Images

1950s

A trio of Scandinavian Airlines System flight attendants sight-seeing during a layover in New York City in 1958.

Peter Stackpole - Getty Images

1950s

Marian Tagawa was a Pan American Airways flight attendant in 1955. Ms. Tagawa, 21, was a San Francisco secretary before she decided on a flying career.

Bettmann - Getty Images

1960s

As commercial flights became more fashionable, so did the flight attendant uniform. In 1962, Air France unveiled its new uniforms, designed by Marc Bohan of Christian Dior.

getty images - Getty Images

1960s

In the 60s, flight attendants (and their uniforms) became the face of the airlines.

getty images - Getty Images

1960s

Some uniforms were more avant-garde than others. This uniform, designed by Emilio Pucci for Braniff International Airways in 1965, was complete with a space-like helmet of transparent plastic. The helmet was designed to shield the flight attendants from wind and rain on the tarmac, according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

getty images - Getty Images

1960s

This Cristobal Balenciaga design was another couture uniform commissioned by AirFrance in the 1960s.

getty images - Getty Images

1970s

Through the 1970s, some airlines pushed uniform boundaries and exploited their employees. Flight attendants with Southwest Airlines had to wear hot pants and leather boots. The airline's motto was "sex sells seats."

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1970s

National Airlines stewardess Janet Heinz models a synthetic tigerskin coat and hat in the airlines' new "uniform that purrs."

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1980s

Utilitarian uniforms became the status quo again in the 1980s  and have largely remained that way ever since. Also, the name stewardess was largely replaced with the more gender-neutral "flight attendant."

getty images - Getty Images

1980s

A group of flight attendants received their wings from Aer Lingus in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, in 1988.

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1990s

A German flight attendant serving caviar to guests in 1990. Throughout the '80s and into the '90s, more men started to become flight attendants.

getty images - Getty Images

1990s

Cathay Pacific flight attendants modeling the airline's new uniforms.

South China Morning Post - Getty Images

1990s

Virgin Atlantic flight attendant Lisa Leeson on her first day on the job.

getty images - Getty Images

1990s

Flight attendants from All Nippon Airways introduce the Pokemon Jet in June 1999 at Tokyo International Airport. The jet design was selected as the winner from the airline's Pokemon design contest.

TORU YAMANAKA - Getty Images

2000s

A flight attendant passing snacks to passengers on September 6, 2001. After 9/11, flight attendant training became much more expansive, with rigorous safety protocols and personal defense, according to NPR.

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2000s

A flight attendant was preparing her service cart on board an AirFrance flight.

Etienne De Malglaive - Getty Images

2000s

A Qatar Airways cabin crew aboard their new Airbus A319CJ business jet.

Richard Baker - Getty Images

2000s

An American Airlines flight attendant with his crew baggage during a layover at Dallas Fort Worth airport.

Richard Baker - Getty Images

2010s

An Etihad Airways flight attendant passing out global newspapers aboard a flight from Washington D.C. to Abu Dhabi

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Jeff Greenberg - Getty Images

2010s

Virgin Blue Airline's flight attendants salute during a 10-year anniversary celebration of Virgin Blue operating in Australia in Melbourne on September 12, 2010.

WILLIAM WEST - Getty Images

2010s

One week away from getting their 'wings' these Virgin Atlantic flight attendants proudly wear their red uniforms as they undergo an in flight training session focussing on how to serve meals and using the service trolley on October 27, 2011.

At the time, potential flight attendants were put through a grueling 6-week training program, during which they are tested to their limits. With exams every day requiring an 88% score to pass.

Mike Kemp - Getty Images

2010s

Air India flight attendants in traditional garb pose for a photo during the unveiling of Air India's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 in New Delhi on September 12, 2012.

RAVEENDRAN - Getty Images

2010s

Flight attendants serve beverages aboard an Ethiopian Airlines 787 Dreamliner on a flight to Jomo Kenyatta International airport in Kenya's capital Nairobi on April 27,2013.

SIMON MAINA - Getty Images

2010s

Talk about precious cargo! This photo shows flight attendants holding a newborn baby who made his entry into the world aboard a Turkish Airlines flight from Conakry to Ouagadougou to Istanbul on April 7, 2017. The cabin crew helped the mother give birth and happily took photos with the infant.

Anadolu - Getty Images

2020s

The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on air travel around the world. In this photo, an air hostess is wearing a biosecurity suit on a commercial flight at the Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport on September 2, 2020, in Palmira, Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia.

LUIS ROBAYO - Getty Images

2020s

A flight attendant serves food on a Sichuan Airlines panda-themed Airbus A350 on June 11, 2024, in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China. The jet airliner is painted with giant panda patterns as it makes its maiden flight from Chengdu to Beijing.

VCG - Getty Images

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A 20-year-old American college student was found dead after she went missing while hiking Table Mountain in South Africa this weekend, officials said.

South African National Parks (SANParks) confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY on Monday that staff for Table Mountain, located in Cape Town, received an emergency report of a missing hiker on Saturday.

The hiker, since identified as 20-year-old Brook Cheuvront, left to climb the mountain that afternoon. Her tracking app failed to update after she departed, according to SANParks, and her friends eventually reported her missing when she did not return from her solo trip and they couldn't get in contact with her.

Park rangers, Wilderness Search and Rescue members, and trail runners were deployed that evening to search on foot. The following morning, the search resumed and a City of Cape Town aircraft was used to ultimately locate Cheuvront's remains.

SANParks said her body was found on the mountain's slopes and her cause of death is under investigation.

A general view of Table Mountain in Cape Town on April 4, 2024.

Brook Cheuvront was "kind-hearted" and "brilliant," say family and friends

Cheuvront was a Newland, North Carolina native and a sophomore at the University of North Carolina (UNC) of Chapel Hill who was in South Africa fulfilling an internship at the University of Cape Town, WNCN, a CBS affiliate, originally reported.

Cheuvront's family posted to Facebook on Sunday, asking friends and family to take down posts made during the search for Brook.

"She was recovered. We are devastated. God help me and us," it read.

"Brook was a bright light to everyone she encountered," said another Facebook post by a family friend. "She was brilliant in every sense. She grew up with my kids and this is a loss to every person that knew her."

Other stories shared about Brook online called her "kind," "selfless," "sweet," "funny," and "smart."

"I am grateful to have grown up with someone so special," said one friend's tribute.

Mountain safety

In response to the tragedy, SANParks released a list of best-practice safety tips for hikers. While these were shared specifically by Table Mountain National Park Management, the guidelines are good advice for hikers in general.

Do activities in groups. Management at Table Mountain recommends four or more.

Choose your route carefully and stick to it.

Allow yourself enough time  start early.

Inform someone of your route and what time you are expected back.

Always wear waterproof clothing, and wear walking shoes or hiking boots.

Save the applicable emergency numbers, in this case the Table Mountain National Park emergency number, into your phone before setting off.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American Brook Cheuvront found dead in South Africa on Table Mountain
Emma Coronel Aispuro, who married Joaquin El Chapo Guzman when she was a teenager, appeared on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week

The wife of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the Mexican drug lord, has appeared on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week a year after being released from prison.

Emma Coronel Aispuro, 35, a former model who married El Chapo when she was a teenager, appeared in a regal wedding dress as part of what the designer called her rebirth.

Ms Coronel was sentenced to three years in prison in 2021 after pleading guilty to charges related to helping her husbands Sinaloa cartel, including taking part in his escape from custody in 2015.

Prosecutors determined she worked closely with the command and control structure of the cartel.

Emma Coronel wears a gown from the April Black Diamond Spring Summer 2025 collection - AP

Under her plea deal, she agreed to hand over about $1.5 million in illicit funds from the cartel. Her sentence was later reduced and she was freed from jail in September last year.

El Chapo, 67, whose criminal empire was known for its brutality and murderous rampages, continues to serve a life sentence  without the possibility of parole  in a supermax prison in Colorado.

Ms Coronels father, Ines Coronel, was also a senior member of the Sinaloa cartel and is serving a 10-year sentence in Mexico for drug smuggling.

El Chapo is transported to a maximum security prison in Mexico City in 2016 - Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

However, on Sunday, Ms Coronel, who has both Mexican and US citizenship, dispatched with her past marked with controversy in a bid to rewrite her future, according to LA-based designer April Black Diamond, who made the cartel wife the star of her spring/summer 2024 collection.

Her surprise return to the modelling world took place in Palazzo Serbelloni, a neoclassical palace in Milan, where Napoleon once lived.

Ms Coronel wore a tiara and a heavy white gown adorned with jewels.

The lavish tiara was adorned with jewels - AP

As a designer, I believe everyone deserves a second chance, and fashion is the perfect platform to highlight transformation, strength, and resilience, Ms Diamond wrote on Instagram last week.

The designer, who dresses the Hollywood elite and specialises in lavish party dresses, added that her work celebrated resilience, rebirth, and the beauty of transformation on this global stage.

Mariel Colon Miro, a model and lawyer who was part of El Chapos defence team in the US, also joined Ms Coronel on the catwalk at Sundays event.

Right to fulfil our dreams

We all have the right to fulfil our dreams and to be reborn like the bird and start over, she wrote on social media.

One woman, who did not want to be named but who represents mothers whose family members have been killed in cartel violence, was relaxed about Ms Coronels catwalk appearance.

She told the Telegraph: She does have a right to her own working life, regardless of what her husband has done, especially as he is in prison.

Emma Coronel Aispuro at Milan Fashion week

Ms Coronel became a beauty queen at age 17, winning her first pageant in Canelas, Mexico, in 2007. She met her future husband the same year.

In an interview, she told the LA Times: He flirtatiously smiled at me. After a while a person told me, The man asks if you want to dance with him. And I said, OK.

After a whirlwind romance, she became El Chapos third wife at the age of 18, while he was 50.

They share twin daughters, Emaly and Maria Joaquina, born in 2011, who are believed to be the youngest of 19 children the cartel boss has fathered.

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 rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is further threatening President Joe Bidens efforts to reduce tension in the Middle East, leaving the president with ever-diminishing options to secure a ceasefire-and-hostage deal that has become his top priority in the final months of his presidency.

As he prepares for his final high-profile speech at the United Nations on Tuesday, the crisis is overshadowing any attempt at burnishing his foreign policy legacy. Without any near-term hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza, Biden is facing new questions about his approach to the nearly year-long conflict.

White House officials watched with concern over the weekend as Israeli warplanes struck targets in Lebanon while Hezbollah fired rockets and drones into northern Israel. As Biden was meeting Asia-Pacific leaders in Delaware, the crisis was unfolding in a different part of the world. The president and his aides were closely monitoring the situation from Wilmington.

Bidens aides currently view the risk of escalation as serious and real, and have been communicating on a daily basis with officials in Israel, officials said Monday.

The risk of escalation is real; it has been since October 7. There are moments where it is more acute than others. I think we are in one of those moments where it is more acute, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.

Speaking Sunday, Biden said he was concerned about escalation in the Middle East. But he reaffirmed his view that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas  which American officials believe would lower temperatures across the region  was still possible.

Were going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out. And were still pushing hard, he told reporters at the White House

His optimism masked fading hopes among administration officials that a deal can be reached before Biden leaves office.

The president and his top national security officials have spent the past year working to prevent the war in Gaza from spreading to a wider regional conflict, with the northern front with Lebanon their chief concern.

Amos Hochstein, a senior White House adviser, has spent the past several months working to prevent a second front from opening in the north, including a trip just last week meant to head off a wider escalation in the long-simmering tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

Yet there have been no high-level phone calls with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Biden is not currently scheduled to met the Israeli leader when hes in the United States at the end of this week.

Sullivan told reporters on Saturday that while the risk of escalation was acute, there remained avenues to ease tensions.

We actually believe there is also a distinct avenue to getting to a cessation of hostilities and a durable solution that makes people on both sides of the border feel secure, and were going to do everything that we can to bring that about, he said.

As world leaders gather in New York for the general assembly this week, some US officials are concerned that the global gathering could further enflame mounting tensions in the Middle East, two US officials said.

The concern is concentrated on what countries around the world might say about the conflict while the entire world is watching, even as the US officials have been urging de-escalation for months and have reiterated that call in recent days.

Typically US officials view UNGA as an opportunity to galvanize the world behind a major US push  such as supporting Ukraine in the face of Russias ongoing aggressions in recent years  making the anxiety that US officials are feeling this year unique.

US officials are particularly bracing for the possibility of new countries recognizing Palestine as a state. Even if new countries are not added to the effort to recognize Palestine, they are watching for what the countries say that have already made the move earlier this year, such as US allies Norway, Spain and Ireland.

The US will also have eyes on the speech by the leader of the Palestinian Authority, President Mahmoud Abbas, and a possible speech by Netanyahu if he attends the gathering, which is a question that remains in the air.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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Ruben Chamorro

I expected Rebecca Minkoff to be weirder. After the announcement that the fashion mogul-cum-social activist would be joining The Real Housewives of New York City, I felt certain that Bravo was courting a bread-and-butter eccentric type who might add some zhuzh to the cast entering its sophomore outing on the beloved reality TV series. The Housewives behemoth (which spans nine American franchises in some state of production) is, after all, known for exploring what happens when a group of self-possessed women move through the world, and toward one another, with blustering moxie as their primary fuel source. Its Mad Max in its propensity for conflict, but with diamond-studded Miu Miu poplin shirts as the weapon of choice. It manages to repeatedly generate friction and smooth it over with the promise of a resolution, even if done through clenched teeth. Surely Rebecca Minkoff, a staple of the New York City style scene of the early aughts, whose brand first skyrocketed in popularity thanks to a fortuitous Jenna Elfman appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2001, would fit in well here. Thats, of course, the hope and the gamble.

In person, Minkoff appears in pointed contrast to RHONYs proclivity for ostentatious displays of wealth. Perhaps for that reason, she will star as a friend of the housewives, rather than a housewife herself. Shes wearing a vintage Pearl Jam T-shirt (I have a rule that Ill only wear a band shirt if I like the band), studded jeans, and studded Birkenstocks to match. She embodies what I imagine the Olsen twins would have aged into if they had kept the boho-chic aesthetic instead of ditching it for stealth wealth. I have a mischievous side, but its never mean-spirited, and I dont take myself that seriously, she tells me. I think people see NYC designer, perfect Instagram imagery, but Im really how you see me now: relaxed, casual. I love to have fun, and I love to laugh.

Were seated at a long table in her showroom in midtown Manhattan, a stones throw from Bryant Park, surrounded by rows and rows of shoes, bags, and other accessories that convey a business on the upswing from the economic fallout of the pandemic in 2020. Pre-COVID, we were approaching $70 million in sales, and I watched 70 percent of that evaporate, Minkoff says. The alluring incentive of brand exposure makes a lot of sense for a company that, as she says, was barely making it through during the pandemic. Now, as her namesake label approaches its 20th anniversary this spring, shes looking to reframe the conversation. Sure, shes got the book, the podcast, and a devoted legion of influencers behind her moto belt, but the show presents the chance to highlight the other side of her. Why wouldnt I take that opportunity, as a business decision, to say, Lets get back in front of my customer and regrow [the brand] back to its glory? And what better megaphone than Housewives, which, for a certain set, is practically a litmus test for staying relevant?

Minkoff is no stranger to Bravo, having styled Heidi Klum for the first season of Project Runway and Padma Lakshmi for Top Chef, experiences she wrote about in her 2021 book Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. She went on to appear as a guest judge on several episodes of Project Runway as well. This is familiar territory, thena homecoming, in a sense. But Minkoffs pronouncement that as a proponent of womenI [am] not interested in getting into messy, crazy drama attitude might explain why fellow housewife Sai De Silva got caught on a hot mic this past May calling Minkoff boringthe second-worst thing you can call a housewife, after dirty low-down monkey with a wig on. Minkoff references last seasons cheese-gatea minor kerfuffle over a charcuterie boardas the kind of theatrics she doesnt mind participating in, stressing that she was particular about what shed wade into.

When thinking about it, I was like, The only way I can do this is by being me, she says. And if no one likes that, then I get voted off the island. I have to go in there holding true to everything Ive built, otherwise I look like a fraud on both sides, and you dont know who I am and you lose trust. It is not lost on me that theres a huge irony in that, but I think theres a way to play in that, too. Youve met my friends [on the show] who have things to fight about. Do you need another person doing that? Or would it be nice to have someone being like, Cant we all just get along? Thats all well and good, but this is a show predicated on conflict and tension. So why cast her? Its all fake, a former Minkoff employee told Air Mail in June of this year, in reference to how she presents herself as a designer. And thus the intrigue (and contradiction?) of the woman behind the brand. Two diverging roads: You pick which one to go down.



At first glance, shes an unusual hire for the franchise. Minkoff is, after all, a well-known creative, having landed on Fortunes 40 Under 40 list a decade ago, the same year that her company surpassed $100 million in sales. Her bags were an early-aughts staple, papped ad nauseam in images of Lindsay Lohan, Halle Berry, and more carrying the bag around town. Blake Lively even toted one while filming Gossip Girl. Minkoffs presence on the show feelsrandom. But when you look at the pedigree, its actually quite formulaic. Carole Radziwill, a cast member on RHONY for six seasons, was a New York Times best-selling author before joining the show; Eileen Davidson, who starred on Beverly Hills for three seasons, had won two Daytime Emmy Awards before that.

And then theres Minkoffs co-star, Jenna Lyons, who kick-started a new chapter of her career, a false-lash brand called LoveSeen, thanks to the shows exposure. (We saw growth of about 400 percent, she told Glossy.) That, Minkoff is the first to admit, was an incentivizing factor in agreeing to do the show. But theres also the curiosity about the unknown. I said to my husband the day I signed on, I can predict our life if we dont do this, but I cant predict our life if we do, and thats exciting. His response: Youre fucking crazybut okay.

Ruben Chamorro

On paper, Minkoffs story actually feels quite Housewives-coded. She moved to New York City with no money or college degree and found a low-paying internship at Craig Taylor, a small clothing company, and began to slowly work her way up the ladder. Shes both a successful entrepreneur and a mother of four, plus she has the name recognition to make her, upon examination, exactly the kind of person youd cast on this show, especially as the series works to cement its status as a successful reboot. (The show, which began airing in 2008, went dark in September 2021 after 13 seasons, only to return nearly two years later, in 2023, with an entirely new casta first for the franchise.)

Minkoff was born in San Diego, California, the daughter of David Minkoff, an MD, and self-described alternative health care expert, and Sue Minkoff, a nurse. I thought I was going to be there my whole life, as a little surfer. The family, including Rebeccas two brothers, relocated to Clearwater, Florida, in 1989, where her father was planning to take a sabbatical from his pediatric business. But, she says, after one pivotal trip back to San Diego, where her brothers friends were starting to get into drugs, her parents decided to stick it out in Clearwaterwhere there was nothing happening but old people and the beach. Growing up, Scientology, or her applied religious philosophy, as she calls it, has helped her deal with the stress of the industry, with being better at communicating, and dealing with difficult personalities. It starts and ends there for me, she says. Pressed about why she thinks theres so much fascination with celebrity Scientologists, she offers this: Judaism is nearly 4,000 years old, Christianity around 2,000 years, so look at what it took for those to become established[Scientology] is new. And I think new breeds curiosity and misconception, and thats why I can only tell you what Ive gotten out of it, which is a source of stress relief. Although Scientology has been the subject of public interest and controversy over the years, Housewives, Minkoff mentions, is not the arena where she felt inclined to share more on this.

But back to the origin story! It was during her early days in Clearwater that Minkoff took up sewing, even going on to make her own Bat Mitzvah dress. Its a somewhat familiar refrain in the fashion industry (her co-star Lyons has a similar story): A young woman cant find clothes that fit her, so she tries making her own. Minkoff graduated from high school without a clear path forward, and then destiny intervened. As she tells it, her brother came home one day with the phone number of Craig Taylor, a designer hed met at a party. She called the next day. What do you know how to do? Can you be here in October? We pay $3.25 an hour. She moved to New York City in 1999 and lived with a gay friend of hers. Every night after 10 P.M., hed sneak her into the Fordham University dorms when security wasnt looking so that she had a place to stay.

She knew nothing about business (I was terrible at it) but possessed a palpable level of talent, enthusiasm, and drive. She was assigned to shipping in the beginning (I was pissed), but then-CEO Christina Kumi Kimball insisted she work in every area of the company so that she could understand how all the departments worked together. Shortly thereafter, she was cutting swatches, calling stores, making appointments, and working with the graphics team. Over time, she started designing her own items. It was here that Minkoff devised her now-iconic ripped I Heart NY shirt, which she eventually gifted to her sister-in-laws friend, Elfman, at the actresss behest. Elfmans appearance on Leno spurred initial interest in the Minkoff brand, but it was the ubiquity of the Morning After Bag, a canvas-with-leather-trim tote meant to hold all of your belongings for an impromptu sleepover, that made Minkoff a household name.

When blogs began dominating the cultural conversation, things really started to take off. It was there that Minkoff was able to communicate with her customers, both established and prospective. These women would say, We want you to bring back the purple bag with the zipper, blah blah blah. Id say, Great, give me your credit card. They would email me their credit card numbers. I would run them and go up to 39th Street, where my factory was, and say, All right, weve got [orders for] 20 more bags. Not only was it access for me, but it was the conversation and community. That made a very strong relationship with my customer early on. [The Morning After Bag is] what got us through the recession. The amount of individual orders with those same women, with me asking, What do you want now?

Minkoff credits her brother, Uri, the co-founder of the business, with helping her turn her talent into a profitable brand. Its a different language than youre used to, and if you dont learn it, you will be dead in the water, he told her. She was annoyed with him for criticizing her creativity in the moment, but looking back, shes glad she didnt allow her sensitivity to curtail growth. By 2005, the label was officially founded. Four years later, in 2009, the brand launched ready-to-wear and began showing at New York Fashion Week. But the pinnacle? The seemingly absurd decision to drop prices. Coming out of the financial crisis, Minkoff knew from speaking to her long-loyal customers that they could no longer afford the bags. We thought, Were going to make more and go back to our factories and renegotiate once we have the volume. They waited three long, scary months to see if the risk would pay off. It did. After prices decreased by $100 per product, and the maximum price for a clutch was capped at $195, Rebecca Minkoff experienced over 500 percent growth over the next three years and a strong retention rate among its customers.

Ruben Chamorro

In the ensuing years, Rebecca Minkoff developed a reputation for embracing technology: in 2013, she used Snapchat to debut some of her runway looks before any of her competitors and opened the store of the future in 2014, which featured smart mirrors in fitting rooms (a partnership with eBay) and self-checkout. Then COVID happened, and the label took an enormous hit before being sold, in 2022, to Sunrise Brands, a diversified apparel company, for a price estimated at between $13 million and $19 million, according to Womens Wear Daily (Minkoff remains chief creative officer). Now, amid a vastly different fashion landscape, Minkoff is working to cater to a customers ever-evolving demands. The label made its Crypto Fashion Week debut (yes, that was a real thing) in 2021, showing a 15-piece NFT line of clothes and accessories, and briefly joined OnlyFans that same year to share exclusive behind-the-scenes brand content.

Minkoff seems most comfortable when shes doling out career advice. Youre setting yourself up for failure if you think you can have a career over one year that really takes over 10. It might take fucking 20, she says. Her conviction in offering wisdom through the lens of a woman whos accomplished so much makes it easy to understand how she grew her audience, and why her business has lasted at a time when so many of her contemporaries have shuttered or been scooped up by luxury conglomerates.

The question now becomes: Can Minkoff grow her audience even more via the coveted Housewives effect? Time will surely tell. But beyond the business opportunity, shes also exposing herself to the scrutiny thats a hallmark of the franchise. Does she worry that the show will open up her life to criticism from an audience known for foaming at the mouth over receipts, proof, timeline, and screenshots? Every day, Minkoff says. Whether its the buyer or the reviews, there are these moments where people can attack you. And its just like, Throw another shrimp on that barbie. In a sign that shell do well on the show, Minkoff throws out what could easily be workshopped into a housewife tagline: Ive had to develop very thick skin. Good thing Im in the leather business.

Hair by Brandon McHie; makeup by Priscilla Freire.

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A 10-year-old Florida boys father turned him in after he made a threat to "shoot up" a high school on Snapchat, authorities announced Friday.

The threat was made in Wakulla County, about 25 miles south of Tallahassee. While a student reported the threat, the boy's father turned him in on Thursday, according to the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office.

Since January, there have been shootings at more than 20 schools across the United States. In early September, a teenager in Georgia took the lives of two classmates and two teachers, and injured nine other students on Sept. 4.

Suspect told another student it was the student bodys last day

The investigation began on Wednesday after school had ended, the sheriffs office said. Around 4 p.m. that day, Wakulla High School staff let a school resource officer know there was a threatening social media post circulating about the school.

A high school student told school staff that they talked to someone on Snapchat who said they were going to carry out a shooting at the school.

Its yalls last day, the message continued.

According to the sheriffs office, investigators worked Wednesday night and Thursday morning to find the person who made the threat. Someone with the Safe Schools Division at the Wakulla County Sheriffs Office arrested a 10-year-old Woodville boy.

The sheriff's office said authorities "made contact with the subject who made the online threat at his residence in Leon County and interviewed him.

According to the sheriffs office, the agency told Wakulla County school officials early Thursday morning there was no danger to Wakulla High School or any other school in the division.

Also on Thursday, a school resource officer who was part of the investigation secured an arrest warrant charging the 10-year-old with making a written or electronic threat to kill, do bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism.

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The sheriffs office said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or FDLE, as well as the agencys Cyber Crime Unit, Counter Terrorism Unit and Organized Crime Unit were part of the investigation.

FDLEs contribution to this effort was timely, extensive and is appreciated, the sheriffs office said.

Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas, Amaris Encinas

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: Florida father turns son in after shooting threat at Wakulla HS
Joyce Luckie wasn't sure what she wanted from life after full time work. As her retirement drew nearer, the long-time teacher and school district executive kept coming back to her dream of traveling the worldbut it didn't seem feasible without her full salary. But Luckie, now 59, found a possible solution when a cousin's daughter told Luckie that she was planning to move to Portugal for a year.

Intrigued, Luckie started researching what it would take to pack up and move abroad. All things considered, it wasn't that hardif she was willing to give up a few things.

The most difficult: Her home of 15 years in Phoenix, Arizona, which she had recently remodeled.

"My granddaughter said, 'Nana, your house is exactly the way you want it and you're leaving?' It was a lot of emotions," says Luckie. "But I said the one thing we can't get enough of is time. And its time for me to go and see the world."

Luckie put her home on the market in May of last year; it sold in less than two weeks. She gave some of her belongings to family and friends and gave the rest to the woman who bought her house. A few weeks later, she packed for a month-long trip to Portugal to get a feel for different towns she might like to live in.

Luckie is used to "jumping into things," she says, including moving. Throughout her life, she's lived in Chicago, San Diego, Austin, Charleston, and Phoenix, among other cities. So the thought of a new location didn't scare her, and after visiting Portugal, Luckie decided she liked it enough to make the leap. She came back to Phoenix, traveled to San Francisco for her visa, and three days later she left for Europe. She thought she'd give it a year; with those first 12 months now behind her, she's extending her stay at least another 12.

Luckie acknowledges that saying goodbye to her home, family, and friends was harder than she expected; the first few months after moving to Portugal, she felt deep sadness.

"I worked so many hours and was constantly gone, and when I got here, everything got quiet," she says. "When everything got quiet I was able to hear myself, and I felt that I was alone and I was lonely."

Joyce Luckie and her walking group in TK

But that abated once she was able to find an expat group in Setubal, where she moved, and even make friends with some of the locals. The expats check in on each other, she says, and help each other make the most of their new home. They walk together three days a week, hanging out together after at local watering holes and cafes.

"We walk around, head home, and there is always music, theres always a dinner somewhere," she says. "Theres a lot going on daily."

Another difficult aspect of the move was the bureaucracy. Luckie lives in Portugal on a retirement visa; when she moved, it took over six months to get her resident card. Things just work slower there than in the U.S., she says. You have to be persistentbut also patient. To make sure everything was in order, Luckie used a service that helps Americans move abroad, operated by two other expats; they were able to organize everything for her, and even suggested places to live, which is how she discovered Setubal.

"Their red tape, Ive never seen anything like it. Going to the bank, it may take three hours," she says. "Well, I'm not working, I don't have anywhere to go, so I just sit back and wait. I reduced the wrinkles in my forehead, because I don't get frustrated."

The cost of living and easier access to traveling elsewhere around Europe and Africa makes the move worth the effort. Since getting her resident card, Luckie has traveled to England, France, Gambia, Ireland, and Senegal, among other places. She doesn't need a car to get around, and she treats herself to massages once a week and frequent lunches and dinners out.

She qualifies for free public health insurance, which she supplements with a private plan costing $650 a year.

"I went to get X-rays for my knee, that was 112 Euros," she says. "You're not going to pay $112 for treatment and medicine in the U.S."

Luckie's apartment costs $1,200 a month, which is her biggest expense (the price of rentals there has increased fairly significantly in recent years as more expats move there). She can walk to the beach, and a grocery store, laundromat, restaurants, and bars are all within blocks of her home.

Those aspects of life are far different from living in the U.S., but ones Luckie has embraced as she's made an effort to engage with the local community and push herself out of her comfort zone. The biggest adjustments have been eating dinner after 6 p.m. and the absence of small luxuries like American television and Lawry's seasoning saltbut the good far surpasses those drawbacks of life abroad.

"You're not coming here to make this Little USA," she says. "You're in Portugal. So honor their culture."

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
People gather Sunday for the funeral service for Kentucky Judge Kevin R. Mullins in Jenkins, Ky.

JENKINS, Ky.  A Kentucky judge who authorities said was fatally shot by a sheriff last week was remembered Sunday as a pioneer who fought opioid addiction and favored treatment over jail for low-level drug offenders.

Hundreds of mourners, including a procession of black-robed judges, filed into the Jenkins High School auditorium to pay their respects to District Judge Kevin R. Mullins, 54.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines is accused of shooting Mullins several times in the judge's chambers Thursday afternoon. Stines has been charged with murder and is expected to make his first court appearance this week.

Authorities are investigating a motive. Kentucky State Police said the shooting appears to have followed an argument.

There was a heavy law enforcement presence at the service Sunday.

Several judges from across the state spoke at the funeral, sharing their personal experiences and billing Mullins as leader in the fights against opioid addiction and in support of the mental health needs of people going through the court system.

His passion for people was his magic touch. He cant begin to count the number of lives that he saved or improved, said state Supreme Court Judge Debra Lambert, who sat on the state Judicial Commission on Mental Health alongside Mullins. Our court family aches at his loss.

Family members didnt speak during the funeral. From her wheelchair, Patsy Holbrook Mullins hugged or shook the hands of mourners as they approached her sons brown open casket, which was adorned with a bouquet of yellow flowers.

She told NBC News afterward that she was moved by the service and the communitys support.

Im very impressed by the outpouring of support and that the community is behind the mission that he wanted so much, she said. He wanted to bring a change to the opioid epidemic. That was his passion.

District Judge Kevin R. Mullins.

District Judge J. Foster Cotthoff told the crowd of about 500 that Mullins worked tirelessly and that he was a state leader and innovator in opioid treatment.

He saw the good in people even when they didnt see it themselves, Cotthoff said.

Mullins was a proponent of a rehabilitative approach for some offenders instead of jail time, according to a version of his obituary printed on the program for the service.

From the outset as a judge, Kevin recognized that incarceration alone was insufficient in addressing the opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth, it said.

Mullins "pioneered a local protocol focused on linking people to treatment services early in their involvement with the justice system, leading a transformative shift in how justice could support recovery," the obituary said.

The protocol gained statewide recognition, it said.

Mullins also played a role in reshaping the Kentucky courts approach to behavioral health.

Matt Brown, president of Addiction Recovery Care in Kentucky, said Sunday that when low-level drug offenders entered Mullins courtroom, he would send them to drug rehab, not jail.

He was an innovator, Brown said. He was way ahead of the curve.

Mullins was born in 1970 in Pikeville, Kentucky. He began his career after he received a degree in political science from the University of Kentucky, and he later received a law degree from the University of Louisville, according to his obituary.

He was first appointed in 2009 to fill a judicial vacancy and served as a District Court judge for 14 years, the obituary said.

At the service, District Judge James Craft told a story about a trip he and Mullins took to New York City years ago.

Craft said Mullins, whom he described as a foodie, booked reservations at fancy restaurants for their entire trip but canceled on the last night because he wanted to try a cheeseburger.

Kevin was a lot of things to a lot of people, but to me he was my friend, Craft said.

In addition to his mother, Mullins is survived by his wife, Kimberly; his daughters, Mya and Ava; his sister; three nephews; and a niece.
By Gabriella Borter and Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the president of the United Arab Emirates to the White House on Monday, saying the two leaders would discuss ways to deescalate tensions between Israel and Lebanon, and efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet separately with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the first in what are expected to be a series of foreign leader gatherings during the week of the United Nations General Assembly.

Biden, speaking at the start of his meeting with the UAE leader, said Lebanon and Gaza would feature prominently in their discussions, along with talks on artificial intelligence.

Before their meeting, Biden said he had been briefed on latest developments between Israel and Lebanon, adding, "I continue to be in contact with our counterparts and we're working to deescalate in a way that allows people to return home safely."

Sheikh Mohamed said his country had an "unwavering commitment" to working with the United States and deepening the strategic partnership between the allies.

Harris also plans to discuss efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal in her separate meeting with the UAE leader, the first ever visit by a UAE president to the White House, the White House official said.

The meeting will give Harris, the Democratic nominee for the Nov. 5 presidential election, an opportunity to demonstrate national security chops at a time when the administration is under increasing pressure to contain strife in the Middle East.

Israel attacked hundreds of Hezbollah targets on Monday in airstrikes which Lebanese health authorities said killed at least 274 people, making it the deadliest day in Lebanon in decades and ramping up nearly a year of conflict with its Iran-backed enemy.

After almost a year of war against Hamas in Gaza on its southern border, Israel is shifting its focus to its northern frontier, from where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of its ally Hamas.

The talks at the White House are also expected to include discussions on the Gulf state's involvement in the Sudan conflict and its plans for artificial intelligence, an ambitious effort also drawing interest from U.S. geopolitical rival China.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter, Andrea Shalal and Trevor Hunnicutt, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, left, arrives at the podium, accompanied by the army commander Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi during an annual armed forces parade marking anniversary of the beginning of war against Iran by former Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein 44 years ago, in front of the shrine of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, just outside Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Irans new president accused Israel on Monday of seeking a wider war in the Middle East and laying traps to lead his country into a broader conflict.

Masoud Pezeshkian told about two dozen media representatives that Iran doesnt want to see the current war in Gaza and airstrikes across the Israeli-Lebanon border expanded.

We dont want to fight, he said. Its Israel that wants to drag everyone into war and destabilize the region.  They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go.

Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and reformer, defeated a hardliner in Irans July presidential runoff, after the death of the former president in a helicopter crash. He is making his debut on the international stage at this weeks annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, just as Israel steps up attacks on Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

The Iranian leader, who will turn 70 on Sunday, said that while Israel insists it doesnt want a wider war, i ts actions show otherwise. Pezeshkian pointed to the deadly explosions of pagers, walkie-talkies and other electronic devices in Lebanon last week, which he blamed on Israel, and the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, hours after Pezeshkian's inauguration.

Pezeshkian said the Iranian drone and missile attacks on Israel in April, in response to attack on an Iranian consular building in Syrias capital that Tehran blamed on Israel, proved its defensive capabilities.

He said Iran is not seeking to destabilize the Middle East. We are willing to put all our weapons aside so long as Israel is willing to do the same, he said.

On Russia and Ukraine

Two weeks ago, the United States and Britain formally accused Iran of supplying short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to use against Ukraine and announced new sanctions on Moscow and Tehran before a joint visit to Kyiv by their top diplomats.

Pezeshkian insisted that Iran has not and will not supply Russia with ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine. We have never approved of Russias aggression against Ukrainian territory, he said, adding that the two countries should establish a dialogue.

On Iran's nuclear program

The president was asked about Irans nuclear program following the Trump administrations withdrawal from its 2015 nuclear deal with the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. It has seen Tehran expand its uranium enrichment from 3.67% purity under the deal to 60% purity, making many countries in the West nervous that it is seeking to make a nuclear weapon.

Would Iran go back to low-enriched uranium and give up its stockpile of high enriched uranium if the nuclear deal is restored?

Pezeshkian said weapons of mass destruction have no place in Iran and its military structures.

We are still ready to live up to the same framework that was agreed on in 2015, he said, but the Europeans tried to get Iran to sign a different accord.

He said Iran is willing to sit down with Europeans and Americans to negotiate.

On Israel and Gaza

Pezeshkian was asked if Iran had advance knowledge of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel that killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians.

The Americans know, and Israel is very well aware that Iran was not aware, he replied.

Israel says it only targets militants and accuses Hamas and other armed groups of endangering civilians by operating in residential areas.

Pezeshkian also accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza by attacking schools, hospitals and homes. He defended Irans support for the Palestinians and Lebanons Hezbollah militants, saying his country will not stand by to oppression and injustice.

Israels nearly year-long retaliation has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry which doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants.

On the U.S. presidential election

Pezeshkian responded to Americas top intelligence official Avril Haines, who said in July that the Iranian government is covertly encouraging American protests over the war in Gaza in a bid to stoke outrage ahead of the November presidential election.

Please dont believe these things  theyre childish, he said.

On the captivity of a Nobel Peace Prize winner

When a reporter asked if Iran would free Narges Mohammadi, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her activism including for womens rights, Pezeshkian said there are four women ministers in his administration. And if the Western media is so concerned about human rights, he asked, Why are you not screaming about what is going on in Gaza?
Israel and Hezbollah threatened on Sunday to escalate their cross-border attacks despite a chorus of international calls for both sides to step back from the brink of all-out war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after a night of intense rocket fire from Lebanon that Israel has dealt "a series of blows on Hezbollah that it could have never imagined".

Hezbollah was equally defiant, with the group's deputy chief Naim Qassem saying it was in a "new phase" in its battle against Israel.

They spoke nearly a year after the outbreak of the Gaza war and after attacks on northern Israel sent hundreds of thousands of people to bomb shelters and caused damage in the area of Haifa city.

"No country can tolerate attacks on its citizens," Netanyahu said nearly a year into the Gaza war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel that has also drawn in Iran-backed groups across the region, including Hezbollah.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant meanwhile said military actions "will continue until we reach a point where we may ensure the safe return of Israel's northern communities to their homes".

"This is our goal, this is our mission, and we will employ the means necessary to achieve it."

Israel's key ally the United States said Sunday military escalation is not in Israel's "best interest".

White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said "we still believe that there can be time and space for a diplomatic solution".

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of the risk of Lebanon becoming "another Gaza".

Speaking ahead of the annual UN General Assembly in New York, he nonetheless added it was "clear that both sides are not interested in a ceasefire" in the Gaza war.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called for an "immediate ceasefire" after a "worrying escalation", and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell echoed the ceasefire call, saying Europe was "extremely concerned".

Hezbollah rocket fire reached Kiryat Bialik on the edge of north Israel's largest city Haifa, leaving a building in flames, another pockmarked with shrapnel and vehicles incinerated.

"This is not pleasant. This is war," said one resident, Sharon Hacmishvili.

Hamas in a statement on Sunday hailed Hezbollah for its "resilience and bravery" in attacking Israel.

Israel has signalled its intention to shift focus to Iran-backed Hezbollah after nearly a year of cross-border fire that began in October in what Hezbollah calls support for Hamas Palestinian militants fighting Israel.

Friday's Israeli air strike in a densely populated Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut killed the head of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, Ibrahim Aqil. The Lebanese health ministry said the strike killed 45 people.

It came after a series of coordinated communication device blasts on Tuesday and Wednesday that killed 39 people and wounded almost 3,000, and which have been blamed on Israel.

Speaking at Aqil's funeral in Beirut Sunday, Qassem said: "We have entered a new phase, namely an open reckoning" with Israel.

"Threats will not stop us... We are ready to face all military possibilities."

Hezbollah's Radwan Force has spearheaded its ground operations, and Israel has repeatedly called for its fighters to be pushed back from the border.

UN special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert posted on X that the region was "on the brink of an imminent catastrophe".

"It cannot be overstated enough: there is NO military solution that will make either side safer," she wrote.

The Israeli army said more than 150 rockets, missiles and drones were fired at its territory during the night and early Sunday, most from Lebanon.

It said it attacked Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in response and "to prevent a larger-scale attack".

Lebanon's health ministry said three people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern areas, and Hezbollah announced two fighters were killed.

Israel's civil defence agency ordered all schools in the north closed after the rocket fire.

"It reminds me of October 7 when everybody stayed home," Haifa resident Patrice Wolff told AFP.

Hezbollah said it had targeted Israeli military production facilities and an air base in the Haifa area after this week;s communication device blasts.

"In an initial response" to the explosions of the pagers and two-way radios, Hezbollah said it "bombed the Rafael military industry complexes" in northern Israel with "dozens" of rockets.

It said it targeted Ramat David airbase with Fadi-1 and Fadi-2 rockets. The site is among the deepest inside Israel so far targeted, and this appeared to be Hezbollah's first use of that rocket type during the Gaza war.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has acknowledged that the communication devices attack was "unprecedented". He vowed that Israel -- which has not commented on the blasts -- would face retribution.

Months of near-daily exchanges have killed hundreds in Lebanon, mostly fighters, and dozens in Israel and the annexed Golan, forcing tens of thousands on both sides from their homes.

Netanyahu on Tuesday announced an expansion of the country's war goals to include the return of northern Israeli residents.

International mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States have for months tried to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, which diplomats repeatedly said would help calm regional tensions.

Netanyahu's critics in Israel have accused him of dragging out the war, with thousands again gathering in Tel Aviv Saturday demanding a deal to free hostages in Gaza.

Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,431 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The UN has acknowledged the figures as reliable.
Missiles slammed into southern Lebanon, shattering the early-morning silence Monday and reportedly killing more than 550 people as Israel said it was targeting Hezbollah weapons hidden in residential buildings. The explosions came as Israel heralded a new wave of attacks on the Iran-backed group in Lebanon, warning civilians to flee from any buildings or areas where the organization had weapons or fighters positioned.

Lebanon's health ministry said the strikes killed at least 558 people, including dozens of children and women, and wounded more than 1,600 people, The Associated Press reported. Monday marked the deadliest day of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah since 2006. The death toll also surpassed the deaths from the 2020 explosion at the Port of Beirut that killed nearly 200 people, injured thousands and devastated entire neighborhoods in the Lebanese capital.

Israel's military said at least 35 more rockets or drones were fired from Lebanon at northern Israel, many of which fell in open areas or were intercepted. Israeli media said at least one man was injured amid the barrage.

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024 / Credit: Aziz Taher/REUTERS

The new crossfire came as Israel warned people in Lebanon  via automated phone calls, text messages and reportedly even Lebanese radio stations hacked into by its military  to avoid buildings used by Hezbollah.

The IDF shared images online of what it said were secondary explosions following some of its strikes Monday in southern Lebanon, showing, it said, "Hezbollah's weapons exploding inside homes."

"Every house that we strike contains weapons  rockets, missiles, UAVs  that are intended to kill Israeli civilians," the IDF said. It said 300 separate Hezbollah targets were hit in its Monday morning airstrikes in Lebanon.

President Joe Biden said on Monday that the U.S. was trying to calm the situation in Lebanon.

"I've been briefed on the latest developments in Israel and Lebanon. My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and we're working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely," Mr. Biden said as he held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said Monday the U.S. is sending additional troops to the Middle East. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder would provide no details on how many additional forces or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. currently has about 40,000 troops in the region.

The new violence came after a weekend of increasingly deadly crossfire between the two bitter enemies in the heart of the Middle East.

Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets in one salvo Saturday night, sending them hurtling deeper into northern Israel and "toward civilian areas," according to the Israeli military, wounding at least three people and spreading panic further into a region where many towns and villages have already been abandoned.

In a video posted on social media, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Monday morning that raids on homes and other buildings being used by Hezbollah to hide and launch weapons in Lebanon would "begin soon," warning residents to follow orders from the Israeli army to evacuate.

"The raids will begin soon. Evacuate the houses where #Hezbollah has hidden weapons immediately," Adraee said in the video, speaking Arabic. "Hezbollah is lying to you and sacrificing you."

"We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon, the actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said in his own video message, warning his nation of "days ahead of us when the public will have to show composure."

The warning to Israelis was likely a reference to expected retaliation from Hezbollah or Iran's other so-called proxy groups in the region.

/ Credit: CBS News

Lebanon's state-run media said people in some parts of the capital Beirut and in southern areas of the country  both areas where Hezbollah has long enjoyed significant support  received automated phone messages warning them to evacuate. The French news agency AFP said someone in national Information Minister Ziad Makary's office got one of the calls.

The minister's office told AFP that someone took a call on the office landline and heard a "recorded message" telling them to evacuate.

The warnings about what appeared likely to be a significant intensification of Israel's assault on Hezbollah came after a weekend of increased fire between the two sides over Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where the Iranian-backed group is a powerful political and military force.

Hezbollah started launching rocket and drone attacks on Israel as soon as Israel launched its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip in response to that group's Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Israel's long-time arch rival Iran, and both have long been designated as terrorist groups by both the Israeli and U.S. governments.

The IDF has stepped up strikes on purported Hezbollah targets across Lebanon for weeks, vowing to remove the threat they pose to enable the safe return of tens of thousands of residents from towns and villages in Israel's northern border region who've been evacuated due to the cross-border fire.

As Israel ramps up offensive operations against Hezbollah, it does so with wary U.S. support. The Biden administration has voiced concern for months about the tit-for-tat attacks by Israel and Hezbollah, simmering in parallel to the war in Gaza, escalating into a full-scale conflict. The concern is based largely on an assessment that a wider conflict in the Middle East will put U.S. troops increasingly in direct danger. Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria have already targeted U.S. forces in the region with deadly drone fire during the Gaza war.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke on Saturday and Sunday with Gallant amid the increasing hostilities, and he "reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Israel's right to defend itself," according to a readout of the first call from the Pentagon, but he also "stressed the importance of achieving a diplomatic solution" to the crisis and "his concern for the safety and security of U.S. citizens in the region."

According to the readout of the Sunday night phone call, Austin "made clear that the United States remains postured to protect U.S. forces and personnel and determined to deter any regional actors from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict."

The long-feared escalation in violence between Israel and Hezbollah  which is a far larger and far better equipped militant group than its ally Hamas  started snowballing last week with Israel's officially-unclaimed covert operations to blow up thousands of pagers and walkie talkies carried by Hezbollah members in Lebanon. Those attacks killed about 40 people, including an unconfirmed number of Hezbollah figures and at least two children, according to Lebanese officials.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah admitted the explosions were a "severe blow" to the group, and he accused Israel of not only violating "all red lines" with the attacks, but of a "declaration of war."

Israel hasn't admitted to carrying out the complex attacks using rigged communications device, but CBS News learned that American officials were given a heads-up by Israel about 20 minutes before the operations began, though no specific details were shared about the methods to be used.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Breaking down the Middle East conflict as Israel fights Hezbollah in Lebanon
By John Irish

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Israel is not facing sufficient pressure to end the war in Gaza and the escalation in Lebanon is a minefield that the international community may not be able to deal with, Greece's foreign minister said on Monday.

Greece was elected as a member of the United Nations Security Council for 2025-2026 earlier this year, and Athens believes the country's historical ties with the Arab world and Israel give it credibility to act as a peace broker.

"It seems that there is no effective pressure upon Israel. We are friends of Israel, and we're strategic partners of Israel, and we're trying to be as open and sincere with them," George Gerapetritis told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Greece condemned the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas Islamist militants against Israel but has called for a halt to Israel's ground and air assault on Gaza that Palestinian authorities say has killed more than 41,000 people and flattened whole cities.

"The truth is that at the moment there is a continuous, very strong reaction on the part of Israel," he said after a meeting with European Union and Arab foreign ministers.

Gerapetritis said it was crucial that Arabs and Europeans pursue joint rather than disparate initiatives that could weigh on Israel but that the escalation at the Israel-Lebanon border of the last few days showed a collective international failure.

"We have not prevented the spillover, and the more dispersed the war becomes, the more the situation becomes more complicated to be solved," he said. "Lebanon could easily be a zone of tremendous hostility, and this is something that we cannot deal with. It's a clear minefield."

Since June, Greece has been seeking to convince member states in Europe to join a project to temporarily bring children hurt and traumatised by war in Gaza to the European Union.

He said those talks, along with logistical coordination with Palestinians and Israelis, were ongoing and he hoped they would bear fruit soon. He said Greece could take in some 500 children for its part.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Howard Goller)
This story was updated to add new information.

WASHINGTON  Explosions boomed across Lebanon on Monday as the Israeli army carried out its most widespread attacks on Lebanon in almost a year, killing nearly 500 people and wounding more than 1,600, according to Lebanon's health ministry.

The back-and-forth airstrikes between Israel and Hezbollah escalated dramatically in the past week after pagers and walkie-talkies used by the militant group exploded throughout Lebanon, killing 37 and injuring more than 2,700, in an Israeli-linked attack.

The bombings fueled fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, which has fired increasingly on Israel over the ongoing war in Gaza.

The Pentagon said it was sending more personnel to the region.

"We are extremely concerned, deeply worried about the escalation in Lebanon," Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for U.N. High Commission for Human Rights, told the AFP news agency.

"The attacks that we saw on the communication devices, the pagers, followed by rocket attacks and rocket fire being exchanged on both sides ... marks a real escalation," she said.

More: US to send more troops to Middle East after Israeli targets Hezbollah in major Lebanon

Smoke billowed over southern Lebanon after Israel carried out widespread air strikes on Monday.

Who was targeted?

Widespread airstrikes on Monday rained down from Lebanon's southern border to the country's north, near Syria. A Hezbollah-linked TV station reported Israeli warplanes struck towns near the eastern Bekaa Valley and northern Hermel. Video footage posted to social media showed thick plumes of smoke rising over bulidings.

The death toll in Lebanon on Monday rapidly climbed to nearly 500, including 35 children, Lebanese authorities said.

Israel's military said it had struck more than 300 Hezbollah targets.

"On this day we have taken out of order tens of thousands of rockets and precise munition. What Hezbollah has built over a period of 20 years since the second Lebanon War is in fact being destroyed by the IDF," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galland said in a statement, referring to the Israeli Defense Forces.

An Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs Monday evening targeted senior Hezbollah leader Ali Karaki, head of the group's southern front, a security source told Reuters. It was unclear if Karaki survived.

A court in Azerbaijan found Karaki and another Hezbollah operative guilty in 2009 of plotting attacks on the Israeli and U.S. embassies in the capital, Baku. They were sentenced to 15 years in prison each, but it's unclear how much time the defendants served.

More: Palestinians say Israeli strike killed 22 in shelter, army says militants hit

Did people receive warning calls?

As explosions sounded, people from southern Lebanon to Beirut received warning calls from Israel to immediately evacuate from any Hezbollah posts. A Beirut resident living near the Saudi embassy told Reuters they received a 30 to 40 second call on their landline.

"They were freaking out, I am freaking out as well because we thought somehow the area we live in is safe because were surrounded by ambassadors," the person, who was not named, said.

Ziad Makary, Lebanon's information minister, said on X that his ministry had received a warning call, deeming it "psychological warfare" and "intimidation." The Ministry of Information refused to evacuate and was carrying on work as usual, Makary wrote.

The head of a Lebanese telecoms operator told Reuters on Monday that people across the country received more than 80,000 suspected Israeli calls ordering them to evacuate.

Biden 'paralyzed' as war widens

Ahead of a White House meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, President Joe Biden said he was working to tamp down the violence.

"I continue to be in contact with our counterparts and we're working to deescalate in a way that allows people to return home safely," Biden said.

Biden and other world leaders have long warned that failure to win a cease-fire in Gaza could lead to a wider war. Talks to end the fighting and return scores of surviving hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7 were on life support Monday as Israeli strikes rained on Lebanon.

"For 11 months the Biden administration said this is the red line  they didn't want the war to leave Gaza," said Mohamad Bazzi, director of the Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies at New York University. "This is the largest single-day death toll in Lebanon since the darkest days of the (1975-1990) civil war."

"It is now a wider war by every definition," Bazzi said. "Biden is paralyzed."

More: John Fetterman gleeful over pager and walkie-attacks on Hezbollah: 'I love it'

What did Israel say?

Israel Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel launched the strikes "following indications that Hezbollah was preparing to fire towards Israeli territory."

The calls to Lebanese residents' phones, Hagari said, were "an advance warning for your own safety and the safety of your family."

"Hezbollah is endangering you and your families," he said.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the airstrikes were targeting homes where "Hezbollah hid weapons."

Yoav Gallant, Israel's defense minister, said in a video that Israel was "deepening" its attacks on Lebanon. "The actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes," he said.

Speaking to CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Hezbollah's near-daily attacks on Israel since the start of the Israel-Hamas war had forced 100,000 Israelis from their homes.

Gallant said he had briefed U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the latest strikes.

Austin "expressed his support for Israel's right to defend itself... and stressed the importance of finding a path to a diplomatic solution," Pentagon Press Secretary Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.

More: Israeli charged in Iranian plot to kill Benjamin Netanyahu, officials say

How did Hezbollah respond?

Hezbollah said on Monday it had launched dozens of rockets towards Israeli military posts in retaliation.

The group launched the attack "in support of our defiant Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip" and as a response to the "brutal Israeli massacre" when the pagers and walkie-talkies exploded, according to the statement.

Israel's military said it identified approximately 35 projectiles crossing into Israeli territory from Lebanon. Sirens sounded throughout northern Israel, it said.

What led up to the airstrikes on Monday?

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah surged last week after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies exploded throughout Lebanon for two days in a row in an attack believed to be Israel's work. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

In the past week, airstrikes have reached the farthest into both countries since Hamas' surprise attack on Israel last October triggered the largest escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict in decades.

On Friday, an Israeli air strike in Beirut killed four senior Hezbollah commanders.

Israel launched another volley of strikes on Sunday in response to at least 150 Hezbollah rockets, cruise missiles, and UAVs that struck the northern Israeli city of Haifa and the Jezreel Valley, forcing schools to shut down and hospitals to move patients to secured areas.

"Life has been shattered in our northern border. I don't think any American would have accepted it as a kind of a status quo situation in the United States," Herzog said.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lebanon says 274 killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's approval rate has plummeted as some voters signal their desire for change [Reuters]

In late August, a tense exchange was caught on camera between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a local steel worker in northern Ontario.

As Trudeau reached out for a handshake, the worker refused it, confronting the prime minister instead about his struggle to make ends meet despite having a steady job.

Trudeau responded by listing things his Liberal government has done to help working families, including a national dental care programme and a tariff on Chinese steel that is designed to protect Canadian workers.

I dont believe you for a second, the steel worker replied, after telling the prime minister: I think you are only here for another year.

The clip, viewed millions of times on the internet, and has been described by the Toronto Globe and Mail as a perfect miniature of the moment in Canadian politics, encapsulating the fatigue and frustration that Trudeau is facing from the public.

In his ninth year as prime minister, Trudeaus approval rate has plummeted from 63% when he was first elected to 28% in June of this year, according to one poll tracker.

This sinking popularity has already brought consequences to Trudeaus governing Liberal Party. In a recent by-election, the party lost a Toronto federal seat that it had held for 30 years to the opposition Conservative Party - a major sign of trouble.

On Monday, Trudeau and the Liberals face another set of tests - a crucial by-election in a Liberal stronghold in Montreal, Quebec, and the resumption of parliament, where Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to table a motion of no-confidence as early as possible in an attempt to bring down the minority government.

If Poilievre is successful, Canadians could head to the ballot box.

And if current polls are any indication on how they might vote, the next federal election may mark the end of the Trudeau era.

In Montreal, a by-election on Monday presents a new test for Trudeau's Liberal Party [Getty Images]

Darrell Bricker, a political scientist and pollster with Ipsos, compared the current moment in Canadian politics to this summers historic defeat of the UK Tories, who lost 251 seats in British parliament.

Its basically over, said Mr Bricker of Trudeaus government in an interview with the BBC.

All that is happening is sands sliding out of the sand dial, and were working our way towards an inevitable conclusion.

It is a dramatic reversal of fortune for Trudeau, the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who was enthusiastically elected in 2015 by Canadians on a message of positivity, change and strengthening the middle class.

In his first years as prime minister, Trudeau became a global progressive icon. He appeared in Vogue and on the cover of Rolling Stone, which carried the headline Why Cant He Be Our President?

But in recent years, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Canadians say they have noticed a downward shift in their country. Homes are becoming unaffordable, grocery prices have skyrocketed, crime has become more visible, and Canadas public healthcare system is struggling.

While many of these issues do not fall squarely on the shoulders of the federal government - healthcare, for example, is largely overseen by the provinces - Canadians seem to have mostly directed their frustration at Trudeau.

In an August opinion piece published in Canadas national newspaper the Globe and Mail, author and lawyer Omer Aziz wrote that the country is witnessing a systemic political failure and, more broadly, the decline of the Canadian dream.

Mr Aziz, who previously worked as a policy advisor under Trudeaus government, told the BBC that Canadians feel the prime minister has failed to deliver on his promises.

He recalled the jubilation of Liberal supporters when Trudeau was first elected. People were cheering on the streets, and I saw a new era, he said.

But after three terms under Trudeau, that progress hasnt come to pass," Mr Aziz said.

There is a sense that political leaders, the prime minister and the government, have been unwilling or unable to respond to these concerns that have been building for a number of years, he said.

People now are looking anywhere else for an alternative.

Following Junes by-election defeat in Toronto, Trudeau has faced pressure to quit from members of his own party.

The Liberals campaign manager, Jeremy Broadhurst, later resigned in September, after reportedly telling Trudeau that he did not believe he could win the next election.

The prime minister has held on, making various stops at events across the country this summer.

At those appearances, Trudeau has presented his governments solutions to Canadas problems, like a plan to build nearly four million new homes by 2031 to increase the housing supply, or a cap on immigration to ease the stress on public resources.

He has also sought to draw a sharp contrast between himself and his Conservative opponent, saying that his party believes in "investing in Canadians" while Poilievre wants to "cut programmes Canadians are relying on".

"That's the choice that people are going to make next year," Trudeau told reporters last week.

None of this seems to have bought the Liberal Party and Trudeau any goodwill.

The gap between the Liberals and the leading Conservatives among decided voters has grown wider since the beginning of this year, according to a number of opinion surveys.

I think people have made up their minds now, and anything that they're doing now is too little, too late, Mr Aziz said. It should have been done years ago.

Canadas progressive New Democratic Party (NDP) also recently withdrew from a supply-and-confidence agreement that kept Trudeau in power in exchange for assurances on key progressive policy pieces.

Announcing the end of the agreement, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said "the Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to fight for people".

That deal was supposed to be in place until next June, with an election scheduled for October 2025.

With that support gone, every day in parliament is going to be consequential, Mr Bricker noted.

Its going to be a very difficult autumn for the Liberals, he added.
The Missouri Supreme Court and Gov. Mike Parson have declined to halt Tuesdays execution of a death row inmate prosecutors say may be innocent, leaving his fate in the hands of the US Supreme Court with less than 24 hours to go before he is scheduled to die by lethal injection.

Mr. Williams has exhausted due process and every judicial avenue, including over 15 hearings attempting to argue his innocence and overturn his conviction, Parson said in a statement.

No jury nor court, including at the trial, appellate, and Supreme Court levels, have ever found merit in Mr. Williams innocence claims. At the end of the day, his guilty verdict and sentence of capital punishment were upheld. Nothing from the real facts of this case have led me to believe in Mr. Williams innocence, as such, Mr. Williams punishment will be carried out as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Marcellus Williams, 55, was convicted of killing Felicia Gayle, a former newspaper reporter found stabbed to death in her home in 1998. Williams has long insisted he is innocent. And in an unusual move, St. Louis Countys top prosecutor filed a motion in January to vacate Williams 2001 conviction and sentence.

But that motion was denied. With new information about potential evidence contamination, Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and Williams lawyers had recently filed a joint brief asking the Missouri Supreme Court to send the case back to a lower court for a more comprehensive hearing of the January request by Bell, a Democrat now running for Congress.

Williams case raises the specter of a potentially innocent person being executed  an inherent risk of capital punishment. At least 200 people sentenced to death since 1973 were later exonerated, including four in Missouri, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Williams is scheduled to die by lethal injection around 6 p.m. CT Tuesday.

The NAACP and the Council on American-Islamic Relations have called on Parson to halt Williams execution. The governor previously revoked a stay of execution in the case ordered by his predecessor, allowing plans to put Williams to death to proceed.

How the state Supreme Court decided

The court considered several questions, the states judicial branch said.

The first involves whether the prosecutor in Williams 2001 trial struck a potential juror from the jury as a result of discriminatory intent.

Williams attorneys have also asked the US Supreme Court to stay the execution, based on newly-discovered evidence from the trial prosecutors testimony last month.

During a motion-to-vacate hearing on August 28, a prosecutor from Williams trial admitted that he had struck (a potential juror from the jury pool) because like Mr. Williams, (the potential juror) was Black, Williams attorneys wrote in an emergency request for the US Supreme Court to intervene.

During Mondays hearing in the Missouri Supreme Court, Williams attorney Jonathan Potts claimed the trial prosecutor nixed the potential juror in part because he was a young Black man with glasses.

There was a racial component to this, Potts said.

But the Missouri attorney generals office disputed that notion, saying the trial prosecutors intent for striking the potential juror was not due to race.

What did he say when asked directly, Did you strike someone partially with part of the reason for striking someone because youve been Black? He said no, absolutely not, Assistant Attorney General Michael Spillane said during Mondays hearing. And he explained that that would be a violation.

Another question the court considered involved whether there was sufficient evidence presented that the prosecutors office engaged in the destruction of potentially favorable evidence in bad faith, the states judicial branch said.

That includes whether the prosecutor destroyed any DNA evidence on the murder weapon by handling it without gloves.

Ultimately, the state Supreme Court unanimously decided not to halt the execution of Marcellus Williams because the prosecuting attorney failed to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence Williams actual innocence or constitutional error at the original criminal trial that undermines the confidence in the judgment of the original criminal trial, the opinion read. The opinion also stated because this Court rejects this appeal on the merits, the motion for stay of execution is overruled as moot.

In a statement after the decision Monday, Tricia Rojo Bushnell, an attorney for Williams, said the courts must step in to prevent this irreparable injustice.

Missouri is poised to execute an innocent man, an outcome that calls into question the legitimacy of the entire criminal justice system, she said.

In his own statement Monday, Bell said he and other advocates will continue the fight to save Williams life.

Even for those who disagree on the death penalty, when there is a shadow of a doubt of any defendants guilt, the irreversible punishment of execution should not be an option, Bell said.

Why attorneys on both sides teamed up

In their joint brief, Bell and Williams attorneys argue the St. Louis County Circuit Court failed to credit newly disclosed evidence that contradicts representations by the prosecutor in Williams 2001 trial and in his prior appeals.

The Prosecuting Attorneys Office, which handled that trial against Williams, said in its January motion that DNA testing of the murder weapon could exclude Williams as Gayles killer. But the argument fell apart last month after new DNA testing revealed the murder weapon had been mishandled, contaminating the evidence meant to exonerate Williams and complicating his quest to prove his innocence.

Attorneys on both sides received a report indicating the DNA on the murder weapon belonged to an assistant prosecuting attorney and an investigator who had handled the murder weapon without gloves prior to trial, according to a docket summary of the case.

However, the circuit court concluded there was no new evidence sufficient to set aside the conviction or to establish Williams innocence.

Williams attorneys said the prosecutions contamination of the DNA evidence before Williams trial violated his due process rights. They joined the countys current top prosecutor in asking the Missouri Supreme Court to cancel the circuit courts decision and send the case back to give both sides time to present evidence and the court enough time to carefully consider the case.

Why a judge denied the prosecutors request

Bell and Williams attorneys are trying to get the conviction overturned due to overwhelming evidence showing Williams trial was unfair, said one of his attorneys, Tricia Rojo Bushnell.

The prosecutors office has raised other concerns about Williams conviction, including claims he was convicted on the testimony of two unreliable informants facing their own legal troubles and further incentivized by $10,000 in reward money.

But ultimately, a state judge ruled against Bells motion to vacate Williams conviction and sentencing.

There is no basis for a court to find that Williams is innocent, Judge Bruce F. Hilton wrote in his judgment, and no court has made such a finding. Williams is guilty of first-degree murder, and has been sentenced to death.

The case has pitted Bell, who assumed the office in 2018, against Republican state Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is seeking reelection. Bailey had fought Bells January motion, saying new DNA test results indicated the evidence would not exonerate Williams.

Last month, Bells office announced it had reached an agreement with Williams. Under the consent judgment approved by the court and Gayles family, the inmate would have entered an Alford plea of guilty to first-degree murder and be resentenced to life in prison.

But the state attorney generals office opposed the deal and appealed to the state Supreme Court, which blocked the agreement.

A GOP governor halted Williams execution  but the new governor reversed that decision

Former GOP Gov. Eric Greitens previously halted Williams execution indefinitely and formed a board to investigate his case and decide whether he should be granted clemency.

But after Parson took office, he dissolved the board investigating Williams case and revoked Williams stay of execution in 2023.

This Board was established nearly six years ago, and it is time to move forward, Parson said last summer. We could stall and delay for another six years, deferring justice, leaving a victims family in limbo, and solving nothing. This administration wont do that.

The move effectively denied Williams his right to due process, Williams lawyers said.

The Governors actions have violated Williams constitutional rights and created an exceptionally urgent need for the Courts attention, court documents state.

But Parsons decision to dissolve the Williams board of inquiry does not mean the governor had decided Williams should or should not be executed, spokesperson Johnathan Shiflett wrote in an email to CNN earlier Monday.

That is for the Courts to decide.

CNNs Dakin Andone, Lauren Mascarenhas and Jennifer Hauser contributed to this report.

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Luis Armando Albino was 6 years old when he was abducted from a park in West Oakland where he had been playing with his older brother in 1951. Now, more than 70 years later, Albino has been found.

The Mercury News first reported this week that Albino's niece in Oakland, using DNA testing and newspaper clippings  and with assistance from police, the FBI and the Justice Department  found her uncle living on the East Coast.

Albino is a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran who served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and himself a father and grandfather, according to his niece, Alida Alequin, a 63-year-old Oakland resident who found Albino and reunited him with his family.

Albino and five of his siblings, brought by their mother from Puerto Rico, had just moved to Oakland the summer before his abduction in February 1951.

He was playing with his 10-year-old brother, Roger, at Jefferson Square Park at 7th Street and what is now Martin Luther King Jr. Way near the familys home when a woman lured him away by promising to buy him candy, according to coverage by the Oakland Tribune at the time. She then flew him to the East Coast, where he eventually ended up with a couple who raised him as their son, Alequin said.

In June, Albino reunited with his family in California. Alequin recounted her family's experience and her search for Albino. She said that Albino's mother, Antonia, had always thought about Albino up until her death in 2005. She kept a newspaper clipping of the article about his kidnapping in her wallet, and a photo of Albino hung in the living room, Alequin said.

"She always had hope that he would come home," Alequin told The Times.

In 2020 Alequin took a DNA test for fun, and it resulted in a 22% match with the man who eventually turned out to be her long-lost uncle. But she didn't realize immediately that it could be him.

Earlier this year while reminiscing about the family with her daughters, Alequin had a spark of inspiration: "I started to name all my mom's siblings, and when I got to the youngest, Luis, the baby, I paused in the middle of the sentence. I can't explain what I felt but I said, 'I don't think this person I found on Ancestry was some half-brother like I first thought. I think he was the brother that was kidnapped.' "

She said that evening she and her daughters "started searching the internet like crazy." They found pictures that made them sure the man they were looking at was their missing uncle.

Alequin took the information to Oakland authorities, who agreed to look into the lead. With the help of law enforcement, Alequin persisted in her search and her uncle was eventually located on the East Coast.

He provided a DNA sample that proved his identity.

When Albino reunited with his family in California, "it was a lot of long tight hugs and tears, and then we sat down and we just talked," Alequin said.

Albino and his brother Roger, who had been there the day he was kidnapped, bonded over their experience in the military, Roger having been an Air Force veteran. They spoke about their childhood, and their lives after the abduction, she said.

Alequin said that her uncle had some memories of the abduction and his trip to the East Coast, but when he questioned adults in his life, they did not give him answers. Albino wants to keep some of his experiences private and didn't want to speak to the media, she said.

Albino's brother, Roger, died shortly after they reunited this summer. Albino is planning another visit to California next year, Alequin said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Updated at 11 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024

Rarely do the various computer model forecasts show the level of agreement that they do today for a developing system. A weather pattern is forecast to be in place this week that would seem to support a powerful hurricane moving north from the Caribbean into the northern Gulf of Mexico. The consensus landfall point is near Panama City or Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle, although some outliers are closer to Tampa Bay and over the western Panhandle.

How To Watch Fox Weather

The storm hasn't yet developed, so expect adjustments to the forecast track.

Impact day in the Panhandle or the Big Bend would be Thursday on the current schedule, though water rise and edge effects would reach the Florida Keys and the southern peninsula beginning Wednesday. We are in King Tide season, which will add to the storm surge height.

Likely-Helene should be moving at a steady clip, so impacts will extend well inland into Georgia and could reach Atlanta.

Tampa Bay and the surrounding region are on the edge of most current forecasts, although storm surge and dangerous weather are likely there. The forecasts have shifted a slight bit in that direction, so stay informed of the latest updates.

Unless something dramatically changes, full hurricane preparations will be required in the threat zone this week. The hurricane could reach Category 4 or stronger.

Here's the situation:

The developing tropical disturbance in the western Caribbean Sea got the temporary name Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine this morning. That designation allows watches or warnings to be issued for parts of Mexico, Cuba and nearby islands.

The system is likely to become Tropical Storm Helene by the time it reaches the southern Gulf of Mexico. Atmospheric conditions appear conducive for the system to strengthen into an intense hurricane over the Gulf. The seawater is exceptionally warm everywhere, but there is also an extra warm eddy the storm looks likely to encounter.

History tells us that tropical systems that pass over those deep, exceptionally warm pools of water can spin up quickly from the surge of extra energy. With likely-Helene forecast to pass over the eddy, we have to be ready for the possibility of an intense hurricane approaching the Florida coast on Thursday.

Based on what we know now, the likely impact zone is the Florida Panhandle around the Big Bend to perhaps the Tampa Bay area. Depending on the strength of the storm and the diameter of the strong winds, storm surge on the entire Florida west coast could range from minor to dangerous. As we've seen, the west coast and the Panhandle are extremely vulnerable to high storm surge.

Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches will likely be issued for the Florida coast tomorrow. The Hurricane Watch will indicate the possibility of sustained winds of at least 75 mph, while the Storm Surge Watch will mean the possibility of the Gulf water rising to dangerous levels. Because the Florida west coast is so susceptible to storm surge, the storm surge threat zone will be significantly bigger than the area put on alert for high winds.

Preliminary intensity forecasts range from Category 2 to Category 4. But intensity and track forecasts for a just-developing disturbance are always subject to significant adjustments. The bottom line is that we have to be ready for a strong hurricane to make landfall as early as Thursday.

Don't focus on the exact landfall location of any model forecast at this point. Until the system develops, the predictions can and often do jump around.

If I were in the potentially threatened areas, I would do a few things now.

* Fill Ziploc bags three-quarters full with water and stuff them in the freezer to minimize the air around whatever you have frozen. If the power goes out later in the week, this will keep the food in both the freezer and the refrigerator colder longer. Obviously, you'll want to open the freezer or refrigerator as little as possible. DO NOT turn your fridge down to a lower setting. You can use this for drinking water if it eventually melts.

* Think about important papers and other items in the house that you want to be sure are safe. Plan to put them into heavy-duty trash bags. Your dishwasher and dryer are good places to put the bags.

* Get some duct tape and plastic painter's sheets  the kind you put on the floor when you're painting the walls. If the storm is coming your way, put a plastic sheet in the bathtub and fill it three-quarters full of water. That water will be used to flush toilets and for cleaning up if your water supply goes out.

* If you haven't done it already, pick up your hurricane food and water immediately. Even inland, you could get stranded at home while streets are being cleared. And if you end up evacuating, you'll need your supplies.

* You don't need gallons and gallons of store-bought water. Pots and pans and pitchers at home filled with tapwater will work just fine.

* Have a plan for where you'll park your car where a tree can't fall on it and a flood can't get it. A parking garage is a great option if there is nowhere close by.

Most importantly, stay well informed. This situation will develop quickly. The storm will likely get named by tomorrow and make landfall Thursday.

The steering scenario is pretty certain, but the details count. A big upper-level low-pressure system is forecast to form more or less over Arkansas, and a high-pressure system is off the Southeast coast. The corridor between those two systems is open to the north, putting the storm track over the Florida Panhandle or the northern Florida Peninsula.

This could turn into an extreme situation, so it's time to think carefully about your vulnerabilities and options if you might be in the threat zone.

Out in the Atlantic, a system that just moved off Africa has a high chance of developing into at least a tropical depression or tropical storm in the middle of the Atlantic. There's no indication that it would threaten land at the current time.





Original article source: Bryan Norcross: Increasing threat of powerful hurricane impacting Florida Thursday
By Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Vietnam's President and ruling Communist Party Chief To Lam on Wednesday, the White House said on Sunday.

The meeting, reported first by Reuters, is expected to take place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Biden has been eager to deepen relations with the strategic Southeast Asian country and manufacturing hub in a bid to counter Russia and China, with which Vietnam also retains ties.

Last September, Biden visited Vietnam and secured deals on semiconductors and minerals and an upgrade to Hanoi's highest diplomatic status, alongside China and Russia.

In his first U.S. trip since he was named in early August as head of the party, the country's most powerful job, Lam will speak at the U.N. event and meet with representatives from several U.S. corporations, including Alphabet's Google and Facebook owner Meta, Reuters previously reported.

Ahead of To Lam's trip to the United States, authorities in communist-ruled Vietnam had released some prominent activists from prison before the end of their jail terms, sources told Reuters.

They include Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in January 2010 on charges of subversion, and environment activist Hoang Thi Minh Hong who was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of tax fraud in September last year.

Lam's trip also includes a stop in Cuba, Vietnam's long-term Communist partner.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Francesco Guarascio and Khanh Vu; Editing by Marguerita Choy, Lisa Shumaker and Lincoln Feast.)
In Frankfurt an der Oder, an ironic sign reads, Frankfurt Oder/Slubice  no borders. Slubice is the Polish town across the fast-flowing Oder river that marks the beginning of German Federal Republic.

Straddling the river, a bridge connects these two European nations. A single-file line of cars waits patiently to enter from Poland. German police, some carrying machine guns and adorned in high-viz vests, wave cars through or pull over the ones they deem suspicious.

Its daily business here that people dont meet the entry requirements for Germany and perhaps even for the Schengen area and then have to be subjected to further police measures, Tom Knie, a youthful-looking police officer says in between checks, referring to the passport-free travel zone within the European Union.

These are now the new realities on all of Germanys land borders.

On September 16, Berlin ordered the temporary reintroduction of border control at Germanys borders with Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, France and Denmark.

The move extends the controls already in place at the borders with Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Switzerland that have been in operation since October.

The reason for the reintroduction of these checks lies largely in German domestic issues, all of them interconnected, but each compounding pressure on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his governing coalition, the most severe of which is coming from Germanys burgeoning and increasingly confident far right.

But they also mark the end of an era of Germanys liberal migration policy  Wilkommenskultur, or welcome culture  initiated by Scholzs predecessor Angela Merkel in 2015 and raise questions over the viability of the entire Schengen zone.

Terror, migration and the AfD

As if a reminder of the importance the surging Alternative for Germany (AfD) party places in securing Germanys border, pinned to the lamp posts along the road into Frankfurt/Oder are their campaign posters.

One reads WE PROTECT YOU! with an eagle, the federal symbol of Germany, swoops over a bin which contains a traffic light  the symbol of the coalition government here, known as the traffic light coalition  and more insidiously, a mosque.

A spate of terror attacks ahead of key state elections in right-wing leaning regions thrust the issue of migration front and center of the recent votes.

The German-Polish border crossing Stadtbrucke between Frankfurt (Oder) and Slubice. - Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images

In June, a 25-year-old Afghan man killed a police officer in Manheim, and weeks later a 26-year-old Syrian man killed three people in knife attacks in Solingen. Both incidents were capitalized on by the AfD.

One of the partys most controversial figures, Bjoern Hoecke, called on X for an end to this misguided path of forced multiculturalism.

In early September, the AfD became the first far-right party since the Nazi era to win outright a state election. Victory in Thuringia, a former East German state, was followed by a close second in Saxony.

Eroding Scholzs control

The AfD has long campaigned on a ticket that is largely anti-immigration. Alice Weidel, the co-leader of the AfD, has said in the past that Germany had become a country without borders, where anyone can come in and we do nothing about it.

Their success, coupled with the rise of the far left, which also has anti-immigration stances, has found a way to gnaw at Scholzs support and has ultimately forced the chancellor to act, especially on migration.

Speaking in the Bundestag ahead of the border restrictions, Scholz said were doing this although it will be difficult with our neighbors I think we have to get through this. It is now necessary for us to endure this dispute.

Raphael Bossong, a researcher at the German Institute of International and Security Affairs, told CNN that caving to the calls from right-wing populists is not going to win elections. He said mainstream parties cannot ignore that there is a public sentiment that migration has to be brought more under control, but to really start adopting positions that the AfD was taking on, in the end is going to backfire.

There is potential for more misery to be heaped on Scholz and his government this weekend, as Brandenburg also goes to the polls to elect its regional leaders.

Current forecasts put the AfD on course for 28.4% of the vote, beating Scholzs Social Democratic Party, which is polling in second with 24.7%.

The outcome could easily spell more trouble for Scholz and a further weakening of his coalition, and increase the calls for new federal elections sooner than next September.

The end of Wilkommenskultur?

The calls for more checks on Germanys borders also mark a step-change at the heart of the European Union from Merkels policies.

In 2015, the long-serving, and ever popular former German chancellor Merkel opened Germanys borders to migrants fleeing their homes - at the time largely Syrians because of the countrys civil war.

Migration data from the German government shows that 13.7 million non-German migrants entered from 2015-2023. In the same period before 2015 that number was just 5.8 million.

The moves by Merkel became known as Wilkommenskulturand and set Germany apart on the world stage in liberal migration policy.

A German federal police officer holds sign "Police hold" as he watches over cars arriving at the German-Polish border. - Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Gerald Knaus, the founding chairman of the European Stability Initiative think tank, told CNN that Germany has been a pillar of the European and global refugee system but now he sees the current German government sleepwalking into a trap.

He said the promise to control irregular migration at the border wont be possible but instead will raise expectations that will lead to demands to really build fences, in the end, to turn countries into fortresses.

The current government, Knaus said, is faced with the demand to regularize and control movement, [and] the government accepts the legitimacy of the demand [by the far-right] but then doesnt have a policy that will work.

For Knaus, the prospect of the change in German policy raises another specter.

If you promise to control an emotional issue like migration and what you propose doesnt work, not only are you not going to achieve your objective, youre setting yourself up for a failure that will be exploited by those prepared to go much, much further, Knaus said.

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The Duke of Sussex recognized the work of two winners of his late mother Princess Diana's namesake award while in New York City on Sept. 23

Sipa via AP Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit in honor of The Diana Award in New York City on Sept. 23, 2024

Multiple parts of Prince Harrys most recent New York City visit pay tribute to his mother, Princess Diana  perhaps none more obvious than his engagement with recipients of The Diana Award, the only award named in his late mothers honor.

On Sept. 23, Prince Harry spoke on a panel with Dr. Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award, and two award recipients, Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang, 18, of Indonesia, and Christina Williams, 27, of Jamaica. The Duke of Sussex, 40, posed questions to the two on stage alongside Ojo on Monday, at one point telling them, I applaud you for certainly, [at] your age, to be on this stage, to have the confidence that you do, and to be able to speak as clearly and as passionately as you do. And I know that my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys  not just you, but all of the award winners.

Related: Prince Harry Says the Younger Generation 'Give Me Hope' at Event Tied to Mom Princess Diana

John Nacion/Getty Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit on Sept. 23, 2024 in New York City

Diana died at just 36 years old following an Aug. 31, 1997 car accident. Harry, for his part, was just 12 years old when he lost his mother. The Diana Award was established in 1999, two years after the late Princess of Wales death, and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Harry made sure the young people took center stage at the Concordia Annual Summit in New York City, part of The Diana Awards Decade of Youth Wellbeing. According to a release from The Diana Award, the initiative is a bold, ambitious and collaborative plan to harness the power [of] young people, like Christina and Chiara, to lead positive change.

There is reason to have hope, Ojo said in the statement. When empowered and given the tools to unlock their potential, we know young people can lead the positive change the world needs. On our 25th anniversary, this event gives us the platform to share our insights and launch our ambitious plan for the next decade.

Sipa via AP Images The Diana Award recipients Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang of Indonesia and Christina Williams of Jamaica sit on a panel with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Dr. Tessy Ojo CBE as they attend the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit in honor of The Diana Award in New York City on Sept. 23, 2024

The Diana Award was founded on Princess Dianas belief that young people have the power to change the world, and the charity exists to empower young people to make positive change by unlocking potential, creating opportunities and inspiring action. Its work centers around four key programs  a mentoring program for young people at risk; a youth-led anti-bullying ambassadors campaign; a collaborative Changemakers program that aims to reimagine mental health support for young people from racialized communities; and a prestigious award that publicly recognizes young changemakers  The Diana Award.

Tom Wargacki/WireImage Princess Diana on Sept. 6, 1995

Two award recipients were spotlighted on Sept. 23, including Zhang, who, at just 11 years old, founded Cases 4 Care Indonesia after learning about the human rights violations at Southeast Asias biggest landfill site. According to The Diana Award, Cases 4 Care Indonesia has provided 1,000 children with an informal education by furnishing five libraries with 1,500 books and expanded its reach last year to refugee communities. She currently lives in New York City.

Williams work was also illuminated. Like Zhang, she began her advocacy work at age 11, and her achievements include having successfully lobbied for student access to health insurance island-wide in her home country of Jamaica, reducing student deregistration by 99% and starting an emergency fund to support disadvantaged students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams fundraised millions of Jamaican dollars in supplies to support homeless students and those unable to leave their campuses due to closed borders, according to The Diana Award.

Williams is a winner of The Diana Legacy Award, which celebrates the achievements of the 20 most outstanding Diana Award recipients from the previous two years who have changed the world.

Sipa via AP Images The Diana Award recipients Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang of Indonesia and Christina Williams of Jamaica sit on a panel with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex as they attend the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit in honor of The Diana Award in New York City on Sept. 23, 2024

After Zhang and Williams answered a number of questions, Harry spoke about how the younger generation inspired him: The reason why I wanted to go last is because these guys are the ones that give me hope, he said. I've said it years ago and I'll say it again  the younger generation are, not putting too much pressure on you guys, you are what give me hope. The courage that you have gives me hope, because every single one of us need courage in order to really move the dial and create positive change in today's world, probably more so now than ever.

He continued, "So thank you to you guys for giving me and probably a whole lot of people in this room hope, and now we need to listen  constantly listen  and then act on the advice and the vision that you have, because otherwise it's your future that's being stolen from you, and that is unacceptable.

The Diana Award has the support of both of her sons  both Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William. The organization is dedicated to empowering young people to create change, and both William and Harry attended its Legacy Award event in London in March (William in person, and Harry virtually).

Sipa via AP Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit in honor of The Diana Award in New York City on Sept. 23, 2024

Its a privilege to have the support of both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, particularly as we mark our 25th anniversary year, Ojo previously told PEOPLE.

The Diana Award engagement is one of the first of many stops for Harry as he spends time in New York City. He will take part in work surrounding African Parks, Travalyst and the Clinton Global Initiative, and will continue to honor his mother Princess Diana later on Sept. 23 as he undertakes an engagement with The HALO Trust, a humanitarian group at work in over 30 countries and territories around the world to clear landmines and debris of war. The organization gained international attention when the late Princess of Wales walked through an active landmine in Huambo, Angola, in 1997 to call for an international ban. (Prince Harry recreated the same walk years later.)

The HALO Trust noted that countless thousands of lives have been saved by the 1997 global landmine ban that followed Dianas visit, and Harry continues to stay active in the organization to the present day.

Related: Princess Diana's Final Year: From Her Famous Landmine Walk to Summer in St. Tropez

John Stillwell - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Diana, Princess of Wales in Angola on Jan. 15, 1997

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Prince Harry is visiting New York City to advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic activities, a spokesperson said when the visit was announced, adding he would also be furthering the work of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organization he co-founded with his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan Markle, 43, did not join her husband for this trip to New York City.

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Read the original article on People.
A late-night strike on a residential neighbourhood of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv wounded 21 people, Kyiv said Sunday.

The strike hit late on Saturday, hours after Russian attacks killed five people -- including two children -- in central Ukraine.

The weekend attacks came ahead of a crucial visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States, where he is due to present proposals on how to end the war and press the West for a green light to use long-range weapons on targets inside Russia.

"Last night, Russia struck Kharkiv again, this time with aerial bombs targeting an ordinary residential building," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media.

"As a result, 21 people were injured, including an eight-year-old child and two 17-year-olds," he added.

Regional leader Oleg Synegubov said two people were in critical condition. He said dozens of residents were asleep when the building was struck.

AFP saw rescuers scrambling through a heavily damaged building, with burned-out cars in the parking lot outside, using chainsaws to cut through walls to get to distressed residents in the dark.

"Mama, mama, mama," sobbed one woman, who struggled to breathe and was too scared to descend the stairs.

Rescuers helped her down to find her mother, who hugged her tightly as the woman trembled.

"She is scared," her mother, Oleksandra Ivanivna, told AFP. "It's not the first time."

Kharkiv -- which was home to 1.4 million residents before Russia's invasion -- has seen relentless attacks this year.

"We were asleep. It (the building) was just blown up... the place is a wreck," Ivanivna said.

The city's mayor Igor Terekhov said at the site: "As you can see, there are no military here."

"Every day and every night Kharkiv suffers the hits," he added.

AFP saw an elderly man with his head bandaged being brought to an ambulance, as well as a man whose face was covered in blood, holding a small terrier dog.

Zelensky said the attack showed why his forces needed to use weapons supplied by Western allies to strike deeper into Russian territory, which so far they have refused to authorise.

"We need to strengthen our capabilities to better protect lives and ensure safety. Ukraine needs full long-range capabilities," he said.

"We are working to convince our partners of this. We will continue these discussions next week."

In Washington, he is due to hold talks with Joe Biden, as well as both US presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Details of Kyiv's so-called "victory plan" have not been made public, but Zelensky has said Ukraine has prepared all of its points.

He has also said Kyiv plans to invite Russia to a second international peace summit in November.

But Moscow this weekend said it would not attend and referred to President Vladimir Putin's conditions to enter talks: that Ukraine surrender four of its regions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told CNN Sunday that he does not see a real interest in talks.

"I think both are still betting on the possibility of a military victory," Guterres told CNN in an interview aired Sunday.

"President Zelensky has announced that he has a victory plan to present in the United States... The Russians have clearly indicated that they also have victory (in mind)."

Zelensky will travel to the United States after a summer of intense fighting, with Moscow's troops advancing fast in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv holding on to swathes of Russia's Kursk region.
RFK Jr. and Olivia Nuzzi

LAS VEGAS  Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s supporters in the swing state of Nevada are nonplussed about his reported sexting scandal  and thats good news for the presidential hopeful hes backing, Donald Trump.

Kennedy, 70, got top billing at a Trump-sponsored Restore America rally in Vegas on Saturday night, drawing a standing-room-only crowd who either didnt care  or didnt even know  about the bombshell allegation.

Im not familiar with that particular issue. I am with a lot of issues, but that ones new to me, said local Ken Czech, who was wearing a Kennedy 24 t-shirt, a nod to the Kennedy scions failed attempt to run for president in November on the independent ticket.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 70, wore his wedding band at a Saturday night event. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/NY POST

Kennedy, 70, who is married to Curb Your Enthusiasm actress Cheryl Hines, 59, was allegedly involved in a newly revealed, seamy sexting relationship with New York magazines star political scribe Olivia Nuzzi, 31.

Czech said he is more interested in Kennedys efforts to help Trump form a unity party.

Retired Las Vegas court reporter Christine Johnson said reports of the scandal meant little to her, too.

I support RFK, and whatever his headlines are, they are, she said of the politician, who threw his support behind Trump after backing out of the race. People are going to put their own spin on it.

Charles Atwood Hightower, a retired US army sergeant first class and a contractor, said those criticizing Kennedys private life should drop dead.

Your personal life is your personal life, Hightower said. God gave you that right.

Retired Judge Charles Weinberg slammed the sexting story as a joke.

Kennedy was allegedly involved in a newly revealed, seamy sexting relationship with New York magazines star political scribe Olivia Nuzzi (pictured). ZUMAPRESS.com

I mean, theres so much propaganda and false information out now. I think this guys a legit guy, he said of Kennedy.

Lawyer Gregory Brittain of Redlands, Cali., said that if the married Kennedy was coming on to someone else, that would be inappropriate.

But no one is perfect, and least of all the Democrats on the other side who do this, who, I was saying, the real racists and the real sexists are the Democrats who, who so strongly profess right, maybe for women and for the minorities, Brittain said.

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard,of Hawaii dismissed the Kennedy sexting scandal as a distraction. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/NY POST

The event, moderated by race-car driving personality Danica Patrick at a Las Vegas rec center, was Kennedys first public appearance since the scandal broke last week.

He did not address it at the event.

But he did wear his wedding ring, while Hines reportedly ditched hers for at least part of her Italian vacation at the same time.

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, an ex-Democrat from Hawaii, appeared with Kennedy at the rally for Trump, who faces an expected bruising battle against Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Gabbard told The Post it was the kind of distraction she expects will increase as Election Day draws near.

The elitist, permanent Washington establishment, the military-industrial complex, the national security state, this whole cabal of the power elite are so terrified of President Trump winning this election that they will continue to do what they have been doing for years and throw everything they possibly can at it, she said.

I know that Bobby Kennedy is focused, as I am, on saving our country, Gabbard said.

President Trump is focused on his mission of saving our country, and none of us are going to allow any of these distractions to get in the way.
Doing hard time: Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in the celebrated The Shawshank Redemption (Shutterstock)

I remember well my introduction to The Shawshank Redemption. Someone I once knew  a true Nineties lads lad  handed me a VHS copy and told me it was a beautiful film. He was not the sort of bloke who ordinarily talked about beautiful art. But he was right. Beneath the stone walls, the brutality, and the tragedy of an innocent man condemned to a life term, The Shawshank Redemption was that very thing: a story of profound beauty.

This was a miracle, says executive producer David Lester. This story was so human. Its incredible  no, criminal  that the film flopped when it was released on this day 30 years ago. But  just as Tim Robbinss Andy Dufresne crawled through a river of s*** and came out clean on the other side  The Shawshank Redemption emerged as one of the great cultural touchstones of its decade, if not the entirety of cinema history. Its ranked on the Internet Movie Database as the greatest film ever made.

All I know, Robbins told Mark Kermode in 2004, is that there isnt a day when Im not approached about that film  approached by people who say how important that film is to them, who tell me that theyve seen it 20, 30, 40 times, and who are just so... thankful.

Based on a Stephen King novella and directed by Frank Darabont, it tells the story of Forties banker Andy, whos jailed for murdering his wife and her lover. Inside Shawshank State Prison, he befriends Red (Morgan Freeman) and whiles away the years by chiselling rocks, rehauling the prison library, and finding a creative use for pin-up posters.

The cast and crew, of course, knew how good it was from Darabonts script alone. Its really quite a remarkable piece, Lester says, talking from Los Angeles via Zoom. I never read a better script in my life, right from the jump.

It was something of a redemption story for Darabont, too. At the time, he was a jobbing screenwriter whose biggest credits included A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 and The Fly II. Hed previously adapted one of Kings stories, The Woman in the Room, for a 1983 short. Darabont had bought the rights to that story for just $1 (King had a longstanding offer that allowed aspiring filmmakers to adapt his short stories for a single dollar), and came back to King to purchase the rights  this time for a reported $5,000 (3,750)  to Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The novella was a part of Kings Different Seasons collection that also included The Body, which was adapted as the nostalgic favourite, Stand by Me.

That creek It was perfectly sited, just beautiful  right there by the penitentiary. But we tested it and followed it  it went to a sewage treatment plant

David Lester, executive producer

King himself was unsure about how Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption could work as a movie. Filmmaker Rob Reiner, though, knew exactly what Darabont had achieved when the script landed on the desk of his production company, Castle Rock. Reiner  who directed Stand by Me and another previous King adaptation, Misery  offered Darabont a rumoured $3m if Reiner could direct it himself.

That Darabont declined the mega-money deal is one of modern cinemas great gambles. Reiner became a mentor to Darabont. But as executive producer Liz Glotzer told Vanity Fair in 2019, Reiner would jokingly grumble that despite directing Stand by Me  and having a copy of Different Seasons on his desk for years  hed never thought to read any of the other stories in the collection.

Reiner had Tom Cruise in mind for the role of Andy Dufresne. But eventual stars Robbins and Freeman are so integral to the film  the heart and soul of Shawshank State Prison. Neither one of them I could find fault with, says Lester. And I looked at every second of the dailies. Its one of the films that made Freeman an elder statesman of Oscar-worthy Hollywood fare.

The friendship between Andy and Red is gradual and palpable. Cautious at first, Red spends two decades trying to unpick the mystery of who Andy Dufresne is. Their bond forms and solidifies  an organic relationship that somehow draws you in, too. But Shawshank also boasts supreme villainy: Clancy Brown as the brutal, brilliantly terrifying prison guard captain Byron Hadley, and Bob Gunton as corrupt, merciless prison warden Samuel Norton, who  far from his bible-thumping image  uses Andys accountancy skills to launder money.

Part of Shawshanks irony  or, indeed, its beauty  is that the worst people are the ones controlling the prison from the perimeter, the institution personified. The men doing hard time are the ones with heart, like its a byproduct of being locked in there. Every prisoner maintains his innocence (Didnt do it! Lawyer f****d me!), though for the most part theyre just victims of their younger selves stupidity. One especially pure-hearted prisoner, Brooks (James Whitmore), cant cope with the outside world when hes released and takes his own life  this was one of Darabonts additions to Kings story.

Untested director: Frank Darabont on the set (Shutterstock)

Shawshank itself is crucial to the film. The prison is set in Maine, though they filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. The prison began construction in 1886 and was in use until 1990. It was worse than foreboding, says Lester. The courts closed it a few years before for inhumane conditions. Then it had been left to Ohios winters. It was a devastating environment when we looked at it  already one of the most depressing pieces of architecture conceivable, and completely in ruin inside. I walked around, contemplating what it would take just to get it back to being a s****y prison.

Though cast and crew look back on The Shawshank Redemption as a generally harmonious experience, Lester recalls that the gloom of the prison walls made it a gruelling shoot at times. It had the prevailing ambience of a building that had seen so much misery in it for so very long, he says. It was a penitentiary for almost a century. Those walls didnt forget  they let that angst and karma leach out so that the whole crew working in that environment was depressed. Im not a New Age-y person but everyone who walked into that penitentiary felt the same thing.

There were also some tensions over the working days  an often-discussed point about the films production. Darabont, effectively learning on the job as a feature film director, requested multiple reshoots  which could be tough on the actors. At times, Freeman refused to keep shooting. Anytime you have a first-time director, you have a learning curve, says Lester, whose CV also includes Star Wars and Bull Durham. That was true in Franks case, and you cant hold it against anybody. He had every right in the world to figure it out as he went along and he certainly didnt blow it!

Indeed, within the films two-hour-plus runtime, Darabont crafts scenes that stand up to almost anything from Hollywood history, such as Andy playing The Marriage of Figaro to the stunned prison yard. For this writer, however, the real spirit of Shawshank is captured in an earlier scene, when  during a days work tarring a roof  Andy smartly negotiates a case of cold beers for his fellow prisoners. Its one of those small glimpses of humanity  the prisoners clenching the rare moments that make them feel like ordinary men. The film is so effective that you can almost taste that beer and feel the chill and condensation of the bottles.

Prison breaker: Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption (Shutterstock)

In terms of the films legacy, its most obviously iconic moment comes when Andy (30-year spoiler warning incoming) escapes. He crawls through a 500-yard sewage pipe, spills out into a creek, and  with his arms out Christ-like  stands in the rain a free man. Cinematographer Roger Deakins has claimed to hate the scene because he lit it too brightly. That image, however, stands triumphantly. Not just as a great movie moment, but a cinematic goliath  instantly recognisable as the summation of everything thats made The Shawshank Redemption resonate for 30 years. A massive helping of hope and sentimentality.

Thirty years on, the escape has been parodied so many times  and become such a cultural staple  that the element of surprise is long gone. Though it still makes you squirm when he squeezes into that pipe  as if this viewing is the one when he wont make it out.

One great irony is that while the sewage in the pipe was perfectly sanitary, the creek was, in fact, toxic. That f*****g creek says Lester. It was perfectly sited, just beautiful  right there by the penitentiary. But we tested it and followed it  it went to a sewage treatment plant. There was no way we could use that creek as it was. They had to build dams to make it usable, though Robbins remembered that the crew had a shower ready for me at all times.

Iconic: The original, memorable poster art for the film (Castle Rock Entertainment)

The Shawshank Redemption opened on 23 September 1994. Test screening reactions and reviews were strong but  from a budget of $25m  made a measly $18m in its first run. The films title, which now rolls off the tongue as a well-recognised classic  like Citizen Kane or Its a Wonderful Life  has often been blamed for the films initial failure.

Castle Rock wanted to put on a contest for anyone who worked at the company to come up with a better name for the movie  and nobody could, nobody won the prize! says Lester, laughing.

It was nominated for (but didnt win) seven Academy Awards, though the films popularity really spread through reruns on Americas TNT network, home video, and through personal recommendations  blokes telling one another how beautiful it is, for instance. Word, eventually, got out.
Dr. Aaron Spence, the superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Virginia, is one of many school district leaders who scrambled to respond to local threats in the wake of a school shooting in Georgia that left two students and two teachers dead.

Michael Bennett was standing at Scott M. Ellis Elementary School in Greenville, a rural community a half-hour from the New York capital on Sept. 5. The superintendent greeted students with fist bumps and an assuring smile.

He was there, in part, because it was the first day of school. But there was another reason: A tragedy gripping another small town a thousand miles away prompted him to make his presence known.

A day before the start of classes at Bennetts district, an all-too-familiar occurrence in America happened again  another incident of semiautomatic gunfire on a school campus. Two students and two teachers were fatally shot at a high school in a leafy Georgia suburb. Nine others, mostly students, were injured. Law enforcement officials arrested a 14-year-old who is now facing four counts of murder.

The incident caused Bennett to flashback to a moment that defined his decades-long career in education. In February 2004, he was getting ready to teach a social studies class at a high school in another small New York town when a student pointed the barrel of a shotgun at Bennetts chest. As the student pulled the trigger, the assistant principal knocked the gun downward and Bennett was shot in the lower leg. Thankfully, no one else was hurt. (The student pleaded guilty, served years in prison and has been released.)

Two decades later, the Greenville superintendent was among many district leaders across the U.S. hustling to contend with the recent ramifications of far-flung gun violence for students, families and staff. Longtime school administrators like Bennett have repeatedly seen shootings disrupt the American education system  even in classrooms thousands of miles and multiple time zones away from the gunfire.

In the days and weeks that followed the Georgia shooting, other schools experienced a rash of threats and incidents, a recognizable pattern that often follows instances of gun violence. The early September tragedy had a significant added factor: It disrupted the back-to-school season at schools nationwide.

Students in several states were arrested. Administrators increased security protocols. A district a few dozen miles from Bennetts campus canceled classes and after-school activities and shuttered buildings after it received threatening phone messages.

These events are not rare. Everytown for Gun Safety, a group that advocates for gun violence prevention, recorded 139 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in the U.S. as of Sept. 4.

Far from these shootings, schools feel the ripple effects. Assessing the credibility of threats, especially viral ones that spread online, has become an increasingly common  and challenging  part of the daily lives of school superintendents and principals.

Its a distraction from the main reason students and teachers are at school in the first place, Bennett said.

Its tough to learn when youre worried about the threats, he said. And its tough to teach.

Read more: 6 years after Parkland shooting, school librarian works hard to make her space the safest

Challenging times for school leaders

A week after the shooting in Georgia, another superintendent, Aaron Spence, was juggling a crisis  a deluge of threats directed at the schools he oversees in suburban Virginia.

Law enforcement officials in his town had spent days running down leads, tracing their origins and speaking to witnesses. Though none of the potential dangers were ultimately deemed credible, Spence knew parents at Loudoun County Public Schools needed two things: First, they had to hear directly from the superintendent. In an email to families, he acknowledged the senseless violence happening at other schools in America. Second, they had to know that any threat, even those made by children and meant as jokes, would be taken seriously and investigated.

Hanging above a box of lens wipes in Spence's office, a note stuck to a cabinet says: They tried to bury us. They didnt know we were seeds. The message was a pandemic-era gift, he said in an interview last week, from a school board member at his previous school district.

Even when youre facing certain challenging times, you can learn and grow from it, he said, recalling how tough it was to keep the coronavirus out of the classroom.

Aaron Spence, the superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Va., is one of many school district leaders who scrambled to respond to local threats in the wake of a shooting in Winder, Ga., that left two students and two teachers dead.

Crisis management is a part of the job description of superintendents. Apart from the copycat threats that inundated Spence's district this month, the issue of opioid use has also loomed over his tenure. A year ago, nearly a dozen students at one of his schools suffered overdoses over several weeks. The district's delay in notifying parents about the cases prompted criticism from the states Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who issued an executive order directing Virginia schools to notify parents of a school-connected overdose within 24 hours.

Spence wrote in an August message before school started that the district "remains dedicated to working closely with students, families, staff and the community to address" the epidemic of opioid use. A student suffered another nonfatal overdose outside of school before the start of the year.

Yet as threats circulated in the wake of the Georgia shooting, Spence had to turn his attention to informing students and families about violence prevention.

Just like when we were kids and we learned that you can't yell fire or bomb in a movie theater, in today's world, they simply cannot post or say things that even suggest an act of violence as the consequences could be severe, Spence, along with local police chiefs and the sheriff, wrote in a message to parents on Sept. 12.

Experts estimate that school districts field tens of thousands of threats each year. The proliferation of social media has only exacerbated that problem: Posts on TikTok and Instagram landed several students across the U.S. in custody in recent weeks.

Michele Gay is outspoken about the importance of schools taking an active role in threat mitigation. Her daughter was among the 26 people killed in 2012 by a shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. She said the most important thing school leaders can do in the wake of gun violence  no matter how far away it occurs  is communicate. Parents need to know theres a plan in place, she said.

Avoiding the conversation just increases anxiety, she said. After something like this happens, we need to hear from our leaders.

Aspiring principals undeterred

Kevin Lein was in the middle of teaching when his phone lit up with news about the Georgia shooting.

Many of the messages were coming from the Principal Recovery Network, which was started in 2019 for principals whove experienced gun violence firsthand. Lein was a principal in Harrisburg, South Dakota, in 2015 when he was shot in the arm by a 16-year-old student who'd brought a gun on campus.

Kevin Lein, principal of Harrisburg High School, poses for a portrait Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, in his office at Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, S.D., just days after he was shot by a student on campus. The student later pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

Lein never lost his vigor for educating, though, and now works as a professor at a college in Nebraska, where he mentors aspiring principals. As information trickled in about the Georgia shooting, Lein brought it up with his students. Though some were anxious about the prospect of eventually encountering gun violence on campus, fear wouldn't deter any of them from wanting to become principals. It gave him hope.

"They dont have a fear for their lives," he said. "They have a fear of not going forward and doing something about this."

Zachary Schermele covers education and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How shootings upend schools  even where theres no gunfire
The emergency measures mean that Ecuador's military patrol the streets in darkness [Reuters]

Planned power cuts in Ecuador have begun a day early as severe drought disrupts its hydroelectric plants.

The country is suffering its worst drought in 60 years, with no significant rainfall in more than two months.

The government had already announced nightly blackouts across the country from Monday, but 12 provinces had their power cut from 08:00 to 17:00 local time over the weekend.

Several South American countries are currently experiencing their worst droughts on record, which is also fuelling a number of wildfires.

Hydroelectric plants cover 70% of Ecuador's electricity demand, but the water reserves that fuel it have fallen to critical levels.

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said there could be further cuts and other emergency measures introduced if water levels in the hydroelectric plants are not restored soon.

In addition to the 71 days without rain, Noboa also blamed the emergency on political failings.

In a statement, the president blamed the power crisis on the failure of previous governments to adequately maintain infrastructure and the lack of contingency planning.

A red alert has been imposed in 15 provinces including the capital Quito.

Sixty neighbourhoods in Quito have had their water supplies cut as part of rationing measures.

It was less than six months ago that Ecuadorians were last rationing electricity.

In April, drought saw the country impose power cuts of up to 13 hours a day.

The current drought is certainly not contained to Ecuador - several other countries in South America are suffering the impact of the worst drought in living memory

Extreme drought has devastated vast areas of the Amazon and the Pantanal in Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.

In Colombia, firefighters are battling dozens of fires, which have so far ravaged almost 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres).

Earlier this week, Peru's government declared a 60-day state of emergency in the jungle regions bordering Brazil and Ecuador which have been worst affected by forest fires.

The drought has also weakened the vast Amazon River, affecting food supplies and the livelihoods of locals.

Last week, the Brazilian Geological Service (SGB) said water levels in many of the rivers in the Amazon basin had reached their lowest on record.

In 2023, the Amazon basin suffered its most severe drought in at least 45 years  which scientists at the World Weather Attribution group found had been made many times more likely by climate change.
'I could easily make a daiquiri that probably tastes nice 360 days a year  but at what cost?'

Food & Wine / Bernard Zieja

Flavors and ingredients have always been top of mind for Monica Berg. But theyve become even more of a pressing concern these days.

The award-winning bartender and cofounder of Londons much-lauded Tayer + Elementary recently launched Muyu Liqueurs in the United States along with fellow mixologists Alex Kratena, best known for shepherding Londons Artesian to international acclaim in the mid-2010s, and Simone Caporale, the genius behind Barcelonas Sips Drinkery House, which won top honors at the 2023 Spirited Awards at Tales of the Cocktail.

Related: A Renewed Interest in Herbal Liqueurs Is Driving Attention to Native Ingredients

The liqueurs, of which there are three  Jasmine Verte, Chinotto Nero, and Vetiver Gris are not what one would call ordinary or common. In fact, theyre about as esoteric as you can get  something that Berg is mindful of in terms of sustainability, not wanting to overuse ingredients just because theyre widely attainable and relatively inexpensive. Its a project that we started back in 2016 and it came after we had this experience that made us rethink how we talked about flavors, what we thought about cocktails, how we thought about composing liquids  and it kind of made us curious as to what could happen if you focus on flavor first, Berg told Food & Wine.

Courtesy of Monica Berg Muyu liqueurs come in three esoteric flavors  Jasmine Verte, Chinotto Nero, and Vetiver Gris.

We just wanted to honor and celebrate the kind of biodiversity that we find in nature. In our everyday lives, we are exposed to less and less of it because we have all come to work with the same ingredients all the time  all the same flavors. We wanted to rethink how you could work with flavors and we wanted to unlock ingredients that were normally not accessible to bartenders like ourselves, says the Norway-born bartender. We wanted to try to preserve the kind of biodiversity that has always been around us. As bartenders, we realize that we dont actually know how to create something ourselves  but we are good at mixing and combining ingredients into recreating a memory, recreating a specific flavor profile, and sometimes creating something that doesnt already exist.



Berg shared her thoughts on the trends in the food and drink space at the Futures Lab during Tales of the Cocktail this July, along with Gary Gruver, director of global beverage operations at Marriott International; Stephanie Jordan, founder of Avallen Spirits & Drinking Out Loud; Kat Kinsman, executive features editor at Food & Wine; Matt Molino, chief strategy officer and partner at NVE Experience Agency; and Rachel Burkons, founder of Smoke Sip Savor, Feast & Flower.

Here, as with her talk with Tales of the Cocktails Futures Lab, Berg details the next big thing in ingredients and what the future of the cocktail and spirits world could look like.

Focusing on flavor first and foremost naturally lends itself to sustainability  and is the way ingredients should be sourced

Some of Bergs primary concerns are sustainability, ingredient sourcing, and the kind of world we could be leaving behind for future generations if were not more mindful of the ways in which we build flavor in our own homes  or even how we consume it as were out and about in the world.

To Berg, focusing on flavor naturally lends itself to sustainability, given that better-tasting ingredients are ones that are in season and not grown year-round in a greenhouse. I think that we need to be better about using our ingredients to the full extent and not be so wasteful of what is around us. How things are grown is one thing, but how are we buying things? A lot of fruit and vegetables have what you call a natural season, which is how it would grow in a place if we didnt interfere, Berg explains. Something that is growing within their natural season will always have more nutrition and more flavor, it just wont be available 365 days a year. Modern society has compromised and sacrificed nutrition and flavor for availability. You can go to the supermarket and find all these picture-perfect strawberries, but theyre not going to taste like anything. But if you get those three, four weeks  like I said in my talk  then you understand why strawberry is such a prized ingredient.

Related: Whats the Difference Between a Liqueur and a Spirit?

Climate change also plays a huge role in how we ought to be thinking about our own consumption. With the agricultural need to feed a ballooning global population, that would require a bit more thoughtfulness. We are at a crossroads right now because, as I referenced in my talk at Tales, there was this report [on Earth.org in 2019] that was published looking at the last 250 years  and seeing how many species have become extinct. 571 plants, fruits, and vegetables have died off in the last 250 years, which is five hundred times faster than the natural extinction rate, Berg says. That is mainly due to one thing: humans. A lot of our ingredients, a lot of the nature around us, have already died or are dying right now. And we are at the point where we now have to make a choice. If we want to have flavor in the future, we need to hold off a little bit  and stop and see what is happening around us.







"Modern society has compromised and sacrificed nutrition and flavor for availability."







Expect people to lean into their hyper-local flavors and their own cultural references

The future of flavors and ingredients is naturally driven by the exchange of cultures in society because flavors and, by extension, ingredients are an expansion of culture. In fact, were already seeing it today with once-rarefied flavors like masala and matcha, but it will be presented in even higher relief as the world moves toward a more globalized way of living. Theres much more diversity, much more individuality, much more people bringing flavors from their cultures  flavors that previously werent necessarily accepted, says Berg. If you look at the ecology of drinking and you look at a drinks significance in the society they come from, it all makes sense. It makes sense why Italy drinks so much wine; it makes sense that Germany drinks beer and has schnapps and grain spirits  because thats what grows there.

Its no secret that culture is largely intertwined with a peoples palates and a countrys agricultural bounty  so hyper-local flavors are bound to make their way into the greater world: It almost always starts in smaller cities and towns because you are much more connected to your environment there. In cities like London, New York, Paris, and Dubai, you're spoiled for choice, so you dont have to think about these things, Berg says. I could easily make a daiquiri that probably tastes nice 360 days a year, I would just get Thai limes from various parts of the world at different times of the year. But at what cost?

Related: Italian Amaro vs Red Aperitivo Liqueurs: Whats the Difference?

Beyond that, there can be a great many takes on a particular flavor profile  and these things in and of itself make for deeply rooted cultural exchanges. For instance, a curry dish in Malaysia may take a different form in India, which, in turn, can look different from what it might be in Indonesia.

When someone brings us an ingredient or someone brings us something fun, we play around with it and make something out of it. And when people see it, they go, Oh, my God, I grew up with this flavor. And then you have people from 10 different countries say, I grew up with this flavor, but it looked like this where I grew up. Berg says. Here in London, you have this custard tart, which is very popular and I think comes from central England. Whereas where I come from, in Norway, its a brioche bun with a vanilla custard filling. And you go to Hong Kong, theres the egg tart and in Portugal, its the pastel de nata. So, you know, all of us have the same flavor combinations, but they look and feel different. Its very right that flavor is very unifying, and I think that we only will suffer in the future when we lose it  if we dont preserve it.

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The current drama should feel so familiar:

 A deadline looms for a must-pass, stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown.

 Former President Donald Trump is encouraging Republicans to embrace a shutdown if they cant get Democrats to agree to add controversial immigration-related language  this time, related to noncitizens voting  into the spending bill.

Republicans dont have the votes to execute Trumps command in the House, where they have the majority, and much less in the Senate, where Democrats are in control.

The resolution will feel familiar too. House Speaker Mike Johnson will need to ignore Trump and seek help from Democrats to pass a short-term funding bill  something he unveiled over the weekend that includes $230 million in additional funding for the Secret Service, which is ramping up security for Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris after two attempts on Trumps life.

Variations on that pattern of a looming deadline to fund the government have been repeated through multiple funding fights to the point where most Americans eyes probably glaze over at talk of a possible government shutdown. Its a serial threat that hasnt come to be since Trump was in the White House and Republicans controlled both the House and the Senate.

Setting all of that aside, for just a moment, its worth looking at why the funding process allows for the threat of a government shutdown every year and sometimes multiple times during the course of a year.

OK, how are things supposed to work?

The Constitution requires that the government only spend money that comes through appropriations made by law. Laws must be passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the president. But were talking a lot of money  $1.7 trillion in annual discretionary spending in the most recent fiscal year.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate divide up the funding of the government into 12 different appropriations bills. Committees in the House and Senate work to draft appropriations.

The full House and Senate are then supposed to consider these bills in turn, reconcile their differences and send the final product to the president. This work is supposed to be completed by September 30 since the governments fiscal year begins on October 1.

How many of these regular appropriations bills were passed into law this year?

Zero.

The House, to its credit, passed an initial version of five of the 12 appropriations bills. The Senate didnt pass any, so none of the appropriations bills came anywhere close to being signed into law.

That doesnt mean lawmakers didnt do any work on the spending bills. Appropriations committees in both the House and Senate did pass versions of all but one bill, and the versions passed in the Senate committees were all passed with some bipartisan support. Even if the appropriations bills dont pass, the work of these committees can ultimately be reflected in spending bills that do pass.

When was the last time Congress passed a single regular appropriations bill on time?

Its been years.

Lawmakers havent passed a single appropriations bill on time and sent it to the presidents desk since 2019, when they sent five. Thats the same year of the most recent partial government shutdown, by the way.

The 2019 fiscal year was an anomaly. Lawmakers routinely fail to pass any appropriations bills at all. In the years leading up to 2019, lawmakers passed one single appropriations bill on time in 2017 and one in 2010.

In the decades before that, they would routinely pass a few appropriations bills, but in the nearly half-century this process has been in place, theyve only really completed the work in four years: 1977, 1989, 1995 and 1997. In only one other year did they even get to more than half of the appropriations bills.

What happens when Congress cant pass the normal spending bills?

Lawmakers pass a temporary funding bill, known as a continuing resolution, or CR. Sometimes these bills are referred to as stopgap measures. They keep the government running until, frequently, all of the appropriations are wrapped into a massive omnibus that is passed months after the fiscal year starts.

Whats wrong with this system?

Continuing resolutions usually just buy time. Rather than implement funding for the new year, they simply extend the previous years funding. Thats better than a gap in funding, but certainly not the most efficient way to run a massive government.

A 2022 report by the Government Accountability Office identified inefficiencies in the process, but also found that the federal bureaucracy is used to the uncertainty built into the system.

But theres another element to consider. More and more, consideration of a CR comes at the last minute, along with fears of a government shutdown, or lapse in funding, such as the one Trump suggested Republicans embrace to force consideration of their bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.

The distraction of planning, year after year, for a shutdown is a major inefficiency. Johnson, according to CNNs Capitol Hill team, has said he thinks Trump now understands that Republicans dont have the votes to make it happen, but Trump has not endorsed a simple extension of funding.

Similarly, when lawmakers get around to the large omnibus spending bill that ties appropriations together, theyre frequently asked to vote days after these massive bills are introduced. The last-minute nature is part of what pressures them to get things done.

How often does Congress need extra time to fund the government?

Pretty much every single year. The current budget process has been in place since the late 70s. In those 47 fiscal years, there has been at least one CR in all but three fiscal years. The most recent fiscal year in which there was no CR was 1997, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Continuing resolutions are essentially part of the process at this point. Many of the numbers in this story come from that CRS report.

How long do these temporary funding bills last?

They can be enacted for as little as a day or for much longer. It just depends on the year and the politics of the day.

The short-term bill Johnson is proposing would fund the government for three months, which means that after the November election, the lame-duck Congress would need to revisit spending.

The CRS report averaged the 200 continuing resolutions that have been put in place since the 1977 fiscal year and found that CRs fund all or part of the government for an average of 137 days, or about a third of the year. In some years, Congress lurches from CR to CR until well into the spring.

For the most recent fiscal year, which was supposed to begin last October, President Joe Biden didnt sign a yearlong funding bill until late March.

Why does it take so long?

Theres a lot of politicking that goes on around these spending bills each year.

It was a standoff over last years spending bill that cost former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy his position. His willingness to pass a short-term funding bill  a CR  with help from Democrats sparked a rebellion from a few hard-line Republicans, even though his ouster frustrated most GOP lawmakers.

It took Republicans days to pick Johnson.

Johnson ultimately hatched a similar spending deal to one McCarthy had been working on, but not before multiple, additional CRs kept the government running.

He needed Democrats to keep the government open. Johnson will almost certainly need help from Democrats again this year after Trump encouraged Republicans to embrace a shutdown without an added-on voting bill.

What happens if theres a shutdown?

The term shutdown is also something of a misnomer. Lapses in funding are a bad way to do business, and they can delay paychecks for federal workers and temporarily shutter some government services. But the most recent shutdowns have affected only portions of the government, and they are usually short-lived.

The 2018-2019 partial shutdown, the longest in history at five weeks, did not affect all federal departments and reduced economic output by $11 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Shutdowns can also have real political consequences. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the outgoing Senate minority leader, is among the Republicans warning that a shutdown right before the November election would be a very bad idea.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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(This story was updated to add new information.)

OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein told a Coast Guard hearing Monday that the cause of Titan submersible disaster may never be known.

He also told the panel it was not supposed to happen.

Sohnlein spoke on the fifth day of public hearings aimed at finding out what caused the ill-fated submersible to implode, killing its five occupants.

I don't know what happened, he said. I don't know who made what decision when and based on what information. And honestly, I don't know if any of us will ever know this, despite all of your team's investigative efforts.

The hearings, held in North Charleston, South Carolina, are being broadcast live on the U.S. Coast Guard channel.

The Titanic-visiting vehicle imploded 2 miles below sea level on June 18, 2023. Its wreckage was found on the ocean floor about 330 yards off the bow of the Titanic. All five people on board were killed: OceanGate Expeditions founder Stockton Rush, who was piloting the 22-foot submersible, a British billionaire, a French explorer, a Pakistani-born businessman and his son.

Sohnlein co-founded OceanGate in 2009 together with Rush. He testified the goal of the company he co-founded with Rush was to make the deep ocean accessible to humanity.

A ticket to become a mission specialist, the title OceanGate gave its passengers, cost $250,000.

The company hoped to eventually run a fleet of four to five submersibles that could go as far as three and a half miles undersea and carry up to five passengers, he said. The company was founded in Everett, Washington. Sohnlein left in 2013, according to the Seattle Times, but was still a minority shareholder and kept in close contact with his former business partner.

At the end of his testimony, Sohnlein said the deep ocean was a magical place that he hoped many people would still be able to experience firsthand.

He said he hoped others would be inspired by the mission he and Rush began in 2009 but it looks like OceanGate is not going to be a part of that effort.

Those missions and the company's focus were described in less exalted language in testimony given during the first week of the hearing. The four days of hearings so far have featured multiple former employees of the company saying CEO Rush cared more about speed and costs than safety and that he routinely ignored concerns brought to him by engineers.

On Thursday, former OceanGate operations director David Lochridge testified that very little about the companys efforts was related to science or a deeper understanding of the ocean.

The whole idea behind the company was to make money, he told the hearing panel.

Lochridge said he was pushed out of the company after voicing too many concerns about the safety of the vessel.

OceanGate asked employees to forgo pay

On Monday, former OceanGate engineering director Phil Brooks said that he quit in February 2023, in part because the company was asking staff to conduct important safety work in rough seas and had asked them to forgo pay with the promise that they would eventually be reimbursed.

For the 2023 season, OceanGate decided to use only the support vessel Polar Prince, meaning the almost constant work of maintenance and troubleshooting would take place either on the platform while it was being towed or while it was anchored out in the ocean.

That meant working in ocean swells of 3 to 15 feet on a platform that bobbed up and down.

It was just not a workable solution. I just did not think I could work on the sub, it was just too dangerous, Brooks said.

The company was also undergoing significant cash flow problems that Brooks felt compromised employees' safety.

There were economic issues with the company asking us to forego getting paid for periods of time with the promise that they would get us caught up in paychecks after the first of the year, he said. They asked for volunteers but I dont think anybody did it.

It was clear the company was economically very stressed, he testified. As a result, they were making decisions and doing things that I felt resulted in the safety being compromised.

He suggested that the Titan not go out.

I was told that it was not possible, he said. They had people that had paid and they had to go through with it.

What happened to the Titan?

The Titan's trip, expected to take eight hours, began at 8 a.m. on June 18, 2023, about 435 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. An hour and 45 minutes later, the submersible's support ship lost contact with the Titan. At 3 p.m., the Titan failed to surface, and the frantic search and rescue operation that ensued transfixed the world for four days.

On board were Rush as pilot; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 73, a French deep-sea explorer; Hamish Harding, 58, a British pilot and adventurer; Shahzada Dawood, 48, a Pakistani-British businessman and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood.

It was not until 11:48 a.m. on June 22 that the U.S. Coast Guard announced the discovery of a debris field. The vessel likely suffered a "catastrophic implosion" and OceanGate announced all occupants of the Titan had been lost.

Questions asked about 'loud bang' in 2022

On Monday, many of the Coast Guard panels questions focused on the aftermath of whats been described as a loud bang on Titans 80th dive as it was brought to the surface in 2022.

What caused the sound is not known but during Fridays hearing Steven Ross, former OceanGate scientific director, said a theory was discussed that it might have been due to shifting of the interior pressure hull in its metal cradle.

On Monday, Brooks said that after the bang, the team inspected the hull as best they could but it was difficult.

You can take a flashlight and theres a small gap between the insert and the hull, he testified. But its not a great test. I think you can only do that from the front, I think you cant do it from the back, thats blocked.

Brooks said members of the team talked with Rush at the time about their concerns.

What we really wanted to do was bring the sub back to Everett and pull out the inserts and see if there were any cracks, he said. It was very frustrating that it was left in St. John's [in Canada] and we had no way to look at it. We were told it was a cost issue, the cost of shipping it back was prohibitive, we couldnt do it.

Ross left the company in February of 2023. Id gotten quite frustrated with these issues, he said

The implosion occurred five months later, on June 18, 2023. It was the Titan submersibles 88th dive.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Titan submersible co-founder: Cause of disaster may never be known
Lazard CEO Peter Orszag. Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI

Lazard is extolling the virtues of its work-from-home policies in a rare show of support for hybrid work on Wall Street.

WFH hasn't prevented young bankers and analysts from excelling at their jobs, Lazard's CEO said.

Many other top Wall Street firms have been much more insistent that workers return to the office.

Work-from-home is working for one top Wall Street firm.

Peter Orszag, the CEO of Lazard says that the financial services firm has one of the most flexible work-from-home policies in the sector.

That's rare on Wall Street, which even after the pandemic changed how people work, is still known for a demanding culture that has analysts and first-year bankers working notoriously long hours  and increasingly often in the office.

Lazard's New York employees, though, are asked to come into the office three days a week, while working two days remotely, Orszag said in a recent interview with Bloomberg.

That's resulted in a host of benefits for the firm's workers, Orszag said, adding that he believed WFH allowed its bankers to retain a sense of "agency."

He noted that the firm's flexibility allows workers to tend to other areas of their lives while maintaining the sense that their work is meaningful.

"There are many professions where you can't get around the effort part of it," Orszag said. "Even if you're working hard, you need to have some degree of agency, and ability to  if something else is important in your life  to take time off, to go do that," he added.

Tracy Farr, a Lazard managing director, also praised the benefits of the firm's hybrid policy in a LinkedIn post.

"Our hybrid work policy has been a game changer. But well before that, the teamwork and collaborative nature of my group made the impossible task of work-life balance a bit easier. Trusting and being able to rely on team members is critical," Farr wrote, noting that he still works long hours at the firm.

"But I've been able to have a beautiful family and personal life - being there for my kids and their small and major moments - all while being a banker. It requires intention. But also agency, and a team that makes it all possible."

However, Lazard's position is increasingly becoming an outlier.

Many other big Wall Street firms have pushed back on the work-from-home movement. Goldman Sachs, one of the few firms to require most workers to return to the office five days a week, began cracking down on employees not following its in-office policies, even monitoring attendance through badge swipes. JPMorgan adopted a hybrid work policy in 2022, but still requires 50% of its workers to attend the office five days a week.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Shipping containers are loaded onto rail cars at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal on Friday, June 23, 2023 in Houston. Union Pacific has launched a new service at Port Houston, allowing international shippers to put containers arriving at Barbours Cut to be loaded directly onto trains, rather than being trucked 30 miles to another terminal to be loaded onto a rail car. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Shipping containers are seen awaiting transport by 18-wheelers are seen at the Port of Houston, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

A looming end-of-month strike by longshoremen could bring a work stoppage to the Port of Houston, the busiest container port on the Gulf Coast, upending commerce in the Houston region and its effects rippling across the U.S.

"I wouldn't call it 'an apocalypse' by any stretch, but it will be unpleasant for us," said Edward Anderson, a professor of operations management at the University of Texas at Austins McCombs School of Business.

The Port of Houston generates more than $10 billion in annual state and tax revenue, according to the most recent statistics, and has an economic impact across Texas of more than $400 billion. The port, which includes the Houston Ship Channel and more than 200 private and public terminals, says it supports 1.5 million jobs across Texas, many of which would be impacted by a work stoppage.

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The port authority itself is not involved in the longshoremen's contract negotiations or discussions, it said in a statement Friday, and the Port of Houston is operating as normal until the contract expires.

"We are monitoring the situation closely," the Port said. "In the event of a work stoppage, Barbours Cut and Bayport Container Terminals will be closed for all container handling operations.

At issue is an impasse between International Longshoremens Association, which represents tens of thousands of dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas, and the United States Maritime Alliance, an alliance of carriers, employers and port associations.

The current six-year contract between the two is set to expire Sept. 30, and the ILA said this week its members "will strike" Oct. 1 if an agreement is not reached by then. Key issues are wages, health care and job protections from automation.

"The companies that employ ILA pay their executives billion-dollar bonus while our longshore workers work all year, around the clock, in brutal conditions of freezing cold and scorching heat," ILA President Harold Daggett said in a statement. "Why shouldnt we ask for a $10 an hour increase? The ILA longshore worker deserves it, and the companies have the money to pay it.

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Ports from Maine to Texas are preparing for the worst. Port Houston said in a notice this week that, given the possibility of a work stoppage, it is encouraging shipping companies to come pick up any imports they may have in the container yards by 7 p.m. on Sept. 30.

With Port Houston having become the No. 5 U.S. port for container traffic, a strike would be immediately felt throughout the region.

"Those of us in Houston would see an impact right away," said Ed Hirs, energy fellow at the University of Houston. "It would necessarily hit our truckers. It would stack up our rail lines. Within days, you would see the impact with Amazon and UPS."

In addition to consumer goods and produce, the Port of Houston's top containerized imports including industrial equipment and motor vehicles and parts, according to the Greater Houston Partnership, so a prolonged strike could lead to manufacturing disruptions.

"Global trade is at the heart of our economic system, and it's extremely important. We rely on everybody and everybody relies on us," Hirs said, adding, "It could be a kind of a disappointing Christmas for the kids, if the longshoremen go through with this."

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The ports that would be affected by a strike handle roughly half of the United States's container tonnage, said Anderson. While some of that traffic could be rerouted to the West Coast, he continued, it's unlikely that the West Coast ports can fully compensate for a work stoppage along the East Coast--especially one that drags on.
Over 100 people die and 400 are wounded in massive Israeli attacks in south Lebanon. Sources tell AsiaNews that Lebanese civilians are fleeing, sheltering in schools and government buildings. The patriarchal vicar for Israel says that even Nazareth was hit by rockets, and "it is likely" that the whole of Galilee will come under attack by Hezbollah. If leaders do not stop, the effects will be terrible. Christians are the weak link in this war as religious tourism dries up and violence spreads in Israels Arab community.

Nazareth (AsiaNews)  As of today, "a real war is underway" that is starting to affect "southern Lebanon where today alone at least a hundred people died. The situation is getting increasingly gloomy, and people are worried". As the conflict escalated over the past year, it seems to never end, this according to Lebanese-born Mgr Rafic Nahra, Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem who has been the patriarchal vicar for Israel since 2021.

Ordinary people, he explains, everywhere, from Gaza to the families of the hostages to the soldiers themselves pay the consequences," many of them are students and family men. Now Lebanon, a country already suffering a lot, is taking the brunt. This is a source of deep concern.

A massive attack by the Israeli military on Lebanon is currently underway with the Israeli military reporting that at least 300 Hezbollah targets were hit across the border. About a hundred people were killed, and 400 wounded, according to Lebanese estimates.

At a press briefing, IDF spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, when asked about a possible ground operation, did not rule it out. The actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes, he added.

"It is entirely possible that the IDF will need to enter Lebanon on the ground," said former commander of the IDF General Staff Corps, Major-General (Res.) Gershon Hacohen.

In Lebanon, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, quoted by the newspaper An-Nahar, said that, The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns.

He called on the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries... to deter the (Israeli) aggression.

Sources in southern Lebanon spoke to AsiaNews about a massive exodus of civilians, with people finding shelters in schools and government buildings amid high tensions and enormous needs.

For its part, Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian Shia movement, said that it hit three targets in northern Israel, calling it a "response" to Israels intensive attacks.

Israels official broadcaster, KAN, is reporting that Israeli authorities are verifying reports that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in recent IDF attacks in Gaza.

Reports of rocket attacks against Haifa and, for the first time since 2006, against Nazareth, which might be more heavily bombed in coming days, are signs that the conflict is widening

"For now we hear the rockets, Bishop Nahra said. Last night a fragment fell nearby. Now it is likely that the whole of Galilee will be attacked by the Lebanese Hezbollah in response to the Israeli military... It is clear to everyone that we are now facing an outright war.

This will affect Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, but other Shia armed groups in the region could intervene, in Iraq some are ready to intervene, which happened over the weekend, as well as the Houthis, who have been doing it for months from Yemen in what is increasingly becoming a regional conflict.

For the prelate, It is clear that this war hurts on different levels: material damage, relationships between people, growing mistrust, and fear. All this must stop, otherwise the social impact will be terrible.

"We hope that a solution will be reached and that the violence will stop. Such a task falls to leaders, who have fanned the flames of conflict and tensions in recent months. "But they must turn in this direction and we pray to God, which is not just a cliche, so that this can happen.

Unfortunately, Christians will pay for this since they are seen as the weak link in a chain that keeps the Middle East in a permanent conflict.

And the problem, for the prelate, is not only the war and the absence of pilgrims. Violence is growing in the Arab (Israeli) community amid general silence, forcing people to flee.

"Since January 2024 alone, at least 175 people have been killed, not for ethno-religious reasons, nor in clashes between Christians and Muslims, but in crime-related incidents.

Only a few days are left before the tragic anniversary of 7 October, when Hamas carried out the multiple terrorist attack in southern Israel that triggered the conflict in Gaza and, in a domino effect, fanned the flames of conflict in many parts of the region.

"We need to rebuild everything, in Israel and Palestine, and we will no longer be the same as before, even if it is hard to imagine the aftermath.

Radicalisation has grown, and for this reason it is even more urgent for people of good will to work together, rebuild trust, everyone committed to work together  Christians, Jews, Muslims. But as long as there is violence, all this is but words ... We need a truce!
Today's news: new Israeli raids on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after missiles on Haifa;The Quad strengthens cooperation between coast guards in the South China Sea; US returns illegally trafficked archaeological finds to India; Alarm in Myanmar over execution of 5 political prisoners that could take place tomorrow.

SRI LANKA

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, member of the Marxist-oriented National People's Power (NPP), is the winner of the presidential elections in Sri Lanka. He won by counting the voters' second choices, after no candidate had obtained more than 50 per cent of the total votes at the first count. Dissanayake had achieved 42.31% while his nearest rival, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, got 32.76%. Only third was the outgoing president Wickremesinghe.

ISRAEL-LEBANON

The Israeli army is conducting new airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as mutual attacks between the two sides continue to increase. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari has warned Lebanese civilians to move away from areas used by the Iran-backed group for military purposes. Over the weekend, Hezbollah struck deep into Israel, reaching targets in the city of Haifa.

USA-INDIA-JAPAN-AUSTRALIA

At a Quad Summit chaired by Joe Biden in Claymont, Delaware, the leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States agreed to expand joint security measures in Asian waters. Operations with Australian, Japanese, and Indian personnel aboard a US Coast Guard vessel were announced for next year. Although the White House claimed that the summit was not aimed at other countries, the new initiatives are believed to send a message to Beijing and represent a further shift in emphasis of the Quad's activities towards security issues in the South China Sea.

INDIA-UNITED STATES

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, the US handed over to India 297 archaeological artefacts that had been smuggled out of the country. These objects date from 2000 BC to 1900 AD, and come from various regions of India. The majority are terracotta artefacts from eastern India. In July 2024, India and the US signed their first Cultural Property Agreement to prevent and combat illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the US.

MYANMAR

Human rights groups have raised the alarm over the possible capital execution of five political prisoners that the Myanmar military junta is set to carry out tomorrow. The five, Kaung Pyae Sone Oo, Kyaw Win Soe, San Min Aung, Zayyar Phyo and Myat Phyo Pwint, were sentenced to death by a special court on charges of shooting and killing a police officer at Yangon's Ahlone station on 14 August 2021.

RUSSIA-CENTRALASIA

According to information from the Ministry of the Interior in Moscow, there are currently almost 4 million citizens of Central Asia permanently in Russia, 1.8 million from Uzbekistan, 1.2 million from Tajikistan, 600 thousand from Kazakhstan, 262 thousand from Kyrgyzstan and 92 thousand from Turkmenistan, out of a total figure of 6.174 million foreigners. To these must be added the flow of seasonal migrant workers, which reached 10 million in 2023.

KYRGYZSTAN-TAJIKISTAN

The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zaparov, signed the decree redefining the territorial-administrative units of regions and cities of the country, concerning the Batken region on which border negotiations with Tajikistan are focused, which prepares the cities in the area for the final demarcation of the borders, approved by the Zogorku Kenes in a closed session.
by Mathias Hariyadi

The outgoing president has lifted a ban that had been in place for more than 20 years and was introduced to protect the ecosystem and the land. In justifying the decision, he speaks of a correction to the previous rule: it would not be sand, but ocean sediments. Former fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti expresses her deep concern.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Environmentalists and broad sectors of Indonesian civil society have welcomed with shock and disapproval the decision by outgoing President Joko Jokowi Widodo, whose term expires on 20 October, to lift the ban on the export of ocean sand, used mainly in the construction industry.

The ban was introduced more than 20 years ago and was necessary for environmental and security reasons, to protect the national heritage. Despite this, the Head of State decreed its cancellation on 9 September, depriving the archipelago of one of the key regulatory resources for protecting its maritime resources and safeguarding its ecosystem.

The ban on the export of ocean sand was introduced in 2003, under the presidency of Megawati Sukarnoputri. This decision was based primarily on environmental and ecological concerns, although at the time Jakarta was a major player in the market for material destined for Singapore.

Among the concerns was the fact that without this natural protection, the coastline would be more prone to flooding and inundation, especially the smaller islands of the archipelago.

In 2010, during a confidential interview with AsiaNews, a major sand exporter identified by the initial J. said he was deeply saddened by the damage caused to the environment and the ocean because of the sand dumps used for export. A trade that, in return for the revenue, was causing a significant impact on ecology and sustainable development.

The decision to lift the ban was taken by President Widodo following a draft revision prepared by Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, who made a correction related to terminology. In fact, it was not ocean sand, but ocean sediment.

The move was made by the outgoing president after he issued a new regulation in May 2023 authorising mining companies to explore for ocean sand and export it, with the only condition and requirement being that domestic needs were already covered. The new regulation approved by the head of state will enter into force 30 days after its publication.

In response, a broad sector of society and environmental movements have launched a protest that has been relayed on social networks. Former fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti is one of the most well-known figures in Indonesia campaigning against the lifting of the ban and has repeatedly expressed her deep concern over the issue in recent days.

Pudjiastuti argues that this new regulation will only endanger the maritime environment: If they want to export ocean sands or sediments, it is better - she warns in a note published on X, formerly Twitter, on 19 September - to take advantage of the seabed in the northern coastal region of Java, so that it will not be affected by tides due to excessive abrasion).

The former fisheries minister's strong and determined message won the support of most environmentalists, who argued that the export of sand or sediment to Singapore will soon create environmental and safety problems such as the following, for three reasons in particular Indonesian fishermen will face technical challenges and difficulties in fishing, as the fish habitat has already been wiped out; environmental problems will arise, as coral reefs could be severely damaged; and there will be security problems, as Singapore's hinterland will be further enlarged to the south, with the shrinking of the Indonesian counterpart.

In a report, Greenpeace Indonesia says the new regulations will lead the country to commit ecological sins attributable to the outgoing administration, and the first victims will be local fishermen.

Most environmentalists and politicians opposed to Jokowi claim that the recent decision will only encourage uncontrolled exploitation of the country's maritime heritage and cause negative social impacts, despite Jokowi's recent claims that what is being exported is not sea sand, but its sedimentation.
As the countrys population declines and religious disaffection grows, religious sites are increasingly targeted for the tax breaks they provide. Out of 180,000 registered religious sites, as many as 4,400 have been inactive in the last year. For Benmou Suzuki, a monk in Sanbagawa, Temples are places for local people to gather and forge connections and must be protected. For its part, Japans Agency for Cultural Affairs has intensified controls.

Rome (AsiaNews/Agencies)  As Japans population decline shows no signs of ending (down for 13 years in a row) and Japanese show less interest in religion, fewer and fewer people are financially contributing to the upkeep of the country's many Buddhist and Shinto temples and shrines.

One consequence of this has been controversial practice of buying and selling such sites to take advantage of the considerable tax advantages that come from managing religious property, Reuters reports.

There are people out there who want a temple, even a mountain temple," said 52-year-old Suzuki, a monk at the Sanbagawa Temple, a 420-year-old sacred building located near a small village in the depths of a forest a three-hour drive from Tokyo. In fact, considering the value of the religious corporation status, this temple could fetch quite a lot of money, he added.

Two real estate brokers recently approached the monk, but Suzuki said that he has no intention of selling the temple; instead, he is trying to raise funds to maintain it. For him, "Temples are places for local people to gather and forge connections. We just can't get rid of them.

Japanese authorities worry that the arrival on the real estate market of religious properties might entice buyers not interested in them for spiritual purposes, but rather as a way to avoid taxes or even launder money.

Such activities are hard to prevent because, as Japans Agency for Cultural Affairs noted, the government is cautious about changing legislation related to religion that could be seen as violating religious freedom.

It's already a sense of crisis for us and the religious community," said an official at the Agency, which oversees religious sites.

Owning a temple or a shrine as a recognised religious corporation entails certain tax advantages. Businesses that offer religious services like funerals do not have to pay taxes while other non-religious businesses, such as restaurants, hair salons and even hotels, also enjoy preferential tax rates.

In recent years, the sale and conversion of temples and shrines in Japan has sparked considerable public outrage. In Osaka, for example, a temple sold in 2020 was successfully torn down and the graves moved to make room for a property development. Plans to turn a temple into a parking lot in Kyoto was also headline news.

According to the Agency's data, at the end of 2023 Japan had about 180,000 religious sites registered as a corporation, while the number of inactive corporations, i.e. places where religious events do not take place for more than a year, is up by a third, to 4,400.

When a monk or priest dies without a successor, the religious group that runs the temple usually designates a replacement or renounces the corporation status. However, some 7,000 religious sites operate independently of such groups and are deemed more vulnerable to speculators.

The Agency has intensified its efforts to strip inactive sites of their corporation status to prevent purchases by dubious buyers. It also warns local religious groups that they might fall prey to buyers after earthquakes, which often damage temples and shrines.

In 2023, 17 religious societies were voluntarily dissolved, while six others received an order to dissolve. For the Agency, those numbers will continue to grow in the coming years, under stricter controls.

After checking online brokering websites, Reuters found multiple religious properties on sale. One broker, Takao Yamamoto, told the news agency that a licence for a religious corporation can fetch as much as 30 million yen (US$ 210,000).
Caroline Wilburn is a breaking news reporter for the Houston Chronicle.

A May graduate of Texas A&M University, Caroline worked as an election stringer for the Associated Press and as a breaking news fellow at the Texas Tribune. At the Tribune, she got a crash course in interpreting data, distilling complicated policy and following statewide trends on a tight deadline. Shes also a skilled video editor and podcast producer.

She won a first-place award for audio news production at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.
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Galena Park ISD teachers look at a zebra exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Fifth grade teachers across the district tour the museum to learn about the exhibits their students will visit during the school year as part of the Aramco iExplore Biodiversity program. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer McNemia Carpio, a fifth grade teacher in Galena Park ISD, examines an exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Fifth grade teachers across the district tour the museum to learn about the exhibits their students will visit during the school year as part of the Aramco iExplore Biodiversity program. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer A Galena Park ISD teacher walks through Morian Cabinet of Curiosities at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Fifth grade teachers across the district tour the museum to learn about the exhibits their students will visit during the school year as part of the Aramco iExplore Biodiversity program. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer Galena Park ISD teachers fill out their workooks at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Fifth grade teachers across the district tour the museum to learn about the exhibits their students will visit during the school year as part of the Aramco iExplore Biodiversity program. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer Galena Park teachers check out the Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Fifth grade teachers across the district tour the museum to learn about the exhibits their students will visit during the school year as part of the Aramco iExplore Biodiversity program. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer Jordan Santos, center, and his Galena Park ISD colleagues check out an interactive exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Fifth grade teachers across the district tour the museum to learn about the exhibits their students will visit during the school year as part of the Aramco iExplore Biodiversity program. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer A bison and a calf in the new Texas Wildlife Farish Hall at the Houston Museum of Natural Science featuring more than 275 species from the past and present and interactive displays for visitors to learn about the animals Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, in Houston. About 50 species featured are either extinct, endangered or threatened to teach visitors about conservation. The Dioramas highlights the East Texas Piney Woods, the Coastal Oak Motte, Coastal Prairie, wetlands, Rio Grande Dry Forest, Guadalupe Mountains and high plains. Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle Elk in the new Texas Wildlife Farish Hall at the Houston Museum of Natural Science featuring more than 275 species from the past and present and interactive displays for visitors to learn about the animals Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, in Houston. About 50 species featured are either extinct, endangered or threatened to teach visitors about conservation. The Dioramas highlights the East Texas Piney Woods, the Coastal Oak Motte, Coastal Prairie, wetlands, Rio Grande Dry Forest, Guadalupe Mountains and high plains. Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle Cindy Kirchner, right, studies an exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Fifth grade teachers across the district tour the museum to learn about the exhibits their students will visit during the school year as part of the Aramco iExplore Biodiversity program. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer Sally Ridgway left, and her granddaughter Lane McAnelly walk past a mural on the way to the Morian Hall of Paleontology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in Houston. James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle

The Houston Museum of Natural Science's iExplore program was created to involve students from an underserved school district in science. The initiative began in 2009 with three teachers and 50 students. Now the Aramco iExplore Biodiversity Program involves 100 educators and more than 1,600 students from two school districts.

In 2019, the program's central theme changed from the science of energy to biodiversity. Students take a field trip to the museum and participate in immersive activities, such as live animal presentations and exploring the structures of a rainforest.

During this interactive presentation, students uncover the remarkable story of one of the worlds most diverse ecosystems as they become familiar with each fascinating rainforest layer, said Kathleen Havens, the museum's director of curriculum and content.

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They also use a workbook and visit the Morian Hall of Paleontology, Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife, Hamman Hall of Texas Coastal Ecology, Frensley/Graham Hall of African Wildlife and the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Students benefit from digital assets and supplemental curriculum featuring hands-on activities to extend learning about biodiversity beyond the field trip.

All Galena Park school district fifth-grade students and their science teachers participate in the program," Havens said. "This year, we expanded the program to include all fifth-grade students and teachers from the Stafford Municipal School District. We targeted fifth graders because this is a crucial stage for students to develop an interest in learning and STEM.

The curriculum also involves pre-tests and post-tests that gauge student attitudes toward science and their understanding of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills subjects covered in the program, Havens said.

Aramcos support not only goes toward these educational opportunities for students, but encourages faculty professional development as well.

The teachers are responsible for attending an onsite teacher workshop at the Museum to maximize the program's benefits for their students," Havens said. "They also are introduced to innovative ways to teach biodiversity in the classroom  scaffolding on the information the students will learn from the Aramco iExplore programming at the museum. They receive continuing education credit for participating in the workshop.

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The museum offers a virtual iExplore Biodiversity workshop twice a year for all teachers (for educators in any district). It's free for museum members and $10 for non-members, and participants receive free access to digital assets and a supplemental curriculum.

One of those participating teachers was Tiffany Benitez, who taught elementary science in Galena Park Independent School District. Now she is a district elementary science specialist, helping other teachers engage in the program, where all fifth-grade math and science teachers in the 15 campus district participate.

The students love it, and look forward to being fifth graders so that they can be a part of it, Benitez said.

The program is embedded in the districts science curriculum. For the STARR test, the category of questions centering on the concepts of organisms and the environment has the most number of questions. This is the most successful category for students in the Galena Park ISD, so that hands-on experience supports their learning, Benitez said.

Students in the district who have participated have outperformed peers by 11 percent on average, as measured by pretesting and state tests as the STAAR assessment taken by fifth graders.

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The program is a team effort, Havens said,

The workbook focuses on important TEKS content objectives essential for the STAAR test. It also includes engaging activities for students at home, reinforcing learning and encouraging parental involvement," she said. "I developed the workbook's content, while Aramco's team handled the graphics and layout. Aramco provides the museum with workbooks for every student and teacher. Additionally, the workbook is available in PDF form on the museum's website for broader access.

Not only has the program provided students with the ideal environment for interactive learning to understand the variety of ecosystems and the interconnectedness of the natural world, but it has also aided students in increasing their test scores and interest in science.

I cannot emphasize enough how significant it is for these kids," Havens said. "Many would likely never visit the museum if it were not for Aramco providing this opportunity. I firmly believe that experiences matter in a childs life."

She remembers what a difference such a visit made in her own life.

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"In 1977, my parents took my siblings and me to the King Tut exhibit. At age 6, I was so captivated by the exhibit that I told them I would work in a museum when I grew up. Well, I have been working at HMNS for the past 27 years. You never know what is going to change the trajectory of a childs life."



How to participate
Galstanian said that his anti-government movement sparked by Pashinians territorial concessions to Azerbaijan is entering an intensive and consistent phase.

We must form a new government which will be merit-based and will become a government of unity, he told the audience that included senior representatives of Armenias main opposition groups.

Galstanian went on to announce that his next rally in Yerevans central Republic Square will take place on October 2. He did not say whether it will be followed by the kind of daily protests which he held in the Armenian capital in May and June. He urged supporters to gear up for a patient struggle for regime change.

His opposition-backed movement was generated by protests that erupted in Armenias northern Tavush province in April following Pashinians decision to cede four local border areas to Azerbaijan. Galstanian, who headed the provincial diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, quickly emerged as their leader.

After failing to scuttle the land transfer, the outspoken archbishop shifted the protests to Yerevan in early May to demand Pashinians resignation. His rallies held there attracted tens of thousands of people. The most recent of them took place on June 17.

Pashinian alleged in May that foreign intelligence agents are involved in the protests. He did not name them. Some of his political allies branded Galstanian as a Russian spy. The 53-year-old clergyman, who also holds Canadian citizenship, laughed off the allegations.

Lawmakers representing Armenias Civil Contract party expressed confidence last month that fresh protests planned by Galstanian will also fail to unseat Pashinian and his government.
23 September 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

A political fray in the UK media has been quite intensive since Foreign Secretary David Lammys Garabagh truth made an explosion in Armenian lobby groups. Looking at the continuous accusations in the local press against Lammy it gives a clear picture that the Armenian lobby has forked out a huge amount of money to leverage media groups in the UK. But this is not only a severe biased propaganda, but also a well-thought-out scenario that can seriously damage the image of the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, a day before the first anniversary of the most successful anti-terror measures conducted by Azerbaijan in the liberated Garabagh, the politicians remark in his first post on his new blog titled Progressive Realism on the website Substack that Azerbaijan has been able to liberate territory it lost in the early 1990s seems to have pained Armenian revanchists.

Of course, the true word could never go unreacted in a situation where democracy is limping.

The first reaction came from Alicia Alexandra Martha Kearns, a British Conservative Party politician, who vehemently criticized the UK Foreign Secretary for expressing the truth which contradicts the backsliding Western democracy. Sharing a post on X Kearns said that Lammys views contradict the long-standing UK policy.

After that, another pro-Armenian politician from London, Laurence Broers, tried to criticise Lammy's views on his X page. Laurence Broers' is famous for his biased investigative articles on the South Caucasus and the Armenia-Azerbaijani conflict, as well as his anti-Azerbaijani speeches. In his published book on the former Garabagh conflict, all opinions were distorted and targeted against Azerbaijan. For this reason, the reaction of someone who surrendered his soul to Armenian lies cannot be more than this.

Great Britain's relations with Azerbaijan in both the political and economic spheres cannot be questioned. However, biased reactions to the truth in the British Parliament literally cast a shadow on the principles of democracy in Great Britain.

Undoubtedly, Great Britain is well aware of all the steps Azerbaijan has taken against the occupation of its territories in three decades. At that time, the attitude of international institutions and a number of legal organisations towards the Armenian occupation was not forgotten. But what about the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan - we wonder whether MP Alicia Kearns, Laurence Broers, who has no notion about the realities in the South Caucasus, or Congressman Brad Sherman, who has become corrupt under the influence of the Armenian lobby, are aware that Garabagh, which Armenia recognises as Azerbaijan's territory, is Azerbaijan's territory? It is a very bizarre contrast that while Armenia confirms that Garabagh is the territory of Azerbaijan, a handful of political mouthpieces of the West cannot accept this. Whether it is their fear or personal interests, in any case, their position undermines the concept of democracy of the country and organisations they represent. According to them, the media can be silenced with bribes or the other side can be sabotaged through that, politicians can be bought, and even the position of the UK Foreign Office can be changed to appease the other party, but what is known is that they will not be able to change the realities in the South Caucasus.

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23 September 2024 10:18 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

A high-level round table on "Climate, Peace, and Human Mobility" was organised at the UN headquarters in New York as part of the UN General Assembly's "High-Level Week," hosted by Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency, Azernews reports.

The meeting was jointly organised by Azerbaijan and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as part of the COP29 presidency. It was attended by representatives of UN member states, UN agencies, ambassadors, and diplomats.

During the session, the Director General of IOM, Amy Pope; the adviser to the negotiating team of the COP29 presidency, Elshad Iskanderov; the ambassador for special tasks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francesco Corvaro; the special envoy of Italy on Climate Change; and Ahmed Abdul-Latif, General Director of the Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, and Peacebuilding of Egypt (CCPA), spoke.

Ambassador Iskanderov emphasised in his speech that one of Azerbaijan's priorities during its COP29 presidency is to contribute to international peace and security. He noted that work is being done with international partners to call for a ceasefire on the eve of COP29. E. Iskanderov highlighted that areas experiencing significant population growth are affected by both climate change and conflicts. In this context, the event organised by Azerbaijan as COP29 president at the UN headquarters aims to provide practical support to countries around the world. The diplomat mentioned that, on Azerbaijan's initiative, November 15 has been designated as "Peace Aid Day," during which a series of events on the topic of peace will be held in Baku. Additionally, within the framework of COP29, the "Baku Climate and Peace Centre" will be established to contribute to global efforts regarding climate change and peace in the future.

Speaking at the session, IOM Director General Amy Pope praised the promotion of the peace agenda in the COP process under Azerbaijan's chairmanship and expressed confidence that tangible results will be achieved on this issue during COP29. She discussed the importance of international assistance to particularly vulnerable populations and the need for preventive measures to ensure that climate change does not lead to conflicts over clean water, air, and fertile land. According to World Bank data, if preventive measures are not taken, ongoing climate changes could force 60 million people to migrate as climate migrants by 2050, which Pope noted is a serious concern.

The meeting facilitated important discussions on critical drivers of climate-related displacement, such as water scarcity, food security, and land degradation. Panellists addressed current challenges and proposed recommendations. The main outcome of the session was an exchange of views on bridging the gaps between climate and peace initiatives, exploring a platform for strengthening ties through joint activities. Discussions included Azerbaijan's preparations for COP29 and the intersection of climate, peace, and human mobility, which will be central topics at the international event hosted by Baku, along with solutions to critical global issues related to climate.

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23 September 2024 11:13 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The China-Europe freight train increase has been disclosed, highlighting the Middle Corridor's growing role.

Access to paid information is limited

Find the plan that suits you best.
23 September 2024 13:18 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijans Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, has stressed the importance of enhancing trade and bilateral ties between the two brotherly nations, Azernews reports.

During his visit to Lahore, the capital of Punjab Province and Pakistans second-largest city, the Ambassador met with Punjab Governor Salim Haider Khan and other senior officials. They discussed strategies for strengthening trade and fostering deeper relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

Governor Khan commended the Ambassador's efforts in facilitating direct flights between the two countries and promoting mutual exports, while also highlighting various investment opportunities in Pakistan.

During a state visit to Pakistan in July, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Pakistani counterpart signed 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements aimed at bolstering cooperation in areas such as trade, science and technology, tourism, air services, and cultural exchanges.

The introduction of direct flights by AZAL and Pakistan International Airlines between Baku, Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore has opened new avenues for tourism, trade, and people-to-people connections, further solidifying the partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

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23 September 2024 14:19 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

A high-level delegation led by Shen Ying, Executive Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), visited the Alat Free Economic Zone and met with Valeh Alasgarov, Chairman of the Board of the Authorised Body of the Zone, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, Alasgarov provided the visitors with extensive information about the favourable environment created for investors in the Zone. He highlighted the Zone's strategic geographical location, unique legislative framework, land plots equipped with ready-to-use internal and external engineering and communication systems, and the comprehensive package of financial and non-financial incentives available to investors.

In response, Shen emphasised the Zone's strategic position and legislative advantages, as well as its well-developed infrastructure and supportive policies. She noted that this area is particularly attractive to investors, especially Chinese investors. She expressed hope that the Federation's members, many of whom are involved in high-tech manufacturing, would take advantage of these benefits and establish their own manufacturing facilities in Alat.

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23 September 2024 14:37 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Azerbaijans Energy Minister, Parviz Shahbazov, has traveled to Germany to participate in the Wind Energy Hamburg conference, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy.

Scheduled for September 24, the international event will gather delegations from European countries alongside leaders from major companies such as Wind Europe, Nordex Group, and LandWind Group, focusing on wind energy development.

Shahbazov is set to deliver a presentation titled "Azerbaijan's Green Energy Export Strategy" during the "Energy Transition" panel, where he will address "Investment and Global Cooperation."

Notably, Azerbaijan's offshore wind energy potential in the Caspian Sea is estimated at 157 GW, the second-largest globally after the North Sea, with plans to develop offshore wind farms aimed at exporting electricity to Europe.

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23 September 2024 16:08 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, under the State Tourism Agency, showcased the countrys luxury tourism offerings at the "Luxury Travel Mart" event held from September 18-20 in Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan, Azernews reports citing the State Tourism Agency.

During the event, B2B meetings were conducted with 25 leading tourism operators and travel agencies from Kazakhstan, focusing on Azerbaijan's luxury tourism products. The presentation included information on the countrys tourism potential, highlighting ski resorts, Baku city tours, health and thermal recreation centers, as well as business and luxury tourism offerings.

A presentation on Azerbaijans main tourist destinations was delivered to 50 tourism agencies during a business breakfast organized as part of the "Luxury Travel Mart." This event provided an excellent platform for strengthening cooperation in tourism and establishing new business relationships. Participants learned about winter sports, cultural tourism, health services, and various tourism experiences available in Azerbaijan.

From January to August of this year, 58,082 visitors from Kazakhstan traveled to Azerbaijan, representing a 64% increase compared to the same period last year.

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23 September 2024 15:49 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The first meeting of the working group on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Slovakia, as well as preparations for an upcoming business forum, were discussed during a meeting between Mikayil Jabbarov, Azerbaijans Minister of Economy, and Denisa Sakova, Slovakias Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy.

Azernews reports that Jabbarov shared details of the meeting on the "X" social account, highlighting discussions on utilizing Azerbaijan's potential to enhance energy security in Central and Southeastern Europe.

He noted that the priorities for economic cooperation included prospects for developing business partnerships, joint activities in the energy sector, cooperation in pharmaceuticals, and the exchange of experience. The meeting aimed to address priority issues on the bilateral economic agenda between the two countries.

During the meeting with Denisa Sakova, Slovakias Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, our discussions centered on the priority issues on the bilateral #economic agenda, including:



 Prospects for developing the #business partnership;



 Opportunities for utilizing pic.twitter.com/U5ctgQ4amG  Mikayil Jabbarov (@MikayilJabbarov) September 23, 2024

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23 September 2024 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Azerbaijan actively participated in discussions focused on the development of the Middle Corridor during the "Meeting with Global Partners - Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Forum," organized by "China Railway Express" in Xi'an, China, Azernews reports.

The delegation, led by Vusal Aslanov, Deputy Chairman of "Azerbaijan Railways" CJSC(ADY), joined representatives from Chinese, Kazakh, and Georgian railways, as well as other permanent members of the International Association for the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

Discussions at the forum centered on three key areas: establishing stable and preferential transport rates in the Trans-Caspian Corridor, ensuring efficient customs clearance and delivery, and implementing infrastructure projects along the route. Topics also included the modernization of terminals and stations, simplification of transit code application processes, unification of documentation standards, and the creation of an integrated digital information system.

During the reporting session, Aslanov highlighted the projects underway in Azerbaijan aimed at enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of the Middle Corridor. He emphasized the significant impact of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway on the corridor's development, noting its annual carrying capacity of 5 million tons, which reshapes the logistics landscape and strengthens the connection between Europe and Asia.

Aslanov reported that 57% of the Horadiz-Aghband section of the Zangazur corridor has been completed, with construction through Iran to commence after design work is finalized. This corridor aims to diversify transit routes along the Middle Corridor, shorten delivery times for goods from China and Central Asia to Europe, and reduce reliance on multimodal transportation after crossing the Caspian Sea.

To enhance the efficiency of the Middle Corridor, ADY has introduced an optimized tariff policy and discounts, with proposals for increasing the number of container trains. Aslanov suggested that subsidies from China for cargo operations could further stimulate corridor development.

At the conclusion of the forum, a cooperation memorandum was signed for "Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd.," a joint venture established by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgian railways, aimed at developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and improving the organization of regular container trains from China. Additionally, an "Initiative on the Joint Construction of a High-Quality Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor" was signed to outline development strategies and cooperation directions.

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Baylor College of Medicine unveiled plans for the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower, a collaborative space for medical education and research planned to open in 2026. The S/L/A/M Collaborative /ARS Longa rendering Baylor College of Medicine unveiled plans for the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower, a collaborative space for medical education and research planned to open in 2026. The S/L/A/M Collaborative /ARS Longa rendering Baylor College of Medicine unveiled plans for the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower, a collaborative space for medical education and research planned to open in 2026. The S/L/A/M Collaborative /ARS Longa rendering

Ever since Baylor College of Medicine unveiled plans for the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower in 2023, multimillion dollar gifts from pillars of Houston's philanthropic community have poured in. Now, the private medical school is just $1 million short of its $150 million goal for the project.

Baylor announced a trio of charitable contributions on Monday including $25 million from the Brown Foundation, $16 million from the DeBakey Medical Foundation and $10 million from the Sarofim Foundation. The DeBakey Medical Foundation previously committed $12 million; the Sarofim Foundation's recent gift will match a $10 million previously committed by Fayez Sarofim, who died in 2022.

The 11-story, 503,000-square-foot education building near Cambridge and Old Spanish Trail marks the first phase of Baylor's Health Sciences Park. The Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower will become the future home of the School of Medicine and School of Health Professions.

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To honor the DeBakey Medical Foundation's increased investment, and additional funding to the DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor's Health Sciences Park will be renamed the Michael E. DeBakey Health Sciences Park. The area will encompass the new Cullen Tower, a future research tower, the Commons building connecting the two, and the existing Jamail Specialty Care Center clinical building.

A lead gift of $30 million from the Cullen Foundation, Cullen Trust for Health Care and Cullen Trust for Higher Education launched construction efforts in June 2023.

Upon completion in 2026, the 800,000-square-foot project will integrate medical education and research next to Baylor Medicine and Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center on the McNair Campus, which is adjacent to Texas Medical Center's 37-acre Helix Park, a hub for healthcare, life sciences and business.

Thanks to tremendous support from the community, we have raised almost $150 million in philanthropy for the new state-of-the-art home for the School of Medicine and School of Health Professions. Cullen Tower isnt just an investment in infrastructure, but an investment in the health and well-being of future generations, said Dr. Paul Klotman, Baylor president, CEO and executive dean, in a statement.
23 September 2024 23:47 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov met with Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Ranger during the high-level week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Azernews reports, citing the press services of the Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed political, economic, energy, cultural, and humanitarian issues, perspectives of multilateral cooperation in bilateral and international organizations, as well as the current regional and international situation between Azerbaijan and Portugal.

The importance of using the mechanism of political consultations in terms of discussing the development prospects of cooperation with Azerbaijan was emphasized.

It was pointed out that Azerbaijan has successfully cooperated with a number of European countries on energy security, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Partnership in the field of energy between Azerbaijan and the European Union is a manifestation of this. In this direction, it was stated that our country is ready for practical cooperation with a number of European countries, including Portugal, on the development of alternative energy sources.

Confidence was expressed that Azerbaijan's hosting of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change, and it was emphasized that it creates wide prospects for expanding cooperation between the two countries.

The importance of the strategic-geographic position of our country, as well as the opportunities created by the projects and initiatives implemented by us in the direction of the development of the Middle Corridor, were mentioned.

J. Bayramov also informed his Portuguese counterpart in detail about the current situation and realities in the region during the post-conflict period, the large-scale restoration and construction works carried out in the territories freed from occupation, the work done in the direction of combating the mine threat, as well as the progress of the normalization and peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In the Armenian constitution, it was emphasized that the ongoing claims against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country are the main obstacle in the peace process.

At the meeting, opinions were also exchanged on other issues of mutual interest.

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23 September 2024 11:55 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

A delegation led by Fuad Nagiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency, participated in the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting and the 4th session of the Tourism Working Group held in Belem, Brazil, from September 19 to 21, Azernews reports.

F. Nagiyev delivered a speech at the event, informing the audience about the inclusion of tourism in the thematic agenda for the first time in COP history, within the framework of the 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) to be held in Baku from November 11 to 22. This inclusion is a result of the cooperation between the COP29 Presidency, the State Tourism Agency, and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). He also provided details on the planned Tourism Ministers Meeting and related thematic events on November 20. F. Nagiyev invited the G20 tourism ministers to Baku and emphasized the importance of the "Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism," which is expected to be adopted during COP29.

In his speech, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted the significance of this initiative, marking the first time the tourism sector has been addressed in COP history. He stressed its importance for the tourism sectors of G20 and other countries, calling for support for the initiative.

During the UNWTO Sustainability Forum, organized as part of the event, Kenan Gasimov, Head of the Agencys Office, participated in a dialogue dedicated to the development of sustainable tourism. He emphasized the contributions that tourism can make in the fight against global climate change and the importance of sustainable tourism. He also informed participants about Azerbaijan's experience, existing opportunities, and challenges in the field of sustainable tourism.

Bilateral meetings were held during the G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting with UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, Spain's Minister of Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu Boher, Brazil's Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino, Italy's Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanche, China's Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Zhang Zheng, and Czech Republic's Deputy Minister for Regional Development Jan Fluxa. Additionally, F. Nagiyev participated in a trilateral meeting with Brazil's Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino and the UAE's Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. In these meetings, F. Nagiyev provided further details on the "Tourism Day" events within COP29 and invited his counterparts to the First Meeting of Tourism Ministers on November 20.

A stand dedicated to COP29, hosted by Azerbaijan, was set up at the event venue. Visitors were informed about the COP29 and the Tourism Day events.

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23 September 2024 22:11 (UTC+04:00)

At the invitation of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, on September 23, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov paid a visit to our country to participate in the 5th Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition "ADEX".

Azernews reports that as part of the visit, it is planned to discuss military cooperation between the two countries, regional security and a number of other issues of mutual interest.

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23 September 2024 23:55 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Xavier Bettel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg within the framework of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by the ministry on X.

Pleased to meet with @Xavier_Bettel, Vice Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of #Luxembourg , on the sidelines of #UNGA79.

Such gatherings contribute to discussion of issues of mutual interest, as well as prospects of cooperation between our pic.twitter.com/VLvKIZ16YW  Jeyhun Bayramov (@Bayramov_Jeyhun) September 23, 2024

The parties exchanged views on the development prospects of cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Bayramov informed about the post-conflict situation in the South Caucasus and the realities in the region, including the current state of the peace and normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

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23 September 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani civil society representatives actively participate in the work of the UN "Summit of the Future", Azernews reports, citing the information shared by the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations.

It was noted that members of the COP29 Organizing Committee - Gulshan Akhundova, Chairman of the "Women, Development, Future" Public Union, Maryam Majidova, Chairman of the "Gender Hub" Public Union, Shabnam Mammadova, founder of the "SmartNation" platform, as well as Amin, co-founder of the "Environmental Protection First" Coalition. Mammadov, head of "Baku Initiative Group" Abbas Abbasov, representative of "Return to Karabagh" Public Union Gulmammad Mammadov participated in various panels within the framework of the summit and Action Days.

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22 September 2024 21:57 (UTC+04:00)

The Gubadli military prosecutor's office opened a criminal case under Article 120.1 (Intentional murder) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, regarding the death of Azerbaijani soldier Musa Bayramov.

Recall that the Gubadli military prosecutor's office received information about the death of soldier Bayramov Musa yesterday, a soldier of the number N military unit of the Ministry of Defense, as a result of a fire from a firearm.

Following the fact, the employees of the Gubadli military prosecutor's Office and the Criminalistics and Information Technologies Department of the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan inspected the scene and the body, took the items important for the case as material evidence, and performed other actions.

Furthermore, witnesses were interrogated, various expertises were appointed, directed to execution, and immediate necessary investigative actions were carried out.

Currently, the investigation is ongoing, and all measures will be taken in accordance with the requirements of the legislation, including a legal evaluation of each act and fact.

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23 September 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

The COP29 President-Designate, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev, discussed the prevention of marine environment pollution by plastic waste with Inger Andersen, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Executive Director of the Environmental Program (UNEP) within the framework of the "High-Level Week" of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. Azernews reports that during the discussion, the sides also focused on cooperation in the issues of the change of the water level of the Caspian Sea.

"Within the weekly events held in New York within the framework of the UN BA, the COP29 presidency had a productive discussion with UNEP executive director Andersen Inger. They discussed cooperation in the issues of eliminating plastic pollution in the marine environment and changing the water level of the Caspian Sea," the information said.

At the same time, the COP29 president-elect met with Mafalda Duarte, executive director of the Green Climate Fund, to discuss climate finance.

In addition, the Minister of Ecology had a meeting with John Denton, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce. The parties discussed how the private sector contributes to climate change.

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23 September 2024 10:54 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

We strongly condemn the biased and slanderous statement made by Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, on September 22 against Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing Western Azerbaijan Community's statement.

The statement reads: "In her statement, the Canadian minister makes an unfounded accusation that Armenians are allegedly being forcibly displaced from Azerbaijan's Garabagh region, adopting a position that contradicts Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and aims to create tensions in the region.

Canada, which has turned a blind eye to Armenia's ethnic cleansing of one million Azerbaijanis, its 30-year occupation and plundering of Azerbaijani territories, and its prevention of the return of hundreds of thousands of Western Azerbaijanis, has no moral right to speak on humanitarian issues.

All of this demonstrates that Canada is unwilling to accept Azerbaijan's full restoration of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is attempting to reignite conflict in the region.

We would like to remind the Canadian minister, who invokes the principle of 'self-determination' to address a problem that no longer exists, that this principle is relevant not to the issue she claims, but to the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to their native lands and the guarantee of their rights there.

As the Western Azerbaijan Community, we firmly denounce this infamous statement and demand that the Canadian government retract it, and respect Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to safely return to their homes."

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23 September 2024 12:34 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

A great opportunity for peace has emerged in the South Caucasus, Azernews reports, citing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoghan, as he stated during his visit to the Turkish House in the U.S.

He noted that permanent peace and stability in the region could be achieved together with Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Erdoghan also mentioned that Turkiye is expanding its influence in different regions through its constructive stance in the Balkans and its diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East.

Recall that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in the United States on Saturday, where he was scheduled to address the 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly this week. The Turkish leader received a warm welcome from the Turkish community in the country as he visited Turkish House (Turkevi) in New York.

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23 September 2024 17:54 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has organized a vibrant flash mob to commemorate the National Music Day, Azernews reports.

This special event brought together not only music enthusiasts but also distinguished guests, including Rena Suleymanova, a skilled weaver from the museum's traditional technologies department.

The celebration was further enhanced by the participation of talented students from the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, with Lazim Agayev, who thrilled the audience on the naghara, Ali Rustambayli showcasing his skill on the kamancha, and Muhammad Hidayatli enchanting everyone with his performance on the tar.

It is noteworthy that the National Music Day, celebrated on September 18, holds significant historical importance in Azerbaijan.

The occasion was officially recognized at the state level in 1995 when the renowned leader Heydar Aliyev signed a decree establishing this day as a time for national pride and cultural expression.

September 18 marks the birthday of the illustrious composer, musicologist, and teacher Uzeyir Hajibayli (1885-1948), who is celebrated as the founder of Azerbaijani professional musical art.

This day is also remembered for the birth of another musical giant, Muslim Magomayev Sr. (1885-1937), whose work has left an indelible mark on Azerbaijani music.

The lively atmosphere of the museum, infused with traditional music and skilled performances, left no one indifferent.

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum holds more than 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, the museum is beautiful inside and out.

The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet. Now, the museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences, and various exhibitions.

In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to promoting Azerbaijani carpet weaving art.

In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with a beautiful pile of carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy.

The 19th-century Guba carpet "Ugakh" was donated to the Carpet Museum, while the Garabagh carpet "Chelebi" enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch.

For four years, the Carpet Museum won the Travellers' Choice Awards. The award proves once again that the professional activity of the National Carpet Museum is highly appreciated by visitors from all over the world.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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Chef Jassi Bindra plates charred octopus in the kitchen at Amrina on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 in The Woodlands. Bindra was featured in a recent episode of Chopped, in which he won. After winning an episode on Food Network's "Chopped" in August 2023, Jassi Bindra, an executive chef from The Woodlands, will return to the show's "Legends" tournament. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

After winning an episode on Food Network's "Chopped" in August 2023, Jassi Bindra, an executive chef from The Woodlands, will return to the show's "Legends" tournament.

'Chopped Legends' tournament

Chef Jassi Bindra sprays the Whiskey Naan photographed at Amrina The Woodlands on Friday, June 9, 2023 in The Woodlands. After winning an episode on Food Network's "Chopped" in August 2023, Jassi Bindra, an executive chef from The Woodlands, will return to the show's "Legends" tournament. Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Bindra is the chef at Amrina in The Woodlands. He will be featured Tuesday night on Food Network's "Chopped Legends." Show judge Maneet Chauhan chose Bindra and three other returning champions to compete in the "Chopped Legends" tournament.

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The show airs at 7 p.m. central time on the Food Network. New episodes are released on Tuesdays.

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"These are chefs who have impressed us by their stellar performance in the kitchen. These are the chefs that we are going to mentor. For the grand finale there will be four of these chefs with four of these judges as their sous chefs battling it out," said Chauhan in a video discussing the episode. "This is so exciting and so crazy. This has never ever happened before. The stakes are so high and all of our judges reputations are on the line."

Amrina plans watch party

Amrina, at 3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 100, The Woodlands is hosting a watch party for the episode. Reservations for the watch party may be made through OpenTable. The restaurant will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. for happy hour. Dinner service is from 5 to 9 p.m.

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Before crafting the Amrina concept alongside co-owners and brothers Surpreet and Preet Paul Singh in 2022, Bindra spent several years at the Michelin Guide-featured Northern Indian restaurant Punjab Grill in Washington, D.C.

Chef Jassi Bindras charred octopus is shown in the kitchen at Amrina on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 in The Woodlands. Bindra was featured in a recent episode of Chopped, in which he won. After winning an episode on Food Network's "Chopped" in August 2023, Jassi Bindra, an executive chef from The Woodlands, will return to the show's "Legends" tournament. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Throughout his "Chopped" episode, Bindra emphasized his commitment to win for his parents, who supported his decision to become a chef and eventually move from India to the U.S. to continue his career.

The final, 30-minute dessert round of his episode saw Bindra face off against James Beard semifinalist Rachel McGill. Bindra stayed true to his roots and whipped up a creamy fortune cookie rabri with a gooseberry-candied blue hubbard squash brulee and emerged the winner.

Woodlands charity could benefit

In the Tuesday episode, the four chefs will cook with Nashville flavoring, feature an Indian dessert and a frozen cocktail. The winner gets to compete with Maneet as their sous chef in the tournament's grand finale, with $25,000 cash and $25,000 for charity at stake.

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Should Bindra win the challenge, Interfaith of The Woodlands is the benefiting charity. Interfaith of The Woodlands is a nonprofit social service agency providing family, child, work and senior programs and services the surrounding area.

Chef Jassi Bindras tuna tartare is shown in the kitchen at Amrina on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 in The Woodlands. Bindra was featured in a recent episode of Chopped, in which he won. After winning an episode on Food Network's "Chopped" in August 2023, Jassi Bindra, an executive chef from The Woodlands, will return to the show's "Legends" tournament. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

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Bindra selected Interfaith because the nonprofit organization turned 50 in 2023.

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23 September 2024 12:39 (UTC+04:00)

The complete restoration of our sovereignty as a result of the Second Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation opens up new opportunities and horizons for the country, Azernews reports, citing President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the first session of the seventh convocation of the Milli Majlis.

He noted that the thirty years of occupation are now behind and emphasized that the country is embarking on large-scale reconstruction and development efforts, with visible results. "In the past 3-4 years, our international standing has strengthened significantly. We have been able to gain worldwide acceptance of the outcomes of the Second Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation," the President stated.

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23 September 2024 13:51 (UTC+04:00)

We are determined to further expand and strengthen Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia relations in all areas, particularly in economic, trade, energy, tourism, humanitarian, and other sectors, Azernews reports, citing President Ilham Aliyev as he said in his congratulatory letter to King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the occasion of the Proclamation of the Kingdom.

Azerbaijan places great emphasis on its relations with Saudi Arabia, with which it shares common religious and cultural roots. The current level of our interstate relations is strengthened by the deep mutual respect, and trust between our brotherly nations. It is gratifying that our relations stemming from an unbreakable will have developed comprehensively over the years to reach their current level. I would like to particularly highlight your personal contributions to strengthening Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia relations. The Azerbaijani people will never forget Saudi Arabias consistent support for and fair position on our countrys territorial integrity, sovereignty, and inviolability of its internationally recognized borders.

We are determined to further expand and strengthen Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia relations in all areas, particularly in economic, trade, energy, tourism, humanitarian, and other sectors. The high-level mutual understanding provides a solid foundation for deepening our relations in various fields. The successful and continuous energy cooperation remains one of the key pillars of our relations with Saudi Arabia. We highly value the operations of "ACWA Power," representing your country in Azerbaijans alternative and renewable energy sector. Our effective cooperation and mutual support within international organizations are also important elements of our relations, the letter said.

The head of state expressed confidence that, based on mutual trust and support, joint efforts to further the Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia partnership will continue consistently, in line with the interests of the two states and peoples.

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23 September 2024 13:48 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia, on the occasion of the country's National Day, Azernews reports.

"Your Majesty,

Dear Brother,

On the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  the Proclamation of the Kingdom, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and offer my best and sincerest wishes to you and, through you, to the entire people of Saudi Arabia, on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan places great emphasis on its relations with Saudi Arabia, with which it shares common religious and cultural roots. The current level of our interstate relations is strengthened by the deep mutual respect, and trust between our brotherly nations. It is gratifying that our relations stemming from an unbreakable will have developed comprehensively over the years to reach their current level. I would like to particularly highlight your personal contributions to strengthening Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia relations.

The Azerbaijani people will never forget Saudi Arabias consistent support for and fair position on our countrys territorial integrity, sovereignty, and inviolability of its internationally recognized borders.

We are determined to further expand and strengthen Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia relations in all areas, particularly in economic, trade, energy, tourism, humanitarian, and other sectors. The high-level mutual understanding provides a solid foundation for deepening our relations in various fields. The successful and continuous energy cooperation remains one of the key pillars of our relations with Saudi Arabia. We highly value the operations of "ACWA Power," representing your country in Azerbaijans alternative and renewable energy sector.

Our effective cooperation and mutual support within international organizations are also important elements of our relations.

I am confident that, based on mutual trust and support, our joint efforts to further the Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia partnership will continue consistently, in line with the interests of our states and peoples.

On this festive occasion, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and continued peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia," the letter reads.

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23 September 2024 16:24 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian over the numerous human casualties caused by an explosion at a coal mine in the town of Tabas, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"Dear Mr. President,

We were deeply shocked by the news of numerous casualties as a result of an explosion at a coal mine in the city of Tabas.

I share your grief over this tragedy, and on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, extend my deepest condolences to you, the relatives and loved ones of those who died, and all the people of Iran, and wish the injured a recovery.

May Allah rest their souls in peace!

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 23 September 2024"

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23 September 2024 19:51 (UTC+04:00)

Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Erol Ozvar, President of the Council of Higher Education of Turkiye, Azernews reports, citing Azertag.

During the meeting, the sides hailed the successful development of strategic partnership and allied relations between the two countries across all domains.

The parties commended the dynamics of relations in the field of education and the results of the long-term effective cooperation between the two countries higher education institutions and scientific research centers.

They stressed the importance of the establishment of the Turkiye-Azerbaijan University (TAU), emphasizing that the projects involves the leading higher education institutions of the two countries.

About 90 students enrolled in the Turkiye-Azerbaijan University, which started operating since the 2024-2025 academic year, will study in computer engineering, industrial engineering, and food engineering specialties.

The meeting also saw discussions on the current issues related to the activities of Turkiye-Azerbaijan University, as well as prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of science and education between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Azerbaijans Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev, as well as rectors of the leading higher education institutions of Turkiye and rector of Azerbaijan Technical University.

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23 September 2024 20:38 (UTC+04:00)

A tree-planting campaign was held in the Khatai district of Baku on September 23.

Azernews reports that the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and founder and head of IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva, and their family members participated in a tree-planting event.

Approximately 1000 Eldar pines were planted in the Ganjlik park in the Khatai district of Baku. Volunteers from the "Regional Development" Public Union of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and COP29 took part in the campaign.

Ganjlik Park occupies an area of 43 hectares. On November 11, 2019, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended a tree-planting campaign as part of the Unite for the sake of nature! Unite for the sake of life! project in the new Ganjlik park built by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The head of state gave relevant instructions regarding the implementation of improvement works in this area, which had fallen into disrepair.

Commissioned on August 26, 2021, Ganjlik park, is not only a comfortable place for people to rest, but it also contributes to the ecological environment of the capital Baku.

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23 September 2024 21:40 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The European Union's underground gas storage levels have exceeded 93.5%, nearing 104 billion cubic meters, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), Azernews reports.

The current capacity is 93.63%, which is 5.03 percentage points above the five-year average for this date.

Its important to note that Azerbaijani gas has been flowing to Europe through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) since December 31, 2020, contributing to the region's energy supply. The project is operated by a Swiss joint venture and owned by BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (20%) and Enagas (20%).

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23 September 2024 19:44 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Samsung, a South Korean company, plans to invest $1.8 billion in the construction of an OLED display manufacturing plant in Vietnam, Azernews reports.

The new enterprise will be built in the north of the country next to another existing Samsung plant.

Over the past decade, Vietnam has become one of the most popular locations for manufacturing technology companies. Thus, Samsung has so far placed six factories in this country, as well as a research and development center. The volume of investments of the South Korean corporation in Vietnam reached $ 22.4 billion.

It is worth noting that Samsung announced that its operating profit in the second quarter of 2024 reached 10.4 trillion won (about 7.5 billion dollars), which is 15 times more than in the same period last year. In the second quarter of 2023, this figure amounted to 668 billion won (487 million dollars).

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23 September 2024 20:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Scientists from China, France, Portugal, Belgium and other countries gathered for the opening ceremony of the 23rd joint international scientific expedition to Asia's longest Shuangge Cave in Guizhou Province in southwestern China, Azernews reports.

The expedition is scheduled to take place from October 7 to 24, and the results of the archaeological finds will be announced on October 24. Previous scientific expeditions have discovered 44 individual fossils of giant pandas. The oldest of them dates back 100,000 years ago, and the most recent is several hundred years ago.

The fossils prove that Guizhou was once home to giant pandas. Currently, it is known that these animals live in the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Zhou Wenlong, deputy secretary general of the Guizhou Archaeological Association, said the upcoming expedition will continue to study the cave's origin, formation and evolution.

According to the results of the joint expedition in 2023, the cave network has 107 sites connected to each other. Its length is 409.9 kilometers, which makes the cave the longest in Asia and the third largest in the world. It is also the longest dolomite cave in the world.

Jean Bottazzi, a French archaeologist with more than thirty years of cave research experience in China, will lead the upcoming cave research. He calls Shuangge Cave his second home. According to the archaeologist, since the late 1980s, during excavations conducted in the cave by Chinese and foreign experts, many cave fossils and living organisms have been discovered, providing rich and valuable scientific material. During this year's scientific expedition, Suiyang County, which manages the cave area, is organizing a photo contest and short videos on geological science to promote the cave geological park.

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Chinas core maternal and child health indicators continue to improve

Global Times) 08:38, September 23, 2024

China's core maternal and child health indicators have improved steadily in recent years, now ranking among the top in middle- and high-income countries, according to the Third China Maternal and Child Health Academic Conference held in South China's Hainan Province from Friday to Saturday.

The national maternal mortality rate, infant mortality rate and mortality rate of children under five have all reached record lows, according to Liang Xiaofeng, the vice president of Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, during the conference.

In 2023, the infant mortality rate dropped below 4.5 per 1,000 births for the first time, reaching the advanced levels of middle- and high-income countries, Liang added.

Participants at the conference emphasized that maternal and child health is the cornerstone of national health.

Decades of effort have significantly improved the level of maternal and child health in China, with continued advancements in maternal healthcare standards, according to Xinhua.

China currently operates 3,082 maternity and childcare institutions, 158 children's hospitals, and has 3,364 centers for maternal rescue and 3,070 centers for critically ill newborns, according to Xinhua.

The national hospital birth rate has reached 99.9 percent, and cervical and breast cancer screenings now cover over 90 percent of the population.

In addition, Statistics show that since the National Health Commission's nutrition improvement program began in 2012, anemia and growth retardation rates among infants aged six to 24 months in less developed areas have decreased by 71.7 percent and 74.3 percent, respectively, according to Xinhua.

Pre-pregnancy health check-ups and folic acid supplementation have been included in the national basic public service standards.

"At the same time, we should realize that there are still challenges to maternal and child health," Liang said.

Liang noted that the health demands of women and children are becoming more diversified and specialized, which requires people to adopt innovative ways of thinking, models, and technologies, in an effort to build a high-quality maternal and child health service system that matches the requirements of Chinese modernization.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Longtime community activist and beloved trailblazer Judge Zinetta Burney died Sunday at the age of 83. Courtesy photo

Longtime community activist and beloved trailblazer Judge Zinetta Burney died Sunday at the age of 83.

Burney was known for her determined spirit and ability to open doors for those behind her. She founded the first African American female law firm in the U.S. alongside attorneys Joan Edwards, Shelvin Louise Hall, Haroldeen Hartsfield, and Algenita Scott Davis, better known as "The Sisters in Law."

The female-owned practice led by Burney would stay open until 9 p.m. serving the Acres Home community that had lost its local law services, Davis said. The law firm was a testimony of her selfless character.

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"She represented a lot of people who did not have the money to pay her," Davis said.

Davis said Burney always put others before herself, even when it wasn't easy.

The Reverend J. Don Boney and his attorney, Zinetta Burney, appear Tuesday at a brief examining trial on cocaine possession charges filed last month against the black activist in this 1998 Hearst Media file photo. Larry Reese/Houston Chronicle

"She knew of this family that needed some help, so she would go buy groceries all the time," she said. "Zinetta didn't always have a lot of money, and I remember one time she had just taken the groceries out of the car for this family, and she went home and she turned the light switch on and her lights were off, because she prioritized other people over herself, and she was consistent about that continuously."

Born in 1941, Burney grew up in a segregated Third Ward community in the heart of Houston. She was married in 1957 and gave birth at 17 to her daughter, Sharon.

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Sharon Burney hugs mother Judge Zinetta Burney after she was sworn-in by U.S. District Court Judge Vanessa Gilmore Sunday, January 2, 2005 in Houston. Former Mayor Lee P. Brown and other dignitaries were present for her oath of office in Precinct 7. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle

Sharon said she remembers her mother as a hard worker. After attending night school to earn her GED through Houston ISD, Burney became a licensed vocational nurse and worked the night shift at a local hospital. During the day, Sharon said her mother would attend classes at Texas Southern University, where she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and graduated with a mathematics degree in 1967.

Burney later returned to the university to earn her law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at 34. Sharon later also earned her law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

"I used to laugh and tell them I went to law school twice because being a single parent when she'd go to law school ... I'd sit and do my homework and color at the back of the classroom," Sharon said.

University of Houston's new Board of Regents members sworn in are Zinetta Burney, Wilhelmina Morian and John Jay Moores by Judge Raul Gonzales in this 1991 Hearst Media file photo. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle

Burney's dedication to her community was demonstrated through her positions on numerous boards, including the Housing Authority of the city of Houston and the University of Houston Board of Regents, where she became the first female African American regent following an appointment by then-Gov. Ann Richards in 1991.

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Vanessa Gilmore, former U.S. district judge and University of Houston Law Center graduate, can't recall how or when she first met Zinetta because it felt like she had always known her.

"How wouldn't I know her?" she said. "She was such a force of nature in the community that everybody, all young African American female lawyers, knew who she was and knew the kind of work she was doing in the community."

May Walker, former Precinct 7 Constable A.B. Chambers and Judge Zinetta Burney after Walker and Burney were sworn-in by U.S. District Court Judge Vanessa Gilmore Sunday, January 2, 2005 in Houston. Walker is the first female and first African-American woman constable of Harris County. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle

As presiding judge of Harris County Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 7, Place 2 for 15 years, Burney displayed devotion to her community through her tireless work to improve it, Gilmore said. But, she also understood when it was time to pass the torch.

Houston Cuney Homes, a development owned by the Housing Authority of the City of Houston, is getting a much needed facelift. Studying architectural plans are, from left, Joy Fitzgerald, the authority's executive Director; Diane Scheffield, resident Council president of Cuney Homes; and Zinetta Burney, chairwoman of the Authority's board of commissioners in this 1991 Hearst Media file photo. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle As the Houston Area Urban League approaches its 25th anniversary in 1993, University of Houston System Chancellor Alexander Schilt and UH regent Zinetta Burney, right welcomed some 100 guests to the system's Wortham House Tuesday in celebration of the upcoming milestone. Among guests was Sylvia Brooks, left, president and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League. Houston Area Urban League. Sheila Cunningham Attorneys Don Caggins and Zinetta Burney talk to reporters in this 1982 Hearst Media file photo. Sandra Shriver/Houston Chronicle Lawyer Zinetta Burney photographed in 1992. Houston Staff Photo/Houston Post Judge Zinetta Burney and daughter Sharon Burney smile after she was sworn-in by U.S. District Court Judge Vanessa Gilmore Sunday, January 2, 2005 in Houston. Former Mayor Lee P. Brown and other dignitaries were present for her oath of office in Precinct 7. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle Judge Zinetta Burney and May Walker were sworn-in by U.S. District Court Judge Vanessa Gilmore Sunday, January 2, 2005 in Houston. Walker is the first female and first African American woman Constable of Harris County. Former Mayor Lee P. Brown and other dignitaries were present for their oath of offices in Precinct 7. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle

In 2019, during a ceremony at Emancipation Park, Burney passed her robe to Sharon, as she was sworn in as judge of Harris County Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 7, Place 2. Gilmore swore in Sharon just as she had sworn in her mother a decade and a half earlier.

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"That's part of the legacy that she leaves behind, that she understood that it was her responsibility to make a way for young people," Gilmore said. "That's what she did when she was on the board of regents. That's what she did in a lot of the community work that she did, making a way for other people to succeed."
Oregon Shores' Toast to the Coast Cruise in Portland Benefits Beaches, Volunteer Group

Published 9/22/24 at 5:35 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Portland, Oregon)  Live jazz aboard a boat cruising the Willamette River, with seafood from the coast and a one-of-a-kind experience: yes please. (Photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

It's all part of the Toast to the Coast Willamette River Cruise, happening October 19, where attendees get to engage in a unique boat trip along the scenic waterways in and around Portland and enjoy an open bar on the waves. The event is a fundraiser for Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, the volunteer group that keeps an eye on the Oregon coast and has helped ensure its recreational use many times in the past.

Tickets are now on sale for the Toast to the Coast Willamette River Cruise on that Saturday, which features an evening ride along the river to a jazz trio, an open bar and delicious seafood from this coastline. It also provides a silent auction with exclusive coastal experiences, art, and absolutely distinctive items for sale, with all proceeds going to support Oregon Shores mission to protect Oregons coastal ecosystems and communities.

The event starts at the Portland Spirits Caruthers Landing (110 SE Caruthers St) at 6 p.m., then gives guests a breathtaking view of the Willamette River while digging into a special menu of incomparable Oregon and coastal ingredients. As the cruise gets underway, you can bid on various auction items, including guided coastal tours, coastal artwork, and exclusive eco-adventure packages.





Oregon Shores is on the receiving end of all proceeds, a group which has historically provided integral efforts in preserving the health of the Oregon coast's ecosystems and environments through advocacy, education and conservation. It's been a major force behind the creation of areas like the 804 Trail at Yachats, Coquille Point's public access in Bandon, as well as Sikta Sedge State Natural Area and Clay Meyers State Natural Area near Pacific City.

Behind the scenes, this group has been a major player in keeping the coastline freed up for recreation.



Whalen Island Park, Pacific City (Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

Toast to the Coast is more than just an evening out; its a chance to celebrate Oregons beautiful coastline and impact its future, said Elise Newman, Oregon Shores Executive Director. This event is vital to supporting our conservation initiatives, and were excited to offer our community an unforgettable experience while supporting a great cause.

About the Cruise Ship

The Willamette Star was built in '96 in Wisconsin, assembled in Boardman, Oregon and then sailed from there to its home in Portland. Its maiden voyage was in March, 1996.



804 Trail

In February 2003, the Willamette Star underwent a significant transformation. The ship was sliced in half, and an 18-foot section was seamlessly integrated into its midsection, extending its overall length from 75 to 93 feet. This expansion allowed for more passengers, with the seating capacity growing from 65 to accommodate up to 100 people. Notable enhancements included a permanent bus station, a buffet area, a walk-in cooler, and upgrades to the Columbia Deck. Fast-forward to 2023, and the vessel received yet another update - this time with fresh carpeting and new chairs.

Event Details

The ship begins boarding at 5:15 p.m., with the cruise going from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tickets: Available for purchase: https://oregonshores.org/toast/

For more information about Oregon Shores, contact Elise Newman, Executive Director, elise@oregonshores.org.

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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Populist nationalist anti-immigration parties of both the right and left gained seats and vote share in the landtag (parliament) election in the German state of Brandenburg, while two of the three national left-liberal coalition parties crashed out of the landtag completely.. The traditional conservative CDU lost a few seats while the lead party in the national coalition did better than expected after its local leader moved to the right and started criticizing the national leadership of his own party.

The populist nationalist anti-immigration right Altenative fur Deutschland (AfD) gained 7 new seats for a total of 30 with 29.7% of the vote, coming in second. They won enough seats to hold a "Blocking minority" to stop all landtag votes that require a supermajority. In third place was the BSW, a populist and nationalist party of the left which is anti-immigration, anti-globalist, and anti-woke but takes leftwing positions on other issues, with 14 seats and 13.3% of the vote.

Crashing out of the Brandenburg landtag and winning no seats were two of the parties in the national left-liberal coalition, the Green Party and the Free Democrats. Also losing all of its seats was the far left Left Party. The Green Party also lost all of its seats in the recent state election in Thuringia.

Of the two large establishment parties, the center-left Social Democrats, who led the outgoing state government in Brandenburg won 32 seat, coming in first, and the traditional conservative Christian Democrats ran fourth with 12 seats, a loss of 3.

This is the third and last German state election this year. All have seen advances by both the right and left populists.. The AfD won Thuriniga and ran a close second in Saxony and Brandenburg. The BSW has run third in all three states.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/huge-success-for-populist-parties-in-brandenburg/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/21/how-migration-became-rallying-cry-german-far-left/

In the Czech Republic, the populist / nationalist anti-immigration ANO party topped the nine parliamentary parties winning regional government seats in a landslide while the most leftwing parties suffered major losses. Traditional conservatives also gained. ANO is led by Czech billionaire Andrej Babis who was nicknamed "the Czech Trump" when he was prime minister.

Of the 675 regional government seats, ANO came in a strong first place with 292 seats, a gain of 120 from the last election, while the traditional conservative Civic Democrats, who lead the current national government, ran second at 106 seats, a gain of 8. The biggest losers in the election were the leftwing Pirate Party which lost 96 of the 99 seats it previously held, leaving it with 3, and Social Democrats which lost 21 or the 34 seats it previsouly held, leaving it with 13. It is projected that ANO will gain control with allies of 10 of the Czech Republic's 13 regional governments. A populist nationalist party to the right of ANO, Freedom and Direct Democracy, which advocates a referendum on leaving the EU and banning mosques gained 7 seats for a new total of 32, running fifth in the election.

Overall, in regional government races, parties of the populist nationalist right won 324 seats, while traditional right and center-right parties won 264 seats, and the left and center left won 48 seats. Independents, local parties, and non-parliatmentary national parties won a total of 39 seats.

Elections were also held at the same time for 27 seats in the Czech Senate, with 5 seats achieiving a majority and 22 moving on to a runoff. Of the five senators elected outright, ANO won two, the center-right Christian Democrats one, a right leaning independent one, and the Social Democrats one. ANO won runoff slots in 19 of the 22 runoffs.

While ANO was expected to win, its margin was much larger than anticipated and is a strong sign for national parliamentary elections next year. ANO also handily won the EU parliamentary election in the Czech Republic earlier this year.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/babiss-sovereigntist-ano-wins-czech-regional-elections-in-a-landslide/

https://rmx.news/article/czechia-babis-reflects-on-recent-election-success-looks-ahead-to-key-vote-next-year/
Here are three anesthesiologists who have made headlines in the last two weeks:

1. The sentencing for Raynaldo Ortiz Jr., MD, a former anesthesiologist at Baylor Scott & White Surgicare North Dallas who is accused of tampering with IV bags, has been delayed for the fourth time. Dr. Ortiz was found guilty in April on 10 counts of tampering with IV bags and the adulteration of drugs and faces up to 190 years in prison. The Texas Medical Board temporarily suspended his license in April.

Dr. Ortiz was accused of injecting drugs into five IV bags and putting them in a warming bin in August 2022. Four patients suffered cardiac emergencies. He is also suspected in 13 other unexplained emergencies between May and August 2022 but was charged with tampering causing serious bodily injury to only four patients.

2. Louisville anesthesiologist Erek Davodwich, MD, has pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to issue pre-signed and unsigned prescriptions for Schedule II drugs. Dr. Davodwich intentionally conspired with others at his medical practice to use a DEA number issued to another person to prescribe drugs.

3. Deerfield, Ill.-based Baxter Health is expanding their anesthesiology coverage with the hiring of Rosa Lopez-Rincon, MD. Dr. Lopez-Rincon previously worked as a consultant anesthesiologist at University Hospital La Fe in Valencia, Spain, A1-Takhasussi Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and University Hospital of Albacete (Spain).
Healthcare jobs are the most likely to include signing bonuses among all job posts on Indeed.com, according to The Wall Street Journal, and surgery centers are still using them to attract talent.

During the pandemic when competition for nurses in particular heated up, hospitals offered five- and six-figure signing bonuses, and more ASCs began offering them as well. The market has cooled since then, but some surgery centers still list signing bonuses on the job descriptions.

Current ASC nurse openings with signing bonuses include:

Franciscan Orthopedic Surgery Center in Carmel, Ind., is offering up to $7,500 signing bonus for a registered nurse to work eight or 10 hour shifts at the center.

DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit is searching for a full time RN at its Berry Surgery Center with up to $25,000 sign-on bonus based on experience.

University of Iowa in Iowa City is searching for a staff nurse with up to a $10,000 sign-on bonus based on experience.

Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare is looking for an RN to join their general surgery clinic with a $5,000 sign-on bonus

Even if the job description doesn't include a signing bonus, some are pulling them in anyway. The Journal reported around 70% of people who received a signing bonus in the last two years requested it after receiving an initial offer.
Houston Chronicle

A former FBI agent has pleaded guilty to theft after stealing from multiple Houston residences while executing search warrants, including against one man who was sentenced for taking part in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani announced in a Monday news release.

Nicholas Anthony Williams worked as an FBI special agent in the Houston Field Office since 2019, serving on both the criminal violent gang and counterterrorism squads. In January, Williams was indicted for stealing property and money from residences while conducting searches in his official capacity as an FBI agent. He was convicted for both theft and providing false statements after several fraudulent charges were also discovered on his government-issued credit card, according to the release.

One of the men he stole from was Alexander Fan, a Houston man who was sentenced to one year of probation for climbing into an office through a broken window and remaining in the office. He filed a complaint regarding missing cash and silver after the search of his home.

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"Nicholas Williams betrayed that legacy and the communitys trust when he decided to pad his own pockets at the expense of a citizens rights," Hamdani said. "Because no one is above the law, the system of justice that he once swore to protect will now seek to hold him to account for breaking that oath."

The former FBI agent also faced charges for two other instances of theft during searches which took place in March 2022 and January 2023.
Husband and wife John Johnson, MD, and Paula Johnson, MD, of Hollidaysburg, Pa., were sentenced for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and healthcare fraud conspiracy.

In 2016, Dr. John Johnson entered into an agreement with other individuals to illegally bill health insurance companies for expensive urine drug tests, according to a Sept. 20 news release from the Justice Department.

Dr. John Johnson and his business partner Rodney Yentzer carried out the scheme through multiple pain management practices throughout Pennsylvania, Lighthouse Medical and Pain Medicine of York.

Lighthouse Medical sold its urine drug test laboratory services to a critical access hospital on the Florida-Alabama border. The hospital purchased the right to bill and collect payment from patients and insurance programs in exchange for paying Lighthouse Medical a kickback of $900 per test. In July 2016, the hospital paid Lighthouse Medical more than $1.4 million for more than 1,500 drug tests.

In June 2017, Dr. John Johnson was sentenced to 84 months in prison for tax offenses, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud in connection with a different healthcare fraud scheme. Before being imprisoned Dr. John Johnson had Dr. Paula Johnson placed on Pain Medicine of York's payroll. At that point, Dr. Paula Johnson had not practiced medicine in years.

From 2017 through 2019, Pain Medicine of York billed Medicare for about $10 million for the tests, with more than $4 million being paid out. Drs. John and Paula Johnson, along with Mr. Yentzer continued to funnel money to the Johnsons.

Both Drs. John and Paula Johnson pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charges. Dr. John Johnson was sentenced to 97 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution. Dr. Paula Johnson was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay $249,301 in restitution, fines and assessments.

Mr. Yentzer, who had no medical training, pleaded guilty for his role in related offenses in March 2022 and is awaiting sentencing, the release said.
Optum is the parent company of Deerfield, Ill.-based ASC chain SCA Health, which has a portfolio of more than 320 ASCs and 9,200 physicians.

Here are five things to know about Optum's recent moves:

New investments

Optum Ventures, the venture capital arm of Optum, is participating in a $180 million funding round for Caresyntax, a data-assisted surgery platform.

Caresyntax's platform aims to tackle the significant data gaps and fragmentation that have stalled the advancement of precision surgery. The company will use the funding to fast-track the adoption and development of its AI-powered surgical software and support strategic mergers and acquisitions.

New acquisitions

SCA Health purchased at least two cardiovascular chains in 2023. One of the chains, National Cardiovascular Partners, has 21 cardiac catheterization and vascular labs, while the other chain, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.-based Pivotal Healthcare, has 11 affiliate practices and 14 locations.

In March, Optum received approval to bypass a state review of its planned purchase of physician-owned Corvallis (Ore.) Clinic, the Oregon Health Authority.

Potential ASC deals

Optum is purportedly a potential buyer of Brentwood, Tenn.-based ASC operator Surgery Partners. Surgery Partners went public in 2015 and is one of the largest ASC chains in the country, with over 192 facilities.

Private equity firm TPG is also an interested buyer, among other PE firms and strategic bidders.

Called-off deals

The company called off its plan to acquire financially troubled Steward Health Care's 1,700-physician group. In August, Steward entered into a definitive agreement to sell the group to Nashville, Tenn.-based Rural Healthcare Group, part of private equity firm Kinderhook Industries, for $245 million in cash.

Layoffs

OptumCare, based in Basking Ridge, N.J., is set to lay off 160 employees in two waves: Dec. 11 and Jan. 22.

The company has faced several rounds of layoffs and clinic closures in 2024. In July, Optum announced plans to lay off 524 employees across California and in remote positions. Earlier in April, reports surfaced on social media about layoffs affecting employees at Optum Virtual Care and Navihealth. Additionally, in May, Optum closed a Change Healthcare facility in Toledo, Ohio, resulting in 129 job losses.
A startup has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Epic Systems alleging that the company is leveraging its position in the EHR market to stifle competition in the payer platform sector.

Particle Health, an intelligent data platform that aggregates and delivers actionable patient data and insights to healthcare companies, filed the lawsuit Sept. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Epic is stopping Particle from entering the emerging payer platform market.

"Epic Systems controls the medical information of nearly every American  meaning one private company has unchecked power over our healthcare," Jason Prestinario, CEO of Particle, said in a news release shared with Becker's. "Now, Epic is using that power to thwart an emerging industry intended to bring payers and providers into closer collaboration for better patient care."

Here are seven key points to know about the lawsuit and the history between Epic and Particle:
Over the last 10 days, one acute-care hospital in Alabama suspended operations indefinitely, with another physician-owned hospital in California following suit.

1. Thomasville (Ala.) Regional Medical Center, a 29-bed acute care facility, suspended operations indefinitely amid staffing shortages and financial headwinds. Thomasville Regional has faced significant financial difficulties since opening four years ago, and in April was listed on a foreclosure filing for almost $40 million owed on the property.

Community officials were notified that the hospital was short on cash and staff were not paid on time last week, according to Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Allison Day. A potential $20 million loan to stabilize the hospital remains up in the air and certain stakeholders are interested in purchasing the hospital. Community stakeholders will meet Sept. 23 to discuss the hospital's future.

2. Stanislaus Surgical Hospital, a physician-owned facility in Modesto, Calif., suspended operations indefinitely, effective Sept. 14, and laid off all 160 employees.

The decision comes after CMS terminated the 23-bed hospital's provider agreement for noncompliance with various conditions of participation within the agency's Medicare and Medi-Cal programs. CMS said SSH failed to meet its requirements under three categories: basis and scope, pharmaceutical services, and infection prevention and control and antibiotic stewardship.

SSH leaders disagree with CMS and are weighing options for long-term direction, including a potential appeal, a spokesperson for the hospital told Becker's.
Leaders of the four major publicly traded for-profit health systems were asked about the effects of the expansion of the two-midnight rule during the Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference held in early September.

Mike Marks, the CFO of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, said the system has seen a "modest benefit" for the expanded rule. He said that during the first six months, they're seeing their physician community adapt and are writing more inpatient orders and fewer observation visits, particularly for accounts over $2 million, "as expected."

As for how the rule is playing out with payers, Mr. Marks said HCA has seen a slight improvement in denial rates, which he is encouraged by. He said there are still too many denials, however, and they're working with Medicare Advantage payers to fully adopt the rule.

"Overall, it has supported inpatient admissions, contributing about half a point of growth in the first six months. We expect further improvement as payers continue to adjust," he said.

Saum Sutaria, MD, CEO of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, said the most appropriate questions about the two-midnight rule are "about how effectively the plans are adhering to CMS guidance."

"We're taking care of patients one way or another," Dr. Sutaria said.

He added that he is still struggling to see that it's a "large or material, quantifiable benefit."

"I'm sure it's slightly positive, but it's not something that we've really quantified as being largely or materially positive," he said.

Steve Filton, CFO of King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services, said they don't detect a material change in our volumes as a result of the expansion of the two-midnight rule.

"I will say that we've really been focused on this area for several years now, we engage a third-party consultant who helps us determine what are appropriate admissions versus observation days," Mr. Filton said. "They really help us appeal the ones that we dispute with the payers, etc. So maybe we're not being impacted because we've been a bit more focused on this issue than some of our peers in the last few years. But again, the bottom line answer is we just don't think whatever strength we're seeing in acute care volumes, we don't think whatever strength we're seeing in acute care volumes is due to the two-midnight rule."

Kevin Hammons, CFO of Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, said they're seeing an increase in shorter stay admissions, but they believe "that's largely being driven by some of the work we're doing internally with our physician advisor group, our utilization review group, making sure that we have documentation appropriate to support admissions, as opposed to payer behavior."
Kristen Blum was named president of CHI Health Mercy-Council Bluffs (Iowa), according to a news release shared with Becker's.

Ms. Blum will begin her new role on Sept. 29, bringing more than 10 years of experience with the hospital's parent company, Omaha, Neb.-based CHI Health, according to the release.

During her time at CHI Health, Ms. Blum most recently oversaw inpatient and outpatient telehealth services at more than 20 hospital and clinic locations, according to the release. She also played a key role in the launch of the CHI Health Transfer Center.

CHI Health is part of Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health.
David Miller, MD, has been tapped as Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Michigan Medicine's next CEO. He will step into the role July 1.

He will succeed Marschall Runge, MD, PhD, who has served in the role since 2015, according to a Sept. 19 news release from Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan.

Dr. Miller currently serves as executive vice dean of clinical affairs for the University of Michigan Medical School and president of UM Health. In the role, he oversees strategic, operational, clinical and financial aspects of Michigan Medicine's clinical enterprise, the release said.

Dr. Miller will also replace Dr. Runge as the university's executive vice president for medical affairs, the release said.

As dean of the medical school since 2016, Dr. Runge will retire from the leadership roles June 30 and remain a faculty member, the release said.

In his current role, Dr. Miller has guided expanding ambulatory care services at Ypsilanti (Mich.) Health Center, which is set to open next year, and has advanced programs such as hospital care at home, according to the release.
The path to top executive roles is less straightforward than it once was, with leaders often gaining experience across various industries, job functions and companies.

That's according to Aneesh Raman, chief economic opportunity officer at LinkedIn, who recently spoke with Fortune in a video interview.

"Whats changing about careers is that they used to be a ladder, and now they are a path," Mr. Raman, who also is a former CNN war correspondent and speechwriter to President Barack Obama, told the publication. "So you're seeing a bunch of people move around from different functions, whether it's starting in finance and going into HR."

A new report from LinkedIn, which examined the career and skills patterns of executives at S&P 500 firms and venture-backed U.S. "unicorn" companies, revealed the following:

In 2023, 66% of executives worked in only one industry before their C-suite role, compared to 89.2% in 2018. Similarly, 59.4% of executives in 2023 had only worked in one job function, compared to 86.9% in 2018. More than 46.2% of C-suite members were internal hires last year, down 10% from 2018.

"The higher up you go, the more adaptability is going to become a required skill, and so the squiggly line just becomes a badge around adaptability," Mr. Raman told Fortune.

In healthcare, organizations have continued to see leaders from other industries. For example, Ben Shahshahani, PhD, was named Cleveland Clinic's first vice president and chief AI officer after working for SiriusXM and Pandora, while Marty Boryszak worked at UPS for 12 years before joining Buffalo, N.Y.-based Catholic Health in 2009. Mr. Boryszak currently serves as the system's senior vice president of acute care and president of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo.

Mr. Raman advised current and aspiring executives to "develop people skills, but start to find and feature curiosity."






Members of the University of Virginia Faculty Senate in Charlottesville are showing support for their colleagues in the university's medical school in response to an alleged toxic work environment at the medical school and UVA Health, The Daily Progress reported.

Stephen Culp, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the medical school, addressed the allegations in front of fellow faculty senators on Sept. 20.

Dr. Culp told faculty he rejected assertions made in a letter UVA President Jim Ryan sent Sept. 7 to all 1,400 UVA School of Medicine faculty members, according to The Daily Progress.

The letter from Mr. Ryan, shared with Becker's, described allegations made Sept. 5 by a group of faculty as "generalized and anonymous claims of wrongdoing." Mr. Ryan also stated that he and Ian Baucom, executive vice president and provost of the university, have met with faculty in small groups and that they have addressed some concerns and are working to address other concerns.

Dr. Culp told senators that the assertions Mr. Ryan's letter related to anonymity are "categorically false," and that university administrators have known about the allegations for "better part of the year, if not more," according to The Daily Progress.

Dr. Culp addressed senators one day after the university board of visitors and Mr. Ryan agreed to retain outside counsel to conduct an independent review of the complaints and allegations raised by faculty in the Sept. 5 letter.

In early September, 128 UVA Physicians Group-employed faculty signed a no-confidence letter against K. Craig Kent, MD, UVA Health's CEO and executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Virginia, and Melina Kibbe, MD, dean of the school of medicine.

The five-page letter, addressed to the university's board of visitors and published in The Cavalier Daily, calls for immediate removal of the leaders. It accuses Drs. Kent and Kibbe of fostering a negative work environment that compromises patient safety and for "contributing to an ongoing exodus of experience and expertise."

The letter specifically accuses the leaders of allowing "egregious acts" at the health system and medical school, including hiring physicians despite quality concerns; using threats against faculty who raise issues about safety, capacity and moral distress; using promotion and tenure delays as retaliation; and excessive executive spending amid staffing shortages.

On Sept. 20, after hearing Dr. Culp speak about the letter and Mr. Ryan's subsequent assertions, the university faculty senate pledged to address the complaints. As proposed by associate professor Brian Pusser, the body pledged to "as soon as possible create a resolution regarding the issues in the School of Medicine currently the subject of review by the university administration and Board of Visitors."

University and health system officials defended Drs. Kent and Kibbe and emphasized their commitment to reviewing and understanding the concerns.

The university shared the following statement with Becker's on Sept. 22: "We are deeply committed to UVA Health and value the voices of our people. We fully support the external examination of faculty concerns and are committed to working together in good faith to hear all feedback and have constructive dialogue."
Akron (Ohio) Children's plans to end its contract with the medical group that employs neonatologists working in its neonatal ICU in March, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

When the contract with Pediatrix Medical Group, previously known as MEDNAX, ends, Akron Children's Hospital plans to directly hire and employ neonatologists, Robert McGregor, MD, the pediatric health system's chief medical officer, told the Journal in a Sept. 23 report.

"There's lots of things that have worked well over the years, and we are at a different inflection point," Dr. McGregor said. "So, we're going to move on to a different model," describing the move as a "business decision" that is "not targeted at any individual [doctor]."

Neonatologists employed by Pediatrix have worked at Akron Children's for decades. Nine physicians from the group provide NICU care for the system, most of whom work at Akron Children's main campus, according to the report.

It's unclear whether Pediatrix-employed physicians will return to Akron Children's in another capacity after the health system's contract with the group ends.

Pediatrix acquired Akron Neonatology in 2008.
People listen to public speakers during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. One hundred and fifty members of the public signed up to speak at the meeting. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Until about six months ago, Houston ISD parent Kathryn Kannady had never attended any of the school board meetings held at least once every month in the state's largest school district.

That changed in March, when she felt driven to register to speak after learning that the district told nearly 120 principals that their jobs were at risk after the results of new mid-year proficiency screening. She, and dozens of other parents, teachers and students, voiced outrage over the leaked screening results and defended the performance of principals for approximately three hours.

None of our administrators or teachers were on that list, but it just really spoke to me that things were getting really real with this TEA takeover, said Kannady, an Oak Forest Elementary School parent. I had taken a wait-and-see approach, and it just really hit home that I can no longer just sit back and wait and see.

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Kannady is one of hundreds of community members who began speaking at HISD school board meetings for the first time in the year following the state takeover of the district in June 2023, largely to express opposition to decisions made by state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and the Board of Managers.

According to a Chronicle analysis, the average number of registered speakers at board meetings has nearly quadrupled since the takeover, although the number remains a fraction of the total number of students, families or staff in HISD. The district has approximately 180,000 students and 10,600 teachers this year.

The Chronicle analyzed the districts list of registered speakers at every board meeting between August 2022 and September 2024 to determine how the number of speakers has changed since the takeover. For year-over-year comparisons, the Chronicle limited its analysis to meetings that occurred during the regular school year from Aug. 1 to May 31 each year.

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According to HISD records, board meetings in the 2023-24 school year drew in an average of about 82 speakers, which is nearly four times the average of 22 speakers in the previous year. In total, at least 541 individual community members, including parents, teachers and staff, registered to speak last year, up from 147 unique speakers in the year before the takeover.

The Chronicles analysis showed that board meetings after the takeover have not only drawn in more community members, but also more student voices. The overall number of students registered at board meetings in the 2023-24 year quintupled compared with the year prior to the takeover, although individual student names were hidden in district records due to privacy laws.

Several speakers, including Kannady, told the Chronicle they registered to speak at meetings because they felt like they did not have a better method to share their concerns without an elected board. After speaking in March, Kannady said she has since registered to speak at additional meetings to share anonymous comments for teachers who say they fear retaliation.

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It all goes back to, What other avenue do we have right now? Kannady said. We don't have a say in who is sitting at that table, and so I think a lot of parents, teachers and students are feeling like, Well, if they've taken away our option of selecting who is going to be representing us, then I guess we'll do it ourselves. We'll represent ourselves.

The Texas Education Agency replaced HISDs elected school board last June with an appointed nine-member Board of Managers after alleged misconduct by some former trustees and chronically low academic performance at Wheatley High School. The TEA also appointed Miles to replace Millard House II as superintendent.

Under the Texas Open Meetings Act, Houston ISD community members can register to speak on any issue listed on the boards monthly meetings or during the "hearing of the community." Attendees have up to two minutes for their comments if 30 or fewer people are registered to speak, but the board limits speakers to one minute each if the number of registered speakers exceeds the listed threshold.

HISD did not respond to a request for comment on the growth of public speakers at board meetings. There have been an average of about 78 speakers at the three board meetings held so far during the 2024-25 academic year, and a total of 147 unique non-student speakers.

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Dynamics have changed

About half of the 541 speakers spoke at only one meeting during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Chronicles analysis. The remaining half went on to speak at additional meetings throughout the school year, although only a fraction of those speakers attended more than half of the board meetings.

In total, 21 community members registered to speak during at least half of meetings during the year after the takeover, but there were no speakers in the previous year who did so.

Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, said she attended most of the board meetings during the 2022-23 academic year but rarely registered to speak since the union was able to work out their concerns before the board voted. Since the takeover, she said the relationship with the district has deteriorated, leading her to speak at nearly every meeting.

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Our board meetings in the past have not been this contentious, nor have we ever had this many speakers, Anderson said. Under Superintendent House, when we went to the board to speak, it wasn't always adversarial. ... We may have even spoken in support of the action that the board was taking, but unfortunately, those dynamics have changed.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: Civil rights organization demand transparency from HISD weeks after child's death

Anderson said the growth in the number of unique speakers at board meetings reflects the fact that there are many community members who are not satisfied with the direction that HISD is headed, and that the districts decision-making is out-of-touch with several parents and teachers.

When you get different people coming every time  and it's not the same 10 or 15 people,  that would let me know, as a leader, that it's a lot of people who are not happy here, because I'm getting different people coming in on different topics across the district, Anderson said. It shows something is not resting well.

Members of the public line up to speak during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. One hundred and fifty members of the public signed up to speak at the meeting. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

While the number of registered speakers never hit 100 in the 2022-23 year, it exceeded triple digits for the first time during the 2023-24 academic year in March, about two weeks after the Chronicle first published a list of names of the principals who did not meet the requirements to keep their jobs in the upcoming year under the districts new mid-year proficiency screenings.

Pranjal Srivastava, a parent of two students at T. H. Rogers School, said he initially was not following the state takeover closely, but he became upset after learning that his childs high-performing principal was on the list. He said he felt his only option was to register to speak during the March meeting and let the board know what he and other parents were thinking.

At that time, I did not feel there was any other avenue, Srivastava said. I felt a public meeting where everybody gets to hear what the parents are saying is a better avenue than trying to do closed-door communication or sending emails. That one minute that you get, that's where the board is actually listening and hopefully taking action based on public comments.

At the end of the meeting where 150 people registered to speak, Miles said the districts principal proficiency screenings would not be used in any adverse employment decisions for campus administrators, including principals, but he said the district would still use student achievement data, performance evaluations and other information to make hiring decisions.

Srivastava said he felt relieved about the superintendents decision to stop the use of the principal screening, which he believes was caused by pressure from the board and speakers like him. He said he doesnt always feel like the board listens to public feedback, but still thinks people should speak out at meetings if they are looking for a way to advocate for their child.

Sometimes people think, Oh, what's the point in speaking? They will do what they want to do, right?, Srivastava said. I've heard that a lot, ... but I feel the people who speak, it brings more attention to the problem, and it puts more pressure on the board to say, Yeah, there is something wrong here. We've seen the results of that with the principal screening.
UT Health Houston is partnering with OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, to accelerate innovation and enhance healthcare efficiency.

The collaboration with OpenAI was born out of UTHealth's efforts to explore new AI tools and platforms that could benefit the health system, Xiaoqian Jiang, PhD, professor and chair of the department of health data science and artificial intelligence at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UT Health Houston, told Becker's.

According to Dr. Jiang, discussions about the partnership began in 2023 when UTHealth Houston started using Microsoft's Azure platform and learned about OpenAI's HIPAA-compliant models.

"OpenAI offers newer models, and they also have a HIPAA-compliant version, which requires a special business associate agreement (BAA)," Dr. Jiang said. "We pushed forward with conversations, especially after seeing other collaborations between OpenAI and institutions like ASU and Michigan. Thanks to our IT team's persistence, we were able to make this partnership happen."

One of the key focus areas of the partnership is leveraging OpenAI's tools, such as ChatGPT, to enhance education and research at UTHealth Houston. Dr. Jiang highlighted how these tools can support students in learning and research projects, especially in writing code, speeding up algorithm development and generating hypotheses for research.

"GPT models can create quizzes that faculty can use to assess students' progress, helping to identify areas where students may need more focus," Dr. Jiang said. "It enhances both the teaching and learning experience."

In addition to educational benefits, the partnership is expected to address operational challenges within the health system, particularly around patient scheduling and onboarding.

"We are developing voice-based GPT models that could be integrated into scheduling systems. For example, patients could call 24/7 to make appointments, reducing the need for long waits on hold," Dr. Jiang said. "This system wouldn't be used for clinical decision support, but for tasks like information collection, allowing physicians to focus more on patient care."

With AI's growing presence in healthcare, concerns about privacy and the responsible use of AI tools are top of mind for many. Dr. Jiang stressed that ensuring patient safety and privacy is a priority for UTHealth Houston as they develop and implement AI-driven solutions.

"As a healthcare institution, it's our responsibility to use these tools carefully," he said. "With this OpenAI partnership, we have safeguards in place to protect patient privacy. For example, any data that enters the platform won't be retained, and we're working to ensure that privacy is protected by design."

He also emphasized that AI tools will be used to support healthcare professionals, not replace them.

"We're not using AI for clinical decision support. Instead, it's a tool to assist with tasks like structuring data, which will help physicians improve efficiency."

Looking ahead, Dr. Jiang said he is excited about the possibilities that this partnership opens up.

"This collaboration with OpenAI allows us to innovate in a safe and secure environment. It gives our team the ability to explore new ideas and solutions that could significantly improve healthcare efficiency and reduce patient wait times," he said.
From the FTC suing the nation's three largest pharmacy benefit managers to Epic facing an antitrust lawsuit, here are 10 healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements and legal developments that Becker's has reported since Sept. 13:

1. A startup filed an antitrust lawsuit against Epic Systems alleging that the company is leveraging its position in the EHR market to stifle competition in the payer platform sector.

2. After weeks of internal disagreements at the Federal Trade Commission about pharmacy benefit managers, the agency said that it is suing CVS Caremark, Optum Rx and Express Scripts over allegedly inflating insulin prices.

3. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville (Ark.) refused to allow an employee to perform his surgical technician job duties because of his sex.

4. Cardiology practice Oregon Health Center filed a lawsuit against Salem (Ore.) Health, accusing the health system of defamation and monopolizing the cardiology market.

5. After a six-year legal battle, Beaufort (S.C.) Memorial Hospital withdrew its certificate of need for a planned hospital in Bluffton, S.C.

6. Dakota Dunes, S.D.-based Dunes Surgical Hospital, United Surgical Partners International and USP Siouxland agreed to pay $12.76 million to resolve allegations that the surgical center violated the False Claims Act through improper relationships with two physician groups.

7. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accused Children's Healthcare of Atlanta of violating federal law by rescinding a job offer after an applicant requested a disability-related accommodation.

8. The Cigna Group's pharmacy benefit manager, Express Scripts, is suing the Federal Trade Commission and Chair Lina Khan over what it describes as an "unfair, biased, erroneous, and defamatory" report on pharmacy benefit managers released by the agency earlier this year.

9. Eighty hospitals are seeking to have the Part C (Medicare Advantage) Days Final rule vacated, alleging that HHS unlawfully reduced disproportionate hospital share payments by an estimated $3 billion to $4 billion over a nine-year period.

10. Aetna is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging the insurer improperly denied gender-affirming care.
A U.S. appeals court has reinstated more than 500 lawsuits against drugmaker Merck & Co. because of its osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which plaintiffs allege increases risk of thigh bone fractures, according to court documents reviewed by Becker's.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal law does not preempt state law claims, allowing alleged victims to resume pursuit of their claims.

Fosamax, now owned by Organon, has faced ongoing litigation since 2008, although Merck argued the FDA initially rejected warnings about fractures in 2009, not adding the label until 2011. The litigation involves more than 3,000 pending cases nationwide, centralized in New Jersey, Reuters reported Sept. 20.

The lawsuits have been dismissed and revived twice, with federal courts revisiting the case over preemption, the report said.
Florida State University's College of Nursing is the first university to offer a master's program that weaves artificial intelligence into healthcare  and it is offered online.

The university's Master of Science in Nursing with an AI concentration "will expand digital health initiatives into clinical benefits for patients through more advanced, efficient and personalized care," according to a Sept. 20 news release. Florida State University said the program's curriculum will cover safe and ethical AI applications in healthcare.

Hospitals and clinics are already implementing AI, which the Tallahassee-based college cited as inspiration for the new program.

The first class for the program begins in spring 2025.
Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Cancer Institute has joined Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Cancer's Certificate in Community Outreach and Engagement program alongside select cancer centers across the U.S.

The program, the first-of-its-kind, trains cancer center staff on community outreach and engagement, according to a Sept. 20 news release from WVU Medicine.



The WVU Cancer Institute will be the only non-NCI designated cancer center in the collective.



The other institutions in the program are Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Cancer, Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center at University of Washington Medicine, Kansas City-based University of Kansas Cancer Center, Philadelphia-based Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple Health, Calif.-based Stanford Cancer Institute and University of California-Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Customers and local suppliers all have reason to celebrate the supermarket chains big anniversary in September.

Advertorial by Iceland

Having opened the doors to its first core store in Northern Ireland in September 1994, Iceland has come to be a cornerstone for customers and local suppliers across the country. In the 30 years since, Iceland has expanded to 37 stores  including two Food Warehouses  and they currently employ over 800 people nationwide.

To celebrate this special anniversary, there will be a fantastic celebration in the Cregagh Road store in Belfast on Tuesday, 24th September. As the first core store to open in Northern Ireland, customers who attend on the day will be in with a chance of winning some great prizes as part of the occasion such as tasty food hampers, Iceland vouchers, and a chance to win 100 loaded onto their Bonus Card.

The anniversary represents an important landmark for Iceland, which has seen some innovative and important changes to its stores over the years. Ron Metcalfe, the Managing Director for Iceland Foods Northern Ireland, details to us some of those big changes that have taken place since that first NI store opened:

Over the last 30 years, we have successfully increased the range of products we offer our customers through our exclusive brands such as Greggs and TGI Fridays, isolating opportunities for local products to be stocked in NI stores like Kingsmill and Mash Direct, and extending our grocery and chilled lines to ensure a complete and accessible shop for our customers without compromise.

Of course, we're still best in class when it comes to frozen food, but that's not the only thing we're great at now. We're also committed to enhancing the in-store experience for shoppers, which is why we have rolled out our refit programme. Giving older stores a new look and feel goes a long way when it comes to customer and colleague satisfaction.

One thing that hasn't changed, though, are the fantastic teams that work in the stores. Customer service is at the forefront of every single customer interaction and we are incredibly proud of our store colleagues who deliver top-notch service every day.

On those new store refits, Ron tells us that the customer reaction has been thrilling. The rollout will continue across Northern Ireland over the next two years, with a 10 million investment set for the refit, while Iceland also continues to seek out brand-new store opportunities across the country.

With every store that gets this upgrade, it also receives a minimum of 400 new product lines across frozen, child, and groceries. So it isnt just the store that feels new, it is everything that the store is selling, too! When it comes to what products are chosen to fill the shelves and fridges within each store, Icelands Support Local strategy sets out two very simple rules: (1) If the customers demand it, and (2) It can be grown or produced locally in Northern Ireland. If it is a yes to both, then Iceland will stock it!

For those local suppliers, that relationship with Iceland has only grown from strength to strength over the years. Colin Stevenson, the Commercial & Logistics Manager at Allied Bakeries, tells us how they have been supplying Iceland with their products since they first entered the market 30 years ago. To date, that accounts over around 90 million products delivered and sold across Northern Ireland stores. This includes Kingsmill and Sunblest products, which are all baked fresh in their local bakery in Belfast.

We have a close working relationship with the whole Iceland team, Colin says. Its been great to see the Kingsmill and Sunblest brands grow as they have expanded in the NI market. The things that set Iceland apart are their drive and enthusiasm to give their customers the best shopping experience  this entails delivering high standards on quality and availability seven days a week to ensure that the Iceland shopper has the best experience every time they enter a store. Its great to have watched the business grow over the last 30 years with more success still to come.

One person who can speak first-hand of Icelands growth in Northern Ireland over the decades is George Howie, who began his career as the store manager who opened that first store 30 years ago on Cregagh Road. All this time later, he is still with the company, as Icelands Area Manager. George tells us:

I have overseen the growth of the company from one store to the current 37 branches with more in the pipeline. I have worked with some wonderful people in my 30 years with the company and have seen many of our colleagues grow their careers from part-time sales assistants all the way through the ranks to supervisors, store managers, and even area managers.

The company continues to provide great career potential and has always been a great place to work and shop. We have so many loyal customers who appreciate our friendly service, amazing range of products, and outstanding value. I would like to thank them for their continued loyalty and support.

If you would like to read more about Iceland Foods, you can find additional information here: https://about.iceland.co.uk/.
A Holywood home has been announced as the first finalist in the contest to be named Northern Irelands House of the Year.

Melmore House, a lovingly restored 1850s villa in Co Down, was revealed as the first home to secure a place in the grand final tonight.

The home was originally built in 1855 and previously belonged to former Chief Constable Sir Graham Shillington, but is now home to Fiona, Jonathan and their three children.

House of the Year host Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen described the property as the Brighton of Belfast.

The kitchen and dining area

Fiona and Jonathan told the programme Melmore Houses location, overlooking Belfast Lough, was one of the main reasons they purchased the property.

I had my eye on it for years because it had been on and off the market, Fiona said.

When the family purchased the home, Melmore House had to be completely renovated because of dry rot, wet rot and damp.

When we came through the doors, it hadnt been lived in in years, so it was really dark and really dismal, Fiona said.

The couple wanted to change the layout of the home to ensure they could fully appreciate the location.

They [the previous owners] lived in the back of the house, and the rooms with all the beautiful sea views werent lived in at all, so we thought we would bring the living area here because its all about the views, Fiona said.

The entrance to Melmore House features stained glass windows leading into a hallway. Sliding doors then lead through to an open dining and kitchen area with an extension leading down to a living space.

Fiona and Jonathan transformed the original homes servants quarters into a cinema room and a second kitchen.

One of the bedrooms

Downstairs also features a childrens playroom, bathroom and utility room.

Upstairs has five bedrooms and three bathrooms, split over two levels, including a master bedroom which has a balcony overlooking Belfast Lough.

The renovation took 16 months to complete.

There were moments we were nervous about taking this project on, Jonathan said.

The bathroom

At one point there was barely anything left of the house. It was just the bare bricks  the whole side of it was gone. It was like a dollhouse with the whole side missing, and that was a bit scary, Fiona added.

The competitions judges praised Fiona and Jonathans design choices.

Its definitely old meets new. I was always drawn to that Parisian apartment type with the lovely parquet floors, ornate ceilings and original features but then having more colourful modern pieces of furniture, Fiona said.

Its a family home and we have three young boisterous, happy kids, so I wanted it to be colourful and happy.

The balcony

Melmore House is the first of five finalists for the House of the Year grand final.

Fiona and Jonathan are pleased with the recognition and hope their home will be crowned champion.

We are definitely very proud because we have never done anything like this before, Fiona said.

House Of The Year continues on September 30 at 8pm on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer
Police dealing with disorder on Broadway roundabout close to the Village area of south Belfast in July. (Photo by Kevin Scott)

An alleged serial rioter accused of racist arson attacks on migrant businesses acted as a leader directing children involved in disorder on the streets of Belfast, the High Court heard today.
Neil Beckett at Belfast Crown Court today, (Monday 23rd), where he is on trial on 29 counts of alleged sexual offences against girls (Credit: Alan Lewis)

The mother of a teenager who attended Lagan College today revealed she removed her daughter from the school after its health and welfare officer broke her child's trust.

Neil Beckett  who is currently suspended from his role at the south Belfast school  is standing trial on a total of 29 sexual offences spanning over a 10-year period from 2013 to 2023 which he denies.
Posters and slogans criticising care were erected outside the centre in August

Last month, the health centre was targeted by protestors who criticised aspects of care at the facility

Computer-generated imagery showing how the completed health hub will look

A Co Fermanagh health centre that was the target of a harassment campaign last month has been given the go-ahead for a long-awaited upgrade.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitts predecessor Robin Swann had said in May that work on the 32m project would begin in the summer, with Mr Nesbitt confirming on Monday that work would begin "within weeks.

Once open, the new health and care hub will support a network of 16 GPs, providing services to around 30,000 people in the east Fermanagh area.

Last month, the surgery found itself at the centre of a harassment campaign after posters criticising care at the facility were erected outside.

They denounced the health centre as not fit for purpose and hit out at perceived difficulties in securing an appointment by phone.

Pictures of the display were later posted on Facebook by the Eamon Keenan Independent 4 Real Change page, along with a lengthy statement hitting out at neo-liberalism and creeping privatisation of healthcare in NI.

The action drew criticism from both the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGPNI) and the British Medical Associations Northern Ireland General Practitioners Committee (NIGPC), who said it had created a hostile atmosphere for staff.

Last month, the health centre was targeted by protestors who criticised aspects of care at the facility

Mr Nesbitt said that necessary checks and balances were behind a delay to beginning work on the new facility.

"There are significant pressures across our health and social care system, and while our primary care teams are at the frontline in facing this challenge, I was incredibly disappointed to learn of the completely unacceptable behaviour that the Lisnaskea practice team have recently experienced, he said.

"There is no place for such behaviour, and I reiterated my full support for the team when speaking to them today.

"As Health Minister I remain committed to investing in primary care infrastructure to support the transformation of health and social care and help improve services for the population of Northern Ireland.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt

"I appreciate that primary care services are under particular strain in the Lisnaskea and East Fermanagh area and recognise that people have been waiting for some time on this news.

"However, it was imperative that the necessary checks and balances were completed before proceeding.

"This significant investment will provide a central hub in Lisnaskea, enabling patients and service users to benefit from improved accessibility and increased multi-disciplinary provision in areas such as; Podiatry, Speech & Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, Mental Health Services and Older People services.

Eimear McCauley, Western Trust Director of Finance, Contracts and Capital Development added: We welcome this project moving to construction as another step in providing an appropriate setting for the delivery of services in South East Fermanagh, both from the opening of the new facility and for many years ahead.

"This milestone has been achieved through the collaborative working of GP representatives, Trust staff and DoH personnel with a focus on meeting the needs of patients and clients of Lisnaskea and the wider area.

The Trust will now move to award the construction contract within the next few weeks.

Planning permission on the build has already been approved, with the Department hopeful the facility will be open by 2026.

Weekend News Catch Up
Students leave school for the day on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Bellaire High School in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Houston ISD Police Chief Shamara Garner gives comments about the recent threats at the school with Craig Straw, HISD emergency management director, on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Houston. HISD said Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 more arrests were made pertaining to recent threats. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Police made an arrest in connection to a social media threat on Bellaire High School earlier Monday, one of seven recently made in HISD as the district responds to a significant increase in school threats in the past weeks, HISD officials said Monday.

READ MORE: Seven students have now been charged in connection to online threats at Houston ISD

"Hoax threats are a crime," the statement from HISD said. "They are not a joke, and they can have very real consequences. It is important for students and parents to know that every threat is assigned to a criminal investigator."

The district asked families to talk to their children about the seriousness of making threats.

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The HISD student arrests occur as the region sees a jump in school threats, which is creating a strain on time and resources. FBI Houston said Monday more than 30 school threats have been reported to its office alone  and that's not including about 20 requests for FBI assistance pertaining to school threats from local partners, like school district police, FBI Houston public affairs officer Connor Hagan said.

"So combining that together, it is just a crazy high amount of these hoax threats that are being called in," he said.

The rise in reported threats is requiring FBI Houston to pull its limited resources toward investigating these reports.

"It diverts capabilities that would be better served rescuing people who may be in human trafficking, or children who may be victims of violent crime, instead of having to parse out hoax threats and having to investigate those," Hagan said.

Threats come in the form of social media apps, text messages, or even email, he said. Threats or posts can even be airdropped to people.

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Some of FBI Houston's agents, investigators and task force officers were those who responded to the mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in 2018, Hagan said.

"We take school threats down here incredibly seriously," Hagan said. "These are agents who have had to deal with actual mass casualty event at a school, and we don't want to ever have that happen again. So we are going to thoroughly investigate any report that comes in."

FBI Houston is asking students to report threats by sending screenshots to the school, local police, or a trusted adult  not by sharing the threat on social media and tagging law enforcement. The agency is asking students not to reshare the threats on social media platforms.

Bellaire High School Principal Michael Niggli wrote Monday afternoon that police "acted quickly, made an arrest, and are continuing to investigate to ensure all involved parties are held accountable," Niggli wrote Monday.

The Houston ISD school will see more law enforcement this week, according to a Sunday evening email from Niggli.

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"We understand that these situations can be alarming, but we want to reassure you that the police have acted quickly, made an arrest, and are continuing to investigate to ensure all involved parties are held accountable," Niggli wrote Monday.

The district said Thursday that it is considering enforcing a cellphone ban during campus emergencies.

CELLPHONE USE: HISD considers prohibiting student cellphone use during school emergencies

HISD already prohibits cell phone use during the day but the new policy would require students to leave their phones in their backpacks during emergencies if they are moved to a pre-identified safe location. Students would only be allowed to access phones and contact their families after police clear the area, the district's Safety and Emergency Management Director Craig Straw said.

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He said that phones can make sounds and give away a student's position if there is an intruder and that phones "create an environment" that makes it harder for a first responder to narrow down a threat's location.

HISD Police Chief Shamara Garner said last week the district takes all social media threats of violence, real or hoax, seriously.

"It is important for our students to know that any such threat that cause fear will be investigated with the intent to seek criminal prosecution," she said in a video published Tuesday. She said then one student was arrested regarding a social media post.

Multiple HISD schools faced threats last week, including Bellaire that went into "secure mode" for a reported bomb threat. Sharpstown International School went into lockdown and Neff Elementary School into "secure mode" the week prior due to a reported gun at Sharpstown, but law enforcement said after that lockdown it had not confirmed a gun, following an internal and external sweep. Sterling High School went into lockdown Wednesday after an altercation between students ended in a stabbing, a district official said that day.

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Firefighters at the scene of a flat fire in the Duncairn Parade area of North Belfast on September 22nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters at the scene of a flat fire in the Duncairn Parade area of North Belfast on September 22nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters at the scene of a flat fire in the Duncairn Parade area of North Belfast on September 22nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters at the scene of a flat fire in the Duncairn Parade area of North Belfast on September 22nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters at the scene of a flat fire in the Duncairn Parade area of North Belfast on September 22nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters have extinguished a fire at a block of flats in north Belfast.

Two fire appliances from the nearby Whitla station and a fire car attended the blaze in the Duncairn Parade area of the New Lodge shortly before 11:30pm on Sunday night.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus gained access to the flat and used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze.

Several adjoining flats self-evacuated as a precaution.

Firefighters at the scene of a flat fire in the Duncairn Parade area of North Belfast on September 22nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The incident was dealt with by midnight.

NIFRS have been contacted for comment.

Weekend News Catch Up
Passengers could cry tears of joy as repairs completed

Passengers on a round-the-world cruise ship that has been stuck in Belfast for over three months are ready to cry tears of joy as reports suggest it is to finally set sail this week.

Villa Vie Residences Odyssey has been given the all-clear to embark on its voyage after repairs were completed, according to reports.

The ship undertook sea trials over the past week, with passengers expressing their excitement on social media.

Angela Theriac, who has been waiting for the ship to be fixed with her husband Steve, posted a celebratory picture on Instagram saying: We PASSED sea trials!!!! One step closer to setting sail!!! Woo hoo!!

The Mail Online reported that Mike Peterson, managing director of Villa Vie, hopes the liner will be under way as soon as Wednesday.

The Odyssey arrived in Belfast in May and underwent tests on repairs to its rudder and gearbox. It was supposed to be undertaking the first part of a three-year cruise, but repairs took much longer than expected.

Stranded cruise ship passengers Angela and Steve Theriac making the most of their time in Northern Ireland

Retired school teacher Angela said: We are overjoyed at the potential of finally setting sail within a week.

After successfully completing sea trials, we can only hope that a sail date is right around the corner.

We will find out more Monday or Tuesday when we have our weekly residents meeting with the CEO and COO.

After such a long delay, Villa Vie just cant stick around any longer than necessary. We imagine the sail away being filled with tears  tears of complete joy that is.

Its a long time coming, and we are as excited as the first day we purchased our room to live full-time on a ship that circumnavigates the world.

Angela added that there are things they will miss about Northern Ireland.

Steve will miss his daily pint of proper Guinness, he is now ready to try beers all over the world. We will also miss the humour of the locals, as Steve loves to banter with them, but we are ready to chase the sun from our moving home.

The couple gained a following on social media as they documented their travels around the province and Europe while waiting for their floating home to be fixed.

In a YouTube video recorded on Friday, they explained that Villa Vie had been giving residents updates while the ship was undergoing sea trials.

Theyve been posting updates on our private residents group, saying everything is going really well.

If everything went off without a hitch, which it sounds like it has, now they will seek PSC (Port State Control) approval, which potentially could allow people to sleep on board.

But either way, if it does or doesnt, then the very last step is to call in the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency), and they come and do the final check-offs.

MCA is tentatively scheduled for next week, and once we get those check-offs, we are good to go to set sail.

The couple's room on the cruise ship

The Theriacs got the news they were hoping for when, over the weekend, they posted their celebratory Instagram post.

The couple have remained committed to cruising even as the Odyssey was docked. They went on two cruises over the summer.

They have also travelled extensively around Northern Ireland.

Weve been to the Giants Causeway, Glenshane Country Farm, Bushmills and Derry/Londonderry, Mrs Theriac told this newspaper at the start of the month.

We have learned a lot about the history, the conflict and weve had a pint of Guinness in every pub.

Weekend News Catch Up
Volodymyr Zelenskys victory plan will be defining for the next period of the conflict in Ukraine, Defence Secretary John Healey has said.

Speaking at a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Mr Healey also said the UK will support Ukraine at any point when they decide they may want to stop fighting and announced a joint specialist unit between his department and the Foreign Office to facilitate aid.

The Ukrainian leader is set to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday and will present President Joe Biden with a victory plan.

The plan is set to include long-range striking capabilities and other weapons long sought by Kyiv, and will serve as the basis for any future negotiation with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a trilateral meeting with Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Foreign Secretary David Lammy (Leon Neal/PA)

Mr Healey told the event at conference that what is next for Ukraine is going to be defined for us all if President Zelensky delivers what hes trailed in his promise to turn up in New York with a victory plan.

He said: Why is that important? It isnt just important because the Ukrainians are the ones who are fighting, the Ukrainians are the ones who have the right to call a stop, and our task is to support them in their fight and then to support them at any point when they decide they may want to stop.

But its important for this, and it is something that I have urged on President Zelensky, as others have, and on his defence minister in the seven times I think that he and I have met in the last two months since I got this job and before.

But if we  Ukraines close allies  have a better idea about their plan, then were in a better position for us to be able to plan how we can support not just the immediate provision of help, but the long term production.

Not just the immediate training of their troops, which we will do, but how do we equip them for the future to be a force that can protect themselves in the future.

So I see this meeting at the United Nations, and the potential contribution that President Zelensky is promising as defining for this next period ahead.

Defence Secretary John Healey during the Labour Party Conference (Peter Byrne/PA)

The Defence Secretary said what victory for Ukraine will look like is for Ukraine to decide, but that it is absolutely preventing Putin from prevailing.

He further stated: We need to do more than simply provide the military support, and that we are announcing today the setting up of a joint Foreign Office and MoD (Ministry of Defence) specialist unit on Ukraine.

Its partly a reflection of the joint work that David Lammy and I have done in and on Ukraine and joining the two departments, but its importance is that it signals for UK Government and its more widely what we need to do is military, economic, industrial, diplomatic  Ukraine needs our support on a number of fronts, and weve not been doing that.

Mr Healey described the Ukrainians incursion into Kursk as an open wound for Putin and a reminder that their military still have the capacity to spring battlefield surprises.

Mr Zelensky has repeatedly called on the US and UK to allow Ukraine to use long-range Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territory, a request that has so far been declined.

On granting permission for Storm Shadow missiles to be used in Ukraine, the Defence Secretary said: I take quite a simple view of this debate about specific weapons, which is that the more that we do that the more that we play into Putins hands.

I think Putin is the only one who benefits from that sort of debate.

He added: In general, weve donated weapons to Ukraine for their defence and as long as those are used within the balance of international law and therefore in self defence that does not, in general, preclude strikes on Russia.

The Prime Ministers deputy official spokeswoman has said the position on whether Ukraine would be given permission to fire Storm Shadow weapons in Russia remains unchanged.

In its election manifesto, Labour said it would reach 2.5% of GDP spending on defence, a pledge Mr Healey affirmed will happen.

He said: You will not find any other manifesto commitments to reform mechanics in Government like we had on defence for any other realm, and you will not find a spending commitment like we have for defence in any other departmental area.
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on Kfar Rouman village, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

The Israeli military has called on people in Lebanon to immediately evacuate homes and other buildings where the Hezbollah militant group stores weapons.

The warning on Monday came as Israel launched another wave of strikes in southern Lebanon.

It was the first warning of its kind in nearly a year of low-level conflict along the border and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire on Sunday, when Hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets into a wider and deeper area of northern Israel than it had struck previously.

Israel has stepped up strikes on targets in Lebanon (AP)

The move was in retaliation over recent Israeli strikes that killed a top commander of Hezbollah and dozens of its fighters.

Residents of different villages in southern Lebanon posted photos on social media of their hometowns that were being struck. The state-run National News Agency also reported air strikes on different areas.

The Israeli militarys Arab-language spokesperson said Israels air force was attacking Hezbollah targets in different parts of the country.

Senior Hezbollah leaders were killed in attacks (AP)

Lebanons state-run National News Agency said the strikes hit the central province of Byblos for the first time since the exchanges began in October. Israel also bombed targets in the north-eastern Baalbek and Hermel regions, where a shepherd was killed and two family members were wounded, according to the news agency. It said a total of 17 people were injured in the strikes.

A military official said Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation. The official said the strikes are aimed at curbing Hezbollahs ability to launch more strikes into Israel.

An Israeli air strike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen Hezbollah members, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000.

Lebanon blamed Israel for the attacks, but Israel did not confirm or deny its responsibility.

The escalating strikes and counter-strikes have raised fears of an all-out war, even as Israel is still battling the Palestinian Hamas in Gaza and trying to return scores of hostages taken in the October 7 attack.

The escalating strikes have ramped up fears of all-out war in the region (AP)

Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group.

An Israeli military official said Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation. with the strikes aimed at curbing Hezbollahs ability to launch more attacks on Israel.

Lebanese media reported that residents received text messages urging them to move away from any building where Hezbollah stores arms until further notice.

If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, the Arabic message reads, according to Lebanese media.

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the Israeli orders. Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied out because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure. That could lead it to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.
A Russian court has handed a six-year prison sentence to an American man convicted on charges linked to his attempt to illegally take his four-year-old son out of Russia, a verdict that comes amid soaring US-Russian tensions.

The court in Russias westernmost Kaliningrad region said in a statement that the convict, whose name was not given, visited Kaliningrad in July 2023 to meet with his Russian-born son and attempted to drive him out of the country.

The boys mother did not give her consent for that, it said.

The man was detained by Russian border guards near the village of Lipovka close to the border with Poland while trying to covertly leave Russia and charged with abduction of a minor and attempted illegal crossing of the border.

There was no immediate comment from the US Embassy in Moscow.

The case comes as Russia-US ties are at their lowest level since the Cold War era over Moscows action in Ukraine.

Several Americans are serving sentences in Russia on drug, theft or assault convictions.

Last month, US-Russian dual national Ksenia Khavana was convicted of treason in a Russian court and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about 52 dollars to a charity aiding Ukraine.

In the largest Russia-West prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War on August 1, Moscow released Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom were imprisoned on espionage convictions.

In exchange for Russian spies held in the West, Moscow also released US-Russian dual national Alsu Kurmasheva, a Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe journalist sentenced to six and a half years for spreading false information about the Russian military.

Several prominent opposition figures who were imprisoned for criticising the military operation in Ukraine were also released.
Francis will visit Luxembourg and Belgium later this week (AP)

The Vatican has confirmed that plans remain in place for Pope Francis to go to Belgium and Luxembourg later this week, despite having cancelled all his audiences Monday because of a slight flu-like state.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the cancellation only concerned Mondays audiences.

He spoke to reporters before the official start of his Vatican briefing to illustrate details of the trip.

Earlier in the morning, the Vatican announced that 87-year-old Francis had cancelled his audiences for the day as a precaution. He returned on September 13 from Asia, where he visited four countries.

He is due to travel to Luxembourg on Thursday and then spend the rest of the weekend in Belgium.
NI is fascinated by Eamonn Holmes  and thats a statistical factThe TV presenter has been seen in recent months with a new female friend

Local boy Eamonn Holmes seems to fascinate the Northern Ireland public.

The north Belfast-born broadcaster regularly features as one of the top google searches in the region, with news stories featuring Holmes bringing in a large audience, every time.

Holmes, who attended St Malachys College in north Belfast, began presenting UTVs Good Evening Ulster in 1982 at 24 years old, succeeding Gloria Hunniford no less.

Since then, he has had an accomplished career on the telly, presenting on GMTV and ITVs This Morning before moving onto the controversial station GB News.

He now presents their breakfast show alongside Isabel Webster.

Holmes and his second wife, broadcaster Ruth Langsford, split in May after 14 years of marriage.

Following the split, 64-year-old Holmes has been spotted hanging out and holidaying with 42-year-old relationship counselor Katie Alexander.

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph features editor Aine Toner to explain what the man clearly has - theres just something about Eamonn.
Travel review: The Pont Aven makes any trip to France that little Britt special

Get your continental break off to the perfect start by sailing on Brittany Ferries flagship

The entertainment area on the Pont Aven

Paul Keown Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 11:00







Ive never got the idea of time-shares or buying a holiday home. It might have something to do with a bank balance that consistently hovers above the red zone.
Harris County Sheriff candidates sit down with the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board on September 5, 2024.

A routine inspection of the state's largest jail really shouldn't garner headlines. Meeting "minimum safety standards" should never be cause for celebration for a facility designed to house thousands of people who, under the law, are innocent until proven guilty of the criminal charges they're facing.

Yet when the Texas Commission on Jail Standards delivered a certificate of compliance last month to the Harris County Jail, it was hailed by Sheriff Ed Gonzalez as "an important achievement," a reflection of how low the jail's standards sank during Gonzalez's second term. It was the first time in two years that the jail passed its four-day inspection, a hopeful sign that Gonzalez has finally begun to root out a culture of violence and inhumane treatment that has turned the facility into one of the deadliest jails in the state.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, right, and sheriff candidate Mike Knox at the Houston Chronicle offices on September 5, 2024. Sharon Steinmann

For Gonzalez, 55, the timing of the jail certification was fortuitous. He is running for a third term as county sheriff, a point at which even popular politicians begin to wear out their welcome. Gonzalez, a Democrat, is a former homicide detective, hostage negotiator and District H City Council member. He is generally well-liked and seems to strike that difficult balance between crime fighter and compassionate reformer. Yet naysayers, including but not limited to his Republican opponent Mike Knox, contend that Gonzalez lacks fire and a sense of urgency, particularly regarding his stewardship of the jail.

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2024 ENDORSEMENTS: Browse all recommendations by The Editorial Board

"We've seen rapes in the jail, we've seen drug dealing in the jail, we've got lawyers importing drugs," Knox told us during our endorsement screening last week with Gonzalez. "I think that's primarily due to the lack of supervision. That is, the policies within the sheriff's department are not bad policies; they're just not being enforced."

He has a point. While Gonzalez doesn't have any control over who comes into the jail and how long they stay there, he has failed to create a safe environment for detainees and guards.

Sheriff candidate Mike Knox, left, and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez meet with the Editorial Board at the Houston Chronicle offices on September 5, 2024. Sharon Steinmann

At least 74 people have died in custody since 2021, and those are just the ones that were properly reported. One inmate was allegedly beaten so badly by guards at the jail that he fell into a coma and had to have part of his skull removed. A female jail guard was raped by a detainee who was, according to surveillance footage, walking through the jail unsupervised after returning to his cell from Bible study. In January, leaked surveillance footage captured several instances of violence between inmates and jailers, with jail staffers laughing and joking about the incidents off screen while watching it on a surveillance monitor. Harris County is also spending $50 million every year to outsource hundreds of detainees to Lubbock, Mississippi and Louisiana because there are no available beds at the jail.

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Gonzalez pointed to mitigating circumstances beyond his control which have made it difficult to bring the jail population down. The combination of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic, he says, "brought the near collapse of our local court system," snarling cases and trials for months, and creating a massive backlog of felony cases that contributed to an uptick in crime. An enormous population of mentally ill defendants has turned the jail into one of the largest mental health facilities in the state, despite having a staff largely unqualified to care for them. A 2023 Houston Landing analysis found that 60% of the people who died of unnatural causes in the jail over the past decade had "documented mental health concerns."

Amid all of these challenges, Gonzalez can still point to real signs of progress. In-custody deaths have decreased in the past two years, from 27 in 2022 to seven so far this year, and Gonzalez noted there are fewer suicides than at any other point in his tenure. He was able to secure 12% pay raises from Commissioners Court last year for jail staff, and poured $20 million into filling vacancies, which have declined from 180 to 139 over the past three months. To improve transparency and accountability, Gonzalez pushed for the county to fund body cameras, the first jail in the state to require officers to wear them.

Sheriff candidate Mike Knox, left, and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez meet with the Editorial Board at the Houston Chronicle offices on September 5, 2024. Sharon Steinmann

"It's been a long road, it's been a challenging one," Gonzalez told us. "We're currently in compliance and we're going to continue to work very hard to maintain that and improve that."

Knox, 64, a former at-large City Council member who worked for 15 years as a Houston police officer, presents a sharp contrast to Gonzalez, both in personality and crime-fighting philosophy. With his handlebar mustache and cowboy hat, he certainly looks the part of an old-school sheriff, who might also be an extra in a John Wayne Western. In many ways, he's a classic "tough on crime" politician, steadfast in his belief that a simple attitude shift in the sheriff's office will help jolt the jail under control.

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"You've got to fight for what you what you need," Knox said. "You can hug all the thugs in the world you want. And appeasing criminals is never a path to success with crime-fighting."

He told us he wouldn't hesitate to impose 23-hour lockdowns "if it's necessary" to protect detainees and employees. He and Gonzalez agree that the core problems with the jail stem from a lack of resources, yet Knox insists he would be more assertive in securing them. He said he would appeal directly to the state Legislature for "programs for the mentally unstable" jail population  though he couldn't name a specific bill or even an idea that would help him do that.

Knox also insisted his direct, pull-no-punches approach would convince Harris County commissioners to loosen the purse strings and meet any funding request he made. We're skeptical. Not only are county commissioners politically tilted against him  Democrats have a 4-1 majority  but even Democrats such as District Attorney Kim Ogg, who has been far more forceful and antagonistic in pushing for resources than Gonzalez, hasn't gotten everything she's asked for.

Our primary concern with Knox is his approach to policing and some fundamental misperceptions he appears to have about criminal law and procedure.

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He blasted Gonzalez's decision in 2017 to end the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement program known as 287(g), in which ICE trains local law enforcement officers to serve and execute warrants on noncitizens in the county jail. Gonzalez noted that, at the time, very few counties in Texas were using the program, and that his deputies had just begun working with ICE through the Secure Communities program to deport undocumented immigrants. Knox countered that ICE doesn't even have a presence in the county jail, where a portion of the inmate population have immigration holds and are awaiting deportation. Gonzalez disputed this and an ICE spokesman later told us that that the agency's officers, in fact, have a "continuous" presence in the jail.

Knox's position on local police helping to address illegal immigration is confusing. On one hand, he said he believes "every single police officer in this country is a quasi-federal investigator" who should take a more active role in rounding up people who cross the border illegally. He noted that Senate Bill 4  which was signed into law last year but is currently tied up in federal appeals court  allows any deputy in Texas "to deport people out of our area." Yet even one of the bill's authors, state Rep. David Spiller, said the law requires law enforcement officers to "have evidence of an illegal border crossing" in order to stop someone. On the other hand, Knox insisted that he would instruct rank-and-file deputies out on the street not to ask about citizenship or immigration status, but said he would train his deputies to conduct citizenship investigations in the jail "better than ICE can do themselves."

Sheriff candidate Mike Knox, left, and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez meet with the Editorial Board at the Houston Chronicle offices on September 5, 2024. Sharon Steinmann

In addition, he seemed uninformed about another high-profile Texas law. He didn't seem to grasp that performing or helping a woman get an abortion is a crime that carries a prison sentence. He seemed to think the worst consequence would be a lawsuit. It made us doubt his understanding in other aspects of the law.

Bail reform is another example. Knox blames misdemeanor bail reform previous spikes in violent crime. They're not connected. Gonzalez supported the end to locking up people on nonviolent offenses simply because they could not afford bail while those who have the money can get out. That reform did not apply in felony courts. For a time, however, some felony court judges seemed to be implementing the spirit of bail reform with their leniency, but Harris County's bail reform settlement was not to blame, and certainly neither was Gonzalez.

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Knox also doesn't seem much interested in leniency for low-level offenders. Knox believes the job of law enforcement "is to enforce the law as written," even for offenses, such as marijuana possession, that the current district attorney has stated she will decline to prosecute. At a time when the county jail is already overcrowded, we believe Knox's approach will only further jam up the county's criminal justice system.

While we have concerns about Gonzalez's leadership in the jail, when it comes to policing, we appreciate his thoughtful, holistic approach. The results have been solid: the homicide rate, which declined by 27% last year, remains stable according to data compiled by the sheriff's office. Robberies, aggravated assaults, gunshot victims and fatal crashes have also decreased. Gonzalez has created a plethora of specialized units, such as the VIPER Task Force, which is designed to cut the backlog of outstanding warrants for violent offenders. Since its creation in 2022, that unit has served nearly 4,000 felony warrants. The TeleDeputy and Desk Cop Unit, which allows residents to file non-emergency reports with a deputy over the phone, has handled more than 35,000 calls this year alone, freeing up other deputies to respond to high-priority calls. On the mental health front, Gonzalez instituted a behavioral health division and a Crisis Intervention Response Team to work alongside licensed clinicians to respond to individuals facing a mental health crisis. Even the county jail's Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program has received national attention for helping detainees address their behavioral health in order to get their criminal cases resolved at trial.

If these results were different and if violent crime were truly spiraling out of control, perhaps Knox's barn-burner style would be a welcome and needed change. As it stands, we believe voters should give Gonzalez another term to build on the improvements made to the jail and to continue the impressive work he's doing to keep us safe.
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.
LONDONDERRY  For a month at Magic Mountain Ski Area, goats have grazed spots that are difficult or impossible to mow.

Aimee Braxmeier, owner of Slippery Slope Goats LLC and Londonderry resident, hopes to bring the animals to more ski resorts where the they can be deployed using a new collar technology that creates virtual pastures.

"I would never be able to graze these places without this technology," she said in an interview earlier this month at Magic. "The amount of labor that this has saved is absolutely incredible."

With the expectation that the technology would work well as she went into the pilot project with the Agritech Institute for Small Farms, Braxmeier said she "went all in" and purchased a herd of 30 pregnant goats out of New York to add to hers. They had 60 babies "so we went from 50 goats to 150 in a hurry," she said.

Slippery Slope Goats started in 2020 after Braxmeier had been managing a goat dairy farm in Vermont. She said she constantly received calls about bringing goats to people's homes to graze.

"I was like, I think we're onto something here, so I quit my job," she said. "I've been on a couple goat dairies in Vermont, but I came from the ski industry, so it's full circle that now we're grazing."

Paul Maitland, general manager at Magic, was Braxmeier's manager when they both worked at Stratton Mountain Resort. She had been lift operations manager at Stratton after being in engineering and mountain operations at Killington Resort. She eventually left the ski industry and went back to farming.

Now, Braxmeier is collaborating with the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program to develop a business plan. She said she needs to charge customers for the grazing because of costs involving transportation and winter feed, and she's adding other components to her company.

At first, Braxmeier began with 17 goats. By the end of the first summer, she had about 35 or 40.

Much of the work initially involved clearing invasive plants for private homeowners. After leaving Magic this week, she's planning to bring the goats to graze on vegetation for public utilities in other parts of Vermont.

Braxmeier has gone without employees but hopes to hire or have interns for next summer. Before using a collar system, she relied on electric net fencing. She would go through with a weed whacker and cut everywhere she wanted to put up fencing. She called the work "super labor intensive," as it required moving fencing around and lugging around a solar panel with a car battery on top of everything else.

Strolling of the Heifers ends, funds disbursed to area organizations BRATTLEBORO  There will be no more heifers strolling down Main Street, at least not as part

The Agritech Institute for Small Farms, a nonprofit that came out of the 2022 dissolution of the Strolling of the Heifers in Brattleboro, approached Braxmeier about two years ago about the new collar technology from Norway. She uses an app on her phone to create pastures for the goats to graze then tracks their location and other data.

"Each collar has a SIM card in it. It has a solar panel on each side, a battery," she said. "Some run off of AT&T and some run off of T-Mobile. It's really interesting."

At Magic, Braxmeier showed data for 56 collars although about 100 goats were on the mountain. Some are too young or big to wear the collars, she said.

A series of eight tones warn the animals that they are getting closer to being zapped. Braxmeier said the zap isn't any hotter than one from a traditional electric fence.

"And once they escape from their pasture, they're herd-bound animals and they typically return to their herd within a few minutes," she said. "They don't get zapped going back in. They only get zapped leaving."

Braxmeier said the collars alert her if an animal hasn't moved for more than four hours, as extensive research shows sheep and goats don't typically sleep for longer than that. She also gets a notification every time an animal gets toned or zapped, escapes the pasture or the battery on their collar reaches a low percentage.

One goat had eight warnings last week but no electric shocks, Braxmeier said. In the first week, she noticed a lot of zaps.

"They learn so quickly," she said. "It's absolutely incredible."

Goats initially were trained with the collars at an approximately 12-acre farm with perimeter fencing in Weston. There, they learned boundaries and tones.

Another feature of the app showed how a goat was 24 percent more active than the rest of the herd. Tracking movement can help to see if an animal is hurt.

With friends working in management at Magic, Braxmeier pitched the idea to have her goats graze their first ski resort there. The institute wanted her to try a ski area and provide data on the viability.

Dan Smith, executive director of the institute, said he had been asked by Roger Allbee to help with a new idea to establish a nonprofit to identify and promote technology that could benefit small farms. Allbee was the outgoing chairperson of the Stroll board when the organization dissolved and was figuring out what to do with its remaining resources.

Smith said he identified virtual pastures as the first idea for the institute. Funding for the project came from the Vermont Legislature, Dairy Business Innovation Center, Lintilhac Foundation, and Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity, which advocates for innovation in utilities.

"The thinking is that if this works for ski areas and utilities then it creates additional business for grazers like Aimee so it can expand that small scale part of the economy," Smith said. "We're also trying to find more environmentally and climate oriented technologies as well. This would displace weed whackers at the mountain so you don't have the carbon emissions ... same with the utilities."

Funding enabled Smith to purchase the equipment and loan it to Braxmeier at no risk. Pilot projects are being conducted by Braxmeier, and four beef and dairy farms in Vermont and Maine.

Smith said he researched how the collars would work but for the most part, they exceeded his group's expectations. A major challenge has to do with the app being cellular rather than internet based.

If a community has "inadequate cell service then the technology doesn't work as well," Smith said. However, the technology itself has been deemed successful in doing what it's supposed to do.

Smith called the system "a potential gamechanger."

"I don't think the technology is completely there yet but it's pretty close," he said.

Currently, he's seeking more funding to extend the project. He's also looking at potential projects that involve seaweed being used to reduce methane emissions and robotics helping small scale dairy operations.
Have you ever seen a loon in Berkshire County? This team is working to make sure, someday, we all say 'yes'
EGREMONT  Many of the current preschoolers at South Egremont School were not yet taking their first steps, let alone walking across the road, when the town's Main Street project began in August 2022.

But on Monday, more than two years after the project began, the 3- and 4-year-old students walked across the freshly poured sidewalks and safely crossed the street to reach the Village Green, where they had front row seats at a ribbon cutting celebrating the $9.4 million road reconstruction project.

We love being here in this village, said Sarah Cooke, a preschool teacher at South Egremont School. We love that the village is a part of everything that we learn, and that were embraced by this community. And we especially love that now we have a much safer way to go visit all the special places.

Known as a complete street project in state lingo, the stretch of state road now has a bicycle lane, textured and lit crosswalks, period-style street lights, reconfigured intersections, traffic calming measures and a new culvert in a state-funded project covering seven-tenths of a mile on routes 23 and 41.

But the finished project didn't come to fruition without some bumps in the road for business owners and locals, who for years dealt with delays, detours and an overall "will-this-ever-end," sentiment. The road was down to one lane much of the time, and during the project there was no on-street parking, squelching retail business in the center of Egremont.

But for Jim Weber, owner of Berkshire Contractor, which has offices on Main Street, whatever headaches the construction caused was worth it for the end result, which he characterized as a knock-it-out-of-the park job well done.

After breezing for six or so years to the office 10 minutes from our home on Pumpkin Hollow, to have to stop in traffic a little bit, with the flag wavers and the stop signs, it was a little disruptive, but a minor disruption for the job that was done," he said.

Weber likes the new, smooth road, but hopes it isn't an "invitation for speeders" to drive fast in front of the school.

Now that the road is so beautifully paved, I hope people will honor the speed limits," he said of the 25 mph road.

At the ceremony, traffic backed up on both sides of the road as a group of town and state officials stretched a ribbon across the road and cut it with three enormous pairs of scissors.

Business owners Mike Zippel and Oskar Hallig, who opened The Shop by Only In My Dreams on Main Street in 2020, said the project was challenging to live and work with, but worth it in the end.

Especially, Hallig said, when it comes to the new sidewalks, which now stretch the length of the road on both sides, making for a more walkable Main Street.

We also live in town on Main Street, and we used to love to go visit Terry [Moore at the Old Mill] in the evening, and we would have to cross the road four times from our house to his restaurant, Hallig said of the challenges to find walkable sidewalks before the project was completed.

Its amazing, Zippel said. Love the sidewalks on both sides. Im thrilled.

During formal remarks, Francisca Heming, district highway director for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, explained how this project got its start: with an invitation from the Egremont Select Board in June 2018.

At that time, George McGurn was serving on the board and became chair in 2019 until his death in April.

At the ceremony, state Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli, D-Lenox, called McGurns widow, Mary McGurn, to the podium to present her with a sign reading George McGurn Memorial Highway. He presented one to Lucinda Vermeulen, Egremont Select Board chair, as well, to be posted in Egremonts Town Hall.

"[George McGurn and I] worked very closely on this particular project, Pignatelli told The Eagle. I really believe it wouldnt have been happening today without his due diligence and perseverance.

Mary McGurn said Pignatelli first whispered that a section of highway was to be named for her husband at an event in New Marlborough about three weeks ago.

I was stunned, she said. Lo and behold, I find out, by seeing the markers that the section happens to be Main Street. That was a real shocker. That just blew me away."

She said shes been overwhelmed and is happy and sad at the same time.

The town has honored him, McGurn said. The state has honored him. I just feel so fortunate for him, completely.

McGurn said the changes to the highway are noticeable.

Before the project, sidewalks were sporadic, crumbling and on only one side of the road.

"So we had a Main Street that we were proud of, businesses on it, residents on it, and it wasnt walkable," McGurn said. "It wasnt safe. It also was not a safe road if you wanted to cross from side to side. We have a blind spot or two.

David Seligman moved to town eight years ago hoping to walk from his home on Baldwin Hill Road into town.

It wasnt a possibility, he said. Now we do.
Democrat Melissa McDonough (left) is challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in the 38th Congressional District. Photo courtesy McDonough and Hunt campaigns

The world needs more candidates like Melissa McDonough. Not only is the moderate Democrat willing to wage an uphill battle for a congressional seat tailor-made for a Republican and currently represented by a Trump-endorsed Iraq War veteran elected in 2022 by 28 points. She assembled a focus group of Republicans, including her own pastor, to learn what exactly they were looking for in a politician.

The answers surprised her. They didn't want all the talk about her background or qualifications or policy platform. They didn't want talk about Hunt's missteps, including those that have led to a formal ethics investigation. They wanted action.

"What we discovered in our Republican focus group is just: 'Tell me you're gonna get it done and go do it,'" McDonough told the editorial board. "'Just tell me you're going to fix this. You're going to work diligently on it, and it's going to be your full-time job.'"

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With that simplified message, McDonough, 52, a Realtor from Tomball, says she has attracted many Republicans to volunteer for her in a district gerrymandered to include urban neighborhoods within the 610 Loop such as River Oaks and cities on the outskirts of Harris County such as Cypress. It's a "purple" coalition bound by commonsense positions on issues such as reducing gun violence by passing legislation to supply safes to gun owners; improving access to health care by using federal dollars to fund health clinics in public schools; and even  to her surprise  abortion, where she's appealed to voters who care about bodily autonomy and understand that the procedure is sometimes necessary to save the life of a mother.

McDonough says her pastor told her: "'Melissa, this is a needle and a little hole you're trying to thread. And I'm like, 'I know, but we can do it, and it can happen, and it is happening.' So I love that we're able to bring these purple solutions and just keep going with it."

2024 ENDORSEMENTS: Browse all recommendations by The Editorial Board

It helps McDonough that Hunt, 42, has had a rocky first term in office. While he's an active surrogate for Donald Trump, crisscrossing the nation to appear at his rallies and even getting a coveted speaking slot at the Republican National Convention, he appears to be less active as a legislator. According to GovTrack, a nonpartisan database that monitors Congress, Hunt has missed more than 16% of roll call votes; the median among current representatives is 2%. His staff told us after publication that some votes were missed after Hunt went home in January to be with his wife and son, who was in neonatal intensive care following a premature birth. But even without counting those, he missed about 10%. Hunt did not meet with the editorial board and did not respond to repeated requests for comment before publication.

Hunt occasionally reaches across the aisle  he and Democratic U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher have joined forces to push the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the study of an underground drainage tunnel system in Houston. Considered a "rising star" in the House majority, Hunt saw two of his bills signed into law. One was a technical bill regarding royalties on oil and gas production and the other was companion legislation to the Senate's bipartisan Recruit and Retain Act, which provides resources to help law enforcement across the country address staffing shortages.

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In a concerning development, Hunt is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly spending more than $74,000 in campaign funds at the Post Oak Hotel and its exclusive Oak Room social club, which is owned by Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta. While Hunt insisted in a written response that those payments were "exclusively for campaign-related purposes," the Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics' investigation found that "there is substantial reason to believe" Hunt used campaign funds for personal use. The board noted that Hunt did not cooperate with the investigation, and recommended in June that the House Ethics Committee issue subpoenas to several people, including Hunt and his wife.

"Most people do not know who their representative is," McDonough said.

We don't believe that would be a problem with McDonough, whose extracurricular activities as a private citizen have included trips to Austin and Washington to lobby for the National Association of Realtors. She also organizes working groups where bankers and mortgage lenders connect with low-income renters to help set them on a path toward home ownership.

McDonough's indefatigable nature is the stuff that good representatives are made of. For instance, she made several recent trips to the U.S.-Mexico border, meeting with Border Patrol and Customs agents and National Guard members to better understand illegal immigration. She came away convinced that Congress missed a real opportunity to improve border security and give those enforcement agencies the resources they needed. She said she would've enthusiastically voted for a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year, which ultimately failed to pass the House  a vote that Hunt missed  after Trump reportedly instructed Republican lawmakers to vote it down.

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We prefer representatives who show up for the job voters elected them for. We have no doubt McDonough would clear that bar and be a stellar representative for the 38th Congressional District.

Editor's Note: This endorsement has been corrected to reflect that two of Hunt's bills became law and to include important context about why he missed roll call votes early in his term.
During the end of days, God will be fulfilling His promises, and preparing to set out the direction of eternity. During this time, there are allotted events that must happen, which are recorded in the book of Revelation. Some of what must happen is Gods justice being felt as He pours out His wrath.

One of the great injustices recorded in the prophecy is the death of the martyrs, people who died for their faith and sharing the Gospel. ...I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6:9b-10). The broad judgments against humanity are recorded by the Apostle John in his book.

The final judgments are:

The Seven Seal Judgments

1st Seal: White Horse (Revelation 6:1-2)

2nd Seal: Red Horse of Warfare (Revelation 6:3-4)

3rd Seal: Black Horse of Great Famine (Revelation 6:5-6)

4th Seal: Green Horse of Death by sword, hunger, plague (Revelation 6:7-8)

5th Seal: Martyrdom of believers in Christ (Revelation 6:9-11)

6th Seal: Cataclysmic events in heaven and earth

7th Seal: The 7 Trumpet Judgments

The 7 Trumpets

Hail and fire (Revelation 8:7)

Death of aquatic life (Revelation 8:8-9)

The fall of a star that poisons the water

The darkening of the sun and moon (Revelation 8:12)

Plague of demonic locusts (Revelation 9:1-11)

Death of 1/3rd of humanity (Revelation 9:12-21)

Heaven opens up (Revelation 11:18)

Even after all this, the book of Revelation records, The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts (Revelation 9:20-21).

During this time, the Bible does record that people will get saved during the Last Days, so these people who have yet to repent are not doing so because they are ignorant. They continue to reject God and chose evil despite seeing His mighty works, just like Pharaoh in the book of Exodus. There will be further judgments.

The 7 Bowl Judgments

Ugly festering sores on the people who accept the mark of the beast (Revelation 16:2)

The sea will turn to blood and nothing will live in them (Revelation 16:3)

Rivers and freshwater springs turn to blood (Revelation 16:4-5)

The sun will scorch people with fire (Revelation 16:8-9)

The kingdom of the beast will be plunged into darkness (Revelation 16:10-11)

The Euphrates River will dry up and demons will perform false miracles (Revelation 16:12-14)

The greatest earthquake that will ever happen (Revelation 16:18)

Despite all these judgments, some will survive and refuse to repent. In fact, they will gather an army against the Lord, but they will ultimately fail.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Ilya Burdun
Weddings are joyous occasions for all involved: the groom, his bride, families, friends of the couple, and even the pastor who officiates. One day, a glorious and perfect wedding celebration will be held between Christ and His church  the marriage supper of the Lamb. Earthly weddings include invited guests, but who will be invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb? Is this supper only for special Christians?

If you belong to Christ, you will be an active participant in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. If you are separate from Christ  not a believer in or follower of  you wont. Lets take a look at why this is.

Who and What Is Involved in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?

The Bible describes the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in this way:

Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure  for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are the true words of God (Revelation 19:7-9).

The Bridal Party

The Lamb, of course, is Jesus Christ, whom John the Baptist introduced in John 1:29 when he exclaimed, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! Jesus is the perfect, sinless sacrifice offered for our redemption.

To further explain, immediately preceding the enslaved Israelites exodus from Egypt, an unblemished lamb was offered to institute the Passover. God passed over the Jewish homes that had the sacrificed lambs blood sprinkled on the door posts and lintels (Exodus 12:5-7).

Technically, the Old Testament Passover lamb initiated the covenant relationship between the Lord Jesus and Israel. But for Christians, Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). In the marriage supper of the Lamb, Jesus is Groom to His Bride  the church. Unlike the Old Testament Passover, our Lamb is alive. Therefore, He can be both our Passover Lamb and Groom.

His Bride

Christs Bride is His church. Jesus first mentions His church in Matthew 16:18 when He tells Peter He will build His church on Peters confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. The church is composed of all who believe in Jesus as Lord and who have been called through the Gospel of grace. Revelation 21:9 says, one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb. In Ephesians 5:22-33, we learn the Bride is the Church with Christ as her Head. (See also Revelation 21:2; 9; 22:17; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:2527.)

The Saints

The saints are all believers who have been saved, as pastor Steven Lawson reminds us, by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. This is true both from the Old Testament times (see John 8:56; Genesis 15:6-7; Habakkuk 2:3-4; Romans 1;1-6, 17; Romans 4) and from the age of grace (the time since Jesus, in His first advent, ushered in the kingdom). Pastor Lawson continues, The Old Testament saints looked forward to Christs coming. We look back to Christs first coming and His atoning work on the cross.

Bright and Pure Fine Linen

(The righteous deeds of the saints). The garments the Bride wears are granted to her by the Lord as His gift (see Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 6:11; 7:14). At the moment of our conversion, we are clothed in Christs righteousness.

The marriage and Marriage Supper of the Lamb are synonymous; we come together for the full consummation of our union with Christ and to celebrate with Him.

Ligonier Ministries gives us insight, Revelation 19 describes this day. We will be able to wear the most beautiful wedding gown ever created, made up of our righteous deeds (vv. 68). As glorified people we will finally fulfill the purpose for which we were made  to sit with God in complete, unbroken fellowship. The joy we find at wedding feasts even today will be surpassed when the church feasts with Christ face-to-face.

So then, the answer to the question of who is invited is the Church. It includes everyone throughout history who has been saved, as we saw above, by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. And the richest banquet ever to be held will take place as Christ and His Church come under the covenant of an everlasting, binding union with Christ.

Pastor and theologian Joel Beeke states this about Jesus, And there on that cross He paid the dowry to free us from the penalty of sinWhen we were up to our necks in debt to a holy God because we had broken His law thousands of times, Christ took our liabilities and our debts and paid the price of all our sins. He was made sin for us. Christ became one flesh with His church. Her sins became His sins, and His perfect righteousness becomes hers through faith.

Who Is Not Invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?

Its not rhetoric, its reality. For many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). Jesus tells us that people hear the Gospel, but not everyone responds. Only those who heed Gods effectual call will receive salvation (wherein the respondents answer must be yes).

The wicked are all who are not invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And who are the wicked? We are given a picture of the wicked, their system, and their demise in Revelation 18 as John describes the fall of Babylon, aka the system of the world. Pastor Kevin DeYoung gives us a succinct definition of wicked Babylon, In the book of Revelation, Babylon is a symbol of all thats wrong in the world. Its the system, the way things are in a sinful creation. Babylon is worldliness.

The Apostle John said, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world  the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life  is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:1517).

In short, Babylon is synonymous with evil, and only the wicked inhabit such a place (system) and then are judged and placed in hell, reserved for judgment by our just God (Revelation 21:8).

Those who are wicked indulge in and approve of:

Sexual immorality and sensuality

Sorcery (occultic practices)

Enmity

Strife and causing dissension and division

Jealousy and rivalry

Anger and Lying

Impurity

Drunkenness

They refuse to acknowledge God and oppose Him (Romans 1:18-32)

They refuse to repent, surrender to, and follow Jesus (John 12:48).

The Apostle Paul said, I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21).

Nor will they take part in the marriage supper of the Lamb.

1 John 5:10-13 gives us a good look at the difference between the righteous and the wicked,

Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

(See also John 3:18.)

Looking Back, and Looking Forward

The order of the book of Revelation is no mistake; that the marriage supper of the Lamb follows the account of the destruction of Babylon is very telling. In Revelation 18, John has just described Babylon as a harlot. We as the church are a complete contrast in our fine, white linen, faithfully waiting for our husbands return. The perfect Lamb of God, who sacrificed Himself to save us, has not lost one of us  and the full access to each other is now granted, with nothing held back. The wedding feast is an entryway to that newfound relationship; its an encirclement and a confirmation.

Jesus is inclusive in that any who are called are invited once they surrender to Him in repentance and faith. All who do will be at the wedding supper of the Lamb.

But when the exclusivity of Christ is revealed to the wicked, they will gnash their teeth in hatred. They will claim, Thats not fair! Matthew 7:21-23 is a straightforward rebuke from Jesus to those who refuse Him as Lord, Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.

Every time believers celebrate the Lords Supper (Communion), we look in remembrance of what Jesus did on the cross, and we look forward to the time when Jesus will drink the promised cup of wine with us at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Matthew 26:29).

If you know, obey, and love the Lord Jesus, praise God for His grace and mercy as you look forward to that day when Jesus welcomes us at His marriage feast. And pray for your unbelieving beloveds.

If you dont know Jesus as Lord and Savior, please answer His call before it is too late, for once a person dies, there is no longer a chance to be saved from Gods righteous wrath.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Caiaimage/Tom Merton

Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody. She writes fiction and nonfiction. In addition to writing for the Salem Web Network, Lisa serves as a Word Weavers mentor and is part of a critique group. Lisa and her husband, Stephen, a pastor, live in a small Ohio village with their crazy cat, Lewis.
Adjacent to times of significant societal upheaval, there is always an adjacent movement to go back to our roots. The Protestant Reformers liked to us a Latin phrase ad fontes, which means to the fountainhead. One might argue that we are in a similar season of societal upheaval and there are growing movements to go back to the roots.

The other day an ad popped up for me promoting the Cepher Bible. It talked about getting back to our roots and that it was a Bible meant to restore. Ill admit that I was a bit skeptical, as I typically am with such language. Having never heard of this Bible I decided to do a deep dive on it.

If youve seen similar ads, you might be curious as I was. What is the Cepher Bible? Should I put it on my Christmas list and use it as one of my Bibles for study?

What Is the Cepher?

In an effort to recover our Hebrew roots, the Cepher is a modern compilation and translation of the Bible with additional texts. The word Cepher comes from the Hebrew word for book or scroll. Some also refer to this as the Eth Cepher. It should be noted that the compiler of the Cepher does not approve of the word Bible.

One of the things youll notice in opening the Cepher Bible is that it has 87 texts instead of the traditional 66 books typically in a Protestant Bible. This is even more than the 73 accepted texts within the Catholic Bible. Some of these books are found in other church traditions, such as Eastern Orthodox or Ethiopian Orthodox. And some appear in the Septuagint (LXX). It includes books like Jubilees, Enoch, and Jasher which are not considered canonical by the majority of Christian traditions. It also includes literature such as The Prayer of Manasseh and Psalm 151.

The reader may also notice that familiar names and terms are now replaced with Hebrew transliterations. A transliteration is the process of converting text from one writing system into another, while retaining the corresponding letters. A translation conveys the meaning while a transliteration focuses upon how the words sound. As an example the Hebrew word  is transliterated as shalom in English, instead of the typical translation of peace. In the Cepher, Jesus becomes Yahusha and God is rendered as YHWH. The intention is to bring the text closer to its Hebrew roots.

This focus upon Hebrew roots is the core intention of the Cepher. The text attempts to restore what the authors consider more accurate renderings of Scripture in its original linguistic and cultural context. This leads to an important question: who is they?

Who Is Behind the Cepher?

The Cepher Bible was produced by the Cepher Publishing Group, led by Stephen Pidgeon. According to their website, Pidgeon is a political scientist with a Doctorate of Philosophy, and a Juris Doctorate. He collaborated with a group of students of Scripture to create and publish the Cepher. They assert that the Cepher is a restoration of the original Scriptures, believing that modern translations have introduced errors or omitted key texts which were part of early biblical tradition.

The Cepher Publishing Group is closely associated with the Hebrew Roots Movement. This is a movement which believes Christianity was steered wrongly by Greco-Roman philosophy, ultimately losing the core of biblical Christianity. Those within this movement emphasize that Jesus work renewed and expanded the Law of Moses, rather than fulfilling it. They encourage believers to adopt aspects of Jewish law and tradition as part of their faith tradition.

Because of their belief that Christianity has been corrupted, Pidgeon and his team argue that many modern translations, including popular versions, have obscured or mistranslated certain elements of Scripture. Their goal with the Cepher is to correct those errors. However, it is important to note that the Cepher Bible is not produced by a recognized team of biblical scholars.

It is worth noting that traditional translations of the Bible are created through a rigorous process involving large teams of scholars with expertise in Hebrew, Greek, and ancient manuscripts. There is a significant lack of scholarly backing for the Cepher. While this might play into our present cultural impulse to not trust experts, this should cause concern. By what criteria are they claiming that the text is corrupt and that 2,000 years of church history has been in error? The lack of scholarly backing for the Cepher raises concerns about the reliability and accuracy of its translations. And there are other concerns.

What Are the Concerns?

The Cepher raises several concerns for evangelical readers. The first concern is with the extra-biblical texts. These apocryphal and pseudepigraphal texts, like Enoch and Jubilees, have been excluded from the canon for theological and historical reasons. While they may have some benefit for a cultural or historical understanding, the church has not considered them to be inspired Scripture. Do we really need to resurrect debates about canon all these years later? Including these alongside recognized canonical texts creates confusion.

As mentioned previously, there is concern about the translation process of the Cepher Bible. It seems to be a modified King James Bible, rather than a team of scholars with expertise in each book going back to the original texts. I dont mean to sound insulting here, but the way the original text is interacted with reminds me of a novice who just discovered a resource like a concordance.

Here is an example of the poor use of the Hebrew (and I am grateful to Torah Apologetics, for pointing out this glaring example). In the Cepher, Exodus 6:3 reads:

And I appeared unto El-Avraham, unto El-Yitschaq, and unto El-Yaaqov, by EL SHADDAI, but by my name YAHUAH was I not known to them.

For those familiar with an English Bible, that is Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the original it does say el Avraham. But that el is a preposition. It is different than the el Shaddai which we translate as God Almighty. The point here is that the Cepher is turning El into a proper name before Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and then also retaining the word to give us the word unto. This is the type of error a poor Hebrew student (like myself) would make on an exam.

The Cepher plays loose with history but purports to be full of hidden and previously undisclosed meanings. The return to the original has a great appeal in our day, as does a lack of scholarship. As our trust in institutions continues to decrease, a project such as this one will likely gain traction.

To even question the scholarship and truthfulness of the project immediately sets one as an outsider apparently corrupted by Greco-Roman influences. But on what leg does this particular project stand? You may not believe a team of scholars or centuries of church history from all across the globe. But one must ask, what sets Stephen Pidgeon apart from these?

Should Christians Use the Cepher?

In light of these concerns, and many others, the simple answer is no. While I do believe there can be some benefit in reading apocryphal or even pseudepigraphic literature, this barely qualifies as that. The translation philosophy begins from a faulty premise and would be better carried out by a team of scholars. I think there might be a well-meaning emphasis somewhere in here, but its ultimately lost.

For those exploring Hebrew roots to Christianity, this will likely hold some appeal. But its inclusion of non-Scriptural texts, a lack of scholarly oversight, and an overemphasis upon Hebrew (in places where it shouldnt be emphasized like the New Testament) detracts from the clarity and sufficiency of Scripture.

Scripture tells us to avoid myths and genealogies and empty speculation. In my estimation, this work falls under that category and should be avoided. It purports to sound wise but ultimately deters from the finished work of Jesus Christ.

How to Spot a Fake

I will close with a bit of an experiment.

You probably do not know much about me, but lets pretend that you stumble upon my About page somewhere. And on that about page, I list all of my degrees and qualifications. You dont have any of those letters behind your name, so I might look like quite the authority. Now lets pretend for a moment that Im making the argument that the Bible has been corrupted by Greco-Roman philosophy over the years.

You dont know much about Greco-Roman philosophy, but youve got a picture of Russell Crowe and Socrates somewhere in your mind. As youre trying to place this philosophy and how it corrupted the Bible (a phrase you totally understand), youre hit with a paragraph like this one:

The Bible, having undergone a plethora of exegetical transmogrifications, is inherently subject to hermeneutical obfuscations that result in a dissonance of textual veracity. The convolution of diacritical semiotics and esoteric eschatological interpolations, exacerbated by anachronistic transliterations, has undeniably led to a philological bifurcation of its intended orthodoxy. Consequently, the amalgamation of heterodoxical exegeses has rendered the corpus susceptible to doctrinal entropic drift, undermining its epistemological integrity. Thus, the parabolic palimpsests inscribed therein no longer align with the protological imperatives originally codified.

My guess is youve probably skipped out on much of that. And now lets imagine that I say something like, As you can clearly see, and as evidenced by NAME OF SOME GUY YOUVE NEVER HEARD OF, there is much to lead us to conclude that we need a better translation which helps us to get back to our Hebrew roots and avoids some of that corruption.

You know that corruption is bad. You know that Hebrew roots are probably good. And you know that you arent quite sure what that wordy paragraph meant but it sure sounded smart and it was backed up by Dr. LettersAfterName. You conclude that maybe it wouldnt hurt to give this Cepher thing a read. You dont know Hebrew, but that guy sure sounds like he does.

Thats how Ive found you can spot hogwash. If something is filled with unnecessarily smart-sounding words, appeals to people youve never heard of, and purports to be filled with secret wisdom that only discerning people like you can accept, then it probably doesnt have much substance. Truth can be clear. And it doesnt want to leave you scratching your head, nor feeling like it has the market cornered on secret wisdom or uncovering ancient secrets.

The Cepher is more distraction than helpful. For that reason, Id avoid it.

Photo credit: Getty Images/asafta
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Several industry experts discussed the impact of AI on preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment alongside its regulatory aspects

GS1 India, a supply chain standards organisation set up under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, recently hosted the Navigating the Future of Healthcare: From Vision to Reality conference at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The event brought together 150+ participants including healthcare experts, government officials, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and industry leaders. The conference aimed to serve as a platform for the stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing healthcare delivery through standardised practices.

During the keynote address, the CEO of GS1 India, S. Swaminathan, emphasised the importance of collaboration among healthcare stakeholders to improve patient outcomes. It is time for all healthcare providers and supply chain partners to align their efforts towards the well-being of our citizens, Swaminathan stated. He highlighted how breakthrough innovations, including AI and 2D barcodes, are revolutionising healthcare processes and ensuring product authenticity and safety.

Dr Vinod Kotwal, Member Secretary of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), emphasised on the need of product and product data enabling the vision of enhanced patient safety. She also discussed that technology must be harnessed to overcome supply chain challenges.

Chandrashekar Ranga, Joint Drugs Controller (India), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), suggested that the need of the hour is global harmonisation in the healthcare sector and asserted that a simple barcode scan is needed to ensure unique identification of products which helps in detection of falsified medicines and drug recall.

Several industry experts discussed the Role of AI in Healthcare: AI-Driven Proactive Care & Predictive Intervention. They explored the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment alongside its regulatory aspects.

In the session focused on 'Role of Standardization and Interoperability in Drug/Medical Device Registry Design, it was discussed how registries are key to managing healthcare data, enabling interoperability, and enhancing supply chain transparency. The panelists dissected their role in supporting efficient insurance claims and personalised medicine.

The key speakers at the event also explored the regulatory landscape, including the recent mandates for QR codes on pharmaceuticals and their role in ensuring compliance and supply chain transparency.
The Westland Bunker, a data center operated by Data Journey in Montgomery. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

At a city council meeting in Fort Worth last week, residents and developers clashed over plans to build a sprawling data center near a residential neighborhood that would stand more than a hundred feet tall and suck up enough electricity to power thousands of homes.

Its just the latest tension point as developers in Texas and around the country rush to build data centers to serve an increasingly digitized economy that is fast embracing electricity-hungry artificial intelligence platforms.

From the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington to city councils and legislatures in states like Texas, politicians are weighing new regulations on development of the centers to protect against stressing their power grids and water resources.

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READ MORE: Texas lawmakers turn on cryptocurrency industry after learning of high power demand projections

As the impacts accumulate, people are stepping back and saying we need to get our arms around this, said Bill Hollaway, a Washington energy attorney. At some point we cant serve all this need. Because these data center dont need 5 megawatts, they need 300 megawatts, and thats something we havent seen before.

At issue is the fact a query posed to an artificial intelligence platform like ChatGPT uses about 10 times the energy of a standard search engine. On top of that. the servers powering AI also require a large volume of water to keep from overheating, with tech giant Microsoft reporting a 34% spike in its water use last year, which scientists say is largely attributable to its AI work.

In Washington, discussions about what to do about the data center boom are ongoing, with politicians torn between wanting to stay ahead of China and other nations developing artificial intelligence, and protecting the power grid.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration, which has identified artificial intelligence as crucial to the future of the U.S. economy and national security, met with technology and energy executives from companies including Amazon and Meta to announce creation of an interagency task force that would advance data center development operations in line with economic, national security, and environmental goals.

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That middle-of the-road move drew cheers from technology firms, which are pushing back against the wave of new regulations under discussion, arguing that growing power demand is good for the economy and utilities and regulators simply need to adjust.

Criticial moment

This is a critical moment that requires data-driven decision-making and collaboration, Josh Levi, president of the trade group Data Center Coalition, said in a statement. The data center industry is leaning in as a collaborative partner with utilities, grid operators, policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders at this transformative moment to advance and accelerate grid modernization and energy infrastructure.

Consulting firm McKinsey and the International Energy Agency estimate that power load for data centers, which currently consume 4% of the power on the U.S. grid, will double by the end of the decade.

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In places like northern Virginia and North Texas, which have the nation's highest concentrations of data centers, the growth could be even higher.

Earlier this year, the Texas grid operator released a forecast that showed power demand could reach more than 150 gigawatts by 2030  compared with a peak power demand of almost 86 gigawatts this summer.

In a call with financial analysts last month, the power utility Oncor, which serves North and West Texas, said it had seen a surge in connection requests for large power loads over the past 12 months, of which more than 70% were data centers. While the bump could mean big profits for power companies, theyre finding it difficult to get enough new generation and transmission lines to meet the demand, said Mark Bell, president of the trade group Association of Electric Companies of Texas.

In Pennsylvania, Constellation Energy, a Baltimore-based power company, announced last week it would restart the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear plant, which suffered a partial meltdown in 1979, to provide electricity to data centers operated by Microsoft.

The challenge is syncing the interconnection timelines and the building of the data centers, Bell said. We want to serve load. We want to provide service.

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Texans are torn

In Texas, legislators are eager for the state to enjoy the economic benefits of data centers, which are fast becoming large source of tax revenue. In Fort Worth, for instance, the towering new data center drawing opposition from neighbors is expected to deliver $14 million in additional revenue to the city and local school district.

But at the same time, state lawmakers are increasingly uneasy about putting additional load on the grid, especially after widespread power outages during Winter Storm Uri in 2021 and again during Hurricane Beryl this summer.

READ MORE: New data reveals CenterPoints unprecedented glitches and power loss after Beryl

Ahead of the January legislative session, some politicians have raised the idea of putting limits on data center development, in line with new regulations approved in Fairfax County, Virginia earlier this month that blocks data centers from being built close to residential neighborhoods or within a mile of a commuter rail station.

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Can we just say, No, you cant come?  state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, said of data centers at a hearing in June. Too many pigs at the table who just run out of food. If they dont come with their own trough full of food, can we just say no?

Texas regulators may also face the question of who will pay for all the grid upgrades necessary to serve the data centers, which have typically been spread evenly across new and existing customers.

In Ohio, the utility giant AEP, which also operates in Northeast Texas, is requesting the state utility commission shift the cost of building out the grid to new customers like data centers in what is widely viewed as a test case for other utilities.

Volatile discussion

Members of the Texas Business and Commerce Committee are scheduled to sit down in Austin next month to discuss how to manage increasing power demand related to population growth and energy intensive technologies such as electric vehicles and data centers.

Its all so volatile and up in the air, said Doug Lewin, an energy consultant in Austin. It would be stunning if the state said we dont want this huge source of economic growth because we dont have the load. We can serve that load if we have smart energy policy, but thats a big if.

Any move to limit data center growth is likely to draw pushback from Texas business interests, including the states powerful oil and gas sector. Data centers require constant energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week, something that natural gas-fired power plants, of the type the Texas Legislature recently put aside $10 billion to build, could be contracted to provide.

At a gas conference in Houston last week, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth honed in on the Biden administrations efforts to ensure data center growth doesnt impinge on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Programme combines expertise in business administration and medical technology

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to launch a joint postgraduate programme in Healthcare Management.

This collaboration aims to address the growing need for leadership in the healthcare industry by integrating management principles with advanced medical technology.

The agreement was signed by Prof. Archana Shukla, Director, IIM Lucknow, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, in the presence of senior faculty members.

The Postgraduate Programme in Healthcare Management will serve professionals from various fields, including healthcare workers and doctors in public hospitals. The course is designed to blend expertise in medical technology with business administration, empowering participants to spearhead advancements in healthcare delivery and innovation.

The joint programme will collaborate closely with IIT Kanpur's Centre of Excellence in Digital Health, working with international institutions critical to India's healthcare landscape. The initiative seeks to produce leaders equipped to tackle the evolving challenges of healthcare management and foster the integration of cutting-edge technology into medical practice.

IIM Lucknow anticipates that this partnership will significantly enhance healthcare management education and research, helping to cultivate professionals capable of contributing to a stronger, more innovative healthcare system in India.
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
Switzerland on its way to the Foreign Oscar in two stages for the first time - Gallery Director Laetitia Dosch's debut film "Le proces du chien" is on the shortlist for the Swiss entry for the Foreign Oscar. It will be announced on September 25 whether she will definitely be in the running. (archive picture) Image: Keystone Director Klaudia Reynicke won the Audience Award for "Reinas" in Locarno, among others. On September 25, it will be announced whether the film will also be in the running for the Foreign Oscars for Switzerland. (archive picture) Image: Keystone Switzerland on its way to the Foreign Oscar in two stages for the first time - Gallery Director Laetitia Dosch's debut film "Le proces du chien" is on the shortlist for the Swiss entry for the Foreign Oscar. It will be announced on September 25 whether she will definitely be in the running. (archive picture) Image: Keystone Director Klaudia Reynicke won the Audience Award for "Reinas" in Locarno, among others. On September 25, it will be announced whether the film will also be in the running for the Foreign Oscars for Switzerland. (archive picture) Image: Keystone

For the first time, Switzerland will decide in a two-stage selection process which film it will enter into the race for the Foreign Oscars: "Reinas" by Klaudia Reynicke or "Le proces du chien" by Laetitia Dosch. Both films will benefit.

SDA

On September 25, the selection committee appointed by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) will announce which Swiss film will be entered into the 2025 Oscar race. In mid-August, it was announced that "Reinas", a coming-of-age story by Swiss-Peruvian filmmaker Klaudia Reynicke, and the Swiss-French comedy "Le proces du chien" by Laetitia Dosch are on the shortlist for the 2025 Oscars. Following the example of other countries such as France, Denmark and Sweden, Switzerland has also announced a shortlist.

The promotion agency Swiss Films has introduced a new two-stage selection process for the film. This should increase the chances of a domestic film winning an Oscar in the "International Feature Film" category in future.

Since the nomination of Claude Barras' "Ma vie de courgette" (Best Animated Film, 2018), the presence of Swiss filmmaking at the Oscars has been manageable. But there had been successes in the past. Several short films were nominated or made it onto the shortlist. Xavier Koller won the Gold Man for Best Foreign Language Film with "Journey of Hope" in 1991. He followed in the footsteps of Richard Dembo, who had achieved the same in 1985 with "Dangerous Trains". "Das Boot ist voll" by Markus Imhoof (1981) was nominated in the same category, but came away empty-handed. Other Swiss filmmakers were also successful in international productions.

Of animals and humans

The first Swiss Oscar shortlist now includes the directorial debut "Le proces du chien". Director Laetitia Dosch also plays the leading role of the lawyer Avril. If she loses in court again, she will have to leave the firm. The fact that her next client is a dog doesn't make her situation any easier. Cosmos, as the animal is called, has bitten several people, but is also a loving, loyal companion to the visually impaired Dariuch.

The selection committee justified its decision to shortlist the philosophical comedy by saying that the work "skillfully questions views on animal rights and attitudes towards women in modern society while revealing the beliefs, questions and desires of those involved in the process". At this year's Cannes Film Festival, the film was in the running for the main prize in the "Un certain regard" section and for the Camera d'Or.

"Reinas", which is also on the shortlist, is the first Swiss feature film to be screened in the international main competition at the renowned Sundance Film Festival, was awarded Best Director in the "Generation" section at the Berlinale and won the Audience Award at the Locarno Film Festival.

In this coming-of-age drama, Klaudia Reynicke tells an autobiographically inspired story about a mother who wants to move from Lima to the USA with her two daughters. The reason for this is the economic crisis, massive political unrest and a lack of prospects for a better life in Peru in the 1990s. "'Reinas' is a tender and subtly told story by a Swiss director who has already proven that she can touch the hearts of a worldwide audience," wrote the selection committee.

A rocky road

Although only one film can be sent into the Oscar race, Andreas Buhlmann, Head of Festivals & Markets at Swiss Films, sees advantages for both productions. Whereas in the past, films applied for the Oscar selection "to the best of our knowledge and belief", stricter requirements now apply.

First and foremost, a contract with a US distributor, or the proven prospect of one, is a prerequisite for being shortlisted at all. What counts is no longer just the strength of the film, but also the international network and the overall package with which the film can be promoted in the USA and to the AMPAS members (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences).

The two-stage system also makes both films visible for longer. "Previously, a film was nominated in a single session," says Buhlmann. And so early in the process that "decisions often had to be made based on assumptions". In other words, before the jury even knew whether the team behind it was well enough positioned to have a real chance of winning. And instead of being able to concentrate directly on public relations, time and energy were initially spent on finding a US distributor and setting up a promotional team. Today, two films are ideally equipped for the international market.

But even after the Swiss election on September 25, there is still a long way to go. On December 17, AMPAS will announce the shortlist of 15 films from the various countries. The nominated titles will be published on January 17, 2025. The award ceremony of the 97th Academy Awards will take place on March 2, 2025 in Los Angeles.

*This text by Miriam Margani, Keystone-SDA, was realized with the help of the Gottlieb and Hans Vogt Foundation

SDA
Taking care of the Jura dossier for the Confederation: Jean-Christophe Geiser. (archive picture) Keystone

After the cantons of Bern and Jura voted in favor of Moutier's change of canton, the official end of the Jura conflict is near. The Federal Assembly will be able to draw the final line when it approves the change of canton next year.

SDA

Jean-Christophe Geiser, the person responsible for the Jura dossier at the Federal Office of Justice, paid tribute on Monday to the decades-long process that led to the resolution of the most important intercantonal conflict in the history of the federal state.

This demonstrates the state's ability to resolve a conflict through dialog and democratic means, said Geiser in an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency. The process is unique in Switzerland. There is hardly a comparable process even abroad.

The final chapter concerning the cantonal affiliation of the Bernese Jura, including Moutier, began on March 25, 1994, when the Federal Council and the two cantons agreed to enter into a dialog. They created the Assemblee interjurassienne (AIJ), a consultative body with representatives from both cantons, as a platform for discussion. This body was to resolve the Jura conflict politically.

"New legal foundations then had to be created," said Geiser. This process was met with interest beyond the country's borders. "The Jura example could be used to solve other minority problems."

Weight of the Confederation

The Confederation has accompanied the entire process. As a mediator, within the framework of the Tripartite Conferences, but also at an operational level, for example during the votes in the town of Moutier in 2017 and especially in 2021. The Confederation secured the ballot at an unprecedented cost.

The Confederation's role as mediator will come to an end in 2025 with the approval of the border amendment resolution by the Federal Assembly.

Moutier's neighboring municipality of Belprahon, which has remained Bernese, will not be able to turn to the federal government again to demand a new vote on its cantonal affiliation, said Geiser. "From a human point of view, the Jura issue will be closed with the vote in the federal parliament."

SDA
The police are piling on the pressure: because there are pictures of the perpetrator after a robbery in Gossau, he should hand himself in. (symbolic picture) Keystone

At midday on Saturday, July 27, a man robbed a store on St. Gallerstrasse in Gossau. The police have pictures of the perpetrator. They now want to publish them if the man does not turn himself in within a week.

SDA

During the robbery, the perpetrator threatened the store employee with a knife. He then fled with the loot of several thousand francs. Images of the perpetrator were secured during the investigation, the St. Gallen cantonal police announced on Monday.

A so-called public manhunt has therefore been launched on behalf of the public prosecutor's office. This means that the images will be published unpixelated in a week's time and the public will be asked to help with the manhunt. Until then, the perpetrator has time to turn himself in to the police, according to the press release.

SDA
Dark clouds are gathering: SRG has to cut jobs. Archivbild: Keystone

Swiss Radio and Television is cutting 75 full-time positions. The range of programs will also be adjusted.

Dominik Muller

No time? blue News summarizes for you SRG has to make savings.

On Monday, the company announced 75 job cuts. Show more

SRG will have to save around 150 million per year from 2029. This was announced by Media Minister Albert Rosti in June. The Federal Council wants to reduce the Serafe fees from the current CHF 335 to CHF 300 in the coming years.

This will have far-reaching consequences for SRG. In future, around 15 to 20 percent less budget will be available.

SRG announced job cuts on Monday. Specifically, according to the announcement, 75 jobs will be cut - 10 percent of which will be management positions.

Nathalie Wappler comments: "Our corporate responsibility obliges us to maintain a balanced budget. I very much regret that this goal can only be achieved next year through job cuts. Of course, we are doing everything we can to minimize the number of redundancies. Nevertheless, this will be unavoidable. Those affected will be covered by the SRG social plan."

Broadcasts will be canceled

As SRF wrote in a press release on Monday, the personnel measures will be implemented once the consultation process has been completed. The "SRF 4.0" corporate project will provide assistance. Broadcasts are also to be canceled or sent on summer break.

In order to fulfill the savings mandate and at the same time drive forward the transformation, selective changes to the information offering at low-usage times are unavoidable: from summer 2025, the "Tagesschau" editions at midday and 6 p.m. will be replaced by moderated newsflashes, while the midday edition will be discontinued at weekends.

This will allow SRF to focus on programs in linear prime time. In addition, the programs "Club" and "Gesichter & Geschichten" will also be paused in the summer - in line with the magazines and other talk programs.

Further adjustments and synergies

The station-specific news bulletins on Radio SRF Virus will be discontinued and replaced by the regular news from Radio SRF. The number of regional journals on weekends will be reduced selectively. Exceptions are election and referendum Sundays.

With these measures, SRF is continuing to focus on the News app as its main news channel. The app covers news events in Switzerland and abroad around the clock and provides the necessary information.

On third-party platforms, SRF will in future focus on the brands "SRF Impact", "Bounce" and "Studio 404" for the young audience. The financial and human resources will be pooled and distributed across these three brands as well as new streaming content for Play SRF.

This will allow the offering to be expanded and further developed with the aim of reaching the young target group even better. In return, SRF will relinquish the channels "SRF Mood" and "We, Myself & Why" as well as the formats "Das VARs", "Deep Dating", "Hypegenossen", "Pasta del Amore", "In Progress" and "Helvetia".

Federal decision forces SRG to make savings

As a result of the Federal Council's decision, SRG will only receive half of the cost-of-living adjustment on the media levy from 2025. As a result, SRG-wide cost-cutting measures amounting to CHF 50 million will be necessary - including a further CHF 6.3 million at SRF.

Additional measures are necessary due to the decline in commercial revenues. SRF can make all these savings in the coming year through one-off reductions in its offering, projects and support services. The reduction of individual jobs will be achieved through natural fluctuation wherever possible.


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Jeremy Wallace has covered politics and campaigns for more than 20 years. Before joining the Hearst Texas newspapers in 2017 he covered government and politics for the Tampa Bay Times, The Miami Herald and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Previously he covered Congress for the Boston Globe and Detroit Free-Press. Originally from San Antonio, he attended the University of North Texas and earned his bachelors degree from the University of Missouri.

Jeremy also authors the Texas Take with Jeremy Wallace newsletter, where he shares insights from inside the Capitol along with the occasional Willie Nelson reference. You can sign up here.

You can follow him on Twitter, @JeremySWallace, or email him at Jeremy.wallace@chron.com.
After coming second in the Brandenburg state vote on Sunday and winning the Thuringia state election this month, Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party now commands a blocking minority in two regions.

Why is a blocking minority part of the law?

In Germany, some decisions of great consequence like changing the constitution or making appointments to bodies key to the functioning of democracy and the rule of law require a two-thirds majority.

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Conversely, any one party that can marshal a third of votes in parliament - representing a significant portion of public opinion - can wield a blocking minority.

The two-thirds or super majority, a rule inspired in part by the Nazis' seizure of dictatorial power after winning the 1933 election, was designed to stop any one party capturing the state and transforming it. Sweeping change should be achievable only through agreement among multiple parties.

On the other hand, a blocking minority could be used by a party at odds with liberal democracy, like the AfD, to gum up and delegitimise the state, for example by snarling appointments to judicial and security bodies.

Where is a two-thirds majority needed?

In Thuringia, a two-thirds majority is needed for appointments to the state Constitutional Court, the committee that appoints other judges and the committee that oversees security services and appoints the official leading the security agency which, among other things, monitors alleged far-right and extremist threats to democracy - including the AfD.

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In Brandenburg, two thirds of legislators must vote for new Constitutional Court judges or for changes to the state constitution. The AfD's support would also be needed to dissolve parliament and call new elections.

Will the AfD block all nominations?

On election night, Bjoern Hoecke, the radical AfD leader in Thuringia, said he would use his blocking minority to defeat attempts by other parties to freeze it out of power. His colleagues in Brandenburg echoed that view on Sunday.

The AfD has for years been accused of using legislative and judicial levers to bog down state institutions across Germany, maximising its clout even without formal legislative powers. It says it is merely making full use of its democratic rights. The party is one of the most active sponsors of filings before the Federal Constitutional Court, packing out its docket with unmanageable case volumes.

When does the first crunch come?

The first appointment that will require a two-thirds approval comes soon with the replacement of a Constitutional Court judge in Thuringia. In Brandenburg, the first urgent vacancy does not arise until 2029, limiting the party's immediate leverage.

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How much harm could a blocking majority do?

Following the immediate replacement in Thuringia, all the remaining judges' terms will have expired by 2029. Lower court judges in Thuringia in the formerly Communist east are older than the national average - many have been in office since German reunification in 1990 - so a wave of retirements is due in coming years. If no replacements can be appointed, there could be long waits for justice.

What are the consequences beyond the judiciary?

Surveys show the AfD thrives on the perception of many voters that a sclerotic and ineffective state needs radical change. Endless delays to rulings on everything from company filings and divorce papers to criminal cases could reinforce that perception, even if the AfD is itself partly to blame.

While small Thuringia has less than 3 per cent of Germany's population, snarls in the system will be noticed far beyond its boundaries and could influence voters further afield ahead of next year's national election.

What can be done?

On the national level, government and opposition recently agreed to amend the constitution so a future party attempting to advance an authoritarian agenda would not be able to disable the Federal Constitutional Court, which is regarded as German democracy's ultimate guarantor.

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It's too late for that in Thuringia and Brandenburg: state politicians will have little choice but to try to strike deals, informal or otherwise, with the AfD, regardless of their stated refusal to work with the far rightists.

Legal scholars, like Erfurt University's Anna-Mira Brandau, have been looking into whether the federal government could delegate its own judges and courts to cases in Thuringia as an emergency stop-gap.
Gardai are investigating after a man was injured during a suspected petrol bombing of a house in Limerick City overnight.

The wounded man, who was in the house when it was set alight, sustained injuries to his back, as well as cuts and grazes, after he jumped from an upstairs window of the house after it was targeted.

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The arson attack occurred at Pike Avenue, Garryowen, shortly before 10pm.

HSE paramedics transferred the injured man via ambulance, from the scene to University Hospital Limerick where he was being treated for non life-threatening injuries.

Gardai as well as firefighters attached to the Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service also responded to the scene.

Nobody else was reported to have been injured in the incident.

The two-storey property was extensively damaged in the fire.

The property has been cordoned off with a Garda Scenes of Crime cordon tape.

Investigating gardai remained at the house this morning and were to carry out house to house enquiries in the area as they tried to determine a motive for the attack.

A garda spokesman said gardai were investigating a fire which occurred at a residence in Garryowen, at approximately 9.50pm, Sunday.

The fire was brought under control by local fire services. A man (30s) was taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The spokesman said the scene was preserved and a technical examination will take place.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061-212400.
The Israeli military said it has struck 300 targets in Lebanon as it steps up the pressure on the Hezbollah militant group.

Lebanese authorities say 100 people have been killed in what would be the deadliest day in the country in nearly a year of fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.

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The Lebanese health ministry said more than 400 others were wounded in the strikes in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army announced the strikes on the social media platform X, posting a photo of what is said was the military chief, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, approving additional attacks from military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

It is one of the most intense barrages of air strikes in nearly one year of fighting against Hezbollah.

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The Chief of the General Staff approves strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon from the IDF Headquarters Underground Operations Center. So far, more than 300 Hezbollah targets have been struck today. pic.twitter.com/hbNKWJ8QAs  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024

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Lt Gen Halevi and other Israeli leaders have promised tougher action against Hezbollah in the coming days.

As Israel was carrying out the attacks, Israeli authorities reported a series of air-raid sirens in northern Israel warning of incoming rocket fire from Lebanon.

Earlier, Israel had urged residents of southern Lebanon to leave their homes in areas where it claims Hezbollah has stored weapons, warning of extensive strikes there.

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Senior Hezbollah commanders died during the strikes on Friday. Photo: AP.

It was the first warning of its kind in nearly a year of steadily escalating conflict and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire on Sunday.

Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed a top commander and dozens of fighters.

There was no sign of an immediate exodus from the villages of southern Lebanon, and the warning left open the possibility that some residents could live in or near targeted structures without knowing that they are at risk.

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The increasing strikes and counter-strikes have raised fears of an all-out war, even as Israel is still battling Hamas in Gaza and trying to return scores of hostages taken in Hamas October 7 attack.

Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group. Israel says it is committed to returning calm to its northern border.

Associated Press journalists in southern Lebanon reported heavy air strikes targeting many areas on Monday morning, including some far from the border.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency said the strikes hit a forested area in the central province of Byblos, about 81 miles north of the Israeli-Lebanese border, for the first time since the exchanges began in October.

Israel said it had hit 300 targets in Lebanon. Photo: AP.

No injuries were reported there. Israel also bombed targets in the north-eastern Baalbek and Hermel regions, where a shepherd was killed and two family members were wounded, according to the news agency. It said a total of 30 people were injured in strikes.

The Lebanese health ministry asked hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa valley to postpone surgeries that could be done later.

The ministry said in a statement that its request aimed to keep hospitals ready to deal with people wounded by Israels expanding aggression on Lebanon.

An Israeli military official said Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation. The official said the strikes are aimed at curbing Hezbollahs ability to launch more strikes into Israel.

Lebanese media reported that residents received text messages urging them to move away from any building where Hezbollah stores arms until further notice.

If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, the Arabic message reads, according to Lebanese media.

At least 50 people have died. Photo: AP.

Lebanons information minister, Ziad Makary, said his office in Beirut had received a recorded message telling people to leave the building.

This comes in the framework of the psychological war implemented by the enemy, Mr Makary said, and urged people not to give the matter more attention than it deserves.

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the Israeli orders. Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied out because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure. That could lead the Israeli military to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

The military said it had targeted more than 150 militant sites early on Monday. Residents of different villages in southern Lebanon posted photos on social media of airstrikes and large plumes of smoke. The state-run National News Agency also reported air strikes on different areas.

An Israeli air strike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen fighters, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000. Lebanon blamed Israel for the attacks, but Israel did not confirm or deny any responsibility.

An earlier strike hit Beiruts southern suburbs. Photo: AP.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel a day after the October 7th attack in what it said was an attempt to pin down Israeli forces to help Palestinian fighters in Gaza.

Israel has retaliated with air strikes, and the conflict has steadily intensified over the past year.

The fighting has killed hundreds of people in Lebanon, dozens in Israel and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. It has also sparked brush fires that have destroyed agriculture and scarred the landscape.

Israel has vowed to push Hezbollah back from the border so its citizens can return to their homes, saying it prefers to do so diplomatically but is willing to use force. Hezbollah has said it will keep up its attacks until there is a ceasefire in Gaza, but that appears increasingly elusive as the war nears its first anniversary.

Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 captives are still held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November.

Israels offensive has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry. It says women and children make up a little over half of those killed. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.
Cholera is spreading in war-torn Sudan, killing at least 388 people and leaving around 13,000 others ill over the past two months, health authorities have said.

The crisis comes as more than 17 months of fighting between the military and a notorious paramilitary group shows no sign of abating.

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The disease is spreading in areas devastated by recent heavy rainfall and floods especially in eastern Sudan, where millions of war displaced people sheltered.

The casualties from cholera included six dead and about 400 sickened over the weekend, according to Sundays report by the health ministry.

The disease was detected in 10 of the countrys 18 provinces with the eastern Kassala and al-Qadarif provinces the worst hit, the ministry said.





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5 trucks of lifesaving supplies arrived in White Nile, Sudan, after a 22-day long journey. They'll help to provide healthcare, clean water, good sanitation and hygiene for the internally displaced communities and mitigate the risks of cholera. #ForEveryChild, support pic.twitter.com/4ldDLUuMCs  UNICEF Sudan (@UNICEFSudan) September 22, 2024

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Cholera is a fast-developing, highly contagious infection that causes diarrhoea, leading to severe dehydration and possible death within hours when not treated, according to the World Health Organisation. It is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water.

The disease is not uncommon in Sudan. A previous major outbreak left at least 700 dead and sickened about 22,000 in less than two months in 2017.

Sudan was plunged into chaos in April last year when simmering tensions between the military and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), exploded into open warfare across the country.

The fighting, which wrecked the capital, Khartoum, and other urban areas has been marked by atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in the western region of Darfur, according to the United Nations and international rights groups.

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It has killed at least 20,000 people and wounded tens of thousands others, according to the UN However, rights groups and activists say the toll was much higher.



Cholera outbreaks have been seen before in Sudan (AP)

The war also has created the worlds largest displacement crisis. More than 13 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the fighting began, according to the International Organisation for Migration. They include more than 2.3 million who fled to neighbouring countries.

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Devastating seasonal floods and cholera have compounded misery in Sudan. At least 225 people have been killed and about 900 others were injured in the floods, the health ministry said. Critical infrastructure has been washed away, and more than 76,000 houses have been destroyed or damaged, it said.

Famine was also confirmed in July in the Zamzam camp for displaced people, which is located about 10 miles from North Darfurs embattled capital of al-Fasher, according to global experts from the Famine Review Committee.

About 25.6 million people  more than half of Sudans population  will face acute hunger this year, they warned.

Fighting, meanwhile, rages in al-Fasher, the last major city in Darfur that is still held by the military. The RSF has been attempting to retake it since the start of the year.

Last week, the paramilitary force and its allied Arab militias launched a new attack on the city. The military said its forces, aided by rebel groups, managed to repel the attack and kill hundreds of RSF fighters, including two senior commanders.
Britain's Prince Harry has kicked off a run of high profile appearances in New York, as he joined the charity set up in memory of his late mother to discuss the global mental health crisis facing young people.

Harry is championing causes close to his heart and those associated with Diana, Princess of Wales on the solo east coast trip with two days of events in the Big Apple during UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week.

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King Charles' youngest son took part in a panel on Monday with the Diana Award, which was set up in honour of the princess and marks its 25th anniversary this year.

Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex will join the CEO of The Diana Award, Dr. Tessy Ojo, CBE, for a conversation on youth mental health at the 14th Concordia Annual Summit!



Read more here: https://t.co/7qGlB8ZB9v pic.twitter.com/ZZa3zJE7in  Concordia (@ConcordiaSummit) September 9, 2024 Advertisement

Harry joined the charitys chief executive Tessy Ojo and two winners of the Diana Legacy Award, Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang, 18, from Indonesia, and Christina Williams, 27, from Jamaica.

Dr Ojo said ahead of the event: The Diana Award is delighted to put young people centre-stage at The Concordia Annual Summit in New York alongside Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.

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There is reason to have hope. When empowered and given the tools to unlock their potential, we know young people can lead the positive change the world needs.

Harry turned 40 on September 15th (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

On our 25th Anniversary, this event gives us the platform to share our insights and launch our ambitious plan for the next decade.

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Harry is following this later with an appearance for the Halo Trust, the landmine clearance charity supported by Diana, and then a private engagement with conservation group African Parks.

Harry, who celebrated his milestone 40th birthday a week ago, is forging ahead with his charity work after describing how fatherhood has given him a renewed sense of purpose to make this world a better place.

He is one of the star guests with former US president Bill Clinton on Tuesday morning where he will discuss finding solutions to global challenges.

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Harry is to appear with former US president Bill Clinton on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA)

Harry will join Mr Clinton, the former presidents daughter Chelsea Clinton, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, US broadcaster Katie Couric and primatologist Jane Goodall at a session called Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Clinton Global Initiatives annual meeting.

Other events on Tuesday see the duke focus on Lesotho, the impoverished southern African country where he set up his Sentebale charity to support Aids orphans, and the Travalyst organisation, which aims to encourage the tourism sector to become more sustainable.

Harry is travelling to the UK for the WellChild annual awards next Monday.

The Diana Award event was part of the Concordia Summit, the largest nonpartisan forum alongside the UN General Assembly.
The Israeli military says it is widening an aerial offensive against what it says are Hezbollah weapons sites in southern and eastern Lebanon.

The military said on Monday that it is expanding its air strikes to include areas of the Bekaa Valley, along Lebanons eastern border, after targeting more than 300 sites in southern Lebanon.

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Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said residents of the Bekaa Valley must immediately evacuate areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons.



Earlier strikes hit suburbs of Beirut (AP)

Earlier, Lebanese authorities say 100 people have been killed in what would be the deadliest day in the country in nearly a year of fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.

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The Lebanese health ministry said more than 400 others were wounded in the strikes in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army announced the strikes on the social media platform X, posting a photo of what is said was the military chief, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, approving additional attacks from military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

It is one of the most intense barrages of air strikes in nearly one year of fighting against Hezbollah.





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The Chief of the General Staff approves strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon from the IDF Headquarters Underground Operations Center. So far, more than 300 Hezbollah targets have been struck today. pic.twitter.com/hbNKWJ8QAs  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024

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Lt Gen Halevi and other Israeli leaders have promised tougher action against Hezbollah in the coming days.

As Israel was carrying out the attacks, Israeli authorities reported a series of air-raid sirens in northern Israel warning of incoming rocket fire from Lebanon.

Earlier, Israel had urged residents of southern Lebanon to leave their homes in areas where it claims Hezbollah has stored weapons, warning of extensive strikes there.



Senior Hezbollah commanders died during the strikes on Friday (AP)

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It was the first warning of its kind in nearly a year of steadily escalating conflict and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire on Sunday.

Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed a top commander and dozens of fighters.

There was no sign of an immediate exodus from the villages of southern Lebanon, and the warning left open the possibility that some residents could live in or near targeted structures without knowing that they are at risk.

The increasing strikes and counter-strikes have raised fears of an all-out war, even as Israel is still battling Hamas in Gaza and trying to return scores of hostages taken in Hamas October 7 attack.

Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group. Israel says it is committed to returning calm to its northern border.

Associated Press journalists in southern Lebanon reported heavy air strikes targeting many areas on Monday morning, including some far from the border.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency said the strikes hit a forested area in the central province of Byblos, about 81 miles north of the Israeli-Lebanese border, for the first time since the exchanges began in October.



Israel said it had hit 300 targets in Lebanon (AP)

No injuries were reported there. Israel also bombed targets in the north-eastern Baalbek and Hermel regions, where a shepherd was killed and two family members were wounded, according to the news agency. It said a total of 30 people were injured in strikes.

The Lebanese health ministry asked hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa valley to postpone surgeries that could be done later.

The ministry said in a statement that its request aimed to keep hospitals ready to deal with people wounded by Israels expanding aggression on Lebanon.

An Israeli military official said Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation. The official said the strikes are aimed at curbing Hezbollahs ability to launch more strikes into Israel.

Lebanese media reported that residents received text messages urging them to move away from any building where Hezbollah stores arms until further notice.

If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, the Arabic message reads, according to Lebanese media.



At least 50 people have died (AP)

Lebanons information minister, Ziad Makary, said his office in Beirut had received a recorded message telling people to leave the building.

This comes in the framework of the psychological war implemented by the enemy, Mr Makary said, and urged people not to give the matter more attention than it deserves.

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the Israeli orders. Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied out because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure. That could lead the Israeli military to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

The military said it had targeted more than 150 militant sites early on Monday. Residents of different villages in southern Lebanon posted photos on social media of airstrikes and large plumes of smoke. The state-run National News Agency also reported air strikes on different areas.

An Israeli air strike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen fighters, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000. Lebanon blamed Israel for the attacks, but Israel did not confirm or deny any responsibility.



An earlier strike hit Beiruts southern suburbs (AP)

Hezbollah began firing into Israel a day after the October 7 attack in what it said was an attempt to pin down Israeli forces to help Palestinian fighters in Gaza.

Israel has retaliated with air strikes, and the conflict has steadily intensified over the past year.

The fighting has killed hundreds of people in Lebanon, dozens in Israel and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. It has also sparked brush fires that have destroyed agriculture and scarred the landscape.

Israel has vowed to push Hezbollah back from the border so its citizens can return to their homes, saying it prefers to do so diplomatically but is willing to use force. Hezbollah has said it will keep up its attacks until there is a ceasefire in Gaza, but that appears increasingly elusive as the war nears its first anniversary.

Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 captives are still held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November.

Israels offensive has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry. It says women and children make up a little over half of those killed. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.
Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed more than 490 people including more than 90 women and children, Lebanese authorities have said, in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

The Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of its widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

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Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since 2006.



Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun, Lebanon (Hussein Malla/AP)

Lebanons health ministry said the strikes killed 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, and wounded 1,645 people  a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

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The death toll far surpassed that of Beiruts devastating port explosion in 2020, when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse detonated, killing at least 218 people and wounding more than 6,000.

In a recorded message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to heed Israeli calls to evacuate, saying: Take this warning seriously.

Please get out of harms way now, Mr Netanyahu said. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.

Israels military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said the army will do whatever is necessary to push Hezbollah from Lebanons border with Israel.

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Rear Admiral Hagari claimed Mondays widespread airstrikes had inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah.

But he would not give a timeline for the ongoing operation and said Israel was prepared to launch a ground invasion of Lebanon if needed.

We are not looking for wars. We are looking to take down the threats, he said. We will do whatever is necessary to do to achieve this mission. We hope to do it as shortly as we can.



Residents react as rescuers sift through the rubble, searching for people still missing at the site of Fridays Israeli strike in Beiruts southern suburbs (Hassan Ammar/AP)

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Rear Admiral Hagari said Hezbollah has launched some 9,000 rockets and drones into Israel since last October, including 250 on Monday alone.

The military spokesman said Israeli warplanes struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets on Monday, destroying cruise missiles, long- and short-range rockets and attack drones. He said many were hidden in residential areas, showing photos of what he said were weapons hidden in private homes.

Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone, he told a news conference.

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Israel estimates Hezbollah has some 150,000 rockets and missiles, including guided missiles and long-range projectiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.

Earlier on Monday evening, the Israeli military said it had carried out a targeted strike in Beirut. It did not give details.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency reported three missiles hit southern Beiruts Beir al-Abed neighborhood. Hezbollahs Al-Manar TV said six people were wounded.

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said the earlier strikes hit hospitals, medical centres and ambulances. The government ordered schools and universities to close across most of the country and began preparing shelters for the displaced.

Some strikes hit residential areas in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley. One hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos, more than 80 miles (130 kilometres) from the border north of Beirut.



The rubble of a building at the site of Fridays Israeli strike in Beiruts southern suburbs, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

The military said it was expanding the airstrikes to include areas of the valley along Lebanons eastern border with Syria. Hezbollah has long had an established presence in the valley, where the group was founded in 1982 with the help of Irans Revolutionary Guards.

Israels military chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, said Israel was preparing its next phases of operations against Hezbollah, and that its airstrikes were proactive, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure built over the past 20 years.

Lieutenant General Halevi said more details would be released in the near future, and that the goal was to allow displaced Israelis to return to their homes in northern Israel.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it fired dozens of rockets toward Israel, including at military bases. It also targeted for a second day the facilities of the Rafael defence firm, headquartered in Haifa.

The evacuation warnings were the first of their kind in nearly a year of steadily escalating conflict and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire Sunday.

Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed a top commander and dozens of fighters.

The increasing strikes and counter-strikes have raised fears of all-out war, even as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza and tries to negotiate the release of scores of hostages taken in Hamas October 7 attack. Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group.

Associated Press journalists in southern Lebanon reported heavy airstrikes targeting many areas Monday morning, including some far from the border.



Cars sit in traffic as they flee the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes, in Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

Lebanons state-run National News Agency said the strikes hit the central province of Byblos for the first time since the exchanges began.

Israel also bombed targets in the north-eastern Baalbek and Hermel regions, where a shepherd was killed and two relatives wounded, the news agency said, adding that a total of 30 people were wounded.

The Lebanese Health Ministry asked hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley to postpone non-urgent surgeries to keep hospitals ready to treat people wounded by Israels expanding aggression on Lebanon.

An Israeli military official said Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with regulations, said the strikes are aimed at curbing Hezbollahs ability to launch more strikes into Israel.

Residents received text messages reading: If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, Lebanese media reported.

Lebanons information minister, Ziad Makary, said his office in Beirut had received a recorded message telling people to leave the building.

This comes in the framework of the psychological war implemented by the enemy, Mr Makary said, and urged people not to give the matter more attention than it deserves.

Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.



Cars sit in traffic as people flee the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes, in Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure.

That could lead the Israeli military to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

An Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen fighters, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000, many of them civilians. Lebanon blamed Israel, but Israel did not confirm or deny responsibility.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel a day after the October 7 attack in what it said was an attempt to pin down Israeli forces to help Palestinian fighters in Gaza.

Israel has retaliated with airstrikes, and the conflict has steadily intensified.

Hezbollah has said it will keep up attacks until there is a ceasefire in Gaza, but that appears increasingly elusive as the war nears its anniversary.

Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250.

Some 100 captives are still held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November.

Israels offensive has killed over 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and fighters.

It says women and children make up a little over half of those killed.

Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.
Bryan & Katie Torwalt - "Clean Heart" | Merge PR

NASHVILLE, TN. (SEPTEMBER 20, 2024) Renowned worship leaders and songwriters Bryan & Katie Torwalt released a brand new song, "Clean Heart" today. This marks the husband and wife duo's first release outside of Jesus Culture since 2010. Listen to "Clean Heart" here.

After writing this song from our hearts to the Lord with our friends Hank Bentley and Austin Johnson over two years ago, we finally have finished it and cant wait to share it with you guys," share the Torwalts. "Its not been an easy one, guys, and to warn you, this one might bring a tear or two as the kindness of God leads us to repentance."

The Towalts have helped usher listeners into worship since their debut album in 2011. Since then, the duo has released impactful songs such as the GRAMMY Award-winning song "Holy Spirit," "When You Walk Into The Room," their No. 1 radio song "Miracle In The Works," and "My Hallelujah." Their 2022 release, I've Got Good News, marked the couple's first-ever live recorded album, which produced the well-received song "Sound Mind."

ABOUT BRYAN & KATIE TORWALT: The Torwalts and their beautiful daughter Indigo reside in Sacramento, California where they have been part of Jesus Culture Music since 2010. Bryan and Katie are passionate about writing songs for the church, as they live to see the earth transformed to Heaven's likeness. The Torwalts' debut album, Here on Earth, features the Grammy-winning original song "Holy Spirit," which opened the doors for many to experience worship deeply.
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I write crime books, thrillers and horror movies, so I know a thing or two about vengeful characters. But I never saw myself as a vengeful person. That is, until I got a nasty email from a reader and spent way too long plotting my revenge. Let me explain 

My debut novel came out in 2018. It got a lot of love. Readers from all over the world sent me lovely emails, and it was an absolute joy to read them. But not everyone connected to the material. One reader compared my prose to a mattress tag. Another thought my male characters were too feminine, and my female characters were too masculine. One guy got very offended that I put a lemon tree in a climate where lemon trees wouldnt typically grow.

Then I got an email from Barbara. I dont know what Barbara looks like, but as I read her email, I pictured a compact woman in her 60s with fierce cheekbones and small, sinister eyes, staring intently at an old nicotine-stained monitor, thumping out her email so hard that the desk was shaking.

Christian White knew he should ignore the trolls. But that was easier said than done. Credit: Piccolo Angelo Photography

Barbara really didnt like The Nowhere Child. It disturbed her. It made her angry. You think she would have stopped after reading the first chapter, right? Wrong. She read the whole damn thing cover to cover, tsking and shaking her head, probably, gasping aloud each time she turned the page. And there was so much she didnt like. The story was unrealistic. I used too many swear words. My descriptions were lazy. My metaphors didnt make sense. I cast religion in a negative light (in my defence, the book is about Pentecostal snake-handling).

But what Barbara hated most of all  what Barbara couldnt forgive  what made Barbara so triggered that she just had to write and tell me  was all the gayness.

The central love story in The Nowhere Child is a flawed and complicated relationship between two men living in an isolated town in Kentucky during the 1990s. This offended Barbara both morally and spiritually. She spent most of her email stringing together homophobic slurs and listing all the ways I contributed to societys downfall.
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Review Eating outMelbourne Of all the recent restaurant openings in Melbourne, this feels the most exciting You know youre in Melbourne when youre welcomed into this lovely bluestone restaurant tucked behind a church. Besha Rodell September 24, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the October hit list. See all stories .

1 / 9 Roast chicken, crusted with saltbush zaatar, rests on a bread sauce. Simon Schluter 2 / 9 Ramen scotch eggs have soft-yolked eggs wrapped in pork mince, then crumbed and deep-fried. Simon Schluter 3 / 9 Tuna tartare is deftly dressed with Aleppo chilli, tangelo and buckwheat. Simon Schluter 4 / 9 Ox tongue skewers, edges crisp, are glazed with Davidson plum. Simon Schluter 5 / 9 Sunlight streams through windows at Reed House. Simon Schluter 6 / 9 Rhubarb and chocolate tart is a straightforward union of good fruit, good chocolate, and good pastry. Simon Schluter 7 / 9 Rebecca Baker and Mark Hannell, partners in business and in life, met while working at Nopi in London. 8 / 9 Built in the Gothic Revival style, Reed House was once home to the minister of the nearby Wesleyan Church. 9 / 9 Tucked behind a church, Reed House feels like it was meant to be here. Simon Schluter Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Contemporary$$$$ Some restaurant openings thrill because they bring something wholly new to the city: a vibe or cuisine or set of sensibilities weve not seen before. Others feel magical almost for the opposite reason: they fit so well into the landscape of Melbourne, its aesthetic and personality, that it seems they were always here, and walking in feels like coming home. The latter is true for Reed House, the new restaurant in the manse building that was originally a home for the minister who worked at the adjacent Wesleyan Church. Its directly across the courtyard from Caretakers Cottage, the cocktail bar thats become an international darling. Sunlight streams through windows at Reed House. Simon Schluter

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The two venues have a lot in common, the most obvious being the nature of the bluestone buildings they occupy, and the repurposing of those spaces for modern needs. The location is a huge part of the delight of Reed House: entering through the big old front door; basking in the sunlight streaming in through the arched windows surrounded by bluestone; sitting in rooms that exude history. You could be dining in a European country town, but because youre familiar with our citys bones, its past hidden in laneways and crevices, you know youre in Melbourne. The other commonality with Caretakers is in Reed Houses spirit, forged by young owners with passion and talent. Its run by Mark Hannell and Rebecca Baker, a chef and front-of-house duo (and couple) who met while working at Yotam Ottolenghis Nopi restaurant in London. Co-owners Rebecca Baker and Mark Hannell bring passion and talent to Reed House. The two moved to Bakers hometown of Melbourne a few years ago, where Hannell worked for the Three Blue Ducks group, while Baker did stints at The Everleigh, Bar Americano, and Capitano, where she served as manager.

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Its likely to be Baker who will greet you at the door, open that same door for you on your way out, and whose warmth and welcome seep into much of the experience  her staff seem to take their cues from her excellent attitude and relaxed professionalism. (One waiters enthusiastic exclamation of Lets do that! with every drink or dish ordered was especially endearing.) Before I even read about the couples history, I remarked to a dinner companion that the menu reminded me a little of St John, the legendary London restaurant known for the simple but somehow essential cooking of its founder, Fergus Henderson. Tuna tartare is dressed with Aleppo chilli, tangelo and buckwheat. Simon Schluter Letting ingredients shine is a phrase used too often, but in the case of Hannells cooking, that approach takes on a more elemental aspect. There are hundreds of tuna tartares on Melbourne menus right now; the one here ($27), with Aleppo chilli, tangelo and buckwheat, is completely in service of the deep, meaty quality of the tuna itself, even while a component as basic as black pepper asserts itself, bolstering the fish and helping it to be its best self. Theres a lovely restraint here, and a deft attention to spicing and saucing  never too much, never not enough. Hannells other prominent talent is taking items that are, at their core, comfort foods, and turning up the flavour and texture ever so slightly, enough to snap you to attention and then lust after them days later.

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Welsh rarebit is here served on a sproingy crumpet ($9), giving the rich and tangy cheese sauce extra nooks and crannies to soak into. Servers deliver it with a bottle of Worcestershire sauce, encouraging you to use it liberally  what fun. Also falling into the ingenious twist category: a scotch egg made with the kind of white and yolk youd find in your ramen bowl ($14), cooked to a gooey half-solid in the sweet umami of soy sauce. Scotch egg contains an egg inspired by those found in a bowl of ramen. Simon Schluter Ox tongue skewers ($7) come with a Davison plum glaze that tastes like very fancy ketchup, and perhaps thats the point. Either way, the tongue itself is soft and crisped on the edges and the stuff that meaty dreams are made of. Mains give you your standard options  fish, steak, pasta, chicken  but each aspires to be the absolute best version of itself. For meat lovers, the porterhouse with anchovy butter and mustard greens ($45) is a homage to perfectly cooked simplicity.

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The whole fish  John dory the night I had it ($45)  was again a careful ode to the taste of the fish itself rather than the proclivities or ego of the chef. There was caramelised butter and rainbow chard, but what I remember most distinctly was the softness of the flesh, the subtlety of its oceanic character, the light metallic tang of its sweet fishiness. Roast chicken has a zaatar crust made with saltbush. Simon Schluter If Ottolenghis influence is obvious anywhere on this menu, its in the roast half chicken ($39), which comes over a mellow bread sauce and is crusted in zaatar made with saltbush. Its a beautiful example of place, experience and inspiration converging on the plate: a London aesthetic done with a Levantine edge using Australian ingredients. Desserts are as straightforward as can be, the most fussed-over among them a rhubarb and chocolate tart ($16), which is just good fruit, good chocolate, and good pastry. What more could you want? Of all the recent openings in Melbourne, Reed House feels the most exciting, and also the most natural, like it was meant to be here, tucked behind this church in this lovely building, run by these lovely people. Id be surprised if it doesnt become an instant classic. The low-down Vibe: Rectors house laid-back elegance Go-to dish: Roast chicken, $39 Drinks: Stellar cocktails, lovely Aus/Euro wine list, could do with a couple more by-the-glass options Cost: About $130 for two, plus drinks
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Exclusive Eating outComing soon Melbournes master of pasta to open first Sydney restaurant The Greek-born chef behind Melbourne pasta bar Tipo 00 and Osteria Ilaria is bringing his talent to Sydneys it food suburb, Double Bay. Scott Bolles September 23, 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

Andreas Papadakis is the Greek-born chef with a gift for Italian food and a reputation in his adopted city as Melbournes master of pasta. Now Papadakis has chosen Sydneys it food suburb for his next move, with plans to open a restaurant in Double Bay. Andreas Papadakis from Tipo 00. Kristoffer Paulsen The project will be a Sydney first for Papadakis and business partners Luke Skidmore and Alberto Fava, the trio behind Melbourne pasta bar Tipo 00, Osteria Ilaria, pizzeria Figlia, and Grana Deli. They havent chosen just any street for their Double Bay incursion; the location is on the same Bay Street strip as Neil Perrys restaurants Margaret and the recently opened $10 million Song Bird.

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So, whats all the fuss about Papadakis, and yet another Melbourne food arrival? Our Melbourne colleagues tell us his gnocchi is cloud-like, and one review for The Age warns: Pity the carb-hating fool who will never know what it is to break into the perfectly formed tortellini. Papadakis confirmed the new hospitality entity, Conferre Group, has secured a site at the Ruby House development, on the corner of Bay Street and New South Head Road, where theyll open a restaurant next year, but beyond that details are sketchy. Were still working out what were going to do, he says. Were not going to replicate Melbourne  [but] were not going to open a Japanese restaurant. Tipo 00s signature pappardelle with duck ragout and porcini mushrooms. Kristoffer Paulsen The chef also confirmed they wont transport the Tipo 00 moniker north, something that might have been difficult because a similarly named (but unrelated) pizzeria operates in Balmain.

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Papadakis was raised in Athens and spent summers on the island of Crete in a family that ate pasta four times a week. When he was forging a career in restaurants in France, he spent most of his free time jumping the border to Italy. Hints of all those cultural influences are evident in a repertoire of Melbourne menu hits that includes octopus with njuda dressing, pappardelle with braised duck and porcini mushrooms, and tagliolini al nero with ebony strands of pasta flecked with pale squid and married with a briny sauce. Tipo 00 is the kind of restaurant that breeds an instant following, one Melbourne review claimed. Papadakis will be hoping its Sydney sibling will do likewise when it opens in 2025. Top Melbourne chef shares the crucial secret behind his cloud-like gnocchi
Charlotte was loved. For many years, it had just been her and her single mum, Kelly. When Kelly met Mat six years ago, Charlotte had another person in her corner. A few years ago, she asked if she could call him Dad. Technically, I am stepdad, but I was Dad from the first day I met Kelly and Charlotte, Mat said.

Like many parents, Mat and Kelly didnt know what to do about the issues 12-year-old Charlotte said she faced in the playground at her Sydney private girls school. The problems had begun about eight months after she started in year 5. Theyd be there, then theyd go away, and then be there, said Mat.

Friends one day, not friends the next. She had really, really big emotions, and for a little girl with these emotions, it was really difficult for her.

Sydney school student Charlotte, aged 12, took her own life.

They spoke to the school and took her to a doctor, who described what Charlotte was experiencing as harassment.
As soon as news surfaced of a possible royal visit in October, the jostling began for a piece of King Charles III.

Yes, there was horsey jostling between Neil Wilson, chair of the Victoria Racing Club, and Peter Vlandys, chief executive of Racing NSW, to land King Charles and Queen Camilla on their respective pieces of racing turf. That issue was decided when the Kings cancer diagnosis left no room in the royal program for Melbourne, or anything not deemed a worthy royal cause (e.g. the nags).

Cheers to that: King Charles and Queen Camilla will seize opportunities to meet and greet Australians, but not to walkabout. Credit: PA

But CBD can reveal theres been a bit of vice-regal jousting over the question of where Rex will lay his royal head each night.

As this column previously reported, the Kings private secretary Sir Clive Alderton undertook advanced reconnaissance in June, meeting NSW Governor Margaret Beazley in Sydney.
In the male-dominated construction world, the hard hat on a womans head is not always a snug fit but like a tunnel boring machine. However, the Victorian government hopes to shift that a little and at the same time burnish the social credentials of its unpopular $200 billion Suburban Rail Loop. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. Credit: Darrian Traynor Boring machines will drill their way between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley on the SRL East as part of the government plan to drill an equally enormous chasm in the states finances. Eight teams are being hired to man (sorry for the choice of verb there) the four giant pieces of machinery. One of the teams will be entirely female. To make sure we havent missed it, Spring Street has put out two press releases mentioning this fact. The initiative was announced last month by Suburban Rail Loop Minister Danny Pearson.

On Monday Premier Jacinta Allan had taken over mentions of the achievement, informing us that two slurry machines will be used in the northern section, while in a Victorian first, two convertible machines will be used in the south  with the TBMs set to be converted from slurry to earth pressure balance machines to work through the softer ground in Cheltenham. So now, readers, you are completely up to date. In charge of the project is SRL East Tunnels south construction manager Isolde Piet  the first female tunnel boring machine pilot in the world. There are about 25 highly skilled roles available next year, when tunnelling starts, including the TBM operator, gantry and segment crane operators, even grouters. And 600 women have already applied. BACK FOR BUSINESS

Anthony Templeton is back. The spinner for former lord mayor Sally Capp left his post as senior media and communications adviser in 2021 and held positions at Monash Universitys Turner Institute and as a media manager for then-premier Daniel Andrews. Loading Then Templeton jumped ship last year to become a city reporter for our friends at the Herald Sun, where he terrorised Town Hall with a series of hard-hitting stories such as Outrage as hypocrite Capp jets off to climate conference. He also mused in an opinion column that a book about Capps time as lord mayor would be called The Wasted Years. Admittedly, it probably wouldnt be a bestseller, he wrote in the Herald Sun.

He then headed to the Northern Territory to head communications for chief minister Eva Lawler (she lost the August election big time). Now Templeton is back heading up comms for lord mayoral candidate Arron Wood, who had his own falling-out with Capp and is the chief rival to her successor as lord mayor, Nicholas Reece. I am very happy to be back in Melbourne, Templeton told CBD. He started last week, but day one didnt go swimmingly. The campaign printed his phone number incorrectly on his first media release. THINK OF THE STAFFERS

Political staffers cop it in the neck from all directions. Sometimes even from us. So we feel its only fair to draw attention to an appreciation post for these beleaguered folk from an unexpected source  CT Group founder Mark Textor. Mark Textor has backed the worker bees. Credit: Janie Barrett Textor, the internationally celebrated campaign pollster and communications strategist (according to CT Group), took to LinkedIn to lament the rough time society dishes out to the worker bees. Political staffers take a mountain of B/S from all sides, including their own, but theyre working under pressure most wouldnt even dream of ... all while facing the constant threat of being out of a job after the next election, wrote Textor, who helped John Howard to election victories here and Boris Johnson to election wins in Britain. But critics, comfortably sitting at their keyboards, dont understand the realities of life in politics.
A man has been stabbed to death on a busy street in Sydneys inner west.

Emergency services were called to Marrickville Road at Marrickville about 7.40pm on Monday after reports that a man had been stabbed, police said in a statement.

NSW Police and NSW Ambulance officers performed CPR on the man near a Guzman y Gomez fast food store, but he could not be revived.

Marrickville Road was closed between Illawarra Road and Garners Avenue, with motorists urged to avoid the area as police combed the street for evidence.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In the middle of Sydneys Delta lockdown, St Vincents Hospital doctor Professor Steven Faux was pulling up in a van to an inner-city block of flats where his team believed a number of people with disabilities lived. They did not have a list of names or know how many people they would find there; all they knew was that these people had not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine. There is a list of people living in Sydney who are on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). But it is held by the federal government, which had elected to prioritise its already lagging rollout of the vaccine in aged care ahead of attempting to provide the vaccine to NDIS participants  a decision it was lambasted for at the disability royal commission later that year. Using hospital records, relatives phone numbers, and referrals from friends, the outreach van was among the improvised state services attempting to protect the vulnerable and plug the gaps left by the federal governments vaccine rollout as the Delta wave rolled in. If it wasnt for NSW having innovative ways of vaccinating disabled people, like drive-throughs and vans going out to people, a lot of disabled people would have died, Faux said. Public health experts have warned that federal and state governments must improve their collaboration processes before the next pandemic. They call for better systems for sharing information and delivering services. The Heralds expert panel, from left: UNSW Professor James Wood, University of Sydney Professor Julie Leask, St Vincents Hospital Associate Professor Steven Faux, University of Newcastle epidemiologist Jennie Musto, Kirby Institute Scientia Professor Gregory Dore, University of Sydney Professor Nicholas Wood, University of Sydneys Dr Jocelyne Basseal, University of Sydney Professor Eddie Holmes, University of Newcastle Conjoint Associate Professor Craig Dalton. Credit: James Brickwood With Australias inquiry into the coronavirus response focusing on federal decisions, The Sydney Morning Herald is conducting its own review of decisions made at state level.

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Following a panel on NSWs education policy during the pandemic held earlier this year, this masthead assembled nine public health experts to interrogate decisions made in their field and provide recommendations ahead of what they believe is an inevitable next pandemic. The group was scathing of logistical bungles during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, both the delays with vaccinating vulnerable groups but also issues with supply, delivery, and communication. They recommended future vaccination efforts be managed by the NSW government whose core business is providing public health services. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance associate director Professor Nicholas Wood said the proof this was the wrong call could be seen in how things operate today. Before that it was the state running things, and now we have gone back to the state running things, he said. University of Sydney vaccine researcher Professor Julie Leask was critical of the Morrison governments management of the vaccine rollout instead of the usual state-based systems. They wanted to dominate the rollout of the vaccine for a range of reasons, and I think some of them were political, Leask said.

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She also criticised the federal governments arm yourself vaccination advertising campaign, which she said would have been easily identified as problematic for some cultural groups had it been developed in consultation with local community health organisations. South-west Sydney doctor and community leader Jamal Rifi savaged the campaign when it was launched, telling the ABC: For years we were working with countering violent extremism, and some genius in Canberra comes in and says arm yourself. How am I going to translate this in Arabic? Arm yourself, that means get a gun. The COVID-19 pandemic unearthed a state government-based parochialism, the panel said, where collaboration with other states was harder than it should have been, and the hodgepodge of virus restrictions and border closures  particularly in relative peacetime  became confusing and unmanageable. Moving forward, we need to look at a national response. Its the same virus, the same infection control measures, said the University of Sydneys Dr Jocelyne Basseal, who worked on the COVID-19 response for the Western Pacific region with the World Health Organisation. When it came to collaboration between state and federal governments, UNSW infectious diseases modeller James Wood said the issues that emerged in Australias COVID-19 vaccine rollout were indicative of broader problems with health co-operation and communication in Australia. You have all these state-level resources and connections and ability to do things that took quite a long time to be taken advantage of  states werent provided with detailed data on vaccination coverage and gaps for a really long time, he said.

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This stifling of communication between and within agencies was another massive problem, Leask said. People, even within a Ministry of Health, arent briefed and kept up to date on what the thinking is about where were heading next, what the evidence is that informs our policy, she said. James Woods modelling, used to inform policy decisions, was tightly held, said Jennie Musto, who was operations manager of NSW Healths Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. I was the head of the operations sitting [in meetings with Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant] every single day, and we didnt get to see [that] modelling data, Musto said. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant and then-premier Gladys Berejiklian appeared together for daily briefings during the COVID-19 crisis. Credit: James Brickwood Despite asking for the data almost daily, it was only shared with Chant and then-premier Gladys Berejiklian. The explanation for exactly why we were doing things wasnt there. It was just: this is what were doing, said Musto, who speculated that the reason the modelling wasnt shared more broadly was concern it would leak.

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Australia doesnt do transparency well It was a different approach taken to other countries during the pandemic: the UK Sage group published its meeting documents, while the US equivalent of Australias technical vaccine advisory group (ATAGI), the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices, livestreamed its meetings. Loading Australia doesnt do transparency well, James Wood said. Hardly any of the key documents that informed discussions [such as those used by ATAGI, of which he is a member] ever made it to light. Every member of the panel believed that Australia would benefit from a well-funded Centre for Diseases Control (CDC), as exists in the US. The Albanese government committed $90.9 million in the 2023-24 federal budget to support establishing a CDC. An interim CDC was established in January. Its permanent location is not yet determined. The Kirby Institutes Professor Greg Dore suggested it might be necessary for states to cede some power for such a body to function.

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My parents first date in the 1950s was at a party in Beaumaris. It was, my dad explained, an interesting suburb. The area was popular at the time with creative types such as writers, artists, actors, fashion designers  Prue Acton, Linda Jackson, and Jenny Brown grew up in Beaumaris  and for some reason, airline pilots. (Dad worked in travel and Mum was an airline hostess).

Years later, when I was at art school, Beaumaris again popped up on my radar, thanks to a fellow student who lived there. I knew it was out of the city and by the bay, and it always sounded a bit exotic to me. I imagined a lifestyle among the trees, drinking wine, painting and lazing on the beach.

My husband and I grew up in the suburbs and had become avowed inner-city dwellers. Then children came along. Two boys and all that energy, combined with some wonderful holidays out of the city, made us yearn for more space, even a garage. We were missing trees and sky. Its funny how you can subconsciously mimic your parents. We had just completed a renovation on our forever house in East St Kilda and were not looking to move  but somehow, 23 years ago, found wed bought a mid-century modern home in Beaumaris.

When you see a map of the bay, Beaumaris is the place that protrudes out before the long curve of beaches to Frankston. It has a rich history, beginning with the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation and their middens can still be discovered on guided coastal walks.
5,000 couples join in largest group wedding in PRC history

08:40, September 23, 2024 By Du Qiongfang ( Global Times

A total of 5,000 Chinese couples tied the knot simultaneously in 50 places from across the country on Sunday as the nation eagerly awaits the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The couples celebrated their love on the day, marking a significant chapter in their lives.

Themed "a celebration by families and the nation to witness happiness together," the group wedding is the largest ever in scale held by the Chinese authorities since the founding of PRC.

At 50 wedding venues set up in provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the special administrative regions of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan region, the 5,000 couples dressed themselves up in Chinese traditional wedding gowns, held flowers, exchange gifts, and solemnly read their wedding vows, China Women's News reported.

In addition to their vows to stay together and grow old together, the newlyweds also issued a proposal for simplifying wedding procedures and opposing high betrothal gifts, according to Beijing Daily.

The symbolic significance of this group wedding in promoting marriage customs reform, advocating a new culture of marriage and childbearing, while supporting the happiness of marriages and families is self-evident, the Beijing Daily reported.

A couple from Ji'an in East China's Jiangxi Province told the media that the essence of marriage lies in the love and commitment between two people, whereas high "caili," or betrothal gifts from the bridegroom to the bride's family, often place a financial burden on young people, even affecting the happiness of their marriage, according to China Women's News.

Their opinion was echoed by a bride named Yan Huiyin from Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, who thought that finding a soulmate with whom one can share the rest of their life is always the most important value of the marriage.

Demographic expert He Yafu, who has long tracked marriage registration data, stated that one reason for the declining marriage rate in China in recent years is the high cost of weddings, particularly in rural areas where the practice of high "caili" was more common.

"This group wedding aims to promote the reform of outdated customs and encourage simplified wedding practices, opposing high-priced betrothal gifts and extravagant ceremonies. One of its goals is to advocate for reducing the cost of marriage and increase the marriage rate," He told the Global Times on Sunday.

The venue in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region saw the largest number of 300 newlywed couples.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
The suspect in the Easey Street double-murder case said he was moving to Greece to take care of an ailing parent when he left the country in 2017 after being asked by detectives to submit a DNA sample in the nearly five-decade cold case.

Perry Kouroumblis was arrested in Italy last week on behalf of Victoria Police after an investigation into his alleged involvement in the rape and murder of Suzanne Armstrong and murder of Susan Bartlett in January 1977.

Perry Kouroumblis, a 65-year-old dual citizen of Australia and Greece, was arrested in Italy.

The 65-year-old is in custody in Rome awaiting an extradition hearing that could see him returned to Australia. No charges have been laid, and if they are, they will need to be proven in an Australian court.

The break in the 47-year-old case has allegedly come as a result of DNA evidence linking Kouroumblis to the crime at the Easey Street home the two women shared with Armstrongs 16-month-old son. Kouroumblis would have been 17 years old at the time.
High house prices have exacerbated a slowdown in the number of people moving interstate for work and lifestyle, with new figures showing an end to the exodus of residents out of Victoria, the dimming of Queensland as the nations go-to state while NSW is relying on immigrants to prevent de-populating.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers concedes the government wont hit its forecast of net overseas migration. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals the turmoil caused by COVID border restrictions and the rising cost of housing and interest rates means fewer people are prepared to relocate.

The great interstate migration is disappearing. Credit: Aresna Villanueva

In the years before COVID, about 450,000 Australians annually moved to a new state or territory. This collapsed as many state governments barred interstate travel or made it difficult to take up residency.

Moves rebounded as the barriers came down, but the latest national population figures show fewer than 370,000 people shifted interstate in the 12 months to the end of March. It was the lowest annual move, outside of COVID, since 2015, when the country was home to 23.8 million people.
Fury over the Peter Dutton-endorsed dumping of a Liberal Party candidate to accommodate former MP Katie Allen is threatening to imperil the oppositions hopes of winning back a key Melbourne seat from Labor.

Theo Zographos was chosen as the Liberal Partys candidate for the eastern suburbs seat of Chisholm in December, but the party replaced him with Allen earlier this month after her former seat of Higgins was abolished because of population trends.

Katie Allen, top right, was going to run in her old seat of Higgins until it was abolished prompting the party to dump Theo Zographos as the candidate in Chisholm. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen, supplied

A large chunk of Higgins, which Allen wanted to return to, now sits in Chisholm, which gave party officials the option of selecting a new candidate because the seats character had changed dramatically.

Despite officials acting within the rules of the partys constitution, Zographos emailed party members on Sunday night claiming anger from party members has not gone away since the unprecedented decision.
Weve rounded up our top picks of the most luxurious properties across the country.

Built for John Rider Jones, a chairman of the Stock Exchange in the 1890s, and his seven children, Clifton was more recently the setting for a season of TV favourite The Bachelor. It is an impressive sandstone mansion set on 5124 square metres of riverfront land complete with tennis court, pool, guest house and a pontoon with berthing for a 50-foot boat.
While the Australian government speaks reassuringly of the improved and stabilised relationship with Beijing, Chinas national broadcaster portrays a very different state of affairs.

A new documentary celebrating the founding of the Peoples Liberation Army showcases a high-stakes, mid-air intercept of a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance plane over international waters.

The incident took place two years ago but the video footage is new. At the time, the Australian government complained that the Chinese air force manoeuvre was very dangerous. But China Central Television last week cast it as rather glorious.

To a soundtrack of stirring martial music and with the urgent intimacy of cockpit dialogue, the encounter is played once at normal speed as the intercepting jet flies across the path of the Australian P-8 aircraft and releases a cloud of aluminium chaff in front of it. And then the climactic moment of danger is played once more, lovingly, the chaff spraying out in slow motion to threaten the Australian craft and the lives of its crew.
Rome: Perry Kouroumblis, the prime suspect in Melbournes Easey Street murders, faces weeks  if not months  in one of Italys most overcrowded and violent prisons, as authorities fight to bring him to Australia.

Inmates at Regina Coeli rioted just last month against conditions in the citys oldest prison, which opened in a converted 17th-century monastery in 1881.

Regina Coeli is the central and most famous prison in the Italian capital.

The prison  squeezed among the narrow streets of Romes Trastevere nightlife district, a stones throw from the Vatican  houses more than 1100 inmates from more than 60 nationalities, who are crammed into cells of up to five men. The jails working capacity is just 650.

Last months riots took place during a sustained period of 35-degree days but Regina Coeli has no air-conditioning, green areas or recreational spaces, and many cells are without showers.
I look forward to working with the board and team to evolve how we partner with industry and all levels of government to deliver outcomes that help more Australians access affordable, safe, and secure housing, he said.
For the Queensland and Northern Territory market, Valenzuela brings 13 years of experience in business funding, asset finance, and insurance to her role as BDM. Her focus will be on nurturing relationships with brokers and referrers across the state, ensuring they have access to tailored finance solutions.
New York, US (PANA) - The African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) on Sunday discussed peace, development and humanitarian efforts in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region
UB awarded $10 million grant to lead new national center on early literacy and responsible AI

The new Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI will focus on harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to transform early literacy instruction for culturally and linguistically diverse learners in kindergarten through second grade.

We believe that, with the right support, all students  regardless of their backgrounds  can succeed in literacy. 

UB researchers have been awarded a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Educations Institute of Education Sciences to establish the Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI (CELaRAI).

The Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI will focus on harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform early literacy instruction for culturally and linguistically diverse learners in kindergarten through second-grade classrooms across the nation, including Buffalo Public Schools and Erie 1 BOCES schools.

The University at Buffalo is a leader powering technological advancement and AI innovation related to improving education. Thanks to this $10 million in federal funding, UB can establish a new Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI to help kids in Western New York and beyond learn to read, said Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. Earlier this year, I helped UB establish a new National AI Research Institute and open a new $20 million federally funded National AI Institute for Exceptional Education to help children with disabilities learn to speak. That is on top of making the region a federal tech hub to build the areas tech workforce.

Now, Schumer said, UB can continue to use its top-notch AI research facilities to help the next generation grow and thrive, and further position upstate New York as a national hub for innovation.

This significant award from the Department of Education underscores UBs longstanding national and international leadership in artificial intelligence, said President Satish K. Tripathi. In our Graduate School of Education and across disciplines, more than 200 faculty are leveraging the power of AI, all with the aim of contributing meaningfully to the greater good. By helping young learners thrive and setting them up for future success, we will transform the lives of children, families and communities in ways that transcend metrics.

On behalf of our grateful scholarly community, I would like to thank Senate Majority Leader Schumer, a dedicated friend and champion of UB whose steadfast support of our university is enabling us to make a profound impact on the communities we serve.

Led by X. Christine Wang, professor of learning and instruction in the Graduate School of Education, the Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI aims to address a critical need to improve beginning reading skills of students, with an emphasis on students from underrepresented and underserved communities. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 33% of fourth-graders achieved proficiency in reading comprehension in the U.S. in 2022, a shortfall predominantly affecting low-income, Black, Latinx and other marginalized students.

The grant further strengthens UBs national leadership in AI research. For example, the grant builds on the momentum generated by UBs National AI Institute for Exceptional Education, where Wang and co-principal investigator Jinjun Xiong, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor, serve in leadership roles. In addition, New York States Empire AI, a $400 million statewide consortium and supercomputing center that will be housed at UB, further enhanced the projects feasibility and viability.

As our community in Western New York becomes more diverse, this $10 million grant will empower the University at Buffalo to conduct AI research that will address the literacy needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students, said Rep. Tim Kennedy. The Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI will create an equal playing field for the next generation of children across the country, including at Buffalo Public Schools and Erie 1 BOCES schools. I applaud the university as it continues to lead in AI nationally.

The Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI will develop a tool called AIRE, or AI Reading Enhancer, to support K-2 students in independent reading by generating personalized text, providing real-time reading analysis and offering just-in-time literacy support. AIRE will focus on improving key literacy skills such as phonics, word recognition, fluency and comprehension.

We believe that, with the right support, all students  regardless of their backgrounds  can succeed in literacy, said Wang, who is also director of the Fisher-Price Endowed Early Childhood Research Center at UB. Our goal is to create opportunities for all students, particularly those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds whose educational needs are often not fully met by our education systems.

Over the next five years, the Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI will engage in three core activities:

Researching and developing the AIRE tool through a national survey, user-centered studies and an efficacy study.

Addressing the ethical challenges of AI use in schools by developing responsible AI guidelines.

Offering national leadership in responsible AI and early literacy through research dissemination and capacity-building initiatives.

The centers research will be conducted in diverse urban, suburban and rural public elementary schools in New York, Michigan and North Carolina, serving students from low to mid-socioeconomic backgrounds.

When educational tools are developed, its important to ask whose needs are being met  and whose are not, Wang said. Our center will pay special attention to ethical and responsible AI development and deployment to address bias and promote equity.

The centers multidisciplinary research and development efforts will focus on four key thrusts: AI, early literacy, AI ethics and learning sciences.

The centers leadership includes Wang as principal investigator and nine co-PIs, including Christopher Hoadley, John Strong and Jaekyung Lee, all from UBs Graduate School of Education, as well Xiong, who also serves as director of UBs Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Additional co-PIs include Tanya Chris, East Carolina University; Laura Tortorelli, Michigan State University; Sanmi Koyejo, Stanford University; Abeer Alwan, UCLA; and Dilek Hakkani Tur, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

UB has been a worldwide leader in artificial intelligence research and education for nearly 50 years. This includes pioneering work creating the worlds first autonomous handwriting recognition system, which the U.S. Postal Service and Royal Mail adopted to save billions of dollars. That legacy of innovation continues today. UB researchers are committed to using AI for social good, including developing new technology that addresses the shortage of speech-language pathologists in K-12 education, deepfakes, the need for improved medical imaging and more.

UBs reputation as a leader in AI research, thanks to initiatives like Empire AI, has provided critical support for this project, Wang said. The infrastructure UB has in place, as well as the collaborative spirit across disciplines, made this project possible.

Wang also credited the support from Graduate School of Education Dean Suzanne Rosenblith and the strong collaboration with UBs Office of Research Advancement (ORA). The strategic planning within GSE to bolster AI and education research and the ORA teams logistical support played pivotal roles in making this center a reality, Wang said.

Rosenblith commended Wang and her collaborators for their development of a highly promising approach to enhancing foundational literacy skills for all learners.

This award reflects the Graduate School of Educations commitment to utilizing evidence-based approaches to addressing some of the most vexing educational challenges we face, Rosenblith said. Acknowledging that AI can be instrumental in improving foundational literacy skills could be a game-changer in how educators and schools approach early literacy instruction and support.

I am also especially proud of the centers focus on the responsible use of AI, a priority at UB. We are deeply indebted to the Institute of Education Sciences for its support and confidence in this project.
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Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd on Monday said it has received a patent for self-regenerating transformer breather for 20 years. The 'Self-Regenerating Breather' is a device protecting a transformer from moisture ingress and thus, increases the longevity of electric transformers, the company said in a statement. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp According to the statement, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (Tata Power-DDL), a leading power utility supplying electricity to over 2 million customers in North Delhi, has been granted the patent for its unique self-regenerating transformer breather for a term of 20 years. The patented technology is also expected to reduce the maintenance man-days for replacement of Silica gel in a transformer's breather to protect it from moisture damage, the statement said.

With the new technology, Silica gel will be required to be checked or replaced only during the transformer maintenance schedule, which is generally once in two years. In contrast, in the conventional design, Silica gel needs to be replaced 4-6 times before a maintenance schedule of 2 years, it said.

Tata Power DDL's Engineering team developed and successfully tested the 'self-regenerating breather' in December 2015, it said.

The pilot installation of 20 breathers was done in 2016-17, which showed remarkable results. The company filed for a patent of 'self-regenerating breather' technology in 2016.

The moisture in the air can cause outages and shorten the life of a transformer. The new technology utilises waste heat from the top plate of the transformer to minimise moisture content in the air inlet to the distribution transformer (DT) Breather.

Tata Power-DDL Chief Executive Officer Gajanan S Kale said in the statement, "This patent is yet another example of our tech edge, which will make our power supply infra ready for difficult weather conditions.
Tata Sons had argued in court that the payment to Docomo was made on behalf of Tata Teleservices and was not for services provided by Docomo. (Photo: Shutterstock)

In a significant development, the adjudicating authority of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department has dismissed a GST demand exceeding Rs 1,500 crore on Tata Sons, related to a settlement deal with the Japanese company Docomo, according to a report by the Economic Times.

Officials involved in the matter said the order could serve as a precedent for other companies engaged in arbitration. They added that the GST department still has the option to challenge the decision in the High Court. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

GST demand on Tatas settlement payment

The case began in 2019, when the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) imposed an 18 per cent GST on the $1.27 billion paid by Tata Sons to Docomo in 2017. The payment was made to settle a dispute involving Tata Teleservices.

The DGGI argued that since the payment was made on behalf of Tata Teleservices, it should be considered a loan from Tata Sons to the group company. As a result, the DGGI claimed that the payment fell under the purview of an 18 per cent GST.

The DGGI had levied the GST based on Schedule II of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, which classifies the payment of loans as a service. A senior GST official had said, Tata Sons, being the holding company, is liable to pay the 18 per cent GST on behalf of Tata Teleservices.

Tata Sons' petition in Bombay High Court

In November 2022, Tata Sons filed a writ petition with the Bombay High Court, citing two circulars issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in August 2022 and February 2023. These circulars suggested that no GST could be levied on liquidated damages.

Tata Sons argued in court that the payment to Docomo was made on behalf of Tata Teleservices and was not for services provided by Docomo. The amount was paid as part of an arbitration settlement, not for services, the company stated. It also claimed that the DGGI was interpreting the situation in a very technical manner.

Despite Tata Sons' arguments, the Bombay High Court allowed the GST department to issue a show-cause notice in 2023. Tata Sons then challenged the notice before the adjudicating authority.

Officials said the authoritys ruling was based on the companys arguments. The authority has taken Tata Sons position into account while delivering its decision, an official was quoted as saying, adding that the order could influence other similar cases.

How did the dispute originate?

NTT Docomo acquired a 26.5 per cent stake in Tata Teleservices in 2009. The two parties had agreed that the Japanese firm could exit the venture at a pre-determined minimum price, which would be at least half of its original investment. Docomo exercised this exit option in 2015 due to Tata Teleservices financial difficulties.

However, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) insisted that any exit would have to take place at fair market value, following a rule that was amended in 2013. Tata Sons, then led by the late Cyrus Mistry, declined to pay the pre-agreed sum, citing the RBIs rule change. This led Docomo to pursue international arbitration.

In 2017, Tata Sons paid $1.27 billion to Docomo, the amount awarded by an international arbitration tribunal, to settle the dispute over the Japanese firms stake in Tata Teleservices.
India is poised to finalise a $3.9 billion deal for the acquisition of 31 long-endurance MQ-9B Predator armed drones from American defence manufacturer General Atomics, further strengthening its ongoing defence partnership with the United States (US). The contract is expected to be signed in mid-October and will include 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Indian Army and Air Force.





ALSO READ: Prez Biden, PM Modi announce plans for new semiconductor plant in India Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp US President Joe Biden hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his personal home in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday afternoon. The two leaders held wide-ranging talks covering various critical aspects of India-US relations, including ways to further ramp up bilateral defence and military engagement.

Following the talks between PM Modi and President Biden, a joint fact sheet stated, "President Joe Biden welcomed the progress towards India concluding procurement of 31 General Atomics MQ-9Bs and their associated equipment, which will enhance the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities of India's armed forces across all domains."





ALSO READ: US firm behind delay in LCA Tejas Mk1A deliveries to IAF: Here's how However, there was no specific mention of the ambitious plan to co-produce F-414 fighter jet engines in India.

According to an Economic Times report, the upcoming drone deal will raise the total value of US defence contracts with India to over $25 billion since 2007.

The joint fact sheet also noted the significant advancements achieved under the US-India defence industrial cooperation framework, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance co-production agreements for jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems.

The announcement of the progress towards acquiring MQ-9B drones came as PM Modi and President Biden reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral defence cooperation amid shared concerns regarding China's expanding military capabilities, according to news agency PTI.

PM Modi began a crucial three-day visit to the US on September 21, 2024.

Why is India acquiring 'hunter-killer' US drones?

India is acquiring the 'hunter-killer' drones -- 16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian drones -- from General Atomics.





ALSO READ: IAF, Army to jointly deploy Predator drones in Gorakhpur, Sarsawa air bases The price negotiations have been finalised, with the formal conclusion of the deal anticipated next month, according to a PTI report.

The acquisition of these drones is primarily aimed at strengthening its surveillance capabilities along the frontier with China and in the Indian Ocean region.

The drones have an impressive endurance of approximately 35 hours and can be utilised for various missions.

What about the jet engines for Tejas?

No specific mention was made of the ambitious plans to co-produce F-414 fighter jet engines in India, as noted by agency reports.





ALSO READ: The Tejas Mark 2 challenge: Advanced upgrades for superior air power However, while no joint projects have been finalised yet, the Economic Times noted that PM Modi and President Biden acknowledged the progress made, referencing to ongoing discussions regarding the production of GE-F414 jet engines for India's Tejas Mark-2 combat aircraft, with an 80 per cent technology transfer estimated at around $1 billion.

In June 2023, GE Aerospace had signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to co-produce the engines.

Any update on India's potential acquisition of Stryker?

India is reportedly in negotiations to jointly manufacture the US Army's Stryker armoured infantry combat vehicle, addressing a requirement for approximately 530 units.





ALSO READ: India expressed interest in co-production of Stryker combat vehicle: US The US recently showcased its Stryker vehicles, equipped with Javelin anti-tank missiles, during the 'Yudh Abhyas' exercise in Rajasthan.

What were the other highlights for India-US defence cooperation?

PM Modi and President Biden highlighted efforts to co-develop and co-produce unmanned surface vehicle systems and enhance India's maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for aircraft and drones.

During the talks, both leaders acknowledged the collaboration between Liquid Robotics and Sagar Defence Engineering to co-develop and co-produce unmanned surface vehicle systems.

In discussions regarding future collaborations, both leaders praised efforts to advance cooperation in advanced sectors, including space and cyber capabilities. They also anticipate enhanced cyber collaboration in the upcoming India-US engagement scheduled for November 2024.

New areas of India-US cooperation will reportedly encompass threat information sharing, cybersecurity training, and joint efforts to mitigate vulnerabilities in energy and telecommunications networks.

PM Modi and President Biden also commended the expanding defence innovation collaboration among the two governments, businesses, and academic institutions, fostered by the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) initiative launched in 2023.

"They welcomed the enhanced collaboration between the Indian Ministry of Defence's Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and the US Department of Defence's Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) through the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the Silicon Valley Summit," the fact sheet added.





ALSO READ: India, US ink 2 key agreements as Rajnath Singh visits Washington Additionally, India plans to post military liaisons to the US Special Operations Command in Florida and the Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii under a new memorandum of understanding.

PM Modi began a three-day visit to the US on September 21, 2024, including a meeting with President Biden. His agenda also featured participation in the Fourth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington and an address at the 'Summit of the Future' during the UN General Assembly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate talks with world leaders, including his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, discussing various facets of bilateral ties and reaffirmed India's support for the Palestinian people. Modi is in New York on the second leg of his three-day US visit and met the leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp "Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade," Modi said in a post on X.

"Deepening the warm and close friendship. PM @narendramodi met PM @kpsharmaoli of Nepal, on the sidelines of the UNGA today," the official account of the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.

"The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of age-old, multi-faceted and expanding - partnership," it added.

Oli is in the US on his maiden foreign visit to attend the 79th Session of the UNGA, breaking the tradition of visiting a neighbouring country first.

"Had a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister of India Shri @narendramodi ji on the sidelines of #UNGA79. During the meeting, various matters of bilateral relations were discussed," Oli said in a post on X.

Modi also accepted Nepal PM Oli's invitation to visit the Himalayan nation. Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba's press advisor also confirmed that PM Modi accepted Nepal's invitation.

Modi met with Palestine's President Abbas and reiterated India's support for the Palestinian people.

"PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today," the MEA said in an X post.

"PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India's continued support to the people of Palestine," it said.

Modi also met Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah and discussed ways to deepen "historical linkages" and "people-to-people contacts".

"Taking new strides in India-Kuwait ties. PM @narendramodi met HH Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait today, on the sidelines of UNGA. The leaders reviewed - bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen our historical linkages and strong people to people contacts," the MEA said in a separate post on X.

Earlier in the day, Modi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of the US in a roundtable conference.

He addressed the Indian diaspora at the packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum on Long Island in New York before it.

Modi reached New York on Sunday after attending the Quad Leaders' Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday. In Wilmington, he also held bilateral talks with Biden, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Reflecting the build-up of stress due to rise in delinquencies, the credit costs of micro finance companies are expected to rise to 3-3.5 per cent in the financial year (FY) 2025 from around 2 per cent witnessed in FY24, according to CRISIL Ratings.

Ajit Velonie, senior director, CRISIL Ratings, told Business Standard that players will be more proactive in making provisions for early bucket delinquencies and having management overlays. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

Sensing the prospects on pressures on asset quality in the second quarter ending September, Fusion Finance Ltd, BSE listed MFI, over the weekend said it may be required to make an estimated credit loss (ECL) provisioning between ~500-550 crore in Q2FY25 as compared to ~348 crores provision in Q1FY25.

The asset quality of the micro-finance portfolio deteriorated in Q1FY25 as heatwave across the country adversely impacted the income of borrowers and collections and the rumours about loan waivers, according to Sa-Dhan, a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) for MFIs.

There is an uptick in delinquencies in 30 plus days past due (dpd) bucket in the second quarter (ending September 2024). The collection trend is subdued in some pockets compared to the March quarter.

According to Sa-Dhan, loans with 30+ dpd rose to 2.7 per cent in June 2024, compared to 2.0 per cent in June 2023. The industry is showing the similar kind of situation  rise in 30 plus DPD bucket  in the second quarter (like first quarter) but things should improve thereafter.

The growth has moderated now as MFIs themselves have decided to be cautious in growing the book, Jiji Mammen, executive director & chief executive officer (CEO), Sa-Dhan said.

The profitability, as measured by return on managed assets (RoMA), was elevated at 3.5-4 per cent in FY24, after a period of subdued profitability during and after the pandemic. Profitability is expected to moderate to around 2 per cent in FY25 due to higher provisioning and marginal increase in operating expenditure as MFIs beef up their collections infrastructure, according to CRISIL.

NBFC-MFls have the ability to adopt risk-based pricing due to removal of cap on interest margins, it added.
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Addressing the Indian diaspora in New York on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will open two new consulates in the US, in Boston and Los Angeles.

In a reference to Indias foreign policy of non-alignment, Modi said that for years India pursued a policy of equidistance from other countries. But India today has a foreign policy of maintaining equal closeness with all, he said and spoke of Indias contribution in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

In his hour-long address to an estimated 13,000 Indian Americans in New York's Nassau Veterans Coliseum, Modi said India does not aspire for global dominance. India is emerging as a new catalytic agent and its role would be crucial to accelerate global growth, peace, innovation, climate action and stability of global supply chains, he said.

Whether it is promoting yoga, lifestyle or the environment, India does not strive for only a GDP-centric but a human-centric growth for all of you, the PM said. Quoting from Ishopanishad, Modi said for India, knowledge is for sharing, wealth is for caring and power is for protecting India today is a land of opportunities. Its no longer waiting for opportunities. It is now creating opportunities, Modi said.

For the world, AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. But I believe AI also represents the American Indian spirit, Modi said. The PM described the diaspora as Indias brand ambassadors. He said living with diversity was ingrained in Indians, and India-US relations will scale new heights with this AI spirit.
The Kerala health department announced plans to release revised guidelines for the prevention and treatment of Mpox, a decision that came in the wake of the southern state reporting the country's first confirmed case of the new strain on Monday. The State Level Rapid Response Team (RRT) held a meeting to assess the overall situation in the state. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp After the meeting, state Health Minister Veena George said instructions have been given to take necessary action if the number of cases increases. "Isolation facilities have been set up in all districts, and monitoring has been strengthened, including at airports. Currently, testing facilities have been arranged in five laboratories. If required, testing facilities will be expanded to more labs," she said in a statement.

Although the minister, in her statement, did not mention that the first confirmed case of the Mpox strain in India was found in a patient from Kerala, she announced that revised guidelines for the prevention and effective treatment of Mpox would soon be released in the state.

She said those arriving from other countries who show symptoms should inform the health department and seek treatment.

The minister also instructed that if anyone with Mpox symptoms comes to government or private hospitals, the health department should be informed.

Earlier, official sources in New Delhi said India had reported the first case of the Mpox strain in a patient from Kerala who tested positive last week.

They said the Clade 1b strain was detected in a 38-year-old man from Malappuram district who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates.

The patient is stable, the sources said, adding, "This was the first case of the current strain that led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare Mpox a public health emergency last month for a second time."



The earlier case of Mpox that emerged in the national capital was a 26-year-old resident of Haryana's Hisar who tested positive for the previous West African Clade 2 strain earlier this month.

Since the WHO's 2022 declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, 30 cases have been reported in India.

Mpox infections are generally self-limiting, lasting between two and four weeks, and patients usually recover with supportive medical care and management.

It is transmitted through prolonged and close contact with an infected patient.

Mpox typically manifests itself with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.
There is a perfect alignment between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and global technology CEOs' vision for India in areas like semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence and biotechnology, an eminent academician in the US has said. Modi interacted with global technology CEOs at a roundtable here on Saturday. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The roundtable was anchored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), School of Engineering. Professor Anantha Chandrakasan, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at the Institute and Dean of the MIT School of Engineering, chaired the roundtable. It is my deep honour to convene and host this roundtable with Prime Minister Modi and the CEOs of some of the most impactful tech companies in the United States and globally, Chandrakasan told PTI in an exclusive interview here on Sunday after the tech roundtable.

He said the roundtable focussed on a "broad-based set of topics, including biotechnology, pharma, Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductor technology.

What was really impressive to me was that the CEOs talked about their technical and leadership directions, but also what they're doing in India today and what they would like to do more of. It's truly impressive that there was an eagerness to work between the US and India. So that was striking, Chandrakasan said.

Chandrakasan added that equally important was the fact that when Prime Minister Modi described his vision for India, he talked about skilling, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, biotechnology. So very similar types of goals and I saw a perfect alignment between what the CEOs of the tech companies were saying and what Prime Minister Modi's vision was, he said.



Chandrakasan said that many of the CEOs talked about how they're going to expand their footprint and collaborations in India.

So I see that individually, but what I heard from the CEOs was even more exciting, was the fact that there's a lot of similar goals. And I believe collectively between industry and academia, there could be tremendous partnerships between the United States and India, he said.

Chandrakasan said he a little bit struck by how much the companies are deeply invested in India, and how they see this tremendous growth opportunity, and that many of them had similar goals. So it made me think that in addition to the individual goal, there could be shared collaborations across the industry and academia, he said.

Among the CEOs who attended the roundtable were Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet, NVIDIA Founder, President and CEO Jensen Huang and CEO & President of HP Enrique Lores.


Quad will stand up for a free, open Indo-Pacific region The Quad will stand up for a free and open Indo-Pacific region in all eventualities, White House officials have said, adding that there is no dilution in terms of its focus. Josh Rubin, National Security Council Director for Indo-Pacific Affairs at the White House, said this while replying to a question from IANS.



The comprehensive question asked was: There is a section that believes the Quad hasn't become as muscular as it would like, with softer issues occupying its agenda over real challenges in the South China Sea. Any comments on this? And has the focus on the Indo-Pacific diluted due to Russia's war with Ukraine and the dominance of European continental security because of it?



Also, doesn't it benefit China, allowing a free pass for fresh aggression in the South China Sea or Taiwan Strait?



Rubin replied that the Quad is working to deliver in the areas the partners identify as priorities for them. Maritime security is a priority for many partners across the Indo-Pacific region.



"That is why the Quad is stepping up to ensure that countries across the region have a better ability and capacity to see what is happening in their exclusive economic zones. So we will continue to do that in partnership with countries across the region because it is at their request and in partnership with them on issues across the region that are, obviously, of concern, including in the South China Sea, East China Sea and elsewhere," said the National Security Council Director.



He said that this year's Quad joint leaders statement included the strongest ever language they have used on issues in the South China Sea, in particular, as well as, issues related to the increasing provocations from North Korea.



"So I think you can continue to expect, that when and that the Quad will stand up for a free and open Indo-Pacific region," he said.



He emphasised that "when actions are taken that undermine a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the Quad will continue, to speak out on those."



Nancy Izzo Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, while replying to IANS question said, "The war in Ukraine does not dilute our focus on the Indo-Pacific. I think it's clear by just the sheer number of meetings that we have at the foreign minister and the leaders level, we demonstrate our continued commitment to this region."



Jackson further said that there was no dilution in terms of the focus in trying to "really promote an open and safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific".




Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday spoke about the crucial role of the private sector in driving the growth of the Indian economy, likening it to sitting in the driver's seat.

Today, the private sector is in the driver's seat of the country's economy," he said, while addressing the inauguration programme of a Sainik School in Jaipur. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

I consider PPP to be Private-Public (not public-private) Partnership: Singh

Singh underlined the ongoing establishment of Sainik schools under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, highlighting the evolving role of private sector involvement. "When we talk about PPP, the word 'public' usually comes first, as we often focus on the government's role. But that dynamic is shifting," he remarked, pointing to the growing significance of private contributions in such initiatives.

"Therefore, moving away from the standard definition of PPP, I consider it to be Private-Public Partnership," he said. Explaining why he used the word private first, Singh said it highlighted the sectors role which is increasing significantly in every industry.

He noted that while agriculture employs over half of the workforce in India, the private sectors role has increased in the manufacturing and service sectors.

PPP in education sector

On the introduction of the PPP model in the education sector, he noted that it will combine the strengths of both private and public sectors, which will be significant in providing the best education.

The Centre has set a target to establish 100 Sainik Schools across the country. The Defence Ministry has approved 45 of these schools, which will be built in collaboration with state governments, NGOs and private schools.

According to an official press release, 40 of these schools have started operations, including the one inaugurated by Singh today (September 23). Sainik Schools are a network of military schools in India, that have been operational since 1961. These schools prepare cadets for admission into the Indian Defence Services.
Delhi's environment department will organise an 'e-vehicle parade' at Rajghat in early October, aimed at encouraging the purchase and use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city. Officials anticipate that over 500 EVs will participate in this event, with a registration link for interested owners to be announced shortly. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp A senior official from the environment department said that a tender has been issued for the event, which is expected to cost around Rs 5.76 lakh. Bids will be accepted until September 30, and the parade will be conducted within five days of awarding the tender.

"The primary objective is to promote EV usage in Delhi and raise awareness about their benefits. We encourage as many EV owners as possible to join the parade," an official said.

"Transitioning to electric vehicles will contribute to reducing vehicular pollution in the capital," the official stated.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai, who recently resumed his role following the formation of a new cabinet, emphasised that the government's focus in the coming months will be on combating air pollution.

"The biggest challenge during winter is to reduce pollution levels. We have already held meetings with 33 departments to strategise on this issue," Rai said.

"Today, I will meet the chief secretary to discuss further suggestions. The Winter Action Plan is ready and will be launched on September 25 instead of the 27th due to the Assembly session," Rai said.

Rai also expressed confidence that, with collaborative efforts, pollution levels in Delhi could be reduced significantly throughout the year, aiming for similar results during the winter months.

In August 2020, the Delhi government introduced an EV Policy that offers subsidies for EV buyers, setting a target for one in every four new vehicles registered in the capital to be electric by 2024.
An El Cerrito man was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for murdering his co-worker at a San Francisco nonprofit. Robert Daly/Getty Images/Caia Image

An El Cerrito man was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for murdering a co-worker out of jealousy, spokespersons from the San Francisco District Attorneys office said Monday.

Hakim Oden, 25, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for fatally shooting Taiepisi Gutu, who worked with him at the San Francisco Conservation Corps in 2019.

Court records showed that Oden shot Gutu, 19, on his first day of work, which coincidentally was also his birthday. Oden waited in his car outside the 200 block of 13th street until he saw the victim with a woman Oden was romantically interested in, prosecutors said.

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Oden followed the victim into the building, a SFCC site, and shot him in the back of the head execution style, spokespersons said. Oden then fled San Francisco and was apprehended in Riverside County after a shootout with California Highway patrol officers, DA spokespersons said.

Spokespersons said Oden had been initially sent to SFCC after he was accused of a robbery in the Tenderloin. SFCC is a Bayview nonprofit that provides job training and education opportunities for 18- to 26-year-olds.

Oden has been in custody since his transfer from Riverside County. He was arrested by San Francisco police in January 2023.

No mother, sister, aunt, cousin, family member or friend deserves to learn that their loved one was murdered on their 19th birthday, especially in a cowardly execution from behind while simply waiting for an elevator, said Assistant District Attorney Charly Weissenbach in a statement. I can only hope this resolution is able to bring some closure and healing to the family that misses him daily.
The medical devices lobby has written to the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), opposing the import of medical devices at zero duty under the EU-India FTA. The trade talks are underway.

At the moment, India is 70 per cent import-dependent and Germany and the Netherlands are among the top five countries from where the country imports. The main reason for the opposition from the local industry is that, they claim, the EU regulatory system permits organizations to label themselves as legal manufacturers even if they are not making the product themselves, which has led to pseudo manufacturing in the EU as country of origin is not listed on labelling of med-devices in the EU and the UK (unlike in the US and India). Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

In a letter, dated September 21, to Arunish Chawla, pharma secretary, and Nitin Yadav, joint secretary, the Department of Commerce (medical devices), and others, Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) said that they strongly oppose the zero-duty import proposal under the EU-India FTA, for which talks are underway.

AiMeD is an umbrella organisation representing the domestic medical devices-makers.

From countries like Germany and the Netherlands, Indias imports of medical devices have grown over the years. From Rs 4,742 crore in FY20, imports from Germany grew to Rs 7,490 crore in FY24, and from Rs 2,329 crore in FY20, imports from the Netherlands rose to Rs 3,815 crore in FY24.

This was done to allow EU regulators to make market authorised holder to be responsible & accountable from the patient-safety perspective, but this facility has been abused and it led to pseudo manufacturing to thrive in the EU as country of origin is not insisted upon on the labelling of medical devices in Europe and the UK, unlike the case of the US and India, which seek labelling of country of origin on unit of sale, he mentioned in the letter. Therefore, legal manufacturers should be kept out of the FTA, the AiMeD claimed.

We have been given assurance in the past for UK-India FTA that legal manufacturer labelled packages will not enjoy zero-duty FTA benefits if the manufacturer or exporter is not an actual manufacturer and not able to prove that he assembles and manufactures the medical device in the UK with at least 40 per cent value addition, the letter said.

The medical devices lobby here felt that medical devices made in China and Taiwan would end up landing in India through this loophole under the EU-India FTA.

Nath further claimed that India needs to focus on Mutual Recognition Agreement of Regulatory Approval, or QMS (Quality Management System) Certification like Indian Certification for Medical Devices (ICMED). The focus has to be on fast-tracking the CE (Conformite Europeenne) certification process for Indian exporters to enter the EU medical devices market. If not, the AiMeD said that India needs to implement a policy of inspection of EU factories and verification of Compliance to Indian Medical Device Regulations in the EU by Indian regulators.

We recommend factory inspection and verification by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) inspectors for country of origin with value addition of 35 per cent and change of Sub-Tariff Headings as both mandatory minimal conditions for protecting Indian manufacturers, the letter said.
At 12:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 128.98 points or 0.15% to 84,673.29. The Nifty 50 index rose 77.35 points or 0.30% to 25,868.30. The Sensex and Nifty clocked an all-time high of 84,881.73 and 25,925.80, respectively in morning trade. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index added 0.46% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.67%. The domestic equity benchmarks pared most the gains and traded with minor gains in early afternoon trade. The Nifty traded above the 25,850 mark. Realty shares advanced for the third consecutive trading sessions.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,376 shares rose and 1,586 shares fell. A total of 160 shares were unchanged.

Economy:

The headline HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index dipped to 59.3 in September from 60.7 in August. The index pointed to another rapid monthly increase in business activity, albeit one that was the least pronounced in 2024 so far. Softer expansions were seen across both the manufacturing and services sectors.

The HSBC Flash India Manufacturing PMI posted 56.7 in September, down from 57.5 in August. The reading signaled a further marked strengthening in business conditions for goods producers, but the rate of improvement was the softest since January.

Further, India's forex reserves rose by $223 million to a new all-time high of $689.458 billion for the week ended on September 13, according to the Reserve Bank data released on Friday.

The overall forex kitty had jumped by $5.248 billion to a high of $689.235 billion for the previous reporting week ended on September 6.

The foreign currency assets decreased by $515 million to $603.629 billion, the data showed.

Gold reserves increased by $899 million to $62.887 billion during the week, the RBI said.

The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) dropped by $53 million to $18.419 billion, the apex bank said.

India's reserve position with the IMF declined by $108 million to $4.523 billion in the reporting week, the apex bank data showed.

Derivatives:

The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of the market's expectation of volatility over the near term, jumped 6.33% to 13.60. The Nifty 26 September 2024 futures were trading at 25,874.65, at a premium of 6.35 points as compared with the spot at 25,868.30.

The Nifty option chain for the 26 September 2024 expiry showed maximum Call OI of 111.6 lakh contracts at the 27,000 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 118.2 lakh contracts were seen at 25,000 strike price.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Realty index rose 1.66% to 1,119.85. The index jumped 5.27% in the three consecutive trading sessions.

Godrej Properties (up 5.05%), DLF (up 2.78%), Sobha (up 2.62%), Macrotech Developers (up 2.01%) and Oberoi Realty (up 1.9%), Prestige Estates Projects (up 1.63%), Mahindra Lifespace Developers (up 0.98%) and Brigade Enterprises (up 0.61%) added.

On the other hand, Phoenix Mills (down 2.55%), Sunteck Realty (down 0.4%) slipped.

Stocks in Spotlight :

Inox Wind (IWL) rose 0.79%. The company said that it has signed a consortium agreement with a group of 10 banks, led by ICICI Bank along with a host of marquee private and foreign banks, for obtaining credit limits of nearly Rs 2,200 crore.

Doms Industries rose 0.22%. The company said that it has acquired 51.77% equity stake in Uniclan Healthcare to expand its distribution network. The company has acquired 7,116,080 equity shares of Uniclan for a total consideration of Rs 54.88 crore.

Aster DM Healthcare added 0.78%. The company said that its wholly owned subsidiary, Sri Sainatha Multispecialty Hospitals has entered into lease agreement with Aparna Constructions and Estates for setting up new Aster Woman and Children Hospital in Hyderabad.

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Doms Industries said that it has acquired 51.77% equity stake in Uniclan Healthcare to expand the company's distribution network. Uniclan Healthcare Private (Uniclan), a growing producer of baby diapers, wipes, and other baby hygiene products. As part of the transaction, the company has acquired 7,116,080 equity shares of Uniclan for a total consideration of Rs 54.88 crore. Of this amount, Rs 28.88 crore will be used as primary infusion to support capacity expansion, debt repayment, and funding working capital requirements for Uniclan. The acquisition makes Uniclan a subsidiary of the company. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp This acquisition enables the company to expand its product range and diversify its product portfolio in line with its overall growth strategy to cater to a broader market. Uniclan has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Jaipur, Rajasthan with an installed capacity approximately 400 million pullup pant style baby diapers per annum which are primarily sold under its flagship brand "Wowper". Uniclan Healthcare Private (Uniclan), a growing producer of baby diapers, wipes, and other baby hygiene products.

Uniclan's keen focus on advanced R&D and adherence to international quality standards has resulted in growing market acceptance and reputation for its products. Uniclan is now focussed on expanding its market reach by expanding its distribution network.

By entering the diaper market, which is valued at approximately $2 billion and growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 16%, DOMS significantly expands its addressable target market. In the short term, Uniclan will benefit from DOMS' extensive distribution network, including its strong relationships with super stockists and distributors that shall allow Uniclan to expand its market reach. Over the long term, this partnership opens the possibility for Uniclans network to serve as a parallel distribution channel for DOMS' own products, thus amplifying the growth potential of both companies.

Santosh Raveshia, MD, DOMS Industries, said, "We are pleased to announce our strategic entry into the baby hygiene segment with this investment in Uniclan. Its well-accepted product portfolio, growing market presence and forwardthinking approach align perfectly with our vision for growth and diversification. This acquisition is a crucial step in our long-term strategy to explore new sectors that enhance our business portfolio and resonate well with our targeted focus on children in their growing years.

While we remain focused on driving innovation and delivering value across our core business segments, the expansion is expected to boost our distribution network in the long term, opening new avenues for sales and contributing to our overall success. We are eager to forge a successful partnership with Uniclan and anticipate numerous opportunities for innovation and mutual success."

Vatsal Desai, Founder and Director, Uniclan Healthcare added, We are excited to partner with DOMS, a company that shares our commitment for long term value creation. We believe that with our focus on product quality and innovation, and leveraging DOMS distribution network in India and globally, we shall be able to elevate Uniclan's growth trajectory and expand our reach. By leveraging DOMS consumer knowledge and market expertise, we are confident that we can further strengthen our brand and continue to deliver exceptional products to our customers. Together, we look forward to setting new benchmarks in the industry and driving forward our shared vision for the future.

Doms Industries is primarily engaged in manufacturing, marketing, trading and distribution of school stationery and art materials under the brand names 'DOMS' and 'C3'.

Shares of Doms Industries rose 0.19% to Rs 2,704.10 on the BSE.

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Securities in F&O ban: Aarti Industries, Biocon, Chambal Fertiliser and Chemicals, Gujarat National fertilizers and Chemicals (GNFC), Granules India, LIC Housing Finance, National Aluminium, Oracle Financial Services, Punjab National Bank (PNB), RBL Bank, SAIL. Stocks to watch: Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Vodafone Idea has signed a $3.6 billion deal with Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung for the supply of network equipment over a period of three years. This is the first step in the companys Rs 55,000-crore capex plan. Adani Total Gas secured funding of $375 million from international lenders to expand its capacity its city gas distribution network.

Mankind Pharma's board approved to raise funds aggregating to Rs 10,000 crore through non convertible debentures (NCDs) and commercial papers (CPs) on private placement basis.

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) has received an order worth over Rs 6,100 crore from NTPC to set up supercritical thermal power project in Chhattisgarh.

Aarti Drugs announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) inspected its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility located in MIDC, Tarapur, Maharashtra and closed the inspection with seven observations.

Tata Steel has successfully commissioned Phase II of blast furnace located at Kalinganagar, Odisha.

HDFC Bank said that the board of its subsidiary HDB Financial Services has approved an initial public offering of equity shares of face value of Rs 10 each. The IPO would comprise of a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 2,500 crore and an offer for sale of equity shares by existing and eligible shareholders of HDB Financial, who may offer to tender their equity shares.

JM Financial board approved appointment of Vishal Kampani as vice chairman and managing director (MD) for 5 years effective from 1 October 2024 and approved re-appointment of AD Patel as MD for 3 years effective from 1 October 2024.

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Passengers cruise through the Embarcadero on a 1934 boat tram from Blackpool, England, on Sunday as part of Muni Heritage weekend. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Passengers aboard the Baby White No. 042 from 1938 wait to being their journey from the Embarcadero on Sunday during Muni Heritage Weekend. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle A tram picks up passengers at a Pier 39 stop during the antique streetcar festival Sunday. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle A staff member of the San Francisco Railway Museum chats with guests Sunday during Muni Heritage Weekend. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Passengers depart the Baby White No. 042 from 1938 parked at the Embarcadero. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Passengers cruise through Market Street in The Mack No 2230 during Munis antique streetcar festival. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle The Mack No 2230 cruises through Embarcadero on Sunday during Muni Heritage Weekend. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Muni boat car motorman Chadi Nicholas, in his custom boat tram bucket hat, checks the new Blackpool car coming toward him on the Embarcadero. Courtesy of Tori Ritchie The Dinky, built in 1896, finishes its journey at the Embarcadero as part of the antique streetcar festival Sunday. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Twin 1934 boat trams from Blackpool, England, await their passengers at the start of Muni Heritage Weekend runs Sunday. Sam Whiting/The Chronicle

Greg and Sandra Hakanson took BART from Castro Valley to San Francisco on Sunday morning thinking they would rent bikes and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. Then along came the open-air boat tram, and they impulsively got on board at the Ferry Building.

Im like, Sure. Im down for an adventure today, Greg Hakanson said as he unknowingly joined Muni Heritage Weekend, which means free rides up and down the Embarcadero in vintage streetcars. It has lights. It has energy.

It also was a first because this weekend marked the first time in the 10-year history of the festival that Muni ran two of the 1934 boat trams from Blackpool, England, at the same time, meaning you could ride one and watch another coming at you, a sensation that rider Jimmy Ausemus described as pure joy.

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Two cars werent enough because the trams hold only 48 passengers plus a conductor and a motorman, and there were at least twice that many lined up at the San Francisco Railway Museum for an outbound ride to Pier 39, which takes 30 minutes round trip. Eleven other vintage streetcars and buses from the collection were running on the Embarcadero section of the F-line, including the Dinky, an 1896 streetcar that looks like a cable car, Muni streetcar No. 1 from 1912, a double-ended Milan tram from 1928, and a sleek tram from sister city Zurich circa 1951.

Passengers aboard one of the two 1934 boat trams from Blackpool, England, take off from the Embarcadero on Sunday during Muni Heritage Weekend. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle

But the boat tram on a sunny day is clearly the E-ticket ride on the Embarcadero.

People feel like they are at Disneyland, said conductor Noel Rodriguez, who was wearing the Muni brown uniform and cap from the 1980s. You see the same faces on the kids as the adults just because they are in this car.

Rodriguez, a 10-year Muni veteran, does his part by offering up some pat lines. This is the right boat. Dont take the ferry today, he yells out to people in front of the Ferry Building, then once they are aboard, make sure you have a life vest because eventually we will get to the water.

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Guests visit historic streetcars Sunday during Muni Heritage Weekend. Manuel Orbegozo Special to the Chronicle

Joe Coloff of Vallejo did both. He rode the ferry in, then got on the boat car. I cant compare them. I love them both, he said of the two forms of transit. Then with further consideration he found an advantage to the boat tram.You cant get seasick on this boat.

A few seats away sat Ausemus, who is more dedicated than most. For his 60th birthday, he went to England so he could ride the Blackpool tram in both places where it runs. When he heard the heritage festival was this weekend, he postponed a trip to Spain so that he could be at Balboa Park Station at 8:15 a.m. to be there when the red-and-cream boat tram pulled out and ride it all the way to the waterfront, where he switched to the green-and-cream tram along the Embarcadero.

You get spoiled when you go for a long ride, he said. These short rides dont do it.

Twin 1934 boat trams from Blackpool, England, await their passengers at the start of Muni Heritage Weekend runs Sunday. Sam Whiting/The Chronicle

The short ride is called the historic loop. Rick Laubscher, president of Market Street Railway, estimated that 5,000 people took the free ride over the course of the weekend, though only the boat trams and the Dinky drew lines of passengers. Just one passenger took Rodriguezs sales pitch literally and assumed the boat tram actually entered the water.

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Maam, it is not a duck boat, Laubscher had to inform her.

Blackpool Corporation Transit built only 12 cars to service the seaside tourist town 90 years ago, and eight remain in the world. Of these, two are in museums, three are still in use in Blackpool, and now three are in San Francisco. Earlier this summer, Market Street Railway, Munis nonprofit preservation partner, bought a third boat tram. Like the others, it was donated to Muni, which is refurbishing it, a process that could take years. A contest might be held to choose its paint scheme, or livery.

But when it finally gets out there, people will fill it. You ride down the street, and people are waving at you, said Ausemus, who was still riding and waving, four hours later. Its one of the coolest things that the city does.
Ugro Capital shares surge: Shares of Ugro Capital were buzzing in trade on Monday, September 23, 2024. Ugro Capital scrip soared up to 5.44 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 270 per share.

The shares of Ugro Capital rose ahead of the company's scheduled board meet on September 24 to consider fund raising. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

Notably, the board meeting was previously scheduled to be held today, September 23, 2024, to consider raising funds via Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) on a private placement basis. The company, however, did not disclose the amount of fundraising.

NCDs are a type of debt instrument used by companies and institutions to raise funds from the public or institutional investors.

In an exchange filing, Ugro Capital said, In furtherance to our previous intimations submitted on September 17, 2024 and September 18, 2024 regarding the meeting of Investment and Borrowing Committee of the Board of Directors (Committee) scheduled to be held on Monday, September 23, 2024, to consider and approve raising of funds by way of issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures through private placement basis and through public issue, we hereby notify that the meeting has been postponed to Tuesday, September 24, 2024 for the same purpose due to inevitable reasons.

A shot in the arm

Meanwhile, domestic brokerage firm InCred Equities has initiated coverage with an Add rating for a target price of Rs 250 as it believes Ugro Capital is well positioned to enter the next phase of its growth with a rising market share in the growing landscape of MSME lending.

We initiate coverage on the stock with an Add rating, valuing it at about 1.5x FY26F price-to-book value (P/BV) to arrive at a target price of Rs 350. Slower growth and weak asset quality are the key downside risks to our investment thesis, the brokerage said in a note.

Furthermore, analysts at InCred expect a strong asset under management (AUM) growth (+34.2 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over FY24-27F) led by both on-and off-balance sheet growth resulting in improving margins (+160 basis points) along with operating leverage kicking in, which will shore up return ratios to approximately 4 per cent return on assets (RoA) and about 14 per cent return on equity (RoE), adjusting for equity infusion of Rs 12,70 crore, by FY27F.

Ugro Capital is a data-driven lending platform dedicated to fulfilling the credit needs of small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) across India.

The companys mission is to empower these businesses by offering tailored loan solutions that cater to their unique requirements. The company provides a diverse range of products, including supply chain financing, unsecured business loans, machinery loans, and loans specifically for micro enterprises.

Utilising a technology-enabled, data-centric approach, Ugro Capital ensures that each loan solution is customised to fit the specific needs of our clients. The company focuses on eight key sectors including healthcare, education, chemicals, food processing, and hospitality, among others. It has a network of over 100 branches across India.

The market capitalisation of Ugro Capital is Rs 2,465.20 crore, according to BSE. The company falls under the SmallCap category.

At 11:38 AM, shares of Ugro Capital were trading 3.57 per cent higher at Rs 265.20 per share. In comparison, BSE Sensex was trading 0.13 per cent at 84,650.26 levels.
Mike Jones, 59, who says he has been homeless for 20 years, cleans his surroundings in the early morning before a police sweep in Fresno. Each morning, homeless people who live outside a shelter have to pack up their belongings while the police and cleaning crew come by. The belongings must be moved by 7 a.m. or police throw them away. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

FRESNO  Mike Jones has been homeless for 20 of his 59 years of life, and as he watched a team of police and street cleaners throw away his pile of soggy tarps and trash last week, he shrugged.

I have eight dogs, and I just dont like shelters, he said. Too much like jail, and Ive had a lot of experience with jail. Im just fine out here in my tent.

Jones ability to remain outside this citys shelter system is about to get a lot harder. The same goes for every other homeless person in this rapidly growing town and virtually every other locality in the sprawling farmlands of the Central Valley.

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Spurred by Junes U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing governments to sweep out homeless encampments without having to first offer shelter, Central Valley jurisdictions from tiny Turlock to the wide San Joaquin County are passing and enforcing stringent bans on any type of camping or loitering on public land. Gov. Gavin Newsoms executive order in July urging local leaders to vigorously break down camps if they were big or disruptive enough to be deemed dangerous seemed to add his blessing to the efforts.

The biggest city in the valley, Fresno, has embraced perhaps the most aggressive actions of all  well beyond measures taken by its counterparts to the northwest like San Francisco and San Jose.

Homeless people live in an encampment along the railroad tracks in Fresno. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

On Monday, a city ban on any encampments on public land goes into effect, soon to be followed on Oct. 13 by another policy prohibiting camping on private land  essentially making it illegal to camp in the city. Violations can bring a $1,000 fine or a year in jail.

Quietly, with little outside attention, Fresno has been cracking down on camps and ramping up its services so vigorously that its leaders say the city is on track to drastically reduce its homeless population. The new camping bans are just the latest moves  with one more twist to come.

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On Monday, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said he plans to add more teeth to the ban by ordering the police department to arrest the most troublesome, continuously service-resistant homeless people in Fresno. It could mean scores of people tossed in jail.

Theyre the ones who are defiant, Dyer told the Chronicle. Theyre the ones that continually show up at public places and set up their tents after theyve been asked not to. Theyre the ones that are continually lying in front of businesses, defecating on the sidewalks or in front of the business or urinating on the walls of the businesses, breaking out windows of businesses, stealing copper wire from businesses.

Theyre the ones that are the most problematic.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer says he plans to order the police department to arrest the most troublesome, continuously service-resistant homeless people in Fresno. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

A man shows a pamphlet about Fresnos new policies toward homeless people outside the Poverello House shelter. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Dyer estimates that, from among the nearly 1,400 unsheltered people in Fresno, about 5% fit that problematic category. But even at that point, he said, instead of defaulting to the jail, we want to also give those people an opportunity for treatment, including housing programs and rehab, if needed, he said. And if they choose treatment, we will hold that police report in abeyance until they complete a program. And if they complete a program, we will dispose of it.

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I think what weve done over the last three years is weve lacked the accountability piece, the mayor said. Weve been very focused on getting people into services and shelter and permanent housing. Those were somewhat of the low-hanging fruit.

That plan sounds fine to businesses and residents who have been complaining for years about camps. But just as in every other major city in California in the wake of the Grants Pass decision, homeless people and their advocates are worried.

Chessa Chapman, 23, right, who is homeless, and her friend, who declined to give his name, look at his phone at a tent encampment in Fresno. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The city is being real bulldogs about this, and there isnt enough shelter and housing for everyone, said Dez Martinez, who runs the tiny We Are Not Invisible nonprofit and drives all over Fresno handing out supplies and service referrals to the unhoused. I call their encampment operations search, seize and destroy, because they just roll up on them with no notice, tell them to get out right now, and they throw most of their stuff away.

Its traumatic. In the decade Ive been doing this work here  and I was homeless myself before  Ive seen people suffer, freeze, bake, die, she said last week as she visited camps along the citys railroad tracks, canals and downtown streets. They need more help, not more pressure.

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The 90-degree heat had people sheltering under anything they could find, from umbrellas to trees, and as she drove, police cruisers frequently pulled up to any gatherings of more than a dozen street people standing around and asked them to move on.

Homeless outreach worker Dez Martinez talks to two homeless men about the Fresno police sweep of the area. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Esmeralda Carachure, 45, drags her belongings to the front of the Poverello House shelter for safekeeping during a Fresno police sweep. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Youre loitering! called out one officer to one group in the trendy Tower District. The group scattered.

This new law wont make any difference, because the cops have already been breaking up every camp every few days or weeks anyway since it passed, Martinez said. And fining people? How can that help? They dont have any money. Jail? Id say most will just come back out here when they get out.

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For Robert Lopez, owner of the Something Extra gift shop, anything is better than what has been tried. In the past 20 years, he said, the homeless population has mushroomed so much its out of control.

At least theyre trying to do something other than just accommodate the homeless, he said. You cant help someone who doesnt want to help themselves, and most of what I see is young people on drugs. Im not rude, and I hand out a dollar now and then, but its very sad.

The best thing to do, I guess, is to kick the pile and have them run in different directions. And then say, if you want the help, take the help. They need counseling. Maybe this will force them to make the right choices.

Police officers talk to a homeless woman in distress who requested an ambulance outside the Poverello House shelter. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Like the rest of the state, Fresno has been grappling with a sizable increase in homelessness over the past decade. In 2015, there were around 1,500 people in streets and shelters there, but that ballooned to nearly 3,400 by 2022. At the same time, Fresnos general population exploded from 420,000 in 2000 to 550,000 today.

When Dyer took office four years ago after nearly two decades as Fresnos police chief, he decided to hit the problem hard. Were fed up, he said on several occasions, and the latest bans are just the latest of a string of major actions.

My plan is to do like we did with gangs when I was chief  displace, disrupt and dismantle, he told the Chronicle.

In place of primarily having police handle encampments, Dyer started the Homeless Assistance Response Team, or HART, which sends dozens of street counselors out to offer shelter and services before sweeps. The team also trains police for those situations. The idea, as with his new push to jail problematic people, is to offer shelter and help before incarceration.

We dont call them sweeps anymore, Dyer said. We call them relocations. The idea is to be compassionate.

A Fresno police officer surveys Santa Clara Street during a police sweep of a homeless encampment. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

To accommodate those relocations, the mayor oversaw the completion of a project to use $102 million in state Homekey funds to convert 10 old motels into shelters, bringing the citys emergency bed total to 840. Before that, there were fewer than half that number.

Sweeps also stepped up after he took office: Dyers Operation Offramp cleared 650 people from freeway overpasses in 2021, in conjunction with state officials. Project Offramp Phase II in spring 2023 moved 350 people into shelter, and a surge this spring cleared another 180 people into emergency beds. City figures indicate about half of those sheltered in Fresno get permanently housed.

The latest street count, taken every few months by nonprofit and city officials, put the unsheltered homeless population in early September at 1,372  down from 1,850 three months ago. The number of encampments fell from 76 to 56 in that same time, and there are now virtually no camps bigger than a dozen tents  with one exception, a continuously evolving crowd of about 50 people who sleep outside Poverello House, which supplies the main outreach workers for HART and maintains a large complex with 270 shelter beds, a soup kitchen and other aid. Many of those 50 are waiting for shelter or services.

Most point-in-time tallies are undercounts because homeless people are hard to pin down, experts say, and the overall unhoused population throughout any year is about double that of a one-day count. Still, they do offer a comparable snapshot, and the drop is considered encouraging.

Fresno spreads out for more than 100 square miles smack in the middle of the Central Valley and among some of the most productive farmland in the world. There are plenty of dusty, open fields good for tents on the edges and in empty pockets of the city, and with the intensive sweeps downtown, thats where people have mostly moved. But even there, the unhoused have been feeling the pressure.

Adam Hahner, 25, said he drifted to Fresno a few years ago from San Francisco with his pit bull Diesel, but the advantages of being outside here have dwindled. The cops are lot tougher now, and tougher than San Francisco for sure, he said as Martinez handed him and a half-dozen other people water and snacks at their camp alongside some bush-shrouded railroad tracks. Ive only been able to stay a day or so in any one place, except for here at the railroad tracks. They just kick us on all the time.

From left: Arturo Castro-Ochoa, Kimmy Smith and boyfriend Adam Hahner sit on a mattress at their tent encampment along the railroad tracks in Fresno. Smith, 25, put her head in her hands because she was feeling sick to her stomach. She said she had not smoked meth in five days. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The problem with these tracks is theyre far away from everything, and not so safe. My dog got cut in half by a train yesterday. But, hey, the cops told us a couple days ago we have to get out of here, too. I just dont know where the hell I can go, because the shelters are pretty full all the time.

That same complaint about lack of resources rings throughout every city in the state. But Fresno locals think they can move the needle better than other towns.

The Valley is its own world, said Zack Darrah, head of Poverello House. We do things a little differently. We have a more diverse population both demographically and politically. (Fresnos population is 50% Latino, 44% Democratic and 34% Republican.) I think we have a good blend of law enforcement with a more liberal social-services emphasis.

He said 1,000 homeless people a year in Fresno are moving into permanent housing, but he estimates that for every one person housed, another becomes homeless. In San Francisco, the estimate is that for every person housed, four more hit the streets. But Darrah sees hope: Over the next year, the city will add 1,500 affordable and supportive housing spots, some being built using modular units to speed up the process.

I think the mayors been the right person at the right time, Darrah said.
The public uproar prompted the government earlier this month to introduce a set of regulations aimed at easing concerns, including a requirement that automakers disclose the brand of battery used | Photo: Bloomberg

By Heesu Lee

A Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle that burst into flames in the South Korean city of Incheon has fueled public fear over the safety of battery-powered cars in recent months.

Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The incident saw 23 people hospitalised for smoke inhalation and left more than 200 families homeless for weeks. Authorities said it took more than eight hours to extinguish the blaze, which was caused after an unplugged electric sedan exploded in an underground apartment carpark in July.

Since then, theres been widespread anxiety over EVs, a phenomenon dubbed EV phobia by local media. Most residential buildings across the country have issued notices advising EV owners to be cautious when they charge their cars, while some have even banned EVs entirely from entering or parking.

The public uproar prompted the government earlier this month to introduce a set of regulations aimed at easing concerns, including a requirement that automakers disclose the brand of battery used in their vehicles.

Although batteries are a critical component in electric cars and can pose serious safety risks if not properly manufactured or managed, automakers have so far kept the identity of their battery suppliers confidential, not just in Korea but around the globe.

As an EV owner myself of about three years, Ive never had the privilege of knowing any details about the battery that sits inside my car. This now feels both odd and unfair, given that batteries are one of the most crucial and expensive parts of the vehicle. Shouldnt consumers have the right to clear and transparent information before making any purchase, especially when its closely tied to safety?

Once the new regulations take effect (no date has been set and it could be months), consumers in Korea should be able to consider battery manufacturers when purchasing an EV. Theres also still a lack of clarity around how much detail the government will require automakers to disclose, and whether EV owners like myself will be able to retrospectively learn the brand of the battery that powers our cars.

The dramatic fire rattled the Korean public at a rather unfortunate time when EV sales growth  globally  is slowing. The broader negative sentiment toward EVs is also undermining the governments efforts here to roll out more eco-friendly cars and beef up charging infrastructure across the country.



Before the incident, the nations EV market had been growing rapidly, accounting for more than 9 per cent of new car registrations last year, according to data from the transport ministry. But after the July incident, most automakers suffered from a decline in EV sales in August. Before the incident, the nations EV market had been growing rapidly, accounting for more than 9 per cent of new car registrations last year, according to data from the transport ministry. But after the July incident, most automakers suffered from a decline in EV sales in August.

With the investigation still underway and the cause of the Mercedes fire yet to be identified, some carmakers, including Hyundai, General Motors and Porsche have taken the matter into their own hands by voluntarily disclosing their battery suppliers and offering free safety inspections to EV owners.

The government has also pledged to strengthen safety measures in parking lots and require more EV makers and battery charging operators to have adequate insurance cover. Whether those measures are enough to calm the unease around EVs is yet to be seen. As for me, Im content to keep driving my EV.

And the flip side of risk is opportunity. If South Korea pushes forward and ends up with effective and comprehensive regulations in place, it could be a chance for the country to build a more resilient environment for EVs in the future.
Interview: China's GDI injects new impetus into common progress, prosperity, says Cambodian scholar

Xinhua) 09:11, September 23, 2024

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Three years on, the China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI) has injected new impetus into common progress, sustainable and inclusive development, and shared prosperity for all, a Cambodian scholar has said.

The GDI, proposed on Sept. 21, 2021, has supported countries in addressing key issues such as poverty alleviation, food and energy security, and healthcare, Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Mengdavid said that in Cambodia, the GDI has supported projects in infrastructure, food security, industrialization, green development, and digital economy.

Through cooperation with China, Cambodia has developed essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, airports and hydropower plants, which has "enhanced connectivity and improved logistic efficiency, stimulated trade and attracted foreign investment," he added.

Regarding poverty alleviation, Mengdavid cited the Cambodia-China Friendship Village for Poverty Alleviation Project in the far-flung Tanorn village in southern Takeo province as a model of success.

China's introduction of modern agricultural technologies has "bolstered Cambodia's food security" by helping small farmers increase crop yields, he said.

On industrialization, Mengdavid cited the Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone (SSEZ) as an example of boosting Cambodia's exports, enhancing local value chains, creating jobs, and providing technical training to locals.

The GDI has also encouraged greener development and digital economy in the country, enabling infrastructure modernization, he said.

The scholar praised the GDI for promoting more equitable and sustainable development, saying it has strengthened capacity building and South-South cooperation among developing countries in the advancement of technology, agriculture, and education.

"The GDI has become a more practical and adaptable framework that allows more inclusive development and emphasizes the spirit of multilateralism and collective efforts toward building a more equitable and sustainable world," he said.

Mengdavid said that the GDI has offered many development opportunities for the Global South countries, promoted multilateral development frameworks aligned with the UN SDGs, and enhanced multipolarity in global governance.

"It has revitalized global development partnership and cooperation, and mobilized international resources for high-quality development, injecting vigorous impetus into the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and into building a community with a shared future for mankind," he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Homeowners association dues in the San Francisco metropolitan area continue to spiral upward even as the median condo listing price declines. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2023

Bay Area condominiums are often marketed as a more accessible option for homebuyers trying to break into a highly competitive market. But even buyers who can afford the mortgage payments may find themselves charged with some of the highest homeowners association fees in the country  costs that are only getting higher.

For-sale condos in the San Francisco metropolitan area required a median of nearly $690 a month in HOA dues from June to August 2024. That was the second-highest median among 43 of the most-populous U.S. metro areas analyzed by real estate company Redfin, and an increase from the median of $550 for the same period in 2019 and the $670 for the period in 2023. The rise came even as the median condo listing price in the San Francisco metro area, which Redfin defines as San Francisco and San Mateo counties, declined from $960,000 to $930,000.

Real estate map: Home prices in every Bay Area city and ZIP code

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The metro with the highest condo dues was Miami, where association fees have surged in recent years to a median of $818 a month.

Association fees in the Oakland and San Jose metro areas were lower than in the San Francisco metro  about $540 and $560 a month, respectively  but increased at slightly faster rates over the past year.

Condo association fees in the Bay Area  which can range from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000 a month  are on the rise largely due to Californias home insurance crisis, real estate experts said. With many major insurance companies deciding not to renew their policies, condo associations have often had to turn to higher-cost alternatives. In some cases, buildings insurance costs have jumped by tens of thousands of dollars a year.

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Generally, costs for services are rising, so assessments (fees) need to rise to meet those increased costs. However, all associations have a common requirement  insurance, said Tom Freeley, CEO of the California Association of Community Managers, a property management industry group.

The rising cost of home insurance has also driven association fees up in other states such as Florida, Colorado and Georgia. The median fee for the Orlando metro area was $470 from June to August 2024, a 17% increase from the median of $400 for the same period in 2023.

Redfin said the jump in Florida HOA fees is also partially due to a state law requiring condo associations to set aside more money for repairs, a policy implemented after a condominium in Surfside collapsed in 2021, killing nearly 100 people.

As association fees rise, demand for condos has dropped in some areas, according to Redfin. That also has been the case for some cities in the Bay Area, with the typical value of condos in San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley continuing to decline, data from real estate company Zillow shows. One condo in San Franciscos Millennium Tower dropped its price by 45% over the past decade.

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Softcell Technologies Global Pvt. Ltd., a leading Systems Integrator in India and provider of IT security and services, proudly announces that it has been awarded the prestigious Check Point Harmony APAC Partner of the Year Award 2024 by Check Point Software Technologies. This marks the second consecutive year that Softcell has received this recognition, having also won the Harmony APAC Partner of the Year Award 2023.



The award was presented at the Check Point Software Technologies Asia Pacific Partner Conference 2024, held in Phuket, Thailand in early September , and recognizes Softcells exceptional achievements in delivering Check Points Harmony Email & Collaboration solutions to clients across the Asia-Pacific region. Softcells continued excellence in deploying advanced security solutions highlights its leadership in the cybersecurity domain and its ability to meet evolving customer needs.



Manish Alshi, Senior Director, Alliances & Channels (India & SAARC), Check Point Software Technologies, commended Softcells achievements: Softcells success as our Harmony APAC Partner of the Year for both 2023 and 2024 is a testament to their deep expertise in the Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration range of solutions and dedication to customer satisfaction. Their understanding of cybersecurity, paired with their innovative approach to deploying Harmony solutions in large enterprises, has made them a key partner for Check Point in the region. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Softcell to help organizations across the APAC region stay secure.



The Check Point Harmony APAC Partner of the Year Award celebrates Softcells consistent performance in securing users, devices, and access through Check Points Harmony Email & Collaboration suite. This suite offers comprehensive protection from cyber threats, making it a critical asset in helping organizations safeguard their remote workforces and digital infrastructure.



Sai Gopal, Director of Softcell Technologies Global Pvt. Ltd., expressed his excitement over the back-to-back achievement: Receiving the Harmony APAC Partner of the Year Award from Check Point for two consecutive years is a tremendous honor. It reflects our teams ongoing commitment to excellence and our strong partnership with Check Point. Our goal remains to deliver world-class security solutions that protect businesses from the ever-increasing challenges in the cybersecurity landscape.



Softcells recognition as the Harmony APAC Partner of the Year for two consecutive years underscores its leadership in the cybersecurity market, highlighting its proficiency in delivering advanced security solutions and its unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of its clients.
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus speaks after the Half Moon Bay farmworker shootings in January 2023. On Sunday, she alleged abuse of power, inappropriate conduct and collusion by County Executive Officer Mike Callagy and called for an investigation. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus announced in an impromptu news conference Sunday evening that she had filed a formal complaint against County Executive Officer Mike Callagy, calling for an investigation into what she called an abuse of power, inappropriate conduct and collusion.

In a letter sent to Board of Supervisors President Warren Slocum, Corpus wrote that her authority as sheriff had been gravely undermined by Callagy, whom she accused of making agreements with labor unions representing the offices deputy sheriffs and attempting to block her controversial decision to fire an assistant sheriff.

There are some serious political dirty dealings that are going on right now, said Corpus in a phone call to the Chronicle. Im asking the board to take action.  (Callagy) has overstepped tremendously.

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Spokespersons for Callagy did not return requests for comment.

Corpus request to the Board of Supervisors comes at a time when the Board of Supervisors is already investigating the sheriff herself for multiple personnel allegations by sworn and professional staff members about her office. The investigation is being conducted by retired Santa Clara Superior Court Judge LaDoris Cordell.

The investigation into personnel complaints began after the Deputy Sheriffs Association, a union representing deputy sheriffs, filed three unfair labor practice complaints against the sheriffs office with the California Public Employment Relations Board in late August.

The complaints allege that the office overworked deputies, attempted to disband the union and walked away from negotiations. Many of the complaints highlighted behavior by Victor Aenlle, Corpus chief of staff, who has also been the subject of human resources complaints by several female members of the office.

On Friday, Corpus announced she had fired Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, her third in command  a move that was made shortly after he was interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation into her offices practices.

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County Supervisor Ray Mueller called the firing retaliatory and said the county attorneys office was reviewing Monaghans firing for evidence of retaliation.

In Corpus letter to the Board of Supervisors president Sunday, she accused Callagy of making efforts to block her firing of Monaghan, describing the two as having a long personal relationship dating back to the San Mateo Police Department.

She also doubled down on her defense regarding the timing of Monaghans termination, asserting that her decision to fire him had been a long time coming.

Had Mr. Callagy or any member of the Board reached out to me to garner better understanding of this significant administrative move, all would have learned that it had nothing to do with Mr. Monaghans involvement in the inquiry conducted by Judge Cordell and everything to do with his performance duplicity and failure to execute the goals of the Sheriffs Office expeditiously, she said.

Monaghan could not be reached for comment Sunday night.

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Almond croissants and cinnamon rolls at Model Bakery in St. Helena. The Wine Country institution is opening a new location in Walnut Creek. Brian L. Frank/Special to the Chronicle

The two-year-long wait for a bakery famous for pillowy, buttery English muffins is almost over.

In mid-October, Model Bakery will open the doors at its new Walnut Creek location at 1315 North Main St., on the corner of Mount Diablo Boulevard, its first store outside of Napa Valley. Inside, customers will be able to bite into the signature fluffy English muffins  made with hand-rolled focaccia dough, dusted with cornmeal and crisped in a pan with a half inch of clarified butter. The muffins have a cult following, and have made their way into Oprah Winfreys favorite things list on four occasions.

They are light, airy and buttery like a doughnut, but theyre savory, said co-owner Sarah Mitchell Hanson. People love them because theres nothing like them.

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As at Model Bakerys locations in St. Helena, Napa and Yountville, breakfast items using the freshly griddled muffins will remain a highlight. Expect a morning menu with eggs Benedict, plus breakfast sandwiches with fillings like sausage, Canadian bacon and hash browns. Mitchell Hanson is considering adding an English muffin burger, omelets and tartines. The Walnut Creek location has a wine and beer license, so diners can enjoy mimosas and pours of house Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, made by winemaker Jesse Fox of Napa Valleys Sequoia Grove Winery.

Kimberly Juarez places fresh bread in the display case at Model Bakery in St. Helena. Brian L. Frank/Special to The Chronicle

Lunch will continue to include salads, soup, BLTs and fried chicken sandwiches, with house-baked breads like 48-hour fermented sourdough, buns, croissants and ciabatta rolls. Model Bakery also offers pastries such as blueberry muffins, bear claws and flaky biscuits. Seattle roaster Cafe Vida will continue to supply Model Bakerys coffee program.

Model Bakerys original location in St. Helena has a history going back over 100 years, founded by an Italian family. Mitchell Hansons mother purchased the company in 1984 and expanded into Napa and Yountville, inside of an old train cart.

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The recipe for the superstar English muffins came about 17 years ago, Mitchell Hanson said, when a baker began cooking leftover dough for bread on the stove. She and the kitchen staff experimented with recipes and doughs until the griddled English muffins took their current form.

The co-owner says the new location will be the largest Model Bakery to date, with a seating capacity for 30 customers indoors and 10 more on a patio. She is in talks with neighboring businesses about installing an outdoor parklet, which could bring the total seating capacity to around 50.

The new kitchen and bakery will also add a significant bump to production. It currently produces between 5,000 to 7,000 English muffins per day between its Napa Valley locations, but the plan is to make around 10,000 English muffins in Walnut Creek to power the new location and service wholesale accounts plus online retail. Mitchell Hanson said cookies, croissants and English muffins for the new store will be baked on-site, but items like loaves of bread will most likely come from its Napa facility, a 45-minute drive away.

Carlos Nunez prepares breakfast sandwiches served on the signature English muffins at Model Bakery in St. Helena. Brian L. Frank/Special to The Chronicle

Model Bakery spent over $3 million in bringing the property, Walnut Creeks oldest operating commercial space, up to working condition. Work included installing new sewer, gas and water lines and renovating portions of the structure. The team also had to perform a makeover from the buildings past iteration as Mexican restaurant La Fogata.

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Just the permits took us over a year to complete, Mitchell Hanson said. It was a really huge project.

Designer Richard Von Saal created the spaces new look, featuring textured stainless steel and walnut wood countertops and bread shelves. There are whimsical elements like a chandelier made from whisks, measuring spoons and other baking utensils that hangs over a circular communal table. A black-and-white checkerboard tile floor gives the new location a look consistent with its sibling locations in Napa Valley.

The move into Walnut Creek was a natural fit for Model Bakery. Mitchell Hanson previously told the Chronicle that the citys ZIP codes were among its most frequently recorded for customers in Napa Valley. To boot, her husband grew up in Walnut Creek.

Buzz around town is high, with Mitchell Hanson getting regular emails and messages about the upcoming opening. Leading up to the date, the team was training staff and putting the final touches on the building to launch without a hitch.

Its a little stressful, but its so exciting at the same time, she said.

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A CO Carlow company has been awarded the brand activation champion of the month for Guaranteed Irish.

Bodylite Gear, specialising in technical and reflective road safety wear, has activated the use of the national symbol of trust quickly and therefore has been awarded for the use of the G in its marketing, in-store and online.

Martin Cummins, manager at Bodylite Gear, expressed the companys gratitude, saying: We're truly honored to receive this award. At Bodylite, weve always been committed to creating innovative safety gear that not only meets the highest standards but also embodies our pride in being an Irish company.

This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our small team in Co Carlow. We strive to make a positive impact in our community by promoting road safety and ensuring our customers feel seen and safe during their outdoor activities, he said.

Guaranteed Irish is a not-for-profit membership organisation committed to supporting locally based businesses in Ireland. Bodylite Gear has been a member of the Guaranteed Irish eco-system since 2021.

The company designs, manufactures and packages as much as it can from its factory in Carlow and in doing so support the local community. In addition to business achievements, Bodylite Gear has demonstrated a strong commitment to social responsibility through its involvement in the community. It will be teaming up with the Jennifer Zamparelli show on 2FM to give away 100 vouchers for its online store.Through extensive promotion of the Guaranteed Irish symbol on its website, using the logo on its product and in photos.
TWO young people from Co Carlow have been selected by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) for its local champions initiative.

Franek Dobronski and Roisin Kehoe, members of Comhairle na nOg and Carlow Regional Youth Services, have been selected as local champions for Carlow and Kilkenny. The initiative aims to ensure increased investment from government in young people and youth work locally and nationally.

Franek and Roisin said: Were really looking forward to meeting our local representatives and sharing some of the amazing experiences weve had with Comhairle na nOg and Carlow Regional Youth Services. Theres so much important work happening in our area to support young people and we want to ensure our local representatives carry that message to the national level so that youth work in our area and beyond gets its fair share come budget time. Grace McManus, NYCI campaigns manager, said: As part of the local champions initiative, a group of passionate young individuals has been selected as representatives from their communities to engage with their local politicians and champion the cause of youth work. The local champions received training and support from NYCI to effectively convey the positive impact that youth work has on their lives and the lives of young people in their communities, as well as the importance of investing in youth work. NYCI is calling for an additional 15 million investment in youth work in Budget 2025 to support services under increasing pressure and ensure equal access to youth work for all young people nationwide.

As local champions, Franek and Roisin will engage with policymakers, sharing personal stories and using social media to raise awareness and mobilise support.

Over the next few weeks, they will engage with local TDs John McGuinness, Jennifer Murnane OConnor and deputy John Paul Phelan as well as minister Malcolm Noonan.
Blowouts at Irish Cement spark calls for action

ICR Newsroom By 23 September 2024

Following a recent early morning blowout at Irish Cement, a subsidiary of CRH Plc, that left local residents waking to cars and property coated in white dust, calls have been made for action from the Council.

At this months Metropolitan area meeting, Social Democrats councillor Elisa ODonovan proposed the immediate establishment of a community liaison committee for the Mungret, Raheen, and Dooradoyle areas, as required by the sites planning conditions.

Labour Party councillor Joe Leddin seconded the motion, stressing the need for open communication between Irish Cement and the Council. He expressed frustration that councillors had not been informed of such incidents.

There has been a lot of concern in recent years in terms of emissions from Irish Cement. As councillors, we are getting calls whenever there is an incident, and people wake up in the morning to find white dust all over their car and property, Cllr Leddin said. The Labour councillor added that he had received multiple calls recently from residents in the greater Mungret area who came out to find their cars covered in white particles.

Were the first port of call for most people when theres an issue, but if were being kept in the dark, theres obviously a breakdown in communication when theres an incident, he stated.

Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler noted that he was alerted to the latest blowout and had informed the Council. However, he clarified that it is primarily the responsibility of Irish Cement and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to record such events.

The EPA investigated it. I think Irish Cement has acknowledged that there was an incident  when a truck was being loaded with cement. The pipe that connects with the truck somehow became dislodged, and then there was quite a significant amount of dust covering the immediate area, he explained.

The Council confirmed that it is in the process of forming the community liaison committee, which will be operational by the end of the year.

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Ignites to supply green electricity to Akmenes Cementas

ICR Newsroom By 23 September 2024

Smart energy solutions company Ignites will supply electricity generated by its wind farm in Mazeikiai to Akmenes Cementas, Lithuania.

Ignites and Akmenes Cementas, which is owned by German building materials producer, Schwenk Cement Beteiligungen, signed a four-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for Ignites to start supplying electricity in 2026.

This is the largest PPA Ignites has ever signed in Lithuania. Haroldas Nauseda, head of B2B customers and expansion at Ignitis, said, It is important for us to be a reliable partner for one of the largest electricity consumers in the country. Our strong green generation portfolio allows us to offer our customers solutions that meet all their needs. OTC PPAs ensure long-lasting and reliable strategic partnerships. This type of service is fairly new in our market, so we are excited about the opportunity to meet the needs of the largest industrial companies in Europe and contribute to the supply of strategic raw materials. This cooperation enables our customer to follow a more sustainable path.

Arturas Zaremba, CEO of Akmenes Cementas, said, We are excited about this partnership as it allows us to use green energy in the cement industry. This cooperation is an important step towards our commitment to achieve long-term sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint. By integrating renewable energy sources into our activities and planned projects that will contribute to the European Unions Green Deal objectives, we are strengthening our environmental efforts and creating sustainable and innovative solutions. Just a few years ago, even the most optimistic forecasts did not show such growth in the renewable energy generation. Until recently, we were a deficit market and, in relative terms, one of the biggest importers. Now we are moving at a breakneck speed towards becoming one of the biggest producers. The difference is that we are producing green energy in Lithuania and looking for opportunities to offer our customers differentiated and diversified long-term pricing solutions.

Mazeikiai wind farm was built by Ignites Renewables. It is located in northern Lithuania and consists of 14 wind turbines with a total capacity of 63MW, starting operations in 2023.

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Supporters of California Gov. Gavin Newsoms CARE Court scheme rallied at the state capitol in 2022. There are new concerns that recruiting mental health workers to the treatment program could worsen a labor shortage in other behavioral health services. Andri Tambunan/Special to the Chronicle

A seemingly innocuous proposal to offer scholarships for mental health workers in Californias new court-ordered treatment program has sparked debate over whether the state should prioritize that program or tackle a wider labor shortage in behavioral health services.

Nine counties have begun rolling out the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Act, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law in 2022 to get people with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, many of them incarcerated or homeless, into treatment. But often those skilled clinicians have been pulled by counties from other understaffed behavioral health programs.

Theres just so much change coming with a limited workforce, limited treatment resources, and high expectations for counties to solve things like homelessness, said Scott Kennelly, director of the Butte County Behavioral Health Department. Its like Im turning on a fire hose and saying, Start drinking.

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The bill, SB26, by state Sen. Tom Umberg would create an annual scholarship fund for students who pursue a mental health profession provided they work for three years with CARE Court. Umberg had requested $10 million for the program, but its unclear how many students would receive the scholarship, said Jackie Koenig, a spokesperson for the senator. The bill sailed through the legislature without a single lawmaker voting against it.

Umberg, a Democrat from Santa Ana, said CARE Court deserves targeted funding because its a new program, and he noted other state scholarships are available for students pursuing a behavioral health degree. For instance, the state announced in March 2023 that it would issue $118 million in grants to support behavioral health providers at 134 nonprofit community-based organizations.

CARE Court is new, and it is in a unique space that requires unique behavioral health skills, dealing with schizophrenics, Umberg said. So, we want to encourage folks to go into that space, because it is a challenge.

But local behavioral health administrators say shifting experts into CARE Court may create shortages in other programs or thrust mental health specialists into multiple demanding programs.

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The CARE Act allows patients or others, such as their relatives, behavioral health care providers, or roommates, to petition their county court for help. Individuals who agree to participate can receive up to 24 months of treatment, which can include outpatient substance use disorder treatment, stabilization medication, connection to social services, and housing. It is one of Newsoms experimental initiatives intended to get some of the states 181,000 homeless people off the streets and into housing without resorting to mandatory conservatorships.

Only 7,000 to 12,000 Californians are estimated to be eligible for treatment, according to the Judicial Council, which helps oversee the program.

The state has allocated $251 million to staff and launch the CARE program through the current budget year, including $122 million in grants to counties, according to the state Legislative Analysts Office. At the same time, counties have been directed to implement a host of other behavioral health programs, such as mobile crisis teams, and boost mental health services for Medi-Cal patients. Last year, Newsom also signed legislation that broadened the number of Californians who could be involuntarily committed.

As a high-profile mandate, counties are largely moving existing, skilled, experienced staff over to launch and staff the CARE Court teams, said Michelle Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, which supports the bill.

Its why critics, including ACLU California Action, Mental Health America of California, and some counties, say a CARE Court scholarship should also support other county programs that treat individuals with serious mental illness and housing instability.

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Restricting workforce development initiatives solely to one of the many new behavioral health initiatives will not solve the issues of staffing across the continuum of behavioral health services, said Alexandra Pierce, an assistant director at the Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Department.

County behavioral health departments are in the midst of a massive behavioral health workforce shortage  running 25% to 30% below full staff capacity, on average, according to an internal 2023 survey conducted by the county behavioral health director association and UCSFs Healthforce Center, Cabrera said.

Hillary Kunins, Director of the San Francisco Behaviorial Health Services, speaks about CARE Court in Sept. 2023. The program has gotten off to a slow start in the city. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

More than a dozen rural and urban county behavioral health directors told California Healthline that hiring challenges are widespread and not unique to CARE Court, pointing to burnout since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and steep competition from schools, correctional facilities, and the private sector, which can offer skilled clinicians higher pay, work-from-home telehealth jobs, and generous vacation.

Michelle Funez, division director of Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, said a CARE Court scholarship could incentivize students to pursue county jobs that support vulnerable individuals in the community.

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Finding the right clinician for CARE Court can be tricky because the job requires skilled individuals to work in homeless encampments and other nontraditional environments, Funez said.

It can feel like were looking for the needle in the haystack, Funez said, drawing from an already smaller body of staff who have the requisite skills for this type of work, who are also up for the challenge.

The nine counties that have launched the specialized courts have received more than 600 petitions in the first 10 months of the program, said Leah Myers, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health Care Services, which helps oversee the program. The remaining 49 counties are slated to launch their programs by Dec. 1.

There have been early successes with the program. A year in, San Diego County is already beginning to graduate patients, meaning they have received treatment and have made enough progress to transition out of the court system.

As more counties roll out CARE Courts, they will need more clinicians. A scholarship program, some counties said, could help. But the bills price tag could be its downfall. In June, Newsom signed a state budget closing an estimated $46.8 billion deficit, and last year he vetoed hundreds of bills, many of them over cost. Newsom spokesperson Elana Ross declined to comment on the measure.

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James Robinson, left, on July 10, after his family found him in San Francisco after discovering he was alive, three years after he had been declared dead. His family held a memorial for him outside the Dahlia Hotel on Turk Street in May 2021, shortly after medical examiner officials told the family he died of an overdose in the hotel. Provided by Kylie Robinson

Regarding The S.F. medical examiner said her dad died of an overdose and sent her the ashes. But it was a colossal mistake (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Sept. 17): James Robinsons story should serve as a sobering reminder to policymakers, city administrators and voters: Time is not on our side.

Robinson and our neighbors struggling on the streets of the Tenderloin do not have time. Time for us to idle by as they deteriorate. Time for us to slowly pass housing legislation, reform outdated Social Security policies or develop comprehensive solutions to the fentanyl and mental health crises.

We must act now. Families like my own are losing people like Robinson due to inaction. Despite coming back to life after three years of being wrongly declared dead, James Robinson, in truth, was already gone.

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It is already too late for many others.

Molly Woerner, Oakland

Story is misleading

Regarding A Millennium Tower condo lost 45% value in a decade. Has downtown S.F. real estate bottomed out? (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Sept. 19): While the story identifies two units at Millennium Tower that sold at a price lower than pre-COVID levels  a trend in condominiums across San Francisco  it neglects to highlight recent sales that are not aligned with the bottom out narrative.

For example, Unit 45C in the building sold on July 15 for $1.8 million. In January 2023, Unit 54B sold for $7.75 million. Without this context, Chronicle readers are led to believe that the entirety of the building is bottoming out rather than each sale being unique based on many factors.

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The storys characterization of the building struggling to shed its battle-scarred image seems like an attempt to tie city-wide economic factors to the buildings past.

As of July 2023, the Millennium Tower was fully repaired, and the building has stabilized and has begun to correct its tilt.

It is our hope that the Millennium Tower will be reported on fairly without being constantly identified as an outlier due to the previous foundation issues that have been rectified.

Joel A. Piser, president, Millennium Tower Association

Bring workers back

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

Regarding Dreamforce commits to S.F. for three more years in major economic boost for city (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Sept. 19): You know what would be a permanent economic boost to the city? If Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff asked his employees to return to the office five days a week.

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Hybrid workers are the reason downtown San Francisco has not fully returned. It would be nice if they stopped scapegoating our mayor for a problem they created.
Many community partners will join the Jewish community on Oct. 7 in Miller Park to gather in remembrance and community-wide commemoration of the Oct. 7, 2023 events in Israel. The community is invited to light 1,200 candles between 5:30 and 6 p.m. From 6-6:30 p.m.. the community will hear music, prayers and poems reaffirming the communitys strength and commitment to Israel. There is no cost to participate.Officials said, "On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas unleashed a vicious attack on Israel, killing nearly 1,200 innocent civilians, taking 250 people hostage and shattering the global Jewish communitys sense of safety.One hundred and one people are still being held hostage by terrorists. I dont think we could have imagined that a year after the sudden, barbaric attack by Hamas, that so many of the hostages taken that day would still be in captivity, that the war between Israel and Hamas would still be going on, despite the unbearable toll on both sides. said Michael Dzik, Jewish Federations executive director.This commemoration is one of over 100 taking place across North America. It will bring together the broad Jewish community along with local religious and civic leaders.Coming together as a community is one of the most meaningful ways we can express our heartfelt and unwavering solidarity with Israel and its people, said Mr. Dzik. We invite the broad community to join us in this moment of pain and loss as we grieve together, embrace the survivors and the families of the fallen. We will pray for the remaining hostages and express our gratitude to the community for their love, solidarity and support of the resilience of the Jewish people.
Charlotte Grace Events announces an Autumn Harvest Festival this Saturday at the Catoosa Colonnade from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.The festival will include local crafters, food trucks, live music and inflatables for the kids.Admission and parking are free.Apply to be a vendor at CharlotteGraceEvents.com.
Students study for the bar exam in the library at UC Law San Francisco in 2017. Michael Short/Special to the Chronicle

The State Bar, which licenses Californias 199,000 practicing lawyers, is trying to dig itself out of a financial hole by revamping its bar exam and allowing it to be taken remotely rather than in huge auditoriums. While the bar deals with a last-minute procedural hurdle from the state Supreme Court, it is also encountering opposition from leaders of some of the states most prominent law schools, which say the changes are hurried and untested.

The exam, held twice a year, includes essay questions on legal topics, a performance test requiring applicants to complete a lawyers task such as writing a case brief and 200 multiple-choice questions on civil and criminal law. California, like nearly every other state, has used the 200 questions provided by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

The State Bar has a $400 million budget this year, but its lawyer admissions fund, which pays for the bar exam, faces an $8 million deficit. The bar says it can bridge that gap by using exam questions provided by a private contractor, Kaplan Exam Services, starting in February. And while the national conference requires the exam to be taken in convention centers, California plans to give applicants the choice of going to small test centers or taking the exam from home, with remote monitoring by a bar contractor.

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Bar officials said their five-year, $8.25 million contract with Kaplan and other changes will save them $3.8 million a year and keep their fund solvent. They also said the new exam will place a greater emphasis on practical skills rather than rote memorization.

First they need approval from the California Supreme Court, which ruled last week that the bar had failed to get the required approval from the independent Committee of Bar Examiners, appointed by the governor and the Legislature.

The bar should be able to meet that requirement within two weeks and allow applications for the February exam to begin in October, said Bridget Gramme, one of the organizations lead attorneys on the issue.

The Admissions Fund is facing insolvency, Gramme said. Finding a new, less expensive source for the test questions was the only way to preserve the fund, and the planning process has been methodical, deliberative, and thorough, with input from California law schools.

But objections have been raised by 15 law school deans in California, including the leaders of all five University of California law schools.

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We  urge the court to pause implementation of the transition to Kaplan, at least for the February bar exam and preferably for the next scheduled exam in July, the deans said in a letter to the state Supreme Court.

They said the new tests have not been adequately reviewed for their degree of difficulty and relevance to skills required for law practice. The deans also criticized the bars plan for a voluntary pre-test in November in which law school graduates will answer questions prepared by Kaplan, and those who get passing scores will receive a bonus of 40 points on the next bar exam, out of the 1,390 points required to pass the 2,000-point exam.

It makes no sense to say that some individuals who failed the bar, according to the State Bars standard of competency, are deemed qualified because they helped the State Bar by participating in an experiment, the deans wrote. Either everyone should get the additional points during the Kaplan transition, effectively lowering the passing score  which also has the effect of bringing California more in line with other jurisdictions  or no one.

The bars plan was defended by Susan Smith Bakhshian, director of bar programs at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. She does not work for the State Bar but serves on its advisory Law School Council.

The State Bar needs practical solutions to administer its bar exam within its financial means, she said by email. Instead, law schools and other critics of the State Bars plans find fault at every turn and fantasize about avoiding changes to the bar exam.

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Perhaps the State Bar is moving too quickly. However, the budget crisis at the State Bar has left few options and none that are better. Rather than attempt to stop a moving train, law schools should support making the experiment more inclusive and ultimately more successful.

The bar has also asked the state Supreme Court to allow law school graduates to bypass the exam and begin law practice on their own after completing between 700 and 1,000 hours of work on legal cases, under the supervision of licensed attorneys, and submitting written essays on their cases.
Home News Biden-Harris admin. tried to hide spike in terror-tied immigrants crossing border, ex-official says

A former U.S. Border Patrol chief accused the Biden-Harris administration of attempting to conceal an increase in the number of illegal immigrants with terrorist ties who have entered the United States to persuade the public that there is no threat at the border.

Aaron Heitke was the chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol's San Diego sector before retiring last summer. During a Wednesday U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security hearing, Heitke said that the administration did not allow him to share certain details about the border situation.

"Each time we asked for help in dealing with a new issue, it fell on deaf ears. At times in San Diego, we had 2,000 or more aliens sitting in between the fences asking to turn themselves in," he said. "I was told to move them out of the sight of the media."

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Heitke said that "significant interest aliens" are migrants "with significant ties to terrorism." He said that the San Diego sector arrested an average of 10 to 15 SIAs per year during the previous administration.

"Once word was out the border was far easier to cross, San Diego went to over 100 SIAs in 2022, well over that in 2023, and even more than that registered this year. These are only the ones we caught," he said.

"At the time, I was told I could not release any information on this increase in SIAs or mention any of the arrests. The administration was trying to convince the public there was no threat at the border."

After President Joe Biden took office in 2021, he ended a Trump-era policy that required migrants seeking asylum to remain in Mexico during immigration proceedings. The administration has also faced criticism for cutting immigration detention capacity, resulting in the release of thousands of immigrants as a result.

Heitke said one strategy for discouraging people from entering the U.S. illegally involves returning them to their country of origin. During the first three years of the Biden administration, however, the former Border Patrol official said that fewer illegal immigrants were being returned.

"For the first time in my 25 years in under five different administrations, whether through neglect or on purpose, I saw a large-scale lapse in our ability to return people to their country of origin," Heitke said. "The inability to send people home meant that most people being arrested for illegal entry would either have to be detained or released."

Heitke testified that he had to release illegal immigrants "by the hundreds each day," noting that the communities in the U.S. they were sent to were not equipped to support them.

In response to the crisis, Heitke said the federal government paid for two flights a week to take those released in San Diego over to Texas, spending $150,000 on each flight.

"This was the administration's way to try and quiet the border-wide crisis," Heitke said.

According to a report prepared by the House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement earlier this year, the administration has allowed over 5 million illegal immigrants to remain in the United States. The immigrants include people who applied from abroad to be entered into parole programs and those who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border.

After the Biden administration stopped flying migrants to Texas, Heitke said that he received multiple phone calls from the California governor's office, mayors and hospital administrators asking the agency to keep injured illegal migrants in custody. Heitke said this was because they wanted to see if the federal government could pay the medical bills.

The retired official acknowledged that the administration had asked Mexico for help in slowing down the number of illegal immigrants entering the country, but he questioned why it took so long for them to take this action.

"The problems we are facing at the border have solutions," Heitke said. "These solutions can be quite simple and cost far less than the mess currently occupying so much time and money. The return to a policy of enforcing the law and returning illegal aliens to their home countries is required."
Home News Chuck Swindoll retiring as pastor, will continue broadcast ministry

Evangelical pastor, author and radio personality Chuck Swindoll will be retiring as a pastor at Stonebriar Community Church of Frisco, Texas, and will preach his final sermon in October.

The church posted an announcement Sunday from Swindoll, who had been preaching at the megachurch since becoming senior pastor in 1998.

Swindoll, who will be turning 90 next month, believed that "the time has come for me to retire from Stonebriar  and embrace a new chapter in my life."

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"This decision was not made lightly," he said. "Each moment spent with you has shaped me, taught me, and filled my heart with joy. Together, we have built a vibrant community grounded in faith, hope, and love. We have shared countless memories, celebrated milestones, and faced challenges hand in hand."

"While my role may be changing, my commitment to the mission and vision we uphold will never fade. [My wife] Cynthia and I intend to worship with you from one Sunday to the next; this will always be our church family."

While retiring from the role of pastor, Swindoll said he will make his long-running broadcast ministry Insight for Living his "singular focus," as it "has been a vibrant part of Cynthia's and my life for more than 45 years."

"I encourage you to continue living out the values we cherish, to support one another, and to love your neighbors as Christ loves us. Remember, the church is not a building but a community of believers, and I have faith that you will continue to shine brightly in this world," he added.

Born in 1934 in El Campo, Texas, Swindoll graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1963 and has served multiple churches over the decades.

In July 1979, Swindoll and his wife started Insight for Living Ministries, a Bible study radio program that expanded to all 50 states and more than 2,100 outlets worldwide by April 2020.

For his prolific ministry broadcast work, Swindoll was honored by the National Religious Broadcasters by being inducted into the Christian media organization's Hall of Fame in 2000.

Swindoll has authored several books and devotionals, including Abraham: One Nomad's Amazing Journey of Faith, Clinging to Hope, Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Encourage Me: Caring Words for Heavy Hearts, The Grace Awakening, A Healthy Body: Characteristics of a Contagious Church, What If ... God Has Other Plans?, and Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership.

In April, the Stonbriar elder board released a statement announcing that Swindoll was stepping down from his role as senior pastor and would take on the position of founding pastor effective May 1 in which he still preached on Sundays.

Jonathan Murphy, a native of Northern Ireland who served as the chair of Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary, was selected to become the church's new senior pastor.
Home News Former SBC President Steve Gaines reveals cancer has spread to his lungs

Former Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines has announced that his kidney cancer has spread to his lungs, and his congregation continues to ask for prayers for his recovery.

In a video posted to YouTube Wednesday, Gaines, the pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, shared an update on his health two weeks after announcing his diagnosis with kidney cancer to his congregation.

The 65-year-old served as president of the largest Protestant denomination in the United States from 2016 to 2018 while continuing to lead Bellevue Baptist Church.

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"After they discovered the cancer in my kidney, they spent the last two weeks running additional tests. During those tests, they discovered the cancer had also spread to my lungs," Gaines said.

"I have a great team of doctors who are working hard to come up with the best treatment plan possible," he added. "More than anything, we continue to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for complete healing."

He expressed gratitude for the "words of encouragement" he received over the past two weeks and those praying and fasting for him.

Gaines' wife, Donna, who appeared alongside her husband in the video, said her husband will receive a port placement this week that will allow him to "begin chemotherapy as soon as possible."

"[H]is doctors are encouraged due to a recent release of a very effective new regimen of three medications that have been very effective against his type of cancer," she said.

"Please continue to pray as we seek the Lord that we might be able to glorify Him in this journey," she said.

The former SBC president outlined his plans to travel to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, next month for "consultation and also confirm my treatment plan." He does not "expect any major updates" before traveling to the hospital during the second week of January.

Gaines vowed to update the congregation as new information becomes available.

Gaines shows no signs of stepping away from his ministry even as he faces a more difficult health crisis than initially expected. When sharing the video message on social media, Bellevue Baptist Church's X account urged the congregation to "pray for Bro. Steve as he returns to the pulpit this Sunday."

Please watch this update from Bro. Steve and Donna and join us as we continue to pray for our Pastor's healing.



Please also pray for Bro. Steve as he returns to the pulpit this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/AOORVYzYaS  Bellevue Baptist Church (@bellevuememphis) December 6, 2023

Statistics compiled by the American Cancer Society based on people diagnosed with cancers of the kidney between 2012 and 2018 suggest that kidney cancer that has "spread to distant parts of the body such as the lungs, brain, or bones" has a 15% five-year relative survival rate.

As Bellevue Baptist Church's website indicated, Gaines has served as senior pastor there for nearly two decades. Before taking his current post at Bellevue Baptist Church in 2005, Gaines pastored other churches in Texas, Tennessee and Alabama for over two decades. He and Donna have been married for 43 years. They have four children and 18 grandchildren.

The church has put together a prayer guide for Gaines, which includes nearly two dozen Bible verses that members of the congregation can look to when "praying for God's healing, peace, and blessings over Bro. Steve and his family."
Home News Former SBC President Steve Gaines announces cancer diagnosis

Former Southern Baptist Convention President Steven Gaines, the senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, told his congregation Sunday that he has been diagnosed with kidney cancer.

With his wife, Donna, by his side, Gaines, who served as SBC president from 2016 to 2018, announced at the 11 a.m. worship service that he learned he had cancer last Friday.

"Just this past Friday, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and we just want to tell you. We want you to hear it from us," Gaines, 65, said.

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"We got some great doctors; we've got the best doctor, Amen? Got the best doctor," he said, noting that he will be undergoing treatment for the diagnosis, including at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, which is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation for treating adult cancers by the U.S. News and World Report.

"We'll be following their direction," Gaines said of his doctors.

"I've had some tests and all, but we're going to go through a few more things. And then we'll be going to MD Anderson as well. And that's down in Houston, and they're cancer experts on how to treat things. So all we're wanting you to do is pray for us," he said. "I just want to tell you, firsthand, OK? Didn't want you to hear it for somebody else. Wanted to tell you straight up."

The American Cancer Society, which relies on information from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database maintained by the National Cancer Institute, states that if kidney cancer is localized, meaning there is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the kidney, the five-year survival rate is 93%.

If the cancer is regional, meaning the cancer has spread outside the kidney to nearby structures or lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 72%. If the cancer is considered distant or it has spread to distant parts of the body such as the lungs, brain or bones, the five-year survival rate drops to 15%.

Gaines hasn't disclosed the extent to which his cancer has or hasn't spread and whether or not he would be taking time away from his pulpit to undergo his planned treatment.

Bellevue Baptist Church did not immediately respond when contacted for comment Monday by The Christian Post.

Gaines has pastored Bellevue Baptist Church since 2005 and previously led churches in Texas and Alabama.

He and his wife have four children and 16 grandchildren.
Home News Judge rejects taxpayers' petition to tax Iowa church properties

A judge in Iowa has rejected a challenge to the tax exemption status of properties owned by a church, citing the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

An administrative law judge dismissed a petition last week by local taxpayers that sought to revoke the tax-exempt status of properties owned by Calvary Chapel Iowa.

Judge Jonathan Gallagher ruled that allowing such petitions could create a chilling effect on religious organizations, potentially deterring them from engaging in protected religious activities.

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The judge's decision acknowledged that litigation like this could unfairly target religious groups due to political disagreements, contrary to the intent of RFRA.

"To hold otherwise would be to allow the unaccountable political opponents of a church the option to use the power of the State to target and/or retaliate against the religious organization for the organization's activities, thereby creating a chilling effect not only on that specific religious group but also all other similarly oriented religious organizations," the judge stated.

"This is precisely the type of religious interference that RFRA was designed to prevent, and until the judiciary provides different guidance on the scope of RFRA, this case must be dismissed."

In response to the ruling, Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver, whose organization helped represent the church, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision.

"Religious freedom laws protect churches and pastors so they can focus on their mission rather than defending against spurious challenges from those who politically disagree with them," Staver said.

"The power to tax is not intended to empower censorship," he added. "We are pleased Judge Gallagher properly applied Iowa RFRA in dismissing this attempt to punish religious and political speech. Frivolous claims brought against a church in Iowa courts also run the risk of being financially costly to any of the petitioners for attorney's fees and costs."

The petitioners have been given a 30-day window to appeal the decision before it becomes final. If they choose to proceed, they could face significant legal expenses, including attorney's fees and costs.

The controversy centered on two properties: a residence where the church's pastor lives with his family, and a segment of the church's campus used for a Christian daycare and school in Cedar Rapids.

The petitioners argued that these properties were not used solely for religious purposes, citing the pastor's family's residence and the revenue-generating daycare as points of contention.

The defense argued that the properties in question were legitimately used for religious and educational purposes, thereby qualifying them for tax exemption under Iowa law.
Home News Lausanne 4: ORU Pres. Billy Wilson challenges Christians to be 'accelerated' by the Holy Spirit 'Providentially, the Year 2033 has captured the imagination of leaders across the kingdom of God,' Wilson says

INCHEON, South Korea  Billy Wilson called on Evangelicals to open their hearts to being accelerated by the Holy Spirit to witness for Christ to keep pace with a fast-changing world grappling with speedy developments in areas of general knowledge, technology, inventions and science.

The fourth president of Oral Roberts University and a key leader in the contemporary Pentecostal movement, serving in the Empowered21 global relational network for believers, Wilson spoke on The work of the Holy Spirit as a morning plenary speaker at the Fourth Lausanne Global Congress on World Evangelism.

As the global population surges upwards, with latest figures showing 8 billion people on the planet in 2022, the growth of Christianity remains stagnant and this is a major concern, he said.

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Wilson calculates that Christianity makes up for 31% of the world population and, despite a boost in the 19th century, there was a drop in the number of Christians in the 20th century, as a percentage of the total population. Now, during this time of global acceleration, we also must have an acceleration of our mission and evangelistic effectiveness, Wilson says.

The first believers did not have access to the technology tools of mass communication today, such as social media and cell phones, and yet the Holy Spirit accelerated through them and turned the ancient world, from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond, upside down with the Gospel.

For Wilson, this wildfire of resurrection energy came from five qualities for supernatural acceleration, as the Holy Spirit carried the early followers of Jesus to the ends of the Earth with amazing effect and speed. He believes that Evangelicals need those same qualities for effective witnessing in the 21st century, to experience the same Holy Spirit acceleration.

Firstly, the first believers were utterly convinced that Jesus was alive after the crucifixion. They believed in the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way, truth and life  and salvation lay with Him and no one else.

There was no optional way, no alternative root, says Wilson. Jesus was the absolute answer, and they were completely committed to declaring that good news to the world. They lived and died with this conviction, which fueled the spread of the Gospel.

Secondly, a level of flexibility allowed the first Church to move forward aggressively but in unexpected ways. Wilson opines that as the first Church was the new wineskin for the fresh experience of God, there was a need for flexibility and taking advantage of difficult situations.

Persecution was seen as giving opportunities to evangelize by preaching the Gospel. Trials, for example, gave space for believers to give public testimony to the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Christian killers became Christian missionaries, says Wilson. Deacons became evangelists, shipwrecks became salvation. Campaigns, visions, dreams, and impressions  all moved them forward. The unexpected came to be expected, and in just one generation, a predominantly Jewish church became a predominantly gentile church.

They were able to experience supernatural acceleration because they were flexible and expandable. New flexibility will be required in the 21st century if we're going to experience an acceleration of our mission.

Thirdly, the first disciples were obedient to numerous unusual directives as the Gospel advanced in the ancient world. Various protocols were broken time and again to obey the calling of God. Wilson offered examples of paradigms with a Jewish temple becoming a place for Christian healing and a jailhouse being reworked as a prayer house. He cites the example of Phillip the evangelist leaving a revival in Samaria to enter the desert of personal evangelism, just because God said so.

Wilson calls this an Obed obedience, positioning Phillip for supernatural acceleration as he is transported by the Holy Spirit from his desert to his next evangelism assignment.

Wilson compares this example of paradigm shifting to what David Yonggi Cho achieved by building his renowned 900,000-member Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea, just 20 miles away from the Seoul-Incheon 2024 Congress. When Cho was asked how such a large church was built, he replied simply: I pray and I obey.

Fourth, the first disciples had a radical dependence on the Holy Spirit: His guidance, his empowerment, and his strength simply put, they refused to do God's work without God's presence. They discovered that the Holy Spirit was God's greatest evangelist and that He is moving every single minute, every single second, to reach the lost.

As the first followers were joined to the Holy Spirit and relied on Him, the results were both history making and world changing, according to Wilson.

Fifthly, the earliest disciples had supernatural synergy from enjoying spiritual unity. Wilson uses an analogy that one person could chase a thousand, but two people working together can chase 10,000.

Their unity brought God's favor and positioned them for supernatural acceleration. In Jesus' prayer in John 17, he prayed that we would be one, as he and the Father are one, that we would have relational unity, but it would have a missional intent that the world might believe that God had sent him. Unity, then, must be relational, missional and spiritual.

Empowered21, as a relational network, was adopted in 2013 by spirit-empowered leaders with a vision for everyone to have an authentic encounter with Jesus through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. An Everyone Initiative and Everyone Fund was launched in 2023 to support frontline evangelistic efforts to give each person on Earth the opportunity to be saved before judgment comes.

We did not and do not believe in universalism that everyone will be saved, but we just believe that everyone on Earth desires that opportunity to be saved, says Wilson, adding that the aim is that by Pentecost 2033, this evangelism effort, which requires an all-out unified effort by Evangelicals, will be achieved.

Providentially, the Year 2033 has captured the imagination of leaders across the kingdom of God, beyond Pentecostal and charismatic movements, there are now multiple initiatives targeting the year 2033, many of them without prior knowledge of other 2033 efforts.

Wilson believes that Evangelical Christians stand at the tipping point of a historic Holy Spirit empowered moment, with the potential of being the most significant effort in fulfilling the Great Commission in the entire history of Christianity.

Could it be on the 2,000th anniversary of the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus; and the 2,000-year anniversary of the giving of the Great Commission; and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost at the birth of the Church, that together we might do what has never been done in human history, and that is assure that every person on Earth has an opportunity to know Jesus Christ? Wilson asked.

At the very least, by 2033, Wilson hopes Evangelicals will be participating in the most pervasive missional and evangelistic thrust since the first century. The eternal destiny of millions depends on it, he adds solemnly, pointing to a stark statistic that every day 150,000 or more die on the planet. If a third are Christian, it means that 100,000 people die every day without knowing Christ. That calculation means 4,000 people per hour, or 37 million per year, facing a Christless eternity.

God's Word says that God is not willing that any should perish, but that everyone comes to repentance, says Wilson. Personally, I believe that the greatest injustice of the 21st century is that God's Church now has the technology, the manpower, the money, and the capability to reach every person on Earth with the Gospel. And yet, millions have not heard the good news or had an authentic encounter with Jesus.

Wilson believes that God is now calling the Church to unite together to rectify this injustice in our generation. The Holy Spirit is moving a fresh vision for reaching the lost, he says. The Great Commission is emerging in the Body of Christ.

Nothing is as important as this, Wilson added. The main thing must be the main thing. None of us can do this alone. We need each other, and most importantly, we need a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit that will accelerate the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.

Wilson finishes by expressing hope that delegates will rise from here at the Lausanne Congress and take the good news of our Savior Jesus, the Son of the living God, to everyone.

Originally published at Christian Daily International
Home News Lausanne 4: Michael Oh reveals 4 most-dangerous words affecting the global Church

INCHEON, South Korea  Reflecting on the wisdom found in the scriptures, Michael Oh, global executive director of the Lausanne Movement, called on believers to humble themselves and work together to spread the Gospel worldwide effectively.

In his message to the 5,000 Christians gathered from over 200 countries at the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization this week at Songdo Convensia international convention center and the 5,000 others participating virtually Sunday night, Oh admonished the mentalities and actions hindering the Christian witness and efforts to fulfill the Great Commission.

Oh, who, along with his wife and children, previously served as missionaries in Japan, called on Christians to repent of four things: their pride, parochialism, isolation and arrogance.

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"We repent of not so much saying with our words but feeling in our heart or showing through our actions those four dangerous words that Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 12(21-27): 'I don't need you.' And we have said those to each other, and we have said those to God. But God reminds us, 'apart from me you can do nothing' (John 15:5)," Oh said, lamenting the "isolation" and "competition" among various ministry groups.

Those four words, "I don't need you," Oh stressed, are hampering the impact of the global Church today.

The mentality of being "so self-focused, self-confident, self-sustained and perhaps flat out selfish," he said, is causing believers to miss out on the "competitive advantage of working with others  other ministries, other businesses, other schools, other denominations or other parts of the Body."

The focus on competition within the Church instead of collaboration "has led to a fight over financial resources and, ultimately, the ineffectiveness and ugliness of the Body of Christ," he said.

"One of the greatest reasons for the ineffectiveness of the Body is the failure to incorporate the whole Body into God's mission," he added, reminding those gathered that through collaboration, it only takes a few people to "change the world."

An example of the fruit of such efforts, he said, was cultivated at Lausanne 1 held in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974, where great emphasis was placed on sharing the Gospel with unreached people groups. That effort has led to the sharing of the Gospel with 9,000 unreached people groups over the last 50 years and the growth of churches in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Pointing to Romans 10:14, Oh shared that because missionaries planted the first churches in the city of Incheon over 100 years ago, his mother came to faith in Christ. And without the work of those men and women, "I might not be here today."

South Korea has since become the second-largest missionary-sending nation in the world. Hundreds of churches throughout the country have been working alongside Lausanne to host the event, and 4,000 Korean Christians have committed to praying for the event's success.

'Stumbling over the messengers'

Although many new evangelistic tools have been developed over the decades, particularly in the last 15 years, in "safe areas of the world" that have seen population growth, Oh said there has been a "deceleration" in sharing the Gospel. This is compounded by the fact that "year after year, there are more people in the world who have never heard the Gospel than a year before," he explained.

"Fifty years later, we are humbled as we recognize that we still have a flawed witness in the world and a flawed mission to the world," he said. "The task of sharing the Good News to all the world is still challenging and incomplete."

A separate issue Oh lamented is the numerous scandals of "pride, power and impurity" among church leaders that have "rocked the Church and compromised our witness."

"The reputation of the bride of Christ in many places around the world is not good," Oh added. "Rather than people stumbling over the message of the Gospel, as we see in Romans 9, too many are stumbling over the messengers. Our failures today in a world of social media are more public and profoundly felt and seen globally than ever before. And so, we continue, 50 years later, to be moved to penetrance by our failures, or at least we need to be."

These two issues  sharing the Gospel throughout the world and the reputation of the bride of Christ  are the reasons why the delegates selected to attend Lausanne 4 must embrace collaboration and the theme of this Congress: "Let the Church declare and display Christ together," he continued.

Despite one's human flaws, Oh encouraged delegates not to live in fear but to live in faith and to not walk in arrogance but to exhibit humility. Likewise, he reiterated the need to not be in competition but to collaborate in terms of mission and purpose.

"We must be vocal, beautifully vocal, biblically vocal, clearly vocal with the message of the Gospel" in a way that is "personalized, contextualized, compassionate, compelling words of life and love," Oh added, citing 1 Corinthians 12:12, which says: "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ."
Home News Lausanne releases Seoul Statement: Here's what it says Document builds on legacy of the Lausanne Covenant, Manila Manifesto and Cape Town Commitment

INCHEON, South Korea  The Lausanne Movement released its Seoul Statement at the Fourth Global Congress on World Evangelism on Sunday. The document builds on the legacy of the Lausanne Covenant, the Manila Manifesto and the Cape Town Commitment and seeks to renew believers commitment to the centrality of the Gospel and the faithful reading of Scripture.

Unlike its predecessors that were published following the events, the statement is meant to inform and inspire participants deliberations throughout the gathering rather than summarize what was discussed, according to Program Director David Bennett.

Commenting to the press, Bennett emphasized that the purpose of the Seoul Statement is not to be a new stand-alone response to the missional challenges that the global Church is facing today.

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Instead, it stands as part of the larger collection of key documents within the Lausanne Movement, building on the legacy of the Lausanne Covenant, the Manila Manifesto and the Cape Town Commitment. It is designed not to replace, but to complement these foundational documents, providing fresh insights into contemporary theological and missional challenges.

The statement also adds theological perspectives to the State of the Great Commission report that Lausanne released earlier this year, which identified 40 gaps in the Churchs pursuit of fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.

Four years ago, we began a series of listening calls asking: What are the primary gaps that remain unfulfilled regarding the Great Commission? Where are some breakthroughs and innovations? Where is more collaboration and research needed? What voices need to be part of conversation? Bennett said.

The result was the 500-page report that Lausanne released in April describing it as a document compiling the best global data and key strategic thinkers to understand where the greatest gaps and opportunities are for the Great Commissions fulfillment, as Christian Daily International reported at the time.

Simultaneously, Lausannes Theology Working Group, a collective of global theological thinkers and practitioners, was working on addressing key theological gaps deemed necessary for strengthening global missions today, according to Bennett. The group was led by Co-Chairs Ivor Poobalan (Sri Lanka) and Victor Nakah (South Africa).

Statement laments failure of nurturing believers, training leaders

Acknowledging some positive developments alongside the expansive growth of the Church, primarily in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the statements preface highlights that the Great Commission is not only about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, but also raise believers faith.

It laments that the Church has struggled to effectively nurture the faith and discipleship of millions of first-generation Christians and not adequately provided the teaching necessary to help new believers develop a truly biblical worldview.

The Church has not sufficiently prepared new believers to live out their faith in every aspect of life, whether they are at church, at home, at school or at work.

It has also struggled to equip its leaders to respond to trending social values and to distortions of the gospel, which have threatened to erode the sincere faith of Christians and to destroy the unity and fellowship of the church of the Lord Jesus. Consequently, we are alarmed by the rise of false teachings and pseudo-Christian lifestyles, leading numerous believers away from the essential values of the gospel, it says.

Affirming centrality of the Gospel, faithful reading of Scripture to meet todays challenges

Building on the previous three key documents, the Seoul Statement seeks to renew believers commitment to the centrality of the Gospel and the faithful reading of Scripture. This will lay the firm foundation that will allow the global Church to meet the specific challenges it faces today, the preface concludes.

The main body of the 20-page statement features seven key themes that are broken down into sub-sections and ultimately 97 articles. The themes are:

I. The Gospel: The Story We Live and Tell

II. The Bible: The Holy Scriptures We Read and Obey

III. The Church: The People of God We Love and Build Up

IV. The Human Person: The Image of God Created and Restored

V. Discipleship: Our Calling to Holiness and Mission

VI. The Family of Nations: The Peoples in Conflicts We See and Serve for Peace

VII. Technology: The Accelerating Innovation We Discern and Steward

Participants are encouraged to study the statement and consider how various elements apply to the issues they seek to address as they join issue groups and collaborative afternoon sessions revolving around 25 of the 40 gaps, which the State of the Great Commission report identified.

Bennett leaves open whether or not there will be some form of summary of the conversations that take place throughout the week. But the statements conclusion already invites participants to join in expressing their desire to rectify some of the global Churchs shortcomings that have been revealed in recent years.

We return to our places of service in every corner of the world with a renewed commitment to love as he has loved us, to lay aside selfish ambition, to work in gospel partnership, and to grow daily in prayerful dependence on his Spirit and the knowledge of his will, his ways, and his word, it says in anticipation of the conclusion of the Congress.

This repentance and renewed determination to become more Christ-like in pursuing the fulfillment of the Great Commission is needed, So that we may declare with one voice the excellencies of the One who alone is the hope and light of the world. So that we may display with one heart the holiness and love of the One who gave himself for sinners. So that we, the church, may declare and display Christ together!

Originally published at Christian Daily International
Home News Author Luci Swindoll dies from COVID-19 complications at 88

Author and speaker Luci Swindoll, who encouraged Christian women to model themselves after God and not the world, died this week at the age of 88 from COVID-19 complications.

Ahhh dear ones: our dear Luci is now happily in her new heavenly home. She was escorted through those pearly gates just a few hours ago on this Tuesday, October 20, 2020. She was so ready, Swindolls friend, Marilyn Meberg, wrote on Twitter, announcing her death.

She had COVID and was isolated. Now, no COVID and surrounded by loved ones! Yeah Jesus, Meberg added.

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Swindoll was a longtime speaker for Women of Faith, known as one of Americas largest womens conferences.

Legalism is the worst thing that ever happened to the church, she once said in a 2011 television interview. When I realized that God deals in grace  it set me free to be who I really am.

In another interview in 2016, she said: Everything changed because of grace. Now, all we have to do is know Him, trust Him, see what He does with our lives, and love people into the Kingdom. I dont think its our place to tell people how to live.  We cant make people believe, but if they see in the believer love and fun and joy and just the thrill of being alive, they say, What is it they have that I don't have? I want it.

Swindoll is also known for her book, I Married Adventure: Looking at Life Through the Lens of Possibility, which is a personal tour of her unique approach to squeezing the most out of a life led by Christ.

Its daring to be curious about the unknown, to dream big dreams, to live outside prescribed boxes, to take risks, and above all, daring to investigate the way we live until we discover the deepest treasured purpose of why we are here, Swindoll, who never married, wrote in the book.

In another book, Doing Life Differently: The Art of Living with Imagination, she wrote, No matter what, you have to be yourself  I learned it was okay to be myself and like myselfand survivein spite of my mothers strong disapproval. She had no category for me because I thwarted her domestic dreams for her only daughter. What was to become of me if I ended up without a husband?

Born in El Campo, Texas, and raised in Houston, Swindoll worked as an executive at Mobil Oil Corporation for 30 years and spent five years as executive vice president at her brother, Pastor Chuck Swindolls ministry, Insight for Living.

Asked in an interview what kind of pressures her life brought, she responded: From Christians, I got pressure for not marrying, especially when I was younger. I didnt get very much pressure in the workplace because I was so integrated. I loved the guys I worked with, loved the job  was challenged by it. Some periods were difficult, but they were the making of me. It wasnt hard being one of the few women in the petroleum business, even though its typically a good ol boy system. You just go in with the good ol boys, and I knew their families and wives and kids. When my boss retired, he promoted me to his position. I was the first woman in a management position at Mobils West Coast Pipelines.
Home News Mark Robinson campaign hemorrhages senior staff amid porn scandal: 'Difficult choice'

Senior staff for North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson's campaign resigned over the weekend amid allegations that he posted lewd posts to a porn website more than a decade ago.

Campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, general consultant and senior adviser Conrad Pogorzelski III, finance director Heather Whillier and deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk quit, according to The Washington Post.

Other members of the campaign who have also jumped ship include the director of operations, the deputy finance director and two political directors.

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"I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors," Robinson said in a statement. "I look forward to announcing new staff roles in the coming days."

The resignations came days after an investigation by CNN alleged that Robinson, who serves as the state's lieutenant governor, made a slew of vulgar, offensive posts between 2008 and 2012 on the message board of a website called "Nude Africa."

Under the username "minisoldr," Robinson allegedly described himself as a "perv" and a "black Nazi," expressed a desire that slavery return and wrote extensively about his longtime fondness for voyeurism and transgender pornography.

Robinson also allegedly disparaged Martin Luther King Jr. with vulgar, racial epithets and noted that he would prefer to live under the regime of Adolf Hitler than the government of President Barack Obama. He also allegedly praised Hitler's book "Mein Kampf."

Robinson, an outspoken conservative who has been vocal about his opposition to transgender ideology, has denied that he made the Nude Africa posts. However, CNN corroborated its investigation by linking the porn site account to him via email addresses, his uses of the same username elsewhere and unusual phrases that Robinson has publicly used.

Since the story dropped, Robinson's alleged posts have been removed from the Nude Africa site, according to CNN.

The Trump campaign has seemingly distanced itself from Robinson after the allegations were revealed, despite Trump formerly touting him as "Martin Luther King Jr. on steroids." He was neither invited nor mentioned during Trump's recent rally in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, has neglected to say whether he believes Robinson's denial.

"I don't not believe him. I don't believe him. I just think that you have to let these things sometimes play out in the court of public opinion," Vance told a reporter on Saturday.

"He's going to make whatever arguments he wants to make. I'm sure the news media and others are going to investigate these comments further," he added. "I just think that fundamentally, it's Mark Robinson and the people of North Carolina that get to decide whether he's their governor, and that's what we're going to focus on."

Robinson's Democratic opponent, the state Attorney General Josh Stein, is leading him by approximately 10 percentage points, according to most recent polling.
A Republican-led challenge in Mississippi seeks to invalidate mail-in ballots received after Election Day. Matt Slocum/Associated Press

An election-law case about to be heard by a conservative federal appeals court panel in New Orleans could  if it reaches the Supreme Court  invalidate millions of absentee ballots in numerous states, including California.

The Republican National Committee and the Libertarian Party are challenging a Mississippi law that, like laws in a majority of states, allows votes cast by mail to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received by a specified deadline  within five days in Mississippi, seven days in California and up to 14 days in other states.

The suit contends that an 1845 federal law designating Election Day as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November meant that the election must be conducted that day and that ballots received later would not be counted.

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For well over a century virtually every State understood election-day as ballot-receipt day, Thomas McCarthy, a lawyer for the Republican National Committee, said in a court filing. A post-election receipt deadline for mail ballots necessarily extends the election beyond the single day chosen by Congress.

The law was upheld in July by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, an appointee of President George W. Bush. Citing past rulings allowing states to regulate elections, Guirola said the purpose of a uniform nationwide Election Day was to avoid burdening citizens with multiple election days and allowing voters in one state to be influenced by announced results in other states.

Neither of those concerns is raised by allowing a reasonable interval for ballots cast and postmarked by election day to arrive by mail, Guirola wrote.

But the randomly selected panel in Tuesdays hearing before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will consist of three of its most conservative judges  James Ho, Kyle Duncan and Andrew Oldham, all appointees of former President Donald Trump.

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The court shortened its usual timetable for filing written arguments, a possible indication that it plans to decide the case before this years election. The three states in the 5th Circuit, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, all have Republican majorities.

But if the court overturns the Mississippi law, the case would most likely wind up in the Supreme Court, whose conservative majority could invalidate all such laws nationwide.

It seems highly unlikely that even this appeals court panel would prohibit a state from counting ballots received after Election Day, said Charles Stewart III, a political science professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But if that should occur, he said, the urgent national implications would be such that the Supreme Court would undoubtedly take it up, and through that path, it could affect California.

Nearly 90% of all votes in Californias presidential elections are cast by mail  6.84 million out of the 7.72 million votes received in the March primary, according to Secretary of State Shirley Webers office. And about 1.19 million of those ballots were postmarked by Election Day and received later, but within the seven-day deadline set by state law. The others reached registrars offices by Election Day.

If the Supreme Court ruled that the Mississippi law, and similar laws in other states, violated the federal definition of Election Day, votes received after that day could not be counted.

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People would change their voting behavior and vote in person or mail their ballots earlier, said Rick Hasen, an election law professor at UCLA. But such a ruling would almost certainly reduce overall voting in federal elections, consistent with other efforts by Republican leaders.

Invalidating ballots received after Election Day would strip states of their long-held flexibility in administering elections and in responding to the needs of the electorate, wrote California, 17 other states and the District of Columbia in a Sept. 11 filing with the appeals court. They said there has been no evidence that counting those ballots results in fraudulent or illegal voting.

Absentee voting has long existed as a way to increase voter participation, the states said. Later deadlines for receiving timely mailed ballots also provide comfort to the voting public that election results reflect the will of the people. And they said Congress has been aware of the state laws for many decades and has not sought to overturn them.

A court filing by President Joe Bidens Justice Department noted that a 1986 federal law requires states to send mail-in ballots to members of the armed forces and other U.S. citizens living overseas. As a consequence of that law as well as state laws, it is unavoidable that States must continue to count ballots after Election Day, the Justice Department said.

But McCarthy, the Republicans lawyer, said states until recent years had only counted ballots received by Election Day, including those mailed from abroad.

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The original public meaning of the election-day statutes required ballot receipt on election day  and that meaning controls today, he told the appeals court.

A similar lawsuit by a county election official in North Dakota was dismissed in February by U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor, a Trump appointee, who said the official had not shown he was harmed by the state law and therefore lacked legal standing to challenge it.
Home News Pastor Steve Gaines to step down from Bellevue Baptist Church months after cancer diagnosis

Months after announcing his battle with kidney cancer, former Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines says he is stepping down as senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. But the move has nothing to do with his health.

"I want you to know two things. First, no one has asked us to do this. We have not felt any pressure from any person to make this transition. Donna and I began talking several years ago and we agree that this is the right time," Gaines said in an address to his church on Sunday with his wife, Donna, by his side.

"Second,  While I received a cancer diagnosis 10 months ago, this transition is not connected with that. My treatments are going well. I received a good PET scan report this last week, but regardless of what tests show, my faith is in the Lord and in His Word where he has told me from Psalm 118: 17, 'I will not die," Gaines said. "Now I'm going to die one of these days, but not from this."

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Gaines, who served as SBC president from 2016 to 2018, announced he is stepping down as senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church to become an itinerant preacher.

"We can never put into words how grateful we are for Bellevue Baptist Church. It's been a great honor to serve as a pastor in four churches over the past 41 years, but many years ago, the Lord spoke to my heart that he would one day want me to serve as an itinerant preacher," Gaines said. "That simply means that I would travel and minister at different churches instead of serving as the pastor of one church."

After serving at Bellevue Baptist Church for 19 years, the pastor said God is now leading him into a new season.

While he did not provide an exact date on when he would step down completely as senior pastor, Gaines said he would remain in leadership until the church has selected his successor. He said there would be a months-long transition period once the new senior pastor is selected.

"The Bible says there's an appointed time for everything, and there's a time for every event under Heaven. That's Ecclesiastes. Ninteeen years ago, the Lord began a season for us here at Bellevue and now we've heard his voice that it's time for a new season," Gaines said.

The former SBC president, who is known as a "man of prayer," according to Bellevue Baptist Church's website, has pastored churches in Texas, Tennessee and Alabama since 1983. He became the senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in 2005.

The American Cancer Society, which relies on information from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database maintained by the National Cancer Institute, states that if kidney cancer is localized, meaning there is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the kidney, the five-year survival rate is 93%.

If the cancer is regional, meaning the cancer has spread outside the kidney to nearby structures or lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 72%. If the cancer is considered distant or spreads to distant body parts, such as the lungs, brain, or bones, the five-year survival rate drops to 15%.

Earlier this year, Gaines said the cancer had spread to his lungs but mostly seems to be "going away." He said he was "grateful to God for miracles and medicine."

"I'm so grateful for your prayers," he said. At one point during his treatment, a PET scan revealed "multiple polyps" in his lungs.

"The last PET scan that I had showed that there were no more polyps of cancer in my lungs," he said.
Home News North Carolina teen says class read story about cousins having sex, rebukes school board

WARNING: The following article contains descriptions of sexually explicit content.

A teenage girl is leaving her high school after reading a story in English class that she said described an incestual sex scene, sparking the school district to launch a human resources investigation.

A viral video clip posted on the social media platform X by parental rights activist and Pastor John Amanchukwu Wednesday shows a 15-year-old sophomore at Athens Drive High School in Wake County, North Carolina, speaking at a school board meeting Tuesday about how the students in her English class last Friday were asked to read a story independently and then come together and discuss it in groups.

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The full video from the school board meeting identifies the student as Lorena Benson.

"There was a part in this story that made me feel very uncomfortable, and I looked around and saw the same expression on other students' faces," she said.

Benson read aloud the passage in question, which discussed how a character fell in love with her cousin and the two characters "wiggled into the tiny space behind grandma's garage" and tried to fit "his banana" into her "tomato" while noting that neither character was "sure which was the right hole."

Benson said, "Even after reading [it] again, it makes me feel very uncomfortable." According to Benson, "This graphic, incestual, sexual language should not be taught in any class, much less an honors English class."

"That day, I came back home from school," she recalled. "As per usual, I told my parents about my day and the things I did. I showed them what I was taught in my English class, and they were as outraged as I was."

Benson believes exposure to sexually graphic material goes against the best practices she learned in another class.

"This incident got me thinking in my healthful living honors class; I am being taught about brain functions and development. I was taught that the teenage brains, like mine, are not fully developed yet and that we must be careful about what we engage [in] during these years."

"Based on this logic, I am a teenager, my brain is not fully developed, and I should not have graphic, incestual, sexual content taught to me in my classes," she explained. "I am deeply bothered and deeply disappointed. I have decided to leave Athens Drive High School because I should not have to deal with pornographic, incestual, sexual content taught to me in my classes."

Benson never specifically named the story in question, but the dialogue used in her description is found in a short story called "Tomorrow is too far."

A spokesperson for the Wake County Public School System told The Charlotte Observer that it is reviewing the claims and labeled it an ongoing human resources investigation.

In recent years, many parents, pastors and other community leaders have raised concerns at school board meetings about the presence of sexually explicit material in public school libraries and curricula.

In 2021, the mayor of Hudson, Ohio, confronted the school board and ordered them to either resign or face criminal charges for allowing a college-level English class offered to high school students to use the book 642 Things to Write About, which encourages students to write about "a time when you wanted to orgasm but couldn't."

That same year, parent Stacy Langton read aloud excerpts from sexually explicit books available at her son's high school library in Fairfax County, Virginia, that included graphic depictions of sexual activity between men and boys.

Opposition to sexually explicit material in public schools is one of several factors that have led to the creation of parental rights advocacy groups such as Parents Defending Education and the 1776 Project PAC.

Parents Defending Education describes itself as a "national grassroots organization working to reclaim our schools from activists pushing harmful agendas," while 1776 Project PAC works to elect school board candidates "who oppose political indoctrination and believe in parental rights."

In the past several election cycles, the 1776 Project PAC has had a mixed success rate in electing its preferred candidates to school boards across the United States. Following last year's general election in November 2023, the group reported that 58% of its 118 endorsed candidates won their races.

Following the November 2022 midterm elections, 1776 Project PAC founder Ryan Girdusky announced that his organization had flipped "100 school board seats across the country" since its founding a year earlier. While less than half of its preferred candidates won in the 2022 midterms, the 1776 Project PAC had a much higher success rate in elections earlier in the year in Florida and Texas.
Home Opinion A warning for the West: Cost of being a Christian in Pakistan

Is saying Jesus is the only way to Heaven protected speech? In many countries, Pakistan among them, that phrase could be grounds for an accusation of blasphemy and an insult to Islam. Now, the United Kingdom is preparing to strengthen its online speech law, which has already resulted in thousands of people imprisoned and fined since its inception, to cater to religious sensitivities. The result could make the statement of any tenet of faith a thought crime.

One of the fundamental principles of Western civilization is the freedom of conscience and freedom of speech, yet governments in the West are also increasingly placating political and religious extremists within their own borders to censor speech online or in public forms that offends another persons religious belief. This pushes key European countries like the UK closer to the Pakistan blasphemy model of honoring the sensitivity of the most easily offended.

If the Western world fully comprehended the scope of Christian persecution in Pakistan, and where it leads, Im convinced they would be more than a little nervous about its implications for our freedoms.

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The UK made the news recently arresting citizens who pointed out the religious ideology of Islamists who have been rioting and looting in the streets of England, thus giving the impression that it may be better to be an Islamic rioter than to point out that rioters have a religious agenda.

Now the Prime Minister, in a rush to legislate against those who he perhaps views as not supportive of his response, is pushing an online speech law. The vagueness of the language, combined with a lack of specificity around who decides which religious speech is offensive, gives rise to enormous fear that the UK is essentially creating a blasphemy law.

Time and again we have seen the horrific results of blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Imagine doing something as simple as stepping on a few pieces of paper and then facing arrest on charges that could result in a life sentence or death. This is exactly what happened just months ago to a Christian rickshaw driver in Pakistan. When getting out of his vehicle, he inadvertently stepped on some pages that were allegedly part of the Quran. Because he is a follower of Jesus, the punishment for the crime was especially severe. This scenario is all too common in a country where Christians make up just over 1% of the population. And all because a government decided blasphemy laws should trump freedom of speech and religion.

Unsurprisingly, Pakistan is one of 12 countries designated as a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. State Department for engaging in particularly severe violations of religious freedom, including the systematic enforcement of these harsh blasphemy laws. Incidents of mob violence against Christians in Jaranwala, Punjab and elsewhere escalate despite the Pakistani governments recent resolutions to address violence and protect vulnerable communities. Even in recent days, a mob tried to kill a Christian mother accused of blasphemy.

The level of persecution in Pakistan  motivated by blasphemy laws that favor one group over another  should be a warning to the rest of the world. Without strong protections in place to allow freedom of religious belief and thought, any one of us could meet the same fate. In the US and the UK, we already see these shadows of censorship and intolerance around the ways we educate our children, what we share on social media platforms, and in our freedom to gather and express.

Freedom of speech is meant to protect unpopular speech, not to be used as a useless slogan.

Pakistans persecution of Christians reminds us that now is the time to stay vigilant and make our concerns clear to those in the halls of power. And the UK would be wise to heed these examples from Pakistan and understand that free speech can be a great freedom.
Home Opinion The scandal of the particular: Specific choices God makes

Did you know Starbucks has 87,000 different drink combinations? No wonder my youngest daughter nearly went cuckoo working there many years ago during college.

Whether its Starbucks or your nearest paint store (with colors like Irish Sunrise that just looks like a dull pink to me) youll find choices galore and for good reason: we demand it. That being true, the quickest way to often anger someone is to make a particular choice without their input.

We hate that.

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The Cleveland Clinic says we all possess whats called psychological reactance, which is an inner drive to rebel, and it goes especially berserk when we feel a threat to our freedom or think our choices are being limited. The Clinics experts say we get annoyed, panicked, or angry when rules or guidelines are put in place even for our own safety.

No one really likes being told what to do, says behavioral health therapist Jane Pernotto Ehrman. Resistance is engrained into our culture and brains from a young age. Everyone has some form of inner rebel that likes to question or do the opposite of what were told.

The dickens you say.

I vaguely remember an ancient Book stating the same thing about us. One of the most colorful ways the Bible describes humanity is, stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears (Acts 7:51).

Thats an ugly combination  one that doesnt sit well with a God who makes specific choices for us and tells us how we ought to behave. Who does He think He is anyway?

Talk about a threat to democracy

Its both comical and sad to watch politicians on both sides of the aisle accuse the other of being a threat to democracy. Ill do you one better: if you want the supreme threat to democracy, look no further than the Creator Himself. Hear what C. S. Lewis has to say on the matter:

To be quite frank, we do not at all like the idea of a chosen people. Democrats by birth and education, we should prefer to think that all nations and individuals start level in the search for God, or even that all religions are equally true. It must be admitted at once that Christianity makes no concessions to this point of view. It does not tell of a human search for God at all, but of something done by God for, to, and about Man. And the way in which it is done is selective, undemocratic, to the highest degree. After the knowledge of God had been universally lost or obscured, one man from the whole earth (Abraham) is picked out. He is separated (miserably enough, we may suppose) from his natural surroundings, sent into a strange country, and made the ancestor of a nation who are to carry the knowledge of the true God. Within this nation there is further selection: some die in the desert; some remain behind in Babylon. There is further selection still. The process grows narrower and narrower, sharpens at last into one small bright point like the head of a spear. It is a Jewish girl at her prayers. All humanity (so far as concerns its redemption) has narrowed to that.

And that rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

How dare God pick some and exclude others and give us only one way to Him. Wheres the equity in that?

But Scripture tells us over and over again, Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases (Ps.115:3). He chooses the times, places, and people, and we dont get a say no matter the size of the temper tantrum we throw.

Theologians term the specific choices God makes the scandal of the particular (or particularity), which is a lesser-known hallmark of Christianity. While ancient philosophers and polytheists were looking for purpose, truth, and morality in general, big-picture concepts, the biblical authors portrayed a singular God who spoke narrow truth and showed the moral pattern of life by coming through a particular people, as a particular man, in a particular time and place.

How scandalous.

Embracing such a thing as a religion labeled one an atheist back in the first century because making that kind of exclusive claim was an outrage in a polytheistic world. Could there really be just one God who made the universe who then actually showed up in bodily form in a small Palestinian village at particular point in time to deliver His cosmic work of redemption?

The dickens you say.

In her work, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (that won the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction), author Annie Dillard describes that kind of scandalous thought this way: That Christs incarnation occurred improbably, ridiculously, at such-and-such a time, into such-and-such a place, is referred to  with great sincerity even among believers  as the scandal of particularity. Well, the scandal of particularity is the only world that I, in particular, know  Were all up to our necks in this particular scandal.

Shes right.

Vague abstractions and cold universals arent ever what you and I are up to our necks in. Were concentrated on specifics  the love of a particular person, a particular event, and so on because thats where meaning is found. The Catholic theologian John Duns Scotus termed this kind of narrow focus on particular things haecceity (which means thisness) and he aimed it squarely at how God interacts with us.

The God of the Bible is not some kind of deistic being who created and then turned His back on it all. On the contrary, Scripture tells us constantly that each one of us matters to Him particularly. He gets our thisness.

Jesus said God knows us so well that the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matt. 10:30). Christ said He calls his own sheep by name  I know My own and My own know Me (John 10:3, 14).

Paul tells us that The Lord knows those who are His (2 Tim. 2:19), that our exact names are in the book of life (Phil. 4:3), and he says that we, through what's called the golden chain in Romans, have been specifically chosen for salvation: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified (Rom. 8:2830).

God has made all the particular choices about the how, why, when, and who of salvation and it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy (Rom. 9:16).

If you think thats a scandal, well, join the crowd. On my end, Im going to get back to painting a room in Irish Sunrise and will choose to thank God that He selected me for salvation and rejoice that [our] names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20).
Home News Marty MacDonald, City Church founder, denies abusing teenager 40 years ago

Founder of City Church in Batavia, New York, Pastor Marty MacDonald, has denied allegations that he sexually molested a woman 40 years ago when she was just 12.

The story of the woman identified by The Wartburg Watch as Melissa Hobson echoes similarities to the story of 54-year-old Cindy Clemishire, who accused Gateway Church founder Robert Morris in June of sexually molesting her beginning when she was 12 in the 1980s. The allegation prompted Morris' resignation.

Through his attorney Anjan Ganguly, MacDonald denied Hobson's claims in a statement to The Batavian.

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"These allegations simply repeat decades-old accusations from a woman who alleges she was sexually abused by Pastor Marty approximately 40 years ago when she was a minor. Pastor Marty absolutely denies sexually abusing this person. He absolutely denies ever having sexually abused anyone, especially a child," Ganguly said.

"It must be stressed that these are accusations, not proven facts. There has been ample opportunity for these accusations to be brought in a court of law, where Pastor Marty would have the opportunity to vindicate himself. Instead, the accusations are being made on the internet and, even worse, from the pulpit," Ganguly's statement continued. "It should also be stressed that the alleged misconduct is not connected to The City Church or any of its related ministries. The alleged misconduct allegedly occurred at a different church, long before The City Church was founded."

City Church has been a member of the Association of Related Churches but is not currently listed on the website's church directory.

According to The Batavian, Hobson had previously shared her allegation against MacDonald with a reporter in Batavia more than two decades ago but failed to go on the record. She reportedly decided to go on the record with The Wartburg Watch with encouragement from Clemishire.

Hobson alleged that when she was 12 in 1983, she moved to Batavia with her family from Olathe, Kansas. Her father became pastor at New Hope Ministries at 8020 Bank Street Road. Macdonald was already serving as an assistant pastor at the church, and her family quickly became friends with his family.

Hobson said she started babysitting MacDonald's two sons in 1983, and over time, she noticed that he would do inappropriate things around her.

Hobson said that MacDonald, a farmer at the time, once came home from the farm while she was making lunch for his sons and stripped his overalls in front of her. She said he also emerged from a shower with just a towel wrapped around his bottom in front of her.

She recalled him being kind to her and hugging her often, which boosted her self-esteem. She claimed that her relationship with MacDonald progressed in such a way that by the time she turned 14, she felt like she had a romantic relationship with him.

"I remember staying with the MacDonalds when my parents were out of town preaching," Hobson's sister told The Wartburg Watch. "Melissa and I were sleeping together. I woke up to find Macdonald kneeling next to my sister in the bed. He told me that Melissa was sick and that she would be staying home from school. I recall being irritated because she stayed home sick a lot. Sometimes I even felt jealous of all the attention MacDonald paid to her."

Hobson alleged that MacDonald would fondle her as he drove her home from babysitting for him. She said there were times when he would park his car and make out with her. She alleges that she was digitally penetrated.

Hobson also claims that MacDonald asked her not to say anything about what they were doing because it would "destroy her parents' ministry."

She says that when she turned 18 in 1989, she stopped being intimate with MacDonald, became a children's pastor in her father's church, and married her husband in 1992.

Hobson eventually confessed what happened between her and MacDonald to her parents in 2000. Two overseers of the church were brought in to discuss the situation, and MacDonald is reported to have confessed.

Paul Doyle, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Batavia who has called on MacDonald to repent, told The Batvian he was present at a meeting in which Hobson's father, Pastor Robert Smith, confronted him about the abuse of his daughter.

"He had guilt all over him. There was no doubt in my mind he was guilty," Doyle said, noting that at no time did Macdonald ever deny the accusation allegation. "He was sucking it up and taking his punishment. The cover-up was blatant. Nobody cared because it was Marty."
Home News Evangelical leaders huddle in DC to discuss how to best stand with the Jewish state

Nearly 100 Evangelical leaders have decided to launch a new organization called the Conference of Presidents of Christian Organizations in Support of Israel.

Among them are:

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council 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

former Rep. Michele Bachmann, who serves as the Dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University

Luke Moon, the new executive director of The Philos Project; and

Pastor Mario Bramnick, president of the Latino Coalition for Israel.

Together, these four helped organize the strategy meetings on September 17 and 18.

They want the group to serve as an umbrella organization for dozens of like-minded groups to come together and magnify their influence by working more closely together.

That, says the organization, would be patterned after the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations which for decades was run by Malcolm Hoenlein.

Enthusiastically supporting this new Evangelical version of the conference are prominent Jewish leaders who attended the opening session on Tuesday evening.

Among those speaking were:

David Friedman, former U.S. ambassador to Israel

Elan Carr, who served as the U.S. special envoy for Combating Anti-Semitism, who is now president of the Israeli American Council

Brooke Rollins, the president of America First Policy Institute

Caroline Glick, an Israeli American columnist for the Jewish News Service and a longtime ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Is the Conference the right model?

Every Evangelical leader who attended the two days of strategy meetings agreed that a far more focused and unified effort to support Israel must be made.

But not everyone was convinced that the Conference of Jewish presidents was the right model.

I found a great deal of respect for Hoenlein, his decades of leadership of the Conference, and his many years of faith diplomacy, organizing and leading delegations of major Jewish leaders to meet privately with Netanyahu and other senior Israeli leaders as well as with a wide range of Arab and Muslim leaders.

Yet both in the meeting and among private conversations, many Evangelicals raised concerns about the divided and unwieldy nature of the Conference.

They noted that many Jewish organizations involved are quite left-of-center, often having major disagreements with each other on policy, as well as profound disagreements with Netanyahu on how best to advance and navigate U.S.-Israeli relations.

What's the right way to expand the influence of 'American Christian Leaders for Israel'?

Several other important questions were raised early and dominated much of the strategy meeting.

One was this: Why would a Christian version of the Conference be necessary when an excellent pro-Israel umbrella organization already exists?

American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI)  an initiative of the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem (ICEJ)  was established more than a decade ago and is supported by more than 3,000 Evangelical and other pastors and ministry leaders.

ACLI is coordinated by Dr. Susan Michael, a highly respected faith leader who is the U.S. Director of ICEJ and has been active in mobilizing Christian support for Israel in the United States for more than 35 years.

She attended the strategy meetings and expressed her agreement that much more needs to be done and that shes always happy to help advance the cause in unity with a wide range of leaders and organizations.

But Michael was not alone in trying to understand what the benefits would be of starting a new coalition from scratch.

Both in the meetings and afterward, Perkins, Bachmann, Bramnick and Moon agreed that it was vital to talk more with ACLI and find ways to coordinate closely and not duplicate efforts.

Some of those present suggested that perhaps the new Evangelical Conference should create a Cabinet or steering committee of a dozen or so of the most influential pro-Israel leaders in the Evangelical community that would be responsible for shaping policy, mobilizing the grassroots, and speaking in the media and in Washington for the broader Evangelical community on Israel and Middle East issues.

Where are Rev. John Hagee and Christians United for Israel?

Another important question was discussed: Where is Christians United For Israel (CUFI), the organization founded by the Rev. John Hagee that boasts that it is the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States, with over 10 million members.

Since Oct. 7, Hagee has appeared on Fox News to talk about Israel.

Hagee also spoke at a pro-Israel rally in Washington last November organized by the Jewish Federation.

Last month, CUFI launched a campaign to combat antisemitism.

Yet numerous Evangelical leaders who attended the strategy meetings said they have been baffled that Hagee and CUFI have not been much higher profile  and much more aggressive  in wielding their political muscle in defense of Israel over the past year.

Senior CUFI leaders were invited to attend the Washington gathering but did not attend or send a representative.

Im not sure where CUFI is these days, but they seem strangely quiet in the greatest fight of Israels modern existence, one Evangelical, who asked not to be named to be able to speak candidly, told me. None of us understand whats going on but their absence has created a vacuum of leadership.

What is the best and right way forward for pro-Israel Christians?

It is this very vacuum of leadership among pro-Israel Evangelicals that prompted these strategy meetings in Washington in the first place.

Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of The Congress of Christian Leaders, attended the meetings and participated in the discussions as an observer.

Though at this point he hasnt chosen to become officially involved in the new Evangelical Conference, Moore expressed his commitment to help any like-minded group working to fight the grave resurgence of antisemitism, including those who mask their antisemitism in anti-Zionism.

Moore told me he was grateful that Perkins, Bachmann, Bramnick and Moon organized these meetings and he agreed that Christian Zionists urgently need to up their game.

However, he noted that there was not yet a unified consensus among those he spoke with on the best path forward.

This is one of a number of similar initiatives being organized all over the world where the leaders of millions of Evangelicals are asking, What more can we do? Moore told me.

Each initiative is slightly different, involving slightly different priorities and groups, but they are all united in one clear conviction: its time for hundreds of millions of Evangelicals to get organized, he said.

Its time to make it clear to their elected representatives  and also to antisemites from the street corners to the UN General Assembly  that picking a fight with Israel or the Jewish community is picking a fight with hundreds of millions of Christians and we wont stand for it. You have to get through us to get to our Jewish neighbors.
Home News Jihadists slit throats of 26 Christians during worship service in Burkina Faso: report Militants slaughtered hundreds of civilians in a 2-day killing spree

Islamist extremists in Burkina Faso carried out a two-day killing spree, slaughtering hundreds of civilians, including 26 worshippers at a church service, according to reports, which identify the incident as one of the deadliest attacks in the West African country since the Islamist insurgency began nine years ago.

The attacks took place in the towns of Barsalogho in the north and Sanaba in the west in late August, the human rights organization Christian Solidarity International, which is aiding survivors, said in a press statement sent to The Christian Post.

In late August, militants opened fire on hundreds of villagers outside Barsalogho and stormed a Protestant church in Sanaba the following day.

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The victims of the Barsalogho attack, who were digging trenches under army orders to protect their village, were caught by surprise. Local sources and videos released by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) suggest the death toll reached up to 400, with many more injured needing hospital treatment, according to CSI.

The victims in Sanaba were members of a Christian Alliance Evangelical church attending a Sunday service. on Aug 25. Armed militants tied the hands of 26 Christian men and cut their throats, according to a pastor from the capital, Ouagadougou, who visited the site afterward. Survivors sought refuge in a local school.

Amidst this chaos, a young girl named Micheline was grievously wounded, having three bullets removed from her right leg. Now that she is recovering with a foster family, efforts are being made to ensure her return to school, the pastor said.

According to Barnabas Aid, the militants separated women and children from the men before executing the latter. Post-attack, they reportedly burned houses and stole livestock, with a mishap leading to the accidental death of two militants by their own improvised explosive device.

The jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region began in Mali in 2012 and eventually spread to other countries. Various Islamist groups, including those linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, aim to destabilize governments and establish Islamic rule. The ongoing conflict has wreaked havoc in Burkina Faso, where the government struggles to control territory.

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, the conflict in Burkina Faso escalated notably in 2023, culminating in about 8,000 fatalities. Currently, the military controls about 60% of the country.

The insurgency has led to significant population displacements, with more than 2 million people forced from their homes. Islamist groups have repeatedly targeted Christians and churches. In February, they killed at least 15 worshippers during a mass in Oudalan province. Another 15 were killed during an attack on a baptism party in May.

In a report last week, Human Rights Watch noted that Islamist groups in Burkina Faso have "escalated their attacks on civilians, massacring villagers, displaced people, and Christian worshipers." The organization interviewed 31 witnesses of attacks on civilians from May to July.

We are witnessing an incredibly concerning surge in Islamist violence in Burkina Faso. The Islamist armed groups massacres of villagers, worshipers, and displaced people are not only war crimes, but a cruel affront to human decency," Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. The leaders of the Islamist armed groups should immediately end these deadly attacks on civilians.
Home News IDF increases pressure on Hezbollah, bombs over 1,000 terror targets in hours-long waves of airstrikes Lebanon says 274 people are dead, over 1,000 wounded

This is a developing story.

Following a warning to Lebanese civilians, the Israel Defense Forces carried out the largest series of attacks during the current war, hitting over 1,100 Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley throughout Monday.

According to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the Israeli strikes had destroyed "tens of thousands" of Hezbollah's rockets and precision missiles by the evening.

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"This matter has a decisive significance on Hezbollah's capabilities and this action is an action that the IDF carries out with professionalism, modesty and a very high quality," Gallant said. "What was built over 20 years, since the Second Lebanon War, is now being demolished by us."

An official in Lebanon told Reuters in the evening that this was "The deadliest day in the country since the end of the civil war in 1989."

The Lebanese Ministry of Health claimed that around 274 people had died and over 1,000 were wounded in the strikes, a number that is much higher than previous Israeli strikes in Lebanon. There was no information about how many of the casualties were Hezbollah members.

The Israeli attacks reportedly focused on Hezbollah infrastructure deeply embedded in populated areas, which may have contributed to the high casualty count.

"We dont know the exact casualty count from Lebanon, but we do know amongst the casualties are victims of secondary explosions, as well as terrorists who operated at these sites," said IDF International Spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani.

"Hezbollah is now preventing the citizens of Lebanon from moving away from the arms and weapons that are stored in their homes and directed toward Israeli civilians," he wrote on X.

Among the casualties was Ali Aburia, a senior Hezbollah official, Sky News Arabia reported.

The strikes throughout Monday were of a scope unprecedented since the start of the war, with Israeli media reporting that hundreds of aircraft participated in continuous action for hours on end.

The sound of Israeli fighter jets was heard across the country, even in the Jerusalem area, far from the northern border. The amount of smoke from the explosions in Lebanon was so great that some local councils in northern Israel released statements to calm their residents who worried that fires had broken out near them.

In an unusual statement following a first wave of airstrikes on Monday morning, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari had warned citizens to move out of harms way just before the Israeli Air Force began the second wave of strikes that continued for over three hours.

According to reports in Arabic media, the warnings and subsequent strikes caused thousands of residents to flee north from southern Lebanon. Schools in Beirut stopped classes and sent the children home.

The Minister of Education in Lebanon ordered elementary and high schools to close on Monday and Tuesday in all the districts of south Lebanon, Nabatiya, the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek, al-Hermel and the Dahiyeh district of Beirut.

The Health Ministry also instructed hospitals to halt non-essential surgeries to prepare for an expected wave of casualties.

Around 2 p.m., the IDF released a second warning to Lebanese citizens before the start of another wave of strikes, this time adressing residents of the Bekaa Valley.

"Urgent warning to the residents of the villages of the Bekaa region in Lebanon. Hezbollah operations force the IDF to act against terrorist infrastructure in your villages," wrote the army's Arabic spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee.

"The IDF is not interested in harming you. If you are inside or near a house containing Hezbollah weapons  you must leave it and move away from it within two hours to a distance of no less than 1,000 meters outside the village, or go to the central school near you and do not return to it until further notice. Anyone who is near Hezbollah elements, facilities, and weapons is putting his life and the lives of his family members at risk," he added.

Speaking against the background of a flood of images and videos showing massive explosions caused by Israeli airstrikes, Hagari said: "The sights that are now seen in southern Lebanon, these are the explosions of Hizbollah's weapons, which are exploding inside houses."

"In every house we attack, there are weapons  rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, which were intended and aimed at killing Israeli civilians."

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News Pastors twice as likely to support Trump over Harris but many are undecided

Twice as many pastors say they plan to support former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, although many are reluctant to share their preferences, according to a new survey.

Lifeway Research released a report Tuesday based on responses collected from 1,003 Protestant pastors in the United States between Aug. 8 and Sept. 3. With an error margin of +3.3 percentage points, the survey examines pastors' views on the upcoming presidential election, finding that 50% of respondents plan to support Trump while 24% intend to vote for Harris.

A significant share of pastors (23%) indicated they were undecided on who they planned to vote for in the election.

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"We ask pastors about many things going on in the culture today and they are willing to provide their opinion," Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell said in a statement. "However, the growing number of pastors unwilling to respond with their voting intentions shows how sensitive or divisive politics has become in some churches."

The report found that exactly one-half of those surveyed identified as Republicans, while 25% characterized themselves as independents and 18% described themselves as Democrats.

"Out of all the descriptors of pastors, their own political party preference is the best predictor of how they will vote," McConnell maintained. "Denominational groups often lean one way politically, but pastors must minister alongside many clergy who don't share their political views."

"The same is true within their own congregations. In a culture that increasingly doesn't want to tolerate people with different political views, pastors lead churches that strive for unity centered on faith."

The findings are similar to Lifeway's 2020 survey, which found 53% of Protestant pastors planned to vote for Trump in that year's election, while 21% planned to support Joe Biden and 22% were undecided. In 2016, four in 10 pastors said they were still undecided as of September of that year, while nearly a third (32%) planned to vote for Trump and 19% planned to vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton.

In 2024, Pentecostals had the highest share of respondents who planned to support Trump (65%), followed by Baptists (64%), non-denominational Christians (64%), members of the Church of Christ (55%), Lutherans (48%), Methodists (26%) and Presbyterians (24%). A much higher share of self-described Evangelical pastors (61%) signaled their intention to support Trump than their mainline Protestant counterparts (30%).

In addition to asking pastors which candidate they prefer in the election, the survey also asked respondents to identify "which characteristics of the candidate are important to you in deciding how to cast your vote."

Eighty-five percent of those surveyed listed the "ability to maintain national security" as a significant determinant behind their decision on who to support in the election.

Other characteristics more than 80% of pastors see as essential qualities in a candidate are their "ability to protect religious freedom" (84%), their "position on foreign policy" (83%), their "ability to improve the economy" (83%), their "position on immigration" (81%) and their "position on abortion" (80%).

Large majorities of respondents also pointed to a candidate's "personal character" (79%) and "likely Supreme Court nominees" (75%) as factors that influenced their decision.

While 71% of those surveyed view a candidate's "ability to address racial injustice" as important and 70% of respondents feel the same way about a candidate's "position on [the] size and role of government," less than half (38%) placed a similar level of weight on a candidate's "ability to address climate change." When asked what they thought was the most important single factor influencing their vote, a plurality (24%) said they consider a candidate's "personal character" especially crucial.

Other popular choices for the most important characteristic in a presidential candidate include their views on abortion (18%), "ability to protect religious freedom" (16%) and "ability to improve the economy" (12%). Less than 5% of respondents listed all other candidate characteristics as the most important factor in determining their vote in the 2024 election.

"Pastors are not single-issue voters. They care deeply about where presidential candidates stand on many issues," McConnell stated. "There are moral dimensions to all of the characteristics that could be selected, and pastors did not all pick the same characteristic as most important."
Home News Rob Schneider calls Kamala Harris a 'Marxist,' urges Americans to protect free speech

Comedian and former "Saturday Night Live" star Rob Schneider labeled Vice President Kamala Harris a "Marxist" and called on Americans to protect their First Amendment rights in a recent interview promoting his book.

Schneider's remarks were part of a discussion with Fox News about his new book, You Can Do It!: Speak Your Mind, America, and the perceived threats to free speech in the United States.

Schneider's book, named after his famous movie catchphrase, explores his experiences and opinions on the current state of American freedom of speech. He asserts that the First Amendment is under assault by forces within the media, Big Tech and the government.

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In his video conversation, which took place while he was driving, Schneider shared his view that the Democratic Party, and specifically Vice President Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, represents a "Marxist" threat to the fundamental American right of free speech.

He argued that this threat is manifested through actions and policies that suppress diverse opinions and control public discourse. He said his book release is "timely" to help reinforce the "foundational beliefs" of the U.S.

"Our Founding Fathers realized that the real weapon to prevent this nation turning into tyranny, even more than guns, was unfettered free speech," the actor said.

"And that is under attack by these, you know, Marxists in our government. And I say Marxist in the traditional meaning of it. We are dealing with  Kamala Harris is a Marxist. Democrats don't watch free speech. ... Our system is corrupt, and if you want it to continue to get more corrupt, then [expletive] vote for Kamala."

Schneider's call to action was emphatic.

"Now's the time to stand up. Now's the time for courage. I mean, this government and our freedoms require something  eternal vigilance. Or we'll lose it," he explained.

Schneider's book also pays homage to 20th-century American comedians who, he believes, played pivotal roles in defending free speech. These comedians, according to Schneider, often risked their careers and, in some cases, their lives to push the boundaries of what could be said or thought publicly.

Schneider recently converted to Catholicism.

In a previous interview with CBN News, Schneider shared insights into how his faith has reshaped his approach to life and his professional career.

"I did  like many Christians do  stray," Schneider recounted about his faith journey. "But there was a continuing pull back, knowing where I needed to be and to be home."

He elaborated on the influence of his wife and his new religious commitments on his decisions about the type of comedy he wants to pursue moving forward.

Speaking to The Christian Post last year, Schneider said since converting to Catholicism, he feels called to leave behind the type of comedy he has performed in the past  and he doesn't care what Hollywood thinks about that decision.

"I know I can't do the same stuff I used to do," Schneider told CP. "Not because I have anything against what I did; I did what I did, and I felt fine about it at the time."

"I'm not going to judge myself. But I won't do the same stuff I've done. I don't know what I'm going to do.  I want to come to it from a place of faith, a place of something good in my heart."
A false claim that Vice President Kamala Harris is ineligible to be president because her parents were born outside the U.S. has resurfaced, with more than 50 posts on X in recent weeks calling for her deportation at the hands of her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump. Chronicle collage from X

Less than three months before he lost reelection, President Donald Trump elevated a racist conspiracy theory about Kamala Harris that had been fomenting on Facebook.

Speaking to reporters in August 2020, Trump insinuated that Harris, the California senator joining Joe Bidens Democratic ticket, wasnt eligible to be vice president because her parents were immigrants.

I heard it today that she doesnt meet the requirements, Trump said. Referencing conservative law professor John Eastman, whose Newsweek column speculated a constitutional justification for the conspiracy theory, Trump continued, And by the way, the lawyer that wrote that piece is a highly qualified, very talented lawyer.

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Four years later, Trump is signal-boosting different falsehoods about Harris and Haitian immigrants; Eastman, a 2020 election denier, is ineligible to practice law in California and a co-defendant in Trumps Georgia election fraud case; and the conspiracy about Harris legitimacy is resurfacing just in time for the 2024 presidential election, where she now sits atop the Democratic ticket.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump watches a video of Vice President Kamala Harris during a Sept. 13 campaign rally in Las Vegas. Trump gave credence to an unfounded conspiracy theory that Harris was constitutionally ineligible for office because her parents were immigrants. His campaign did not say whether he still believes that. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Last month, InfoWars host Alex Jones, the conspiracy peddler who owes $1.5 billion to Sandy Hook families for saying their childrens mass murder was a hoax, said on his show that Kamala Harris is illegitimate to be president. Echoing Eastmans fraught legal theory, Jones said it was because the Constitutions 14th Amendment requires a candidates citizenship to predate them by two generations.

This is false.

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Harris, born in Oakland in 1964 to parents who had immigrated from India and Jamaica, is eligible for the presidency just as she was for the vice presidency.

Still, the disinformation about Harris has spawned dozens of Deport Kamala posts on X, including from Jeremy Carl, who served as Trumps deputy assistant secretary of the Interior, and the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire.

That Harris could somehow be expelled from the country in which she was born is the kind of dangerous lie that can sow doubt in the election process and inflame the same kind of people who laid siege to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, warn political researchers.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris holds a Sept. 13 campaign rally in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state in the 2024 election. The vice president has become the target of a new conspiratorial attack online, with right-wing social media accounts urging her rival, former President Donald Trump, to deport her if hes elected. Harris was born in Oakland and is a U.S. citizen. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Conspiracy theories are strongly correlated with violence, Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C., said in an email. The spreading of conspiracy theories has been a feature of Donald Trumps leadership since he spread the conspiracy that former President Obama was not born in the United States. Conspiracy theories both sow distrust, and inoculate people against facts, making it very hard to dislodge such theories.

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In a 2023 paper in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, Pennsylvania State University political science professor James A. Piazza wrote that formerly fringe, identity-based ideologies, particularly ones that play on demographic fears, have penetrated the mainstream of political discourse, and are easily manipulated by political entrepreneurs for an audience more likely to view political violence as acceptable.

Kleinfeld, who distilled a decade of research on American political polarization and violence in a 2023 paper for the Endowment, described the country as being on one of the fastest downward trajectories among free nations, sliding from one of the most robust democracies in the world to a middling place in just 11 years.

Kleinfeld said the way the U.S. can pull out of its nosedive is for political leaders to reassure the public that most people want a robust democracy free from violence.

But a small portion of MAGA Republicans are in a very different place, and political leaders on the right are pandering to them, she told the Chronicle. Referring to Trump, who has defended the Jan. 6 insurrectionists as persecuted Christians, she added: The asymmetry is particularly stark at the top: only one partys political leader has jeered at victims of political violence and pledged to pardon perpetrators of it.

Since aggressively perpetuating the lie that former President Barack Obama was born outside the U.S., three-time Republican nominee Donald Trump, photographed during a Thursday campaign rally in New York, has frequently elevated fringe white nationalist conspiracy theories to the mainstream, say scholars on democracy and political extremism. The latest example involves his baseless comments about Haitian immigrants in Ohio, claims that have links to neo-Nazi propaganda. Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

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The Trump campaign didnt respond to requests for comment.

While the former president has not publicly reprised his false claims about Harris eligibility, there have been attempts to make it seem as if he has.

Trump Train, a pro-Trump YouTube account with 32,000 followers, has circulated a deepfake video of Trump saying he will deport Harris to Venezuela if elected. The account has published other fake videos, including one making it look like Taylor Swift endorsed Trump.

Swift endorsed Harris, and Trump has made no public statements about deporting Harris.

As Californias attorney general, Vice President Kamala Harris, photographed during a Sept. 20 campaign rally in Atlanta, conducted the nations first prosecution against an operator of an online exploitation website, which published sexually explicit photos of people without their permission. As the Democratic presidential nominee, she has become the target of artificial intelligence-created deepfakes of a sexually explicit nature. Joe Raedle/TNS

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a first-in-the-nation law requiring large online platforms to remove politically minded deepfakes that are brought to their attention, though a conservative video producer has challenged the law in court.

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The emergence of artificial intelligence and the unregulated nature of social media has fueled a rise in conspiracy theories, said Freddy Cruz, a researcher for Western States Strategies, a pro-democracy organization based in Portland, Ore.

Since Harris succeeded Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, Cruz said he has seen an uptick in A.I.-generated imagery depicting the vice president in a graphically sexual and misogynistic nature. The purpose is twofold, Cruz said: to humiliate its subject and mislead its intended audience into thinking Harris is unqualified for her current position.

Theyre not only false, but theyre becoming a lot more normal on places like X, where individuals can share any sort of disinformation, Cruz said.

Extremism watchers say its becoming more common for conspiracy theories that circulated along the fringes, sometimes for years, to get laundered into the mainstream by established political figures, even becoming official political dogma.

Cruz said it happened with the migrant invasion narrative, started by paramilitary militias at the border; the homophobic groomer narrative from the Proud Boys that equates LGBTQ identity with pedophilia; and the attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion that conservative influencer Christopher F. Rufo popularized. All three are represented in the official platforms of Trump, the Republican Party and even Project 2025, which call for massive immigrant purges and the outlawing of trans identity and DEI initiatives.

Those  are the things you see move from very niche corners of the internet and now were seeing them adopted into full-on policies that are being put forward by Donald Trump and his current campaign, Cruz said. And unfortunately, it looks like its becoming a lot more common.

Travis McAdam, a senior research analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., said that Trump has consistently been a vehicle for white nationalist conspiracy theories, even attempting to turn some into official policy as president.

All of these conspiracies are really dedicated to keeping people of color as the targeted scapegoats for pretty much everything right-wing extremists think is wrong with the country, he said.

McAdam and Cruz said they havent yet seen the Deport Kamala messaging break through like other anti-immigrant or white nationalist conspiracies, but cautioned against ruling it out.

That Trump hasnt embraced the inflammatory slogan is in no way a display of integrity, said Paul A. Djupe, a political scientist and religious scholar who directs the Data for Political Research program at Denison University in Ohio.
Home Opinion 8 humanistic errors that crept into the modern church

In my opinion, humanistic values frame much of the teaching and theology of the contemporary church. By humanism, I mean anything people refer to as self-empowering that does not originate from the Scriptures worldview or depend upon our identification with the cross of Christ for existence and essence. It is also any concept that glorifies the self instead of glorifying God.

1. You could do anything you dream you can do

I remember hearing many people say that they can do anything they desire or dream to do. Some even quote the Scripture (out of context, of course!) in Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, regarding their success in fulfilling their dreams. However, despite all this wishful thinking, we cannot be anything we desire, and we cannot make something happen merely because we dream about it.

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God has apportioned to each one of us only a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) based upon our particular assignment (Ephesians 4:7) according to His will, not our will (1 Corinthians 12: 5-7).

Hence, no matter how hard one tries, wishes, or dreams, God gives us assignments that limit our capacity based on the natural and supernatural abilities we have received at birth by Gods design. Those who teach that people can do or be anything they want to do or be have taken their cue from secular humanism rather than from the Bible.

2. Cut out toxic people from your life

I have read numerous posts on social media related to people advising their followers to cut toxic people out of their lives. Of course, we have to define what they mean by toxic. If they are referring merely to people who are challenging to get along with or may not always agree with them  then said posts are misleading since the word of God instructs us to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves (Romans 15:1).

Furthermore, disagreements are sometimes a healthy way to come to proper conclusions regarding right and wrong (1 Corinthians 11:19).

Paul tells us that love is patient and kind and bears everything with others (1 Corinthians 13). I would agree with the proposition to cut toxic people out of ones life if it were referring to people who are a bad influence and who lead a person to fall into sin or away from following the Lord.

However, attempting to live an insular life without conflict is unreasonable. It arises from an erroneous, self-focused, humanist ideology that nurtures weak-minded people with a victim spirit rather than those who can handle dissonance and still function at high capacity.

3. Only do what you have a passion for

Although passion at times can depict what we are called to do for God, it can also become a distraction since its possible to have a passion for hobbies that have nothing to do with our assignment. Furthermore, this teaching arises out of the context of secular humanistic success literature that is narcissistic since we are called to do many things we do not have a passion for!

Do you think Jesus was excited about going to the cross? He did not die on the cross because He was following His bliss (a la Joseph Cambell). He did it out of obedience to the Father (Matthew 26:36-46). For the mature Christ follower, when passion fails, stewardship takes over.

4. The empowerment of individual identity

People living in todays secular humanistic culture are obsessed with being unique and being known for the identity they carved out for themselves. Whether it be by identifying themselves with tattoos, gender, sexual lifestyle, attire, or a cause, people are spinning their wheels trying to make a name for themselves (not that everything mentioned in this list is always evil or wrong).

This has crept into the Church with rampant individualism, as illustrated by people and churches competing with others to win their communitys attention by being different and better than others. Consequently, the humanistic concept of individual identity is opposed to participating in the Body of Christ for the glory of His Kingdom and honor.

5. Individual autonomy is worshiped

Even as Lucifer attempted to lift himself above God and His heavenly council (Isaiah 14:12-14) so he could do his own thing and receive worship (Matthew 4:10), human autonomy is honored most in contemporary culture. Christians and churches who are unaccountable to anyone else and who place more priority upon actualizing the self than fearing God have fallen into the erroneous trap of secular humanism.

6. Spirituality without Community

Millions of Christians think they can follow God without connecting to a community of Jesus followers. Consequently, many who call themselves spiritual define themselves as isolated from others because they value their private faith. This concept of spirituality is more akin to humanistic New Age religions (such as Hinduism and Buddhism) than to biblical Christianity, which describes Christs followers as belonging to His family (1 Corinthians 12).

7. Happiness without holiness

Some practice humanistic techniques such as mindfulness and desire to control their atmosphere and be tranquil and happy amid lifes turmoil. (I am not saying that there is anything wrong with using a technique to be fully present.) However, any believer who attempts to prioritize happiness over holiness (which involves being set apart for Gods purposes) has been sucked into the vortex of secular humanism.

8. The enlightenment concept of knowledge and truth

The launch of the secular humanistic Enlightenment (1685-1815) resulted in humanitys attempt to define truth merely as that which can be empirically proven through the sciences. Whenever a Christ follower, Church, or denomination collapses Christianity down simply to that which can be rationally understood while rejecting supernaturalism, they have fallen into the trap of secular humanism.

To summarize what should we do to avoid the trap of secular humanism in the church:

Embrace Gods will, not our dreams. Practice endurance, not avoidance: Cutting toxic people from our lives, as often advised, contradicts the biblical call to bear with others weaknesses and practice patience (Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 13). Practice obedience over passion: Jesus example on the cross shows that true discipleship often requires sacrifice and obedience, even when passion fades (Matthew 26:36-46). Ground your identity in Christ, not individualism: Humanism promotes self-created identities, but in Christianity, we are called to find our identity in Christ and function as part of His body, the Church, not in isolation (1 Corinthians 12). Celebrate holiness over happiness: Prioritizing personal happiness over holiness is a humanistic error. True Christian life focuses on holiness and being set apart for Gods purposes, even in difficulty (1 Peter 1:16).
Home Opinion Book of Ruth  3 things that help us persevere in hope (part 1)

The book of Ruth shows that even amid a dark period of unthinkable wickedness and rebellion, God is still working to accomplish His purpose of redemption. This book is also a reminder that even when it seems an entire nation has rejected the Lord, His faithful remnant remains.

With everything we face in our world today, it is a great relief to look at Gods faithful, covenant love in the first two chapters of this book. Gods covenant love triumphs over everything against His people so that we persevere in hope. Paul writes in Romans 8:35: Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? In Ruth 1-2, we see a number of these things trying to separate Gods people from His love. Yet, these chapters are a living illustration of the truth of Romans 8:35-39 and Gods enduring, unbreakable love for His people.

There are three things from Ruth 1-2 that enable us to persevere in hope on the firm foundation of Gods covenant love.

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First, to persevere in hope, we need to recognize the reality of adversity.

The story of redemption in Ruth is born in the cradle of adversity. In just this chapter, Naomi undergoes five severe experiences of difficulty.

As the story opens, we meet a family of four, who are confronted with famine in Israel. This famine was such a severe trial that it prompted Elimelech, Ruths future father-in-law, to uproot his family to Moab.

This family then faces the adversity of living among unfriendly foreigners outside the land that God gave to Israel. Moab had long opposed Israel and its military conquests.

Naomis third trial occurs when her husband dies, and she now was burdened by being a widow in a foreign land. Her sons were probably not very old, so they would have been of limited help.

After Naomis sons married foreign women, they died as well, extinguishing Naomis family line. She is bereft not only of her family but also of any legal help or protection.

Naomi eventually learns that the Lord has brought the famine to an end and decides to move back home. It was extremely dangerous for a woman to travel alone, but Naomis options at this point were to remain in Moab as an unprotected widow or to take a chance on the journey and hope some distant relative back home might assist her.

When Naomi arrives home, the intensity of the adversity she has faced is not lost on her. She recognizes the difficulties she has experienced, and she has been, at least in her understanding, irrevocably changed because of her trials. Naomi left a woman who was full of joy, with a family and high hopes. She came back destitute and hopeless.

The language of this opening chapter is reminiscent of the book of Job. Naomi loses everything she values in her life. Her trials seem to happen in rapid succession, without a respite from the adversity. Also, like Job, she recognizes everything comes from the Lords hand and providence. Whether Naomi is proven right about what God is doing is yet to be seen, but the reality is that God is the one who has moved her through it all.

If were encountering adversity, remember God is working in and through our lives. Our trials have not taken God by surprise. Adversity is providence.

Second, to persevere with hope, we need to respond to adversity in faith.

When Naomi decided to leave Moab, her two daughters-in-law desired to follow. She encouraged them to return to their mothers house. Eventually, Orpah was persuaded to go home, but Ruth would not be persuaded.

Ruth is determined to follow Naomi, wanting to convert to become an Israelite. In doing so, she understands she must forsake her gods and worship only the God of Israel; unexpectedly, especially given the context of Judges, she freely volunteers her unwavering loyalty to Israels God! Here we have this foreigner, excluded from the Lords assembly by her nationality, committing herself to the Lord until death. What a picture: Ruth the Moabitess is utterly loyal to the God of Israel, while Israel itself continually forsakes Him.

This conversion appears to be genuine. Ruth does not say Naomis gods will be her gods; instead, she specifically names Israels God. Moreover, Boaz later recognizes Ruth came to take refuge under the Lords protection. Through Ruths relationship with her Israelite family, she saw the futility of the Moabite gods and the glory of the God of Israel  and she would not be parted from Him.

What was it about the God of Israel that Ruth found so attractive? Ruths first exposure to Him was a God whose people were suffering from famine. Then, her father-in-law died, and her husband and brother-in-law passed away. She was a barren widow. She and her mother-in-law became embittered and impoverished.

Despite all that had happened, Ruth wanted to follow the Lord because she had found the truth. Once Ruth had recognized the truth, it didnt matter the cost or the external trappings, nor did it matter that the lie looked more promising in the short run. The God of Israel was the true God, and she would not relinquish Him.

Most importantly, though, this woman responds to adversity with faith. She doesnt make her decision based on emotion or external circumstances. Instead, she makes her decision based on Gods truth.

Ruths response is so instructive. When we struggle with adversity, does truth drive our response? Or does the flesh lead to despair rather than hope? When we tell others the Gospel of Christ, are we confident that the power is in the truth, not in our presentation? We need to remind ourselves repeatedly that Scripture is the truth, and our God is the true God against all the worlds lies.

Third, to persevere with hope, rest in Gods faithfulness through adversity.

Chapter two of Ruth shows Gods faithfulness to Ruth and Naomi.

When she settles in her new home, Ruth takes the initiative to provide food. The field that Ruth discovers to glean belongs to a man named Boaz, who was related to Naomis late husband. When Boaz finds out Ruths identity, he instructs his workers to ensure she is provided for and protected. Boaz also tells Ruth he has provided for her because of her godly reputation.

In the end, Gods provision to Naomi and Ruth is more than abundant  not only of food but also of physical protection, something two widows would have severely needed in their culture. Moreover, it appears that a budding romance is beginning between Boaz and Ruth.

As we look at this chapter, Gods provision for Naomi and Ruth is unmistakable. God provides for the ladies in their distress in more ways than initially Ruth even was seeking. This is how God works. He regularly provides for His people even during adversity. We can rest in His care and love even if the entire world around us has been turned upside down.

Here we see two women who were able to persevere in hope because of Gods faithfulness. Without God, they would have had no hope  and neither does anyone apart from faith in Christ. Its amazing to consider that Ruth was part of a population that God said was never allowed in His people. And yet Ruth was received by God because she trusted in Him. Jesus turns away no one who comes to Him in faith. What a marvelous and reassuring promise of hope and salvation!
Home Opinion 'Reagan' film: Why critics hate it, but regular folks love it

I recently saw the movie Reagan. It features a positive portrayal of our 40th presidents laser-like focus to end the Cold War and the nuclear arms race. Reagans philosophy: We win, they lose.

Critics seem to hate this movie, but regular folks love it. In fact, the movie review website, Rotten Tomatoes notes this discrepancy. Only 18% of the critics (based on 61 reviews) like the film, while 98% of the movie-going public (based on 5000+ verified ratings) actually like it.

I was delighted to see at the very opening of the film that it was based on a book by Dr. Paul Kengor of Grove City College, The Crusader. I whispered to my wife, Hey. I know that guy!

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The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism is one of eight books Kengor has written on Ronald Reagan. Im a fan of Kengors and have interviewed him probably more than 50 times  mostly on radio.

Kengor wrote an article in the American Spectator, responding to critics of the movie, such as The Daily Beast, who called it the worst movie of the year. They said: You may have suspected that this MAGA-tinged hagiography would be absolute trash, but it turns out you didnt think low enough.

Well, in Reagans day, there was the same type of discrepancy: The intelligentsia hated him and what he stood for, while the common people loved him and his policies.

Professor Kengor writes about a recent encounter: One of my students asked how a man so vilified managed to win 49 of 50 states, nearly 60% of the vote, and the Electoral College 525 to 13, receiving millions of votes from Democrats. The answer is [those who vilified him were] always a small percentage filled with rage toward Ronald Reagan and any conservative Republican.

The movie reminded me of why I appreciated Ronald Reagan and his substantial presidency so much. Consider some of Reagans accomplishments:

In one day, just by getting sworn in, he ended the Iranian hostage crisis (the Iranians knew enough not to fool around with Reagan at the helm).

He played a critical role in ending the Cold War

He was the key architect of the longest peacetime expansion of the economy in our nations history, which lasted about two decades.

Above all, he inspired hope  especially at a time when we sorely needed it.

President Reagan managed to successfully pull together various factions. Leaders since his time have not done so well.

Reagan was:

Conservative on defense.

Conservative on the economy.

Conservative on social issues.

He combined these values in one man  and an articulate man at that. Reagan knew what he believed and why he believed it. Therefore, he was able to inspire members of diverse groups to claim him as their own, thus, creating a great coalition.

As to the social issues, consider his pro-life stance. I remember to this day what Reagan said during a 1980 debate on abortion. A reporter asked him in a hostile way, as I recall, why he wasnt pro-choice? He responded, Well, first of all, I happen to notice that everyone whos pro-choice has already been born.

Furthermore, as president, in 1984, Ronald Reagan even penned a short book on the whole issue of the sanctity of life. It was entitled, Abortion and the Conscience of a Nation.

When I first interviewed Kengor, we discussed another of the professors books, God and Ronald Reagan. Kengor mentioned how the great communicators first role in leadership was at his church as a teenager in Dixon, Illinois.

Another thing I learned from Dr. Kengor is that when Reagan was a young man and was baptized, his mother gave him a book that helped set the direction of his life. The book was That Printer of Udells by Harold Bell Wright, a heavily religious novel, dated 1903.

That book is shown in the movie as a key influence in the life of Reagan. For those who have seen the movie, this is the supposedly nefarious (to the Soviets) book that the Jon Voight character (as a Russian leader, worried about Reagan) keeps bringing up. To understand Reagan, understand that book.

Its essentially the story of a man who comes to have strong faith and who then sees himself called by the Lord to do something important for the world. So, he runs for public office and eventually ends up in Washington, DC, as a successful statesman. This now-forgotten Christian book helped set the trajectory for one of our greatest presidents.

I highly recommend Reagan the movie. As I wrote to Paul Kengor: Paul, what a great film. Thanks for your role in helping create it. This is a movie I plan to see again, and hope others will too.
Christian preacher wins 10,000 pay-out from police over arrest at Speakers' Corner

The Metropolitan Police have agreed to pay a Christian preacher 10,000 in damages after she was arrested, strip-searched and detained for 15 hours.

Hatun Tash was arrested as she was preparing to preach at Speakers' Corner, a spot in London's Hyde Park that has a long tradition of free speech and public debate.

She was wearing a Charlie Hebdo T-shirt at the time and had a prop Quran with holes in it that she intended to use as a visual aid to argue that Islamic theology has holes in it.

As Miss Tash was setting up on Sunday 26 June 2022, a man grabbed her Quran and ran off with it. When her Christian companions called the police to report the theft, officers asked Miss Tash to leave the area. Disturbing video footage shows her being dragged to a police van in front of a jeering crowd after she refused to leave.

The Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which supported Miss Tash in her legal action against the police, said that after being put in the police van, her belongings were left unattended at Speakers' Corner where they could have been stolen.

It says she was told by officers that she was being arrested for 'criminal damage' and for wearing a Charlie Hebdo T-shirt that depicted the Prophet Muhammad.

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station where she was strip-searched and interrogated at 4am before eventually being released at 9am after 15 hours in custody. She was told that no further action would be taken, but was not given any assistance to retrieve her belongings from Speakers' Corner.

Lawyers argued that the police "did not reasonably believe that [Miss Tash] was involved in the commission of a criminal offence, concerning the first incident it was clear that she had done nothing illegal and concerning the second incident, the officers believed that the easiest solution to the problem was 'get rid of our client'."

Miss Tash has donated the settlement money to an organisation supporting individuals who experience persecution after leaving the Islamic faith.

Commenting on the settlement, she accused the police of "two-tiered policing" and suggested that "Muslim mobs" at Speakers' Corner seemed to be "above the law".

"I have been treated appallingly by the police and have been repeatedly humiliated when I had not done anything wrong," she said.

Miss Tash is director of the ministry Defend Christ Critique Islam and regularly preaches at Hyde Park. It is the second time the Met has paid her 10,000 after arresting her at the same spot in 2022. In that incident, she was arrested after reporting to officers that she was being harassed and threatened by Islamic demonstrators.

She was stabbed in the same place a year earlier but her attacker has never been caught. In September 2022 she was the target of a foiled murder plot by Muslim convert Edward Little who was sentenced to life in prison last December after pleading guilty.

Miss Tash continued, "More must be done to properly deal with Islamic violence and intimidation at Speakers' Corner. We don't live in Pakistan; we don't live in Saudi Arabia. I am Christian and by default I believe that Muhammad is a false prophet. I should be allowed to say that in the UK without being stabbed or repeatedly arrested.

"I am concerned that power has been handed over to Muslim mobs on Britain's streets, and that there is no coming back from this. The British public urgently need and deserve better policing."

CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said the footage of Miss Tash being marched away from the area represented "another lamentable episode of policing at Speakers' Corner" and a "totalitarian approach to anyone who stands against Islam in London".

"If it is not safe to critique Islamic ideology at Speakers' Corner then nowhere is safe," she said.
Churches must be ready to respond biblically to sexual revolution, Lausanne Congress hears

Christians must not be silent as the "victory" of the sexual revolution spreads across the world, but neither should they condemn others, the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization has heard.

Rev Canon Vaughan Roberts, rector of St Ebbe's, Oxford, told thousands of Christians gathered in Incheon, South Korea, that the sexual revolution had led to "the almost complete collapse of family life in our culture", with "devastating effects" on families and children.

"And ironically it hasn't even delivered the self-fulfilment that it was most designed to promote," he said.

"Look at the younger generation: isolated, confused - the anxious generation. The time when I was having to decide what subjects I would study onwards, we're asking them to decide: what is your sex, what is your sexuality?"

He said that the answer to the challenges lay in offering the world the love of Christ in a spirit of humility and compassion, as opposed to "Christian morality" and "a wagging finger".

Speaking of his own experience with same-sex attraction, Roberts recalled being transformed by the love of Christ.

"Conservatives tend to be strong on repentance and holiness but too often we focus on moral rules rather than the wonderful relationship which Christ came to offer to us," he said.

"It wasn't that I was suddenly gripped and excited by Christian morality. I was gripped and excited by Christ. I loved Him - and loving Him, I wanted to live for Him. So we need to offer to the world, not first and foremost Christian morality, but the Bible story - it's a love story."

He added, "Brothers and sisters, don't just preach morality. Certainly don't just preach condemnation. Preach and live Christ for the glory of His name."

Later in his address, he asked Christians to be mindful of their manner of engagement with people living by different beliefs and practices.

"Such people are not just in the West, they're not just in the world. They're in this congress. They're in your country. They're in your churches. And too many feel unable to be open and honest about the struggles they feel for fear they'll be dismissed and rejected."

He continued, "Brothers and sisters, when we speak about these issues in church, will you always remember that people you're talking about are in the room. Does the tone and manner in which you speak invite them to be honest and open? Or does it force them into a secret, lonely isolation which will only be an incubator for the shame and sin?"

With the impact of the sexual revolution being felt far and wide, Roberts suggested there was no part of the world where Christians could be complacent. Rather, he said there was an "urgent" need for all churches to be ready to respond.

"We churches desperately need not to be silent - we've got good news to share," he said.

Christians in the Majority World were urged to pray for believers in the Western world as they seek to respond biblically, while Christians in the Western world were asked to pray for Majority World believers, that they would remain faithful.

Roberts cautioned churches not to give in to the temptation to compromise, warning that revisionist churches were "in terminal decline" and that such "adaptation" was not only "missionally ineffective" but lacking in "theological integrity".

Rev Roberts was speaking on the first full day of Lausanne 4, which is taking place in Incheon, near the South Korean capital of Seoul.

The weeklong congress has brought together over 5,000 Christians to strategise about how to fulfil the Great Commission and bring the Gospel to the whole world.

It is the first global congress to be held by Lausanne since Cape Town 2010.
Does God change his mind?

Professor Richard Hays' book, The Moral Vision of the New Testament, has long been highly regarded as an extremely valuable introduction to New Testament ethics.

One of the chapters in his book uses the issues of homosexuality as a test case for reading and applying the New Testament in relation to a particular ethical issue. In this chapter he writes that:

'....the New Testament offers no loophole or exception clauses that might allow for the acceptance of homosexual practice under some circumstances. Despite the efforts of recent interpreters to explain away the evidence, the New Testament remains unambiguous and unequivocal in its condemnation of homosexual conduct.'

This being the case, he goes on to write that:

'It is no more appropriate for homosexual Christians to persist in homosexual activity than it would be for heterosexual Christians to persist in fornication or adultery ... Unless they are able to change their orientation and enter a heterosexual relationship, homosexual Christians should seek to live lives of disciplined sexual abstinence.'

However, since The Moral Vision of the New Testament was published back in 1996, Hays has altered his position. He has co-authored with his son Christopher a book called The Widening of God's Mercy, which has just been published by Yale University Press and which argues for 'the full inclusion of LGBT+ people in Christian communities.'

The argument put forward in this book is not that the New Testament accepts or approves of same-sex sexual activity. Richard Hays still holds that those biblical texts that mention homosexual activity are unequivocal in their condemnation of it. The argument in this book is rather that 'God repeatedly changes his mind in ways that expand the sphere of his love' and this principle can be used to argue that God now approves of homosexual conduct, even though the Bible says he does not. God has supposedly changed his mind on the matter.

In this article I am not going to explore the details of the argument put forward by Richard and Christopher Hays in their book. Instead, I shall look at the big issue that the book raises, namely 'Does God change his mind?'

I want to suggest that there are three reasons why we should say that the answer to this question is 'No.'

The first reason is that there is a whole series of Biblical passages which explicitly state that God does not change his mind. The following six quotations illustrate this point:

'God is not man, that he should lie,

or a son of man, that he should repent.

Has he said, and will he not do it?

Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?' (Numbers 23:19)

'And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or repent; for he is not a man,

that he should repent' (1 Samuel 15:29).

'I the Lord have spoken; it shall come to pass, I will do it; I will not go back, I will not spare, I will not repent; according to your ways and your doings I will judge you, says the Lord God (Ezekiel 24:14).

'For I the Lord do not change; therefore you O Sons of Jacob are not consumed' (Malachi 3:6).

'Those who formerly became priests took their office without an oath, but this one was addressed with an oath, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "Thou art a priest for ever"' (Hebrews 7:21, citing Psalm 110:4).

'Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change' (James 1:17).

What we learn from these passages, and from other similar passages in the Bible, is that God does not change or repent, and this is something to be both celebrated, because it means that God will keep his promises to his people and to be feared, because it means that God will enact the judgements that he has pronounced.

The second reason is that for God to change or repent would be to go against his very nature. This is a point that is made very clearly by the seventeenth century English Puritan theologian Stephen Charnock in his 1682 work The Existence and Attributes of God.

According to Charnock: 'There can be no reason for any change in the will of God.' Human beings change their minds either because of a need to adapt to unforeseen circumstances or because of 'a natural instability without any good cause.' Neither of these reasons, argues Charnock, can be true of God.

First, lack of foresight cannot be attributed to God:

'What can be wanting to an infinite understanding? How can any unknown event defeat his purpose, since nothing happens in the world but what he wills to effect, or wills to permit; and therefore all future events are present with him? Besides, it doth not consist with God's wisdom to resolve anything, but upon the highest reason; and what is the highest and infinite reason, cannot but be unalterable in itself; for these can be no reason and wisdom higher than the highest.'

Secondly, there cannot be in God '...a natural instability of his will, or an easiness to be drawn into that which is unrighteous'.

'If his will should not follow his counsel, it is because it is not fit to be followed, or because it will not follow it; if not fit to be followed, it is a reflection upon his wisdom; if it be established, and he will not follow it, there is a contrariety in God, as there is in a fallen creature, will against wisdom.'

In summary, declares Charnock:

'The righteousness of God is like a great mountain (Psalm 36:6). The rectitude of his nature is as immovable in itself, as all the mountains in the world are by the strength of man. 'He is not as a man, that he should repent or lie' (Numbers 23:19); who often changes, out of a perversity of will, as well as want of wisdom to foresee, or want of ability to perform. His eternal purpose must be either righteous or unrighteous; if righteous and holy, he would become unholy by the change; if not righteous or holy, then he was unrighteous before the change; which way soever it falls, it would reflect on the righteousness of God, which is a blasphemous imagination. If God did change his purpose, it must be either for the better - then the counsel of God was bad before; or for the worse, - then he was not wise or good before.'

The third reason why we should not say that God can change his mind is because of the consequences that would follow from saying this. It would mean that we cannot rely on God to retain the relationship with us that he has established. If we are Christians, we are those whom God has called to be his children. If he can change his mind, then the day might conceivably come when he no longer wants us as his children. He might repent of having made us such. Worst case scenario, he could decide to reject us at the final judgement even though he has said that he will not do so.

It would also mean that we could never be sure of what it means to live in accordance with God's will. If God changes his mind, then he might will something tomorrow that is different from what he wills today and what he willed yesterday, and this would mean that there is no stable basis for ethics.

A changeable God would be an unreliable God, a God who we could not rely on in terms of our salvation, or as the basis for our behaviour, and living in a world with such a God would be a nightmare.

It might, however, be argued, that the biblical evidence indicates that we live in just such a world. A number of biblical texts, it is argued, tell us that God does change his mind. For example, Genesis 6:6 -7 declares:

'And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, 'I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the ground, man and beast and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.'

Likewise, in 1 Samuel 15:11 God says to Samuel: 'I repent that I have made Saul king; for he has turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments,' and in 1 Samuel 15:35 the chapter re-iterates 'the Lord repented that he made Saul king over Israel.'

Finally in Jonah 3:10-4:2 we read concerning the people of Nineveh:

'When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it.

'But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, "I pray thee, Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repentest of evil.'

All these passages and others like them, such as Exodus 32:10-14, Isaiah 38:1-6 and Amos 7:1-3, do seem to indicate that God does change his mind. God does something, or says he is going to do something, and then repents. Surely, it is said, this means that God's will is changeable.

The first thing that needs to be noted in response is the point made by the great Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas that all language used of God is analogical. Because God is not a creature, no words used of him are used in the same way as when they are applied to creaturely realities. Thus, when we are told that God is a rock, or a father, or a shepherd, all these words mean different things when applied to God. God is not a rock in the same way that a piece of granite is. God is not a father in the same way I am, and God is not a shepherd in the same way as the competitors in One Man and his Dog.

The same is true of the language of repentance when applied to God. It does not mean the same thing in the case of God as it does in the case of human beings. To quote Charnock once more:

'God is said to repent when he changes the disposition of affairs without himself; as men, when they repent, alter the course of their actions, so God alters things extra to, or without himself, but changes nothing of his own purpose within himself. It rather notes the action he is about to do, than anything in his own nature, or any change of his eternal purpose. God's repenting of his kindness is nothing but an inflicting of punishment, which the creature by the change of his carriage has merited: as his repenting of the evil threatened is the withholding of the punishment denounced, when the creature hath humbly submitted to his authority, and acknowledged his crime.'

To put it simply, God's mind and will are unchangeable, but they have different results depending on human behaviour.

In summary Richard and Christopher Hays base their argument for Christian acceptance of same-sex relationships on God having changed his mind. This means their argument is flawed from the start, because that is one thing that God never does.
There are many ways to educate your board about preparing the organization for tough times. Here are five specific areas to focus on regarding innovation and thought leadership.

Innovation is critical despite economic cycles or company performance

Especially in difficult times, the board may look for additional ways to improve profit margins and generally tighten the belt. While corporate departments such as innovation may be easy targets and considered overhead for cost cutting, this can be a serious mistake since innovation is a strategic investment in the future of the company. It can also be an essential part of the solution, not the problem, by helping grow revenues and improve profit margins with ongoing tech enablement and automation. Cutting innovation can also have adverse effects on employee satisfaction since many employees join organizations in part for their innovative culture.

To educate your board in advance on these topics, include innovation updates on a suitable cadence, like every other board meeting, and include a full scorecard or dashboard for innovation that details its quarterly contribution toward revenue growth, cost savings, and other key areas such as helping foster a culture of innovation across the organization.
Heartland Group Holdings Limited (Heartland) (NZX/ASX: HGH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Dixson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), subject to Reserve Bank of New Zealand non-objection, effective 1 October 2024.

In April 2024, Jeff Greenslade indicated to the Board his intention to step down from his role as CEO of Heartland by the end of this calendar year. Andrews appointment enables a thorough handover to be completed sooner, allowing Jeff to retire earlier.

Jeff will retire from his role and all Heartland directorships on 30 September 2024. Andrew will succeed Jeff as CEO of Heartland and be appointed a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director of Heartland Bank Limited (Heartland Bank), effective 1 October 2024. Andrew joins strong leadership across the group, which includes Heartland Bank CEO Leanne Lazarus and Heartland Bank Australia Limited (Heartland Bank Australia) CEO Michelle Winzer.

Andrew, currently Group Chief Financial Officer, has been with Heartland since 2010. In his time at Heartland, Andrew has been involved in all key parts of Heartlands evolution, including the initial merger in 2011, New Zealand bank registration in 2012 and Heartlands listing on the NZX and ASX. Andrew has also played a critical role in the execution of several major strategic acquisitions, including the acquisition of the Reverse Mortgage businesses in 2014, StockCo Australia in 2022 and Challenger Bank Limited (Challenger Bank) in 2024.

Heartland Chair, Greg Tomlinson, said Andrews appointment reflects the evolution of the business since Heartland Banks acquisition of Challenger Bank  subsequently rebranded to Heartland Bank Australia.

The Board is confident in Andrews ability to lead Heartland in the next stage of its journey. This next stage will be focused on capital allocation and an improved return on equity, of which Andrew has proven his leadership in shaping Heartlands funding strategy in both countries, and through his involvement in complex structured finance transactions and a number of successful material capital raises.

Andrews focus as CEO will be on group strategy, investor relations, corporate finance, capital allocation, and strategic and risk management oversight of each bank. The Group Chief Financial Officer role will not be replaced.

This reflects a significant evolution of Heartlands role as the parent company of two banks. Heartlands operations as parent company are now focused on those matters described above, and a number of responsibilities have moved from Heartland to the respective banks. As such, the Deputy Group CEO role has been disestablished and Chris Flood will finish with Heartland on 31 October 2024.

Chris first joined Heartland through a predecessor entity in 1997 and has held a number of senior management positions at Heartland, including as CEO of Heartland Bank before he was appointed Deputy Group CEO in August 2022.

Chris significant contribution to Heartland has included successfully leading the Motor Finance business during Heartland's establishment in 2011, the integration and growth of Heartland's Reverse Mortgage businesses in New Zealand and Australia, the development of Heartland Bank's Livestock and Asset Finance divisions and the development of the Australian Livestock Finance business following the StockCo Australia acquisition. For the past year, Chris has, alongside other activities, led the integration planning of the Australian business and was briefly Acting CEO of Heartland Bank Australia.

Greg Tomlinson said, on behalf of the Board, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Chris for his service to Heartland and acknowledge the value he has created for our shareholders. We wish him all the best in his next endeavours.

Pursuant to the NZX Listing Rules, Chris Flood will cease to be a senior manager of Heartland on 31 October 2024.

 ENDS 

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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.
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The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Barnabas Aid amid reports of a possible 15m hole in the finances of its global network.

The Telegraph reported today that it has seen internal documents that allege that there are questions over money given to some senior figures at the charity, including former international chief executive Noel Frost.

Noel Frost, who was listed as the UK charitys director and corporate secretary, left the organisation in April, less than two years after his appointment.

His departure came amid reports of founding members of the charity being suspended.

Barnabas Aid is almost three months late in filing its latest financial accounts, according to the commissions website.

A Charity Commission spokesperson said: On Tuesday 17 September, our engagement with Barnabas Fund (also known as Barnabas Aid) was escalated to a statutory inquiry.

In line with our usual policy, we will publish a public statement setting out the scope of our inquiry in due course.

A spokesman for the charity is reported by the Telegraph as saying: The independent investigation has been going on for months and we welcome the Charity Commissions statutory inquiry into activities that happened in the past.

We will continue to work closely with the commission.

Civil Society was unable to contact Noel Frost.

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,
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Shes not sitting down for regular interviews or fielding questions from the press, certainly not to the degree that her counterpart, Donald Trump, is. Shes a very busy person. I think she should be doing more. This is the most exhaustive oral exam for any job on the planet because its for the most important job on the planet, and part of it is unscripted interactions. Kamala Harris is not running for perfect; shes running against Trump. I dont think its a lot to ask for her to sit down for a real interview, as opposed to a puff piece in which she describes her feelings of growing up in Oakland with nice lawns. When you move to nirvana, give me your real estate brokers number and Ill be your nextdoor neighbor. We dont live there. I talk to swing state voters all day. Theyre not here for the soft interviews. She needs more interviews. People should not read too much into what some have described as a shortage or a lack of interviews in the first six weeks of the campaign.

Bar the time window mentioned at the end, this back-and-forth as to whether Kamala Harris should do more media interviewsall of it from the past few dayscould have been lifted from a newsletter I wrote over a month ago, when that debate started to ramp up among commentators: some argued that Harris was dodging scrutiny (and opening herself up to political attacks in the process); others countered that Harris doesnt need the press to get her message out and that the calls for her to do more interviews were less a function of high-minded concern for accountability and more one of self-absorbed elite-media whining. If that debate never quite went away in between times, it got a renewed jolt of energy last weeknot least due to a story in Axios bearing the headline The Harris-Walz media strategy: Hide from the press (and an illustration reinforcing the point). By Axioss count, since President Biden dropped out of the presidential race, in July, Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, had taken part in seven interviews or press conferences, compared with Donald Trump and J.D. Vances combined seventy-two. Harris personally was credited with just three interviews: one on local TV, one on national TV, and one with a national print outlet.

Axios acknowledged, though, that this was not an exhaustive count: it excluded interviews that candidates have given to what it termed partisan-leaning commentators. An interview that Walz did with MSNBCs Rachel Maddow was explicitly left out; so too, it would appear, were radio interviews that Harris conducted with two Spanish-language hosts (Edna Chapa, a/k/a Angel Baby, and Stephanie Himonidis, a/k/a Chiquibaby) as well as two Black broadcasters (Rickey Smiley and Jessica Williams, a/k/a Ms. Jessica). On the day that the Axios story was published, Harris participated in a part rally, part town hall hosted by Oprah Winfrey, who has endorsed Harris and spoke on her behalf at the Democratic National Convention. Following the Chiquibaby interview, the New York Times described it as breezy. Ahead of the Oprah event, CNNs Brian Stelter predicted that it would be relaxing (at least to some extent).

In the end, the Times review of the event left a different impression. (At least at times, Winfrey did what she does best: orchestrating an interview that connects with everyday Americans whose experiences illustrate the strife of a country craving empathy, Erica L. Green wrote. The discussions were heavy at times, with members of the audiencein person and at homein tears.) Harris also sat down last week with three reporters from the National Association of Black Journalistswhich was broadcast live on the major cable networksand with the tech magazine Wired. As the headline on Stelters piece noted, Harris is doing more press interviews, if you look closely.

The last time I wrote about the Harris-interviews controversy, I concluded that she should submit to more of them because they remain the best forum we have for stress-testing candidates positions and holding them to accountbut also that mainstream-media access to a politician isnt the be-all and end-all, since what we choose to do with the access matters most. (I also wrote that while Trump might do more interviews by the numbers, his answers to questions are often mendacious and/or meaninglessa point that bears repeating but that I wont otherwise get back into here.) A closer look at some of the interviews that Harris has done since then ultimately reinforces these points, but also reveals a nuanced picture. Harris still isnt doing anywhere near enough interviews that involve the genuine stress-testing of her positions. But the traditional press doesnt have a monopoly over these; nor has it had a monopoly over the insightful moments in the interviews that Harris has done. Sometimes, the lines dividing journalistic interlocutors and friendlier ones are blurrier than the former might like to admit.

This isnt to say that the lines dont exist. Smileys interview with Harris, for example, was short, cheery, and punctuated by some decidedly soft questions. (The fast pace of this historic campaign has been amazing to watch. When do you get an opportunity to sleep?) The NABJ session, by contrast, was much longer, tougher, and more substantive. The interviewersWHYYs Tonya Mosley, TheGrios Gerren Keith Gaynor, and Politicos Eugene Danielspressed her on a range of topics, from the war in Gaza to the possibility of reparations for slavery, and repeatedly pushed for firm answers when Harris rambled.

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But even those two, very different interviews opened with fairly similar prompts. (Daniels: Are voters better off now than they were four years ago? Smiley: Please address the people concerned that you wont do enough to help those struggling with the everyday cost of living.) Harris faced questions about her specific border-policy plans in her first major TV interview as a candidate, with CNNs Dana Bash, and also from a member of the crowd at the Oprah event last week; when Harris wandered, both Bash and Oprah reiterated the question. One of those two sit-downs featured endless trailers teasing an intimate personal account of the moment Harris learned that Biden was dropping out of the race; the other spawned a perceived Harris gaffe that was subsequently chewed over on Meet the Press. Youve probably guessed by now that Im referring to CNN and Oprah in that order. (Harris said during the latter event that if somebody breaks in my house, theyre getting shot, before adding, I probably should not have said that, but my staff will deal with that later. Her staff said she was joking. On Meet the Press, the Democratic senator John Fetterman argued that the vast majority of Americans would agree with what Harris said.)

The more you think about it, the more complicated it becomes to set hard-and-fast criteria by which one might define an interview with Harris. Her sit-down with Wired is a case in point. Wired is a highly respected and substantive publication that I, for one, would certainly define as being part of the mainstream media. And yet Harris spoke to the publication not for a rigorous grilling on tech policy but as part of its Autocomplete Interview series, in which celebrities address the popular prompts that come up when you type their name into Google; rather than a human interviewer, Harris faced a piece of cardboard with peel-off strips. And yet none of this is to knock the format, which, as well as being fun, can itself be illuminating and (at least in a certain chaotic sense) democratic. One of the questions Harris faced from Googlewhat does kamala harris stand for?is, perhaps, the whole ballgame this cycle.

Again, none of this to conflate tough questions with softballs or independent journalists with partisans. By far the best interview Ive seen with Harris was the NABJ one, in which professional reporters posed thoughtful questions and followed up on them; to the extent that Harris has mostly dodged that type of setting, its been a decision rooted in political self-interest, and, while elite-media hand-wringing about that fact can be annoying, the root fear behind itthat politicians these days would rather natter with a TikTok influencer than submit to a grilling by a trained reporter (and face limited consequences for this preference)is a real one. But the end goals should always be scrutiny and insight, and if those are achieved, it doesnt much matter to me who draws it out. As Ive written at length, opinionated cable hosts are capable of doing illuminating, and sometimes genuinely tough, interviewsjust as supposedly independent mainstream journalists often do interviews that amount to little more than opportunities for politicians to spew sound bites. It perhaps makes the most sense to judge the scrutiny to which Harris is opening herself on a case-by-case basis, or on a scale, not in terms of an interview/not-an-interview dichotomy.

And, even if you think that only traditional journalists are likely to apply this kind of scrutiny, Harris is reportedly planning to ramp up her engagement with them as the campaign enters its final stretch. The Times and others have reported that her media strategy will continue to focus most heavily on interviewers from local and niche outlets, perhaps because they are less likely to ask follow-upsbut that doesnt have to be the case; local interviewers can hit hard, while niche outlets can sometimes be more substantive than their generalist counterparts, as the Washington Posts Perry Bacon Jr. pointed out in an astute column last month. And Harris does seem set to appear again in at least some major national venues. According to Axios, she is in talks to appear on 60 Minutes next month, back to back with Trump. She is also pushing anew for a second debate with Trump (which, it should be noted, is a form of mainstream-media interview) and, per Stelter, may do town-hall style events if Trump refuses to show up.

One of the quotes that I shared at the top of this newsletterthat people should not read too much into what some have described as a shortage or a lack of interviews in the first six weeks of the campaigncame from Brian Fallon, a top Harris aide, who told Politicos Daniels last week that Harris is entering a stretch of the campaign where she will do more battleground state media but also mix in national outlets. Fallon added that prior to becoming the Democratic nominee, Harris did dozens of national interviews this year, describing that as a default setting for Kamala Harris in terms of media engagement and predicting that the remainder of the campaign will look likesomething closer to that. Journalists should hold Harris to that promise. If she keeps it, they should think very carefully about how theyre using their time with her. Even if she doesnt, we should entertain the possibility that she is doing interviews.



Other notable stories:

Violence continues to escalate between Israel and Hezbollah: after Israel detonated the latters communications devices last week, it bombed a building in Beirut on Friday; over the weekend, Hezbollah fired rockets deep into Israel; this morning, Israel struck hundreds of sites inside Lebanon, killing at least a hundred people and injuring many more, according to Lebanese health officials. The story is developing. Meanwhile, Israeli forces stormed Al Jazeeras offices in the West Bank city of Ramallah early yesterday morning, ordering employees to evacuate and confiscating equipment before sealing the entrance. Al Jazeera said that Israeli officials hit the bureau with a forty-five-day closure order. Israeli authorities previously moved to shut down Al Jazeeras operations inside Israel, as Ayodeji Rotinwa has reported for CJR.

Late last week, CNNs Stelter reported that Robert Samuel, a veteran executive producer on Sean Hannitys Fox News show, was fired recently following allegations of sexual harassment. Stelter also reports that Caren Bohan has been appointed as the new permanent editor of USA Today, having previously filled the role on an interim basis following the abrupt departure of Terence Samuel earlier this year. And in other media-business news, Semafors Max Tani profiled The Bulwark, a never-Trump conservative outlet that is one of the breakout media successes of the 2024 election, thanks in no small part to its surging popularity on YouTube.

For CJR, Joel Simon reports on a settlement between the New York Police Department and several photojournalists who sued it on First Amendment grounds, alleging that officers harassed, arrested, or assaulted them while they were covering protests in the city. The agreement is part of a series of lawsuits, settlements, and legislation that is redefining the relationship between the police and journalists covering protests, Simon writesand yet, despite the shift, journalists covering protests continue to face arrests, attacks, and other abuses of their rights.

And the Washington Posts Josh Rogin spoke with Dimitri Simes, a dual US and Russian citizen who hosts a show on Russian state TV and has now been charged in the US with violating sanctions amid a broader legal crackdown on Russian influence operations. Innocent or guilty, Rogin writes, his prosecution raises real questions about fighting foreign influence by targeting journalists working for overseas news outletseven if they are spreading what looks like propaganda.

ICYMI: California journalists on covering Kamala Harris

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Stolen customer data including medical reports from Indias biggest health insurer, Star Health, is publicly accessible via chatbots on Telegram, just weeks after Telegrams founder was accused of allowing the messenger app to facilitate crime.

The purported creator of the chatbots told a security researcher, who alerted Reuters to the issue, that private details of millions of people were for sale and that samples could be viewed by asking the chatbots to divulge.

Star Health and Allied Insurance, whose market capitalization exceeds $4 billion, in a statement to Reuters said it has reported alleged unauthorized data access to local authorities. It said an initial assessment showed no widespread compromise and that sensitive customer data remains secure.

Using the chatbots, Reuters was able to download policy and claims documents featuring names, phone numbers, addresses, tax details, copies of ID cards, test results and medical diagnoses.

The ability for users to create chatbots is widely credited with helping Dubai-based Telegram become one of the worlds biggest messenger apps with 900 million active monthly users.

However, the arrest of Russian-born founder Pavel Durov in France last month has increased scrutiny of Telegrams content moderation and features open to abuse for criminal ends. Durov and Telegram denied wrongdoing and are addressing the criticism.

The use of Telegram chatbots to sell stolen data demonstrates the difficulty the app has in preventing nefarious agents taking advantage of its technology and highlights the challenges Indian companies face in keeping their data safe.

The Star Health chatbots feature a welcome message stating they are by xenZen and have been operational since at least Aug. 6, said UK-based security researcher Jason Parker.

Parker said he posed as a potential buyer on a online hacker forum where a user under the alias xenZen said they made the chatbots and possessed 7.24 terabytes of data related to over 31 million Star Health customers. The data is free via the chatbot on a random, piecemeal basis, but for sale in bulk form.

Reuters could neither independently verify xenZens claims nor ascertain how the chatbot creator obtained the data. In an email to Reuters, xenZen said they were in discussions with buyers without disclosing who or why they were interested.

Taken Down

In testing the bots, Reuters downloaded more than 1,500 files with some documents dated as recently as July 2024.

If this bot gets taken down watch out and another one will be made available in few hours, the welcome message read.

The chatbots were later marked SCAM with a stock warning that users had reported them as suspect. Reuters shared details of the chatbots with Telegram on Sept. 16 and within 24 hours spokesperson Remi Vaughn said they had been taken down and asked to be informed should more appear.

The sharing of private information on Telegram is expressly forbidden and is removed whenever it is found. Moderators use a combination of proactive monitoring, AI tools and user reports to remove millions of pieces of harmful content each day.

New chatbots have since appeared offering Star Health data.

Star Health said an unidentified person contacted it on Aug. 13 claiming to have access to some of its data. The insurer reported the matter to the cybercrime department of its home state of Tamil Nadu and federal cyber security agency CERT-In.

The unauthorized acquisition and dissemination of customer data is illegal, and we are actively working with law enforcement to address this criminal activity. Star Health assures its customers and partners that their privacy is of paramount importance to us, it said in its statement.

In an Aug. 14 stock exchange filing, Star Health, Indias biggest player among standalone health insurance providers, said it was investigating an alleged breach of a few claims data.

Representatives for CERT-In and the Tamil Nadu cybercrime department did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

Unaware

Telegram allows individuals or organizations to store and share large amounts of data behind anonymous accounts. It also lets them create customizable chatbots which automatically provide content and features based on user requests.

Two chatbots distribute Star Health data. One offers claim documents in PDF format. The other allows users to request up to 20 samples from 31.2 million datasets with a single click giving details including policy number, name and even body mass index.

Among documents disclosed to Reuters were records related to the treatment of the one-year-old daughter of policyholder Sandeep TS at a hospital in the southern state of Kerala. The records included diagnosis, blood test results, medical history and a bill of nearly 15,000 rupees ($179).

It sounds concerning. Do you know how this can affect me? said Sandeep, confirming the documents authenticity. He said Star Health had not notified him of any data leak.

The chatbot also leaked a claim last year by policyholder Pankaj Subhash Malhotra which included ultrasound imaging test results, details of illness and copies of federal tax account and national ID cards. He also confirmed the documents were genuine and said he was not made aware of any security breach.

The Star Health chatbots are part of a broader trend of hackers using such methods to sell stolen data. Of five million people whose data was sold via chatbots, India represented the largest number of victims at 12%, showed the latest survey on the epidemic conducted by NordVPN at the end of 2022.

The fact that sensitive data is available via Telegram is natural, because Telegram is an easy-to-use storefront, said NordVPN cybersecurity expert Adrianus Warmenhoven. Telegram has become an easier to use method for criminals to interact.

(Reporting by Bing and Vengattil; Editing by Aditya Kalra and Christopher Cushing)
Tidal action on the underside of the Thwaites Glacier in the Antarctic will inexorably accelerate melting this century, according to new research by British and American scientists. The researchers warn the faster melting could destabilize the entire West Antarctic Ice sheet, leading to its eventual collapse.

The massive glacier  which is roughly the size of Florida  is of particular interest to scientists because of the rapid speed at which it is changing and the impact its loss would have on sea levels (the reason for its Doomsday moniker). It also acts as an anchor holding back the West Antarctic ice sheet.

More than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) thick in places, Thwaites has been likened to a cork in a bottle. Were it to collapse, sea levels would rise by 65 centimeters (26 inches). Thats already a significant amount, given oceans are currently rising 4.6 millimeters a year. But if it led to the eventual loss of the entire ice sheet, sea levels would rise 3.3 meters.

Related: In the Dark: Telling The Truth About Flooding Requires Accurate Maps and Strong Disclosure Laws

While some computer models suggest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions under the 2015 Paris Agreement may mitigate the glaciers retreat, the outlook for the glacier remains grim, according to a report by the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), a project that includes researchers from the British Antarctic Survey, the US National Science Foundation and the UKs Natural Environment Research Council.

Thwaites has been retreating for more than 80 years but that process has accelerated in the past 30, Rob Larter, a marine geophysicist who contributed to the research, said in a news release. Our findings indicate it is set to retreat further and faster. Other dynamics that arent currently incorporated into large-scale models could speed up its demise, the new research shows.

Using a torpedo-shaped robot, scientists determined that the underside of Thwaites is insulated by a thin layer of cold water. However, in areas where the parts of the glacier lift off the seabed and the ice begins to float, tidal action is pumping warmer sea water, at high pressure, as far as 10 kilometers under the ice. The process is disrupting that insulating layer and will likely significantly speed up how fast the grounding zone  the area where the glacier sits on the seabed  retreats.

Related: Conflicting Policies May Cost Residents More on Flood Insurance, and Leave Them at Risk

A similar process has been observed on glaciers in Greenland.

The group also flagged a worst-case scenario in which 100-meter-or-higher ice cliffs at the front of Thwaites are formed and then rapidly calve off icebergs, causing runaway glacial retreat that could raise sea levels by tens of centimeters in this century. However, the researchers said its too early to know if such scenarios are likely.

A key unanswered question is whether the loss of Thwaites Glacier is already irreversible. Heavy snowfalls, for example, regularly occur in the Antarctic and help replenish ice loss, Michelle Maclennan, a climate scientist with the University of Colorado at Boulder, explained during a news briefing. The problem though is that we have this imbalance: There is more ice loss occurring than snowfall can compensate for, she said.

Related: The Growing U.S. Flood Insurance Gap: A Wake-Up Call for the Industry

Increased moisture in the planets atmosphere, caused by global warming evaporating ocean waters, could result in more Antarctic snow  at least for a while. At a certain point, though, thats expected to switch over to rain and surface melting on the ice, creating a situation where the glacier is melting from above and below. How fast that happens depends in part on nations progress to slow climate change.

Top photo: The edge of a large iceberg calved from an ice shelf in Antarctica.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
A Johnson & Johnson subsidiary filed for bankruptcy for a third time on Friday as the healthcare giant seeks to advance an approximately $10 billion proposed settlement that would end tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that the companys baby powder and other talc products caused cancer.

J&J faces lawsuits from more than 62,000 claimants who alleged that its baby powder and other talc products were contaminated with asbestos and caused ovarian and other cancers. To stop those lawsuits, J&J subsidiary Red River Talc filed for bankruptcy protection in a federal bankruptcy court in Houston.

The company has denied the allegations and has called its products safe.

Related: J&J Eyes Texas as Venue for Next Round of Baby Powder Fight

Erik Haas, J&Js worldwide vice president of litigation, said on Friday that the settlement is fair and equitable to all parties and that 83% of current talc claimants voted for it.

The settlement proposal has divided attorneys who represent cancer victims. Opponents of the deal said they will quickly ask the court to dismiss the bankruptcy or transfer it to New Jersey, where courts have twice rebuffed J&Js attempts to end the litigation in a so-called Texas two-step bankruptcy.

Andy Birchfield, an attorney opposed to the deal, said that J&J is gaming the bankruptcy system in an attempt to underpay tens of thousands of cancer victims.

Related: J&J Lifts Baby Powder Settlement Bid to More than $8.2 Billion

We view this so-called vote as another fraudulent effort by J&J to manipulate the bankruptcy process and minimize the legitimate claims of ovarian cancer victims, Birchfield said.

Other attorneys spoke in support of the deal, including Allen Smith, a lawyer who had previously represented 11,000 claimants in partnership with Birchfields law firm.

Smith said the settlement offer finally provides my clients reasonable and fair compensation. Its now time to go to work and get them compensated as soon as possible.

The two-step maneuver employed by J&J involves offloading liabilities onto a newly created subsidiary that then declares Chapter 11, a type of bankruptcy that involves a reorganization of assets and debts under court supervision. The goal is to use the proceeding to force all plaintiffs into one settlement, without requiring J&J itself to file for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy judges can enforce global settlements that permanently halt all related lawsuits and forbid new ones.

Outside of bankruptcy, any settlement J&J reached with some claimants would still leave holdouts or future plaintiffs with the right to sue  and leave the company exposed to potential multibillion-dollar verdicts that encouraged it to use a two-step in the first place.

To improve its chances in a third bankruptcy effort, J&J asked plaintiffs to vote on its proposed deal ahead of time to ensure that it has enough support for its plan to succeed. J&J needed more than 75% to back the plan for a bankruptcy judge to impose the deal on all plaintiffs.

J&Js third attempt at a bankruptcy settlement also differs from its previous efforts in part because it focuses only on ovarian and other gynecological cancer claims, building on J&Js previous settlements with state attorneys general and people who had sued after developing mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

J&Js proposed settlement would pay talc claimants about $10 billion over 25 years. The present value of the settlement is roughly $8 billion after J&J recently agreed to kick in an additional $1.1 billion to the settlement fund and pay $650 million in legal fees to attorneys that had previously opposed the settlement offer.

The company has been engaged in a bitter fight with lawyers opposing its third attempt to settle the litigation in bankruptcy.

J&Js bankruptcy strategy still faces legal hurdles. These include a June U.S. Supreme Court decision involving Purdue Pharmas bankruptcy, court orders dismissing its previous efforts and proposed federal legislation aimed at preventing financially healthy companies like J&J from benefiting from bankruptcy protection.

J&J in talks with holdouts to $6.5 billion talc settlement Read full story

(Reporting by Knauth and Spector in New York; Additional reporting by Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru; Editing by Will Dunham, Leigh Jones, Sandra Maler, Shounak Dasgupta and Alexia Garamfalvi)
September 22, 2024: When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, they caused more problems for themselves than they expected. The invasion was supposed to be over quickly. Ukrainian resistance was more than the Russians expected, and more than they could handle. Russian losses in Ukraine were devastating for Russia. Most of the Russian tank forces were destroyed and some of these tanks were abandoned by their demoralized Russian crews. The Ukrainians kept the abandoned Russian tanks because both sides were using Russian-designed tanks, many of them built in the Ukraine before the Soviet Union collapsed. Ukraine has so far received over a hundred Western tanks, mainly German Leopards and American M1s. These tanks had superior sensors that enabled them to detect Russian tanks at night and destroy them from a safe distance. When the Western tanks attacked in daylight, they suffered some losses, but not nearly as many as the Russians were losing.

China was Russias only ally but had to limit its support lest it be hit with economic sanctions for supplying Russia with weapons. To avoid that, China limits its support to items Russia needs though no Chinese weapons are sent. The Chinese provide lots of electronic and other components Russia needs to build its own tanks and other weapons. When Ukrainians examine the debris left by detonated Russian bombs and missiles, they often find Chinese components. Complaints to China are answered with claims that Russia smuggled in those components that were provided by third parties that China has no control over. That sort of thing does occur, but there is no way for the Ukrainians to prove the Chinese are lying. It is no secret that China and Russia still cooperate with each other. Chinese and Russian warships have been seen operating together in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Meanwhile, Russias long relationship with India as a major weapons supplier is unraveling. Increased economic sanctions have made it impossible for Russia to pay for weapons using rubles, dollars or Chinese yuan. The Chinese have never been charitable with their arms customers. This is unlike Western suppliers, who will allow purchases on credit and take a lenient attitude toward late payments. The Chinese expect to be paid on time with a currency they can use. Russia can no longer meet those terms and that has disrupted their sales to India, a customer for over 70 years. China doesnt sell to India because the countries are embroiled in a sometimes violent border dispute with India. China claims substantial Indian territory, including the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh along with smaller territories on border areas high in the Himalayan mountains. So far, the violence has been restricted to battles between Chinese and Indian troops using fists and clubs. There have been a few deaths and lots of injuries. Russia does not openly support India or China. The current reality is that Russia supports China, which still has trade relationships with Russia. India is mad at Russia for not dealing with defective weapons Russia sold them and not being able to accept payment from India because of the sanctions.

China and Russia are another matter. Despite the payment problems, China still supports Russia, at least diplomatically and in terms of joint military exercises. China expects Russia to remember that China did not abandon them during the Ukraine War, even though Russian Chinese trade was disrupted.
50th anniversary of China Road and Bridge Corporation's presence in Rwanda celebrated

Xinhua) 09:14, September 23, 2024

KIGALI, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente has congratulated the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) Rwanda Office upon its 50th anniversary, saying it underscores its significant impact on Rwanda's development.

He spoke at an event to mark CRBC Rwanda Office's 50th anniversary in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, Saturday evening. "This anniversary not only highlights CRBC's long life but also underscores its significant impact on Rwanda's development, particularly connecting our communities and promoting our economic growth," said Ngirente.

The CRBC has constructed more than 1,500 km of roads across the East African country, including both completed projects and ongoing ones, according to the prime minister.

These key roadways, he said, have significantly contributed to upgrading Rwanda's transportation networks, increased market access, and created thousands of jobs while improving the quality of life for Rwandans.

Ngirente noted the partnership has also facilitated technology transfer and skills development, providing local workers with invaluable experience through their involvement in various projects.

In addition, he said the improved infrastructure has attracted foreign investment to Rwanda, making it an increasingly attractive destination for business operations. "I am confident that the achievements of the past 50 years provide a strong foundation upon which we will build even greater successes in the future. Together, we can continue to build infrastructure that not only meets the needs of today but also paves the way for a brighter and more sustainable future," Ngirente said.

The event featured dragon dance, a traditional Chinese dance performance.

Over the past 50 years, CRBC has created over 500,000 jobs in Rwanda, according to information from the Chinese Embassy in Kigali.

It has successively undertaken over 60 major projects, of which, ten are ongoing. It employs over 2,200 local staff members, accounting for more than 96 percent of the whole team, among whom nearly 20 percent are women.

Lin Hang, charge d'affaires ad interim at the Chinese Embassy in Kigali, said infrastructure works by CRBC echoed so well with bilateral relations between China and Rwanda, recently elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

"Through half a century, the world has changed a lot, so has Rwanda, but there's something not changing, the commitment to each other, CRBC is always there with Rwanda, to best showcase China's solidarity and brotherhood with our Rwanda people," she said.

Lin noted that to CRBC, serving the people first and better and making everyone's dream come true, is their dream, and their belief despite the challenges of living in remote areas due to the nature of their job. "I have a dream, CRBC will help finish another 30 percent of unraveled roads in Rwanda, and extend the roads to every corner of Rwanda. I also have a dream, to make the first railway with the highest international standard happen in Rwanda," she said.

Guo Meng, the director general of the China Road and Bridge Corporation Rwanda Office, thanked all the friends who have generously supported the development of their office and the employees who have contributed to its growth.

Zhao Lianzhi, the deputy managing director of CRBC Headquarters, said in response to the Rwandan government's call for green and sustainable development, the company has expanded its business to focus on people's livelihoods, enhancing the well-being of the Rwandan people.

"It is about growing together with Rwanda's economic development. As one of the first Chinese enterprises to enter Rwanda, we have always remained committed to the Rwandan market, even during the most challenging times. As one project after another has been completed and put into use, the economic development along the project routes has also steadily improved. Watching the cities transform day by day, we deeply feel that our work is meaningful, which motivates us to continue our efforts," Zhao said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
September 22, 2024: In the African country of Mali, Russian Wagner Group mercenaries went looking for some low-risk, high-paying work during July 2024. What they got was a massacre that left all the Wagner Group mercs murdered by an Islamic terrorist group called JNIM.

Russian mercenaries and Malian soldiers had been operating in northern Mali against various rebel groups. Initially their biggest problem was with a group called CSP. The Russian and Malian soldiers suffered heavy casualties fighting this group. CSP was formed in 2021 and mainly consists of Tuaregs, a North African Berber group that dominated the region for over two thousand years until European colonial forces showed up in the early 19th century. The Tuaregs put up a fierce resistance to the French colonial forces and were not defeated until 1905. The Tuaregs continued to feud with their North African and sub-Saharan African neighbors.

The colonial powers left most of Africa in the 1960s. This was bad for the Tuaregs who were outnumbered by the people of Niger, Mali, Algeria, Libya, and Burkina Faso, countries the Tuaregs used to dominate. The French colonial governments used the Tuaregs as their enforcers and this backfired on them when the French left and the newly independent governments of Niger, Mali, Algeria, Libya, and Burkina Faso sought to suppress Tuareg power in the region. This effort is still underway as Tuareg power and influence continues to decline. An example of this continued resistance were the several clashes with Tuareg militias in northern Mali that have left hundreds of Malian troops and Russian mercenaries dead.

In mid-2o24, the opposition political parties in the landlocked African nation of Mali finally received some cooperation from their transitional military government. On July 10, 2024, Assimi Goita, the interim president of Mali told opposition political parties they could resume operations after a three-month suspension imposed in April. The opposition parties were angry that Goita reneged on his promise to retire from government by March 2024. By allowing a revival of planning for national elections, Mali could finally look forward to the return of democratic government that would be elected and effective.

Mali is in northwest Africa just south of the Sahara desert. Its northeastern neighbor Algeria is where drug smugglers move their cargoes to from ports in Guinea or Ivory Coast north via Mali and Algeria and then to markets in Europe and the Middle East. Islamic terrorist groups handle the smuggling that passes through Mali.

In 2023 and 2024 the economic and political situation in Mali has gotten worse, with more Islamic terrorist violence and growing areas of northern and central Mali coming under the control of Islamic terrorist groups. The Mali army and a small number of Russian Wagner Group military contractors were unable or unwilling to carry on with that effort or prevent the Islamic terror groups from crossing the Niger border and advancing into Mali. The terrorists include groups affiliated with al Qaeda, an alliance called JNIM (Jamaah Nusrah al Islam wal Muslimin, or Group for the support of Islam and Moslems), and the more violent groups like ISGS (Islamic States in Greater Sahara), which is one of the two ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) groups in the region. When they showed up in 2018, ISGS operated mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, especially the area where the three borders met. Until recently those Islamic terrorists were a problem but now, they are a real threat to the normally well defended capitals of all three countries. Islamic terrorist violence in northern Mali has left over a hundred dead each month the fighting continues as does the advance of the Islamic terrorists into Mali and its capital Bamako

In central Mali, the Mopti region, thousands of civilians have been blockaded by Islamic terrorist groups angry over the way locals have cooperated with the army against Islamic terrorists.

Back in September 2023 representatives from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso met in the Mali capital Bamako to work out details for forming AES (Alliance of Sahel States). The alliance was meant to improve security for all these nations. Currently Islamic terror groups are attacking all AES members. Burkina Faso is the worst hit, with about 40 percent of its territory controlled by Islamic terrorists. Mali and Niger fear the same fate will befall them. Recently, AES was formally established July 6th, 2024, as an anti-French and anti-ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States).

The Mali government forced the French and African G5 peacekeepers out by the end of 2021. In 2017 the prior Mali government, Chad, Niger, the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso agreed to form a new G5 counter-terrorism force that would work in cooperation with the similar but larger and better equipped French force that had been operating in the Sahel since 2014. The Sahel is the semi-desert area south of the Sahara Desert that covers much of northern Africa.

Back then the French concluded that the Sahel was still troubled by thousands of Islamic terrorists and that this situation could not be taken care of quickly. In order to maintain pressure on the Islamic terrorists, France established a special force of 3,000 troops to fight Islamic terrorists throughout the Sahel. In practice this meant just part of the Sahel and included Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso. This French force grew to some 4,000 troops equipped with 200 armored vehicles, 20 transport and attack helicopters, six jet fighters and three large UAVs. There were also two twin-engine C-160 air transports available for use within the Sahel. Supplies and reinforcements were regularly flown in using long-range transports like the C-17 belonging to NATO allies, especially the U.S. and Britain.

From the beginning the French force included a thousand French troops in Mali and the rest dispersed to other Sahel bases and ready to quickly move anywhere in the region where Islamic terrorist activity had been detected. The G5 nations already cooperated by sharing intelligence and providing quick access to their territory by the French force. In addition, the Americans provided satellite and UAV surveillance and other intel services, especially analysis and access to nearly all American data on Islamic terrorist activities in the region. Each of the G5 member countries contributed 500 to 2,000 personnel consisting largely of special operations troops. Many of these troops had already worked with their French counterparts or been trained by French or American special operations advisors.

All this was meant to keep the Islamic terrorists in the Sahel weak and disorganized. That worked until the current Mali military regime ordered the French/G5 force out. AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb), which has been around since 2007, was still in business as gangsters smuggling drugs and illegal migrants north and getting support from Islamic terrorists in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Islamic terrorists continued to carry out attacks in Mali, mainly the north and the G5 states to let the world know that Islamic terrorists are still present in the area.

Another reminder has been the high casualty rate among peacekeepers in Mali. UN peacekeepers in Mali suffered 26 dead during 2016, the highest number of any UN peacekeeping operation and 90 percent of the UN peacekeeper deaths in 2016, even though the Mali force comprises less than 15 percent of all UN peacekeepers. The Mali peacekeepers had been in this situation three years in a row. Over a hundred peacekeepers (mostly UN, but some French) have died in Mali since they arrived in 2013. This was the highest casualty rate of all the UN peacekeeping operations going on at the time.

The Mali population is now over 22 million and the economy is one of the worst in the world, with millions of Malians barely surviving on foreign aid. There is less foreign aid because Mali has not been able to prevent gangsters or Islamic terrorists from stealing the aid to sell on the market for cash to finance their operations. There are other armed groups like, like tribal militias and rebellions soldiers that interfere with foreign aid distribution. This chaotic situation has been going on since 2012, when a separatist rebellion in the north was defeated. Continued high levels of corruption, ethnic rivalries and Islamic terrorism kept Mali from achieving a lasting peace and much prosperity.

In 2021 the situation got worse when there was another military coup. The Mali military staged three government takeovers since 2012. One, in May 2021, was an internal dispute within the military. Since the May coup foreign donors have warned that most of the foreign aid will stop coming if Mali does not carry out a significant reduction in corruption, government ineffectiveness and overall instability. None of these three military takeovers were about corruption, but rather anger at the corrupt politicians stealing money meant to finance operations against Islamic terrorist and separatist minorities in the north. The colonels running the military government are unwilling to step down and are trying to make it on their own, despite the large number of UN peacekeepers and French troops dealing with the Islamic terrorist problem up north.

The May 2021 coup was led by the army colonel who had earlier been appointed deputy head of the CNT (National Transitional Council). The colonel replaced the civilian who originally held the job as CNT leader. After that the military-dominated CNT rapidly replaced many existing CNT officials with army officers or civilians known to be pro-military. When foreign donors, including France, criticized this, the army threatened to seek financial aid elsewhere. There was no elsewhere for the Mali coup leaders, at least not one they could afford. The Mali officers threats said a lot about their motives, which was mainly about maintaining their power and helping themselves to a portion of foreign aid. The coup leaders did have one source of wealth, the Mali gold mines. In late 2021 protestors tried to block access to one of the largest mines but that effort only lasted a few days before the security forces cleared the roads.

As of 2024 the chaos remains the same even though some military training detachments from the European Union and Russia operate. Russia is also involved in several economic development projects, like a solar power plant The 15,000 UN peacekeepers were gone by the end of 2023. The Mali government, run by rebellious army officers, doesn't want any UN personnel in the country to witness and record the crimes the military government continues to commit. The only thing keeping the Mali military government operating is taxes from the gold mines. These were developed and continue to be operated by foreign firms and recruit their own security personnel to guard the mines and the convoys taking the gold out of the country.
September 23, 2024: In July of this year the U.S. Navy disposed of two retired amphibious ships by having ships and warplanes fire on them. The two ships were equipped with electronic sensors to record the progress of the damage and transmit it to nearby technicians.

The navy does not conduct SINKEX exercises every year. For example, from 2015 to 2024 no SINKEX were carried out in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. During the six years when there were SINKEX events, a total of eight ships were sunk.

The U.S. Navy uses SINKEX exercises to gather information needed to improve techniques for handling ships damaged in future combat. Some exercises are conducted while towing a 40,000 ton burned-out ship to the scrappers. A battle damage assessment team was put aboard the ship to record damage as they would in wartime. The assessors had never been on the ship before and were able to perform a realistic assessment. The ship in question was destroyed by a shipyard fire in July 2020 and decommissioned in April 2021.

For nearly a century the U.S. Navy has conducted SINKEX training. In the last two decades one or two ships a year were sunk, most off the coast of California or Hawaii. SINKEX enables the navy to test new theories on how vulnerable, or invulnerable, modern warships are and how effective new, or current, weapons are. With the advent of smaller, cheaper, and more reliable sensors and broadcasting gear it's possible to get a lot more data out of a SINKEX target and monitor the damaged ship as it is hit until it goes under. This leads to changes in ship design and damage control techniques. From now on the ship to be sunk will first be damaged by a smaller explosion and a damage assessment team put about to assess the damage. After that the SINKEX will be completed using ship or aircraft weapons.

In the last few years, the navy has suffered several collisions at sea that required long repairs and it was realized that such damage would be common in any future war and the navy did not have as many repair facilities as in past wars. This made the return of trained damage assessment teams a necessity.

It was also noted that China, our most likely adversary, had no shortage of shipyards capable of making repairs. That is because China has invested a lot of money and effort into expanding its merchant shipbuilding industry, as a way to improve its warship building capability. In 2006 China produced about a quarter of the world's merchant shipping, while South Korea was in first place, producing about a third. China made it to first place by 2020 largely by increasing orders for warships. China now has the largest fleet, in terms of warships, not tonnage. Chinese shipyards repair and upgrade warships as well as merchant ships.

In 1945 the United States had the largest fleet, and shipbuilding industry, in the world. Over the next few decades European and then East Asian took business away from the Americans with lower prices and better quality. By the 1990s China had entered the competition and had a hard time competing with South Korea and Japan, but eventually they did. The U.S. Navy is still the largest fleet in terms of tonnage but does not have nearly as much warship repair capacity as it would need in a major war.

The U.S. Navy is also behind schedule in completing planned maintenance, repairs and new construction shipyard work because of a shortage of shipyards and difficulty in finding qualified personnel. For warships you need shipyard workers to have special skills and qualified candidates are hard to find. Hiring temporary replacements means bringing in unskilled workers who can be trained for low skill jobs. Normally, some retirees could be persuaded to come back for an emergency but these experienced men are less and less available.

The navy did have a solution for this; the 2005 SurgeMain program where over 2,400 navy reservists were identified who had skills that could be used in the shipyards, where a lot of work was making major repairs on ships so the vessels can go back to sea. These are the kinds of repairs that the ship crew can handle but ships are brought into shipyards every few years so the many backlogged repairs can be done in less time because the ship is not at sea and most of the crew is not present.

In 2020 the SurgeMain program brought in 1,600 reservists but this only made up for about a quarter of the shortage. The labor shortage is also threatening some critical shipbuilding projects, like components for the new Colombia class SSBNs (ballistic missile nuclear subs) where construction of the subs is to begin in 2021. Before that a lot of key components were being built and work on these items had been delayed by the worker shortage. As it is the reservists were told that they could be on active duty for up to a year. The navy is still working on calculating how much the labor shortage will delay ships getting back to sea or even built.

Another problem with unskilled workers is accidents, some of them deliberate. For example, in May 2012 there was a fire inside the Los Angeles class SSN (nuclear attack submarine) Miami while it was in the Portsmouth, Maine Naval Yard for maintenance and upgrades. That blaze did $400 million in damage to the sub and seven people were injured. Two months later a shipyard worker was arrested for setting the fire. The accused worker, Casey J. Fury, admitted that he set the May 23rd fire and another on June 16th, which was quickly extinguished, in order to get out of work early. Casey was seen near the June 16th fire and that led to his being questioned more closely. Casey knew he had a problem and checked himself into a mental hospital on June 21st and left on June 23rd. The question now arises as to how someone like this was allowed to work on a nuclear submarine. It could be sloppiness, union politics, or fear of federal regulations as in a growing list of questions you cannot ask when hiring people. The U.S. Navy has been complaining about incompetent management of naval shipyards for a long time. That bad behavior is protected by politicians more interested in reelection than well run yards.

Another solution, first adopted in 2009, was to reduce the number of days ships are at sea by a third, in order to reduce the wear and tear on its ships, and to provide cash and port time for needed maintenance. The days-at-sea problems began with the end of the Cold War in 1991, as the navy sought to maintain the same high tempo of operations, and even increase it. That meant sending carrier and amphibious task forces out to sea for six- month cruises to distant parts of the planet more frequently than before. After September 11, 2001, the tempo of operations increased even more, to support the war on terror.

To support all this on smaller post-Cold War budgets, the navy downsized. In the 1990s, the US Navy decommissioned over 300 ships. In 1990, the navy was still trying to increase its warship strength to 600. With the end of the Cold War, and the threat of the huge (but now disintegrating) Soviet fleet, there were suddenly more crises and hot spots the navy felt it had to deal with. While only about a quarter of all ships were at sea during the Cold War, in the 1990s about a third were out there. This put more strain on sailors, as marriages fell apart and sailors got tired of the constant stress of sea duty.

In response, the navy has focused on building new ships that used 50-80 percent fewer sailors. This is not as extreme as it sounds, for commercial ships have been doing this for several decades. But the smaller crews have not arrived yet, because the new ships have proved too expensive to build. Meanwhile, the navy was putting off doing a lot of ship maintenance, especially items that require replacing numerous parts on engines and other mechanical and electrical systems. The result has been more ships failing inspections and having problems while at sea. The decision to cut days at sea, and catch up on maintenance, makes sense.

All these earlier problems, and their solutions led to the realization that there were not enough shipyards, qualified workers and damage assessment capabilities to deal with the problem.
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign event, his first since a man carrying a rifle was arrested Sunday near where Trump was playing golf at his club in Florida, in the Dort Financial Center on September 17, 2024 in Flint, Michigan.

Former President Donald Trump said he doesn't believe he would run for office again in four years if he loses the November election.

"No, I think that that will be, that will be it. I don't see that at all," Trump told interviewer Sharyl Attkisson on her show "Full Measure" when asked if he sees himself running again in four years if his presidential bid is unsuccessful.

"I think that hopefully we're going to be successful," Trump added in the interview, which aired Sunday.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The former president was also asked about whether former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, tech billionaire Elon Musk or former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would be appointed to Cabinet positions if he were to win a second term in office. Trump did not rule out the possibility.

Trump suggested that Kennedy, who suspended his presidential bid and endorsed the former president last month, would be "great on health and on the environment." Pressed on whether that means leading Health and Human Services, Trump replied that "it doesn't mean anything" and said he has not made deals with anyone when it comes to potential Cabinet appointments.

"It's too early, but it's getting to be that time, wouldn't you think?" he said.

The former president said Gabbard, who ran in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary but has since left the party and endorsed the former president, "has always been good from the standpoint of common sense."

"She's like a commonsense person. I've watched her for a long time on shows. I've known her a little bit, and was a great honor when we got her," he said. "She's, you're right, she was a Democrat and popular too in Hawaii. And she will be, she will be terrific."

Trump noted that Musk endorsed him "very powerfully" and agreed that the tech billionaire could help with "government waste" when Attkisson suggested the possibility.

"He feels this is the most important election we've ever had. And as you know, he probably has a couple of other things to do. But he's indicating he might be willing to," Trump said.

"The thing that we talk about more than anything else is exactly that, it's costs," he said. "He's a big cost cutter. He's always been very good at it, and I'm good at it."

After Musk announced his endorsement of Trump in July, Trump said in an August interview with former Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan that he wouldn't expect the tech billionaire to serve in his Cabinet if he wins because Musk has work obligations as head of various companies, but floated the idea that he could "consult with the country and give you some very good ideas."

Earlier this month, Trump said he would adopt Musk's plan for a government efficiency commission to cut federal spending, adding that Musk had agreed to lead the commission "if he has time."
(This is CNBC Pro's live coverage of Monday's analyst calls and Wall Street chatter. Please refresh every 20-30 minutes to view the latest posts.) A software stocks and a nuclear energy play were among the names being talked about by analysts on Monday, along with an automaker and a tech giant. Raymond James downgraded Palantir to market perform, citing a rich valuation. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Constellation Energy to $313m implying more than 20% upside. Elsewhere, Bernstein downgraded General Motors to market perform. Microsoft also got a downgrade from DA Davidson. Check out the latest calls and chatter below. All times ET. 7:34 a.m.: Deutsche initiates Pinterest with buy rating Pinterest's upside potential is currently underappreciated by investors, said Deutsche Bank. The bank initiated coverage on the digital platform with a buy rating. Its price target of $43 per share implies 41.5% upside from Friday's close. Analyst Benjamin Black forecasts revenue growth of 18% through the next three years. Pinterest's relevance to users will continue to grow through the company's product innovation, he added. "The platform's ability to support those seeking inspiration all the way to the ultimate purchase activity is making Pinterest increasingly indispensable for full-funnel advertisers," Black wrote in a Monday note. "Pinterest's value proposition is supported by the fact that 90% of its product searches are unbranded, implying advertisers can reach high-intent consumers before a product/brand has been selected." The stock is currently trading at a relatively cheap valuation compared to its competitors, he added. "With a clear path to both revenue and margin upside from today's levels and valuation multiples significantly below peers, we see a compelling case to make PINS a core holding for investors," Black added. The stock has struggled year to date, with shares currently down 18%. Shares advanced nearly 3% Monday in premarket trading.  Hakyung Kim 7:32 a.m.: Citi upgrades Keurig Dr Pepper, sees 15% upside for stock The tide is turning for Keurig Dr Pepper , according to Citi. The bank upgraded the drink manufacturer to buy from neutral, citing a volume improvement in the U.S. coffee industry. Analyst Filippo Falorni accompanied the move by raising his price target to $43 from $36, implying that shares could climb 15% from here. Falorni blamed softness in the U.S. coffee market as the main reason for Keurig Dr. Pepper's stock weakness over the past two years, pointed to headwinds such as waning consumer spending and increased at-home coffee consumption during the pandemic. "In 2Q24, coffee pod vols returned to flat (+0.2%) vs. -4.5% in the P5Qs and we see a further improvement in 2H24 to +LSD% (especially in Q4) supported by easier comparisons, recent improvement in scanner data, new brands contribution (Black Rifle & La Colombe in RTD), and potential upside from the K Brew + Chill launch," he added. The analyst pointed out that the stock is still trading at an attractive valuation. Meanwhile, going forward he also expects topline acceleration in the overall U.S. refreshment beverages category. Keurig Dr. Pepper stock is up 12% in 2024.  Lisa Kailai Han 7:27 a.m.: Truist cools on chip stocks The excitement around artificial intelligence is not enough to fuel a further rally for all semiconductor stocks, according to Truist. Semiconductor analyst William Stein downgraded the industry as a whole to neutral from constructive. In particular, Stein focused on Microchip Technology and Analog Devices , moving those to stocks to hold from buy. "Stocks have done very well, but industry fundamentals have bifurcated between the haves (AI companies) and have-nots (diversified semis). Now, certain diversified semis  especially MCHP & ADI  reflect both (1) a significant fundamental recovery and (2) peak P/E," Stein said in a note to clients. "We believe MCHP & ADI are fundamentally strong companies but cannot recommend the stocks at this point in the cycle and downgrade them to hold," he continued."  Jesse Pound 7:19 a.m.: Bank of America upgrades On Holding, raises earnings expectations On Holding continues to make great strides forward in the sports shoe industry, according to Bank of America. The bank upgraded the athletic shoe manufacturer to neutral from underperform, which reflects the stock's "ongoing strong growth" and more limited downside to consensus, analyst Ashley Wallace wrote. Wallace also hiked her price objective to $55 from $21. Shares of On have soared 85% this year. Wallace's updated price forecast implies that the stock could climb another potential 10% from here. The analyst increased her medium-term earnings expectations for On by 10% to 24%, noting that the company is "one of the fastest growing brands across European sporting goods and consumer discretionary overall." "Strong brand heat and white space opportunities are helping to fuel top line growth, which is also translating into higher margins," she added.  Lisa Kailai Han 7 a.m.: DA Davidson downgrades Microsoft, cites diminishing AI lead DA Davidson believes that Microsoft has lost its edge over competitors in artificial intelligence. The investment firm downgraded shares of the tech giant to neutral from buy, although analyst Gil Luria maintained his $475 price target. This implies that shares could rise 9% from Friday's close. Microsoft is up 16% on the year. But Luria wrote that Microsoft's competition on the artificial intelligence front has largely caught up, reducing the justification for the stock's current premium valuation. "We believe that Microsoft's lead is now diminished in both the cloud business and code generation business, which will make it hard for MSFT to continue to outperform," he wrote. "Our new proprietary hyperscaler semiconductor analysis indicates AWS and GCP are far ahead in terms of deploying their own silicon into their data centers, which gives them a significant advantage over Azure going forward." Luria added that Microsoft is also more reliant on Nvidia than its competitors, especially as it continues to overinvest, resulting in declining operating margins. The company also seems to have lost its lead for GitHub Copilot to its competitors, while its OpenAI investment does not yet appear to have paid off. "Since OpenAI only has ~1000 employees, is burning cash, and only operates on Azure, it is safe to say that almost that entire amount is Azure revenue, driving much of Azure's acceleration to date. While we expect great things from OpenAI, we would still consider this lower quality revenue," Luria said.  Lisa Kailai Han 6:38 a.m.: Bernstein downgrades General Motors General Motors' good luck may finally be running out, according to Bernstein. The investment firm downgraded the automobile stock to market perform from outperform and lowered its price target to $53 from $54.50. This updated target is approximately 8% higher than where shares closed on Friday. General Motors has climbed 36% this year. But analyst Daniel Roeska now sees risks to earnings and growth in shareholder distributions beginning to emerge. "Continued inventory build in the U.S. will lead to pricing headwinds next year, a delayed ramp on electric vehicles and Cruise pushes losses into next year, and headwinds in GM's international businesses are increasing," he said. As a result, Roeska lowered his 2025 adjusted earnings per share forecast for the stock by 7.7%. Meanwhile, General Motors' upcoming October capital markets day could further illuminate the company's near-term cash needs. "We are concerned that an updated EV strategy, a potential Hyundai-collaboration on hybrids, and Cruise evolution could introduce additional capital requirements and weigh on FCF," Roeska said. "Given the risk of declining earnings in '25e and potentially higher investment needs in the business, we see the risk balance skewed to lower FCF."  Lisa Kailai Han 6:19 a.m.: Citi raises Meta price target Meta's TikTok competitor Instagram Reels could be a lasting tailwind for the technology titan, according to Citi. The bank reiterated its buy rating on the "Magnificent Seven" stock while lifting its 12-month price target to $645 from $580. The updated price target implies that shares could rise another 15%. Analyst Ronald Josey pointed to rising engagement and demand in Instagram's short-form Reels video platform as a major catalyst for the stock. "As Reels ad load and usage continue to expand we believe Meta's discovery engine and content recommendation models, powered in part by its investments in GenAI, are a competitive advantage and represent a clear path of LLM ROI," he wrote. "In fact, in many ways we believe Meta's competitive advantage is now deeper and wider given improved engagement, investments in GenAI, and multiple newer offerings on-the-come." Josey added that Meta remains his top stock pick across the internet sector. Meta stock has rallied 59% this year. META YTD mountain META year to date  Lisa Kailai Han 6:12 a.m.: Citi double upgrades Ciena to buy from sell Citi likes what it sees from Ciena . The bank double upgraded the networking systems stock to buy from sell. Analyst Atif Malik also lifted his price target to $68 from $44, which points to upside of 16%. As a catalyst, Malik pointed to an improving backdrop in the telecommunications/cable industry due to a pickup in demand and bookings. This could begin to have a material impact on the company's returns beginning in 2025, the analyst wrote. "With measured improvement in this meaningful piece of the business, we see less risk to numbers and believe CIEN is more likely to achieve its L-T 6-8% target for topline growth," he added. Health cloud demand will also support Ciena's growth in 2025. While Malik sees the company as a potential beneficiary of artificial intelligence, he noted that these opportunities still seem to be further out for the company. "While we continue to believe that material AI-related opportunities for CIEN are likely 6-12 months away, once the traffic related to AI applications flows to other data centers or to consumers across the network, the positive trends in CIEN's webscale bookings are supportive of growth in FY25 webscale revenues, in our view," the analyst wrote. Shares of Ciena have climbed 30% this year.  Lisa Kailai Han 5:47 a.m.: Raymond James downgrades Palantir It may be time to move to the sidelines when it comes to Palantir , according to Raymond James. Citing a strong performance, the firm downgraded the software stock to market perform from outperform. Analyst Brian Gesuale also removed his price target of $30. "While we remain enthusiastic about Palantir's longer term positioning in AI, we are downgrading our rating to Market Perform from Outperform given our view that shares need to consolidate stellar gains over the last couple of years and grow into its rich valuation," he elaborated. "Valuation has expanded ~fivefold making it the richest software name amongst comps at 26.1x FY25 sales." Shares of Palantir have soared 117% in 2024. PLTR YTD mountain PLTR year to date While a high valuation may be the stock's biggest near-term obstacle, Gesuale is optimistic on the company's potential in the long run as an artificial intelligence beneficiary. "Geopolitical instability and global AI arms race provide improving long term visibility for Palantir that should pave the way for ongoing growth in the ~20% range over the next few years," Gesuale added.  Lisa Kailai Han 5:47 a.m.: Morgan Stanley raises Constellation Energy price target Constellation Energy's new nuclear power deal primes the stock for strong gains ahead, according to Morgan Stanley. Analyst David Arcaro raised his price target on shares to $313 from $233. The new forecast points to nearly 23% upside. Constellation Energy on Friday announced it would restart the Unit 1 reactor at Three Mile Island, with the intention to sell that power to Microsoft for its data center needs . The stock rallied more than 22% on the news  bringing its year-to-date advance to 118%. CEG YTD mountain CEG year to date "This is an attractive deal for CEG," Arcaro wrote. "Operational risk to bring the plant online appears manageable, the contract is very long (20yrs) and with a strong counterparty. Bringing nuclear online supports the grid, with no emissions and 24x7 operations, and the move has generated strong political support." Wells Fargo analyst Neil Kalton also hiked his price target on the stock to $300, implying nearly 18% upside ahead.  Fred Imbert
Rightmove logo is seen displayed in this illustration taken April 10 2023.

Australian property listing firm REA Group has made a third pitch to buy British rival Rightmove with a new 6.1 billion pound ($8.12 billion) offer on Monday after its two previous offers were rejected.

The latest offer consists of 341 pence in cash and 0.0422 new REA shares giving Rightmove an implied value of 770 pence per share.

Shares of REA, which is 62% owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp , dropped 1.52% on Monday.

Rightmove did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new non-binding bid outside normal U.K. business hours.

The REA offer put forward on Monday is higher than the initial offer of 705 pence per share, or 5.6 billion pounds, and the second proposal of 749 pence per share. Rightmove had rejected both the offers, saying they undervalued the company.

REA said it had not had any "substantive engagement" with Rightmove, except for the rejections, and that it remained ready to engage immediately with the Rightmove board.
Employees of the State Archaeological Office have hung pictures of finds from a construction trailer during a main archaeological investigation on the Northvolt site.

Battery maker Northvolt on Monday announced plans to cut a total of 1,600 jobs in Sweden as part of a major cost-cutting drive.

In an update published via its website, Northvolt said that following initial steps taken as part of a strategic review, the company had revised its scope of operations in Sweden "to ensure that its resources are focused on accelerating production in large-scale cell manufacturing at Northvolt Ett."

The strategic action requires Northvolt to reduce its global workforce by around 20% and a 25% reduction in Sweden, the firm said.

It added that these measures were expected to result in the redundancy of roughly 1,600 employees, including 1,000 positions at its factory in Skelleftea in the north of the country. The company said all redundancies would be subject to ongoing union negotiations.

Northvolt, which currently delivers batteries from its first gigafactory Northvolt Ett in Skelleftea, said in March that it had over 6,000 employees.

It had warned on Sept. 9 of the need to take "some difficult decisions on the size of our workforce to match the needs of a reduced scale of operations." At the time, Northvolt declined to say how many jobs were likely to be affected.

Alongside plans to lay off staff, the cash-strapped company said it would suspend plans for a sizable expansion of Northvolt Ett, noting the project had been intended to provide an additional 30 gigawatt hours of annual cell manufacturing capacity.

The announced measures come as part of a broader strategic review and in response to what Northvolt described as "a challenging macroeconomic climate."

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Northvolt is one of Europe's most valuable privately-held tech firms that builds lithium-ion batteries for the electric vehicle industry. It has partnerships with a number of major European automakers, including Volkswagen and Volvo.

Peter Carlsson, chief executive officer and co-founder of Northvolt, said in a statement that the company needed to focus all energy and investments into its core business.

"While overall momentum for electrification remains strong, we need to make sure that we take the right actions at the right time in response to headwinds in the automotive market, and wider industrial climate," Carlsson said.

"Recent production records at Northvolt Ett show that we are on the right path, but the decisions we're taking today, however tough, are required for Northvolt's future," he added.

 CNBC's Ryan Browne contributed to this report.
Boeing on Monday sweetened its contract offer and said it was its "best and final" proposal for its more than 30,000 machinists as their strike, which has halted most of the aerospace giant's aircraft production, entered its second week.

The labor union criticized the offer, saying Boeing didn't negotiate it, and called it an attempt at bypassing the union.

Boeing's new offer would boost general wages by 30% over four years, up from a previously proposed 25%. It also doubled the ratification bonus to $6,000, reinstated an annual machinist bonus and raised the company's 401(k) match.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751, the workers' union, said the new offer "was thrown at us without any discussion."

Boeing said the offer is contingent upon ratification by Friday at 11:59 p.m. PT, but a day later said it will has "reached out to the union to give them more time and offer logistical support once they decide to vote," after the IAM complained about the time crunch. The union said on Monday that Boeing "has refused to meet for further discussion; therefore, we will not be voting on the 27th."

However, it said that it will survey members about Boeing's new offer.

"We will gather your opinion on whether this offer meets your demands," it said.

After the union's response, Boeing said it had bargained in good faith with the union since formal negotiations began in March.
Local residents with umbrellas walk out of a metro station in rain during morning rush hour on September 20, 2024 in Beijing, China. China News Service | China News Service | Getty Images

BEIJING  More economists are calling for China to stimulate growth, including those based inside the country. China should issue at least 10 trillion yuan ($1.42 trillion) in ultra-long government bonds in the next year or two for investment in human capital, said Liu Shijin, former deputy head of the Development Research Center at the State Council, China's top executive body. That's according to a CNBC translation of Liu's Mandarin-language remarks available on financial data platform Wind Information. His presentation Saturday at Renmin University's China Macroeconomy Forum was titled: "A basket of stimulus and reform, an economic revitalization plan to substantially expand domestic demand." Liu said China should make a greater effort to address challenges faced by migrant workers in cities. He emphasized Beijing should not follow the same kind of stimulus as developed economies, such as simply cutting interest rates, because China has not yet reached that level of slowdown.

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After a disappointing recovery last year from the Covid-19 pandemic, the world's second-largest economy has remained under pressure from a real estate slump and tepid consumer confidence. Official data in the last two months also points to slower growth in manufacturing. Exports have been the rare bright spot. Goldman Sachs earlier this month joined other institutions in cutting their annual growth forecast for China, reducing it to 4.7% from 4.9% estimated earlier. The reduction reflects recent data releases and delayed impact of fiscal policy versus the firm's prior expectations, the analysts said in a Sept. 15 note. "We believe the risk that China will miss the 'around 5%' full-year GDP growth target is on the rise, and thus the urgency for more demand-side easing measures is also increasing," the Goldman analysts said. China's highly anticipated Third Plenum meeting of top leaders in July largely reiterated existing policies, while saying the country would work to achieve its full-year targets announced in March. Beijing in late July announced more targeted plans to boost consumption with subsidies for trade-ins including upgrades of large equipment such as elevators. But several businesses said the moves were yet to have a meaningful impact. Retail sales rose by 2.1% in August from a year ago, among the slowest growth rates since the post-pandemic recovery.

Real estate drag

China in the last two years has also introduced several incremental moves to support real estate, which once accounted for more than a quarter of the Chinese economy. But the property slump persists, with related investment down more than 10% for the first eight months of the year. "The elephant in the room is the property market," said Xu Gao, Beijing-based chief economist at Bank of China International. He was speaking at an event last week organized by the Center for China and Globalization, a think tank based in Beijing. Xu said demand from China's consumers is there, but they don't want to buy property because of the risk the homes cannot be delivered. Apartments in China have typically been sold ahead of completion. Nomura estimated in late 2023 that about 20 million such pre-sold units remained unfinished. Homebuyers of one such project told CNBC earlier this year they had been waiting for eight years to get their homes. To restore confidence and stabilize the property market, Xu said that policymakers should bail out the property owners. "The current policy to stabilize the property market is clearly not enough," he said, noting the sector likely needs support at the scale of 3 trillion yuan, versus the roughly 300 billion yuan announced so far.

Different priorities

China's top leaders have focused more on bolstering the country's capabilities in advanced manufacturing and technology, especially in the face of growing U.S. restrictions on high tech. "While the end-July Politburo meeting signaled an intention to escalate policy stimulus, the degree of escalation was incremental," Gabriel Wildau, U.S.-based managing director at consulting firm Teneo, said in a note earlier this month. "Top leaders appear content to limp towards this year's GDP growth target of 'around 5%,' even if that target is achieved through nominal growth of around 4% combined with around 1% deflation," he said. In a rare high-level public comment about deflation, former People's Bank of China governor Yi Gang said in early September that leaders "should focus on fighting the deflationary pressure" with "proactive fiscal policy and accommodative monetary policy." However, Wildau said that "Yi was never in the inner circle of top Chinese economic policymakers, and his influence has waned further since his retirement last year."

Local government constraints
China's central bank supplied 14-day cash to its banking system for the first time in months on Monday and at a lower interest rate, signaling its intent to further ease monetary conditions.

China's central bank supplied 14-day cash to its banking system for the first time in months on Monday and at a lower interest rate, signaling its intent to further ease monetary conditions.

The People's Bank of China injected 234.6 billion yuan ($33.29 billion) into the banking system through open market operations, saying it wanted to "keep quarter-end liquidity adequate at a reasonable level in the banking system".

The PBOC added 160.1 billion yuan via 7-day reverse repos at 1.70%, it said in a statement. It also injected 74.5 billion yuan via 14-day reverse repos at 1.85%, compared with 1.95% during the previous injection.

Analysts said the funding operation in itself wasn't a major policy easing. China has typically used 14-day repos to help the banking system tide over long holidays, and the last time it did so was ahead of a spring break in February.

Monday's injection comes ahead of China's National Day holidays starting Oct. 1, and the cut in rates aligns the 14-day repo rate with the shorter 7-day repo rate which was cut in July.
Steel worker at the blast furnace tap of the at the Salzgitter AG steelworks on March 02, 2020 in Salzgitter, Germany. Maja Hitij | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Europe looks to be heading toward a downturn as its biggest economies, Germany and France, battle political and economic woes at home. Business activity in the manufacturing and services industries in both countries  Europe's largest and second-largest economies, respectively  fell much more than expected in September, data showed Monday. In Germany, the HCOB flash composite purchasing manager's index (PMI), measuring business activity across both sectors, fell from 48.4 in August to 47.2 in September, a seven-month low and below expectations of 48.2. In France, meanwhile, the composite PMI hit an eight-month low of 47.4 in September, down from 53.1 in August and below expectations of 50.6. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a figure below that suggests contraction. For the euro zone as a whole, S&P Global, which compiles the data, said business activity in the single currency area had decreased in September for first time in seven months, falling to 48.9 in September from 51 a month before.

The Olympic Games gave France's economy a boost in August, 2024. Olympia De Maismont | Afp | Getty Images

The PMI data  a closely-watched gauge of economic activity in the region  are the latest figures to indicate a sharp slowdown in Europe's traditional growth drivers, with both Germany and France tackling political upheaval and economic uncertainty at home. "The big decline in the euro-zone Composite PMI suggests that the economy is slowing sharply, that Germany is in recession and the France's Olympics boost was just a blip," Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics, said in analysis Monday. "With France's new minority government now planning to tighten fiscal policy significantly, prospects for growth in France look increasingly poor," Kenningham noted, while for Germany, he said "the surveys also suggest that Germany is falling deeper into recession."

'Sick man' of Europe

Germany's downturn is not new, with the country's once-booming export-orientated economy flirting with recession for well over a year now. Ahead of the latest PMI data, economists had expected Germany to grow just 0.3% in 2024, according to the Bundesbank; the European Commission's spring forecast was even more pessimistic, predicting just 0.1% growth this year. The country's latest PMI data shows that a "technical recession seems to be baked in," Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB), said in analysis Monday. He expects German GDP for the current quarter to fall 0.2% compared to the quarter before. "In the second quarter GDP already shrank at a rate of 0.1%. There is still some hope that the fourth quarter will be better as higher wages combined with lower inflation should boost not only real income but also consumption, supporting domestic demand," he added.

A consumer selects vegetables at a supermarket on March 12, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. China News Service | China News Service | Getty Images

Once Europe's poster-child for growth, Germany is now likened to the "sick man" of Europe by economists. "The German economy continues to struggle for momentum, fuelling concern that the headwinds are structural rather than just cyclical," J.P. Morgan euro area economist Greg Fuzesi said in a note Friday, entitled "Checking in on the German patient." "It is certainly easy to list many challenges: Chinese growth and competition, higher energy prices, the green transition, transformation in the car sector, population ageing and a backlog in public infrastructure investment," he said, noting that there is also a perceived inability of the three-way coalition government to tackle these challenges, "which weighs on confidence."

French political woes

In France, after months of political uncertainty following an inconclusive snap election earlier this year, a government has only just been formed under new Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The veteran Conservative and former Brexit negotiator has inherited something of a poisoned chalice, however, with the country facing acute fiscal challenges that require immediate attention.

Newly appointed France's Prime Minister Michel Barnier arrives for the handover ceremony with outgoing Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, September 5, 2024. Sarah Meyssonnier | Reuters

Barnier's first task is to oversee the formation of a draft budget for 2025 in record time, as it must be put to the vote in France's National Assembly in early October. The government must also present a deficit reduction plan to the European Commission within weeks if it is to avoid disciplinary proceedings, as its budget deficit, deemed "excessive" by the EU's executive arm, continues to break EU rules. France this week asked the Commission to extend its deadline of Sept. 20 to submit debt reduction proposals. The ongoing threat posed by the far-right National Rally opposition, led by Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen, also remains and could see Barnier's government vulnerable to challenges from both the far-right and far-left, via the New Popular Front (NFP or FP) alliance. Both blocs feel sidelined after the two-round election in June and July saw both perform well in respective rounds of the vote.

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Analysts including David Roche, president of Quantum Strategy, believe the Barnier-led government is unlikely to last beyond a year, putting much-needed economic and budgetary reforms on the backburner. "This will cause France's fiscal deficit and debts to worsen. France will defy the EU on the Excessive Deficit Procedure. Political paralysis now has both France and Germany by the throat," Roche said. "The RN & FP will wait for the one year anniversary of the legislative elections  the earliest date new legislative elections can be held legally  before bringing the Barnier hodge podge down." He added that no reforms will be done during this time. "Stay short French government bonds even if it requires patience," Roche advised.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron address the media during a press conference at Schloss Meseberg on May 28, 2024 in Gransee, Germany. Michele Tantussi | Getty Images News | Getty Images

The far-right also poses a threat in Germany, with the Alternative for Germany party performing well in recent state elections as immigration, integration and an economic downturn become focal points of public discontent. Chancellor Olaf Scholz 's center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) only narrowly held on to power in his home state of Brandenburg in this weekend's regional election, just about keeping the AfD at bay. A defeat to the AfD could have had major repercussions for Germany's leadership given the sharp rise of the far-right's popularity among parts of the German electorate. The far-right party won its first state election in Thuringia at the start of the month, and came a very close-second in Saxony in a separate vote.

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Ian Bremmer, founder and president of the Eurasia Group consultancy, commented earlier this month that the center was "imploding in the European Union's two largest economies." "In France, the far left and far right outperformed in the snap parliamentary election called by President Emmanuel Macron  but are now being cut out of the unstable minority government led by the center-right's Michel Barnier, meaning their constituencies are angrier, while their leaders take no responsibility for governing their way out of the troubles. The arrangement keeps Macron in power for now, but only makes the extremes more powerful in upcoming elections," he noted in emailed comments.

Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella at the final rally before the June 9 European Parliament election, held at Le Dome de Paris - Palais des Sports, on June 2, 2024. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks on stage on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Four top staff members of Mark Robinson's campaign for North Carolina governor have stepped down, the campaign announced Sunday as the candidate faces calls from Republicans to do the same.

The campaign's comment did not link the staff departures to the bombshell CNN report alleging Robinson, a Republican, made antisemitic and racist comments years ago on a porn website, and it did not say why the staffers were stepping down.

The campaign said the staff members who stepped down are Chris Rodriguez, campaign manager; Heather Whillier, finance director; Jason Rizk, deputy campaign manager; and Conrad Pogorzelski III, general consultant and senior adviser.

"I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors. I look forward to announcing new staff roles in the coming days," Robinson said in a statement.

He added that he is "confident our campaign remains in a strong position to make our case to the voters and win on November 5."

Robinson has denied the allegations in the CNN report and vowed to stay in the race. Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern over the allegations, but the North Carolina Republican Party emphasized in a statement shortly after the story was published that Robinson "has categorically denied the allegations."

Democrats have sought to link Robinson to former President Donald Trump, releasing new advertisements highlighting Trump's previous praise for Robinson, who is North Carolina's lieutenant governor. Trump endorsed Robinson in the governor's race and said he has no plans to withdraw his support.

Democrats see North Carolina as a state that can possibly be flipped in the presidential race. They have unleashed resources on the state after Trump won it in 2020 by a narrow margin. Polls indicate that the race remains tight. Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, has said it would be "very hard" for his ticket to win the presidential race without North Carolina.
The White House wants to close a trade loophole exploited by Chinese discount e-retailers  a move that would have a ripple effect on at least two of our portfolio stocks: Amazon and Meta Platforms. The Biden-Harris Administration took executive action earlier this month to call on Congress to pass legislation to curb what it calls the abuse of the de minimis exemption. The provision permits packages valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. free of duties and taxes and with minimal scrutiny. These shipments over the past decade have exponentially increased from 140 million a year to more than a billion , according to the announcement. The de minimis exemption has allowed Chinese e-commerce giants, particularly low-cost Temu and Shein, to flourish. Curtailing the items eligible could embolden Amazon 's competitive online retail advantage  but also poses a risk to fellow portfolio stock Meta Platforms , which has benefited from the likes of Temu and Shein flooding social media with ads hocking their products. Pinduoduo -owned Temu sells a variety of goods under the de minimis exemption, including clothing, electronics, household items, and beauty products. Temu has risen in popularity in the U.S. for selling items directly from Chinese merchants at massive discounts. Temu is generally seen as a growing competitor to Amazon since its prices are often lower. Amazon advantages According to Deutsche Bank, The White House action "would likely affect how low-value goods are treated under U.S. customs laws," posing a serious financial challenge for Temu and Shein. The implications would be positive for Amazon. De minimis exemption changes could blunt the influence of foreign competitors, which Deutsche Bank analysts said, have been able to offer more than 50% lower prices by avoiding tariffs. Fewer qualified items would mean increased costs per order and let Amazon slip in and fill in the gap for Chinese third-party sellers looking to sell their wares to U.S. consumers. If an average tariff rate of 16% were applied, Temu's costs would increase by $4.45 per order, the analysts projected. That would further strain the company's unit economics since it's already losing between $35 to $40 per transaction, Deutsche Bank estimated. To offset higher trade expenses, Temu may try to pass on additional costs to the consumer. But that would narrow its pricing advantage over Amazon where its prices are currently 4% to 10% lower. Given that Temu's path to profitability looks difficult, Deutsche Bank believes any "potential price increases on Temu's platform would most benefit Amazon." Amazon, for its part, also benefits from de minimis laws in some cases, but Deutsche Bank concluded the company is "the clear beneficiary in our coverage to the extent that this loophole is closed and the Temu value-seeking demand fragments." In a possible scenario where tariff changes don't pass, Temu already faces an "uphill battle towards unit profitability if the company plans to maintain its pricing advantage," according to analysts. JPMorgan challenges this view, saying, "We do not think the sustainability of the [Temu] business model will be affected. The analysts said a crackdown on de minimis shipments will have a "manageable impact on financials [of Chinese retailers] which will continue to grow and turn profitable over time." Temu's U.S. business may be impacted from the provision but "is only a minority for total China cross-border e-commerce," the analysts said, adding Temu's U.S. exposure is 40% of its gross merchandise value. AMZN YTD mountain Amazon YTD The Club's view lands somewhere in the middle. Pressure on Chinese e-commerce platforms could be a small tailwind to Amazon's retail business, but "for the stock to get back to its $200 high, Amazon needs to show it can further reduce the cost to serve," said Jeff Marks, the Investing Club's director of portfolio analysis. The Amazon Web Services cloud unit also needs to keep delivering more great quarters, he added. Meta challenges On the other hand, the trade shift could present a challenge for Meta, which relies on advertising from e-commerce platforms. Meta has enjoyed a strong boost from Chinese retailers. In 2023, China-based advertisers represented 10% of Meta's overall revenue as companies like Temu and Shein attempted to reach customers in other markets. China advertiser spending at Meta grew 41% year over year in the first quarter of 2024 but tapered in the second quarter. Management signaled further deceleration in the third quarter as it compares against stronger periods, suggesting that reducing de minimis shipments could exacerbate an already cooling trend. This comes as Meta's stock has soared 75% over the past year, while emerging as the best performer among the Magnificent Seven tech stocks coming out of its second-quarter earnings in August. Meta has enjoyed a strong boost from Chinese advertisers. In 2023, China-based advertisers represented 10% of Meta's overall revenue as companies like Temu and Shein attempted to reach customers in other markets. Meta's growth in ad spending from China advertisers was also strong to start out the first quarter of 2024, growing 41% year over year, but growth tapered in the second quarter. Management signaled further deceleration in the third quarter as it compares against stronger periods, suggesting the tariffs could exacerbate an already cooling trend. META YTD mountain Meta Platforms YTD To be sure, Meta shares have already broken out to new highs despite guiding for slower ad spending from Chinese retailers  demonstrating a strong return on investment from its aggressive spending on artificial intelligence as it relates to serving more contextualized ads. "Even if ad spending from Temu and Shein tapers off, it might be able to replace that spend from other companies [that] look to reach its 3.27 billion daily active users," said Marks. Advancements in Meta's AI strategy are also increasing user engagement on its social media platforms, he added, which make ads more effective. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AMZN, META. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

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Then Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi speaks over the Iran nuclear deal during a press conference in Tehran, Ian on August 9, 2015

Iran is ready to start nuclear negotiations on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York if "other parties are willing," Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday in a video published on his Telegram channel.

The U.S., under then-President Donald Trump, withdrew in 2018 from a nuclear accord signed in 2015 by Iran and six world powers under which Tehran curbed its disputed nuclear programme in return for a lifting of international sanctions.

Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran to revive the deal have stalled. Iran is still formally part of the deal but has scaled back commitments to honour it due to U.S. sanctions reimposed on the Islamic Republic.

"I will stay in New York for a few more days than the [Iranian] president and will have more meetings with various foreign ministers. We will focus our efforts on starting a new round of talks regarding the nuclear pact," Araqchi said.

He added that messages have been exchanged via Switzerland and a "general declaration of readiness" issued, but cautioned that "current international conditions make the resumption of talks more complicated and difficult than before".

Araqchi said he would not meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken: "I do not believe it would be expedient to hold such a dialogue. There were such meetings before but there is currently no suitable ground for that. We are still a long way from holding direct talks."

Since the renewal of U.S. sanctions during the Trump administration, Tehran has refused to directly negotiate with Washington and worked mainly through European or Arab intermediaries.

Iranian leaders want to see an easing of U.S. sanctions that have significantly harmed its economy. But Iran's relations with the West have worsened since the Iranian-backed Palestinian Hamas militant group attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, and as Tehran has increased its support for Russia's war in Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has said the United States is not ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran.
Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Marjayoun, near the Lebanon-Israel border, on September 23, 2024.

Israeli strikes Monday on Lebanon killed more than 490 people, including more than 90 women and children, Lebanese authorities said, in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of its widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since 2006.

Lebanon's health ministry said the strikes killed 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, and wounded 1,645 people  a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

In a recorded message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to heed Israeli calls to evacuate, saying "take this warning seriously."

"Please get out of harm's way now," Netanyahu said. "Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes."

Israel's military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the army will do "whatever is necessary" to push Hezbollah from Lebanon's border with Israel.

Hagari claimed Monday's widespread airstrikes had inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah. But he would not give a timeline for the ongoing operation and said Israel was prepared to launch a ground invasion of Lebanon if needed.

"We are not looking for wars. We are looking to take down the threats," he said. "We will do whatever is necessary to do to achieve this mission."

Hagari said Hezbollah has launched some 9,000 rockets and drones into Israel since last October, including 250 on Monday alone.

The military spokesman said Israeli warplanes struck 1,300 Hezbollah targets Monday, destroying cruise missiles, long- and short-range rockets and attack drones. He said many were hidden in residential areas, showing photos of what he said were weapons hidden in private homes.

"Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone," he told a news conference.

Israel estimates Hezbollah has some 150,000 rockets and missiles, including guided missiles and long-range projectiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.

Earlier Monday evening, the Israeli military said it had carried out a targeted strike in Beirut. It did not give details. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported three missiles hit southern Beirut's Beir al-Abed neighborhood. Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV said six people were wounded.

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said the earlier strikes hit hospitals, medical centers and ambulances. The government ordered schools and universities to close across most of the country and began preparing shelters for the displaced.

Some strikes hit residential areas in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley. One hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos, more than 80 miles (130 kilometers) from the border north of Beirut.
Beyonce at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 1, 2024.

Levi Strauss summoned the Beyhive on Monday after teasing a potential collaboration with Beyonce in a post on Instagram.

The brand's shares briefly popped after the update and were last up about 1% Monday.

The post included an image of a woman wearing a cowboy hat and riding a horse with the caption "INTRODUCING: A New Chapter." Aside from the allusions to Beyonce's latest album, "Cowboy Carter," Levi's also tagged the superstar's account in the post, fueling buzz from her fanbase, known as the Beyhive.

Beyonce's country album, released earlier this year, features a song titled "LEVII'S JEANS."

Denim has been experiencing something of a boost of late, with brands such as American Eagle and Abercrombie & Fitch calling out the trend as helping to revitalize sales.

Levi's second-quarter earnings in June missed Wall Street's sales expectations, but the brand's leadership has maintained that the future of denim is bright. CEO Michelle Gass told analysts at the time that the growth in denim's popularity has never been higher, particularly with clothing items other than pants, such as denim skirts or dresses.

Representatives for Levi's did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the potential Beyonce collaboration.
An advertisement for Hugo Boss AG in Shanghai, China, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

LONDON  European luxury stocks tumbled Monday as analysts warned of a deteriorating demand outlook, particularly among high-spending Chinese consumers. Germany's Hugo Boss was among the worst performers on the Stoxx 600 index by midday, down 4%, after analysts at Bank of America Securities downgraded the stock to underperform from buy. The second half is set to present a tougher consumer backdrop with higher discounting, they said. "Following the post-Covid peak in consumption in 2022, luxury sector revenues have been sequentially slowing. The American consumer was the first to normalise, followed by the Korean, European and Japanese consumer," BofA Securities analysts wrote in a research report Monday addressing challenges across the luxury sector. "With the only sector support fading  the Chinese consumer  all nationalities are now under pressure," they added, describing luxury consumers as "all shopped out" and Chinese domestic and travel demand as having "deteriorated." Across European luxury firms, they expect a 1% revenue decline in 2024. Hugo Boss noted "persistent macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges," particularly in China and the U.K., when it cut its sales outlook in July.

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Shares in Britain's Burberry dropped nearly 3% on Monday following its own downgrade from the BofA Securities analysts, who slashed their target price on the stock to 475p ($6.31) from 700p. They also cut ratings on French luxury giants LVMH and Kering from buy to neutral. LVMH was trading down 0.24% on Monday, hitting its lowest level since July 2022, according to LSEG data. Kering slid 1.7% while Hermes was 0.26% lower. The Stoxx Europe Luxury 10, an index tracking top names in the sector, managed to hold flat but has fallen 3.82% in the year to date.

'Prolonged period of weakness'

They're not alone in their bearish view on Europe's luxury sector. "The problem clearly is China, which emerged from being a very small player in the luxury goods industry to becoming a massive presence over the last decade or so. That is not working at the moment," Jon Cox, head of European consumer equities at Kepler Cheuvreux, told CNBC's "Street Signs Europe" on Monday. China's property market challenges are weighing on sentiment there, combined with signs of fragility in Europe and uncertainty presented by the U.S. election, Cox said. "The luxury goods industry could be in for a prolonged period of weakness; we've already seen it for a couple of semesters. I think most people were hoping things would improve in the second half of the year  no sign of that happening at all at the moment," he told CNBC. Demand from aspirational buyers and fashion-forward youngsters looks particularly vulnerable as their spending patterns can be fickle  presenting a particular challenge for brands like Burberry which have restructured and are attempting to reposition, Cox noted.

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US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about reproductive rights at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 20, 2024.

Three former chairs of the Maine Republican Party "enthusiastically endorsed" Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris for president over GOP nominee and former President Donald Trump in an opinion piece published by Bangor Daily News on Monday.

"We led our party at a time when candidates of both parties were not only civil and believed in the rule of law, but, we believe, had the best interests of the state and entire nation foremost in their hearts, even when we disagreed on policies," wrote Robert A.G. Monks, Ken Cole and Ted O'Meara.

"We see these same positive characteristics are on full display in Vice President Harris and her candidacy. Sadly, they are completely lacking in her opponent," they wrote.

Monks, Cole and O'Meara criticized what they called Trump's divisive rhetoric, praising in contrast Harris' commitment to become "a president for all Americans, regardless of political party."

If elected, Harris has said, she would like to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet.

The trio wrote that Trump's tax and trade policies, which include a threat to impose a 100% tariff on imports from countries that "leave" the U.S. dollar, will "hurt Maine workers."



They also criticized Trump's position on the war in Ukraine. Trump was asked several times at the Sept. 10 presidential debate whether it was in the best interests of the United States for Ukraine to fully expel invading Russian forces. He answered by saying that he wanted the war to stop, but he did not endorse Ukraine's sovereignty.

"We believe another Trump presidency would make our world a far more dangerous place," the former chairs wrote.

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the op-ed.

Additionally, the former chairs took a jab at the broader Republican Party in their letter, claiming that much of the leadership of the party "has joined the cult of Trump."

"Each of us has had the honor of traveling the state of Maine to recruit and support candidates and to talk about the values that a big-tent Republican Party once stood for. Trump's MAGA Republican Party is unrecognizable to us," the former chairs wrote.

Both Cole and O'Meara chaired the Maine Republican Party in the 1990s. Monks ran for Senate in 1996, but lost the GOP primary to Susan Collins, who won the general election and has held her seat since then, as Maine's longest-serving member of Congress. He was also one of the leaders of a "Maine Republicans for Obama" campaign group in the 2008 presidential election.

A growing number of Republicans have come out in support of Harris' bid for president in the past month. On Sunday, a bipartisan group of 741 former military and national security officials publicly endorsed Harris. Separately, last week, 111 Republican former national security and foreign policy officials endorsed Harris, calling Trump "unfit" to serve as commander in chief.

In an effort to take advantage of the small but vocal opposition in the GOP ranks, the Harris campaign launched "Republicans for Harris" in August. Since then, Harris has secured a series of endorsements from GOP figures including, notably, former Vice President Dick Cheney, who served in the George W. Bush administration.
D.A. Davidson believes Microsoft 's rivals may have caught up to the cloud computing giant. These fears prompted the investment firm to downgrade the tech titan and "Magnificent Seven" member to a neutral rating from buy. Analyst Gil Luria maintained his price target of $475, which is approximately 9% higher than where Microsoft stock closed Friday. Shares of Microsoft have risen nearly 16% this year. MSFT YTD mountain MSFT YTD chart The justification for Microsoft's premium valuation may have been lost as competitors have largely caught up in the artificial intelligence space, Luria said. In particular, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform appear to pose the biggest threats to Microsoft's Azure cloud computing platform. "We believe that Microsoft's lead is now diminished in both the cloud business and code generation business, which will make it hard for MSFT to continue to outperform," Luria wrote. Microsoft gained its edge through an early investment in OpenAI and its ability to quickly deploy capabilities within Azure and GitHub, translating to "superior results" in the past several quarters, Luria said. But Amazon Web Services is now adding nearly as much cloud business, while Google Cloud Platform's current acceleration is comparable to that of Azure's last-quarter growth rates. Despite having the first-mover advantage, Luria also expects Microsoft's lack of technological prowess versus its peers will pose a significant obstacle for the firm. "Our new proprietary hyperscaler semiconductor analysis indicates AWS and GCP are far ahead in terms of deploying their own silicon into their data centers, which gives them a significant advantage over Azure going forward," he said. "While Microsoft has discussed its Maia chips, it is years behind Amazon and Google and appears to be using them only to run Azure OpenAI Services workloads. We believe this means Microsoft has been escalating an arms race it may not be able to win."
Microsoft is no longer the only game in town in generative AI. That's OK because competition is healthy. Amazon , Meta Platforms and Apple are eating away at Microsoft's once-sizable lead in the heated artificial intelligence arms race, according to D.A. Davidson research analysts. As a result, the analysts cut their rating on the Redmond, Washington-based software and cloud giant's stock to neutral from buy. But they left their price target of $475 per share unchanged, representing a 9% upside from Friday's close. D.A. Davidson wrote in a Monday note, "Microsoft's lead is now diminished in both the cloud business and code generation," which are tools and services that leverage AI to assist developers in writing code more efficiently. The analysts said that, for those reasons, it will be difficult for the stock to outperform. During his trip last week to Big Tech country in and around San Francisco, Jim Cramer was catching vibes of Microsoft's dwindling head start. However, Jim defended Microsoft, saying it's still "considered the dominant AI force." He added that "when combined with ChatGPT, it is the default choice for companies to work with in some way to be sure they are taking advantage of what AI has to offer." More competition does not merit a downgrade. In fact, we feel Microsoft and fellow tech behemoths can all benefit from commercializing AI. We have our buy-equivalent 1 rating on Microsoft and a $500 price target. MSFT YTD mountain Microsoft (MSFT) year-to-date performance To be sure, we understand the analysts' concerns about Microsoft's Azure, which missed expectations for revenue growth last quarter. But Wall Street should be more patient because AI is very new, and the return on investment will come over time. Still, there were bright spots in the earnings report: Gross, operating, and net profit margins were all better than expected. Cash flow was solid as well, especially considering the higher operating costs that accompany supporting these cloud and AI offerings. Early investments in ChatGPT creator OpenAI gave Microsoft the first-mover advantage in the AI race. Utilizing the startup's industry-leading tech allowed Microsoft to roll out innovative services like its virtual AI assistant Copilot. The tool can be added to Microsoft's legacy software and productivity apps like Word and Excel for a monthly cost, thus raking in another recurring revenue stream. Earlier this year, Microsoft also unveiled a series of new PCs equipped with advanced AI chips that improve battery life. While demoting Microsoft to fourth among top megacaps we own, D.A. Davidson analysts praised Amazon, Meta, and Apple as their top three. That's welcomed news for the Club because it indicates that our portfolio names have made positive strides in leveraging AI. AMZN YTD mountain Amazon YTD In particular, D.A. Davidson pointed out that Amazon Web Services has recently added nearly as much net new cloud business as Microsoft's Azure. The analysts consider this a "notable shift after a few quarters where Azure outperformed AWS in cloud growth, suggesting that AWS has effectively closed the gap." They said the shift is "likely driven by its massive scale and continued investment in AI services/capabilities." These investments include spending to develop AI assistant Amazon Q and machine learning platforms Bedrock and SageMaker. "AWS customers are now beginning to find feature parity between both AWS and Azure in terms of their generative AI offerings, which may lead to a reduced incentive for customers to switch," D.A. Davidson said. Similar to D.A. Davidson, Jim touted Amazon's AI strides as well. Amazon has "always been a user of AI and the company is brilliant and inferring what you need," he wrote Sunday. "Amazon is a pure winner." META YTD mountain Meta Platforms YTD As for Meta, the Club sees potential in how AI helps boost user engagement with its chatbot baked into Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. The more time users devote to these platforms the more advertising market share the social media giant can grab. "Meta Platforms can get you the right ads, designed by them, that will make it hard to consider advertising with anyone else," Jim wrote. AAPL YTD mountain Apple YTD Apple has been a battleground, with more conflicting analysts' accounts on Monday about how early sales of the new AI-ready iPhone 16 are going. Jim said in his interview last week with T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert that the debate should put to rest. "[Sievert] could have easily said that things were as good as last year. He didn't. He said that things were much better ." The AI features on the iPhone, called Apple Intelligence, were delayed and that's why there are questions about whether the new device is going to spark the huge upgrade cycle. We still see big refresh demand coming but more spread out. The bottom line is that overall only time will tell how this AI race plays out. But, what we do know is that there can be more than one winner. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long MSFT, AMZN, AAPL, META. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

People walk past the Microsoft store on Fifth Avenue on July 19, 2024 in New York City. Adam Gray | Getty Images
Constellation Energy stock is still rising after the power company's landmark announcement last week that it plans to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. Constellation jumped as much as 6.6% early Monday after soaring 22% on Friday. Morgan Stanley analysts led by David Arcaro see continued upside for Constellation, raising their price target to $313, implying a return of nearly 23% over Friday's close of $254.98. Morgan Stanley estimates that just the Unit 1 reactor alone at Three Mile Island could add $1.70 per share in incremental earnings and $445 million in net income. The operational risk to bring the plant back online in 2028 appears manageable, Morgan Stanley told clients in a note Monday. The restart is supported by Microsoft , a strong counterparty, which is purchasing the power over a "very long" contract of 20 years. "We think this means upside for future nuclear deals," Arcaro said. CEG YTD mountain Constellation shares in 2024. Vistra Corp. stock is also rising in sympathy Monday on potential opportunities for its nuclear portfolio, after climbing more than 16% on Friday. Morgan Stanley raised its price target for Vistra to $132 per share, suggesting a return of 22% from the Friday close of $107.88. The investment bank valued future data center deals for Vistra at $39 per share. Public Service Enterprise Group also got a boost from Morgan Stanley on its nuclear portfolio, with a new price target of $95 indicating a return of more than 9% over Friday's close of $86.76 per share. Renewable energy and natural gas stocks could also indirectly benefit from nuclear deals, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Byrd. Microsoft is not locating a data center directly at Three Mile Island. Rather, it is purchasing power from the plant to offset the emissions of its data centers. However, power companies such as Constellation and the tech sector are also interested in locating data centers at nuclear plants. Tech companies and other developers that build data centers at nuclear plants might then invest in renewable and natural gas generation to fill the resulting gap on the grid, Byrd told clients in a note Monday. Companies that build natural gas power generation equipment such as GE Vernova , Siemens Energy and Mitsubishi Power are potential beneficiaries, as well as power companies with natural gas plants such as Vistra and NRG Energy . Renewable stocks such as AES Corp. , NextEra Energy and First Solar could get a tailwind for the same reason, according to Morgan Stanley. NextEra also has a nuclear opportunity. CEO John Ketchum said the company is looking at restarting the Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa. Restarting the plant would add $1 of value per share of NextEra, according to Wells Fargo. NextEra's large solar and wind portfolio will also benefit from data center demand: "The need for gobs of power, preferably clean, is long-term bullish for NEE's core renewables business," Wells analyst Neil Kalton told clients Monday.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
MBHULENI  A woman lost her life after being shot, while her boyfriend valiantly tried to fend off two assailants during an attempted robbery.

Hlengiwe Nxumalo (30), a hairdresser from Siphambanweni, tragically died after being shot in the left eye at Mbhuleni in the early hours of Saturday. The couple, who had just alighted from their vehicle, was accosted by two men. They reportedly attempted to rob them of their cellphones, leading to a fatal altercation. Mbhuleni, a densely-populated settlement at Kwaluseni, has gained notoriety, not just for its rugged, dusty streets and crammed living conditions, but also for the alarming incidents of violent crime. The police have since arrested two suspects, who were allegedly involved not only in Nxumalos murder, but also in an attempted robbery at a local food store, where a security guard was shot. Reports indicate that the suspects may have been responsible for previous crimes, including the theft of cellphones in nearby areas.

Narrating the story leading to the fateful incident, Nxumalos boyfriend said on the fateful morning, he and his girlfriend were travelling in his car, when they were approached by two armed men, just as they arrived at his rented flat at a Mkhonta homestead. As the couple exited their vehicle and started making their way to his flat, he said they were unaware of the imminent danger, until two strangers appeared out of the darkness, one of whom brandished a firearm and pointed it at them.

Strangers

The boyfriend narrated that as the two strangers emerged from the darkness, he instinctively acted to protect Nxumalo by shoving her away from the weapon and grabbing his bag. He described the chaotic scene, saying: I hit the gun such that it fell in front of the house. I was trying to fight them off, but unfortunately, Hlengiwe was fatally shot. He shared that the struggle for control of the weapon was fierce, as the robber fought for it. They didnt say anything, just pointed the gun at us. One was wearing a balaclava, but the other wore a hat, so I could see his face. They were trying to take my bag, and we were struggling with each other, he recounted.

Despite his valiant efforts, the man said the assailant managed to seize the gun from him. At this instance, he said in a desperate attempt to save the deceased and himself, the man wrestled with the assailants, fighting with all his strength. However, he said one of the robbers managed to retrieve the gun and, in a split second, turned it towards Nxumalo. Horrified, the boyfriend watched helplessly as his girlfriend was struck by a bullet and collapsed to the ground.

He disclosed that he later learnt that the ordeal did not end there. He said he later discovered that the assailants, in their violent spree, had already allegedly shot a security guard at a nearby shopping complex and were reportedly linked to yet another incident at Mahhala. He said the firearm, it appeared, was their weapon of choice in a string of criminal acts that night, with Nxumalos life tragically becoming one of the casualties. Meanwhile, Sandile Mkhonta, the homeowner of where the incident occurred, confirmed the events.

He opined that the suspects had been hiding at the gate of a neighbours property, where they waylaid the couple. Mkhonta noted that such crimes are prevalent in the area, remarking that it was unfortunate that his home was affected this time. He also revealed that reports indicated that the same suspects had allegedly stolen cellphones at Ngwane Park in the days leading to the incident. It was reported that the stolen cellphones were tracked and found at KaKhoza, where the suspects were believed to be staying.

Family

The family of the deceased was unavailable for comment at the time of this report. Her mother was informed that the publication was seeking their reaction to the loss of their loved one. However, the family chose not to make any statements. The last call was made at 4:30pm. Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, confirmed the incident, stating that a 30-year-old woman of Siphambanweni was fatally shot in the left eye with a pistol by two unknown men at Mbhuleni. She added that the victim was declared dead upon arrival at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital. Meanwhile, Vilakati also confirmed that a 28-year-old man of Ngololweni was arrested on Friday for unlawful possession of a 9mm pistol with ammunition.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at a farm, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Smithton, Pennsylvania.

Former President Donald Trump on Monday threatened John Deere with a 200% tariff if the agricultural manufacturer moves production to factories in Mexico.

"They've announced a few days ago that they're going to move a lot of their manufacturing business to Mexico," the Republican nominee said at a policy roundtable in Smithton, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Protecting America Initiative.

"I'm just notifying John Deere right now: If you do that, we're putting a 200% tariff on everything that you want to sell into the United States," said Trump, who has made tariffs a key focus of his campaign's economic policy.

John Deere has announced that it plans to shift production of some of its models to Mexico, a move that has resulted in layoffs at facilities in Iowa.

"It's hurting our farmers. It's hurting our manufacturing," Trump said Monday.

Reached by CNBC for comment, a John Deere spokesperson pointed out a page on its website titled "John Deere's Commitment To U.S. Manufacturing," where it touts its investments in American factories and workers.

The page also said, "In order to position our U.S. factories to undertake these highly value-additive activities it is sometimes necessary to move less complex operations, such as cab assembly, to other locations."

Monday appeared to be the first time Trump had singled out John Deere. The former president's comments appeared to be off the cuff, prompted only by the John Deere tractors that were set up as the backdrop of the event.

As of 6 p.m. ET, shares of Deere were down 1.7% in after-hours trading. Trump made the threat shortly after the closing bell.

The former president made similar threats Monday to automakers that manufacture cars in Mexico.

"We're going to put big tariffs on those cars that are coming in here at 100[%] to 200%, and they're no longer going to be competitive," he said, "so you better stay in Michigan."
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with the Burj Khalifa in the backdrop, Sept. 16, 2022.

Global chip giants Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co . and Samsung Electronics have been in talks with the United Arab Emirates to explore building megafactories in the Middle East, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing people familiar with the interactions and strategies involved.

Top executives at TSMC have visited the Gulf state recently to discuss plans of building factory complexes that are comparable to some of the company's largest and most sophisticated facilities in Taiwan, the report said.

South Korea-based Samsung Electronics has also been considering investing in building chip manufacturing facilities in the country in the coming years. Senior leaders in the South Korean company have recently visited the country to explore the idea, the report said.

The Gulf state has been ramping up efforts and investments in developing its domestic tech industry as it works to build its position as a global hub for advanced technology and artificial intelligence. However, the discussions with UAE officials are still in the early stages, the report said.

A tug-of-war between the U.S. and China has played out in the region as tech deals speed up and Washington grows increasingly wary over Beijing's influence in the Gulf state. TSMC and Samsung have held discussions with U.S. officials who are worried about potential shipments of advanced AI chips coming from UAE-based plants to China.

The U.S. will likely continue to pressure the UAE not to work with China, "as there would be advanced AI-related chips being produced in these plants," Alex Capri, a senior lecturer at National University of Singapore's business school, told CNBC.

Read the full report from the Wall Street Journal here.
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks on the second day of the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool, north-west England, on September 23, 2024.

Liverpool, ENGLAND  U.K. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves vowed on Monday that Britain will not return to austerity, but said she would make hard choices as she lays out budget proposals next month.

"It will be a budget with real ambition ... a budget to deliver the change we promised. A budget to rebuild Britain," she told a crowd of Labour party delegates Monday. "There will be no return to austerity."

Her keynote speech, briefly interrupted by heckles from a pro-Palestinian protester in the crowd, came as Labour kicked off its annual party conference on Monday  its first in power for 15 years.

The ruling Labour government has faced criticism for generating an atmosphere of doom over the state of the public finances, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning of "painful" decisions after the party rallied to victory in the July general election.

U.K. national debt is currently running at 100% of gross domestic product for the first time since 1961, fresh data from the Office for National Statistics showed Friday. In the financial year to August, the deficit totalled 64.1 billion ($85.4 billion)  6.2 billion more than the ONS forecast in March.

Reeves has suggested that taxes are likely to rise at her upcoming Oct. 30 Autumn budget after discovering a 22 billion ($29 billion) "black hole" in the public finances. Her predecessor Jeremy Hunt, from the rival Conservative Party, has denied the claims as "fictitious."

"I know that you are impatient for change. But because of that legacy inherited by the Conservatives, the road ahead is steeper and harder than we expected," she told the audience Monday.

Still, Reeves sought to strike a tone of positivity, saying "my optimism for Britain burns brighter than ever. My ambition knows no limits."
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MANZINI  State-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been ordered to suspend their restructuring and salary review processes as a consultant has been recruited.

According to sources, the decision to suspend these processes was communicated to the parastatals in order to align the salaries of personnel. The sources claimed that a disparity had been noted and that there was a widening pay gap between executives and junior staff within the 50 SOEs.The disparity in the remuneration of the personnel was said to be a major contributor to inequality in the workplace and in the country, and had seen some chief executive officers (CEOs) earning exorbitant salaries, which was the opposite of what junior personnel were paid.

The sources claimed that a contributing factor to this widening gap in the remuneration structure is that the best performing entities are able to effect a cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA) annually, while those which are not able to do so trail behind. The sources said the issue was raised in February when Prime Minister Russell Dlamini met with CEOs and Board members of the parastatals. The suspension of any salary reviews pending the finalisation of a review by a consultant was confirmed by the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg.

He said the suspension is meant to ensure that there is uniformity within the SOEs and further assist those who are not performing well to afford to recruit the best personnel. Rijkenberg said a gap had been formed between the parastatals in that those which were not able to be self-sustaining were implementing minimal increments, which resulted in their human resource seeking greener pastures, while also ensuring that they were not able to recruit the best personnel due to their minimal remuneration offers. It is worth noting that some of the parastatals seek governments subventions despite that their CEOs earn quite substantial amounts. The country spends over E141 million on salaries of just 50 CEOs per annum, despite being in the financial doldrums. The CEOs earn a maximum of E150 000 a month, while the less paid earn around E75 000 per month.

Challenged

On the other hand, there are financially challenged enterprises like the Piggs Peak Hotel and Eswatini Television Authority (ESTVA), which require governments input in order for them to continue operating. Scholars have noted that the Finance minister needs to allocate a budget that would implore government departments and enterprises to be self-sufficient. This would make sure that every cent awarded to any of the entities is accounted for. Several entities cannot meet obligations because of weak revenue growth, high compensation costs to employees due to over-staffing and debt servicing costs, which have accumulated over the years and are now weighing down on profitability.

Currently, there are 50 SOEs and according to the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC) report, Eswatinis parastatals are now a huge burden on the economy and on the fiscus, with transfers to Category A parastatals being about E2.4 billion in 2020/21.The SOEs Restructuring Framework in Eswatini Report, which was compiled by the ESEPARC, recommended that the SOEs should be merged to about 31 in total. This report was published on November 31, 2021, and presented to the 11th Parliament, before launching the first phase of the merger of SOEs.

However, the speed at which things are happening has led some economists to bemoan that financial resources, which could assist the country to stop heavy reliance on the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts were going to waste. ESEPARC, in its study, stated that even if an entity is profitable, there could still be economic reasons to consolidate it. It stated that this exercise is necessary to resuscitate the economy and improve the fiscal space for funding social and economic development. It highlighted that there is a need to avoid or stop monetised mandates, but focus on governments core business  its development mandate.

The enterprises need to chase development instead of chasing profits. The SOEs are an extension of central government; they are specialised semi-autonomous departments that are implementing governments development agenda in a flexible and agile manner, it reads in part. ESEPARC reported that the issue of human deployment in these parastatals also needs rationalisation, as the PEU Act has created another central government within these SOEs, starting at Board level, down to the operations of the individual public entities.
If everyone on Earth used the same language, it sure would be convenient. There would be downsides, of course, like a lack of photos of funny mistranslated T-shirts in foreign countries, but the increased ability of humankind to connect with each other would obviously far outweigh those downsides. Which is exactly why, in 1887, a doctor named L.L. Zamenhof invented a new language called Esperanto to be used worldwide.

MandMarc It would break his heart, how few people can read his headstone.

He didnt mean for it to necessarily replaced anyones native tongue either. Instead, he hoped for it to become a secondary language, one that could be learned in addition to first languages in order to enable global communication.

Now, admittedly, it clearly borrowed from existing languages, almost all of which were European, which dampens the all-inclusive feel. I doubt, for instance, that Middle Eastern or Asian countries were going to feel more included because Esperanto pulls from both Italian and Polish.

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Still, at the League of Nations, Iran suggested Esperanto be adopted, only to be met by resistance from the very European countries that Esperanto drew its inspiration. The French immediately shot down because, well, a lot of people already spoke French. The Czar of Russia banned Esperanto altogether and considered it a form of sedition. And during World War II, Hitler predictably labeled it a Jewish plot to take over the world. He even specifically directed the Gestapo to find and kill Zamenhofs descendants like this was a time-travel, alternate-universe situation and not just a weird language no one really spoke anyways.

Google Translate It works!

The bummer of the whole thing is that, despite being destined to fail because of basic human stubbornness, Esperanto is pretty cool. For example, it avoids masculine and feminine nouns, irregular verbs and all spellings are phonetic. Anyone whos ever wondered why Spanish jackets are female, or why you can burst a balloon but a balloons never bursted, will appreciate those qualities. Or, for fun, imagine a non-native English speaker trying to pronounce a sentence like: The injured count coughed, This coup will have you in court for treason!

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Today, Esperanto is considered a failed language but not a dead language, as evidenced by its modern-day speakers, who will surely have something to say about the former. They argue that theres still a chance for Esperanto to become the universal language it was designed to be sometime in the future.

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Which, sure. I guess we have to applaud their Lloyd Christmas-like optimism. But as far as the Vegas line goes on the number of Earths eventually speaking Esperanto, Im taking under 0.5.
Not every film scene on the planet is in the bag for Scientology. Some are in the bag for the Mormon Church or the government of Cyprus.

14 The First Scene to Borrow the Wood West Bengal has had a thriving silent cinema scene since 1919, based out of Tollygunge, Kolkata. They produced their first talkie, Jamai Shashthi, in 1931, and an American engineer who worked on it came up with the portmanteau Tollywood.

13 Youve Heard of Bollywood. But South Asia Has at Least 17 Other Woods Bombay, India started using the term Bollywood for its film industry around the 60s. But dont sleep on Pakistans Lollywood (the Lahore-based industry active since 1948), the Bhojpuri language Bhojiwood (kicked off by the 1963 state-ordered film Mother Ganges, I Will Offer You a Yellow Sari), the Chhattisgarh-based Chhollywood or the Odisha-based Ollywood.

12 Cool Japan The Japanese government saw the Cool Britannia trend of the late 90s, when everyone suddenly thought the U.K. was sexy for some reason, and said: okay now do us. Cool Japan was their chosen term for what turned into a state-funded effort to court weeaboos the world over. Part of that was investment in Animewood (exactly what it sounds like) and Hogawood (hoga means domestic cinema).

11 Hills and Rivers Two of the cooler names have been scooped up by Rwanda and Kenya. The Rwanda Film Festival was founded in 2005, and came to be known as Hillywood (because its quite hilly there, you see). Kenyas film industry dates back to 1952, but with the advent of digital filming technology, local filmmakers have been pumping out highly inventive, low-budget movies. These films are sold alongside global media and electronics on River Road, hence the name Riverwood. Advertisement Advertisement

10 Hollywood North Not to be confused with North Hollywood, Hollywood North is a cheeky way to say Canada: lots of big budget productions try to pass off Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver as American cities to save a couple bucks.

9 What Is Mormon Cinema, Exactly? Mollywood is the term for Mormon-related cinema, but its meant different things at different times. There were 19 movies in the silent film era that were thought of as Mormon cinema, but they were all made by outsiders about how weird Mormons were. In the 50s, BYUs film department got a major upgrade and started making boring church propaganda. More recently, films like The Land Before Time and Anastasia were directed by a Mormon, and have some light Mormon ethical seasoning mixed in, so some say that counts as Mollywood. Advertisement Advertisement

8 The Mollywood Down Under The small city of Mosgiel, New Zealand was inspired by the iconic Hollywood sign to put their name in big block letters up on a hill. They dont have much of a film scene, but according to Wikipedia, Locals sometimes (though not very often) jokingly refer to Mosgiel as Mollywood. Count it!

7 Somaliwood Somali cinema has existed since the 1910s, but a youth movement of the 90s modernized the industry with comedies, thrashers and animation. The term also, oddly, refers specifically to Somali filmmakers in Columbus, Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement

6 Yallywood Georgias concerted effort to make itself more affordable and hospitable to production companies over the last few decades has paid off, with everyone from Netflix to the MCU spending lots of time and money there. Not to mention the prolific Tyler Perry Studios.

5 More Like Bore-ophyll The town of Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, England has had a thriving television production scene for over 100 years. Because thats the towns actual name, the incredibly unimaginative nickname they gave it is British Hollywood. Meanwhile, the Buckinghamshire, England-based Pinewood Studios are also a production hub, but the name was a complete accident. The studio predates Hollywood  they just called it that because there are a lot of pine trees there. Advertisement Advertisement

4 Tamalewood This would have been the perfect name for Mexican cinema, but they went with Mexiwood. Instead, Tamalewood was claimed by the state of New Mexico, as it has started to position itself as a more affordable alternative for would-be Hollywood production studios.

3 Cyprus Wants It a Little Too Much The Republic of Cyprus has been producing films since shortly after World War II. But in the 21st century, theyve tried super hard to position themselves as the Hollywood of the Mediterranean, setting up all kinds of financial incentives. They have some stuff going for them, like good weather and diverse locales. But the countrys desperate marketing wizards have left them saddled with the uninspired name Olivewood. Advertisement Advertisement

2 China Could Try a Little Harder, Too China has the largest film studio on the planet, Hengdian World Studios. Its been actively under construction since the 90s, and theres so much stuff going on there, they made a documentary about the extras who work there. And they call it  are you ready?  Chinawood.
Frasier didnt even recognize the shows name when he got the call about the most important audition of his life

Making your way in the world today takes everything you got  which, if youre Kelsey Grammer, is a gazillion dollars and a hankering to bite the hand that feeds you.

Before Grammer joined the cast of Cheers as the snooty psychologist Dr. Frasier Crane in 1994, Grammer was Juilliard graduate and a lauded stage actor who was happily making a name for himself in the theatre world by starring in Shakespeare productions on Broadway and originating parts in Stephen Sondheim musicals. When Grammers Sunday in the Park with George co-star Mandy Patinkin recommended him to a New York casting director, the first TV audition Grammer attended was for an upcoming and surprisingly progressive sitcom called Brothers, which would feature a rare openly gay character and his conservatively straight siblings. Grammer didnt get the part.

Grammers second attempt at breaking into television was for another sitcom, this one an existing but little-known show about a bunch of horny bartenders and their customers, or something stupid like that. At a recent screening for new episodes of Grammers Frasier reboot, the actor who has been cashing exorbitant checks for playing the titular snob over the last four decades revealed that, when the casting director told him about a part opening up on Cheers, he didnt even recognize the shows title.

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Then, when he remembered once watching the Cheers pilot while working as a bartender himself, Grammer says he recalled thinking, What a terrible show. I would never want to be on something like that.

Grammer recalled the conversation with the casting director, telling the crowd at the Gotham screening, She said, Theres a new character coming on to Cheers. I thought, What the hell is Cheers? She said, Its a television show thats very popular right now. Sam and Diane are the characters.

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When Grammer finally remembered watching the very first episode of Cheers and finding it too god-awful for an actor of his caliber to ever join the cast, the casting director had to talk him into taking the biggest opportunity that would ever fall into his lap. She explained a little more about it. There was a requirement to keep it secret, like it was some kind of industrial espionage thing, Grammer recalled of the conversation. And I thought, This is very cool and clandestine, so Ill keep my mouth shut. She called me in, I went on tape, I got a call.

However, Grammers Cheers audition didnt quite feel like a massive success. We read through the scenes. There were three scenes, and I didnt get a single laugh, explained Grammer.

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Frustrated, Grammer stormed out of the audition, years later saying, I put the sides down the table, turned everybody and said, Im really glad I came. Im going to go out on the street, see if I get some laughs out there. And I left.

Grammer recalled taking a trip to San Diego to clear his head following what he thought was a horribly bombed audition. But upon returning to his Los Angeles home, Grammer found, sitting on the table was a bottle of Dom Perignon, and it said, Welcome to Cheers. Which was a great moment in my life.

But, not to be satisfied even for a second, Grammer recalled, Of course, then I said, Well, Im going to have to fix the show, because its no good.
The latter days of UPN, before it merged with The WB to become The CW, werent marked by many critical hits, but Everybody Hates Chris was one of them. The titular Chris was Chris Rock, who narrated the single-camera comedy about his life, starting when he turned 13, moved with his parents from New York housing projects to the Brooklyn neighborhood Bed-Stuy, and started attending a better school, far away in an all-white neighborhood. The show wasnt coy about its influences: its title was a play on that of another long-running sitcom with a standup comic at its center, and the device of a sitcom narrator commenting on scenes of his childhood from later in life had been done decades earlier on The Wonder Years. When the time came for Everybody Hates Chris to end its run, it stole from the best, with a final scene directly inspired by the series finale of The Sopranos.

Up to that point, the series finale has revolved around Chris (Tyler James Williams) finding out hes broken an arbitrary rule at his school  any student whos late 30 times or more will be held back, and Chris has been because he takes multiple forms of unreliable public transit to get there. Chris decides to drop out and get his G.E.D. rather than repeat the 10th grade at a school where the teachers harass him; when the entire family has gathered for dinner at a neighborhood diner, Chris father Julius (Terry Crews) enters with an envelope containing Chris test results. Whats it say? Chris asks, before the screen abruptly cuts to black, as in the scene to which Chris is paying tribute.

It took Sopranos creator David Chase a decade and a half to confirm that, as far as hes concerned, his blackout indicated the murder of his protagonist, Tony (James Gandolfini). Chris fans didnt have to wait for their own answer: Rocks having left school in the 10th grade to get his G.E.D. had been part of his public biography for years before Chris premiered. But anyone whos spent the years since that finale wondering about Chriss cliffhanger still doesnt have to Google it: a new animated sequel answers that question, and continues telling Chris story, though not compellingly enough to withstand comparison to the show that spawned it.

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Everybody Still Hates Chris picks up exactly where its progenitor left off, transitioning from live action to animation just as the family finds out the results of Chris G.E.D. exam. Im not supposed to spoil anything at all, but I think its safe for me to say that this isnt a show about Chris (now voiced as a kid by Tim Johnson Jr.) starting a new phase of his life as a full-time employee of Red Lobster.

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Unsurprisingly, the parts of Everybody Still Hates Chris that work best are the ones that proceed from what we already know about the characters from the original show. Julius (Crews again) still tries to save money everywhere he can, still believes there isnt a problem he cant solve without getting an additional job and still derives a great deal of pride from his role as a provider to his family and possibly the neighborhoods only decent family man. The second episode is set largely at a block party, where its a big deal for Julius to share some of his duties with Chris. Meanwhile, Chris mother Rochelle (Tichina Arnold, also returning from the original series) falls into petty bickering with another neighborhood mom she doesnt think is on her level. Their clash helps Rochelle reach an epiphany about her own personal history thats unexpectedly touching from a character whos mostly portrayed as the familys violent enforcer. Nothing this show has them do in the first two episodes would be out of place for their live-action characters, and the continuity of having the same actors return to voice them is one of the sequels greatest strengths.

But I still spent most of my time watching the two episodes that will premiere on Comedy Central Wednesday wondering why the show was made at all. No disrespect to the coming-of-age story  its a beloved theme for a reason  but reviving a show that was only ever a moderate hit in its day, and changing format to do so, feels like something that could only happen when a company wants to get into business with the very famous and powerful comic who created it. Presumably, a major part of Everybody Hates Chris appeal was bringing new dimensionality to Chris Rock by taking us back to his childhood. But  again, without spoiling anything  the sequel diverges from his real life such that we essentially end up in the dullest possible version of a parallel universe. Continuing to use Rocks name and narration for a more heavily fictionalized installment of the Hates Chris franchise feels cynical when all these people could be using their talents to tell an entirely new story.

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If what you want is Everybody Hates Chris, just watch it. If what you want is Chris Rock, hes made several stand-up comedy specials where he talks in great detail about his life. If what you want is a coming-of-age story set in the Brooklyn of yesteryear, watch Spike Lees Crooklyn. If what you want is a coming-of-age story about a Black kid who isnt Chris Rock, watch 2021s sequel to The Wonder Years. If what you want is a coming-of-age story about a boy finding his voice as an artist, and that came out in 2024, watch Didi.

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You can watch Everybody Still Hates Chris, of course. You just dont have to.
MBANGWENI  Former South Africa President and Umkhonto Wesizwe leader Jacob Zumas daughter, Nomcebo, was filled with admiration as the King appreciated the maidens.

Nomcebo, who was adorned with emagwalagwala, was seen smiling as the King bowed in appreciation of Sigodlo at the formations. Unlike during the first leg of the event AT Ludzidzini Royal Residence, where the media was ordered to move away from Liphovela, media was allowed to capture the moment. Culturally, emagwalagwala - red feathers - are only reserved for royalty in Eswatini. Also, the red feathers are donned by any person joining the royal family through marriage. Worth noting is that towards the end of the event, the commentators appreciated the dances from Bayeskhulu LaZuma stating that she danced like someone born and raised in the country.

Culturally, Bayeskhulu refer members of the royalty. Asked about the sentiment, traditionalists said Bayeskhulu menans an element of royalty. Some said sekungangeNgwenyama.

It should be noted that Nomcebo has maintained her confidence since she joined the maidens at the first leg of the annual Reed Dance. She also proved her bravery and left the audiance wanting more of her dances when she joined Inkhosatana Yembali Princess Sakhizwe when rendering a solo dance kugiya. The commentators also appreciated the solo dances from Inkhosatana Yembali Princess Sakhizwe and other princess. They appreciated the Longotjeni (they young maidens) for their dance.
MBABANE - The DPM wants the Ministry of Education and Training to be responsible for the disbursement of OVCs education grant fees to schools.

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla, said her office is aware of the delays in the disbursement of education grants for orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). She said this is caused by the late submission of the necessary information to the Treasury Department. We are now planning to have the OVCs Office taken back to the Ministry of Education and Training. Teachers must also have all the necessary working tools in order to execute their duties well, said the DPM.The unpreparedness on schools opening is one of the issues raised with the Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini, during the recent Editors Forum breakfast meeting, which he (PM) referred to as a personal opinion of the Managing Editor of the Times of Eswatini, Martin Dlamini.

Concerning

It was brought to the DPMs attention that the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) has been having issues concerning why the responsibility to pay OVC grants was not given to the Ministry of Education and Training. SNAT wants the ministry to be accountable, should there be delays in payments. I have touched on the idea of having the OVC grants taken back to the ministry in one of our Cabinet meetings. I hope it will see the light of day. Once that becomes successful, we will be in a position to pay much attention to the issues we are supposed to address as an office. I dont like doing things as if I have poor planning, she said. She mentioned that there are still schools that submit the list of learners who benefit from the OVC education grants late.

Furnishing

The head teachers of the remaining schools are still working towards furnishing us with the necessary information we need, she said. Dladla stated that the proposal to have the Ministry of Education and Training take over the process of paying school fees for OVCs has already been submitted to Cabinet. She said she hoped the request by her office to hand over the responsibility to the ministry would be successful. According to the DPM, her office has a lot on its plate, and having the ministry take over the OVC grants payment would be helpful, as her department will be able to focus on its core responsibilities. Dladla pleaded with head teachers, whose pupils are paid for through her office to develop a culture of preparing and compiling the pupils lists during school holidays when the term ends, to avoid the late payment of fees.

Getting the necessary information on time will help our social workers prepare the batch of all the learners to be paid for once and for all, she said. On the other hand, the DPM said she and the staff in her office met on Tuesday to start making payments to schools that submitted complete lists to her office. She said some head teachers are still trying to submit their lists.

I think they have submitted the list of the schools that handed over the expected lists to the Treasury Department to see if the school fees payment kick-starts. Currently, it looks as if we are having poor planning as an office, she said.

She informed this publication that no public school with OVCs has received any payments this term. She said they want the entire information they need as an office to be fully and properly captured before releasing the funds. The other delay was caused by waiting for all the schools to submit completed lists. Instead of waiting for the remaining schools to furnish us with their lists, we decided to allow the process of payment, while the other schools submit and they will be paid afterwards. We dont want the schools that submitted on time to be frustrated as a result of others who submitted late. Even the Social Welfare Office must be proactive in its work, she said. She appealed for clear communication between the Ministry of Education and Training and DPMs Office in terms of addressing the issue at hand.
113TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT  Republican state Assembly hopeful Jeremy Messina this week will formally invite Assemblymember Carrie Woerner to debate him at the Malta Community Center.

If the invitation doesnt bear fruit, voters can expect an empty chair debate  an event only including Messina  moderated by NYVT Medias Doug LaRocque on Oct. 1.

We want this to happen and Carrie Woerner can join us or not join us, said Messina spokesperson Will Dawson. If she doesn't want to take questions from her constituents, that's on her, man.

So far, its not certain whether or not the Democrat will accept Messinas challenge.

Woerner campaign spokesperson Mark Streb stated in an interview Sunday that the incumbent is committed to attending a Zoom debate proposed by the Saratoga County League of Women Voters for late October.

We trust the League of Women Voters to moderate an impartial debate and we'll debate through the League of Women Voters if Messina so chooses to, Streb said.

Since Sept. 10, Virginia Fletcher, who is coordinating the Zoom event, said Messinas campaign hasnt responded to several LWV inquiries. If they dont agree to the proposed dates of Oct. 16 or 18, the event cannot occur, per league policy.

Dawson declined to comment on whether Messina will reject the LWV debate. He deferred to a comment in a previous Gazette article last week in which he characterized LWVs proposal as a few handful of people in a Zoom room.

I gave you our comment on that already, Dawson said. And again, our comment feeds into the fact that we think it's important to have a debate in front of the voters.

Fletcher said the Messina campaign hasnt requested any in-person accommodations.

Woerner has debated a number of opponents since she first ran for Assembly against Tony Jordan in 2012. She has held onto the seat since 2014.

If nothing comes to fruition with either the LWV proposal or an in-person event, it would be a rare debate-less election cycle within one of the Capital Regions most purple Assembly districts.

Like I said, the League of Women Voters contacted us, we've worked with them, right? Streb said. Yes, I'm repeating what I said, but that's where we stand.

Messina first announced his intentions to hold a series of in-person debates on Sept. 12 in a press release. He later proposed five potential dates for three potential debates  Sept. 26, Oct. 2, Oct. 8, Oct. 10 and Oct. 18. His plan was to include one debate in each of the 113th Districts counties: Warren, Washington and Saratoga.

As of last Friday, the campaign established a list of three dates: Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and Oct. 7th. Each debate would be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Malta Community Center.

We could have at least three debates in the district in front of live voters taking questions, Dawson said. But it sounds like, if Carrie doesn't show up, none of them are going to happen, except the [Oct. 1] one we put together.

However, so far, only LaRocque has offered to moderate the debate on Oct. 1. According to the Republican campaign, the Glens Falls Chronicle and Glens Falls Post-Star have only considered moderating a debate if Woerner shows up.

Similarly, The Daily Gazette Family of Newspapers has only agreed to moderate a Messina-planned debate under the condition that the two candidates take stage.

Currently, the Schenectady outlet is focused on attempting to set up a debate in the 111th Assembly District race between Democratic incumbent Angelo Santabarbara and two-time Conservative challenger Joseph Mastroianni.

Originally, Editor Miles Reed proposed an Oct. 3 debate at SUNY Schenectady. But, last week that date was declined by the Democratic lawmaker due to pre-arranged family plans.

Assemblyman Santabarbara will be out of town with his family on the day of the debate, visiting his daughter at SUNY Geneseo to celebrate her 21st birthday, a significant family milestone, Santabarbara spokesperson Nicole Parisi wrote in a Thursday email. While he values opportunities to engage in public forums, family is incredibly important to him, and this occasion is one he cannot miss.

Reed has since asked Parisi for the assemblymember's preferred dates to debate, but hasnt yet heard back. The Daily Gazette Family of Newspapers is seeking a response from Parisi by 3 p.m. on Monday.

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AMSTERDAM  One hundred and eighty guns were collected at a Saturday buyback event hosted by the Amsterdam Police Department and state Attorney Generals Office.

According to a press release from Attorney General Letitia James, 17 assault weapons, 100 handguns and 47 long guns were collected.

Gun buyback programs are a practical approach to removing illegal firearms from our communities, reducing the potential for their involvement in criminal activity, said Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara D-Rotterdam, who represents the area. Supporting these initiatives reinforces our commitment to public safety and helps protect our families, children, and first responders. This event is another step in our efforts to prevent gun violence and promote safer neighborhoods.

The event is part of an ongoing statewide effort to combat gun violence. Since James took office in 2019, her office and local law enforcement across the state have collected more than 7,000 guns.

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Bhavin Shastri in SN 10 Scientists to Watch List 2024

Indian-origin Bhavin Shastri of Queens University is one among the top 10 scientists included in the SN 10 Scientists to Watch List released Monday September 23, 2024.

Monday September 23, 2024 7:55 PM , ummid.com News Network

Washington: Indian-origin Bhavin Shastri of Queens University is one among the top 10 scientists included in the SN 10 Scientists to Watch List released Monday September 23, 2024.

Science News unveiled its annual list of 10 early and mid-career scientists who are shaping the future. Now in its 9th year, the SN 10: Scientists to Watch List showcases researchers doing leading-edge work in a variety of areas, including those who are devising ways to tap new resources for building electric vehicles and to track stealth movements of environmental contaminants.

They are also investigating how physics governs the movements of cells and how dark matter could have shaped the early universe.

Hawa Racine Thiam of Stanford University secured the top position in the list followed by Dionna Williams of Emory University and Tracy Slatyer of Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This year's scientists come from a pool of more than two dozen researchers, nominated by Nobel Laureates and recently elected members of the National Academy of Sciences, Science News said.

A team of Science News writers  many experts in their fields  selected the scientists for their potential to shape the science of the future, it added.

SN 10 Scientists to Watch List 2024

Hawa Racine Thiam, Stanford University

Dionna Williams, Emory University

Tracy Slatyer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nicole Yunger Halpern, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Freek van Ede, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Andrea Gomez, University of California, Berkeley

Bhavin Shastri, Queen's University

Jacqueline Gerson, Cornell University

Chong Liu, University of Chicago

Yotam Ophir, University at Buffalo

"With this year's SN 10, we are not only recognizing talent. We are spotlighting the architects of our future," said Nancy Shute, Editor in Chief, Science News.

"These visionary early- and mid-career scientists are challenging themselves to tackle big questions in new ways that are reinventing the process of discovery, she added.

"The fresh perspectives and bold ideas researched by the SN 10 scientists are critical to progress, driving solutions we urgently need for a rapidly changing world," Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News, said.

"I am thrilled that we are able to celebrate and spotlight these extraordinary individuals, she added.

Bhavin Shastri, Assistant Professor at Queen's University, Canada has early been selected for a number of awards including iCANX Young Scientist Award 2022, SPIE Early Career Achievement Award - Academic 2022, IEEE Photonics Conference Student Paper Award 2014 and others.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

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Four weeks before the July 4 election, I asked in these pages how long it would take the country to hate Labour as much as it hated the Tories. Two years? Three?

I was far too cautious in my prediction. Labour's collapse has taken place with dazzling speed. Nothing quite like it has ever happened before in Britain to a newly installed Government.

The latest Opinium poll reveals that Sir Keir Starmer's approval rating has plunged 45 points since July. While 24 per cent of voters approve of the job he is doing, 50 per cent disapprove, giving him a net rating of minus 26 per cent  slightly worse than poor, unloved Rishi Sunak.

Rachel Reeves, Chancellor and unparalleled doomster, has done almost as badly. Having abolished winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners, and promised tax increases in her forthcoming Budget, she has seen a 36-point drop in her net approval since July.

The latest Opinium poll reveals that Sir Keir Starmer's approval rating has plunged 45 points since July

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner speaks during the Labour Party Annual Conference yesterday

It's true that the Conservatives, who are searching for a new leader, are unmourned. No one is crying 'Bring them back! We were wrong!' But millions of voters have already given up on Labour, or at least on Starmer and Reeves, and it's hard to see how they can be won back.

Even now, I have to pinch myself in disbelief. Can this really be happening? I realise that Labour triumphed with the smallest share of the vote in modern times and yet, because of the quirks of our electoral system, got a walloping majority. It was a grudging sort of victory. But what it had it is throwing away.

I ask in all seriousness: If you had assembled a group of sixth-form politics students  I assume all such people support Labour  would they have done worse than this shower?

Party members gathering at their conference in Liverpool will doubtless get a kick from robotically repeating the charge of 'Tory chaos'. The truth is that, when it comes to causing chaos in a remarkably short space of time, Labour needs no lessons from the Tories.

First we had Rachel Reeves's announcement that she was getting rid of winter fuel payments. If she had waited for the Budget, the bad news would have been partly lost in other measures. As it is, by the time the big day arrives she will have given people three months to lambast her policy. She has nurtured her own unpopularity.

Her and Sir Keir's political ineptitude has also been illuminated by their constant doom-mongering, which has succeeding in extinguishing burgeoning optimism about the economy. The green shoots of recovery have been drenched in weed killer.

Labour's pretence that a '22 billion black hole' had suddenly been discovered wasn't simply a lie. It was also a self-inflicted wound. Why would foreigners invest in a country that is being written off by its own Prime Minister and Chancellor as a basket case?

Billionaires are bailing out  the successful businessman Luke Johnson has said that he knows three who are leaving the country. Further down the food chain, landlords are selling their houses for fear of being thumped with higher capital gains tax. How will that help the private rental market?

Then there is sleaze, which has soaked up much of the Government's energy for the past ten days. Sir Keir Starmer has been clothed by Lord Alli (as has his wife, Lady Starmer) and generally cosseted by him. The supposedly virtuous Labour leader has been supplied with endless freebie tickets.

The really shocking thing is that it took him so long to realise that such behaviour is unbecoming in a Prime Minister. He wanted Lord Alli to go on picking up the bill. Only when it became obvious even to this obdurate man that he was imperilling the Government did he finally capitulate.

As for No 10, it is a nest of vipers. Starmer's abrasive chief of staff, Sue Gray  as a supposedly neutral civil servant she was the author of the report that helped despatch Boris Johnson  almost makes Dominic Cummings look well balanced and collegiate.

All this  and I've really only scratched the surface  in just 11 weeks! It's beyond belief. We can be fairly confident that even greater mishaps and disappointments lie around the corner.

Does anyone seriously believe that Sir Keir and the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, are going to stop the boats coming across the Channel without a proper policy? What they propose amounts to little more than a tightening of existing measures  minus Rwanda.

Tory leader hopeful Robert Jenrick was right yesterday to suggest that Starmer should be held to account for 'putting the public in danger' by scrapping the Rwanda scheme. It would have been defensible if the Prime Minister had come up with an alternative policy, but he hasn't. A combination of arrogance and stupidity.

Then there's defence. We're in the midst of a European war. The Middle East is a cauldron. Yet instead of honouring the Tories' recent pledge to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence, the Prime Minister has kicked the issue into the long grass by ordering a defence review, which won't report until next year.

It's even worse than that. Earlier this month, Defence Secretary John Healey indicated that Britain's armed forces won't avoid spending cuts, saying that his department would 'do our part' to help fix the public finances. Healey knows Britain needs to spend more on defence, but is overruled by Reeves and Starmer, who can nonetheless find billions for train drivers and junior doctors.

When the definitive list of this Government's failures comes to be written  and it will be a long one  the refusal to increase defence expenditure in a dangerous world will be near the top. We can only pray that the decision won't prove fatal.

Like many others, I am in a state of despair. Labour seems utterly unprepared for government, despite having had 14 years to think about it. So many senior ministers are low grade  witness their mindless repetition of 'Tory chaos'.

Neither Starmer nor Reeves nor most of the Cabinet have any experience of government. The same could be said of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in 1997, but as politicians they occupied a different universe  and I don't say that as an admirer of either man.

Yet however justly critical we may be of Labour's shortcomings, it makes no sense to want the Government to fail. For if it continues like this for the next four years, the country will be ruined.

We must accept that, enjoying as it does a vast and impregnable majority, Labour won't be going anywhere this side of an election. The party can suffer any amount of criticism in the Press or from the depleted Tories. Its leadership will survive any number of backbench rebellions.

Starmer might conceivably be removed in a coup, but there's no reason to suppose that his successor would be more competent.

I'm not hopeful. In fact, I wouldn't say I have any hope at all. I just pray that, against all evidence and expectation, the Labour Government manages to get its act together in some shape or form. Otherwise we really are doomed.
Always a major publishing event, Jeffrey Archer's latest novel An Eye For An Eye arrives in the shops tomorrow.

Inside the cover of the latest in the William Warwick detective series is a reference to the former Tory deputy chairman's formidable wife Dame Mary Archer.

An accomplished chemist and former chair of the Science Museum Group, she is described as the chair of the Royal Parks. These glorious areas of green space in the capital date back to the reign of Henry VIII, and include Hyde Park, Bushy Park and Green Park.

Trouble is, the cover, printed weeks ago, is out of date. Last week the Labour Government spitefully cancelled Dame Mary's unpaid appointment, announced by the previous government in May.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said that Loyd Grossman, the former TV chef, who has held the post since 2016, would carry on in the role instead. There was no reference to Dame Mary, who had actually held a convivial meeting with Grossman to discuss the transition.

Dame Mary Archer speaks at the Fragrance Foundation Awards in London. She is an accomplished chemist and former chair of the Science Museum Group

Lloyd Grossman at the Whitechapel Gallery Book Fair in Mile End, London. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the former TV chief would carry on the role instead

Sir John Major's grey image belies a taste for strong cocktails. The former PM told the BBC's Amol Rajan that his guilty pleasure is 'lemon drop martinis, preferably in the plural'. When Rajan said he'd never heard of the tipple,

Sir John replied: 'Then your life needs to be enhanced.'

No one can accuse new Green MP Carla Denyer of lacking ambition.

'While I'm not chomping at the bit to be Prime Minister, I can imagine a future where that seems like the most useful thing I can do,' she tells Vogue in a glossy profile.

She is styled in a Vivienne Westwood turtleneck and Sezane trousers for the photoshoot.

Enough to make Lady Starmer jealous.

Carla Denyer (pictured outside Westminster) told Vogue that the 'most useful thing' for her to do would be to become Prime Minister

Labour veteran Diane Abbott, who saw off an attempt to deselect her at the last election by the party leadership, said on the podcast How To Fail With Elizabeth Day: 'I've never had a nice chat with Keir Starmer. Never.'

Newsflash: Former Tory MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg was spotted lunching with an older woman at one of London's top hotels.

On closer inspection it turned out to be Sir Jacob's nanny, Veronica.

He took her to Claridge's to celebrate her completing 59 years with the family. What a gent.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured) was spotted at lunch with his nanny to celebrate her working for the family for 59 years

Angela's not top of the togs

With Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner under fire over 2,230 worth of free clothes from the luxury brand ME+EM, the veteran former BBC broadcaster Liz Kershaw speaks for many when she says of one outfit: 'I'd refuse this even if it were free.'

Referring to Angela Rayner's bright green trouser suit (pictured), veteran former BBC broadcaster Liz Kershaw said: 'I'd refuse this even if it were free'

On BBC's Strictly on Saturday night, blind contestant, comic Chris McCausland, gave as good as he got to judge Craig Revel Horwood, who is known for being mean to contestants.

Chris quips: 'I will drive you home tonight!'
'Im working class  I like a dance. That was Angela Rayners defence a few weeks ago when she was filmed raving to techno music in an Ibiza DJ booth at 4am, hours after her boss Keir Starmer had sombrely warned the country that the upcoming budget would be painful for families across Britain.

It was a shoddy defence. Plenty of working-class people prefer to work hard and better themselves rather than partying in nightclubs well into their 40s. (The hard-drinking, vape-puffing Deputy Prime Minister has boasted of her fondness for a cocktail called Venom: A bottle of Absolut vodka, a bottle of Southern Comfort, ten bottles of Blue WKD and a litre of pure orange juice.)

This week, Rayner has been trying to justify another deeply questionable decision: going on a free New Year holiday to a 2.5million Manhattan penthouse owned by Labours lavish benefactor Lord Alli.

Laura Kuenssberg interviewing Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on Sunday

She tried to explain this away by saying that Alli was a friend and the trip had been personal (very personal, it would appear, as she sneaked her on-off boyfriend, ex-Corbynista Labour MP Sam Tarry, into the apartment, too).

Hilariously, Rayner even tried to claim that she had been overly transparent in declaring the five-night jolly, insisting that  strictly speaking  she had been under no obligation to report it in the Register of Members Financial Interests.

Pressed last weekend by the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg on this and the many other recent examples of Labour frontbenchers gobbling up lavish freebies, Rayner said: Gifts and donations have been a factor in our political life for some time. We could have a debate about that. I was from a very working-class background, to stand as deputy leader, to get that position, I had to accept donations.

Its one thing to argue that you need a bit of money to run your campaign. Its quite another to suggest that you need a luxury jaunt to the Big Apple because you grew up poorer than some.

Yes, Rayner comes from a Stockport council estate, had a baby at 16 and left school without any qualifications. She spent some time as a care worker and then rose through the ranks at the trade-union giant Unison.

Shes never actually achieved anything concrete beyond advancing her own career  but shes clearly made a success of herself. Why cant she be satisfied with that?

And now we learn  thanks to Andrew Pierces brilliant scoop in yesterdays Mail  that Ange has hired a personal photographer, on a 68,000 taxpayer-funded salary, to boost her online image.

Today's literary gem 'Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.' Plato Advertisement

Since the election, whispers have swirled in Labour circles that Rayner is being increasingly marginalised by No 10. She has been kept away from some of the serious meetings where the most important decisions are made and is increasingly outshone by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and big beasts such as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

In the most humiliating snub of all, Rayner has been denied the use of Dorneywood, the magnificent grace-and-favour country residence traditionally given to the Deputy Prime Minister, which has been awarded to Reeves instead.

A word of advice: no amount of clever camerawork will change a thing, love, as long as you continue to bungle your way from one crisis to the next, blaming your working-class background whenever anyone calls you out.

As someone who worked my way up from abject poverty, I am disgusted by the way Rayner weaponises her roots to excuse her poor behaviour. The community I grew up in worked hard and abided by every rule and convention. We didnt accept owt for nowt.

The last thing I would do is try to use my background as an excuse for bad behaviour.

My achievements cant be attributed to union backers protecting me every step of the way or a habit of making crude, attention-grabbing statements. They were based on a commitment to hard work.

Its because of my working class background that Ive achieved: as a nurse, as a businesswoman, as a politician and as an author who has sold 3 million books.

Can anyone imagine Margaret Thatcher, who grew up above a shop, taking freebies or making crass remarks in public? Nor can I.

A real working-class background instils pride through achievement. And thats why I have no time for grifters who, by their actions, give working-class people a bad name.

Madonna leaving the Dolce & Gabbana afterparty on Saturday in Milan

Madonna causes a stir at the Dolce & Gabbana show in Milan  partly because of her outfit and partly because of her face. The pop legends appearance seems to change every week: currently, its impossibly taut skin, huge lips and so much cheek-filler that its a miracle she can eat anything.

As for the racy lingerie sported by the mother-of-six, it looked to me like the net curtains my mum used to buy down at St Johns Market in Liverpool. In her endless quest to perfect her appearance, the 66-year-old, who has had health problems recently, reminds me of no one more than Michael Jackson. I hope shes OK.

Ruth Wilson as Emily Maitlis and Michael Sheen as Prince Andrew in A Very Royal Scandal

Do we need yet another dramatisation of Prince Andrews infamous interview with Emily Maitlis  which ended his career as a working Royal? I would think not  though its clear Emily enjoys replaying this well-worn record whenever the opportunity arises in a desperate bid to stay relevant.

At the Cliveden Literary Festival last weekend, Rachel Weisz (Mrs Daniel Craig) was interviewed by La Maitlis herself  and revealed that she had felt terribly for Prince Andrew after watching the new Amazon series A Very Royal Scandal, starring Michael Sheen. However, the facts are that Andrew consorted with a convicted paedophile and his career in public life is over. Having to live with the consequences of our actions can be a painful lesson indeed.

Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in Star Wars and, right, Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday

Saturday nights Strictly may have had the lowest viewing figures ever for the show during opening week  just 6.7 million tuning in. But the magic was still there: The waltz from JLS star JB Gill with his partner Amy Dowden to Leo Sayers When I Need You stole the show. And you might have noticed how closely Claudia Winklemans flowing cream-coloured dress and new hairstyle resembled Princess Leia in Star Wars.

Strictly is filmed on the George Lucas Stage at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire  named after the creator of that hugely successful franchise. Was clever Claudia trying to give her opening show a little extra push on social media?

Judging by these ratings, shell need the Force to be with her during the next few weeks  but the early signs are promising that she will.

As pensioners face a miserable winter without the fuel allowance snatched from them by Rachel Reeves  who was happy to accept 7,500 for new clothes from Labour donor Juliet Rosenfeld  spare a thought for MPs on 91,000 a year who are now moaning about their chilly Westminster offices and demanding new electric heaters.

Its true that the rooms closer to the river in the draughty Victorian building can be perishingly cold, so heres an idea. Maybe the Speakers Office should determine which MPs get the new heaters according to how those MPs voted on the winter fuel allowance. Those who had hoped to keep pensioners warm can get them  while those who think old people should shiver in the cold should maybe learn how it feels.
Disney World fans with serious health conditions have slammed the theme park's new Disability Access Service (DAS) program after they were denied for the service - branding the application process as 'invasive,' humiliating,' and degrading,' and claiming the changes forced them into 'potentially deadly' situations.

Back in May, Disney rolled out a series of updates to the program, announcing that only people with 'a developmental disability like autism or a similar disorder' would be accepted, meaning most guests with mobility impairments were no longer included.

In addition, the process now also includes a new, lengthy interview procedure.

Disney's DAS pass allows guests who 'are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time' to receive a return time to then stand on a separate, shorter line for attractions in the park.

Now, a series of disabled park-goers have spoken exclusively to DailyMail.com about how the 'dangerous' new policy has negatively impacted on them, with one disability rights advocate saying it could have a 'negative ripple effect' on the entire community.

A Disney World fan with a multiple health conditions (seen in the park with her family) has slammed the company for denying her request for a Disability Access Service (DAS) pass

One Disney fan, Shannon Bonadurer, who has several debilitating conditions, told DailyMail.com that she was left 'heartbroken' after she was forced to share intimate details about her medical history with a cast member, only to be denied the pass.

The 52-year-old, from Millington, Michigan, told DailyMail.com that her rejection came, despite the fact that her waiting in line could pose as a 'biohazard' risk to other guests.

And as an alternative, she said was told she could exit the queue if she started to feel sick and return when the rest of her party got to the front - but that would mean leaving her 'blind, autistic, and nonverbal' son alone.

While chatting with DailyMail.com, Shannon explained that she 'only has a small intestine,' which means she uses an an ostomy bag to go to the bathroom.

'The ostomy fills on its own 24/7 and I have zero control [over] when,' she shared.

'It can fill up in five minutes, which would cause me to have to empty it immediately or experience a possible leak or break.

'Also, the ostomy bag can leak or break its seal without notice so accidents happen without any heads up.'

She also said she has a 'PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line on her chest that goes directly to her heart, and a portion of her small intestine is on the outside of her body.'

Back in May, Disney announced that only people with 'a developmental disability like autism or a similar disorder' would be accepted for its Disability Access Service (DAS) program

Now, one avid Disney park-goer Shannon Bonadurer spoke to DailyMail.com about how its new rules had negatively impacted her family and the disability community

In addition, she suffers from a neurological movement disorder called dystonia that 'causes her muscles to freeze up,' sometimes leaving her 'unable to move' or even 'flailing' uncontrollably.

She also said she has Cushing syndrome and Hashimoto's disease, which can 'cause her heart rate to accelerate' and make her 'physically ill' if she gets dehydrated, something that happens easily for her because she 'cannot control her body temperature.'

She explained that she sometimes needed to 'excuse herself' to get 'IV fluids' at the first-aid station in the park, and having the DAS pass in the past allowed her to 'wait in a cool location near a restroom' between rides.

Shannon said for the last 13 years, she had been approved for the pass with no problems, but after the change, she was denied.

While reflecting on the experience, Shannon said she spoke to a cast member on a live video chat, and was asked to describe why she could not wait in lines in great detail.

But after explaining her multiple ailments, she was denied - and she claimed that she was told the reason was because she 'understood what it meant to stand in line.'

'The biohazard [my ostomy bag could cause] didn't matter, or how I could injure myself or others in the process,' she scathed.

She added, however, that it was clear the cast member felt terrible that they had to deny her, so she didn't blame them.

She was given an alternate option for people with disabilities who don't have a DAS pass: the Return to Queue system.

This policy says that disabled guests should attempt to wait on the regular line, and if they felt like they needed to leave for any reason, they could do so and return when the rest of their party got to the front.

She said she was forced to share immensely personal details about her debilitating conditions, only to get denied - and called the interview process 'humiliating' and 'degrading'

She was told she could exit the queue if she started to feel sick and return when her party got to the front - but that would mean leaving her 'blind, autistic, and nonverbal' son (seen) alone

'There may be times when a guest must briefly step out of the standby queue and then rejoin their party,' Disney's website reads.

'Every attraction has a defined process to support this option based on a person's disability while the rest of the party remains in the queue.

'Speak to a Cast Member at the attraction for directions on how to re-enter the queue.'

But Shannon said this didn't work for her as she often visited the parks with only her husband and her 24-year-old son, Bradley, who is also disabled.

She said she couldn't be alone when she was having a medical emergency, but was also not comfortable leaving Bradley by himself.

Shannon (seen at the park with her family), 52, from Millington, Michigan, 'only has a small intestine' which means she uses an 'an ostomy bag' to go to the bathroom. She also said she has Cushing syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, and a neurological movement disorder called dystonia

'My son has cerebral palsy and periventricular leukomalacia. He is blind, autistic, non verbal, and has to be catheterized to use the bathroom,' she explained.

'While Bradley is 24 years old, he has the cognitive ability of a 14-month-old. He is sensitive to loud noises and heat or cold.

'He can have a seizure at any moment. He does not understand a lot around him that he is not familiar with and that can cause great confusion and fear.

'I was told my husband could wait with me [if I left the line] but our son would have to somehow wait in the line by himself in his wheelchair, blind and unable to wheel himself. How was that going to work?'

It also means that the guest has to explain their disability to the cast members manning the ride each time they want to use it.

Shannon called the new option an 'absolute disaster' and extremely 'dangerous,' adding, 'It doesn't work.

'It's not consistent and quite honestly the DAS guest shouldn't have to plead their case in front of strangers every time they try to return to the queue. It's not an accommodation, it's a brush off.'

Shannon revealed that the denial for her DAS pass came months after she had to be rushed to the emergency room while staying on a Disney property because she had a terrifying health scare due to her conditions.

She explained that she was at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort in July 2023 when she got 'severely dehydrated,' which caused 'a blockage and a shut down of her GI system and compromised other organs.'

She collapsed in the lobby after dinner and had to be rushed to the hospital via an ambulance.

She said she couldn't be alone when she was having a medical emergency, but was also not comfortable leaving her son, Bradley (seen), by himself due to his own problems

'My son has cerebral palsy and periventricular leukomalacia. He is blind, autistic, non verbal, and has to be catheterized to use the bathroom,' she explained

She spent 10 days in the ICU due to the 'life-threatening' incident, but ultimately recovered.

While Shannon was denied, she was able to get the DAS pass approved for her son.

But the Michigan-based mom was horrified by the process, and claimed it could 'cause serious damage' to the disability community as a whole.

Shannon (seen at Disney with her family) was horrified by the process, and claimed it could 'cause serious damage' to the disability community as a whole

'This is pure discrimination by Disney against the disabled community,' she said. 'You can't pick and choose which disability you are going to accept.

'This was a horrible experience and it has changed my view on this company. Having to scream out my disability and my son's disability is humiliating.

'I'm heartbroken. The one place my son feels safe and can enjoy in the entire world now comes at a great cost to him and his family.

'Disney needs and can do better. They are simply refusing to.

'Recently Mickey Mouse visited a Children's Hospital to tell [sick kids] that they would be receiving free Halloween costumes.... yet none of those children would qualify for DAS if released from the hospital to go to Disney.'

She said she was so upset by the whole ordeal that she has now canceled three upcoming trips.

But she hoped sharing her story would stop Disney from 'degrading and humiliating' others in the future.

'My disability is only for us our family and friends to know, but in order to make this corporation do the right thing, I am [willing] to be completely transparent and shout it from the rooftops,' she added.

'I hope it stops the degrading and humiliation Disney is causing for hundreds of thousands of disabled people.'

'I'm heartbroken. The one place my son feels safe and can enjoy in the entire world now comes at a great cost to him and his family,' she scathed

She said she was so upset by the whole ordeal that she has now canceled three upcoming trips. Her family is pictured at Disney

Disability rights advocate Aaron Baker, a former professional motocross athlete who became paralyzed from the chin down after suffering from a spinal cord injury in 1999, also spoke to DailyMail.com about the impact of Disney's decision to exclude physical disabilities from the DAS pass.

He said the changes to the policy could have 'negative psychosocial affects' and leave people with disabilities feeling 'not seen, heard, considered, or even respected.'

In addition, he described it as a 'contradiction of Disney's mission to entertain, inspire, and inform through storytelling.'

'I fear that the general exclusion of physical mobility impairments will have a negative ripple effect and may not solve an intended inclusion effort,' he said.

'As a spinal cord injured husband, father, and philanthropist for disability, I relish the joy a Disney World experience brings my family, but I am also hyper-sensitive to the challenges and nuances of the special needs of those with mobility impairments while at the park.

'A disability can often have an "iceberg affect" meaning most of what people "see" as a disability is just the surface of a persons adversity.

'There is a long list of secondary complications below the surface that are at the root of ones suffering and that can be exacerbated by the parks Disability Access Service (DAS) restrictions.'

Disney's DAS program allows guests who 'are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time' to receive a return time and stand on a separate line for attractions

While Shannon was denied, she was able to get the DAS pass approved for her son, but she added, 'You can't pick and choose which disability you are going to accept'

He said there are many physical disabilities that could make waiting on line uncomfortable - or even dangerous.

For example, he said some people can't 'regulate their internal core temperatures' which could subject them to 'severe overheating or hypothermia.'

Others may suffer from hypertension or hypotension, which are 'blood-pressure related conditions that were 'unseen, yet terribly disruptive.'

Various pain syndromes can 'be hard to compartmentalize and manage,' according to Aaron, which may 'amplify a person's discomfort while they're intending to enjoy the Happiest Place on Earth.'

'Incontinence is the bane of my existence and is my biggest fear while confined within the rails and rules of the park's general public,' he added.

'This alone will prohibit me from even buying a ticket to a venue that isn't aware of empathetic to the basic human function and/or disfunction.

'Regulations that do not consider these sensitive insecurities, in my opinion, do not place the customer experience first.'

Aaron, who co-founded Center Of Restorative Exercise and is a representative for the non-profit Wings For Life Foundation, is a fierce advocate for disability rights.

He, with his family in tow, is currently biking his way across the world to raise money and awareness to enhance rehabilitation, recreation and neurological research for the Diverse-Abled.

He is documenting the journey, called the Adversity Into Adventure World Tour, on his website, and has invited others to travel along with him.

Another disabled Disney fan, who asked to remain anonymous, told DailyMail.com that the 'amount of disabled people that I have seen getting rejected for DAS is overwhelmingly high.'

'The people that I've seen [getting denied] goes from those who are visibility disabled with wheelchairs, fragile medical equipment or/and assistive technology to even people with autism and Down syndrome, whom Disney claims the new DAS system are for,' they said.

Aaron Baker, a former professional motocross athlete who became paralyzed from the chin down after suffering from a spinal cord injury in 1999, also spoke to DailyMail.com about it

He said the changes to the policy could have 'negative psychosocial affects' and leave people with disabilities feeling 'not seen, heard, considered, or even respected'

The anonymous park-goer, like Shannon, slammed the 'invasive and humiliating' interview process, and called the whole program 'absolutely ignorant.'

While they haven't gone to the park since the new rules came into affect, they said they've heard about so many 'potentially deadly incidents' that happened to people who were forced to wait on line after being denied for the DAS pass.

'We are hearing stories about how this negatively affected their park experience and in some cases, endangered their lives,' they shared.

'For [some], it stops them from going altogether. Why go to a place that won't meet your basic needs?

'It's just a reminder of how the disability community, once again, is in the very bottom of the Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.'

On Disney's website, the company states that 'Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and accessible experiences for our guests.'

'DAS is one of the programs offered at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks intended to accommodate those guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Disney multiple times for comment, but did not hear back.
Princess Catharina-Amalia has unveiled a dramatic new look as she returned to the Netherlands for the first time following a kidnap threat.

The future European Queen, 20, recently spent over a year living in Spain as a result of growing fears for her safety but has made two public appearances at The Hague this week.

On Tuesday evening, the royal cut a glamorous figure in a bottle green caped gown by Safiyaa London - a designer favoured by the Princess of Wales and Duchess of York - to attend the opening of Dutch parliament.

Last night, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's eldest daughter looked equally as sophisticated in a navy gown for a gala at Noordeinde Palace.

The royal appeared visibly more confident in front of the camera - having been shielded from the public eye over her family's concerns for her safety as well being the subject of cruel body shaming on social media.

Pictured: Princess Amalia of The Netherlands arrives for the opening of parliament at The Hague in September 2024

Pictured: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Princess Amalia - who has only recently returned to Amsterdam - in February 2023

Speaking to FEMAIL, Megan Watkins, head stylist at SilkFred said Princess Amalia's new wardrobe 'demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of fashion and personal style.

'Princess Catharina-Amalias evolving style showcases her growing confidence and refined fashion choices' she concurred.

'Her recent preference for bold, structured silhouettes in rich colours like royal blue and deep green highlights her embrace of classic, yet modern elegance'.

The stylist also made note of the princess's love for high end designers, which she observed as 'flattering'.

She said: 'Designers like Alex Perry and Safiyaa have become key in her wardrobe, offering sleek gowns that flatter her figure, with high necklines and mermaid skirts adding sophistication.

'Her use of statement accessories, like diamond chokers and velvet pumps, enhances her regal presence, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of fashion and personal style'.

In October 2022, the royal began a degree in Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics at Amsterdam University and moved into halls.

However, the high-profile student was forced to abandon her original living arrangements after being threatened with kidnap by Dutch organised crime gangs.

Pictured: King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima 's eldest daughter looked sophisticated in a navy gown for a gala at Noordeinde Palace last night

In April, the Dutch public broadcaster NOS revealed the 'Princess of Orange' did ultimately escape the confines of The Hague and spent a year studying in Madrid.

Amalia, who first in line to the throne, is said to speak fluent Spanish thanks to her mother, who is Argentine by birth.

Officials would not confirm details of Amalia's initial departure from her studies in Amsterdam, but the move came weeks after reports that Amalia and Prime Minister Mark Rutte were mentioned in communications by organised crime groups - leading to fears of kidnappings.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at the time: 'I'm very sorry for her and I'm obviously very concerned about it.'

He added that Dutch authorities were doing everything to ensure that the princess is safe.

Pictured: Princess Amalia of the Netherlands with King Willem-Alexander on Kingday in April 2024

'She can't live in Amsterdam and she can't really go outside (the palace)... It has enormous consequences on her life. There is no student life for her like others have,' said an emotional Queen Maxima at the time.

Amalia herself told reporters during a royal family tour of the Caribbean early last year that she missed 'the normal life of a student', having hoped she would be able to enjoy the student experience like her peers.

'Sadly the reality was different,' she said.

Her father, King Willem-Alexander, said in the podcast Through the Eyes of the King that the situation had 'had a very hard impact' on his daughter and his family.

'The uncertainty, the lack of freedom, that is not how you want to raise your children and what you want to pass on to your children,' he said.

The Minister for Justice and Security, Dilan Yesilgoz, told reporters in the weeks following Amalia's withdrawal from studies in Amsterdam: 'I guarantee that our security services work hard day and night to guarantee her safety.

'It is terrible that this is necessary, in the first place for the Crown Princess herself.'

The future European Queen (pictured in 2022) recently spent over a year living in Spain as a result of growing fears for her safety

Princess Amalia of The Netherlands visits the Taste of Bonaire festival during the Dutch Royal Family Tour Of The Dutch Caribbean Islands Day Two in January 2023

Princess Amalia of The Netherlands arrives at the Koninklijke Schouwburg for Prinsjesdag on September 17, 2024

NOS this week said the threat to Amalia had not completely disappeared, but she was able to return from Madrid to live and study in the Netherlands again due to unspecified 'measures'.

Dutch publication Het Parool claims Amalia has now resumed her studies at Amsterdam University.

Ahead of her 18th birthday, royal spoke openly about the benefits of therapy in an authorised biography - having lost her aunt Ines to suicide in 2018.

She said: 'Sometimes it all gets too much for me - school, friends - and then I talk to someone.

'If I need it, I'll make an appointment... talking to a professional every now and then is quite normal.'

Princess Amalia of The Netherlands, 20, during Kingsday on April 27, 2024 in Emmen, Netherlands

Princess Amalia of The Netherlands attends a diner gala the Council of State at Palace Noordeinde last night

In April 2023, King Willem-Alexander revealed that his three daughters 'see everything' posted about them on social media.

Speaking on the Through the eyes of the King podcast, the royal told Dutch radio presenter Edwin Evers that he has 'very open discussions' with his children, who are encouraged to share their feelings about online trolling.

As quoted in the NL Times, he said: 'They are not blind and deaf, they see everything on social media, they read everything, they hear everything. We don't cut them off from anything. And they talk about it.'

'It affects them,' he added, saying that he has also had to learn to deal with negative comments on social media during his time in the public eye.

The monarch explained that he encourages his daughters not to see social media criticism as a personal attack, saying that for children growing up, it was 'very annoying' to see the criticism posted online.

'Kids dont have a filter in that regard, but its reality, and they have to learn to deal with that.'

In February 2023, Princess Catharina-Amalia was the subject of cruel body-shaming on social media, which prompted royal fans to jump to her defence.

One wrote on X: 'People who are body shaming Princess Amalia of Netherlands are the same who body shaming Princess Catherine because she is too skinny with no curves.

'That's the reality in this social media, people hate that you are happy with yourself and that somebody loves you for the way you are.'

Another added: 'I think she is absolutely beautiful!'

In July 2020, Portuguese magazine Cara issued an apology to Princess Amalia after they labelled the 16-year-old 'plus-sized' on a front cover and claimed she had 'defended her figure of "real women"'.

One critic wrote on Instagram: 'Who gave you permission to comment on the body of a 16-year-old girl?'

Another added: 'They are talking about the body of a minor, adolescent and growing.'
Given the dizzying number of anti-ageing skincare ranges out there, it's pretty clear there are a lot of us keen to discover the secret formula to youthful-looking, flawless skin.

But dermatologists and cosmetic doctors warn that this pursuit of perfection can tip into obsession. Experts are witnessing an alarming rise in midlife women affected by a new condition, 'dermorexia'.

This is an obsessive preoccupation with using excessive amounts of skincare treatments and following an elaborate beauty routine. Ironically, layering too many products, many with harsh active ingredients, can cause or worsen skin conditions such as acne, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, and psoriasis.

'I've witnessed people spending upwards of 2,000 per month on skincare,' says Dr Penelope Tympanidis, a Harley Street consultant dermatologist. 'On products they don't need.'

Penelope Tympanidis, a Harley Street consultant dermatologist says she has witnessed people spending upwards of 2,000 per month on skincare

Dermorexia was first spotted among teens and young adults, when beauty influencers also known as 'Sephora Kids' began sharing their 12-step skincare routines on TikTok. Now it's rife in middle-aged women seeking poreless, glossy skin to mimic the filters they use on social media.

Dermorexia presents in several ways, with the above skin conditions being common. But Dr Tympanidis says typical cases can range from dull looking, over-clogged skin prone to blackheads and acne to super sensitized red and often flaky skin.

The former is caused by overusing nourishing anti-ageing creams and rich moisturisers, and the latter by overuse of products with high concentrations of glycolic acid, niacinamide, retinol, salicylic acid and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) which can cause inflammation and damage the skin.

A case in point is Tiffany, a 45-year-old lawyer from London, who was unwittingly suffering from ermorexia when she saw Dr Surbhi Virmani, a cosmetic dermatologist.

Often dermorexics can have psychological issues, exacerbated by low self-esteem, leading them to consume many more products than they need.

A case in point is Tiffany, a 45-year-old lawyer from London, who was unwittingly suffering from Dermorexia when she saw Dr Surbhi Virmani, a cosmetic dermatologist.

Experts are witnessing an alarming rise in midlife women affected by a new condition, 'dermorexia'

'Tiffany was wrecking her complexion with harsh acids and too many exfoliants, which left her skin feeling raw and sensitive. The condition had also impacted her confidence. The good news is that we repaired it with the correct skincare and a little patience.'

Dr Virmani recommends a simple three-step routine. 'My favourite budget cleansers are by Byoma (9.99, Boots.com). They're available in cream and gel formulas to suit individual needs and are fantastic at calming sensitive skins. To moisturise, try a new Polish brand called ProXN (proxn.eu./home-en), it contains an antioxidant from hops that is powerful yet gentle, and helps to strengthen and restore the skin barrier and prevent inflammation.

'A good SPF is important all year round and Synchrorose Intensive SPF30 (40, drmedispa.com) and Theraderm Platinum Protection (30.99, theraderm.net) are lovely sunscreens for sensitive skin. I also recommend not cleansing in the morning when the skin barrier is already impaired as this can irritate the problem.'

Are you suffering from Dermorexia

1. You suddenly suffer sensitive or reactive skin

New issues such as breakouts, redness and dermatitis are often attributed to overusing products.

The heavy use of occlusive products  designed to lock in moisture  can clog pores, causing inflammatory acne. If you like layering products, use non-comedogenic products that won't disrupt skin function. Try brands such as La Roche Posay, Cerave, Cetaphil, Neutrogena, Dermalogica and Eucerin.

2. You're seeing several skin experts, without satisfaction. This is a 'red flag' says Dr Wassim Taktouk

'The dermorexics I have seen invariably tell me they're prescribed various different products from many doctors they see.'

3. You're obsessed with achieving 'glass skin'

'Glass skin' or 'dolphin skin' hashtags on social media have been blamed for contributing to the rise in dermorexia. 'These images are not realistic and usually involve a person slathering their skin in oil and using a good ring light,' says facialist Teresa Tarmey.

4. Your eyes are puffy

'Around the orbital area you also have tiny blood vessels that can dilate and temporarily swell with the overuse of rich eye creams,' says Dr Tympanidis. 'Gently pat a pea-sized amount of eye cream on the peri-orbital bone (top of the cheekbone) and let it diffuse across the area rather than slathering over the eyelids.'

5. You have cupboards full of unused products

Most mainstream skincare with stabilised actives have a shelf life and lose efficacy after two years, although 'organic' ones may last only six months. 'People are wasting their money and compromising their skin condition,' says Dr Emma Craythorne, who advocates three skincare steps in the morning (cleanser, moisturiser and sun protection) and two at night (cleanser and overnight treatment moisturiser),

6. You're forensically examining small changes to your face

'It has gone from patients having unrealistic expectations of what can be achieved with skincare to many who are convinced there is something physically wrong with their face,' says Dr Taktouk.

'A big part of my job now is reassuring patients their skin looks perfectly normal and then helping them simplify their routines.'
Princess Alexia appeared in high spirits as she started her journey at University College London over the weekend.

The second daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has joined the prestigious university to undertake a Bachelor of Science and Engineering.

Taking to Instagram, the Dutch royal household shared a photograph of the 19-year-old princess in the UK's capital, writing: 'Princess Alexia is in London where she will be starting her studies at University College London this week.

'She is starting the Bachelor of Science & Engineering for Social Change at the Faculty of Engineering. The Princess' study time is considered private.'

Alexia beamed as she strolled outside the university building donning a chic suede waistcoat and a pair of cream trousers.

Princess Alexia of the Netherlands appeared cheerful as she kickstarted her university experience in London over the weekend

She styled her auburn tresses out for the occasion and opted for a natural makeup look.

Alexia, who turned 19 in June, has started university after taking a gap year. The decision to return to the UK is a last-minute one for the princess, who revealed in June she'd applied for several courses and didn't know what she wanted to study.

During a press conference, she admitted she was 'a bit stressed about choosing' but was widely expected to study at the University of Groningen, according to the NL Times.

She is studying for a three-year BSc degree in Science and Engineering for Social Change, which promises to teach students 'in-demand skills needed to solve key challenges of society'.

The course includes a placement or project module in its third year and likely careers include corporate, charity or government roles after graduating.

Alexia will spend 13 'contact' hours with staff a week on top of 27 hours of independent study.

It comes after the princess enjoyed her gap year, which she said was full of 'travelling, working and all sorts of things.'

During her year out, she made her first official solo public appearance at the naming ceremony of the VOX Alexia in Rotterdam.

The 19-year-old royal has joined the prestigious university to undertake a a Bachelor of Science and Engineering

Princess Alexia of the Netherlands has moved to London to study at UCL (pictured with Princess Laurentien and Prince Constantijn in September last year)

The second daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima turned 19 in June during her gap year

She also appeared on the balcony for the opening day of Dutch parliament, debuting her royal order for the first time.

Alexia wore The Order of the Netherlands Lion after being appointed it when she turned 18.

Princess Alexia previously spent two years in the UK, graduating from UWC Atlantic College in South Wales in May last year, with her parents travelling to the prestigious school to celebrate.

The school is often referred to as 'Hippie Hogwarts' thanks to its progressive approach to education and picturesque castle setting, with European royals often attending.

The college is for pupils aged 16 to 19 years of age and students from all over the world, 150 countries to be exact, live and study together.

It is based at St Donat's Castle, south Wales in a 12th century castle set in 122 acres of woodland and farmland with its own valley and seafront.

It was founded by German educationalist Kurt Hahn and is situated at the 12th century St Donat's Castle on the country's south coast.

It costs 67,000 per year for courses including Tai Chi, the theory of knowledge and Tibetan literature.

Princess Amalia, Queen Maxima, King Willem-Alexander, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane during King's Day in Emmen in April

Princess Alexia previously spent two years in the UK, graduating from UWC Atlantic College in South Wales (seen in April)

Queen Maxima (pictured, right) looks annoyed as her daughter Princess Alexia (pictured, left) chews gum while watching the swimming at the Olympics

Alexia, who is second in the line of succession to the Dutch throne, has been attending the Olympics with her family in recent months.

She even received a stern look from her mother Queen Maxima as she popped gum while watching the swimming.

Her elder sister Princess Amalia is studying psychology, law and economics at the University of Amsterdam, but was forced to live in Madrid for a year following kidnap threats.

The heir to the Dutch throne said she was 'very grateful' to everyone who helped protect and keep her safe from kidnapping threats from organised crime gangs.

Amalia was forced to abandon plans to live in student halls over security fears, just weeks after she started at Amsterdam University to study politics, psychology, law and economics in October 2022.

The 20-year-old said her time in Spain made her life in the Netherlands 'somewhat possible' again and thanked everyone who helped her make the swift move possible.
The Princess of Wales looked effortlessly elegant as she attended a Sunday church service near Balmoral yesterday.

The royal, 42, was spotted in public for the first time since announcing she had completed chemotherapy.

The mother-of-three was pictured arriving at Crathie Kirk in the passenger seat of a 4X4 driven by Prince William.

The couple treated themselves to a weekend away in Scotland without their three children, who remained in Berkshire.

To attend church with her husband, King Charles and Queen Camilla, Kate turned to some of her old favourite wardrobe staples.

Pictured: the Princess of Wales wore a pair of earrings she's owned since 2011 to church in Scotland yesterday

The future Queen was pictured wearing a dark brown tartan blazer by the Italian brand Blaze Milano.

The stylish jacket - which originally retailed for 1,2000 - has a nipped in waist and is made of virgin wool.

Kate owns several jackets by the designer label and was first pictured in this style in December 2021.

The royal wore the tartan blazer over a simple black roll neck yesterday and also donned a 109 hat by the British brand Hicks & Brown.

The 109 'Suffolk' hat - which comes in six shades - is adorned with orange feathers, which are secured into a brown leather band.

The Princess of Wales completed her elegant ensemble with some statement gold earrings by Cassandra Goad, which she has owned since 2011.

The three-strand chandelier earrings are from the London-based designer's 'Journey to China' collection over a decade ago.

The royal opted for her signature bouncy blow dry and was also pictured wearing a smokey brown eye and nude lip for church yesterday.

The Princess of Wales owns several jackets by Italian designer Blaze Milano - with this one retailing for 1,200

Hicks and Brown's 109 'Suffolk' hat - which comes in six shades - is adorned with orange feathers, which are secured into a brown leather band

The Princess of Wales completed her elegant ensemble with some statement gold earrings by Cassandra Goad, which she has owned since 2011

Pictured: the Princess of Wales seen wearing the gold statement earrings during a royal visit to Los Angeles in July 2011

Yesterday was the first time the Princess has been seen in public since the good news that she has finished her course of preventative chemotherapy following her health scare earlier this year.

The Princess stressed that her health and staying cancer free remain her priority, as does her young family.

She has announced she will begin to undertake a small number of public duties, and last week held her first major meeting at Windsor Castle of her Early Years initiative that was documented in the Court Circular.

The couple, who also visited Scotland over the summer with their family, will no doubt have revelled in the relaxed outdoors lifestyle the Royal Family enjoy on Royal Deeside.

It will also have given them the chance to catch up with Charles and Camilla ahead of their big tour to Australia and Samoa next month.
Prince Harry showed 'possible signs of struggling' as he attended a dinner organised by the World Health Organization in New York this weekend.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, was without his wife Meghan Markle at the dinner held to honour survivors of childhood violence.

However, we wasn't the only royal in attendance, as he shared a sweet moment with Queen Mathilde of Belgium, while actor Forest Whitaker, several UN Agency Heads, and other dignitaries.

According to body language expert Judi James, the Duke of Sussex appeared to show signs that he is 'struggling with his visible demotion'.

One of the photographs from the event shows King Charles' youngest son greeting Queen Mathilde.

Describing the embrace, James told FEMAIL: 'It's Mathilde adopting the body language signals of royal rank and status here while Harry shows possible signs of struggling with his visible demotion.

'He greets the Belgian Queen like family, using a warm eye-gaze on her face while extending his right hand to clasp her on her upper arm, creating what looks like a rather sweet moment of tactile affection.'

Prince Harry was pictured warmly embracing Queen Mathilde of Belgium at an event in New York on Sunday

Body language expert Judi James noted that 'as Harry and Mathilde walk in a group, it's Harry who seems to be walking behind to emphasise the fact that he's no longer the only royal in the room'

Officials from countries like Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland, and Brazil were also present, as were survivors of child abuse to discuss the important issue at the event on Sunday.

All are in New York for the UN General Assembly, which is set to kick off on Monday morning in Manhattan.

Judi added that while Mathilde's face 'appears crinkled in a reciprocal smile', Harry appeared more keen, 'bending in towards her, she seems to keep a more upright posture, while her right hand on Harry's shoulder looks regally elegant and polite'.

This wasn't the only sign the body language expert picked up on in the photos.

She added: 'As Harry and Mathilde walk in a group, it's Harry who seems to be walking behind to emphasise the fact that he's no longer the only royal in the room in New York.'

Perhaps more seriously, she noted his facial expression, which appeared somewhat unhappy.

'His facial expression appears to have fallen into the "haunted" look that is sadly a signature signal for Harry when he's not being upbeat and animated.'

According to Judi James, Prince Harry appeared to have a 'haunted' expression, which she said 'is sadly a signature signal for Harry when he's not being upbeat and animated'

Forrest whittaker was present as well, and is seen here conversing with Prime Minister De Croo and the Duke of Sussex

The gathering came a day after Harry attended Kevin Costner's charity concert at his beachfront estate solo, all the way across the country in California while Meghan was said to be 'sick.'

Speaking at the WHO's event, MC Will Poulter told attendees: 'Violence takes many forms - both physical and psychological  and each leaves a lasting impact on those who experience it.

'With one billion children around the world experiencing such violence, the statistics are staggering, but they represent real lives.

'It's our collective responsibility to ensure that these children are protected.'

Also in attendance were high-profile figures like Whitaker and Shudu Musida, who, along with the survivors, helped pen an open letter last week demanding urgent action from world leaders to end violence against children.

This comes ahead of the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which is set to take place in Colombia in November.

Signatories of the letter included Harry, Mathilde, and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who was seen conversing with the Duke of Sussex and actor at length during the event.

The Belgian royal spoke to the crowd as well, urging for more to be done to held kids facing corporal punishment, bullying, online violence and sexual abuse.

Other forms of violence singled out by the group include gang violence, child marriage and child labor.

Meghan, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen, after championing efforts designed to halt online bullying earlier this summer.

In August, the Duchess was seen lovingly clutching her husband's knee on the set of CBS News Sunday Morning, as she detailed how she struggled with suicidal thoughts because of abuse she received as a working royal

She told host Jane Pauley how she hope her candor will help youngsters around the world navigate similar feelings, while reaching out to her spouse for support.

The event organized by WHO, and was attended by politicians like Prime Minister Alexander De Croo of Belgium, seen beside Harry here. Meghan was noticeably absent after missing out on actor Kevin Costner's house party due to being 'sick' the day before

'When you've been through any level of pain or trauma, I believe part of our healing journey - certainly part of mine - is being able to be really open about it,' Markle said as Harry looked on.

'I really scraped the surface on my experience, but I do think that I would never want someone else to feel that way.

'And I would never want someone else to be making those sort of plans,' she added. '[A]nd I would never want someone else to not be believed.'

A source told the Mirror that she missed Costner's Santa Barbara house part because 'she [was] sick and could not make it'.

A-listers like Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe and Pink were in attendance.
Emma Coronel Aispuro - the wife of Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman Loera - has made a shock return to the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week.

The former beauty queen, 35, who married the ruthless czar when she was just a teenager, donned a dramatic wedding dress as she continued her efforts to revamp her image from her cartel days.

Coronel was sentenced to three years behind bars in 2021 after pleading guilty to three counts of helping her husband's Mexico-based Sinaloa drug cartel, including conspiracy to launder money and distribute illegal drugs and engaging in financial dealings.

She was released on September 13, 2023 - but her kingpin husband continues to serve a life-plus-30-years sentence in Colorado's federal Supermax prison.

On Sunday, she re-entered the modelling world in a dramatic wedding dress by fashion designer April Black Diamond.

Emma Coronel - the wife of Mexican drug lord Joaquin ' El Chapo ' Guzman Loera - has made a shocking return to the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week

Coronel, who is newly back on social media following her release from jail, documented the day online, excitedly filming herself in the chair for hair and make-up

The stunning ensemble boasted a glitzy crown and lavish silver jewellery, with an off-the-shoulder cut.

Coronel, who is newly back on social media following her release from jail, documented the day online, excitedly filming herself in the chair for hair and make-up.

She wrote on Instagram: 'I am a true believer that dreams do come true when you work hard and with your heart!'

However her comments sparked outrage on social media, with one writing: 'It's disgusting that they give space to women and participants in crimes perpetrated by her husband and the entire cartel of which she is a part.'

Her debut took place at the Milan Fashion Week 2024 at the Palazzo Serbelloni, a Neoclassical palace where Napoleon once lived.

Coronel was the star of the Spring/Summer showcase, modelling the April Black Diamonds collection, described as a 'stunning high-end collection that perfectly blends luxury, elegance, and boldness'.

LA-based designer April wrote on Instagram that she chose Coronel to be her lead model 'despite a past marked by controversy'.

She said: 'You are a vision in APRIL BLACK DIAMOND ATELIER. You are unique, one of one!!!!'

Emma Coronel in her mugshot in 2021 (left). Her husband, Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman Loera, in his mugshot in 2015 (right)

LA-based designed April Black Diamond wrote on Instagram that she chose Coronel to be her lead model 'despite a past marked by controversy'

On Sunday, she made a dramatic re-entrance into the modelling world, donning a dramatic wedding dress designed by fashion designer April Black Diamond

The stunning ensemble boasted a glitzy crown and lavish silver jewellery, with an off-the-shoulder cut

The former beauty queen is back on the runway after spending two years behind bars

She added: 'As a designer, I believe everyone deserves a second chance, and fashion is the perfect platform to highlight transformation, strength, and resilience.

'Thats why I made the bold decision to hire an extraordinary woman as my main model, a woman who, despite a past marked by controversy, has chosen to rewrite her future.

'She is not just a model for our dresses, she is an example of strength, courage, and hope.

'Her journey from a troubled past to a promising future embodies the message I want to convey with this collection: it is never too late to change your life, and every woman deserves the chance to walk with pride and confidence, no matter where she comes from.'

Coronel Aispuro became a beauty queen at age 17 when she won the 2007 Coffee and Guava Festival beauty pageant in Canelas, Mexico.

She first met the kingpin when he asked her for a dance at a Mexico party when she was 17.

'He flirtatiously smiled at me. After a while a person told me, "The man asks if you want to dance with him". And I said, "OK." she told the LA Times in a rare interview.

They enjoyed a whirlwind romance and Coronel Aispuro became his third wife when they married as she turned 18.

El Chapo is 32 years her senior and their two daughters Emaly and Maria Joaquina are the youngest of the 19 children he is said to have fathered.

Emma Coronel, 35, (pictured) - the wife of Joaquin ' El Chapo ' Guzman Loera- featured in a music video for a song that tells her life story- 'La Senora' as she continues to rebrand her image

Miro sang as the drug lord's wife, dressed in a plunging white jumpsuit and a slicked back ponytail, took in the enchanting views around her

The former beauty queen, who married the ruthless drug czar when she was a teenager, was sentenced to three years in prison by a US judge in November 2021. (pictured: Coronel pictured in July)

A devoted wife, Coronel Aispuro attended the her husband's trial every day in a show of solidarity

'He flirtatiously smiled at me. After a while a person told me, "The man asks if you want to dance with him". And I said, "OK." she told the LA Times in a rare interview

After spending two and a half years in prison, Coronel has decided to live her life to the fullest.

She was arrested in February 2021, accused of being her husband's accomplice by US authorities, and had attended his trial in New York.

The partner of Mexico's most-wanted drug lord, she has since attempted to undergo a rebrand from her cartel image.

She set up a new Instagram account following her release from jail, after completing 31 months of her 36-month sentence.

Just days after her release, she was spotted hitting up a club in LA on a Friday night.

Earlier this month, Coronel appeared in a music video featuring several plunging outfits - in another attempt to rebrand her cartel image.

She was front and center in the MTV-style music video for a song called 'La Senora' that tells her life story.

Guzman was extradited from Mexico to the United States in 2017 and sentenced in July 2019.

He will spend the rest of his life in the infamous ADX Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, widely-regarded as the world's most secure lock-up.

During her trial, prosecutors and her defense lawyers said Coronel was not involved in the core business of Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel, which shipped hundreds of tons of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs into the United States.

Guzman (pictured) was extradited from Mexico to the United States in 2017 and sentenced in July 2019 to life in prison

Right after her 2023 release, it didn't take long for Coronel to get back to the nightlife she had been missing out on, as she was seen shimmying her way into an LA club (pictured)

'The defendant's actual role was a minimal one,' prosecutor Anthony Nardozzi said.

'The defendant was not a leader, organizer, boss or other type of manager,' Nardozzi said. 'Rather she was a cog in a very large wheel of a criminal organization.'

Coronel, who helped facilitate Guzman's spectacular 2015 escape from a Mexican prison, regularly attended her husband's trial in New York.

A dual US-Mexican citizen, Coronel was able to move in and out of the United States freely until she was arrested at Dulles International Airport outside Washington in February 2021.

Coronel ultimately pleaded guilty to multiple federal drug charges.

They included conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

She previously begged for forgiveness during her sentencing, according to Telemundo.

The mother vowed she would teach her daughters right from wrong, saying: 'I beg you to not allow them to grow up without the presence of a mother.'

Coronel, who helped facilitate Guzman's spectacular 2015 escape from a Mexican prison, regularly attended her husband's trial in New York. (pictured: Her speaking outside a federal court in NYC in April 2018)

She admitted to helping him move at least 450 kilograms of cocaine, 90 kilograms of heroin and nearly 90,000 kilograms of marijuana into the US over several years.

She also helped her husband escape from a high-security Mexican prison in 2015.

Guzman, who was then the head of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, was captured and returned to prison, before his wife again plotted his escape in 2017.

He was convicted in the US of engaging in a continual criminal enterprise and other counts of distributing tons of cocaine in 2019.

The infamous drug cartel boss is serving a life sentence in prison, plus 30 years for the charges. He has since tried to appeal the conviction.

Coronel was moved from a federal prison in Texas, to a halfway house in Long Beach, California, ahead of her release.

She married El Chapo in 2007, on her 18th birthday, and the pair have been in a relationship ever since. (pictured: El Chapo escorted to a helicopter in Mexico City following his capture in 2014)

She married El Chapo in 2007, on her 18th birthday, and the pair have been in a relationship ever since.

After his extradition to the US she showed unwavering support for him, telling the New York Times in 2019 that 'didn't know her husband as the person they are trying to show him as.'

She added: 'But rather I admire him as the human being that I met, and the one that I married.'

Coronel was a fixture at her husband's trial and was regularly surrounded by television cameras and publicity handlers.

She is now on supervised release for the next four years.
Haj Application Form 2025: Last Date Extended By 7 More Days

The Haj Committee of India has extended the last date of application for Hajj 2025 by 7 more days

Monday September 23, 2024 10:05 PM , ummid.com News Network

Hajj 2025 Application: The Haj Committee of India has extended the last date of application for Hajj 2025 (Hajj 1446 H) by seven more days.

The last date of application for Hajj 2025 was originally fixed as September 09, 2024. It was later extended till September 23, 2024.

In a notification released today, the Haj Committee extended the last date of application for the annual pilgrimage to Makkah till Sept 30, 2024.

"In view of the representations received from several State Haj Committees, the last date for filling up of online Haj Application Forms by the intending pilgrims is extended up to September 30, 2024 till 11:59 PM", the Haj Committee of India said in the official notification released today.

"Consequently, applicants possessing of machine readable valid Indian International passports issued on or before September 30, 2024 and valid up to January 15, 2026 will be eligible to apply for Haj 2025", the Haj Committee said.

The Haj Committee of India (HCOI) had earlier published the Haj Policy 2025 for Hajj 1446 H before starting online application through its official website hajcommittee.gov.in.

Haj Policy 2025

Haj Policy 2025, a 13-page PDF document, covers all details regarding division of Haj Seats between Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and Haj Group Organisers (HGOs), eligibility criteria, Haj Suvidha App features, Availability of Haj Application Forms (HAFs), age limit for Ladies travelling without their Mehrams, Distribution of Quota, Qurrah or draw of lots, waiting list, and list of 20 embarkation points for Hajj 2025.

The Haj Committee of India said that the validity of passport for the pilgrims applying for Hajj 1446 AH should be January 15, 2026.

Regarding the cover size, the HCoI said, it should be minimum 1 (one) and Maximum 5 (five) Adults + 2 (two) Infants.

"If the number of family members exceeds five (excluding 2 Infants), applications should be made in more than one cover", the Haj Committee said.

Regarding, ladies and female Haj pilfrims travelling without their Mehrams, the Haj Committee guidelines said, ladies aged 45 or above, who wish to go for Haj but do not have a male Mehram and their school of thought(Maslak) permits, are allowed to travel in groups of 4 or more ladies.

Direct Link to apply for Haj 2025

Click here to apply for Hajj 2025: hajcommittee.gov.in . Click on Apply Now button on the Home Page. Enter your Mobile Number, Email Id, Name, Password, State and District. Enter the Security Code as you see in the box. Click on the checkbox to confirm all the details are filled correctly. Click on the green button "Submit Details".

Please note all field marked as * are compulsory.

The Haj Committee of India has not revealed the details of Advance Haj Amount paymount. The pilgrims however will be required to pay the processing fees online while submitting the form.

Hajj 2025 Qurrah

If the number of application is more than the Haj committee quota, the final list will be prepared by centralised computerised Qurrah or draw of lots.

"The order of priority for confirmation of the seats in a state/UT is: Category-1: 65 or above age category including such LWM, Category-2: Ladies without Mehram below age of 65, and Category-3: General Category", the Haj Committee said. "For Haj-2025, it would be mandatory for pilgrims aged 65 or above to be accompanied by a companion with highest priority in allotment being given to the 65 or above age category. This age criteria was earlier 70 years and now it has been reduced due to arduous and strenuous nature of pilgrimage and harsh climatic conditions in KSA", the Haj Committee said.

"After the Category-1 and Category-2 applications have been exhausted, the qurrah (draw of lots) will be held state/UT wise among the general category applicants for the remaining seats. Another waiting list, called as General Waiting List (GWL) or Category-3 waiting list will be prepared by conducting qurrah (draw of lots) among those applicants who applied under the general category but could not get a confirmed seat", the Haj Committee of India said.

20 Embarkation Points

There will be a total of 20 Embarkation Points (EPs) for Hajj 2025 as against 21 last time. The pilgrims will be required to give two preferences for EP in order of

priority.

The details of EPs for Haj-2025 are as under:

1. Srinagar, 2. Gaya, 3. Guwahati, 4. Indore, 5. Bhopal, 6. Aurangabad, 7. Jaipur, 8. Nagpur, 9. Delhi, 10. Mumbai,11. Kolkata, 12. Bengaluru, 13. Hyderabad, 14. Cochin, 15. Chennai, 16. Ahmedabad, 17. Lucknow, 18. Kannur, 19. Vijayawada, 20. Calicut

In case of number of passengers travelling from an EP goes above or below the economic operation of the air charter services, MoMA reserves the right to reallocate the passengers to any other EP in the interest of smooth air charter operations and air safety protocols, the HCoI said.

The Haj flight schedule will be published in due course.

Qurbani (Adahi)

The Haj committee has also advised pilgrims to use the Qurbai facility provided by it through authorised entities.

"Adahi (Qurbani) is permitted only through entities authorised by KSA for the same. Pilgrims should not fall prey tofraudsters in the name of Qurbani. "Adahi through authorised entities will be arranged by HCoI for the covers who opt for it (all pilgrims of a cover have to opt together). Once exercised, the option cannot be revoked. The Adahi (Qurbani) coupons will be optional.

"The HCoI will issue a n advisory in format of dos & donts for pilgrims which will also have information about Adahi coupon (how does it look, colour, features etc)", the Haj Committee guidelines for Hajj 2025 said.

Hajj Quota

Saudi Arabia has allotted a quota of 175,025 pilgrims to India of them 70% will go through Haj Committee and the remaining will be given to private tour operators.

The Government of India (GoI) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) sign the Haj Agreement every year, in which the number of Haj seats allocated to India is incorporated. Out of the total number of quota allocated to the Government of India (GoI), 70% will be allocated to the HCoI and the remaining 30% will be allocated to HGOs, the Haj Policy said.

The Haj Committee quota this year is 10% more than the previous years. Till Hajj 2024, 40% of the seats from Indias Haj quota was given to PTOs.

Hajj 2025 likely date is from June 04 to 09, 2025. The final date of Haj 2025 however will be decided based on Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH moon sighting.

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Queen Mary of Denmark has been snapped stepping out in Copenhagen to attend an event today - and her public appearance is thought to be her first since her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe was discharged from hospital last week.

The 84-year-old queen, who made the shock decision to abdicate in January to allow her son King Frederik to succeed her, suffered a fall while staying at Fredensborg Castle last week.

Last Friday, Danish publication DR, reported that an official statement from the Danish Royal Palace updating on the Queen's condition said she had been discharged but had suffered an injury to her neck vertebrae and a fracture to her left hand during the fall.

The statement read: 'Queen Margrethe is in good spirits and is doing well under the circumstances, but will however be on sick leave for a longer period.'

Today, King Frederik's wife Mary was pictured attending the National Conference for Health Visitors with The Mary Foundation, where she gave a speech.

Queen Mary was photographed while attending an event in Copenhagen today, days after her mother-in-law was discharged from hospital after suffering a fall

The mother-of-four looked poised and happy to be attending the National Conference for Health Visitors on Monday

Despite the recent stress of her mother-in-law's accident, 52-year-old Queen Mary looked poised, and was snapped smiling as she made the public appearance.

Looking Summery and fresh, she opted for a long-sleeved pale blue blouse. Her top was tucked into a pleated white maxi skirt featuring a floral print which incorporated multiple hues including blue and red.

She finished off the ensemble with a pair of nude, pointed toe, high-heeled pumps and a red handbag.

Mother-of-four Mary wore her shiny chestnut locks loose, leaving them to flow past her shoulders in soft waves. Her make-up look was natural, with a fresh base and pink lip.

Following Queen Margrethe's accident last week, it's thought all planned public engagements have now been cancelled as the royal recovers, and that the Queen will have to wear a neck brace to help her vertebrae injury heal.

King Frederik, 55, the eldest of Margrethe's two sons, spoke publicly on the news that his mother had been hopsitalised on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, he revealed he had spoken to his mother and was confident she was 'in good hands'.

He added: 'We take it day by day. The doctors are the ones who decide.'

Queen Margrethe of Denmark has been released from hospital following a fall at Fredensborg Castle last week - but endured an injury to her neck and left arm, the Palace reported on Friday. She is pictured at Karen Blixen Museum in Copenhagen in September

The King was speaking as he arrived at the Danish capital's City Hall to attend celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir.

Margrethe, a third cousin of Queen Elizabeth, was scheduled to participate in an event at Aarhus University today but has now pulled out.

Her Majesty, known for her chain-smoking and love of dachshunds, was last seen on Monday as she attended the Rungstedlund Prize 2024 at the Karen Blixen Museum.

Despite resigning in her New Year's Eve speech last year, the monarch remains active and performs royal duties alongside her son.

Fredensborg Castle, on the Dutch island of Zealand, is the royal family's country seat where they spend the summer.

Margrethe shocked the nation with the announcement of her abdication during her New Year's Eve live television segment.

Just 14 days later, Margrethe, who ruled for 52 years, signed away the throne at a Council of State meeting and her son, Frederik, was crowned King of Denmark.

She said one of the reasons why she chose to give up the throne was because of her health issues, adding that she underwent surgery for her back in February 2023.

She said: 'It went well, thanks to the skilled healthcare staff who took care of me. Of course, the operation also gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation.'

She is still known as Her Majesty Queen Margrethe and can fill in as regent if King Frederik, Queen Mary and Crown Prince Christian are abroad, ill or on holiday.

Just one week after giving up the crown, the royal went to a special church service at Aarhus Cathedral with her son, King Frederik and his wife Queen Mary.

In Denmark, formal power resides with the elected parliament and its government. The monarch is expected to stay above partisan politics, representing the nation with traditional duties ranging from state visits to national day celebrations.

Born in 1940, Margrethe has throughout her life enjoyed broad support from Danes, who are fond of her tactful and yet creative personality, the Prime Minster has previously described her as 'the epitome of Denmark'.

The monarch hit the headlines in 2022 when she removed royal titles from the four children of her younger son Prince Joachim.

She enjoyed a close relationship with her third cousin Queen Elizabeth II, both descendants of Queen Victoria, having bonded during several state visits to each other's countries down the decades - most recently in 2000, when Margrethe was received at Windsor.

The royal looked fresh and Summery as she attended the event in Copenhagen today, after what was no doubt a stressful time for the royals after Queen Margrethe's accident

Mother-of-four Mary opted for a long-sleeved blue blouse which she paired with a pleated maxi skirt for the outing

The six-feet-tall Margrethe has been one of the most popular public figures in Denmark. She often walked the streets of Copenhagen virtually unescorted and won the admiration of Danes for her warm manners and for her talents as a linguist and designer.

A keen skier, she was a member of a Danish women's air force unit as a princess, taking part in judo courses and endurance tests in the snow.

In 2011, at age 70, she visited Danish troops in southern Afghanistan wearing a military jumpsuit.

As monarch, she crisscrossed the country and regularly visited Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, the two semi-independent territories which are part of the Danish Realm, and was met everywhere by cheering crowds.

Denmark has Europe's oldest ruling monarchy, which traces its line back to the Viking king Gorm the Old, who died in 958. Although Margrethe is head of state, the Danish Constitution strictly ruled out her involvement in party politics.

Margrethe was a week after Nazi Germany had invaded Denmark. The occupation meant that the little princess became a symbol of hope for the Danes.

She ascended the throne on January 15, 1972, after the death of her father.

But, although she was his eldest child, she did not become heir presumptive until 1953, when Denmark's constitution was amended to allow women to inherit the throne.

The 52-year-old royal was photographed beaming as she attended today's event in Copenhagen

During her public appearance at the National Conference for Health Visitors with The Mary Foundation, Queen Mary gave a speech

That followed a referendum in which more than 85 per cent of participants voted to allow female succession.

She was married in 1967 to a Frenchman, Henri Marie Jean Andre de Laborde de Monpezat, later styled as Prince Henrik. They had two sons, Prince Frederick and Prince Joachim.

Despite enjoying a long marriage of 50 years, her relationship with Henrik was plagued with controversy. Henrik stunned Danes by saying he felt he had been pushed aside in his own home by his wife.

Prince Henrik died in 2018 aged 83.

On the day she became monarch, she appeared on the balcony of Denmark's Christiansborg Palace and pledged her allegiance to the nation.
As one of the most senior members of the Royal Family, the Princess of Wales will typically complete over 100 engagements in a normal year.

But 2024 has proven to be anything but normal for The Firm - and Kate's recent appearances indicate that she slowly wants to ease herself back into work following her cancer treatment.

Over the weekend, the royal, 42, was pictured arriving at Crathie Kirk church near Balmoral with Prince William.

The Mail later revealed the couple enjoyed a child-free getaway to the Royal Family's estate in Scotland while Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis remained in Berkshire.

This brief appearance came less than a week after the Princess of Wales hosted her first work meeting in over nine months, which marked the start of her slow and measured return to public duties.

Pictured: the Princess of Wales was driven to Crathie Kirk church near Balmoral by Prince William yesterday

Pictured: the Princess of Wales made one of her only solo engagements this year when she attended the Wimbledon men's singles final in July 2024

Last Tuesday, the royal held a meeting at Windsor Castle with those involved in her 'Early Years' project, which delves into the crucial role the first few years of a person's life plays in the adults they become.

The Princess officially launched the Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 - but has been researching the subject for the past 10 years and has vowed to highlight importance of the issues for the rest of her working life.

Kate was joined by members of her household team as well as representatives from her Centre for Early Childhood at Kensington Palace.

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.

Earlier this month, the future Queen bravely revealed she has completed chemotherapy and is now 'focused on staying cancer-free' as she released a touching new video of William and their three children.

In the family video, the Princess told viewers that her cancer experience has taught her to appreciate the 'simple yet important things in life [...] of simply loving and being loved'.

The royal then went on to briefly outline her plan to return to royal duties - acknowledging that she does not want to rush back into things.

Earlier this month, the Princess of Wales announced that she had completed chemotherapy by releasing this touching family video

Pictured: the Princess of Wales seen taking part in the Trooping the Colour procession in London in June 2024

Pictured: the Princess of Wales at the launch event of the The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in January 2023

She continued: '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.

Before this, Kate made a fleeting appearance in an Instagram video to congratulate Team GB on their Olympics effort, which was posted on their official page.

In the short clip, Kate said: 'From all of us watching at home congratulations to Team GB.'

The Prince of Wales, wearing an official blue Team GB top, then briefly added: 'Well done to Team GB you've been an inspiration to us all.'

Just weeks after King Charles announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer, his daughter-in-law revealed in an emotional message in March that she was also receiving treatment for the disease.

Since then, the mother-of-three has only been seen in public a handful of times - including Trooping the Colour and the Wimbledon's men's singles final.

A beaming Princess of Wales has sent a heartfelt message to British Olympians ahead of the end of the Paris Olympics , which will be formally closed last month

The royal then went on to briefly outline her plan to return to royal duties - acknowledging that she does not want to rush back into things

Before appearing at Trooping the Colour in June, the royal released a statement saying that she hoped to attend the occasional engagement over the summer but urged the public to bear with her as, like many cancer patients, she has 'good and bad days'.

After spending much of the year coming to terms with the diagnosis and receiving ongoing chemotherapy, Kate relaxed as she smiled and waved to the delighted crowds - making a triumphant comeback to public life in a carriage procession for the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Ahead of the Wimbledon's men's singles finals in July, officials had remained 'hopeful' that Kate may feel well enough to hand out trophies.

Thankfully, their hope proved to be right and in her role as patron of the All England Club, which hosts the annual tournament, the royal handed Alcaraz the champion's trophy after the Wimbledon men's final.

After leaving the court following the trophy ceremony, the princess and Alcaraz had a conversation in a room inside the tournament's main stadium. 'You played so well,' Kate told him. 'Enjoy the win.'

Earlier, Kate went from the stands down to the playing surface to present the trophies, and shook hands with some of the ball kids who worked at the tournament.

Although future public engagements have yet to be announced, the Princess does reportedly hope to attend Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph.

However, she will not accompany her husband to his Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town in November.
Princess Elisabeth is studying an MA in Public Policy at the school

The photographer tasked with taking Princess Elisabeth of Belgium's latest portraits has been unveiled as a fellow student.

When the 22-year-old joined Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts last week, the royal household shared a selection of glittering images of the royal at her new all-American college.

It has now been revealed that the man behind the camera is not a high-society snapper but Max Bueno from Connecticut - a scholarship student studying at the same school as Elisabeth, who is also a professional photographer, according to the HKS website.

The student highlighted his skills behind the camera, capturing the heir to the Belgian throne outside her school building, where she is studying for an MA in public policy.

According to HLN News, Elisabeth, who previously studied at Oxford University, is settling into her new American school because, perhaps unsurprisingly, 'quite a few people want to be her friend'.

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium had her university portraits taken by fellow student and professional photographer, Max Bueno

In the images, Elisabeth dressed the part and donned a pair of 210 Crest high rise wide leg jeans from classic American brand Tommy Hilfiger with a brown sleeveless tank top.

Photographer and student Max boasts an impressive background, having been commissioned as a naval intelligence officer with the US Naval Academy and graduated with a B.S in Quantitative Economics.

After his time at Harvard, Max hopes to assume a career in the military and advance US intelligence-sharing capabilities.

After the Belgian royal household shared Max's images, Elisabeth gained floods of support from observers, with many praising her for being 'normal'.

Onlookers tried to 'imagine' what it would be like to become friends with her, only to find out she's a princess, while others joked that it seemed like something out of a 'movie.'

Social media users also praised the princess for opting for a 'normal' lifestyle despite hailing from such a prominent family. 'Imagine becoming friends with her and then finding out she's the crown princess of Belgium,' one person wrote.

'Can't imagine how it feels being her friend,' someone else replied. 'When they [joke] around, they'll be like, ''OK queen,'' the user comically added.

'When's the movie [coming out]?' another person asked. 'The new Legally Blonde,' a fourth comment read, referring to the 2001 hit film starring Reese Witherspoon.

The royal, who previously studied at the University of Oxford, posed outside her new school in Massachusetts

Max Bueno (pictured), who is also studying at Harvard Kennedy School, was the man behind the camera

After Elisabeth finished her studies in England, she took part in various engagements throughout the summer with her parents - King Philippe and Queen Mathilde for Belgium - including marking National Day.

In July, Princess Elisabeth of Belgium thanked the University of Oxford for three 'wonderful' years - as she prepares to move to Cambridge for her MA at Harvard.

The royal, 22, moved to the UK in the autumn of 2021 to start her History and Politics undergraduate course at Lincoln College.

The future European Queen enrolled at the institution under the name 'Elisabeth de Saxe-Coburg' and was a member of Lincoln College.

Speaking about her time there, a spokesperson for the Belgian Royal Palace told the Oxford Mail: 'The Princess loved studying in Oxford and had a wonderful time in Lincoln College.'

As well as being an active member of her college's boat club, Elisabeth would have completed around six written papers and a thesis in History or Politics in her final year to complete the degree.

Now, Princess Elisabeth's has joined the renowned Harvard University in Cambridge, where the Princess passed entrance tests to.

The palace told Brussels Times: 'The Princess was also selected for an 'Honorary Award' from the Fullbright Program, the US Department of State's international educational exchange programme.'

And it seems Princess Elisabeth is already immersing herself in American culture. In March, she hosted former US president Barack Obama when she joined her father King Philippe in Brussels.

She took time out of her studies to carry out the rare royal engagement in her home nation.

Elisabeth is next in line to the Belgian throne as she is the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.

Max boasts an impressive academic history, and hopes to pursue a career in the military after his studies

The heir to the Belgian throne was praised by onlookers for appearing 'normal' in her new portraits

According to Belgian newspaper Le Soir, the princess completed a written Oxford entrance exam in history 'anonymously' so that her royal status would not affect her chances of being offered a place.

Elisabeth is believed to have chosen the course herself, in agreement with her parents, and reportedly consulted with graduates from various universities and made her decision based on what would be most useful to her in her role as Queen later in life.

During her time at Oxford there was speculation about her love life amid reports she was dating an 'ordinary' young man.

Belgian media reported that the 20-year-old had found love with fellow student Nicholas Dodd, 20, from Rochdale.

Mr Dodd read History at the same college according to Het Laatste Nieuws, a Dutch-language newspaper based in Antwerp, Belgium.

However, the rumours were quashed when Dodd's family said the reports were 'false'.

'They just go to the same college and study together. Just like all his other friends, I can't comment any further,' an unnamed family member told Manchester Evening News.

When asked about the rumours, the Royal Palace refused to comment, according to French-language, Belgium-based television station RTL.

An accomplished 22-year-old by any measure, the official royal website says Elisabeth enjoys walking in nature, reading and playing the piano  although like 'all youngsters her age', writes the palace, 'her taste in music is varied.'

Elisabeth - who speaks Dutch, French, German, English, and has also taken classes in Mandarin Chinese - began attending royal engagements from a young age and was just nine when she delivered a speech at the opening of the Princess Elisabeth Children's Hospital.
The Duke cracked his knuckles, tugged at his blazer and pulled his tie today

Prince Harry appeared 'nervous' and performed 'anxiety rituals' before giving a speech in New York today, a body language expert has claimed.

The Duke of Sussex, who turned 40 last week, appeared on stage in the Big Apple without his wife Meghan Markle, to discuss mental health and climate change with two young winners of a legacy award given in Princess Diana's memory.

There, while dressed in a crisp navy blue suit and donning a 'Diana Award' gold pin, the Duke cracked his knuckles, tugged at his blazer and pulled his tie, while his legs appeared to shake ever so slightly.

According to body language expert Judi James, these gestures were sure signs of 'nervousness' and 'anxiety' - but she added he may have been well aware of his actions.

Reacting to a video of the Duke at the event, Judi explained: 'Incredibly Harry performed no less than 19 gestures or rituals of anxiety or nervousness in the space of twenty-eight seconds here.

Prince Harry appeared 'nervous' and 'anxious' at an event in New York today, a body language expert has claimed

Body language expert Judi James says the Duke performed '19 rituals of anxiety' including tugging at his tie (as seen here)

'He is known to be a nervous speaker but he has rarely, if ever, displayed this amount of concentrated signals and the fact he is doing them on the stage rather than more privately off-stage only makes the body language look more curious, almost as though he is happy or comfortable projecting a message of inner anxiety.'

In addition to his sharp suit, the Prince sported a sky blue shirt and a tie of a darker hue, which Judy noted he pulled on 'at least four times'.

She referred to the moments he toyed with his clothing as 'rituals', which to the expert were indicative of 'nervousness' and 'self comfort'.

'Self-touch, checking rituals like this suggest nervousness and a desire to create small barriers plus some degree of self-comfort,' she said.

'Harry tucks his jacket as he sits before adjusting his tie, which would both be common procedures. But then he pulls at his tie at least four more times and yanks at his jacket on three more occasions.

'He also bounces in his chair, rubs his knees with both hands, squirms in his seat, performs two lots of leg judders and finishes by meshing his fingers to crack his knuckles, rub his thumbs together and then rub them onto his mouth.'

She added that his actions could be mistaken for 'high-energy excitement', if not for his facial expressions that instead signalled a look of anxiety; most especially 'a frown and some sucking in of his lips'.

'This could possibly be a way of revving up towards a performance or it could be the subject matter created some strong emotions. Or maybe he was just overwhelmed by last-minute nerves,' she continued.

The Prince appeared on stage in New York today without his wife Meghan Markle, to discuss mental health and climate change with two young winners of a legacy award given in Princess Diana 's memory - but much was made about his fidgety behaviour

While dressed in a crisp navy blue suit and donning a 'Diana Award' gold pin, the Duke cracked his knuckles, tugged at his blazer and pulled his tie, while his legs were visibly trembling

While at one point it appeared the Duke was so tense his face flashed bright red, he was also at times seen with an endearing smile; and happily engaged with his audience.

While he sat on stage, he spoke of the importance of mental wellness at an event where participants talked about their climate anxiety.

He personally interviewed Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang from Indonesia and Christina Williams from Jamaica, who received The Legacy Award in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, joking: 'For some reason Ive been given the microphone to ask the questions.'

He told them: 'I applaud you for having the confidence to be on this stage. I know my mother would be incredibly proud of you guys. Your activism is true to how my mother lived her life.'

Harry then asked: 'Do you feel like leaders and people in positions of power are listening to you?', adding that he wanted the The Diana Award to help their campaigning to tackle climate change and bring influence around the world.

According to Judy, his gestures were sure signs of 'nervousness' and 'anxiety' - but he may have been well aware of his actions

Prince Harry personally interviewed Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang from Indonesia and Christina Williams from Jamaica, who received The Legacy Award in memory of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales

And when asked what gives him hope for the future he said: 'I have said it before years ago and I'll say it again. The younger generation is what gives me hope. The courage you have gives me hope.

'Everyone of us needs courage to move the dial in this world, probably more than ever. We need to listen and act on what you say because it is your future that will be stolen and that is unacceptable'.

His decision to jet off alone to New York to meet royals and celebrities before a solo trip to Britain shows he is determined to 'carve out' new opportunities and 'assert himself' after turning 40, experts told MailOnline today.

The Duke of Sussex is away from Montecito for the next eight days and went to a California benefit organised by Kevin Costner on Saturday, without his American wife.

Harry was also at times seen with an endearing smile; and happily engaged with his audience

Last night he attended a dinner organised by the World Health Organization (WHO), greeting Queen Mathilde of Belgium warmly on arrival.

On his trip to New York this week he will also support pet charities and businesses including African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst. And this weekend he will fly to London for his annual visit to support WellChild at their awards ceremony, again without his wife.

Harry's solo itinerary Monday, September 23 AM: Harry appears on a panel discussing: The global mental health crisis among young people at the Concordia summit for The Diana Award. PM: He will appear on stage for an event promoting the work of the Halo Trust, the charity for which his late mother loved, famously walking through an Angolan minefield in 1997. Tuesday, September 24 The Duke of Sussex is expected to attend the 'Protectors of African Parks benefit gala Wednesday, September 25 to Friday September 27 Harry will attend a number of other events in relation to the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week. Monday, September 30 Harry will be in London for the WellChild Awards Advertisement

This month he is said to have planned a lads-only weekend away with friends to mark his 40th birthday, but was with a smiling Meghan leaving a 'double birthday' event, held for their friend Tyler Perry, the night before the Prince's own big day.

Biographer Phil Dampier, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words, said: 'Harry sometimes feels like a spare part and he often looks unhappy when hes out with Meghan at events in California. I think he has reached a point where he wants more for himself. Hes turned 40 and must be asking himself what the future holds.

'I think hes desperate to find some new meaning to his life and that seems to involve branching out on his own more.

He has this few days in New York and then hes heading to London for the WellChild event with which hes been involved for years.

'He clearly wants to find some causes he can get involved in and give his life some purpose.

'Meghan doesnt want to come back to this country, so he will have to fly solo'.

Harry has reportedly been contacting some of his old friends ahead of his UK visit.

'Im sure hes lacking some mates he can go out with for a beer and truly relax. The more he does things on his own and carves out some new projects, the more likely it is he can heal himself and eventually some of the divisions with his family, but its going to be a long road', Mr Dampier said.

Royal expert and investigative journalist Tom Bower has said that Harrys next week away shows he is trying 'to assert himself' alone.

He said: 'Its not just Harry doing repeated solo events which suggests a shift in his lifestyle and strategy to assert himself - not least in Britain'.
Their tumultuous relationship was at the center of Hulu's popular The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives series.

And now it looks like Taylor Frankie Paul and her on-off boyfriend Dakota Mortensen may have called it quits just weeks after Taylor told DailyMail.com that they were still having issues.

Taylor, 30, sparked speculation that she'd left Dakota again after posting a pair of cryptic videos to TikTok over the weekend.

In the first clip, a visibly emotionally Taylor posed in front of the camera with the caption, 'Not me morphing into 2022 me.'

In 2022, Taylor infamously outed herself as part of a Utah-based Mormon swinging group, which led to her divorce from first husband Tate Paul.

Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul has sparked rumors that she has split from baby daddy Dakota Mortensen

The couple's tumultuous relationship was at the center of Hulu's popular The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives series

On Sunday night, she followed her tearful TikTok with another clip of herself watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives while nursing newborn son Ever True.

'Too triggering to watch the show but I at least wanted to see my son's birth,' she captioned it.

Taylor and Dakota welcomed Ever in early April. The mom-of-three already shares a daughter Indy, seven, and son Ocean, four, with ex-husband Tate.

Last month, Taylor admitted to DailyMail.com that she and Dakota were will dealing with problems in their relationship.

'We're good, we're still going through things,' she said.

'We have our trials and our triggers and [we're] going through it, but I feel like we're in a better spot and working towards being better partners toward each other.'

She then confessed that she still 'wasn't ready' to marry Dakota, confirming that they still haven't got engaged yet.

Taylor, 30, sparked speculation that she'd left Dakota again after posting a pair of cryptic and emotional videos to TikTok over the weekend

The followed the first tearful TikTok video with another clip of herself watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives while nursing her newborn son Ever True

Taylor also shared a post to Instagram about 'taking a break from everyone'

Fans have flooded Taylor's TikTok page with comments about the status of her relationship, with many suspecting that she may have ended things with Dakota.

'I had a bad feeling that the show would ruin her and Dakota that's why you don't do reality shows ever with your partner!' commented one.

Another wrote, 'You deserve better!!!!!! You gotta stay single for a while to get to know yourself after being a mom and to be able to choose a healthy partner.'

Some of Taylor's co-stars also chimed in with comments of their own.

'This new chapter will be better than ever! Lean on us, we got you baby,' wrote Mayci Neeley, while Mikayla Matthews commented, 'Always here for you bb.'

Taylor and Dakota last posted together on September 12, during a press trip to New York to promote their Hulu series.

Last month, Taylor admitted to DailyMail.com that she and Dakota were will dealing with problems in their relationship

Taylor and Dakota welcomed son Ever in early April

It comes after Taylor admitted that her drunken 2023 arrest was the 'worst night' of her life.

The scandalous TikTok influencer broke down in tears on an episode of her Hulu series while reflecting on the fateful night that saw her charged with assault after going 'ballistic' on Dakota.

'Getting arrested, it was the worst night of my life. I ended up being charged with aggravated assault with three years of probation,' she said.

At the time of the arrest, Taylor was dealing with the fallout from her viral swinging sex scandal, as well as the trauma of an unexpected ectopic pregnancy.

'It's been a challenge going from the scandal to relationship to miscarriage to arrest to being pregnant again,' she explained on the Hulu show.

'After the arrest, I was under so much stress. I was filmed leaving the jail and then that was immediately on the internet,' she continued.

'It was a blessing in disguise. It helped me wake up.'

Taylor was arrested in a domestic violence dispute last year after throwing a chair at Dakota that ended up striking daughter Indy

'Getting arrested, it was the worst night of my life. I ended up being charged with aggravated assault with three years of probation,' she sobbed on the hit Hulu series

During an interview on The Viall Files earlier this month, Taylor revealed that she's been in therapy ever since the arrest.

'It was a really big learning lesson,' she told host Nick Viall.

'I feel like that night also came good because I really got help that I needed,' she continued.

'I instantly got in classes, therapy, EMDR. It was a wake up call that I needed.'

After divorcing Tate following a swinging scandal, the mother-of-three found love with real estate agent Dakota - a former reality star and fellow TikTok star who went viral for sharing his struggles with drugs and alcohol on social media.

However, things took a turn for the worse in February 2023, when Taylor was arrested in a domestic violence dispute after throwing a chair at Dakota that ended up striking her five-year-old daughter Indy.

She also threw her phone at him, and made him 'fear for his life,' according to court records.

The records say Dakota told Taylor to stop throwing things at him because he was standing next to her five-year-old daughter, but that she carried on.

Eventually, one of the chairs hit the child in the head and left her with a 'goose-egg' injury, the records claim.

At the time of the arrest, Taylor was dealing with the fallout from her viral swinging sex scandal, as well as the trauma of an unexpected ectopic pregnancy

The influencer is doing much better these days and has started therapy to treat her issues

Taylor and boyfriend Dakota Mortensen recently welcomed son Ever True. Taylor already shares a daughter Indy, seven, and son Ocean, four, with ex-husband Tate

Bodycam footage obtained by DailyMail.com later revealed that the fight was sparked when Dakota refused to take a heavily intoxicated Taylor to a concert - causing her to fly into a rage.

The Mormon mom 'went ballistic' and eventually threw the chair that would accidentally hit her daughter.

When police arrived at the scene in a Salt Lake City suburb, the influencer told them she was so scared she had 'peed' herself.

She was charged with two counts of third degree felony domestic violence in the presence of a child with injury, a Class A misdemeanor of child abuse with injury, and Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief.

However, she was able to reach a plea deal after pleading guilty to aggravated assault, and the rest of the charges were dropped.

Dakota spoke with DailyMail.com after the incident, insisting that Taylor is a 'good mom.'

'She's so broken right now. I tried to help her,' he said.

'She's a good mom, she's going through a lot in her life right now. Taylor's been struggling, it's been a hard year for her. She is racked with guilt on her cheating scandal that cost her her marriage.'
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With her razor-sharp wit and impeccably fashion sense, Emily Blunt's character from The Devil Wears Prada captured hearts and instilled fear - but did you know she was apparently based on a real-life person?

Victoria 'Plum' Skyes, now 54, is a British journalist and author who worked as Anna Wintour's assistant and a fashion writer at American Vogue in the 90s and early 2000s.

With an aristocratic background and Oxford education, Sykes became a fixture of the New York fashion scene after arriving in 1997, and recently captured the attention of users on X, formerly Twitter, with a resurfaced clip of her going viral.

The video of Sykes from the 2000 BBC One documentary Boss Woman, which chronicles Wintour and the making of the February issue, has captivated viewers on social media, showing Sykes - then in her late 20s - describing a look she'd worn to the office.

'The clothes that people wear here in the day are probably clothes that normal people would wear on their most glamorous night out of the year,' the Wives Like Us author says in a posh British accent, as she shows off her designer outfit consisting of a sleeveless white tank, a long chiffon floral skirt, black tights and black heels.

A clip of Plum Sykes has gone viral, showing her office outfit which consists of a white sleeveless shirt, a floral Dolce and Gabbana skirt and black tights with black pointed heels

'Who's going to go wear a chiffon Dolce and Gabbana skirt like this to the office?' she asks, standing up to show off her stylish outfit to the cameraman.

'Only me,' she answers confidently. 'Or someone who works at Vogue.'

Her dedication and no-nonsense attitude have captured the attention of social media users, who delighted in finding out Emily exists in real life.

The description of her outfit - which was deemed highly unusual at the time by Sykes - sparked a discussion about her chic-but-simple outfit; which can probably now be seen on office workers in 2024, but it wasn't the norm in 1999.

'Yeah a chiffon skirt and casual top are common work attire that you can find at TJ Maxx in 2024. I remember 1999, work attire for women was pretty much a pantsuit or a pencil skirt and blazer. Sorry but once again the devil wears prada is right,' one user commented.

'So many kids on here that are too young to remember that EVERYONE wore suits and blazers to the office until not that long ago,' another chimed in.

'Some ppl were making a good point re: her clothing and how basic it looks and it's literally because people like her in the upper echelons of fashion society normalized it for the rest of us peasants,' someone else commented.

Others took issue with how much her outfits cost.

'Plum Sykes is only referring to the price tag. She thinks she's better than everyone because she wears expensive clothes to the office. Not because they're particularly fashion forward,' one person declared.

The author of The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger, who was also a former assistant to Wintour, reportedly used Sykes as the real-life inspiration behind Emily, the assistant to terrifying editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, according to Marie Claire.

The book was a huge success and later turned into a movie in 2006 starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt.

Her dedication and no-nonsense attitude have captured the attention of social media users, who delighted in finding out Emily exists in real life

Victoria 'Plum' Skyes, 54, is a British journalist and author who worked as Anna Wintour's assistant and a fashion writer at American Vogue in the 90s and early 2000s (pictured in 2024)

Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt in the 2006 film, The Devil Wears Prada

The character of Emily in the film, played by Emily Blunt (pictured), was reportedly inspired by Sykes

The viral clip has sparked a wave of discussion about office wear and a 1916 secret treaty between the United Kingdom and France

The interest of attentive social media users was also piqued by the fashion writer's surname - uncovering her great-grandfather was Mark Sykes, a British diplomat who drafted the Sykes-Picot Agreement in 1916.

The agreement, made in secret between the United Kingdom and France after World War I, was the post-war distribution of land in Arab Middle East which essentially created the modern Middle East. It caused conflict over the borders in the area which changed, disregarding the ethnic or cultural regions that pre-existed.

'I keep seeing this video on my TL (timeline). This womans great grandfather was Mark Sykes who drafted the Sykes Picot agreement,' one user posted to X.

'A secret 1916 plan by the Brits and French, which divided the Middle East into boundaries that guaranteed perpetual conflict to benefit British oil extraction,' the user retweeted with the clip.

'The Plum Sykes thing really underlines current twitter 1. The bit (devil wears prada scene for real!) 2. The subject matter expects weigh in (just look at her! In 1999!) 3. Sociopolitical implications you couldn't have dreamed of (sykes-picot agreement in the middle east),' another pointed out.

Sykes currently lives in the Cotswolds with her husband, British entrepreneur Toby Rowland, and their two daughters: Ursula, 18, and Tess, 13.
The 2024 Brownlow Medal awards are underway in Melbourne

Tight corsets, daring thigh-high splits and satin gowns were the styles of choice among the WAGs on the red carpet before the 2024 Brownlow Medal on Monday night.

The annual awards ceremony shines a light on the best AFL sportsmen of the year, but it's often the star's glamorous wives and girlfriends who steal the show.

While many fans were keen to see style icon Rebecca Judd back on the red carpet, the mum-of-four's choice of dress left some disappointed.

Instead, Annalise Dalins, Siena Tainsh and Monique Cripps lead the charge in the best-dressed stakes.

GLAMOUR

The party started when Annalise Dalins, partner of Collingwood Magpies player Josh Daicos, arrived in a stunning gold frock that showed off her incredible physique.

The cutout design showcased her abs and the nude shade gave a 'barely there' illusion that she pulled off well.

Kristine Brooks hit the red carpet in a skintight long sleeve dress while Tayla Brown looked beautiful in a plunge neck green dress

Annalise Dalins, partner of Collingwood Magpies player Josh Daicos, arrived in a stunning gold frock that showed off her incredible physique.

Tayla Brown looked beautiful in a plunge neck green dress. Kristine Brooks hit the red carpet in a skin-ight long sleeve dress

Siena Tainsh, the partner of North Melbourne Kangaroo's Zane Duursma, looked like Barbie in a pink gown that complimented her curves. Georgia Devlin donned a strapless pink and white gown that flattered her complexion and figure as she stood besides Bobby Hill of Collingwood

PRETTY IN PINK

There was one colour that was a common trend on the red carpet: pink.

Siena Tainsh, the partner of North Melbourne Kangaroo's Zane Duursma, looked like Barbie in a pink gown that complimented her curves.

Georgia Devlin donned a strapless pink and white gown that flattered her complexion and figure as she stood besides Bobby Hill of Collingwood.

A vision! Jessica Lever put her best fashion feet forward on the red carpet and looked like a vision in a gorgeous blue gown

Monique Cripps (left) looked like a princess in a strapless peach gown. Grace Scott (right) kept things simple and elegant by opting for a strapless black gown

Yasmin Duursma looked beautiful and donned a hot pink frock

PRINCESS VIBES

Monique Cripps was one of many who looked like a princess in a strapless peach gown.

Channeling Cinderella vibes, Jessica Lever put her best fashion feet forward on the red carpet and looked like a vision in a gorgeous blue gown.

Georgia Devlin donned a strapless pink and white gown that flattered her complexion and figure as she stood besides Bobby Hill of Collingwood

While Grace Scott kept things simple and elegant by opting for a strapless black gown but still looked chic.

STRAPLESS SHOW STOPPERS

Strapless dresses were on trend at the Brownlow red carpet.

Jaz Buckley, the partner of St Kilda's Jack Steele, led the way in a white lace floral gown. She was closely followed by Kim Ravaillion, the partner of the Western Bulldog's Adam Treloar, in a floor-length corset dress with feature detailing.

TV presenters Dale Thomas and Abbey Holmes were among the first to arrive on the red carpet. Abbey wowed in a dazzling silver floor-length Cappellazzo gown and styled the look with Canturi jewellery.

Jaz Buckley, the partner of St. Kilda's Jack Steele, stunned in a white lace floral gown

Kim Ravaillion, the partner of the Western Bulldog's Adam Treloar, made a bold entrance in a floor-length corset dress with feature detailing

7AFL presenters Dale Thomas (left in left) and Abbey Holmes (right) arrived. Abbey wowed in a dazzling silver floor-length Cappellazzo gown and styled the look with Canturi jewellery

GOING NUDE

Natasha Germano dazzled in a chic nude gown, which was a safe choice.

Natasha's frock featured a black detailing across the chest.

She paired the simple look with elbow-length gloves and a clutch.
Wives and girlfriends of sporting stars descended upon the red carpet

The 2024 Brownlow Medal awards are underway in Melbourne

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Busty displays, revealing slits and drop waistlines were the order of the day among the wives and girlfriends of the AFL's biggest stars as they descended on the red carpet for the 2024 Brownlow Medal in Melbourne.

But while there were a smattering of stunners among the star-studded crowd, many of the WAGs' ensembles didn't quite hit the mark.

Style icon Bec Judd found herself on the worst dressed list after a six-year hiatus from the AFL's night of nights, with brunette beauties Brodie Ryan and Charlotte Viney joining her.

The women were in good company, with many critics claiming it was the worst red carpet in the prestigious event's history.

Rebecca Judd

Onlookers waited in anticipation to see style icon Judd's outfit of choice, but the mum-of-four shocked fans for all the wrong reasons as she arrived in a blush pink J'Aton Couture corset gown.

The frock was sleeveless and clung to her figure down to the hips before flaring out into a satin fishtail.

The J'Aton Couture gown reached floor length and had lacing throughout the long bodice. But Bec opted for a glamorous makeup look with a rosy blush and dark pink lipstick while wearing her caramel locks down.

Style icon Rebecca Judd shocked onlookers for all the wrong reasons as she arrived on the red carpet in a blush pink J'Aton Couture corset gown

The mum-of-four failed to flatter this year in he custom made pink gown

Charlotte Viney

Jack Viney's wife Charlotte Viney favoured a daring black Antoinette Fusillo dress that highlighted her phenomenal figure and left little to the imagination, but didn't quite suit the dress code.

It clung close to her figure and included a flowing sash and a one-shoulder design with a semi-sheer fabric throughout.

Jack Viney's wife Charlotte Viney favoured a daring black Antoinette Fusillo dress that highlighted her phenomenal figure and left little to the imagination, but didn't quite suit the dress code

Brodie Ryan

Brodie Ryan, the partner of AFL legend Nathan Buckley, also missed the mark at this year's red carpet, donning a busty baby pink corset dress with pearls and a statement bird bag.

The ensemble featured a figure-hugging corseted bodice that accentuated her enviable curves. It included a dramatic sweetheart neckline that highlighted her decolletage.

The satin blush pink gown flared into a voluminous skirt, adding a touch of glamour and elegance to the bold look.

Brodie Ryan, the partner of AFL legend Nathan Buckley, also missed the mark at this year's red carpet donning a busty baby pink corset dress with pearls and a statement bird bag

CORSETS

Super tight corset dresses were out in full force tonight in an array of colours, styles and fabrics.

Alex Pendlebury opted for a nude corset dress with bone detailing and thigh-high split yet put herself at risk of a wardrobe malfunction.

Emily Halverson arrived in a black and white look that failed to flatter her small figure.

Dayne Zorko's wife Talia chose a quirky corset dress with a silver drop waistline that didn't do her any favours.

Brodie Ryan, the partner of Nathan Buckley, missed the mark at this year's red carpet donning a busty baby pink corset dress with pearls and a statement bag. Alex Pendlebury opted for a nude corset dress with bone detailing and thigh-high split yet put herself at risk of a wardrobe malfunction

Emily Halverson (left) arrived in a black and white look that failed to flatter her small figure. Dayne Zorko's wife Talia Zorko (right) chose a quirky corset dress with a silver drop waistline that didn't do her any favours

MIDRIFF FLOP

Elise Gosdschan showed off her rock hard abs and tanned skin in a two-piece outfit, which failed to meet expectations.

Elise Gosdschan showed off her rock hard abs and tanned skin in a two-piece outfit, which failed to meet expectations

V-NECKS

Plunging necklines were spotted among many outfits ahead of the event in Melbourne.

Isabella Cavallaro and Georgia Greene seemed to take a fashion step in the wrong direction.

Isabella put on a busty display by opting for a low cut V-neck silver dress while Georgia looked close to having a wardrobe malfunction in her deep-cut dress.

Jason Horne-Francis of Port Adelaide Power and partner Isabella Cavallaro. Toby Greene of GWS Giants and wife Georgia Greene

ANYTHING GOES

Tiffany Browne struck a pose on the red carpet but her black and silver frock didn't do much to help her stand out from the crowd.

Hayley, the wife of Toby Nankervis of the Richmond Tigers, was a lady in red yet the fabric and style of choice didn't quite make the mark.

Dee Salmin opted for a revealing outfit that hung off her tiny frame, while Georgia Kelly, who's the partner of Nick Vlastuin of Richmond Tigers, chose a black and white frock that sat nicely on her figure, yet lost points for the pink puffy sleeves.

Australian meteorologist and weather presenter Jane Bunn was among the first to arrive in a navy ruffle dress from Forever New - which is on sale at Myer for $129.99.

Dee Salmin (left) opted for a revealing outfit that hung off her tiny frame. Georgia Kelly, who's the partner of Nick Vlastuin of Richmond Tigers, chose a black and white frock that sat nicely on her figure, yet lost points for the pink puffy sleeves

Hayley (left) was a lady in red yet the fabric and style of choice didn't quite make the mark. Tiffany Browne (right) struck a pose on the red carpet but her black and silver frock didn't do much to help her stand out from the crowd.
Hundreds of women are turning to the testosterone to boost their libidos and enhance their sex lives.

Last week, Kate Winslet, 48, revealed on a podcast that she had begun taking the male sex hormone and it had revolutionized her sex life, making her 'feel sexy again'.

When people think of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), they usually think of estrogen to treat menopause.

But Dr Kanwal Bawa, a Florida-based sexual wellness doctor dubbed Dr. Sex Fairy online, said Kate's is a familiar story  and that she has prescribed testosterone off-label to hundreds of women from 30 to 80 years old whose sex drive has plunged.

While women naturally have lower levels of testosterone, levels of the hormone start to decrease in their bodies from the age of 30, which could lead to low libido and vaginal dryness.

Testosterone is FDA-approved for use in men who have low T, but it can be prescribed off-label to women as a pill, gel, patch or injection to help mitigate the effects of falling levels as they age, including reviving their sex lives.

Kate Winslet has boosted her sex life by undergoing testosterone replacement therapy and thinks other women should do the same, (pictured on September 3)

Revealing she used testosterone on the How To Fail podcast, Kate Winslet said: 'Sometimes, women have a real dip in libido because there might be stuff going on with their thyroid.

'There could also be stuff going on with your level of testosterone.

'A lot of people don't know this but women have testosterone in their body, and when it runs out  like eggs  it's gone.

'And once it's gone you have to replace it and that is something that can be done and you'll feel sexy again... I know.'

And the Titanic movie star is not the only leading lady to come forward and open up about using testosterone for their sex life.

In 2011, Jane Fonda, now 86, revealed she had started taking the hormone at the age of 70, telling The Telegraph at the time: 'I discovered testosterone about three years ago, which makes a huge difference if you want to remain sexual and your libido has dropped.'

While testosterone is the male sex hormone, women also have small amounts of it that is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands.

In women, the hormone boosts sex drive and energy and maintains muscle mass  but levels start to decline from the age of 30 years.

Warning signs of low testosterone in women include a decreased libido, a lack of energy, vaginal dryness and fatigue, according to doctors.

Doctors diagnose low testosterone by testing the hormone's levels in the blood.

Low testosterone is considered to be levels below 1.5 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) for women under 50 years and below 1 pg/mL for women over 50.

And while testosterone levels typically decline with age, women with medical conditions involving the ovaries and adrenal glands are more likely to have lower testosterone levels than others.

Dr Kanwal Bawa (pictured), who goes by Dr Sex Fairy on TikTok , says she has seen a surge in women seeking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

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Dr Bawa told DailyMail.com: 'About 25 to 30 percent of the women being prescribed testosterone at my office are under 40 years old.

'I get hundreds of people contacting me all the time, many of whom end up becoming patients.'

She added: 'We are doing women a disservice by not treating their testosterone levels more frequently because as few people and even fewer doctors realize, women typically have more testosterone than estrogen in their bodies.'

Additionally, some women going through menopause may be prescribed testosterone off-label.

While menopause itself does not cause testosterone levels to drop, women going through the change may be prescribed the hormone to help counteract symptoms of drastic fluctuations of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

With a drop in these women may experience hot flashes, sleep problems, irritability and fatigue. Studies suggest, however, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help to counteract these.

More often, women use HRT to counteract these  which is when a patch, gel, or other method is used to add estrogen and progesterone to the body and artificially raise their levels.

Some doctors suggest that testosterone is normally only administered to women who are already on HRT.

To boost testosterone levels in women, Dr Bawa prescribes TRT, which may include a cream that can be rubbed onto the labia or a troche  or small hard tablet  that can be placed into the mouth and allowed to gradually dissolve.

Testosterone is technically a steroid, and when abused can lead to rapid muscle gain. However, in smaller doses it can be therapeutic.

Testosterone can be supplemented using a gel that is rubbed onto the labia of the vagina (pictured, stock image)

Other forms include testosterone injections, pills or patches, which can also be used to boost levels.

Patients typically need to apply these once a day to once a week to boost testosterone levels, with Dr Bawa saying they may need a prescription for the rest of their lives.

The substances contain a very low amount of testosterone and nowhere near levels high enough to cause secondary male characteristics, such as a beard or deep voice, which Dr Bawa said is some women's top concern.

However, the FDA has not recommended testosterone for women, which the Mayo Clinic says is because of a lack of research on long-term safety.

Research shows since 2009 the number of women getting testosterone has actually decreased, with nearly half of women who receive a testosterone prescription not seeking a refill.

The authors noted in the above referenced 2020 paper, based on health insurance records, that this suggested testosterone therapy was either ineffective or that its benefits did not outweigh the risks.

Side effects of TRT may include skin reactions  such as the appearance of acne  breasts becoming enlarged and tender and weight gain.

Dr Bawa said in order to avoid this, it is important to start patients off on a very low dose and then gradually raise it until reaching a level where the patient was reaping the benefits without unfavorable side effects.

TRT is not recommended for women who have had breast or uterine cancer  because studies suggest it may raise the risk of the cancer returning  or for those who have heart, blood vessel or liver disease.
Fans of TV favourite Michelle Keegan will know her as the talented actor with an enviably effortless aesthetic.

The Our Girl star, 37, has long turned heads with her low-key glamorous look and impressively toned physique.

But experts in cosmetic surgery have pointed out that her current aesthetic is far different to the one she sported when she first beamed on to our screens 17 years a go.

Throwback images of Ms Keegan, shared by aesthetics practitioners on TikTok, reveal a dramatic transformation since the days of playing Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street.

Despite the actor  who is married to former TOWIE star Mark Wright  previously denying undergoing cosmetic 'tweakments', experts have now weighed in, speculating that a range of procedures is the likely explanation for her new look.

Since hitting the spotlight at the tender age of 20 playing Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street , Michelle Keegan, 37, has showcased a dramatic transformation. Pictured, Keegan in 2010

Fans have long speculated she has undergone aesthetic enhancements, sporting noticeably plumper lips and a contoured chin, with some even labelling her 'unrecognisable'. Pictured, Keegan earlier this month

Now, cosmetic experts have weighed in, suggesting the actor's new look is indeed likely a result of aesthetics treatments to change the appearance of her forehead, jaw and nose. Pictured, Keegan in 2011

Beth Drew, an NHS midwife and aesthetics practitioner working in Worcestershire, said in a recent Instagram video that she suspects Ms Keegan has undergone procedures to result in plumper lips and a contoured chin.

Some cosmetic work may also have been done to her upper eyelids, she added.

'Michelle Keegan is a fantastic example of aesthetics treatments done right,' she told her 4,000 Instagram followers.

'Most people look at Michelle Keegan and think wow she is naturally so beautiful and absolutely she is.

'But there's not really too much that's natural about it.

'However, it does look natural because it's been done really well.'

Her youthful look could be down to anti-wrinkle injections like Botox around her eyes and forehead, Mrs Drew said, which relaxes the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

'In my professional opinion, I think she has had Botox especially around the forehead and the eye  just to open them up a little bit.

'You can see that in the before photos, her eyes were slightly hooded and in the after photos they are not,' she told followers in the video.

Her youthful look could be down to anti-wrinkle injections like Botox around her eyes and forehead, Beth Drew said, which relaxes the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles. Pictured, Keegan earlier this year in February and in 2010

Beth Drew, an NHS midwife and aesthetics practitioner from Malvern in Worcestershire, also said she suspects the actress may have had 'tweakments' to her upper eyelids and chin

'So Botox can really lift the eyebrows and smooth out any fine line and wrinkles.'

'I think she may have had a nose job or a non-surgical rhinoplasty using dermal filler.'

For a rhinoplasty, surgeons re-shape the tip of the nose during a complex operation  often by removing some cartilage and soft tissue.

But it does carry the risk of complications, including potential asymmetry or having too much tissue removed  leaving the nose appearing overly pinched.

In recent years non-surgical nose jobs have become popular, which involves filling out bumps with injections of hylauronic acid  the same substance used to plump areas like the lips and cheek.

Despite its popularity, surgeons have previously suggested that using filler at a young age carries multiple risks, including having stretched skin that sags earlier than normal.

In 2018, the actress even revealed to the Sunday Express' S Magazine that she's flattered fans speculate over her appearance, but admitted she wouldn't down the plastic surgery route, saying that she's 'scared it would go wrong'. Pictured, Keegan in 2012

She said: 'I like the fact people point out they think I've had a nose job. They think I've had new cheeks, a new chin.' Pictured in 2011 (left) and 2019 (right)

Mrs Drew added: 'She's definitely had some lip filler, but done really nicely. She's also had her jaw and her chin contoured.

'She might not have even had her jaw done.

'It could just be that she's had chin filler and that's elongated her jawline. She just looks stunning.'

Keegan has never publicly confirmed or denied having a rhinoplasty.

She has also never shared whether she's had non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as fillers or injections like Botox.

In 2018, the actor even revealed to the Sunday Express Magazine that she's flattered fans speculate over her appearance, but admitted she wouldn't down the plastic surgery route, saying that she's 'scared it would go wrong'.

She said: 'I like the fact people point out they think I've had a nose job. They think I've had new cheeks, a new chin.

In 2015, the Our Girl again spoke about surgery, saying: '[The speculation] doesn't really upset me. People always say, "Have you or haven't you?". Pictured with husband Mark Wright in 2019

In an interview with Alan Carr in 2015, she also denied she had her teeth fixed, insisting they were her own. Pictured in 2013

'But I haven't and I don't think I ever would, if I'm being honest. I'm scared it would go wrong.'

In 2015, the Our Girl again spoke about surgery, saying: '[The speculation] doesn't really upset me. People always say, "Have you or haven't you?"

'But it's my business. It's my face. So what if I have or haven't? I don't read it when people speculate about it.'

In an interview with Alan Carr in the same year, she also denied she had her teeth fixed, insisting they were her own.

She declared: 'Just to say I have 100 per cent not had my teeth done... They are MY teeth. So I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks.'

And in 2014, again faced with speculation, her spokesperson denied she had undergone a breast enhancement operation.
China, Nepal launch joint army training in SW China's Chongqing

Xinhua) 09:18, September 23, 2024

CHONGQING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- A joint army training, co-organized by Chinese and Nepali militaries, kicked off Sunday in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

This is the fourth iteration of joint training between the two militaries, with the previous session held in 2019.

Under the theme of "joint counter-terrorism operations in urban blocks," the joint training will include small arms shooting in special operations, counter-terrorism squad tactics, drone operations, emergency rescue, and comprehensive counter-terrorism exercises.

The training will last until Oct. 1. In addition to joint exercise sessions, the two militaries will engage in research and exchange on disaster reduction and relief in earthquakes, avalanches and landslides.

A series of cultural exchange activities will also take place during the training to enhance mutual trust and understanding.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Jerusalem, Sep 23 (UNI) Israeli forces "are carefully planning the coming days" and their attacks against Hezbollah will intensify, Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi said Sunday.

Israeli forces have killed over 600 militants, "including dozens of Hezbollah's top military leaders," since the onset of the Gaza conflict last year, and have struck "hundreds" of targets in Lebanon recently, weakening Hezbollah's launch and combat capabilities, Halevi said in a televised speech from the Tel Nof Airbase, a principal airbase of the Israeli Air Force.

"The price Hezbollah is paying is increasing, and our strikes will intensify," Halevi said.

"We have many more capabilities yet to deploy, and we are in a very high state of readiness, both offensively and defensively," he said.

Meanwhile, Halevi claimed that the Israeli airstrike on a building in Beirut's southern suburb on Friday has "eliminated" Hezbollah's chain of command.

The building was bombed by Israeli warplanes when Hezbollah commanders were planning in it an attack on northern Israel aimed at killing civilians and kidnapping soldiers, he claimed.

"We will ensure the safety of those (displaced Israelis) returning (to their home along the border), and if Hezbollah hasn't understood this yet, they will continue to face blow after blow until they do," he said.

Tension along the Israel-Lebanon border has escalated sharply following communication device explosions across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday that killed 37 people and injured 2,931, as well as an Israeli airstrike on Friday targeting a building in the Jamous area in the southern suburbs of Beirut that killed 45 and injured dozens more.

The Israeli army and Hezbollah, which has deep ties to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, have been exchanging fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since Oct. 8, 2023, raising fears that the nearly one-year-long confrontations could escalate into a full-scale war.

UNI/XINHUA ARN
TikTokers have gone wild for a new sleep hygeine trend that involves wrapping yourself up in a cloth before bedtime, akin to how you might swaddle a baby.

According to advocates, sleeping this way boasts a number of health benefits, including easing anxiety, improving posture and more restful sleep.

Dubbed adult swaddling it involves being wrapped from head to toe, lying in the foetal position and being gently rocked or rolled around.

Fans of the trend say it works to relax you by stimulating touch receptors in the deep layers of the skin.

Activation of these specific nerve cells is known to promote feelings of calm.

TikTok has gone wild for the new sleep craze of 'adult swaddling', which involves wrapping yourself in a cloth for bedtime

Experts say while there is little scientific proof it works to help improve sleep, it could stimulate the relaxation-inducing receptors under the skin.

On TikTok, hundreds of clips show young women hugging themselves with stretchy cloth before tucking themselves into bed.

In one video a user claims her swaddle blanket has been 'the solution to years of sleeping issues and insomnia'.

Swaddling is said to be beneficial due to the principles of deep touch pressure (DTP).

This supposedly induces a calming feeling through gentle compression, rather than sheer weight alone.

The link between touch and arousal is well established, Dr Stacey Reynolds, an expert on DTP at the Virginia Commonwealth University told the New York Times.

There are receptors in our skin and body around our muscles and joints that respond to either light touch or deeper touch.

Light touch, like a tickle or the sensation of a bug crawling across your skin, tends to be more alerting and arousing, whereas deep touch receptors tend to elicit more of an overall calming effect.

It's thought that adult swaddling takes its inspiration from the traditional Japanese practice of Otonamaki, which involves being tied up in a large cloth in aid of improving posture.

Otonamaki, meaning 'adult wrapping' is thought to be where the trend originated

However she warned that there is not yet scientific evidence for the technique.

Whether they can actually help you to sleep better at night has yet to be fully confirmed by science, said Dr Reynolds.

However, there is some evidence from small studies that weighted blankets  blankets with extra-dense filling  may help towards a more relaxing night's sleep.

A 2020 research review found some, abeit limited, evidence that using a weighted blanket could ease anxiety.

While lying under a heavy blanket isnt quite the same as being wrapped tightly in swaddling sheets, the inability to move while being swaddled could yield a similar sense of relaxation.

The trend took off after the Hugsleep Swaddle Blanket appeared on Shark Tank  the American version of Dragons Den  and has now exploded in the UK.

Many of the videos circulating on TikTok show fans of the Hugsleep product demonstratings its use.

However, the idea is thought to have originated in Japan, as part of the traditional theraputic practice of Otonamaki.

Otonamaki, which directly translates to 'adult wrapping', sees people wrapped up, often head to toe, in a large swath of cloth.

The practice is said to help with stiffness and improve flexibility.
A disabled woman suffering a severe asthma attack died after waiting 39 hours on a chair in a busy A&E for a hospital bed.

Marina Young, 46, was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital, in Lancashire, suffering shortness of breath and a headache.

Doctors quickly realised she would need to be admitted, but the hospital was full, with more than 50 people waiting in A&E for a bed on a ward.

Staff underestimated the severity of her condition, and failed to give her specialist drugs or refer her to critical care or respiratory medics.

Marina spent two nights in a chair and, around 10am on the second morning, was found collapsed, still fully clothed and soaked in her own urine.

Marina Young, 46, pictured with niece Katie, was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital, in Lancashire, suffering shortness of breath and a headache

Staff underestimated the severity of Marina's condition, and failed to give her specialist drugs or refer her to critical care or respiratory medics

She went into cardiac arrest and staff tried to resuscitate her.

But when her sister, Michelle Young, 47, arrived a short time later to drop off some belongings, she was given the devastating news that Marina had died.

An internal investigation by the hospital found that Ms Young, who suffered from spina bifida, would not have suffered a cardiac arrest if she had received more timely treatment and been referred to senior doctors sooner.

Michelle, a retired hospital ward sister, told MailOnline: 'Marina died in horrific circumstances.

'It is sickening to think that my sister could be treated with such a lack of compassion by the NHS, which is supposed to care for all people, irrespective of their physical limitations.'

Marina was diagnosed with spina bifida, which can cause lifelong mobility problems, at birth. She was the first baby in the UK to undergo a bladder transplant.

Despite her problems she managed to live independently, could walk short distances and was close to her family.

On the evening of June 20, 2022, Michelle drove Marina to the Royal Preston because she felt wheezy and suspected she was suffering from an asthma attack.

When they arrived, at 7.25pm, Michelle explained her sister's medical history to nurses and, although she wasn't allowed to stay because of Covid-19 restrictions, was in regular contact via text messages. The texts reveal Marina's mounting distress, Michelle said.

In one Marina, who had a fear of hospitals because of her experiences as a child, wrote: 'Scared at night sitting in a chair with a pounding headache.'

The investigation found that Marina was seen by a doctor around 9pm and at just before 11pm on June 20, when a decision was made to admit her to a ward.

But A&E was extremely busy that night, with 109 people in the department and around half waiting for a bed.

Although Marina was given antibiotics for a suspected infection, there was a delay in administering nebulisers  drugs to treat asthma  and a failure to repeat blood oxygen tests.

Despite her problems Marina, pictured with brother Michael and sister Michelle, managed to live independently, could walk short distances and was close to her family

There was also a delay in her being seen by a senior consultant and a referral to the hospital's respiratory team the following day was not actioned.

Although further tests in the early hours of June 22 showed no improvement in Marina's condition and that she was suffering 'life-threatening asthma', her care was never escalated to the hospital's critical care team.

At around 9.25am on June 22 Marina, of Ribbleton, Lancashire, was reviewed by a trainee medic, who noted she was 'speaking in short sentences but was visibly breathless'.

She was seen by a nurse at 9.44am but three minutes later was found collapsed in her chair in cardiac arrest.

SPINA BIFIDA

Spina bifida is a condition where a baby's spine and spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine. It can cause life-long disability, including weakness or total paralysis of the legs, bowel incontinence and urinary incontinence and a loss of skin sensation in the legs and around the bottom  meaning the child is unable to feel hot or cold, which can lead to accidental injury. Many babies will have or develop hydrocephalus (a build-up of fluid on the brain), which can further damage the brain. Most people with spina bifida have normal intelligence, but some have learning difficulties. It's not known what causes it, but a lack of folic acid before and in the early stages of pregnancy is a significant risk factor. Advertisement

Medics tried to resuscitate her but she could not be saved.

Michelle said she hoped an inquest into Marina's death, due to take place later this month, will shine a light on the way disabled people are treated by the NHS in the hope lessons are learned to stop other families suffering like hers.

She added: 'Losing Marina in such an appalling way has been profoundly devastating not just for me, but also our dad, George, who Marina cared for while he was undergoing cancer treatment and has sadly since passed away. I believe our dad's death was contributed to by the stress of what happened to Marina.

'We hope as a family that this inquest process leads to change and to the avoidance of anyone else going through what we have had to endure.'

Madeleine Langmead, a medical negligence solicitor at law firm JMW, who is representing Marina's family at the inquest, said: 'Marina was a much-loved sister and daughter and her death has had a catastrophic impact on her family.

'Nothing can bring Marina back but it is vital that she is given a voice and that her care is scrutinised.

'Marina was a vulnerable patient and her case could have wider implications for patient safety.'

The firm will also be evaluating whether any legal claim for compensation can be brought against the hospital.

A spokesman for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, which runs the Royal Preston, said: 'The Trust would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marina Young.

'We welcome the independent scrutiny of the coroner and are committed to any further learning that is developed as a result of the inquest.'

Marina spent two nights in a chair and, at around 10am on the second morning, was found collapsed, still fully clothed and soaked in her own urine

A spokesman for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, which runs the Royal Preston, said: 'The Trust would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marina Young. We welcome the independent scrutiny of the coroner and are committed to any further learning that is developed as a result of the inquest'

Significant waits in A&E have been linked to excess deaths and increased harm to patients, as their condition can deteriorate before they are admitted or given a bed on a ward.

In 2022, 23,003 people died after spending at least 12 hours in an A&E waiting for care or to be admitted to a bed, according to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), equating to roughly one person every 23 minutes.

Earlier this year Inga Rublite, 39, died after being found unconscious under a coat on the floor of a hospital A&E department, where she had been for eight hours.

Her name had been called three times by staff at the Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham, but when she failed to respond, they assumed she had left and discharged her from the system. She had suffered a brain haemorrhage.
More Americans than ever are taking cues from celebrities and abstaining from sex with hopes of improving their mental and physical health.

Famous actors Julia Fox, Drew Barrymore, Meagan Good, Orlando Bloom, and Lenny Kravitz have all tried celibacy at some point and raved about the benefits.

Health experts told DailyMail.com that while temporarily abstaining from dating may be good for one's career, focus and mental health, not having sex or masturbating for long periods of time may cause significant health problems.

For example, studies have shown the risk of cancer and of dying early by any cause are higher in people who don't orgasm. Meanwhile, celibacy is also linked to heart problems.

Uncut Gems star Julia Fox said she was 'de-centering men' from her life as a means of self empowerment

Yet, Julia Fox, star of 2019s Uncut Gems who dated Kanye West, said this year she hadn't had sex in two-and-a-half years and had 'never been better'.

For her part, Barrymore opened up about her decision to be celibate following her 2016 divorce, allowing her the pleasure to actually work on myself and learn what parenting is.

Musician Lenny Kravitz revealed this year that he has been celibate for nine years and plans on keeping it that way until he meets the right person, saying 'It's a spiritual thing.'

And actress Meagan Good decided to give celibacy a try after filming Jumping the Broom (2011).

She broke that vow in 2012, when she married the film's director, DeVon Franklin.

She said: 'When you take that out of the equation, you actually get to know the person across the board in every other way except the physical which, which comes later.'

Celibacy has become a common practice in the US, with an estimated one in six women and one in 10 men reporting a break from sex and dating.

Their reasons are wide-ranging, from adhering to their religious beliefs, staying safe from STDs, pursuing career goals, or healing from trauma.

The trends comes as casual sex has been on the decline for years.

And actress Meagan Good decided to give celibacy a try after filming Jumping the Broom (2011) until she married a year later

Actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore was celibate following the end of her marriage in 2016 to better deal with being a newly single parent

Celibacy has been shown to improve some peoples focus on career goals and school work, freeing them up from thinking about their next sexual encounter.

It can also enhance self-care by helping them prioritize their needs and personal development without worrying about a partner.

Abby Wilson, a licensed therapist based in Texas who specializes in relationships and trauma told DailyMail.com: I think there's a lot of value in taking a step back from something and really turning that energy inward, or building a solid foundation of like having a stronger sense of self and understanding yourself on a deeper level, and also understanding what brings meaning and fulfillment to your life outside of romance or sexual relationships.

A 2017 report found that the percentage of adults aged 20 to 24 who had abstained from sex the previous year they were surveyed rose from slightly less than 12 percent from 2000 to 2009 to more than 15 percent from 2010 to 2014.

A 2020 study then found that sexually inactive men aged 18 to 24 increased from about 19 percent in 2000 to 2002 to nearly 31 percent from 2016 to 2018, while the percentage for young women rose from 15 percent to 19 percent.

Still, completely swearing off sex has its downsides.

Celibacy may lead to some amount of atrophy of pelvic floor muscles as well as sexual organs such as the clitoris, which can shrink and lose sensation.

Sex is also heart healthy. Raising your heart rate during sex to 140 to 160 beats per minute is equivalent to walking a mile in 20 minutes and then climbing two flights of stairs.

The sweeping Massachusetts Male Aging study found that men who have sex twice a week have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who have it less than that.

It also relieves stress and anxiety by triggering oxytocin, a feel-good bonding hormone, and dopamine, the reward chemical in the brain while decreasing levels of cortisol and adrenaline (stress hormones).

Researchers in Switzerland surveyed 370 women on how often they masturbate and the reasons behind it: 64 per cent reported they masturbated to relax, 55 per cent said it evoked joy and 12 per cent said they did it to relieve stress, reported the International Journal of Sexual Health.

Lenny Kravitz revealed in 2024 that he had been celibate for nine years since his last serious romantic relationship

Sex can also be protective against cancer. Harvard scientists reported in 2015 that men in the 40 to 49 age bracket who ejaculate 21 or more times a month reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 22 per cent.

And new review of existing studies dating back 30 years found men who climaxed 21 or more times a month had a 31 percent lower risk of prostate cancer than those who did so just four to seven times a month.

The celebrity backers of celibacy have contributed to a growing movement of people taking extended breaks from intimacy for the sake of personal growth.

Olivia Reynolds explained her motivation in a video that two million people have now viewed. She dated casually but refrained from sex until entering a serious relationship for about a year.

Ms Reynolds said: I had no grasp on what I wanted my standards to actually be. But spending more time with myself, focusing on my mental and physical wellbeing, focusing on my goals, my ambitions, it really solidified my standards for me.

And when my standards were more solidified and I realized the worth I have, it kind of just dropped my anxious attachment style.

Meanwhile, TikTok user kingmeel93 has been celibate for about six years, and for him, it benefits his mental health and protects his health.

Everything is so sexual these days, [we] skip conversations, skip getting to know you, let's just go skin to skin and my whole thing is, STD rates are going out the roof. Im good. Im good getting my coffee. My skin is good. I dont need all that.

It has spawned a movement online called #BoySober launched by Gen Z to swear off dating apps, texting exes, and situationships (a portmanteau referring to a sexual relationship without commitment) to free themselves emotionally from the trials of exhausting cycle of dating, obsessively checking ones phone, dating a bit more, getting ghosted, and all over again.

With around 30 million videos attached to the BoySober tag, predominantly by women, the movement aims to break that cycle of dating and disappointment by swearing off completely, much like quitting alcohol cold turkey.
An increasingly popular pregnancy method used by celebrities including Jimmy Fallon and Kim Kardashian is associated with an increased risk of complications and death.

A new study found surrogates, women who carry and deliver a pregnancy for someone else, are more likely to experience life-threatening complications and death during pregnancy than women who give birth to their own children.

By looking at data from more than 800,000 pregnancies in Canada, researchers determined surrogates were likely to develop preeclampsia, a potentially fatal condition that causes high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.

It's also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke later in life.

The rate of life threatening health issues that can occur during or after childbirth was eight percent in the surrogates, compared with two percent of people who carried their own babies.

People choose to use a surrogate for a number of reasons - be it complicated previous pregnancies or infertility. Jimmy Fallon has spoken about he and his wife's decision to use a surrogate. Kim Kardashian has also shared her experience with surrogacy, using two different women to have children with Kanye West

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Study Author Dr Maria Velez, an obstetrician at Queen's University in Canada, said these risks need to be considered by people interested in paying other people to carry their babies.

Dr Velez said: 'Clinicians involved in the care of individuals and couples who need a gestational carrier to build their family should counsel their patients and the gestational carriers about the potential risk during pregnancy and early postpartum.'

Surrogacy, when the embryos from one couple are implanted into the womb of another woman who carries the baby to term, has become more popular with increasing medical advances.

The researchers analyzed 863,017 pregnancies from 2012 to 2021, 806 of which were surrogacies, and published their findings in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

Though the topic remains controversial, the authors note, few studies had actually been performed to see what the safety of surrogate pregnancies were compared to normal childbirth.

Dr Velez said: 'The study was prompted by an increased in the use of gestational carriers worldwide and a lack of information about the impact of this reproductive modality on pregnancy outcomes, for the gestational carrier and the offspring.'

Childbirth is inherently risky. When giving birth, new mothers risk massive blood loss, tissue tears and changes to blood pressure.

One well-known complication is a condition is preeclampsia - a sudden and dangerous change in a mother's blood pressure during pregnancy or child birth that can lead to premature birth, liver damage, seizure, comas, cardiovascular disease and death.

It affects about five to eight percent of all pregnancies in the US, and is more common in women who are obese, over age 35 or have autoimmune disorders.

The study found that eight percent of surrogate births had some sort of life-threatening complications, particularly preeclampsia and massive bleeding.

This was four times the rate of the natural birth group - where two percent of pregnancies resulted in complications at birth.

Also, surrogates were more likely to give birth prematurely - before 37 weeks gestation - than other women. Still, on the whole, the babies born to them were as healthy as the babies born to their biological mothers.

The authors note that screening guidelines for surrogates should weed out existing health conditions that would make them more likely to have a complicated pregnancy. But, Dr Velez said: 'these guidelines are not always strictly followed.'

On the whole, surrogacy is still a relatively rare situation.

This is likely because it costs a lot of money to support a surrogate - it can cost more than $200,000 according to American Surrogacy - making it the stuff of the wealthy.

Researchers found risks were outsized in women who opted to be surrogates than in women who gave birth to their own biological children

The paycheck is a reason some surrogates opt into this contract. Others say they agree to be a surrogate just to help couples who can't conceive on their own.

The people who seek out a surrogate likewise have a number of motivations. Some had previous risky pregnancies. Others are infertile, or are in a same-sex partnership where it's not possible to carry a baby yourself.

One of the factors that complicates surrogacy in the US is that it's not legal in every state. Nebraska and Louisiana currently prohibit paid surrogacy.

Paid surrogacy was brought to the spotlight in the 1980's by a controversial legal case wherein a surrogate who was paid to carry the pregnancy of a couple in New Jersey had a change of heart after giving birth, and decided she wanted to keep the baby.

The couple who paid the woman to carry the child sued, and were eventually granted custody. In response, New Jersey, New York and other states instated a ban on paid surrogacy that lasted years.

The case, known popularly as 'baby M' - made surrogacy a national controversial topic, with people questioning the ethics of wealthy couples paying surrogates, who are sometimes substantially poorer - for the temporary use of their womb.

In Canada, where the study was performed, surrogacy is largely legal, with some restrictions.
THE HAUNTED WOOD by Sam Leith (Oneworld 30, 592pp)

The Haunted Wood by Sam Leith is available now from the Mail Bookshop

When the writer Hans Christian Andersen travelled from Copenhagen to London, Charles Dickens invited him to stay with his family for two weeks.

Plain, gawky and socially awkward, Andersen stayed for another three weeks, ignoring all hints that it was time to go.

Having him as a guest was such an ordeal that Dickens wrote mournfully: 'We are suffering very much from Andersen.'

Reading this erudite canter through children's literature, it is clear that, like Hans Christian Andersen, many of our most beloved children's writers have been distinctly weird - and some even disturbed.

Children's literature is a relatively recent invention; before the 18th century there was little difference between what children would read and books for adults.

From 1744, publisher John Newberry produced over a hundred children's books, but there was a great deal of preachiness. Charles and Mary Lamb's Tales From Shakespeare, published in 1807, was one of the first in which God didn't play any obvious role.

Alice In Wonderland: 'in which fun and silliness was an end in itself '

Unusually, the book was aimed at girls. The Lambs - Mary, who was bipolar, had knifed their mother to death during a manic episode - reasoned that boys, having the run of their fathers' libraries, would already know their Shakespeare.

In 1865, Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland took children's literature in a new direction. This was a story 'in which fun and silliness was an end in itself '. To modern eyes, however, Carroll seems pretty creepy, with his penchant for befriending children and photographing them, both clothed and in the nude.

Beatrix Potter was both an ardent animal lover and a rather heartless natural scientist. When her pets died, she would carefully boil, label and sketch their bones. When she gave permission for a stuffed Peter Rabbit toy to be sold, she created 'the Big Bang for children's fiction merchandising'.

This golden age of children's stories continued with The Wind In The Willows, a tale of unbreakable friendships and 'messing about in boats'. Kenneth Grahame's inspiration for Mr Toad was his beloved only son, who killed himself when he was 19.

Far from maternal: Enid Blyton with her daughters

Blyton's Creation: Noddy

Enid Blyton wrote 700 books during her lifetime - but, as a mother, she was a dismal failure. Her daughter Imogen said she had no maternal instinct and was 'arrogant, insecure, pretentious as an adult, I did not hate her. I pitied her'.

Whatever her faults, at least Blyton wasn't a Soviet spy, as Arthur Ransome probably was.

The author of Swallows And Amazons had reported on the Russian Revolution as a young man and was an enthusiastic supporter.

MI6 eventually signed him up but, says Leith, 'it's hard to make out whether he was spying on the Russians for the British, the Brits for the Russians, or a bit of both'. He ended up marrying Trotsky's private secretary.

More recently, children's fiction has become grittier and more representative of ordinary lives.

Fan favourite: Tracy Beaker is one of Jacqueline Wilson's best loved literary creations

Jacqueline Wilson has amassed a devoted readership for her books about 'realistic children who had difficult parents and all sorts of secrets and problems'.

Malorie Blackman, the daughter of immigrants from Barbados, broke the mould by writing books where black characters and racism were central to the story.

As for JK Rowling, Leith praises her for reimagining the classic boarding school stories and letting her imaginary world evolve along with her audience. Rowling sold the rights to her first book for 1,500.

Her new publisher told her sadly: 'You'll never make any money out of children's books, Jo.' It went on to sell more than 120 million copies.

Children's books should be taken seriously, Leith says, because 'what we read in childhood stays with us.. it's the platform on which everything else is built'.

He is confident that children will keep reading, that they will still want to escape to that magical place where, as A.A. Milne wrote in The House At Pooh Corner, 'a little boy and his Bear will always be playing'.
Until quite recently, there was an unhelpful habit of UK company boards rapidly buckling when faced with overseas and private equity takeovers.

There would be dire warnings from fee-hungry investment banks that failure to accept seemingly generous offers would breach fiduciary duty.

There has been a welcome change of attitude. Several major quoted firms, including electronics retailer Currys, insurer Direct Line, miner Anglo American and engineer John Wood Group, have seen predators off the field of battle.

So far Andrew Fisher, the chairman of online property site Rightmove, is declining to give in to the blandishments of Rupert Murdoch controlled Rea Group. It is showing coolness in the face of a 6.1billion cash and share offer.

Target: The offer from Rea for Rightmove is odd with Britain's housing market is triple the size of Australia from where the Rea bid hails

Only the Royal Mail owner, International Distribution Services, held up by regulatory interference, has sought to sell itself off to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and associates.

There are good reasons for boards and shareholders to hold firm. Most takeover offers are a matter of price, with big battalion long investors and hedge funds new to the share register keen to pocket a profit and scarper.

The fate of the workforce, the impact of indebtedness and the public interest rarely gets a look-in. Recently, we learned that generous premiums rarely are what they seem.

The discount of London-quoted shares to some of their peers means that assets have been snaffled on the cheap. Sterling weakness also has been a consideration.

Moreover, as has been seen at Asda among others, that when leverage is involved, the outcomes rarely are positive.

The offer from Rea for Rightmove is odd. After all, Britains housing market is triple the size of Australia from where the Rea bid hails.

As attractive as it may be for the Murdoch interests  which control 62 per cent of Rea  to consume Rightmove, giving it a broader footprint, logic says Fisher and his board should launch the pacman defence in which the hunted eats the predator.

Failure to do so speaks to the lack of confidence and ambitions in UK-quoted firms, even in the online commerce sector where the UK, through banks such as Revolut and retailers such as Next, have real heft.

Rea says it can bring skills to Rightmove which it lacks. These include sophisticated data services and access to the mortgage markets.

Expertise in both of these would be open to a UK company with a willingness to invest. That means convincing shareholders, in for a quick turn, that there is great long-term value to be unlocked.

Deals do not have to be done. There will be setbacks. As we report today, Anglo American shares have not performed well since it showed Aussie miner BHP the door.

BHP has the option to come back in November. Resetting a complex mining giant takes time and Anglo American is too important to South Africa and the London stock market to be sacrificed. UK plc needs to hold its nerve.

Border dispute

Ahead of the great financial crisis, one of the big gains seen from the European Union was thought to be cross border banking.

We know how badly that went. The Royal Bank of Scotland takeover of Netherlands-based ABN Amro became the most costly mistake ever made by a UK bank.

HSBCs swoop into private banking, by buying the Safra banks including Republic New York, proved an embarrassing error which is still being unwound.

In the Benelux countries, Fortis was one of the major casualties of the 2008 banking meltdown.

Given this history, there is not surprisingly apprehension about the current effort by UniCredit to buy Germanys Commerzbank. Gaining a foothold in Germany may seem a brilliant idea.

But an American commercial banker recently in London was dismissive of going there. German investors fear that in the case of problems in Italys often unstable economy, resources would always be focused on local clients. German customers might become after-thoughts.

In particular, there are concerns a tie-up between the two banks could hobble lending to Germanys vibrant small and medium sized businesses.

Experience suggests that cultural differences will be hard to bridge. Andrea Orcel, former boss of dealmaker UBS now at the helm of UniCredit, has unfulfilled ambition. Thats not a good reason for a deal.
Rupert Murdoch is edging closer to a takeover of Rightmove  though a higher offer may be needed to secure the deal.

Australian property firm Rea Group, which is majority-owned by the media tycoons News Corp, has tabled a third offer, worth 6.1billion, for the property website.

Rightmove said it will carefully consider the proposal having rejected two earlier bids worth 5.6billion and 5.9billion.

The latest offer values the British businesss shares at 770p each, around 9 per cent higher than the first 705p approach at the start of the month.

Property deal: Australian property firm Rea Group, which is majority-owned by Rupert Murdoch's company News Corp, has tabled a third offer for Rightmove worth 6.1bn

But analysts said Rea may have to raise its offer again to get a deal over the line.

Russ Mould, investment director at broker AJ Bell, said: The fact Rightmove says it will carefully consider the latest proposal implies it isnt completely cold to the prospect of a takeover, knowing that it has to act in shareholders best interests.

However, it feels like the company will still push for more. Rightmove digging in its heels and refusing to be bought on the cheap would also show that UK plc isnt for sale at any price.

Rea yesterday criticised Rightmove for refusing to come to the table for talks.

Chief executive Owen Wilson said he was genuinely disappointed at the lack of engagement from the takeover targets board.

But in a sign this could change, London-listed Rightmove said it was considering the latest proposal, suggesting it is not totally opposed to a deal at the right price.

The takeover interest comes as the UK housing market starts to recover from a period of weaker demand due to high mortgage costs. That is expected to boost Rightmoves shares and profits.

Rightmoves stock rose 0.8 per cent, or 5.2p, to 679.6p yesterday but remained below the latest offer price, suggesting that shareholders are not convinced by the fresh bid.

Mould said: This looks like a serious pursuit, albeit one where the bidders idea of fair value still doesnt align with shareholders expectations.

The property website groups chairman Andrew Fisher said: Rightmove is an exceptional company with a very clear strategy, a consistent track record of delivery and a strong management team.

The board is confident in the companys short- and long-term prospects. The board will continue to act on behalf of our shareholders and respond to the most recent proposal in due course. Rea has until the end of the month to make a formal offer or walk away.

Analysts at Jefferies said that the tone in Reas announcements has changed, becoming more firm.
Shares in an Anglo-Canadian semiconductor company plunged after it warned the merger of two large artificial intelligence (AI) customers in South Korea would hit business.

Alphawave IP Group said the Korean tie-up alongside delays to the final design of chips have affected its outlook.

As a result, the London-listed company expects to report

revenues of 233million to 248million and profits of 38million for 2024.

This will fall short of the 259million to 274million of revenues and 53million profit it previously forecast.

Shares hit: Alphawave IP Group said the merger of two large artificial intelligence customers in South Korea alongside delays to the final design of chips have affected its outlook

Shares, which plunged 13.8 per cent, or 17.2p, to 107.8p, remained a far cry from the listing price of 410p in May 2021 that valued the company at 3.1billion.

Sales at Alphawave more than halved to 68million in the six months to the end of June as it brought in revenues from 12 fewer customers compared with the year before.

A fifth of sales came from Chinese clients  down from 66 per cent a year earlier  as the company pivoted away from the country.

Alphawave swung from a 24.3million profit to a 9million loss during the period.

The firm, which was founded in 2017, makes chips that it hopes will power the next generation of AI and cloud infrastructure.

The FTSE 100 rose 0.4 per cent, or 29.72 points, to 8259.71 and the FTSE 250 inched up 0.1 per cent, or 13.28 points, to 20845.12.

WH Smith announced it will buy up to 25million of shares from investors between now and April next year. The retailers stock rose 2.1 per cent, or 29p, to 1429p.

Stock Watch - Oxford Metrics Oxford Metrics issued a profit warning as customers reined in spending. The software company expects profits to be materially below the 7.8million analysts pencilled in for the year to the end of September. Revenues should be in the range of 40million to 42million  falling short on market forecasts of 48.6million. The subdued outlook came as the group said customers became more cautious. Shares tumbled 21.2 per cent, or 16.8p, to 62.4p.

Currys soared after analysts at Berenberg raised the electronics retailers target price from 92p to 125p.

The broker said the companys turnaround plan has succeeded in cutting costs and expects cash to be freed up as its pension deficit should be paid down in three years time. Shares gained 8 per cent, or 6.3p, to 84.7p.

But the luxury consumer is all shopped out, according to the Bank of America, which warned the industrys slowdown is likely to continue into next year.

Burberry was among the casualties of the gloomier outlook as analysts slashed the British fashion labels target price from 700p to 475p. Shares dropped 0.9 per cent, or 5.4p, to 599p.

Also down was private equity firm Bridgepoint after analysts at Stifel raised the target price of the French software provider it is hoping to buy to 285. The broker said the firms offer of 262 per share is fair but warned it may not be high enough to prevent a potential bidding war.

Brigepoint shares fell 2.9 per cent, or 9.8p, to 329.8p. Recruitment firm Hays sank following a broker downgrade.

Analysts at Exane BNP Paribas lowered their rating due to concerns over the industrys trading and weakness in the companys key German market. Both factors could affect the its ability to pay special dividends in the future, the broker added. Shares dropped 3.1 per cent, or 2.9p, to 90.9p.

Capita extended its deal to support the roll-out of smart meters in the UK for another two years. Shares in the BBC licence fee collector rose 3.9 per cent, or 0.76p, to 20.3p.
Lloyd's of Londons boss has sounded the alarm over plans to bring in a raft of workers right saying it was vital to get the balance right.

John Neal, who has battled to bring staff back to the three-century old insurance market after the pandemic, said: The employees got to understand that theyre being paid to do a job.

He warned that putting employers under too much pressure with new rules could risk job cuts or pushing them into sending jobs overseas.

Workers rights: Lloyd's of London's boss John Neal (pictured) has battled to bring staff back to the three-century old insurance market after the pandemic

Labour wants to give staff the right to ask for a four-day week and the right to switch off and has strongly backed working from home.

Speaking at the Labour party conference yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the plans amounted to a new deal for working people to make work pay.

But many businesses are concerned that the plans  which also include day one entitlement to protection from being sacked  will deter hiring.

Neal acknowledged that in the past the pendulum had at times swung too far against workers  for example, if they are expected to be always available to be contacted.

He said that cant be right, because they need a break.

But Neal told the Mail: You want UK plc to be alive and well, if its alive and well it needs to grow, if its growing then itll create employment opportunities. If you put businesses under too much pressure where they get very, very cost-

focused, then the risk is you find yourself in two issues: do they go through restructuring or redundancy programmes, do they think about job offshoring.

And we dont really want to find ourselves in these debates. Weve got to make sure that the employee feels valued in terms of compensation and benefit.

But at the same time, the employees got to understand that theyre being paid to do a job and that jobs got to be done well. So weve just got to get the balance right.

Lloyds allows its employees some flexibility but they must be in the office at least three days a week and for some it would be four.

He said attendance at the building was pretty much back to normal from Tuesday to Thursday, and for Monday was getting there quite quickly. Friday was always a bit quiet for Lloyds even before the pandemic, he said.

Neal said being present was vital for a business.
Glitz: Victoria Beckham (pictured) has recruited Dash Water to make Posh branded cans for Paris Fashion Week

One of Britains fastest-growing drinks brands has made its first ever profit as fans including Victoria Beckham help push annual sales to 35million.

Dash Water, which was set up in 2017 and uses wonky fruit rejected by supermarkets to flavour sparkling water without sugar, is set to post pre-tax profits of 74,900 for 2024.

And in what could provide a further boost, Beckham has recruited the company to make Posh branded cans for her show at Paris Fashion Week on Friday.

Beckham  known as Posh in the Spice Girls  drinks as many as six cans of Dashs raspberry flavoured drink every day and insists her PA flies it to wherever she is in the world.

Co-founder Jack Scott, who set the business up with Alex Wright, said she has been a fan for many years.

Dash is on target to bring in 35million in revenues in 2024.

Backers include former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra and City figure David Milner, who ran pet food business Lilys Kitchen.
New York/New Delhi, Sep 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli in New York, in their first meeting since Oli took over as prime minister for the fourth time in July, with their talks focusing on energy, technology and trade.

In a post on X, the PM said:

Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade.

The Nepal PM in a post said he had a fruitful meeting with PM Modi.

Had a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister of India Shri @narendramodi ji on the sidelines of #UNGA79.

During the meeting, various matters of bilateral relations were discussed.

An Indian readout said, the two prime ministers met on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on Sunday.

The two leaders reviewed the unique and close bilateral relationship between India and Nepal, and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in diverse sectors including development partnership, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people ties, and enhancing connectivity  physical, digital and in the domain of energy.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated Nepal on becoming the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a full member, and underlined the importance of a regional response to the challenge of climate change.

Nepal is a priority partner of India under its Neighbourhood First Policy. This meeting continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of our Neighbourhood First policy, it said.

The Kathmandu Post quoted Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who was present at the meeting, as saying that Prime Minister Modi expressed his intention to visit Nepal soon.

Modi said he will visit Nepal shortly, and both leaders agreed to activate bilateral mechanisms to address various issues, she said after the meeting.

Prime Minister Oli described the talks as positive during a brief interaction with the media following the meeting.

Nepals delegation included Prime Minister Oli, Foreign Minister Rana, Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Bishnu Rimal, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Nepals Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lok Bahadur Thapa, and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Amrit Kumar Rai.

On the Indian side, PM Modi was accompanied by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The meeting lasted approximately 45 minutes.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Rai said the talks helped to further strengthen the trust between the two countries.

UNI RN
EXCLUSIVE

A dating app creep boasted about having sexual intercourse with 14-year-old girls in a sordid pick-up guidebook and memoir that can only now be exposed after this publication defeated his legal secrecy bid.

Four women came forward to Daily Mail Australia for a story last November that exposed how electrical engineer Anton Smolin erupted with furious abuse when they cancelled or changed arrangements made with him on Hinge.

Smolin, 43, was then an associate director of a Sydney engineering firm.

After the story was published, he denied making a series of appalling statements to women - such as 'just f*** off, you fat stupid pig' and 'you're such a stupid, lying b****' - and sued for defamation in the NSW District Court.

But the doomed lawsuit has now backfired spectacularly.

Daily Mail Australia can now reveal the sickening contents of a confessional self-help book published by Smolin, titled Seduction Chronicles of a Psychopath, after an interim non-publication order he sought on its contents was lifted.

In the book, Smolin describes how he 'de-virginised' three girls aged 14 and 15 in Brisbane and weighs the odds of him being charged with rape for having sex with an unconscious Lithuanian woman.

Discussing the latter scenario, Smolin writes, 'There is nothing in my rulebook about not f***ing a b**ch that I hooked up with, who just happened to pass out before giving consent.'

The book also includes a call to lower the age of consent and advice on how men can overcome 'last minute resistance' from women.

The material within is so troubling a copy will be given to police to investigate whether Smolin has admitted committing serious criminal offences.

The book features an Excel spreadsheet of women with whom Smolin claims to have had sex - including their names, ages, ratings of their attractiveness and prowess, and his age at the time.

It also shows images of naked and semi-naked women, some of whom appear to be unconscious, suggesting the photographs were taken without their knowledge or consent.

Sexual predator Anton Smolin has lost his last-ditch attempt to keep secret the contents of a memoir in which he boasts about having intercourse with 14-year-old girls. Smolin is pictured

Judge: Book is a crime

Smolin initially claimed in court that Daily Mail Australia had destroyed his reputation and caused him to be sacked from his job by wrongly portraying him as a psychopath, sexual predator and misogynist.

But as soon as it became clear the book he wrote would be part of the case, Smolin capitulated and consented to a judgment being made against him, as well as paying costs estimated to have reached six figures.

Last Thursday, Judge Judith Gibson made a formal finding in Daily Mail Australia's favour but extended an interim non-publication order over the full contents of the book.

That order expired at 5pm on Monday, allowing publication of the most explicit material in Smolin's 305-page 'instructional manual'.

Judge Gibson also granted an application made by lawyers acting for this publication to hand the book over to NSW and Queensland Police for investigation into possible criminal conduct by Smolin.

Barrister Nicholas Olson, acting for Daily Mail Australia and instructed by Mark O'Brien Legal, had argued in court 'the book itself is a crime, arguably'.

Judge Gibson agreed 'the book itself is a crime in that it publishes material about child abuse' but said Smolin had gone even further.

'It's not just admissions, he's boasting about it,' she said.

Anton Smolin's graphic guidebook, Seduction Chronicles of a Psychopath, includes a call to lower the age of consent and advice on how to overcome 'last minute resistance' from women

Smolin: 'The following stories are all true'

The book, self-published in June 2014 and sold on Amazon, was described by Smolin on the Goodreads website as offering 'some fundamental concepts and theory of modern-day seduction'.

Smolin calls himself a psychopath 'with almost no empathy or moral and ethical standards of any kind'.

'The following stories are all true,' he writes in the book's preface.

'The people described are real; their names are also real... The photos are real... All photos displayed have been taken by the author.

'This is not fiction... Unlike fiction writers I did not make up stuff in order to shock people. I just write it how it is in real life.'

Smolin goes on to argue for lowering the age of consent - which in Australian states and territories is 16 or 17 - by describing current laws as 'outdated'.

Smolin describes how he 'de-virginised' three girls aged 14 and 15 in Brisbane and weighs the odds of being charged with rape for having sex with an unconscious Lithuanian woman

'There are lots of girls losing their virginity at the age of 14 and 15,' he writes. 'I know this because I have de-virginised three of them, back when I was very young and still a student.'

The book's spreadsheet of Smolin's sexual encounters lists a 14-year-old girl he describes as a 'f*** buddy' who was 'incredibly stupid and annoying'.

Seduction Chronicles of a Psychopath by Anton Smolin was available on Amazon

Another 14-year-old 'one-night stand' was a 'really dumb and fat but compliant', while a 15-year-old was 'attractive, hot body and beautiful a**'.

Each of the three was from Brisbane and a 'virgin school girl', while Smolin was 21.

Mr Olson said of Smolin rating the teenagers' sexual ability, 'It's highly degrading about an adult but in relation to a minor it's quite appalling'.

In addition to Smolin seemingly admitting to having had sex with minors, Daily Mail Australia's lawyers were concerned descriptions of those acts might amount to producing child abuse material.

'Last minute resistance'

Smolin writes about what he calls the concept of 'last-minute resistance', or 'LMR', which he defined as 'when a girl realises she is about to have sex, freaks out and tries to stop the seduction process'.

He recalls breath-testing a woman in Brisbane - 'I keep a professional breathalyser in my car' - and, after she blew 0.07, driving her to his place so she could sober up.

'[The woman] was hesitant at first as she knew the rendezvous with the one-eyed serpent was imminent, but agreed in the end,' he writes.

'Last minute resistance in the form of pathetic attempts to keep her clothes on; and soon enough a register entry was created: #68, [woman's name], 6/10, 26yo.'

Mr Olson said Smolin's definition of 'last-minute resistance' was 'nothing other than the refusal or withdrawal of consent to intercourse'.

'Mr Smolin, in my submission, admits to numerous occasions in the book where he prevails upon women to have sex despite "last-minute resistance", as he calls it,' he told the court.

'That is, at least arguably, sexual assault.'

Smolin's image was being last year on the Scarlet Blue 'Independent Escorts Australia' website last year to promote the services of a male prostitute (above)

In another passage, Smolin writes about taking an intoxicated woman in her early 20s back to a Brisbane hotel room with his friend.

'Unless we get the pig back to the hotel right now, she will sober and already our chances of a gangbang will drop to almost 0%,' he writes.

Smolin gets the 'really drunk' woman on a bed and he and his friend perform various sex acts upon her.

'The pig is surprised and outraged,' he writes. 'She begins objecting and complaining. However we just ignore her and keep going. This was just a bit of LMR that quickly passes.'

Mr Olson: 'It's very explicit as an admission of forcing a woman to have sexual intercourse in company.'

Judge Gibson: 'It's a gang bang.'

Seduction Chronicles of a Psychopath was uncovered after Smolin sued Daily Mail Australia over a story published last year. Four women had come forward to describe Smolin erupting with furious abuse when they cancelled dates with him

'I weigh up the pros and cons of raping'

Many of what Smolin refers to as 'conquests' take place in Eastern Europe and he recounts liaisons with women he refers to as 'targets' in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia and Ukraine.

One of the most concerning scenes takes place in Lithuania where Smolin meets two heavily intoxicated women, one of whom he rates a 7/10.

Smolin writes of that woman: 'She has no idea what the f*** is going on, talks incomprehensibly, falls over constantly, drops items she is holding and generally acts like a raging idiot.'

'I will probably still f*** the 7 while she is unconscious, which would technically be classified as rape... I weigh up the pros and cons of raping the completely wasted hoe.'

Smolin concludes that in this scenario the risks are outweighed by the rewards.

'I oppose violence but there is nothing in my rulebook about not f***king a b**ch I hooked up with, who just happened to pass out before giving consent,' he writes.

'In my opinion, consent is implied in situations like this, even though by law it is not.

'In my view, if you bought tickets to the show and don't show up, the show proceeds without you. You can get told about what happened the next day.'

Mr Olson: 'The tenor of the book is it's an advice or self-help book, and there's passages all through it which read like an instructional manual.'

Smolin told one woman who decided against meeting up, 'Just f**k off, you stupid fat pig', and told another who declined a second date, 'You're such a stupid, lying b***h'

Among the photographs of naked and semi-naked women is one of a sleeping subject in Latvia, and another taken in Brisbane.

The Brisbane picture is captioned: 'After sex, [the woman] passes out... I take this opportunity to gather some pimping evidence (photos) using my crappy mobile phone camera.'

In the book, Smolin writes of his 'seduction' method that 'a key component of the strategy is to keep her boozed at all times get her wasted and pull the c**k'.

Mr Olsen submitted while the book was published in 2014, 'there is every reason to think this is an ongoing course of conduct'.

A summary of Smolin's sexual exploits in Australia and overseas is still being promoted online as including an orgy with a 'toothless grandma' and the 'gang bang of a blindfolded and tied-up girl'.

Smolin has continued to deny having written Chronicles of a Psychopath despite it featuring his name, phone number, email address and photograph.

The book was obtained through a subpoena issued to Smolin's former employer, Erbas & Associates engineering consultants, which stood him down after seeing the original story about his abuse of women on dating apps.

Before Smolin parted ways with Erbas he had asked the company to wipe his work computer hard drive, which it did, after making a copy of all his stored documents.

Smolin was found guilty in January of using a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend at Sutherland in Sydney's south in February last year.

He sought to have the matter annulled at Downing Centre Local Court in March but after abandoning that application was convicted and put on a $500 two-year good behaviour bond.

Since Smolin commenced his defamation action it has emerged his image was being used on the Scarlet Blue 'Independent Escorts Australia' website last year to promote the services of a male sex worker.
Advertisement

New video has surfaced of Sean 'Diddy' Combs telling guests at one of his legendary White Parties in the Hamptons that it was time for the kids to go home and the real partying to begin.

In footage obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, Diddy, 54, stands, champagne glass in hand, like a dictator on his balcony as he calls in the quid pro quo for the hospitality so far extended.

'We fed you all, we gave you drinks, now it's time to enjoy life,' he says. 'This is a celebration of life. This is the real White Party.

'Kids have an hour left [then] this thing turns into something that when you get older, this is something y'all gonna want to come to so let's just start to get our groove on, put the kids away. It's all good.

'All right DJ let's hit it. Let's do it.'

Sean 'Diddy' Combs with his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez at one of his notorious White Parties at his East Hampton mansion, this one held on July 2, 2000

Kimora Lee Simmons, Russell Simmons, Natane Adcock, Damon Dash, Aaliyah, Diddy, Jennifer Lopez, Lisa Zane, Billy Zane, Victor Matthews, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Andre Harrell and Veronica Webb at 'Puffy's Fourth of July' party on July 2, 2000

Diddy watches his Labor Day party from his balcony at his house in East Hampton on August 29, 1998

Leonardo DiCaprio was among the guests at Diddy's party in 1998

It's impossible to hear his words today without catching in them a sinister overture to the sort of debauchery which now sees the rapper charged with a slew of heinous crimes and held without bail on suicide watch in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center.

Diddy's name will be forever tarnished by the charges he now faces of sexual assault and violence, kidnap, arson and possession of firearms  and the revelations of sexual 'freak offs' which allegedly lasted days and saw participants  often sex workers  forced to rehydrate via an IV drip in their aftermath.

But back in the day, before he stood accused of running a 'criminal enterprise' and was deemed a threat to society and justice, celebrities clamoured for an invite to Diddy's era-defining White Parties held at his East Hampton home between 1998 and 2009.

Images obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show the glittering guest list  a who's who of movie and music industry fame  all of whom have remained conspicuously silent since the music mogul's arrest in New York earlier this week.

In pictures shot at Diddy's penultimate party in 2008, scantily clad, half-naked girls cavort in the swimming pool. A tangle of limbs, they pour champagne into the open mouth of a male guest

Diddy pours champagne over two near-naked women at his Labor Day party in 1998

Many of the female guests did virtually nothing to hide their modesty

Doug E Fresh, Andre Harrell and Diddy at The Real White Party in September 2007

Ashton Kutcher got in the swing of things when Diddy held a party in Beverly Hills on the Fourth of July in 2009

Among them is Jennifer Lopez, who famously dated Diddy between 1999 and 2001 and went to more than one of the parties that he instituted to cement his reputation as a latter-day Gatsby and industry mover and shaker.

In pictures she is cozying up with her then-beau, all smiles and kisses for the man now charged as a serial predator.

Paris Hilton, too, was a regular guest who attended the first party, held on September 7, 1998, that she described as 'iconic'.

Photos of the gatherings are like a time capsule of late Nineties, early Noughties celebrity. Howard Stern, Kelly Osbourne, Aretha Franklin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martha Stewart, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon, 'it' couple Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson, a young Kim Kardashian anybody who was anybody was there, and proudly so.

Poignantly, Diddy's ex, Kim Porter, mother of three of Diddy's children, who died in 2018 aged 47, is also there. In some shots she sits next to Diddy, smiling with their twins D'Lila and Jessie James Combs on her lap.

There is no hint in her demeanor and appearance of the violent abuse she allegedly suffered at Diddy's hands, which is exposed in a new memoir, In Kim's Words, which published alleged entries from journals Porter left behind.

Musician Tommy Lee and Diddy at The Real White Party, held at Diddy Combs' East Hampton estate on September 2, 2007

Unforgivable fragrance models pose at The Real White Party on September 2, 2007

'Champagne from heaven' served to guests by models dressed as angels at Diddy's Labor Day party in 1999

Diddy was a generous host at his wild parties, which he held annually from 1998 to 2009

And, though there is no suggestion that the celebrities who attended the parties were involved in any of Diddy's illegal activities, once the kids went home, things got wild.

In pictures shot at Diddy's penultimate party in 2008, scantily clad, half-naked girls cavort in the swimming pool. A tangle of limbs, they pour champagne into the open mouth of a male guest.

In others, two girls, wearing only bikini bottoms, kiss while champagne flows over their bare skin.

According to former music industry insider Tom Swoope, who has recounted his own memories of 'surviving' Diddy's White Parties on his YouTube channel, 'First Off In My Opinion: Story Time', the parties were separated into 'tiers' of access.

There was 'general admission' then a series of 'tiers' ending with entrance to the inner sanctum where the 'real' partying went on. This allegedly included sexually humiliating male and female guests on the promise of record deals or money.

Swoope and others have spoken about the drugs that were present  ecstasy, cocaine  being snorted off all sorts of surfaces including the bodies of guests.

A huge pile of guests including Diddy himself at a party on July 2, 2000 at Diddy's mansion

Diddy with music industry lawyers and businessmen at his Labor Day party in 1999

Models were a staple on the guest list for Diddy's wild White Parties

Children, including Diddy's own with Kim Porter, were given one hour's notice that they had to leave so the real fun could begin

Models dressed as angels pose at the Absolut White Party in 2003 near the pool at Diddy's mansion

Diddy, now 54, stands like a dictator on his balcony as he calls in the quid pro quo for the hospitality so far extended

As an industry ingenue when he first attended the party, Swoope describes an eye-popping reality.

Speaking to Oprah in 2006, Diddy told her that the intention behind the first White Party was to integrate hip-hop into the echelons of the mega-rich, to find an intersection of both worlds.

He said, 'I wanted to strip away everyone's image and put us all in the same colour, and on the same level.'

Swoope recalled it as more of a power trip for the rapper.

At one point, finding himself in the same room as Diddy, Swoope alleges that Diddy told a young artist to perform a sex act on his bodyguard in return for $100,000 and a record deal, before claiming it was a joke when the young man was on the cusp of submitting.

Even Regis Philbin turned up in 1999 along with wife Joy. Designer Vera Wang was also there

It was all white on the night in 2007

Russell Brand showed up for the final White Party in 2009 in Beverly Hills

A model dances at The Real White Party at Diddy's East Hampton estate on September 2, 2007

Magician David Blaine shows Chevy Chase a card trick at Diddy's Labor Day party in 1999

Diddy hosts the after party for The Real White Party at Club Dune on September 2, 2007

Swoope recalls Diddy wielding his power with words that echo the threat contained in allegations in the lengthy criminal complaint unsealed on Tuesday.

Chillingly, Swoope claimed Diddy told him, 'I can make anybody do anything because this life is what they want, and I got the keys to the castle.'

For his part, Swoope said he left the party thinking, 'If this is what goes on behind the curtain and you're all comfortable with this nah I don't want this life'.

'There were so many celebrities there who were cool with who he was and what he did to entertain them. It's not isolated,' he added.

'You all need to think of everybody when you think of him and the access and amount of people who were there.'
Authorities allegedly believe she is connected to an Australian terrorist cell

EXCLUSIVE

An Australian woman has been arrested on terror charges and jailed by Turkish security forces as she prepared to board a flight home to Melbourne.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal the country's elite intelligence agency swooped on Cigdem Aslan in Istanbul Airport on Saturday in a joint operation with local police.

The 40-year-old had been under surveillance by Turkiye's National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) over alleged links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

The PKK has been fighting since the 1970s for Kurdish sovereignty within Turkiye - formerly known as Turkey - and was founded with the intention of creating an independent Kurdish state.

The group has been designated as a proscribed terrorist organisation in countries around the globe, including the US, UK, EU and Australia.

It is alleged that Ms Aslan was one of the ringleaders in an associated Australian terrorist cell which has been linked to the PKK and its work within the country.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Monday that Australian consular officials were aware of Ms Aslan's arrest.

Cigdem Aslan was arrested by Turkish forces in Istanbul Airport on Saturday, local media reports. She was recently quoted as co-chair of the Federation of Kurdish Democratic Society

Ms Aslan was preparing to board her flight from Istanbul to Melbourne when she was arrested

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian woman detained in Turkiye,' a spokesperson said.

'Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.'

Consular assistance may include visits to prisons to monitor welfare, liaison with local authorities regarding the Australians well-being, provision of lists of local lawyers and assistance communicating with family members or nominated contacts.

Ms Aslan's arrest came amid sweeping raid across the Mediterranean country's capital conducted by MIT, the Istanbul Police Department and the Istanbul Police Department's Counter-Terrorism Branch.

She was alleged to have actively participated in actions and events carried out on behalf of PKK within Australia and had been monitored by MIT for some time.

She is now in prison in Turkiye awaiting her trial date.

Ms Aslan was understood to have been waiting for her flight back to Australia when members of Istanbul's police department captured her at the airport.

Her LinkedIn profile says she currently works as a part-time community health educator with the Multicultural Centre for Women's Health in Melbourne.

She was recently quoted as co-chair of the Federation of Kurdish Democratic Society in a 2022 article on the Australian Green Left activist website, praising a Senate candidate for supporting 'Kurdish peoples struggle for self-determination'.

She has also previously spoken on behalf of the Kurdistan Women's League of Victoria.

In December, she organised a seminar entitled Kurdistan: Past, Present and Future in Melbourne's Pascoe Vale, which featured a series of speakers discussing human rights in Kurdistan.

The PKK has been operational for 40 years and its activities have been blamed by Turkish authorities for the death of 40,000 people, local media reports.

Australia officially views the PKK as a 'ideologically-motivated violent extremist organisation', according to a 2012 report by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

'Founded in 1978, the PKK is founded on a combination of Kurdish nationalism and Marxist-Leninist ideals,' the report found.

'Most attacks appear to be very specifically targeted, for example, armed assaults against Turkish military forces using small-arms fire.

'However, there also have been several indiscriminate, mass-casualty attacks employing both suicide bombings and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.'

Prior to Ms Aslan's arrest only one other Australian had been charged for their association with the terrorist group.

Renas Lelikan pleaded guilty to being a member of the PKK and was sentenced to a three year Community Corrections Order by the NSW Supreme Court in 2019.

It is alleged that Ms Aslan was one of the ring leaders in an associated Australian terrorist cell which has been linked to the PKK and its work within the country

Ms Aslan was understood to have been waiting for her flight back to Australia when members of Istanbul's police department captured her in the airport

Her arrest was part of a sweeping raid conducted by MIT, the Istanbul Police Department and the Istanbul Police Department's Counter-Terrorism Branch

From its own founding documents the PKK has expressly stated its intention of gaining political power by attacking the government, security forces and rivals.

'The Kurdistan Workers Party aims to monopolise Kurdish political power, including by attacking the interests of rival political parties,' it states.

'However, the Kurdistan Workers Party primarily conducts attacks against the Turkish government and security forces.'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Kurdish groups in Australia for comment.
Amid warm sunshine, a peaceful riverbank in one of London's great parks seemed the ideal location for a family picnic.

But the group, which included a young toddler, quickly had to scarper, abandoning the food and even their pushchair after being rudely interrupted by a hungry stag in Richmond Park, South West London.

The woman managed to clamber over a fence and was passed the infant by the man, who followed them to safety.

Meanwhile, the creature - who had worked up an appetite from rutting season activity - moved in to devour the meal.

Two women picnicking nearby were also gatecrashed by a stag, which walked on to their picnic blanket to investigate what tasty treats he could find.

An aggressive stag is pictured stealing a picnicker's lunch in Richmond Park, South West London

The Royal Parks, which run Richmond Park, advise people to keep a minimum distance of 50 metres from the deer. (Pictured a family stands behind a fence after the stag stole a picnic)

Deer clash antlers during the rutting season in Richmond Park last week

A deer stag barks as the annual rutting season begins in Richmond Park

A stag and a doe in Richmond Park as the red deer mating season, known as the rut, begins

A deer stag wallows in mud as the annual rutting season begins, during above average seasonal temperatures, in Richmond Park

The park is currently home to around 630 deer, which have been allowed to roam free in the park since 1637. (A stag stands in Richmond Park)

Some people attempted to get close to the stags to pet or photograph them while visiting the park on Thursday.

But the British Deer Society warned people to take care and not to get too close, especially during the rutting season, which runs until November.

In advice to park visitors, the society said: 'Unlike truly wild deer, which will avoid humans wherever possible, park deer are used to human presence and will tolerate it, so it may be tempting to get too close in search of a photograph or a special encounter.

'Even park deer, which are very used to humans, are wild animals and during the rut, the stags and bucks have sharp and dangerous antlers and are likely to demonstrate aggressive behaviour.

'Rutting stags, in particular, are often pumped up with testosterone, and you could be putting yourself at risk. There have been a number of cases where visitors to parks have suffered injuries which might have been avoided.'

The Royal Parks, which run Richmond Park, advise people to keep a minimum distance of 50 metres from the deer.

The park is currently home to around 630 deer, which have been allowed to roam free in the park since 1637 and are essential to maintain the parkland and prevent tree growth.

Paul Richards, Park Manager at Richmond Park said: 'We would like to remind all visitors to Richmond Park and Bushy Park to exercise caution during the rutting season, which runs from late September to early November.

'During this period, male deer display heightened aggression as they compete for mates, and their behaviour can be unpredictable and dangerous. Unfortunately, while most people keep their distance, a small number of visitors have been known to approach stags for a photograph, placing themselves and others at risk.

'For your safety, please maintain a minimum distance of at least 50 meters from the deer and up to 100 meters if they are on the move.

'To help visitors stay safe, we have issued five key safety tips to follow during rutting season. We urge all visitors to prioritise their safety and the wellbeing of the park's wildlife by keeping to these guidelines.'
A necklace made with diamonds which may have played a role in ruining Marie Antoinette's reputation and is linked to the downfall of the French monarchy goes on display for the first time today.

Some experts believe that the necklace, worth 1.4 - 2.3 million and due to be auctioned in November by Sothebys, may have been made from some of the diamonds at the centre of the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, the 1780s theft from Crown jewellers Boehmer and Bassenge orchestrated by Comtesse Jeanne de la Motte.

She forged Antoinette's signature to get the necklace. Though innocent, the queen's reputation never recovered.

It played a role in ending the Bourbon regime, the start of the French Revolution and eventually led to the execution of the queen, right.

The necklace was broken up and the diamonds bought to London in 1785, with a receipt from jeweller Robert Gray documenting the purchase of a substantial amount of them. It is believed they were used for these rows of diamonds, above, designed in a 'negligee'.

Experts believe the gemstones in the necklace (pictured) are worth between 1.4-2.3million

The necklace didn't resurface until the early 20th century when it was owned by the Marquesses of Anglesey

Comtesse Jeanne de la Motte forged Marie Antoinette's (pictured) signature to get the necklace. Though innocent, the queen's reputation never recovered

The necklace didn't resurface until the early 20th century when it was owned by the Marquesses of Anglesey. In 1937, Lady Marjorie Manners, the spouse of the sixth marquess, wore the jewel to King George VI's coronation.

Later acquired for a private collection, it will be shown at London Sotheby's until Wednesday and auctioned on November 11 at Geneva's Mandarin Oriental.

Marie Antoinette was the daughter of Francis I, the Holy Roman Emperor.

He betrothed her to King Louis XVI to strengthen ties between France and Austria, her native country.

Marie Antoinette was only 14 and Louis just 15 when they married and received two million francs worth of jewellery from her French father-in-law.

The queen would also receive many more jewels from her husband over the years of their marriage.

The glittering pieces were fitting for a woman who many regard as the first celebrity, someone who easily outshone her rather drab husband.

It was said that her smile had an 'enchantment' that could win over 'the most brutal of her enemies'.

Her jewellery collection was by far the biggest of any French queen and rivalled only by Empress Josephine, the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.

By the end of 1776, Marie Antoinette had a dress allowance of 150,000 livres, at a time when the price of an an average house in a French town was 200 livres.

There were no gems to be seen when Marie Antoinette was guillotined in 1793

As she gambled, partied and lavished money on whatever took her fancy, she racked up bills of nearly 500,000 livres.

Versailles was the centre of fashion at its peak of eccentricity. Wigs were packed with powder and adorned with ribbons, feathers, flowers, fruit and even stuffed birds.

The queen had a personal coiffeur who designed her own 4ft tall hair-do that boasted a replica of the French warship La Belle Poule, complete with four masts, sails and jewelled portholes.

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Marie Antoinette's biggest passion was her jewels.

Louis raided the French crown jewels to allow his queen to indulge her passion for rubies, and she was also a particular fan of pearls.

As she was being painted while decked out in strands of pearls and other glittering pieces, the French economy was in the doldrums.

Harvests failed, peasants starved and rumours about the queen swirled.

They focused not only on her remarkable excesses, but also her serial infidelity.

But it was the necklace affair in 1785 that many scholars believe paved the way for her execution.

The necklace, which was made of 647 stones weighing nearly 2,800 carats, was the most expensive in the world, valued at around $20million today.

It had been designed by Louis XV's jewellers, the esteemed Boehmer and Bassange, for his mistress, Madame du Barry.

However, Louis passed away before the piece could be finished and so Boehmer and Bassange tried to sell the necklace to Marie Antoinette and the new King Louis VI.

But the royal couple refused to buy it and the queen instead urged Boehmer to break it up and sell it in several pieces.

In stepped impoverished aristocrat Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Remy, who had become the mistress of the powerful Cardinal de Rohan, a former French ambassador to Vienna.

He was keen to get back in the queen's good books after she recalled him from his post in the belief that he was stirring up trouble with her mother.

The cardinal was encouraged by de Valois-Saint-Remy to write to the queen.

What he did not know was that the queen's affectionate replies were being written by de Valois-Saint-Remy.

Believing that Marie Antoinette was in love with him, the cardinal was persuaded to meet with a woman he was told was the queen.

In fact, this woman was a prostitute who had been hired by de Valois-Saint-Remy to pretend to be the queen.

When the cardinal received a purported letter from the queen asking him to organise the purchase of the diamond necklace for her, he went about doing so.

After showing Boehmer and Bassange the correspondence as proof and giving them a deposit, the Cardinal was given the necklace in the belief he would deliver it to the queen.

But instead he gave it to de Valois-Saint-Remy, who promised that she would give it to Marie-Antoinette.

The mistress then sold its constituent jewels on the black market.

When Boehmer sought payment from the queen, she truthfully insisted that she knew nothing.

Despite her innocence in this particular scandal, in the eyes of the public Marie Antoinette was guilty.

Here, many believed, was evidence of wrongdoing and yet more unjustifiable extravagance.
A lawyer for the boatbuilder that assembled Mike Lynch's ill-fated superyacht that sank last month, killing him and six others including his 18-year-old daughter, has filed a lawsuit seeking 186million from his widow and the crew.

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 in Porticello, Sicily.

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.

The legal action, filed in a Sicilian court on Friday and first reported by Italian newspaper La Nazione, claims that the sinking caused massive reputational damage and loss of earnings to the Italian Sea Group (IGS), the manufacturer.

While the 'disgraceful' move is said to have angered Lynch's family, IGS said that the lawyer who filed the suit, Tommaso Bertuccelli, was not 'authorised' to do so and has been told to withdraw it immediately.

A lawyer for IGS is suing Angela Bacares (pictured, left) and the crew of the Bayesian for 186million

A handout photo made available on 19 August 2024 by Perini Navi Press Office shows the 'Bayesian' sailing boat, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Seven people died following the Bayesian's sinking on August 19

Mike Lynch (pictured, right) tragically died along with his daughter Hannah (pictured, left)

The company said: 'The Italian Sea Group strongly denies the claims published in La Nazione regarding a legal action following the Bayesian tragedy. Although TISG has given a generic mandate to the lawyers named in the article, no legal representative of the company has examined, signed or authorised any writ of summons.'

Court papers reportedly name the vessel's captain, James Cutfield, two other crew members, Camper & Nicholsons, the yacht management company that hired the crew, and Revtom, the Isle of Man company that owned the Bayesian that is controlled by Lynch's widow, Angela Bacares, who survived the sinking in Porticello.

A source close to the family told the Times: 'The Italian Sea Group should be ashamed. [IGS CEO] Giovanni Costantino is a disgrace, desperately trying to shift blame. He rushed to the media before all the bodies had even been recovered, showing his lack of decency. Now, it seems, he wants to sue his own clients.'

MailOnline has contacted Tommaso Bertuccelli for comment.

The lawsuit comes less than a month after Italian prosecutors opened up a criminal investigation into the sinking.

'We are only in the initial phase of the investigation. We can't exclude any sort of development at present,' Termini Imerese prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said at the time.

Divers searching the wreck of the yacht last month. Shocking medical findings showed the six victims of the disaster whose bodies were recovered from the yacht had no water in their lungs, suggesting the cause of death was suffocation due to a lack of oxygen

Before his death aged 59, Mike had been embroiled in a transatlantic fraud case, the result of the 2011 sale of his tech group, Autonomy, in which the buyer, HPE, alleged accounting irregularities had led to Lynch and his associates fraudulently inflating the price

Hannah was due to attend Oxford University before her life was tragically cut short

The vessel's captain, New Zealander Mr Cutfield, 51, is among three people who are being probed by judicial authorities following the tragedy last month.

Chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 56, and Matthew Griffiths, 22, are both British and, like the captain, also both being investigated for their alleged involvement in the deaths of the seven people onboard the Bayesian.

Mr Parker Eaton, 56, has told prosecutors he followed procedures and made sure all was watertight as the storm engulfed the yacht.

According to excerpts from Mr Parker Eaton's statement, leaked to the Italian media, he insisted all doors and openings on the yacht were shut.

The other two crew members have so far not publicly commented.

The bodies of the seven dead have since been repatriated from Sicily.

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.

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.
A scorned environmental compliance specialist who hired a hitman to murder the wife of a man she met on Match.com has learned her fate.

Melody Sasser, 48, was sentenced Wednesday to serve more than eight years behind bars after pleading guilty to murder-for-hire charges, the Department of Justice announced.

Court documents previously obtained by DailyMail.com detail how Sasser placed an order on the dark website Online Killers Market to hire a hitman to kill Jennifer Wallace, the wife of David Wallace, whom she had met online.

She paid nearly $10,000 in Bitcoin - an untraceable cryptocurrency - for the hit, as she described how she wanted the murder to be executed and details about the Wallace's life.

'It needs to seem random or accident, or plant drugs, do not want a long investigation,' Sasser wrote under the username 'cattree' in January 2023, according to the federal complaint.

Melody Sasser, 48, was sentenced to over eight years in prison after pleading guilty to murder-for-hire charges

She had ordered a hitman to kill the wife of David Wallace, whom she met on Match.com

'She recently moved in with her new husband, she works at home and in office in Birmingham.

'She drives a blue Subaru Outback, her husband drives a maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee.

'Her husband works at Publix part time, they have three dogs that bark and jump.

According to the affidavit, the information submitted about Jennifer Wallace and her husband was verified to be 100% accurate.

Sasser had also uploaded an image of Jennifer to the site so she could be positively identified by the assigned 'hitman'.

She then spoke with an Online Killers Market administrator for two months, as the 'job' was left unfinished.

'I have waited for 2 months and 11 days and the job is not completed,' Sasser wrote in a message to the administrator, according to Fox 19.

'[Two] weeks ago you said it was being worked on and would be done in a week The job is still not done. Does it need to be assigned to someone else? Will it be done? What is the delay? When will it be done?'

Sasser paid nearly $10,000 for the hitman, whom she instructed to make the murder 'seem random or accident'

Authorities were finally made aware of Sasser's alleged scheme in April 2023, when a foreign law enforcement agency notified the Department of Homeland Security's that Jennifer Wallace was the target of an assassination plot.

Investigators ultimately managed to follow the money in the case and subpoenaed Coinhub, which operates Bitcoin ATM machines that Sasser had allegedly used.

The company responded with transaction data and customer info that identified Sasser as 'cattree', according to the complaint.

She had purchased Bitcoin with cash on at least four occasions at Coinhub ATMs in Knoxville.

An ensuing search of Sasser's home also uncovered a journal listing several other hitmen websites, a handwritten account of conversations with Online Killers Market and a stack of US currency under a sticky note listing a Bitcoin address.

David Wallace told officers that Sasser had gone on to help him hike an Appalachian trail before he moved to Alabama to be with his fiance Jennifer

When officers later informed the Wallaces of the threat on their lives, Jennifer is said to have immediately told officers about Sasser.

Wallace told cops that Sasser and her husband David had been hiking friends in Knoxville, Tennessee, prior to David moving to Alabama to be with his fiance Jennifer.

David, though, told police he had met Sasser on Match.com and that Sasser had gone on to help him hike an Appalachian trail.

Jennifer Wallace told police that Sasser then turned up at their home in Alabama and told them: 'I hope you both fall off a cliff and die'.

She also allegedly vandalized Jennifer's vehicle.

The two then say they started to receive threatening phone calls from a person using a device to disguise their voice.

Using the fitness app Strava, prosecutors say Sasser was able to follow the couple on their hikes and she then relayed this information back to the hitman marketplace.

Sasser's attorney argued in court on Wednesday that she had no prior criminal history and spent hours volunteering

Sasser was indicted by a federal grand jury for the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.

She ultimately entered a plea deal on Wednesday, as her attorney argued for a lenient sentence.

Jeff Whitt noted that Sasser had no prior criminal history, and instead spent hours volunteering to help with public service causes, WBIR reports.

'What she did was the result of a personal breakdown,' Whitt told US District Court Judge Thomas Varlan.

'This was a breakdown of massive proportion,' he said, noting that she had previously suffered from mental and emotional problems as a result of her parents' death and had alcohol abuse problems.

He also claimed his client was deeply remorseful for what she had done and wanted Jennifer to know she would never have to fear Sasser ever again.

'She wants her to be able to move on with her life,' Whitt said, arguing that his client likely won't reoffend at her age, as Jennifer sat in the courtroom but did not speak.

But prosecutor Anne-Marie Svolto argued that Sasser's crime was not a one-off attempt to do no harm.

Instead, Svolto argued, Sasser worked for months trying to figure out ways to harass and harm Jennifer - even keeping a journal detailing her plans to kill the woman.

As a result, Jennifer suffered trauma and fear.

She lived away from her home for a while, got a gun and she and her husband repeatedly searched every room of their home to ensure no attacker was lurking there.

In the end, Varlan said it was unique that Sasser pleaded guilty, but noted the murder-for-hire plan was something she worked up to after first stalking and vandalizing the victim's vehicle.

He sentenced her to 100 months behind bars followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered Sasser to pay over $5,000 in restitution.
Australia has bombed out of an international study ranking the best 15-minute cities in the world with no major city in the country qualifying.

The study published by Nature Cities, a Sony Computer Science Laboratories research team in Italy, examined 10,000 cities around the world to discover how close they were to being 15-minute cities.

A 15-minute city is an urban planning concept where daily necessities and services can be reached within a 15-minute public transit ride, walk, or bike ride from any point in a city.

The concept aims to reduce car dependency, promote healthy and sustainable living, and improve wellbeing and quality of life for city dwellers.

Cities including Geneva, Paris and Berlin all fell within the ideal times.

No Australian city qualified as a 15-minute city, with Hobart narrowly missing out, coming in at 16 minutes.

Brisbane was the lowest ranking Australian city in the study, timed at 25 minutes.

Brisbane was the lowest ranked Australian city in the study of 15-minute cities, timed at 25 minutes

Western Australia's capital Perth came in at 24 minutes in the study of global 15-minute cities

Sydney missed out on being defined as a 15-minute city, with a figure of 19 minutes

Not surprisingly, the study revealed that cities including Rome, Tokyo, Auckland and Melbourne showed residents living in the city centre or inner city areas had better access to services than those living in outer suburbs.

'Our analysis consistently highlights patterns where city centres have better access to services than peripheral areas,' the study said.

The Nature Cities study said 'substantial variations' were apparent among the cities examined, depending how car-centric the city is and the level of suburban planning.

Dr Alan Both, from the Australian Urban Observatory, told 7News that Australian cities tend to be more spread out compared to European cities, which are more compact and dense.

'We have cities with sprawling suburbs on the outside, and we don't have the density of people there,' he said.

Dr Both said the frequency and number of services available are the major factors to determine a 15-minute city.

'The average person is about 500m from public transport locations, on paper we're doing quite well, but if they restrict the measure to frequent transport then we're doing quite poorly,' he said.

Experts suggest adopting a policy to focus on increasing services in fringe suburbs is also an option for Australian cities.

This has been successful in other cities around the world.

Melbourne was one of the top Australian cities in the study at 17 minutes

'Notable exceptions exist, such as Paris or Barcelona, whose recent policies on increasing local access to services are well known,' the study said.

'These cities exhibit a more evenly distributed accessibility, transcending the typical centreperiphery divide.'

Dr Crystal Legacy, who is an associate professor of urban planning at the University of Melbourne, told the ABC 'we've got kind of a story of two different cities'.

'We've got capital cities that are public transport rich and with higher densities in the core and inner neighbourhoods,' she said.

'But as we go at the middle and outer suburbs  We're seeing lower densities. We're seeing infrequent public transport being served.'

Dr Legacy said due to the lack of public transport and access to services, people living in outer suburbs are more car-dependent than inner city residents.

'Although we've had policies in place for about 30 years related to 15-minute cities but I think we have failed to deliver that, particularly in the areas that are underserved by high quality public transport.'
A suspect wanted for murder in a 14-year-old cold case has been arrested by police in Florida after making the simplest of driving errors.

Timothy Hickerson, 43, was pulled over by officers in Palm Coast after running a red light on Old Kings Road.

Hickerson's arrest was caught on police bodycam as he was ordered by officers with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office to get out of his white pickup truck.

The surprise on Hickerson's face was clear to see as police told him that he was not just being ticketed for running a red light but being arrested on an outstanding warrant for a 2010 murder in Virginia.

Timothy Hickerson, 43, was pulled over by officers in Palm Coast after running a red light on Old Kings Road in Palm Coast, Florida

Hickerson's arrest was caught on police bodycam as he was ordered by officers with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office to get out of his white pickup truck

Over the years, Shane Donahue's family and friends never stopped looking for him, putting up signs, holding vigils and celebrating his birthday every August

Hickerson is the prime murder suspect in the killing of 23-year-old Shane Donahue in Nokesville, Virginia.

Donahue had last been seen leaving his parents' home, one hour southwest of Washington, DC, some 14 years earlier in March 2010.

Donahue is presumed to be dead but his body was never found and the case went cold.

But recently the case was reopened after new information was handed to investigators.

The sheriff's office say Hickerson was seen leaving Donahue's parents' home and then later returning to the victim's home.

Hickerson is seen in a booking photo from the Flagler County Jail

Police told Hickerson that he was not just being ticketed for running a red light but being arrested on an outstanding warrant for a 2010 murder in Virginia

Despite the case going cold, friends and family members have long hoped for a breakthrough

He was also connected to a burglary at Donahue's home just days before the victim went missing.

No motive has been given as to why Hickerson might have killed Donahue, nor is there any further information as to where his remains might be.

Hickerson will be held in Flagler County Jail until he can be extradited to Virginia.

'This shows there is no such thing as a simple traffic stop. This one ended with a fugitive meeting justice who was wanted for a murder that occurred more than 14 years ago,' Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said.

'If you're a fugitive, we will catch you regardless of where you ran from and take you to jail.'
A Missouri woman has detailed the tragic reason she is traveling to Switzerland to be euthanized.

Gayle Hendrix, 79, spoke about her decision alongside her daughter Charlene Foeste Friday, in an emotional interview with Fox 19 Now.

The mom-of-two explained how years ago, she was diagnosed with lupus and interstitial lung disease, and more recently, her lung capacity has gotten worse.

She is now on oxygen 24-7 and only able to walk short distances, she said - a state so difficult, she's now decided to end her life.

'My body, my choice, my death,' she said.

Missouri law does not permit euthanasia, but does allow for the removal of life support in certain instances, such as for those experiencing intense pain. However, since Hendrix is not on life support, this does not apply - hence the need to travel.

Gayle Hendrix, 79, detailed why she is traveling to Switzerland in a few days to be euthanized this

The MIssiouri woman spoke about the decision alongside daughter Charlene Foeste, in an emotional interview with Fox 19 Now

'I've had a great life, and I want to have some dignity when I'm going to the next phase,' Hendrix said, as she spends her last days surrounded by friends and family.

'It just feels like it's the right thing to do,' she added.

Recently retired following a lengthy career in human resources and as a contact tracer, she will make the trip to Switzerland in a few days.

Both went on to remember how before the diagnosis, Hendrix lived an active lifestyle, 'always busy, always,' her daughter said.

It is this vigor that ironically led her to elect for the physician-assisted death, she said - describing a process legal in only 10 states and the District of Columbia.

Missouri is not one them, but a trip to somewhere like New Mexico could solve that - however, rules and regulations in those states as well requires patients having six months or less to live.

'I've had a great life, and I want to have some dignity when I'm going to the next phase,' Hendrix said of the decision, as she spends her last days surrounded by friends and family. She will die by medically assisted suicide on September 26

'I don't want to wait that long,' Hendrix said of how she has years more.

'I don't want to get that sick. I dont want to get to the point of this is existing, not living.'

She settled for Switzerland because medically assisted dying has been legal there since the 1940s, leading her to file the paperwork this past spring for a one-way trip this August.

However, 'they were booked up,' Hendrix said - leading her to choose September 26.

Only a few days away, the procedure that awaits her is as painless as it is simple.

'They put an IV in your arm, and the first medicine that goes through puts you to sleep,' she explained, showing off vintage photos of her during better days,

'The second one stops all body functions,' she added. 'They have some kind of button on the IV.

'You have to be able to push that button, and that starts the fluid. In five minutes its done.'

Her daughter, while supportive, said she disagrees with the decision, but will still be by her mother's side as she breathes her last breaths

She settled for Switzerland because medically assisted dying has been legal there since the 1940s. 'I just am peaceful about my decision, and its the right thing for me and my body,' she said, after lupus has left her largely unable to move and breathe

After that, she will be cremated, she said - paving the way for her remains to be ship backed to Missouri all in a matter of weeks.

Her daughter, while trying to stay supportive, said she disagrees with the decision, but will still be by her mother's side as she breathes her last breaths.

'Its not my choice,' she said, holding back tears.

'I do love her and support her, and theres no way on the planet my mom is going to do this alone - no way.'

The mother and daughter will embark on their final journey together in the coming days, at peace with the decision.

Advocacy groups like Death with Dignity, meanwhile, continue to call attention to the desire amend laws surrounding assisted suicide - a controversial concept throughout much of the US due to religious and ethical implications.

Physician-assisted suicide, or 'medical aid in dying', is legal in states like California, Colorado Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington state, as well as Washington, DC.
Penn State has removed nearly three dozen racks displaying its student-produced newspaper from its campus this week.

According to the Daily Collegian, Penn State's independent student newspaper, the removal was triggered by political advertisement on the newsstands which violated school policy. Newspaper staff were informed of the removal on Wednesday night in an off-the-record conversation, and have not been told where the racks or the print newspapers that were removed will be kept for storage.

What an unconscionable, short-sighted and disappointing decision by my alma mater @penn_state. For a place like @DailyCollegian w/ such a storied history of supremely talented journalists, its hard to justify this move and for aspiring journalists to see a viable path for them. https://t.co/Moen7aARLg  Jake Aferiat (@Jake_Aferiat) September 20, 2024

Out of the 35 newspaper racks placed within campus buildings, only three were running ads related to Vice President Kamala Harris, and another six were running voter registration ads displayed in the poster space above the physical newspapers. The remaining racks had no ads or posters displayed, but were still subject to removal.

The Collegian's leadership never received official correspondence outlining the university's plan to remove the racks. Wayne Lowman, the Collegian's general manager, had had some conversations about the potential violations the ads imposed.

"I still haven't talked to anyone from the university. I've made that request, to talk to whoever made the decision," Lowman told the Collegian. "I don't think whoever's making these decisions has thought through the impact  what are they trying to accomplish?"

Editor-in-Chief Amy Schafer has voiced her dismay with the university's decision, pointing out that "political advertising isn't something that's new to the Collegian."

"(John) Fetterman purchased ads previously during the campaign that ran in our paper and on our website. ... We've had Republican candidates and Democratic candidates in the past," Schafer said.

"I was very alarmed when I first noticed that our newsstands were missing. More alarming to me wasn't necessarily the removal of the stands, but also the papers themselves," she continued. "It's censoring our outlet, and it's a violation against free speech to remove our papers."

 PLEASE READ 



Yesterday, Penn State removed The Daily Collegians on-campus newsstands, which provide free weekly newspapers to students, faculty, etc. Its a clear violation of our first amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press ()  Joel Haas (@Joel_Haas1) September 20, 2024

Penn State spokesman Lisa Powers stated that the print edition of the Collegian may be displayed on campus.

"The University understands the importance of a free news and information source specifically for its students," Powers wrote in an email. "However, the Collegian's use of advertising space within university buildings is in violation of AD27 Commercial Sales Activities at University Locations and AD02 Non-University Groups Using University Facilities."

AD27 Commercial Sales Activities at University Locations states "university organizations, within the limitations established by this policy and other university regulations, and with appropriate approval, may sell materials to support the purposes of their organization."

The racks were returned on Friday with the ads removed, according to the publication. However, the stand that belongs outside of the Collegian office is still missing.
Yet another new Covid variant is spreading around the world and may reach Australia before Christmas, with those travelling abroad warned to be particularly vigilant.

The 'potentially more infectious' XEC strain was first detected in Germany in June and has been identified in 27 countries since then.

Experts believe the strain could become the dominant variant within months as the weather gets colder in the northern hemisphere.

'XEC is a recombinant of two other sub variants,' Australian infectious diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin told Daily Mail Australia on Monday.

It is a descendant of the Omicron Covid strain and a recombinant variant of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3.

'It's still fairly early days, so speculation around symptoms or severity etc is a little bit early to do at this point in time,' Dr Griffin said.

'But what we had in the countries where it appeared early is it does appear to have a significant growth advantage which would suggest it's likely to be immune, evasive and potentially more infectious.'

Because of this, the medical community is 'paying close attention to it to see whether it may be the next sub-variant that causes another increase in activity,' he said.

Yet another new Covid variant is spreading around the world and may reach Australia before Christmas, with Aussies, especially those travelling abroad, warned to be vigilant. Stock image

Dr Griffin said it is not yet known if XEC can be combatted with existing vaccines.

'The vaccination plan at this stage is quite complicated. The World Health Organization and essentially every other regulatory body agreed on JN.1 as being the new vaccine.

'The US came out and then said they wanted a KP.2 vaccine (but) the rest of the world is rolling out or in the process of rolling out JN.1 updated boosters, and that will still be what we get here,' he said.

But if XEC does turn out to be a very significant sub-variant, more work will need to be done in updating the vaccines.

'The main thing about Covid is it's still quite unpredictable,' Dr Griffin said.

'There's a large number of factors that contribute to whether we see increased waves of transmission.'

Experts say one reason we get an increase in Covid cases in Australia in the lead up to Christmas is because the other side of the world is in the middle of their winter where conditions are conducive to increases in transmission.

'The world is once again a very small place, and that activity does flow on to being imported into our country,' Dr Griffin said.

The 'potentially more infectious' XEC strain was first detected in Germany in June and has been identified in 27 since then. Stock image

Australian infectious diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin (pictured) said 'XEC is a recombinant of two other sub-variants'

'We could have another wave of increased transmission in the next few weeks or it could be months till we see that.'

The Department of Health said as of August 29 no sequences of the XEC variant had yet been reported to Australia's genomic surveillance system.

'Continuing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 lineages is expected and the Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control continues to closely monitor the emergence of new Covid-19 variants, both within Australia and internationally,' a spokesperson said.

'In Australia, states and territories undertake targeted genomic sequence sampling to ensure we remain vigilant in responding to emerging variants.'
A cafe owner has been thrust into a bitter war with his local council after he was ordered to shut a walk-up window at his premises without explanation.

Local Folk owner Ashley Benson told Daily Mail Australia he was stunned at being told to make the change at his business in the inner Melbourne suburb of Kensington.

The window had served as a convenient take-away point where customers could order and pick up their drinks without having to enter the cafe.

It was particularly helpful for customers with kids, or prams or dogs, or those in wheelchairs.

Mr Benson put a sign on the cafe window informing the public that closing it was not his decision but one forced on him by Melbourne City Council.

The long-term owner appreciated councils have to ensure businesses follow the laws but has no idea which law is being broken by a service window.

'I've been here for 10 years, and we play within the rules. But, all of a sudden the council have come and said you can't serve out the window,' Mr Benson said.

Local Folk owner Ashley Benson told Daily Mail Australia was left stunned after being told to make the change at his business at Kensington, in inner-city Melbourne

Melbourne City Council arrived with a bizarre order for Mr Benson to shut a business 'life-line'

'I've tried to ask them, "Can we work around it? Is there a different system we need?",' he said.

'But they've just come in and told me, "If the window's open you're going to get a fine".'

The 'coffee window' provides Mr Benson's business the extra revenue required to survive in an economy where many are cutting back on spending.

'The majority of our sales are small sales,' he said, revealing his customers were mostly walking past the business while taking kids to school or heading to work.

'The industry's already struggling.'

Mr Benson said the window benefitted customers who might not be able to navigate easily into and out of the cafe.

'We've got a step up (in the doorway) so for anyone with a walking frame getting up is a challenge,' he said.

'With the window it's so easy, and for the community (it means) they get a social connection, we know everybody's names, and they get to chat with the friendly staff we have.'

Mr Benson said his cafe is a strong community hub, he hires and upskills local kids, knows their families, and has driven charity appeals through the business.

That's partially why he's been so bewildered by the council's stubborness.

'If there was a law fair enough, but I can't find anything,' he said.

'They just won't consult with me.'

Local customer and former deputy and acting lord mayor Arron Wood said the case was indicative of a council had lost touch with business owners.

'It's clear that Town Hall under the leadership of Nick Reece has no understanding or sympathy for small business owners who are simply trying to get by and earn a living,' he said.

The cafe used its 'coffee window' to serve customers who can't or don't have time to enter

'This is just one of many examples I have heard about the City of Melbourne's wrong priorities when it comes to small businesses in the municipality.

'Local Folk is a great cafe in Kensington and I will be visiting them soon to show my support for their business.

'Melbourne needs a fresh start and the best way to do that is to change the leadership at Town Hall.'

A photograph of the sign was shared to Facebook where many expressed their frustration with the council.

'They are killing off businesses that have managed to survive the worst economic conditions in our history, much of which have been created by a heartless and cruel-to-the-bone Victorian Labor government,' one Melburnian said.

'Elections matter, especially local ones,' another reminded the public.

It's understood the window has been closed as the City of Melbourne devises a permit system for coffee windows.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the City of Melbourne for comment.
EXCLUSIVE

Georgie Gardner has been spotted looking dishevelled and distressed following revelations Nine is investigating claims she lost her temper at a young female colleague during an on-set incident last month.

The high-profile presenter was seen crying in her car on Monday morning after spending more than an hour locked in a 'very animated' conversation on her phone.

The veteran newsreader was still looking puffy-eyed when she later ordered a coffee from the popular Cafe Mosman near her palatial home on Sydney's affluent lower north shore.

The sighting comes just one day after it was revealed Nine was investigating Gardner after receiving a complaint about an alleged 'heated' spray she had in the network's Sydney studios.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal the star newsreader has been accused of clashing with a young female staffer as she came off air after presenting the Saturday night news bulletin on August 31.

It is understood the alleged incident was sparked by an issue with the teleprompter.

Nine launched an internal inquiry into the alleged encounter after the producer - who Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to name - made an official complaint.

Gardner disappeared from her regular weekend newsreading duties for two weeks following the alleged incident.

Georgie Gardner has been spotted looking distressed and dishevelled following revelations she is being investigated at Nine over an alleged spray she gave a junior female staffer in the network's Sydney studio

Gardner presents Nine's news bulleting on the night of her alleged on-set tirade

But she returned to the airwaves last Friday night, with colleagues reportedly confirming that she had actually been away on scheduled leave.

The internal investigation could not come at a worse time for the highly paid network newsreader nor Nine.

The long-serving newsreader's contract is among those being carefully reviewed by the the company's financial controllers as the cash-strapped network desperately tries to rein in costs.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal the Sydney presenter is currently paid $600,000 a year to read the news two nights a week.

The eye-watering salary is a legacy from Gardner's short-lived reign as the network's Today show co-host alongside fellow newsreader Deb Knight in 2019 after Nine's failed experiment with a new all-female line-up.

Senior network insiders said the deal was no longer 'justifiable' and that she was among a number of key stars expected to take massive pay cuts in the coming months.

The star was seen for the first time on Monday since news broke of the internal inquiry

Georgie Gardner and Deb Knight co-hosted Nine's Today breakfast show for a year - alongside then newsreader Tom Steinfort - in 2019 before the experiment was considered a failure

Nine last month axed almost 200 jobs across its television, radio and newspaper empire in a bid to shave $30million off its operating budget.

More cuts are on the way with the company's chief financial officer warning the media giant was looking to shed a further $50million from its underlying costs this financial year.

Insiders have revealed the contract of every single on-air star at the network is currently 'under review' as part of a brutal cost-cutting audit - and that no one was safe.

The embattled broadcaster is also in the midst of an ongoing review into its newsroom culture following complaints of endemic bullying and harassment.

Gardner remained behind close doors on Sunday as news of the internal investigation into her alleged behaviour was made public.

It is not suggested that Gardner engaged in any improper conduct, only that a complaint has been made and an investigation is taking place.

The star ventured out on Monday morning to take her dog for a walk through the tree-lined streets around her Mosman home.

Gardner spent an hour locked in a 'very animated' conversation on her mobile phone before getting coffee from the popular Cafe Mosman on Military Road on Monday morning

The star was seen sporting a 'post-op' shoe on her left foot while out walking her dog

She then went for a short drive by herself before stopping outside the cafe on Military Road and making a phone call from her parked car.

Witnesses said she spent more than an hour on her mobile and was seen 'rubbing her hands through her hair' and 'drying her eyes' throughout the intense conversation before getting out to have a morning coffee.

'She looked clearly distressed in the car - even just walking by, you could tell she was having a very animated conversation,' one witness told Daily Mail Australia.

Nine has refused to discuss the complaint made against Gardner.

However, the network's director of news and current affairs, Fiona Dear, said in a statement: 'Georgie Gardner is a highly regarded longstanding member of our Nine News team. We off no further comment.'

The accusation is not the only battle Gardner is facing at the moment.

The newsreader was seen wearing a ProCare 'post-op' shoe on her left foot while having her coffee on Monday, fuelling speculation her recent leave is related to medical dramas.

Do you know more? Email Steven.Jackson@mailonline.com
Disgraced Harrods boss Mohamed Al-Fayed forced teenage girls to conduct a twisted horse parade in front of him so he could ogle them.

The 'creepy' Egyptian billionaire, who died last year aged 94, liked to watch their 'young bodies moving up and down'.

A former stable hand told how Al-Fayed would sit in a marquee in the front of his lawn at his Barrow Green Estate in Surrey 'and bark at us to jog by him with his horses'.

The woman, who was aged 15 when she worked for the sex predator in 1987, told The Sun: 'He'd like to watch us in our Harrods tops and jodhpurs.'

She said he 'got off' on people being on tenterhooks of fearing for their jobs and upsetting him, but he did not fear any comeback as he was 'god of his domain'.

Disgraced Harrods boss Mohamed Al-Fayed forced teenage girls to conduct a twisted horse parade in front of him so he could ogle them

The 'creepy' Egyptian billionaire, who died last year aged 94, liked to watch their 'young bodies moving up and down' in their Harrods tops and jodhpurs

A former stable hand told how Al-Fayed would sit in a marquee in the front of his lawn at his Barrow Green Estate in Surrey (pictured) 'and bark at us to jog by him with his horses'

She told how he would go around his plush estate offering cash to girls he was fond of and tried to lure them to London with the promise of more money.

'He knew how young I was but would still ask me to go to London and visit him when he wouldn't have his family around him,' she said.

'I pretended that I had a boyfriend to get out of it.'

Lawyers representing women claiming they were sexually assaulted by Al Fayed say they have 'had over 150 new enquiries' since the airing of a damning BBC documentary.

Five women allege they were raped by Al Fayed, with dozens of others alleging sexual misconduct.

The new enquiries relate to a 'mix of survivors and individuals with evidence about Al Fayed'.

Barrister Bruce Drummond, part of the legal team representing 37 alleged victims in a civil case against Harrods, told BBC Radio 4 on Saturday: 'This is the worst case of corporate sexual exploitation of young women that I have ever seen, and I think probably the world has ever seen.'

Gemma (pictured), who worked as his personal assistant between 2007 and 2009, says she was raped by Al Fayed during a work trip to Paris

Mohamed Al Fayed pictured during the Dodi Al Fayed and Diana Memorial unveiling at Harrods

Lawyers representing women claiming they were sexually assaulted by Al Fayed say they have 'had over 150 new enquiries' since the airing of a damning BBC documentary

Mr Drummond added that his legal team was working 'very closely' with Gloria Allred, seen as a stalwart lawyer in women's rights cases in the US, because the assaults are also alleged to have taken place in America.

He said some of the survivors come from Malaysia, Dubai, Canada and France, while the Ritz Hotel in Paris, which Al Fayed once owned, had also been the scene of alleged assaults.

Mr Drummond said on the programme: 'It's very much a global case, it's not just the UK. It happened all over the world.'

Harrods said earlier this week in a statement: 'We are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed al Fayed.

'These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power wherever he operated and we condemn them in the strongest terms.

'We also acknowledge that during this time as a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise.

'The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Fayed between 1985 and 2010, it is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.'

Harrods added that it had been a 'priority' to settle claims since 'new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Fayed'.

In relation to that statement, Mr Drummond said it was 'absolutely inconceivable' the current owners of Harrods, the state of Qatar, could not have known about any 'outstanding claims or liabilities' against the business at the time of purchasing it in 2010.

He added: 'If you buy a company then you take with it the responsibilities of that company.'

Elsewhere Maria Mulla, another barrister in the legal team, told Times Radio that she had heard stories of women at Harrods 'being put into cupboards' when Al Fayed was walking round so 'they wouldn't be spotted'.

Their comments came as a former Harrods employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme of 'enablers' at the luxury store who were 'as guilty as Al Fayed because they were not just passive onlookers'.

The woman, referred to as Catherine in the programme, said she worked for Harrods in a 'very junior role' when she was 21.

Al Fayed is accused of raping and assaulting multiple women during his time as Harrods owner from 1985 to 2010

She said: 'They were actually helping to send girl after girl into a total nightmare.

'I think that some individuals should be identified and that they should be questioned into their collusion.

'It is essentially grooming, as the evidence suggests, and they should face justice.'

Sources within Harrods have said the business has accepted vicarious liability for the conduct of Al Fayed for the purpose of settling claims of alleged victims brought to its attention since 2023, reaching settlements with the vast majority.

In its statement on the BBC Documentary, Al-Fayed: Predator At Harrods, which aired on Thursday, Harrods said it was 'a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010'.

The store added that 'since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved'.
At least 34 people have signed up for Vladimir Putin's offer to escape Britain and move to Russia for its traditional values.

Putin changed immigration laws last month to tempt Westerners to embrace his dictatorship.

The aim is to 'save' them from 'destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes' in the West.

Putin believes he is offering 'humanitarian aid' to people 'who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values'.

The Russian Embassy in London told the Telegraph that at least 34 Brits have requested to move to Russia from the UK following his offer.

Americans Leo Lionel and Chantel Felice Haer have already moved to Russia along with their children, aged 16, 14, and 11

Putin has rewritten immigration laws in a new decree to tempt Westerners to embrace his dictatorship

Canadian Arend Feinstra with his wife (pictured), left the Canadian province of Ontario and moved to Russia with their eight children to start farming there

'In the West, it seemed like they were just waiting for [Putin's] document to appear - in the first 10 days alone, citizens of Foggy Albion [Britain] wanted to move to us,' reported Kremlin-loyal Tsargrad TV.

'Tired of the liberal agenda - that's how everyone who contacted the Russian diplomatic mission explained their decision.'

Putin waived immigration quotas and the need for language exams for 'anti-wokers' seeking refuge in Russia.

However, it is unclear if those accepted by Russia could later end up being pressured to fight in Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia paved the way for the new scheme by allowing entry to Americans Leo Lionel and Chantel Felice Haer along with their children, aged 16, 14, and 11.

'Personally I want to thank your President Putin for allowing Russia to become a good place for families in this world climate,' he said.

Pictured: Major General Irina Volk, spokesperson of the Russian Interior Ministry

'We intend to use this opportunity to benefit our family.

'I feel like I've been put in an arch of safety. And it's very important. Thank you so much.'

'I just want to say that I feel very honoured,' said his wife.

'It feels like I just got married to Russia, and I look forward to building a future here with my family.'

Major-General Irina Volk of the Russian Interior Ministry said: 'The desire to move to Russia for permanent residence arose against the background of the abolition of traditional moral and family values in American society, as well as the low level of education.'

Another couple, Canadian Arend Feinstra with his wife, left the Canadian province of Ontario and moved to Russia with their eight children.

'We didn't feel safe with our children there and for the future,' he said.

'There's a lot of left-wing ideology, LGBTQ, trans, just a lot of things that we don't agree with they teach there now.

'We wanted to get away from that for our children.

'But also, for economic reasons, the farming has better opportunities. We felt that Russia was best.'

Pro-Putin MP Maria Butina told Russians there was a 'liberal dictatorship' in the West.

'It is important to emphasise that the peoples of these countries are not our enemies, but their governments, who have gone mad, are insane, and are imposing such policies,' she said.

'It gets to the point - for example, in Germany.that if your child comes to school and says that he does not support all these same-sex unions, then he is taken away and sent for re-education'.

She said many Westerners 'would like to connect their future with Russia precisely because we have the opportunity for freedom and a traditional way of life.

'And these are not necessarily farmers, many of them are representatives of academic circles, teachers, doctors, teachers.

'These are qualified personnel who decide to sell everything, come to Russia precisely because they have a sufficient level of intellectual development, education and spiritual development to understand that if you stay in your countries, you can lose your children, lose your family'.

Butina, 35, was previously jailed in the US on the espionage charge of 'conspiring to work for a foreign government'.

Now an MP for the pro-Putin United Russia party, she was arrested in the United States in July 2018 and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to act as a foreign agent.

Butina was convicted of seeking to infiltrate conservative groups in the US including the National Rifle Association.

She was deported to Russia October 2019 after her sentence was slightly reduced for good behaviour.
A California firefighter has been arrested by one of their own after he was accused of setting five blazes in the state's wine country in recent weeks.

Robert Matthew Hernandez, a 38-year-old fire apparatus engineer of Healdsburg, California, was arrested on Friday by Cal Fire law enforcement officers on suspicion of arson at the Howard Forest Fire Station in Mendocino County.

His arrest comes even as his fellow firefighters continue to battle flames that have consumed almost a million acres and forced thousands of evacuations in the state this year.

Hernandez was accused of starting five fires between August 15 and September 14 while off-duty in forest land near Geyserville, Healdsburg and Windsor, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said.

They include the Alexander Fire on August 15; the Windsor River Road Fire on September 8; the Geysers Fire on September 12; and the Geyser and Kinley fires on September 14.

Robert Matthew Hernandez, pictured, a 38-year-old California firefighter has been arrested after he was accused of setting five blazes in the state's wine country in recent weeks

The arrest comes even as his fellow firefighters continue to battle flames that have consumed almost a million acres and forced thousands of evacuations in the state this year

'I am appalled to learn one of our employees would violate the public's trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of Cal Fire,' Joe Tyler, the agency's director and fire chief, said in a statement.

Hernandez allegedly ignited the blazes in Sonoma County, known for its wines and vineyards.

The fires were all extinguished by fire crews and burned less than one acre combined, thanks to the quick action of residents and firefighters, according to the fire agency.

It was down to the 'vigilance' of residents that the agency was able to help catch Hernandez.

A Cal Fire spokesperson said the agency would not provide further details at this time and said that any motive was unclear.

Hernandez is an apparatus engineer with the agency, which entails operating and maintaining fire engines and water tanks during emergency responses.

Division Chief Cyndi Foreman said: 'It's a tough pill to swallow for all of us. That someone that's supposed to be out in the community protecting us. But they're actually putting us all at risk.'

Hernandez was arrested on Friday by Cal Fire law enforcement officers on suspicion of arson at the Howard Forest Fire Station, pictured

He was formally charged with five counts of arson to forest land. Hernandez was being held in lieu of $2 million bail in the Sonoma County Jail on Saturday, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. Hernandez is expected in court on Tuesday.

His estranged wife, who did not want to give her name said she was 'speechless' to learn about the allegations.

'I'm 100 percent in shock,' she told ABC7. 'It's a tough pill to swallow for all of us,'

Division Chief Cyndi Foreman of the Sonoma County Fire District said: 'That's someone that's supposed to be out in the community protecting us. But they're actually putting us all at risk.'

Meanwhile, wildfires are still raging across the state.

Three blazes in mountains around Los Angeles have destroyed more than 230 houses and other structures, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate suburbs and towns since September 5.

It was down to the 'vigilance' of residents that the agency was able to help catch Hernandez whose fired burned a total of less than one acre

California wildfires have so far this year burned nearly four times as much land as last year at this time when the state's fire season was more benign, according to Cal Fire data.

Bone-dry vegetation amid record heat blamed on climate change has been making fires worse, according to climate scientists.

The National Volunteer Fire Council notes how there is no national data collection system for firefighter arson cases.

'Without an official source for data on firefighter arsonists, researchers, fire service leaders, and investigators are forced to extrapolate based upon samples of known cases,' the report said. 'A survey of news articles suggest that over 100 firefighters a year are arrested for arson.'

As of September 1, Cal Fire law enforcement officers have arrested 91 suspected arsonists this year, the agency said.

As of September 1, Cal Fire law enforcement officers have arrested 91 suspected arsonists this year, the agency said. Above, firefighters work to control the Park Fire in July started by arson

Last Tuesday, a delivery driver pleaded not guilty to starting the massive Line Fire on September. 5. The blaze forced the evacuation of thousands of people east of Los Angeles, injured a firefighter and destroyed a home.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, was charged with 11 arson-related crimes, court records show.

Authorities said Halstenberg, of Norco, attempted to start three fires within an hour.

Two of the blazes were extinguished by firefighters and a good Samaritan, and a third became the Line Fire, which has charred 61 square miles in the San Bernardino mountains. It was 60 percent contained on Saturday.

In July, a man was arrested on suspicion of starting the Park Fire in Northern California by pushing a burning car into a gully.

Ronnie Dean Stout was charged with felony arson of an inhabited structure or property. He pleaded not guilty.
The mayor of a Muslim-majority city in Michigan has endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Amer Ghalib, mayor of the Detroit-area suburb Hamtramck, announced the endorsement Sunday, in an impassioned post to Facebook.

The statement came days after the Yemini-born Democrat met with Trump in Flint, after which he personally invited the politician to his town - which has become a destination for immigrants from countries like Yemen, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

This paved way for the ringing endorsement, which billed the ex-commander-in-chief as 'the right choice for this critical time,' despite the two not 'agree[ing] on everything,'

The 45-year-old former health care worker went on to paint Trump as 'a man of principles' - an assertion the Republican went on to repost on Truth Social.

Amer Ghalib, mayor of the Detroit-area suburb Hamtramck, has endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Ghalib announced the endorsement Sunday, in an impassioned post to Facebook. It came two days after he met the former commander-in-chief for 20 minutes and Flint, where he was asked for his endorsement

'Though it's looking good, he may or may not win the election and be the 47th president of the United States,' Ghalib began by saying, writing the post in Arabic.

'I'll not regret my decision no matter what the outcome would be, and I'm ready to face the consequences.

'For this, and for many other reasons, I announce my support and endorsement for the former, and hopefully, the next president of the United States, Donald Trump.

'Now, let the Caravan begin its journey,' he concluded. 'This is just the starting point.'

Days earlier, following a private 20-minutme meeting with the former president in Flint, Ghalib told The Detroit News in a text message: '[Trump] knew a lot about me before the meeting.

'We talked about various topics including the debates, the polls updates, the statistics of votes in Michigan and Wayne County, the Arab American concerns and the Yemeni Americans in particular,' the political newcomer continued.

'We also talked about the situation in Yemen.'

The 45-year-old former health care worker went on to paint Trump as 'a man of principles' - an assertion the Republican went on to repost on Truth Social

Hamtramck, a haven for refugees, is the only Muslim-majority city in the US. It houses well over 100,000 Michigander Arabs who voted 'Uncommitted' in the Democrat primary

Trump, meanwhile, on Sunday told Breitbart News how he 'was very impressed with [Ghalib]', during a nearly hourlong phone-call that followed Ghalib's sudden endorsement.

'He was a very big fan of the Trump administration because he saw no wars - outside of defeating ISIS, but I inherited that - but there were no wars,' Trump told the news site.

'There was no October 7. There was no Russian attack on Ukraine,' he continued. 'He sees that and he told me  he saw a world that was at peace.

'Now, we have a world that's going to end up in World War 3 and I can stop that,' the Republican went on, a little over 40 days ahead of his looming faceoff with Vice President Kamala Harris. 'I'm the only one that's going to stop that.'

In his texts with Detroit News, Ghalib further revealed how Trump had been the one to ask for his endorsement, as the Great Lakes State's 15 electoral votes look to be largely up for grabs.

Democrats and Republicans traded wins there in 2020 and 2016.

'He asked me if I can endorse him and ask people to vote for him?' Ghalib claimed, adding that he may discuss more details about the pair's newfound correspondence in a video or future social media posts.

His endorsement for Trump coms as the Great Lakes State's 15 electoral votes look to be largely up for grabs, with Democrats and Republicans trading wins there in 2020 and 2016

'I told him: 'I'm here to talk about that and how we can make it happen.

'I then handed him an official letter with some details about our concerns and to invite him to come to Hamtramck if possible.'

Ghalib then appeared on Breitbart News Saturday, to again speak highly of the presidential candidate before officially endorsing him.

'I talked to President Trump about, you know, some statistics here in Wayne County and how it used to be a stronghold for the Democrats, and we always used to vote Democrat,' Ghalib said of the 'very productive meeting' in Flint.

'This is not the case anymore here.'

He the told Breitbart how he and Trump both do not want new wars, as the conflict in Gaza continues to rage without an end in sight.

Last year, Ghalib was among a group of Hamtramck residents who met with controversial conservative activist Michael Flynn, a former Army general and Trump's first national security advisor who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador.

He was later pardoned by then-President Trump prior to visiting Hamtramck - a town of roughly 27,000 - last year.

Ghalib was elected mayor of the only U.S. city governed entirely by Muslims the year before, beating out incumbent Mayor Karen Majewski in the process

The victory marked the first time in 100 years that a non-Polish person held the position, in a city where more than 40 percent of the citys population foreign-born

Ghalib was elected mayor of the only U.S. city governed entirely by Muslims the year before, beating out incumbent Mayor Karen Majewski in the process.

The victory marked the first time in 100 years that a non-Polish person held the position, in a city where more than 40 percent of the citys population foreign-born.

If Trump wins Michigan, Harriss path to the presidency suddenly becomes a great deal more dubious, with well over 100,000 Michigander Arabs voted 'Uncommitted' in the Democrat primary.

That represents nearly the full margin between Biden and Trump in the 2020 Michigan election, meaning the voting bloc could swing the presidency either way.

Hamtramck, a haven for refugees, is the only Muslim-majority city in the US.
Lord Alli is attending the Labour conference in Liverpool amid the scrutiny of his donations to Sir Keir Starmer and other senior party figures.

The 59-year-old entrepreneurs attendance was confirmed after he was seen at a conference event on Saturday night.

Lord Alli is Labours biggest donor - handing more than half-a-million pounds to the party since 2004. The donations include controversial gifts of clothes and spectacles to Sir Keir worth nearly 20,000.

He was given a temporary Downing Street security pass after Labour were elected - even though he held no formal job there.

Following criticism of the decision to hand Lord Alli the pass, further details of gifts to other senior Labour politicians have emerged, including more clothing for Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Lord Alli (pictured) is attending the Labour conference in Liverpool amid the scrutiny of his donations to Sir Keir Starmer and other senior party figures

The 59-year-old entrepreneurs attendance was confirmed after he was seen at a conference event on Saturday night. Pictured: Delegates applaud inside the main auditorium on the first full day of conference on Saturday

Following criticism of the decision to hand Lord Alli the pass, further details of gifts to other senior Labour politicians have emerged, including more clothing for Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (pictured at conference on Saturday)

He also allowed her to stay for five days in his lavish $2.5million (1.8million) Manhattan apartment.

The row has deepened yesterday as the Conservatives say she may have broken the rules by not admitting she was staying with former MP and her ex-boyfriend Sam Tarry.

But while she registered the trip, she failed to mention that Mr Tarry stayed with her, in what the Tories say is a breach of the House of Commons code of conduct.

She and Mr Tarry stayed in the apartment  which has a roof deck, courtyard and fitness suite  from December 29 to January 2 this year, The Sunday Times reported.

The building's website describes it as being at the heart of the theatre district with 'incredible views' over the Hudson river and New Jersey. The two-bedroom 1,300 sq ft property was lent to Ms Rayner by the Labour donor at the centre of the row over gifts to the PM and his wife.

Angela Rayner pictured with Sam Tarry in June 2022. She has been involved in a row for taking a break with him in a luxury Manhattan apartment owned by millionaire donor Lord Alli

The Manhattan at sunrise as seen from the 86th floor observatory of the Empire State Building

She says that Lord Alli  who has given her more than 50,000 over the past four years  is primarily a personal friend but she chose to report the stay because he was also a donor to her political activities.

The parliamentary commissioner for standards investigates potential non-compliance with the MPs' code of conduct and can order members to update their register or issue an apology to the Commons.

According to the parliamentary register of interests, Ms Rayner was given a flat as accommodation for five nights to enjoy a 'personal holiday' in New York.

The rules say MPs must declare foreign trips which they, or anyone connected to them, undertake if a donor pays for 'part or all' of it as a result of their 'parliamentary or political activities'.

Meanwhile Lord Alli also paid thousands of pounds towards a 40th birthday party for Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Lord Alli in making the donations.

His attendance at the conference, which runs until Wednesday, comes as the prime ministers chief of staff, Sue Gray, chooses to avoid the annual event.

She has swerved the conference amid a row about her influence and pay packet, which at 170,000 is 3,000 more than Sir Keirs.
A mobster who committed 150 murders and dissolved a boy's body in acid has said he 'repents' his crimes.

Notorious Sicilian mafia figure Giovanni Brusca has described himself as a 'monster' in a new book to be released on Thursday.

Brusca, 67, once known as 'the pig', was arrested in 1996. He was handed a reduced sentence of 30 years and was released five years early in 2021 for good behaviour. He was provided housing in a secret location and a payout of a 1000 each month.

His victims include anti-mafia prosecutor Giovanni Falcone, who he killed after detonating half a tonne of explosives under a road in Capaci, near Palermo as his car passed by.

He also ordered the death by strangling of 12-year-old Giuseppe Di Matteo, the son of a mafia turncoat.

Sicilian mafia boss Giovanni Brusca, who committed over 150 murders, has admitted to being a 'monster'

The boy was kidnapped and, after being held for two years, was killed and his body dissolved in acid.

Brusca was interviewed while he was still imprisoned in Rome by anti-mafia volunteer and parish priest Don Marcello Cozzi for the new book, titled Someone Like That, the Times reported.

Referring to Di Matteo's murder, Brusca said that he knew that there 'was no forgiveness' for such a crime, while admitting that he is 'often accused of not outwardly showing repentance'.

In the book, he also reflects on his childhood home being raided and how he viewed the Cosa Nostra's most fearsome boss, Toto Riina, as 'God on earth'.

Brusca being escorted to prison by anti-mafia police in Palermo. The mafia fugitive was sentenced to 30 years in jail, but was released five years early for good behaviour in 2021

Brusca also admits that he owes his early release to his victim Falcone, who helped to secure shorter sentences for mafia fugitives.

Author Mr Cozzi said that while he expected to see 'the monster of Capaci' in Brusca, he was struck by the mobster's 'everyday normality', insisting he is 'tormented by his past'.

Writing what he calls a 'psychological portrait', Mr Cozzi said he wanted to 'look the mafia in the face', an organisation he says you cannot see 'from the outside'.

His work has garnered a mixed response from the press, with La Repubblica writing that the families of Brusca's victims had 'a right not to forgive'.
The heartbroken stepfather of a 12-year-old girl who took her own life after relentless bullying has blasted the school's 'disappointing' response.

Charlotte O'Brien, a Year 7 student at Santa Sabina College at Strathfield in Sydney's inner-west, took her own life earlier this month after two years of misery where she said classmates were using confidential information to bully her.

Her mother Kelly and stepdad Mat are now trying to pick up the pieces, sharing her story in the hopes no other family is rocked by such tragedy.

It was Charlotte's dying wish that her story be told, leaving notes in small pink handwriting for her parents to read, urging them to 'tell the school' about her suffering and that life was 'too hard'.

Mat said the response from the broader school community had been 'overwhelming', with parents and school peers leaving heartfelt letters, cards and home-cooked meals.

But he added he was yet to hear directly from Santa Sabina following his daughter's death.

'Outside of the response from the broader community of the school, I'd have to say I've been disappointed to say the least with the response that's come from the school,' he told 2GB's Ben Fordham.

'One of their comments was around there being inconsistencies with their records and I thought that comment to go out at that time when we were grieving was unnecessary.'

Mat said his daughter's final wish was to raise awareness with her story

Mat added the school's statement included a line saying how other parents' children felt safe and supported at the college.

'You know those mothers who've given that school support, no doubt they'll be planning on picking their daughter up from school today and we are not,' Mat said.

'It has been heartbreaking. Having said that, I would still welcome an opportunity when the time is right to meet with the school.

'If I thought it was coming from a genuine place to do better, I would happily meet.'

Santa Sabina College principal Paulina Skerman earlier defended the school's handling of bullying, saying their anti-bullying policy was available on their website.

'In the past week, I have been overwhelmed by the number of emails and messages from our families that talk about their children feeling safe and cared for at Santa Sabina College, and objecting to the portrayal of our College as failing to deal with matters that cause distress amongst our students,' she said in a statement.

'Our students and our families are highly informed on the policy and the procedures for reporting and resolving matters of concern, and they clearly demonstrate the College's approach to dealing swiftly and appropriately with any concerns raised.

'At the very heart of who we are as a Catholic Dominican school are the Gospel values of love, compassion and inclusivity.

Charlotte's stepfather Mat described her as incredibly selfless, adding he and her mother are 'broken'

'To say that there is a culture of bullying at the College goes against the very fabric that holds our community together.

'Every staff member at the school holds the care of your child close to our hearts and this has been reflected in the number of messages I have received from our families.

'We continue to work with our children to educate them on reporting serious matters and developing strategies to manage the complexities that life invariably presents.'

The college added it was their focus to 'support Charlotte's family through their unimaginable grief', and other students and their families.

'We are continuing to work with Headspace and other providers to ensure that we follow the most supportive and safest practices for our community at this time.'

In the wake of Charlotte's death, Mat said he and his wife Kelly are 'broken'.

'Kelly and I say to ourselves every morning ''let's just make it to bedtime'',' he told the breakfast radio program.

'To lose our little girl at the age of 12 is something that we won't ever recover from.'

Mat said his daughter's final wish was to raise awareness with her story

Mat said his daughter's final wish was to raise awareness with her story.

'I'm not after retribution for these girls, I'm looking for the schools to step in, to act when things arise for the first time,' he said.

'I know these are tough conversations for us all but we need to have these conversations today.'

Mat described Charlotte as incredibly selfless and someone who would save her own birthday money to buy those she loved gifts instead.

When she learnt her mother was pregnant with her baby brother Will, her father said she dropped to the ground and said it was the best gift she could have asked for.

Mat, who is not Charlotte's biological father, added the day Charlotte asked to call him 'dad' was one of the greatest moments of his life.

'We will never get to celebrate her 13th birthday and I'll never get to teach her how to drive,' he continued.

'She will never graduate from school, she wanted to go to Macquarie University even though she couldn't pronounce the word Macquarie.

'We will never see her graduate, I'll never get to walk her down the aisle. She wanted seven children, her own big family, and I'll never meet her grandchildren.

'Our family is broken.'

A funeral will be held for Charlotte on Friday.

For confidential support call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
The percentage of students of color in Harvard Law School's latest class decreased by 8%, reflecting a broader trend among elite universities after the Supreme Court's ruling banning affirmative action in college admissions.

The newly released data on the school's website provides only an overall view, without detailing the changes for specific minority groups such as Black, Asian or Hispanic students.

Data released earlier this month showed Harvard University's freshman class also dipped 4% from the year prior.

The court's ruling, which struck down race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, has had ripple effects across several other prestigious universities this year

Brown's class of 2028 saw a sharp decline in Black and Hispanic students, with the percentage of Black freshmen dropping by 40% and Hispanic freshmen by 29% compared to last year. Meanwhile, domestic Asian students increased by 14%.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has also reported a significant decrease in the percentage of Black, Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Islander students in its class of 2028.

Other institutions such as Yale and Princeton, however, have not experienced decreases in these populations.
Congress has signed off on a bipartisan spending deal that would avoid a government shutdown before the election.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the new temporary funding proposal that will last nearly three months on Sunday - and it sported some deviations from the original bill he put forward earlier this month.

Several go against Donald Trump's wishes, and some make concessions to Democrats.

Earlier this month, Trump declared that if Republicans 'don't get absolute assurances on [amendments involving] Election Security,' they should not hesitate to shut the government down.

No such assurances were seen in the new bill, which will fund the government until December 20. It did not include any part of the SAVE Act, the Trump-backed proposal that demands Americans show proof of citizenship to register to vote.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the new temporary funding proposal that will last three months on Sunday - and it sported some deviations from the original bill he put forward earlier this month

Several go against Donald Trump's wishes, and some make concessions to Democrats

'While this is not the solution any of us prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances,' Johnson wrote in a letter to his Republican colleagues that explained the reasons for temporary bill.

'As history has taught and current polling affirms, shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice.'

He added that the budget measure would be 'very narrow, bare-bones' and include 'only the extensions that are absolutely necessary', and that 'since we fell a bit short of the goal line, an alternative plan is now required.

'The feedback and ideas from everyone have been very helpful, and next week the House will take the initiative and pass a clean, three month [continuing resolution] to prevent the Senate from jamming us with a bill loaded with billions in new spending and unrelated provisions,' the Republican continued.

'From now until election day, I will continue with my tireless efforts and singular focus of growing our majority for the 199th congress.'

'It is my great honor to serve with you all in these historic days,' the speaker who was seen palling around with Trump in Mar-a-Lago last weekend concluded.

'The future of our exceptional nation directly depends upon our success, and I am confident that together we will prevail.'

Earlier this month, Trump declared that if Republicans 'don't get absolute assurances on [amendments involving] Election Security,' they should not hesitate to shut the government down The pair are seen together this past Sunday at Trump's Mar-a0Lago mansion

No such assurances were seen in the new bill, which will fund the government until December 20

The last-minute compromise appeared to avoid a funding fight that would have stretched into spring 2025, with the Trump-backed proof-of-citizenship voting bill one of the casualties recorded in the process.

Also absent was funding for the Virginia Class Submarine program included in earlier drafts, which sought to appropriate some $2billion to the Defense Department for the 'shipbuilding and conversion' for the program.

Aides on Sunday insisted the funding fell out following a 'joint conversation' between appropriators, defense officials and the Biden administration.

The bill also failed to address what the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has framed as a potential $12 billion shortfall facing the agency for the next fiscal year - a stipulation demanded by Democrats.

Republicans have argued that more information is needed from the agency about the budget gap before Congress acts, while lawmakers from both sides of the aisle on Sunday said there is still more time to address the threat in coming months.

The decision comes after Congress passed legislation just last week to address a more immediate $3 billion shortfall for the VA, in response to warning that benefit payments for veterans were at risk of being disrupted as soon as next month.

The late-night compromise appeared to avoid a funding fight that would have stretched into spring 2025, with the Trump-backed proof-of-citizenship voting bill one of the casualties recorded in the process

The three-month stopgap also excludes $10 billion in additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) disaster relief fund asked for by Republicans.

The stipulation was previously included in House Republicans initial six-month draft, which was shortened to two-and-half months to appease Democrats and some Republicans less focused on defense.

The new version of the bill does allow for the use of some the funds resources for disaster response

'We made a joint decision to address, because its going to be a two and a half month CR, the disaster side with no additional disaster money,' House GOP aides told The Hill on Sunday,

they noted how there is still disaster money in the form 'of the disaster relief fund within FEMA being replenished as soon as the CR becomes law,' which they said would be 'more than adequate for the two and a half month period.'

'Further conversations' on the matter will continue in the coming months, the insiders said.

Perhaps the most noticeable omission was Trump's SAVE Act - a bill that would crack down on noncitizen voting in the election by requiring proof of citizenship. The new bill is expected to reach the House floor by mid-week, after which it will move to the Senate for consideration

Perhaps the most noticeable omission, though, was Trump's SAVE Act - a bill that would crack down on noncitizen voting in the upcoming election by requiring proof of citizenship.

But nearly all Democrats voted against it and a handful of GOP even did so as well, with many categorizing it as not conservative.

Last week, Trump took to Truth Social to encourage Republicans to press on with the SAVE Act even if it meant a government shutdown, writing, 'If Republicans don't get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form.'

'Democrats are registering Illegal Voters by the TENS OF THOUSANDS, as we speak,' he continued, echoing his pervious claims that the 2020 election 'was stolen.

'They will be voting in the 2024 Presidential Election, and they shouldn't be allowed to.'

Additional money was also included to bolster the Secret Service, which has faced criticism following two failed assassination attempts on the former president.

The new bill is expected to reach the House floor by mid-week, after which it will move to the senate for consideration.
A student at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania who scratched a racial slur onto the body of the only black member of the school's men's swim team is no longer enrolled there.

Two students at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania were initially suspended from the swim team following a report that described how the offensive slur was scratched onto the skin of a student.

The victim's family said a box cutter was used, while officials at the 2,200-student private liberal arts school in Gettysburg had previously described the instrument as 'a plastic or ceramic tool.'

It remains unclear how or whether the victim was restrained during the attack or if they fought back.

The perpetrator and the victim were both suspended from the swim team pending an investigation, with the perpetrator now having left the school entirely.

A student at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, who scratched a racial slur onto the body of the only black member of the school's men's swim team, is no longer enrolled there (file photo)

The incident occurred on September 6 at a gathering of the swim team during an 'informal social gathering at an on-campus residence'

Gettysburg College President Robert Iuliano described feeling 'profound distress about what happened' and the impact on those underrepresented on campus, as well as the implications 'for a community continuing its evolving efforts to create a truly inclusive environment.'

It is unclear whether the perpetrator was expelled or left the school voluntarily.

'The reprehensible act was committed by a fellow student-athlete, someone he considered his friend, someone whom he trusted. This student used a box cutter to etch the N-word across his chest,' a statement from the family statement said.

The family said it was considering whether to pursue criminal charges and that it had involved the NAACP civil rights organization and filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Commission on Human Relations.

'Our son did not choose to have a hateful racial slur scrawled across his chest, but he has chosen not to return the hate,' the family said.

The incident occurred on September 6 at a gathering of the swim team during an 'informal social gathering at an on-campus residence' and was first reported by other students from the swim team, Gettysburg College President Robert Iuliano said.

Iuliano described feeling 'profound distress about what happened' and the impact on those long underrepresented on the campus, as well as the implications 'for a community continuing its evolving efforts to create a truly inclusive environment.'

''I was honestly really shocked. This school has no place for incidents like that. And when I heard about it, I just couldn't believe it,' one student said to WGAL

'Even though we talk all the time about inclusion and not doing that type of stuff anymore, it's 2024. You can't be doing that stuff,' added another student

'No matter the relationship, and no matter the motivation, there is no place on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade, or marginalize based on one's identity and history,' he said in a statement that also cautioned against speculation 'based on fragments of information that may or may not be accurate.'

'The investigation is nearing its conclusion, and we can report now that the individual who scratched a slur onto another person is no longer enrolled at the College,' Vice President for College Life Anne Ehrlich wrote in a campus-wide email, The Gettysburgian reported.

'This is a serious report, which is being actively assessed through the student conduct process,' the college went on.

'At this point, the students involved are not participating in swim team activities.'

The city's police chief, Robert Glenny Jr., said he had also contacted the college after hearing news reports and was told the victim had chosen to handle the matter through the college's internal process, despite college officials encouraging the person to take the matter to police.

At least 2,200-students are enrolled at the private liberal arts school in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The school has so far declined to release further details, citing that process, as well as privacy laws.

'I was honestly really shocked. This school has no place for incidents like that. And when I heard about it, I just couldn't believe it,' one student said to WGAL.

'Pretty disgusted. It's just kind of sad that stuff still happens today. Even though we talk all the time about inclusion and not doing that type of stuff anymore, it's 2024. You can't be doing that stuff. It's just sad to see people still think that way and act that way. We can't have that,' added another student.

Gettysburg, best known as the site of a Civil War battle in 1863 that killed thousands and where President Abraham Lincoln gave a moving speech four months later, is about 140 miles west of Philadelphia.
The role did not exist anywhere in the world before March 2023

Australia's inaugural First Nations People's Ambassador spent about $145,000 on business class flights and splurged hundreds each time on private transfers to and from his sprawling estate - and taxpayers covered it all.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and former Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney appointed Justin Mohamed to the newly-created ambassador role in March 2023.

His job was originally to 'engage regional partners on the Voice, Treaty, Truth process', but that part of the position was rendered irrelevant when Australia voted No to the Voice referendum in October.

Instead, the Albanese government gave Mr Mohamed a $358,000 travel budget to fly business class all over the world with a colleague or two in order to represent First Nations views at bilateral forums and conferences.

Almost 180 pages of expense documents, released by Senator Wong's office under Freedom of Information and obtained by Daily Mail Australia, reveal that Mr Mohamed went on nine overseas trips in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

He travelled to New York, Hawaii, San Francisco, Geneva, Dubai, Paris, along with major cities in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea - all of which cost a combined $283,000. A two-week trip to Kansas City and Washington DC cost $75,022 alone.

The few domestic trips were usually return business class flights from his sprawling five-bedroom mansion in Gisborne, on the outskirts of Melbourne, to Canberra. The documents did not detail any excursions to remote Indigenous communities.

Opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price told Daily Mail Australia there was a stark contrast between Mr Mohamed's travel budget and the experiences of everyday Indigenous people.

Justin Mohamed, Australia's First Nations People Ambassador, is pictured with his wife Janine

Justin Mohamed is pictured, right, at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Honolulu with Kevin Rudd, centre - the former Australian Prime Minister and now-Ambassador to the US

'There is a seismic gap between the kinds of money being spent on travel by the First Nations Ambassador and the lives of our most marginalised Australians,' she said.

'If these taxpayer funded trips are truly warranted, then Anthony Albanese needs to be clear about the outcomes being achieved and how the lives of our marginalised are being improved.

'As a result of questioning the government in the course of Estimates earlier this year, I continue to have doubts as to the practical benefit made by the Ambassador to the lives of Indigenous Australians.

she said the Coalition would abolish Mr Mohamed's position if elected to government in 2025.

'We must prioritise investment in improving the lives of Indigenous Australians here at home before spending these significant amounts of money on a position that Indigenous Australians dont even have the ability to make representations to.'

According to the documents, Mr Mohamed normally travelled with at least one colleague whose expenses were accounted for in the overall budget.

The paperwork included the reasons behind each trip, which spanned from 'representing First Nations perspectives in climate change' to 'joining ministerial dialogues on Indigenous trade'.

Justin Mohamed is pictured with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, both right, at a forum in Fiji in August

Mr Mohamed expensed three limousine trips to Australian taxpayers (two receipts pictured)

Expenses were all approved by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) staff, including $30,000 for hotels at all nine international destinations, $13,000 for food and cab fares, and $102,000 for business class flights.

Mr Mohamed would often send ground transport receipts after each trip, which included multiple $200 return fare bills for a private transfer from his Gisborne home to Melbourne Airport.

DFAT reimbursed Mr Mohamed about $150 for three separate charges to private limousine companies in Dubai.

The documents do not contain information beyond June 30. Since then, Mr Mohamed has travelled to the Solomon Islands and Fiji.

Warren Mundine, the former National President of the Australian Labor Party, told Daily Mail Australia the function of Mr Mohamed's role was unclear and called for more 'practical' roles to help local Indigenous businesses.

'I'm a bit confused about what the position is, what does it do?' he said.

'Originally he was supposed to be going around about the Voice, but that would have sent a clear message that the Australian people don't need such a position.'

'We need practical things happening in Australia, and to deal with business development that could help Indigenous businesses get support to go international, not someone who travels around going to meetings.'

Justin Mohamed lives in a sprawling estate in Gisborne, Victoria, worth $2.4million

The five-bedroom property features a Swarovski crystal chandelier (pictured)

Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Mohamed for comment, but he referred all questions to DFAT.

A spokesperson for Senator Wong said the ambassador and his team were 'delivering results for all Australians, including our First Nations communities' - but did not explain those any further, despite being asked to do so.

'Ambassador Mohamed has helped secure greater access for Indigenous Peoples to the Human Rights Council, he was essential to delivering a groundbreaking treaty securing formal legal recognition of First Nations peoples' genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and has boosted First Nations trade,' they said.

'First Nations diplomacy is a powerful element of our engagement with the Pacific given the strong First Nations cultural and historical connections with our region.

'It is one of the ways we are rebuilding our relationship with the Pacific family after Mr Dutton and the Liberals disrespected Pacific leaders and neglected Pacific priorities over nine long years, leaving a vacuum for other countries to fill.'

Prior becoming an ambassador, Mr Mohamed was the deputy secretary for Aboriginal justice in the Victorian government's Department of Justice and Community Safety between 2021 and 2023.

He was also Victoria's Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People between 2018 and 2021. Prior to that, he was the CEO of Equity Health Solutions until 2018, and the CEO of Reconciliation Australia between 2014 and 2017.

In 2021, he and his wife Janine bought their two-acre estate near Mount Macedon, north-west of Melbourne, for $2.4million.
They plan on tearing it down to rebuild two contemporary condos

A power couple have paid $40 million for three beachfront lots which they plan on clearing to make way for two contemporary homes.

Lucy Henry-Hicks, who is the CEO of online fashion brand Dissh, and her builder partner Mitchell Lau, bought the 1,525sqm site on the southern Gold Coast.

The deal is expected to close in 2025 - which is when the existing structures will be torn down to make way for the new homes.

Mr Lau manages M2 Construct, a high-end building company, which aims to reinvigorate the 'unparalleled' 34m beach frontage along Palm Beach.

The $40million price-tag makes it city's largest single residential transaction.

Currently, the property hosts a 1960s-style shack, pole house and villa.

Former Sydney Swans player Tony Smith, who has since become an investor, previously owned the stretch of land.

GV Property Group marketing agent Luke Reaby said the dwellings had attracted fierce competition from four local developers before their eventual sale.

Lucy Henry-Hicks, who is the CEO of online fashion brand Dissh, and her builder partner Mitchell Lau, bought the 1,525sqm site on the southern Gold Coast

The deal is expected to close in 2025 - which is when the existing structures will be torn down to make way for the new homes

'The interest in this property was immense, but in the end, we were pleased to see it go to a Queensland family who truly appreciates the unique value of this site,' Mr Reaby told realestate.com.

'Typical beachfront blocks in Palm Beach have 10m of frontage, so with 34m of absolute beach frontage coupled with a corner aspect, this property provides a level of privacy and exclusivity that is truly one-of-a-kind.

'This sale is a milestone that highlights the evolution of Palm Beach into a prime residential and investment location.'

The sale fell just short of breaking the $28,395 per sqm record set by a separate beachfront block in Mermaid Beach earlier in 2024.

That property was purchased by Clive Palmer and his wife Anna who paid $28million for a home on Hedges Avenue from lotteries promoter David Kennedy in February.

Mr Smith's former property sold for just $26,000 per sqm.

Property documents show the couple agreed to pay $25.3 million for the beachfront block of land and another $3.2 million for the one behind it.

The final block, also on the beachfront, sold for more than $11.5 million.

Mr Reaby said 'a lot of generational wealth' concentrated in nearby Mermaid Beach has begun to quickly gentrify the area as new investors flood in.

Mr Lau manages M2 Construct, a high-end building company, which aims to reinvigorate the 'unparalleled' 34m beach frontage along Palm Beach

Ms Henry-Hicks comes from a long line of fashionistas with her father, Melville Hicks, co-founding City Beach, and her mother, Maree Henry, launching Dissh.

Her daughter took over the business in 2019.

Billionaire Brett Blundy invested in a major stake in Dissh through his private investment group, BBRC Worldwide, in March.

The brand started as a brick-and-mortar store before Ms Henry-Hicks convinced her mother to shift towards a focus on e-commerce.

Ms Henry-Hicks and Mr Lau have one daughter together and are expecting a son later this year.

The couple recently purchased a newly built luxury property close to Ms Henry-Hicks' parents' beach home.

Mr Smith founded BreakFree accommodation group and owns FINNS Beach Club in Bali.
A young woman has shared her hopelessness about getting into the property market despite earning an income many would consider very comfortable.

Erin, 28, and her partner earn a combined income of $200,000 from steady jobs in southeast Queensland and have minimal weekly expenses.

But she feels their healthy incomes are not enough anymore as the prices of real estate rise to extraordinary levels.

Australians earning average incomes are struggling to save money for home deposits due to high rents and general living costs.

PropTrack's Housing Affordability Report, released on Saturday, also found it would take Australians an average of five years to save for a home deposit.

For Erin and her partner, buying in their suburb is an intimidating venture.

They live several kilometres from the Brisbane CBD in a suburb with a median house price of over $1.2million, meaning a ten per cent deposit would be $120,000.

Erin was gob-smacked to learn what the million-dollar house she rents cost just decades ago

The three-bedroom apartment she and her partner rent is valued at about $1.3million.

Erin said a previous owner of the property recently dropped by chasing some mail she thought might have been addressed there, and Erin asked her how much she paid for the apartment.

The previous owner said she paid $200,000 for it a few decades ago.

The 28-year-old said she had been assured her time to own a home would come but now wonders if that is true.

Erin said her most recent trip to the bank was a harrowing experience, learning about the true limits of her borrowing power.

'I had a conversation with the bank. I had like $20,000 in savings, I thought that was substantial for what I was earning at the time, and he was like, "the (maximum) you can borrow is $300,000",' she told news.com.au.

'Mate, what am I f***ing going to buy with $300,000? There was nothing then and that was five years ago.'

Since that day at the bank, Erin's salary has risen, but so have house prices.

Even with her partner, Erin said purchasing a home still feels impossible but they have given up discussing it because it was too depressing.

The nation's housing crisis has further worsened with competition driving prices even higher

Erin believes her only chance at purchasing a home would be through some lucky windfall, explaining that everyone she knows has used inheritances or financial help from parents - the proverbial Bank of Mum and Dad - to lay down a deposit.

'I try not to think about it, purely because I feel a sense of jealously that some of my friends have places, and then they complain to me about their mortgage rates going up, but like, you have a house,' she added.

According to the PropTrack report, mortgage costs are at levels comparable to 2008, barely below the historical peaks of 1989-1990.

PropTrack's report showed that in the past year a median-income household earning $112,000 could only afford 14 per cent of homes sold.

Just three years ago, a household on a median-income could stretch to afford 43 per cent of homes.
Warren Buffett has given his three children an astonishing $143.1billion task that his eldest son says is 'not so easy.'

The 94-year-old chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway has decided to donate his entire fortune to a charitable trust after his death, which his three children - Howard, 69, Susie, 71, and Peter, 66 - will be in charge of.

They will have just 10 years to allocate all of the money to charities of their choice, according to the Associated Press.

'It's not so easy to give away money if you want to do it smart, if you want to be intelligent about it,' said Howard, a farmer who is to take over as Berkshire Hathaway's nonexecutive chairman upon his father's death.

'It's pretty amazing that he's given us this opportunity,' he added.

Warren Buffett has decided to donate his entire fortune to a charitable trust after his death, which his three children will be in charge of

The billionaire's eldest son, Howard (center), who is to take over as Berkshire Hathaway's nonexecutive chairman upon his father's death, said it is not an easy task

Howard went on to say he and his siblings would continue to follow their father's lead and take risks, while trying to find ways to make a difference.

'I can tell you, we'll sit down in a room when the time comes, and we'll get it figured out pretty quickly,' he said.

'What this is going to do is we're going to bring all of our collective experience together.'

Howard also said he agrees with his father's decision to allocate the hundreds of billions of dollars.

In general, he said he believes that wealthy people should give their money away within their lifetimes, rather than holding them in perpetual foundations.

'Somebody is going to spend that money. Somebody is going to give that money away.

'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.'

He vowed that he and his siblings, Susie and Peter, will come to the table to discuss how to allocate the estimated $143.1billion

It remains unclear what organizations the siblings might donate the fortune to, but they have each run their own foundations from which they have donated more than $15billion of their father's money since 2006.

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, of which Susie is the chairman of the board and Peter is a board member, has donated $8.4billion mainly to reproductive health care organizations.

It also funds access to abortion contraception, granting hundreds of millions of dollars over the years to Planned Parenthood affiliates, the National Abortion Federation and Population Services International - which works outside of the United States.

Susie's Sherwood Foundation has also been a major funder for early childhood education programs, and its largest grantee is the nonprofit Buffett Early Childhood Fund, which has granted hundreds of millions of dollars for research, advocacy, training and support for child care providers.

The Howard G Buffett Foundation, meanwhile, supports food security and conflict mitigation internationally.

Each of the Buffett children have their own foundations, from which they have donated more than $15billion of their father's money since 2006

It has partnered with the Catholic Relief Services, which it has funded for at least 15 years to support farmers in Central America.

'Howard was particularly interested in addressing the factors that were driving people to leave rural communities in Central America and Mexico and risk everything to migrate to the US,' Erica Dahl-Bredine, a senior advisor for Catholic Relief Services, explained.

'And that's where our vision really came together.'

Peter Buffett and his wife, Jennifer, have focused their grant-making efforts on supporting girls around the world and social-emotional learning in schools.

Since 2002, though, the couple's foundation has increased its support for Native American organizations, which the younger Buffett became interested in since he composed some of the music for the film Dances With Wolves and wrote the score for the miniseries 500 Nations.

Buffett will continue to donate to the Gates Foundation annually

For now, however, Buffett will continue to donate to the Gates Foundation annually - something he has done since 2006 to the tune of more than $40billion.

He will also continue to donate to his family's own charities, telling the Wall Street Journal in 2022 his fortune 'should be used to help the people that haven't been as lucky as we have been.

'There's eight billion people in the world and me and my kids, we've been the luckiest 100th of one percent or something.

'There's lots of ways to help people,' he added.

Buffett is currently the sixth richest person in the world, behind Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison, Mark Zuckerberg and Bernard Arnault.
Venezuelan mobsters Tren de Aragua may have finally met their match in Southside Chicago gangs amid fears the city could go up in flames if they go to war.

The gang, referred to as 'TdA' by federal authorities, has seeped into the US in recent years, hidden among the one million Venezuelans to arrive under the Biden Administration.

Best known for selling women and children into sex slavery and exploiting their own countrymen, the TdA most recently made headlines in Aurora, Colorado, where armed thugs have committed shootings, assaults and have taken over an apartment complex.

Even Donald Trump has taken notice, having promised a visit to Aurora while on the campaign trail, where local authorities will brief him on their recent arrests of the several gang members.

Now, they appear to have moved to Chicago, and ex-con Tyrone Muhammad is sounding the alarm.

The dangerous Venezuelan mobsters known as Tren de Aragua may have finally met its match in Southside Chicago gangs amid fears the city could go up in flames if they come to blow

Ex-con Tyrone Muhammad (pictured left) is sounding the alarm about how the city could go 'up in flames' if they Tren de Aragua battle with the Chicago gangs

Muhammad, who served 20 years in state prison for murder, says the native gangs - like the Gangster Disciples, Black P Stones, the Vice Lords, Latin Kings and Satan Disciples - may take up arms against TdA.

'When the black gangs here get fed up with the illegalities and criminal activities of these migrants or non-citizens, the city of Chicago is going to go up in flames and there will be nothing the National Guard or the government can do about it when the bloodshed hits the streets. It'll be blacks against migrants,' Muhammad said.

Muhammad, since getting out of prison, has cleaned up his act and become a leader of Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change, a group that patrols the dangerous streets of Chicago's south side.

He says the locals are irate over how the migrant community as a whole has started to take over the Windy City.

'It is impossible to release gang members and criminals into our country through the borders and broken walls and infiltrate them in our community that's already impoverished and broken,' Muhammad tells the New York Post.

The city's taxpayers have dolled out just under $150 million on migrant-related expenses since August 2022, city data shows.

Some of those are reportedly going to members of Tren de Aragua, with many getting government benefits, EBT cards and even pushing black tenants out of apartments because the city will pay landlords more for housing the migrants.

Now in major American cities, Tren de Aragua has unleashed a crime wave from Miami to New York, and Muhammad and local activist Terry Newsome have uncovered crimes as extreme as child porn, drugs and sex trafficking through Freedom of Information Act requests.

One was even released by a Chicago judge after being detained by ICE for before being involved in a jewelry heist in Denver a month later.

In July, a commuter was viciously attacked by thieves who choked him unconscious and rifled through his pockets on the Chicago transit system.

Muhammad, since getting out of prison, has cleaned up his act and become a leader of Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change, a group that patrols the dangerous streets of Chicago's south side

The city's taxpayers have dolled out just under $150 million on migrant-related expenses since August 2022, city data shows. Some of those are reportedly going to members of Tren de Aragua members

Many of the gangsters themselves are furious that Tren de Aragua, which they see as a 'terrorist group,' has been allowed in and taken away benefits that citizens have been getting.

Muhammad is now organizing for Donald Trump and the Republican Party in November's election, forming a group called 'Ex-cons For Trump.'

He wants the Democrat Party to know how sick they are of the left using their votes and then giving benefits to migrants like these vicious gangsters.

'It's not so much Trump himself, it's that the Democrats are selling us down the river. The boujee blacks might like Kamala Harris but she isn't going to do anything for us,' he said.

It comes as Tren de Aragua has started to make national headlines for what its done, largely across the American southwest.

TdA has taken over at least three apartment buildings in Aurora, Colorado, exploiting and terrorizing their migrant neighbors.

A bombshell report by a law firm that represents one of the apartment management companies assaults, threats of murder, extortion and even child prostitution.

Earlier in September, the Aurora Police Department announced the arrests of 10 TdA members, despite having previously denied there was a gang problem.

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said there are 'several buildings' that have 'fallen to these Venezuelan gangs' in the city

Bombshell documents obtained by DailyMail.com prove leaders in Aurora knew the gang had taken control of three apartment buildings

TdA has been described as the 'epitome of evil' and is best known in their homeland for sex trafficking girls and women and exploiting their fellow countrymen, have now set up strongholds in Denver, New York, Miami, El Paso and Dallas-- as DailyMail.com first reported.

Since arriving in the United States, TdA is accused of taking part in shootings, shake-downs of other migrants who were told to pay rent to the gang instead of the property, beatings, and robberies in Colorado.

Federal law enforcement has been shocked and taken off guard by how quickly TdA has been able to establish itself and eclipse the previous operations set up by gangs like MS-13.

In July, the federal government designated TdA as a transnational criminal organization or TCO, putting them in the level among the worst Mexican drug cartels and terrorist organizations in the world.

For now, TdA seems focused on victimizing the migrants, using migrant women into prostitutes, but it's only a matter of time before their tentacles spread.

As DailyMail.com exclusively reported, TdA has set up its new headquarters just across the border from El Paso, in Juarez Mexico.

El Paso officials, who asked to remain anonymous, now fear gang violence will spill over into Texas' sixth largest city - which is currently ranked among the top ten safest in America by the FBI.

Trump has taken notice of the gang, having promised to visit Aurora soon to talk about the problem and elaborate on his plans to stop America's crisis at the border

'Tren de Aragua is the epitome of evil,' Congressman Tony Gonzales, who represents El Paso, said.

'This gang is known to rape children, spearhead murders, and cause widespread chaos.'

Law enforcement in El Paso is currently working on a confidential plan to address the growing threat, insiders told DailyMail.com

But Mexican authorities have been willing to speak more openly about TdA's troubling arrival in Juarez.

The presence of the Venezuelan mob in Mexico has caused panic among migrants, many of whom are fleeing the very violence TdA created in their homeland.

Trump has taken notice, having promised to visit Aurora soon to talk about the problem and elaborate on his plans to stop America's crisis at the border.
A Melbourne man who allegedly broadcast fake mayday calls to commercial planes at Melbourne Airport faces potential jail time.

The alleged offences, which occurred over a two-month period, were described by Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Simone Butcher as 'extremely serious'.

The 45-year-old was arrested after police searched his home in Melbourne's northeast on Saturday and he was to face court on Monday.

Australian Federal Police seized four handheld radios and 'associated equipment' allegedly used to transmit the interference, including two mobile phones with recordings of chants and mayday messages.

In September, police were alerted to the incidents by the Australian Communications Media Authority, which said someone had gained unauthorised access to aviation radio networks to broadcast recorded chants and false mayday recordings.

Investigators 'linked the man to the offending' and his home was searched on Saturday.

After the arrest and seizures, he was charged with three alleged offences - one under the Crimes (Aviation) Act and two under the Radiocommunications Act.

A 45-year-old man has been arrested by Australian Federal Police after allegedly making fake mayday calls at Melbourne Airport (pictured) over a two-month period

The AFP searched his home and seized four handheld radios and 'associated equipment' allegedly used to transmit the calls for commercial flights (stock image)

The most serious of his charges carries a maximum 20-year term of imprisonment.

He faces allegations of radio transmission capable of prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft, with the intention of prejudicing the safe operation of that aircraft, as well as operating a radio device otherwise than as authorised by an apparatus licence.

The third charge is using a transmitter that interfered with radio communications in a way that was prejudicial to the safe operation of an aircraft.

Superintendent Butcher said aviation security was critical and the appropriate procedures, processes and systems were in place to ensure the safety of aviation operations across the country.

'Anyone who attempts to compromise the safety of the travelling public, through false or unauthorised access to its operations and equipment, will be caught and brought before the courts,' she said.
Prince Harry is flying solo in New York and rubbing shoulders with royals - but his wife Meghan was noticeably absent.

The Duke of Sussex attended a dinner organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) on his trip to the Big Apple this week before flying to London this weekend.

Meghan was not with him at the New York gala, but Harry was seen greeting Queen Mathilde of Belgium, actor Forest Whitaker, several UN Agency Heads, and other dignitaries, for an event to honor survivors of childhood violence.

All are in New York for the UN General Assembly, which is set to kick off Monday morning in Manhattan.

Officials from countries like Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland, and Brazil were also present, as were survivors of child abuse to discuss the important issue.

The gathering comes a day after Harry attended Kevin Costner 's charity concert at his beachfront estate solo, all the way across the country in California while Meghan was said to be 'sick.'

Royal expert Phil Dampier said: "It is significant that he is doing so much on his own now. They are living more separate lives as it looks like Harry is trying to carve out what exactly his future is.

Prince Harry is seen greeting Queen Mathilde of Belgium during a high-level dinner on 'Violence against children and its impact on mental health' in New York City

The event organized by WHO, and was attended by politicians like Prime Minister Alexander De Croo of Belgium, seen beside Harry here. Meghan was noticeably absent after missing out on actor Kevin Costner's house party due to being 'sick' the day before

He told The Sun: "I suspect Harry has been feeling very much like a spare part.

"He wants more fulfilling roles for himself so we may well be seeing more of him here."

Harry is in New York this week and in London next Monday.

'Violence takes many forms - both physical and psychological  and each leaves a lasting impact on those who experience it,' MC of the event Will Poulter told attendees at last night's event.

'With one billion children around the world experiencing such violence, the statistics are staggering, but they represent real lives.

'It's our collective responsibility to ensure that these children are protected.'

Also in attendance were high-profile figures like Whitaker and Shudu Musida, who, along with the survivors, helped pen an open letter last week demanding urgent action from world leaders to end violence against children.

This comes ahead of the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which is set to take place in Colombia in November.

Signatories of the letter included Harry, Mathilde, and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who was seen conversing with the Duke of Sussex and actor at length during the event.

The Belgian royal spoke to the crowd as well, urging for more to be done to held kids facing corporal punishment, bullying, online violence and sexual abuse.

Other forms of violence singled out by the group include gang violence, child marriage and child labor.

Forrest whittaker was present as well, and is seen here conversing with Prime Minister De Croo and the Duke of Sussex

Harry is seen her with the head of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, along with Actor Whitaker and Queen Mathilde

The Belgian royal posed alongside The Last King of Scotland star at the star studded event, which comes just hours before delegates are set to pour into Midtown Manhattan Monday for the first day of the UN General Assembly

The Belgian royal spoke to the crowd as well, urging for more to be done to held kids facing corporal punishment, bullying, online violence and sexual abuse

Meghan, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen, after championing efforts designed to halt online bullying earlier this summer.

In August, the Duchess was seen lovingly clutching her husband's knee on the set of CBS News Sunday Morning, as she detailed how she struggled with suicidal thoughts because of abuse she received as a working royal

She told host Jane Pauley how she hope her candor will help youngsters around the world navigate similar feelings, while reaching out to her spouse for support.

'When you've been through any level of pain or trauma, I believe part of our healing journey - certainly part of mine - is being able to be really open about it,' Markle said as Harry, 39, looked on.

'I really scraped the surface on my experience, but I do think that I would never want someone else to feel that way.

'And I would never want someone else to be making those sort of plans,' she added.

'[A]nd I would never want someone else to not be believed.'

A source told the Mirror that she missed Costner's Santa Barbara house part because 'she [was] sick and could not make it'.

A-listers like Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe and Pink were in attendance.
EXCLUSIVE

A cop charged with allegedly possessing child abuse material has been spotted visiting his lawyer with his mother ahead of his first court appearance.

Constable Joshua John Potter, 25, was arrested at Campbelltown Police Station last Tuesday following a months-long investigation.

He has been charged with possess/control child abuse material-use carriage service and suspended with pay, with NSW Police currently reviewing his employment status.

Dressed in a grey T-shirt and chinos and sporting a scruffy beard, Potter and his mother were seen attending Marsden Law Group, in Campbelltown, on Monday, clutching a blue folder filled with papers.

When approached by Daily Mail Australia about the allegation, Potter said: 'I have nothing to say'.

Asked if he could provide any indication at this stage as to how he intends to plead, Potter simply shook his head.

Joshua Potter, 25, (pictured) has been suspended from his role as a NSW Police after being charged last week

Joshua Potter was spotted with his mother heading to a law firm in Campbelltown on Monday

Potter, who is from the Campbelltown area, worked as a constable for the South West Metropolitan Region after graduating from St Gregory's College in 2016.

Officers from the Professional Standards Command launched an investigation in June after receiving reports a cop was allegedly in the possession of child abuse material.

After his arrest, Potter was granted bail which had several strict conditions, including to live in Glen Alpine, only possess one mobile phone, and not access any form of social media.

He is also banned from actively seeking or remaining in the company of anyone under the age of 18, and attempting to communicating or communicating with any person under the age of 18 except if engaging in essential transactions or services, such as retail.

The young constable, sporting a scruffy beard, brushed his long hair out of his face as he made his way to his appointment

In NSW, the maximum penalty for possession of child abuse material is 10 years imprisonment.

He is due to appear in Campbelltown Local Court on October 10.
Undocumented students in California will remain ineligible to work on public university campuses after Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have changed that scenario. The legislation, the first of its kind in the U.S., sought to provide campus job opportunities to students who were brought to the country as children and lack work authorization.

Newsom's decision, announced on Sunday, is a significant blow to immigrant rights advocates who had rallied behind the measure. In his veto message, the governor pointed to potential legal risks, including civil and criminal liabilities for state employees. "Given the gravity of the potential consequences of this bill... it is critical that the courts address the legality of such a policy before proceeding," he wrote.

Progressive legal scholars identified an alleged loophole in a federal ban on employing undocumented people, saying such does not apply to state-run institutions, like public universities. However, university leaders and state officials pushed back, warning of the legal uncertainties and potential risks involved.

The Biden administration also reportedly pressured university leaders to refrain from advancing the policy in private, especially during an election year where immigration is a contentious issue. According to POLITICO, federal officials expressed concerns that the proposal could fuel criticism of the president's handling of immigration and hurt his reelection campaign. This quiet pressure contributed to the University of California system's decision to delay any formal discussion on hiring undocumented students until 2025.

Jeffry Umana Munoz, a Cal State L.A. graduate interviewed by Los Angeles Times, released a statement on behalf of all California undocumented students saying, "we are ashamed and appalled that the Governor Newsom has decided to cave to the anti-immigrant vitriol of Trump and the Republicans and deny us the equitable opportunities we deserve." Munoz said students would continue to fight for the opportunity to work.

Students without DACA protections now outnumber those with it. Out of the estimated 86,800 undocumented students in California, only 37% are recipients of DACA or are eligible for it, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. Every year, approximately 14,000 more undocumented students graduate from California high schools, further straining the system.

A recent UCLA study found that the number of newly enrolled low-income undocumented students at UC and CSU campuses dropped by half between the 2015-16 and 2022-23 academic years. The report attributes this decline to the increasing difficulty of obtaining DACA status.

The veto means tens of thousands of undocumented students at California's public universities will continue to face limited employment options. Though many receive financial aid, the closure of new DACA applications in 2021 has further restricted their ability to work on campus.

Originally published on Latin Times.
A British tourist is in critical condition in a Cyprus hospital after a disastrous attempt to leap from his balcony into a swimming pool this weekend.

The 56-year-old, who was staying in a villa in Pegeia with a group of friends, reportedly slipped as he took off from the ledge some 10 feet above the pool.

Instead of safely landing in the water below, his misstep sent him plunging onto the concrete pavement.

The man, whose identity has not yet been revealed, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Paphos General Hospital before being placed in intensive care, The Sun reported.

The shocking incident comes just three weeks after a 15-year-old British girl fell from a balcony in Majorca on the second day of her first-ever trip abroad.

The teenager, who remains unidentified, was placed in a coma after her fall in S'illot on the east of the island at the start of the month.

The 56-year-old, who was staying in a villa in Pegeia close to Paphos (pictured) with a group of friends, reportedly slipped as he took off from the ledge

The man, whose identity has not yet been revealed, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Paphos General Hospital before being placed in intensive care

The Sun reported that she was trying to climb from one balcony to another when she fell from the first floor of her hotel, suffering severe head injuries.

According to a JustGiving page set up by family friend Erica Arnold, she was stabilised at the scene by paramedics, before being taken by ambulance to Son Espases Hospital, in Palma, where she 'is expected to remain for eight weeks until she is well enough to be flown back to the UK.'

Erica told the Sun that the girl is 'still in critical condition in intensive care but the good news is that doctors have removed her breathing tube and she is breathing on her own.

'She is such a lovely girl, everyone who knows her loves her. If anyone can fight and get through this it is [her].'

She added on the JustGiving page, which has raised just over 7,000 out of the target of 20,000 at the time of publication: 'At present, she is critical, on life support and in an induced coma.

'She has had two brain surgeries and will need two more, spinal surgery and other surgery. Once back in the UK, she will need further medical intervention.'

The teenager, who has not yet been identified, was placed in the coma after her fall in S'illot on the east of the island (File image)

Erica added: 'The girl's parents desperately need accessible accommodation to commute to the hospital.

'As you can imagine, this is somewhere the family has never travelled to before; everything is new and confusing, and there is tremendous worry about their daughter.

'The language barrier makes the simplest of things difficult, especially as all their time and thoughts are currently with their daughter. They also have limited finances. This was their first family holiday abroad; they saved a long time.

'However, they don't have any additional funds, and they were only supposed to be away for one week. Unfortunately, the family did not take out any holiday insurance due to being new to foreign travel.

'This young lady is loved by so many; she's always smiling and fun and is a brilliant horse rider with her whole life ahead of her.'

That incident came weeks after a 19-year-old British woman died after falling from a sixth floor balcony while on holiday in Ibiza.

Emma Ramsay, from Hamilton, was on holiday with friends in the party island's San Antonio region in August when she fell from the balcony at Hotel Vibra District in the early hours of the morning.

Paramedics rushed to the scene but the law student, 19, was declared dead at the scene.

In the days before her death, Ms Ramsay posted a series of TikTok videos showing her happily dancing with friends.

Emma Ramsay, from Hamilton, was on holiday with friends in the party island's San Antonio region when she fell from the balcony at Hotel Vibra District

The student from Strathclyde University had been enjoying a night out with friends just hours previously at the Hi Ibiza night club

A representative of the Ramsay family told the Scottish Sun: 'They're a lovely group of girls.

'Emma is a law student and was about to go into her third year at Strathclyde University.

'She's a delight of a girl, you will not find a person with a bad word to say about her.

'She's an angel. It's been a really tragic accident and as a family we are coming to terms with that.

'The family are out in Ibiza right now, Emma's parents are out there.'

As messages poured in for the popular student, Ms Ramsay's mother Barbara Smith paid tribute on social media to her 'angel Emma'. She wrote: 'I don't even know where to begin.

'You are my daughter, my best friend in the whole world and I am going to miss you more than words will ever express. Rest in peace my sweet angel and sleep tight, mummy loves you so, so much.'

Lorna Lawson, headteacher of St John Ogilve High School, where Ms Ramsay used to be Head Girl, said: 'We are shocked and saddened at the heartbreaking news of the sudden passing of our former Head Girl, Emma Ramsay.

'Emma was an incredibly kind, hardworking, bright and talented pupil who contributed a great deal to our school community.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Emma will be missed and will forever hold a special place in our school.'

Friend Paris Mcgoldrick added: 'I don't even know where to begin with how perfect our Emma was. I loved everything about you and I forever will.'
A massive rule change could spell bad news for the hordes of tourists visiting Byron Bay as a tighter cap on short-term holiday rentals is enforced.

From Tuesday, holiday home owners will be restricted to leasing their homes to holidaymakers for no more than 60 days per year - one third of the already restrictive 180 days some homes in the northern NSW hotspot currently adhere to.

The controversial new rule had been pushed by the local council for many years who wanted restrictions limiting the amount of non-hosted short-term rental accommodation (STRA), news.com.au reported.

Locals, who believe STRA properties have made permanent rentals in the area unaffordable and limited in numbers, have welcomed the new restriction - but others believe the reform will 'devastate the economy'.

The bustling beachside town heavily relies on the tourism industry and attracts more than two million holidaymakers every year.

The decision, which was handed down last year, is the first 60-day restriction for anywhere in NSW amid hopes the change will positively impact the long-term rental market.

Ballina MP Tamara Smith took to social media on Monday to express her hopes for the stricter cap following a 'ten year struggle for Byron Bay'.

'I am hoping that it works  that we see thousands, or many hundreds, of whole homes come onto the private rental market,' she said.

It is feared short-term rental accommodation (STRA) in Byron Bay will become more expensive when the 60 day cap for renting out a property starts on Tuesday (picture a tourist looking at Watego's Beach, Byron Bay)

More than two million Australian and international tourists flock to the Byron Bay region each year - with their money supporting local jobs (pictured Byron Bay Regional Markets)

'We know they are going to be expensive, but we are the only local government area in the entire state that is having this trial and we really want it to be a success,' Ms Smith wrote.

The new cap was spurned on by the housing shortage and homelessness in the area, which is one of the worst in Australia.

When an annual survey and count of homeless people sleeping rough was carried out statewide in February, an astonishing 348 were found in Byron Bay - a 16 per cent rise from last year.

The City of Sydney had less, with 208 people.

The spike in locals sleeping on the streets, combined with Byron Bay having one of NSW's highest amount of short-term rental properties - 8.5 per cent - has residents hoping the new cap will see holiday homes enter the long-term rental market.

But many homeowners believe it will not fix the housing crisis in Byron Bay - especially with some areas being exempt from the rule.

Beachfront properties, homes in the Byron Bay CBD and those in the prestigious precinct of Watego's Beach - are exempt from the new cap.

Some of the exempt 'back streets' have always been the most affordable to tourists - and it is now feared that these properties will increase their prices - especially since these areas will soon be able to operate without a cap.

There are exempted areas (in purple) from the new cap - and soon these parts of the region will be able to operate without restrictions. It is feared prices will be pushed up

Airbnb Australia and New Zealand head of public policy Michael Crosby told Daily Mail Australia caps don't solve housing issues.

'Night caps, both locally and internationally, have not worked to improve housing affordability or supply,' he said.

'In New York City where short-term rentals have effectively been banned, hotel prices have soared and rental availability and affordability has not improved.

'Tourism will suffer given guests will have less affordable accommodation options.'

Mr Crosby said Airbnb guests in Byron Bay spent a whopping $200 million in the community in the 12 months to March 2023.

'And helped to support 800 local jobs, all the while empowering local hosts to make extra income in the midst of a cost of living crisis,' he said.

Mr Crosby suggests one way for the NSW government to increase affordable housing supply is for tourists to pay a 'small levy'.

It is believed that most of the non-hosted holiday homes listed on Airbnb in Australia are primarily used as second homes by their owners - making it highly unlikely they will ever enter the long-term rental market . Pictured are current Byron Bay Airbnb listings

It is also believed that many properties available on Airbnb are primarily just used as holiday homes for the owner - making it highly doubtful they would ever enter the long-term rental market.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Byron Bay mayor Michael Lyon for comment.
Vladimir Putin was facing humiliation today after his 'unstoppable' Satan-2 missile exploded, obliterating Russia's only test site for the hypersonic weapon.

Satellite images show the destruction left behind by the blast at the Plesetsk test site in northern Russia, which partially wrecked an observation building close to the launch site, indicating there may be casualties among rocket scientists.

A giant 200ft wide crater and scorched earth can be seen on the site of the Satan-2 launch shaft.

Experts say the test programme for the rocket - also known as RS-28 Sarmat - may now be delayed for years, or could even be aborted after a series of failed launches.

The monster 'unstoppable' hypersonic missile is designed to strike the West by flying over the North or South Poles, making it impossible to strike down by air defences.

BEFORE: This is what the Plesetsk test site in northern Russia looked like ahead of the explosion

AFTER: Satellite images show the destruction left behind by the explosion, which partially wrecked an observation building close to the launch site, indicating there may be casualties among rocket scientists

Vladimir Putin was facing humiliation today after his 'unstoppable' Satan-2 missile exploded, obliterating Russia 's only test site for the hypersonic weapon

Putin has boasted that the apocalypse 208-ton intercontinental silo-launched 15,880mph nuclear weapon, the size of a 14-storey tower block, is 'unstoppable' by the West

A test had been expected flying over the South Pole, according to Russia's state news agency TASS last year.

Putin has boasted that the apocalypse 208-ton intercontinental silo-launched 15,880mph nuclear weapon, the size of a 14-storey tower block, is 'unstoppable' by the West. Satan-2 carries ten nuclear warheads of 750 kilotons each.

Fires raged for six-to-twelve hours after the catastrophic incident, according to NASA FIRMS, and several fire trucks were seen as the blitzed site.

The Putin-controlled Russian state media has been censored from reporting the explosion at Plesetsk - or the reason behind it.

OSINT analyst MeNMyRC said the evidence indicated the missile test had been aborted before the explosion.

It may have been triggered by defuelling of the rocket's highly dangerous propellant, UDMH, which produces flammable vapours in the air.

One theory is that a propellant leak in the silo led to the catastrophic event after the launch was aborted for other reasons.

'This silo explosion could very well indicate that the test had already failed/been postponed and that the accident occurred during missile defuelling, or associated, operations,' said MeNMyRC.

Norwegian OSINT analyst Thord Are Iversen said: 'This was the only silo at Plesetsk for testing Sarmat and it now has to be built from scratch again.

'They will have the silos at Uzhur available soon but whether they can or will use them for tests remains to be seen.'

The destroyed silo is the one used for the only successful Satan-2 test launch to date, in April 2022.

Russia had issued and later revoked a NOTAM - Notice to Airmen or Notice to Air Missions - evidently related to the missile test.

'The destruction of the site will undoubtedly have major implications for the flight test programme, which already seems to be experiencing significant delays,' said said French analyst on strategic systems and technologies, Etienne Marcuz.

Rebuilding the silo would take 'at least several months, if not years'.

A giant 200ft wide crater and scorched earth can be seen on the site of the Satan-2 launch shaft

The Satan-2 missile (pictured above) carries ten nuclear warheads of 750 kilotons each

Green summer foliage has been vaporised as a crater is formed by the massive explosion at the test site

Putin may be forced to cancel the programme altogether due to the repeated failures.

'This last option is unlikely, as Sarmat is one of the future cornerstones of Russian deterrence.

'However, the programme will need a thorough review to make it reliable, which could take years, especially as Western sanctions seem to be severely affecting the sector.

'That said, this failure severely undermines the Russian narrative about the strategic 'super-weapons' intended to terrify the West.'

Putin insisted on putting the missile in mass production then deploying it with troops earlier this year despite only one successful test. However, it is far from clear it is safe to use.

The Sarmat-Satan-2 complex is due to replace the Voevoda - or Satan - missile which has been in service since the 1980s.

Russian reports say that Sarmat has been hit during the war in Ukraine by Western sanctions that have prevented its makers obtaining key components.

Putin propagandists regularly threaten to strike the West with Satan-2.

Putin himself said in April 2022: 'This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure Russia's security from external threats, and make those who try to threaten our country with aggressive rhetoric think twice.'

Two months later he boasted: 'We have successfully tested the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile.

'It is the most powerful missile with the longest range of destruction of targets in the world.

'This truly unique weapon will significantly strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces.'

Another Putin super-weapon - the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile - also suffered a catastrophic event during a test in 2019 and is not yet operational.

The explosion at the test site comes as a Ukrainian kamikaze drone strike reportedly struck a Satan-2 nuclear missile, prompting an apocalyptic explosion on the weekend.

Apocalyptic explosions tore apart two massive Russian missile and ammunition storage depots on the weekend

A secret ammunition silo facility at Toropets in Tver region that housed one of the Russian President's nuke missiles was hit by Ukrainian drone, it was claimed on Saturday.

It allegedly happened just ten miles from an 'indestructible' 30,000 ton munitions storage site that had been obliterated last Wednesday.

The claim that the missile was destroyed came from a Russian Telegram channel and a news blackout intensified the rumour.

It was also claimed that another site, which is reported to house North Korean missiles supplied to Putin by Kim Jong Un, was hit.

Mushroom clouds and igniting shells lit up the night sky at this facility in the Russian town of Tikhoretsk in the Krasnodar region in a devastating pinpoint strike by Ukrainian kamikaze drones.
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Forecasters have warned of potential flooding and travel carnage across England today, as some places could see nearly five inches of rain.

An amber weather warning has been in place since 5am and will last until 9pm across Worcester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull.

Some places could see between 60mm and 80m (2.36in and 3.15in) of rain, and even up to 120mm (4.72in) in some locations, according to the Met Office.

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A pilot has died and another escaped with minor injuries after two vintage planes collided in mid-air just outside Los Angeles.

The fatal crash occurred early Sunday afternoon near Lancaster, California when a Yakovlev Yak 52 plane and Nanchang CJ-6A aircraft collided, KNBC reported.

It is unclear which plane was carrying the pilot who died, but authorities say that both were flying without any passengers.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a probe into the incident. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Authorities did not provide details about the condition of the surviving pilot.

A pilot has died and another escaped with minor injuries after two vintage planes collided in mid-air near Lancaster, California on Sunday afternoon. Pictured is one of the downed planes

The fatal crash occurred around 1.20pm when a Yakovlev Yak 52 plane and Nanchang CJ-6A aircraft collided. Authorities say that one of the planes made a crash landing

The two vintage planes were flying in the area of Lancaster around 1.20pm Sunday, 'possibly doing an aerobatic maneuver', when they collided and crashed, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told DailyMail.com.

One of the planes made a crash landing near the intersection of E. Avenue G and 60 Street East, authorities say.

The other plane landed roughly 15 minutes away near the intersection of W. Avenue F and 55th Street West.

'Both planes were painted to resemble World War II military aircraft. One plane had a tail number of N313YK. The other plane possibly had a partial tail number of N5287,' the department added in its statement.

Aero Bureau investigators, the Homicide Bureau and the coroner have been notified about the incident.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NTSB are travelling to the crash site and expected to arrive on scene Monday.

Officials will document the scene and inspect the aircraft. Afterwards, the airplanes will be recovered and transported to a 'secure facility' for 'further evaluation'.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a probe into the incident. The cause of the crash remains under investigation

The FFA issued a statement, saying: 'A single-engine Nanchang CJ-6 and single-engine Yakovlev Yak-52 collided in mid-air near Lancaster, California, around 1pm local time on Sunday, Sept. 22. Only the pilots were on board both aircraft.

'The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.'

An NTSB spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'NTSB is investigating the midair collision of a Yakovlev Yak 52 and Nanchang CJ-6A near Lancaster, California.

'An NTSB investigator is en route to the scene and is expected to arrive [Monday]. Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation.'

DailyMail.com has approached the LA County Fire Department for comment.
Devastating Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 100 people in Lebanon and injured more than 400, local authorities have reported, as warplanes continue to pound Hezbollah targets across the country.

The Israeli military says it has hit some 300 Hezbollah targets in a matter of hours, including a weapon which was identified as a Russian-made DR-3 missile, which they said was ready to be fired across the border.

Terrified residents in Beirut and elsewhere received calls and texts warning them to move away from Hezbollah targets, with Lebanon's information minister condemning the alerts as a tactic of 'psychological war implemented by the enemy'.

Lebanon's prime minister has accused Israel of waging 'a war of extermination', and urged the United Nations to intervene 'to deter the (Israeli) aggression', as the Middle East teeters on the edge of all-out conflict.

Huge plumes of smoke have been pictured at multiple sites deep into the country, with rockets fired at areas not previously hit by strikes and witnesses reporting intense bombing raids.

Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that the IDF was 'deepening' attacks in Lebanon and suggested that the situation would intensify, warning in a video message: 'These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure.'

Smoke rises from Israeli shelling on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre

Video shared by the IDF claims to show a strike on Hezbollah site, allegedly housing a DR-3 missile which was ready to be fired over the border

The IDF claims it identified a DR-3 cruise missile in a building which was then destroyed in an airstrike

A Lebanese man checks a message received on his mobile phone in Beirut on September 23, 2024, calling people to evacuate the areas 'where Hezbollah hides its weapons'

A man picks up students after some schools closed early, in Beirut, Lebanon

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, as seen from Burj Qallawiyah

A huge plume of smoke rises over buildings in Tyre, southern Lebanon, following an Israeli strike

People walk at a beach as smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes

Smoke rises over buildings in southern Lebanon amid the wave of airstrikes

Gallant further revealed on X this morning that he has provided his US counterpart with a 'situation assessment of Hezbollah threats and briefed him on IDF operations to degrade Hezbollah's ability to launch attacks against Israeli civilians.'

He added that the wider regional security situation and 'threats posed by Iran and its proxies' were also discussed.

The IDF issued a warning to residents of villages in southern Lebanon: 'If you are in or near a building that Hezbollah uses to store weapons or weapons, you must evacuate this building and move away from it immediately.

'Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives or the organization's weapons puts themselves in danger.'

Lebanon's PM Najib Mikati denounced Israel's 'destructive plan' at a cabinet meeting this morning.

'The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns,' he said.

He urged 'the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries... to deter the (Israeli) aggression'.

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre

Smoke billows from the site of Israeli airstrikes that targeted Lebanese villages, as seen from Marjaayoun, southern Lebanon

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Aramti, near the Lebanon-Israel border, on September 23, 2024

The country's health ministry has reported that 100 people have so far been killed in the strikes, while 400 have been injured, including women, children and paramedics.

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said that people in the capital were receiving Israeli phone warnings from 'the Israeli enemy, asking them to quickly evacuate where they are.'

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in an earlier statement that 'we advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety'.

Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on Kfar Rouman village, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Marjayoun, near the Lebanon-Israel border

Hagari told a media briefing Israel's military 'will engage in (more) extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon'.

Asked by reporters about a possible Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon, Hagari said 'we will do whatever is needed' in order to return evacuated residents of northern Israel to their homes safely, a war priority for the Israeli government.

He said that Hezbollah over the years has stashed weapons, including cruise missiles, in houses and buildings throughout southern Lebanon, and called on residents to stay away from these sites.

He presented in a media briefing an aerial video of what he described as Hezbollah operatives trying to launch cruise missiles from a civilian house in Lebanon, and the subsequent Israeli strike moments before it was launched.

'Hezbollah is endangering you. Endangering you and your families,' Hagari said.

An Israeli jet flies, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, as seen from northern Israel, September 23, 2024

A row of cars is seen outside Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport this morning as people were reportedly told to evacuate

Hezbollah has traded near daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces in support of Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack triggered the Gaza war.

Violence has spiked dramatically in recent days, and Israel and Hezbollah traded heavy fire over the weekend, raising fears of all-out war.

When asked whether a ground invasion of southern Lebanon could be imminent, a senior Israeli military official said that the IDF is 'currently focusing on Israel's aerial campaign only'.

Laying out Israel's aims in the campaign against Hezbollah, the official told journalists that it wants to degrade the militants' ability to fire rockets over the border as it has done for 11 months.

They reportedly added that it hopes to push Hezbollah fighters back from the border and destroy the group's infrastructure which the official said would be used to attack 'Israeli communities in the north, to massacre, murder, and kidnap Israeli civilians'.

The NNA earlier reported that there had been 'more than 80 air strikes in half an hour', targeting south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh district. It also reported strikes in the Tyre area.

At the same time, the NNA reported 'intense raids in the Bekaa' Valley in the east, deep inside Lebanon near the Syrian border, including in the vicinity of Baalbek and the outskirts of Hermel.

The NNA said the strikes in the east killed a 'civilian', a shepherd, 'and wounded two members of his family' and four others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in the United States to present his plan to end the war with Russia to Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Zelensky will present his proposals - which he calls a 'victory plan' - to the trio this week and press the case for Ukraine to use long-range missiles on targets inside Vladimir Putin's territory.

Kyiv for weeks has urged West to allow it to use the weapons to strike deeper into Russia, but the Biden administration is still not convinced that it should give Ukraine that authority.

US officials say they are seeking more detailed information about how Kyiv would use the weapons and how they fit into the broader strategy for the war.

Zelensky is expected to try to convince Biden to change his mind when they meet at the White House on Thursday.

The Ukrainian President, who landed in the US on Sunday, began his American tour by visiting a factory in Pennsylvania that produces badly needed 155mm artillery shells. He will next travel to New York and Washington.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) being welcomed by Maj. Gen. John T. Reim Jr. during a visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Sunday

President Zelensky is pictured speaking during his visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 22, 2024

'I began my visit to the United States by expressing my gratitude to all the employees at the plant,' Zelensky said Sunday in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The post included photos of him shaking hands with workers at the plant, where he said production had been ramped up.

'It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail,' he wrote.

The visit comes after a summer of intense fighting - with Moscow advancing fast in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv holding on to swathes of Russia's Kursk region.

Zelensky said the coming weeks would decide how more than 30 months of fighting that has killed thousands would end.

'It is now being determined what the legacy of the current generation of states leaders will be. Those in the highest offices,' he said.

In comments before his trip, Zelensky said the US and UK have not given Ukraine permission to use the long-range weapons as they fear escalation, but hinted he had not given up hope.

'We have had some decisions in the history of our relationship with Biden -- very interesting and difficult dialogues,' Zelensky said earlier this week, adding: 'He later changed his point of view.'

Moscow has said it considers such a go-ahead as NATO countries being 'at war' with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-L) speaking to the US delegation while at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 22, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) receives a tour of the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant by Rich Hansen, (L) the Commander's Representative at Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania, September 22, 2024

Zelensky (C) is pictured receiving a tour of the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant by Hansen (L) on Sunday, September 22, 2024

Hansen (left) speaks to Zelensky (right) during their tour of the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on Sunday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) poses for a photo with Scranton Army Ammunition Plant employees during his tour of the plant on Sunday

A close adviser to Biden said this month that the US leader would use his remaining time in office to 'put Ukraine in the best possible position to prevail.'

No details on Ukraine's plan have been made public.

Zelensky said Biden would be the first foreign leader to see the plan 'in full' - saying it will then also be presented to 'all leaders of our partner countries.'

The Ukrainian President plans to present the proposals to the US Congress, Harris and Trump.

The White House has said he will meet with Democratic Vice President Harris separately from Biden, and Zelensky has said he expects to meet with Republican Trump on Thursday or Friday.

Harris has indicated she would continue Biden's policies on Ukraine, while Trump has been hugely critical of Washington's massive aid packages for Kyiv.

Zelensky said earlier this week that the plan envisages that 'war will not return to us again in an even bigger wave' in years to come.

He has said Kyiv plans to hold meetings throughout autumn and that the 'entire plan' will be ready by 'early November.'

The proposals, he told the media Friday, envisage 'quick and concrete steps by our strategic partners.'

One of those steps, he said, is 'related to strengthening Ukraine's weapons capabilities' while another demands a 'clear place for Ukraine in the world's security architecture'.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine early Monday, September 23, 2024

A view of the damage after a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine early Monday morning

Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of the overnight shelling of a residential building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on September 23, 2024

Zelensky has also said he plans to invite Russia to a possible second international peace summit in November.

But Moscow this weekend said it would not attend and referred to President Putin's conditions to enter talks: that Ukraine surrender four of its regions.

'I think both are still betting on the possibility of a military victory,' UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told CNN Sunday.

Russian attacks on Ukraine killed six people - including two children - this weekend, while a strike on the city of Kharkiv wounded 21 people in a residential neighborhood.

Ukraine said it struck two arms depots in Russia, with Kyiv's army saying it hit a key ammunition storage base important to the Russian army's logistics for its invasion.
Dozens of Tesco products the supermarket has price-matched to Aldi such as chicken nuggets and blackcurrant squash are not like-for-like, it was claimed today.

Some items at Tesco were found to contain less of their main ingredient compared to Aldi equivalents, according to a BBC Panorama investigation due to air tonight.

Tesco's chicken nuggets contained 39 per cent chicken compared to 60 per cent in the Aldi version, while its chicken kievs had 44 per cent chicken compared to Aldi's 57 per cent, the research for 'Supermarket Deals: How Good Are They?' claimed.

Tesco's chilli con carne allegedly had 15 per cent beef compared to Aldi's 27 per cent. The study found that 38 out of 122 Tesco products examined had at least five percentage points less of the main ingredient than the Aldi price-matched products.

Some 12 Tesco products were found to have more of the main ingredient, according to the study which was carried out last month.

Consumer expert Kate Hardcastle described the study's findings as an example of 'value engineering' where the quantities of ingredients are changed to cut the price.

How Tesco price-matched products compare to Aldi items Chicken kievs Tesco: 44% chicken

Aldi: 57% chicken Cottage pie Tesco: 18% beef

Aldi: 25% beef Chicken nuggets Tesco: 39% chicken

Aldi: 60% chicken Chilli con carne can Tesco: 15% beef

Aldi: 27% beef Apple and blackcurrant squash Tesco: 6% fruit juices f/concentrate

Aldi: 20% fruit juices f/concentrate Advertisement

She said: 'It's only when you flip it over and look at that tiny, tiny, font size to see you're not getting the same deal.'

But Tesco claimed it constantly reviewed the quality of its products and had clear processes in place to ensure its price-match products were comparable to Aldi.

It also said a higher proportion of any one ingredient did not necessarily mean it was better quality, adding that the quality of individual ingredients and the production methods should also be taken into account.

The five Aldi price-matched products found to have the largest difference in the proportion of their main ingredient were chicken nuggets (chicken), chicken kievs (chicken), chilli con carne (beef), cottage pies (beef), and apple and blackcurrant squash (fruit juices).

While Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons also offer Aldi price-matched products, the study said it did not find clear evidence of a pattern of consistent differences in the amounts of main ingredients in their items compared with the discounter's equivalents.

A Tesco spokesman told MailOnline: 'Since we launched our Aldi Price Match four years ago it has proved very popular with customers.

'We constantly review the quality of our products, and we have clear processes in place to ensure that the hundreds of products that are included are comparable with those sold at Aldi.'

And an Aldi spokesman said: 'We have always said that the full-price supermarkets can try to match us on quality or price, but never both. The only place shoppers can get Aldi prices on high quality products is at Aldi.'

Tesco claimed in response to the study that it constantly reviewed the quality of its products

The Aldi price-matched products found to have the largest difference in the proportion of their main ingredient were chicken nuggets, chicken kievs and chilli con carne

It comes after a separate study by Which? found consumers who buy their food at convenience stores could be paying up to a fifth more than at larger branches of the same supermarket.

The consumer group compared the cost of 42 popular grocery items at convenience chains Morrisons Daily, Sainsbury's Local and Tesco Express against prices at their full-sized supermarkets on three occasions in June and July, also checking loyalty scheme discounts.

It found the biggest price difference for the basket was at Morrisons Daily, where shoppers paid 21 per cent more on average for the same groceries than at a Morrisons supermarket.

The total cost of the basket of groceries at Morrisons Daily averaged 16 more, which could set consumers back a total of 832 more over the course of the year if they bought the same products once a week, Which? warned.

Panorama - Supermarket Deals: How Good Are They? Will be broadcast on BBC One tonight at 8pm (8.30pm in Northern Ireland). It is also available on iPlayer
Does a night out consisting of craft beer, small plates of food, DJ sets and a good book sound appealing to you?

No, you have not read that wrong, a page-turning novel was on that list. Whilst older generations may see reading as a more introverted activity, it is rapidly becoming an essential part of a Gen-Z night out.

More and more young people are ditching the traditional clubs and bars and instead heading out to their local late-night libraries to blow off steam.

These new establishments are looking to cash-in on the resurgence of reading as a popular hobby - offering a selection of books alongside locally brewed ale, cocktails and live music.

The venues - found in places such as London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow - also run a number of book launching events and workshops, as popular BookTok authors carry out live readings of their work in a bookshop meets bar environment.

Young people have been seen enjoying books and booze whilst at a Book Club Scotland event in Glasgow

More and more young people are ditching the traditional clubs and bars and instead heading out to their local late-night libraries to blow off steam (pictured: The Bookish Babe Book Club event)

The venues also run a number of book launching events and workshops, which sees readings and talks carried out by popular BookTok authors in a bookshop meets bar environment

One of these locations is Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds, which provides people with both a space for watching up-and-coming musicians and comedians, whilst they browse for something to read.

Punters can be seen on the site's social media pages enjoying a book or some vegan food, as they are surrounded by plants in the trendy, intimate space which runs as a bookshop, bar and home for an independent record label.

In Manchester, people are encouraged to 'cometh read books & listen to records & drink wine' at P3 Annihilation Eve.

Described online as a 'cultural shop and drinking stop', the site is a library fused with a record shop, with DJs playing until midnight on weekends and a 'reading conclave' for people to enjoy some food while reading.

Meanwhile, London's fashionable crowds are arriving in their droves to Reference.Point to browse rare artwork and iconic magazines from the nineties as they sip on cocktails and listen to DJs or talks from poets, authors and BookTok influencers.

All of these venues also host regular book club nights as well, where reading enthusiasts fill these spaces to discussing their latest read with other like-minded people and tuck into some tasty food and drink.

The growth in late-night libraries and reading in general among young people is largely credited to BookTok - a subcommunity on the app TikTok that focuses on books and literature.

Creators make videos reviewing, discussing, and joking about the books they read - with more than 32 million posts and more than 167 billion views on the platform.

All of these venues also host regular book club nights as well , where reading enthusiasts are seen discussing their latest read with other people whilst enjoying some food and drink

The growth in late-night libraries and reading in general among young people is largely credited to BookTok - a subcommunity on the app TikTok that focuses on books and literature

A book's popularity on TikTok can now be make-or-break for how many sales it achieves (pictured: An author speaks during The Bookish Babe Book Club event)

Hyde Park Book Club (pictured) in Leeds provides both a space for watching up-and-coming musicians and comedians, whilst also browsing for something to read

In Manchester, people are encouraged to 'Cometh read books & listen to records & drink wine' at P3 Annihilation Eve

A book's popularity on TikTok can now be make-or-break for how many sales it achieves.

Popular BookTok books often feature the 'romantasy' genre - a combination of romance and fantasy - such as books by Sarah J. Maas.

In July last year, Rebecca Yarros' Iron Flame became Waterstones' fastest-selling pre-ordered title in history, after the first book in the series went viral on TikTok.

The owners of Notting Hill Bookshop in London said their sales were up '100 per cent' since the pandemic - which they attributed to social media.

With over 167 billion views on TikTok, reviews and recommendations in the global BookTok community have inspired Gen Zs to ditch their screens in favour of a good old-fashioned book.
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Rachel Reeves has promised to unveil a Budget with 'real ambition' to help rebuild Britain in a conference speech that was marred by Gaza protesters who heckled the Chancellor over arms sales to Israel.

Ms Reeves was momentarily derailed by disquiet in the crowd in Liverpool when one man stood up to criticise the government over the selling weapons but insisted Labour was no longer a party of protest.

The Chancellor announced Labour would launch a new industrial strategy and look to claw back public money from Covid contracts as she insisted Britain's best days lay ahead.

Our live coverage has now ended but for a full recap see below
A traumatised Ukrainian PoW has reportedly been left unable to speak or show emotion after he was electrocuted while being held in a hellhole gulag in Russia.

Yuri Hulchuk, 23, was electrocuted through his genitals by a notorious Russian torturer named Dr Evil after being captured in the war in 2022.

He faced regular beatings by guards, with stun guns used on his legs so often he became almost paralysed.

Even after his release from the gulag, he is so traumatised he barely responded to his mother, doctor Milana Kompaniiets, when he finally reunited with her after more than two years in Russian hands.

Footage shows the pair hugging, with Hulchuk's mother telling him: 'We love you, we really love you. Without you, we didn't have a life. You are our sun, our joy, our pride, our love.' But Hulchuk tragically didn't respond due to the torture he suffered.

This is the moment a traumatised Ukrainian PoW left unable to speak after he was electrocuted is reunited with his mother after two years in a hellhole gulag in Russia. Yuri Hulchuk, 23, was electrocuted through his genitals by a notorious Russian torturer named Dr Evil after being captured in the war

A tortured marine Yuri Hulchuk, 23, returned to Ukraine after over two years in captivity in Russia where he reprotedly lost the ability to speak and show emotion

Even after his release from the gulag, he is so traumatised he barely responded to his mother, doctor Milana Kompaniiets (pictured), when he finally reunited with her after more than two years in Russian hands

Footage shows the pair hugging, with Hulchuk's mother telling him: 'We love you, we really love you. Without you, we didn't have a life. You are our sun, our joy, our pride, our love'

Kompaniiets had spent two years searching for evidence her linguist son was alive after he vanished in the April 2022 fall of the Illich steel plant in Mariupol.

Eventually, she found a photograph of PoWs in Russia where she recognised his changed face.

Then she found from exchanged prisoners that he was alive, but also heard about how he had been horrifically tortured.

She personally met those freed in exchanges by Russia and eventually found a Ukrainian national guardsman who had shared a cell with her son in a harsh penal colony in Moldavia.

'We talked every day for hours. I learned things that I, as a mother, shouldn't have known,' she said.

Her son was beaten relentlessly until he could no longer speak, according to the Media Initiative for Human Rights in Ukraine.

'I think [he suffered] a stroke from the beating,' she said. 'My son spoke English, Chinese, and Polish fluently and was very talkative, and after all that, not being able to speak'

Kompaniiets rested her head on her hands. 'They used electric shocks on his genitals, and his legs were paralysed. When I found out, all I could do was cry and scream.'

She said: 'I never understood why Ronald Reagan called the Soviet Union the 'evil empire. Now we all understand.

BEFORE AND AFTER: Pictures show Hulchuk before he was captured by Russian forces, left, and right, after two years in captivity

Kompaniiets (right) had spent two years searching for evidence her linguist son was alive after he vanished in the April 2022 fall of the Illich steel plant in Mariupol

Eventually, she found a photograph of PoWs in Russia where she recognised his changed face

Her son (right) had insisted on leaving university and joining the 36th Marine Brigade against her wishes, she said

'In Russia, they are extracting the animal from people. They want to eliminate all of humanity.'

Her son had insisted on leaving university and joining the 36th Marine Brigade against her wishes, she said.

When she saw his picture he was 'a complete stranger to me' after the horrors he had faced.

His cellmate confirmed her son had been picked out for brutal torture.

'The boys tried to talk to him, but he could not say a word,' she said.

'I don't know if his speech centre is impaired or something [is wrong] with the muscles of his mouth or throat.'

He was eventually exchanged on September 14, 'but due to the beatings, he lost the use of his legs, and he also lost his speech and emotions,' said a report.

'Yury does not respond to his mother.'

Yet when he was first released, while he could not speak, he managed to type on a smart phone during a call to his mother, saying: 'Mama is as beautiful as always.'

He said his father was 'as grey haired as before'.

Before the war, he spoke three foreign languages fluently and was studying to be a Chinese translator.
The family of a top cop knocked down in an alleged hit-and-run have revealed how close they came to losing him during his first night in hospital.

Detective Senior Constable Greg McDougall, 46, was trying to approach the driver of a Toyota Hilux during a police operation when he was allegedly struck and dragged by the vehicle in Belmont in Perth's east last Friday.

The father-of-three was critically injured after the driver allegedly accelerated away' near the intersection of Stanton Road and Epsom Avenue.

He sustained 15 broken ribs, a broken arm and a fractured ankle.

His family provided a update on Monday, sharing a photo of Detective McDougall lying in a hospital bed covered in bandages and tubes- including one to help him breathe.

Despite his battered body looking worse for wear, he managed to give a brave smile and a thumbs up for the camera.

Chris McDougall revealed that his twin brother had been through a 'hell of a lot'.

'When we first found out we didnt think it was as serious as it was, until we got to the hospital (and) he was getting blood transfusions,' he told reporters on Monday.

Detective Greg McDougall, 46, (pictured in hospital) was allegedly struck and dragged by a vehicle he was approaching

The detective's twin brother Chris said although it was 'touch and go' he has gotten stronger and is the family's 'Superman' (pictured Greg McDougall)

'It was touch and go on Friday night ... that was our biggest concern.

'Getting through the night and then Saturday, once they got him stabilised, he seemed to get a lot better every time he woke up.'

Chris said his brother was getting stronger and gives his family members a thumbs up every time they visit him in hospital.

The family 'Superman' will spend the next 3-6 months in recovery in what will be a 'tough journey'

But his brother insists Detective McDougall has the support not just of his family, but his 'blue family' as well.

The first thing he asked in hospital was whether if the suspect had been caught.

His brother said it made the father-of-three's day to know the driver had been arrested and charged.

Described as having a 'positive mindset', Detective McDougall has also welcomed the many messages of support he's been inundated with.

He's now looking forward to a family holiday in Bali in December and hopes to return to the police force, despite the ordeal.

The father-of-three was treated at the scene (pictured) before being rushed to hospital. His injuries include 15 broken ribs, a broken arm and a fractured ankle

The detective (pictured) has months of rehabilitation ahead but has a 'positive mindset' and the support of his family and his 'blue family'

While brother-in-law Fabian Dawson described Detective McDougall as a 'bloody tough guy', the incident had been devastating for everyone in his family, 7 News reported.

Western Australia Police searched the Hilux and allegedly found one kilo of methamphetamine - which has a street value of $1 million, The West Australian reported.

Police claim after the driver allegedly sped off and crashed in Bellevue, he fled on foot before he was caught and arrested.

Stoneville man Brenden Ross Green, 37, was charged with aggravated dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, failing to report an incident, failing to stop and ensure assistance and reckless driving.

Police have since searched properties in Ascot, Woodbridge and Stoneville and allege more drugs were uncovered during the raids.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner beams as she drinks whisky through a straw while posing for pictures taken by her 'vanity photographer'.

The lighthearted image captured on a visit to Scotland sits alongside more serious shots of her hard at work in the short weeks since Labour won the election taken by Simon Walker.

She is shown meeting her Pakistani counterpart, hosting a Make Work Pay breakfast meeting and visiting a John Lewis department store with London mayor Sadiq Khan in other glossy PR photos.

The Mail today revealed Ms Rayner, who has been mired in controversy over freebies from Labour donors and could face a sleaze inquiry, has risked a fresh storm over Mr Walker's appointment on a salary of 68,000.

He has been given the title of chief photographer to the Deputy PM and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. He previously worked as Rishi Sunak's chief photographer.

Labour officials have denied that it amounted to recruiting a 'vanity photographer' for the Deputy PM, something Ms Rayner condemned while in opposition.

In 2021, when Boris Johnson was PM, she said: 'The public will be rightly questioning why there is apparently no limit on the money that can be found to pay for a coterie of vanity photographers for the Prime Minister.'

Ms Rayner on a visit to the Johnnie Walker Whisky Experience in Edinburgh in August, where 'she met senior business leaders, discussed the importance of the whisky industry to Scotland and was shown around the experience'

Ms Rayner and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan with John Lewis executive director Peter Ruis and deputy branch manager Melissa Lidder in London earlier this month

At the Foreign Office with High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Pakistan Jane Marriott, the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK Dr Mohammad Faisal

With Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds at a Make Work Pay Business Breakfast meeting with business leaders in 10 Downing Street

In 2021, when Boris Johnson was PM, she said: 'The public will be rightly questioning why there is apparently no limit on the money that can be found to pay for a coterie of vanity photographers for the Prime Minister.'

Mr Walker previously worked in No 10 as chief photographer to Rishi Sunak.

This morning Chancellor Rachel Reeves insisted he was not Ms Rayner's 'personal photographer'.

She told Times Radio: 'All government departments under all governments have press officers and communications budgets. It's not a personal photographer.'

And the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the photographer had been hired to chronicle the work of the department, not just Ms Rayner.

'Many government departments employ official photographers to share the work of the department and ministers with the public,' the department said.

'This is a civil service role and will be part of MHCLG's communications team.'

But Tory shadow paymaster general John Glen said: 'This is just the latest in a long line of Labour ministers saying one thing and then doing another.

'Labour's promise to cut the size of the government spin bill was nothing more than empty words, they'd rather spend taxpayers' money on their own vanity projects than on keeping pensioners warm this winter.

'After scrapping Conservative plans to slim down civil service headcount, Labour should stop pretending that their decision to cut the winter fuel allowance was anything other than a political choice.'

In Downing Street earlier this month

At the first Make Work Pay meeting

Mr Walker was previously Rishi Sunak's chief photographer when he was prime minister, and photographed him leaving No10 after his election defeat in July

At the end of August Ms Rayner took a photographer when she visited the scene of a residential fire in Dagenham East London, meeting 'firefighters and other key responders'

Ms Reeves was asked on BBC Breakfast whether the hire was a waste of public money and said the Government had committed to reducing the size of its communications budget, but reiterated that all departments have media officers and photographers.

'Not for individual politicians but to support the policy work, the campaigning work, the initiatives of Government departments, to help Government departments do their jobs.

'This is not to support Angela Rayner as a Labour Party politician. This is to support the ministry for housing, communities and local government.'

Starting out as a freelancer in 1987, Mr Walker worked as a photographer for the Daily Express and The Times, before becoming news picture editor at The Times in 2004.

After leaving the picture desk at Reuters in 2018 he moved briefly towards consultancy work before joining HMRC at the end of 2019, and then moving to the Treasury.

Mr Rayner has been reported to the parliamentary standards commissioner accused of failing to properly declare a stay in a New York apartment.

In the letter to the watchdog yesterday, the Conservatives say the Deputy Prime Minister may have broken the rules by not admitting she was staying with former MP and her ex-boyfriend Sam Tarry.

Ms Rayner insisted yesterday she correctly declared the five days in the lavish $2.5million (1.8million) Manhattan apartment gifted to her by donor Lord Alli.

In the letter to the watchdog yesterday, the Conservatives say the Deputy Prime Minister may have broken the rules by not admitting she was staying with former MP and her ex-boyfriend Sam Tarry (pictured in March 2023)

Ms Rayner insisted yesterday she correctly declared the five days in the lavish $2.5million (1.8million) Manhattan apartment gifted to her by donor Lord Alli (pictured)

But while she registered the trip, she failed to mention that Mr Tarry stayed with her, in what the Tories say is a breach of the House of Commons code of conduct.

She and Mr Tarry stayed in the apartment  which has a roof deck, courtyard and fitness suite  from December 29 to January 2 this year, The Sunday Times reported.

The building's website describes it as being at the heart of the theatre district with 'incredible views' over the Hudson river and New Jersey. The two-bedroom 1,300 sq ft property was lent to Ms Rayner by the Labour donor at the centre of the row over gifts to the PM and his wife.

She says that Lord Alli  who has given her more than 50,000 over the past four years  is primarily a personal friend but she chose to report the stay because he was also a donor to her political activities.

The parliamentary commissioner for standards investigates potential non-compliance with the MPs' code of conduct and can order members to update their register or issue an apology to the Commons.

According to the parliamentary register of interests, Ms Rayner was given a flat as accommodation for five nights to enjoy a 'personal holiday' in New York.

The rules say MPs must declare foreign trips which they, or anyone connected to them, undertake if a donor pays for 'part or all' of it as a result of their 'parliamentary or political activities'.

Ms Rayner's team claim that she did not need to declare that Mr Tarry, the former Ilford South MP, had joined her because Lord Alli was not aware that he had.
The youngest of 50 men accused of raping a French woman who was drugged by her husband first visited the house of horrors on the day his daughter was born, a court has heard.

Joan Kwai, 26, is giving evidence today along with six other men accused of rape - Andy Rodriguez, 37, Hugues Malago, 39, Husamettin Dogan, 43, Mathieu Dartus, 53, and Fabien Sotton, 39.

Judge Roger Arata ruled last week that the 50 accused will be divided up into four tranches and heard in groups of six to try and reduce numbers in court.

Retired electrician Dominique Pelicot, 71, is accused of drugging his unsuspecting wife Gisele, also 71, for almost ten years so the men could rape and abuse her.

Mrs Pelicot has become a symbol of rape victims in France and has bravely waived her anonymity for the trial which has grabbed headlines around the world.

Gisele Pelicot has become a symbol of rape victims in France and has bravely waived her anonymity for the trial

Dominique Pelicot, who has allegedly drugged and raped his wife Gisele Pelicot, appears during his trial with 50 co-accused at the courthouse in Avignon, France, September 17, 2024

Kwai, the first of the accused to give evidence today, has been described by prosecutors as a man with depressive tendencies.

He was born in French Guiana and moved to join his brother in Avignon when he was 16, before enlisting in the army.

He was in a relationship with a woman he met on the internet, but their time together was marked by 'numerous' conflicts and 'extramarital relations', the court heard.

The father was only 23 when he was arrested at the army barracks where he was serving.

He first went to the house in November 2019, the day his daughter was born.

He then went back another time, and admits to having set off for a third visit, which Dominique Pelicot cancelled at the last minute.

In front of the investigators, he first stated that he had not asked himself the question of whether Mrs Pelicot had consented.

Then, confronted with the photos, he admitted that she was unconscious and that it was a rape.

At the beginning of the trial, he said he 'recognised the facts, but not the intention'.

Fourteen of the men on trial have admitted their part in the horrific case, while the rest deny the charges insisting, they were 'duped as part of a plot' by the couple.

Eighteen men are in custody and as usual since the case began Mrs Pelicot was greeted by warm applause as she entered the court building in Avignon, southern France.

Gisele Pelicot (C) acknowledges applause by members of the public as she arrives at the courthouse of Avignon during the trial

While those on bail  who include a carpenter, builder, retired firefighter, council worker, prison officer and journalist  were met with boos and jeers.

Extra security has been drafted in for the trial after one of the accused jostled a French TV crew as they filmed him, and it needed a lawyer to step in and calm the situation.

The attacks took place in the couple's rented home in the picturesque village of Mazan, 40 minutes away in the Provence countryside close to the iconic Mt Ventoux.

Pelicot was eventually arrested in September 2020 after security staff spotted him upskirting four women at a supermarket in Carpentras a few minutes from Mazan.

A search of his home revealed thousands of photos of his wife in a computer file marked 'Abuse' and prosecutors say he sedated his wife between 2011 and 2020 so that dozens of men could rape her.

In a separate case, Pelicot has been charged with raping and murdering a 23-year-old estate agent in Paris in 1991

Dominique Pelicot is accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over 10 years

Detectives have listed a total of 92 rapes committed on Mrs Pelicot by 82 men of whom 51 including her husband have been identified.

Pelicot is said to have sedated his wife by putting Temesta into her evening meal.

In a separate case, Pelicot has been charged with raping and murdering a 23-year-old estate agent in Paris in 1991.

The former electrician - who is sitting in a wheelchair surrounded by prison guards for the hearing - has also admitted one rape in 1999, after DBNA testing linked him to the case.

Officials expect the case to last until December.
Many are warning that violence in the region is reaching untenable levels

Israel intensified the conflict in the Middle East to new levels today, killing more than 180 people in Lebanon in the latest attacks since military officials declared a 'new phase' of war against Hezbollah had begun last week.

On Tuesday, Mossad is thought to have orchestrated one of the most psychologically damaging clandestine attacks in recent memory, injuring thousands of Hezbollah members with exploding pagers and radios across two days.

Then on Friday, the IDF delivered a punishing strike that eliminated a top Hezbollah commander along with some 37 other militiamen and civilians, before continuing aerial bombardments over the weekend and into this morning.

Lebanon's health ministry this afternoon declared 274 people have been killed and at least 1,024 injured so far today alone, prompting officials to accuse Jerusalem of carrying out an 'extermination'.

But Israel's hawkish defence minister Yoav Gallant and IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari say they 'will do whatever is needed' to cripple Hezbollah's military capabilities and allow displaced residents from Israel's northern territories to return home safely.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah has vowed to continue fighting until a ceasefire in Gaza is agreed upon, with deputy leader Naim Qassem declaring the group is now entering 'an open-ended battle of reckoning' with Israel.

These developments have led many analysts to caution that violence in the region is now approaching untenable levels, raising the prospect of an all-out war between Israel and its numerous foes.

Now, MailOnline examines how Israel may fare in a full-scale conflict with its key adversaries and speaks to experts to determine whether such a devastating regional war could materialise.

Rescuers sift through the rubble as they search for people still missing at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Marjayoun, near the Lebanon-Israel border, on September 23, 2024

Hezbollah and Israel last engaged in a major conflict in 2006, when a month-long battle ended in a draw. But the risks of a new war that could spread violence across the region are now far greater.

Lebanon has struggled with years of political and economic crises that left it indebted, without a stable electricity supply, a proper banking system and with rampant poverty - yet Hezbollah has evolved into a much graver military threat than it was 18 years ago.

Hezbollah in 2006 reportedly had some 15,000 rockets in its arsenal, 'but more recent unofficial estimates suggest this number has multiplied by almost 10 times,' said Dina Arakji, associate analyst at UK-based risk consultancy firm Control Risks.

Israel's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) corroborates that assessment, estimating that the group's arsenal counts 150,000 to 200,000 rockets, including 'hundreds' of precision missiles and thousands of drones.

Hezbollah also boasts a range of anti-tank and anti-air systems, a fleet of thousands of drones, and dozens of tanks and armoured vehicles, and claims to have up to 100,000 active fighters - though INSS estimates the number is more likely 25,000 to 50,000.

And, like Hamas, Hezbollah has an extensive tunnel network along the Lebanese-Israeli border which serves as a strategic asset for clandestine movement, storage, and guerrilla warfare.

Grad rocket systems are seen in this Hezbollah training footage

Fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah carry out a training exercise in Aaramta village in the Jezzine District, southern Lebanon, Sunday, May 21, 2023

Ultimately, Israel's military capability is still superior.

It has long been supported by the US with $3.3 billion in congressionally mandated annual funding, plus another $500 million toward missile defence technology that protects its skies from rockets and drones. The Jewish state also spends more than 5 per cent of its GDP on the IDF.

While Jerusalem would assuredly emerge victorious thanks to its technological capabilities and raw numeric advantage in terms of firepower and manpower, Hezbollah would be able to inflict massive damage.

Its terrifying missile and drone arsenal is large enough to quickly overwhelm Israel's air defences if deployed in earnest, and the thousands upon thousands of Hezbollah fighters that could stream into northern Israel would be continuously supported by well-established air and ground supply routes from its chief backer Iran via Iraq and Syria.

Such a war would also spell disaster for civilians in both Israel and Lebanon - particularly citizens of the latter, many of whom have long been mired in poverty.

UN agencies estimate an 'uncontrolled conflict' between Israel and Hezbollah would displace up to one million people - almost a fifth of Lebanon's population - and the country is already reliant on meagre stockpiles of food and fuel.

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN's special coordinator for Lebanon, warned on Monday: 'With the region on the brink of an imminent catastrophe, it cannot be overstated enough: there is NO military solution that will make either side safer.'

But should Israel and Hezbollah press ahead with rampant military action and descend into a full-scale conflict, Jerusalem may be forced to contend with attacks from its chief adversary - Iran.

Pagers used by Hezbollah members for vital communications exploded on Tuesday, injuring thousands. On Wednesday, radios and walkie-talkies, like the one pictured in the hand of the man standing over the victim here, also exploded

The Islamic Republic is the chief backer and financier of both Hezbollah and Hamas and represents Israel's greatest threat.

It has already launched one serious strike on Israel since October 7, sending a salvo of some 200 missiles and drones soaring towards Israeli targets in April following an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria.

Almost all of those projectiles were intercepted by Israel's air defence systems, and analysts at the time largely agreed the Iranian attack was merely symbolic - designed to display Tehran's willingness for military engagement without causing real damage.

But on July 31, former Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated as he lay in his bed hours after attending the inauguration of Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.

Israel never took credit for the explosion which killed the Palestinian group's leader in the Iranian capital, but Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed to take revenge.

Messaging from the Islamic Republic has since been mixed, with diplomats claiming Iran is not seeking an escalation of tensions while simultaneously warning that Israel would not escape retribution for the explosion in Tehran.

With Hezbollah now being subjected to a brutal assault by the IDF, Tehran may be more inclined to come to its defence.

Hezbollah is often referred to as the 'jewel in the crown' of Iran's Axis of Resistance that encompasses the Lebanese group; Hamas; the Houthi movement in Yemen; various Shi'ite armed groups in Iraq; and Syria.

Israeli and Iranian ground forces are fairly well matched, with the Islamic Republic enjoying an advantage in terms of manpower and the variety of their artillery systems.

But any meaningful direct conflict between the two is likely to take the form of aerial assaults by air forces, missiles and drones, given their considerable geographic separation.

Iranian state television screening showed what it claimed was the launch of the first missile to be sent towards Israel in April

The Islamic Republic has already launched one serious strike on Israel since October 7, sending a salvo of some 200 missiles and drones soaring towards Israeli targets in April

Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defence system over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel on August 23, 2024

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) certainly has the upper hand over its adversary, flying the very best US-manufactured combat aircraft including the formidable F-35 stealth fighter-bomber, and F-15 and F-16 fighter jets specifically designed according to IAF requirements.

It is also believed to have more combat aircraft at its disposal, outstripping the Islamic Republic of Iran's Air Force (IRIAF) which is made up of older generation F-14 Tomcat fighters, Iranian-manufactured jets based on the aged US F-4 and F-5 series planes, and an assortment of Russian and Chinese manufactured combat aircraft.

But the real Iranian threat is its array of missiles and highly capable drones - undoubtedly the most numerous and diverse in the Middle East - which could be used to deal punishing strikes on Israel.

The Islamic Republic has thousands upon thousands of long-range and precision-guided missiles alongside hundreds of thousands of mid-range cruise missiles.

This appears to be the worst-case scenario feared by Israeli defence experts - a coordinated attack in which Iran, Hezbollah and other allies launch wave after wave of missile and drone strikes that overwhelm Israel's air defences and devastate towns and cities.

But many analysts say that terrifying prospect is unlikely for two key reasons.

Wyn Bowen, Professor of International Security at King's College London's Department of War Studies, told MailOnline that Iran would most probably face an uncontrollable response from Israel backed by the might of the US military, should it decide to launch a major aerial assault.

'Any direct retaliation from Iranian soil against targets on Israeli territory would risk retaliation directly against Iran... It could draw in the US militarily - an extremely high-risk roll of the dice for Tehran.

'It has been widely reported of course that Tehran wants to avoid such a direct conflict with Israel and the US. This is likely because the Iranian leadership knows that it might be very difficult for it to control the national and regional repercussions of such a development,' he concluded.

Retired US Army Colonel Jonathan Sweet and security expert Mark Toth added that Israel could seek to deploy its nuclear weapons should it be faced with a full-scale direct strike from Iran.

'Any such hit could see Israel deploying one or all of its long-range assets. F-35 stealth fighter-bombers, precision deep-strike ICBMs and/or the Israeli's nuclear equipped submarines.

'The US is highly likely to respond with a direct hit on Iran potentially using the full array of military assets  cruise missiles, B-52 bombers, subs, and carrier and/or land-based fighter-bombers. In this scenario, this attack would likely be closely coordinated with Israel, if not performed jointly.'

In an attempt to ward off an Iranian attack, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last month ordered two aircraft carrier strike groups - the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Theodore Roosevelt - to deploy to the Middle East.

An Air Force F-22 Raptor squadron also arrived in the region along with cruise missile submarine USS Georgia.

An Israeli Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft flies over during an air show in Tel Aviv on April 26, 2023. The F-35 comes equipped with state-of-the-art radar systems, avionics and electronic warfare capabilities

Tehran is the chief backer of both Hamas and Hezbollah - but these are just some of the powerful militias that have been propped up by Iranian money, weapons and military training in recent decades

A missile is launched during a military exercise in an undisclosed location in the south of Iran, in this handout image obtained on January 19, 2024

Prior to the fateful October 7 attacks, Hamas is believed to have had some 20,000-30,000 fighters making up the ranks of its militarised wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam brigades.

The militia was well stocked with all manner of small arms and heavy weapons obtained from across the Middle East - particularly Iran, Syria and Libya - and is thought to have had some 30,000 short and medium-range rockets at its disposal.

Now, after almost one year of intense fighting and widespread destruction in Gaza at the hands of the IDF, Hamas' military capabilities will have been considerably weakened.

Varying estimates given this summer said somewhere between 9,000-12,000 Hamas fighters remain active in Gaza, with their tactics having shifted to selective attacks and guerrilla-style warfare, according to eyewitnesses in Gaza and various analysts.

Israel's deployment of troops in the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt has also served to crack down on smuggling efforts to resupply Hamas fighters via their intricate tunnel network.

This means that in the short term, Hamas is unlikely to be able to mount any kind of damaging offensive against Israeli positions.

But its capacity to continue waging guerrilla-style attacks, including bombings, bombings and suicide attacks on Israeli troops in Gaza remains.

Meanwhile, its extensive tunnel network suggests Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups could feasibly attempt another operation on Israel soil, and its remaining stockpile of missiles and rockets could deal significant damage to Israeli targets if launched as part of a coordinated aerial strike with Hezbollah and Iranian assets.

Footage shows Hamas fighters holding RPGs as they train ahead of the October 7 operation into Israel

Palestinian militants from Hamas ride on a truck with their weapons. They are seen holding an AK-47 assault rifle and an RPG

Palestinian Hamas militants ride on a truck as they display a rocket during an anti-Israel rally in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip May 28, 2021

Though Iran and Hezbollah undoubtedly present the main threats to Israel's security, there are several other members of Iran's so-called Axis of Resistance that could be implicated in a wider conflict.

The heavily armed Houthi rebel group - a Shi'ite militia backed by Iran - stormed to prominence in Yemen in 2014 and has cemented 10 years of strict rule over roughly two-thirds of the country's suffering population.

Its leaders vowed to come to Hamas' defence following Israel's retaliation to the October 7 attacks and began targeting a slew of Israel and Western-affiliated cargo ships and oil tankers in the Red Sea with drones, missiles and in some cases armed boarding parties.

They have also fired a small number of missiles and drones at Israel directly, with one drone in July killing a man and wounding four others in Tel Aviv.

Israel should expect more strikes in the future 'as we approach the first anniversary of the October 7 operation,' Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said earlier this month.

Meanwhile, a number of other Iran-backed militia groups across Iraq and Syria have limited capabilities to launch strikes against Israeli targets, with Hezbollah maintaining a strong footprint in Syria from which it could launch attacks on Israel's northeast.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) - an umbrella group of various Iran-backed Shi'ite militia forces - announced yesterday it had launched drones at IDF targets in the Israeli-occupied Jordan Valley, and vowed to escalate its attacks as the anniversary of October 7 approaches.

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Aramti, near the Lebanon-Israel border, on September 23, 2024

A member of the Israeli security forces stands guard inside a cordoned-off area in Kiryat Bialik in the Haifa district of Israel, targeted by a reported strike by Lebanon's Hezbollah on September 22, 2024

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024

Former Israeli intelligence official and leading regional analyst Avi Melamed told MailOnline that Israel's attacks on Hezbollah in the past week have pushed the conflict into a new phase and removed any room for manoeuvre.

'After 11 months of constant daily crossfire between Hezbollah and Israel, Israel has in a single week completely restored its deterrence against Hezbollah.

'We are at a pivotal moment in both the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, but also the war between Israel and Iran, where the regime must make a choice: risk it all or step back from the brink.

'Within the realm of diplomatic solutions, a positive result for Israel could be Iran pressuring Hamas leaders to accept the ceasefire deal on the table, return the hostages, and end the war in Gaza.

'Another option could be for Hezbollah to bifurcate itself from the conflict in Gaza and enter into a separate diplomatic arrangement with Israel only covering the skirmish in the north.

'But it would be tough for Hezbollah to do so after 11 months of crossfire with Israel and Nasrallah's statements that Hezbollah would only cease after an agreement is in place with Hamas.'

Professor Andreas Krieg, senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King's College London, added that Hezbollah and Iran now find themselves between a rock and a hard place - pressured to respond to Israeli aggression but also forced to acknowledge that any major attack would likely see them face a US-backed retaliation.

'I don't think we're closer to an all-out escalation where we see this major war that we were all warned of. I still think that's unlikely to happen at this point, despite all the rhetoric - the Americans will do everything they can to contain this politically.'

Nevertheless, some prominent Israeli officials - including grizzled IDF veterans - warn that Jerusalem's pursuit of further hostilities could push the Axis of Resistance a step too far.

Itzhak Brik, a former Major General in the IDF, told the Jerusalem Post that a full-scale war with Iran and its proxies could ultimately result in the destruction of the state of Israel.

'Iran and its proxies have 250,000 missiles, rockets, and drones encircling Israel, which means about 4,000 munitions hitting the Israeli home front on a daily basis.

'Population centres, Haifa Bay, water and electricity facilities, gas fields [in the Mediterranean Sea], IDF bases, and strategic civilian infrastructure... A regional war can ruin the State of Israel,' he concluded.
Twenty-seven years ago, Sergeant Charlie Hedges found a note on his desk from one of his superior officers at Thames Valley Police.

Can you sort this out please, Charlie? it read.

The note was attached to a case file relating to the disappearance of a 19-year-old man, who had travelled to a dance festival in Milton Keynes but never made it back to his B&B that night.

Sgt Hedges was dismayed to find, in his words, a bloody mess: there was little to no paperwork, and the police response was largely confined to a dispute over whether Thames Valley or the force in the mans home town many miles away should take responsibility for the case.

Jack O'Sullivan, 23, went missing in Bristol in the small hours of a freezing March night after attending a party

Sergeant Charlie Hedges helped to transform the way in which police forces respond to missing persons reports and has become one of the foremost experts in the field

The fallout from this would ultimately lead Hedges on a mission to transform the way constabularies all over the country respond to the annual 350,000 missing person reports in the UK. In the process, hes become one of the foremost experts in the field.

His advice has been sought in some of the UKs most high-profile disappearances, including those of weapons expert David Kelly, who killed himself in 2003, and five-year-old April Jones, who was abducted and murdered in her home village of Machynlleth, Wales, in 2012.

He also helped overhaul police procedure, as well as becoming an authority in some of the more obtuse elements of missing person searches, from tide patterns to smuggling compartments in boats, planes and vans.

When Hedges, by now a DCI, eventually retired in 2015 to work in a private capacity  hes also chair of trustees of the charity Locate International  he was confident that the police response to missing persons had vastly improved.

Yet nearly three decades on from that first jolt of dismay, the 71-year-old has found himself involved in another case which could also be described as a bloody mess.

Once again, it involves a young man, but this one is Jack OSullivan, the 23-year-old law student who went missing in Bristol in the small hours of a freezing March night after attending a party.

More than six months on, Jacks mother Catherine, father Alan and brother Ben are no closer to knowing what happened to him  and in their desperation it is to Charlie Hedges that they have turned for help.

As he reveals today, he was contacted by the family in May, after Ben came across an article in which Hedges recalled the story of the man in Milton Keynes  whom he calls Rob  and spoke candidly about the sorry state of missing persons investigations back in the day.

From the headline about what a mess it had been Ben initially thought the article was about Jack, Hedges says wryly. And when I spoke to the family I could see why.

A lot of the same errors from back then were being carried forwards. On the whole things have been a lot better in terms of the way cases are investigated and managed but its not universally changed. And it all falls down when attitudes are not right.

Genial and thoughtful  and categorically not a finger pointer  Hedges is certainly in a position to know.

Largely down to his determination, the guidance for mispers  as missing persons are known in police parlance  was transformed from a tick box exercise to a more rounded, hands-on and, perhaps equally pertinently, compassionate response.

He developed a risk triage in terms of questions that should be asked in the wake of someones disappearance and the information that needs to be gathered. It remains in use to this day.

Given his measured outlook it is nothing less than damning when he describes the response he got when he approached Avon and Somerset police on the OSullivans behalf.

I thought that because of my reputation I could be a kind of honest broker between the police and the family, he says. Unfortunately, they [the police] werent having that at all.

It was quite a shock to me, because having been around the police service for most of my life, I know how it works. But I was completely stonewalled by what felt like this amorphous, black blob that wouldnt let me anywhere close.

One senior police officer he reached out to directly told him: We know what were doing.

Yet Jacks family dont feel reassured the force know what theyre doing, and argue that because police quickly became fixated with the theory that he fell into water they ignored other lines of enquiry.

It was Jacks mother, for example, who uncovered CCTV evidence that he was alive later than had been thought.

Through his work, Hedges knows the agony of families who never find out what happened to their loved ones.

He says: And in Jacks case, what makes it worse is that they havent got the confidence to know that everything that could have been done has been done, that the effective response was efficient. Catherine and Alan and Ben feel they havent got that confidence.

Certainly, if anyone has the right expertise its Hedges, who has also worked at the UK Missing Persons Bureau as the Liaison and Support Officer and at the renowned Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre as manager for Missing and Abducted Children.

He explains statistics around missing people are usually reassuring: 90 per cent return within 48 hours, and fewer than one per cent are unresolved within a month.

But however long they are gone for, the starting point is to remember that going missing is an indicator of telling us something in their life, says Hedges. Missing people dont go missing without a reason. It might be a fairly innocuous reason, which we can resolve fairly quickly, but there is a reason, because most of us really want to go back home  and that they havent can sometimes be an indicator in itself.

By that he means the ways missing persons cases can be connected to other crimes, such as sexual exploitation.

Hedges was closely involved in securing convictions for the horrific 2010 sex abuse ring uncovered by police in Derby, in which a gang of men groomed and sexually abused up to 100 teenage girls.

For the first time such exploitation was recognised and this led to many more cases being uncovered in towns and cities throughout the UK, says Hedges.

Meanwhile, tracing other missing teenagers has led to the blowing open of county lines networks.

Sadly, not everyone is found alive  including Rob, whose body was subsequently uncovered in the reed beds of a large body of water by which he had last been seen. The police had not previously properly searched it.

Yet mystery remained as to what, exactly, had happened to him: contrary to police assumptions at the time, he had no alcohol or drugs in his system, and while there had been sightings of another male at the lake at the same time, investigating officers had made little effort to track him down.

This case changed my life, leading me to drive change in the response to missing persons, he says. It still sits with me today.

Just six years later, in July 2003, Hedges received a call asking him to look into the disappearance of David Kelly, the Welsh scientist and weapons expert who had just appeared before a parliamentary committee relating to the previous years publication of the dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, to which he had contributed.

Hedges was called in personally by Thames Valleys then Assistant Chief Constable Mick Page.

I felt there was a good chance this isnt going to end well, he recalls.

Believing suicide was the most likely answer, because of the scientists fragile state of mind, Hedges thought of places he visited regularly. Kellys body was found exactly where Hedges directed the search team, at a spot on a walk he frequently took near his Oxfordshire home.

We always had hope, he says now. It could have been a search and rescue operation, and that was the thing you have to keep in mind, to keep the urgency going. You cannot make assumptions.

Then in October 2012, within 30 minutes of the disappearance of missing five-year-old April Jones, who had vanished after last being seen getting into a vehicle not far from her home, Hedges was called in by Dyfed-Powys Police.

We discussed plans for the immediate response and remained in contact throughout the investigation, he says.

From the start, the report of the last child witness to see her had stood out to Hedges.

She said that April had got into the wrong side of the car. That suggested she had gone in willingly  meaning with someone she knew  but we couldnt really work out what the wrong side meant, if anything at all. But in an investigation, you cannot let things wash away.

When Mark Bridger  who was later convicted of murdering the little girl  was arrested, he was found to have a left-hand drive Land Rover.

Aprils body was never found  although 17 fragments of bone were recovered from the fireplace in Bridgers cottage  and Hedges has a special reserve of compassion for those whose loved ones never come home and whose bodies are never found.

There are plenty of families who have been through that situation where someones walked out the door and they havent turned up again, and they still live with that agony for years, and it never goes away, he says.

As the father of a 35-year-old son, Tom, he also cannot help put himself in their place.

Its called ambiguous loss and its horrendous for families, says Hedges.

He admits that when he first looked at the specifics of Jack OSullivans case, like Somerset and Avon police he too initially thought that Jack  who had been drinking, and was said to have fallen down stairs at the party  may have tumbled into one of the many waterways on his final known route after he left the party in the Hotwells area of Bristol.

Jack's mother Catherine uncovered CCTV evidence that her son was alive later than had been thought

A CCTV grab of Jack walking near the Hotwells area of Bristol on the night of his disappearance

National statistics show that for males reported missing on a night out, 85 per cent of those in the vicinity of water end up drowning.

That was my first hypothesis  it fits men missing on a night out. I know the man who wrote that research, and Ive been closely involved with it and used it on many, many occasions, Hedges says. And it does fit, so the police are not wrong about that, but it doesnt account for 100 per cent of cases, and you should never focus on a single scenario.

He was particularly struck by Catherines passionate sense that something was desperately wrong from the moment she woke up at 5.30am and found her sons bed empty at the family home in Flax Bourton, around five miles from Bristol town centre.

There is a strong case for Listen to mum. We all know that some mothers can be very overprotective. But any investigators job is to listen and discern the message behind the words. And if you look at everything that Catherine said about this case, she knew instinctively that something was wrong, he says.

He points out the fact that the mother and son were so close that Jack would never hesitate to call her if he needed help, no matter how late or inconvenient.

And that is part of the puzzle, he says. If he still had his phone, and was struggling to get home, then why didnt he call her?

After the call from Ben in May appealing to him to help, Hedges met the family over Zoom before travelling to Bristol from his home in Buckingham.

Since then, he has worked seven days a week  unpaid  trying to sift through the mountain of information that has flooded in and overseeing areas of investigation he felt might be useful.

It was Hedges who suggested searching underneath the two bridges over which Jack is known to have walked with metal detectors to see if he had dropped his phone  which has never been found  onto the banks of the water below, as well as searching the areas around where Jacks phone gave off its last GPS location signal at 5.40am.

Hedges recognises this is a singularly difficult case, not in the least because of the geography of the area where Jack went missing. When he undertook a tour with Catherine, he was struck immediately by the challenging nature of the search area.

The water and the roads network there is incredibly complex, he says. And the other thing that struck me was that walking around some of those areas is that Im not sure I want to be there at two oclock in the morning. Its quite dark and not very nice.

At that time of the morning, a young man could be vulnerable to walking into something going on around there, be it drug dealing or similar. You also have to have your wits about you if youre crossing over those roads, so that adds to the potential for all sorts of things happening.

The police will say that they did lots of searches, but its been quite difficult to discern exactly what they have and havent done, and thats what I would have liked to have been able to understand.

It is not knowing exactly what has been thoroughly searched  and what hasnt  as well as ongoing issues with accessing data from Jacks mobile phone and Apple AirTag, that continue to haunt the family.

These are the two things really troubling them, he says. If you have any humanity at all, you can understand the personal story there.

In todays digital and connected world, it is hard to imagine that someone can simply vanish without trace, but this is what has happened to Jack. Is there something that we do not know about?

He pauses. Maybe something that someone has seen will help us to unlock this mystery.
Labour delegates booed today as a showdown vote on the winter fuel allowance was delayed until Wednesday.

Unions have been trying to force a debate at Liverpool on the controversial move to strip 10million pensioners of up to 300 a year.

But the timing has now been pushed back after intense wrangling on the party's organising committee - with claims the schedule is 'too busy' for a debate this afternoon.

Instead the clash - which the leadership is resigned to losing - is likely to take place after the PM has given his keynote speech. And Sir Keir Starmer will not even be present as he is due to be travelling to the UN general assembly.

As the session opened this morning, Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled as she said: 'This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and I'm going to take this back straight to CAC and I'll come back to you with an answer ASAP.'

Activists were then admonished from the stage for booing.

Despite the open revolt, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted there will be no U-turn on the plan, and the vote will not be binding on the government.

In other developments at the conference today:

Ms Reeves has admitted Labour 's freebies bonanza 'looks a bit odd' and reassured unions there will not be a return to 'austerity';

Angela Rayner is facing accusations over a taxpayer-funded 'vanity photographer' who has been taking glossy pictures of her at work;

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has risked fuelling infighting over No 10 chief aide Sue Gray by swiping that people are acting like she 'shot JFK';

A poll has found Labour's election-winning coalition is 'eroding from the inside' amid the meltdown over winter fuel and freebies.

As the session opened this morning, Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled over the winter fuel debate timing

Activists were then admonished from the stage for booing the announcement on the debate

Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves on the stage at the Labour conference today

Ms Reeves has again insisted there will be no U-turn on the winter fuel cut, pointing to a claimed 22billion 'black hole' in the government finances

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh at the conference in Liverpool - which has been blighted by the stormy weather wracking Britain

Merchandise on offer at stands at the annual gathering in Liverpool

The winter fuel spat has been intensified by the backlash over Sir Keir, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and other senior figures accepting 'freebies' including clothes, tickets and holidays.

But Ms Reeves has again insisted there will be no U-turn on the winter fuel cut, pointing to a claimed 22billion 'black hole' in the government finances.

Unite's Andy Green said: 'This is simply an attempt to take out the debate on the winter fuel allowance.

'Today is economy day at conference and we have the Chancellor speaking and a composite motion on the growth mission, which is scheduled for this morning.

'So, it is more of a surprise, in fact an outrage, to us that the composite motion from Unite and the CWU on economy for the future is not listed on the agenda for today.

'It is disrespectful to our members and every single delegate here and conference itself, who voted for the priorities ballot.'

CWU's senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns questioned why the motion was not scheduled and why it has been briefed that 'it's unlikely to be scheduled for debate this week'.

The conference clash - which the leadership is resigned to losing - is likely to take place after the PM has given his keynote speech

Former Manchester United star Gary Neville and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy at conference today

In a round of interviews this morning, Ms Reeves said she had not 'expected' or 'wanted' to make changes to winter fuel payments.

She told the BBC's Today programme on Radio 4 this morning that 'I was not planning to make these changes to winter fuel payment.

'These were not changes that I expected to make or wanted to make, but when faced with a situation when there's a 22 billion black hole  not some year in the future  but this year in the public finances, it requires difficult decisions.'

The Chancellor defended taking 7,500 worth of clothes from a donor during the election campaign. She also confirmed that she accepted free holiday accommodation in Cornwall valued at 1,400 for her family.

But she stressed that she will not be receiving free clothes in future.

The Chancellor also played down fears of deep spending cuts to fill her claimed 22billion 'black hole' in the government finances, saying there would be no return to 'austerity'.

Puddles of water in a drenched Liverpool as the Labour conference continues

Shadow Treasury minister Gareth Davies said the Tories would not have scrapped winter fuel payments for all pensioners.

It's a 'political choice' for Labour to reduce eligibility for the payment, he told GB News.

'They have chosen on the one hand to hand massive pay rises to the unions, while at the same time taking away support for pensioners ahead of winter. That is a political choice.'

Asked how the Conservatives would have plugged the 'black hole' in the public finances, he said the opposition was 'questioning the validity' of the claimed 22 billion gap and that the Tories had had a plan to 'make savings on welfare, to crack down on tax avoidance' that Labour was not taking forward.

'What this is really all about is what they always wanted to do, and that's roll the pitch for tax rises, which will come in the Budget. They're now starting to admit that. That will harm growth and I thought this Government was all about growth.'
Wes Streeting has risked fuelling Labour infighting by mocking attacks on Sir Keir Starmer's embattled chief of staff Sue Gray.

Leaks about Ms Gray's 170,000 salary - which is larger than the Prime Minister's - have added to reports of civil war within Sir Keir's No10 team.

There have also been bitter briefings about Ms Gray's role in Downing Street amid claims of a power struggle between the PM's senior aides.

It has made for a miserable to start to Sir Keir's first Labour's conference as PM, which has also been dominated by a row over his acceptance of lavish gifts.

But Mr Streeting, the Health Secretary, last night attempted to shrug off the tensions over Ms Gray's role as he made light of the briefings about her power and pay.

'It's going to get worse before it gets better,' he joked. 'Sue Gray is hiding Lord Lucan and shot JFK, and I can't even tell you what she did to Shergar.

'I don't know how we're going to recover from this, frankly.'

Fellow Cabinet minister Ed Miliband also rallied around Ms Gray as he compared Labour being in power to the Mario Kart video game because 'things fly at you and you've got to just keep going'.

Wes Streeting has risked fuelling Labour infighting by mocking attacks on Sir Keir Starmer 's embattled chief of staff Sue Gray

Leaks about Ms Gray's 170,000 salary - which is larger than the Prime Minister's - have added to reports of civil war within Sir Keir's No10 team

Ed Miliband rallied around Ms Gray as he compared Labour being in power to the Mario Kart video game because 'things fly at you and you've got to just keep going'

Bitter briefings about Ms Gray have made for a miserable to start to Sir Keir's first Labour's conference as PM, which has also been dominated by a row over his acceptance of lavish gifts

Speaking to the New Statesman, the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary said: 'The thing that sustains you in Government is the cause.

'[Harold] Macmillan said 'events, dear boy events', well what sustains you against that is a sense of direction and momentum.

'It's like the Mario Kart video game. You're driving along, things fly at you and you've got to just keep going.'

Mr Miliband also praised Ms Gray for the role she played ahead of the general election, and now since Labour has taken office.

'If you take Sue Gray, she played an incredibly important and positive role when she joined while we were in opposition and she's playing an incredibly positive role in Government,' he added.

'If you talk to Cabinet ministers and mayors, they can testify to the way that Sue is helping to deliver the Government's agenda and the difference she is making.'

The leaks about Ms Gray's bumper salary came after other special advisers saw their pay held down.

Speaking at a conference event last night hosted by the 'Labour Together' think tank, Mr Streeting mocked the BBC for revealing Ms Gray is paid more than Sir Keir, earns 166,786.

He said: 'I want to welcome the BBC's conviction that no one should be paid more than the PM, that no one should receive hospitality, and that we should judge performance on social media mentions. Be careful what we wish for, comrades.'

Ms Gray is not expected to attend Labour's conference in Liverpool this week, with Sky News reporting she is working on Downing Street on Government business and in preparation for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.

Sir Keir has insisted he is 'completely in control' despite the briefings against Ms Gray.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner earlier yesterday said she was angered by attempts 'to demonise workers in their workplace through the press and the media'.
A surfer who lost his leg to a three-metre shark has recalled the moment an off-duty police officer saved his life as he focuses on returning to the water.

Kai McKenzie, 23, spent two months in Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital after he was attacked at an isolated beach near Port Macquarie on the NSW mid north coast in July.

He recalled repeatedly trying to kick the shark away before finally catching a wave to shore where a police officer who had been walking his dog along the beach rushed to his aid.

The off-duty cop created a makeshift tourniquet from his dog's lead- a move that likely saved Mr McKenzie from dying of blood loss.

'He came and saw me at the hospital and it was huge. I would 100 per cent not be here if it wasn't for him,' Mr McKenzie told surfing magazine Stab last week.

'Thank f**k he had a dog lead.'

As well as battling with physical scars and having a leg amputated, Mr McKenzie has struggled to deal with several mental challenges - including gawks from strangers.

'It's been raw. Some people can't read a room and can be pretty insensitive,' he said.

'Hopefully, once I get a prosthetic it'll be different.

'For now, I'm just cruising around on crutches, so it sticks out like dog balls. If it wasn't for Eve (his girlfriend) and my parents sticking by my side the whole f***ing time, my mind would be in a totally different place to what it is now.'

Kai McKenzie (pictured recently with his girlfriend, Eve) spent two months recovering in hospital after he was mauled by a shark in July

Despite almost losing his life in the harrowing ordeal, the surfer is determined to return to the water as soon as possible

Despite the traumatic ambush still fresh in Mr McKenzie's mind, the surfer is determined to return to the water as soon as possible.

He has been consulting with nurses and doctors in the hopes of securing a prosthetic leg.

Part of Mr McKenzie's mental recovery was hearing from fellow surfer Bethany Hamilton who lost her left arm in a 2003 shark attack.

'She was on holiday and she just said to me, 'You don't know what you can do. There hasn't been anyone who's lost a leg that can surf like you'. She just gave me a rundown of the reality of it and changed my whole perspective to stay positive,' Mr McKenzie said.

In a recent social media post, Mr McKenzie shared his determination to resume surfing.

'Looking forward to the day I get back to here, I'm gonna push everything I have to get there, I know it's gonna be a long journey but it's going to happen and all your support has fired me up. So let's get it,' he wrote.

Recalling the attack, Mr McKenzie (pictured) remembered repeatedly trying to kick the shark away before finally catching a wave to shore where a police officer raced to help him

He also shared a touching tribute to his girlfriend in August.

'This bloody girl has really been a massive reason why I'm so motivated, she's been the best nurse you could get!' Mr McKenzie wrote.

'Eve's done so much for me and I love her to bits.

'This is the first day I've been out of the hospital in a month and a half how f**king good!'

Mr McKenzie also shared his thoughts on a leaked video of his attack which went viral online in the days after he lost his limb.

'There's no respect. That's all I see it as. If that was your kid, I'm sure you wouldn't want to see it either,' he said.
A teenage boy stabbed to death after a 'street fight' screamed, 'I'm 15, don't let me die' as he lay bleeding, a witness has revealed.

The schoolboy died at the scene after he was found with stab wounds on Eglinton Road, in Woolwich, at around 6.35pm on Sunday.

A 43-year-old woman, who has lived in the area for 14 years, has revealed how she desperately tried to save the teenager as he lay bleeding in the road outside her flat.

The witness, who heard screams of 'someone's been stabbed' coming from across the road, has told how she raced outside and discovered the boy laying face down on the floor.

Speaking by the police cordon, she said: 'I turned him over, he had a gash in his head, and I thought 'that's not bleeding enough'.

The schoolboy died at the scene after he was found with stab wounds on Eglinton Road in Woolwich at around 6.35pm on Sunday

One witness, who heard screams of 'someone's been stabbed' coming from across the road, has told how she discovered the boy laying face down on the floor

Metropolitan Police Territorial Support Group officers at the scene in Eglinton Road, Woolwich, south-east London, where a teenage boy was stabbed to death

'His leg moved and there was a massive pool of blood, so I just stemmed the flow of blood until the paramedics and that got here.

'I asked if I could go and shower because I was covered in his blood, and they said yes, so I went in and showered.

'I came back out and they [the police] called me over because I was the last one with him  he was going to me: 'I'm 15, I'm 15, don't let me die' and I said to him: 'You're not going to die, mate.'

She said the victim was 'the most polite boy' when she had encountered him around their neighbourhood.

Asked if she knew the victim well, she added: 'No, I didn't, but I always said hello and that, and he was always polite or moved out of the way when you were walking.'

A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said: 'The mayor's thoughts are with the family and friends of the teenage boy who has been killed in Woolwich, as well as the wider community.

'This heart-breaking violence has no place in our streets.

The teenager was stabbed to death on Eglinton Road in Woolwich on Sunday evening

Police forensic officer at the scene in Eglinton Road last night after the schoolboy was found

'The mayor is in close contact with police leaders and there will be increased patrols in the local area.'

Police say the murder is a 'stark and sobering reminder of the danger of zombie-style knives'.

It comes ahead of a ban on owning zombie-style knives and machetes set to come into force on Tuesday.

Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, speaking outside Plumstead Police Station on Monday afternoon, confirmed the victim was aged 15.

He went on: 'Once again, we've had to tell a child's family that their loved one has been killed in an act of violence using knives. Our thoughts are with them as they struggle to comprehend what has happened.

'The fact a 15-year-old teenager who had his whole life ahead of him has been taken from his family in this way is a stark and sobering reminder of the danger of zombie-style knives.

'We are committed to doing everything in our power to taking these weapons off the streets.

'We know that this murder will send shockwaves throughout the community, and I understand the genuine concern this will create, we share those concerns.'

The boy's next of kin has been informed with a crime scene still in place.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: 'Police were called approximately 18:35hrs on Sunday, 22 September to reports of a disturbance on Eglinton Road, SE18.

'Officers attended and found a teenage boy with a stab injury. Despite the efforts of officers and paramedics at the scene, he sadly died a short time later.

'His next of kin have been informed. A crime scene remains in place. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.'

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 5989/22Sep.
by Mike Bendzela

How happy to have discovered the history of other species, as well as our own. How fortunate to be alive during the time when the evolutionary puzzle has been so masterfully worked out, assembling a picture so stunning in its completeness, that mere school children now know more about Darwins great idea than even Darwin himself knew.

And yet, how mortifying to be stuck with natural selection as the mother of beauty, to crib from the poet Wallace Stevens. (Death is the mother of beauty; hence from her,/ Alone, shall come fulfillment to our dreams/ And our desires.) Accepting this brute fact of life is a tall order, and I still recoil whenever I contemplate what Darwin called the sufferings of millions of the lower animals throughout almost endless time.

The central tenet of life is directionless, indifferent, insensate, implacable natural selection. And yet . . . here we are.

*

We have  or had  five cats. Four are sibs, seven years old now, Girly, Rocky, Pinky, and Scooter. They showed up, mere kittens clustered near their scrawny mother, behind our barn, as my husband Don was recovering from a stroke that occurred the year before. The fifth, Maggie, showed up just last summer, barefoot and pregnant, on our back doorstep. She hated and still hates the others. She eventually gave birth to four kittens of her own, which we judiciously distributed, but we still have to keep her separate from the other cats.

While returning from teaching one day earlier this month, I saw Rocky, our black, tuxedo male, vaulting across the road, his skinny ass stretched out like a black snake as he made it safely to the other side.

I just saw Rocky sprinting across the road in front of me, I said to Don. Prepare yourself. Were going to lose that cat. I sometimes actually believe that articulating a fear helps to diminish it . . .

*

I like to teach some of my favorite nature poems to young writers in my Creative Writing course. Its more like a literature course, as I cannot really teach them how to write; I can only point to good writing and say, Look. See?

Some staple nature poems are Dickinsons A Narrow Fellow in the Grass, Elizabeth Bishops The Fish, After Apple Picking by Frost. There is one poem that horrifies me, and I am loathe to teach it, but I keep coming back to it, because of its sting: The Bloody Sire by Robinson Jeffers.

It is not bad. Let them play. Let the guns bark and the bombing-plane Speak his prodigious blasphemies. It is not bad, it is high time, Stark violence is still the sire of all the worlds values.

He wrote this in the midst of the invasions, carpet-bombing, and genocide of World War Two. I literally cannot imagine any of it. The poets blank-faced delivery of the atrocities of war raises the hairs on the back of my neck. What can he mean that war is not bad? War is play? All values emerge from such chaos? From this I recoil.

*

The second stanza is where nature comes in and is the reason why I pair this poem with the other nature poems. It also helps clarify and even naturalize that appalling first stanza. It contains the most gorgeous description of natural selection that I have ever encountered.

What but the wolfs tooth whittled so fine The fleet limbs of the antelope? What but fear winged the birds, and hunger Jewelled with such eyes the great goshawks head? Violence has been the sire of all the worlds values.

That last line reiterates the abominable sentiment that closes out the first stanza: Violence is the father of value. The time frame has shifted, though, from is still to has been. Whats true now has always been true. Whats true about contemporary warfare is just the truth of deep time brought forward.

In a Biology course I took on evolution, one of the most difficult things for me to fathom was how natural selection could be seen as a creative force, not just a force that wipes out the maladapted. In that stanza, we see how natural selection acts as a lathe, turning out those antelope appendages; as an impulse, prompting an ancient theropod to burst into flight; as appetite illuminating acute vision. The reiteration of the line sire of all the worlds values comes like, See? Told you so. Predatory nature contains its own prodigious blasphemies. The idea seems to come right out of Recapitulation and Conclusion of On the Origin of Species:

Thus, from the war of nature, from famine and death, the most exalted object which we are capable of conceiving, namely, the production of the higher animals, directly follows.

*

What world values is Jeffers talking about? Peace after the war? Renewal? That first stanza does not give us a clue. The second stanza, the one about natural selection, at least shows us the fleet limbs, winged . . . birds, and Jewelled . . . eyes that result from the cruel operations of nature, features we would call adaptations. We have to look to the third stanza for the values sired by civilizations cruelties:

Who would remember Helens face Lacking the terrible halo of spears? Who formed Christ but Herod and Caesar, The cruel and bloody victories of Caesar? Violence, the bloody sire of all the worlds values.

In other words, were it not for the Trojan War, the face that launched a thousand ships would be mere dust. By implication, without war, the literary monuments The Iliad and The Odyssey would not exist. Hows that for values? Likewise, were it not for Herod (Antipas) and Caesar, the executions of both John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth would not have occurred, and we would not have the legends of the Christ, nor the Gospels. Beatings, humiliation, and torture preceded the crucifixion, the way the Slaughter of the Innocents (perpetrated by Herod the Great) preceded the Epiphany; suffering must precede redemption. Religion is sometimes positively Darwinian in its implications. And yet these still seem meager rewards for historys corpses piled steeper than mountain ranges. * This essay would not have occurred to me were it not for what happened to us last week. Its not what I wanted to write about this month, but I cannot get it out of my mind. I was in a bit of a rush to get my music gear  fiddle and banjo  into my truck to make it in time for a jam session in Portland. Tuesday night is a high point in my week for this reason. As I opened the door to shift the banjo case inside, a woman walked up our gravel driveway, her face twisted in distress. She gave off immediately the impression of being a very nice older woman, probably someones grandmother. Do you have a little orange cat? she bawled. I put the banjo aside. Yes. She began to walk down the driveway toward the road. I just hit him. He ran right into my tire. During that infinite walk out to the street corner  a very busy corner for a country road, which we loathe  I learned that she had gotten out of her car and picked up Pinky and put him on the hood of her car. She said she was there with him when he died. In her distress at causing grief, she said, And I rescue cats! Its not your fault, I said. Those cats shouldnt be outside, but we cannot keep them in. Her little car was still in the middle of the intersection, with its hazard lights flashing, while other vehicles slowed to pass it. I did the same thing to my neighbors cat a few years ago, I went on. It ran right out in front of me. There was nothing I could do. I realized I was babbling. There was Pinky, on the hood, dead and bleeding from his mouth. Im in disbelief as I had just called this  or nearly so: Right mode of death, wrong cat. I picked him up; he was still soft, and supple, and warm. He bled all over the thighs of my jeans. Oh, Pinky. Thank you for stopping, I said. Im sorry, she said. Dont worry, thank you. I took Pinky back to the house. The scene with Don was awful, and I did not attend the jam session that night. The next day he built Pinky a nice little pine box with rabbeted joints and a beveled cover. * Even such little losses remind us that Stevens was right: Death is indeed the mother of beauty. It is the hook by which love clings to us and never lets go. Jeffers final words:

Never weep, let them play, Old violence is not too old to beget new values.

____________________

Photos

Rocky and Pinky; Don in his woodshop, by the author.

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Security experts and viewers have been picking apart plot holes and inaccuracies in the BBC's new drama series Nightsleeper.

The six-part thriller starring Peaky Blinders actor Joe Cole features a sleeper train travelling from Glasgow to London which has been hacked and hijacked, or 'hack-jacked'.

The runaway train is seen being operated remotely after a suspect device - described as a 'single board computer' - is attached to wiring within one of the carriages.

But analysts have cast doubt on whether this would be feasible in real life, as they pointed out flaws in the drama created by BAFTA-winning writer Nick Leather.

Like the hit US drama show 24, Nightsleeper unfolds in real time across its six one-hour episodes which are being broadcast on Sunday evenings while they are also already all available on the BBC iPlayer - and it has also been compared to Jed Mercurio's hit thriller Bodyguard, from 2018.

Here, MailOnline examines some of the aspects which have raised eyebrows among cybersecurity specialists

New BBC drama series Nightsleeper, starring Peaky Blinders actor Joe Cole (pictured) has received mixed reviews - including criticisms over its plausibility

The six-episode series also features actress Alexandra Roach (pictured) as a security expert

The series created by Nick Leather has divided opinion on X, formerly Twitter

Operating a train remotely

Reviews of Nightsleeper on X, formerly Twitter, have been mixed - ranging from 'a good old-fashioned romp and a lot of fun' to 'so unrealistic and unbelievable'.

Among those enjoying it is Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor for tech firm ESET, although he suggested the plot strained credibility.

He told MailOnline: The train is remotely accessed and then sets off by itself - its not likely that trains could be operated completely remotely due to the threat level this would entail.

'Motives of hackers targeting trains are more likely to cause disruption rail services such as by playing with the signals and operations which are operated remotely rather than making it a danger to life.'

Even the BBC has suggested that hackers would need physical access to the driver cabin to carry out such a feat.

But Mr Moore did describe the premise as 'very captivating' and 'interesting', adding: 'Theyre clearly aware of keeping people in suspense.

'There is always a threat to national infrastructure and this is a very visual representative of that, using the train network.

'The positive comes from really making people more aware of the cyber threats which could potentially pose a risk  its a good educational piece.'

Meanwhile, another cybersecurity analyst has written two reviews setting out what he describes as 'the good, the bad and the ugly' of the drama.

Alex Cowan, chief executive of RazorSecure which provides security products and services for the rail industry, set out five discrepancies he had noticed.

The six-part thriller starring Joe Cole (pictured) features a sleeper train travelling from Motherwell to London which has been hacked and hijacked, or 'hack-jacked' - though cybersecurity experts are dubious about whether it could really be operated remotely

Also among the cast is Alex Ferns, who previously played evil character Trevor in EastEnders

These included apparent misunderstanding of how emergency brakes work, the shutting down of mobile phone signals, the response of the train crew and how detection software should have been able to notice the suspect device earlier.

He said: 'This caught everyone in the industry by surprise a couple of weeks ago, with the key questions being "Who consulted on this?" and "How unrealistic will it be?"

'I think we all knew the answer to how realistic it would be - spoiler: not very - but no one seemed to know who consulted on it.'

He did praise the starting point of the attack, a suspicious device fitted inside a panel in the fictional Heart Of Britain sleeper train.

He said: 'This hidden Raspberry Pi scenario is realistic - however, the consequences are certainly not. There are significant risks with a rogue device on a train network.'

Emergency braking system

But he quibbled with the 'unrealistic consequences' shown in the drama, including how emergency brakes are not applied when people became aware of the risk.

Mr Cowan said: 'There's a fundamental misunderstanding of the emergency brakes in this show. These brakes are managed differently from normal brakes, and very differently from a car.

'Firstly, they default to "ON" and must be released to allow the train to move.

'For the brakes to be released, the systems must be in a certain state and they must maintain that state. If for example, the train loses power then the brakes will default back to on.'

Joe Cole plays an off-duty police officer who is among the passengers on the hack-jacked sleeper train - the approach taken to the train's braking system has come under scrutiny

Joe Cole and Alexandra Roach are pictured at a photocall for Nightsleeper on September 9

Mobile phone signals

He also queried how mobile phone signals on the train were blocked by engineers in response to the hijacking, adding: 'If no one had phone signal, then how did the device communicate remotely?'

He described the decision as 'a bit crazy' , saying: 'So many problems with this, but don't worry, one guy had a phone that wasn't blocked. That may end up being important - it's a bit too convenient.

'If they'd put the panel back on the floor that probably would have blocked the signal anyway.'

Alexandra Roach's character Abby is among those tasked with trying to prevent the train from crashing into a railway station when reaching London - but mobile phone signals are blocked

Cybersecurity expert Alex Cowan said in response to the mobile phone plotline: 'If no one had phone signal, then how did the device communicate remotely?'

Train crew's response

Mr Cowan said: 'Overall the attacks were the most realistic bit of this episode. The consequences and railway elements were not realistic at all, but there are risks attached to these types of attacks.

'Fundamentally the way the train crew reacted wasn't so realistic - the train manager would have worked harder to contact the driver if this really happened.

'In this scenario, the driver was the most important person on the train. They are ultimately the one in control, they have access to the MCB (mini circuit breakers) for the train, and could have powered down the train fully to force the emergency brakes to engage.'

Also featured in the series are (left to right) Alex Ferns, Daniel Cahill and James Cosmo - security experts have criticised the response to the emergency by characters on the train

Lack of detection software

Mr Cowan also drew attention to how the floor panel under which the suspect device was planted was left open, which would have been an unlikely move by the perpetrator.

He suggested that this was a plot device to ensure that those on board the train managed to spot the item.

He said: 'Interestingly they were forced to leave the floor panel open so that the train crew would notice it.

'The reality would be in a dark deep location in the train that wouldn't be visible. Maybe they had to leave the floor panel off because the device had no signal if they put the floor panel back.

'There are significant risks with a rogue device on a train network, I won't detail them. Additionally intrusion detection software would be able to detect this type of attack, which is offered by RazerSource.'

Cast members Parth Thakerar, Gabriel Howell, Alexandra Roach and Pamela Nomvete are pictured in a scene from the BBC drama as their characters struggle to know what to do

Social media backlash

Social media has been busy with viewers commenting on the series, having tuned into the opening episode or binge-watched the entire series.

Among those defending the show was Liam Rudden, who posted: 'The writing might be shonky, the story ridiculously far-fetched, the casting annoyingly uneven but I have to admit, Im a sucker for a train-bound thriller. #Nightsleeper is a good old-fashioned romp and a lot of fun.'

A user called DeafinitelyHere insisted: 'I don't get people saying "Oooh, this is so unrealistic", of course it is, that's the whole bloody point!! Sit back and enjoy the ride (no pun intended).'

Cal Parrish commented: 'Just finished binge-watching #Nightsleeper. I did actually really enjoy it. Some ridiculous plot holes and unrealistic stuff but accept it for its absurdism and you should like it!'

And Cyber_Hannah_ wrote: Aside from being holy, unrealistic, and laced with clunky dialogue, Nightsleeper was enjoyable. But then again, I am a sucker for hacker storylines.

But more critical was Rachelbfx3, who wrote: #Nightsleeper definitely peaked in the middle, then becomes unrealistic and slows down. Thanks for the BBC's digs at the state of the UK's train network though.'

Social media users have been posting starkly contrasting views of the show

Joe Cole is seen alongside fellow cast members Sharon Small and Katie Leung

CretanRunner posted: Episode 1 of Nightsleeper seemed as if the series might be interesting. Episode 2 raised serious doubts. After that it went rapidly downhill. So unrealistic and unbelievable. Try again BBC.

Martin Hammick remarked: Having seen all of the 6 part BBC series #Nightsleeper, about an electronically hijacked train, it's not as bad as some say, but there are flaws in casting, acting, scripting and length.

'It should've been cut down to five episodes, leaving out most of the comedy+soapy sentimentality.'

And Judith Allen stormed: Watching NIGHTSLEEPER and just periodically screaming "this isnt how any of this works" at the television.

'Theres a threshold of inaccuracy that I can accept, when its necessary to tell a story and theres no way around it. And then theres making s*** up instead of research.'

Britain's National Cyber Security Centre has also posted about the show on X, using it as a prompt to encourage people to consider careers with them.

A message to the centre's 142,300 followers on the social media site said: 'Enjoying BBC's Nightsleeper as much as we are? Thankfully, weve never faced such a scenario, but our expert team is ready for anything.

'For more on the real-life NCSC, tips on how to improve your cyber security, career opportunities and more, visit http://ncsc.gov.uk.'
Britain's Rwanda plan for refugees was not the wrong approach at all and would have worked it the UK had not 'handled it amateurishly', a leading European expert in migration has claimed.

Austrian migration expert Gerald Knaus is the founder of the European Stability Initiative (ESI), which has advised the German government on migration and asylum policy, and is a fierce advocate of outsourcing of European asylum processes to African countries.

He said that the UK's Rwanda scheme failed not because it was a bad idea, but because of poor planning by the British government.

'It was handled amateurishly by the Tories,' he told Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) newspaper.

'The British government had already set a cut-off date for the transfer of all asylum seekers arriving after that date, before clarifying how credible asylum procedures could be ensured in Rwanda.'

Speaking to Germany 's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) newspaper, Gerald Knaus said that the UK's failed Rwanda scheme should not be seen as a rejection of the idea itself, but rather the result of poor planning by the British government (pictured above: former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak)

This file photo taken on May 19, 2022 shows a general view of the exterior of Hope Hostel LTD which was getting ready to welcome the migrants from United Kingdom (UK) in Kigali, Rwanda

Knaus said: 'As was to be expected, the courts in London intervened against this. It was only after the courts' justified objections had been clarified that the government signed a new agreement with Rwanda at the end of 2023.

'In it, Rwanda committed itself to not deporting those who would be brought from the UK to the country, even if their asylum application was rejected.

'Thus, rejected asylum seekers could also have remained in Rwanda.'

According to Knaus, the revised 2023 agreement between the UK and Rwanda, which improved national asylum processes and even involved international judges, shows that asylum procedures can be done properly in Rwanda.

He said that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been successfully conducting asylum operations in Rwanda since 2019, bringing in refugees from Libya for processing.

'Rwanda is safe for this,' Knaus emphasized, adding that 'if the UNHCR can do it, so can other governments.'

He continued: 'The Tories were voted out of office this summer and the current government is opposed to the project for political reasons and has suspended cooperation with Rwanda.

'However, we now know that proper asylum procedures are possible in Rwanda.'

'Rwanda is safe for this, otherwise the UNHCR would not be able to do it. Those granted asylum can either stay in Rwanda or apply for a resettlement programme, mainly to the US or Canada. So it can be done,' Knaus added.

File image of a group of people thought to be migrants wade through the sea to clamber aboard a small boat off the beach in Gravelines, France

Far-right protesters hold a banner reading 'remigration now' as they march through the streets of Solingen, following a stabbing rampage, on August 26

Despite political resistance, particularly from new UK leadership, Knaus argued that the Rwanda model could offer a solution to irregular migration across Europe.

He said that a properly managed and legally sound agreement with African countries, combined with development aid and legal migration options, could reduce deaths in the Mediterranean and save lives.

And he slammed the criticism by Germany's Green Party about the idea of relocating European asylum procedures to Africa.

'Agreements with safe third countries are a moral alternative to violence, death and lawlessness at Europe's borders. And to the current loss of control.

'In order to control irregular migration and reduce deaths in the Mediterranean, reputable asylum procedures in third countries are legitimate, even if they are linked to the goal of simultaneously reducing irregular migration.'

Knaus was instrumental in designing the EU-Turkey refugee deal in 2016, which significantly reduced irregular migration across the Aegean Sea.
A devastating nuclear strike on London causing 850,000 deaths with two million injured has been simulated by a staunchly pro-Putin propaganda TV channel.

Broadcasting the four minute video with an English commentary appears to be the latest move in a concerted campaign to scare Britain from giving permission to Ukraine to allow Storm Shadow missiles to hit targets inside Russia.

Vladimir Putin's propagandists and entourage have repeatedly warned that he could use nuclear weapons.

The video shown on Tsargrad's Telegram channel begins by threatening: 'Imagine for a moment that the unimaginable happens.

'A nuclear weapon explodes over London. In this documentary, we explore the devastating consequences of this catastrophe.

'In the simulation, we will use a warhead with a yield of 750 kilotons. That's a pretty powerful charge.'

The commentary warns viewers: 'Upon detonation, a fireball as hot as the sun rapidly expands, reaching a radius of 950 metres'

The simulation of a nuclear strike was broadcast by a staunchly pro-Putin propaganda TV channel

Putin's propagandists and entourage have repeatedly warned that he could use nuclear weapons

The commentary warns viewers: 'Upon detonation, a fireball as hot as the sun rapidly expands, reaching a radius of 950 metres [1,039 yards].

'Anything trapped inside this fireball is instantly vaporised.

'In our simulation, the epicentre of the explosion is at Westminster.

'People within that radius won't even feel anything because the nerve impulse transmission speed is slower.

'Within 5 km [3 miles] of the epicentre the blast radius city of London, Camden town, Kensington, Brixton these areas will receive the most destruction.'

A ticker on the screen tots up the number of possible fatalities.

'Buildings will be destroyed and debris will fill the streets, creating extremely dangerous conditions for everyone in the vicinity.

'Given the population density in central London, the initial death toll could exceed 250,000 people and around 600,000 injured within a radius of 10 km [6.25 miles] the radiation will cause third degree burns.

'Within that radius anything that can burn will catch fire.

A ticker on the screen tots up the number of possible fatalities

The disturbing simulation shows mass destruction across London in the event of a strike

Your browser does not support iframes.

'[Petrol] stations, automobiles, power substations, gas infrastructure.

'Explosive facilities will explode and amplify the effect of the devastation over a huge area, including areas from Camden to Greenwich and Islington to Wandsworth.'

READ MORE: What happens if nukes start to fall on London? An interactive graphic shows how London would be vaporised by a nuclear blast Advertisement

The video claims that 'according to various estimates, a further 450,000 people will die from burns, debris, injuries or radiation sickness, and over a million will be traumatised.

'Many of these injuries could prove fatal over the next days and weeks.

'Radiation sickness in particular will take lives days and weeks later.

'In time, about 100,000 more will be added to the death toll.'

The video was originally published around three months ago, but was now highlighted by Tsargrad.

It goes on: 'Within an 18 km [11 mile] radius of the blast, the shockwave will be enough to shatter windows, causing additional casualties to people who come to the windows when they see the nuclear blast.

'The shockwave will reach Hounslow, Edgware and Enfield.

'Depending on the wind, the fallout could spread well beyond the immediate blast zone, potentially affecting areas up to five to 10 km away, causing damage even in regions such as Essex or Surrey.

'The estimated casualties in the event of a 750 kiloton nuclear bomb exploding in London would be about 850,000 people dead and about 2 million injured.

'If the explosion were to occur on the ground rather than in the air, the fallout map would be greatly expanded and the radioactive fallout could even reach Manchester, infecting people, land and animals.

'The problem with a nuclear explosion in London is also that London is essentially not designed to survive such a disaster.

The video claims that 'according to various estimates, a further 450,000 people will die from burns, debris, injuries or radiation sickness, and over a million will be traumatised'

'Eleven of London's twenty hospitals would be within the blast.

'The remaining hospitals would be physically unable to cope with the number of victims

Many people are still alive under the rubble of the buildings suffering burns but no one would be able to help them.

'Since the creation of nuclear weapons less than a hundred years ago there have been more than 20 incidents where a nuclear-armed country was one-step away from a nuclear catastrophe.

'Nuclear weapons are a real threat to our future.'

The channel in its report recalled how Putin in 2018 said that in the event of nuclear war: 'We will go to heaven as martyrs, and they [in the West] will simply die, because they will not even have time to repent.'

Tsargrad said: 'The President then warned the West that Russia has its own interests, and that it will defend them by all possible and impossible means.

'Today, a simulator of a 750-kiloton nuclear strike on London was published.

'At the bottom of the screen is an increasing number of deaths as the strike progresses.'

Other hardline Russian outlets also showed the video.

Tsargrad is controlled by oligarch Konstantin Malofeev, 50, an investment banker and media mogul known as the 'Orthodox Oligarch' because of his links to the Russian church.

It is not the first time Russian propagandists have explored the idea of Britain being devastated by a nuclear strike.

Earlier this month, Putin's media stooges called for Britain to be sunk beneath a radioactive tsunami with its Poseidon 'superweapon'.

Russian hardline MP Andrei Gurulev sneered 'swim, swim, swim' as he demanded the use of Moscow's unique Poseidon high-speed underwater atomic drone on Britain.

Kremlin propaganda TV on Rossiya-1 channel demanded a 'critical threat' from Putin to stop Britain, the US and other Western countries giving permission to Ukraine to use long-range missiles for strikes on Russian territory.

'There is, of course, a more radical option,' said Lt-Gen Gurulev, a former tank commander and military strategist. 'The people of Britain are there, they also want to live a good and happy life at our expense, right?

Russia's Channel 1 shows a CGI mock-up of Britain being 'wiped off the map' with the Poseidon missile

The Belgorod submarine is designed to carry Moscow's super weapon - the nuclear-powered drones named Poseidon - which Russia claims are capable of causing nuclear tsunamis

'But if there is no Britain, there is no problem.'

Poseidon - so far not used - is an unmanned nuclear-powered underwater drone with an 'unlimited range'. Putin sees it as part of his new nuclear arsenal and classifies it a 'superweapon'.

It is designed to carry strategic nuclear warheads of up to 100 megatons and could unleash catastrophic destruction. It could also be deployed with lesser firepower as a tactical weapon.

Some reports say its underwater speed is up to 115mph, with a capability to operate at depths below 3,000ft. It is due to be ready soon but details of tests remain classified.

The weapon could be unleashed from Russian submarines such as the Belgorod.

It is seen as a weapon without comparison in the world, a hybrid between a nuclear missile and a submarine.
A young man who went on a work night out with friends started 'speaking in another language' and died the next day after taking ecstasy, an inquest heard.

Italian national Jakub Jarzecki, 21, worked at food supplier Wellocks in Nelson, Lancashire, alongside his brother-in-law Mateusz.

Jarzecki had just finished a night shift on May 1 this year when he, and several of his colleagues including Mateusz, decided to go for a drink.

They had just learned that a work friend had been suspended and all agreed to go out in case 'he never returned', Preston Coroner's Court heard.

The group went back to a female colleague's house on Castle Street with Mateusz leaving after one drink.

But a couple of hours later, at around 8am, Mateusz received a distressing call from someone still at the house who said Mr Jarzecki was in trouble.

Mateusz went round to the property where one of the others was reluctant to call an ambulance.

However, after taking a look at Mr Jarzecki, Mateusz immediately recognised that he was seriously unwell and said: 'Are you f*****g mad? He looks like he's dying.'

Italian national Jakub Jarzecki, 21, (pictured) died after taking ecstasy on a work night out, an inquest heard

Paramedics arrived at 9:32am and noted that Jakub's heart rate was very high, at 150 beats per minute, and he also had a very high temperature and respiratory rate.

As the ambulance raced to Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, Mr Jarzecki began to suffer seizures. Just before arriving at A&E, he went into cardiac arrest.

At the emergency department doctors continued CPR for 30 minutes, while also administering fluids, insulin and dextrose due to his acidic blood.

But as Mr Jarzecki's condition deteriorated they realised that their efforts were futile and made the decision to stop attempting to resuscitate him.

The inquest heard a statement from Mr Jarzecki's work friend, Katarzyna, whose house he had been at when he collapsed.

Katarzyna said: 'Jakub was a cheerful person who I could joke with but who I could also talk to about serious things. At 7pm I started work and one man was suspended from work and sent home.

'We said we should all meet and have a drink as he might not come back to work. After work we went to my house in Nelson.

'Something was happening to Jakub. His eyes were open and he was speaking in a strange language. We didn't know who he was talking to. He was behaving strangely.'

After Mr Jarzecki's death detectives searched the property on Castle Street where they found two empty snap-seal bags similar to those in which illegal drugs are often sold.

Paramedics arrived at 9:32am and noted that Jakub's heart rate was very high, at 150 beats per minute, and he also had a very high temperature and respiratory rate, Preston Coroner's Court (pictured) heard

Detective Inspector Iain Czapowski, of Lancashire Police, said that he could find no evidence that drugs had been consumed on the premises.

However, DI Czapowski added: 'What stood out was the sheer quantity of alcohol that had been consumed.'

In a statement Mateusz said: 'I think they were all taking drugs as I can't think why they wouldn't call an ambulance sooner. I just don't understand why they didn't call an ambulance.'

Mr Jarzecki's sister, Klaudia, added: 'It's been the hardest time of our lives trying to cope with what's happened.'

Toxicology tests carried out after Mr Jarzecki's death revealed he had levels of MDMA (ecstasy) in his system which were within the range encountered in fatalities.

Concluding that Mr Jarzecki's death was drug-related, assistant coroner Sian Jones said: 'When his brother-in-law arrived, even to a lay person it was clear it wasn't a case of someone who was drunk. He was incoherent and talking in a strange language.

'The person whose phone he used was still reluctant to call an ambulance and one has to wonder why that was. The reluctance to call an ambulance suggests to me that at least some of those present were aware something has been taken and were worried, maybe due to their employment.'

A GoFundMe page set up by Mr Jarzecki's colleague Ryan Holt after his death raised more than 2,000 towards the funeral in order to give him the 'send-off he deserves'.

On the page Mr Holt wrote: 'Our colleague Jakub sadly passed away on May 2. He started with the company in February 2022 and in that time he has spent time working as part of the night dairy team and the night freezer team and built relationships right across the warehouse.'
A seven-year-old girl has allegedly been gang-raped by two boys aged seven and eight in the latest horrifying sex attack in India.

The boys are accused of raping the young girl in the city of Ballia, in Uttar Pradesh, on Friday, local media reports.

The victim's family said that the girl was having a bath when the boys lured her away to another location where they gang-raped her.

Police added that her family took the seven-year-old to the hospital when her health deteriorated on Saturday. She is not considered to be in life-threatening condition.

Both boys were arrested and questioned, reportedly admitting to the gang-rape.

The horrifying rape comes after just a month after thousands of women took to the streets of India to call for measures to tackle sexual violence, after a trainee doctor was savagely raped and murdered at a state-run hospital in Calcutta.

Thousands of women took to the streets of India in August to call for measures to tackle sexual violence

The boys are accused of raping the young girl in the city of Ballia, in Uttar Pradesh, on Friday, local media reports

The largest event, described as a 'Reclaim The Night' march, saw thousands of protesters gathering at the city's busy Shyambazar five-point crossing at the start of the country's Independence Day celebrations on August 14

Smaller protests were held other Indian cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune.

The largest event, described as a 'Reclaim The Night' march, saw thousands of protesters gathering at the city's busy Shyambazar five-point crossing at the start of the country's Independence Day celebrations in August.

The event's main organiser, 29-year-old social science researcher Rimjhim Sinha, said she hoped the protest marked the start of structural change in the country, which has long been plagued by gender-based violence.

The horrific crime that sparked the nationwide protest saw a 31-year-old female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital get raped and killed while she was on duty, resting in a seminar hall that was meant to be secure.

Officials, including principal of the medical college Dr Sandip Ghosh, tried to dismiss the death of the young woman as a suicide.

Ghosh, who has since resigned from his prestigious post, said: 'It was irresponsible of the girl to go to the seminar hall alone at night.'

A volunteer hospital worker associated with the Calcutta police named locally as Sanjay Roy has since been arrested in connection with the sick attack.

The murder and rape case has since been taken over by the country's Central Bureau of Investigation, amid claims that the local force would not investigate it fairly.

Sinha said: 'The brutality of this case is enraging. It's not just another rape case where survivors can speak for themselves - this time, we lost a life.

'The aggressiveness of these crimes is escalating, and it's clear that women are increasingly becoming victims of these criminal activities.'
Horror video captured the moment a Florida man rammed his truck into the mother of his toddler son, killing in front of terrified witnesses.

Edwin Amaya, 32, struck and dragged Brenda Hernandez Amaya, 29, with his Ford F-250 truck following an argument over their two-year-old son's custody on Saturday night in Pompano Beach.

Neighbors captured the terrifying incident in cellphone footage that shows Amaya in the street with a group of people before she is hit by the vehicle.

Hernandez Amaya's ex-husband Omar Munguia, 32, was at the scene with friends of the victim and injured as he tried to hang onto Amaya's vehicle.

Amaya also reportedly barreled into several park cars in the attack.

Horror video captured the moment a Florida man rammed his truck into the mother of his toddler son and killed her

Edwin Amaya, 32, fatally struck and dragged Brenda Hernandez Amaya, 29, with his Ford F-250 truck following an argument over their two-year-old son's custody

'At some point during the argument, Amaya walked to his Ford F-250 truck, backed up the vehicle and then intentionally put it into drive and struck Hernandez Amaya with the front of his truck,' police said in a statement.

Both Hernandez Amaya and Munguia-Henrique were taken to the hospital where she died, according to the Broward County Sheriffs Office.

Hernandez Amaya's daughter told NBC Miami she witnessed the terrifying ordeal.

'I couldnt cry. I couldnt talk. I went down stairs, I started running,' she said.

Amaya fled the scene on foot but was later tracked down and arrested

Hernandez Amaya's daughter told NBC Miam i she witnessed the terrifying ordeal

Amaya fled the scene on foot but was later tracked down and arrested.

He has been charged with first-degree murder and is expected in court on Monday.

Munguia, the father of Hernandez Amaya's two other kids, told CBS News that Amaya showed up drunk demanding to take his son with him.

'He said 'I'm going to get my gun from the truck and I'll shoot all of you,"' Munguia said.

Hernandez Amaya's ex-husband Omar Munguia, 32, was at the scene and injured as he tried to hang onto Amaya's vehicle

Hernandez Amaya's family are hoping to collect the funds needed to send her remains back to her home country, Honduras

Hernandez Amaya's family are hoping to collect the funds needed to send her remains back to her home country, Honduras.

Police have asked that anyone with information contact BSO Homicide Detective Steve Novak at 954-321-4325 or submit a tip through the SaferWatch App.
RFK Jr. has been noticeably absent from two major family milestone events in recent days in the aftermath of his sexting scandal - adding fuel to claims that he could have split from his wife.

The 70-year-old former 2024 presidential candidate was missing from both his wife Cheryl Hines' birthday dinner and his niece Grace Kennedy Allen's wedding party following his affair with young journalist Olivia Nuzzi.

Hines celebrated her 59th birthday alongside her daughter Catherine Rose Young, 20, and stepdaughter Kyra LeMoyne Kennedy, 29, in Milan on Saturday night, while Allen held pre-wedding festivities in Massachusetts the same day.

RFK Jr's noticeable no-show to both events comes as Hines was also spotted without her large diamond wedding ring on over the same weekend.

Cheryl Hines (left) was seen celebrating her 59th birthday Saturday night alongside her daughter Catherine Young, 20, (middle) and step-daughter Kyra LeMoyne Kennedy, 29 (right)

The former presidential hopeful is married to Hollywood actress Cheryl Hines

New York magazine Washington correspondent Olivia Nuzzi is on leave following an affair allegedly with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Curb Your Enthusiasm actress shared precious moments from her birthday via Instagram. Dressed in a white lace turtleneck top and black pants, she captioned the photo of herself with her daughters: 'Me & my girls', while RFK was nowhere in sight.

His 30-year-old niece Allen was also seen diving into the water with her cousins and other family members on the same day to celebrate her upcoming marriage.

Page Six photographs show Ted Kennedy's granddaughter leaping into Hyannis Harbor along with several other members of the Kennedy clan during a rainstorm.

Meanwhile, New York Magazine placed Nuzzi, 31, on leave after details of the affair emerged.

Nuzzi admitted in a statement to DailyMail.com that 'the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal', but she claimed the relationship was never physical.

Days later, a 2015 tweet she wrote came back to haunt her - as eagle-eyed social media users unearthed a post she made asking: 'Why does Hollywood think female reporters sleep with their sources?' alongside a link to a NYMag story.

RFK Jr was not at his his niece Grace Kennedy Allen's wedding party following his affair with young journalist Olivia Nuzzi. (Pictured: Grace Kennedy Allen)

She first met RFK Jr at his $6.6million Brentwood mansion he owns with Hines

RFK Jr. has insisted he only met the political journalist once when she did a profile on him last year. (pictured: Hines and Kennedy onstage at the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall)

Nuzzi's relations with the political heavyweight began when she visited his $7 million California home to write a feature article last year. RFK Jr., 70, has insisted he only met the political journalist on this one occasion.

'Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece,' his spokesman told CNN.

A source added that the nature of the relationship was 'emotional and digital in nature, not physical'.

But insiders told the New York Post the pair had engaged in 'sexting' despite RFK Jr. being married and Nuzzi being engaged at the time.

'Earlier this year, the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal,' Nuzzi said.

'During that time, I did not directly report on the subject nor use them as a source,' she said.

'The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict. I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those I've disappointed, especially my colleagues at New York.'

New York magazine acknowledged an inappropriate relationship in a statement about Nuzzi's hiatus, deeming it 'a violation of the magazine's standards around conflicts of interest and disclosures'.

'Had the magazine been aware of this relationship, she would not have continued to cover the presidential campaign,' the statement read. 'An internal review of her published work has found no inaccuracies nor evidence of bias.

'She is currently on leave from the magazine, and the magazine is conducting a more thorough third-party review. We regret this violation of our readers' trust.'
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Rachel Reeves sounded defiance on the winter fuel allowance axe today despite a wave of unrest at Labour conference - as her big speech was disrupted by a Gaza protest.

The Chancellor insisted she would not 'duck decisions' and the 'road ahead is steeper than we expected' as she took to the stage in Liverpool shortly after an extraordinary moment where delegates booed the leadership for thwarting a vote on the controversial policy.

Unions are mounting a frantic push to reverse the move - which strips 10million pensioners of up to 300 a year. They are furious that the showdown has now been pushed back to Wednesday, which is after Keir Starmer gives his own speech and leaves for the US.

Ms Reeves braved chaos early in her address, when two members of the audience started shouting that the UK is not tackling the climate crisis and still supplying arms to Israel - forcing her to stop.

After they were removed Ms Reeves swiped that Labour is 'not a party of protest' any more before continuing with her uncompromising message.

Ms Reeves struck a notably more optimistic tone about the country's future, following a welter of criticism about doom-laden pronouncements and fears they will be self-fulfilling.

She said 'tough decisions' in the upcoming Budget would not 'dim our ambition for Britain' and insisted Tory austerity was a 'destructive choice' which would not be repeated.

However, the scale of the challenge the government faces was underlined as nurses announced while the Chancellor was speaking that they had rejected a 5.5 per cent pay rise offer - demanding even more cash after bumper hikes for junior doctors and train drivers.

In other developments at the conference today:

The Chancellor pledged to begin the rollout of free breakfast clubs in primary schools from April next year;

Ms Reeves has boasted about her status as the first ever female Chancellor, saying in her speech that the British public had 'looked at us, looked at me, and decided Labour could be trusted with their money';

She admitted Labour 's freebies bonanza 'looks a bit odd' reassured unions there will not be a return to 'austerity';

Angela Rayner is facing accusations over a taxpayer-funded 'vanity photographer' who has been taking glossy pictures of her at work;

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has risked fuelling infighting over No10 chief aide Sue Gray by swiping that people are acting like she 'shot JFK';

A poll has found Labour's election-winning coalition is 'eroding from the inside' amid the meltdown over winter fuel and freebies.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves was watched in the hall by many of her Cabinet colleagues as she gave her speech today

Ms Reeves was embraced by Sir Keir after giving her speech this afternoon

The PM and Chancellor put on a show of unity in the conference hall this afternoon

Ms Reeves was giving her keynote speech to delegates as the protest erupted this afternoon

Labour conference descended into chaos today as Rachel Reeves' big speech was disrupted by a Gaza protest

When the demonstrator was removed Ms Reeves swiped that Labour is 'not a party of protest' any more before continuing

The Chancellor was addressing delegates in Liverpool when a member of the audience started shouting that the UK is still supplying arms to Israel - forcing her to stop

The protester was wrestled out of the conference hall during the speech

The disruption happened as Ms Reeves was getting into her crunch address to activists

Sir Keir and Ms Reeves in the conference hall after her speech today

The Chancellor also embraced her sister Ellie - another member of the Cabinet

Angela Rayner and Sir Keir watching Ms Reeves give her speech to activists today

As the session opened earlier this morning, Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled over the winter fuel debate timing

Rachel Reeves' Labour conference speech: key points

Rachel Reeves took to the Labour conference stage as the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer. In her address she: Offered an upbeat assessment for the future to counter previous pessimism

Vowed 'there will be no return to austerity' of the Tory and coalition governments.

Told conference: 'My optimism for Britain burns brighter than ever, my ambition knows no limits.'

Refused to reverse cut to winter fuel payment despite union anger

Warned 'tough decisions' are needed on the economy

Announced rollout of free breakfast clubs for thousands of primary schoolchildren will begin in April

Vowed to 'write the work of all women back into our economic story' as the first female Chancellor. Advertisement

The timing of a winter fuel vote has now been pushed back after intense wrangling on the party's organising committee - with claims the schedule is 'too busy' for a debate this afternoon.

Instead the clash - which the leadership is resigned to losing - is likely to take place after the PM has given his keynote speech. And Sir Keir will not even be present as he is due to be travelling to the UN general assembly.

Despite the open revolt, Ms Reeves has made clear there will be no U-turn on the plan, and the vote will not be binding on the government.

Ms Reeves told the hall: 'Because I know how much damage has been done in those 14 years, let me say one thing straight up: there will be no return to austerity. Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services, and for investment and growth too.

'Yes, we must deal with the Tory legacy and that means tough decisions, but I won't let that dim our ambition for Britain.

'So, it will be a budget with real ambition, a budget to fix the foundations, a budget to deliver the change that we promised, a budget to rebuild Britain.'

Ms Reeves repeated her promise not to 'turn a blind eye' to 'Covid fraudsters' and those who 'used a national emergency to line their own pockets'.

She drew some of her loudest applause as she said: 'That money belongs in our police, it belongs in our health service and belongs in our schools. Conference, we want that money back.'

The winter fuel spat has been intensified by the backlash over Sir Keir, Ms Reeves, Angela Rayner and other senior figures accepting 'freebies' including clothes, tickets and holidays.

But Ms Reeves again insisted there will be no backing down on the cut.

'I made the choice to means test the winter fuel payment, so that it is only targeted at those most in need.

'I know that not everyone  in this hall, or in the country  will agree with every decision I make.

'But I will not duck those decisions. Not for political expediency. Not for personal advantage.

'Faced with that 22billion black hole that the Conservatives left this year and with the triple lock ensuring that the state pension will rise by an estimated 1,700 over the course of this Parliament, I judged it the right decision in the circumstances we inherited.'

The Royal College of Nursing announced that they had rejected the government's pay offer shortly after Ms Reeves said how proud she was of giving public sector workers a 'meaningful rise'.

'I am proud to stand here as the first chancellor in 14 years to have delivered a meaningful, real pay rise to millions of public sector workers we make,' she said.

'We made that choice not just because public sector workers needed a pay rise, but because it was the right choice for parents, patients and for the British public, the right choice for recruitment and retention, and it was the right choice for our country.'

The two protesters from the group Climate Resistance were led from the conference centre in handcuffs and placed in a police van before being driven away.

They had unfurled a banner saying: 'Still backing polluters, still arming Israel  we voted for change.'

As the session opened this morning, Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled as she said: 'This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and I'm going to take this back straight to CAC and I'll come back to you with an answer ASAP.'

Activists were then admonished from the stage for booing.

Unite's Andy Green said: 'This is simply an attempt to take out the debate on the winter fuel allowance.

'Today is economy day at conference and we have the Chancellor speaking and a composite motion on the growth mission, which is scheduled for this morning.

'So, it is more of a surprise, in fact an outrage, to us that the composite motion from Unite and the CWU on economy for the future is not listed on the agenda for today.

'It is disrespectful to our members and every single delegate here and conference itself, who voted for the priorities ballot.'

CWU's senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns questioned why the motion was not scheduled and why it has been briefed that 'it's unlikely to be scheduled for debate this week'.

Labour sources have said the leadership is 'likely' to lose the vote on winter fuel allowance but insisted that Ms Reeves would not back down.

'We'll note it and move on,' the source said. 'It's time for people to start understanding these tough choices are real.'

In her speech, the Chancellor tried to strike a more upbeat note, saying her 'optimism for Britain burns as bright as it ever has done'.

But she warned the country faces 'ruin' unless the new government first moves to shore up the public finances.

'I can see the prize on offer, if we make the right choices now,' she said. 'And stability is the crucial foundation on which all our ambitions will be built.

'The essential precondition for business to invest with confidence and families to plan for the future. The mini-budget showed us that any plan for growth without stability only leads to ruin.'

In a sop to critics on the Left, the Chancellor said: 'There will be no return to austerity.

'Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services  and for investment and growth too.'

And hinting that spending will rise in the future, she insisted: 'Stability, paired with reform, will forge the conditions for business to invest and consumers to spend with confidence. Growth is the challenge. And investment is the solution.'

The Unite union staged a protest outside the conference venue in Liverpool to coincide with the Chancellor's appearance - despite the heavy rain

Ms Reeves has again insisted there will be no U-turn on the winter fuel cut, pointing to a claimed 22billion 'black hole' in the government finances

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves on the stage at the Labour conference today

Former Man United star Gary Neville (left) and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy at conference today

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh at the conference in Liverpool - which has been blighted by the stormy weather wracking Britain

Merchandise on offer at stands at the annual gathering in Liverpool

In a round of interviews this morning, Ms Reeves said she had not 'expected' or 'wanted' to make changes to winter fuel payments.

She told the BBC's Today programme on Radio 4 this morning that 'I was not planning to make these changes to winter fuel payment.

'These were not changes that I expected to make or wanted to make, but when faced with a situation when there's a 22 billion black hole  not some year in the future  but this year in the public finances, it requires difficult decisions.'

The Chancellor defended taking 7,500 worth of clothes from a donor during the election campaign. She also confirmed that she accepted free holiday accommodation in Cornwall valued at 1,400 for her family.

But she stressed that she will not be receiving free clothes in future.

The Chancellor also played down fears of deep spending cuts to fill her claimed 22billion 'black hole' in the government finances, saying there would be no return to 'austerity'.

Puddles of water in a drenched Liverpool as the Labour conference continues

Shadow Treasury minister Gareth Davies said the Tories would not have scrapped winter fuel payments for all pensioners.

It's a 'political choice' for Labour to reduce eligibility for the payment, he told GB News.

'They have chosen on the one hand to hand massive pay rises to the unions, while at the same time taking away support for pensioners ahead of winter. That is a political choice.'

Asked how the Conservatives would have plugged the 'black hole' in the public finances, he said the opposition was 'questioning the validity' of the claimed 22 billion gap and that the Tories had had a plan to 'make savings on welfare, to crack down on tax avoidance' that Labour was not taking forward.

'What this is really all about is what they always wanted to do, and that's roll the pitch for tax rises, which will come in the Budget. They're now starting to admit that. That will harm growth and I thought this Government was all about growth.'
A man has been stabbed to death on a busy street outside a popular restaurant.

Emergency services raced to the scene on Marrickville Road in Marrickville in Sydney's inner-west about 7.40pm on Monday following reports of a stabbing.

Police and paramedics performed CPR on the wounded man outside the Guzman Y Gomez restaurant but he couldn't be revived and died at the scene.

The incident sparked emotional scenes as those who knew the dead man raced to the scene, wanting to see the body covered by a white sheet.

Some had to be held back by officers after a scuffle broke out while one man had to be restrained and tasered by police, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Another man was heard screaming, 'He's my f***ing brother, don't touch me,' before officers moved the group on and cordoned off the vicinity.

Other distressed relatives of the victim arrived at the scene and were heard wailing as police began scouring the scene with flashlights in hand and spoke to nearby shopkeepers.

Marrickville Road was closed in both directions at the intersection of Illawarra Road and Garners Avenue

A man was stabbed outside Guzman Y Gomez in Marrickville on Monday night

Police established a crime scene and closed several streets in the inner-city suburb

Surrounding streets were also blocked off as police established a crime scene.

It's expected the street closures will remain for sometime with motorists advised to avoid the area.

One overseas visitor in the area shortly after the alleged stabbing found the incident 'sad' and had always felt safe in Australia.

'To be honest, I didn't expect this type of thing to happen in this country,' she said.

'It makes me feel sad and also sad for that guy.'

Locals online also expressed their shock at such a horrific crime happening in their neighbourhood.

Police established a crime scene and searched the area with torches. They also spoke to local shopkeepers in the street

Emotions ran high at the scene where the victim's friends and loved ones clashed with police

'Blood everywhere,' one wrote.

'I saw cop cars coming from everywhere,' another said.

NSW Police have no further information at this stage. No arrests have been made.

Authorities appeal for anyone with information or may have dashcam or mobile phone footage to come forward.
An American woman who went missing while hiking in South Africa has been found dead, authorities have confirmed.

Brook Cheuvront, a 20-year-old student from North Carolina who was studying abroad, vanished Saturday during a hike on Table Mountain in Cape Town.

A search party found Cheuvront's body around 2pm Sunday in an area known as Devil's Peak, Western Cape police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie told South African news website News24.

Her remains were flown out via helicopter and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Authorities have opened an inquest into her death.

Cheuvront's heartbroken father Steve also confirmed her death on Sunday, posting on Facebook that the family was 'devastated' by the 'nightmare'.

Cheuvront, who attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was on an internship at an NGO and is said to have loved hiking and exploring.

Brook Cheuvront (pictured in Lesotho, South Africa in August 2024), a 20-year-old student from North Carolina who was studying abroad, vanished Saturday during a hike on Table Mountain in Cape Town

Cheuvront (pictured in Lesotho, South Africa last month) was reported missing on Saturday after 12pm after a tracking app she was using stopped updating. According to reports, she had been hiking alone

A search party found Cheuvront's body around 2pm Sunday in an area known as Devil's Peak. Her remains were flown out via helicopter and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death (File photo of Table Mountain, Cape Town)

Cheuvront's heartbroken father Steve also confirmed her death on Sunday, posting on Facebook that the family was 'devastated'

Cheuvront was reported missing on Saturday after 12pm after a tracking app she was using stopped updating. According to reports, she had been hiking alone.

Worried friends called the police when there were no updates on her tracking app, and they could not contact her by phone.

An initial search was conducted by rangers, wilderness search and rescue members, and trail runners until late Saturday evening when it was no longer practical to continue, said South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesman JP Louw.

An aircraft joined the search the next day and helped to locate the body.

'The body of the missing hiker was found in an area which is part of Devil's Peak, and was retrieved by EMS helicopter,' Pojie told News24. 'An autopsy will be conducted to determine the possible cause of death.'

The management of SANParks, which manages Table Mountain and other national parks, said her cause of death was still unclear.

South African authorities have urged people to avoid hiking on their own, suggesting it be done in groups of at least four people.

Steve Cheuvront confirmed his daughter's death on social media, posting: 'Please take down all post looking for Brook. She was recovered. We are devastated. God help me and us.'

Cheuvront (pictured in West Coast National Park, north of Cape Town earlier in September) relocated to South Africa in August and was interning with the Ntsika ye Themba program

Cheuvront was a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill and had been on an internship at the University of Cape Town. She is pictured with apparent classmates at West Coast National Park in a photo shared to her Instagram page last week

Cheuvront, pictured with her mother at Glacier National Park in Montana in July 2024, is said to have loved hiking and exploring

In earlier Facebook posts, he had revealed that he was planning to fly to South Africa to aid in the search for the 20-year-old.

'Please, please, let her be found. It will be daylight there in 90 min. Search and rescue. The US ambassador is aware. All resources will be sent. I may be flying over tomorrow,' he wrote on Saturday.

Cheuvront was a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill and had been on an internship at the University of Cape Town, WNCN reported.

She relocated to South Africa in August and was interning with the Ntsika ye Themba program, which works to educate young boys about gender-based violence and toxic masculinity. The program also works to empower boys who are raised in communities that suffer from gang violence.

Cheuvront has visited several communities in South Africa since her move, posts on her Instagram page revealed.

She enjoyed a meal at a local market in Soweto, Joburg, according to a post shared on August 26, and toured Lesotho before moving to Gauteng.

Cheuvront is pictured at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming in July 2024

In July this year, Cheuvront ran a 17-mile loop through Mt Helena and Mt Ascension National Parks in Montana

Cheuvront, pictured on her graduation day, was a cross-country runner and the 2022 valedictorian of her high school

That same day she shared photographs of animals at the Pilanesberg National Park, located north-west of Johannesburg.

The 'passionate' student was double majoring in English and Philosophy at college, with a minor in Astronomy, her LinkedIn profile states.

She stated she was interested in the 'role of a scientific mindset in human and civil rights litigation, as well as astronomy and scientific education as a tool for advocacy and empowerment'.

'I believe that great passion facilitates great learning and I am an advocate for introducing complex issues on a level that brings all voices to the table,' she wrote on her profile.

She was also a cross-country runner and the 2022 valedictorian of her high school.
Vice President Kamala Harris in now promising to secure the border, but when she was a senator of California, she was a staunch opponent of deporting illegal immigrants.

Harris joined a group of protesters during a 2018 Los Angeles parade chanting, 'Down down with deportation!' in a video exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail.

Harris was named the grand marshal of the 33rd annual parade, typically reserved to celebrate the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

But leftist political forces used the occasion to celebrate their own political causes, including the 'Times up!' movement, featuring women who protested sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

The topic of immigration enforcement also came up during the parade, prompting Harris to join chants celebrating illegal immigration without consequences.

Kamala Harris protests deportation during a 2019 parade in Los Angeles

'Up up with education, down, down with deportation!' she chanted enthusiastically with the group of activists at her side as she clapped her hands and pointed and smiled.

Harris was joined by members of her family including her husband Doug Emhoff and his daughter Ella Emhoff, who filed the occasion on her iPhone.

Other prominent figures who joined her in the parade included a onetime rising television star Jussie Smollet who was featured in the show Empire, a fictional story of a struggle for control of a hip-hop production company.

Smollet, wearing sunglasses and a Times Up t-shirt held a young girl and joined Harris in the throng of protester.

Kamala Harris marches and protests deportation with actor Jussie Smollett

Kamala Harris chants against deportation with her husband Doug and stepdaughter Ella Emhoff

Kamala Harris marched and shouted with actor Jussie Smollett during a 2018 MLK Jr. parade

In January 2019, Smollet was found guilty of conducting a hoax hate crime after he falsely claimed he was jumped by two men wearing MAGA hats who poured bleach on him and wrapped a noose around his neck.

Harris famously described the attack as an 'attempted modern day lynching' on social media in a post she has still not deleted even after Smollet's claim has been thoroughly debunked.

.@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. Im praying for his quick recovery.



This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2019

Harris followed through with her goal of reducing deportation once she got to the White House.

According to data released by ICE, the Biden administration's actions in office resulted in a 67 percent decline in removals of criminal aliens compared to the Trump administration.

In the first three years of Trump's administration, ICE removed 485,930 illegal aliens with criminal confiscations or pending criminal charges.

The Biden-Harris administration, however, only removed 158,931 criminal aliens or pending charges.

Harris has raised the alarm of Trump's vow to resume deportation of criminal illegal immigrants, by warning of 'mass deportation' camps.

'They have pledged to carry out the largest deportation, a mass deportation, in American history,' Harris said during a speech at an event hosted by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the nonprofit arm of the congressional caucus.

'How's that gonna happen, massive raids? Massive detention camps?' she said. 'What are they talking about?'

Trump said he would first prioritize criminal illegal immigrants for deportation, in an interview with journalist Sharyl Attkisson.

'We are getting the criminals out and we are going to do that fast, and we know who they are,' Trump said

He spoke about the dangers of allowing unchecked illegal immigration into the United States.

'We are not a dumping ground. We are going to get all those people out and we are going to get them out fast and we have no choice, because that is not sustainable by any country,' he said.
A dangerous crime is plaguing the flying industry, increasingly concerning pilots, airlines and experts.

Incidents of GPS spoofing have spiked from only dozens per day in February to over 1,100 in August - a 400 percent increase, according to an OPS Group report.

GPS spoofing occurs when a fake radio signal is used to interfere with and override a legitimate one. It is a cyberattack and is used as a warfare tactic.

Civilian flights were the primary targets of these kind of attacks, but now commercial pilots are seeing a rapid increase in these confusing GPS signals that 'could be extremely dangerous,' American Airlines Captain Dan Carey told The Wall Street Journal.

Ken Alexander, the Federal Aviation Administrations chief scientist for satellite navigation, said at a pilot union forum: 'If we lose an airplane because of workload issues because of these problems were encountering, compounded with an emergency, that is going to be a horrendous event.'

GPS spoofing is becoming an increasing concerning issue among commercial flights

A United Airlines flight experience spoofing in August while flying towards Newark Liberty International Airport

Experts warn that flights are at risk for spoofing beyond war-torn areas such as Ukraine and the Middle East, but occurrences are still rising in those places as well.

Pilots have reported false warnings, reset clocks and wrongly-directed flight paths - these can last for a few minutes or for the entire flight.

It can take planes off their intended tracks and cause them to miss their designated landing spaces.

Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency Florian Guillermet told The Wall Street Journal: 'The risk is growing in terms of the number of occurrences.'

The OPS group reported that the highest number of interferences has been up to 1,350 flights in one day.

In April, two Finnish flights were forced to turn around due to Russian GPS manipulation.

A similar incident happen in August when a United Airlines pilot started seeing coordinates that did not match up with their actual location while flying through Asia to Newark Liberty International Airport, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Even after the flight left the spoofed area - south of Ukraine - the discrepancy lingered for the rest of the flight. The GPS system shows the flight was over the Atlantic Ocean when it had already arrived in Newark.

Pilots reportedly noticed that the first sign of GPS spoofing is clocks being set back or telling the wrong time

American Airlines is one of the prominent airlines working on a procedure for pilots to execute during spoofing incidents

Carey experienced the stress of being targeted by GPS spoofing first-hand. The pilot received a 'pull up!' signal during a March flight over Pakistan. This kind of alert tells pilots that they are about to collide with something.

He knew he was too high off the ground - 32,000 feet in the air - for this signal to be accurate.

American Airlines and United Airlines are among those who have been impacted by this issue.

They are figuring out a new procedure for pilots to reset circuit breakers in cockpits when they notice something is wrong.

But plane manufacturers like Boeing have been reluctant to implement this kind of procedure because it could lead to electrical issues on the flight.

Retired United Airlines captain Christopher Behnam told The Wall Street Journal that while flying over the Middle East, he often experienced this kind of interference and in low-visibility situations, it can be 'very, very, very alarming.'

'We are trained for these things, so you stay calm and you just follow the procedure,' he said.

GPS spoofing can be 'very, very, very alarming,' retired United Airlines captain Christopher Behnam said

Pilots have reportedly observed that the first sign of GPS spoofing is when a clock starts running backwards.

Ken Munro, founder of cybersecurity firm Pen Test Partners, said during a presentation at a DEF CON hacking convention: 'We think too much about GPS being a source of position, but it's actually a source of time.

He later said that he's seen a major airline have a cockpit's clock get set ahead by several years during a spoofing incident.

A GPS spoofing workgroup made up of 450 participants is working to resolve this problem and get to the bottom of the issue.

United Airlines, American Airlines, Aer Lingus, Turkish Airlines and Alaska Airlines are some of the major airlines involved.
Scotland Yard has paid a Christian preacher 10,000 in damages for a second time after she was arrested while preparing to talk about the Koran at Speakers' Corner.

Hatun Tash was pulled away from the famous spot in London by Metropolitan Police officers while being jeered and shouted at by a mob chanting 'Allahu Akbar'.

The evangelist was then kept in a cell overnight - despite her own supporters having called the police after her Koran was stolen during the incident on June 26, 2022.

Now, the Met has given her 10,000 in damages and costs, nearly two years after it paid her the same amount for two other arrests at the same spot in Hyde Park.

The 42-year-old Christian is a former Muslim from Turkey who is now a prominent critic of Islam and believes Muslims should be encouraged to convert to Christianity.

But Miss Tash, who is a director of Defend Christ Critique Islam (DCCI), claimed she had been 'dealing with two-tiered policing for years' and that a 'Muslim mob' who gather at the area known as the home of free speech seemed to be 'above the law'.

Hatun Tash is seen setting up her camera at Speakers' Corner in London on June 26, 2022

Police officers arrive and try to draw Miss Tash away from the growing crowd in Hyde Park

The incident began on a Sunday afternoon when Miss Tash  a regular at Speaker's Corner - was setting up her camera in a crowded area preparing to preach.

'I have been dealing with two-tiered policing for years': Full statement from Hatun Tash after Met payout 'I have been dealing with two-tiered policing for years. Muslim mobs at Speakers' Corner are above the law and have been allowed by the police to do what they like to silence debate, increasingly by any means. 'I have been treated appallingly by the police and have been repeatedly humiliated when I had not done anything wrong. 'The police, as usual, just did exactly what the Muslim mob wanted them to do. They even sided with the men who had stolen my property and to this day have taken no action. 'The police have repeatedly taken away my rights and told me that they cannot protect me because they do not want to offend a certain group of people. 'Edward Little's planned attack shows everything. The inaction of the police is encouraging the Edward Littles of this world to believe they can act with impunity. 'More must be done to properly deal with Islamic violence and intimidation at Speakers' Corner. We don't live in Pakistan; we don't live in Saudi Arabia. 'I am Christian and by default I believe that Muhammad is a false prophet. I should be allowed to say that in the UK without being stabbed or repeatedly arrested. 'I am concerned that power has been handed over to Muslim mobs on Britain's streets, and that there is no coming back from this. 'The British public urgently need and deserve better policing.' Advertisement

She often speaks out against Islam and had a copy of the Koran with holes, which she sometimes uses as a visual aid to suggest that the Islamic faith 'has holes in it'.

But as she was getting ready, a man crept up on her belongings and took her copy of the Koran before running off through the crowd.

A group of Christian friends with Miss Tash called the police to report the theft  and when officers arrived, they tried to draw her away from the growing crowd.

When she refused to move from where she planned to preach, the officers took hold of Miss Tash and frogmarched her through the crowd to a waiting police van.

Video footage showed the gathered crowd laughing, pursuing and mocking her as she was led away  with her belongings left unattended at Speakers' Corner.

Miss Tash was told that she had been arrested for criminal damage and under the Public Order Act 1986 for wearing a Charlie Hebdo T-shirt which depicted the Prophet Mohammed.

Arriving at Charing Cross Police station, she was then strip searched which her lawyers later said breached Article 3 of her human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

This article on 'Prohibition of torture' states that 'no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment'.

Her legal team also claimed officers removed her glasses meaning she could not see, and she was then deprived of sleep before being interrogated at 4am.

Released at 9am, after 15 hours in custody, Miss Tash was told that there would be no further action  and she was not given any help to retrieve her belongings from Speakers' Corner.

She also claimed that her rights had been breached under ECHR article nine for 'freedom of thought, conscience and religion' and article ten for 'freedom of expression'.

Launching legal action with the help of the Christian Legal Centre, her lawyers pointed out that 'even if arrest and detention is deemed lawful initially it may subsequently become unlawful' and that 'the burden is on the police to show that the detention was lawful 'minute by minute'.'

They also cited a legal precedent which showed there is protection afforded to people who try to persuade others to change their religion.

Lawyers concluded that the police 'did not reasonably believe that (Miss Tash) was involved in the commission of a criminal offence', adding that officers 'believed that the easiest solution to the problem was 'get rid of our client'.'

Officers take hold of Miss Tash after she refuses to move from where she planned to preach

The gathered crowd laughs at Miss Tash and mocks her as she is led away from the park

Police then agreed to settle the case and compensate Miss Tash, who has given the money to an organisation supporting individuals who decide to leave the Islamic faith and face persecution for doing so.

Miss Tash said: 'I have been dealing with two-tiered policing for years. Muslim mobs at Speakers' Corner are above the law and have been allowed by the police to do what they like to silence debate, increasingly by any means.

'I have been treated appallingly by the police and have been repeatedly humiliated when I had not done anything wrong.

'The police, as usual, just did exactly what the Muslim mob wanted them to do. They even sided with the men who had stolen my property and to this day have taken no action.

'The police have repeatedly taken away my rights and told me that they cannot protect me because they do not want to offend a certain group of people.'

The payout is the latest in a line of incidents involving the Met arresting Miss Tash.

The force paid out 10,000 in compensation to her in October 2022 after arresting her on two other occasions.

Miss Tash's belongings are left unattended at Speakers' Corner as police drag her away

Miss Tash is led away by police and is told that she is being arrested for criminal damage

And in July 2021, counter-terrorism police launched an investigation after a knifeman stabbed her at Speakers' Corner  but the attacker has still not been caught three years later.

Last December, homegrown terrorist Edward Little who plotted to launch a gun attack at Hyde Park was jailed for at least 16 years  before this was increased to 24 years in January.

The court heard he had planned to kill Miss Tash at Speaker's Corner as well as anyone with her and any police officers or soldiers in the area.

And Miss Tash, who has 700,000 subscribers on YouTube, said today: 'Edward Little's planned attack shows everything. The inaction of the police is encouraging the Edward Littles of this world to believe they can act with impunity.

'More must be done to properly deal with Islamic violence and intimidation at Speakers' Corner. We don't live in Pakistan, we don't live in Saudi Arabia.

'I am Christian and by default I believe that Muhammad is a false prophet. I should be allowed to say that in the UK without being stabbed or repeatedly arrested.

Police take Miss Tash through the crowd at Speaker's Corner as she is pursued by a mob

Miss Tash is eventually put in a police van before being taken to Charing Cross police station

'I am concerned that power has been handed over to Muslim mobs on Britain's streets, and that there is no coming back from this. The British public urgently need and deserve better policing.'

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: 'This was another lamentable episode of policing at Speakers' Corner.

'The video footage of Hatun being marched away is deeply disturbing and demonstrates the totalitarian approach to anyone who stands against Islam in London. If it is not safe to critique Islamic ideology at Speakers' Corner then nowhere is safe.

'The police have seen it as easier to remove Hatun rather than deal with people intimidating and threatening her. The police fear of being accused of Islamophobia has meant that Sharia Law is ruling Speakers' Corner rather than the law of the UK.

'This payout to Hatun is a rare admission by the police that they got it wrong. But this has now happened too often and must lead to an overhaul and review over how police are dealing with these incidents in London.'

The Free Speech Union described Miss Tash as an 'extraordinarily brave woman', adding that everyone at the organisation 'stands in solidarity' with her.

MailOnline has contacted the Met for comment.
A missing Louisiana girl was found sleeping in the woods after a day long search by officials using thermal imaging-equipped drones.

Peyton Saintignan, 10, disappeared from her Dubberly home and was last seen at bedtime on September 14 wearing blue Frozen themed pajamas and no shoes.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said she wandered away from her home and was caught by a trail camera walking in a wooded area.

Police launched an intense search on September 15 conducted by hundreds of volunteers and a large number of agencies when Drone Management Services LLC of Magnolia, Arkansas offered their services.

Using the company's thermal imaging-equipped drones, police found the young girl curled up as she slept on the forest floor.

A missing Louisiana girl was found sleeping in the woods by officials using thermal imaging-equipped drones

Police woke Peyton Saintignan (pictured), 10, from her slumber on the forest floor and carried her to safety

'She was in dense woods roughly 300 yards from where a trail camera had recorded her earlier Sunday morning,' Parker said.

'She was asleep when we found her. We've had her checked by EMS and she is fine, back at home and hungry.'

Drone Management Services provided their vital services to law enforcement after hearing about the rescue effort from a family member.

'We had the DeSoto Parish helicopter in the air and couldn't put drones up at the time, but when it was possible, Josh Klober, Matt Ramos and Micah Carter brought their equipment and successfully located the young girl,' Parker said.

The drone footage captured Saintignan being woken by rescuers and carried to safety around 11 p.m.

The thermal drones detected the girl laying in the woods then rescuers were able to walk towards her and bring her to the main road

She disappeared from her Dubberly home and was last seen at bedtime on September 14 and was captured by a trail camera (pictured) the next day

The 10-year-old (pictured) was checked by EMS and she is fine, back at home and hungry

'Drone Management Services was honored to play a part in the search and rescue operation. Witnessing the moment Peyton was found, peacefully sleeping in the woods, was truly heartwarming,' the company said.

The Louisiana State Police, Webster Parish School Board, Advanced Ambulance, Daubery Police Dept., Dixie Inn Police Department Crossroads Canine Search and Rescue and numerous other drone and dog teams contributed to the search.

'I can't tell you how thrilled we all are to have a happy ending to this,' Parker said. 'A lot of prayers were answered today.

'And, I want especially to thank all the agencies who helped bring Peyton safely home, and all the volunteers who gave their time and efforts. This was truly a cooperative effort.'
Rachel Reeves was left embarrassed today after nurses rejected a new pay award - at the same time as the Chancellor boasted about ending public sector strikes.

Mid-way through Ms Reeves' speech to Labour's conference in Liverpool, the Royal College of Nursing announced they were refusing to accept the Government's offer.

The union said two-thirds of members had voted against a 5.5 per cent pay increase for this year, which ministers had hoped would settle a long-running row.

The RCN, which staged a series of disruptive strikes as part of the dispute, said there had been 'a fundamental shift in the determination of nursing staff to stand up for themselves'.

Their rejection of the Government's pay award came as Ms Reeves addressed Labour members at the party's conference for the first time as Chancellor, in a speech that was disrupted by a Gaza protester.

Rachel Reeves was left embarrassed today after nurses rejected a new pay award - at the same time as the Chancellor boasted about ending public sector strikes

NHS workers are pictured on a picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital in London last year during their strike action over pay

During her conference speech, Ms Reeves hailed how she had acted to end widespread industrial action by announcing a series of salary hikes within weeks of Labour winning power

During her speech, she hailed how she had acted to end widespread industrial action by announcing a series of salary hikes within weeks of Labour winning power.

Ms Reeves said: 'I am proud to stand here as the first Chancellor in 14 years to have delivered a meaningful, real pay rise to millions of public sector workers.

'We made that choice. We made that choice not just because public sector workers needed that pay rise.

'But because it was the right choice for parents, patients and for the British public.

'The right choice for recruitment and retention. And it was the right choice for our country.'

The Chancellor also dismissed Tory criticism of Labour's public sector pay rises - at the same time as claiming a 22billion 'black hole' in the nation's finances - by saying she would relish 'a fight' with the Conservatives.

'If the Conservative Party, if they want a fight about this,' she added. 'If they want to argue we should have ignored the independent pay review bodies.

'That public sector workers' pay should fall further behind the cost of living. That ordinary families should pay the price of industrial action.

'If the Conservatives Party want a fight about who can be trusted to make the right choices for our public services and those who use them. Then I say bring it on.'

Ms Reeves announced she had approved a 5.5 per cent pay rise for nurses and other NHS workers in England on 29 July.

Junior doctors were also handed a pay deal worth 22 per cent over two years to end their long-running dispute.

The RCN today revealed, following a vote of 145,000 members, that nurses had rejected the Government's offer.

In a letter to the Health Secretary Wes Streeting, the union's general secretary Professor Nicola Ranger said: 'We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the determination of nursing staff to stand up for themselves, their patients and the NHS they believe in.'

She added: 'To raise standards and reform the NHS, you need safe numbers of nursing staff and they need to feel valued.

'Nursing staff were asked to consider if, after more than a decade of neglect, they thought the pay award was a fair start.

'This outcome shows their expectations of Government are far higher.

'Our members do not yet feel valued and they are looking for urgent action, not rhetorical commitments.

'Their concerns relate to understaffed shifts, poor patient care and nursing careers trapped at the lowest pay grades  they need to see that the Government's reform agenda will transform their profession as a central part of improving care for the public.'

Responding to the RCN's rejection of the Government's pay award, Mr Streeting told Times Radio: 'I'd say to nurses and in fact the whole NHS workforce, we know what you've been through, we know how hard it has been.

'But they also know that for the first time in a long time they've got a Government that's on their side, wants to work with them to take the NHS from the worst crisis in its history to get it back on its feet and make it fit for the future.

'We're going to be one team, we're going to do it together and we're going to do something we can be proud of for the rest of our lives.

'You're looking for a bit of goodwill? I've already got the nurses' goodwill. I need to repay that goodwill by giving them the tools they need to do the job and that's exactly what I'm going to do.'

Tory MP Victoria Atkins, the shadow health secretary, said: 'Labour was warned that if they gave an inflation-busting pay rise to junior doctors then other hard-working health staff would ask why they aren't as valued by this Government.

'As a result of that decision, this response by RCN was clearly foreseeable, yet the Chancellor and Health Secretary seem taken aback that their short-term decisions have long-term consequences.

'In under three months, this Labour Government has stopped new hospitals being built, scrapped NHS productivity improvements, overseen GPs entering industrial action, been exposed in a health cronyism scandal and has now opened a dispute with hundreds of thousands of nurses and midwives.

'For the sake of patients, NHS staff and taxpayers, the Health Secretary must step away from press releases and explain what plans he has to reach an agreement with nurses, midwives and other healthcare staff.

'Action now, not words about the past, is needed.'
Labour's free breakfast plan for thousands of primary schoolchildren will start in April, Rachel Reeves announced today.

The Chancellor used her party conference address to announce a pilot scheme involving hundreds of schools would start in the spring, ahead of the national rollout of the 315million scheme.

Ms Reeves confirmed up to 750 schools in England would be offered the chance to take part in the first stage of the process next year.

The Chancellor's speech, a little over a month before her first Budget on October 30, was an attempt to strike a more optimistic tone about the UK's economy after months of gloomy messages about the inheritance she was left by the Tories.

She said: 'I will judge my time in office a success if I know that at the end of it there are working-class kids from ordinary backgrounds who lead richer lives, their horizons expanded, and able to achieve and thrive in Britain today.

'That starts by taking the first steps on delivering another manifesto commitment, our promise, led by our Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, to introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school across England.

'Today, I can announce that that will start in hundreds of schools for primary school-aged pupils from this April ahead of the national rollout, an investment in our young people, an investment in reducing child poverty, an investment in our economy.'

The Chancellor used her party conference address to announce a pilot scheme involving hundreds of schools would start in the spring, ahead of the national rollout of the 315million scheme.

The Chancellor's speech, a little over a month before her first Budget on October 30, was an attempt to strike a more optimistic tone about the UK's economy after months of gloomy messages about the inheritance she was left by the Tories.

But Becca Lyon, head of UK child poverty at Save the Children UK, said: 'If the Chancellor is serious about helping working class kids from ordinary backgrounds lead richer lives, then they need to remove barriers like scrapping the two-child limit to Universal Credit.

'Doing this would lift 360,000 children out of poverty, and many families subject to this are in work  they are part of the working Britain the Chancellor speaks of. Currently the odds are unfairly stacked against these children.

'Rolling out breakfast clubs from April is a good first step, but much more must be done, starting with meaningful targets to reduce child poverty as part of an ambitious strategy.'

The plan was backed by 7 million of funding and the Department for Education would work collaboratively with schools, businesses and charities to test the delivery of the breakfast club programme ahead of the wider national rollout.

The speech follows a row over Ms Reeves's decision to means-test winter fuel payments, stripping the handouts worth up to 300 from millions of pensioners.

Ms Reeves insisted that her plans would not amount to the return of Tory-era austerity.

'Because I know how much damage has been done in those 14 years, let me say one thing straight up: there will be no return to austerity. Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services and for investment and growth too,' she said.

'Yes, we must deal with the Tory legacy and that means tough decisions but I won't let that dim our ambition for Britain.

'So it will be a budget with real ambition, a budget to fix the foundations, a budget to deliver the change that we promised, a budget to rebuild Britain.'

The Chancellor's speech was briefly disrupted by a heckler complaining about arms sales to Israel.

As the protester was hauled away by security, Mr Reeves said: 'This is a changed Labour Party, a Labour Party that represents working people, not a party of protest.'

Campaign group Climate Resistance claimed responsibility for the protest.

Ms Reeves still faces lingering anger over her decision to limit winter fuel payments only to pensioners on pension credits or certain other benefits.

Some of Labour's biggest union backers are behind a conference motion demanding a U-turn on the measure, which is expected to be considered on Wednesday.

'I know that not everyone in this room or in the country will agree with every decision that I make,' the Chancellor said.

'I will not duck those decisions, not for political expediency, not for personal advantage.

'Faced with that 22 billion black hole that the Conservatives left this year and with the triple lock ensuring that the state pension will rise by an estimated 1,700 over the course of this Parliament, I judged it the right decision in the circumstances that we inherited.'

The Unite and CWU unions, which have tabled motions calling for the policy to be ditched, are furious that a debate on their demands was not scheduled for Monday alongside the Chancellor's speech.

Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, said: 'Right now it is fair to say that the Labour leaders have tried to silence the voice of pensioners, workers and communities at party conference, in this blatant manoeuvre to block debate on winter fuel cuts and the departure towards austerity mark two.'

Dave Ward, general secretary of the CWU, said he was 'really disappointed' that the debate on the winter fuel allowance had been put back to Wednesday.

'It should have been heard today,' he told PA.

'We will continue to campaign for the policy to be reversed whatever the outcome of the vote.

'We don't accept that it is good economics or the right policy for the Labour Party to be pursuing.'
One Australian state has introduced new sexual consent laws, which now includes defining the act of 'stealthing' as rape and tougher sentences for offenders.

Queensland's revised laws came into force on Monday, which aim to improve 'the experience' of victims of sexual offences when they're ready to make the brave decision to come forward and file a complaint.

Among the reforms is that the act of 'stealthing' is now a criminal offence - which can result in a maximum sentence of life behind bars, Yahoo reported.

'Stealthing' is when a sexual partner secretly removes a condom during sex without the knowledge and consent of the other party involved.

The recognition of stealthing as rape brings Queensland in line with most other Aussie states and territories, including Victoria, the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and NSW.

The official definition of consent has also been revised as part of the changes.

It was previously defined as 'being freely and voluntarily given by a person with the cognitive capacity to give it.'

But now the word 'given' has been replaced with 'agreed'.

Queensland has introduced a new suite of sexual consent laws, including recognising 'stealthing' as rape (pictured stock image)

Stealthing is when a sexual partner removes their condom during intercourse - but doesn't tell the person they're having sex with (pictured a condom)

Queensland health and women's minister Shannon Fentiman earlier told media the state is committed to holding sexual offenders to account.

'We know that non-physical violence is just as dangerous as physical violence,' she said.

'Coercive control is also the biggest predicting factor for intimate partner homicide. Thats why we have taken strong steps to make coercive control an offence in Queensland.

'Reforms to consent laws aim to improve the experience of victims of sexual offences when they make the brave decision to come forward and hold their perpetrators to account.'

Ms Fentiman also weighed in on the new stealthing reforms.

'It is rape, and it should be treated as such under the law,' she said.

The Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce's final Hear Her Voice report recommended 188 law reforms, including an overhaul of consent laws.

The new bill was developed in consultation with many stakeholders, including sexual violence bodies.

Queensland's health and women's minister Shannon Fentiman is committed to holding perpetrators to account

The Queensland government will spend $225million implementing the recommendations, including major IT upgrade in 81 courts across the state to help with victim testimony.

The 24-hour sexual assault response team in Townsville will been extended and expanded to two more locations.

The reform were introduced after Queensland, along with NSW, saw the sharpest rise of sexual assault victims recorded in 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Queensland had a 14 per cent yearly increase to 1,011 victims, while NSW sexual assault victims rose by 19 per cent to 2,296.

Nationwide, there was an astonishing 35,138 victims.

Women represented 84 per cent - or 30,466 - of victims nationwide.

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A UC Irvine professor accused of being a seedy sex pest has claimed his accusers are just upset at being 'lackluster' students.

Bruce Blumberg, 70, was briefly suspended with pay during an investigation into allegations made against him by a woman in his biology lab.

She alleged Blumberg called her 'babe' while they were at an international conference in Spain, urged her to visit a sex shop and told her 'I could give you some meat' while they were discussing a charcuterie platter.

Blumberg denies any wrongdoing, and has since returned to the lab following the investigation.

Bruce Blumberg was briefly suspended with pay during an investigation into allegations made against him by a woman in his biology lab

UC Irvine officials have reportedly met with Blumberg on four occasions since 2010 regarding complaints or rumors

A spokesperson speaking on behalf of Blumberg told the Los Angeles Times those who spoke out against him were the 'lackluster' students in his class.

'A small subset of former lab members who were disgruntled and unsatisfied with their lackluster achievements, as compared with other higher achievers, sought to blame their failures on a purported toxic lab atmosphere,' the spokesperson said.

'In fact it was a demanding, yet rewarding place to work.'

Blumberg has met with school officials four times since 2010 regarding complaints or rumors involving him.

The UCI report reveals he attended a 'policy compliance meeting' in 2013 following allegations he'd embarked on a consensual relationship with a postdoc student.

His spokesperson said this was 'unsubstantiated gossip.'

Furthermore, the report noted that in 2019 he was the subject of a formal investigation after a student accused him of sexual harassment.

Blumberg denies any wrongdoing, and has since returned to the lab following the investigation

The report said the investigation at the time found he did not violate school policy. The allegations were that he made sexual comments toward an undergrad student and discussed her Instagram posts with her.

He allegedly was called in for another 'policy compliance meeting' in 2022 to discuss 'language use.'

The latest allegation centers around a trip Blumberg and a student took to Spain in 2022.

The female complainant brought her sister with her on the trip, and both were interviewed as part of the investigation.

She allegedly described the trip as 'an absolute nightmare' and felt like she was bracing for Blumberg to 'make a move' while at the conference.

He argues he has always acted professionally, and denies making any inappropriate remarks toward the woman.

While he was initially placed on involuntary leave with pay in July 2023 amid the ongoing investigation, that was overturned in September. And by December, he'd reached an agreement with the UCI

While he was initially placed on involuntary leave with pay in July 2023 amid the ongoing investigation, that was overturned in September.

And by December, he'd reached an agreement with the UCI which will place him on a five-year probationary period with additional workplace restrictions.

Blumberg accepted a three-month unpaid suspension in exchange for the disciplinary charges against him being dropped.

He was also required to complete two hours of sexual harassment training and was prohibited from following his students on social media, or discussing his personal life with them.

As part of the stipulations, he was told he could no longer host high school students in his lab, nor could he drink alcohol at official functions.

The school vowed not to pursue any subsequent complaints that relate to incidents which took place prior to the suspension as part of the agreement, if the allegations are 'the same type and degree' as those already made and investigated.

'The purpose of this final agreement is to fully and finally resolve the pending matter against Professor Blumberg,' the agreement states.

He maintains that in spite of the agreement, he did not behave inappropriately toward the female complainant.
An angry mob stormed a police station in Brazil and burned a man alive after he was arrested for allegedly raping and killing a one-year-old girl.

Gregorio da Silva, 48, reportedly confessed to the murder of the child, identified as Laylla de Assis, and dumping her body in a river last Wednesday in Jutai, a city in the northern state of Amazonas.

Da Silva turned himself in to the police Thursday after he was identified by investigators on surveillance cameras and was taken to the police station, where residents gathered demanding justice.

Dozens stormed the precinct, tossing Molotov cocktails, setting of fireworks and throwing bottles, the Amazonas Military Police said.

Gregorio da Silva was killed by an angry mob Thursday in Jutai, Brazil after he allegedly confessed to raping and killing one-year-old Laylla de Assis The 48-year-old took the toddler from a floating boat where her mother had put her to sleep Wednesday night. He told police he sexually abused her before dumping her body in the river. Her body has not been recovered

One-year-old Laylla de Assis was reportedly raped and murder after she was taken from a boat where she was sleeping Wednesday night in Jutai, a city in the northern Brazilian state of Amazonas

Residents surround an ambulance near the police station that an angry mob stormed Thursday and dragged out Gregorio da Silva, who had allegedly confessed to the rape and murder one-year-old Laylla de Assis, and set his body on fire

Once inside, they were able to overwhelm the cops and dragged da Silva to the middle of the street.

Disturbing videos showed people surrounding da Silva and pelting him with rocks and other objects in a scene that was live streamed on social media.

Da Silva was lying motionless on the ground when a man walked up to him and set him on fire as the mob cheered.

One resident followed by slamming a large piece of wood over da Silva's burning body.

A resident approaches the body of Gregorio da Silva and sets it on fire after the 48-year-old was dragged out of a police station in Amazonas, Brazil moments after he allegedly had confessed to the rape and murder of one-year-old Layla Vitoria

Police in Jutai, a city in the northern Brazil state of Amazonas, have still not located the body of Layla Vitoria, the one-year-old girl who was raped and murder before her body was thrown in a river last Wednesday

Residents in Jutai stand near the burning body of Gregorio da Silva, who was set on fire by an angry mob last Thursday night

Separate footage showed da Silva's body covered by wood pallets while residents shouted at him.

Another video showed an ambulance pulling up to the site while the fire raged in the background.

The Amazonas Civil Police said de Assis was put to sleep by her mother on a floating boat in a Jutai on Wednesday evening and noticed that the toddler was missing.

Da Silva, a popsicle vendor, reportedly came under pressure and decided to turn himself in and confessed to sexually abusing and killing de Assis.

A video showed the distraught mother sitting on the ground after learning of her daughter's death.

'Why didn't you do it to me, Lord?' she said. 'I deserve it.'

Authorities had not recovered de Assis' body or made any arrests as of Monday.
New polling shows Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris in three critical battleground states both candidates have been campaigning heavily in as the race for the White House heads into the final stretch.

The New York Times/Siena College poll shows the ex-president's strength in the Sun Belt where he has a sizable lead over the vice president in Arizona and is polling ahead in Georgia and North Carolina among likely voters.

Respondents there said Trump improved their lives when he was president and worry a Harris administration would not.

In Arizona, a state Trump lost by just over 10,000 votes to President Biden in 2020, the poll has Trump up five points 50 percent to Harris' 45 percent.

In Georgia, another state the Republican presidential nominee lost by less than 12,000 votes in the 2020 election, Trump leads 49 percent to Harris' 45 percent.

In North Carolina, which Trump won in 2020 by just 75,000 votes, the race is extremely close with the ex-president polling at 49 percent over Harris' 47 percent.

New polling shows Trump leading Harris in three critical battleground states

The polling shows just how close the presidential race truly is with it likely being decided by just seven battleground states where a few thousand votes could make a massive difference on who gets the set the course of the country for the next four years.

The Sun Belt polling comes as other polling recently showed Harris with signs of strength in several other battleground states including the crucial state of Pennsylvania where the New York Times/Siena College had her up four points.

The race for the White House and path to 270 electoral votes runs directly through the Keystone State as well as Georgia and North Carolina.

The number one issue the poll found for likely voters in Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina was the economy. It was the number one issue in all three battleground states. 55 percent of respondents said Trump would do a better job managing it while 42 percent said Harris would.

Abortion and immigration were tied as the second most important issue in the election in those three states.

Poll of likely voters conducted September 17 to 21

According to the polling released Monday, Trump has a double digit lead among men in Arizona as well as a lead among older voters. Harris has a much smaller lead among women but strong support among younger and college educated likely voters.

Harris also leads Trump among Hispanic voters in the state but only by eight points with another 10 percent saying they are still undecided.

Arizona also shows signs of ticket splitting because even as Trump leads, the Democrat Ruben Gallego is polling well ahead of Kari Lake in the state's Senate race.

With the race in Arizona expected to be close, the vice president will be heading to the state to campaign on Friday.

Vice President Kamala Harris campaigning in Georgia on Friday, September 20. She heads to Arizona on Friday as the poll shows Trump leading in both states

Meanwhile, Trump leads among men in Georgia by 17 points, the polling shows. Harris has an eight point lead among women. Harris also has only a six point lead among likely voters 18 to 29.

Trump also is ahead among white voters in the state by 45 points while Harris leads among black voters 82 percent to Trump's 11 percent.

North Carolina is a state Democrats see as one they could potentially flip come November after Trump carried it in 2016 and 2020. The last Democrat to win it in a presidential election was President Obama in 2008.

In North Carolina, Trump also holds a double digit lead among men while Harris is up eight points among women. Trump has a 24 point lead among white voters, which is smaller than the gap in Georgia.

The Democratic candidate in the governor's race Josh Stein also has a double digit lead over embattled Republican candidate for governor Mark Robinson who is embroiled in scandal after it surfaced that he once called himself a 'black Nazi.'

Donald Trump campaigning in Wilmington, NC on Saturday, September 21 as the NYT/Siena poll shows him in a close race there. He will head back to the state on Wednesday

Trump's lead in the Sun Belt states comes despite 50 percent of likely voters saying they have a somewhat or very unfavorable view of the ex-president.

At the same time, 52 percent of respondents said they had a somewhat or very unfavorable view of Harris.

Among those respondents who were still undecided, the number one concern with Trump was his personality and behavior. 34 percent said that was their biggest concern.

For Harris the biggest concern among undecided or persuadable voters was much more mixed with sixteen percent saying it was her personality, judgement. attitude and ability.
Israeli missiles slammed into the Lebanese capital of Beirut in a strike said to be targeting a senior Hezbollah commander this afternoon, after the southern suburbs were buffeted with hundreds of missiles.

Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki was the target of strikes late Monday as Israeli attacks edge deeper into Lebanon, according to a security source speaking to Reuters.

Shelters for civilians fleeing the bombardment in the south were quickly set up in Beirut as Israeli attacks killed 274 people, including 21 children, and injured more than 1,000, according to Lebanese authorities.

Harrowing video showed salvoes of IDF missiles hitting villages in the south, near the border with Israel. But as residents fled north, traffic caught in gridlock near Sidon was hit by a 'strike' landing 'about 200 metres' from Sky News reporters.

With strikes again targeting Beirut, experts warn the conflict could quickly escalate into a wider war.

Smoke billows along the border between Israel and Lebanon following Israeli strikes, today

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese city of Baalbeck in the Bekaa valley on September 23

The aftermath of Israeli strikes in the suburbs of Beirut, on Monday September 23

A ranger works to extinguish a fire after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an open field in northern Israel on Monday

Hezbollah and Israel continue to exchange rocket fire, in northern Israel on Monday

Rockets are launched from Lebanon towards Israel amid cross-border hostilities, on Monday

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system engages as rockets are launched from Lebanon

Lebanese people flee with their cars from southern Lebanon towards Sidon and Beirut, at Zahrani-Nabatieh road, in Ghazieh, southern Lebanon, 23 September

Emergency workers use excavators to clear the rubble at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs

Turkey was among those to warn that Israel's attacks into Lebanon could push the region deeper into 'chaos'.

'Israel's attacks on Lebanon mark a new phase in its efforts to drag the entire region into chaos,' the foreign ministry said in a statement, after Israeli raids on Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon.

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Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant acknowledged last week the clashes with Hezbollah marked a new phase in its war.

Tensions escalated dramatically after pagers and walkie-talkies ostensibly used by Hezbollah members exploded on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, causing thousands of injuries and numerous deaths.

Hezbollah attributed blame to Israel and launched rockets south before Israel denied involvement. Experts believe Israel may have intercepted the devices and strapped them with explosives before they arrived in Lebanon to replace mobile phones deemed susceptible to Israeli hacking.

The Iranian proxy group has continued to fire rockets into Israel in recent days, including long-range missiles for the first time in the escalating conflict, with the Israeli Prime Minister warning the group: 'Whoever hurts us, we will hurt him more'.

In an indication that the region is sliding ever-closer to an all-out war, Benjamin Netanyahu added that his country faces 'complicated days' and called on Israelis to stay united as the campaign in Lebanon unfolded.

'I promised that we would change the security balance, the balance of power in the north - that is exactly what we are doing,' he said in a message issued following a situational assessment with top brass at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Israel is aiming to 'broadly neutralise' the threat posed by Lebanon's long-range missiles, according to veteran analyst Ehud Ya'ari.

He told the country's Channel 12 that the militant group - proscribed as terrorists by the UK, US and others - has built up an arsenal of long-range missiles over the past 18 years, adding that the air force 'won't be able to destroy every missile.'

People who fled their villages in southern Lebanon are received at an art institute transformed to a shelter for persons displaced by conflict, in Beirut on September 23

People who fled their villages in southern Lebanon are received at an art institute transformed to a place for receiving persons displaced by conflict, in Beirut

Volunteers unload beddings and supplies to accommodate people who fled their villages in southern Lebanon arriving at an art institute transformed to a shelter for displaced by conflict, in Beirut on September 23

Terrifying footage shows a huge explosion erupting, with people heard screaming in the background

A person films from a rooftop in Lebanon as airstrikes approach where they are standing

Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a video message following a meeting with top brass at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv

A huge blast is seen near a residential building in southern Lebanon

Huge columns of smoke rise in footage taken from a rooftop in Lebanon

A huge fireball erupts as the bombs drop nearby to where the person filming is standing

The person filming the attack drops to the ground for cover as the blasts approach

Smoke rises from Israeli shelling on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre

Video shared by the IDF claims to show a strike on Hezbollah site, allegedly housing a DR-3 missile which was ready to be fired over the border

The Israeli military said earlier that it had hit some 300 Hezbollah targets in a matter of hours, including a weapon which was identified as a Russian-made DR-3 missile, which they said was ready to be fired across the border.

Terrified residents in Beirut and elsewhere received calls and texts warning them to move away from Hezbollah targets, with Lebanon's information minister condemning the alerts as a tactic of 'psychological war implemented by the enemy'.

Lebanon's prime minister has accused Israel of waging 'a war of extermination', and urged the United Nations to intervene 'to deter the (Israeli) aggression', as the Middle East teeters on the edge of all-out conflict.

Huge plumes of smoke have been seen at multiple sites deep into the country, with rockets fired at areas not previously hit by strikes and witnesses reporting intense bombing raids.

Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that the IDF was 'deepening' attacks in Lebanon and suggested that the situation would intensify, warning in a video message: 'These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure.'

A Lebanese man checks a message received on his mobile phone in Beirut on September 23, 2024, calling people to evacuate the areas 'where Hezbollah hides its weapons'

A man picks up students after some schools closed early, in Beirut, Lebanon

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, as seen from Burj Qallawiyah

A huge plume of smoke rises over buildings in Tyre, southern Lebanon, following an Israeli strike

People walk at a beach as smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes

Smoke rises over buildings in southern Lebanon amid the wave of airstrikes

Gallant further revealed on X this morning that he has provided his US counterpart with a 'situation assessment of Hezbollah threats and briefed him on IDF operations to degrade Hezbollah's ability to launch attacks against Israeli civilians.'

He added that the wider regional security situation and 'threats posed by Iran and its proxies' were also discussed.

The IDF issued a warning to residents of villages in southern Lebanon: 'If you are in or near a building that Hezbollah uses to store weapons or weapons, you must evacuate this building and move away from it immediately.

'Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives or the organization's weapons puts themselves in danger.'

Lebanon's PM Najib Mikati denounced Israel's 'destructive plan' at a cabinet meeting this morning.

'The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns,' he said.

He urged 'the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries... to deter the (Israeli) aggression'.

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre

Smoke billows from the site of Israeli airstrikes that targeted Lebanese villages, as seen from Marjaayoun, southern Lebanon

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Aramti, near the Lebanon-Israel border, on September 23, 2024

The country's health ministry reported earlier that 100 people had so far been killed in the strikes, while 400 have been injured, including women, children and paramedics.

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said that people in the capital were receiving Israeli phone warnings from 'the Israeli enemy, asking them to quickly evacuate where they are.'

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in an earlier statement that 'we advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety'.

Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on Kfar Rouman village, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Marjayoun, near the Lebanon-Israel border

Hagari told a media briefing Israel's military 'will engage in (more) extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon'.

Asked by reporters about a possible Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon, Hagari said 'we will do whatever is needed' in order to return evacuated residents of northern Israel to their homes safely, a war priority for the Israeli government.

He said that Hezbollah over the years has stashed weapons, including cruise missiles, in houses and buildings throughout southern Lebanon, and called on residents to stay away from these sites.

He presented in a media briefing an aerial video of what he described as Hezbollah operatives trying to launch cruise missiles from a civilian house in Lebanon, and the subsequent Israeli strike moments before it was launched.

'Hezbollah is endangering you. Endangering you and your families,' Hagari said.

An Israeli jet flies, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, as seen from northern Israel, September 23, 2024

A row of cars is seen outside Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport this morning as people were reportedly told to evacuate

Hezbollah has traded near daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces in support of Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack triggered the Gaza war.

Violence has spiked dramatically in recent days, and Israel and Hezbollah traded heavy fire over the weekend, raising fears of all-out war.

When asked whether a ground invasion of southern Lebanon could be imminent, a senior Israeli military official said that the IDF is 'currently focusing on Israel's aerial campaign only'.

Laying out Israel's aims in the campaign against Hezbollah, the official told journalists that it wants to degrade the militants' ability to fire rockets over the border, as it has done for 11 months.

They reportedly added that it hopes to push Hezbollah fighters back from the border and destroy the group's infrastructure, which the official said would be used to attack 'Israeli communities in the north, to massacre, murder, and kidnap Israeli civilians'.
OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush told staff he would not die on his Titan submersible five years before his ill-fated journey to the Titanic, newly released transcripts reveal.

Rush was among the five people - including adventurer Hamish Harding, father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood and Frenchman Paul-Henri Nargeolet - who died when the submersible imploded in June 2023.

The U.S. Coast Guard released a redacted transcript between Rush and his former director of marine operations David Lochridge from January 19, 2018 as part of a high level investigation into the cause of the implosion.

The two men were discussing a quality inspect report on the sub's design when the exchange became heated and Rush defended the vessel's safety, reported BBC.

'I have no desire to die, and I'm not going to die. I'm not dying. No one is dying under my watch - period,' Rush said.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush insisted he would not die on his ill-fated Titan submersible (remains pictured) five years before it imploded

Rush (pictured) was among the five people who died when the submersible imploded in June 2023

Lochridge was being interviewed by Rush over his issues with quality of the subs hull, which was made of carbon fiber, and how the vessel was being constructed and tested.

'I am addressing what I view as safety concerns, concerns I have mentioned verbally which have been dismissed by everybody,' Lochridge said.

The CEO insisted he had listened to the directors concerns and offered solutions.

'No, I have listen to them and I have given you my response to them and you think my response is inadequate,' he said.

'Everything I've done on this project is people telling me it won't work - you can't do that.'

Rush doubled down on insisting the Titan is safe and that he truly believes in the stability of submersible.

A transcript between Rush and his former director of marine operations David Lochridge (pictured) shows him doubling down on the vessel's safety

Lochridge was being interviewed by Rush over his issues with quality of the subs hull , which was made of carbon fiber, and how the vessel was being constructed and tested

'I've got a nice granddaughter. I am going to be around. I understand this kind of risk, and I'm going into it with eyes open and I think this is one of the safest things I will ever do,' he said.

Lochridge was let go from OceanGate after that meeting for being what he described as 'anti-project.'

He said he then informed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) about the Titan's safety problems.

After contacting them, Lochridge said he was then placed under the whistleblower protection scheme after they deemed his concerns serious.

'I didn't want anybody going in that submersible, it was dangerous,' Lochridge told the Coast Guard committee on September 17.

Lochridge said that after raising his concerns with OSHA, him and his wife were served a settlement and release agreement from OceanGate's lawyers.

Father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood (pictured) died on the Titan trip to the Titanic remains

Adventurer Hamish Harding and Frenchman Paul-Henri Nargeolet were on board the fateful trip

'OceanGate wanted me to walk away from the OSHA claim. They basically demanded that I pay them money to settle with them because they had to hire an attorney to represent them in the matter with OSHA,' he said.

'They state that if I don't they'll contact previous employers, ex-spouses, US immigration, fraud, theft, everything is in this.'

He then decided to countersue OceanGate in federal court so as to allow information relating to his claims to be in the public domain as a matter of public safety.

After months of back and forth he was told by OSHA that his case was in a backlog of 11 cases and it was unclear when they would investigate his claims.

Lochridge said this was hard for him and his family and in November of 2018 he decided to drop his claim and lawsuit against his former employer.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

The ABC's own Media Watch program has taken aim at the public broadcaster over its handling of alleged war crime reporting which has come at a heavy cost.

The ABC has launched an independent investigation into a story by journalist Mark Willacy which allegedly aired misleading audio alongside helmet cam footage while reporting on Special Forces Commander Heston Russell in 2022.

Media Watch fill-in host Janine Perrett confirmed on Monday night's program that the investigation will also look at claims the broadcaster's legal team was sent a letter in November 2022 raising concerns the audio had been doctored.

The taxpayer funded broadcaster has been under siege since an audio expert claimed the sound of at least five gunshots were added to the footage to make it appear as though Australian soldiers were repeatedly firing at villagers rather than issuing a single warning shot.

The ABC claimed the contents of the letter was not shared with its news team, an apparent oversight that Ms Perrett described as 'embarrassing'.

'That's why we think it's critical this independent review will take in ABC News and the legal department - both key players in the defamation case against Russell that backfired so badly and ended up costing the ABC around $2.8 million,' she said.

'Hopefully, a full external inquiry will not only provide answers, but also some accountability, because this hasn't just cost the ABC plenty of money, but also its trusted reputation.'

The footage in question allegedly showed Australian Defence Force soldiers, including Mr Russell, shooting at unarmed civilians in Afghanistan from a helicopter in 2012.

Media Watch fill-in host Janine Perrett (pictured) on Monday aired claims ABC News added several gunshot sounds to alleged war crime footage

During the disturbing video, six gunshots could be heard. Channel Seven's Spotlight recently alleged five of those shots were added by ABC News during post-production.

Mr Russell successfully sued the ABC last year for defamation in relation to the articles by Mark Willacy.

The footage was recently removed from the ABC website, citing an 'editing error'.

Last Friday, outgoing managing director David Anderson announced an full independent investigation into the scandal while acknowledging the 'editing error'.

Ms Perrett claimed the ABC boss made the announcement just six hours after the broadcaster was questioned by the Media Watch team about the 2022 letter last Friday.

ABC News told Media Watch it 'has no evidence that reporter Mark Willacy directed anyone to change the audio on the (helicopter) video and to imply otherwise is false'.

'Mark Willacy categorically denies any allegation that he directed or authorised any change to the audio in his story,' it said.

Special Forces Commander Heston Russell successfully sued the broadcaster for defamation last year following a series of articles from ABC journalist Mark Willacy (pictured) in 2022

In October 2023, former special forces commando Heston Russell (pictured) won his defamation case against the ABC after a Federal Court judge ruled it could not prove articles it published were reported in the public interest

Ms Perrett also revealed that the investigation will also look at allegations from retired DEA leader Bret Hamilton that he was misrepresented in an ABC interview.

Mr Hamilton recently told the Daily Telegraph his ''sound bite had been manipulated' and a general comment about war crimes was made to look like he was calling for a specific investigation into Australian troops'.

The ongoing legal battle between the ABC and Mr Russell has cost taxpayers an estimated $3million in legal fees.

Ms Perrett is currently filling in for long-serving Media Watch host Paul Barry, who announced in June that he will leave the program in December.
An incredible collection of hand-signed letters by world-famous illusionist Harry Houdini has come up for sale for a staggering $50,000.

The globally-recognized Hungarian-American magician was known for his daring feats of extrication from shackles, ropes and handcuffs, with his signature stunts including being buried alive, escaping from straitjackets under water and freeing himself from being suspended in mid-air.

But Houdini, real name Erik Weisz, was also famous for being outspoken in his skepticism of the after life and believed psychics were taking advantage of the bereaved.

The new cache of uncovered letters now shine a light on his bitter feud with spiritualists with one letter even revealing he arranged for his business associate to spy on a spiritualist's meeting.

Others mention his iconic book A Magician Among the Spirits, and a full list of his tour dates and locations also makes up the collection.

Harry Houdini was known for his daring feats of extrication from shackles, ropes and handcuffs, but was also a famous skeptic when it came to psychics and the afterlife

A collection of signed letters by the world-famous illusionist has come up for sale for a staggering $50,000

Pictured: A Lettergram from Houdini to Faber Birren dated September 23rd 1923 in which Houdini asks to see 'various books re Mrs Eddy'

Pictured: A letter from Houdini to Birren dated May 13th 1924 offering to send a copy of his book 'A Magician Among the Spirits'

Pictured: A list of Houdini's tour dates

Pictured: A letter from Houdini to Mr Birren dated December 19th 1923 stating 'I had a wild time in Texas' and requesting cuttings

Houdini - who famously fell out with Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle over his disbelief in psychics - believed the event was being held to discredit him.

Conan-Doyle tried to turn Houdini into a spiritualist and even invited him to a seance conducted by his wife Jean.

But after Conan Doyle wrongly began speaking of Houdini as a fellow believer the angered entertainer decided to write down his frustrations in his unedited autobiography, Magician Among the Spirits.

In the February 1926 letter, he asks his friend Faber Birren, who had been investigating local psychics, to attend the meeting with a stenographer.

He adds that he would foot the cost for them as this was 'very important' to him.

He writes: 'My dear Faber Birren: - The Spiritualists are going to hold a Mass Meeting against me at Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, on February 19th, at 8 PM.

'Please visit and let me have a report on same. It is very important and if you want to take a stenographer along, do so at my expense.'

Another letter from 1924 reveals Houdini's mission to discredit purported psychic Mina Crandon, who was set to receive a $2,500 prize from the Scientific American committee for 'proving conclusive psychic manifestations'.

He wrote on his personal stationery: 'My dear Birren: - Am going to Boston to-night to issue a challenge to Professor William McDougall [a member of the 'Scientific American' committee].

'Have hired Symphony Hall and am going to denounce Dr. and Mrs. Crandon, the lectures to be given Friday, January 2nd and Saturday January 3rd. / Will let you know how things turn out.

'I believe the Mayor will hold the stakes for the test, he to decide where the money is to go.'

Houdini's efforts were successful as Scientific American decided in February 1925 to not hand Mrs Crandon the prize.

In a typical Houdini act, the stunt performer was shackled with chains and placed in a box that was locked, roped, and weighted

Pictured: Houdini jumps from Harvard Bridge, Boston, Massachusetts April 30, 1908

In a publicity stunt, the magician chains himself to a locomotive wheel for an escape attempt, 1910

Pictured: A photograph of Harry and Beatrice Houdini with the note 'My brain is the key that sets me free'

The cache of 11 letters also includes an autograph note from 1923 by Houdini who writes 'my brain is the key that sets me free'.

The archive is being sold by the family of Faber Birren at auctioneers Nate D Sanders, of Los Angeles, California.

A Nate D Sanders spokesperson said: 'The Houdini archive is a treasure trove that offers an unparalleled glimpse into the mind and life of one of history's most enigmatic figures.

'This collection not only highlights Houdini's relentless pursuit to debunk spiritualists but also showcases his deep personal connections and the breadth of his intellectual curiosity.

'It is a testament to Houdini's enduring legacy as a master illusionist and a fierce advocate for truth.'

The sale of the letters takes place on Thursday.

In a typical Houdini act, the stunt performer was shackled with chains and placed in a box that was locked, roped, and weighted.

The box was submerged from a boat, to which he returned after freeing himself underwater.

In another outdoor exhibition he allowed himself to be suspended, head down, about 23 meters above ground and then freed himself from a straitjacket.

Houdini gained fame after repeatedly escaping from police handcuffs and jails.

He was even given certificates from various wardens for escaping from their prisons.

After making his name in America, Harry toured Europe, where he expanded his repertoire by escaping from straitjackets and coffins.

Eventually, Harry was able to accomplish his dream of having a full show dedicated to his magic.

These demonstrations were typically watched by many thousands of people.

Houdini's uncanny escape abilities depended partly on his great physical strength and agility and partly on his extraordinary skill at manipulating locks.

In the 1920s, Houdini became interested in the occult, specifically in debunking mediums and psychics and his is training in magic helped him expose frauds that scientists and academics could not.

He chronicled his time investigating the occult in his book, A Magician Among Spirits.

But just six years later Houdini died aged 52 in October 1926, from peritonitis that stemmed from a stomach injury.

He had suffered a blow to the abdomen by university student J. Gordon Whitehead.

The magician refused to seek medical help and continued to travel, eventually succumbing to his severe injuries on October 24.
An upscale retirement community in California has spiraled into chaos after two elderly women got into a fist fight over their political differences.

The two retirees at the Rossmoor community came to blows on July 13 - the same day that president Donald Trump survived an attempt on his life.

The unidentified women were at the pickle ball court when the pro-Trump one reportedly blamed Democratic rhetoric for the assassination attempt while the liberal made an inappropriate comment about the shooting.

The retirees then began pushing and shoving each other before throwing punches, leaving clumps of hair on the ground, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Walnut Creek police were called to the scene and one person was cited and released after a 'pushing and shoving match' at the Tice Creek Fitness Center.

An upscale retirement community in California has spiraled into chaos after two elderly women got into a fist fight over their political differences

The two retirees at the Rossmoor community came to blows on July 23 - the same day that president Donald Trump survived an attempt on his life. Stock photo of the community's fitness center

No charges were filed in the incident.

Rossmoor is a 55-and-over community with about 10,000 residents and a median home price of $595,000. Most of its residents were once at the top of their professional fields and are used to speaking their minds, per the Chronicle.

The fist fight prompted the community's managers, the Golden Rain Foundation board, to step in in an attempt to prevent future violence over politics.

The managers have banned protests in one corner near Rossmoor, as well as political commentary in the community newspaper.

New rules dictate that Rossmoor groups can only hold one demonstration every two weeks, though they can petition to hold more on an emergency basis.

The managers have banned protests in one corner near Rossmoor, as well as political commentary in the community newspaper

Rossmoor is a 55-and-over community with about 10,000 residents and a median home price of $595,000

The demonstrations, moreover, must be held on a think strip of grass near of the community's clubhouses, and must feature a 'Please Do Not Honk' sign.

The changes sparked outrage in the senior community, who are now claiming their freedom of speech is being violated.

Retirees staged a protest in August demanding the new policies be overturned.

'They're infantilizing us, with the idea that we can't express ourselves. They know better,' resident Michael Goldberg said in an interview with CBS News.

The board's communication director, Ann Peterson, told the Chronicle that the pickle ball fight was just one of the incidents that led to the policy changes.

Peterson said political tension in the community had been mounting for months and that several residents had been confronted at the Rosmoor's farmer's marker over political columns or movies show in meetings.

Many of the outspoken residents of Rossmoor, the policies are impinging on their rights

The changes sparked outrage in the senior community, who are now claiming their freedom of speech is being violated

Some clubs had also 'received anonymous letters that were threatening in nature, again because of their political beliefs and some of the speakers that they were bringing into Rossmoor,' Peterson added.

However, for many of the outspoken residents of Rossmoor, the policies are impinging on their rights.

'Were being treated like kids in a high school cafeteria where two people had a food fight, and now everyones on suspension,' said Katha Hartley, who leads the 1,240-member Democrat club in the community.
Bill Gates has railed against being 'a subject of misinformation' and warned that humanity must do more to fight climate change - despite owning four private jets.

The Microsoft founder, who has struggled to live down a previous association with Jeffrey Epstein, made the comments during an appearance on NBC's Today program to promote his new Netflix series about AI, misinformation and malaria.

'I'm very lucky I get to work on A.I. I get to work on global health,' Gates, 68, said while speaking about the show, The Future With Bill Gates.

'Misinformation is the one where, you know, I have been a subject of misinformation. I talked to Lady Gaga who had it maybe even worse.'

Pop icon Gaga features on Gates' new show - where she shares her thoughts about rumors during the early days of her career that she was secretly a man.

Bill Gates has railed against being 'a subject of misinformation' and warned that humanity must do more to fight climate change - despite owning four private jets

Pictured: Gates departing one of his private jets, which he has previously defended as not at odds with his hopes for a greener future

Gates, who owns a fleet of four private jets, was also pressed about climate change during the interview with Today.

When asked whether his grandchildren had accelerated his urgency to 'fix things' regarding the climate crisis, he said: 'Oh, definitely.

'My first grandchild is actually here in New York City and couldn't be cuter. She's about one or so now.

Bill Gates has launched a new Netflix show

'And we're not making enough progress, you know, and the damage kind of accumulates over time.

'So the need to innovate - I met a lot of young activists who are really harsh about, you know, we're not doing enough I found that, you know, inspiring and motivating.'

'There are almost too many causes right now,' added Gates, whose current net worth is an estimated $138.6 billion.

'You've got wars, you've got interest payments, it's a time where making sure we pick the right things and set our priorities will be challenging but important.'

Gates was not asked about his own imprint on the planet through his usage of fossil-fuel guzzling private jets - something he has previously defended by citing his efforts to decrease his carbon footprint in other ways.

The tech tycoon previously told the BBC he was 'not part of the problem' because of the amount of money he pays Climeworks - a company which, for a monthly fee, offsets carbon emissions.

Gates also spoke about AI, revealing that he uses the technology to summarize a meeting or book that he doesn't have time to read, and even to draft speeches.

'It can even write poems and songs in a way that is surprisingly creative,' he said.

'It's so powerful, it's the first technology that is happening very quickly, and there's no limit,' Gates added.

The Microsoft founder made the comments during an appearance on NBC's Today program to promote his new Netflix series about AI , misinformation and malaria

Epstein (center) and Gates (second from the right) became friends as they worked on a health fund for billionaires

The Microsoft founder has also been linked to Jeffrey Epstein - not least through a book released this summer which claims he was once 'the brightest star' in the financier's orbit.

Epstein had set his sights on Gates in 2010 when he and fellow billionaire Warren Buffett launched The Giving Pledge, a charitable campaign under which they vowed to donate 99 percent of their wealth.

To Epstein, their charitable initiative was a potential new 'way to make money' and restore his public image, according to new biography, Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King: Bill Gates and His Quest to Shape Our World.

It would allow Epstein to launder his reputation after his 2008 conviction for procuring underaged girls saw him serve a brief stint in jail and made him a registered sex offender.

In the book, which was released August 13, New York Times journalist Anupreeta Das writes that Epstein then began to 'tunnel his way into Gates's orbit' with spectacular results.

The two men became friends as they worked on a health fund for billionaires with Gates even calling Epstein 'my buddy'.

Buffett and Gates vowed to give away their combined $155billion fortune through the charity, which also encouraged other billionaires to donate the majority of their wealth to good causes

Epstein's outrageous lifestyle was an 'adventure' for nerdy Gates who chafed at his overscheduled life married to a wife committed to monogamy, Das writes.

Emails between the two men even referred to Gates visiting one of Epstein's homes for 'Big Macs', which some took to mean young girls.

Gates, 68, denies most of the accusations in the book, saying Das relied 'almost exclusively on second- and third-hand hearsay and anonymous sources'.

Gates' ex-wife Melinda has said that Bill's work with Epstein - who she branded 'abhorrent' - ultimately led to their divorce.
An adventurous Montana centenarian crossed a high-flying item off her bucket list in celebration of her 100th birthday.

Marklyn Lynn, who hit the century mark on April 4, got a late birthday present last week when her senior care community for the past 15 years asked a ziplining company to take her for a ride.

She is the oldest customer to ride a zipline operated by Montana Whitewater Rafting and Yellowstone Zipline, which modified its course for Lynn and a friend, Cowboy State Daily reported.

Marklyn Lynn, who hit the century mark on April 4, got a late birthday present last week when her senior care community for the past 15 years asked a ziplining company to take her for a ride

Lynn is the oldest customer to ride a zipline operated by Montana Whitewater Rafting and Yellowstone Zipline, which modified its course for her

The bus used by Montana Whitewater Rafting and Zipline to transport customers

Instead of having to climb the rope bridges and ladders on the course, the company made sure she would have a straight shot to their longest zipline.

'As soon as I heard about Marklyn's wish, I knew I was going to do whatever it took to make that happen for her,' zipline manager Cody Rogers told Cowboy State Daily.

'If they can get her here, I will do it. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was prepared for anything.'

A video posted by her senior care community, The Crossings, showed Lynn taking off the platform with Rogers in tow - a wide smile spread across her face.

Instead of having to climb the rope bridges and ladders on the course, the company made sure she would have a straight shot to their longest zipline. Zipline manager Cody Rogers told Cowboy State Daily: 'As soon as I heard about Marklyn's wish, I knew I was going to do whatever it took to make that happen for her.

Lynn said she thought her time in the air would last longer and even requested to go again. 'I just love adventure, and why not?' she said

Beth Hoferer (right), an administrator at The Crossings, wondered whether Lynn could qualify for a world record

She said she thought her time in the air would last longer and even requested Rogers to take her again.

'I just love adventure, and why not?' Lynn said.

'I'm a little hungover today but I wouldn't have not done it. Never! I loved it.'

Beth Hoferer, an administrator at The Crossings, wondered whether Lynn could qualify for a world record.

But the adrenaline junkie pooh-poohed the idea, saying she would rather live in the moment.

'You never know when you wake up in the morning what the end of the day is going to be like,' she said.

'You never know when you wake up in the morning what the end of the day is going to be like,' Lynn said

Lynn had always been an adventurer

Lynn had always been an adventurer.

Her son, Chris, told Cowboy State Daily that his family would frequently hike in the Rocky Mountain region until his father passed away at 94.

To this day, Lynn still takes her walker around the assisted living facility when it's nice outside.
The quickest commutes in the US have been revealed, with the shortest trip to work coming in at just under 22 minutes.

Ride-share company Lyft and Harris Poll teamed up to conduct a wide-ranging analysis of which cities had the fastest, cheapest and even cleanest commutes.

Based on data from the 2022 US Census, three cities stood out for their shockingly fast commutes: Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Memphis, Tennessee.

All three cities had commutes of 22 minutes or less, with Columbus and Memphis also offering the cheapest commutes.

Census data finds that the average worker spends 26.8 minutes traveling to work, but shaving just three minutes off that time each way can save them 13 hours a year, according to the analysis.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin had the fastest commute at 21.7 minutes, according to the analysis

Columbus, Ohio was ranked as the best city in the US for commuters based on a variety of factors

Memphis, Tennessee, tied with Columbus for the speed of their average commutes, at 22 minutes

Overall, Columbus ranked as the best city for commuters, based largely on speed and low cost of transportation.

Fort Worth, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; and Memphis had the fastest commutes when measured by miles per hour traveled using Lyft data.

These cities have less bumper-to-bumper traffic, allowing people to drive faster and making the trip to work far less painful.

'Just getting around town is very simple,' said Vahid Behzadi, describing his Fort Worth commute to The Wall Street Journal. 'It's a big city, but it's not overwhelmed with traffic.'

Behzadi, 45, drives to Fort Worth a couple times a week from his home in Frisco, about 50 miles away.

It takes him about 45 minutes on the highway, though he said there's the option of a toll road if there's traffic on the highway.

Before moving to Texas, he spent 15 years commuting in Los Angeles.

'In L.A., any time of the day, you're probably stuck somewhere,' he said.

The skyline of Fort Worth, Texas

The biggest city with the fastest commute was San Diego, with workers taking an average of 24.2 minutes to get to their offices

Memphis has installed a 150-mile fiber optic network to interconnect its traffic lights so city employees can manage traffic jams in real time

The biggest city with the fastest commute was San Diego, with workers taking an average of 24.2 minutes to get to the office.

The cities with the best commutes had effective urban planning, well-run public transit systems or smaller populations traveling on bigger roadways, transportation researchers and city officials told the Journal.

Memphis has installed a 150-mile fiber optic network to interconnect its traffic lights so city employees can manage traffic jams in real time.

The technology, which covers roughly 70 percent of all traffic signals in the city, has reduced average travel time on major roads by about 20 percent, the city's senior traffic engineering administrator said.

In Columbus, Jeremy Adams gave insight into his commute, which takes him roughly a half hour.

'You pretty much have a highway available to you within a 10-minute to 15-minute drive,' Adams, a director of IT certificate programs at Columbus State Community College, said of the suburbs he lives in.

'There's usually two or three ways to get somewhere in about the same amount of time.'

One commuter said that having multiple routes makes it easier to travel than in cities like Atlanta (pictured)

Adams explained that having multiple routes makes Columbus much different than other cities he's commuted in, including Atlanta.

He said during a business trip to Norcross, Georgia, he sat in 30 minutes of traffic trying to get to his office from his hotel - when the trip should have only taken 10 minutes.

Commute times have practically returned to pre-pandemic levels now that more companies are requiring employees to come back into the office after years of remote or hybrid work.

Although urban planning has a huge effect on commute times, there is still data that suggests larger cities in general do have more delays and clogged roads.

New York City, which has the cleanest commute thanks to the vast majority of residents taking the subway or city buses instead of cars, still sees plenty of people in surrounding counties driving in.

Those driving into New York wasted an average of 101 hours in 2023 sitting in traffic, according to transportation research firm Inrix

Boston, where drivers lose a 88 hours a year, is a clear outlier because of its relatively small size compared to New York, which has 12 times the people

Those driving into New York wasted an average of 101 hours in 2023 sitting in traffic, according to transportation research firm Inrix.

Chicago and Los Angeles, America's third and second largest cities behind New York, sapped drivers of 96 hours and 89 hours, respectively.

Boston, where drivers still lose 88 hours a year, is a clear outlier because of its relatively small size compared to New York, which has 12 times the people.

Eric Bourassa, director of transportation at Boston's Metropolitan Area Planning Council, said residents are well aware of the disadvantages of driving in the city.

'On a Saturday night, it might take you 20 minutes to get home, but on a Friday afternoon, it might take you six times as long. People feel that,' he said.

That may be why Boston has such a high number of people who walk to work.

A full 13 percent of commuters walk to their jobs in the city, when the average is just 3 percent, according to the analysis.
A pleasure boat did not 'cause or contribute' to the tragic death of two children who drowned off Bournemouth beach, a coroner ruled today.

Joe Abbess, 17, and Sunnah Khan, 12, died in a sudden riptide as they swam in the sea next to Bournemouth Pier on 31st May, 2023.

Eleven others, including members of Sunnah's family, were pulled out of the swirling sea by beach RNLI lifeguards.

The Dorset Belle, a sightseeing vessel which left the pier at about the same time as the incident, was later impounded by the police and its skipper arrested for manslaughter.

A senior coroner for Dorset Rachael Griffin had said at a previous pre-inquest review in June that the skipper had shown 'good practice' on the day but she was unable to say for certain its wash had not caused the riptide.

The tragedy claimed the life of 12-year-old Sunnah Khan, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

The teenage boy who died while swimming off Bournemouth Beach was named by friends as Joe Abbess

The Dorset Belle (circled) docked at the pier as the air ambulances departed the beach

But now they have been cleared of wrongdoing following a police investigation and Mrs Griffin declaring there is 'insufficient evidence to say there is any link or cause with the deaths'.

Mrs Griffin said at the pre-inquest review hearing in Bournemouth: 'I have ruled out the involvement of the boat at the end of the pier as being a causative or contributory factor in Joe and Sunnah's deaths on the basis that it would be speculative to link the boat to their deaths.

'So in purpose of the scope of the evidence whilst it may be commented upon the presence of the boat there is insufficient evidence to say there is any link or cause with deaths.'

The full joint inquest will begin tomorrow and is due to last two weeks.

Sunnah's family have previously raised concerns about the RNLI response to the incident as it took an hour to find her in the sea.

They claimed a jetski could have been mobilised earlier to look for Sunnah after two members of her family raised the alarm with lifeguards.

But Ms Griffin said that from all the evidence she had read, the emergency services had acted in a 'timely' manner and saved 'many lives'.

One of the men was pulled from the water and had to be given CPR on the beach by lifeguards before being taken away by air ambulance

Lifeguards hurried into the water by Bournemouth Pier after a group of young people got into difficulty in the sea at around 4.30pm Wednesday 21st May, 2023

A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy died after a major incident took place in the water on Bournemouth beach

Thousands of people were enjoying the sunny weather before being asked to leave the beach by police

A previous pre inquest review was told that CCTV footage from Bournemouth Pier showed the riptide occurred at 3.46pm.

Beach lifeguards were alerted to people struggling in the water at 3.53pm and helped recover them from the water.

The first 999 call to the South Western Ambulance Service was made at 4.06pm and the first ambulance arrived at 4.13pm.

Joe, a trainee chef from Southampton, was recovered from the water at 4.18pm but despite attempts to revive him he was declared dead at hospital.

Police officers turned up at the scene at 4.40pm and declared a major incident minutes later.

Sunnah was recovered at 4.46pm and airlifted to Poole Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Ms Griffin told the hearing that the scope of the joint inquest will look at the safety measures at Bournemouth beach and what procedures were in place on the day.

She said: 'It is very clear to me how many lives were affected on that day as a result of the incident that arose that led to the tragic deaths of Joe and Sunnah.'

A girl of 12 and a boy of 17 were pulled from the sea after 'getting into difficulties' on Wednesday and later died in hospital. Pictured: Bournemouth Pier
A city government worker was arrested in Brazil after he confessed to murdering his wife and former girlfriend in separate sword attacks.

A Goias Civil Police official said that Renan dos Santos, 23, had an argument with his wife, Luana Meirelles, 28, at the studio apartment they shared in the town of Edesia on Thursday and stabbed her with a sword.

After killing his spouse of one year, dos Santos was seen in a surveillance camera pulling up in his bike at the store where his former girlfriend, Ana Ribeiro, 22, worked and later attacked her.

The footage, which was released by the police, showed dos Santos calmly walking into the shop with the sword and intercepting Ribeiro in front of a customer.

Renan dos Santos was seen walking in the shop where his former girlfriend, Ana Ribeiro, worked before attacking her with a sword on Thursday in Edesia, a city in central Brazilian state of Goias. She died at an area hospital Saturday. The incident took place moments after dos Santos had murdered his wife, Luana Meirelles, in a similar attack at their home

Renan dos Santos (left) confessed to killing his wife, Luana Meirelles (right) at their studio apartment last Thursday in the central Brazilian city of Edesia. Police said the couple had an argument over dos Santos' former girlfriend, Ana Ribeiro, whom dos Santos also attacked at her store. She died from stab wounds Saturday

Ana Ribeiro was murdered at her workplace by her former boyfriend

The camera showed Ribeiro attempting to run away and then falling as dos Santos leaned over her and began to stab her while a worker watched in horror.

Ribeiro was rushed to Governor Otavio Lage de Siqueira State Emergency Hospital in the town of Goiania and was placed in a ventilator before dying from her wounds Saturday.

Renan, who was employed as an assistant with the Edeia City Hall, was seen on camera riding his bicycle away from the store and was arrested several hours later.

He told Civil Police investigators that he killed both women in an act of jealousy.

'He stabbed his partner with a homemade knife,' Civil Police chief Daniel Moura told reporters. 'After killing his partner, he went to the work of another woman (Ribeiro), who was allegedly the reason for the argument, and he also stabbed her several times.'

Luana Meirelles leaves behind three children - a 10-year-old son and two daughters, aged 6 and 12

Renan dos Santos worked for the Edeisa city hall in the general services department

Dos Santos is facing two femicide charges and is in pretrial detention.

Meirelles leaves behind three children, two daughters, aged six and 12, and a 10-year-old son, all from prior relationships.

She had dreams of becoming a psychologist but was unable to finish her university studies because of a financial hardship.

'She was a hard worker and loved her children very much,' her cousin Gisane Alves said, as quoted by Brazilian news outlet G1. 'There was never a bad time for her, it was hard to see her sad.'

Ribeiro was lauded by her customers for her excellent level of service.

'The service was impeccable, always attentive,' one shopper wrote on social media.

'Excellent professional, a saleswoman who was always happy to help,' another commented.
A little boy who wandered unnoticed out of a school breakfast club into the Canadian wilderness has been found dead after a four-day search.

A security camera caught Johnson Redhead pushing open a door of his school in the fly-in community of Shamattawa, north-east Manitoba at 9am on Wednesday.

But the alarm was not raised until 12.30pm when the non-verbal six-year-old failed to arrive for a class at Kisemattawa Kiskinwahamakewikamik School.

Hundreds of people joined a round-the-clock search, including his uncle Rusty Redhead before the boy was found dead in a marshy area nearly three miles away on Sunday evening.

'Thanks everyone for praying for my nephew Johnson,' he wrote on Sunday night. 'We are so lost and hurt I can't even sleep.'

Johnson Redhead was found dead in the woods on Sunday night, four days after he vanished

Johnson's uncle, Rusty Redhead, was one of hundreds of volunteers to took part in the search

Members the Canadian Rangers flew in to assist with the search for the boy from the Shamattawa First Nation community along with officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and volunteers from Winnipeg Volunteer Search and Rescue.

Part of the search focused around a gravel pit to the west of the village where the boy had previously been seen and where footprints were found soon after he disappeared.

RCMP Sergeant Paul Manaigre said the door he pushed through 'kind of leads him in the direction of the nursing station, which is just to the west'.

Manaigre became emotional as he spoke of meeting the boy's parents on Friday.

'She was hopeful that we're going to have some results. That was hard seeing her,' he told CBC.ca.

'It puts the human side of it. It's a six-year-old boy. You got to find him.'

Cree Nation search teams joined the hunt as drones equipped with infrared cameras and a police helicopter flew overhead.

Searchers concentrated on examining vehicles, equipment and 'anything he could fit into' in case the boy was hiding or trapped inside.

'Family is not giving up and they just wanna be out there,' wrote Johnson's aunt Sheila Reigns in a Facebook post on Saturday night.

'They won't come home yet, until they found him. Let's not give up. I know it's getting exhausting and tiring.'

Johnson, center, with his young relatives before his disappearance on Wednesday

The six-year-old disappeared after pushing open a door of his school in the fly-in community of Shamattawa, north-east Manitoba at 9am on Wednesday

Volunteers camped out in the woods as the four-day search continued around the clock

'It's a six-year-old boy,' said Sgt Paul Manaigre of the RCMP. 'You got to find him.'

'Only god knows where you are,' wrote another aunt Olivia Wallen.

'I could still hear you crying from two days ago inside the woods.

'Me and everyone are not gonna give up on you till you are found. Baby boy I love you so much my nephew. Please lord help us.'

But on Sunday night came the news everybody had been dreading as the body of the little boy was found, still wearing the blue hoodie with a grey hood he had disappeared in.

'It is with great sadness that we share the following information on the search for Johnson Redhead,' the RCMP revealed in a Sunday night post on their Facebook page.

'Earlier this evening, at 7.45pm, searchers located 6-year-old Johnson deceased. His body was found in a marshy area, approximately 3.5km from the school where he was last seen.

'We extend our deepest condolences to his family, the community of Shamattawa First Nation, and to everyone grieving his loss.'

Family members who took part in the search revealed they came within feet of covering the place where he was finally found.

'My heart is shattered to pieces,' wrote Wallen.

'I was close to finding him but I'm so sorry I couldn't find you baby nephew.'
A lawyer representing the builder of the Bayesian superyacht who filed a 186 million lawsuit against Mike Lynch's widow and crew without permission has been sacked.

Tommaso Bertuccelli, a lawyer who works with The Italian Sea Group (TISG), filed the writ last week declaring liability for the sinking of the yacht lay with Lynch's widow and the boat's crew.

However on Monday a source at TISG confirmed the lawsuit had been filed 'without their knowledge and consent' and as a result Bertuccelli had been fired.

The source told MailOnline: 'The first anything we knew about this was when the story emerged in Italian media and it was then picked up by international publications.

'There is absolutely no truth in the story that TISG has filed a lawsuit. The lawyer in question, who has worked with us for eight years acted completely off his own back.

Angela Bacares and Mike Lynch are pictured above. Ms Bacares survived the sinking of the Bayesian, while her husband and daughter Hannah died

Seven people died following the Bayesian's sinking on August 19

Mike Lynch (pictured, right) tragically died along with his daughter Hannah (pictured, left)

'He had been instructed to look into the case legally on behalf of TISG but that is it, for some reason he decided to file case which hadn't even been seen, agreed and signed by the board. He has now been sacked and is no longer working for us.'

The writ he filed at the court in Sicily has been withdrawn as it doesn't have the company's permission.

'It will not be released as it contains claims that have not been sanctioned by us and the case is still being investigated so it isn't even possible to file a case.'

Mr Lynch died alongside his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah Lynch; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, American jewelry designer Neda Morvillo; Morgan Stanley International Chair Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Judy Bloomer; and chef Recaldo Thomas.

Those reportedly named in the lawsuit include the captain James Cutfield and two other crewmembers; Camper & Nicholsons, the company that hired the crew; and Revtom, the company that owned Bayesian and which is controlled by Lynch's widow Angela Bacares.

The lawsuit claimed TSIG had already lost business due to the sinking, including a well-known fashion house that retracted plans to launch its branding on the company's yachts.

TISG vehemently denied that it had authorised the lawsuit and said it ordered Bertuccelli to withdraw the claim.

Bertuccelli filed the lawsuit with his firm, BDP Marine & Law, and TSIG is not directly involved.

A source close to the family told the Times: 'The Italian Sea Group should be ashamed. [IGS CEO] Giovanni Costantino is a disgrace, desperately trying to shift blame. He rushed to the media before all the bodies had even been recovered, showing his lack of decency. Now, it seems, he wants to sue his own clients.'

A handout photo made available on 19 August 2024 by Perini Navi Press Office shows the 'Bayesian' sailing boat, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Hannah was due to attend Oxford University before her life was tragically cut short

Before his death aged 59, Mike had been embroiled in a transatlantic fraud case, the result of the 2011 sale of his tech group, Autonomy, in which the buyer, HPE, alleged 'accounting irregularities' had led to Lynch and his associates fraudulently inflating the price

In a statement ahead of news of his sacking the constructor said: 'The Italian Sea Group strongly denies the claims published regarding a legal action following the Bayesian tragedy.

'Although TISG has given a generic mandate to the lawyers named in the article, no legal representative of the company has examined, signed or authorized any writ of summons.'

MailOnline has attempted to contact Mr Bertuccelli at his company based in Viareggio, Italy, several times but he has not responded.

The Bayesian sank last month off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily after being hit by a freak storm.

TISG has insisted that the yacht was 'unsinkable' and in several interviews with Italian and international media CEO Giovanni Costantino has blamed the tragedy on 'human error'.

He has claimed doors and portholes were not secured and weather warning were ignored despite being widely publicised.

Mr Costantino also said the fact the yacht took 16 minutes to sink meant there was ample time for the passengers and crew to be saved.

The lawsuit comes less than a month after Italian prosecutors opened up a criminal investigation into the sinking.

'We are only in the initial phase of the investigation. We can't exclude any sort of development at present,' Termini Imerese prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said at the time.

The Bayesian's captain New Zealander James Cutfield, chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffiths, both from Britain, have been placed under official investigation for manslaughter and causing a disaster.

Mr Eaton, 56, has told prosecutors he followed procedures and made sure all was watertight as the storm engulfed the yacht.

According to excerpts from Mr Parker Eaton's statement, leaked to the Italian media, he insisted all doors and openings on the yacht were shut.

Divers searching the wreck of the yacht last month. Shocking medical findings showed the six victims of the disaster whose bodies were recovered from the yacht had no water in their lungs, suggesting the cause of death was suffocation due to a lack of oxygen

A source for the Lynch family had called TSIG 'disgraceful' after the lawsuit was filed.

'The Italian Sea Group should be ashamed. Giovanni Costantino is a disgrace, desperately trying to shift blame. He rushed to the media before all the bodies had even been recovered, showing his lack of decency. Now, it seems, he wants to sue his own clients,' an unnamed friend of Lynch told the Sunday Times.

The bodies of the seven dead have since been repatriated from Sicily.

Post-mortem examinations were carried out on the victims in Sicily, with preliminary results suggesting all but one had been trapped below deck when they died.

The autopsies revealed that the victims had no water in their lungs, Italian media reported.

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.
A 30-year Washington State police officer veteran who was previously named cop of the year was fired for placing a 'Let's Go Brandon' sticker on his police cruiser.

The veteran Spokane Police Department officer identified as Bradley J. Moon, 49, was reported to have been driving around with the controversial vulgar anti-Biden sticker on his police cruiser during the summer of 2023.

A seven-month investigation was conducted and in May, Moon was terminated for violating city and department policy by engaging in prohibited speech.

In October 2023, when his supervisors were made aware of the sticker, Moon told them he was unaware of the political implications of the sticker.

He reportedly told them that he bought the sticker in support of a fellow officer's son, a collegiate athlete, who had suffered a 'medical episode' that he recovered from, as per the report.

Spokane Police Department Officer Bradley J. Moon was terminated for violating city and department policy by engaging in prohibited speech

However, body camera footage reveals conversations between Moon and other officers contradicting the original story he had told the authorities.

The political phrase has been used as an internet meme meaning 'F*** Joe Biden,' but the sticker Moon had on his police vehicle was not as vulgar.

The phrase 'Let's go Brandon' started growing in popularity in right-wing circles in 2021 - with the seemingly upbeat sentiment actually being a stand-in for swearing at Joe Biden.

Republican Rep. Bill Posey of Florida ended an October 21, 2021 House floor speech with a fist pump and the phrase 'Let's go, Brandon!' - while South Carolina Republican Jeff Duncan wore a face mask donning the same phrase at the Capitol.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz posed with a 'Let's Go Brandon' sign at the World Series - and Sen. Mitch McConnell's press secretary retweeted a photo of the phrase on a construction sign in Virginia.

During the questioning, Moon did not give a reason to why he did not put the sticker on his own car, and just told investigators, 'I have no idea,' as per the report.

Last month, the Office of the Police Ombuds reported that Moon bragged to other people that the mayor at the time, Nadine Woodward, complimented the sticker; and that his fellow officers did not report the policy violation, as per The Spokesman-Review.

According to the report, six officers who knew about the sticker were also interviewed.

One officer claimed that they had seen several officers put stickers on department cars to make it look less like a police car, as per the report.

Another officer, and a sergeant, said he was 'aware of the derogatory meaning of 'Let's Go Brandon' toward President Biden, but did not give it much thought at the time.'

Moon pictured with his wife Amber in this undated photo

The report stated that four supervisors that Moon reported to were reprimanded for failing to address the issue when it first happened, the report indicates.

The ombudsman cited in the report that Moon had issued false or misleading statements and participated in prohibited speech, both city and department policy violations.

In January, the investigation was forwarded to the department's Administrative Review Panel and that is when they determined that the sticker was 'clearly a political sticker that damages the reputation of SPD,' as per the report.

The report further stated that 'regardless of policy, it is common sense that there is no justification for placing such a sticker or phrase on a city owned vehicle.'

'The sticker was obviously inappropriate and should have been recognized by any supervisor as a violation of department policy,' the panel stated.

'At a minimum, any supervisor should have recognized that a sticker with that kind of political messaging would be harmful to SPD's reputation.

'Not all of the supervisory failures were equal in nature, but they were failures nonetheless.'

The couple pictured in 2021

Debbie Novak, with the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability, told KHQ News that 'it's really disappointing.'

'He had this on his vehicle, where everybody could see it,' Novak said. 'It's really disappointing, and I expect more out of the Spokane Police Department, and I'm sure the citizens of Spokane do.'

Moon had been a model officer when he was part of the Spokane Police Department.

In 2009, he received a Medal of Merit from the city for his work as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer. And, in 2005 was the department's employee of the year.

Moon was not available to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.
A Pennsylvania mother who allegedly killed two of her children with a dog leash sobbed as her surviving son disowned her at her trial.

Lisa Snyder, 41, is accused of hanging her eight-year-old son Connor and four-year-old daughter Brinley in the basement of her Albany Township home in 2019.

Her son Owen Synder, 22, took the stand on Tuesday to speak about the killings, prompting Snyder to audibly gasp and start crying.

'I just dont see her as my mother anymore,' Owen said when asked why he referred to Snyder as 'Lisa,' as reported by the Mainline Times & Suburban.

A stoic Owen denied his mother's claims that it was a suicidal and depressed Connor that killed himself and his little sister because he was being bullied at school.

Lisa Snyder, 41, is accused of killing her eight-year-old son Connor and four-year-old daughter Brinley in 2019

Connor and Brinley were found hanged in the basement in September 2019 and died three days later

'He was a happy-go-lucky kid,' he said when asked if Connor was depressed.

'He always wanted to be doing something. He was always playing with his little sister.'

Owen added that little Connor had physical limitations that would have made it difficult to set up the hangings.

Snyder was initially also accused of having sex with her pit bull shortly before the killings after investigators at the time said they found evidence in Snyder's Facebook account.

However, a judge ruled that those claims would not be admitted into the murders trial after the defense team argued the claims would prejudice the jury.

After Berks County prosecutors rested their case late Friday morning, defense attorney Dennis Charles unsuccessfully sought an immediate acquittal, calling the case based on speculation and theory and 'all guesswork.'

Connor and Brinley were found hanged in the basement in September 2019 and died three days later when they were taken off life support.

Snyder faces charges of first-degree murder, child endangerment and evidence tampering in the September 2019 deaths of her two children

Snyder's Albany Township home, where her kids were found haning, is pictured

The trial began last week, with the court told how Snyder had used her phone to Google 'How to hang yourself' and search for a show called 'Almost Got Away With It' days before Conner and Brinley died.

A further gory twist saw the tall wooden kitchen chairs Conner and Brinley had been hanged from brought into court.

Snyder remained emotionless, with her lawyers insisting the evidence against her is all conjecture.

The defense is first arguing that Snyder did not kill her children, but has also said that even if she did, she was insane when it happened and should be sent to a psychiatric hospital instead of prison.

Brinley, 4, and Conner, 8, were found hanging from opposite ends of the same dog leash in basement of their Pennsylvania home

Snyder, who made the initial 911 call, had told police her son was bullied and had been threatening to take his own life, but authorities were immediately suspicious of her claim of suicide, and said they found no evidence to support it.

The boy showed no outward signs of trouble on school bus security video recorded that day, and an occupational therapist later said he wasn't physically capable of causing that kind of harm to himself or his little sister.

Snyder also admitted going to a store to buy a dog leash on the day the children were found hanging from it, authorities said.

A heavier Snyder is seen during an earlier court hearing from 2020

She called for help later saying how she was unable to get them down from where they were hanging because she was suffering from extreme anxiety.

Prosecutors have indicated they are pushing for Snyder to receive the death penalty but will face life behind bars if she's convicted of first-degree murder.

It will be up to the judge, rather than a jury, to make that decision.

A judge last year rejected a plea agreement under which Snyder would have pleaded no contest but mentally ill to two counts of third-degree murder. Prosecutors earlier indicated an intention to seek the death penalty.
The U.S. is sending troops to the Middle East in response to the surge in violence between Israel and Hezbollah and as the region teeters on the edge of an all-out war.

The Pentagon announced on Monday that 'additional' service members would be deployed to join the 40,000 already stationed in the region along with a dozen warships and fighter jet squadrons.

Israeli forces have ramped up their airstrikes deep inside Lebanon and the State Department has warned all Americans to leave as the risk of conflict spirals to levels not seen in years.

Tensions have reached boiling point in the last seven days, and started to deteriorate when pagers and walkie talkies owned by members of Hezbollah exploded in a coordinated attack last week.

Devastating airstrikes by the Israeli military on Monday killed at least 100 people and injured another 400 in Lebanon as IDF warplanes pummeled targets across the country.

Terrified residents in Beirut and elsewhere received calls and texts warning them to move away from Hezbollah targets, with Lebanon's information minister condemning the alerts as a tactic of 'psychological war implemented by the enemy'.

Schools have been closed early during the heavy attacks that have sparked calls for international intervention.

The U.S. is sending troops to the Middle East in response to the surge in violence between Israel and Hezbollah and as the region teeters on the edge of an all-out war. Some billows from the Lebanese village of Zaita after an Israeli strike

The Biden administration has warned Israel that escalation is not in their best interest and still want a diplomatic solution.

At the White House, Biden declined to answer shouted questions about the situation in Lebanon.

Later, he spoke only in general terms about the situation during a meeting in the Oval Office with President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, and did not respond to questions about rising tensions.

'We also will discuss our efforts to end the war in Gaza and a number of regional issues,' Biden told reporters.

'I've been briefed on the latest developments in Israel and Lebanon. My team is in contact with their counterparts, and we're working to deescalate in a way that allows people return to their homes safety. Mr. President, I want you to know that I remain committed to UAE security and look forward to discussions going to cover a lot of areas.

At the Pentagon, Press Secretary Gen. Pat Ryder would not confirm how many troops would be deployed or where they are going.

'In light of the increased tensions in the Middle East, and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region,' he said.

'Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available,' the State Department cautioned Saturday.

The growing tensions are certain to be a major topic at as the UN General Assembly meetings in New York.

En route to the even on Air Force One, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre warned that 'the risk of escalation is real.'

'Look, we're concerned. You heard that from the President yesterday,' she said.

'The conflict along the blue line between Israel and Hezbollah has gone on for long enough it's in everyone's interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically,' she said.

'Diplomatic resolution, thats what were going to continue to work for,' she added.

The number of troops deployed to U.S. Central Command grew from 34,000 to 40,000 in the aftermath of Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.

Navy warships are scattered across the region and anchored in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

The U.S. has a single air craft carrier strike group, which includes the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, in the region, after another departed for the Asia Pacific region. In addition, there are Navy destroyers in the Red Sea and six warships in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The U.S. has placed four squadrons of fighter jets in the region, bolstered by the addition last month of advanced F-22 fighter jets, Military Times reported.

Lebanon's prime minister has accused Israel of waging 'a war of extermination', and urged the United Nations to intervene 'to deter the (Israeli) aggression'.

Huge plumes of smoke have been pictured at multiple sites, with rockets fired at areas not previously hit by strikes and witnesses reporting intense bombing raids.

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Smoke rises from Israeli shelling on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre

The USS Harry Truman set sail from Norfolk, Virginia Monday as part of a scheduled deployment. It could be used to bolster US forces in the region

Biden referenced tensions in the region at the start of a meeting with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House

Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that the IDF was 'deepening' attacks in Lebanon and suggested that the situation would intensify, warning in a video message: 'These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure.'

Gallant further revealed on X this morning that he has provided his US counterpart with a 'situation assessment of Hezbollah threats and briefed him on IDF operations to degrade Hezbollah's ability to launch attacks against Israeli civilians.'

He added that the wider regional security situation and 'threats posed by Iran and its proxies' were also discussed.

The IDF issued a warning to residents of villages in southern Lebanon: 'If you are in or near a building that Hezbollah uses to store weapons or weapons, you must evacuate this building and move away from it immediately.

A Lebanese man checks a message received on his mobile phone in Beirut on September 23, 2024, calling people to evacuate the areas 'where Hezbollah hides its weapons'

A man picks up students after some schools closed early, in Beirut, Lebanon

'Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives or the organization's weapons puts themselves in danger.'

Lebanon's PM Najib Mikati denounced Israel's 'destructive plan' at a cabinet meeting this morning.

'The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns,' he said.

He urged 'the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries... to deter the (Israeli) aggression'
A remote Alaska town that's home to 265 residents is so isolated that locals must return home before midnight to avoid being shut out.

One of the only ways to reach the sleepy town of Whittier, Alaska, tucked away on the west side of the Prince William Sound, is by driving through a one-way tunnel running directly beneath a glacier.

But the last time drivers can enter the tunnel before it closes are 11pm in the summer and 10:30pm in the winter.

Anyone looking to get to the tiny town after hours will have to wait till morning.

Whittier enforces a strict curfew and closes the tunnel every night using a timekeeping system.

The only ways to reach Whittier, Alaska are by ferry, train or driving through a one-way tunnel running directly beneath a glacier

The last time drivers can enter the tunnel before it closes are 11pm in the summer and 10:30pm in the winter

The span is the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America and runs for 2.5 miles, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

It takes approximately 6 minutes to travel through the tunnel if a driver is traveling 25 miles per hour.

Since the tunnel is a one-way road, each time slot is scheduled for 15 minutes - starting at 5.30am in the summer and 7am in the winter.

Oversize vehicles are even more limited and are only allowed from Monday to Thursday.

Another limitation is that cars and the Alaska Railroad Corporation have to take turns. Train track switches are used to direct trains away from the tunnel before it can open for highway traffic.

Since the tunnel is a one-way road, each time slot is scheduled for 15 minutes - starting at 5.30am in the summer and 7am in the winter

This means if a train is delayed the cars also have to wait.

The ADTPF wrote that only 20% of time slots are actually used by the railroad. When they're not used, tunnel operators can use the additional time slots to let cars through during peak traffic.

The process to get through the tunnel is intricately planned. Once a car pays the $13 toll, vehicles are lined up in a precise order: busses, trucks, cars and then vehicles towing trailers.

The Alaska Railroad can also be a peculiar ride, as there are no railroad facilities in Whittier.

The Glacier Discovery Train, which originates in Anchorage, 'loads and off-loads passengers in a white tented area across from the cruise ship terminal and marina.'

Whittier is Alaska Railroad's only viable freight interchange point for barge service that connects Alaska to other parts of the United States and Canada. It's vitally important to the state due to it's deep-water port staying ice-free year-round.

The tunnel to Whittier is the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America, at 2.5 miles

Pictured: Barry Glacier on the Prince William Sound near Whittier, Alaska

The town is 50 miles from Anchorage, which is short by Alaskan standards.

Whittier's small population means that the majority of resident live in a single complex, which was originally built as army barracks that served as a 'secret' military facility for the U.S. Army during WWII before being converted into a residential space in 1974.

The building houses a post office and a grocery store, as well as tunnels leading out to schools, laundry and housing.

Visitors can only gain access to the ground level of the 14-story complex, while the remaining floors are only accessible to residents.
This is the moment a mother and daughter smashed up a car while out on a family dog walk during the riots in Middlesbrough last month.

Amanda Walton, 51, was caught on CCTV throwing a missile, damaging a car wing mirror and rummaging through a bin, Teesside Crown Court heard.

While footage showed her daughter Megan Davison, 24, jumping up and down on a car roof, smashing windows and sticking her finger up at a police officer, prosecutors said.

The pair admitted violent disorder and were jailed for more than three years in total at Teesside Crown Court today.

Walton was sentenced to 22 months by Judge Francis Laird KC while her daughter received a 20-month sentence.

Megan Davison, 24, was caught on CCTV jumping up and down on a car roof

Amanda Walton (left) and her daughter Megan Davison during the riots

The pair were seen walking their dog through the riot on August 4

Amanda Walton (left) and Megan Davison (right) have both been jailed for violent disorder

The court heard that Walton brought her chow chow to the riot in Middlesbrough on August 4 and a video showed both women holding the pet's lead as the mob made its way up Parliament Street.

Davison's partner, Jake Wray, is awaiting sentence after also admitting violent disorder, having stopped cars at a junction to challenge drivers if they were 'white' or 'English'.

Walton handed herself in after police circulated images of the trouble while Davison, a mother-of-two, was arrested at her home.

Jon Harley, defending Davison, said she had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs the night before following a break-up, and was still intoxicated during the march.

'She allowed herself to be swept up and behaved in a very stupid manner,' he said.

Gary Wood, defending Walton, said she was at the protest out of concern for her daughter.

'She hadn't planned to be involved, in fact she is present in the street with her dog,' he said.

The judge accepted that neither woman was motivated by racist ideology and that both were remorseful.

Wray is due to be sentenced next week.

It comes as a 21-year-old mother who took her baby to an asylum hotel riot in a pram has been spared jail.

Nevey Smith from Oldham threw water at police officers outside the Holiday Inn in Newton Heath, Manchester, on July 31.

Megan Davison, 24, was seen jumping up and down on a car roof, smashing windows and sticking her finger up at a police officer

The court heard that Walton brought her chow chow (pictured in right of the photo) to the riot in Middlesbrough on August 4

The pair admitted violent disorder and were jailed for more than three years in total at Teesside Crown Court today

Pictured: Amanda Walton, who has been jailed along with her daughter Megan Davison

Walton handed herself in after police circulated images of the trouble while Davison, a mother-of-two, was arrested at her home

Manchester Crown Court heard how the protest had been planned on Facebook earlier that day and during the disorder missiles were thrown at police officers, including glass bottles, bricks and eggs.

One hotel resident was injured after glass was thrown at him, causing cuts to his arm, and while 'he'd come to the country to feel safe' he no longer did so.

A bus was attacked and damaged, forcing passengers to flee, and one rioter then tried to force his way on board.

Smith was captured on CCTV throwing a liquid at police and a hotel resident who was being escorted through the grounds.

Other photographs showed her pushing her child in the pram as the riot unfolded.

Smith was arrested after later handing herself in at a police station.

She previously admitted a charge of violent disorder when she appeared before magistrates in August and said she was 'deeply sorry' for her actions.

Judge Patrick Field KC, sentencing her at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, said: 'You chose to join (the disorder) notwithstanding that you had your 20-month-old child in a pushchair.

Nevey Smith, 21, was captured on CCTV throwing a liquid at police and a hotel resident who was being escorted through the grounds

Riot police outside the hotel in Newton Heath on July 31 where Smith threw 'liquid' at officers after she 'lost her temper'

'What on earth were you thinking? I doubt you had his safety in mind.'

Smith was handed a community order and made to attend reviews at a women's problem-solving court, and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Meanwhile a 29-year-old man who rocked a police van with officers inside during a riot in Rotherham has been jailed for two years and ten months.

Ross Hart, 29, from Wombwell, South Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after the unrest at a hotel housing asylum seekers on August 4.

Sheffield Crown Court heard Hart was also seen attacking an air conditioning unit at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, South Yorkshire, and was part of a group taunting police.

Whereas, Daniel Kendall, 21, was jailed for two years and four months for violent disorder after being filmed picking up debris from the road and throwing it at police.

The court heard he was an 'immature' and 'somewhat vulnerable' young man who had been 'fed misinformation'.

Kendall, of Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing. He has no previous convictions.
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Rachel Reeves faced a backlash from unions and her own MPs tonight after she refused to U-turn on axing the winter fuel allowance for millions of pensioners.

The Chancellor sounded defiance in her keynote speech to Labour conference, despite delegates booing the leadership for thwarting a vote on the controversial policy.

Ms Reeves used her address to insist she would not 'duck decisions', suggesting the 'road ahead is steeper than we expected'.

Unions are mounting a frantic push to reverse the move - which strips 10million pensioners of up to 300 a year. They are furious that the showdown has now seemingly been pushed back to Wednesday, which is after Keir Starmer gives his own speech and leaves for the US.

Unite chief Sharon Graham said ministers were being 'cruel', while former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the government was making a 'terrible mistake'.

Ms Reeves struck a notably more optimistic tone about the country's future, following a welter of criticism about doom-laden pronouncements and fears they will be self-fulfilling.

She said 'tough decisions' in the upcoming Budget would not 'dim our ambition for Britain' and insisted Tory austerity was a 'destructive choice' which would not be repeated.

However, the scale of the challenge the government faces was underlined as nurses announced while the Chancellor was speaking that they had rejected a 5.5 per cent pay rise offer - demanding even more cash after bumper hikes for junior doctors and train drivers.

In other developments at the conference today:

The Chancellor pledged to begin the rollout of free breakfast clubs in primary schools from April next year;

Ms Reeves has boasted about her status as the first ever female Chancellor, saying in her speech that the British public had 'looked at us, looked at me, and decided Labour could be trusted with their money';

She admitted Labour 's freebies bonanza 'looks a bit odd' reassured unions there will not be a return to 'austerity';

Angela Rayner is facing accusations over a taxpayer-funded 'vanity photographer' who has been taking glossy pictures of her at work;

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has risked fuelling infighting over No10 chief aide Sue Gray by swiping that people are acting like she 'shot JFK';

A poll has found Labour's election-winning coalition is 'eroding from the inside' amid the meltdown over winter fuel and freebies.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves was watched in the hall by many of her Cabinet colleagues as she gave her speech today

The Unite union staged a protest outside the conference venue in Liverpool to coincide with the Chancellor's appearance - despite the heavy rain

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the government was making a 'terrible mistake'

Ms Reeves was embraced by Sir Keir after giving her speech this afternoon

The PM and Chancellor put on a show of unity in the conference hall this afternoon

Ms Reeves was giving her keynote speech to delegates as the protest erupted this afternoon

Labour conference descended into chaos today as Rachel Reeves' big speech was disrupted by a Gaza protest

When the demonstrator was removed Ms Reeves swiped that Labour is 'not a party of protest' any more before continuing

The Chancellor was addressing delegates in Liverpool when a member of the audience started shouting that the UK is still supplying arms to Israel - forcing her to stop

The protester was wrestled out of the conference hall during the speech

The disruption happened as Ms Reeves was getting into her crunch address to activists

Sir Keir and Ms Reeves in the conference hall after her speech today

The Chancellor also embraced her sister Ellie - another member of the Cabinet

Angela Rayner and Sir Keir watching Ms Reeves give her speech to activists today

As the session opened earlier this morning, Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled over the winter fuel debate timing

Rachel Reeves' Labour conference speech: key points

Rachel Reeves took to the Labour conference stage as the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer. In her address she: Offered an upbeat assessment for the future to counter previous pessimism

Vowed 'there will be no return to austerity' of the Tory and coalition governments.

Told conference: 'My optimism for Britain burns brighter than ever, my ambition knows no limits.'

Refused to reverse cut to winter fuel payment despite union anger

Warned 'tough decisions' are needed on the economy

Announced rollout of free breakfast clubs for thousands of primary schoolchildren will begin in April

Vowed to 'write the work of all women back into our economic story' as the first female Chancellor. Advertisement

The timing of a winter fuel vote has now been pushed back after intense wrangling on the party's organising committee - with claims the schedule is 'too busy' for a debate this afternoon.

Instead the clash - which the leadership is resigned to losing - is likely to take place after the PM has given his keynote speech. And Sir Keir will not even be present as he is due to be travelling to the UN general assembly.

Despite the open revolt, Ms Reeves has made clear there will be no U-turn on the plan, and the vote will not be binding on the government.

Ms Reeves told the hall: 'Because I know how much damage has been done in those 14 years, let me say one thing straight up: there will be no return to austerity. Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services, and for investment and growth too.

'Yes, we must deal with the Tory legacy and that means tough decisions, but I won't let that dim our ambition for Britain.

'So, it will be a budget with real ambition, a budget to fix the foundations, a budget to deliver the change that we promised, a budget to rebuild Britain.'

Ms Reeves repeated her promise not to 'turn a blind eye' to 'Covid fraudsters' and those who 'used a national emergency to line their own pockets'.

She drew some of her loudest applause as she said: 'That money belongs in our police, it belongs in our health service and belongs in our schools. Conference, we want that money back.'

The winter fuel spat has been intensified by the backlash over Sir Keir, Ms Reeves, Angela Rayner and other senior figures accepting 'freebies' including clothes, tickets and holidays.

But Ms Reeves again insisted there will be no backing down on the cut.

'I made the choice to means test the winter fuel payment, so that it is only targeted at those most in need.

'I know that not everyone  in this hall, or in the country  will agree with every decision I make.

'But I will not duck those decisions. Not for political expediency. Not for personal advantage.

'Faced with that 22billion black hole that the Conservatives left this year and with the triple lock ensuring that the state pension will rise by an estimated 1,700 over the course of this Parliament, I judged it the right decision in the circumstances we inherited.'

The Royal College of Nursing announced that they had rejected the government's pay offer shortly after Ms Reeves said how proud she was of giving public sector workers a 'meaningful rise'.

'I am proud to stand here as the first chancellor in 14 years to have delivered a meaningful, real pay rise to millions of public sector workers we make,' she said.

'We made that choice not just because public sector workers needed a pay rise, but because it was the right choice for parents, patients and for the British public, the right choice for recruitment and retention, and it was the right choice for our country.'

The two protesters from the group Climate Resistance were led from the conference centre in handcuffs and placed in a police van before being driven away.

They had unfurled a banner saying: 'Still backing polluters, still arming Israel  we voted for change.'

As the session opened this morning, Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled as she said: 'This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and I'm going to take this back straight to CAC and I'll come back to you with an answer ASAP.'

Activists were then admonished from the stage for booing.

Unite's Andy Green said: 'This is simply an attempt to take out the debate on the winter fuel allowance.

'Today is economy day at conference and we have the Chancellor speaking and a composite motion on the growth mission, which is scheduled for this morning.

'So, it is more of a surprise, in fact an outrage, to us that the composite motion from Unite and the CWU on economy for the future is not listed on the agenda for today.

'It is disrespectful to our members and every single delegate here and conference itself, who voted for the priorities ballot.'

CWU's senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns questioned why the motion was not scheduled and why it has been briefed that 'it's unlikely to be scheduled for debate this week'.

Labour sources have said the leadership is 'likely' to lose the vote on winter fuel allowance but insisted that Ms Reeves would not back down.

'We'll note it and move on,' the source said. 'It's time for people to start understanding these tough choices are real.'

In her speech, the Chancellor tried to strike a more upbeat note, saying her 'optimism for Britain burns as bright as it ever has done'.

But she warned the country faces 'ruin' unless the new government first moves to shore up the public finances.

'I can see the prize on offer, if we make the right choices now,' she said. 'And stability is the crucial foundation on which all our ambitions will be built.

'The essential precondition for business to invest with confidence and families to plan for the future. The mini-budget showed us that any plan for growth without stability only leads to ruin.'

In a sop to critics on the Left, the Chancellor said: 'There will be no return to austerity.

'Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services  and for investment and growth too.'

And hinting that spending will rise in the future, she insisted: 'Stability, paired with reform, will forge the conditions for business to invest and consumers to spend with confidence. Growth is the challenge. And investment is the solution.'

Ms Reeves has again insisted there will be no U-turn on the winter fuel cut, pointing to a claimed 22billion 'black hole' in the government finances

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves on the stage at the Labour conference today

Former Man United star Gary Neville (left) and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy at conference today

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh at the conference in Liverpool - which has been blighted by the stormy weather wracking Britain

Merchandise on offer at stands at the annual gathering in Liverpool

In a round of interviews this morning, Ms Reeves said she had not 'expected' or 'wanted' to make changes to winter fuel payments.

She told the BBC's Today programme on Radio 4 this morning that 'I was not planning to make these changes to winter fuel payment.

'These were not changes that I expected to make or wanted to make, but when faced with a situation when there's a 22 billion black hole  not some year in the future  but this year in the public finances, it requires difficult decisions.'

The Chancellor defended taking 7,500 worth of clothes from a donor during the election campaign. She also confirmed that she accepted free holiday accommodation in Cornwall valued at 1,400 for her family.

But she stressed that she will not be receiving free clothes in future.

The Chancellor also played down fears of deep spending cuts to fill her claimed 22billion 'black hole' in the government finances, saying there would be no return to 'austerity'.

Puddles of water in a drenched Liverpool as the Labour conference continues

Shadow Treasury minister Gareth Davies said the Tories would not have scrapped winter fuel payments for all pensioners.

It's a 'political choice' for Labour to reduce eligibility for the payment, he told GB News.

'They have chosen on the one hand to hand massive pay rises to the unions, while at the same time taking away support for pensioners ahead of winter. That is a political choice.'

Asked how the Conservatives would have plugged the 'black hole' in the public finances, he said the opposition was 'questioning the validity' of the claimed 22 billion gap and that the Tories had had a plan to 'make savings on welfare, to crack down on tax avoidance' that Labour was not taking forward.

'What this is really all about is what they always wanted to do, and that's roll the pitch for tax rises, which will come in the Budget. They're now starting to admit that. That will harm growth and I thought this Government was all about growth.'
An RSPCA trustee funded his 'lavish lifestyle' by swindling the animal charity out of over 100,000 during a five-year expenses scam for hotel stays and taxis, a court has heard.

David Mawson, 50, is accused of exploiting the charity's bank accounts to enjoy hundreds of nights in hotels he was not entitled to, plus free journeys.

The prosecution say Mawson defrauded the charity of approximately 91,300 in hotel stays and approximately 10,000 in taxi fares.

'This case is about fraud, we say, Mr Mawson committed over a five-year period between 2012 and 2017,' prosecutor Andrew Hallworth told the Inner London Crown Court jury on Monday.

'It was a fraud committed by Mr Mawson when he was a trustee of the RSPCA, so this was a serious breach of trust by him.

David Mawson typically booked Premier Inn rooms during his alleged hotel fraud spree

The prosecution say Mawson defrauded the charity of approximately 91,300 in hotel stays and approximately 10,000 in taxi fares (stock image)

'He had no right or permission to do what he did, despite anything he may say to the contrary and as such he acted dishonestly throughout.'

The court heard it is the local voluntary trustees who make the day-to-day decisions regarding charity shops, local animal welfare projects and have a legal responsibility.

Trustees are allowed to bill for 'reasonable and necessary' costs, but the jury were told the money should not be for personal benefit.

Mawson, of Staines Road, Twickenham has pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2012 and December 21, 2017, namely while occupying the position of trustee he dishonestly abused that position regarding hotel and taxi expenses, intending to make financial gain.

The SELB has three charity shops in West Norwood, Grove Park and Sydenham and Mawson was the SELB Secretary since 2009.

'He exercised control over the SELB's bank accounts and was, we say, more active in the daily running than others, anyway more busy than he would admit.'

Mawson's trail is being heard at Inner London Crown Court (front entrance pictured)

Mawson typically booked Premier Inn rooms and spent over 18,000 on the SELB Barclaycard; over 43,000 on a Co-Op debit card and over 29,000 on a CAF Bank corporate account, the trial heard.

Between 2013 and 2017 Mawson enjoyed a total of 436 nights at various Premier Inn's paid for by the RSPCA's accounts.

'However the true number is likely to be much larger as individual payments through the bank statements may represent more than one nights' stay,' explained Mr Hallworth.

'There was no charity business going on that would justify these hotel stays or taxi journeys.'

Taxi firm Addison Lee received over 10,000 from RSPCA accounts for journeys booked by Mawson.

Eventually the police were alerted by SELB Chair Gerda Glage and her husband Ivan House and accountants completed a full forensic audit of their accounts between 2012 and 2018.

Mawson was removed from his RSPCA post in September, 2018 and later questioned by police officers.

Taxi firm Addison Lee received over 10,000 from RSPCA accounts for journeys booked by Mawson

'He claimed that it was no secret that he was using charity funds for hotel and taxi expenses and that he submitted relevant claims.'

The prosecution also produced what they claimed was a map of the unnecessary taxi journeys billed by Mawson.

Mawson said a 'dodgy neighbour' who had at least one spell in prison resulted in Premier Inn allowing him to stay for additional nights.

However, Mawson never called the police about any issues with the neighbour, said the prosecutor.

'Even assuming that charity was aware of this, which is not accepted, and endorsed his use of the charity's bank accounts for that purpose, which is also not accepted, there were in fact eighty-four occasions when the charity paid for Premier Inn bookings when his dodgy neighbour cannot have been an issue to him, because the latter was in prison.

'So even if you were to give him the benefit of the doubt about some of the expenses it is difficult to see any defence to those bookings where no charity business was taking place or when his dodgy neighbour was in prison.'

The trial is expected to last seven days.
An Ohio brewery has taken the extraordinary step of banning children under 16 from the premesis in response to 'a few bad apples' who wreaked havoc on guests.

Jay Demagall, from Forest City Brewery, took to Facebook this weekend to share the new policy, describing it as a 'difficult decision' but one that he had to make.

'Over the past 8 1/2 years, we have tried to implement policies that would allow children to be at the brewery as long as they were supervised by a guardian,' he said.

'Due to a few bad apples, and irresponsible parents, we will no longer allow children under 16 on the premises.'

Demagall accepted his decision would be 'disappointing' for some longtime guests who were used to bringing their children along with them.

But he said staff 'can no longer afford to act as babysitters for the irresponsible parents that continue to put their kids, our customers and our business at risk.'

Jay Demagall (left), from Forest City Brewery, took to Facebook this weekend to share the new policy, describing it as a 'difficult decision' but one that he had to make

Demagall accepted his decision would be 'disappointing' for some longtime guests who were used to bringing their children along with them

'Simply put, we are a brewery. Our business is to serve great beer, food and other alcoholic beverages to ADULTS,' he said.

'Quite frankly, kids were never a part of our business plan or our vibe.

'Our staff are not equipped to monitor or babysit kids whose parents treat the brewery like a playground.'

Demagall shared the details of two other local breweries in which children are allowed in an effort to give disappointed patrons another option.

The decision was well received by patrons, many of whom said they're fed up with parents not taking responsibility for their children in public.

One wrote: 'Other adults out having fun do NOT want to hear your children or any children that's why they left theirs at home with a babysitter.'

And another added: 'I have two kids, love them dearly, and I am glad I'll have a place to go where they cannot!'

A third said: 'Completely excited for this! No screaming unsupervised kids!

'As an adult, it's very nice to go somewhere and not have loud, needy, snotty kids running around while their parents ignore them. A brewery is not a babysitter.'

The decision was well received by patrons, many of whom said they're fed up with parents not taking responsibility for their children in public

Another patron said he 'supports and applauds the decision.'

'There is nothing wrong with adults having some adult-only places (or close enough to it), just like it's okay to have places specially meant for children.

'Can you imagine if adults without kids started going to Chuck E Cheese just to drink? There'd be an uproar, and rightfully so. So why should spaces that cater to adults be held to a different standard?'

But there were disappointed patrons too who said Demagall's announcement had ruined their future plans.

One wrote: 'There are already so few eating and drinking establishments in Cleveland to go to with our son.

'Regular restaurants just aren't well designed for kids. Forest city was one of the few places that was. It's open and spacious. There's a lot of nature around.

'Huge bummer that now there's one less place for us to go (and spend our money). Also, I had no idea kids were never really welcome in the first place. We would never have gone there with him if we knew kids weren't part of the ''vibe''.'

Another said he 'hates this news.'

'We were frequent guests on Sundays with our daughter in the back yard from the time before she could crawl through a few weeks ago when we visited.

'As a family who loves live music, it was a one of a kind destination.. Totally respect that it's your decision but we'll have to switch to other family friendly walkable places instead.'
New Zealand Chinese Immersion Day highlights cultural show, donated books

Xinhua) 09:24, September 23, 2024

WELLINGTON, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Immersion Day highlighted cultural show and donated Chinese books in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Sunday.

The Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch donated children's books in Chinese and books about traditional Chinese culture to the Christchurch Library, as part of the nationwide celebration of the New Zealand Chinese Language Week, which started on Sunday.

Consul General He Ying told the donation ceremony that the annual book donation started more than five years ago, and these books have been widely received by the Chinese community and Kiwis in Christchurch.

The city libraries need diverse language books as part of a wide range of books offered, said a statement from the library, adding the donated books have been wonderful gifts for the community to enjoy.

The Chinese Immersion Day highlighted performance of traditional Chinese music, lion dance and various Chinese language and culture activities, such as calligraphy, paper cutting, Chinese knots making, Chinese painting, fan making, tea art, traditional Chinese medicine consultation, and fun language workshops and games.

The Chinese Immersion Day was jointly held by the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch, the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch Central Library, and the New Zealand Chinese Language Teachers Association (Canterbury).

The Chinese Language Week is a Kiwi-driven initiative launched in 2014 after the Maori Language Week and the Pacific Language Week.

New Zealand has more than 260,000 people of Chinese origin. The number of primary and secondary school students in New Zealand learning Chinese was nearly 70,000 before the global pandemic, according to New Zealand's Ministry of Education.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Police say they are 'increasingly worried' about three teenagers who ran away from their home in Hampshire last week and are still missing.

Shelley, 14, Roxanna, 13 and Jack, 15 all disappeared from their home addresses in Burlesdon and Eastleigh last week and are thought to have been heading to London together.

Shelley is described as white, 5ft 3ins to 5ft 5ins and with long light brown hair usually worn in a bun, wearing black leggings, a blue t-shirt and a white puffa gillet and carrying a blue handbag.

Roxanna is between 5ft 3ins and 5ft 5ins tall and described as an average build with blue eyes and long brown hair. She was last seen wearing a grey hoodie, a black puffa jacket and black trainers.

Jack is 5ft 9ins, slim build and with dark ginger hair which is long on top, and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, light blue cargo trousers, white trainers and a black coat. He was carrying a black bag.

Roxanna, 13 was last seen at her home in Burlesdon on the morning of Saturday September 21

Shelley, 14 was last seen at her home address in Eastleigh, Hampshire on the morning of Wednesday September 18

Jack, 15 was last seen at his home in Eastleigh on the evening of Sunday September 22

Police are now appealing to members of the public to provide information if they see the three teenagers.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: 'Weve been carrying out a number of enquiries since they went missing, but are now turning to the community for help.

'Were growing increasingly concerned for their welfare and would urge anyone who has seen her since she went missing, or anyone who might know where she is now, to contact us immediately on 101 quoting 44240407521, 44240402033 or 44240407521. In an emergency call 999.'
The 11-year-old boy who died last week after riding on top of a subway train has been identified, while his uncle revealed that he also got hooked on the dangerous stunt.

Cayden Thompson, who snuck out of school to go subway surfing, was the fourth and youngest person to lose their life this year attempting to ride atop a train.

Clinging onto the roof of the G train, Cayden hit his head on a metal overhang near the 4th Avenue 9th-Street station in Brooklyn at around 10:15am on September 15.

Cayden's uncle, 15-year-old Christian Vega, spoke to CBS New York a day before his nephew's funeral in Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Christian, who always considered Cayden to be more of a brother than a nephew, revealed he's subway surfed as well and fears he may have influenced Cayden to do it too.

Christian Vega, left, considered Cayden Thompson, right, more of a brother than a nephew

He said he's made videos of himself doing it and thinks Cayden watched similar content online.

'Same way he got hooked on it, I got hooked on it. I'd seen videos online, decided to do it,' Christian told CBS New York. 'It's really easy to get hooked onto that stuff because once you do it, nothing ever's gonna top it off, like that adrenaline rush you get.'

'I can't really put it into words. He was literally always looking up to me,' Christian added.

He also mentioned that Cayden was into Roblox games, one of which allows the player to subway surf.

In response, Roblox released a statement that in part said the subway surfing game on its website doesn't violate its policies against 'content or behavior that explicitly encourages real-world activities that may create an extreme risk of physical harm.'

Christian pleaded with other kids thinking about riding trains to not risk their lives.

Shortly after Cayden fell off the train, cops were seen picking up a backpack off the train tracks

'I'm never going into tunnels, never train surfing, never doing that stuff again,' Christian said. 'Other kids who are thinking of going into subway surfing and other kids who still do, just stop doing it. It's not worth your life.'

Shortly after Cayden fell off the train, cops were seen picking a backpack off the train tracks and carrying a covered gurney on the platform.

Following his death, New York City Mayor Eric Adams took to X to pay his respects.

'It is heartbreaking to hear another life cut short due to subway surfing. Sending my prayers to the family of this young New Yorker,' he said.

Cayden's paternal grandmother, Angela Thompson, was stunned that her grandson's school allowed him to leave on the day of his death.

'How could he just walk out of the school?' she told the New York Post outside the funeral. 'I don't understand that. How is a baby sneaking out of the school? You just let him go.'

Police are seen picking up a backpack on the tracks shortly after Cayden fell from the roof of the G train in Park Slope Brooklyn

Officers were also seen carrying a covered gurney on the platform at the 4th Avenue 9th-Street station

Angela launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Cayden's funeral expenses.

In July, Anthony Bhagwandeen, 15, died after hopping on top of a subway train in Queens.

He was found with a severe head injury at the elevated tracks at Beach 90th St. Station in Rockaway, the Daily News reported.

The teen's grandfather, Lennox DeCruz, told the outlet he doesn't believe his grandson was alone that fateful day.

'Let's say he was [subway] surfing. He wouldn't have gone alone. If he had friends with him, they didn't stay. They didn't stick around after he fell,' DeCruz said.

Just a month before Bhagwandeen's death, an unidentified 13-year-old boy was killed while subway surfing in the Bronx.

In July, Anthony Bhagwandeen, 15, died after hopping on top of a Queens train. He was found with a severe head injury at the elevated tracks at Beach 90th St. Station in Rockaway

In January, Alam Reyes, 14, fell off a Coney Island bound F Train in Brooklyn and died at the scene. His half-brother said he ditched school that day and went subway surfing with a friend

He lost his life after riding on top of a northbound No. 6 train at the Middletown Road station in Pelham Bay, police said.

The deceased child suffered a head trauma, among other injuries.

In January, Alam Reyes, 14, fell off a Coney Island bound F Train in Brooklyn and died at the scene.

His heartbroken half-brother later revealed that the teenager followed multiple accounts that posted pictures and videos of subway surfing around the city.

'Now that you go to his social media, you see who he's following, who's his friends,' Diego Tinoco, told the Daily News.

'You see the videos people post of subway surfing, you realize now it's too late.'

NYPD data shows that subway surfing incidents are up in the city this year. So far, there have been 173 cases in 2024, compared with 104 the year prior.
You get a car, and you get a car and you ... get your political views twisted by Hollywood elites!

A rightwing social media influencer has been forced to clarify her position on the 2024 presidential race after a firestorm of confusion caused by one of the most powerful women in media - Oprah Winfrey.

Trump supporter Blaire Allison came forward publicly to insist she does not support Vice President Kamala Harris after her TikTok post was featured in the VP's townhall hosted by Oprah last week.

The video by Allison, where she discussed the high cost of living, was featured prominently in the former talk show queen's townhall promoting the Democrat Harris's presidential bid in Michigan last week.

'I don't understand how people are affording life right now,' Allison says in the clip, which was shown at last Thursday's event, but which she originally posted in November 2023.

The conservative influencer came forward to set the record straight - that not only does she not support Harris, she also did not give permission for her video to be used in the campaign-promoting broadcast.

'So I got my four seconds of fame on the Oprah Winfrey show and of all people to be her guest, let me show you who it was,' Allison, a Donald Trump supporter, says in the new TikTok clip as she points to an image of Harris during the townhall.

TikToker Blaire Allison has clarified that she does not support Kamala Harris after she was featured in the VP's townhall with Oprah Winfrey last week

Allison then imitated Harris' mannerisms, mocking the Democrat, as she added: 'To my Americans: Let me make something perfectly clear, OK? I do not support Harris for president.

'I want to be unburdened by who has been in the White House the last three and a half years. OK?

'As I stand here today, on this stage, standing on this stage today, the day after yesterday, I just want you to know, OK, how I stand and how I stand today is that I do not support Harris for president.'

Her video denouncing Harris has been viewed more than 300,000 times on TikTok and over two million times on X, formerly Twitter.

In a follow-up TikTok, Allison said she 'had no clue' that her video would be played during Winfrey's conversation with the Democratic nominee for president.

'I have made it very clear I don't support Kamala Harris at all,' the right wing influencer said.

'I wish there were rules in place where national television shows must be granted permission before using a creator's content. Or at least, they should notify the creator before airing it on National TV.'

A video by TikToker Blaire Allison where she discussed the high cost of living was shown on Winfrey's townhall with Harris in Michigan

Winfrey recreated her popular talk show for one night only last week to campaign for Harris' White House bid.

Harris looked for a boost with persuadable and less-motivated voters as she participated in a livestream to focus on her plans to cut costs for the middle class, restore a national right to abortion and address gun violence.

The event, billed as 'Unite for America,' sought to tap into the same energy as long-running Winfreys talk show, which drove bestseller lists and allowed celebrities to share their softer side and everyday people to share stories of struggle and inspiration.

It was a who's who of Hollywood A-listers including Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jennifer Lopez, Tracee Ellis Ross, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep, who Zoomed in.

The event comes as Harris is working to continue to share her biography and governing philosophy with voters during her abbreviated presidential campaign, with early voting already underway in some states.

Winfrey ended with a call 'for all decent people, for all caring people' to back Harris, saying of Trump, 'Were better than this.'
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. isn't shirking from the limelight amid his bombshell sexting scandal with New York Magazine's Olivia Nuzzi.

On Monday, Kennedy appeared at an event on Capitol Hill and posed for photos with prominent Republican lawmakers.

Ahead of the Monday event, GOP Rep. Thomas Massie shared a picture with Kennedy, noting that they had dined together Sunday night.

Fellow Republicans, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Chip Roy, also shared snaps with Kennedy, while Sen. Ron Johnson had him appear on a panel discussion entitled: 'American Health and Nutrition: A Second Opinion.'

The tour of Washington comes as Kennedy is reportedly considering suing Nuzzi over the pornographic content she sent to him.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (right) isn't shirking from the limelight amid his sexting scandal. He was on Capitol Hill Monday for an event hosted by Sen. Ron Johnson and dined with Rep. Thomas Massie (left) in Washington Sunday night

Rep. Thomas Massie shared that he had had dinner with former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sunday night, sharing the picture Monday morning

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz (right) also posted a picture with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (left) amid the sexting scandal. Kennedy dropped out of the presidential race last month and endorsed the GOP nominee, former President Donald Trump

Jessica Read Kraus, who writes the popular House Inhabit Substack, wrote Saturday that Kennedy is exploring his legal options after Nuzzi allegedly 'bombarded him with increasingly pornographic photos and videos.'

Kraus, who has generally covered Kennedy in a positive manner, wrote that Nuzzi would prod her for information about the now-former presidential candidate.

'There was an undercurrent of fascination that went beyond journalistic intrigue, bordering on obsession,' she wrote.

Nuzzi's 'constant desire for updates, coupled with the tone of her inquiries, made it clear she wasn't merely reporting: She was weaving some kind of fantasy.'

'I could sense her emotional investment growing. In that shift, the gossip centered less on politics and more on tracking and dissecting his every move,' Kraus said.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was part of a Senate discussion assembled by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson on Capitol Hill Monday

She reported that those in Kennedy's orbit believe Nuzzi was trying to 'set him up.'

Nuzzi, Kraus reported, made a 'flirtatious remark during a phone conversation,' which led the independent candidate to block the prominent journalist.

In turn, Nuzzi reached out to Kennedy via email to have him unblock her number 'but later that night, she sent him a provocative picture, prompting him to block her again,' Kraus' account said.

Security expert Gavin de Becker is investigating the situation to see if Kennedy can file a civil suit against Nuzzi, Kraus reported.

'This has nothing to do with romance,' de Becker told Kraus. 'He was being chased by porn.'

The Daily Beast reported Sunday that the sexting scandal came to light due to Kennedy boasting to friends that he had intimate photos of Nuzzi - and word made it back to New York's editor-in-chief David Haskell.

Nuzzi hasn't responded to outreach from DailyMail.com.

Kennedy dropped out of the presidential race in August, a day after the Democratic National Convention concluded, and endorsed Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.

Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaxxer, said that he and Trump are aligned on the goal of making Americans healthy again.

During his afternoon spent on Capitol Hill, Kennedy talked about overmedicating Americans and how disturbed he is that micro-plastics are being found in people's brains.

He also volunteered that he didn't eat anything that came in a package, pushing that Americans needed to get away from processed food.

Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, commended Kennedy's work in this arena.

'I don't know anybody who's been more vilified and ridiculed and marginalized or canceled or paid as heavy a personal price for advocating for children's health, for making decisions you made over the last couple of years and literally in the last month or two,' Johnson - a strong supporter of Trump - said of Kennedy.
The Tory leadership front-runner wore a hooded top emblazoned with 'Hamas are terrorists' on a jog through central London.

Robert Jenrick, 42, posed for a photo in the sweatshirt, printed in the colours of the Palestinian flag, alongside his parliamentary researcher, Dov Forman.

A campaign source for the Newark MP told the Telegraph: 'Anyone who thinks Hamas aren't terrorists needs to give their head a wobble.'

Hamas, the de facto governing authority in Gaza, is designated a terrorist group in the United Kingdom.

The group has been embroiled in a deadly war since October 7, when gunmen stormed into Israel, killing 1,170 people and taking some 250 hostage. Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed 41,455 people, per the Gaza health ministry.

Dov Forman posed with Robert Jenrick wearing the jumpers on a jog through central London

Robert Jenrick campaigns at an event in Westminster on September 1

Israeli soldiers inspect the burnt cars of festival-goers at the site of the Hamas-led attack on the Nova Festival days prior on October 13

Mr Jenrick is not Jewish himself, but is married to Michal Berkner, the daughter of Holocaust survivors.

During a visit to Auschwitz concentration camp in 2019 he said his connection to the Jewish community was a 'very important and integral part of my life'.

Ms Berkner was born in Israel and educated in the USA. The couple are raising their three children in the Jewish faith, per the Jewish Chronicle.

Dov Forman, pictured running alongside Mr Jenrick, has been his senior parliamentary researcher since last year.

Mr Forman helped author Lily's Promise, a moving memoir of surviving Auschwitz written by his great-grandmother.

He re-shared a photo of the two on their London run on Twitter/X, posted on Sunday.

Mr Jenrick, who launched his campaign to be the next Tory leader at the start of August, has consistently bashed support for Hamas and hit out at the BBC for refusing to call them terrorists.

A BBC spokesperson said last October, just days into the conflict, that it was a long-standing position for its reporters not to use the term unless attributing it to someone else.

'Anyone watching or listening to our coverage will hear the word "terrorist" used many times - we attribute it to those who are using it, for example, the UK Government.

'This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters.

'The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening 'on the ground' so our audiences can make their own judgement.'

The United Kingdom has proscribed Hamas' military wing as a terrorist organisation since 2001, extending the proscription to in November 2021 to the group as a whole.

The aftermath of Hamas' attack on Be'eri kibbutz in Israel, where members of the village were murdered or abducted and taken back into Gaza

A man pushes an injured boy in a wheelchair past the destroyed al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on September 17

A Palestinian boy weeps after an Israeli air strike hit a school sheltering displaced people in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, on September 23

According to the government: 'At the time it was HM governments assessment that there was a sufficient distinction between the so called political and military wings of Hamas, such that they should be treated as different organisations, and that only the military wing was concerned in terrorism.

'The government now assess that the approach of distinguishing between the various parts of Hamas is artificial. Hamas is a complex but single terrorist organisation.'

The government's own policy paper on proscribed terrorist groups observes that 'Hamas commits and participates in terrorism. Hamas has used indiscriminate rocket or mortar attacks, and raids against Israeli targets.'

It also describes Hamas as 'a militant Islamist movement that was established in 1987'.
Sen. JD Vance unveiled who will help him prepare for next week's vice presidential debate by impersonating Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in mock practice sessions.

House Republican Whip Tom Emmer, the third most powerful GOP representative, will help Vance, 40, prepare to take on Walz, 60.

Vance confirmed that Emmer is joining his prep team during a campaign event in Charlotte, North Carolina Monday afternoon.

But they haven't held a mock session quite yet, just eight days before the face-off.

'Tom, who's a great representative for the state of Minnesota, he has not helped us out yet,' Vance said.

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, has been reportedly preparing for his debate against Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz by practicing against Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

'But I think that we are going to try and call on him in the next couple of weeks, as we really start to think about how to how to make our best case during this debate,' Vance added.

The vice presidential hopefuls are scheduled to square off in a live debate on Tuesday, October 1 on CBS.

It is expected to be one of the last major televised events before voters cast their ballots in the presidential contest.

In fact, some states have already begun early voting by mail, so the showdown could prove to be influential among those who are still undecided.

A source close to the debate preparations told NOTUS that Emmer has been rehearsing his role for the last month and has been hand-picked due to his familiarity with the 'Minnesota nice' persona.

But whether that mid-western trope will be taken on by Walz is yet to be seen.

Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, delivers remarks at an election campaign event in Superior, Wisconsin, U.S. September 14, 2024. Walz and Emmer both have represented Minnesota in Congress

House Republican Whip Tom Emmer has been practicing his Walz impersonation for the last month to prepare Vance for his October 1 debate

So Vance and his team have also prepared for a more firey version of the Democratic VP nominee.

'For over a month now, J.D. has been doing murder board prep sessions, both over Zoom and in person,' the source told NOTUS.

'Murder board sessions have been just hammering J.D. with question after question,' they added.

'Essentially, his team acts as the moderators and just hammers him with questions to see how he naturally responds to stuff.'

Vance's team is weary of Walz going on the offensive as Kamala Harris did with Donald Trump during their debate.

To mitigate that, Emmer, the sources said, has been working to simulate Walz's debate style.

The GOP whip has spent hours practicing the governor's mannerisms and his polishing up on the Democrat's policy proposals, they said.

Walz and Vance are scheduled to debate on CBS on October 1

'One of the overarching goals of the debate next week is to cut down Walz's fake moderate branding to expose him as a leftist,' another source told the outlet about the Republican's preparations.

Vance's wife, Usha, is also participating in the Ohioan's debate practice, as is Trump campaign advisor Jason Miller, sources reportedly said.
A five-year-old autistic boy - who was last seen barefoot and dressed in a diaper when he vanished from his Texas home - has been found dead.

The boy, whose name was not disclosed, was found in a retention pond by deputies of the Harris County Sheriff's Office on Sunday, in Cypress, approximately 24 miles northwest of Downtown Houston.

The child had been reported missing just before noon by family members who spotted him in the pond approximately a quarter-mile from his home at 20500 block of Keegans Ledge Lane.

The events leading up to the child's death remain unclear, but the boy's father pulled his son out of the water, ABC13 News reported.

A 5-year-old child with autism was found dead in a retention pond near his home on Sunday

Police performed life saving measures, but sadly the little boy could not be revived.

He was pronounced deceased at the scene, Harris County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Michael Ritchie said.

'I don't foresee any charges being filed,' Ritchie said. 'I just foresee this as a very unfortunate accident.'

According to the sergeant, the child had to have walked at least a quarter mile from his home to the retention pond.

He was reported to have been barefoot, wearing on a diaper and t-shirt.

'We are trying to pinpoint a time when this occurred. We are reviewing video. There were no calls of service about a child walking alone,' he said.

Part of their investigation, he said, is going into the home where the boy lived to see what safeguards were in place.

Police cars line up near the pond on Sunday afternoon

Deputies from the Harris County Sheriff's Office was on the scene

Sgt. Ritchie, who has sadly seen this tragedy happen too often over his career, explained that autistic children are more apt to wander off and are attracted to water.

He recommended GPS tracking devices and for children to have some type of ID on them, as per the news outlet.

Nikko Jones, who lives nearby and has a daughter the same as the victim, was horrified when she heard the news from police.

'It's devastating, ' Jones told the news outlet. 'I feel for the situation right now even though it's not my child.'

DailyMail.com reached out to the Harris County Sheriff's Department.
Close allies of former President Donald Trump faced a massive snag in their efforts to change how Nebraska gives out its electoral votes on Monday after Republican State Senator Mike McDonnell announced he opposes the move.

The effort was part of a push to help the ex-president on his path to 270 electoral voters as the race for the White House could be one of the closest in U.S. history.

But without McDonnell's support, changing the law is nearly impossible.

'After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change,' McDonnell said in a statement.

'I have notified Governor Pillen that I will not change my long-held position and will oppose any attempted changes to our electoral college system before the 2024 election,' he continued.

Republican Nebraska State Senator Mike McDonnell announced he opposes changing the state's electoral vote law to a winner-take-all system, making it nearly impossible for Republicans to make the change before the 2024 election

Nebraska since 1992 has been one of two states that allocates electoral votes in a proportional manner that includes doling out some votes by congressional district. The other state being Maine.

While Trump carried Nebraska by nearly 20 points statewide in 2020, Biden was able to flip the second district around Omaha and take its one electoral vote on his path to 306 electoral votes in the last presidential election.

In 2024, the election is expected to be even tighter between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Earlier this month, Republican Governor Jim Pillen announced he would call for a special session to change Nebraska to a winner-take-all state if he receives a clear public indication there are 33 senators who would support it.

Pillen first signaled he supported changing how Nebraska allocates its electoral votes this spring.

Former President Trump has called for Nebraska moving to a winner-take-all electoral vote system. President Biden received one electoral vote from the state's second congressional district in 2020

But Republicans would need thirty-three GOP votes to overcome the filibuster in the state legislature. It currently has thirty-three Republicans, fifteen Democrats and one nonpartisan lawmaker, so McDonnell's support was crucial.

Instead the state lawmaker said he would encourage the governor and colleagues to pass a constitutional amendment during next year's session, so Nebraskans could make the decision at the ballot box.

'This November, Nebraskans will have the chance to elect candidates at every level who reflect their views, including on this issue. Thats how it should be. Nebraska voters, not politicians of either party, should have the final say on how we pick a President,' he said in his statement.

After McDonnell revealed he would not support the move, Trump took to social media to call him a 'grandstander' and a 'Democrat turned Republican(?)'

The move comes as every member of Nebraska's congressional delegation, all Republicans, support switching the state to a winner-take-all electoral vote system.

Separately, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina advocated for the move publicly on NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday.

'I think Nebraska's been talking about this for years. It is a very close election,' Graham said.

'To my friends in Nebraska, that one electoral vote could be the difference between Harris being president or not, and she's a disaster for Nebraska and the world,' he said.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz during a campaign stop in Omaha, NE on August 17, 2024. Walz grew up in the state

Democrats have set their sights on the lone electoral vote out of Nebraska's second congressional district as part of their surest path to 270 electoral votes.

Harris' running mate Tim Walz who grew up in Nebraska campaigned in Omaha last month.

Even if Harris were to win Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, without the opportunity to pick up the electoral vote from Nebraska's second congressional district, Harris would come up short with only 269 electoral votes, denying her one of the clearest paths to victory.

That scenario could also result in a tied electoral college with each candidate at 269 votes if Trump wins Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina, meaning the presidential race would end up in the Republican-controlled House.
Starbucks newly minted CEO Brian Niccol has vowed to restore the coffee giant to its prime by reforming customers' in-store experience.

Niccol, who took over from Laxman Narasimhan last month, said in an open letter that he wants focus on ensuring the U.S. stores deliver drinks on time and re-establish the coffeehouse culture at its shops.

Formerly the head of Chipotle, Niccol said Starbucks needs to make sure baristas have the proper tools and time to make drinks and personally deliver them to customers.

The coffee company's sales have fallen this year due to weaker U.S. store traffic and other issues including customer complaints of expensive drinks, extreme wait times and long lines.

'Many of our customers still experience this magic every day, but in some places - especially in the U.S. - we aren't always delivering,' said Niccol.

Newly minted Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol (pictured) vowed to re-establish coffeehouse culture and ensure stores deliver drinks and food on time

The coffee company's sales have fallen this year due to weaker U.S. store traffic and other issues including customer complaints

'It can feel transactional, menus can feel overwhelming, product is inconsistent, the wait too long or the handoff too hectic. These moments are opportunities for us to do better.'

In the letter the new CEO outlined four areas he intends to focus on during his first 100 days in charge.

He pledged to 'empower' baristas to take better care of customers, promising they will have 'the tools and time' to deliver hand-crafted drinks.

Niccol said the chain would focus on 'getting the morning right' and delivering food and drinks on time.

He added he wants to return Starbucks to a community coffeehouse and turning it into a Third Place for customers to have to spent time out of their homes and work.

Niccol's plan is to make stores more inviting with comfortable seating and a 'clear distinction' between sit-in and takeaway service.

Finally he said Starbucks would 'tell our story again' before appearing to take a swipe at protesters by adding: 'We won't let others define who we are.'

A rise in different channels - like mobile, drive thru and delivery, which now make up 75 percent of orders - has made store operations more complex and added to wait times.

A rise in different channels - like mobile, drive thru and delivery, which now make up 75 percent of orders - has contributed to longer wait times

Starbucks closed a beloved New York City location in the East Village (pictured) at the end of July

Store design should acknowledge that change and make a clear distinction between 'to-go' orders and in-store service, and stores should be an inviting place to linger with comfortable seating, he said.

Starbucks suffered a six percent drop in US orders in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2024 as sales tumble.

Around 30 percent of all US orders are done on the app, which has also led to large crowds around the mobile order pickup counters in stores.

The company closed a beloved New York City location in the East Village at the end of July.

'We do not take the decision to close stores lightly. Our relationship with our customers is deeply personal, and we are honored to have been their Third Place,' a Starbucks spokesperson told WABC.

They went on to say that Starbucks continually evaluates the store portfolio by using various criteria to ensure they are meeting all needs of its customers.
Harrods has said it's looking into whether any current staff members were involved in the sex crime allegations against former boss Mohamed Al Fayed.

The store released a fresh statement after a woman who used to work there claimed staff failed to investigate when she complained about Al Fayed's inappropriate behaviour.

Jessica, not her real name, told the BBC she was pushed against a wall by the Egyptian billionaire and sexually assaulted when she was 22 in 2008.

She said she felt threatened to sign what she believes was a non-disclosure agreement during a subsequent meeting with bosses.

And Jessica has claimed one of the people in the room still works at Harrods in a senior role.

Harrods has said its looking into whether any current staff members were involved in any of the sex crime allegations against former boss Mohamed Al Fayed (pictured)

Mohamed Al Fayed pictured wearing a doorman uniform outside Harrods

Some of Fayed's assaults are said to have been carried out at his Park Lane property in London

The luxury department store last night announced that it had hired external lawyers to conduct a probe into the role, if any, played by staff still employed by Harrods.

As part of our due diligence there is an ongoing internal review (supported by external counsel) including looking at whether any current staff were involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly, a spokesman said in a statement.

In addition, The Harrods Board has established a non-executive committee of the Board to further consider the issues arising from the allegations.

Harrods is also in direct communication with the Metropolitan Police to ensure we are offering our assistance with any of their relevant inquiries.

MailOnline has contacted Harrods for further comment.

Lawyers representing women who claim they were sexually assaulted by Al Fayed say they have now had more than 150 enquiries since a damning BBC documentary aired last week.

Five women allege they were raped by Al Fayed, with dozens of others claiming sexual misconduct.

The new enquiries relate to a 'mix of survivors and individuals with evidence about Al Fayed'.

Other lawyers and victims have called for a public inquiry to expose how the alleged sexual abuse and trafficking at Harrods was allowed to continue for decades.

Bruce Drummond, one of the barristers representing the recently formed Justice for Harrods Survivors group which includes 37 victims, said the case for a public inquiry is compelling.

His team has warned that the worst of the allegations are yet to emerge, and that Al Fayed was not the only perpetrator in the abuse in some of the cases.

This scandal goes to the heart of many public institutions and the only way we are going to get proper answers is through the full force of transparency, he added.

Mr Drummond said the stores current managing director Michael Ward, who has been at Harrods since 2005, faces serious questions over how much the world famous shop knew about the abuse at the time.

He added: Michael Ward should be clear of what he knew, and when...

Al Fayed is accused of raping and assaulting multiple women during his time as Harrods owner from 1985 to 2010

Mohamed Al Fayed pictured alongside Diana, Princess of Wales at a charity event held at Harrods in London in 1996

Lawyers representing women claiming they were sexually assaulted by Al Fayed say they have 'had over 150 new enquiries' since the airing of a damning BBC documentary

He earlier told BBC Radio 4 on Saturday: 'This is the worst case of corporate sexual exploitation of young women that I have ever seen, and I think probably the world has ever seen.'

He said some of the survivors come from Malaysia, Dubai, Canada and France, while the Ritz Hotel in Paris, which Al Fayed once owned, had also been the scene of alleged assaults.

Al Fayed died without being brought to account, but there still must be accountability and justice to help ensure that this cannot happen again, one survivor said yesterday.

Urging the Government to act, the victim, known only as Joan, said an inquiry should look at those who facilitated his multi-decade trafficking operation at the luxury store which he owned from 1985 to 2010.

The abuse suffered by those that worked at Harrods carried on for years and involved others including security and human resources personnel, medical professionals, and others.

It is crucial to understand how it was possible to establish a multi-decade trafficking operation at a trusted institution such as Harrods, and how it remained concealed for so long, she added.

Richard Meeran, of Leigh Day which is representing Joan, said that a full investigation is the priority for the victim and other women in contact with the legal firm.

He said that it was critical that the role of individuals that facilitated and ignored the abuse should be investigated.

A statutory public inquiry has the powers under the Inquiries Act to compel disclosure and witnesses.

Backing calls for a public inquiry, Sir Robert Buckland said the victims also deserved answers over why the authorities had failed to act.

The former Tory justice secretary told the Daily Express: Victims deserve the fullest explanation from the police and CPS as to precisely why their complaints were not prosecuted.

In some cases files werent even sent for consideration by the CPS which is deeply concerning given the serious nature of these appalling abuses of power and control.

He said an inquiry was warranted given the shocking extent of (Al Fayeds) abuses and the degree to which he obtained power and influence.

Mohamed Al Fayed pictured with the Queen in 1997

Elsewhere Maria Mulla, another barrister in the legal team, told Times Radio that she had heard stories of women at Harrods 'being put into cupboards' when Al Fayed was walking round so 'they wouldn't be spotted'.

Their comments came as a former Harrods employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme of 'enablers' at the luxury store who were 'as guilty as Al Fayed because they were not just passive onlookers'.

The woman, referred to as Catherine in the programme, said she worked for Harrods in a 'very junior role' when she was 21.

Harrods said earlier this week in a statement: 'We are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed al Fayed.

'These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power wherever he operated and we condemn them in the strongest terms.

'We also acknowledge that during this time as a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise.

'The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Fayed between 1985 and 2010, it is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.'

Harrods added that it had been a 'priority' to settle claims since 'new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Fayed'.

Sources within Harrods have said the business has accepted vicarious liability for the conduct of Al Fayed for the purpose of settling claims of alleged victims brought to its attention since 2023, reaching settlements with the vast majority.

In its statement on the BBC Documentary, Al-Fayed: Predator At Harrods, which aired on Thursday, Harrods said it was 'a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010'.

The store added that 'since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved'.

The CPS admitted that it failed to prosecute Al Fayed in 2009 and again in 2015 while the Met said it investigated various allegations of sexual offences over the years but no charges were ever brought.

Mr Ward did not respond to request for comment by the Mail.
A mentally-ill gunman who shot 10 people dead at a Colorado supermarket has been convicted of murder, after his family told the court they thought he was possessed by an 'evil spirit.'

Ahmad Alissa, 25, was found guilty of the March 2021 bloodbath at King Soopers in Boulder by jurors Monday afternoon and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Alissa's attorneys had tried to plead not guilty due to insanity. He is a diagnosed schizophenic.

During the trial, his father testified that he thought Alissa was possessed by a 'djin' - or evil spirit.

He did not seek help or alert anyone about his suspicions because it would have brought shame on the family, the court heard.

His mother also told the court she believed her son was 'sick.'

The convicted killer maintained his composure as the verdict was read out, speaking quietly with his defense team as he learned he could now face life behind bars.

Relatives of the victims cried quietly in the courtroom.

During the mass shooting, Alissa opened fire immediately after getting out of his car, in the parking lot.

Most of his victims were shot within 60 seconds.

Ahmad Alissa is pictured in court Monday, shortly before he was convicted of murdering 10 in a March 2021 massacre at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, Colorado

Alissa's attorneys had tried to plead not guilty due to insanity. He is a diagnosed schizophenic

Prosecutors argued during the trial that Alissa was aware of his actions, proven by his decision to seemingly target certain victims while ignoring others in his vicinity

He stopped and surrendered only when an officer shot him in the leg.

Prosecutors argued during the trial that Alissa was aware of his actions, proven by his decision to seemingly target certain victims while ignoring others in his vicinity.

A survivor testified that she heard Alissa say 'this is fun' during the shooting.'

The court heard Alissa pursued people who ran from him and tried to take cover, meanwhile a 91-year-old man went about his shop unaware a shooting was taking place, despite passing the shooter twice.

Relatives testified that Alissa, who arrived in the United States from Syria, was withdrawn and isolated before the shooting. He had reportedly started hearing voices, and was increasingly paranoid leading up to the attack.

He was diagnosed with schizophrenia after the tragedy.

During the mass shooting , Alissa opened fire immediately after getting out of his car, in the parking lot. Most of his victims were shot within 60 seconds

The court heard Alissa pursued people who ran from him and tried to take cover

In Colorado, the threshold in which a person can be declared legally insane - and therefore not fit to be found guilty - requires a person to have a mental disease so severe it is impossible for them to tell right from wrong.

Prosecutors successfully argued that while mentally unwell, Alissa was still sane when committing his crime.

He had researched online public places to attack in Boulder with initial broad searches for bars and restaurants, before narrowing his focus to large stores the day prior to the shooting.

Jurors deliberated for six hours across two days before unanimously finding him guilty.

In addition to the 10 counts of murder, Alissa was also found guilty of a suite of other charges, including 38 counts of attempted murder.
Israel has warned that it is prepared for a full ground invasion of Lebanon if needed - after the deadliest day of clashes between the two countries in nearly two decades.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the IDF, told a televised news conference late Monday that while Israel is 'not looking for wars' it would do 'whatever is necessary' to ensure its security after months of violent exchanges with Hezbollah, based out of southern Lebanon.

Asked if this could spell a full-scale war with Lebanon, he said: 'Is the army prepared? Yes. The army is in full readiness, and we will do whatever is necessary to bring back home all our citizens to the northern border safely.'

International onlookers accused Israel of 'dragging the entire region into chaos' after it pounded Lebanon with air strikes through the day, killing at least 492 people, including 35 children, according to the Lebanese government.

Egypt urged the United Nations to intervene - as the peace body's chief said he was 'gravely alarmed' by the civilian casualties.

Turkey joined Egypt in calling on Israel to halt its northern offensive as thousands of people were displaced from the suburbs in a desperate push to reach the capital - before Beirut too fell under Israeli fire.

Harrowing video showed salvoes of IDF missiles hitting villages in the south, near the border with Israel in the deadliest day since the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war. But as residents fled north, traffic caught in gridlock near Sidon was hit by a 'strike' landing 'about 200 metres' from Sky News reporters.

Smoke rises amid Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon, on Monday

A house damaged in a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Giv'at Avni, northern Israel

Lebanese people flee with their cars from southern Lebanon towards Sidon and Beirut

Lebanese soldiers secure the area near the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb

People displaced by the shelling in southern Lebanon arrive at a shelter in Beirut today

Volunteers assist an elderly man as people who fled southern Lebanon villages arrive at a makeshift shelter at an educational institution in Beirut today

A Lebanese army soldier sits behind his weapon on the top of an armored personnel carrier at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb, Monday, September 23

Hellish scenes prompted fury from regional powers, warning the escalation risked dragging the Middle East into a wider war.

More than 1,600 people were wounded during Monday's bombardment of Lebanon alone.

Health Minister Firass Abiad said 'thousands of families' had been displaced by the shelling so far.

'We sleep and wake up to bombardment... that's what our life has become,' said Wafaa Ismail, 60, a housewife from the southern village of Zawtar.

Senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki was the target of the strikes deeper into Lebanon on Monday, a senior security source told Reuters. Hezbollah said the commander was alive and had been moved to safety in a statement.

And Hamas reported shortly after 10pm GMT that its military branch's field commander in southern Lebanon, Mahmoud al Nader, had been killed in a strike in Lebanon.

Hagari added that the IDF makes 'vast efforts not to hit civilians and make every effort to mitigate harm to civilians during operational activity'.

'Regarding the high number of casualties, every one is a tragedy in Lebanon,' he said.

But world powers have implored Israel and Hezbollah to pull back from the brink of all-out war, with the focus of violence shifting sharply from Israel's southern front with Gaza to its northern border with Lebanon.

Turkey's foreign ministry said in a direct warning against escalating conflict that 'Israel's attacks on Lebanon mark a new phase in its efforts to drag the entire region into chaos'.

An outspoken critic of Israel's offensive in response to the attack by Hamas militants that sparked the war, Turkey urged the international community to intervene.

'It is imperative that all institutions responsible for maintaining international peace and security, especially the United Nations Security Council, as well as the international community, take the necessary measures without delay,' the foreign ministry said.

'The countries that unconditionally support Israel are helping (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu shed blood for his political interests,' it said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is due to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, is expected to focus on the Gaza war.

Greece said the escalation followed from a lack of 'effective pressure' from the international community to end the war in Gaza, now in its 12th month.

'We are friends of Israel, and we're strategic partners of Israel, and we're trying to be as open and sincere with them,' foreign minister George Gerapetritis added.

'The truth is that at the moment there is a continuous, very strong reaction on the part of Israel.'

Egypt, whose relationship with its northern neighbour has been further strained by the war in Gaza, called on the UN to intervene over the escalation.

Cairo, having played a key role in mediating between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, said that further conflict 'threatens to drag the region into a comprehensive regional war'.

Egypt's state affiliated Al Qahera News TV reported late Monday that national carrier EgyptAir had cancelled flights to and from Beirut starting Tuesday, amid the strikes.

Britain's Foreign Office advises against all travel to Lebanon, and encourages people already there to leave.

Iran echoed Israel's neighbours, new president Masoud Pezeshkian telling reporters that Israel was seeking 'all-out conflict' in the region.

'We know more than anyone else that if a larger war were to erupt in the Middle East, it will not benefit anyone throughout the world. It is Israel that seeks to create this all-out conflict,' he said.

Tensions escalated dramatically after pagers and walkie-talkies ostensibly used by Hezbollah members exploded on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, causing thousands of injuries and numerous deaths.

Hezbollah attributed blame to Israel and launched rockets south before Israel denied involvement. Experts believe Israel may have intercepted the devices and strapped them with explosives before they arrived in Lebanon to replace mobile phones deemed susceptible to Israeli hacking.

The Iranian proxy group has continued to fire rockets into Israel in recent days, including long-range missiles for the first time in the escalating conflict, with the Israeli Prime Minister warning the group: 'Whoever hurts us, we will hurt him more'.

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese city of Baalbeck in the Bekaa valley on September 23

A ranger works to extinguish fires after Hezbollah rockets landed in Israel today

Israel's Iron Dome engages Hezbollah rockets over Haifa, on Monday

Damage following an Israeli strike in the suburbs of Beirut on Monday evening

Journalists are given a tour at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburb of Beirut

A hole caused by a rocket following an Israeli airstrike, on Monday

The aftermath of Israeli strikes in the suburbs of Beirut, on Monday September 23

Emergency workers use excavators to clear the rubble at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs

A Lebanese girl, that fled with her family from their village in southern Lebanon, takes refuge at a public school in the Sidon on September 23

Lebanese people flee with their cars from southern Lebanon towards Sidon and Beirut, at Zahrani-Nabatieh road, in Ghazieh, southern Lebanon, 23 September

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system engages as rockets are launched from Lebanon

Rockets are launched from Lebanon towards Israel amid cross-border hostilities, on Monday

In an indication that the region is sliding ever-closer to an all-out war, Benjamin Netanyahu added that his country faces 'complicated days' and called on Israelis to stay united as the campaign in Lebanon unfolded.

'I promised that we would change the security balance, the balance of power in the north - that is exactly what we are doing,' he said in a message issued following a situational assessment with top brass at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Israel is aiming to 'broadly neutralise' the threat posed by Lebanon's long-range missiles, according to veteran analyst Ehud Ya'ari.

He told the country's Channel 12 that the militant group - proscribed as terrorists by the UK, US and others - has built up an arsenal of long-range missiles over the past 18 years, adding that the air force 'won't be able to destroy every missile.'

Terrified residents in Beirut and elsewhere received calls and texts warning them to move away from Hezbollah targets, with Lebanon's information minister condemning the alerts as a tactic of 'psychological war implemented by the enemy'.

Lebanon's prime minister Najib Mikati accused Israel of waging 'a war of extermination' at a cabinet meeting this morning, and also urged the United Nations to intervene 'to deter the (Israeli) aggression', as the Middle East teeters on the edge of all-out conflict.

'The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns,' he said.

He urged 'the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries... to deter the (Israeli) aggression'.

Hezbollah, funded and equipped by Iran, is both a political party and militant group operating within Lebanon.

The group has received wide condemnation from the people of Lebanon amid the country's political and economic crisis.

A huge blast is seen near a residential building in southern Lebanon

A person films from a rooftop in Lebanon as airstrikes approach where they are standing

A huge plume of smoke rises over buildings in Tyre, southern Lebanon, following an Israeli strike

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Marjayoun, near the Lebanon-Israel border

Smoke rises over buildings in southern Lebanon amid the wave of airstrikes

Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi said meanwhile that its strikes had hit combat infrastructure Hezbollah had been building for two decades.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called Monday 'a significant peak' in the operation.

'This is the most difficult week for Hezbollah since its establishment - the results speak for themselves,' he said.

'Entire units were taken out of battle as a result of the activities conducted at the beginning of the week in which numerous terrorists were injured.'

Huge plumes of smoke were seen at multiple sites deep into the country, with rockets fired at areas not previously hit by strikes and witnesses reporting intense bombing raids.

The IDF issued a warning to residents of villages in southern Lebanon: 'If you are in or near a building that Hezbollah uses to store weapons or weapons, you must evacuate this building and move away from it immediately.

'Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives or the organization's weapons puts themselves in danger.'

Hagari told a media briefing Israel's military 'will engage in (more) extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon'.

Asked by reporters about a possible Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon, Hagari said 'we will do whatever is needed' in order to return evacuated residents of northern Israel to their homes safely, a war priority for the Israeli government.

He said that Hezbollah over the years has stashed weapons, including cruise missiles, in houses and buildings throughout southern Lebanon, and called on residents to stay away from these sites.

He presented in a media briefing an aerial video of what he described as Hezbollah operatives trying to launch cruise missiles from a civilian house in Lebanon, and the subsequent Israeli strike moments before it was launched.

'Hezbollah is endangering you. Endangering you and your families.'

Some 500,000 Israeli children were told to stay away from school in the north and ministers declared a 'special home front situation', putting the entire Jewish State on alert for attack.

Hezbollah started raining missiles down on northern Israel in a show of support for Hamas a day after the terror group slaughtered 1,200 on October 7  the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.


THE vast majority of victims of crime were kept in the dark about hundreds of criminals being released early, a leading charity has claimed.

Victim Support Scotland said that fewer than 20 people were informed through the victim notification scheme that offenders in their cases were being freed early to tackle overcrowded jails.

It condemned the lack of action taken to ensure that victims were informed, despite the potential risk to their safety when 477 inmates were released early.

The Scottish Government has said victims of crime who were signed up to notification schemes were automatically notified of the early release of a prisoner in connection with their case.

But Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said: Victims had to come forward. They were not proactively (contacted).

Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, Kate Wallace, says victims were kept in the dark about criminals being released early

The members of the victim notification scheme, as far as I understand it, was less than 20 people. It shows you there is a really poor uptake to the victim notification scheme.

There was an independent review published over a year ago and we are still waiting on Scottish Government to respond to that. They need to do that urgently because that scheme is not fit for purpose, it is very clear in that independent review that it is not and it requires significant overhaul.

The onus was on victims to come forward and ask and many of them - the vast majority of them - were not aware that was the situation they were in and they couldnt remember if they were members of the victim notification scheme or not.

In some cases, it has been many years since they signed up to that scheme or not and were asked about it and it is at the most traumatising period that they are asked at the moment. That really does have to change going forward.

Last week, John Swinney said the early release of 477 prisoners has not solved the problems facing Scotlands overcrowded jails and that further action is now being considered.

Ms Wallace said the proposal was always a short term fix but said she was very disappointed that it had done so little to tackle the problem.

She said that lessons have not been learned from the early release of prisoners during the Covid pandemic, when 40 per cent of those released reoffended within six months.

Almost 500 prisoners were released early to ease overcrowding in Scottish prisons but it has not solved the problem

Ms Wallace told BBC Good Morning Scotland: It didnt work then and it hasnt worked now. We were really hoping that the Scottish Government would have learned lessons from that Covid release programme and approached it differently but sadly they didnt and this is the result.

She said a wholescale review is required to prioritise victim safety and added that Victim Support Scotland would have serious concerns about any move to extend the approach to longer-term prisoners.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: The SNP freed almost 500 prisoners before theyd served their sentences yet deliberately kept victims in the dark.

The justice secretary had the audacity to come to parliament to claim that victims rights would be respected. We now know these were hollow words.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: Emergency release was a short-term measure for eligible prisoners who were within 180 days of their scheduled release - around 65 per cent of those eligible were within 90 days.

We made arrangements during the emergency release process so that victims could access information about the release of the prisoner in their case, if they wanted to receive it. We are well aware that not everyone wants to receive this.

Victims already registered with the two Victim Notification Schemes were automatically informed. We also worked with victim support organisations, including Victim Support Scotland, to create new arrangements that enable them to quickly obtain the information from the Scottish Prison Service on behalf of victims, or for members of the public to contact the prison service direct.
Motorists are being warned about a parking fine scam in which drivers are sent a text message that berates victims for their 'long term delinquency'.

The fake message, strewn with spelling errors, warns people they have a parking fine and threatens to ban drivers from the road if they do not pay up on time.

The menacing text also says they could be taken to court or have to pay more.

It then asks people to click on a link in order to enter their vehicle registration and pay the fine in a bid to swindle people's hard earned cash.

The text message reads 'Dvsa notice for you: You have a parking penalty charge due on 2024/9/30. If you do not pay your fine on time, Your car may be banned from driving, you might haeve to pay more, or you could be taken to court.

Motorists are being warned about a parking fine scam in which drivers are sent a text message in which victims are berated for their 'long term delinquency'

'Please enter your license plate in the link after reading the information, Check and pay parcking penatly charge. Thank you again for your copperation. Dvsa.'

In another ominous message, people are told 'today is the last day to pay your ticket due to your long term delinquency'.

'If you do not pay your ticket on time you may be required to pay more in the future and we reserve the right to prosecute you,' it reads.

'Please be patient and open the link below to process your ticket online.'

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency said it does not issue or deal with parking fines and if people receive the scam messages they should report them to the National Cyber Security Centre.

Last week a new email scam emerged in which scammers claim to have been watching you through your webcam and threaten to release the footage unless you pay up.

The email usually starts with 'Hello pervert', and often appears to come from your own email address.

Here are all the key signs that it's a hoax - and what to do if you receive it.

The email usually reads something along the lines of: 'Hello pervert.

'I've sent you this message from your Microsoft account.

'I want to inform you about a very bad situation for you.

'However you can benefit from it, if you will act wisely.'

The message goes on to claim that the sender has footage of you recorded through your webcam, with some versions claiming that this shows you watching pornography or masturbating.

The fake message, strewn with spelling errors, warns people they have a parking fine and threatens to ban drivers from the road if they do not pay up on time

To stop the sender from sharing this alleged footage with everyone in your email contact list, you'll be asked to pay them within a set time frame.

'Don't think of yourself as an innocent victim,' reads one scam email, seen by MailOnline.

'No one knows where your perversion might lead in the future, so consider this a kind of deserved punishment to stop you.'

Some scammers will mention Pegasus - a powerful spyware developed by the Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group - in the hopes of seeming more threatening.

Others will include one of your old or inactive passwords, obtained from a previous data breach.

And when they have access to it, some scammers will include your physical address, or even a photo of your personal neighborhood.
A Texas grandmother was left heartbroken after her infant granddaughter was found dead stuffed in a tool bag and dumped in a lake in Central Texas.

The baby, identified as Peyton Sky Davis, was found on August 31 by a fisherman at Lake Fort Phantom Hill in Abilene.

The child's mother Heather Kennedy, 20, and boyfriend, 35-year-old Donald Schulz have been arrested and are now facing charges of tampering with a human corpse.

Schultz, who failed to register as a sex offender, is facing additional charges, KTAB/KRBC reported.

Investigators said more charges may be filed, according to KTSX News.

The child's grandmother Tracy Davis posted a beautiful photo of her granddaughter wearing a rose-colored onsie with the caption: 'My beautiful granddaughter Peyton sky Davis we all love you. Rip baby girl fly high.'

Peyton Sky Davis was found on August 31 by a fisherman at Lake Fort Phantom Hill in Abilene

Donald Schulz and Heather Kennedy were arrested following the child's death

Pictured: Lake Fort Phantom Hill in Abilene

Baby Petyon was born in February 2024.

Davis told the news outlet that she never had a chance to hold or see her granddaughter in-person.

'It hurts so much. That we can't hold her, we can't give her the love that we shared for her,' the devastated grandmother said.

According to Davis, Peyton's mother would frequently do video-calls so she could see her granddaughter - but those calls abruptly ended.

She she got the gut-wrenching news from the Abilene Police Department that baby Peyton was dead.

Kennedy and Schultz are being held in the Taylor County Jail with bond amounts set at $510,000 for him and $350,000 for Kennedy.
Britain faces a live and rising threat from Russia, the Defence Secretary warned yesterday, as new evidence emerged of the Kremlins efforts to menace the UK.

Defence sources said Moscow was now making concerted, daily attempts to hack into the UKs core defence networks.

In the last two months alone, more than 90,000 cyber-attacks emanating from Russia have been picked up. During the same period, 20,000 defence and military personnel have been directly targeted by hackers thought to be operating on behalf of the Kremlins specialist GRU unit, which was blamed for the 2018 Salisbury poisonings.

At the same time, conventional British forces have had to respond to mounting attempts by the Russian military to test the UKs border defences.

Defence sources revealed that RAF jets had to scramble for the second time in days last week to respond to Russian military aircraft approaching the UKs airspace. RAF jets were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth on both September 11 and 13 to intercept Russian aircraft, including Bear-F maritime patrol planes.

Defence Secretary John Healey has warned that the UK is facing a 'live and rising threat' from Russia

Vladimir Putin has threatened reprisals against the West if it sanctions the use of Storm Shadow missiles for military targets deep inside Russia

Defense sources have warned that the UK is facing 'concerted, daily' attempts to hack into its 'core' defense networks, with 90,000 cyber-attacks emanating from Russia picked up in the last two months alone

Earlier this month HMS Iron Duke and HMS Tyne monitored four Russian naval ships as they passed through the Channel and North Sea.

Defence Secretary John Healey told the Mail that Vladimir Putin appeared to be deliberately targeting the UK over this countrys support for Ukraine. He warned that Britain now faced a live and rising threat from Russia.

Intelligence chiefs believe the activity is part of a reckless campaign of sabotage being waged by Russia against Ukraines European allies.

A defence source said dealing with malign Russian activity was now a daily reality for those defending the UK.

The surge in activity comes ahead of a crunch meeting at the United Nations this week, when Ukraines allies will debate whether to allow the use of long range Storm Shadow missiles against military targets deep inside Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to present a plan for victory when he meets Western leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York. Yesterday, as he signed American artillery shells, he said the events of the autumn would determine the future of this war.

Sir Keir Starmer will fly to New York for the summit tonight, just days after a trip to Washington where he discussed the use of Storm Shadow with Joe Biden.

The Prime Minister will fly to New York for the UN General Assembly on Monday night

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is set to present a plan for victory when he meets Western leaders when he meets Western leaders at the summit

Putin has threatened reprisals against the West if the use of Storm Shadow is sanctioned, saying it would mean that Nato countries, the United States, and European countries are at war with Russia.

Speaking at Labours conference in Liverpool yesterday, Mr Healey said president Zelenskys plan would be a defining moment for the next period of the conflict in Ukraine.

I see this meeting at the United Nations, and the potential contribution that President Zelensky is promising as defining for this next period ahead, he said.

The Defence Secretary said what victory for Ukraine will look like is for Ukraine to decide, but that it is absolutely preventing Putin from prevailing.
Sir Keir Starmer will today declare there is 'light at the end of the tunnel' for the country as he pledges to lead a 'great reforming government'.

In his keynote speech to Labour's annual conference in Liverpool, the Prime Minister will try to lift the gloom that has threatened to envelop his tenure by arguing that making 'painful choices' now will eventually pay off.

Sir Keir will urge people to join a 'collective' effort to 'renew' Britain, saying it will involve a 'shared struggle'.

He will say his project 'will be tough in the short term, but in the long term it's the right thing to do for our country and we all benefit from that'.

After weeks of bad headlines about the thousands of pounds of free gifts received by Sir Keir and senior figures such as Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner, the PM will re-commit himself to 'the service of working people'.

Sir Keir Starmer will today declare there is 'light at the end of the tunnel' for the country as he pledges to lead a 'great reforming government'

Sir Keir will urge people to join a 'collective' effort to 'renew' Britain, saying it will involve a 'shared struggle'

Chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves (R) laughs with Keir Starmer (C) and Angela Rayner (L) before delivering her keynote speech to conference on Monday

The PM will acknowledge that many voters are 'fed up' with politics, adding: 'I know this country is exhausted by and with politics.

'I know that the cost-of-living crisis drew a veil over the joy and wonder in our lives and that people want respite and relief, and may even have voted Labour for that reason.'

But Sir Keir will not offer an apology for accepting more than 100,000-worth of freebies. One senior source said: 'This is a speech setting out a ten-year vision for the country  not a discussion about a few suits.'

Ministers have been shaken by a fall in business confidence following gloomy rhetoric about the state of the economy.

But the PM will today appeal to voters  and Labour members  to stick with a plan that has already seen cuts to pensioners' winter fuel payments.

He will say: 'The truth is that if we take tough long-term decisions now, if we stick to the driving purpose behind everything we do: higher economic growth  so living standards rise in every community; our NHS facing the future  waiting lists at your hospital down; safer streets in your community; stronger borders; more opportunities for your children; clean British energy powering your home; making our country more secure... then that light at the end of this tunnel, that Britain that belongs to you, we get there much more quickly.'

Sir Keir Starmer rehearses his keynote speech which he will deliver to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on Tuesday

Labour politicians applause during conference on Monday

Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer share a joke on Monday at the ACC Liverpool

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves at conference on Monday

It comes after Ms Reeves also tried to cut through her Government's doom-mongering by saying there is a 'prize on offer' if the country makes the 'right choices now'.

Delivering her speech to Labour's conference yesterday, the Chancellor claimed her 'optimism for Britain burns brighter than ever' and her 'ambition knows no limits'. But there were warnings that jobs growth has been stifled as growth slows amid 'jangling nerves'.

Worse-than-expected monthly figures from the S&P Global purchasing managers' index (PMI) suggested Labour's tax-raising plans are taking their toll on the private sector.

Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: 'Investment plans in particular are reported to have been put on ice pending clarity on the new government's policies, especially towards taxation.' Separate data from the Confederation of British Industry revealed a sharp downturn in UK manufacturing, with firms 'increasingly cautious' ahead of the Budget.

Shadow Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: 'The last few months  and today's speech  were a big opportunity to set out plans to grow the economy. The Chancellor once again wasted it with discredited attacks on the Opposition.'
A killer remains on the run after a violent fatal stabbing outside a busy Mexican restaurant in Sydney - which police say was a 'targeted' attack.

A 32-year-old man was fatally stabbed to death outside the Guzman y Gomez store in Marrickville, in Sydney's inner-west at about 7.40pm on Monday, after having dinner with his family.

Police and distressed family members rushed to the scene, where first aid was provided, but the man was unable to be saved.

Witnesses heard the 'heartbreaking' cries of the man's mother, while his brother rushed to lift the sheet covering the body.

Police held back the distraught man who was heard screaming: 'He's my f***ing brother, don't touch me.'

The brother was restrained by police and a taser was drawn but not deployed.

'He was so emotional but there was no need for such aggression,' a witness said.

The victim was known to police but his attacker remains on the run. It's understood the two men met at the restaurant before the 32-year-old was stabbed.

A man was fatally stabbed outside Guzman Y Gomez in Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west

The dead man's brother was restrained by police as he tried to lift the sheet off the body

The distraught man was heard screaming 'he's my brother'

Guzman y Gomez was initially taped off and a major crime scene set up but it reopened on Tuesday with business returning as usual.

Superintendent Ben Kennis said police believe the 'two people met, and the attack was somewhat targeted'.

'It was not random in nature,' he said. 'It's too early to say if they had arranged it ... it was clear that they did know each other.'

He said it was a 'highly emotive crime scene'.

'A male did breach the crime scene and had to be restrained by the police.'

Other distressed relatives were heard wailing as police searched the surrounding scene with flashlights searching for evidence, and interviewed nearby shopkeepers.

The dead man's relatives were moved on by police before the scene was cordoned off.

Superintendent Kennis did not comment on the man's injuries but said they were inflicted with a 'sharp instrument'.

'I don't know whether it was a knife... I know it was a sharp instrument given the injuries,' he said.

Police were deployed outside the Guzman y Gomez on Tuesday morning

Superintendent Kennis labelled the incident as 'confronting' but said Marrickville residents can 'rest assured' as the attack was targeted

Police established a crime scene and closed several streets in the inner-city suburb

'I cannot say with any certainty what weapon used was. A large and continuing crime scene is being examined today.'

Superintendent Kennis appealed to the public for help in identifying the unknown attacker who was last seen running down Silver Street in Marrickville.

'I urge anyone with dash cam, CCTV, mobile phone footage to please come forward to the police or call Crime Stoppers ... or contact the detectives at Marrickville police station,' Superintendent Kennis said.

'Witnesses and CCTV evidence that we have have gathered does depict a person that we believe may be able to assist our enquiries.'

Superintendent Kennis labelled the incident as 'confronting' but said Marrickville residents can 'rest assured' as the attack was targeted.

'This is 7.40pm peak dinner time on Marrickville Road, lots of restaurants, lots of businesses... to have this happen on Marrickville Road, or anywhere, is unacceptable,' he said.

'The community can rest assured that, as I said before, those two people met up and it was targeted. It was not a random attack on Marrickville Road'.

One witness, named Karen, who was shopping at the nearby Woolworths, said she saw paramedics and police trying to revive the man but after five minutes he 'passed away'.

Police search a bin at the scene of the crime

One witness, named Karen (pictured), said she shocked by the violence as Australia is known as being a 'safe country'

'It makes me so sad because I am from overseas and I know that this country is so safe,' Karen said.

'To be honest I did not expect these kinds of things to happen in this country. It makes me feel sad, and sad for the guy.'

Locals expressed their shock at such a horrific crime happening in their neighbourhood.

'Blood everywhere,' one wrote.

'I saw cop cars coming from everywhere,' another said.
Prince Harry's visa documents will not be made public, a judge has ruled in a major victory for the Duke of Sussex.

In a court decision handed down on Monday, US District Judge Carl Nichols said the British royal had a 'reasonable privacy interest' in relation to his US immigration paperwork and therefore such files should remain private.

The judge, however, did acknowledge that Harry had revealed 'intimate details' of his life in his 2023 memoir 'Spare', which included a description of his genitals freezing and his history of recreational drug use.

He also noted that Harry's privacy interests were somewhat diminished by him being a public figure, according to the court filing obtained by DailyMail.com.

Prince Harry was in New York on Monday at the Concordia Annual Summit. He scored a major court victory on the same day after a judge rules his US visa case will remain sealed

The Duke of Sussex's visa application was called into question after he admitted in his 2023 memoir to using various drugs recreationally  which he would've been required to disclose in immigration documents. He is pictured with wife Meghan Markle in London in 2022

The decision comes after Judge Nichols spent five months reviewing Harry's immigration file as part of a case brought by the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank based in Washington, D.C.

Heritage sued the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the agency, which oversees immigration, refused to disclose a Freedom of Information request for Harry's files.

Heritage claims that Harry may have lied on the forms under the section which asked if he had been a drug user.

In his memoir, 'Spare', and his Netflix TV series Harry talked about using cannabis, cocaine and magic mushrooms.

At the court in Washington, D.C., Judge Nichols noted that Harry's memoir sold more than 1.4 million copies on its first day on sale and became a New York Times bestseller.

Judge Nichols said that the book 'shares intimate details of his life' including 'numerous instances' where Harry took drugs.

However, in the view of the judge, Harry had a 'reasonably privacy interest in his immigration records'.

In a court decision handed down on Monday, US District Judge Carl Nichols said the court agrees that Prince Harry's 'privacy interest outweighs any public interest'

The judge's ruling states that Harry's memoir had included 'intimate details of his life'

Judge Nichols said that Heritage is 'partially correct that as a public figure, the Duke's public statements tend to diminish his privacy interests compared to ordinary foreign nationals admitted to the United States'.

The opinion states: 'But it (Heritage) goes too far in arguing that the privacy interest is so diminished by his public statements as to be de minimis', using a Latin word for very small.

Harry talked about using drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and magic mushrooms in his 2023 memoir, 'Spare', as well as on his Netflix TV series

Judge Nicholas added that the Duke's public statements about his drug use did not eliminate his interest in keeping private information about his immigration status

In particular, the judge said that Harry had never disclosed 'the following facts' but the next paragraph is redacted.

Heritage's argument that revealing Harry's paperwork would shed light on the workings of DHS 'fails', the ruling states.

'For the reasons discussed, the public does not have a strong interest in disclosure of the Duke's immigration records', the order states

The judge said that some documents submitted to him by DHS were 'of particular relevance' but the sentence was followed by a large paragraph that is redacted.

Another large section of 'particularly relevant' information was also redacted.

DHS handed over Harry's immigration paperwork in April for Judge Nichols to review.

In March, DHS lawyers asked for more time to comply with a judge's ordered to provide more information about why it did not want to release the records

Judge Carl Nichols (left) ordered the Department of Homeland Security to provide more information about why his immigration details should be kept secret in March. The Heritage Foundation's Nile Gardiner spearheaded the freedom of information request

He wanted to see the 'particular harm' that would arise from the material being made public.

Judge Nichols told Homeland Security that its arguments so far, including during a hearing in February, were 'insufficiently detailed' for him to decide.

The case had taken on a new edge in light of the Presidential election with Donald Trump suggesting he could deport Harry if he wins in November.

The dismissal of the case saves Harry from future embarrassing revelations about his personal life.

During the hearing in February, a lawyer for DHS claimed that Harry may have lied about his drug use to boost sales of 'Spare'.

Assistant US Attorney John Bardo told the court in Washington: 'The book isn't sworn testimony or proof.

'Saying something in a book doesn't necessarily make it true'.

In legal filings Heritage claimed that Harry's discussion of drugs was so brazen it 'approached the point of bragging and encouraging illegal drug use'
Thousands of people fled southern Lebanon in search of shelter yesterday as Israel pounded hundreds of terror sites, killing at least 492.

Lebanese officials said the attacks from south of the border marked the country's deadliest day since the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war.

Cars jammed the roads trying to escape the bombardment as fighter jets targeted stashes hiding rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Lebanese government said more than 1,600 people were injured during Monday's bombardment alone, with 'thousands' displaced from their homes and forced to seek refuge in makeshift shelters in Beirut - also under fire.

Lebanon's neighbours urged restraint while Egypt pulled flights to and from Beirut effective Tuesday. The FCDO continues to advise Britons in Lebanon to leave while flights are available - but has stopped short of ordering an evacuation.

Traffic jams form in the Lebanese city of Sidon on September 23 as people flee their homes

Emergency responders gather at the site of an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs

Video shows the aftermath of an Israeli strike in Lebanon on Monday

Cars flee north from Lebanon's southern coastal city of Sidon following Israeli bombardment

People who fled southern Lebanon villages arrive at a makeshift shelter at an educational institution in Beirut

A huge blast is seen near a residential building in southern Lebanon

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district on Monday, Sep 23

A Lebanese family, that fled their village in southern Lebanon, take refuge at a public school in the Sidon on September 23

Lebanese people flee with their cars from southern Lebanon towards Sidon and Beirut, at Zahrani-Nabatieh road, in Ghazieh, southern Lebanon, 23 September

Damage to a house and car following an Israeli airstrike near Beirut on Monday

Some 1,600 people were injured in the strikes into Lebanon on Monday

Smoke billows following an Israeli strike near the border, on Monday

As strikes pounded Beirut and the southern suburbs through Monday, Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the people of Lebanon: 'The IDF has warned you to get out of harm's way. I urge you: take this warning seriously.'

It came as Israel launched another strike on Beirut targeting Hezbollah's third in command, Ali Karaki, who heads its Southern Front. But Hezbollah last night said Ali Karaki was 'safe' and had been moved.

Hamas reported shortly after 10pm GMT that its military branch's field commander in southern Lebanon, Mahmoud al Nader, had been killed in a strike in Lebanon.

The Israel Defence Forces claimed on Monday it had taken out tens of thousands of rockets including a Russian-made DR-3 cruise missile hidden inside a civilian home as it started a 'proactive offensive operation'.

Its strikes follow a bold attack via its pagers and walkie-talkies, which exploded injuring thousands of officers last week.

But Islamic extremists hit back yesterday, firing more than 200 rockets, including ten long-range missiles, which hit the West Bank 60 miles over the border.

Some 500,000 Israeli children were told to stay off school in the north and ministers put the entire Jewish State on alert.

Pictures showed damage to residential homes in northern Israel where the Iron Dome had been unable to engage stray rockets fired from Lebanon.

Hezbollah first began bombarding northern Israel to support Hamas a day after the terror group slaughtered 1,200 Jews on October 7.

Hezbollah said it will only stop its attacks if Netanyahu makes a ceasefire deal with Hamas. But negotiations have failed and the PM is applying military pressure to force Hezbollah to retreat.

As Israeli jets were scrambled first thing, Netanyahu warned Hezbollah: 'Whoever tries to hurt us, we hurt him even more.'

Israel claimed its strikes took out 800 terror sites, but by the evening, the Lebanese health ministry reported at least 492 deaths, including 35 children.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati claimed Israel's actions amount to 'a war of extermination'. And The U.N's peacekeeping force had 'grave concern for the safety of civilians'.

'The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns,' he said.

He urged 'the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries... to deter the (Israeli) aggression'.

A person films from a rooftop in Lebanon as airstrikes approach where they are standing

Terrifying footage shows a huge explosion erupting, with people heard screaming in the background

Emergency workers use excavators to clear the rubble at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs

Homes in Israel are damaged following rocket attacks fired from Lebanon on Monday

Israel's Iron Dome was able to intercept some of the rockets fired towards Tiberias

Bumper-to-bumper traffic was seen as Lebanese residents evacuated southern cities including Sidon, driving towards Beirut.

As he held talks with UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, US President Joe Biden said: 'We're going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out.'

But Iran's new leader Masoud Pezeshkian warned the consequences of 'all-out conflict' would be 'irreversible'.

'We know more than anyone else that if a larger war were to erupt in the Middle East, it will not benefit anyone throughout the world,' he said.

'It is Israel that seeks to create this all-out conflict.'

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the IDF, said Israel is 'not looking for wars' but would do 'whatever is necessary' to ensure its security after months of back-and-forth with Hezbollah, based out of southern Lebanon.
The family of a victim in the fatal 2018 East River helicopter crash that left five passengers dead is receiving a massive payout from the city.

A jury has awarded $116 million to the family of one of five people killed in the no-door chopped that crashed and sank, leaving those passengers trapped in their safety harnesses.

The verdict came Thursday in the lawsuit over the death of Trevor Cadigan, who was 26 when he took the doomed flight in March 2018.

Despite one of the executives of the company that ran the helicopters shockingly blaming the victims, it was, family lawyer Gary C. Robb said Friday, 'a death trap.'

'They just completely misled the public about the ability to get out in an emergency,' from the harnesses, which were store-bought fall-protection gear envisioned for construction workers, not aviation use, he said.

The family of Trevor Cadigan, a victim in the fatal 2018 East River helicopter crash that left five passengers dead, is receiving a massive payout from the city

A jury has awarded $116 million to the family of one of five people killed in the no- door chopped that crashed and sank, leaving those passengers trapped in their safety harnesses

Messages seeking comment were sent Friday to lawyers for the companies that jurors blamed for his death.

The jury decided 42% of the fault lay with FlyNYON, which arranged the flight, and 38% with Liberty Helicopters, which owned the helicopter and supplied the pilot.

Jurors assigned 20% of the liability to Dart Aerospace, which made a flotation device that malfunctioned in the crash.

The chopper plunged into the East River after a passenger tether got caught on a floor-mounted fuel shutoff switch and stopped the engine, federal investigators found. The aircraft started sinking within seconds.

The pilot, who was wearing a seatbelt, was able to free himself and survived.

But the five passengers struggled in vain to free themselves from their harnesses, the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation found.

All five died. They were Cadigan; Brian McDaniel, 26; Carla Vallejos Blanco, 29; Tristan Hill, 29; and Daniel Thompson, 34.

Cadigan, a journalist, had recently moved to New York from Dallas and was enjoying a visit from his childhood friend McDaniel, a Dallas firefighter.

The verdict came Thursday in the lawsuit over the death of Trevor Cadigan, who was 26 when he took the doomed flight in March 2018

The NTSB largely blamed FlyNYON, saying it installed hard-to-escape harnesses and exploited a regulatory loophole to avoid having to meet safety requirements that would apply to tourist flights.

FlyNYON promoted 'sneaker selfies' - images of passengers' feet dangling over lower Manhattan - but told employees to avoid using such terms as 'air tour' or 'sightseeing' so the company could maintain a certification with less stringent safety standards, investigators said.

The company got the certification via an exemption meant for such activities as newsgathering, commercial photography and film shoots.

In submissions to the NTSB, FlyNYON faulted the helicopter's design and the flotation system, which failed to keep the aircraft upright.

DART Aerospace, in turn, suggested the pilot hadn't used the system properly.

The pilot told the NTSB that the passengers had a pre-flight safety briefing and were told how to cut themselves out of the restraint harnesses.

After the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily grounded doors-off flights with tight seat restraints. The flights later resumed with requirements for restraints that can be released with just a single action.

Robb said Cadigan's parents sued in hopes of stopping the no-doors flights.

His father, Dallas broadcast journalist Jerry Cadigan, died in July in St. Louis, while visiting relatives during a break in the roughly three-month-long trial in Manhattan.

'He didnt see the final journey to justice,' Robb said, 'but he knew it was coming.'
An American Airlines flight out of Dallas flew for five hours before suddenly turning around.

The maneuver left passengers in the air for nine hours, without ever getting to their destination.

One passenger, 41-year-old Jimin Lee, took out their phone to record the experience, and claimed flight staff didn't offer an explanation about the unexpected U-turn.

Lee posted to the video to her Instagram account, which she runs with another mother.

She proceeded to tag the airline in the post, which was published on September 10, and has 55,000 views.

Scroll down for video:

An American Airlines flight out of Dallas flew for five hours before suddenly turning around

One passenger, 41-year-old Jimin Lee, took out their phone to record the experience, which she said was never explained

'New fear unlocked: Your flight to Korea may go five hours and come back with zero explanation,' a caption seen in the clip states.

'Just relax,' she and others were told.

She added in an interview with DailyMail.com that the flight had been en route to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, on September 7.

'American Airlines needs a lesson in effective communication,' she adds in the video, as images of the plane's flight path are seen on the screen on the seat ahead of her.

They show how the plane had crossed the entire contiguous US, and was well over part of the Pacific Ocean before it abruptly turned back.

'They said it's bc of the right side of the bathrooms are[sic] are not working,' captions claim as the footage continues.

'Pilot asked if anyone was carrying a Phillips screwdriver to help fix the bathroom,' she then states, adding series of question marks to illustrate the situation's absurdity.

The woman posted to the video to her Instagram account, which she runs with another mother

The maneuver left passengers in the air for nine hours, without ever getting to their destination

'The only vice I had available to me - Flaming hot Cheetos,' she writes, as a snippet of her snacking in the dark as the flight makes its way back to the Lone Star State appears on-screen.

'Needed a ramyun and a strong drink,' a corresponding caption states, before the footages fast-forwards to the plane flying over Dallas, where the pilot is heard remarking there's 'clear skies.'

'Nine hours later we're back in Dallas,' Lee concludes. 'Lost [sic] for words.'

She went on to tag both American and Cheetos, before airing a follow-up that showed her finally enjoying a hard-earned meal.

DailyMail.com did not immediately receive a response from the airline following a Monday request for comment, but according to Jimin, the malfunction that warranted the abrupt about-face was not fully explained.

It remains unclear whether staffers at the Airline have followed up on her complaints, but DailyMail.com has asked for clarification in a Monday request

The post has yet to spur a public response from American, despite the strangeness of the situation

That said, the video has yet to receive a public response from American, despite the absurdity of Lee's story.

The video, meanwhile, continues to rack up reviews.
An Irish holidaymaker is in a specialist Spanish hospital burns unit after a freak accident at a friends wedding.

The 29-year-old was seriously injured after being engulfed in flames when her dress caught fire on decorative candles as she was in the bathroom.

Fellow guests dialled 999 after finding her semi-conscious at a holiday rental apartment in the eastern Costa del Sol resort of Nerja.

She was initially taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Malaga where she is understood to have undergone an emergency operation before being transferred to a burns unit at Sevilles Virgen del Rocio University Hospital.

The alarm is said to have been sounded just before midnight last Thursday following an Irish couples wedding celebration at holiday apartments in Nerjas famous Balcon de Europa viewpoint area.

A woman was seriously injured in a 'freak accident at a friend's wedding in Nerja, Spain, according to reports (stock image)

The couple reportedly organised an after-party below a terrace where they had previously tied the knot.

The injured woman has been described locally as a 29-year-old. She is said to have suffered serious burns to her legs and body.

Medics at the burns unit where she is currently being treated have told local press they cannot predict her future evolution at this stage and her outlook "remains uncertain."

The incident is being treated as an horrific accident. It was not immediately clear this evening if the police are involved in the ongoing investigation.
Prince Harry today said in an emotional speech that 'carrying on Diana's legacy is something he takes very seriously'.

The Duke of Sussex, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, gave the passionate address to a packed room at Halo Trust's anti-landmine event in New York.

The charity gained international prominence in 1997 after Princess Diana walked through an active minefield in Angola.

Harry was greeted by a rapturous round of applause as he took to the stage to deliver an eight minute speech in which spoke of the charity's work in Angola meaning a 'great deal' to his late mother.

Looking solemn faced, he said: 'Carrying on her legacy is a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously.

Prince Harry, 40, looked solemn faced as he attended the Halo Trust's anti-landmine event in New York

Harry was greeted by a rapturous round of applause as he took to the stage to deliver an eight minute speech in which spoke of the charity's work in Angola meaning a 'great deal' to his late mother Princess Diana

The Halo trust gained international prominence in 1997 after Princess Diana walked through an active minefield in Angola (pictured)

Prince Harry walks through a minefield during a visit to see the work of landmine clearance charity the Halo Trust, on day five of the royal tour of Africa in 2019

'And I think we all know how much she would want us to finish this particular job. We are all here because we are a band of true believers, fighting for a mine free world.'

Harry's solo itinerary Monday, September 23 AM: Harry appears on a panel discussing: The global mental health crisis among young people at the Concordia summit for The Diana Award. PM: He will appear on stage for an event promoting the work of the Halo Trust, the charity for which his late mother loved, famously walking through an Angolan minefield in 1997. Tuesday, September 24 The Duke of Sussex is expected to attend the 'Protectors of African Parks benefit gala Wednesday, September 25 to Friday September 27 Harry will attend a number of other events in relation to the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week. Monday, September 30 Harry will be in London for the WellChild Awards Advertisement

Wearing a navy suit with a Halo Trust pin on his lapel, he recalled following in his mother's footsteps in 2019 when he visited Angola, 22 years after Diana had walked through minefields in the African country.

Harry spoke of the many changes that he had gone through since his visit five years ago, including becoming a father for the second time with the birth of daughter Lilibet in 2021.

And he said although you don't need to have children to have a 'stake in the future of our planet', the Duke said his mother would have been 'horrified' to know that anyone's children or grandchildren live in a world still 'infested with mines'.

In an apparent nod to Diana he issued a rallying cry to 'finish the job' as he said: 'Tomorrow let's wake up and get back to work, let's renew our commitments and let's finish the job for all our sakes.

'So we too can look back in awe and relief and so those who started this recovery and regeneration many years ago can rest knowing we really did finish the job.'

Earlier today, Harry appeared on stage in New York to discuss mental health and climate change with two young winners of a legacy award given in Princess Diana's memory.

The Duke said his late mother would be 'proud' of them as he took part in the 14th Concordia Annual Summit in support of The Diana Award on his eight-day solo trip to the East Coast and the UK.

Harry, who cracked his knuckles and looked nervous as he sat down on stage, spoke of the importance of mental wellness at an event where participants talked about their climate anxiety.

Wearing a navy suit with a Halo Trust pin on his lapel, he recalled following in his mother's footsteps in 2019 when he visited Angola, 22 years after Diana had walked through minefields in the African country

Harry departs the HALO Trust event celebrating Angola's leadership in landmine clearance

The Duke said his mother would have been 'horrified' to know that anyone's children or grandchildren live in a world still 'infested with mines'

Prince Harry delivered an emotional speech that 'carrying on Diana's legacy is something he takes very seriously'

Harry walks behind Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio (right) as they depart the Halo Trust event

James Cowan, chief executive officer of Halo Trust, speaks at the event

He personally interviewed Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang from Indonesia and Christina Williams from Jamaica, who received The Legacy Award in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, joking: 'For some reason Ive been given the microphone to ask the questions.

He told them: 'I applaud you for having the confidence to be on this stage. I know my mother would be incredibly proud of you guys. Your activism is true to how my mother lived her life'.

Harry, wearing a navy suit and tie with a Diana Award pin on his lapel, asked: 'Do you feel like leaders and people in positions of power are listening to you?', adding that he wanted the The Diana Award to help their campaigning to tackle climate change and bring influence around the world.

And when asked what gives him hope for the future he said: 'I have said it before years ago and I'll say it again. The younger generation is what gives me hope. The courage you have gives me hope. Everyone of us needs courage to move the dial in this world, probably more than ever. We need to listen and act on what you say because it is your future that will be stolen and that is unacceptable'.

His decision to jet off alone to New York to meet royals and celebrities before a solo trip to Britain shows he is determined to 'carve out' new opportunities and 'assert himself' after turning 40, experts told MailOnline today.

The Duke is away from Montecito for the next eight days and went to a California benefit organised by Kevin Costner on Saturday, without his American wife.

Harry has always made an effort to continue his mother's 'unfinished' work, revealing in 2022 that he felt 'obligated' to live out her legacy 'as much as possible'.

Prince Harry on stage in New York to discuss mental health with two young winners of an award in his mother's memory.

Much of the conversation was about climate change. Harry looked slightly nervous and cracked his knuckles

Harry interviewed Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang from Indonesia and Christina Williams from Jamaica, who received The Legacy Award in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales

In a podcast interview, Harry told former rugby player Gareth Thomas: 'I think once you get to meet people and you see the suffering around the world, you can't turn, I certainly can't turn, my back on that.

'Then add in the fact that my mum's work was unfinished, I feel obligated to try and continue that as much as possible.'

He added: 'I could never fill her shoes, especially in this particular space because of what she did and what she stood for and how vocal she was about this issue.'

Harry's attendance had sparked speculation that he may be in the city at the same time as his brother Prince William who is thought to attending the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit at The Plaza Hotel on September 24.

It's unknown if he will attend for sure, but he was present last year at the same event.

If Prince William does come to New York when Harry is there, it's likely the brothers will steer clear from one another, as a source told The Sunday Times in August that the siblings hadn't spoken in 'two years.'

It was said that the last time they talked was at their grandmother Queen Elizabeth's funeral in September 2022.

The insider described the 'estrangement' as 'dreadfully sad,' adding that Prince William doesn't even want Harry at his coronation when the time comes.
For years, the makers of Henderson's Relish have insisted it is not a Worcestershire sauce.

But the condiment  made in Sheffield since 1885  has added the words 'Worcester' and 'Worcestershire' to some labels, prompting accusations of 'sacrilege' from fans.

A fierce rival to Lea & Perrin's Worcestershire Sauce, the debate as to which product is better remains a matter of taste.

Henderson's fans  which include Arctic Monkeys and actor Sean Bean  insist the Yorkshire brand is far superior to its better-known West Midlands rival.

On the FAQs section of the company's website, the question 'is Henderson's Relish the same as Worcester sauce' has the answer: 'No! And in some parts you'll be mobbed for making such a comparison.'

The makers of Henderson's Relish have for years insisted it is not a Worcestershire sauce (stock photo)

Pictured: Lea & Perrin's Worcestershire Sauce (stock photo)

But the company appears to have ignored this stance by changing the label on bottles for the export market.

To the astonishment of Henderson's fans it has removed the words 'strong and northern' and replaced it with 'Worcestershire' so that foreigners have a better idea of what the product is.

A Henderson's Relish spokesman said: 'In four international markets we reference Worcester or Worcestershire Sauce on the label.

'This happens when importers and distributors overseas don't understand what Relish is, and so are unable to explain to their customers what the product is and how it should be used, so we have international labels.'

The company only started exporting in 2021 and currently sells to ten countries outside of Britain  France, Spain, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, the United States, Turkey, Argentina, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

Export sales of Henderson's Relish account for less than 5 per cent of the business but are growing.

However, the decision to shelve its principles to boost sales has not gone down well with purists.

Henderson's fans  which include Arctic Monkeys and actor Sean Bean  insist the Yorkshire brand is far superior to its better-known West Midlands rival (stock photo)

Bill Palmer posted on Facebook: 'The years spent arguing that Henderson's is nothing like Worcestershire Sauce, even an MP in the House of Commons was made to apologise for suggesting they were similar.

'Now Henderson's are making out it is in fact similar to appease the foreign market. I'm just gobsmacked, if they can't understand what STRONG AND NORTHERN is then there is no hope..... Shame on you Henderson's Relish.'

Another customer Jane Wright commented: 'Is it April fool's day? Is this fake news? Never can I lower myself to even think this is true.

'I turn the other bottles round in supermarkets, and only buy in Sheffield (I live in Hastings) I am strong, I am Northern and we cannot allow this!'

The biggest difference between the sauces is that Henderson's is suitable for vegans, whereas Worcestershire sauce is made using anchovies.

Both are used as a condiment or added to sauces and cocktails for flavour.

Only three family members know the secret Henderson's Relish recipe.
Over 140,000 children could be looking for state school places by the end of the academic year because of Labour's private school tax, a survey of parents has found.

Up to a quarter of parents (23 per cent) say they could pull their children out of private schools ahead of the VAT on fees levy in January or next summer.

One in ten said they would get only struggle through the year by asking family and friends for money, while one in eight (13 per cent) - as reported in last weekend's Mail on Sunday - said their only choice will be take their children out of their school in the middle of the school year.

Around 620,000 children, just under 7 per cent of the UK school population are currently educated in private schools, a figure which could plummet to under half a million.

The survey of private school parents last month as part of the prestigious Saltus Wealth Index Report released today (Tuesday) says more than half (55 per cent) now believe their children's education will be disrupted because of the 20 per cent tax hike.

Over 140,000 children could be looking for state school places by the end of the academic year because of Labour's private school tax, a survey of parents has found. Pictured: Keir Starmer speaks with pupils at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School on Monday

Around 620,000 children, just under 7 per cent of the UK school population are currently educated in private schools, a figure which could plummet to under half a million. Pictured: Keir Starmer rehearses his keynote speech which he will deliver to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on Tuesday

With schools and parents expecting the controversial tax would not be imposed until at least the start of the next school year, the report shows Labour's plan to bring it in mid-year has caused deep concern.

Nearly all of the parents (96 per cent) said rising school fees were already causing them to tighten their belts and 15 per cent said they could no longer afford to enrol their children.

In total, nearly a fifth (18 per cent) admitted they had already turned or would have to appeal to family and friends for help with the fees.

A further one in five (21 per cent) say they will try and keep their children in a private school but switch to a cheaper establishment because of the new tax and a fifth (22 per cent), who said they were already struggling, say they would even move house to find a cheaper school.

Another 11 per cent say they will try and save money by switching children from boarding to day at the same school and one in ten (10 per cent) say they might even have to move abroad.

Saltus surveyed 993 private school parents as part of a wider study of 2,000 people with assets of 250,000 or more for its 6th twice-yearly report.

Nearly all of the parents (96 per cent) said rising school fees were already causing them to tighten their belts and 15 per cent said they could no longer afford to enrol their children (stock image)

Keir Starmer meets with children in a reception class on the first daytime of school for Perry Hall Primary school in Orpington on September 2

Rising school fees have now accelerated to become the biggest anxiety for more than one in 20 (6 per cent) of parents surveyed.

Only 15 per cent of parents now surveyed said the decision to add VAT to school fees will not impact their children.

The wider report also found that nearly nine in ten (87 per cent) were already turning to the so-called 'Bank of Mum and Dad' to support them and their grandchildren financially, including with fees.

The wealth index is seen as a useful barometer of the high net worth individuals' confidence in the economy and their own personal finances.

Overall, Saltus says the index has shown some growth but is falling short of its post Covid peak in 2022 when confidence was higher.

Saltus partner Mike Stimpson said the government's decision to impose VAT had 'understandably been an unpopular one with HNWIs' especially because of its mid-year timing.

'This decision, as we can see from our research, will impact more than half of families with children at private school, with 13 per cent of children possibly removed from their existing school and moved into state education in the next year.

'Even before the VAT announcement, our study shows that price rises over the past few years were already having a significant impact on parents' ability to pay, with many forced to borrow to keep their children in their current schools.'

The Government claims only 3-7 per cent of pupils, between 18,000 and 40,000 maximum, will be forced to leave their current school - while the public purse will net an extra 1.5billion to spend on new teachers. Higher numbers in the state school sector would erode such a figure and even reverse it, critics say.
France called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting today to discuss the burgeoning conflict in Lebanon after Israel launched a major cross-border attack.

'I have requested that an emergency meeting of the Security Council be held on Lebanon this week,' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the United Nations General Assembly.

He called on all sides to 'avoid a regional conflagration that would be devastating for everyone,' especially civilians.

Israel stepped up its strikes into Lebanon, formerly administered by France, on Monday after nearly a year of clashes with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, operating out of the country's south.

World leaders and charities have urged Israel to show restraint following reports from Lebanon's health ministry that at least 492 people, including 35 children, have been killed in attacks so far.

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli attack on Baalbek, Lebanon on Monday

Israel's Iron Dome intercepts rockets fired from Lebanon, in northern Israel, on Monday

A fire billows smoke at a site in Lebanon following Israeli attacks on Monday

Lebanese soldiers secure the area near the site of an Israeli airstrike in a suburb of Beirut

Jean-Noel Barrot, France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, addresses the 'Summit of the Future' in the General Assembly Hall of the UN Headquarters in New York City on Monday

With strikes between Israel and Hezbollah escalating, the European Union's foreign policy chief warned on Monday that the situation was almost a fully-fledged war.

'If this is not a war situation, I don't know what you would call it,' Mr Borrell told reporters, citing the high number of civilian casualties.

Israel maintains that its new phase of the conflict is aimed at taking out Hezbollah weapons hidden in homes. Hezbollah operates primarily out of the south of Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged civilians to flee: 'The IDF has warned you to get out of harm's way. I urge you: take this warning seriously.'

'Israel's war is not with you, it's with Hezbollah. For too long Hezbollah has been using you as human shields,' he said.

But as 'thousands' fled north to makeshift shelters in Beirut, the IDF announced it had carried out a fresh airstrike in the capital targeting senior Hezbollah leader Ali Karaki.

Hezbollah claimed he had survived the attack and been moved.

Families from south Lebanon loaded cars, vans and trucks with belongings and people, sometimes multiple generations in one vehicle. As bombs rained down, children crammed onto parents' laps and suitcases were tied to car roofs.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, told a televised news conference late on Monday that Israel was prepared for a full ground invasion of Lebanon if needed.

He insisted that Israel is 'not looking for wars' but would do 'whatever is necessary' to ensure its security after months of back-and-forth with Hezbollah.

Hezbollah first began bombarding northern Israel to support Hamas a day after the terror group slaughtered 1,200 Jews on October 7.

The group said it will only stop its attacks if Mr Netanyahu makes a ceasefire deal with Hamas. But negotiations have failed and the PM is applying military pressure to force Hezbollah to retreat.

Israel claimed that its strikes had taken out 800 terror sites, but by the evening, the Lebanese health ministry reported at least 492 deaths, including 35 children.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati claimed Israel's actions amount to 'a war of extermination'. And The UN's peacekeeping force had 'grave concern for the safety of civilians'.

'The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns,' he said.

He urged 'the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries... to deter the (Israeli) aggression'.

The United States joined the growing chorus of opposition to escalation in the region, according to a senior State Department official, who said Washington was going to discuss 'concrete ideas' with allies and partners to stop war from broadening.

Lebanese people flee with their cars from southern Lebanon towards Sidon and Beirut

Lebanese people who fled the south wait near loaded cars in Beirut, early Tuesday

Israel warned of multiple inbound attacks amid rocket exchanges with Hezbollah on Monday

Israel's Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept rockets near Haifa, late Monday

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese city of Baalbek

Servicemen with the Lebanese Army guard the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut's suburbs

Volunteers assist an elderly man as people who fled southern Lebanon villages arrive at a makeshift shelter at an educational institution in Beirut, Lebanon, September 23

Israeli officials have said the recent uptick in airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon was designed to force the Iran-aligned group to agree to a diplomatic solution.

But the US State Department official, briefing reporters in New York on condition of anonymity, pushed back on this Israeli position, saying President Joe Biden's administration was focused on 'reducing tensions ... and breaking the cycle of strike-counterstrike'.

'I can't recall, at least in recent memory, a period in which an escalation or intensification led to a fundamental de- escalation and led to profound stabilisation of the situation,' the official told Reuters.

Asked if that is a disagreement with the Israeli stance, the US official nodded.

Asked if Washington believes Israel is preparing for an ground invasion of Lebanon, the US official declined to answer definitively.
The High Court has refused a legal bid to repatriate the Australian wives and children of Islamic State fighters who are detained in refugee camps in Syria.

The High Court ruled on Monday against hearing a case brought by Save the Children which sought to compel the government to arrange the return of the women and children.

The Federal Court ruled in June the government did not have control over their detainment, prompting the advocacy group to seek special leave to appeal in the High Court.

Monday's refusal of that application was acknowledged by Save the Children as 'marking the end of a lengthy legal battle with the federal government'.

Save the Children Australia's CEO Mat Tinkler said government still has a responsibility to repatriate citizens even if the court does not see it that way.

'We respect the decision of the High Court but remain deeply disappointed at the outcome. These innocent Australian children, and their mothers, should be brought home after five long years trapped in the camps,' he said on Monday.

'We will continue to advocate for the rights of these vulnerable children, who have been overlooked by their own government.'

There are 34 Australians being held in detention camps in northern Syria, run by the Autonomous Administration of North East Syria (AANES) and its defence arm, the Syrian Democratic Forces.

There are 34 Australians being held in detention camps in northern Syria (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)

The Roj and Al Hol camps in Syria house about 6000 foreign children of IS fighters displaced five years ago following the collapse of the militant group in 2017.

Conditions in the camps have been described as dire with food and water lacking amid overcrowding and widespread violence and insecurity.

Four women and 13 children were returned by the Albanese government in October 2022 and the Morrison government repatriated a group in 2019.
Labours conference in Liverpool this week was supposed to be a celebration of a historic victory.Instead, yesterday morning it turned into an arena for angry dissent against the leadership.

Discord and disillusion are swelling within Labours ranks, fed not only by Sir Keir Starmers inept mismanagement of the winter fuel allowance controversy, but also by the desire of Left-wingers to exact revenge for the way he marginalised them in Opposition.

The partys Marxist former leader Jeremy Corbyn may not be present at the conference, having been expelled from Labour for claiming the scale of anti-Semitism in the party had been overstated for political reasons, but his spirit looms over the event.

Two incidents vividly captured the fractious mood of the party. The first came in the chorus of boos that filled the venue when it was announced that the debate on the withdrawal of the winter fuel allowance for most pensioners  originally scheduled for today  was to be delayed until the final afternoon of proceedings tomorrow.

This slot is known as the graveyard shift because, by then, many of the delegates will already have gone home.

The partys Marxist former leader Jeremy Corbyn may not be present at the conference, but his spirit looms over the event, writes LEO MCKINSTRY

Perhaps the most dangerous foes for Starmer are Corbynistas, whose uncompromising socialist outlook stand in dramatic contrast to the PM's sleazy opportunism

The second flashpoint yesterday occurred during the keynote speech by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves. She was loudly interrupted by a pro-Palestinian heckler, who demanded a ban on all arms sales by Britain to Israel.

He was bundled out of the hall by security guards, but not before he had provided a graphic illustration of Labours bitter split on the Middle East.

Like the winter fuel allowance, the Middle East serves as a catalyst for rebellion. In the last Parliament, the largest revolt by Labour MPs took place nearly a year ago when 57 of them defied the party whip to back the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Acrimony is likely to intensify in the coming months, as the Government struggles to cope with the tough realities of office. And perhaps the most dangerous foes for Starmer are the Corbynistas.

To his supporters, Corbyns almost Puritan personal integrity and his uncompromising socialist outlook stand in dramatic contrast to the sleazy opportunism of Starmer.

Corbyn drew a damning parallel between Starmer and Tony Blair when he tweeted about the removal of the anti-Israel heckler in Liverpool yesterday: The brave protester reminds me of the party member who was dragged out of conference in 2005 for protesting the war in Iraq. Who was on the right side of history?

The ejected member in 2005 had been Walter Wolfgang, an 82-year-old socialist, peace campaigner and Jewish refugee from Germany, who subsequently backed Corbyns successful bid for the party leadership in 2015.

Even though Corbyn won that contest by a huge margin among the grassroots party membership, the Parliamentary Labour Party never accepted him. His eventual expulsion by Starmer was the culmination of a long campaign that featured leadership challenges and no-confidence votes.

Unite leader Sharon Graham highlighted the seriousness of trouble facing the Labour leadership yesterday, saying there is 'real anger' over moves to 'block debate on winter fuel cuts'

Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott accused Starmer over the weekend of being 'in the pocket of millionaires'

Now, both inside and outside the party, the Left is eager to get its own back against the party establishment, using every weapon at its disposal.

The seriousness of the trouble facing the Labour leadership was emphasised by Sharon Graham, the Left-wing boss of Unite, who said yesterday there is real anger over the blatant manoeuvre to block debate on winter fuel cuts.

Just as potent is the charge that Labour is more interested in fawning over the rich than in helping the poor.

Indeed, the veteran MP Diane Abbott accused Starmer at the weekend of being in the pocket of millionaires.

Other vehicles for friction with the leadership include workplace rights, nationalisation of utilities, support for public-sector pay claims and the expansion of the welfare state, which was the cause of another Left-wing rebellion in Parliament when seven Labour MPs voted to end the two-child benefit cap.

Among the seven were Corbyns long-standing ally John McDonnell and former leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey.

The Left is coming for Starmer. Labours woes are just beginning, declared Aaron Bastani, arch-Corbynista and co-founder of the radical media outlet Novara, in an article yesterday.

The fight against the Labour leader will occur on several fronts. In Parliament, a key role will be played by the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, originally founded to support the cause of Tony Benn in the 1980s.

Within the party, the Corbynista pressure group Momentum still has a significant presence.

Several major trade unions are led by Corbyn backers, such as Mick Lynch, the boss of RMT

Meanwhile, several key trade unions are led by Corbyn backers. Maryam Eslamdoust, the leader of the TSSA, a travel and transport union, worked as an adviser to Corbyn, while Mick Lynch, head of the militant rail union the RMT, campaigned for Corbyn in Islington North at the election.

Jeremy is integral to the Labour movement, which belongs to us. It doesnt belong to machine politicians that try to drop our values, Lynch told a rally.

Yesterday, of course, Lynch also set out his chilling plan for unions to seize effective control of the UK economy.

Peter Mandelson once said he aspired to put the Left in a sealed tomb. But, as the beleaguered current leader is beginning to recognise, the radical vanguard is still very much alive.
Detectives tasked with solving the savage 1977 murders of two women may have lured the accused killer out of his safe haven in Greece with a cunning deception.

Perry Kouroumblis was just 17 years old when Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, were found dead in their Easey St share house in Collingwood on January 13, 1977.

Now aged 65, Kouroumblis was arrested on Thursday over the slayings that shocked Australia at Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport in Italy.

Police sources have told Daily Mail Australia they suspected Victorian detectives could well have set up the alleged killer to leave Greece, where he shared dual nationality with Australia.

'It's actually a pretty sound idea because it would have been near-on impossible to have extradited him from Greece,' a source said.

Australia shares a healthy extradition treaty with Italy, which assures Kouroumblis' Greek nationality won't impede his return to Melbourne.

But he was effectively untouchable while in Greece because local laws meant he could not be extradited over the 47-year-old murder hunt.

Professor of international law at the College of Law, Donald Rothwell, said the alleged killer likely would never have been apprehended had he stayed in Greece.

The Easey Street murders turned Melbourne into a city of fear back in the 1970s when people knew their neighbours and left their front doors wide open at night

Perry Kouroumblis (pictured) was arrested at Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, in the Italian capital Rome, over the slayings that shocked Australia

'It would seem that the individual had some level of immunity while they remained in Greece,' he told the ABC.

'Now there are two distinctive factors there, one is ... a possible issue with respect to the historic nature of these crimes and effectively a statute of limitation, which might have been relevant in terms of Greek extradition law.

'But the other information we have is that the individual in question is a dual Greek, (Australian) citizen.

'And some countries are very reluctant to even consider extradition of their own nationals. So those are two distinctive aspects that are now not in play.'

Last year, Australian detectives were suspected of luring a man to Australia for United States detectives so they could extradite him.

Former US pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan had received security clearance to receive an aviation licence and return from China to work in Australia in 2022.

A few days after his arrival, the clearance granted by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation was removed and he was arrested.

The former marine had been accused of illegally aiding China by training pilots for the state government's military.

In May, a New South Wales court found him eligible for surrender to the US and made an order for the father-of-six to be committed to prison.

Life in 1977 was very different. Detectives are pictured outside the Easey Street home where two were murdered

Suzanne Armstrong (pictured) was murdered in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood in 1977

Susan Bartlett (left) and Suzanne Armstrong (right) were murdered in their home on Easey Street in Collingwood in 1977

AUSTRALIA WAS A DIFFERENT PLACE IN 1977

Back then, it was not unusual to leave your curtains open at night and leave your front door unlocked. People knew their neighbours and the brutal murder of women was most uncommon. Unfounded tip-offs not only delayed and distracted detectives, but falsely implicated dozens of men, including the late motor racing legend Peter Brock and a former newspaper reporter. Media reporting at the time repeatedly referred to Ms Armstrong as an 'unmarried mother' while the pair were also described as 'party girls'. Former homicide detective Peter Hiscock pondered whether the investigation would have panned out differently if the women had not been single. 'It was a different time and most people were very relaxed about security around the home. It was a time when you knew your neighbours and these types of crimes rarely happened,' he told The Age in March. 'There was all sorts of information coming in, and much of it was unfounded or just rumour. But you have to remember, it was a time when there were no CCTV cameras, no DNA evidence and no database for fingerprints.' Advertisement

In 1999, United Kingdom cops set a trap for 80 suspected criminals by sending them letters saying they had won valuable electrical goods.

Named 'Operation Bastille', the sting led to 38 arrests of people wanted for failing to appear on warrants in connection with alleged offences.

The 'prey' were asked to telephone a free winners' hotline and confirm they would be at home on the day their prizes were to be delivered.

Oblivious to the closing trap almost three-quarters rang the undercover operations room, The Guardian reported at the time.

'We left details of the prize to their imagination,' Detective Bruce Ballagher said.

'People have been so greedy some were so excited they tried to flag down the undercover delivery vans before we arrived at their addresses.'

On Sunday, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton claimed not to know why Kouroumblis made the mistake of leaving his safe haven.

'There is a 20-year, as I understand, statute bar on initiation of murder charges (in Greece).

'Our warrant wasn't issued within that 20-year period and so it was a matter of waiting, if you like, until he was outside of Greece,' he told reporters.

'I don't know the reason why the suspect was in Italy, or was transitioning through or to Rome.

'All I know is that through having the warrants in place, through working with Interpol, the red notice has worked.'

The Interpol red notice, which triggered the suspect's arrest in Italy, included two charges of murder and one charge of rape.

Mr Patton described the murders as 'an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide'.

He said advances in technology, investigative techniques and retracing statements had contributed to the breakthrough.

Neighbours raised the alarm after hearing a toddler crying inside the house

A newspaper story about the Easey Street deaths in 1977

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton (pictured) described the murders as 'an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide'

'This is Victoria's most serious cold case and longest cold case that we have ever solved, and that's why it is such a significant achievement,' the Chief Commissioner said.

'There is simply no expiry date on crimes that are as brutal as this.'

On Monday, police declined to deny speculation it was involved with luring Kouroumblis out of Greece and refused to comment on the case.

Ms Armstrong and Ms Bartlett were last seen alive on January 10, 1977, and their bodies were found three days later.

At the time, Kouroumblis lived in Bendigo St, Collingwood, close to the home where Ms Armstrong and Ms Bartlett were killed in what became known as the 'Easey Street murders'.

On Sunday, it emerged the then-teenager had been pulled over by a junior police officer who found a knife in the boot of his car, which had traces of the same blood type as one of the victims.

But when questioned, he had claimed to have found the weapon on nearby railway tracks  a claim police initially accepted.
Every September, thousands of young adults pack up their most treasured possessions and embark on their next step: university.

Twenty-three years ago today, it was Prince William's turn to do just that on his first day at St Andrews in Scotland.

The Palace had struck a deal with the media to give William privacy while he was studying, aside from agreed photo opportunities.

One of those occasions was his arrival for the start of term with his father King Charles, then the Prince of Wales.

William's student life began with a slight mishap - Charles, who was driving, missed the university's entrance at first and had to reverse in front of the 5,000 onlookers, the Daily Mail reported at the time.

Twenty-three years ago today, Prince William, then 19, arrived for his first day at university. He turned up with his father King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales

Prince William originally enrolled to study art history at the Scottish university

William's student life began with a slight mishap - Charles, who was driving, missed the university's entrance at first and had to reverse in front of the 5,000 onlookers, the Daily Mail reported at the time

Whilst Charles was dressed in a blazer, chinos and shirt and tie, William chose an understated jumper and shirt combo, which he paired with jeans.

Before disappearing off to the relative privacy of university life, he took the time to chat with some of the royal fans who had flocked to see him.

William originally enrolled to study art history and the course fees - 1,075 per term - were paid for by Charles for 'the first year at least,' the Mail reported, despite William's offer to cover them himself.

His student accommodation consisted of a small room in St Salvator's Hall - a housing block nicknamed 'Sallies' by students - and he brought bedding, a television and a stereo to kit it out.

William had specifically requested a room without an en-suite so he could get the full student experience of queuing for the communal showers.

The father and son were greeted by 5,000 royal fans hoping to catch a glimpse of them

Prince William in St Salvator's, his first year university accommodation, in November 2004

Prince William studying in the main library at St Andrews in 2004

He had been offered a place to stay at the residence of principal Dr Brian Lang but turned it down.

Charles' suggestion of renting a private house was also declined.

Instead, a nearby room was reserved for a police bodyguard who had a bathroom especially installed.

William was very aware of his impact on people, however, and was keen to make genuine friends.

The young prince said in an interview around the time: 'People who try to take advantage of me and a get a piece of me, I spot it quickly and soon go off them.'

He added: 'I just hope I can meet people I get on with. I don't care about their background.'

However, William's first term at St Andrews got off to a rocky start.

The prince playing in a rugby tournament during his final year at university in 2005

William met Kate Middleton, who he later married, at university. The pair are pictured on their graduation day in 2005

Prince William walking in his graduation gown with Charles and Camilla in June 2005

He returned home to Highgrove for Christmas and had spent most of his weekends during term time there or in London.

According to royal expert Robert Lacey in his 2020 book Battle of Brothers, William expressed doubts to his father during the holidays over his choice of course and institution and told him how he wanted to move,

His grandfather, Prince Philip, is said to have responded: 'William needs to knuckle down and not wimp out.'

He found life in the small Scottish town to be quiet, with the highlight of his week being shopping at Tesco and playing sport on a Wednesday.

Kensington Palace and St Andrews managed to resolve the issue by liaising with one another and agreed for William to switch courses to Geography.

Charles spent the Christmas holiday having a heartfelt discussion with William, who eventually decided against moving away.

William later said he felt he was 'daunted' rather than homesick.

He said at the time: 'My father was very understanding about it and realised I had the same problem he had probably had.

Kate chatting with her friends while watching William play rugby at university in 2005

The Daily Mail's coverage of William on his first day at St Andrews in 2001

'We chatted a lot, and in the end we both realised - I definitely realised - that I had to come back.

'I think it was the new surroundings. When I was with Raleigh International in Chile during my gap year, it was the same sort of thing. You're thrown into completely new territory.

'I don't think I was homesick. I was more daunted.'

The decision paid off, as it was at St Andrews that William met and fell in love with Kate Middleton.

It was at a charity fashion show in St Andrews where William exclaimed, 'wow! Kate's hot', as his future wife walked down the catwalk in a see-through dress.
Surveillance video shows the moment a mother of three was run over and fatally-injured by a police car in Texas, as her three children ran out of the way.

The tragedy unfolded Thursday night shortly after the 41 year-old mother - who has not been named - and her children had gotten off a bus around 10 p.m.

She dropped her bus card and had stopped to pick it up when she was struck by the cruiser. Her son and two daughters aged between 18 and 10 were with her at the time.

The deadly crash was caught on camera by a surveillance at a nearby business, showing the three kids standing on the street as their mom kneels down, in video obtained by KHOU.

As the black and white cop car barrels past the bus stop and towards then, the kids are able to scramble out of the road, but not their mom.

'I heard screaming. 'They said, 'Back off! Back off,'' a woman who saw the crash told the local outlet.

Just feet from the bus stop, the mother and her kids were in the road, as the cop car barreled towards them, according to new footage of the crash

Witnesses described seeing the mom appear to drop her bus card, and go back into the road to get it when she was hit by the car, according to the Houston Chronicle.

'We got a loud crowd. They were very upset about what had just occurred and they kinda just all dispersed,' Houston Police Commander Luis Menendez-Sierra told KPRC-TV.

Cops are insisting their officers did nothing wrong.

'The patrol vehicle struck a pedestrian in the roadway, not in a crosswalk,' the Houston Police Department said in a statement.

Two officers riding in a marked patrol car were taking a suspect to the local jail when the car collided with the woman.

'Officers immediately stopped and rendered assistance to the injured female.'

The woman was taken to a local hospital where she died.

None of her children were injured.

Video shows cop cruiser approaching the group of people in the street

Police says the woman may have dropped her bus card and gone back into the street to pick it up when she was hit

'A preliminary investigation indicates that speed is not believed to be a factor in the crash and that the pedestrian failed to yield right of way to a vehicle,' a spokesman for the department said.

The officers have not been identified, but the incident is the subject of an internal affairs investigation, which is standard.

The department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call 713-308-3600.
They may not come in peace, after all.

Over the decades, dozens of UFOs have been witnessed around nuclear weapons sites.

Former Pentagon investigator Luis Elizondo said earlier this year the encounters could be reconnaissance missions for a potential invasion.

But in his new book, researcher Robert L Hastings, who has devoted decades to interviewing dozens of U.S. military personnel who have seen UFOs near nuclear sites, believes the reality may be more complex.

Were aliens present at the Castle Bravo nuclear test?

Hastings looks at dozens of cases that have occurred since the United States detonated its first atomic bomb at the Trinity test site in 1945.

But the connection between UFOs and nuclear sites has persisted in India, Russia and elsewhere across the globe.

In fact, UFO reports over America's nuclear arsenal appeared to shift from sites where the bombs were made to missile silos and US air bases as the Cold War arms race grew.

UFO sightings over America's nuclear arsenal appeared to shift their interest from the making of the bombs to silos and bomber bases as the Cold War arms race grew (above)

In his book, UFOs and Nukes, based on interviews with more than 150 veterans, Hastings reveals that investigators are prevented from properly probing the cases because of dubious layers of classification.

One thing is for sure, however - it is 'obvious' that if there are extraterrestrial visitors, they are 'greatly interested in our nuclear weapons.'

Hastings writes: 'A public, grassroots effort must be made in the interim to understandas best as possible, using the data gathered thus farthe nature and intentions of those who pilot the UFOs.'

As to why they choose to buzz around the world's most dangerous military sites, there are several theories.

Perhaps the visitors have empathy for humankind and wish to warn us of the dangers of nuclear warfare, Hastings writes.

'Or perhaps they have a use for our planet, let's say for scientific purposes, and know that global nuclear warfare will disrupt their data-gathering and/or experiments.'

The more mundane explanation is that the sightings are simply foreign nations' tech spying on high priority targets.

Los Alamos

Established in 1943 as the base for the 'Manhattan Project' led by Robert Oppenheimer, Los Alamos was the birthplace of nuclear weapons.

But Hastings says that even at this early stage, there were sightings of unusual craft.

An FBI memorandum, dated January 31, 1949 refers to observations of 'Flying Discs, Flying Saucers, and Balls of Fire'.

The sightings began as early as December 1948, Hastings reveals.

The memo said, 'This matter is considered top secret by Intelligence Officers of both the Army and the Air Forces.'

Hastings said that multiple UFO sightings were also seen at Sandia Base in Albuquerque, where further atomic weapons were tested, and at Oak Ridge Laborabory, a fissile materials production site.

Los Alamos was the birthplace of America's nuclear deterrent

Hastings writes, ' For whatever reason, those piloting the UFOswhose origin and intentions were unknownappeared to be very interested in the facilities associated with America's atomic weapons program.

Operation Castle, 1954

The Castle hydrogen bomb tests at Bikini Atoll tested high-yield weapons - and Castle Bravo was the largest nuclear device ever detonated by the United States.

But Hastings says that documents uncovered long after the tests reveal the presence of unknown craft.

The Castle Bravo detonation was preceded by mysterious radio blackouts, Hastings says.

In 1998, Patricia Broudy, the Legislative Director of the National Association of Atomic Veterans, found a reference to UFO sightings during the Castle tests, going through 500 pages of documents relating to logistics.

The document was later removed from official records, Hastings claims.

Atomic Energy Commission's flagship the USS Curtis

In a transcribed ship's deck log from April 7, 1954, sailors and Marines aboard the Atomic Energy Commission's flagship the USS Curtis (which had transported the 'special devices', or hydrogen bombs to the test area), saw a luminous object fly over the ship at high speed.

Marine corporal Joe Stallings said he had been approached by multiple sailors and marines, who had seen the UFO which was 'the talk of the ship'.

The missile 'set to launch'

Hastings says that of all the dozens of interviews he recorded with former Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launch officers ove rthe years, one stands out as 'perhaps the most disturbing'.

In a 2007 interview with David H Schuur, Schuur revealed that a UFO activated the launch sequence of his Minuteman missiles.

A Minuteman launch site at Malmstrom in Montana

Schuur, a Minuteman crew member from 1963 to 1967, said that a 'bright, hovering object' appeared to be sending messages to six or seven of the missiles at the site.

Schuur said 'It was as if the object was scanning each missile, one by one.'

Some of the missiles began to display a 'launch in progress', Schuur said.

'That means the missile has received a launch signal. When that happens, we get an indication in the capsule that a launch command has been received by that missile, Schuur said.

'If that happens, without proper authority, you flip what's called an 'Inhibit' switch, to delay the launch for a given period of time.

'If an Inhibit command comes in from another launch capsule, that shuts down the launch totally.

'But if that second command doesn't come in, the missile will wait for a specified period of time and then launch automatically.'

An operational test launch of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile

The crew pressed the 'inhibit' switch and the missiles didn't launch - and commanders at the base told him not to mention the incident again.

The Soviet sightings

In 1984, a strange craft was spotted 'quite close' to the Soviet Katta-Kurgan tactical nuclear missile base, located in what is Uzbekistan today.

The site was believed to have multiple mobile tactical missiles.

Missile technician Shamil Yuaihmetov reported seeing a metallic-appearing, cigar-shaped object slowly descending at a 45-degree angle.

As the object descended, it emitted a hissing sound.

A Soviet SS-4 medium-range missile in Red Square

Hastings writes: 'The next day, in a nearby vineyard, three apparent landing-gear marks, in an equilateral triangle pattern, were found within an area of damaged vines measuring 30 by 80 meters.

'Each depression was a half-meter deep and seemed to be created by a hemispheric or globe-shaped landing pad.'

The Soviet military investigated, but the findings are not available to researchers, Hastings says.
The tragedy that killed the Titan submersible crew in 2023 year may have been foreshadowed by a separate event years before its fatal dive.

The US Coast Guard has released a new image of the vehicle, showing how the dome fell off after a dive in 2021.

One of the private passengers on board during that dive described last week how several bolts holding the dome 'shot off like bullets' after the sub's nose hit the deck.

The release of the new image adds to a catalogue of issues reported with the Titan in the years up to an implosion that killed five people on board last July.

The US Coast Guard released a photo of the doomed Titan submersible from 2021. The picture shows the hull fell off as the vessel was lifted to the surface

Fred Hagen, who boarded several Titan missions, described the 2021 incident at a hearing into the tragedy.

He said: 'The force of the platform hitting the deck... it basically sheared off several bolts and they shot off like bullets. And the titanium dome fell off.'

Renata Rojas volunteered to monitor the 2021 expedition from the surface and said everything on the submersible was 'working very smoothly' before it descended to the ocean's depths.

She described the moment the dome fell off the sub as it was pulled on to the main ship, and said: 'There was only, I think, two bolts or four bolts on the dome.

'It started dripping, falling off,' she added.

The event led crews to install 18 bolts on the dome for future expeditions, she said but expressed that on the occasions she went on the Titan, she never felt unsafe.

However, Hagen explained that the 2021 malfunction was in addition to other issues he witnessed during his other dives with OceanGate.

This included one in 2022 that was aborted when the thruster failed upon reaching the seafloor and the crew wasn't able to navigate to the Titanic.

Upon returning to the surface, Hagen said they heard the bang but he was satisfied with OceanGate's explanation when they said they inspected the hull and claimed it hadn't cracked.

OceanGate staff reportedly told the passengers that 'the body of the fuselage of the Titan had just jumped in its carriage, so there was no damage,' Hagen said.

Steven Ross, a marine scientist and crew member of Dive 87 which occurred less than a week before the final mission, claimed the US Coast Guard had not inspected the Titan in 2021, 2022 or 2023.

He testified about two incidents during expeditions in 2022, saying a loud bang was heard during Dive 80 and 'there was a discussion about the bang with the crew, mission specialists and the scientists.'

The Titan submersible disappeared on June 18, 2023. There were five people inside the vehicle when it imploded

The front nose of the Titan submersible (pictured) was found without surrounding debris that suggested the issue happened in the front of Titan

'The theory of the sound was that there was likely a shifting of the pressure hull in its metal cradle that when it popped back into place it could've made that loud noise.'

Scientists have further speculated that the Titan's implosion stemmed from a failed expedition a mere six days before its fatal voyage.

A malfunction allegedly caused one of the passengers to hit the hull's window, which is said to have been the site of the implosion.

Ross said at the hearing that there was an issue with the vessel's variable ballast tank, which is in control of the buoyancy.

The malfunction caused the Titan to throw passengers around the cabin, and Ross said: 'The pilot crashed into the rear bulkhead, the rest of the passengers tumbled about.

Experts said there was a faulty connection between the hull and the large titanium ring that let water seep in from the front and pushed the sub apart. Pictured is the Titan's tail on the seafloor

'I ended up standing on the rear bulkhead, one passenger was hanging upside down, and the other two managed to wedge themselves into the bow endcap.'

He further expressed that he was unsure if OceanGate inspected the Titan's hull immediately after its malfunction or before it's final dive.

Passengers were charged $250,000 to board the Titan submersible which imploded an hour and minutes into the voyage to the site of the Titanic which sunk on April 14, 1912.

The Titanic wreckage is located nearly 2.4 miles below the sea's surface and is a two-hour-long descent.

When vessels reach those depths, the water crushing inward from all sides creates pressure roughly 390 times greater than what we experience on the water's surface.

On the day of the voyage, five people boarded the Titan including OceanGate's CEO and operator Stockton Rush, businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, businessman Hamish Harding and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
A jellyfish-like creature with tentacles and seeming ability to live forever has now been found capable of passing cancerous tumors on to its offspring.

Government scientists in France who studied these 'brown hydra', so-named after the lake monsters of Greek myth, voiced concern that their 'transmissible cancers' could bode 'dramatic ecological consequences' if allowed to spread in the wild.

While brown hydra have only been seen to develop these tumors in the lab, the phenomenon nearly drove Tasmanian devils to extinction off the coast of Australia in the past decade.

And researchers now worry that pollution could produce more contagious cancers - but said it remains unclear if similar forms of the disease could afflict humans.

A fresh-water carnivore known for its 1-inch tentacles and seeming ability to live forever - the Brown Hydra - has now been found capable of passing cancerous tumors on to its offspring

Above, a tumor-free example of the brown hydra from the researchers' laboratory population, grown via samples obtained from Montaud lake in the south of France

'Human activities may unknowingly create conditions that favor the spread of these cancers,' according to the study's lead author, evolutionary ecologist Sophie Tissot.

Prior to the new research, published Tuesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, both cancer researchers and wildlife biologists had assumed that these contagious cancers could only spring into existence via a rare 'perfect storm' of host and cancer cell attributes.

But the new findings by France's national research agency, le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), have showed that the transmissible cancers could emerge simply from overfeeding.

Tissot and her colleagues fed their lab colonies of brown hydra (Hydra oligactis) larval shrimp (Artemia salina) for both their control and experimental groups.

The choice was suggestive of the kind of human activities, like aquaculture farming, that can lead to overfed blooms of gorging, tiny, brown hydra out in the real world.

Hydra 'can occasionally grow to large numbers,' according to a field guide notice by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

'And when this happens in fish hatcheries,' the US state agency warned, 'they can be a serious threat to newly hatched fry [baby fish or shrimp].'

Prior to this study, brown hydra had gained the attention of biologists who study freshwater ecosystems for the creature's seemingly infinite longevity.

Brown hydra not only defy aging but can also regenerate damaged tentacles.

Fortunately, Tissot and her team also found that these transmissible cancers were often 'fragile' and could go into remission if they fed their brown hydra less.

Her CNRS group and other investigators of transmissible cancers now hope to use the fast lifecycle of hydra to better understand transmissible cancers in the lab.

'It's certainly a more tractable system than keeping 1000 Tasmanian devils in the lab and watching them to see if they develop cancer,' as biologist Michael Metzger told the news arm of the journal Science.

Above, an image of one of the study's brown hydras that developed the transmissible tumors - visible as lumps along what would typically be its long thin body. The team behind the new researchers took these images with a camera-mounted or trinocular microscope

'Human activities may unknowingly create conditions that favor the spread of these cancers,' according to the study's lead author, evolutionary ecologist Sophie Tissot. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, blooms of these hydra can infest shrimp and fish farms

Metzger who studies cancer evolution at the Pacific Northwest Research Institute in Seattle, Washington, described brown hydra's potential for revolutionizing cancer research as 'really interesting.'

'You can really learn a lot [from them] about fundamental aspects of cancer biology,' according to Metzger, who was not affiliated with the new study.

Tissot and her colleagues CNRS were able to induce cancer in their experimental groups of brown hydra in less than two months, and tracked between four-to-five generations of the tiny carnivore to observe the contagious tumors passed down.

Thanks to their control groups and knowledge of the hydra's genetic predispositions for cancer, the team concluded that a 'contagious' tumor was the most likely explanation for successive generations of creatures acquiring their parent's tumors.

'If this conclusion is confirmed in the future,' Tissot and her team wrote, 'it is crucial to consider these aspects in the study of ecosystems disturbed by human activities.'

Human activities, not unlike a shrimp or a fish farm infested with a feed-frenzy of brown hydra, the noted 'could potentially modify the conditions that favor the spread of transmissible cancers.'

Metzger noted that it's too early to see what discoveries related to the brown hydra's transmissible cancers might mean for the form of the disease in humans.

'They're a little bit different from what happens in humans,' he cautioned, 'but I think that is their value. It shows the breadth of what cancer can look like.'
A breakthrough discovery of a new blood protein will finally help doctors identify patients whose immune systems react violently against nearly all blood transfusions.

For over half a century, a set of rare but devastating complications from simple blood transfusions have been linked to the elusive absence of a key immune-system triggering 'antigen' molecule, known as the AnWj blood group antigen.

But now a team of researchers in the UK have identified which compound found in 99.9 percent of human blood carries this AnWj antigen. They call it the 'Mal' protein.

This 50-year-old cold case was cracked by blood detectives with the UK's National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) group  who are routinely tasked with these kinds of medical mysteries by healthcare providers across the globe.

'Often if the labs cannot resolve it we have to do a lot more work,' Nicole Thornton of the NHSBT's red blood cell lab said. 'That is where the interesting cases come from.'

A team of researchers in the UK have identified which compound found in 99.9 percent of human blood carries the AnWj antigen, which they call the Mal protein. The breakthrough will help doctors finally identify patients whose bodies react violently against blood transfusions

The four major blood types, and their positive or negative variations, are all defined by the presence or absence of two key antigens, A and B, alongside another protein called the Rh factor, whose presence equates to the so-called positive blood types.

'Since some antigens can trigger a patient's immune system to attack the transfused blood, safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching,' as the American Red Cross notes in their explainer on the issue.

While the new discovery will likely be much too obscure to merit common use alongside the eight most common blood types (A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+ and AB-), its identification could help save hundreds of lives each year, researchers estimated.

Thornton, the head of NHSBT's International Blood Group Reference Laboratory 'Red Cell Reference,' her team and scientists with the University of Bristol worked with a variety of blood samples and tools to finally identify where the AnWj antigens reside.

Their work even included a 2015 sample given by the anonymous woman who was the first person to have ever been discovered to be 'AnWj negative' in the 1970s.

'Mal is a very small protein with some interesting properties which made it difficult to identify,' said Dr Tim Satchwell, who assisted the investigation while he was a Research Fellow at the University of Bristol.

'We needed to pursue multiple lines of investigation to accumulate the proof we needed to establish this blood group system,' Dr Satchwell told reporters in a press statement.

The decisive factor proved to be a method called 'whole exome sequencing,' a more cost effective and tailored form of whole genome sequencing that focuses solely on the DNA from a given patient that encodes or creates proteins.

This process helped the team lock-in on the rare genetic cases whereby DNA sequence deletions in the MAL gene prevented encoding of the Mal protein.

'We would not have achieved this without exome sequencing,' Louise Tilley, a senior research scientist with NHSBT's Red Cell Reference said in a statement.

'The gene we identified wasn't an obvious candidate and little is known about Mal protein in red cells,' she noted.

The MAL gene that was deleted in these rare cases gets its names from the 'Myelin and lymphocyte' (Mal) protein it encodes.

Mal proteins  'multi-pass membrane proteolipids' coated in fatty lipid molecules  appear to play an essential role in the movement of cells through the blood stream as well as the stability of cell membranes.

Above, two men donating blood this July at the West End Donor Centre in London, England

'AnWj-positive individuals were shown to express full-length Mal on their red cell membranes, which was not present on the membranes of AnWj-negative individuals,' the team noted in their new study for the journal Blood.

'The genetic background of AnWj has been a mystery for more than 50 years, and one which I personally have been trying to resolve for almost 20 years of my career,' Tilley told reporters.

'It represents a huge achievement,' she added, 'and the culmination of a long team effort to finally establish this new blood group system and be able to offer the best care to rare, but important, patients.'

As Tilley emphasized to the BBC, it is 'quite difficult to a put a number' to just how many people will benefit from the newly identified Mal protein.

But, she noted that  every year  the NHSBT is typically the last hope for as many as 400 patients from across the world.

In their new study, Tilley and her colleagues reported that 'the most common reason for being AnWj-negative is due to suffering from a hematological disorder or some types of cancer which suppress antigen expression.'

Hematologic diseases, which afflict millions of Americans, include rare genetic disorders, sickle cell disease, conditions related to HIV, and complications from treatments like chemotherapy or blood transfusions.

'Only a very small number of people are AnWj-negative due to a genetic cause,' the team noted. Among them: 'five genetically AnWj negative individuals in the study including a family of Arab-Israelis.'

It's these genetically AnWj-negative patients who will benefit most from Mal's discovery  as new lab tests will be devised to help pair them with the correct blood for any needed transfusions.

Nicole Thornton - the head of the NHSBTs International Blood Group Reference Laboratory 'Red Cell Reference' - holds a vile of the blood used to crack the 50-year-old AnWj mystery

'Resolving the genetic basis for AnWj has been one of our most challenging projects,' Thornton said.

'Now genotyping tests can be designed to identify genetically AnWj-negative patients and donors. Such tests can be added to the existing genotyping platforms.'

One staffer at Thornton's 'Red Cell Reference,' Philip Brown, explained that he himself had been diagnosed with a form of leukemia about 20 years ago that required life-saving blood transfusions and a bone marrow transplant.

'Anything we can do to make our blood much safer and a better match for patients is a definite step in the right direction,' he said.
Nearly one third of the population of the United States appears to have had its private information leaked in a security lapse by a large background check company.

The firm, MC2 Data, left approximately 2.2 terabytes of information easily accessible on the open web without so much as password protection, according to the cybersecurity researchers who uncovered the breach.

MC2 Data, they noted, owns multiple background check sites including PrivateRecords.net, PrivateReports, PeopleSearcher, ThePeopleSearchers and PeopleSearchUSA.

This stunning privacy lapse comes amid a summer of catastrophic leaks, including July's Independence Day 'RockYou2024,' which exposed an astonishing 10 billion passwords to cyber criminals, and a massive breach of US social security numbers.

Background check company MC2 Data left approximately 2.2 terabytes of data easily accessible on the open web without so much as password protection, cybersecurity researchers said - via 'what was likely to be a human error'

'What was likely to be a human error exposed 106,316,633 records containing private information about US citizens,' according to Cybernews, a cybersecurity investigation and news outlet based in Vilniaus, Lithuania.

Cybernews's Paulina Okunyte opined that the incident raises 'serious concerns about privacy and safety.'

'People and organizations needing background checks have also been exposed, as the data of 2,319,873 users who subscribed to MC2 Data services was [also] leaked,' Okunyte added.

The kind of personal data included in the breach, she noted, spanned everything from names and emails to more serious and private data like encrypted passwords, partial payment information, property records and legal records.

The security site noted that it had reached out to MC2 Data for a comment, but 'a response is yet to be received.'

One of Cybernews's security researcher, however, Aras Nazarovas, noted that these types of issues have plagued the background check industry for years.

'Background-checking services have always been problematic, as cybercriminals would often be able to purchase their services to gather data on their victims,' Nazarovas opined.

'While background-check services keep trying to prevent such cases, they haven't been able to stop such use of their services completely,' he added.

'Such a leak is a goldmine for cybercriminals as it eases access and reduces risk for them, allowing them to misuse these detailed reports more effectively.'
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After one of the hottest summers on record, Vita Coco is turning up the heat just a little more  with a video eliciting some seriously fiery debate.

Is it climate change, or are you just really, really, really, ridiculously good looking? With a cheeky nod to both sizzling temps and our collective obsession with beauty, Vita Coco's new mockumentary featuring Sonja Morgan of The Real Housewives of New York City is both a comedic goldmine and a clever call-to-action.

Curious to see how she's handling such a sensitive topic? Click here to watch the full video in all its humor.

Are People Getting Hotter? The answer is 'yes.' But is it actually YOU  or is it the climate? Vita Coco enlisted Real Housewife Sonja Morgan, Sean Taylor from The Circle, and self-proclaimed 'coconut water hater' Tony Posnanski to delve deeper. Watch

Morgan, known for her vivacious personality and glamour, leads a cast that includes Sean Taylor (from Netflix reality program The Circle) and Tony Posnanski, the self-proclaimed 'coconut water hater' who famously clashed with the internet over a jar of urine (yes, really) back in 2019.

Together, the two have joined forces to tackle the pressing question: Is the planet heating up  or are we all just experiencing the ultimate glow-up?

Is the world getting hotter  or are YOU the hot one? In our looks-obsessed culture, it's worth a deep dive

It's a fair question, giving the ever-evolving cycle of TikTok beauty trends and the emergence of looksmaxxing culture.

The fun Vita Coco mockumentary spotlights the issue of climate change with some mirth, playfully blurring the lines between personal allure and environmental concerns.

Sip your way to better health and hydration with Vita Coco coconut water, which is jam-packed with minerals and electrolytes

Intentionally ambiguous, the video invites viewers to ask the hard-hitting questions. Are we talking about your latest Insta-worthy makeover or the increasingly scorching global temperatures?

But this isn't just about getting a laugh. Vita Coco, renowned for its refreshing coconut water in a variety of flavors, is essential to helping you stay hydrated, whether you're sweating it out or just going about your business on a hot day.

The popular tropical drink is jam-packed with vital minerals and electrolytes to help you power through your day. Studies have also found that coconut water contains antioxidants to combat age-related free radical damage.

It's a great post-workout recovery option, too, as you lose electrolytes when you exercise. Vita Coco coconut water is rich in magnesium and potassium, so you can rely on the drink to replenish what you need.

And beyond that, it's a refreshing and flavorful alternative to plain old water. It's just sweet enough, and you can incorporate it into smoothies and desserts for a nutritious kick.

Sonja Morgan, Sean Taylor, and Tony Posnanski star in the playful Vita Coco video exploring the great 'are you hot or is it actually the climate' debate

While you're laughing along with Sonja Morgan, Tony Posnanski, and Sean Taylor, don't forget the real takeaway: Staying hydrated is key, no matter if it's the weather or you that's heating things up.

With Vita Coco coconut water, you'll be ready to tackle anything  and do your part to cool things down (while staying hot, of course).
An 18th-century women's asylum has taken on new life as a swanky, stylish hotel that's getting a lot of hype.

Hotel Anna & Bel opened in Philadelphia in August, and can be found tucked away in a quiet corner of The City of Brotherly Love deeply entrenched in history.

The property was long a communal living home called the Penn Asylum for Indigent Widows and Single Women, where widows could go after their husbands died.

It stayed that way for more than a century, providing services to older women and eventually men in the neighborhood.

The center finally closed its doors in 2020 after 162 years, spurring concerns over what would come next. But real estate professionals have now managed to resuscitate it - with 50 repurposed rooms and rates starting at $300 a night.

Hotel Anna & Bel opened in Philadelphia in August, and can be found tucked away in a quiet corner of The City of Brotherly Love

The property was long a communal living home called the Penn Asylum for Indigent Widows and Single Women, where widows could go after their husbands passed

'Throughout the renovation process we worked with the Philadelphia Historical Commission to emphasize and honor the property's rich architectural history,' Dor Berkovitz told Travel + Leisure before it opened last month.

Berkovitz is the co-founder of the real estate development firm responsible for the project, Foyer Project.

He went on to describe the year-long process and how it was done 'while breathing a new design life into the space with modern amenities and features.'

'That new design life takes ample inspiration from the property's history,' he said - citing 'curved lines, pastel colors, and other elements that lean into the "inherent femininity of the property."'

The center closed its doors in 2020 after 162 years, however, spurring concerns of what would come next. Real estate professionals have managed to resuscitate it - with 50 repurposed rooms and rates starting at $300 a night

'Throughout the renovation process we worked with the Philadelphia Historical Commission to emphasize and honor the property's rich architectural history,' real estate professional Dor Berkovitz said of his firm's successful bid to transform the historic site

The finished product was unveiled on August 7, and was named one of the most exciting hotel openings earlier this year by Conde Nast Traveler,

Its restaurant Bastia was included on Bon Appetit's must-visit new restaurants list, operated by chef Tyler Akin, the mind behind Le Cavalier at Wilmington's Hotel Du Pont.

PICTURED: A guest room inside the newly-opened hotel

Hotel Anna & Bel features chic and modern furnishings

For a neighborhood far away from the hustle and bustle of the city - historic Fishtown northeast of Center City - it was a welcome addition, Berkovitz said.

The area has been an outpost for the working class for centuries, but recently has been reemerged as an area where culinary, art and music trends kick off.

He described the yearlong process, and how it was done 'while breathing a new design life into the space with modern amenities and features'

'That new design life takes ample inspiration from the property's history,' he said - citing 'curved lines, pastel colors, and other elements that lean into the "inherent femininity of the property."' The finished product was unveiled August 7, and put those fruits on display

Anna & Bel fits right in, in this sense, with on-site cocktail piano lounge Caletta serving up spritzes, swizzles and Italian bites that bolster Bastia's seafood.

'As residents of the neighborhood, we don't have anything similar that appeals to both visitors to the area and locals alike,' Berkovitz said of the hotel that also has a courtyard pool.

'In recent years, Fishtown has seen a surge of new restaurants and shopping.

'So we felt the neighborhood would be perfect for travelers who are looking for a destination that combines a sense of community with full amenities and boutique offerings.'

It suddenly closed it doors in September 2020 - a victim of staffing shortfalls brought on by the pandemic

Shortly after closing, however, the building was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places by The Keeping Society of Philadelphia, thus protecting it from future demolition

Rooms vary in size from studios and two-beds, and some include balconies.

There's a patio area, fitness center, sauna, and an array of art - mostly from local and female artists that hark back to its history.

'As a home and community pillar for generations, this beloved neighborhood spot is full of rich heritage,' a profile on the website states.

Aside from artful decor and day-to-night dining, the hotel's pool is heated, and is buoyed up by a state-of-the-art fitness room, sauna, and spa.

The terrace on the second floor is shared, and was once traversed by the women who called the building home.

Berkovitz and co. filed to rezone it a little over a year later, and the rest is history

A document filed by The Keeping Society of Philadelphia to get permission to preserve the building adds some useful insight to the structure's significance - and the bid to protect it

The outdoor space it overlooks - originally built in the 1880s and 90s - was redesigned 'to feel transportive,' Berkovitz said.

'We wanted the area to feel like an escape from the city.

The result is something more akin to New Orleans than Philly, surrounded by iron railings 'that draw from both French and chic Mediterranean influences to make the area feel like a coastal oasis,' she told the publication.

A document filed by The Keeping Society of Philadelphia to get permission to preserve the building adds some useful insight to the structure's significance - and the bid to protect it.

Established in 1852, the Penn Asylum for Indigent Widows and Single Women 'exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social or historical heritage of the [Fishtown] community.

Established in 1852, the Penn Asylum for Indigent Widows and Single Women 'exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social or historical heritage of the [Fishtown] community'

'For over 140 years, the organization provided housing for women in the community over than 59 years of age', the document states

'For over 140 years, the organization provided housing for women in the community over than 59 years of age', the document states.

A charter change in the 1990s allowed the organization to expand - from just widows to an affordable nursing home regardless of gender.

It suddenly closed it doors in September 2020 - a victim of staffing shortfalls brought on by the pandemic.

The hotel is now fully open for business and poised to add to the building's already sterling reputation, while providing renewed purpose

Shortly after closing, however, the building was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places by The Keeping Society of Philadelphia, thus protecting it from future demolition.

Berkovitz and co. filed to rezone it a little over a year later, and the rest is history.

The hotel is now fully open for business and poised to add to the building's already sterling reputation, while providing renewed purpose.
Majorca has seen a 20 per cent fall in takings at its bars and restaurants despite a record number of visitors after the number of Brits slumped following anti-tourism protests.

The number of Britons holidaying in the Balearic islands in July was 10 per cent lower than the month before, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.

Marches by anti-tourist activists have been taking place across Spain throughout the summer as locals accuse 'low quality' visitors of flocking to the country, with some singling out 'drunk' Britons.

When 50,000 Spaniards descended onto the streets of the Majorcan capital Palma on July 21, some protesters held up banners written in English saying: 'Take back your drunks.'

But with Majorca's drop in British tourists visiting the island also came a 20 per cent slump in the takings of bars and restaurants, which the Majorca Daily Bulletin says present a 'worst case' scenario for Majorcans.

The newspaper said locals hope for fewer tourists who spend more, rather than more tourists who spend less, which translates to less income for locals who rely on the tourism industry to keep them afloat.

Three signs attached to an umbrella at the beach read 'stop drunk tourists' during an anti-tourism protest in August

The words 'Go Home Tourist' were scrawled in English over a wall underneath a real estate promotion billboard in Nou Llevant, Majorca, a neighbourhood that has seen a massive influx of foreign buyers over the past few years

Activists who protested in August said they chose a beach in Palma because it is infamous for drunkenness and disorder

It comes as hundreds of bars and restaurants in Majorca are facing imminent closure following the worst season since Covid and tourists tightening their belts.

The warning has come from the restaurant association, PIMEM-Restauracion, which says their members are being strangled by three essential factors - the lack of qualified personnel, the increase in staff and activity costs, and a drop in sales.

Its president, Cesar Amable, says the increase in travel prices and accommodation has hit its sector and other mainstays of the complementary offer such as commerce this summer.

'The average stay has been shortened and the budget of tourists has been limited, thus penalising the extraordinary expenses of the trip, a situation that has ended up confirming the least profitable season in recent years, a pandemic period aside,' he said.

Restaurateurs are now demanding the creation of their own hospitality agreement that differentiates their conditions from those of hoteliers, as is already happening in other regions of Spain such as La Rioja, Madrid and Guipuzcoa at the provincial level.

The salary increases, they say, are unaffordable for a sector that this season has seen its turnover fall by around 20 per cent compared to last season.

Paramedics treat a girl who's passed out on a bench on the holiday island of Majorca

Thus, they have explained that the collective agreement has increased staff expenses by 25.3 per cent since 2018, while the price of menus has risen by 10 per cent in the same period.

Majorca has also seen a 13 per cent decrease in the number of tourists from the Spanish mainland coming to the island.

The drop in British and Spanish tourists was however offset by an increased number of German visitors.

This comes after a summer of anti-tourism campaigns in Spain, with a member of the residents' association of a Menorcan village dubbed the 'Spanish Mykonos' telling MailOnline earlier this year: 'We are not against tourism, we are just against uncivil people.'

Malaga directly addressed unruly behaviour from British tourists with a campaign this summer, warning visitors to dress appropriately and respect local customs.

The Spanish city has launched a campaign, complete with 17 billboards and numerous signs, aimed at curbing behaviours that have angered locals, especially during peak tourist season.

The signs, written in English and featuring the Union flag, directly address behaviours often attributed to British holidaymakers. Tourists are reminded they must follow municipal bylaws or face fines of up to 750 for violations.

The campaign, promoted by Malaga's tourism department, highlights four major issues: inappropriate attire, littering, excessive noise and reckless e-scooter use.
The Great British Bake Off is back and a new batch of bakers have entered the tent to show off their skills as they take on cake week.

One of the new hopefuls is future dentistry student Sumayah, 19, this year's youngest baker, who began by dedicating her first showstopper to a very special animal - her pet duck Pato.

In a first look clip at episode one of the new series, airing on Tuesday, Sumayah shows off her showstopper illusion cake and sheds light on its inspiration.

The student-to-be, who is taking to the tent amid her gap year, replicates her pet duck Pato as she bakes an orange and balsamic strawberry cake.

'My cake is my pet duck,' she tells presenter Noel Fielding. 'We hatched him from an egg in like 2018. He goes missing sometimes, if he's ever missing contact me!'

One of the new hopefuls on this year's Great British Bake Off is future dentistry student Sumayah, 19, who began by dedicating her first showstopper to a very special animal - her pet duck Pato

In a first look clip at episode one of the new series, airing on Tuesday, Sumayah shows off her showstopper illusion cake and sheds light on its inspiration

Showing a mock up of Sumayah's 'Pato the Duck' illusion cake, Noel narrates: 'Built from orange sponge, Sumayah's feathered friend will contain layers of orange buttercream ad balsamic strawberries.'

'You've got a pet duck, what's he called?' Noel asks the young baker, to which she replies: 'Yeah Pato, it's Spanish for duck.'

'Is he Spanish,' asks Noel, to which Sumayah replies: 'I don't think so.'

Noel continues: 'Does he speak Spanish? Does he quack Spanish? What's your favourite duck, is it the mallard?'

'No my loves are really basic, I like runner ducks,' Sumayah added.

'Weird innit, you ever think about your life and think you'd be in a tent creating the body of a duck out of cake,' Noel says.

The pair burst out laughing before Sumayah jokes: 'I had nightmares.'

This year's youngest contestant, Sumayah decided to fill her gap year with a sugary challenge before heading off to study dentistry next year.

'My cake is my pet duck,' she tells presenter Noel Fielding . 'We hatched him from an egg in like 2018. He goes missing sometimes, if he's ever missing contact me!'

Showing a mock up of Sumayah's 'Pato the Duck' illusion cake, Noel narrates: 'Built from orange sponge, Sumayah's feathered friend will contain layers of orange buttercream ad balsamic strawberries'

'You've got a pet duck, what's he called?' Noel asks the young baker, to which she replies: 'Yeah Pato, it's Spanish for duck'

Noel continues: 'Does he speak Spanish? Does he quack Spanish? What's your favourite duck, is it the mallard?'

This year's youngest contestant, Sumayah decided to fill her gap year with a sugary challenge before heading off to study dentistry next year

Good at creating things from scratch, Sumayah is also a keen sewer and even makes her own clothes.

The student admitted her audition for the show didn't quite go to plan, yet she had a gut feeling she was destined for the tent.

'Despite my disastrous audition, I had this inexplicable feeling that I would get into the tent,' she explained.

'Not because I was confident in myself, but more a sense of impending fear. I still can't believe I actually got in, it's unbelievable!

'I missed the phone call five times, so I was the last baker they notified.'

A fun new trailer for the hotly-anticipated next instalment launched on Channel 4 earlier this month ahead of the show's return on Tuesday.

The trailer viewers were invited into an animated world which reflects the warmth and inspiration that The Great British Bake Off brings to its army of fans.

Representing the sweet relief Bake Off season brings, hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond - in animated form as a cowboy boot wearing butterfly and leopard print clad Queen Bee, respectively - fly audiences from a stormy, angry sky into a bright and colourful joyful world of baked goods.

Animated Alison and Noel fly towards the iconic Bake Off tent, passing jammy dodger flowers, chocolate log trees, iconic showstopping bakes from past series, all set against an idyllic backdrop of beautiful matte-paintings.

A fun new trailer for the hotly-anticipated next instalment launched on Channel 4 earlier this month ahead of the show's return on Tuesday

Judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will return to the show to cast a watchful eye over all baking goings on, as Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond host

The trailer featured a very special guest appearance from a much-loved caterpillar, and pays homage to judges Paul and Prue, whose names are carved into an animated tree.

It was developed by Channel 4's in-house award-winning creative agency 4creative along with Nexus.

Lex Down, Deputy Executive Creative Director, 4creative at Channel 4 said: 'The Great British Bake Off is comfort telly at its best. We wanted our campaign to reflect this and deliver its own slice of cakey warmth and joy.

'We created pin badges adorned with bright baking illustrations and messages of positivity, and in a Great British Bake Off first created a fully animated world rich with detail that reveals different delights with each watch.

'Set to the smooth voice of Sammy Davis Jnr singing Sweet Gingerbread Man and with Noel and Alison as our metamorphosed guides, we hope to transport young and old, baking fans or not, to a place where the worst that might happen is a collapsing cake. Flour Power indeed.'

Judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will return to the show to cast a watchful eye over all baking goings on.
Countryfile fans were left bewildered by host Anita Rani's recent 'wild' outfit while presenting the show.

The Bradford-born star, 46, was questioned about her ensemble choice as she presented a segment on hedgehog rescues on the coast of Anglesey in Wales.

As the host recommended poorly hogs be put in a box with a hot water bottle to keep them warm and was busy chatting to experts, fans instead were distracted by something else.

In a visible attempt to bundle up against the chilly and windy weather, Anita was seen wrapping up in multiple jackets.

She sported a beige raincoat with a buttoned-up denim jacket underneath, adding a thick woollen scarf around her neck - yet it didn't seem enough to protect her from the cold.

Countryfile fans were left bewildered about host Anita Rani's recent 'wild' outfit while presenting the show

The presenter, 46, sported a peach raincoat and a buttoned-up denim jacket underneath, adding a thick woollen scarf around her neck - yet it didn't seem enough to protect her from the cold

Underneath the denim garment, Anita also wore black puffer vest, on top of an orange hoodie - tucking her hands inside the vest.

Viewers were left perplexed and raced to X - formerly Twitter - to comment the 'unusual' look of Anita, writing:

'Who the hell dressed Anita? #countryfile';

'I actually can't decide how many coats she's wearing. Is it three? Or two?'

'What is the #Countryfile presenter wearing? I actually love it but nothing matches haha!';

'Far out Anita!'

Earlier this month, Countryfile viewers were left seriously distracted by a star's appearance as they fumed 'make your mind up!' just minutes into the latest episode.

Presenters Matt Baker and Charlotte Smith explored Salisbury Plain.

The show hosts visited the area, which is one of Britain's most expansive military training zones, to investigate the synergy the Ministry of Defence maintains with the terrain under its supervision.

With special authorisation, they explored the Ministry's approach to agricultural and environmental conservation efforts.

Underneath the denim garment, Anita also wore black puffer vest, on top of an orange hoodie - tucking her hands inside the vest

But when Charlotte spoke to Warrant Officer Class 1 Jeff Elson, viewers were left baffled by his choice of clothing.

Appearing on TV, the WO1 opted to wear a military camouflaged uniform which he paired with a hi-vis vest.

Flocking to social media, viewers of the show shared how the outfit choice left them baffled and confused.

One penned: 'Make your mind up! Do you want to be seen or not? #countryfile'

'Soldier on countryfile wearing camouflage gear under a Hi Vis vest.'

'Solider wearing camouflage and Hi Vis vest.'

Earlier this month, Countryfile viewers were left distracted by a star's appearance as they fumed when presenters Matt Baker and Charlotte Smith explored Salisbury Plain

But when Charlotte spoke to Officer Class 1 Jeff Elson, viewers were left baffled by his choice of clothing - he opted to wear a military camouflaged uniform which he paired with a hi vis vest

Fans of the show have ripped into the show's 'sad and terrible' slaughter scenes as they branded Adam Henson 'mealy-mouthed' for glossing over animal deaths

Flocking to social media, viewers of the show shared how the outfit choice left them baffled and confused

'Can't get my head around this soldier's get-up on Countryfile.'

The confusing scenes came just a week after fans slammed the show for their 'sad and terrible' slaughter scenes.

Viewers branded Adam Henson 'mealy-mouthed' for glossing over animal deaths.
Noel Fielding has admitted what makes him 'absolutely livid' on The Great British Bake Off set - and it includes Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

The presenter, 51, his co-star Alison Hammond, 49, and the judges will return to screens this week with a whole host of fresh new contestants for series 15.

Noel has revealed that he's just as passionate about the programme as ever, and he feels particularly 'protective' over this year's bakers.

Recalling how he was reduced to tears when he was tasked with sending one of them home, the TV personality made an admission.

In an interview with The Guardian he said: 'There are some very special bakers in the tent this year. Somehow the standard keeps getting higher.'

Noel Fielding has admitted what makes him 'absolutely livid' on The Great British Bake Off set - and it includes Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith

The presenter, 51, his co-star Alison Hammond, 49, and the judges (Paul and Prue pictured) will return to screens this week with a whole host of fresh new contestants for series 15

Noel continued: 'These unbelievable young bakers are way better than they should be for their age. Its a vintage year. One of the best yet.

'Im fascinated by the people. I feel protective of them. If Paul and Prue are hard on them, Im absolutely livid. Its devastating when they leave. This year I was particularly fond of one baker. When I had to send them home, I cried.'

One of the new hopefuls is future dentistry student Sumayah, 19, this year's youngest baker, who began by dedicating her first showstopper to a very special animal - her pet duck Pato.

In a first look clip at episode one of the new series, airing on Tuesday, Sumayah shows off her showstopper illusion cake and sheds light on its inspiration.

The student-to-be, who is taking to the tent amid her gap year, replicates her pet duck Pato as she bakes an orange and balsamic strawberry cake.

'My cake is my pet duck,' she tells presenter Noel . 'We hatched him from an egg in like 2018. He goes missing sometimes, if he's ever missing contact me!'

In a mock up of Sumayah's 'Pato the Duck' illusion cake, Noel narrates: 'Built from orange sponge, Sumayah's feathered friend will contain layers of orange buttercream ad balsamic strawberries.'

'You've got a pet duck, what's he called?' Noel asks the young baker, to which she replies: 'Yeah Pato, it's Spanish for duck.'

One of the new hopefuls on this year's Great British Bake Off is future dentistry student Sumayah, 19, who began by dedicating her first showstopper to her pet duck Pato

In a first look clip at episode one of the new series, airing on Tuesday, Sumayah shows off her showstopper illusion cake and sheds light on its inspiration

'Is he Spanish,' asks Noel, to which Sumayah replies: 'I don't think so.'

Noel continues: 'Does he speak Spanish? Does he quack Spanish? What's your favourite duck, is it the mallard?'

'No my loves are really basic, I like runner ducks,' Sumayah added.

'Weird innit, you ever think about your life and think you'd be in a tent creating the body of a duck out of cake,' Noel says.

The pair burst out laughing before Sumayah jokes: 'I had nightmares.'

This year's youngest contestant, Sumayah decided to fill her gap year with a sugary challenge before heading off to study dentistry next year.

Good at creating things from scratch, Sumayah is also a keen sewer and even makes her own clothes.

The student admitted her audition for the show didn't quite go to plan, yet she had a gut feeling she was destined for the tent.

In a mock up of Sumayah's 'Pato the Duck' illusion cake, Noel narrates: 'Built from orange sponge, Sumayah's feathered friend will contain layers of orange buttercream ad balsamic strawberries'

'Despite my disastrous audition, I had this inexplicable feeling that I would get into the tent,' she explained.

'Not because I was confident in myself, but more a sense of impending fear. I still can't believe I actually got in, it's unbelievable!

'I missed the phone call five times, so I was the last baker they notified.'

A fun new trailer for the hotly-anticipated next instalment launched on Channel 4 earlier this month ahead of the show's return on Tuesday.

The Great British Bake Off kicks off on September 24 at 8pm on Channel 4.
Paddy McGuinnes and Chris Harris stripped naked to shoot some eye-popping sauna scenes for their new BBC series Road Tripping.

The TV presenter, 51, and the professional racing driver, 49, will be delighting fans with their eagerly-anticipated travel series - kicking off on Sunday 29 September on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping will be shown in three parts, and see the duo tackle everything from surfing to trying out rollercoasters, working out in the woods and testing cosmetics as they find out how Europeans make the most of their later years.

The first episode, entitled Sweden, will follow the pair's journey to Sweden as they visit one of the 'healthiest outdoorsy' place on earth.

They quickly plunge straight into mastering the art of the Nordic mindset of friluftsliv, which consists in getting back to nature & embracing the great outdoors.

Paddy McGuinnes (L) and Chris Harris (R) have stripped naked to shoot some eye-popping sauna scenes and also received a bombshell health news as they appeared on their new BBC's Road Tripping

The TV presenter, 51, and the professional racing driver, 49, will be delighting fans with their eagerly-anticipated travel series - set to begin on Sunday 29 September on BBC and BBC iPlayer

Swedes swear by friluftsliv to restore body confidence, calm stress levels, and ultimately improve mental health.

Promising plenty of surprises already in the first episode, the duo will also get on a arduous hike on a remote island, followed by some ice cold swimming across a lake for final reflections and some Swedish fire water' around a fire pit.

The following episode, Greece, investigate how to 'age gracefully, or less dis-gracefully' as they touch down on the Greek rocky Island of Ikaria - named the island of longevity.

One in three Ikarians live well into their 90s, ten years more than most people in the UK and Paddy and Chris are on a mission to find out how.

During the episode, they meet a typical Ikarian family while in the Highland Plateau, who embodies the simple way of life and are set to work earning their self-sufficiency stripes, with Chris milking goats and Paddy set to work putting up fences.

As they whisk off to the southern side of the island, they go fishing with Stavros, a 75-year-old fisherman - who has no plans to ever retire.

Chris and Paddy even enjoyed riding some waves as surfing is a great activity in the island.

For the penultimate day, Paddy challenges himself with rock climbing - but Chris was not one to join him due to his fear of heights.

Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping will be shown in three parts, where they are will go from surfing to trying out rollercoasters, to working out in the woods and even testing cosmetics as they find out how Europeans make the most of their later years

The first episode, entitled 'Sweeden', will follow the pair's journey to Sweden as they visit one of the 'healthiest outdoorsy' place on earth

The following episode, 'Greece', investigate how to 'age gracefully, or less dis-gracefully' as they touch down on the Greek rocky Island of Ikaria - named the island of longevity

On their final day, Chris and Paddy head to the hills on scooters and join one of the islands famous village parties  a Panigiri.

And for their third and final episode, Switzerland, the brave pair headed to explore its multi-million-pound wellness industry.

They travelled to one of the countrys top wellness resorts for a full body MOT to assess how well theyre ageing.

Speaking about his experience on the show, Paddy said: 'Weve really tried to tap into both the traditional and modern methods of living well that is adopted by each of the countries we visit. From Swedish saunas, to milking goats, rock climbing, and even visiting a Gentlemans clinic...you name it and we try it!'

The TV favourite also added the Greek island of Ikaria was so far his favourite place as it allowed him to 'see people leave all the complications of modern day life and technology behind, and just getting out there and enjoying everything life has to offer.

While praising his journey companion, Paddy said: 'I could mention many things about the enigma that is Chris Harris, but alongside all the laughs and banter, we genuinely learn a lot about ourselves and each other on this trip, which has been eye-opening.

'I have also learnt, however, that Chris has terrible taste in music and should never be given control of the car radio again!'

On their final day, Chris and Paddy head to the hills on scooters and join one of the island's famous village parties - a Panigiri

'Weve really tried to tap into both the traditional and modern methods of living well that is adopted by each of the countries we visit. From Swedish saunas, to milking goats, rock climbing, and even visiting a Gentlemans clinic...you name it and we try it!,' said Paddy

Chris added about the experience: 'Ive learnt a lot about my own health during the trip, some of which really shocked me, so Ill definitely be taking forward the advice Ive been given'

Meanwhile racing driver Chris described the experience as a 'deep-dive into the secrets of human longevity'.

'Ive learnt a lot about my own health during the trip, some of which really shocked me, so Ill definitely be taking forward the advice Ive been given.

'Ive also learnt that life is for living, so plan to do plenty of that as well!' Chris added.
Jenna Bush Hager has revealed that her father, George W., recently mocked her in public about the time she was arrested for underage drinking at the age of 20, and described his relentless jabs as a 'roast.'

During Monday's episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna, the mother-of-three was telling her cohost, Hoda Kotb, about her weekend and revealed that she travelled quite a bit and even hung out with her dad and mom Laura.

'I was with my parents, which is always really hilarious because the dynamic... First of all, any moderator that moderates him...,' Jenna began as Hoda, 60, asked: 'Who did moderate?' to which Jenna shouted back: 'Me!'

She then recalled: 'I would give some insight here or there when I felt like I could but other than that, he would be like, "Yeah Jen okay, why don't you tell everybody about the time you were arrested,"' as mother-of-two Hoda burst out laughing.

Jenna, 42, continued: 'It was just a one-hour roast. I would ask questions, he would roast me a little, I would ask a question, a slight roast, and that's what happened - but it was fun and funny.'

Jenna Bush Hager has revealed her father George W. Bush recently mocked her in public about the time she was arrested for underage drinking

Jenna, pictured here with her father in January 2001, claimed the former President was 'roasting' her at a recent event

The former first daughter then revealed: 'And President Obama was there so we got to see him for a little bit, and he was like, "How do you do that? Why do you come and do this?"'

A stunned Hoda asked: 'Wait, President Obama said this to you?' as Jenna replied: 'Yes to me, he must have seen some of the roasting and he said, "This must be hard for you," and I said, "Yes, it is."'

Keen to pay her cohost a compliment, Hoda then said: 'By the way, I have to say, I don't think you've seen a speech until you've seen this girl give a speech because I've been in attendance at some of your speeches.

'She usually walks in going, "I don't know what's going to happen," and then suddenly in 10 seconds, you have a crowd in your hand, you're telling stories, everything's unique and new.'

Jenna admitted: 'You know, I usually just get up there and kind of cry. [It's] just like all sorts of emotions, but it was a lot of fun and I'm happy to be home.'

This certainly isn't the first time that Jenna has mentioned her 2001 arrest on the NBC morning show as last year she accused Today show producers of trying to shame her and her twin sister, Barbara, for their underage drinking.

Back in November 2023, Jenna was hosting the show with her twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, when they played a game called 'First Loves' that wasn't as innocent as it seemed.

Jenna accused her producers of setting her up after they were caught off guard by a question that alluded to their past brush-ups with the law.

Jenna and her twin sister, Barbara, were famously busted for underage drinking during their freshman year of college. The twin sisters are pictured in 2005 with their dad

When Jenna hosted Today with Hoda and Jenna with her sister in November 2003, they were forced to play a game called First Cocktail I Ever Loved

'The first cocktail I ever loved... Wow,' Barbara, who was filling in for Hoda, said.

'I think they're trying to shame us,' Jenna chimed in. 'With our underage drinking, minor possession of alcohol,' as Barbara agreed: 'Yeah, that was rude.'

The Bush twins were famously caught underage drinking during their freshman year of college in 2001, just months after their father was sworn into office as President.

Both women have been candid about being busted for underage drinking and even wrote about it in their 2017 memoir, Sisters First.

Jenna was a freshman at The University of Texas at Austin when she was first picked up by police for drinking a beer in a club in April of 2001 and pleaded no contest to a charge of possessing alcohol underage that same month.

She was ordered to pay $51.25 in court costs while serving eight hours of community service, and she also had to attend an alcohol awareness class.

The next month, Barbara, who was a student at Yale University, was visiting Jenna in Austin when they were arrested for attempting to purchase alcohol at Chuy's, a Mexican chain restaurant.

That came after the manager notified authorities from the restaurant to report that a group of individuals who did not look 21 were ordering alcoholic beverages.
The View hosts left fans divided on Monday as they debated the 'conflict of interest' surrounding the alleged affair between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and New York magazine journalist Olivia Nuzzi.

Washington correspondent Nuzzi, 31, recently admitted that 'the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal,' in a statement to DailyMail.com, and has recently been placed on leave.

Alyssa Farah Griffin fiercely defended her 'friend' Nuzzi and said that although she doesn't agree with what the reporter did, she thinks she will 'acknowledge it and take responsibility.'

Griffin's cohost Ana Navarro branded RFK Jr., 70, a 'dog and a h**' but claimed that Nuzzi's behavior was 'unethical' and stressed that the issue is the 'conflict of interest' because she was 'covering the presidential campaign while writing pieces.'

Both Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin questioned why the backlash was 'falling' on just Nuzzi, and not both of them - but their comments left viewers at home divided as they took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.

Alyssa Farah Griffin (right) defended her 'friend' Olivia Nuzzi during Monday's episode of The View

It has been reported that Nuzzi allegedly 'sent demure nudes of herself to RFK Jr. during their sexting affair'

Addressing Griffin, 35, directly, one person commented: 'Sorry, Alyssa, I disagree (shocker right?). RFK is a known cheater. And Olivia Nuzzi was unethical in covering the campaign.'

Another person posted: 'Waking up to AFG caping for Olivia Nuzzi doesn't surprise me one bit, but calling her a "world-class journalist" is a REACH reach, wouldn't you say, Lyss?'

A third person argued: 'FRFK and Olivia Nuzzi. They both knew better,' and a fourth added: 'The amount of hate for men at this table is astonishing. I don't think RFK Jr. is a victim, but neither is Nuzzi.'

Someone else fumed: 'Nuzzi is supposed to be a journalist. That's why she is being held to a higher standard. She is 31! She's GROWN AF. Why are [white circle emoji] women allowed to be infantilized until menopause? She wrote hit pieces on Biden while engaging in this behavior with RFK, Jr.'

A different user on X argued: 'If you send unsolicited thirst trap pictures/videos to a married man, you are as much to blame as he is for accepting them and not blocking you. It takes two to tango.'

Goldberg, 68, began the discussion during Monday's show and said: 'The question really is, why is all the fallout hitting her and not him?' as Hostin, 55, explained that it had been reported that Nuzzi 'allegedly sent demure nudes of herself to RFK Jr. during their sexting affair.'

'I also don't understand why it's all falling on her. She's 31-years-old, she's a young reporter - from what I understand, she's a fantastic reporter,' Hostin added.

Griffin was quick to speak up and said: 'I actually consider her a friend, she was really there for me in a part of my life when she didn't need to be. I'd also say she's a world class journalist, she's young but she's considered one of the best profile writers.

Ana Navarro branded RFK Jr. 'dog and a h**' and claimed that Nuzzi 'had a lot more to lose'

One person on X claimed that both RFK Jr. and Nuzzi 'knew better'

Another viewer said they disagreed with what Alyssa Farah Griffin had said

Someone else insinuated there was a lot of 'hate for men' at The View table on Monday

'That piece she wrote on RFK was scathing. I don't agree with what she did [and] I think she will acknowledge it and take responsibility.'

The former White House aide continued: 'But every time I see a headline that says, "Olivia Nuzzi scandal," no, "RFK scandal." A former presidential candidate who is married for, I wanna say, the third time, who engaged in this, who's now a top surrogate to the Republican nominee for President, but it goes back to just this sexism that we fall into.

'The reality is this, people want to make money in this business. If you put up a picture of Olivia, more people are clicking than if you put up a picture of this man. I think that men need to bear a little more responsibility in this, it's so predictable.

'And finally, I don't believe in cancel culture. I think she is a person who has cut her teeth in this industry. She unquestionably made a mistake, but I think if she takes responsibility, she should absolutely have a comeback.'

Navarro then chimed in and said: 'Look, I think the reason she's paying more consequences is because RFK, I think everybody knows by now, is a dog and a h**. It's kind of like with Donald Trump, it's baked in.

'He's had a long, long record of philandering for many decades, his wife knows it and seems to be okay with it, so like, what are the consequences for him? The truth is, Olivia - who I also know and think is extremely talented - had a lot more to lose in this, and she is losing it.'

Griffin described Nuzzi as a 'world class journalist' but said she doesn't agree with what she did

Nuzzi and Ryan Lizza, who got engaged in 2022, attend the CBS News White House Correspondents' Dinner After Party on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC

She continued: 'The magazine right now is conducting a review and an investigation of the situation. It was unethical and it kind of now puts all her writings in a different perspective and they're going through them with a fine tooth comb to see if they see any conflict of interest.

'The issue here is the conflict of interest. That she was covering the presidential campaign while writing pieces and the question is, because she was having this relationship, is there a conflict of interest? If not for that, listen, you can be freaky, you can send pictures, you can do whatever you want - just not if there's a conflict of interest in your job.'

Last week it was revealed that New York magazine had placed Nuzzi on leave following her alleged affair with RFK Jr. that reportedly began when she visited his $7 million California home to write a feature article.

While Nuzzi confirmed that 'the nature of some communication' had 'turned personal,' she said that the relationship was never physical.

Her editors confirmed that the other party was a 'former subject relevant to the 2024 campaign.'

Status reported that the affair was with the former presidential hopeful, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines.

RFK Jr. has insisted he only met the political journalist once when she did a profile on him last year.

'Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece,' his spokesman told CNN. A source added that the nature of the relationship was 'emotional and digital in nature, not physical.'
90 Day Fiance star 'Big' Ed Brown is a single man once more after calling off his engagement to 29-year-old Porscha Raemond - after proposing just 24 hours after their first meeting.

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 last weekend - and less than a day later, while at dinner, Big Ed decided to propose using a paperclip.

This came just months after he opened up about his regret over dumping Liz Woods.

However the romance was not to be as Ed announced the engagement was off in a heartbreaking social media post on Monday - lamenting that 'love is a crazy thing.'

He wrote: 'After deep reflection and discussions with those closest to [him]he decided to rescind the proposal - as he realized he was 'rushing into this decision' which he branded 'very impulsive.'

90 Day Fiance star 'Big' Ed Brown is a single man once more after calling off his engagement to 29-year-old Porscha Raemond - after proposing just 24 hours after their first meeting

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

'I have nothing but respect and love for Porscha and I wish her the best moving forward. Thanks, as always, for sticking by me.'

Despite the unconventional proposal, sources told 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.'

However the romance was not to be as Ed announced the engagement was off in a heartbreaking social media post on Monday

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.
It has been forty-five years since she shot to fame running down a Mexican beach sporting a dark golden tan, wearing a shimmering gold one-piece bathing suit and her hair in beaded cornrows.

Only 23 years old at the time, she was heralded by fans and the media around the world as the 'perfect woman,' with her high cheekbones, symmetrical face, sky-blue eyes, and stunning figure.

Almost five decades later, the petite blonde, donning a green flowered blouse, white linen pants and canvas sneakers, and dark sunglasses, went completely unnoticed earlier this month as she patiently waited for her salad at Field + Fort cafe in Summerland, California.

Can you guess who it is?

Nearly five decades after becoming a Hollywood icon, this actress went virtually unnoticed while shopping in Summerland, California last weekend

Now 67, the film star has aged gracefully and appeared fit and healthy during the outing

Still as gorgeous as ever at 67, Hollywood veteran Bo Derek appeared to relish her anonymity.

She observed as other customers stood in line near her to order their food, smiling at their dogs, and seemed to enjoy just people watching.

Bo was what Summerland and Montecito locals call an 'extreme heat refugee' from the nearby Santa Ynez Valley where she lives with second husband John Corbett, 63, on a 10.5 acre ranch.

On the day, temperatures in Santa Ynez reached a stifling 109F degrees, so it's no wonder she and a girlfriend hopped in her car and headed 36 miles south to Summerland, which sits along the coast just south of Montecito and is at least 25-30 degrees cooler in the summer.

'Ah, I just love that ocean breeze', Bo was overheard telling her friend and lifting her famous face up to take a deep breath.

After lunch the two popped into the retail section of Field + Fort where Bo was seen checking out the Flamingo Estates section which stocks books, candles, soaps and lotions.

They were later seen visiting nearby Mary Suding Antiques on Lillie Avenue.

Derek, now 67, shot to fame running down a Mexican beach sporting a dark golden tan, wearing a shimmering gold one-piece bathing suit and her hair in beaded cornrows in the 1979 movie 10

After the worldwide success of 10, Dudley Moore went on get an Oscar nomination for his next movie, Arthur

The petite blonde looked as fit and fab as ever, donning a green flowered blouse, white linen pants and canvas sneakers, and dark sunglasses

Derek enjoyed a refreshing salad at Field + Fort cafe in Summerland, California Saturday

A new pop-up clothing store at The Big Yellow House in Summerland caught their attention with its colorful display of goods near the parking lot.

Bo was seen checking out a bright pink floral silk robe on a clothing rack she later purchased.

Then it was on to the famous Summerland Antique Collective that has a large celebrity clientele and is a favorite of Oprah Winfrey.

An outdoor furniture set made of teak caught Bo's attention and she was seen leaning over to check out the price.

The two friends spent over an hour before leaving and heading off towards Santa Barbara.

Bo shot to fame in the 1979 movie 10 opposite Dudley Moore, whose character becomes obsessed with her after seeing her at her wedding and follows her and her new husband to Mexico.

The movie's title refers to Moore's rating of Derek's looks on a scale of one to 10.

And Bo has pretty much kept that rating as she got older, choosing to forgo plastic surgery and age naturally.

A new pop-up clothing store at The Big Yellow House in Summerland caught their attention with its colorful display of goods near the parking lot

Bo was seen checking out a bright pink floral silk robe on a clothing rack she later purchased

She told Closer magazine in 2018: 'There is a certain expectation [to look young].

'I get credit on one hand for not having a facelift, and then, on the other hand, it's "Oh my God, why doesn't she do something?"

'So you're just torn. I just have to keep busy, have other interests, and try not to think about it.'

She said she enjoys her life with Sex and The City actor Corbett on their 'Cliff Manor' ranch in Santa Ynez: 'We have a beautiful home with horses and dogs.'

Bo keeps her 5'3' frame fit not by going to the gym but by swimming and just doing work around the ranch, she says.

Derek and second husband John Corbett , 63, currently live in Santa Ynez Valley on a 10.5 acre ranch

She was renamed 'Bo' by her first husband, actor and director John Derek (right)  thirty years her senior  whom she met at the age of 16. They were married until his death in 1998

'We don't have help,' she told Oprah Winfrey in 2011. 'I like the chores. I'd rather clean stalls than do exercises in front of a mirror!'

Bo was born Mary Cathleen Collins in Long Beach, California, and was stunning from the get-go, working as a child model.

She was renamed 'Bo' by her first husband, actor and director John Derekthirty years her senior - whom she met at the age of 16, and married at 18 in 1976.

John Derek passed away at the age of 71 in 1998 from heart failure.

She met current spouse John Corbett in 2002 and they wed in 2020.
Louis Emerick thinks there is a 'stigma' surrounding soap actors.

The TV star, 64, made his name playing Mick Johnson on Channel 4's now-defunct serial Brookside in the 1990s and later appeared on Coronation Street and Doctors.

But he has now hit out at critics of the genre as he claimed that continuing dramas do not always get the praise they deserve.

He told The Daily Star Sunday: 'Soap actors are underestimated. There is still a stigma.

'But some of the scenes you get on a soap wouldn't look out of place on a drama. Look at the stuff they are doing now.

Louis Emerick thinks there is a 'stigma' surrounding soap actors and has called for others to realise just how 'fantastic' their performances really are

The TV star, 64, made his name playing Mick Johnson on Channel 4 's now-defunct serial Brookside in the 1990s (pictured alongside his co-star Kate Beckett as stalker Jenny Swift)

'If some of those storylines were on a drama, people would be saying, "That's fantastic". But because they're on soaps, people don't make enough fuss.'

Louis worked alongside esteemed performers Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston, future stars of the BBC sitcom The Royle Family, on Brookside and insisted that things 'don't get better' than that sort of talent.

He said: 'When soaps do things well it's as good and as powerful and as relevant as anything that's on other shows.

'When I was at 'Brookside' we had Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson in the cast. It doesn't get better than that.'

Louis has also appeared in Casualty and Holby City over the years and believes that the only two he has yet to conquer are ITV's Yorkshire-based Emmerdale and the BBC flagship EastEnders.

He said: 'I think the only soaps I haven't been in are Emmerdale and EastEnders.

'Being in so many of them isn't something I planned.'

During his time on Brookside, Louis' character became the the victim of racial abuse and suffered a steroid addiction.

He first appeared on Coronation Street in 1984 as a van driver and then returned to the country's longest-running TV soap in 2018 to play the old school teacher of Steve McDonald

Aside from starring in many of the nation's soaps, Louis has appeared on a host of other programmes (pictured in 2005 impersonating Lionel Richie on Stars In Their Eyes)

He even appeared opposite Daniel Craig (left) in the 2004 film Layer Cake as Liverpool gangster Trevor

Away from the soaps, Louis has had a varied on-screen career having impersonated Lionel Richie on Stars In Their Eyes in 2005 and prior to that he appeared opposite James Bond star Daniel Craig in Layer Cake.

But he insisted that he 'never meant' to become a soap actor as such, and he just wants to work on projects that inspire him.

He added: 'First and foremost I'm an actor for hire. I want to be working and I want to be in something that's good.

'I want to find something that keeps the creative juices flowing and makes me want to go to work in the morning. Soaps tick that box and I've been fortunate enough to be in so many of them.'
Bruce Willis made a rare public appearance in Brentwood on Sunday as the beloved actor continues his ongoing battle with aphasia and dementia.

The Pulp Fiction star, 69, was seen in the passenger seat of a vehicle cruising through the upscale Los Angeles neighborhood.

Dressed in a light blue jacket over a striped collared shirt, Willis appeared slightly weary as he gazed out the window.

This sighting comes just weeks after his daughter, Rumer, shared a positive health update, reassuring fans that the iconic actor has been doing 'great.'

; and Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 30, with ex-wife Demi Moore, 61.

Bruce Willis made a rare public appearance in Brentwood on Sunday as the beloved actor continues his ongoing battle with aphasia and dementia

The Pulp Fiction star, 69, was seen in the passenger seat of a vehicle cruising through the upscale Los Angeles neighborhood

The Sixth Sense actor is father to five daughters: Mabel Ray, 12, and Evelyn, 10, with wife Emma Heming Willis, 46

In the August post, Rumer shared an image of herself holding her father's hand while answering a question about how the actor has been doing amid his health woes.

Rumer said, 'He is great. I love him so much. Thank you.'

This come after Demi shared an update on Bruces health, revealing that he is 'in a stable place.'

The actress, who stars in the upcoming body horror film The Substance, appeared on the a recent episode of The Drew Barrymore Show.

Reflecting on her relationship with the Die Hard actor, whom she was married to from 1987 to 2000, Moore stated, Given the givens, he is in a stable place.'

In May, Rumer said on the Today show that her father had been doing 'good' and was bonding with her one-year-old daughter Louetta, who she shares with ex Derek Richard Thomas.

'I actually got to see him right before I came out' to New York, she said, and 'Lou is just starting to walk a little bit, and she was walking over to him, and it was so sweet.

'Its so nice because I feel like my dad is just like - hes a girl dad, through and through. It almost unlocks that kind of little-kid, girl-dad thing. Hes so sweet with her.'

In May, Dailymail.com reported that the actor had been fighting the incurable disease since around spring of 2022; Bruce seen in April 2019

'He is great,' she wrote alongside a sweet snap of her holding the Pulp Fiction star's hand. 'I love him so much. Thank you'

Rumer in the appearance said that she and her relatives have been forthcoming about the family health issue in hopes of spreading awareness to others in a similar circumstance.

'Our vulnerability and transparency as a family about what hes going through to me is so important,' she said, 'because if it can have any impact on another family that is struggling in any way with something like this, or bring more attention to the disease in hopes of finding a cure or anything that can be of service to anybody else, I think is really important.'

In May, Dailymail.com reported that the actor had been fighting the incurable disease since around spring of 2022.

FTD is different from the more well-known type of dementia, Alzheimer's disease. But unlike Alzheimer's, memory is not the first to go.

Aphasia - difficulty speaking and putting thoughts into words - is the first symptom for most. Willis has been struggling with this for two years.

FTD also warps people's personalities, as it affects the region of the brain responsible for mood regulation, prompting sudden violent outbursts, inappropriateness in public, a lack of self-awareness, and anxiety.

People with FTD typically die within about eight to 10 years of being diagnosed. About 80 percent of FTD patients experiencing behavioral changes are deceased by the eight year mark of their diagnosis.

Bruce's daughter Tallulah said in November 2023 on the Drew Barrymore Show, 'I see love when I'm with him, and it's my dad, and he loves me.

'Playing music... and sitting in that and this energy of love, it's really special.'

Demi Moore has urged the families of dementia sufferers to 'let go of' the person they used to be after her ex-husband Bruce's diagnosis (pictured with daughter Tallulah)

Bruce's daughter Tallulah, one of three he shares with ex-wife Demi, said in November 2023 on the Drew Barrymore Show, 'I see love when I'm with him, and it's my dad, and he loves me; Rumer, Demi, Bruce, Scout, Emma and Tallulah seen in September 2019

With his resources, Willis has access to top-tier medical care, ensuring he receives continuous monitoring to prevent serious falls or infections, along with specialized support from a neurologist to track the progression of his condition.

Willis began his Hollywood journey at 24 with a role in The First Deadly Sin. Since then, he has starred in a diverse range of films, including Armageddon, Tears of the Sun, Surrogates, and Perfect Stranger.

Originally from Germany, Willis has appeared in over 117 films and made his Broadway debut in 2015, performing in William Goldmans adaptation of Stephen Kings Misery.

A highly celebrated actor, he has received a Golden Globe Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two People's Choice Awards throughout his illustrious career.
Just over one month after announcing their engagement, Kaley Cuoco revealed that she and her fiance Tom Pelphrey are in no rush to walk down the aisle.

The actress went on to share how they 'haven't started planning anything yet', in terms of their wedding plans, and that they may welcome another baby before sharing their nuptials.

'We're gonna go way out of order. That's our plan,' the former Big Bang Theory star joked with People of their plan to grow their family beyond daughter Matilda and their four beloved dogs.

'I have four dogs now, and a [one-year-old baby], and a Tom  it's a lot,' she added, all while laughing at the mention of Pelphrey, who she has been engaged to since August.

Kaley Cuoco, 38, revealed she and Tom Pelphrey, 42, 'haven't started planning anything yet', in terms of their wedding plans, and that they may welcome baby number two before their sharing their nuptials

Cuoco, 38, proceeded to share about how she's going to put the brakes on, just a bit, and enjoy being a fiancee for a while.

The Camarillo, California native went on to compare the seemingly never-ending questions about wedding planning to the whirlwind after the birth of Matilda.

'The minute I had my baby, they're like, "When's your second one?" I'm like, "Oh my God, is anyone gonna just let me just enjoy this?"' she said of the two big events in her life.

Keeping things hectic, in the best of ways, the first-time parents are staying busy trying to keep up with their little girl now that she's mobile.

'She is running around. She is screaming. She eats everything. She loves being outside. She loves her dad,' she said of Matilda, before dishing on some of her baby's interests. 'She's kind of like a boy. She loves airplanes and monster trucks, helicopters. Anything in the sky she thinks is the most amazing thing.'

Cuoco then quickly added, 'And she loves horses, so that's great.'

Cuoco and Pelphrey were first introduced to each other through manager Andrea Pett-Joseph, who set them up to meet at an Ozark premiere in April 2022.

'I heard his voice, and I turned around, and it was like my life was over, or just starting,' the 8 Simple Rules star told USA Today in an interview the following month. 'It hit me. It was love at first sight.'

Cuoco shared a photo of her daughter, who she described as being a 'multitasker like her mom' in an Instagram Stories post on Sunday

Cuoco declared, 'Sunday fun day,' along with a photo of Pelphrey on a swing with his daughter

'I have four dogs now, and a [one-year-old baby], and a Tom  it's a lot,' the Big Bang Theory alum told People during the interview

The fourth and most recent addition to her four-legged family is Dolly, who the actress introduced to her 7.9 million Instagram fans and followers in mid-June

She added.'We were immediately connected. I do feel like I've known him my whole life, but I wasn't ready for him,' she thought at the time.

Considering Pelphrey played the role of Ben Davis on the acclaimed hit series for Netflix, which ran for four seasons and starred Jason Bateman, Laura Linney and Julia Garner, the actor was on his home turf for their first meeting.

Seven months before being introduced to her future baby daddy, Cuoco had just filed for divorce from her second ex-husband, Karl Cook, which was in September 2021, after three years of marriage.

Cuoco had also been previously married to Ryan Sweeting for about three years, from 2013 through until the divorced was finalized in 2016.

'We're gonna go way out of order. That's our plan,' the first-time mom joked with People of their plan to grow their family beyond daughter Matilda and their four beloved dogs, which was just over a month after announcing their engagement in August

The couple were introduced to each other at an Ozark premiere by manager Andrea Pett-Joseph in April 2022; they are seen on September 12 in West Hollywood

Ultimately, Cuoco and Pelphrey went public and announced their engagement on Instagram Stories on August 15, with a photo of the soon-to-be bride flashing her engagement ring, which she dubbed, 'Amazing weekend.'

That romantic moment happened more than two years after the The Flight Attendant actress confirmed her romance with the Ozark star on Instagram in May 2022.

Along with Ozark (2020-2022), Pelphrey's Hollywood resume includes Guiding Light (2004-2009), As the World Turns (2009-2020), Banshee (2015-2016), Iron Fist (2017-2018), Outer Range (2022-2024), and the miniseries A Man In Full (2024).

The Howell, New Jersey native has been working all summer on an untitled crime-drama series for HBO that also stars Mark Ruffalo, Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Raul Castillo, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Fabien Frankel, and Alison Oliver.
Paris Hilton helped her pal Nicole Richie ring in her 43rd birthday at her star-studded party this Saturday.

The heiress, 43, shared a number of glamorous snaps with her Simple Life co-star  who will star alongside her in the new reboot of the show  and well as Nicole's sister Sofia Richie, 26.

'So much fun celebrating with my Virgo Queens @NicoleRichie & @SofiaGrainge! Loves it Happy Birthday Nicole!' Paris wrote in the caption, adding the hashtags #VirgoFest  and #SlivingMoms.

One photo showed the birthday girl with her arms wrapped around Paris and Sofia, with the trio all wearing 'Virgo Baby' tiaras.

Nicole's birthday falls on September 21, while Sofia's is on August 24, making them both Virgos.

Paris Hilton, 43, helped her pal Nicole Richie ring in her 43rd birthday at her star-studded party this Saturday, where they were joined by Nicole's sister Sofia Richie, 26

The heiress shared a number of glamorous snaps of her Simple Life co-star, with whom she's been spotted shooting the new reboot of the show this year

'So much fun celebrating with my Virgo Queens @NicoleRichie & @SofiaGrainge! Loves it Happy Birthday Nicole!' Paris wrote in the caption

Nicole looked incredible in a silk gold slip dress for the occasion, with her blonde tresses styled straight.

She accessorized with a gold cuff, retailing for $235, from her House Of Harlow 1960 collection.

Meanwhile Paris opted for a long-sleeve black dress with sheer panels that showed off her toned midriff.

She paired the outfit with a beaded choker necklace, and black cat eye sunglasses.

Sofia looked chic as ever in a plaid top with classic black slacks.

Another black and white snap showed Paris and Nicole mingling at the bash, with Nicole holding a drink in her hand.

In other snaps they were joined by fashion stylists Jamie Mizrahi and Liat Baruch.

Sofia commented on the post, 'Love you so much sis !!!'

Nicole's birthday falls on September 21, while Sofia's is on August 24, making them both Virgos

In other snaps they were joined by fashion stylists Jamie Mizrahi and Liat Baruch

Sofia commented on the post, 'Love you so much sis !!!'

Nicole also shared a number of snaps from the bash

One photo saw her posing with stylist Shiona Turini, who stunned in a black leather ensemble

There was also a short clip of her dancing with a pal next to her birthday cake

She cozied up to a friend

She posed for a group photo

Nicole looked incredible in a silk gold slip dress for the occasion, with her blonde tresses styled straight

She added a polaroid snap to her carousel of photos

Nicole appeared to have a blast at her bash

Paris wrote in a comment, 'Happy Birthday sis! Love you to the moon and back! Sanasaaaaaa'

Nicole also shared a number of snaps from the bash.

One photo saw her posing with stylist Shiona Turini, who stunned in a black leather ensemble.

There was also a short clip of her dancing with a pal next to her birthday cake.

Paris wrote in a comment, 'Happy Birthday sis! Love you to the moon and back! Sanasaaaaaa.'

Paris also shared a video tribute to Nicole on Saturday, posting a number of clips of the pair.

Paris said in a voiceover in the clip: 'Nicole and I are having so much fun together. It feels like we're teenagers again every time that were together. Its just laughing every second.'

'Happy Birthday to the Bill to my Sill, @NicoleRichie! So many unforgettable memories together Cant wait everyone to see what were up to next  Love you, sis! #Sanasa,' she wrote in the caption.

One clip showed Paris and Nicole in glamorous black gowns in front of a movie theater. Another was a video of them looking glamorous as ever at the airport.

They also shared a funny moment when they simultaneously put on their sunglasses.

Paris added in some throwback clips from the original Simple Life show.

Another saw them in mini dresses holding drinks from Sonic Drive-In, where they were recently spotted shooting scenes for their new Simple Life reboot series.

Paris also shared a video tribute to Nicole on Saturday, posting a number of clips of the pair

'Happy Birthday to the Bill to my Sill, @NicoleRichie! So many unforgettable memories together Cant wait everyone to see what were up to next  Love you, sis! #Sanasa,' she wrote

One clip saw them in mini dresses holding drinks from Sonic Drive-In, where they were recently spotted shooting scenes for their new Simple Life series

Another was a video of them looking glamorous as ever at the airport

They shared a funny moment when they simultaneously put on their sunglasses

Paris added in some throwback clips from the original Simple Life show. The duo have been shooting The Simple Life reboot series this year, though there is no air date as of yet

'Love you sill,' Nicole write back, adding three black heart emojis

'Love you sill,' Nicole write back, adding three black heart emojis.

Richie has been shooting The Simple Life reboot series with Hilton this year.

The new reality show is expected to premiere on Peacock, but there is no air date as of yet.

The duo  who have been friends since childhood  became household names over 20 years ago, after starring on The Simple Life for a total of 5 seasons, from 2003 to 2007. The series aired between FOX and E!.

The show's premise revolved around taking the two rich socialites out of their comfort zones and putting them in everyday working-class situations, creating culture clash comedy.

The socialites were seen taking on laborious jobs like cleaning, doing farm work, and food service.
Rachael Finch has served fruit platters at her daughter's birthday party after banning sugar for her children.

The model and TV personality, 36, took to Instagram on Sunday to share snippets from her daughter Violet's 11th birthday.

The party involved a workshop where invitees would learn how to make pasta from scratch.

But instead of lollies, party pies, and other common kids party snacks, the former Miss Universe Australia placed several platters of fruit for guests to eat.

Rachael often documents the healthy, low-carb meals she prepares for her daughter Violet, and son Dominic, seven, on Instagram, where she has over 321,000 followers.

The TV host is extremely passionate about health and rarely allows her children to eat processed or sugary foods.

She has said her daughter Violet didn't know what sugar tasted like until she was over the age of three, and once said she would prepare healthy meals for her kids before children's parties to avoid them tucking into 'hot chips, nuggets [and] lollies'.

She was recently branded an 'almond mum' and accused of 'endangering' her kids after sharing a video of herself making them 'naked burgers' using lettuce cups instead of bread rolls.

Rachael Finch (pictured) has served fruit platters at her daughter's birthday party after banning sugar for her children. The model and TV personality, 36, took to Instagram on Sunday to share snippets from her daughter Violet's 11th birthday

The party involved a workshop where the invitees would learn how to make pasta from scratch

'Almond mum' is a pejorative term for a mother who pushes disordered and unhealthy eating habits on her children. It is often used to refer to parents who are 'obsessed' with nutrition.

A fired-up Finch said the baseless accusation was frankly 'hilarious'.

Sharing a photo of herself cuddling up to her two children, whom she shares with her dancer husband Michael Miziner, Finch wrote: 'Someone officially labeled me an "almond mum" this week.

But instead of lollies, party pies, and other common kids party snacks, the former Miss Universe Australia placed several platters of fruit for guests to eat

Her kids were later seen tucking into their pasta dishes prepared from scratch

'Definition according to Google: "A parent who follows incredibly strict or dangerously unhealthy eating habits and attempts to force them on their children."

'This was because I made naked burgers for dinner (meat patty and veggies wrapped in a lettuce cup).

'Whilst it's downright nasty, it's also absurdly hilarious. I've become a pro at emotionally responding to these comments now.

The TV host is extremely passionate about health and rarely allows her children to eat processed or sugary foods

'I've had a giggle with a lot of you on what type of mum you would be if you were labelled by a food. Comment what type of food mum you would be?'

Several of Finch's followers agreed 'almond mum' was an unfair label.

One commented: 'I wish my kids happily ate what yours do! Such an inspiration to a healthy lifestyle and teaching your children wonderful habits.'

Another wrote: 'Oh, my goodness. I have no words.'

Rachael has amassed over 321,000 followers on Instagram by sharing her healthy lifestyle that includes yoga, meditation and plenty of healthy recipes.
Macklemore chanted 'f*** America' on Saturday while performing in Seattle at a charity festival to benefit Palestinian refugees.

The 41-year-old Seattle native hit the stage at the Palestine Will Live Forever Festival in support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees and encouraged people to 'straight up' join the chant, according to an article on Sunday by TMZ.

The rapper told the audience he wasn't going to stop them if they did and then said, 'F*** America' as the audience erupted into cheers.

Macklemore, real name Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, has been highly critical of United States foreign policy as the war between Israel and Hamas has intensified.

He released a protest song in May 2024 titled Hind's Hall in support of the 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses.

Macklemore, shown in September 2023 in Germany, chanted 'f*** America' on Saturday while performing in Seattle at a charity festival to benefit Palestinian refugees

All proceeds from Hinds Hall will be donated towards UNRWA.

The Grammy-winning rapper in the protest song was critical of US President Joe Biden for providing military support to Israel.

He said in his song: 'The blood is on your hands Biden, we can see it all. And f*** no, I'm not voting for you in the fall.'

The rapper, best known for his pro-LGBTQ+ rights song Same Love, also called out the music industry for being 'complicit in their platform of silence.'

The video accompanying the song intersperses his lyrics with clips of protests across American colleges, which experienced a surge of clashed between protesters and campus police.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees had much of its funding cut this year following allegations its workers were involved with the October 7 attack by Hamas against Israel.

Macklemore has long been a supporter of Palestinian people.

In November, Macklemore gave an impromptu speech at a pro-Palestine rally in Washington DC, in which he told the crowd: ' 'I don't know enough, but I know enough that this is a genocide.

The 41-year-old Seattle native, shown in March in Los Angeles, encouraged people to 'straight up' join the chant, according to an article on Sunday by TMZ

Macklemore, shown in March 2023 in Texas, has been highly critical of United States foreign policy as the war between Israel and Hamas has intensified

His speech was preceded by a statement on October 19 in which he condemned Hamas' bloody incursion against Israel, and Israel's brutal response against the Gaza Strip, calling the latter 'an unfolding genocide' and a 'US backed catastrophe.'

Macklemore rose to fame collaborating with producer Ryan Lewis as the duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis from 2009 to 2016.

Their single Thrift Shop reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2013 and their second single Can't Hold Us also peaked at number one on the Hot 100 chart.

The duo won four Grammy Awards at the 2014 ceremony, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.
She rose to fame after flaunting figure in the famous 'Where the bloody hell are you?' Tourism Australia ad.

But Lara Worthington has come a long way since her bikini-clad days as she styled it up at Milan Fashion Week with husband and fellow Australian Sam Worthington.

The famous couple were seen in attendance at the Ferragamo Spring Summer 2025, and both put on a chic display.

Lara, 37, wore a $2,300 figure-hugging blue button-up dress to the event, emblazoned with an image of fish jumping out of a pond.

The quirky design was paired with shiny black knee-high boots.

The model wore her short bob straight and down, with one side tucked behind her ear.

She went for a natural makeup look, opting for understated highlights and a nude lip stick.

Husband Sam, 47, was equally chic, wearing top to toe black, including sneakers and statement sunglasses, which he kept on for the duration of the show.

Lara Worthington (pictured) has come a long way since her bikini-clad days as she styled it up at Milan Fashion Week with husband and fellow Australian Sam Worthington

The famous couple were seen in attendance at the Ferragamo Spring Summer 2025, and both put on a chic display

It comes after Lara revealed how she and Sam husband are a 'team' and always work together to keep their family a well-oiled machine.

The model told Stellar magazine in October of 2022 that the pair, who met in 2013 and married a year later, are enjoying getting older together.

'As a family unit, we're all very close. We've only got each other. Sam and I are a good team,' she said.

Lara, 37, wore a figure-hugging blue button-up dress to the event, emblazoned with an image of fish jumping out of a pond. Pictured with husband Sam Worthington

Husband Sam, 47, was equally chic, wearing top to toe black, including sneakers and statement sunglasses, which he kept on for the duration of the show

'We're both Australians and we have the same values. We come at our children as a team and I think that's really important.'

The beauty said that Sam is a 'a strong father figure' who supports her in her creative pursuits.

'The fact my husband allows me to be creative and have dreams and aspirations  that's really important,' Lara said.

Lara and Sam began dating in 2013 and married in secret a year later.

They share three sons - Rocket, Racer and River.
Uma Jammeh put on a busty display ahead of Paris Fashion Week on Sunday.

The former Love Island contestant, 24, looked incredible in the metallic bodysuit as she made her way through the French capital.

She opted for a simple natural look in terms of makeup with a dramatic pink lipstick and curled her dark tresses so they hung neatly around her shoulder.

But the real showstopper was Uma's outfit, which was completely gold sequined and featured a plunging neckline.

The reality star held a confident pose as she clung onto a black clutch bag and completed the whole look with a pair of simple heels.

Uma Jammeh put on a busty display ahead of Paris Fashion Week on Sunday, less than a year after she found fame on Love Island

The former Love Island contestant, 24, looked incredible in the metallic bodysuit as she made her way through the French capital

In a third snap, Uma spun round to give a view of her behind and it was revealed that the flared outfit left much of her back on display.

During her time in the villa, Uma stolen by bombshell Reuben Collins at the recoupling - leaving Wil Anderson single and therefore dumped.4

But a teary Uma was quick to declare to her fellow Islanders that she would be leaving with Wil, causing her friends to also burst into tears.

This left fans confused because Wil kissed another girl just days earlier while in Casa Amor, and cruelly told Uma he 'wanted to do it' when his antics were exposed.

They felt that Uma would regret her decision to leave, and vowed Wil would be quick to leave her for someone else who is 'more his type'.

Uma has since broken her silence on why she dramatically quit alongside Wil despite his betrayal.

Speaking after her decision to quit the show, Uma said: 'I knew where my head and heart was at and its with Wil so I wanted to be true to my feelings for him.'

'We cant wait to just do normal things on the outside, stay inside and have a takeaway and go on cute dates.

In a third snap, Uma spun round to give a view of her behind and it was revealed that the flared outfit left much of her back on display

On the last series of the ITV dating programme, Uma was stolen by bombshell Reuben Collins at the recoupling - leaving Wil Anderson single and therefore dumped

But a teary Uma was quick to declare to her fellow Islanders that she would be leaving with Wil, causing her friends to also burst into tears

'Wil wants to take me to Whitley Bay to see where hes from but weve also discussed him possibly moving to London so Im looking forward to the future with him. The only way is up from here.'

She said: 'When Wil walked in I instantly felt a connection with him, he was all in for me which I really liked, and it was refreshing off the back of the Ayo situation.

'Once Wil took me to the other Villa for an overnight stay something clicked and I felt a special spark in that moment which made me realise he was the person for me.

'Thats why I found Casa hard for me as it made me miss Wil more. I feel so comfortable and happy around him.
Harrison Ford raised concerns among fans following his recent appearance at Disney's D23 Expo in August, where he accepted the Disney Legend honor.

The 82-year-old actor received a prestigious hall-of-fame-style award, recognizing his significant contributions to Lucasfilm, a subsidiary of Disney.

Fords legendary roles  most notably Han Solo from Star Wars and the adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones  have firmly established him as one of the studio's most iconic figures.

During the ceremony, Ford left his handprints in cement, though fans observed that he had difficulty signing his name beside them. A video of the event was shared on the Good Morning America Instagram page, prompting a range of reactions in the comments.

'He does not look well,' a concerned fan posted, as another wrote, 'Congrats to him, but it breaks my heart to see him so frail.'

Harrison Ford raised concerns among fans following his recent appearance at Disney's D23 Expo in August, where he accepted the Disney Legend honor

During the ceremony, Ford left his handprints in cement, though fans observed that he had difficulty signing his name beside them

Another chimed in, 'Is anyone else concerned one hand was more pressed than the other?'

'Tough to see my guy getting old,' said another.

Yet a fifth fan added, 'Shoot he does not look well.'

When the actor took the stage to accept the award from Disney CEO Bob Iger at the August 11 event, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his fans.

'I love the life youve given me,' he told the audience, per Variety.

'I love the people that Ive had the opportunity to work with. Nobody does anything in this business for long. We work in collaboration, no matter what who we are and what were doing.'

He choked up as he added, 'The stories are for you, about you, about us. To be able to work in that area is a privilege.'

The eyebrow-raising event comes after Harrison's wife of more than 21 years, Calista Flockhart, revealed that the secret to their lasting relationship is lots of laughter, which often stems from the practical jokes they play on one another.

The 82-year-old actor received a prestigious hall-of-fame-style award, recognizing his significant contributions to Lucasfilm, a subsidiary of Disney

A video of the event was shared on the Good Morning America Instagram page, prompting a range of reactions in the comments

When the actor took the stage to accept the award from Disney CEO Bob Iger at the August 11 event, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his fans

In an interview with The New York Times, the Ally McBeal alum admitted the couple playfully hided around corners at home and use fake bugs to startle each other.

She said become quite proficient at surprising Ford, playfully christening herself the 'Scare Monster' at home.

'Because I hide behind every corner,' she explained. 'And so Harrison will walk in, and then I'll go, 'Raaah!' And he'll go, 'W-uy-aah!' And then I die laughing.'

'I'll put a plastic spider inside his big ice cubes in the tray, and then he'll drink it,' Flockhart added.

'But then I'll go to bed two weeks later, and he's out of town in Jackson, and I'll take the covers down and there's this little rubber scorpion. It's fun.'

The adorable couple first met at the 59th Golden Globe Awards in 2002 and soon began dating.

At that time, Harrison was 60 years old, whereas Calista was 38, resulting in a significant 22-year age gap between them.

Fords legendary roles  most notably Han Solo from Star Wars and the adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones  have firmly established him as one of the studio's most iconic figures; pictured in Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom

The outing also comes after Harrison's wife of more than 21 years, Calista Flockhart, revealed that the secret to their lasting relationship is lots of laughter; pictured in January

Following eight years of courtship, the couple married in 2010 after Ford proposed during a family vacation the year before.

Harrison's first marriage was to Mary Marquardt in 1964, and they had two children together named Benjamin and Willard.

After their divorce in 1979, Ford married Melissa Mathison in 1983, and they also had two children named Malcolm and Georgia.

His marriage to Mathison ended in divorce in 2004.
Pregnant Margot Robbie showed off her growing baby bump on Sunday as she stepped out in Santa Monica, California.

The Barbie star, 34, kept comfortable for the outing, wearing a white crop top that highlighted her growing belly, underneath an unbuttoned white shirt.

She completed the look with a black maxi skirt and 90's style chunky platform sandals.

The Australian beauty shielded her eyes with a pair of sunglasses and toted a black bag over her shoulder.

The actress is awaiting the arrival of her first child with husband Tom Ackerley, 34.

Pregnant Margot Robbie, 34, showed off her growing baby bump on Sunday as she stepped out in Santa Monica, California

The Barbie star kept comfortable for the outing, wearing a white crop top that highlighted her growing belly, underneath an unbuttoned white shirt

The night prior she enjoyed an outing with her friends, and donned a figure hugging blue maxi dress as she headed to The Bird Streets Club in West Hollywood, California.

The star added a black coat to her look which she draped over her shoulders, and a matching black bag.

In July an insider told People of Margot and her husband: 'Family means a lot to both of them and they knew early on in their relationship being parents was something they really wanted.

'They've been keeping it under wraps for a while but are happy the news is out.'

The couple met in 2013 while working on Suite Francaise, where he was an assistant director and she was in front of the camera. They married in 2016.

'I was the ultimate single gal. The idea of relationships made me want to vomit,' she told Vogue previously of their early romance.

'And then this crept up on me. We were friends for so long. I was always in love with him, but I thought, Oh, he would never love me back. Don't make it weird, Margot.

'Don't be stupid and tell him that you like him. And then it happened, and I was like, Of course we're together. This makes so much sense, the way nothing has ever made sense before,' she said.

Margot's recent outing comes as she and her film producer partner announced last week that they were producing The Sims movie.

Robbie and Acklerley, both 34, are producing through their LuckyChap Productions company.

Earlier this month she looked positively glowing in a tight grey dress as she posed at a screening for her new film My Old A** in Los Angeles

The actress is awaiting the arrival of her first child with husband Tom Ackerley, 34; the couple seen in February

The couple met in 2013 and went on to marry in 2016; they are seen at the Golden Globes in January

The star has continued to work throughout her pregnancy. Earlier this month she was announced as the new face of Chanel's N5 fragrance; seen 2021 at the Chanel show in Paris

Much like Barbie, The Sims is rooted in an iconic franchise, with the first video game debuting in 2000 and has since sold over 200 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.

The star has continued to work throughout her pregnancy.

Earlier this month she looked positively glowing in a tight grey dress as she posed at a screening for her new film My Old A** in Los Angeles.

She also announced an exciting new career milestone. After being an ambassador for Chanel for more than six years the Australian native is the new face of the French designer fashion house's most well-known fragrance Chanel N5.

The Barbie star has been an ambassador for Chanel since 2018 and was the face of Chanel Gabrielle perfume in 2019.
Gilmore Girls alum Scott Cohen and his wife Anastasia Traina are thanking their lucky stars after they were both injured in the end of a high-speed chase and crash involving a man and police over the summer.

The drama went down on June 29 when a man being pulled over for a routine traffic stop in Queens, New York sped off, setting up a chase that ended when the driver crashed head-on into Cohen's vehicle in Brooklyn.

'We thought we were dead,' Cohen, 62, confessed to Page Six while attending the premiere of his HBO series The Penguin on Tuesday in New York City.

'My wife's arm is all messed up,' the actor who plays Luca Falcone in the series said, before shifting to his own condition nearly three months after the scary incident.

'I have a broken sternum, which is supposed to be never-healing. It's like called a nonunion break, and it's never going to heal,' the actor shared.

Gilmore girls alum Scott Cohen 62, shared his gratitude for his and his wife's life being spared after unwittingly being involved in a high-speed car chase over the summer that left both of them injured: 'We thought we were dead'

Sounding like a screenplay of action flick, all the high-drama began that day in late June when the suspect of a routine traffic stop decided to speed off into Greenpoint, Brooklyn region.

That set up the case with police who were on his tail until the driver collided right into Cohen's vehicle, according to Astoria Post.

Officers say the suspect then got out of his vehicle at the scene and ran off along Kingsdale Avenue, in an attempt to evade police, just as his car burst into flames.

During the chase on foot, authorities say the man fired off his gun at a uniformed officer, who then returned fire.

The suspect was last seen jumping over a fence and escaping under the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, and at last check was still at large.

Cohen would go on to post a video of himself recovering in a hospital bed, which included images of his smashed up car at the scene in the middle of a street.

The clip also shows the couple's totaled car, with the front smashed in and the airbags visible, as well as a quick look at one of his arms that had to set in a cast.

Despite being seriously injured some three months ago, Cohen recovered enough to attend the premiere of The Penguin in New York City on Tuesday, September 17

Cohen plays Luca Falcone while Colin Farrell slips into the titular role of Ozswald 'Oz' Cob in The Penguin, which is a spin-off The Batman (2022), starring Robert Pattinson

'With broken bones, bruised bodies, lots of drugs, and the impact of a random act of aggression that hit us we venture on,' Cohen shared in an Instagram post July 2.

Of his condition he added, 'I'm very pissed my existence right now is about healing but at the same time truly grateful @afunnybunnypicture (wife Anastasia Traina) and I are both here to experience the love and incredible generosity of friends and family.'

He concluded. 'We know when we know in life. The fragility of us all and how life can change in an instant. Lessons we don't want to learn but often are forced to. Here to tell the story I guess,' he shared along with the hashtags: '#subarulove #trulygrateful #friends #family #carchase #randomacts #nyulangone #subaru.'

While still on the mend, Cohen was able to attend The Penguin premiere on September 19 with cast members such as Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Theo Rossi, Clancy Brown and Michael Zeger.

'I have a broken sternum, which is supposed to be never-healing. It's like called a nonunion break, and it's never going to heal,' the Penguin actor shared along with a picture of his totaled car sitting in the middle of the street as the hunt for the driver was going down

'My wife's arm is all messed up,' Cohen said as a result of the scary crash

'I'm very pissed my existence right now is about healing but at the same time truly grateful @afunnybunnypicture (wife Anastasia Traina) and I are both here to experience the love and incredible generosity of friends and family,' Cohen shared from the hospital

Calling the experience of being part of such a star-studded cast, 'very cool,' he went on to share how this is truly a dream come true for him.

'My entire childhood, I dreamed of being Superman, being Batman,' Cohen explained. 'Those were my dreams. Like when I was really young. And then I got a chance to do some.'

The Penguin is a spin-off series of the superhero action drama film The Batman (2022), starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader, that follows Oswald 'Oz' Cobb/The Penguin as he attempts to take over the criminal world in Gotham.

The Penguin, which premiered in the U.S. on HBO on September 19, explores the Penguin's rise to power in Gotham City's criminal underworld.

Fans were already giving the highly-anticipated series high praise after the debut 70-minute episode, with some calling it one of the 'best series of the year.

Some have even compared the show to HBO's iconic mafia series The Sopranos, which is considered by many to be one of the greatest shows of all time, since both shows deal with organized crime.

Cohen talked about their broken bones, bruised bodies, and the drugs it took to get them through the tough times that had in recovery

Cohen and Traina, who share a son named Liam, just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this past June 3

It is scheduled to run for eight episodes in total through until November 10.

Cohen and Traina, who share a son named Liam, just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this past June 3.

Soon after getting married he landed a role in Jacob's Ladder (1990), in what was his professional acting debut setting off a long and distinguished career.

He appears to be best known for his TV work that includes playing Max Medina on Gilmore Girls (2000-2003), the CBS miniseries Perfect Murder, Perfect Town (2000), NBC miniseries The 10th Kingdom (2000), as well as the indie rom-com Kissing Jessica Stein (2001).
Demi Moore recently reflected on the intense workout regimen she adopted after giving birth to her second daughter, Scout Willis, in 1991.

Living in Malibu with then-husband Bruce Willis, the actress, now 61, committed to biking 30 miles each way to the set of Indecent Proposal daily, pushing herself to extreme lengths to regain her pre-pregnancy shape.

'I put so much pressure on myself,' Moore explained during CBS Sundays. 'I did have experiences of being told to lose weight. And all of those, while they may have been embarrassing and humiliating, its what I did to myself because of that.'

She recalled: 'I think she was, like, five or six months old when we were shooting [Indecent Proposal]. So, I was feeding [Scout] through the night, getting up in the dark with a trainer, with headlamp, biking all the way to Paramount, wherever, even on location where we were shooting; then shooting a full day, which is usually a 12-hour day; and then starting all over again.

'Even just the idea of, like, what I did to my body, its, like, so crazy, so ridiculous.'

Demi Moore recently reflected on the intense workout regimen she adopted after giving birth to her second daughter , Scout Willis , in 1991; (pictured September 18)

Living in Malibu with then-husband Bruce Willis , the actress, now 61, committed to biking 30 miles each way to the set of Indecent Proposal daily, pushing herself to extreme lengths to regain her pre-pregnancy shape; (pictured 1991)

Along with Scout, 33, Moore shares daughters Rumer, 36, and Tallulah, 30, with ex-husband Bruce, 69.

The CBS Sunday interview comes after Demi shared that her decision to demand a groundbreaking $12.5 million salary for her role in Striptease was influenced by her desire for pay equity, not competition with her then-husband, Bruce Willis.

Moore became the highest-paid actress in Hollywood with the 1996 film, where she portrayed a stripper.

Speaking on The New York Times' The Interview podcast, she explained that her request wasn't about matching Willis's star power but about ensuring she received fair compensation for her work. '

'It wasn't about comparing myself to him. Yes, I saw what he got paid. It was really more about: "Why shouldnt I? If I'm doing the same amount of work, why shouldn't I?"' she explained.

Moore recently opened up about how she supports her daughters as they navigate their father Bruce's frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.

Moore, who was married to the Hollywood icon from 1987 to 2000, shared her approach during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show.

The actress discussed the guidance she offers her children on how to stay connected with their dad while he faces the challenges of a condition that affects his cognitive functions.

'What I say to my kids is you meet them where they're at. You don't hold on to who they were or what you want them to be, but who they are in this moment,' she said.

'I put so much pressure on myself,' Moore explained during CBS Sundays . 'I did have experiences of being told to lose weight . And all of those, while they may have been embarrassing and humiliating, its what I did to myself because of that'; (Scout, Demi, Rumer in 1996)

Living in Malibu with then-husband Bruce Willis , the actress, now 61, committed to biking 30 miles each way to the set of Indecent Proposal daily, pushing herself to extreme lengths to regain her pre-pregnancy shape; (pictured 2001: Demi (second left) Bruce (second right), and their children, from left, Rumer Willis, Tallulah Belle Willis, and Scout Willis)

Demi and Scout in 2021

Rumer Willis, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, Scout Willis, Emma Heming Willis and Tallulah Willis in 2019

Moore continued: 'And from that, there is such beauty and joy and loving and sweetness. When I'm in L.A., I go over every week, and I really treasure the time that we all share.'

Rumer recently shared a positive health update about her father, reassuring fans that the iconic actor has been doing 'great.'

In the August post, Rumer shared an image of herself holding her father's hand while answering a question about how the actor has been doing amid his health woes.

Rumer said, 'He is great. I love him so much. Thank you.'
AFL player Daniel Rioli and partner Paris Lawrence looked loved up on Monday morning as they went for a stroll through Melbourne ahead of the Brownlow Medal.

The Richmond star, 27, who once dated Mia Fevola, appeared to be enjoying the quality time he spent with his new fiancee who was all smiles on their outing.

Opting for a casual grey T-shirt and loose-fit jeans, Daniel's TikTok star fiancee, 26, happily flashed her massive diamond ring following her engagement to the footy star in June.

Paris flaunted her natural beauty as she stepped out without a lick of makeup in sight, pulling a Diesel cap down low over her brunette locks.

The social media sensation accessorised with a simple pair of black slides and a matching hand bag as she let her massive diamond sparkler steal the show.

Meanwhile, Daniel donned a monochrome look as he slipped into a pair of black cargo shorts and T-shirt.

Wearing a matching cap, the Tigers star elevated his look with a silver watch and a simple chain around his neck.

The lovebirds announced their engagement in June, with Daniel sharing the exciting news to Instagram.

AFL player Daniel Rioli and partner Paris Lawrence looked loved up on Monday morning as they went for a stroll through Melbourne ahead of the Brownlow Medal

'FOREVER [heart emoji] I can't wait to marry the woman of my dreams,' he wrote alongside a series of photos from the moment proposed.

Daniel got down on one knee on top of a snowy mountain during a romantic holiday with his girlfriend.

Following his proposal, Paris shared a photo to her Instagram of her stunning yellow diamond engagement ring.

She also shared a selfie of the couple in a helicopter shortly after the memorable moment.

Opting for a casual grey T-shirt and loose-fit jeans, the TikTok star, 26, happily flashed her massive diamond ring following her engagement to the footy star in June

The Richmond star, 27, who once dated Mia Fevola, appeared to be enjoying the quality time he spent with his new fiancee who was all smiles on their outing

'I love this man sooo much [sic]. He has the biggest and most beautiful heart, he looks after me and cares for me to the ends of the earth,' she wrote.

'Nothing is ever too big of an ask with him. We laugh too much, finish each other's sentences and always consider each other.'

'I'm so lucky to call him mine, and now my fiance,' she finished.

Daniel began dating Paris in 2021, according to the Herald Sun.

Before dating the Cry Baby hitmaker, Daniel was in a relationship with Mia Fevola, the stepdaughter of retired AFL star-turned-radio host Brendan Fevola.

Daniel and Mia announced their split in February 2020 after two years together.
AFL star Josh Daicos and his new fiancee Annalise Dalins lead the preparations for the Brownlow Medal 2024 in Melbourne on Monday night.

The happy couple got engaged just over a week ago when the footy star, 25, proposed to the model, 23, while on holiday in Santorini, Greece.

The former Miss Universe Australia runner-up was every inch the blushing bride-to-be as she hopped straight into red carpet preparations at the Crown Melbourne.

The blonde beauty met up with her stylist Paul Versace, dress designer Sam Oglialoro, hairdresser Joey Scandizzo and makeup artist Chantelle Baker.

PR maven Roxy Jacenko shared a video of Annalise getting her makeup done to Instagram as she spruiked one of her latest phone accessories.

Annalise poured her figure into a sparking emerald gown which hugged her figure and sat off one shoulder.

Opting for a very natural makeup look, the model tamed her platinum locks into a sleek wavy bob.

Annalise told the publication that Josh's footy team were eager to share in the celebrations for their happy engagement news.

Collingwood star Josh Daicos, 25, and his new fiancee Annalise Dalins, 23, are still in their love bubble as they prepare for the Brownlow Medal on Monday night. Pictured at their engagement in Greece just over a week ago

'Hopefully we'll have a lot to celebrate, we'll cheer for him and it's nice we can all go together especially after everything that's happened with us in Europe,' she said.

'I do feel so refreshed and ready to get back into it and what a week to kick it all off.'

Meanwhile, boyfriend Josh was more interested in flaunting his hotel room as he and Annalise stayed in the luxury Tower Suite, which can get up to $1,870 per night.

Their room featured an enormous lounge and formal dining area with sprawling views of the city below.

On Sunday the former Miss Universe Australia runner-up glowed on Instagram as she hopped straight into Brownlow preparations at the Crown Melbourne

Included in the high price package is access to the hotel's exclusive Crystal Club lounge, as well as breakfast, afternoon tea, and pre-dinner drinks and canapes.

Captioning the image with '#gifted', Josh then uploaded a few snaps of the ritzy Le Martini bar at Crown Melbourne as he fetched a drink for him and his love.

Josh and Annalise aren't the only newly engaged couple who will be basking in a young love glow at the Brownlow Medal.

TikTok star Paris Lawrence will also be flashing a huge diamond engagement ring after Richmond star Daniel Rioli proposed to her in June.

Josh flaunted the luxury Tower Suite he and Annalise stayed in, which can get up to $1,870 per night

Captioning the image with '#gifted', Josh then uploaded a few snaps of the ritzy Le Martini bar at Crown Melbourne as he fetched a drink for him and his love

The lovebirds took a stroll through Melbourne earlier in the day before later checking in at the Crown Melbourne.

Paris, 26, shared a loved up snap of the couple in their lavish Executive Suite bathroom alongside a red love heart in the caption.

The brunette beauty was all smiles as she donned a casual white corset top and leopard print pants before diving into her Brownlow preparations.

While boyfriend Daniel, 27, continued to wear the same all-black outfit he was spotted wearing earlier in the day.

Paris gave her 37.1K followers a sneak peak of her glamorous gown for the evening, tagging bridal companies Ingrid Olic and Twelve South, and 'creative' Grace Presow.

TikTok star Paris Lawrence, 26, (right) and Richmond star Daniel Rioli, 27, (left) were the other newly engaged couple preparing for the Brownlow following their engagement in June

Carlton forward Charlie Curnow and his partner Tiana Simic will be making their relationship debut on the red carpet.

The couple took to Instagram to share photos of themselves preparing for the big day just hours before.

Charlie looked dapper in a white button-up shirt which he teamed up with a black vest and a matching suit jacket and pants.

Meanwhile, Tiana looked stunning a low-cut black Dior dress.

Carlton forward Charlie Curnow and his partner Tiana Simic will be making their relationship debut on the red carpet

The couple took to Instagram to share photos of themselves preparing for the big day just hours before

Tiana looked stunning a low-cut black Dior dress

Essendon star Kyle Langford's partner Lulu Scott-Young took to Instagram to give fans a glimpse of her very expensive jewellery ahead of the star-studded event.

Rebecca Judd also shared her Brownlow preparation process on Sunday night as she checked into the same hotel as the other footy stars and WAGS.

The Australian model, 41, took to Instagram to flaunt her luxury stay in the Tower Suite with her family.

Essendon star Kyle Langford's partner Lulu Scott-Young took to Instagram to give fans a glimpse of her very expensive jewellery ahead of the star-studded event

The wife of former footy star Chris Judd also shared a peak into her pre-Brownlow skincare routine as she got dolled up for AFLs night of nights.

Bec kicked off her Stories with a video tour of her luxury Tower Suite, which appeared to be gifted to the WAG and her family to stay in.

Similar to Josh and Annalise, Bec showed in her clip an enormous lounge with sprawling views of the city below alongside the caption: 'Epic.'

Rebecca Judd, 41, (pictured) also shared her Brownlow preparation process on Sunday night as she checked into the same hotel as the other footy stars and WAGS

In the video, Bec and Chris' oldest child Oscar, 13, could also be seen leaning against a huge floor-to-ceiling window as he looked down on the city.

Chris, 41, could also be seen in the clip as he took a seat on the sprawling lounge and flicked on their flat screen TV.

Their daughter Billie, 10, and twin sons Darcy and Tom, eight, could not be seen in the video.

Bec also shared an image of the skincare products she was prepping her skin with - Peptide Serum and Body Lustre from The Skincare Company worth $235.

'Brownlow prepping at @crownmelbourne with @theskincarecompany,' Bec captioned a close up image of the products.

The Australian model took to Instagram to flaunt her luxury stay in the Tower Suite with her family

She also uploaded an image of the skincare products she was prepping her skin with - Peptide Serum and Body Lustre from The Skincare Company worth $235

She then included an image of herself looking fresh faced as she wrapped a towel around her head and a white dressing gown around her body.

'@crownmelbourne No better place to stay,' she captioned the mirror selfie.

It promises to be one of the most thrilling Brownlow Medal counts in history this year with a host of big names in contention, and one superstar the AFL will desperately be hoping does not poll the most votes.

Sydney Swans superstar Isaac Heeney was the overall leader at the halfway point of the AFL season and continued his strong form all the way to the grand final decider.

He will be one of the key players in Saturday's premiership decider against Brisbane, but is ineligible for the Brownlow because he was banned for one week after round 17 on a striking charge.

That leaves Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps as the new favourite, but he faces strong competition from Collingwood's Nick Daicos and last year's winner Lachie Neale from the Brisbane Lions.

The voting is likely to be so tight that the league could see a joint winner for the first time since 2003 when Adelaide's Mark Ricciuto, Collingwood's Nathan Buckley and Adam Goodes from Sydney had their three-way tie.
In the latest TLCs Sister Wives, Robyns daughters from her previous marriage revealed that they never truly felt welcomed into Kodys family.

Kody and Robyn, who wed in 2014, have two children together, while Robyn also has three kids, including daughters Aurora, 22, and Breanna, 19, from her previous marriage to David Preston Jessop.

Kody, who follows a fundamentalist version of Mormonism, also has 16 children with his three former wivesChristine, Janelle, and Meriwith whom he was once simultaneously married.

'My moms kids and I have each had our own experiences being told directlyon multiple occasions by different peoplethat we werent accepted, that we werent seen as sisters or part of the family,' Aurora shared during Sundays episode.

Breanna added: 'The parents could have done a better job with connecting us as a family and it never really happened.'

In the latest TLCs Sister Wives , Robyns daughters from her previous marriage revealed that they never truly felt welcomed into Kodys family

Kody and Robyn, who wed in 2014, have two children together, while Robyn also has three kids, son Dayton, 24; and daughters Aurora, 22; and Breanna, 19, from her previous marriage to David Preston Jessop

Despite Christine's insistence that her children viewed Robyn's kids as siblings, Kody seemed to side with Aurora and Breanna's concerns.

'There are some people in my family who feel superior to others and say, "Oh well, we're not going to include them in our club,"' he explained.

The episode comes after Kody admitted he 'wouldn't be interested' in welcoming another sister wife into the family after his splits from wives Meri, 52, Janelle, 54, and Christine, 51, within a span of 14 months.

Christine - who has gone on to marry David Woolley, 59 - announced she and Kody were splitting in November of 2021.

She said at the time in an Instagram statement: 'After more than 25 years together, Kody and I have grown apart and I have made the difficult decision to leave.

'We will continue to be a strong presence in each other's lives as we parent our beautiful children and support our wonderful family. At this time, we ask for your grace and kindness as we navigate through this stage within our family.'

Janelle's split from Kody was revealed in late 2022 during the Sister Wives: One on One special by Kody.

'I'm separated from Janelle and I'm divorced from Christine,' he said. 'Janelle has made it pretty clear to me that she's enjoying her life without me.'

Janelle confirmed they had 'been separated for several months' as she 'really became sort of indifferent' to the marriage.

Kody, who follows a fundamentalist version of Mormonism, also has 16 children with his three former wivesChristine, Janelle, and Meriwith whom he was once simultaneously married;(L-R) Janelle Brown, 54, Christine Brown, 51, Kody, Meri Brown, 52, and Robyn Brown, 45, pictured in 2015 in Las Vegas

'My moms kids and I have each had our own experiences being told directlyon multiple occasions by different peoplethat we werent accepted, that we werent seen as sisters or part of the family,' Aurora shared during Sundays episode; ex-wife Christine is pictured

In 2022, Meri (pictured) also revealed she was parting ways with Kody after more than three decades together.

Janelle's (pictured) split from Kody was revealed in late 2022 during the Sister Wives: One on One special by Kody

'It wasn't heartbreaking for me like it was for Christine; it was just kind of like, I just mourned that that life was gone,' she said. 'We had this great run.'

In 2022, Meri also revealed she was parting ways with Kody after more than three decades together.

The former pair said in joint statement in January, 'After more than a decade of working on our relationship in our own unique ways, we have made the decision to permanently terminate our marriage relationship.

'During this process, we are committed to kindness and respect toward each other and to all members of our family, and we are also committed to the continued healing of any and all relationships within the family so that we can move forward with forgiveness, grace, and love.'
Hilarie Burton revealed that her experience with the female-led team behind the One Tree Hill sequel already has been different than the original series.

'What I can say is that this go-around, being able to work with a team of women and look at these stories [and] these characters through a female lens is something that  whether I was doing a reboot or a brand new show or a different movie at this phase in my life, female teamwork is something that is so vital to me,' Hilarie, 42, recently told People.

Hilarie, who spoke to the outlet while promoting her partnership with Olly to launch their new Mellow Menopause supplements, is leading the reboot with her co-star Sophia Bush, 42.

'It is the core of anything I've done that's successful. So I'm excited to be able to team up with people that I look up to, people that I love dearly,' she added.

Hilarie portrayed Peyton Sawyer for six seasons and said her perspective has been influencing the reboot.

Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush, shown in March in New York City, will reprise their roles for the One Tree Hill sequel coming to Netflix

Sophia played Hilarie's onscreen best friend Brooke Davis, and they will both reprise their roles in the upcoming sequel on Netflix.

Hilarie said the news of the reboot being 'leaked' in August caught both her and Sophia by surprise.

'The nicest thing is seeing the positive fan reaction to it and all of our friends from the show commenting on posts and just getting to show enthusiasm, because obviously we want Netflix to greenlight it,' Hilarie said.

Sophia and Hilarie are also both executive producers for the One Tree Hill sequel.

The premise 'takes place 20 years later following best friends Brooke and Peyton who are now parents to teens and facing challenges not unfamiliar to what they tackled in the original series like love, insecurities and grief,' per Deadline.

The showrunner of the original series, Mark Schwahn, reportedly has no attachment to the reboot.

In 2017, one of the writers from the show, Audrey Wauchope, accused Schwahn of sexual harassment and emotional abuse.

Sophia, Hilarie and Bethany Joy Lenz supported Audrey's claims, along with other actresses, female writers and crew that had worked on One Tree Hill.

Sophia and Hilarie, shown in a 2008 still, played best friends on the teen drama series

Lee Norris, Antwon Tanne , Sophia, Chad Michael Murray, Hilarie, James Lafferty and Bethany Joy Galeotti are shown in a season five promo for One Tree Hill

Sophia jumped on her Instagram page back in August to confirm the sequel

Back in 2021, Sophia claimed that he had hung photos of the female cast members in their underwear in his office.

One Tree Hill had a total of nine seasons, and began airing on WB in September 2003. The show eventually jumped to the CW to air the remaining seasons from 2006 through 2012.

Other stars that had been cast in the original series included Bethany Joy Lenz, Paul Johansson, Barry Corbin and also Moira Kelly.

Last year in September 2023, the show celebrated its 20th anniversary, with some cast members ringing in the special milestone. Later that same year, stars reunited on the original set to also celebrate the anniversary.
Charlotte Crosby has come a long way since appearing on hit MTV reality series Geordie Shore as she announced on Sunday that she is pregnant with her second child.

The TV personality bid farewell to Geordie Shore in 2016 after having a well followed turbulent on-off relationship with Gaz Beadle throughout 12 series of the show.

Now the Celebrity Big Brother winner has found love with fiance Jake Ankers and they lives in a huge Sunderland mansion together with their daughter Alba Jean.

The couple, who welcomed Alba nearly two years ago, announced the exciting news they are expanding their family as Charlotte showed off her bump in an Instagram post.

MailOnline have now taken a look at Charlotte's wholesome family life.

Charlotte Crosby has come along way since appearing on hit MTV reality series Geordie Shore as she announced on Sunday that she is pregnant with her second child

The Celebrity Big Brother winner has found love with fiance Jake Ankers and they lives in a huge Sunderland mansion together with their daughter Alba Jean

Charlotte Crosby, 34, has announced she is pregnant with her second child, almost two years after she and fiance Jake Ankers welcomed daughter Alba Jean

Engagement

Thirteen months after welcoming daughter Alba, Charlotte announced that she and beau Jake, who she met through mutual friends, were engaged.

The TV personality took to her social media to share the happy news as well as a glimpse of the romantic rooftop proposal in Dubai in November 2023.

Charlotte declared herself the 'happiest woman in the world' as Jake got down on one knee surrounded by rose petals.

In the snap the TV personality, who had been dating the businessman for two years, looked gorgeous in a sparkly mini dress as she held her hands to her mouth in shock and awe.

Meanwhile Jake, who had decorated the spot with roses and candles as well as heart shaped backdrop, beamed as he held out the ring.

Overjoyed Charlotte captioned the post: 'Happiest woman in the world'.

'Yes yes yes and yes @jake_ankers you are my best friend you are my life i CANT BELIEVE IM ENGAGED AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh. Best night ever'.

The TV personality bid farewell to Geordie Shore in 2016 after having a well followed turbulent on-off relationship with Gaz Beadle (pictured in 2011) throughout 12 series of the show

Thirteen months after welcoming daughter Alba, Charlotte announced that she and beau Jake, who she met through mutual friends, were engaged

The Geordie Shore star took to her social media to share the happy news as well as a glimpse of the romantic rooftop proposal

1million Sunderland mansion

Charlotte took her whirlwind romance with Jake to the next level in 2021 by moving in together.

The star had renovated her lavish Sunderland home which was said to be worth in excess of 1million.

In a YouTube video at the time, the reality star showed off her beautiful home renovation which featured double dark wood doors and marble floored lobby.

Charlotte showed off her no-expense-spared black and beige dining table with plenty of space for guests when she entertains.

She opted for minimalist chic with a few ornaments placed in spaces in the wall behind the table with a door to the right leading outside.

Charlotte took her whirlwind romance with Jake to the next level in 2021 by moving in together

The star had renovated her lavish Sunderland home which was said to be worth in excess of 1million

The star then moved into the room she describes as the 'Crosby manor social club', which she says is 'very well used'.

Sitting on her bed, Charlotte demonstrated the cinema screen which descends from the ceiling of her bedroom, joking: 'This is where the magic happens.'

The star moved into her walk in wardrobe, admitting it was too expensive to have replaced, so she had the doors and handles brightened up to give it a new look.

The star then moved into her pool room which has not had done yet but says needs updating due to moisture not being extracted properly.

She excitedly explained how she wanted people to 'feel as if you're in Mykonos' once the room is done.

Holiday home

Earlier this year, Charlotte gave a first glimpse at her new holiday home in Spain as she revealed to her followers she has bought a villa.

She posted a photo of herself and daughter Alba looking up at the stunning new build.

The property is rendered in a cream finish with wood panels and large windows and sliding doors for access onto the big patio area complete with swimming pool.

The modern pad also boasts a roof terrace for catching the rays all day long, once they are able to visit their second home when the build is finished.

Earlier this year, Charlotte gave a first glimpse at her new holiday home in Spain as she revealed to her followers she has bought a villa

The photo shared by Charlotte, which was taken from behind, showed her wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and black long-sleeved top as she conducted a site visit.

She also revealed the breathtaking view of the mountains from the property, in the post which she captioned: 'I have a pretty good feeling the memories me you and dada make here will be the best ones yet

'A huge pinch me momentit's official I got my dream holiday home. Please go to the last slide! The views from our roof terrace imagine the sunsets.'

Alba's first birthday

In October last year, the couple held a lavish pumpkin patch themed 1st birthday party for their baby girl.

Charlotte looked chic in a sleeveless, taupe coloured maxi dress with tie-front drape detailing while Jake wore a striped polo shirt with chinos.

Alba was adorable in a baby pink dress featuring ruffled tulle sleeves and the number one emblazoned across her chest.

In October last year, the couple held a lavish pumpkin patch themed 1st birthday party for their baby girl

The birthday party was held in an enormous marquee on the grounds of Black Horse in Beamish, County Durham.

There was a children's entertainers to entertain the toddlers, a bouncy castle, ball pool and slide as well as photo areas made of hay with pumpkins on display.

Adults were served a yummy Sunday Roast with all the trimmings, whilst taking advantage of the free bar.

Ectopic pregnancy

Charlotte opened up about how trauma from her ectopic pregnancy led to her opting for an elective caesarean for the birth of her daughter Alba.

The former Geordie Shore star had an ectopic pregnancy back in 2016 and was left fearing she would never be able to have kids before she welcomed her daughter.

Speaking about the traumatic experience, she spoke about the moment she was rushed to emergency surgery after being left in unbearable pain.

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in the fallopian tube, meaning a baby is unable to develop and leaving the mother's health in danger.

Appearing on the KICPOD podcast with Australian influencer Steph Claire Smith, Charlotte told how her fallopian tube had been left 'completely ruptured'.

Charlotte opened up about how trauma from her ectopic pregnancy led to her opting for an elective caesarean for the birth of her daughter Alba

She said: 'I hadn't ever felt pain like this and couldn't take anymore. I told Kate [a friend] to cancel the doctor, I need to go to the hospital, this is something worse than period pain.'

She said she found out she was pregnant after giving a urine sample and said of the moment: 'I was in shock, and when Kate said 'Congratulations!' I said no no no, this is bad.'

Charlotte told how her heart sank as she knew it was something serious and recalls crying and panicking whether she could ever have a baby in the future.

'I found out my fallopian tube had completely ruptured, and the doctor had to remove my left fallopian tube and an ovary,' she said.

After her traumatic experience, Charlotte said she 'wanted control' during her pregnancy with her first child Alba, opting for a planned caesarean.

Second pregnancy

The star announced she is pregnant with her second child, almost two years after she and fiance Jake welcomed daughter Alba Jean.

The reality star shared a clip on Sunday with the news and declared she was 'so excited' while also showcasing her blossoming bump.

Charlotte looked gorgeous in the video as she modelled looks from her new clothing range Pepper Girls Club, before slipping into a figure hugging dress as she joined Jake and Alba Jean on the beach.

Writing: 'In my babies and business ERA delighted to announce baby Ankers number 2 is due January 2025'.

Jake reshared the clip and commented: 'Our family is growing, baby number two on the way'.
The BBC have decided to cut a number of moments - including a joke about Jimmy Savile and full-frontal male nudity - from their hit series, Industry.

Set in the heart of Canary Wharf, the show centres on a group of ambitious young graduates as they attempt to make it in investment banking.

The show - which is created, written, and executively produced by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay - is a Bad Wolf Production for both HBO and the BBC.

In season three, viewers are introduced to Lord Henry Muck, played by Kit Harington, who has already divided fans with an outrageous fetish scene in the shower.

While it features some explicit moments, others have been cut from the show ready for its broadcast by the BBC. An erect penis is still shown on HBO's version, but the Jimmy joke has not been included in either version.

The BBC have decided to cut a number of moments - including a joke about Jimmy Savile and full-frontal male nudity - from their hit series, Industry

In season three, viewers are introduced to Henry Muck, played by Kit Harington, who has already divided fans with an outrageous fetish scene in the shower

A source told The Sun: 'Savile still haunts the corporation in many ways, so including any kind of humorous reference to him would have been deeply frowned upon.

'As for the erect manhood, that did feature when series three aired in the US earlier this year. But rules still prohibit that from happening over here, even though it will be broadcast after the watershed.

'The regulations state that a bloke standing to attention cant feature in any kind of sexual context  and the scene in question is very sexual indeed.'

The BBC said they consider the show to be in line with audience expectations.

Set in the world of investment banking, company Pierpoint looks to the future and takes a big bet on ethical investing, as the company becomes involved with Lumi, a green tech energy company.

Game of Thrones star Kit takes the reins on the company, playing British aristocrat Lord Henry Muck, described as the embodiment of 'old money' privilege.

Yasmin (Marisa Abela), Robert (Harry Lawtey), and Eric (Ken Leung) will find themselves front and centre in IPO of Lumi.

Meanwhile, since leaving Pierpoint, Harper (Myha'la) is eager to get back into the addictive thrill of finance and finds an unlikely partner in FutureDawn portfolio manager Petra Koenig (Sarah Goldberg).

The show - which is created, written, and executively produced by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay - is a Bad Wolf Production for HBO and the BBC.

Series three proved to be a defining one for Industry with Kit's outrageous sex scene with Marisa making headlines.

While it features many more explicit moments, other have been cut from the show, according to reports

A source told The Sun : 'Savile still haunts the corporation in many ways, so including any kind of humorous reference to him would have been deeply frowned upon' (pictured in 2006)

The scene featured his character begging Marisa's Yasmin to give him a 'golden shower' - and set tongues wagging on social media.

While the series continues to show steamy scenes, the BBC have also decided not to show a scene showing an erect penis.

In the first episode of the third series, viewers could have seen the organ of Charles Hanani, the father of main character Yasmin who is portrayed by Marisa.

Charles is her billionaire scammer dad who is portrayed by RADA-trained actor Adam Levy, 53.

He will be seen having sex in his yacht with a blonde woman in the first two minutes of the first episode. However, the BBC has confirmed that they decided against using that explicit version.

The BBC's most prolific paedophile scandal concerned presenter Jimmy, who died before allegations of his sexual abuse of young children became widely known.

He faced repeated allegations during his life but refuted them, and was the subject of two police investigations - although neither led to charges.

In 2009 Savile famously defended viewers of child pornography, claiming they 'didn't do anything wrong'.

After his death in 2011 Newsnight drew up a report on Savile's alleged offences, including interviewing survivors, but it was never published.

The following year ITV revealed details of allegations against Savile concerning up to ten women, one of whom was 14 at the time.

As more victims came forward the BBC faced immense scrutiny over how Savile was permitted to abuse girls and women for decades, including those who were seriously ill in hospital.

It is thought up to 450 young people were assaulted by the presenter.

Police recorded 199 crimes in 17 police force areas in which Savile was a suspect, among them 31 allegations of rape.

The crimes stretched 1955 to 2009 and allegations included the abuse of desperately ill children and necrophilia with corpses at included Leeds General Infirmary mortuary.

BBC bosses were accused of staging various cover-ups to protect Savile, who committed the offences at hospitals and locations across the country including BBC Television Centre.
Kelsey Parker previously said that she knew her late husband Tom would 'send the right man for her,' weeks before she revealed her new romance.

On Sunday, the mother-of-two, 33, took to Instagram to share a snap of her new partner, and simply captioned the post with a heart emoji.

Kelsey became a widow in March 2022 when her husband Tom Parker - best known as a member of The Wanted - died away after battle with brain cancer aged just 33.

She went onto date electrician Sean Boggans in November of that year, although they have since split.

In an interview with OK! Magazine back in June, Kelsey shared that she knows Tom will 'send the right man for her.'

She said: 'When it's meant to be, it'll be, and that person will be sent by Tom, I reckon. He's picking them for me.'

Kelsey Parker previously said that she knew her late husband Tom would 'send the right man for her,' weeks before she revealed her new romance

Detailing her thoughts on her now-ex Sean Boggans, who she dated following Tom's death, she added: 'I think he sent Sean for a reason. Sean was what I needed at the time and he was wonderful.

'I'll never say a bad word about him. But, right now, I need to focus on work and providing for my children.'

Over the weekend, Kelsey took to Instagram to share a snap of herself cosying up to her new partner.

She was in great spirits as the pair embraced in an outdoor location, and Kelsey simply captioned the post with a heart emoji.

Kelsey did not share any specific details about her new man, but she received several supportive messages from her celebrity friends.

In November 2022, eight months after Tom's death, she began dating electrician Sean Boggans - although they have since split.

The pair were introduced by friends at a wedding in London's Greenwich last October, but split as the first anniversary of Tom's death approached.

'Kelsey and Sean split up around the anniversary of Tom's death - her head was all over the place around that time and she had a wobble, but Sean still really liked her and pursued her,' a source told The Sun.

On Sunday, the mother-of-two took to Instagram to share a snap of her new partner, and simply captioned the post with a heart emoji

'After a few weeks of talking they got back together - she couldn't ignore her feelings for him. It's been really hard for them but she wants to give it a shot.'

Sean spent time behind bars after fatally punching Shaun McDermott, 44, during a heated argument over a taxi outside the Havering Oak pub in Romford, Essex.

He was waiting for his then-girlfriend to collect him when an argument broke out with Shaun, who was knocked to the ground during the skirmish. CCTV footage later captured the electrician walking away from the scene.

Shaun was discovered by police laying on the pavement at about 1am with a brain haemorrhage. A postmortem found that he died as a result of head injuries, with Boggans handed a four-year sentence by a judge at the Old Bailey.

Despite finally finding happiness again, Kelsey was inundated with vile messages about not 'grieving properly' despite finding it hard to cope.

Kelsey hit back at trolls as she told The Daily Star: 'When you've lost someone you love so much, it proves to you that you've only got one life.

'Tom would want me to be happy. You've got one life, so you should live it. That's what he's taught us.

'When it comes to dating again what's it got to do with anyone else? I think whatever makes you happy in life, you've got to do it.'

'There is so much stigma on how you should grieve. People think you should wear black with a veil over my face and be a walking widow. But that's not the case. I'm still young and I've got kids to look after.

'There is no rule book for grief out there and I'm saying to people: don't worry about how you're grieving because there is no right or wrong way to do it.

In November 2022, eight months after Tom's death, she began dating electrician Sean Boggans - although they have since split

In an interview with OK! Magazine back in June, Kelsey shared that she knows Tom will 'send the right man for her'

'You could be smiling one minute and then deep in emotion the next minute. There is no wrong or right way.'

Kelsey previously said her late husband would be 'happy' if she found love again following his death.

She and Tom were together for around 13 years. They announced their engagement in 2016 and married in a romantic ceremony in Surrey in 2018.

Tom was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in October 2020, and was given just 12 months to live by doctors.

In September 2021, 11 months on from the diagnosis, Tom sang at the Stand Up 2 Cancer show at the Royal Albert Hall and even embarked on a Greatest Hits tour with his bandmates when the tumour was confirmed as 'stable' in November.

But a close family friend revealed today that Tom's condition deteriorated rapidly once the tour came to an end, and he died in March 2022.
Amy Hart has revealed the details of her dream wedding day with new husband Sam Rason, after tying the knot in Spain earlier this month.

The former Love Island star, 32, looked incredible in her 'mob wife, dramatic' gown as she tied the knot with Sam in an outdoor ceremony at the Casa de la Era farm near Malaga.

But as she made her way down the aisle, Amy had to navigate some tricky steps in a floor-length dress and high heels as she was escorted to the altar by her dad Ian - and they both nearly tumbled down.

She told OK! magazine: 'I didn't get emotional walking down the aisle because although I knew I'd have to walk down the amphitheatre steps, I realised that in that dress and in heels, it wouldn't be easy.

'They're not even, and I started laughing at one point because there was one really massive one and my dad said to me, 'Oh, we both nearly went there', so I was really concentrating on where I was walking!'

Amy Hart has revealed she fell down a flight of stairs as she walked down the aisle to marry her fiance Sam Rason in Spain earlier this month

The former Love Island star, 32, looked incredible in her 'mob wife, dramatic' gown as she tied the knot with Sam in an outdoor ceremony at the Casa de la Era farm near Malaga; pictured with 18-month old son Stanley

Amy made it down the aisle to the sounds of 'You're Already There' by Alison Jiear and was able to exchange vows with Sam without tripping.

She said 'I do' in front of her 137 closest friends and family and also had seven bridesmaids and Sam had six groomsmen for the four day extravaganza.

Discussing her stunning gown, Amy admitted it took her forever to find the perfect dress because she has worn a number of glamorous gowns at pageants and red carpets.

She said: 'In the cubicle I wasn't sure. But when I walked out and saw it in the mirror, and then they put the veil on, I knew straight away it was the dress for me. It looked very Spanish, very 'Mob Wives', very dramatic and the craftsmanship was just incredible. It was perfect for me.'

Amy looked sensational in her bridal gown which boasted a plunging neckline with pretty lace sleeves and a full skirt.

The couple - parents to 18-month old son Stanley - are understood to be spending their honeymoon in Las Vegas, but a date for the trip is yet to be confirmed.

Amy, who shot to fame on Love Island in 2019, welcomed Stanley, her only child with with Sam, in March 2023.

Six months later she was stunned when her significant other got down on one knee while she was taking part in a shoot aboard the Excellence-class cruise ship Arvia for her P&O cruises podcast.

As she made her way down the aisle, Amy had to navigate some tricky steps in a floor-length dress and high heels as she was escorted to the altar by her dad Ian - and they both nearly tumbled down

She said 'I do' in front of her 137 closest friends and family and also had seven bridesmaids and Sam had six groomsmen for the four day extravaganza

Discussing her stunning gown, Amy admitted it took her forever to find the perfect dress because she has worn a number of glamorous gowns at pageants and red carpets

Amy was invited into the theatre to watch the rehearsals when Sam surprised her by appearing on stage and getting down on one knee and proposing.

Quoting a lyric from I'll Be Here - a number from obscure 9/11 musical Ordinary Days - avid musical theatre fan Amy announced her engagement with Instagram followers.

She wrote: 'And he saidhey, whatcha doin the rest of your life? Well and truly the biggest surprise ever We are so happy (literally thought I was watching show rehearsals hence why I have no shoes on).'

In a further update, the happy couple could be seen enjoying glasses of champagne where occasional Loose Women star Amy admitted that she is normally aware of everything that goes on but everything had been set up so that she had no clue.

She said: 'So yeah, fiance! There was no floors being polished, It was so that I didn't run into Sam when he got on the ship, there was no new trailers being set.

Amy confirmed her engagement to Sam after he proposed while she was taking part in a shoot aboard the Excellence-class cruise ship Arvia for her P&O cruises podcast
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley went braless during an outing in London on Monday.

The model. 37, showed off her incredible figure in the nude top that clinched her tiny waist and allowed her to leave very little to the imagination.

Rosie shielded her eyes with a pair of dark shades and let her blonde locks flow free as she climbed into her luxury vehicle after leaving a hotel in the capital.

She completed her look with a pair of black trousers that she secured with a textured belt and carried with her a matching leather jacket and handbag.

The Transformers: Dark of the Moon actress opted for a natural look with her makeup, and finished it off with a slick of dark red lipstick.

Rosie Huntington-Whitely went braless during an outing in London on Monday as she left little to the imagination with her outfit

Rosie shielded her eyes with a pair of dark shades and let her blonde locks flow free as she climbed into her luxury vehicle after leaving hotel in the capital

A view from the side revealed that the former Victoria's Secret Angel had opted for a pair of black high-heeled sandals and that she had accessorised with a glittering bracelet.

Away from the spotlight, Rosie is engaged to British actor and former professional swimmer Jason Statham, 57.

Jason earned 32 million last year, as much as Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, and lives with Rosie in a 7.5million property in Cheslea, London.

The couple have been engaged since 2016 and together have Jack, seven, and two-year-old Isabella together.

Rosie's outing in London comes just days after she shared holiday snaps of herself in Greece in on the island of Antiparos as she gave a rare glimpse into family life.

In the romantic carousel the actor and Rosie look every inch of the happy couple while taking turns to stamp a smooch on each other's cheeks.

In the radiant series of snaps from their Greek getaway, the lovebirds looked carefree struggling to contain a spontaneous laugh.

A view from the side revealed that the former Victoria's Secret Angel had opted for a pair of black high-heeled sandals and that she had accessorised with a glittering bracelet

The Transformers: Dark of the Moon actress opted for a natural look with her makeup, and finished it off with a slick of dark red lipstick

It comes after Rosie packed on the PDA with her fiance Jason Statham as the couple posed for a slew of loved-up snaps from their family holiday in Antiparos, Greece last week

She posted this rare vacation snap of her fiance Jason and their daughter Isabella, two.

The supermodel also to her Instagram to share the moment of Jason spending some quality time with their youngest, in their luxurious villa pool.

Rosie revealed they had taken their relationship to the next level when she flashed her impressive diamond ring at the 2016 Golden Globes

DailyMail.com reported that they love being engaged so much that they don't plan on officially tying the knot anytime soon.

A source close to the couple insisted Rosie and Jason 'will' get married one day, but there is 'no rush'.
Kendall Jenner and Eva Longoria stepped out of their lavish hotels while Bella Hadid attended a YSL fitting as they led the Paris Fashion Week arrivals on Monday.

Reality star and model Kendall, 28, was spotted heading out of the five-star Ritz Paris in France's capital city, while American actress Eva, 49, departed the Peninsula Hotel.

The stars were some of the first to touch down in France's capital ahead of Paris Fashion Week - with model Bella, 27, also arriving on day one to attend a fitting session with designer Yves Saint Laurent.

Kendall looked effortlessly stylish on leaving her hotel in a grey plaid blazer with a fitted waist, paired with a high-necked black blouse, straight-leg blue jeans and suede pumps.

She accessorised with a satchel-style black handbag, black narrow-frame sunglasses and a delicate pair of silver hoop earrings.

Kendall Jenner and Eva Longoria stepped out of their lavish hotels as they led the Paris Fashion Week arrivals on Monday

The stars were some of the first to touch down in France's capital ahead of Paris Fashion Week - with model Bella, 27, also arriving on day one to attend a fitting session with designer Yves Saint Laurent

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star darted off to Paris less than 48 hours after attending Milan Fashion Week.

Meanwhile Desperate Housewives star Eva opted for an ensemble of two parts - both daring and conservative.

Eva stepped out in a structured fitted black blazer with a high-neckline garment underneath.

However her bottom half was far more racy, as she donned a sheer black skirt through which her legs and underwear were visible.

Her stunning brown locks were blow-dried to perfection and she finished off the chic look with a pair of black and diamante strappy heels.

Also see arriving in the city for the upcoming Fashion Week was Bella, who was seen arriving for a showroom and fitting before leaving to do some shopping with friends at cowboy store El Paso Booty.

As she hid under an umbrella to stay protected from the rain, Bella looked effortlessly stylish in a cream denim zip top with a matching mini skirt.

She completed the look with an oversized black leather jacket, sheer tights and shin-high boots, as she carried a slouched shoulder bag.

Reality star and model Kendall, 28, was spotted heading out of the five-star Ritz Paris

Kendall looked effortlessly stylish on leaving her hotel in a grey plaid blazer with a fitted waist

She accessorised with a satchel-style black handbag, black narrow-frame sunglasses and a delicate pair of silver hoop earrings

She paired the jacket with a high-necked black blouse, straight-leg blue jeans and suede pumps

Meanwhile Desperate Housewives star Eva opted for an ensemble of two parts - both daring and conservative

Eva stepped out in a structured fitted black blazer with a high-neckline garment underneath, however her bottom half was far more racy, as she donned a sheer black skirt through which her legs and underwear were visible

Bella's dark locks were slicked back into a neat bun and she sported a pair of sunglasses - despite the wet conditions.

Heidi Klum also made her arrival known, as she took to Instagram to Instagram to announce she was there with L'Oreal.

The German-American model, 51, looked sensational in a long-sleeved black gown, with an extremely high leg split all the way up to the top of her hip.

Her golden locks were curled in voluminous waves for the snaps, before she changed into a fitted off-the-shoulder suit to pose by the Eiffel Tower.

Also seen arriving in Paris on Monday was model Barbara Palvin - who is married to Dylan Sprouse.

The Hungarian model, 30, opted for a The Matrix-style all-black ensemble as she touched down at the airport.

Barbara sported an ankle length oversized leather jacket with a pair of wide-leg high waisted trousers and a high-neck t-shirt as she carried her suitcase through the airport.

Rochelle Humes was another star seen leaving her hotel on the first day of PFW - after arriving the day before.

Also see arriving in the city for the upcoming Fashion Week was Bella, who was seen arriving for a showroom and fitting before leaving to do some shopping with friends at cowboy store El Paso Booty

As she hid under an umbrella to stay protected from the rain, Bella looked effortlessly stylish in a cream denim zip top with a matching mini skirt

She completed the look with an oversized black leather jacket, sheer tights and shin-high boots, as she carried a slouched shoulder bag

Bella's dark locks were slicked back into a neat bun and she sported a pair of sunglasses - despite the wet conditions

Heidi Klum also made her arrival known, as she took to Instagram to Instagram to announce she was there with L'Oreal

The German-American model, 51, looked sensational in a long-sleeved black gown, with an extremely high leg split all the way up to the top of her hip

Her golden locks were curled in voluminous waves for the snaps, before she changed into a fitted off-the-shoulder suit to pose by the Eiffel Tower

The Saturdays singer, 35, kept it casual in a long cream trench coat with a pair of straight-leg blue jeans and red adidas trainers.

Meanwhile, Kate Moss looked as chic as ever in a black ensemble as she and daughter Lila Moss arrived at the Ritz hotel in Paris ahead of Fashion Week.

The supermodel, 50, kept things casual, slipping into a stylish black blouse which she teamed with matching skinny jeans and black ballet pumps.

Shielding her eyes, Kate donned a pair of trendy shades and carried her essentials in a black handbag tucked under her arm.

The star looked in great spirits as she flashed a small smile while braving the rain in the French capital.

Meanwhile, Lila, 21, showcased her style as she rocked a grunge-style longline leather jacket, which she teamed with a black sweater, baggy jeans and black trainers.

Victoria Beckham also arrived in the French capital on Monday ahead of the huge event and was joined by her son Romeo, 22.

The fashion designer, 50, went braless in a stylish black ensemble as she left her hotel while donning huge shades.

Also seen arriving in Paris on Monday was model Barbara Palvin - who is married to Dylan Sprouse

The Hungarian model, 30, opted for a The Matrix-style all-black ensemble as she touched down at the airport

Barbara sported an ankle length oversized leather jacket with a pair of wide-leg high waisted trousers and a high-neck t-shirt as she carried her suitcase through the airport

Rochelle Humes was another star seen leaving her hotel on the first day of PFW - after arriving the day before

The Saturdays singer, 35, kept it casual in a long cream trench coat with a pair of straight-leg blue jeans and red adidas trainers

She showed off her toned figure in a lace trimmed black top and silk skirt which the star wore with towering red heels to boost her height.

Meanwhile Romeo joined her while out and about and cut a casual figure in a black layered T-shirt and baggy jeans.

He also wore stylish shades and appeared busy chatting on the phone as he stepped out with his mum.

It comes after Kendall made her way to Milan over the weekend for the Bottega Veneta womenswear show on Saturday.

She put on a chic display as she stepped out in a black long-sleeve dress which gathered around the waist with a gold buckle.

Kendall's dress featured a high neck design, which accentuated her platinum bobbed hairstyle.

Meanwhile, Kate Moss looked as chic as ever in a black ensemble as she and daughter Lila Moss arrived at the Ritz hotel in Paris ahead of Fashion Week

The supermodel, 50, kept things casual, slipping into a stylish black blouse which she teamed with matching skinny jeans and black ballet pumps

Shielding her eyes, Kate donned a pair of trendy shades and carried her essentials in a black handbag tucked under her arm

Victoria Beckham went braless in a stylish black look as she too arrived for Paris Fashion Week on Monday ahead of her show on Friday

She arrived in the French capital ahead of the huge event and was joined by her middle son Romeo, 22

The fashion designer, 50, went braless in a stylish black ensemble as she left her hotel while donning huge shades

To accessorise, she kept it simple with a simple black leather clutch and chunky gold hoops.

Kendall added inches to her statuesque figure in a pair of burgundy snakeskin kitten heels.

The media sensation exuded class as she beamed under the limelight, posing for a series of stunning shots in her new look.

Kendall showcased her new blonde locks for the first time last week in a New York City studio.

She 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.

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.

Kendall showcased her new blonde locks as she attended the Bottega Veneta womenswear show during Milan Fashion Week on Saturday, right earlier this month

Her garment featured a high neck design which accentuated her platinum hairstyle

She also posed while sitting on a chair underneath bright lights to better show off her blonde hair colour.

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!!! .'
The actress at the center of the extraordinary legal spat on set of new film 'The Deb' has been identified by DailyMail.com and she has spoken out against movie director Rebel Wilson, stating 'there is no truth to the allegations'.

DailyMail.com discovered Australian star Charlotte MacInnes, 25, is the woman who was dragged into Wilson's bitter feud with film producers Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron, and Vince Holden over her directorial debut earlier this summer.

Wilson, 44, accused producers of sabotaging the film project, embezzling funds, and sexually harassing the lead star - now revealed to be MacInnes - in a demand letter in June as well as a video shared on her Instagram account in July.

The three producers have since filed a defamation lawsuit against the Australian comedian, slamming her claims as 'fictitious' and having 'no basis in reality.'

They also accuse Wilson of bullying and falsely accusing Ghost of 'inappropriate behavior' towards MacInnes, with Ghost noting in the defamation suit that the actress strongly denied being subjected to such, when asked about Wilson's claims.

DailyMail.com has learned Australian star Charlotte MacInnes, 25, (right) is the woman who was dragged into Rebel Wilson's bitter feud with the producers of her directorial debut, The Deb

Rebel Wilson, pictured with MacInnes (second from right) and other cast members in May 2023, has been sued for defamation after accusing producers of sabotaging her project

Now, a legal complaint obtained by DailyMail.com reveals the feud broke out following a series of disputes over writing credits and Wilson's behavior on set of The Deb, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this month.

The producers say that when Wilson 'did not get her way in these disputes', she 'revived a fictitious story about Ms. Ghost sexually harassing a lead actor in 'The Deb' that has absolutely no basis in reality, as the actor that is the subject of this defamatory tale has repeatedly confirmed.

In a statement released to DailyMail.com, MacInnes confirmed she is the actress referred to in the lawsuit and angrily accused Wilson of 'undermining real victims' with her 'false' claims.

She said: 'There is no truth to the allegations made involving me. I made a statement to the film team when this was first said in September 2023 and am saying this now to draw a line under it.

'Making false accusations undermines real victims and I won't be the subject of a fabricated narrative.'

Musical comedy The Deb follows the story of farm girl Taylah Simpkins and her city slicker cousin Maeve as they look for dates for an upcoming ball.

The defamation lawsuit was filed by producers Vincent Holden (left), Gregor Cameron and Amanda Ghost (pictured together right), who branded Wilson a 'malicious bully'

Rebel in a scene from the musical comedy The Deb, which was filmed in Australia last year

It marks the first big screen appearance for MacInnes, who plays lead role Maeve and has received glowing reviews for her performance in the film.

Previously, she starred in Australian murder mystery series North Shore and, in May, made her US stage debut in the role of Daisy in a musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby.

But the film's premiere has been overshadowed by the feud, with Wilson hitting back at the producers in an Instagram video in July after news of the lawsuit emerged, telling followers: 'It's not defamation if it's the TRUTH (those 'producers' who I mentioned in my last post have just filed a defamation suit against me...'

She had previously dubbed them 'vile and disgusting', accused them of 'bad behavior' and doubled down on her embezzlement claims.

The current case centers on a dispute about writing credits on The Deb and accuses her of bullying behavior on set.

In the complaint, seen by DailyMail.com, Wilson is accused of bullying behavior and unreasonable demands, as well as fabricating the story about MacInnes.

It reads: '[Wilson] has a history of fabricating false and malicious lies to hide her own lack of professionalism and advance her own self-interest.

The film's premiere has been overshadowed by the feud, with Wilson doubling down on her claims in an Instagram video in July

Wilson posed with some of the cast and crew at the red carpet premiere of the film at the Toronto Film Festival on September 14

MacInnes previously starred in Australian murder mystery series North Shore and, in May, made her US stage debut in the role of Daisy in a musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby

'This lawsuit is about holding Rebel accountable for her attempts to bully Plaintiffs into conceding to her unreasonable demands by spreading vicious lies without regard for the irreparable damage her reckless words would cause on the hard-earned personal and professional reputations of Plaintiffs.'

'For years, Rebel has played the affable funny girl on the big screen and, off screen, portrayed herself as a champion of other female artists and whistleblower against abusive conduct within the film industry.

'This public persona, however, is a farce. Rebel is a bully who will disregard the interests of others to promote her own.'

According to the lawsuit, Wilson hired a young writer - Hannah Reilly - to develop a screenplay for The Deb - before allegedly attempting to steal credit for herself.

The suit continues: 'She granted a young artist a scholarship to develop a screenplay for 'The Deb' (the 'Film'), and then tried to claim writing credit for herself.

'And, when Rebel did not get her way in business negotiations with the Plaintiffs concerning 'The Deb' (including the writing credit), Rebel tried to intimidate Plaintiffs into giving her what she wanted by leveraging her persona and platform, with many millions of followers, to spread malicious lies about the Plaintiffs.'

The plaintiffs allege they 'took a chance on Rebel' who is a 'novice' to directing and producing but claim 'she flatly refused to collaborate with Plaintiffs' and exhibited 'reckless conduct.'

In her memoir Rebel Rising, the Australian actress, 44, made shock claims about her experience filming The Brothers Grimsby with 'a**hole' comedian Sacha Baron Cohen - which he strenuously denied

The court battle over The Deb follows a controversy earlier this year over a chapter in Wilson's memoir, Rebel Rising, in which she claimed Sasha Baron Cohen harassed her on the set of The Brothers Grimsby.

The 44-year-old, who played Baron Cohen's girlfriend Dawn in the film, accused him of making her uncomfortable with repeated requests for nudity and asking 'Rebel, can you just stick your finger up my butt?' during a skit.

After Baron Cohen, 52, described the claims as 'demonstrably false' and threatened to call the lawyers in, the book was published with redactions in the UK to avoid falling foul of the country's notoriously tough libel and defamation laws.

Wilson has also previously been accused of lying about her age and upbringing.

She was eventually forced to admit she was six years older than she had claimed but sued a number of Australian magazines in May 2016 for defamation, saying they had painted her as a 'serial liar'.

She won the case and, in September 2017, was awarded $4.5million AUD ($3million USD, 2.3million GBP) in damages, although she was later forced to return $4.1millionAUD ($2.7 USD, 2million GBP) plus $600,000 AUD ($408,600 USD, 306,973 GBP) in interest following an appeal.
MAFS UK star Brad Skelly has been rushed to hospital as he shared a picture from A&E on Sunday.

The model, 28, who took part in the E4 dating show last year, took to Instagram as he updated his 94,000 followers from Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.

While Brad didn't reveal what his injury was, he shared a snap of his knee in a support as he drank a takeaway coffee.

Writing: 'Back again,' Brad then shared a selfie as he held his crutch and ensured his followers he was ok.

He told fans: 'For everybody asking I am all good,' with a blue love heart.

MAFS UK star Brad Kelly has been rushed to hospital as he shared pics from A&E over on Instagram on Sunday

Brad made headlines last year after he was kicked off the popular dating show after he displayed 'controlling' and 'manipulative' behaviour towards his wife Shona Manderson,

Brad made headlines last year after he was kicked off the popular dating show after he displayed 'controlling' and 'manipulative' behaviour towards his wife Shona Manderson, 32.

He was repeatedly slammed by viewers for 'gaslighting' his bride and eventually the relationship experts had to intervene as they warned his behaviour could become 'dangerous' and the couple were axed from the experiment.

During a commitment ceremony, Brad accused Shona of being 'emotionally immature', adding: 'Not that I'm in a position of authority or to teach her, but if I allow her to get angry, is she ever going to learn?'

Mel was quick to pull him up on his behaviour, asking Shona if he 'preached' to her and pointing out to Brad that he was using words like "I will allow you to and let you".

She explained: 'I want to make sure you're aware of the language you're using with her and giving her the space to think for herself. She's an independent thinker and she's got a lot to bring to the table.

'We're calling this out because these are the kind of patterns that can become dangerous between two people.'

Charlene Douglas added that it was important for Shona 'to be able to say actually that language makes me feel like a student, that doesn't make me feel very comfortable'.

While Brad didn't reveal what his injury was, he shared a snap of his knee in a support as he drank a takeaway coffee

He was repeatedly slammed by viewers for 'gaslighting' his bride and eventually the relationship experts had to intervene as they warned his behaviour could become 'dangerous'

Since quitting the E4 show, Brad has accused TV producers of turning him into a villain as he reveals: 'I was deeply unhappy filming the show'

Last month the reality star debuted his new girlfriend Tori Addison as the pair posed together in snaps alongside the caption: 'My slime'

The scenes were praised by Women's Aid, who told MailOnline: 'It is really important that the experts on the show called this out as controlling behaviour and challenged Brad's view that it was acceptable to say that he had the right to "allow" Shona to be angry.

'TV programmes like these, which are based on the formation of relationships, need to be aware of the dynamics of controlling and coercive behaviour, and always send a clear message that it is wholly unacceptable.'

Since quitting the E4 show, Brad has accused TV producers of turning him into a villain as he reveals: 'I was deeply unhappy filming the show.'

He believes viewers saw unfairly edited scenes featuring the couple as footage of them 'laughing' and 'joking' failed to make the cut, and he feels producers wanted to portray a negative narrative.

Brad said: 'All they've shown is me and Shona all over each other physically or arguing, what an anti-climax that is but it's also great TV.'

Last month the reality star debuted his new girlfriend Tori Addison as the pair posed together in snaps alongside the caption: 'My slime'.
Dame Joan Collins has recounted being starved on the set of Dynasty as show bosses 'refused to let the cast eat.

The legendary actress, 90, played the role of Alexis Carrington Colby in the American soap for eight years until 1989 and spoke of how the crew gorged on 'buns and goodies' while the stars were 'left looking like stick insects.'

Joining the Loose Women panelist on Monday's show, she discussed her long-standing showbiz career and the role which kick started it.

Joan began: 'We weren't allowed to eat anything in between meals. They had all these buns and goodies that all the crew would eat, they put on two stone. But they would say to us "no no no, carrot stick!"

'If you looked at us all we were like stick insects.'

Dame Joan Collins has recounted being starved on the set of Dynasty as show bosses 'refused to let the cast eat and left them looking like stick insects'

The actress, 90, played the role of Alexis Carrington Colby in the American soap and spoke of how the crew gorged on 'buns and goodies' while the stars 'left looked like stick insects'

Joan, who was wearing a jacket from her time on the series, added: 'This jacket was the only thing I kept from the show because it looks very classic YSL.'

Back in November, she revealed the very unlikely inspiration for her iconic Dynasty character Alexis, during a 'flirty' interview with Louis Theroux.

Speaking about the show, which told the story of a fictional American Dynasty, Joan revealed one of its biggest fans at time was none other than former president Donald Trump, now 78, who influenced her portrayal.

'I said when I was asked about my character Alexis, who did I think of when preparing, I said well a mixture of Donald Trump", who was not President then, he was just a businessman',

'And a friend of mine who was a very glamorous woman about town who was very clever, so I wanted to have a mixture of them.

Louis then asked what specific qualities of Trump did she incorporate into the character with the actress pin pointing his 'ruthlessness'.

But Dame Joan refused to be drawn into a discussion on politics saying: I am trying not to get involved politically. I am an actress so I dont think we should spout our political opinions,

Only to quip: Well lets say that if you played him in a movie people would say no, thats too over the top'.

Joining the Loose Women panelist on Monday's show, she discussed her long-standing showbiz career and the role which kick started it

Joan began: 'We weren't allowed to eat anything in between meals. They had all these buns and goodies that all the crew would eat. But they would say to us "no no no, carrot stick!"'

Earlier in the episode fans were quick to spot the star 'flirting' with host Louis as she offered him a tour of her lavish home in the South of France.

During a chat about weight the broadcaster encouraged Joan to to feel his stomach as she purred: 'Is that a six pack?'.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one wrote: 'Just watched the first chunk of the Louis Theroux interview with the divine Joan Collins. At ninety she can still flirt like a seventeen year old, and still has an ageless charisma. A role model for anybody concerned about being passed their first youth'.

While a second wrote: 'Louis Therouxs gentle flirting with the sublime Dame Joan Collins was beautiful to watch. What a wonderful, joyous interview'.

And others were quick to praise her timeless beauty saying: 'Joan Collins is 90?! wow'.

With some else typing: 'Dear Lord, please PLEASE let me look even a tiny fraction as good as Joan Collins does at 90'.

A third typed: 'How on earth is Joan Collins 90?!'.

While someone else commented: 'Loved the latest Theroux interview with Joan Collins. Quality telly. Can't believe she's 90. Still sassy'.

Elsewhere in the episode Joan candidly discussed her own experiences as a young actress in Hollywood.

Despite being best known for the 80s soap she also appeared in movies throughout the 50s and 60s alongside the likes of Hollywood superstars Jayne Mansfield and Paul Newman.

And revealed she was told 'not to be glam to get parts'.

Back in November, she revealed the very unlikely inspiration for her iconic Dynasty character Alexis, during a 'flirty' interview with Louis Theroux

Louis asked what specific qualities of Trump (L) did she incorporate into the character with the actress pin pointing his 'ruthlessness'

But Dame Joan refused to be drawn into a discussion on politics saying: I am trying not to get involved politically. I am an actress so I dont think we should spout our political opinions' (pictured with Dynasty co-stars John Forsythe and Linda Evans in 1985)

Only to quip: Well lets say that if you played him in a movie people would say no, thats too over the top' (Donald and former wife Ivana in 1985)

Louis asked her: 'Do you not feel completely appreciated?'

Joan replied: 'I'm not saying I'm not appreciated. I think I have become more, but there's a grudging kind of, 'yeah she's terrific but she cant act she can just play these roles' and early reviews only talked about the way I looked.

'The way I swung my hips or the way I made googly eyes at the leading man, they were always half snide.'

Louise asked: 'Do you care?', Joan bluntly replied: 'No. You are bringing it up, I don't care.'
A new trailer for Gladiator II sees Paul Mescal's Lucius Verus seek vengeance against Rome in a blood-soaked battle with his captor general Marcus Acacius.

The Normal People star, 28, stars as enslaved former heir Lucius in Ridley Scott's long-awaited sequel.

With Russell Crowe's legendary Maximus long-since dead and buried, it is vengeful Lucius who must fight for his liberty after being taken into slavery and ripped away from his wife and daughter by general Marcus (Pedro Pascal).

In a new trailer for the film, revenge-seeking Lucius is mentored as a Gladiator by Macrinus (Denzel Washington) - a former slave who plots to control Rome. The pair use one another to achieve their goals: Macrinus's invasion of Rome and Lucius slaying the general.

'Whose head can I give you to satisfy your fury?' Macrinus asks Lucius, to which the Gladiator replies: 'The general will do. Rome has taken everything from me but I will have my vengeance.'

A new trailer for Gladiator II sees Paul Mescal's Lucius Verus seek vengeance against Rome in a blood-soaked battle with his captor general Marcus Acacius

The Normal People star, 28, stars as enslaved former heir Lucius in Ridley Scott's long-awaited sequel

A former heir to the Roman empire, Lucius lives with his wife and child in a coastal town in Numidia. He hasn't been in touch with his mother Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) in 15 years.

But he is imprisoned by Marcus , a feared general who honed his fighting skills under the tutelage of Maximus, and his marauding army of troops.

Played by a then 12-year old Spencer Treat Clark in Scott's original film, Lucius is now an adult and intent on forcing his way out of the notorious fighting pits, at all costs.

Along the way he encounters and befriends Denzel Washington's Macrinus, a power broker who keeps a stable of gladiators and sees battle-hungry Lucius as a promising investment.

The new trailer begins with Macrinus (Denzel Washington) - a former slave who plots to control Rome - telling Lucius how Gladiators are chosen.

'They are usually prisoners of war,' he says as he mentors Lucius - before the Gladiator takes to the colosseum to fight. 'I own you now,' Macrinus tells him.

The broker's true intentions to invade Rome are revealed and Lucius sees an opportunity to seek revenge for being imprisoned by general Marcus.

As Lucius reveals his desires to see his captor dead, a montage of things he has lost flash across the screen - including his beloved wife.

With Russell Crowe's legendary Maximus long-since dead and buried, it is vengeful Lucius who must fight for his liberty after being taken into slavery and ripped away from his wife and daughter by general Marcus (Pedro Pascal)

In a new trailer for the film, revenge-seeking Lucius is mentored as a Gladiator by Macrinus ( Denzel Washington ) - a former slave who plots to control Rome

The pair use one another to achieve their goals: Macrinus's invasion of Rome and Lucius slaying the general

The pair use one another to achieve their goals: Macrinus's invasion of Rome and Lucius slaying the general

Next viewers are introduced to Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) as he is informed that Lucius will be his Gladiator at a lavish banquet.

Macrinus reveals he has gained the trust of the Emperor, as he says it will 'clear my path to the throne' and tells Lucius: 'You will be my instrument.' But Lucius rebels against his cruel 'mentor' and insists he will be his instrument, 'in this life or the next'.

Later in the trailer, Lucius regains contact with his mother after 15 years as she shares that she sees Maximus in her son - ahead of an epic fight against his enemy general Marcus.

In July, Paul admitted that 'everything felt like slow motion' when he secured his 'life changing' lead role.

Joining Pandora Christie on Heart Evening show recalled the moment he received the call.

He explained: 'I was walking to the theatre. I was doing A Streetcar Named Desire in London; I was walking through Islington to get down to the theatre and my agent called me.

'Like, it was kind of one of those things where it feels like everything goes into slow motion, where it is like, Ive got my earphones in and I was getting this news that would change course of my life.'

A former heir to the Roman empire, Lucius lives with his wife and child in a coastal town in Numidia before being taken prisoner

Lucius was played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original 2000 blockbuster (left), now fully gown, he is played by Paul Mescal in the forthcoming sequel (right)

Joseph Quinn plays evil co-emperor Geta, a role that has been compared to Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of traitorous emperor Commodus in Gladiator

Tragedy appears to strike for Lucius, with the warrior cradling his wife in another scene from the new trailer

Paul continued: 'But youre in this weird bubble where nobody else has a clue that Gladiator II even exists at this point.

'And then I think I like blacked out in my head. I was like, "Well, I cant really remember of that day." It was just a lot of information to absorb.

'I phoned my mum and dad very, very, very quickly. Told them. But then I was doing the play in the evening, so you just kind of put it out of your head.'

Paul underwent a huge body transformation for the role, embarking on a gruelling training regime.

'It was lots of lifting heavy things and running around the place. But I literally had anything that I could have ever wanted,' he said.

'Burgers and chips and everything!'

Gladiator II is released on November 15 in the United Kingdom and November 22 in the United States
'Mama' June Shannon was awarded legal and physical custody of her grieving 12-year-old granddaughter Kaitlyn Elizabeth Shannon by a Georgia judge last Friday in her legal battle against Michael Cardwell, the ex-husband of her late daughter Anna 'Chickadee' Toney.

The fisherman - who was married to Anna from 2014-2017 - has legal and physical custody of their eight-year-old daughter Kylee Madison Cardwell, and he firmly believed the half-sisters should not be separated.

In his ruling, the judge noted that Michael 'never provided any significant financial support for this child,' who testified at a July hearing that she wanted to continue living with the 45-year-old grandmother-of-four - according to In Touch Weekly.

Kaitlyn's therapist also testified that she feared being taken away from June - who's had temporary custody since Toney tragically lost her 10-month battle to stage four adrenal carcinoma, at age 29, on December 9.

In her legal docs, Shannon claimed that Cardwell 'frequently physically abused Anna and the child' during their marriage, which he vehemently denied as they 'simply separated due to differences in opinions and personalities.'

'Mama' June Shannon was awarded legal and physical custody of her grieving 12-year-old granddaughter Kaitlyn Elizabeth Shannon by a Georgia judge last Friday in her legal battle against Michael Cardwell, the ex-husband of her late daughter Anna 'Chickadee' Toney

The fisherman (L, pictured May 7) - who was married to Anna from 2014-2017 - has legal and physical custody of their eight-year-old daughter Kylee Madison Cardwell (2-R), and he firmly believed the half-sisters should not be separated

'[Michael] will have no right to visitation as such, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties and the minor child,' the judge wrote in his decision.

In the June 21st episode of June's We TV reality series Mama June: Family Crisis, Anna stated that she wanted Kaitlyn (whose birth father was reportedly her high school sweetheart Caleb Clark) 'to go to' her second husband Eldridge Toney, whom she wed last year.

Shannon notoriously lost custody of her 19-year-old daughter Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson to her 24-year-old daughter Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird following her 2019 arrest for felony possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine) and drug paraphernalia.

'Some people don't think I deserve or I need Kaitlyn because I willingly gave up custody of Alana,' the former warehouse worker explained in the June 14th episode.

'My life has been a crazy rollercoaster but also I have been clean for four years. I'm doing good with my life. I'm back on track, and I will attest to anyone that says I do not deserve Kaitlyn, including my own children.'

On April 26, Kaitlyn proudly wore a necklace containing remains of her late mother to a middle school dance.

Since 'Anna did not want to rot in the ground' June had some of her cremated remains placed inside a heart-shaped charm on a bracelet and other such jewelry keepsakes for her family.

'It has her fingerprint and it also has her ashes in it,' Shannon explained via TikTok, 'because Anna wanted us to carry her around everywhere that we went and that's what we're doing.'

June was only 15 when she welcomed Toney, who was first introduced to audiences on TLC's Toddlers and Tiaras.

The family's spin-off Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was canceled by the cable network in 2014 after four seasons due to Shannon's then boyfriend Mark McDaniel who was convicted of molesting Anna.

In his ruling, the judge noted that Michael (pictured July 8) 'never provided any significant financial support for this child,' who testified at a July hearing that she wanted to continue living with the 45-year-old grandmother-of-four

Kaitlyn's therapist also testified that she feared being taken away from June - who's had temporary custody since Toney (L, pictured in 2023) tragically lost her 10-month battle to stage four adrenal carcinoma, at age 29, on December 9

In the June 21st episode of June's We TV reality series Mama June: Family Crisis, Anna stated that she wanted Kaitlyn (whose birth father was reportedly her high school sweetheart Caleb Clark) 'to go to' her second husband Eldridge Toney (R), whom she wed last year

Shannon notoriously lost custody of her 19-year-old daughter Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson to her 24-year-old daughter Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird following her 2019 arrest for felony possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia (pictured September 14)

The former warehouse worker explained in the June 14th episode: 'Some people don't think I deserve or I need Kaitlyn because I willingly gave up custody of Alana. My life has been a crazy rollercoaster but also I have been clean for four years. I'm doing good with my life. I'm back on track, and I will attest to anyone that says I do not deserve Kaitlyn, including my own children'

On April 26, Kaitlyn proudly wore a necklace containing remains of her late mother to a middle school dance

Since 'Anna did not want to rot in the ground' June had some of her cremated remains placed inside a heart-shaped charm on a bracelet and other such jewelry keepsakes for her family
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Alessandra Ambrosio looked every bit the California beach babe during a game of volleyball on the sandy shores of Santa Monica in California.

The former Victoria's Secret Angel, 43, wore a colorful striped tie-dye bikini thong bottom with a cropped, long sleeved white shirt over it.

A grey ball cap kept her long brown hair under control and grey-toned sunglasses blocked the sun from her eyes.

A volleyball net emblazoned with Department of Beaches and Harbors on it could be seen behind her.

The Brazilian beauty has been busy lately with sightings at New York Fashion Week, the MTV VMA Awards and the U.S. Open.

Alessandra Ambrosio looked every bit the California beach babe during a game of volleyball on a sandy shore in Santa Monica, California

The beach outing comes a few weeks after Alessandra celebrated her daughter Anja's 16th birthday.

The doting mom shared several images from Anja's birthday party and wrote a heartfelt caption.

'Happy Sweet 16, my darling Anja! Today marks a major milestone in your journey to becoming an extraordinary woman,' she began.

'I couldnt be more proud of the incredible person youre growing up to be - strong, kind, intelligent, creative, and beautiful inside and out,' she gushed.

Continuing to praise her mini-me, she said: 'Your sensitivity, work ethic, and determination to chase your dreams inspire me every day.

'As your mom, I feel grateful to witness your growth and evolution. I promise to always be here for you, to love you unconditionally, guide you with compassion, and hold your hand through lifes ups and downs.'

Wrapping up the affectionate message, Alessandra wrote: 'Heres to many more years of love, laughter, and adventure!

'May your birthday be as bright and wonderful as you are. I love you more than words can express, now and forever.'

The former Victoria's Secret Angel, 43, wore a colorful striped bikini with a cropped, long sleeved white shirt over it

The beach outing comes a few weeks after Alessandra celebrated her daughter Anja's 16th birthday

The proud mother, who is also parent to 12-year-old son Noah, signed off in Portuguese, 'Feliz aniversario, minha princesa! Mamae te ama.'

Alessandra shares Anja and Noah with her ex Jamie Mazur.

Mazur, the founder of RE/DONE jeans, and Alessandra became engaged in 2008, the same year that they welcomed Anja.

Noah came along in 2012 and the couple split in 2018 after a decade together.
Angelina Jolie and daughter Vivienne, 16, both got the phrase 'Stay Gold' tatted after working together on the Broadway play The Outsiders.

The movie star, 49, revealed the tats in an interview with CR Fashion Book - five months after her inking was first seen - while walking The Outsiders opening red carpet.

Angelina shares six children with ex-husband Brad Pitt: sons Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, and Knox, 16, and daughters Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and Vivienne, 16.

'I got "Stay Gold" with my daughter Viv during out time with The Outsiders. It means so much to us separately and together,' Angelina told the outlet.

Vivienne chose to leave dad Brad's last name off The Outsiders playbill - opting for Vivienne Jolie.

Angelina Jolie and daughter Vivienne, 16, both got the phrase 'Stay Gold' tatted after working together on the Broadway play The Outsiders; seen April 11 in NYC

'I got "Stay Gold" with my daughter Viv during out time with The Outsiders. It means so much to us separately and together,' Angelina told the outlet; pictured April 11 in NYC

Angelina's tattoo of 'Stay Gold' is located on the side of her arm near two other tats - in cursive; seen April 11 in NYC

Angelina's tattoo of 'Stay Gold' is located on the side of her arm near two other tats - in cursive.

She did not specify where Vivienne got hers.

After seeing The Outsiders at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in 2023, Vivienne inspired her mom Angelina to sign on as a producer for the musical adaption of it.

In August 2023, the movie star revealed daughter Vivienne inspired her to take the role of lead producer in the Broadway play The Outsiders.

Vivienne served as her mom's volunteer assistant, while Angelina was a lead producer for The Outsiders.

The movie star, 49, revealed the tats in an interview with CR Fashion Book - five months after her inking was first seen - while walking The Outsiders opening red carpet; seen June 16 in NYC

'Viv reminds me of my mother in that she isn't focused on being the center of attention in being a support to others,' she told the outlet via a statement.

'She's very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute,' she added.

'I hope to be able to contribute while continuing to learn from this amazing team, who I have been working with since my daughter brought me to see the show at La Jolla Playhouse,' Jolie said in a statement after it was announced.

The Outsiders musical is based on the S.E. Hinton novel as well as the 1983 Francis Ford Coppola film.

During the opening night of The Outsiders in April, Angelina said she was 'honored' to work on the production.

After seeing The Outsiders at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in 2023, Vivienne inspired her mom Angelina to sign on as a producer for the musical adaption of it; seen with Vivienne on June 16 at the Tony Awards in NYC

The mother of six also revealed her bird tattoo on her chest is another inking that she shares with 'some' of her kids. The actress did not reveal which of her six children have the bird tattoo with her. Her bird tat is located in the center of her chest, which she unveiled in June at the Tony Awards in New York City; seen June 16 at the Tony Awards

In June, Angelina and Vivienne earned a Tony Award for The Outsiders, after they won Best Musical.

The mother of six also revealed her bird tattoo on her chest is another inking that she shares with 'some' of her kids.

The actress did not reveal which of her six children have the bird tattoo with her.

Her bird tat is located in the center of her chest, which she unveiled in June at the Tony Awards in New York City.

Angelina is in the midst of lawsuit with Brad, 60, which centers around their Chateau Miraval Winery - amid their eight years long divorce.

He sued her for selling her half of the winery in October 2021 for $67 million.

They married in August 2014 after 10 years together but Angelina filed for divorce in September 2016.

A judge granted them both legal single status on April 12, 2019, while the couple continue to finalize their divorce.

In August, Angelina and Brad's daughter Shiloh, 18, dropped her Pitt surname, legally changing her name to Shiloh Nouvel Jolie - previously Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

She first filed the petition May 27 - her 18th birthday.
Nick Knowles continued to spark concern around his future on Strictly Come Dancing, as he was spotted with his arm bundled into a sling on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the DIY SOS star, 62, revealed he'd injured his arm while changing a tyre on his car on Sunday, after breaking down on the motorway.

After sharing on Instagram that he was heading to Harley Street doctor for a scan, Nick was spotted with his fiancee Katie Dadzie.

The presenter had made his Strictly debut alongside his professional partner Luba Mushtuk on Saturday.

Nick continued to sport his arm in a protective sling as he stepped out with his bride-to-be, with his injury sparking concerns he may pull out of the show.

Nick Knowles continued to spark concern around his future on Strictly Come Dancing, as he was spotted with his arm bundled into a sling on Monday

Earlier in the day, the DIY SOS star revealed he'd injured his arm while changing a tyre on his car on Sunday after breaking down on the motorway

After sharing on Instagram that he was heading to Harley Street doctor for a scan, Nick was spotted with his fiancee Katie Dadzie

In a video shared on Monday, Nick said that he was heading to a Harley Street clinic to undergo a scan and hoped to update fans on the state of his injury ahead of his appearance on It Takes Two that evening.

But he vowed that 'nothing was going to stop him dancing' ahead of the second live show this weekend.

Sharing a video of his arm wrapped in a sling, Nick said: 'I thought I'd give a little update. I've got a sling, and that's because my car broke down at the side of the motorway.

'My little boy [was] in the car, so I wanted to change the tyre as quickly as I could, to make sure we were safe.

'And in the process of hurrying to get the wheel off, as quickly as I possibly could because there was a big wheel on my big car, I managed to damage my shoulder and arm a little bit.

'I'm not quite sure how or what, but it's been quite painful. Although it's a little better this morning, I'm on my way up to London to Harley Street to get a scan done, and to get some top medical advice, but I'm on my way to training afterwards so I can learn the steps of my next dance.

'And I'll see you on It Takes Two a bit later today, where hopefully I'll have more information and be able to update you, but I'll keep you posted during the course of the day anyway. Not ideal, but I'm convinced nothing is going to stop me from dancing this weekend.'

During his first Strictly appearance Nick and Luba scored 18 points for their jive, danced to We Built This City by Starship.

Nick stayed true to his roots for his jive to We Built This City sporting a sparkly orange reflective vest - before ending it with a disco ball-esque builders hard hat.

'You're as delighted as I am that that came off the way it did, aren't you?' Anton said to Nick after the dance ended.

Nick made his debut on the BBC show on Saturday alongside his professional partner Luba Mushtuk

Nick continued to sport his arm in a protective sling as he stepped out with his bride-to-be, with his injury sparking concerns he may pull out of the show

The star shared with his Instagram followers on Monday that he had injured his arm and shoulder while changing the tyre on his car

Nick said that he was heading to a Harley Street clinic to undergo a scan and hoped to update fans on the state of his injury ahead of his appearance on It Takes Two that evening

But he vowed that 'nothing was going to stop him dancing' ahead of the second live show, which will take place on Saturday

Nick explained that while changing the tyre on his car, he injured his arm and shoulder, but was seeking medical help ahead of resuming training

'I'll see you on It Takes Two a bit later today, where hopefully I'll have more information and be able to update you, but I'll keep you posted during the course of the day anyway,' Nick added

Nick was pictured stepping out with his fiancee Katie, continuing to sport his arm bundled in a protective sling

The veteran presenter finished towards the bottom of the leaderboard after completing his debut dance with professional partner Luba

Nick was pictured alongside his longtime partner Katie as he prepared to resume training for the next live show

He said he hopes to provide fans with an update on the state of his injury when he appears on It Takes Two on Monday

However Craig received boos as he called the performance 'pigeon-toed, stiff and flat footed'.

For his debut performance, Nick received a three from Craig, and fives from Motsi, Shirley and Anton.

Nick was left red faced as the cast sang him Happy Birthday and presented him with a cake - before professional dancer Carlos smooshed the cake in his face.

The DIY SOS star shared his worries about performing live but insisted he hopes he does better than people expect.

'That's easy,' Luba replied as she reassured her partner. Nick said: 'Well then I'll be very happy.'

Strictly has also reportedly been hit with yet another blow after its first live episode of the latest series saw ratings plummet to their lowest in the show's 20-year history.

Following last week's pre-recorded launch, The Sun reported that Saturday's episode saw a peak of 6.7million viewers, down from 7.3million for the same episode last year and 10.2million in 2020.

During his first Strictly appearance Nick and Luba scored 18 points for their jive, danced to We Built This City by Starship

For his debut performance, Nick received a three from Craig, and fives from Motsi, Shirley and Anton

The DIY SOS star shared his worries about performing live but insisted he hopes he does better than people expect

The show has found itself embroiled in controversy over how the professional dancers teach the celebs, with multiple accusations emerging of bullying and abusive behaviour.

All fifteen celebrities and their pro partners took to the dancefloor for the first live show following last weekend's launch, where the pairings were first revealed.

A source told the publication that after bosses were fretting after already being 'worried' following the pre-recorded show losing nearly a million viewers on the previous year.

Saying: 'The fact that the first live show saw a drop too will be of concern to them  particularly if the drop continues into next week, which is the first elimination show.

'They now face an anxious wait to see whether the drop in on-the-night viewers is made up for by an increase in fans watching Strictly on iPlayer, but those figures take days and weeks to compile.

Strictly has also reportedly been hit with yet another blow after its first live episode of the latest series saw ratings plummet to their lowest in the show's 20-year history

'These live figures really matter to the Beeb, because Strictly is still seen as one of the few shows that provide the shared TV experience where people come together to watch a programme at a set time.'

MailOnline has contacted BBC for comment.

The Strictly scandal erupted in January when actress Amanda Abbington accused her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice of abuse after she unexpectedly quit the show just five weeks in.

Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, a has made a series of accusations about Giovanni's teaching methods and has described his behaviour as 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. He strongly denies all of the claims.

Then, in July, it emerged that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked from Strictly for 'kicking' his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Julianne Hough took to Instagram on Sunday to share a playful video with her five million followers.

The 36-year-old dancer  who recently announced the new Dancing with the Stars cast  showed off her washboard abs while cooking in a teeny white bikini.

The blonde beauty danced in her kitchen while preparing a healthy lunch that included a salad packed with protein.

The upbeat snippet was soundtracked by the song Rocketman by Orange Coffee.

She captioned the lighthearted reel, 'Whats the opposite of #tradwife,' referring to the 'traditional wife' social media trend made popular by influencers like Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman.

Julianne Hough took to Instagram on Sunday to share a playful video with her five million followers

The 36-year-old dancer showed off her washboard abs while cooking in a teeny white bikini

Hough, whose brother is dancer Derek Hough, rocked glamorous black sunglasses, setting them atop her head as she cooked.

Her wispy bob haircut was bone straight and she looked naturally beautiful with a clear complexion and rosy cheeks.

The post has so far racked up nearly 70,000 likes from her engaged fans, who also left encouraging comments.

The star's adorable brown pooch also made an appearance in the clip as she rocked the canine in her arms at one point.

It later joined her outdoors where she happily sunbathed on a pale yellow towel in the privacy of her backyard.

It comes weeks after the media figure opened up about her sexuality  five years after she revealed she's 'not straight.'

While appearing on the Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast, she emphasized that she is attracted to 'people.'

She also reflected on the empowerment she felt after coming out publicly in 2019.

The blonde beauty danced in her kitchen while preparing a healthy lunch that included a salad packed with protein

Julianne also took to her Instagram Stories to show off her incredible figure while sunbathing

Her dog joined her for the leisurely day of sun

'Coming out is one of the most vulnerable and empowering things that you can do. I think for me, it was very much like, it's not about being straight or gay or bi or queer,' she explained.

She added: 'It's more about, I think I'm just learning what love is and I love people and I don't know what I'm attracted to, but "I choose you."'

The actress noted, 'I was starting to see people and seeing their hearts and seeing their beauty and their essence coming through in a way that I was like, wow, I love people and I don't know if it's a sexual attraction or a 'this' attraction, but I'm just seeing people.

'And that was such a beautiful revelation too,' she told host Lima.
Ryan Reynolds left a young fan battling cancer in tears as he surprised him at hospital last week.

The Deadpool star, 47, shocked Nash Cote, eight, as he walked into his hospital room at Boston childrens hospital - where Ottawa youngster Nash is undergoing treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer.

Deadpool fan Nash - who is receiving a six week course of proton radiation - had decorated his radiation mask like a Deadpool mask - which caught the actor's eye.

Nash's mom - radio broadcaster Angie Poirier, sent Reynolds a photo of the mask on X - with the actor replying that he'd love to meet Nash in hospital.

An emotional video showed Reynolds entering the room and saying: 'My name is Ryan Reynolds, you can't escape. You can escape but I have some presents for you.

Ryan Reynolds left a young fan battling cancer in tears as he surprised him at hospital last week

'Can I give you a hug?' - as a shocked Nash broke down in years.

Reynolds was shown Nash's radiation mask which he dubbed 'awesome' and asked for a photo with as it's a 'first for me too.'

Giving Nash words of encouragement, he said: 'Its a lot for an eight-year-old kid to shoulder, I hope you know that.'

The pair even FaceTimed Deadpool co-star Hugh Jackman from the hospital room.

Reynolds wrote on X: 'Wish every kid needing treatment got it here. And I wish every parent with a sick kid could put their kid in hands this capable. Nash, you're the best. Love you, pal.'

Rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive and highly malignant form of cancer.

Sarcomas are cancers that develop in the connective tissues of the body, such as muscle, fat, nerves, blood vessels, bone and cartilage.

The face is a common place to find this type of cancer, as is the soft tissue in the bladder, arms and legs.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is more common in children and teenagers than in adults.

The Deadpool star, 47, shocked Nash Cote, eight, as he walked into his hospital room at Boston childrens hospital - where Nash is undergoing treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer

An emotional video showed Reynolds entering the room and saying: 'My name is Ryan Reynolds, you can't escape. You can escape but I have some presents for you'

The pair even FaceTimed Deadpool co-star Hugh Jackman from the hospital room

Nash was overjoyed to meet his idol

Reynolds lauded the hospital for their care with Nash

The hit new film unites two heavyweights of the superhero genre - Ryan, who plays Deadpool, and Hugh Jackman, who plays Wolverine

Angie wrote on Instagram: 'Today was a fairytale.

'Fun fact: Ryan Reynolds and I have followed each other on Twitter for years.

'Even cooler than that, is when I sent him a pic of Nashs custom Deadpool radiation mask, he replied that he wanted to come meet him in Boston. We kept it a total surprise for Nash.

'Ryan arrived with the coolest signed memorabilia, chatted with him for over an hour and they even FaceTimed Hugh Jackman!

'He gave this visit Maximum Effort. Thank you endlessly Ryan, for this incredible memory we will all have forever!'

A GoFundMe launched to help the family with medical bills has already exceeded $80,000.

Reynolds is married to actress Blake Lively and the pair share four children.
Leonardo DiCaprio has distanced himself from Sean 'Diddy' Combs after a picture of him at one of the music mogul's notorious 'white parties' emerged.

A source close to the Hollywood actor, 49, said he hadn't had anything to do with Diddy 'for years.'

Combs, 54, was arrested last week and indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and trafficking to engage prostitution.

The rapper is accused of forcing women into 'elaborate and produced sex performances', described as 'freak offs'.

A thousand bottles of baby oil were discovered during searches of his properties, it is claimed. And prosecutors allege women who participated in the freak offs were so worn out by the marathon sex sessions they needed IV drips after.

Dailymail.com published re-emerged pictures showing DiCaprio laughing and smoking at one of Combs' notorious 'White Parties' in 1998 at his East Hampton home.

Leonardo DiCaprio (back center) and Diddy (front center) party with friends

Combs once declared the Titanic star as the 'number one person' on his White Party invitation list.

Other stars to have been hosted by Diddy include Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, and Mariah Carey.

However, a source close to the A-Lister says Leo has 'not been in contact' with Combs for years, saying he never attended 'freak offs', and has nothing to do with the case.

The pair were pictured together in public was at the Democratic National Convention on July 29, 2004.

The Great Gatsby actor was also seen dancing beside Combs at his 50th birthday in 2019.

'Leonardo DiCaprio has absolutely nothing to do with any of this,' the source said.

'He attended a few of his parties back in the early 2000s - but literally everyone did.

'They were not freak offs.

'They were big house parties. Leo was at the start of his career at the time and has moved way past his partying.

'He has nothing to do with any of that world, so for anyone to assume that he will get roped into this based on a few grainy photos that are more than 20 years old is ridiculous.

Leo was seen dancing at the music mogul's 50th birthday celebrations in 2019

Combs and Leo pictured at the Democratic National Convention on July 29, 2004

'Leo is focused on his career and his relationship and is not at all thinking about Diddy's federal case, which he has nothing to do with.'

DailyMail.com has contacted DiCaprio for official comment.

Combs White Parties were held at his East Hampton home, where some of the biggest celebrities in America would where swarms of A-list celebrities would flock to the waterfront house in the summer for the annual bash.

One photo from the 2000 White Party shows a young Leo clad in a white t-shirt and shorts besides Combs, who is holding a bottle of champagne.

Combs revealed in a 2018 interview with Vogue that Titanic actor Leo was his favorite party guest (Pictured at a July 4th White Party in 1998)

He once declared the Titanic star as the 'number one person' on his invitation list for his notorious bashes

In resurfaced footage from Combs' 73 Questions appearance with Vogue in 2018, the rapper was asked the number one person on his White Party invitation list.

Without hesitation, Combs turned to face the reporter and said: 'Leonardo DiCaprio,' before handing the interviewer a drink.

Speaking to the New York Post, one drug-dealer revealed the shocking incidents he witnessed taking place within the luxury home - including household-name celebrities having sex with each other.

The anonymous source said Combs opened the door to him while wearing nothing but a white robe before leading him through to a back bedroom to make a cocaine deal.

'You'd see two people you would not think would be hooking up, rappers, that was what shocked me,' the dealer told the news outlet.

'I won't say names but there were rappers that I immediately lost respect for and could not take seriously ever again.'

The dealer added that many of the high-status attendees, which also included a mix of female stars, were high on ketamine and GHB.

A source close to Leo told DailyMail.com that the actor has 'not been in contact' with Combs for years and that he has nothing to do with the case

'That was when I got the f*** out of there,' he said.

Combs is now facing federal sex crime charges and is being held in jail after a judge denied his $50million bail request.

The disgraced musician was sensationally arrested at Park Hyatt Hotel in New York City and has since been charged with sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution - all of which he pleaded not guilty to in a Manhattan court on September 17.

The charges are tied to 'freak offs' - coerced sex acts that Combs allegedly orchestrated and recorded, according to a federal indictment.

Though there is nothing in the indictment that points to the Hamptons parties, it wasn't long before rumors swirled about his alleged 'freak off' parties having been held in the Hamptons decades ago.

There is no suggestion Leo or any other celebs at Combs' parties knew about alleged drug taking or orgies.
Dick Van Dyke has been forced to cancel his first public appearance outside of Los Angeles in months due to old age.

The iconic Mary Poppins actor - who will turn 99 in December - was due to appear at the three day FanX event from September 26-29 in Salt Lake City but sadly pulled out.

A statement from the organizers read: 'We are sorry to announce that Dick Van Dyke is not able to travel to FanX.

'He expresses his gratitude to all of those who continue to support him but, at almost 99 years of age, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time.'

Van Dyke previously attended the event back in 2017.

Dick Van Dyke has been forced to cancel his first public appearance outside of Los Angeles in months due to old age

The iconic Mary Poppins actor - who will turn 99 in December - was due to appear at the three day FanX event from September 26-29 in Salt Lake City but sadly pulled out

He was last seen in public earlier this month at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards and joked he's still 'looking for work' before turning 99 years of age.

The star attended the Fan Fusion convention in Phoenix in May.

The star tied a record set by Norman Lear as the oldest Emmy winners, both doing so at 98 (Lear in 2020).

He won Outstanding Variety Special for his 2023 birthday special Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic at the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday.

After receiving the award, Van Dyke told reporters (via People) that he hoped to be remembered for 'laughter.' He remained seated on the red carpet in the winner's room.

'I hope for making people laugh for 75 years. I've been in the business 75 years. I can't believe that I'm still here and performing,' he said.

The legendary funnyman looked around the room and then joked, 'I'm looking for work if anybody has.'

When asked what advice he would give to younger performers, he said to stick with the craft.

'You have to stick with it. You're gonna go through hard times and a lot of auditions ... but you have to stay with it,' Van Dyke said.

'Be patient if you've got the confidence in yourself, and it's very important to believe that you can do it,' he added.

A statement from the organizers read: 'We are sorry to announce that Dick Van Dyke is not able to travel to FanX'

When asked what advice he would give to younger performers, he said to stick with the craft

'Be patient if you've got the confidence in yourself, and it's very important to believe that you can do it,' he added

When accepting his award to much applause at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, Van Dyke was very appreciative.

'Thank you! That reception, I cannot tell you what it means,' he told the crowd at the start of his speech.

He was joined on stage by his 52-year-old wife Arlene Silver, who served as a producer on the Emmy-winning special.

'The young lady who got this award, you may think of the word nepotism and I would understand it, but this lady got the job all by herself as producer of the Dick Van Dyke special because she knows me inside and out, and knows how I work, and don't take no sass from anybody,' he said of his wife.

Just a few months earlier, he made history again as the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy Award as best guest performer on Days of Our Lives.

'This is a very different honor for me; I seldom get recognized for dramatic or straight acting - comedy and musicals are my specialty after all,' he said.

'I'm so honored and it will be a fun night celebrating with the entire daytime television community,' Van Dyke added.

He will next be seen in the film Capture the Flag alongside Louis Gossett Jr., John Amos, Barry Corbin and Paul Dooley.
She is gearing up for another big Paris Fashion Week show on Friday to showcase her clothing brand.

And Victoria Beckham arrived in the French capital on Monday ahead of the huge event and was joined by her son Romeo, 22.

The fashion designer, 50, went braless in a stylish black ensemble as she left her hotel while donning huge shades.

She showed off her toned figure in a lace trimmed black top and silk skirt which the star wore with towering red heels to boost her height.

Victoria wore her brunette tresses in loose waves over her shoulders and opted for a glowing makeup look with a slick of light pink lip.

Victoria Beckham went braless in a stylish black look as she arrived for Paris Fashion Week on Monday ahead of her show on Friday

She arrived in the French capital ahead of the huge event and was joined by her middle son Romeo, 22

Meanwhile Romeo joined her while out and about and cut a casual figure in a black layered T-shirt and baggy jeans.

He also wore stylish shades and appeared busy chatting on the phone as he stepped out with his mum.

It comes after Victoria looked the picture of glamour as she posed up for behind the scenes snaps while filming her upcoming documentary last Friday.

The former Spice Girl took to Instagram to treat fans to pictures of herself getting made up on set.

In one photo, she put on a leggy display in a customised silky dressing gown, which featured her initials embroidered onto the pocket.

Victoria quipped: 'Why not it's the weekend,' as she got pampered by her stylists while enjoying a glass of fizz.

Another picture posted to her story showed the business owner looking elegant in a pastel pink gown as the finishing touches were made to her outfit.

The mother-of-four also shared a snap of filming equipment as she revealed she was working on her upcoming project.

The fashion designer, 50, went braless in a stylish black ensemble as she left her hotel while donning huge shades

She showed off her toned figure in a lace trimmed black top and silk skirt which the star wore with towering red heels to boost her height

Victoria wore her brunette tresses in loose waves over her shoulders and opted for a glowing makeup look with a slick of light pink lip

She is often supported by her family as she puts on her fashion week shows and husband David will no doubt be in attendance on Friday

Romeo looked deep in conversation on the phone as they stepped out together

She showed off her youthful complexion with natural makeup

She looked great in the all-black look ahead of a busy week

Posh is filming a documentary about her fashion brand after landing a huge deal with Netflix.

The former Spice Girl will share an insight into her working life after the success of husband David's, 49, BAFTA and Emmy-nominated docuseries BECKHAM with the streamer.

Victoria will delve deep into her fashion brand in the documentary and follow her journey as she prepares for Paris Fashion Week next year.

Her new documentary will offer a 'behind-the-scenes' look at her journey from becoming a Spice Girl to a creative director of her successful fashion and beauty brand.

The sneak peek comes just after she unveiled a new beauty product from her brand as she gave fans a tutorial on how to achieve perfect skin.

Victoria took to Instagram last week to share the news of her new Concealer Pen from her brand.

She hailed the new product - a concealer that doubles up as skincare - as she claimed the 'first of its kind' product has 'blown my mind'.

Meanwhile Romeo joined her while out and about and cut a casual figure in a black layered T-shirt and baggy jeans

He also wore stylish shades and appeared busy chatting on the phone as he stepped out with his mum

He was supporting his mum ahead of her busy few days at Paris Fashion Week

He wore a cool navy T-shirt and Converse

He completed the look with a green cap

Victoria shared a video of herself in a white bathrobe and towel turban as she showed fans how to apply the product.

She wrote: 'The first of its kind, I have noticed such a difference in my skin, and now we have the clinical results to prove it.

'It contains the Professor's TFC8 active ingredients, so it not only provides effortless coverage, but also revitalises the skin. The more you use, the less you actually need!'
Kristen Bell flashed her white bra and high-waisted panties beneath a completely sheer ensemble for a taping of Good Morning America in Midtown Manhattan on Monday.

The 44-year-old Frozen alum headed inside Times Square studio while wearing a $205 The Frankie Shop 'Peri Sheer Shirt' and matching $145 'Peri Midi Skirt' selected by stylist Nicole Chavez.

Kristen accessorized her mesh look with large black sunglasses, a matching round clutch, and slingback heels.

Hairstylist Matthew Collins coiffed Bell's brunette waves and make-up artist Simone A. Siegl brought out her natural beauty for her seventh appearance on the ABC morning show.

Once safely inside, the Daytime Emmy-nominated producer reunited with her Nobody Wants This leading man - Adam Brody - whom she previously co-starred with in Some Girl(S), House of Lies, Scream 4, and CHIPS.

Kristen Bell flashed her white bra and high-waisted panties beneath a completely sheer ensemble for a taping of Good Morning America in Midtown Manhattan on Monday

'It was a lovely. Kristen's reputation proceeds her. She's phenomenal to work with,' the 44-year-old O.C. alum gushed on GMA.

'Obviously, she's very talented and I admire her talent very much. But the mood and the energy that she brings is very infectious, and I've worked with her before so I know it. It permeates the whole crew - everyone has a good time.'

Kristen refused to work on Erin Foster's 10-episode rom-com - premiering this Thursday on Netflix - without Adam, who plays unconventional rabbi Noah Roklov that falls for agnostic podcaster Joanne.

'My daughter has [seen the Frozen films]. My daughter's into it,' Brody said of his two children with wife Leighton Meester.

'My son doesn't know yet, but he'll learn.'

Michigan-born Bell then revealed that her two daughters - Lincoln Bell Shepard, 11; and Delta Bell Shepard, 9 - 'are very excited that Adam was in [Shazam! Fury of the Gods].'

'When I met Lincoln, I said, "Oh hi, I've heard so much about you." And she said, "I've learned nothing about you,"' the American Fiction actor recalled.

Kristen laughed nervously as she replied: 'She's over it all the time. We went to see Shazam in 4D and I almost broke my neck. I didn't understand what 4D was, it was really intense.'

The 44-year-old Frozen alum headed inside Times Square studio while wearing a $205 The Frankie Shop 'Peri Sheer Shirt' and matching $145 'Peri Midi Skirt' selected by stylist Nicole Chavez

Kristen accessorized her mesh look with large black sunglasses, a matching round clutch, and slingback heels

Hairstylist Matthew Collins coiffed Bell's brunette waves and make-up artist Simone A. Siegl brought out her natural beauty for her seventh appearance on the ABC morning show

Once safely inside, the Daytime Emmy-nominated producer reunited with her Nobody Wants This leading man - Adam Brody (R) - whom she previously co-starred with in Some Girl(S), House of Lies, Scream 4, and CHIPS

The 44-year-old O.C. alum gushed on GMA: 'It was a lovely. Kristen's reputation proceeds her. She's phenomenal to work with...Obviously, she's very talented and I admire her talent very much. But the mood and the energy that she brings is very infectious, and I've worked with her before so I know it. It permeates the whole crew - everyone has a good time'

Kristen refused to work on Erin Foster's 10-episode rom-com - premiering this Thursday on Netflix - without Adam, who plays unconventional rabbi Noah Roklov that falls for agnostic podcaster Joanne

Brody said of his two children with wife Leighton Meester (L, pictured February 24): 'My daughter has [seen the Frozen films]. My daughter's into it. My son doesn't know yet, but he'll learn'

Michigan-born Bell then revealed that her two daughters - Lincoln Bell Shepard, 11; and Delta Bell Shepard, 9 - 'are very excited that Adam was in [Shazam! Fury of the Gods]'

'When I met Lincoln, I said, "Oh hi, I've heard so much about you." And she said, "I've learned nothing about you,"' the American Fiction actor (R) recalled

Kristen later emerged from the Big Apple studio wearing the same accessories with a completely different bra-baring dress

This time, Bell showcased her jiu-jitsu-honed 5ft1in figure in a sheer teal turtleneck tucked into a matching A-line skirt

On October 17, the Reefer Madness thespian and her husband - Armchair Expert podcaster Dax Shepard (L, pictured June 29) - will impressively celebrate 11 years of wedded bliss

Nobody Wants This also features Tovah Feldshuh, Sherry Cola, Michael Hitchcock, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons, Jackie Tohn, Paul Ben-Victor, Shiloh Bearman, Stephanie Faracy, and Tania Raymonde.

It marks Bell's second Netflix series after producing and starring as lonely alcoholic Anna in the dismally-reviewed eight-episode limited series The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window back in 2022.

The Reefer Madness thespian later emerged from the Big Apple studio wearing the same accessories with a completely different bra-baring dress.

This time, Kristen showcased her jiu-jitsu-honed 5ft1in figure in a sheer teal turtleneck tucked into a matching A-line skirt.

On October 17, Bell and her husband - Armchair Expert podcaster Dax Shepard - will impressively celebrate 11 years of wedded bliss.
They were married for 57 years after meeting as teenagers on holiday in Suffolk.

But Sir Michael Palin has revealed his regrets about leaving his wife Helen while she was severely ill to make travel documentaries.

The mother of their three children  Thomas, 56, William, 53, and Rachel, 49  had been suffering chronic pain for several years and then developed kidney failure.

She passed away at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, north London, on May 2, 2023.

Monty Python star Sir Michael, 81, said: 'I don't have regrets really. Perhaps towards the end, when I was doing the later travel journeys like North Korea.

Sir Michael Palin, 81, has revealed his regrets about leaving his wife Helen while she was severely ill to make travel documentaries

The mother of their three children  Thomas, 56, William, 53, and Rachel, 49  had been suffering chronic pain for several years and then developed kidney failure (pictured 2009)

Monty Python star Sir Michael, 81, said: 'I don't have regrets really. 'Perhaps towards the end, when I was doing the later travel journeys like North Korea (pictured)

'Helen was then less well, less good at looking after herself, unfortunately, and that was a slightly difficult time.

'I don't think she particularly wanted me to go away then, but she knew that my interest in travel and other people was very deep-seated, it wasn't because I wanted to get away from home  it wasn't that at all.'

Sir Michael and Gibbins met at the seaside town of Southwold when they were 16.

They reconnected by chance in the actor's first year at Oxford University, before marrying at the age of 22.

Recalling the reunion, Sir Michael said: 'You can see fate actually tightening the screws on us very hard at that time.'

The Pole To Pole author has released a new book, There And Back, of his diaries which he said helped him cope with his wife's health issues.

He said: 'Helen was ill for a couple of years, so it wasn't a sudden death, and I was helping her and caring for her through a lot of pain. Writing this down helped me to deal with it. I needed to remember all that.'

While the BBC TV director was suffering from kidney failure, Sir Michael was travelling to make documentaries about North Korea and Iraq for Channel 5 after he left the BBC in 2012.

He said: 'I don't think she particularly wanted me to go away then, but she knew that my interest in travel and other people was very deep-seated, it wasn't because I wanted to get away from home  it wasn't that at all' [pictured in 2015]

The childhood sweethearts met when they were 16 and married in 1966, marking their 57th wedding anniversary weeks before Helen passed away [pictured in 1986]

Last week the actor heartbreakingly admitted that his late wife's clothes were still hanging 'in the cupboard' as they make it feel as if she was 'still here'.

Over a year since his agonising loss, Michael told how he likes to see her belongings around their home as it reminds him of the time they spend together, with the star adding that it's the reason he will never move.

Speaking in an interview with The Times, Michael said on the possibility of moving: 'I don't feel that way - at the moment, anyway. Everything around me has a story or something that reminds me of time we spent together, not in a maudlin way'.

'Just they are the props of your life. Get rid of all those props and I'd be in a different play, playing a different character. And I don't want to do that.

'I know it seems odd, but I carry on as though Helen is still here. Her clothes are still in the cupboards. I don't want to change my life, because I feel she wouldn't want that either. It's still a nice house to come back to. I feel her presence here.'

After almost six decades of marriage to the love of his life, Michael went on to say that he couldn't imaging starting a relationship with anyone new as he was still 'bereft' over losing Helen.

He shared: 'I shared my life with someone for so long that I find it impossible to think of sharing it in the same way with anyone else again. So in a way, Im sort of freer.'

Last week the actor heartbreakingly admitted that his late wife's clothes were still hanging 'in the cupboard' as they make it feel as if she was 'still here'

Over a year since his agonising loss, Michael told how he likes to see her belongings around their home as it reminds him of the time they spend together, with the star adding that it's the reason he will never move

The TV personality said he found it 'odd' with her not around, especially when coming home from the theatre or dinner and wanting to tell her about his experience.

He added that he misses 'the little things' about their relationship, adding that he still finds it 'very difficult' without her - especially when it comes to cooking.

Sir Michael revealed he left the BBC after 23 years when he grew 'frustrated' with the network's 'controlling' behaviour and editing style for his shows.

He told Radio Times: 'There was the feeling that the BBC wanted to interfere a little more and they wanted to control it a little more.

'And they had this new way of presenting shows - which I would get absolutely, desperately frustrated with - where they would show, in the first five minutes, all the great moments of what was to come.

'Because this captured viewers. Otherwise, as soon as they see Michael Palin, they'll switch off.

'The BBC was going in a different direction, and the presentation was going in a different direction.'
Lindsay Lohan, her husband Bader Shammas and their son Luai were seen at JFK airport in New York on Monday.

This comes after Lindsay finished filming Freakier Friday in Los Angeles.

The Parent Trap star was dressed comfortably as she was likely heading to Abu Dhabi where she and Shammas live.

Lindsay wore a grey sweatshirt and matching sweatpants and had her red hair pulled into a ponytail.

She carried a black tote bag and rolled a hard-sided silver suitcase as she walked beside her masked-up husband of two years.

Lindsay Lohan , her husband Bader Shammas and their son Luai are on their way back home to Dubai

Lindsay has been filming the sequel to 2003's Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis, 65.

Production wrapped earlier this month and both stars shared Instagram posts to mark the occasion.

Lindsay wrote, 'Thats a wrap on FREAKIER FRIDAY! Thank you to the amazing Cast, Crew, producers and everyone @disneystudios who put so much love and effort into making this movie! Cant wait to share it with you all!'

Jamie Lee also reflected on working on the sequel, writing, 'The last FRIDAY of this FREAKIEST FRIDAY or shall I call it CRYDAY,' she began in the caption.

She noted, 'We still have a couple days left next week, but it's winding down and this morning as I arrived at work and looked at the hundreds of people gathering together to make it for the fans, shooting the movie in California.

'I'm feeling especially grateful to my ULTIMATE movie daughter, @lindsaylohan without whom we could not have made this movie. Ever.'

She continued: 'Off to wig and work. Thanks for all the LOVE!'

Lindsay replied in the comments: 'So much  and gratitude for YOU and this WONDERFUL experience and Many future fun times together to come!! .'

The family's extended stay in the U.S. is over now that Lindsay has wrapped filming for Freakier Friday

The Parent Trap star was dressed comfy for the nearly 13-hour flight from JFK Airport in New York to Abu Dhabi

Lindsay has been filming the sequel to 2003's Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis, 65, pictured here at D23 in August 2024

Production wrapped earlier this month and both stars shared Instagram posts to mark the occasion

Freakier Friday sees Curtis and Lohan reprise their characters Tess and Anna, respectively, more than two decades after they switched bodies in the beloved 2003 film which was a remake of the 1976 film starring Jodie Foster.

In the sequel, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. But the mother-daughter duo learn that switching bodies was not a once-in-a-lifetime event.

At Disney's D23 conference, Curtis described the movie as 'a love letter to mothers and daughters' while chatting with People.

'It's so beautiful to see the three generations in this,' Lohan added. 'It's so beautiful to see how Anna looks to Tess for advice. But then Tess still wants to kind of come in and give out the advice.'
Samuel L. Jackson has given rare insight on his 44-year marriage to LaTanya Richardson Jackson.

In an interview with AARP for its October/November 2024 issue, the 75-year-old Pulp Fiction star described how he and his wife, 74, have overcome marital challenges while revealing he has done 'crazy things' during their union.

He admitted it takes 'a lot of tolerance' and 'not giving up when it would be easy to give up' - with his wife 'learning to ignore' his faults.

The renowned actor  who shares 42-year-old daughter Zoe with LaTanya  also noted that 'everybody's got flaws.'

Elsewhere in the conversation, Jackson discussed his decades-long career, sobriety and family life.

Samuel L. Jackson has given rare insight on his 44-year marriage to LaTanya Richardson Jackson ; pictured in March 2022

In an interview with AARP for its October/November 2024 issue, the 75-year-old Pulp Fiction star described how he and his wife, 74, have overcome marital challenges while revealing he has done 'crazy things' during their union; pictured September 4

Speaking about his union, the Hollywood fixture said: 'Ive done s**t in my marriage thats crazy, you know?'

Referring to his spouse, he added, 'She has too, in her head or whatever in reality, but you got to go, "Is that a breakup offense? Or is it just that we need to spend a little time together and get some understanding about it?"

'There are certain things that you learn to ignore about people  that shes learned to ignore about me. And one of the things she had to accept is that Im going to go to work.'

He said about his ongoing acting career, 'Im going to go to work all the time until, you know, its time."

The couple celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary on August 18.

LaTanya told People magazine in 2022, 'In the beginning we always said the most revolutionary thing that Black people could do was stay together, raise their children with the nucleus of having a father and a mother, [because] everybody likes to pretend that that's not the dynamic of the African American family  that it's just children out here being raised by women, which we know is false.'

She emphasized, 'In order to change that narrative, we made a decision to say, 'We are going to stay together no matter what. We'll figure it out.'

The couple met while they were studying in college as Jackson attended Morehouse and Richardson attended Spelman.

Jackson is the cover star of AARP's October/November 2024 issue

Samuel L. Jackson has given rare insight on his 44-year marriage to LaTanya Richardson Jackson

The husband and wife are parents to 42-year-old daughter Zoe; pictured in 2008

In addition to their personal, familial tie, the husband and wife duo also work together.

LaTanya directed Samuel in the Broadway revival of August Wilson's musical The Piano Lesson in 2022.

The film iteration is due in theaters on November 8, followed by a Netflix premiere on November 22.

It takes place in 1936 and 'follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles household and an heirloom, the family piano, which documents the family history through carvings made by their enslaved ancestor,' according to the logline.
Torrential rain threatened to turn Monday's Paris Fashion Week launch into a French farce, but fortunately for L'Oreal their extravagant curtain-raiser was unaffected by the storm raging outside Opera National de Paris.

While those waiting outside suffered a soaking in the name of style, the French cosmetics' brand and its stable of A-list ambassadors were inside, where the Walk Your Worth show was underway as part of its Women's Ready-to-wear Spring-Summer 2025 collection.

Inevitably, it was Kendall Jenner and her newly blonde hair claiming the lion's share of the L'Oreal spotlight, but she was in good company on the night, with fellow spokeswomen Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria and Cara Delevingne also winning their fair share of attention as they strutted the catwalk.

The younger sister of Kim Kardshian, 28, looked nothing short of sensational as she hit the runway in the sexy scarlet number which featured a semi-sheer bra and corset detail.

Kendall's eye-catching dress was teamed with coordinating elbow-length gloves, with the stunner completing the showstopping look with a sweep of bold red lipstick.

(L-R) Kendall Jenner, Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria and Cara Delevingne led the way as L'Oreal opened Paris Fashion Week in the French capital on Monday evening

Torrential rain threatened to turn Monday's Paris Fashion Week launch into a French farce, but fortunately for L'Oreal their extravagant curtain-raiser was unaffected by the storm raging outside Opera National de Paris (pictured)

The younger sister of Kim Kardshian, 28, looked nothing short of sensational as she hit the runway in the sexy scarlet number which featured a semi-sheer bra and corset detail

The stunner looked sensational as she strutted her stuff in the striking and figure-hugging number which was paired with matching red heels.

Also dressed to impress for the show was Heidi, 51, who flaunted her jaw-dropping curves as she slipped into a skin-tight black latex dress.

The German supermodel's outfit featured a plunging neckline with ample cleavage and a fishtail skirt which she carried while gliding down the catwalk.

L'Oreal accentuated her gorgeous features with sultry make-up and she completed the look with a dazzling diamond necklace and matching earrings.

Meanwhile Desperate Housewives star Eva, 49, put on an equally busty display in a daringly plunging white sculpted gown.

She showcased her eye-popping figure in the dress which also boasted a racy thigh-high split and she was clearly feeling confident as she stopped at the edge of the catwalk to cheekily touch up her lipstick.

Eva put on a very animated display on stage with Fellow L'Oreal ambassador Cara, 32, who left little to the imagination as she went braless beneath a dramatic red coat.

The blonde beauty completed the look with a pair of matching skimpy hot pants and slipped her feet into towering black platforms.

Kendall's eye-catching dress was teamed with coordinating elbow-length gloves, with the stunner completing the showstopping look with a sweep of bold red lipstick

Kendall looked sensational as she strutted her stuff in the striking and figure-hugging number which was paired with matching red heels

Kendall (R) and her fellow supermodels were presented with roses (pictured with Cara Delevingne)

She couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she waved to the audience

Kendall put on a showstopping display in her extravagant red gown as she graced the runway

Ahead of gracing the runway, as she showed off her dramatic gown atop a Parisian balcony

Kendall and Cara both stunned in their eye-catching catwalk looks as they strutted their stuff along the star-studded runway

Also dressed to impress for the show was Heidi, 51, who flaunted her jaw-dropping curves as she slipped into a skin-tight black latex dress

The German supermodel's outfit featured a plunging neckline with ample cleavage and a fishtail skirt which she carried while gliding down the catwalk

L'Oreal accentuated her gorgeous features with sultry make-up and she completed the look with a dazzling diamond necklace and matching earrings

Heidi oozed confidence as she joined her fellow A-listers on the catwalk

The look clung to her curves and perfectly showcased her toned arms

Heidi flaunted her incredible figure in the tight PVC gown as she joined some of the biggest names in fashion on the catwalk

Meanwhile Desperate Housewives star Eva, 49, put on an equally busty display in a daringly plunging white sculpted gown

Eva showcased her eye-popping figure in the dress which also boasted a racy thigh-high split

She was clearly feeling confident as she stopped at the edge of the catwalk to cheekily touch up her lipstick

She accessorised with diamond jewellery including a necklace which sat in her ample cleavage

Eva embraced model Daniela Alvarez (R) as they passed on the catwalk

Eva (R) wore wore her brunette locks in a chic up to with strands framing her face (pictured with Cara Delevingne, L)

The duo put on a very animated display

Holding hands they flashed huge smiles for the audience

Cara, 32, little to the imagination as she went braless beneath a dramatic red coat

She wore the oversized outwear open and flaunted her jaw-dropping abs and long toned legs

The blonde beauty completed the look with a pair of matching skimpy hot pants and slipped her feet into towering black platforms

The very racy look ensured all eyes were on Cara

The models gathered following the presentation

As the show came to a close, Cindy Bruna, Jane Fonda, Andie MacDowell, Cara, Kendall gathered to take their final bow

After strutting their stuff the they were presented with roses

Kendall and Cara tossed their flowers into the audience

Following the show the stars beamed as they cosied up together for snaps

The models walked together for the show's finale as the audience cheered

The brand's iconic tagline was displayed on huge screens behind the models

The show certainly proved to be a jaw-dropping opener to Paris Fashion Week

Meanwhile Andie McDowell, 66, looked sensational in a strapless silver sequinned gowned which hugged every inch of her svelte physique.

The stunner wore her gorgeous grey hair in glossy waves and forwent jewellery, letting the outfit speak for itself as the embellishments twinkled under the stage lights.

She was joined by Oscar winner Jane Fonda, 86, who rocked an equally sparkly trench coat which she teamed with a pair of matching metallic sneakers.

The 9 to 5 actress accentuated her youthful features with glam make-up and wore her tresses in a funky style.

Fellow Oscar winner Viola Davis, 59, also made an appearance as she slipped into a striking yellow and black gown with a dramatic ribbon that trailed behind her.

The Doubt star wore her hair in a natural afro and couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she swapped acting to model for French haircare brand.

Elsewhere singer and television presenter Rochelle Humes flashed her abs in a black sequin crop top and white skirt as she put on a confident display.

Elsewhere singer Camila Cabello, 27, put on a very leggy display in a strapless black mini dress

She slipped her gorgeous legs into black tights and completed the look with a pair of pointed heels

Her brunette locks were styled straight as they fell down her back

Meanwhile Andie McDowell, 66, looked sensational in a strapless silver sequinned gowned which hugged every inch of her svelte physique

The Groundhog Day actress wore her gorgeous grey hair in glossy waves

She forwent jewellery, letting the outfit speak for itself as the embellishments twinkled under the stage lights.

Andie walked alongside British actress Alia Bhatt

She was joined by Oscar winner Jane Fonda, 86, who rocked an equally sparkly trench

The coat was cinched at her tiny waist and she teamed it with a pair of with a pair of matching metallic sneakers

The 9 to 5 actress accentuated her youthful features with glam make-up and wore her tresses in a funky style

The duo who both wear their grey hair with pride looked nothing short of incredible

The duo beamed as they cosied up to their fellow models following the show

The screen behind them displayed the words 'Silver Not Sorry' as they proudly displayed their gorgeous grey locks

Fellow Oscar winner Viola Davis, 59, also made an appearance as she slipped into a striking yellow and black gown for the occasion

The eye-catching dress boasted a dramatic ribbon that trailed behind her

The Doubt star wore her hair in a natural afro and couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she swapped acting to model for French haircare brand

Elsewhere singer and television presenter Rochelle Humes flashed her abs in a black sequin crop top and white skirt as she put on a confident display

he wore her dark tresses in a short, cropped style and opted for a glowing makeup look and light pink lip

While Aja Naomi King opted for a chic black dress with tulle skirt

She wore her dark tresses in a short, cropped style and opted for a glowing makeup look and light pink lip.

But the show didn't go off without a hitch after Spanish-Mexican singer and actress Belinda Peregrin took a tumble.

The beauty, 35, sizzled in a red co-ord that boasted a chic sweater and skimpy mini skirt.

But it was her towering heels which proves a problem and she fell over before being helped back onto a feet and shared a smile, to assure the audience no harm had been done.

Kendall's appearance comes as she had earlier joined the throng of fashionistas jetting into the French capital ahead of Fashion Week.

The stunner cut a stylish figure, leaving her hotel in a grey plaid blazer with a fitted waist, paired with a high-necked black blouse, straight-leg blue jeans and suede pumps.

Earlier this month, the supermodel debuted her newly-dyed tresses 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.

Other images showed her standing in front of windows that offered a scenic view of New York City as the sun began to set.

Earlier in the evening Kendall took to the venue's balcony as she posed for sizzling snaps

But the show didn't go off without a hitch after Spanish-Mexican singer and actress Belinda Peregrin took a tumble

But it was her towering heels which proves a problem and she fell over before being helped back onto a feet and shared a smile, to assure the audience no harm had been done

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai was the epitome of elegance

Her sweeping red gown and flowing train required help from staff

French model Cindy Bruna stunned in a figure-hugging black gown with gold bodice

Model Daniela Alvarez (L) walked the runway alongside Italian Olympian Bebe Vio (R)

Brazilian actress Tais Araujo commanded attention in a gold princess gown

The French brand chose the iconic Opera National de Paris as it's venue

Huge screens helped make the show even more dramatic and memorable

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!!!'.
Bam Margera on Monday was ordered by a West Chester, Pennsylvania court to be evaluated for drugs and alcohol, after he was arrested in connection with driving under the influence arrest earlier this month in what authorities said was a probation violation.

The Jackass alum, 44, has been in custody at Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania since Wednesday.

He appeared in handcuffs Monday ahead of Common Pleas Judge Patrick Carmody for a hearing in which the evaluation was ordered, according to NBC10.

The West Chester, Pennsylvania native, who wed fitness model Dannii Marie in May in New Mexico, was seen 'mouthing words to his wife,' who was present during the hearing, according to the station.

Margera's lawyer Michael T. van der Veen told Dailymail.com in a statement Monday, 'Judge Carmody has ordered a drug and alcohol evaluation for tomorrow, and we expect Bam will be released tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest.

Bam Margera, 44, on Monday was ordered to be evaluated for drugs and alcohol after he was arrested in connection with driving under the influence arrest earlier this month, in what authorities said was a probation violation. Pictured with lawyer Michael T. van der Veen

Margera's legal team was seen addressing the media outside of court in West Chester, Pennsylvania Monday

'Bam has been doing very well and for the past year or more has passed all his drug and alcohol screenings. His professional life has been going well and we look forward to his release so he can continue his growth.'

In the hearing Monday, Carmody said that Margera's past history with DUI - he also got arrested in California in January of 2018 - figured into his decision-making process in the case, as it was frightening to him that Margera has been arrested for the offense on multiple occasions.

Margera told the judge that his spouse has been impactful in helping him stay sober, and that his slip-up was the result on going on a road trip without her, according to the station.

Margera's attorneys are slated to meet with officials with the court and probation department to determine the next course of action, as they are aiming to put the MTV alum into rehab, with probation officials specifying where he would go.

Margera's attorneys are slated to return to court for a hearing on the matter Wednesday, barring a deal being reached prior to.

Margera's lawyer William J. Brennan said in a news conference, according to NBC10, after the hearing that the Jackass alum is a 'good guy that has an addiction.

'Everybody in the system - from the defense team to the prosecution to the probation office and the judge - are interested in seeing Bam get what he needs, which is not punishment, but treatment ... nobody's here with ill-intent. It helps Bam get the needed treatment that he will probably be recommended to get.'

Margera is 'interested in getting better' and 'getting this case behind him' van der Veen said during the news conference.

Margera has been in custody at Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania since Wednesday. Pictured in Philadelphia last year

Margera was taken into custody earlier this month in McConnellsburg, Fulton County in connection with DUI and related counts

Margera wed fitness model Dannii Marie in May in New Mexico, prior to his latest arrest

Margera's most recent arrest on September 16 was handled by Pennsylvania State Police. It breached terms he agreed to in entering probation in June following a guilty plea over a April 2023 incident involving his brother at the family's Pocopson, Pennsylvania home.

Margera was taken into custody Wednesday after speaking with officials (who determined he violated his parole) at the Justice Center and Office of Pretrial Services, where the county probation department is located.

The court ordered Margera to complete six months of probation under their supervision in connection with the terms of his guilty plea to a pair of disorderly conduct counts.

Under the terms of his plea, Margera had to submit to random drug tests and undergo treatment for his mental health.

Margera also is slated to appear at a preliminary hearing in connection with the DUI and reckless driving charges.

Probation Officer Bradford Griffith said that Margera, with the latest breach, presented an 'overt danger' to himself and others with his conduct, according to court records reviewed by the outlet.

Griffith said Margera had not complied with the area of his probation in regards to seeking help for drug and alcohol abuse.

Margera told the judge in June following his guilty plea, 'I just want to says thanks for this whole situation. It lets me clean up my life. It is a blessing in disguise.'

The Jackass alum's lawyer said of Margera: 'His professional life has been going well and we look forward to his release so he can continue his growth'

He told MediaNews Group in June that he was 'on the right path' - adding, 'with the path I was on with alcohol and drugs, I needed to hit some rock bottom to turn things around.'

Margera initially was charged with simple assault and terroristic threats in the 2023 incident, according to the outlet, and each charge was a misdemeanor that could have led to prison with a conviction.

In a July 2023 hearing, Margera older brother Jess Margera said the MTV personality had exhibited 'frightening and unpredictable' behavior in an April 23, 2023 incident in which he punched him repeatedly and threatened his girlfriend; and parents Phillip and Jess Margera.

Jess said in a hearing, according to the outlet, 'He was threatening everybody. The whole house. My girlfriend looked like she had just gotten back from Afghanistan, with PTSD.'

An arrest affidavit indicated that Margera's parents told a state trooper that Bam had ran into the nearby woods following the violent outburst.

Margera in 2021 was fired from the film Jackass Forever after producers said he breached a wellness pact he'd agreed to in appearing in the movie.
Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic are home to tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees, while Egypt is home to millions

The UN's refugee chief questioned Sunday what future awaited the Sudanese people as the country's civil war rages, pushing its people ever further afield including to Uganda and Europe's maritime borders.

Since the start of the war in April 2023, "well over 10 million people have been chased away from their homes," two million of whom fled Sudan, Filippo Grandi told AFP in an interview, ahead of the annual UN General Assembly high-level week.

"What's the future for a country like Sudan, devastated by war?" Grandi asked.

Grandi's role leading the UNHCR and its 20,000 staff is one of the most important in the United Nations due to the ever-growing number of refugees in the world, and the agency has won the Nobel Peace Prize twice.

Grandi warned that refugees were fleeing further away from Sudan, risking another migrant crisis in Europe

Grandi said it was "worrying" that "people are starting to move away from the immediate neighborhood," describing a sharp increase of Sudanese -- around 40,000 -- arriving in non-bordering Uganda.

"We have seen at least 100,000 Sudanese arrive in Libya," Grandi said.

"We know that, given the active presence of trafficking networks and also the proximity with Europe, many of them may now try, or are already trying, to take boats on to Italy and other European countries," Grandi said.

- Crisis 'unobserved' by international community -

"We have been warning the Europeans," he added, insisting that humanitarian aid for Sudan was inadequate, and that Sudanese people would continue to leave and would reach more countries.

"This crisis is really beginning to impact the whole region in very, very risky ways."

Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic are home to tens of thousands of refugees, while Egypt, where many Sudanese migrants were already living, is home to millions.

Sudan's civil war has pitted the army led by general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the paramilitary RSF forces of general Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, claiming tens of thousands of lives and plunging 26 million into severe food insecurity.

Famine has been declared in Zamzam camp in Darfur near to the city of El-Fasher, where the RSF this weekend launched a large-scale offensive after months of siege.

"We have very patchy information about the situation inside," Grandi said.

"(But) we know that there are certain patterns" -- namely that militias, sometimes linked with one of the warring parties or the RSF itself "targets or puts pressure on civilians."

The RSF, with the support of Arab militias, have killed between 10,000 and 15,000 people in the West-Darfur town of El-Geneina alone, UN experts said.

The UNHCR has more than 20,000 staff in 143 countries, according to its website

"This most grave crisis -- a crisis of human rights, a crisis of humanitarian needs -- passes largely unobserved in our international community," Grandi said.

"Every new crisis chases the other crisis away" -- from Ukraine to Gaza.

But even before the deadly war in Gaza, the war in Sudan had been "marginalized" despite its massive impact, he said, condemning the "deficit of interest for crises in Africa," like those in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sahel, as "frightening and shocking."

Grandi questioned the outlook for Sudan even if peace was achieved, warning that the Sudanese middle class which had "held the country together had been completely destroyed.

"They know that it's over. They've lost their jobs, their homes have been destroyed," he said.

"Many times relatives have been killed. It's atrocious."
An India-based hotel operator is to purchase America's most popular motel chain in a $525 million all-cash deal.

The deal will see budget motel chain Motel 6 being acquired by the parent company of Oyo, a hotel operator based in India.

The New York-based investment firm Blackstone, which owns Motel 6's parent company G6 Hospitality said the deal would be an all-cash transaction, with the deal expected to close by the end of the year.

The transaction will also include the sale of the Studio 6 motel brand, which caters to customers seeking extended stays.

An India-based hotel operator is to purchase Motel 6 in a $525 million all-cash deal.

Ritesh Agarwal is the founder and CEO of Oyo Rooms which operates over 157,000 hotels and homes in 35 countries

Oyo, which launched in India just over a decade ago, has been expanding its footprint in the U.S. over the past few years.

The company says it currently operates 320 hotels across 35 states and is aiming to add 250 more this year. The company, headed by CEO Ritesh Agarwal, operates over 157,000 hotels and homes in 35 countries.

'This acquisition is a significant milestone for a startup company like us to strengthen our international presence,' Gautam Swaroop, OYO's international division chief, said in a statement.

'Motel 6's strong brand recognition, financial profile and network in the US, combined with OYO's entrepreneurial spirit will be instrumental in charting a sustainable path forward for the company.'

Blackstone had purchased Motel 6 and Studio 6 in 2012 for $1.9 billion.

Since then, the private equity giant says it has heavily invested in the brand and pursued a strategy that converted the chain into a franchise.

Motel 6 was founded in Santa Barbara, California, in 1962, by two local building contractors who came up with a plan to build motels with rooms at low cost rates

'This transaction is a terrific outcome for investors and is the culmination of an ambitious business plan that more than tripled our investors capital and generated over $1 billion in profit over our hold period,' Rob Harper, head of Blackstone Real Estate Asset Management Americas, said.

Under the deal, Oravel Stays, which owns Oyo Hotels, will acquire G6 Hospitality.

Motel 6 was founded in Santa Barbara, California, in 1962, by two local building contractors: William Becker and Paul Greene.

The pair came up with a plan to build motels with rooms at low cost rates.

They decided on a $6 room rate per night (equivalent to $60 in 2023), which would cover building costs, land leases, and janitorial supplies; hence the company name Motel 6.
Lic INDIA conference OF CEO AND FOREIGN HEADS

MUMBAI: LIC of India organised a conference of its CEOs & Heads of foreign units from UK, Singapore, Bahrain, Kenya, Fiji, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh at GIFT city, Gandhinagar on 20.09.2024. LIC of India got an approval from IFSCA, the regulator of GIFT city to open an insurance office.

RPF recovered smuggled goods

MALIGAON: On 2nd September, 2024 RPF & GRP of Lumding jointly conducted checking in train no. 01666 (Agartala  Rani Kamalapati Express) at Lumding railway station. During checking, they apprehended four persons and recovered 19.7 grams of Brown Sugar worth Rs. 3.94 lakhs (approx.) and 18.10 kgs of Ganja worth Rs. 1.81 lakhs (approx.) from them. Later, the apprehended persons along with the recovered items were handed over to OC/GRP/Lumding for necessary legal action.

NFR taking steps to enhance safety measures in trains

MALIGAON: N. F. Railway to prioritize the safety and well-being of its passengers during their journey they are continuing the effort of modernizing and upgrading its infrastructure to meet the highest standard of safety and convenience.

Signing of Gas deal in ACG, Azerbaijan

new delhi: ONGC Videsh, together with the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan (SOCAR), bp, MOL, INPEX, Equinor, ExxonMobil, TPAO, and ITOCHU, have signed an addendum to the existing Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for ACG Field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi on Monday assumed the role of Delhis eighth Chief Minister and placed an empty chair next to her own in honour of party convener Arvind Kejriwal. Atishi chose to sit on a different chair than the one used by Kejriwal.

Drawing a parallel with Bharats role during Lord Ramas exile, she pledged to lead the Government for the next four months saying this is the Chief Ministers seat and it will remain empty till Kejriwal becomes Chief Minister again.

Today I have taken over as the Chief Minister of Delhi. Today I have the same pain in my heart as Lord Bharat had when Lord Shri Ram went to exile from Ayodhya for 14 years and Lord Bharat had to take over the governance of Ayodhya. Just as Bharat ruled Ayodhya by keeping Lord Shri Rams khadaun for 14 years, in the same way I will run the Delhi government for the next four months. Lord Shri Ram lived in exile for 14 years to fulfil a promise given by his father, thats why Lord Shri Ram is called Maryada Purushottam. His life is an example of dignity and morality for all of us, Atishi said after assuming the charge of Chief Minister.

Atishi also posted on X handle (erstwhile Twitter): Today I have taken over the responsibility of the Chief Minister of Delhi. Today I have the same pain in my heart that Lord Bharat had when his elder brother Lord Shri Ram went on a 14-year exile, and Bharat had to take over the governance of Ayodhya. Just like Bharat ruled Ayodhya by keeping Lord Shri Rams sandals for 14 years, I will run the Government of Delhi for four months. The newly appointed Chief Minister said that just as Bharat placed Lord Rams khadaun (sandals) on the throne, she would lead the Delhi Government for the next four months.

Meanwhile, the BJP objected the AAP leaders who are associating themselves with Lord Shri Ram, Laxman and Bharat. BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took aim at Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, accusing her of political theatrics. South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said this is an insult to the sentiments of crores of Hindus and AAP leaders should refrain from such acts and should apologise to the public for this sin.

How can she call herself Bharat when she has no equal in lying. Even after taking oath on the Constitution, lowering the dignity of the post of Chief Minister in this way is not appropriate in any way, Bidhuri said. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva has strongly condemned Atishis gesture of placing an empty chair beside her, reserved for Arvind Kejriwal. Sachdeva termed the act as a violation of constitutional norms and an insult to the Chief Ministers office. Sachdeva reacted to Atishi taking charge, saying: placing two chairs on the table of the Chief Minister is an insult to the Constitution, rules and the post of the Chief Minister. Atishi ji, this is not following any ideals, in simple words, it is sycophancy. By doing this, Atishi has hurt the dignity of the post of Chief Minister of Delhi as well as the sentiments of the people of Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal you should answer - will you run the Delhi Government with this kind of remote control?

Atishi further said that Kejriwal has set an example of dignity in politics by stepping down. The BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image. Fake cases were filed against Arvind Kejriwal and he was lodged in jail for six months, claimed Atishi. The Delhi Chief Minister further added that when Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court, the court said that his arrest was made with malicious intent.

She has retained the 13 portfolios she held in the Kejriwal Government, which include education, revenue, finance, power, and public works department (PWD). Environment Minister Gopal Rai also took charge and first time minister Mukesh Ahlawat, who was allotted the portfolios of labour, SC and ST, employment and land and building departments also took charge at the Delhi Secretariat.

Meanwhile, another minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has eight departments under him, the highest after Atishi, including those of health, tourism, art and culture.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate talks with world leaders, including his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, discussing various facets of bilateral ties and reaffirmed Indias support for the Palestinian people.

Modi is in New York on the second leg of his three-day US visit and met the leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade, Modi said in a post on X.

Deepening the warm and close friendship. PM @narendramodi met PM @kpsharmaoli of Nepal, on the sidelines of the UNGA today, the official account of the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.

The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of age-old, multi-faceted and expanding - partnership, it added.

Oli is in the US on his maiden foreign visit to attend the 79th Session of the UNGA, breaking the tradition of visiting a neighbouring country first.

Had a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister of India Shri @narendramodi ji on the sidelines of #UNGA79. During the meeting, various matters of bilateral relations were discussed, Oli said in a post on X.

Modi also accepted Nepal PM Olis invitation to visit the Himalayan nation. Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deubas press advisor also confirmed that PM Modi accepted Nepals invitation.

Modi met with Palestines President Abbas and reiterated Indias support for the Palestinian people.

PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today, the MEA said in an X post.

PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed Indias continued support to the people of Palestine, it said.

Modi also met Kuwaits Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah and discussed ways to deepen historical linkages and people-to-people contacts.

Taking new strides in India-Kuwait ties. PM @narendramodi met HH Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait today, on the sidelines of UNGA. The leaders reviewed - bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen our historical linkages and strong people to people contacts, the MEA said in a separate post on X.

Earlier in the day, Modi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of the US in a roundtable conference.

He addressed the Indian diaspora at the packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum on Long Island in New York before it.

Modi reached New York on Sunday after attending the Quad Leaders Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday. In Wilmington, he also held bilateral talks with Biden, Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Quashing the Madras High Court order, the Supreme Court on Monday held that watching and downloading child pornography are offences under the POCSO Act and the information technology law. SC suggested Parliament to consider amending the term child pornography with child sexually abusive and exploitative material by bringing changes in law, and asked the courts not to use the term child pornography.

The bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra set aside the Madras High Court ruling that had said mere downloading and watching child pornography was not an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Information Technology (IT) Act. The bench also laid down certain guidelines on child pornography and its legal consequences.

We have said about lingering impact of child pornography on victimisation and abuse of children and on role to report an offence, including role of society and stakeholders, the bench said. We have suggested to Parliament to bring an amendment to POCSO... So that definition of child pornography can be referred to as child sexually abusive and exploitative material. We have suggested an Ordinance can be brought in, it said.

Justice Pardiwala, who penned a 200-page verdict for the bench, said laws must be robust and strictly enforced to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that children are protected from further harm. It is important to recognise that each case of what is traditionally termed child pornography involves the actual abuse of a child. The use of the term child pornography can lead to a trivialisation of the crime, as pornography is often seen as a consensual act between adults, the bench said.

On January 11, the High Court had quashed the criminal proceedings against a 28-year-old man charged with downloading pornographic content involving children on his mobile phone. While pronouncing the verdict, the Supreme Court restored the criminal proceedings in the case saying the High Court had erred in quashing it. The bench said the Sessions Court will now deal with the case afresh.

Terming the High Court ruling atrocious, the Supreme Court had earlier agreed to hear the plea challenging the High Court ruling that had said mere downloading and watching child pornography was not an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Information Technology (IT) Act. The High Court had also said that children these days were grappling with the serious issue of watching pornography and instead of punishing them, the society must be mature enough to educate them.

We direct the Registry to send one copy each of this judgment to the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice, Union of India and to the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Union of India, for undertaking appropriate course of action, said the judgment.

The Supreme Court had taken note of the arguments made in the matter by senior advocate HS Phoolka, who represented two petitioner organisations, that the High Court verdict was contrary to the laws in this regard. The senior lawyer appeared in the court on behalf of NGOs Just Rights for Children Alliance, based in Faridabad, and the New Delhi-based Bachpan Bachao Andolan. The organisations work for the welfare of children.

Madras High Court had said in order to constitute an offence under section 67B of the IT Act, an accused must have published, transmitted or created material depicting children in a sexually-explicit act or conduct, it had said. Even though the said section of the IT Act has been widely worded, it does not cover a case where a person has merely downloaded child pornography in an electronic gadget and watched the same, without doing anything more, it had said.

Admittedly, two videos involving boys were downloaded and were available on the petitioners mobile phone, and those were neither published nor transmitted to others and were within the petitioners private domain, said the High Court by quashing the criminal case. The High Court had advised the petitioner to attend counselling if he was still afflicted with the addiction of watching pornography.
The BJP on Sunday staged a protest against former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal at Rajghat and Connaught Place and claimed that the AAP-led Delhi government had failed to fulfil none of the promises mentioned in its election manifesto.

Delhi BJP vice-president Kapil Mishra led the protest along with party workers at Rajghat. Mishra even released a report card of the AAP government claiming that none of the 70 promises have been fulfilled by the Kejriwal government.

Mishra said the AAP made 70 promises in its manifesto 10 years ago that included a pollution-free city and 8 lakh jobs, of which none were fulfilled during Kejriwals tenure. He promised to bring the Lokpal bill and Swaraj bill, but nothing happened, the BJP leader added.

The people of Delhi are fed up with Kejriwal, and we will reach out to every household with the AAPs report card and expose him when he will lie to the people of the city, Mishra said.

In another protest at Connaught Place, less than a km away from Jantar Mantar where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was holding a Janata Ki Adalat where an exhibition exposing corruption in the Kejriwal government held.

Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva accused that Kejriwal has betrayed his mentors, friends, children, ideals, and dreams of honesty. Why did you betray Anna Hazare?

Why did you break the trust of Kiran Bedi, Shazia Ilmi, Kumar Vishwas, and Rajkumar Anand ?

Why did you betray your children by forming an alliance with Congress despite swearing on them?

You called the Lokpal your ideal, but have done nothing to appoint one. Why did you betray your ideals and You entered politics on an anti-corruption platform, but your government has hurt public sentiment and crushed the hopes of alternative politics. Why have you betrayed the people on corruption ?, he asked five questions to Kejriwal.

He alsopraised the youth workers of the party for their efforts to expose Arvind Kejriwal and said the people of Delhi are fed up with the corruption in the Kejriwal government and demand answers. Sachdeva stated that Kejriwal cannot get away by resigning and will have to answer for 10 years of corrupt misgovernance.

Leader of opposition in Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta said the Aam Aadmi Party is a shop of lies, and the people of Delhi want accountability for the last 10 years, which have set the city back by 50 years. He added that Kejriwals government is steeped in corruption, and since Kejriwal is the mastermind, one can only imagine where Delhi will go under his leadership.

South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said during the COVID pandemic, he had questioned Kejriwal in the Assembly about demolishing his old house and building a new palace.

We protested outside Kejriwals house with all the MLAs when the blueprints of the palace, built at a cost of ?189 crore, were not made public.

Bidhuri added that Kejriwals new residence cost ?52 crore to build, while 21 flats around it were demolished to make room for the mansion.

No permission was taken to demolish these flats, and officials involved in the Commonwealth Games scandal purchased these flats for 6 crore.

BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia said Kejriwal is not an ordinary person but someone who is looting Delhi and filling his own pockets while putting on a show for the public.

Calling the residence Sheesh Mahal, where Arvind Kejriwal is living, the Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that it was a perfect example of the AAP leaders luxurious life.
Senior AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday alleged that the BJP tried to poach him and asked him to take Kejriwals name to escape from the alleged Delhi excise policy case. He vowed to return to public office only when the people validate their integrity, emphasizing the unfinished mission of reforming Delhis education system. Notably, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi did not speak at the Janta ki Adalat at Jantar Mantar.

They used to tell me about this court case and everything will go for very long. , You are in this situation because of Kejriwal. Bolte the aap ki wife bimar hai, beta bahar hai, aap chhodo ye sab (Your wife and son are unwell, you should leave all this). They asked me to take the name of Kejriwal to escape from the case, Sisodia said while addressing at the Janta ki Adalat at Jantar Mantar.

I used to smile and tell them (BJP) also, you are trying to separate Laxman from Ram . Koshish bhi mat karna, koi ravan kamyab nahi hua. Arvind Kejriwal has been my guru and brother for 26 years, he said.

I told my wife about this and asked her what my workers and karyakartas will say about me. How will I show my face to them. My wife said, party karyakarta chhodo, tum mujhe kya muh dikhaoge (Leave it party worker, what face will you show me), he said.

The Former Deputy CM said that when they couldnt break me from within, they tried to break me from the outside. They used to send me messages, saying that I didnt realize I had been tricked by Arvind Kejriwal. I would tell them that he had tricked me 26 years ago, and I have been dedicated to the same work ever since. Their shamelessness reached a point where, after arresting Arvind Kejriwal, the CBI lied in court, saying that he had named me, putting all the blame on me. That same day, the CBI came to me, saying that since Arvind Kejriwal had mentioned my name, it would be better if I also implicated him to save myself, he said

No Ravana in the world can separate Lakshmana from Rama, declared Sisodia, pledging unwavering loyalty to AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal in their fight against Ravana of dictatorship.

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal held the Adalat in order to address the corruption charges levelled against him in the excise policy case after spending six months in jail. It was at Jantar Mantar in 2011 that Kejriwal, then an RTI activist, alongside Anna Hazare, had launched a nation-wide anti-corruption movement demanding the creation of a Jan Lokpal to curb corruption. The agitation had received massive public support from across the country and had played a significant role in laying the foundation for the AAPs emergence.

The AAP Delhi State Convenor and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said The BJP first tried to stop the work through the LG, but the work continued. After that, they imprisoned Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Education Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, MP Sanjay Singh, and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. When the work in Delhi didnt stop despite these efforts, the BJP thought that, like in other states, it could topple the Delhi government by putting the top leadership of the AAP in jail. He further said, The BJP may have the power of the ED and CBI, as well as money and influence, but Arvind Kejriwal has the power of public support.
Bharatiya Janata Party Scheduled Caste Front's National General Secretary Shambhunath Tundiya and Morcha's State President Kailash Jatav, along with party office-bearers and workers, on Sunday, after garlanding Baba Saheb Ambedkar's statue at Board Office Square, protested against Rahul Gandhi and condemned his statement.

The Morcha organised a meeting of intellectuals at the state office and condemned Rahul Gandhi's statement. National General Secretary Shambhunath Tundiya, while addressing the intellectuals during the protest at Board Office Square and at the state office, said that there is anger in the whole country over Rahul Gandhi's statement against reservation in America.

The Congress party and its leaders have been misusing the Constitution and constitutional processes to serve their political interests. The feeling of insulting the Constitution and Dalits is in its blood. The statement given by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against reservation in America is also indicative of this feeling of Congress. Bharatiya Janata Party Scheduled Caste Front condemns his statement and public awareness is being created against it in every district of the state.

State President of the Morcha, Kailash Jatav said that Rahul Gandhi's statement has angered the SC community of the entire country. The Congress Party ruled the country for about 57 years, but during this time it never showed the will to implement the principle of fundamental reservation given in the Constitution in its true spirit and form.

It was Pt Nehru who conspired to end the social and political life of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, he said, adding that Congress has always insulted Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The statement given by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against reservation in America is highly condemnable, which the Morcha strongly opposes. The Morcha is registering protest in the entire state.During the demonstration, Municipal Corporation President Shri Kishan Suryavanshi, Dr. Pankaj Kumar, Shri Suraj Khare and Morcha officials and workers were present.
Under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav, the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Exam 2023 (JSSC-CGL) was conducted on Sunday in a fully malpractice-free environment. The district administration had meticulously prepared for the exam by establishing 64 centers in Chas and Bermo sub-divisions. Their efforts ensured the seamless participation of the candidates.

With the active involvement of the district administration, 17,301 candidates (58.3%) appeared for the first and second shifts, and 17,280 (58.26%) for the third shift, ensuring a smooth and organized process.

DC Vijaya Jadhav, along with senior district officials including DDC Girja Shankar Prasad, M Mumtaz Ansari, and Prabhash Dutta, personally inspected key exam centers such as GGPS Sector 05, Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, and Rainbow Public School. The team ensured strict compliance with exam protocols by visiting the district control room and supervising all aspects of the exam.

In coordination with Nodal Officer Anant Kumar and DEO Jagarnath Lohra, the administration maintained continuous contact with all exam centers. Their vigilant efforts reassured that the exam environment remained fair and secure.

Supervised by administration, question papers were delivered from the district treasury early in the morning with proper police escort and magistrates on duty. The district administration strictly adhered to JSSC guidelines, ensuring candidates biometric verification and the installation of jammers at all centers to block unauthorized communications.

Notably no reports of irregularities surfaced, and the exam was successfully completed in a peaceful and secure environment. Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav commended the efforts of all district officers, police forces, magistrates, and invigilators for their dedication and effective coordination in making the exam process a success.
Vibrant China-ASEAN ties bring growing tangible benefits and great potential

09:33, September 23, 2024 By Wen Sheng ( Global Times

Illustration: Liu Xiangya/GT

The annual China-ASEAN Expo will be held in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from Tuesday to Saturday. It will showcase the outcomes of fruitful cooperation between the two major economies and highlight the potential for more in-depth cooperation in emerging sectors such as green energy and AI. The expo has been successfully held for a total of 20 years, and has witnessed the rapid development of the friendship between China and ASEAN.

The expo will feature a special exhibition area dedicated to advanced technologies, showcasing high-end equipment, new materials, and innovative products in advanced manufacturing from China and ASEAN countries, with an emphasis on promoting win-win development in the technology and industry sectors.

As an important and indispensable platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN, the expo has played a significant role in cementing a close partnership between the two major economies, particularly in high-tech fields, which contributes greatly to ASEAN economy's sustainable growth.

The success of closer China-ASEAN cooperation is attributed not only to their geographic proximity and cultural affinity but also to their shared aspirations for equality, inclusive growth, and prosperity. This stands in sharp contrast to the exploitation and colonization of ASEAN lands by Western powers about 100 years ago.

Over the past 30 years, China and ASEAN have joined hands to promote economic integration and globalization, responded collectively to the evolving international landscape, and forged a comprehensive strategic partnership. Now, with a greater confluence of interests, the two economies can align their future development strategies to explore new fields of cooperation.

Currently, China and ASEAN are negotiating the upgraded Free Trade Agreement 3.0. With this new trade arrangement, an increasing number of products from ASEAN countries will enter the Chinese market. This will greatly contribute to the development of the ASEAN economy and the prosperity of its people.

China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's biggest trading partner for four years in a row. Two-way trade rose by 10.5 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024. Last year, China's investment in ASEAN increased by 44.6 percent, and two-way investment has accumulated to more than $380 billion.

The successful and vibrant China-ASEAN relationship has brought growing tangible benefits to the 2 billion people in this bustling region. Over the past decade, multiple landmark Belt and Road projects, such as the China-Laos Railway and Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, have been completed, delivering concrete benefits to local communities and garnering public support from ASEAN peoples.

In contrast to concepts like the "clash of civilizations" proposed by alienation-minded Western pundits, China has always upheld the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy. By cooperating with regional partners, China has consistently endeavored to uphold regional peace, stability, unity, and joint development.

As China and ASEAN are poised to forge closer economic, trade, and investment relations, more local communities in ASEAN countries will enjoy greater development opportunities. These multiple and prolific cooperation results will further consolidate the foundation of China-ASEAN relations and friendship.

China-ASEAN cooperation in facilitating the green transition has continued to gain momentum in recent years. In 2023, Chinese brands accounted for 67 percent of electric vehicles sold in ASEAN countries, significantly contributing to the energy transition and industrial upgrading in the region, according to media reports.

Both China and ASEAN face challenges related to environmental protection and sustainable development, with significant room for cooperation in expanding green infrastructure, clean energy, and smart ways of transportation. Moreover, there is huge potential for bilateral cooperation in e-commerce, clean and intelligent cars, big data, AI, and smart cities.

From January to July this year, the China-ASEAN trade volume reached $552 billion, an increase of 7.7 percent year-on-year, accounting for 15.8 percent of China's total foreign trade during the period.

The world has witnessed an increasingly dynamic and flourishing ASEAN. China believes that once the negotiations on Version 3.0 of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area are concluded and implemented, the level of regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation will see another marked improvement.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
12K complaints received on C-Vigil App related to MCC violation: CEO

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal on Sunday said that a total of 12,011 complaints related to the violation of the Model Code of Conduct have been received on C-Vigil App in the State from August 16 to September 22, out of which 11,122 have been found valid. Such complaints are resolved within 100 minutes on the C-Vigil app. This app allows users to upload audio, video, and photos as evidence. Providing district-wise details, he stated that 856 complaints were received from Ambala district, 75 from Bhiwani, 2,873 from Faridabad, 64 from Fatehabad, 1,585 from Gurugram, 220 from Hisar, 953 from Jhajjar, 76 from Jind, 194 from Kaithal, 48 from Karnal, 289 from Kurukshetra, 24 from Mahendragarh, 13 from Mewat, 206 from Palwal, 326 from Panchkula, 21 from Panipat, 186 from Rewari, 1,015 from Rohtak, 2,093 from Sirsa, 247 from Sonipat, and 647 from Yamunanagar. Out of the total complaints, 11,122 were found valid by the Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers, and appropriate actions were taken according as per the rules.

Many BJP leaders join Cong in Panchkula

Panchkula: Many BJP leaders on Sunday joined the Congress party in a programme organized by Uttarakhand Samaj at Sector 12 in Panchkula. Congress candidate Chandra Mohan and other Congress leaders were present on the occasion. Those who joined the Congress party include former BJP councillor Ramesh Barathwal and other leaders Vinod Kumar Bansal, Bhupesh Bansal, Councillor Sunit Singhla and hundreds of other leaders.

Cong wants to divide people by doing caste politics: Yogi Adityanath

Jind: Lashing out at the Congress, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that the grand old partys structure has become as dilapidated as the Babri in Ayodhya. Reiterating his call for unity during an election rally at Narwana in Jind, Adityanath said: And I have come to make this appeal to you. They want to divide you by doing caste politics. I told you, didnt I say, batoge to katoge, ek rahoge toh nek rahoge, koi mai ka laal aapka baal banka nahi kar payega.

The BJP leader said: Despite the Congress ruling the country for a long time, they did not name even one airport after Maharishi Valmiki, Sant Ravidas or after B R Ambedkar. They used to name them after their family.
A third year BTech Computers student of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) committed suicide by hanging with the ceiling at hostel number 5 on Sunday.

After the student was found dead, police were informed and the body was sent for postmortem. In the initial investigation police have not found suicide note from the spot.

The exact cause of death could not be revealed. In the initial investigation, the police suspect that he committed suicide due to loneliness and stress of studies. The police have registered a case and started an investigation in the matter.

According to Kamla Nagar Police, Aditya Sohane (22) was a resident of Datia. He was studying third year BTech in MANIT. The youth lived in MANIT's hostel number 5. He committed suicide by hanging himself in this room.

His friends told the police that they last saw him at 12.30 am on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, he did not come to the mess for breakfast. At around 12:30 pm, his friends came to check on him in the room. After spotting his body hanging from the noose, the police were informed about the matter.
On the campaign trail, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav addressed a public meeting on Sunday in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Samba constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.

Participating in electioneering for the BJP hopeful, Surjit Singh Salathia, the star campaigner addressed the public at the Modern Education Institute, Ghagwal, and the Ramleela Maidan at Gurha Salathian.

In his address, Yadav targeted the Congress and National Conference (NC), saying, "Since the country gained independence, the Congress Party's wrong decisions led to the stigma of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir for many years."Seeking an ouster of the Congress and NC, he urged voters not to forgive the two parties and ensure a triumph for the BJP in the northern state. Reminding the audience of the abrogation of Article 370, Yadav said, "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, there has not been a single riot in the country. At the time of abrogating Article 370, various political leaders and anti-national forces warned of bloodshed, but under Modi's rule, not even a single stone was thrown.

Time to End Anti-National Forces.

The Chief Minister described the assembly elections as unique and recalled the BJP's long-standing slogan: "The sacrifices of Mukherjee make Kashmir ours." He appealed to the people of Kashmir to vote for the BJP candidate to ensure clean and sustainable governance."Congress made a significant mistake during the independence period by fragmenting Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab."

Yadav referred to Jammu and Kashmir as the 'crown jewel' of the nation and highlighted the stigma of Articles 370 and 35A that the state was forced to suffer due to the decisions of the Congress Party. He stressed that this election is about ending anti-national forces and urged everyone to vote for the BJP.

BJP embraces the Muslim community

Yadav affirmed that under Modi's leadership, the BJP is working for the welfare and development of all social groups. He mentioned that his party sincerely embraces the Muslim community, having even elected a great scientist like Dr. Abdul Kalam as President. He pointed out the importance of acknowledging historical figures who fought bravely for the nation.

Three families never benefited Jammu and Kashmir

Yadav stated that the three dynastic partiesNational Conference, Congress, and PDPhave never benefited the people of Jammu and Kashmir. With the abrogation of Article 370, he noted that for the first time, true development is visible in the region."The BJP is moving forward on the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' and remains dedicated to the welfare of all communities," he said.

He called on the people to vote for the BJP to enhance development and eliminate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP Changed the Nation's Atmosphere

Taunting the NC, Dr. Yadav questioned the Abdullahs on why their party speaks the language of anti-India forces. He asserted that under Modi's leadership, the atmosphere of the country has transformed.
In a decisive crackdown on crime, the Yogi Adityanath government, adhering to its zero tolerance policy, has relentlessly targeted notorious criminals and illegal operations across Uttar Pradesh.

The states Special Task Force (UP STF) has taken swift action against drug traffickers, arms smugglers, cyber criminals and the nakal mafia. Over the past seven and a half years, more than 7,000 notorious criminals have been arrested, while 49 have been killed in police encounters, dealing a significant blow to organised crime in the state.

Additionally, significant quantities of illegal weapons, narcotics and banned animal skins and bones have been seized. The STF, using its intelligence network, also thwarted more than 559 criminal incidents before they could occur, further demonstrating its proactive approach.

ADG (STF) Amitabh Yash stated that in line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths directives, the Special Task Force is conducting a continuous campaign to curb crime and apprehend criminals across the state.

Over the past seven and a half years, the STF has arrested a total of 7,015 notorious and wanted criminals, with 49 criminals being killed during this period. All of them had bounties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 5 lakh, he said.

Additionally, through heightened alertness and vigilance under the zero-tolerance policy, more than 559 criminal incidents were averted before they could occur. These included serious crimes such as kidnapping, robbery and the planned murders of public representatives, prominent individuals and ordinary citizens. Furthermore, 3,970 organised criminals were also apprehended during this time, the ADG added.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the STF has taken action against 926 kingpins and paper solvers from 193 gangs over the past seven and a half years to eliminate examination-related malpractices such as cheating and paper leaks. This has significantly enhanced the credibility of the Yogi government among the youth.

Additionally, 379 cybercriminals involved in various cyber crimes have also been apprehended.

In a separate campaign targeting illegal arms smuggling, the STF has arrested 189 criminals, recovering 2,080 illegal weapons and 8,229 illegal cartridges from their possession.

Furthermore, the STF cracked down on liquor smuggling, arresting 523 smugglers involved in transporting liquor from states such as Punjab and Haryana. A total of 80,579 boxes of liquor, 330,866 litres of rectified spirit, and 7,560 litres of prepared country liquor were seized during these operations.

STF Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Singh reported that the agency arrested 1,082 individuals involved in the illegal drug trade and seized a large quantity of narcotics, including 91,147.48 kilograms of ganja, 2,054.651 kilograms of charas, 19,727.1 kilograms of doda/poppy, 7.06 kilograms of morphine, 723.758 kilograms of smack, 21.521 kilograms of heroin, 181.012 kilograms of opium, 6.1 kilograms of brown sugar, 6.938 kilograms of mephedrone, and 280,899 banned drugs. Vehicles used in the transportation of these substances were also seized, and appropriate legal action was taken.

In addition, the STF arrested 170 criminals from various gangs involved in poaching and smuggling of prohibited wildlife. The recoveries included 341 kilograms of tortoise calipee, two pangolins, one tiger skin, 18 kilograms of tiger bone, two elephant tusks, 8,011 tortoises, 4,922 prohibited birds, one hyena skeleton, 20 grey langurs, one leopard skin, 4.12 kilograms of ambergris, four wild boar teeth, 563.1 kilograms of red sandalwood, 44 ivory items, 25 leopard teeth, 24 leopard nails, 110 jackal horns, 140 Indrajal plants, one tiger skeleton, one python, and one snake. Vehicles, cash and other items used in these illegal activities were also recovered.

During this period, the STF carried out a total of 2,670 commendable operations.
With the Haryana Assembly elections approaching nearer, the leaders of all political parties are trying to employ every measure possible to woo the voters. Employment, Agniveers, women and farmers continue to be targets of all the parties including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and others contesting for the 90-Assembly seats in the State, evident from their poll manifestos and public rally promises.

Though both the ruling BJP and the main opposition party, Congress, have made big promises to the people in their released manifestos; JJP, INLD, AAP and others are also expected to unveil their manifestos in the coming days. Additionally, in their rallies, leaders of AAP, JJP-Azad Samaj Party and INLD-BSP combine have promised a slew of freebies, and schemes to woo the agrarian electorate.

Opposition leaders looking to upstage BJP in the State after a decade in office are fiercely targeting the party on the states unemployment rates, citing frustration of youths, farmers distress, and increase in crime against women and deteriorating law and order situation in the campaign for the Assembly Election scheduled on October 5.

Moreover, while the BJP manifesto was unveiled by Union Minister JP Nadda on September 19 and includes 20 guarantees, the Congress list of promises was released by partys national president Mallikarjun Kharge on September 18 and includes, in contrast, seven guarantees.

Both the political rivals have released their poll manifestos for the election with a focus on the poor, women, youth, and farmers. Interestingly, both political parties have made promises which are similar to each other. The BJP has made 20 election promises, of which five are similar to those made by the Congress.

As far as their manifestos are concerned, both have targeted the youth as the unemployment rate in the state is higher than the national average. As per Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) data, the unemployment rate in Haryana is 37.4 per cent.

The parties have promised to create two lakh government jobs, which will cost nearly Rs 900 crores to the state exchequer. BJPs poll manifesto says that their government will create additional job opportunities for five lakh youths. The national apprenticeship promotion scheme will also pay a monthly stipend to the unemployed.

Sources in the Government office said that vacancies were piling up across departments in the last many years. The State employs four lakh people, of which 2.75 lakh are in permanent positions and the remaining are contractual staffers. The rate at which state employees are retiring is far higher, and because of a significant gap in new hiring, many departments are understaffed.

Talking to reporters, the senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda hit out at BJP for not filling two lakh vacancies across Government departments. Instead of filling vacancies in government departments, BJP-led Government had promoted contractual hiring through the skill employment corporation, thereby denying job security to the youth, he added.

Asked about joblessness, a BJP leader said that the Government actively worked to create employment opportunities for the youth over the past decade.

An indication of BJPs perspective on this, however, came from the party's manifesto for the assembly polls released. The party, seeking a third consecutive term in the state, promised two lakh government jobs and creation of 10 industrial towns.

Furthermore, the BJP has shied away from announcing a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops in the manifesto but has assured the farmers that they will continue to get MSP on 24 crops which were announced just before the elections. The party has also promised that the leaseholders will get permanent land ownership. In its poll manifesto, the Congress says it will legalize the MSP.

The BJPs 20-point poll manifesto also includes two Centre-sponsored schemes  including the KMP orbital rail corridor construction and extension of Vande Bharat trains  besides many rapid rail services and the inter-city connectivity of metro rail services between Faridabad and Gurugram.

In regards to women issue, under its Lado Lakshmi Yojana, the BJP has promised that 78 lakh female voters, aged between 18 and 60 years, will get Rs 2,100 monthly. On the other hand, the Congress pledged Rs 2,000 per month. If this promise is kept, the State Government would be spending Rs 20,000 crore per annum on this scheme.

The Congress has vowed to provide nearly 49 lakh homemakers with a subsidized LPG gas cylinder, costing Rs 500. The BJP has also made a similar promise. Implementing this will cost the government almost Rs 2,000 crore per annum, and a subsidy of Rs 334 will be required on each gas cylinder.

Congress has promised a monthly pension of up to Rs 6,000 to elderly women, and differently-abled persons. The BJP has said that it will provide a dearness allowance and pension based on a scientific formula.

Nearly 35 lakh such beneficiaries are already getting a social security pension in Haryana. The BJP Government was paying Rs 3,000 per month, which the Congress has doubled. The state is spending Rs 13,000 crores on social security pensions annually.

The two biggest parties in the state have also promised to launch a housing scheme for the poor. The BJP's poll manifesto promises houses for five lakh poor people whose annual income is below Rs 1.8 lakhs per annum. The implementation of the scheme will cost nearly Rs 1,400 crores per annum.

Interestingly, Congress has said that it will provide a plot and two-room houses to around 3.08 lakh people.

On health front, the BJP has promised each family free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh under the Chirayu Aayushman Yojana. Senior members of the family, over 70 years, will get free treatment of up to Rs seven lakh. The BJP government was already running this scheme, which had benefited 15.54 people over the past six years. Meanwhile, the Congress has also promised free medical treatment of up to Rs 25 lakh as per its poll manifesto.

Meanwhile, addressing the public rally, senior INLD leader and Ellenabad candidate Abhay Chautala said that the party will soon release its manifesto. We promised that under an INLD government, the old-age pension given by Devi Lal will be increased to Rs 7500. The government will ensure that every educated child from a household will get a government job, fill two lakh vacant positions in the first six months, provide Rs 21,000 as unemployment allowance, give free gas cylinders to mothers and sisters, deposit Rs 1100 into every housewife's account, ensure free drinking water, and provide relief on electricity bills, he added.

Chautala further said: Our Government will also cover education expenses, reintroduce the old pension scheme, make Anganwadi and ASHA workers permanent, provide hundred-square-yard plots to the poor, and ensure houses under the Devi Lal Housing Scheme. Additionally, all government portals created by the BJP-led Manohar Lal Khattar government will be abolished, and new ration cards will be issued to provide all necessary facilities. A separate capital and High Court will be established, and every village will have a community center for women to participate in devotional activities.

Senior JJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, talking to the reporters, said that the JJP-ASP alliance will soon release its manifesto. Every section will be taken care of in the manifesto. He said: If JJP-ASP government is formed in the State, 50 percent reservation will be given to women in teaching jobs in all government educational institutions. Along with this, 33 percent participation of women will be ensured in many schemes of cooperative sectors. The honorarium of Anganwadi-ASHA workers will be increased to Rs 21,000 per month, he added.

Political observers opined that the number of jobs created in the past decade was not enough to absorb all the youngsters finishing their studies; and jobs will play a major role this election. In addition to this, women empowerment, steps to stop crime against women are being raised by the political leaders in this election. Legal guarantee of MSP on all crops is another important issue in this election. Voters will keep in minding all these issues while exercising their vote to the parties in the election, observers added.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla underscored the need to preserve Indias ancient knowledge of Ayurveda and emphasized the importance of deeper research into Prakriti Parikshan  a traditional diagnostic method focused on understanding the constitution of the human body.

Speaking at the 8th annual sammaan samaroh of Bhartiya Dharohar in New Delhi on Saturday evening, Shukla urged wider promotion of Ayurveda for treating ailments and preserving cultural heritage. He highlighted Indias rich legacy, noting that foreign scholars, including Max Muller, recognized the immense value of the Vedas. Shukla called for increased awareness among youth about Indias spiritual and cultural history.

India is a land of immense cultural heritage, which must be safeguarded. Our heritage assigns the status of Mother to the countryWe must not only take pride in our heritage but also raise awareness about it among the youth and children, he said, adding that India has a unique position and was a global center for spiritual knowledge and people from all over the world comes here to learn from scholars of our country.

The Governor applauded Bhartiya Dharohars dedicated efforts in preserving ancient traditions and serving society.

He also released the September issue of the organizations annual magazine and honored individuals who made significant contributions to various fields. Ranjeet Kaur was recognized for her late husband's contributions, while renowned writer and director Chandra Prakash Dwivedi and Lakshmi Narayan Goel, a social worker engaged in education and cultural preservation in rural and tribal areas, were also honored. Patrons and members of Bhartiya Dharohar who made notable contributions to the organization were acknowledged during the event.
Delhis Jantar Mantar was awash with the Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) signature yellow and blue colours on Sunday as hundreds of supporters filled the site with party flags, banners and slogans, vowing to stand by former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. He is one of us, the AAP supremos supporters declared, affirming their unwavering belief in his innocence.

The atmosphere was electric as Kejriwal, in his first Janta ki Adalat public meeting, took the stage, wearing a white shirt. He was greeted with songs such as Mera Rang De Basanti Chola playing in the background.

As Jantar Mantar -- often the epicentre of political demonstrations-- was filled with AAP leaders and supporters, posters reading Humare Kejriwal imaandar hai (Our Kejriwal is honest) and I love Kejriwal could be spotted everywhere. A few people were eagerly waiting for his address, with one supporter saying, He (Kejriwal) is currently out on bail and soon the law will fully exonerate him with dignity.... We are waiting for that day.

Among the crowd was 39-year-old Dheenkhar Singh from Janakpuri, who was wearing a Kejriwal topi and holding a jhadoo (broom), the AAPs election symbol.

Singh described Kejriwal as one of them, saying, Im here to support him. He is like one of us -- the one who looks like us, dresses like us and understands our demands. Watching him feels like he is our leader. His words resonate with us. Ill always be here to support him.

Kejriwal was released on bail from Tihar Jail on September 13, after spending over five months in prison in connection with the excise policy case.

He stepped down as Delhi chief minister last week and handed over the baton to senior party leader and minister Atishi, who took oath for the office on Saturday and requested people to ensure that her predecessor.

Addressing the rally, Kejriwal demanded answers from the RSS for Prime Minister Narendra Modis actions, in an apparent bid to diminish his stature by implying that the parent Hindutva organisation was the master which should keep its child in control.

Has the son become so big now that it is showing attitude to his mother? the AAP chief asked, demanding five answers from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat.The questions he asked were political softballs but the implication of bringing Bhagwat into his new political narrative is new and unusual.

Meanwhile, slogans of Na rukega, na jhukega (wont stop, wont bow) rented the air in Jantar Mantar as party supporters, dressed in the signature AAP caps, turned the entire event into a festival of colour and hope.

Rajesh, who came to attend the Janta ki Adalat, said, Kejriwal and his government have a lot of work to do, work for us. He is out on bail, and I believe he will fight for good with even more strength now. Thats why Im here to hear and support him.

Many supporters also exuded confidence in Kejriwals win in the upcoming assembly polls, with one of them saying, This time, the BJP wont get a single seat in the election, as our leader is back and he wont give anyone a chance to take control of Delhi. Kumar added, Aam Aadmi Party is Kejriwals party. When he stands with the party leaders, it boosts our morale as well. Seeing him here with the other leaders of AAP feels really good.
BJP's state spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo launched a strong attack on Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and said that due to appeasement and vote bank politics, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has ruined Jharkhand in the last 5 years. Pratul said that the people of Jharkhand are fed up with the corruption, loot and misgovernance of this government. Therefore, the Parivartan Yatra of Bharatiya Janata Party is getting great success. Due to which JMM has become stammering. Pratul said that the people of the entire state are seeing a hope from BJP's Parivartan Yatra that the terror rule will end. JMM leaders also know that now the time has come for their departure.

Pratul said that it seems that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has kept Bangladeshi infiltrators as its sleeper cell. That is why to save these infiltrators, Deputy Commissioners of many districts of Santhal Pargana lie by giving affidavits in the High Court. Despite the Central Government providing the list of infiltrators in the year 2021, this government did not take any initiative to remove the infiltrators. It appears that these infiltrators, who have dealt a big blow to the tribal interests in this government, have the status of son-in-law in the state government. The Special Branch of this government had written a letter on June 2, 2023, clarifying that the work of making identity cards of Muslim infiltrators is going on on a large scale in the madrasas of Santhal. The state government suppressed that letter due to appeasement and vote bank politics.

Pratul said that nowadays the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha government is talking about Maiyaan Samman. In the state where more than 7000 daughters were raped, more than one-third of whom come from the deprived and exploited society, the reality check of that government is done. Daughters-in-law and daughters are not safe in the rule of this government. Pratul said that if the government has the courage, then it should issue a white paper and tell that in how many rape cases the government filed the charge sheet on time and how many rapists were punished through speed track court. The government's record in this matter is a failure.
Bollywood actor-cum-BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Sunday accused the Himachal Pradesh Government of diverting state loans to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, claiming that corruption is depleting the states resources.

Kangna, speaking at a BJP membership drive in a village, alleged that funds intended for disaster relief are being channeled into what she termed a Sonia relief fund, instead of the official Chief Ministers Relief Fund.

She criticized the Congress-led Government, under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, for misusing financial resources while the state struggles with mounting debt. Kangna also questioned Congress lavish election spending and called on voters to remove the current administration.
Medi-Caps University indore has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with City University of Seattle, USA, to launch a dual degree program that will offer students exceptional opportunities for student exchanges and summer schools, enriching their global experience, as stated by media in-charge, Prof. Kuber Datt Gautam.

The MoU was formalized in a ceremony attended by the Honourable Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Patnaik, and key university officials, including Mr. Palash Garg, OSD to the Chancellor; Prof. (Dr.) S. D. Upadhyay, Professor In-charge of Collaboration; Prof. (Dr.) Pramod Nayar, Dean of Engineering; and Prof. Kalyan Sahu, HoD of Management. The agreement was signed by Mr. Antonio Esqueda Flores, Director of International Student Services at CityU, and Mr. P. Siluvainathan, Registrar of Medi-Caps University.

Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra Pathak, Head of International Affairs, welcomed the distinguished guests, emphasizing the significance of this collaboration. The event was coordinated by Prof. Neeraj Yadav, Prof. Trapti Mishra, and Dr. Neetik Mukherjee.

Dr. Pramod S. Nair and Dr. Kalyan Sahu provided an overview of the upcoming collaborative activities, paving the way for a fruitful partnership that promises to enrich the educational experience at Medi-Caps.

The university also expressed gratitude to the Honourable Chancellor Shri R.C Mittal, and the entire administrative team for their steadfast support in realizing this milestone.

Special thanks were extended to Prof. Ram Bansal, Prof. (Dr.) Latika Jindal, and various departments, including Training and Placement, CSE, IT, and the Media Team, for their invaluable contributions.
A 19 years old student on Saturday was thrashed and his turban forcibly removed by some students during a clash with another group at Delhi Universitys Sri Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, days ahead of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections scheduled for September 27.

The video has gone viral on social media triggering criticism across social media as it shows a red-turbaned student being dragged, kicked and assaulted until his turban fell to the ground during the scuffle.

An FIR has been registered under sections 299 (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 115 (2) (Voluntarily causing hurt), 351 (Criminal intimidation) and 3 (5) (When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Maurice Nagar police station in the matter. According to police, Pavit Singh Gujral, a second-year student said that he was attacked during the nomination process for DUSU elections. "I want to bring it to your notice about a criminal incident which happened on Saturday at around 1:57 pm. Nomination process was going on in our college during the said process one Sajan Tomar and his accomplices attacked me forcibly, removed my turban, beat me, my kesh (hairs) were pulled and I was also abused by Sajan Tomar, he said in an FIR.

He stated, My T-shirt was torn and I was attacked by his group. I am not feeling safe in college and I feel that I have a risk to my life. I request you to provide me security.

A senior police officer said that teams have been formed to nab the accused. Meanwhile, the college is yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) expressed its deep concern over the unfortunate incident and said that it has been consistently raising issues of lack of security and increasing violence inside the campus.

NSUI National President Varun Choudhary stated, Incident at Khalsa College is depiction of increasing violence inside Delhi University today. Students are not safe on campus, and it is high time that the university administration takes responsibility for the safety and security of its students.

He added that they demand strict and immediate action against the individuals involved in this shameful incident.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also condemned the incident and said that it is of the clear opinion that violence has no place in educational campuses. It also raised suspicion on the involvement of NSUI, Shiromani Akali Dals (SAD) Student Organization of India (SOI) and Students of Delhi (SOD) in the violence that erupted.

Proper representation of students is necessary to raise the issues of students in educational institutions, the student union elections being held in Delhi University will give direction to the development of democratic values among the students. Student union elections should be fair and peaceful, it said.
At a time when the Congress campaign for October 5 assembly polls in Haryana gathered momentum, the absence of its prominent Dalit face and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja has exposed the internal rift in the party. Selja, has been conspicuously absent from the partys campaign for over a week. Her silence after nominations ended has caught the eye of the Opposition parties with BJPs outgoing Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday accusing the Congress of being anti-Dalit for hesitating to declare her as the chief ministerial face.

Saini, talking to reporters, said: The Congress is anti-Dalit and does not respect Dalits. If any Dalit leader wants to move forward, the Congress crushes that leader. Kumari Selja is a big leaderif she wants to become the Chief Minister, what crime did she commit?

His assertion comes a day after Sainis predecessor Manohar Lal Khattar, now a Union Minister, invited her to join the BJP. Our Dalit sister is sitting at home. A large section of people are today thinking about what they should do. Many people were upset with them and we brought them into the party fold. We are ready with an offer and if she comes, we are ready to induct her, Khattar was quoted as saying.

Moreover, dismissing such reports as speculations, the Congress candidate from Uchana Kalan assembly constituency, Brijendra Singh, said that the BJP is facing frustration in the state ahead of elections. Kumari Selja is one of the very senior leaders, there is no point in saying such things about her. She will contribute fully to Congress in this election. BJP is a shop of lies, he said.

Congress sources said that Selja was upset over the denial of tickets to leaders owing allegiance to her camp, and now chose to stay away from the electioneering. However, there is no official statement either by the Congress central leadership or senior-most leader and two-time Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda, who is in the race for the post of the Chief Minister, about the reason for Kumari Seljas absence just ahead of polling despite being active on the ground before the candidature on all seats were cleared.

In the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, Kumari Selja defeated BJPs Ashok Tanwar, Haryana Congress former president, by 2,68,497 votes from Sirsa (reserve) seat.

Furthermore, the former Home Minister and BJP leader Anil Vij, who is in the fray from his stronghold Ambala Cantonment, said: There is no respect for women in the Congress, and there is no respect for Dalits also. If someone can use casteist words about such a prominent leader (Kumari Selja), then what must the situation in Congress be? Everyone should be aware of this.

Talking to reporters, Vij, the six-time legislator who last week demanded that he be made the Chief Minister of Haryana if his party wins the elections, said: If Manohar Lal ji is saying something about the possibility of Kumari Selja joining the BJP, then there must be something in this regard.

All political parties are aiming to woo the Dalits, who constitute nearly 21 per cent of the states population, with both prominent parties, the BJP and the Congress, having Dalits as state party chiefs. Out of 90 Assembly seats, 17 are reserved for the Dalits.

Azad Samaj Party leader and parliamentarian Chandra Shekhar Azad too condemned the abusive comment made on Kumari Selja and called upon the people to be cautious of the Congress. The party which cannot give respect to a senior leader of our society, how will that Congress care for the common people of our society? he said.

He added, Kumari Selja has been strengthening the Congress for a long time but today she is being forced to sit at home due to repeated insults. The Azad Samaj Party is contesting the elections in alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).
Traffic remained affected on the Bhopal-Indore highway on Sunday afternoon after a truck carrying a reputed brand of toothpaste went up in flames in the Khajuri Bazar area on the outskirts of the state capital.

Eyewitnesses said the fire, caused by a short circuit, left the driver's cabin of the stationary vehicle completely gutted. No one was injured in the incident, as the driver and his assistant jumped to safety.

Residents and bystanders at the bazaar tried to douse the flames, which were eventually brought under control by fire engines from the Sant Hirdaram Nagar fire station.The incident caused a minor scare in the area, full of Sunday shoppers, as the fire threatened to grow larger before the arrival of the fire staff.Local police and highway patrol vehicles helped clear the area of the traffic disruption caused by the fire.
In the past seven and a half years, the Yogi Adityanath government has implemented significant measures to combat cyber crime and protect the hard-earned money of the states residents.

Key initiatives include the establishment of 18 regional cyber crime police stations, digital forensic labs, and cyber help desks in every police station across the state.

On Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths directives, the Special Task Force (STF) has taken decisive action against cyber criminals, resulting in the arrest of 379 individuals linked to various cyber crime activities. Notably, the STF apprehended a gang of 16 cyber criminals responsible for defrauding an associate professor of the Sanjay Gandhi Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow of approximately Rs 2 crore. These arrests were made in Lucknow and Gautam Buddha Nagar.

Notably, the deployment of the UP STF to dismantle major cyber crime networks and gangs is among the key initiatives of the state government. As a result of these efforts, Uttar Pradesh has seen a significant decline in cyber crime cases over the past seven and a half years.

Following Chief Minister Yogis directives, the UP STF has launched an ongoing campaign to apprehend cyber criminals. This initiative has led to the exposure of numerous gangs engaged in fraudulent activities, including creating cloned cheques, operating fake telecalling centres and running bogus insurance schemes.

In total, the STF has arrested 379 cyber criminals during this period and recovered a substantial cache of equipment, including computers, laptops, walkie-talkies, mobile phones, SIM cards and cash. The STF dismantled one of the largest online fraud gangs in the state, arresting 105 members and seizing approximately 2,00,000 data points from major companies such as Reliance Future, Exide, Birla Sun Life, Max Life, PNB Met Life, HDFC Agro, Paytm Online Shopping, Shyclues, and Flipkart, which were used to facilitate their fraudulent operations.

STF Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Singh announced that a comprehensive campaign is underway across Uttar Pradesh to apprehend cyber criminals. Over the past seven and a half years, this initiative has led to the arrest of a significant number of offenders, with Gautam Buddha Nagar, Lucknow and Ghaziabad being the hotspots for these operations.

In Gautam Buddha Nagar alone, 225 major cyber criminals have been apprehended, followed by 116 in Lucknow and nine in Ghaziabad. The campaign has also resulted in the arrests of five cyber fraudsters each from Prayagraj, Agra, and Delhi, as well as one criminal each from Pratapgarh, Jaunpur and Kanpur Nagar. Additionally, four cyber criminals were nabbed in Fatehpur and Gorakhpur, and three others were arrested in Rajasthan.

The STF has also uncovered multiple fraud cases linked to a cyber thug from Bihar, who was brought to Uttar Pradesh on transit remand in connection with an online fraud case in Varanasi.
A 21-year-old youth was arrested on Sunday for allegedly raping a minor girl after promising to marry her, in Maharajganj district, police said.

It is alleged that Ankit Verma and the 17-year-old girl had an affair. The accused had promised to marry the girl and established a physical relationship with her, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (Sadar) Abha Singh.

An FIR in this regard was registered against the accused three months ago at Sinduriya police station of Maharajganj district under relevant sections of the BNS and POCSO Act and he was arrested on Sunday.

A detailed investigation is going on in the matter.

Meanwhile, three people died of suffocation in a well in Banda district on Sunday. The incident took place in Bara village in Bisanda police station area of Baberu tehsil.

Reports said that the slippers of Anil Patel, 40) of the same locality fell into a dry well on Sunday afternoon. The family members said that Anil jumped into the well to take out his slippers. When Anil did not come out for a long time, people around saw Sandeep Verma (19) and Bala Verma, 21), both kin, go inside the well to take him out. However, all three fainted due to suffocation.

PC Patel, a relative of Amit, said that there was poisonous gas in that well, because whoever went down suffocated.

After a lot of hard work, the police administration took out all three and sent them to hospital where the doctors pronounced all three dead.

Banda districts Additional Superintendent of Police Shivraj, who visited the spot, said, Prima facie it appears that there must have been poisonous gas in the muddy well, due to which all three died.

ADM Rajesh Kumar confirmed the deaths.
Unresolved trauma can fester and lead to unimaginable horrors, according to the Netflix crime thriller Sector 36. The directorial debut of Aditya Nimbalkar is a must-watch fictional movie inspired by true events. The film delves into the depths of human depravity and captures the horror of real-life stories as the storyline has been inspired by the 2005 Nithari serial killings of Noida.

Children are generally always close to everyones heart, but the 124-minute thriller will leave you in fear and awe.

The movie opens with the shot of Vikrant Massey seeming like an ordinary servant watching television and then suddenly disfiguring a girls body by cutting it into pieces. His sinister side is seen as the film passes by showing his interest for the killings of children.

Vikrant Massey has yet again outshone himself by giving a chilly, goosebumps-filled performance as Prem, the ruthless, disturbing, and psychotic serial killer. The actor shows off his unmatchable acting skills, evidently visible on the screen. The intense acting of the antagonist will not let you get up from your couches, so keep the popcorn and coke along.

The film scenes are difficult to watch, but are proof of what would have happened with the children. There are various such scenes to keep your eyes and mind gripping to the film and if you are a crime genre lover this thriller will not be a disappointment.

The story takes a turn when Inspector Ram Charan Pandey portrayed by Deepak Dobriyal comes into play. The movie has been a comeback for the actor and what a great comeback I must say. The movie picks the pace when Pandey decides to search far down into the case when something unusual happens with his daughter.

The craft of the 12th fail actor will surprise you again in this film. To be specially praised is the monologue of the actor sitting in the police station when he admits his crime of kidnapping, raping, assaulting, and killing of children.

The absence of a background score adds to the tension and suspense to allow the audience fully immerse themselves in the harrowing narrative. The subtle but agonising music holds on with the scenes and killings. The movie is majorly made with dark lighting to cue it with the type of hard crime shown.

The movie sets path with Inspector Ram being the prey of well-endowed businessmen and corrupt officers in the system fighting and standing for the truth.

Deepak Dobriyals performance as Inspector Ram Charan Pandey is equally compelling. His transformation from a complacent police officer to a determined investigator seeking justice is a testament to his acting prowess.

The Nimbalkar delivers an awakening and a strong message for the audience. The film broadly explores themes of corruption, societal indifference, and the slow pace of justice in the country.

The movies lead Prem can also be called Indian Jeffrey Dahmer, the American serial killer and the sex offender who killed and dismembered seventeen males between 1978 and 1991.

The film transparently portrays the nudity of the society and broadens the minds of the viewers by focusing on the gap between the societies. On the other hand, the movie lacks the emotional touch, which has been overpowered by the feared scenes disintegrating the human angle.

The film is ultimately a powerful and thought-provoking work of art. Sector 36 is a must-watch for those seeking a gripping cinematic experience diving to make you believe how tangled a criminals mind can be.

Rating - 3.5/5
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Free Report) had its price objective raised by Royal Bank of Canada from $310.00 to $320.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $241.00 to $252.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Barclays initiated coverage on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. They set an equal weight rating and a $300.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $272.00 to $286.00 in a report on Friday, July 26th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $252.00 to $254.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $260.00 to $292.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $282.93.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Trading Down 2.2 %

Shares of AJG stock opened at $276.06 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $60.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 55.88, a PEG ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.72. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $285.49 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $262.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a fifty-two week low of $218.63 and a fifty-two week high of $301.04.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The financial services provider reported $2.26 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.24 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.77 billion. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a return on equity of 19.25% and a net margin of 10.41%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 14.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.90 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 10.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 6th were given a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 6th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.87%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.58%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. news, President Thomas Joseph Gallagher sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.96, for a total value of $4,244,400.00. Following the transaction, the president now owns 329,099 shares of the companys stock, valued at $93,121,853.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Douglas K. Howell sold 8,710 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.07, for a total transaction of $2,482,959.70. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 75,963 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,654,772.41. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, President Thomas Joseph Gallagher sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.96, for a total value of $4,244,400.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 329,099 shares in the company, valued at approximately $93,121,853.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 44,145 shares of company stock valued at $12,622,660. Insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AJG. Capital World Investors raised its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 24.9% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 4,433,710 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $997,053,000 after purchasing an additional 884,394 shares during the period. Janus Henderson Group PLC raised its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 180.6% during the 1st quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 1,228,266 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $307,076,000 after purchasing an additional 790,467 shares during the period. Capital International Investors raised its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 7.0% during the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 11,050,941 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,763,177,000 after purchasing an additional 727,325 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 219.6% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 1,043,769 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $270,660,000 after purchasing an additional 717,221 shares during the period. Finally, Chilton Investment Co. Inc. raised its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 476.2% during the 4th quarter. Chilton Investment Co. Inc. now owns 484,548 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $108,965,000 after purchasing an additional 400,453 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.53% of the companys stock.

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party property/casualty claims settlement and administration services to entities and individuals worldwide. It operates in Brokerage and Risk Management segments. The Brokerage segment offers retail and wholesale insurance and reinsurance brokerage services; assists retail brokers and other non-affiliated brokers in the placement of specialized and hard-to-place insurance; and acts as a brokerage wholesaler, managing general agent, and managing general underwriter for distributing specialized insurance coverages to underwriting enterprises.

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Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the seven analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 5,537.86 ($73.16).

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on AHT shares. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on shares of Ashtead Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. They issued a buy rating and a GBX 7,000 ($92.47) price objective for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 6,500 ($85.87) price target on shares of Ashtead Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 6,150 ($81.24) price target on shares of Ashtead Group in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Ashtead Group

Ashtead Group Trading Down 1.2 %

In other Ashtead Group news, insider Brendan Horgan sold 37,063 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,112 ($67.53), for a total transaction of 1,894,660.56 ($2,502,854.11). In other Ashtead Group news, insider Renata Ribeiro bought 160 shares of Ashtead Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 1st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 5,273 ($69.66) per share, for a total transaction of 8,436.80 ($11,145.05). Also, insider Brendan Horgan sold 37,063 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 5,112 ($67.53), for a total transaction of 1,894,660.56 ($2,502,854.11). Insiders own 0.64% of the companys stock.

Shares of LON:AHT opened at GBX 5,558 ($73.42) on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 5,308.48 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 5,466.76. The company has a market cap of 24.28 billion, a PE ratio of 2,107.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.22. Ashtead Group has a 12-month low of GBX 4,437 ($58.61) and a 12-month high of GBX 6,180 ($81.64). The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 145.75.

About Ashtead Group

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Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the eight ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has given a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $81.00.

CM has been the subject of a number of research reports. Bank of America raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Desjardins raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Performance

Shares of CM stock opened at $61.68 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $58.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.07. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 12-month low of $34.35 and a 12-month high of $62.01. The businesss 50 day moving average is $54.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $50.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The bank reported $1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.74 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $6.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.28 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 13.63%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.14 EPS. Analysts expect that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 5.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th will be given a dividend of $0.652 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $2.61 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.23%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is 54.73%.

Institutional Trading of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 35,913,241 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,821,520,000 after acquiring an additional 675,786 shares during the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank grew its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 17.9% in the 2nd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 25,941,777 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,233,272,000 after buying an additional 3,942,894 shares during the period. Bank of Nova Scotia increased its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 8.1% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 24,915,095 shares of the banks stock worth $1,199,627,000 after buying an additional 1,872,709 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc raised its position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 13.8% during the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 22,550,346 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,091,089,000 after buying an additional 2,730,076 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 18.9% in the second quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 19,748,305 shares of the banks stock valued at $938,834,000 after acquiring an additional 3,143,734 shares during the last quarter. 49.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

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Shares of Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the twelve ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $173.45.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on TRI shares. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of Thomson Reuters from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Thomson Reuters from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $164.00 to $182.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Thomson Reuters from $163.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Thomson Reuters from $170.00 to $168.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 2nd.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Thomson Reuters Stock Down 0.5 %

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TRI. Norges Bank bought a new position in Thomson Reuters in the 4th quarter worth $160,372,000. TD Asset Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 30.8% during the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 3,752,472 shares of the business services providers stock worth $551,317,000 after purchasing an additional 884,572 shares during the period. FIL Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 9.8% during the 4th quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 4,994,299 shares of the business services providers stock worth $730,195,000 after purchasing an additional 445,444 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 53.7% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 969,443 shares of the business services providers stock worth $141,752,000 after purchasing an additional 338,896 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 26.3% during the 2nd quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 1,325,695 shares of the business services providers stock worth $223,525,000 after purchasing an additional 276,206 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 17.31% of the companys stock.

TRI stock opened at $169.46 on Monday. Thomson Reuters has a 12-month low of $117.46 and a 12-month high of $176.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The company has a market cap of $76.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.28, a PEG ratio of 5.82 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a 50 day moving average of $165.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $163.64.

Thomson Reuters (NYSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The business services provider reported $0.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.03. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 33.65% and a return on equity of 15.22%. The company had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.75 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.84 EPS. The companys revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Thomson Reuters will post 3.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thomson Reuters Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th were issued a $0.146 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $0.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.34%. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.14%.

About Thomson Reuters

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Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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A joint Russian-Chinese flotilla sailed toward the Northern Pacific Ocean, raising concerns in the United States, which responded by deploying two warships and army units to the region. The naval maneuvers, conducted as part of the ongoing Russian-Chinese Northern/Interaction-2024 exercise, have sparked heightened geopolitical tension in the North Pacific.

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Joint Naval Exercise and US Response

According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, nine Russian and Chinese warships transited the La Perouse Strait (also known as the Soya Strait), moving eastward from the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk. The flotilla is expected to sail further east, passing through Russias Kuril Islands and potentially reaching the vicinity of Alaskas Aleutian Islands.

In response to this activity, the United States Navy deployed the cruiser USS Lake Erie to the Northern Pacific Ocean and the destroyer USS Sterett to the Aleutian Islands. The Lake Erie, homeported in San Diego, California, has been conducting homeland defense operations in the region since September 18th. The Sterett, also based in San Diego, departed on September 2nd for patrols in the Bering Sea and has been engaged in homeland defense operations in the Aleutian Islands since mooring at Dutch Harbor on Amaknak Island on September 13th and 18th.

Russia and China: Joint Exercises and Military Cooperation

In addition to naval deployments, the U.S. Army sent three units to the remote Shemya Island of the Aleutian archipelago. The U.S. Northern Command, responsible for homeland defense, confirmed the Steretts deployment, stating that it was sent to support the commands maritime homeland defense mission in response to the Russian exercises in the region.

The Russian-Chinese Northern/Interaction-2024 exercise, which began its second phase recently, involves many warships from both countries. Chinas Northern Theater Command deployed destroyers Wuxi and Xining, frigate Linyi, and replenishment ship Taihu to the exercise. Russias Pacific Fleet contributed destroyers Admiral Panteleyev and Admiral Tributs, along with corvettes MPK-107 and MPK-82. All eight warships departed Vladivostok, a major port in the Russian Far East, for the exercises.

This joint naval activity is just the latest example of growing military cooperation between Russia and China. The two countries have conducted four previous joint patrols in the Pacific Ocean since 2021, most recently in July in the Western Pacific. In August 2023, eleven Russian and Chinese warships approached the Aleutian Islands during a combined naval patrol, prompting the deployment of four American destroyers and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Increased Military Presence Near Alaska

The increased presence of Russian and Chinese military forces in the air and waters around Alaska has raised concerns in the United States. In July 2023, four Russian bombers entered the Alaska air defense zone, prompting the scrambling of U.S. and Canadian fighter jets to intercept them. From September 11th to 15th, four groups of Russian military aircraft flew within the Alaska air defense zone during Russias strategic exercise Ocean-2024. On September 15th, four Russian naval vessels, including two nuclear-powered submarines, operated in the Chukchi Sea near Alaska, transited into U.S. economic waters to avoid sea ice on the Russian side of the Maritime Boundary Line.

In addition to naval cooperation, Russia and China have conducted a joint coast guard exercise and patrol mission near Vladivostok and in the Northern Pacific Ocean since September 16th. This ongoing military cooperation raises questions about the strategic intentions of both countries and the potential impact on regional stability in the North Pacific.

US Response and Concerns

The US deployments of warships and army units to Alaska, coupled with the interception of Russian aircraft and the tracking of Russian and Chinese naval vessels, represent a clear response to the increased military activity in the region. The US has repeatedly expressed concerns about the growing strategic partnership between Russia and China, which it sees as a challenge to its interests in the region.

The US military presence in the North Pacific remains a significant deterrent, but the escalating joint activities of Russia and China underscore the growing complexities of the geopolitical landscape in the region. As the joint Russian-Chinese flotilla sails towards the Northern Pacific, the international community will be closely watching developments in the area, seeking to understand the strategic implications of these naval maneuvers and their impact on the future of security in the North Pacific.
Family members of Derry victims in the Troubles have welcomed a Court of Appeals decision to find a government veto power over what sensitive material can be disclosed by a new Troubles investigative commission as unlawful.

The work of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) also does not provide victims and their next of kin adequate means to participate in its processes, the appeal court judges in Belfast ruled.

Tony Brown, the uncle of Paul Whitters, welcomed the courts decision.

Paul Whitters, 15, died in hospital 10 days after being struck on the head by a baton round fired by a Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer in Derry in April 1981.

He said: We are firmly of the view now that the family's decisions not to be willing to cooperate with the commission has been vindicated today.

We are certainly now slowly moving back to appreciating the rule of law, and people can go before a court, present their case, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and hopefully get a just decision out of it. That was advanced today.

While we welcomed the rulings today, we still have lots of hurdles to climb just yet.

I view today as a significant step in the right direction, and I just hope those in the legal establishment that were supporting the commission are now back to requesting proper investigations and inquests where families can go in with legal representation and cross-examine witnesses and weigh up evidence, and there ought to be a role for an ombudsman.

I think we need an international dimension to deal with Legacy because it hasnt been treated adequately to date.

The Court of Appeal part allowed an appeal taken by several Troubles victims against the body created by the last governments contentious Legacy Act.

The appeal was mounted after a High Court judge ruled in February that the commission did not contravene human rights laws.

The Court of Appeal allowed the ground that argued that the commission is incompatible with human rights laws in relation to the power held by the Northern Ireland Secretary to withhold sensitive state files from bereaved families.

The judges also found that the commissions process did not allow for sufficient participation by relatives and their legal representatives.

But the Court of Appeal judges dismissed some grounds of the appeal, such as the fact the commission is bound by a five-year time limit on accepting investigation requests.

Mr Brown said he lost faith in the current government, when Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, said that he wished to make the commission more independent.

He said: The specific reason I am saying that is, the commission was imposed on the population here by the Tory government. I, along with thousands of other people, took part in the consultation process for the Stormont House agreement.

The commission was imposed on us, with the Labour government in power. Within days of taking over, Hillary Benn said he was going to maintain the commission and at the same time he was going to consult. He had his mind made up, and then he was going to consult.

I personally would seriously question its independence when you have former security personnel on that commission, supposedly in the position to make independent judgments on behalf of families. Some of us are waiting 30 years plus for justice.

So I would certainly have no faith in what was proposed.

Phyliss Kealey, daughter of Sean Dalton, has also welcomed the court decision and shares Mr Browns lack of trust in the government.

Sean Dalton was one of three neighbours killed in a 1988 IRA bomb in Derry, as they went to check on a neighbour kidnapped earlier by the IRA, becoming known as the "Good Samaritan bombing".

At the time, the IRA apologised for killing the civilians, saying that the device was intended to kill soldiers.

In 2013, a Police Ombudsman report found RUC officers had information about an IRA booby-trap bomb at a house in the housing estate but did nothing to warn residents of the possible danger.

Mrs. Kealey said: There is a complete lack of trust.

There will always be a concern as the government has promised to repeal the act, but they havent.

We wont be engaging with the ICRIR; our family believes the process and the organisation are not independent.

Being with families in the same position gives you strength and support.

You have to believe truth and justice will come.

I suppose it is really acceptable that the court agrees with what we are thinking.

Grainne Teggart, Northern Ireland Deputy Director for Amnesty International UK, spoke about the judgement.

She said: "Today is an important victory for victims. The court has spoken loud and clear that core parts of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) are unlawful.

From the outset, we and victims have raised our significant concerns with the ICRIR, a deeply flawed body created and curated by the last government.

"All eyes are now on the Secretary of State. We urge him to ensure the Troubles Act is repealed in full and that the ICRIR is replaced.

"Hilary Benn should return to the Stormont House Agreement and build from a strong human rights foundation."

Gavin Booth of Phoenix Law said: Theres only so much lipstick you can put on a pig. The ICRIR has to go!

The ICRIRs chief commissioner is Northern Irelands former lord chief justice Sir Declan Morgan.

Responding to the judgement, the Derry native said: It is a matter for the Secretary of State to respond to the judgement. The Commission has already welcomed his proposal to further enhance our independence and would welcome additional steps by him to address the issues identified by the court.

I look forward to continuing the search for answers for victims, survivors and families.
Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a woman is alleged to have assaulted two nurses and a consultant at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Amanda Coleman (39) of Rockmills in Derry appeared charged with assaulting the three individuals on September 21.

She was also charged with disorderly behaviour in the hospital on the same date as well as a charge of possessing cannabis.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

The court heard that police were called to the hospital at 12. 25pm on September 21 due to a female causing a disturbance and being aggressive.

They were told that the defendant had become aggressive and was shouting at staff and patients.

She put one nurse in fear of violence and then as Coleman left the major trauma area she tried to punch another nurse who was walking past.

A consultant told police the defendant had kicked a bottle of water at him and was 'swearing and pointing her finger'.

She was then said to have kicked another bottle of water at a different staff member.

Coleman was said to have left A&E and later that evening was arrested in the city centre.

While in custody a deal bag of cannabis was said to have been found on her.

The police officer said that Coleman was from the Republic and so he believed she posed a risk of flight.

He also said that there was a delay in finding out from Gardai if she had a record in that jurisdiction.

The officer said that when Coleman was brought to see a nurse while in custody she had become aggressive and had had to be brought back to her cell.

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that his client was originally from Limerick and had then resided in Donegal before coming to Derry.

He said that there had been no case made out that she was a flight risk apart from the fact she was originally from the Republic.

He said that she could be released to an address approved by the PSNI.

District Judge Barney McElholm said he would take a chance and release the defendant on her own bail of 500 with a cash surety of 1,000.

She was released to an address approved by the PSNI and banned from the grounds of Altnagelvin Hospital apart from a medical emergency.

Coleman will appear again on October 10.
HIGHLIGHTS According to Altman, "GPT-4 is the dumbest model any of you will ever have to use again." A research said that the exact usage of water depends on the state and proximity to the data center. As per the research, Washington demanded a whopping 1,408 milliliters per email.

OpenAI CEO has never been shy of expressing his views on the companys GPT-4 model. He once indicated that it kind of sucks and in another instance promised that GPT-5 will be smarter than the mildly embarrassing GPT-4. According to Altman, GPT-4 is the dumbest model any of you will ever have to use again, by a lot. Its important to ship early and often, and we believe in iterative deployment.

This model, not considered the best by the company CEO, apparently also consumes up to 3 bottles of water to generate 100 words. Thats right! A new research conducted by the University of California and published by The Washington Post has found this. It said that the exact usage of water depends on the state and proximity to the data center, with lower water use corresponding to cheaper electricity and higher electricity use.

As per the research, Washington demanded a whopping 1,408 milliliters per email  which is about three 16.9oz water bottles. Meanwhile, Texas had the lowest water usage at about 235 milliliters needed to generate one 100-word email. However, the amount of resources required to run these AI models is becoming a major concern.

The data centres are also seeking major electricity supplies to remain operational. This also drives up the power and water bills of residents in the towns where these data centers are being built.

This isnt the first time that similar findings have been published. Last year, Windows Central published a report claiming that Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT consume up to 1 bottle of water per query for cooling. In fact, Google and Microsoft  two of the biggest players in the AI space  collectively consume more power than 100 countries to manage their AI advances.

Separately, OpenAI is also spending millions of dollars to keep ChatGPT operational. This has reached a point where the company may run out of cash unless it raises a fresh round of funding. It appears that Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia might invest in the company. However, as the AI models continue to advance, there seem to be a lot of questions around them.
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Shifting winds: Taiwan's offshore energy localization policy faces turbulence under EU pressure

Taiwan's offshore wind industry finds itself in the eye of a storm as the European Union's World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint against local content requirements threatens to upend the island's renewable energy strategy. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is considering changing course, potentially relaxing localization rules for Round 3.3 projects  a move that could send ripples through the industry.

Credit: AFP

Localization policy faces potential overhaul

Taiwan's localization policy, aimed at fostering local suppliers, has increasingly drawn scrutiny from international developers. A European major turbine supplier recently suggested that the focus should shift away from rigid localization mandates toward ensuring wind farms are delivered on time. "We're essentially very pro-creating local value. But priority number one is building wind farms. Priority number two is to create local content. That's the opposite way around right now," he stated.

He argued that local value creation would follow naturally if the projects moved forward, rather than being hindered by stringent localization requirements. "Let the market drive localization. If you build the wind farms, local supply chains will develop around them," he suggested, warning that Taiwan's status as a regional leader in offshore wind could falter if the government doesn't take swift action.

Market-driven approach vs. mandatory localization

According to the supplier, Taiwan urgently needs renewable energy, but localization rules are "holding everybody back." "A 100% localized wind farm that doesn't get built is still no localization," he remarked. He also stressed that Europe has long embraced an open-market approach, importing components from around the globe to ensure competitive pricing and timely execution. "This issue is more about investor confidence and creating a level playing field," he added, signaling that Taiwan's offshore wind industry may need to adopt a similar strategy to keep projects on track.

"Globally, many markets have been promising big targets and not delivering large amounts of wind farms. So it's not just a Taiwan problemit's everywhere. But the reason we're here is because this is a country that gets things built, and that makes it attractive. If that stops, of course we will have to prioritize other markets," he cautioned.

Credit: AFP

In terms of localization policy reform, he suggested lowering or even eliminating mandatory localization percentages, allowing the market to dictate local content. "Forcing localization is doing more harm than good," the developer said, calling for flexibility to ensure projects are delivered on time.

Despite concerns, he remains cautiously optimistic about Taiwan's offshore wind market. The developer emphasized the importance of government action to maintain Taiwan's position as Asia's leading offshore wind market outside China. "We're still focused on Taiwan because it needs this industry, but change is needed to keep moving forward," he concluded.

Delays threaten Taiwan's wind ambitions

International developers are growing frustrated with project delays, particularly in the Round 3.1 phase, where some offshore wind farms have been pushed back to as late as 2029.

Another European developer echoed similar concerns, advocating for more flexible localization requirements, especially for Round 3.2 and beyond. "If the primary goal is a timely grid connection, then localization requirements can potentially be softened," the developer said, pointing out that European and UK projects often import components from across the globe without compromising competitiveness.

Local Industry Calls for Pragmatism

Credit: DIGITIMES

This sentiment resonates across the industry, with local experts arguing that strict localization policies are creating headwinds. A local supplier lamented the soaring costs associated with government-imposed fees, which have placed additional strain on already thin margins. "We've lost hundreds of millions over the past few years," the expert noted, highlighting how port usage fees and other operational costs are making it increasingly difficult for local suppliers to compete.

Local suppliers called for a more pragmatic approach to localization, arguing that Taiwan's government should consider adjusting its fee structures to support domestic businesses. "The government needs to address its own cost structures before pushing for deeper localization," one supplier emphasized, stressing that the current policies are unsustainable for many smaller players in the industry.

Another industry expert echoed these concerns, suggesting that localization should be applied more flexibly across the entire lifecycle of a wind farm project. "Instead of focusing solely on the construction phase, we should look at the full 25-year lifecycle of these projects," they said, emphasizing the importance of long-term operations and maintenance in driving local content.

Global integration or domestic protectionism?

The ongoing consultations in Brussels are expected to play a crucial role in shaping Taiwan's wind energy future. The EU's concernsechoed by other major players in the global wind industry, including Japan, the UK, and the UShave placed significant pressure on Taiwan to reconsider its approach to local content requirements.

Credit: AFP

The debate swirls around more than just policy changes; it touches the core of Taiwan's renewable energy strategy and its ability to withstand global competition.

As Taiwan's offshore wind industry approaches a critical inflection point, the outcome of these policy debates will have far-reaching implications. A relaxation of localization rules could invite greater international collaboration and investment, but it also raises concerns about the long-term competitiveness of Taiwan's domestic supply chain.

For now, the industry waits. With the Round 3.2 auction looming and localization discussions ongoing, the decisions made in the coming months will determine whether Taiwan remains a regional leader in offshore wind, or if its ambitious plans will be overshadowed by policy missteps and missed deadlines.

As Taiwan charts its course through these choppy waters, the outcome of this policy shift could determine whether its offshore wind sector sails ahead or is left in the doldrums of the global renewable energy seascape.
Qualcomm circles Intel for takeover: biting off more than it can chew?

The Wall Street Journal reported that Qualcomm has approached Intel for a potential takeover, a story later verified by CNBC. While the news initially sparked a 3% rally in Intel's share price, significant doubts remain about the feasibility of such a deal.

A takeover could offer strategic value for Qualcomm, but the complexities of acquiring a company of Intel's size and stature raise numerous questions. Here are the key challenges Qualcomm would need to overcome to make the deal successful:

Regulatory approval

One of the most significant obstacles is likely to be regulatory scrutiny. Given Intel's size and market position in the semiconductor industry, antitrust authorities in multiple jurisdictions would carefully evaluate any acquisition. Concerns about market monopolization could lead to regulatory pushback or even prevent the merger altogether.

The semiconductor industry is heavily regulated, and any significant changes to the structure or operations of Intel's foundry could attract scrutiny from antitrust authorities. Qualcomm would need to ensure that any divestitures or restructuring do not violate competition laws, particularly given Intel's prominent position in the market.

Some argue that Qualcomm's takeover bid could survive the competition law review because Intel is facing financial difficulties, and the two companies do not compete in the same market spaces, except for PC CPUs. However, the deal would still need to go through reviews in other countries, including China, whose passive disapproval led to the failure of Intel's acquisition of Tower Semiconductor.

Intel's internal resistance

Intel's management may resist a takeover, particularly if they believe the company can turn its fortunes around independently. Qualcomm's bid could face significant challenges if Intel's leadership does not support the acquisition or sees it as strategically disadvantageous.

Market reaction, stakeholder support, and existing industry relationships

The success of a bid often relies on the reactions of shareholders and market stakeholders. If Intel's shareholders see more value in maintaining independence or if there is skepticism about the strategic fit of Qualcomm acquiring Intel, this could lead to difficulties in securing the necessary support for the acquisition.

Qualcomm may need to navigate Intel's existing relationships with its customers, partners, and suppliers, especially if those entities are concerned about the implications of a takeover.

For example, Intel's foundry business may have existing contracts with third-party clients, including the recently announced AWS deal. If Qualcomm decides to scale back or eliminate this segment, it could lead to legal disputes or loss of revenue from already established contracts, impacting Qualcomm's cash flow.

Financial viability

Qualcomm would need to ensure that it has the financial resources to make a competitive bid for Intel while also addressing any existing debts or liabilities Intel carries. According to Qualcomm's financial report for the third quarter of its fiscal 2024, the three months to June 23, the company had only US$7.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents at its disposal and just over US$23 billion in total assets.

With Intel's market value around US$93 billion, a stock-for-stock transaction is most likely for the takeover. However, Qualcomm would have to convince investors and financial institutions of the potential profitability of the acquisition, considering Intel's financial struggles with its foundry business.

Strategic and operational alignment

The takeover offers Qualcomm numerous benefits, including a vast portfolio of intellectual properties (IPs), a significant market share in the PC chip market, and an accelerated entry into edge AI computing, a promising area for future growth.

However, merging two large organizations with distinct cultures and operational methods always presents significant challenges. Qualcomm would need to develop a comprehensive integration plan to address potential disruptions and ensure a smooth transition.

While Qualcomm's bid to acquire Intel could theoretically provide a significant advantage in the competitive semiconductor landscape, several formidable challenges stand in the way. The success of the takeover would depend on a favorable regulatory environment, the response of Intel's management and shareholders, solid financial backing, and a well-defined strategy that highlights the expected benefits of the consolidation.

Given the complexities involved, predicting whether Qualcomm's bid would succeed is challenging, and it could ultimately require careful negotiation, strategic planning, and a willingness to adapt to the responses of various stakeholders.
Weekly news roundup: Qualcomm and MediaTek competition in 3nm SoC; progress of China's 28nm process

These are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories in the week of September 16  September 20.

Chinese smartphones employ 3nm chips, exacerbating Qualcomm and MediaTek competition

With the recent reveal of the A18 and A18 Pro chips in Apple's iPhone 16 series, all three major SoC manufacturers, Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek have introduced their 3nm flagship chips for 2024, signaling the start of the SoC competition. Given the uncertain recovery in the non-Apple smartphone market, brands hope the new generation of processors from Qualcomm and MediaTek will drive a new wave of upgrades.

How far is China from 28nm process after domestic lithography breakthrough?

Amidst continued export sanctions from the US and its allies, China's MIIT announced that the country's domestically developed ArF lithography machine had achieved a resolution of 65nm and overlay accuracy of 8nm in core technical indicators. This raises two crucial questions: How significant is the gap between China and ASML? And how far does China still need to go to produce high-end lithography machines?

Tata plans to build two more fabs in India

It is reported that Tata Electronics plans to establish two additional semiconductor fabs in Dholera, Gujarat, as part of its long-term strategy to produce chips locally and meet global demand. The next phase is expected to start in five to seven years, with the first fab set to begin production by 2026. The upcoming first fab will focus on manufacturing chips for PMICs, DDIs, MCUs, and HPC chips. Once fully operational, the fab is expected to achieve a peak manufacturing capacity of up to 50,000 wafers per month.

China's homegrown DUV equipment struggles with multiple exposures, hindering chip process advancements

China's latest domestically produced DUV exposure machine cannot perform the critical multiple exposures needed for advanced chip production, making it incapable of achieving finer process nodes like 28nm and below and hampering China's efforts to expand mature process production using domestic equipment. Significant technological advancements, particularly in immersion ArFi machines, would be required to overcome the limitations of the current DUV machines.

Huawei encounters difficulties with Kirin SoC performance breakthroughs

Teardown analyses of Huawei's recent Mate XT tri-fold smartphone reveal that the Mate XT continues to use the Kirin 9010 SoC, released in the first half of 2024, rather than Huawei's rumored new in-house 5nm processor. The company's reluctance to disclose chip details of the Mate XT has left industry observers questioning whether any significant breakthroughs have been achieved in its advanced manufacturing processes.

Qualcomm comes up short in AI PC debut, casting doubt on MediaTek market entry

Notebook supply chain sources reveal that Qualcomm's June launch of the Copilot+ PC has fallen short of expectations, with disappointing reviews and market feedback. Adding to this, Qualcomm's strained partnership with Arm, due to ongoing licensing disputes, has resulted in declining sales and momentum. Despite this, AI-enabled PCs have revitalized the sluggish PC market, with the Arm vs. x86 showdown becoming a clear focal point.

China-based CXMT's aggressive production expansion may disrupt global DRAM market

With strong backing from the Chinese government, CXMT is aggressively expanding its DRAM production capacity, potentially challenging the triopoly led by Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron. The company's output grew from 120,000 wafers per month at the end of 2023 to 160,000 in the first quarter of 2024 and is projected to reach 200,000 by year-end, representing 11% of global DRAM production.
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A disabled Northern Ireland politician was left frustrated after his plane took off without him, because there was no lift ready to assist him onto the aircraft in Birmingham Airport.

Andy Allen, an Ulster Unionist Party MLA who uses a wheelchair, revealed to BBC News that he was due to get on an Aer Lingus flight to Belfast City Airport on Sunday, but was not able to board.

Allen, a former soldier, was 19 when he was injured by a bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2008. He was later awarded an MBE.

Allen revealed that he sat on the tarmac ready to depart, and was later informed that there was a request for his luggage to be taken off the plane and that the plane was leaving without him.

He was then brought back into the terminal, and told that he had been booked into a flight today.

Allen took to social media to voice his concerns, slamming the series of events as a 'shambles'.

What a shambles, @bhx_official. I arrived on time, but because I'm disabled and needed assistance to board, which never came, I was removed from the flight. Thanks for that, @AerLingus.  Andy Allen MBE MLA (@AndyAllen88) September 22, 2024

The airport apologised for the inconvenience and said the issue was due to "technical issues" and the matter would be fully investigated.

Aer Lingus also apologised to Allen, and said it was "committed to doing all we can to assist all customers who require additional support".

The airline said a full investigation has been launched.

Allen said he wanted to speak out to highlight issues in travel for disabled customers and said it must be improved.

"In society as a whole there are things that need to be improved for disabled people, to ensure disabled people can play a full part in society and we aren't prevented from being able to do so - whether that is accessing a building, going up in a lift or evacuating a building in a safe way," he told the BBC.

"It's devastating," Mr Allen said.

READ MORE - 'A hero of Ireland' - Tributes paid after Irish soldier killed in combat in Ukraine
The search is on for budding young environmentalists across Cork following the launch of the Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) 2025.

Organised by environmental youth movement Eco-Unesco, the YEA recognise the work of young people across the island of Ireland taking environmental and climate action.

More than 65,000 children and teenagers aged 10 to 18 have been involved with the awards since they began in 1999. At YEA 2024, students from Kinsale Community School and Glanmire Community College were among the prize winners.

Speaking at the launch, Eco-Unesco national director Elaine Nevin said: Our young people are our future and every year, when the YEA entries arrive, I always find their enthusiasm and passion for environmental action inspiring.

We have had some excellent entries from young people in Cork in the past and I cant wait to see what actions they take this year. Young people across the island of Ireland are growing up during an era of extreme weather events and are becoming very concerned about climate change as a result, Ms Nevin said

Ms Nevin said that in its Youth Climate Justice Survey, published in June, almost all respondents (96%) said they were worried about the environment.

Just under two-thirds (65%) said the issue of climate change was causing them anxiety, while more than half (53%) said it was making them fearful, and 47% said it was making them sad.

Entries to YEA 2025 are now open to any group of young people aged 10 to 18 years.

There are three age categories  10 to 12, 12 to 14, and 15 to 18 years  and groups can have as few as two members but no more than 25.

Registration is free via yea.ie and closes on November 30, with the winners being named at a ceremony in Dublin next May.

For more information, people can visit ecounesco.ie/10-18-youth-programmes/eco-weeks.
Corks tourism economy could lose out to the tune of more than 50m annually if properties available for short term letting on platforms such as airbnb were converted to long term rentals, a new report published on behalf of the Irish Self Catering Federation (ISCF) has estimated.

According to the recently launched ISCF report, compiled by prominent economist Jim Power, on behalf of the organisation which advocates on behalf of those operating in the self-catering sector, the role of self-catering accommodation was particularly important in an environment where there is a significant lack of tourist accommodation around the country'.

In 2022, a report by Failte Ireland suggested that up to 1,313 properties offering short term breaks in Cork could be converted to long term letting.

The overall lost to the local economy from the conversion of this number of short term letting properties in Cork to long term rentals would amount to 51.2m, according to the ISCF report. This figure is based on approximately 50% occupancy by an average of 5 guests who spend 300 per week each  this figure excludes the cost of the accommodation itself.

The report also discloses that there are an estimated 3,082 short term letting properties in Cork, which is only behind Dublin (4713), Kerry (4,215), Galway (3,384) and Donegal (3,175).

The report cites the under-investment in hotels as well as the removal of a significant number of beds from the tourism market to accommodate immigrants around the country. A change in the planning laws allowing bed and breakfast accommodation be changed to private residential use was also cited.

According to the ICSF, the loss of thousands of short term lettings across the Wild Atlantic Way counties on the western seaboard would have a devastating impact on the popular tourism route, totalling 256.8m which is based on the conversion to long term letting of 6,585 properties.

The recommendations arising from the report is the creation of a register to ensure that self catering properties are declared and on a clear register and, as well as that, regulation.

Irish Self Catering Federation chief executive Maire Ni Mhurchu told The Echo that the ICSF had been calling for a register to be put in place since 2017 and added that funding had been allocated to Failte Ireland over the past three years to compile the register.

All EU countries have to have a register in place by April 2026 and data will have to be passed over to Europe on a monthly basis by a central agency in each country and, in Ireland, its already been decided that will be Failte Ireland, said Ms. Ni Mhurchu.

The organisation is also seeking regulation for the sector and a derogation allowing all those already operating in the sector continue in business. It also suggests that its important that the planning status of self catering businesses currently operating is clarified so people operating those businesses know their status in advance of registering.

In a response from Failte Ireland, a spokesperson for the tourism promotion agency said it has been making preparations to launch an implement a Short Term Tourist Letting Register which would be launched following the enactment of the STTL legislation.

The legislation is being progressed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and will align with the recently adopted EU regulation for Short Term Rentals, the spokesperson said.
Tributes have been paid to the former lord mayor of Cork, Brian Bermingham, who passed away over the weekend.

A book of condolence is to be opened at City Hall at 2.30pm followed by a special meeting today at a later date.

A Cork City Council spokesperson said: The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, will call a special meeting of Cork City Council on elected members agreement to pay tribute to former lord mayor Brian Bermingham, who died over the weekend.

Brian Bermingham, a former Fine Gael and Progressive Democrats politician, was first elected to Cork City Council in 1979 and represented the people of Cork South West until 2009.

He was elected the lord mayor of Cork in June 2008, 40 years after his father John Bermingham  who was elected in 1968. A book of condolence will also be opened by the lord mayor at City Hall.

Mr Boyle expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Mr Bermingham.

I am saddened to learn of the death of Brian Bermingham, a councillor and former lord mayor whose family have had such a positive legacy in Cork.

Brians father John was instrumental in setting up the Cope foundation, and Brian also dedicated his life to helping people through ongoing education and advocacy. He served his city well and will be remembered fondly by all those who he crossed paths with, he said.

Fine Gael city councillor Shane OCallaghan said: Im very sorry to hear about the passing of the former lord mayor of Cork, Brian Bermingham. Brian gave many years of service to Cork and its people as a city councillor and lord mayor, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said he was saddened by the news.

Brian served for over 30 years as a Cork city councillor. He will be sadly missed and my condolences to his family. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Funding to establish a policing unit for public transport, to expand the public bike scheme, and to develop a bus rapid transit (BRT) system are just some of the initiatives local advocates for improved public transport in Cork have called for ahead of Budget 2025.

The latter point was raised ahead of budget day on October 1 by the general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), Dermot OLeary, who previously said a BRT system could deliver significant public-transport improvements ahead of the development of the proposed Cork Luas.

While the proposed Luas project for Cork has been discussed for some time, my experience in waiting for large infrastructural projects to be delivered does lead me to remain sceptical about its implementation in the near future, Mr OLeary said.

Although the recent 14bn windfall from the Apple tax case presents significant opportunities for infrastructure development, the multitude of competing demands  housing being top of the list, currently may challenge current and future governments in prioritising these projects.

BRT system could be developed relatively quickly and at approximately one-third of the cost of a light rail system, Mr OLeary said.

It could utilise the yet-to-be-announced light-rail alignment, offering a flexible solution that could be adapted for use in other cities when light rail becomes operational.

BRT, described by Mr OLeary as essentially a Luas on wheels, are generally of a higher standard than conventional bus systems, in that they offer increased reliability in relation to punctuality and journey times, as well as providing higher passenger capacity.

The Programme for Government states that the Government would consider the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit Services and said it would be essential that if a BRT system were brought in for Cork, that a BRT line direct to Cork Airport should be included.

Also among the points raised by the union general secretary was a renewed call for the immediate establishment of a dedicated policing unit for public transport.

The frequent incidents of anti-social behaviour and violence on trains, buses, and trams require urgent legislative action from the Government to ensure the safety of passengers, he said.

The latter point was also raised by Labour Party councillor Peter Horgan.

We desperately need to see a pilot strategy for a transport police in Cork, the South East ward councillor told The Echo.

Mr Horgan, who previously urged the Government to trial Labours proposed 9 climate ticket  whereby commuters could avail of unlimited use of public transport anywhere in Ireland for 9 a month  said that while he would still like to see this implemented, bus-driver shortages, highlighted in recent months, must first be resolved.

I would like to see money ringfenced for it to the point where once the driver situation is resolved, it can be then kick-started immediately, Mr Horgan said.

Theres no point putting further pressure on the network, if we dont have the drivers to drive the additional buses required, he said.

Also to be funded in Budget 2025, Mr Horgan said he would like to see an expansion of the public bike scheme into areas such as the northside of Cork City, Blackrock, and Douglas, as well as multi-annual funding for important road projects.

Meanwhile, Green Party councillor in the citys North East ward, Oliver Moran, said that he would like to see the budget make the provision for an increased access to bicycles.

One of the things that comes up regularly is about expanding access to the bike-to-work scheme to include more people, like the retired, who cant put the costs of buying a bike against PAYE income, he said.

Increasing supports for electric bikes would be great as well, because these can be really transformative.

Currently, the rates are 1,250 for a standard bike and 1,500 for an electric bike.

In reality, a good-quality electric bike costs much more than that.

Continued funding of the upgrade of the Cork Commuter Rail Network, including new stations, should also be included, he said.
A Cork city councillor has raised concerns about the harmful effects of vaping and has welcomed that legislation is being drafted to restrict the use of nicotine-inhaling products.

Fianna Fail councillor for Cork City North West John Sheehan brought forward a motion at a recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum South at Cork County Hall that the forum would call on the Minister for Health to bring in further measures to restrict the widespread use of vaping products among non-smokers, especially in terms of marketing and availability.

The reason for this motion is that we have seen significant evidence emerging about the harmful effects of vapes, particularly on young people, and the use of vapes which primarily started out as a nicotine replacement to get people off smoking cigarettes and then transcended essentially into a consumer product, Mr Sheehan said.

Responding, area director of public health at the Department of Public Health at HSE South West Anne Sheahan referred to legislation being drafted to restrict use of nicotine inhaling products.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly recently received approval from the Cabinet to draft legislation introducing further restrictions on nicotine inhaling products.

The Nicotine Inhaling Products Bill proposes to ban the sale, manufacture, or import of single-use or disposable vapes in Ireland.

The new legislation also limits vape flavours to tobacco, with provisions for the list of allowed flavours to be amended pending new evidence.

Point-of-sale display and advertising of vape products will also be banned in shops other than those that only or primarily sell the products.

Mr Sheehan welcomed the legislation, saying: There is evidence showing that they do cause lung damage. Were not fully sure of the long-term effects, but certainly theyre not good for young people to be using and they have been marketed heavily in terms of their design, their products, their names, their flavours, at young people.

I welcome that this is going to be restricted because otherwise were just storing up problems down the line so its good progress.

During the meeting, Mr Sheahan also acknowledged the move by Minister Donnelly and described it as hugely important.

It probably should have happened before this, but I think its good that its actually happening now so its great.
A leading voice in the motor industry in Ireland has called on the Government to prioritise support for electric vehicles (EVs) in Budget 2025.

It comes as the Society of the Irish Motor Industrys recent statistical release reported August as the sixth consecutive month of falling new car registrations this year, highlighted by the continuing drop in electric vehicle sales, which SIMI says is now down 25% compared to last year.

With Budget 2025 fast approaching, it is an opportune time for the Government to intervene to support the electric vehicle project, one which is so crucial for reducing emissions in the transport sector, director general of SIMI, Brian Cooke, said.

Government incentives to date have been fundamental to the EV transition, but they have to be continued and enhanced. SIMI is urging the Government to: extend the Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) incentive at current levels, which will help transition the business fleet faster and support the development of a used EV market; increase SEAI grants back to 2022 levels until the EV market recovers; and accelerate the roll-out of a fit for purpose national charging infrastructure.

At this crucial stage in the EV transition, these measures will increase the sale of EVs, signalling their importance to consumers, boosting confidence and reassurance in electric vehicles.

Budget 2025 presents an opportunity for Government to demonstrate its commitment to fleet electrification and is an opportunity they should not miss.

Among the motoring measures introduced in Budget 2024 was an extension of company car BIK reliefs.

In 2023, the BIK on company cars moved to a new CO2-based system.

As part of this, a 10,000 relief on the original market value of a car with emissions below 179g/km was introduced.

For electric vehicle owners, this is in addition to the existing 35,000 relief.

The 10,000 relief was extended for a further year as part of Budget 2024 while it was also announced that the 35,000 BIK relief on EVs would run until the end of 2025.
The Electric Circle is a one-of-a-kind free community-centered event for local people and businesses who want to learn more about electric vehicles or renewable energy in the home.

After successful events in Dublin, Drogheda, and Belfast, The Electric Circle, hosted by GoPlugable, is coming to Cork on Thursday next, September 26, at the Marina Market, from 5 to 7.30pm.

It is essentially a series of brief lightning talks from experts within the renewable energy and electric vehicle industry.

It is a completely free non-profit event for homeowners who are interested in sustainability whether they already own an EV or not.

You can see more info on: here https://theelectriccircle.com/#about as well as clips of one of their previous events hosted in Drogheda, Dublin, and Belfast.

A spokesperson said: It's a unique opportunity for homeowners to get the information they need, ask questions, learn and connect with other local people with experience and get answers from the experts.

We have a really great lineup of partners and speakers supporting the event including SSE Airtricity, Myenergi, DCEV, and the Lord Mayor.

We also have a range of electric vehicles available on the day for free test drives of some of the newest EV models to hit the market and more affordable models.

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A woman was put in fear that her house would be burned down by a man who claimed that money was owed to him by a young person in the house.

Jerry Hogan, who moved recently to Gort Na Glaise, Kilmoney, Carrigaline, County Cork, and is aged in his 20s, was before Cork District Court today (September 23) looking for bail but there was an objection from the prosecution.

Garda Shane Heffernan said, We believe he is a danger to the community in the context of a threat to set fire to a home if money not paid.

The young man was charged with causing damage to the house by allegedly smashing windows and following this ten days later with a threat to burn down the house if money was not paid.

Garda Heffernan said one of the grounds for objection was the seriousness of the case.

He testified that on arrival at the scene on September 1 gardai received a report of alleged criminal damage at the house at Comeragh Park, The Glen, Cork.

The front kitchen window was smashed and four glass panels surrounding the front door and a glass panel at the top of the front door were broken, Garda Heffernan said.

It was alleged that one member of the family observed Jerry Hogan running from the driveway of the property.

It was further alleged that on September 11 the woman living at that house said she received a number of calls from Jerry Hogan via Facebook Messenger.

She did not answer any of these calls. Jerry Hogan then messaged her, stating, 'last chance to pay or house' followed by two fire symbols. She was put in fear that her home would be burnt out, Garda Heffernan said.

It was alleged that the cost of the September 1 damage amounted to 650 to repair.

Garda Heffernan said there was an ongoing dispute between the defendant and parties in the house who are known to each other.

I believe if granted bail he will commit further criminal damage, mainly arson, Garda Heffernan said.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said, There is CCTV of him going to the house on August 30 but ironically enough that same CCTV which is all over the house does not show him going next or near the house on September 1 or September 11. Because he has not been next or near the house since August 30.

Mr Burke said the defendant moved to the Carrigaline address in the past four weeks and would agree to a bail condition to stay away out of Cork city.

Judge Philip OLeary said he would grant bail on strict conditions.

Jerry Hogan was required to stay out of the north side of Cork city, reside at the Carrigaline address, keep an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, have no contact directly or indirectly with any of the family in the Comeragh Park House or any witness in the case.

On the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis, Judge OLeary then adjourned the case until November 4 to allow time for directions to be obtained from the DPP.
The HSE Cork North Community Work Department is set to deliver a free dementia information evening in Charleville.

The event is being run as part of a series of free community dementia information evenings across Cork in partnership with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) and The North Cork Dementia Alliance.

The free event will take place on Wednesday from 6.30pm to 9pm at Charleville Park Hotel where attendees will hear from guest speakers who have first-hand experience of dementia.

Guest speakers will include Charlie Drake who is living with a diagnosis of dementia, Ann Cunningham who is a family carer, Dr Emma Jennings who is a consultant geriatrician, Amy Murphy who is a dementia advisor with the ASI, Sheena Cadoo who is an occupational therapist, and North Cork Dementia Alliance together with Kevin Quaid, member of the Irish Dementia Working Group.

People living with a dementia diagnosis and their carers will also gain key information on the community-based supports and advocacy services available.

HSE principal community worker with Cork North Community Work Department, Sorcha Ni Chrualaoich, said: We are delighted to be able to bring this dementia information event to North Cork, which builds on the success of previous events held in Cork city and county.

These events are made possible through collaboration between the HSE and community and voluntary partners and we hope that they will be beneficial to local families living with a diagnosis of dementia.

The dementia information evenings are open to anyone living with a diagnosis of dementia, family carers, health care support assistants (formerly known as home helps), professionals or those with an interest in learning more about dementia.

Those who want to book a place at the event can phone 021 4928389 or email Ciara.Murphy36@hse.ie.
Ryanair boss Michael OLeary has once again thrown the cat among the pigeons, as he is wont to do.

Theres no such thing as bad publicity, they say, and the CEO of the airline certainly knows how to create a headline.

He caused a stir recently when he suggested that there should be a limit on the amount of alcohol consumed by passengers in airports, to reduce disorder on flights.

Mr OLeary said passengers should be restricted to two drinks per journey, to curb what he says is an increase in anti-social behaviour and violence.

He didnt specify how many drinks should be made available to his passengers once theyre aboard the Ryanair plane though, but he did complain that violent outbursts were occurring weekly with alcohol and, in his opinion, it was difficult for airlines to identify inebriated people at the gate, especially when boarding in a group.

They dont seem to have a problem identifying an oversize cabin bag though, whether part of a group or individually, but thats another story.

Mr OLeary continued: As long as they can stand up and shuffle, they will get through. Then, when the plane takes off, we see the misbehaviour.

The airlines cant absolve themselves of responsibility as easily as that though. The rules are clear, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Whether deliberate or not, it is a criminal offence to be drunk on an aircraft. In fact, the act carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

As well as that, passengers can only drink alcohol provided by the airline on the flight. You can bring duty-free drinks on to the plane but cannot drink them on board.

Disruptive passengers may also be asked to reimburse the airline if their behaviour causes a diversion, a bill which can typically range from 10,000 to 80,000, depending on the size of the aircraft and where it diverts to, but I dont know if this is enforced.

A few months ago, I wrote about an incident I encountered while I was travelling through Gatwick Airport in London. I called into a bar/restaurant for some breakfast at about 9.30am and the place was busy. There were six guys in their mid- to late-twenties sitting at a table and the drink was flowing.

They were extremely loud. They were playing drinking games while noisily cheering and roaring each other on.

Their behaviour was way over the top and I wondered about the condition these guys would in by the time they were due to board.

I expected a member of staff to approach them and advise them to calm down. I was there for about 45 minutes and I didnt see that happen, but they were served with more alcohol when it was obvious to me that they had had enough. Surely the bar staff have a responsibility there.

And what about the responsibility of airline staff?

Drunk passengers must present their passport and boarding pass at the boarding gate. Should staff there assess the condition of passengers and question their fitness to travel if necessary?

Disruptive passengers dont just suddenly get drunk as they approach the boarding gate.

Its also highly unlikely that the first time their behaviour becomes unruly or noticeable is when they take their seat on the plane.

From my experience, you can spot these characters a mile off, and well before they need to start thinking about getting on the plane.

The guys I saw in Gatwick Airport were worse for wear long before their flight, and that should have been identified before they got into that state. An early word of advice might prevent further carnage.

If my guys had been approached by security or by some other official and advised that their behaviour was being monitored, and could result in them missing their flight, it might have had an impact.

Similarly, people approaching the boarding gate in a drunken state should be refused further progress.

I was on an Easyjet flight last week out of London Gatwick, and across the aisle from me were two guys, in their mid-thirties, drinking small bottles of spirits. They were acting immaturely and spilled a drink over the other chap in the window seat beside them. They werent out of control, but they were messy.

They were buying double measures, and whenever they asked for more alcohol, they were given it, no questions asked.

Further up the plane were two females, in their late thirties/early forties. I spotted them earlier and they looked tired and emotional, as they say. About 45 minutes out of Larnaca Airport, there was a bit of disruption. The women were being called out by other passengers sitting nearby for vaping.

This led to some heated exchanges between the passengers, and when the cabin crew got involved, they got some verbal abuse for their trouble.

When we landed, we were instructed by the captain to remain in our seats as the police would be boarding the plane.

The two women were waving to everyone as they were escorted off the aircraft and they didnt seem the least bit remorseful. Meanwhile, the rest of us were stuck in our seats until their foolishness played out.

Our flight was an hour late already, and this latest incident delayed us further while people waited in the arrivals hall to collect friends and relatives.

Its surely not difficult to identify drunk passengers before boarding, and the airline has a legal obligation at that stage to send them packing.

If drunk passengers were refused entry more often, it would reduce the amount of disruption, delays, diversions and bad behaviour.

So, maybe the authorities should start enforcing the legislation that already exists for dealing with drunks, which would make life more comfortable for everyone concerned, and be a lot easier to enforce than trying to marshal a two-drink rule.
Hennessy Hair and Beauty was established in the early 1980s, amidst a boom of trends in the industry.

From big hair to leg warmers, and neon eyeshadow to bold blush, the 80s saw it all!

Yet while all these trends came and went, Hennessy Hair and Beauty have seen first-hand how some things will always stay in fashion  namely, good customer service.

The second-generation family-run business has been supplying excellence in Ireland's hair and beauty industry for the past four decades, taking pride in delivering top-quality brands alongside friendly and efficient service.

As the company prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary this month, Managing Director Susan McCarthy reflects on why she believes Hennessy Hair and Beauty has stood the test of time.

Susan McCarthy, Managing Director of Hennessy Hair and Beauty.

Its simple, we have exceptional customer service and this sets us apart from others, she shares. Customers love to know who they are dealing with and as a family business we offer that little bit extra.

It was Susans parents, Kathleen and Paddy Hennessy, who first founded Hennessy Hair and Beauty all those years ago, after they spotted a gap in the market for a cash-and-carry service in Cork for hair and beauty products.

While the couple were initially running the service from their family home, supplying customers across Munster, the business has grown exponentially since. Today, Hennessy Hair and Beauty operates out of not just one, but two, stores in Cork, from their premises on Pembroke Street and in Doughcloyne.

Paddy Hennessy founded the company with his late wife Kathleen in the early 1980s.

With the massive boom in online shopping over the past decade, the business has moved with the times, operating a very successful website since 2010. However, having that physical presence in Cork remains of top importance.

We would be foolish to ignore the growth in online shopping and services, but we cannot forget the customers who still want to walk into a physical shop and have the retail experience with our wonderful staff, Susan explains.

And, of course, we want to support our local and Irish economy. While Ireland is a relatively small country, we have a great culture of engaging and meeting in person, and we hope this continues in the years to come.

Its not just customers who love coming in to Hennessy Hair and Beauty for that personal touch either  for Susan, its a particular highlight of the job.

Hennessy Hair and Beauty came from humble beginnings, with the company's earliest operations all carried out from the family home. Today, the business has two stores in Cork, in Doughcloyne and Pembroke Street (pictured).

Getting out and meeting new customers face to face is something she still greatly enjoys, having been part of the company since she was just 16 years old.

Her husband, Brian, is the Sales Director of Hennessy Hair and Beauty. For him, similarly, hitting the road every day and seeing his customers is his favourite part of the role. Knowing that he has fulfilled their order to the best of his ability, he explains, gives him great job satisfaction.

In fact, job satisfaction is one of the key pillars of Hennessy Hair and Beauty  and one that has greatly helped them to achieve 40 years in business. Without the incredible staff theyve been able to retain in that time, Susan says, the business success would not have been possible.

While both Paddy and his late wife Kathleen both can say they served the full forty years of Hennessy Hair and Beautys existence, Susan is not too far behind them with over 38 years service  nor is Brian, who has been with the company for over 30 years.

After that, we have staff with 20 years plus service, so we must be doing something right to hold on to such a brilliant team, Susan shares proudly.

Today, we have a team of 27. Its hard to believe that over 20 years ago there were just five staff! Without our loyal staff and customers, we would not be where we are today. Thats really why we want to go all out for our anniversary celebrations, as our way of saying thanks.

Those celebrations are set to be very special indeed, with exciting events taking place in both the Pembroke St. and Doughcloyne locations of Hennessy Hair and Beauty on Monday, September 30th.

Open to both retail and trade customers, highlights to look forward to on the big day include a VAT free sale, goodie bags, giveaways, and even some incredible spin-the-wheel prizes in the Doughcloyne store!

September 30th is going to be absolutely jam-packeda day of celebrations, refreshments, giveaways and prizes, Susan promises. Therell be fabulous opportunities on the day, so dont miss out!

As work and fun have always gone hand in hand at Hennessy Hair and Beauty, however, its little surprise that the team is already looking ahead to their next exciting challenge once all the celebrating is over.

Susan and Brian have big plans for the future of the business, as they carry on the legacy of the late Kathleen and recently-retired Paddy.

Theres no doubt that well hit 50 years in business, and will be celebrating that anniversary next, Susan says.

Susan and Brian are looking forward to celebrating the company's 40th anniversary.

As a company we are going from strength to strength and are always looking ahead to see where the market is going and how we can adapt to be part of the growth. We constantly strive to be better and invest in our future.

To find out more about Hennessy Hair and Beauty  and their 40th anniversary celebrations on September 30th  visit their website.
Phooto: https://marchforlife.org/

Diverse religious groups are petitioning the US Supreme Court to hear a challenge to New York state's requirement for health insurance coverage for abortions.

The petitioners include faith-based groups that provide nursing home services for the elderly, religious schools, and other ministries with different charitable missions.

They have asked the justices to review a lower court's refusal to block New York's requirement that health care coverage include abortions, The Washington Times reports.

In Albany v. Harris, a group of Anglican and Catholic nuns, Catholic dioceses, Christian churches, and faith-based social ministries initially sued over the mandate in 2017.

After New York courts declined to protect the religious institutions, the law firm Becket and Jones Day asked the Supreme Court to step in.

New York State issued a rule in 2017 that bans health insurance policies from excluding coverage for medically necessary abortions.

The petitioners assert that the rule only has a limited exception for religious groups, including people who employ or teach those of the same faith.

They also argue that he medically necessary aspect of the rule is unclear and could include babies with a Down syndrome diagnosis.

"All these organizations are religiously opposed to abortion; no one has questioned the sincerity of their beliefs," read their petition filed Sept. 17 with the high court.

Lower courts have sided with the state, reasoning the exemption was consistent with precedent and is neutral when applied to all religions.

While some were granted religious exemptions, the state narrowed those exemptions to include only religious groups that primarily teach religion and organizations that primarily serve and hire those who share their faith, according to Live Action a pro-life advocacy group.

The group noted that New York Governor Kathy Hochul spoke out against the religious organizations in June after a lower court upheld the state's law, calling those who value the protection of the preborn "right-wing extremists."

"While right-wing extremists attempt to undermine our fundamental freedoms, New York will continue standing strong to protect women's health care and safeguard abortion rights," Hochul said at the time.

The groups are being represented by law firms Becket and Jones Day.

The narrow definition, however, disqualified many religious communities that serve the poor and needy regardless of religious background.

New York courts again ruled against the petitioners, even after the Supreme Court first remanded the issue back for reconsideration following the justices' 2021 decision in a dispute over a city refusing to allow religious organizations to place foster children if they did not serve LGBTQ couples.

That case, Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, reasoned that the city had discriminated against Catholic Social Services for refusing to work with the organization over its position on same-sex couples.

"New York's abortion mandate is so extreme that not even Jesus, Mother Teresa, or Mahatma Gandhi would qualify for an exemption," said Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, which is representing the religious challengers.

"The justices should exempt religious organizations once and for all so they can focus on caring for the most vulnerable."

It would take four justices to vote in favor of hearing the dispute for oral arguments to be granted for the courts next term, which begins in October.

"Religious groups in New York should not be required to provide insurance coverage that violates their deeply held religious beliefs," said Noel J. Francisco, partner-in-charge of Jones Day's Washington office. "We are asking the court to protect religious freedom and make clear that the mandate cannot be applied to this diverse group of religious organizations."

A spokesperson from New York's Financial Services Department, the named defendant in the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson from New York's governor's office declined to comment on active litigation, according to The Washington Times..

The case is Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany et al., v. Adrienne A. Harris, superintendent of New York State Department of Financial Services.
(Photo courtesy: Nottingham University)Nottingham University

England's University of Nottingham has reversed its decision to deny a chaplaincy to a priest due to his views on abortion and assisted dying as pro-life group say they continue to challenge for free speech at institutes of higher learning.

The University of Nottingham originally rejected Father David Palmer a chaplaincy role after he referred to abortion as the 'slaughter of unborn children' and assisted suicide as 'killing the vulnerable' on Twitter, Premier Christian News reported.

At the time, a University of Nottingham spokesperson said the issue was not Palmer's views but how they were expressed.

"A university should be a place for the robust exchange of views and debate over ideas, and we have no issue with the expression of faith in robust terms - indeed we would expect any chaplain to hold their faith as primary," the spokesperson said according to Christian Today.

The university faced strong criticism over that position, with former chaplain to the British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, Gavin Ashenden, calling it the "illiberal censorship of Christianity."

The university faced strong criticism over its stance, with former chaplain to the Queen, Gavin Ashenden, calling it the "illiberal censorship of Christianity".

The university has since announced that Palmer will be allowed to serve Catholic students on campus "with immediate effect" following a "revised chaplaincy recognition procedure."

'A PREPARATORY YEAR'

The university confirmed in a statement that the procedure "allows for a preparatory year to enable the nominated chaplain, the sponsoring faith body and the university to explore together if the role is right both for the individual and the multi-faith environment at Nottingham."

"Following constructive and helpful dialogue with the Diocese of Nottingham over recent weeks, it has been agreed that Father David Palmer will be recognised under this procedure as university chaplain for the Catholic faith. He will commence his work on campus as part of our multi-faith chaplaincy team with immediate effect," the statement said.

The faith-based legal advocacy organization ADF UK supported Father David in challenging the university's initial decision, Premier reported.

ADF spokesperson Lois McLatchie told Premier the university faced a similar situation last year.

"We supported a pro-life midwifery student who had been suspended for her pro-life views too. We were able to see that suspension successfully challenged and see her return to university," said McLatchie.

"So we see that free speech does win out in the end when public pressure is involved."

McLatchie asserted that that freedom of speech should be an integral part of all educational institutions.

"Students should be able to go to university and hear and exchange ideas that are important to their future.

"If universities want to uphold what they were made to be they are going to have to learn to welcome diverse thought and diverse opinions in order to freely exchange and debate."

ADF UK has since launched a campaign to protect freedom of speech on all UK campuses.

Dr. Paul Greatrix, Registrar at The University of Nottingham was quoted on the university website as saying, "In a community of more than 35,000 people, drawn from more than 200 nationalities, we pride ourselves on a multi-faith approach so that the university is able to support and celebrate students and staff of all faiths and none.

"Our new recognition procedure will ensure that, in a spirit of support and collaboration, the university and faith leaders can welcome chaplains who will, absolutely, hold their faith primary whilst fully engaging with a multi-faith environment."
China to provide more diverse food for deep-space exploration missions

Xinhua) 09:47, September 23, 2024

HANGZHOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China is working on serving a more diverse range of food options for future deep-space exploration missions, according to the Second Frontier Forum of Space Medicine held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in east China.

During the recently concluded Mid-Autumn Festival, a cherished tradition symbolizing family reunion, the Shenzhou-18 crew aboard China's orbiting space station enjoyed "space mooncakes" stuffed with lotus paste as well as their personal favourites such as spicy lamb and braised pork chops, which had been prepared in advance by the ground support team.

"We have developed technologies to bring Chinese cuisine to the 'space dining table', allowing astronauts to enjoy 'home-cooked flavors'," said Li Yinghui, a researcher at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

Li added that China has advanced precision nutrition control technology and built accurate standards for space flight nutritional supplies that can help astronauts address physiological issues caused by weightlessness and radiation and stay healthy during missions lasting over 180 days.

"Various functional space foods featuring antioxidant effects, immune support, fatigue relief and gut microbiome regulation have been developed to enhance astronauts' in-orbit adaptability," said Li.

With an eye on future deep space missions, China is also working on technologies such as in-orbit cooking that can sustain long-term living beyond Earth, said Zang Peng, another researcher at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Get access to more TV shows, movies and other streaming content with the help of a VPN.

Google TV is an easy to use operating system that provides access to all of the best streaming services in one centralized location. But even if your smart TV runs a different OS, you can get access to Google TV easily by buying a Chromecast for as little as $30, or a new Google TV box for closer to $100. But here's an open secret: If you use a VPN (virtual private network) with your Google TV set or Chromecast, you can access even more content. Heres how to set up a VPN on Google TV or a Chromecast and why you may want to use one.

Why use a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast?

For streaming purposes, VPNs have one clear benefit: spoofing your IP address to that of a different country so that you can access geo-restricted content. If you use a VPN and connect to a different countrys server, you can access its content library on any streaming platform.

Lets say you live in the US but want to watch some award-winning BBC documentaries on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. All BBC iPlayer content is free if you live in the UK, but blocked everywhere else. Using a VPN, you can connect to a UK VPN server and stream to your hearts content.

VPNs also have considerable security benefits if you use them on your smartphone or PC. Purchasing a single subscription means you can use your VPN on any supported device, so we recommend you purchase one for its flexibility.

What VPNs are available on Google TV?

Google TV doesnt have many apps to install compared to other smart TV systems like Amazons Fire TV OS. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, its actually a blessing in disguise.

With VPNs, you want to ensure you invest in a quality and trustworthy product. There are many untested or free VPNs available that sell your data or falsify their encryption claims. Although this might not be a huge issue for streaming purposes alone, it generally poses massive security and privacy risks.

When installing a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast, we recommend the following VPN services:

We also have a guide to the best VPNs where we explain why we recommend them.

How to set up a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast

Its easy to use a VPN on your Google TV (and perhaps even easier on a Chromecast). Heres a step-by-step guide on how to install one:

Google TV

Navigate to the Google Play Store on your Google TV. Search for the VPN you want to install (alternatively, search for the keyword VPN to view your options). Install the VPN. Sign up (or login if you already have an account). Navigate the country server list and connect.

Note that you can use your VPN on as many devices as it supports. So, once youve purchased a subscription, its wise to download it on as many platforms and devices you can to maximize your investment.

Chromecast

If you have a Chromecast, you can still enjoy the benefits of a VPN  you just need to use your smartphone or laptop in tandem with the streaming device. Heres how to do it:

Install a VPN on your smartphone or laptop. Make sure your Wi-Fi is enabled. Turn on the VPN on your smartphone/laptop. Connect your smartphone or laptop to your TV via Chromecast. Begin streaming your content.

Additional tip: VPNs also work with screencasting. As long as your smart TV is under the same Wi-Fi as the device youre screencasting from, you can use the VPN securely.

VPN options for other streaming platforms

Don't have Google TV? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.
The murder case against Toronto rapper Top5 has been halted just before trial after a judge decided to exclude critical social media evidence.

The evidence, which included music videos, online posts, and clips from a YouTube interview that allegedly linked the rapper to gang activity, was deemed too prejudicial for the trial, according to the 'Toronto Star.'

Top5, whose real name is Hassan Ali, was arrested in 2021 for his suspected involvement in the killing of 20-year-old Hashim Hashi. Hashi was fatally shot while sitting in his car near Jane Street and Highway 401 in Toronto on January 31, 2021.

Authorities believe Hashi, an accounting student, was mistaken for someone connected to the 2017 murder of Ali's brother, Said "Foolish" Ali.

Prosecutors decided to stay the first-degree murder charge, meaning the case has been paused rather than dismissed. This decision was made after it was determined that continuing with the case, given the exclusion of significant evidence, would violate the principles of fundamental justice.

Crown attorney Sue Adams stated that the exclusion of this crucial evidence forced the prosecution to halt the case. The judge ruled that although the evidence demonstrated Ali's threats and celebration of gang-related violence, it carried too much risk of biasing a jury.

The prosecution's theory was that Ali, a member of the Go Getem Gang (GGG), was involved in a gang rivalry with the Falstaff Marke Gang, leading to Hashi's murder. However, Ali has denied any gang affiliation, asserting that his references to GGG are tied to his record label, not a gang. The Crown acknowledged that GGG is also a record label but maintained that it doubles as a street gang.

Ali's social media accounts were a key point of contention. His Instagram account, now disabled, featured posts that allegedly showed threatening messages, including one aimed at The Weeknd during a beef between Drake and the artist. Upon his release, Ali declared, "An innocent man is home." However, under the criminal code, the Crown has up to a year to restart the proceedings if new evidence emerges.
NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson completed a six-month research mission aboard the International Space Station on Monday, returning to Earth with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub.



The trio departed the space station aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft at 4:36 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 23, making a safe, parachute-assisted landing at 7:59 a.m. (4:59 p.m. Kazakhstan time), southeast of the remote town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan.





While aboard the orbiting laboratory, Dyson conducted multiple scientific and technology activities including the operation of a 3D bioprinter to print cardiac tissue samples, which could advance technology for creating replacement organs and tissues for transplants on Earth. Dyson also participated in the crystallization of model proteins to evaluate the performance of hardware that could be used for pharmaceutical production and ran a program that used student-designed software to control the stations free-flying robots, inspiring the next generation of innovators.





Dyson launched on March 23 and arrived at the station March 25 alongside Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy and spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya of Belarus. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya were aboard the station for 12 days before returning home with NASA astronaut Loral OHara on April 6.





Spanning 184 days in space, Dysons third spaceflight covered 2,944 orbits of the Earth and a journey of 78 million miles as an Expedition 70/71 flight engineer. Dyson also conducted one spacewalk of 31 minutes, bringing her career total to 23 hours, 20 minutes on four spacewalks.





Kononenko and Chub, who launched with OHara to the station on the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft last September, spent 374 days in space on a trip of 158.6 million miles, spanning 5,984 orbits. Kononenko completed his fifth flight into space, accruing a record of 1,111 days in orbit, and Chub completed his first spaceflight.





Following post-landing medical checks, the crew will return to the recovery staging city in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. Dyson will then board a NASA plane bound for the agencys Johnson Space Center in Houston.




Crimestoppers have launched a new partnership with six police forces in northern England to help fight the scourge of rural crime.

Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumbria, Cleveland and Durham police forces will use the initiative to tackle cross border rural crime.

The campaign seeks to prevent rural crimes by increasing community information about those who are carrying out them.

The public will also be encouraged to report suspicious activity in rural areas, and forces will provide information on how to prevent criminals targeting farms.

Criminals often travel large distances using roads such as the A66, A1 or M6 to carry out crimes causing misery and significant financial lose.

According to the latest figures, rural crime cost the UK nearly 53m last year as thieves continued to raid farms for expensive items such as tractor GPS units.

The new Crimestoppers campaign covers four themes: the theft of quad bikes and farm machinery, theft of livestock, burglary and poaching.

A statement by the partnership says: "The six forces will share intelligence and carry out joint operations which is successful in stopping travelling criminals.

"But with the help of the public, they can be more effective in targeting their resources and reducing crime in rural areas.

"Criminals may travel across areas to carry out burglaries or thefts from rural properties."

Quad bikes and ATVs were also top targets for rural thieves last year, with thefts up 9% to an estimated 3.2m in claim costs reported to NFU Mutual.

In a positive sign of the co-ordinated action against thieves, the total claims cost for agricultural vehicles thefts reported fell 9% to an estimated 10.7m in 2023.

However, livestock theft remained high at an estimated cost of 2.7m across the UK. Last year saw a spate of incidents where animals were butchered in fields.
A new farmer-led field lab taking place in Northumberland is identifying whether willow can be used as a natural supplement for young lambs.

The research is exploring whether cobalt-rich willow trees can prevent B12 deficiency in weaned lambs - a common and challenging issue for sheep farmers.

If successful, growing willow on-farm as part of an agroforestry system could promote healthy lamb growth and reduce the need for bought-in supplements.

Farmer Tom Fairfax had the idea when he noticed some of his sheep on his farm, close to the Scottish border, selectively browsing on willow.

With the support of Innovative Farmers, he has teamed up with Nottingham University to conduct research into his theory about the medicinal qualities of willow.

Innovative Farmers manager Rebecca Swinn said it was 'great' to be exploring animal health as a benefit of agroforestry.

She said: "The promising early results from the trial suggest this could be a breakthrough practice tackling B12 deficiency in lambs naturally.

An upcoming open afternoon at Mr Fairfax's farm will share details about the health impacts of feeding willow to lambs and explore best management options.

It will include a walk and in-field workshops on willow health properties, discussing approaches to planning, planting and managing willow trees across the farm.

They will also consider animal health requirements, deficiencies and indicators; grazing methods and considerations; soil monitoring and management.

Farmers are being encouraged to attend the free open event at Mindrum Farm in Northumberland on 25 September.
Machinery manufacturer JCB recorded pre-tax profits of over 805m on a turnover of 6.5bn for the year ending 31 December 2023.

Despite the good results, the British multinational firm warned that the full year market outlook for 2024 was 'less positive'.

Its financial results for 2023, posted today (23 September), shows that pre-tax profits rose by 14 percent.

Sales turnover grew to 6.5 billion and machine sales increased to 123,228.

This is despite a decline in the global market for construction and agricultural machinery, which shrank by 4.3% in 2023.

North America remains the worlds largest market for construction equipment and sales there grew strongly during the year.

JCBs business in India also performed well in a growing market and while the UK market remained largely flat in 2023, the firm increased its share of the market.

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said, however, that the full year market outlook for 2024 was 'less positive' due to 'challenging conditions' in the UK and Europe.

This was particularly the case in Germany, he noted, where economic activity has declined sharply during 2024.

Mr Macdonald said: "In the UK, housebuilding activity has contracted, which is having a negative impact on machine utilisation.

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford added: Our family company, JCB, continues to invest both in new production capacity and in product innovation.

"The companys ongoing investment in innovative new machines... together with our continued focus on the development of hydrogen combustion engines for our equipment in the future, puts JCB in a strong position for further long-term growth.
A new partnership has been launched today to support rural flood resilience and help farmers and communities adapt to extreme weather patterns.

The Rural Flood Resilience Partnership hopes to improve collaboration and support farmers in building their resilience to flood risks and coastal erosion.

It is made up of six organisations, including industry groups such as the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

It comes as rural communities across the UK are increasingly on the frontline of extreme weather and the devastating impacts of flooding.

Last winter saw one of Englands wettest periods since records began in 1836, which left many thousands of acres of productive farmland under water.

The partnership has published its work plan covering 2024 to 2026, which means the six groups will work on projects to improve their evidence base and co-develop solutions.

The work plan sets out 21 actions supporting seven strategic outcomes, with one focus on the need for farmers and landowners to have access to quality advice and support.

NFU vice president, Rachel Hallos said the partnership aimed to help farmers to strengthen the resilience of their homes and businesses by providing practical solutions.

It will also give rural communities the means to influence decision making, provide access to resources and support action on the ground, strengthening rural resilience to flooding in a changing climate."

She warned that farmers were on the frontline of climate change, something which she called the industry's 'biggest challenge'.

"The extreme weather this brings is one of the main threats to UK food security and more severe storms, devastating floods, and increased periods of little or no rain are all impacting our ability to produce food."

CLA president Victoria Vyvyan added that the damage to rural land and businesses from flooding was 'localised but acute'.

"The CLA hopes this partnership will provide the evidence, awareness of risks, and access to practical advice that will allow them to improve their resilience.

This partnership will look for short and medium-term solutions whilst raising awareness of the rural-specific costs and challenges from flooding which our members face.

The partnership consists of: Action with Communities in Rural England; the Association of Drainage Authorities; the CLA; the Environment Agency; the NFU; and Natural England.
A consultation has launched looking at the possibility of creating a new national park in Wales, with farmers and rural businesses urged to participate.

The Welsh government said it had commissioned Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to assess the case for a new national park in north-east Wales.

A study area, based on the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley, has been identified as a candidate. It is already designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

If the plans go ahead, it would become the fourth national park in Wales alongside Snowdonia, the Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons.

A public consultation will look at the proposal and will run between 7 October and 16 December 2024.

The Welsh government said it had identified eleven themes that underlined both risks and opportunities for the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley area.

These reflect concerns about over tourism and the impact on housing, but also the hopes for better management, responsible access, conservation and natures recovery.

Ash Pearce, programme manager at NRW said: We want to ensure that this is an inclusive process and that people have the opportunity to share their views on the proposals.

Early engagement has given us a much clearer picture of the issues, hopes and concerns of the local people and stakeholders.

If a new national park is established, then it must be able to manage the risks and take advantage of the opportunities available, for the betterment of nature, people, and communities.

We have amended the study area in response to local feedback and in the past year, appointed three separate independent consultants to help us develop the evidence that will inform our recommendation."

A public consultation will look at the proposal and will run between 7 October and 16 December 2024.

It comes as Scottish farm leaders have said they will continue to oppose the Scottish government's proposals for Galloway to become a new national park.

If given the official designation, Galloway will be the first national park in the UK in about 15 years.

The region was chosen from a five-strong shortlist after a lengthy review of criteria, despite concern from farming groups.

NFU Scotland said the creation of a new national park in Scotland was 'unacceptable', a view it said was supported by 93% of the union's members.

The union's vice president, Alasdair Macnab said: I can reassure our farmers in the Galloway area that we will continue to support your opposition every step of the way.

It is clear that existing parks have failed to make a positive contribution to farming and crofting.

"The consultation process now starting must be transparent, credible and inclusive  which it has not been in Galloway to date.
Demi Moore tries not to be "attached" to the old Bruce Willis when she visits her ex.

Demi Moore doesn't want the 'loss' of the person Bruce Willis was before his dementia diagnosis to stop them enjoying their time together

The 'Ghost' actress, 61, says it's important for her to be in the "present" when she is in the presence of the 'Die Hard' actor - whom she was married to from 1987 to 2000 - amid the 69-year-old actor's battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), so they can enjoy their time together.

Speaking on 'CBS Sunday Morning', she said: "The important thing is just to meet him where he's at, as opposed to being attached to who he was, how he was. Because, again, that only just puts you in a place of loss versus being in the present, meeting him where he's at, and finding the joy and the loving of just all that is where he is."

The 'Substance' star - who has daughters Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 30, with Bruce - is very much focused on the things that bring her "joy" in life and doesn't feel it's necessary to set goals for her career.

She said: "I think that I'm sitting in a different place in my life than I've ever been.

"I have the most autonomy. My children are grown. I have my most independence that I've ever had. And so, I just am really trying to focus on what really brings me joy. I don't like to project and say, 'Well, this is where I want to be,' because I don't know. I don't know where I'm gonna be. But I know that it's an opportunity for me to actually have a good time!"

Demi was recently asked about the advice she has given her daughters when it comes to communicating with their father, and in a similar response, she shared how she "treasures" the family's time together.

She told 'The Drew Barrymore Show', she explained: "What I say to my kids is you meet them where theyre at. You dont hold on to who they were or what you want them to be, but who they are in this moment. And from that, there is such beauty and joy and loving and sweetness. When Im in LA, I go over every week, and I really treasure the time that we all share."
Johnny Depp identifies with artist Modiglianis rebellious streak.

Johnny Depp identifies with artist Modiglianis rebellious streak

The Edward Scissorhands actor, 61, spoke of his love of the painter as he has just finished directing the film Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness starring Riccardo Scamarcio, 44, as 20th century artist Amedeo Modigliani.

Johnny told Variety about the movie, which will make its world premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on Tuesday (24.09.24): Modigliani was, of course, one of the great contemporary artists of all time. But he also represented an era and point of view where new possibilities still existed. His vision fascinates me.

He doggedly walked to the beat of his own drum, and possessed a natural allergy for convention during a time where the norm was being openly challenged across every medium.

It would be foolish not to admit that everything Modigliani ever stood for, and continues to stand for, resonates deeply within me.

I feel immensely fortunate to be given the opportunity to, along with a sublime cast and crew, capture his world in three days.

Modi also features actor Al Pacino, who produced the movie, as well as Stephen Graham, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery and Luisa Ranieri.

Variety said Al, 84, first spoke with Johnny about making a film about Modigliani while they were shooting their 1997 gangster movie Donnie Brasco.

Stephen Deuters, CEO of Johnnys IN.2 production company, said about the actor taking on Modi after being asked to by Al: Johnny was quite surprised, humbled and a bit blown away that Al was asking him to direct this.

He wasnt expecting anyone to ask him to direct a film at that particular moment.

We had a lot going on at the time  this was even before Covid  and we just thought it would be a really positive thing for us to do, a slightly unexpected change of direction and something that he could really throw himself into. I think Johnny really didnt believe it was even happening until he landed (on the set.)
Kim Kardashian was "so nervous" interviewing her idol Dame Elizabeth Taylor.

Kim Kardashian was 'so nervous' before her interview with the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor

The Skims founder, 43, conducted what is thought to be the last interview with the late Hollywood star for Harper's Bazaar before she passed away in 2011 at the age of 73 from congestive heart failure, and admitted it was a "surreal" experience.

Kim is the executive producer of BBC Arts' three-part series 'Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar', in which she opens up about meeting the 'Cleopatra' actress and how surprised Elizabeth was that she knew so much about her jewellery collection.

She said: I was doing a shoot for Harpers Bazaar, and they said theyd love it to have a Cleopatra-themed cover, and that I could interview Elizabeth for the cover story.

Everyone knew how much I loved her and I was so excited.

Interviewing her felt surreal, I was so nervous.

Just to know we had a good time doing it. Elizabeth would laugh and say, I cant believe you know so much. I cant believe you know more about my jewellery than I even remember.'

The 'Kardashians' star also spoke about how Elizabeth - who was one of the world's highest paid movie stars and was known for her HIV/AIDS activism - continues to inspire and "motivate" her as someone who wasn't afraid to speak out on the issues she cared about and use her platform to help others.

Kim - who has become involved in prison reform advocacy in recent years - said: Ive always looked to her to motivate me.

It doesnt matter whats acceptable to other people if you believe in it and thats what you want to fight for.

You fight for those people who dont have voices, to be their voice.

I think if you have a platform that you can use to talk about the issues that are really wrong with this world, then youre shedding a light for so many people that otherwise they might not even know about.

Elizabeth has been such an inspiration to me. She was a huge driving force in paving the way for anyone in my position today.

Its not easy to be first, you know? And I love that theres someone like her to look up to."

The series will analyse Elizabeth's technique as an actress and will examine "how she reinvented the nature of fame, even as she smashed the glass ceiling in Hollywood, before going on to become a billion-dollar businesswoman, activist and advocate."

It also features interviews with Dame Joan Collins, 91, who competed against Elizabeth for the titular role in 1963's 'Cleopatra', Michael Jacksons daughter Paris, 26, and 66-year-old femme fatale actress-and-model Sharon Stone.

'Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar' heads to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on September 27.
Margaret Qualley says making her edgy new film The Substance took her way out of her comfort zone.

Margaret Qualley says making her edgy new film The Substance took her way out of her comfort zone

The actress, 29, who is the daughter of Four Weddings and a Funeral actress Andie MacDowell, 66, shot to fame thanks to her roles in The Leftovers and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and has now opened up about the challenges of shooting her latest role alongside 61-year-old Demi Moore.

She told People about how the body-horror film, directed by Coralie Fargeat, 48, was really outside of my comfort zone: I guess, for me, its something Ive really never done.

I think Ive intentionally gone the other direction throughout my career.

I knew it was going to be a big challenge for me.

But Margaret added the nudity in the movie was not exploitative and very much serves the purpose of this story.

She added: Its a road you have to go down in order to bring this to life. And I was excited about that challenge.

Margaret has told how she got wasted on drugs and tequila to get through filming one particularly raunchy scene in The Substance.

She told The Sunday Times: That specific kind of sexuality doesn't lend itself to me.

Margaret added she cried in a bathroom when she first rehearsed a scene in which her TV aerobics instructor character Sue does a sexed-up dance wearing a skimpy workout outfit because she felt so deeply ashamed making it.

She went on about how she added marijuana and alcohol into the emotional mix to get through the shoot: And still, day of, I just got wasted first thing in the morning because I was like, I cant do this in front of everybody.

Margarets Sunday Times profile said a combination of weed and tequila provided Dutch courage helped her cope with the scene.

The Substance tells of Demi as a washed-up fitness guru who takes a mystery black market drug to create a younger, sexier version of herself, played by Margaret.
MELBOURNE, Australia, INDIANAPOLIS and LAKE MARY, Fla., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) and RLS (USA) Inc. (RLS, RLS Radiopharmacies), America's only Joint Commission-accredited radiopharmacy network distributing PET[1], SPECT[2] and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, today announced an agreement by the Company to acquire RLS from its parent company, RLS Group Ltd. The acquisition significantly expands Telix's North American manufacturing footprint and establishes the basis of a next generation radiometal production network to benefit Telix and select strategic commercial partners.

Strategic Rationale

The acquisition of RLS is aligned to Telix's investment strategy around vertically integrated supply chain, manufacturing, and distribution, further enabling the delivery of future clinical and commercial radiopharmaceutical products. The Company views this as a necessary measure to ensure product integrity and delivery, and to strengthen and complement existing commercial partnerships.

Telix will leverage RLS' 31 licensed radiopharmacies located in major metropolitan areas across the U.S. to build a radiometal production and distribution network for key therapeutic and diagnostic isotopes alongside last-mile delivery of finished unit doses in relevant markets. The RLS footprint includes over 100,000 square ft of appropriately licensed expansion space that can be utilised to meet rapidly growing production demand. The acquisition also provides a clear pathway to extensively deploy Telix's ARTMS QUANTM Irradiation System (QIS) cyclotron technology, enabling standardised, high-efficiency and cost-effective production of radiometals.

By augmenting its existing distribution network, Telix aims to provide additional supply chain backup and improve capacity to meet future demand, while broadening access for patients across the entire U.S. market, including under-served populations. The acquisition aligns Telix's pharmaceutical development workforce with RLS' highly skilled and multi-disciplinary radiopharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain and operational expertise.

RLS will continue to service its existing customers and operate as an independent business unit under Telix Manufacturing Solutions (TMS), which includes other key Telix brands with multi-vendor and third-party relationships such as ARTMS, IsoTherapeutics and Optimal Tracers. As part of the TMS business vertical, RLS will become a key node in Telix's network of U.S. manufacturing and distribution partnerships and is geographically complementary to TMS' state-of-the-art GMP[3] production facility located in Belgium.

RLS' revenue for FY23[4] was US$158 million, and the transaction is expected to be cost-neutral to Telix from an operating cash flow perspective. RLS is currently a distributor of Illuccix and, as such, the acquisition is expected to be accretive to Telix, following completion.

Dr. Christian Behrenbruch, Telix Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, said the acquisition is part of the Company's ongoing investment focus around vertical integration and building integrated supply chains.

"Our vision is to build a radiometal production and distribution network fit for the future. By combining the ARTMS platform and the RLS network, we can scale up the production of key isotopes and build a stable and consistent supply of PET and SPECT diagnostic tracers, along with therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals across the U.S. for the benefit of Telix, our partners and the patients we serve. Telix is a trusted brand, recognised for our technical expertise, product quality, scheduling flexibility and delivery reliability. As we grow and commercialise new products, this investment ensures we can continue to deliver to this standard, alongside our key trusted distribution partners."

Mr. Stephen Belcher, Chief Executive Officer, RLS, added, "We look forward to becoming part of the Telix Group ecosystem. The RLS management team has emphasised quality, reliability and flexibility, and by leveraging Telix's support, we will be able to expand our capabilities further and, together, build the radiopharmaceutical company of the future. We see this as a very positive step for the company, our people and our customer base."

Deal Terms and Conditions

The purchase price comprises upfront cash consideration of US$230 million before adjustments for cash and cash equivalents (net of restricted cash); debt and debt equivalents; transaction expenses; and working capital, and deferred cash consideration up to a maximum of US$20 million, contingent on achievement of certain milestones related to demonstration of accretive financial and operational performance during the four-quarters following closing. The acquisition and related transaction costs are expected to be funded from existing cash reserves.

Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, RLS shareholder approval, licence transfers and certain third-party consents. The acquisition is expected to close early in the first quarter of 2025.

About RLS Radiopharmacies

RLS is America's only Joint Commission-accredited radiopharmacy network, with 31 radiopharmacies covering more than 85% of the population. Every RLS radiopharmacy houses cutting-edge clean rooms and is fully equipped and aligned to USP <797>, USP <825> and ISO 14644-1 compliance standards. Every RLS radiopharmacy is led by experienced nuclear pharmacists, who, along with nuclear technicians, in-house couriers and a robust delivery fleet, ensure every SPECT, PET and therapeutic product the company offers is meticulously prepared, dispensed and distributed to the company's more than 1,500 customers without fail. For more information, please visit rls.bio.

About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of therapeutic and diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and associated medical devices. Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, with international operations in the United States, Europe (Belgium and Switzerland), and Japan. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical and commercial stage products that aims to address significant unmet medical needs in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX).

Telix's lead imaging product, gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide injection (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11 and marketed under the brand name Illuccix), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)[5], by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) [6], and by Health Canada[7]. No other Telix product has received a marketing authorisation in any jurisdiction.

Visit www.telixpharma.com for further information about Telix, including details of the latest share price, announcements made to the ASX, investor and analyst presentations, news releases, event details and other publications that may be of interest. You can also follow Telix on X and LinkedIn.

Telix Investor Relations

Ms. Kyahn Williamson

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

SVP Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Email: kyahn.williamson@telixpharma.com

Telix Media Relations (U.S.)

Eliza Schleifstein

ES Media Relations

Email: eliza@schleifsteinpr.com

Phone: 917-763-8106

RLS Investor Relations

Mark Elliott

RLS (USA) Inc.

VP Finance and Investor Relations

Email: investorrelations@rls.bio

Legal Notices

You should read this announcement together with our risk factors, as disclosed in our most recently filed reports with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) or on our website.

The information contained in this announcement is not intended to be an offer for subscription, invitation or recommendation with respect to securities of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (Telix) in any jurisdiction, including the United States. The information and opinions contained in this announcement are subject to change without notification. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Telix disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any information or opinions contained in this announcement, including any forward-looking statements (as referred to below), whether as a result of new information, future developments, a change in expectations or assumptions, or otherwise. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained or opinions expressed in the course of this announcement.

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements that relate to anticipated future events, financial performance, plans, strategies or business developments. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "outlook", "forecast" and "guidance", or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on Telix's good-faith assumptions as to the financial, market, regulatory and other risks and considerations that exist and affect Telix's business and operations in the future and there can be no assurance that any of the assumptions will prove to be correct. In the context of Telix's business, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: the initiation, timing, progress and results of Telix's preclinical and clinical trials, and Telix's research and development programs; Telix's ability to advance product candidates into, enrol and successfully complete, clinical studies, including multi-national clinical trials; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals for Telix's product candidates, manufacturing activities and product marketing activities; Telix's sales, marketing and distribution and manufacturing capabilities and strategies; the commercialisation of Telix's product candidates, if or when they have been approved; Telix's ability to obtain an adequate supply of raw materials at reasonable costs for its products and product candidates; estimates of Telix's expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; Telix's financial performance; developments relating to Telix's competitors and industry; and the pricing and reimbursement of Telix's product candidates, if and after they have been approved. Telix's actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, and the differences may be adverse. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

2024 Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited. The Telix Pharmaceuticals, Illuccix, ARTMS and QIS names and logos are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates - all rights reserved.

[1] Positron emission tomography. [2] Single-photon emission computed tomography. [3] Good Manufacturing Practice. [4] Financial year ended 31 December 2023. [5] Telix ASX disclosure 20 December 2021. [6] Telix ASX disclosure 2 November 2021. [7] Telix ASX disclosure 14 October 2022.

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LOHNE, Germany, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At its in-house exhibition this year, RWK & Kuhlmann Kuchen GmbH is presenting the first collection which has been developed for Villeroy & Boch under exclusive license. The Lohne-based traditional company recently took over the responsibility for the development, production and international marketing of the range of kitchen furniture. The furniture is manufactured in densely-wooded East Westphalia, the birthplace of the German kitchen industry.

Major premiere in East Westphalia: At this year's autumn exhibition, RWK & Kuhlmann is presenting the first collection which has been developed for Villeroy & Boch under exclusive license. The design of the kitchens, which appeals to all of the senses, picks up on classic motives and materials from the history of Villeroy & Boch, which goes back more than 275 years. Ceramic surfaces, interpretations of the iconic "Mettlacher Platte" (Mettlach tile), decorative colour combinations and metal accents bear the unmistakeable signature of the brand that is world famous for its ceramic products.

The high-quality workmanship of the kitchen furniture manufactured in Lohne is in accordance with the design standard, whereby RWK & Kuhlmann can refer to its many years of experience. The manufacturer has stood for diligence, longevity and intelligent functionality for generations with its own Kuhlmann brand and also in commissioned production for European furniture stores.

"Our furniture has to prove itself in many different ways", explains Ralf Marohn, the managing director of RWK & Kuhlmann Kuchen GmbH. "We are now taking Villeroy & Boch into the heart of every home with kitchen furniture: the kitchen. By combining traditional values with trend awareness, we create rooms with special timeless aesthetics - living areas in which you feel secure and in which family and friends like to get together and enjoy the moment."

Positive signal for the entire region

For Marohn, the collaboration is a clear sign of trust: "We succeeded in impressing Villeroy & Boch with our expertise and quality in manufacturing, development and logistics." At the same time, he sees this as a commitment to Germany as a production location. "The fact that a global brand such as Villeroy & Boch has chosen a local partner is a positive signal for the entire region."

Similar to Villeroy & Boch, the origins of RWK & Kuhlmann are also in a craft business. The kitchen manufacturer, which has always been family run, has had about 120 employees since 1923. Manufacturing takes place at the Lohne location. From here, the products are delivered throughout Germany and all over the world. The export share at RWK & Kuhlmann is significantly above 50 percent.

The first models of the new Villeroy & Boch kitchens can be experienced up close at the in-house exhibition from September 21-27, 2024 in the RWK & Kuhlmann showroom at the company headquarters. Another possibility which is available during the same period and not far away is the Area 30 specialist trade fair. Villeroy & Boch will be exhibiting new products from the ceramic sink and kitchen fittings area on stand D21, together with the new kitchen furniture made in East Westphalia, of course.

The Villeroy & Boch kitchens will be available from selected specialist dealers from December 2024.

Dates

In-house exhibition 2024

September 21-27, 2024 RWK & Kuhlmann Kuchen GmbH Unterer Hellweg 2/4, D-32584 Lohne, Germany

area30

September 19-26, 2024 Lubbecker Strae 29, D-32584 Lohne, Germany Villeroy & Boch: Stand D21

Picture material for downloading at

https://rwk-kuhlmann.arts-others.de/premiere-fuer-villeroy-und-boch-kuechen-18-09-2024

About RWK & Kuhlmann Kuchen GmbH

Established in 1923, RWK & Kuhlmann Kuchen GmbH has developed from a former joinery company into a specialist for system and fitted kitchen furniture. The company, which is based in Lohne in East Westphalia has been family run to this day and manufactures for its own Kuhlmann brand, under license for Villeroy & Boch and the OEM and tailor-made area. Its regional ties, innovative strength and commitment to outstanding, sustainable craftsmanship are crucial in the development and manufacture of the products. The company now has 120 employees worldwide, and exports to more than 30 countries via its network of dealers and partners.

About Villeroy & Boch

Villeroy & Boch is one of the world's leading premium brands for ceramic products. The family-run company, which was established in 1748 and has its headquarters in Mettlach, Germany, stands for innovation, tradition and style. As a prestigious lifestyle brand, Villeroy & Boch is represented with products in the bathroom & wellness and dining & lifestyle areas in 125 countries.

RWK & Kuhlmann Kuchen GmbH Press Office

Matthias Haenel, Phone +49 (0) 6172 9022-142

Anja Kassubek, Phone +49 (0) 6172 9022-131

rwk-kuhlmann@arts-others.de

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SHANGHAI, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At HUAWEI CONNECT 2024, Huawei launched the ICT Talent Cultivation Solution at the global education summit themed Cultivating ICT Talent to Amplify Education Intelligence. In addition, Huawei and University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST) jointly launched a smart campus exhibition center to help cultivate well educated ICT talent and accelerate intelligent transformation of the education industry.

Participants of the solution launch were: Youssef Ben Halima, Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia; Dr. Suthiporn Truktrong, Acting Vice President of Prince of Songkla University; Hu Yining, Deputy Director and Doctoral Tutor of the Network and Information Center, Southeast University; Li Junfeng, Vice President of Huawei and President of the Global Public Sector; Liu Jiansheng, President of Huawei Learning & Certification Services Dept; and Sun Gang, Director of Huawei ICT Talent Partner Development Dept.

Huawei ICT Talent Cultivation Solution Empowers Various Industries

As the global digital economy and ICT industry rapidly develop, the need for ICT talent is on the rise. To help cultivate well educated ICT talent, Huawei has developed an innovative ICT talent cultivation solution. This solution provides comprehensive ICT courses, powerful industry ecosystem advantages, and a global professional trainer system. By providing a one-stop digital talent development platform, innovative teaching resources, and practical training tools, this solution helps universities accelerate ICT talent cultivation and support high-quality development of the digital economy.

Huawei has collaborated with over 2700 universities and educational institutions worldwide to train new ICT professionals who meet market demands. Specifically, Huawei works with Shenzhen Polytechnic University to continuously improve teaching quality by jointly developing new curricula, training teachers, and building training bases. So far, more than 4800 students have passed Huawei's certifications and are taking up positions in informatization, contributing to the advancement of the digital economy and industry.

Li Junfeng, Vice President of Huawei and President of the Global Public Sector, said that Huawei has a strong commitment to the education industry and has partnered with colleges and universities worldwide to gather successful practices in digital and intelligent transformation. Based on customer demands and their characteristics, Huawei teams up with partners to deliver scenario-based solutions and services such as ICT Talent Cultivation, Smart Classroom 3.0, Scientific Research Computing, and Smart School Campus.

Smart Campus of USST Sets a Global Benchmark

Huawei and USST have collaborated to create a smart campus exhibition center that showcases advanced concepts and serves as a model for smart campus construction in China and beyond. To build an all-digital intelligent university, USST focuses on the two main aspects of data and application. It also and works with Huawei to promote the implementation of one-stop online service, management, and learning, thoroughly boosting management efficiency and service levels.

Zhao Ming, Vice President of USST, said that the university is dedicated to accelerating intelligence in education and building a first-class university of science and engineering with outstanding features. USST will continue to promote intelligent education and optimize teaching, research, and management to grow into a smarter educational institution.

Huawei plans to keep delving into the education sector and prioritizing customer needs. We will collaborate with international partners to develop cutting-edge technologies and solutions as well as hasten the digital and intelligent transformation of education, creating smarter campuses, and fostering more forward-thinking, high-caliber professionals.

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Avicena is showcasing extended reach of 30 meters for its LightBundle Technology at ECOC 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany

Avicena, headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, is showcasing the world's first microLED-based 30 meter link at ECOC 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany (https://www.ecoc2024.org/), tripling the reach shown in its previous public demonstrations. Avicena's LightBundleTM microLED-based links provide superior bandwidth density, energy efficiency, reliability and cost compared to other optical interconnect technologies. Now, with a 30 meter reach, LightBundle interconnects can span a full row of data center racks, unlocking unparalleled performance from HPC and AI clusters.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving an unprecedented surge in demand for compute and memory performance. This requires ever higher density, lower power, longer interconnects between processors, and between processors and memory.

Today, there is a duopoly of high-speed interconnect technologies: Up to about 1 meter distance electrical links dominate while laser-based optical links are the choice for longer distances. Electrical interconnects are both cost-effective and reliable, while laser-based links are significantly higher cost and suffer from limited reliability. "At Avicena, we are excited to showcase a microLED-based link with a reach of 30 meters after having previously publicly demonstrated 10 meter links," says Bardia Pezeshki, Founder and CEO of Avicena. "At 30 meters these interconnects can easily cover a row of racks in a datacenter or the full length of a commercial vehicle like a bus in automotive applications. With further optimization of devices and fibers, reaches of 100 meters or more could be possible with this technology."

"LightBundle links offer superior density, power efficiency, and cost compared to more conventional optical interconnect technologies, but are limited to shorter reaches," says Rob Kalman, CTO and Co-Founder of Avicena. "Extending LightBundle's reach from 10 to 30 meters opens up important new applications and shows that we are continuing to rapidly advance this exciting new technology."

Avicena will also showcase the greatly relaxed alignment tolerances of the LightBundle technology suite in their booth using standard LEGOTM based components. This underlines the fact that aligning LED-based optical links is truly "child's play" compared to the tight tolerances of single mode based silicon photonics, enabling LightBundle to achieve much lower manufacturing costs and higher packaging reliability.

Avicena at ECOC 2024:

In addition to showcasing its LightBundle interconnect technology at Booth B59, Avicena will participate in the following events:

Simon Richmond, VP of Operations Jess Brown, Business Development will present at the Product Focus Session on the Exhibit Floor:

uLEDs not just for fancy displays! A new paradigm in ultra-low power optical interconnects for AI

September 23, 2024 2:50pm 3:20pm

Chris Pfistner, VP Sales Marketing will alsobe hosting a panel at the Global Economic Photonic Forum in Malaga, Spain, the following week:

China Panel Discussion on China's evolving role in the global photonics industry

October 2, 2024 9:40am 10:55am

About Avicena

Avicena Tech Corp. is a privately held company located in Sunnyvale, CA, developing LightBundle, a next generation optical interconnect architecture for AI/ML, HPC, sensors, 5G wireless and aerospace applications. This unique, flexible ultra-low energy technology is based on microLEDs, offering both very high bandwidth and low latency. Now, system designers can disaggregate functions like compute and memory and radically grow system throughput. Avicena's technology is a key building block in the evolution of networking and computing that will reduce the energy impact on our planet.

For more information, visit https://avicena.tech.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240922201225/en/

Contacts:

Avicena Media Contact:

Sama Pourmojib

email: sama@avicena.tech
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, UN Agency Heads and other dignitaries met survivors and advocates for ending violence against children in New York on Sunday night (22 September). They are in New York for the UN General Assembly, where world leaders have come together for its 79th session (UNGA 79).

They met survivors, public figures and Government leaders from around the world, including Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland, Brazil and the UK to discuss the urgent issue at an intimate event, hosted by Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organisation and organised by Project Everyone, on the fringes of the UN General Assembly. They heard survivor testimonies as well as reflections and commitments from leaders.

This high-level gathering comes days after survivors, advocates and allies released an open letter (17 September 2024), which demands urgent action from world leaders ahead of the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, taking place in Colombia this November.

Signatories of the letter include public figures Forest Whitaker, Shudu Musida and Will Poulter, who also attended the special event.

According to World Health Organisation each year one in two of all children globally - over 1 billion - experience violence such as corporal punishment, bullying at school, online violence and sexual abuse. Other significant forms of violence include gang violence, child marriage and child labour.

Evidence shows that breakthrough solutions to end all forms of violence against children include providing parenting support, implementing school-based interventions, offering child-friendly social and health services, adopting protective laws, and ensuring a safer internet for children. Countries that implement these evidence-based strategies can reduce violence against children by up to 50%.

As MC of the event Will Poulter, Actor and Ambassador for The Diana Awards anti-bullying programme, said:

"Violence takes many forms - both physical and psychological - and each leaves a lasting impact on those who experience it. With one billion children around the world experiencing such violence, the statistics are staggering, but they represent real lives, and it's our collective responsibility to ensure that these children are protected."

View the full letter HERE .





In image 1 L-R: Dr. Daniela Ligiero, CEO of Together For Girls; H.E. Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation; Shudu Musida, UNFPA Regional Champion; H.R.H. Queen Mathilde of Belgium; Forest Whitaker, Actor and Activist; H.R.H. Princess Mabel van Oranje; Bryanna Marinas, Survivor; Will Poulter, Actor; Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health at the World Health Organisation; Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director.





In image 2 L-R: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d077140c-dd98-4abc-b523-dd11ab8aa532



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c186e9a4-fdfd-4095-9550-f58b6cd0e9c6
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Decentralized Masters, a leading DeFi educational platform, recently delved into the world of decentralized finance, providing an in-depth review of the current banking system and DeFi's place in the financial landscape.

New Findings by Decentralized Masters Highlight DeFi's Disruption

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/224192_aa97b81c34f46a05_002full.jpg

The findings by Decentralized Masters reveal that an evolution of conventional finance is underway. With public sentiment towards traditional finance approaching a tipping point, and the recent Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF approvals by the SEC, decentralized finance is taking center stage as a promising alternative to the traditional financial system. But despite being touted as the greatest wave of innovation ever seen in finance, there are lingering questions and concerns in investors' minds regarding the security and effectiveness of DeFi.

Tan Gera, CFA, and Salim Elhila, the founders of Decentralized Masters, say that all indicators point to DeFi's disruption being the future of finance. The founders stated that their findings paint a picture of a potential financial revolution rooted in the promise of security and transparency already taking shape.

With their extensive experience in the financial landscape and in-depth exploration of decentralized finance through Decentralized Masters, Tan and Salim reveal that the positive impact of DeFi is setting up a possible investment surge. Their findings uncovered significant disruptions led by DeFi and emerging shifts in traditional banking. But, even with the two playing off each other to transform the financial landscape, Tan and Salim explained that the financial revolution also relies on underlying infrastructure. Decentralized Masters review shows that the key to maximizing DeFi's capabilities is a foundation. And, with DeFi moving out of the hype phase and into financial disruption, it is aiming to be a worthy contender for traditional systems.

"With the current financial systems built around high fees, lack of transparency and the need for intermediaries, DeFi's promise of better security, transparency and efficiency stands out," said Tan. "DeFi gives users control, empowering them to become their own banks and avoid the pitfalls of traditional banking."

Salim added, "DeFi doesn't just improve upon traditional systems, it is offering a new financial blueprint defined by security, efficiency and globalized financial inclusion."

Decentralized Masters' review of DeFi's impact on conventional banking systems also revealed that DeFi is increasingly becoming recognized as the more secure and transparent choice. Salim explained that there is a growing shift in expectations for financial institutions. From the report, it is evident that the centralized nature of traditional banking is often associated with limitations and risks, whereas DeFi is considered the possible solution to these risks and limitations. "With DeFi, no single entity can exert control over the system," he noted. "This minimizes the risk of investors falling victim to scams and enhances security by removing single points of failure that hackers could target. This is why decentralized finance has become such an appealing alternative."

Decentralized Masters reveals that investors who correctly leverage the innovative technology that underpins the industry to invest in the DeFi markets have the potential to become their own bank. With opportunities such as liquidity provision in the DeFi space, the world of finance is undergoing significant alterations.

"We are seeing a divergence between DeFi's uptake and trust in traditional banking systems," Tan highlighted. "DeFi's explosive expansion has put this new financial ecosystem ahead of the pack."

Decentralized Masters shared that even though decentralized finance is commanding a lot of attention in the financial landscape right now, there is a lot of ground to cover with investors. Despite presenting investors with more control over their financial assets and closing gaps in financial inclusion, investors need a more guided navigation of this new terrain. Through Decentralized Masters, Tan and Salim offer investors an accelerated roadmap to mastering DeFi.

Visit Decentralized Masters to learn more about DeFi and acquire the necessary knowledge, systems, and tools to maximize potential in the DeFi markets.

About Decentralized Masters:

Decentralized Masters is the leading DeFi Educational platform that combines elite education with a thriving community of industry-leading analysts and experts in the DeFi space.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224192

SOURCE: Plentisoft
Roche's CINtec PLUS Cytology is the only FDA-approved and CE-marked dual-stain test to triage human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cervical cancer screening test results

Dual-stain biomarkers aid in detection of cervical precancer and may reduce the number of women who undergo unnecessary colposcopy procedures while allowing earlier intervention for those who are at higher risk of developing cervical cancer.

This recognition follows the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP)'s recent inclusion of dual-stain testing in cervical cancer screening guidelines, as well as other WHO prequalifications of Roche's cobas HPV test



Basel, 23 September 2024 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the World Health Organization (WHO) has included dual-stain cytology testing in its cervical cancer prevention guideline.1 The Roche CINtec PLUS Cytology test is the only FDA-approved and CE-marked dual-stain test that helps identify human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive individuals who are most at risk of developing cervical precancer and cancer.

The WHO joins the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP), which in March also updated its cervical cancer screening guidelines2 to include dual-stain as a triage test for HPV-positive individuals. If the dual-stain test is positive, the patient is at higher risk of having or developing precancer or cancer, and clinicians should recommend immediate colposcopy. However, if the dual-stain test is negative, the risk of precancer is low and individuals may follow up by retesting at a later time to determine if their body has taken care of the infection and eliminated the risk on its own. This may result in fewer women unnecessarily undergoing colposcopy procedures.

"Adding dual-stain cytology to the WHO guidelines further reinforces the value of our biomarker-based CINtec PLUS Cytology test to identify patients with an elevated risk of cervical cancer," said Matt Sause, CEO of Roche Diagnostics. "HPV infections can cause cervical cancer, a potentially deadly disease that is highly preventable. Consequently, it is critical to determine who is most at risk."

The CINtec PLUS Cytology test can simultaneously detect when two biomarkers (p16 and Ki-67) are present within the same cell - a strong indicator that it is undergoing transformation and may turn cancerous. By identifying those individuals who are at higher risk of developing cervical disease, CINtec PLUS Cytology helps provide labs, clinicians and patients with important information to guide patient management. This could reduce the number and frequency of follow-up visits, saving worry, time and money. The test can be performed using the same liquid sample that is used for HPV or Pap cytology testing, eliminating the need for additional or repeat sample collection.

The revised WHO guidelines represent an important step forward in achieving the organisation's three cervical cancer elimination goals3, and a catalyst for ensuring that 90% of those identified with cervical disease receive appropriate treatment. With the recent news that the WHO has awarded prequalification designation to the cobas HPV test on the cobas 4800, Roche's entire portfolio of HPV tests on the 4800, 5800, 6800 and 8800 systems is now WHO prequalification-approved for both clinician-collected and self-collected samples.

About the Roche Cervical Cancer Portfolio

HPV is the known cause of more than 95% of all cervical cancers.4 Roche's cervical cancer portfolioincludes the cobas HPV test, used for primary screening and co-testing. While Pap cytology can potentially detect abnormalities in the cervix, cobas HPV detects 14 types of high-risk HPV genotypes that put patients at higher risk of developing cervical cancer. It includes results for HPV 16, HPV 18 and 12 other high-risk pooled genotypes.3

The HPV self-collection solution is approved for use with Roche's cobas HPV test. The cobas HPV test runs on the cobas 4800 and the fully automated cobas 5800/6800/8800 Systems, which offer the fastest time to results, providing up to 96 results in about three hours, and 384 results for the cobas 6800 System and 1,056 results for the cobas 8800 System in an eight hour shift. The portfolio also includes CINtec PLUS Cytology, the only FDA-approved dual-stain cytology product and CINtec Histology, the only FDA-cleared p16 biomarker technology that can help pathologists confirm the presence of pre-cancerous cervical lesions. The CINtec PLUS Cytology test can run on the BenchMark ULTRA IHC/ISH system. In countries accepting the CE mark, the CINtec PLUS Cytology test can be used to triage HPV-positive results.

The IMPACTtrial, used to validate the clinical performance of the Roche cervical cancer portfolio, had representation from diverse patient segments, including 21 percent Black, 24 percent Hispanic-Latino and 0.3 percent American Indian or Alaskan Native participants.5 This diversity was critical to accurately assess the performance of the cobas HPV test and dual stain cytology in patient populations with higher incident rates of HPV. Learn more now: http://diagnostics.roche.com.

Roche is piloting a disease management software called navify Cervical Screening. It aims to support health systems to increase adherence to clinical guidelines, reduce under- and over-testing and optimise healthcare resources with an organised approach to screening.



About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com .

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.



References

[1] World Health Organization. WHO guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention: use of dual-stain cytology to triage women after a positive test for human papillomavirus

[2] American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology [Internet; updated 2024 March 11; cited August 14] Available from: https://www.asccp.org/enduring-guidelines-process

[3] World Health Organization. Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem. Article [Internet; updated 2020 November 17; cited 2023 Jan 3] Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240014107

[4] National Cancer Institute. HPV and Cancer. Fact sheet [Internet; cited 2024 June 4] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer#:~:text=Sexually%20transmitted%20HPV%20types%20fall,for%20most%20HPV%2Drelated%20cancers

[5] Safaeian M, Wright TC Jr, Stoler MH, Ranger-Moore J, Rehm S, Aslam S, Fang Q, Volkir P, Ridder R. The IMproving Primary Screening And Colposcopy Triage trial: human papillomavirus, cervical cytology, and histopathologic results from the baseline and 1-year follow-up phase. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Sep;225(3):278.e1-278.e16. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.03.047. Epub 2021 Apr 20. PMID: 33852886



Roche Global Media Relations

Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com

Hans Trees, PhD

Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech

Phone: +41 79 935 81 48



Nathalie Altermatt

Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas

Phone: +34 620 29 25 51



Simon Goldsborough

Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine

Phone: +41 79 461 86 83



Nina Mahlitz

Phone: +41 79 327 54 74 Kirti Pandey

Phone: +49 172 6367262



Yvette Petillon

Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr. Rebekka Schnell

Phone: +41 79 205 27 03

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Sensorion reported positive initial safety data on the First Patient Injected in Audiogene, its Phase 1/2 gene therapy clinical trial of SENS-501

Sensorion announced positive final results of the Phase 2a clinical trial of SENS-401 after cochlear implantation

Sensorion reported preliminary safety and efficacy data in the NOTOXIS trial, a Phase 2a clinical study of SENS-401 in the prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity

Regulatory News:

Sensorion (FR0012596468 ALSEN) a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat and prevent within the field of hearing loss disorders, today announces the detailed results of its clinical programs (SENS-501 and SENS-401), which were unveiled on September 20, 2024, during a symposium hosted by the Company and an oral presentation at the 36th World Congress of Audiology, held in Paris, France.

Nawal Ouzren, Chief Executive Officer of Sensorion, said: "Sensorion is making tremendous progress across its hearing care franchise of innovative therapies for the restoration, prevention and treatment of hearing loss disorders. Notably, we have made significant advances in our gene therapy clinical trial, Audiogene, for the restoration of hearing in very young patients born with severe to profound hearing loss caused by mutations in the gene encoding for otoferlin. This program received regulatory approval in January 2024, and we are today confident that we will have treated the first cohort of patients by year end 2024, with one patient already injected and two additional patients already screened. I am very thankful to the parents of these patients for their trust and also to the study investigators participating in this study for their dedication.

I am also very pleased with the progress made with SENS-401 portfolio. We have reported the final results, including the positive secondary efficacy endpoints, of our Phase 2a clinical trial for the preservation of residual hearing, developed in collaboration with Cochlear Limited. Our second Phase 2a clinical trial of SENS-401, in the prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity, is progressing as planned and I am looking forward to the completion of the recruitment in H1 2025.

Sensorion is more than ever striving to advance its innovative programs to potentially transform the quality of hearing of patients living with hearing disorders, a significant global unmet medical need

SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) Audiogene

Sensorion announced that the first patient in the Audiogene trial has been injected in Q3 2024 in Australia by the team of Professor Catherine Birman, Otorhinolaryngologist, and Director of the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre.

Audiogene aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of intra-cochlear injection of SENS-501 for the treatment of OTOF gene-mediated hearing impairment in paediatric patients aged 6 to 31 months at the time of gene therapy treatment. Targeting the first years of life, the time period when the auditory system plasticity is optimal, will maximize the chances of these young children with pre-lingual hearing loss to acquire normal speech and language. The design of the study consists of two cohorts of two doses followed by an expansion cohort at the selected dose. While the safety will be the primary endpoint for the dose escalation cohort, the auditory brainstem response (ABR) will be the primary efficacy endpoint of the dose expansion cohort. Audiogene will also assess the clinical safety, performance, and usability of the administration device system developed by Sensorion.

According to the inclusion criteria, the first patient enrolled in Audiogene suffers from profound to severe hearing loss caused by mutations of the gene encoding for otoferlin. The administration of the gene therapy product was uneventful and well tolerated by the patient. Initial safety data indicate that no serious or adverse events were detected in the child following administration of SENS-501. The medical condition of the child (upper respiratory infection unrelated to SENS-501 injection) at the time of efficacy assessment (ABR Month 1) did not allow to get reliable hearing sensitivity. From early observations, changes in the child's behaviour and vocalisations were noted.

Sensorion continues the recruitment of patients in Audiogene Phase 1/2 study and announces that two additional patients have been screened. The Company anticipates the completion of the first cohort of patients (three patients) by the end of 2024 as well as the publication of initial efficacy data by year-end 2024. The recruitment completion of the second cohort (3 patients) is planned by the end of the first half of 2025.

Professor Catherine Birman, ENT, Otorhinolaryngologist, and Director of the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre, declared: "I am very excited to participate in this groundbreaking gene therapy trial that may have the potential to transform the lives of the babies carrying the OTOF gene mutation. I am grateful to the family of the first patient to receive the gene therapy for placing their trust in this innovative approach and potentially paving the way for the use of gene therapies in the field of hearing loss. I am looking forward to following the progress of the first patient in the follow-up period and further recruitment of patients in Audiogene assessing SENS-501 efficacy

SENS-401 Cochlear Implantation

Sensorion's Phase 2a clinical study of SENS-401 for the preservation of residual hearing loss after cochlear implantation is now completed with the last patient having completed the follow-up period. Overall, 16 patients were treated with SENS-401 and 8 were in the control group. The Company reported the analysis of the final results during its symposium, held at the World Congress of Audiology, on September 20, 2024.

As a reminder, the study is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label trial designed to assess the presence of SENS-401 in the perilymph after 7 days of repeated oral administration in adult participants over 18 years old undergoing cochlear implantation. On March 11, 2024, Sensorion confirmed the presence of SENS-401 in the perilymph at levels compatible with potential therapeutic efficacy in 100% of the patients sampled, 7 days after the start of the treatment. These results demonstrated that SENS-401 administered orally crossed the labyrinth barrier and confirmed that the primary endpoint was met.

The study design also included a number of secondary endpoints, notably the change of hearing threshold from baseline to the end of the treatment period in the implanted ear at several frequencies. Study entry criteria required patients to have a pure tone audiometry (PTA) threshold of 80 dB or better (i.e., =80 dB) at 500 Hz, defined as indicating a minimal level of residual hearing.

The final results show that after 7 weeks of treatment with SENS-401 (and 6 weeks after cochlear implantation), the reduction in residual hearing loss was systematically better at all frequencies in the treated group with SENS-401. This protective effect was also observed 8 weeks after cessation of treatment (14 weeks post-cochlear implantation). The results show that solely the SENS-401 treated patients showed a complete hearing preservation (40% of patients) compared to the control group (0% of patients).

Additionally, these data validate the favourable safety profile of SENS-401 in treated patients, in line with previous studies of 125 patients exposed to SENS-401.

These positive results strongly support the continuation of the clinical development of SENS-401 for hearing preservation in treated patients.

Stephen O'Leary, Head of otorhinolaryngology, University of Melbourne said: "The final results of the SENS-401 Phase 2a study are very encouraging as they support the conclusion that the administration of SENS-401 preserves residual hearing in patients undergoing cochlear implantation. This represents a crucial step towards for cochlear implantation candidates as residual hearing is very important to maintain and improve the quality of hearing of such patients. Residual hearing loss usually occurs mainly in the first 6 months after surgery; thus, early action is crucial.

These positive data encourage us to pursue the clinical development of SENS-401, in order to offer innovative therapeutic treatments to patients scheduled for cochlear implantation as the level of residual hearing preservation showed in the study means patients have a better chance of understanding speech against background noise and perceiving more natural sound quality with speech and sounds."

SENS-401 (Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity, CIO) NOTOXIS

Sensorion is conducting another clinical study of SENS-401 in the prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity (CIO). NOTOXIS is a Phase 2a, multi-center, randomized, controlled and open-label study designed to assess the efficacy of SENS-401 in the prevention of CIO in adult subjects with neoplastic disease. The preliminary analyses presented were conducted on 16 patients (7 in the treated with SENS-401 group, and 9 in the control group).

The preliminary results presented indicate that the incidence of ototoxicity in the control group is consistent with published data. Despite significant exposure to cisplatin in the treatment group, most participants showed only mild ototoxicity. The SENS-401 group received higher cumulative doses of cisplatin than the control group. The preliminary results suggest a potential trend toward an otoprotective effect of SENS-401 beyond a cisplatin dose of 300 mg/m2.

SENS-401 showed a favourable safety profile with no new or unexpected serious adverse events after 23 weeks of twice-daily oral exposure, a longer duration than previous studies. Safety results are consistent with previous studies involving a total of 125 patients exposed to SENS-401.

Adverse events reported included constipation and nausea, as expected.

These preliminary data suggest that the cumulative dose of cisplatin is a key factor in the severity of ototoxicity. So far, the data show no significant difference in ototoxicity between the 2 groups. Patients most exposed to cisplatin may benefit more from the otoprotective effect of SENS-401.

Sensorion anticipates the patient recruitment completion in H1 2025. A more detailed analysis will be carried out on all patients at the end of the study.

Professor Yann Nguyen, ENT Surgeon, Pitie Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France, declared: "The results of the Phase 2a study of SENS-401 in the NOTOXIS program are encouraging. Ototoxicity is a debilitating condition in patients following cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Hearing loss caused by cisplatin is often diagnosed when it's too late, and it is permanent and irreversible. Therefore, it is paramount to pursue the development of a therapeutic solution, that has the potential to prevent cisplatin-induced ototoxicity without interfering with cisplatin efficacy. I am very satisfied with the drug safety profile and the otoprotective trend suggested by the preliminary data, and I am impatient to advance Sensorion's small molecule further in this study."

A recording of the symposium held on September 20, 2024, at the World Congress of Audiology will be available on the Company's website in the coming days.

About SENS-501

SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) is an innovative gene therapy program developed to treat a specific form of congenital deafness linked to mutations in the OTOF (otoferlin) gene. This gene plays a key role in the transmission of auditory signals between the hair cells of the inner ear and the auditory nerve. When this gene is defective, affected individuals are born with severe to profound hearing loss.

The aim of SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) is to restore hearing by introducing a functional copy of the OTOF gene directly into hair cells via viral vector technology (AAV). By replacing the defective gene, this therapy aims to restore the normal process of converting sound into electrical signals, enabling patients to regain their hearing ability.

Currently in the pre-clinical research phase, this gene therapy program represents significant hope for families affected by this rare form of genetic deafness. SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) embodies a commitment to scientific innovation in the field of hearing, with the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life of patients suffering from genetic deafness.

This gene therapy for patients suffering from otoferlin deficiency has been developed in the framework of RHU AUDINNOVE, a consortium composed of Sensorion with the Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, the Institut Pasteur, and the Fondation pour l'Audition. The project is partially financed by the French National Research Agency, through the "investing for the future" program (ref: ANR-18-RHUS-0007).

About SENS-401

SENS-401 (Arazasetron), Sensorion's clinical stage lead drug candidate, is an orally available small molecule that aims to protect and preserve inner ear tissue from damage responsible of progressive or sequelae hearing impairment. Sensorion currently develops SENS-401 in a Phase 2 clinical trial for the prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity and has completed a Phase 2a study to prevent residual hearing loss in patients scheduled for cochlear implantation. SENS-401 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the EMA in Europe for the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and by the FDA in the U.S. for the prevention of platinum-induced ototoxicity in pediatric population.

About Sensorion

Sensorion is a pioneering clinical-stage biotech company, which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat, and prevent hearing loss disorders, a significant global unmet medical need. Sensorion has built a unique R&D technology platform to expand its understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of inner ear related diseases, enabling it to select the best targets and mechanisms of action for drug candidates.

It has two gene therapy programs aimed at correcting hereditary monogenic forms of deafness, developed in the framework of its broad strategic collaboration focused on the genetics of hearing with the Institut Pasteur. SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) currently being developed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, targets deafness caused by mutations of the gene encoding for otoferlin and GJB2-GT targets hearing loss related to mutations in GJB2 gene to potentially address important hearing loss segments in adults and children. The Company is also working on the identification of biomarkers to improve diagnosis of these underserved illnesses.

Sensorion's portfolio also comprises clinical-stage small molecule programs for the treatment and prevention of hearing loss disorders. Sensorion's clinical-stage portfolio includes one Phase 2 product: SENS-401 (Arazasetron) progressing in a planned Phase 2 proof of concept clinical study of SENS-401 in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity (CIO) and, with partner Cochlear Limited, has completed in a study of SENS-401 in patients scheduled for cochlear implantation. A Phase 2 study of SENS-401 was also completed in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) in January 2022.

www.sensorion.com

Label: SENSORION

ISIN: FR0012596468

Mnemonic: ALSEN

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Sensorion and its business. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions that Sensorion considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will be verified, which statements are subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in the 2023 full year report published on March 14, 2024, and available on our website and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Sensorion operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Sensorion or not currently considered material by Sensorion. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Sensorion to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Sensorion shares in any country. The communication of this press release in certain countries may constitute a violation of local laws and regulations. Any recipient of this press release must inform oneself of any such local restrictions and comply therewith.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240922873162/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Noemie Djokovic, Investor Relations and Communication Associate

ir.contact@sensorion-pharma.com

Press Relations

Ulysse Communication

Bruno Arabian 00 33(0)6 87 88 47 26

barabian@ulysse-communication.com

Nicolas Entz 00 33 (0)6 33 67 31 54

nentz@ulysse-communication.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

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The certification confirms Wolters Kluwer's commitment to fostering an inclusive and gender-equal work environment

Wolters Kluwer Italia, a leader in professional information, software solutions, and services, today announced it has successfully obtained its Gender Equality Certification (UNI PdR 125:2022), awarded by the certification body RINA, global certification company active in more than seventy countries.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240922964185/en/

The Diversity, Equity Inclusion (DEI) Select Committee of Wolters Kluwer Italia receives the certification for Gender Equality from the certifying body RIINA. From left to right: Emanuela Delogu, Marco Bitossi and Giulietta Lemmi (Wolters Kluwer Italia), Daniela Asaro (RIINA), Giuseppe Peduto (Wolters Kluwer Italia) and Mario Toscani (RIINA) (Photo: Business Wire)

This year, Wolters Kluwer Italia established a Steering Committee tasked with integrating the existing corporate policy with the areas outlined by UNI PdR 125:2022. This standard requires the adoption of specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across six evaluation areas that characterize an inclusive and gender-respectful organization.

The six areas-culture and strategy, governance, human resources processes, opportunities for women's growth and inclusion within the company, gender pay equity, and protection of parenthood and work-life balance-were thoroughly analyzed by the certification body and contributed to achieving the required score for certification.

"This significant recognition confirms our company's commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive work environment where every individual has equal opportunities for growth and success, regardless of gender," said Giulietta Lemmi, CEO of Wolters Kluwer Italia. "This milestone is not an endpoint, as we aim to continuously improve and innovate our practices in favor of gender equality. We thank all our employees, partners, and stakeholders who contributed to this achievement. Together, we continue to build a more equitable and inclusive future for everyone."

Achieving certification for all Wolters Kluwer Italian locations (Milan, Rome, Turin, Bassano del Grappa, Bitritto, and Ancona) indicates the company's progress towards enduring change, which integrates gender equality into an organization values and ethos.

"We are pleased to have certified Wolters Kluwer Italia according to the UNI/PdR 125:2022 standard, which certifies the adoption of a management system aimed at preventing gender discrimination, confirming the company's concrete commitment to the well-being of its employees," says Mario Toscani, Commercial Director of RINA. "This well-being derives from the organization's in-depth work in promoting and spreading a culture that overcomes any stereotype related to gender, identity, or expression, with the aim of preserving diversity, equity, and inclusion. By obtaining this certification, companies embark on a path of improvement both in terms of performance and reputation."

The "Gender Equality Certification System" is part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) under the authority of the Department for Equal Opportunities of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software solutions and services for professionals in healthcare; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2023 annual revenues of 5.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,400 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240922964185/en/

Contacts:

Shannon Wherry

Associate Director, External Communications Tax Accounting

Wolters Kluwer

Office +1 972-209-2767

shannon.wherry@wolterskluwer.com
Regulatory News:

HSBC Continental Europe has reached an agreement to sell its private banking business in Germany to BNP Paribas. The potential transaction is subject to relevant governmental approvals and the conclusion of negotiations with the Works Council in Germany. The potential transaction, which is anticipated to generate a gain on sale, is expected to complete in the second half of 2025. Approximately 120 staff members and the assets and customers of HSBC Germany's private banking business would be transferred to BNP Paribas as part of the sale.

Michael Schleef, CEO of HSBC Germany, said: "We are very pleased that we have found a strategic buyer for our private banking activities in Germany who is well positioned to take the business forward. The transaction will simplify our business model in Germany and will enable us to further focus on our international wholesale banking business."

About HSBC Continental Europe

Headquartered in Paris, HSBC Continental Europe is an indirectly held subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC Continental Europe principally comprises, in addition to its banking, insurance and asset management activities based in France, the business activities of 10 European branches (in Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden) and two banking subsidiaries in Continental Europe (in Luxembourg and Malta). HSBC Continental Europe's mission is to serve both customers in Continental Europe for their needs worldwide and customers in other Group countries for their needs in Continental Europe.

About HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 60 countries and territories. With assets of US$2,975bn at 30 June 2024, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations.

About HSBC Global Private Banking

HSBC Global Private Banking helps clients manage, grow and preserve their wealth for generations to come. Its network of global experts helps clients access investment opportunities around the world, plan for the future with wealth and succession planning, manage their portfolio with tailored solutions, and find the right support for their philanthropy. www.privatebanking.hsbc.com

About BNP Paribas in Germany

BNP Paribas is the European Union's leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 63 countries with around 183,000 employees, including nearly 146,000 in Europe. The BNP Paribas Group has been active in Germany since 1947 and has successfully positioned itself on the market with twelve entities. Private customers, companies and institutions are looked after by roughly 6,000 employees in all relevant economic regions all over the country. The wide-ranging products and services offered by BNP Paribas are that of an innovative universal bank.

Germany is a core market for the BNP Paribas Group as the targeted growth here is geared towards continuity and one of the cornerstones of BNP Paribas' strategy for Europe. BNP Paribas is a market leader in many areas or occupies key positions on the market and is one of the best capitalised banks in the world.

www.bnpparibas.de

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240920590938/en/

Contacts:

Jens Friedrich +49-211-910-1789 jens.friedrich@hsbc.de

Sophie Ricord +33 6 89 10 17 62 sophie.ricord@hsbc.fr

Raphaele-Marie Hirsch +33 7 64 57 35 55 raphaele.marie.hirsch@hsbc.fr
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Molnlycke Health Care partners with Ondine for Steriwave distribution collaboration in the key markets of the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Gothenburg, Sweden 23 September 2024. Molnlycke Health Care, a world-leading MedTech company that specialises in innovative solutions for wound care and surgical procedures and Ondine Biomedical Inc. (LON: OBI), a Canadian life sciences company pioneering light-activated antimicrobial treatments, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to bring Ondine's Steriwave nasal decolonisation technology to the United Kingdom, EU and Middle East markets.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the fight against healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as Steriwave safely reduces hospital infections without generating AMR. Steriwave, a non-antibiotic, light-activated nasal decolonisation therapy, has been clinically proven1-5 to reduce harmful pathogens in the nasal passages, a common source of HAIs and cause of higher rates of mortality, length of stay and readmissions. Molnlycke's established distribution networks, strong brand and market presence in over 100 countries make it an ideal partner to accelerate the adoption of Steriwave.

The first market focus, starting later this year, is the pivotal UK market where Steriwave is already deployed in a number of National Health Service (NHS) Trusts, including, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. Steriwave is also listed with NHS Supply Chain, a national body that manages the sourcing, delivery and supply of healthcare products to the NHS and healthcare organisations in England and Wales. The UK, with a total addressable market of over 3 million major surgeries annually6 and over 200,000 annual intensive care unit (ICU) admissions,7 has significant global influence in setting best practice for patient care.

Molnlycke will incorporate Steriwave as a key product in its infection control portfolio, enhancing its product offerings with a focus on preventing HAIs and reducing AMR. Distribution will commence in the UK in Q4 2024, followed by expansion into the EU and Middle East regions in 2025, leveraging Molnlycke's extensive market presence to ultimately broaden the impact of this innovative technology on a global scale. Molnlycke will spearhead sales and marketing efforts across the UK, EU, and Middle East.

Lina Karlsson, Executive Vice President Antiseptics, Molnlycke, stated: "Molnlycke's purpose is to revolutionise care for people and planet. In the Antiseptics business area, we do this by making patient skin decolonisation manageable and motivational. We believe that Steriwave can improve the lives of millions of people, fitting perfectly with our purpose and mission. The ability to rapidly eliminate multiple drug-resistant pathogens without generating antimicrobial resistance is key to our sustainability initiative, and complements our Hibiwash brand skin prep line, enabling us to provide comprehensive 'nose-to-toes' decolonisation prior to surgery. Universal decolonisation is now a well-accepted practice to improve surgical outcomes and produce significant cost savings to healthcare systems."

Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine Biomedical, commented: "We are excited to be partnering with Molnlycke Health Care, whose global reach, corporate vision and commitment to sustainable healthcare aligns perfectly with our own core values, purpose and mission. The Molnlycke collaboration represents a transformative step towards our ambitious plans to combat HAIs and antimicrobial resistance globally. We look forward to working with Molnlycke in these initial key markets and beyond."

HAIs remain a critical challenge across the world, consuming approximately 6% of European public sector budgets8 and resulting in significant costs, avoidable deaths, and human suffering. Post-surgical infections, in particular, extend recovery times and often require prolonged antibiotic treatment, something the UK government is actively seeking to reduce as part of its 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance, published in May 2024 9.

Nasal decolonisation is recommended in the 2016 WHO Global guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infections10, and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) guidelines, published in May 2023, recommend nasal decolonisation for major surgical procedures11.

Steriwave uses a patented light-activated agent to rapidly eliminate infection-causing pathogens in a single, 5-minute treatment. The process works so rapidly that pathogens do not have the opportunity to develop resistance,12 making it an effective alternative to antibiotics. Hospitals using Steriwave have reported high levels of staff and patient compliance. Steriwave has also been proven to be highly effective against drug-resistant pathogens. A 2023 study showed that Steriwave is highly effective (>99.99% kills in 20 seconds) against both moderately drug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens.13

For more information, contact:

Mathilda Blomsterberg

Global Communications Manager Antiseptics, Molnlycke

Tel: +46 737 73 38 14

Email: mathilda.blomsterberg@molnlycke.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/molnlycke/r/molnlycke-and-ondine-join-forces-against-hais,c4040031

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EQS-News: Grey / Key word(s): Product Launch

Cross-border Payment Startup, Grey, Launches USDC Stablecoin Payout Option



23.09.2024 / 11:00 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





US-based cross-border payments company Grey introduces USDC payout options for users in Europe, Asia, North, and South America to leverage the Ethereum and TRON networks to send USDC directly to external wallet addresses

SAN FRANCISCO, California, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ -- Cross-border payment innovator, Grey ( https://Grey.co ), announces the launch of USDC (USD Coin) as a payout option on its platform, further expanding its reach. This move comes on the heels of Grey's successful expansion into Latin America and Southeast Asia.

With the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, particularly the stablecoin USDC, Grey recognises the need for flexible and reliable payment options for its global user base. The USDC payout options will be available for users in regions where the local currency is not yet offered as a payout option.

This integration with USDC addresses the growing demand for borderless transactions, especially among location-independent individuals like digital nomads and gig economy workers. USDC offers stability, accessibility, and ease of use, making it a valuable tool for these users.

Grey's co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Idorenyin Obong, wrote via X, "From today, customers all over the world can get a US account with Grey and payout fiat or USDC. Globalisation has always been our game plan. From inception, we saw a need for our product in different countries, so opening access to more markets was a major priority. We're finally making that happen."

Grey's promise of globalisation to its users has fuelled its rapid growth. The company recently surpassed a significant milestone of one million users, which shows user trust and confidence in the brand, which was earned through its inclusive and accessible financial solutions.

Grey remains dedicated to expanding its service offerings. The introduction of USDC payouts complements their existing services, including multi-currency accounts, low-cost international money transfers, and virtual cards. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures Grey remains at the forefront of meeting the evolving needs of its global user base.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Grey.

Download image (1): https://apo-opa.co/3MRlJrO (Caption: Grey introduces USDC payout option to its platform)

Download image (2): https://apo-opa.co/4ex2YFM (Caption: Idorenyin Obong, Co-founder & CEO, Grey)

For all press-related inquiries, please contact:

oyinda@grey.co

About Grey:

Grey is at the forefront of providing secure and convenient global banking solutions to meet the needs of customers and businesses. With a Money Service Business license from FINTRAC in Canada and FinCEN in the USA, Grey, whose primary focus is emerging markets, has created a range of services that enable individuals and businesses to own and manage their foreign bank accounts easily, including currency exchange and access to virtual cards. Grey Inc., a company duly incorporated under the laws of Delaware, USA, is the provider of Grey's services.

For more information about Grey, visit https://Grey.co

23.09.2024 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


Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Core Nickel Corp. (CSE: CNCO) ("Core Nickel" or the "Company") announces that it proposes to undertake an up to $1,500,000 non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of flow-through units (each, a "FT Unit") to be sold to eligible purchasers at a price of $0.30 per FT Unit. Each FT Unit will consist of one common share of the Company to be issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each, a "FT Share") and one common share purchase warrant. Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one non-flow-through common share of the Company at a price of $0.30 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months after the closing date of the Offering.

The gross proceeds received from the sale of the FT Units will be used to fund "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's properties in the Thompson Nickel Belt, Manitoba on or before December 31, 2025, and the Company will renounce all of the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers of the FT Shares effective December 31, 2024.

The Company's 100%-owned Mel Deposit Project is located only 25 km from Vale's operating Thompson Mill Complex. The Mel Deposit hosts a historic estimate with an indicated resource of 4.3 million tonnes grading 0.88% nickel and a historic inferred estimate of 1.0 million tonnes grading 0.84% nickel. The Mel Deposit has not been drilled since 2011 but is open for expansion both at depth and along strike.

The Company also owns 100% of the Halfway Lake Project, located only 15 km from the Bucko Mill. A preliminary 3-hole drill program completed by the Company in early 2024 intersected 91 metres grading 0.37% nickel with localized 1.0 m intersections grading over 1.0% nickel in drillhole HFW-002, from a vertical depth of approximately 120 metres. The Company believes this wide zone of shallow, ultramafic-hosted disseminated nickel-sulphide mineralization indicates potential proximity to a higher-grade massive sulphide zone, which is the typical host of the numerous past-producing and operating mines in the Thompson district.

The Company will pay finders' fees to eligible finders in connection with the Offering, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE.

Certain directors of the Company (the "Insiders") may acquire securities in connection with the Offering. Such participation by Insiders is considered a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects that it will be exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the Insiders' acquisition of securities in reliance of sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, on the basis that the aggregate number of securities acquired by the Insiders will not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization.

All securities issued and sold under the Offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from their date of issuance in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws.

About Core Nickel

Core Nickel Corp. is a junior nickel exploration company that controls 100% of five properties in the prolific nickel district, the Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB) in Northern Manitoba, Canada. The five properties consist of approximately 27,000 hectares of land that is proximal to existing infrastructure, such as highways, railways, major hydroelectric transmission lines, and operating mills.

Core Nickel has a large contiguous land package in the northern part of the TNB, situated approximately 16-20 km from the City of Thompson. Core Nickel's northern TNB projects consist of three properties: Mel, Hunter, and Odei River. The Mel property encompasses the Mel deposit, which is characterized by a historical NI-43-101 resource estimate with an indicated resource of 4.3 million tonnes at 0.875% nickel, equating to 82.5 million lbs contained nickel, and a historical inferred resource estimate of 1.0 million tonnes at 0.839% nickel, equating to 18.7 million pounds of contained nickel1. The target stratigraphy (Pipe Formation) that hosts the Mel deposit, and other deposits in the Thompson Nickel Belt, extend onto the Hunter and Odei River properties and drillhole intersections into the target stratigraphy on the Hunter project have successfully intersected elevated nickel.



Map: Core Nickel's Thompson Nickel Belt Properties



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The Company also holds two properties in the central TNB near Wabowden: Halfway Lake and Resting Lake. Both properties host the target Pipe Formation associated with known elevated nickel mineralization and are proximal to existing nickel deposits, mills, and other infrastructure.

The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Caitlin Glew, P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for Core Nickel Corp., who has reviewed and approved its contents.

References

1 "Technical Report on the Mel Deposit, Northern Manitoba" prepared for Victory Nickel Inc, Shane Naccashian (P. Geo.) of Wardrop Engineering Inc., March 9, 2007

Technical Disclosure

The historical results contained within this news release have been captured from Manitoba Integrated Mining and Quarrying System ("iMaQs") as available and may be incomplete or subject to minor location inaccuracies. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject properties.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Misty Urbatsch"

Misty Urbatsch

CEO, President and Director

Core Nickel Corp.

Contacts:

Also find us online:



Website: www.corenickel.com

X: https://x.com/CoreNickel

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept 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/224189

SOURCE: Core Nickel Corp.
Charlotte, North Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - ChristianSteven Software is once again transforming Business Intelligence workflows with a new feature-rich software launch. This time, the software company is thrilled to introduce the number one Tableau report scheduler - Advanced Tableau Report Scheduler (ATRS). Available today on the ChristianSteven Software website, the innovative tool solves all Tableau report scheduling showstoppers with its advanced features and unattended scheduling.

ChristianSteven Software Announces the Launch of ATRS, A Feature-Rich, Revolutionary Tableau Report Scheduler

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Despite being a critical business process, Tableau report management remains a significant challenge for businesses due to the time-consuming manual processes. Christian Ofori-Boateng, the CEO of ChristianSteven Software, explained that in today's fast-moving business landscape, organizations cannot afford to sleep on BI reporting, automation, and scheduling. ChristianSteven Software has produced many business process automation solutions for over two decades to help organizations work smarter. The company's Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Report Distribution software solutions have served at least 5000 clients in 47 countries.

"Businesses need timely, accurate insights to stay competitive," he said. "At ChristianSteven Software, we believe that information and business reports shape and drive business continuity and growth. Therefore, our mission is to produce intuitive, user-friendly BI reporting, automation and scheduling tools that facilitate streamlined workflows."

With this new release, ChristianSteven Software has focused on Tableau report management. ATRS is designed to streamline Tableau report scheduling, allowing businesses more flexibility and control over managing and scheduling Tableau reports within their organization. The on-premise software solution ushers a new era of precision, enhanced efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.





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ATRS stands out for its intuitive nature, which, according to Christian, presents a strategic advantage for businesses, allowing them to allocate their resources more effectively. This powerful tool is engineered to simplify the setup of report schedules based on specific dates, times, and events, saving businesses time and financial resources.

Another key feature of ATRS is its automation capabilities. ChristianSteven Software has ensured that from this initial version of the software, users can effortlessly automate the distribution of critical Tableau reports. ATRS not only simplifies reporting but also ensures that the right data reaches the right people at the right time. "ATRS changes the way businesses interact with data from their Tableau dashboards," explained Christian. "Whether it's daily sales figures, weekly performance metrics of monthly financial summaries, our tool pushes forward a new era of reliable, flexible and efficient report distribution."

Tableau report exports allow users to customize emails for a professional personal touch. The Tableau report scheduler caters to the diverse needs of modern business communication, including securing critical data. ATRS supports file encryption, security settings, watermarks, and DRM. The new tool demonstrates flexibility by delivering Tableau reports anywhere, from Slack to Google Drive, Email, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, and Office 365, in any format, including PDF, CSV, Word, Excel, and PNG. It is noteworthy that ATRS can share single or packages of Tableau reports automatically. The software efficiently consolidates multiple reports into a single workbook in Excel with individually named tabs for enhanced data clarity.

"We are welcoming organizations to a new era of operational excellence," added Christian. "With ATRS, it is easy for businesses to automate the filtering, distribution and delivery of their Tableau reports. Users get to define their schedule, specifying how often they would like each report to run, who and where it should be sent to or what events should trigger certain reports."

As an on-premise solution, ATRS is installed directly on a server within an organization's environment. ChristianSteven Software understands business concerns about their data being accessed by people outside their organization and, therefore, ensures that all data is securely stored on the server where the software is installed or an enterprise SQL server database managed by the business on site.

ATRS is not just the number one Tableau report scheduler; it is a strategic business asset that empowers data management and intelligent automation. The new tool is also designed to cater to the needs of businesses of all sizes, big or small, across industries. ChristianSteven Software invites businesses to embrace ATRS as it represents a breakthrough in Tableau reporting efficiency.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224164

SOURCE: Plentisoft
GAOBEIDIAN, China, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 20, the 2024 ChinaGaobeidian International Windoor Festival, alongside the 2024 ChinaGaobeidian International Green and Healthy Building Conference, commenced. This significant event attracted over 20,000 attendees, including experts, scholars, industry leaders, and more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 50 countries and regions, all gathering in Gaobeidian City, Hebei Province, to participate in this authoritative international event focused on green and healthy buildings.

The event, lasting three days, is themed "Strengthening International Cooperation for Green Transition and Advancing the Development of Green Low-Carbon Buildings." It is organized by the Baoding Municipal Government, the China Construction Metal Structure Association, the China Association of Building Energy Efficiency, the China Energy Conservation Association, and the China Academy of Building Research and hosted by the Gaobeidian Municipal Government and Hebei Orient Sundar Group.

The conference features over ten industry-themed sessions, focusing on international trends, experience sharing, technical systems and practices, green building materials, and quality housing. More than 150 distinguished experts and professors from many other countries and regions, alongside renowned domestic academicians and scholars, engaged in in-depth discussions, providing constructive and forward-looking solutions related to enhancing living environments, global climate governance, and energy conservation and emission reduction.

Covering an area of 60,000 square meters, the festival's exhibition area hosts over 1,000 enterprises participating in exhibition and sales activities. Attendees can explore new products, technologies, materials, applications, and innovations in the green and healthy building sector. The exhibitions include an international green and healthy building expo, a showcase of premium green and healthy home designs, and investment promotion meetings for the green and healthy building industry. The exhibitions aim to provide comprehensive solutions across the green and healthy building industry's entire value chain-from planning and design to construction and operations-while facilitating a platform for business cooperation and technical exchange to advance high-quality development in the construction sector.

Additionally, the festival features promotional activities showcasing local specialties, intangible cultural heritage products, and tourism offerings in Baoding to create vibrant new consumption scenarios. The inaugural National Green Building Energy-Efficient Window and Door Installation Worker Skills Competition also took place, aimed at selecting and motivating skilled workers and driving innovation and advancements in energy-saving technologies and processes within the construction industry.

In recent years, Gaobeidian City has embraced the concept of green development, actively implementing the "dual carbon" strategy, enhancing planning, optimizing its environment, establishing platforms, and strengthening supply chains. These efforts have spurred the growth of a green and healthy building industry cluster, establishing robust core technology support, creating competitive advantages within the industrial chain, and expanding international influence. The city is steadily progressing towards its goal of becoming the "International Capital of Green Buildings."

Contact: Wang Juan

Tel.: 0086-13630862258

E-mail: wangjuan19810928@163.com

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New clinical data on Almirall's biologics portfolio demonstrates further opportunities to positively impact patients and the medical community

New data to be presented on tildrakizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in adults from the POSITIVE study, the first clinical trial in dermatology to assess patients' wellbeing as a primary endpoint

Lebrikizumab 3-year sustained moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis control data will be presented as a late-breaker additional new data include response rates in absolute values and long-term data in patients that are either inadequately controlled or not eligible for cyclosporine treatment

Almirall's broad presence at the 33rd EADV Congress at the company's 80th anniversary highlights eight decades of dedication to innovation and delivering solutions to positively impact people's health and lives

Almirall, S.A. (ALM), a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to medical dermatology, today announced its participation in the 33rd Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), taking place in Amsterdam from September 25 to 28, 2024. This year, Almirall marks its 80th anniversary, celebrating eight decades of innovation and commitment to delivering products positively impacting people's health and lives.

At the congress, Almirall will present 34 abstracts detailing the latest research on lebrikizumab for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents and adults, tildrakizumab and Almirall's CAL/BDP cream for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults, as well as tirbanibulin for actinic keratosis. The company will also host two symposia, providing a platform for experts to discuss current data, share insights, and facilitate discussions about the treatment of these chronic conditions with advanced biologics.

Impact of the treatment of psoriasis on patient wellbeing: new data from the POSITIVE study

Almirall will unveil new interim data on the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with tidrakizumab at 52 weeks from the POSITIVE clinical study. The POSITIVE study is the first clinical trial in dermatology to use the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index as a primary endpoint. The 5-item World Health Organization Wellbeing Index is a validated questionnaire that assesses health-related subjective psychological wellbeing in a variety of chronic diseases. The different sub-analyses presented during the congress reinforce the effectiveness of tildrakizumab on signs and symptoms in skin and beyond.

Almirall will host the symposium "Advancing Psoriasis Management for Long-Term Patient Outcomes", featuring experts such as Prof. Dr. Diamant Thaci from the University of Lubeck, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mrowietz from the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, and Prof. Anna Lopez Ferrer from the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona. The discussion will emphasize on the importance of tailoring treatments to individual patients, the latest real-world evidence, and practical strategies for clinical success managing psoriasis, with opportunities for interactive discussion with leading experts.

Advancing atopic dermatitis disease management

Almirall will also present new data on lebrikizumab, a biologic approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The late-breaking presentation will report lebrikizumab's data over three years of continuous treatment, alongside new data on the rates of absolute endpoints and its effectiveness in patients inadequately controlled or ineligible for cyclosporine. The Almirall symposium entitled "Precision in AD: How Lebrikizumab is Changing the Treatment Paradigm" will feature the experts Marjolein Bruin-Weller, from the National Expertise Center for Atopic Dermatitis at the Department of Dermatology and Allergology of the University Medical Center Utrecht; Andrew Blauvelt from Portland, US, and Sascha Gerdes from the Center for Inflammatory Skin Diseases of the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel. Discussions will focus on the clinical impact of lebrikizumab and offer a chance for participants to engage with leading specialists in this field.

Almirall celebrating 80 years of innovation

2024 marks a significant milestone for Almirall as the company celebrates 80 years of innovation and commitment to delivering impactful solutions to help improve patients' lives. With a rich history in the pharmaceutical industry and a strong focus on medical dermatology, Almirall has built a robust pipeline addressing various diseases and using different therapeutic modalities. Leading innovating in medical dermatology is enabled by Almirall's close collaboration with the dermatology community and patient-centric mindset. Celebrating its 80th anniversary, Almirall reaffirms its dedication to advancing skin science and developing novel treatments to benefit patients and the dermatology community around the world.

For more information about Almirall's 80th-anniversary celebrations, visit almirall80years.com

ANNEX: 33rd EADV Congress presentations and poster details:

Satellite Symposium on psoriasis:Advancing Psoriasis Management for Long-Term Patient Outcomes

Chair, Prof. Dr. Diamant Thaci, Lubeck, Germany

- Prof. Dr. Anna Lopez-Ferrer, Barcelona, Spain

- Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mrowietz, Kiel, Germany

Thursday 26th September at 17:45 (CEST) Room G104-G105 (SAT 11.04).

Satellite Symposium on atopic dermatitisPrecision in AD: how lebrikizumab is changing the treatment paradigm

Chair, Prof. Dr. Marjolein de Bruin-Weller, Utrecht, The Netherlands

- Dr. Andrew Blauvelt, Lake Oswego, US

- Prof. Dr. Sascha Gerdes, Kiel, Germany

Friday 27th September at 13:00 (CEST) Room G104-G105 (SAT 11.06).

A total of 37 abstracts have been accepted by the EADV for their annual meeting.

Ebglyss (lebrikizumab

1. Late breaking news: Efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab is maintained up to 3 years in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: ADvocate 1 and ADvocate 2 to ADjoin long-term extension trial

2. Absolute EASI response achieved by lebrikizumab over 16 weeks in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis

3. Absolute itch and quality of life response with lebrikizumab through 52 weeks

4. Absolute EASI response achieved with lebrikizumab over 52 weeks in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis

5. Absolute response of lebrikizumab at Week 52 in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who did not achieve protocol-defined response after initial 16 weeks of treatment

6. Improvement across disease dimensions with lebrikizumab in combination with topical corticosteroids in atopic dermatitis inadequately controlled or ineligible to cyclosporine: results from the ADvantage study

7. Lebrikizumab improves signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in patients inadequately controlled or ineligible for cyclosporine: week 52 results of a phase 3 clinical study (ADvantage)

8. Lebrikizumab in monotherapy improves the signs of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis across different body regions including the head and neck over one year of treatment

9. Number needed to treat with lebrikizumab in monotherapy at Week 16 in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis

Ilumetri (tildrakizumab)

1. Improving the well-being of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and involvement of impactful areas with Tildrakizumab

2. Effectiveness and Nail Assessment in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (NAPPA) of tildrakizumab patients with nail psoriasis: 52-week results from the phase IV POSITIVE Austrian subset.

3. Effectiveness of tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis located in special areas: 52-week results from the POSITIVE study

4. High effectiveness of tildrakizumab in bio-naive and bio-experienced patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: 52-week results from the POSITIVE study

5. High effectiveness of tildrakizumab regardless of baseline characteristics in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: 52-week results from the POSITIVE study

6. Patient-reported well-being using tildrakizumab for psoriasis in a real-world setting: 52-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study

7. Safety of tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: 52-week data from the phase IV POSITIVE study

8. Effectiveness of tildrakizumab for itch, pain, and fatigue in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: 52-week results from the real-world POSITIVE study

9. Quality of life, work productivity and treatment satisfaction with tildrakizumab in moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients: 52-week interim data of the real-world POSITIVE study

10. Impact of patient psoriasis on partner well-being in a real-world setting: 52-week interim data of the phase IV POSITIVE study

11. Efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab through Week 28 in patients with early vs late-onset moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: A post hoc analysis of reSURFACE 1 and reSURFACE 2

Wynzora (CAL/BDP)

1. Impact of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate cream with PAD technology (CAL/BPD PAD cream) on scalp-PGA success, S-mPASI and clinician satisfaction among patients with mild-to-moderate scalp psoriasis in routine clinical practices in Europe. An interim analysis of the PRO-SCALP study.

2. Impact of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate cream with PAD technology (CAL/BPD PAD cream) on patient symptoms, functioning, emotions, level of itching, and sleep quality among patients with mild-to-moderate scalp psoriasis in routine clinical practices in Europe. An interim analysis of the PRO-SCALP study.

3. Patient preference over other topicals, perception of cream usability, treatment adherence and satisfaction among patients with mild-to-moderate scalp psoriasis using calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate cream with PAD technology (CAL/BPD PAD cream) in routine clinical practices in Europe. An interim analysis of the PRO-SCALP study.

4. Best responders to calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate PAD-cream: post-hoc analysis from pooled MC2-01-C2 and MC2-01-C7 phase III trials at week 4 and week 8.

5. Cost per responder analysis of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate cutaneous PAD cream for the topical treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis in Italy.

6. Patient benefit assessment of topical treatment in psoriasis: Validation of the PBI-TOP questionnaire in a longitudinal study.

Klisyri (tirbanibulin) and actinic keratosis

1. Lack of correlation between number of baseline actinic keratoses and local tolerability signs severity in patients treated with tirbanibulin over a 100 cm2 area: results from a Phase 3 study

2. Real-world evidence of tirbanibulin for actinic keratosis in Germany. Insights into patient-reported outcomes, safety and effectiveness

3. Efficacy and safety of tirbanibulin 1% ointment for the treatment of actinic keratosis in conditions close to routine clinical practice in Spain and Italy (TIRBASKIN study)

4. Patient and physician-reported outcomes with tirbanibulin 1% ointment for actinic keratosis in conditions close to routine clinical practice in Spain and Italy (TIRBASKIN study)

5. Enhancement of sun-damaged skin qualities with tirbanibulin (SunDamage Study)

6. Actinic cheilitis: Diagnosis and monitoring after treatment with Tirbanibulin using optical coherence tomography

7. Diagnosis and treatment of patients with actinic keratosis in France: REAKT study Actinic keratosis in France: an avoidable risk of skin cancer, unexpectedly also for people aged under 65 years (REAKT study)

8. Actinic keratosis in France: disease perceptions, expectations, and behaviors of patients (REAKT study).

Poster availability date and time: From 25 September 2024 (07.00 CEST) until 3 months post congress.

Location: https://eadv.org/congress/, and e-poster area

About Almirall

Almirall is a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to medical dermatology. We closely collaborate with leading scientists, healthcare professionals, and patients to deliver our purpose: to transform the patients' world by helping them realize their hopes and dreams for a healthy life. We are at the forefront of science to deliver ground-breaking, differentiated medical dermatology innovations that address patients' needs.

Almirall, founded in 1944 and headquartered in Barcelona, is publicly traded on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker: ALM, total revenue in 2023: 898.8 MM, 1900 employees globally). Almirall products help to improve the lives of patients every day and are available in over 100 countries.

For more information, please visit https://www.almirall.com/

Legal notice:

This document includes only summary information and is not intended to be exhaustive. The facts, figures, and opinions contained in this document, in addition to the historical ones, are "forward-looking statements." These statements are based on the information currently available and the best estimates and assumptions that the Company considers reasonable. These statements involve risks and uncertainties beyond the control of the Company. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those declared by such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly waives any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, goals, or estimates contained in this document to reflect any changes in the assumptions, events, or circumstances on which such forward-looking statements are based, unless required by the applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240923201861/en/

Contacts:

Corporate Communications:

corporate.communication@almirall.com

Phone: (+34) 659 614 173

Investor Relations:

investors@almirall.com

Phone: (+34) 93 291 30 87
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

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KELOWNA, BC and MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BU0) ("Avant" or the "Company"), a leading Canadian producer of award-winning, craft cannabis products, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive trademark licensing agreement with Nectar Portfolio Pty Ltd. ("Nectar"), a leading Australian medicinal cannabis importer and distributor. This landmark agreement marks Avant's strategic entry into the rapidly growing Australian medical cannabis market, introducing its renowned BLK MKT brand to a new audience.

The agreement with Nectar adds to Avant Brands' growing international presence, with the BLK MKT brand now available in Canada, Australia, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland, representing a combined population of approximately 127 million. The Company is actively engaged in discussions to further expand the reach of its premium cannabis brands into additional global markets. It is anticipated that BLK MKT products will be available to Australian consumers in the coming months.

Key Highlights:

Exclusive Partnership: Nectar gains exclusive rights to market, sell, and distribute BLK MKT dried cannabis flower throughout Australia for a two-year term, with the potential for extension based on performance.

Premium Brand Recognition: The BLK MKT brand is synonymous with ultra-premium quality and a commitment to craft cultivation practices, offering a unique and sought-after experience for consumers. BLK MKT stands out in the market due to its unparalleled craft cultivation and ultra-premium cannabis offering.

Authentic Canadian Cannabis: BLK MKT products in Australia will be cultivated exclusively by Avant at its Licensed Facilities in Canada, featuring the same high-quality cultivars that have established the brand's reputation in Canada. All products will be grown to meet Australian medicinal cannabis standards, ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Global Expansion: This partnership expands Avant's global footprint, with BLK MKT now available in Australia, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland, and active discussions underway for further international expansion.

Stringent Quality Control: All BLK MKT products sold internationally will adhere to Avant's rigorous quality control standards, ensuring the brand's reputation for excellence is maintained.

Royalty Structure: Avant will receive its standard international sales price for BLK MKT products. Additionally, Avant will earn an additional royalty fee on Nectar's net sales of these products, ensuring a steady revenue stream from this strategic partnership.

Norton Singhavon, Avant Brands Founder and CEO commented:

"We are excited to partner with Nectar Brands, a leader in the Australian medical cannabis industry, to bring our flagship BLK MKT brand to patients in Australia. This agreement represents a significant step in our global expansion strategy and we anticipate that it will generate incremental revenue growth for Avant Brands. We believe that the Australian market, as well as other key international markets, presents a tremendous opportunity for growth, and we are confident that our partnerships will be instrumental in establishing BLK MKT as a leading global cannabis brand."

Chris Nasr, CEO of Nectar, added:

"We are excited to collaborate with Avant Brands and introduce BLK MKT to Australian patients. We are committed to delivering the same exceptional quality and experience that BLK MKT is known for in Canada, ensuring that Australian patients have access to the best possible cannabis products."

About Nectar Brands Pty Ltd

Nectar Brands Pty Ltd is a house of healthcare brands at the forefront of Australia's digital health and medicinal cannabis sectors, focused on delivering innovative healthcare solutions and ensuring access to high-quality medicines. Nectars' subsidiary is a leading importer and distributor of medicinal cannabis products in Australia. Committed to improving the lives of Australian patients, Nectar provides safe and effective cannabis-based therapies, fostering better health outcomes and advancing the medical cannabis landscape.

About Avant Brands Inc.

Avant is an innovative, market-leading premium cannabis company. Avant has multiple operational production facilities across Canada, which produce high-quality, handcrafted cannabis products based on unique and exceptional cultivars.

Avant offers a comprehensive product portfolio catering to recreational, medical, and export markets. Avant's consumer brands, including BLK MKT, Tenzo, Cognoscente, flowr and Treehugger, are available in key recreational markets across Canada. Avant's products are distributed globally to Australia, Israel and Germany, with its flagship brand BLK MKT currently being sold in Israel. Additionally, Avant's medical cannabis brand, GreenTec, serves qualified patients nationwide through its GreenTec Medical portal and trusted medical cannabis partners.

Avant is a publicly traded corporation listed on the TSX (TSX:AVNT) and accessible to international investors through the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX:AVTBF) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA: 1BU0). Headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, Avant operates in strategic locations including British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

For more information about Avant, including access to investor presentations and details about its consumer brands, please visit www.avantbrands.ca .

For further inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations at Avant Brands Inc.

1-800-351-6358

ir@avantbrands.ca

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected benefits of the exclusive trademark licensing agreement with Nectar Portfolio Pty Ltd., the potential for Avant Brands Inc. ("Avant") to expand into new international markets, the anticipated growth and opportunities in the Australian medical cannabis market, the expected quality and market reception of BLK MKT products in Australia and other global markets, and the expectation of a steady revenue stream from the strategic partnership with Nectar.This includes the impact of upcoming regulatory changes in emerging international markets.

Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continues," "potential," "opportunity," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect Avant's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to Avant and assumptions it believes are reasonable. However, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of Avant's control, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. This includes the impact of upcoming regulatory changes in emerging international markets.

These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the ability of Avant to successfully integrate and achieve the anticipated benefits of the licensing agreement with Nectar Portfolio Pty Ltd.; the successful cultivation and quality control of BLK MKT products; the acceptance of BLK MKT products by the Australian market and other international markets; the realization of anticipated revenue from the strategic partnership; regulatory changes and developments affecting Avant's operations and products; competition within the cannabis industry; economic and market conditions; and other risk factors set forth in Avant's public filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca .

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Avant does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. This includes the impact of upcoming regulatory changes in emerging international markets.

SOURCE: Avant Brands Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The Institute's Collaborative Model with the Center for Incubation & Findings Research (CIFR) and Compassion Center Sets the Stage for Transformative Integrative Healthcare, Education and Advocacy, Leading Towards an Inclusive Tomorrow For Communities All Across the Globe.

HILLSBORO, OR / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / The Glocal Cannabis Nursing Institute (GCNI) is excited to announce its innovative educational tracks, which offer an integrated blend of cannabis education, immersive clinical practicums, comprehensive research initiatives, and strong advocacy programs, creating lucrative pathways to employment opportunities in cannabis nursing, internationally. A research extension of the Center for Incubation & Findings Research (CIFR), the GCNI provides nurses an unparalleled educational experience, merging theory, practice, guiding research principles and compassion to propel integrative healthcare forward in the most logical, integrative fashion.

Nurse Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK

Nurse Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK, Executive Director of the Glocal Cannabis Nursing Institute (GCNI)

As part of its mission to lead in cannabis nursing innovations, the GCNI proudly announces the promotion of Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK, to Executive Director of Cannabis Nursing for the GCNI. A pioneering cannabis nurse, publisher, and educator, Monteiro has served as the Compassion Center's Board President and Director of Education since 2019 and co-founded the Integrative Providers Association (IPA) with Compassion Center in 2021. The IPA has since held an annual medical conference, developed a variety of learning platforms, and recruited the best in class of each specialty to discover, educate, unite and empower integrative providers with the latest in interprofessional continuing education and opportunities for interdisciplinary employment and/or research. Combining over 140 specialties into one membership based organization revealed a variety of breakdowns in the healthcare space, one of which is a shortage of Cannabis nurses.

Implementing Nurse Monteiro's vision for interdisciplinary inclusion, and empowering the entire continuum with innovative education platforms, the GCNI proudly offers a limited number of Cannabis Nurses fellowship opportunities, and scholarships for those who qualify. Monteiro's dedication to patient care and community service has laid a foundation for this natural evolution in global cannabis nursing, and Compassion Center is honored to provide administrative and operational support. In her new role, Nurse Monteiro will oversee GCNI's clinical and research initiatives, serving as a bridge between research fellows and the research institute, advancing new dimensions in cannabis therapeutics and patient-centered care through education.

Empowering Global Cannabis Nursing

Under Monteiro's guidance, GCNI's close relationship with CIFR will continue to grow and enhance the Institute's research capabilities. Students and professionals will gain access to groundbreaking research opportunities, contributing directly to the expanding field of cannabis medicine, leading their fields from outside the box. CIFR's extensive network of research, data, laboratory and clinical partners provides GCNI students with unique platforms, and a range of options to engage in innovative research projects, further enriching their educational experience.

"Julie Monteiro's elevation to Executive Director of Cannabis Nursing for the GCNI marks an important step in the proverbial journey of GCNI," said James B. Creel, a CIFR spokesperson and research administrator. "Her commitment to cannabis education and research has been instrumental in shaping the GCNI's vision. Now, with her at the helm of its research division, we are poised to drive forward global impact through our educational tracks, clinical practicums, and research initiatives."

Limited Fellowships and Scholarships

GCNI is offering limited fellowship spots for professionals seeking advanced training in cannabis nursing. Additionally, scholarships are available for select individuals demonstrating exceptional promise in the field. Scholarship contestants are currently being selected through an essay submission process on the GCNI webpage, where they can showcase their passion and vision for the future of cannabis nursing.

Advocacy and Global Impact

Central to GCNI's mission is its commitment to patient advocacy. In collaboration with the Compassion Center, GCNI actively promotes patients' rights, equitable access to integrative healthcare, and the destigmatization of cannabis-based treatments. This patient advocacy work reinforces GCNI's leadership in fostering an inclusive healthcare landscape that acknowledges the potential of cannabis in therapeutic care.

Compassion Center: Clinical Management and Support

GCNI's alliance with Compassion Center extends beyond just research and advocacy. As a clinical management services system and incubator, Compassion Center provides administrative support to GCNI, its students and staff during their clinical practicums and research initiatives. This partnership ensures a smooth transition from education to clinical application, allowing GCNI students to see the real-world impact of their work in diverse healthcare environments prior to entering the workforce.

"The GCNI and Julie Monteiro's promotion perfectly align with the Compassion Center's mission to transform integrative healthcare and mental health, naturally." stated Stormy Ray, Director of Patient Advocacy for Compassion Center and Chief Executive Officer of Compassion Center's sister organization, the Stormy Ray Cardholders' Foundation (SRCF). "Together, we offer nurse education, research support and clinical management services, and offer strategic international employment pathways, advancing the global acceptance of cannabis as medicine."

International Employment Opportunities

GCNI prepares graduates with globally recognized standards in cannabis education, opening doors to employment in hospitals, clinics, research institutions, and advocacy organizations worldwide. With its focus on immersive education and hands-on practicum experiences, GCNI equips nurses with the skills to make a profound impact on the global stage in the evolving field of cannabis nursing.

About the Glocal Cannabis Nursing Institute (GCNI)

An extension of the Center for Incubation & Findings Research (CIFR) and Compassion Center, the GCNI is dedicated to providing top-tier continuing education, clinical practicums, research opportunities, and advocacy training for professionals in the cannabis nursing field. Through its strategic partnerships with CIFR and Compassion Center, GCNI aims to revolutionize cannabis nursing within the realms of integrative healthcare and cannabis therapeutics around the world.

About Compassion Center and the Center for Incubation & Findings Research (CIFR) Compassion Center, headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, is a pioneering force in integrative healthcare, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and populations worldwide. By offering individualized treatment plans that seamlessly combine allopathic, traditional, and alternative modalities, the Compassion Center addresses the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of its patients. Our mission is to innovate care approaches that foster better health outcomes and advocate for a better tomorrow for all those we serve.

Through its socioeconomic research institute, the Center for Incubation & Findings Research (CIFR), Compassion Center is committed to identifying, creating, fostering and/or promoting socio-economic programs that address critical issues such as housing instability, food security, access to clean water, integrative healthcare, mental health, and education. By tackling these and other social determinants of health head-on, we aim to enhance the overall well-being of the communities we serve.

CIFR actively engages with communities and leaders, collaborating with global and 'glocal' thought leaders to develop viable solutions that empower individuals and families to enhance their quality of life and overall biophysical wellness. In partnership with Compassion Center and other global initiatives, we work with local advocates, NGOs, and experts-including those from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to drive meaningful change worldwide. We believe that compassion begins within, and through our vertically integrated efforts, we strive to make a positive impact on a global scale.

For more information about GCNI, its programs, fellowship opportunities, and scholarships, visit: www.GlobalCannabisNurses.org or contact Compassion Center at www.Compassion-Center.org.

Contact Information

Sophaur One

Director of Communications

sophaur.one@compassion-center.org

844-842-2667 Ext 1

James Garvey

CIFR Director of Collaborative Programs

james.garvey@compassion-center.org

844-842-COMPASSION Ext 1





Related Images

Nurse Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK

Nurse Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK, Executive Director of the Glocal Cannabis Nursing Institute (GCNI) Nurse Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK in the field

Nurse Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK in the field learning about light deprivation from a professional grower. Nurse Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK Educating at CCSO

Nurse Julie Monteiro, RN, BSK Educating at CCSO

Related Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHO6Oiq4JaM

SOURCE: Compassion Center

View the original press release on accesswire.com
A new forecast from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker shows shipments of personal computing devices are expected to grow 2.6% year over year in 2024 to 398.9 million units. The traditional PC market will remain flat in 2024 with 261 million units shipped while the tablet market is forecast to grow 7.2% year over year as a refresh cycle and project investments are expected to drive the market.

For traditional PCs, the global market excluding China is expected to grow 2.8% in 2024 as China continues to suffer through a confluence of macroeconomic challenges, including high youth employment, deflation, and a tumultuous real estate market. However, China's economic concerns have largely impacted just the PC market as tablet demand has proven to be more resilient thanks to Huawei's efforts.

"The first half of 2024 showed how aggressive some of the Android vendors have been in competing in the tablet market, maximizing on the opportunities for sustainable demand for tablet devices in emerging regions such as Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan), the People's Republic of China (PRC), and Central and Eastern Europe. Adoption rates are expected to climb in the short term as the market continues to evolve with newer tablet models with upgraded chips, larger screens, and connectivity. And the device replacement cycle is only going to push the growth further," said Anuroopa Nataraj, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. "However, in the long term, growth potential for the tablet market remains flat, challenged by more powerful smartphones and limited functionality compared to PCs."

Meanwhile, PCs are forecast to grow 4.3% year over year in 2025 as the end of support for Windows 10 will drive a refresh cycle particularly among commercial buyers. However, this is also expected to present an opportunity for Apple to gain marginal share growing from 9.1% in 2024 to 9.7% in 2025 and 10.2% in 2026 as businesses use the PC refresh cycle to migrate some workflows to Mac.

AI continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the PC landscape, enhancing productivity and personalized user experience. Looking ahead, North America, major countries in Asia/Pacific (PRC, India, Japan), and some Western European countries are expected to lead AI PC adoption although this will largely be driven by the need for new PCs as opposed to a specific need for AI PCs.

"While AI has been a buzzword of late, it has yet to be a purchase driver among PC buyers," said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager, Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. "Businesses certainly recognize the importance of AI though many struggle to see the immediate use case and instead are opting for AI PCs as a means to futureproofing. Meanwhile, consumers are yet to fully grasp the importance of an on-board Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and are likely to need more education or handholding from OEMs." That said, the inclusion of an NPU and the early hardware requirements for AI use cases are leading to more premium devices that tend to include more memory and storage, all of which is expected to lead to an increase in average selling prices (ASP) in the coming years.

Though near-term outlook for AI PCs remains modest, the long-term trend undoubtedly points towards an onslaught of AI PCs as the inclusion of a NPU propagates down to lower-tier PCs and supply eventually finds itself in a position where producing processors without a NPU becomes cost prohibitive.

Worldwide Personal Computing Device Forecast by Product Category, Shipments, Year-Over-Year Growth, and 2024-2028 CAGR (shipments in millions) Product Category 2024 Shipments 2024/2023 Growth 2028 Shipments 2028/2027 Growth 2024-2028 CAGR Tablet 137.9 7.2% 140.5 0.0% 0.50% Traditional PC 261.0 0.3% 280.7 0.6% 1.80% Total 398.9 2.6% 421.3 0.4% 1.40% Source: IDC Worldwide Personal Computing Device Tracker, September 23, 2024

Notes:

Traditional PCs include Desktops, Notebooks, and Workstations and do not include Tablets or x86 Servers.

Shipments include shipments to distribution channels or end users. OEM sales are counted under the company/brand under which they are sold.

In addition to the table above, a graphic illustrating IDC's 2024-2028 forecast for worldwide shipments of desktop and notebook PCs by NPU is available by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker gathers detailed market data in over 90 countries. The research includes historical and forecast trend analysis among other data.

For more information, or to subscribe to the research, please contact Jackie Kliem at 508-988-7984 or jkliem@idc.com.

About IDC Trackers

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, company share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools.

Click here to learn about IDC's full suite of data products and how you can leverage them to grow your business.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.

All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240923263204/en/

Contacts:

Jay Chou

jchou@idc.com

+1 650-350-6464



Bryan Ma

bma@idc.com

+65 6829-7733



Ryan Reith

rreith@idc.com

+1 508-935-4301



Michael Shirer

press@idc.com

+1 508-935-4200
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Trans Canada Gold Corp. (TSX-V:TTG)(OTCQB:TTGXF) ("Trans Canada" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has now completed its eleventh (11) full month of robust steady oil production for the month of August 2024, with trucking and oil sales to Altex. The Lloydminster well has shipped 5,207 barrels (bbl) for the month of August and produced at an average daily rate of 168 bbl/d gross (32.0 bbl/d net) to the Company since being placed on production, representing its 18.75% working interest ownership. Production shipping and sales commenced on the well a year ago on October 6th, 2023, and the well has now produced over 67, 962 bbl, exceeding the 65,000-barrel production benchmark of consistent, steady oil production with its multilateral well. Croverro Energy Ltd. is the Operator.

Precision Rig 145

Second Multilateral Well Successfully Drilled : Successfully drilled its second multilateral well in August 2024, targeting the General Petroleum (GP) reservoir.

Steady Production Milestone: Reporting eleven months of steady oil production in August 2024, shipping 5,207 barrels from the Lloydminster multilateral well, which has now produced over 67,962 barrels

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 for additional drilling in both the Sparky and GP producing zones.

Commented Tim Coupland, "We have now successfully produced over eleven (11) months of steady oil production and surpassed the 65,000-barrel production benchmark. With the signing of our latest lease completion of the land acquisition and utilizing our technical proficiency and drilling expertise, we successfully drilled our second multilateral well this August, targeting the General Petroleum Zone (GP) reservoir. World oil prices are forecasted to remain high which will allow the Company to actively pursue additional drilling opportunities and new acquisitions."

"The successful drilling of our second multilateral well in the GP reservoir marks an important milestone in our strategy to expand production. This well positions us to increase our output significantly and demonstrates our ability to grow efficiently while maintaining steady production from our first well," commented Director Chris Timmins. " As we bring this new well online, we are excited about the potential to enhance our production growth further and strengthen our presence in the region."

The Company continues to explore additional exploration drilling opportunities in Canada and the United States.

ABOUT TRANS CANADA GOLD CORP. - OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION/REVENUE PRODUCING 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.

Contact Information

Chris Timmins

Director

ctimmins29@gmail.com

403-597-3410

Tim Coupland

CEO

astar@telus.com

604-681-3131

SOURCE: Trans Canada Gold

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (OTCQB: TRUFF) (FSE: 4YX) ("Red Light" or the "Company"), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth, and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe, as well as a premium brand of psilocybin truffles for the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is excited to announce a live Q&A session on Thursday, September 26th, at 11:00 AM ET. CEO Todd Shapiro and CFO Jon Szczur will provide updates on the Company's progress and answer questions from shareholders.

Launch of NCIB

The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase under a normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") of up to 20,046,794 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares") from time to time over the next 12 months, through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") or alternative trading systems, at prevailing market prices in order to allow the Company to use its excess cash reserves to strategically return value to shareholders.

Purchases under the NCIB may commence as of September 30, 2024 and will end on the earlier of: (i) September 30, 2025; or (ii) the date on which the Company has purchased the maximum number of Common Shares to be acquired under the NCIB. The Company may terminate the NCIB earlier if it feels it is appropriate to do so.

The NCIB does not obligate the Company to purchase any Common Shares. If management decides it has a better use for its cash reserves, it is under no obligation to continue to purchase Common Shares and share purchases may be suspended or terminated at any time at the Company's discretion.

The Company has appointed Canaccord Genuity Corp. to conduct the NCIB. The purchase and payment of the Common Shares will be made in accordance with the requirements of the CSE and applicable securities laws. The Company will purchase Common Shares through the facilities of the CSE or alternative trading systems, at the prevailing market price on the CSE at the time of purchase, subject to limitations imposed by applicable securities laws. The actual number of Common Shares purchased, timing of purchases and share price will depend upon market conditions at the time and securities law requirements. All Common Shares acquired will be returned to treasury and cancelled.

The Company's Board of Directors believes that the market price of the Common Shares may from time to time not reflect the underlying value of the Company, specifically its growth opportunities, and that the proposed purchasing of its Common Shares is in the best interests of the Company and represents an appropriate use of corporate funds. It is expected that any purchases made by the Company could also enhance value and liquidity for its shareholders.

The Company previously repurchased for cancellation 1,462,000 Common Shares at an average price of approximately $0.063 per Common Share pursuant to a normal course issuer bid that existed over a 12-month period expiring July 4, 2024.

Live Q&A Session Details

The live Q&A will provide an opportunity for shareholders to engage directly with Red Light's leadership. Todd Shapiro stated, "We are looking forward to connecting with our shareholders during this live session. It's important to us to maintain transparency and open communication, and we encourage everyone to participate and ask questions."

A link to join the Q&A will be shared on the Company's website and via a press release closer to the event date.

About Red Light Holland:

Red Light Holland is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe, and a premium brand of psilocybin truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in compliance with all applicable laws.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Company launching the NCIB and purchasing Common Shares for cancellation thereunder; the date, time and location of the Q&A session; and the Company providing an online link for the Q&A session.

Forward-looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's continuing ability to meet the requirements necessary to remain listed on the CSE and alternative exchanges; the Company repurchasing Common Shares under the NCIB; current and future members of management will abide by the Company's business objectives and strategies from time to time established by the Company; the Company will achieve the performance, meet their business objectives and milestones in their anticipated time and within the anticipated cost; the Company will retain and supplement its board of directors and management, or otherwise engage consultants and advisors having knowledge of the industries (or segments thereof) within which the Company may from time to time participate; the Company will have sufficient working capital and the ability to obtain the financing required in order to develop and continue its business, brands and operations; the Company will continue to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled consultants and/or employees, as the case may be; no adverse changes will be made to the regulatory framework governing psychedelics, taxes and all other applicable matters in the jurisdictions in which the Company conducts business and any other jurisdiction in which the Company may conduct business in the future; the Company will be able to generate cash flow from operations, including, where applicable, distribution and sale of mushrooms and mushroom products; the Company will be able to execute on its business strategy as anticipated; the Company will be able to meet the requirements necessary to obtain and/or maintain authorizations required to conduct the business; general economic, financial, market, regulatory, and political conditions, will not negatively affect the Company or its business; the Company will be able to successfully compete in the psychedelic industries; the Company will be able to effectively manage anticipated and unanticipated costs; the Company will be able to conduct its operations in a safe, efficient and effective manner; general market conditions will be favourable with respect to the Company's future plans and goals; current retail locations will continue to carry the Company's products; the Company meeting their anticipated timeline and process for growth, sales, production and commercialization; and the Company's products being safe and providing their anticipated benefits sale; the Company will continue to be able to utilize and grow its distribution channels; the Company will hold the Q&A session as outlined herein; and the Company will provide an online link for the Q&A session.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company's inability to meet the requirements necessary to remain listed on the CSE and alternative exchange; the Company not repurchasing Common Shares under the NCIB; risks associated with potential governmental and/or regulatory action with respect to the Company's operations; competition within the markets that the Company operates in; risks with respect to the safety of the Company's products; the risk that there is no potential benefit of the Company's products; risk that the Company will be unable to develop its products; production risks for the Company's products, including logistical delays and risk that the Company will be unable to complete production of its products; risk that the mushroom home grow kit and functional mushroom industries in the North America, along with their legal frameworks, will not develop; the Company's inability to attract and retain qualified members of management to grow the Company's business, brands and its operations; unanticipated changes in economic and market conditions or in applicable laws; the impact of the publications of inaccurate or unfavourable research by securities analysts or other third parties; unanticipated changes in the psychedelic industries in the jurisdictions within which the Company may from time to time conduct its business and operations, including the Company's inability to respond or adapt to such changes; the Company's inability to secure or maintain favourable lease arrangements or the required authorizations necessary to conduct the business and operations and meet its targets; the Company's inability to effectively manage unanticipated costs and expenses, including costs and expenses associated with product recalls and judicial or administrative proceedings against the Company; risk that the Company will be unable to provide affordable and equitable access adult access to naturally occurring psilocybin; the date, time and location of the Q&A session will not be as outlined herein; Todd Shapiro or Jon Szczur will be able to attend the Live Q&A session; and the Company will not provide an online link for the Q&A session.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further 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 placed will occur. 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 and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224209

SOURCE: Red Light Holland Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Lara Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: LRA) ("Lara") is pleased to report completion of the expenditures required to increase its ownership interest in the Mantaro Phosphate Project from 33% to 70%. As part of its operational strategy, Lara has established a new subsidiary, Fosfatos Alli Allpa, as the vehicle to advance further exploration, technical studies, and the eventual development. Named for its significance in the local Quechua language as "good soil" phosphates, Fosfatos Alli Allpa aims to produce and concentrate phosphate rock to meet the growing demand for natural fertilizers in the Junin Region, the Peruvian market generally, and eventually for export.

"Lara remains committed to sustainable practices and proactive community engagement, as we seek to develop phosphate fertilizer production via Fosfatos Alli Allpa," commented Miles Thompson, Chairman of Lara Exploration Ltd.

Lara is working under a Research Collaboration Agreement with the Peruvian National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA) with on-going studies, fertilizing soils on selected test plots near the project with crushed phosphate rock, to demonstrate potential improvements in crop yields through the application of locally sourced phosphates.

Located between the provinces of Jauja and Concepcion in the Junin Region of Central Peru, the Mantaro Phosphate Project hosts thick and extensive layers of sedimentary phosphate. Previous exploration, including trenching, drilling, processing test work, and other technical studies, have identified phosphate mineralization that is suitable for surface extraction, beneficiation and production of marketable phosphate rock concentrates. The project was previously studied by Stonegate Agricom Ltd. (later acquired by Itafos Inc.), which published a NI 43-101 technical report ("Technical Report on the Mantaro Phosphate Deposit Junin District Peru" authored by Donald H. Hains and Michelle Stone of Hains Technology Associates) on SEDAR on March 16, 2010.

The project also benefits from its strategic location near the national highway and major rail line connecting Huancayo with Lima and the port of Callao, as well as the newly completed Chinese-operated mega-port of Chancay. The rail line is being upgraded to increase capacity and a new concession has recently been granted to extend it to Huancavelica. High tension transmission lines traverse the property's western side.

About Lara Exploration

Lara is an exploration company following the Prospect and Royalty Generator business model, which aims to minimize shareholder dilution and financial risk by generating prospects and exploring them in joint ventures funded by partners, retaining a minority interest and or a royalty. The Company currently holds a diverse portfolio of prospects, deposits and royalties in Brazil, Peru and Chile. Lara's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "LRA".

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

-30-

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224058

SOURCE: Lara Exploration Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Palamina Corp. (TSXV: PA) (OTCQB: PLMNF) has acquired 100% of the shares of Sociedad Minera Vicus Exploraciones S.A.C. ("Vicus") from Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) ('Aurania'). Vicus is now a wholly owned Peruvian subsidiary of Palamina Corp. Aurania received 350,000 common shares of Palamina and was granted a 1% Net Smelter Return royalty on the Pluma sediment-hosted copper silver project as full payment for the purchase of Vicus. Palamina may buy back half of the royalty for $1,000,000.

Vicus holds 100% ownership of the Pluma copper silver project covering 9,800 hectares in north eastern Peru. Palamina intends to transfer its Sora, Volcano and Galena copper silver projects in south eastern Peru into Vicus. The addition of our second 100% wholly owned Peruvian subsidiary provides Palamina with greater flexibility moving forward to separately fund and advance both its land bank of copper silver projects in Vicus and its land bank of gold projects in Palamina S.A.C..

"Palamina's Vicus subsidiary will eventually retain all of our copper silver assets where we currently have an 'acquire and hold' strategy. Palamina's primary focus remains on the drill program underway in the Sol de Oro zone at its Usicayos Gold Project. Palamina is on its third drill hole in the Sol de Oro east zone where, when complete, will move to the drill test the Sol de Oro south zone."

Location of Pluma copper silver project in NE Peru

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4727/224197_c0413e7824669a23_003full.jpg

Location of Sora, Volcano & Galena copper silver projects in SE Peru

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4727/224197_c0413e7824669a23_002full.jpg

Pluma is north and contiguous to Hannan Metals Limited's ("Hannan") San Martin Copper Silver Project. San Martin is subject to an earn-in with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security ("JOGMEC"). JOGMEC has the option to earn up to a 75% beneficial interest in the San Martin JV Project from Hannan by spending up to US$35,000,000 to deliver a feasibility study or completing certain expenditure milestones. Hannan intends to run a drill program at San Martin in 2024.

The Pluma block of mineral concessions, within the San Martin region of northeastern Peru, covers prospective geology, including large salt domes which could be the source of mineralizing brines in this kind of environment. Vicus has acquired 2D seismic data over northeastern Peru, which was collected by Peru's state-owned oil company, facilitating the identification of further salt domes with additional mapping of prospective stratigraphy planned in an area.

Palamina's 100% owned Sora, Volcano and Galena copper silver projects have no underlying payments or royalties attached and are located in the Santa Lucia district in south eastern Peru. Active mining companies exploring in the district include Barrick Gold Corporation, Ivanhoe Electric Inc., Fresnillo PLC and Aftermath Silver Ltd. Palamina's "acquire and hold' strategy for copper silver assets leaves it in an ideal position to participate in new discoveries in one of the most prolific metallogenic belts in the world, host to several deposits of high-demand battery metals. Copper will undoubtedly be the highest demand base metal and silver the highest demand precious metal in the age of electrification.

Technical Information

The technical information herein has been reviewed and approved by Alvaro Fernandez-Baca (P. Geo.); a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Fernandez-Baca is Vice President of Exploration to Palamina.

About Palamina Corp.

Palamina is an exploration company with a land bank of gold projects in the Puno Orogenic Gold Belt in southeastern Peru. Palamina is adding value through drill discovery at its Usicayos gold project. Palamina also has an "acquire and hold" strategy with copper silver assets in southeastern and northeastern Peru. Palamina holds a 15.4% equity interest in Winshear Gold Corp. (TSXV: WINS) and a 2% NSR royalty on all their projects. Winshear is scheduled to start its inaugural drill program at their Gaban Gold Project in late September, early November of 2024. Palamina has 71,634,836 shares outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PA and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol PLMNF.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the use of proceeds of the Offering and the Company's future business plans. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company appears in the Company's continuous disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224197

SOURCE: Palamina Corp.
Partnership brings asset-level ESG data to real estate capital markets, with index switchover go-live today.

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 23, 2024, the world's most widely adopted ESG data management solution for real estate, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with FTSE Russell , a leading global index provider, to enhance the quality and availability of sustainability data for investments in the real estate sector. As of today, FTSE Russell's green indexes will be powered by Measurabl's Quantum Cloud, the most authoritative repository of aggregated ESG real estate data.



Now, FTSE Russell's green indexes will be powered by Measurabl's Quantum platform, the most authoritative repository of aggregated ESG real estate data. Together, the FTSE EPRA Nareit Green Index Series and the FTSE EPRA Nareit Green Target Index Series track over $9.2 billion in assets under management (AUM) and represent a rapidly growing segment of the $404 billion tracked in the FTSE Russell Real Assets Index.

"By partnering with FTSE Russell, we are addressing a significant market challenge: the need for consistent, comparable asset-level ESG data that enables capital to flow more effectively into sustainable real estate investments," said Sara Anzinger, Senior Vice President of Capital Markets at Measurabl. "Most data providers in the market rely solely on publicly available data or a patchwork of estimates, resulting in significant inconsistencies in how companies report their sustainability performance for real assets.

"Measurabl's approach, which combines actual reported property energy and emissions data at the asset level, meaning property by property, with advanced machine-learning estimations, offers the market a new standard in ESG data quality. This completely changes how capital allocation decisions will be made, particularly as investor mandates increasingly demand ESG integration," Anzinger concluded.

The dataset in Measurabl's Quantum Cloud tracks 273M MTCO2e from 110,000 properties and 18 billion square feet of real estate across 93 countries. Measurabl's approach to company-level data is innovative. It combines public disclosures with its proprietary machine learning model trained on its large database of actual, measured, building energy data to estimate whole building energy consumption and carbon emissions. The bottom-up approach is aggregated at the portfolio level and consistently applied across the FTSE EPRA NAREIT Developed Index universe. This method helps bridge the gaps that have long impeded the integration of ESG data in the real estate sector.

The new approach is substantiated in a recent white paper jointly produced by FTSE Russell and Measurabl: 'Carbon disclosures in listed real estate.'

Recently, BlackRock launched the iShares Global Real Estate Environmental Tilt UCITS ETF, which tracks the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Green Low Carbon Target Select UCITS Capped Index, now improved by Measurabl's asset-level ESG data. The ETF aims for at least a 20% better environmental performance than its broader investment ecosystem, favoring more sustainable issuers. This use of the FTSE index, supported by Measurabl's high-quality data, highlights the increasing demand for investment solutions with strong sustainability credentials in the real estate sector.

"As the leading global REIT benchmark setters for ETFs and active mandates, FTSE Russell is entrusted with over USD $320 billion in benchmarked assets," said Ali Zaidi, Global Head of Real Assets at London Stock Exchange Group. "The rising requirement to systematically channel flows towards companies and assets with unambiguous sustainability credentials is not only prudent risk-management but speaks to the long-term viability of investment. Measurabl's groundbreaking asset-level approach enables FTSE Russell to create benchmarks with quantifiable sustainability uplift and contributes towards our shared goal of greening of the built environment."

"Our partnership with FTSE Russell positions Measurabl at the forefront of the market as the leading provider of institutional-grade ESG data for real estate," said Maureen Waters, President of Measurabl. "As asset owners and managers increasingly call for actual energy and carbon performance data, Measurabl is the only sustainability platform equipped to facilitate a paradigm shift for the entire industry ecosystem. We provide the most granular insights available, which builds confidence in the ESG performance of real estate investments. This partnership will further the adoption of high-quality sustainability data across the industry, supporting a virtuous cycle where better data leads to better investment decisions, which in turn fosters more sustainable outcomes."

Financial markets have struggled to incorporate sustainability performance for real estate into transactions. That's now changing as organizations like FTSE Russell and Blackrock have launched enhanced indexes and funds powered by Measurabl Quantum. This integration helps usher the industry into a new era, where more accurate sustainability metrics lead to smarter investment decisions, contributing to a more sustainable global economy.

About Measurabl

Measurabl is the world's most widely adopted ESG data platform, empowering over 1,000 customers in 93 countries to measure, manage, and report ESG data on more than 18 billion square feet of real estate. Measurabl helps organizations enhance ESG performance, mitigate climate risks, and capitalize on sustainable finance opportunities.

About FTSE Russell

FTSE Russell is a global index leader that provides innovative benchmarking, analytics and data solutions for investors worldwide. FTSE Russell calculates thousands of indexes that measure and benchmark markets and asset classes in more than 70 countries, covering 98% of the investable market globally.

FTSE Russell index expertise and products are used extensively by institutional and retail investors globally. Approximately $15.9 trillion is benchmarked to FTSE Russell indexes. Leading asset owners, asset managers, ETF providers and investment banks choose FTSE Russell indexes to benchmark their investment performance and create ETFs, structured products and index-based derivatives.

FTSE Russell is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5c745f7d-fdd2-4102-9b3c-738371154649
Self-Funded Innovation: dlivrd Releases Proprietary App to Address Complex Catering Delivery.

HORSHAM, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / dlivrd, the leader in delivery technology across the U.S. and Canada, is pleased to announce the launch of its new driver app. After years of perfecting the art of on-time deliveries, dlivrd is once again pushing boundaries with the launch of the first custom-built catering delivery driver app. This app, designed with the needs of both drivers and restaurants in mind, promises to improve the catering and non-catering delivery experiences. With customizable features that address the complexities of pre-scheduled, large orders, it's the latest chapter in dlivrd's mission to enhance operational efficiency and keep drivers at the heart of their success story.





Delivery technology just got better

New dlivrd application picture for catering delivery





Chris Heffernan, CEO of dlivrd, is excited about the app and its potential impact on delivery operations: "What I'm most looking forward to is the full customizability of the app. We've taken feedback from drivers and clients and created something that truly goes the extra mile for everyone involved. Whether it's optimizing the delivery route or improving communication, the app brings everything into one easy-to-use platform," Heffernan said.

Improving Delivery with Customizable Features

The dlivrd app stands out in the crowded delivery tech space, particularly for its flexibility for drivers. One of its key features is allowing drivers to set their preferred delivery zones and working hours.

"This is a game-changer for drivers who need flexibility," said Heffernan. "Other apps don't typically offer this level of customization, but we listened to our drivers and made it happen. Now, drivers can manage their availability and choose where they want to work, making pre-scheduled deliveries even smoother." Both drivers and customers benefit from this customization, as it allows available, nearby drivers to handle deliveries, thereby reducing delays and improving service.

Enhancing Efficiency with Geofencing and Real-Time Notifications

Another impressive feature of the app is its geofencing technology, which delivers real-time notifications based on the driver's location. When a driver reaches a pickup or delivery point, they receive precise instructions and updates to help them stay on track and hand over the delivery smoothly.

"A lot can happen during a delivery, from traffic jams to last-minute changes. Our geofencing technology ensures the driver gets the right information at the right time, so communication with the customer is more reliable," Heffernan said. This feature reduces delivery time and increases accuracy by removing guesswork and providing clear, timely updates, leading to a better customer experience and happier drivers.

Boosting Communication with Push Notifications

In the delivery industry, communication can be challenging, particularly with SMS systems limited by cost and update frequency. dlivrd's new app addresses this with an improved push notification system.

"With push notifications, we can communicate with our drivers more frequently and without the constraints of traditional SMS messaging," Heffernan said. "This means drivers are always in the loop, whether it's an update on a delivery or changes along the way." This real-time communication allows drivers to stay connected throughout the entire delivery process, reducing missed updates and ensuring everything runs smoothly from pickup to drop-off.

Easy Control from Start to Finish

The new dlivrd app gives drivers full control over the delivery experience-from accepting an order to getting paid. This all-in-one integration makes the delivery process simpler and more efficient for both drivers and clients.

"This is more than just an app-it's a new way of doing delivery," Heffernan said. "By bringing everything into the dlivrd ecosystem, we're setting a new standard for delivery technology. It's not just a win for us as a company; it's a win for every driver and client we work with."

Setting a New Standard in Delivery Technology

With this launch, dlivrd is taking a big step forward in making delivery operations more effective and driver-friendly. This new app will play a key role as the company continues to grow and innovate. For more information about the app and how it can benefit you, visit https://www.dlivrd.io/.

Contact Information

Ashley Campos

Chief Strategy Officer, dlivrd

ashley@dlivrd.io

SOURCE: dlivrd.io

View the original press release on newswire.com.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Nielsen

Originally published on Gracenote (a Nielsen company) Insights

Diversity and inclusion have become increasingly important media buying considerations in recent years, especially during the lead up to each new fall TV season. Pinpointing the right investments, however, has become more challenging amid the busy landscape, but the outlook for diverse TV content premiering this year looks promising.

With more than 1.2 million unique video titles1 available to U.S. audiences alone, media buying has never been more complex, especially through the lens of inclusivity. Diverse-owned media plays a critical role here, but premium original content presents new opportunities for media buyers looking to be more inclusive with their ad spending. A recent analysis of new TV series premiering this year, for example, found that 85 out of 124, or 68.5%, have BIPOC2 representation in their primary casts.

Zeroing in on the inclusivity of specific programming can help media buyers looking to identify the right content matches for their value propositions and messages. That's because aggregated inclusivity levels in content don't change much across linear, cable and streaming programming on a year-over-year basis. The abundance of content also tends to overshadow the increasing inclusivity that has taken place in recent years.

The average share of cast3 for Asian and Pacific Islanders in broadcast programming, for example, increased from 5% in 2022 to 5.2% in 20234. While informative, averages like these mask true ad buying opportunities. Comparatively, share of cast inclusivity for Asian and Pacific Islanders within NBC programming increased from 5% to just under 8% last year, which is higher than this group's percentage of the U.S. population (6.8%).

Marketers have been pledging to be more inclusive with their ad spending in recent years, and most efforts have been largely reliant on finding media that's owned by minority, LGBTQ and women owners. In addition to advancing their investments in diverse-owned media, brands and agencies have access to datasets that can increase the inclusivity of their broader spending. These datasets can be particularly useful in programmatic buying as audiences continue to increase their CTV5 usage.

With an understanding that TV audiences 18 and older spend approximately 54% of their total time with TV watching live programming6, Gracenote's analysis of this year's premiering TV highlights the increasing diversity and inclusion in upcoming premium original programming.

Here are some highlights:

BIPOC representation is above 50% across all major U.S. streaming services.

Netflix has the most streaming originals in 2024, and more than 30 have BIPOC representation.

All Disney streaming services have BIPOC represented across the company's premiering content on Disney+, Hulu and Freeform.

Apple TV+ and Amazon each have more than 75% BIPOC representation in their new 2024 series.

New programming across traditional TV networks remains low following the strikes that took place in 2023, but NBC, FOX and Paramount all have programs debuting in 2024 that feature BIPOC representation in their top cast lineups.

While streaming services will have more new programming this year than traditional, linear channels, the pivot among streaming publishers to offer ad-supported tiers and subscription plans means that advertisers and agencies have ample opportunities for their fall TV spending across all TV programming. This is particularly relevant now that 75% of U.S. audiences 18 and older5 have CTV devices to stream video on.

And as CTV usage and programmatic spending rise, advertisers can leverage new and emerging datasets to better reach and engage with specific audiences through relevant content. And that will help foster a greater sense of inclusion across the broader media landscape.

Notes

Gracenote Global Video Data ; May 2024 Black, indigenous and other people of color. The percentage of an identity group that is part of a program's recurring cast members. Gracenote Inclusion Analytics CTV refers to any television that is connected to the internet. The most common use case is to stream video content. Nielsen National TV Panel; Q4 2023

For additional insights, download Gracenote's 2024 inclusive ad spend report

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Nielsen on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Nielsen

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/nielsen

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Nielsen

View the original press release on accesswire.com
CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Futurelab+ - an educational initiative from Discovery Education and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group - presents new, free capstone project resources for students in grades 9-12 that can be used to apply knowledge of biotechnology to real world scenarios. Futurelab+ strives to increase the number and diversity of students receiving a quality biotech education through digital resources and industry and community connections.

Futurelab+ offers a comprehensive biotechnology curriculum for high school students that includes groundbreaking content addressing health equity and the importance of advancing inclusivity and representation in clinical research. The capstone resources provide students and teachers with a variety of tools supporting the creation of projects that demonstrate student knowledge and skills as they are applied to a real-world problem in the field of biotechnology.

Resources include a project management guide, a student capstone journal, project starters, rubric, and project exemplars. Included in the resources are 13 in-class activities for students to explore topics of microbial bioremediation, antibiotic sensitivity testing, biomedical engineering design challenges, and many more. Beginning in October, educators will also have access to a Masterclass video series designed to support the implementation of a capstone year of study for biotechnology or any career and technical education course of study.

"Student-led, independent research projects that challenge students to select topics and synthesize learnings prepares them for success beyond graduation. With the new Futurelab+ capstone project, students anywhere can apply STEM learning to solve real world problems," said Ragnar von Schiber, Director, Employee and Community Engagement at Genentech.

In addition, Futurelab+ now features a new table of contents site navigation to make finding the Futurelab+ resources easier, as well as fully editable student capture sheets in English and Spanish to support the comprehensive biotech curriculum. Accompanying instructional materials are designed to meet national education and industry standards to focus on in-demand skills and career pathways across biotechnology.

Futurelab+ builds upon Genentech's successful Futurelab, a program for schools in South San Francisco launched in 2015 to support students' pursuit of STEM careers. The initiative focuses on historically-excluded groups, with the goal of ultimately building a more representative scientific and medical workforce that reflects the diversity of the people it serves. Genentech has invested more than $35 million in Futurelab since 2015, and the program currently supports all 8,000 K-12 South San Francisco students and their teachers. Futurelab+ is made possible through a collaborative network of partners led by Genentech and Discovery Education and supported by Bay Area Bioscience Education Community, Jobs for the Future, Ignited Education, The American Institutes for Research, and the California Academy of Sciences.

"With Futurelab+, students dive into hands-on science, unleashing their curiosity and building career-ready skills. We are proud to partner with Genentech to ensure all students have the opportunity to explore biotechnology and related fields," said Amy Nakamoto, Executive Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education. "These capstone resources expand the strength of Futurelab+ as a go-to resource, empowering students to demonstrate learning in contextual ways."

Learn more about Futurelab+ at futurelabplus.com or within Discovery Education Experience.

For more information about Discovery Education's award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

###

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and corporate partnerships, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts

Grace Maliska

Discovery Education

Email: gmaliska@dicoveryed.com





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Discovery Education on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Discovery Education

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/discovery-education

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Discovery Education

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Calgary, Alberta and Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - PrePad ("PrePad" or the "Company"), a leading cloud-based SaaS startup specializing in optimizing drilling and completions time and cost estimation, has been selected by Chevron Technology Ventures ("CTV") for its Catalyst Program, an initiative aimed at accelerating technology innovation within the energy sector.

Sean Hervo, Co-Founder and CEO of PrePad, expressed his enthusiasm about the selection, saying, "We're deeply honoured to be chosen by Chevron Technology Ventures for its Catalyst Program. This opportunity is a significant milestone for PrePad, providing us with a framework to refine our technology further. Working with Chevron on potential use cases, and leveraging the program's model will allow us to fine-tune our go-to-market strategies as we continue to develop a product that delivers tangible value to industry operators."

Launched in 2017, CTV's Catalyst Program aims to accelerate the growth of early-stage companies working on technologies potentially beneficial to the energy sector. These innovations may be in operational enhancement, digitalization, and lower carbon - or a combination thereof. PrePad is focused on advancing the development of its proprietary technology designed to revolutionize the cost estimation lifecycle for drilling and completing oil and gas wells. The Company's software is designed to enhance capital efficiency, support adjacent workflows, and offer greater transparency and accuracy in drilling and completions decision-making processes.

PrePad's software represents a significant leap forward from traditional spreadsheet-based approaches, aiming to enable clients to optimize their drilling and completions strategies more effectively. In an era marked by dynamic changes in the energy landscape, fluctuating input costs, and volatile commodity prices, PrePad's platform is designed to offer a specialized solution to streamline processes and improve accuracy for its clients. PrePad believes its software is well-positioned to become the industry standard for comprehensive cost and time analysis, complete with integrated economic considerations.

PrePad reduces well pad planning from months to minutes. Instead of relying on complex in-house solutions like spreadsheets and custom models, operators can use PrePad's software to replicate detailed plans quickly, significantly improving efficiency and maximizing profitability in oil and gas operations.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Through its participation in the Catalyst Program, PrePad aims to further validate and commercialize its technology, and intends to complete trials with both existing and new clients in the energy sector. PrePad's software is currently used by a number of leading companies, including Devon Energy and Coterra Energy.

Earlier this year, PrePad was recognized as Disruptive Digital Innovator at the 2024 Global Energy Show Canada and as a Top Innovator in Completions by Darcy Partners, a provider of technology-focused market intelligence to the energy sector.

The Company was founded in 2021 by Sean Hervo and Brandon Eidson, both of whom previously held positions at Shell. PrePad has benefited from supportive partners since inception. The Company has received non-dilutive funding from Alberta Innovates, the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), and the Alberta Export Expansion Program. PrePad has also raised funds through strategic angel investors; employee contributions; a complementary partnership with Arcurve, a leading technology consultancy; and a strategic investment from Devon Energy, a large U.S. oil and gas producer.

About PrePad

PrePad is a cutting-edge software solution that revolutionizes cost and time estimation for oil and gas drilling and completions while providing advanced scenario modeling for development operations. The platform enables operators to optimize the balance between production, cost, cycle time, emissions, and risk. For more information, visit www.prepad.io.

About Chevron Technology Ventures

Formed in 1999, Chevron Technology Ventures identifies, supports, and invests in breakthrough technologies that have the potential to enhance how Chevron produces and delivers affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy. Visit www.chevron.com/technology/technology-ventures.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224134

SOURCE: PrePad
Valerie Danaguezian, who has held the position of Chief Financial Officer since Adocia's founding in 2005, is leaving the company to focus on a family project

Mathieu-William Gilbert will serve as Chief Financial Officer in addition to his position as Chief Operating Officer, which he has held since May 2024

Regulatory News:

Adocia (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 ADOC, the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of innovative therapeutic solutions for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, today announced the appointment of Mathieu-William Gilbert as Chief Financial Officer. He succeeds Valerie Danaguezian, who has held this position since 2005.

Mathieu-William Gilbert joined the Company in May 2024 as Chief Operating Officer following a distinguished career of more than fifteen years at Novo Nordisk, where he held Vice President and General Manager positions for several subsidiaries in North Africa and Latin America. His background includes extensive experience in commercial operations and financial management.

In his added role, Mathieu-William Gilbert will oversee administrative and financial functions, investor relations, legal affairs, and human resources. He is also a member of the Executive Committee and serves as Secretary General of the Board of Directors.

"I thank Olivier Soula for his trust in adding the role of Chief Financial Officer to my position as Chief Operating Officer. It is with great pride and responsibility that I commit to working alongside an outstanding team", said Mathieu-William Gilbert. "These past months have reinforced my confidence in Adocia's potential, and I am determined to contribute to its success".

Valerie Danaguezian, Chief Financial Officer of Adocia for more than 18 years, has provided invaluable expertise to the company, contributing to its founding and growth, notably during its transition from a private company to a public company listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris. She previously held senior positions at Sanofi Pasteur and Flamel Technologies alongside the Soula family.

"It is with great emotion that I leave Adocia after nearly two decades as Chief Financial Officer, alongside the founders, the Soula family. I am proud to have contributed to the development of this company, which stands out for the talent of its employees, its ability to innovate, and its adaptability to change," said Valerie Danaguezian. "We have had the time for a thorough transition with Mathieu, and I have come to appreciate his skills and strategic vision. Lastly, I would like to thank Gerard and Olivier for trusting me and for the intense and rewarding years we have spent together

"It is not without deep regret that we see Valerie leave, and at the same time, we are happy to see her thrive in a project close to her heart. Adocia owes a great deal to Valerie, whose contribution has been exceptional. On behalf of the entire team, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to her", said Olivier and Gerard Soula, co-founders of the Company.

"Mathieu joins the team with valuable experience that enriches us, and the determination needed to achieve our ambitious goals. I am delighted to have him with us", added Olivier Soula, CEO of Adocia.

About Adocia

Adocia is a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of therapeutic solutions in the field of metabolic diseases, primarily diabetes and obesity.

The company has a broad portfolio of drug candidates based on four proprietary technology platforms: 1) The BioChaperone technology for the development of new generation insulins and products combining different hormones; 2) AdOral, an oral peptide delivery technology; 3) AdoShell, an immunoprotective biomaterial for cell transplantation, with an initial application in pancreatic cells transplantation; and 4) AdoGel, a long-acting drug delivery platform.

Adocia holds more than 25 patent families. Based in Lyon, the company has about 80 employees. Adocia is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Euronext: ADOC; ISIN: FR0011184241).

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Adocia and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Adocia considers as being reasonable. However, there can be no guarantee that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be achieved, as such estimates are subject to numerous risks including those set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the universal registration document that was filed with the French Autorite des marches financiers on April 29, 2024, as updated in the Company's 2024 Half-year financial statements, both available at www.adocia.com Those risks include uncertainties inherent in Adocia's short- or medium-term working capital requirements, in research and development, future clinical data, analyses and the evolution of economic conditions, the financial markets and the markets in which Adocia operates, which could impact the Company's short-term financing requirements and its ability to raise additional funds.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Adocia or not considered as material by Adocia at this time. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause the actual results, financial conditions, performances, or achievements of Adocia be materially different from those mentioned in the forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240923349600/en/

Contacts:

Adocia

Olivier Soula

CEO

contactinvestisseurs@adocia.com

+33 (0)4 72 610 610

www.adocia.com

Ulysse Communication

Adocia Press Investor Relations

Bruno Arabian

Nicolas Entz

adocia@ulysse-communication.com

+ 33 (0)6 87 88 47 26
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - The Injury Group, a leading law firm specializing in personal injury cases, is pleased to announce its offering of free case consultations for individuals involved in car accidents in the Bronx. This initiative underscores their dedication to providing top-tier legal representation and ensuring justice for accident victims.

The Injury Group Offers Complimentary Case Consultations for Car Accident Victims in the Bronx

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Renowned for their expertise and success in handling personal injury cases, The Injury Group has built a strong reputation as trusted Car Accident Attorneys in the Bronx. With over 25 years of experience, they have consistently secured substantial settlements and compensation for their clients, helping them navigate the complex aftermath of car accidents effectively.

The Injury Group's team of seasoned attorneys is well-versed in various facets of car accident claims. Whether it is dealing with distracted driving, speeding, or other forms of negligence, their Car Accident Attorneys in the Bronx are committed to fighting for the rights of their clients. They understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that accidents can impose and strive to alleviate these burdens by securing the highest possible compensation.

"Our mission is to provide unparalleled legal representation for injury victims," said Margarita Moshe for The Injury Group. "We recognize the challenges that come with being involved in an accident, and our free case consultations are designed to give clients the clarity and confidence they need to pursue their claims."

The Injury Group's commitment to justice is reflected in their impressive track record, which includes numerous settlements and awards. Their dedication to client success and satisfaction is evident in their personalized approach to each case, ensuring that every client receives the attention and advocacy they deserve.

Individuals seeking assistance with car accident claims are encouraged to take advantage of the free consultation offer. The Injury Group's Car Accident Attorneys in the Bronx are ready to review cases and provide expert guidance on the best course of action to secure rightful compensation.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, please contact The Injury Group at 917-719-7252 or visit their website at theinjurygroup.com.

About The Injury Group

The Injury Group is a New York-based law firm specializing in personal injury law, with a focus on car, truck, and other accident-related cases. Their team of dedicated attorneys is committed to delivering justice and maximum compensation for clients across the Bronx, Long Island, Brooklyn, and New Jersey.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223914

SOURCE: Media Feature
BROOKLYN, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / If you're in search of luxury watches in Brooklyn, look no further than Tailored Timepieces. Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn, Tailored Timepieces has become the go-to destination for both new and seasoned watch enthusiasts. Offering an exquisite collection of new and used luxury watches from world-renowned brands like Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, this boutique store is redefining the luxury watch shopping experience in Brooklyn.

A Curated Selection of Exquisite Timepieces

At Tailored Timepieces, every watch tells a story. Whether you're seeking the timeless elegance of a Rolex Submariner, the innovative design of an Omega Speedmaster, or the intricate craftsmanship of a Patek Philippe Nautilus, you'll find a curated selection that caters to diverse tastes and preferences. The store prides itself on sourcing only the finest luxury watches, ensuring authenticity and exceptional quality with every piece.

Meet Nick Campanella: Brooklyn's Best Watch Dealer

The driving force behind Tailored Timepieces is Nick Campanella, a name synonymous with expertise and trust in the Brooklyn watch community. With nearly a half decade of experience in the luxury watch industry, Nick has cultivated a reputation as the best watch dealer in Brooklyn. His passion for horology and commitment to customer satisfaction have made Tailored Timepieces a beloved local establishment.

Nick's journey began with a fascination for mechanical watches, leading him to immerse himself in the world of luxury timepieces. Over the years, he has built strong relationships with collectors and brands alike, allowing him to offer exclusive pieces that are often hard to find. His expertise ensures that every customer receives personalized advice, whether they're investing in their first luxury watch or adding to an extensive collection.

Why Choose Tailored Timepieces?

Expertise You Can Trust : With Nick Campanella at the helm, customers benefit from his extensive knowledge of luxury watches . His insights help buyers make informed decisions, ensuring they find the perfect timepiece that suits their style and investment goals.

Authenticity Guaranteed : Every watch at Tailored Timepieces is thoroughly vetted for authenticity. The store's rigorous inspection process means you can purchase with confidence, knowing you're acquiring a genuine piece.

Competitive Pricing : Offering both new and used luxury watches in Brooklyn , Tailored Timepieces provides competitive pricing without compromising on quality. This approach makes luxury accessible to a broader audience.

Exceptional Customer Service: The team at Tailored Timepieces believes in building lasting relationships. From the moment you walk in, you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere where your needs are the top priority.

A Community Hub for Watch Enthusiasts

Beyond being a retail space, Tailored Timepieces serves as a community hub for watch enthusiasts in Brooklyn. The store regularly hosts events, showcases, and discussions that celebrate the art of watchmaking. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the world of horology, you'll find a community that shares your passion.

Conveniently Located in the Heart of Brooklyn

Accessibility is key when searching for luxury watch dealers in Brooklyn, and Tailored Timepieces delivers. The store is conveniently located, making it easy for locals and visitors alike to explore their impressive collection. Its central location underscores its commitment to serving the Brooklyn community.

Testimonials from Satisfied Customers

"Tailored Timepieces is a gem in Brooklyn. Nick's knowledge and honesty made my purchase of a pre-owned Rolex a delightful experience." - John D.

"I was new to luxury watches, and the team guided me through every step. I couldn't be happier with my Omega Seamaster." - Maria S.

Visit Tailored Timepieces Today

If you're on the hunt for the best luxury watches in Brooklyn, make Tailored Timepieces your first stop. Experience firsthand why Nick Campanella and his team have earned a reputation for excellence. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply browsing, you'll be met with unparalleled service and a selection that rivals any in New York.

Media Contact Information

Address: Brooklyn, NY 11201

Phone: (732) 439-3561

Email: info@tailoredtimepieces.com

Website: www.tailoredtimepieces.com

SOURCE: Tailored Timepieces

View the original press release on accesswire.com
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.



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Optimized cash management, renegotiation of financial obligations and ongoing financial discipline result in 60% reduction in cash outflow compared over the same period in 2023

Cash runway extended to mid-November 2024 based on current operations; potential extension to Q3 2025 if, as expected, AAC resumes in autumn.

LUMEVOQ drug product expected to be released for human use in mid-October 2024, with proceeds from the restart of early access program expected from November 2024 onwards

Regulatory News:

GenSight Biologics (Euronext: SIGHT, ISIN: FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible), a biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, today reported its interim financial results for the first half of 2024, and provided business updates since June.

The 2024 half-year financial statements were subject to a limited review by the Company's statutory auditors1 and approved by the Board of Directors on September 19, 2024. The certification report will be issued once the requisite filing procedures for the Half Year Report have been completed. It will be available in the coming days and before end of September 2024, on the Company's website in the Investors section.

"The team's achievements under a regime of financial discipline while pursuing its strategic objectives have been impressive," noted Jan Eryk Umiastowski, the newly appointed Chief Financial Officer of GenSight Biologics. "Investor confidence is evident through two successful capital increases in the first half of 2024. Renegotiated financial obligations and optimized cash management have reduced the monthly burn rate to 1.2 million and extended the cash runway into Q3 2025, if, as expected, the Early Access (AAC) Program resumes this autumn."

2024 Half-Year Financial Results (IFRS)

In million euros H1 2023 H1 2024 Revenues 1.6 1.1 Other income 1.2 0.6 Operating income 2.7 1.7 Research and development expenses (12.0) (6.3) Sales, medical and marketing expenses (4.8) (0.3) General and administrative expenses (3.0) (2.6) Operating profit (loss) (17.1) (7.4) Financial income (loss) 5.1 1.6 Net income (loss) (12.0) (5.8) EPS (in per share) (0.26) (0.07) Net cash flows from operating activities (16.2) (7.3) Net cash flows from investment activities 0.2 0.0 Net cash flows from financing activities 6.4 12.1 Net cash flows (9.6) +4.8 Cash and cash equivalents at closing 1.0 6.9

Operating income decreased by 36.4% to 1.7 million from 2.7 million over the period. Revenues recognized in 2024 and 2024 only relates to the change in valuation of the refund liability and the potential rebate obligations resulting from the current regulatory framework for ATUs, following the Company's decision to withdraw its EMA application in April 2023. The discounting update comes from rescheduling the date of the final reimbursement negotiation. This update was implemented as of June 30, 2024.

The Company also generated research tax credit (Credit d'Impot Recherche), amounting to 0.6 million in the first half of 2024, compared to 1.2 million in the first half of 2023.

Research and development expenses decreased by 47.6%, or 5.7 million, and amounted to 6.3 million in the first half of 2024 compared to 12.0 million a year earlier. This decrease was essentially driven by a sharp reduction in R&D spending on the GS030 program in order to focus on the LUMEVOQ project and lower expenses in Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) activities following the release of two batches of LUMEVOQDrug Substance in September and November 2023.

Sales, medical and marketing expenses decreased by 94.6%, or 4.6 million, to 0.3 million in the first half of 2024 compared to 4.8 million over the same period in 2023, reflecting the Company's withdrawal of its marketing authorization application with the EMA for LUMEVOQ and the concomitant decision to terminate activities related to preparing for a commercial launch in Europe.

General and administrative expenses decreased by 13.5% to 2.6 million in the first half of 2024 compared to 3.0 million over the same period in 2023. This decrease is mainly driven by the decrease of share-based income, resulting from the cancellations of performance share plans whose conditions were unlikely to be met following the EMA application withdrawal. Excluding this non-recurring and non-cash IFRS2 item, general and administrative expenses decreased by 0.9 million over the period.

Operating loss decreased by 56.7%, or 9.7 million, in the first half of 2024, amounting to (7.4) million compared to (17.1) million over the same period in 2023.This decrease reflects trends in Operating income, R&D expenses, Sales, medical and marketing expenses and G&A expenses as discussed above.

Financial income in the first half of 2024 amounted to 1.6 million compared to 5.1 million over the same period in 2023. In 2023, the fair value of derivative financial instrument had declined sharply in connection with the evolution of the market price. En 2024, the financial income is essentially explained by the context of the renegotiation of our financial obligations and the change in derivative financial instrument fair value.

Net loss for the first half of 2024 decreased to 5.8 million compared to 12.0 million in the first half of 2023. The loss per share (based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding over the period) amounted to 0.07 and 0.26 for the first halves of 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Net cash flows from operating activities in the first half of 2024 and 2023 were (7.3) million and (16.2) million, respectively. The sharp decrease in 2024 is driven mainly by the decrease in operating expenses following the EMA application withdrawal, in income and in non-cash expenses related to share-based payments.

Net cash flows from investment activities amounted to 0.0 million in the first half of 2024 compared to 0.2 million in 2023, mainly driven by the activity of the Company's liquidity contract.

Net cash flows from financing activities amounted to 12.1 million in the first half of 2024, compared to 6.4 million in the same period of 2023, reflecting the proceeds from the capital increases conducted in the first half of 2024 and the subscription and exercise of share warrants.

Cash and cash equivalents amounted to 6.9 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to 1.0 million twelve months earlier.

Other Financial Updates

On June 28, 2024, the Company resumed payment of the quarterly redemptions of the 2022 OCAs by issuing new shares in the Company. Payment of its next quarterly due date at the end of September 2024 will also be in shares.

As of today, the Company is financed through mid-November 2024. The Company expects to begin receiving revenues from the restarted AAC program in November 2024. This will extend the cash runway to Q3 2025.

In the event of a significant delay between the resumption of compassionate access and the receipt of the first compensation payments, the company may need to implement temporary financing solutions, such as the sale of receivables, to secure its cash position during this transitional period. If timely resumption of the AAC program is not achieved, refinancing would be required before mid-November 2024.

GenSight Biologics expects to pursue other sources of financing or partnerships, including M&A opportunities, to secure its ongoing activities, such as the launch of the new RECOVER Phase III clinical trial, and to supplement its working capital requirements.

Business Updates: Manufacturing, Preparing for Resumption of Early Access (AAC) Program

Over the summer, the LUMEVOQ drug product batch manufactured in July 2024 has undergone the quality control tests required to be released for use with patients. To date, the batch has passed all safety tests, enabling the vials to be shipped to the distribution facility in France, where packaging operations have been completed. A final series of tests is currently underway. The Company is preparing for the pharmaceutical release of the batch in mid-October, rather than in September as previously announced.

Preparations for resuming the AACprogram in France are advancing, in close coordination with the Quinze-Vingts hospital in Paris and the Agence Nationale de Securite du Medicament et des Produits de Sante (ANSM), within a timetable compatible with the various stakeholders. The first proceeds are expected to be received from November 2024 onwards.

Management Team Update: New Chief Financial Officer

GenSight Biologics appointed Jan Eryk Umiastowski as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 16, 2024. Mr. Umiastowski brings over 26 years of expertise in corporate finance, fundraising, financial management and M&A to the role. Prior to joining GenSight, Mr. Umiastowski served as Chief Investment Officer at CEGEDIM for 16 years. His wide-ranging background encompasses responsibilities as an M&A director at a Swiss family office specializing in fashion and luxury and as a small-cap equity fund manager for European and US funds.

"I'm thrilled to join GenSight Biologics at this pivotal moment," commented Mr. Umiastowski. "I am excited to bring my multifaceted experience, along with my deep understanding of listed companies and the healthcare sector, to the challenge of developing and implementing robust financial strategies that will fuel the company's innovative journey."

"Jan Eryk's appointment underscores GenSight's commitment to strengthening its financial leadership as it advances its innovative gene therapies in a challenging environment," said Laurence Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer of GenSight Biologics. "He is an outstanding addition to our team."

GenSight Biologics will report its cash position as of September 30, 2024, on October 24, 2024.

About GenSight Biologics

GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight Biologics' pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics, to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from blinding retinal diseases. Using its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics' product candidates are designed to be administered in a single treatment to each eye by intravitreal injection to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery. GenSight Biologics' lead product candidate, LUMEVOQ (GS010; lenadogene nolparvovec), an investigational compound that has not been registered in any country at this stage, was developed for the treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease affecting primarily teens and young adults that leads to irreversible blindness. The company is also developing an optogenetics product candidate, GS030, for the treatment of rare inherited diseases, such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, that cause degeneration of photoreceptors.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding product development prospects and financial projections. These statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements in this press release can be found in GenSight Biologics' regulatory filings with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers ("AMF"). Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and estimates, which speak only as of the date hereof. Other than as required by applicable law, GenSight Biologics undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release.

1 Subject to the completion of their limited review procedures, the Statutory Auditors intend to issue an unqualified opinion on the condensed interim financial statements, and to insert a paragraph relating to the significant going concern uncertainty detailed in the notes to the interim consolidated financial statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240923580628/en/

Contacts:

GenSight Biologics

Chief Financial Officer

Jan Eryk Umiastowski

jeumiastowski@gensight-biologics.com

LifeSci Advisors

Investor Relations

Guillaume van Renterghem

gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com

+41 (0)76 735 01 31
270,000 km of motorways and trunk roads released for automotive ADAS use.

Dynamic Map Platform (DMP), the world's leading automotive high-definition map and software company, is proud to announce its initial release of its HD map spanning 16 countries in Europe. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the company's mission to provide the most accurate and comprehensive mapping solutions for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240923979813/en/

Dynamic Map Platform is expanding its HD map coverage to 16 countries in Europe. (Graphic: Business Wire)

DMP has set a new industry standard by mapping more than 270,000 km of motorways and trunk roads, achieving an absolute accuracy of 15 cm for key map features. Building on its success in North America, Japan, and Korea, DMP's Europe map features a full set of roadway characteristics and elements that are essential for developing safe, customer-preferred hands-free driving systems.

"Our expansion into these 16 countries underscores our commitment to supporting the global automotive industry with the most accurate, reliable, and detailed maps available," said Shuichi Yoshimura, CEO and president of DMP. "Our European expansion is just the beginning we are continuously working to enhance and extend our mapping coverage globally. We are progressing on our mission to model the Earth."

The Europe HD map includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

DMP's 'ground truth' roadway measurements and diverse set of map features are pivotal for Level 2+ ADAS functions, contributing to robust roadway modeling and analytics. The company's sophisticated toolchain can accurately identify and map hundreds of road features, ensuring that both physical and virtual roadway elements are precisely captured. Observable elements such as paint lines, objects, and traffic control devices, alongside virtual features like lane centerlines, trajectories, and virtual lane edges, are important inputs for safe, comfortable, hands-off driving.

"Our focus on accuracy is what sets us apart in the industry," said Chris Thibodeau, CEO of DMP North America. "By employing a highly detailed and precise mapping system, we empower automakers to develop ADAS and autonomous systems that are not only safer but also more intuitive for the driver."

DMP's Europe HD maps will soon be available for integration into automotive OEMs' systems, and the company is actively collaborating with several leading automakers to ensure seamless integration and testing.

For more information about Dynamic Map Platform and its offerings, please visit dmp-maps.com. For media inquiries, email Sharon Carty at scarty@dmp-maps.com.

ABOUT DYNAMIC MAP PLATFORM

Dynamic Map Platform is the leading geospatial measurement and mapping company supplying HD maps and software for today's advanced driver assistance systems and tomorrow's autonomous vehicles. Prior to being acquired by DMP, Ushr launched the world's first HD map into mass production. DMP's precise HD maps today continue to enable hands-free driver assistance that is uniquely safe and confident.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240923979813/en/

Contacts:

Sharon Carty

scarty@dmp-maps.com
ECW announces US$5 million in ground-breaking investments in Pakistan and Somalia during the United Nations General Assembly. Two pilots will test how to act early to reduce disruption to learning, minimize damage to schools, and keep children learning when severe climate events strike.

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As world leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly and Summit of the Future, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) announced two ground-breaking anticipatory action pilots in Pakistan and Somalia.

The US$5 million package includes a US$2.5 million grant in Somalia and a US$2.5 million grant in Pakistan. These grants will support communities to proactively reduce the devastating impact of future climate hazards on children's education by putting in place anticipatory measures that will keep children learning.

Both countries are highly vulnerable to climate hazards, specifically flooding. Last year in Somalia, a Super El Nino event caused flooding that affected 905,000 boys and girls. Floods this September in the Sindh Province of Pakistan put education on hold for 230,000 children and damaged over 1,300 schools, according to UNICEF.

Anticipatory Action is acting ahead of predicted hazards to prevent or reduce acute humanitarian impacts before they fully unfold.

"The climate crisis is disrupting the education of every girl and boy on Planet Earth. Nowhere are the challenges more severe than on the frontlines of armed conflict, forced displacement and other protracted crises in places like Pakistan and Somalia. These vital pilot investments will allow for fast, dignified and cost-effective actions that protect investments in education and other humanitarian sectors. They are an essential component in our global efforts to deliver on the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. We urge donors to join us - Right Here, Right Now - to accelerate, scale-up and replicate these innovative investments to sustain and support the direct link between climate change and education," said Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations.

The Pakistan grant, delivered by UNICEF, will pilot anticipatory actions over 18 months across six districts in Pakistan that are highly vulnerable to flooding. The investment seeks to reduce disruption to learning for children and their communities during riverine floods, reduce drop-out rates, and minimize damage to schools by investing in resilient infrastructure and proactive risk management strategies.

"Children in Pakistan are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and are still recovering from the learning losses from the devastating floods of 2022," said Melissa Corkum, Representative/O.I.C, UNICEF Pakistan. "This year's heatwave and monsoon rains have further disrupted education and exacerbated the challenges faced by children."

Corkum underscored that ECW's funding is crucial for investing in climate-resilient schools and anticipatory measures to help communities proactively reduce the impact of future climate hazards on children's education. "By ensuring that schools can continue to operate even in the face of increasing climate shocks and challenges, we can help protect children's right to education and build a more resilient future," she said.

Cutting-edge analysis will monitor water levels and enable preventative action through established in-country humanitarian coordination structures. Affected communities will themselves help choose the most suitable form of anticipatory action to safeguard their children's education. Some of these activities may include pre-positioning emergency educational supplies in safe locations, creating early warning systems, flood-proofing school buildings, finding alternative buildings for use as public shelters, or mobilizing short-term learning opportunities when climate hazards strike. The exact activities and financing for them will be pre-approved and ready to be activated urgently to stop children from dropping out of school.

The Somalia grant will be delivered by the Norwegian Refugee Council. It will provide life-saving access to education for girls and boys impacted by massive floods, enhance preparedness to respond to sudden onset emergencies, and create an anticipatory action framework to protect schoolchildren from future climate hazards.

Worldwide, ECW estimates that approximately 62 million crisis-impacted children have been adversely impacted by climate hazards since 2020. Without access to quality education, these children face grave risks including gender-based violence, forced recruitment into armed groups, and other violations of their human rights.

ECW's climate appeal was launched at COP28 in Dubai. The appeal calls for world leaders, the private sector and other key stakeholders to urgently mobilize US$150 million in additional funding for ECW's climate and education programmes. At COP28, Denmark announced approximately US$6.5 million in additional funding to Education Cannot Wait to scale-up access to quality educational opportunities for girls and boys living on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. (CSE: HPSS) (OTCQB: HPSIF) (FSE: E092) ("Hybrid" or the "Company"), a leading provider of clean energy solutions, is pleased to announce that it has received a test order for two Batt Pack Energy (BPEs) from a prominent U.S. government agency focused on emergency response. This order, facilitated through one of the Company's strategic distribution partners, marks a significant step in Hybrid's growing relationship with key government bodies.

The Batt Pack Energy, designed for highly efficient and sustainable power delivery, offers clean, portable energy solutions suitable for a wide range of applications. The test order signifies a potential shift in the adoption of greener, battery-powered solutions by government agencies in critical operations for rapid power deployment.

"We are excited about this initial test order and the opportunity to demonstrate the value of our technology in real-world, mission-critical environments where simplicity of operation and multiple charging sources is important," said Francois Byrne, CEO of Hybrid Power Solutions. "Our Batt Pack Energies are designed to provide reliable, zero-emission power in challenging conditions, and we believe this test could pave the way for larger orders in the future."

Key Features of Hybrid Power Solutions' Battery Power Systems

Zero Emissions: Completely battery-powered for environmentally friendly operations.

High Portability: Compact design that allows for easy deployment in the field.

Durable & Reliable: Built for rugged environments and extreme conditions.

Versatile Application: Can power a wide range of equipment, from communications to medical devices.

This test order is an important milestone in Hybrid's efforts to supply clean energy solutions to government and emergency management sectors. As the demand for sustainable, portable power grows, Hybrid Power Solutions is well-positioned to meet the needs of various sectors looking to transition away from traditional fossil fuel-based energy systems.

In addition, Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. announces that it has amended the terms of its outstanding secured convertible debentures representing a principal amount of approximately $141,111 (the "Debentures"). The Debentures are held by one arm's length party (the "Debentureholder") and were originally purchased in August, 2023 and amended in August, 2024 (see the Company's news releases dated August 29, 2023 and August 19, 2024 for more information). Pursuant to the previous amendment, the Debentures were set to mature on October 17, 2024, and the Debentureholder has agreed to extend this maturity date by 30 days to November 16, 2024. In addition, the conversion price of the previously amended Debentures has been decreased from $0.14 per share to $0.05 per share for the remainder of the principal amount. Other than the amendments disclosed above, the original terms of the Debentures remain in full force and effect.

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.

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/224287

SOURCE: Hybrid Power Solutions Inc.
New York, United States of America, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The UN Global Compact successfully concluded the 2024 Private Sector Forum today at the UN Headquarters in New York City. Held as part of the UN General Assembly's High-Level Week, this year's Forum brought together over 100 CEOs, and global leaders to address critical global challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the keynote address, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the need for decisive, collective action following the adoption of the Pact of the Futurewhich reinforced the importance of resilient global cooperation to tackle pressing challenges like climate change, inequality, and economic instability: "The adoption of the Pact for the Future yesterday represents an important step towards a stronger and more inclusive multilateral system - one fit to address today's global challenges and accelerate our efforts for the Sustainable Development Goals. We now need the support of all stakeholders, including the private sector, to ensure that the Pact's ambitions are translated into meaningful change on the ground." he said.

Driving Business Action on the SDGs

The Forum marked the one-year milestone of the Forward Faster initiative, which has gathered momentum as a global platform for corporate action on the SDGs.The 2024 Forward Faster progress reportreveals that over 1,700 companies have committed to accelerating their contributions to the SDGs through more than 4,360 individual targets across key action areas including Gender Equality, Climate Action, Living Wage, Water Resilience, and SDG Finance & Investment, aligned with the 2030 agenda.

Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, reflected on the significance of the Forum stating: "Following the transformative discussions at the Summit of the Future, it is more evident than ever that multilateral cooperation is essential to addressing global challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The private sector has a critical role in supporting this collective effort. The 2024 Private Sector Forum has shown how businesses, by working together, can turn the ambitions set forth at the Summit into tangible actions that foster sustainable growth, resilience, and shared prosperity for all."

Policy Enablers Report: Unlocking Private-Sector Action for SDGs

The Policy Enablers for Private-Sector SDG Acceleration reportwas another focal point of the Forum. This report emphasizes the crucial role of public policy in enabling the private sector to drive progress on the SDGs. It calls for bold leadership, inclusive governance and strong political will from governments, business and civil society. Drawing on insights from five countries - Angola, Brazil, Egypt, India, and South Africa - it highlights the need for cross-sector collaboration, public-private partnerships, and tailored policy solutions to accelerate key transitions in digital access, clean energy, and fair working conditions.

The Role of Legal Leaders In addition, the Forum officially launched the UN Global Compact's Legal Council, a new platform for legal leaders to engage in policy advocacy and support the Forward Faster initiative. The Legal Council will play a critical role in analyzing global regulatory environments, offering strategic guidance, and removing barriers to sustainability, ensuring businesses contribute to achieving the SDGs.

Statement on Multilateralism

Renewed commitments to multilateralism were also on display, with the global business community endorsing the Global Business Statement on the Need for a Strong, Inclusive, and Effective Multilateralism, initiated by the UN Global Compact, International Organisation of Employers, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the International Chamber of Commerce. The statement reinforced the importance of resilient and inclusive multilateralism in addressing shared challenges, promoting sustainable growth, and ensuring prosperity for all.

Notes to Editors

About the United Nations Global Compact

The ambition of the UN Global Compact is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 62 Country Networks covering 78 countries and 14 Country Managers establishing Networks in 20 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative - one Global Compact uniting business for a better world.






Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - European Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FIN) ("European Energy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the second and final tranche (the "Second Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units ("Units") issued at a price of $0.125 per Unit (the "Private Placement").

Pursuant to the Second Tranche, the Company issued 670,000 Units for total gross proceeds of $83,750. The Company completed the first tranche of the Private Placement on September 9, 2024 and issued 15,795,000 Units for total gross proceeds of $1,974,375. In aggregate, pursuant to first tranche and the Second Tranche of the Private Placement, the Company issued 16,465,000 Units for total gross proceeds of $2,058,125.

Each Unit consists of one common share (a "Share") and one-half of a common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant issued pursuant to the Second Tranche is exercisable

for one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.20 until September 23, 2026.

In connection with the Second Tranche, the Company has paid Leede Financial Inc. a cash commission of $1,312.50 and has also issued 10,500 non-transferable broker warrants (having the same terms as the Warrants) to Leede Financial Inc. as compensation.

All securities issued pursuant to the Second Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period of four months, expiring on January 24, 2025. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement for exploration work on its properties and for working capital.

The spouse of an insider of the Company has subscribed for 520,000 Units in the Second Tranche. The issuance of the Units to such person pursuant to the Private Placement is considered to be a Non-Arm's Length Transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9- but is not considered to be a related party transaction within the meaning Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - PROTECTION OF MINORITY SECURITY HOLDERS IN SPECIAL TRANSACTIONS ("MI 61-101"). In the event such transaction was a related party transaction within the meaning of MI 61-101, the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, would apply.

About European Energy Metals Corp.

European Energy Metals Corp. is a junior mining company currently focused on the lithium-cesium-tantalum Finnish pegmatite project in central Finland. Governing bodies in Europe and Finland are legislating environmentally friendly and energy-independent laws and policies. One of the key components is access to REE (rare earth elements) and, specifically, lithium. The Company's concessions are located within 15 kilometres of the Keliber mine and production complex, currently under construction and expected to begin production in the second half of 2025. The Company cautions the presence of lithium mineralization on Keliber's properties is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the Company's mineral reservations.

An estimated 600-million-euro investment by Keliber's parent company, Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd., in partnership with the Finnish Minerals Group, is under way in the Kautinen region, and will see the development of open-pit and underground mining from several deposits, construction of a central spodumene concentrator plant, and a lithium hydroxide chemical plant at tidewater in Kokkola. When completed, this complex will comprise a complete hard-rock spodumene pegmatite lithium supply chain.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

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 forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds of the Private Placement, future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the presence of lithium mineralization at, and the exploration and development potential of, the Finnish Pegmatite. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include, management's discretion to reallocate the proceeds of the Private Placement as well as risks inherent in exploration as well as those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION INTO THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224297

SOURCE: European Energy Metals Corp.
Industry leaders gather to reaffirm commitment to project and community as Polish government announces funding

WARSAW, Poland, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Westinghouse Electric Company and Bechtel welcome the intention of the Polish government to allocate 60 billion zloty to fund the country's first nuclear power plant.

The announcement came as the partners met with key stakeholders in Warsaw and Gdansk to showcase project progress and reaffirm their commitments to economic development and community engagement. In Gdansk, local authorities were briefed on the latest project milestones, including in-depth geological surveys underway at the construction site that provide critical data to advance project planning. The project is being implemented by Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe (PEJ), a company owned by the Polish state, at the Choczewo commune site in Pomerania.

"Energy security is national security. The United States is proud to be Poland's closest partner, and most trusted friend, in the clean energy transition," said Mark Brzezinski, U.S. Ambassador to Poland."Poland's selection of Westinghouse and Bechtel - two gold standard American companies - to advance the country's civil nuclear power program brings energy security to the core of our collaboration."

"With the AP1000 design, Poland has selected the most advanced, proven technology already setting operational records in six operational units with another 12 planned to operate before the end of the decade," said Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse President and CEO. "This project will drive more than 100 billion zloty of economic impact in Poland, creating tens of thousands of jobs during construction and the many decades of operation to come."

"This historic project will strengthen the country's energy independence while also creating enormous economic opportunity, including new jobs, the training of a skilled nuclear power workforce, and the establishment of a supply chain with substantial participation by Polish companies," said Craig Albert, Bechtel President and COO.

Together, Westinghouse and Bechtel bring more than 140 years of nuclear power experience to the Poland deployment and the only proven model for nuclear supply chain localization. Bechtel and the Polish Chamber of Power Industry and Environmental Protection (IGEOS) recently organized supplier symposia in Gdansk and Gdynia, attracting more than 150 companies in the region. Westinghouse has engaged with more than 500 companies for the project and hosts an annual internship program for Polish students in the United States.

Earlier this year, Bechtel signed agreements with Gdansk University of Technology and Warsaw University of Technology to launch new Nuclear Energy Career Development Programs to help prepare the workforce for Poland's emerging nuclear power industry. As part of these efforts to expand nuclear knowledge within Poland, the U.S. Department of Energy inaugurated a regional training center for clean energy technologies in Warsaw.

The AP1000 reactor is the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. There are four AP1000 reactors currently setting operational performance and availability records in China with eight additional reactors under construction and four more under contract, as well as two operating AP1000 units at the Vogtle site in Georgia. The AP1000 technology has been selected for the nuclear energy programs in Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria, and is also under consideration at multiple other sites in Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom, India and North America. There will be 18 units based on AP1000 technology in operation globally by the end of the decade. For 70 years, Bechtel has helped customers deliver clean energy through nuclear power. In that time, Bechtel has designed, built, or provided construction services on 150 nuclear plants worldwide, bringing more than 76,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation capacity to the world.

About Bechtel

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com

About Westinghouse

Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook , LinkedIn and X .

Bechtel Contact: Krzysztof Kielminski | kkielmin@bechtel.com | Tel: +48 780 192 211

Westinghouse Contact | media@westinghouse.com

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Austin Gold Corp. (NYSE American: AUST) ("Austin" or the "Company") announces with great sadness the passing of Company director Ben Leboe - our wonderful friend, mentor and business partner.

An experienced director and business executive, Ben was a certified accountant, business valuator and management consultant. After beginning his career with KPMG, he went on to serve as the Chief Financial Officer to many organizations - among them, Uranerz Energy - and held many directorships in recent years. As much or more than his expert advice and considerable business acumen, what we valued was Ben's calm wisdom, unassuming style, generous mentorship, quick wit and wise perspective.

A devoted husband and father, we are grateful Ben was surrounded by his loving family in his final days. He will be missed dearly.

About Austin Gold Corp.

Austin is a gold exploration company focused on gold targets and making district-scale gold discoveries in the southwestern United States.

Austin has two projects in Nevada. The Kelly Creek Project is located on the Battle Mountain-Eureka (Cortez) gold trend in Humboldt County and the Lone Mountain Project is on the Independence-Jerritt Canyon gold trend in Elko County. Collectively, these Nevada properties comprise approximately 78.9 km2 of unpatented lode mining claims and private property. In Oregon, the Stockade Mountain Project consists of approximately 21.5 km2 of unpatented mining claims situated in a geological environment that appears the same as the nearby Grassy Mountain Deposit that is being permitted for underground mining.

Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that is intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

The Company cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224282

SOURCE: Austin Gold Corp.
CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / In New York City, amidst global leaders convening for the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week, MIT Solve awarded over $1 million in funding to scale 30 world-changing solutions to intractable global challenges.

Delegates from each winning 'Solver team' traveled from 13 countries to share tech-based solutions that address pressing challenges within health, learning, climate, and economic prosperity globally, as well as ways to build upon traditional knowledge and technology to meet the needs of Indigenous Communities in the U.S. and Canada. The winners were selected from a pool of over 2,200 applications from 130 countries by Solve's panels of judges.

This year, $1.3 million in prize pool funding was distributed to Solver teams, including $10,000 in unrestricted funding from Solve to each team. Additionally, each Solver team enters a nine-month support program to scale their work and impact and is eligible for additional investment from Solve Innovation Future, Solve's solution to persisting funding gaps.

"We are in a race against time to solve the most pressing issues of our era-from the climate crisis to inequities in health and learning outcomes. The 2024 Solver Class offers hope and actionable change," said Hala Hanna, Executive Director of MIT Solve. "What sets Solve apart is our commitment to supporting innovators at the critical early stages of their journey so we can make a transformative impact together. We are proud of the strides made as our Solver classes have collectively touched over 280 million people and raised over $1 billion in capital to drive action in their communities and the world."

The prize funding announced includes:

Solver award to all 30 teams supported by MIT Solve ($300,000)

Health Equity Innovation Award supported by Johnson & Johnson Foundation ($100,000) as part of its larger commitment as the Global Health Equity Anchor Supporter Recipients: NiADA, SAANS, OpenFlexure Microscope, ThriveLink, MediBot, AmarDoctor

The GM Prize supported by General Motors ($150,000): Recipients: AinaQuest, Renewable Rebirth, Earthbond Solar, OX Delivers, The Tatum T1, MakerDost

The GSR Foundation Prize supported by GSR Foundation ($150,000): Recipients: SXD, Musa, Yeti Confetti for Refugees

The AI for Humanity Prize supported by Patrick J. McGovern Foundation ($150,000): Recipients: Consultation Corral, SXD, Just Value, ThriveLink, Hunu

Climate-Positive and Equitable Food Systems Prize supported by Seeding the Future Van Lengerich Foundation ($150,000): Recipients: Oorja, Amini, SOS Biotech

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize supported by the Prince of Monaco ($100,000): Recipients: SXD, Symbrosia

Schmidt Marine Wavemaker's Prize supported by Schmidt Marine Technology Partners ($100,000): Recipient: SOS Biotech

Morgridge Family Foundation AI Innovation Prize supported by Morgridge Family Foundation ($50,000): Recipient: Just Value

The Experian Prize supported by Experian ($50,000): Recipients: VunaPay, Symplifica APP

Habitat for Humanity Sheltertech Prize supported by Habitat for Humanity ($50,000): Recipient: Easy Housing



Learn more about the 2024 Solver Class and their solutions.

Learn about collaborating with MIT Solve to drive impact.

About MIT Solve:

Solve is an initiative of MIT. We believe that to achieve a more sustainable and prosperous future for all, we need new voices and ideas. We launch open calls for exceptional and diverse solutions to the most pressing global challenges, from anyone, anywhere in the world. Selected innovators get the backing of MIT and our community of supporters to scale their impact and drive lasting change. Join us on this mission. solve.mit.edu

Media Contact

Bridget Weiler

Director, Marketing & Communications

bridget.weiler@solve.mit.edu

###

SOURCE: MIT Solve

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Alma Gold Inc. (CSE: ALMA) ("Alma Gold" or the "Company") announced that further to its September 3, 2024 and September 17, 2024 news releases, it has closed the non-brokered private placement and issued 3,750,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.08 per Unit for gross proceeds to the Company of $300,000 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share (each a "Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share at a price of $0.10 for a period of three (3) years from issuance.

Proceeds received from the Private Placement will be used for general working capital purposes.

No finder's fees were paid on the Private Placement. All securities issued are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from issuance which will expire on January 21, 2025.

Insider Participation: One insider participated in the Private Placement and subscribed for a total of 625,000 Units. The participation by such insider is a "related-party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of related party participation in the placement as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the related parties, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Alma Gold Inc.

Alma Gold Inc. is a gold-focused exploration company based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Alma Gold Inc. through its subsidiary Karita Gold Corp. is exploring the Karita West Project in northern Guinea, the Dialakoro project permits under application in the Siguiri Basin of Guinea and it owns the Clarence Stream North Gold Project in southwest New Brunswick, Canada.

For more information on Alma Gold Inc., please visit our website at: https://almagoldinc.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Gregory Isenor"

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and includes those risks set out in the Corporation's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Corporation's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Corporation believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224316

SOURCE: Alma Gold Inc.
MustGrow transitions from R&D to commercialization.

TerraSante TM biofertility product manufacturing and sales has commenced, with potential initial sales ramp-up in 2025 and 2026.

Commercialization of TerraMG TM soil biopesticide is progressing under the Bayer commercial agreement in the EU, Middle East and Africa.

Registration work for TerraMG TM soil biopesticide continues in the U.S. and Canada.

Expiration of exclusive non-commercial agreements.

Intellectual property portfolio continues to grow.

Management presentation and Q&A set for Tuesday September 24, 2024.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSXV: MGRO) (OTCQB: MGROF) (FSE: 0C0) (the "Company" or "MustGrow") is pleased to provide its 2024 pipeline update. The Company is a leader in innovative biological nutrition and crop protection solutions from mustard and today announced significant developments in the commercialization of its flagship products, TerraSanteTM and TerraMGTM, as the Company advances its efforts to transform sustainable agriculture.

TerraSanteTM: Initial Sales and Market Opportunity

MustGrow is pleased to announce that TerraSanteTM is in the initial stages of commercialization, with product registration successfully obtained in key high value crop growing U.S. states, including California, Florida, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The Company is receiving purchase orders and sales have commenced, marking a major milestone for the Company.

To assist in executing the direct sales and marketing strategy in the U.S., MustGrow engaged the services of two key industry veterans, Tim Lichatowich and Mike Atkins, who have close to six decades of combined experience in the fruit, vegetable and row crop markets.

"We are seeing strong initial interest in TerraSanteTM, particularly in California, where the market demand for a product like MustGrow's is significant," said Mike Atkins. Tim Lichatowich, who led multiple grower and industry meetings in California throughout 2024 also commented, "The potential for TerraSanteTM is even greater than we anticipated, with opportunity for multiple applications per year over large acreages."

Key highlights of TerraSanteTM's market progress include:

Initial Sales: Sales have commenced in the U.S., following registrations in several key fruit & vegetable growing states.

Potential Market Opportunity: To date, MustGrow's representatives are in direct contact with production companies covering an estimated 355,000 acres. These acres support multiple crops per year, therefore, there is potential for multiple applications of TerraSante TM annually. Sales volume from multiple applications is beyond what was initially anticipated, and as such, the 355,000 acres could potentially translate into 850,000 to 1 million acres per year application potential. This is just on a small fraction of the estimated 5.6 million acres of high value crops in the US (fruit & vegetable; tree, nut & vine; root & tuber).

Potential Future Growth: For 2024 and 2025, initial sales and successful customer testing results will drive sales growth. Commercial sales and data on product performance is expected during the upcoming winter and spring. From there, management anticipates a full-scale sales ramp-up in 2025 and 2026.

TerraSanteTM Production Update

Manufacture of TerraSanteTM started in 2023 with MustGrow's first commercial production run. MustGrow is actively planning for larger-scale production to meet anticipated demand. The Company is exploring various production options, including existing and expanded contract manufacturing partnerships.

"This is a very exciting time for MustGrow with actual production and sales," said Corey Giasson, MustGrow's President & CEO. "A few years ago, I mentioned that MustGrow was going to start the commercialization process. Well we did, and what you are witnessing is the transformation of the Company from being strictly an R&D company to now one with product sales. Our goal with TerraSanteTM, and other future registered products such as TerraMGTM, is to not only produce enough product to meet demand but do so in a cost-effective manner so as to increase margins and return on investment. You can be rest assured, that MustGrow's management focuses on this each and every day."

TerraSanteTM for Soil and Ecological Health

MustGrow's soil amendment and biofertility development programs focus on soil and soil microbiome health, nutrient and water use efficiencies, and plant yields. Soil is a farmer's most valuable asset, and MustGrow's mustard plant-based technologies are being developed with the intention to improve not only the health of the soil, but also the surrounding ecological environment.

As an organic biofertilizer in wettable powder form, TerraSanteTM contains nutritious plant proteins and carbohydrates that feed the soil and soil microbes, potentially improving beneficial microbial activity and ensuring long-term sustainable soil health. These targeted micro-communities have been shown to work to improve nutrient availability, which can potentially increase plant vigor and yields, while reducing plant stress. TerraSanteTM has the potential to improve crop nutrient uptake and, hence, overall crop performance. There are no artificial additives or preservatives used during its manufacturing.

TerraMGTM: Progress with Bayer

TerraMGTM's commercialization is progressing under MustGrow's commercial agreement with Bayer for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. While registrations are still in process in the US and Canada, MustGrow is encouraged by the ongoing work and progress being made alongside Bayer in the EU.

"We are very pleased with how things are proceeding with Bayer and they have been a great partner," said MustGrow's CEO. "Field trials are continuing in multiple countries and regions, and Bayer's technical, regulatory, production, sales and marketing teams are providing excellent support as we work to advance TerraMGTM under the commercial agreement."

Key developments for TerraMGTM under the Bayer commercial agreement include:

Signing of the Bayer Commercial Agreement: This agreement, signed in December 2023, includes licensing for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and included an upfront payment as well as milestone payments to MustGrow for development and registration work.

Field Trials and Technical Success with Bayer: Field trials and technical evaluations continue to yield positive results for both nematode and disease treatment, with the next program review scheduled for the end of October at the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting ("ABIM") meeting in Basel.

Assessing Future Production for Bayer: MustGrow and Bayer are also focusing on sourcing raw materials and scaling production capabilities for future sales and growth.

TerraMGTM in U.S. and Canada

TerraMGTM registration work continues to progress in the U.S. with the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and in Canada with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency ("PMRA"). MustGrow continues to work closely with regulatory agencies and consultants and management remains committed to continuing these registrations.

Exclusive Non-Commercial Agreements

MustGrow is announcing expiration of the exclusive non-commercial agreements with NexusBioAg, Janssen PMP and Sumitomo Corporation. The Company collected substantial data and market analysis through these agreements and will now move forward on a non-exclusive basis with multiple parties to commercialize these opportunities.

Intellectual Property Portfolio

MustGrow continues to build its intellectual property portfolio, with 112 issued and pending patents, even as the Company pivots from R&D toward commercialization. This is up from 84 total patents issued and pending in March of 2023.

The intellectual property pipeline continues to grow through MustGrow's own work as well as collaborations with university, government and other research groups. Expanded infield applications of existing formulations as well as new active ingredients are generating new product and patent opportunities. Most recently, the Company and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced funding to explore the possibilities of MustGrow's mustard extracts in the human and animal health area.

Future Roadmap

Looking ahead, MustGrow's 2024-2025 roadmap focuses on delivering the commercialization of TerraSanteTM and TerraMGTM, validating product efficacy through sales, and driving global expansion. The Company is committed to fostering its partnership with Bayer and securing new commercial partners in non-commercialized territories, including Mexico, South America, and Asia.

"We are evolving as a Company, and sales, margins and return on investment will become key drivers for our growth moving forward," said Mr. Giasson. "While blue-sky opportunities remain important, our focus will shift towards delivering on our commercial potential."

Management Presentation and Q&A

MustGrow is pleased to invite investors and other interested parties to attend an upcoming interview with Market Radius Research. The Company's CEO Corey Giasson and COO Colin Bletsky will be presenting an update and taking any questions for the audience. The webinar will be a live, interactive online event where attendees are invited to ask the Company questions in real-time following the interview. An archived webcast will be made available for those who cannot join the event live on the day of the webinar.

Event: Radius Research Pitch, Deep Dive, and Q&A with MustGrow Biologics (MGRO)

Presentation date & time: Tuesday, September 24th @ 4 PM ET

Registration link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5817266800122/WN_O30xI1NtRAWT_FRvMy0hqA

Market Radius Research gives individual investors access to in-depth CEO interviews with deep-dive institutional level discussion and Q&A. Market Radius is hosted by Martin Gagel, former top-ranked technology analyst. By registering for this webinar, you agree to receive email communications from Market Radius Capital, Inc. and from the presenting company (with unsubscribe). Your email will not be further shared. Martin Gagel and Market Radius Capital, Inc. are not registered or licensed to provide investment advice and may own shares in mentioned companies and may be compensated for these services. Content is for information purposes only and is not advice or recommendations and may include incomplete or incorrect information. Investing entails a high degree of risk. This is a production of Market Radius Capital, Inc.

About MustGrow

MustGrow is an agriculture biotech company developing organic biocontrol and biofertility products by harnessing the natural defense mechanism and organic materials of the mustard plant to sustainably protect the global food supply and help farmers feed the world. The Company has a registered and organically certified biofertility product call TerraSanteTM in key U.S.-states including California. Registrations of TerraSanteTM are owned by MustGrow and production and sales of TerraSanteTM has commenced with ramp-up slated to begin in 2025 and 2026. Commercialization is also occurring under biocontrol, with Bayer signing on under a Commercial Licensing agreement in December 2023 for the TerraMGTM soil biopesticide in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. MustGrow estimates that Bayer will spend US$35-40 million for upfront and milestone payments and registration work of TerraMGTM in their respective territory. The Company's main focus is continued commercialization globally of it products and technologies, and to expand its intellectual property portfolio from approximately 112 patents that are issued and pending. MustGrow is a public company (TSXV: MGRO) and has approximately 51.6 million basic common shares issued and outstanding and 55.7 million shares fully diluted. For further details, please visit www.mustgrow.ca.

MustGrow Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect the results, performance or achievements of MustGrow.

Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements MustGrow makes regarding: its commercialization strategy; its continuing efforts towards further state-level registrations; TerraSanteTM ability to improve beneficial microbial activity; the ability of TerraSanteTM to increase plant vigor and yields; and the ability of TerraSanteTM to improve crop nutrient uptake. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of MustGrow to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, MustGrow. Important factors that could cause MustGrow's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include market receptivity to investor relations activities as well as those risks described in more detail in MustGrow's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by MustGrow with the applicable securities regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are referred to such documents for more detailed information about MustGrow, which is subject to the qualifications, assumptions and notes set forth therein.

This release does not constitute an offer for sale of, nor a solicitation for offers to buy, any securities in the United States.

Neither the TSXV, nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV), nor the OTC Markets has approved the contents of this release or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

 2024 MustGrow Biologics Corp. All rights reserved.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224296

SOURCE: MustGrow Biologics Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Vext Science, Inc. (CSE: VEXT) (OTCQX: VEXTF) ("Vext" or the "Company"), a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio, today announced that it has entered into an agreement dated effective as of September 23, 2024 (the "Services Agreement") with PartnerCap Securities, LLC ("PartnerCap"), an affiliate of Partner Capital Group, pursuant to which PartnerCap will provide a number of services which may be considered "Investor Relations Activities" under the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, including but not limited to research and publication services. Such services may be delivered in a variety of different mediums through different platforms. The initial term of the Services Agreement will be a period of six months extending from the date of the Services Agreement (the "Initial Term") and the Services Agreement will automatically renew in subsequent three month periods, subject to earlier termination in accordance with its terms.

Pursuant to the Services Agreement, Vext will pay PartnerCap an aggregate cash fee of US$18,000 for the Initial Term and US$9,000 for each subsequent three month renewal term, plus an additional amount to be determined on a case-by-case basis for any services rendered by PartnerCap which are not considered Investor Relations Activities.

PartnerCap is a FINRA registered brokerage firm with an address at 25 Thurmond Way, Bluffton, South Carolina 29910 USA and can be contacted via e-mail at info@partnercap.com or via telephone at 212-737-7347. PartnerCap is arm's length to the Company.

For more details, contact the IR team at investors@vextscience.com.

About Vext Science, Inc.

Vext Science, Inc. is a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio. Vext's expertise spans from cultivation through to retail operations in its key markets. Based out of Arizona, Vext owns and operates state-of-the-art cultivation facilities, fully built-out manufacturing facilities as well as dispensaries in both Arizona and Ohio. The Company manufactures Vapen, one of the leading THC concentrates, edibles, and distillate cartridge brands in Arizona. Its selection of award-winning products are created with Vext's in-house, high-quality flower and distributed across Arizona and Ohio, as well as through Vext's partnerships in other states. Vext's leadership team brings a proven track record of building and operating profitable multi-state operations, with the Company having operated profitably since 2016. The Company's primary focus is to continue growing in its core states of Arizona and Ohio, bringing together cutting-edge science, manufacturing, and marketing to provide a reliable and valuable customer experience while generating shareholder value.

Vext Science, Inc. is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol VEXT and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol VEXTF. Learn more at www.vextscience.com and connect with Vext on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

For more details on the Vapen brand:

Vapen website: VapenBrands.com

Instagram: @vapen

Facebook: @vapenbrands

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Vext's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements related to the Services Agreement, including but not limited to the provision of investor relations activities thereunder and the renewal thereof, and other statements regarding future developments and the business and operations of the Vext, all of which are subject to the risk factors contained in Vext's continuous disclosure filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although Vext has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; being engaged in activities currently considered illegal under U.S. Federal laws; change in laws; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindered market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Because of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Vext disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and Vext does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

SOURCE: Vext Science, Inc

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224298

SOURCE: VEXT Science, Inc.
KAMLOOPS, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Progressive Planet Solutions Inc. (TSXV:PLAN)(OTCQB:ASHXF), a manufacturer of products for a healthy planet, 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 2:00 PM (Local Time -PST). Steve Harpur (CEO of Progressive Planet Solutions) 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, 2024

Time: 5:00 PM Eastern Time (2:00 PM Pacific Time)

Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3056/51267

If you would like to book 1x1 investor meetings with Progressive Planet Solutions, 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 Progressive Planet Solutions

Progressive Planet, a manufacturing company operating out of Kamloops, British Columbia, is reimagining what's possible when we prioritize our planet's health. Our expertise lies in developing products using our owned mineral assets and recycled materials to create products for a healthy planet.

Our C-Quester Centre of Sustainable Solutions is proudly disrupting the cement, agricultural and animal care industries. Our product lines include patented and patent pending products which are developed with the express intent of promoting a healthy planet using naturally occurring minerals and the urban mining of recycled materials. Our products can be found in over 10,000 retail stores across North America.

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

Contact:

Steve Harpur, CEO

1 (800) 910-3072

investors@progressiveplanet.com

SOURCE: Progressive Planet Solutions via Planet MicroCap

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Everyday People Financial Corp. (TSXV: EPF) (OTCQB: EPFCF) ("Everyday People" or the "Company"), a financial service provider, is pleased to announce that on September 23, 2024, its wholly-owned subsidiary, BPO Collections Limited ("BPO"), entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with the shareholders of CCS Group Holdings Limited (the "Shareholders") to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares (the "Acquisition") in the capital of CCS Group Holdings Limited (the "CCS Shares") and acquire CCS Group Holdings Limited's wholly-owned subsidiary, Commercial Collection Services Limited ("CCS" and together with its parent company, "CCS Group"). All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars ("C; CAD") and British Pound Sterling ("; GBP") using the Bank of Canada rate on September 23, 2024, GBP=CAD$1.8049.

CCS was founded in 1988 and is actively engaged in debt collection services in the United Kingdom ("UK") and is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"). CCS offers services across various sectors, including tax collection, healthcare debts, and unpaid student loans. CCS emphasizes supporting individuals in managing and reducing debt, offering a customer portal for convenient debt management. CCS also holds certifications in quality and information security management, indicating its commitment to service excellence and data protection.

"Securing our fourth acquisition in just under two years is a significant milestone for our revenue cycle management business pillar. Each acquisition enhances our capabilities and strengthens our market position," said Gordon Reykdal, Executive Chairman of the Company. "We anticipate CCS to contribute an annual EBITDA of C$1.1 million (600,000) to C$1.4 million (750,000), driving the Company's steady growth through strategic acquisitions. This aligns with our ongoing commitment to strengthening our position as a leader in revenue cycle management."

Details of the Acquisition

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement BPO will acquire the CCS Shares in exchange for an aggregate cash payment by BPO to the Shareholders as follows: (i) C$4.5 million (2.5 million) on the closing date of the Acquisition which is anticipated to be on or about October 29, 2024 (the "Closing Date") or mutually agreed upon Closing Date; (ii) holdback in the amount of C$225,613 (125,000) approximately 90 days following the Closing Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement; and (iii) a deferred payment of C$710,679 (393,750) in six equal monthly installments on the last day of each month commencing the month following the 2-year anniversary of the Closing Date.

In addition to the cash payments, the purchase price includes the issuance by Everyday People to the Shareholders of CCS Group Holdings Limited an aggregate of 2,233,564 million common shares in the capital of Everyday People (the "Everyday People Shares") issued at a deemed price of C$1.00 common share (the "Investment Shares"). In accordance with the Purchase Agreement, if the Investment Shares do not achieve a minimum value of C$1.00 per common share on the 2-year anniversary of the Closing Date of the acquisition, BPO shall pay the Shareholders subject to the following: (i) BPO will pay the Shareholders the difference between C$1.1 million (618,750) and the actual value of one-half the Investment Shares, based on the bank of Canada exchange rate on the 2-year anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Non-Conditional Additional Payment"), in six equal monthly installments without interest, starting the month after the 2-year anniversary of the Closing Date; (ii) if CCS Group achieves both the initial performance payment and the final performance payment, as defined below and in accordance with the Purchase Agreement, BPO will pay the Shareholders the same amount and in the same manner for the other one-half of the Investment Shares (the "Conditional Additional Payment"), but if either of the performance payments is not achieved by CCS Group, no further Conditional Additional Payment will be due; and (iii) if the Investment Shares reach a minimum value of C$1.00 per common share on the 2-year anniversary of the Closing Date, no Non-Conditional Additional Payment or Conditional Additional Payment will be required.

In addition, as more fully described in the Purchase Agreement, the Shareholders may earn up to an additional C$710,679 (393,750) in cash (the "Performance Amount") in two pro-rated payments based on CCS Group achieving specific EBITDA targets within 2-years following the Closing Date. If CCS Group achieves a trailing six months of EBITDA between C$541,470 (300,000) and C$676,838 (375,000) or greater, the Shareholders will receive one-half of the Performance Amount, pro-rated on a sliding scale between 80% and 100% (the "Initial Performance Payment"). A second trailing six months of EBITDA meeting the same criteria triggers the other one-half of the Performance Amount (the "Final Performance Payment"). The Shareholders will select the trailing six-month periods to declare for both payments and will notify BPO in writing. Payments will be made in six equal monthly installments after declaration. If EBITDA is less than C$541,470 (300,000) during the relevant periods, the respective payments will be forfeited.

The Company intends to fund the Acquisition through equity and debt. This Acquisition does not constitute a fundamental acquisition under TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") Policy 5.3. Completion of the Acquisition is subject to conditions customary for transactions of this nature, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all requisite third party and regulatory approvals, including the acceptance of the TSX-V and the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") in the UK. The Acquisition is anticipated to close on or about October 29, 2024. There will be no new insiders or control persons of Everyday People after the closing of the Acquisition. Shareholder approval of the Acquisition is not required in accordance with the TSX-V Policy 5.3. The Acquisition is an arm's-length transaction, and no finder's fee is to be paid in connection with the Acquisition.

Bank Loan Details

BPO, (the "Borrower"), has entered into a commitment letter pursuant to which a leading bank in the UK (the "Bank") has agreed to make available a non-revolving committed loan facility of C$6.0 million (3.3 million) to the Borrower (the "Bank Loan") with a 5-year term. The Bank Loan is to be used to purchase 100% of the CCS Group Shares.

Monthly interest payments only are due for the first year. The Bank Loan is payable in equal monthly installments plus interest, starting in year 2, and C$902,450 (500,000) each in years 2, 3, and 4, with any remaining balance due in year 5. The Bank Loan has a floating rate of 4.75% plus the Bank of England Base Rate with a base rate floor being 3.75%. The Bank Loan will be secured by a bond and floating charge/debenture granted by the Borrower.

Availability of the Bank Loan is subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions precedent, including confirmation of the closing of the proposed Acquisition of CCS Group by BPO.

Update on Acquisitions

The Company will continue to pursue additional acquisitions for the remainder of this year and throughout 2025, aiming to further expand its revenue cycle management business segment. The Company previously announced its intention to acquire Pastdue Credit Solution Ltd. ("PDC") in a prior news release dated July 20, 2023, and is no longer pursuing this acquisition.

Redemption of Restricted Share Units and Issuance of Common Shares in Connection with Acquisition

The Company has issued an aggregate of 969,257 common shares pursuant to the redemption of Restricted Share Units ("RSUs"), of which 514,257 RSUs were initially granted to directors on August 31, 2022, another 355,000 RSUs were granted to certain contractors and executives on August 22, 2023, and an additional 100,000 RSUs were granted to a certain contractor on August 31, 2022. In connection with the Acquisition, the Company has also issued 2,233,564 common shares to the Shareholders of CCS Group as disclosed above. Following the RSU redemptions and the issuance of common shares in connection with the Acquisition the Company now has 118,449,360 issued and outstanding common shares.

The Company also granted 396,000 RSUs to David Guebert who was appointed as director of the Company on July 25, 2024, with such RSUs vesting on the basis of 132,000 RSUs vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date, a further 132,000 RSUs vesting on the second anniversary of the grant date, and the final 132,000 RSUs vesting on the third anniversary of the grant date. The Company also granted 50,000 RSUs to Alasdair Skeoch who was appointed Chief Operating Officer RCM on July 19, 2024, vesting on the first anniversary date of the grant date.

Corporate Update

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Maureen Griffiths as the Company's new Corporate Secretary. Maureen Griffiths will be replacing Renata Berlingo, who has served as the Company's Senior Vice President of Operations and Corporate Secretary. Renata Berlingo will now focus exclusively on the operational aspects of the business as the Company's Senior Vice President of Operations, allowing for greater attention to the Company's strategic goals in operational efficiency and growth. Maureen Griffiths brings thirty plus years of experience serving publicly listed companies on the Canadian and U.S. Stock exchanges. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring adherence to regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and fostering transparent communication between the board of directors, management, and shareholders.

"This transition is part of the Company's broader strategy to refine its leadership structure, ensuring that key executives are focused on driving the Company's core objectives," said Gordon Reykdal, Executive Chairman of the Company.

About Everyday People Financial Corp.

Everyday People is founded on the belief that everyone deserves a second chance to financially reestablish themselves with access to affordable credit products. We are changing the way people manage money by enhancing our client services with our own affordable and specialized financial products and literacy programs. We're helping everyday people rebuild their financial health for generational wealth. Everyday People has a workforce of about 450 people, with operations first established in 2006 in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America. The company includes three main pillars of business: one pillar, Revenue Cycle Management operates under our Co-CEO RCM, Graham Rankin, and two pillars, Everyday People Financial Services and Everyday People Homes operates under our Co-CEO Financial Services and EP Homes, Barret Reykdal. We stand for creativity and entrepreneurship. Our combination of companies, products and services has been established to ensure we can fulfill consumers' financial needs and service them in a low-cost effective manner.

For more information visit: www.everydaypeoplefinancial.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to hereafter as "forward-looking statements") under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the structure and terms of the Acquisition, timing for completion of the Acquisition, timing for receipt of required third party and regulatory approvals, including the acceptance of the Exchange, the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions of the Acquisition in the required timeframes or at all, the ability of the Company to complete the Acquisition on the terms announced or at all, and the business, plans and operations of the Company. 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, the timely receipt of all required third party and regulatory approvals, including the acceptance of the Exchange, the inability to satisfy the conditions required to complete the Acquisition, termination of the Purchase Agreement, expectations and assumptions concerning the Company, and the acquired businesses, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the documents filed by the Company on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in 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/224313

SOURCE: Everyday People Financial Corp.
The NMIBC market is gaining momentum, with ~13 therapies anticipated to enter key markets by 2034. DelveInsight projects that three critical drugs will secure billion-dollar markets across the 7MM by 2034, highlighting the significant potential in the NMIBC space. This growth is driven by the demand for new treatment options, the high treatment costs, the focus on various patient segments, and the increasing prevalence of NMIBC.

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a type of bladder cancer where the tumor remains confined to the bladder's innermost lining layer, without spreading into the muscle. This early-stage form constitutes a large portion of bladder cancer cases. NMIBC usually features superficial tumor growth and is commonly associated with papillary tumors or carcinoma in situ.

Based on DelveInsight's assessment in 2023, the total prevalent cases of NMIBC in the 7MM were nearly1.5 million. These cases are expected to increase by 2034. Among cases categorized by risk level, the highest number belonged to the intermediate-risk category.

The current treatment plan involves surgery, intravesical immunotherapy (BCG), and intravesical chemotherapy. For intermediate- or high-risk NMIBC, the standard approach typically includes Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT) followed by adjuvant BCG immunotherapy, which is considered the gold standard for reducing tumor recurrence and preventing progression to more advanced stages. Stage 0 bladder cancer is usually treated with TURBT and fulguration, followed by intravesical therapy within 24 hours. In some cases, no further treatment is required. Cystoscopy is then performed every 3 to 6 months to monitor for cancer recurrence.

Furthermore, the FDA has approved just three drugs for treating NMIBC: KEYTRUDA, approved in 2020, ADSTILADRIN, approved in 2022, and the most recent, ANKTIVA, approved in April 2024. All three are only approved for use in the United States.

Learn more about the FDA-approved NMIBC drugs @ Drugs for NMIBC Treatment

In early 2020, the FDA authorized the use of intravenous KEYTRUDA for treating BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with carcinoma in situ (CIS), including cases with or without papillary tumors, for patients who are not candidates for or prefer not to have radical cystectomy. This approval was based on one of the two parts of the multicenter Phase II trial (KEYNOTE-057), which evaluated the effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in treating BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with CIS.

The next significant drug approved for NMIBC was ADSTILADRIN by Ferring. ADSTILADRIN is a gene therapy designed for adult patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. This treatment uses a non-replicating adenovirus vector to deliver the interferon alfa-2b gene and is administered via catheter into the bladder every three months. The European Medicines Agency has classified it as an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP).

In December 2022, the US FDA approved ADSTILADRIN for adults with high-risk, BCG-unresponsive NMIBC, including those with carcinoma in situ (CIS), with or without papillary tumors. In April 2024, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and SK Pharmteco announced a partnership to expand the commercial manufacturing capacity for ADSTILADRIN to ensure a consistent long-term supply.

The latest therapy approved by the FDA is ImmunityBio's ANKTIVA (N-803) in combination with BCG. ANKTIVA is a novel IL-15 superagonist composed of an IL-15 mutant (IL-15N72D) linked to an IL-15 receptor a/IgG1 Fc fusion protein. In April 2024, the US FDA approved ANKTIVA combined with BCG for treating patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with CIS, regardless of the presence of papillary tumors.

The drug is currently being tested in two clinical trials for NMIBC: QUILT-3.032, which evaluates ANKTIVA with BCG in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with CIS and Papillary Disease, and QUILT-2.005, which investigates ANKTIVA with BCG for BCG-naive NMIBC patients.

Before the COVID pandemic exacerbated the supply chain issues, there was already a shortage of BCG, which has traditionally been the primary treatment for high-risk NMIBC. The ongoing BCG deficit has compelled doctors to explore other treatment options for patients with high-risk NMIBC, such as a combination of the chemotherapy drugs gemcitabine and docetaxel. Recently, a partnership between the Serum Institute of India and ImmunityBio, aimed at providing traditional BCG and developing an improved recombinant BCG, has bolstered efforts to address and mitigate the current BCG supply shortage for NMIBC.

To know more about NMIBC treatment options, visit @ New Treatment for NMIBC

The NMIBC pipeline is robust with so many companies working in the domain. Various potential NMIBC unresponsive to BCG therapies that are projected to enter during the forecast period include Johnson & Johnson's TAR-200, CG Oncology's CG0070, Fidia Farmaceutici's ONCOFID P-B, Theralase Technologies' Ruvidar, Protara Therapeutics' TARA-002, enGene's EG-70, Astellas Pharma's PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin), Prokarium's ZH9, and others.

Discover which therapies are expected to grab major NMIBC market share @ NMIBC Market Report

CG0070 is an oncolytic immunotherapy that uses a modified adenovirus type 5 backbone with a cancer-specific promoter and a GM-CSF transgene to target and destroy bladder tumor cells with a faulty Rb pathway. Its effectiveness as a standalone treatment for NMIBC after the failure of BCG therapy has been demonstrated in previous studies, V0046 and BOND-002.

Ongoing Phase III trials (BOND-003) are investigating its potential further. At the AUA 2024 annual meeting, updated results from BOND-003 Cohort C were presented. CG0070 is also being evaluated in a Phase II CORE-001 study, in collaboration with Merck, which combines CG0070 with KEYTRUDA for treating high-grade NMIBC that does not respond to BCG. Positive results from this study were shared at ASCO 2024, supporting further exploration of CG0070 with checkpoint inhibitors in an upcoming CORE-008 trial for high-risk NMIBC.

In addition to this, other new treatments such as TAR-002, Ruvidar, and ONCOFID P-B are anticipated to enter the NMIBC market. ONCOFID P-B is a chemotherapy-based option developed by Fidia Farmaceutici, which is currently in Phase III trials. enGene's non-viral plasmid-based therapy EG-70 is expected to compete with viral therapies from companies like Ferring Pharmaceuticals, CG Oncology, Istari Oncology, and Vaxiion Therapeutics, offering a safety advantage by reducing the risk of immune response. The design of EG-70, which is user-friendly and non-viral, is likely to fit well into current treatment practices without requiring changes from urologists.

Discover more about drugs for NMIBC in development @ NMIBC Clinical Trials

The segment of patients who have never used BCG has been tough to access because BCG has long been the only major treatment available for NMIBC. However, any new drug that can exceed BCG's complete response rate (CRR) could gain a significant edge in this area. The ongoing BCG shortage highlights the need for alternative therapies and additional BCG strains for high-risk, BCG-naive disease.

This scarcity has opened the door for key players in the NMIBC market to enter a field traditionally dominated by BCG. Leading companies like Merck (KEYTRUDA + BCG), ImmunityBio (ANKTIVA + BCG), Roche (TECENTRIQ + BCG), Pfizer (Sasanlimab + BCG), and AstraZeneca (IMFINZI + BCG) are focusing on combining their drugs with BCG to improve treatment efficacy rather than trying to replace BCG entirely.

Several promising treatments for IR-NMIBC are also currently in development. Companies like Urogen, CG Oncology, Johnson & Johnson, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals are concentrating on therapies for intermediate-risk NMIBC. DelveInsight predicts that, due to its first-mover advantage, Urogen's treatments (UGN-102 and UGN-103) will likely be widely recognized by the time CG0070 and ADSTILADRIN enter the IR-NMIBC market.

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies for NMIBC are poised to transform the market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the NMIBC market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

DelveInsight estimates that the total market size for NMIBC is expected to grow from USD 2.6 billion in 2023 with a significant CAGR of 15% by 2034. Among all risks, high-risk NMIBC accounted for the highest market size in the 7MM, i.e., nearly USD 1.6 billion in 2023. This growth can be attributed to the introduction of upcoming therapies along with improved diagnosis.

While the goal is to start with BCG-unresponsive high-risk NMIBC patients, there is opportunity to expand growth into other market segments, such as intermediate NMIBC and BCG-naive. Majority of company's eyeing High-Risk NMIBC pool, however, the broader market potential lies with BCG-naive patients, and Intermediate NMIBC.

DelveInsight's latest published market report titled as Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) Market Insight, Epidemiology And Market Forecast - 2034 will help you to discover which market leader is going to capture the largest market share. The report provides comprehensive insights into the NMIBC country-specific treatment guidelines, patient pool analysis, and epidemiology forecast to help understand the key opportunities and assess the market's underlying potential. The NMIBC market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020-2034 in the 7MM segmented into:

Total Number of Prevalent Cases of NMIBC

Stage-specific Cases of NMIBC

Grade-specific Cases of NMIBC

Risk-specific Cases of NMIBC

Age-specific Cases of NMIBC

The report provides an edge while developing business strategies by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7MM NMIBC market. Highlights include:

11-year Forecast

7MM Analysis

Epidemiology-based Market Forecasting

Historical and Forecasted Market Analysis upto 2034

Emerging Drug Market Uptake

Peak Sales Analysis

Key Cross Competition Analysis

Industry Expert's Opinion

Access and Reimbursement

Download this NMIBC market report to assess the epidemiology forecasts, understand the patient journeys, know KOLs' opinions about the upcoming treatment paradigms, and determine the factors contributing to the shift in the NMIBC market. Also, stay abreast of the mitigating factors to improve your market position in the NMIBC therapeutic space.

Related Reports

Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Pipeline

Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Pipeline Insight - 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key non-muscle invasive bladder cancer companies, including Merck, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, ImmunityBio, CG Oncology, Pfizer, Fidia Farmaceutici, enGene, Urogen, Theralase, Johnson & Johnson, Roche, AstraZeneca, Protara Therapeutics, among others.

BCG Unresponsive NMIBC Market

BCG Unresponsive NMIBC Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key BCG unresponsive NMIBC companies including Johnson & Johnson, enGene, among others.

Bladder Cancer Market

Bladder Cancer Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2032 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key bladder cancer companies including RemeGen Co., Ltd., Taiho Oncology, Inc., Xennials Therapeutics, Flame Biosciences, among others.

Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Pipeline

Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Pipeline Insight - 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key muscle-invasive bladder cancer companies, including SOTIO a.s., Celon Pharma SA, Shanghai PerHum Therapeutics Co., Ltd., 4D Pharma PLC, among others.

About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

Contact Us

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info@delveinsight.com

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Goldmoney Inc. (TSX: XAU) (US: XAUMF) ("Goldmoney" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news released dated August 16, 2024, it has completed the continuation (the "Continuation") of the Company's charter from the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) to the jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands ("BVI") under the BVI Business Companies Act (As Revised), effective September 20, 2024.

Goldmoney's board of directors believes that the Continuation is in the best interest of the Company. Continuing into the BVI will permit the Company to more efficiently return capital to shareholders by way of dividends and share buybacks while also allowing the Company to allocate and distribute capital among its subsidiaries in both Canada and the United Kingdom.

The common shares (the "Shares") of the Company will continue to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") after the Continuation, and as such the Company's Shares will remain subject to the rules and policies of the TSX. The Company expects that effective at the market open on September 26, 2024, the Shares of the Company will trade on the TSX under the new CUSIP and ISIN numbers of G4001R104 and VGG4001R1047, respectively.

For further information related to the Continuation, please refer to the management information circular dated August 6, 2024 and filed on SEDAR+ under the Company's profile or contact the Company's Chief Financial Officer for a copy of the same:

About Goldmoney Inc.

Goldmoney Inc. (TSX: XAU) specializes in the investment and custody of enduring real assets. Through its subsidiaries, the Company offers precious metals trading services to clients, including secure custody and storage solutions. Goldmoney also maintains diversified interests in property investment and jewelry manufacturing. For more information about Goldmoney, visit goldmoney.com.

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains or refers to certain forward-looking information. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "may", "potential" and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. All information other than information regarding historical fact, which addresses activities, events or developments that Goldmoney Inc. believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information does not constitute historical fact but reflects the current expectations of the Company regarding future results or events based on information that is currently available. 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, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking information will not occur. Such forward-looking information in this release speak only as of the date hereof.

Forward-looking information in this release includes, but is not limited to, timing of the listing of the Shares under the new CUSIP/ISIN and potential or predicted effects on the Company of the Continuation. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time it was made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: the Company's operating history; history of operating losses; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; fluctuations in the market price of the Company's Shares; the effect of government regulation and compliance on the Company and the industry; legal and regulatory change and uncertainty, whether in the BVI or elsewhere; jurisdictional factors associated with international operations; foreign restrictions on the Company's operations; product development and rapid technological change; dependence on technical infrastructure; protection of intellectual property; use and storage of personal information and compliance with privacy laws; network security risks; risk of system failure or inadequacy; the Company's ability to manage rapid growth; competition; the ability to identify opportunities for growth internally and through acquisitions and strategic relationships on terms which are economic or at all; the ability to identify and complete the acquisition of suitable real estate investment opportunities on terms which are economic or at all; effectiveness of the Company's risk management and internal controls; use of the Company's services for improper or illegal purposes; uninsured and underinsured losses; theft & risk of physical harm to personnel; precious metal trading risks; and volatility of precious metals prices & public interest in precious metals investment; and those risks set out in the Company's most recently filed annual information form, available on SEDAR+. 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 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 information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224243

SOURCE: GoldMoney Inc.
Global study shows that our mental state starts to decline after only two hours of continuous desk-based working, but just 15 minutes of exercise can help to reverse the effects

ASICS enlists Brian Cox to take on the role of the world's scariest boss to highlight the real threat to our mental health - the desk we work at every day.

A global study shows our mental state starts to decline after only two hours of continuous desk-based working with stress levels rising significantly after four hours. However, ASICS's Desk Break experiment shows just 15 minutes of exercise can help to reverse the effects.

The Public Service Announcement urges office workers to take a Desk Break to move their minds.

LONDON, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, ASICS has enlisted actor Brian Cox to deliver a warning to the world to get away from their desks and move for their mental health in a powerful Public Service Announcement (PSA).

ASICS' global State of Mind study, involving 26,000 participants, revealed a strong connection between sedentary behaviour and mental wellbeing with State of Mind scores declining the longer individuals remain inactive1. Further research into desk-based working found that after just two hours of continuous desk work State of Mind scores begin to drop and stress levels rise2. After four hours of uninterrupted desk time, workers' stress levels increased significantly by 18%. However, a new Desk Break experiment3 shows that just 15 minutes of movement can help to reverse the effects.

The Desk Break experiment, overseen by Dr Brendon Stubbs from King's College London, found that when office workers added just 15 minutes of movement into their working day, their mental state improved by 22.5% with participants' overall State of Mind scores increasing from 62/100 to 76/100. The experiment showed that taking a daily Desk Break for just one week lowered stress levels by 14.7%, boosted productivity by 33.2% and improved focus by 28.6%. Participants reported feeling 33.3% more relaxed and 28.6% more calm and resilient. 79.2% of participants said they would be more loyal to their employers if offered regular movement breaks.

In the PSA, Brian Cox plays the role of the world's scariest boss to highlight the silent threat to our mental health-the desk we work at every day. The PSA calls on office workers to put their mental health first by taking a Desk Break, a short movement break, during the working day.

Watch the ASICS Desk Break PSA here.

Emmy award winning actor Brian Cox said: "I've played some pretty intimidating characters in my time but who would have thought a desk could be scarier? It's great to see ASICS try and do something about this and encourage people to support their mental health through exercise. As I say in the film, run, jump, roller skate. I don't care. Just move for your mind."

Across the world, ASICS is encouraging its office-based employees to move for their mental health by taking regular movement breaks.

On World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2024, ASICS is inviting office workers to join the DeskBreak movement and feel the mental benefits. Office workers who are able to take a 15-minute Desk Break* are encouraged to share an image of their empty desk, with images shared raising funds for mental health charities around the world.

Dr Brendon Stubbs, a leading researcher in exercise and mental health from King's College London, said: "We have shown previously that just 15 minutes of exercise in leisure time can result in a meaningful improvement in people's State of Mind scores. But what surprised us with the Desk Break experiment was how powerful the 15 minute movement breaks were in improving wellbeing and reducing stress. It even changed people's perceptions of their workplace for the better."

Tomoko Koda, Managing Executive Officer for ASICS comments: "At ASICS, we champion the power of movement, not just on the body, but also on the mind. It's why we're called ASICS - an acronym for the Latin 'Anima Sana in Corpore Sano' or 'Sound Mind in a Sound Body'. Our global study revealed that the hours spent at your desk for hours on end are having a real and scary impact on our minds. That's why we wanted to deliver a powerful message from the world's scariest boss to inspire people to move their minds.

"We hope to encourage office workers around the world to move and feel the mental benefits. We look forward to seeing the empty desk images on World Mental Health Day."

To find out more about the Desk Break, visit asics.com/deskbreak

* Employees are advised to check with their employer first before taking a Desk Break.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1 The 2024 State of Mind Study was conducted between 17 November - 21 December 2023 and explored the relationship between exercise and State of Mind across the world. Over 26,000 people were surveyed across 22 markets including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, UAE, the UK and the US. Each market sample was nationally representative of age and gender.

2 Global research was conducted in September 2024 to further explore the impact of daily and continuous desk work on our State of Mind. Over 7,000 desk-based workers were surveyed across US, UK, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany and Brazil. Each market sample was nationally representative of age and gender.

3The ASICS Desk Break Experiment ran from 15th to 26thJuly 2024, led by Dr Brendon Stubbs of King's College London & University of Vienna. The experiment studied 80 desk-based office workers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom, USA and the UAE. All passed health screening questionnaires and completed consent forms before taking part.

About ASICS

At ASICS, our five letters have meaning. ASICS is an acronym for the Latin Anima Sana In Corpore Sano or a Sound Mind in a Sound Body. And since our founding in 1949, our purpose has been to help people achieve a Sound Mind in a Sound Body.

Right from the very start, our founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka, saw that sport and movement had the power to lift spirits, project positivity, and propel people and whole communities forward. We still believe this.

And we believe our purpose is more relevant today than ever before. Stress and anxiety are at record levels, yet we know sport and movement can have a positive impact. Which is why we remain focused on supporting more people to move for positive mental health.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Atomic Minerals Corporation (TSXV: ATOM) ("ATOMIC MINERALS" or the "Company") further to its news release on July 31st, 2024 and September 9th, 2024 wherein the Company announced its Private Placement Offering and closing of a first tranche, on July 31, 2024, the Company is pleased to announce that it has received TSX-V approval to close the second and final tranche of 2,100,000 Units at $0.05 per Unit for proceeds of up to $105,000 (the "Second Tranche").

The first and second tranche consists of 3,550,000 Units ("Units") at $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $177,500 (the "Offering").

Each Unit consists of one Common Share and one transferrable Common Share purchase warrant (the "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.10 per Common Share for a period of two (2) years following the date of closing.

The Company closed the first tranche of the Offering on July 31, 2024, and issued 1,450,000 Units at $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $72,500 ("First Tranche"). The First Tranche Warrants expire on July 31, 2026. Pursuant to the applicable statutory hold period, all securities issued pursuant to the First Tranche may not be transferred or sold until December 1, 2024. 8% Finder's fees were paid in the form of cash and warrants on a portion of the First Tranche totaling $4,800 and 96,000 non-transferable finder's warrants. The finder's warrants entitle the holders to purchase one Common Share in the capital of the Company at an exercise price between $0.05 and $0.10 per Common Share for a period of two (2) years expiring on July 31, 2026.

The Company closed the Second Tranche of the Offering and has issued 2,100,000 Units at $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $105,000. The Second Tranche Warrants expire on September 23, 2026. Pursuant to the applicable statutory hold period, all securities issued pursuant to the Second Tranche may not be transferred or sold until January 24, 2025.

Finder's fees were paid in the form of cash and warrants on a portion of the Second Tranche totaling $4,000 and 80,000 non-transferable finder's warrants. The finder's warrants entitle the holders to purchase one Common share at an exercise price of $0.10 per Common Share for a period of two (2) years expiring September 23, 2026.

About the Company

Atomic Minerals Corp. is a publicly listed exploration company on the TSX Venture Exchange, trading under the symbol ATOM, led by a highly skilled management and technical team with a proven track record in the junior mining sector. Atomic Minerals' objective is to identify exploration opportunities in regions that have been previously overlooked but are geologically similar to those with previous uranium discoveries. These underexplored areas hold immense potential and are in stable geopolitical and economic environments.

Atomic Minerals' property portfolio contains uranium projects in three locations within North America, all of which have significant technical merit and or are known for hosting uranium production in the past. Three of the properties are located on the Colorado Plateau, an area which has previously produced 597 million pounds of U3O8; Three others are in the prolific Athabasca Basin region and nine uranium projects are located Northern Saskatchewan, encompassing a total exploration area of 6,495 hectares.

For additional information about the Company and its projects, please visit our website at www.atomicminerals.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Clive Massey"

Clive H. Massey

President & CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "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. Although Atomic Minerals Corporation believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Atomic Minerals Corporation management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Atomic Minerals Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224334

SOURCE: Atomic Minerals Corp.
Agents World, a London, UK-based Web3 AI startup, closed its seed funding round of undisclosed amount.

Backers included Dispersion Capital, Maelstrom Capital, Node Capital, CatcherVC, Primal Capital, and Velocity Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the development of its platform.

Agents World provides a platform that enables developers to build, deploy, and monetize AI agents on-chain. AI agents are designed to function autonomously within a wide range of digital environments, such as Web3 gaming, DeFi, and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), expanding the boundaries of whats achievable in decentralized ecosystems.

FinSMEs

23/09/2024
Alan, a Paris, France-based health insurer, raised 173m in Series F funding at a $4.5b valuation.

The round was led by Belgian Belfius Bank with participation from Teachers Venture Growth, Temasek, Coatue, and Lakestar, and other French and international major entrepreneurs.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations, its business reach, as well as its development efforts.

Led by Jean-Charles Samuelian, CEO, Alan is a health insurance company that aims to give everyone access to Alan Clinic to navigate the healthcare system and Alan Mind, its mental well-being offering, among others. They cover more than 400.000 members and are partners of 20.000 companies for the health of their employees. The company operates in France, Spain and Belgium. The partnership withe Belfius marks a significant milestone in Alans development in Belgium, offering its services to all of Belfius corporate and institutional clients, representing millions of employees, starting today. Over time, Alan will also cover Belfius 7,000 employees.

To support this growth, Alan plans to strengthen its local team by making more than 25 strategic hires in Belgium over the coming months.

FinSMEs

23/09/2024
Invizius  Magnus Nicolson

Invizius, an Edinburgh, Scotland, UK-based biotech company developing breakthrough treatments for patients on dialysis, raised 950k in funding.

The round was led by Mercia Ventures and supported by Calculus Capital, Syensqo, the University of Edinburghs Old College Capital and Scottish Enterprise.

Founded in 2018 as a spin-out from the University of Edinburgh and led by Magnus Nicolson, CEO, Invizius is a biotech company developing a dialysis breakthrough treatment.

The company intends to use the funds to prepare for the next stage of clinical trials of its H-Guard product in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), a type of dialysis used in cases of acute kidney injury in an intensive care unit (ICU), and will assess its impact in modifying the immune response and reducing renal tubule damage. H-Guard addresses the inflammatory responses that patients suffer during dialysis which can cause life-threatening complications including damage to organs and the cardiovascular system. A First in Human study earlier this year demonstrated its safety and tolerability and produced encouraging biomarker data.

The latest funding brings the total raised to date to over 13m.

FinSMEs

23/09/2024
Kestra Technologies, a Paris, France-based provider of an event-driven orchestration platform, raised $8M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Alven, with participation from ISAI, Axeleo Capital, and angels including Tristan Handy (dbt Labs); Michel Tricot (Airbyte); Olivier Pomel (Datadog); Clement Delangue (Hugging Face); Bertrand Diard (Talend); Nicolas Dessaigne (Algolia); and Frederic Plais (Platform.sh).

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate hiring and growth strategy across North America and EMEA.

Led by CEO Emmanuel Darras, and CTO Ludovic Dehon, Kestra is a provider of an event-driven orchestration platform designed to simplify orchestration for both engineers and business users. Kestra Enterprises purpose-built features, such as remote execution, integration with third-party secrets manager, and high availability, currently power business-critical workflows and event-driven applications in production for some of the most innovative companies globally, reducing tool proliferation, fostering internal knowledge sharing, and ensuring future readiness. Its open-source community has developers contributing to the product in business automation, data pipelines, AI applications, microservice coordination, and more. Kestra is driven by a plugin ecosystem connecting to over 500 tools (including Databricks, Snowflake, dbt, Airbyte, Terraform, etc.), orchestrating at scale across all major cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure, etc.).

FinSMEs

23/09/2024
Pyka Pelican Spray in flight over a crop in the United States.

Pyka, an Alameda, CA-based electric aviation technology leader that designs and manufactures large-scale autonomous electric aircraft, raised $40M in Series B funding.

The round was led by Obvious Ventures, with participation from both new and existing investors, including Piva Capital, Prelude Ventures, Metaplanet Holdings, and Y Combinator.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth and further scale production of its autonomous aircraft for agriculture, defense, and commercial logistics.

Led by Michael Norcia, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pyka produces Pelican Spray, a 1,320-lb, fully autonomous, and 100% electric aircraft designed for complex agricultural operations. The aircraft combines spray precision and chemical drift reduction technologies to provide safe, clean, and cost-effective crop protection at scale. Pelican Spray is the largest FAA-approved UAS for agricultural operations and the most productive spray UAS on the Market. Additionally, the company produces Pelican Cargo, a large-scale autonomous electric cargo aircraft capable of heavy-payload, long-range, and off-airport operation. The 100% electric aircraft can transport up to 400 lbs over a range of 200 miles. Pyka has partnered with Sierra Nevada Company to introduce RUMRUNNER, a modified edition of Pelican Cargo, to customers within the U.S. Department of Defense for sustainment in contested logistics operations.

Pyka currently produces the largest commercially-approved uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) in the United States and maintains active commercial operations across the U.S., Central America, and Brazil. Its portfolio of customers includes key players in the agriculture, commercial cargo, and defense logistics value chains, such as Dole, Embraer, Sierra Nevada Company, Heinen Brothers Agra Services, and Skyports Drone Services. In early 2024, Pyka delivered three aircraft to the United States Air Force as part of the Agility Prime program.

The new investment will accelerate Pykas growth across its dual-use product line. On the commercial side, it will support further investment in Pykas domestic manufacturing capabilities, boost production of its Pelican Spray and Pelican Cargo products, and enable expanded operations with both U.S. and international customers. Additionally, the Series B funds will advance the development of new capabilities to support contested logistics operations for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied partners.

Pyka Pelican Cargo in flight.

FinSMEs

23/09/2024
Kangana broke her silence and said, It was a very difficult and very harsh time. I was physically abused. I dont have to go to details. read more

Aditya Pancholi is known for his films like Aatish, Gambler, Yes Boss, Hamesha, Jung, Bodyguard, Hero, and Dum Maaro Dum. However, his personal life has been full of controversies. He was reportedly in a relationship with Kangana Ranaut, whos over 22 years younger than him.

In a statement back in the day, while talking about the Queen actress, Pancholi said, We were as good as husband and wife. I was actually building a house for both of us on Yari Road. We lived together for three years at a friends` place. I used to show her a lot of movies.

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The actor even confessed of hitting Kangana once in an interview and said she owed him a lot of money.

Kangana broke her silence and said, It was a very difficult and very harsh time. I was physically abused. I dont have to go to details. I felt trapped. You feel people might help you. But there are no free lunches. But when you are going you fall for it. This man who was my fathers age hit me hard on my head when I was 17.

She added, I started bleeding. I took out my sandal and hit his head hard and he started to bleed too. I lodged an FIR against the man. He was my mentor turned tormentor.

Back in 2016, the actor sentenced to a one-year imprisonment for assaulting his neighbour in Mumbai. Magistrate Amitabh Panchbhai of Andheri court sentenced the actor to jail for one year and slapped a fine of Rs 20,000. The incident as reported took place in 2005. Also, an actress had once accused the Hamesha star raped her on multiple occasions and used to harass her sexually and mentally.
Nirmala Sitharamans comments that people need inner strength to handle pressure that can be achieved through divinity has triggered a political storm. Her remarks came in the wake of the death of a 26-year-old EY India employee allegedly due to overwork. The opposition has accused the finance minister of victim blaming read more

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamans remarks on the tragic demise of a young Ernst & Young (EY) employee have created a huge political uproar. Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant (CA) working at EY Pune, died just four months after joining the global accounting firm allegedly due to work pressure.

In an apparent reference to Annas demise, Sitharaman called on colleges and universities to impart stress management lessons. Her comments have garnered the oppositions ire, with the Congress accusing her of victim blaming.

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Lets take a closer look.

What has Sitharaman said?

Without naming Anna or EY, Sitharaman said people require inner strength to handle the pressure that can be achieved through divinity.

Addressing an event at a private medical college in Tamil Nadus Chennai on September 22, the finance minister said, was discussing about an issue that is on newspapers for the past two days. Our children go to colleges and universities for education and come out in flying colours. A company, without mentioning its name, its a partnership. There, a woman who had studied CA well, unable to cope with the work pressure, two-three days ago we received the news  she died unable to cope with the pressure.

She suggested that families should teach their children that they need to handle pressure in studies or jobs, which as per the Rajya Sabha MP could be achieved through divinity only.

Believe in God, we need to have Gods grace. Seek God, learn good discipline. Your Atma shakti will grow only from this. The inner strength will come only with growing Atma shakti, the Finance Minister was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.

Educational institutions should bring in divinity and spirituality. Then only will our children get the inner strength, it will help in the progress of them and the country. That is my strong belief, she added.

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Opposition hits out at FM

The finance ministers remarks have sparked a backlash, with the opposition parties expressing disapproval.

The Congress general secretary KC Venugopal slammed Sitharaman over her remarks, accusing her of victim blaming.

It is downright cruel on part of the Finance Minister to blame Anna and her family for suggesting that she should have learnt stress management at home. This kind of victim blaming is despicable and no words can convey the anger and disgust one feels because of such statements, he wrote on X.

The Congress MP asked how heartless can this government be. The parents are still recovering from this terrible tragedy. The toxic work environment should have triggered an honest review of corporate practices and led to necessary reforms that protect employees, he added.

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Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Priyanka Chaturvedi said the EY employee had the inner strength to handle the stress that came with pursuing a gruelling Chartered Accountancy degree.

It was the toxic work culture, long work hours that took away her life which needs to be addressed. Stop victim shaming and at least try to be a little sensitive, am sure god will be the guide if you seek, she added.

Sitharaman has responded to the Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders comments, explaining the context of her remarks in Chennai. With a sense of grief over the tragic loss, I highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children, and in no way victim shaming was done nor intended, even remotely, the finance minister tweeted on Monday.

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Dear @priyankac19,



Had referred to this matter in a talk delivered in Tamil at a deemed University on the outskirts of Chennai.



Had specifically mentioned that after clearing a demanding and rigorous examination such as CA, the stress on her was unbearable. No names were taken,  Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 23, 2024

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has also lambasted the finance minister over her bizarre and insensitive comments. CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar reportedly accused Sitharaman of belittling and demeaning everyday struggles of working people across the country.

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Over-work, inhuman working conditions, pervasive unemployment and lack of social security are creating stress and insecurity among workers, particularly the younger sections of our workforce across occupations. Instead of addressing these structural concerns, the finance ministers advice to rely on God is bizarre and insensitive, he said in a statement.

EY employees death

Anna, 26, died in July from a heart attack, as per reports. Her tragic demise came to light after her mother alleged in a letter to EY India head Rajiv Memani that her daughter died due to work pressure at the firm.

According to the letter, Anna was overworked with a backbreaking load as a new employee that affected her physically, emotionally, and mentally.

On July 20, Anna returned home from the office late in the evening and suddenly collapsed. She was taken to the hospital where the doctors declared her dead Before that she had no health issues, the family told Indian Express.

The letter went viral triggering an outrage on social media. Annas death has stirred conversations about the pervasive toxic work culture at the Big 4 companies  PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Deloitte, EY, and KPMG.

Last week, the Centre launched a probe into the circumstances involving the EY employees demise. Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway, Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje wrote on X.

EY said in a statement it was deeply saddened by the employees death and that it will continue to find ways to improve and provide a healthy workplace.

In a LinkedIn post on Thursday evening, EY Indias chairman Memani expressed regret for not attending Annas funeral, saying he is committed to nurturing a harmonious workplace.

Speaking on the issue on Monday (September 23), Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya said the Centre has sought information from state authorities. He said the report is likely to be submitted in the coming week after which the government will take action.

We will have to study the results of the report. We have already sought information from the state officers. Well be able to tell more about it when the report comes, Mandaviya added.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, spoke to Annas parents last week, assuring them that he would personally fight for this cause. I have promised Annas family my personal commitment, along with the full support of the Congress party, to ensure that this tragedy becomes a catalyst for change, he said.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York during his US visit. Meanwhile, a Delhi court will resume its hearing in the sexual harassment case filed by female wrestlers against ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. read more

September 23, Monday, is going to be an eventful day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York as part of his US visit from September 21 to 23.

A Delhi court is expected to resume its hearing in the sexual harassment case filed by several female wrestlers against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

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The judicial custody of the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, who has been arrested in connection with the rape and murder case of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata and financial irregularities, is set to end today.

US President Joe Biden is set to hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House on key issues including the Gaza conflict, Sudan, and responsible AI development.

The ninth round of talks for the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA) is likely to take place from September 23-27 in New Delhi.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khans judicial custody will conclude today, and he is expected to appear in court in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board.

Heres a look at the events taking place today.

PM Modis US Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to the United States from September 21 to 23. His trip began with the Quad Leaders Summit, hosted by US President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware. The summit was also attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan.

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On Monday, the prime minister will address several global leaders at the Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York. Following this, he will participate in a round table discussion with CEOs from American companies specialising in AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors.

According to the UN, the Summit of the Future is aimed at bringing together world leaders to build a new international consensus focused on creating a better present and safeguard the future.

Brij Bhushans hearing in sexual harassment case

A Delhi court is set to resume the hearing of a sexual harassment case filed by several female wrestlers against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh today. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot was scheduled to record the testimony of one of the complainants earlier, however, the session was adjourned due to the wrestlers absence.

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On May 10, the court ordered that sexual harassment and other charges be framed against Brij Bhushan based on sufficient evidence provided by the six female wrestlers. The charges against him include IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Notably, star wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat led a protest accusing Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment last year. Since then, Singhs attempts to quash the charges have been met with resistance from both the complainants as well as the Delhi Police.

Earlier this month, Brij Bhushan, addressing a rally in Uttar Pradeshs Gonda, said, When allegations were put against me, I said that its a conspiracy by Congress, Deepender Hooda, and Bhupinder Hooda. I have said it earlier, the country is saying it today. Now, I neednt say anything about it.

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Sandip Ghoshs judicial custody ends

The judicial custody of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, who was arrested in connection with the rape and murder of a doctor as well as financial irregularities at the college, is set to end today.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing both the financial discrepancies and possible links to the doctors death in this case. Nationwide protests erupted after a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata on August 9, 2023. The medical community, along with doctors and nurses across India, has rallied for justice across the country.

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A day after the incident, the Kolkata Police arrested a civic volunteer. However, due to dissatisfaction with the local investigation, the Calcutta High Court handed over the case to the CBI for further inquiry.

Joe Biden-UAE President To Hold Key Talks

US President Joe Biden is set to welcome UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the White House for discussions on the Gaza conflict, Sudan, and responsible artificial intelligence development.

White House spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that this will be the first official visit of a UAE president to Washington. In addition to meeting Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris will hold a separate meeting with the UAE leader.

The discussions will focus on further strengthening the historic ties between the UAE and the US, which date back over 50 years. Both leaders will explore new opportunities for collaboration, particularly in areas such as the economy, technology, artificial intelligence, space, renewable energy, climate action, and other aspects that focus on a prosperous future for both nations.

India-EU FTA Negotiations

The ninth round of negotiations for the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA) is scheduled to take place between September 23-27 in New Delhi. Notably, the progress regarding these talks has already been reviewed at various levels, including secretaries and ministers from both sides.

This round of talks is likely to focus on key trade issues, including goods, services, investment, and government procurement. Other important aspects might include rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), technical barriers to trade (TBT), and trade remedies.

Earlier this year, Union Minister Piyush Goyal pointed out that while India-UK FTA negotiations may take longer, the agreement is expected to boost Indian exports while safeguarding the interests of key sectors like PLI scheme beneficiaries, farmers, and industries.

The Indian businesses are pushing for more access for skilled workers in fields like IT and healthcare in the UK, while Britain seeks reductions in import duties for scotch whiskey, electric vehicles, and certain food products. Further, the UK is also aiming to expand its services sector, especially in telecommunications, legal, and financial services.

Amanatullah Khans judicial custody set to end

The judicial custody of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan is set to expire today. He is set to appear in court in connection to a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities involving the Delhi Waqf Board.

Khan was arrested on September 2 following a raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at his residence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The probe agencys counsel has challenged the admissibility of the petition, arguing that Khan withheld information regarding the dismissal of his anticipatory bail by a different high court bench.

The same materials had been presented before, and the case was later withdrawn after the Supreme Court declined to intervene. On the other hand, the counsel representing the AAP leader stated that full disclosure of facts was made in the petition and nothing was concealed.

The charges against Khan are based on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR and three complaints lodged by the Delhi Police. The probe agency has named five people, including three of Khans associatesZeeshan Haider, Daud Nasir, and Jawed Imam Siddiquiin its prosecution complaint.

The case involves alleged illegal recruitment and illegitimate personal gains made by Khan through Delhi Waqf Board properties during his tenure as chairperson from 2018 to 2022.
Airmen get training with man-portable air defense systems

China Military Online) 10:49, September 23, 2024

Airmen assigned to a portable air-defense detachment of a ground-to-air missile brigade under the Chinese PLA Central Theater Command run to the designated area for a special training exercise on July 31, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Tan Sicheng)

Airmen assigned to a portable air-defense detachment of a ground-to-air missile brigade under the Chinese PLA Central Theater Command aim at the target with hand-held missile tubes during a special training exercise on July 31, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Tan Sicheng)

An airman assigned to a portable air-defense detachment of a ground-to-air missile brigade under the Chinese PLA Central Theater Command tracks the air target with a hand-held missile tube during a special training exercise on July 31, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Tan Sicheng)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
A day after Hezbollah and Israel exchanged cross-border strikes, the IDF attacked over 300 of the Iran-backed terror groups locations on Monday and sent messages telling people in southern Lebanon to vacate their homes. Experts say a new phase of the conflict between the two is underway and that a ground invasion into Lebanon could be on the cards read more

Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on Kfar Rouman village, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Are Israel and Hezbollah heading towards all-out war?

On Sunday, the Lebanon-based terror group launched over 100 rockets at northern Israel while Israel hit Lebanon with hundreds of strikes.

This came after Israel launched a series of strikes on Hezbollah that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as unprecedented.

Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire regularly since Hamas Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel ignited the Israeli militarys devastating offensive in Gaza.

On Monday, fresh strikes by Israel on southern Lebanon saw at least 182 people killed and 727 wounded, including women, children and medics, the countrys health ministry said in a statement.

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Thousands of people fled southern Lebanon, jamming the main highway to Beirut. More than 400 other people were injured in the strikes, the ministry added.

But whats going on? And what happens next?

Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

BBC quoted Israels IDF as saying it had attacked over 300 Hezbollah locations in Lebanon on Monday.

Israels Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said the attacks will continue until we achieve our goals of returning thousands of displaced Israelis to the north.

People in southern Lebanon have received text messages telling them to leave the area.

We ask residents of Lebanese villages to pay attention to the messages and warning published by the IDF and heed them, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari was quoted as saying by CNN.

A military official told CNN this is a first for Israel.

We are doing an advanced warning with accurate means saying, if youre in a house where there is a missile or a cruise missile, get out immediately, the official added.

Lebanons minister of information denounced the move as psychological warfare.

Hezbollah on Friday had fired 140 rockets into northern Israel, saying it was targeting military sites in retaliation for overnight Israeli strikes into southern Lebanon.

Israels Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted most of the Katyusha rockets. The few that got through sparked small fires but caused little damage and no Israeli casualties.

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Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept rockets that were launched from Lebanon, in northern Israel. AP

Hezbollah described its latest wave of rocket salvos as a response to past Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon  not as revenge for the mass explosions of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies on Tuesday and Wednesday that killed at least 37 people including two children and wounded 2,900 others in attacks widely attributed to Israel.

Israel responded by conducting an airstrike in Beirut which brought down a high-rise building in the citys southern suburbs, a Shiite-majority area known as Dahiyeh where Hezbollah has a strong presence.

At least 45 people were killed including Ibrahim Aqil, one of Hezbollahs top leaders, several other fighters, and women and children.

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Aqil, 61, was the second top commander of Hezbollah to be killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburb of Beirut in as many months, dealing a severe blow to the groups command structure.

He was a member of Hezbollahs highest military body, the Jihad Council since 2008, and head of the elite Radwan Forces.

Then, on Sunday, the cross-border attacks ramped up.

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Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets deeper into northern Israel, with some landing near the city of Haifa.

We will safely return the residents to their homes, and if they [Hezbollah] havent understood that yet, they will receive another blow and another one until the organization understands, Halevi said in a news conference Sunday.

It also fired rockets at the Ramat David airbase near the Israeli city of Haifa.

Hezbollahs deputy leader Naim Kassem said the rocket attack was just the beginning of whats now an open-ended battle with Israel.

We admit that we are pained. We are humans. But as we are pained  you will also be pained, Kassem said at the funeral of top Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Akil.

We are prepared to confront all military possibilities, he added, as per Washington Post.

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Commander of Hezbollahs elite Radwan unit, Ibrahim Aqil, was reportedly killed on Friday (Septembr 20). Image courtesy: US Rewards for Justice

Israel, meanwhile, launched hundreds of strikes on Lebanon.

IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi vowed that the strikes would intensify until it is safe for residents in northern Israel to return to their homes.

We will safely return the residents to their homes, and if they [Hezbollah] havent understood that yet, they will receive another blow and another one until the organization understands, Halevi said, as per Washington Post.

Halevi also referenced the attack on Akil.

The attack on Hezbollahs command is a clear message to the organisation and the entire Middle East  we will know how to reach anyone who threatens Israeli citizens, Halevi added.

Sunday also witnessed Israel raid Al Jazeeras Ramallah office in the occupied West Bank.

Staff were ordered to exit and the office was ordered closed for 45 days.

DW quotes footage as showing an Israeli soldier informing West Bank bureau chief Walid al-Omari about a court ruling for closing down Al Jazeera for 45 days.

I ask you to take all the cameras and leave the office at this moment, the soldier said.

Al Jazeera said it vehemently condemns and denounces this criminal act and called the raid not only an attack on Al Jazeera but an affront to press freedom and the very principles of journalism.

The broadcaster also rejected what it called unfounded allegations presented by Israeli authorities to justify these illegal raids.

Netanyahu on Monday claimed that Israel had inflicted a series of blows on Hezbollah  which is already on the backfoot from a sophisticated attack that caused thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies to explode just days earlier  in recent days that the group could not have anticipated.

If Hezbollah hasnt gotten the message yet, I assure you, they will.

We are committed to ensuring the safe return of our northern residents  and we will take whatever steps necessary to restore peace.

Netanyahu said Israel would take whatever action was necessary to restore security in the north and allow people to return to their homes.

No country can accept the wanton rocketing of its cities. We cant accept it either, he said.

What next?

Many fear the events are the prelude to an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite group that is Lebanons most powerful armed force.

A war threatens to bring devastation in Lebanon, heavy missile fire into Israeli cities, and further destabilise a region already shaken by the war in Gaza.

Previous cross-border attacks have largely struck areas in northern Israel that had been evacuated and less-populated parts of southern Lebanon.

Experts say we could be entering a new phase of the conflict.

Brigadier General Amir Avivi, who previously served in the Israel Defense Forces, told Channel 4 News that Israel had a two-fold strategy  playing offence in Gaza and defence everywhere else.

Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu. File Photo

We are dealing with seven different fronts, all of them managed by Iran. Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, West Bank, where we have a lot of challenges. We reached the point where Israel can shift the centre of gravity to the north and really focus on bringing back our citizens to the north. And we cannot do that without pushing Hezbollah of south Lebanon and without really hitting Hezbollah hard, Avivi said.

I believe war is imminent in the north. Well have to deal with Hezbollah before the winter, we dont have a lot of time. So I think that the most probable scenario is a war.

BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen told the outlet a ground offensive could be in the offing.

Bowen noted that Israel has now made returning 60,000 Israelis to the northern border

Theres almost double that many people on the Lebanese side who have also had to leave their homes, as Israeli air forces are targeting the area. That aerial push will continue, said the spokesman, but he also talked about destroying the Hezbollah infrastructure in the border area and pushing them back. I dont think thats something military can easily do from aircraft, Bowen said.

He also noted how Israels past invasions of Lebanon have gone wrong.

They have not gone the way that they expected and despite predictions about how they would change things strategically for Israel, this has, in the past, left them in a bigger mess in terms of their security in the north than predicted,

The UN has warned that the region is on the brink of catastrophe.

With the region on the brink of an imminent catastrophe, it cannot be overstated enough: there is NO military solution that will make either side safer, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the U.N. envoy for Lebanon, said in an X post.

Elijah Magnier, a Brussels-based military and counterterrorism analyst with knowledge of the group, and Mohannad Hage Ali, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center think tank who researches Hezbollah, said the Friday strike signals a new phase of the war with Israel.

What is significant is the location and the beginning of a new (phase of the) war, involving an aerial campaign and the targeted assassination of military leaders, Magnier said.

Israel seemed set on exerting pressure on Hezbollahs leadership, Magnier said, particularly in the southern suburb of Beirut, where the group has many of its offices and supporters, seeking to target commanders and drive civilians out of the area. Israel is saying: If our people (in the north) cant return, your people (in the suburb) will be displaced.

In the United States, White House national security spokesman John Kirby remained hopeful for a peaceful resolution, telling Fox News Sunday the US has been involved in extensive and quite assertive diplomacy.

We are watching all these escalating tensions that have been occurring over the last week or so, with great concern, and we want to make sure that we can continue to do everything we can to try to prevent this from becoming an all-out war there with Hezbollah across that Lebanese border, he said.

But not everyone is so sanguine.

Right now, theres the most expensive game of chicken in the world taking place across the region, political analyst Ori Goldberg said from Tel Aviv told Al Jazeera.

Its always framed as a kind of inevitability, one that the Israeli leadership cant be held responsible for. Theyre creating their own self-fulfilling prophecy. Theres no strategy, no vision, nothing. Theyre just working it out day by day and assuming war will follow.

With inputs from agencies
Amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian member of parliament has claimed that a pager exploded inside the chopper of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May, leading it to crash in the woods. The theory reportedly surfaced last week after thousands of pagers belonging to Hezbollah fighters detonated across Lebanon and a picture of Raisi with a device went viral read more

Women attend a funeral procession for the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew who were killed following a helicopter crash, in Qom, Iran, May 21, 2024. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Reuters

Amid the heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian member of parliament has claimed that a pager exploded inside the chopper of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May, leading it to crash in the woods.

The assertions come a few days after pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members exploded in two days of attacks on September 16 and 17.

The attacks, widely believed to have been carried out by Israel, killed 39 people and injured more than 3,000.

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However, the Jewish nation has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

The pager explosion theory

Speaking to the Iranian media outlet Didban Iran, Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, member of the National Security Commission of Parliament, said, One likely scenario regarding the deadly helicopter crash that killed Irans President Ebrahim Raisi is the explosion of his pager.

Raisi used a pager, although the type of the pager he used might be different from the ones Hezbollah forces had. However, one of the likely scenarios regarding the chopper crash is the explosion of his pager, he said.

He further stated that Tehran was involved in purchasing the pagers held by Hezbollah militants.

Lebanese Red Cross ambulance passes next to the families of victims who were injured by their exploding handheld pagers, at the emergency entrance of the American University hospital, in Beirut, Lebanon. AP

(Iranian forces) certainly played a role in the purchase of Hezbollahs pagers, and therefore, our own intelligence agencies must also investigate this matter, he added.

Raisi using a pager theory reportedly surfaced last week after his picture with the outgoing Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammad al-Halboosi went viral. The picture showed a pager on the table in the background.

A legitimate question: Is it possible that the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed by blowing up his pager (shown in the picture below) as a kind of experiment before carrying out that experiment on the ground yesterday afternoon in Lebanon and Syria? pic.twitter.com/yCNkTrzGAN  David Nader (@raymikado) September 18, 2024

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However, it is still unclear if he used the same pager brand as Hezbollah operatives.

The investigation report

An official investigation into the helicopter crash in May that resulted in the death of Irans President Ebrahim Raisi and seven other people found it was caused by challenging climatic and atmospheric conditions.

The final report of the Supreme Board of the General Staff of the Armed Forces said the main cause of the chopper crash was the complex climatic conditions, like thick masses of dense fog, of the region in spring, Iranian state TV reported.

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The report said that the technical, engineering, electronic, and navigation aspects of the helicopter were thoroughly examined and that the findings adhered to established standards and regulations.

A frame grab from video released by the Iranian Red Crescent on Monday shows the wreckage of the helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi in East Azerbaijan province. AFP

It also ruled out signs of sabotage in parts and systems.

The report attributed the crash to the regions complicated climatic and atmospheric conditions during spring, which led to the formation of dense fog and caused the helicopter to crash into a mountain.

The chopper crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died alongside seven others when their Bell 212 helicopter crashed in a remote mountainous area in East Azerbaijan province on May 19.

The other deceased were identified as Raisis Foreign Minister Hossein AmirAbdollahian, the governor of Irans East Azerbaijan province, a senior cleric from Tabriz, a Revolutionary Guard official and three crew members.

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Footage released by IRNA showed the crash site, across a steep valley in a green mountain range.

Rescue teams are seen near the site of the incident of the helicopter carrying Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in Varzaghan in northwestern Iran. AP

Raisi was a hardliner who was seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

His government has faced years of mass protests over the ailing economy and womens rights.

The growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah

A serious escalation was witnessed last week in the nearly yearlong conflict between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

First came two days of exploding pagers and walkie-talkies, an unprecedented assault on the militant groups communications. The attacks in different parts of Lebanon killed 39 people and wounded nearly 3,000.

While Lebanon blamed Israel for the attacks, the latter did not confirm or deny its responsibility.

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It was followed by the assassination of Ibrahim Aqil, a top Hezbollah commander, who died in a Friday airstrike that also killed dozens of fighters and civilians, including women and children.

Lebanese soldiers and firefighters gather outside a mobile shop after what is believed to be the result of a walkie-talkie exploding inside it, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. AP

Hezbollah responded by launching around 150 rockets, missiles and drones targeting both military facilities and civilian neighbourhoods just north and east of Hafia.

In the first warning of its kind, the Israeli military on Monday called on residents of southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate homes and other buildings where Hezbollah stores weapons. It said it was carrying out extensive strikes against the militant group.

The escalating strikes and counter-strikes have raised fears of an all-out war, even as Israel still battles Hamas in Gaza and tries to return scores of hostages abducted on October 7.

Smoke rises from the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Reuters

Continuing its solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah began firing into Israel a day after the October 7 attack.

While Israel said it is committed to returning calm to the border by retaliating with airstrikes.

The fighting has killed hundreds of people in Lebanon and dozens in Israel and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border.

With inputs from agencies
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist, has been sworn in as Sri Lankas new president. Popularly known as AKD, the 55-year-old heads the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which is known for its anti-India stance in the past. Seen close to China, what will his election mean for New Delhi? We explain read more

Sri Lanka's newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reads a document after being sworn in as president at the Presidential Secretariat, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 23, 2024. Reuters

Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken oath as Sri Lankas new president. The National Peoples Power (NPP) coalition leader won the September 21 presidential election in the island nation by 1.27 million (12.7 lakh) more votes than his nearest rival, Sajith Premadasa.

Popularly known as AKD, the 55-year-old leftist leader heads the Marxist-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). His party is known for previously stoking up anti-India sentiments in Sri Lanka. AKD is considered close to China, which does not bode well for New Delhis interests in the Indian Ocean island.

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What will Anura Kumara Dissanayakes election mean for India? Lets dive deeper.

Who is AKD?

AKD campaigned as the candidate of change in the Sri Lanka presidential elections, the first since the 2022 protests over the economic crisis that booted the Rajapaksa clan out of power.

Born in November 1968 at Thambuttegama in Anuradhapura district, the new Sri Lankan president describes himself as the son of working-class parents.

The Marxist-Leninist leader was a part of student politics during his college days. He joined the JVP in 1987 during the partys anti-government insurrection.

AKD was first elected to parliament in 2001. He rose through the ranks and became the JVPs presidential candidate in 2019. However, AKD secured just 3.2 per cent of the votes in the last elections.

According to The Week, AKDs popularity grew in Sri Lanka due to his leadership role in the 2022 Aragalaya movement. The protests over the unprecedented economic crisis led to the resignation of the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

While Dissanayake did not take credit for the protests, he was successful in convincing people he was the outsider and the candidate for drastic change, as per Frontline.

Establishing himself as the anti-corruption leader, AKD has promised to bring economic relief to the island nation. He has also vowed to abolish the powerful executive presidency in Sri Lanka and renegotiate the terms of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

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The implementation of the IMF programme has caused significant hardship for the people. That is why we are seeking a new mandate from the public to renegotiate with the IMF. In pursuing economic goals, we must advance in a way that alleviates pressure on the public. We aim to make the necessary changes gradually to ensure long-term stability, AKD was quoted as saying by The Week.

AKD has now become Sri Lankas first Communist president.

What does AKDs victory mean for India?

AKD is seen close to China, which is trying to increase its presence in the island nation. Sri Lanka has already handed over the strategic Hambantota Port to Beijing on a 99-year lease.

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Speaking to Deccan Herald (DH), R Bhagwan Singh, a long-time Sri Lanka watcher, said that AKDs win in the elections is a challenge for New Delhi. AKDs natural ally will obviously be China and it remains to be seen where his handshake will be firmer and smile warmer  with Narendra Modi or Xi Jinping, he said.

AKD became well-known in 1987 during the JVPs insurgency against the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF), which had landed in Sri Lanka to disarm the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

His party, the JVP, opposed the India-Sri Lanka accord of 1987, signed by the then Lankan President JR Jayewardene and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

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Sri Lanka assumes importance for India given its geographical proximity to Tamil Nadu. The island nation has a significant number of Tamils  who make up 11 per cent of its population  in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

New Delhi has been pressing Colombo to implement the 13th Amendment, a provision in the Sri Lanka Constitution that deals with sharing political powers with Tamils.

As per The Tribune report, Tamils in Sri Lanka worry that Dissanayake could scrap the 13th Amendment.

India has been a friend to Sri Lanka, providing $4 billion in aid to the island nation to help it wade through the economic crisis. After this, many Indian projects that were pending in Lanka were kickstarted.

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Now, there are fears that AKDs rise could threaten some Indian conglomerates projects in the country.

The next one year is crucial and if Anura consolidates his position in Sri Lanka, it will only be music to Chinas ears as he will now lean more and more towards the Communist nation, Singh, the Sri Lanka-watcher, told DH.

Can AKD ignore India?

It does not seem so.

Despite his partys past anti-India stance and his perceived pro-China leanings, AKD has shown keenness to engage with New Delhi.

He has toned down anti-India rhetoric and talked about the necessity to bolster bilateral ties with New Delhi while ensuring Sri Lankas sovereignty and interests.

Acknowledging AKDs ascent in Sri Lanka, India invited Dissanayake in February this year when a delegation led by him met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with Leader of the National Peoples Power (NPP) & Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a meeting, in New Delhi, February 5, 2024. File Photo/PTI

An Indian official told Frontline, India can do business with Dissanayake. After all, at the end of the day, no one can wish us away.

Experts say India will be watching the Sri Lankan presidents move concerning China. New Delhi needs to maintain friendly ties with Colombo not just due to its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region but also to find the answer to the Tamil question in Lanka.

According to DH, AKD realises Indias importance but more steps are needed to bridge the trust deficit on both sides.

With inputs from agencies
Indias efforts to repatriate stolen heritage items are bearing fruit. Washington has announced that it will be returning 297 stolen antiquities during PM Narendra Modis US visit. With this, New Delhi has secured the return of 578 artefacts, the most from any country. But how is this arduous job undertaken? read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden at a meeting in Delaware, US. The US side has facilitated return of 297 stolen or trafficked antiquities. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been flying Indias flag high while he is in the United States on a three-day visit. One of the biggest highlights from his visit came on Day 1 when it was announced that a whopping 297 antiquities, which had been stolen from India over the years, will be returned.

An official statement from the PMO said, On the occasion of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States, the US side facilitated the return of 297 antiquities that had been stolen or trafficked from India.

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PM Modi also took to X to share the news, saying, Deepening cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties. I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India.

About the returned antiquities

Before we dive into the long and complicated process of tracking and recovering stolen artefacts, lets take a closer look at the antiquities that Washington has returned to New Delhi during PM Modis three-day US visit.

The antiquities belong to a time spanning almost 4,000 years, from 2000 BCE  1900 CE and have origins in different parts of India. The majority of the antiquities are terracotta artefacts from eastern India, while others are made in stone, metal, wood and ivory and belong to different parts of the country.

PM Modi with US President Joe Biden in Delaware, US. During Modis 3-day visit, the US has agreed to repatriate 297 antiquities, which had been stolen from India over the years. PTI

The artefacts being returned include an Apsara in sandstone from central India belonging to 10-11 Century CE. Theres also a Jain Tirthankar in bronze belonging to 15-16th Century CE, a terracotta vase from eastern India belonging to 3-4th Century CE, and a stone sculpture from south India belonging to 1st Century BCE-1st century CE.

A Lord Ganesh statue in bronze from south India belonging to the 17-18th Century CE, a standing Lord Buddha in sandstone from north India from the 15-16th Century CE, and Lord Vishnu in bronze from Eastern India belonging to the 17-18th Century CE are the other items that are being returned to India in this tranche.

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Return of antiquities

Since PM Modi came to power in 2014, he has been focused on ensuring the return of stolen artefacts from various countries back to India. Interestingly, between 2004 and 2013, only one artefact was returned to India.

However, since he became PM, Narendra Modi has been making efforts to return stolen artefacts to the country.

Data reveals that since 2016, the US government has facilitated the return of a large number of trafficked or stolen antiquities. Ten antiquities were returned during PM Modis visit to the US in June 2016. This was followed up by another 248 antiquities worth $15 million in 2021. This tranche of artefacts included a beautiful bronze Nataraja statue from the 12th century CE.

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PM Modi inspecting a tranche of artefacts which the US returned to India in 2021. Image Courtesy: @kishanreddybjp/X

The total number of cultural artefacts returned from the US to India since 2016 stands at 578. This is the maximum number of cultural artefacts returned by any country to India.

Artefacts being sold in India and finding a home in the US has been as old as the tale of time. According to S Vijay Kumar, the co-founder of India Pride Project, a voluntary group that tracks down stolen Indian art, about 30-40 per cent of all looted Indian art land up in the US.

And owing to this, PM Modi and US President Joe Biden signed a Cultural Property Agreement, which restricts illegal art imports and enhances cooperation in stopping these at border points.

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Tracking, retrieving stolen Indian artefacts

To bring these stolen artefacts back to India is no easy task and much of the governments success can be attributed to India Pride Project  an organisation started by shipping executive S Vijay Kumar and public policy expert Anuraag Saxena.

The duo with the help of a small global team of volunteers have been successful in bringing back to India several millions worth of antiquities from countries like the US as well as others such as Australia, Singapore, Germany, and the UK.

An Apsara in sandstone is one of the many artefacts that the US is now returning to India. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X

Vijay Kumar was quoted as telling India Today, Almost 95 per cent of Indias success since 2014 has been due to our inputs, and resultant of our work with foreign law enforcement teams, like the American Homeland Security Investigations and the Manhattan District Administration office, along with journalists and art enthusiasts worldwide.

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India Pride Project also played a vital role in the arrest of art smuggler Subhash Kapoor in 2011. Currently in prison, Kapoor was notorious for selling stolen Indian artefacts to the US and other countries.

The India Pride Project has also been instrumental in the restitution of Virudhachalam Ardhananri and Sripuranthan Nataraja from Australia, Sripuranthan Uma from Singapore and Sripuranthan Ganesha from the US, among others.

And the duo behind India Pride Project arent the only ones trying to retrieve Indias stolen treasures. Others too have made determined efforts to ensure the homecoming of Indias artefacts.

Besides these individuals, government agencies such as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) also work towards finding stolen artefacts and returning them to the country. The ASI approaches missions abroad for the repatriation of artefacts. Once this is done, the ASI then provides evidence of the antiquities being Indian and then diplomatic negotiations are carried out.

Other agencies such as the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing Criminal Investigation Department also work tirelessly towards this effort. In fact, in August 2022, the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing Criminal Investigation Department was responsible for tracking down an idol of Goddess Parvati, which went missing from the Nadanapureshwarar Sivan Temple at Thandanthottam, Kumbakonam, half a century ago to New Yorks Bonhams Auction House.

Of the 297 antiquities being repatriated to India is this four armed Vishnu seated with

Indias long history of stolen artefacts

India has lost several significant national artefacts, first under British colonial rule and then through illegal smuggling activities. As per reports, thousands of antiquities are stolen from Indian temples each year and then put on a thriving international antiquities market. As per Global Financial Integrity, a Washington-based firm, illegal trade in artefacts is one of the worlds most lucrative enterprises, worth $6 billion a year.

US officials repatriate stolen artefacts to India. Image Courtesy: @IndiaPrideProj/X

And while the government is now making concentrated efforts to bring these artefacts home, experts note that it isnt enough.

For all the noise we make about our culture and heritage, we do precious little to preserve it, Vijaya Amujure, director of the Architectural Heritage Division, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, New Delhi told The Diplomat. Preserving cultural wealth in India is just not seen as a priority even though the matter requires urgency.

Experts note that the common man should be educated about the importance of Indian heritage. Moreover, investigating agencies should take these thefts more seriously. Delhi-based archaeologist Dr Kirit Mankodi is of the opinion that not only should the government departments publicise such thefts but citizens should also be made aware of them. This will serve as a deterrent for the future.

With inputs from agencies
The RCEP deal was signed in 2020 by 15 Asia-Pacific countries  which makes up out 30 per cent of global GDP  and came into force in January 2022 read more

Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal accused China of using the World Trade Organisations policies to its advantage, flooding various economies with goods at low prices which often do not meet quality standards.

India has rejected joining the worlds largest trade deal - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), maintaining that it is not in the countrys interest to be a part of a free trade agreement with China.

Why wont India join RCEP?

Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, in an interview with CNBC, pointed out two reasons why India wont be joining RCEP.

1 - RCEP does not reflect the guiding principles on which ASEAN was started.

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2 - It is not in Indias interest to do a free trade agreement with China.

In 2020, 15 Asia-Pacific countries - which makes up about 30 per cent of global GDP - signed the RCEP deal which came into force in January 2022.

The countries are the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and five of their largest trading partners, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Back in 2013, negotiations for the RCEP had started and India was included initially, with some members viewing the country as a counterbalance to China. However, in 2019, India opted not to be a part of RCEP and cited unresolved core interest issues.

In the CNBC interview, Goyal also said that back in 2019, India already had a FTA with ASEAN, Japan and Korea, as well as a bilateral trade with New Zealand worth $300 million.

It was not in our farmers interest, RCEP did not reflect the aspirations of our small and micro medium industries and sector, and in some form, was nothing but a free trade agreement with China, the minister said.

When you see from the lens sitting outside the country, you dont realise how difficult it is to compete against a non-transparent economy, Goyal further said, in reference to China.

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Certainly nobody back home would like to have an FTA with [a] non-transparent economy, very opaque in its economic practices, where both trading systems, political systems, the economy  the way it is managed  is completely different from what the democratic world wants," the minister further said.

Goyal further accused China of using the World Trade Organisations (WTO) policies to its advantage, flooding several economies with products at low prices which often do not meet quality standards."
The Supreme Court ruled that watching and storage of pornography involving child on digital devices can be an offence under the POCSO Act read more

The Supreme Court on Monday held that watching and storage of child pornographic is an offence under the POCSO Act, if the person concerned had the intention to make some gain or advantage from it.

With its judgement, the apex court set overturned the recent decision of the Madras High Court, which said the degree of mens rea (a legal term that refers to a defendants mental state or intent) required for such an act to constitute an offence under Section 15 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).

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There must be intention on part of the accused to share such material. To constitute an offence under section 15(2) of POCSO, there must be something more to show that the actual transmission or distribution of such material. Facilitation of such transmission, preparation, set up to enable transmit etc has to be there. Mens rea has to be found from the storage of such pornographic material. To establish offence under Section 15(3), apart from storage of child pornographic material, it has to be shown that such storage was done to make some gain or advantage, the SC bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala said.

Observing that the Madras High Court committed an egregious error and atrocious in quashing the criminal proceedings, the SC set it aside and restored the criminal prosecution.

SC suggests parliament to bring amendment to POCSO Act

The Supreme Court also suggested that the parliament should bring in an amendment to the POCSO Act to amend the term child pornography with child sexual exploitative and abusive material.

The SC further said that it has also directed the courts to not use the term child pornography.

We have suggested an ordinance can be brought in. We have asked all courts not to refer to it as child pornography in any orders, the apex court said.

The order by the SC comes after a plea filed by Just Rights for Children Alliance against the Madras High Court ruling which held that watching child pornography in private does not constitut an offence.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the Madras HC had held that merely downloading or watching child pornography on ones personal electronic device does not constitute an offence under the POCSO Act and the IT Act.

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In the present case, based on a letter received by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime against women and children), a case was registered against the accused for downloading child pornographic material in his mobile.

As part of the probe, the mobile phone was seized and a forensic analysis was conducted which confirmed that the device had two files which contained child pornography content involving teen boys.

The court took cognizance of the offence under Section 67B of the Information Technology Act 2000 and Section 14(1) of the POCSO Act. The accused had approached the Madras High Court seeking to quash the criminal proceedings.

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With inputs from agencies.
The exploding pagers could mark the beginning of a new era of violence in the region  or the end of the Netanyahu era with the inevitable future establishment of a sovereign Palestine read more

Civil Defense first-responders carry a man who was wounded after his handheld pager exploded, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, on Tuesday. AP

The United States has sought for years to fit the one missing piece into its Middle East chessboard: Saudi Arabia.

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, leader of the Sunni Middle East and custodian of the two holy mosques in Mecca, were on the verge of being established just before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. They would have guaranteed Israels long-term security against Iran-led Shia militias in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq and deepened the Wests foothold in the region.

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That strategy was again blown to pieces by the booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies that killed dozens of Hezbollah fighters and civilians in Lebanon from where Hezbollah operates.

It explains the fury of American diplomats who have been trying for years to tie Riyadh and Tel Aviv into a Sunni-Jewish embrace. The effort began during President Donald Trumps first term. Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner spent days alone locked in talks with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin-Salman about the benefits of a Saudi-Israel alliance to thwart Shia Irans growing influence in the region.

The crown prince, who is the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia with his 88-year-old father King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud seriously ill, was attracted by the prospect of becoming part of a Western-Israeli alliance. It would promise not only Saudi Arabias security from Iran-backed Shia militias, including the Houthis against whom the Saudis have fought an unsuccessful war for nearly ten years, but also from another Arab Spring that could threaten the Saudi monarchy.

On offer from Washington was a US-Saudi defence pact and support for Mohammed bin-Salmans plans to convert Saudi Arabia into a post-oil era kingdom in technology, tourism and sport. As part of the deal, Washington and Riyadh had decided to work together to push Israel to accept a two-state solution with a sovereign Palestinian state co-existing with Israel.

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Then came the pager and walkie-talkie explosions. A furious Mohammed bin-Salman issued a statement shortly after the blasts: We renew the kingdoms rejection and strong condemnation of the crimes of the Israeli occupation authority against the Palestinian people. The kingdom will not cease its tireless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without one.

Washington says it wasnt told in advance of the attacks. Plausible deniability has long been used by the US to maintain the fiction that it has tried to do all in its power to stop Israels relentless attack on Gaza.

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In the booby-trapped pager/walkie-talkie case, however, Washington for once may be telling the truth  or at least a half-truth. It did not know when Israel would use exploding pagers to kill and maim Hezbollah fighters and Lebanese civilians. But it almost certainly knew of Mossads plan to booby-trap pagers as far back as 2022.

Intelligence officials trace the plot back to 2022 as a contingency plan by Israels external intelligence agency Mossad, well before the Hamas attack in Gaza last October. Mossad set up anonymous shell companies in Budapest, Hungary. They were secretly run by Mossad operatives. Their task was to manufacture pagers and walkie-talkies based on a design from a Taiwanese company, Gold Apollo, in the normal course of business.

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Most pagers were sold, untampered, to clients who used them as communication devices in locations where mobile networks were poor. The tampering of pagers with small explosives began in late 2022. They were stored separately and not sold to normal customers by Mossads shell company, BAC Consulting, in Budapest that posed as a small electronics firm. Reportedly the CEO of BAC Consulting is Christiana Barsony-Arcidiacono who is currently under the protection of the Hungarian secret service. Hungary has a large Jewish population.

The trigger for inserting small explosive devices in a separate cache of pagers was a statement by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in 2022 that Hezbollah fighters should lock away their mobile phones in an iron box so that their movements and location would not be tracked by Mossad surveillance. He said pagers and walkie-talkies, which cant be tracked electronically, should henceforth be used for all communications.

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This is when Mossad began placing explosives in the 5,000-plus pagers and walkie-talkies its shell company in Hungary had manufactured and stored for just such an opportunity. The pagers and walkie-talkies were distributed by the Mossad-run shell company to Hezbollah who were under the impression they came from Taiwans Hungarian distributors. Hezbollah fighters replaced their mobile phones with the pagers and walkie-talkies to avoid detection.

The timing of the Mossad attack mystified many observers. Why now? Why not earlier in the 11-month-long Gaza war?

The answer is three-fold. First, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to prolong the war to avoid going to jail on corruption charges. Israels Supreme Court has found him prima facie guilty. As one observer said: For Netanyahu, the moment the war ends, its a short walk to prison.

Netanyahu has deliberately sabotaged every attempt by the US, Egypt and Qatar for a ceasefire in Gaza by increasing bombing raids just when ceasefire talks reach a critical stage.

Second, with Washington increasingly pressing Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire before the US presidential election, Netanyahu ordered Mossad to activate the booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies. A coded message sent to the 5,000-plus devices made them explode almost simultaneously  first the pagers, then next day the walkie-talkies. Civilians, including children who had also bought devices from the same consignment, suffered horrific injuries. Several were killed.

Third, Israel knows that a new US president  whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris  will be keener than President Joe Biden to end the Gaza war. The exploding pagers are a message to both from Netanyahu that Israel is not done yet.

European diplomats from France and Spain have condemned the attacks. Independent UN experts called the explosions a terrifying violation of international law. Nasrallah said it was a war crime and vowed to continue Hezbollahs campaign against the occupation of Palestinian land by Israel.

The US has supplied Israel with lethal weaponry for decades. Without that, Israel would not have fulfilled its Western mandate following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the First World War in 1918. The Ottomans controlled what today is Israel, Gaza and the West Bank along with vast swathes of land across the Middle East.

Since 1918, and especially after 1948 when Israel was established as a sovereign nation (recognised instantly by the US), that piece of contested land has lain at the heart of conflict in the Middle East.

The exploding pagers could mark the beginning of a new era of violence in the region  or the end of the Netanyahu era with the inevitable future establishment of a sovereign Palestine.

The writer is an editor, author and publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
India must remember that for it, the Quad coalition is rooted in realism, more than an ideational choice. The US has issues with India as well; just that China ones are imminent and intimidating read more

The opening remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating Quad is here to stay, at the Quad Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday, have evoked much applause. Even more appreciative was the fact that he mentioned that the Quadrilateral coalitioncomprising Japan, the US, Australia, and Indiais not against anyone, but for a rule-based order and respect for sovereignty.

While India received praise from fellow Quad partners, with President Joe Biden saying that the US has things to learn from Indias experience and leadership in the Indian Ocean, the US president was heard saying to his fellow Quad leaders, China continues to behave aggressively, testing us [US and its partners] all across the region, and its true in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, South China, South Asia and the Taiwan Straits. Biden also said that while Chinese President Xi Jinping was focussing on domestic economic challenges, he was also looking to buy himself some diplomatic space, in my [Bidens] view, to aggressively pursue Chinas interest, reported The Guardian.

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Though the group declaration carefully avoided naming China.

From a Trump-era Trade War, along with the issues of Tibet and Taiwan, global competition of power and trade balance, and de-risking supply chains from China, to the differences with Beijing on wars in West Asia and Europe, China is a challenge too big to not mention for Biden in a summit of a security coalition made to counter Chinese expansionist designs in the Indo-Pacific.

The members of Quad, including India, share concerns about the growing Chinese economic and geopolitical assertiveness. However, India is the only Quad member to share a land boundary/frontier with China. This makes the thesis of geography is destiny even more pertinent for New Delhi while dealing with Beijing. Unlike any other constituent member of Quad, India does not enjoy any buffer factor with the Middle Kingdom (after the Chinese annexation of Tibet in 1950).

Having said that, when recently Squad emerged in May this year as a coalition between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and the US, experts like Derek J Grossman said, India will only go so far in helping Quad to counter China in the South China Sea. New Delhi is more focused on its own neighbourhood. Hence, the US now has an alternate Quadprivately called Squadthat will do it. Squad replaces India with the Philippines.

Further, it cannot be missed that the Quad summit was to happen in India during Bidens visit to New Delhi as a Republic Day guestan invitation was confirmed by US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti but did not translate into a visit. Amid many reasons, experts believe one could be the accusation of Indias involvement in a plot to kill US-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The summit was then delayed, which is happening now in the US.

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Even hours before PM Modis arrival, White House officials met pro-Khalistan activists to assure them of the US governments commitment to protect Americans (these so-called activists advocating secession of Punjab and other parts of India to create a separate Sikh state) from transnational repression. This shows how much the US is concerned about the security interests of India.

Also, the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh recently, shows how the interests of New Delhi and Washington can differ even in Indias own neighbourhood.

Further, there has been persistent pressure on India to abide by the Western sanctions against Russia, despite the India-Russia historic relationship being known to the West. However, the US-led West ignores that in the second quarter of 2024, the European Union actually imported more natural gas from Russia than the US, and Europe still relies on Russia for nearly a fifth of its gas imports.

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The words of US Ambassador Eric Garcetti appeared threatening when he said India should not take the ties with the United States for granted after PM Modi went to Russia and embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Modis visit to Ukraine and hugging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to many as a counterbalance to the reactions India faced from the West post PMs Russia visit.

The US and India relations have lots of optics to maintain, and so does the fact that both India and the West need each other; not only is India a geopolitically significant partner in the Indo-Pacific for the West to counter China, but India is the only option to avoid pushing Russia completely into the Chinese fold, something that even Russia abhors. India can act as a bridge between the West and Russia, provided that the West appreciates the strategic leverage New Delhi can have in initiating the peace process. (India has already cleared that it is not neutral but on the side of peace from Day 1.) Further, India is the emerging voice of the Global South and a crucial partner to keep in confidence while designing the matrix of the developing world.

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Also, the recent meetings of foreign minister S Jaishankar with Chinese politbureau member Wang Yi in July (twice in a single month), and then National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meeting Yi in Russia this month, amid the 30th and 31st meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, show some thaw in the ties of two Asian giants that were frozen since the Galwan crisis of 2020.

Perhaps domestic economic compulsions might have forced China to rework its diplomatic relations towards India. This might have also been a factor in why US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had a rather successful China visit recently.

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Next month, Modi will be attending the 16th BRICS summit in Russia, where he may meet both Putin and Xi. This will not go unnoticed by either the West or Indias fellow members in the Quad.

So, while the assumption that the domestic challenges are the reason behind China mending its diplomatic ties with India may stand correct, it is also precise that Indias strategic autonomy requires a tough balancing of its geographical realities, strategic interests, and relations vis-a-vis apparent friends and threats. India must remember that for it, the Quad coalition is rooted in realism, more than an ideational choice. The US has issues with India as well; just that China ones are imminent and intimidating.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
High-powered US National Security Council officials from the Biden-Harris administration sought out and arranged for a meeting with Khalistani separatists just ahead of PM Modis visit to the US. Image: REUTERS

Whichever way you look at it, it is hard to give the prime ministers ongoing visit to the United States any other spin except the cold reality that India was handed a royal humiliation. Is the agreement on a semiconductor fabrication plant in India  a development that is being called a watershed arrangement  enough to offset the insult? I am not sure.

If the setting up of a  national security fab that will reportedly supply chips to defence forces of both countries, kickstart an innovation ecosystem and deliver high quality jobs is the big bang prize for swallowing some erosion of sovereignty, then it is a slippery slope towards becoming a pliant state, something that goes against the grain of Indias fiercely autonomous foreign policy.

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Yet here we are. On a day news emerged that high-powered US National Security Council officials from the Biden-Harris administration sought out and arranged for a meeting with Khalistani separatists just ahead of Narendra Modis visit to the US, and then leaked the details to the media, a senior minister from the Modi government posted convivial Modi-Biden images with a caption: trusted partners.

Well, trusted partners do not behave this way. They dont extend one hand for a handshake while holding the backstabbing knife in the other.

The Indian side is behaving as if nothing has happened. The MEA has refused to react. Biden forgot that he was in a joint news conference with Modi, but other than that moment of senility, both leaders smiled profusely before the camera, sat for a bilateral, and in company of the Japanese and Australian prime ministers, held the fourth in-person Quad Leaders Summit at Bidens residence in Wilmington, Delaware.

Meaningless charade? Or the dual strategy of engagement and containment at play? Either way, it would be unfair to lay anything at Bidens door, isolated and inconsequential as he is in his own party and forced into the ignominy of being a lame-duck president who desperately wanted a Quad Leaders Summit swansong to sign off with a semblance of a legacy. India obliged, even though it was New Delhis turn to play the host.

No, Biden isnt the director of this orchestra. There are other hands at work. Shadowy hands, the perma-bureaucracy in the US, the intelligence establishment, the administrative class, the democracy promotion machinery that wants to keep India in check and manage its rise.

Its a little disconcerting to make this point at a time when there is enormous hype around a military fab centred around an Indian start-up, 3rdiTech, which will collaborate with US defence major General Atomics, and a Quad summit that yielded slightly tougher language on China (without taking its name). A coast-guard patrol to monitor Chinas maritime militia and dual use fishing fleets has also been announced.

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Analysts will quickly throw these achievements, as well as technology transfer that will supposedly make India a semiconductor superpower and mark the beginning of a strategic technology partnership with blessings from the American national security establishment and ask, if this isnt strategic altruism, what is?

The great game is easily obfuscated. A common refrain of some analysts, when the persistent trust deficit between India and the US is pointed out, is to claim that New Delhi and Washingtons defence and security ties remain strong and ever growing, and China is Indias biggest adversary.

This is true. But in a multidimensional relationship, to accept one truth is not to negate the other truth that constituencies and vested interests within the American administration (the Deep State, which is mockingly used as a pejorative to blunt accusations) are actively indulging in pushing the boundaries of India-US ties by constantly putting Indias red lines to stress tests. Strong defence ties and pin-pricking New Delhi to keep the Modi government on its toes are both possible and happening.

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Engagement and containment are two sides of the same American coin. The Sikh insurgency card is being played as a containment strategy against India, even as Washington is aiding Indias rise, making it a part of semiconductor supply chain. These dual realities should not give rise to cognitive dissonance.

The details of the Biden administrations meeting with the Khalistani separatist groups are quite disturbing. Reuters, that first reported on the development, noted that senior American National Security Council officials initiated and arranged the closed-door meeting in which US intelligence officials were also present, and heres the most interesting part, the officials briefed a group of Sikh advocates about the governments ongoing conversations with India according to the attendees.

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Pause for a moment to ponder over the implications. Khalistani separatists that threaten to dismember India and sponsor an insurgency movement within Indias borders, have just been given a lowdown on the confidential conversations that have taken place between the Indian and American state on the Khalistan issue.

According to other media reports, the purported meeting took place inside the White House on Thursday. Modi landed in the US two days later.

One of the attendees was Pritpal Singh of the American Sikh Caucus Committee, a Khalistani front. Singhs activism includes spreading the canard that India was involved in the bombing of Air India Kanishka Flight 182 in 1985 that exploded minutes before it was scheduled to land at Heathrow Airport on June 23, killing all 329 people on board. The bombing, one of the gravest acts of terrorism in history, was carried out by Khalistani operatives in retaliation for Operation Bluestar in 1984.

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These are the elements whom the White House actively engaged with, and briefed on the ongoing conversations with India.

It also emerged that this was the first time that any White House has officially engaged with these groups, and comes in the same week that US Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff introduced the Transnational Repression Reporting Act 2024, a bipartisan bill that says Transnational Repression or the targeting of diaspora members was on the rise, particularly from India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China and according to The Hindu, the text of the Act specifically details the preliminary investigation results of the Pannun case that accuse Indian intelligence of the plot, charges which have yet to be proven in court, and calls for mandatory briefing by the government on such cases.

A degree of coordination is evident. What stands out is the timing.

For an administration that was extremely touchy about Modis meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow during the NATO Summit, so much so that media outlets aligned with the Democrats were pressed into service to send a very public message of displeasure to New Delhi, the scheduling of the briefing with Khalistani separatists just ahead of Modis arrival appears deliberate, and since it is so, the meeting assumes added significance as a provocation and a dare.

Second, Washington is well aware of the violent nature of the Khalistani secessionist movement that seeks to carve out of India an independent state called Khalistan. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Khalistani insurgency posed a grim national security challenge for New Delhi and caused the assassination of a sitting Indian prime minister.

The movement has since lost steam but is showing signs of revival in parts of the border state of Punjab, aided by the Pakistani intelligence establishment, and still poses a formidable challenge to Indias national security and territorial integrity.

Multiple cases have been lodged in Indian courts while probes are under way on instances of violence and bloodshed in India instigated by Khalistani gang members and operatives who find safe haven in Canada and the US.

The US has paid little heed to Indias security concerns over repeated attacks and acts of vandalism on Indian consulates and missions and threats of physical harm against Indian diplomats, not to speak of threats against Indian leaders, airports and the Parliament.

Under these circumstances, high-level officials from the US national security establishment inviting the Khalistani separatists for a meeting inside the White House where US intelligence officials were also in attendance is tantamount to the Biden-Harris administration supporting terrorists.

It presents a clear transgression of Indias red lines and throws a challenge to Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity since the closed-door briefing couldnt have occurred without top-level clearance.

The meeting may also be interpreted as a legitimization of the Khalistani separatist movement that seeks to Balkanise India. It may further embolden the secessionists and create newer challenges. The scaling up of the issue by the US sits ill at ease with Indias status as a trusted strategic partner.

If the issue is transnational regression, a contrived legislation that seeks to freeze Americas right to pursue extrajudicial action against transnational threats while sealing off that avenue for other states, it must be pointed out that the particular case of Gurpatwant Pannun is still to be adjudicated in US courts, both countries are actively engaged over the issue, India has complied with US requests and conducted a high-level probe the details of which have been shared at regular interval with Washington.

There was absolutely no need to raise such a provocation when the head of Indian state is scheduled to arrive, and speaks of the callous disregard with which US perceives the bilateral ties. Perhaps Washington feels that it holds all the cards in this equation and New Delhi has no option but to cop it. Perhaps this is the new normal, but the US must know that pursuing containment strategy while aiding commercial and strategic ties is a game of diminishing returns.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Media reports havent mentioned pager-maker Golden Sab, which does business as Digital Paging Company with Gold Apollo and supplies to the US military read more

Twelve people, including Hezbollah operatives, were killed and 2,800 others wounded in a series of synchronised pager explosions by the Mossad, Unit 8200 and the IDF in Lebanon on Tuesday. Image Credit: Reuters, Kataeb Org

Bury it; put it in an iron box and lock it, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said in a February speech as he pleaded with the organisations members to stop using mobile phones.

Nasrallah had been advocating using pagers for years to avoid detection by Unit 8200, the Israeli Intelligence Corps elite and secretive unit of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), and Mossad.

The phone that we have in our hands is a listening device, Nasrallah warned. Perhaps, he was reminded of Shin Bets targeted killing around three decades ago in which cell phone tampering and surveillance helped eliminate a dreaded Hamas terrorist who had advanced suicide bombing.

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On January 5, 1996, an Israeli plane connected to a bugged cell phone with 15 gm of RDX inside a house in Beit Lahiya, Gaza Strip, relayed information to a command post.

Yahya Abd-al-Latif Ayyash, aka The Mechanic, Hamass chief bombmaker and the leader of the West Bank battalion of the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, received his fathers call on the phone inside his childhood friend Osama Hamads house and was killed instantaneously.

Shin Bet had a mole in Hamads family. It provided the phone to Kamil Hamad saying it was bugged only to listen to Ayyashs conversationshe was clueless about the RDX.

With Israel and Hezbollah on the precipice of an all-out war that could engulf West Asia, Nasrallah was aware of the immense risk of leaking military plans and strategy and future attacks via Israeli cell phone surveillance.

Following his February speech, Nasrallah banned mobile phones at Hezbollah meetings. However, he was unaware that pagers, known for durability and long battery life, can also be compromised.

Twelve people, including Hezbollah operatives, were killed and 2,800 others wounded in a series of synchronised pager explosions by the Mossad, Unit 8200 and the IDF in Lebanon on Tuesday.

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Thousands of pagers exploded across Lebanon, in an attack on Lebanese group Hezbollah, killing nine people and wounding nearly 3,000 others. Heres what you need to know about the attack https://t.co/8m4tTa4BSQ pic.twitter.com/kW7vegJMay  Reuters (@Reuters) September 18, 2024

Another 20 people were killed and 450 wounded in a second wave of attacks as hundreds of walkie-talkies exploded on Wednesday.

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#BREAKING

After pagers, now Walkie Talkie communications devices exploded across Lebanon on Wednesday, Reuters reported citing a security source and a witness. pic.twitter.com/1vmsVVGkeD  Geo Political Updates (@GeoPolUpdates) September 18, 2024

Israels message to Hezbollah was clear: We can target you anywhere and anytimewithout leaving a trace.

Unit 8200 had already tested inserting PETN during the manufacturing of the pagers almost a year ago.

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The pager blasts are shrouded in mystery.

Who manufactured the pagers? Who exported them to Lebanon? When and where did Israel insert three gm of PETN into every pager?

The pager plot is a labyrinth of two shell companies, has no traceable source of manufacturing and export of the devices and has become a blame game.

A Taiwanese tech company and two shell firms, one in Hungary and the other in Bulgaria, and their alleged suspicious CEOs are in the spotlight.

However, no media report has mentioned an American firm involved in the pager business with deep ties to the Taiwanese company and the US military.

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Taiwan tech firm in focus lies

The pagers that exploded had Gold Apollo markings, sparking media reports and tweets alleging that the Taiwanese tech firm had made and exported them to Lebanon. A Reuters analysis of the destroyed pagers found a format and stickers consistent with the Rugged AR-924 model of pagers with Gold Apollo branding.

The pagers in question are the Gold Apollo AR-924.



Manufactured by Gold Apollo Co., Ltd.



They are based in New Taipei City, Taiwan, founded in 1995 by Hsu Ching-Kuang.



The company specializes in wireless paging systems, including alphanumeric pagers and transmitters. pic.twitter.com/0kBkxEJxCs  Yuliana Dlugaj  (@DlugajJuly) September 17, 2024

The New Taipei City-headquartered firm manufactures pagers for restaurants and hospitals, transmitters, patient and nurse call buttons and house alarms and has clients like BMW and Starbucks, according to its website.

Taiwans economic affairs ministry acknowledged on Wednesday that Gold Apollo had exported 260,000 pagers to European and American markets from 2022 to August 2024 but not Lebanon.

Was this batch of goods actually modified? Did another manufacturer produce them and simply label them with the Apollo brand? This part is still under investigation by the authorities, a ministry spokesperson told NBC News.

The ministry also clarified that the Taiwanese pagers can only receive signals and use AA batteries, which are unlikely to cause deadly blasts.

Interestingly, several developments occurred after the blasts exposing Gold Apollos lies.

First, the subhead Rugged AR-924 under the Applications section on the homepage was removed immediately after the blasts. Following the explosions, the page shows the message: Connection denied by IP2Location Country Blocker. Please contact web administrator for assistance.

Earlier, clicking on the subhead led to a page providing information about the pager. The archived page mentioned that Rugged AR-924 weighs 95 gm, contains a lithium batterycontradicting the ministrys claim that pagers made in Taiwan use alkaline batteriesand lasts up to 85 days if fully charged for 2.5 hours.

Second, Gold Apollo issued a statement denying ever manufacturing AR-924, which obviously was a lie. Instead, it claimed to have authorised Budapest-based company BAC Consulting KFT under a long-term partnership (signed three years ago) to use our brand trademark for product sales in designated regions.

 Gold Apollo has issued a statement identifying BAC Consulting, based in Budapest, Hungary, as the manufacturer of the pagers. https://t.co/s9rJXNyTYJ pic.twitter.com/GwRv7WwfKn  BigBreakingWire (@BigBreakingWire) September 18, 2024

Gold Apollos homepage leads with the statement and further claims that AR-924 is produced and sold by BAC. Our company only provides the brand trademark authorisation and is not involved in the design or manufacturing of this product.

Gold Apollo Says It Authorized Its Trademark on the Pagers but Didn't Manufacture Them



TAIPEI, Taiwan  Taiwanese company Gold Apollo said Wednesday that it authorized its brand on the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria but that another company based in Budapest pic.twitter.com/jXQkgKWFzY  The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) September 18, 2024

Third, Gold Apollo founder-president Hsu Ching-kuang initially neither named BAC nor provided its location merely saying that a European company had manufactured the pagers. Later, he told the media that AR-924 was not ours; it was only that it had our brand on it without providing the licensing agreement with BAC.

In an unbelievable account provided to NPR that further casts doubts on Hsus version, he claimed that a Taiwanese woman named only Teresa, who claimed to be a local BAC representative, approached him. Subsequently, Hsu signed a contract with Teresa to sell Gold Apollo pagers to BAC and allow it to use its trademark on his products.

Strangely, Hsu also said BAC paid his company from a Middle Eastern bank account that was once blocked once by their bank in Taiwan.

Mysterious Hungarian, Bulgarian shell firms

BAC Consulting is a mysterious nondescript company that apparently operates from a residence in Budapest that houses other companies.

However, according to BACs LinkedIn profile, it deals in natural resource management, international affairs, development, business development, partnership Planning and strategy planning, not pager manufacturing.

BACs LinkedIn page mentions the companys website, which went offline after the blasts with the message: Your connection is not private Attackers might be trying to steal your information from www.bacconsulting.org (for example, passwords, messages, or credit cards).

In a corporate registry, BAC listed 118 official functions, including sugar and oil production, retail jewellery sales and natural gas extraction. Registered as a limited liability company in May 2022, BAC earned $725,000 in revenue in 2022 and $593,000 in 2023, according to the company registry.

More mysterious is BACs 49-year-old glamorous CEO Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, whose LinkedIn profile mentions her as a strategic advisor for major international organisations like IAEA and UNESCO.

Barsony-Arcidiacono claims to speak French, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and English, being a London School of Economics (LSE) alumna and an expert in international relations, capacity building, management of natural resources, green and digital transition (AI, blockchain and cybersecurity) and business development.

Shockingly, LSE denied having awarded any degree to Barsony-Arcidiacono.

Intriguingly, Barsony-Arcidiacono confirmed to NBC News that BAC had indeed worked with Gold Apollo but denied manufacturing the pagers. I dont make the pagers. I am just the intermediate. I think you got it wrong.

British-educated businesswoman denies making Hezbollah explosive pagers which killed at least 12 people



Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono studied for a PhD in physics at UCL between 2002 and 2006...



A British-educated businesswoman has denied allegations of manufacturing the pagers pic.twitter.com/CEMAFZxmzF  Samuel J. Rosenfeld    ... (@SamjLondon) September 19, 2024

Was BAC used as an intermediary in supplying the pagers to Hezbollah?

According to the Hungarian governments international spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs BAC is a trading intermediary. Authorities have confirmed that the company in question is a trading intermediary with no manufacturing or operational site in Hungary. It has one manager registered at its declared address, and the referenced devices have never been in Hungary, he tweeted.

  The Hungarian governments position on the "pager issue": authorities have confirmed that the company in question is a trading intermediary, with no manufacturing or operational site in Hungary. It has one manager registered at its declared address, and the referenced  Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) September 18, 2024

A company with only a manager, no manufacturing plant and operating from the ground floor of a house in Budapest cant manufacture pagers.

Never ever did anyone manufacture any pager at BAC Consulting in Budapest, Hungary.



Look at the CV & resume of the Founder and CEO of BAC Consulting. pic.twitter.com/jmmqIh4v3F  FrauHodl (@FrauHodl) September 18, 2024

Yet the Hungarian company has a gorgeous and suspicious CEO and a detailed LinkedIn profile.

BACs reality also shows that Hsu is lying. Therefore, the possibility of Gold Apollo manufacturing the pagers and supplying them to BAC cant be ruled out.

Meanwhile, Hungarian news portal Telex reported that a Bulgarian company called Norta Global purchased the pagers from Gold Apollo and sold them to Hezbollah.

Though the news report claims that the pagers were never in Hungary, it triggers more suspicion about the roles of Barsony-Arcidiacono and Hsu in the pager plot maze.

According to Telex, Barsony-Arcidiacono dealt with Sofia-based Norta Global, which was actually behind the Gold Apollo-BAC deal.

Like BAC, Norta Global is also extremely suspicious. It is owned by a 39-year-old Indian-born Norwegian individual named Rinson Jose and operates from a building that houses 196 other firms.

The implantation of explosive into consumer mobile devices by Israeli intelligence will deal a death blow to the Israeli tech industries. Now no end users want Designed or Made in Israel tech devices that can double as an assassination tool that can explode in your face.

PM  Ignis Rex (@Ignis_Rex) September 21, 2024

Jose disappeared on the day of the explosions and has been untraceable.

Norta Global Ltd CEO in Bulgaria is Norwegian citizen Rinson Jose. pic.twitter.com/toI85oTYwe  Freddie Ponton  (@LFCNewsMedia) September 19, 2024

Joses primary employer is the Norwegian DN Media Group, according to his LinkedIn profile, which lists his areas of specialisation as digitalisation, CRM, process automation, AI and data-driven marketing.

The Bulgarian companys website has also been taken down. It shows the message: No Results Found. The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

The Bulgarian State National Security Agency has denied any link between Norta Global and the pagers. No customs procedures were carried out for the products described in the incident to go through Bulgarian territory, and no such procedures were found, it said in an official statement. Bulgarian National Television also reported that Norta Global doesnt operate in Bulgaria.

Clearly, the Hungarian and Bulgarian entities are shell companies with alleged role in the pager blasts.

Twelve current and former defence and intelligence officials told The New York Times that BAC was part of an Israeli front and two other shell companies were created to hide the identities of Israeli intelligence officers who made the pagers. The pagers had batteries laced with PETN, according to the three intelligence officers.

US pager company and Gold Apollo link

In the page plot puzzle, the name of an American firm that has a partnership with Gold Apollo and supplies to the US military is missing.

No media report has mentioned California-based Golden Sab, Inc., which does business as Digital Paging Company (DPC) and manufactures numeric, alphanumeric and tone voice pagers, transmitters, and wireless communication products. Digital Paging serves customers in the State of California.

DPCs LinkedIn page says that Golden Sab, Inc. GSI has been the leading global provider and distributor of high-quality pagers to more than 2,500 retail dealers, healthcare facilities and government health and military facilities.

DPCs clients include Providence Health hospitals, Veterans Administration hospitals, US Army and Air Force bases.

Whether you require numeric, alphanumeric or voice paging requirements, GSI will continue to be the leader in the paging communications industry.

DPCs Facebook page to Gold Apollo. Moreover, DPC is the exclusive product development and manufacturing partner of Apollo brand paging products.

Established in 1992 as a pager retail and repair shop, DPC established a design and manufacturing partnership with Taiwan-based Apollo pagers.

By 2000, DPC and the Apollo offered the largest and most varied selection of end user-focused paging solutions in the industry.

Shipping data shows that Gold Apollos sole client is DPC. According to ImportYeti, which makes import data accessible to e-commerce sellers, Gold Apollo shipped products to only DPC from January 2015 to February 2024.

Hsu claimed that Gold Apollos last shipment of components to BAC was earlier this year. According to media reports, Hezbollah acquired the pagers in February, the last time Gold Apollo shipped products to DPC.

The US has denied any prior knowledge of the blasts or its involvement. The United States did not know about nor was it involved in these incidents, secretary of state Antony Blinken said at a press conference in Cairo on Wednesday.

Even State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller denied US involvement. The US was not involved in it. The US was not aware of this incident in advance, he said during a press briefing.

A big question remains unanswered.

Why the American company, DPC, also blocked its website after the Lebanon pager explosions with the message: Bandwidth Limit Exceeded. The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.

The writer is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
After treating Imran Khan like a political pariah, the establishment in Pakistan seems to be looking at him, hoping for an honourable rescue and exit read more

The echo of a deal between the establishment and Imran Khan is resonating in Pakistans power corridors. The possible deal is increasing anxiety about the political status quo. With much at stake, the ruling political parties seek nothing but to ignite the friction between Khan and the establishment, considering it their only survival. On the other hand, the establishment aims for a safe exit from the rapidly aggravating situation.

May 9, 2023, marks the day when the Pakistani army and people confronted each other like never before in the countrys history. What followed was even more tragic and bleak. Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was considered responsible, and faced the heat. The focus remained on shedding the responsibility of the condemnable event on Imran Khan, who was in custody as the affairs unfolded.

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Imran Khan is undoubtedly the most popular leader in Pakistan. He is the only leader with voters and supporters throughout the country. People of all ages, socio-economic strata, genders and ethnicities connect to his larger-than-life yet relatable persona. Furthermore, he is among the few Pakistani leaders with international footprints, especially in the Muslim world.

After denying any role or influence in Pakistans democracy for decades, this time, the establishment unapologetically reengineered politically against Khan and supported leaders with questionable pasts. Institutions collided with each other, with just one objective  to keep Khan out of power and politics.

In the political culture, where particular DNA determines an individuals political positioning and destination, Imran Khan seems to be made of a different mould. His opponents claim that the establishment supported his political birth and growth, but the leader he has become has evolved through hard work, dedication, ideology, and commitment. The people witnessed, accepted, and appreciated his leadership evolution. Single-handedly, he has challenged the status quo, establishment, the system, and the dynastic political party.

Khans political journey, filled with struggles and triumphs, has revealed all the good, bad, and ugly of Pakistans system. With political engagement like never before, the people witnessed and absorbed every little detail, making them well-informed and aware. Again, this is a red flag for the power hubs and compromised leadership.

The PTI leader is crafting a new political arena with no space for dynastic political leadership, fake political ideology, and frequent establishment-backed political reengineering. He has initiated a new era of democracy, which can only be curbed by breaking his will to stand against the system.

Pakistans political system has many demons, such as dynastic leadership, corruption, lack of the rule of law, etc. Therefore, leadership with corruption baggage is vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation. Imran Khan has no such history. Even after forcing him into political wilderness, his opponents and the establishment failed to showcase any case with the potential to convince the masses against him. Through being sentenced for 33 years in jail, he enjoys peoples trust, respect, and support. His sentences in fabricated cases such as the Iddat case, Toshakhana case, Cypher case, May 9th case, and Abdul Qadir Trust case validate his standing as a leader with no baggage worth compromising for.

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Pakistan is a critical geopolitical and geo-economic country. Even when economically challenged, its role is vital internationally. Its alliance and standing matter. International establishments, especially the US, prefer a master-slave relationship and manoeuvre through Pakistans establishment. Therefore, the establishment prefers vulnerable, flexible, and compromised leadership when they want to remain in charge in the back seat. Imran Khan has developed an image of a leader with a mind of his own.

Irrespective of the circumstances today, Khan remains the most popular leader in Pakistan. He is considered the embodiment of resilience, commitment, and dedication. The day of his release is expected to evoke a gathering unprecedented in Pakistans history. Before that day arrives, the establishment needs a safe route out from this dead end.

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If Khan bends the knee before the system, this may breathe a new leash of life into the departing dynastic political parties and the flawed political system. After treating Imran Khan like a political pariah, the establishment is now looking towards him wishfully for a respectful rescue and exit.

The writer is an author, political analyst, and commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
This roundtable marks a significant step in strengthening the ties between India and the United States, particularly in the field of technology, as both nations continue to explore avenues for mutual growth and innovation read more

This roundtable marks a significant step in strengthening the ties between India and the United States, particularly in the field of technology, as both nations continue to explore avenues for mutual growth and innovation. Image Credit: X/Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a significant roundtable discussion with top American technology leaders today, centred on fostering innovation and collaboration in Indias rapidly expanding tech sector.

This high-profile meeting took place at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel as part of PM Modis three-day visit to the United States, with a key segment of the visit unfolding in New York.

The event was hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering and brought together prominent CEOs from leading companies specialising in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology. Notable figures in attendance included Sundar Pichai of Google, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Lisa Su of AMD, and Shantanu Narayen of Adobe, among others.

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Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India. pic.twitter.com/qW3sZ4fv3t  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

The focus of the discussion was on how cutting-edge technologies like AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology are shaping the global technology landscape and contributing to human development.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that the conversation explored how these innovations are being harnessed to revolutionise the global economy and improve the well-being of people worldwide, including in India.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasised Indias commitment to promoting ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence through its AI for All policy, accoridng to the statement by the MEA.

The Prime Minister also reassured the technology leaders of Indias dedication to safeguarding intellectual property and creating a supportive environment for technology-driven innovation. He urged the CEOs to take advantage of Indias economic growth and its potential to become the worlds third-largest economy in the near future.

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Another critical topic of discussion was the opportunities for investment in Indias burgeoning startup ecosystem. The potential of startups to act as a bridge for American companies entering the Indian market was highlighted, with an emphasis on their role in driving technological advancements and creating innovative solutions.

After the roundtable, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, while speaking to the press, said Prime Minister Modi has pushed us to continue to making in India and designing in India. He also went on to say that the Prime Minister wants to make sure that ultimately AI is there to benefit the people of India. He is challenging us to do more in terms of AI so that it benefits the people of India, said Pichai.

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Similarly, NVIDIAs CEO Jensen Huang was also all praises about the Prime Minister, saying PM Modi is incredible student. Every time I meet him, He wants to learn more about the technology. Huang also revealed his plans to partner with India. I am looking forward to partner with India in a deep way. We are partnering with many companies, start-ups and IITs in India, he said.

Huang also said how AI really democratises computing. This is Indias moment.

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The session was chaired by MIT Professor Anantha Chandrakasan, who expressed gratitude towards PM Modi and the participating CEOs for their active involvement. He also reiterated MITs commitment to leveraging technology for the greater global good and advancing the collaboration between the United States and India in essential technology sectors.

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This roundtable marks a significant step in strengthening the ties between India and the United States, particularly in the field of technology, as both nations continue to explore avenues for mutual growth and innovation.
The new semiconductor plant is set to specialise in the production of advanced components for a range of crucial applications, including national security and will manufacture infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors read more

Space Force's project will be driven by the India Semiconductor Mission, in collaboration with strategic partners Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, along with the US Space Force, ensuring that the plant meets both Indian and American security needs. Image Credit: Reuters

India, with the help of US Space Force, will set up its first semiconductor fabrication plant solely dedicated to national security, an initiative that will provide critical chips to the US military, allied forces, and Indias own defence sector.

This significant development follows a key agreement between India and the United States, detailed in the joint statement released after Prime Minister Narendra Modis meeting with President Joe Biden in Delaware.

The new semiconductor plant is set to specialise in the production of advanced components for a range of crucial applications, including national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy technologies.

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The facility will focus on manufacturing infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors, vital for these cutting-edge sectors.

The project will be driven by the India Semiconductor Mission, in collaboration with strategic partners Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, along with the US Space Force, ensuring that the plant meets both Indian and American security needs.

Both, President Biden and PM Modi acknowledged the importance of this collaboration, viewing it as a crucial step towards establishing resilient and secure semiconductor supply chains. The partnership also highlights the increasing strategic alignment between India and the United States in the technology sector. A prime example of this growing cooperation is GlobalFoundries (GF) initiative to set up the GF Kolkata Power Center in Kolkata.

This facility is expected to enhance research and development efforts in semiconductor manufacturing, paving the way for innovations in zero-emission vehicles, connected technologies, AI, and data centres.

In addition to semiconductor manufacturing, the joint statement underscored recent private-sector collaborations in emerging technologies. One such collaboration involves IBM, which has signed memorandum of understanding with the Indian government to deploy its Watsonx platform on Indias Airawat supercomputer.

This initiative is expected to spur new advancements in artificial intelligence, boost research and development on advanced semiconductor processors, and support Indias National Quantum Mission.

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The leaders expressed their satisfaction with the progress made since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US Commerce Department and Indias Ministry of Commerce and Industry in November 2023.

This MOU aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems in both nations, under the Innovation Handshake agenda. As part of this effort, industry roundtables have been held in both the US and India, bringing together startups, investors, and government officials to foster connections and accelerate investments in innovation.

Furthermore, US and India are also likely to work in the space sector, with both countries making strides towards the first joint NASA-ISRO mission to the International Space Station in 2025. The leaders expressed optimism that these efforts would open new avenues for cooperation, particularly in civil and commercial space domains.

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During a briefing on Prime Minister Modis US visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted Indias emphasis on leveraging technology for good governance and development, while minimising conflict and division. These themes were prominently reflected in the discussions, with technology taking centre stage in both bilateral and plurilateral meetings, as evidenced by the Quad fact sheet and the joint statement with the United States.
The Three Mile Island, a power plant near in Middletown, Pennsylvania, was the scene of the worst commercial nuclear accident in US history. Microsoft has signed a power purchasing agreement that would see the plant being revived, almost three years after it was decommissioned read more

This move by Microsoft reflects a broader trend within the tech industry to secure stable, long-term energy sources to meet the growing demands of AI and data processing. Notably, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates has also invested heavily in nuclear energy. Image Credit: Reuters, Wiki Commons

Microsoft has signed an agreement with a major power supplier in the US that will see the revival of a nuclear power plant that had been shut down, just to power its AI projects and data centres. The powerplant in question The Three Mile Island, a power plant near in Middletown, Pennsylvania, was the scene of the worst commercial nuclear accident in US history.

Constellation Energy, which claims it is recognised as the largest producer of clean, carbon-free energy in the United States, announced the deal, describing it as its largest-ever power purchase agreement. The arrangement underscores the importance of reliable and carbon-free energy in supporting industries critical to technological advancements, such as AI and data storage.

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Nuclear energy is viewed as a unique solution to the energy demands of the tech sector, especially because of AI, as it offers a consistent and carbon-free power supply, unlike fossil fuel-based alternatives.

The Three Mile Island plant, which will be renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center in memory of Chris Crane, a former CEO of Constellations parent company, is expected to be operational again by 2028.

The 20-year agreement is anticipated to generate approximately 3,400 jobs and contribute over $3 billion in state and federal taxes, while adding $16 billion to Pennsylvanias GDP.

The plants return to service is seen as a major boost to Pennsylvanias economy and its role in the national energy landscape. Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted the critical role of the states nuclear energy industry in providing safe, reliable, and carbon-free electricity.

The revival of the plant aligns with efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy sources, distinguishing nuclear power as a vital component of the nations energy strategy.

However, the decision to reopen the Three Mile Island facility has not been without controversy. The plant, which was shut down in 2019 after it failed to compete with cheaper energy sources, has a fraught history. The partial meltdown of its No. 2 reactor in 1979 marked the most severe nuclear accident in US commercial history, leading to stringent new regulations and halting the growth of the nuclear sector.

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Despite assurances that the reactor being reopened was not involved in the 1979 accident, concerns remain among local activists. Some have questioned whether the investment in reviving the plant is the best use of public funds, especially given the markets previous decision to move away from nuclear energy. Critics argue that the decision to reopen the plant should be weighed carefully against other potential investments in cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.

This move by Microsoft reflects a broader trend within the tech industry to secure stable, long-term energy sources to meet the growing demands of AI and data processing. Notably, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates has also invested heavily in nuclear energy, supporting the construction of a new plant in Wyoming aimed at powering both homes and AI systems.

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As Microsoft and Constellation Energy forge ahead with this ambitious project, the revival of Three Mile Island underscores the ongoing debate over the future of nuclear power in a world increasingly focused on sustainability and carbon reduction.
This ban would represent a substantial escalation in the US governments broader strategy to limit Chinese influence in critical technology sectors. It follows recent actions by the Biden administration, including tariff hikes on Chinese imports like EVs, batteries, and key minerals read more

The scope of the ban is not limited to China alone; it would also extend to other countries considered adversaries of the United States, including Russia. Image Credit: Reuters

The United States is set to take a significant step in its ongoing efforts to address national security concerns related to Chinese technology. The US Commerce Department is expected to propose a sweeping ban on the use of Chinese hardware and software in connected and autonomous vehicles on American roads.

This move is driven by fears that Chinese companies could exploit these technologies to gather sensitive data on drivers and infrastructure or even manipulate vehicles remotely.

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The proposed regulation, which is anticipated to be announced on Monday, would prohibit the import and sale of vehicles equipped with critical communication or automated driving system components sourced from China.

This ban would represent a substantial escalation in the US governments broader strategy to limit Chinese influence in critical technology sectors. It follows recent actions by the Biden administration, including steep tariff hikes on Chinese imports, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and key minerals.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has previously highlighted the dangers posed by the integration of Chinese technology in connected vehicles in the US. She noted the potential for catastrophic outcomes if millions of cars on American roads were compromised through the disabling of critical software.

In response to these concerns, President Joe Biden ordered an investigation earlier this year to assess whether Chinese vehicle imports pose national security risks, particularly concerning connected-car technology.

The proposed rules, which will be open for public comment for 30 days before being finalised, would set a timeline for implementing these prohibitions.

The ban on software is expected to take effect for vehicles in the 2027 model year, while the hardware ban would be implemented in January 2029 or the 2030 model year. The restrictions would apply to vehicles with certain Bluetooth, satellite, and wireless features, as well as highly autonomous vehicles that can operate without a driver.

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The scope of the ban is not limited to China alone; it would also extend to other countries considered adversaries of the United States, including Russia. This broad approach underscores the administrations commitment to securing the supply chain for connected vehicles, which have become increasingly prevalent on US roads.

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has previously expressed concerns about the risks posed by Chinese companies testing autonomous vehicles in the United States. The collection and handling of sensitive data by these companies have raised alarms about potential vulnerabilities in the nations technological infrastructure.

However, the proposed ban has raised concerns among major automakers, including General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai. These companies have warned that replacing hardware and software components in vehicles is not a simple task. The extensive pre-production engineering, testing, and validation processes required for these systems mean that swapping out components for alternatives could be a lengthy and complex undertaking.

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The US governments focus on ensuring the security of connected vehicles reflects the growing recognition of the risks associated with modern cars, which are increasingly seen as smartphones on wheels. These vehicles are interconnected with phones, navigation systems, critical infrastructure, and the companies that manufacture them, making them potential targets for cyber threats.

The upcoming regulations are part of a broader effort to safeguard US technology and infrastructure from foreign influence, particularly from countries that may pose a security risk. As the regulatory process unfolds, the automotive industry and other stakeholders will closely monitor the potential impacts of these measures on the market and the broader technological landscape.
Israeli military said it was expanding the airstrikes to include areas of the valley along Lebanons eastern border with Syria. Hezbollah has long had an established presence in the valley, and it is where the group was founded in 1982 with the help of Irans Revolutionary Guards. read more

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.- AP

Israeli strikes on Monday killed more than 356 Lebanese in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war as the Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign against Hezbollah, according to reports.

Israeli enemy strikes on towns and villages in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa and Baalbek in the east, killed 356 people, including 24 children and 42 women, the health ministry said in a statement.

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Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since the 2006 fighting. More than 5,000 other people were wounded in the strikes  a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad told a news conference in Beirut that the strikes hit hospitals, medical centers and ambulances. The government ordered schools and universities to close across most of the country and began preparing shelters for people displaced from the south.

The Israeli military said late Monday that air strikes in Lebanon hit more than 1,300 targets of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in the previous 24 hours.

The strikes hit over 1,300 targets, army spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing.

An earlier statement from the Israeli army specified that the targets included buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure where rockets, missiles, launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles posed a threat.

In a separate statement Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that on this day we have taken out of order tens of thousands of rockets and precise munition.

Gallant called Monday a significant peak in the operation. This is the most difficult week for Hezbollah since its establishment - the results speak for themselves, he said.

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Entire units were taken out of battle as a result of the activities conducted at the beginning of the week in which numerous terrorists were injured, he said.

Hezbollahs elite Radwan force suffered a fatal blow with the loss of top commanders, including regional and brigade commanders, he said, referring to a strike Friday that killed, among others, the elite forces head Ibrahim Aqil.

The Israeli military announced that it hit some 1300 targets, saying it was going after Hezbollah weapons sites. Some strikes hit residential areas of towns in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley. One strike hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos in central Lebanon, more than 80 miles from the border north of Beirut.

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Earlier in the day, Israel said it conducted a round of pre-emptive strikes against Hezbollah across southern Lebanon after learning that Hezbollah was preparing to fire towards Israeli territory, said Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Real Admiral Daniel Hagari.

The Chief of the General Staff approves strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon from the IDF Headquarters Underground Operations Center. So far, more than 300 Hezbollah targets have been struck today. pic.twitter.com/hbNKWJ8QAs  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024

In the latest phase of increased fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, this was the sixth round of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The phase, which involves targeting of handheld communication devices of Hezbollah, has led to fears that the conflict may spiral into a full-scale war. Even though Hezbollah has clashed with Israel on a nearly-daily basis since October 7 attack and several thousands have been displaced from the fighting, they have avoided an all-out war.

Move out of harms way for their own safety

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), IDF Spokesperson Hagari told Lebanese civilians to move out of harms way for their own safety and vacate Hezbollahs strongholds in southern Lebanon.

Hagari said that Hezbollah uses civilian infrastructure to store missiles and use civilians houses as launch sites for its missiles and rockets  a known practice of anti-Israel terrorist groups, including that of Hamas, in the Middle East.

There are dozens of Lebanese villages situated along approximately 80 kilometers of the border with Israel. For over 20 years, Hezbollah has deployed its arms inside homes and militarised civilian infrastructure. As a result, the Hezbollah terrorist organisation has turned southern Lebanon into a battlefield, said Hagari.

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IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari exposing Hezbollahs way of firing missiles from civilian homes, and how the IDF plans on dismantling it: pic.twitter.com/smkfjv6VDh  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024

Sharing illustration of how Hezbollah embeds weapons inside civilians houses in Lebanese villages, Hagari said that Hezbollah stores cruise missiles, rockets, launchers, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) inside civilian homes hidden behind the Lebanese population living in villages.

We are monitoring these activities, locating the weapons, and destroying them with precise intelligence-based strikes, said Hagari.

A graphic illustration of the Israeli military showing how Hezbollah embeds weapons amid civilians in Lebanon.

Ahead of the second wave of strikes today against Hezbollah targets, Hagari said that Lebanese villagers should pay attention to the message and warning published by the IDF and heed them.

This is an advanced warning for your own safety and the safety of your family. We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purpose, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harms way for their own safety, said Hagari.

Referring to several thousands of Israelis displaced by Hezbollahs frequent rocket-fire in the countrys north along the Lebanese border, Hagari said the military is continuing in line with the goals of the war, which includes dismantling Hamas in the Gaza Strip as well as repealing the threat posed by Hezbollah and enable the residents from the north of Israel safely to return to their homes.

An Israeli militarys graphic illustration showing how Hezbollah uses civilian building to park and hide a truck-mounted missile-launcher.

Besides the English message shared by Hagari, the IDF also shared the message in Arabic. The Times of Israel quoted Hagari as saying that the warning was also distributed in Arabic on all networks and platforms in Lebanon.

Separately, the Lebanese state media reported that several people in Beirut and elsewhere in southern Lebanon received the evacuation warning as messages on their mobile phones.

Isarel strikes 300 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in 2 waves

In two waves of strikes on Monday, Israel said it struck 300 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

The Jerusalem Post reported that the first wave of strikes began around 6:30 am local time and went farther in geographical scope than any other round of strikes so far in the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

All squadrons of the Israeli Air Force were part of the strikes, as per the newspaper.

Responding to the Israeli strikes, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the attacks were aimed at the extermination of Lebanon.

The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns, said Mikati, as per the Al-Arabiya.
The White House said the fund would facilitate access to lower cost capital for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers to refinance, grow, and diversify their businesses read more

A electric vehicle charger is seen as a vehicle charges in Manhattan, New York, US. Source: REUTERS.

Investment firm Monroe Capital LLC said on Monday it plans to launch a fresh fund of up to $1 billion to provide loans for smaller auto suppliers as the industry shifts from gasoline-powered to electric vehicles.

The White House said the fund would facilitate access to lower cost capital for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers to refinance, grow, and diversify their businesses and noted that more than 250,000 people across the United States work for small- and medium-sized auto suppliers.

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The Drive Forward Fund LP is expected to be backed by low-cost government-guaranteed lending through a US Small Business Administration license for the fund.

Also Monday, the US Treasury Department announced a $9.1 million grant to launch the Michigan Auto Supplier Transition Program to help smaller firms secure financing for EV components production.

New US government tariffs on Chinese EVs and on batteries, components and critical minerals along with restrictive EV tax credit rules are prodding automakers to shift their supply chains. Automakers face stringent new emissions rules that are also pushing them to build cleaner vehicles requiring new parts.

We believe this new Drive Forward Fund will be critical to catalysing growth and innovation within Americas automotive supply chain, Monroe CEO Ted Koenig said.

Chicago-based Monroe said unlike larger manufacturers, small- and medium-sized auto suppliers often lack access to finances, hindering their ability to expand to produce parts for EVs.

The fund, which will be advised by an auto industry council, intends to begin fundraising after completing the SBA Small Business Investment Company licensing process, Monroe said.

Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella, who heads the trade association representing General Motors, Toyota Motor, Volkswagen and other automakers, said the fund would help ensure smaller suppliers can access private money to modernise.

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A successful EV transformation requires a cutting-edge automotive supply chain that keeps the country competitive and underpins our economic and national security, Bozzella said.

In July, the Energy Department said it planned to award GM and Chrysler-parent Stellantis nearly $1.1 billion in grants to convert existing plants to build electric vehicles and components and last week announced $3 billion for battery manufacturing sector grants for 25 projects.

US Vice President Kamala Harris in May announced the administration would dedicate more than $100 million for small- and medium-sized auto parts manufacturers to expand or retool.
Michael Kovrig, speaking to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp in an interview released on Monday, also said he had missed the birth of his daughter and only met her for the first time when she was two-and-a half years old. read more

A Canadian man detained by China for more than 1,000 days said he was put into solitary confinement for months and interrogated for up to nine hours every day, treatment he said amounted to psychological torture.

I missed the birth of his daughter and only met her for the first time when she was two-and-a half years old, said Michael Kovrig while speaking to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp in an interview released on Monday.

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Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor were taken into custody in December 2018 shortly after Canadian police detained Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei, on a U.S. warrant. Both men were accused of spying.

I still carry a lot of pain around with me and that can be heavy at times, Kovrig said in his first substantial comments since he and Spavor were released in September 2021.

Kovrig noted that U.N. guidelines say prisoners should not be put into solitary confinement for more than 15 days in a row.

More than that is considered psychological torture. I was there for nearly six months, said Kovrig, a former diplomat who had been working as an adviser with a think-tank when arrested.

Kovrig said there was no daylight in the solitary cell, where the fluorescent lights were kept on 24 hours a day. At one point, his food ration was cut to three bowls of rice a day.

It was psychologically absolutely, the most grueling, painful thing Ive ever been through, he said.

Its a combination of solitary confinement, total isolation, and relentless interrogation for six to nine hours every day, he said. They are trying to bully and torment and terrorize and coerce you  into accepting their false version of reality.

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Kovrig and Spavor were released on the same day the U.S. Justice Department dropped its extradition request for Meng and she returned to China.

Bilateral ties are chilly. China this month opened a one-year anti-dumping investigation into imports of rapeseed from Canada, just weeks after Ottawa announced 100% tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

Kovrigs partner was six months pregnant at the time of his arrest. She played their daughter recordings of his voice and showed pictures of her father so she would recognize him when they finally met.

Ill never forget that sense of wonder, of everything being new and wonderful again and pushing my daughter on a swing that had her saying to her mother Mummy, Im so happy, he said.

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The Chinese embassy in Ottawa was not immediately available for comment.
Since the beginning of this year, Anonymous 64 - which the ministry said belonged to Taiwans cyber warfare wing - has sought to upload and broadcast content that denigrates the mainlands political system and major policies, on websites, outdoor screens and network TV stations, it said in a blog post read more

A Taiwanese hacking group called Anonymous 64 has been carrying out cyberattacks against targets in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, Chinas national security ministry said on Monday, urging netizens to report cases of anti-propaganda sabotage.

Since the beginning of this year, Anonymous 64 - which the ministry said belonged to Taiwans cyber warfare wing - has sought to upload and broadcast content that denigrates the mainlands political system and major policies, on websites, outdoor screens and network TV stations, it said in a blog post.

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Taiwan frequently accuses Chinese groups of seeking to spread online disinformation or carry out cyberattacks across the democratically governed island. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has ramped up military and political pressure against over the past five years to assert its claims.

The hacking groups X account said it was set up in June 2023 and showed screenshots of efforts to broadcast videos likening Chinese President Xi Jinping to an emperor, marking the second anniversary of protests against Beijings strict COVID curbs and commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations.

One video was an address from an Anonymous 64 member wearing the Anonymous hacking groups Guy Fawkes mask in the style of the graphic novel and film V for Vendetta.

Neither the X site nor the blog post from Chinas national security ministry said whether Anonymous 64 had any affiliation with the international hacking group.

Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council had no immediate comment.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify where the group was based or whether they had actually carried out the hacking attacks they were accused of.

In the blog post published on its official WeChat account, the most popular social media platform in China, the national security ministry said its investigation into the group had found many of the websites Anonymous 64 claimed to have accessed were fake or had little no traffic, and that its posts showing it having infiltrated numerous university and media websites had been photoshopped.

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The security ministry published screenshots of the groups X account with heavily redacted text. It also said it had opened a case against three members of Taiwans cyber warfare wing.

We advocate that netizens should not believe in or spread rumours and should promptly report cyberattacks or cases of anti-propaganda activity to the national security authorities, the blog post said.
The comments came as Biden opened a farewell summit in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese read more

President Joe Biden greets from left, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, at the Quad leaders summit at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Del., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. - AP

US President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic on Saturday telling the leaders of Australia, India and Japan that an aggressive China is testing us, in remarks that risked undercutting a summit declaration that carefully avoided mentioning Beijing by name.

The comments came as Biden opened a farewell summit in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

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China continues to behave aggressively, testing us all across the region, Biden was heard in what were supposed to be behind-closed-doors remarks to the so-called Quad.

Biden said that while Chinese President Xi Jinping was focusing on domestic economic challenges he was also looking to buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue Chinas interest.

But he insisted that recent intense efforts by Washington to reduce tensions, including a call with Xi in April, were helping to prevent conflict.

The hot mic blunder risked undermining careful diplomatic efforts by all four countries during the summit to insist that their grouping is about more than just providing a counterweight to China.

In their joint statement after the summit, the four leaders made no direct mention of China, even as they expressed concern over tensions on its borders.

We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas, their declaration said.

The leaders condemned coercive and intimidating manoeuvers in the South China Sea but without saying whose manoeuvers.

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Disputed islands in the East China Sea have meanwhile long been a source of tensions between Japan and China.

Instead, the leaders used veiled statements, as they have on previous occasions, about keeping the region free and open and talking about geopolitical challenges.

The other shadow hanging over the summit was Novembers US presidential election, with the isolationist former president Donald Trump in a tight race against Bidens political heir Kamala Harris.

Biden insisted that the group would survive whatever the political situation.

While challenges will come, the world will change because the Quad is here to stay, Biden told the leaders in his public remarks before journalists were ushered out.

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Asked by reporters if the Quad would make it past the Nov 5 election, Biden replied: Way beyond November. Way beyond November.

Here to stay

Modi made a similar pledge  in a commitment that will be welcomed by Washington, Canberra and Tokyo as they court the historically non-aligned New Delhi.

Our message is, the Quad is here to stay, said Modi, who is due to host next years Quad summit in India.

Biden, who bowed out of the US presidential election in July after concerns about his age, filled his farewell summit with personal touches.

The four-way summit took place at his former high school in Wilmington and he earlier opened up his home in the city for private, one-on-one talks with each of the leaders.

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I am really pleased that you were able to be in my home and see where I grew up, he said.

The leaders also announced investment into fighting cervical cancer for Bidens Cancer Moonshot initiative  again a deeply person project as his eldest son Beau died of brain cancer.

The media were given no access to the private meetings at Bidens home.

Biden posted pictures on social media of him with Albanese and then with Kishida in a wood-panelled drawing room in his house, and showing them the view of a lake from a veranda.

The White House said the summit reflected the way Biden prioritised international alliances.

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There are growing questions about what would happen if Trump  who has threatened to pull the United States out of groups like Nato while praising the leaders of Russia and North Korea  returns to the Oval Office.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticised Ukraines allies for hesitating to allow Kyiv to target sites within Russia, arguing that such caution has given Moscow too good a card in their hands' read more

In a bold statement on Monday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called for Ukraines allies to authorise the use of donated weapons for long-range strikes against Russia. This comes as discussions around restrictions on Ukraines military actions intensify.

Ending the discussion on red lines

My suggestion is, let us end the discussion about red lines, Frederiksen told Bloomberg in an interview.

She criticised Ukraines allies for hesitating to allow Kyiv to target sites within Russia, arguing that such caution has given Moscow too good a card in their hands.

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Growing calls for action

Arms-donating countries, especially the US, have imposed limitations on the use of their weapons, fearing deeper involvement in the conflict. However, there is a rising demand from various leaders, including the EUs top diplomat and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to lift these restrictions, stressing their importance for Ukraines success. Denmark, Finland, and Sweden have already expressed their support for allowing Ukraine to use its donated weapons freely.

Crossing the most important red line

Frederiksen stated, The most important red line has been crossed already. And that was when the Russians entered Ukraine.

She further said: So I will not accept this premise, and I will never allow anyone from Russia to decide what is the right thing to do in NATO, in Europe or in Ukraine.

Ukraines expanding offensive

Kyivs forces have ramped up their attacks inside Russia, notably seizing nearly 1,000 square kilometres in the Kursk region during a cross-border incursion last month. President Zelenskyy echoed Frederiksens sentiments, stating, It is only fair to destroy Russian terrorists where they are, where they launch their strikes from.

He urged allies to enable strikes on key strategic targets, such as air bases and arms depots deeper within Russian territory.

A war of attrition approaching 1,000 days

As the conflict nears 1,000 days since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has evolved into a war of attrition, with minimal territorial gains for either side. Zelenskyy is currently visiting the US to garner support for Ukraine and to outline his victory plan.
Any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences, not only for those living on both sides of the Blue Line but also for the broader region, the UNIFIL peacekeeping force said in a statement read more

Cars sit in traffic as they flee the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes, in Sidon, Lebanon, on Monday. AP

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon warned Monday that further escalation on the Israel-Lebanon border risked having devastating regional consequences, as Israel said it hit Hezbollah targets and the group struck back.

Any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences, not only for those living on both sides of the Blue Line but also for the broader region, the UNIFIL peacekeeping force said in a statement.

The Blue Line is the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon.

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The force expressed grave concern for the safety of civilians in southern Lebanon amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October.

Attacks on civilians are not only violations of international law but could amount to war crimes, the statement said.

UNIFIL reiterates its strong call for a diplomatic solution and urges all parties to prioritise civilian lives and ensure they are not put in harms way, it added.

Hezbollah has traded near daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces in support of Hamas since the Palestinian militant groups October 7 attack triggered the Gaza war, but the violence has spiked dramatically in recent days.

Head of UNIFIL Aroldo Lazaro has been in contact with both Lebanese and Israeli parties, emphasising the urgent need for de-escalation, the statement said, adding that efforts are ongoing to reduce tensions and halt the shelling.

It is essential to fully recommit to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the statement said, referring to a resolution that ended a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
If Kamala Harris were to become the President of the United States, the American bureaucracy would destroy the Mars programme and doom humanity, said SpaceX owner Elon Musk read more

Elon Musk has announced that SpaceX will launch uncrewed missions to Mars within two years.

If these uncrewed missions are successful, then crewed missions could be launched within four years, said SpaceX owner Musk in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Musk is a champion of humans being a multiplanetary race and considers the colonisation of Mars essential for this. He has long envisioned having a bustling human town on Mars by the end of the century. Lately, he has been reportedly to have envisioned up to 20 million humans on Mars in 20 years.

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Now, Musk has said that five uncrewed Starships, the most powerful rockets of all times built by SpaceX, will be launched for Mars within two years.

If those all land safely, then crewed missions are possible in four years. If we encounter challenges, then the crewed missions will be postponed another two years, said Musk.

SpaceX plans to launch about five uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years.



If those all land safely, then crewed missions are possible in four years. If we encounter challenges, then the crewed missions will be postponed another two years.



It is only possible to travel from https://t.co/dzi03Hnyhg  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 22, 2024

There is, however, one caveat: Kamala Harris. The multiplanetary future of humanity, which Musk has long championed, rests on Harris not winning the 2024 US presidential election. If Harris were to win, the American bureaucracy would destroy the Mars program and doom humanity.

Musk has endorsed Harris rival, Donald Trump of the Republican Party, in the 2024 US presidential election. Following the endorsement, Musk has claimed that Harris is a communist and she would turn the United States into a country even worse than communist states like North Korea.

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Irrespective of result, SpaceX will increase Mars missions

While announcing the mission to Mars, Musk said that irrespective of success of failure, SpaceX will keep increasing the number of Starship flights.

Noting that spaceships can only be launched to Mars once in two years when the Earth and Mars are aligned, Musk said the goal is to eventually launch thousands of Starships to Mars.

No matter what happens with landing success, SpaceX will increase the number of spaceships traveling to Mars exponentially with every transit opportunityEventually, there will be thousands of Starships going to Mars and it will a glorious sight to see! said Musk.

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While Musk dubs such a project as a glorious sight, he implied the humanity is in a race against time to do so. Over the years, Musk and several scientists have repeatedly said that being multiplanetary is the only solution for humans to ensure the continuity of the race. In case a catastrophic event takes place on the Earth, such as an asteroid shower or a nuclear apocalypse, then the race would continue if humans would have become multiplanetary by then.

The fundamental existential question is whether humanity becomes sustainably multiplanetary before something happens on Earth to prevent that, for example nuclear war, a supervirus, or population collapse that weakens civilisation to the point where it loses the ability to send supply ships to Mars, said Musk on X.

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Kamala Harris bureaucracy would destroy Mars programme

Musk said that while he has several reasons to oppose Harris, the biggest reason is that the American bureaucracy in her presidency would destroy the Mars programme.

Musk said that the bureaucracy currently choking America to death is set to grow in Harris presidency.

This would destroy the Mars program and doom humanity, said Musk.

Musks post was in response to another post by astrophysicist Peter Hague, who also raised similar fears that the US bureaucracy is harming SpaceX.

Hague said that only Musks SpaceX can take humans to Mars in the next 10 years and thats unacceptable to many people. He said that such people are giving US government aerospace agency NASA and other public sector organisation the time at the cost of SpaceX to catch up.

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By predicting absurdly long timetables, they hope to make it true. They want to give NASA and the broader public sector time to take control of the process and lead the mission, so that Mars is run by a bureaucracy that is broadly on their side - rather than some anarchic frontier where tech bros can build stuff without someone around to tie them up with regulations, said Hague.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps running mate JD Vance is too radical in his ideas of how to end the war in Ukraine and he shouldnt be taken seriously read more

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps running mate JD Vance is too radical in his ideas of how to end the war in Ukraine and he shouldnt be taken seriously.

According to The Guardian report, citing an interview with the New Yorker, which was published on Sunday, Zelenskyy said, The idea that the world should end this war at Ukraines expense is unacceptable. But I do not consider this concept of his a plan, in any formal sense.

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I dont take Vances words seriously, because, if this were a plan, then America is headed for global conflict. It will involve Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Taiwan, China, as well as many African countries. That approach would broadcast to the world the following implicit rule: I came, I conquered, now this is mine, he was quoted as saying.

Vance, who has been critical of US aid to Ukraine and has advocated for negotiations with Russia, said earlier this month that Trumps plan to end the conflict might involve creating a special demilitarised zone between Ukraine and Russia.

He said that while Ukraine would maintain its sovereignty, it would need to assure Moscow that it would not seek Nato membership or join other allied institutions.

Following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Zelenskyy requested that his country be included in the 32-member defensive alliance.

Jens Stoltenberg, the outgoing Nato Secretary General, stated that Ukraines membership is not a question of if, but when, although he clarified that Ukraine would not join while the war with Russia is ongoing.

In an interview with the New Yorker, Zelenskyy expressed that Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, does not truly understand how to end the conflict, despite his belief that he does.

With inputs from agencies
The United States has floated the idea of a U.N. peacekeeping force, but the idea was considered too controversial given the introduction of cholera and sexual abuse cases that occurred the last time U.N. troops were in Haiti read more

As world leaders meeting in the United Nations this week discuss the future of efforts to rein in the gangs strangling Haiti, Haitians are expressing hopelessness that an international response can turn the tide of violence.

Thus far, a UN-backed force of 400 police from Kenya and about two dozen Jamaican officers have done little to quell the countrys gangs, which have terrorized the country since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. World leaders have been discussing the next steps in a convoluted efforts to restore order to the Caribbean nation, and Kenya this weekend pledged 600 more officers.

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The United States has floated the idea of a U.N. peacekeeping force, but the idea was considered too controversial given the introduction of cholera and sexual abuse cases that occurred the last time U.N. troops were in Haiti.

The deployment of Kenyan forces was, in part, to avoid tensions that may be sparked by sending another U.N. peacekeeping mission.

But in a visit to Haiti by Kenyas President William Ruto over the weekend  on his way to the United Nations General Assembly session, which began on Sunday  Ruto said he would be open to expanding Kenyas operations into a larger U.N. peacekeeping mission.

On the suggestion to transit this into a fully U.N. Peacekeeping mission, we have absolutely no problem with it, if that is the direction the U.N. security council wants to take, Ruto said.

While Ruto hailed the successes of the Kenyan forces on Sunday, a recent report by a UN human rights expert said gang violence is spreading across Haiti and that Haitian police still lack the logistical and technical capacity to fight gangs.

The ongoing violence has left Haitians like 39-year-old Mario Canteve disillusioned with further international efforts to quell the gangs, saying he no longer believes promises by world leaders that theyll be able to change anything in the crisis-stricken nation.

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No one is coming to save Haiti. Nothing is changing, he said. A new mission cannot save Haiti.

Canteve sells cellphone chips and repairs electronics in the capital of Port-au-Prince, 80% of which is estimated to be controlled by gangs. Facing brutal gang violence, some Haitians have organized vigilante groups to battle the gangs themselves.

Such groups underscore to the lack of hope many Haitians have that an international solution can mark a shift in Haiti.

Moise Jean-Pierre, a 50-year-old school teacher, recalled past U.N. missions in Haiti and said such efforts were a waste of time.

It would not be the first time weve had U.N. missions in Haiti, he said. What difference will it make?

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Sentiments on the ground speak to the bind world leaders are in as theyve spent years looking for a larger solution to Haitis woes.

The current security mission is expected to reach a total of 2,500 personnel, with the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin and Chad also pledging to send police and soldiers. Though it still is not clear when that would happen.

Few at the U.N. have an appetite for a larger peacekeeping mission in part due to the abuses in past missions, but also because many Haitians have an aversion to foreign interventions. Experts say three previous interventions by US and the UN have not improved crises in Haiti.

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Some harbor hope that elections planned next year will pave the path to a Haitian-born solution.

The country has not held general elections since 2016 as the crisis has dragged on.

Last week, Haiti took its first steps in creating a provisional election council to prepare the nation for elections. Haiti still has many hurdles ahead of it to get there. Chief among them is violence.

While Canteve, the cellphone chip salesman, called for unity and said a new mission cannot save Haiti, the children of Haiti need to save themselves, he also expressed doubts the country was safe enough to facilitate elections.

How can you hold an election when everything is so violent. Everyone is shooting, he said. When police cannot even go into certain areas, what kind of election are going to get?
The Iran-backed militant groups second in command, Naim Qassem, vowed to be more aggressive with Israel by sending more rockets into the Jewish nation until theres a ceasefire in Gaza read more

Days after two waves of device explosions and Israeli airstrike left Lebanon in shambles, Hezbollahs deputy chief issued a stern warning in its fight against Israel. The Iran-backed militant groups second in command, Naim Qassem, vowed to be more aggressive with Israel by sending more rockets into the Jewish nation until theres a ceasefire in Gaza.

The proclamation from Hezbollahs deputy chief came as thousands gathered in Beirut to attend the funeral of the key commanders and all those people who were killed in the recent attacks, Sky News reported. While addressing a grief-stricken crowd, Qassem insisted that Hezbollahs conflict with Israel has entered a new phase.

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Israel has targeted not only fighters but also children, paramedics, pharmacies, homes and all innocent lives, he said. Such actions cannot be justified.

The tensions keep on rising

Qassems touch rhetoric matched the proclamation made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Over the past few days, we hit Hezbollah with a string of strikes that it didnt imagine, the Israeli premier warned in a video message. If Hezbollah didnt get the message, I promise you, it will get the message. We will do everything necessary to restore security, he added.

It is pertinent to note that Hezbollah is the strongest militant group that is allied with Iran and has been a strong supporter of Hamas throughout the Israel-Hamas war. Soon after Israel commenced its ground operation in Gaza, following Hamas October 7 attack, Hezbollah opened up a new front in the war.

The Lebanese group started firing rockets into Israel the day after Oct 7 and has maintained that it wont stop firing into Israel until theres a ceasefire. The Friday Israeli strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Ibrahim Aqil - one of its most senior military commanders and founder of the elite Radwan Force.

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Aqil has been on the US most-wanted list for decades and whom Israeli forces said: had the blood of many people on his hands. According to Sky News, the mourners present at the funeral chanted revenge and marched towards the burial ground known as the Martyrs graveyard. The women cried as they professed their loyalty to the group.

There were several funerals in southern Lebanon as well for the civilians - mothers, children, and whole families who were killed in the same airstrikes.

Meanwhile, the Israeli forces have maintained that the attack was targeted at the commander and a group of his elite forces meeting deep underneath one of the high-rise blocks. However, the casualties included several children and 16 Hezbollah fighters, out of the 40 killed in the attack, Sky News reported. As Israel and Hezbollah exchange rockets among themselves, leaders around the world are urging both parties to maintain restraint.

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With input from agencies.
After taking oath on Monday, the new Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said he had no magic solution to the hardships suffered following an unprecedented economic crisis read more

Sri Lanka's first leftist president, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka (centre), took oath on Monday at the colonial-era Presidential Secretariat in Colombo after trouncing his nearest rivals in Saturday's vote. Source: AFP.

Sri Lankas first leftist president was sworn in to office Monday vowing to restore public faith in politics but said he had no magic solution to the hardships suffered following an unprecedented economic crisis.

Self-avowed Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Peoples Liberation Front (JVP) took his oath at the colonial-era Presidential Secretariat in Colombo after trouncing his nearest rivals in Saturdays vote.

The previously fringe politician, whose party led two failed uprisings in the island nation that left tens of thousands dead, saw a surge of support after the 2022 economic meltdown immiserated millions of ordinary Sri Lankans.

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Dissanayake, the bearded 55-year-old son of a labourer, was sworn in by chief justice Jayantha Jayasuriya in a nationally televised ceremony attended by diplomats, lawmakers, Buddhist and other clergy and the military.

I am not a conjuror, I am not a magician, I am a common citizen, he said after taking his oath.

I have strengths and limitations, things I know and things I dont my responsibility is to be part of a collective effort to end this crisis.

A small crowd of JVP supporters gathered outside the secretariat to celebrate, waving pictures of Dissanayake and the national flag.

Dissanayake succeeds outgoing president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took office at the peak of the financial crisis following the governments first foreign debt default and months of punishing food, fuel and medicine shortages.

Wickremesinghe, 75, imposed steep tax hikes and other austerity measures under the terms of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

His policies ended the shortages and returned the economy to growth but left millions struggling to make ends meet.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena resigned shortly before the ceremony, clearing the way for Dissanayake to appoint his own cabinet.

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Dissanayakes party has said he wants to have an interim administration until a fresh parliament is elected. The JVP has only three lawmakers in the 225-member legislature.

He has softened some policies since his rise to popularity, saying he believes in an open economy and is not totally opposed to privatisation.

He has vowed to press ahead with the IMF rescue package negotiated by his predecessor last year but modify its terms in order to deliver tax cuts.

Work with other nations

Addressing concerns about the JVPs historical anti-West and anti-India stance, Dissanayake said he wanted international support to rebuild the economy.

We are not a nation that should be isolated, he said, as Colombo-based diplomats watched from the balcony of the presidential office.

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Regardless of the power divisions in the world, we intend to work with other nations to benefit our country.

India and China  Sri Lankas biggest neighbour and largest bilateral creditor respectively  are competing for influence in the island nation, strategically situated on global east-west sea routes.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he looked forward to working closely with Dissanayake to strengthen our multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of our people and the entire region.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he hoped to work with the new president to continue our traditional friendship (and) enhance mutual political trust.

Legacy of violence

Dissanayakes party led two rebellions in the 1970s and 1980s that left more than 80,000 people dead before renouncing violence.

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It had been a peripheral player in Sri Lankan politics in the decades since, winning less than four per cent of the vote during the most recent parliamentary elections in 2020.

But Sri Lankas crisis proved an opportunity for Dissanayake, who saw his popularity rise after pledging to change the islands corrupt political culture.

Dissanayake was a JVP student leader during the second insurrection and has described how one of his teachers sheltered him to save him from government-backed death squads that killed party activists.

He counts famous Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara among his heroes.

Dissanayake becomes the countrys first president to get less than 50 per cent of the popular vote. He was elected with just over 42 per cent, the lowest since presidential elections began in 1988.

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I am fully aware of the composition and size of the mandate I received, he said. It is my responsibility to earn the support and confidence of those who did not vote for me or place their trust in me.
Widespread protest in Myanmar over the 2021 coup turned into a nationwide rebellion, with an armed resistance movement combining with some established ethnic armies to seize control of wide swathes of territory from the military. The junta has refused to enter into dialogue with the rebels, whom it describes as terrorists. read more

Soldiers from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) prepare to patrol Myawaddy, the Thailand-Myanmar border town under the control of a coalition of rebel forces led by the Karen National Union, in Myanmar, April 15, 2024.- Reuters

India has invited political and military opponents of Myanmars junta to attend a seminar in New Delhi, news agency Reuters reported.

Myanmars ongoing civil war, sparked by the militarys ousting of the elected civilian government in February 2021, now threatens to destabilise Indias 1,650-km border with Myanmar and undermine key infrastructure projects in the region.

A leader of an armed group and two sources with direct knowledge of the issue revealed that India has invited the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic minority rebels from Chin, Rakhine, and Kachin states bordering India to a seminar. The event, scheduled for mid-November, will be hosted by the government-funded Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), whose council includes Indias Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, according to reports.

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Two other sources confirmed the seminars topic as Constitutionalism and Federalism but declined to provide further details due to the confidential nature of the matter. It remains unclear whether Myanmars military government will receive an invitation to the event.

Speaking of the seminar, Sui Khar, vice chairman of one the ethnic rebel groups, the Chin National Front, said, We are going to send representatives. This will be the first time, I think, formally, that India will engage with the non-state actors. This is a good, positive approach.

MOTIVE UNCLEAR

Although Western powers have condemned the junta, with most of them having imposed sanctions, India has kept up engagement with the generals through visits to the capital, Naypyitaw, by its government and defence officials. India has been reluctant to openly criticise the junta, which could push the generals closer to rival China. New Delhi has had no formal engagement with the juntas opponents.

Indias strategic interests

Indias policy towards Myanmar has long prioritised engagement with the ruling powers, focusing on security and political interests over promoting democratic principles in neighboring nations. A recent example of this policy is the visit of an Indian Army delegation to Myanmar, led by Lieutenant General Harjeet Singh Sahi, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, military cooperation, and joint efforts for peace and development in border areas.

However, with the escalating situation in regions like Paletwa and Sittwe, and considering the Arakan Armys (AA) recent declarations, India is at a critical juncture. This necessitates reevaluating and potentially recalibrating its approach towards Myanmar. The country must not only issue advisories for Indian citizens to leave the region but also engage with a broader range of stakeholders.

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The stability of Myanmar is vital for India, particularly for its northeastern region and connectivity projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP). The KMTTP is crucial for Indias strategic ambitions to counter Chinese influence and enhance stability in its northeastern territories.

With inputs from agencies.
A large-scale operation is underway by the IRGC to inspect all devices and not just communication equipment, a security official said, adding that most of these devices were either homemade or imported from China and Russia read more

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian visits one of the victims injured by pager explosions across Lebanon, in a hospital in Tehran, Iran, September 20, 2024. Source: Iran's Presidency / WANA (West Asia News Agency) / REUTERS.

Irans elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has ordered all members to stop using any type of communication devices after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by its Hezbollah allies in Lebanon blew up in deadly attacks last week, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters.

One of the security officials said a large-scale operation is underway by the IRGC to inspect all devices, not just communication equipment. He said most of these devices were either homemade or imported from China and Russia.

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Iran was concerned about infiltration by Israeli agents, including Iranians on Israels payroll and a thorough investigation of personnel has already begun, targeting mid and high-ranking members of the IRGC, added the official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

This includes scrutiny of their bank accounts both in Iran and abroad, as well as their travel history and that of their families, the security official said.

Irans Foreign, Defence and Interior Ministries were not immediately available to respond to the comments made by the security officials to Reuters.

In a coordinated attack, the pager devices detonated on Tuesday across Hezbollahs strongholds. On Wednesday, hundreds of Hezbollah walkie-talkies exploded. The attacks killed 39 people and injured more than 3,000 people.

Lebanon and Hezbollah say Israel was behind the attacks. Israel has neither denied nor confirmed involvement.

The security official declined to give details on how the IRGC force, comprising 190,000 personnel, are communicating. For now, we are using end-to-end encryption in messaging systems, he said.

According to the same official, there is widespread concern among Irans ruling establishment. IRGC officials have reached out to Hezbollah for technical assessments, and several examples of exploded devices have been sent to Tehran for examination by Iranian experts.

Missiles, nuclear facilities

Another Iranian official said the Islamic Republics main concern was the protection of the countrys nuclear and missile facilities, particularly those underground.

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But since last year, security measures at those sites have increased significantly, he said in reference to stepped up measures after what Iranian authorities said was Israels attempt to sabotage Irans missile program in 2023. Israel has never commented on this.

There has never, ever been such tight security and extreme measures in place as there are now, he added, suggesting that security has been significantly increased beyond previous levels after the pager explosions in Lebanon.

The IRGC is a powerful political, military and economic force in Iran with close ties to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Set up after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the clerical ruling system, it has its own ground force, navy and air force that oversee Irans strategic weapons.

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It exerts influence in the Middle East through its overseas operations arm, the Al Quds Force, by providing money, weapons, technology and training to allied groups: Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Yemens Houthis and militias in Iraq.

Irans military uses a range of encrypted communication devices, including walkie-talkies, for secure communication, said the first Iranian source. While specific models and brands might vary, Iranian military communications equipment was often developed domestically or sourced from a combination of local and foreign suppliers, he said.

He said Irans armed forces have stopped using pagers for over two decades.

Tehran has developed its own military-grade radio transmissions through its defence industry to avoid reliance on foreign imports, especially due to Western sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program, he added.

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However, in the past, Iran has imported communication devices from countries such as China and Russia and even Japan.

Iran and Israel have been locked in a shadow war for decades, with mutual allegations of sabotage and assassination plots.

The conflict, including between Israel and Hezbollah, has intensified in the past year in parallel with the Gaza war, which erupted after the Palestinian Hamas group attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7.

Iran and Hezbollah have blamed Israel for assassinating Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollahs most senior military commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut a few hours earlier in July. Israel said it killed Shukr but it has not confirmed it was behind Haniyehs death.

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Iran does not recognise Israels right to exist. Khamenei has previously called Israel a cancerous tumour that will undoubtedly be uprooted and destroyed.

Israel believes that Iran poses an existential threat. It also accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, though Iran denies seeking to build a nuclear bomb.
During the meeting, the prime minister discussed ways to foster greater collaboration between the US and India when it comes to the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology read more

As a part of his three-day visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat down with industry leaders in semiconductors, biotechnology, etc., to discuss the potential and opportunities India has to offer to the world.

The roundtable hosted by the Indian premier comprised several prominent giants including, Chairman President and CEO of Adobe Shantanu Narayen, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, IBM COE Arvind Krishna, Lisa Su-Chair and CEO of AMD Noubar Afeyan - Chairman Moderna. During the meeting, the prime minister discussed ways to foster greater collaboration between the US and India when it comes to the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology, ANI reported.

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The meeting came on the second day of Modis visit to the US. On Saturday (local time), the prime minister attended the Quad Leaders Summit in Delaware, which was attended by US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The Saturday meeting was the farewell summit for both Biden and Kishida, who will pave the way for the new president and PM respectively.

India-US looking forward to taking ties to the next level

According to the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, PM Modi emphasised Indias growth prospects, during the meeting with American CEOs. PM @narendramodi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of USA, in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, in New York today, Jaiswal wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

PM emphasized Indias growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster collaborations and innovation across diverse sectors, he added. It is pertinent to note that the Sunday meeting took place a day after PM Modi held bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden.

-| Further cementing technology and business connect.



PM @narendramodi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of USA, in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, in New York today.



PM emphasized Indias growth pic.twitter.com/oDIx05eNOO  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2024

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During the meeting, the two leaders lauded the combined efforts to facilitate resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains, including the Global Foundries (GF) establishment of GF Kolkata Power Centre.

According to a readout from the White House, both leaders welcomed the progress made since the MoU signed in November 2023 between the Commerce Department and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to enhance the two countries innovation ecosystem under the Innovation Handshake agenda. Since then the two nations conducted industry roundtables in India and the US to fulfil their ambition.

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On Sunday, the Prime Minister also addressed a charged-up gathering of the Indian diaspora in Long Island. The next thing on his itinerary will be his speech at the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly in New York before he departs for India. Several global leaders attended the event, and the theme of the Summit was Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow. PM Modi also held several bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the event.

With inputs from agencies.
These are two men (PM Modi and Joe Biden) who have such a close friendship, the most pro-American prime minister weve ever seen in Indian history, the most pro-Indian president weve had in US history and thats building on people who have been very strong before. I think they are representative of the people in their country, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti read more

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden share a deep friendship and described them as the most pro-American prime minister in Indian history and the most pro-Indian president the US has ever seen, adding that their partnership is rooted in mutual respect and shared goals.

#WATCH | New York: US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti says, "These are two men (PM Modi and Joe Biden) who have such a close friendship, the most pro-American prime minister we've ever seen in Indian history, the most pro-Indian president we've had in US history and that's pic.twitter.com/hHLGsLgU5H  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

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Speaking to ANI news agency, Garcetti said, These are two men (PM Modi and Joe Biden) who have such a close friendship, the most pro-American prime minister weve ever seen in Indian history, the most pro-Indian president weve had in US history and thats building on people who have been very strong before. I think they are representative of the people in their country, said the ambassador.

He also highlighted the role of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) as a platform for promoting a unified vision in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Quad is a powerful place to set a vision, to share principles and to come up with common solutions in the Indo-Pacific. Its a contrast to nations that dont want to play by the rules, dont believe in the rule of law, said Garcetti.

Garcetti asserted that the US and India are committed to building proactive solutions to regional challenges, calling the ongoing collaboration a giant step forward.

Highlighting Quads role in promoting a free, open, prosperous Indo-Pacific, Garcetti said, Its not about any one nation. Its really about these four nations and this common vision that there should be a free open, prosperous Indo-Pacific and if you look at the declaration, it underscores that from cooperating together on health care, whether its security and making sure our coast guards can act with each other in a way during a humanitarian disaster that can keep our people safe and protected or whether its looking at economic development of things like supply chains to make sure no one country can throttle those supply chains in critical minerals.

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He pointed out that the US and India have committed $1 billion towards climate solutions, addressing the vulnerabilities of nearly 900 million people in both countries.

#WATCH | New York: US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti says, "It's not about any one nation. It's really about these four nations and this common vision that there should be a free open, prosperous Indo-Pacific and if you look at the declaration, it underscores that from pic.twitter.com/Eo740nObFX  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

So of course, other countries will look in but nobody should feel threatened by the QUAD. But the QUAD is about standing up for principles that not every country shares. It is about finding solutions to common challenges that not everybody is doing in a multilateral way and I think it is inspiring the world. The QUAD doesnt just work in four countries, we are looking at the entire region and how we can give something to everyone, said the ambassador.

Garcetti also discussed recent announcements regarding security cooperation, including the integration of Coast Guard operations and military interoperability between the nations. He emphasized that the Quad is not a military alliance seeking to project power but a framework for preserving peace and prosperity across the region.

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#WATCH | New York: US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti says, "There's no question that security and peace is the most important thing for any country and for all of our people. So whether it's the new announcement on Coast Guard integration and having our crews work together or pic.twitter.com/lycO80pA1T  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Theres no question that security and peace is the most important thing for any country and for all of our people. So whether its the new announcement on Coast Guard integration and having our crews work together or whether its the hub to allow some of our military planes and things like that to be able to interoperate, be fixed in each others countries that show interoperability to protect our people, but it is not first and foremost, some sort of military alliance looking to project power, it is looking to preserve peace and to make sure that we have prosperity for the entire plan., Garcetti said.

Reaffirming the US commitment to Indias sovereignty and diplomatic efforts, particularly in light of tensions with China, Garcetti said, We see India as a friend and a partner, not a counterbalance.

#WATCH | New York: US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti says, "I would say that we see India as a friend and a partner, not a counterbalance. We share the principles about borders and sovereignty, about the rule of law. We've stood with India on the border when there have been pic.twitter.com/WN0b9Znp5X  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Weve stood with India on the border when there have been conflicts We have a long history of ensuring that aggression should not be rewarded anywhere in the world. When it comes to China, we all want to have peaceful relations with China. We support Indias diplomatic interactions right now and I think it was announcednobody should move ahead when their sovereignty is threatened. That is something that we respect and will follow Indias lead in Indias land, said the ambassador.

On PM Modis Russia and Ukraine visit, US Ambassador said that the US welcomes everyones cooperation and participation in peacemaking.

Peacemaking is hard work. It requires difficult conversations with friends. I think if you start from the principle that the most important law we have in the world is the sovereignty of borders. Something India lives with every single day. Its clear that we have to make sure that peace comes not at the expense of any country. So we welcome that participation as long as it abides by those principles of an unwarranted, unasked-for invasion of a sovereign country across that sovereign border, said Garcetti.

Garcetti said he sees PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar play a critical role in resolving Russia-Ukraine war given the relations that India has had with both the countries.

#WATCH | New York: On PM Modis Russia and Ukraine visit, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti says, "We welcome everyone's cooperation and participation in peacemaking. Peacemaking is hard work. It requires difficult conversations with friends. I think if you start from the pic.twitter.com/bNGfcNSemL  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

And if we keep those principles together, I think we welcome that because theres going to have to be tough conversations with friends. India opens doors, sometimes the US doesnt and vice versa As we have seen two democracies hold two elections, it shows democracies are stronger that the rule of law does matter, that principles should rule the day, said the ambassador.

With inputs from agencies
As Israeli jets pound southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is operating to change the balance of power in the north by taking out Hezbollah missiles read more

As Israeli jets pound southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is operating to change the balance of power in the north by taking out Hezbollah missiles.

According to a Times of Israel report, speaking from the underground command room of the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said in a video statement, For those who have not yet understood, I want to clarify Israels policy. We do not wait for a threat, we anticipate it. Everywhere, in every theater, at any time.

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Netanyahu said whoever tries to hurt us, we hurt him even more and therefore is eliminating senior Hezbollah officials, terrorists, and missile caches, with more to come.

I promised that we would change the security balance, the balance of power in the north. This is exactly what we are doing. We are destroying thousands of missiles and rockets aimed at Israeli cities and Israeli citizens.

Netanyahus statement comes after he held a security assessment with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Air Force commander Tomer Bar, and Military Secretary Roman Gofman.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused Israel of seeking a wider conflict, which he said would not benefit anyone, as he insisted Tehran was not destabilising the region.

We know more than anyone else that if a larger war were to erupt in the Middle East, it will not benefit anyone throughout the world. It is Israel that seeks to create this wider conflict, AFP quoted him as saying during a roundtable with journalists as he attended the UN General Assembly in New York.

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He also sought talks with the West on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, as he denied providing missiles to Moscow which he condemned for aggression.

We are willing to sit down with the Europeans and the Americans to have a dialogue and negotiations. We have never approved of Russian aggression against Ukrainian territory, AFP quoted him as saying.

Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon killed 182 people on Monday, according to the Lebanese health ministry, in by far the deadliest cross-border escalation since war erupted in Gaza on October 7.

War began when Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out the worst-ever attack on Israel, with Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups around the region drawn into the violence.

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On Monday, Israel said it had hit more than 300 Hezbollah sites with dozens of strikes, while Hezbollah said it had targeted three sites in northern Israel.

With inputs from agencies
Most of the ambassadors and senior envoys were traveling with their family members on Sunday to the Swat Valley, when the attack occurred in Malam Jabba, one of Pakistans two ski resorts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan read more

A police officer was killed and four others were wounded in the attack. Source: AP.

The Pakistani Taliban on Monday denied involvement in a bombing attack on a police convoy that was escorting foreign ambassadors in the restive northwest, as authorities said they were still trying to determine who was behind it.

Most of the ambassadors and senior envoys were traveling with their family members on Sunday to the Swat Valley, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, when the attack occurred in Malam Jabba, one of Pakistans two ski resorts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan.

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No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but Mohammad Khurasani, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, denied detonating the improvised explosive device that hit a police vehicle accompanying the convoy.

A police officer was killed and four others were wounded in the attack, which drew strong condemnation from Pakistans President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials.

The envoys were all unharmed, but the attack suggested there was a security breach.

For sure it was a security breach because the convoys route was only known to police, and the bomb disposal unit had reportedly cleared the route, said Abdullah Khan, a defense analyst and managing director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.

Some insider (appears to have) leaked the information about the travel plans of the foreign ambassadors to the militants, he added.

Khan said the attack signaled a shift in the approach of insurgents, who previously targeted security forces.

Pakistani defense analyst Syed Muhammad Ali said there was a need for better coordination between federal authorities and police about such high-profile visits to the northwest, which has witnessed a surge in violence.

Those traveling in the convoy were ambassadors and officials from Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Iran, Russia and Tajikistan. All of them later returned to the capital, Islamabad, according to Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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In a statement, TTP said it had nothing to do with the attack. TTP is a separate group but also a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in neighboring Afghanistan in August 2021 as US and NATO troops were in the final stages of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.

Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary and have even been living openly in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, which also emboldened the Pakistani Taliban. The situation has strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistans Taliban government, which says it does not allow anyone to use its soil for attacks against any country.

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Authorities were investigating to determine whether there was a security breach, since details about the convoys travel plans had been circulated only to officials. Authorities said they were also collecting information to determine who planted the IED device along the route.

Mohammad Ali Khan, a senior police officer, said that so far no arrest had been made.

Sundays attack came months after a suicide bomber in northwestern Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle, killing five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver in Shangla, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The Chinese victims were construction workers and engineers who were working on Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan. Since then, Pakistan has beefed up security for foreigners and envoys traveling in the region.
During the one-on-one conversation, PM Modi expressed deep concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed Indias continued support of the Palestinian people read more

Before his address at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting was held at the New York Palace Hotel in New York on Sunday, where the Prime Minister was staying.

During the one-on-one conversation, PM Modi expressed deep concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed Indias continued support of the Palestinian people. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal took to X, formerly known as Twitter to give insights from the meeting.

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PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today.



PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed s continued support to the people of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/6SvSBBds0x  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2024

PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today, Jaiswal wrote on X. PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed Indias continued support to the people of Palestine, he added.

In a separate post, PM Modi emphasised that India wants early restoration of peace and stability in the region, which is currently embroiled in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated Indias support for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine, the Prime Minister wrote on X.

Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated Indias support for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long standing friendship with the people of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/LnmAm7dDax  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

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Indias stance on the ongoing conflict

It is pertinent to note that Abbas heads the Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank. Meanwhile, the coastal enclave of Gaza, where the conflict is escalating, is led by Hamas. India has been an ardent advocate for a two-state solution for time immemorial.

Prime Minister Modi was one of the first world leaders to issue a public statement condemning Hamas surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7. India and Israel have managed to strengthen their ties in recent years after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to power.

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However, New Delhi has also sent humanitarian aid to the struggling population of Gaza. In July this year, as a part of its commitment to the war-stricken region, India released the first instalment of a whopping $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, for Palestine refugees for the year 2024-25.

Apart from this, PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with Nepals Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. While speaking to the Kuwaiti crowned prince, PM Modi reviewed India-Kuwait bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen the historical linkages and strong people-to-people contacts between the two nations.

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During his meeting with Oli, the Prime Minister discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of the multi-faceted and expanding India-Nepal partnership.

With inputs from the agencies.
Met To Lam, the President of Vietnam. We took stock of the full range of India-Vietnam friendship. We look forward to adding momentum in sectors such as connectivity, trade, culture and more, PM Modi posted on X read more

PM Narendra Modi meets Vietnam's President To Lam on the sidelines of UNGA in New York on Monday. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Vietnamese President To Lam on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York and discussed strategies to strengthen bilateral relations and boost cooperation in areas such as connectivity, trade, and culture.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese President To Lam, in New York, US



(Source: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/sFqvwbaOUO  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

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PM Modi is in New York on the second leg of his three-day US visit where he addressed the UNs Summit of the Future held against the backdrop of raging global conflicts.

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, PM Modi met To Lam.

Met To Lam, the President of Vietnam. We took stock of the full range of India-Vietnam friendship. We look forward to adding momentum in sectors such as connectivity, trade, culture and more, Modi posted on X.

Met Mr. To Lam, the President of Vietnam. We took stock of the full range of India-Vietnam friendship. We look forward to adding momentum in sectors such as connectivity, trade, culture and more. pic.twitter.com/aV5SD2nI4N  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

Both the leaders also discussed ways to enhance the friendship between the two countries.

PM @narendramodi met President To Lam of Vietnam today, on the sidelines of UNGA in New York.



The leaders discussed ways to further enhance the - Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on areas of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/8YK8jiioTQ  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2024

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PM @narendramodi met President To Lam of Vietnam today, on the sidelines of UNGA in New York. The leaders discussed ways to further enhance the Indian-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on areas of mutual interest, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

Earlier, he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza, reaffirming Indias support for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

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He arrived in New York on Saturday after attending the Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, where he also had bilateral discussions with US President Joe Biden.

PM Modi addressed thousands of members of the Indian-American community on Sunday at the Modi&US mega community event in Long Island Sunday afternoon.

He also interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of the US in a roundtable conference. Later in the day, he held bilateral discussions with world leaders.

With inputs from agencies
The authorities asked the residents to take extreme precautions in what theyre calling the heaviest rainfall the region has ever witnessed read more

Driftwood is caught under a bridge, washed down a river after heavy rains caused flooding, in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, on September 22, 2024. AFP

As the coastal region of Japan, especially the Ishikawa prefecture, recovers from the devastating earthquake that struck the region on New Years Day, record rainfall has left the area in complete shambles. The heavy rains brought deadly flooding and landslides in the region. Japans weather agency issued its highest emergency warning for Ishikawa prefecture on Saturday.

The authorities asked the residents to take extreme precautions in what theyre calling the heaviest rainfall the region has ever witnessed. According to NHK, the torrential downpour caused around 16 rivers in the area to breach their banks, and at least six people were killed in the rains.

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Apart from this, several people are still missing, and tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate the region due to flash floods. One person was killed in the city of Suzu after their home succumbed to a brutal landslide. Two bodies were found near a tunnel in the city of Wajima after a landslide. Meanwhile, two women were found dead in a house impacted by landslides, and a man was pulled from a river and was also confirmed dead.

Storm causes power outage

The intense storms left over 6,200 houses without electricity. The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism also informed that four workers doing earthquake restoration work in Wajima city went missing after they got caught up in a landslide.

It is pertinent to note that the Ishikawa prefecture has endured major destruction following the January 1 earthquake. The magnitude 7.5 earthquake jolted the Noto peninsula, killing hundreds of people and destroying several houses and buildings.

The recent storms were devastating for the people who already suffered from the earthquake. Temporary housing built for people who lost their homes in the quake was eventually surrounded by several feet of murky floodwater on the weekend.

The past earthquakes made the soil unstable in the region and more prone to landslides. The heavy rains eventually became the final nail in the coffin. However, the authorities managed to bring things under control by the end of the weekend. On Sunday, the weather agency downgraded its warning level but still asked residents to remain on high alert.

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With inputs from agencies.
After the attack last week in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida demanded an explanation and urged China to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens read more

Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa said on Monday she will meet her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a visit to New York to discuss the fatal stabbing of a schoolboy.

After the attack last week in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida demanded an explanation and urged China to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens.

The recent incident in Shenzhen, where a child at a Japanese school was attacked and killed, was very tragic, Kamikawa told reporters at the airport in Tokyo ahead of the trip.

We will strongly urge China to provide a clear explanation of the facts and ensure the safety of Japanese people, especially children, she said, according to Japans foreign ministry.

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She said Japan will spend 43 million yen ($300,000) to immediately ramp up the security of Japanese schools in China.

Kamikawa is traveling to New York from Monday for three days to attend the United Nations general assembly.

Japans vice foreign minister meanwhile was sent to Beijing to discuss the stabbing with Chinese officials on Monday.

Last week, Beijing expressed regret and sadness for what it called an isolated incident that could happen in any country.

Japanese media reported that the boy was a 10-year-old Japanese national living in Shenzhen, while Beijings foreign ministry said his parents were Japanese and Chinese citizens, respectively.

Police detained a 44-year-old man suspected of stabbing the child.

While it remains unclear if the attack was politically motivated, it happened on September 18, the anniversary of the 1931 Mukden incident or Manchurian incident, which is known in China as a day of national humiliation.

In June, a Japanese mother and child were injured in another knife attack in Suzhou near Shanghai, which Chinas foreign ministry described at the time as an isolated incident.

A 55-year-old Chinese woman died attempting to stop the assailant and was honoured by the local government after her death.

Relations between the countries have worsened as China grows more assertive in territorial disputes in the region, and as Japan boosts security ties with the United States and its allies.

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But Beijing announced last week it would gradually resume importing seafood from Japan after a ban in August last year over the release of water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Last week, Japan said a Chinese aircraft carrier sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan for the first time.

Tokyo slammed the incident as totally unacceptable, while China said it had complied with international law.
Amid economic turmoil and socio-economic distress, Sri Lanka has elected Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake its president, who took office on Monday. His first challenge will be to form a government with a prime minister and a Cabinet of Ministers read more

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, popularly known as AKD among his supporters after the initials of his name, took oath as Sri Lankas ninth president on Monday. Sri Lankas Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya administered the oath to Dissanayake, 56, at the presidential secretariat.

He won a landslide against Sajith Premdasa and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe  the prime minister in the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government who was given the responsibility in 2022 after an unprecedented public protest forced the then president to step down and flee the country.

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Assuming power amid Sri Lankas efforts to rebuild its economy and address social concerns as its path to recovery is monitored by international lenders including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has extended a bailout package to the island nation, Dissanayake faces the first major challenge of forming a government.

Watch: Sri Lankas Dissanayake wins presidential election

Sri Lanka is a democratic republic that follows a unitary state model of governance in a semi-presidential system. It is a mixture of a presidential system and a parliamentary system. While the president heads the state, the parliament keeps strong checks on the governments functioning. The president has to appoint a prime minister and a Cabinet of Ministers.

The constitution of Sri Lanka says that all the ministers including the prime minister should be a Member of Parliament. The previous government of Wickremesinghe had 21 members in the Cabinet of Ministers  a group of senior ministers in the government  and 38 other ministers of state and deputy ranks.

Dissanayakes National Peoples Power has only three MPs including the newly elected president in the 225-member house. It presents Dissanayake a tough challenge in selecting his Cabinet of Ministers.

He has promised to dissolve the parliament and announce snap polls. The last parliamentary election was held in 2020. The countrys constitution says that the president can dissolve it any time after four and a half years after the election.

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But Sri Lankan media reports have quoted constitution experts saying that Dissanayake may not dissolve the parliament before announcing his prime minister and a Cabinet of Ministers.

The Daily Morning quoted Sri Lankan parliaments Secretary General Kushani Rohanadheera as saying that Dissanayake may choose to dissolve the house any time after being sworn in as the head of the state. She said, The Parliament can be dissolved at any time, but the affairs of the government must continue until the next Parliament is elected.

For that, the appointment of the Premier and the caretaker Cabinet must be done before the dissolution of the Parliament, Rohanadheera told The Daily Morning.

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Dissanayake will have to resign as an MP, and his place could be filled by another member from his party. It follows a lengthy legal process. Sri Lankan parliaments secretary general said, When I am informed about it [Dissanayakes resignation as an MP], I will inform the Election Commission (EC) that there is a vacancy in the position of an MP. They (EC) will then issue a gazette extraordinary designating the candidate who got the most votes next to Dissanayake in the last Parliamentary Election. However, the President can also dissolve the Parliament even without filling that vacancy.

Is a four-member Cabinet of Ministers including President Dissanayake enough to run the Sri Lankan government?

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Rohanadheera was quoted as saying that the countrys constitution does not specify the minimum number of ministers in the government. There are rules about the maximum number of ministers that can be in the Cabinet, but there is no such rule about the minimum number.

Sri Lanka has been battling a serious economic crisis and Dissanayakes predecessor Wickremesinghe increased taxes substantially to meet the IMFs conditions for the bailout package that it secured earlier this year.

Increased taxation worked against Wickremesinghe in the just-held election as the voters overwhelmingly backed Dissanayake who promised to reduce the tax burden and renegotiate terms of loans from lenders including the IMF. To fulfil promises he made to voters, Dissanayake might find himself in a difficult situation until a fresh parliamentary election gives his party enough members in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Even as President Joe Biden said that the US was trying to de-escalate situation in Lebanon after Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds killed at least over 350 people, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt and Iran on Monday urged the international community, particularly the United Nations SC, to take immediate measures to halt the violence read more

Ambulances arrive to evacuate the wounded near the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb, on Monday. AP

Even as President Joe Biden said that the US was trying to de-escalate situation in Lebanon after Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds killed at least over 350 people, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt and Iran on Monday urged the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to take immediate measures to halt the violence.

Ive been briefed on the latest developments in Israel and Lebanon. My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and were working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely, Biden said as he held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House.

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Turkey warned that Israels attacks on Lebanon threatened to push the Middle East deeper into chaos.

Israels attacks on Lebanon mark a new phase in its efforts to drag the entire region into chaos, AFP quoted the foreign ministry as saying in a statement.

An outspoken critic of Israels offensive in response to the attack by Hamas militants that sparked the war, Turkey urged the international community to intervene.

It is imperative that all institutions responsible for maintaining international peace and security, especially the United Nations Security Council, as well as the international community, take the necessary measures without delay, the foreign ministry added.

The countries that unconditionally support Israel are helping (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu shed blood for his political interests, it said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is due to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, is expected to focus on the Gaza war.

In Iraq, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called for an urgent meeting of Arab leaders during the UN General Assembly to address the escalating Israeli aggression in Lebanon.

Iraq calls on and works to convene an urgent meeting of the leaders of Arab delegations to review the repercussions of the Zionist (Israeli) aggression on our peaceful people in Lebanon and to work jointly to stop its criminal behaviour, AFP quoted Sudani as saying in a statement.

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Egypts Foreign Ministry echoed these sentiments, urging international powers to intervene swiftly to stop the dangerous Israeli escalation. They warned that the situation could lead to a comprehensive regional war.

Meanwhile, Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday accused Israel of seeking regional war, as he attempted to cast Tehran as restrained and appealed to the West for talks on flashpoint issues.

Pezeshkian, inaugurated in late July as a reformist within the cleric-run state, was visiting the United Nations as Israel steps up strikes in Lebanon on the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah, following a wave of explosions on handheld communication devices.

We know more than anyone else that if a larger war were to erupt in the Middle East, it will not benefit anyone throughout the world. It is Israel that seeks to create this wider conflict, Pezeshkian told a roundtable with journalists in New York.

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Pezeshkian - whose hardline predecessor died in a helicopter crash - took office with calls for a better relationship with the West.

But tensions immediately soared as the visiting political chief of Hamas, the Palestinian militants who attacked Israel on October 7 last year, was assassinated in an operation in Tehran widely attributed to Israel.

Pezeshkian alluded to appeals from the West for Iran not to retaliate so as not to jeopardize US efforts for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

We tried to not respond. They kept telling us we are within reach of peace, perhaps in a week or so, he said.

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But we never reached that elusive peace. Every day Israel is committing more atrocities and killing more and more people - old, young, men, women, children, hospitals, other facilities, AFP quoted him as saying.

He did not reply directly when asked if Iran would now respond more directly to Israel.

We always keep hearing, well, Hezbollah fired a rocket. If Hezbollah didnt even do that minimum, who would defend them? he said.

Curiously enough, we keep being labeled as the perpetrator of insecurity. But look at the situation for where it is.

With inputs from agencies
Russia opposed the agreement on the grounds that it supposedly represented Western interests. However, Moscows opposition was rejected on Sunday when 143 member nations voted in favour of the pact read more

Russia was left isolated after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a Pact for the Future on Sunday, despite its opposition. The pact is designed to address the 21st-century challenges including climate change and human rights abuse that have grappled the world. Many believe that the pact is designed to revive the United Nations itself.

Russia opposed the agreement on the grounds that it supposedly represented Western interests. However, Moscows opposition was rejected on Sunday when 143 member nations voted in favour of the pact. Only seven countries voted against and 15 nations abstained from voting.

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Before the voting, the Russian delegation maintained that if the planned vote endorsing the high-profile pact for the future were not deferred, the country would seek to move an amendment, asserting that the key issues addressed in the pact are the subject of domestic jurisdiction, in which the UN should not intervene.

But the majority of the assembly threw out both Russias call for deferment of the pact and its amendment. According to The Guardian, Russias stance angered the African Union (AU) and Mexico, who went on to underline the fact that Russia had only limited support, notably from Belarus, Venezuela, Syria and Iran. The AU, which was led by the Republic of Congo, called for the Russian amendment to be rejected.

What was Russias issue?

During the Summit, Russia objected to 25 provisions in the draft pact, including asserting the primacy of national jurisdiction. The country also rejected common language on universal access to sexual and reproductive health rights, as well as gender empowerment more broadly.

After Russia expressed its objection, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised that the pact aims to bring multilateralism back from the brink at a time when the world [is] heading off the rails. He insisted that the 21st-century challenges  from debt in developing countries to the climate crisis  required 21st-century solutions, The Guardian reported.

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The UN chief has been advocating for such a summit for more than two years, as an attempt to persuade global leaders in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The agreement comprises 26 pages and 56 recommendations. It repeatedly asserts the primacy of international law and offers a new beginning of multilateralism.

The document calls for UNSC expansion

One of the most notable aspects of the pact is that it calls for the expansion of the UNSC, to make the body more representative of the 21st century. It also enshrines the UN role in governing artificial intelligence, the phasing out of fossil fuels in energy systems, reform of multilateral financial institutions, a recommitment to full nuclear disarmament and modernising UN peacekeeping so it evolves into war prevention.

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The agreement calls for the formation of an emergency platform for managing pandemics, food insecurity and environmental disasters and, a UN oversight body advising on the risks posed by Artificial Intelligence for all economies. It also involves planning to conduct a biennial UN summit on the global economy.

With inputs from agencies.
After the shock of Hillary Clintons loss in 2016 and Trumps unexpectedly strong performance in 2020, Democratic lawmakers are preparing for another potential surprise on Election Night, according to a report read more

Senate Democrats are worried that pollsters are once again undercounting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps vote, particularly as Vice President Kamala Harris holds only a slim lead in crucial battleground states like Pennsylvania.

According to The Hill report, after the shock of Hillary Clintons loss in 2016 and Trumps unexpectedly strong performance in 2020, Democratic lawmakers are preparing for another potential surprise on Election Night.

They are optimistic that Harris can exceed expectations by mobilising young voters and Black and Latino communities, but acknowledge that whether a larger-than-expected pro-Harris coalition emerges is an untested hypothesis, added the report.

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Polling has really been seriously damaged since 2016. And thats one of the truths, is that Trump is going to be tough in Pennsylvania, and thats absolutely the truth, The Hill quoted Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) as saying.

Democratic lawmakers are increasingly anxious that their party may be lulled into false optimism by polls showing Harris with slim, consistent leads in key states of the blue wall: Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) told The Hill its difficult to determine the frontrunner, as many polls show Harris and Trump in a dead heat, well within the margin of error.

We know this election is going to be close. Its going to be close in the battleground states, including Georgia, which is why Im doing everything I can to make sure we put Georgia in our column, Warnock was quoted as saying. The only poll that matters is November 5, right? he added.

We talk about margin of error for a reason, he said.

One Democratic senator who requested anonymity acknowledged that both Clinton and President Biden performed better in the polls against Trump in 2016 and 2020 than Harris is currently.

Thats ominous. Theres no question that is concerning, but youre working as hard as you can work, no matter what. My sense theres not a lot more you can do than were already doing, The Hill quoted the lawmaker as saying.

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Trump voters reluctant to interact

The senator said pollsters struggle to gauge Trumps support because many of his voters may be reluctant to interact or share their views.

The only thing I can come up with is that people do feel embarrassed, the senator was quoted as saying.

Most of what he preaches, most of us have taught our children to try to not be that way on the playground. So theres a certain amount of reluctance to admit Im going to vote for somebody whose conduct I tell my children is wrong, the senator added.

A second Democratic senator, also speaking anonymously, expressed skepticism about Harriss lead, stating, I dont think any poll right now means much of anything.

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Im surprised that people look back on the Trump economy delusionally as being so good, which I think is the major factor that supports his approval rating, the lawmaker added, commenting on Trumps resilience in polls despite legal troubles and being outspent by the Harris campaign.

If Harris performs as polls predict, she will be elected president in November. However, Trump is within the margin of error in key battleground states and has a track record of outperforming polling averages, especially in the Midwest, reported The Hill.

In the 2020 campaign, Trump trailed Biden by an average of 5 points but lost Pennsylvania by only 1.2 points. Similarly, he lagged Clinton by 3.5 to 7 points in Pennsylvania before winning the state.

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With 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is crucial for Harris. If she loses there, she must win either Georgia or North Carolina, where Trump has narrow leads, to reach 270 electoral votes, added the report.

A recent New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena College poll shows Harris with a 4-point lead in Pennsylvania. However, Republicans claim the poll undersampled Trump voters, with only 37 per cent of respondents saying they voted for him in 2020, while he actually received 48.8 per cent of the states vote.

I used to think it was incompetence. Now I think its part of the strategy. Theyre trying to drive down enthusiasm. Why are you going to vote for somebody if you think theyre going to lose? And theyre trying to drive down fundraising and donations, said a GOP pollster, who believes some media outlets are biased against Trump.

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Unpredictability of voter turnout

David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, remarked on the unpredictability of voter turnout.

We could be calling rural Pennsylvania today and a Trump voter could say, I hate politics. Im not going to vote.  But that person in four weeks could be very much animated if contacted by Trump or the NRA and then they become a likely voter. Thats why they say polls are a snapshot in time, The Hill quoted Paleologos as saying.

Democratic lawmakers and pollsters recognise that the current public polls, which show Harris with slim leads in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Wisconsin, or Trump with slight leads in Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, have limited meaning six weeks before Election Day.

Whats particularly concerning for Democrats is Trumps track record of outperforming polls, especially in the Midwest.

Figuring out the turnout is the hardest thing out there. This cycle there may be a surprise Trump vote and a surprise Harris vote, The Hill quoted Democratic pollster Celinda Lake as saying.

I, too, share the concern that there are going to be some surprises. What accentuates my concern is when you poll people who have not voted in 20 but are planning to vote today, they are disproportionately Trump voters, added Lake.

If you look at first-time voters who didnt vote in 20, they are leaning toward Trump and theyre very low information and they like his kind of style. And they like Elon Musk and they like a lot of things like that. I worry about that. I think its definitely a concern, and I think we just have to get enough margin to compensate for that, she added.

Democrats have an edge in registering new voters, particularly young women in battleground states, energised by the Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision.

The new registration has been disproportionately Democratic younger women around the abortion issue, Lake said.

The challenge for the Harris campaign is to ensure these voters turn out on Election Day.

About two-thirds of the new registrants are female, which is advantageous for Democrats, but we need to ensure they vote. Theres been a surge in North Carolina, making it a key state for Harris, Lake said.

I think having an abortion rights initiative and a woman candidate on the ballot helps, she added.

Several states, including Arizona, Florida, Montana, and Nevada, have abortion rights measures on the ballot this fall, with Arizona and Nevada being critical battlegrounds.

With inputs from agencies
Luis Armando Albino was kidnapped in 1951 at the age of six when he was playing at a West Oakland park in California with his 10-year-old brother, Roger. His niece, with the assistance from the police, the FBI and justice department, located her uncle living on the US East Coast this June read more

A California familys 73-year-long search for their abducted relative finally ended this June.

All thanks to the help of an online ancestry test, old photos and newspaper clippings.

The Bay Area News Group reported on Friday that Luis Armando Albinos niece in Oakland  with assistance from police, the FBI and the justice department  located her uncle living on the US East Coast.

Heres all we know about it.

The abduction

Luis Armando Albino, a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam living on the East Coast, was kidnapped from Jefferson Square Park in West Oakland on February 21, 1951.

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He had been playing with his 10-year-old brother, Roger, when a woman lured him and promised him in Spanish that she would buy him candy.

Instead, the woman kidnapped the Puerto Rico-born boy, flying him to the East Coast. He eventually ended up with a couple who raised him as if he were their own son, the news group reported.

For his family members, including his mother, who died in 2005, that was the last time they saw him.

Oakland Tribune articles from the time reported that police, soldiers from a local army base, the Coast Guard and other city employees joined a huge search for the missing boy, which also covered San Francisco Bay and other waterways.

The older brother, Roger, was interrogated several times by investigators. He told them about a woman with a bandana around her head taking his brother.

Luis family never gave up hope that he was alive and had his photo hung at relatives house.

The finding

Albino, himself a father and grandfather, was found by his niece, 63-year-old Alida Alequin, who reunited him with his California family in June this year.

The first notion that her uncle might be still alive came in 2020 when, just for fun, Alequin said, she took an online DNA test.

It showed a 22 per cent match with a man who eventually turned out to be her uncle. However, there was no luck as she couldnt reach out to him.

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Early this year, she and her daughters began their search again.

On a visit to the Oakland public library, she looked at microfilm of Tribune articles  including one that had a picture of Luis and Roger  which convinced her that she was on the right track. She went to Oakland police the same day, who eventually agreed the new lead was substantial, and a new missing persons case was opened.

Though the missing persons case was closed, they and the FBI considered the kidnapping investigation to still be open.

Luis was located on the East Coast and provided a DNA sample, as did his sister, Alequins mother.

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On June 20, investigators went to her mothers home, Alequin said, and told them both that her uncle had been found.

We didnt start crying until after the investigators left. I grabbed my moms hands and said, We found him. I was ecstatic, Alequin said.

The reunion

On June 24, with the assistance of the FBI, Luis came to Oakland with his family members and met with Alequin, her mother and other relatives.

The next day Alequin drove her mother and her newfound uncle to Rogers home in Stanislaus County, California.

They grabbed each other and had a really tight, long hug. They sat down and just talked, she said, discussing the day of the kidnapping, their military service and more.

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Luis returned to the East Coast, however, came back again in July for a three-week visit. It was the last time he saw Roger, who passed away in August.

Oakland police acknowledged that Alequins efforts played an integral role in finding her uncle and that the outcome of this story is what we strive for.

In an interview with the news group, she said her uncle hugged me and said, Thank you for finding me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I was always determined to find him, and who knows, with my story out there, it could help other families going through the same thing, Alequin said.

I would say: dont give up.

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With inputs from The Associated Press
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing an event in New Yorks famous Nassau Coliseum, hailed the Indian diaspora. Though Indian-Americans comprise just 1.5 per cent of the population, they contribute around six per cent of taxes. The Indian community is better educated, younger, and wealthier than its counterparts. Lets take a closer look read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an Indian community event, in New York, USA. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the Indian diaspora as being Indias strongest ambassadors.

Indian diaspora has always been the countrys strongest brand ambassadors. We understand diversity, its in our blood and culture, Modi, who is on a three-day trip to the US, said.

The prime minister was addressing an event in New Yorks famous Nassau Coliseum.

You have connected India with America and America with India. Your skill, talent and commitment are unmatched, Modi said. I salute you all. For the world, AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. But I believe AI also represents the America-India spirit.

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Modi had a bilateral meet with US President Joe Biden and also attended the Quad Summit at his home in Delawares Wilmington.

He will address the Summit of Future at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on his final day in America.

Lets take a look at some of the numbers behind the prime ministers statement.

By the numbers

There are 15.85 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) around the world and 19.57 million people of Indian-origin.

India has the most immigrants abroad with 2.4 million in the US, 835,000 in the UK, 720,000 in Canada, and 579,000 in Australia.

Around 30 per cent of them went to the US before 2000, while half of the Indians in the US went there after 2010, as per Indian Express.

They live mainly in New York and California.

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In 2022-2023, the US issued 73 per cent of its work visas, around 3,20,000, to Indians.

The US also has around 3.3 million people of Indian-origin.

Both in terms of the global economy and their own purchasing power, the impact is substantial, V N Balasubramanyam, an economics professor at Lancaster University, told BBC.

Taxes

Indian-Americans make up just 1.5 per cent of the population in the US.

However, they pay around six per cent of the US income tax.

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That accounts for around $250 billion to $300 billion in revenue.

Fortune 500 companies

In Fortune 500 companies, there are 16 Indian-origin executives at the top.

This includes Sundar Pichai at Google, Nikesh Arora at Palo Alto Networks, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Image Credit: Reuters

These Fortune 500 companies generate $1 trillion in revenue and give work to around 2.7 million Americans.

Indian-Americans have founded 72 of the 650 unicorn firms in the US.

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These companies are valued at $195 billion and employ over 55,000 people.

Hotels and convenience stores

Indian-Americans own around 60 per cent of all the hotels in the US.

These hotels generate around $700 billion in revenue and employ 40 lakh people.

Indian-Americans also own 35 to 40 per cent of convenience stores  which represent $350 billion to $500 billion in revenue.

Indian companies have invested around $40 billion in the US and created 43 million jobs.

Youth and median income

Indian-Americans, at a median age of 36, are younger than the rest of the country.

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Indian immigrants are also wealthier than the US natives and other immigrant groups.

Indians have a median household income of around $150,000 per year.

Around 76 per cent of Indians work in professions related to business, science, art and management.

They are the highest-earning immigrant group in the US.

By comparison, the average US households median income is around half that at $75,000.

Chinese immigrants have a median household income of over $95,000.

Healthcare

One in 10 physicians in the US is now Indian-American.

They serve 30 per cent of the patients.

Charity

Indian-Americans are known for giving.

They have contributed around $1.5 to $2 billion to charity annually.

They have given around $3 billion to US colleges since 2008.

Academia

Of top 50 US colleges, 35 have Indians in positions of prominence.

In 1975, Indian-Americans received two per cent of all patents.

By 2019, that figure has jumped to double digits at 10 per cent.

In 2023, scientists of Indian-origin were awarded 11 per cent of all National Institutes of Health grants in 2023.

They also contributed to 13 per cent of scientific publications.

There are 22,000 Indian-origin faculty at US colleges and universities.

This works out to 2.6 per cent of all faculty.

There are around 270,000 Indian students in the US  around 25 per cent of students.

As per Indian Express, over 70 per cent of students were enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses in 2023.

Around 10 per cent were in business and management programmes.

Around 60 per cent are in graduate-level programmes.

Education

Around 80 per cent of the Indian immigrants above the age of schooling have a bachelors degree at the minimum.

That figure is at 50 per cent for Chinese immigrants and 30 per cent for the rest of the population.

An estimated 49 per cent of Indian immigrants have a graduate or professional degree.

That number is at 15 per cent for other groups and 13 per cent for natives.

Indians also comprise the second highest number of students enrolled in US institutes of higher learning.

Most employer-sponsored H1-B visas for high-skilled workers are given to Indians.

In 2021, Indian immigrants tended to be younger than the overall foreign-born population but older than the US born. Their median age was 41 years old, compared to 47 for all immigrants and 37 for the native-born population. This is largely due to the high number of working-age adults: 80% of all Indian immigrants were aged 18 to 64, versus 77% of the overall foreign-born population and 59% of the native born, the study stated.

Twenty-eight of the National Spelling Bee Champions since 2000 are of Indian-origin.

In politics

Two Indian-Americans  Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican Nikki Haley  ran for US president in 2024.

Five Indian-Americans are currently serving in Congress.

Ro Khanna, Pramilla Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, Ami Bera and Raja Krishnamoorthi are collectively known as the Samosa Caucus.

Around 150 Indian Americans hold notable positions in the Biden-Harris administration.

India is popular in the US

India is also viewed far more favourably by the US public compared to other countries  particularly the China.

A recent Gallup survey quoted 84 per cent of respondents as saying they held a negative view of China.

Just 27 per cent said the same about India.

One in 10 US citizens were said to practice yoga in 2023.

There are 36,000 yoga studios in across the US.

UK

The Indian diaspora has also made a huge impact in the UK.

The Times of India quoted a 2021 census data of the UK as showing that, of all ethnic groups, Indians are the most well-educated and have among the highest representation of working professionals.

Those of Indian ethnicity also have the highest home ownership in England and Wales.

The survey showed 71 percent of the Indian ethnicity own their own homes.

Meanwhile, Indians and Chinese comprise 34 percent of professionals including doctors, teachers and lawyers in the UK.

Of all ethnic groups, Indians are the most well-educated and have among the highest representation of working professionals in the UK.

There are at least 19 people of Indian-origin in The House of Commons including Rishi Sunak now the former prime minister.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the UN Summit of the Future in New York a day after the UN General Assembly approved a 42-page plan to unite the world to fix problems such as climate change, AI, war, inequality and poverty. But what do we know about it? Whats the idea behind it? read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to the address the UN Summit of the Future today.

Modi will address the meeting on the final day of his three-day trip to the US.

This comes a day after the UN General Assembly approved a 42-page plan on Sunday to unite the world to fix problems such as climate change, AI, war, inequality and poverty.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink.

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Now it is our common destiny to walk through it. That demands not just agreement, but action.

The summits theme is Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.

A large number of global leaders are expected to participate in the summit, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

These include Irans Masoud Pezeshkian, Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin.

The summit comes as the UN in 2025 enters the 80th year of its formation.

But what is it? What do we know about it?

Lets take a closer look:

Origins

First, lets take a look at the summits origins.

The Summit of the Future was proposed by Guterres in a 2021 report entitled Our Common Agenda.

 I propose a Summit of the Future to forge a new global consensus on what our future should look like, and what we can do today to secure it, Guterres wrote.

Humanity has shown time and time again that it is capable of great achievements when we work together. This common agenda is our road map to recapture this positive spirit and begin rebuilding our world and mending the trust in one another we need so desperately at this moment in history. Now is the time to take the next steps in our journey together, in solidarity with and for all people.

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The report was a response to Member States request for ideas on how to better address present and future challenges.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said we are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink. AFP

The member states agreed to hold the summit in September 2024.

They also agreed that the summit would put out a document known as a Pact for the Future.

High-level event

The UN website describes the summit 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.

It is aimed at:

Accelerating efforts to meet our existing international commitments

Taking concrete steps to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The Summit of the Future in September 2024 will produce an inter-governmentally negotiated, action-oriented Pact for the Future, the website reads.

The Summit of the Future offers a chance to commit to bold new solutions, its website reads.

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It provides 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. As a global community, we have a role in setting a better course for our world. By working together, we can achieve a safer, more peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future.

The Pact for the Future says world leaders are gathering at a time of profound global transformation, and it warns of rising catastrophic and existential risks that could tip people everywhere into a future of persistent crisis and breakdown.

It commits world leaders to reform the 15-member Security Council, to make it more reflective of todays world and redress the historical injustice against Africa, which has no permanent seat, and to address the under-representation of the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America.

It also represents the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade, Guterres said, and it commits to steps to prevent an arms race in outer space and to govern the use of lethal autonomous weapons.

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GDC and Declaration on Future Generations

The Summit will also produce two other documents  a Global Digital Compact (GDC) and a Declaration on Future Generations  to be adopted.

The idea behind the GDC is to make sure technology is used responsibly.

 we must responsibly manage the potential risks posed by science and technology, in particular the ways in which science, technology and innovation can perpetuate and deepen divides, in particular the gender gap and patterns of discrimination and inequality within and between countries and adversely impact the enjoyment of human rights and progress on sustainable development, it states.

The idea behind the Declaration on Future Generations is to protect the children of the world and those that will be born.

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Young people are catalysts for change, but they need more support, the summits website states. Giving them a seat at the table is crucial as they hold the key to success for a sustainable future. They also have the most to lose if a breakdown persists.

It further states that it is essential that the decisions we make today safeguard the interests of those who have yet to be born.

The Global Digital Compact includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of artificial intelligence, the UN chief said.

As for human rights, Guterres said, In the face of a surge in misogyny and a rollback of womens reproductive rights, governments have explicitly committed to removing the legal, social and economic barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their potential in every sphere.

With inputs from agencies
U.S. President Joe Bidens administration has been seeking to contain the conflict to Gaza and has repeatedly called for the Israel-Lebanon border crisis to be resolved through diplomacy. That call for diplomacy has been underscored by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in daily calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. read more

Emergency workers use excavators to clear the rubble at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. - AP

Amid a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the US has decided to send additional troops to West Asia, the Pentagon said Monday.

It comes hours after Israeli air strikes killed 274 people, including 21 children, in Lebanon on Monday, the Lebanese health minister said, in by far the deadliest cross-border escalation since war erupted in Gaza on October 7.

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Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder would provide no details on how many additional forces or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. currently has about 40,000 troops in the region.

The new deployments come after significant strikes by Israeli forces against targets inside Lebanon that have killed hundreds and as Israel is preparing to conduct further operations and the State Department is warning Americans to leave Lebanon as the risk of a regional war increases. It hit about 800 Hezbollah sites in south and east Lebanon during the day and carried out a targeted strike later in Beirut. A source close to Hezbollah said the strike on the capital targeted a senior operative from the group.

Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available, the State Department cautioned Saturday.

World powers have implored Israel and Hezbollah to pull back from the brink of all-out war, with the focus of violence shifting sharply in recent days from Israels southern front with Gaza to its northern border with Lebanon.

More to come

The Israeli military said it hit approximately 800 Hezbollah terror targets in southern Lebanon and in the area of Bekaa deep inside Lebanese territory.

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Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari warned of further strikes and told people in Lebanon to avoid potential targets linked to Hezbollah.

Abiad said thousands of families from the targeted areas have been displaced.

Bilal Kachmar, an official in Tyre, said hundreds had fled their homes, while AFP correspondents saw rows of cars leaving the nearby city of Sidon.

The Israeli military also warned people living in the Bekaa valley, in eastern Lebanon, to flee their homes, as it announced it was broadening the scope of its strikes.

Explosions around the ancient city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon triggered flashes of fire and sent smoke billowing into the sky.

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Lebanons official National News Agency (NNA) later reported new enemy raids targeted the mountain areas in the Baalbek region and several towns and villages, adding that the Israeli enemy launched a strike on the town of Hermel.

Hezbollah said it had fired rockets at military sites near Haifa.

It later said it launched dozens of rockets at two Israeli bases in response to the Israeli enemys attacks on the south and the Bekaa.

The education minister said schools in targeted areas would close for two days.

The NNA said Lebanese had received phone messages from Israel telling them to quickly evacuate.

Hezbollah, a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, has exchanged near-daily fire with Israel in support for its Palestinian ally Hamas.

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- Israel changing security balance -

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel was preempting threats and was acting to change the security balance in the north.

Hezbollahs deputy chief, Naim Qassem, said Sunday the group was in a new phase, namely an open reckoning with Israel, and ready for all military possibilities.

They spoke after Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel caused damage in the area of Haifa, a major city on Israels north coast.

On Sunday morning, hundreds of thousands of people in northern Israel fled to their bomb shelters as Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets across the border.

The attack came after an Israeli air strike in Hezbollahs southern Beirut stronghold on Friday killed its elite Radwan Force commander, Ibrahim Aqil, along with other commanders and civilians.

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Last week on Tuesday and Wednesday, coordinated communications device blasts that Hezbollah blamed on Israel killed 39 people and wounded almost 3,000.

No country can live like this, said Ofer Levy, 56, a customs officer, who lives on the edge of Haifa.

Since the cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah began in October, tens of thousands of people on both sides have fled their homes.

An Israeli military official, who cannot be further identified under military rules, on Monday outlined the goals of the military operation.

It seeks to degrade threats from Hezbollah, push them back from the border, and then to destroy infrastructure built near the frontier by Hezbollahs Radwan Force, the official said.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the United Nation and world powers to deter what he called Israels plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns.

- Another Gaza? -

US President Joe Biden, whose country is Israels main ally and weapons supplier, said his administration was going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out.

Ahead of the annual General Assembly in New York, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of Lebanon becoming another Gaza and said it was clear that both sides are not interested in a ceasefire there.

Speaking at the General Assembly, Masoud Pezeshkian, the recently elected president of Iran  which backs Hezbollah and Hamas  accused Israel of seeking to create this wider conflict.

The UNIFIL peacekeeping force in south Lebanon meanwhile warned that any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences.

Hamass October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Of the 251 hostages also seized by militants, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israels retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,431 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. The UN has described the figures as reliable.
The Summit of the Future will be a major feature of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) read more

The 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is taking place at a time of great chaos and churn.

Wars and conflict are raging in every part of the world: the Russia-Ukraine war in Europe, the conflict in the Middle East, the Sudan-Civil War in Africa, and Chinas expansionist aggression driven by hegemonic designs in the Indo-Pacific. Once climate change and its catastrophic consequences are added to the fray, such as the ongoing floods in Europe and wildfires in South America, the stakes only increase.

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As for the churn, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said international challenges are moving faster than our ability to solve them.

We see out-of-control geopolitical divisions and runaway conflicts  not least in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and beyond, said Guterres.

The UN itself is at a turning point. Almost everyone agrees it needs reform. While many complain that the UN has little relevance as it can neither prevent conflict anywhere nor address the humanitarian requirements in conflict zones adequately. The leading developing countries, including India, also indict the UN as an institution out of time. They call for the apex body, the UN Security Council (UNSC), to be expanded so its no longer a club of yesteryears global elite.

Here are issues that are expected to dominate the 79th Session of the UNGA:

1. The Middle East crisis

The Middle East crisis, the most visible conflict in the world at the moment, is expected to be at the top of the agenda.

In the run-up to the UNGA session, the UN last week adopted a resolution calling for Israel to end the occupation of the Palestinian territories.

The vote was yet another reminder of Israels isolation at the world stage over the continued occupation of West Bank and the deaths and devastation in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.

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At the UN, Israel is getting isolated by the day and Palestinian cause is gaining more traction. The United States, with spattering of support from few European allies, is the only major ally of Israel at the platform. It is expected that a number of leaders addressing the UNGA may invoke the Palestinian cause.

2. Ukraine crisis

The Ukraine crisis is also expected to take centre-stage at the UNGA session. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is going to give three speeches during the session, including one to the UNSC.

The New York Times has reported diplomats as saying that Zelenskyy is expected to present his peace plan during the speech to the UNSC and make his case for permission for the use of Western weapons for deeper strikes inside Russia.

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3. Farewell & debut

The 79th Session of the UNGA will also be unique as it will mark the farewell of US President Joe Biden and debut of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Iran, following the Islamic Revolution of 1979, considers the United States the biggest enemy and calls it the Great Satan. Both the leaders are on the other side of the Middle East crisis.

While the United States is the staunchest ally of Israel and has long been facilitating the peace talks between Israel along with mediators Israel and Hamas. Iran, on the other hand, is the sponsor of terrorist groups Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Hezbollah, Houthis, etc, which have destabilised the region and are driving the conflict.

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4. Summit for the Future

The Summit for the Future is expected to be a major feature of the 79th UNGA Session.

The Summit looks forward to craft a multilateral world order for the future that is in line with the changing times.

While the current multilateral system has served the world well for the past 80 years, it is increasingly unable to tackle rising inequality, job insecurity, environmental degradation, and escalating social and geopolitical tensions, noted Brahima Sangafowa Coulibaly, the Director of the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution, in an article.

As documented by the midpoint review of the Sustainable Development Goals during last years UNGA, despite some success, shortfalls in progress are widespread, said Coulibaly further.

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5. Focus on Africa

Even as conflicts rage in Europe and the Middle East and several leaders are expected to try to make the podium a medium to vent anger, Africa is expected to stay in focus. Philemon Yang, former Prime Minister of Cameroon, is the President of the UNGA Session.

As African leadership has played a key role in shaping the agenda, it has offered a unique opportunity for African voices to be heard at the global stage.

The success of Africa, which is behind the rest of the world in pursuing sustainable development goals (SDGs), is essential for the success of the whole world and the session will be a great platform to assert that, noted Landry Signe, a senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development Program of Brookings.

This years UNGA is an essential platform for Africa to influence global collaboration, highlighting the fact that partnering with Africa is paramount to the future success of multilateral efforts for peace, prosperity, and development across the world, noted Signe in an article.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also present the victory plan for the war against Russia to Congressional leaders read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the United States to present his victory plan for the war against Russia.

Zelenskyy will separately meet US President Joe Biden, Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, and Republican nominee Donald Trump. He is also expected to brief Congressional leaders on the plan.

While Biden is committed to the Ukrainian victory in the war and Harris is expected to continue the support if she is elected president in the Novembers election, Trump has repeatedly skipped making any such commitment and has instead made vague claims about the ending the war before even taking office.

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Zelenskyys visit comes at a time when the war is at a critical juncture. While Ukraine has occupied large swathes of land in incursion in Russias bordering Kursk region, Russia has continued to make gains in eastern Ukraine and has got dangerously close to capturing the regional hub and major strategic city of Povrovsk.

In the wake of the critical point of the war and continuing devastating Russian airstrikes inside Ukraine, Zelenskyy has also been pressing the United States to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles such as US ATACMS and British-French Storm Shadow for deeper strikes inside Russia. He is expected to convince Biden to win his approval for the same during the visit.

On the first leg of the visit, Zelenskyy on Sunday visited a factory in Pennsylvania that manufactures 155mm artillery shells used by Ukraine. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to all the employees at the plant.

It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail, said Biden.

Scranton, Pennsylvania. I visited a plant that manufactures 155 mm artillery shells. Now, for our warriors who are defending not only our country, not only Ukraine, the plant will be ramping up production.



I began my visit to the United States by expressing my gratitude to all pic.twitter.com/OXnvqHclkM  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 22, 2024

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In comments ahead of the visit, Zelenskyy indicated that he may convince Biden to grant the permission regarding long-range missiles. On its part, Russia has maintained that such permission would put Russia at war with the West.

Putting Ukraine in best position

Ahead of Zelenskyy presenting his victory plan, a close advisor to Biden told AFO that Biden would his remaining tenure to put Ukraine in the best possible position to prevail.

Zelenskyy has said that Biden would be the first foreign leader to see the plan in full and it would later be presented to all leaders of our partner countries. Zelenskyy is expected to meet Trump on Thursday or Friday.

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Zelensky said last week that his plan envisages that war will not return to us again in an even bigger wave in years to come and that meetings would be held throughout autumn and that the entire plan will be ready by early November, according to AFP.

The plan envisages quick and concrete steps by our strategic partners, said Zelenskyy.
On September 23, 2024, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his inauguration as President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Sri Lanka are traditional friendly neighbors. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 67 years ago, China and Sri Lanka have always understood and supported each other, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. Xi Jinping said that he highly values the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and is ready to work with President Dissanayake to carry forward the traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, facilitate more fruitful high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and make steady and long-term progress of China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship, so as to bring more benefits to the people of the two countries.
In a hotly contested 15k price segment of the Indian smartphone market, there is very little one can offer as USP that can beat the tight competition. Amidst this toughness, comes Lava, the Proudly Indian manufacturer with its Blaze X 5G, touted as the only phone with a segment-first 3D curve AMOLED display. Packing decent specs, the Blaze X 5G enters a tough battlefield where scrutiny is high and margin for error is low. Can it handle the heat? Lets find out in the review.

General

The latest 5G smartphone, Lava Blaze X was launched by the Indian manufacturer on the 10th of July. The current price of this device is Rs. 14,999 for the 4GB RAM, 128GB ROM variant, Rs. 16,999 for the 8/128 variant and Rs. 15,999 for the 6/128 variant.

All three models are available on Amazon India and Lavas official website as well. There are some bank offers available, like Rs. 1,500 instant discount for SBI cardholders, which makes the effective price of the top end variant at Rs. 15,499, which is the variant we have with us, for review. It is possible to get this smartphone from offline stores as well.

Looks and Feel

The Blaze X 5G shines when it comes to look and feel, as it easily takes the crown for one of the best looking smartphones in this price segment, with a claimed segment-first curved screen. The 2.5D curved glass for the display definitely evokes a premium look and feel. Adding to the aesthetics is the high quality plastic back, which, surprisingly, felt as good as matte glass, but at the same time, made the phone lightweight and easy to handle. The phone is just 8.45mm thick and weighs 183gm. The accents on the side are also done quite well, considering the price range. Along with the camera ring, the Blaze X 5G creates, successfully, an illusion of a high-end flagship.

The phone is available in two colors  Titanium Grey & Starlight Purple, in which, we have the Titanium Grey. The smartphone is not rated for any dust or water protection and no details are given for the glassmaker either, we can just assume that only the basics are covered. We can always use the case that is already given in the box (Handset, USB Cable Type-C, Charger, SIM Ejector Pin, USB-C to 3.5mm Connector, Back Cover).

Screen

If theres one highlight that the Lava Blaze X 5G will be known for, it is the display downright good-looking display. It is a 6.67 3D Curved AMOLED display, running at 120Hz. Its super smooth when it works without a heavy load, and shows up colors and contrast like a really high-end smartphone. Furthermore, its really sharp and immersive for watching videos and playing games.

The curved-edges experience and the color outputs, along with the brightness, will ensure a high quality experience for the buyer. Which is exactly why we would term the display a highlight of the Blaze X 5G. The display does not support HDR playback and supports a max playback resolution of 1440p on YouTube. The only small issue we faced in our experience was an inconsistent auto-brightness sensor, which tended to lower brightness a bit too much.

Performance

One of the most ubiquitous processors in this segment is powering this smartphone too, and thats the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 with a running clock speed of 2.4GHz. Once all the heavy lifting is done, the processor sits on a smooth curve, being able to handle all the daily tasks thrown at it. It is definitely great for casual use and all the regular social-media level multitasking use cases, but for anything more, it starts to show some lag and some stutters due to the utter amount of heavy apps or games that are run on it. Beyond a point, there will be a visible slow down, but this is applied only to heavy users.

For casual users, the phone will be absolutely just fine, blazing through daily tasks without breaking a sweat. All the Blaze X 5G smartphones come with a 128GB UFS 2.2 ROM and, as discussed earlier, come in 3 RAM variants. Yes, there are features like extended RAM, to increase the RAM upto an additional amount of 8GB. Weirdly enough, there is no expandable memory  no micro SD card slot on this phone. In our use, there were no evidences of overheating issues or performance throttling. Its best to turn the software feature DuraSpeed to OFF for no-throttle maximum performance in the background tasks.

In 3D Mark wild life stress test, it scored 99.6% which is just good. The temperature shot up from 30 to 38 degrees, which is not much. That aside, lets check out how this phone performed in our benchmarks.

Camera

There are a total of 3 cameras on this Lava Blaze X 5G. The main camera is a Sony 64MP sensor IMX682 unit, with a 2MP depth sensor along with it in the camera module. The front camera is a 16MP unit, which is capable of recording 1080p videos max at 30 fps while the rear main camera is capable of recording 2k videos up to 30fps without EIS and 1080p up to 60fps without EIS and 30 fps with EIS.

These are not great specs to speak of, but at this price segment this is the norm, and we cant expect much from the results either. They leave a lot of room for improvement. Here are some camera samples from which you can make your own judgement.

From our experience, the camera performs decently well in good lighting conditions, especially in high contrast conditions, but when it comes to low contrast scenes where the shadow details are higher, there is a weird HDR effect that takes over, and the processing becomes a bit saturated and too unnatural. In low light conditions, the sensor struggles to keep up with stability and results in blurry photos with shake.

However, in video there is EIS which can be used to stabilize the footage. One of the unique features about this phone is that it offers a pro video mode with controls for shutter, focus, ISO and white balance. Plus, there is an option for Dual-Video as well, to use both the front and rear cameras together in one frame. The video quality and the audio quality leave a lot of room for improvements as well.

Battery

The 5,000 mAH battery on the Lava Blaze X 5G is a solid performer that can last for up to 2 days for a moderately heavy user. A full day of social media usage, calls and whatsapp, pls a bit of casual gaming can easily last till night. The average screen on time will be around 6 hours for this kind of usage and if standby time increases, the battery longevity will increase as the phone can power down without losing a lot of battery.

The combination of this battery and the Dimensity 6300 processor guarantees power efficiency and longevity in our experience of the Lava Blaze X 5G. There is a 33W fast charger included in the box along with the smartphone, and it definitely works to the advantage of charging the phone much quicker. Overall, a thumbs up to the Blaze X 5G in the battery department.

Software

Running on Android 14, the Lava Blaze X 5G features a literally vanilla AOSP image, with minimal modifications and zero bloatware. Apart from default Google apps, you will find almost nothing pre-installed on the Blaze X 5G, which is a major departure from the other brands that go around in this segment, with nearly 2 to 3GBs of pre-installed apps that cannot be uninstalled. This is a major win for Lava. However, on the updates side, they have promised only one major upgrade to Android 15, and only 2 years of security updates.

The overall experience of the software is clean and easy to use but at the same time, there will be a lot of desire for custom skin users for theming and other options which are not available in plenty. Customization is definitely the downside of not having a cluttered UI. There are many exclusive features hidden inside the UI, of it, the main one being background play toggle on the quick actions buttons menu. This enables you to have background playback of ANY app, even on YouTube, you wont need a Premium account to enable background playback. This is a nice little hack that only Lava phones tend to have these days.

Other stuff

5G is obviously a main focus here, on this Lava Blaze X smartphone. Here are the bands that are supported by this phone 

5G: n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n66/n77/n78 SA/NSA

The radios on this phone are good on paper. In our experience, there was problem in using the Jio network, which is exclusively on 4G/5G. However, using Airtel was a hit or miss, we suggest trying your SIM inside the phone and then buy it. While there is no Voice-Over-NR, VoLTE is there and VoWiFi is also there, enabling standard connectivity protocols and standards. There are no range issues that were discovered during the course of our review.

There is no 3.5mm audio jack on this smartphone, but there is an adapter that is given in the box. The speakers have good sound quality, although they are not stereo, they are loud enough to be audible in a small room. In terms of biometric security  there is an in-display optical fingerprint scanner that works decently well. It was fast and reliable in our review.

Overall

The Lava Blaze X 5G is a stylish performer in this mid-range segment of smartphones selling in the Indian market. The curved screen and the display in it are the standout features that will attract the keen customer who is in for good looks. The lack of bloatware, the anonymous call recording option, the smooth operating performance will draw in the minimalist who likes a simple smartphone experience that is in the lines of a Google Pixel.

In terms of drawbacks, the phone could do with better cameras, with a major boost needed for its processing algorithms. This smartphone can hence be recommended to people who prefer a good design and decent performance. In this segment, the Lava Blaze X 5G offers good value for money, for its style and its performance. Under huge scrutiny in a tightly contested market, the Lava Blaze X 5G still stands as a clean and tidy alternative to the plenty of custom-skinned options with bloatware.
After teasers, Xiaomi has confirmed the launch of Redmi Note 14 Pro series smartphones in China on September 26th. The company already said that the phones will feature a major upgrade in quality that include a new level of drop resistance, and new level of waterproofness, achieving stronger waterproofness for the entire device.

Today, the company has confirmed that the Redmi Note 14 Pro series have passed TUV SUD IP66/IP68/IP69 test and the SUD 2-meter 24-hour waterproof test, and will offer free water ingress protection for the first sale.

It has also confirmed Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection for the series. It has passed the 1.8-meter ultra-high-strength drop test. The first sale will come with free broken screen insurance said the company.

Earlier teaser already revealed Redmi Note 14 Pro+ with a 50MP camera with OIS and f/1.6 aperture for the main camera. There is a 60mm f/2.2 mid-focus lens.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro version has four colors: Twilight Purple, Phantom Blue, Mirror Porcelain White, and Midnight Black. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ version has three colors: Star Sand Blue, Mirror Porcelain White, and Midnight Black.

Redmi Brands General Manager Wang Teng Thomas said that the Note 14 Pro+ will be the most elegant Note ever, with curved bezels and a four-curved back. The Note 14 Pro also uses a curved screen design for the first time, while the back uses a two-tone design for the Phantom Blue, and Twilight Purple.

The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 TWS earbuds with dual ceramic units, lagship sound quality, 49dB and a total battery life of 42 hours will also be introduced at the event on September 26th.

Source
I have a 2016 Roush F150, they come with a 2' lift, can I get away with running 325/60/20's on it without tire rubs and full wheel yaw? Oh and I'm new to the board so try not to beat me up too much...

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Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
IRGC intelligence forces arrest 12 Israeli-linked elements in Iran

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 7:05 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces have dismantled a network affiliated with the Israeli regime that was planning to carry out measures undermining Iran's security.

In a statement on Sunday, the IRGC announced that 12 members of the Israeli-linked network were identified and arrested in six provinces of Iran, adding that they were planning to carry out anti-security activities against the country and nation.

The IRGC went on to say that Israel has put a series of anti-security measures in Iran on its agenda following the "scandalous failure" of the occupying regime and its Western and European supporters, especially the United States, in achieving "sinister goals" against the people of Gaza and Lebanon.

"In order to counter this conspiracy, a network consisting of 12 mercenary elements of this regime, which intended to carry out anti-security measures against the people, was identified in six provinces and subjected to a decisive attack," it said.

Israel has been waging an atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip since October 7 last year, after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

At least 41,391 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 95,760 individuals have sustained injuries in Gaza so far.

However, the Israeli regime has failed to achieve any of its stated goals after almost 11 months of a genocidal war on the besieged territory.

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How Russia Spreads Fake News In The Balkans

By Mirjana Jevtovic and Milos Katic September 22, 2024

BELGRADE -- It was midnight in Tehran and 10 in the evening in Belgrade on April 13 and a massive disinformation campaign was about to be launched.

At the time, Iran was just starting to unleash one of its biggest ever drone and missile attacks against Israel, ratcheting up already heightened tensions in the Middle East.

With a jittery globe closely following the news, an obscure Serbian-language media outlet began churning out articles on the Iranian attack at breakneck speed -- more than 100 stories every hour -- even though facts and details were few and elusive.

Much of the information appeared sourced to nothing more than Russian-language Telegram channels, the Kremlin-funded RT network, or other Russian-state-run media.

A monthslong investigation by RFE/RL's Balkan Service determined that it was part of a wider pro-Kremlin disinformation network, which uses automation to rapidly create hundreds of news articles, often based on content from Russian media outlets banned by the EU.

How Does The Network Work?

In February, VIGINUM, the French government body that monitors foreign digital interference, released a report on a pro-Russian propaganda network it called "Portal Kombat."

It identified some 193 websites that aimed to broadly spread information from pro-Russian sources as well as Russian news outlets and institutions.

For four months, RFE/RL tracked websites in multiple languages targeting audiences in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, the undisputed lead target of the propaganda during the period RFE/RL monitored.

The RFE/RL investigation shed light on the global operation, showing how "articles" were automatically generated and released in waves, ending up on local-language websites masquerading as legitimate news sources -- a growing trend in the worldwide disinformation war.

Sympathies With Russia

The Balkans have long proved fertile ground for pro-Russian narratives, especially in Serbia whose President Aleksandar Vucic has courted friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin while also pursuing EU membership.

A poll across the Western Balkans by the International Republican Institute (IRI) released on May 14 showed that, while a majority of respondents from Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia denounced Russia's aggression in Ukraine, 49 percent of Serbs viewed it as "justified."

The Balkan versions of Portal Kombat websites were strikingly similar across different languages. All the bogus news websites targeting the region that RFE/RL monitored had the same layout, structure, and even name: Pravda, or truth.

Digital forensics show just how quickly the websites were created. The first Pravda website, in Serbian -- Pravda-rs.com-- was registered on March 20. A few days later -- and within seconds of each other -- another three Pravda domains were registered: in Bosnian, Macedonian, and Albanian.

Automated Fake News: How The Content Spreads So Quickly

From March 22 to July 20, a total of 70,719 news items were published across those four websites. But the bulk of the articles, more than 67,000, appeared on the Serbian-language site.

Focusing on the Serbian-language website allowed RFE/RL to track how pro-Russian content spreads across multiple platforms within just minutes.

Most content appearing on the four websites appears to have been taken from pro-Kremlin Telegram channels. The network's automation process is so efficient that the time between posting on a Telegram channel and appearing on the Pravda sites ranges from just three to 12 minutes.

The disinformation operation also utilizes Russian platforms such as VK Video and Yandex to translate, produce, and distribute the content.

Low-Cost Russian Propaganda

Despite all the operation's apparent sophistication, VIGINUM notes in its recent report that the websites in the Portal Kombat network it investigated do not generally attract high readership.

For the sites targeting the Balkans, Similarweb, a service that tracks visits to registered websites, reports that the most active site, Pravda-rs[.]com, had fewer than 5,000 visits in June.

Whether the campaign was effective, however, almost doesn't really matter, argues disinformation expert Peter Benzoni, given the negligible costs to generate the disinformation.

"For Russia, this is information warfare. Just as with drones, low-cost attacks that fail 99 percent of the time are justified by the 1 percent that succeed. These sites are the drones of information warfare," Benzoni, an investigative data and research analyst at the Washington-based German Marshall Fund's Alliance for Securing Democracy, told RFE/RL.

Disinformation About Ukraine

Russia's war against Ukraine is the most popular topic on the Serbian website, with hundreds of unverified battlefield reports, often labeling Russian soldiers as "ours" and those fighting on the Ukrainian side as "enemies."

While international news generally doesn't feature prominently, as there are fewer dedicated Telegram channels, the events in the Middle East on April 13 proved an exception, RFE/RL found.

During the night of April 13-14, Iran's attacks on Israel not only "exploded" on the Serbian site but also on those in the Albanian, Macedonian, and Bosnian languages.

The number of articles, which on the Serbian site was usually around 500-600 per day, surged to more than 1,000 on April 14. Even higher activity was observed on the remaining three sites in the Balkans.

The network took content from popular and prominent Russian bloggers, and their posts were synchronously published on all four Balkan language sites.

In addition to numerous video clips of questionable authenticity, many articles were published justifying Iran's attack, as well as various unsubstantiated claims about what Washington allegedly knew in advance.

RT, which the U.S. State Department describes as a key player in the Kremlin's disinformation and propaganda apparatus, has been blocked in the European Union, Canada, and other countries since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In May, the bloc suspended four other Russian media outlets from broadcasting.

But Russian media, using bogus news websites, such as those investigated by RFE/RL, have found a backdoor to European audiences, with much of the banned media content uploaded to these sites, Benzoni explains.

"Whether or not it's collusion doesn't really matter -- they see more viewers of Russian state media content as a net benefit, no matter the vector," Benzoni adds.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-fake-news-disinformation- balkans/33126528.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Statement by Minister Joly one year after Azerbaijan's military operation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

September 22, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

"Last week marked one year since Azerbaijan launched its military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region populated by ethnic Armenians for centuries.

"The consequences of this operation were significant: More than 100,000 civilians, including 30,000 children, were forcibly displaced to Armenia as a result of this military operation, causing a rapid increase in humanitarian need in the country.

"The unjustified military operation by Azerbaijan followed a nine-month blockade of humanitarian goods to the Lachin corridor, in violation of the International Court of Justice provisional measures orders.

"Canada stands in solidarity with the people affected by this crisis and is grateful to Armenia for opening its doors. That is why, in 2023, we dedicated more than $3.9 million in humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs stemming from the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Canada continues to call for, and support, meaningful negotiations toward a comprehensive peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the continuation of dialogue and confidence-building measures between the parties for a just and durable peace for the people of this region.

"Canada has repeatedly called for the unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners of war from the 2020 Karabakh war. We also continue to call for the release of all arbitrarily detained ethnic Armenians from Azerbaijan.

"Canada supports a negotiated political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and promotes the principles of non-use of force, the respect of the territorial integrity and the right for self-determination in the negotiation of a just and durable peace for the people of this region. This should entail a safe and dignified right of return of Armenian civilians, guarantees for the protection of human rights and civic livelihoods, and the preservation of Armenian cultural and historical sites in the territory."

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September 22, 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 a barrage of rocket attacks by Lebanese Hizballah into northern Israel. During the call, the Secretary reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Israel's right to defend itself and stressed the importance of achieving a diplomatic solution to return citizens to their homes in the north. Secretary Austin emphasized his concern for the safety and security of U.S. citizens in the region.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3913532/

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Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on the situation in El Fasher

European External Action Service (EEAS)

22.09.2024

EEAS Press Team

The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the dramatic escalation of fighting in El Fasher in southwestern Sudan, instigated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

Consequences will reach a point of no return for thousands of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of both belligerent parties, particularly those trapped in Zamzam camp, the largest camp for internally displaced people in Sudan.

The EU recalls the obligations contained in the United Nations Security Council resolution 2736 demanding that the RSF halt the siege and de-escalate fighting in El Fasher immediately.

Belligerent parties, their affiliated militias and their regional supporters must adhere to international humanitarian law, by protecting civilians from conflict, provide unhindered humanitarian access and allow civilians to move in and out of Zamzam camp.

The EU urges both, the leader of RSF Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to meet at the negotiating table to find a peaceful solution to this conflict. We also call again on those who are fuelling the war, particularly regional and international sponsors, to cease their support in this context.

The EU will not bear witness to another genocide and will continue to work with international accountability mechanisms to hold perpetrators to account for the gross human rights violations they have committed and continue to commit. The EU stands ready to consider additional sanctions, including against those in positions of leadership.

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Israel, Hezbollah exchange fire as tensions further escalate

Global Times

By Zhao Yusha Published: Sep 22, 2024 11:17 PM

The exchange of heavy fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah has escalated an already tense situation in the Middle East to a dangerous boiling point, added the risk of spill-over, Chinese observers noted on Sunday. The latest conflicts have further dimmed hopes for peace and left little room for the international community to mediate, as the Israel-Palestine conflict approaches its one-year mark.

Israel and Lebanon exchanged heavy fire into Sunday, with Israeli warplanes carrying out the most intense bombardment in almost one year of war across Lebanon's south, while Hezbollah claimed rocket attacks on military targets in Israel's north, Reuters reported.

The Israeli military said it struck around 290 targets on Saturday including thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels and said it would continue to strike targets.

Hezbollah said it targeted the Israeli Ramat David Airbase with successive barrages of missiles, in the deepest strikes it has claimed since hostilities began, per Reuters.

The escalating attacks come less than 48 hours after an Israeli airstrike targeting Hezbollah commanders in a suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut. The death toll from that strike had risen to 45, media cited Lebanese authorities as saying on Sunday.

If Israel's conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon escalates, it could further destabilize the entire region, given that Hezbollah's influence surpasses that of Hamas, Wang Jin, an associate professor at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at Northwest University in Xi'an, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Wang said Hezbollah's significance extends to groups such as the Houthis in Yemen, the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, and even Iran. Consequently, the situation in the Middle East may become increasingly perilous in the future.

The deadly Israeli airstrike targeting a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut was "terrorist aggression" against Lebanon's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and a flagrant violation of international law, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Friday, according to Xinhua.

China's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Friday denounced the indiscriminate attacks on Lebanese civilians through wireless communication device explosions as "outrageous" and "something unheard of in history," while calling for Israel to abandon its reliance on force and refrain from further risky actions that could plunge the Middle East into new disasters.

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Sri Lanka elects new president, 'expected to boost ties with Beijing'

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Sep 22, 2024 11:17 PM

Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka's National People's Power (NPP) was on Sunday elected as the country's new president.

Chinese experts said that his victory will likely further boost relations between China and Sri Lanka, as Dissanayake is expected to adopt a more pragmatic and friendly approach to strengthen ties with China during his term.

Citing figures released by the election commission reported by local TV, Reuters and other media reported on Sunday that Dissanayake won the presidential election. It is the first time in Sri Lanka's history that the presidential race was decided by a second round of counting.

The relationship between China and Sri Lanka has continuously strengthened over the past decade, particularly with the alignment of local development strategies with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), observers said.

Under Sri Lanka's new administration, this pair of relations is expected to be further enhanced, as Dissanayake's party shares many ideological similarities with China, and values the country's ties with China, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Sunday. He said although the new administration is expected to maintain a balanced stance between its relations with China and India, the new president is likely to reduce reliance on India and seek closer alignment with China's development strategies, by adopting a more pragmatic and friendly attitude.

Sri Lanka's new administration will likely still prioritize the development of its economy and improving the livelihood of its people amid an upward trend in the country's economic situation, experts said. This indicates that there is significant potential for China-Sri Lanka relations, as China also views the South Asian country as an important node in the BRI, having invested in a number of infrastructure projects, including ports, that have brought tangible benefits to the local population, observers noted.

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Haifa port closed following Hezbollah missile attacks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The port of Haifa in the occupied Palestinian territories has been closed due to ongoing missile attacks by Hezbollah, according to media sources.

In response to the Israeli escalated aggression on Lebanon, Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement launched a massive rocketry attack on key targets in Haifa City, Beirut-based Al Manar TV Network reported on Sunday.

Some Zionist media reported that the port of Haifa was closed due to heavy missile attacks by Hezbollah in northern occupied territories.

The Islamic Resistance targeted Ramat David's military base and airport with dozens of missiles, branded Fadi 1 and Fadi 2, in response to the repeated Israeli aggression on the various Lebanese regions which left many civilian martyrs.

Addressing the Hezbollah ceremony held to mourn the senior jihadi commander Ibrahim Akil and the martyr Mahmoud Hamad in Beirut's Dahiyeh, Sheikh Qassem stressed that the Islamic Resistance would continue the border battle of supporting Gaza and will fight from where the Israelis could not imagine.

He underlined, "The Israeli settlers will not return to the North before the Israeli enemy accepts a ceasefire in Gaza."

"We have started the stage of the open-ended battle of reckoning with the Israeli enemy, and bombing Haifa was just the beginning," he further noted.

Hezbollah and Israel have been trading fire along Lebanon's southern border on a daily basis since October 8, a day after the regime launched its war on Gaza.

The Lebanese movement has so far limited its operations to Israeli military targets. But the regime has hit non-military targets on various occasions, leaving dozens of Lebanese civilians dead.

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Number of martyrs in Beirut's Dahieh rises to 45

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Media outlets have announced that the number of people killed by the Israeli regime's attacks on Dahieh, in the south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, has risen to 45.

In an Israeli attack on a building in Dahieh, located in southern Beirut, on September 20, nearly 45 people, including Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil, were killed and dozens of others were injured, according to a Sunday report from the emergency management center affiliated with the Lebanese health ministry.

Debris removal continues for the third day, the report says, adding that some of the bodies have not been identified, so DNA assessments have started.

Two days before the incident, the Israeli regime organized a terror attack in Lebanon by exploding pagers in the country, in which at least 37 Lebanese citizens were killed and over 4,000 others were wounded.

Many world leaders and international bodies have condemned the recent explosions in Lebanon and stressed the need to reduce tensions in the region.

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China condemns 'brutal' device explosions in Lebanon

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- China's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations has strongly condemned the recent communication device explosions in Lebanon, expressing shock and grave concern over the attacks, which Lebanon and Hezbollah resistance movement have blamed on Israel.

At least 37 people, among them civilians, were killed and thousands more wounded on Tuesday and Wednesday when pagers and walkie-talkies exploded in multiple locations across Lebanon.

Chinese envoy Fu Cong, speaking at a UN Security Council meeting held on Friday, said that the "brutal and atrocious attacks" were a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty.

"Remotely detonating communications devices in indiscriminate attacks causing mass civilian casualties and panic in society is unheard of in history. This act is, without a doubt, a gross violation of a country's sovereignty and security and a blatant breach of international law, particularly international humanitarian law," he said, according to a press release by the Chinese mission to the UN.

He maintained that the attacks were "so outrageously brutal and atrocious that they deserve nothing less than condemnation in the strongest terms."

The diplomat expressed concern over escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon, calling on all parties "to exercise maximum restraint."

The Chinese ambassador particularly called on Israel "to forego its obsession with the use of force and to halt without delay its military operations in Gaza, its violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and security, and its adventurism that risks dragging the region into yet another devastating catastrophe."

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Hezbollah missiles reached 60 km inside occupied lands: Israeli media

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli media reported that Hezbollah's missiles reached 60 kilometers inside the occupied Palestinian territories on Sunday.

According to the Lebanese media, the military analyst of the Israeli news site Walla also admitted that Hezbollah's missiles have disturbed the security of the northern occupied territories.

They also claimed that two drones from Iraq were intercepted over Eilat in the south of the occupied territories.

Meanwhile, Magen David Adom confirmed that three Zionists were injured following a rocket attack on northern Haifa and Lower Galilee in the north of the occupied territories.

The Israeli Channel 12 reporter described it as an unprecedented scene since the beginning of the war.

Hezbollah in a statement announced that these attacks are a response to the increase in enemy airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the martyrdom of some Lebanese civilians.

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Growing strength of Resistance continues to surprise enemies: Iran FM spox

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has said that resistance movements in the West Asia region have become stronger and caught their enemies off guard despite years of intense challenges coupled with sacrifices and martyrdom of their members.

Kanaani made the comment on Sunday on X social media platform, in reaction to the martyrdom of senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqeel and several other members of the Lebanese resistance movement in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday.

"These martyrs have given their lives for the cause of al-Quds, and their sacrifice brings the goal of liberating al-Quds closer", the Iranian official said, adding that Israel, the United States, and their allies will not achieve their objectives despite the deaths of the resistance figures.

The sacred defense against the Israeli regime is now playing out on a new scale across the region, the spokesman said, noting that the fate of the Israeli "criminals" will not be different from that of toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Kanaani said that Israel and the US have failed to emerge victorious in their conflicts with the resistance front in the past years, suggesting that they are destined to fail once again.

"The enemy, upset and vengeful, continues to repeat its past mistakes, and the outcome this time will be even more humiliating," he added.

He concluded by reaffirming that victory for the resistance is inevitable.

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Israel's rising crimes make Iran more determined to respond: IRGC official

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Mashhad, IRNA -- A senior official of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said that the country is becoming more determined to respond to Israeli crimes as the regime is increasing its "evil" acts in the region.

"The more evil the Zionists become, the more determined the Islamic Republic of Iran will be to respond to these crimes," said Brigadier General Ali Afzali, the IRGC acting deputy coordinator.

He was speaking with IRNA on Sunday on the sidelines of the Sacred Defense Week programs in the holy city of Mashhad, northeast Iran.

The IRGC official said that the Zionist regime is showing its utmost hostility as it has even used civilian devices to attack the people of Lebanon. He was referring to the pager and walkie-talkie explosions that took dozens of lives in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Afzali also spoke about Iran's response to Israel's assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.

The IRGC official stressed that Iran will definitely take revenge for Haniyeh's assassination as well as the martyrdom of other resistance members by the Israeli regime.

Due to its importance, any response to the regime needs to be precise, he said, adding that the enemy's strengths and weaknesses are constantly being monitored, and Iran's response will be given in an appropriate situation.

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Sound of several blasts heard in southern occupied Palestine

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Mashhad, IRNA -- News outlets have reported that the sound of several explosions was heard from Wadi Araba in northern Eilat, in southern occupied Palestine.

Additionally, the sound of several major explosions was heard near Tamra in the al-Jalil area in the north of occupied Palestine, the Palestinian news agency Shehab reported on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Israel's Keshet 12 reported the start of the third wave of attacks by the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, involving the firing of five missiles from the south of the Arab country.

The TV channel said 35 missiles had been fired last night. News agencies further reported smoke over the Israeli army's bases in eastern Haifa after Hezbollah's missile attacks.

Hezbollah has stressed that its attacks are carried out in support of the people in the Gaza Strip and their great resistance, and also in response to the regime's repeated aggressions.

In a related development, Zionist regime news outlets have confirmed continuous missile attacks against Haifa.

They reported that the sound of a warning alarm is being heard non-stop in northern occupied Palestine.

Elsewhere, the Al Mayadeen correspondent has reported the continuous missile attacks on the occupied territories.

The Israeli media have confirmed the penetration of several drones into Wadi Araba.

According to some Israeli media and newspapers, the educational centers in Haifa, Nahariyya, Akko, Tiberias, and Safed are closed.

Hezbollah announced early on Sunday that the resistance had targeted the Ramat David air base with tens of missiles.

On Friday (September 20), the Israeli army attacked Dahieh in the south of the Lebanese capital and targeted a building, leading to the killing of 16 people, including Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil, and injuring tens of others.

Two days before the incident, the Israeli regime organized a terror attack in Lebanon by exploding pagers in the country. At least 37 Lebanese citizens were killed and over 4,000 others were wounded.

Many world leaders and international bodies have condemned the recent explosions in Lebanon and stressed the need to reduce tensions in the region.

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Hezbollah attacks Israeli arms company with missiles

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Mashhad, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah has launched missile attacks against Rafael weapons manufacturing facility in Haifa in an "initial response" to Israel's terror attacks across the Arab country.

On Sunday, Hezbollah's Military Media Unit announced that its fighters fired dozens of Fadi-1 and Fadi-2 type missiles at the Ramat David Airbase, Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen news network reported.

The attacks come in response to the continuous Israeli onslaughts on Lebanese territory, which led to the martyrdom of dozens of civilians.

In the past few days, Israeli warplanes have launched nearly 50 strikes a day on areas across Lebanon, as well as a treacherous strike that targeted a building in the Southern Suburb of Beirut.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, wireless communication devices associated with Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon, injuring thousands and killing dozens, including civilians.

The Lebanese group says it will continue its attacks on Israeli bases in the north of the country until Israel ends its Gaza offensive.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip declared that over 41,390 civilians have been martyred in occupied Palestine since October 7, 2023, amid the Israeli massacre that continues in the Gaza Strip.

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Iraqi resistance conducts missile, drone strikes on Israeli positions

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has announced that it has conducted drone and missile strikes on positions in Israeli-occupied territories.

The group said in a statement that it had targeted a vital and sensitive location in the occupied Palestinian territories with multiple drones early Sunday.

The drone strike followed another attack by the Iraqi resistance, which according to the Iraqi Resistance, involved advanced al-Arqab cruise missiles being fired at several targets in the occupied territories.

Israel's military, while acknowledging the attack, claimed that several aerial targets approaching from Iraq were intercepted over the occupied Golan Heights.

The attacks were part of the Iraqi resistance's ongoing efforts to fight the Israeli occupation and were in response to the crimes committed by the regime against Palestinians, including women, children, and the elderly.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which is an umbrella group of various resistance movements in the Arab country, has vowed to continue its operations on Israeli positions until the Gaza war comes to an end.

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Statement by PM Netanyahu

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Press Releases

The 37th Government

22.09.2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today:

"On October 7th, the Hamas terrorist monsters burst into Israel, murdered our people, raped and beheaded our women, burnt babies alive, and took 255 innocent people hostage, including many Americans.

A day later, on October 8th, another Iranian terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, attacked Israel completely unprovoked. They fired missiles and rockets into our cities. They made 60,000 Israelis leave their homes along the Lebanon border, becoming refugees in their own land.

In the subsequent months, they haven't stopped for a single day attacking us.

No country can accept the wanton rocketing of its cities. We can't accept it either.

We will take whatever action is necessary to restore security and to bring our people safe back to their homes."

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Iraqi resistance launches missile attack on Israeli military target

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 11:01 PM

Iraq's Islamic Resistance has conducted a missile attack on an Israeli military target in the occupied Palestinian territories.

On Monday morning, the anti-terror group targeted various parts of the occupied territories with al-Arqab missiles. There were no immediate reports of possible casualties.

Earlier on Sunday evening, the Iraq Resistance carried out new attacks on Israeli positions in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a statement, the umbrella group of resistance factions said it targeted several Israeli military targets in the Jordan Valley using drones.

The resistance group said most of the drones hit their targets as Israeli defense systems failed to intercept many of them.

"In continuation of our path in resisting the occupation, in support of our people in Gaza, and in response to the massacres committed by the usurping entity against Palestinian civilians, including children, women and the elderly, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, at this dawn of Sunday 22-9-2024, attacked a target in the Jordan Valley in our occupied lands using the 'Al-Arfad' drone. This marks the fifth attack today," the statement said.

"The Islamic Resistance confirms the continuation of operations in striking the enemy's strongholds with increasing intensity," the statement added.

For the first time since the onset of the Gaza war, sirens were sounded in the occupied city of Bisan, signifying the intensity of the attack.

Also on Sunday morning, fighters from Iraqi anti-terror resistance groups separately launched drone and missile strikes against strategic targets in the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories in retaliation for the brutal aggression against the Gaza Strip.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement published on its Telegram channel, claimed responsibility for the aerial attack on a "vital" site in the occupied lands.

It said the drone strike was carried out in continuation of the struggle against the occupying Israeli regime, in support of Palestinians in Gaza, and in retaliation for the massacres that the usurping Zionist entity is perpetrating against women, children and the elderly in the besieged territory.

The Iraqi resistance has ramped up its anti-Israeli operations in support of Palestinians and in response to the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The group has also targeted American facilities in Iraq and Syria in recent months amid growing anger over the US support for Israel's devastating war on Gaza.

Israel has been waging an atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, on October 7.

At least 41,391 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 95,760 individuals have sustained injuries in Gaza so far. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well.

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Yemen warns of 'surprises' deep inside Zionist entity, says will pound 'settlers' den'

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 3:45 PM

Yemen's Defense Minister Mohammed Nasser Al-Atafi has declared that the country's armed forces have surprises for the enemy forces, asserting that they will continue to attack targets inside the Israeli-occupied territories with all kinds of weapons.

Speaking on Sunday at the graduation ceremony at officers' college, Al-Atafi said, "Military institutions responsible for the preparation, training and renovation of our military-industrial systems in order to create new readiness for changing developments are speedily underway."

"We are aiming to train a military-defense force capable of imposing its political and military equations [on the enemy] and defend the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen all across its realm," al-Atafi said.

'Painful blows'

"We are aiming to continuously strike painful blows deep inside the Zionist enemy's [military formations]."

"This way, before the enemy conducts more strikes, it will think about the many repercussions of its stupidity," al-Atafi noted.

He went on to say that Yemenis were monitoring the details of the political, military and geopolitical variables in the region, adding that the armed forces of the country were now ready to face all challenges.

The Yemeni defense minister said the country's armed forces had already "knocked on the doors of occupied Jaffa and Umm al-Rashrash (port of Eilat)" and were now ready to destroy the Zionists' "den."

Ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles

He also said, "We will not hesitate to attack the enemy with ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles, in addition to drones. We are prepared for any sort of confrontation."

Al-Atafi said, "We vow that more surprises are in store for the criminal Zionist enemy that will cool the hearts of the true believers."

The minister concluded by warning that "those who have kept the [Yemeni] nation under siege for the 10th year, and are hostile towards them" that they "must understand that our strategic patience has decreased and this is dangerous for them."

He called on the enemy aggressors and attackers in Yemen to make plans to exit Yemen without more ado. "We warn them that they will taste the bitterness of our military forces preparations."

In similar remarks, the head of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, Field Marshal Mahdi Mohammad Al-Mashat said on Friday that Yemen's enemies are to be shocked in coming days.

Al-Mashat praised the Yemeni armed forces' success in striking Israeli military targets inside Tel Aviv.

He noted the recently launched Palestine 2 hypersonic missile had bypassed and penetrated all layers of American, British, and Israeli air defense systems.

"Our operations will continue as long as the aggression and siege on Gaza persist," he said.

Al-Mashat also reiterated Yemen's unwavering and principled stance in support of the oppressed Palestinian people until the occupied land is liberated from Israeli occupation.

"No power in the world will deter us from this decision, regardless of the cost or the challenges," he added.

Al-Mashat also emphasized Yemen's full commitment to achieving a just and honorable peace.

"The only solution is to approach peace with sincere intentions," he concluded.

Yemeni Ansarullah resistance movement's leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, blamed the United States on Saturday for Israeli crimes in Palestine.

He said Washington offers its full support to the Israeli regime and is willing to act against any Arab country.

The Yemeni nation has voiced its full support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until the Israeli regime forces end the genocidal war on the Palestinian people trapped in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Since the Israeli regime launched its war on Gaza almost a year ago, at least 41,182 Palestinians have been killed, and more than double the number, 95,280, have been injured.

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'Hezbollah limitless': Fmr. IRGC chief says resistance front on verge of 'great victory'

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 3:10 PM

Major General Mohsen Rezaei, former chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says Iran and the resistance front are "on the verge of a great victory" that will result in the withdrawal of the United States and its allies from the West Asia region.

Rezaei, who currently serves as secretary of Iran's Expediency Council, made the remarks at a news conference in Lorestan on the occasion of Sacred Defense Week on Sunday.

He said Iran has entered a new phase in which it should use the experience of the Sacred Defense against the ex-Iraqi regime's eight-year war, noting that, "This victory will be very important and great because West Asia will be liberated from the clutches of" Western powers."

The former Iranian commander further said Iran has never wanted a war, but when its enemies assassinate the country's guest in the capital Tehran, the Islamic Republic should definitely respond.

Rezaei also noted that, "In recent years, the enemies imposed economic sanctions against Iran and faced resistance from the people, so now they want to use military means and force the country into a war."

He also stated that the US and Israel are seeking to drag Iran into a regional war by targeting Lebanon but the Islamic Republic and the resistance front "will not allow the Israeli prime minister to enter wherever he wants."

Separately on Sunday, Rezaei said in a post on his account on X that the Lebanese Resistance movement Hezbollah has an almost inexhaustible manpower.

He made the remarks after Hezbollah targeted the Rafael weapons manufacturing facility in Haifa in an "initial response" to Israel's recent mass terrorist attack in Lebanon earlier in the day.

Rezaei referred to the recent conflicts between the Israeli regime and Hezbollah, noting that the occupying regime "spent its 20-year intelligence and influence efforts on Hezbollah in a few days."

"Hezbollah is a man of innovation, creativity and flexibility and the depth of its manpower will not be exhausted for the next hundred years," he said.

On Sunday, Hezbollah said that it had bombed the military industry complexes of the Rafael company, located in the Zevulun area north of Haifa, with dozens of Fadi 1, Fadi 2, and Katyusha rockets.

The group noted that its operation was a show of support for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and their resistance, adding that it was also an "initial response to the brutal massacre committed by the Israeli enemy in various Lebanese regions" by the explosion of telecommunication devices which killed 42 people and wounded almost 3,500 others.

Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against the occupying regime, which is also waging a genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

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Sept. 21: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 11:12 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 41,400 Palestinians so far, the majority of them children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Saturday, September 21, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Sept. 21:

Targeted two buildings where a number of Israeli soldiers were holed up with four anti-personnel and anti-fortification shells, east of the Al-Tanour neighborhood in Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip.

Targeted a D9 military bulldozer with a Yassin-105 shell east of the Al-Tanour neighborhood in Rafah city, southern Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Sept. 21:

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli infantry force using appropriate weapons in Wadi Ezz al-Din, Jenin, occupied West Bank.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces on the axes of Khallet al-Sawha, al-Bayader, the eastern neighborhood, and Wadi Ezz al-Din in Jenin, occupied West Bank.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces storming the Khallet Al-Suha neighborhood in Jenin, occupied West Bank.

Hezbollah's operations on Sept. 21:

Targeted the "Jal al-Alam" position with artillery shells.

Targeted the main air defense missile base of the "Northern Command" in the "Beria" barracks with a barrage of Katyusha rockets.

Targeted the positioning center of the 631st Reconnaissance Battalion of the "Golani" Brigade in the "Ramot Naftali" barracks with a barrage of Katyusha rockets.

Targeted the "Zarit" barracks with a barrage of rockets.

Targeted the headquarters of the "Sahel" Battalion in the "Beit Hillel" barracks with a barrage of Katyusha rockets.

Targeted the air and missile defense headquarters in the "Keila" barracks with Katyusha rockets.

Targeted the positions of Israeli forces from the 300th Brigade of the 146th Division in the "Adamit" barracks with a barrage of Katyusha rockets.

Targeted the headquarters of the 210th Golan Division in the "Nafah" base with a barrage of Katyusha rockets.

Targeted the newly established headquarters of the "Galilee Division" in "Ayelet Hashahar" with a barrage of Katyusha rockets.

Targeted the "Ramtha" site in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba Hills with rockets.

Targeted the "Zebdine" barracks in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with rockets.

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Biden says alliance between US, Australia, India and Japan is 'here to stay'

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 12:09 PM

US President Joe Biden has said the alliance between the US, Australia, India, and Japan is "here to stay" and pledges to deepen the partnership, amid growing tensions with China.

The United States, India, Australia, and Japan formed a military grouping commonly known as the Quad, claiming they aimed to curb Chinese expansionist policy in the region.

At a recent Quad summit held ahead of the United Nations General Assembly gathering in New York next week, Biden told Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that their Quad pact would be permanent.

From his hometown in Delaware, Biden, who is nearing the end of his presidency, hosted this weekend's fourth in-person and sixth overall gathering with three Indo-Pacific leaders since 2021, reflecting the way Biden sees the priorities of US foreign policy's international alliances.

"While challenges will come, the world will change because the Quad is here to stay," Biden told the leaders in his public remarks before journalists were ushered out.

Asked by reporters if the Quad would make it past the 2024 US presidential election scheduled for November 5, Biden replied, "It will survive way beyond November."

Biden was then recorded on a hot mic telling the leaders of Australia, India and Japan that "aggressive" China is "testing us."

"China continues to behave aggressively, testing us all across the region, and it's true in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, South China, South Asia and the Taiwan Straits," Biden was heard in what were supposed to be behind-closed-doors remarks to the Quad grouping of four countries.

Biden added that while Chinese president Xi Jinping was focusing on "domestic economic challenges", he was also "looking to buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue China's interest."

However, Biden added that recent "intense efforts" by Washington to reduce tensions, including a call with Xi in April, were helping to prevent conflict.

Biden's remarks could risk ruining diplomatic efforts by all four countries during the summit to show that their grouping is about more than just providing a counterbalance against China.

The four leaders, in a joint statement after the summit, made no direct mention of China, even as they expressed concern about tensions on its borders.

"We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas," the announcement said.

The leaders also condemned "coercive and intimidating maneuvers" in the South China Sea - where China has been at odds with the Philippines and other nations over its maritime claims - but without saying whose maneuvers.

Territorial disputes in the East China Sea have long been a source of tensions between Japan and China.

The four leaders used veiled statements, as they have on previous occasions, about keeping the region "free and open" and talking about geopolitical "challenges."

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US, Israel will never achieve 'vicious goals' by killing resistance figures: Iran

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 11:09 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says the United States, Israel, and their allies will not achieve their "vicious goals" despite the assassination of resistance figures, after senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital Beirut.

"We offer our greetings and salutations to high spirits of martyred combatant Ibrahim Aqil and all beloved martyrs of the Path of al-Quds, who lost their lives in the terrorist Zionist regime's vicious attack against Beirut," Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani wrote in a post published on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday.

"They were the martyrs of the Path of al-Quds, whose pure blood will accelerate the liberation of al-Quds," he said.

He added that resistance factions in the West Asia region have become stronger, and have always surprised the enemies despite years of daunting challenges together with martyrdom and injury of their members.

"The Zionist regime, the United States, and their other wicked allies will not achieve their vicious goals despite the martyrdom of resistance figures," he wrote.

"The sacred defense against the criminal Israeli regime is now playing out on a new scale and scope across the region," the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said, noting that the fate of Israeli criminals will not differ from that of slain Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Kan'ani further noted that the US and Israel have failed over the past decades to emerge victorious out of their confrontations with the Axis of Resistance, stressing they are mistaken to think they can finally win the ongoing conflict.

"The enemy, upset and vengeful, continues to repeat its past mistakes, and the outcome, of course, will be even more humiliating this time," he warned.

Divine victory is definite, and the Army of Islam does not dread the loss of its commanders, officers, and fighters, Kan'ani concluded.

Ibrahim Mohammad Aqil, who was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike on Friday, was one of the founding figures of the Hezbollah resistance movement and a prominent resistance leader, playing a crucial role in defending Lebanon and the Axis of Resistance against aggression and occupation.

Aqil held a position within Hezbollah's highest military authority, the Jihad Council, serving as the assistant to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for operations affairs.

He played an active role in the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah from which Hezbollah emerged victorious after a month of fierce fighting.

Aqil was instrumental in the establishment, development, and leadership of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, a position he held until his untimely martyrdom.

He is the second high-profile Hezbollah leader to be assassinated by the Israeli regime in recent months after Fuad Shukr.

Since the events of October 7 last year that led to an ongoing Israeli genocidal war against the Gaza Strip, Aqil led the Lebanese resistance operations against the Israeli entity, inflicting heavy and severe blows on the regime and its proxies.

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Over 100 Neolithic jade relics unearthed

13:47, September 23, 2024 By Fang Aiqing and Yuan Hui ( China Daily

Jade artifacts used in sacrifice are unearthed in July at the Yuanbaoshan archaeological site. (Photo/China Daily)

Three jade dragons of different colors and sizes, and each around 5,000 years old, were among the more than 100 jade relics of the Hongshan Culture recently unearthed in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

The jade artifacts, found at the Yuanbaoshan archaeological site in Aohan Banner in the city of Chifeng during a four-month excavation work that began in May, include a palm-size, emerald green dragon that is the largest of its kind unearthed in northern China.

The biggest jade dragon among these artifacts is 15.8 centimeters long, 9.5 cm wide, and 3 cm thick. It is slightly longer than the one previously unearthed about 150 kilometers away at the Niuheliang archaeological site in Chaoyang, Liaoning province.

The chubby, pig-headed dragons are iconic figures of the Hongshan Culture, which was an important part of the Neolithic period and encompassed present-day Inner Mongolia as well as Liaoning and Hebei provinces.

Dating back 5,000 to 6,500 years, Hongshan Culture sites help form a relatively comprehensive picture regarding the origins of Chinese civilization.

Dang Yu, a research librarian at the Inner Mongolia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, said the jade artifacts unearthed at Yuanbaoshan since May cover the majority of Hongshan Culture jade ware, including loops, discs, and axes, as well as birds and insects such as cicadas and silkworms.

One jade headgear resembles another belonging to the Lingjiatan Culture, dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years in present-day Anhui province, indicating long-distance exchanges between the two cultures, she said.

Archaeologists work in July at a rubble mound tomb at the Yuanbaoshan site in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. It is the largest of its kind found in sites of Neolithic Hongshan Culture in Inner Mongolia. (Photo/China Daily)

Dang made the remarks on Sunday when addressing a seminar held in Chifeng to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the naming of the Hongshan Culture.

The relics of the Hongshan Culture have attracted the attention of Chinese and foreign scholars since the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, they focused mainly on sites in a hilly area in suburban Chifeng called Hongshan, which means "red mountains".

In 1954, archaeologist and historian Yin Da (1906-83) took the advice of archaeologist Liang Siyong (1904-54) and officially named this Neolithic culture after the area in his book on the Neolithic period in China.

So far, more than 1,100 Hongshan Culture sites have been discovered, mostly in the West Liaohe River basin in southeastern Inner Mongolia and western Liaoning.

Archaeological and research efforts spanning a century have unraveled some mysteries of the Hongshan Culture, represented by its sacrificial system. A well-laid ritual complex unearthed at the Niuhe-liang site, comprising an altar, a temple for a goddess, and rubble mound tombs, as well as social stratification marked by the use of exquisite jade in sacrifice, showcased the system.

At the Yuanbaoshan site, which is around 5,000 to 5,100 years old, some of the unearthed jade relics were found inside and underneath the walls of a round rubble mound tomb, 23.5 meters in diameter, which is the largest discovered in Inner Mongolia to date.

Dang, from the Inner Mongolia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, said they are conducting further paleoenvironmental studies, laboratory tests, and other research methods to learn more about the topography of the area, date the relics, and trace the sequence of construction.

Jia Xiaobing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Archaeology, said the layout of the round rubble mound tomb at Yuanbaoshan and the tomb's surroundings show similarities with tombs found at Niuheliang, dating back 5,000 to 5,500 years.

"Such consistency in an expanded area proves that a shared belief system existed among the Hongshan ancestors," he said.

Jia is currently leading a program aimed at bringing together his Beijing-based institute and universities and archaeological institutions of Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, and Hebei, in order to strengthen archaeological and research efforts on the Hongshan Culture.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Iraqi resistance hits 'vital targets' in occupied lands with drones, missiles

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 7:55 AM

Fighters from Iraqi anti-terror resistance groups have separately launched drone and missile strikes against strategic targets in the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories in retaliation for the brutal aggression against the Gaza Strip.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement published on its Telegram channel, claimed responsibility for the aerial attack on a "vital" site in the occupied lands on Sunday morning.

It said the drone strike was carried out in continuation of the struggle against the occupying Israeli regime, in support of Palestinians in Gaza, and in retaliation for the massacres that the usurping Zionist entity is perpetrating against women, children and the elderly in the besieged territory.

Hours later, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced in a separate statement that it had hit targets in the northern part of the 1948 Israeli-occupied with advanced al-Arqab cruise missiles.

Positions in the southern flank of the occupied lands were also struck with kamikaze drones.

The Iraqi resistance also targeted the "Zionist military base in the northern Jordan Valley in our occupied lands, using drones."

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has been launching several attacks on Israeli targets ever since the occupying regime started the genocidal war on Gaza last year in October.

Israel has been waging an atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, on October 7.

At least 41,391 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 95,760 individuals have sustained injuries in Gaza so far. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well.

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Hezbollah hits Rafael arms facility in 'initial response' to Israel's terror attack

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 5:36 AM

The Hezbollah resistance movement has targeted the Rafael weapons manufacturing facility in Haifa in an "initial response" to Israel's recent mass terrorist attack in Lebanon.

In a statement released on Sunday, Hezbollah said that it had bombed the military industry complexes of the Rafael company, located in the Zevulun area north of Haifa, with dozens of Fadi 1, Fadi 2, and Katyusha rockets.

The group noted that its operation was a show of support for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and their resistance, adding that it was also an "initial response to the brutal massacre committed by the Israeli enemy in various Lebanese regions" by the explosion of telecommunication devices.

Thousands of booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkie radios belonging to Hezbollah members detonated across Lebanon in simultaneous blasts on Tuesday and Wednesday, killing 42 people and wounding almost 3,500 others.

A preliminary investigation by the Lebanese authorities has found the devices were implanted with explosives before arriving in the Arab country and that they were detonated via electronic messages.

US media reports said the mass terrorist attack was a joint effort between the Israeli military and the Mossad spy agency.

Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against the occupying regime, which is also waging a genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Rafael company targeted in Hezbollah's Sunday operation is one of the three biggest Israeli arms manufacturers and is owned by the regime.

It produces systems for armored vehicles, Iron Dome David's Sling missile systems, and various kinds of cruise and guided missiles.

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Hezbollah launches its deepest strike on occupied territories since Oct.

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 2:57 AM

Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement has launched its farthest-reaching strike against the occupied Palestinian territories since October, when the Israeli regime escalated its aggression on Lebanon.

On Sunday, the movement fired "dozens of Fadi-1 and Fadi-2 missiles" against Ramat David, an Israeli air force base located in the northern part of the territories, just 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of the city of Haifa.

It specified Fadi-1 as a 220-milimeter caliber missile with a range of 80 kilometers (49 miles), and Fadi-2 as a 303-milimeter caliber projectile that can fly as far as 105 kilometers (65 miles).

The strike was followed by two more barrages, during which 15 and 20 rockets were respectively fired towards the base, which houses warplanes and helicopter gunships as well as offensive electronic warfare systems among other military equipment.

Hezbollah has been staging numerous such strikes against the occupied territories since October 7, when the regime notably escalated its attacks on Lebanon, especially its southern areas, after launching a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

The movement's operations have been aimed both at retaliating against the regime and displaying support for the war-hit Gazans.

Describing its Sunday operation, the movement likewise said it had carried out the strike "in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their brave and honorable resistance."

The operation was also meant as a response to "the repeated Israeli attacks that targeted various Lebanese regions and led to the fall of many civilian martyrs," it added.

The strike came two days after at least 38 people, including three children, seven women, and a senior Hezbollah commander, named as Ibrahim Aqil, were killed during an Israeli attack on residential building in a southern suburb of Lebanon's capital Beirut.

Earlier, numerous explosions had targeted pagers and walkie-talkies across Lebanon, killing at least 37 people and wounding thousands of others, including Hezbollah's members.

The Israeli regime has declined to comment on the blasts, but the Lebanese government and Hezbollah have held it squarely responsible.

Reacting to the blasts, Hezbollah's Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called the atrocity "a declaration of war."

He asserted that the regime would face "tough retribution and just punishment, where it expects it and where it does not."

The regime waged wars against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006 only to be forced into beating humiliating retreats as a result of Hezbollah's decisive defensive operations.

The movement has pledged to respond with its entire prowess and strengthen in case of another Israeli war.

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Central Asia's High-Stakes Gamble With The Taliban

By Farangis Najibullah and Khursand Khurramov September 22, 2024

The estimated $10 billion TAPI project was first designed in the 1990s but was repeatedly delayed due to war and instability in Afghanistan.

Turkmenistan hopes the proposed 1,800-kilometer pipeline will become a key source of revenue for cash-strapped Ashgabat.

And Afghanistan would earn about $500 million in transit fees annually, a major boost to its budget.

The future of TAPI, however, remains in doubt due to Western sanctions on the Taliban administration and the absence of official recognition of the government in Kabul that could hamper funding and investment in the project.

No country in the world has formally recognized the Taliban government.

High-Profile Visit

In August, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Oripov went to Kabul, marking the highest-level visit by a foreign government official since the Taliban took power in Kabul three years ago.

During the visit, Uzbek and Taliban officials reportedly signed investment and trade deals worth about $2.5 billion in the energy, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.

Afghanistan and Kazakhstan announced in August 2023 that they were planning to increase bilateral trade to $3 billion.

Kazakhstan, Central Asia's largest economy, was the first country to delist the Taliban as a terror organization in December 2023.

But while Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were quick to make visits to Kabul after the Taliban returned to power, Tajikistan was the only Central Asian country to take a harsh stance on the new rulers in Afghanistan.

'Accepting Reality'

Dushanbe's position has been largely linked to its ethnic, linguistic, and historic connection to the mainly ethnic Tajik opponents to the Taliban, which is predominantly ethnic Pashto.

But Tajikistan now appears to be softening it policies toward the Taliban in a move that Tajik experts describe as "accepting reality."

Tajikistan exports electricity to Kabul and has established several markets in border towns where local merchants from the two sides sell goods. The governments also reportedly discussed cooperation in the fight against militants who target Tajikistan from inside Afghan territory.

Both Dushanbe and Kabul have a shared interest in defeating the Islamic State-Khurasan terrorist group, which has recruited many militants from Tajikistan.

Afghan media reported that the head of Tajikistan's state Committee for National Security, Saimuddin Yatimov, had a meeting with Taliban intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq in late August. Tajik authorities have neither confirmed nor denied those reports.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Dushanbe-based expert told RFE/RL's Tajik Service that "given Tajikistan's vast shared border with Afghanistan, the threats of terrorist attacks, and economic incentives, Tajik authorities have no choice but to opt for geopolitical cooperation" with the Taliban.

Some experts claim that China and Kazakhstan have played a role in convincing Dushanbe to change its attitude toward the Taliban administration.

Addressing high-ranked officials from members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Almaty in June, Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev called the Taliban "a long-term factor" and highlighted what he described as "the importance of developing trade and economic cooperation with modern Afghanistan."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan -taliban-kazakhstan-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan- tajikistan-turkmenistan/33126717.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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President Herzog Denies Israel's Role in Lebanon Pager Attack

Sputnik News

20240922

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israeli President Isaac Herzog denied on Sunday Israel's responsibility for this week's deadly attacks in Lebanon caused by exploding pagers and walkie-talkies.

"I reject out of hand any connection to this or that source of operation," Herzog told Sky News, adding that "there are many enemies of Hezbollah out there, quite a few these days."

US media reported on Friday, citing a US intelligence source, that Israel had a hand in the manufacturing of the pagers that exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday and that the operation took it at least 15 years to prepare.

Pagers and walkie-talkies exploded in various parts of Lebanon over 48 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Lebanese Health Ministry estimates that the explosions killed 45 people and injured more than 3,000 others. The Lebanese government and the Hezbollah movement blamed Israel for the attack.

 Sputnik

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Israeli Army Says Detected Over 100 Projectiles Fired From Territory of Lebanon Overnight

Sputnik News

20240922

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Northern territories of Israel have been attacked with over 100 projectiles launched from the Lebanese territory overnight, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday, adding that no injuries have been reported yet.

"Following the sirens that sounded between 6:24 ... 07:00 in numerous areas in northern Israel, approximately 85 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Some of the projectiles were intercepted, and fallen projectiles were identified in the areas of Kiryat Bialik, Tsur Shalom and Moreshet," the army wrote on Telegram.

The Israeli rescue services are currently engaged in firefighting operations in the areas exposed to the attacks, the IDF added.

"Following the sirens that sounded at 4:48 and 5:10 in the Jezreel Valley area, approximately 20 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Most of the projectiles were intercepted, and the rest fell in open areas. No injuries were reported," the army added.

Earlier in the day, Israeli TV broadcaster Channel 12 reported that in the past few hours large areas of northern Israel were subject to shelling by Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah. Alarm sirens sounded 11 times overnight in various areas in the north of the country while at least three massive shillings were recorded.

Hezbollah fighters responded to communications device explosions in Lebanon by launching a rocket attack on the Rafael military-industrial complex north of the Israeli city of Haifa, the movement's press office said in a statement on Sunday.

"In response to the massacres carried out by the hostile Israel in different parts of Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Islamic resistance fighters fired Fadi 1, Fadi 2 and Katyusha rockets at the Rafael Military Industrial Complex in Zuvukun north of Haifa," Hezbollah said.

According to the press service, the complex develops electronic equipment for military use.

Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have escalated after Israel started a military operation in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The Israeli military and Hezbollah have been exchanging cross-border fire almost daily.

 Sputnik

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Secretary-General's remarks at the Opening Segment of the Summit of the Future Plenary

United Nations Secretary-General

New York

22 September 2024

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to the Summit of the Future.

I thank the co-facilitators, the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly, and all Member States, for their strong engagement, creativity, and spirit of compromise; and all my colleagues for their invaluable efforts over the past three years.

We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink.

I called for this Summit to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the UN Charter.

I called for this Summit because 21st century challenges require 21st century solutions: frameworks that are networked and inclusive; and that draw on the expertise of all of humanity.

I called for this summit because our world is heading off the rails - and we need tough decisions to get back on track.

Conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with no end in sight.

Our collective security system is threatened by geopolitical divides, nuclear posturing, and the development of new weapons and theatres of war.

Resources that could bring opportunities and hope are invested in death and destruction.

Huge inequalities are a brake on sustainable development. Many developing countries are drowning in debt and unable to support their people.

And we have no effective global response to emerging, complex and even existential threats.

The climate crisis is destroying lives, devastating communities and ravaging economies.

We all know the solution - a just phase-out of fossil fuels - and yet, emissions are still rising.

New technologies, including AI, are being developed in a moral and legal vacuum, without governance or guardrails.

In short, our multilateral tools and institutions are unable to respond effectively to today's political, economic, environmental and technological challenges.

And tomorrow's will be even more difficult and even more dangerous.

When the United Nations was established nearly 80 years ago, it had 51 Member States. Today there are 193.

The global economy was less than one-twelfth of its current size.

As a result, our peace and security tools and institutions, and our global financial architecture, reflect a bygone era.

The United Nations Security Council is outdated, and its authority is eroding.

Unless its composition and working methods are reformed, it will eventually lose all credibility.

The international financial architecture was established when many of today's developing countries were under colonial rule.

It does not represent the realities of today's global economy, and it is no longer able to resolve global economic challenges: debt, climate action, sustainable development.

It does not provide the global safety net that developing countries need.

Meanwhile, technology, geopolitics and globalization have transformed power relations.

Our world is going through a time of turbulence and a period of transition.

But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation and make it more networked, fair and inclusive - now.

And today, thanks to your efforts, we have.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities.

On peace and security, they promise a breakthrough on reforms to make the Security Council more reflective of today's world, addressing the historic under-representation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

They lay the foundations for a more agile Peacebuilding Commission, and for a fundamental review of peace operations to make them fit for the conditions they face.

They represent the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade.

They recognize the changing nature of conflict, and commit to steps to prevent an arms race in outer space and to govern the use of lethal autonomous weapons.

They include measures to mount an immediate and coordinated response to complex global shocks.

On sustainable development, these agreements represent major progress towards groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture.

They will help to make its institutions more representative of today's world, capable of mounting a stronger response to today's challenges, and able to provide an effective global safety net for developing countries at a time when many of them are suffocating in debt and unable to make progress on the SDGs.

The Pact for the Future is about turbocharging the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and securing a peaceful and livable future for everyone on our planet.

It includes a groundbreaking commitment by governments to listen to young people and include them in decision-making, at the national and global levels.

And it commits to stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, local and regional authorities and more.

The Global Digital Compact is based on the principle that technology should benefit everyone.

It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence.

It commits governments to establishing an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.

The Global Digital Compact represents the first collective effort to reach agreed interoperability standards - essential for consistent measurement.

And it supports networks and partnerships to build capacity on AI in developing countries.

The Declaration on Future Generations echoes the call of the United Nations Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, committing governments for the first time to taking the interests of our descendants into account in decisions we take today.

Respect for human rights, cultural diversity and gender equality are woven into all three agreements.

In the face of a surge in misogyny and a rollback of women's reproductive rights, governments have explicitly committed to removing the legal, social and economic barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their potential in every sphere.

Excellencies,

I welcome these three landmark agreements - a step-change towards more effective, inclusive, networked multilateralism.

I have been fighting for the ideas in them since the first day of my mandate.

And I will be totally committed to their implementation until the very last day.

We have unlocked the door.

Now it is our common responsibility to walk through it.

That demands not just agreement, but action.

I challenge you to take that action.

To implement the Pact for the Future by prioritizing dialogue and negotiation, ending the wars tearing our world apart, and reforming the composition and working methods of the Security Council.

To accelerate reforms of the international financial system - including at next year's Conference on Financing for Development.

To put humanity's best interests front and centre of new technologies.

We stand and fall not by adopting agreements, but by our actions and their impact on the lives of the people we serve.

Excellencies,

Throughout my life - whether as a political activist or at the United Nations - I have learned that people never agree on the past.

To rebuild trust, we must start with the present and look to the future.

People everywhere are hoping for a future of peace, dignity, and prosperity.

They are crying out for global action to solve the climate crisis, tackle inequality, and address new and emerging risks that threaten everyone.

And they see the United Nations as essential to solving these challenges.

All this was confirmed during the past two inspirational Action Days.

The Summit of the Future sets a course for international cooperation that can meet their expectations.

I congratulate all Member States for playing their part as we take these first important steps together.

Now, let's get to work.

And I thank you.

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Israel, Hezbollah trade hundreds of missile strikes

By VOA News September 22, 2024

Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and Israeli forces traded hundreds of missile strikes on Sunday as their conflict along the border between the two counties threatened to erupt into an all-out war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to do "whatever it takes" to restore safety in the country's north after Hezbollah retaliated to an Israeli attack that killed Hezbollah military leaders in Beirut on Friday and the militants blamed Israel for remotely detonating explosives in pagers and walkie-talkies inside Lebanon, killing at least 32 and injuring thousands.

Netanyahu said Israel in recent days had "dealt Hezbollah a series of blows they never imagined," calling it a "message." He spoke after Hezbollah launched dozens of missiles toward the Ramat David air base in northern Israel, near Haifa, early Sunday. The militant group said it was responding to the Israeli offensive this past week.

Hezbollah deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem said Hezbollah had started a new phase of its fight against Israel, which he described as an "open-ended battle of reckoning." He spoke at a funeral for a top commander killed in the Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on ABC News' "This Week" show that Israel and Hezbollah must restrain themselves to keep the conflict from escalating into an all-out war.

"We believe there are better ways ... than opening a second front" along the Israeli-Lebanon border beyond Israel's nearly year-long fight with Hamas militants in Gaza.

"Nobody is pollyannish (unrealistically optimistic) about how difficult this will be," Kirby said, but that the warring parties should pull back from continued fighting so this doesn't become an all-out war.

We're watching with concern," he said. "We're focused on making sure this doesn't expand."

As the Israeli-Hezbollah warfare mounts, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees pointed to ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen, noting that the region is already very fragile.

"An expansion of the conflict may have incalculable consequences," Filippo Grandi told VOA of the escalation in Lebanon this week.

He said the U.N., particularly its humanitarian agencies, has been making contingency plans for some time should the war spread, but that no one should expect humanitarians "to address all the countless problems, countless challenges, that will emerge from an even greater regional war."

Meanwhile, Kirby rejected suggestions in recent U.S. news accounts that a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is unlikely to occur before President Joe Biden leaves office on January 20 next year.

"That's not where the president is," Kirby told the "Fox News Sunday" show. "There is still a possibility" of a cease-fire, he said, while acknowledging to ABC, "We are not achieving any success in the last two weeks."

Sunday's rocket bombardment into northern Israel overnight into Sunday set off air raid sirens, sending thousands of people scrambling into shelters. The Israeli military said that rockets had been fired "toward civilian areas," pointing to a possible escalation after previous barrages had mainly been aimed at military targets.

One rocket struck near a residential building in Kiryat Bialik, a community near Haifa, wounding at least three people and setting buildings and cars on fire. Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said that a total of four people were wounded by shrapnel in the barrage.

Avi Vazana raced to a shelter with his wife and 9-month-old baby before he heard the boom of the rocket hitting in Kiryat Bialik. Then he went back outside to see if anyone was hurt.

"I ran without shoes, without a shirt, only with pants. I ran to this house when everything was still on fire to try to find if there are other people," he said.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said that one person was killed and another wounded in an Israeli strike near the border.

The barrage came after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday killed at least 45 people, including one of Hezbollah's top leaders, Ibrahim Aqil, as well as women and children.

Despite calling for restraint to keep the Israeli-Hezbollah from expanding, Kirby told Fox, "The world is better off without Aqil walking around."

The Israeli military said that it carried out a wave of strikes across southern Lebanon over the past day, hitting about 400 militant sites, including rocket launchers. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, said those strikes had thwarted an even larger attack.

"Hundreds of thousands of civilians have come under fire across a lot of northern Israel. They spent the night and now the morning in bomb shelters," he said. "Today we saw fire that was deeper into Israel than before."

Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire since the outbreak of the war in Gaza last October 7, when the militant group began firing rockets in solidarity with the Palestinians and its fellow Iran-backed ally Hamas. The low-level fighting has killed dozens of people in Israel, hundreds in Lebanon, and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the frontier.

Until recently, neither side was believed to be seeking an all-out war, and Hezbollah has so far stopped short of targeting Tel Aviv or major civilian infrastructure. But in recent weeks, Israel has shifted its focus from Gaza to Lebanon and vowed to bring back calm to the border so that its citizens can return to their homes. Hezbollah has said that it would only halt its attacks if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, which appears increasingly elusive.

The war in Gaza began with Hamas' shock October attack into Israel, in which Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage. They are still holding around 100 captives, a third of whom are believed to be dead. More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, with the Israeli military saying the death toll includes thousands of Hamas fighters.

The U.S. has designated both Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.

VOA's United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report; some material came from The Associated Press.

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Marxist lawmaker Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential poll

By Anjana Pasricha September 22, 2024

In Sri Lanka, Marxist-leaning lawmaker, Anura Kumar Dissanayake, has won the presidential election on promises of helping the poor and stamping out corruption in a country where an economic meltdown two years ago led to a resounding cry for systemic change.

It represents a major shift in the politics of the South Asian country, which rejected mainstream political parties that have governed the country for decades. Dissanayake, 55, known for his pro-working class stance, heads a left-leaning coalition, the National People's Power.

His own party, the JVP, which was once a fringe, radical group, holds only three seats in the 225-member parliament and has not been part of the political mainstream.

Political analysts say widespread disillusionment with established political parties catapulted Dissanayake to the top post.

"This victory belongs to all of us" Dissanayake wrote in a post on X. "We stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history."

"We believe that we can turn this country around, we can build a stable government," Dissanayake told reporters. "For me this is not a position, it is a responsibility."

He emerged the winner following a historic second round of counting after none of the three leading candidates secured the 50% plus one vote required to secure an outright victory in the initial count. He had secured 42% of the votes cast in the first count.

Dissanayake's alliance is made up of different groups that include political parties, youth, civil society and women's groups and trade unions. It is centered on the working class.

"We have rejected the old-school parties. I am overjoyed, this is what we need." said tour guide Hasitha Vishwa. "For us, the younger generation, Dissanayake is a symbol of non-corruption. Previous politicians were too corrupt."

The coming months could see a dramatic change in Sri Lanka's political landscape. Dissanayake has promised to dissolve parliament after taking power to seek a fresh mandate for his policies in general elections. It is the first time that a country that has adopted free-market policies for over five decades, will have a government with a left-leaning ideology.

Popularly known as AKD, the firebrand politician, presented himself as the candidate who will clean up the country's politics  the demand made by tens of thousands of protestors two years ago when they stormed the presidential palace and ousted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Protestors had blamed entrenched corruption and mismanagement for the country's economic collapse.

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe was praised for stabilizing the economy and bringing it back from the brink of bankruptcy, but was blamed by many for failing to address concerns about corruption and protecting the country's Rajapaksa political dynasty. He was eliminated from the second count after winning only 17% of the vote. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa won 32% of the vote.

"History will judge my efforts, but I can confidently say that I did my best to stabilize the country during one of its darkest periods," Wickremesinghe said in a statement.

Political analysts said that while the demand for change has swept Dissanayake to victory, a country whose economic future is at stake, is entering uncharted territory.

"He is basically untested. He is a new kid on the block," according to Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director at the Center for Policy Alternatives. "We don't know what his team is and whether they will have the expertise and experience to deal with the challenges that confront the country."

Dissanayake now faces the daunting task of delivering on the primary concern for many voters  easing the hardship that millions grapple with due to spiraling costs of living.

Tough economic reforms imposed after the country secured a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund to rescue its economy from bankruptcy have led to higher prices of essentials like food and fuel. Many in the country were pushed into poverty or saw their living standards plummet.

"Yes, he has promised to ease the burden on people due to austerity measures, but the key question is where will the money come from," questioned analyst Paikiasothy.

Dissanayake has said he will adhere to the $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund bailout package and repayment of the country's debt, which is critical to build on the fragile economic recovery that took place in the last two years.

But he has pledged to renegotiate the terms of the IMF deal to make austerity measures more bearable by lowering taxes.

"It will be a sea change for Sri Lanka. A lot of people are excited about the prospect and a lot of people are worried about that prospect," said Alan Keenan, Senior Consultant, Sri Lanka, at the International Crisis Group.

Dissanayake will take the oath of office on Monday. About 17% of the country 17.1 million voters cast ballots in the election.

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Exclusive: US officials say sanctions against pro-Russian former Georgian PM are ready to go

By Ani Chkhikvadze September 22, 2024

The United States is preparing sanctions against former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili as concerns mount over his role in deepening ties with Russia and steering the country away from its democratic path, according to two U.S. government sources who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity.

U.S. officials say Ivanishvili's alleged actions benefit Russian interests and undermine Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union and NATO.

"We have information that Ivanishvili undertook actions to develop relations with Russian oligarchs, took actions to enable Russia to gain better access to the Georgian market. In fact, he, took some actions at the direction of the Russian intelligence services," a senior U.S. official told VOA's Georgian service on the condition of anonymity, given the sensitivity of discussing the sanctions.

Ivanishvili, 68, a billionaire who amassed his fortune in Russia during the 1990s, remains a deeply influential figure in Georgia despite having abandoned formal politics in 2013. He resides in a palace overlooking Georgia's capital Tbilisi and rarely appears in public. His extravagant lifestyle, including a shark tank in his palace, a zoo in his hometown and a love for trees, has earned him the nickname "James Bond of Georgia" and captured the attention of international media.

The political party that Ivanishvili founded, Georgian Dream, has held power in the country since 2012, and some observers say he continues to make key political decisions from behind the scenes.

According to Giorgi Gakharia, a former Georgian Dream member who served as Georgia's prime minister from September 2019 until February 2021, when he resigned and went into opposition, Ivanishvili is still involved in all major political and economic decisions.

"Ivanishvili is managing all kind of issues on strategic as well as tactical levels," Gakharia, who now leads the For Georgia party, told VOA. "He's involved directly in [economic and] political issues. Everything going on in the country [at] this,moment is around and about Ivanishvili."

Another opposition politician, Giga Bokeria of the Federalist Party, says Ivanishvili has been at the center of the Georgian government's move the country in a pro-Russian, anti-Western direction.

"He the one who steered from the very beginning this campaign of demonizing the West as a threat to Georgia's security and identity, that the West and in particular the U.S. uses Georgians as pawns in their interests, and that, in order to survive, we must accept Russian security dominance in our region," Bokeria told VOA. "And, under that pretext, he has facilitated Russian infiltration into the Georgian economy, security structures and political life and targeted pro-Western institutions and his political opponents."

Bokeria added that while the looming sanctions against Ivanishvili are a justified and necessary step, a more strategic U.S. approach, one that strengthens Georgia as a key Western stronghold in the region, is needed.

"While it's ultimately the responsibility of Georgian society to defeat this regime, the problem with U.S. policy towards Georgia is that it remains reactionary, lacking a clear, proactive strategy. The U.S. should target all Russian allies and enemies of liberty more comprehensively, while combining this approach with a broader vision to make Georgia a stronghold for projecting Western power in the region."

The U.S. sanctions targeting Ivanishvili fall under Executive Order 14024, on "Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation," signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.

"Executive Order 14024 has broad authorities to designate individuals who engage in, behaviors that undermine democratic institutions, democratic values, engage in transnational corruption," the senior U.S. official, speaking on background, told VOA. "There is a whole range of activities that, if they are found to be benefiting the Russian Federation, those are sanctioned."

When and if sanctions are imposed on Ivanishvili, his assets within U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen, and American citizens and companies will be prohibited from doing business with him. The sanctions would also cut Ivanishvili off from the global financial system, given that many international institutions follow U.S. regulations in order to avoid secondary sanctions. In addition to asset freezes, visa restrictions could be implemented, limiting Ivanishvili's access to global banking services and ability to travel outside of Georgia.

"When the United States spoke of potential sanctions, Ivanishvili always believed that they were bluffing," Tina Bokuchava, leader of the opposition United National Movement party, told VOA. "Now he understands that undermining Georgian democracy, and depriving Georgia [of] Euro-Atlantic prospects, implies real consequences from the United States."

The sanctions targeting Ivanishvili follow visa restrictions and asset freezes that the U.S. imposed in recent months on individuals in Georgia accused of undermining democratic processes there.

"I think the Biden administration has been frustrated by its inability to get the Georgian government to take seriously the position they've put themselves in," a source familiar with the discussions within the U.S. government told VOA on condition of anonymity. "The Biden people are trying to convey the seriousness and hope that somebody in the Georgian government is listening in a serious way."

The prime minister's office declined VOA's request to comment about the report that the U.S. has sanctions package ready for Ivanisvhili.

The U.S. and EU have grown increasingly alarmed by Georgia's undemocratic steps, its reluctance to adopt a clear pro-Western stance over Russia's war in Ukraine, and inflammatory rhetoric from Tbilisi accusing Washington of trying to drag Georgia into the conflict. Georgia has officially refused joining international sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine and faced criticism for publicly attacking Ukrainian leaders. Washington has also raised concerns that Georgia may be helping Russia evade sanctions.

Another major point of contention is the controversial "law on transparency of foreign influence," which requires Georgian NGOs and media outlets receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents. While the ruling Georgian Dream party defends the law as upholding transparency, critics charge it is modeled on Russian legislation and aimed at suppressing independent media and Western-funded organizations.

Mass protests erupted in Tbilisi earlier this year when the government reintroduced the law, after initially withdrawing it in 2023 following a public outcry. Despite the protests, the Georgian Dream party pushed the law through, overriding a veto by President Salome Zourabischvili, who has emerged as a vocal critic of the government.

Critics say the law is part of a broader effort by Ivanishvili and his allies to consolidate power ahead of Georgia's parliamentary elections, scheduled for October.

"The law was adopted because it allows the Ivanishvili to use an instrument well-tested in Russia and other authoritarian regimes for the purpose of demonizing and destroying free media and NGOs - the biggest threats for him [Ivanishvili] maintaining power," Sergi Kapanadze, director of Georgia's Reforms Associates, a Tbilisi-based think-tank, told VOA.

The package of sanctions targeting Ivanishvili follows the U.S. Treasury Department's recent sanctions on four individuals in Georgia under the Global Magnitsky Act, which authorizes the U.S. government to sanction foreign government officials who violate human rights. The four sanctioned Georgians included two high-ranking officials from the Georgian Interior Ministry and two private citizens involved in suppressing peaceful demonstrations and restricting the freedom of assembly.

The U.S. has also placed visa bans on 90 individuals in Georgia accused of undermining democracy in the country.

While the exact timing of the sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili remains uncertain, a source close to the Biden administration told VOA on condition of anonymity that, in preparing those sanctions, "the administration internally has had to meet a legal threshold of documenting" that his activities have "clear benefits to Russia."

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Quad leaders meet; group 'incites bloc confrontation'

Global Times

Loose partnership faces uncertain future amid different interests: expert

By Zhang Han and Guo Yuandan Published: Sep 23, 2024 12:24 AM

At the Quad leaders' summit US President Joe Biden hosted in his Delaware hometown over the weekend, the four-nation group - which consists of the US, Japan, India and Australia - agreed to expand security cooperation, including joint coast guard mission, with China on mind.

The agenda of the meeting and its joint statement, which referred to East and South China Seas, exposed Quad's nature of bloc confrontation, analysts said on Sunday, criticizing the four-nation partnership for its detrimental role of fomenting confrontation and inciting geopolitical tensions in Asia Pacific.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan insisted earlier Saturday during a briefing with reporters that "China is not the focus of the Quad," CNN reported, but the issue (of China) featured throughout the day.

The joint statement, released on the White House's website, did not directly name China, but it did mention "East and South China Seas," meanwhile, Biden was caught on a hot mic telling the other leaders that an "aggressive China is testing us," CNN reported.

Anchored by shared values, the Quad leaders seek to uphold the international order based on the rule of law and they are "seriously concerned" about the situation in East and South China Seas, according to a joint statement after the summit.

Create division

Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, noted that Quad members have made efforts to downplay its focus on China, emphasizing instead the shared values and strategic interests of the four countries. However, analysis of the summit's outcomes reveals it is targeting China.

"Targeting China" is not only at a strategic level but it also involves tactical arrangements, and specific plans, Ding told the Global Times on Sunday.

Per the joint statement, the four countries have agreed on a joint coast guard mission in 2025, and vowed to enhance logistics cooperation as well as data and information sharing within and outside the bloc, giving attention to developing maritime security ties with Pacific Island Countries and Southeast Asia.

Ding pointed out that the Quad could support countries like the Philippines and Japan, which have maritime disputes with China, through specific joint maritime operations.

The Quad statement also mentioned so-called "dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including increasing the use of dangerous maneuvers," hinting at China's frictions with the Philippines; however, in face of Philippine provocations under US instigation, China's actions aim to safeguard its sovereignty and legitimate rights, analysts said.

The Quad has been scaremongering, inciting antagonism and confrontation, and holding back other countries' development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press briefing in July in response to a Quad foreign ministers meeting in Tokyo which voiced "serious concern about the situation in the East and South China Seas."

Some countries outside the region have frequently sent advanced military aircraft and vessels to the South China Sea to flex their muscles and create tension, and have formed various groupings and incited division and confrontation in the region. All of this makes them the biggest threat and challenge to regional peace and stability, Lin said.

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday that the Quad mechanism is US-led and serves as a strategic tool to favor the US in its competition with China at both regional and global levels.

Although India, Australia and Japan have their own interests, the nature and direction of this mechanism will remain aligned with the strategic needs of the US, Li said.

Biden would not give up the opportunity of his last Quad summit to hype up China issues to amplify "China threat" rhetoric, and create a wrong impression that Washington's China policy is embraced widely, Li said.

Loose partnership

Although the Quad mechanism has convened meetings at different levels in the past few years and the US has strived to paint a picture of extensive and in-depth cooperation under the mechanism, "the outcomes have focused on political and diplomatic realms, being more of a posture," Ding said.

Cooperation is difficult when it comes to substantial inputs and spending of money, Ding said, adding that many of the proposals, such as joint actions and information sharing, can actually be carried out in a bilateral manner without a structure like the Quad.

Also, the obscure reference to China in the Quad statement could be the result of an internal compromise, analysts said, as members have different views on the approach to deal with China - Japan, Australia and India have intensive economic or people-to-people exchanges with China.

Different from US alliance with Japan or Australia, the Quad is a rather loose partnership, with each member aspiring to utilize the bloc to elevate their own international status, Li told the Global Times.

"It remains to be seen whether the Quad will continue to be a loose group or become a real alliance and further consolidate," Li said.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 22 September 2024 - Day 942

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 the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the implementation of Russian zagarbnikami's offensive plans. Ukrainian warriors are inflicting heavy losses to the Russian enemy, depleting their combat potential.

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 121 combat clashes, Russian forces launched one missile (2 rockets), 52 aviation strikes (71 KABs in particular) and 625 kamikaze drones strikes, carrying out more than 3,900 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the Kharkiv direction, Russian terrorists four times unsuccessfully stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the Vovchansk district. There is another fight going on near the last one. According to available information, for today the Russian opponent in this direction has lost more than 40 soldiers killed and wounded. Ukrainian defenders destroyed a Russian anti-tank, two vehicles units and 37 BPLAs, a tank, an armored car, four artillery systems and a Russian car were also damaged.

Fourteen times Russian forces attacked Ukrainian fortifications in the Kupians komu direction near Petropavlivka, Sinkivka, Glushkivka, Kruglyakivka, Lozovoi and Stelmahivka. At this time there are four clashes in the areas of Petropavlivka, Glushkivka, Lozovoi and Kruglyakivka.

Five attacks of the Russian enemy are currently being repelled by Ukrainian warriors near Makiyivka, Nevsky and Bilogorivka in the Lyman direction. Seven Russian assault actions during the day were stopped near Cherneshina, Druzhelyubivka, Novosadovy and Dibrova.

In the Sivers komu direction, Ukrainian troops stopped the Russian enemy's attempt to improve the tactical position near Viimka. The Russian invaders suffered losses. Another fight is underway at this location. In the kramators komu direction, seven attempts of zagarbnikiv to advance near kalinivka, klis .iivka, grigorivka and stupockiv. Two clashes are still going on. In the Toretsky direction, Russian forces six times today stormed in the areas of Dachny, Toretsk, scherbinivka and nelipivka. Russian forces bombing and assault aviation were actively involved. Continuing combat in two locations - the Russian enemy is pressing, trying to advance in the areas of Nelipivka and Sherbinivka.

Intensely attacks the Russian opponent of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. During the day, in total, 27 assault and offensive actions. The largest activity of Russian occupiers is kept in the regions of Marinivka and Novotoretsk. The clashes near Mirolubivka are ongoing. According to preliminary calculations, today Ukrainian warriors eliminated 145 and wounded 163 Russian invaders. Destroyed RSZV BM-21 "Hail", six artillery systems, tank, BMP, two anti-tank vehicles, five cars and three motorcycles of the zagarbnikiv. 13 artillery systems, two tanks, BMP and 12 cars were also damaged.

In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day, there are 11 combat clashes. Russian troops tried to advance in the areas of settlements Girnyk, Tsukurine, Zhelanne Druge, Katerynivka and Konstantinivka.

In the Vremivs komu direction, one attack of Russian units was shot, three fights in the area of vugledar.

Russian forces became active in the Orihiv direction, where two attacks per day near the settlement of Robotine. Never been successful.

In the pridniprovsk direction, the Russian assault has failed.

The operation is ongoing in the Kursk region. Russian aviation continues to strike controlled aviation bombs on its territory. At the moment it is known about 16 aviation strikes with the application of 27 cab.

In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment.

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 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 36th Marine Brigade, and 5th Border Security Detachment of the Ukrainian Border Guard near Volchansk and Liptsy (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 160 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 30th, 53rd, 116th mechanised brigades of the AFU, and 114th Territorial Defence Brigade near Petropavlovka, Peschannoye (Kharkov region), Serebryanka, Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

Five counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 66th, 67th mechanised brigades of the AFU, and 1st National Guard Brigade were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 420 troops, two tanks, three pickup trucks, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and three U.S.-made 105-mm M119 howitzers.

One U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar and five ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions as well as inflicted losses on formations of the 23rd, 28th, 30th, 33rd, 93rd mechanised brigades, 79th Air Assault Brigade, 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 5th Assault Brigade, 10th, 12th mountain assault brigades, 101st Brigade for the Protection of the General Staff of the AFU, 118th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 18th National Guard Brigade near Raygorodok, Druzhkovka, Chasov Yar, Predtechino, Belaya Gora, Zaliznyanskoye, Nikolayevka, Konstantinopol, Kurakhovo, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 560 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 20 motor vehicles, one Swedish-made 155-mm Archer self-propelled artillery system, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, four U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, and one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer.

Two AFU 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 53rd, 67th, 150th mechanised brigades, 144th Infantry Brigade, 46th Airmobile Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade, 78th Air Assault Regiment, 5th Special Operations Brigade of the AFU, 119th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 15th National Guard Brigade near Dzerzhinsk, Krasnoarmeysk, Tsukurino, Petrovka, Dimitrov, Selidovo, Ukrainsk, and Gornyak (Donetsk People's Republic).

Eleven counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 42nd, 100th, 154th mechanised brigades, 68th Jaeger Brigade, 25th Airborne Brigade, 49th, 425th assault battalions of the AFU, 12th, 15th national guard brigades, and 5th Detachment of the Special Operations Forces were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 445 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, and three 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

One Anklav electronic warfare station and one ammunition depot were destroyed.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on formations of the 33rd Mechanised Brigade, 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the AFU, and 116th Territorial Defence Brigade near Dobrovolye, Shakhtyorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Temirovka (Zaporozhye region).

Three counter-attacks launched by formations of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU and 117th Territorial Defence Brigade were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 145 troops, one tank, 12 motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 39th Coastal Defence Brigade of the AFU, 123rd, and 124th territorial defence brigades near Tokaryovka, Ingulets, Pridneprovskoye, and Antonovka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 60 troops, three motor vehicles, and one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one 36D6 low-altitude target detection and tracking radar, delivered strikes at power infrastructure ensuring operation of Ukrainian defence industry enterprises, infrastructure of military airfields, UAV production workshops, as well as engaged AFU manpower and hardware clusters in 141 areas.

Air defence units shot down six French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, six U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, two S-200 surface-to-air guided missiles converted to hit ground targets, and 106 fixed-wing UAVs.

In total, 646 airplanes and 283 helicopters, 32,089 unmanned aerial vehicles, 579 air defence missile systems, 18,325 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,457 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 15,025 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 26,370 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are repelling an attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the territory of the Russian Federation.

Units of the Sever Group of Forces continued offensive actions and inflicted losses on formations of the 22nd, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 36th Marine Brigade, 1st National Guard Brigade, 103rd, and 129th territorial defence brigades near Lyubimovka, Daryino, Novy Put, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Tolsty Lug, Malaya Loknya, and Plekhovo.

Over the past 24 hours, units of the Sever Group of Forces repelled seven attacks of the enemy in the direction of Maryevka, Malaya Loknya, and Bolshaya Obukhovka. As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 20 troops killed and wounded.

Moreover, with support of Army Aviation and artillery fire, the Group's units repelled three AFU attempts to break through the border of the Russian Federation towards Novy Put and Medvezhye.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, one counterobstacle vehicle, and two motor vehicles. Five AFU servicemen surrendered.

Air strikes, artillery fire, and actions of troops inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the 22nd, 41st, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 95th air assault brigades of the AFU, 36th Marine Brigade, 1st National Guard Brigade, 103rd, and 129th territorial defence brigades near Guyevo, Kazachaya Loknya, Kolmakovo, Lyubimovka, Mikhaylovka, Malaya Loknya, Melovaya, Malaya Obukhovka, Medvezhye, Novy Put, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Orlovka, Plekhovo, Russkoye Porechnoye, Sverdlikovo, Pravda, Tolsty Lug, Cherkasskaya Konopelka, and Yuzhny.

Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes in Sumy region at concentration areas and reserves of the 21st, 22nd, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade, 1004th Security and Service Brigade, 103rd, 110th, and 116th territorial defence brigades near Belopolye, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Bondaryovshchina, Glukhov, Zhuravka, Obody, Peremoga, Pavlovka, Rechki, Radkovka, Sumy, Shalygino, and Khoten.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 380 troops and 11 units of hardware, including two tanks and nine armoured fighting vehicles, as well as three artillery guns, one electronic warfare station, one mine clearing vehicle, and 14 motor vehicles.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost more than 16,000 troops, 126 tanks, 57 infantry fighting vehicles, 95 armoured personnel carriers, 795 armoured fighting vehicles, 492 motor vehicles, 124 artillery guns, 29 MLRS launchers, including eight of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, eight SAM launchers, five transport-loading vehicles, 31 electronic warfare stations and seven counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, 17 engineering vehicles, including ten counterobstacle vehicles and one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, as well as one armoured recovery vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.





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Navy's largest biennial exercise concludes in the Top End

Issued by Defence Media

22 September 2024

The 16th iteration of Australia's largest biennial maritime warfare exercise, Exercise Kakadu, has come to a successful close at the port of Darwin, Northern Territory.

Exercise Kakadu involved warships and personnel from over thirty nations contributing to planning, briefings, sporting and cultural events, to the full spectrum of maritime warfare from constabulary operations through to high end, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare.

Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, said the enduring success of Exercise Kakadu lay in the development of people-to-people connections.

"The exercise is about so much more than ships and aircraft," Rear Admiral Smith said.

"This is about bringing our partners together; to discuss shared values and security challenges and to continue to strengthen our mutual understanding."

The harbour phase of the exercise featured a Regional Fleet Commanders' conference, including presentations on humanitarian and disaster relief responses and discussions between star ranked officers from over 30 nations.

"One of the outcomes of this is the assurance that we are all united in a common purpose - the security of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," Rear Admiral Smith said.

Exercise Director, Captain David Tietzel, said the exercise also included a number of "firsts".

"We were delighted to welcome the participation of the Vietnamese People's Navy corvette VPNS18 in a constabulary role," Captain Tietzel said.

A number of expeditionary logistics tasks were successful including a parachute air drop of stores from a Royal Australian Air Force C-27 Spartan aircraft to HMAS Warramunga and a replenishment of the frigate from fuel reserves at Port Melville in the Tiwi Islands.

"These types of activities demonstrate the versatility of our ships, aircraft and personnel to maintain a competitive edge," Captain Tietzel said.

Exercise Kakadu, held in the Darwin region, provides a unique and challenging training environment for all participants.

"I'd also like to extend my gratitude to the Northern Territory Government and members of the local community for their ongoing support of the Royal Australian Navy and Exercise Kakadu," Captain Tietzel said.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

September 22, 2024

New York City, United States of America

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio, on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed the strong bond between Canada and Japan as G7 partners, as well as their shared commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and to standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Prime Minister Trudeau praised Prime Minister Kishida's leadership on the G7 Leaders' Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament and his efforts toward an international treaty banning the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

The two leaders discussed ways to expand bilateral trade, investment, and energy co-operation to foster economic security and support a strong middle class on both sides of the Pacific. They also explored opportunities to increase collaboration between the two countries and advance progress on shared global priorities, including in the context of Canada's G7 Presidency next year.

Prime Minister Trudeau thanked Prime Minister Kishida for his meaningful efforts in strengthening the Canada-Japan relationship during his tenure and his friendship to Canada.

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China's ball-shaped recon drone debuts in joint drill with Nepal

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Sep 22, 2024 10:54 PM

On Sunday, China and Nepal kicked off an anti-terrorism joint army exercise, with a type of ball-shaped reconnaissance drone making its debut.

An opening ceremony was held for the Sagarmatha Friendship-2024 joint army drill at a training base in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Sunday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

It is the fourth edition of the Sagarmatha Friendship series of exercises between the Chinese and Nepali militaries, with the previous drill held five years ago in 2019, Xinhua reported.

Under the theme of joint anti-terrorism operations in urban blocks, the joint training will include light arms shooting, anti-terrorism group tactics, drone operations, emergency rescues and a comprehensive anti-terrorism exercise, with the aim of boosting capabilities in fields such as multidimensional search, mobile infiltration and armed rescue in joint operations, according to Xinhua.

The exercise will last until October 1, the report said.

After the opening ceremony, the Chinese side displayed more than 20 pieces of equipment in three categories, namely light arms, reconnaissance gears for anti-terrorism missions and equipment, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

Intelligent reconnaissance equipment attracted particular attention, including a type of robot dog, a type of through-wall radar and a type of self-propelled ball-shaped reconnaissance drone, the report said.

The gear will provide extra combat capabilities in the joint exercise, CCTV said.

A CCTV clip showed that the ball-shaped reconnaissance drone, equipped with a camera and sensors, can be held with one hand.

After viewing the clip, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday that the mini ball-shaped drone can move through urban areas by rolling on the ground with little noise and avoid hostile detections.

The small drone is expected to cost little, but can significantly reduce the risk of personnel exposure under dangerous environments, the expert said.

During the exercise, the two sides will also conduct exchanges on disaster relief operations, tackling natural disasters such as earthquakes, snow damages and debris flow, in addition to a series of cultural exchanges to enhance mutual trust and understandings, Xinhua reported.





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Transcript of Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary on Prime Minister's visit to USA (September 21, 2024)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

September 21, 2024

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Welcome to this Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary on Prime Minister's visit to USA. I invite Foreign Secretary sir to make his opening remarks.

Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary: Good evening, good morning. It's a rather late hour for a Press Briefing, but I guess it's bright and early back home in India. Let me share with you a sense of a very full and packed day today. The overall visit is a short and compact one, but it has many, many themes and outcomes packed into it and you've seen a sample of that today.

Let me give you first a rundown of all that happened today. The Prime Minister landed in Philadelphia after a 15 and a half hour flight from New Delhi, and went almost straight away into a bilateral meeting with President Biden. As you probably saw, the meeting was held in a very evocative setting at President Biden's personal residence in Wilmington. Following that, we got down to the events related to the Quad Summit. This, as you know, is the fourth in-person Summit of the leaders, the sixth Summit overall, and that was held at the Archmere Academy, again a venue very, very closely connected with President Biden. Prime Minister also, together with the other Quad leaders, participated in the launch of a Cancer Moonshot initiative being taken by the Quad leaders. This one aimed at addressing the challenges posed by cervical cancer. The Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with his other Quad counterparts, Prime Minister Kishida of Japan and Prime Minister Albanese of Australia and the evening ended with a dinner hosted by President Biden.

Now some of you might recall that in my pre-visit briefing in New Delhi, I had referred to this visit having multiple themes in terms of the formats that it would cover and the messages that it was seeking to flag and underline. The formats are the bilateral, the plurilateral and the multilateral format, and today we have seen a mix of the first two, the bilateral and the plurilateral format. All of these engagements today have given the opportunity to Prime Minister to put forward India's views and commitments for global growth, development and peace and security. If I can give you also, in a sense, the overarching themes that have been reflected in across the multiple meetings, because we can get into separate meetings if you wish, but the overall messages that have come through in all of his engagements have been India's emphasis on minimizing conflict and division, leveraging our democratic values even as we pursue development objectives and highlighting the role of technology and the digital revolution in ushering in good governance, essentially to turn the disruptive features of technology to good ends.

In the bilateral meetings today, all these themes found reflection in the interactions with the other leaders. With the United States, I would point to a very special feature of that bilateral meeting, which was the return of nearly 300 antiquities to India. So here we were talking not just about Vikas but also about Virasat. In the plurilateral meetings today, which was the Quad-related engagements, Prime Minister underlined India's approach of cooperation, contact and engagement for growth with a variety of partners in the Indo-Pacific. It was striking to hear the other Quad leaders acknowledge India's actions and also at the same time hear their expectations of India, which really underlines the need to continue to work and sustain this enormous trust that India has earned from its partners.

And, the last thing that I would emphasize is the aspect of, returning once again to the aspect of technology, which was emphasized in both the bilateral and the plurilateral formats. The Quad Fact Sheet, which has been released, has a number of references to this. The bilateral meetings have references to this. The Joint Fact Sheet released with the United States also has references to the technology related cooperation, for instance, semiconductors related MoUs that have been entered into. I think the main message apart from, of course, the practical value of these technology cooperation agreements by the Prime Minister was also the need to prevent the malign use of technology, as I said earlier, to put technology to good use.

Just to give you a little bit of flavor of some of the engagements that took place and some of the specific major deliverables that we can take away from just this day. In the bilateral meeting with President Biden and also in the Quad Summit, Prime Minister thanked President Biden, profusely for hosting the Summit and for his leadership of the Quad in recent times and his personal commitment to strengthen the Quad as a force for global good. In fact, the Prime Minister today referred to the Quad in a very, very evocative way. He called it Quick, Unified Assistance Delivery. And the other members of the Quad, in fact, said that they finally understood what Quad really signified and stood for. The Prime Minister also mentioned that at a time when the world is ridden with tensions and conflicts, the coming together of these four Quad partners, which shared democratic values, is important for humanity. He said the Quad was here to stay, to assist, to partner, and to complement the efforts of the Indo-Pacific countries. The leaders took stock of the progress that had been achieved by the Quad over the last one year and set forth an ambitious agenda for the next year. And as you all know, India will be hosting the Quad Summit in 2025.

Amongst the major announcements from this particular edition of the Quad, one I have already referred to, which was a separate sideline event at the Summit, which is the Quad Cancer Moonshot, which is a groundbreaking partnership to address the challenges posed by cancer, and in this particular instance, by cervical cancer. The partners also launched the first ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, this will take place in 2025, to improve interoperability and advance maritime safety between our respective Coast Guards across the Indo-Pacific.

The Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network project will pursue shared airlift capacity among our nations and leverage our collective logistics strengths to support civilian response to natural disasters more efficiently and more rapidly. The Quad Ports of the Future Partnership will harness the Quad's collective expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific. Partners will share with each other practices that ensure that our ports are able to maintain an acceptable level of service and infrastructure to ships, especially in the face of disruptions. A semiconductor supply chain's Contingency Network memorandum of cooperation has been announced that would leverage the complementary strengths of the Quad partners to realize a diversified and competitive market and enhance Quad resilience in semiconductor supply chains. Of course, there was discussion of multiple regional and global issues and amongst them the need for the reform of the multilateral system of governance, including the UN Security Council.

Just to give you a snapshot of India's own initiatives at this particular edition of the Quad, you know about India's leadership by way of digital public infrastructure. The Quad leaders on this occasion welcome the Quad principles for development and deployment of digital public infrastructure. They will work to provide equitable access and improve public service delivery at scale. The Prime Minister announced a grant of US$7.5 million for making available HPV sampling kits, detection kits, and cervical cancer vaccines to countries in the Indo-Pacific, as part of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. India will also offer technical assistance and capacity building on DPI in cancer care to interested countries from the Indo-Pacific through its commitment of $10 million to the WHO's Global Initiative on Digital Health. There is a commitment from Serum Institute of India in partnership with GAVI and the Quad to support orders of up to 40 million HPV vaccine doses for the Indo-Pacific region. India will also invest $2 million in setting up new solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar and Seychelles.

The Quad partners agreed to launch a Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific, it's called MAITRI, to enable Indo-Pacific partners to maximize tools provided through IPMDA and other Quad initiatives. Last but not least, India announced a new category of scholarships for students of the Indo-Pacific region that would enable them to pursue four-year bachelor's level engineering programs at Indian government-funded technical institutes. Yes, one more point I would like to make. India will host the inaugural Quad Ports of the Future Partnership Conference next year which will harness the Quad's expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific.

Apart from the Quad event, let me cover very quickly some themes in the Prime Minister's meeting with President Biden. As I had previewed in my briefing earlier this week, both sides, on the occasion of this meeting, exchanged agreements pertaining to the deposit of the instruments of ratification for Pillar 3 and Pillar 4 of the IPEF and the overarching agreement thereof. External Affairs Minister, Dr. Jaishankar and Secretary of State Antony Blinken also exchanged the agreement pertaining to a bilateral drug policy framework and the accompanying MoU. During the meeting itself, both sides discussed at length the ever-expanding agenda of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership which has left no aspect of human endeavor untouched. They discussed ongoing cooperation in technology, in clean energy, in space, our engagement in defence and security and, of course, the regional and global situation.

Prime Minister thanked President Biden for his pioneering role in strengthening the India-U.S. partnership over the last four years. In particular, he highlighted President Biden's legacy initiative of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies. There is a Joint Fact Sheet that has been released with regard to the India-U.S. part of it. I am sure all of you have it, so I won't go into the details of the fact sheet. I'll just flag a few... for instance, the U.S.-India roadmap to build safe and secure global clean energy supply chains. Under this, the United States has agreed to leverage nearly $1 billion in multilateral IBRD funding guarantees. This is to accelerate the expansion of safe and secure clean energy supply chains through U.S. and Indian manufacturing of clean energy technologies and components.

The leaders also welcomed progress between India's National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to provide up to $500 million each to anchor the Green Transition Fund as well as encourage private sector investors to match these efforts. President Biden welcomed India's decision to set a uniform GST of 5% on the MRO sector, and we welcomed commitments from U.S. industry to further increase India's MRO capabilities for the repair of aircraft and other platforms.

Just let me give you a brief snapshot of the Prime Minister's two other meetings, with Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Albanese. With Prime Minister Kishida, as you are aware, it was in the nature of a farewell meeting, given the party elections that are scheduled later this month in Japan. Prime Minister appreciated in a very fulsome fashion the contribution to the bilateral relationship that has been made by Prime Minister Kishida. Next year is also the 10th anniversary of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. And it was agreed that this should be marked in an appropriate fashion. The two sides discussed economic cooperation and the progress of investment under the 5 trillion yen investment program that Japan has announced, cooperation on semiconductors and the setting up of Japanese industrial centers in India was discussed and there was also reference to the growing defence cooperation as well as people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

With the Prime Minister Albanese, 2025 also happens to be the fifth anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Australia. There was a reference to the progress made under ECTA and the impact that it was already having on trade between the two countries and the steps that the two sides were taking to conclude even more ambitious economic cooperation agreements such as the CECA. There was discussion on cooperation in defence and security related issues and the potential in cooperation in space and critical minerals. So as you can see it's been a full day and we are already into the following day, but let me stop there and if you have any questions I would be happy to take them.

Prashant: Sir, Prashant Jha of the Hindustan Times. If I may, two questions. The first is about iCET. This is an initiative you were closely involved within your previous role as well. We have seen semiconductor investments in the assembly testing packaging space and in research, but today's Fact Sheet talks about Fab. It talks about this being a watershed agreement and it talks about the US Space Force and two Indian companies engaging in the strategic technology partnership. Could you give us a sense of the significance of this and is this going to be India's first national security Fab?

The second question sir is on China. The US National Security Advisor in the morning before the meeting talked about how China will be a subject of discussion in the bilateral with President Biden. The Quad declaration, compared to Hiroshima's last year, seems to have employed stronger language on developments in South and East China Sea. Could you give us a sense of the conversations on China, both in the bilateral and the plurilateral space? Thank you sir.

Ayushi: Sir, good evening. This is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. I also have two questions, one on Russia-Ukraine. How much was Russia-Ukraine conflict discussed with President Biden during the bilateral, and was there any kind of peace proposal that was presented from India side when it comes to resolving the conflict? Second, an additional question on China, how much was Chinese aggression in the South China Sea discussed with President Biden during the bilateral? Thank you.

Amrit Pal: This is Amrit Pal Singh from Doordarshan. Sir my question is, did Bangladesh come up for discussions and if you could share the contours of the discussion?

Krishna Mohan: Sir main Krishna Mohan Sharma, Bharat Express se. Do Sawal hain, ek sawal jo aapne kaha ki Micro-technology ka istemal human destruction ke liye kiya ja raha hai, ispe thoda light daale. Aur dusra pure media mei ek rumor kahain ya jo kuch bhi keh le, ki Trump sahab ki Prime Minister se mulakat ho payegi ya nahi ho payegi? Koi schedule hai ya nahi hai?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Krishna Mohan Sharma from Bharat Express. I have two questions: the first question is, you have said about the use of micro-technology for human destruction; could you shed some light on that? And the second question is, in the media, there is a rumor or whatever it may be called, regarding Mr. Trump's meeting with the Prime Minister. Will it happen or not? Is there any schedule for it or not?

Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary: Let me take those questions. I think, Prashant, your question about the new Fab-related announcement that's been made in this Joint Fact Sheet between India and the United States. As you know, this company, the Indian company in this case, 3rd iTech, is a pioneering company and it's been working for the last few years in close cooperation with Government of India entities as well as with U.S. entities. In this case, as you have pointed out, there is a partnership between 3rd iTech, Bharat Semi and the U.S. Space Force. And this is a different Fab in the sense that this has been established with the objective of manufacturing infrared, gallium nitride and silicon carbide semiconductors. And it will be supported by the Indian Semiconductor Mission as well as the Strategic Technology Partnership. I think what this represents is, first, the increasing and very substantial design as well as manufacturing capacities that are latent in India's semiconductor sector. We have always been known as a repository of design talent in so far as semiconductors are concerned, but this shows that we are breaking out into the fabrication part of it. And with the right support, the right incentives and the right access to technology and partnerships from abroad, Indian startups can actually make a global mark. Now on this, in this case, obviously there are national security elements involved on both sides. There will be applications of the products in national security areas. Whether you can call it a national security Fab, I will leave the labeling and the adjectives to you. But yes, I would say that this is an enormously encouraging development and we are sure that there are many more such start-ups that are capable of reproducing what these companies involved in this particular venture have done.

I think a lot of you, in your questions, have wanted to know about the content of the discussions and have pointed to specific countries or situations in so far as the Quad discussions as well as the bilateral discussions are concerned. Look, I think I should make it clear that these discussions are by their very nature all-encompassing discussions when either two leaders meet or the four leaders of the Quad meet. So all subjects are up for discussion. Perhaps some receive more emphasis than others, but all subjects are open for discussion. Different leaders in the Quad bring emphasis to different aspects and that is what brings a certain amount of uniqueness to Quad as well. I will not go into who said what because these are in a sense privileged discussions, but you get a sense of the areas, in which there is commonality of views, by going through the declaration that was issued at the conclusion of the Summit.

In so far as the specific question of a peace proposal related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict is concerned, I think I had answered a similar question in the pre-visit briefing in New Delhi as well. I want to again underline that we are involved in a set of ongoing conversations with interlocutors on all sides. It is, obviously, people see value in India's engagement in these conversations and we are able to talk to multiple interlocutors, and this is not something that is going to have an outcome in the present stage because there is still quite a bit of work that remains to be done. As and when there is something in the nature of what you have suggested, we will come back to you, but at the moment, these are very important conversations that are going on with multiple people on all sides of this conflict.

There was a question on whether there was a reference to Bangladesh in the discussions. Look, as I said, these discussions cover subjects that are in the region. They may be of bilateral interest to one party or the other, but they do have significance beyond the region as well. In this context, a number of situations came up for discussion. Bangladesh also figured in the discussions and there was an exchange of views with regard to the situation there.

Aapka sawal tha ki jab maine varnan kiya ki technology aur jo uska disruptive ya destructive reference tha uska tatparya kya tha. Dekhiye, jo ye ek theme Pradhan Mantri ji ne apni meetings mei iske baare mei jab unhone varnan kiya toh iska matlab ye hai ki humne itihas mei dekha hai ki technology ka upyog bhi ho sakta hai, aur uska bada bhayankar durupayog bhi ho sakta hai. Aur ab main aapko pahle viswhayuddh ya dusre vishwayuddh, aur woh vishwayuddh samapt kaise hue iske itihas mei nahi le jana chahta, aap jaankar hain aur samajhdar hain toh aap samjh rahe honge ki main kya keh raha hoon. Lekin aaj hum phir se ek baar is mod pe aake khade hue hain jahan pe din-ba-din nayi-nayi technologies aa rahi hain, aur in sabhi technologies ke dual uses hain, inke military uses bhi hain aur bahot khatarnak military uses ho sakte hain. Aur technology ke disruptive ya dangerous uses ko control karna aur usko ek constructive disha mei le jana, yahi tatparya tha jo Pradhan Mantri ji ke kuch references rahe hain apni kuch meetings mei. Jaise aap agar data ya digital technology ko le lijiye, toh digital technology ka durupayog bhi kiya ja sakta hai weapon platforms mein uska istemal karke, lekin digital technology ka sadupayog bhi kiya ja sakta hain jaise digial public infrastructure ke madhyam se. Toh yahi kehne ka tatparya tha ke hum isko ek constructive aur productive tarike se istemal karain na ki destructive disha mei isko le jaye.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] You asked what I meant when I discussed technology and its disruptive or destructive reference. Look, when the Prime Minister addressed this theme in his meetings, it indicated that we have seen throughout history that technology can be used, but it can also be misused in very dangerous ways. I don't want to go into the history of the First or Second World War and how they ended; you are knowledgeable and sensible, so you understand what I am saying. However, we find ourselves at a crossroads once again, where new technologies are emerging every day, and all these technologies have dual uses. They have military applications, that can be very dangerous. The intent behind the Prime Minister's references in his meetings was to control the disruptive or dangerous uses of technology and to direct it in a constructive direction. For example, if we take data or digital technology, it can be misused in weapon platforms, but it can also be used effectively through digital public infrastructure. So, the point is that we should use it in a constructive and productive manner rather than taking it in a destructive direction.

Aur aapne meeting ke baare mei pucha hai, maine pahle bhi kaha tha aaj hum savere se jab se aaye hain tab se ek meeting se dusri meeting mei ja rahe hain, jab bhi meetings fix ho jayengi, kal ki meetings ke bare mei abhi bhi jab hum yahan aa rahe the, toh isi ke bare mei baat kar rahe the ki kaun kaun si meetings kab fix hongi, toh jaise meetings ke bare mei pata chalta rahega, aapko batate rahenge.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] And you asked about the meetings. I had mentioned earlier that since this morning, we have been going from one meeting to another. So whenever the meetings are finalized, we will let you know. Even while we were coming here, we were discussing which meetings would be scheduled. As soon as we have information about the meetings, we will inform you.

Manish: Manish Chand, India Writes Network. Foreign Secretary, I am talking about the positioning and branding of Quad, as a force for global public good. Prime Minister, in his statement, also said that it is not directed against any third country, was there a meeting on minds, concurrence on that because If we go by the statements of the US officials and also the Japanese Prime Minister, there was a lot of talk about Chinese aggression and assertiveness.

And my second question is about the atmospherics of Prime Minister Modi's meeting with Joe Biden. From the images we saw on television, he clasped his hands and spent quite a bit of time, you know, a few minutes I would say. What was the message, personally, if you could give us some insight into some privileged glimpse of what was discussed?

Sarjana: Namaskar. Main Sarjana Sharma hoon Sanmarg se. Sir, agli bar jab New Delhi mei baithak hogi 25 mei, toh do neta nahi honge, Japan ke Pradhan Mantri aur America ke Rashtrapati, toh unhone koi aisa main point ya kahin stress kiya ho, kisi pe zor diya ho ki yeh hum na rahain tab bhi uske baad yeh cheezain aage badni chahiye.

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Namaskar. I am Sarjana Sharma from Sanmarg. Sir, at the next meeting in New Delhi in 2025, two leaders will not be present: the current Prime Minister of Japan and the current President of the United States. Did they emphasize any main points or stress anything that should continue to move forward even in their absence?

Shubhendu: I'm Shubhendu from DD India. There's a first ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission that has been mentioned. What is the scope of it? When we talk about interoperability and advanced maritime safety, is there also a mandate to defend partner countries given the number of skirmishes in the sea lately?

Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary: So, with regard to the question on the positioning of Quad as a force for good, I think this is the basis of, in a sense, it's the theme that defines India's participation in the Quad, doing more good for more people and engaging on a constructive agenda, not standing against anything but standing for something. These are all themes that have been reflected again and again in India's interventions in the Quad. It was striking to see, during the course of the discussions today, the amount of interventions or the number of interventions that India has made, not just in what you might call its close periphery, but far off into the Pacific Islands. We have projects being undertaken in nearly every Pacific Island. And the kinds of projects that are there, whether these are hospitals or the construction of clinics or the supply of water treatment plants or the supply of ambulances or medicines, these are all aimed at human good. And I think every one of our initiatives has this as the theme. And it was heartening, in fact, to see the other Quad leaders acknowledge and appreciate the initiatives that India was taking and the kind of work it was doing in this regard.

As to the atmosphere in the meeting with President Biden, as I said earlier as well, it was indeed an emotional moment. Prime Minister was aware of the fact that, in a sense, it was a farewell meeting with President Biden. And the fact that it was taking place at his personal residence made it all the more special. And in fact, he mentioned to him that, in India, we say, 'Jab dil ke darwaze khul jaate hain toh ghar ke darwaze bi khul jaate hain' (When the heart's doors open, the home's doors also open). And he said that you have today opened the doors of your home to us. The fact that the doors of your heart have been opened to us has been known for a long time. There was a very, very personal and a very emotional connect between the two leaders. And the setting of the meeting itself was very special. As I mentioned to you, insofar as the return of the antiquities is concerned, three of those antiquities were actually up for display in President Biden's residence. And the two leaders were able to inspect the antiquities there and take a look at them there. So it was a very, very special meeting in all respects.

Sarjana aapka sawal tha ki 2025 do naye sadasya matlab ek Pradhan Mantri aur ek Rashtrapati Quad Summit mei Delhi mei usmai bhaag lenge, jo aapne kaha bilkul wahi aaj baat chal rahi thi. Aur sabhi ka ye manna tha jo do leader ek tarah se aaj alvida keh rahe the aur jo do leader abhi hain aur waise Australia mei bhi agle saal chunav hain toh Pradhan Mantri Albanese usmai chunav mei ladhenge, lekin jo mukhya baat hain woh ye hain ki sabhi leaders keh rahe the ki jo kaam humne shuru kiya hain aur jo hamari abhi tak ki achievements hain inko chalu rakhna chahiye, in par aur kaam karna chahiye, inko aur intensify karna chahiye. Kisi ek leader ke seva nivrutti unki ho jane se ya avkash lene se iska momentum kam nahi hona chahiye aur nahi hoga, aur ek tarah se Pradhan Mantri ji ne khud apni taraf se puri pratibaddhta jatai is chiz ko le ke ki jo kaam in charon leaders ne shuru kiya hai, woh aage bilkul pure josh-o-kharosh ke sath jari rahega.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sarjana, your question was about the two new members aone Prime Minister and one Presidentawho will participate in the Quad Summit in Delhi in 2025. What you mentioned is exactly what was being discussed today. Everyone agreed that the two current leaders who are saying goodbye today, along with the upcoming elections in Australia where Prime Minister Albanese will be contesting, highlight a key point: all leaders were emphasizing that the work they have started and their achievements so far should continue, there is need to keep working on these and intensify them. The momentum should not decrease, and will not decrease due to one leader's retirement or his taking a break. In fact, the Prime Minister himself expressed full commitment to ensuring that the work initiated by these four leaders continues with great enthusiasm.

Shubhendu, your question on the Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, essentially, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Japan Coast Guard, the Australian Border Force, and the Indian Coast Guard have come together to launch this particular initiative in 2025 in the Indo-Pacific, primarily to improve interoperability. And through this effort, I'm just giving you one line of action, because all of these are new ideas and they are, therefore, iterative processes. There will be learnings from the first that will go into a future edition of these initiatives. So in this one, the members of these four different forces will spend time onboard a U.S. Coast Guard vessel operating in the Indo-Pacific. And as the name suggests, this is an observer mission and there will be, obviously, a certain amount of learning about practices, procedures, and tactics. And the idea is to see what are the best practices that we can learn from other similar forces. And this is the first mission. The intention is to learn and continue these missions in the Indo-Pacific.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: With that we come to close of this Special Briefing. We'll keep you updated as the visit progresses. Thank you very much.

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IRGC dismantles Israel-linked sabotage team in Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has dismantled an Israel-linked team which it said had planned "anti-security measures" in Iran.

The IRGC announced in a statement on Sunday that that its intelligence unit identified members of the team in six provinces, adding that all the 12 members of the group were arrested.

The statement said that the team, in cooperation with the Israeli regime, had planned a series of measures against the security of Iran.

The IRGC further said that Israel had planned those measures following the failure of the regime and its Western allies to achieve "sinister goals" against the people of Gaza and Lebanon, with "the criminal authorities of this fake and racist regime" making attempts to take the ongoing crisis into Iranian territory in order to escape the predicament they are facing these days.

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Attack on foreign diplomats' convoy kills police officer in northwestern Pakistan

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 22 September 2024 7:14 PM

A powerful roadside bomb detonated near a convoy of foreign diplomats visiting Pakistan's northwestern scenic Swat district, killing at least one police officer and injuring several others.

Pakistani authorities said the convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) as it was passing through the town of Malam Jabba in the Swat district on Sunday.

"One policeman succumbed to his wounds while three others were wounded," Swat district police officer Zahidullah Khan was quoted as saying.

"Diplomats were traveling within a police convoy, and the lead police vehicle was impacted," he said.

Police officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the district is located, confirmed the casualties, saying the victims were part of the squad leading the convoy of about a dozen countries.

Envoys from Iran, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Vietnam were in the convoy.

The authorities confirmed that all members of the delegation were evacuated safely from the site of the blast.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry in a late evening statement reported that "the group of diplomats has returned safely to Islamabad."

"Such acts will not deter Pakistan from its commitment towards the fight against terrorism," the statement read.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack. "Terrorist elements are enemies not only of the country and nation but of humanity itself," he said in a statement issued by his office.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office stated that he denounced the attack as a "cowardly terrorist" act.

Russian Ambassador Albert Khorev's office in Islamabad confirmed his presence in the convoy, along with several other ambassadors.

"An escort vehicle hit a mine. Several policemen were injured, but diplomats were not harmed," the Russian embassy in Islamabad said on Telegram.

The trip for foreign diplomats was organized by Islamabad and Swat's Chamber of Commerce to promote the region's local industries. Earlier in the day, the delegation attended a tourism forum hosted by the Trade and Industry Chamber of Islamabad.

The attack happened in a region that has been a stronghold of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group.

TTP's intensified attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, have killed more than 100 police and an equal number of civilians since the start of the year.

Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic uptick in attacks since the Taliban seized control in 2021 of Kabul. Islamabad says such offensives are being launched from neighboring Afghanistan.

Senior authorities in Islamabad blame the extremist group is orchestrating the violence from Afghan sanctuaries and is being facilitated by Taliban rulers of the neighboring country.

The Taliban administration in Kabul rejects the allegations, saying no foreign group, is being allowed to use Afghan soil against other countries.

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Deadly bomb hits Pakistan police escorting convoy of foreign diplomats

By Ayaz Gul September 22, 2024

A roadside bomb detonated near a convoy of foreign diplomats visiting Pakistan's scenic Swat district Sunday, killing at least one police officer and injuring several others.

Police officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the district is located, confirmed the casualties, saying the victims were part of the squad leading the convoy of about a dozen countries. They noted that all the foreign dignitaries were unharmed.

The foreigners were mostly ambassadors from Russia, Portugal, Iran, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"All the ambassadors remained safe in the attack and had been shifted to a safe place before their departure to Islamabad," said Mohammad Ali Gandapur, a senior provincial police officer.

In a late evening statement, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry reported that "the group of diplomats has returned safely to Islamabad."

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office stated that he condemned the attack as a "cowardly terrorist" act.

Russian Ambassador Albert Khorev's office in Islamabad confirmed his presence in the convoy, along with several other ambassadors, saying they took part in a tourism summit in Swat.

"On the way to the hotel from the town of Mingora in Khyber-Pakhtunkwa, an escort vehicle hit a mine. Several policemen were injured, [but] diplomats were not harmed," the Russian embassy wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

No group claimed responsibility for Sunday's rare attack in Swat, a former stronghold of the Terik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, an Islamist insurgent militant group waging deadly attacks against military and police forces in the province and elsewhere in the country.

Pakistani Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai, a resident of Swat, was shot and seriously wounded by TTP militants in 2012, apparently in retaliation for her campaign to promote girls' education in the largely conservative district. Malala was swiftly airlifted to Britain for treatment.

TTP's intensified attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, have killed more than 100 police and an equal number of civilians since the start of the year.

Pakistan alleges that the extremist group is orchestrating the violence from Afghan sanctuaries and is being facilitated by Taliban rulers of the neighboring country.

The Taliban government in Kabul, which is officially not recognized by any country, rejects the allegations, saying no foreign group, including TTP, is being allowed to use Afghan soil against other countries.

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Russia's ties with Iran or N Korea do not violate int'l laws: Lavrov

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia's relations and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran or North Korea do not violate international laws.

Lavrov made the remark while giving an interview to Sky News, a British television news channel on Saturday.

Apart from Moscow's growing relations with Tehran and Pyongyang, the top Russia diplomats touched on a number of international issues, including Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.

The West supports the neo-Nazis to use them as a tool of war against Russia, he said, adding that the use of the Ukrainian regime for war and allow it to target the depths of Russian territory means a direct NATO war with Russia.

Lavrov said that 50 countries are at war with Russia along with Ukraine, noting that while Russia is not willing to escalate the tension, the United States has announced its intention to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.

On Gaza, the Russian Foreign Minister expressed sorrow and said: "There is almost nothing left of the territories that were allocated for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and the tragedy and human tragedy in Gaza is unprecedented."

Criticizing US stance on the Gaza war, Lavrov once again accused Washington of blocking the way of UN resolutions that demand an end to the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.

While taking a barb at the US, he said that "democracy in the American way is their own invention".

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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy praises Scranton, DOD for role supporting Ukraine

By Matthew Wheaton, U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command, Public and Congressional Affairs September 22, 2024

There was a buzz both inside and outside the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on Sunday afternoon, as President Zelenskyy toured the facility.

Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Army and to the workers of the plant for the crucial role they play providing support to his country amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.

"I have heard that 400 people work here, but I wanted very much to come here and to thank you. Four hundred people have saved millions of Ukrainians," said Zelenskyy.

SCAAP manufactures large-caliber metal projectiles and mortar projectiles to ensure warfighters have the ammunition they need to carry out missions around the globe. SCAAP has played a vital role in the production of 155 mm artillery rounds, which have helped Ukraine bolster its defensive and offensive capabilities.

"The ammunition produced here is essential to the United States' efforts to help increase Ukraine's firing power...and we must leverage this progress and build upon this momentum by continuing to invest in Ukraine and its defense capabilities" said Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma.

Zelenskyy said he was thanking the Scranton workforce on behalf of the ordinary Ukrainians fighting against the Russian invasion.

"What we've been able to accomplish over the last two-plus years in partnership with companies large and small across the nation is nothing short of remarkable," said Dr. William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. "155mm artillery production is a great example of what is possible when we align resources to strategy, and there are countless othersafrom GMLRS to HIMARS to PAC-3. We still have a lot of work ahead of us to continue increasing capacity across the industrial base, but we're grateful to our partners in Congress and across industry for the progress we've made to date."

Scranton received approximately $440 million across three supplementals for modernizing existing equipment and adding new production lines and equipment.

"We have just hit the 40,000 rounds a month marker for 155 mm artillery shells," said Doug Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. "We'll be at 55,000 shells a month by the end of this year, and the goal is to get up to 100,000 rounds a month. Part of what's enabling that are things like the new plant that we opened in Mesquite, Texas. We've got a new load-assemble-pack plant in Camden, Arkansas, opening soon as well. Those are examples of where there is a payoff in the investment in the OIB."

Through industrial base modernization initiatives, the Army is increasing the production of 155 mm artillery shells, which are essential for aiding Ukraine in its defense against Russia.

"These actions are not only beneficial to Ukraine, but also enable us to enhance our own stockpiles," said Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commander, U.S. Army Materiel Command.

The United States has committed more than $55.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.

Ukraine has received U.S. Department of Defense assistance that includes over 2,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, more than 40 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition, over 200 155 mm howitzers, more than 3,000,000 155 mm artillery shells, more than 600,000 mortar shells, more than 300 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, over 1.8 million rounds of 25 mm ammunition, 20 Mi-17 helicopters, and in excess of 400 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and grenades.

Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the partnership between Ukraine and the U.S.

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Zelenskiy Visits U.S. Arms Plant Ahead Of Meetings With World Leaders

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 22, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited a Pennsylvania arms plant producing munitions critical for his country's war effort ahead of meetings this week with President Joe Biden and other world leaders. The Scranton plant is one of the few facilities in the United States that manufactures 155 mm artillery shells. Ukraine has consumed millions of rounds of the shells since the war began in February 2022. The Ukrainian president is hoping to receive permission to fire U.S. long range missiles deep into Russia to strike critical assets like airfields and arms depots critical for Moscow's war effort. Zelenskiy will also outline his plan for victory on the battlefield.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskiy-arms- plant-us/33129906.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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21 Wounded In Nighttime Russian Strikes On Kharkiv High-Rises

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 22, 2024

KHARKIV -- Russian military strikes hit high-rise apartment buildings in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, leaving dozens wounded in a second consecutive nighttime attack this week.

The bombs fell late on September 21 on the district of Shevchenkivskiy, north of the city center, Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov said. Nine residential buildings sustained varying degrees of damage, he added.

Twenty-one people were wounded, including an 8-year-old, according to Synyehubov and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Terekhov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, also said that 60 residents had been evacuated from one building that was heavily damaged. An 8-year-old and two 17-year-olds were among the wounded, he added.

The overnight strikes came after another attack on Kharkiv late on September 20 that wounded 15 people, including 10- and 12-year-olds.

According to Ukrainian officials, KAB-type aerial glide bombs were used in the attacks, a retrofitted Soviet weapon that the Russia military has used in eastern Ukraine.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city and 30 kilometers from the Russian border, has been targeted frequently by the Russian military since Russian President Vladmir Putin launched his country's full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbor in February 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the latest attacks on Kharkiv and repeated his call for more weapons from Kyiv's Western partners to defend against Russian strikes.

"Ukraine needs full long-range capabilities, and we are working to convince our partners of this," he wrote on social media.

Further south, a Russian drone attack killed two people on September 21 in the city of Nikopol, the regional governor said.

In the eastern town of Kurakhove, one of the focal points of Russia's slow advance through the industrial Donetsk region, one person was killed in a Russian artillery strike, regional prosecutors said, according to Reuters.

And local authorities in the Sumy region said Russian aircraft struck energy infrastructure in the town of Shostka.

Sumy has been another frequent target of Russian attacks and lies opposite Russia's southern Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched an incursion last month.

Elsewhere, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on September 22 that air-defense systems had shot down 71 of 80 Russian attack drones launched overnight.

It said six more drones were neutralized by electronic warfare. The air force also said Russia had launched two guided missiles from occupied parts of Ukraine's Luhansk region. It did not say what happened to the missiles.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said air-defense units had destroyed 15 drones that Ukraine launched overnight.

With reporting by Reuters and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- drones-kharkiv-/33129584.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (22 September 2024)

22.09.2024

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are repelling an attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the territory of the Russian Federation.

Units of the Sever Group of Forces continued offensive actions and inflicted losses on formations of the 22nd, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 36th Marine Brigade, 1st National Guard Brigade, 103rd, and 129th territorial defence brigades near Lyubimovka, Daryino, Novy Put, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Tolsty Lug, Malaya Loknya, and Plekhovo.

Over the past 24 hours, units of the Sever Group of Forces repelled seven attacks of the enemy in the direction of Maryevka, Malaya Loknya, and Bolshaya Obukhovka. As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 20 troops killed and wounded.

Moreover, with support of Army Aviation and artillery fire, the Group's units repelled three AFU attempts to break through the border of the Russian Federation towards Novy Put and Medvezhye.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, one counterobstacle vehicle, and two motor vehicles. Five AFU servicemen surrendered.

Air strikes, artillery fire, and actions of troops inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the 22nd, 41st, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 95th air assault brigades of the AFU, 36th Marine Brigade, 1st National Guard Brigade, 103rd, and 129th territorial defence brigades near Guyevo, Kazachaya Loknya, Kolmakovo, Lyubimovka, Mikhaylovka, Malaya Loknya, Melovaya, Malaya Obukhovka, Medvezhye, Novy Put, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Orlovka, Plekhovo, Russkoye Porechnoye, Sverdlikovo, Pravda, Tolsty Lug, Cherkasskaya Konopelka, and Yuzhny.

Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes in Sumy region at concentration areas and reserves of the 21st, 22nd, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade, 1004th Security and Service Brigade, 103rd, 110th, and 116th territorial defence brigades near Belopolye, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Bondaryovshchina, Glukhov, Zhuravka, Obody, Peremoga, Pavlovka, Rechki, Radkovka, Sumy, Shalygino, and Khoten.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 380 troops and 11 units of hardware, including two tanks and nine armoured fighting vehicles, as well as three artillery guns, one electronic warfare station, one mine clearing vehicle, and 14 motor vehicles.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost more than 16,000 troops, 126 tanks, 57 infantry fighting vehicles, 95 armoured personnel carriers, 795 armoured fighting vehicles, 492 motor vehicles, 124 artillery guns, 29 MLRS launchers, including eight of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, eight SAM launchers, five transport-loading vehicles, 31 electronic warfare stations and seven counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, 17 engineering vehicles, including ten counterobstacle vehicles and one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, as well as one armoured recovery vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Ukraine Lost Over 50% of Equipment Involved in Attack on Kursk Region - Russian General

Sputnik News

20240922

KURSK REGION, Russia (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces have lost more than half of the military equipment involved in their attack on Russia's Kursk Region, the commander of Russia's Akhmat special forces unit, Maj. Gen. Apti Alaudinov, told Sputnik on Sunday.

"They suffered significant losses due to being stopped and destroyed. Of all the equipment involved in this blitzkrieg, they have already lost more than half of it ... Therefore, I believe that the 'Battle of Kursk' was very difficult for them. In the end, considering that the task was not completed, it can be assumed that it was a failure," Alaudinov said.

On August 6, Ukrainian forces launched an offensive in Russia's Kursk Region, capturing several villages. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the move a large-scale provocation aimed at civilians and vowed a proper response. Russian forces launched a counteroffensive.

Since the beginning of the military operations in the Kursk area, Kiev lost more than 16,000 servicepeople and 126 tanks, the Russian ministry estimated.

A Sputnik

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Ukraine Begs West For Delivery of Gripen and Eurofighter Jets

Sputnik News

20240922

Ukraine expects to receive two more fighter jet types, the Gripen and Eurofighter, from its Western allies, and negotiations are currently underway, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.

"Consultations are underway for the Gripen and Eurofighter," Umerov said, adding that Ukraine would soon be able to report on the results of these negotiations.

Umerov recalled that Ukraine's Western partners promised to supply the country's armed forces with US-made F-16s and French Mirage-2000s.

The possibility of transferring Swedish Gripen planes to Ukraine back in the summer of 2022 was announced by US Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Brown Jr. However, in 2023, the Swedish authorities noted that they needed the aircraft themselves before the country joined NATO.

This summer, Sweden's then-Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that as long as the F-16 delivery program was in effect, Stockholm would not transfer its fighter jets to Ukraine, as according to the Ukrainian side, using two systems at the same time would be "too much."

Former Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat noted that it is difficult to maintain different types of aircraft at the same time, and that it is therefore necessary to focus on one. According to Ignat, before receiving the F-16, Ukraine had four types of aircraft in service. At the same time, in August 2023, Volodymyr Zelensky's office said that Ukrainian pilots had begun testing the Gripen.

The first F-16s have already arrived in the country, and their use was reported by Zelensky in late August. On 26 August, the first F-16 was lost, with the pilot dying in the crash.

Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine directly involve NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. According to Lavrov, the US and NATO are directly involved in the conflict, not only by supplying weapons, but also by training personnel.

A Sputnik

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Russia Has No Alternative to Victory in Ukraine Conflict - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20240922

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has no alternative to achieving victory in its military operation in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"For Russia, there have been no other alternatives in history, and there is no alternative to our victory now," Peskov said in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin published on his Telegram channel.

Russia should regard the West's stance seriously, given its intentions to defeat the country both "strategically and tactically," the spokesman added.

"They openly say that their goal is to defeat Russia strategically and tactically. This obliges us to take this position very seriously, to shape our actions in consideration of this threat and to continue the special military operation in order to achieve all our goals, fulfill all set objectives and achieve victory ourselves," Peskov said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkmen counterpart, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering the strategic partnership between the two countries during a phone conversation, Peskov said.

"During the phone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on his birthday. The mutual commitment to further comprehensive strengthening of the Russian-Turkmen strategic partnership was confirmed," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The two presidents discussed preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit in Moscow and the BRICS summit in Kazan, the statement said.

A Sputnik

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This Fall Will Determine What Comes Next in This War - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

22 September 2024 - 22:07

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

We are starting our visit to the United States - now we are flying to Pennsylvania. This visit is special. Then, we are heading to New York and Washington. This fall will determine what comes next in this war. Together with our partners, we can strengthen our positions as needed for our victory - our shared victory - for a truly just peace.

In the United States, Ukraine will present its Plan for Victory, and the U.S. President will be the first to see it in full. Of course, I will also present the Plan for Victory to all leaders of partner countries who, like President Biden, are world leaders and can become leaders of peace by helping us with the Plan for Victory. We will also present it to Congress - to both parties and both U.S. presidential candidates. America has all the necessary power to ensure what we need most together with Ukraine, our allies and partners. We need peace, exactly as envisioned by the Peace Formula. Exactly as envisioned by the UN Charter. We are doing everything for this.

Weapons to defend our independence and our people. Diplomacy to consolidate partners and force Russia into peace. And justice so that Russia is held accountable for this war and feels its consequences.

And gratitude - our gratitude to everyone who is helping. I thank every nation and every leader who has felt that this war, Russia's war against Ukraine, is about much more than just the fate of our Ukrainian people. I thank the United States, our leading supporter, and every nation that has shown independence and leadership in helping us protect people and prevent Russia from expanding this war. When Ukraine succeeds in defending itself, every other democratic nation will benefit from this.

It is now being determined what the legacy of the current generation of state leaders, those in the highest offices, will be. In the coming days, we are going to meet with the leaders of the Global South, G7, Europe, and international organizations - with many people who help consolidate the world. There will be very important meetings with representatives of the United States. True peace and a true victory for Ukraine and international law is what we need.

Glory to Ukraine!

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SS-30 SATAN 2 / RS-28 / 15A28 Sarmat

New Heavy ICBM

The RS-28 "Sarmat" was a Russian heavy liquid intercontinental ballistic missile intended to replace the R-36M2 Voyevoda / SS-18 SATAN , a missile system of Ukrainian design and manufacture. It had been developed since the 2000s by specialists of V.P. Makeyev State Rocket Center JSC (Miass, Chelyabinsk Region) as a replacement for the Voevoda R-36M2 complex, which had been designed and manufactured in Ukraine. The RS-20 was developed in Soviet times by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau in Dnepropetrovsk and was mass-produced at the Yuzhmash plant in Ukraine. Almost all of these missiles had to be written off due to old age. The missiles of the latest version of the RS-20V "Voevoda" remained in service. But they are also nearing the end of their lives. Notably, Makeyev had previously failed in the effort to develop the R-39M Grom [Bark] / SS-N-28 submarine launched missile.

Sarmatia was the ancient name of a region between the Volga and Vistula Rivers now covering parts of Poland, Belarus, and SW Russia. Etymology of the name Sarmat was disputed, the old Eurocentric ideas receding and reformed with each new "surprising" discovery. Ideas reflect the corners hosting the authors, with the least attention paid to the Uralic peoples and known Sarmatian ethnology.

Full-fledged flight tests of the Sarmat were postponed several times. They were expected in 2019, then in 2020-2021. Several throw tests of this missile were carried out, when jet catapults throw a full-weight model of the missile out of the silo to the height of the main engines.An attempt by the Russian nuclear deterrent forces to test a new intercontinental ballistic missile on September 21, 2024, ended in complete failure and a fire at the launch site. The last successful test of the Sarmat was April 20th, 2022. With these events now official, this is at least the 4th failed test attempt of the "combat operational" Sarmat Heavy ICBM.

The X account @MeNMyRC1 shared a Planet Labs satellite image, courtesy of @MT_Anderson. Captured on September 21, 2024, at 06:50:16 UTC, the image reveals a significant crater, supporting the explosion theory. @MeNMyRC1 commented, My thanks to @MT_Anderson for providing this Planet Labs imagery and allowing me to publish it with comments. As is readily apparent, the RS-28 Sarmat test was a complete failure. The missile detonated in the silo leaving a massive crater and destroying the test site. The Sarmat is a liquid fueled missile so this accident could have occurred separate from the actual launch activity. If this occurred as part of the fueling process, it could explain the lack of Cobra Ball activity on the day of the incident. This first, and last successful test of the Sarmat was April 20th, 2022. With these events now official, this is at least the 4th failed test attempt of the "combat operational" Sarmat Heavy ICBM. Note the 4 fire trucks responding to the forest fire.

On September 21st, @MeNMyRC1 observed some unusual activity regarding Cobra Ball 62-4128. The US Air Force plane, usually tasked with monitoring Russian intercontinental ballistic missile launches, was turned back shortly after deployment. The results of this test remain unknown, but the data from various companies indicates two separate events at the Plesetsk launch pad, which seems quite unusual. Notably, neither Cobra Ball was seen flying during the thermal events recorded by business data sources, noted @MeNMyRC1.

George Barros reported that "Maxar collected new high-resolution satellite imagery yesterday (September 21st) that reveals the aftermath of a dramatic launch failure of a Russian RS-28 ICBM at a launch site in the Plesetsk cosmodrome."

The Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, one of Russia's most capable nuclear weapons, has been approved for active duty, Yury Borisov, the head of the Roscosmos space agency, announced 01 September 2023. The development was revealed during a Roscosmos event. The weapon was believed to be the longest-range and heaviest missile in the Russian nuclear arsenal.

The liquid-fueled silo-based delivery vehicle, final stage testing of which was completed last year, was the intended replacement for the aging R-36M2 Voevoda missiles. Its range was estimated at at least 11,000km, with a payload weighing around 10 tons. Russian President Vladimir Putin had touted the Sarmat's range as offering new opportunities for defeating anti-ballistic missile systems. Shorter-range ICBMs can, for example, only reach the US from Russia by flying over the Arctic, and the US has ground-based interceptors situated for such a flight path. Putin has repeatedly stressed that Russia was forced to develop the new weapon after the US reneged on its commitment not to build ABM systems.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said 20 April 2022 that Russia had successfully tested the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, saying the next-generation capable of carrying nuclear charges will make Kremlin's enemies "think twice." "I congratulate you on the successful launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile," Putin told the army in televised remarks. "This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure the security of Russia from external threats and make those who, in the heat of aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country, think twice."

The peculiarity of the missile, as Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, who oversees the defense industry, has repeatedly said, was that it, like the RS-20, was capable of delivering megaton-class nuclear warheads to the Western Hemisphere along any trajectory, including through the Southern pole.

Russia's test of a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile was not seen as threatening to the US and its allies, the Pentagon has said. Moscow "properly notified" Washington of the test following its obligations under the 2011 New START treaty, which placed limits on the two countries' nuclear weapons, said Department of Defense Spokesman John Kirby. "Testing is routine, and it was not a surprise," Kirby told reporters. The Pentagon "has not deemed the test to be a threat to the United States or its allies," he told reporters.

The prospective Sarmat complex with a liquid intercontinental ballistic missile would have a wide range of promising warheads, including new-generation hypersonic ones. This was told by the commander of the Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces), Colonel General Sergei Karakaev in an interview with the army newspaper Krasnaya Zvezdaa, published on 16 December 2019. "The Sarmat complex provides for the possibility of installing, in addition to the existing types of warheads, a wide range of promising ones, including new-generation hypersonic ones," said Karakaev.

According to him, work was underway to prepare the lead missile regiment for rearmament to new complexes. Moreover, the properties, design, and characteristics of the complex have been studied at leading military universities for more than three years. "The Strategic Missile Forces are fully prepared for the new missile system to be put on combat alert," Karakaev emphasized, adding that the industry was currently continuing to prepare for Sarmats state flight tests.

In the "President's Address to the Federal Assembly" on 01 March 2018, Putin stated "the Ministry of Defense, in conjunction with the rocket and space industry, has begun an active phase of testing a new missile complex with a heavy intercontinental missile. We called it "Sarmat". This missile system would replace the complex "Voevod", created in the Soviet Union. Everyone always recognized his high fighting power. Our foreign colleagues, as you know, have appropriated to him even a very threatening name.

"But the capabilities of the rocket "Sarmat" are much higher. With a weight of over 200 tons, it has a short active part of the flight, which makes it difficult to intercept the missile defense. The range of a new heavy rocket, the number and power of combat blocks is more than that of Voevoda. "Sarmat" would be equipped with a wide range of nuclear weapons of high power, including hypersonic, and the most advanced missile defense systems. High characteristics for the protection of launchers and large energy capabilities would ensure the application of this complex in any situation.

"The "Voevod" has a range of 11 thousand kilometers, the new system of limitations on the range was practically nonexistent. As can be seen from the video, it was able to attack targets both through the North and South Pole. "Sarmat" was a very formidable weapon, because of its characteristics, it does not interfere with any even promising missile defense systems...."

The design of the missile has two stages (probably), with the the two-speed rocket "drowned" in the fuel tank, and the fuel tanks bearing with combined dividing bottoms. Block of warheads and warhead missiles layout are presumably on the classical for the UEC Makeeva scheme - warheads back on the flight.

In an interview with the newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda on 12 March 2018, Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said that the Russian army would receive a new heavy Sarmat ICBM with improved technical capabilities. "It is understood that, unlike its predecessors, it can also be equipped with hypersonic units that increase the problem of its interception on the part of anti-missile systems by an order of magnitude," Sarmat was expected to feature advanced countermeasures to enable it to penetrate missile defenses including a complex command and control system and a high degree of maneuverability, Strategic Missile Force commander Lt. Gen. Sergei Karakaev said on 17 December 2013.

The new missile, weighing at least 200 tons, would reportedly be capable of carrying a payload of up to 10 tons on any trajectory. This means an attack on a target could be made from any direction, i.e. RS-28 could start from Russia and fly in the direction of Antarctica, make a circumterrestrial flight and hit targets on the other side of the planet from an unexpected direction.

The new missile would replace the Voyevoda R-36M2 Satan ICBM. Russias solid-propellant ICBMs may be unable to penetrate missile defenses, the general said. The Sarmatian ballistic & orbital missile weighing in at 100 metric tons at launch would be capable of launching 4,350 kilograms throw-weight some 10,000 kilometers range as compared to the 10 warhead, 8.800 kg throw-weight at 10,000 kilometers range of the SS-18, Governor ICBM. This suggest a possible 4 warhead configuration design.

Subsequent description have indicated it would not merely replace the silo-based SS-18, (RS-20V and RS-20-VP) in the 2018-2020 time frame but would be operationally deployed in the 2018-2026 planned period. Early field deployment of strategic ballistic missile was the standard Soviet/Russian practice to wring out the system as it was also being flight tested. It mission would not only replace the SS-18 MIRV operations but it has also be assigned another serious task.

The first throw tests of the new rocket were carried out in December 2017. At the Plesetsk cosmodrome, the second tests of a new liquid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) of the heavy class "Sarmat" were carried out , during which the characteristics of the rocket were confirmed during the prelaunch preparation and at the initial stage of the flight. Such data was reported on 30 March 2018, by the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper - the official publication of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Tactical and technical characteristics of Russias Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile were disclosed for the first time at the International Military-Technical Forum Army-2019, held outside Moscow, a Sputnik correspondent reported on 27 June 2019. According to a booklet, presented as part of one of the event's exhibitions, Sarmat missile has the firing range of 18,000 kilometres (11,185 miles), while its launch mass totals 208.1 tonnes. Payload capacity of the missile amounts to less than 10 tonnes. The missile was 35.5 meters (116.5 feet) long and has 3 meters in diameter, while its fuel load was 178 tonnes. Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile was one of the new weapons in Russia's strategic arsenal, which Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled back in 2018. This type of missile was expected to replace Voyevoda ballistic missiles. First mass-produced Sarmat missiles are scheduled to enter service in 2021.

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NEWARK, Del, Sept. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global metal decal market is poised for significant growth, with sales expected to surge from USD 1.3 billion in 2024 to an impressive USD 1.8 billion by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% over the forecast period. The market, valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2023, is projected to see year-over-year growth of 3.8% in 2024 as industrial and consumer demand for durable, customizable metal decals continues to rise across multiple sectors.



The global metal decal market is witnessing increasing demand driven by advancements in customization and expanding industrial applications. Metal decals are extensively used across sectors such as aerospace, automotive, construction, and manufacturing, where durability and high-quality labeling are crucial. The need for robust, long-lasting solutions in these industries, particularly for identification, branding, and safety purposes, continues to fuel the markets growth.

One of the key trends shaping the market is the growing preference for customized metal decals, which can be tailored to meet specific industry requirements. Advancements in processes like etching have enabled manufacturers to create highly detailed and durable designs that can withstand harsh environments, making them suitable for technical diagrams and instructional plates. Additionally, aluminum has emerged as a popular material choice due to its lightweight, corrosion-resistant properties and aesthetic versatility, offering finishes like matt, polished, and anodized.

The construction sector, benefiting from ongoing infrastructure development, is also a major driver of demand, as metal decals are essential for signage, safety labels, and compliance plates. As companies prioritize branding and regulatory adherence, the demand for customized, durable metal decals is expected to continue its upward trajectory across various industries.

Expanding Electronic Sector to Drive Sales of Metal Decals Market

The electronics sector is growing on a large scale with growing consumer preference towards more advanced technologies in smartphones, tablets, laptops and other products. To make these products more attractive and aesthetically more appealing manufacturers are making use of metal decals as a branding tool for promoting their brand logos, brand messages and other promotional items to create strong recognition of their brand among consumers.

Metal decals serve both areas with branding and functional performance for these electronic devices. These metal decals are used as heat dissipaters due to the properties of metals which makes them good conductors of heat and electricity. This property of metal not only improves the performance of many high-performance components driving the demand for metal decals in electronic devices. As the sales of these electronic devices get on the rise the demand for metal decals is expected to grow with fulfilling the dual role of branding and functional applications.

Premium Material Preferences for Metal Decals to Drive the Market

The growing preference of consumers for premium and high-quality products pushes manufacturers to adopt high-quality and premium materials for producing these metal decals. The high-quality materials used based on their quality are aluminium, stainless steel, brass and others.

These materials offer superior durability, longevity and resistance to wear and tear thus enhancing the overall appeal of the metal decals. Many smartphone manufacturers like Apple use these materials as these are considered as a symbol of quality and prestige helping them boost their brand value with the visual appeal of the product. This focus towards premium and high-quality materials by manufacturers catering demand of consumers to drive the market for metal decals.

Many manufacturers in the metal decals focus on offering customized and personalized solutions to create a differentiator in the competitive market.- says a Lead Consultant Ismail Sutaria in Packaging at Future Market Insights (FMI).

Key Takeaways from the Global Metal Decal Market

Plates are anticipated to offer an incremental opportunity of USD 249 million and are expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% during the assessment period. Promotional nameplates are widely used for corporate gifts and consumer goods as they serve both branding as well as marketing functions.

Etching by process type is expected to reach a market valuation of 425 million in 2024 and is predicted to gain an incremental expansion of 1.3x times the total market value. This process of etching in metal decals helps create a detailed design making it ideal for intricate designs or small text.

Aluminium metal decals are predicted to grow at a CAGR of 3.0% during the forecast period and are anticipated to gain an incremental opportunity worth USD 200 million. The properties of aluminium such as resistant to wear and tear make it ideal for outdoor applications such as equipment identification and architectural branding.

Industrial end uses are poised to reach USD 414 million by the end of 2034 with a growth rate of 2.8% throughout the assessment period. The growth in the automation and smart manufacturing process driving the need for precise and accurate labels for sensors and control panels.

The global metal decal market is anticipated to reach USD 1.3 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% through 2024  34. The growing importance of product differentiation and branding in luxury goods and consumer products is driving the metal decals market for promotional purposes.



Aesthetic Appeal & Brand Association Trend in Metal Decal

The aesthetic appeal and brand association trend in metal decals is set to influence the demand for metal decals with their sleek and finished polish appeal that offers a sense of luxury to consumers which gives highly attractive looks and is so preferred by various end-use industries such as automotive, electronics, and luxury goods.

These industries do consider these factors of luxury and premium appeal as branding tools which is a key part in shaping the perception of their consumers'. For example, a smartphone imprinted with a metal logo is often considered a premium product compared to those with a plastic or printed logo. These factors create a visually appealing sense for the customers seeking premium and branded products.

Many manufacturers are considering these unique and well-crafted designs of metal decals can be the differentiator factor in the metal decal market. This trend of aesthetic appeal and brand association is likely to grow demand for these metal decal markets with companies increasing their focus towards leveraging aesthetic benefits for creating premium products for its customers.

Country-Wise Insights for the Metal Decal Market

Country CAGR (2024-2034) Key Trends & Insights USA 2.9 % Leading North America with strong demand for metal decals in industrial and automotive sectors for branding and labeling purposes. Canada 2.2 % Steady growth due to the increasing adoption of metal decals in machinery identification, safety labels, and automotive branding. Germany 2.4 % Booming automotive industry driving demand for customized and premium metal decals used for company logos, model badges, and personalized imprints. Spain 3.1 % Growing focus on industrial applications and infrastructure development is driving demand for durable and corrosion-resistant metal decals. UK 2.7 % Increased focus on regulatory labeling and industrial branding has led to rising demand for metal decals, particularly in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. China 5.2 % Expanding consumer electronics and automotive industries are driving strong demand for aluminum-based metal decals for branding and technical uses. India 5.9 % Growth in consumer electronics, especially smartphones and laptops, boosts demand for premium metal decals used for branding and creating visual appeal.

Key Players of the Metal Decal Industry

Nameplates Div

McLoone

Sticker Mountain

Fast Printing

Sticky Brand Creative Group

Quality Name Plate, Inc.

Hira Holovision

Jefferies Metal Stickers & Plant Manufacturers

Max Creative Point

APHOLOS

Signarama

GSM Graphic Arts Ltd

Yeuell Nameplate & Label

Metal Marker Manufacturing

Driver Industrial Safety

Kraftix Digital

Unlock Comprehensive Market Insights  Explore the Full Report Now: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/metal-decal-market

Key Segments of the Metal Decal Industry

By Product Type:

In terms of product type, the industry is divided into labels, tags, and plates. Further, plates are subdivided into decorative plates, promotional nameplates, instructional plates, scales, and schematics.

By Process:

In terms of process, the industry is segregated into digital printing, doming, embossing, etching, engraving, and others.

By Metal Type:

By metal type, the market is divided into aluminum, bronze, brass, and stainless steel.

By End Use:

The market is classified by end uses such as aerospace, construction, industrial, medical, and others.

By Region:

Key countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East & Africa have been covered in the report.

Authored by:

Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials) has over 8 years of experience in market research and consulting in the packaging & materials industry. Ismails strength lies in identifying key challenges faced by the client and offering logical and actionable insights to equip the clients with strategic decision-making power.

Ismail has been an instrumental part of several transformational consulting assignments. His key skills include competitive benchmarking, opportunity assessment, macroeconomic analysis, and business transformation advisory. Ismail is an MBA holder in Marketing and has a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics.

Have a Look at Trending Research Reports on Packaging Domain:

The global metal packaging sales are expected to reach USD 164.6 billion in 2034. Sales are expected to increase at a CAGR of 2.8% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2034.

The metal pail market demand is estimated to be a staggering US$ 6.66 billion by 2034 and is poised to grow at a modest CAGR of 4.10% for the forecast period.

The metal closures market size is set to experience a stable rise in the years to come, with a projected CAGR of 2.70% during the forecast. By 2034, this market is expected to reach an astounding value of US$ US$ 28.4 billion.

Global demand for Sheet Metal Market is expected to reach a market valuation of US$ 467.76 Billion by the end of the year 2033, accelerating at a CAGR of 4% over the forecast period (2023 to 2033).

The global metal containers market share is poised to witness a CAGR of 6% between the years 2023 and 2033. Furthermore, the overall valuation could be reaching US$ 223.7 billion by the year 2033.

The metal can market sales are estimated to show consistent growth throughout the forecast period, expanding at a CAGR of 2%. The metal can market value is expected to expand from US$ 40.4 billion in 2024 to US$ 49.3 billion by 2034.

The global bi-metal cans market is anticipated to record a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period. It is expected the market value will go up from US$ 25 Bn in 2021 and reach a valuation of US$ 45.5 Bn by 2032.

The beverage metal can market size is predicted to grow by 3.7% CAGR during the forecast period. The market is projected to be valued at USD 45.9 billion by 2034.

The packaging supply market value is anticipated to be valued at USD 358.1 billion, by 2034. With a CAGR worth 3.1% .

The aseptic IBC market demand is estimated to register a CAGR of 2.8% over the forecast period, the market valuation is envisioned to reach USD 2.1 billion by 2034.

About Future Market Insights (FMI)



Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 400 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries.

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Le marche mondial des autocollants metalliques est sur le point de connaitre une croissance significative, les ventes devant passer de 1,3 milliard USD en 2024 a un impressionnant 1,8 milliard USD d'ici 2034, avec un taux de croissance annuel compose (TCAC) de 3,6 % au cours de la periode de prevision. Le marche, evalue a 1,2 milliard USD en 2023, devrait croitre d'une annee sur l'autre de 3,8 % en 2024, car la demande industrielle et des consommateurs pour des autocollants metalliques durables et personnalisables continue d'augmenter dans de nombreux secteurs.

Le marche mondial des autocollants metalliques connait une demande croissante, alimentee par les progres de la personnalisation et l'expansion des applications industrielles. Les autocollants metalliques sont largement utilises dans les secteurs de l'aerospatiale, de l'automobile, de la construction et de la fabrication, ou la durabilite et l'etiquetage de haute qualite sont essentiels. Le besoin de solutions robustes et durables dans ces industries, notamment a des fins d'identification, de marquage et de securite, continue d'alimenter la croissance du marche.

L'une des principales tendances qui faconnent le marche est la preference croissante pour les autocollants metalliques personnalises, qui peuvent etre adaptes pour repondre aux exigences specifiques de l'industrie. Les progres dans les processus tels que la gravure ont permis aux fabricants de creer des conceptions tres detaillees et durables qui peuvent resister aux environnements difficiles, ce qui les rend adaptees aux schemas techniques et aux plaques d'instructions. De plus, l'aluminium est devenu un choix de materiau populaire en raison de ses proprietes de legerete, de resistance a la corrosion et de sa polyvalence esthetique, offrant des finitions telles que mates, polies et anodisees.

Le secteur de la construction, qui beneficie du developpement continu des infrastructures, est egalement un moteur majeur de la demande, car les autocollants metalliques sont essentiels pour la signalisation, les etiquettes de securite et les plaques de conformite. Les entreprises accordant la priorite a l'image de marque et au respect de la reglementation, la demande d'autocollants metalliques personnalises et durables devrait poursuivre sa trajectoire ascendante dans divers secteurs.

L'expansion du secteur electronique devrait stimuler les ventes du marche des decalcomanies metalliques

Le secteur de l'electronique connait une croissance a grande echelle, les consommateurs privilegiant de plus en plus les technologies les plus avancees dans les smartphones, les tablettes, les ordinateurs portables et d'autres produits. Pour rendre ces produits plus attrayants et esthetiquement plus attrayants, les fabricants utilisent des autocollants metalliques comme outil de promotion de leur marque, pour promouvoir leurs logos, messages de marque et autres articles promotionnels afin de creer une forte reconnaissance de leur marque aupres des consommateurs.

Les autocollants metalliques servent a la fois a la valorisation de la marque et aux performances fonctionnelles de ces appareils electroniques. Ces autocollants metalliques sont utilises comme dissipateurs de chaleur en raison des proprietes des metaux qui en font de bons conducteurs de chaleur et d'electricite. Cette propriete du metal ameliore non seulement les performances de nombreux composants hautes performances, ce qui stimule la demande d'autocollants metalliques dans les appareils electroniques. A mesure que les ventes de ces appareils electroniques augmentent, la demande d'autocollants metalliques devrait augmenter, remplissant le double role de valorisation de la marque et d'applications fonctionnelles.

Les preferences en matiere de materiaux haut de gamme pour les autocollants metalliques vont stimuler le marche

La preference croissante des consommateurs pour les produits haut de gamme et de haute qualite pousse les fabricants a adopter des materiaux de haute qualite et de qualite superieure pour la production de ces autocollants metalliques. Les materiaux de haute qualite utilises en fonction de leur qualite sont l'aluminium, l'acier inoxydable, le laiton et autres.

Ces materiaux offrent une durabilite, une longevite et une resistance a l'usure superieures, ameliorant ainsi l'attrait general des autocollants metalliques. De nombreux fabricants de smartphones comme Apple utilisent ces materiaux car ils sont consideres comme un symbole de qualite et de prestige, les aidant a renforcer la valeur de leur marque avec l'attrait visuel du produit. Cette orientation vers des materiaux haut de gamme et de haute qualite par les fabricants repond a la demande des consommateurs pour stimuler le marche des autocollants metalliques.

Principaux points a retenir du marche mondial des decalcomanies metalliques

Les plaques devraient offrir une opportunite supplementaire de 249 millions USD et devraient croitre a un TCAC de 3,2 % au cours de la periode d'evaluation. Les plaques signaletiques promotionnelles sont largement utilisees pour les cadeaux d'entreprise et les biens de consommation car elles remplissent a la fois des fonctions de valorisation de marque et de marketing.

La gravure par type de procede devrait atteindre une valeur marchande de 425 millions en 2024 et devrait connaitre une expansion progressive de 1,3 fois la valeur marchande totale. Ce procede de gravure sur decalcomanies metalliques permet de creer un design detaille, ce qui le rend ideal pour les motifs complexes ou les petits textes.

Les autocollants metalliques en aluminium devraient croitre a un TCAC de 3,0 % au cours de la periode de prevision et devraient beneficier d'une opportunite supplementaire d'une valeur de 200 millions USD. Les proprietes de l'aluminium, telles que sa resistance a l'usure, le rendent ideal pour les applications exterieures telles que l'identification des equipements et le marquage architectural.

Les utilisations finales industrielles devraient atteindre 414 millions USD d'ici fin 2034 avec un taux de croissance de 2,8 % sur toute la periode d'evaluation. La croissance de l'automatisation et des processus de fabrication intelligents entraine le besoin d'etiquettes precises et exactes pour les capteurs et les panneaux de controle.

Le marche mondial des decalcomanies metalliques devrait atteindre 1,3 milliard USD en 2024 et devrait croitre a un TCAC de 3,6 % d'ici 2024-34. L'importance croissante de la differenciation des produits et de l'image de marque dans les produits de luxe et de consommation stimule le marche des decalcomanies metalliques a des fins promotionnelles.



 De nombreux fabricants de decalcomanies metalliques se concentrent sur l'offre de solutions personnalisees et personnalisees pour creer un differenciateur sur le marche concurrentiel.  - declare Ismail Sutaria, consultant principal en emballage chez Future Market Insights (FMI) .

Tendance en matiere d'attrait esthetique et d'association de marque pour les decalcomanies metalliques

L'attrait esthetique et la tendance d'association de marque des decalcomanies metalliques devraient influencer la demande de decalcomanies metalliques avec leur attrait poli elegant et fini qui offre un sentiment de luxe aux consommateurs, ce qui donne une apparence tres attrayante et est si prefere par diverses industries d'utilisation finale telles que l'automobile, l'electronique et les produits de luxe.

Ces industries considerent ces facteurs de luxe et d'attrait premium comme des outils de marque qui jouent un role cle dans la facon dont leurs consommateurs percoivent le produit. Par exemple, un smartphone imprime avec un logo en metal est souvent considere comme un produit haut de gamme par rapport a ceux qui portent un logo en plastique ou imprime. Ces facteurs creent un sentiment d'attrait visuel pour les clients a la recherche de produits haut de gamme et de marque.

De nombreux fabricants considerent que ces designs uniques et bien concus de decalcomanies metalliques peuvent etre le facteur de differenciation sur le marche des decalcomanies metalliques. Cette tendance a l'attrait esthetique et a l'association de marques est susceptible d'accroitre la demande pour ces marches de decalcomanies metalliques, les entreprises se concentrant de plus en plus sur l'exploitation des avantages esthetiques pour creer des produits haut de gamme pour leurs clients.

Principaux acteurs de l'industrie des decalcomanies metalliques

Plaques signaletiques Div

McLoone

Autocollant Montagne

Impression rapide

Groupe creatif de la marque Sticky

Plaque signaletique de qualite, Inc.

Holovision d'Hira

Fabricants d'autocollants et d'usines metalliques Jefferies

Point creatif maximal

APHOLOS

Signarama

Arts graphiques GSM Ltee

Plaque signaletique et etiquette Yeuell

Fabrication de marqueurs metalliques

Conducteur Securite industrielle

Kraftix numerique

Accedez a des informations completes sur le marche  Explorez le rapport complet maintenant : https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/metal-decal-market

Principaux segments de l'industrie des decalcomanies metalliques

Par type de produit :

En termes de type de produit, l'industrie est divisee en etiquettes, etiquettes et plaques. De plus, les plaques sont subdivisees en plaques decoratives, plaques signaletiques promotionnelles, plaques d'instructions, echelles et schemas.

Par processes :

En termes de processus, l'industrie est divisee en impression numerique, doming, gaufrage, gravure, gravure et autres.

Par type de metal :

Par type de metal, le marche est divise en aluminium, bronze, laiton et acier inoxydable.

Par utilisation finale :

Le marche est classe par utilisations finales telles que l'aerospatiale, la construction, l'industrie, la medecine et autres.

Par region :

Les principaux pays dAmerique du Nord, dAmerique latine, dAsie de lEst, dAsie du Sud et du Pacifique, dEurope occidentale, dEurope de lEst, du Moyen-Orient et dAfrique ont ete couverts dans le rapport.
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, UN Agency Heads and other dignitaries met survivors and advocates for ending violence against children in New York on Sunday night (22 September). They are in New York for the UN General Assembly, where world leaders have come together for its 79th session (UNGA 79).

They met survivors, public figures and Government leaders from around the world, including Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland, Brazil and the UK to discuss the urgent issue at an intimate event, hosted by Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organisation and organised by Project Everyone, on the fringes of the UN General Assembly. They heard survivor testimonies as well as reflections and commitments from leaders.

This high-level gathering comes days after survivors, advocates and allies released an open letter (17 September 2024), which demands urgent action from world leaders ahead of the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, taking place in Colombia this November.

Signatories of the letter include public figures Forest Whitaker, Shudu Musida and Will Poulter, who also attended the special event.

According to World Health Organisation each year one in two of all children globally - over 1 billion - experience violence such as corporal punishment, bullying at school, online violence and sexual abuse. Other significant forms of violence include gang violence, child marriage and child labour.

Evidence shows that breakthrough solutions to end all forms of violence against children include providing parenting support, implementing school-based interventions, offering child-friendly social and health services, adopting protective laws, and ensuring a safer internet for children. Countries that implement these evidence-based strategies can reduce violence against children by up to 50%.

As MC of the event Will Poulter, Actor and Ambassador for The Diana Awards anti-bullying programme, said:

Violence takes many forms - both physical and psychological - and each leaves a lasting impact on those who experience it. With one billion children around the world experiencing such violence, the statistics are staggering, but they represent real lives, and its our collective responsibility to ensure that these children are protected."

View the full letter HERE.





In image 1 L-R: Dr. Daniela Ligiero, CEO of Together For Girls; H.E. Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation; Shudu Musida, UNFPA Regional Champion; H.R.H. Queen Mathilde of Belgium; Forest Whitaker, Actor and Activist; H.R.H. Princess Mabel van Oranje; Bryanna Marinas, Youth Mobiliser; Will Poulter, Actor; Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health at the World Health Organisation; Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director.





In image 2 L-R: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.





Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d077140c-dd98-4abc-b523-dd11ab8aa532



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c186e9a4-fdfd-4095-9550-f58b6cd0e9c6




VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company intersected visible salt rock at a depth of 327 meters at the Robinsons River Salt Project (the Project). A total of two hundred and seventy-nine meters of drill core containing salt rock has been retrieved from the third core well (VTX-23-W-2) which was drilled to an approximate total depth of seven hundred and thirty-five meters. Forage FTE Drilling drilled the first portion of the well using reverse flooded dual rotary drilling and casing to 327 meters. Major Drilling International, Inc. then commenced the second phase of drilling from 327 meters to the end of the well using diamond drilling. The work was completed under the supervision and project management of the Companys primary consulting partner, RESPEC Consulting Inc. (RESPEC).



The third core hole was drilled near the previously identified western gravity anomaly, which the Company refers to as the Western Salt Structure. The surface location of the core hole was chosen to test the gravity-low anomaly near an existing seismic line, while utilizing established road and drill trail infrastructure. The visible halite observed in the third core well is similar to that observed in the first core hole (VTX-23-W-1). It is black and Interbedded with mudstone containing cracks filled with salt. The first examination did not show the presence of potassium magnesium (K-Mg) salt or anhydrite in the salt formation, which can have a negative impact on hydrogen or energy storage development.

Prior work conducted by the Company concluded that the Western Salt Structure had the potential to hold an estimated amount of 250,000 tonnes of hydrogen in more than 25 caverns, based on conservative estimates. Using conservative estimates, the hydrogen storage capacity was estimated to be more than 50 million m3. For additional information regarding the Companys hydrogen storage capacity assessment, including certain assumptions underlying the hydrogen storage capacity assessment, please see the Companys press release dated July 24, 2023, filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Wireline geophysics were also deployed to gather detailed information about the geological formations around the core hole. The entire 279 meters of core containing visible salt mineralization is being prepared for shipment to Saskatoon for detailed logging and sample selection. Once complete, selected core samples will be provided to the University of Alberta (U of A) to conduct mineralogical analysis and proof of concept experiments on core samples and simulation studies. On April 29, 2024, Vortexs collaboration with the U of A received Alberta Innovates Funding totaling $1.2 million for the project titled Field Trial of Hydrogen Storage in Canadian Domal and Bedded Salts.

Paul Sparkes, Chief Executive Officer of Vortex commented, the visual results from the third core well at the Robinsons River Salt Project provide further confirmation of the results of the previous gravity and seismic interpretation work, which indicated the presence of salt formations at the Project. The visible salt mineralization observed in the core is encouraging as the drilling was done on the flanks of the Western Salt Structure, where we would typically expect to see an elevated amount of non-salt layers. We are excited to proceed with analysis of the extracted drill core and advance our work with the University of Alberta.





Figure 1: Exploration Drill Hole 3 Location

UTM Coordinates (Zone 21 U) Latitude/Longitude Depth Dip Azimuth  Easting: 0374904E

 Northing: 5340500N  Latitude: N48 12.324'

 Longitude: W58 41.023' 734.76 m below ground level



80.8 at 650m at the final station



268.2





Table 1: Drill Hole 3 Location and Details

QA/QC Data

The core was handled with careful QA/QC protocols. Immediately after extraction on the drill rig, the core was placed in core boxes with depth measurements scribed on the boxes, along with depth marking wooden blocks. These boxes were transported indoors to the core logging facility at the end of each 12-hour shift.

Field logging was performed on-site for Rock Quality Designation (RQD), recovery, and high-level lithology, and the core was photographed. Once logged, the core boxes were plastic wrapped, palletized, and wrapped again to prevent exposure to the elements. All data, including photographs, were entered into a spreadsheet daily to ensure accuracy.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Piotr Kulkialka, P.Geo, who is a consultant to the Company and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About RESPEC Consulting Inc.

RESPEC is a global leader in diverse technologies and draws from a wide array of expertise, products, and services to deliver world-class solutions for business, mining, energy, water, natural resources, urban development, infrastructure, and enterprise services. RESPECs subsurface experts have evaluated over 1,000 caverns in nearly every major cavern storage region in the world. RESPECs over 50-year history underground has helped to pioneer in-house specialty software and rock lab testing that focuses on designing solution-mined and conventionally mined storage caverns. RESPEC also plays a similar role with the ACES Delta in Utah, the worlds largest green hydrogen project under construction.

About Vortex Energy Corp.

Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project comprised of a total of 942 claims covering 23,500 hectares located approximately 35 linear kms south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. The Robinsons River Salt Project is prospective for both salt and hydrogen salt cavern storage. The Company is also evaluating technologies to efficiently store hydrogen or energy in salt caverns. Vortex also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Paul Sparkes

Chief Executive Officer, Director

+1 (778) 819-0164

info@vortexenergycorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the capacity of the salt structures at the Project to hold salt caverns and the estimated amount, storage capacity and volume of such salt caverns; and that the core extracted from the Project contains halite mineralization.

Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, the assumptions set out in the Companys news release dated July 24, 2023 that were used by RESPEC to estimate cavern placement at the Project; that the current regulations set by the Canadian Standards Association will remain unchanged such that the Project may be developed in accordance with such regulations; the assumption that the 2D seismic interpreted dome structure accurately depicts the salt domes at the Project and that additional geological data will not change the interpretation of the size and other characteristics of the salt domes at the Project; the assumption that salt caverns may be developed at the Project in accordance with the results of the 2D seismic interpreted dome structure; the assumption that future exploration activities conducted at the Project will be successful and will continue to indicate that salt caverns may be developed at the Project; and the assumption that the visible mineralization observed by the Company is indicative of actual halite mineralization at the Project.

Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include the risk that salt caverns may not ever be developed at the Project, whether as a result of the geology of the Project, applicable regulations, market conditions, a lack of financing or otherwise; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral projects, including risks relating to receiving requisite permits and approvals, changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project (including that visually observing mineralization in drill core may not be indicative of actual mineralization in that drill core), that geological conditions and other factors outside of the control of the Company may prohibit or limit the Companys ability to conduct further exploration on the Project, or limit the effectiveness and value of such further exploration activities; the risk that exploration at the Project does not proceed in the manner and on the timeline currently anticipated by the Company, or at all; the risk that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company, including that testing of the drill core extracted from the Project may be unsuccessful in establishing halite mineralization exists at the Project and that the Company may fail to validate the existence solution mineable salt structures at the Project and, even if such salt structures are validated, that the Company may fail to successfully develop salt caverns at the Project; the risk that mineral exploration activities are often unsuccessful; risks inherent in the development of salt caverns, including that even if salt caverns are developed by the Company at the Project such caverns may not be suitable for hydrogen or renewable energy storage; risks regarding the development of the hydrogen and renewable energy industries, including that and the risk that hydrogen and other renewable fuels do not develop to the point where widespread use of salt caverns is necessary to store the fuels required to satisfy industry demands; and the risk that laws and regulations may be changed and developed in the future in a manner that is adverse to the Project or the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4c34b328-a477-4c7f-8ebb-e7eb2fcfc523
New York, U.S.A. and Zurich, Switzerland, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At Climate Week NYC, Hitachi Energy announced plans to invest an additional $155 million USD to expand its manufacturing capacity in North America. This includes the construction of a new distribution transformer factory in Reynosa, Mexico, and expansions to its transformer factory in South Boston, Virginia, and its high-voltage switchgear and breakers factory in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania.

The order backlog of the company has more than tripled since 2020 with the U.S. making a substantial contribution. Hitachi Energy has added over 8,000 employees between 2020-2023, including more than 1,200 in the U.S. In North America, we have already announced over $150 million USD of investments and future investment plans are under consideration.

"Demand for electrical equipment, including transformers and switchgear, is surging globally, and significantly in North America, and one of our highest priorities is making sure that we are growing our capabilities to address our customer's present and future needs," said Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO of Hitachi Energy. "To achieve our goals, we will continue to expand and optimize our footprint in the North American region, leverage our expansive global presence, and prioritize R&D and innovation to drive the energy transition without compromising safety and reliability."

Transformers

The investments in North America include $70 million USD in the construction of a new distribution transformer factory in Reynosa, Mexico alongside an additional investment of over $25 million USD to expand its South Boston, Virginia transformer factory, in the US.

The new transformer factory in Reynosa will address the need for single-phase, padmount distribution transformers used widely in the North American market and will bring 350 jobs to the region.

The investment in South Boston will help expand the production capacity for large distribution transformers and is expected to contribute to the region's economic growth and development, creating about 100 new jobs ranging from skilled manufacturing to administrative roles.

These initiatives are adding up to other announced investments to enhance the transformers' capacity, including investments directly in the region and globally. In the region, this includes the expansion in Varennes, Quebec, Canada, and the recently completed project in Jefferson City, Missouri, US.

Hitachi Energy announced projects in April and July of 2024 in Canada of an overall $140 million (CAD) investment to support the establishment of a new HVDC simulation center in Montreal, and also upgrade and modernize its power transformer factory in Varennes, and other facilities in Montreal.

Globally, Hitachi Energy is also investing in other markets to enhance its global footprint, with more than seven factories currently supporting the market demand for transformers coming from Europe, South America, and Asia.

High Voltage Switchgear and Breakers

Hitachi Energy is also announcing a $60 million USD investment in its Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania facility. This expansion aims to double production capacity for high-voltage switchgear and breakers, including dead tank breakers, gas-insulated switchgear and hybrid switchgear. Driven by the surging demand for high-voltage products in North America, the investment will create around 100 new jobs.

A significant portion of the investment includes the implementation of a new gas-management system for EconiQ switchgear production. North America has been a pioneer in adopting the EconiQ eco-efficient technology, which eliminates the use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ), the most potent greenhouse gas from high-voltage equipment. This investment aligns with Hitachi Energy's commitment to sustainability and reinforces its position as a leader in high-voltage eco-efficient solutions.

Transformers as well as high-voltage switchgear and breakers play a key role across the power value chain, safeguarding and enabling efficient transmission and distribution of electricity.

Hitachi Energy has the worlds largest transformer installed base, portfolio range, market coverage, and manufacturing capacity.

As the leader in high-voltage technology, we remain at the forefront of innovation, advancing eco-efficient solutions through our SF 6 -free EconiQ portfolio. These innovations retain the highest safety and performance standards while staying compact and offering the lowest carbon footprint in a life-cycle assessment.



- End -

About Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We are advancing the worlds energy system to be more sustainable, flexible and secure and we collaborate with customers and partners to enable a sustainable energy future  for todays generations and those to come. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries, serving customers in utility, industry, transportation, data centers and infrastructure sectors. With innovative technologies and services including the integration of more than 150 gigawatts of HVDC links into the power system, we help make the energy value chain more efficient, making electricity more accessible to all. Together with stakeholders across sectors and geographies, we enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 45,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of around $13 billion USD.

https://www.hitachienergy.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy

https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of Digital Systems & Services  supporting our customers digital transformation; Green Energy & Mobility  contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and Connective Industries  connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The companys revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.

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RAMSEY, N.J., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premium Products International (PPI), a leading company specializing in the sourcing, logistics, pricing, and marketing of wholesale products, is excited to announce a strategic shift in its supply chain strategy. In response to the rising ocean freight rates and logistical challenges associated with sourcing from Asia, PPI is now focusing on Brazil as a primary sourcing origin for US-based companies.



Addressing Supply Chain Challenges

The global trade environment has become increasingly complex, with recent spikes in ocean freight rates significantly impacting the cost and reliability of sourcing from Asia. Freight rates for a 40ft container from China to the US have surged from $3,500 to $7,000. Companies like MSC now charge premium rates, ranging from $8,000 to $10,000 from China to the US for guaranteed space, and from India to the US is $10,000 or more for guaranteed space.

Bad weather in Asia, longer transit routes due to geopolitical tensions, and container shortages have exacerbated these challenges. These factors have led to significant delays and increased costs. By shifting focus to Brazil, PPI aims to mitigate these challenges by leveraging Brazils stable shipping rates, high-quality manufacturing options, and reduced transit times, ensuring a more reliable and cost-effective supply chain for US-based companies.

Why Brazil?

PPI recognizes the critical need for diversification in supply chains to mitigate risks and ensure stability. Brazil presents a promising alternative with stable shipping rates and a range of high-quality manufacturing options. Key benefits of sourcing from Brazil include:

Cost Savings: Stable shipping rates enable more predictable logistics costs, improving overall budget planning and pricing strategies.

Reduced Risk: Diversifying suppliers reduces exposure to geopolitical issues, trade restrictions, and supply chain disruptions.

Quality and Reliability: Brazil offers high-quality manufacturing options that meet international standards.

Faster Lead Times: Depending on the location, sourcing from Brazil can result in shorter lead times compared to China, ensuring quicker product turnaround.

CEOs Vision

Nabil Nahra, President of PPI, stated, Our mission at PPI has always been to provide our clients with the most cost-effective and reliable sourcing solutions. By shifting our focus to Brazil, we are not only addressing the current logistical challenges but also positioning our clients to benefit from a more diversified and resilient supply chain. This strategic move underscores our commitment to helping businesses navigate the complexities of global trade and achieve sustainable growth.

Partnering with PPI

PPIs team of experts specializes in connecting businesses with reliable partners in Brazil. Leveraging an extensive network and deep understanding of international trade, PPI offers tailored solutions to meet specific sourcing needs. By partnering with PPI, businesses can:

- Reduce Costs: Access cost-effective production solutions in Brazil.

- Streamline Operations: Benefit from PPIs expertise in managing international supply chains.

- Enhance Quality: Ensure products are manufactured to the highest standards.

About Premium Products International (PPI)

Premium Products International (PPI), established in 1992, is a leader in sourcing, logistics, pricing, and marketing wholesale products. Headquartered in New Jersey, USA, PPI has a proven track record of successfully introducing U.S. brands to international markets such as the Middle East, South America, and Europe.

PPI offers comprehensive export consulting services, including market research, branding, financial analysis, and English, French, and Arabic training seminars.

The company emphasizes strategic branding, financial analysis, pricing strategies, and product positioning to differentiate and provide superior customer service. PPI has been awarded the 'Small Business Success Award' by the State of New Jersey. Nabil Nahra, with over 40 years of experience in domestic and international marketing, leads PPI with a focus on creating scalable, standardized processes to support business growth.

Contact Information

For more information about Premium Products International and its services, visit https://ppiinc.biz

Contact:

Nabil Nahra

President, Premium Products International, Inc.

Email: info@ppiinc.biz

Stay Connected:

- Follow Nabil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabil-nahra-366b398/

- Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ppiinc/

A video accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d611c888-de29-4336-a325-29e0c992a44c

A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at:

http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/33e599f3-b63c-4d6f-8b21-e1e28adcc0d2
Quadient launches share buyback program for up to 30 million

Paris, 23 September 2024

Quadient S.A. (Euronext Paris: QDT), a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections, today announces the launch of a share buyback program for a total consideration of up to 30 million (total purchase price excluding ancillary costs) to be executed on the market.

This operation demonstrates i) Quadients confidence in the value creation potential of its new Elevate to 2030 strategic plan and its ability to reach its FY 2026 leverage ratio reduction target1 , ii) aims at improving total shareholders return and iii) is in line with the capital allocation policy of the Company, which aims at balancing:

investments into the business (notably Mail rented equipment, deployment of parcel locker networks, R&D efforts),

potential external growth operations while maintaining a flexible approach to the management of the business portfolio,

maintaining a healthy and efficient balance sheet, with a target for financial leverage ratio excluding leasing of 1.5x in 2026, and

attractive shareholder return, with a dividend policy based on a minimum 20% payout ratio and the use of excess cash for share buybacks.

The share buyback program will be carried out under the authorization granted by the 2024 Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on 14 June 2024, and may be renewed or extended, up to a maximum of 10% of the total number of shares comprising the share capital of the Company as set out in the 19th resolution of the 2024 Annual General Meeting. Quadient intends to cancel the shares acquired through the share buyback program apart from a portion of up to 10 million, which will be dedicated to future equity-based long term incentive plans for employees and management, as set out in the 19th resolution of the 2024 Annual General Meeting.

Quadient will publish an updated version of the description of the share buyback program (available on the Investor Relations website under the Regulated information section) describing these updated objectives. The Company will also publish updates on the program via weekly press releases posted on the Investor Relations website under the Regulated information section.

Barring any unforeseeable circumstances, the shares will be purchased over an 18-month2 period ending in January 2026 at the latest.

The buybacks will be carried out subject to market conditions and in compliance with applicable rules and regulations, including the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014 and the European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052. Quadient hereby confirms the absence of any agreement with any of its existing shareholders regarding their potential participation in the share buyback program.

About Quadient

Quadient is a global automation platform provider powering secure and sustainable business connections through digital and physical channels. Quadient supports businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation and growth journey, unlocking operational efficiency and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and part of the CAC Mid & Small and EnterNext Tech 40 indices, Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing.

For more information about Quadient, visit https://invest.quadient.com/en/

Contacts

Catherine Hubert-Dorel, Quadient

+33 (0)1 45 36 30 56

c.hubert-dorel@quadient.com

financial-communication@quadient.com OPRG Financial

Isabelle Laurent / Fabrice Baron

+33 (0)6 42 37 54 17 /+33 (0)6 14 08 29 81

isabelle.laurent@omnicomprgroup.com

fabrice.baron@ omnicomprgroup.com Caroline Baude, Quadient

+33 (0)1 45 36 31 82

c.baude@quadient.com





1 FY 2026 leverage ratio excluding leasing target of 1.5x

2 Subject to the renewal of the share buyback authorizations at the 2025 AGM

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CRANBURY, N.J., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), the leading multimedia peer-reviewed journal dedicated to issues in managed care, is pleased to announce a new and informative event, Optimizing Kidney Health: Advances in Proactive Care Models. The dinner conference will be held in partnership with Intermountain Health on September 26, 2024, at the Intermountain Health Park City Hospital Blair Education Center in Park City, Utah.

The Institute for Value-Based Medicine (IVBM) is well-known for championing value-based care and pushing forward health care practices. The event will feature a panel of health care experts discussing approaches to kidney health, chronic kidney disease (CKD), risk stratification and more.

The event will be facilitated by cochairs Anitha Vijayan, M.D., and Seth Southwick, MHA, from Intermountain Health. The conference will include the following sessions presented by health care professionals:

Perspectives on Kidney Health: Public Policy and Value-Based Care Miriam Godwin

Intermountain Kidney Services Model Seth Southwick, MHA

Panel: Select Health Kidney Strategy Curt Howell, MHA, and Geoffrey Swanson, M.D.

CKD Risk Stratification and Population Health Navdeep Tangri, M.D., Ph.D., FRCP

Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Care Models Viet Le, PA-C, and Anitha Vijayan, M.D.

Panel: Castell Primary Care CKD Approach Shannon Baker, M.D., Brooke Drollinger, M.D., and Mark Kraus, M.D., Ph.D.



In addition to providing valuable insights from expert speakers, the event will include a networking reception that will provide attendees opportunities to network and explore fresh perspectives on the challenges facing primary care and cardiology.

For more information and to register, please visit the event page here.

About The American Journal of Managed Care

The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) is a multimedia, peer-reviewed, MEDLINE-indexed journal that keeps industry leaders on the forefront of health policy by sharing digital research relevant to decision-makers. Other brands in the AJMC family include Population Health, Equity & Outcomes and Evidence-Based Oncology. These comprehensive multimedia brands bring together views from payers, providers, policymakers and other industry leaders in managed care. AJMC is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah, with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a not-for-profit system of 33 hospitals; 385 clinics; medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers; a health plans division called Select Health with more than 1 million members; and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming health care by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs.

Media Contact:

Julia Paradizova

MJH Life Sciences

jparadizova@mjhlifesciences.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/57c9e5e5-2be8-4f62-91b0-9bdb92282df4
HOUSTON, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ENGIE announces it has reached more than 1.8 GW of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity in operation across the United States, confirming its rapid growth in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to meet the needs of the grid. Since the beginning of 2024, the Group added around 1 GW of new BESS capacity to its operating portfolio in North America. This new milestone strengthens ENGIE's position as a leader of the energy transition in the United States, where the Group already has significant footprints through its renewable assets and its energy management platform.

With 24 projects now operating across the U.S., of which 6 were commissioned this year, ENGIE is among the largest operators of BESS in the country, and one of the largest independent operators of batteries supporting the ERCOT system in Texas.

The growth in ENGIEs BESS fleet was accelerated by the pivotal acquisition of industry leader Broad Reach Power (BRP) in August 2023. The successful integration of BRP has not only added to ENGIEs existing portfolio of development projects, but critically included industry leading solutions, expertise and experience. ENGIE now brings increased flexibility to the grid, allowing a better integration of renewable energies and thus contributes to speed up the energy transition.

We are extremely proud of the delivery of so many battery projects over the past year, enabling ENGIE to play a leading role in adding storage and other ancillary services to the grid in a material way, said David Carroll, Chief Renewables Officer and Senior VP, ENGIE North America. Storage and other services are critical additions to support grid reliability. Im honored that on a number of occasions this summer, ENGIE has been one of the largest contributors of storage dispatch into the ERCOT system, for example  helping to balance the grid at some of the most critical moments.

ENGIE operates both stand-alone BESS projects ranging from 10 MW to 200 MW as well as co-located facilities alongside large solar projects such as the 320 MW Five Wells solar in Bell County, TX.

The ENGIE portfolio of BESS provides dispatchable energy, which in total is now capable of providing around 1.8 GWh across the combination of ERCOT and CAISO  ready to dispatch at a moments notice. It also provides critical ancillary services to help maintain grid reliability and stability.

In addition to the growing storage portfolio, ENGIE has some 8 GW of solar and wind projects in operation or construction across North America. The combination of renewables and the increasing growth in storage capacity supports ENGIEs leading role in the energy transition for North America.

###

About ENGIE North America

Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. Together with our 96,000 employees around the globe, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose (raison detre), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. In North America, ENGIE helps our clients achieve their energy efficiency, reliability, and ultimately, their sustainability goals, as we work together to shape a sustainable future. We accomplish this through: energy efficiency projects, providing energy supply (including renewables and natural gas), and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets (wind, solar, storage and more). For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.

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Jeff Lambert Appointed as Executive Chairman and Mike Houston as Chief Executive Officer



MIAMI and GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LLYC (BME:LLYC), a global Corporate Affairs and Marketing consulting firm, today announced a new corporate structure for the United States, consolidating its U.S. operations in order to increase resource efficiency, amplify its portfolio of solutions, and better explore new opportunities in the U.S. market.

Lambert by LLYC founder Jeff Lambert has become the U.S. Executive Chairman and Lambert by LLYC President Mike Houston has been appointed as U.S. CEO, effective immediately. Mr. Houston also joins the LLYC Global Executive Committee. Other U.S. executives announced today, which will form the new LLYC U.S. Executive Committee, include:

Federico Isuani, Marketing Solutions Americas Lead

Don Hunt, Corporate Affairs U.S. Lead

Yndira Marin, U.S. Chief Operating Officer

Michelle Olson, U.S. Chief Client Officer

Mauricio Payan, U.S. Chief Financial Officer

Kim Hoyle, Business Development U.S. Lead

Gloria Raines, Human Resources U.S. Lead







In line with our strategic plan, this new structure will enable us to expand our presence in the U.S. and solidify our position as a key player in the worlds largest market, stated Alejandro Romero, LLYC Partner and Global CEO. The acquisition of Lambert Global was a pivotal moment for our firm, establishing the U.S. as our second-largest market. With this new corporate framework, our U.S. team is empowered to seize new opportunities and drive continued growth across the region.

The new executive team will lead LLYCs team of more than 100 professionals across the country in delivering a wide range of products and services based on creativity, influence, and innovation. These efforts are designed to enhance and protect the value of its clients businesses, turning every day into an opportunity for brand growth.

"Today marks an exciting new chapter for our agency as we continue our expansion in the U.S. market, stated Jeff Lambert, LLYC U.S. Executive Chairman. By establishing this dynamic leadership team, were confident that our growth in the U.S. will be both impactful and sustainable, and organic and acquisitive, while staying true to our commitment to excellence in corporate affairs and marketing."

This consolidated structure unlocks the full potential of our teams, emphasized Mike Houston, LLYC U.S. CEO. By harnessing LLYCs global strength and applying it to the U.S. market, were creating a powerful synergy that drives innovation and sets the stage for exceptional growth. This seamless blend of global vision and local expertise positions us to deliver even greater value to our clients while expanding our footprint on the world stage.

Mr. Lambert, who founded Lambert Global in his basement at age 26 and has led the firm through 25 straight years of growth to become Michigans largest PR firm, and a top-10 firm nationally in investor relations, brings over 30 years of professional experience to the position of U.S. Executive Chairman.

As the U.S. CEO, Mr. Houston will head the firms U.S. operations and financial performance, define and execute the regions business strategy, develop and drive organic and inorganic growth initiatives, as well as lead the U.S. Executive Committee.

Mr. Houston began his career at Lambert by LLYC nearly two decades ago as an Associate, before moving on to leadership roles outside of the firm. He later returned to oversee the firms operations, including its investor relations, public relations, and integrated marketing solutions. He brings well-rounded expertise in strategic leadership, marketing, product development, and finance. Prior to rejoining Lambert by LLYC, Mr. Houston was the Vice President of Commercialization at Amedica Corporation, a previously publicly traded medical device and novel biomaterial company, where he led all sales, marketing, and communications strategies. He also previously led investor relations activities at Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics. He holds a bachelors degree in business administration with a focus on finance from the University of Utah and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin.

About LLYC

LLYC (BME:LLYC) is a global Marketing and Corporate Affairs consulting firm that partners with its clients in creativity, influence, and innovation to enhance and protect the value of their businesses, turning every day into an opportunity to grow their brands.

Founded in 1995, LLYC is present in the United States (Miami, New York, San Diego, Washington, DC, Grand Rapids, Detroit, St. Louis and Phoenix), Argentina, Brazil (Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro), Brussels, Colombia, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal and Spain (Madrid and Barcelona).

In 2023, LLYC's operating revenues exceeded 83.1 million euros. LLYC is ranked as one of the 40 largest communications companies worldwide, according to PRWeek and PRovoke. LLYC was named the Top Communications Consultant in Europe at the 2022 PRWeek Global Awards and Communications Consultant of the Year in Latin America in 2023 by PRovoke.

Contact for journalists:

Michelle Olson

michelle.olson@llyc.global

602.390.0879

Yndira Marin

yndira.marin@llyc.global

646.386.6523

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/507c1a0a-e735-4e1a-a789-b95564747877
Smithtown, NY, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Guide Dog Foundation and Americas VetDogs, sister national nonprofit organizations that breed, raise, train, and place specially trained guide and service dogs for individuals with disabilities at no cost to them, today announced a new and colorful collaboration with Crayola Flowers, the national fundraising platform dedicated to making the world a better and brighter place one bouquet at a time. In recognition of National Service Dog Month in September and Veterans Day in November, Americas VetDogs has been chosen as one of Crayola Flowers featured nonprofit partners. The new online flower shops can be found at https://www.GuideDog.org/CrayolaFlowers and https://www.VetDogs.org/CrayolaFlowers.

This new, year-round Crayola Flowers initiative for the Guide Dog Foundation and Americas VetDogs is another way for supporters nationwide to help advance the missions of each organization, while expressing love, sympathy, gratitude, or celebration. Ten percent of the proceeds from every bouquet purchased through the online flower shops of the Guide Dog Foundation and Americas VetDogs, will be donated to the respective organization. In addition, Crayola Flowers will absorb the credit card fees charged by the payment processor on every purchase.

We are thrilled to partner with Crayola Flowers, an innovative platform from a trusted brand that beautifully aligns with our mission to provide life-changing services and extraordinary assistance dogs to individuals with disabilities, said Mike Rosen, chief marketing officer of the Guide Dog Foundation and Americas VetDogs. By offering our supporters a creative and meaningful way to contribute through Crayola Flowers, we can raise vital funds for our programs and increase awareness while bringing color, scents, and other emotional expressions flowers embody into the lives of those who benefit from and contribute to our mission. This collaboration is a perfect example of how creativity and compassion can come together to make a lasting impact.

Flowers offer a rich sensory experience through their unique textures and fragrances, allowing individuals who are blind, have low vision, or other physical or emotional disabilities to engage in a way that stimulates the senses and fosters emotional well-being.

Crayola Flowers is a colorful collaboration between creativity icon Crayola LLC and Mrs. Blooms, an international importer and distributor of fresh cut flowers. Uniting color, creativity, and kindness, the one-of-kind fundraising platform has reimagined how nonprofits can raise funds for their important causes while simultaneously giving consumers the opportunity to shop with a purpose by selecting a cause from the participating nonprofits to receive a 10 percent donation from each flower purchase.

We are excited to partner with the Guide Dog Foundation and Americas VetDogs to support their incredible mission and share positivity, said Oren Shapiro, partner and president of Mrs. Blooms. When people purchase bouquets from Crayola Flowers, whether for a special moment or simply to brighten someones day, theyre not only spreading happiness but also contributing to a meaningful cause thats close to their hearts.

The online flowers shops are now open at https://www.GuideDog.org/CrayolaFlowers and https://www.VetDogs.org/CrayolaFlowers.

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, Americas VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. America's VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States. Americas 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 individuals it serves. Americas VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

About the Guide Dog Foundation

For more than 75 years, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. (www.GuideDog.org), has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to people who are blind, have low vision, or have other disabilities. The Guide Dog Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving clients from across the United States and Canada. The Foundation relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to serve people with disabilities. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but the Guide Dog Foundation provides its services completely free of charge to the individuals it serves. Its sister organization, Americas VetDogs, trains and provides guide, service, and hearing dogs for disabled veterans and first responders. The Guide Dog Foundation was the first assistance dog school in the United States to be accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

About Crayola Flowers

Crayola Flowers is a pioneering fundraising platform through which consumers can shop with a purpose and any certified 501(3)c nonprofit can create their custom flower shop and share it with anyone passionate about their cause. Crayola Flowers offers a multitude of colorful blooms for every occasion, or just because, with a portion of proceeds from every sale donated to a participating nonprofit partner of choice. Crayola Flowers is a colorful collaboration between creativity icon Crayola LLC and Mrs. Blooms, an international importer and distributor of fresh cut flowers. To join us in uniting color and kindness, visit www.CrayolaFlowers.com.

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TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Tuesday September 24 at 9:10 am, the Ontario Health Coalition will hold a media availability regarding the Charter Challenge to Bill 7 being heard in court. Bill 7, the More Beds, Better Care Act (2002), passed by the Ford government, gives new powers to hospitals and placement coordinators to override the right of elderly patients to informed consent in order to force them out of hospital into long-term care homes that they do not want to live in. The law, passed in the summer of 2022 and put into effect that autumn, enables hospitals and placement coordinators to share patient information with an array of long-term care corporations and others without their consent. It enables them to apply for placement without the patients consent and to admit them into a long-term care home without their consent. If the patient refuses to go, the hospital is required to charge them $400 a day as a means of coercion. The law is used to force patients into long-term care homes that they do not want to go to because they are substandard, cannot provide appropriate care, are unsafe and are far away from loved ones. Under this law, patients in Southern Ontario can be moved up to 70 km away and in the north up to 150 km away, or further if no beds are available. For most, this is the last move of their lives and they will pass away in that long-term care home that has been forced upon them.



What: The case is a Charter Challenge: a challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the Constitution. It is a challenge to Bill 7, euphemistically titled More Beds, Better Care Act (2022). The Act neither provides more beds nor better care. It is legislation to enable the coercion of elderly patients to force them into long-term care homes that they do not want to go to. It applies to patients who are designated by hospitals as Alternate Level of Care (ALC), virtually all of whom are elderly. The patient advocacy groups have brought this Charter Challenge as the law targets the elderly for this deprivation of rights that all other patients enjoy and thus is age discrimination. It is also a threat to the life, liberty and security of the person. These are rights that are enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the Constitution.

Where & When: Media availability in front of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice Courthouse at 361 University Avenue at 9:10 am on Tuesday September 24.

The case will be argued in person in courtroom 4  10 starting at 10 a.m. on Monday September 23 and Tuesday September 24.

Who: The judge will be Justice Robert Centa. The Charter Challenge has been brought by the Ontario Health Coalition and the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly. The Ontario Health Coalition is raising money to pay for the challenge from individual donations from the public.

Facts & Myths:

Ontario has the fewest hospital beds per person of any province in Canada and is almost at the bottom of all OECD countries . Ontarios public hospitals have undergone the most radical downsizing of any province and of virtually all our peer countries. The reason is that Ontario funds its hospitals at the lowest rate per person of all provinces . Every service that is cut from public hospitals is privatized.

Despite repeated promises, the Ford government has not delivered on the tens of thousands of long-term care beds that they have repeatedly announced. The government has preferred to give licenses to the for-profit chains and has repeatedly increased the funding for them. This process takes much longer than other options. For example, the Ford government did successfully build fast-track long-term care homes that are non-profits in partnership with public hospitals during the pandemic.

Most long-term care homes are full all the time and patients have to wait for a bed to become open. The data shows that the public prefer the non-profit and public long-term care homes but the government has preferred to give licenses to for-profit long-term care corporations, particularly those with the worst records of poor care. Often the homes that have space are the ones to which no one wants to go, either because they are too far away, or because they are substandard.

There are not 6,200 ALC patients who should be out of hospital and are blocking beds as is sometimes stated or implied by hospital executives or government officials. In fact, the majority of ALC patients are waiting for care in some destination that is not long-term care. Some patients are in a medical bed waiting for a rehab bed, for example, and there is a significant portion of ALC patients waiting for rehab in hospital. Others are waiting for renovations on their homes in order to be able to go home after a stroke, or for another form of community care. Some are waiting for mental health, palliative care, or other types of hospital care. Less than half are waiting for long-term care homes.

ALC is an administrative designation, not a diagnosis. It is arbitrary and the drive has been to identify patients as ALC earlier and earlier in their hospital stay. Recently, one hospital manager informed the executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition that they will not admit any patients into complex continuing care without considering them ALC to somewhere else, for example. This cannot be allowed to continue. Patients have the right to chronic care if they need it.

Ontarios patients have never been given a choice about the extreme downsizing of our public hospitals and the failure to build long-term care, supportive housing, home care capacity.

Bill 7 has not solved the ALC problem. Since the ALC hospital patients are crisis admissions to long-term care, they become priorities for admission. Other people waiting in the community for long-term care have to wait longer as their health status deteriorates. As hospital is most often the only path to get into long-term care now, Bill 7 simply uses cruelty and coercion to move out one ALC patient who is replaced by another.

Hospitals are not only acute care facilities, as has recently become a regular claim of hospital and government officials. They provide complex continuing care (chronic care) beds, palliative care beds, inpatient rehabilitation beds and a range of other non-acute types of care, and they always have done so. It is right and appropriate that they provide non-acute care and it is not in the public interest to shrink hospitals to only provide acute care. The majority if not all of every category of service cut from public hospitals is privatized, subject to for-profit ownership, co-payments and user fees, and, often, quality issues.

Ontario can afford to improve health care funding. This province consistently ranks at or near the bottom of the country in health care funding per capita and is billions of dollars below the average of the rest of Canada.

For more information: Natalie Mehra, executive director, Ontario Health Coalition (416) 230-6402.
TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sparton Resources Inc. (TSX-SRI-V), (the Company), is pleased to report that Ivanhoe Electric Inc. announced today that VRB Energy Inc., (VRB Energy) is planning to expand vanadium flow battery manufacturing into the United States and that its existing operations in China will become subject to a 51/49 Joint-Venture following an investment from Red Sun, a leading Asian new energy group.

Spartons interest in the flow battery industry is a 9.975% interest in VRB Energy held through Spartons 90% interest in VanSpar Mining Inc. Full information regarding the history of the Companys VRB Energy investment is available in its various news releases and corporate filings available at www.sedarplus.ca, and on the Sparton website at www.spartonresources.com.

VRB Energy will establish VRB USA, located in Arizona, to pursue domestic manufacturing of vanadium redox flow battery systems. The domestic facility will be capable of producing 50 megawatts per year of VRB-Energy Storage Systems vanadium flow batteries. The VRB Energy battery system cell stacks have received an Underwriters Laboratories 1973 safety certificate which is recognized as a global standard for commercially available battery energy storage.

A Cooperation Agreement will ensure patent protection and will allow VRB USA to maintain access to intellectual property and associated rights as well as obtain the benefits of product improvements. The Chinese operations will also become a preferred supplier of certain key components.

Also announced, is an investment by Red Sun of US$55 Million, of which US$35 Million is towards a 51% participation in the existing VRB Energy operations in China. The Joint-Venture is being formed to manufacture and sell vanadium redox flow battery systems with a market focus in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. US$20 Million of the transaction proceeds will support the establishment of the VRB USA operations.

Red Sun is a private investment group based in Shanxi province, China, which focuses on investments in new energy and energy storage technology, biomedicine and high-end agriculture.

Details of the transactions, which are expected to close in the 4th quarter of 2024, will be set out in an Agreement to be filed by parent company Ivanhoe Electric with the securities regulators. A link to the full Ivanhoe Electric release is as follows:

https://ivanhoeelectric.com/news/ivanhoe-electrics-vrb-energy-subsidiary-secures-55-million-investment/

Company CEO, A. Lee Barker remarked that the expansion by VRB Energy into the US is in itself, an exciting new development. The additional participation by Red Sun in China, with the infusion of capital and collateral elements should result in new marketing and sales initiatives in the Asia and internationally. These are all viewed as positive developments in the commercialisation of VRB Energys vanadium flow batteries.

For more information contact:

A. Lee Barker, M.A Sc., P. Eng.,

President and CEO

Tel./Fax: 647-344-7734 or Mobile: 416-716-5762

Email: info@spartonres.ca Website: www.spartonres.ca

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release involves forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, financings and transactions being pursued, and all such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and 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 expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although the Company believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such forward-looking statements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein.

We Seek Safe Harbour
GRAPEVINE, Texas, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) (GameStop or the Company) today announced that it has completed its previously disclosed at-the-market equity offering program (the ATM Program).



GameStop disclosed on September 10, 2024 that it filed a prospectus supplement with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission to offer and sell up to a maximum amount of 20,000,000 shares of its common stock from time to time through the ATM Program. The Company sold the maximum number of shares registered under the ATM Program for aggregate gross proceeds (before commissions and offering expenses) of approximately $400 million.

GameStop intends to use the net proceeds from the ATM Program for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions and investments.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS - SAFE HARBOR

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based upon managements current beliefs, views, estimates and expectations, including as to the Companys industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning its market position, strategic and transformation initiatives, future operations, margins, profitability, sales growth, capital expenditures, liquidity, capital resources, expansion of technology expertise, and other financial and operating information, including expectations as to future operating profit improvement. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and actual developments, business decisions, outcomes and results may differ materially from those reflected or described in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual developments, business decisions, outcomes and results to differ materially from those reflected or described in the forward-looking statements: economic, social, and political conditions in the markets in which we operate; the competitive nature of the Companys industry; the cyclicality of the video game industry; the Companys dependence on the timely delivery of new and innovative products from its vendors; the impact of technological advances in the video game industry and related changes in consumer behavior on the Companys sales; interruptions to the Companys supply chain or the supply chain of our suppliers; the Companys dependence on sales during the holiday selling season; the Companys ability to obtain favorable terms from its current and future suppliers and service providers; the Companys ability to anticipate, identify and react to trends in pop culture with regard to its sales of collectibles; the Companys ability to maintain strong retail and ecommerce experiences for its customers; the Companys ability to keep pace with changing industry technology and consumer preferences; the Companys ability to manage its profitability and cost reduction initiatives; turnover in senior management or the Companys ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; potential damage to the Companys reputation or customers' perception of the Company; the Companys ability to maintain the security or privacy of its customer, associate or Company information; occurrence of weather events, natural disasters, public health crises and other unexpected events; risks associated with inventory shrinkage; potential failure or inadequacy of the Company's computerized systems; the ability of the Companys third party delivery services to deliver products to the Companys retail locations, fulfillment centers and consumers and changes in the terms the Company has with such service providers; the ability and willingness of the Companys vendors to provide marketing and merchandising support at historical or anticipated levels; restrictions on the Companys ability to purchase and sell pre-owned products; the Companys ability to renew or enter into new leases on favorable terms; unfavorable changes in the Companys global tax rate; legislative actions; the Companys ability to comply with federal, state, local and international laws and regulations and statutes; potential future litigation and other legal proceedings; the value of the Companys securities holdings; concentration of the Companys investment portfolio into one or few holdings; the recognition of losses in a particular security even if the Company has not sold the security; volatility in the Companys stock price, including volatility due to potential short squeezes; continued high degrees of media coverage by third parties; the availability and future sales of substantial amounts of the Companys Class A common stock; fluctuations in the Companys results of operations from quarter to quarter; the Companys ability to generate sufficient cash flow to fund its operations; the Companys ability to incur additional debt; risks associated with the Companys investment in marketable, nonmarketable and interest-bearing securities, including the impact of such investments on Companys financial results; and the Companys ability to maintain effective control over financial reporting. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those reflected or described in the forward-looking statements can be found in GameStop's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings made from time to time with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov or on the Companys investor relations website ( https://investor.gamestop.com ) . Forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws.

Contact

GameStop Corp. Investor Relations

(817) 424-2001

ir@gamestop.com
ATLANTA, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Professionals from across the country who specialize in assisting families with the burden of estate administration will be attending the PALS Summit on Oct. 23-25 at the Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter.

PALS (Professionals of After Loss Services) is a national organization that brings together and trains professionals who provide administrative and logistical services to families after the death of a loved one. Co-founders and business owners Rachel Donnelly, Jasmine Hathaway and Mollie Lacher founded the organization in 2021 after seeing the need in the space during their personal journeys with loss. PALS is the only community of after loss professionals in the United States.

Every year, millions of families are left overwhelmed and confused after the death of a loved one, facing not just emotional grief but an avalanche of logisticsfrom completing bureaucratic paperwork to finding accounts to handling digital legacies and personal belongings, said Rachel Donnelly, co-founder of PALS. Loss is a universal experience, and yet this rapidly maturing industry is still incredibly decentralized. Thats why were excited to host this one-of-a-kind conference.

Special guest Matt Paxton, of the two-time Emmy-nominated show Legacy List with Matt Paxton and A&Es Hoarders, will be attending the welcome reception. Over 16 industry leaders will lead 14 learning workshops and breakout sessions during the three-day conference. Speakers will focus on ways to improve the services families receive from after loss professionals and strengthen attendees businesses. Additional opportunities include networking, professional development, client resources and continuing education.

If youre already operating in the after loss space and seeking a community of peers or to learn best practices, we hope youll join us. If youre a professional considering adding an after loss service line, this summit will be perfect for you, too, said Donnelly. PALS aims to be a supportive and unifying force for after loss professionals, and we want you to join us in Atlanta this October.

Conference registration is $525 for members and $599 for non-members. For additional PALS Summit information, including special room rates and schedule details, visit afterlosspros.com/summit.

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About PALS

PALS brings together professionals who are passionate about filling the gap in support for families struggling to manage the administrative and logistical tasks of settling an estate while grieving the death of a loved one. PALS provides online education to teach others how to become after loss professionals, a membership, and a business affiliate program for this burgeoning community. For additional PALS information, visit afterlosspros.com.

Attachments
Delta, BC, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Nature Trust of BC (NTBC), in partnership with GCT Global Container Terminals (GCT), representatives from ILWU 502 and 514, local community groups and volunteers, hosted a successful shoreline cleanup in Boundary Bay on Monday, September 16. More than 20 volunteers collected 175 lbs of garbage from the shoreline and surrounding area, helping to preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of this vital coastal area.

Boundary Bay is a critical habitat for a wide range of species, including migratory birds, marine life, and plants. The shoreline cleanup was part of The Nature Trust of BC's ongoing efforts to protect and restore this valuable ecosystem.

"We are thrilled with the community turnout and the positive impact made today," said Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO, The Nature Trust of BC. "Every piece of trash removed from the shoreline helps to protect wildlife and maintain the ecological integrity of Boundary Bay. This event is a testament to the power of community action in conserving our natural spaces."

The Boundary Bay Shoreline Clean Up is one of many initiatives by The Nature Trust of BC and GCT Global Container Terminals aimed at engaging the public, employees and stakeholders in environmental stewardship. GCT Deltaport is one of the largest employers in Delta and is committed to activating resources that advance sustainability in the communities in which we operate.

Earlier this year, Global Container Terminals formed a strategic partnership with The Nature Trust of British Columbia to enhance conservation efforts, particularly in Boundary Bays wetlands and estuaries. The collaboration emphasizes preserving biodiversity and ecological resilience in this Pacific area near the Canadian-U.S. border that is essential for various bird species.

Im incredibly proud of our teams continued participation in these initiatives and the positive impact we are making in our community. By working side by side on shoreline cleanups, we not only help to restore our natural spaces but also build connections across the community, says Ben Hawk, Vice President, Operations, GCT Deltaport

GCT is actively working to improve environmental performance at its terminals by exceeding regulatory standards and embracing sustainable innovation. By reducing its emissions by more than 26% across its terminals, GCT has achieved the equivalent of removing 2,700 passenger vehicles from the road annually. The achievement reaffirms GCTs commitment to environmental stewardship, safety, and community development through its Global Commitment program and five-year ESG strategy.

About The Nature Trust of BC

The Nature Trust of British Columbia is a leading non-profit land conservation charity with over 50 years of success protecting and caring for B.C.s most critical habitats. Since 1971, The Nature Trust of BC and its partners have acquired more than 73,000 hectares (180,000 acres) of ecologically significant land to save vulnerable wildlife, fish and plants.

About GCT Global Container Terminals

GCT Global Container Terminals is a majority Canadian-owned container terminal operator in the Port of Vancouver. GCT has been making waves on the Vancouver waterfront for over a hundred years, dating back to 1907 when it started as Empire Stevedoring, playing a major role in developing Canadas Pacific Gateway in collaboration with supply chain partners. Today, GCT is operating two Green Marine certified gateway terminals: GCT Vanterm in Vancouver and GCT Deltaport in Delta, with the capacity to handle over 3 million TEUs.

Visit www.globalterminals.com or follow us @globalterminals to find out more about GCT.

Photos of the event for downloa



Media Inquiries:

The Nature Trust of BC

Alicia Collyear, Associate Director

Naturetrust@yulupr.com

604-558-1656





Global Container Terminals

Jennifer Perih, Manager, Corporate Affairs

media@globalterminals.com

604-267-5201

Attachment
Sacramento, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sacramento, California -

APS Environmental has announced it is expanding its range of residential services, with a special focus on Septic Tank Pumping. This move is part of the company's ongoing dedication to offering comprehensive environmental solutions. With more people needing effective waste management, APS Environmental is set on helping homeowners keep their septic systems running smoothly and avoid issues that come from system failures. For more information about the company and its wide range of services, you can visit the APS Environmental website.

The company provides different services to keep septic systems in top shape. These include septic tank cleaning and maintenance, septic tank pumping, and leach field rejuvenation. APS Environmental is also ready to handle emergencies and offers appointments around the clock. Detailed information about septic tank solutions can be found on the dedicated Septic System Solutions page.

"The importance of regular septic tank maintenance cannot be overstated," said B. Hage, a representative for APS Environmental. "A properly maintained septic system can last for decades, and regular pumping is a critical component in avoiding costly repairs and environmental hazards. We are proud to offer these vital services to our customers."

Besides Septic Tank Pumping, APS Environmental also provides a wide range of related services. These include sewer system solutions such as camera inspections, hydro jetting, and sewer line replacements. The company offers hydro excavation services too, which help precisely locate utilities without damaging the surrounding area. This method is especially useful for delicate work around utility lines. More details on these methods can be found on the Hydro Excavation page.

Hydro jetting is another important service they offer. This involves using high-pressure water to clean out clogged or slow sewage lines. It's particularly effective for clearing debris and roots that have built up over time. APS Environmental's equipment makes this process efficient, causing minimal disruption for homeowners. Their comprehensive sewer system solutions, including hydro jetting, are outlined on the Sewer System Solutions page.

The company's trenchless sewer repair techniques are designed to fix sewer lines without extensive digging, which minimizes the impact on property. By using this method, APS Environmental can repair and replace pipelines quickly, saving both time and money. More about these minimally invasive techniques can be found under Trenchless Sewer Repair services.

Pipeline management services provide homeowners with ways to restore the function of old pipes. High-pressure water cleaning, seamless pipe lining repairs, and video inspections are some of the standard practices employed to ensure that pipes are in good working condition. These services not only extend the life of the pipelines but also help maintain the overall safety and efficiency of the home's waste management system. For a detailed understanding of these services, the Pipeline Management page offers comprehensive information.

The company's vacuum truck services are great for removing waste and spills. These trucks can handle both liquid transport and solid waste removal, making them versatile for maintaining cleanliness and safety. Using these trucks ensures that waste is transported efficiently and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. More information about this can be found on the Vacuum Truck Services page.

"Homeowners often overlook the importance of maintaining their waste management systems," said Hage. "Regular maintenance and timely attention to issues can prevent serious problems down the line. Our aim is to give homeowners peace of mind that their systems are functioning correctly and sustainably."

APS Environmental's online presence makes it easy for homeowners to access their services. The company's website offers detailed descriptions of all their services and allows users to request appointments directly. They also encourage customers to leave reviews on Google.

For those interested in learning more about Septic Tank Pumping or any other services, the company provides ample information online. Homeowners can visit the dedicated Septic Tank Pumping page on their website for detailed information about the process and benefits of regular septic tank maintenance.

APS Environmental keeps their services accessible 24/7, so anyone in need can Contact APS Environmental for immediate help or to schedule an appointment. Their dedication to customer accessibility and quality service emphasizes their commitment to maintaining and improving environmental and residential health standards.

More updates and service announcements can be expected as APS Environmental continues to expand and enhance its offerings to meet homeowners' needs. Hage continued, "The importance of regular septic tank maintenance cannot be overstated. A properly maintained septic system can last for decades, and regular pumping is a critical component in avoiding costly repairs and environmental hazards. We are proud to offer these vital services to our customers. Homeowners often overlook the importance of maintaining their waste management systems. Regular maintenance and timely attention to issues can prevent serious problems down the line. Our aim is to give homeowners peace of mind that their systems are functioning correctly and sustainably."

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For more information about APS Environmental, contact the company here:



APS Environmental

B. Hage

916-348-2800

info@apsenvironmental.com

6643 32nd St #101, North Highlands, CA 95660
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- URZ3 Energy Corp. (URZ or the Company) (TSX-V: URZ; OTCQB: NVDEF) announces with great sadness the passing of Company director Ben Leboe - our wonderful friend, mentor and business partner.

An experienced director and business executive, Ben was a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), business valuator and management consultant. After beginning his career with KPMG, he went on to serve as the Chief Financial Officer to many organizations, among them Uranerz Energy Corp., and held many directorships, including with URZ Energy Corp. As much or more than his expert advice and considerable business acumen, we valued Bens calm wisdom, unassuming style, generous mentorship, quick wit and wise perspective.

A devoted husband and father, we are grateful Ben was surrounded by his loving family in his final days. He will be missed dearly.

The Company and the board of directors extends their deepest condolences to Ben's family, friends and business associates.

For further information, please contact:

URZ3 Energy Corp.

Darcy Higgs, Director

Telephone: (604) 644-6580

Website: www.urz3.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Mitchell, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mitchell, South Dakota -

Precision Reloading is excited to announce the release of its latest line of reloading supplies adding in the new addition of Peterson Brass. Products such as the 6mm Dasher, 6.5 PRC, and 308 Winchester are crafted to meet the needs of both enthusiasts and professionals in the reloading community. The company is committed to providing high-quality products designed to cater to a variety of customer needs.

A spokesperson shared, "Our new lineup reflects our dedication to quality and innovation. We have focused on developing products that offer enhanced durability and performance for our diverse customer base."

The new lineup highlights improvements in durability and efficiency, aiming to deliver reliable products that perform well under different conditions. Every item goes through strict testing to make sure it meets the highest industry standards.

On their website, customers can find detailed information about these new products. The site is user-friendly and makes it easy to find products and place orders. The design ensures a smooth and convenient shopping experience.

A representative at Precision Reloading, noted, "We prioritize making the purchasing process as simple as possible. We know our customers value convenience, and our online platform is built to provide that."

Precision Reloading is known for its long history of innovation in the reloading industry. The company continually strives to improve its products to better serve its customers. The release of this new line is backed by extensive research and development, meeting the growing demands of the reloading community.

Besides offering new products, Precision Reloading also provides a range of resources on its website. These include comprehensive guides and tutorials to help enhance the reloading experience for customers. This focus on education is part of the company's mission to support the reloading community.

Their website allows customers to easily access these educational resources and find products that best meet their needs. By providing detailed information and guidance, Precision Reloading aims to build long-term relationships with its customers, offering continuous support beyond the initial purchase.

The new product line features items like reloading presses, dies, and scales, all designed for excellent performance. The reloading presses offer stability and ease of use, allowing users to reload ammunition with precision. The dies are made from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and consistent results. The scales feature advanced calibration for accurate measurements. Precision Reloading also offers an extensive selection of reloading dies, bullets, hulls, wads, and powder to meet all reloading needs.

Each product is subjected to rigorous quality checks to ensure they meet Precision Reloading's high standards. The development process includes feedback from users, which is incorporated into the final designs to improve usability and performance.

The company also values customer input, regularly engaging with them through surveys and direct feedback channels. This helps Precision Reloading stay in tune with the evolving needs of the reloading community, ensuring their product range remains relevant and effective.

Safety is another key feature of the new product line. Precision Reloading has included several safety features in its products to help prevent accidents during the reloading process. The company continuously emphasizes safety to ensure users have a secure reloading experience.

In addition, the company offers strong customer service support, including phone support, email assistance, and live chat options. This ensures that customers can always find help when needed. The customer service team is trained to handle a variety of inquiries, from product selection to technical support.

The new line of products is now available on the company's website. Precision Reloading encourages potential buyers to visit the site to explore the latest offerings and take advantage of the available resources for an enhanced buying experience. The company remains dedicated to maintaining high standards of service and product quality, aiming to meet the needs of the reloading community effectively.

With this new product launch, Precision Reloading upholds its promise to provide reliable, high-quality reloading supplies. The company looks forward to continuing to serve the reloading community, offering products that meet their demanding needs. Visit Precision Reloading's website for more information and to explore the new product lineup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B8XcqCVp88

RECENT NEWS: Precision Reloading Expands Inventory with High-Quality Starline Brass

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For more information about Precision Reloading, contact the company here:



Precision Reloading

Precision Reloading

605-996-9984

Orders@precisionreloading.com

1700 W. Cedar Ave. Mitchell, SD 57301
Vancouver, September 23, 2024 - Starcore Mines International Ltd. (TSX: SAM) ("Starcore" or the "Company") reports its estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources as at April 30, 2024 for its San Martin Mine, located in Queretaro State, Mexico. The report has been filed on SEDAR+ and is also available on the Company's website www.starcore.com.

Proven and Probable mineral reserves are estimated to contain approximately 96,298 ounces of gold and 710,435 ounces of silver for a total of 104,962 ounces of Au equivalent. Measured and indicated mineral resources are estimated to total approximately 97,396 ounces of gold and 720,623 ounces of silver for a total of 106,185 ounces of gold equivalent. Inferred mineral resources are estimated to total approximately 47,972 ounces of gold and 355,856 ounces of silver giving a total of 52,312 ounces of gold equivalent. The updated mineral reserves and mineral resources estimates are reported net of the production from the San Martin property (see Tables below).

Salvador Garcia, Starcore's COO of the Company, commented: "I am extremely pleased to announce our year-end Reserve and Resource estimate. With this updated estimate, Starcore has increased San Martin's Mineral Reserves since operations began in 2008, adding approximately (to date) 286,112 oz before mining depletion. Our 2023 conversion drilling program has enabled us to grow our Reserves and Measured and Indicated Resources. Based on planned conversion and exploration programs for 2024, I am very excited for the potential to add more ounces over the coming year."

For 2024, 104,962 ounces of gold equivalent are reported in mineral reserves, an increase of 27 % in reserves compared to the estimate for 2022, where 82,562 ounces of gold equivalent were reported. In this update, a carbonaceous mineral (as referred to in previous press releases) is reported that corresponds to 49,539 of the total reserves included. The metallurgical research and testing completed over the past year by Kappes Cassiday and Associates of Reno, Nevada USA, have been very positive and has achieved recoveries of approximately 70% for Gold and 55% for Silver. With this strong technical support, we believe we are able to include this carbonaceous ore, which contains a gold grade of approximately 3.1 gr/ton and 20 gr/ton of Silver, as an economic ore.

This type of material is significant as it is an indication of the existence of enormous potential and supports exploration at depth and in lateral extensions to increase resources and reserves in the short and medium term.

In 2024, Starcore plans to complete over 6,000 metres of drilling across its main mine of San Martin, focused on near-mine exploration for mineral reserve replacement.

Mineral Reserves as of April 30, 2024 Category Tonnage Grade

Contained Metal Au Ag Au-Eq Au Ag Au-Eq (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (Oz) (Oz) (Oz) Proven 545,373 2.39 19 2.61 41,845 325,003 45,809 Probable 712,987 2.38 17 2.58 54,453 385,432 59,154 Proven + Probable 1,258,360 2.38 18 2.59 96,298 710,435 104,962 Mineral Resources as of April 30, 2024

Category

Tonnage Grade Metal Content Au Ag Au-Eq Au Ag Au-Eq (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (Oz) (Oz) (Oz) Measured 510,754 2.60 20 2.85 42,731 329,724 46,752 Indicated 646,559 2.63 19 2.86 54,665 390,899 59,432 Measured + Indicated 1,157,312 2.62 19 2.85 97,396 720,623 106,185 Inferred 728,433 2.05 15 2.23 47,972 355,856 52,312

The effective date of the mineral resources estimate is April 30, 2024. Estimation and reporting of mineral resources were carried out in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") guidelines. Mineral resources have been classified into measured, indicated and inferred confidence categories. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them to enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. Mineral resources have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction demonstrating sufficient spatial continuity of mineralization constrained within a potentially mineable shape. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Prices used to report mineral resources were: $1,891 per ounce of gold and $23.06 per ounce of silver. Resource and reserve cut-off grades are based on a 1.29 g/t gold equivalent. This mineral resource and reserve estimate was prepared under the supervision of, or was reviewed by, Erme Enriquez, MSc, CPG, independent consultant, who is a Qualified Person as that term is defined in NI 43-101. Grades are shown as contained metal before mill recoveries are applied. The Company has undertaken a verification process with respect to the data disclosed in this news release. A total of 441 diamond drill holes with a total length of 52,605 metres and 5,427 channel samples were used in the geological interpretation and resource estimate. Several old historic drill holes were included in the modeling.

About Starcore

Starcore International Mines is engaged in precious metals production with focus and experience in Mexico. While this base of producing assets has been complemented by exploration and development projects throughout North America, Starcore has expanded its reach internationally with the project in Cote d'Ivoire. The company is a leader in Corporate Social Responsibility and advocates value driven decisions that will increase long term shareholder value. You can find more information on the investor friendly website here: www.starcore.com.

ON BEHALF OF STARCORE INTERNATIONAL

MINES LTD.

(sgd.) "Robert Eadie"

President & Chief Executive Officer

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed, nor does it accept responsibility

for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This news release contains "forward-looking" statements and information ("forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein, including, without limitation, management's expectations and the potential of the Company's projects, are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company's management and reflect the beliefs, opinions, and projections on the date the statements are made. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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. The Company assumes no obligation to update forwardlooking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections or other factors, except as required by law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224138
Vancouver, September 23, 2024 - Electrum Discovery Corp. ("Electrum" or the "Company") (TSXV:ELY |FRA:R8N |OTC:ELDCF) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 21,428,571 units of the Company (the "Units"), at a price of $0.07 per Unit , to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately $1.5 million.

Each Unit will comprise one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.15 for a period of 36 months following the completion of the Private Placement.

The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used by the Company for the continued exploration of its Timok East copper-gold project ("Timok East") including a maiden drill programme and for working capital purposes.

Certain insiders of the Company may participate in the Private Placement, and the Company may pay a finder's fee to third party finders who introduce investors to the Company. Completion of the Private Placement is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV").

The Private Placement may be closed in one or more tranches. It is anticipated that closing of a first tranche of $500,000 will occur promptly upon receipt of conditional approval from the TSXV, which is expected shortly. A further news release will be issued on closing of the Private Placement.

All of the securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of issuance thereof.

About Electrum Discovery Corp.

Electrum Discovery Corp. is an emerging mineral exploration and development company focused on the prolific Western Tethyan Belt with two main projects spanning 645 square kilometers of prospective exploration ground in the Republic of Serbia.

Timok East extends over 123 square kilometers across the Timok copper-gold region and includes the recently discovered Bambino copper-gold anomaly, located less than five kilometers from the Bor Copper-Gold Mining Complex.

Novo Tlamino, located in the south-east of the Republic of Serbia, covers 522 square kilometers and includes an inferred mineral resource estimate of 670,000oz AuEq (7,100,000t at 2.9 g/t AuEq average grade), PEA (January 7, 2021)1.

Electrum's management team is focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition and advancement of a large portfolio of copper-gold assets, while fostering sustainability, governance and knowledge transfer in the region.

Additional information on Electrum can be found by reviewing the Company's page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

For more information contact:

Dr Elena Clarici, Chief Executive Officer and Director

T: +1 604 801 5432 | E: info@electrumdiscovery.com | W: electrumdiscovery.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information. Such statements include Company's expected achievement of specified milestones, results of operations, and expected financial results of the Company. Often, but not always, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Electrum, to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the PEA and exploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; risks related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in Electrum's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under Electrum's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Rock chip and surface results are early stage and there is no assurance that future exploration will find mineralization of further interest. Although Electrum has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking information contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management. Forward-looking information has been made as of the date hereof and Electrum disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

1 Preliminary Economic Assessment and NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Medgold Tlamino Project Licences, Serbia, dated March 11, 2021, www.sedarplus.ca. The effective date of the resource estimate is January 7, 2021. Authors of the Reports are: Mr. Richard Siddle, MAIG, of Addison Mining Services Ltd for Mineral Resources; Dr. Matthew Randall, FIMMM, of Axe Valley Mining Consultants Ltd for Mining; Mr. Ian Jackson, FIMMM, of Bara Consulting for Mineral Processing, and Dr. Andrew Bamber, MCIM, of Bara Consulting Ltd for Economic Analysis.

The PEA is preliminary in nature, and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be characterized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realised.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
CSE:NF

OTCQX:NFUNF

VANCOUVER, Sept. 23, 2024 - Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE: NF) (OTCQX: NFUNF) ("Nuclear Fuels" or the "Company") announced today the results from the on-going drilling program at the priority Kaycee In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") Uranium Project in Wyoming's Powder River Basin. Drilling results from the Spur Zone have extended uranium mineralization over 1,000 feet. Two miles to the southeast, drilling at the Saddle Zone returned results of up to 0.233% eU 3 O 8 (uranium) over 7.0 feet with a Grade Thickness ("GT") of 1.631. In the Powder River Basin ("PRB") of Wyoming potentially ISR-recoverable uranium mineralization with a GT of greater than 0.25 is considered suitable for inclusion in a potential wellfield.

Specific Highlights include:

1,000+ foot extension of the Spur Zone mineralization towards the Saddle Zone, located approximately two miles to the south, with drill intercepts up to 0.079% eU 3 O 8 (uranium) over 8.0 feet and a GT of 0.632 and 0.117% eU 3 O 8 over 5.0 feet with a GT of 0.585. GT or Grade Thickness, is defined as the product of the uranium grade ("eU 3 O 8 %") multiplied by the thickness of the intercept (in feet);

O (uranium) over 8.0 feet and a GT of 0.632 and 0.117% eU O over 5.0 feet with a GT of 0.585. GT or Grade Thickness, is defined as the product of the uranium grade ("eU O %") multiplied by the thickness of the intercept (in feet); Continued successful infill and step-out drilling at the Saddle Zone, with drill intercepts up to 0.233% eU 3 O 8 over 7.0 feet and a GT of 1.631, representing the highest GT reported by Nuclear Fuels to date;

O over 7.0 feet and a GT of 1.631, representing the highest GT reported by Nuclear Fuels to date; 74% (34) of the drill holes completed herein returned anomalous gamma values, with 12 holes returning GT of 0.25 or better;

Drilling continues and has expanded to other regional targets and areas of historic mineralization across the Kaycee Uranium Project.

To view project maps please visit: https://bit.ly/4ez2iQv

Greg Huffman, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "The results from this phase of drilling at the Kaycee Uranium Project are the best to date and illustrate the untapped potential of Kaycee. We continue to expand our drill program and truly believe we are in the early stages of a program that will offer up continuing positive results. Our ultimate goal remains to build a significant resource and advance the project to the point where it has the opportunity to become yet another uranium producer in the prolific and proven Powder River Basin."

Table of Significant Results from the Kaycee Uranium Project Drill Program

Drill Hole ID Drill Hole

Depth (Feet) From (Feet) To (Feet) Grade (%

eU 3 O 8 ) Thickness (Feet) Grade

Thickness SPUR ZONE











SR24_031 350 295.0 303.0 0.079 8.0 0.632 SR24_035 350 264.5 269.0 0.120 4.5 0.540 SR24_038 330 292.0 298.5 0.091 6.5 0.592 SR24_039 350 271.0 278.0 0.048 7.0 0.336 SR24_040 340 257.5 262.5 0.117 5.0 0.585 SR24_045 350 240.5 245.0 0.079 4.5 0.356













SADDLE

ZONE











SD24_088 310 218.0 224.0 0.109 6.0 0.654 SD24_090 370 289.0 294.0 0.190 5.0 0.950 SD24_093 310 224.5 229.0 0.266 4.5 1.197 SD24_094 330 253.0 256.5 0.127 3.5 0.445 SD24_095 400 337.0 344.0 0.233 7.0 1.631 SD24_100 350 287.5 300.5 0.089 13.0 1.157

Drill holes are reported that returned significant zones of uranium mineralization with >2 ft thickness at or above a grade cut-off of 0.02 per cent eU3O8 or that are relevant to exploration targeting. (1) %U 3 O 8 by Gamma logging is a measure of gamma intensity from a decay product of uranium. Gamma log assays may be in disequilibrium with ICP-MS assays. Comparisons of U 3 O 8 Gamma log and ICP-MS assays of Powder River Basin core samples indicate that U 3 O 8 Gamma is comparable to ICP-MS uranium assay in the Powder River Basin. (2) Grade Thickness, or GT, is defined as the product of the mineral grade multiplied by the thickness of the mineralization.

The Kaycee Uranium Project drill program is designed to confirm and expand uranium mineralization associated with known historic resource areas, and test for new areas of mineralization along a 36-mile trend. Drilling continues at the Kaycee ISR Uranium Project with additional drill results pending from both the Spur and Saddle Zones. Currently, one drill rig is testing other historical resource areas beyond Spur and Saddle. Preparations are being made to initiate drilling on new high priority regional targets identified based on surface mapping and the evaluation of additional historic drill logs.

Spur Zone Drill Program, Kaycee Uranium Program

The Spur Zone drill program has extended the previously identified mineralization over 1,000 feet to the south, demonstrating the potential to significantly expand the size of historic zones of mineralization on the Kaycee Uranium Project. The extension trending towards the Saddle Zone mineralization, located approximately two miles to the southeast, provides further evidence of a potential connection between these two mineralized zones. Continued testing of this concept is a top priority for the ongoing drilling program.

In July 2024, 30 drill holes were completed to an average depth of 366 feet and were designed to extend and infill the north-south trending mineralization identified during the initial 2024 drill program. Of the 30 holes completed, 73% (22 drill holes) returned anomalous gamma values; 6holes returned a GT of 0.25 or better, including 4 holes with a GT greater than 0.5. Highlights include Hole SR24-031 with 0.079% eU 3 O 8 over 8.0 feet, with a GT of 0.632, from a depth of 295 feet. This hole was a 400 foot step-out to the south from Hole SR24-024 which had previously been reported with a GT of 0.436 (Nuclear Fuels NR August 29, 2024). Hole SR24-040 was drilled a further 400 feet to the south of Hole SR24-031 and intercepted 0.117% eU 3 O 8 over 5.0 feet, with a GT of 0.585, from a depth of 257.5 feet. The extended mineralization has been confirmed over an additional 200 feet to the south and remains open along trend.

Saddle Zone Drill Program, Kaycee Uranium Project

Drilling completed in July 2024 has confirmed and expanded the known mineralization at the Saddle Zone. Additional drilling will test for further extensions of the main trend and will follow up on newly identified anomalous mineralization encountered within deeper formations to the southwest of the main Saddle trend.

16 drill holes were completed at the Saddle Zone to an average depth of 483 feet to infill and extend historic mineralization. Of the 16 holes completed, 75% (12 holes) returned anomalous mineralization; 6 holes returned GT of 0.25 or better, including 3 with a GT in excess of 1.0. Highlights include Hole SD24-095, drilled to test the northern extension of north-south-trending mineralization which defines the eastern side of the Saddle Zone. Hole SD24-095 returned 0.233% eU 3 O 8 over 7.0 feet, with a GT of 1.631, from a depth of 337.0 feet representing the best hole drilled by Nuclear Fuels at the Kaycee Project. Hole SD24-100 was also drilled within this north-south trend and returned 0.089% eU 3 O 8 over 13.0 feet, with a GT of 1.157, from a depth of 287.5 feet. Hole SD24-093 was drilled to test the central portion of the mineralized trend identified during the Company's initial drill program and returned 0.266% eU 3 O 8 over 4.5 feet, with a GT of 1.197, from a depth of 224.5 feet.

Kaycee Uranium Project, Wyoming

The Kaycee Project in Wyoming's PRB, Nuclear Fuels' priority project, consists of over 42 square miles of mineral rights over a 36-mile mineralized trend hosting more than 110 miles of identified roll fronts. The Kaycee Project is believed to be the only project in the PRB where all three known historically productive sandstone formations (Wasatch, Fort Union, and Lance) are mineralized and potentially accessible for ISR extraction. The Kaycee Project, under Nuclear Fuels, represents the first time since the early 1980's that the entire district is controlled by one company.

In 2023, Nuclear Fuels acquired the Kaycee Project from enCore Energy Corp., which retains a back-in right for 51% of the project by paying 2.5X the exploration costs and financing the Kaycee project to production (costs recoverable from production) upon Nuclear Fuels establishing a minimum 15 million pound eU 3 O 8 43-101 compliant resource.

Wyoming is a proven and prolific uranium producer with a pro-energy government and established regulatory regime for the permitting and extraction of uranium through ISR technology. Wyoming is one of the few "Agreement States" hosting ISR uranium deposits, where the federal government and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have ceded regulatory authority to the state government, permitting and advancing uranium projects is more efficient and streamlined as compared to most other states. Wyoming, with over 250 million pounds of historic uranium production, ranks as the state with the second most uranium production to date; most of which has been through the ISR technology since 1990; predominantly from the PBR.

Drill holes were completed by Single Water Services using a rotary drill rig. Chip samples are collected for lithological logging every five feet. Century Geophysics of Tulsa Oklahoma is contracted to conduct downhole gamma ray, resistivity, spontaneous potential, and deviation. Century Geophysics calibrates the downhole tools in the US Department of Energy uranium logging Test pits in Casper Wyoming, to ensure the accuracy of the down hole gamma ray log measurements. % eU 3 O 8 is a measure of gamma intensity from a decay product of uranium and is not a direct measurement of uranium. Numerous comparisons of eU 3 O 8 and chemical assays of PBR core samples indicate that eU 3 O 8 is a reasonable indicator of the actual uranium assay.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Travis, CPG., a contractor to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Nuclear Fuels Inc.

Nuclear Fuels Inc. is a uranium exploration company advancing early-stage, district-scale In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") amenable uranium projects towards production in the United States of America. Leveraging extensive proprietary historical databases and deep industry expertise, Nuclear Fuels is well-positioned in a sector poised for significant and sustained growth on the back of strong government support. Nuclear Fuels has consolidated the Kaycee Wyoming district under single-company control for the first time since the early 1980s. Currently executing its second drill program at the Kaycee Project, the Company aims to expand on historic resources across a 36-mile trend with over 110 miles of mapped roll-fronts defined by 3,800 drill holes. The Company's strategic relationship with enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Company, offers a mutually beneficial "pathway to production," with enCore retaining the right to back- in to 51% ownership in the flagship Kaycee Project in Wyoming's prolific Powder River Basin.

W: www.nuclearfuels.energy

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to planned exploration programs and the results of additional exploration work in seeking to establish mineral resources as defined in NI43-101 on any of our properties. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with the completing planned exploration programs and the results of those programs; the ability to access additional capital to fund planned and future operations; regulatory risks including exploration permitting; risks associated with title to our mineral projects; the ability of the company to implement its business strategies; and other risks including risks contained in documents available for review at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile. 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 placed will occur. 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.

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SOURCE Nuclear Fuels Inc.
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES./

VANCOUVER, Sept. 23, 2024 - Further to its news releases dated September 6 and 12, 2024, Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) (Frankfurt: Z68) confirms that it has fully subscribed its brokered private placement pursuant to the "listed issuer financing exemption" under Part 5A of NI 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") of 19,000,000 units (the "LIFE Units") of the Company (the "LIFE Offering"). Due to heavy demand, the Company has determined to increase the total amount of the recently announced concurrent non-brokered private placement from 3,222,222 units of the Company at a price of C$0.45 per unit to 6,126,167 units (the "Non-LIFE Units") for gross proceeds of C$2,756,775 (the "Private Placement" and, together with the LIFE Offering, the "Financings").

The Company is pleased to advise that it has received lead orders for the Private Placement from Term Oil Inc. (Mr. Rick Rule) and Luca's CEO Dan Barnholden in the amounts of C$500,000 and C$450,000 respectively. Dan Barnholden, CEO stated: "I am very pleased to welcome an extremely strong group of retail and institutional investors, including Rick Rule. I believe Luca is poised to deliver on its plan for production growth as demonstrated by my own personal investment".

The Non-LIFE Units have identical terms to the LIFE Units except that the securities issued or made issuable pursuant to the Non-LIFE Units will be subject to a statutory four-month hold period. There are no finder's fees payable on the Private Placement.

The combined gross proceeds of the Financings will total C$11,306,775. The net proceeds from the Financings will be used for ongoing work on the Campo Morado Improvement Program, exploration drilling at both Campo Morado and Tahuehueto, commissioning of the Tahuehueto mill and for general corporate purposes.

Certain directors and officers of the Company are acquiring securities under the Private Placement. Such participation is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of any shares issued to, or the consideration paid by, such persons will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The Financings are scheduled to close on or about September 26, 2024, and are subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, "U.S. Persons" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent such registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities for sale, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. Any public offering of securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about the company and management, as well as financial statements.

About Luca Mining Corp.

Luca Mining (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines in Mexico. The Company produces gold, copper, zinc, silver and lead from these mines that each have considerable development and resource upside.

The Campo Morado mine, is an underground operation located in Guerrero State, a prolific mining region in Mexico. It produces copper-zinc-lead concentrates with precious metals credits. It is currently undergoing an optimization program which is already generating significant improvements in recoveries and grades, efficiencies, and cashflows.

The Tahuehueto Gold, Silver Mine is a new underground operation in Durango State, Mexico, within the Sierra Madre Mineral Belt which hosts numerous producing and historic mines along its trend. The Company is commissioning its mill capacity to +1,000 tonnes per day, and key test work and production ramp-up is underway, to increase production by 2H 2024.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

(signed) "Dan Barnholden"

Dan Barnholden, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com

Qualified Persons

The technical information contained in this News Release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Chris Richings, Vice-President Technical at Luca Mining as the Qualified Person for the Company as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

It should be noted that Luca declared commercial production at Campo Morado prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Luca's production decision has been made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Campo Morado mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision. Luca has completed a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") mining study on the Campo Morado mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on the previously identified mineral resources (see news releases dated November 8, 2017, and April 4, 2018).

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding the Financings, the anticipated timing of closing thereof and the expected use of proceeds therefrom; and other possible events, conditions or financial performance that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties, such as production rates and increases; success of exploration, development and bulk sample processing activities, and timing for processing at its own mineral processing facility on the Tahuehueto project site. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that all requisite approvals in respect of the Financings will be received, and all conditions precedent to completion of the Financings will be satisfied, in a timely manner; the Company will be able to raise additional capital as necessary; the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Campo Morado Mine and the Tahuehueto Project can be achieved; the program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado will proceed as planned; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. 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, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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.

SOURCE Luca Mining Corp.
CSE: CTOC

OTCQB: CTCGF

www.c2cmetals.com

VANCOUVER, Sept. 23, 2024 - C2C Metals Corp. (CSE: CTOC) (OTCQB: CTCGF) (the "Company" or "C2C) announced today that the Company has staked 3 properties covering over 2,000 acres with known historical occurrences in the Colorado portion of the prolific Uravan Mining District. The Uravan Mining District of Utah and Colorado hosts the Uravan Mineral Belt, a 70-mile (110km) zone of uranium-vanadium deposits in San Miguel, Montrose, and Mesa counties, Colorado, and Grand County, Utah with a history of 80 million pounds of uranium production and over 400 million pounds of vanadium production since 1945. The Company also announces that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC").

Mum Project

The Mum project is located in Montrose County, Colorado and consists of 3 separate claim blocks lying west of the Donna K Uranium Mine and adjacent to a Department of Energy Uranium Reserve (DOEUR) block located to the south.

Whitney Project

The Whitney project consists of 3 separate claim blocks and is located 1 to 3 miles to the west, southwest and south of the Mum project in San Miguel County, Colorado. The project lies to the south and southeast of the DOEUR block adjoining the Mum project and to the north and south of a second DOEUR block to the west. All or parts of the historic Triangulation and Bitter Creek Uranium Mines are covered by the Whitney project.

Dulaney Project

The Dulaney Project, located in San Miguel County, Colorado consists of 43 claims located to the north and west of a separate adjacent DOEUR block. The claims include part of the Radium Group of Mines.

DTC Eligibility Allowing for Electronic Settlement of Trades in the United States

The Company's shares recently began trading on the OTCQB Venture Market ("OTCQB") under the ticker symbol CTCGF. DTC eligibility is expected to simplify the process of trading and enhance liquidity of C2C Metal Corp. shares in the United States.

DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a U.S. company that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC are considered to be "DTC eligible". This electronic method of clearing securities speeds up the receipt of stock and cash, and thus accelerates the settlement process for investors and brokers, enabling the stock to be traded over a much wider selection of brokerage firms by coming into compliance with their requirements.

The Company's common shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CTOC", on the OTCQB under the symbol "CTCGF".

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Lori Walton, P. Geo., a Director of C2C Metals Corp. and "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About C2C Metals Corp.

C2C Metals is a mineral exploration company which holds a portfolio of uranium, gold and copper projects in the United States and Canada. The Company is focused on acquiring conventional uranium assets in the United States.

www.c2cmetals.com

@C2CMetalsCorp

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expected", "will be", "anticipated", "may" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Forward-looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to: the completion of the name change. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

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SOURCE C2C Metals Corp.
MONTREAL, Sept. 23, 2024 - Troilus Gold Corp. ("Troilus" or the "Company", TSX: TLG; OTCQX: CHXMF; FSE: CM5R) announces the Company filed restated Q3 financial statements with the corresponding management discussion & analysis ("MD&A"), initially filed on June 14th, 2024. The decision follows a review that amends the accounting treatment of the Company's holdings in Prospector Metals Corp. ("Prospector"), which impacted the previously reported figures and has led to the need for this correction. As a result, the previous Q3 2024 financial statements and the corresponding management discussion & analysis should no longer be relied upon.



Previously, the Company classified its holdings in Prospector as an investment in securities under IFRS 9, Financial Instruments; however, upon review and consultation with its auditors, management has determined that the Company has significant influence due to its board nomination rights and shareholdings. Consequently, the investment has been classified as an investment in associate, accounted for using the equity method. Currently, the Company owns approximately 18% of Prospector (see news release dated March 5, 2024).

The effect of the restatement does not impact the Company's ongoing cash position and the changes are non-cash in nature. All other disclosure in the amended and restated financial statements and corresponding amended MD&A remains essentially the same as when such documents were originally filed except for certain noted subsequent events.

The corrected Q3 financial statements and MD&A are now available on the Company's website at www.troilusgold.com and can be found at SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) under the Company's issuer profile.

For more details, please refer to the updated 2024 fiscal third-quarter financial statement on SEDAR+.

About Troilus Gold Corp.

Troilus Gold Corp. is a Canadian development-stage mining company focused on the systematic advancement of the former gold and copper Troilus Mine towards production. Troilus is located in the tier-one mining jurisdiction of Quebec, Canada, where it holds a large land position of 435 km in the Frotet-Evans Greenstone Belt. A Feasibility Study completed in May 2024 supports a large-scale 22-year, 50ktpd open-pit mining operation, positioning it as a cornerstone project in North America.

For more information:

Caroline Arsenault

VP Corporate Communications

+1 (647) 407-7123

info@troilusgold.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the impact of the restatement and refiling on the Company.. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "continue", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "will", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions and other important facts that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Troilus to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Troilus will operate in the future. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, amongst others, currency fluctuations, the global economic climate, dilution, share price volatility and competition. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Troilus to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: there being no assurance that the exploration program or programs of the Company will result in expanded mineral resources; risks and uncertainties inherent to mineral resource and reserve estimates; the high degree of uncertainties inherent to feasibility studies and other mining and economic studies which are based to a significant extent on various assumptions; variations in gold prices and other metals, exchange rate fluctuations; variations in cost of supplies and labour; receipt of necessary approvals; availability of financing for project development; uncertainties and risks with respect to developing mining projects; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future gold and other metal prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages; environmental and other risks of the mining industry, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's latest Annual Information Form, its technical reports and other continuous disclosure documents of the Company available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Troilus has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, 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. Troilus does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Vancouver, September 23, 2024 - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) (OTCQB: DRYGF) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company is pleased to announce that as a result of excess demand for the flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares") it is increasing the previously announced (August 26, 2024, September 6, 2024 & September 18, 2024) non-brokered equity financing (the "Upsized Financing") by up to an additional 4,000,000 FT Shares for an aggregate Upsized Financing of up to a maximum of 38,000,000 shares. The FT Shares will be offered at $0.13 per share.

The Upsized Financing is comprised of (1) the increased number of FT Shares and (2) charity flow-through units (the "CFT Unit") at a price of $0.15 per CFT Unit and (3) hard dollar units (the "HD Units") at a price of $0.11 per HD Unit. The CFT Units will consist of one FT Share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant (a "Warrant") will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of $0.18 per common share for a period of 24 months. The HD Units will consist of one common Share of the Company and one-half of one Warrant. The FT Shares, the CFT Units and the HD Units will combine for maximum aggregate proceeds of up to $5,100,000. The Upsized Financing is subject to compliance with applicable securities laws and the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Finders' fees of 6% cash and non-transferable Warrants equal to 6% of the number of FT Shares, CFT Units and HD Units sold under the Upsized Financing may be payable to eligible arm's length persons with respect to certain subscriptions accepted by the Company.

Closing of the Upsized Financing is subject to receipt of applicable regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Upsized Financing will be subject to a four-month hold period. The gross proceeds of the Upsized Financing will be used to fund drilling, re-logging, on the Company's Dryden Gold Property in northwestern Ontario and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of HD Units will be used for working capital and general and administrative expenses. The FT Shares and the CFT Units will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). An amount equal to the gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares and the CFT Units will be used to incur eligible resource exploration expenses which will qualify as (i) "Canadian exploration expenses" (as defined in the Tax Act), and (ii) as "flow-through mining expenditures" (as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act). The gross proceeds from the issuance of the HD Units will be used for general corporate purposes.

The Upsized Financing will close in one or more tranches on completion of documentation and is conditional upon receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Exchange.

The Company anticipates that insiders may subscribe for HD Units. The issuance of HD Units to insiders is considered a related party transaction subject to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(b) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101.

ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP. Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("DRY") and traded on the OTCQB ("DRYGF"). The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold acknowledges all Indigenous Peoples and that it is operating on the traditional homelands of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and Eagle Lake First Nation. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce.

For more information go to our website www.drydengold.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future development plans; future acquisitions; exploration programs; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could affect actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements including, the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are conditioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections.

UNITED STATES ADVISORY. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), have been offered and sold outside the United States to eligible investors pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, or resold in the United States or to, or for the account of or benefit of, a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. Hedging transactions involving the securities must not be conducted unless in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in the state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION INTO THE USA

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224212
Vancouver - September 23, 2024. Lexston Mining Corp. (CSE: LEXT) (OTCQB: LEXTF) (the "Company" or "Lexston") is pleased to announce the Online Marketing Agreement dated September 23, 2024 (the "Agreement") with i2i Marketing Group LLC ("i2i") (email: contact@i2illc.com; address 1107 Key Plaza #222, Key West FL 33040; phone: 312-725-3843) for the provision of corporate marketing and investor awareness services for a period of 12 months. Joe Grubb is the principal of i2i. The budget for the services is $400,000 USD. No compensation in securities of the Company will be paid to i2i. i2i is an arm's length party to the Company. To the knowledge of the Company, i2i does not own any securities of the Company.

About Lexston Mining Corporation

The Company is a Canadian mineral exploration company, focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects, with the objective to enhance value to all its stakeholders. The Company has mineral exploration projects in British Columbia and Nunavut, Canada.

The Company (OTCQB: LEXTF) trades on the OTCQB Venture Market for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies. Companies are current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. Investors can find Real-Time quotes and market information for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

LEXSTON MINING CORPORATION

Jagdip Bal

Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: (604) 928-8913

Email: info@lexston.ca

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
September 23, 2024 - Vancouver, BC. - Muzhu Mining Ltd. (CSE:MUZU) ("Muzhu" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its wholly owned Chinese subsidiary, Louyang Sow International Mining Co. Ltd., ("LSM") has entered into a three (3) year agreement with Louning County Qian Shan Mining Co., Ltd ("LCQS") to investigate its prospective gold project at the Wulonggou Gold Mine ("WGM"), located in Xishan Township, Luoning County, Henan Province, China.

Luoning County encompasses numerous gold-silver producing mines and historical producers. The producing mines of Luoning County are shown on the regional map of Figure 1, below.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1 - Luoning County Location Map.

The gold-mineralized vein systems in the WGM mine (Mine 1 in Figure 1) has been well explored and studied, and some of the mineral veins are already in production.

The agreement provides for the Company's LSM subsidiary to co-operate with LCQS to explore historical workings by local miners to confirm the potential of mineralized vein systems. This due diligence is required and includes re-opening the mine portal, mapping and sampling and the collection of representative bulk samples. The Company expects the vein systems are similar to other WGM vein systems already in production but does not rely upon the comparison until the due diligence program is complete.

The Company will pay a resource compensation and management fee of CAD $115,020 to LCQS in the first year with such fee to be negotiated for the second and third years of the agreement term.

On or before 36 months, Muzhu will commence negotiations for a joint venture to develop the historical vein system, contingent on the results of the due diligence program.

About Muzhu Mining Ltd.

Muzhu is a Canadian publicly traded exploration company with a portfolio of highly prospective projects at various stages of development. Muzhu currently holds a 100-per-cent interest in the Sleeping Giant South project, located in the Abitibi greenstone belt, approximately 75 kilometres south of Matagami, Quebec.

As well, Muzhu has executed two option agreements to acquire up to 80 per cent of the silver, zinc, lead XWG and LMM properties in the Henan province located in China.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dwayne Yaretz,

CEO

Muzhu Mining Ltd. Phone: 778-709-3398

Email: info@muzhumining.ca

Website: muzhumining.ca

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Criticism for Norris despite dominant F1 win

Although Lando Norris utterly dominated the Singapore GP, he still faced criticism from a couple of former Formula 1 drivers.

Start, Singapore GP 2024

 McLaren

When you're so far ahead, you should actually be driving relaxed, Jan Lammers, who is also the boss of the Dutch GP, told NOS.

Indeed, even McLaren CEO Zak Brown admitted he directly intervened on Sunday by radioing his title-challenging driver and warning him to stop making small driving mistakes.

Tired, happy and tense, he said when asked how he feels after the chequered flag. "Lando came close to the wall a few times.

He asked over the radio if we saw him hit the wall. I said 'Yes, don't do it again', Brown smiled. But he drove brilliantly. He was flying.

2016 world champion Nico Rosberg warned Norris, 24, that if he can't find a way to more calmly bring a dominant car to the line, he could throw away the title.

It's very strange, he told Sky Deutschland. "Unusual. You're so far in the lead and you make three mistakes. Twice it was so close to the wall that it was almost over.

He brakes far too late and blocks the front tyre. Normally you're gone, the front wing is broken and there goes the victory. That was a huge stroke of luck, added the German.

If he really wants to become world champion, he has to get rid of this behaviour somehow. I mean, if you have the same speed as the guy behind and a 30-second lead, it's not the most difficult thing to bring the car home.

Lammers, however, admitted that it can be dangerous for a driver to relax in the lead with such a big gap. "Especially if you're good on these street circuits, you get into a flow.

Then you ease off, mistakes can happen. You suddenly become very aware of everything you're doing. That's why I think Lando was pushing for fun.

(GMM)
The Otter 58 Thompson St., nr. Broome St. Crab agnolotti, swordfish au poivre, and a lobster roll at the Otter. Photo: Yudi Ela

The most important thing to know about the lobster roll that Alex Stupak will make at his new seafood restaurant, the Otter, is that it is, in his words, not creative. Each roll starts with a one-and-a-half-pound lobster, broken down into tail, knuckle, and claw meat. The shell is used to infuse lobster butter, to dress only certain parts of the meat. The tail is left unbuttered and gets tossed with mayonnaise. Each layer is then precisely ordered into a toasted bun thats lined with thin slices of celery that have themselves been dressed with salt, sugar, citric acid, and a little turmeric for that electric-neon Ecto Cooler color.

To be fair, for Stupak, a lobster roll with multiple levels of deconstruction and reconstruction and a housemade shell-butter is sort of straightforward. Hes best known as a pastry chef who pioneered twistable columns of chocolate ganache and for his empire of Empellon restaurants. There, he once used a Jean-Georges Vongerichten scallop dish, set within a tortilla, to make a point about how New Yorkers baselessly viewed Mexican food as being worth less money (as elegant a piece of intellectual grenade-throwing as Ive ever seen in a restaurant, wrote Pete Wells). Most recently, Stupak made headlines with his $29 hot dog, another dare to the public: expensive ingredients stuffed into a much-connoting shape, to shift and twist perceptions.

Yet in person, Stupak is not the brooding, overproud modern chef bro; his vibe is more rapidly pontificating Adam Scott than Carmy-intense Jeremy Allen White. He is aware of his own wit, burying Easter eggs within all of his menus, but doesnt want to force anything heady onto diners. Ninety-nine point nine nine percent of people are going to watch the movie, he says, but .01 percent of people want to hear the directors commentary.

Stupaks lobster roll. Photo: Yudi Ela

Two years ago, when he first started planning the menu for the Otter (opening tonight, September 23, and named, he says, because its a cute animal that eats a lot of seafood), he wrote down one word: seduction. His friend Amar Lalvani  the executive chairman of Standard International  had asked if hed ever be into doing a seafood restaurant for a new hotel project. That got him thinking. Seafood restaurant sounds limited, but its the broadest category of restaurant. Is it Le Bernardin? An omakase counter? Or, in this case, a restaurant that takes at least some of its inspiration from a more humble New England seafood shack. I want people to fall in love with it and not know why, he says. Seduction sneaks up on you.

That may explain how a double cheeseburger made its way to the menu  with remoulade instead of special sauce to help maintain the thematic through-line. But despite the burger, and the Otters location inside Sohos new Manner Hotel (rooms starting at $899), the Otter is very much not a hotel restaurant. Its a real restaurant that happens to be in a hotel, and it will give Stupaks droll humor a chance to wind through a new genre.

Take, for instance, the shellfish platter. The presentation, on a bed of ice, recalls one of his Empellon desserts, a fruit platter that was itself modeled after a tray of oysters. Unlike the many-tiered towers across the city, this one expands outward, not upward, as diners double or triple the contents. Each item is a composed mini-bite. An oyster gets a brat-green crown of cucumber cream, while cold-smoked salmon panna cotta is topped with wasabi and trout roe. (Each piece is flavored with Japanese ingredients refracted through a theory Stupak has about how many New Yorkers eat sushi: A lot of us just really enjoy the flavors of soy sauce and wasabi.)

Then there is agnolotti, pasta that Stupak says plays off of one of the two ways we know how to cook seafood in New England  bury it under a buttery mound of Ritz and parsley and throw it in the oven. He fills each pocket of dough with parsley-root puree, tosses it with crab, and  yes  tops it with Ritz crackers.

There is surf n turf (dry-aged strip with crawfish bearnaise) as well as turf n surf (swordfish au poivre, cooked in a sauce of beef stock, red wine, cream, and shallots that takes three days to prepare) and clam chowder wherein every ingredient is meticulously chopped so that every spoonful can contain bits of it all.

The nautical theme is subtle but perceptible. The restaurant, on the ground floor of the hotel, has glossy navy walls and two large skylights that make it feel like a posh London wine bar grafted onto the bottom level of a large sailboat. An Elvira Solana mural stretching across several walls depicts a journey from forests upstate to Manhattan and out to Montauk; an oversize fireplace anchors the room.

Along with executive chef Brian Sernatinger and chef de cuisine Michael Thomas, Stupak will also handle the menu for an upstairs cocktail bar named Sloanes. Stupak says he was inspired by the time he visited the home of Julia Child when she served him Champagne paired with Goldfish crackers. Here, that approach translates to martinis alongside chicken nuggets made from a pate of thigh meat, breast meat, skin, white pepper, and shio koji, which Stupak fries and freezes several times until theyre as crispy as the fast-food version.

At Sloanes, a martini with nuggets. Photo: Yudi Ela

Stupak, a fan of David Lynch, compares the project to Twin Peaks in its postmodern approach: This is a mix of everything people loved at the time, all on the menu; I can have a burger and pasta and sashimi flavored with soy, and it works.

His greatest hope for the restaurant is that it becomes someones favorite place, not just someones favorite place for seafood. Dessert  also headed up by Stupak  will bring pistachio tiramisu, really big bowls of ice cream and sorbet, and a lemon-curd rice pudding topped with spheres of golden raisin paste that are as chewy as a Hi-Chew. Finally, there is the recipe that Stupak spent the most time developing, a version of Boston cream pie made of Japanese-style sponge cake and an emulsion of buttercream, whipped cream, and pastry cream perfumed with Kirsch and orange blossom in a nod to tarte Tropezienne. The dessert speaks to Stupak because he loves things that are not what they declare themselves to be  and Boston cream pie is always, after all, actually cake. The real win, he says, is when you can give people something they dont know they want.
Perelandra has been open since 1976. Photo: Perelandra

On Friday morning, Love Stinks, by the J. Geils Band, was playing inside Perelandra while customers shuffled around the increasingly empty aisles. A young mother examined a bag of Counter Culture coffee while, a few aisles away, the juice bars smoothie machine whirred away. Another customer asked an employee about the lack of products. Were closing next week, they explained, so we havent restocked  this is the last of it. The Remsen Street store will remain open through September 29, with limited hours, before closing for good. The reason, reportedly, is a rent increase, but there are no plans to relocate. There are 15 employees, one worker said. Were all out of jobs now.

Word is still getting around. The news of the grocerys store-expiration date was first reported on Brooklyn Heights Blog, by a reader and Perelandra customer who had been told by a cashier: The business just wasnt profitable anymore. By Friday, signs had been affixed to the front doors, announcing the closure and encouraging customers to shop at farmers markets, co-ops, and other independent stores if theyd like to honor the legacy of this business. One customer, an older man in a bucket hat, stared at it for what seemed like a minute, his hand held on the door. Several others read or glanced over it before entering.

Opened in 1976 by Steven and Madeline Hoose, Perelandra is a protoWhole Foods, the sort of crunchy, organic grocer familiar around the country. The shelves are stocked with products like Pacific hemp milk, Hawthorne Valley Farm yogurt, and Blackbird fake meat, along with more standard-issue stuff like Driscoll berries. Its also been a Brooklyn Heights institution for decades and a reliable employer for staff, some of whom have worked at the store for 20 years. Allison Buckingham started as a cashier in 2002 and Roland Auer was a manager before they both became owners in 2010 (neither has offered comments on the closing, and they werent available at the store this weekend).

Across the street, construction workers were converting the buildings that had been St. Francis Colleges campus into condos. The thinking is that the schools relocation in 2002 was too big a blow for the store to absorb, but one customer expressed some skepticism: There were not a lot of students shopping here. One undeniable fact is that foot traffic on Remsen Street is far lower than its ever been on Montague, one block up and the neighborhoods de facto commercial strip  one that has changed immensely in the half-century since Perelandra first arrived.

Photo: Waz Wu

For decades, locals bemoaned the state of Montague Streets retail  in 2007, the New York Observer leveled the ultimate insult, comparing the chain-heavy selection of local retail to what youd find in Shaker Heights, Ohio  even as the neighborhood itself remained one of the citys most expensive places to live. As recently as 2022, Curbed published a story about perpetually drab Montague Street, which was once the bustling, eminently practical commercial heart of gentrified Brooklyn.

But the area has seen the arrival of both A-list celebrity residents (Matt Damon, Adam Driver) and businesses that are actually considered cool (LAppartement 4F, Books Are Magic, Montague Diner). Of course, movie stars probably dont buy their own organic flour too often, and even with the uptick in retail cachet, the areas grocery scene is entirely defined by old-guard local chains such as Key Foods and Gristedes. Perelandras closing doesnt help the situation for the people who actually live here.

I really appreciate that theyre independent, said one shopper who gave her name as Abigail, at Perelandra with her neighbor, Peggy. Now there are so many vacant storefronts, which is partially because of COVID but also because of changes to the neighborhood. She compared the changing storefronts to those of the Upper West Side, where she grew up and where, during a recent visit, she was dismayed to see so many chains. I was walking around there, she said, and it looks like a food court of a suburban mall.

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Xiaomi promised to launch the Redmi Note 14 Pro series this week, and we finally know the date. The new phones will arrive on September 26 with a strong body and improved durability.

The launch will be the landing ground for the Redmi Note 14 Pro and Redmi Note 14 Pro+, which will have slightly different designs - the Pro has a colored camera island, and the Plus has a back glass.



Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro features

The Redmi Note 14 Pro series will be both IP68 and IP69K certified. This means the phones can withstand immersion in water and water jet sprays, dust ingress, and extremely high temperatures.

The official Weibo page of the Xiaomi brand also confirmed the phones will have a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on top of the screen.

The launch is in three days, which means there is enough time for Redmi to tease more features. We'll be looking for other key details, including the chipset, cameras, and battery capacity.

Source (in Chinese)
Users across Europe are reporting significant price hikes in their individual and family plans. And although the reports are mainly from Europe, YouTube has made a quiet decision to increase prices globally. Subscribed users are now receiving emails with the new pricing that will go into effect in November.

In Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy, for example, the family plan will ask 26 monthly, up from 18, while the individual plans go from 12 to 14. Swiss users will have to pay CHF 34 (up from CHF 24) and Swedish users will see their plans increase from SEK 179 to SEK 279.

Perhaps a complete list of countries getting a price hike will soon be published by YouTube, but until then, keep an eye on your email inbox.

This price increase seems very aggressive, and some Reddit users point out that YouTube Premium is now one of the most expensive streaming services, at least for users who are using the platform mainly for YouTube Music. For instance, Spotify is asking around 18 for its family plan in Europe on average (prices vary across countries), while the individual plan is about 11. Apple Music is also cheaper, matching Spotify's individual plan pricing and asking 1 less for its family plan.

Via
Nearly 1,600 trees were planted recently along the Ugum hillside, and another tree planting activity is set for Oct. 5  moving closer to the goal of planting more than 5,000 trees this year.

This is according to the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, which hosted the community tree planting event at their Ugum watershed project site as a part of Sustainable September.

UOG coordinated the tree planting as a part of the Guam Restoration of Watersheds, GROW, Initiative that works to reforest areas to prevent soil erosion.

Dozens of volunteers, including students, faculty, staff, and community members, gathered to plant a variety of trees, each with the purpose of helping to secure the soil in place and prevent further runoff into the southern rivers and bays, UOG said.

Erosion of the watershed has led to problems with the southern water treatment plant and coral reefs in the area that are suffocated by the sediments.

Daniel Stone Jr., the project lead for GROW, was excited for the first community planting event of the rainy season.

We have several planting events for the community to join us for between now and the end of the year, Stone said. Families, community groups and members of the island community are welcome to join us to make a difference, one tree at a time.

Stone said the first planting saw nearly 1,600 trees installed along the Ugum hillside, and this years target is to plant over 5,000.

It is a lot of fun for people who like to be outside and experience new things, added Stone. It is also a certified service-learning opportunity for the students of public high schools that need those credits.

Edward Suarez said hes glad to experience planting trees for the very first time, and to learn about the watershed erosion and its effects on the island and coastal ecosystems.

This was my first time planting trees, and it wont be my last time, Suarez said. Not only am I outside doing something fun, but it is helping our island. Its a win-win.

The next planting is set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Ugum site. It will begin with a safety briefing and project introduction for newcomers.

We are thrilled to see so many people come out and participate in this important initiative, said Austin Shelton, PhD, director of UOG CIS/SG. Planting trees is a tangible way to contribute to the health and resilience of our island.

The tree planting event was part of UOGs ongoing efforts to promote sustainable practices and protect Guams natural resources through the Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. Projects and progress will be on display during the 16th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability from April 7 to 12, 2025.

Directions to the project site and more information about the upcoming planting event can be found on the UOG Sea Grant website at UOG.edu/seagrant or on the groups social media pages.
An additional 21 senior citizens received approval for a combined $568,035 worth of low-interest federal housing loans and grants under the U.S. Department of Agricultures Section 504 program, according to Del. James Moylan.

This brings a total of $874,070 in approvals for Guams elderly applicants as of date.

The USDA Section 504 program provides low-interest loans and/or grants to senior citizens with certain household income limits to make needed home repairs.

Earlier this year, Moylans office worked with the Guam USDA office and several village mayors offices to present this program to island residents. Initial presentations were to determine qualifications.

Over 300 residents whose intake forms were submitted have been deemed qualified regarding the income threshold, and the Guam USDA office continues to work with them on the application process, including the submittal of needed requirements, Moylans office said.

Once this number is reduced, additional presentations will be set throughout Guam.

I would like to thank Mr. Joe Diego of the Guam USDA office and his team for their diligence and efforts in working with island residents to ensure that those who are qualified are indeed provided the needed funds, Moylan said in a press release. They continue to work towards addressing all pending applications and will not take any new cases until the current batches are reduced.

Moylan said these funds can help many of Guams manamko repair bathrooms and kitchens or even invest in shutters to protect their homes from future storms.

This is also money that will help infuse additional economic activity, and we anticipate it will reach the multi-millions in a few months, added Moylan.

Moylans office added that the USDA office conducts all processing and approvals for the Section 504 program, and they can be reached at (671) 300-8565/2/3/1.
Speaker Therese Terlajes bill seeking to reopen the old Department of Public Health and Social Services building in Mangilao was removed from the legislative session agenda Monday, shortly after the proceedings  and tense exchanges  got underway.

The Mangilao building has been shuttered since an electrical fire in 2019.

Mondays session began with a tense opening exchange between Terlaje and Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, who not only had a competing measure to reopen the Mangilao facility but was also the one who made the motion to remove the speakers Bill 222-37 from the agenda.

In the end, Muna Barnes motion to remove Terlajes Bill 222-37 from the session agenda passed with eight votes.

During the session, Terlaje and Muna Barnes talked over each other as they argued over the motion and rules for debate.

Terlaje called recess three times, and while the microphones were turned off, Muna Barnes continued to stand and speak for nearly 20 minutes.

Terlajes Bill 222-37 would reserve the Mangilao building for Public Health to use as a central community health center, while Muna Barnes Bill 221-37 proposes the buildings joint use between DPHSS and Guam Community College for a nurse training center.

Muna Barnes said she has waited nine months, and her Bill 221-37 has yet to be scheduled for a public hearing.

Terlaje ruled that the debate on the motion must be confined to Bill 222-37, and that the vice speaker was out of order to bring up Bill 221-37 and was holding up the session.

Im asking...that we proceed with dignity and order, the speaker said.

Muna Barnes responded, Im not giving up Madame Speaker because you know Im right.

When debate on the Muna Barnes motion eventually proceeded, the vice speaker argued that she sought to delete the speakers bill from the agenda because theres no money to make the repairs required to make (the Mangilao building) available for immediate use.

She said GCC, meanwhile, has access to grant money that can be used to rebuild the facility for nurse training and also accommodate certain DPHSS functions.

Looks like a stall

Muna Barnes said the Department of Public Works also advised her last week that an assessment of the building would cost about $1 million, but DPW personnel would not be able to do it because of its current workload.

According to Muna Barnes, DPW said the fire suppression and plumbing systems need repairs, the generator system needs replacement, and the mold thats grown after the building has been shuttered for four and a half years needs to be mitigated.

Terlaje said DPW has been saying for months that it will do an assessment, but it looks like a stall to me.

She said the insurance company for the building denied a claim because no fire damage was noted, except for smoke damage in one section.

Terlaje said she was shocked that the building was allowed to rot for four years.

If we need to rewire it, lets get an estimate, she said. Im all for a cost benefit analysis.

Sen. Chris Barnett suggested DPHSS and DPW were dragging this out for political reasons.

They dont want to give critical prenatal care to poor mothers because the governor and lieutenant governor want to build a hospital in the back road of Mangilao, Barnett said.

During a public hearing on her bill, the speaker said there was overwhelming support from Public Health employees.

They were pleading to reopen the Mangilao facility, Terlaje said, so that they could again provide the standard of care that the people of Guam deserve.

But Muna Barnes and other senators said the two bills are complementary and should be debated at the same time.

I have deferred to the oversight chair (Terlaje) for nine months. Its become clear the intent is to kill my bill, Muna Barnes said.

Sen. Chris Duenas said theres a harmony of interest here.

I have no problem voting for 222, but were missing the boat, Duenas said, adding that the biggest problem is the lack of funding.

Sen. Amanda Shelton addressed the speaker.

As the Health Committee chair, youve known for more than five years this building has been vacant and there has been no action, but today in this session we must act without hearing this other bill, is what youre telling us? Shelton said.

Sen. Joe San Agustin said senators should hear what GCC has to say because maybe they can fund it.

Because right now, we havent identified a funding source or a means of what to do with the current Public Health building, he said.
Electrician Scott Gumataotao replaces a light switch as he and other Guam Department of Education maintenance workers tend to carpentry, plumbing, electrical and other needed repairs at Harry S. Truman Elementary School while students were out of class during the start of their holiday break on Dec. 18, 2023.




Haiti - FLASH : E. Leblanc Fils, President of the Transitional Council will finally go to New York





Le's recall that Edgard Leblanc Fils, rotating President of the Transitional Council, who was to leave the country on Saturday, September 21 for New York to participate in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, was unable to travel, the American State Department having officially warned Haiti on September 20, 2024 that Edgard Leblanc Fils, will not benefit from VIP protection if he comes to the United States.



"As soon as we were informed of the situation, we contacted President Leblanc and began steps to understand what happened. I can assure you that from now on, the problem is resolved. There is a very strong possibility that he will be able to come very soon to fulfill his role as Head of Delegation and speak before the Assembly [on September 26]" declared Prime Minister Conille, who recalled that there was never any question of him leading the Haitian delegation. "The press note from the Prime Minister's Office was clear. "Edgard Leblanc is leading the delegation" and I was to accompany the delegation.



A note from the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince, published on the evening of Sunday, September 22, confirms "The United States will show the greatest courtesy to the President of the Transitional Presidential Council, Edgard Leblanc Fils, on the occasion of his trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. President Leblanc will benefit from full protection, as is the case for all Heads of State. The American Government takes the security of foreign dignitaries in the United States very seriously and regrets the delays in approving Mr. Leblanc's security arrangements due to the complexity of our internal procedures."



For his part, Edgard Leblanc Fils says he is waiting for an official confirmation letter from the United States confirming his security before leaving for the USA.



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : President Ruto jokes about Barbecue with Kenyan police officers





On Saturday, September 21, during his visit to the Mission base in Clercine, President William Ruto, during an exchange with Kenyan police officers from the Mission in support of the Haitian National Police (PNH), joked, "Congratulations... I have been told by commander Otunge that you guys have flattened Barbecue's base and now he has surrendered and he wants to become a preacher (Sasa Anataka Kuwa Muhubiri!). He is almost giving up [...]" Ruto said in Swahili to the laughter of the Kenyan police officers.



Ruto praised the officers for their remarkable work in securing critical infrastructure and restoring peace in areas that had proven impossible to stabilize before the Support Mission.



Let's recall that a little over a week ago, "Barbecue" publicly stated that Kenyan officers "were ruthless", lamenting in a TikTok video that the officers, alongside the Haitian National Police (PNH), stormed his base and fired bullets and tear gas at his gang members.



President Ruto commended the Kenyan mission for making tangible progress in restoring peace and stability in Haiti and pledged his support and that of the international community to return Haiti to its people. Ruto called on the international community to provide the necessary resources to the Mission, specifying that this support, including personnel, equipment and logistics, which will accelerate the achievement of the missions objective of restoring peace and stability in the country.



Addressing Haitians, President Ruto recalled "the Mission is here to create an environment in which you can reclaim the security of your Nation and determine your future."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43256-haiti-flash-president-ruto-announces-the-arrival-of-2-kenyan-contingents-of-300-men-each.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - UN : Advisor Voltaire met Antonio Guterres





On Sunday, September 22, 2024, as part of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Leslie Voltaire, executive member of the Presidential Transition Council (CPT), met with Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.



Several important topics were at the center of the discussions:



The Secretary-General congratulated Haiti for putting in place governance mechanisms adapted to the management of the political transition. The two men discussed the need to accelerate political reforms. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen security in the country to ensure that an elected Government is in place by February 2026, as agreed by Haitian stakeholders.



They also agreed to work together to encourage greater international support to combat violence perpetrated by armed gangs. The worrying humanitarian situation in Haiti was also discussed. Antonio Guterres and Leslie Voltaire reaffirmed the importance of coordinating their efforts to improve the living conditions of populations affected by the crisis.



Let's recall that during this 79th General Assembly of the United Nations, the Haitian delegation will have the opportunity to present the priorities of the CPT and to discuss global challenges, including Peace, security and sustainable development.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





PM discusses Jamaican troop deployment

"I was pleased to discuss with Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica the continued deployment in the coming weeks of Jamaican troops to be part of the Mission in Haiti and the equipment promised, particularly to help protect the bay of Port-au-Prince. We discussed regional experiences in the joint fight against armed gangs," Prime Minister Garry Conille



England : List of sanctioned Haitians sent

As requested by Carlos Hercules, the Minister of Justice has received the list of people sanctioned by the British Government. This list will be forwarded to the Port-au-Prince Prosecutor's Office for legal action, announced Hercules. Among others, 4 important gang leaders are on this list who have never been troubled by the justice system. One may wonder why justice needs this list to act...



The PM had an excellent meeting with the World Bank

PM Garry Conille had an excellent working meeting today with Anna Bjerde, Strategic Director of World Bank operations in New York to promote the Government's roadmap and negotiate new opportunities. Haiti will still be able to maintain its status in terms of grant allocations and the overall portfolio will be reviewed under the new country program.



A new Duvalierist Party in Haiti

Former Colonel of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H) Joseph Dominique Baguidy, a leading figure of Duvalierism, has launched a new political party in Haiti: "Party of Reformed Unity" (Parti de l'Unite Reformee - PUR).



Emergency distribution of supplies for burn victims

A number of emergency supplies were distributed to the Miragoane public hospital and the Les Cayes public hospital to treat burn victims from the tanker truck explosion on Saturday, September 14 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43214-haiti-flash-the-death-toll-rises-79-victims-including-26-dead.html



Training on international exhibitions

As part of its cooperation with the Embassy of Haiti in France, the Bureau International des Expositions organized this week a training session for some Haitian officials to help Haiti improve its participation in upcoming international exhibitions.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















(HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced Registered Investment Adviser Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT) will pay a total of $79.8 million to settle charges for overvaluing approximately 4,900 largely illiquid collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) held in 20 advisory accounts, including 11 retail mutual funds, and for executing hundreds of cross trades between advisory clients that favored certain clients over others.

According to the SECs order, from January 2017 through April 2021, MIMBT managed the Absolute Return Mortgage-Backed Securities strategy, a fixed-income investment strategy primarily invested in mortgage-backed securities, CMOs, and treasury futures. Strategy investments included thousands of smaller-sized, odd lot CMO positions that traded at a discount to institutional, larger-sized positions. MIMBT valued the odd lot CMOs using prices obtained from a third-party pricing service that were intended for institutional lots only. The pricing service did not provide separate valuations for odd lots. The order finds that MIMBT had no reasonable basis to believe it could sell the odd lot CMOs at the pricing vendors valuations, and thousands of odd lot CMO positions were marked at inflated prices. This resulted in MIMBT overstating the performance of client accounts holding the overvalued CMOs.

The order further finds that MIMBT attempted to minimize losses to redeeming investors by arranging cross trades with affiliated accounts, rather than selling the overvalued CMOs into the market. In one instance, MIMBT executed 465 internal cross trades between a selling account and 11 retail mutual funds above independent current market prices. These trades resulted in the retail mutual funds absorbing losses that otherwise would have been borne by the selling account in a market sale. MIMBT also arranged for approximately 175 dealer-interposed cross trades in which MIMBT temporarily sold odd lot CMO positions to third-party broker-dealers and then repurchased those same positions for allocation to one or more affiliated client accounts, providing liquidity to redeeming investors in an otherwise illiquid market, often at above-market prices.

It is alarming that a fiduciary took advantage of retail mutual funds it advised and executed unlawful cross trades to mitigate its overvaluation of fund assets, said Eric I. Bustillo, Director of the SECs Miami Regional Office. Utilizing a third-party pricing service does not negate an investment advisers obligation to value assets accurately.

The SECs order finds that MIMBT violated the antifraud and compliance provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and certain provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Without admitting or denying the SECs findings, MIMBT agreed to a censure, to cease and desist from further violations of the charged provisions, and to pay a $70 million penalty and disgorgement and prejudgment interest, totaling an additional $9.8 million. MIMBT also agreed to comply with certain undertakings, including retaining a compliance consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of its policies and procedures relating to, among other things, valuation of CMOs and associated liquidity risks, and cross trading.
Just in time for the launch of the new iPhone 16 series, Apple is offering its AI functions to interested parties as a public beta for testing under the generic term Apple Intelligence. From October, Apple plans to release Intelligence in US English first. Other languages will be released in the following year. The Intelligence functions are currently not readily available in the EU.

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iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 can be accessed via the Settings app under General in the Software Update section, provided that "iOS 18 Public Beta" has been selected under Beta Updates. To activate the AI functions after installation, the device language must be changed to US English  and a login with a US App Store account is also required. In earlier test versions, it was initially almost impossible to activate Intelligence on iPhones and iPads in the EU, as Apple provided the functions with strong geofencing protection.

These functions are included so far

The minimum hardware required for the iPhone is an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max or an iPhone 16 series. All new iPhone 16 models support AI. Devices with Apple's own M chips are compatible with the iPad and Mac.

The current betas mainly contain text-generating functions of Apple Intelligence. These include the option of using AI to check texts for spelling and grammar or to have them rewritten. Texts can also be summarized. Voice assistant Siri has a new design and will in future be able to accept requests by typing. Other new features include automatic reply suggestions in the Messages and Mail apps. Image functions available so far include the creation of slideshows based on the user's text descriptions and a function for removing unwanted objects from images.

Apple is planning to roll out further functions in stages. For example, image-generating functions such as the Image Playground and Genmojis are not yet included. The improved features for Siri will also only appear later.

German language support from 2025

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German-speaking users will have to wait until next year to find suitable language support. At least: after it initially looked as if German was not yet firmly planned as a language at the iPhone launch, Apple has now clarified that German language support will arrive in 2025.

However, it remains to be seen when Apple and the EU Commission will reach an agreement that will make Apple feel confident enough to release the functions for EU citizens under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). However, this only applies to iPhones and iPads. Macs are not affected by this  will also receive Apple Intelligence in the EU from October.

(mki)
Over the next ten years, the software company SAP plans to invest two billion euros in cloud infrastructure designated as sovereign. The money is to be invested in secure, local and regulatory-compliant cloud offerings that are tailored to the needs of public administration and particularly regulated industries, as SAP explained.

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Specifically, the money will flow into the expansion of Delos, an SAP subsidiary that uses cloud software from Microsoft. On the other hand, there is to be another service that is a "completely SAP-based offering with sovereign characteristics without the involvement of hyperscalers", i.e. without the US cloud giant on board. The press release did not specify how the investments would be split between Delos and the new, SAP-owned offering. An answer to an inquiry from the iX editorial team is still pending.

Sovereign and perhaps not so sovereign

SAP's own cloud offering will be provided in German data centers and operated locally by SAP, meaning that all data will remain in Germany. The infrastructure is expected to be ready by the end of the year and will then be gradually expanded until the end of 2025. The offering meets the requirements for information with the classification level VS-NfD (classified information  for official use only).

The Delos Cloud, on the other hand, does not rely solely on domestic software. It is intended to solve the dilemma of German authorities who would like to use Microsoft cloud services but are often unable to do so due to data protection regulations: The SAP subsidiary is building a cloud platform for administration based on Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. This model is intended to legally protect data from access by US authorities.

With Azure, but technology-neutral

Microsoft will only supply the software, while SAP subsidiary Delos will own and market the cloud and Arvato Systems will operate the data centers. According to Delos, Microsoft will also provide the authorities with the source code for all updates. The requirements for VS-NfD will also be met here.

Read also Federal government ties itself to US corporations with large funds iX Magazin

Delos is set to get started from 2025. Microsoft Foundational Services will be available in the first half of 2025, followed by Microsoft Mainstream Services and Microsoft Office 365 in the second half of the year. SAP services are to be gradually made available on the cloud platform by 2026. However, Delos should also be technology- and vendor-neutral  Open source software and customers' own developments would also be supported.

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Delos fanboy Olaf Scholz

Delos is a tricky business for SAP: the company has to make advance payments, but does not yet have any contracts with the federal and state governments for this administration cloud. According to its plans, the federal government will continue to check until the end of 2026 whether the cloud complies with government requirements, for example in terms of information security and confidentiality. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) is also involved in the tests. Authorities can only book cloud services if the result is positive.

In addition, the IT strategies of the federal states and local authorities differ greatly. Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia rely comparatively heavily on open source. Other federal states, on the other hand, want to procure Microsoft services from the public cloud, at least for the time being and in certain, less sensitive areas  i.e. directly from Microsoft instead of Delos and therefore probably more cheaply.

However, SAP has apparently managed to activate contacts in the highest circles to promote the Delos cloud. According to reports, Chancellor Scholz personally lobbied the federal states for the service following a meeting with SAP. At a conference with the minister-presidents of the federal states, Scholz reportedly appealed to the heads of the states to make a commitment to using the cloud. Scholz said that it was a "very decisive moment for Germany" and that he would "sign a contract immediately". However, the attempt to subsequently pass a resolution in the IT Planning Council to highlight the positive aspects of the SAP-Microsoft cloud was rebuffed by the federal states.

Framework agreement worth 700 million euros

But even if nothing comes of Delos, SAP has a pretty big foot in the door of the German administration. As the Handelsblatt reported, the Ministry of the Interior concluded a new framework agreement with SAP in June. It allows the federal administration bodies to use the software manufacturer's portfolio. According to the report, the maximum value is 700 million euros including VAT, the term is two years with an option for up to four years. In an earlier agreement from 2018 to 2023, the federal administration only purchased around 150 million euros from SAP.

However, the agreement is not about the Delos cloud, the Ministry of the Interior explained to Handelsblatt. There are "no plans" to call up Delos services via the existing framework agreement.

(axk)
China revives desert forests with diverted floodwater

People's Daily Online) 13:58, September 23, 2024

"Look! A goshawk!" exclaimed Dilshat Manglik, a forest ranger in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Pointing to the bird circling above a desert poplar forest, he added, "We've been spotting them often during our riverbank patrols lately. They're likely here hunting hares."

Dilshat Manglik explained that in the past, many desert poplar trees suffered from long-term water shortages. This caused their health to decline over time. As a result, plants struggled to grow properly, and wildlife left the area.

Photo shows a desert poplar forest along the Tarim River in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo/Lyu Fangming)

"After floodwater was diverted to replenish the desert poplar forest, the trees are now visibly greener, and there are more wild animals and plants in the forest. Every time I see the water coming, I feel very excited," said the forest ranger, who works at a desert poplar forest management station in Luntai county, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang.

The floodwater that has revived the desert poplar trees is from the Tarim River in the region.

As the longest inland river in China, the Tarim River stretches 2,486 kilometers with a basin area of 1.02 million square kilometers, nurturing over 12 million people, or nearly half of Xinjiangs total population.

The Tarim River basin is home to nearly 17 million mu (1.13 million hectares) of natural desert poplar forests, which account for over 90 percent of the total area of natural desert poplar forests in China and serve as an important ecological barrier in the oasis of southern Xinjiang.

Science-based water management has improved the Tarim River's ecology. During flood season, water is diverted to replenish desert poplar forests. This has effectively enhanced the environment along the riverbanks.

Since 2000, Xinjiang has taken steps to help its desert poplar forests. The region has carried out 25 water transfers to the lower Tarim River. These transfers come from the Daxihaizi Reservoir, located at the river's end. Nearly 10 billion cubic meters of water have been released to replenish the desert poplar forests.

This year, the region plans to add 5.1 billion cubic meters of water to desert poplar forest areas along the Tarim River basin.

Floodwater irrigation has greatly improved Luntai county's desert poplar forests, according to Metreyim Kerim, head of the county's forestry and grassland bureau. Soil moisture in the forest area has increased by over 50 percent, and the average groundwater level has risen by nearly a meter, from 3.53 meters to 2.6 meters deep.

As the forests have regained their health, vegetation like tamarisk, camel thorn, saxaul and Chinese licorice has gradually recovered. Wildlife such as red deer, goitered gazelle, white stork and goshawk have also returned, Metreyim Kerim said.

The diverted floodwater has also transformed 70,000 mu of Luntai county's 110,000 mu of desertified land into grassland, he added.

Metreyim Kerim said the Tarim River once posed significant challenges for residents living along its banks during the flood season.

"In the past, when floods came, we had to mobilize resources for flood control," he said. Now, they prepare by clearing diversion channels before the floods arrive. This allows them to guide the water where it's needed most, benefiting the local ecosystem instead of causing damage.

Local authorities are working to make the most of flood diversion channels. They've brought in machinery to dig additional branch channels alongside the main ones. This network of interconnected waterways allows water to penetrate deep into the desert poplar forests.

Since 2019, workers have cleared 130 kilometers of channels in Luntai county's desert poplar forests. They've also built 56 water diversion dams, 13 water retention dams and 18 water level monitoring wells in relevant areas.

"When water is scarce, we close the gates to ensure agricultural supply. When floods come, we open them to irrigate the desert poplar forests," said Shen Jun, head of the Yingbazha management station of the Tarim River's trunk stream administration.

Yingbazha management station, located in Lunnan township, Luntai county, oversees over 190 kilometers of river channels with more than 20 water gates on both sides.

Shen said they determine flood diversion timing based on the river's water situation. He recalled that on Aug. 5 this year, when midstream flow reached the alert level of 650 cubic meters per second, they opened the gates to release excess water into the forests.

Luntai county is home to 830,000 mu of natural desert poplar forests. The forestry and grassland bureau uses county data on water resources to guide its efforts. They control water flow through multiple gates, precisely delivering water to areas that need it most.

This year's original irrigation plan aimed to water 150,000 mu of desert poplar forests using 48 million cubic meters of water. However, heavy rains have increased water flow from upstream. This may allow for irrigating 300,000 to 400,000 mu of forests instead.

As the Tarim River's flood season coincides with desert poplar seeding, researchers manually sowed seeds where trees have died, and seeds failed to germinate due to lack of water, according to Zhang Guangpeng, an assistant research fellow from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Zhang explained that after water passed through, the seeds naturally germinated.

"We've surveyed areas like Lop county and Moyu county upstream and found approximately eight to nine new desert poplar seedlings per 100 square meters," Zhang said.

Since 2019, the total volume of living desert poplar trees has grown by 697,800 cubic meters in areas receiving extra water, with an average height increase of 0.42 meters, said Zhang Mengjie, an official from Xinjiang's Protection Center for Non-Commercial Forests.

Zhang noted the number of seedlings in concentrated renewal areas ranges from 22 to 48 per mu.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
The reform will fundamentally shift more responsibility for integration on immigrants themselves and introduce stiffer obligations to the integration process.

THE MINISTRY of Economic Affairs and Employment on Wednesday announced it has begun work to reform integration services in line with the government programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP).

As part of the reform, the integration services act and system will be adjusted such that the emphasis will be shifted from a system that focuses on the rights of arrivals to one that focuses on the obligations and responsibilities of arrivals, the ministry stated.

The government is simultaneously set to slash spending on integration services by 58 million euros, to 442 million euros a year. The government programme outlines that that integration policy should be based on learning the language, finding employment, and learning and adhering to the rules of Finnish society.

The reform was discussed by lawmakers on YLE A-studio on Thursday.

Veronika Honkasalo, a deputy chairperson of the Left Alliance, stated to the public broadcasting company that she disapproves of the inherent implication that immigrants are principally inactive.

Thats what we tend to think about people whore unemployed for example  that we have to do more to activate them. But we cant activate them unless our services are of a high-enough quality and they are available, she underscored.

Jani Makela, the chairperson of the Finns Party Parliamentary Group, said he knows many immigrants who have integrated well to society.

None of these immigrants think that these kinds of integration services are necessary. They themselves started working and looking into matters. [They] got their lives together in Finland, because theyre the ones who wanted to move here. They boldly started using the Finnish language, he stated on YLE.

Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS) has similarly indicated that spending on integration service is a waste of money.

Sonja Hamalainen, the director of immigration affairs at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, rebuffed such arguments by pointing to a Finnish study that found that integration services have had a substantial positive impact on employment, for example.

The investments return in full as employment, she said.

Studies by the OECD similarly indicate that investments in the integration of immigrants are worthwhile, added Honkasalo. My wish for [] Makela is that, although we can disagree on things, there should be some kind of factual basis for arguments.

Finland, she also estimated, has failed to recognise and take advantage of the skills of people who have entered the country as asylum seekers, for example.

Also this group includes highly educated people  physicians and lawyers. They rarely find work that matches [their qualifications]. Our integration system should do a lot better job at recognising peoples skills early on, she stressed.

Honkasalo told YLE that she has met young asylum seekers who feel that they are not welcome despite having done everything that is expected of them by the Finnish society.

My thinking, retorted Makela, is that if Finland offers these people asylum, subsistence and education, shouldnt the foremost feeling be gratitude.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
BASED on a true story, gripping French courtroom drama The Goldman Case (12A) explores the second trial of Left-wing revolutionary Pierre Goldman in 1976, after he was accused of double murder.

The activist and intellectual, from Lyon, was suspected of carrying out four armed robberies, one of which led to two pharmacists being killed.

In his first trial, he had faced the prospect of death by guillotine, which was commuted to life in prison on a second vote.

For his second trial, Goldman, who was born to Polish Jewish parents who were part of the French resistance, hires lawyer Georges Klejman, protests his innocence and becomes a provocateur.

Meanwhile, the will be a special preview of the new adaptation of The Outrun (15),

A young woman called Rona who is recovering from alcohol addiction returns to her homeland in the Orkney Islands in film which stars Saoirse Ronan in the lead role.

Based on the memoir by Amy Liptrot, the film follows Rona as she tries to restore her mental health and build her stamina, all the while trying to iron out complicated relationships with her parents.

The film has a running time of just under two hours and the Regal Picturehouse screening includes a recorded question and answer session with Saoirse Ronan and co-writer and director Nora Fingscheidt.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (12A), The Critic (15) and Firebrand (15) are continuing and there will be some showings of NT Live: Prima Facie (15).
The Tirumala Laddu, long cherished by devotees, is now at the centre of an unsettling controversy. Days after Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that the ghee used in preparing the sacred offering contained beef tallow and lard, a storm of unanswered questions has erupted. Were these laddus with adulterated ghee samples ever distributed to the public, or were they rejected before reaching devotees? And how did the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) laboratory  responsible for testing every consignment  not detect this alleged contamination?

Hailing from Chittoor, just 80 km from Tirumala, I've witnessed the devotion people have toward the laddu, treating it with the same reverence as Lord Venkateshwara. People relish it with utmost respect  removing their footwear, ensuring theyve bathed, and abstaining from it on days theyve eaten non-vegetarian food. Its not just a local sentiment either; this sacred offering commands the same level of devotion from devotees around the world.

The demand for the laddu was so much that it was even sold for inflated prices in the black market, prompting the TTD, the Andhra Pradesh government-managed trust, to change its strategies.

Not always the go-to offering

Tirumala Laddu, which received the geographical identification (GI) tag in 2009, has been popular among devotees since the 20th century. For many centuries, laddu was not offered to the devotees. It was offered to the deity. The practice of offering it to devotees started in the 1940s, said Gokul Krishnan, a priest and a historian, as mentioned in a Tamil book: Thirumalai Ozhugu. Long before these fancy offerings, it was curd rice in a mud pot that was carried to the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Venkateswara. It is served even today as it is said to be the Lords favourite dish, Gokul Krishnan added.

Laddu Padi, a designated counter to collect the offering in the temple, has a mention in the revenue records of the British. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Dittam, a book published in 1976, serves as a guide to prepare laddus. While it remains unknown who introduced the laddu in the temple, records show the prevalence of it from as early as 1790 AD, Peta Srinivasulu Reddy, professor at SV University, Tirupati told Hindustan Times. He has authored a book called The Stories of Tirupati, in which he further wrote, Athirasalu, a deep-fried sweet made with rice flour and jaggery was the offering at Tirumala. It was replaced by Boondhi, crispy balls made of gram flour batter. Over time, laddu, which gradually evolved from Boondhi, has become a cherished legacy at the temple.

The broad, dark-brown vadai, made with black gram and pepper among other ingredients, carried the tradition once, as the popular Tamil saying often goes: Tirumalai ku vadai azhagu (loosely translated to vada is the best in Tirumala). As per the records, pongal was also served as an offering at Tirumala temple.

Tirumala offers three types of laddus. The 750-gram laddu, enriched with additional ingredients like almonds, is priced at 200 and is offered to important devotees. The second type is prepared for the Kalyanotsavam, a ceremonial wedding ritual conducted daily at Tirumala. The third category is the regular laddu weighing 175 grams, priced at 50. For many years, the temple provided a small-sized laddu free of cost to all devotees, but this practice was discontinued after Covid-19."

Is the quality of laddus declining?

While the allegations against the laddu have yet to be substantiated, devotees and those who have worked in the temple's kitchen claim that the quality of the offering is declining significantly.

There is a problem with consistency. The laddu, which once was rich with ghee and cashew nuts, has recently become dry in texture, indicating that insufficient ghee was used in its preparation, said V Srikanth Reddy, a regular visitor of the temple.

A few ingredients have been missing from laddus in recent times. "Saffron and almonds, once staples in all laddus are no longer used. Saffron is now reserved for theertham water, while almonds are only added to the larger, more expensive laddus," said a former cook at the potu (the temple kitchen at Tirumala), who oversaw laddu preparation in the 1970s. The process of making laddus has evolved significantly with the adoption of modern technology. Previously, much of the preparation was done using firewood, but now it has transitioned to LPG cooking.

The laddus we made used to stay fresh for two weeks without refrigeration. Now, they develop a layer of fungus if left outside for just a week. This says a lot about the current quality, remarked the chef.

According to the draft report by the TTD, ghee, which was alleged to be adulterated, plays a vital role in laddu preparation. A ladoo of normal size (175 gm), has about 40 gm of cow ghee. While the quality of all the ingredients is important in attributing the quality features of ladoo, the aroma of cow ghee has a major influence on the taste of the prasadam, the draft said.

When such an essential ingredient is alleged to be adulterated, it alters the entire dynamic of taste. However, beyond taste, it is the faith and sentiments of millions of devotees that are truly at stake.

Laasya Shekhar is an independent journalist.
By Nidhi Verma India's August Russian oil imports slip 18% from July, tanker data show

NEW DELHI, Sept 23 - India's monthly oil imports from Russia fell by 18.3% to about 1.7 million barrels per day in August from the previous month due to lower crude processing by some refiners, tanker data obtained from trade sources showed.

In contrast, China stepped up purchases of Russian oil last month, reclaiming the spot of Moscow's top oil client after India became the biggest buyer for the first time in July.

The share of Russian oil in India's August imports declined to about 36% after rising for five straight months, the data showed. In July, Russian oil accounted for about 44% of India's oil imports.

Despite the decline, Russia remained the top oil supplier to India in August, followed by Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the data showed.

Overall, India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, imported 4.7 million bpd of oil in August, down by about 1% from July, the data showed.

India's imports of Saudi Arabian oil last month declined to the lowest since July 2023 to about 498,200 bpd, the data shows.

India's Chennai Petroleum has shut some units at its 210,000 bpd southern India refinery while Bharat Petroleum Corp reduced crude processing at its Bina refinery in central India to carry out maintenance work at some units.

Indian refiners have been avid buyers of Russian oil sold at discounts since Western nations imposed sanctions against Moscow and curtailed their energy purchases in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Indian refiners also received about 138,000 bpd of Canadian oil last month and 254,000 bpd of U.S. crude, the data showed.

Due to a decline in intake of Russian oil, the share of OPEC nations in India's overall purchases rose to a four-month high in August, driven by higher purchases of Iraqi oil.

However, the share of OPEC oil in India's imports in the first five months of the fiscal year starting in April has slipped to an all-time low.

The share of Middle Eastern oil in India's August crude imports rose to 44.6% from 40.3% in July. During April-August, the region's share declined to about 44% from about 46% a year ago.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NEW DELHI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday embarks on an official visit to Uzbekistan to attend the Asian Infrastructure Investment Banks (AIIB) annual meeting in Samarkand on September 25-26 besides having bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Uzbekistan, Qatar and China, the finance ministry said in a statement. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sitharaman is also expected to call on Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, during her visit. (FILE PHOTO/Nirmala Sitharaman Office-X)

During the visit, Sitharaman will attend the ninth annual meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB, where she will attend as the Indian Governor to the AIIB. India is the second largest shareholder of the bank.

The multilateral discussions are expected to be centred around a broad spectrum of important global issues relevant to the development agenda. The annual meeting is expected to be participated by delegations from around 80 countries and other international organisations.

As a multilateral development bank, AIIB is focused on developing sustainable infrastructure in Asia and in promoting investments in infrastructure and other productive sectors with a view to foster sustainable economic development, create wealth and improve infrastructure connectivity.

As part of the visit, Sitharaman is expected to call on Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan. She is scheduled to sign a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan, the statement said.

The BIT will be signed for investment, industry and trade. The treaty aims to promote more extensive economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries on a long-term basis, it said.

Sitharaman will also participate in the India-Uzbekistan Business forum discussions, jointly organised as well as represented by industry captains from both countries, the statement said.

The minister will also visit the Samarkand State University and Lal Bahadur Shastri Monument in Tashkent. She will interact with Indian diaspora representing leading voices from multiple sectors.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who met PM Narendra Modi in a roundtable conference in New York, said that India is having its moment and all businesses have to seize this opportunity. He said, This is India's moment. You have to seize the opportunity as he talked about Nvidia wishing to partner with India on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Jensen Huang, co-founder and chief executive officer of Nvidia Corp, after meeting PM Modi, highlighted India's opportunity in AI, its talented workforce, and the importance of partnerships in advancing the countrys growing startup economy and AI infrastructure.(Bloomberg)

He said, India, as you know, is also home of some of the world's greatest computer scientists. So this is a great opportunity. Artificial intelligence is also a new industry, a new manufacturing industry that's very important and so I'm looking forward to partner with India in a very deep way to make that possible.

Talking about his meeting with PM Modi, Jensen Huang called the Indian prime minister "an incredible student" who wants to learn about technology and AI to explore the opportunities for India.

He said, I have enjoyed so many meetings with Prime Minister. He is such an incredible student and every time I see him, he wants to learn about technology, Artificial Intelligence, the potential and opportunity for India, the impact on Indian society & industry...India is also home of some of the world's greatest computer scientists. So, this is great opportunity. Artificial Intelligence is also a new industry, a new manufacturing industry that is very important and so I'm looking forward to partner with India in a very deep way to make that possible."

He praised India's startup economy saying, For all of the startups. India is the home of the third largest startup economy and so this new generation of startups are all based on AI and in order to do so, you have to have AI infrastructure, just the number of partnerships we have all over India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with major tech bosses- including Google's Sundar Pichai and Nvidia's Jensen Huang- during his three-day visit to the United States. The prime minister discussed India's potential and opportunities that the country has to offer to the world as he assured US business leaders of India's deep commitment to protection of intellectual property. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, is seen. Sundar Pichai emphasized PM Modi's challenge to leverage AI for India's benefit and highlighted Google's commitment to AI investments in the country.(Reuters)

The roundtable hosted by PM Modi in New York also included Chairman President and CEO of Adobe Shantanu Narayen, IBM COE Arvind Krishna, Lisa Su CEO of AMD, among others.

Following his meeting with PM Modi, Sundar Pichai said that the Indian prime minister saying that he is challenging us to do more in terms of AI so that it benefits the people of India.

PM has pushed us to continue to making in India and designing in India and wants to make sure that ultimately AI is there to benefit the people of India, Sundar Pichai said.

The PM is focused on transforming India with his Digital India vision. He pushed us to continue making in India, designing in India. We are proud to have our Pixel phones being made in India, the tech boss said.

Reflecting on PM Modi's vision for AI in India, Sundar Pichai said, He challenged us to think about the application of AI in healthcare, agriculture and he is also thinking about the AI infrastructure of India.

Google is robustly investing in AI in India, Sundar Pichai asserted, adding, We have several programmes and partnerships as we look forward to doing more in India.

PM Modi has a clear vision both in terms of the opportunity that AI will create and he wants to make sure that AI is there to benefit the people of India, the Google boss said.
Portugal is projected to be the ninth most popular destination globally for relocating millionaires in 2024, as per Henley Private Wealth Migration Dashboard which also showed that in 2023 more than one million foreign people lived in Portugal, over 10% of the total population. Portugal's climate, cultural heritage, and stable economy attract centi-millionaires. The country offers a pathway to citizenship after five years with minimal residency requirements, enhancing its appeal for global investors.

Thomas Scott, Group Head of Real Estate and Group Head of the Caribbean at Henley & Partners, said, As global economies shift and ultra-high-net-worth individuals seek diversification in both their assets and lifestyle options, investment migration has gained traction as a popular strategy. The appeal of owning multiple properties across the globe, particularly for those in the centi-millionaire bracket (those with liquid investable wealth of $ 100 million or more), cannot be overstated. Over 90% of centi-millionaires own more than one home, and approximately 65% own second homes outside their home country.

The same dashboard showed that at the end of December 2023, there were 62,700 millionaires calling Portugal their home, including 108 centi-millionaires. The top destinations for the super rich as per consultancy firm Henley and Partners are:

1. Malta

Malta is currently home to 45 centi-millionaires and the country's real estate sector has continued to demonstrate resilience even amid global economic downturns. Maltas Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulations allows for the granting of citizenship by a certificate of naturalization to foreign individuals and their families who contribute to the countrys economic development. The requirement for this is the purchase of a residential property in Malta of at least EUR 700,000, or the lease of a residential property with a rental value of at least EUR 16,000 per annum.

2. Spain

The Spain Residence by Investment Program requires a minimum real estate investment of EUR 500,000.

3. Montenegro

Thomas Scott said, Montenegros burgeoning tourism industry, coupled with its strategic location between Western Europe and the Balkans, has spurred a thriving real estate market. The countrys Adriatic coastline, particularly in areas such as Budva, Kotor, and Porto Montenegro, offers some of the most scenic and sought-after properties. With Montenegro an official candidate for European Union membership, early investors in real estate stand to benefit from both rising property values and greater mobility within Europes Schengen Area.

4. Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada

Thomas Scott said, One of the options of the dual-island paradise of Antigua and Barbudas Citizenship by Investment Program is a minimum real estate investment of USD 300,000 in approved projects. Antigua and Barbuda has seen a steady rise in demand for luxury homes and villas in recent years, thanks to its pristine beaches and upscale lifestyle offerings. However, one stipulation for applicants is that they must visit the island nation at least once during the first five years after acquiring citizenship. This requirement, while minimal, aligns well with those already envisioning multiple vacation stays or investment opportunities in this sun-kissed destination. The real estate market here, especially in areas close to luxury resorts and marinas, continues to show potential for significant appreciation.

5. Portugal

Thomas Scott said that Portugals climate, rich cultural heritage, and stable economic environment make it a desirable location for centi-millionaires who wish to expand their property portfolio after securing their golden visa. Furthermore, Portugal offers the added advantage of providing a pathway to citizenship after five years, with minimal physical stay requirements, allowing investors to enjoy both flexibility and security in their global residence planning.
China's Xiaomi has asked India's antitrust body to recall its report that found the company and Walmart's Flipkart breached competition laws, arguing it contains commercial secrets, two people familiar with the matter said. Visitors walk past a Xiaomi logo at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.(Reuters)

Any recall of the Competition Commission of India report could delay its antitrust investigation, which began in 2021. In a rare move in August, the commission recalled an antitrust report on Apple after the company similarly complained commercial secrets were disclosed.

Xiaomi has told the commission in an application the investigation report on Flipkart contains sensitive business data on the smartphone company which was supposed to be redacted when the document was shared with parties in the case, said the two sources familiar with the matter.

One of Xiaomi's concerns with the Flipkart report is that it contains its model-wise sales which is sensitive information, one of the sources said.

Xiaomi, Flipkart and the competition watchdog did not immediately respond to Reuters queries.

The commission does not make investigation reports public and they are only shared with parties to the case. A recall requires parties to return the report which then undergoes further review for redactions.

The watchdog has found that e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart gave preference to select sellers and prioritised certain listings, and also colluded with companies like Xiaomi to launch phones exclusively on their websites, Reuters reported this month citing the August reports on Flipkart and Amazon.

Counterpoint Research data shows that South Korea's Samsung and China's Xiaomi are two of India's biggest smartphone players, together holding an almost 36% market share, with China's Vivo on 19%.

Xiaomi is not concerned with data in the report made on Amazon, in which the investigators also said the two companies colluded on online sales in breach of antitrust laws, said both the sources, who declined to be named as the matter is confidential.

It wants the commission to ask parties to return the report and destroy any copies, allowing the watchdog to further redact the sensitive information and reshare the reports, said the first source.

The watchdog took a similar step with its Apple report, which found the U.S. company exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system. The company denies wrongdoing.

The commission's Flipkart report said the Indian units of Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Vivo, Lenovo and Realme indulged in the practice of exclusive product launches on Flipkart's shopping website, saying this was "against free and fair competition" and "against the interest of consumers".

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has directed the Bengaluru Police to expedite the arrest of those involved in the recent murder of a woman whose dismembered body was found stuffed into a refrigerator in her house. The NCW has also asked the police to ensure a thorough and time-bound investigation into the case.(File)

The NCW has also asked the police to submit a detailed report within three days and ensure a thorough and time-bound investigation into the case.

According to police, the 29-year-old woman's body was found chopped into over 50 pieces and stuffed into a refrigerator in a flat at Vyalikaval in the city.

The NCW, in a post on X, said it learnt about the incident through media.

(Also Read: Kannadigas no longer safe in Hitler-led Siddaramaiah government: BJP over woman found dead in Bengaluru)

"The commission has directed the state police to expedite the arrest of all involved and ensure a thorough, time-bound investigation. A detailed report is expected within 3 days," it said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday vowed to apprehend those responsible for the gruesome murder of the woman at the earliest possible.

Probe findings

The maggot-infested body of Mahalakshmi was discovered by her mother and elder sister at her home on September 21.

Initial investigation suggest that the killer may have dismembered the victims body to facilitate disposal and evade detection. Police are currently analyzing CCTV footage and Mahalakshmis phone records to trace the events leading up to her death.

The victim had been living there alone for around five months after separation from her husband, Hemant Das, who lived with their daughter.

(Also Read: Bengaluru fridge horror: Police say suspect hiding in West Bengal, search on)

What is the Opposition saying?

The Opposition BJP in Karnataka has launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government over the killing Mahalakshmi whose body parts were found stored in a refrigerator and said that the Kannadigas are no longer safe in this 'Hitler-led Siddaramaiah'.
Days after the body of 29-year-old Mahalakshmi was found in a fridge in Bengaluru on Saturday, police suspect that the perpetrator may be hiding in West Bengal, Times of India reported. Bengaluru: Police and locals near the crime scene after a woman was allegedly murdered in Malleswaram. (PTI)

The report also indicates that the Bengaluru Police have ruled out any involvement from her husband and identified the suspect as one of the woman's friends. Police sources further informed TOI that the suspect confessed to a family member that he killed Mahalakshmi. According to the police, a team has been dispatched to apprehend the suspect, the report added.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said, "The prime suspect has been identified and efforts are underway to arrest him. He's an outsider. We can't give more information as of now as it may help the accused".

On Sunday, the police said that they have detained and questioned multiple suspects and formed eight special teams to probe the brutal murder of a 29-year-old woman.

What did the Home Minister say?

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara informed ANI that the suspect is believed to be from West Bengal and that the police have collected substantial information and clues related to the case. However, he noted that more details are needed before reaching any conclusions. Parameshwara also said that the government has implemented several measures to ensure women's safety in Bengaluru, underscoring its commitment to addressing this issue.

(Also Read: Kannadigas no longer safe in Hitler-led Siddaramaiah govt: BJP over woman found dead in Bengaluru)

Watch the video here:

Preliminary findings

Preliminary findings suggest that the killer may have dismembered the victims body to facilitate disposal and evade detection. Police are currently analyzing CCTV footage and Mahalakshmis phone records to trace the events leading up to her death.

The victim had been living there alone for around five months after separation from her husband, Hemant Das, who lived with their daughter.

While Mahalakshmi lived in Malleswaram and was working in a mall, her husband worked in a hermitage away from the city, PTI reported. After learning about the incident, he too came to the spot.

The incident was a stark reminder of the brutal murder of Shraddha Walker by her live-in partner Aftab Poonawalla on May 18, 2022 at Mehrauli in Delhi.

Twenty-eight-year-old Poonawala allegedly strangled Walkar and sawed her body into 35 pieces which he kept in a 300-litre fridge for almost three weeks at his residence before dumping them across the city.

(Also Read: 30 pieces found in fridge: Bengaluru police form eight special teams to probe woman's murder case - Report)
A 13-year-old boy died in mysterious circumstances at a grain market near Jalandhar Bypass, officials said. Police at the crime scene in grain market near Jalandhar Bypass in Ludhiana on Monday. (HT Photo)

They added that the minors body was found late on Sunday, hanging from the grille of a makeshift shop.

The deceaseds kin alleged that he was abducted and murdered, and sought an inquiry and action.

Police said they sent the body to the civil hospital for a postmortem. Assistant commissioner of police (ACP north) Davinder Chaudhary said said a panel of three doctors has been formed to conduct an autopsy on the deceased.

According to police, they will take action according to the post-mortem report.

Police said the victim was a resident of Maskeen Nagar in Bhaura village.

The minors mother said he had gone for a haircut on Sunday and returned in the evening. As he returned, she went to cook after asking the minor to have a bath.

She said that in a while, a boy turned up at the house and asked them to come with him. She said he was panting and seemed tense.

The woman said that the boy took them to a makeshift bakery in the grain market, where the found the minors body hanging from a grill. She raised an alarm and alerted the police.

The complainant said that a boy who had come to their house claimed that he had seen two men taking the victim on a bike. She added that the boy said the duo were thrashing the victim. She alleged that someone had murdered her son after abducting him.

ACP Chaudhary said police initiated investigation soon after receiving information about the incident.

He said police scanned footage from the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in the area, but did not find any substantial evidence.

The ACP added that the victim had left the house after his father scolded him for not returning home in time.

He said police will take appropriate action according to the post-mortem report.
The CIA staff 2 of police commissionerate arrested three accused for their alleged involvement in snatching incidents and the purchase of stolen mobile phones, officials said. The CIA staff 2 of police commissionerate arrested three accused for their alleged involvement in snatching incidents and the purchase of stolen mobile phones, officials said. (HT File)

The police recovered 20 mobile phones, four stolen motorcycles, a sharp-edged weapon and a country-made pistol from their possession.

The arrested accused were identified as Ravi Kumar alias Ravi Kantia from Samastipur, Shimlapuri; Sandeep Paswan alias Ankit from Maha Singh Nagar; and Munna Kumar alias Munna from Samrat Colony, Giaspura.

Their aide, Gautam from the Daba area, is yet to be arrested.

CIA-2 in-charge inspector Rajesh Kumar said the police received a tip-off regarding Ravi Kumar and Sandeep Paswan, who were heading towards Giaspura on a stolen motorcycle to deliver stolen mobile phones to Munna Kumar, who runs a mobile shop.

The police set up a checkpoint and apprehended the accused, and recovered eight stolen mobile phones, a stolen motorcycle, a sharp-edged weapon and a .315 bore country-made pistol with a live cartridge.

He said more arrests and recoveries were made based on the information from them.

A case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act was registered.
A group of revellers allegedly pelted a police team with bricks from the elevated road near the railway station after the cops deterred from drinking in public, officials aware of the development said. A group of revellers allegedly pelted a police team with bricks from the elevated road near the railway station after the cops deterred from drinking in public, officials aware of the development said. (HT File)

They added that this was the second such incident within just four days.

Officials said a Police Control Room (PCR) motorcycle squad personnel sustained an injury on his back during the attack and has filed a complaint at the Division Number 1 police station.

On September 18, a similar attack took place when a police team was targeted after stopping individuals from consuming alcohol in public.

According to the injured police personnel, he was on night patrol near the railway station when he noticed a group of men drinking in the open. He confronted the group, who argued with him but fled the scene. He alleged that moments later, the accused began throwing bricks and stones at the police from the elevated road above.

One of the bricks struck the officer on his back, causing him to fall to the ground. He said the accused escaped after attacking them.

Division Number 1 station-house officer (SHO) inspector Gaganpreet Singh confirmed that a complaint has been received from the injured officer. He said police are scanning footage from the closed-circuiit television (CCTV) cameras installed in the area to identify and trace the attackers.

Inspector Singh added that in the incident on September 18, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and a constable were attacked. The group initially left after an argument but returned with others. The constable was injured and the police later arrested the accused following an investigation, he said.
KOLKATA: Police said the six accused would be extensively questioned about their motives and the circumstances under which the businessman got into their car (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A businessman abducted from Kolkata on Sunday was rescued from a village in north Bengals Malda district by the Kolkata Police and state police in the early hours of Monday, police said.

Six people have been arrested and the vehicle used to abduct the businessman has been seized, police said.

We received information at the Garfa police station on Sunday that a businessman named Anirban Hazra has been abducted. The kidnappers called his wife from his mobile demanding a ransom of 20 lakh, Bidisha Kalita Dasgupta, deputy commissioner (south suburban division) of Kolkata Police told reporters.

Hazra runs a business at Dhaniakhali in Hooghly.

Police said he left home around 7pm. Around 7:30pm, he was seen getting into a vehicle near Ruby Hospital crossing. Around 12:30 am on Monday, his wife received a ransom call in which the kidnappers demanded 20 lakh as ransom. The caller had used Hazras mobile phone.

Officers from the local police station and the Kolkata Polices detective department took up the investigation.

Investigators scanned CCTV footage and found one clip in which he got into a white-coloured vehicle near Vivanta hotel.

Police said investigators tracked the abductors to a house at Mothabari in Malda district, 300km north of Kolkata.

A police team left for Malda and with the help of Malda police, the businessman was rescued in the early hours of Monday. Six persons were arrested. The vehicle seen in the CCTV footage was also seized, she added.

Police said the accused were being brought back to Kolkata for further interrogation.

The six have been identified by the police as Rahmat Sheikh, Masum Ansari, Abdus Sayem, Jahangir Sheikh, Rocky Ansari, Golam Mortaza.

A police officer said furt

We will get details such as whether the victim knew any one of the abductors, under what circumstances he boarded the car, what happened thereafter, the backgrounds of the accused persons, only after we get to interrogaBidisha Kalita Dasguptate them, said a police officer.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee targeted the Centre and the Jharkhand government during a tour of the states flood-hit districts on Monday saying more areas will be inundated if the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) releases water through its barrages in the coming days. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addresses the media after an administrative meeting regarding the flood situation in the state, in Purba Bardhaman district on Monday. (PTI)

Two depressions have developed over the Bay of Bengal. Our flooded districts will receive heavy rainfall. The situation will worsen, especially if DVC releases more water from its dams. Villagers living in endangered areas must be evacuated immediately, Banerjee said in East Burdwan district.

Whenever it rains in Jharkhand, they release water into Bengal. Bihar also gets flooded, but they dig canals and direct the water towards Bengal. Political parties spend a lot of money on elections, big buildings and gigantic statues. If the Centre gives us even one fourth of this money, we can work on the Ganga Action Plan, Banerjee said without naming any party.

We will not accept the neglect and deceit Bengal is facing. Never, Banerjee added.

At Bankura district, her next stop, the Trinamool Congress chairperson sharpened her attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) without naming it.

Fight me politically if you can. Dont put common people into misery, she said while addressing the media.

On Sunday, Banerjee wrote a second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing DVC of causing the recent floods in south Bengal districts and declaring that the Bengal government was withdrawing its representatives from the corporations board.

Bengal power secretary Shantanu Basu and a chief engineer from the department quit the DVRRC (Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee) on Sunday, Banerjee said on Monday.

Aimed at controlling devastating floods caused by the mighty Damodar river which passes through Bihar (now Jharkhand) and Bengal, DVC was set up in July 1948. The Centre, Bengal and Jharkhand are partners in the project. DVC also produces hydel power and feeds irrigation canals.

Banerjee held an administrative meeting in East Burdwan where she asked officials to be proactive.

Block development officers and local police must convince villagers in low lying areas to vacate their homes. I know nobody likes to leave their home, but life is more important. Officials must assess the damage farmers have suffered so we can disburse crop insurance funds. We have set up many flood shelters, but these are not adequate. Our officials can use school buildings since the Puja vacation will start soon, Banerjee said after the meeting.

In Sundays letter to Modi, Banerjee alleged that DVC released excessive water from its dams in Jharkhand ignoring repeated requests from the Bengal government.

Jharkhand witnessed excessive rainfall earlier this week, causing water level in the DVC dams to rise.

Evidence suggests that the Mython and Panchet reservoirs were not allowed to encroach beyond their maximum flood management levels (MFML) - 495 ft for Mython and 425 ft for Panchet - this time. For example, during a previous incident on August 1, 2021, Panchet reached 430.61 ft, well above its MFML, while this time it only reached 425.12 ft, Banerjee wrote to the Modi on Sunday.

In the first letter Banerjee wrote to Modi on September 20, she sought his intervention and accused DVC of triggering a man-made disaster. The letter said Bengal had been facing the biggest flood in the lower Damodar basin since 2009 and more than five million people had been affected.

Responding to this letter, Union jal shakti minister CR Paatil said Bengal government officials were informed at every stage about the discharge of water from DVCs reservoirs. The water was released to prevent a major disaster, he said.

The Bengal BJP has dismissed Banerjees allegations. Its leaders alleged that the TMC government had never attempted to build new canals and desilt old ones although floods caused by water released from DVC dams in the upper Damodar basin had been a regular phenomenon.
Mumbai: The Thane police crime branch killed Akshay Shinde, arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two four-year-old girls at a school in Badlapur last month, in an encounter on Monday evening, allegedly after he snatched a police officers gun and shot three rounds at him. The Thane police crime branch killed Akshay Shinde, a suspect arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two 4-year-old girls in a pre-primary school in Badlapur East. HT Photo

According to the police, the Thane crime branch was escorting Shinde from Taloja Central Jail for questioning related to a case registered against him last week by his estranged second wife at the Boisar police station. The 24-year-old was booked under section 377 (unnatural sex) of the Indian Penal Code. The case was later transferred to Thane and taken over by the crime branch.

The crime branch took Shindes custody around 5.30 pm on Monday from Taloja jail, where he was lodged. A team of around 10 policemen was escorting him from the jail in a police vehicle, with four armed officers seated next to him, said a senior police officer.

As the vehicle reached the Mumbra Bypass, Shinde allegedly snatched the pistol of assistant police inspector Nilesh More and fired three rounds at him, one of which hit him in the thigh. In response, senior inspector Sanjay Shinde fired one round at Akshay Shinde, which struck him in the head. Shinde was then taken to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa, where he was declared dead, the senior police officer said. His body was taken to JJ Hospital in Mumbai for post-mortem on Monday evening.

Shindes mom refutes police claims

Shindes mother, Alka Shinde, refused to buy the claims made by the Thane police. When contacted by HT, she said, I met him (Akshay) around 4:30 pm in Taloja jail on Monday. I had been waiting to see him since morning but finally got a chance to talk to him for 15 minutes. He told me that the charge sheet had been filed in his case and asked if I was trying to get him out of jail. He said that when I visited him last Monday, he had been beaten by the police."

Alka Shinde also alleged that her sons killing was planned and executed at the best of some political leaders. "My son feared Diwali crackers. I would always drop him off at school or the office during Diwali because he was terrified of the noise. It is unbelievable that he took a gun and shot some rounds.

She added that her son had always denied committing the crimes. Even if he had committed it, the government and police should have faith in their own investigation and the courage to handle this case fairly. A fair punishment, even if it had been the death penalty, would have been justified. But this is a bigger crime that my son didn't even get a chance to fight his case. Akshay cannot do this, and I will fight for his justice," she said.

Shinde was arrested on August 17 for allegedly sexually assaulting two four-year-old girls studying at a school in Badlapur earlier that month. The incident, along with the school managements negligence and the Badlapur polices delay in registering an FIR, became a flashpoint for thousands of protestors to erupt on the streets and the railway tracks in Badlapur on August 20.

The Maharashtra government then appointed a Special Investigative Team led by senior IPS officer Arti Singh to take charge of the case and said it would be fast-tracked. On September 16, the SIT filed its first charge sheet in the case, based on the complaint of one of the girls. The chargesheet contains medical reports, which state that the prolonged sexual assault of the four-year-old from August 5-12 broke her hymen and left her with deep injuries.

On September 19, the SIT filed the second charge sheet, based on the second girls complaint. According to her complaint, Shinde took her to a washroom in the school on August 13 and sexually assaulted her. The girl returned home and immediately informed her parents about the incident. She was taken to a private doctor, who confirmed that the child was sexually assaulted.

The following day, the girls parents went to the school and informed the principal about the incident. However, they were allegedly told that the incident could not have happened on the school premises. When the parents requested the schools CCTV footage, they were told that it wasnt available.

The SIT held the school authorities responsible for negligence, while also naming principal Archana Athavale, and the chairman and secretary of the trust that runs the school, Uday Kotwal and Tushar Apte respectively, as co-accused in the FIR. They were booked for allegedly failing to report the incident to the police. The police, too, did not take prompt action, according to the charge sheet.
Mumbai: Alka Shinde, mother of Akshay Shinde, the suspect in the Badlapur sexual assault case, who was killed during an encounter on Monday evening, has refuted the claims made by the Thane police about the sequence of events that led to his death. The Thane police crime branch killed Akshay Shinde, a suspect arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two 4-year-old girls in a pre-primary school in Badlapur East. HT Photo

In an interview, she said, "I met Akshay around 4.30 pm in Taloja jail on Monday. I had been waiting to see him since morning but finally got a chance to talk to him for 15 minutes. He told me that the charge sheet had been filed in his case and asked if I was trying to get him out of jail. He said that when I visited him last Monday, he had been beaten by the police officials."

She added, "This is pre-planned. This appears to be done at the behest of some political leaders."

Alka Shinde questioned the police account, stating, "My son feared Diwali crackers. It is unbelievable that he took a gun and shot some rounds. As a mother, I witnessed his fear of fireworks. I would always drop him off at school or the office during Diwali because he was terrified of the noise."

She continued, "He desperately wanted to have food cooked by me and until then wanted me to send him some money for buying food from the jail canteen."

Expressing her doubts about the allegations against her son, Alka Shinde said, "During my jail visits, I always asked him if he had committed the crime, and he told me that he did not. However, even if he had committed it, the government and police should have faith in their own investigation and the courage to handle this case fairly. A fair punishment, even if it had been the death penalty, would have been justified. But this is a bigger crime that my son didn't even get a chance to fight his case."

She raised questions about the broader implications of the case, asking, "What happened to the big trustees of the school? Why can't they be in police custody, because of money?"

Alka Shinde concluded with a vow to seek justice: Because the police do not trust their investigation, they have done this crime. Akshay cannot do this, and I will fight for justice for him.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel left for Mumbai from here on Monday to press for the demand for action against Hindu seer Ramgiri Maharaj and BJP MLA Nitesh Rane over their remarks allegedly targeting Muslims. HT Image

On September 11, former MP Jaleel said he would visit Mumbai on September 23 and gift copies of the Constitution to the ruling Mahayuti leaders and senior police officials in Maharashtra while seeking action against Ramgiri Maharaj and Rane.

BJP leader Rane addressed two public meetings in Shrirampur and Topkhana areas in Ahmednagar district on September 1 in support of Ramgiri Maharaj, who was in the news last month for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

Multiple cases have been registered in Maharashtra against Rane over his speeches allegedly targeting Muslims.

Jaleel on Monday launched the 'Tiranga Samvidhan' rally to Mumbai from here via the Samruddhi Expressway.

Speaking to mediapersons before leaving, Jaleel said people who love their country and the culture of Maharashtra have come forward to help him in this agitation headed to Mumbai.

"The state has forgotten the culture of Phule, Shahu Maharaj, Ambedkar and Shivaji Maharaj, so we are going to Mumbai to remind the government about it," he said.

Jaleel said he had earlier decided to go to Mumbai via Gangapur and Vaijapur .

"But the government has come down to dirty politics using police in the state. A pro-Hindutva organisation has been called in Gangapur for a march. The people called over there just stand on stage and target one specific community. So to avoid any struggle, we are taking our 'Tiranga Samvidhan' rally though the Samruddhi Expressway," he said.

A large number of people from Nanded joined the rally of Jaleel from here.

The AIMIM leader has through a video message appealed to people from various regions of the state to join his rally at various nodes of the Samruddhi Expressway.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday asked officials to make concerted efforts for the improvement in the eight aspirational districts of the state and asked different companies to make all possible efforts for the uplift of Anganwadi in Sonbhadra. U.P. governor Anandiben Patel in Varanasi on Monday (HT Photo)

The stronger the foundation of children, the higher will be the development of the country, and the goals of developed India will be achieved, she said.

She attended the thanksgiving programme organised in Varanasi for the transfer of MoUs signed between various companies and district administration for works worth more than 80 crore under corporate social responsibility (CSR) of various companies and for the CSR works worth 125 crore done so far.

She thanked everyone for such events and termed such programmes as Uttam.

She said that malnutrition should be eliminated from where it starts; marriage of girls at an early age should stop, appealing to the people to take a pledge that girls should not be married before 20 years of age. She encouraged parents to pay attention to their daughters.

She expressed concern over the discrimination between boys and girls in society and asked people to overcome it.

She said that the government is also giving money to pregnant women for the first and second child but it is not being utilised properly. The entire environment of the house affects the baby growing in the mothers womb, so there should be a good environment and food arrangement during that time.

She stressed on the need for a child psychologist for small children and asked to make it mandatory.

She asked to make continuous efforts from the bottom to achieve the target of admission of 50% children in higher education by 2030.

She said that during the operation of smart classes, teachers must be present there, technology should be used for good work. She also directed continuous random checks of classes.

She distributed kits to five Anganwadi centres, and handed over certificates to nine Anganwadi workers and supervisors who did excellent work against malnutrition. The Governor also distributed laptops to five beneficiaries under the Chief Minister Bal Seva Yojana and distributed ISO certificates to Kasturba Gandhi schools and Government Childrens Home.

The governor flagged off the Bridhmitra Van subsidized by SBI.

District magistrate S Rajalingam thanked the Governor for constantly paying attention to Varanasi and her efforts on education, health and malnutrition eradication. He said that this helps a lot in increasing the basic skills of children.

Chief development officer Himanshu Nagpal also thanked the governor and gave a presentation in front of her on the MoUs transfer and the work done earlier under CSR.
The election of Anura Kumar Dissanayake, the leader of Janata Vimukti Perumuna (Peoples Liberation Front), an outfit with Marxist leanings, as the ninth President of Sri Lanka, marks a new chapter in the island nations politics. In a way, the ascent of the JVP, which led two violent insurrections in 1971 and during 1987-89, and its eclipsing of the three mainstream parties that have monopolised power in Colombo, completes a political cycle that started with the massive civic unrest in 2022, which forced the then president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to quit office and flee the country. The civic protests (Aragalaya) were unprecedented in their scale of mobilisation and remarkable for the way they articulated popular disaffection with the political establishment and the economic collapse that the Rajapaksas, once celebrated as heroes for their role in defeating the LTTE and ending the war in the Tamil-majority areas, presided over. Dissanayake was a prominent voice during Aragalaya, which helped the JVP to offer itself as an alternative. That the JVP never held office in Colombo  Dissanayake, though, was a minister in the Chandrika Kumaratunge government some years ago when JVP was her ally  has helped the coalition it led to win the mandate in an election defined by voter antipathy towards the establishment. Colombo: Anura Kumara Dissanayake takes oath as Sri Lanka's new president during a ceremony, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (PTI Photo) (PTI)

Dissanayake will need to be pragmatic in his policies to reconcile the compulsions of managing a country, which is yet to recover from the economic crisis of 2022 and is dependent on a $2.9 billion IMF bailout, with popular expectations for less taxes and more welfare. He has promised to renegotiate the IMF package with its stringent austerity measures which was a major reason for the anti-incumbency against the outgoing president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, after replacing Rajapaksa, had to seek help from the international community to tide over the currency crisis and stabilise the economy and the country. Dissanayake may have to soften his partys populist pitch and explore a middle path to ensure that the economy doesnt slide into chaos once again.

In office, the JVP will need to shed its exclusivist Sinhala nationalism and embrace a more inclusive vision to address the concerns of minorities, especially Tamils. Its perceived anti-India slant has more to do with its warped notion of nationalism rather than any ideological affinity with Beijing. Delhi has been supportive of Colombo in its worst times and the two countries became even closer after the 2022 unrest. President Dissanayake, who met senior Indian officials in Delhi in February, has spoken about strengthening bilateral ties. Thats in the interest of both nations.
In a move that will adversely impact Indian students aspiring to study in Canada, the Canadian government has announced a further reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025 - a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 to a new low of 437,000 study permits for 2025. In 2023, the study permits for international students was at a high of 500,000. The Canadian government has announced a further reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025 - a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 to a new low of 437,000 study permits for 2025.. (Reuters file)

The intake cap for 2026 will remain the same as 2025 and the 20252026 study permit intake cap will include masters and doctoral students who will now have to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter.

This curtailment will greatly impact Indian students who comprise nearly 40% of all international students in Canada. Between 2013 and 2023, Indians immigrating to Canada rose from 32,828 to 139,715, an increase of 326% (Source: National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP)) and Indian enrolment at Canadian universities rose more than 5,800% in the last two decades, from 2,181 in 2000 to 128,928 in 2021. According to recent data released by the Indian government, there are about 13.35 lakh Indian students studying abroad of which about 427,000 are studying in Canada.

Were granting 35% fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that numbers going down by another 10%. Immigration is an advantage for our economy  but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X.

Stricter regulations will also be implemented for foreign workers.Were reducing the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers and shortening the duration of their work terms. We adjusted the program after the pandemic, but the labour markets changed. We need businesses to invest in Canadian workers, Trudeau added.

The other additional measures to manage the volume of temporary resident arrivals into the country include:

 updating the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program to better align with immigration goals and labour market needs

 Starting later this year, only spouses of master's degree students in programs lasting at least 16 months in duration will be eligible for work permit.

 For anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit on or after November 1, 2024, a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required.

 Graduates from programs at public colleges will remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years if they graduate from a field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage.

It maybe noted that international education accounts for more than $22 billion in economic activity annually in Canada, greater than the countrys exports of auto parts, lumber or aircraft, and supports more than 200,000 jobs in Canada. The temporary drop in international students in 2020 resulted in a loss of more than $7 billion for Canadas gross domestic product that year.

New Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program gets effective on September 26: In August this year, Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, had expressed concern that the TFW Program was being used to circumvent hiring talented workers in Canada and announced steps to weed misuse and fraud. The new clauses that get into effect on September 26 include:

 The Government of Canada will refuse to process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the Low-Wage stream, applicable in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.

 Employers will be allowed to hire no more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program. This maximum employment percentage will be applied to the Low-Wage stream and is a further reduction from the March 2024 reduction.

 The maximum duration of employment for workers hired through the Low-Wage stream will be reduced from the current two years to one year.

Other recent measures

 Earlier this month, the government had set new rule limits off-campus work for international students to 20 hours per week. Not every international student can afford to go to school without that extra income.

 On January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living requirement for study permit applicants was updated - a single applicant should have $20,635, representing 75% of low-income cut-off (LICO), in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs.

 The new financial guidelines were also applied to the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a special study permit application process available to residents of 14 countries that requires additional up-front information from the applicant and provides priority processing.

 Starting December 1, 2023, the government had made it mandatory for post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLI) to confirm every applicants letter of acceptance directly with IRCC. This verification process was enforced to protect prospective students from letterofacceptance fraud and to ensure that study permits are issued based only on genuine letters of acceptance.

Decrease in the number of temporary residents: Earlier this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced a decrease in the number of temporary residents - from 6.5% of Canadas total population down to 5% by 2026 including temporary foreign workers and international students. This will be reflected in the 20252027 Immigration Levels Plan, which will be released by November 1, 2024.
HSSC Constable Recruitment 2024: The Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) will close registrations for Constable vacancies tomorrow, September 24. Eligible and interested candidates can apply for the 5,600 vacancies on the official website, hssc.gov.in. HSSC Constable Recruitment 2024: Registration for 5,600 posts ends tomorrow

Candidates who have passed the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for group C posts are eligible to apply for these posts.

Also read: HSSC Constable Recruitment 2024: 5600 vacancies announced, here's all you need to know before applying

Of the total vacancies, 4,000 are for General Duty (Male Constable), 600 are for General Duty (Female Constable) posts. The other 1,000 vacancies are for Male Constable in India Reserve Battalions.

To apply for these posts, candidates need to pass at least Class 12 from a recognised board. They must have studied Hindi or Sanskrit in Class 10. Candidates with higher education will not be eligible for any extra credit.

The applicant should be at least 18 years old and not more than 25 years old on September 1, 2024. Reserved category candidates will be eligible for age relaxation as per government rules.

Also Read: RRB NTPC UG Recruitment 2024: Registration for 3445 posts begins at rrbapply.gov.in, heres how to apply

There is no application fee for this recruitment drive.

The selection process will have three stages  Physical Measurement Test, Physical Screening Test and Knowledge Test.

The commission will invite candidates for PMT and PST based on the merit list prepared based on the HSSC Group C exam.

After the round, candidates equal to four times the number of vacancies will be called for the knowledge test.

The knowledge test will have objective-type multiple-choice questions and carry 94.5 per cent weightage.

To be considered for selection, general category candidates need to score at least 50 per cent marks while reserve category candidates need 40 per cent marks.

For further details, candidates can visit the official website of the commission.
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have entered into an agreement to jointly launch a postgraduate programme in Healthcare Management. Professor Archana Shukla, Director, IIM Lucknow, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur signed the agreement(Handout)

The collaboration between the two institutes aims to address the growing need for healthcare leadership by integrating management principals with advanced medical technology, IIT Kanpur said in a press statement.

Read: IIM Lucknow research reveals key factors influencing menstrual cup adoption

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Professor Archana Shukla, Director, IIM Lucknow, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur.

Speaking during the event, Prof. Shukla said, We are thrilled to partner with IIT Kanpur to bring forth a program that combines the strengths of management and technology in addressing the complex challenges of the healthcare sector.

Read: IIT Kanpurs SIIC-incubated startups showcase innovative defence technologies at Armed Forces Festival 2024

"We believe this joint program will foster innovative solutions that can significantly improve healthcare management in India and globally," she added.

The PGP in Healthcare Management will serve professionals from various fields, including healthcare workers and doctors in public hospitals, IIM Lucknow informed.

Read: IIM Lucknow introduces Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology, aims to nurture 100 startups across UP

Upon signing the MoU, Prof Agrawal said, The postgraduate joint degree program in Healthcare Management is a key component of our Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology initiative, which seeks to enhance the integration of medical technology and innovation into our curriculum. By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, we are positioning our graduates to address the pressing challenges of healthcare with a holistic and forward-looking approach.

Read: Student sneaks into IIT Kanpur lecture, viral video captures hilarious outcome

The joint program will collaborate closely with IIT Kanpur's Centre of Excellence in Digital Health, working with international institutions critical to India's healthcare landscape, IIM Lucknow said.

IIM Lucknow anticipates that this partnership will enhance healthcare management education and research, helping to create professionals capable of contributing to a stronger, more innovative healthcare system in the country.
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur is set to introduce artificial intelligence in classrooms with an aim to transform the way students learn and gather knowledge. This announcement was made on the 10th foundation day of the institute on Monday, September 23, 2024. IIM Sambalpur hosted its 10th foundation day on September 23, 2024.

Addressing the event, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, director of IIM Sambalpur said that the implementation of AI in classrooms will enable a transformative learning experience. Prof Jaiswal also shared about plans to organize a Women's Empowerment Summit in February to further the goals of Viksit Bharat.

Also read: Haryana NEET UG 2024 Round 2 seat allotment result, merit list out at uhsrugcounselling.com, direct link here

He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and others who contributed to the building of the institute.

Uday A. Kaole, chairman and managing director of MCL, who graced the event as the chief guest, congratulated IIM Sambalpur for its accomplishments and lauded Prof Jaiswal for his successful leadership.

Other keynote speakers of the occasion included Dr Anurag Batra who was the guest of honour, Nishita Baliarsingh, co-founder & CEO at Nexus Power, and Anindya Ghosh, the associate partner at IBM.

Also read: IIT Madras launches IITM School Connect, aims to educate school students in Data Science & AI, Electronic Systems

Inauguration of IDE Bootcamp Second Edition Phase I

Coinciding with the foundation day celebrations, the second edition of Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship (IDE) Bootcamp Phase 1 was launched. The initiative which is scheduled to be conducted till September 27, 2024, is spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, AICTE, and the Ministry of Educations Innovation Cell (MIC).

It aims to nurture innovation, design, and entrepreneurial skills among student innovators across India, a press release informed.

Also read: SCERT Assam DElEd PET Result 2024 released at scertpet.co.in, check via direct link here

The release added that the Bootcamp was hosted simultaneously across nine prestigious institutions from all across the nation, engaging over 3000 student innovators and Innovation Ambassadors from higher education institutions across the country.

The Bootcamp Exhibition

As part of the event, an exhibition by innovators and startups was conducted with more than 70 startups across the nation showcasing their unique products ranging from tech products, agriculture products, and healthcare products, etc.
Aamir Khan expressed his happiness after Laaapataa Ladies was selected as India's official entry for the 97th Academy Awards. Following posts by Kiran Rao, Nitanshi Goel, and the cast of the social comedy-drama on social media, Aamir also shared his official statement. The actor-producer expressed gratitude to everyone for their recognition and support for the film. (Also read: Nitanshi Goel thanks Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan as Laapataa Ladies heads to Oscars: They gave us wings to fly) Aamir Khan expressed happiness after Laapataa Ladies was selected as India's official entry for Oscars 2025.

Aamir Khan reacts as Laapataa Ladies heads for Oscars

Reacting to Laapataa Ladies being chosen, Aamir's statement read, We are all so happy with the news. I am so proud of Kiran and her entire team. I would like to thank the selection committee of the Film Federation of India, which chose our film to represent India at the Oscars. My heartfelt gratitude to our audience, our media, and the entire film fraternity, for all the love and support they have given Laapata Ladies. Thanks to both Jio and Netflix who have been great partners to work with. I am so happy that all our hard-work has paid off. Thank you everyone (folded hands emoji) Heres hoping that Laapata Ladies is able to win the hearts of the members of the Academy. Love a.

Previously, Lagaan (2001) and Taare Zameen Par (2007) produced by Aamir's production company Aamir Khan Productions were also sent as India's official entry to the Oscars. However, Lagaan has been the only Indian film that made it to the top five nominations at the 74th Academy Awards (2002). Laapataa Ladies is the third film from Aamir's home banner that has been selected as India's official entry for Oscars.

About Laapataa Ladies

Laapataa Ladies is a story about two brides in rural India in 2001 who accidentally get swapped during a train journey. The film is jointly produced by Kirans Kindling Productions, Aamir's Aamir Khan Productions and Jio Studios. Released in March 2024, the film received universal praise from critics. It features Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastav in the lead roles, alongside Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma.
Deepika Padukone hasn't shared any update on her motherhood after the announcement of her baby girl's arrival on September 8. Now, the actor has reshared an Instagram Reels, which gives us a peek into her new phase of life as a mother. (Also Read  Deepika Padukone spotted for first time with Ranveer Singh, daughter after discharge from Mumbai hospital. See pic) Deepika Padukone gives fans a window into her new motherhood(Instagram)

Deepika offers peek into her motherhood

Deepika reposted a reel on Monday morning with the GIF of a person stepping out of the curtains and retreating after giving a short wave. The reel displays the text, If adults ate like newborns, and shows a woman waking up on a sofa, heading to the kitchen, fixing a meal, staring at her plate, and then attempting to eat chaotically at the dining table. She then passes out as soon as she takes the first bite. She also has her mouth open and head shaking throughout the video just like a newborn would.

Looks like Deepika is able to relate with the video too!

Deepika, Ranveer's first baby

Deepika was discharged from the hospital days after her delivery. She and husband Ranveer Singh brought their newborn home, marking their first public appearance since the joyous event.

Following the birth of their daughter, Deepika Padukone made a heartwarming update on her Instagram bio, reflecting her new role as a mother. Her bio now reads, "Feed. Burp. Sleep. Repeat," providing fans with a charming glimpse into the daily routine of their new family life.

The announcement of their baby's arrival on September 8 was shared through a touching post on social media, where the couple expressed their delight with the message, Welcome Baby Girl 8.9.2024. Deepika and Ranveer. A bevy of Bollywood celebrities sent their wishes to the new parents, including Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, and Kareena Kapoor.

In terms of their professional lives, Deepika's last appearance was in the film Kalki 2898 Ad. Ranveer and Deepika are set to be seen together next in Rohit Shetty's highly anticipated film Singham Again, scheduled for release during Diwali. Ranveer will also star in Aditya Dhar's next action film and Farhan Akhtar's crime drama Don 3 subsequently.
When Hindustan Times reached out to Pratibha she was brimming with excitement. She admitted that she is still processing the news.

On Monday, the Film Federation of India made the announcement about the film, directed by Kiran Rao. The light-hearted satire on patriarchy was chosen from a list of 29 films, including Bollywood hit Animal, Malayalam National Award winner Aattam and Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light.

On becoming India's official entry for Oscars 2025

Revisiting the moment, Pratibha tells us, I was sitting for a reading, and my phone was buzzing with calls and messages continuously. I couldnt check my phone during the meeting. It was only after the meeting that I checked my phone, and saw the big announcement".

I was so happy. I can't process it right now, she confesses.

The actor admits that the films team was hoping for it, and their dream turning into a reality has ushered in a celebratory mood for all associated with the film.

Like everyone, we were hoping for that. We were not expecting that. Now, when it has finally happened, it's a day of celebration. We all are so happy and so grateful to the universe, she shares.

On the films message

Set in a fictitious state called Nirmal Pradesh in 2001, Laapataa Ladies tells the story of two brides who get swapped in a train. While one is taken home by another's groom, the other is left stranded at a railway station. It is based on an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami.

For Pratibha, the film carries an important message, and she is proud that it is set to take the global flight.

I'm very fortunate to be a part of such a brilliant story. The celebration of the impact of the film has not been ending. I get to hear something good about the film every second month, she says, adding, Everything has been conveyed to the audience in a beautiful manner.

Through a simple narrative which conveys so many emotions that each and every individual is able to with that. That's the brilliance of the filmmaking and kudos to Kiran ma'am for that. I feel so grateful that my first film project was with her, says the actor.

She revealed that her dream to accomplish and learn more has gotten stronger, and it is all because of Kiran and Aamir Khan, who have backed the film.

Talking about the message of gender equality, Pratibha shares, It is very beautiful when you have feminine energy around because that energy is so powerful.

She adds, The message that it will take to the Oscars is so nice. We all talk about women empowerment, but how much empowered are we in true sense. The message is going international now, and it is time that we all should think about it, and find the answer to the question, are we truly empowered.

On her career

When it comes to her professional life, Pratibha credits Laapataa Ladies for giving it a push.

The film has already impacted my career. Now, it is impacting my career every passing day The celebration has not stopped for me and the film. And I feel blessed about it, she ends.
The 'Modi and US' supershow reached full swing as popular artists Devi Sri Prasad, Hanumankind, and Aditya Gadhvi performed in front of a crowd of over 13,500 people at Nassau Coliseum in New York. Aditya Gadhvi mesmerised the audience with his superhit track Khalasi. (Also Read: Coldplay dreams trashed? Heres where else you can watch the band in 2025 if not Mumbai) Hanumankind, Aditya Gadhvi, and Devi Sri Prasad welcome PM Modi in New York

Popular hip-hop artist Hanumankind also thrilled the audiences with his outstanding performance. This marked the first time these stars performed together on the same stage, which indeed promised a memorable experience for the audience.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Nassau Coliseum, where he addressed the enthusiastic Indian diaspora. PM Modi's address at the "Modi and US" programme was a historic event that unfolded at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, as 15,000 members of the Indian diaspora gather from 42 different states to welcome the Prime Minister.

Artists from different groups have been preparing since days to showcase traditional music for the big show once the PM's arrival. The artists performed 'Yakshagana', a form of traditional folk dance popular in the coastal districts of Karnataka and parts of Kerala, at the venue.

Members of the Indian diaspora belonging to Tamil Nadu played the traditional musical instrument 'Parai' at the event ahead of PM Modi's address to the diaspora. A group was seen performing Mallakhamb earlier on Sunday  an acrobatic activity that originated in Maharashtra, outside Nassau Coliseum in New York, Long Island.

Jaydev Anata of the Mallakhamb Federation US said, "We are promoting Mallakhamb in the USA as an acrobatic and gymnastic sport with the objective of getting it into the Olympics. We are using every opportunity to present this to the public."

Earlier in a post on X, PM Modi shared pictures of his meeting with members of the Indian diaspora and wrote, "After programmes in Delaware, landed in New York. Eager to be among the diaspora at the community programme in the city and to take part in other programmes."

PM Modi will chair key bilateral meetings in New York and attend a CEO Roundtable in addition to addressing the Summit of the Future on September 23.
Actor Parvati Nair, who starred alongside Vijay in Venkat Prabhu's The Greatest Of All Time (The GOAT), is under investigation for allegedly assaulting and confining a worker named Subash Chandra Bose. She played a supporting role in the film that was released on September 5. (Also Read: Jayam Ravi on divorce: If Aarti wanted to reconcile, why didnt she reach out? I want custody of my kids) Vijay-starrer The GOAT saw actor Parvati Nair in a key role recently.

The complaint

A case has been registered against the actor and five others under sections 296(b), 115(2), and 351(2) BNS following a complaint by Subhash. According to DSR copy, Subhash, who worked as a helper at KJR Studios, was also asked to do domestic work at Parvati 's residence in 2022.

During that time, several items, including a laptop, watch, camera, and mobile phone, went missing from Parvati's house, after which the actor filed a complaint against Subhash over suspected theft allegations. However, Subhash has now come forward to share his side of the story.

Subhash alleges that after his release, when he returned to work at KJR Studios, Parvati came to the studio and slapped him, while the other five verbally abused him. He filed a complaint at Teynampet Police Station in Chennai; however, when no action was taken, he approached the Saidapet 19th MM Court.

Based on Saidapet Magistrate Court orders, an FIR has been registered against Parvati and others, and investigations in this matter are underway. She is yet to release a statement on the matter.

About Parvati Nair

Parvati Venugopal Nair was born to a Malayali family in Dubai. In 2012 she debuted with the Malayalam film Poppins and she debuted in Kannada in 2013 with Story Kathe. She debuted in Tamil in 2015 with the Ajith-starrer Yennai Arindhaal. She later acted in films like Kamal Haasan's Uttama Villain and Udhayanidhi Stalin's Nimir. She also starred in Ranveer Singh's 83 in Hindi and will soon be seen in the Tamil film Aalambana.
The stage was set for the pre-release event of Devara: Part 1 at Novotel in Hyderabad on Sunday evening. Director Koratala Siva, actors Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor, and special guests like director Trivikram Srinivas and producer Naga Vamsi were to attend. But everything went downhill in a matter of hours, and the event had to be cancelled, even as hopeful fans waited around. (Also Read: Devara Part 1 release trailer: Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan lock horns in wild adventure. Watch) Jr NTR addressed the cancellation of Devara: Part 1 pre-release event.

What happened

X (formerly Twitter) was filled with videos taken by fans from inside the venue. One claimed that the venue was filled over capacity at 8 pm, and the event was about to be cancelled because of that.

Another wrote that despite the event being cancelled an hour ago, fans were yet to move out of the venue as they were hopeful to catch a glimpse of Jr NTR. One video also saw fans screaming and whistling while waiting for the films cast and crew to take the stage, which never happened.

A video of Trivikram and Vamsi seemingly leaving the venue also surfaced and many questioned if the event was cancelled, still in the dark about its status. After 10 pm, the films official X page, Jr NTR and Janhvi posted statements on social media elaborating on the event's cancellation.

Barricades were broken

Team Devara claimed that they faced many challenges while planning the pre-release event, which is scheduled close to Ganesh Nimarjanam. They also stated that heavy rains created many challenges, hinting at why they didnt opt for an open-air venue.

Even though it didnt rain today conditions wouldnt have been favourable for an outdoor event to happen even if we had planned it, they wrote. The team also claimed that the turnout became uncontrollable despite their best efforts. The massive turnout of fans despite our best efforts became uncontrollable as barricades were broken due to the overwhelming crowd. For the safety of everyone we had to make the tough decision to call off the event.

You know it hurts me

Jr NTR also released a video statement in which he spoke of how much it pains him to see the event cancelled. It hurts me that the Devara pre-release event was cancelled, you know it hurts me. I wanted to meet you (fans) in person and share our journey with you. But we had to cancel it due to security reasons, he said in Telugu.

The actor also claimed that the producers or organisers are not to be blamed for the cancellation as it was beyond their control. My pain is bigger than yours in this regard. But this is not the producers or event organisers fault, he said, adding that he hopes the audience will like his film and that itll make them raise their collars in pride.

I hoped to say this in person

Janhvi posted a video on Instagram, writing in Telugu, I thought I would say these words to you myself. But not this time. Hope to see you all soon. For now this is from me to you. This short message....See you in theatres on 27th of September #Devara.

In the video, she spoke in Telugu, talking about how happy she is to receive love from the audience in Telugu states, especially from Jr NTRs fans who call her Janu papa. She also said, You have loved me as one of your own. I know how important you are to my mother (Sridevi), and know that youre important to me, also. I will work hard to ensure that you are proud of me. I hope you like this attempt of mine, and I would like to thank Koratala sir and NTR sir for choosing me.

About Devara: Part 1

Directed by Koratala, Devara: Part 1 stars Jr NTR, Janhvi and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles. The film will be released in theatres on September 27 and also star Shruti Marathe, Prakash Raj, Srikanth, Shine Tom Chacko, Narain, Kalaiyarasan and Murali Sharma in key roles. The film will mark Saif and Janhvis debut in Telugu. Its also Jr NTRs first solo release in 6 years.
Salman Khan is back to hosting Bigg Boss. In the first promo of Bigg Boss 18 released last week, only the actor's voice could be heard as he introduced this season's theme: Time Ka Tandav (the havoc of time). In a new promo released on Sunday night, Salman can be seen taking viewers through a journey to explain the concept better. (Also Read: Salman Khan performs Ganpati aarti with niece Ayat at sister Arpita Khan's home; Salim Khan, Iulia Vantur seen too) Salman Khan returns to host Bigg Boss 18

What's in the new promo?

The promo starts with Salman, wearing a dark blue shirt and a black suit, standing on top of a ticking clock. He then says that the Bigg Boss logo eye has been witnessing and depicting only the present so far, but will now also lead us to the past and the future. Salman then goes through a time machine-like journey, with motifs like hourglasses, masks, and cameras passing by his side. He ends the promo by looking into the camera and repeating this season's theme: Time ka Tandav.

The Instagram caption of the promo posted by Colors TV states, Iss baar ghar mein bhuchaal aayega, kyunki Bigg Boss mein Time Ka Taandav chaayega! (An earthquake will strike the house this time, because the havoc of time will dominate Bigg Boss) (hourglass and eye emojis). The promo also announced the premier date of the new season  October 6 at 9 pm on both Colors TV and JioCinema.

About Bigg Boss 18

Salman will return to host the new season of Bigg Boss 18 after he gave the recent Bigg Boss OTT 3 a miss. His No Entry co-star Anil Kapoor stepped in as the host of that instalment, which was won by actor Sana Makbul. Salman last hosted Bigg Boss 17 last year, in which stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui emerged as the winner. Salman has been hosting the popular reality show, an adaptation of the American show Big Brother, ever since Bigg Boss 4 in 2010. He also hosted Bigg Boss OTT 2 on JioCinema, while the inaugural season was hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar.
Rupali Ganguly recently took a scooter ride in Mumbai after an event. The actor, in order to save time, took the help of her manager and opted for the scooter ride. However, a section of users were not impressed as they noticed that the Anupamaa actor sat on the scooter without a helmet. Many users demanded Mumbai police to take action against her for breaking traffic rules. (Also read: After quitting Anupamaa, Madalsa addresses beef between Sudhanshu Pandey-Rupali Ganguly: Arguments are bound to happen) Rupali Ganguly was recently called out by internet for taking a scooter ride without helmet.

Rupali Ganguly criticised for breaking traffic rules

Rupali Ganguly was on her way back home after the Star Parivaar Awards 2024, where she won two awards - the Best Patni and Best Bahu awards for her show Anupamaa. However, she was criticised by internet users for riding pillion on a scooter without wearing a helmet, despite being a member of a political party and not following traffic rules.

A user commented, Helmet ka challan bas gareeb non famous ke liye hi hai kya (Is the challan for helmet only meant for poor and non-famous people)?? Another user wrote, RTO Mumbai please send fine without Helmet (laughing emojis). A user also commented, What's the location? Mumbai Police ko bhejna hai (Do we need to send Mumbai police)?

'Rules apply only to common people?'

A user also wrote, Sahi he celebrity Bina helmet gaadi chala sakte he...wo b police k samne se gaye....yahi per normal insaan karta tho...tho usko duniya ka fine maar dete... (Just because they are celebrities they can take a scooter ride without helmetthey went in front of policehad it been a normal person, they would have heavily fined them). Another user commented, Without helmet that too! I thought Anupamaa was perfect and all of them want to be like herbad role model(laughing emoji).

Rupali is known for portraying the titular role in the popular Hindi daily soap Anupamaa. The series has been premiering since July 2020.
Nuclear power has always been viewed with suspicion owing to the devastating military usages it has had. The United States (US) dropped the first atomic bomb, named Little Boy on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and then the second one, named Fat Man on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. By the end of 1945, the bombing killed an estimated 140,000 people in Hiroshima and another 74,000 in Nagasaki. In the years that followed, survivors faced leukaemia, cancer of other devastating side effects from the radiation. The simultaneous fear and awe of the bomb set in international relations and other countries, including the former Soviet Union and China set out on developing their own nuclear arsenals. During the Cold War, the fear of the usage of nuclear weapons became the most alarming feature of the competition between the US and the Soviet Union. The two countries, in the next few decades signed a host of arms control agreements as a means to manage their rivalry and to reduce the risk of a nuclear war. Climate crisis (Representational photo / Creative Commons)

However, while the two superpowers of the Cold War era were trying to reduce chances of a nuclear war, there were other actors like China which also emerged as threat actors and the chances of the usage of nuclear weapons against China became high in 1969. During the Sino-Soviet border conflict of 1969, the Soviet Union was on the brink of launching a nuclear attack against China and only backed down after the US told Moscow that such a move would mark the beginning of the World War III.

If the threats of the usage of nuclear weapons in a traditional, military conflict were not high enough to propagate an end to the development of nuclear power, there was the Chernobyl incident in 1986 which further strengthened global opinions against the development of nuclear power. On April 26, 1986 the No. 4 reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in northern Ukraine, near the Belarus border in the Soviet Union exploded. It is one of the only two nuclear energy accidents rated at the maximum severity on the International Nuclear Event scale. The other accident is the Fukushima nuclear accident. The response involved more than 500,000 personnel and cost an estimated 18 billion rubles or $68 billion in 2019.

The Fukushima nuclear accident of 2011 further pushed global narratives against the usage and accumulation of nuclear power, even if it is for civilian purposes. The Fukushima nuclear accident, which took place at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Okuma, Fukushima, Japan was caused by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami which resulted in the failure of the electric grid and damaged nearly all of the plants backup energy sources. This led to the inability to sufficiently cool reactors after shut down and resulted in the release of radioactive containments into the surrounding environment.

Despite the fact that nuclear power and its accumulation has often been used for military purposes or for the purposes of deterrence, fact also remains that it has great potentials for averting a non- traditional, global security threat, i.e. of the climate crisis. The capacity of nuclear energy to ensure our energy independence and to guarantee the production of low carbon electricity is priceless for tackling the climate energy humanity currently faces. To start with, nuclear power is an energy source that emits the least greenhouse gases. If countries and communities are to seriously think of accomplishing low carbon transitions, then the civilian usages of nuclear energy is a must. It has a very low CO2 emission rate, which is four times less than even solar. Nuclear power prevents the release of about two billion tonnes of CO2 every year, which is roughly the equivalent of the production of 400 million cars.

In addition to being a climate-friendly source of energy, nuclear power provides continuous electricity, owing to its robust production system, which is able to adapt to variations in electricity demand. Due to the stability of its associated grid and its controllable nature, nuclear power contributes significantly to securing the electricity supply in hospitals, in businesses and in every home. In a situation where the global population is mostly ageing, there is an emergence of epidemics and viruses, there is a need for better hospital facilities across the globe, where there would be a constant supply of electricity. Thus, the usage of nuclear energy would be the most appropriate in this new scenario that the world lives through.

The climate energy we are living through is real, and by 2050 due to global demographic growth, the deployment of electric mobility and the economic development of emerging economies, there will be a need for twice as much as electricity, and at the same time the world will have to achieve carbon neutrality. Thus, in these new scenarios, countries across the globe will have to move beyond the fear of the military usage of nuclear power and while reducing the chances of accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, have to using nuclear energy for energy generation. International politics has always been and always will be unpredictable but that should not drive the focus on tackling the climate crisis, and the only long-term and sustainable way to tackle the climate crisis is through the usage of nuclear energy.

This article is authored by Sriparna Pathak, associate professor, Chinese Studies and International Relations, Jindal School of International Affairs, OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat.
India is the fastest growing aviation market in the world and the biggest challenge facing the industry is the availability of trained technical manpower: Pilots, engineers and technicians. The situation is going to worsen when more pilots will be required to pilot the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Vehicles (eVTOLs) which are going to enter the market in the next year or two. Flight training (Reuters file photo)

This situation has come about only because of the lack of planning by the authorities concerned. Now a situation exists where young hopefuls are proceeding to even countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bosnia, Montenegro and Philippines for flying training. Of every 1,000 commercial pilots licence issued by the directorate of civil aviation (DGCA), 700 candidates would have undergone their training outside India.

India with its vast geographical area and excellent weather conditions conducive for flight training should, in fact, be the prime destination for flying training for the world. In fact, in the eighties and nineties, trainees from countries like Iran, Jordan, Palestine, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and several other African nations used to come to India for flight training. But now the tables have been turned and our nationals are proceeding to some of these countries for training. The slow pace of training and the long and cumbersome process for foreign nationals to obtain the necessary security clearances has resulted in foreign nationals avoiding India altogether. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have established world class flight training centres and nationals from other Arab nations are mostly proceeding to flight schools in United States (UK), Canada, European nations and even the United Kingdom where the weather conditions are not at all conducive for primary flight training.

One of the main reasons for this situation is the many restrictive policies put in place by the regulatory authorities themselves. For example, the DGCA grants permission to a prospective flight school owner to commence operations only if he/she has a minimum number of aircraft and also a minimum paid up capital as stipulated by them. In addition, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) requires a paid-up capital of another amount. Whereas meeting these requirements doesnt guarantee the quality of instruction imparted in a flight school, it is enough to prevent many an entrepreneur who may have all the other capabilities to operate a flight school from ever being able to start. In contrast is an Indian entrepreneur in New Zealand who started a flight school there with a single rented aeroplane and who now has a fleet of more than 20 airplanes and has now become a prime destination for students from India.

Another major hurdle is the lack of trainer aircraft. In the seventies, Prof. David Hazen of Princeton University who was invited by the government of India to set up the first aeronautical department at IIT, Kanpur had laid out a road map for India to be self-reliant in this field. But, we have not made enough progress on this. The DGCA developed a light aircraft Swati, which was manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL), but it met with an accident which killed the test pilot and this ended the project. Another trainer, the Hansa developed by the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) also was rejected by almost all flight schools in the country. A major factor in the success of a trainer aircraft, apart from performance and cost of operation is crash worthinesssimply put, what are the chances of someone surviving an accident in it. Therefore, it is worthwhile to compare the two aircraft mentioned above, the Swati and the Hansa with the Pushpak which was manufactured much earlier, in the fifties; 160 of them were manufactured by HAL and it served the country well for 50-odd years with an excellent safety record, and the Indian government even gifted one each to Singapore and Malaysia in 1968 to help them start flight training. It is interesting to note that both of these Pushpaks are still flying. The success of the Pushpak can be attributed to the fact that it was a straight copy of the highly successful Aeronca Chief produced in the US. NAL had developed another version of the Hansa called the next generation (NG) Hansa, which was displayed at the Wings India airshow in 2020, but production is yet to begin even after four years. Even if steps are taken now to kickstart this project, it will take a few years to set up the required infrastructure.

The shortage of trainer aircraft is, however, not confined to India alone. Both the major manufacturers, namely the Cessna and Piper Aircraft Corporation had slowed down on their production as they did not anticipate such a huge demand, and are now not able to meet the global demand. Other countries have solved this problem by adopting Light Sport Aircraft (LSAs) for training. Special LSAs which are equipped with very sophisticated navigation aids are now used in the US and European Union for flight training of commercial pilots. They also have lower operating costs and better emission standards than other aircraft. But, flight schools in India are not allowed to use them for flight training towards a commercial pilots licence. Whereas pilots who were trained in the Pushpak which only had a magnetic compass as the navigation instrument have gone on to fly the most sophisticated aircraft in the world like the Boeing 777 and the Airbus is no LSA which has very sophisticated navigation aids, fit for flight training. Permitting LSAs for flight training will not only solve the problems associated with the shortage of aircraft, but will also encourage manufacturers of LSAs to set up their production facilities in India, which will generate employment and foreign direct investment.

Adding to the problem is the lack of experienced flight instructors. The rapid expansion of both Indigo and Air India have resulted in most instructors quitting flight instruction and joining the airlines for better career prospects, social recognition and financial rewards. The high rate of attrition has resulted in an ongoing situation where instructors with less experience are teaching students to fly. At most other professional training establishments, teachers have spent years in the industry. In Indian civil aviation, this is often not the case. The results are now there for all to see. Many countries like the US permit airline pilots to impart primary flight training during their spare time. One can imagine the benefit to the trainees when he or she receives training from an experienced airline pilot, and the safety associated with it.

Unless proactive measures are taken on an urgent basis, we are going to be reliant on other nations to meet our growing needs in the civil aviation sector.

This article is authored by S Sabu, flight instructor, pilot, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait and member of the royal aeronautical society.
Egypt has a rich culinary tapestry that is not just about falafels, hummus, and baba ghanoush. Foodies the world over have been captivated by Egyptian dishes as it is rooted in centuries-old traditions. The food eaten in a country is a reflection of the region's influences, biodiversity, seasonal changes, as well as its past conflicts, political history and more. A table laid with all traditional Egyptian food

Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, and its food, has some influence from the Mediterranean to North Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. The food is known for its bold use of spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients.

We explore some of the most iconic dishes from Egypt and the Middle East and celebrate its unique flavours:

Egyptian Falafel

Falafels can be served in warm pita breads as a sandwich(unsplash)

A falafel is a much loved Middle Eastern deep-fried snack. It is made by several ethnicities. The base of the dish is chickpeas, tahini and sumac - a spice made of dried and crushed sumac berries - and is served stuffed in warm pita bread. You can serve it with an assortment of accompaniments such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and tahini sauce. But one of the most popular ways to eat it is by dunking it in hummus.

Ful medames

A hearty stew that originated in Egypt, it then travelled to various parts of the Middle East and Africa, including Lebanon, Iraq, Ethiopia, Sudan and Morocco. This is a meat-free dish, which includes fava beans, olive oil, and cumin, along with a garnish of lemon juice, onion, parsley, and cumin.

Lamb Doner Kebab

Doner kebab is served with labneh and a flatbread(unsplash)

Finding its origin in Turkey, the doner kebab is cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is seasoned and stacked in an inverted cone, similar to what Indians know as shawarma. The meat slowly turns on the rotisserie and gets cooked evenly along all sides. Alternatively, the spiced lamb kebabs can also be cooked in skewers and served with sides of labneh and flatbreads.

Pide

A traditional pide served with two kinds of salads and a portion of fries (unsplash)

Similar to an Italian pizza, pide is a Turkish flatbread made from leavened wheat dough. It is topped with tomatoes, cheese, and various other ingredients. It is baked at a high temperature, traditionally in a wood-fired oven. One of the most popular and easy-to-make toppings includes mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and arugula with hints of salty, creamy feta cheese. It can also have spiced minced meat topped with cheese or a popular breakfast option includes a pide with sunny-side up eggs.

Samak Harra

The literal translation of the word Samak means Spicy. A Samak Harra simply means spicy fish and is hails from Tripoli, Lebanon's Northern port city. This dish is made with garlic, and coriander and it has a little kick of cayenne. The fish is baked in an oven and served with raisin rice.

Pistachio Baklava

Pistachio baklava(unsplash)

This is one of the most popular desserts in the Ottoman cuisine. It is made with classic filo puff pastry and filled with Omani honey, dates and chopped pistachio. This evergreen classic is surprisingly not too sweet and a great way to finish any Egyptian meal.

Inputs by Chef Mostafa Ali, who has a pop-up at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the 14-day timeline for granting sanctions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is mandatory and not discretionary, making it obligatory for both the central and state governments to act swiftly in matters of national security. The Supreme Court said its ruling in respect of the strict adherence to the timeline shall not affect any previous decision and shall apply prospectively (HT File Photo/Vipin Kumar)

Settling conflicting interpretations by various high courts, the top court made it obligatory for the governments to adhere to the timeline or face severe legal repercussions, including quashing criminal proceedings due to delay.

The judgment by a bench of justices CT Ravikumar and Sanjay Karol came with a sharp reminder to the government that there is no room for complacency when dealing with national security issues. Highlighting the critical nature of timely decision-making, the bench noted: It is expected of the Executive, in furtherance of the ideal of protection of national security, that it would work with speed and dispatch.

The ruling stressed that any delay in the sanction process could undermine the very purpose of the anti-terrorism law, which is designed to combat terrorism and unlawful activities with efficiency and accountability. To be sure, the court clarified that its ruling in respect of the strict adherence to the timeline shall not affect any previous decision and that the judgment shall apply prospectively.

It also highlighted that non-compliance with the statutory timelines not only breaches the procedural requirements but also violates the rights of the accused. Timelines in such cases serve as essential aspects of checks and balances and, of course, are unquestionably important. Without such limitations, power will enter the realm of the unbridled, which is antithetical to a democratic society, added the court.

UAPA being a penal legislation, strict construction must be accorded to it. Timelines imposed by way of statutory rules are a way to keep a check on executive power which is a necessary position to protect the rights of accused persons.

The judgment sets a new standard for how sanctions under the UAPA must be handled, making it clear that delays are unacceptable and violative of the procedural rights of the accused. By reaffirming the mandatory nature of the timelines, the judgment has not only resolved conflicting judicial interpretations but also reinforced the importance of accountability and efficiency in national security matters.

Interpreting the 2008 rules under UAPA, the court pointed out that rules 3 and 4 have used the word shall in providing a specific time period for making recommendation and granting sanction, implying a clear legislative intent to complete the sanctioning process by the stipulated time.

Under UAPA, prosecution of individuals accused of terrorism requires prior sanction from the government. This sanction process involves a two-step timeline. First, an independent authority must review the evidence gathered by investigators and make a recommendation to the government within seven working days. Second, the government then has an additional seven working days to decide whether to grant or deny the sanction based on the authoritys recommendation.

However, there was no unanimity among high courts about whether these timelines were merely directory - suggesting that delays wouldnt necessarily invalidate the process- or mandatory, requiring strict compliance. The high courts of Bombay and Jharkhand viewed the deadlines as directory.

Dealing with a case from Jharkhand, the top court put an end to the uncertainty, ruling that the timelines are indeed mandatory and non-negotiable. The 14-day period is not just a procedural formality, the bench ruled, adding it serves as a safeguard to ensure that decisions are made with due diligence and without undue delay.

The legislative intent is clear. Rules made by virtue of statutory powers prescribe both a mandate and a time limit. The same has to be followed...The procedures qua sanctions provided in such legislation are meant to be followed strictly, to the letter more so to the spirit. Even the slightest of variation from the written word may render the proceedings arising therefrom to be cast in doubt, said the judgment authored by justice Karol.

The judgment maintained that any failure to adhere to the prescribed deadlines could lead to the quashing of criminal proceedings, placing a significant onus on the authorities and governments to act within the stipulated period.

The bench underscored that that timelines are critical to prevent the abuse of power and ensure a fair evaluation of the evidence before proceeding with prosecution. One weeks time, given to both the authorities is to enable them to independently evaluate... It is not for the purpose of the investigation itself... There have to be certain limitations within which administrative authorities of the Government can exercise their powers, it said.

The judgment also held that the validity of sanction should be challenged at the earliest instance available, before the trial court. If such a challenge is raised at an appellate stage it would be for the person raising the challenge to justify the reasons for bringing the same at a belated stage. Such reasons would have to be considered independently so as to ensure that there is no misuse of the right of challenge with the aim to stall or delay proceedings, it noted.

The court was adjudicating an appeal by Fuleshwar Gope, a resident of Jharkhands Gumla district, who was arrested in July 2020 in a terror funding case linked to the Peoples Liberation Front of India, a banned Maoist organisation. He challenged the validity of the sanction order while referring to the breach of the 14-day timeline, besides arguing that there was no independent review since both the recommending and the granting authorities took merely a day each in granting sanction. The bench, however, rejected his appeal, noting that Gope was arrested later while the investigation continued. The court also did not find any merit in the plea that the sanction was bad just because the two authorities took a day each in deciding the matter. Solely on the ground that the time taken was comparatively short or even that other orders were similarly worded cannot call the credibility of the sanction into question, it held.
Air India has derostered three cabin crew members for their mishandling of a Boeing 777 aircraft door, which resulted in the accidental auto-deployment of the emergency slides, news agency PTI reported citing sources The incident occurred when the crew of flight 176 from San Francisco to Bengaluru encountered a technical issue with one of the aircraft's doors. (Pic used for representation)

The incident occurred on September 15 on a flight from San Francisco that landed at Bengaluru airport.

When approached, an Air India spokesperson confirmed that a technical issue was identified with one of the doors not opening correctly upon landing, and the matter was promptly addressed, the report added.

What happened?

In a statement issued by Air India, the spokesperson confirmed that on September 15, the crew of flight 176 from San Francisco to Bengaluru encountered a technical issue with one of the aircraft's doors, which did not open properly after landing, as reported by PTI.

The issue was promptly attended to, passengers disembarked, and the aircraft was subsequently cleared for operation, the statement said.

The airline also clarified that no damage occurred to the aerobridge, adding that regulatory authorities have been informed as per procedure.

According to a PTI source, In a serious safety violation, the door of Air India's Boeing 777 aircraft, which operated flight AI 176 from San Francisco to Bangalore on September 15, was opened in armed mode upon arrival at the Bangalore airport. This caused the emergency slides to automatically deploy.

Another source told PTI that three cabin crew members had been derostered due to the incident, and an internal investigation had been initiated.

However, Air India did not comment on the derostering.

Sources further indicated that engineers were called to remove the deployed emergency slides.

"The damaged emergency slides had to be replaced with a new set, which caused a delay in the Bangalore-San Francisco flight," one of the sources added.

This follows weeks after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a 10 lakh fine on Air India Express for failing to comply with regulations. On August 29, the civil aviation regulator revealed it had conducted a surveillance inspection of all scheduled domestic airlines in June, during which it found Air India Express had not adhered to the rules.

The airline did not comment on the issue. However, HT has learned that the fine was related to the airline's failure to compensate passengers (as required by regulations) during significant flight cancellations caused by the crew strike in mid-May. Air India Express has not confirmed this information.

The DGCA has established passenger-focused regulations to protect air travellers and ensure their rights are upheld.
Uttar Pradeshs Special Task Force (STF) on Monday said it has shot dead another accused wanted in connection with the robbery of jewellery worth 1.5 crore from a shop in Sultanpur on August 28. STF said an accomplice of Anuj Pratap Singh managed to escape. (Sourced)

Additional director general Amitabh Yash identified the accused as Anuj Pratap Singh and added he was gunned down in Unnao in an exchange of fire.

STF said an accomplice of Singh managed to escape. The accused [Singh] was declared dead at the district hospital. Further legal action was being conducted..., STF said in a statement.

Eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery. Vinay Singh, the alleged mastermind of the robbery, surrendered while police shot dead Mangesh Yadav on September 5 and four other suspects remain at large.

Yadavs killing triggered a row as Opposition Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused Uttar Pradeshs Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of selectively targeting criminals based on caste.

The Uttar Pradesh Police dismissed the claims saying their actions were completely impartial and based on evidence.

STF said Anuj Pratap Singh carried a bounty of one lakh on his head. It added they were tipped off about his presence in Unnaos Kuluhagadh. STF said Anuj Pratap Singh attempted to escape on a motorcycle when the police cordoned off the area. It claimed he fired, prompting a retaliation in self defense.

Additional police superintendent Akhilesh Singh said the accused was rushed to the district hospital, where was declared dead. Police claimed to have recovered weapons and stolen items linked to the robbery from the shoot out scene.

Anuj Pratap Singhs killing is the latest in a series of such actions in Uttar Pradesh. Opposition parties have accused the government of resorting to extrajudicial killings.
The Himachal Pradesh Congress on Monday slammed BJP MP Kangana Ranaut for her foolish statement against Sonia Gandhi, challenging her to prove her allegations against the veteran politician or face legal action over her remarks. This comes after Ranaut alleged that the Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh government used take out loans and diverted the money to Sonia Gandhi. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut (PTI file)

Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh told reporters that Ranaut's comments on Sonia Gandhi showed the intellectual bankruptcy of the Mandi MP. He further said that Congress will file a defamation case against her if she fails to give proof for her statements.

"There cannot be a bigger foolish statement than saying that funds coming from the Centre or the state's funds for development are being given to Sonia Gandhi," he said.

"I openly challenge BJP MP Kangana Ranaut to show proof of even 1 being diverted or apologise to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for making such baseless and unwarranted allegations against her. Otherwise, the Congress will file a defamation case against her," the minister, who lost to the actor-politician in the Mandi Lok Sabha contest, said.

Congress' warning to Ranaut comes a day after she claimed that the Himachal government had hollowed out their coffers, taking disaster loans from the state government and diverting the funds to Sonia Gandhi.

They take loans and give it to Sonia Gandhi, which has made the state's coffers hollow. If we (Centre) give disaster funds, it goes to the CM Relief Fund but everyone knows that it goes to the Sonia relief fund from there, the BJP MP claimed during a public gathering in Manali on Sunday.

Taking a jibe at Ranaut, Vikramaditya Singh said that the BJP leader is making baseless remarks because she is frustrated that her film Emergency was not cleared by the censor board in time for release.

"The BJP MP does not visit Himachal Pradesh often but, with her film being "blocked" by the censor board, maybe she is saddened and making baseless statements from her home in Manali," he said.

Ranaut had recently said "Emergency" was stuck with the censor board. The BJP MP stars in the role of former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the film.

(With inputs from PTI)
IMPHAL: Four bank staffers including the branchs senior manager who filed the formal police complaint have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of gold estimated to be worth 4 crore from the bank premises in Imphal, police said on Monday. Police said an Imphal court has remanded the four accused in custody of the police for five days (Representative Image)

The arrests were made by a special investigation team (SIT) that was set up to probe the alleged theft at the Bank of Baroda branch at Manipur University branch in Imphal on September 12.

Police identified the four suspects as the bank branchs senior manager Ningombam Ganga, and three staff members: Khaidem Jackiechan (38), Gary Moirangthem (21), and Akoijam Renash, 20.

According to a complaint lodged by Ningombam Ganga on September 17 evening, the banks cashier who came to work at 10am found that the lock of the banks strong room had been tampered with. Some packets of gold were also missing.

The CCTV footage in the bank showed two individuals inside the branch managers chamber at 1:41am on September before the cameras stopped recording.

The four suspects were arrested and produced before the duty magistrate on September 20 who remanded them in police custody for five days.
India's moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, has discovered a 160-km-wide moon crater near its landing site. The latest findings by the Pragyan rover on the mission has been published in the latest issue of Science Direct by scientists from Ahmedabad's Physical Research Laboratory. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) releases an image of Chandrayaan-3 Vikram Lander clicked around 11 a.m. IST from about 15 m through a Pragyan rover's navigation camera, hours after the release of its first image, which shows the lander resting on the moon's surface. (File image)(ANI)

The third moon mission continues to make new discoveries on the lunar surface. The new crater has been discovered from data sent back to earth by the Prayan rover. The rover is currently exploring the moon's surface in the celestial body's South Pole region, reported India Today.

Also read | More about Chandrayaan

More about the crater

The new site was discovered from data gathered by the Pragyan rover when it traversed a highland terrain around 350 km from the Aitken basin in the South Pole, the largest and oldest impact basin on the moon's surface. The dust and rock from the new layer are crucial to understand the early geological evolution of moon.

The site is rich in material accumulated from past impacts and has been an area of interest for lunar exploration missions. The Aitken basin contributed almost 1,400 meters of debris, while other smaller craters around the basin added more geological material to the landscape.

Scientists believe the new 160-km wide crater was formed even before the formation of Aitken basin. This makes the new discovery one of the oldest geological structures on the Moon's surface. Due to its age, the crater has been buried under debris generated due to later impacts and has degraded over time, said the report.

Also read | Significance and career opportunities for students pursuing space science and technology in India

The rover has taken high resolution images from its optical cameras revealing key details about the structure this ancient crater. Scientists believe this will also reveal vital cues on the Moon's geological history. This presents a rare scientific opportunity to study one of the earliest geological formations on the celestial body.
After a 22-year-old man died from a venomous snake bite in Chhattisgarh's Korba district, locals set the snake ablaze on his funeral pyre on Sunday, news agency PTI reported. A video circulating on social media shows individuals dragging the reptile with a rope. A district official noted importance of educating the public about these reptiles and proper snakebite management. (Pic used for representation)

Some residents expressed concerns that the snake could pose a threat to others, prompting them to burn it on the pyre. A district official noted the importance of educating the public about these reptiles and proper snake bite management.

Here's what happened

According to the PTI report, an official said that a common krait bit a man named Digeshwar Rathiya on Saturday night while he was arranging his bed in a room at his home in Baigamar village.

After being bitten, Rathiya promptly alerted his family members, who rushed him to a government hospital in Korba. But he died on Sunday morning while receiving treatment, the official said.

Following the postmortem examination, the body was handed over to his family for cremation, the official added.

After the incident, the villagers caught the snake and placed it inside a covered basket. They then tied the snake with a rope and suspended it from a stick.

As the funeral procession for Rathiya made its way from his home to the crematorium, the villagers also dragged the snake along to the location, a clip of which later surfaced on social media. Later they set the snake on fire, burning it alive on Rathiya's funeral pyre.

Some villagers expressed their fear that the venomous snake could harm someone else, which led them to burn it on the pyre.

In response to inquiries about the incident, Korba's Sub-Divisional Officer, Ashish Khelwar, said that no action would be taken against the villagers for killing the snake.

He emphasised the importance of educating the public and raising awareness about snakes and snakebite management, noting that these reptiles play a crucial role in the ecosystem.
New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the success of humanity does not lie in the battlefield, called for the reform of global governance institutions, warned the world of the threats to global peace and security from both terrorism and in newer tech domains, called for balanced digital global governance, and offered to share both Indias digital public infrastructure and experience of battling poverty with the rest of the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses UNs Summit of the Future (SOTF) at 79th UN General Assembly session, in New York on Monday. (ANI)

In his address to the UNs Summit of the Future on Monday, Modi also spoke of Indias recent elections as the largest-ever election in global history and presented himself as the voice of one sixth of humanity.

At a time when the world is in the middle of two wars, and there is increased speculation about Indias possible role in peacemaking in Ukraine, Modi said, The success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield.

Contrary to speculation, India didnt offer any peace plan, but as one of the few international actors with strong communication channels with both Russia and Ukraine, it is seen as a potential player in peacemaking efforts when the conflict is more ripe for resolution.

On Sunday, Modi also meet Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas, even as Israels offensive against Gaza continues and the world approaches the year long mark of Hamass terror attack against Israel on October 7. On X, Modi said, after the meeting, Reiterated Indias support for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long standing friendship with the people of Palestine. India has called for an immediate ceasefire and reiterated its support for a two state solution in the case of West Asian conflict.

Modis remarks on the UN stage came soon after the UN adopted the Pact for the Future, a landmark document, that also includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. His messages were largely in sync with the main thrust of the Pact in various domains of global development and security and digital governance.

In the area of peace and security, according to a UN release, the pact offers the most progressive and concrete commitment to Security Council reform since the 1960s, including by addressing the underrepresentation of Africa as a priority.

This need for reform was among the highlights of Modis speech as well, in the backdrop of Indias persistent call for the global governance structures to reflect contemporary realities. The PM said, For peace and development, it is necessary to reform global institutions. Reform is the key to relevance. In the New Delhi G20 summit, giving African Union permanent membership was a step in this direction.The Pact for the Future also has a detailed agenda on the reform of international financial institutions, another key Indian demand that New Delhi pushed during its G20 presidency.

Modi also offered a warning to the world about other threats to peace and security.

On one hand, the threat to global peace and security comes from terrorism. On the other, the threat comes from new theatres such as cyber, maritime, space. In all these domains, global action must match global ambition. The UN Pact for the Future also acknowledges the need to strengthen international frameworks that govern outer space, including a clear commitment to prevent an arms race in outer space, and need for steps to avoid the weaponization and misuse of new technologies.

Indias development and digital story also constituted other key strands of Modis speech. The PM called for a human-centric approach and said, While prioritising sustainable development, we have to ensure human welfare, food and human security. By lifting 250 million out of poverty, India has shown that it is possible that sustainable development can be successful. We are ready to share this experience with the global south.

Modi then said that for safe and responsible use of technology, balanced regulation was necessary. We need global digital governance where national sovereignty and territorial integrity is sacrosanct. Digital public infrastructure should be a bridge, not a barrier. For global good, India is ready to share its DPI with the rest of the world.

UNs Global Digital Compact, annexed to the Pact, is the first comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation and AI governance. In a release, the UN said that at its core, the compact was a commitment to design, use and govern technology for the benefit of all. This included connecting people, schools and hospitals to the Internet, digital cooperation in human rights and international law, making the online space safe for all, a roadmap to govern artificial intelligence, making data more open and accessible, and placing data governance on the UN agenda.

Modi concluded his speech by pushing out Indias universalist message from the platform of what remains, for all its deficiencies, the worlds universal organisation. For India, one earth, one family, one future is a commitment. This commitment is reflected in our one earth, one health, one sun, one world, one grid initiatives. For the welfare of all of humanity and global prosperity, India will continue to work with its thoughts, words, and actions.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Monday defended the police action of shooting the Badlapur sexual assault accused dead after he fired at them.



He (Akshay Shinde) was taken for investigation as his ex-wife has registered a case of sexual assault. He fired on a police personnel, Nilesh More who got injured and has been admitted to hospital. Police in self-defence took that action. More information will come out after investigation, ANI quoted the chief minister as saying.



Akshay Shinde, 23, was shot dead by the police after he fired at them while being taken to Thane by the Thane Crime Branch for investigation near Mumbra bypass.



Opposition parties including Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress alleged foul play.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.(Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times File)

Opposition questions everything: Fadnavis





Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis too defended the Thane Police, saying,"His (Akshay Shinde) ex-wife has lodged a complaint of sexual assault, police along with a warrant was taking him for investigation. He snatched the police gun and fired on police personnel and in the air too. Police fired on him in self-defence."



He was taken to the hospital. Doctors will declare it later but the preliminary information that we have is that he has died. Opposition raises questions on everything, the same opposition was asking to hang him. If he had attacked the police, wouldn't the police do the self-defence? It's wrong to create any issue out of it, he added.



Massive protests had erupted last month after two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted by Akshay Shinde at the toilet of the school in Thane's Badlapur town.



The school had appointed Shinde on a contractual basis to clean their toilets on August 1. The two minors were allegedly abused in the school toilet on August 12. The accused was arrested on August 17.



On September 3, the Bombay High Court told the police to build a "watertight" case and do not file a charge sheet hurriedly under public pressure.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, in an apparent reference to the recent death of a young CA professional employed with Ernest and Young (EY), called for stress management lessons in colleges and universities. The Congress later slammed her for her remark. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Addressing an event at a college in Chennai, Sitharaman said that even if educational institutions impart good education and ensure jobs to students through campus recruitment, they should teach certain things, along with education, that are taught in the family.

I was discussing an issue that has been in newspapers for the past two days. Our children go to colleges and universities for education and come out with flying colours. A company, without mentioning its name, its a partnership. There, a woman who had studied CA well, unable to cope with the work pressure, three days ago, we received news--she died, unable to cope with the pressure, she said.

According to the finance minister, the strength to handle pressure can be achieved through divinity.

Believe in God, we need to have God's grace. Seek God, and learn good discipline. Your Atma shakti will grow only from this. The inner strength will come only with growing Atma shaktiEducational institutions should bring in divinity and spirituality. Then only will our children get the inner strength. It will help in their progress and the country. That is my strong belief, she added.

Congress lashes out

Sitharaman's remarks received a massive backlash from the Congress party.

The ruling regime and the finance minister can only see the pain of corporate giants like Adani and Ambani, not the pain of the hardworking and toiling young generation where freshers like Anna are exploited by the greedy corporate system if they even succeed in getting a job in this era of historic joblessness, Congress general secretary (Organisation), K C Venugopal, wrote in a post on X.

According to the Congress leader, it is downright cruel on the finance minister's part to blame Anna and her family and for suggesting that she should have learnt stress management at home.

This kind of victim blaming is despicable, and no words can convey the anger and disgust one feels because of such statements. How heartless can this government be? Have they lost all sense of empathy? he questioned.

The parents are still recovering from this terrible tragedy. The toxic work environment should have triggered an honest review of corporate practices and led to necessary reforms that protect employees, Venugopal added.

EY employee's death

Anna Sebastian Perayil, a chartered accountant (CA) from Kerala who worked at EY Pune, died of cardiac arrest on June 20 following excessive workload and poor work culture at the company - as alleged by her mother. In an open letter, Anna's mother detailed her daughter's struggles with anxiety, sleeplessness, and stress due to an overwhelming workload, citing instances where her manager prioritised work over employee well-being.

According to her mother, Anna, who worked at EY's Pune for four months as part of the Audit team at S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, also worked late into the night and on weekends. She returned to her PG accommodation completely exhausted on most days, her mother claimed.

Following an uproar over the incident, the Centre stepped in to say that it will investigate the work environment at Big Four accounting firm EY.

Be it a white collar job or any worker, whenever a citizen of the country dies, it is natural to be saddened by it. The matter is being investigated, and action will be taken based on whatever facts are revealed in the investigation, union minister of labour and employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, said.

(With inputs from ANI)
Amid the political standoff between Karnatakas Raj Bhavan and the state government, governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot on Sunday sought a copy of the Justice HS Kempanna Commission report from the government in the illegal denotification of lands under the Arkavathy Layout scheme. Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlots request follows a letter sent last month by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC CT Ravi, urging Gehlot to press Siddaramaiah to publicly release the report (Arunkumar Rao)

Gehlots request follows a letter sent last month by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC CT Ravi, urging Gehlot to press Siddaramaiah to publicly release the report. The Kempanna commission was constituted in 2014 under Siddaramaiahs administration to investigate the claims of irregularities in land acquisition and denotification.

Although the commission submitted its report in 2017, it was never been made public.

The controversy gained fresh momentum in February 2023 when former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, in a speech in the Karnataka assembly, cited portions of the report. Bommai said that 868 acres of land were wrongfully removed from acquisition, violating court orders and benefiting specific landowners.

The manner in which Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) officers recommendations were manipulated turned the entire Arkavathy Layout scheme into a scam, he said.

Gehlots latest action has revived political tensions, with the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) intensifying its criticism of the chief minister. In a public statement, the party called for Siddaramaiahs resignation, accusing his administration of illegally denotifying 541 acres of land.

The JD(S) took to social media, stating, It is a major embarrassment for the Congress government that the Governor had to request the Justice Kempanna Commissions report. Siddaramaiah, who is already facing charges in the MUDA case, should step down before lecturing on morality.

When asked about the governor writing to the government regarding the Arkavathy Layout, chief minister Siddaramaiah said the government would take note of the matter.

Speaking on the governor writing to the chief secretaries about the alleged leak, they mentioned, It is possible that the leak (about the letter written to the government) occurred from the governors office itself. They also called for an investigation into the matter.

This latest move by Gehlot comes on the heels of his earlier decision to sanction an investigation into allegations that MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) had allotted multiple plots to Siddaramaiahs wife, Parvathi, under a 50:50 scheme.

The Karnataka high court has concluded hearings on a petition filed by Siddaramaiah, challenging the legality of the governors sanction for this investigation, with the courts ruling still pending.

In another recent development, Gehlot sought a report from the state government on a complaint that MUDA undertook projects worth 387 crore in the Varuna and Srirangapatna assembly constituencies, allegedly based on oral instructions from Siddaramaiah, further intensifying scrutiny on the CMs previous actions.

In response, the Congress government, led by Siddaramaiah, has initiated investigations into multiple alleged scams from the previous BJP regime. Home minister G Parameshwara has asked to head a committee tasked with coordinating and expediting the investigations into 21 irregularities that were allegedly carried out during the BJP regime.

The committee, which includes ministers HK Patil, Krishna Byre Gowda, Santosh Lad, and Priyank Kharge, will submit its recommendations within one to two months.
The state of Haryana is facing elections to its 90-member state legislative assembly to elect its next government on October 5. Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat being welcomed during her election campaign in Barah Khurd village in Jind district. (File)(PTI)

An analysis of historical data reveals that the state has elected only 87 women MLA's since it was carved out of Punjab in 1966. Among those 87 women, 47 was elected since the assembly elections in year 2000. Not just women MLAs, the state known for its skewed sex ratio has never had a woman chief minister.

With respect to recent elections to the state assembly, in 2019 a total of 104 women contested in the state, while only 9 managed to secure a victory. In 2014, a record number of 13 out of 116 women candidates was elected to become MLA's.

Child sex ratio in Haryana

The latest data on child sex ratio from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted in 2019-2021, child sex ratio in Haryana is 885 females per 1000 males. This is a significant improvement from the 834 females per 1000 males recorded in the 2011 Census.

However, while there has been progress, the child sex ratio in Haryana remains below the national average of 933 females per 1000 males. This indicates that there is still work to be done to address gender-based discrimination and ensure the equitable survival and development of girls in the state.

Also read | Panchkula residents boycott BJP candidate over absence from dump debate

Women candidates by parties

While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has given tickets to ten women, the main opposition Congress party has fielded 12 women candidates, the highest among all political parties in fray.

Former state education minister and Jhajjar constituency candidate Geeta Bhukkal from the Congress said, A Bill granting 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and state assemblies was passed but it will be implemented in 2029, which is also a joke with women.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) alliance has together fielded 11 women, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has given the opportunity to 10 women among its list of 90.

The new alliance between Azad Samaj Party and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) has named eight women in the 85 seats it is contesting in this election.

A study by Ashoka University's Triveni Centre for Political Data (TCPD) says women's representation has always been a matter of concern in the state, given the state's history of social bias, crimes against women, and poor performance in gender-related metrics.

"The rising number of women candidates in the Vidhan Sabha elections over the years and their ability to outvote men comfortably from 2000 up to 2019 in the state elections comes as a plus for women in politics in Haryana. However, amongst the elected women MLAs in the said period, many hailed from affluent political families, leaving circumstances relatively unchanged," the study noted.

Key women candidates and their legacies

Arti Singh Rao - daughter of Union Minister Inderjit Singh, she is making her debut from Ateli constituency on a BJP ticket.

Shruti Chaudhary - Being the grand-daughter of former chief minister Bansi Lal, she switched loyalties from the Congress to the BJP and is contesting from Tosham constituency.

Vinesh Phogat - The champion wrestler is making her electoral debut on a Congress ticket from Julana constituency in Jind district. Phogat was the face of wrestler's protest against former Wrestling Federation of India Chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who the wrestlers accused of sexual harassment. She is facing against AAP's Kavita Dalal, the first Indian woman wrestler to compete in the WWE.

Savitri Jindal - She is Asia's richest women and the chairperson of OP Jindal Group. She rebelled against BJP to contest as an independent against Haryana minister and incumbent Hisar MLA Kamal Gupta. Savitri had said she is contesting to fulfil the wishes of people from her constituency Hisar.

Chitra Sarwara - she is contesting as an independent candidate from Ambala Cantonment seat against the BJP's Anil Vij -a six-time MLA and former home minister -and Parvinder Singh Pari of the Congress.

Sarwara is the daughter of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's aide Nirmal Singh. She contested the 2019 election as an Independent after the Congress denied her a ticket. She finished second with more than 44,000 votes.

Rabia Kidwai - fielded by AAP, she is the first woman candidate from Nuh, a Muslim dominated seat. She is the grand-daughter of Akhlaq-Ur-Rehman Kidwai, the 13th governor of Haryana.

Kumudni Rakesh Daultabad - she is contesting as an independent in Badshahpur, the largest constituency in Haryana. Her husband and former MLA of the seat Rakesh Daultabad passed away earlier this year. He won the 2019 election as an independent.

Though the representation of women provides opportunities, the Ashoka University study notes that dominance of women from well entrenched backgrounds lead to concentration of power with the already resourceful political families.

A professor from the Central University of Haryana suggests that the state's politics is still rooted in patriarchy. "Tickets are allotted to women hailing from big political families only. It could be observed that it is also difficult for women to secure a victory when contesting independently or without strong political backing," she told news agency PTI.

"The same could be understood from the fact that there has been only one-woman Independent candidate, Shakuntla Bhagwaria, since 2000 until now to have won elections independently, in 2005," she added.

(With inputs from PTI)
Around 20km east of Kurukshetra on the dusty Saharanpur expressway, a languid town is coming to terms with its newfound celebrity. The vacant tea stalls, sparse grocery shops and tranquil street corners are now firmly in the past. Ladwa town is now one of the nerve-centres of the Haryana elections. After all, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini is the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) candidate from the small town of just 196,000 voters. Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini being felicitated by the people of Untsal village in Ladwa. (Nayab Saini-X)

Party workers from both the Congress and the BJP have been visiting the town. The village has never witnessed something like this before. I wish the limelight we are experiencing may last longer and Ladwa gets developed like other towns in the region, Manbeer Virk, who belongs to Kheri Gadian village, said.

Saini, just like Ladwa, found himself in the spotlight when the BJP elevated the parliamentarian from Kurukshetra constituency as Haryana chief minister this March, replacing party veteran Manohar Lal Khattar weeks before the general elections.

To accommodate him in the Vidhan Sabha, the party fielded him as its candidate for the Karnal bypoll, which was held alongside the Lok Sabha elections. But his candidature from Ladwa during the state elections was rooted in simple logic  his proximity to the town, which falls under the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency, during his time in Parliament.

The respect Im receiving from the people of Ladwa is impressive. Ill always honour the paghri of Ladwa and work for the welfare of people, Saini said at a recent poll event.

A leader from the OBC Saini community, which makes up about 7.5% of Ladwas population, the BJP hopes the chief ministers sway within his caste can fend off the challenge from the Congresss sitting legislator Mewa Singh and the Indian National Lok Dals Sapna Barshami, both Jat faces.

Also in the fray are the Jannayak Janata Partys (JJP) Vinod Sharma, the Aam Aadmi Partys Joga Singh, as well as Independent candidate Sandeep Garg, an industrialist and a BJP rebel who hopes to eat into his former partys votes.

Sainis campaign in the constituency has been helmed by his wife, Suman, with the chief minister crisscrossing the state, said party officials aware of the matter.

But that has done little to harsh the buzz around his candidature. During a packed day on the campaign trail, Suman receives a warm welcome when she visits the residence of a retired Sanksrit teacher in Vikas Nagar colony for tea.

We are only focused on taking forward the development work our government has done. Ask anyone here, our government has worked for every section of society, whether farmers, young people, poor or women, said Suman.

A raft of burning issues will shape the eventual outcome in the seat, with votes set to be influenced by the farmers protest, unemployment, traffic and a long-pending bypass road.

Several voters HT spoke to underscored the urgency of building key roads, within the town as well as highways, to improve connectivity.

Jai Bhagwan, an autorickshaw driver, says, If a Ladwa bypass road is built, it will help ease traffic jams.

But the BJP faces an uphill battle in a constituency it lost in the 2019 elections. The Congresss Mewa Singh won the seat by 12,637 votes against the BJPs Pawan Saini.

Singh, for his party, is busy covering as much of the constituency ahead of the October 5 elections.

At the Sikh-dominated Bodhi village, he accused Saini of being an absentee MP.

I took up several matters in the assembly and brought about development work worth crores for Ladwa. I know, the widening of the highway and getting a by-pass built are big issues. Ive taken up both of them in the assembly. As an MP, Nayab Saini never met any person here. Never visited any village in Ladwa, Singh told HT as he headed towards Kheri Gadian village for a meeting.
Washington: The United States has lifted the 1998 economic and military sanctions against both India and Pakistan. President Bush proclaimed the waiver on Saturday night in the midst of American preparations for a military offensive against Afghanistan. HT This Day: September 24, 2001  US lifts sanctions on India, Pakistan (HT)

The administrations swift move, after months of vacillation, is largely being viewed as a bid to reward Pakistan for its logistical support to the impending operation against Osama bin Laden. Removal of sanctions against India has been on the cards for long.

I hereby determine and certify to the Congress that the application to India and Pakistan of the sanctions and prohibitions contained in ... the Arms Export Control Act would not be in the national security interests of the United States, Bush said in a memorandum released by the White House.

Clarifying the scope of Bushs order, US Secretary of State Colin Powell today said the lifting of sanctions against India and Pakistan was partial. While the post-nuclear sanctions were being lifted, other sanctions would remain, he said. Powell said some wanted Bush to go further but he decided to lift only the post-nuclear sanctions.

So, additional sanctions imposed on Pakistan after General Musharrafs coup in 1999, remain.

In Indias case, the Clinton administration had waived a substantial number of commercial restrictions, but key sanctions related to military sales, transfer of dual-use technology and economic assistance through international financial institutions remained in place.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Indian Ambassador Lalit Mansingh said his expectation was that all these restrictions, including the ones on dual-use technology, were now out of the way. He was, however, awaiting details of the order, which could become available later today or tomorrow.

Some of the restrictions on the export of dual-use technology predate the 1998 sanctions.

There is little doubt that Pakistan, as opposed to India, stands to gain far more. Besides reviving US economic and military cooperation, Islamabad is counting on Washingtons support for a massive IMF assistance. It also looks forward to the rescheduling of $600 million in debt through the Paris club of creditors.

India, too, should be able to overcome roadblocks in multilateral financial forums and expect to get a wide range of development assistance. After the 1998 sanctions by developed countries like US, Japan and Canada, it has had to rest content with humanitarian aid.

The Bush administration in recent months repeatedly held that the sanctions have outlived their usefulness.

Yet, Pakistan did not figure when senior officials debated moves to lift the curbs. But developments following the September 11 attacks have swung things in Islamabads favour.

With Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Joseph Biden reversing his earlier stand and endorsing the move to reciprocate Pakistans support for the Afghan operation, a big hurdle was removed and the administration then acted without wasting a moment.
India has reported the first case of mpox (earlier monkeypox) disease infected with the clade 1b that is largely in circulation in the current global outbreak, according to officials familiar with the matter. On August 14, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time in the past two years. (via REUTERS)

The said Clade 1b strain has been detected in a 38-year-old man from Malappuram district of Kerala, who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates. The patient is currently stable and under observation.

This is the second case of mpox in India, and the first case detected with new clade that is globally under circulation, which is known to be more virulent. Even though the risk of this disease turning into a big outbreak in India is low, the states are fully prepared to deal with any eventuality. However, people need not panic at all, said a senior official in the Union ministry of health and family welfare, requesting anonymity.

The contacts of the patient have been traced and are under observation. So far, none of the contacts have tested positive.

Indias first mpox patient was isolated in a ward at Delhis Lok Nayak Hospital earlier this month. The strain, however, was the one that was prevalent in the previous outbreak seen in India in 2022. He was a 26-year-old man from Haryanas Hisar and had a history of travel to one of the affected African countries.

On August 14, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time in the past two years.

While Lok Nayak hospital has been designated as the nodal facility, two other hospitals are on standby.

The Lok Nayak hospital has 20 isolation rooms, out of which 10 are for suspected cases and the remaining for confirmed mpox patients.

The Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) hospital and Baba Saheb Ambedkar hospital have five rooms each for suspected mpox cases and five each for confirmed ones.

Among the central government hospitals in the city, Safdarjung and All India Institute of Medical Sciences have also kept wards ready to isolate suspected and confirmed cases of the disease.

The health ministry earlier advised the states and Union territories to screen and test all suspect cases in the community and identify isolation facilities in hospitals for both suspects and confirmed patients.

In a letter to states and UTs earlier, Union health secretary Apurva Chandra asked them to prevent any undue panic amongst the masses while underlining that the health ministry continued to closely monitor the evolving situation.
India on Monday has reported the first case of the Mpox clade 1 strain, official sources told PTI. This is the same strain which led to the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring Mpox a public health emergency last month. The Mpox clade 1 strain has been detected in an individual from Kerala, reported PTI. India reports first case of Mpox Clade 1 strain (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Sources said Clade 1b strain has been detected in the 38-year-old man from Malappuram district who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates. The patient is currently stable and under observation.

This was the first case of the current strain that led to the World Health Organization declaring Mpox a public health emergency last month for a second time, the official sources said.

Manisha Verma, a spokesperson for the health ministry, confirmed the strain after news agency ANI cited official sources as saying that the mpox case reported in Kerala's Malappuram district last week belonged to clade 1.

The earlier case of Mpox that emerged in the national capital was a 26-year-old resident of Haryana's Hisar who has tested positive for the previous West African Clade 2 strain earlier this month. Since the 2022 declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO, 30 cases were reported in India.

Mpox clade 1b is a type of monkeypox which is currently endemic in Central Africa and can cause severe illness. The strain is fast-spreading, which is why WHO sounded a public health emergency after hundreds of infections across African countries.

Earlier in the day, WHO said that over 30,000 suspected cases of mpox were reported from Africa this year so far, with most of them in Democratic Republic of Congo where tests have run out.

More than 800 people died of suspected mpox across the continent in that time, the U.N. health body said in its report. Congo's central African neighbour Burundi has also been hit by a growing outbreak, the organisation said.
It has been virtually a year since the Hamas terrorist group took Israels massive security apparatus by total surprise and attacked across Gaza killing 1200 innocents, abducting another 251 as war booty by using medieval war instruments of rape, murder, arson, pillage and mayhem. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting, in New York.(PTI)

Even now, 101 Israelis are still in custody of Hamas with the possibility of only 66 being alive and time running out fast for them. Hundreds of Hamas combatants and innocents have died in Israeli lethal retaliation since then, and today the Jew nation under Benjamin Netanyahu is battling adversaries on seven frontsHamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, West Bank, Iraq, Syria and Iran.



But the principal adversary of Israel is Iran who is using its terror proxies to attack Tel Aviv and in turn, putting the entire Middle East to the sword.



ALSO READ: Why Israeli attack on Hezbollahs communication was a tipping point

Using its high asymmetry of superior military power vis-a-vis Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel has been successful in reducing the Sunni terrorist army with proper command and control in Gaza to a terror gang run by Yahya Sinwar after the elimination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.

The military capabilities of the Shia terrorist group in Lebanon have been heavily degraded with Israel successful in bringing down Hezbollahs command and control structure in the past two weeks through attacks on communication networks and eliminating the top military commanders this month.

Iran is using its terror proxies to attack Tel Aviv and in turn, putting the entire Middle East to the sword

The Middle East is currently in flames with Sunni powers like Saudi Arabia and UAE forced to watch on the sides and the United States no longer the guarantor of peace and security in the region.

The area and the world at large are sitting on a powder keg waiting to explode on any trigger. The million-dollar question today is to how to stop this dance of death which has serious global security ramifications for the future.



ALSO READ: Why Hamas cannot be allowed to get away by Israel

Prima facie Iran is nearly 2000 kilometers away from Israel and the two countries had workable ties in the early 1970s. But then the world went topsy-turvy with 1979 turning out to be a watershed with the Shia Islamic revolution in Iran, the siege of Mecca by Islamic terrorists, and the erstwhile Soviet Union occupying Afghanistan.

The three milestone events radicalised the entire Islamic world to such a level that its consequences are still unfolding with politicians weaponizing the religion to grab power. To consolidate power and gain legitimacy, the Ayatollahs of Iran decided to target the US and Israel as an instrument of its broader ambition and standing in the Islamic world.



ALSO READ: Understanding Iran's game: Wants to destroy Israel, considers US Big Satan

Using its Quds force covert apparatus, Iran built terror proxies in the region to attack Israel and in turn radicalize the entire Arab streets in the Islamic world. This systematic radicalization of the Arab world using political Islam has instigated Muslims all over the world and made them mere tools of the never-ending Iranian revolution.

Other vested interests have joined the radical platform to suit their gripe against their own countries. Currently, all the non-state terror proxies of Iran are attacking Israel, caring two hoots for the two-state solution and the legitimate voice for the Palestinian homeland. Hezbollah has crippled Lebanon and operates in Syria, Hamas has taken over Gaza, Kaitab Hezbollah operates in Iraq and Shia Houthi rebels are targeting international shipping in the Red Sea and off the Gulf of Aden with the decimation of Israel as the main objective.

The voice of Arab moderates has been drowned by extremists and enlightened Sunni powers are mute spectators to violence lest they incur the wrath of totally radicalized Arab streets.

The matters have been made worse with the US power no longer viewed as licit in the Middle East, Russia grappling with war in Ukraine and China still to acquire the political and military heft to become global arbitrator of peace. The UN, on the other hand, has been reduced to a talk shop for political posturing with no muscle to enforce peace in any part of the world.

While retaliation of an outraged Israel against Hamas non-state combatants in Gaza was a justified answer to the October 7 butchery, Netanyahu's war in Gaza lost legitimacy on the streets of Jerusalem after reports of hundreds getting killed on the strip as collateral damage became public.

The war-weary Israelis also started questioning the political leadership after IDF raids into the West Bank as part of counter-terror operations after one year of maximum violence and mayhem. But then the Iranian proxy Hezbollah stepped in by targeting Israeli cities with missiles as far as Haifa and Nazareth on the northern borders, resulting in evacuation of settled Jews in the region.

Israelis running out of safe spaces

The targeting of Israel by Iran with missiles on April 13 and the constant attacks by non-state actors like Hezbollah and its allies in Syria has restored the legitimacy of Netanyahu as the Ayatollahs want to wipe off the Jewish nation from the face of the earth.

Today Israelis are running out of safe and secure space with missiles coming in from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. The Jews have been left with no options as it is a question of their survival in the face of an enemy like Iran and its deadly proxies who had standing armies and credible stand-off weapons.

Given the current bleak scenario, the conflagration in the Middle East will remain simmering with neither Netanyahu or Hassan Nasrallah having the stomach for an all-out war. Hamas leadership has been decimated but the radical ideology will not die and the world will see terror attacks in the future as there is no space for moderates in Gaza.

Peace could be achieved on Israels northern borders by truly implementing UN resolution 1701 but no global power has the heft to enforce it by disarming Hezbollah and demilitarizing Lebanon-Israel borders. With the present Biden administration involved in taking on Russia in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin showing no signs of giving up on his military adventure, the global objective today is to contain the war in the Middle East and not pursue total peace.

Saudi Arabia, UAE forced to put detente with Israel on hold

Sunni powers like Saudi Arabia and UAE have been forced to put detente with Israel on hold as extremists on the Arab streets will bay for their blood. Even though the answer lies in a two-state solution, Iran wants to keep the pot on a permanent boil and Israel wants more space to settle Jews coming permanently to the promised land.

With Ayatollahs facing internal dissent and challenges from within, Iranian leadership will use the war against Israel to distract its citizens from the massive economic problems within the Shia nation. Countries like Turkey and Qatar will use the war to settle their scores in the Islamic world and so will the politicians ruling countries in the periphery of the Middle East.

China and middle European powers may back anti-Israel resolutions in the UN but these have no meaning as none can enforce it or tell both Israel and Iran to back off. All in all, the Middle East is in an utter mess with none having a viable solution for peace. And this is a sure recipe for disaster.

India's role in resolving the Middle East crisis?

India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi can play a role as this is the only country which can talk to Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, US, Russia to come up with a viable solution. Yesterday, PM Modi met Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas in New York to discuss the current issue. The Middle East is in utter mess with none having a viable solution for peace.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Monday said that there has been noticeable silence from both the RSS and the BJP since his party chief Arvind Kejriwalasked five questions to Mohan Bhagwat, adding that this reminds him of AK Hangal's dialogue, "Ye itna sannata kyon hai bhai? (Why is there such silence?) AAP leader Sanjay Singh addresses a press conference in New Delhi on Monday.(PTI)

Singh said that everyone in the country wants to hear the answers to the questions Arvind Kejriwal asked. He claimed that the BJP and the RSS know the questions are true, and their silence proves that Kejriwal is right.

RSS that calls itself patriotic and nationalist was asked five questions related to principles, values, and truth, said Sanjay Singh.

He said that Arvind Kejriwal has stepped down from the chief minister's post twice when it came to principles and values.

"People are not willing to give up a job as a peon, yet Kejriwal resigned after just 49 days as chief minister because it was a matter of principles. He came out of jail and stepped down because it was about integrity, said Sanjay Singh.

Taking a swipe at Narendra Modi, the AAP leader said that Modi is unwilling to step down from the prime ministerial post even at the age of 75.

Kejriwal on Sunday questioned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) if it agreed with the Bharatiya Janata Party's politics of using central agencies to break up parties and topple opposition governments.

Kejriwal, during his first Janata Ki Adalat public meeting after resigning as chief minister, asked five questions to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

With all due respect, I want to ask Mohan Bhagwat ji five questions- the way Modi ji is breaking parties and bringing down governments across the country by luring them or threatening them with ED and CBI, is this correct?; Modi ji has included the most corrupt leaders in his party, whom he himself called corrupt, do you agree with such politics? Kejriwal said at Jantar Mantar.
The Odisha government has ordered a judicial probe into the alleged sexual assault on the 32-year-old fiancee of an army captain at a Bhubaneswar police station amid growing outrage over the incident. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered the probe. (X)

Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that retired high court judge Chittaranjan Dash will probe the case and submit a report within 60 days. He said a high court judge will also monitor the Criminal Investigation Departments ongoing probe.

The police personnel involved in the incident have been suspended and criminal cases have been filed against them. Cases have been registered against the youths involved in the brawl [before the alleged assault]. The state government will ensure that the guilty are punished, he said.

Majhi said the guilty would not be spared. Odisha government is committed to safety, security, rights, and dignity of women and respect the army, said Majhi after chairing a meeting late on Sunday with his top minister and officials.

Earlier in the day Majhis deputies KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida and ministers Suresh Pujari and Prithiviraj Harichandan met the captain, his fiancee, her father and ex-servicemen.

The 32-year-old last week alleged that police personnel at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar sexually assaulted, thrashed, kicked, and dragged her. She accused a police inspector of molesting and flashing at her.

The woman, a lawyer who runs a restaurant in Bhubaneswar, said they went to the Bharatpur police station to register a case against a dozen people who got into a fight with them.

The captain in his First Information Report alleged he was illegally detained while his fiancee was sexually assaulted before being arrested.

On Saturday, seven engineering students were arrested for allegedly attacking the captain and his fiancee. They were granted bail within four hours.

The alleged assault triggered outrage. Former army chiefs VP Malik and VK Singh were among those who demanded action.
Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday announced a compensation of 10 lakh for the family of 11-year-old boy who died after a rusted gate fell on him at the Malleswaram BBMP playground. A view of the BBMP school ground after its gate broke and fell on the head of a student leading to his death, in Malleshwaram in Bengaluru on Monday. (ANI)

On Sunday at around 4pm when Niranjan, a Class 5 student at BBMP school, attempted to open the gate to enter the playground and it suddenly fell, causing fatal injuries to his head. Despite being rushed to KC General Hospital, the boy died.

ALSO READ- Success of humanity lies in collective strength: PM Modi at Summit of Future

After visiting the victims home, Rao said: We will conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action against the contractors and officials responsible for this tragic incident. He further said that the BBMP commissioner Tushar Girinath has been instructed to submit a detailed report on the incident.

ALSO READ- Eknath Shinde on Badlapur sexual assault case accused shot dead by cops: Self defence

He said that no formal complaints had so far been lodged. We will identify who is responsible for this negligence and ensure they are held accountable, he assured.

The minister also announced financial aid of 5 lakh from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and an additional 5 lakh from the Congresss Gandhi Nagar Block Congress Committee. Besides, the R Gundu Rao Foundation (named after former chief minister R Gundu Rao) has pledged to cover the educational expenses of Niranjans younger sister.

The boys parents, Vijay Pawar and Priya, are originally from Gadag district and have been living in the Vivekananda slum near Palace Guttahalli for past 15 years. Vijay, a daily wage labourer, and Priya, who works as a domestic help, have accused the BBMP for their sons death. BBMPs negligence is the reason my son is gone. He went to that ground to play almost every day, Priya said. A case has been registered under BNS section 106(1) (causing death by negligence) against BBMP officials.

ALSO READ- Eliminate stubble burning: PM's principal secretary PK Mishra at Delhi-NCR pollution meet

Girinath said: A committee will be formed, including the chief engineer and BBMP officials, to probe the boys death. We will take strict action against any officer found guilty of negligence. He also instructed civic body officers to regularly inspect and maintain public spaces, replace rusted gates, and repair broken fences and dangling cables to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Bengaluru central Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP PC Mohan visited the site of the incident and condemned the BBMPs failure to address the issue despite prior warnings. This tragic incident could have been avoided. BBMPs negligence has claimed the life of a 11-year-old boy. I demand a thorough investigation and an immediate audit of all parks to prevent further tragedies. Those responsible must be held accountable, he said, calling for urgent safety measures to protect public spaces.
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday said it will hear on October 1 a case it has initiated on its own following the rape and murder of a resident doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata amid the ongoing protests by doctors in West Bengal. Kolkata doctor rape-murder: SC to hear suo motu plea on October 1

At the outset of the days proceedings, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala was urged by a counsel appearing for one of the parties that the suo motu case, which is listed for hearing on September 27, be heard next week due to some urgent reasons.

"We will list it on hearing on next Tuesday that is October 1," the CJI said.

The top court, on September 17, said it was disturbed by the findings given in a status report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the rape and murder case but refused to divulge the details.

It had said any disclosure may jeopardise the ongoing investigation.

It had also sought a status report from the CBI on its probe into financial irregularities allegedly committed by jailed former principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh.

It also said the CBI was 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, the CBI has flagged it for us. We are ourselves disturbed by what we have read," the top court had told a lawyer who claimed discrepancies in the seizure list and sketch of the crime scene.

It had 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 had directed that the "valuable" inputs furnished by him should be duly considered by the investigating officer.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, had 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.

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.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi who took charge as the eighth chief minister of Delhi on Monday sat in a different chair, leaving the seat used by her party chief Arvind Kejriwal unoccupied.



I have taken charge as the chief minister of Delhi today and accepted this responsibility. My feelings today are the same as Bharat's when Lord Ram went into exile for 14 years and Bharat had to manage the governance of Ayodhya, said Atishi. AAP leader Atishi took charge as the chief eighth minister of Delhi on Monday. (@amitmalviya/ X )

The newly appointed chief minister said that just as Bharat placed Lord Ram's khadaun (sandals) on the throne, she would lead the Delhi government for the next four months.

"Arvind Kejriwal has set an example of dignity in politics by stepping down. The BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image. Fake cases were filed against Arvind Kejriwal and he was lodged in jail for six months, claimed Atishi.

She has retained the 13 portfolios she held in the Kejriwal government, which include education, revenue, finance, power, and public works department (PWD).

I hope people will bring back Kejriwal in February polls, his chair will remain in the CM office till then, she said.

Meanwhile, another minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has eight departments under him, the highest after Atishi, including those of health, tourism, art and culture.

New member Mukesh Ahlawat has been given the portfolios of labour, SC and ST, employment, and land and building departments. Gopal Rai continues to oversee development, general administration, and environment and forestportfolios he held in the Kejriwal government. Kailash Gahlot has also kept his previous roles in transport, home, administrative reforms, and women and child development.

The new cabinet headed by Atishi has a long list of pending projects, schemes and new initiatives to be launched in the next few months before Delhi goes to polls in February next year.

Atishi on Saturday took oath as the chief minister of Delhi, replacing Arvind Kejriwal who resigned on Tuesday.

The tenure of the Atishi government will be brief as the assembly polls in Delhi are due in February next year. Atishi, 43, was chosen as the leader of legislature party on Tuesday ahead of Kejriwal handing over his resignation to lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.

Kejriwal on Sunday announced his decision to resign, days after he was granted bail by the Supreme Court in a corruption case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

With PTI inputs
New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi projected India as offering the right blend of democracy and technology with policy predictability, market, talent and scale to the worlds top tech chief executives and invited them to continue engaging and investing in India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a group picture with tech CEOs after a roundtable meeting, in New York on Sunday. (ANI)

In the quest for a self reliant and strong India, I consider you as co-travellers and co-participants. I believe India and American tech companies can together play a key role in addressing global challenges... My doors are always open for you. I am a student and learn from you and try to apply it in governance so that India makes rapid strides, Modi told corporate leaders of the worlds most powerful, richest, and most innovative tech companies at a meeting organised by the MIT School of Engineering in New York on Sunday.

Technology, Modi said, drives the world now but highlighted the need to balance technology and democracy. The welfare of humanity is guaranteed by the mix of technology and democracy. Technology minus democracy creates an environment for a crisis. India is a country that has talent, democracy, market. Such a golden opportunity is rare that India has today. Many of you are close to India and have experience in India. You can compare it to the rest of the world. And in India you will notice you have a plus one experience.

Nvidias Jensen Huang, Googles Sundar Pichai, IBMs Arvind Krishna, Adobes Shantanu Narayen, Accentures Julie Sweet, Modernas Noubar Afeyan, HPs Enrique Lores, Global Foundaries Thomas Caulfield, Verizons Hans Vestberg, LAM Researchs Tim Archer AMDs Lisa Su were among the top chief executives at the meeting.

Modi told the tech CEOs that he had met some of them in the past both in Washington DC in 2023 and in Delhi at different points, and he learnt a lot from all of them, who he called global innovators. He said that their enthusiasm and advice helped in policy formulation. The advice that you offer, given the world that you work in, you belong to, and whose future you understand, is invaluable.

Modi then spoke of initiative on critical and emerging technologies (iCET), the bilateral mechanism with US, as an example of their shared commitment to inclusive innovation. He spoke of Indias strength as the fifth largest economy heading to become the third largest economy. Indias scale, capacity, capability and performance has a uniqueness you can experience. It has one of the most vibrant digital ecosystems. It has the third largest start up ecosystem. It has the largest talent pool of the young.

Modi then also spoke of his own political and governance model as predicated on policy and policy stability. You have seen my performance of the past decade. Thats why people have maybe given me a third chance. Our governance is driven by policy. And for any investor, policy stability is important...we offer policy stability and policy predictability. This gives investors and others who want to work in India an assurance.

In addition, Modi spoke of Indias semiconductor initiatives, its infrastructure, its young population and their attachment to science and technology education, womens participation in STEM disciplines, centre-state coordination, production linked incentives, skilling initiatives, focus on design, research and innovation, intellectual property rights framework and the democratisation of technology in India. He also offered specific examples of success in Indias electronics industry and global research and development centres including of the companies represented around the table.

Modi also spoke of Indias data protection law, data policy and efforts towards a data governance model. He spoke of Indias push for the ethical use of artificial intelligence and its governance framework and, as an example, said that AI generated trademark could be one way to deal with deepfakes. Modi said that like in aviation, there will have to be an AI framework that is truly global in scale.

Modi also touched on biotechnology and said that there was a fertile ecosystem in India for this where there was both a scientific pool and a diverse gene pool. I believe if something has been used and worked in India, it can work anywhere else.

Technology has been a key theme of Modis visit to the US, and has found reflection in the Quad statement, in the bilateral joint factsheet with the US, in his address at the UN, in the UNs Pact for the Future that India too has signed on, in his public remarks to the diaspora, and in his interactions with the business community and chief executives.
A group of monkeys reportedly stopped a man from allegedly raping a six-year-old in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat. Media reports claimed that the incident took place on Saturday after the accused lured the child to an abandoned house in the city. Monkey saves 6-year-old from rape attempt in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat: Report(Representative Image/Pexels)

The victim, a UKG student, narrated the incident to her family and informed them of how the monkeys saved her, reported The Times of India.

According to the victim's father, she was playing outside their house when the accused took her to an abandoned house. He then took off her clothes and attempted to sexually assault her, reported TOI. However, a group of monkeys aggressively attacked the man - forcing him to flee.

The man could be seen in nearby CCTV footage, walking on a narrow lane with my daughter. He is yet to be identified. He also threatened my child that he would kill me. My daughter would have been dead by now if the monkeys had not intervened, the girl's father said, as quoted by TOI.

Following the incident, the victim's parents filed a complaint at the nearest police station.

The police have registered an FIR under BNS sections 74 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 76 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and the Pocso Act against the accused, Baghpat circle officer Harish Bhadoria told TOI.

The police are trying to identify and arrest the accused.

Another incident in UP

Meanwhile, in another incident on Saturday, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two minor boys, one 8-year-old and one 7-year-old, at a deserted location under the Sadar Kotwali police station area of Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, the two boys who live in the neighbourhood, allegedly lured the girl away to a deserted location on the pretext of playing with her and allegedly raped her.

The girl returned home bleeding and informed her parents. They immediately rushed her to the District Womens Hospital for treatment and informed the police, police said.

On the complaint of the family, the two accused minors were detained and questioned, and later sent to a government childrens shelter home.
The monsoon withdrew from parts of western Rajasthan and Kutch on Monday over a week after the normal date for commencement of the withdrawal on September 17, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The line of monsoon withdrawal was passing through Anupgarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bhuj, and Dwaraka. (PTI)

The IMD considers synoptic features before declaring withdrawal from the parts of northwest India after September 1. These include cessation of rainfall activity over the area for continuous five days, the establishment of anticyclones in the lower troposphere, and considerable reduction in moisture content as inferred from satellite water vapour imageries.

Further withdrawal is declared based on the spatial continuity, reduction in moisture in the water vapour imageries, and prevalence of dry weather for five days. The monsoon withdraws from the southern peninsula after October 1, when the circulation pattern indicates a change over from the south-westerly wind regime.

The IMD said the line of withdrawal of monsoon was passing through Anupgarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bhuj, and Dwaraka. It added conditions were favourable for further withdrawal from more parts of western Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat during the next 24 hours. A low-pressure area was likely to form over the west-central Bay of Bengal and the neighbourhood over the same period under the influence of a cyclonic circulation.

Very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was expected in coastal and north interior Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa over the next three days. Heavy rainfall was likely in central, east, and northeast India from September 24 to 27.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the United States on Sunday and expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He reiterated India's support for the restoration of peace and stability in the region. PM Narendra Modi with President Mahmoud Abbas in New York,

"Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated Indias support for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine," Modi said in a post on X.

PM Modi is currently in New York. He met the leader on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session on Sunday.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal later said in a post on X: "PM Modi expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed Indias continued support to the people of Palestine".

PM Narendra Modi is on a three-day official trip to the United States.

He arrived in New York on Saturday after attending the Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware.

On Sunday afternoon, he addressed thousands of members of the Indian-American community at the Modi&US' mega community event in Long Island.

Israel's offensive in Gaza

Israel attacked Hamas after the latter's October 7 terror attack, triggering a humanitarian crisis in the region.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), citing Ministry of Health in Gaza estimates, has said that between October 7, 2023 and September 16 this year, at least 41,226 Palestinians have been killed and 95,413 injured.

1,542 Israelis and foreign nationals have also been killed during this period. Most of them died during Hamas' October 7 attack.

India's position on Palestine

India backs a peaceful and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine issue. New Delhi says that a two-state solution achieved through dialogue and negotiations will lead to enduring peace.

With inputs from PTI
Narendra Modi US visit highlights: As part of his three-day visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in New York to address the United Nations Summit of the Future. In New York, PM Modi also held several key bilateral meetings. It included talks with Nepal Prime Minister Sharma Oli, Kuwait's crown prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas....Read More

Earlier, PM Modi addressed the members of Indian diaspora at a community event in New York's Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Speaking at the event, PM Modi touched on several themes like India's general elections and India's growing technological capability among others. "I have always understood the capabilities of the Indian diaspora. I understood it even when I held no official position...For me, you all have been strong brand ambassadors of India. This is why I call you 'Rashtradoot'," he said.

PM Modi also hosted a roundtable of top tech CEOs from the US to enhance cooperation between India and the US in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum computing and semiconductors. Among those in attendance were Sundar Pichai from Google and Shantanu Narayen from Adobe.
The Union government will soon enforce new guidelines on surrogate ads by liquor and tobacco companies, including stiff penalties for violations, according to a senior official who said that a draft prepared by an 11-member committee in this regard will be released soon. Centre to enforce stricter guidelines on surrogate ads for liquor and tobacco. (Representational photo)

The new rules on surrogate ads, for which the consumer ministry took a consultative approach with industry representatives, deal with what constitutes brand extensions.

ALSO READ- Success of humanity lies in collective strength: PM Modi at Summit of Future

This move could reshape marketing campaigns in the liquor industry, whose brand extensions often including packaged water, music CDs, soda, glassware and playing cards -- items that reflect the same logos and style linked to their main products.

ALSO READ- Eknath Shinde on Badlapur sexual assault case accused shot dead by cops: Self defence

The draft surrogate advertisement rules are being formulated by a committee which has members from various stakeholders, consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare said on Monday. She also said that the ministry would soon release new rules to prevent greenwashing, which refers to false claims about positive environmental impacts of a product.

The rules on surrogate ads will provide for penalties over using brand extensions intended to mislead consumers and celebrity endorsements of products that violate the law.

ALSO READ- Eliminate stubble burning: PM's principal secretary PK Mishra at Delhi-NCR pollution meet

India prohibits direct liquor ads and several spirit firms take recourse to indirect marketing campaigns through brand extensions, which involve sponsoring events and products such as music CDs and soda. Tobacco firms similarly market products containing fennel and cardamom.

Surrogate ads are essentially advertisements of goods that closely resembles the brand of products whose marketing and advertisement are banned. The government has told industry representatives that there should be a clear distinction between the brand extension and the restricted product or service being advertised, said a second official, requesting anonymity. Any ad also must not use colour, layout or presentations associated with a prohibited product, the official said.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, while addressing a gathering in Nagpur on Sunday, playfully teased his cabinet colleague Ramdas Athawale, saying that he has the ability to hold on to his cabinet post despite changes in governments. Gadkari said that even if NDA doesn't come to power for a fourth term, Athawale will continue to be a minister. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur. (PTI Photo)(PTI)

It may not be guaranteed that our government will return for a fourth term, but what is definitely guaranteed is that Ramdas Athawale will become a minister, NDTV quoted the road transport minister as saying. He later clarified that the playful jibe was just a joke, while Athawale was present on stage.

Republican Party of India (RPI) Ramdas Athawale has served as a member of the Union Cabinet three times and has expressed confidence that he will continue as a minister if the BJP returns to power for the fourth time.

Athawale, while addressing the gathering on Sunday, said that his party RPI should get to contest on at least 10 to 12 seats in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. He said that RPI, a part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, will ask for three to four seats in Vidarbha, including north Nagpur, Umred (Nagpur), Umarkhed in Yavatmal and Washim.

The RPI-A has made a list of 18 probable seats, which it will be sharing with the Mahayuti partners in a few days and expects to get at least 10 to 12 seats in the seat-sharing pact, he said. He also said that the other parties in the alliance should give 3-4 seats to RPI from their quota.

The Mahayuti alliance consists of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar's NCP, and RPI.

Athawale had previously claimed that due to the inclusion of Ajit Pawar's NCP in the Mahayuti government, his party did not get any ministerial berth despite a promise for the same.

He also said that RPI was promised two cabinet positions, and multiple district-level roles, which could not happen due to NCP's inclusion in the government.
Six people have been arrested for allegedly attacking a Dalit family over relationship with a higher caste woman in Kalaburagi district, a police officer said, adding that a 19-year-old man died due to the assault. Six people have been arrested for allegedly attacking a Dalit family over relationship with a higher caste woman in Kalaburagi district (File photo)

Kalaburagi assistant commissioner of police (ACP) BG Rajanna said that the Sachin Mallabad (20), elder brother of the deceased, was allegedly in a relationship with a 19-year-old woman from a higher caste. The family opposed the relationship, which escalated tensions between the two families. A village panchayat was convened to address the issue, but no resolution was reached.

On Friday night, the woman along with her family and friends reached Sachins house at around 8.30pm to discuss the matter. While Sachin was not at home, the key accused, identified as Varun Kumar (brother of the woman) warned the family to severe relationship with his sister. A heated argument ensued, during which Varun allegedly stabbed Sumit multiple times with a machete, Rajanna said.

He further said: Sumits mother, who witnessed the horrific attack, rushed her son to the Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) Hospital in Kalaburagi. Despite 12 hours of intense medical treatment, Sumit succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.

Sumit Mallabad was pursuing his graduation in Mumbai and had recently returned to Kalaburagi with his mother.

Kalaburagi police commissioner Sharanappa visited the crime scene to assess the situation and told reporters: The murder appears to be a result of a personal issue related to the relationship between Sachin and the woman. We are conducting a thorough investigation to ensure all those involved are held accountable.

Day after the attack, the Kalaburagi police arrested six people, including Varun Kumar, his parents, sister, and a friend who were present during the attack. ACP Rajanna said that the accused have been charged under Section 103 (murder) of the BNS and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

All six accused have been arrested and produced before the court, which has remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody, he added.
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A 56-year-old man was killed and his wife sustained injuries when they were brutally attacked at their farmhouse in Hanakona village, Karwar taluk during the early hours of Sunday, police said. A 56-year-old man was killed and his wife sustained injuries when they were brutally attacked at their farmhouse in Hanakona village (File photo)

Uttara Kannada district superintendent of police (SP) M Narayan said that the couple were originally from Hanakona village in Karwar district but were settled in Pune for past several years.

The deceased was identified as Vinayak Nayak, a businessman in Pune, and his wife, Vaishali.

While Vinayak died during the attack, Vaishali suffered severe injuries. She is currently being treated at the government hospital in Karwar town, he said.

He further said that the police were informed about the incident by the neighbours. Upon receiving the message, we reached the house and found Vinayak Nayak deceased and his wife critical. She was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment, he said.

He further said that the attackers used sharp weapons and the identity of the attackers and the motive behind the crime remain unclear. Narayan stated that several police teams have been formed to track down the culprits.

The reason for the attack is not yet known, but we have initiated multiple teams to catch the perpetrators. We suspect that the attackers may have fled towards Goa, Hubballi-Dharwad, or Belagavi districts, so vehicle checks are being conducted along the borders to prevent their escape, he added.

The officer further said that the couple had come to their native village to attend the Satteri Devi fair and had been staying at their farmhouse for about a week.

Since the Satteri Devi fair was held from Tuesday to Thursday last week, it is likely that they arrived in Hanakona just before the event. However, because they rarely visited the village, no one in the area was aware of their presence, he said.

He further said that the police have reached out to Pune police for cooperation in gathering more information about Nayaks background.

We are seeking the help of Pune police to obtain details about Vinayaks business dealings and background to help in our investigation. These details will assist us in rounding up the murderers quickly, he said.

Kadra police station inspector Prakash Devadiga also spoke about potential motives for the attack.

He said that the incident could be linked to a business rivalry in Maharashtra.

Since the couple visited their native village rarely, perhaps once or twice a year, we suspect the attack might be connected to some business rivalry in Pune. However, we are also gathering information from their relatives in Uttara Kannada district to ensure we consider all possible motives, he said.

Devadiga further said: Cases under BNS Sections 103 (Murder), 109 (i) (attempt to murder) have been registered in the Chintakula police station.
Police, on Sunday, said that they have detained and questioned multiple suspects and formed four special teams to probe the brutal murder of a 29-year-old woman, whose body was found dismembered and stashed in a refrigerator in the Malleshwaram area, under the Vyalikaval police station jurisdiction, in Bengaluru on Saturday. Preliminary findings indicate that the killer may have dismembered the victims body for disposal and evade detection. (Representational image)

One of the detained suspects is an employee at a nearby mens salon, who was reportedly close to the victim, Mahalakshmi Das, originally from Nepal. Officers said they were investigating the involvement of two other individuals as well  a man who frequently dropped off and picked up Mahalakshmi from work and a colleague. The exact number of suspects remains unclear. The victim worked as a salesperson at a local mall.

Authorities suspect that the murder occurred several days before the discovery of her body. A womans body was found chopped into pieces and stored in a fridge. The murder likely happened four to five days before the body was found, said additional commissioner of police N Satheesh Kumar, confirming that the investigation was ongoing.

Preliminary findings indicate that the killer may have dismembered the victims body for disposal and evade detection. However, establishing the exact time and date of the crime remains challenging for investigators given the delay in discovering the body and the condition of its remains.

Police are currently analysing CCTV footage and Mahalakshmis phone records to track the events leading up to her death. We are checking her call logs. The victims phone was unreachable for days, and neighbours mentioned seeing a man frequently dropping her off, an officer said, asking not to be named.

Originally from Tikapur village in Kathmandu, Nepal, Mahalakshmi had been living alone in a rented accommodation in Bengaluru, where she arrived five months ago following a separation from her husband, Hemant Das, and their four-year-old son. Their relationship had been fraught because of Mahalakshmis alleged interactions with another man.

Officers said the husband remains a key suspect in the case.

The victims mother, Meena Rana, registered the FIR. According to the FIR, Mahalakshmi called her parents on September 2 and said she would be visiting soon. After that, we had no communication with her, Rana was quoted as saying in the FIR.

Thereafter, the family made a series of calls to Mahalakshmi, which were unanswered, escalating concerns about her safety.

The FIR said that on September 20, around 7.30pm, Mahalakshmis elder sister told their parents about a foul smell emanating from the victims house. One Jeevan Prakash, who lived in the same building, told her about it. We could not come to Bengaluru immediately at night, the FIR said.

The next morning, the family, including the son, eldest daughter Lakshmi and her husband Syed Imran, arrived at the house and found it locked from outside. The family then broke open the door.

When the family entered the house around 12.30pm, they found the house in complete disarray, with clothes, sandals, and household items strewn across the floor. We noticed blood was dripping from the fridge in the hall, her mother said. The body was cut into approximately 30 pieces and stored in a refrigerator.
The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government on Monday, in a significant cabinet reshuffle, inducted five Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs as ministers at Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers during the swearing-in ceremony. Five AAP MLAs inducted into the Punjab Cabinet on Monday (ANI)

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, among other AAP leaders and ministers, were present at the ceremony. All the new ministers took their oath in Punjabi.

Those sworn in as ministers included Hardeep Singh Mundian, Barinder Kumar Goyal, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Dr Ravjot Singh and Mohinder Bhagat. Among the new inductees, three were from the Malwa region and two from the Doaba region.

Currently, the strength of the Mann-led Cabinet is 15, including the chief minister. There can be a maximum of 18 ministers in the Cabinet. Notably, this marks the fourth cabinet reshuffle in the Punjab government formed by AAP less than three years ago.

Earlier, four ministers -- Chetan Singh Jouramajra (public relations, defence services and horticulture), Anmol Gagan Maan (tourism and investment promotion), Balkar Singh (local government and parliamentary affairs) and Bram Shanker Jimpa (revenue) -- were dropped from the Mann Cabinet.

The reshuffling of the Punjab cabinet came days after AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail after Supreme Court granted him bail in the Delhi excise policy case. However, Kejriwal resigned as the chief minister of Delhi after his release.

AAP leader Atishi took charge as the Delhi CM after Kejriwal's resignation. Meanwhile, the AAP convener is leading the party campaign in Haryana for the upcoming assembly elections, where the Aam Aadmi Party is contesting on all 90 seats.

Talking to reporters at the CM's office after taking charge, Atishi referred to the Hindu epic Ramayana and said her situation was like that of Lord Ram's brother Bharat who had to rule Ayodhya after Lord Ram went into exile for 14 years.

Leaving Arvind Kejriwal's chair empty, Atishi said, The chair of the chief minister of Delhi belongs to him (Kejriwal). Till then, this chair (pointing towards the chair next to her) will remain in this room, waiting for him.

(With inputs from PTI)
When PM Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida stepped out for a family photo of Quad leaders on Saturday afternoon right before the summit commenced, a reporter asked Biden if the Quad will survive beyond November. PM Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in Delaware. (ANI)

Putting an arm around Modi, with a smile, Biden said: Way beyond November. Way beyond November. Modi laughed and gave a thumbs-up sign. Not only would he host the next summit in India, Modi will also become the most senior leader who has stayed at the helm the longest in the group of four democracies that has changed the architecture of the Indo-Pacific.

Over a packed 24 hours after landing in US, Modi attended the Quad summit where all leaders produced a declaration that employed the strongest language so far expressing concerns about Chinas actions in the South and East China Seas without mentioning China, unveiled an ambitious cancer moonshot initiative, and expanded security cooperation in the maritime domain. Modi and Biden agreed on a set of substantial deliverables in the bilateral domain, including the first-ever national security semiconductor fab to set up in India in 2025 with the support of the US military and a pact on developing alternate supply chains for clean energy. Modi then arrived in New York where, on Sunday afternoon, he addressed close to 15,000 Indian-Americans in a Long Island arena, denoting the unparalleled people-to-people ties between the two countries.

But Quad was a key highlight of the first day of the visit. At one level, the presence of the four leaders in Bidens hometown and high school, Archmere Academy, was a tribute to the American presidents leadership of the group and acknowledgment of him raising the groups engagements to the level of leaders. But at another level, it was a signal from all four leaders both to domestic constituencies and external adversaries that irrespective of the political change that is the staple of democracies  this was both Biden and Kishidas last summit  the group will stay.

This then also became the key theme of the opening statements of the leaders at the summit. Modi, Biden, Kishida, Albanese and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sat around a table inside the high school. Behind Modi were external affairs minister S Jaishankar, foreign secretary Vikram Misri, and Indian ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra among other officials. Behind Blinken were US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, and US ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy among other officials.

Biden said, Quad is here to stay. But after reporters left, when he assumed discussions were private, Biden was caught in a hot mic moment where he was heard expressing concern over Chinas activities in the region, offering a flavour of the real discussions inside the group. Make no mistake. We see this as a change in tactic, not a change in strategy. At least from our perspective, we believe Xi Jinping is looking to focus on domestic economic challenges..and buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue Chinas interest. China, Biden added, continued to behave aggressively, across the South China Sea, the East China Sea, South China, South Asia and the Taiwan Straits. At the same time, we believe intense competition requires intense diplomacy, Biden said.

In his public remarks, Modi hailed Bidens contribution to Quad, and declared that Quad wasnt against anyone else. All of us support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of all disputes. A free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our shared priority and shared commitmentOur message is clear. Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to complement.

Kishida said, It is ever more important for us, the Quad, who share values such as freedom and democracy, to continue to demonstrate our firm commitment to our common vision of FOIP, the free and open Indo-Pacific, to the international community. And Albanese added Australias voice to express continued commitment to the group and spoke about Quads short history allowing it not to be confined by tradition but leaving room to evolve and contribute.

The spirit of reaffirming Quads continued presence was then reflected in the Wilmington declaration. In the final section of the text, Quad leaders said that they had met six times, including four times in person, in the last four years. Quad foreign ministers had met eight times in the last five years. Quad country representatives, including ambassadors in various countries, met on a regular basis. The declaration announced that Quad commerce and industry ministers would meet for the first time, as would the heads of the respective development finance agencies of the four countries.

And the declaration said, Altogether, our four countries are cooperating at an unprecedented pace and scale. Each of our governments has committed to working through our respective budgetary processes to secure robust funding for Quad priorities in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure an enduring impact. We intend to work with our legislatures to deepen interparliamentary exchanges, and encourage other stakeholders to deepen engagement with Quad counterparts. We look forward to the next Quad Foreign Ministers meeting hosted by the United States in 2025, and the next Quad Leaders Summit hosted by India in 2025. The Quad is here to stay.

That was clearly the big message from Wilmington. Quad retains its flexibility, as the shift in venue from India to the US at a pretty late juncture in the diplomatic calendar showed, but it is also steadily moving towards institutionalisation and permanence as a feature of the international political system. But as Bidens hot mic moment, and the substantial deliverables that focused on maritime security and technology showed, the big geopolitical message from Quad was that four democracies remained deeply concerned about Chinas behaviour and saw working together as an important way to deal with it.
The Supreme Court on Monday set aside a contentious Madras high court ruling that downloading and possessing sexually explicit material involving a minor is not a criminal offence while urging Parliament to issue an ordinance to replace the term child pornography with child sexual exploitative and abuse material (CSEAM) under all relevant laws. The judgment held that the change in terminology would mark a significant shift in how society and the legal system conceptualise and address the grave issue of child exploitation. The court rendered extensive interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences. (ANI)

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala underscored the grave concerns surrounding child pornography, highlighting the delicate balance between technological realities and the legal protections for children. The court directed all courts to stop using the term child pornography henceforth in their orders and judgments and rather use CSEAM to refer to such offences.

In a detailed judgment, the bench rendered extensive interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act relating to exploitative material against children when it suggested Parliament should replace the term child pornography with CSEAM so as to bring about a transformative impact on legal frameworks, public perception and the overall fight against child abuse.

The bench on April 19 reserved its verdict in the matter, saying it must answer crucial questions about the interpretation of laws intended to safeguard children from exploitation in the digital age.

The case stemmed from a January 2024 decision by Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the Madras high court, which quashed criminal charges against a 28-year-old man accused of downloading and watching pornographic content involving children.

Justice Venkatesh ruled that merely watching child pornography does not amount to an offense under the POCSO Act or the Information Technology Act, 2000. According to the judge, a child or children must have been used for pornography purposes to attract charges under the POCSO Act, implying that passive consumption without direct involvement does not meet the legal threshold of criminal conduct.

The high court reasoned that Section 67-B of the Information Technology Act, which punishes the publishing, transmitting or creating of material depicting children in sexually explicit acts, does not extend to mere possession or viewing. Justice Venkatesh held that the accused in the present case neither published nor transmitted the content, and therefore, his actions, while morally reprehensible, did not constitute an offence. Since he has not used a child or children for pornographic purposes, at best, it can only be construed as a moral decay on the part of the accused person, the judge said.

This interpretation of the law provoked a strong reaction from the Supreme Court. During an earlier hearing in March, the bench criticised the high court ruling as atrocious, as it questioned the legal soundness of the impugned judgment. How can a single judge say this? This is atrocious, said the bench, agreeing to examine the correctness of the high court judgment.

While deliberating on the arguments in April, the Supreme Court noted the complexity of defining criminal liability in cases involving digital content. It observed that while the act of a child watching porn may not directly constitute an offense, the creation and distribution of child pornography represent a severe breach of legal and ethical standards.

The court underscored the need to address the possession of such material with seriousness, as it perpetuates a market that exploits vulnerable children.

It acknowledged the broader implications of the judgment for child protection laws in India as it admitted the appeal filed jointly by NGOs Just Rights for Children Alliance and Bachpan Bachao Andolan.

Senior advocate HS Phoolka, representing the NGOs, argued that the high court ruling undermined the protective intent of the POCSO Act and the IT Act. Phoolka emphasised that the very nature of child pornography involves the exploitation of minors, making any interaction with such content a violation of the laws spirit and intent. He said that the high courts decision erroneously suggested that mere possession was not criminal, thereby sending a dangerous message that could embolden offenders.

Senior advocate Swarupama Chaturvedi appeared for the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in the matter, opposing the rationale of the judgment. Allowing the appeal against the judgment, the Supreme Court revived the criminal prosecution in the case.
After allegations were raised against an Anna Nagar all-women police station inspector of assaulting the mother of a 10-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped by her neighbour, the Madras high court has directed the Greater Chennai City Police to respond to the accusations by September 24. The Madras high court took suo motu cognizance of the case on September 10. (HT Photo)

The Chennai police has also been accused of violating several provisions of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act during the investigation.

A division bench of justice SM Subramaniam and N Mala on September 18 asked the Anna Nagar deputy commissioner of police and the accused inspector, Raji, who had been impleaded in her personal capacity, to file their response by September 24.

The Madras high court took suo motu cognizance of the case on September 10.

The girls mother has filed a habeas corpus petition. Her counsel, R Sampath Kumar, told the court that she was assaulted in the police station, her phone was snatched away and her daughter was questioned in the hospital when the parents were nor with her.

On August 29, the minor girl suffered from excruciating stomach pain, following which her mother, who works as a cook, took her to a local clinic. She was referred to the Kilpauk Medical College Government Hospital where doctors said that she has been recently been raped repeatedly, officers aware of the matter said.

The hospital alerted the Anna Nagar all womens police station, they added.

Police registered an FIR on August 30 and named a 31-year-old water can delivery man, Satish, as an accused. He allegedly raped the girl when she was alone at home. Following this, the mother was asked to come to the police station, while the girl was in hospital, police said.

The mother alleged that when she went to the police station, investigation officer Raji assaulted her and threatened her.

Police have denied the accusations, but transferred the officer.

Child rights activists alleged that Satish has connections with politicians and police, and his links must be investigated. The allegations were raised after the girl changed her earlier statement. The minor said that she accused Satish by mistake and that her uncles minor son had raped her in 2022.

HT has the audio recording of the girls second statement to police.

However, the mother alleged that police have threatened her child to change her statement.

After the second statement of the girl was recorded, the minor boy was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and has been let off. The family now demands the arrest of Satish.

After registering the FIR, police met the girl at the hospital at 10pm to record her statement on August 30, which is another violation under POCSO Act, said child rights activists, as it was late and the minor was not accompanied by her parents or a guardian.

The entire case was not dealt with in a child-centric approach, says A Devaneyam, co-convener of Tamil Nadu Child Rights Watch. Several standard operating procedures and provisions under Pocso have been violated. Inspector Raji has to be investigated, added Devaneyam.

The city police dismissed the allegations and said that the police officer involved had written to the district child protection unit and the psychiatry department at KMC to provide psychological support to the child on August 31 and September 9.

The chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee was also contacted in August and September to support the victim, an official said requesting anonymity.
The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Punjab's Bathinda recovered nine iron rods from the tracks of Delhi-Bathinda Express on Sunday. Iron rods recovered from Bathinda. Placement of foreign objects along railway tracks by miscreants has become a regular occurrence in recent times.(ANI)

The motive behind the incident remains unknown so far. The GRP have registered a case against unknown persons and are investigating the incident.

"9 iron rods have been recovered from the spot. Government Railway Police has registered a case against an unknown persons and further investigation is being done," said Shavinder Kumar, Investigating Officer, Government Railway Police, Bathinda.

Similar attempts

Several suspicious items along railway tracks have been recovered across the country lately. The investigating agencies claim they could be part of conspiracies to derail trains.

A major accident was averted on Sunday as the loco pilot of a goods train applied emergency brakes after he spotted a gas cylinder on railway tracks near Uttar Pradesh's Prempur station.

"Railway IOW (Inspector of work), security and other teams examined the cylinder and removed it from the tracks. Upon inspection, it was found that the 5-litre cylinder was empty. Directions have been given to investigate the matter," said CPRO, North Central Railway.

Another accident was averted on Sep 20 after the loco pilot of the Doon Express spotted horizontally placed iron rods on railway tracks in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur and applied sudden brakes. Officials suspect that the incident could be an act of attempted sabotage.

On September 19, a six-meter-long iron rod was found on the railway tracks between Bilaspur Road and Rudrapur city in Rajasthan's Ajmer district. The Indian Railways in a statement said the loco pilot managed to halt the train and resumed the journey after the track was cleared and inspected. An FIR was lodged at GRP Police Station under sections of the Railways Act 1989 against unnamed people.

(With inputs from agencies)
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi on Monday slammed the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government after the Badlapur sexual assault case accused was gunned down in an encounter near Thane. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi (Photo by Santosh Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi dubbed it incompetence of the Mahayuti government, adding the co-accused in the case are on the run, and said that the entire altercation is a story written by the state government.

Posting on X, the Rajya Sabha MP said, The accused is dead and the other Co accused under POCSO who were the school board members as well as BJP office bearers are on the run. Such a textbook case of shoot and scoot tactics applied by incompetent government.

Coming soon, nobody sexually assaulted the 6 year olds. A story written, sponsored and executed by the state government, Chaturvedi added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey said. "...The Home Minister & Police should form an SIT to probe the matter as there are many doubts. The govt and Police should clarify and tell the public what happened..."

On Monday evening, Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls in Badlapur, snatched a police officer's weapon and opened fire on the cops, injuring one officer. Shinde was injured in police firing, and later succumbed to his injuries.

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan claimed the encounter was done to save some other people.

Maharashtra assembly Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar demanded a judicial probe in the matter, while state Congress chief Nana Patole questioned whether the encounter was done to save trustees of the school who have not been arrested so far.

Saying that the incident raises suspicion, NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar posted on X, "The injustice done to two children in Badlapur should have rightly resulted in the death penalty within the appropriate legal framework. However, the negligence shown by the Home Department while transferring the main accused in this case raises suspicions. It seems the government has failed to instill enough fear of the law to prevent anyone from even imagining such a heinous act in the future. A thorough investigation into this incident is expected to bring the truth to light."

NCP MP Supriya Sule slammed the Mahayuti government and said, The Mahayuti Government's approach to the Badlapur sexual assault case of two minor girls is shocking! Delay in the filing of FIR first, and now the prime accused is killed in custody! This is an absolute breakdown of law enforcement and justice system. This is inexcusable, it deprives the people of Maharashtra of justice.

Accused Akshay Shinde's uncle told a Marathi TV channel that he met his nephew at Taloja jail on Monday and was told that police were beating him up regularly.

Shinde was hired by a government school in Badlapur to clean the toilets. He was accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls in the washroom of the school, a case which sparked widespread protests across the state. The alleged assaults took place on August 12 and Shinde was arrested by the police on August 17.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi government under the new chief minister Atishi to decide on the remission of a life convict within three weeks days after expressing disappointment over the delay in the decision due to her predecessor Arvind Kejriwals inability to sign files as he was in jail in the excise policy case. The Supreme Court. (PTI)

A bench of justices AS Oka and Pankaj Mithal said the difficulty would not arise now after it was informed the new chief minister had taken over. You can take orders from the CM [chief minister], said the bench as it posted the matter for hearing next on October 18.

Additional solicitor general Archana Pathak Dave, who appeared for Delhi, assured the court that a final decision would be taken within three weeks.

The matter was last heard on September 6 when the court expressed displeasure over the stalling of remissions concerning personal liberty for the want of the chief ministers signature. We want to examine whether there is any restraint order on the chief minister from performing his duties from jail. This needs to be examined as this question will affect hundreds of lives.

The court was hearing convict Harpreet Singhs petition. Singh is serving a life sentence and earlier this year filed a petition for his premature release. In May, the Supreme Court granted Delhi two months to decide on Singhs plea while releasing him on furlough.

In July, the court was told that the remission board was considering Singhs plea. The court gave the government another month to complete the exercise.

The Delhi government earlier told the court that the file related to Singhs plea was pending for the want of Kejriwals signature before it would be forwarded to lieutenant governor VK Saxena for final approval.

The court asked the Delhi government to inform it whether there was any prohibition on the chief minister dealing with files of premature release cases while in custody. It added it would not hesitate to use its extraordinary power under the Constitutions Article 142 to release Singh. The court can pass any order to do complete justice in any case as per Article 142.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday accused ex-CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of allowing non-sacred activities in the Tirupati Temple during his five-year-long rule. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), J. Shyamala Rao.(PTI file photo)

"During the last 5 years, many not sacred things were done in Tirumala. Many times, even devotees protested against it. The laddu prasad and the food given at Tirumala are made with pure materials and have a special taste. When I was CM, I was called Ramdev Baba and we planted many Ayurvedic plants around the temple," he added.

Naidu said that a Santhi Homam Panchagavya Prokshana (ritualistic sanitisation) will be held on Monday at the Tirumala Temple.

"From 6 am to 10 am on Monday, Santhi Homam Panchagavya Prokshana will be done at the Bangaru Bavi (golden well) Yagashala (ritual place) in Srivari (Sri Venkateswara) temple," he added.

He also accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of appointing people close to him as Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board members.

"The trust board appointment was like gambling. The tickets to the temple were sold as per their wish. Once we went to Tirupati and had to protest and get arrested. They appointed their close people as the board members and even gave prominence to non-Hindus. They used TTD for their political gains," CM Naidu said.

He blamed Reddy for the supply of adulterated ghee for Tirupati Prasadam.

"They (YSRCP) removed all the conditions and opened floodgates such that all amateur suppliers can supply. As a result of this, adulterated ghee was supplied," he said.

Chandrababu Naidu triggered a political storm by claiming that animal fats were found in the ghee used for preparing the sacred prasad for the Tirupati temple.

Meanwhile, he also announced an SIT probe into the alleged use of animal fats.

"An Inspector General level or above officer-manned SIT will be formed. It will probe all the reasons for the misuse of power and report to the government. The government will take stringent action to avoid recurrences (laddu adulteration), there is no compromise," he said.

Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi claiming CM Naidu had stooped so low that he hurt the beliefs of crores of people purely for political objectives.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Effective leadership comes from using ones strengths to support others, while also knowing when to seek assistance in areas of weakness, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said on Sunday. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and attorney general of India R Venkataramani during the 32nd convocation of the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru on Sunday. (PTI)

While addressing the graduating students at the 32nd Convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Chandrachud highlighted the importance of self-awareness, patient decision-making, and empathy in leadership.

He emphasised that the true leaders are aware of their strengths as well as limitations. Effective leadership comes from using ones strengths to support others, while also knowing when to seek assistance in areas of weakness, he said.

In addressing the process of decision-making, he acknowledged the inherent uncertainty involved and advised the students to embrace it rather than fear it. In times of uncertainty, your character is shaped. The decisions you make will have a lasting impact on your future, so face these moments with patience and humility, he remarked.

Chandrachud also spoke on the growing trend of short-term gratification, linking it to the fast-paced changes in society, the influence of social media, and the rush to address complex issues swiftly. He cautioned against rushing decisions and underscored the importance of considering long-term consequences. Rushed decisions not only take a toll on mental health but are also unlikely to lead to sustainable positive changes, he said, adding that this advice is particularly relevant to those entering the legal profession.

He also pointed out the need for compassion in the legal profession. Drawing from his 24 years as a judge, CJI Chandrachud emphasised the importance of lawyers embodying the voices of their clients. In court, we dont just argue on behalf of our clients, we argue as them. While we return to our own selves after the case, in the moments that matter most, we must be their voice and their advocate, he said.

Justice Chandrachud also took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment and expansion of NLSIUs core academic block, which will be known as the JSW Academic Block. The new structure is set to include modern lecture halls, research spaces, and faculty offices. This transformation is supported by a significant contribution from the JSW Group and is part of the broader initiative to upgrade the universitys academic infrastructure.

(With PTI inputs)
Glioblastoma is an extremely aggressive brain tumour that is currently incurable. Cancer doctors can increase their patients' life expectancy with surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, or surgical procedures. Nonetheless, half of patients die within a year of diagnosis. Medications that are effective against brain tumours are challenging to find since many cancer medications are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain. This reduces the number of available treatments. Neuro-oncologists have thus been working hard for some years to identify better medications that can reach the brain and eradicate the tumour. Scientists discover antidepressant Vortioxetine may combat incurable brain tumour.(Photo by Dr. Vijayanand Reddy)

Researchers led by ETH Zurich Professor Berend Snijder have discovered a chemical that, at least in vitro, successfully combats glioblastomas: vortioxetine, an antidepressant. Scientists understand that this affordable medicine, which has already.

Pharmacoscopy: A Game-Changing Tool for Cancer Treatment

Snijder's postdoc and lead author of the study, Sohyon Lee found it using pharmacoscopy, a special screening platform that the researchers have developed at ETH Zurich over the past years. The study findings were recently published in the journal Nature Medicine. In this study, the ETH Zurich researchers worked closely with colleagues from various hospitals, in particular with the group under neurologists Michael Weller and Tobias Weiss at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ).

With pharmacoscopy, ETH Zurich researchers can simultaneously test hundreds of active substances on living cells from human cancer tissue. Their study focused primarily on neuroactive substances that cross the blood-brain barrier, such as antidepressants, Parkinson's medication and antipsychotics. In total, the research team tested up to 130 different agents on tumour tissue from 40 patients.

To determine which substances, have an effect on the cancer cells, the researchers used imaging techniques and computer analysis. Previously, Snijder and his team had used the pharmacoscopy platform only to analyse blood cancer (see ETH News) and derived treatment options from this. Glioblastomas are the first solid tumours that they have systematically investigated using this method with a view to use existing drugs for new purposes.

For the screening, Lee analysed fresh cancer tissue from patients who had recently undergone surgery at the University Hospital Zurich. The ETH Zurich researchers then processed this tissue in the laboratory and screened it on the pharmacoscopy platform. Two days later, the researchers obtained results showing which agents worked on the cancer cells and which did not.

Glioblastoma: A Deadly and Incurable Brain Tumour

The results made it clear that some, but not all, of the antidepressants tested were unexpectedly effective against the tumour cells. These drugs worked particularly well when they quickly triggered a signalling cascade, which is important for neuronal progenitor cells, but also suppresses cell division. Vortioxetine proved to be the most effective antidepressant.

The ETH Zurich researchers also used a computer model to test over a million substances for their effectiveness against glioblastomas. They discovered that the joint signalling cascade of neurons and cancer cells plays a decisive role and explains why some neuroactive drugs work while others don't. In the last step, researchers at the University Hospital Zurich tested vortioxetine on mice with a glioblastoma. The drug also showed good efficacy in these trials, especially in combination with the current standard treatment.

The group of ETH Zurich and USZ researchers is now preparing two clinical trials. In one, glioblastoma patients will be treated with vortioxetine in addition to standard treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation). In the other, patients will receive a personalised drug selection, which the researchers will determine for each individual using the pharmacoscopy platform.

"The advantage of vortioxetine is that it is safe and very cost-effective," says Michael Weller, Professor at the University Hospital Zurich, Director of the Department of Neurology and coauthor of the study published in Nature Medicine. "As the drug has already been approved, it doesn't have to undergo a complex approval procedure and could soon supplement the standard therapy for this deadly brain tumour." He hopes that oncologists will be able to use it soon.

However, he cautions patients and their relatives against obtaining vortioxetine themselves and taking it without medical supervision. We don't yet know whether the drug works in humans and what dose is required to combat the tumour, which is why clinical trials are necessary. Self-medicating would be an incalculable risk. Snijder, too, warns against rushing to use the antidepressant on glioblastomas: "So far, it's only been proven effective in cell cultures and in mice."

Nevertheless, he believes that this study has achieved an ideal result: "We started with this terrible tumour and found existing drugs that fight against it. We show how and why they work, and soon we'll be able to test them on patients." Should vortioxetine prove effective, this will be the first time in recent decades that an active substance has been found to improve the treatment of glioblastoma.
Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan are enjoying a fabulous holiday in Greece with their twin boys! The Jawan star is keeping her Insta family in the loop with adorable glimpses of their dreamy vacation. She recently posted a heartwarming pic with her son, captioning it, "My heart." In the shot, she's looking effortlessly stylish in a casual mini dress, sharing some precious moments with her son by the pool. Her holiday diaries are all about relaxing poolside, soaking in breathtaking scenery, and enjoying quality family time. (Also read: Nayanthara promotes hibiscus tea as a cure-all for diabetes, acne and more but doctor advises caution ) If youre looking for travel inspiration, check out these must-visit spots in Mykonos.(Instagram/@nayanthara)

Nayanthara's vacation diaries are bound to inspire you to plan your own getaway! If you're thinking of visiting Mykonos, we've got you covered. Here are some must-visit destinations to add to your itinerary for the ultimate island experience.

Mykonos Windmills

One of the most iconic sights on the island is the Mykonos Windmills, perched on a hill at the edge of Mykonos Town. The walk-up offers stunning panoramic views of Mykonos Town, perfect for your Instagram feed. These windmills are a nod to history, dating back to a time when wind power was used to grind grain for the locals. This area was once called Alefkandra, which means "whitening," as it was the spot where residents hung their laundry to dry.

Paraportiani Church

The Cycladic islands of Greece are dotted with chapels and churches. On Mykonos island alone, there are 365 whitewashed churchesone for each day of the year. But Paraportiani is the most well-known. Its architecture is to credit for such. The four chapels that make up the unusual structure were constructed at separate periods in history. Seeing the variety of structures covered in white paint is breathtaking.

Little Venice

Little Venice is one of the most picturesque spots in Mykonos, with whitewashed buildings perched right above the sea. The sunset views are absolutely breathtaking, so grab a sea-facing spot at a cocktail bar to fully enjoy them. Built in the sixteenth century, this charming area reflects a simpler time on the island, adding to its unique appeal.

Cavo Paradiso

Mykonos definitely lives up to its glamorous party reputation, and this open-air venue is perfect for those early morning vibes. Whether you're in the mood for a dive bar, Greek music, cocktails, or dancing on the beach (or tables!), Cavo Paradiso has it all. Open on Saturdays and Tuesdays, the party kicks off at 11 PM and goes until dawn, featuring big names like Steve Aoki and Armin van Buuren.

Delos

Looking for an adventure? Take a short trip to Delos, one of Greece's fascinating archaeological sites. This sacred island, the mythical birthplace of Apollo, is home to ancient ruins like temples and theatres. Explore the impressive remnants of this once-thriving city and check out the museum featuring stunning mosaics and artefacts.
The proposal to re-synchronise state and national elections has resurfaced, as the Union Cabinet accepted the recommendations of the high committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. This report goes further than previous proposals on the subject, as it recommends that local elections  both municipal and panchayat  should ultimately be synchronised with state and national elections.

The arguments in favour of simultaneous elections remain the same. Elections are too expensive and burden the administration too heavily, including the armed forces mobilized to secure them. The constraints imposed by the model code of conduct hinder policymaking. Holding one election every five years would free administrative time, time best spent on developmental work. Prime Minister Narendra Modi further stated that this reform would make Indias democracy more vibrant and participative.

While the government evokes cost and governance effectiveness to support the idea of simultaneous elections, the opposition focuses on this projects legal and political implications. The legal argument consists in observing that imposing and maintaining synchronicity of elections cannot be done without violating numerous constitutional provisions and the Representation of the People Act of 1951. This view is consistent with the 2018 draft report of the Law Commission. The Kovind report addresses these legal obstacles by listing the changes to the law that the reform would require, including 18 constitutional amendments.

However, addressing the legal questions that simultaneous elections raise cannot be reduced to a set of technical questions. The issues at stake are fundamentally political and affect the core of Indias democratic functioning. The idea of fixed tenure of elected assemblies, for example, is not merely a practical rule. It derives from the fundamental democratic principle that the term of an elected assembly ought to be determined by voters and not by the central government. Imposing synchronicity would require prematurely terminating elected state governments. Doing it as a one-time temporary measure could set a dangerous precedent. Maintaining synchronicity subsequently would require an extension of the scope of the Presidents rule, an instrument meant to address severe dereliction of a state government or severe breakdowns of law and order.

Amendments can address such hurdles, but making something legal does not necessarily mean making it democratic. Presidents Rule, for instance, wasnt conceived as an instrument to regulate the electoral calendar, and expanding its scope would open the way to new forms of arbitrary abuse of power by the Centre.

Re-synchronising Indian elections is an extraordinarily complex project that, in its current argumentation, suffers from three fatal flaws. The first is that by making cost-effectiveness and good governance the purpose of the reform, the government places democratic procedure and development in relation to opposition. Indias administrative woes are many, but they do not primarily derive from the frequency of elections or from any other excess of democracy.

Second, this project succumbs to the temptation of seeking magic wands instead of pursuing meaningful, targeted policy interventions. The cost of elections needs to be addressed by political financing reform and by reducing the number of phases of elections. Holding all elections at once would, on the other hand, raise the stakes for political parties, intensifying further the current financial arms race. The truly shocking aspect of election cost is the money that parties spend, not the cost of conducting the election itself.

Third, the cost and development arguments elude the fact that this reform, like all reforms preceded by the moniker One Nation, aims at further centralising and concentrating powers. In a simultaneous election regime, campaigns would have essentially national overtones. National personality contests would take precedence over regional issues. Local elections would become even more partisan.

Simultaneous elections would also decrease government accountability. Frequent elections keep a government on its toes. They allow voters to express their views between national elections, providing a chance at course correction. They also provide opportunities to concentrate on issues that matter most to voters. For decades now, participation in state elections has been higher than in national elections, testimony of the peoples enthusiasm for elections.

Finally, the context of major political announcements is never coincidental. The proposal to concentrate the electoral calendar comes at a time when the BJP finds itself more and more challenged by state-based parties, not just in state elections but also in national ones. It would be hypocritical to deny that the BJP seeks to draw an electoral advantage from nationalising state elections.

A functioning democratic federation allocates resources and powers where they are the most effective. It also ensures that power gets invested in multiple people and that voters ultimately determine the fate of their elected government, preferably by voicing their views more than once every five years. Frequent elections ensure participation and vibrancy of Indias democracy. Political centralisation, on the other hand, has undermined it.

Gilles Verniers is Karl Loewenstein Fellow and Visiting Assistant Professor at Amherst College. The views expressed are personal.
Speaking in Dallas, Texas, on September 9, Rahul Gandhi said something that was rather different and very important. He said that for a political leader listening is more important than speaking. I endorse that with the added observation that listening to what has been called the inner voice is equally if not more important. What if anything at all, is the inner voice? 31 October 1974 - Jayaprakash Narayan Addressing a Rally - HT Photo by Rane Prakash.

Conscience would be the most plausible synonym for it, rendered generally in Hindi as antaratma. In great literature, it can appear as a soliloquy  self-colloquy or talking to oneself. Hamlets famous To be or not to be, one could say, was his inner voice asking him the existential question. The same something within Robert Frost led to the great lines in Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening ending with But I have promises to keep/and miles to go before I sleep /and miles to go before I sleep.

But literature apart, history shows inner monologue or an inner voice akin to conscience leading persons to act on its goadings. Most famously, in ancient Indian history, it was Emperor Asokas conscience speaking to him after the Kalinga war that led to his active remorse and atonement, carved in his Edicts.

In modern times, Gandhis fasts were invariably the result of such an inner prompting.

Three features, I would say, mark the urgent, irresistible and clear impulse coming from that inner monologue. These are:

One, un-premeditated, uncalculated, un-reasoned spontaneity  the work of what may ordinarily get to be called ones heart; two, unmistakably clear direction  somewhat like what we would admire (and be grateful for) in our wired times: strong network; three, complete peace-of-mind over the resolve to follow the inner command, utterly impervious to others reactions to the resolve.

I will confine myself to Indias experience.

Resignations are a major example of the phenomenon. Some resignations from Jawaharlal Nehrus cabinet came from what I believe to be a command from their inner voices though the men resigning did not describe it to be so and though there may have been other quotidian stimuli for it as well  finance minister John Mathais in 1950, law minister BR Ambedkars in 1951, labour minister VV Giris in 1954, finance minister CD Deshmukhs in 1956, and railway minister Lal Bahadur Shastris, also in 1956 following the Ariyalur train accident.

But resignations are only one manifestation of the inner commands. Gestures of other kinds reflect its working no less.

As an Opposition leader of rare sparkle, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was moved by his inner monitor to give on the floor of Indias Parliament the finest tribute of the day to Nehru on his death in May 1964.

Some believe Indira Gandhis decision to hold elections in 1977 was the result of an inner call. I am not so sure but then it is known that she did meet the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti at that time when, it is said, he told her things that made her reflect, self-critically, on her Emergency record.

In a class I was taking on the broad subject of ethics recently, I asked students to share examples they knew of remorse and atonement. Two cases of an apology from the high bench of the Supreme Court of India, no less, were cited to me. One was an apology that came 30 years after the deed. Justice PN Bhagwati was one of four judges of the Supreme Court who, in 1976, in the case popularly known as the habeas corpus case, going against the unanimous decision of all the high courts, upheld the right of Indira Gandhis government to suspend fundamental rights during the Emergency. In an interview with MyLaw.net, Justice Bhagwati said his conclusion was an act of weakness adding, It was against my conscience The other instance cited to me by a member of the faculty present in the class was a statement from Justice Indu Malhotra, who, on September 6, 2018, with four other judges of the apex court, declared that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (broadly known as the law against sodomy) was unconstitutional. She said on the occasion memorably: History owes LGBT people an apology.

Teachers learn in class as much as and sometimes more than they teach. There are huge follies on which we have let our collective consciences be silent, our inner voices to be on mute. I list some of them below.

Three rampant As: Autocratic practices visible in almost all political parties, aggression by monopolies over the resources and opportunities of our people, aggrandisement of wealth and its control by an apparently unregulated oligarchy.

Three Bs encountered across the country: Barbarisms practised by hideous specimens of the Indian male on vulnerable women and children, brutalisation by so-called vigilantes of invariably very poor men suspected of trading in or consuming cows meat, and the relentless bullying of the under-privileged castes by hefts of higher and sometimes within their own kind.

Three stubborn Cs: Communalism, corruption and cronyism.

Three unrelenting Ds: The greedy disembowelling of fragile surfaces for so-called development, the frenzied denudation of forest cover  a situation that can be seen from Ladakh to the Great Nicobar Islands and on another plane, the phenomenon of drug abuse which, often accompanied by drunkenness, is emasculating our youth.

We do not have social philosophers like Jayaprakash Narayan among us today, to caution us about our follies. But let us not imagine we do not have help-line like persons in our midst: We do have several of them, guiding non-governmental and grassroots initiatives across the country.

But if each one of us, in whatever field one is in, listens to the inner voice on any of the areas I have mentioned, and on any other, even if that makes little or no difference to the issue, it will, to our sense of peace with our souls.

Gopalkrishna Gandhi, a former administrator, is a student of modern Indian history.The views expressed are personal
The sixth anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a moment of immense pride and reflection. Launched in September 2018 under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, AB-PMJAY has grown to become one of the largest health care initiatives in the world. It represents the governments commitment to providing equitable health care access for all citizens, especially the most vulnerable. The success of Ayushman Bharat thus far reflects the hard work, dedication, and collaboration between the government, health care providers, and the people (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times) (Yogendra Kumar/HT PHOTO)

This scheme has touched millions of lives, offering hope, healing, and, in many cases, life-saving treatment. AB-PMJAYs journey has been a testament to what can be achieved when a nation comes together with the shared goal of improving the health and well-being of its people.

The core mission of Ayushman Bharat is simple but profound: To ensure that no Indian is denied health care because of their financial status. With an annual coverage of 5 lakh per family to cover secondary and tertiary hospital care, AB-PMJAY has provided the means for economically disadvantaged families to receive quality medical care at some of the best hospitals in the country, free of cost.

The recent decision to expand its benefits to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, is a nuanced step to account for the changing demographic situation in our country. As of today, more than 55 crore people are eligible for health care services under the scheme, and over 7.5 crore treatments worth over 1 lakh crore have been successfully provided. Families that were once pushed into poverty due to catastrophic health expenses now have a financial shield that protects them from such crises. Testimonials from beneficiaries  from farmers to daily wage labourers  describe how the scheme saved them from financial ruin. In this sense, Ayushman Bharat has indeed delivered on its promise.

The schemes scope is comprehensive, covering over 1,900 medical procedures, from complex surgeries like heart bypasses and joint replacements to treatments for diseases like cancer and kidney ailments. One of the hallmarks of AB-PMJAY has been its ability to create a robust network of health care providers. Today, more than 29,000 hospitals across India, including over 13,000 private hospitals, are empanelled under the scheme. This network spans rural and urban areas alike, ensuring that even those living in the most remote parts of the country can access quality health care services. The unique portability feature of the scheme has ensured that beneficiaries can avail treatment in hospitals across the country.

This vast network is supported by a robust IT infrastructure that ensures transparency, efficiency, and speed in claim settlements. The implementation of Aadhaar-based biometric verification and paperless claim processing has drastically reduced fraud and inefficiency, which are often challenges in such large-scale public welfare schemes.

The success of Ayushman Bharat has also catalysed improvements in other parts of the health care ecosystem. The schemes emphasis on quality health care has pushed public and private hospitals to upgrade their infrastructure and services. Additionally, it has fostered an environment of healthy competition, encouraging providers to enhance patient care.

Alongside AB-PMJAY, the government has also been working to strengthen primary health care services through the creation of Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM). These health care centres are focused on preventive health care, aiming to reduce the overall burden of disease in the population. So far, over 1.73 lakh AAMs have been established, providing free screening, diagnostics, and medicines for common ailments and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

These centres are at the heart of our effort to move toward a more comprehensive and holistic health care model. By promoting wellness and early diagnosis, we hope to reduce the need for hospitalisation and make health care more sustainable in the long run.

As we celebrate Ayushman Bharats achievements, we must also acknowledge the challenges ahead. The scale of the scheme is enormous, and with that comes the responsibility to continually adapt, refine, and improve it. We are constantly working to expand the reach of the scheme, ensure timely payments to hospitals, and enhance the quality of care provided to every beneficiary.

Going forward, we will continue to strengthen Ayushman Bharat, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of Indias journey towards holistic, affordable and quality health care. The government is committed to expanding the list of treatments covered under the scheme, further increasing the number of empanelled hospitals, and continuing to build on the success of the AAMs.

As the Union health minister, I firmly believe that the health of a nation is the foundation of its prosperity. A healthy population is better equipped to contribute to the countrys growth, productivity, and innovation. Ayushman Bharat is central to this vision of a healthier, stronger and Viksit Bharat.

The success of the scheme thus far reflects the hard work, dedication, and collaboration between the government, health care providers, and the people. On AB-PMJAYs sixth anniversary, let us reaffirm our dedication to creating a health care system that is inclusive, accessible, and compassionate. Together, we will continue to build a healthier India for generations to come.

Jagat Prakash Nadda is Union minister for health and family welfare. The views expressed are personal
Most people who went to the party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hindustan Times, last weekend at HT House in central Delhi, marvelled at how the paper had managed to stay alive for a century. Much of this is due to the unfailing support of the Birla family. GD Birla put money into the paper at the request or Mahatma Gandhi to support the freedom struggle and his family carried on the tradition long after India won its freedom. For much of its life the Hindustan Times never made much money, but the Birlas kept it going because they believed that a newspaper was a sacred trust. (Also read: The Taste by Vir Sanghvi: The many complexities of making realistic fiction ) Celebrating a century of journalism, the Hindustan Times has not only survived but thrived in a rapidly changing media landscape.(HT photo)

Wonderful as that is, the focus of my admiration when I went to the anniversary party was slightly different. Around 25 years ago, KK Birla, GD Birlas public-spirited son asked me to become editor of the Hindustan Times. It was a dream job at the time because the Birlas were very good employers and because I was fortunate enough to have as a boss KK Birlas daughter, Shobhana Bhartia, who understood journalism and cared about the quality of the papers content as much as she cared about the balance sheet. (Sometimes, I felt she cared more about the journalism than she did about the profits.)

I enjoyed my time at the HT, first as editor and then as editorial director, so much that I always think back to that period and regard it as the golden age of journalism. And frankly, we had it easy.

News television was only just taking off and magazines were already in decline. In many ways, the resurgent newspaper industry was the only game in town. Yes, the internet had arrived and we did have an internet edition, but it was not something that troubled us greatly at the time.

The changing landscape of journalism

In the last decade, however, nearly all of that has changed. Newspapers are an endangered species all over the world. Each day, more and more newspapers close down or declare that they are going to become web-only publications. Very few, like the New York Times manage to produce thriving internet and print editions.

To produce a good newspaper in this day and age is more challenging than it has ever been. On the journalistic side, there is the problem of competing with real-time news. These days, we know of events almost as they occur. If it isnt Twitter, it is some other site that brings the news to us. Even television news now seems hopelessly dated. On the profitability side, newspaper managements have to live with the reality that advertising has mostly shifted to the digital economy and that papers must struggle to make money.

And yet, newspapers like the Hindustan Times continue to flourish. They still turn out quality journalism day after day. The HTs internet platform (on which this article is appearing, for example) does very well, but the heart and soul of the newspaper are in the print edition.

It must be difficult putting a newspaper to bed every evening knowing that by the time your readers receive it the following morning, things may well have changed dramatically and that, in any case, the news in your paper may have already been widely disseminated. It is an enormous challenge for journalists to think of ways to engage with their readers who have got the basic news points already from some digital or social media source.

And yet papers like the Hindustan Times continue to keep the attention of their readers. Often, they speak for the cities where they are published. I helped launch the Mumbai edition of the Hindustan Times so I may not be entirely unbiased but when I am in Mumbai and I open my copy of the HT in the morning I feel that I have tapped into the heartbeat of the city.

Delhi has always been home for the Hindustan Times. The HT has been the newspaper that consistently speaks for the Capital, the paper that summarises and expresses the hopes and fears of its citizens. Each time I travel out and then return to Delhi and I want to feel that I am back home I only have to turn the pages of the HT for the spirit of Delhi to come alive in my hands.

How do papers like the HT manage to engage with their readers in this difficult time? Well, the editors certainly have a much more difficult job than I did when I was editing the Hindustan Times. Todays editors need to give us the news that the internet with its emphasis on immediacy and click-counting sensationalism has missed. They need to make us feel better-informed and more able to see beyond the news itself so that we understand its implications and ramifications.

I marvel at how well the HT manages to do this every morning. It has moved with the needs of its readers and sought to fill in the blanks, colour the pictures, connect the dots, and help us make sense of the information we need to help us understand the world we live in.

HT's commitment to quality journalism

I suspect that this is something that readers may not realise  and a good newspaper should meet the needs of its readers without seeming to struggle to do so  but journalists know it only too well. We know how difficult it is to produce a newspaper that is relevant to our times. And then there are harsh realities of the market. Advertising has declined, so budgets have been reduced and staff strengths are down, while readers have become even more demanding than they used to be.

The HT manages to satisfy the millions of people who still read it every day because it has changed to reflect our times. It may still look the same and its soul is untouched. But the content and style are very different from what they were 25 years ago. The people who create the paper now do so under the sorts of pressures that we never had to face.

So yes, it is a triumph for the HT to have survived and flourished for 100 years. But speaking as a journalist and one with some experience of the Hindustan Times, a great achievement has been the way in which the paper has changed over the last few years to serve the needs of its readers in a completely new world, without ever losing sight of what it means to be one of the worlds great newspapers.

So happy birthday Hindustan Times. You were born to fight for Indias freedom. And like India you have evolved and transformed, staying the same and yet becoming very different.

Heres to the next century!
Rising Sun Holdings Private Limited (RSHPL), owned by billionaire Adar Cyrus Poonawalla, has acquired 1.75 lakh square feet of office space in Pune for a sum of 395 crore, property registration documents accessed through real estate data analytics platform Propstack showed. Adar Poonawallas Rising Sun Holdings buys 1.75-lakh square feet office space in Pune for  395 crore (Representational photo)(Pixabay)

Incorporated in 1993, RSHPL is an investment holding company of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group. Adar Cyrus Poonawalla, who is also the CEO of vaccine major Serum Institute of India, holds a majority stake in the company.

Also Read: Microsoft acquires 16.4 acre land parcel in Punes IT hub Hinjewadi for 520 crore

The said commercial space is spread across four floors, spanning a built-up area of 2.19 lakh square feet in Building B1 of Cerebrum IT Park, located in Punes Kalyani Nagar. The deal also includes parking space for a total of 218 cars across the basement units of buildings B1 and B2, the documents showed.

Built by Kumar Builders, Cerebrum IT Park is spread across 1 million square feet in the heart of Pune. It comprises three buildings - B1, B2 and BC - occupied by companies from diverse sectors.

More on the deal

The transaction, executed via four separate deals, was registered on September 11 and named Zavareh Soli Poonawalla as the seller.

Zavareh Poonawalla is a businessman and brother of Cyrus S Poonawalla, the founder and CMD of Serum Institute of India.

Also Read: 315Work Avenue leases additional 56,000 square feet office space in Pune

As per details cited in the documents, the four deals collectively attracted a stamp duty of 27.65 crore and registration fees of 1.2 lakh.

Queries sent to Zavareh Soli Poonawalla by HT.com did not elicit a response till press time. The story will be updated once a response is received.

Also Read: Smartworks expands Pune portfolio; leases 6 lakh sq ft office space

Poonawalla Group did not comment.
Australian property listing firm REA Group has made a third pitch to buy British rival Rightmove with a new 6.1 billion pound ($8.12 billion) offer on September 23 after its two previous offers were rejected. Australia's REA sweetens takeover offer for Britain's Rightmove to $8.1 billion (Representational photo)(Unsplash)

The latest offer consists of 341 pence in cash and 0.0422 new REA shares giving Rightmove an implied value of 770 pence per share.

Shares of REA, which is 62% owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, dropped 1.52% on September23.

Also Read: Suraksha Group finally takes over Jaypee Infratech; constitutes 3-member board giving relief to more than 20,000 buyers

Rightmove did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new non-binding bid outside normal UK business hours.

Attempts so far

The REA offer put forward on Monday is higher than the initial offer of 705 pence per share, or 5.6 billion pounds, and the second proposal of 749 pence per share. Rightmove had rejected both the offers, saying they undervalued the company.

REA said it had not had any "substantive engagement" with Rightmove, except for the rejections, and that it remained ready to engage immediately with the Rightmove board.

Also Read: Here's why London is the preferred overseas real estate investment destination for rich Indians

"We are genuinely disappointed at the lack of engagement by Rightmove's board and we strongly encourage the Rightmove board to engage," REA CEO Owen Wilson said in a statement.

Britain's housing market is triple the size of Australia's, according to analysts, and a deal would allow REA to expedite its international growth plans.

"The increased offer is clearly aimed at bringing the Rightmove board to the negotiating table," said S&P analyst Entcho Raykovski, noting News Corp's REA ownership would be reduced to about 49% if a deal progresses.

Also Read: Why rich Indians are buying marquee properties in London

"...we note that REA has not declared the offer best and final, so there is scope for further increases."

The Australian company reiterated that it would look to apply for a secondary listing in London to give it access to a wider pool of investors.
Hotels within 20 kms of the venue in Navi Mumbai where Coldplay is due to perform in January, are charging up to 5 lakh for three nights, a hike so steep that it bests even New Year's Eve prices. Hotels within 20 kms of the venue in Navi Mumbai where Coldplay is due to perform in January, are charging up to  5 lakh for three nights((Pratik Chorge/HT PHOTO))

Most of the hotels, including five-star properties, in the vicinity of DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai are now fully booked on January 18, January 19 and January 21, the dates Coldplay set for their India tour, show hotel aggregator apps.

Coldplay concert spikes hotel tariff in Mumbai

For example, Courtyard by Marriott near the venue and Taj Vivanta in Vashi, Navi Mumbai do not have any rooms available, according to MakeMyTrip.

Hotels are clearly looking to make a killing from the crazy demand to attend the live concerts by Coldplay. Tickets available on BookMyShow were sold out within minutes. Coldplay announced a third show on January 21 after the mad rush for tickets.

A hotel in Vashi named Fortune Select Exotica, part of the ITC Hotel Group, is charging 2.45 lakh for one room for three people for three nights between January 17 and 20.

Also Read: Pune man prefers hotels to renting an apartment in Mumbai. This is how much he spends

A few kilometers away from the venue in Turbhe, Fern Residency is charging almost 2 lakh for one room for two people for three nights coinciding with the Coldplay show.

Regenza by Tunga, another hotel in Vashi, Navi Mumbai is charging 4.45 lakh for three nights during the concert, according to MakeMyTrip.

These hotels usually charge between 7,000 and 30,000 for a night for one room, show hotel aggregator apps.

Also Read: Ambani wedding: All 5-star hotels in BKC sold out, rates soar to nearly 1 lakh a night

Typically, one encounters such high hotel rates during the year-end and a few days after. But even those rates pale in comparison to what hotels are charging during the days Coldplay will perform in Mumbai.

Also Read: Oberoi Realty plans to come up with a 1.8 mn sq ft mall, a hotel and an office space in Mumbai

For example, Taj Ends Land in Bandra, Mumbai is listing a room for two at 34,000+ for a night on January 17. The hotel is offering 32,000+ a room for one night on December 31, according to Agoda.
With the release of the iPhone 16, numerous Apple fans have been flocking to electronic stores to either check out the new tech or buy it. While some are doing their best to get their hands on the latest iPhone, an influencer from Dubai taped several iPhone boxes at the back of his Mercedes to give people the new model. Yes, you read that right. The influencer from Dubai was seen handing out iPhone 16.

The video shared by user Shargeel Khan shows a man showing the Mercedes G-Wagon taped with iPhones behind it. The man then gets out of his car to grab a phone box and even opens it to check the authenticity. Later, another person comes out of the car and gives a nod to the man to take the phone. (Also Read: Man waits for 21 hours in line to buy iPhone 16, travels from Ahmedabad to Mumbai)

Watch the video here:

This video was shared on September 22. Since being posted, it has gained more than one lakh views. The share also has over 3,200 likes, and the numbers are only increasing. Many people took to the comments section of the post and shared their views.

Heres how people reacted to it:

An individual wrote, Oh God, I wish I had one of these phones."

Another Instagram user, Huda Siddiqui, commented, "Is it real or just a marketing stunt?"

A third added, "Someone please give me too. Give me your old iPhone, new phone is not in my luck."

More on iPhone 16:

Apple iPhone 16 series is available in India after officially making its debut on September 9, 2024. The new generation of iPhone includes four models, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. As more than 37 million handsets have been reserved during the pre-booking period, the passion for the iPhone 16 is just as strong this year. Customers can now sample the new enhancements and view the new iPhone 16 models in-store before making a purchase.
Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, along with daughter Isha Ambani Piramal, paid a visit to chef Vikas Khannas New York restaurant Bungalow yesterday. The team at Bungalow went the extra mile to welcome their special guests - using Isha Ambanis favourite flower, the rose, to decorate the premises. The original logo of Reliance was also recreated using marigold flowers for the father-daughter duo. Isha and Mukesh Ambani with Vikas Khanna at his New York restaurant.(Instagram/@vikaskhannagroup)

Michelin Star chef Vikas Khanna personally welcomed Mukesh Ambani and Isha Ambani to his flagship New York restaurant. Footage shared on Bungalows Instagram page shows Isha Ambani walking into Bungalow with chef Vikas Khanna as her security detail followed.

The Amritsar-born chef requested Mukesh and Isha Ambani to light diyas at his New York restaurant. We will continue to light candles using this flame until Diwali. As a symbol of celebrations & continuity of light, he explained on Instagram.

We used Isha Ambanis favourite roses to adorn Bungalow today. Six different varieties of roses were used along with Ganga Jal to welcome the guests, Khanna said, adding that it was an honour to cook for the Ambani and Piramal families today.

Isha Ambani wore jeans and a long-sleeved blouse for the occasion, while Mukesh Ambani was seen dressed casually in a black shirt.

Take a look at the video below:

Inspired by Indias vintage clubhouses, Michelin Star chef Vikas Khannas restaurant Bungalow in New York is a tribute to Indian culinary traditions. The fine dining restaurant offers an extensive menu with several plant-based food options - Mukesh Ambani and family famously being vegetarians.

In fact, the lavish wedding celebrations of the youngest Reliance scion, Anant Ambani, had featured an all-vegetarian menu. Top chefs from across the world were flown in to Mumbai to cater for the wedding and pre-wedding functions, which were attended by a handful of world leaders, several tech CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg, a galaxy of Bollywood stars, Indian and international industrialists and more.
Police shot a rare polar bear that they saw outside a cabin in a secluded Icelandic community because they thought it posed a threat, the authorities said on Friday. Polar bears are not native to Iceland but occasionally come ashore after traveling on ice floes from Greenland. (Unsplash)

Westfjords Police Chief Helgi Jensson told The Associated Press (AP) that the bear was killed Thursday afternoon in the northwest of Iceland after police consulted the Environment Agency, which refused to have the animal transferred.

It's not something we like to do, Jensson said to AP. In this case, as you can see in the picture, the bear was very close to a summer house. There was an old woman in there.

According to Jensson, the owner, who was by herself, was terrified and locked herself upstairs while the bear dug through her trash. Through a satellite link, she made contact with her daughter in the capital city of Reykjavik and requested assistance.

She stayed there, Jensson said, adding that other summer residents in the area had gone home. She knew the danger.

Polar bears are not native to Iceland but occasionally come ashore after traveling on ice floes from Greenland, according to Anna Sveinsdottir, director of scientific collections at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. Many icebergs have been spotted off the north coast in the last few weeks.

Although attacks by polar bears on humans are extremely rare, a study in Wildlife Society Bulletin in 2017 said that the loss of sea ice from global warming has led more hungry bears to land, putting them in greater chance of conflicts with humans and leading to a greater risk to both.

Of 73 documented attacks by polar bears from 1870 to 2014 in Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia, and United States  which killed 20 people and injured 63  15 occurred in the final five years of that period.

The bear shot on Thursday was the first one seen in the country since 2016. Sightings are relatively rare with only 600 recorded in Iceland since the ninth century.

While the bears are a protected species in Iceland and it's forbidden to kill one at sea, they can be killed if they pose a threat to humans or livestock.

After two bears arrived in 2008, a debate over killing the threatened species led the environment minister to appoint a task force to study the issue, the institute said. The task force concluded that killing vagrant bears was the most appropriate response.

The group said the nonnative species posed a threat to people and animals, and the cost of returning them to Greenland, about 300 kilometers (180 miles) away, was exorbitant. It also found there was a healthy bear population in east Greenland where any bear was likely to have come from.

The young bear, which weighed between 150 and 200 kilograms (300 to 400 pounds), will be taken to the institute to study. Scientists took samples from the bear Friday.

They will be checking for parasites and infections and evaluating its physical condition, such as the health of its organs and percentage of body fat, Sveinsdottir said. The pelt and skull may be preserved for the institute's collection.

A Coast Guard helicopter surveyed the area where the bear was found to look for others but didn't find any, police said.

After the shot bear was taken away, the woman who reported it decided to stay longer in the village, Jensson said
Numerous individuals save money all their lives to purchase their dream homes. So, when Martin and Sarah Caton purchased their lavish and dreamy 1.5 million (approx. 16 crore) estate in Cornwall, they were nothing short of ecstatic. However, soon, the glory of their home came down when they discovered that the previous owner stripped it of its most valuable assets. The former owner of the house had taken out valuables before selling it. (Representational Image/@Unsplash)

Bochym Manor, the house that the couple bought, came with a Jacobean oak staircase, a walnut-panelled library and a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book. The gothic-revival house came with 10 bedrooms, secret passageways, and historic stained-glass windows, 13 beautiful holiday homes as part of the estate, reported The Metro. (Also Read: Thief leaves note for family after stealing cash, gold: 'Someone sick in my house...')

However, once the couple entered their new house, they found that the former owner Dr Mark Payne had taken out doors, windows, fireplaces, floors, guttering and even the plumbing and electrics. Not only that, but the holiday homes were completely destroyed and the staircase from the estate's clock tower was torn out.

"I was distraught. It was like a warzone or like a tornado had shredded the place. He took pretty much every door handle and tile off the wall; the locks were removed. There was some very random and bizarre destruction. I don't understand the mentality behind it  it's staggering that you can be that cruel, actually," said Canton to The Metro.

Before they were given the final key to the estate outside Helston, Mr. Caton, and his wife had concerns that something "wasn't quite right" as Dr Payne had found excuses to keep them from seeing the mansion.

They tried to follow their ambition of converting the estate into vacation cottages and a wedding venue, even though they had doubts about the purchase. The couple estimates that the damage to the residences they bought in 2014 has cost them an additional 1.5 million to fix. (Also Read: Indian-origin techie gives tour of his luxurious palatial home in Silicon Valley, internet calls it dream house)

As per The Metro, as soon as they noticed the damage, they informed Cornwall Council and the police, starting a nine-year legal struggle. Without the buyers' permission, sellers are not allowed to remove any fixtures and fittings that are affixed to the property. Permission from local authorities is also required when removing fittings from a listed structure. Police searched Dr Payne's new Cumbrian property and found a few small items, leading them to suspect him of theft, criminal damage, and Planning Act violations.

Fearing that it would not be possible to establish Dr Payne's culpability for the damage, the council dropped the case, and he was freed without being charged. In order to demonstrate what the property looked like when they decided to acquire it and to demonstrate what had been taken, the couple used old photos. They brought their case to the council once more, and this time, an outside attorney they hired informed them that they had "ample evidence" to bring charges. However, the council still refused to pursue Dr Payne.

The removed things were finally restored to the Catons in March of this year following a nine-year legal battle. This was due to Dr Payne's failure to provide evidence or show up for a hearing under the Police Property Act at Truro Magistrates' Court in order to establish who the rightful owner of the objects was.
A woman in Tennessee in the United States was sentenced to 100 months in prison after she hired a contract killer to murder the wife of a man she met on an online dating app. Melody Sasser met the man on Match.com.

Melody Sasser, 48, reportedly paid almost $10,000 in cryptocurrency to an online hitman on the dark website "Online Killers Market" in 2023, court papers show. According to the documents, the website offers hitmen to provide "services" like "hacking, kidnapping, extortion, disfigurement by acid attack, and sexual violence."

Once on the dark website, Sasser chose the username "cattree" and advertised her need for a contractual killer to murder a woman in Alabama's Prattville.

'Needs to seem random'

In her advertisement, she sought a "random" or "accident" killing to get rid of the woman who was later identified as the wife of the man she claimed to have met on Match.com, an online dating platform.

"It needs to seem random or accident, or plant drugs, do not want a long investigation. She recently moved in with her new husband," the Tennessee unit of the US Attorney's office said, quoting her post.

Offering $9,750 in Bitcoin for the job, she added the woman's work and home addresses, her car's license plate number as well as other details to help the killer locate and identify her.

Used fitness app to track victim

After ordering the killing, she regularly tracked the couples locations using a fitness app where users upload their walks and run maps. She even passed on that information to the dark website to help the contract killers know when the man's wife would be out on a run.

However, her request went unnoticed for two months. As she grew impatient, she left threatening voicemails on the woman's phone after distorting her voice through an app, court documents reveal.

"I have waited for two months and 11 days and the job is not completed. 2 weeks ago you said it has been worked on and would be done in a week. The job is still not done. Does it need to be assigned to someone else? Will it be done?What is the delay? When will it be done," Sasser wrote in a follow-up message to the website's administrator.

Online dating turned deadly

According to court documents, Sasser had met the man, identified as DW, on Match.com before he married his future wife, identified as JW.

He told law enforcement officials that Sasser had helped him on a hike along the Appalachian Trail. The two had even hiked together in the Knoxville area before he moved to Alabama.

DW said he suspected Sasser due to the threatening voicemails that had been left on his wifes phone.

When law enforcement searched her house, they found a list of hitman websites, a handwritten note detailing a timeline of her communication with the "Online Killers Market", a bundle of US currency and a Bitcoin address.

She was convicted of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire on June 7, 2023.

Last week, she was sentenced to 100 months or eight years in prison and also ordered to pay over $5,000 to the man's wife as restitution.

(Also Read: US cops pretend to arrest man to help him propose to his girlfriend. Watch)
Handover ceremony of China-aided solar-powered streetlights held in Myanmar

Xinhua) 14:06, September 23, 2024

YANGON, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A handover ceremony for China-aided solar-powered streetlights was held in Yangon on Sunday.

A total of 40 sets of solar-powered streetlights were officially handed over to relevant Myanmar departments. The project was sponsored by China's Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and implemented by Yunnan Commercial Representative Office in Myanmar. It was launched on Feb. 21 this year and has now been completed.

The project installed solar streetlights in Thaketa Township, Yangon, to improve nighttime lighting conditions in local public places, reduce safety risks, and promote green development in the community.

Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries implemented 24 donation projects in Myanmar since 2022. The projects were conducted to optimize infrastructure, develop manufacturing industry and agricultural technology, and facilitate natural disaster relief.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Sept 23 - Concerns over a wider conflict in the Middle East have prompted international airlines to suspend flights to the region or to avoid affected air space. Airlines suspend flights as Middle East tensions rise

Below are some of the airlines that have adjusted services to and from the region:

AIR ALGERIE The Algerian airline suspended flights to and from Lebanon until further notice.

AIRBALTIC Latvia's airBaltic plans to resume flights between Riga and Tel Aviv on Sept. 17, it said via email on Sept. 16.

AIR FRANCE-KLM Air France said on Sept. 17 it had suspended services to Beirut and Tel Aviv until Sept. 19. As of Sept. 23, flight status information on its website showed Beirut flights were cancelled at least until Sept. 24, while Tel Aviv flights had resumed operation. It did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

KLM has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until Oct. 26. The Franco-Dutch group's low-cost unit Transavia cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until March 31, 2025, and flights to Amman and Beirut until Nov. 3.

AIR INDIA The Indian flag carrier suspended scheduled flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice.

CATHAY PACIFIC Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv until March 27, 2025.

DELTA AIR LINES The U.S. carrier said it will pause its flights between New York and Tel Aviv through Dec. 31.

EASYJET The UK budget airline stopped flying to and from Tel Aviv in April and will resume flights on March 30, 2025, a spokesperson said.

IAG IAG-owned Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling cancelled its operations to Tel Aviv until Jan. 12, 2025, it said in an e-mailed comment. Flights to Amman have been cancelled until further notice, the airline added.

LOT The Polish flag carrier suspended flights to Lebanon until further notice, while flights to Tel Aviv were operating regularly, it said in an emailed comment on Sept. 20.

LUFTHANSA GROUP The German airline group said it was suspending all connections to and from Tel Aviv and Tehran until Sept. 24, while flights to Beirut will be suspended until Oct. 26.

RYANAIR Europe's biggest budget airline cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until Oct. 26, citing "operational restrictions."

SUNDAIR The German airline cancelled all flights between Bremen and Beirut until Oct. 23.

SUNEXPRESS SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, suspended flights to Beirut through Dec. 17.

UNITED AIRLINES The Chicago-based airline suspended flights to Tel Aviv for the foreseeable future due to security reasons.

LEBANESE AIRSPACE ALERTS Britain advised UK airlines not to enter Lebanese airspace from Aug. 8 until Nov. 4 citing "potential risk to aviation from military activity".

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
SINGORE, Sept 23 - A liquefied natural gas vessel managed by a company in India has berthed at Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project, following five previous cargo loadings onto vessels managed by companies under U.S. sanctions, data showed. The Arctic LNG 2 by Novatek is among the projects subject to Western sanctions imposed due to Russia's conflict with Ukraine. The Mulan LNG vessel berthed at the plant on Sept. 22, data from Kpler and LSEG showed. From Aug. 8-28, the vessel was managed by Mumbai-based Plio Energy Cargo Shipping, according to data from Equasis. The U.S. state department had imposed sanctions on Plio Energy on Sept. 5 for its attempt to export LNG from Arctic LNG 2. Since Aug. 29, Skyhart Management Services with an address in Haryana, India took over as the vessel's manager. Skyhart Management did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not find contact information for Plio Energy. Below are the previous cargo loadings that have taken place at the Arctic LNG 2 plant so far, according to data from Kpler and LSEG: Loading date Vessel Cargo info Aug. 1, 2024 Pioneer Conducted ship-to-ship transfer of cargo with New Energy LNG vessel north of Port Said, Egypt Aug. 10, 2024 Asya Energy Discharged cargo at a floating storage unit in Murmansk, north Russia on Sept. 4 Aug. 25, 2024 Everest Energy Discharged cargo at a floating storage unit in Murmansk, north Russia on Aug. 29 Sept. 6, 2024 Everest Energy Loaded vessel moved east from Arctic LNG 2 along the Northern Sea Route, discharged cargo at a floating storage unit in Kamchatka Sept. 14, 2024 Asya Energy Loaded vessel moved east from Arctic LNG 2 along the Northern Sea Route

Another LNG vessel berths at Russia's Arctic LNG 2, data shows
In a year of war between Israel and Hamas, the people of Gaza have lost nearly everything: their loved ones, their homes, their careers and their dreams. Bereaved and destitute: Gazans a year after October 7

AFP spoke to a student, a paramedic and a former civil servant in Gaza, to hear how the conflict has destroyed their lives.

Here are their stories:

Fares al-Farra, 19, was as brilliant at school as he was ambitious.

Two months before October 7 last year, he graduated with top marks and enrolled in Gaza's University College of Applied Sciences to study artificial intelligence and data science.

"I had many ambitions and goals, and I was always confident that one day I would achieve them," he said.

Days after Hamas's attack sparked the Gaza war, the Israeli military bombed part of the university.

Farra and his family fled their home in the southern city of Khan Yunis as it became a battleground, forcing them to shelter for months in a makeshift camp.

They returned home when Israeli troops withdrew from the area, only for it to then be bombed, demolishing the walls, breaking Farra's arm and killing his close friend Abu Hassan.

"He always took care of me," Farra said of his friend, who experienced with him forced displacement. "He was a good person."

The hardship of war has chipped away at Farra's optimism and his hopes for an education.

"It feels like all paths are closed," he said.

He fears his dreams will no longer be a priority once the war ends.

"There will be more basic needs" to fulfil, he said.

Still, he said he longs for an end to the conflict, and that he can "achieve dreams and goals".

Maha Wafi, 43, said she "really, really loves" her job as a paramedic in Khan Yunis, because she finds meaning in being able to help others.

"We go to the people to tell them: 'we hear you'," she said.

She also loved her life with Anis, her husband of 24 years, their five children and their beautiful house.

But the war forced her family to flee their home and seek shelter in a camp, just as the flow of wounded and sick increased due to the relentless bombardment, piling pressure on Gaza's poorly equipped medical workers.

Then, in early December, Wafi's husband was arrested. She has not seen him since.

She worries for her partner, but she must face the hardships of war alone. She takes care of their five children while continuing to work as a paramedic.

"You're living in a tent... you have to bring water, fetch gas, light a fire and deal with the hardships of everything," she said.

"All of this is psychological pressure on a working woman," Wafi said, sitting by her ambulance, before scrubbing blood from its floor.

During the war, she has seen people killed and maimed. She narrowly escaped death when a strike hit a vehicle right next to her ambulance.

All she longs for now, she said, is for her husband to be released, and for life to go back to the way it was before the war.

"I don't want anything more than how it was before October 7," she said.

Until October 7, Maher Zino, 39, lived a life of "beautiful routine" as a government employee earning what he described as a decent wage.

Together with his wife Fatima, they were raising their three children in Gaza City.

A year on, they have been displaced "so many times that it's hard for me to count", he said from his shelter in an olive grove in central Gaza.

Moving from Gaza City to Khan Yunis in the south, to Rafah by the Egyptian border, and then back to central Gaza, the family had to start from scratch each time.

"Set up a tent, build a bathroom, buy basic furniture, and find clothes because you've left everything behind," he said.

Sometimes, they were able to find cover before nightfall.

Others, they've had to sleep on the street, said Zino, who said he'd "never needed anyone" before the war.

In the shelter they now live in, Zino and his wife have managed to create a semblance of domestic life with a place to sleep, a water tank and a makeshift toilet.

He, too, said he wished things could go back to the way they were before.

"I became a beggar," he said, pleading for blankets to keep his family warm and searching "for charity kitchens to give me a plate of food just to feed my children".

"That's what the war did to us," he said.

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This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
When Ruben Dario Carianil began cultivating the unusual, pointy Inirida flower in the Colombian Amazon ten years ago, his relatives made fun of him for growing "weeds." Colombia's Inirida flower: from 'weed' to emblem for UN meeting

Today, the 63-year-old Carianil, of the Curripako tribe, grows tons of the curious blooms on a plot outside Inirida the jungle city of 30,000 people from which the flower took its name.

Carianil exports Inirida cuttings to the United States, Europe and Asia, and soon even more foreigners will be introduced to the rare blossom as the emblem of a UN biodiversity conference to be held in Cali from October 21 to November 1.

"I'm very happy," Carianil told AFP of his success, which he sees as helping, not harming, the environment.

"For us, Nature, the forest, is life. We Indigenous people respect it and we live in harmony with Nature without damaging it."

Inirida flowers once grew abundantly in the wild in the region. Over-picking led to a dramatic reduction and the government in 1989 prohibited harvesting.

The ban remained in place until 2005, when the door was opened for Inirida's commercial cultivation as long as wild populations remained untouched.

So far, only Carianil's farm has managed to grow, and get a licence to market, the red flowers with their hard, spikey, finger-like petals.

He was helped in the domestication process by biologist Mateo Fernandez.

At first, Carianil's blooms sold at the local airport, then in the Colombian capital Bogota some 700 kilometers away, then further afield.

In 2022, the first box of Inirida blooms was delivered to China from Colombia, one of the world's top flower growers and exporters.

Carianil runs the business with his wife Martha Toledo and their children.

On a plot of some 20 hectares , the Inirida crops share space with a variety of native shrubs and even a patch of undisturbed forest.

From the air, the farm looks very different from the flower plantations abundant in Colombia's Andean regions with their rows upon rows of monoculture, often in plastic greenhouses.

Fertilizers and pesticides are banned on Carianil's farm, and only Indigenous farming methods used.

"When you buy a flower from Inirida, you take a piece of the jungle home with you," said Toledo.

They call the enterprise "Liwi: Eternal flowers" as the buds retain their shape years after being cut, even when dried.

It is this longevity that inspired the choice of the Inirida as the logo for the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

"This is a flower that never dies, its petals never fall apart. We hope that the COP16 in Colombia can help the world to make peace with Nature, so that we can sustain and maintain life on the planet forever," says Environment Minister Susana Muhamad.

The flower is native to Colombia's eastern Guainia department, of which Inirida is the capital, and a part of the neighboring Venezuelan Amazon.

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This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
WASHINGTON - The World Bank Group said on Monday that Denmark has pledged to contribute about $491.7 million to the bank's latest replenishment of its fund for the poorest countries, a 40% increase over the country's previous contribution. Denmark pledges $491.7 million to World Bank IDA fund for poorest countries

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The World Bank Group is aiming to close a record replenishment of the International Development Association's funding by December, topping the previous $93 billion replenishment in December 2021. But the campaign to raise over $100 billion comes at a time of tight fiscal resources as many wealthier countries pare back spending as their recoveries from COVID-19 slow.

Denmark's pledge of 3.3 billion kroner , announced at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, represents a major commitment to development and progress toward the goal as financing needs are rising in debt-strapped low-income countries.

The World Bank also called it a "deliverable" to African leaders, who have called for an ambitious IDA funding increase.

KEY QUOTES:

"We all want a more prosperous and equitable world. This financial commitment signifies Denmark's resolve and dedication in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. I am proud to answer the call from our African partners for more funding," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said a statement released by the World Bank. "We urge other countries to join forces with us."

World Bank President Ajay Banga said the donation will have a "tangible impact on people's lives," adding that every dollar raised by IDA can be multiplied by four times through the bank's own borrowing capacity.

"It's the best deal in development," Banga said of IDA.

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Jerusalem, An event planned for Monday to pay tribute to brave Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I to liberate the northern Israeli coastal city of Haifa from Ottoman rule has been cancelled due to escalating tensions in West Asia. Event commemorating liberation of Haifa by Indian soldiers cancelled due to tensions in region

Israel and Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah have carried out widespread strikes on each other, raising tensions, and prompting Israel Home Front command to issue precautionary advisory to citizens.

Outdoor gatherings of up to ten and indoor gatherings of up to a hundred people, close to protected shelters, are currently allowed.

"Due to the current situation, the Haifa Day commemoration, planned for September 23, 2024 in Haifa, by the Embassy of India, is being cancelled," an official communication said.

The Indian Army commemorates September 23 every year as Haifa Day to pay its respects to the three brave Indian Cavalry Regiments - Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur Lancers - that helped liberate Haifa following a dashing cavalry action by the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade.

An event to pay tributes to the brave Indian soldiers is also organised every year at the Indian soldiers' cemetery in Haifa by the Indian mission and Haifa municipality, which coincidentally was also planned for September 23 this year.

In what most war historians consider the last great cavalry campaign in history, Indian cavalry regiments armed with spears and swords displayed the highest tradition of valour and cleared the Ottoman forces from the rocky slopes of Mount Carmel under all odds on September 23, 1918.

Captain Aman Singh Bahadur and Dafadar Jor Singh were awarded the Indian Order of Merit and Captain Anop Singh and 2nd Lt Sagat Singh were awarded the Military Cross as recognition for their bravery in this battle.

Major Dalpat Singh, widely popular as the Hero of Haifa, was awarded a military cross for his bravery.

Accompanied only by his trumpeter, Dalpat Singh charged an entrenched machine gun post, killing and scattering the crew.

Dalpat Singh was critically injured with machine gun bullets in his spine, which ultimately cost his life.

As a result, Captain Aman Bahadur Singh took over command of the regiment and rallied his men in the final charge that led to victory under heavy machine gun fire.

The Jodhpur Lancers lost eight men and had 34 wounded. But they also captured over 700 prisoners, 17 field guns and 11 machine guns.

The battle was described as "almost the only occasion when a fortified town was captured by cavalry on the gallop".

Indian troops played a crucial role in the campaign resulting in the defeat of the Ottoman forces in the region. More than 74,000 Indian troops laid down their lives during World War I, including over 4,000 in West Asia.

In Israel, memorials to Indian soldiers exist at Haifa, Jerusalem and Ramle, including some Indian soldiers who were of Jewish descent.

About 900 Indian soldiers are interred in cemeteries in these cities of Israel.

As a tribute to the bravery of these soldiers, the Embassy of India with the help of Israeli authorities is setting up "The India Trail" in Israel.

Over 1 million Indian soldiers served and fought in World War I.

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* Iran's Guards ban communications devices after strike on Hezbollah, security officials say

IRGC inspects all devices, concerned about Israeli infiltration, security official says

*

Attacks on Hezbollah communications devices killed 39, injured 3,000

*

Iran increases security at nuclear, missile sites, security official says

Sept 23 - Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps has ordered all members to stop using any type of communication devices after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by its Hezbollah allies in Lebanon blew up in deadly attacks last week, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters.

One of the security officials said a large-scale operation is underway by the IRGC to inspect all devices, not just communication equipment. He said most of these devices were either homemade or imported from China and Russia.

Iran was concerned about infiltration by Israeli agents, including Iranians on Israel's payroll and a thorough investigation of personnel has already begun, targeting mid and high-ranking members of the IRGC, added the official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

"This includes scrutiny of their bank accounts both in Iran and abroad, as well as their travel history and that of their families," the security official said.

Iran's Foreign, Defence and Interior Ministries were not immediately available to respond to the comments made by the security officials to Reuters.

In a coordinated attack, the pager devices detonated on Tuesday across Hezbollah's strongholds. On Wednesday, hundreds of Hezbollah walkie-talkies exploded. The attacks killed 39 people and injured more than 3,000 people.

Lebanon and Hezbollah say Israel was behind the attacks. Israel has neither denied nor confirmed involvement.

The security official declined to give details on how the IRGC force, comprising 190,000 personnel, are communicating. "For now, we are using end-to-end encryption in messaging systems," he said.

According to the same official, there is widespread concern among Iran's ruling establishment. IRGC officials have reached out to Hezbollah for technical assessments, and several examples of exploded devices have been sent to Tehran for examination by Iranian experts.

MISSILE, NUCLEAR FACILITIES

Another Iranian official said the Islamic Republic's main concern was the protection of the country's nuclear and missile facilities, particularly those underground.

"But since last year, security measures at those sites have increased significantly," he said in reference to stepped up measures after what Iranian authorities said was Israel's attempt to sabotage Iran's missile program in 2023. Israel has never commented on this.

"There has never, ever been such tight security and extreme measures in place as there are now," he added, suggesting that security has been significantly increased beyond previous levels after the pager explosions in Lebanon.

The IRGC is a powerful political, military and economic force in Iran with close ties to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Set up after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the clerical ruling system, it has its own ground force, navy and air force that oversee Iran's strategic weapons.

It exerts influence in the Middle East through its overseas operations arm, the Al Quds Force, by providing money, weapons, technology and training to allied groups: Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Yemen's Houthis and militias in Iraq.

Iran's military uses a range of encrypted communication devices, including walkie-talkies, for secure communication, said the first Iranian source. While specific models and brands might vary, Iranian military communications equipment was often developed domestically or sourced from a combination of local and foreign suppliers, he said.

He said Iran's armed forces have stopped using pagers for over two decades.

Tehran has developed its own military-grade radio transmissions through its defence industry to avoid reliance on foreign imports, especially due to Western sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program, he added.

However, in the past, Iran has imported communication devices from countries such as China and Russia and even Japan.

Iran and Israel have been locked in a shadow war for decades, with mutual allegations of sabotage and assassination plots.

The conflict, including between Israel and Hezbollah, has intensified in the past year in parallel with the Gaza war, which erupted after the Palestinian Hamas group attacked southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7.

Iran and Hezbollah have blamed Israel for assassinating Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah's most senior military commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut a few hours earlier in July. Israel said it killed Shukr but it has not confirmed it was behind Haniyeh's death.

Iran does not recognise Israel's right to exist. Khamenei has previously called Israel a "cancerous tumour" that "will undoubtedly be uprooted and destroyed".

Israel believes that Iran poses an existential threat. It also accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, though Iran denies seeking to build a nuclear bomb.

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* Israel not facing effective pressure, Greece says

Greece seeks to act as Middle East peace broker

*

'We are friends of Israel,' foreign minister says

By John Irish

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 23 - Israel is not facing sufficient pressure to end the war in Gaza and the escalation in Lebanon is a minefield that the international community may not be able to deal with, Greece's foreign minister said on Monday.

Greece was elected as a member of the United Nations Security Council for 2025-2026 earlier this year, and Athens believes the country's historical ties with the Arab world and Israel give it credibility to act as a peace broker.

"It seems that there is no effective pressure upon Israel. We are friends of Israel, and we're strategic partners of Israel, and we're trying to be as open and sincere with them," George Gerapetritis told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Greece condemned the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas Islamist militants against Israel but has called for a halt to Israel's ground and air assault on Gaza that Palestinian authorities say has killed more than 41,000 people and flattened whole cities.

"The truth is that at the moment there is a continuous, very strong reaction on the part of Israel," he said after a meeting with European Union and Arab foreign ministers.

Gerapetritis said it was crucial that Arabs and Europeans pursue joint rather than disparate initiatives that could weigh on Israel but that the escalation at the Israel-Lebanon border of the last few days showed a collective international failure.

"We have not prevented the spillover, and the more dispersed the war becomes, the more the situation becomes more complicated to be solved," he said. "Lebanon could easily be a zone of tremendous hostility, and this is something that we cannot deal with. It's a clear minefield."

Since June, Greece has been seeking to convince member states in Europe to join a project to temporarily bring children hurt and traumatised by war in Gaza to the European Union.

He said those talks, along with logistical coordination with Palestinians and Israelis, were ongoing and he hoped they would bear fruit soon. He said Greece could take in some 500 children for its part.

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Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa said on Monday she will meet her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a visit to New York to discuss the fatal stabbing of a schoolboy. Japan FM to meet Chinese counterpart over boy's fatal stabbing

After the attack last week in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida demanded an explanation and urged China to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens.

"The recent incident in Shenzhen, where a child at a Japanese school was attacked and killed, was very tragic," Kamikawa told reporters at the airport in Tokyo ahead of the trip.

"We will... strongly urge China to provide a clear explanation of the facts and ensure the safety of Japanese people, especially children," she said, according to Japan's foreign ministry.

She said Japan will spend 43 million yen to immediately ramp up the security of Japanese schools in China.

Kamikawa is traveling to New York from Monday for three days to attend the United Nations general assembly.

Japan's vice foreign minister meanwhile was sent to Beijing to discuss the stabbing with Chinese officials on Monday.

Last week, Beijing expressed "regret and sadness" for what it called an isolated incident that "could happen in any country".

Japanese media reported that the boy was a 10-year-old Japanese national living in Shenzhen, while Beijing's foreign ministry said his parents were Japanese and Chinese citizens, respectively.

Police detained a 44-year-old man suspected of stabbing the child.

While it remains unclear if the attack was politically motivated, it happened on September 18, the anniversary of the 1931 "Mukden incident" or "Manchurian incident", which is known in China as a day of national humiliation.

In June, a Japanese mother and child were injured in another knife attack in Suzhou near Shanghai, which China's foreign ministry described at the time as an "isolated incident".

A 55-year-old Chinese woman died attempting to stop the assailant and was honoured by the local government after her death.

Relations between the countries have worsened as China grows more assertive in territorial disputes in the region, and as Japan boosts security ties with the United States and its allies.

But Beijing announced last week it would "gradually resume" importing seafood from Japan after a ban in August last year over the release of water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Last week, Japan said a Chinese aircraft carrier sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan for the first time.

Tokyo slammed the incident as "totally unacceptable", while China said it had complied with international law.

nf/kaf/fox

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Israel unleashed its most widespread wave of airstrikes against hundreds of Hezbollah targets on Monday, killing at least 100 people by Lebanese tallies, and warned citizens to evacuate areas where it said the armed group was storing weapons. Smoke billows from a site targeted by Israeli shelling in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam in Marjeyoun on September 23, 2024. The Israeli military on September 23 told people in Lebanon to move away from Hezbollah targets and vowed to carry out more "extensive and precise" strikes against the Iran-backed group. (AFP)

The latest attacks come amid some of the heaviest cross-border exchanges of fire in almost a year of conflict, as Israel shifts its focus to its northern border, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of its ally Hamas, which is fighting a war with Israel in Gaza.

"We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon, the actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes," Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a video published by his office on Monday.

"These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure."

He was speaking after the Israeli military targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon's south, eastern Bekaa valley and northern region near Syria.

Lebanon's health ministry said at least 100 people had been killed, including women, children and medics, and more than 300 injured in Israel's strikes on Monday.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a post on X that so far, more than 300 Hezbollah targets have been struck after earlier warning that airstrikes on houses in Lebanon, in which "Hezbollah hid weapons" were imminent.

In response, Hezbollah said on Monday it had launched rockets at Israeli military posts.

The airstrikes have intensified pressure on Hezbollah, which last week suffered an attack its Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah called unprecedented in the history of the group, after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by its members exploded.

The operation was widely blamed on Israel, which has not confirmed or denied responsibility.

In another major blow, an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb on Friday targeted senior Hezbollah commanders killing 45 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Hezbollah said 16 members of the group were among the dead, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and another commander, Ahmed Wahbi.

One person was slightly hurt by shrapnel from the latest rocket barrage at northern Israel, according to the Israeli ambulance service.

Imad Kreidieh, the head of Lebanese telecoms company Ogero, told Reuters on Monday that more than 80,000 automated calls asking people to evacuate their areas were detected on the network. Not all were answered.

Such calls were "psychological warfare to make havoc and chaos", he added.

On Monday, residents of southern Lebanon received calls from a Lebanese number ordering them to immediately distance themselves 1,000 metres (0.6 mile) from any post used by Hezbollah, a Reuters reporter in the south, who received the call, said.

Evacuation calls have been received on phones as far as the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

'PSYCHOLOGICAL WAR'

Lebanon's information minister Ziad Makary said his ministry had received a call ordering the building to evacuate, but said the ministry would do no such thing. "This is a psychological war," Makary told Reuters.

In the eastern Beirut district of Sassine, state employee Joseph Ghafary said he feared that Hezbollah would respond to Israel's intensified strikes and that a full-blown war would break out.

"If Hezbollah carries out a major operation, Israel will respond and destroy more than this. We can't bear it," he said.

"Israel wants to strike, it wants to keep going, meaning it is squeezing Sayyed Hassan (Nasrallah) to start a war. It is definitely dangerous."

Mohammed Sibai, a shopowner in the Beirut neighbourhood of Hamra, told Reuters that he saw the escalation in strikes as "the beginning of the war." "If they want war, what can we do? It was imposed on us. We cannot do anything," he said.

In a televised statement earlier, the Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the evacuation warning was being "distributed in Arabic on all networks and platforms in Lebanon."

Asked by reporters about a possible Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon, Hagari said "we will do whatever is needed" in order to return evacuated residents of northern Israel to their homes safely, a war priority for the Israeli government.

Hagari presented in a media briefing an aerial video of what he described as Hezbollah operatives trying to launch cruise missiles from a civilian house in Lebanon, and the subsequent Israeli strike moments before it was launched.

"Hezbollah is endangering you. Endangering you and your families," Hagari said.

LOW FLYING WARPLANES

Israeli warplanes carried out an intense wave of air strikes on towns along Lebanons southern border and even further north on Monday morning, according to Reuters witnesses.

A rocket hit an uninhabited mountainside east of the Lebanese port city of Byblos on Monday, a resident and Lebanese state media said, in an area that has not previously been hit by airstrikes. The area falls between Christian and Shi'ite villages.

Reuters reporters in the southern port city of Tyre could hear warplanes flying low over southern Lebanon and hear a series of airstrikes nearby.

Warplanes also carried out airstrikes on the Hermel area in northern Lebanon, Hezbollah's al-Manar reported.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, Tom Perry and Maya Gebeily and Emilie Madi in Beirut; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Stephen Coates and Sharon Singleton)
By Joshua McElwee Pope Francis cancels meetings due to mild flu, Vatican says

VATICAN CITY, Sept 23 -

Pope Francis cancelled his scheduled appointments for Monday due to a mild flu, the Vatican said in a statement.

The Vatican said the 87-year-old pontiff made the decision as a precautionary measure in view of his planned four-day trip to Luxembourg and Belgium later this week but it gave no further details.

Francis is scheduled to begin the trip, his 46th foreign visit as pope, on Thursday. It comes less than two weeks after he returned from a

demanding

12-day, four-country tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Francis now regularly uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain. He has also suffered bouts of ill health in recent years. Earlier this year, he

cancelled

several appointments over what the Vatican variously described as a cold, bronchitis and influenza.

The pope appeared in good form throughout his Sept. 2-13 trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. He maintained a packed schedule, headlining more than 40 events, and clocked up a total of nearly 33,000 km .

His trip to Luxembourg and Belgium is expected to highlight the needs of migrants in Europe and to include a meeting with survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy.

Francis' agenda in Luxembourg and Belgium will be lighter than that of the Southeast Asia and Oceania trip, with the pope scheduled to take part in about a dozen events over four days.

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Singapore, Singapore could see a shrink in population without immigration in about 10 years, a demographic change which will have far-reaching consequences, including on the size of the city-state's workforce and economic dynamism, a media report said on Monday. Potential shrink in Singapore's population could impact economy: Report

On September 9, Minister in the Prime Ministers Office Indranee Rajah said in a reply to a parliamentary question: Based on current trends, the number of citizen deaths could exceed the number of citizen births in the first half of the 2030s.

There were 24,726 citizen deaths in 2023. This was a 40 per cent jump from 17,691 deaths in 2014, The Straits Times newspaper reported.

In contrast, citizen births fell 13 per cent over the same time period. There were 28,877 births in 2023 and 33,193 in 2014, the report said.

Citizen births refer to those of babies who have at least one Singaporean parent, as such babies automatically get Singapore citizenship at birth.

In her reply, Indranee said the projections are meant to illustrate the growth and change in population that could happen if certain demographic assumptions prevail over the projected period. These assumptions may or may not be realised, she added.

Dr Tan Poh Lin, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, said the actual year in which deaths overtake births is not that significant.

More critical is the pace at which the difference between the number of deaths and births continues to grow, as the rapid speed of change in the population and workforce size will make it more difficult for society and the economy to adjust, she was quoted as saying in the report.

The main implications of a shrinking population are that the resident labour force would start to decline, and all economic activity tied to population numbers would also face a stagnant or declining market, said Associate Professor Walter Theseira, a labour economist from the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

He added: Any economic activity catering to the domestic consumption sector, such as our food and beverage and retail, would suffer significant drag from a declining resident population.

Dr Leong Chan-Hoong, head of the Social Cohesion Research Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, said an older population would also potentially place a heavier tax burden on adults of working age.

Singapores population stood at 5.92 million as of June 2023, growing 5 per cent from 5.64 million the previous year, the report said.

From June 2022 to June 2023, the citizen population rose by 1.6 per cent to 3.61 million, while the permanent resident population increased by 3.7 per cent to 0.54 million. The non-resident population, which includes foreigners working or studying in Singapore, grew by 13.1 per cent from 1.56 million in June 2022 to 1.77 million in June 2023, according to the Population-In-Brief 2023 report.

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Sept 23 - Russian forces launched the latest of a series of strikes on Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday evening, killing one person, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said. Russian forces make new strike on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia, killing one, governor says

A city official, quoted by public broadcaster Suspilne, put the injury toll at five, including a 13-year-old girl.

Strikes on the city earlier in the day and the previous night wounded at least 23.

Fedorov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said two houses were destroyed in the latest attack, though it was unclear what type of weapon was used. Russian forces also hit infrastructure in the city, triggering a fire that emergency services quickly brought under control with no casualties.

A Russian missile strike earlier in the day hit critical infrastructure and injured at least two people, Fedorov said. Another landed in an open area.

Late on Sunday, Russia launched at least seven air strikes, wounding 21 people and damaging 13 apartment buildings, educational institutions, cars and garages, Fedorov said. He said Russian forces had likely used guided aerial bombs.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports. Russia denies targeting civilians, but thousands have been killed and injured since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine's emergency services posted a video on its Facebook page showing rescuers trying to remove debris outside an entrance to an apartment building and attending to wounded people at night in front of a damaged residential building.

Russia also launched two guided air missiles and four attack drones targeting Ukraine overnight, Ukraine's air force said. Three drones were shot down over the northeastern Sumy region. Air defences intercepted the two missiles and one drone.

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* Top UN officials on Gaza: 'These atrocities must end'

UN officials demand safe access for aid workers in Gaza

*

Nearly 300 humanitarian workers killed, 500 attacks on healthcare recorded

*

Australia and other nations to develop declaration for aid worker protection

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 23 - Leading United Nations officials demanded on Monday "an end to the appalling human suffering and humanitarian catastrophe" in the Gaza Strip, nearly a year into the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.

"These atrocities must end," they said in a statement signed by the heads of U.N. agencies that include UNICEF and the World Food Programme along with other aid groups as world leaders gathered in New York for the annual U.N. General Assembly.

"Humanitarians must have safe and unimpeded access to those in need," the statement said. "We cannot do our jobs in the face of overwhelming need and ongoing violence."

The U.N. has long complained of obstacles to getting aid into Gaza during the war and distributing it amid "total lawlessness" in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Nearly 300 humanitarian aid workers, more than two-thirds of them U.N. staff, have been killed.

"The risk of famine persists with all 2.1 million residents still in urgent need of food and livelihood assistance as humanitarian access remains restricted," the U.N. officials said. "Healthcare has been decimated. More than 500 attacks on healthcare have been recorded in Gaza."

Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the United Kingdom said on Monday they would team up to develop a declaration for the protection of humanitarian personnel and invite all countries to sign.

"2024 is on track to be the deadliest year on record for aid workers," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

"Australia felt this deeply with the IDF's strike against World Central Kitchen vehicles in April, which killed Australian Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues," she said, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

"Gaza is the deadliest place on earth to be an aid worker," she said.

Israel's military has apologised and dismissed two senior commanders involved in the WCK strikes. Three other commanders were formally reprimanded. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were unintended and tragic.

The war in the Palestinian enclave began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages back to Hamas-run Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, Israel's military has leveled swathes of the Palestinian enclave, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease and killing more than 41,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities who do not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.

The Israeli military says it takes steps to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and that at least a third of the Palestinian fatalities are militants. It accuses Hamas of using Palestinian civilians as human shields, which Hamas denies.

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Donald Trump took to Truth Social to repost an endorsement post by Ameer Ghalib, the mayor of the only city in the United States with an all-Muslim government. Ghalib leads the city of Hamtramck in Michigan. Ameer Ghalib, mayor of only Muslim-run US city, endorses Trump (Ameer Ghalib/Facebook)

Taking to Facebook to endorse the former president for Novembers presidential election, Ghalib wrote, Let me be clear, so our expectations are realistic.

President Trump and I may not agree on everything, but I know he is a man of principles, he further wrote. Though its looking good, he may or may not win the election and be the 47th president of the United States, but I believe he is the right choice for this critical time. Ill not regret my decision no matter what the outcome would be, and Im ready to face the consequences.

He added, For this, and for many other reasons, I announce my support and endorsement for the former, and hopefully, the next president of the United States, Donald Trump. Now, let the Caravan begin its journey. This is just the starting point.

I was very impressed with him

Trump later told Breitbart News that he is excited that Ghalib endorsed him.I was very impressed with him and he was a very big fan of the Trump administration because he saw no wars  outside of defeating ISIS, but I inherited that  but there were no wars, Trump told the outlet.

There was no October 7. There was no Russian attack on Ukraine. He sees that and he told me  he saw a world that was at peace. Now, we have a world thats going to end up in World War 3 and I can stop that. Im the only one thats going to stop that, he added.

Trump also said he is eager to go to Hamtramck for a campaign event, where he can meet with leaders of the Arab American community who are unhappy with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris administrations failures. The answer is if the opportunity presents itself I would do that, Trump said on being asked if he would hold a rally in Hamtramck. It cant remain the way it is now with the hatred thats going around.

Ghalib, a Democrat and a Yemeni immigrant, represents one of the biggest Muslim communities in Michigans Wayne County. He was one of the leaders who got Muslim Democrats to vote Uncommitted against Biden in the Democratic primary in Michigan earlier this year. In the general election, this movement transformed into the Abandon Biden effort, and has now become the Abandon Harris movement.
By Gabriella Borter and Andrea Shalal Biden designates UAE as a second major defense partner after India

WASHINGTON, Sept 23 - President Joe Biden recognized the United Arab Emirates as a major defense partner of the United States on Monday after talks with its president on topics that included the war in Gaza and growing Middle East instability.

The U.S. designation - India is the only other country to have been designated as such - allows for close military cooperation through joint training, exercises and other collaborative efforts.

Biden and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for "urgent, unhindered" humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and shared their commitment to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in a statement after their meeting.

At the start of the meeting, Biden said he had been briefed on the latest developments between Israel and Lebanon, where Lebanese officials said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 492 people on Monday.

"My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and we're working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return to their home safely," he said.

Their joint statement touched on the Gulf state's involvement in the Sudan conflict, with both stressing that there was no military solution to the war, which has triggered the world's largest displacement crisis.

They also underscored plans to deepen cooperation on space exploration, clean energy and artificial intelligence, where the UAE has launched ambitious plans drawing interest from U.S. geopolitical rival China.

Vice President Kamala Harris met separately with the UAE leader, but the talks were closed to press.

"The vice president raised her deep concerns about the conflict in Sudan," the White House said. "She expressed alarm at the millions of individuals who have been displaced by the war and the atrocities committed by the belligerents against the civilian population."

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By Gabriella Borter and Andrea Shalal Biden designates UAE as a second major defense partner after India

WASHINGTON -President Joe Biden recognized the United Arab Emirates as a major defense partner of the United States on Monday after talks with its president on topics that included the war in Gaza and growing Middle East instability.

The U.S. designation - India is the only other country to have been designated as such - allows for close military cooperation through joint training, exercises and other collaborative efforts.

Biden and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for "urgent, unhindered" humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and shared their commitment to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in a statement after their meeting.

At the start of the meeting, Biden said he had been briefed on the latest developments between Israel and Lebanon, where Lebanese officials said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 492 people on Monday.

"My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and we're working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return to their home safely," he said.

Their joint statement touched on the Gulf state's involvement in the Sudan conflict, with both stressing that there was no military solution to the war, which has triggered the world's largest displacement crisis.

They also underscored plans to deepen cooperation on space exploration, clean energy and artificial intelligence, where the UAE has launched ambitious plans drawing interest from U.S. geopolitical rival China.

Vice President Kamala Harris met separately with the UAE leader, but the talks were closed to press.

"The vice president raised her deep concerns about the conflict in Sudan," the White House said. "She expressed alarm at the millions of individuals who have been displaced by the war and the atrocities committed by the belligerents against the civilian population."

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
By Trevor Hunnicutt Biden to meet Vietnamese president on Wednesday, White House says

WASHINGTON -U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Vietnam's President and ruling Communist Party Chief To Lam on Wednesday, the White House said on Sunday.

The meeting, reported first by Reuters, is expected to take place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Biden has been eager to deepen relations with the strategic Southeast Asian country and manufacturing hub in a bid to counter Russia and China, with which Vietnam also retains ties.

Last September, Biden visited Vietnam and secured deals on semiconductors and minerals and an upgrade to Hanoi's highest diplomatic status, alongside China and Russia.

In his first U.S. trip since he was named in early August as head of the party, the country's most powerful job, Lam will speak at the U.N. event and meet with representatives from several U.S. corporations, including Alphabet's Google and Facebook owner Meta, Reuters previously reported.

Ahead of To Lam's trip to the United States, authorities in communist-ruled Vietnam had released some prominent activists from prison before the end of their jail terms, sources told Reuters.

They include Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in January 2010 on charges of subversion, and environment activist Hoang Thi Minh Hong who was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of tax fraud in September last year.

Lam's trip also includes a stop in Cuba, Vietnam's long-term Communist partner.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Bill Maher blasted Kamala Harris for her Middle East policy, saying the vice president isfull of s when it comes to this. The Real Time host, during the panel discussion on Friday, September 20, described what is believed to be Israels stealth operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon by detonating their walkie-talkies and pagers. Dozens of terrorist operatives died and several others were wounded. Bill Maher blasts Kamala Harris for her Middle East policy (Janet Van Ham / HBO, photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

"Heres what Kamala Harris said this week about what we should do when the war is over: No reoccupation of Gaza, no changing of the territorial lines of Gaza and an ability to have security in the region for all concerned in a way that we create stability. I feel like if thats what you have to say, dont say anything. Just shut up, Maher said.

I mean, everybody who talks about Israel these days is just so full of st. Maher continued. I dont want children to die. Duh. Who does? None of us want children to die. None of us want this war to go on, but its not addressing what the problem is.

He added, The problem is that one side wants a two-state solution, or at least always did. Its a little more right-wing now, Im talking about Israel, but that still has been their position. One side never did and still doesnt. One side uses terrorism to get their goals. One side retaliates against terrorism. One side is accused of genocide, but doesnt do it. The other side actually would love to do it. People keep saying Israel has the right to defend itself, and then whatever Israel does, they object to it.

Tonight Im saying- I think its over

Maher, despite what he said, has predicted that Harris will win after her presidential debate performance against Donald Trump. Im gonna make this a very momentous night with a prediction, Maher said last week. Because I have the credibility for this prediction, because I had been called a Trump alarmist for a very long time. They were wrong, I was right- he wasnt gonna leave power. But ever since then and since the [Access Hollywood] tape and he survived that. Every time hes done crazy s and gotten himself in trouble, I said No, no. Its not over.'

Tonight Im saying- I think its over, he added, as his liberal audience cheered.

Maher further said, Even before we were around, there was a guy named Joe McCarthy in the early 50s, and he had a hold on America Two or three years, he was the biggest thing, and then it was just- and I feel like eating the dogs, were at this point.
Following Joe Biden and PM Narendra Modi's meeting at the POTUS' residence in Delaware, the Commerce Department said Monday it's seeking a ban on the sale of connected and autonomous vehicles in the U.S. that are equipped with Chinese and Russian software and hardware with the stated goal of protecting national security and U.S. drivers. After a bilateral meeting with Biden, PM Modi stated that the discussions were fruitful and that they covered global and regional problems.

After a bilateral meeting with Biden, PM Modi stated that the discussions were fruitful and that they covered global and regional problems. One of the significant takeaways from the bilateral meeting was Biden's statement that the United States supports India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He also congratulated PM Modi for his historic travels to Poland and the UK.

All you need to know about ban on Chinese and Russian software & hardware

While there is minimal Chinese and Russian software deployed in the U.S, the issue is more complicated for hardware. Thats why Commerce officials said the prohibitions on the software would take effect for the 2027 model year and the prohibitions on hardware would take effect for the model year of 2030, or Jan. 1, 2029, for units without a model year.

The measure announced Monday is proactive but critical, the agency said, given that all the bells and whistles in cars like microphones, cameras, GPS tracking and Bluetooth technology could make Americans more vulnerable to bad actors and potentially expose personal information, from the home address of drivers, to where their children go to school.

In extreme situations, a foreign adversary could shut down or take simultaneous control of multiple vehicles operating in the United States, causing crashes and blocking roads, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo told reporters on a call Sunday.

This is not about trade or economic advantage, Raimondo said. This is a strictly national security action. The good news is right now, we dont have many Chinese or Russian cars on our road."

But Raimondo said Europe and other regions in the world where Chinese vehicles have become commonplace very quickly should serve as a cautionary tale for the U.S.

Concerns around software-driven functions in Chinese vehicle

Security concerns around the extensive software-driven functions in Chinese vehicles have arisen in Europe, where Chinese electric cars have rapidly gained market share.

Who controls these data flows and software updates is a far from trivial question, the answers to which encroach on matters of national security, cybersecurity, and individual privacy, Janka Oertel, director of the Asia program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote on the councils website.

Vehicles are now mobility platforms that monitor driver and passenger behavior and track their surroundings.

A senior administration official said that it is clear from terms of service contracts included with the technology that data from vehicles ends up in China.

Raimondo said that the U.S. won't wait until its roads are populated with Chinese or Russian cars.

We're issuing a proposed rule to address these new national security threats before suppliers, automakers and car components linked to China or Russia become commonplace and widespread in the U.S. automotive sector, Raimondo said.

It is difficult to know when China could reach that level of saturation, a senior adminstration official said, but the Commerce Department says China hopes to enter the U.S. market and several Chinese companies have already announced plans to enter the automotive software space.

The Commerce Department added Russia to the regulations since the country is trying to breathe new life into its auto industry, senior administration officials said on the call.

The proposed rule would prohibit the import and sale of vehicles with Russia and China-manufactured software and hardware that would allow the vehicle to communicate externally through Bluetooth, cellular, satellite or Wi-Fi modules. It would also prohibit the sale or import of software components made in Russia or the People's Republic of China that collectively allow a highly autonomous vehicle to operate without a driver behind the wheel. The ban would include vehicles made in the U.S. using Chinese and Russian technology.

The proposed rule would apply to all vehicles, but would exclude those not used on public roads, such as agricultural or mining vehicles.

Commerce officials met with all the major auto companies around the world while it drafted the proposed rule to better understand supply chain networks, according to senior administration officials, and also met with a variety of industry associations.

The Commerce Department is inviting public comments, which are due 30 days after publication of a rule before it's finalized. That should happen by the end of the Biden Administration.

The new rule follows steps taken earlier this month by the Biden administration to crack down on cheap products sold out of China, including electric vehicles, expanding a push to reduce U.S. dependence on Beijing and bolster homegrown industry.

(With AP inputs)
Former President Donald Trump accused China of failing to honor a deal he made with the country to buy $50 billion in US agricultural exports and vowed to raise the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping if the Republican nominee returns to the White House. Donald Trump said Monday at an event in swing-state Pennsylvania focused on China and threats to US farmers and the nations food supply that My first call, Im going to call up President Xi and say you have to honor the deal you made,(Reuters File Photo)

My first call, Im going to call up President Xi and say you have to honor the deal you made, Trump said Monday at an event in swing-state Pennsylvania focused on China and threats to US farmers and the nations food supply.

You made a deal, youd buy $50 billion worth of American farm product. And I guarantee you he will buy it, 100%, he will buy it, he added.

Trump as president reached a so-called phase one trade deal with China in early 2020 that saw the US reduce some duties in exchange for China pledging to increase its purchases of US exports, including $50 billion of agricultural goods. But actual purchases fell short of that vow, with China importing less than 60% of the promised goods and services  covering food, energy and manufactured products through December 2021, according to a study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The Republican presidential nominee on Monday assailed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris  his November election rival  saying the current administration had failed to enforce the deal.

China, the worlds second largest economy, has emerged as a top target in the presidential race between Trump and Harris as both candidates vow to take a tough stance against Beijing and its growing military and economic influence.

Mondays event was organized by the Protecting America Initiative, which describes itself as a group committed to stopping Chinese influence in the US. Its senior advisers include former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell and former US Representative Lee Zeldin, both of whom joined Trump for the discussion.

The former president heard from farmers about the challenges they face, using the opportunity to tout his pledge to hit both US allies and adversaries with tariffs if he secures a second White House term. Trump has vowed to impose a 60% tariff on China and has threatened a 100% tariff on Chinese cars made in Mexico  part of a broader agenda that would upend global trade. As president, Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion of Chinese goods.

Harris is largely expected to hew to Bidens approach of intensive diplomacy, keeping communication with Beijing open and highlighting areas where the nations can cooperate even as the administration looks to make the US more competitive with China and restrict its access to cutting edge technologies with national security implications.

Over the weekend, Biden hosted the Quad Leaders Summit in Delaware, bringing together the prime ministers of India, Australia and Japan, part of an effort to strengthen ties with US allies in the Indo-Pacific as a counterweight to China. During a hot mic moment, Biden was heard telling other leaders that China is testing the US and its allies in the region.

The Biden administration this year has taken a number of steps to tighten the screws on China, including finalizing new tariffs on Chinese goods, cracking down on de minimis exemptions for Chinese shipments of cheap products and curbing shipments of steel and aluminum from China and elsewhere through Mexico.

Donald Trump used the White House to give handouts to wealthy corporations and foreign companies at the expense of family farmers, drive farm bankruptcies to record levels, and sacrifice small American farmers as pawns in his failed trade war with China, Harris campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said in a statement Monday.

Trumps event in Pennsylvania comes ahead of a rally he is slated to hold in the state later Monday. Pennsylvania has emerged as the top battleground in the fight between Harris and Trump and a state that underscores the importance of the economy in the race. An August Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows a tight race, with Harris leading Trump in Pennsylvania by four percentage points.

Both Trump and Harris have crisscrossed western Pennsylvania, looking to court blue-collar workers and rural communities worried wages and jobs as well as high prices that have burdened US households.
Elon Musk has revealed what the Starship program is being smothered by and could destroy the Mars program. Musk expressed his concerns in an X post where he also revealed that SpaceX plans to launch about five uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years. Elon Musk reveals what would destroy the Mars program (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)(Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

If those all land safely, then crewed missions are possible in four years. If we encounter challenges, then the crewed missions will be postponed another two years. It is only possible to travel from Earth to Mars every two years, when the planets are aligned. This increases the difficulty of the task, but also serves to immunize Mars from many catastrophic events on Earth, Musk wrote.

He added, No matter what happens with landing success, SpaceX will increase the number of spaceships traveling to Mars exponentially with every transit opportunity. We want to enable anyone who wants to be a space traveler to go to Mars! That means you or your family or friends  anyone who dreams of great adventure.

Musk also expressed his excitement at the idea of thousands of Starships going to Mars, which he said would be a glorious sight to behold. The fundamental existential question is whether humanity becomes sustainably multiplanetary before something happens on Earth to prevent that, for example nuclear war, a supervirus or population collapse that weakens civilization to the point where it loses the ability to send supply ships to Mars, he added.

The Starship program is being smothered by a mountain of government bureaucracy

Musk then went on to address one of his biggest concerns, which is that the Starship program is being smothered by a mountain of government bureaucracy that grows every year. He wrote, This stifling red tape is affecting all large projects in America, which is why, for example, California has spent ~$7 billion dollars and several years on high-speed rail, but only has a 1600 ft section of concrete to show for it!

Musk also revealed that he is worried about Kamala Harris potentially being elected as US president, but added that his absolute showstopper is that the bureaucracy currently choking America to death is guaranteed to grow under a Democratic Party administration. This would destroy the Mars program and doom humanity, he said.

It cannot happen. Your help would be much appreciated. This is a fork, maybe the fork, in the road of human destiny, Musk added.
Erik Menendez has slammed Ryan Murphy for misrepresenting his and his brother Lyle's lives in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The Netflix show is centred around the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of killing their parents at their Beverly Hills, California, home in 1989. Erik Menendez has slammed Ryan Murphy for Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Erik Menendez slams Ryan Murphy over Netflix show based on his life

The show, which premiered on Netflix on September 19, centres around the murders of Erik and Lyle's parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. It is the second part of Murphy's anthology series, which follows the 2022 Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. In a statement shared by his wife, Tammie, on social media Thursday, Erik blasted the show for a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies.

I can only believe they were done so on purpose, added the 53-year-old, who is incarcerated alongside Lyle Menendez, 56, at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego. It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent, Erik went on.

It is sad for me to know that Netflixs dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward, he continued, adding, back through time to an era when the prosecution built a narrative on a belief system that males were not sexually abused, and that males experienced rape trauma differently than women.

Erik blasted the 58-year-old Hollywood veteran for shaping his horrible narrative through vile and appalling character portrayals of Lyle and me and disheartening slander. Is the truth not enough? Let the truth stand as the truth, he remarked before concluding his statement with a Thank You note for all those who reached out to him and his support.
Guatemala's Congress on Monday began the process of selecting 13 new Supreme Court judges in a process seen as crucial to the fight against corruption in one of Latin America's poorest countries. Guatemala picks Supreme Court judges with focus on anti-graft fight

In Guatemala, members of the Supreme Court and Appeal Court judges are elected every five years.

The renewal of the court follows a showdown last year between the judiciary and newly-elected President Bernardo Arevalo, with a prosecutor suspected of links to corrupt judges, politicians and businessmen attempting to overturn his victory.

Arevalo, who won on an anti-corruption platform, warned last month that the judiciary was being "hijacked by mafias."

He appealed to Congress members last month to select the "best" candidates in order to "continue in the spirit of change the country needs" and ensure "an independent justice system."

Former Chilean foreign minister Antonia Urrejola, who is a member of a panel of international experts monitoring the process, said the judges' election was a proxy battle between Arevalo's camp and a so-called "corrupt pact" of entrenched political and other interests.

"They lost the executive and now they do not want to lose the judiciary," she said.

In a preliminary report last week, the panel expressed "concern" about signs of "parallel negotiations by corrupt politico-economic actors" to favor candidates linked to them.

The nominees need to garner more than 50 percent of the votes from the country's 160 Congress members in order to win election.

Guatemala is ranked the 30th-most corrupt country in the world by the NGO Transparency International.

Arevalo's anti-corruption crusade put him in the crosshairs of prosecutors accused of graft themselves.

The most visible face of the anti-Arevalo camp is Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who led the unsuccessful push to have his August 2023 election victory invalidated.

Porras is under US and EU sanctions for corruption.

One of her allies, prosecutor Dimas Jimenez, is seeking election to the Supreme Court.

Rafael Curruchiche, another Porras confidant who is also under US and EU sanctions, narrowly missed out on making the Appeals Court shortlist.

Curruchiche led the state's case against Jose Ruben Zamora, a prominent journalist, who was jailed last year for money laundering in a case widely seen as an attempt to silence criticism of then-president Alejandro Giammattei.

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Sean Diddy Combs is being held at Brooklyn's notorious federal lockup, which has been described as a hellhole, as he awaits trial. The 54-year-old rapper was arrested last week on multiple charges, including sex trafficking, sexual assault, violence and racketeering. Combs, who pleaded not guilty, was sent to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) on Tuesday after a judge denied his $50 million bail bid. His lawyers have since voiced concerns about the horrific conditions of the New York City jail. Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been lodged at Brooklyn's notorious federal lockup, the Metropolitan Detention Center

Inside hellhole Brooklyn lockup where Sean Diddy Combs is locked up

The Brooklyn facility, where Ghislaine Maxwell was famously detained, has seen an upsurge in tragedies over the years, with several judges refusing to send people there, according to the Associated Press. Since his sex-trafficking arrest, Combs was placed on a suicide watch. In the motion for bail, his lawyers argued that the MDC was unfit for pre-trial detention due to unruly conditions. Just earlier this summer, an inmate was murdered. At least four inmates have died by suicide there in the past three years, Combs' lawyers wrote on Tuesday.

MDC, which holds about 1,600 inmates, has been plagued by problems since it opened in the 1990s. It is plagued with rat infestations and violent outbreaks. Maxwell, who was Jeffrey Epstein's aide, famously complained about the disgusting living conditions at the MDC. She bemoaned about sleep deprivation, rodents, and sewage stench in her cell. In addition to Maxwell, other high-profile inmates at the Brooklyn lock, which has been described as hell on earth, included R. Kelly and Sam Bankman-Fried.

In June, 37-year-old Uriel Whyte was stabbed to death at the MDC. A month later, Edwin Cordero, 36, died after being gravely injured in a prison fight. At the time, Corderos lawyer, Andrew Dalack, told The New York Times his client was just the victim of an overcrowded, understaffed and neglected federal jail that is hell on earth. While understaffing has been recognised as a constant issue at the NYC lockup, at least six of its staff members have been charged with crimes in the last five years.
Kamala Harris is ready for a second round of debate against Republican rival Donald Trump before the presidential elections in November. The VP announced that she had accepted an invitation from CNN to debate the former president who said that it was too late. Harris and Trump were against each other in a debate earlier this month as well. Kamala Harris challenges Donald Trump for another round of debate and asks him to quit his avoidance tactics. REUTERS/Marco Bello, Jeenah Moon/File Photo(REUTERS)

Also Read: Mark Robinson campaign staff quits after damning report and online posts backlash

Harris up for another round of debate

In a rally in New York, Harris told her supporters that she is ready for another debate with Trump who seems to be looking for an excuse to avoid the confrontation. During the fundraiser, she taunted her rival as she said, I think we should have another debate.

She then divulged to the supporters present at the rally, I accepted an invitation to debate in October, which my opponent seems to be looking for an excuse to avoid when he should accept. He should accept because I feel very strongly that we owe it to the American people, to the voters, to meet once more before election day, as reported by The Guardian.

The issue of high-stakes presidential debates has been on the minds of candidates ever since President Joe Bidens poor performance against Trump in June which was followed by his drop out from the presidential race. There has been only a single debate scheduled between Trump and Harris so far and it went in favour of the latter while the former blew up the opportunity.

However, the shift in the polls post-debate was not as much as the Harris campaign would have wanted as its primary task still is to introduce the VP to the US voters. Harris appeared on Oprah last week to smooth out the process of introduction.

Also Read: Donald Trump shares warm moments with his grandchildren at NC rally: Vote for grandpa|Watch

Harris warns of democracy threat in NY rally

Harris is set to reveal a set of new economic policies this week. The economy appeared to be one of the key issues she is gaining peoples trust over which has been one of the favouring topics for Trump and the Republican Party. On Sunday, Harris returned to the key messages Democrats wish to underscore which is Trumps second term as president could lead to an end of democracy and the knife edge polls.

Harris said in New York, This is a man who said he would be a dictator on day one  just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. This race is as close as it could be. This is a margin of error race  and I am running and we are running as the underdog. She called the former president an unserious man, however, voting him to be the president again could have very serious consequences.

The current polls show Harris with a narrow lead over Trump but the situation in crucial swing states which will ultimately decide the run to the White House are mixed. This is opposite to when Biden was in the presidential race as Trump had a solid lead.
GRAND RIDS, Mich.  A Mexican national who is in the U.S. illegally pleaded guilty Monday to killing his girlfriend and dumping her body along a Michigan freeway. Man pleads guilty to Michigan killing that stoked anti-immigrant campaign rhetoric

Brandon Ortiz Vite, 25, entered the plea in a Grand Rapids, Michigan, courtroom and is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 31.

He faced trial on charges of second-degree murder, carjacking, carrying a concealed weapon and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The case became a political flashpoint in April when former President Donald Trump accused the Biden administration of failing to keep Ortiz Vite out of the country after he was deported in 2020. Its not known whether he returned during the last year of the Trump administration or during the Biden administration.

Ruby Garcia was found shot to death on the side of a highway on March 22.

Before the shooting, she and Ortiz Vite were in a car on U.S. 131, arguing about their relationship, investigators said. Ortiz Vite shot Garcia in the head, removed her body from the car and then drove away, prosecutors said.

Police said the evidence against him includes his call to 911 two days later, confessing to the crime and declaring that he wanted to turn himself in. He was at a church attending Palm Sunday services when he made the call.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said Garcia's family preferred Ortiz Vite's plea instead of the case going to trial, according to WOOD-TV.

Although we have a very good case, and I wasnt worried about losing it, but things happen, Becker said. "Things could be overturned. It could be a mistrial. Theres much more certainty with a plea than if you take it to trial.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Several top staffers in North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's campaign for governor have quit their posts, marking more fallout from a CNN report outlining evidence that he made disturbing posts on a pornography websites message board more than a decade ago. Mark Robinson's campaign faces turmoil as multiple senior staff resign amid controversy over past posts. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)(AP)

Also Read: Ameer Ghalib, mayor of only Muslim-run US city, endorses Donald Trump; ex-prez impressed with him

Mark Robinson's campaign staff resigns amid controversy

The campaign said in a news release Sunday that senior adviser Conrad Pogorzelski III, campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, the campaign's finance director and the deputy campaign manager have stepped down from their roles with the campaign. Information on new campaign staffers would be forthcoming soon, the release said.

I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors," Robinson said in the release.

Pogorzelski, who helped Robinson get elected lieutenant governor in 2020 in his first bid for public office and later became his chief of staff, said separately on Sunday that additional staffers also left the campaign  the deputy finance director, two political directors and the director of operations.

Pogorzelski, in a text, said that he along with others from the campaign have left of our own accord.

The CNN report on Thursday unearthed past posts it said Robinson left on a porn sites message boards in which he referred to himself as a black NAZI;" said he enjoyed transgender pornography; said in 2012 he preferred Hitler to then-President Barack Obama; and slammed the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as worse than a maggot.

Robinson denied writing the posts and said Thursday that he wouldnt be forced out of the race by salacious tabloid lies. He avoided directly discussing the controversy during a gubernatorial campaign event on Saturday evening at a race track in Fayetteville. The event happened after earlier in the day former President Donald Trump didn't mention Robinson at a rally about 90 miles (145 kilometers) away in Wilmington.

Before Saturday, Robinson had been a frequent presence at Trumps North Carolina campaign stops. The Republican presidential nominee has long praised Robinson  who would be North Carolina's first Black governor if elected  calling him Martin Luther King on steroids for his speaking style.

Also Read: Donald Trump shares warm moments with his grandchildren at NC rally: Vote for grandpa|Watch

Robinson is optimistic but Stein calls him unfit

On Sunday, Robinson still expressed optimism that he could win in November over Democratic nominee Josh Stein, the sitting attorney general. Polls have shown Robinson trailing Stein.

But Robinson said polls have underestimated Republican support in North Carolina for several cycles, and with a large portion of the electorate undecided I am confident our campaign remains in a strong position to make our case to the voters and win on November 5.

Robinson has a long history of making inflammatory comments, including suggesting women who sought abortion werent responsible enough to keep your skirt down and comparing abortion to slavery.

Stein said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union that Robinson is utterly unqualified, unfit to be the governor of North Carolina, and were going to do everything in our power to keep that from happening.

Polls show Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris locked in a close race in North Carolina and nationally. Democrats have seized on the opportunity to highlight Trumps ties to Robinson, with billboards showing the two together and a new ad from Harris campaign highlighting the Republican candidates ties, as well as Robinsons support for a statewide abortion ban without exceptions.

On Sunday, Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, said on NBCs Meet the Press that Robinson deserves a chance to defend himself against the allegations, which Graham described as unnerving. He said Robinson is a political zombie if he does not offer a defense to this thats credible, while arguing the issue wouldnt hurt Trump.

If theyre true, hes unfit to serve for office, Graham said of Robinson and the claims in the CNN report. If theyre not true, he has the best lawsuit in the history of the country for libel.
Megyn Kelly gave her unfiltered opinion about Oprah Winfrey on Fridays episode of the SiriusXM podcast The Megyn Kelly Show. The 53-year-old commentator blasted thin Ozempic Oprah for hosting a ridiculous town hall for Kamala Harris in Michigan last week. Kelly claimed that the 70-year-old talk show host is no longer genuine. Megyn Kelly gives her unfiltered opinion about Oprah Winfrey as she slams the 70-year-old for hosting 'ridiculous' town hall for Kamala Harris

I miss fat Oprah: Megyn Kelly

The former Fox News host, who is known for being vocal about her strong and often controversial opinions, told her podcast viewers, I miss fat Oprah. Kelly vented about Winfrey becoming an elitist and losing her sense of authenticity along with the pounds, referring to her dramatic weight loss transformation.

ALSO READ: Erik Menendez slams Ryan Murphy over blatant lies in Netflix show Monsters

I used to love Oprah, like most of us who grew up when we did, Kelly said, adding, And only now did I realize Ive been getting spoon-fed propaganda from this woman for years. The town hall that Winfrey emceed in the battleground state Thursday was billed as the Unite for America Rally.

The star-studded event for the Harris campaign was virtually attended by a host of A-listers, including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, and Jennifer Lopez. However, Kelly claimed that the debacle town hall was the ultimate culmination of her [Winfrey's] journalistic fails.

ALSO READ: Inside hellhole Brooklyn prison where Sean Diddy Combs is locked up

One of the moments from the Harris-Winfrey interview that stirred a debate online was the vice president's admission about possessing a gun. If somebody breaks into my house, theyre getting shot, sorry, the Democratic presidential candidate said. Probably should not have said that. But my staff will deal with that later, she added.

Kelly blasted Winfrey for not pushing Harris enough about her stance on gun control policies. You can craft that question in a number of ways, but it must be crafted if youre an honest broker, the former NBC News correspondent said, adding, She's not, in reference to Winfrey.
Melania Trump, the former First Lady and alleged Christmas-hater, recently unveiled her surprising new career move amid her husband Donald Trump's second bid for the White House. In her post, Melania provided a website link to purchase the four limited edition Christmas ornaments collectively with the matching digital collectibles.(AP)

Taking to X on Saturday, Melania, who once slammed the festive season during Trump's tenure in the White House, declared she is now selling ornaments for Christmas, informing that each unique piece captures the magic of the holiday season.

The 54-year-old former first lady captioned her post Merry Christmas, AMERICA! and expressed her excitement about revealing 2024s Limited Edition Ornament series. Let these ornaments inspire cherished memories & bring warmth to your entire family. Happy collecting! the mother of one added.

In her post, Melania provided a website link to purchase the four limited edition Christmas ornaments collectively with the matching digital collectibles.

Each ornament, which is handcrafted in the United States, bears the signature of the former First Lady.

The corresponding ornament is compatible with every digital item that is 3D animated, according the manufacturer USA Memorabilia.

The collection features four brass and enamel ornaments, including Let It Snow, USA Star, Vote Liberty, and Love & Freedom, and they cost between $75 and $90 or $315 plus tax and shipping for the whole set.

This year saw a significant increase, considering that each ornament sold for $35$45 in 2023.

While one pendant seems to be slightly altered version of her Mother's Day necklace, another resembles a Vote Freedom necklace that she is also selling.

Melania Trump has started selling Christmas ornaments.

Netizens remind Melania of her White House Christmas past

Melania's interest in Christmas collectibles contrasts with her seeming lack of enthusiasm for holiday decor throughout the White House.

In 2018, she was caught on camera regretting about getting White House in the holiday spirit.

You know, who gives a f--- about Christmas stuff and decoration? But I need to do it right? she stated in leaked audio published by her former friend and adviser Stephanie Winston Wolkoff in 2020.

Melania's White House holiday decorations included Tim Burton-esque white wispy branches and blood crimson murder trees that received public controversy and were branded un-American.

Meanwhile, social media users quickly reminded Melania of her Christmas track record, mocking her foul-mouthed anti-holiday rant. Her critics called it another grift from the former First Lady and her family.

We all know what you REALLY think about Christmas, one X user wrote.

You are always trying to sell something. Damn girl. Trump has you out here on the track to pay his legal bills, another commented.

Few users mocked Melania with puns like Merry Griftmas, A family of Grifters, the 12th day of Griftmas, and the grifting season.

Also Read: Elon Musk reveals what 'would destroy the Mars program in viral post: The Starship program is being smothered by

Despite the criticism, many people defended Melania. Kellyanne Conway stated that she missed Melania's White House's Christmas preparations in comparison to how First Lady Jill Biden decorated.

It was very tastefully done, she stated hailing Trump's wife.

Her memoir, named Melania, will be published on October 1, just a month before Trump's November 5 presidential battle against Vice President Kamala Harris.
* Offshore wind opponents in Australia, Europe lean on US groups for advice

Groups' cooperation presents a new challenge to the industry

*

Several groups believe governments, developers downplaying environmental risk

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Groups accused of links to right-wing and fossil fuel interests

By Nichola Groom and Lewis Jackson

LOS ANGELES/SYDNEY, Sept 23 -

Bill Thompson's fight to stop offshore wind farms was once confined to the tiny U.S. state of Rhode Island where he lives. Today, he is part of a global movement.

In April, Thompson, who is director of the activist group Green Oceans, got an email from a fellow anti-offshore wind group more than 10,000 miles away called Responsible Future . They were looking for advice on ways to combat projects off Australias southeast coast. In August, he got another request, this time from French group PIEBIEM fighting projects in Brittany.

"It's always nice to know that other people are thinking the same way you are," he told Reuters.

These groups are among a dozen or more local activist organizations across the U.S., Europe and Australia who told Reuters they have begun sharing tactics, talking points and other resources in their common mission to derail offshore wind  a development they hope will transform what was once a disorganized scattering of local activists into an increasingly sophisticated global network.

Several anti-offshore wind groups said they believe governments and wind developers, such as Orsted, Avangrid and Shell, are downplaying the environmental damage caused by projects as they promote the renewable energy source as a solution to climate change.

In most cases, the groups are looking to anti-offshore wind activists on the U.S. East Coast for advice, citing their years of success in slowing or cutting the size of major projects, eroding public support for the technology, and winning over conservative politicians like former President Donald Trump, whose administration had supported offshore wind, but now opposes it virulently as the Republican presidential nominee.

Offshore wind is a nascent industry in the U.S. and a key pillar of President Joe Biden's plan to fight climate change. However, plans to install turbines along every U.S. coastline have been challenged by soaring costs and supply chain snags and attracted multiple lawsuits over concerns about the industry's impact on tourism, property values, fishing and marine habitats.

Reuters reporting reveals how the groups' global cooperation presents a fresh challenge to the industry as it allows new opposition groups to quickly tap into years of work done by others. In many cases, it also helps to propagate viral, politically powerful, but sometimes false talking points, including that turbines kill endangered whales and do nothing to slow global warming.

"It's a huge problem, and I don't think the industry has got its head around A, what's happening, and B, what to do about it," Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council, a Lisbon-based industry trade group, said.

Opposition groups say they are just getting started.

"We would like to go further, for example with joint declarations, and a better media impact, to alert public opinion," said Eric Sartori, secretary of PIEBIEM, which in French stands for Preserving the Environmental Identity of Southern Brittany and the Islands against Offshore Wind.

A U.S. West Coast group told Reuters this month it is starting a national anti-offshore wind organization. Other groups, including Responsible Future , said they have discussed forming a global coalition, especially as the rest of the world steps up trying to catch up with China, Britain and Germany, the top producers of offshore wind energy.

INCUBATED ONLINE

Sartori of PIEBIEM said he first contacted Green Oceans and another group in Nantucket after seeing pictures of broken wind turbine blades washing ashore in Massachusetts this summer on social media platform X.

Sartori said Green Oceans' Thompson helped, including by providing him a quote from a U.S. government agency suggesting offshore wind has no climate benefit.

That quote - it is anticipated there will be no collective impact on global warming as a result of offshore wind projects - now appears on PIEBIEM's web site next to photos of fiberglass shards littering Nantucket's coast.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management told Reuters the quote was part of an environmental analysis of a project, and that the second half of the sentence - not present on PIEBIEM's site - says wind projects "may beneficially contribute to a broader combination of actions to reduce future impacts from climate change."

BOEM routinely states in its environmental reviews that wind power will not change the course of global warming on its own but can help when combined with other actions.

In other groups, posts range from skepticism about whether wind turbines can survive high winds to fears they will obstruct ocean views. The most viral, however, is that offshore wind development threatens whales.

That claim caught fire in the U.S. in early 2023 after several New Jersey and New York groups blamed the industry for a spate of whale deaths and caught the attention of conservative media.

The claim is now repeated by opponents across the globe, including in France and Australia.

The U.S. government says the claim has no merit, and links most human-caused whale deaths to vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.

EXPERT BACKING

Green Oceans has enlisted the support of Spanish marine biologist Josep Lloret, who has raised concerns about the potential environmental harms of offshore wind in the Mediterranean Sea, and hosted a talk by Texas-based journalist Robert Bryce who is skeptical of the renewable energy transition.

Other groups piggy-back off their work.

Green Oceans ... the beauty of them is they have scientists behind them, so we could look at the papers they are saying are factual and determine they are peer reviewed, said Jenny Cullen, president of Australia's Responsible Future .

"It wasn't Charlie down the road using ChatGPT to pull up BS."

The tactics are already helping turn an industry that received little opposition during its early days in Europe decades ago into a political hot potato.

In New Jersey, where opposition to offshore wind is arguably stronger than in any other U.S. state, support for the industry stood at 50% late last year from 80% four years earlier, according to a poll by Stockton University.

Trump has also joined the movement, promising to halt offshore wind projects if he wins back the presidency in November.

His administration several years ago had promoted offshore wind as a part of his America First agenda, and held a record offshore wind government auction in 2018.

Trump's campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

In Australia, which is a new target for offshore wind developers, the main opposition party has also swung behind the movement, and public opposition has been growing  reaching 18% in September, from 12% a year earlier, according to polls from Freshwater Strategy.

In France, meanwhile, a Senate committee in July recommended cuts to the nations offshore wind target, arguing the technology is expensive and lacks maturity. The nuclear powerhouse is already lagging its neighbours on renewable energy and has fallen behind targets set by the European Commission.

In tandem with their successes, groups opposed to offshore wind have been dogged by accusations they are backed by right-wing interests linked to the fossil fuel industry.

A 2023 study by researchers at Brown University mapped links between U.S. groups and conservative think tanks, including a case in which the Delaware-based Caesar Rodney Institute supported a lawsuit to block the Vineyard Wind project filed by a Nantucket group, ACK4Whales.

Amy DiSibio, a board member of ACK4Whales, said her group is not partisan and has distanced itself from the pro-fossil fuel think tank. A New Jersey group, Protect Our Coast NJ, said the same.

"It takes away from our message," Robin Shaffer, president of Protect Our Coast NJ, said in an interview.

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By Daphne Psaledakis and Toby Sterling On US visit, Dutch politician talks importance of ASML, China trade

WASHINGTON/AMSTERDAM, Sept 23 - On a visit to Washington, the Netherlands' economy minister on Monday underlined the importance of China as a trading partner and repeated that Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML must be allowed to "do business as freely as possible."

Dirk Beljaarts underlined that his meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves was to promote bilateral trade, not to negotiate over export restrictions, which do not fall under his purview.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Beljaarts' visit comes ahead of an expected expansion of U.S. rules restricting semiconductor exports to certain computer chip plants in China.

CONTEXT

ASML is the largest supplier of equipment to computer chip makers. Earlier this month, the Netherlands government began requiring export licenses for more of ASML's product range to China, following pressure from the U.S.

While the U.S. is an important Dutch ally and trading partner, Taiwan, China and South Korea are ASML's biggest markets.

KEY QUOTES

"The Chinese are an important trade partner, as is the United States and many other countries in the world, and we have our own economy to upkeep and to make sure that our companies can do business as freely as possible."

"We know that ASML is a crown jewel for the Netherlands, which we are very proud of, and from our perspective, it's important that the company can operate as freely as possible within the boundaries that are there. And what we discussed primarily is how we can further progress the cooperation between the two countries."

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MINNEOLIS  The local prosecutor and family of the victim are calling for a man's murder conviction to be vacated after a review by the Minnesota attorney general concluded he's innocent. Prosecutors and victim's family call for the release of a Minnesota man convicted of murder in 2009

Jurors in 2009 found Edgar Barrientos-Quintana guilty of killing 18-year-old Jesse Mickelson in a drive-by shooting. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

But after a three-year investigation, Attorney General Keith Ellison's Conviction Review Unit in August released a damning report of Minneapolis police's original investigation that also cited evidence supporting Barrientos-Quintana's alibi.

Barrientos-Quintana last month asked a judge to vacate his conviction based on the report. On Monday, the Hennepin County attorney and Mickelson's sisters said they support his release.

It's been 16 years, but I would rather have no conviction than the wrong conviction, Mickelson's sister Tina Rosebear said at a news conference.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said she will dismiss charges against Barrientos-Quintana if the judge vacates his conviction.

Security footage placed Barrientos-Quintana at a grocery story shortly before the shooting, and the attorney general's office pointed to phone records not presented at trial that placed him at his girlfriend's suburban apartment shortly after the shooting. The Conviction Review Unit determined that he could not have traveled to and from the crime scene in that time.

The reviewers also cast blame on police, who showed an old photo of Barrientos-Quintana with a shaved head to eyewitnesses who had described the suspect as being bald. Security footage showed Barrientos-Quintana had short, dark hair at the time of the shooting.

Unfortunately, after Mr. Barrientos became a suspect in the shooting, the state's investigation failed to seriously consider and rule out plausible alternative suspects, a news release from the attorney general said.

Minneapolis police do not support Barrientos-Quintana's bid for freedom.

Chief Brian O'Hara in a statement said he's worried Barrientos-Quintana "will be set free based only on a reinterpretation of old evidence rather than the existence of any new facts.

I am confident our investigators acted with the utmost integrity and professionalism and followed all the evidence available to them using investigative best practices," O'Hara said.

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SMITHTON, Pa.  Donald Trump sat in a large barn in rural Pennsylvania on Monday, asking questions of farmers and offering jokes, but in a rarity for his campaign events, mostly listening. Trump listens during a farming event in rural Pennsylvania, then threatens John Deere with tariffs

The bombastic former president was unusually restrained at an event about China's influence on the U.S. economy, a roundtable at which farmers and manufacturers expressed concerns about losing their way of life. Behind Trump were large green tractors and a sign declaring Protect our food from China."

The event in Smithton, Pennsylvania, gave Trump a chance to drive his economic message against Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that imposing tariffs and boosting energy production will lower costs. He highlighted Harris' reversal of a previous vow to ban fracking, a method of producing natural gas key to Pennsylvania's economy.

And he noted the tractors behind him were manufactured by John Deere, which announced in June it was moving skid steer and track loader manufacturing to Mexico and working to acquire land there for a new factory. Trump threatened the firm with a 200% tariff should he win back the presidency and it opted to export manufacturing to Mexico.

If they want to build in the United States, theres no tariff, he added.

Trump opened the event with some of his usual themes. He decried his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, and declared that in 2020, "We had an election that didnt exactly work out too good. And it was a disgrace.

But he then did something usual: He let others do most of the talking.

When one farmer said recent decades had seen scores of family farms shut down, Trump asked what that meant for overall production. The response was that, thanks to larger farms now operating, total production is actually up but "we are losing the small family farms.

I know that, yes, Trump responded somberly. Later, he said, "I am not too worried about the people around this table supporting him on Election Day, while jokingly adding, But you never know.

In response to another participants concerns about energy production, Trump said he didnt know that farmers were so energy-dependent. Another farmer talked about Chinese-subsidized businesses, prompting Trump to respond, Thats why we need tariffs.

When the same farmer finished her comments by praising him profusely, he intoned, Amen. I agree.

Trump has embraced tariffs as he tries to appeal to working-class voters who oppose free-trade deals and the outsourcing of factories and jobs, and the event wasn't all about showing a more personable side.

Later the former president took questions from reporters and got more customarily combative when asked whether he was concerned that tariffs on manufacturers like John Deere would increase costs for farmers. He said of Harris, She is not going to be good for Pennsylvania.

Later Monday, Trump is holding a rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where he is hoping conservative, white working-class voters help him pull ahead of Harris, who herself is visiting Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

Despite all his lies and pandering, Donald Trump used the White House to give handouts to wealthy corporations and foreign companies at the expense of family farmers, drive farm bankruptcies to record levels, and sacrifice small American farmers as pawns in his failed trade war with China," Harris campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said in a statement.

Monday's farming event was hosted by the Protecting America Initiative, led by Richard Grenell, Trumps former acting director of national intelligence, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin. Grenell said, China is getting into our farmlands, and we have to be able to see China very clearly.

At the end of 2022, China held nearly 250,000 acres of U.S. land, which is slightly less than 1% of foreign-held acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By comparison, Canada was the largest foreign owner of U.S. land, accounting for 32%, or 14.2 million acres.

Still, the National Agricultural Law Center estimates that 24 states ban or limit foreigners without residency and foreign businesses or governments from owning private farmland. The issue emerged after a Chinese billionaire bought more than 130,000 acres near a U.S. Air Force base in Texas and another Chinese company sought to build a corn plant near an Air Force base in North Dakota.

Rex Murphy, from a nearby rural community who raises cattle and grows corn and hay, said farmers support Trump in this area, and said he wanted fewer taxes and more freedom.

I want him to do everything for the economy, said Murphy, 48. If he just becomes president, and he does what he does, he will do more.

__

Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Didi Tang in Washington contributed to this report.

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Donald Trump made a bold prediction about his political future, stating that he does not envision running for office again if he loses the upcoming election to Kamala Harris. Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump greets his granddaughter Carolina onstage at a campaign rally at the Aero Center Wilmington (Getty Images via AFP)

The former president of the U.S., battling multiple legal cases, expressed optimism about his chances for success in November. He also addressed potential Cabinet appointments, suggesting that former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and tech billionaire Elon Musk could play major roles in his administration if he were to win a second term.

Donald Trump says he wont run for office again..

No, I think that will be it. I dont see that at all, the Republican candidate told Sharyl Attkisson on her show Full Measure when questioned about running for the next term in case he loses the upcoming elction. I think that hopefully were going to be successful, Trump added in his statement on Sundays interview.

Also read: RFK Jr. bragged about having intimate photos of reporter Olivia Nuzzi amid sexting scandal: Report

After Biden exited the 2024 race and endorsed Kamala Harris, who is much younger than both him and Trump, the former president has started to see this fresh Democratic face as a potential threat to his chance at a second term. Polls show a tight competition between them in key battleground states that could determine the election outcome, with Harris gaining traction in nationwide surveys.

Trump discusses Elon Musk and Tulsi Gabbard's roles in potential administration

In the same interview, Trump was asked if he would consider appointing former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (who is seen as a key figure in his 2024 campaign) tech billionaire Elon Musk, or former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.who recently suspended his campaign to support Trumpto Cabinet positions if he wins a second term.

While Trump had previously questioned whether Musk could take on a White House role due to his obligations to major companies, he didnt rule out the possibility. Trump indicated that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would excel in roles related to health and the environment. When pressed if this implied a position leading Health and Human Services, Trump downplayed the suggestion, stating, It doesnt mean anything, and noted he hasnt made any commitments.

Trump also praised Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic leader who ran in the 2020 Democratic primary and later ended her affiliation to run as an independent candidate, saying she has always shown good common sense.

Regarding his potential cabinet appointments, he said, Its too early, but its about that time, wouldnt you agree? he added.
Trump vs Harris: As the presidential race nears its final day of voting, new polling indicates that Donald Trump is ahead of his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in three crucial swing states where both candidates have been actively campaigning. Trump vs Harris: US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is ahead of Donald Trump among Hispanic voters in the state, but by only eight points, with another ten percent in doubt. (AFP)

The former president holds a good lead in the Sun Belt, where he leads the vice president by a wide margin in Arizona and is leading among likely voters in Georgia and North Carolina, according to a poll by the New York Times and Siena College.

Respondents expressed concern that a Harris government would not enhance their lives as much as Trump's did during his tenure as president.

Trump leads Harris by five points, 50% to 45%, in Arizona, a state where the Republican presidential nominee lost to President Joe Biden by over 10,000 votes in 2020.

Trump leads Harris 45 percent to 49 percent in Georgia, another state where he lost by fewer than 12,000 votes in the 2020 election.

The race in North Carolina, which Trump won by just 75,000 votes in 2020, is very tight. The former president is leading Harris in the polls, 49 percent to 47 percent.

The White House contest and the path to 270 electoral votes traverses squarely via Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Also Read: Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris: A look at important dates in 2024 US presidential race

Harris leads Trump among Hispanic voters

The economy was the most important topic identified by the poll among likely voters in Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina. It was the leading topic in all three battleground states. 55 percent of respondents believed Trump would handle it better, while 42 percent felt Harris would.

Abortion and immigration tied for the second most significant topic in the three states' elections.

According to a survey released on Monday, Trump leads by a double digit margin among men in Arizona, as well as among older voters. Harris has a substantially smaller lead among women but substantial support among younger and more educated probable voters.

Harris is additionally ahead of Trump among Hispanic voters in the state, but by only eight points, with another ten percent in doubt.

The vice president will be visiting Arizona to campaign on Friday, with the outcome of the state's election predicted to be tight.
When Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he didnt hold back, declaring, This is Indias moment as he sealed a promising partnership with the nation. During a roundtable with top American tech CEOs, Indian PM, who is currently on his US tour, emphasised countrys growing potential while discussing the need of deeper collaborations across technology and innovation. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang with Indian PM Narendra Modi

Nvidia CEO praises PM Modis tech driven approach

I have enjoyed so many meetings with Prime Minister. He is such an incredible student and every time I see him, he wants to learn about technology, Artificial Intelligence, Jensen Huang remarked after the wrap up of the roundtable meeting.

Also read: Trump makes a stark prediction if he doesn't win the election, 'I won't...'

The philanthropist, didnt mince his words when describing the immense potential India holds in the tech industry, particularly in AI. India is also home of some of the world's greatest computer scientists, he said. Calling it a great opportunity he continued, I am looking forward to partnering with India in a very deep way to make that possible...This is India's moment, you have to seize the opportunity."

PM Modis roundtable meeting with US tech CEOs

The meeting organised by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, witnessed CEOs of 15 leading US tech firms gathered at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel. Following the discussion, Google CEO Sundar Pichai praised Modi's "Digital India" vision, noting the PM's push to continue manufacturing and designing in India, including Google's Pixel phones.

Pichai pointed out how PM Modi believes that AI can transform important areas like healthcare, education, and farming. We are proud to be partnering with India. We are robustly investing in AI in India and we look forward to doing more, he said referring to Googles plan of AI expansion and investment in India.

Also read: Joe Biden's glaring faux pas before he introduces PM Modi, 'Who's next'

Aiming to make India the third-biggest economy in the world by his third term, Prime Minister Modi wrapped up the meeting by assuring business leaders of India's strong commitment to protecting intellectual property. The meeting featured big names like AMD CEO Lisa Su, HP Inc. CEO Enrique Lores, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, the Chairman of Moderna, and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg, among others.

PM Modi addresses Indian diaspora

After his meeting and bilateral discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden, as well as Quad leaders Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of India made his way to deliver a historic address to the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York. During this address, he referred to them as India's "strong" brand ambassadors.

You have built a bridge between India and America. Your skills, talent, and dedication are unmatched. Even though you may be separated by seven seas, no distance is great enough to keep you away from India, PM said during his appearance. He added, What Ma Bharati has taught us is unforgettable. No matter where we go, we embrace everyone as family. Understanding and living in diversity is in our blood.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle once admitted that some people close to them doubted their relationship, including some of the Duke of Sussexs relatives. In their controversial Netflix series, Harry revealed that some members of the royal family thought his relationship with Meghan would be short-lived, and said that one thing "clouded their judgment. When Harry revealed why royal family thought his relationship with Meghan 'won't last' (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool, File)(AP)

In the second episode of the series, the couple opened up about Meghan being introduced to the royal family for the first time. Harry recalled that his family was "incredibly impressed" upon meeting Meghan, and even joked that they were surprised a "ginger could land such a beautiful woman.

Harry, however, alleged that the family had their judgment clouded by Meghan's status as an American actress. Meghan, too, claimed that her profession at the time was "the biggest problem.

Oh, she's an American actress, this won't last long

"I remember my family first meeting her being incredibly impressed, Harry said.

"Some of them didn't quite know what to do with themselves. So I think they were. They were surprised. They were surprised that such a ginger could land such a beautiful woman. And such an intelligent woman, he continued.

Harry added, But the fact that I was dating an American actress, was probably what clouded their judgment more than anything else. Oh, she's an American actress, this won't last long."

Meghan, too, said that her profession was a major problem. "The actress thing was the biggest problem, funnily enough. There is a big idea of what that looks like from the UK standpoint - Hollywood - and it's just very easy for them to typecast that, she said.

Meghan and Harry started dating in 2016, and tied the knot two years later. The two stepped away from the royal family in 2022, and now live in America with their two kids  Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said he hoped to broaden cooperation with Sri Lanka under his Belt and Road infrastructure initiative as he congratulated the island nation's new leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. Xi says wants to deepen BRI cooperation with Sri Lanka under new leader

Dissanayaka, a self-avowed Marxist, took his oath at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Monday, vowing to restore public faith in politics.

The country is emerging from a years-long economic collapse blamed partly on struggling high-debt Chinese mega-projects coordinated through the BRI, the massive infrastructure project that is a central pillar of Xi's bid to expand his country's clout overseas.

"I attach great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations and am willing to work with Mr. President to continue our traditional friendship enhance mutual political trust," Xi said in a message to Dissanayaka, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Xi said he hoped bilateral cooperation under his flagship BRI would "bear more fruit", CCTV added.

He said Beijing would "promote the steady progress of sincere mutual assistance between China and Sri Lanka as well as our age-old strategic cooperative partnership, and create more benefits for the peoples of both countries".

Western critics accuse China of using the BRI to enmesh developing nations in unsustainable debt to exert diplomatic leverage over them or even seize their assets.

But a chorus of leaders as well as research by leading global think tanks like London's Chatham House have refuted the "debt trap" theory.

In December 2017, unable to repay a huge Chinese loan, Sri Lanka handed its Hambantota port in the south of the island to a Beijing company on a 99-year lease for $1.12 billion.

And the country defaulted on its foreign borrowings in 2022 during a crisis that caused months of food, fuel and medicine shortages.

China is the nation's largest bilateral creditor, its loans accounting for $4.66 billion of the $10.58 billion that Sri Lanka has borrowed from other countries.

Last year, the International Monetary Fund the international lender of last resort approved a $2.9 billion bailout loan for Sri Lanka. Beijing also agreed to restructure its loans to the country.

And this month, Sri Lanka secured a deal with international bondholders to finalise a prolonged debt restructuring.

mjw/oho/mtp

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US President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic Saturday telling the leaders of Australia, India and Japan that an aggressive China is "testing us," in remarks that risked undercutting a summit declaration that carefully avoided mentioning Beijing by name.

The comments came as Biden opened a farewell summit in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

"China continues to behave aggressively, testing us all across the region," Biden was heard in what were supposed to be behind-closed-doors remarks to the so-called "Quad."

Biden said that while Chinese President Xi Jinping was focusing on "domestic economic challenges" he was also "looking to buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue China's interest."

But he insisted that recent "intense efforts" by Washington to reduce tensions, including a call with Xi in April, were helping to prevent conflict.

The hot mic blunder risked undermining careful diplomatic efforts by all four countries during the summit to insist that their grouping is about more than just providing a counterweight to China.

In their joint statement after the summit, the four leaders made no direct mention of China, even as they expressed concern over tensions on its borders.

"We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas," their declaration said.

The leaders condemned "coercive and intimidating maneuvers" in the South China Sea -- where China has been at odds with the Philippines and other nations over its maritime claims -- but without saying whose maneuvers.

Disputed islands in the East China Sea have meanwhile long been a source of tensions between Japan and China.

Instead the leaders used veiled statements, as they have on previous occasions, about keeping the region "free and open" and talking about geopolitical "challenges."

The other shadow hanging over the summit was November's US presidential election, with the isolationist former president Donald Trump in a tight race against Biden's political heir Kamala Harris.

Biden insisted that the group would survive whatever the political situation.

"While challenges will come, the world will change because the Quad is here to stay," Biden told the leaders in his public remarks before journalists were ushered out.

Asked by reporters if the Quad would make it past the November 5 election, Biden replied: "Way beyond November. Way beyond November."

India's Modi made a similar pledge -- in a commitment that will be welcomed by Washington, Canberra and Tokyo as they court the historically non-aligned New Delhi.

"Our message is, the Quad is here to stay," said Modi, who is due to host next year's Quad summit in India.

Biden, who bowed out of the US presidential election in July after concerns about his age, filled his farewell summit with personal touches.

The four-way summit took place at his former high school in Wilmington and he earlier opened up his home in the city for private, one-on-one talks with each of the leaders.

"I am really pleased that you were able to be in my home and see where I grew up," he said.

The leaders also announced investment into fighting cervical cancer for Biden's "Cancer Moonshot" initiative -- again a deeply person project as his eldest son Beau died of brain cancer.

The media were given no access to the private meetings at Biden's home.

Biden posted pictures on social media of him with Albanese and then with Kishida in a wood-paneled drawing room in his house, and showing them the view of a lake from a veranda.

The White House said the summit reflected the way Biden prioritized international alliances.

There are growing questions about what would happen if Trump -- who has threatened to pull the United States out of groups like NATO while praising the leaders of Russia and North Korea -- returns to the Oval Office.
Israel's military pounded Hezbollah targets in south and east Lebanon Monday and said more strikes were coming, warning Lebanese to stay out of harm's way despite international calls for restraint.

After nearly a year of tit-for-tat cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, the strikes since the weekend are the most intense since the outbreak of war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip last October 7.

Israel said more than 300 Hezbollah sites had been targeted on Monday in dozens of strikes.

Israel military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari made a first of its kind appeal to people in Lebanon, telling them to avoid potential targets linked to Hezbollah as strikes would "go on for the near future".

Hagari said Israel's military "will engage in (more) extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon".

He urged civilians "to immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety".

Hezbollah, a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, says it is acting in "support" of Hamas.

Ahead of the annual General Assembly, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned of Lebanon becoming "another Gaza" and said it was "clear that both sides are not interested in a ceasefire" there.

Lebanon's official National News Agency reported "more than 80 air strikes in half an hour", targeting south Lebanon, as well as "intense raids" in the Bekaa Valley to the east, where it said a shepherd was killed.

Hezbollah said one of its fighters was killed but gave no details.

The health ministry reported 34 wounded and told hospitals in the south and east to stop all non-urgent surgery "to make space to treat the wounded".

The education minister said schools in the east and south as well as in Beirut's southern suburbs would close for two days.

Explosions around Baalbek in the east triggered flashes of fire and sent smoke billowing into the sky.

Housewife Wafaa Ismail, 60, from the south Lebanon village of Zawtar, said "we sleep and wake up to bombardment... That's what our life has become."

Residents and local media said strikes also hit the outskirts of the coastal city Tyre.

NNA said Lebanese had received phone messages from Israel telling them "to quickly evacuate".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel has dealt "a series of blows on Hezbollah that it could have never imagined".

Hezbollah's deputy chief, Naim Qassem, said the group was in a "new phase, namely an open reckoning" with Israel, and ready for "all military possibilities".

Both spoke after rocket attacks on northern Israel forced Israelis to seek shelter and caused damage in the area of Haifa, a major city on Israel's north coast.

"No country can tolerate attacks on its citizens," Netanyahu said, as Israel turns its focus on Hezbollah, nearly a year into its Gaza war sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel.

Since the near-daily border exchanges began in October, hundreds of people have been killed in Lebanon, mostly fighters, and dozens in Israel and the annexed Golan Heights.

Tens of thousands of people on both sides have fled their homes, and Israeli leaders say they are seeking to ensure their citizens can return safely.

An Israeli military official, who cannot be further identified under military rules, on Monday outlined the goals of the military operation which he said is currently only an "aerial campaign".

The first goal is to "degrade threats" from Hezbollah. The second is to push them back from the border, and the final goal is to destroy infrastructure built near the border by Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, the official said.

World powers have implored both sides to pull back from the brink of all-out war.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the UN and "influential countries" to deter what he called Israel's "destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns".

United States President Joe Biden, whose country is Israel's leading weapons supplier, said his administration was "going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out".

Russia on Monday expressed "extreme concern" at the threat of escalation.

The European Union and Britain had stressed the need for a ceasefire, and China on Monday urged its nationals to leave Israel.

Despite Israel's sophisticated air defences, Hezbollah rocket fire reached Kiryat Bialik near Haifa, leaving a building in flames, another pockmarked with shrapnel and vehicles incinerated on the weekend.

Analysts say Hezbollah has been dealt a serious blow this past week.

Deadly attacks targeted its communications and decimated the leadership of its elite unit, although its ability to fight has not been crushed, the analysts said.

An Israeli air strike in Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold on Friday killed the Radwan Force commander, Ibrahim Aqil.

Lebanon's health ministry said the strike killed 45 people including many civilians as well as other Hezbollah commanders.

The Beirut strike came after coordinated communications device blasts on Tuesday and Wednesday killed 39 people and wounded almost 3,000, with Hezbollah blaming Israel.

Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli military production facilities and an air base in the Haifa area with rockets as "an initial response".

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told AFP the Israel-Hezbollah flare-up "negatively affects" Gaza ceasefire efforts as there is "lack of political will on the Israeli side"

Netanyahu's critics inside Israel have accused him of dragging out the war.

Egypt has tried for months with Qatar and the United States to broker a ceasefire.

Of the 251 hostages also seized by militants, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,431 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The UN has acknowledged the figures as reliable.
Before joining LionGrove, Karabelas served as the Regional Vice President of Sales & Marketing with Highgate Hotels in Honolulu, Hawaii. While at Highgate, he oversaw sales, brand planning, digital media strategy, and communications for a portfolio encompassing 15 independent and franchise properties. Prior to that, he spent seven years at Aqua-Aston Hospitality, a business division of Marriott Vacations Worldwide, where he initially served as Senior Director of Digital Marketing and was later promoted to Vice President of Marketing & Ecommerce. During his tenure, he oversaw global marketing strategies across 40 hotels, resulting in substantial revenue increases and the successful launch of an enterprise brand website, loyalty program, and opening marketing strategy for ten independent and branded properties.

Karabelas also previously served as Senior Strategist at Saatchi & Saatchi, a global advertising agency based in New York. Karabelas holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Communications from Boston University.
After falling by 75 percent in 2020, travel is on its way to a full recovery by the end of 2024. Domestic travel is expected to grow 3 percent annually and reach 19 billion lodging nights per year by 2030. 1 Over the same time frame, international travel should likewise ramp up to its historical average of nine billion nights. Spending on travel is expected to follow a similar trajectory, with an estimated $8.6 trillion in traveler outlays in 2024, representing

After falling by 75 percent in 2020, travel is on its way to a full recovery by the end of 2024. Domestic travel is expected to grow 3 percent annually and reach 19 billion lodging nights per year by 2030. 1 Over the same time frame, international travel should likewise ramp up to its historical average of nine billion nights. Spending on travel is expected to follow a similar trajectory, with an estimated $8.6 trillion in traveler outlays in 2024, representing roughly 9 percent of this years global GDP.

Theres no doubt people still love to travel and will continue to seek new experiences in new places. But where will travelers come from, and where will they go? We developed a snapshot of current traveler flows, along with estimates for growth through 2030. For the purposes of this report, we have divided the world into four regionsthe Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

Our analysis identifies three major themes for industry stakeholders to consider:

The bulk of travel spending is close to home. Stakeholders should ensure they capture the full potential of domestic travel before shifting their focus to international travelers. And they should start with international travelers who visit nearby countriesas intraregional trips represent the largest travel segment after domestic trips.

Source markets are shifting. Although established source markets continue to anchor global travel, Eastern Europe, India, and Southeast Asia are all becoming fast-growing sources of outbound tourism.

The destinations of the future may not be the ones you imagine. Alongside enduring favorites, places that werent on many tourists maps are finding clever ways to lure international travelers and establish themselves as desirable destinations.

The bulk of travel spending is close to home

International travel might feel more glamorous, but tourism players should not forget that domestic travel still represents the bulk of the market, accounting for 75 percent of global travel spending (Exhibit 1). Domestic travel recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic faster than international travel, as is typical coming out of downturns. And although there has been a recent boom in revenge travel, with travelers prioritizing international trips that were delayed by the pandemic, a return to prepandemic norms, in which domestic travel represents 70 percent of spending, is expected by 2030.

 Source: McKinsey & Company

The United States is the worlds largest domestic travel market at $1 trillion in annual spending. Sixty-eight percent of all trips that start in the United States remain within its borders. Domestic demand has softened slightly, as American travelers return abroad. 2 But tourism players with the right offerings are still thriving: five national parks broke attendance records in 2023 (including Joshua Tree National Park, which capitalized on growing interest from stargazers indulging in dark sky tourism 3).

Chinas $744 billion domestic travel market is currently the worlds second largest. Chinese travelers spent the pandemic learning to appreciate the diversity of experiences on offer within their own country. Even as borders open back up, Chinese travelers are staying close to home. And domestic destinations are benefiting: for example, Changchun (home to the Changchun Ice and Snow Festival) realized 160 percent year-on-year growth in visitors in 2023. 4 In 2024, domestic travel during Lunar New Year exceeded prepandemic levels by 19 percent.

Chinas domestic travel market is expected to grow 12 percent annually and overtake the United States to become the worlds largest by 2030. Hotel construction reflects this expectation: 30 percent of the global hotel construction pipeline is currently concentrated in China. The pipeline is heavily skewed toward luxury properties, with more than twice as many luxury hotels under construction in China as in the United States.

India, currently the worlds sixth-largest domestic travel market by spending, is another thriving area for domestic travel. With the subcontinents growing middle class powering travel spending growth of roughly 9 percent per year, Indias domestic market could overtake Japans and Mexicos to become the worlds fourth largest by 2030. Domestic air passenger traffic in India is projected to double by 2030, 5 boosted in part by a state-subsidized initiative that aims to connect underserved domestic airports. 6

 Source: McKinsey & Company

Recognizing this general trend, stakeholders have been funneling investment toward regional tourism destinations. An Emirati wealth fund, for instance, has announced its intent to invest roughly $35 billion into established hospitality properties and development opportunities in Egypt. 7

Europe has long played host to a high share of intraregional travel. Seventy percent of its travelers international trips stay within the region. Europes most popular destinations for intraregional travelers are perennial warm-weather favoritesSpain (18 percent), Italy (10 percent), and France (8 percent)with limited change to these preferences expected between now and 2030.

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HSMAI Europe has announced its official launch in Spain, marking a significant milestone in its strategy to expand and strengthen its membership in southern Europe. Following an introduction into Greece earlier this year, the expansion into Spain reinforces HSMAIs mission to grow its influence and foster collaboration in Europes most dynamic hospitality markets.

HSMAI Europe's presence in Spain will bring regular meetings and conferences aimed at supporting and elevating the hospitality industry. They will offer professionals valuable tools, insights, and expertise tailored to the Spanish market, promoting knowledge-sharing and professional growth in sales, marketing, digital transformation, and revenue optimisation. Committed to business growth and industry excellence, HSMAI Europe seeks to empower hospitality leaders, foster innovation, and enhance career perceptions in the hotel, event, and travel sectors.

HSMAI Europe will officially launch in Spain with a press conference and industry discussion on October 24th, hosted at the Radisson RED Madrid and co-sponsored by Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) and Amadeus. With Amadeus headquartered in Madrid and RHG's global centre of excellence also based in the city, the support from these two industry-leading giants emphasises the significance of the associations expansion for both local and international stakeholders.

The theme for the launch evening, The Future of MICE Data, will feature thought-provoking discussions led by industry experts and offer a unique platform to introduce the HSMAI mission and showcase the benefits of affiliating with the association. Members of the Spanish hospitality sector and media professionals are warmly invited to attend the event, which promises valuable insights into the latest trends and challenges shaping the hospitality industry.

We are thrilled to support the launch of HSMAI Europe in Spain, a country known for its thriving hospitality sector, providing the ideal environment to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence. With Madrid a major hub for hospitality and tourism, this is the perfect opportunity for the association to bring together industry professionals to exchange knowledge and drive meaningful change. Moreover, The Club of Revenue Management by RHG in Madrid has been a pioneering force in advancing best practices in revenue management and fostering a community of industry leaders. Its involvement will further strengthen this initiative, ensuring that revenue optimization and strategic growth are key focal points of HSMAI Europes mission in Spain. Matthieu Lafaurie, Vice President, The Club & Commercial Transformation at Radisson Hotel Group and Member of the HSMAI Europe Board of Directors

In addition to supporting the HSMAI Europe launch in Spain, Amadeus has been confirmed as the Preferred Sponsor for the upcoming HSMAI Europe Commercial Strategy Week in London, scheduled for January 2025. As the highest-level sponsor, Amadeus is committed to supporting HSMAI Europe initiatives that bring the hospitality industry together for networking and professional development.

Katie Moro, Vice President of Data Partnerships at Amadeus and a member of the HSMAI Americas Board of Directors, emphasised the significance of Amadeuss involvement in the Spain launch and the HSMAI Europe Commercial Strategy Conference in London:

The value we derive from our partnership with HSMAI in the US has been immense, so extending that relationship to other global markets is a natural progression for us. Spain and the UK are two critical travel and hospitality markets, and with our headquarters in Madrid, it is essential for us to support the launch of HSMAI Europe here. The association is integral to bringing the sector together, and we are excited to be part of this journey. We look forward to the upcoming HSMAI Europe Commercial Strategy Week in London, where we will continue to engage with leaders across the industry.

Amadeus has previously supported HSMAI Europe including their first Future of MICE Data roundtable, which took place at Sofitel Frankfurt Opera on May 13 to coincide with global events show IMEX. It saw hotel industry leaders brainstorm with Amadeus and MICEview to compile a wish list of data and information they require to better plan their meetings and events strategy, ultimately delivering more profitable MICE business to their properties.

HSMAI Europes expansion into Spain is a vital component of its strategy, which aims to strengthen its presence in southern Europe by building local partnerships and creating valuable opportunities for professionals in the hospitality, sales, marketing, and revenue management sectors.

Ingunn Hofseth, President & CEO of HSMAI Region Europe, shared their strategic vision for the future of HSMAI in Spain:

Spain represents a crucial market for HSMAI Europe, and we are excited to officially launch our network. Making Spain one of our permanent aligns with our broader vision to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence within the European hospitality industry. We believe that by bringing together professionals from across the region, we can create a stronger, more connected community that drives positive change and continued growth for the sector. We look forward to working closely with our partners and members to achieve these goals.

For more information about the meeting and to register, please visit:

The Future of MICE Data Press Conference  Madrid

About HSMAI Europe

HSMAI  Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International  is a global organization founded in the US in 1927. HSMAI Region Europe is the European arm of the organisation. HSMAI Europe aims to be a key influencer, pioneer and the go-to industry resource for professional development, commercial strategies and sustainability in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. Read More
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) continues the strategic expansion of luxury and lifestyle hotels with a significant development pipeline of more than 20 recent and planned openings across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean through 2025. This planned growth will expand Hyatts brand footprint in several new regional markets, allowing Hyatt to care for guests and World of Hyatt members in more places and on more stay occasions.

Since 2017, Hyatt has doubled its number of luxury rooms, tripled its number of resort rooms, and quintupled its number of lifestyle rooms globally. This growth establishes Hyatt as the fastest-growing luxury portfolio with the largest number of luxury-branded rooms in resort locations worldwide and underscores Hyatts position as the premier hotel brand for high-end travelers seeking rich and experiential luxury, resort and lifestyle stays. Hyatt found in its recent Mid-Year 2024 Consumer Sentiment and Travel Expectations Report that 88% of consumers are showing a steady intent to travel for leisure.

We are engaged with our guests and World of Hyatt members and taking in their feedback helps us strengthen our understanding of the key markets and leisure experiences that resonate with and excite them the most. From Deer Valley to Miami to Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, our luxury and lifestyle brands expansion in new and key markets is driven by our desire to offer travelers more opportunities to explore the unique communities our hotels are a part of and the chance to embark on incredible experiences with Hyatt. Crystal Vinisse Thomas, vice president and global brand leader for Hyatts luxury and lifestyle brands

Looking ahead, Hyatt will offer guests more iconic lifestyle brands and experiences through the planned acquisition of lifestyle pioneer Standard International. Enhancing its position as a leading lifestyle hospitality leader, Hyatt will launch a new dedicated lifestyle group that will include The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands, as well as many of its world-class restaurant and nightlife affiliates (The Boom Boom Room, The Standard Grill, Le Bain, and more). Following the transactions close, Hyatt is planning to welcome Standard International properties into World of Hyatt, bringing even more celebrated lifestyle options to its 48 million loyalty members.

Newly Opened and Coming Soon

Hyatt plans to add several new hotels across prime leisure markets in Americas in 2024, from the first Andaz hotel in Florida and the debut of the Hyatt Centric brand in Costa Rica, to the first Grand Hyatt properties in Arizona and Utah. Recent and upcoming 2024 openings and renovations include:

The Legend Paracas Resort (joined the Destination by Hyatt brand on June 18, 2024) located on the coast of Peru, about three hours south of Lima, the 124-room resort is nestled between the Paracas Nature Reserve and the Pacific Ocean, offering panoramic views of the Paracas Bay and desert hills.

(joined the Destination by Hyatt brand on June 18, 2024) located on the coast of Peru, about three hours south of Lima, the 124-room resort is nestled between the Paracas Nature Reserve and the Pacific Ocean, offering panoramic views of the Paracas Bay and desert hills. Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas (opened September 9, 2024) rebranded from Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa in California after an extensive $64 million renovation including transformed 531 accommodations, including 39 spacious suites which have completed, while 43 one- and two-bedroom private villas, are set to debut by November 2024. The rebrand ushers in a new era of luxury for the iconic desert resort with an expanded lobby experience, refreshed meeting and event spaces, two new dining concepts and a reimagined pool complex with extended cabana offerings.

(opened September 9, 2024) rebranded from Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa in California after an extensive $64 million renovation including transformed 531 accommodations, including 39 spacious suites which have completed, while 43 one- and two-bedroom private villas, are set to debut by November 2024. The rebrand ushers in a new era of luxury for the iconic desert resort with an expanded lobby experience, refreshed meeting and event spaces, two new dining concepts and a reimagined pool complex with extended cabana offerings. Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica (opened September 18, 2024) marks the Hyatt Centric lifestyle brands sixth hotel in California and Hyatts 101st hotel in the Golden State, with 315 guest rooms. The hotel will undergo a design enhancement this fall.

(opened September 18, 2024) marks the Hyatt Centric lifestyle brands sixth hotel in California and Hyatts 101st hotel in the Golden State, with 315 guest rooms. The hotel will undergo a design enhancement this fall. Thompson Palm Springs (expected to open September 30, 2024) debuted with a collection of nearly all of its 168 bungalow-inspired guest rooms and suites in the heart of the citys design district. The new lifestyle hotel features spirited dining concept, Lola Rose Grand Mezze and the first tasting room from HALL Napa Valley.

(expected to open September 30, 2024) debuted with a collection of nearly all of its 168 bungalow-inspired guest rooms and suites in the heart of the citys design district. The new lifestyle hotel features spirited dining concept, Lola Rose Grand Mezze and the first tasting room from HALL Napa Valley. Hyatt Centric San Jose Escazu (expected to open in October 2024) will mark the Hyatt Centric brands first hotel in Costa Rica and serve as a homebase to explore San Jose, the countrys capital, and largest city. Located in Plaza Tempo, the hotel will feature 161 guest rooms and suites with artwork crafted by local Costa Rican artists.

(expected to open in October 2024) will mark the Hyatt Centric brands first hotel in Costa Rica and serve as a homebase to explore San Jose, the countrys capital, and largest city. Located in Plaza Tempo, the hotel will feature 161 guest rooms and suites with artwork crafted by local Costa Rican artists. Hyatt Centric Santo Domingo (expected to open in October 2024) will be the first Hyatt branded hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Located in the city's central area within the thriving Ensanche Piantini neighborhood, the 130-room hotel will offer a rooftop bar, coffee shop, signature restaurant and lobby bar.

(expected to open in October 2024) will be the first Hyatt branded hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Located in the city's central area within the thriving Ensanche Piantini neighborhood, the 130-room hotel will offer a rooftop bar, coffee shop, signature restaurant and lobby bar. Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort (expected to rebrand in October 2024) will be the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona after undergoing a $115 million renovation inclusive of 496 updated accommodations, including 18 luxury Casitas, six elevated dining experiences, expanded pool and cabana offerings, a refreshed spa and more group meeting space capabilities to transform and rebrand from Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch.

(expected to rebrand in October 2024) will be the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona after undergoing a $115 million renovation inclusive of 496 updated accommodations, including 18 luxury Casitas, six elevated dining experiences, expanded pool and cabana offerings, a refreshed spa and more group meeting space capabilities to transform and rebrand from Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch. Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (expected to open in November 2024) will mark the debut of the Grand Hyatt brand in Utah and will feature 436 luxury accommodations, multiple food & beverage experiences and one of the largest mountainside event facilities in all the U.S. thats perfect for all seasons. The hotel is positioned with direct access to both Deer Valleys existing and expanded ski terrain as well as the Jordanelle Reservoir.

(expected to open in November 2024) will mark the debut of the Grand Hyatt brand in Utah and will feature 436 luxury accommodations, multiple food & beverage experiences and one of the largest mountainside event facilities in all the U.S. thats perfect for all seasons. The hotel is positioned with direct access to both Deer Valleys existing and expanded ski terrain as well as the Jordanelle Reservoir. Andaz Miami Beach (expected to open December 2024) has been transformed from The Confidante Miami Beach to the first Andaz hotel in Florida. This hotel features an industry-first, ocean-view check-in experience, 287 rooms, 64 suites, two reimagined pools and a historic beach house. The property will weave the rich cultural tapestry of the locale into every aspect of the resort, offering a dynamic mix of Miami-inspired programming and exclusive partnerships, including highly anticipated collaborations with the world-renowned Jose Andres Group.

(expected to open December 2024) has been transformed from The Confidante Miami Beach to the first Andaz hotel in Florida. This hotel features an industry-first, ocean-view check-in experience, 287 rooms, 64 suites, two reimagined pools and a historic beach house. The property will weave the rich cultural tapestry of the locale into every aspect of the resort, offering a dynamic mix of Miami-inspired programming and exclusive partnerships, including highly anticipated collaborations with the world-renowned Jose Andres Group. Maison Metier (expected to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in 2024) is a 67-room private luxury guesthouse serving as a luxury oasis in the heart of New Orleans, thoughtfully preserved in its architectural integrity from 1908 and will embody the story of a bygone era.

Strategic Growth in 2025

In 2025, Hyatt plans to introduce several luxury and lifestyle brands in key markets across the Americas region, including the first Park Hyatt and Dream Hotels properties in Mexico, the first Hyatt Centric brand in Puerto Rico, and the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Grand Cayman. New openings planned for 2025 include:
IHCL Signs A Ginger And A Vivanta Hotel In Hosur, Tamil Nadu - Image Credit IHCL

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), Indias largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a Vivanta and a Ginger in Hosur. These greenfield projects will be developed on a 3-acre land parcel.

Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Development, IHCL, stated, Hosur, driven by regional economic growth and infrastructural development, is emerging as a prime commercial center in Tamil Nadu. The signing of these two hotels near the Hosur industrial area will meet the increasing demand for corporate travel and MICE in this thriving micro-market. We are delighted to partner with Mr. Palaniappan for these projects.

The 150-key Vivanta will offer a refined experience with modern decor that reflects the vibrant energy of Hosur. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant and a bar. The hotel will offer a state-of-the-art gym, a swimming pool, and versatile banquet spaces to accommodate business events and gatherings. Embodying its lean luxe philosophy, the 200-key Ginger will feature an all-day dining cum bar, a gym, and meeting facilities, catering to the needs of todays modern travelers who seek style and efficiency.

Mr. EMC Palaniappan, Managing Director of Chona Megatainment Malls Pvt Ltd, added, We are thrilled to collaborate with IHCL to bring Vivanta and Ginger brands to Hosur, offering a perfect mix of upscale and lean luxe hospitality experiences.

Located in close proximity to Bengaluru on the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Hosur is a fast-emerging city with multiple manufacturing, electronics and chemicals industries.

With the addition of these hotels, IHCL will have a presence of 22 hotels with 6 under development in Tamil Nadu.
Andaz Miami Beach Elevate - Image Credit Hyatt

Grand Hyatt Deer Valley Rendering - Image Credit Hyatt

Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo del Sol - Image Credit Hyatt

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) continues the strategic expansion of luxury and lifestyle hotels with a significant development pipeline of more than 20 recent and planned openings across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean through 2025. This planned growth will expand Hyatts brand footprint in several new regional markets, allowing Hyatt to care for guests and World of Hyatt members in more places and on more stay occasions.

Since 2017, Hyatt has doubled its number of luxury rooms, tripled its number of resort rooms, and quintupled its number of lifestyle rooms globally. This growth establishes Hyatt as the fastest-growing luxury portfolio with the largest number of luxury-branded rooms in resort locations worldwide and underscores Hyatts position as the premier hotel brand for high-end travelers seeking rich and experiential luxury, resort and lifestyle stays. Hyatt found in its recent Mid-Year 2024 Consumer Sentiment and Travel Expectations Report that 88% of consumers are showing a steady intent to travel for leisure.

We are engaged with our guests and World of Hyatt members and taking in their feedback helps us strengthen our understanding of the key markets and leisure experiences that resonate with and excite them the most, said Crystal Vinisse Thomas, vice president and global brand leader for Hyatt's luxury and lifestyle brands. From Deer Valley to Miami to Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, our luxury and lifestyle brands expansion in new and key markets is driven by our desire to offer travelers more opportunities to explore the unique communities our hotels are a part of and the chance to embark on incredible experiences with Hyatt.

Looking ahead, Hyatt will offer guests more iconic lifestyle brands and experiences through the planned acquisition of lifestyle pioneer Standard International. Enhancing its position as a leading lifestyle hospitality leader, Hyatt will launch a new dedicated lifestyle group that will include The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands, as well as many of its world-class restaurant and nightlife affiliates (The Boom Boom Room, The Standard Grill, Le Bain, and more). Following the transactions close, Hyatt is planning to welcome Standard International properties into World of Hyatt, bringing even more celebrated lifestyle options to its 48 million loyalty members.

Newly Opened and Coming Soon

Hyatt plans to add several new hotels across prime leisure markets in Americas in 2024, from the first Andaz hotel in Florida and the debut of the Hyatt Centric brand in Costa Rica, to the first Grand Hyatt properties in Arizona and Utah. Recent and upcoming 2024 openings and renovations include:

The Legend Paracas Resort (joined the Destination by Hyatt brand on June 18, 2024) located on the coast of Peru, about three hours south of Lima, the 124-room resort is nestled between the Paracas Nature Reserve and the Pacific Ocean, offering panoramic views of the Paracas Bay and desert hills.

(joined the Destination by Hyatt brand on June 18, 2024) located on the coast of Peru, about three hours south of Lima, the 124-room resort is nestled between the Paracas Nature Reserve and the Pacific Ocean, offering panoramic views of the Paracas Bay and desert hills. Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas (opened September 9, 2024) rebranded from Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa in California after an extensive $64 million renovation including transformed 531 accommodations, including 39 spacious suites which have completed, while 43 one- and two-bedroom private villas, are set to debut by November 2024. The rebrand ushers in a new era of luxury for the iconic desert resort with an expanded lobby experience, refreshed meeting and event spaces, two new dining concepts and a reimagined pool complex with extended cabana offerings.

(opened September 9, 2024) rebranded from Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa in California after an extensive $64 million renovation including transformed 531 accommodations, including 39 spacious suites which have completed, while 43 one- and two-bedroom private villas, are set to debut by November 2024. The rebrand ushers in a new era of luxury for the iconic desert resort with an expanded lobby experience, refreshed meeting and event spaces, two new dining concepts and a reimagined pool complex with extended cabana offerings. Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica (opened September 18, 2024) marks the Hyatt Centric lifestyle brands sixth hotel in California and Hyatts 101st hotel in the Golden State, with 315 guest rooms. The hotel will undergo a design enhancement this fall.

(opened September 18, 2024) marks the Hyatt Centric lifestyle brands sixth hotel in California and Hyatts 101st hotel in the Golden State, with 315 guest rooms. The hotel will undergo a design enhancement this fall. Thompson Palm Springs (expected to open September 30, 2024) debuted with a collection of nearly all of its 168 bungalow-inspired guest rooms and suites in the heart of the citys design district. The new lifestyle hotel features spirited dining concept, Lola Rose Grand Mezze and the first tasting room from HALL Napa Valley.

(expected to open September 30, 2024) debuted with a collection of nearly all of its 168 bungalow-inspired guest rooms and suites in the heart of the citys design district. The new lifestyle hotel features spirited dining concept, Lola Rose Grand Mezze and the first tasting room from HALL Napa Valley. Hyatt Centric San Jose Escazu (expected to open in October 2024) will mark the Hyatt Centric brands first hotel in Costa Rica and serve as a homebase to explore San Jose, the countrys capital, and largest city. Located in Plaza Tempo, the hotel will feature 161 guest rooms and suites with artwork crafted by local Costa Rican artists.

(expected to open in October 2024) will mark the Hyatt Centric brands first hotel in Costa Rica and serve as a homebase to explore San Jose, the countrys capital, and largest city. Located in Plaza Tempo, the hotel will feature 161 guest rooms and suites with artwork crafted by local Costa Rican artists. Hyatt Centric Santo Domingo (expected to open in October 2024) will be the first Hyatt branded hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Located in the city's central area within the thriving Ensanche Piantini neighborhood, the 130-room hotel will offer a rooftop bar, coffee shop, signature restaurant and lobby bar.

(expected to open in October 2024) will be the first Hyatt branded hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Located in the city's central area within the thriving Ensanche Piantini neighborhood, the 130-room hotel will offer a rooftop bar, coffee shop, signature restaurant and lobby bar. Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort (expected to rebrand in October 2024) will be the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona after undergoing a $115 million renovation inclusive of 496 updated accommodations, including 18 luxury Casitas, six elevated dining experiences, expanded pool and cabana offerings, a refreshed spa and more group meeting space capabilities to transform and rebrand from Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch.

(expected to rebrand in October 2024) will be the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona after undergoing a $115 million renovation inclusive of 496 updated accommodations, including 18 luxury Casitas, six elevated dining experiences, expanded pool and cabana offerings, a refreshed spa and more group meeting space capabilities to transform and rebrand from Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch. Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (expected to open in November 2024) will mark the debut of the Grand Hyatt brand in Utah and will feature 436 luxury accommodations, multiple food & beverage experiences and one of the largest mountainside event facilities in all the U.S. thats perfect for all seasons. The hotel is positioned with direct access to both Deer Valleys existing and expanded ski terrain as well as the Jordanelle Reservoir.

(expected to open in November 2024) will mark the debut of the Grand Hyatt brand in Utah and will feature 436 luxury accommodations, multiple food & beverage experiences and one of the largest mountainside event facilities in all the U.S. thats perfect for all seasons. The hotel is positioned with direct access to both Deer Valleys existing and expanded ski terrain as well as the Jordanelle Reservoir. Andaz Miami Beach (expected to open December 2024) has been transformed from The Confidante Miami Beach to the first Andaz hotel in Florida. This hotel features an industry-first, ocean-view check-in experience, 287 rooms, 64 suites, two reimagined pools and a historic beach house. The property will weave the rich cultural tapestry of the locale into every aspect of the resort, offering a dynamic mix of Miami-inspired programming and exclusive partnerships, including highly anticipated collaborations with the world-renowned Jose Andres Group.

(expected to open December 2024) has been transformed from The Confidante Miami Beach to the first Andaz hotel in Florida. This hotel features an industry-first, ocean-view check-in experience, 287 rooms, 64 suites, two reimagined pools and a historic beach house. The property will weave the rich cultural tapestry of the locale into every aspect of the resort, offering a dynamic mix of Miami-inspired programming and exclusive partnerships, including highly anticipated collaborations with the world-renowned Jose Andres Group. Maison Metier (expected to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in 2024) is a 67-room private luxury guesthouse serving as a luxury oasis in the heart of New Orleans, thoughtfully preserved in its architectural integrity from 1908 and will embody the story of a bygone era.

Strategic Growth in 2025

In 2025, Hyatt plans to introduce several luxury and lifestyle brands in key markets across the Americas region, including the first Park Hyatt and Dream Hotels properties in Mexico, the first Hyatt Centric brand in Puerto Rico, and the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Grand Cayman. New openings planned for 2025 include:

Thompson Miami Beach (Early 2025)

(Early 2025) Cas En Bas Beach Resort St. Lucia (Destination by Hyatt, early 2025)

(Destination by Hyatt, early 2025) Secrets Baby Beach Aruba (February 2025)

(February 2025) Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo del Sol (Spring 2025)

(Spring 2025) Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa (Dominican Republic, April 2025)

(Dominican Republic, April 2025) Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa (Dominican Republic, April 2025)

(Dominican Republic, April 2025) Dream Valle de Guadalupe (Mexico, July 2025)

(Mexico, July 2025) Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa (2025)

(2025) Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa (2025)

(2025) Hyatt Centric Queretaro (Mexico, 2025)

(Mexico, 2025) Hyatt Centric Isla Verde San Juan (2025)

(2025) Breathless Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa (2025)

(2025) Dreams Grand Island (2025)

Hyatt resorts across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America  including our Inclusive Collection properties  are experiencing significant momentum as we look to close out 2024 and kick off 2025. This progress reflects the power of our brands and Hyatts commitment to delivering inimitable experiences for our valued guests and members, said Melanie Benozich, associate vice president, marketing & global branding, Hyatt Inclusive Collection. As we grow our Inclusive Collection footprint into exciting new resort destinations like Aruba and St. Lucia, we remain committed to offering personalized hospitality through exceptional service, immersive dining and more.
E-Invoicing Exchange Summit Prague

23.09.2024 bis 25.09.2024

Art der Veranstaltung: Kongress Ort: Prag Datum: 23.09.2024 - 25.09.2024 Uhrzeit: 09:00 - 17:00 Veranstalter: Vereon AG Teilnahmeoptionen: Prasenzveranstaltung Zielgruppe: C-Level, Fachexperten, Arbeitnehmer URL: https://www.exchange-summit.com/prague E-Mail: info@vereon.ch Eintritt/Gebuhr: EUR 1200 - 2750 + VAT Voranmeldung erwunscht: ja

The E-Invoicing Exchange Summit Europe will be held in Prague from September 23 to 25, 2024. At this global platform you will get in-depth information about recent developments and future trends in the field of E-Invoicing, E-Reporting and beyond. You will also get in personal contact with leading experts from governments and industries to expand your network.



On Monday, September 23 you have the opportunity to start the E-Invoicing Exchange Summit by attending workshops and meetings on the pre-conference day. Furthermore, a great networking opportunity awaits you with the Icebreaker Reception in the early evening. The conference itself will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday September 24 and 25, 2024, including the Networking Dinner.



Key topics to be covered

+ Potential E-Invoicing and DRR Implementation Trajectories under ViDA

+ Figures, Data, Facts: The Latest Developments in E-Invoicing Worldwide and Their Significance for Europe

+ Global Update on Peppol

+ Future-Proof Your Compliance - How Best-in-Class Companies Ride the Mandate Wave

+ Preparing for E-Invoicing from a Finance, IT, and Tax Perspective

+ Connected & Automated Business - More than just E-Invoicing

+ Actionable Steps and Strategies in the Light of ViDA: Whats the Big Deal for VAT Departments?



Attending

Registration fees range from EUR 1200 to EUR 2750. Special rates valid for public sector and typical senders of a high volume of invoices are available. These tickets are limited and will be granted upon request and examination.



For more information, agenda and registration visit:

https://www.exchange-summit.com/events/europe/prague
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In a prolific literary career spanning 18 novels, William Boyd has become known for his masterfully interwoven plots, his sweeping historical backdrops, and his consistent readability.

From the mega hit Any Human Heart (2002), later adapted into a Channel 4 drama starring Matthew Macfadyen and Hayley Atwell, to his 2013 James Bond novel Solo, Boyds versatile output has included screenplays, journalism, and even a mischievous hoax: the fictional (but presented as otherwise) biography of an abstract expressionist artist called Nat Tate in 1998 even had David Bowie playing along.

As Boyd publishes his latest book, the spy thriller Gabriels Moon, he shares insights into his reading and writing life...

What is on your to-read pile? Is it under control or out of hand?

Its totally out of hand. Some choices from the teetering pile: Homework by Geoff Dyer, Sentimental Education by Gustave Flaubert, A Seditious and Sinister Tribe by Donald Rayfield, Shooting Midnight Cowboy by Glenn Frankel, How to Be by Adam Nicolson.

The best book Ive read so far this year...

Mortal Secrets: Freud, Vienna, and the Discovery of the Modern Mind by Frank Tallis. I have a mild obsession with Vienna and Freudianism. Talliss clear-eyed, judicious analysis is the best Ive read  about the city and the man.

open image in gallery William Boyds latest spy thriller Gabriels Moon follows Gabriel Dax, a young man haunted by a childhood tragedy ( Supplied )

The first book I ever loved obsessively...

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. But the love affair is over, now.

The book Id save from a burning building...

Ulysses by James Joyce. The novel to end all novels, I suppose. The story of one day in Dublin  all human life is there.

The book that surprised me the most...

Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov. A unique novel. Only Nabokov could have pulled this off.

The author who has taught me the most...

Anton Chekhov. The short stories. The human condition laid bare.

My favourite place to read...

At my desk. If I try to read in bed or in an armchair I fall asleep.

open image in gallery Matthew Macfadyen and Hayley Atwell in Channel 4s Any Human Heart ( Joss Barratt )

The book Ive written that means the most to me personally is...

Any Human Heart. It was technically the most difficult novel of mine to write: 500 pages covering an entire, long life in journal form. It has also provoked the most responses from readers  both sexes, all ages  more than any of my other novels.

The best thing a reader has said to me  and the worst...

The best: I am Logan Mountstuart [the protagonist of Any Human Heart] and I knew all those women! The worst: a critic described my first novel, A Good Man in Africa, as pornographic.

open image in gallery The love affair is over, now: Boyd has moved past his obsession with Joseph Hellers 1961 book ( Simon & Schuster )

Favourite bookshop (and why)?

John Sandoe in Chelsea. A beautiful bookshop. The perfect, well-stocked independent bookshop with super-well-informed staff.

Is the book always better than the film?

Im afraid so. You can do absolutely anything in a novel. Film is a world of parameters, compromises, and impossibilities.

Gabriels Moon is out now, published by Viking
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Prosecutors in Young Dolphs murder trial have alleged that Anthony Big Jook Mims placed a $100,000 bounty on the rapper, which led to his death by shooting on November 17, 2021.

Mims, the brother of Dolphs rival Memphis rapper Yo Gotti, was himself fatally shot on January 13, 2024.

Two men, Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith Jr, have been charged with first-degree murder over the shooting of 36-year-old Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr, at Makedas Homemade Butter Cookies in Memphis.

Johnson pleaded not guilty, and his trial began today. Smith is testifying against him.

Fox 13 Memphis reports that Smith testified that he and Johnson were told by a third man, Hernandez Govan, that Mims had placed a hit on Dolphs head worth $100,000.

Smith said that he and Johnson agreed to the hit, with both men giving $10,000 to Govan and keeping $40,000 each for themselves.

open image in gallery Young Dolph pictured at LAs Staples Center in 2017. The rapper was shot dead in 2021 ( Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET )

On the day of the shooting, Smith said Johnson picked him up in a white Mercedes Benz. They knew Young Dolph would be in Memphis for a Thanksgiving food drive, and set out to find him. Smith said that in the backseat of the car was a semi-automatic weapon known as a Draco and a handgun.

Smith said that he and Johnson soon spotted Young Dolphs custom car. We were like, There goes Dolph right there, said Smith.

According to Smiths testimony, the pair followed Dolph to Makedas Homemade Butter Cookies. Smith said they made the block, pulled up the backway, and then jumped out and started shooting.

Prosecutors showed video of two gunmen shooting into Makedas. Smith identified himself and Johnson as the people in the video.

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I wasnt feeling nothing at the time, Smith testified. I was just trying to get some money...I saw him standing by the window. I just got out of the car and started shooting.

The trial is ongoing.

In a statement released prior to the trial, Young Dolphs family said: As the trial approaches on Monday, September 23, 2024, for those accused in the tragic death of Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., known to millions as Young Dolph, his family wishes to express their hope for justice.

We remain heartbroken over the loss of Adolph, and we have faith that the legal system will bring justice to all of those involved in this crime. This has been an unimaginable time for our family, but the love and support of the community has given us strength as we continue to process this situation.
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Donald Trump has slammed Bill Maher for inviting MSNBCs Stephanie Ruhle and The New York Times opinion columnist Bret Stephens on to his Real Time with Bill Maher talk show.

The late-night host recently sat down with Ruhle and Stephens, where they discussed the weeks headlines, including the former presidents claim that if he loses the 2024 presidential election, the Jewish people would have a lot to do with that.

Trump made the remark last week at a campaign event held in Washington DC, which had been billed to be about tackling antisemitism.

Whenever the autocrat starts blaming the Jews, I think its a great sign because when has that ever turned out badly, Maher joked.

Stephens jumped in to add that democracy is at risk whenever antisemitism rears its head, going on to call Trump a really scary guy and antisemitic adjacent.

He confirmed that he would not be voting for Trump but also shared that he has not yet committed to Vice President Kamala Harris, explaining that hes unsure about her policies.

Kamala Harris is not running for perfect. Shes running against Trump, Ruhle responded. We have two choices. And so there are some things you might not know her answer to, and in 2024, unlike 2016 for a lot of the American people, we know exactly what Trump will do, who he is and the kind of threat he is to democracy.

Trump has since blasted the talk show host and his guests in a lengthy and irate post shared on his Truth Social media platform.

The ratings challenged Bill Maher, on his increasingly boring show on HBO, is really having a hard time coping with TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, he wrote.

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open image in gallery Bret Stephens and Stephanie Ruhle guest star on Real Time with Bill Maher' ( Max )

Describing Maher as a befuddled, mess, sloppy and tired, Trump continued: And every conversation, with B and C list guests, seems to start with, or revert back to, ME!

This week he had dumb as a rock bimbo Stephanie Ruhle, from MSDNC [sic], on the show, he said, with what appeared to be a reference to the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

The Republican nominees misogynistic comments ironically come the day after he wrote on Truth Social that he would protect women at a level never seen before.

Trump then attacked Stephens, calling him a Trump hating loser who seems totally confused and unsure of himself.

He went on to suggest that the journalist should find himself another line of work because I am driving the FAILING New York Times absolutely crazy, and it is very hard, perhaps impossible, for a writer to write well of me without suffering the wrath of the degenerate editors who, with a push from the top, have gone insane.

open image in gallery Donald Trump called Bill Maher a befuddled mess ( Getty Images )

They apologized to their readers in 2016 for their complete and total MISS, and theyll do it again in November, Trump said. The FAILING New York Times is a badly run newspaper that has totally lost its way. Put it to sleep!

In 2016, following Trumps election victory, the NYT published a note apologizing to its readers for underestimating Trumps support among American voters.

We aim to rededicate ourselves to the fundamental mission of Times journalism, the statement read. That is to report America and the world honestly, without fear or favor, striving always to understand and reflect all political perspectives and life experiences in the stories that we bring to you.
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John Oliver has teased JD Vance for his recent mispronunciation of Haiti.

On the latest episode of his eponymous talk show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the comedian addressed the false claims made by both Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator Vance, about Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio.

I still want to talk about this, both because the chaos Trump stirred up in Springfield is ongoing and because it feels emblematic of his campaign, Oliver began, going on to emphasize that city officials insist there is no evidence of what Trump confidently spewed to 67 million people.

Trump made the outrageous claim during his first presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this month.

The talk show host explained that the lie began the day before the debate when Vance, who always looks like a yass-ified chipmunk, tweeted that Haitian illegal immigrants were causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio, and reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country.

Which, among other things, makes it sound like eating pets is a right reserved for natural-born Americans, Oliver joked.

The British host went on to clarify that Springfield has seen a significant influx of Haitian immigrants in recent years amid tumult in Haiti.

The US granted a certain number of Haitian immigrants temporary protected status, making them eligible for social security numbers and work permits, Oliver said. At the same time, companies in Springfield faced a worker shortage, and many Haitian immigrants moved there after being recruited by local companies for jobs that locals were not filling.

He then showed a clip of Vance mispronouncing the Caribbean nation as Haitia at a rally.

open image in gallery John Oliver mocks JD Vances mispronunciation of Haiti at a recent rally ( Getty Images )

First, there is only one Haiti-related mispronunciation we recognize in this house, Oliver quipped, and its Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, delivering the iconic line: And so if the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party with the Haiteeans.

Silverstone has previously admitted that her mispronunciation of Haitians in the classic 1995 romcom was unscripted.

I know that [director] Amy Heckerling stopped the script supervisor because everybody, when I first did it, they all were running to tell me I was saying it wrong, Silverstone told Looper in 2022. She was like, Stop, and she didnt let anybody go near me because she loved that I was saying it wrong.
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A Chinese zoo has admitted that the pandas in their exhibits were, in fact, painted dogs.

According to the New York Post, visitors at the Shanwei Zoo realized they were being bamboozled when the so-called pandas began panting and barking. Pandas are native to China and an international symbol of the country.

Chow Chows were painted to resemble pandas at a Chinese zoo ( TikTok )

In one visitors video, one of the pandas was visibly panting while resting on a rock in a fence, while another clip had a panda with a long tail strolling about.

Its a PANdog, one viewer wrote, while someone else joked: Thats the Temu version of a panda.

They were panting thats why they are pandas, a third noted.

After visitors publicized the ruse on social media, the organizers admitted theyd painted two Chow Chows  a fluffy dog breed originally from northern China  with black-and-white panda markings. Since then, visitors have demanded their money back for false advertising.

This isnt the first time a Chinese zoo has misled visitors with claims of housing real pandas.

In May, NBC Newsreported that Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu Province had also painted Chow Chows. Zoo representatives initially claimed that the animals were a rare breed of panda dogs, before admitting that such animals dont exist. At the time, zoo officials told Chinese state media they had advertised them as panda dogs, and did not intentionally mislead anyone.

When journalists asked them why they invented the idea of panda dogs to cover their tracks, a zoo representative explained, There are no panda bears at the zoo, and we wanted to do this as a result.

At the time, state media and the general public criticized the zoo for also mistreating the dogs.

It is not funny at all to dye Chow Chow dogs to attract tourists, one commenter wrote on the social media platform Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of X, formerly Twitter. Their fragile skin and naturally thick coats make them susceptible to skin diseases.

However, officials defended their choice to paint the dogs, noting they werent harmed by the dye, and argued that if humans could do it, so could dogs.

Normal people dye their hair, a representative told Qilu Evening News. Dogs can dye their hair, too. Its the same as hair.

From a dog cafe in the southwestern province of Sichuan dyeing six Chow Chows to look like panda bears in 2019 to a woman of the same province walking a panda dog in a viral video in 2020, it doesnt seem like this zoo practice is a fluke.
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The death of an Ernst & Young (EY) employee, allegedly due to a gruelling workload, has triggered a conversation about the taxing work culture in Indias biggest firms.

Anna Sebastian Perayil, 26, worked as a chartered accountant with SR Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, in Pune, a city in the western state of Maharashtra. Four months into the job, Ms Perayil died, from what her father described to The News Minute as a combination of multiple issues including acid reflux, work stress, [and] work pressure.

According to a letter that her mother, Anita Augustine, wrote to the head of EY India, Ms Perayil started working at EY Pune in March, but the workload, new environment, and long hours took a toll on her physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Ms Augustine went on to describe how in July, she took Ms Perayil to see a doctor after she said she had been experiencing chest constrictions for about a week. The doctor prescribed antacids and pointed out that Ms Perayil wasnt getting enough sleep and was eating very late.

Despite this, Ms Augustine wrote, her daughter continued to work late into the night, even on weekends, with no opportunity to catch her breath.

Annas experience sheds light on a work culture that seems to glorify overwork while neglecting the very human beings behind the roles. This is not just about my daughter, its about every young professional who joins EY filled with hopes and dreams, only to be crushed under the weight of unrealistic expectations, Ms Augustine wrote.

Annas death should serve as a wake-up call for EY.

Ms Augustine said no one from EY attended Annas funeral, adding that she reached out to the management afterwards but received no reply.

EY said work pressure was not the reason for Ms Perayils death.

We have around one lakh [100,000] employees. There is no doubt each one has to work hard. Anna worked with us only for four months. She was allotted work like any other employee, Rajiv Memani, EY India chief, told The Indian Express. We dont believe that work pressure could have claimed her life.

In a statement shared with The Independent, EY India said: We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastians tragic and untimely passing in July 2024, and our deepest condolences go to the bereaved family.

Anna was a part of the audit team at SR Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, in Pune for a brief period of four months, joining the firm on 18 March 2024. That her promising career was cut short in this tragic manner is an irreparable loss for all of us. While no measure can compensate for the loss experienced by the family, we have provided all the assistance as we always do in such times of distress and will continue to do so.

We are taking the familys correspondence with the utmost seriousness and humility. We place the highest importance on the wellbeing of all employees and will continue to find ways to improve and provide a healthy workplace for our 100,000 people across EY member firms in India.

Ms Perayils death and her mothers letter led to an outpouring of grief and anger online, with professionals from the industry, including some from EY, sharing their experiences of toxic work environments and crushing workloads.

A co-worker claimed on Reddit that they were informed of Ms Perayils death via a centralised mail in which they attached her LinkedIn picture with some standard short message and that news was put in the grapevine that she was already suffering from a health condition which got worse.

The employee echoed Ms Augustines letter, writing: We average 16 hours a day in the busy season, and 12 hours a day in non-busy seasons. No weekends or public holidays are off. Annually EY voluntarily announces a day off to rejuvenate their employees. And yes, you guessed it right! Even that is not off. We work on that day as well  from office! Overwork is the only way to get promoted, do and make others do it.

Another professional who said they worked at KPMG for four years described working while sick with Covid until the point I could not sit straight because I had a fever and weakness.

They said their manager highlighted to the managers that I did not complete the tasks on that particular engagement even though I had submitted a Covid-positive test report.

Several other employees of the Big Four accounting firms  Deloitte, PwC, KPMG and EY  posted similar accounts on social media, detailing 14 to 18-hour work days, being referred to as resources instead of by their names, and receiving little to no support from managers on how to handle their workloads and stress.

Mr Memanis response to Ms Perayils death also came in for criticism online, with many bringing up the attitudes and past statements of industry leaders as having contributed to the lax attitudes towards employee welfare.

Many brought up Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthys October 2023 statement about Indias productivity being among the lowest globally and saying that Indians must work 70 hours a week to develop the country.

Absence of labour protections and workplace stress have long been a matter of concern in India. As per data from the International Labour Organization, 51 per cent of Indias workforce logs over 49 hours a week. This places India only second to Bhutan for employees working extended hours.

A report by the Confederation of Indian Industries and the digital healthcare platform MediBuddy, released in July, showed that nearly 62 per cent of Indian employees experienced stress and burnout from work.

Fidel Sebastian, a labour lawyer at the non-profit Nyay Neeti Foundation, told The Independent: The main thing to remember here is that almost all entry-level employees are covered under the Industrial Disputes Act. Therefore almost anyone not in a supervisory role is classified as a workman and would have the concept of overtime applied to them. If this overtime is not paid, it is essentially theft.

According to the Factories Act of 1948 and the Minimum Wages Act of 1948, laws which deal with the working hours of an employee and overtime rules in India, respectively, if someone works for more than eight to nine hours a day, or over 48 hours a week, they are entitled to double the payment for the extra hours.

For employees feeling exploited, Mr Sebastian said they can reach out internally to their management to negotiate overtime pay. If that fails and there is fear of reprisal, employees are still protected. The employee can raise their grievance with the labour commissioner who can decide how much backpay in overtime an employee receives, as well as what fine the firm must pay.

Mr Sebastian stressed the importance of unionising. For employees who feel they are being exploited, he said the best course of action is to try and register a union to collectively bargain or officially raise demands.

In the absence of a union, he said employees reaching out internally to the management to negotiate overtime pay should do so in writing.

Such complaints, however, usually lead to reprisals and, in many cases, termination.

A registered union engaged in litigation or conciliation against the company will automatically protect the employee from being terminated for being involved in raising such demands as the management will have to take the court or authoritys permission before such termination, Mr Sebastian said.

The Independent contacted EY, Deloitte, and KPMG for comment.

Indias junior labour minister, Shobha Karandlaje, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the ministry would conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment.
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The US is to return 297 antiquities spanning thousands of years, which were either stolen or trafficked from India.

The artefacts, which date from 2000BC to 1900AD, were showcased in a symbolic handover ceremony attended by both Mr Modi and US president Joe Biden during the Indian leaders visit to the US.

These 297 artefacts will soon be repatriated to India, the Indian government said.

This return is part of a broader effort by India to recover its stolen cultural heritage. Several countries, including the UK and Australia, have returned artefacts to India in recent years.

The US has returned artefacts to India several times in recent years, including 157 in 2021 and 105 in 2023.

With this latest batch, the total number of such items now stands at 578, the highest number returned by any single country.

During the ceremony, Mr Modi expressed gratitude to Mr Biden, emphasising the cultural and civilisational importance of the artefacts.

These objects are not just part of Indias historical material culture, but form the inner core of its civilisation and consciousness, he said.

Among the returned items are pieces such as a 10th-11th century sandstone apsara from central India, a third-fourth century terracotta vase from eastern India, and an anthropomorphic copper figure from northern India dating back to 2000-1800BC.

Most of the artefacts are terracotta works from eastern India, though the collection also includes pieces made from stone, metal, wood, and ivory.

The restitution of these cultural properties is framed within the Cultural Property Agreement signed between India and the US, which mandates cooperation to intercept and return smuggled artefacts.

Many of the artefacts included in this collection were traced to India following an investigation led by The Indian Express in collaboration with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

This investigation identified stolen pieces held by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, many of which were linked to infamous antique dealer Subhash Kapoor, who is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for smuggling antiquities. The museum later announced that it would return 15 sculptures after it learnt that the items were trafficked.

Trafficking of cultural property has been a significant global issue, affecting many countries and cultures throughout history.

India, in particular, has been severely affected, with thousands of artefacts stolen over the years, many of which have found their way into international museums and private collections.
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Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a 55-year-old leftist politician known for his pro-working class stance, has been elected Sri Lankas next president in the countrys first election since the economic collapse of 2022.

The chief of the National Peoples Power coalition, a left-wing political party, secured 42 per cent of the vote, according to unofficial results. The election marks the first presidential contest since widespread protests in 2022 which ousted previous leader, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, amid the countrys worst economic crisis in decades.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa followed with 32 per cent of the vote, while incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe trailed at 17 per cent.

This achievement is not the result of any single persons work, but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful. This victory belongs to all of us, Mr Dissanayake said in a post on X.

Mr Dissanayakes victory represents a significant political shift in Sri Lanka. Born in 1968 in Galewela in central Sri Lanka, Mr Dissanayakes early years were shaped by the countrys turbulent political landscape. He entered politics as a university student during the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement of 1987, a period that triggered one of the bloodiest insurgencies in Sri Lankas history.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a Marxist political party Mr Dissanayake would eventually lead, played a central role in the armed revolt between 1987 and 1989.

In his campaign, he emphasised the need for change, casting himself as the candidate who could break with Sri Lankas traditional political elite.

He has been vocal about addressing the unfulfilled promises of past leaders, including launching an investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. Bombs went off at churches and international hotels across capital Colombo on 21 April 2019, killing 290 people, including 45 foreigners. Many have accused the previous Rajapaksa government of obstructing inquiries into the attacks.

He promised to give the country a clean start with the promise to dissolve parliament after coming to power, impose tougher anti-corruption measures and appealed to the working class by pledging to roll back tax hikes and welfare cuts imposed by the current administration.

Years of under-taxation, weak exports and major policy errors, combined with the Covid-19 pandemic, dried up the countrys foreign exchange reserves, plunging it into a historic crisis that it is still grapplig to overcome despite ousting the previous government.

In the last election, Mr Dissanayake scored only 3 per cent of the votes, but his popularity has grown exponentially, particularly among younger voters frustrated by the long-standing political dynasties.

However, he faces enormous challenges in his term as the country grapples with a severe economic crisis. Since 2022, Sri Lanka has been plagued by a shortage of essentials, including fuel, medicine, and food, leading to widespread protests and the eventual resignation of Rajapaksa.

The Indian Ocean nation declared bankruptcy in April 2022 with more than $83bn in debt, more than half of it to foreign creditors.

Mr Dissanayakes Marxist-Leninist roots, shaped by his involvement in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), add a layer of complexity as the nation navigates its relationship with international financial institutions like the IMF.

Sri Lanka turned to the IMF for help to rescue the economy and secured a bailout package last year. Under the current four-year bailout program, the IMF is to disburse $2.9bn in tranches after biannual reviews of whether the country is imposing needed economic reforms.

There are also concerns that his policies may impact Sri Lankas fiscal targets. Mr Wickremesinghe warned that any move to alter the basic agreement could delay the release of the fourth tranche of nearly $3bn needed for economic stability.

Mr Dissanayake has committed to continuing negotiations with the IMF, promising to seek changes that benefit the country without abandoning existing financial agreements.

His potential prime minister, Dr Harini Amarasuriya, addressed these concerns, stating: We dont have the experience in making the country bankrupt, but we will certainly gain experience in rebuilding it.
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Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning politician and leader of the Peoples Liberation Front  JVP or Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna  has been sworn in as Sri Lankas new president after winning the election with 42.31 per cent of the vote.

On Monday morning, he pledged to address the countrys complex challenges, restore public confidence in politics, and tackle corruption. Mr Dissanayake, 55, led the Marxist-leaning National Peoples Power coalition and secured victory over opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and 36 other candidates in Saturdays election.

He garnered 5,740,179 votes, while Mr Premadasa received 4,530,902 votes, and has pledged to work with other parties to turn around Sri Lankas severe economic troubles. We have deeply understood that we are going to get a challenging country, he said in a brief speech after assuming office on Monday. We dont believe that a government, a single party or an individual would be able to resolve this deep crisis.

His victory follows a period of both political and fiscal turmoil that led to former president Gotabaya Rajapaksas resignation amid mass protests in 2022. Mr Rajapaksa fled the country and was replaced by his prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also ran in Saturdays election but finished a distant third.

Mr Dissanayakes meteoric rise from securing only 3 per cent of the vote in 2019 elevates his half-century-old leftist JVP party to an unprecedented role in the political landscape of Sri Lanka, which has been completely reshaped by grassroots protests over the past two years.

He was first elected to the parliament in 2000 and briefly served as the agriculture and irrigation minister under the then president Chandrika Kumaratunga. He ran for president for the first time in 2019 but lost to Mr Rajapaksa.

The people have placed their trust in me and my political movement, Mr Dissanayake said on Sunday evening after he was officially declared the winner by the countrys election commission. Everyone  those who voted and didnt vote for me  we have a responsibility to take this country forward.

I will do my best to fully restore the peoples confidence in politicians, President Dissanayake said after taking his oath ( Anadolu/Getty )

This election marked the first time in Sri Lankas history that a presidential race required a second round of counting, as none of the candidates achieved the necessary 50 per cent of votes.

In Sri Lankas ranked-choice election system, voters can either select one candidate or list up to three candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives 50 per cent or more of the votes, a second round of counting takes into account the preferences of voters whose first choice did not make it to the top two.

In his victory speech, Mr Dissanayake called for unity among all Sri Lankans, including the Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslim communities, stating that a new renaissance will rise from this shared strength and vision.

The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. This achievement is not the result of any single persons work but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful. This victory belongs to all of us, he said in a post on X.

Dissanayake positioned his National Peoples Power coalition, led by his JVP party, as the best choice to address public demands for reforming Sri Lankas political patronage and corruption ( Anadolu/Getty )

I will do my best to fully restore the peoples confidence in politicians, Mr Dissanayake said after taking his oath.

I am not a conjurer, I am not a magician, he added. There are things I know and things I dont know, but I will seek the best advice and do my best. For that, I need the support of everyone.

Alan Keenan of International Crisis Group told Al Jazeera that Mr Dissanayake  a charismatic campaigner and speaker  tapped into the concerns of Sri Lankan voters with his anti-corruption and pro-working-class campaign.

He is fighting for a system change. Thats a very high bar, [there are] high expectations from a lot of supporters, he said.

Experts said Mr Dissanayakes presidency will need to address two key voids in Sri Lankas politics  the loss of faith in the Rajapaksa family, which dominated the leadership for about 15 years, and the gap in centre-left politics left by the Rajapaksas shift toward the right.

Mr Dissanayake has previously said he considers Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara one of his heroes. He positioned his National Peoples Power coalition, led by JVP, as the best choice to address public demands for reforming Sri Lankas political patronage and corruption. He introduced new leaders, emphasised outreach to women affected by the economic crisis, and moderated his partys previously radical Marxist messaging.

His messaging appears to have resonated with voters. Im voting for the Compass this time, Saman Ratnasiri, 49, an auto-rickshaw driver in Colombo told The New York Times, referring to the election symbol of Mr Dissanayakes coalition. He said he had never voted for Mr Dissanayake before but wanted to give him a chance. If we dont get it right this time also, then I might as well forget about this country.

In the early 1990s, while at university, Mr Dissanyake became politically active and joined the JVP party  known for its armed uprisings in 1971 and 1987-89. The JVP, which represented the oppressed rural Sinhalese youth, sought to overthrow what it saw as exploitative and feudalistic political and economic systems through a hardline Marxist ideology.

Perhaps the first item in Mr Dissanayakes in-tray will be what to do with the countrys bailout deal. He has criticised policies of austerity under Mr Wickremesinghe and has said he is committed to ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), vowing to pursue changes that will benefit the country while upholding existing financial agreements. It is unclear how he will marry the two  and the next instalment of the countrys $3bn IMF loan depends on Sri Lankas continued compliance with its terms.
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Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake has won Sri Lankas presidential election, according to early results, as voters rejected the old political guard that has been widely accused of pushing the country into economic ruin.

Mr Dissanayake secured victory over opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and incumbent liberal president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took over the country two years ago after its economy hit rock bottom.

Mr Dissanayake received 5,740,179 votes, followed by Mr Premadasa with 4,530,902, Election Commission data showed.

This achievement is not the result of any single persons work, but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful. This victory belongs to all of us, Mr Dissanayake said in a post on X.

Mr Dissanayake leads National Peoples Power, a left-wing coalition of civil society groups, professionals, students and Buddhist clergy.

National Peoples Power leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrives at a voting centre in Sri Lanka on 21 September ( AP )

The election, held on Saturday, came amid the worst economic crisis in the countrys history and the resulting political upheaval. Contested by 38 candidates, it was largely a three-way race between Mr Dissanayake, Mr Wickremesinghe and Mr Premadasa.

Mr Dissanayake, 55, took the most votes in the first round of counting, but fell short of clearing the threshold of 50 per cent to win outright. The Election Commission ordered a second round in which preferential votes were counted, and Mr Dissanayake quickly raced into the lead.

Mr Wickremesinghe, who took power in July 2022, was eliminated in the first round after leading Sri Lankas fragile economic recovery. This included restructuring Sri Lankas debt under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme after the country defaulted in 2022.

This is the first time in Sri Lankas history that the presidential election is being decided by a second round of counting. The second round is required if no candidate secures an outright majority.

Sri Lankans wait in a queue to cast their ballots in Galle on 21 September ( AFP via Getty )

The top two candidates then split the ballots of the eliminated nominees, depending on which of them is listed as the second preference. The second-preference ballots are added to the tallies from the first counting round, and whoever receives the higher number of votes is declared the winner.

Mr Dissanayake received a congratulatory message from outgoing foreign minister Ali Sabry, who said that he respected the mandate given to him by Sri Lankans.

I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr Dissanayake and his team. Leading a country is no easy task, and I genuinely hope that their leadership brings Sri Lanka the peace, prosperity and stability it so deeply deserves, he said on X/Twitter, adding that Sri Lankans face immense challenges.

Mr Premadasa had not yet conceded defeat by Sunday afternoon.

Around 17 million eligible voters cast their ballots on Saturday, and the final results were expected on Sunday evening.

Police said no major incidents were reported during the voting process, which was held under a countrywide curfew that ended at midday on Sunday.

More than two years after the south Asian island nation fell into a deep economic crisis, millions of its people continue to struggle with high living costs. Unsurprisingly, the economy was the biggest campaign issue.

Sri Lankas economic crisis, which was years in the making, stemmed largely from the federal administrations excessive borrowing for projects without generating enough revenue. A further blow was delivered by the Covid pandemic, and by the governments push to use scarce foreign reserves to prop up the Sri Lankan rupee, throwing the economy into a tailspin.

Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa at an election rally in Colombo last week ( AP )

At the time of its default, the country faced a foreign and local debt of $83bn (62bn). Several rounds of restructuring brought it down to around $17bn. In the past week, officials in Colombo said the government had cleared the final hurdle in restructuring the debt by reaching an agreement with private bond holders.

Mr Dissanayake and his rival said during the campaign that they would renegotiate a proposed deal with the IMF to make austerity measures more bearable for the countrys millions of citizens. Mr Wickremesinghe warned that any move to alter the basic agreement could delay the release of the fourth tranche of nearly $3bn needed for economic stability.
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Telecoms giant BT has announced millions of pounds in apprenticeship funding aimed at supporting smaller companies, charities and public sector organisations across England.

BT Group has partnered with training provider Babington to transfer up to 4 million from its apprenticeship levy funds to help train new apprentices and upskill existing workforces.

BT said the fund could support up to 550 apprentices.

Chris Sims, managing director for small and medium business (SMEs) at BT, said: SMEs make a significant contribution to our economy, but their uptake of apprenticeships is low.

This collaboration has the potential to make a real difference in addressing skills gaps and supporting business growth across England Jen Bramley

By sharing up to 4 million from our apprenticeship levy funds, were giving these businesses the financial support they need to invest in talent.

This not only helps create a more skilled, diverse and competitive workforce, it also provides SMEs with additional resources to grow and scale their business.

The apprenticeship programme at BT has not only shaped our workforce, it has also helped set industry standards.

Jen Bramley, chief executive of Babington, said: Our expertise in apprenticeships and training will ensure that SMEs can navigate the process smoothly and connect with high-quality training providers.

This collaboration has the potential to make a real difference in addressing skills gaps and supporting business growth across England.

BT said a key focus of the initiative will be digital skills development, reflecting its emphasis on technology and innovation in its apprenticeship programmes.

The fund is open to SMEs, charities and public sector organisations across England, including the NHS, focusing on apprentices aged 22 and older.

It aims to support local economic growth, reduce the digital divide and enhance social mobility by providing quick access to apprenticeship funding.

BT has recruited more than 3,000 apprentices and graduates over the past five years and earlier this year announced plans to hire a further 500 for its September intake.
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Rachel Reeves will insist that tough decisions on the public finances are needed to prevent economic ruin but she will attempt to persuade her critics that there will be no return to austerity.

In her first Labour conference speech as Chancellor, she will also promise action to tackle tax dodgers and claw back money from flawed Covid-era contracts.

But her decision to strip winter fuel payments from 10 million pensioners is likely to be the focus of a fierce debate at the partys conference in Liverpool, with major trade unions demanding a U-turn on the policy.

Union sources indicated the issue would be debated on the conference floor after Ms Reeves speech on Monday, although a vote on the call for a reversal of the policy could be pushed back until later in the week.

The Chancellor will say her October 30 Budget statement will deliver on the change Labour offered at the election.

After weeks of warning about a poor economic legacy left by the Conservative government, Ms Reeves will attempt to strike a more positive note, saying my optimism for Britain burns as bright as it ever has done.

I can see the prize on offer, if we make the right choices now. And stability is the crucial foundation on which all our ambitions will be built, she will say.

The essential precondition for business to invest with confidence and families to plan for the future.

The mini-budget showed us that any plan for growth without stability only leads to ruin.

Ms Reeves will insist economic stability is the crucial foundation on which all our ambitions will be built, as she seeks to justify to Labour members the spending restrictions which are aimed at filling a 22 billion black hole in public finances.

She will say: There will be no return to austerity. Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services  and for investment and growth too.

We must deal with the Tory legacy and that means tough decisions. But we wont let that dim our ambition for Britain.

So it will be a budget with real ambition. A budget to fix the foundations. A budget to deliver the change we promised. A budget to rebuild Britain.

In a signal of Labour keeping its manifesto commitments, Ms Reeves will promise not to raise national insurance, income tax and VAT.

If she believes in growth, where is the plan? People are beginning to suspect there may not be one Jeremy Hunt, shadow chancellor

She will also say corporation tax is to remain at its current level for the duration of this Parliament.

Other measures in her speech will include:

 A recruitment drive and reforms to HM Revenue and Customs to tackle tax dodgers because at a time of hard choices, I will not tolerate the minority who continue to avoid paying what they owe.

 A promise to recoup money from Covid contracts, reversing the previous governments policy of waiving 674 million of disputed deals because we wont turn a blind eye to rip-off artists and fraudsters who used a national emergency to line their own pockets.

 Confirmation that the Government will produce a new industrial strategy next year, with an initial green paper produced at the time of the Budget.

But anger at Ms Reeves decision to means-test the winter fuel payment, worth up to 300 for pensioners, risks overshadowing her speech.

The Unite and CWU unions have tabled motions calling for the decision to restrict the payment to pensioners on benefits to be abandoned.

Their stance is backed by other unions including Unison, but Ms Reeves has insisted the move  which will save around 1.3 billion this year  is essential to help fill the black hole in the public finances.

The wording of the motion which will be put to a debate and vote at the conference will be a compromise based on several different submissions on the same topic, some of which may attempt to water down the unions demands.

A protest organised by Unite is expected in Liverpool on Monday, ahead of the potentially charged debate at the conference.

But union sources believe a vote may not take place until Tuesday, the day of Sir Keirs keynote speech, with the result possibly not revealed until Wednesday when there will be less attention on the conference.

Jeremy Hunt, the shadow chancellor, contested Labours assessment of the UK economy, and claimed Ms Reeves had already damaged the UKs international reputation by talking down her inheritance in order to score political points.

He added: If she believes in growth, where is the plan? People are beginning to suspect there may not be one.

If all we get in the Budget is tax rises and employment laws that deter investment and job creation she will have thrown away a golden opportunity.
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The death toll from record levels of rainfall that hit the northern part of Japans Noto peninsula has risen to seven, authorities said on Monday.

Deadly flooding and landslides due to torrential rains have left a trail of destruction in Ishikawa prefecture, with authorities confirming one more death on Monday in the city of Wajima. In all, six of those killed were in the city of Wajima and one was in the city of Suzu where a house collapsed.

More than 540mm of rainfall has been recorded in Wajima in just over 72 hours  the heaviest continuous rain since data became available.

The massive rainfall, followed by landslides and flooding, in the Noto peninsula comes as the region makes a fragile recovery from a devastating 7.5-magnitude earthquake on New Years Day. The quake destroyed buildings and triggered tsunami waves and a major fire. At least 374 people lost their lives.

The flooding from the recent rainfall has overwhelmed emergency shelters housing victims of the 1 January earthquake, NHK Japan reported.

Debris is seen piled by a house along the Tsukada River ( AFP via Getty )

As of Monday afternoon, 3,700 households in Ishikawa prefecture were still without power, according to the Hokuriku Electric Power Company.

According to Kyodo news agency, over 100 communities have been isolated due to blocked roads after nearly two dozen rivers overflowed.

The search for those missing is ongoing. An unnamed man who was searching for his daughter told Kyodo: My only wish is for her to be found, even if she is not alive. I want to hug her.

Police search for missing people in debris along the Tsukada River ( AFP via Getty )

Yamamoto Yasushi, a police officer from Aichi prefecture, said: Its difficult to bring heavy machinery as some roads are cut off or narrowed. We are searching for survivors.

Some residents living in temporary shelters are now being forced to evacuate again. Nearly all of the 140 temporary houses in central Wajima city were flooded by an overflowing river. These shelters had been built for those impacted by the New Years Day disaster.

Akemi Yamashita, a 54-year-old Wajima resident, told The Guardian that when she was driving on Saturday, within only 30 minutes or so, water gushed into the street and quickly rose to half the height of my car.

I was talking to other residents of Wajima yesterday, and they said, Its so heartbreaking to live in this city. I got teary when I heard that, she said.

Mangled heavy machinery washed away from flooding along the Tsukada River ( AFP via Getty )

A former sushi chef, identified as Miyakoshi by AFP, faces yet another tragedy after record rainfall flooded his temporary home, built following the devastating January earthquake.

The 76-year-old, already grappling with the loss of his wife in a 2007 earthquake, is now preparing for yet another harsh winter. He has salvaged some photos of his late wife and remains resilient, awaiting the citys recovery.

I had left pictures of my wife in the destroyed house, but one night, she appeared in my dream, he said. She told me to take the pictures with me wherever I go.

Temporary housing units for people who lost their homes after the New Years Day earthquake are flooded following heavy rainfall in Wajima ( EPA )

But due to the massive floods, the pictures are all soaked wet. Its now September and will soon be October, then the winter will be right here, Mr Miyakoshi told AFP.

Meanwhile, officials in Ishikawa prefecture are delivering rice and portable toilets to districts in Wajima now that the weather has improved.

In western and southern Japan, over 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as the government issued its highest-level emergency warnings for heavy rain. By Sunday, the warning was downgraded, and some residents have begun returning home.

Prime minister Fumio Kishida has directed officials to assess the damage and work with local authorities.
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Actress Cheryl Hines recently celebrated her 59th birthday - and her scandal-plagued husband was nowhere to be found.

The Curb Your Enthusiasm alum shared various posts on her Instagram stories of people wishing her a happy birthday. Me and my girls, she wrote alongside an image of her daughter Catherine and stepdaughter Kyra while the three of them were sitting at a restaurant together, noticeably without her husband Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Catherine also made her own post on her Instagram story at the same restaurant as her mother was about to blow out the candle on top of her dessert. Happy birthday to the best mother, she wrote. I really dont know how I got so lucky.

Kenndey was not present for any of the birthday festivities as he was participating in a campaign rally for Donald Trump in Las Vegas that same night.

The two of them have been married since 2014, 10 years before his personal relationship with New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi that allegedly included them sexting each other.

On Thursday, September 19 the outlet had released a statement explaining that the 31-year-old reporter would be placed on leave. Recently our Washington Correspondent Olivia Nuzzi acknowledged to the magazines editors that she had engaged in a personal relationship with a former subject relevant to the 2024 campaign while she was reporting on the campaign, a violation of the magazines standards around conflicts of interest and disclosures, the statement read.

open image in gallery Cheryl Hines and Robert Kenndey Jr. have been married since 2014. She was seen celebrating her birthday without her husband amid his sexting scandal ( Getty Images )

Had the magazine been aware of this relationship, she would not have continued to cover the presidential campaign. An internal review of her published work has found no inaccuracies nor evidence of bias. She is currently on leave from the magazine, and the magazine is conducting a more thorough third-party review. We regret this violation of our readers trust.

An editor of the publication released in a staff memo one day later that they would be hiring an independent third-party to review Nuzzis 2024 writing to see if there is anything the publication must disclose or correct with the reporters relationship to the former presidential candidate.

Nuzzis partner Ryan Lizza, a reporter at Politico, released a statement which referred to Nuzzi as his ex-finacee, indicating the pair have broken up. It is not clear when the couple parted ways.

open image in gallery Reporter Olivia Nuzzi was put on leave from New York Magazine on September 19 after news of the relationship with Kennedy ( AFP via Getty Images )

Because of my connection to this story through my ex-fiancee, my editors and I have agreed that I wont be involved in any coverage of Kennedy in Playbook or elsewhere at POLITICO, Lizza said.

After New York Magazines announcement, Nuzzi released a statement denying the relationship with RFK Jr was physical.

Earlier this year, the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal, she said. During that time, I did not directly report on the subject nor use them as a source.

She added: The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict. I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those Ive disappointed, especially my colleagues at New York.

A Kennedy spokesperson told The New York Times that he had met Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece.
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Jamie Foxx teared up while he walked his daughter, Corinne Fox, down the aisle as she married her fiance, Joe Hooten.

Actor Garcelle Beauvais  who starred in The Jamie Foxx Show with the actor  took to Instagram on September 22 to share photos from the intimate ceremony.

In the since-deleted post, published by People, one photo showed Jamie in a black and white tuxedo, as he walked his daughter down the aisle.

He was captured tearing up and smiling, while his hand was wrapped around his daughters arm. For her big day, Corinne wore a white, off-the-shoulder gown with a floral print and a matching veil.

Another picture showed Corinne and Jamie on the dance floor, seemingly for the traditional father-daughter dance at the wedding.

Along with the snaps of the father-daughter duo, Beauvais also shared a photo of herself with the bride and groom, who paired his tuxedo with a white boutonniere.

Last night we got to witness & celebrate the love of @corinnefoxx and @joe.hooten, Beauvais wrote in the caption of her post, according to People. Your love & respect for each other is palpable.

open image in gallery Corinne and Jamie Foxx ( Getty Images )

In December, Corinne  the daughter of Jamie and his ex, Connie Kline  first announced that she was engaged. On Instagram, she shared black-and-white snaps with Hooten on a boat, as she showed off her diamond ring. From the first time I saw you, I knew you were my forever, she wrote in the caption at the time.

Jamie also shared the photos of his daughter and her then-fiance, along with a sweet tribute, to celebrate the engagement.

@corinnefoxx @joe.hooten you are a perfect example of what being in love is. You care about each others life mental and physical and you have each others back congratulations on your engagement, he wrote in an Instagram post. He then sweetly shared how Hooten asked Corinnes father for permission to marry her.

@joe.hooten when you whispered to me a while back that you were gonna ask my baby girl to marry you I had tears of joy in my soul, Jamie continued. And @corinnefoxx you have and have always had a special place in my heart you deserve love abundantly so again congratulations you too cant wait to walk you down that aisle.. @corinnefoxx you have a great soul in @joe.hooten I LOVE YOU BOTH DEARLY I have my tissues ready.

The newlyweds first met in 2018 through a mutual friend back when they were students at the University of Southern California. However, they didnt officially start dating until later on.

It wasnt until after college, when we reconnected via Instagram, Corinne told wedding website Over the Moon earlier this month. I was bold and liked an old picture of Joe on Instagram. He instantly messaged me and asked me out on a date. Our first date was actually on a sailboat, where Joe was living at the time.
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Olivia Munn and John Mulaney have celebrated the birth of their second child.

On September 22, both Munn and the comedian took to Instagram to share photos of their daughter, who was born via surrogate on September 14. The two of them both included images of them holding her in the hospital as well as some of their first few days together.

Mei June Mulaney came into the world September 14, 2024, the year of the dragon, Munns caption began. I had so many profound emotions about not being able to carry my daughter. When I first met our gestational surrogate we spoke mother to mother. She showed me so much grace and understanding, I knew I had found a real-life angel. Words cannot express my gratitude that she kept our baby safe for 9 months and made our dreams come true.

I am so proud of my little plum, my little dragon for making the journey to be with us. My heart has exploded, the caption concluded as she noted that her daughters name is pronounced the same way as the spring month and means plum in Chinese.

Mulaneys caption in his post was similar as he joked, We stole so much stuff from the hospital. I love my little girl so much.

Munn and Mulaney also share a two-year-old son named Malcolm.

In March, Munn revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. The X-Men: Apocalypse actress also underwent a hysterectomy as part of her cancer treatment.

open image in gallery Munn recently received a double mastectomy following her breast cancer diagnosis ( Getty Images )

She previously revealed in an interview with Vogue that she froze her eggs three times throughout her life, once when she was 33, another time when she was 39, and a third time at the age of 42, after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

After going through the egg retrieval process and leaving with three eggs, a doctor informed her and Mulaney that they had two viable embryos. He shared that we had two healthy embryos, she explained to the outlet.

John and I just started crying. It was just so exciting because not only did we get it in one retrieval, but it also meant that I didnt have to keep putting myself at risk. It was just amazing.

Munn also noted being open to having a surrogate and wanting to continue to grow her family.

When youre pregnant with your own baby, its like teamwork  you and the baby working together to make their little life come true, she said. Youre doing all this work to eat well, try to not have anxiety, just do all the right things during the pregnancy. With a surrogate, you have to try to go find a version of yourself somewhere out in the world. Somebody that you trust as much as yourself to live their life as a pregnant woman the same way that you would.

This journey has made me realize how grateful I am to have options for not only fighting cancer but also having more children if we want because I know a lot of people dont have those options, she said.

The Newsroom actress and Mulaney got married earlier this summer in July during an intimate ceremony at a friends house in New York. The only people reportedly in attendance for the ceremony were Malcolm and a witness to sign their marriage license.

The two of them dated for three years after Mulaney ended his relationship with Anna Marie Tendler, his wife of six years.
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Two men have pleaded guilty to providing the fentanyl-laced heroin that killed prominent New York City transgender activist Cecilia Gentili earlier this year, federal prosecutors said Monday.

Michael Kuilan, 44, pleaded guilty to a charge that he distributed and possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Brooklyn federal court on Monday, according to U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace's office. Antonio Venti, 52, entered a guilty plea to the same charge in July.

As part of their plea deals, prosecutors said the men admitted they caused Gentili's death. They said text messages, cell site data, and other evidence showed that Kuilan, a Brooklyn resident, had supplied Venti, a Long Island resident, with drugs that he then sold to Gentili.

Law enforcement officials searching Kuilans home also found hundreds of small bags of fentanyl, a handgun and ammunition.

While these guilty pleas cant undo the tragic loss of transgender rights activist Cecelia Gentili, it sends a message that we will do everything we can to make sure those responsible for drug related deaths face the consequences for their actions, and the families of those who lost their lives receive justice, Frank Tarentino, special agent in charge of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's New York office.

Gentili was a former sex worker who became a leading advocate for other transgender people, as well as sex workers and people with HIV. She also acted in the FX television series Pose, about the underground ballroom dance scene in the 1980s and 1990s.

Her well-attended funeral at St. Patricks Cathedral in Manhattan drew outrage in the Catholic community, including from the venerable churchs own pastor.

Gentili was found dead in her bedroom on Feb. 6, the day after purchasing drugs from Venti. Prosecutors say the 52-year-old Brooklyn residents death was due to the combined effect of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine and cocaine.

The two men are slated to be sentenced next month. Their lawyers didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment Monday.
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The family of a doctor accused of blasphemy said Monday he was killed by police while in custody in southern Pakistan after he voluntarily surrendered following assurances that he would be given a chance to prove his innocence, denying a police account that he was accidentally killed in a shootout.

If true, it would be the second extra-judicial killing in a week, drawing condemnation from human rights groups.

Shah Nawaz, a doctor in Umerkot district of Sindh province, had gone into hiding last week after being accused of insulting Islams Prophet Muhammad and sharing blasphemous content on Facebook. Nawaz said someone had hacked his account and that he had not posted anything against Islam.

His family said he was arrested last Wednesday and killed hours later in a fake encounter with police. A mob also burned Nawazs clinic on Wednesday, officials said.

Police said Nawaz was killed unintentionally when officers in the city of Mirpur Khas signaled for two men on a motorcycle to stop. Instead of stopping, the men opened fire and tried to flee, prompting police to shoot, killing one of them, police said.

They said it was only after the shootout that officers learned that the slain man was the doctor being sought by them for alleged blasphemy.

I want justice for my son who was killed when he was in the custody of police, said Rehmat Kunbhar, Nawaz's mother.

We asked him to face an investigation after police assured us that he would be given protection, she said by telephone. I did not know that police would kill him," she said, sobbing.

She said the posts on Facebook had continued after his arrest, showing that someone had hacked it.

Nawaz's father, Mohammad Saleh, said a mob had snatched his son's body after his death and burned it in front of him. They sprinkled petrol on the body of my son and burned it, as I watched helplessly, he said.

Police said they arrested nine people on charges of taking the body and burning it. Noor Mohammad, a police official who is investigating the case, said officers are seeking the arrest of more than 100 people who were involved in violence that erupted before and after Nawaz's arrest.

On Friday, authorities suspended the policemen who had opened fire and killed Nawaz, who were applauded and showered with rose petals by local residents after the killing.

Members of civil society visited Nawaz's village on Thursday and met with his family and put flowers on his grave in a sign of respect and support.

We are terrified and we cannot send our children to school, said Niamat Bibi, Nawaz's widow.

Accusations of blasphemy  sometimes even just rumors  can spark riots and mob rampages in Pakistan. Although killings of blasphemy suspects by mobs are common, extra-judicial killings by police are rare.

A week before Nawazs killing, an officer opened fire inside a police station in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, killing Syed Khan, another suspect held on accusations of blasphemy.

Khan was arrested after officers rescued him from an enraged mob that claimed he had insulted Islams prophet. The police officer who killed him, Mohammad Khurram, was quickly arrested. However, the family of the slain man later said they pardoned the officer.

Under Pakistans controversial blasphemy laws, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or Islamic religious figures can be sentenced to death  though authorities have yet to carry out a death sentence for blasphemy.

___

Ahmed reported from Islamabad.
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Watch again as Donald Trump attended the roundtable Protecting America Initiative in Pennsylvania on Monday (23 September).

The former president is spoke about his plans to counter the US reliance on China.

The visit came as a new poll from The New York Times shows Trump leading in Georgia, North Carolina, and in Arizona by five points.

The poll, conducted from September 17-21, found the race is closest in North Carolina, where Trump currently sits at 49:47 percent against Harris. In Georgia, the poll puts Trump four points ahead 49:45 percent.
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Some of Britains most notorious cold cases could be solved with the help of artificial intelligence after a trial found it can review evidence which would take 81 years of man-hours in less than two days.

Police chiefs hope the technology could be deployed in the future to simply ingest scores of case files to help identify new lines of inquiry for detectives.

A trial by Avon and Somerset Police, using an Australian-developed AI tool called Soze, tested the digital investigation platform on 27 complex cases.

The results showed it was able to review all the evidential material in 30 hours. It is estimated it would have taken up to 81 years for a human to manually review the same material.

The force is now set to run a more comprehensive trial to further test the benefits and develop the product for evidential use in UK policing.

Chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council Gavin Stephens believes the technology could be really useful for policing to tackle lengthy cold case reviews for notorious unsolved cases.

He said: So you might have had a cold case review, possible cost, the amount of material there, and if theres a system like this, they can just ingest it and give you an assessment of it then I can see that being really, really, really helpful some of the most notorious unsolved crimes out there.

Chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council Gavin Stephens said AI could help with some of most notorious unsolved crimes ( PA Wire )

According to the platforms website, the tool can seamlessly analyse video footage, financial transactions, call data, social media, emails, images, documents as well as phones and computer hard drives.

The chief constable insisted if AI is going to find its way into the evidential chain it will need to be carefully controlled and be used to support police work, rather than to replace it.

It is one of a string of new technologies which it is hoped will help to revolutionise policing.

Elsewhere, AI is being trialled to help the Metropolitan Police in a project with Surrey University to match blades to crimes and trace their origin.

The project, said to be the first of its kind in the world, acts like an AI catalogue of blade types to help police crackdown on knife crime by identifying weapons and their origins virtually instantaneously.

This helps the investigative process immeasurably, Stephens said, as officers can use the information to make links to other cases.

The projects come after Andy Marsh, the chief executive officer of the College of Policing, called for AI to be injected into police forces like heroin into the bloodstream to ease the paperwork burden for officers.

During a panel discussion at the Police Superintendents Association conference earlier this month, he revealed AI is already under trial to effectively automate police paperwork.

He hopes the technology can make the task of preparing prosecution case files a problem of the past in two years.
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A man who fraudulently received a 50,000 government-backed Covid loan to help pay a 72 million court order linked to a previous fraud case has been jailed.

Gerald Smith, 69, was imprisoned for 18 months over the bounce-back loan after he spent 22,000 of it on court fees relating to a 2006 fraud case he was involved in.

The 69-year-old also spent the money on a lavish lifestyle of eating at Mayfair restaurants and buying designer clothes, Apple products and flights abroad, City of London Police said on Monday.

Bounce-back loans were issued to support UK businesses during the pandemic and applicants could request up to 50,000. They would apply to a nominated lender and the funds were guaranteed by the government.

Smith, of Southampton Row in Bloomsbury, central London, applied for 50,000 using the name Ian Dunbar, who was listed as a director of Arcana Solutions. The funds were paid out by Arcana Solutions and signed by electronic signature as Ian Dunbar.

Officers discovered Ian Dunbar and Smith were the same person and he was arrested in 2022. The force said he remained silent throughout all questions put to him.

Detective Inspector Andrea Bakewell, from the fraud operations team at City of London Police, said: When many businesses were struggling to keep their head above water during the Covid pandemic, criminals were making use of the financial aid on offer.

Gerald Smith demonstrated an incredible degree of manipulation, conceit and greed as he exploited the bounce-back loan scheme offered by the government.

This level of exploitation during one of the hardest periods this country has ever faced is something we will not tolerate.

In 2006, Smith pleaded guilty to stealing more than 34 million that belonged to a software firm called Izodia, based in Slough, Berkshire, after an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.

He had acquired a stake in the company through his Jersey-based firm Orb Group and transferred more than 34 million of Izodia cash assets to Jersey, which he used for himself.

Smith was given an eight-year jail term in 2006 and a judge made a confiscation order of about 40 million in 2007. He owes more than 72 million after interest.
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Shock figures from the RSPCA show a dramatic rise in abuse toward XL Bully dogs since the government ban on the breed, with the animals decapitated, injured and abandoned.

The animal charity has revealed that in the eight months since it became illegal to own the breed on 31 December last year, reports of neglect have increased by 239 per cent.

The number of reports made to the RSPCA of intentional harm to XL Bully dogs in the first eight months of 2024 was 103, compared to 39 in the same period in 2023.

Recent disturbing incidents of abuse towards the breed include the body and head of a decapitated dog being found in a shallow grave in Evesham, while another dog found in a south London alleyway in January with a fractured skull.

The charity has also responded to reports of a cage with a dead XL Bully dog found floating in a Birmingham canal in June, and a puppy discovered in Bexleyheath with blunt force trauma injuries to its dead.

XL bullies have been banned since 31 December after a spate of deadly attacks ( Getty Images )

Meanwhile, reports of XL Bully dogs being abandoned have increased by 692 per cent, with 103 reported to the charity during the same time period.

Dr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCAs dog welfare expert, said: These are very concerning figures. Weve seen an increase generally in reports of serious abuse to animals - particularly intentional harm and beatings - but the increase in reports relating specifically to XL Bully types is very alarming and we fear this is a direct result of the recent UK Government ban on this type of dog.

This could be a result of the extra pressures this ban has placed on desperate owners who may already be struggling to care for their dogs during this cost of living crisis. But even worse, these could be deliberate acts of cruelty towards dogs who have become increasingly demonised in recent months.

Were also heartbroken that many dogs have been and will be put to sleep simply because they are considered to be dangerous because they look a certain way.

Tens of thousands of the dogs are still kept by their owners who have successfully been granted exemption certificates. Under the agreements, they dogs must always being on the lead, muzzled in public and having been neutered.

Despite the ban, exclusive figures obtained by The Independent revealed that dog attacks have continued to rise, with 6,392 attacks recorded by police in England and Wales in the five months from 1 February.

This was up from 5,888 in the same period in 2023 with campaign groups slamming the knee-jerk policy while demanding an overhaul of legislation by the new Labour government.
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A schoolboy who was stabbed to death in London was attacked with a zombie-style knife just two days before a ban against the deadly weapons comes into force.

The 15-year-old was found in a massive pool of blood in Eglinton Road, Woolwich, south-east London at around 6.30pm on Sunday, as he pleaded dont let me die shortly before passing away.

The Metropolitan Police has now launched a murder investigation while issuing a warning over zombie-style knives, with detectives believing one was used in the attack on the teenager.

It comes before new legislation comes into force tomorrow making it illegal to possess the knives and machetes in England and Wales.

Speaking outside Plumstead Police Station on Monday, chief superintendent Trevor Lawry said: The fact a 15-year-old teenager who had his whole life ahead of him has been taken from his family in this way is a stark and sobering reminder of the danger of zombie-style knives.

We are committed to doing everything in our power to taking these weapons off the streets. If you live in the area do you have any CCTV, doorbell cameras or dash cam footage?

On Monday, a white forensic tent was put up in Eglinton Road while police officers could be seen searching the area and speaking to neighbours.

One witness, who did not want to be named, said she was in her bedroom when a person across the road screamed someones been stabbed, someones been stabbed.

The 43-year-old said that she grabbed a sheet and ran outside without shoes and socks, before finding the boy face down on the floor.

Forensic officers were seeing searching underneath cards on Eglinton Road, Woolwich, a day after the stabbing ( The Independent )

He had a gash on his head and a massive pool of blood by his leg and was pleading with her not to let him die, she added.

The woman said that she stemmed the flow of blood until paramedics arrived, but the teenager sadly passed away shortly after.

He could have been my son, she later said while sobbing. A neighbour offered comfort by giving her a hug and saying: We tried our best.

Police officers work at the scene in Woolwich where a boy was fatally stabbed on Sunday ( The Independent )

The government announced a ban on zombie knives earlier this year which is due to come into force on Tuesday.

It is part of efforts to reduce knife crime, with campaigners including actor Idris Elba among those pushing for the large blades to be outlawed.

The new legislation closes a loophole to an initial ban on the knives first imposed in 2016.

Metropolitan Police Territorial Support Group officers at the scene in Woolwich following the stabbing ( Rosie Shead/PA )

From Tuesday, the banned knives will be defined as any bladed weapon over eight inches in length with a plain cutting edge and sharp pointed end that also has either a serrated cutting edge, more than one hole in the blade, or multiple sharp points like spikes.

It ends a loophole that meant the weapon could be kept and sold if it did not have images depicting violence.

Data obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act showed that in 2023 machetes, swords and zombie knives were mentioned in more than 14,000 crimes recorded by 32 police forces in England and Wales.

In 2019, there were 7,159 offences recorded as involving the large blades, which rose to 14,195 in 2023.

Nearly 10,000 of the offences recorded in 2023 involved machetes, double the number from five years before, the broadcaster reported.

Chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council Gavin Stephens has welcomed the ban, but said enforcement is only one part of reducing knife crime.

He said: Were acutely conscious that bans and the legislation and enforcement is only one part of the equation, and we know that theres a lot for us to do across the full range of our policing activities to deter young people from violence.

Were not going to solve the problem of knife crime just by one aspect of it.
Xi congratulates Dissanayake on assuming presidency of Sri Lanka

Xinhua) 14:51, September 23, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message to Anura Kumara Dissanayake to congratulate him on his inauguration as president of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Xi hailed China and Sri Lanka as traditional friendly neighbors, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 67 years ago, China and Sri Lanka have always understood and supported each other, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes.

Xi said that he prizes the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and stands ready to work with President Dissanayake to carry forward the traditional friendship, and enhance political mutual trust.

He also pledged to work with the Sri Lankan leader to facilitate more fruitful high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and make steady and long-term progress of China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship so as to better benefit the people of the two countries.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
 Close Prince Harry laughs as young boy pulls his beard at WellChild awards in London

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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.
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The Met Office has warned of more rain in the coming days after flash floods wreaked havoc across the UK, submerging roads and homes.

Several parts of the country, including Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and London, have been overwhelmed by floods after receiving more than a months worth of rain in just 24 hours.

While Tuesday is expected to be quieter, deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris warned of further unsettled weather and heavy rain later in the week.

Showers will continue across England and Wales but are unlikely to be as heavy as the rain across the weekend, as there are currently no official weather warnings in place.

He said: Through Wednesday and Thursday, unsettled weather is set to return as further frontal systems move in from the Atlantic, bringing showers or longer spells of rain to many parts of the UK and a chance of strong winds in a few places.

A man walking his dog barefoot on a flooded road in Frampton Drive, Gloucestershire ( PA Wire )

The heavy downpours flooded at least 45 properties, according to the Environment Agency and led to travel chaos. The A421 in Bedfordshire is still closed in both directions between A6 Bedford and M1 J13 near Marston Moretaine due to waterlogged conditions.

An amber weather warning is currently in force for millions of people across the UK until later tonight. The warning for heavy rain came into force at around 8.15am and will remain in place until 9pm, sweeping as far west as Bristol and up to Northamptonshire in the East Midlands.

The Met Office originally issued an amber warning covering Worcester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull, before updating its advice. The warning highlights potential flooding, damage to some buildings and travel disruption.

Rain warnings were in place all weekend with a fresh yellow alert coming into effect at midnight to last until 11.59pm tonight  covering parts of Wales, much of the south of England, the Midlands and into north-west England and Yorkshire.

A tractor pulling a vehicle which is stuck in flood water in Grendon, Northamptonshire ( Joe Giddens/PA Wire )

It initially covered Worcester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull but an update from the Met Office said the warning area had shifted further south and southwest. This includes Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.

The Environment Agency has issued 22 flood warnings for areas such as Leighton Buzzard, South Ruislip in London and Childswickham in Worcestershire.

Some schools in Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire have also closed, with updates on Oxfordshire Councils website citing water flooding as the reason for all but one of the shuttered schools.

Huge sinkhole appeared to opened up on AFC Wimbledons pitch ( Chris Ibbeson )

In the capital, the Overground and some Tube lines were partly suspended on Monday. Many are still operating with delays.

London Fire Brigade said its 999 control officers have taken around 350 calls to flooding across the capital. Firefighters have attended incidents in Ruislip, Uxbridge, Wimbledon and Carshalton.

The Carabao Cup third-round tie on Tuesday between AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle has been called off due to extensive overnight flooding at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. Dramatic footage at the stadium appeared to show a sinkhole in the pitch and very wet stands.
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Parts of the UK could be battered by a months worth of rain on Monday as the country is set for heavy flooding, the Met Office warned.

Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and up towards the Wash and the Humber could be hit by the heavy rainfall.

A yellow alert was put in place throughout the day, covering parts of Wales, much of the south of England, the Midlands and into northwest England and Yorkshire.

The UK has been hit by floods with more heavy rain to come ( PA Wire )

Follow live updates here

The Environment Agency flood duty manager Sarah Cook said persistent heavy rain and thunderstorms could lead to some property flooding and travel disruption throughout the day.

Weather warnings for rain across the UK on Monday ( PA Graphics )

Some affected areas could see 100 to 120mm of rain and forecasters warned there may be more warnings in the week ahead.

Mrs Cook said: The impacts could include localised flooding in urban areas and fast-responding catchments, including some property flooding as well as travel disruption. The risk from river flooding remains low.

Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and ready to support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.

Vehicles drive through floodwater in Birmingham as the Environment Agency warned of widespread flooding ( Nick Potts/PA Wire )

Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey added: First thing on Monday morning then we see an amber weather warning come into force. It stretches between Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and up towards the Wash and the Humber.

This area in particular, during Monday, we could see over a months worth of rain falling, and with the rain weve already seen over the last couple of days this certainly has the potential to bring some disruption and flooding in locations and here it is very important we do take care over the course of the day.

It comes after thunder, lightning and hail marked the official end to summer over the weekend, with the autumn equinox on Sunday afternoon signalling the start of the new season.

Rain warnings were in place all weekend with a fresh yellow alert having come into effect at midnight to last all of Monday, covering parts of Wales, much of the south of England, the Midlands and into north-west England and Yorkshire.

An amber warning came into force at 5am and will last until 9pm, sweeping over Worcester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull.

Even before the warnings came into effect, Bedfordshire Police warned: We are aware of the multiple issues the weather is causing across the county tonight. Please only call us if there is an immediate threat to life or crime in progress.

All emergency services and council teams are working as quickly as possible to help those affected but our priority will be the vulnerable. Please stay clear of flooded roads and affected areas.

As of 5am, 13 flood warnings  meaning flooding is expected  were issued for England by the Environment Agency.

Areas affected by the flood warnings include Atherstone in Warwickshire, Leighton Buzzard and Luton in Bedfordshire and parts of London including Wimbledon and South Ruislip.

MET OFFICE OUTLOOK

Monday:

Heavy rain will linger across parts of England and Wales today. This could lead to localised flooding in some southern areas. Further north it will be drier and largely cloudy, although rain will move into northern Scotland.

Monday night:

Rain in the south will gradually ease tonight and clear to the east during the early hours. Skies will remain cloudy, with rain continuing in northern Scotland through the night.

Tuesday:

Rain in the east clears in the morning. Outbreaks of rain in Scotland will spread to northern England in the afternoon. Largely dry and cloudy elsewhere. Chilly in the north.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Rain will spread across the UK during Wednesday and Thursday, possibly with strong winds in places. Rain should clear through Friday and it will turn colder in a northerly wind.
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Winter fuel payments will be stopped for millions of pensioners this winter as Labour pushes on with its plan to boost public finances by means-testing the cold weather benefit.

The Labour government has been urged to review its decision affecting 10 million pensioners after the regulator Ofgem announced household energy bills will rise by 150 in October.

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned the double hit will lead to disaster for pensioners on low and modest incomes or living in vulnerable circumstances due to ill health.

Labour now faces a challenge from trade unions over the measure at its annual conference in Brighton. Led by Unite and the Communication Workers Union (CWU), representatives are reportedly looking to force a debate and vote on the cut.

While it would be embarrassing for the government if they were defeated, the vote would be non-binding and so unlikely to force the Sir Keirs hand.

It comes just weeks after the prime minister faced a fresh rebellion in Commons as MPs were granted a vote on the measure. Members voted 348 to 228 to press ahead with cutting the payment, as 53 Labour MPs abstainined and one voted against.

Rachel Reeves revealed the change amongst several cost-cutting measures in July, designed to plug the 22bn black hole in public finances which Labour argues was concealed by the previous government.

Rachel Reeves announces her cost-cutting measures in Commons ( Reuters )

Pensioners have spoken to The Independent about how they face a bleak winter ahead due to the price cap rise and the introduction of means-tested winter fuel payments.

Analysis shows energy bills this winter will be the highest on record for older people who previously received the winter fuel payment, worth up to 300.

The winter fuel payment was introduced by Tony Blairs government in 1997, and expanded to all pensioners from 2000. The new change will now mean that only those in receipt of pension credit or other certain benefits will continue to receive them.

The payment amount remains unchanged, at 200 for those aged between 66 and 79, and 300 for those over 80.

Since announcing the measure, charities and campaigners have urged the government to reconisder. Research from Age UK shows that around 2 million vulnerable pensioners are likely to miss out, while money expert Martin Lewis has also said Labour should rethink the measure.

Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said: An estimated two million older people, in all, will face an even steeper mountain to climb in paying their energy bills and staying warm and well when the weather chills.

With pensioners also losing the cost-of-living payments theyve received over the last two years we simply cannot see how some of them will cope.

She adds that lifting of Ofgems price cap for energy bills makes it even more obvious that making the winter fuel payment means-tested could be hazardous for some older people.

If youve been affected by the change to winter fuel payments heres what you can do:

Check if youre eligible for pension credit

The first thing anyone affected by the changes to the winter fuel payment should do is check if theyre eligible for pension credit. If you are able to claim this benefit, it will now unlock the winter fuel payment for you.

Research from Age UK shows that around 800,000 pensioners are missing out on the means-tested benefit. The charity recommends calling their helpline or using their handy benefits calculator to check their eligibility.

To qualify for pension credit, you must be above state pension age  currently 66  and on a low income. It will top up your weekly income to either:

218.15 if youre single

332.95 if you have a partner (shared jointly)

This works out at 11,343.8 a year if single, or a shared income of 17,313.4 for two.

Its crucial those who are eligible for the credit apply for it, as experts describe it as a passport benefit. Alongside the winter fuel payment, claiming pension credit can unlock housing benefit, support with mortgages, a free TV licence and help with NHS dental appointments. This can add up to thousands of pounds in additional support.

However, the eligibility is not tapered: if you receive even 50 over the pension credit income, you will not qualify for this additional support.

Age UK says there are around one million pensioners in this situation. A spokesperson said: Older people in this group often tell us they really struggle financially; the proposed change will make it even harder for them to afford to stay warm when it gets chilly.

Means-testing WFP this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy decision, and one that will potentially jeopardise their health as well as their finances  the last thing they or the NHS needs.

Other support available if youre not eligible for pension credit:

Attendance allowance

Attendance allowance is a non-means tested benefit is designed to support pensioners who need daily living help. It offers a minimum of 3,700 a year, rising to 5644.6 depending on the level of support needed.

To be eligible for the benefit, the claimant must have needed help or supervision for six consecutive months, even if none has been received. This means you need assistance with daily living, or someone to watch you to avoid danger to yourself.

Money guru Martin Lewis recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of the benefit, which he says is going unclaimed by around a million eligible pensioners.

Household support fund

The household support fund is money given to all local councils to support vulnerable households in their area. Councils are free to allocate the funds however they feel is best.

Some have provided cash grants, supermarket vouchers, or energy bill assistance. You will need to visit your local councils website to find out what help may still be available.

To find out what support is available, the End Furniture Poverty charity offers a helpful assistance finder tool.

Energy provider help

Some energy suppliers are offering help for those struggling with their energy bills. These include Scottish Power, EDF, E.ON and Octopus. You will need to contact your energy provider to find out if you are eligible.

British Gas also offer a grant of up to 2,000 to customers of any energy provider. You will need to meet specific criteria to be eligible, and can apply on the British Gas Energy Trust website.

Charitable grants

If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for certain charitable grants. There are a wide range of grants available depending on your circumstances.

However, these grants will typically require you to meet specific criteria and only be able to offer limited funds.

Several charitable grants are available for older people, with some having additional criteria such as being disabled or ill  and many more. The charity Turn2us has an online tool to search for grants which may be available to you.

For the latest benefits and pensions payment dates and cost of living support, visit The Independents regularly updated guide
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Jess Phillips has warned local providers are not doing enough to ensure victims of domestic violence are prioritised on housing waiting lists.

The safeguarding minister said housing is the biggest issue by a considerable country mile for victims in the UK, warning some allocators are not playing their fundamental role in ensuring there are safe places for survivors to live.

Her comments come a week after The Independent launched its campaign to raise 300,000 to build a haven for women escaping their abusive partners, which has received 70,000 in donations so far.

Be a brick, buy a brick and donate here or text BRICK to 70560 to donate 15

Ms Phillips said many domestic abuse survivors are waiting too long for housing ( PA Archive )

The paper has joined forces with leading domestic abuse charity Refuge to raise money, as the current shortage of refuge houses has left women at risk of further abuse or being murdered by their partners.

The Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley also warned legislation to tackle violence against women and girls wont be impactful unless there are sweeping changes at a grassroots level, citing the system of allocating housing to domestic abuse victims as an example.

Speaking at an event on the fringes of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, she explained: The reality is, weve lived for the last ten years in a legislation-heavy environment.

I could have a brilliant violence against women and girls bill with all the amendments youve sent me in it, but it doesnt make any difference.

Legislation doesnt make that much difference on the ground if the systems and the expectations of those systems to enact it arent changed.

Ms Phillips warned local providers are not doing enough to ensure victims of domestic violence are prioritised on housing waiting lists ( PA Archive )

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 means that a person will now have priority for accommodation if they have become homeless as a result of domestic abuse.

But Ms Phillips said many local housing providers are not putting victims of domestic abuse in Band A, the highest priority category for housing.

She said: In the Domestic Abuse bill we have legislation that says victims of domestic abuse must get priority for housing and get into Band A.

If I got a pound for every time a victim of domestic violence didnt get put into Band A

And nobody is there to assess whether that [policy] is getting enacted on the ground, whether they are actually getting priority.

She also warned that, as a result of waiting lists for accommodation in local authorities, many people in Band A are still waiting years for housing.

Ms Phillips added: When were talking about building council housing and when we think about housing, we have to make sure that this is never ever forgotten.

Please donate now to the Brick by Brick campaign, launched by The Independent and charity Refuge, to help raise 300,000 to build a safe space for women where they can escape domestic abuse, rebuild their lives and make a new future.
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Watch as defence secretary John Healey addressed the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on Monday, 23 September, as he urged gamers to sign up to the military.

Gamers and cyber experts will be fast-tracked into the countrys online defence forces to help thwart the threat posed by Vladimir Putin, Mr Healey has announced.

The new cyber track will have different selection and basic training requirements to other branches of the armed services.

Mr Healey also eased outdated recruitment requirements for the wider armed forces.

More than 100 recruitment policies  including measures blocking some sufferers of hay fever, eczema and acne  have been scrapped or updated since Labour entered government.

A new ambition has been promised to make a conditional offer to would-be recruits within 10 days and confirmation of a training start date within 30 days.

Mr Healey said ahead of Monday's speech: As the world changes, and threats evolve, we also need to ensure our recruitment is right for the 21st century.

Thats why we will remove unnecessary barriers and fast-track bright candidates into cyber defence to help face down Putins online aggression."
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Labour has been accused of censoring pro-Palestinian activists at its party conference after ordering a group to remove the words genocide and apartheid from the listing for an event about Israels war in Gaza.

The party was condemned by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) for refusing to promote its fringe event titled Justice for Palestine: Confronting genocide and ending apartheid.

The event has been listed in the brochure as simply Justice for Palestine.

Rachel Reeves saw her speech disrupted by pro-Palestinian protestors calling for the suspension of all arms sales to Israel ( PA Wire )

PSC chairman Ben Jamal said the party cannot have a commitment to tackling an injustice unless you are prepared and able to correctly name that injustice.

Mr Jamal said it was part of Labour endorsing the narrative that opposing Israels oppression of Palestinians is antisemitic.

We see the same process in the endorsement and promulgation by Labour leaders of some of the narratives demonising those advocating for Palestinian rights, he added.

And Mr Jamal said: A Labour Party and a Labour government sincerely committed to anti-racism will confront the reality of the genocide Israel is currently unleashing. A Labour source said some would have found the events title offensive.

Mr Jamals comments came as Rachel Reeves saw her conference speech disrupted by a pro-Palestinian protester calling for the UK to suspend all arms sales to Israel.

The event, which will take place on Monday evening on the fringe of Labours first conference since coming to power, will see speeches from left-wing Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan and director of the British Palestinian Committee Sara Husseini.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said Labour cannot have a commitment to tackling an injustice unless you are prepared and able to correctly name that injustice ( PA )

The United Nations top court has said there is a plausible case that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, condemning the dehumanising language from Israeli officials, including one official who described Palestinians as human animals.

Palestinian authorities say that more than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its assault on the enclave, in response to Hamas terror attacks last October which killed 1,200 Israelis and saw hundreds taken hostage.

In response to the mounting death toll, and fears British-made weapons could be being used to break international law, foreign secretary David Lammy suspended about 30 of Britains 350 arms export licences to Israel.

The Labour government has also restored funding for the United Nations Palestine relief agency UNRWA, which had been suspended by his Conservative predecessor Rishi Sunaks government in January.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has suspended some arms export licences to Israel ( PA Wire )

Mr Lammy, who has visited Israel twice in the past two months as part of Western efforts to push for a ceasefire, has called himself a friend of Israel, but has described the violence in Gaza horrifying.

Mr Jamal said: Israel is committing a genocide, after decades of illegal military occupation of Palestinian land and decades of practicing the crime of apartheid on all Palestinians. The vast majority of the worlds governments believe it is time Israel was held to account and sanctioned for repeatedly and flagrantly violating international law. The narrow band of governments that stand in the way of upholding international law shamefully includes our own.

The Labour government knows that Israel is committing crimes in Gaza and the West Bank. But instead of honouring its obligations under international law, it is still seeking to shield Israel from accountability.

Labour was asked to comment.
 Close Sue Gray quits: Defence secretary says Labour cabinet is most unified hes ever served in

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Sir Keir Starmer has warned that a two-state solution is the only viable long-term route through the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as he said Britains thoughts are with the Jewish people on the anniversary of the 7 October attacks.

In a speech to the House of Commons, the prime minister called for an end to the living nightmare Palestinians are enduring, and vowed to use the power of diplomacy to try to minimise suffering on the ground, as he urged Israel to renew efforts for a ceasefire and called for more relief for civilians.

He took aim at Iran, saying the launching of 200 ballistic missiles at Israel last week exposes, once again, Irans malign role in the region.

His speech comes as David Lammy sought to reassure MPs the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar are not up for negotiation amid backlash over his decision to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius.

The Foreign Secretary told the Commons: I want to reassure the House and all members of the UK family worldwide that this agreement does not signal any change in policy to Britains other overseas territories.
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The Labour Party conference comes at a pivotal moment, just months after its sweeping election victory in July.

Around 20,000 Labour activists, journalists, lobbyists, and public figures are gathering in Liverpool for the partys first conference in government since 2009 and first post-victory event since 2005.

Despite the leaderships cautious tone, suggesting things can only get worse, there will be celebrations before the party refocuses on its five core missions.

Sir Keir Starmers keynote speech on Tuesday was crucial, as it was his first post-victory address.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves faced the tough task of selling fiscal discipline  a message that may not sit well with the partys base and unions.

Ultimately, the conference will be judged on whether it serves as a successful milestone for Labours return to power or a missed opportunity to reset after a difficult start in government.

If you have a question on the Labour Party conference, submit it now here, or when I join you live at 4pm on Tuesday September 24 for the Ask Me Anything event.

Register to submit your question in the comments box under this article. If youre not already a member, click sign up in the comments section to leave your question. For a full guide on how to comment click here.

Dont worry if you cant see your question  they may be hidden until I join the conversation to answer them. Then join us live on this page at 4pm as I tackle as many questions as I can.
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Tech giants should help promote stories from local newspapers to help fight disinformation, Lisa Nandy has said.

The Culture Secretary praised local newspapers during a meeting on the fringe of the Labour Party conference on Monday, saying they had played an important during the summer riots.

She said: We have got to make sure that those local newspapers and regional newspapers are protected, not least because when there was so much disinformation online, it was often local journalists who were first on the scene and saying thats not whats happening here.

They were penetrating that disinformation, mythbusting for people, helping to create calm in communities and we lose them at our peril.

Ms Nandy, whose department oversees media policy, told the meeting she had kicked off a local and regional news strategy to help support local papers, and was engaging with tech companies to encourage them to give greater prominence to local news stories.

She said: One of the issues is that the big online companies like the Googles and the Facebooks often dont promote their content like they promote others.

We need to provide a fair playing field for local and regional papers.

Shortly after the election, the Society of Editors wrote to the Prime Minister urging action to protect local newspapers, including finding alternative sources of funding for the sector.

Asked whether she thought there was a case for greater Government funding of local news, Ms Nandy said there was a case but was wary of too much Government involvement in the media.

Saying there had to be a firewall, she added: Unlike the last Tory government I dont think its appropriate at all for the government to be telling newspapers and broadcasters what they can and cant print, what they can and cant say, who they can and cant feature.

Thats a question for them. Our job is to create the framework in which good journalists can thrive independently of government.
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Watch as Rachel Reeves addressed the Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool on Monday, 23 September.

In her first party conference speech as chancellor, she insisted that tough decisions are needed with public finances and attempted to persuade her critics that there will be no return to austerity.

However, Labour's decision to take away winter fuel payments from 10 million pensioners is likely to be the focus on Monday.

Boos were heard in the conference hall as complaints were raised about a debate on union calls for the winter fuel allowance cuts to be reversed not taking place today.

Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled by some delegates as she said: This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and Im going to take this back straight to CAC and Ill come back to you with an answer ASAP.

Winter fuel payments will be stopped for millions of pensioners this winter as the government pushes on with plans to boost public finances by means-testing the cold weather benefit.

Ms Reeves has said the change is amongst several cost-cutting measures designed to plug the 22bn black hole in public finances which Labour argues was concealed by the previous government.
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Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of silencing the voices of pensioners by blocking a vote on the governments decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

The prime minister is facing a furious backlash from unions after kicking a key vote on the plans to Wednesday - the last day of conference known as the graveyard slot. Unite, Labours biggest union backer, said the party was blocking debate on the cuts and descending into austerity mark 2.

When this becomes widely known there will be real anger among everyday people. Real Anger, general secretary Sharon Graham added.

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are facing a backlash over plans to scrap winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners ( Getty )

The furious union chief added: Right now it is fair to say that the Labour leaders have tried to silence the voice of pensioners, workers and communities at party conference in this blatant manoeuvre to block debate on winter fuel cuts and the departure towards Austerity Mark 2.

Rachel Reeves announced plans to means test winter fuel payments, previously worth up to 300 for all pensioners, effectively scrapping it for around 10 million people.

She has said the move will save the Treasury 1.5bn and is an essential part of her plans to plug a 22bn black hole left in the public purse by the Conservatives.

But Labour MPs and unions have condemned the plans, with some left-wingers going as far as to claim pensioners will die as a result of the change.

Delegates at Labours annual conference in Liverpool were set to condemn the change on Monday in a vote forced by Unite and the Communications Workers Union (CWU).

But Unite accused Labour of attempting to block the vote, before eventually managing to force it back into the graveyard slot.

Earlier on Monday Labour officials faced boos and jeers after unions complained about moves to delay a conference debate on winter fuel payment cuts.

CWU's senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns questioned why the motion was not scheduled and why it has been briefed that "it's unlikely to be scheduled for debate this week".

Ms Reeves has said tough choices are needed ( Getty Images )

Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled and booed by some delegates as she said: "This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and I'm going to take this back straight to CAC and I'll come back to you with an answer asap."

Wendy Nichols, who was chairing the morning session of conference, said people should not be booed at the event.

She said: "We've all got different points of view but surely we should show respect to each other and let's not continue the way it is today."

Ms Nichols added: "Shouting from the back at somebody like me doesn't work.

"This conference is being looked at all over the country, so let's show a little bit of respect for each other and stop all the shouting and booing and everything else, it does us no favours."

Labour was asked to comment.
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Wes Streeting has joked that Sir Keir Starmers embattled senior aide Sue Gray had shot JFK and no one should earn more than the Prime Minister amid a row over her salary.

The health secretary made light of suggestions of mounting acrimony at the heart of government as he spoke at an event on the sidelines of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.

Speaking to a crowd at the gathering hosted by think tank Labour Together, Mr Streeting: I want to welcome the BBCs conviction that no one should be paid more than the Prime Minister, that no one should receive hospitality, and that we should judge performance on social media mentions.

Be careful what we wish for, comrades.

Sue Gray has been the subject of repeated negative press briefings ( PA Wire )

He added: Its going to get worse before it gets better. Sue Gray is hiding Lord Lucan and shot JFK, and I cant even tell you what she did to Shergar.

I dont know how were going to recover from this, frankly.

In recent weeks, Ms Gray has been the subject of a series of furious briefings signalling a growing rift in Sir Keirs Downing Street operation.

Leaks about her 170,000 salary have contributed to reports of a fractious atmosphere inside No10 less than three months after Labour came to power.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting joked about the extent of Sue Grays influence ( PA Wire )

The row, alongside a lingering backlash over the acceptance of luxury gifts from wealthy donors by senior MPs, had threatened to overshadow Labours annual conference.

Sir Keir has insisted he is completely in control despite the briefings, while Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner earlier on Sunday said she was angered by attempts to demonise workers in their workplace through the press and the media.

But there has consistently been surprise over Ms Grays influence in making appointments to senior jobs and her presence on Sir Keirs recent trip to Washington DC to discuss the war in Ukraine and Middle East with Joe Biden.

Mr Streetings remarks came ahead of the second day of Labour conference, which chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to use to turn the page on her doom and gloom messaging, promising that a brighter future awaits if she can restore stability to the public finances.

She will also pledge that there will be no return to austerity under Labour, adding that I can see the prize on offer if we make the right choices now.

The chancellor will attempt to reset the narrative by insisting that she is optimistic for Britain.
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Rachel Reeves has promised that there will be no return to austerity at the Labour conference in Brighton, responding to critics who have compared her to previous Conservative governments.

Speaking at the partys first conference in power for 14 years, Ms Reeves said: Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services  and for investment and growth too.

We must deal with the Tory legacy and that means tough decisions. But we wont let that dim our ambition for Britain.

Last week, critics inside Labour reportedly accused the chancellor of reheated 2010 tactics, with one union insider telling The i that a return to austerity would not be welcomed.

Rachel Reeves says there will be no return to austerity at the Labour conference, September 23, 2024 ( Getty )

Much of the criticism comes in response to the governments decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, even in the face of fierce opposition.

Ms Reeves latest speech could be seen as a direct response to the critics, but it is unlikely to put a stop to the comparisons. Heres everything you need to know about austerity and the criticisms Labour faces:

What is austerity?

After their election victory in 2010, the Conservative government embarked on a series of severe spending cuts and tax increases. Introduced by prime minister David Cameron and his chancellor George Osbourne, ministers would cuts expenditure on welfare, the NHS, schools, and other public services to the bone over the course of the next decade.

The strict economic programme began after Mr Cameron told Conservative members shortly before his election victory that the age of irresponsibility is giving way to the age of austerity. This would become the word used to define his governments approach to public expenditure.

David Cameron and George Osbourne in 2010 as they ushered in the age of austerity ( Getty Images )

The Tory government at the time justified these austerity measures by saying they were necessary to reduce the national debt accumulated by Labour under short-serving prime minister Gordon Brown. Experts point out that the 2008 economic crash  not caused by the Labour government  shared far more of the blame.

In 2019, then-Conservative chancellor Sajid Javid declared the end of austerity, as he announced that spending would increase across all government departments.

A decade of cuts are not undone overnight, however. The respected Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) thinktank wrote at the time that public spending would still be 3 per cent below its level a decade ago, and more than 9 per cent lower per person. The human cost was also high, with food bank usage increasing from 41,000 in 2009/10 to 3.1 million in 2023/24 .

Five years on, in 2024, public spending has returned to 44.5 per cent, two percent lower than in 2009 during the previous Labour governments last year. This was largely sparked by a drastic increase from 39.6 to 53.1 per cent due to the Covid pandemic, and is forecasted by the OBR to gradually fall over the next few years.

Is Rachel Reeves bringing back austerity?

Labour has ruled out a return to the austerity seen in the 2010s, and still felt long after. However, critics inside the party continue to accuse Ms Reeves of just that, arguing that her rhetoric and policies bear an all-too-similar resemblance.

Its not hard to understand the case. Using her first speech in Commons at the end of July to reveal the 22bn black hole in public spending, Ms Reeves pinned the blame for the cuts this will necessitate on the previous government.

Mr Speaker, the scale of this overspend is not sustainable, she said, not to act is simply not an option.

The similarity to Mr Osbournes inaugural speech, in which he blamed the thirteen years of fiscal irresponsiblity on the swingeing cuts to come, was obvious.

And since coming into power, Labours messaging has only become gloomier. Speaking in August, Sir Keir Starmer said the partys first budget was going to be painful but necessary to fix the rot left by the Tories.

The prime minister and the chancellor at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton ( Getty )

The measures announced in the event will come after several already much-criticised moves. These include the controversial cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners, refusing to scrap the two-child benefit cap, and a multi-department spending review which aims to save 5.5bn.

However, Ms Reeves and her team point to several key differences from the austerity measures of 2010 onwards. Speaking to The New Statesman, they highlighted several measures of increased public expenditure which have already been committed to.

Included in this is the public sector pay rise of 9.4bn in real terms, alongside promised increases in NHS and school spending, funded by their policies on non-doms and private schools.

Crucially, they say the austerity measures of the 2010s were pursued for more reasons than just balancing the books. The Conservative government was interested in creating a small state, where more power was handed to business and entrepreneurs through measures such as lower corporation tax and increased private sector involvement in public service delivery.

While Labour has committed to working effectively with business leaders on government projects, it has also reaffirmed its desire for state-led projects. This includes the publicly-owned Great British Energy company, as well as the ambitious plan to re-nationalise the railways.

Truly, it would be too simplistic to brand Labours economic approach as austerity 2.0, and far too early into their premiership. However, as the party pushes its message of more pain to come when it was promising change just a few months ago, many voters are likely left wondering if they havent been as short-changed today as they were in 2010.
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The US is facing its biggest war threat in almost a century and is woefully unprepared, according to the leaders of a congressionally chartered commission.

Immediate threats not felt since the Cold War from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, must be tackled with additional spending and weaponry reviews, said members of the bipartisan commission, which was tasked with examining the countrys defense strategy.

Arguing that things have gone from bad to worse since a review six years ago, former Congresswoman Jane Harman told reporters at a Defense Writers Group on Tuesday: When we got together for this report[we] began to realize that the situation was even worse than it was in 2018 and that we were at the risk of having our authoritarian adversaries outpace us and that we really run the risk ofa global conflict because of the incredibly dangerous international situation that we face.

The US Navy has admitted that many key projects are now running several years behind schedule ( US Department of Defense )

The commission recommended rebuilding the defense industrial base, noting that China has 10 shipyards making vessels for its Navy while the US has kind of 1 1/2. And as Ukraine and Russia use millions of drones in their conflict, a new initiative in the US would build only tens of thousands, the commission said.

We have been optimizing a system for acquiring extremely expensive, vulnerable platforms that we cant afford to lose right when were on the cusp of a huge revolution in warfare, said Ambassador Eric Edelman, vice chair of the commission. The Pentagon builds to the speed of bureaucracy. Thats not an industrial base or a business model thats going to sustain us.

The leaders pointed to the need for a partnership between the Pentagon and the greater tech community to increase innovation and urged investment in a workforce thats capable of carrying out large-scale projects.

Two US Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft make history by landing on a highway strip during an exercise in Finland ( US Department of Defense )

We have to look at our educational system to produce the kind of workforce we need to be able to sustain the effort thats going to be required, said Edelman. This sort of human investment will take time, possibly the most precious resource.

He added: It is expensive to defend the United States of America, but what were talking about in this report is restoring our ability to deter conflict, and failure to deter conflict is always more expensive than spending the money thats necessary to deter and defend.

CNNs Michael Smerconish commented on the announcement over the weekend, saying: We are no longer the colossus that can bend the world to our will  we are facing dangerous circumstances on many fronts including China, Russia, North Korea, and the Middle East.

Tensions have been steadily rising in the Middle East ( EPA )

The announcement has taken on renewed significance as military tensions countinue to steadily escalate in the Middle East after 100 people were killed and over 400 were wounded in an Israeli pager strike that targeted southern Lebanon in September, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Fears that the US is being dragged into an inter-regional war between Israel and Iran loom, as the US clings to ties with allied Israel.
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All four people killed in the Birmingham, Alabama mass shooting on Saturday have been identified, while Mayor Randall Woodfin has called for lawmakers to take more action to help the city tackle gun violence.

The victims have been named as Anitra Holloman, 21, Tahj Booker, 27, Carlos McCain, 27, and Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., 26, according to police.

Holloman, Booker and McCain were found unresponsive on the sidewalk in the Five Points South neighborhood and died at the scene, the Birmingham Police Department said, while Patterson Jr. was transported to hospital, where he later died.

A group of people at the scene after over 100 shots were fired in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday night ( WBMA via AP )

The killers remain at large after the shooting in the area, home to the University of Alabama campus and a number of bars and restaurants, with no arrests made as of Monday morning.

Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin spoke on the issue of gun violence in the city, telling reporters at a press conference on Sunday, I dont give a damn about partisan, I dont care about Democratic politics and Republican politics.

What is my top priority, along with the Birmingham Police Department, is public safety. But youve got to give us the tools to solve these issues.

He also called Glock switches, the number one public safety issue in our city and state, in a Facebook post that same day.

He highlighted, Though illegal under federal law, there is no state law that makes Glock switches illegal, and added that, Every mayor, police chief, sheriff, and district attorney I know wants Glock switches outlawed.

Converting a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon that discharges all bullets within seconds doesnt belong on our domestic streets. We really need state legislators help.

Ban Glock switches. Make it a mandatory 10 years to serve if caught with one. If victim is shot and survives, mandatory 25 years to serve. If victim dies, automatic life without parole or more, he finished.

Mayor Randall Woodfin took to Facebook to condemn the gun violence causing his city to suffer, and blamed Glock switches as the number one public safety issue in our city and state ( Randall Woodfin/Facebook )

Glock switches are devices that can be attached to the back of a handgun and allow the user to switch between semi- and fully automatic gunfire. They can be made of plastic or metal, and can even reportedly be 3D-printed.

In the comments on his post, Woodfin added: This shouldnt be up for debate.

This morning, he added, too many families have to pick up the pieces of an unfair new normal that doesnt include their love one.

People minding their own manners shot and have to now live with the emotional and physical trauma of being shot.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin at a press conference on Sunday calling for the tools to solve these issues ( Birmingham Police Department/Facebook )

More than 100 shots were fired from at least one automatic weapon, local outlet AL.com reports, in what police believe was a targeted attack.

At least 17 other people were injured in addition to the four killed. Officials believe the individual targeted is one of the deceased.

Police say the shooters drove to the area, exited their car and fired multiple shots at a group of people before fleeing the scene. Investigators believe the shooters were paid to kill a targeted individual, who is among the four dead, according to Birmingham police chief Scott Thurmond.

Someone was willing to pay money to have that person killed, Thurmond said.

Dozens of people were injured, including four people with life-threatening wounds. Everyone injured was standing on a sidewalk or in the street, police said.

Its still unclear what motivated the violence. Anyone who witnessed the shooting should contact the police, Birmingham police officer Truman Fitzgerald said. There is a $5,000 reward for any tip that leads to an arrest.

There is no greater resource than the public, Fitzgerald said.

If you were out here, if you saw anything if you heard anything, please reach out.

Police on the scene of the mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday night ( WVTM-13 News )

Witness Dajon Singleton told local outlet WVTM-13 the scene was very scary.

I walked up when it was just ending, because everybody was screaming, there was people crying, Singleton said.

The grieving-type screaming, like I know someone is hurt, or that passed away, he added. That type. Thats when I instantly knew someone lost a loved one.

Police have asked local businesses for their security footage. The FBI and ATF are both assisting with the investigation.

Woodfin also noted at yesterdays press conference that this is not the first instance where such a devastating attack has taken place in the city this year.

Seven people, including a five-year-old boy, were killed and 10 others injured in two separate shootings over the same weekend in July.

There have been more than 400 mass shootings in the US this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

These mass shootings have more to do with culture than they do with criminality, Fitzgerald said. We are seeing far too many arguments being decided by bullets.

The Independent has contacted the Birmingham Police Department for further information.
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When Juan Ruizs two young sons were killed by a drunk driver in 2012, the devastated father, along with his wife, used their grief to advocate for tougher DUI laws.

But just 12 years later, on September 6, their lives were flipped upside down by another unthinkable tragedy: their young daughter, born after the loss of her brothers, was also dead.

Heartbreakingly, the childs death seems to have been caused by another intoxicated adult in a car: her grieving mother.

She needs help, she would never do this on purpose, Ruiz told NBC Los Angeles through his tears.

Sandra Hernandez-Cazares, 42, and their three-year-old daughter, Ily Ruiz, were found unconscious inside a locked Ford Expedition outside their home in Anaheim, California, where temperatures soared to 104F.

Ily was pronounced dead at the scene.

Im hurt, Im broken, Im devastated, Ruiz said. Im angry, Im very angry. Thats what I feel right now.

Ily Ruiz, 3, was found dead in the car as temperatures soared to 104F ( GoFundMe )

Police found the car littered with several bottles of alcohol. Hernandez-Cazares was transported to the hospital where her blood-alcohol level was .30, nearly four times the legal limit for driving, prosecutors alleged.

She was arrested and charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse causing great bodily injury, according to the Orange County District Attorney.

Ruiz, who says hes a religious man, keeps asking God why?

I dont know why this is happening now, he said. And hes not answering back.

She was my princess

Prosecutors say Hernandez-Cazares was severely intoxicated when she lost consciousness while inside her parked car outside her home in the extreme summer heat earlier this month.

Family members began searching for Hernandez-Cazares after her other son, Lazarus, was never picked up from kindergarten, according to prosecutors.

Then they found a tragic scene. Ily was believed to have been dead for several hours when she was discovered inside the vehicle during the sweltering heat wave in California, according to the Anaheim Police Department.

When authorities responded to a call from relatives around 4.20pm, they desperately tried to revive the limp toddler, who doctors say died from heat stroke in what prosecutors described as extreme temperatures.

Father of child who died in hot car speaks out

Ruiz, who had split from Ilys mother, was working in an oil field in Texas to support his family when he got the news. He quit his job and rushed back to California.

She was my princess, Ruiz said about his only daughter.

Ily, named for the abbreviation of I Love You , had a bubbly personality, and a penchant for everything princesses, especially Frozens Elsa, her father recalled.

I already lost two boys due to a drunk driver back on July 8, 2012, Ruiz said. This is my third child to lose so I am broken, Im devastated and Im angry.

He said that ever since the death of their sons, their mother, whom he has been split from two years ago, has been struggling with alcoholism and depression.

Obviously, she suffered through depression because of the death of our first two boys, he explained. Quite sure that after the birth of my little girl, she started post-partum depression. She was never diagnosed, but the symptoms were all there.

Sandra Hernandez-Cazares, 42, was severely intoxicated when she lost consciousness while inside her parked car outside her home in the extreme summer heat earlier this month ( Orange County District Attorney )

Ruiz said he repeatedly said he was concerned for her mental wellbeing, but that his worries were often dismissed.

I desperately tried to tell everybody that she needed help, but nobody listened to me. Nobody took it seriously.

Shed never do this on purpose, he said. Shes not a bad mom at all, she just needs help.

A tragic loss 12 years earlier

Cyris Alexander Ruiz, 9, and Alaries Marcos Ruiz, 5, were killed by a drunk driver while the family was camping in North Dakota.

Were sleeping in a tent. Drunk driver just ran over us. Killed my boys instantly, recalled their father.

Ruiz himself had suffered a collapsed lung and had to be airlifted off the campgrounds.

They should have let me die there, too, Ruiz said. I would not be going through this again.

After the boys tragic deaths, Ruiz and Hernandez-Cazares lobbied the state legislature for stronger penalties for those caught driving under the influence.

Cyris Alexander Ruiz, 9, and Alaries Marcos Ruiz, 5, were killed by a drunk driver while the family was camping in North Dakota in 2012 ( Provided )

They also decided that Lazarus needed siblings and so along came Ily.

We had a conversation about Lazarus not growing up to be an only child, Ruiz recalled. And now I have just one child left.

Meanwhile, Hernandez-Cazares  who is held at Orange County Jail on $150,000 bond  faces a maximum sentence of 12 years if convicted on all charges, according to prosecutors.

She made her first court appearance on September 10. Her arraignment is slated for October 1, according to online court information.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said the unimaginable pain of having your five-year-old and nine-year-old sons killed by a drunk driver is something from which you can never recover and that the devastating tragedy has ripple effects of grief.

A mother who was robbed of the chance to see two of her sons grow up because of the selfish decision of a stranger will have to live with the fact she will never get to see her little girl grow up because of the choices she made, he said.

Juan Ruiz said he does not want the mother of his children vilified and urges people to help those who are struggling with their mental health ( Fox11 )

There has been an outpouring of support for Ruiz and his family.

A GoFundMe set up for Ruiz to help with funeral expenses has since raised nearly $30,000.

Ily was such a beautiful and innocent soul with a very loving and bubbly personality, his cousin wrote in the campaign. Its still hard to wrap our minds around the thought that ILY is no longer with us. She has been tragically taken from our family in such an unfathomable way, and all we want to do is ease the burden and pain her father Juan and the family are going through at this time.

Ruiz said he does not want the mother of his children vilified and urges people to help those who are struggling with their mental health.

Sandy was a good mom when she was okay, he said. I dont want people to hate her. Just leave the hate for me.

He hopes to use his grief this time to help others recognize when a loved one is unwell and get them the help they need.

If you guys have loved ones or know someone thats suffering, get them the help they need because tragedy happens, he said. Theres so many consequences and repercussions that could happen due to somebodys actions or no actions.
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A boy abducted from a California park at the age of six has been reunited with his family after his niece tracked him down 70 years on.

On 21 February, 1951, a woman enticed Luis Armando Albino away from Jefferson Square Park in Oakland where he had been playing with his 10-year-old brother, Roger.

She promised the Puerto Rico-born boy in Spanish that she would buy him candy before kidnapping him and flying him across the country to the east coast where he would be raised by a couple as if he were their own, according to Bay Area News Group.

Luis Armando Albino has been found by family members over seven decades after he was abducted from a park in Oakland, California, at the age of six ( Shutterstock )

He remained missing for seven decades, with his mother, Antonia Albino, keeping a long vigil until her death in 2005.

That is until his niece, Alida Alequin, 63, used DNA testing and newspaper clippings to track him down 73 years after his abduction.

With the help of police, FBI, and State Department of Justice, she discovered her uncle, now a father and grandfather, was alive and on the east coast.

All this time the family kept thinking of him, she said.

I always knew I had an uncle. We spoke of him a lot. My grandmother carried the original article in her wallet, and she always talked about him. A picture of him was always hung at the family home.

Hope of finding the lost uncle she had never met worked its way to Ms Alequin in 2020, when just for fun, she took an online DNA test.

It showed a 22 per cent match with a man on the east coast, but she left it alone when she couldnt get further answers or a response from the mystery relative.

She was spurred to enlist the help of her daughters, Mr Albinos grand-nieces, in February 2024 while watching a documentary that included references to Puerto Rican folklore.

Together, they found pictures of the man online, and went to the police on the same day as looking at archived Oakland Tribune articles.

Investigators opened a new missing persons case after agreeing the lead was worth looking into, eventually getting the FBI and Department of Justice involved.

After he was located, Ms Albino provided a DNA sample, as did his sister  Ms Alequins mother.

The family received news on 20 June that their long-lost relative had finally been found.

In my heart I knew it was him, Ms Alequin said, and when I got the confirmation, I let out a big YES!

She added that they, didnt start crying until after the investigators left: I grabbed my moms hands and said, We found him. I was ecstatic.

With assistance from the FBI, Albino visited his Oakland family four days later, and finally saw his older brother for the first time in over seven decades; the first time since that afternoon in the park.

They grabbed each other and had a really tight, long hug. They sat down and just talked, according to Ms Alequin, who said they discussed the day of the kidnapping and their military service.

He returned for a three-week visit in July, the last time he saw Roger, who died in August.

Ms Alequin revealed her uncle has some memory of his kidnapping, but the adults in his life never gave him any answers.

She added that her uncle did not want to talk to the media.

Mr Albino and five of his siblings had been brought to Oakland from Puerto Rico by his mother the summer before he was kidnapped.

After he was taken that early spring afternoon, an extensive nine-block search including police, soldiers from the Oakland army base, the Coast Guard and other city employees ensued according to Oakland Tribune articles at the time, seen by the Bay Area News Group.

Roger Albino was interrogated several times by investigators but was firm in his story that his brother was taken by a woman with a bandana around her head. No sign of Luis was ever found, despite the FBI getting involved.

Oakland police said the missing persons case is closed, but they and the FBI consider the kidnapping a still-open investigation.

The Independent has contacted the Oakland Police Department for further information.
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An American woman was found dead in South Africa after she went missing while hiking Table Mountain in Cape Town, authorities confirmed on Monday.

Brook Cheuvront, 20, from Newland, North Carolina, was reported missing on Saturday after setting off at midday to trek up the mountain. Her friends became worried when a tracking app shed used to update them suddenly stopped working, said SANParks, authorities for Table Mountain National Park.

After two extensive searches involving SANParks rangers, Wilderness Search and Rescue, and trail runners, Cheuvronts body was eventually found by Cape Town aircraft on the slopes of the mountain.

Authorities said her cause of death remains unclear as its still being investigated. The 20-year-old had only been in South Africa for one month.

Cheuvronts family was devastated by her death, sharing on Facebook: Please take down all posts looking for Brook.

She was recovered. We are devastated. God help me and us, Steve Cheuvront wrote.

The 20-year-old  who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of North Carolina  had only been in South Africa since August, when she started an internship for a not-for-profit organization called Justice Desk Africa. In her LinkedIn profile, she wrote that the program focused on: Empowering young South African boys from communities suffering from gang violence in the Ntsika y Themba program to challenge gender-based violence and toxic masculinity.

South African authorities offered their condolences to the family and thanked staff and stakeholders who played a part in the operation to locate her.

In a Facebook post, SANParks advised that visitors only do activities in groups.. four or more, inform others when heading off, and save the emergency numbers for Table Mountain National Park.

Authorities insisted in another post that comments about growing concerns over crime were speculative and may cause unnecessary alarm which can undermine their search efforts.

They added that since 2023, crime statistics have drastically decreased from 16 (October 2023) and 32 (November 2023), to 6 (July 2024) and 3 (August 2024).
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A police K-9 died inside his handlers police car and now state investigators have been called in to review the dogs death.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is now reviewing the death of Dolar, the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office announced.

Dolar was found dead inside a sheriffs vehicle while his handler was in training, according to News 9.

The unnamed deputy told dispatchers he was taking the dog to an animal hospital for a heat emergency around 12:40 p.m. Thursday, according to the report.

The deputy has not been put on paid leave while the state investigates the circumstances around the dogs death.

Dolar, a K-9 with the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office in Oklahoma, died while his handler was in training. The dogs death is now under investigation ( Cleveland County Sheriffs Office )

Dolar arrived at the sheriffs office four years ago and was beloved by the deputies on the staff, according to KFOR.

When its time to work hes always ready to work, an unname deputy told the outlet. Me and him got real close.

The K-9 worked at the countys detention center, where he could sniff contraband among the detainees.

Hes trained in narcotics, a deputy said. Hell pick up on cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA, marijuana, and cell phones.

A funeral service is expected for Dolar, but the exact date and time have not been announced.

We are devastated by the loss of K9 Dolar, Sheriff Chris Amason said. Not only was he a remarkable working dog, but he was also a beloved member of our family. His contributions to our department and the community will never be forgotten.
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A significant breakthrough has been made in the case of a young Boston mom who was killed nearly 40 years ago, with authorities finally charging a 65-year-old man with her murder.

James Holloman was arrested on Thursday afternoon in 25-year-old Karen Taylors death after police saw him spit on the sidewalk outside his home in Dorchester and matched his saliva to forensic evidence taken in 1988, according to cops. Prosecutor Lynn Feigenbaum said at a hearing last week that scrapings from Taylors right hand matched Hollomans DNA, along with DNA found on a sweatshirt sleeve and a cigarette found in the young moms bedroom decades ago.

Taylor, of Roxbury, Boston, was last seen alive on the afternoon of May 27, 1988. That day, Taylors mom called her daughter  but it was her 3-year-old who answered. The child said her mother was sleeping and she could not wake her up, prosecutors from the Suffolk County District Attorneys office said at the arraignment.

James Holloman (pictured hiding), 65, is charged with first-degree murder of Karen Taylor ( NBC10 )

The grandmother went to Taylors apartment after that alarming phone call, prosecutors said. She crawled through a window at the back of her daughters building and into the first-floor bedroom where she discovered her daughter lying face-down in a pool of blood, reported NBC10.

Taylor had been brutally stabbed 15 times in her chest, head, and neck area, an autopsy confirmed.

Following the hearing at Suffolk Superior Court on Friday, Hollomans attorney told the press that he doubted his clients DNA connection to the murder after all these years.

Prosecutors have asked that Holloman be held without bail. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden praised investigators work in a statement.

This is an example of superb investigative work by detectives and prosecutors using modern criminology science, but most of all its an opportunity for Karen Taylors loved ones to see someone answer for her death after so many years of unanswered questions," he said, according to CBS.

Hollomans next hearing is set to take place on October 29.
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A Texas woman is dead after her boyfriends gun went off while he was trying to smash open the window of the truck she had locked to escape him, officials say.

Francisco Javier Ochoa, 19, has been charged with manslaughter following the death of his girlfriend, Joselyn Espinoza, 24, according to a release from the Houston Police Department.

Patrol officers arrived at St. Joseph Medical Center on September 15 after a woman, later identified as Espinoza, was reported to be suffering from a gunshot wound.

She was transported to the medical center by private vehicle, police said. Authorities claim they tried to speak to Ochoa there but he refused to answer or consent to a vehicle search, according to a probable cause statement seen by The Miami Herald.

Espinoza was later transferred to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Francisco Javier Ochoa is charged with manslaughter following the death of Joselyn Espinoza ( Houston Police Department )

Detectives spoke to Espinozas family and learned she had been in a relationship with Ochoa for a couple of months. They also heard that she had been staying at a motel in Humble, about 30 minutes outside of Houston, per reports from the Herald, and determined that to be a likely scene where the shooting took place.

Surveillance footage from the motel allegedly showed Ochoa and Espinoza drive a truck into the parking lot at around 1:30 a.m.

Ochoa then exited the vehicle and walked around to the passenger side, where Espinoza was, and tried to aggressively open her door but she appeared to have locked it, police told McClatchy News.

After walking back to the drivers side, Ochoa used a handgun to break the window, however, the firearm went off, shooting Espinoza in the head, according to police.

Court records also claim the footage shows her lifeless body fall out of the truck when Ochoa managed to open her door, before he put her back in and drove away.

We still dont know exactly what they were arguing about, but all I know is that she was trying to get away from him, Espinozas sister, Destiny, told KPRC.

The Herald reports that a GoFundMe dedicated to the 24-year-old says she left behind her most precious love which is her 7-year-old daughter.
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The devastating case of Gisele Pelicot  a French woman raped while unconscious by dozens of strange men that her husband recruited for nearly a decade  has sparked an outcry on social media for women to check for sexually transmitted diseases, no matter their relationship status.

The 72-year-old told the Avignon, France court about how her now-ex-husband Dominique Pelicot, 71, secretly drugged her and arranged for more than 80 strangers to rape her over nine years, from 2011 to 2020. Dominique admitted to the mass rape and asked for foregiveness, while 50 of the suspected rapists are also standing trial.

Gisele revealed that she had sought medical care after experiencing a wide range of concerning symptoms, including gynecological issues, hair loss, and, most alarming for her, memory lapses.

She feared she was developing Alzheimers, and even saw a specialist at her husbands encouragement. Instead, the memory loss came from her husband slipping drugs into her drinks.

Gisele Pelicot exits the Avignon court house, in Avignon, southern France, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, after her ex-husband admitted in court that for nearly a decade, he repeatedly drugged his unwitting wife and invited dozens of men to rape her while she lay unconscious. (AP Photo/Diane Jantet) ( AP )

As for the gynecological symptoms, many of the men who raped her did not wear condoms. One HIV-positive man is alleged to have raped her six times. She did not contract HIV but was later diagnosed with no fewer than four sexually transmitted diseases.

They regarded me like a rag doll, like a garbage bag, Gisele testified.

Outraged by the horrifying stories from Pelicots trial, social media influencer Jennifer Lee posted a now-viral TikTok warning women to get screened for STDs regularly, no matter your relationship status, using her own experience as a cautionary tale.

The Gisele Pelicot case should serve as a reminder for every single woman to get tested regularly. It does not matter if youre in a committed relationship. The same thing happened to me, she says in the video, which has been liked over 43,000 times.

The 30-year-old Seattle native told The Independent that she had fallen madly in love with an Australian man she had met at a hostel while vacationing to Banff in December 2019. They reconnected in early 2023 and after a short stint dating long-distance, and decided to become exclusive, going on a romantic trip to Vancouver in April 2023.

Still going strong months later, Lee flew to Australia to visit him that June. When they tried to have sex, Lee knew something wasnt right. It was so painful that I actually felt like I was being ripped open from the insidelike shards of glass in my like in my vaginal canal, she recalled.

Jennifer Lee posing near Lake Louise in Canada in 2023 ( Jennifer Lee )

Lee recalled asking him before they slept together in Vancouver whether he had been STD tested; he replied that he was clean, according to a police report. But the first night she arrived in Australia, she found herself unable to sleep, keeled over in pain, bleeding profusely  and regretting not asking for more proof.

Paranoid about avoiding STDs, Lee said she typically requires her partners to show her a printout from their doctors office of their negative test results  but this one time she didnt make because I was so in love with him.

The next day, her boyfriend took her to a doctor who, Lee recalled, insisted that she didnt need a STD test because she was in a monogamous relationship. The doctor concluded that either she was experiencing period pain or inflammation from sex and advised her to come back after some time had passed, since the pain had just started the night before.

Her boyfriend then dropped her off at his house before running an errand, according to the police report. He came back bearing bad news, Lee says, telling her turns out I wasnt clean, the report adds. Lee then tested positive for two STDs: chlamydia and Mycoplasma genitalium. The latter is caused by a bacteria and can manifest as bleeding between periods, pain or bleeding after sex, a burning sensation when peeing, and discharge, according to the CDC.

So for two months, I was sick without knowing it, she said.

Lee was put on an antibiotics regimen, but she had been infected for so long that she wound up hospitalized. When she was finally released from the hospital, her body had finally overcome the infection but other, devastating symptoms lingered, putting her in a wheelchair.

Jennifer Lee in the hospital in July 2023 after discovering she was sick with two STDs ( Jennifer Lee )

Lee wrote in the police report that shed developed supraventricular tachycardia, a type of heart arrhythmia, as a result of the prolonged infections.It took her until March  nine months after she contracted the STDs  before she able to walk again without support, if only just for 10 minutes, says Lee.

Lee isnt alone. Her TikTok has sparked many others to comment that they, too, had suffered horrific health maladies after belatedly discovering that they had an STD after not being tested because they were in a monogamous relationship.

I didnt find out until I was very pregnant, wrote one TikToker about her delayed diagnosis. Almost killed me and my daughter and disabled her for life.

Another wrote: My ex-fiance gave me two of them also and now Im infertile because I festered and then I was misdiagnosed and treated seven times for a UTI.

Yet another commented that she found out while she was pregnant and had suffered a hard pregnancy. We almost died. He was born [premature.]

Others remarked on their doctors views on testing.The CDC recommends women be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia annually, but according to some TikTokers, some physicians have shied away from testing if the patient is in a monogamous relationship.

My [doctor] told me I didnt need an STI test because Im in a committed relationship but I told her I would rather be safe than sorry, one user commented.

One user said doctors always looked at me weird when shed ask for a STD screening while in a long-term monogamous relationship.

But one said that her OBGYN insists on her patients getting tested, touting the mantra: You may trust your husband but I dont.

Lee concurred, saying: It should be the responsibility of your doctors to make sure thats happening at a regular interval.

Jennifer Lee celebrates one year after being released from the hospital after battling two severe infections ( Jennifer Lee )

Lee broke up with her boyfriend that November.

But nearly a year later, shes not exactly through with him. She reported the incident to police in Australia, stating that she only consented to have sex with him because she was under the impression that he has tested for STD and cleared, the report says.

Pelicots case, which is still ongoing,ripped open my ability to continue walking in silence, said Lee, allowing her to speak publicly about her experiences (including that shes a survivor of molestation) and file the report with law enforcement.

The level of violation that happened to her is so vastly more than what happened to me. But I cannot look at that and not draw ties, she continued. This case just horrified me to my core.

And she urged people to get checked for STDs  and for medical professionals to insist on it. Every woman, no matter the status of their relationship, should be being tested, Lee said.
 Close Long-time friend of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush said Titan sub explosion was expected

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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.
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Some conservatives, including Donald Trump Jr., are boosting an unsubstantiated claim that Vice President Kamala Harris used a teleprompter during her interview with Oprah Winfrey to support their assertion that she is a fraud.

On Thursday, Harris sat down with Winfrey for a live event - called Unite for America - that brought together a coalition of more than 100 online groups and celebrities who have endorsed her. The vice president spoke about her campaigns top issues and answered questions from Americans.

But, over the weekend, conservatives capitalized on a three-second video that captured the interview from a different perspective, showing a teleprompter and camera positioned in front of Winfrey  and seemingly in front of Harris.

WOW! Apparently Kamala Harris had a freaking TELEPROMPTER during her interview with Oprah, Nick Sortor, an internet personality, said on X. Scamala Harris is a fraud!

Trump Jr., LibsOfTikTok, and other conservatives re-posted the video, amplifying the claim that Harriss interview was stagged.

That claim echoes Harriss opponents running theory that the vice president is dodging public appearances and unable to conduct off-the-cuff interviews.

However, several individuals pointed out that the teleprompter was positioned behind Harriss head because it was meant for Winfrey.

One snippet of the clip shows the teleprompter rolling a script that Winfrey later said, nearly verbatim.

The teleprompter reads: The fight for us, for the America we desire and deserve to live in. To find out more about how you

Winfrey ended her interview with the vice president by thanking Harris for her work, saying: We hope you keep fighting for us and the country we deserve to have.

To find out more about how you can register or where you can vote go to IWillVote.com.

The Harris campaign has not publicly addressed the accusations.

Many of Harriss answers and statements during her interview with Winfrey indicated she was not given a script or questions ahead of time.

At one point, Winfrey confronted Harris about gun ownership after the vice president revealed during the presidential debate that she owns a firearm.

If somebody breaks into my house theyre getting shot, Harris told Winfrey. She added: I probably should not have said that...My staff will deal with that later.
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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is accusing Donald Trump of being deranged for his stances on abortion and women.

The comments came in reaction to a Saturday speech where the former president claimed womens lives had been improved by the end of the constitutional right to an abortion.

Thats just ludicrous, Whitmer told CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. This guy just doesnt understand what the average woman is confronting in her life in this country. How could he? Hes not lived a normal life.

Hes just deranged, Whitmer added.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer labeled former president Donald Trump deranged after his comments about abortion ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment.

At a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, Trump claimed the 2022 Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade was cause for celebration.

At long last this national nightmare that were going through will be over, Trump said. Women will be happy, healthy, confident and free. You will no longer be thinking about abortion because it is now where it always had to be, with the states.

The Harris campaign has underscored how Trump-appointed justices were key to the ruling ending Roe and the wave of abortion bans that followed in states around the country.

Women are being denied care during miscarriages, some only being treated once they develop sepsis, Harris said this week, pointing to an example of a Georgia woman who died from the condition after her care was delayed.

And we know that women have died because of Trump abortion bans. I was with a mother and the two sisters of a woman who died because of Trump abortion bans just last night, she added.

JD Vance said in August that Trump would not sign a national abortion ban into law and would veto any such effort.

He said that explicitly that he would, Vance said. Donald Trump has been as clear about that as possible.

After the demise of Roe, 14 states banned abortion with few exceptions.
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A Republican congressman has demanded Vice President Kamala Harris tell the American people what type of gun she has in order to prove to them that she does, in fact, own one.

Well, look, I dont think anyone believes that Kamala Harris is a gun owner, James Comer told Fox News Maria Bartiromo on Sunday.

But, if she is, she needs to tell the American people what type of gun she has, the Kentucky representative emphasised.

Comer conveyed his doubts during a Fox News interview on Sunday ( Fox News )

Harris first revealed she is a gun owner in 2019 while campaigning for the 2020 election, saying it was for personal safety because of her former role as a prosecutor.

She reminded voters of this during the September 10 debate, when Donald Trump accused her of having a plan to confiscate everybodys guns if she is elected in November.

This business about taking everyones guns away  Tim Walz and I are both gun owners, Democratic presidential nominee responded.

Were not taking anybodys guns away, so stop with the continuous lying about this stuff.

Harris has spoken out on her desire to ban assault weapons, telling Oprah Winfry at a Detroit campaign event last week that they are literally designed to be a tool of war.

Kamala Harris told Oprah Winfrey that both her and governor Tim Walz own guns ( REUTERS )

She also told the host and television producer that if somebody breaks into my house theyre getting shot, before adding: I probably should not have said that... my staff will deal with that later.

She went on to clarify that she believes in the Second Amendment  and therefore not an outright ban  but argued an assault weapons ban with universal background checks and red flag laws is the right way forward.

Comer is well-known for spreading baseless claims about the Democratic ticket, having touted a conspiracy theory in August that Harriss vice presidential pick, Tim Walz, is secretly working for China.

This is all about crime, he continued in his interview on Sunday Morning Futures.

And when you look at the polling, Biden and Harris are getting killed in the polling with the issue of crime, which is a huge issue in the suburbs and its definitely an issue in urban America.

Republican congressman James Comer has also spread baseless claims about Kamala Harriss running mate Tim Walz ( AFP via Getty Images )

He continued: Kamala Harris has flipped on the issues of wanting to have a southern border now when she used to say it was racist. Now shes trying to imply that shes scared like everyone else, so she has a gun to protect her family.

Comers state of Kentucky has seen 11 mass shootings so far this year, according to Gun Violence Archive, with a total of 11 victims killed and 47 injured.

Gun violence continues to soar in the US. On Saturday night, four people were shot dead, with at least 17 others injured, after gunmen fired over 100 shots in a mass shooting in Birmingham that police believe was a targeted attack.

The Independent has contacted the Harris campaign for comment.
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Melania Trump is rarely seen on the campaign trail, but did scoop $237,500 for a rare speaking engagement with a Republican LGBT+ group - though the source of the payment remains unclear.

According to Donald Trumps financial disclosure form, Melania was paid for an April 20 speaking engagement at a Log Cabin Republicans event in Palm Beach, Florida.

However, Charles Moran, the managing director for the pro-LGBT+ group, told CNN that Log Cabin Republicans did not pay the former first lady for the event.

The financial disclosure form does not indicate who paid Melania but experts say it is unusual for a candidates spouse to be paid for an appearance in a campaign year.

Its not unusual for a former first lady to earn six figures speaking, Kate Brower, a political author told CNN on Monday.

But it is unusual during a campaign season and then for us not to understand where the money is coming from is also very unusual.

The Independent has asked Log Cabin Republicans for more information.

Log Cabin Republicans is the largest organization representing LGBT conservatives and straight allies.

The event in April focused on the groups plans for voter outreach aimed at Republican members of the LGBT+ community. Richard Grenell, the former acting director of National Intelligence, ambassador to Germany and first openly gay member of a presidential cabinet, joined Melania at the event and said it raised $1.5 million.

The April event is one of the few Melania has made on behalf of her husbands campaign this year.

Others include her appearance at the Republican National Convention where she joined her family on stage but did not give a speech  a deviation from tradition  while she joined her husband for a large fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago in April. She also spoke at another Log Cabin Republicans event in July.

A source familiar with the July Log Cabin Republicans fundraiser told CNN that at least one request was made to a donor about a similar payment to Melania. Its unclear if the former first lady received compensation for the appearance, however.

But besides the few official events, Melania has kept to herself and embarked on her own endeavors.

The former first lady is releasing a memoir titled Melania and has released collectible NFTs.
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The Democratic National Committee is taunting Donald Trump for not agreeing to a second debate against Vice President Kamala Harris by putting up billboards that name-call the former president a chicken.

As Trump gears up for his rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania on Monday evening, billboards in the area will feature the former presidents face superimposed onto a chicken suit with the words: Theres no debate: Donald Trumps a chicken.

The image will also be featured on a mobile billboard that will circle his rally to remind voters of how much of a chicken Trump is, DNC deputy communications director Abhi Rahman said.

The chicken campaign arrives after the former president announced there will be no third debate and doubled down on the refusal, claiming it is too late for another to occur because early voting has begun.

It wasnt so long ago that Donald Trump boasted hed debate anytime, anywhere but after Vice President Kamala Harris held him to account for his failures as president and dangerous second term agenda in their first debate, its no surprise Trumps turned chicken  too scared to face the music again, Rahman said in a press release.

The DNC reminded people that during the 2020 presidential election cycle, Trump and President Joe Biden debated on October 22, after early voting began in more than half of the U.S.

The American people deserve another opportunity to hear Vice President Harris and Donald Trump lay out their starkly different visions for our country side-by-side before Election Day, Rahman said.

Harris has already agreed to another debate against her opponent on October 23 hosted by CNN.

Critics largely believed Harris outperformed Trump in their first debate, though the former president asserted he did better.

Although it was the first presidential debate between the official party candidates, it was the second presidential debate overall. Trump debated President Joe Biden in June on CNN  the result of which caused widespread mistrust in Biden and ultimately led to him dropping out of the race.

The Independent has asked the Trump campaign for comment on the billboards.

The DNC reportedly originally said they would send staffers dressed in chicken suits to Trumps Pennslyvania rally but changed their minds after it was published on Monday, according to NBC News.
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A huge king penguin chick named Pesto, who weighs as much as both his parents combined, has become a social media celebrity and a star attraction at an Australian aquarium.

Weighing 22kg at nine months, Pesto is the heaviest penguin chick the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has ever had, its education supervisor Jacinta Early said on Friday.

By contrast, his doting parents, Hudson and Tango weigh 11kg each.

Pesto with his parents ( AP )

Pestos global fame has grown with his size. More than 1.9 billion people around the world had viewed him through social media, an aquarium statement said.

He ate more than his own substantial body weight in fish in the past week: 24kg, Early said.

The veterinary advice is that that quantity of food is healthy for a chick approaching adulthood.

His growth will plateau as he enters his fledging period. He has started to lose his brown feathers and will replace them with the black and white plumage of a young adult.

His keepers expect him to trim down to around 15kg in the process.

Hes going to start losing that really adorable baby fluff. It might take him one to two months to really get rid of it. Then hell be nice and sleek and streamlined, Early said.

But she expects Pesto will remain recognisable as the sought-after TikTok celebrity he has become for another two weeks.

For now, he's a star attraction.

Australia Pesto the Penguin ( SEA LIFE Melbourne )

Such a small head for such a big body, one admirer remarked on Friday as a crowd gathered against the glass of the penguin enclosure at feeding time.

Hatching on 31 January 31, Pesto was the only king penguin chick to hatch at the aquarium this year and the first since 2022, a year when there were six. The reason why there was none last year isnt clear.

Adult king penguins weigh between 9.5kg and 18kg, according to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, a global environmental group.

They are the worlds second largest penguin species, after the emperor penguin.
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The Pakistani Taliban on Monday denied involvement in a bombing attack on a police convoy that was escorting foreign ambassadors in the country's restive northwest, as authorities said they were still trying to determine who was behind the attack, which killed a police officer.

The ambassadors and senior envoys were traveling on Sunday to the Swat Valley, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, when the attack occurred in Malam Jabba, one of Pakistans two ski resorts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but Mohammad Khurasani, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, denied detonating the improvised explosive device that hit a police vehicle accompanying the convoy.

One police officer was killed and four others were wounded in the attack, which drew strong condemnation from Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials.

The envoys were all unharmed, but the attack suggested there was a security breach, analysts said.

For sure it was a security breach because the convoy's route was only known to police, and the bomb disposal unit had reportedly cleared the route, said Abdullah Khan, a defense analyst and managing director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.

Some insider (appears to have) leaked the information about the travel plans of the foreign ambassadors to the militants," he added.

Khan said the attack signaled a shift in the approach of insurgents, who previously targeted security forces.

Pakistani defense analyst Syed Muhammad Ali said there was a need for better coordination between federal authorities and police about such high-profile visits to the northwest, which has witnessed a surge in violence.

Those traveling in the convoy were ambassadors and officials from Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Iran, Russia and Tajikistan. All of them later returned to the capital, Islamabad, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement, TTP said it had nothing to do with the attack. TTP is a separate group but also a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in neighboring Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final stages of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.

Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary and have even been living openly in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, which also emboldened the Pakistani Taliban. The situation has strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban government, which says it does not allow anyone to use its soil for attacks against any country.

Authorities are still investigating to determine whether there was a security breach, since details about the convoy's travel plans had been circulated only to officials. Authorities said they were also collecting information to determine who planted the IED device along the route.

Sunday's attack came months after a suicide bomber in northwestern Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle, killing five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver in Shangla, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The Chinese victims were construction workers and engineers who were working on Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan. Since then, Pakistan has beefed up security for foreigners and envoys traveling in the region.
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Irans president accused Israel on Monday of seeking a wider war in the Middle East and laying traps to lead his country into a wider conflict.

Masoud Pezeshkian told about two dozen media representatives that Iran doesnt want to see the current war in Gaza and airstrikes across the Israeli-Lebanon border expanded.

He said while Israel insists it doesnt want a wider war, it is taking actions that show otherwise.

Pezeshkian pointed to the deadly explosions of pagers, walkie-talkies and other electronic devices in Lebanon last week, which he blamed on Israel, and the assassination of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on the eve of his inauguration.

They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go, the Iranian leader said of Israel. There is no winner in warfare. We are only fooling ourselves if we believe that.

Asked when Iran will respond to the killing of Haniyeh, he replied: We will give our answer in an appropriate time and place.

Pezeshkian said the Iranian drone and missile attacks on Israel, which came in April in response to attack on an Iranian consular building in Syrias capital that Tehran blamed on Israel, proved its defensive capabilities.

He insisted that Iran would not supply Russia with ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine.

We have never approved Russias aggression on Ukraine, he said.

He said the two countries should establish a dialogue.

Pezeshkian was asked about Iran's nuclear program following the Trump administration's withdrawal from its 2015 nuclear deal with the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany which has seen Tehran expand its uranium enrichment from 3.67% purity to 60% purity, making many countries in the West nervous that it is seeking to make a nuclear weapon.

Would Iran go back to low-enriched uranium and give up its stockpile of high enriched uranium if the nuclear deal is restored?

The Iranian president reiterated that weapons of mass destruction have no place in Iran and its military structures.
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A rare polar bear that was spotted outside a cottage in a remote village in Iceland was shot by police after being considered a threat, authorities said Friday.

The bear was killed Thursday afternoon in the northwest of Iceland after police consulted the Environment Agency, which declined to have the animal relocated, Westfjords Police Chief Helgi Jensson told the Associated Press.

It's not something we like to do, Jensson said. In this case, as you can see in the picture, the bear was very close to a summer house. There was an old woman in there.

A polar bear that was shot by poice ( Ingvar Jakobsson via AP )

The owner, who was alone, was frightened and locked herself upstairs as the bear rummaged through her garbage, Jensson said. She contacted her daughter in Reykjavik, the nation's capital, by satellite link, and called for help.

She stayed there, Jensson said, adding that other summer residents in the area had gone home. She knew the danger.

Polar bears are not native to Iceland but occasionally come ashore after traveling on ice floes from Greenland, according to Anna Sveinsdottir, director of scientific collections at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. Many icebergs have been spotted off the north coast in the last few weeks.

The bear shot on Thursday was the first one seen in the country since 2016. Sightings are relatively rare with only 600 recorded in Iceland since the ninth century.

While the bears are a protected species in Iceland and it's forbidden to kill one at sea, they can be killed if they pose a threat to humans or livestock.

After two bears arrived in 2008, a debate over killing the threatened species led the environment minister to appoint a task force to study the issue, the institute said. The task force concluded that killing vagrant bears was the most appropriate response.

The group said the nonnative species posed a threat to people and animals, and the cost of returning them to Greenland, about 300km away, was exorbitant. It also found there was a healthy bear population in east Greenland where any bear was likely to have come from.

The young bear, which weighed between 150 and 200 kilograms, will be taken to the institute to study. Scientists took samples from the bear Friday.

They will be checking for parasites and infections and evaluating its physical condition, such as the health of its organs and percentage of body fat, Sveinsdottir said. The pelt and skull may be preserved for the institute's collection.

A coastguard helicopter surveyed the area where the bear was found to look for others but didn't find any, police said.

After the shot bear was taken away, the woman who reported it decided to stay longer in the village, Jensson said
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Donald Trump boasted of a very good relationship with both Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin on Friday as he hosted the Ukrainian leader for a meeting at his New York City skyscraper.

The former president also repeated a bizarre boast that he could, if re-elected in November, negotiate an end to the nearly three-year Russian war against Ukraine.

Trump, who was impeached in 2019 for using American defense assistance to pressure Zelensky to launch sham investigations into President Joe Biden and his son, was being briefed on Kyivs latest plan for victory against Putin.

We have a very good relationship, he told reporters as he stood with Zelensky. And I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with President Putin. And if we win, I think were going to get it resolved very quickly, he said.

Zelensky quickly interjected: I hope we have more good relations between us.

Zelensky said he and Trump share a common view that the war ... has to be stopped, and Putin cant win and Ukrainians have to prevail.

And I want to discuss with you the details of our plan, he added.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump meets with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump Tower, Friday 27 September in New York ( AP )

For his part, Trump said he and Zelensky have had a great relationship, citing Zelenskys decision to deny that Trump had exerted any pressure on him during the July 2019 phone call in which hed linked sending Javelin anti-tank missiles to Zelenskys announcement of investigations into the Bidens.

So we're going to sit down just discuss it, and if we have a win, I think long before January 20, before I would take the presidency ... I think that we can work out something that's good for both sides. It's time, he said.

Trump had previously cancelled plans to meet with the Ukrainian leader after Zelensky sparked GOP outrage by visiting the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in the battleground state of Pennsylvania over the weekend.

He reversed course late Thursday after Zelenskys meeting with Harris, during which the Democratic presidential nominee told Zelensky that her support for Kyivs defense is unwavering.

In what appeared to be a veiled swipe at Trump and his Republican allies, Harris admitted to Zelensky that there are some in the US who would instead force Ukraine to give up large parts of its sovereign territory, who would demand that Ukraine accept neutrality, and would require Ukraine to forgo security relationships with other nations.

These proposals are the same as those of Putin, and let us be clear: They are not proposals for peace. Instead, they are proposals for surrender, which is dangerous and unacceptable, she said.

Zelensky has been in the United States for the UN General Assembly, where on Wednesday he warned world leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to break the Ukrainian spirit by targeting his countrys energy infrastructure. He also cautioned against accepting purported peace deals that would be negotiated without Ukraine having a say.

Any parallel or alternative attempts to seek peace are, in fact, efforts to achieve an out instead of an end to the war, he said, adding later that he was skeptical of the true interest behind a recent push by China and Brazil to foster an end to the conflict.

When some propose alternatives, half-hearted settlement plans, so-called sets of principles, it not only ignores the interests and suffering of Ukrainians ... it not only ignores reality, but also gives Putin the political space to continue the war, he said.

Earlier in the week, Zelensky also toured a Pennsylvania plant where munitions destined for his armed forces are being made. That visit drew anger from Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who called for Zelensky to fire the Ukrainian ambassador to the US in response. Johnsons outrage was supposedly due to no Republicans being invited along to the tour of the plant, though White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed it as a political stunt by the GOP at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
The city of Pokrovsk, regarded as the key to controlling Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, has been the prize Vladimir Putins troops have sought for months  one for which Moscow has already sacrificed thousands of its troops.

Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, seizing the entire Donetsk region, which has seen the most prolonged and bloodiest battles in Europe since the Second World War, has been the Kremlins oft-declared top priority.

Pokrovsk has stuck obstinately in Putins craw and in recent months, massive resources have been concentrated to try to break Ukrainian defences. Moscows forces have mounted often suicidal infantry assaults, without regard for casualties.

A senior military source of The Independent confirmed that elements of at least three experienced brigades, including the Azov and Kara-Dah brigades, had been deployed to stiffen the Ukrainian forces around Pokrovsk which, he said, are outnumbered 10 to one by their enemy in some places.

The source, a colonel connected to the Ukrainian general staff, said heavy battles are raging close to Pokrovsk along a line of small towns like Myrnohrad, Novohrodivka, Seldovo, Ukrainsk and Hirnyak to the southeast of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove and Vuhledar to the south.

Heavy equipment is being used to dig a crescent of defences  trenches and other fortifications  that will weave through or between those towns and villages. He said mines, some sown by drones, would disrupt Russias human-wave assaults.

The Ukrainian General Staff said on Monday that the fiercest battles are around the small town of Kurakhove, where Russian ground and air forces have launched scores of attacks each day for the past week, using their, now-routine, human wave tactics of sending men, sometimes backed by tanks and armoured personnel carriers. Most civilians have evacuated from the area but one person was killed in Kurakhove on Sunday by Russian artillery.

A destroyed house in the city of Pokrovsk ( AFP/Getty )

Ukraine is determined to hold onto the area for as long as possible and the fighting will likely turn into another prolonged siege involving grinding close-quarter battles, street by street and house by house, as was the case in Bakhmut, where the Russians eventually conquered a pile of rubble.

The commander in chief of Ukraines military, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, has said that defences around Pokrovsk have been reinforced with several reserve brigades and the Russian advance had been slowed.

Ukrainian forces are preparing for street battles. The Russians are certainly not going to be able to get Pokrovsk imminently and we will be able to prevent them entering for weeks or months and hopefully until winter where they will not be able to advance further, The Independents colonel source says.

The Russians taking Pokrovsk would split Ukraines defensive line in the region and vastly complicate supplying its forces in the eastern part of Donetsk. In turn, that would jeopardise Kyivs ability to cling onto its remaining strongholds there such as Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Kostyantynivka, Chasiv Yar and Toretsk.

A woman embraces her relatives before they board an evacuation train to western Ukraine, in Pokrovsk ( Reuters )

Losing Pokrovsk would also open up a path westwards to Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region for the Russians.

Even then, being in Pokrovsk does not mean the Russians will be able to use the road and rail routes passing through the town as they will be within reach of Ukrainian artillery. The most direct route from Ukrainian-controlled territory is already too dangerous for civilian vehicles as traffic is visible to Russian drones and within reach of its artillery and mortars. The roles would be reversed for Russian vehicles trying to reach a Pokrovsk in Moscows hands.

The Independent entered Pokrovsk from the north, via the town of Dobropillya. The effect of the intensified Russian encroachment was dramatic and obvious to see, not only in the streets with few pedestrians but in the closed supermarkets, stores, street markets, restaurants and cafes that had been busy when The Independent last visited Pokrovsk in the spring.

The sounds of explosions are constant, not just in the direction of the Ukrainian defensive lines but within the town itself where a huge number of residential and commercial buildings have been destroyed.

Billboards with the word evacuation in huge letters and a telephone number at once advise where to seek assistance and remind remaining residents that the government wants civilians to quit the city. Some 38,000 of Pokrovsks pre-war population of 60,000 remain, according to the citys military administration.

Iryna Pavlivna is looking after her mother in Pokrovsk ( Askold Krushelnycky )

Police cars cruise through the largely empty streets using loudhailers to urge remaining residents to leave and repeat that telephone number. The town still has electricity and gas but the tap water is too contaminated to drink.

Some people are determined to defy the seemingly inevitable by trying to maintain normal routines for as long as possible. A few small grocery shops are operating and at one, cafe soldiers sit at outside tables sipping coffee as explosions boom out.

Irena Paulina, 66, says she is not going to leave Pokrovsk for now as she has to care for her 83-year-old mother who is too frail to travel. She is pushing a bicycle with supplies including apples and bread along her road past houses that were recently destroyed by Russian bombs.

Im afraid but I cant leave my mother. Many of my neighbours have left but others are still here, she says. We are waiting to see what happens. If the situation gets worse, I suppose well have to leave. We know what the Russians have done in places they have occupied and we are not going to wait for them to come here. But we still hope that the Ukrainian army will be able to prevent them coming in.

Oleksandr waits for an evacuation train out of Pokrovsk ( Askold Krushelnycky )

Another woman, who gives her name as Yelena and says she gets her news from Russian TV and internet media, says she might even stay if the Russians looked like capturing the town.

Many of us have become so tired of the situation, this war and the destruction, that we dont care who is in charge here, she says.

Ukrainian authorities know that some of those insisting on remaining in Pokrovsk and the surrounding towns want to see the Russians in control. They are contemptuously called zhdany  the ones who wait.

Around 200 people were waiting at Pokrovsks open-air railway station for the free seating on a daily evacuation train heading westwards to the city of Dnipro and then to Lviv.

Oleksandr, 63, was an engineer in the towns water heating facility for the Soviet-style central heating for offices and residential buildings. He says: The Russians are shooting at us all the time. Two days ago, shells landed close to our home and then near a market we were going to.

He adds his wife Valentyna, 65, had already left to stay with relatives in western Ukraines Khmelnitskyi region but his son, Denis, 35, was staying on to fight in the Ukrainian army. We dont want to leave and of course, well come back if we can. I dont think the Russians will stay here forever and things will become better.

Ira Antonenko and her daughter Tania, 15 ( Askold Krushelnycky )

Ira Antonenko, 33, a PE and history teacher, and her daughter Tania, 15, are sitting on the platform while waiting for the train in baking heat. Ira says she had resisted for weeks leaving the town, even as the tempo of shelling increased.

I am divorced and we live alone. I have put everything Ive ever earned from my job into our own house and making it into a nice place, which I hoped Id be able to pass on to my daughter eventually, she says.

But there were so many explosions close to our house and some of my friends and neighbours have been injured. It was as if God was telling us to leave. I became worried for the life of my daughter and I also want to carry on living. So I decided a couple of days ago on the spur of the moment to leave. Weve packed and got ready in one day.

With just a few bits of luggage and their dog, Sonia, they were heading to the Kirovohrad region, about five hours west.

Its all so strange, Ira says. Im a history teacher and now were living through terrible events that will become part of our countrys history. I hope there will be a happy conclusion but, right now, I dont know what the future holds.

I feel anxious because I dont know what work Ill get and where we will live, she adds. I feel like everything I worked for has gone and I will have to start all over again. But I think well be OK.

War veteran Yevhen Lebendets ( Askold Krushelnycky )

Yevhen Lebedenets, 24, had been a professional soldier before the Russian invasion. He was caught in a blast from a glide bomb in Kryvi Rih, about four hours west by road, on 2 May this year and lost his left arm.

Yevhen has a prosthetic limb and is waiting for a more sophisticated one later this year. Just because someone has lost an arm or a leg or more than one limb, doesnt make them useless. I want my life to be as normal as possible. For instance, I want to be a driver again and I can easily drive a vehicle if it has automatic gear change. I just need to adapt and people need to adapt to us.

Yevhen, who intends to join his parents already living in Kyiv, says: I spent the last few days packing some things I could send to my parents and giving away large things like the fridge and television sets. Then, a few hours ago, I locked the house and I dont know if Ive left it for the last time.

Yevhen says he spoke to Ukrainian soldiers  and that they were tired but determined to fight on. I think Pokrovsk can hold out for at least another six weeks.

If the Russians eventually enter Pokrovsk, it will be after the town is reduced to piles of rubble as in other Russian victories such as Bakhmut, Mariupol and Avdiivka, he adds. And even then, we will return and they will be kicked out.
 Close Israeli hostages families march to Netanyahus home on October 7 anniversary

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Sirens have sounded in central Israel after five projectiles were launched from Lebanon on the anniversary of the October 7th attacks.

The Israeli military said some of the projectiles, which were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory, were intercepted, while the rest fell in open areas.

Lebanons Hezbollah later issued a statement saying it launched a missile operation targeting a military intelligence unit near Tel Aviv.

Earlier, the Israeli military said it will launch operations on Lebanons southern coast as it told residents on a 60-kilometre stretch along the Mediterranean to stay off the beaches.

More than 2080 have been killed in total, and a further 9869 wounded, since Israel began bombing Lebanon a few weeks ago.

It comes as Israeli civilians mark the anniversary of Hamas deadly 7 October attack, during which they killed around 1,200 people and took 251 more hostage in Gaza, 101 of which remain in the enclave. Nearly 42,000 Palestinians have since been killed by Israels retaliatory air and ground attack in Gaza, according to the local, Hamas-run health ministry.

Families of the hostages marched to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus residence in Jerusalem this morning to mark the terror attack.
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Israel has intensified its airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon  killing nearly 500 people and injuring more than 1,600 others in the deadliest day for the country since the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war, health officials have said.

Children and women were among the dead, with thousands fleeing in cars, vans and pick-up trucks which were loaded with belongings and filled with people - sometimes several generations to a vehicle - fleeing the south to Beirut.

But the capital was barraged with a fresh wave of airstrikes later on Monday thought to be targeting senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki, the head of the southern front.

Hezbollah later made a statement claiming he survived the onslaught: Ali Karaki is fine and God willing is in full health and wellness. He has been transported to a safe area.

Smoke rising from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun, Lebanon ( AP )

Health minister Firass Abiad told a news conference that the strikes in Lebanon hit hospitals, medical centres and ambulances. The government ordered schools and universities to close across most of the country and began preparing shelters for people displaced from the south.

Israels aerial bombardment marked the most widespread strikes in nearly a year of cross-border fire triggered by the war in Gaza. Lebanons health ministry said at least 492 people had been killed, including 35 children, and 1,645 wounded. One Lebanese official said it was Lebanons highest daily death toll from violence since the 1975-1990 civil war.

One strike hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos in central Lebanon, more than 80 miles from the border north of Beirut. In response, Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets into Israel, having launched more than 100 on Sunday.

The airstrikes have intensified pressure on Hezbollah, which last week suffered an attack its leader Hassan Nasrallah called unprecedented in the history of the group after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by its members exploded.

The operation was widely blamed on Israel, and its spy agency Mossad, but Israeli officials have not confirmed or denied responsibility.

In another major blow, an Israeli airstrike on Beiruts southern suburb on Friday targeted senior Hezbollah commanders, killing 45 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

People carry belongings at a beach as they flee southern Lebanon ( Reuters )

Hezbollah said 16 members of the group were among the dead, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and another commander, Ahmed Wahbi.

On Monday afternoon, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari repeated warnings urging residents to immediately evacuate areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons, including in the valley. The warnings left open the possibility that some residents could live in or near targeted structures without knowing they are at risk.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the people of Lebanon to get out of harms way in a video address, saying: Israels war is not with you. Its with Hezbollah. For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields.

It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage. Those rockets and missiles are aimed directly at our cities, directly at our citizens.

Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.

The events have pushed an already simmering region to the brink of full-scale war, with concerns the attack might be a precursor to an Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon. The threat of an all-out war has spiked in recent weeks, after nearly a year of clashes sparked by the Israeli war against another Tehran ally, Hamas, in Gaza.

An Israeli fighter jet flies over the Israeli port city of Haifa ( Getty )

The US, which has 40,000 soldiers in the region, announced it is sending additional troops to the Middle East during a sharp spike in violence.

It came as Irans president accused Israel of seeking a wider war in the Middle East and laying traps to lead his country into a wider conflict.

Masoud Pezeshkian told reporters while Israel insists it does not want a wider war, it is taking actions that show otherwise.

They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go, the Iranian leader said of Israel. There is no winner in warfare. We are only fooling ourselves if we believe that.

However, an Israeli military official told the Associated Press that Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with regulations, said the strikes are aimed at curbing Hezbollahs ability to launch more strikes into Israel.

The Lebanese Health Ministry put the death toll of the strikes at at least 274, including 21 children and 31 women. Another 1,024 were wounded. It asked hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley to postpone surgeries that could be done later. The ministry said in a statement that its request aimed to keep hospitals ready to deal with people wounded by Israels expanding aggression on Lebanon.

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept rockets that were launched from Lebanon, in northern Israel ( AP )

Imad Kreidieh, the head of Lebanese telecoms company Ogero, told Reuters on Monday that more than 80,000 automated calls asking people to evacuate their areas were detected on the network.

Israels defence minister Yoav Gallant said the actions would continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes, setting the stage for a long conflict as Hezbollah has vowed to fight on until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.

The fighting has raised fears that the US, Israels close ally, and Iran will be sucked into a wider Middle East war. Irans foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani condemned the Israeli strikes. There will be dangerous consequences, he said.

The current Israeli conflict with Hezbollah was ignited a day after Hamas launched its attack inside Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and leading to 251 more being taken hostage. Israels ensuing aerial and ground assault on Gaza has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, and displaced more than 90 per cent of the population.

In the eastern Beirut district of Sassine, state employee Joseph Ghafary said he feared Hezbollah would respond to Israels intensified strikes and that a full-blown war would break out.

If Hezbollah carries out a major operation, Israel will respond and destroy more than this. We cant bear it, he said.

Israel wants to strike, it wants to keep going, meaning it is squeezing Sayyed Hassan (Nasrallah) to start a war. It is definitely dangerous.

Mohammed Sibai, a shopowner in the Beirut neighbourhood of Hamra, told Reuters he saw the escalation in strikes as the beginning of the war.

If they want war, what can we do? It was imposed on us. We cannot do anything, he said.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
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Some of Apples upcoming AI features for the iPhone might not arrive until March.

That is according to new rumours that indicate that the new Apple Intelligence tools will roll out through a gradual process that will see some not arrive for a few updates.

Apple has said publicly that the first updates will be released in October. That is due to come with iOS 18.1, the next major update.

That will bring many of the features that were shown off as part of the reveal of Apple Intelligence. It will include better understanding for Siri, writing tools that can be used to manipulate text, summaries of notifications and a tool to remove people from photos.

iOS 18.1 is already available in an early version, which can be downloaded by signing up to Apples public beta programme. But that comes with warnings about compatibility and other potential issues that should be solved before the update is released.

In both its early and final versions, iOS 18.1 is only expected to bring Apple Intelligence to phones that have their device and Siri language set to US English. It does not however require users to actually be in the US, since that option can be chosen from Settings.

iOS 18.2 is then expected to be released in December  the same time that Apple said that extra countries including the UK would get Apple Intelligence.

That same update will also bring Image Playgrounds and Genmoji, two generative AI tools that Apple has talked about at length. Image Playgrounds allows people to ask for a picture and then have it generated in seconds, while Genmoji allows people to create a new emoji just by asking for it.

But some of the biggest Apple Intelligence updates will not actually arrive until iOS 18.4, which is not likely to arrive until March, according to a new report from Bloomberg. That is when the perhaps most highlighted feature of Apple Intelligence will come: updates for Siri that are intended to make it far more useful.

It is then that Siri will be able to understand its owners personal context to provide responses that are individual to them, for instance. It will also get features such as the ability to know more about what is happening on screen, so that users can ask about a given set of information, for instance.

Apple has also said that other languages will be coming to Apple Intelligence some time next year. But it did not say when.
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Kamala Harris has spoken publicly about cryptocurrency for the first time, joining fellow US presidential candidate Donald Trump in courting the crypto industry ahead of Novembers election.

Speaking at a fundraising event in New York on Sunday, Vice President Harris pledged to support emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and digital assets.

I will bring together labour, small business founders and innovators and major companies. We will partner together to invest in Americas competitiveness, to invest in Americas future. We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets, while protecting our consumers and investors, she told attendees.

We will create a safe business environment with consistent and transparent rules of the road. We will invest in semiconductors, clean energy and other industries of the future, and we will cut needless bureaucracy.

The comments, first reported by Bloomberg, come less than a week after rival Donald Trump launched a new crypto project that he claims will transform traditional finance and challenge the dominance of major banks.

The former president has pitched himself as the crypto candidate, having appeared at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in July to deliver a keynote that outlined his plans for the industry if elected.

Despite previously claiming that bitcoin is a scam and disaster waiting to happen, Mr Trump told attendees at the Nashville event that he would immediately appoint a bitcoin and crypto presidential advisory council and create a national bitcoin stockpile if elected.

Mr Trump unveiled a new crypto project called World Liberty Financial last week, which is being led by his two sons Eric and Donald Jr. His 18-year-old-son Barron is also serving as the platforms visionary, though few details were shared about what it entails.

Scammers and cyber criminals have already targeted the project, with 70,000 of Mr Trumps followers drawn to a fake crypto giveaway group on Telegram. Hackers also hijacked the X accounts of his daughter Tiffany and daughter-in-law Lara in order to promote a scam that aimed to profit from the hype surrounding World Liberty Financial.
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OceanGate used a hand-typed Excel spreadsheet to track its ill-fated Titan submersible, according to a former contractor for the firm.

A hearing into OceanGates Titan sub, which imploded during an expedition to the wreck of the Titanic last year, revealed that its navigation system allegedly relied on team members manually inputting the coordinate data into a spreadsheet in order to track the vessel.

The incident last July killed all five people on board, including OceanGates CEO and co-founder Stockton Rush.

There were delays because there was this manual process of first writing down the lat-long coordinates and then typing them in, Antonella Wilby, a former OceanGate contractor, told the hearing held by the US Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation.

We tried to do that every five minutes, but it was a lot to do.

This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the companys Titan submersible ( OceanGate Expeditions )

She described the system as absolutely idiotic, adding that she had raised concerns about the method with OceanGate but was dismissed for not being solution-oriented.

The ultra-short baseline (USBL) acoustic positioning system used sound pings to determine the submersibles speed, depth and position, however rather than being automatically loaded into mapping software, the coordinate data was transcribed into a notebook before being typed into a spreadsheet on a computer.

Other former OceanGate employees also raised concerns about Titans safety, with former engineering director Tony Nissen telling the hearing last week that he refused to take a test dive in the vehicle.

OceanGates Titan submersible pictured during a descent, alongside pictures of the five people who died while travelling on the submersible on 18 June, 2023, in the North Atlantic Ocean ( OceanGate Expeditions/AFP via Getty )

The hearing into the Titan implosion is set to continue this week, with a live stream available to the public on the US Coast Guards official YouTube channel. An animated recreation of the incident was shown at last weeks hearing, showing the submersible losing communication at a depth of 3346 metres.

The Coast Guard said in a press release ahead of the hearing that it aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein will appear before the hearing on Monday to provide further evidence about how the company operated.
Builders merchanting business the Chadwicks Group has been ordered to pay 60,000 compensation for the discriminatory dismissal of a long-serving employee who had to use a Zimmer frame as she recovered from back surgery.

In the case, Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator Valerie Murtagh has ordered the Chadwicks Group to pay Marie OReilly 60,000 for her discriminatory dismissal on the grounds of disability in August 2022 following 37 years service with the company.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 24th September 2024

Represented by solicitor Barry Kenny, Ms OReilly began work with Chadwicks at the age of 17 in 1979 and worked with the firm from 1979 to 1993 and from 1999 to 2022.

Ms OReilly  who worked at Chadwicks Sallynoggin store in Dublin  was promoted to credit control assistant in 2018, telling the WRC hearing that she loved her job.

In February 2021, Ms OReilly attended hospital for a routine back surgery but when she awoke from the surgery, her right leg was paralysed and she had suffered dropped foot due to unexpected complications.

Ms OReilly said she was initially able to move only very slowly and with the use of a Zimmer frame and crutches.

This was Ms OReillys first time on extended sick leave from work.

Ms OReilly followed the advice of her doctors and engaged in private physiotherapy, swimming and gym exercises. In her findings, Ms Murtagh has found that Chadwicks did not carry out a comprehensive assessment into the specific needs of Ms OReilly, which would have enabled her to continue in her employment.

She also found that Chadwicks has misquoted its own doctors medical report in an attempt to justify its decision to terminate Ms OReillys employment.

Ms Murtagh found that the doctor did not state in any of his reports, contrary to Chawicks assertion, that Ms OReilly was unfit for a sedentary role.

Ms Murtagh also highlights in the company doctors final report dated June 22, 2022, which was based on a consultation with Ms OReilly by phone, that he stated he would like to review Ms OReilly in three to four months time.

Ms Murtagh stated that the company issued a letter to Ms OReilly in July 2022 stating it had concluded that it must terminate her employment.

Ms Murtagh stated that Chadwicks did not examine or consider a hybrid role or working from home as a modification to Ms OReillys existing role.

Ms Murtagh stated there was a failure by Chadwicks to provide Ms OReilly with reasonable accommodation to allow her continue in her job.

Ms Murtagh points to Ms OReillys own consultant neurosurgeon who stated in a report that: I think she certainly could have been accommodated in the role of accounts assistant in many ways, and perhaps even a hybrid role or working from home, and the fact she is able to sit and perform most of her duties and she is also able to independently mobilise.

The consultant neurosurgeon further stated: I do feel that she is fit to work in the same role, perhaps with a different job description, but her current situation remains that she is independently mobile with one stick and is able to drive.

Ms Murtagh has further ordered that Chadwicks carries out a review of its policies and procedures.

In the case, Chadwicks strongly disputed Ms OReillys claims.

Chadwicks  which operates 50 stores here  submitted that at the time of termination on August 12, 2022, Ms OReilly had been absent from the company since February 1, 2021, a period of one year and six months, and was not medically fit for work for the foreseeable future.

Chadwicks further contended that it had to make a business decision with the information available, and all material facts concerning Ms OReillys capability.

Chadwicks stated that Ms OReilly was given fair notice that the possibility and question of dismissal for incapability were being considered.

The builder-provider group stated it came to a reasonable conclusion that Ms OReilly was unfit and unable to return to work and that this conclusion justified her dismissal on grounds of incapability.

Commenting on the outcome, Ms OReillys solicitor and employment law specialist Barry Kenny said: It is clear from the facts of this case that after many years of loyal service to the company, Ms O Reilly was treated unfairly by her employer and was the subject of a substantial discrimination when her employment was terminated.

The former captain in the Defence Forces added: I am pleased that the adjudicator in the case has agreed with the submission made on behalf of Ms OReilly and we welcome the findings and the substantial award.

Chadwicks has been contacted for comment.
The sector here manages around 4.3trn of assets. Stock image

Future growth of the funds industry in Ireland will be threatened unless legislation is updated to take account of the expansion of private markets, including non-bank lending, the Government has been warned.

Private markets including private equity, hedge funds and credit funds have grown rapidly since the global financial crisis, in tandem with the relative sidelining of banks and other traditional industries. The regulatory environment has struggled to keep pace.

The funds and asset management industry employs 19,519 people directly in Ireland and contributed nearly 1bn in direct tax revenue in 2023, according to a report by economic consultants Indecon commissioned by Irish Funds, the industrys representative body.

Direct employment in the sector increased 22pc over the past five years, with nearly half of those working in the industry now located outside Dublin, the report said.

However, the report identified what it said are key challenges that could threaten the industrys EU and global competitiveness, including in the legislative environment.

The sector here, which manages around 4.3trn of assets, has successfully developed around publicly listed assets including the growth in exchange traded funds (ETFs). But it needed regulatory support to expand to match the growth in private assets  such as equity funds and lending by non-banks  which make up an increasingly big share of the global economy and internationally managed assets, according to Pat Lardner, chief executive of Irish Funds.

We operate in a fast-moving, innovative and competitive environment, There is an opportunity to strengthen our policy and legislative framework to ensure it remains aligned with international best practices. By taking proactive steps, Ireland can continue to build on its status as a global leader, he said.

To ensure Ireland remains competitive relative to rival fund management jurisdictions, which include Luxembourg and the UK, he said targeted updates are needed to close gaps in the private asset space.

Closing this gap wont require major changes, he said. Minor adjustments could bring immediate benefits.

The Indecon report says the sector generated 2bn in wages in 2023, including investment and asset managers, fund administration and legal services.

We are seeing a mix of green lights in terms of growth potential, but some metrics are beginning to flash amber or red, the Irish Funds CEO said.

Collaboration between the industry and government will be essential in ensuring that Irelands policy framework supports long-term competitiveness.
Partner Content

Disruptive technology is changing the future. Artificial intelligence (AI), for example, shows us just how far new technologies are driving change across every industry, and transforming our day-to-day lives.

Its valuable too. Certain disruptive tech, including AI, robotics, energy storage and public blockchains, could reach a total market value of $220trn (197trn) by 2030, according to ARK Investment Management. Whats exciting is that Ireland could become a leading player in the revolution.

Thats partly thanks to a 500m fund supporting companies at the forefront of disruptive technologies, which is managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and administered by Enterprise Ireland.

The Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund (DTIF) was set up in 2018 to help Irish companies navigate the challenges and opportunities of disruptive tech and promote innovation and collaboration between Ireland and global partners. Already it has supported more than 100 projects and nearly 400 partners.

While the DTIF is one available support for Irish innovators, the DisrupTech Summit is another.

Last week, more than 600 disruptive tech leaders came together for the inaugural conference at Dublin Castle to learn more about exciting innovations, to network and get advice on accessing the DTIF. The event was also an opportunity for businesses to learn about new technologies and investment trends, meet potential partners or investors, and hear real-life stories from business leaders from diverse sectors including life sciences, healthcare technologies and energy.

The key message was clear: the best way to predict the future is to create it by investing, innovating and inspiring. This was reflected in sessions through the day that looked at how Ireland is investing in disruptive technology research and development to help companies compete internationally.

Another core focus was how Irish companies and research institutions collaborate to deliver innovative results that disrupt markets and alter the fabric of entire industries.

Finally, speakers addressed how disruptive tech is inspiring and improving peoples lives and tackling global challenges to create a better future for all.

Enterprise Irelands divisional manager for research and innovation, Marina Donohue opened the event, and Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, outlined what was in store.

Renowned global futurist and CEO of Fast Future, Rohit Talwar, gave a keynote speech on shaping the emerging future, exploring factors driving innovation, growth and disruptive change.

There were also panel discussions. The Appetite for Disruption session showcased real stories behind some of the diverse technologies emerging through the DTIF. Backing the Future explored the challenges and opportunities encountered through the lens of companies disrupting markets and the investors backing them.

Networking was a core focus, and attendees could schedule meetings with potential partners, collaborators and investors at the Connect Cafe. The DTIF advice desk team was on hand to answer questions and offer advice.

If youd like to learn more about DTIF opportunities or how to access the fund, see Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund  DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).

Imelda Lambkin is manager of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund at Enterprise Ireland
Jonathan Roche-Kelly, director of financial services for Gallagher in Ireland, said schemes aim is laudable

Huge numbers of adults who do not have a pension say they have never heard of the mandatory scheme they are due to be enrolled in.

The landmark auto-enrolment scheme is designed to provide a pension plan for thousands of workers and is due to be rolled out next year after delays to its start date.

But more than four in 10 adults across the country without a pension have never heard of what is set to be Irelands first-ever mandatory pension scheme for workers who are not currently contributing to a pension.

A survey commissioned by insurance broker Gallagher discovered the lack of awareness of the auto-enrolment scheme among those it is intended to benefit.

The survey was conducted by iReach on a representative sample of 1,000 adults nationwide.

It aimed to assess public recognition and knowledge of the new legislation delivered by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys in July.

Auto-enrolment (AE) will impact over 800,000 workers who are not currently in a pension scheme.

The survey found 86pc of existing pension holders have some awareness of auto-enrolment; 58pc say that although they have heard of it, they do not know much about it; while 42pc of people without a pension have never heard of auto-enrolment.

And 44pc of those who have some knowledge of it say they dont know very much about it.

The very group that the AE scheme is designed to help is the least informed and engaged on the issue, Jonathan Roche-Kelly, director of financial services for Gallagher in Ireland, said.

Looking at the feedback from people who dont have a pension, we really start to appreciate just how much more needs to be done for auto-enrolment to be seen as a positive by those it is intended to support and to ultimately be a successful endeavour.

Experts at Gallagher described auto-enrolment as a monumental development in Irelands retirement landscape.

Mr Roche-Kelly said it has real potential to address the countrys pension coverage gap by automatically enrolling workers without existing pension plans.

The aim of this initiative is laudable and could go a long way towards ensuring a more inclusive and equitable retirement system, compelling more people to save and reducing future reliance on the State pension.

He said the scheme is designed to provide greater financial security in retirement and support the long-term sustainability of Irelands ageing population.

But it is imperative that employees are brought along in the roll-out, he added.

Jonathan Roche-Kelly, director of financial services for Gallagher in Ireland, said schemes aim is laudable

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 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.

Under the plan, employees without a pension will be automatically enrolled into a savings scheme which will be partially funded by businesses.

It is estimated that only around one-third of private-sector employees have active pension coverage. Auto-enrolment will put employees between the ages of 23 and 60, and who earn over 20,000 a year, into a workplace scheme.

At the beginning, contributions will be set at a rate of 1.5pc of a workers gross income, which will be matched by the employer and topped up by the State.

The contributions will automatically increase every three years by 1.5 percentage points, before reaching a maximum of 6pc by year 10.

For every 3 saved by an employee, the State will add 1.
David Graham, who has died age 99, gave voice to the endearing butler-chauffeur Aloysius Nosey Parker in Thunderbirds, the terrifying Daleks of Doctor Who and the adorable Grandpa Pig in Peppa Pig; he also appeared at the National Theatre with Laurence Olivier and in television series ranging from Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in 1956 to The Bill and Casualty almost half a century later.

Graham, a somewhat lugubrious and skeletal figure, had been working on a television series with Gerry Anderson when the director confided he was considering making puppet films.

I said Im pretty good at accents, so he said, Let me have your number, Graham said.

He was heard in several of Andersons programmes, including the puppet western Four Feather Falls (1960) with Nicholas Parsons, as well as Supercar, Fireball XL5 and Stingray, before Thunderbirds came up. Anderson suggested he listen to the distinctive voice of Arthur, a wine waiter at a pub in Cookham, who claimed to have served Queen Elizabeth II.

The wine waiter came over and he said, Would you like to see the wine list, sir? Weve got all sorts of wine, weve got beaujolais, champagne and merlot  and that was the birth of Parker, Graham told the Tracy Island Chronicles.

When Lady Penelope (voiced by Sylvia Anderson) rang the bell in the first episode, Parker came in and said: You called, mlady? But that did not sound quite right. So we made it, You rang, mlady? and that was it, Graham added.

He appeared in two series of Thunderbirds, also voicing the serious-minded Brains, to whom he gave a mild speech impediment because sometimes the ideas come out so fast that they stutter a bit.

Graham was doing other voiceover work when Peter Hawkins, of Flower Pot Men fame, invited him to create the voice of the Daleks for Doctor Who.

We adopted this staccato style, then they fed it through a synthesiser to make it more sinister, he said.

He voiced the xenophobic mutants in all four of their appearances during William Hartnells era as well as in two feature films, Dr Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks Invasion Earth 2150AD (1966). He was also the grating voice of the Mechanoids in The Chase (1965) and appeared on screen as Charlie, bartender of the Last Chance Saloon, in The Gunfighters.

His final appearance on Doctor Who was alongside Tom Bakers Doctor in the 1979 story City of Death, playing Professor Fyodor Nikolai Kerensky, a scientist working on time experiments who is aged to death by the storys villain, Scaroth.

A new generation of viewers heard Grahams voice as the grandfather of Peppa and George in the preschool series Peppa Pig. He was also the voice of the wise old elf in Ben and Hollys Little Kingdom (2009-2013).

The key, he said, was to take voice work just as seriously as any stage or television role. Every episode had to be played with total conviction and reality, no matter how silly: One of the great things about Thunderbirds is that all the characters are so rounded and believable. And if you dont play them with total commitment, people wont believe you.

David Michael Graham was born with the acting gene raging inside me in Hackney, east London, on July 11, 1925, the son of a life insurance salesman.

He was raised in a Jewish Orthodox household, so I had a big battle, and it was difficult to wrench myself out, but I finally did and I became an actor.

During World War II he served as a radar mechanic in 99 Squadron RAF, servicing airborne radar on Halifax bombers, but always insisted that he could never solder two wires together.

An uncle had run away to join the theatre and emigrated to the US, while his sister married a GI and headed there. Hating his post-war office job, Graham followed them to New York, training with Sanford Meisner at the Neighbourhood Playhouse. To avoid acquiring an American accent he returned to Britain, working in repertory theatre.

He appeared at the Nottingham Playhouse in Bertolt Brechts The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, directed by Michael Blakemore, with Leonard Rossiter, which was like working with a human dynamo. The play transferred to the West End, where it ran for six months at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Olivier spotted him there and cast him as a flashy gangster in The Front Page (1972), again directed by Blakemore, which toured to Australia.

He then used an Italian accent to appear with Olivier in Keith Waterhouse and Willis Halls adaptation of Eduardo de Filippos dramatic comedy Saturday, Sunday, Monday (1973-74), directed by Franco Zeffirelli. During the show, the actors eat a real meal on stage, but one occasion the meat was off. Much mirth ensued and the great man [Olivier] read us a lecture the following day, he said.

He was Big Brother in 1984, Ridley Scotts advert for Steve Jobss new Apple Macintosh computers, and Einstein for BBC Twos Horizon in 2005.

They could have gone for anybody, any big name, and they chose me, he said with a smile.

Nine years ago, Graham returned to play Parker in Thunderbirds Are Go!, a 50th-anniversary reboot with Rosamund Pike as Lady Penelope.

Last year he reprised the Daleks for a colourised version of the original story.

He had no regrets about being out of the limelight, telling the Daily Mirror: If it happens people notice you, thats great  but I dont do it for that. I love the work.

( Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2024)
Frasier season two (Paramount+) 2/5

Frasier Crane and I go way back. Some mornings, before school  while everyone else in the house was still sleeping  Id head downstairs, grab a bowl of cereal, switch on the telly and park myself in front of Frasier. The generous folks at Channel 4 used to show re-runs first thing (they still do), and it became a sort of morning ritual, waking up to Americas cleverest sitcom. Yep, I really was that person  I still am, but I think the fastidious Seattle shrink would approve.

Witty and engaging, with a big brain and a bigger heart, Frasier was in a league of its own. At its best, it was the funniest show on television. At its worst  and, really, there were no bad episodes in the original run, which ended after 11 seasons in 2004  it was still better than most of its contemporaries.

There may have been just one name above the door, but Frasier was so much more than the Kelsey Grammer show. Without Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne (Jane Leeves), it might have sunk. Without Roz (Peri Gilpin) and Martin (the late, great John Mahoney), it would never have survived. Even Eddie, Martins intelligent jack russell terrier, played his part. Only one of these  Gilpins Roz  makes an appearance in the ill-advised Frasier revival on Paramount+. Thats a problem  a very, very big problem.

On paper, Frasier 2.0, now in its second season, doesnt sound all that terrible. Frasier Crane (Grammer), the uppity psychotherapist who started his career in Boston, excelled as a radio man in Seattle, and has since returned to the campus where everybody knows his name, lands a professor job at Harvard.

Here, he is reunited with an old college pal (Nicholas Lyndhursts Alan), buys himself an apartment building, begins living with his son, a Harvard dropout-turned-Boston firefighter named Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott), and forms trivial alliances with numerous relatives, colleagues and nosy neighbours.

This is Frasiers so-called third act. Like, say, his father Martin in the original run, Frasier is now the grumpy dad character struggling to understand why on earth his son wanted a different life from his. A neat set-up, perhaps, but the follow-through is astonishingly poor.

For a start, the new characters rarely, if ever, behave like real people. Frasier was never the most believable show on TV, nor was its beloved forerunner, Cheers, but the humans that inhabited its world were, at least, fully formed. We were rooting for them, even when they annoyed us.

Sadly, the new Frasier doesnt care for wit, characterisation, or any of those things that make a sitcom sparkle. A hollow, hackneyed imitation of its iconic predecessor, its too broad, too cartoonish, and it sounds like every other overwritten, over-performed sitcom on US television. Thats not good enough.

The storylines are just bizarre. Frasier plots used to go somewhere, slowly yet steadily building towards something special. Now, its just throwaway one-liners and meaningless escapades.

In the first instalment of this second season, Frasier (once a loveable head-the-ball, now an irksome idiot) falls out with Alan after he learns that it was his old pal who encouraged Freddy to drop out of Harvard. Along the way, the boys try to replicate a delicious ham meal they had in Spain once. Do they get their meal? They do not. Do they patch things up? Obviously.

In the second episode, Frasier plays cupid and tries to help a colleague (Toks Olagundoyes Olivia) connect with her Valentines date. In the third, Roz re-enters the equation and takes Frasiers buddy Eve (Jess Salgueiro) out for the night, leaving the fellas behind to look after her baby. Comedy chaos ensues  except it doesnt, because Frasier no longer knows how to execute a decent gag.

Our bumbling protagonist is lost without his old friends. Best of luck to the substitute players, but theyre no match for the original squad. Grammer, who directs a couple of episodes, is his usual enthusiastic self, and he delivers each line as if his life depends on it. Even after 40 years with this character, he is nothing if not committed.

Likewise, Lyndhurst tries hard to make more than a caricature out of Alan, a stuffy British intellectual who no longer enjoys his work. But these sitcom heavyweights are only as good as the material allows them to be, and this shoddy, senseless reboot hasnt a clue what its at. Id have never woken up early to watch this rubbish.

Frasier season two is available on Paramount+
Patrick Nugent (23) was working at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in Co Clare when he was found dead on February 11, 1984.

The body of a man who died in mysterious circumstances 40 years ago is to be exhumed tomorrow as part of a fresh garda inquiry, a lawyer for his family has said.

Patrick Nugent (23) was working as banqueting manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in Co Clare when he was found dead at the tourist spot on February 11, 1984.

His family believe he was killed and the truth covered up, but no one was ever convicted in connection with his death.

A cold case inquiry was launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in 2022 after a report, understood to have been critical of the initial garda inquiry, was given to Justice Minister Helen McEntee by retired Judge Patrick Clyne.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 23rd

After consulting with the Attorney General, Ms McEntee decided not to publish the report so it could not prejudice any further investigation.

In a statement, solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW Law said the exhumation would take place at the family grave in Co Clare.

Mr Winters said the family had been fighting over 40 years for justice for Patrick and had displayed remarkable patience with the legal and investigative system.

Mr Nugent was working at the 40th wedding anniversary of William and Chrissie Ryan when he died.

William Ryan was well-known in the area and worked as head chef for Aer Rianta in Shannon Airport.

The party, in a building known as The Barn on the folk park grounds, was attended by around 60 guests.

At around 4am, Mr Nugent assisted Mr Ryan in bringing gifts out to Mr Ryans car which was parked in the courtyard outside.

A short time later, guests still in the function room heard noise outside.

They saw Mr Nugent lying at the entrance of the building. He had received injuries, from which he later died.

Mr Ryan, who is now deceased, was charged with manslaughter but acquitted. It emerged at his trial he gave three different statements to gardai.

Two off-duty gardai had been at the party.

An inquest found that Mr Nugent was struck by a person or persons unknown, causing him to fall to the ground and that the car owned by Mr Ryan accidentally hit him, causing internal injuries. The inquest called for further investigation into the death.

The case was subject to an independent review mechanism in 2014, which recommended the justice minister order an inquiry into the garda handling of the case.

Mr Nugents family, which had been seeking a public inquiry, was asked to respect the confidentiality of Judge Clynes findings.

The statement issued by Mr Winters quoted Mr Nugents brothers John and Martin as saying they initially had misgivings about the new investigation, but now wanted to put on record their appreciation of the work gardai had undertaken in recent years.

They have been proactive in their oversight and have kept us included at all stages of the investigation. That is especially the case with the exhumation of Patrick, the brothers said.

Our decision to agree to this unusual and unique step wasnt taken lightly. Its really very poignant for us as a family to experience the disinterment of our brothers remains, especially given the proximity of the grave to our family home.

We accept that its for the best if the results can shed some additional light on what we already know.

We have worked very closely with gardai and our solicitors on the complicated logistics involved in organising this exhumation. Having agreed to go through with it, we are all quietly hopeful that we might just get a breakthrough.
The pair wed at the Boho Beach Club in the Spanish city, where they currently live.

Lipsett, who co-owns Dublin Raw Gym chain and appeared on an early season of Love Island UK, proposed to his girlfriend of five years last August.

Their ceremony in the sunshine, which featured lavish floral arches and arrangements, was attended by close family and friends.

Sharing his thoughts with followers after his wedding weekend, the fitness influencer said the couple were gathering themselves after the best weekend of our entire lives.

"Cant wait to share everything. We are feeling beyond blessed. Hard to put into words.

Rob previously documented the process of renovating a villa in Marbella, a city which is a hotspot for influencers and celebrities, revealing that he bought the villa for roughly the same price as an apartment in Dublin.

People have been asking, Oh, why did you buy abroad first, would you not buy in Ireland first?, he told the Irish Sun.

Of course I love Ireland, I wanted to buy there first, but I can get a detached villa with four beds and a pool in Marbella versus what I can get an apartment for in Dublin, and you just feel like youre getting a bad deal.

"I looked at a few apartments two or three years ago in Rathgar and a development in Foxrock, and they are really nice, but I would just feel I could fly two hours away to a hot country and get a house instead for the same price.

He met Kildare influencer and fashion blogger Linda at a house party six years ago.

The fitness guru briefly appeared on Love Island in 2017, previously telling the Sunday World that it was a great laugh and he enjoyed the experience in the famous villa.

"They asked me to go on, which is really nice. I had a fond experience, even going in before and afterwards," he said.

"In total it was actually about 10 days, it was a few days in the hotel before and also hanging out with other contestants who got the boot afterwards. Even seeing the reaction online, and my friends. It was a great experience, a great laugh and I really enjoyed it.

"Linda didn't see it as she was in Australia when I was on it and we met maybe a year-and-a-half later. But all her friends saw it and she does think it's funny."
Passengers on a round-the-world cruise ship that has been stuck in Belfast for over three months are ready to cry tears of joy as reports suggest it is to finally set sail this week.

Villa Vie Residences Odyssey has been given the all-clear to embark on its voyage after repairs were completed, according to reports.

The ship undertook sea trials over the past week, with passengers expressing their excitement on social media.

Angela Theriac, who has been waiting for the ship to be fixed with her husband Steve, posted a celebratory picture on Instagram saying: We PASSED sea trials!!!! One step closer to setting sail!!! Woo hoo!!

The Mail Online reported that Mike Peterson, managing director of Villa Vie, hopes the liner will be under way as soon as Wednesday.

The Odyssey arrived in Belfast in May and underwent tests on repairs to its rudder and gearbox. It was supposed to be undertaking the first part of a three-year cruise, but repairs took much longer than expected.

Stranded cruise ship passengers Angela and Steve Theriac making the most of their time in Northern Ireland

Retired school teacher Angela said: We are overjoyed at the potential of finally setting sail within a week.

After successfully completing sea trials, we can only hope that a sail date is right around the corner.

We will find out more Monday or Tuesday when we have our weekly residents meeting with the CEO and COO.

After such a long delay, Villa Vie just cant stick around any longer than necessary. We imagine the sail away being filled with tears  tears of complete joy that is.

Its a long time coming, and we are as excited as the first day we purchased our room to live full-time on a ship that circumnavigates the world.

Angela added that there are things they will miss about Northern Ireland.

Steve will miss his daily pint of proper Guinness, he is now ready to try beers all over the world. We will also miss the humour of the locals, as Steve loves to banter with them, but we are ready to chase the sun from our moving home.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 23rd

The couple gained a following on social media as they documented their travels around the province and Europe while waiting for their floating home to be fixed.

In a YouTube video recorded on Friday, they explained that Villa Vie had been giving residents updates while the ship was undergoing sea trials.

Theyve been posting updates on our private residents group, saying everything is going really well.

If everything went off without a hitch, which it sounds like it has, now they will seek PSC (Port State Control) approval, which potentially could allow people to sleep on board.

But either way, if it does or doesnt, then the very last step is to call in the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency), and they come and do the final check-offs.

MCA is tentatively scheduled for next week, and once we get those check-offs, we are good to go to set sail.

The couple's room on the cruise ship

The Theriacs got the news they were hoping for when, over the weekend, they posted their celebratory Instagram post.

The couple have remained committed to cruising even as the Odyssey was docked. They went on two cruises over the summer.

They have also travelled extensively around Northern Ireland.

Weve been to the Giants Causeway, Glenshane Country Farm, Bushmills and Derry/Londonderry, Mrs Theriac told the Belfast Telegraph at the start of the month.

We have learned a lot about the history, the conflict and weve had a pint of Guinness in every pub.
Family believe dad died in struggle despite open verdict given at inquest

Garda forensic experts have carried out a fresh investigation at the home of an elderly Leitrim farmer who died in suspicious circumstances nearly five years ago.

The move comes after private forensics experts retained by Liam Farrells family found extensive evidence of blood in a shed at the rear of the home close to where his body was found on January 12, 2020.

The specialists found the blood on the ground, and on a rope in the shed, when they went to the property on Friday. It had not been found in the initial garda investigation.

Mr Farrells children believe that their father was the victim of a serious assault that precipitated his death from severe coronary heart disease.

When the blood was found they immediately alerted gardai and a team of crime scene investigators from Sligo spent several hours at the property on Saturday evening.

An inquest two weeks ago into the circumstances of the death of the 87-year-old returned an open verdict, which meant that the jury could not be satisfied as to the actual circumstances surrounding the death.

Counsel representing Mr Farrells family told the coroners court that they believed their father was assaulted.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 23rd

Speaking to the Irish Independent last night, Mr Farrells son Peter revealed that he had retained the services of the private forensics experts.

The discovery of the blood in the shed validates what we have always believed, that daddy was attacked, he said.

It is also consistent with what I was told that he didnt die where he was found. That must be properly investigated now. It is very hard to think that our lovely father may have been beaten or tortured before his death.

He said the family were told at the time there was nothing suspicious and our father died from natural causes  we were warned not to do a CSI job of our own.

But Peter said that the family are now demanding a full and proper investigation be carried out led by specialist units in Dublin.

The body of the widower, who lived alone outside the Shannonside village, was found lying outside the back of his home by his daughter.

Mr Farrell was last seen alive 15 hours earlier when he left a local pub.

He had suffered extensive bruising, abrasions and cuts to his face and body, and there was blood on his body, on the walls and back door of the house.

A post mortem found that death was caused by a heart attack.

The recent inquest heard that when he was found, Mr Farrells shoes and socks had been removed and his overcoat and blazer had also been taken off. His knotted tie was also found lying close by covered in blood.

His daughter Anne Carroll made the discovery when she called in on him around 3.30pm on January 12. Her father was not breathing, and was unresponsive. She called her brother Brendan. An ambulance and the gardai were also called.

It (the scene) was horrific. I didnt recognise daddy, my father the big strong manI couldnt believe itit was carnage, Brendan Farrell said in evidence.

The inquest finding raised more questions than answers and deepened the mystery of what really happened. In particular it emerged that there was a major flaw in the initial investigation.

Consultant pathologist at Sligo University Hospital Professor Paul Hartel, who performed the post mortem, revealed that gardai had not informed him that the body was found in suspicious circumstance. He believed he was dealing with a case of death by natural causes.

If he had known that the gardai were treating the case as suspicious he said he would have referred the post mortem to a forensic pathologist.

The result was that injuries to the body were not forensically examined and therefore potential evidence was literally buried.

Dr Jack Crane, the former state pathologist for the North, who was retained by the dead mans family, said that it was his opinion that Mr Farrell had been assaulted.

Mr Farrells son Peter told the inquest he was approached by a local man who told him that his father did not die where he was found. The same person also said that the body had been dragged to where it was found.

In a statement last night, a garda spokesperson said:

An Garda Siochana is carrying out enquiries following receipt of information from a third party. An Garda Siochana cannot provide any further information for operational reasons.

Any person contacting An Garda Siochana does so in the expectation of privacy and confidentiality. An Garda Siochana respects the confidentiality of our engagements with private citizens.
Bone marrow transplant patient Jessica Heffernan, Professor Shaun McCann, who performed Ireland's first bone marrow transplant and Mairead O'Mahony who had the procedure when she was 17. Photo: Fionan O'Connell Photography

St Jamess Hospital has marked the 40th anniversary of the first bone marrow transplant in Ireland, with patients sharing how their lives have changed since.

The man who performed the first bone marrow transfusion in the country has described it as a great thrill seeing the service going from strength to strength.
Selling price of three-bed semi-detached houses across the country rose by 2.7pc to 323,741Large towns have experienced previously-unseen average increases of 20,000 in three monthsTime taken to reach sale agreed nationally has dropped to four weeks

A major lack of supply in Dublin has reignited the commuter property market, with five-figure increases in average house prices seen in many towns over the past three months.

Some regional towns have even seen prices of the average semi-detached home rise by as much as 20,000 during the third quarter of this year.

As buyers battle to secure affordable family homes, the major price hikes recorded by the REA Irish Independent Average House Price Index during this quarter have been outside of Dublin.

Frustration in the capital means the commuter market is now blazing a trail, with prices up by 2.9pc over the past three months to an average of 336,944.

Further afield, large towns such as Ennis, Tralee, Tullamore and Athlone have experienced previously-unseen average increases of 20,000 during that period of time.

The quarterly house price index concentrates on the sale price of Irelands typical stock home, the three-bed semi.

That means it offers an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide.

The actual selling price of this type of house across the country rose by 2.7pc in the past three months to 323,741.

Time taken to reach sale agreed nationally has dropped to four weeks as low supply continues to drive sales.

Actual selling prices in Dublin city rose by 1.3pc in the last three months, and the average three-bed semi in the capital is now selling at 532,333  an annual increase of 7.4pc.

The number of sales in the capital due to landlords leaving the market has risen six points to 24pc in the past year, the index revealed, but some areas are reporting a figure of over 50pc.

Lack of stock in Dublin has accelerated bidding in the commuter belt, with a number of counties such as Meath, Louth, Carlow and Kildare experiencing their largest quarterly rises of recent times, REA spokesperson Seamus Carthy said.

Anthony McGee of REA McGee said there has been a drought of properties on the market in Dublin over the summer  the lowest seen in years.

One area where we are seeing improvement is in the turnaround time for probate.

Average selling time in the capital has fallen from five to four weeks, but in many cases it is as low as two.

A lot of stock in some areas is ex-rental and landlords are keen to close as soon as the bidding hits their expected figures  so while properties are moving, we are not necessarily seeing the rises that you might expect.

While there is activity on every property, it is not as intense as people may believe and we feel that moderate increases in supply would take the heat out of the current market.

One area where we are seeing improvement is in the turnaround time for probate, which has previously been frustrating for potential buyers.

Prices rose by 20,000 in Carlow town in the past three months, with local agent Harry Sothern describing the market as really hot, especially for three-bed semis, due to lack of stock.

In Louth, prices rose by 10,000 to an average of 282,500  a quarterly increase of 3.7pc, with 80pc of purchasers from outside the county and 75pc first-time buyers.

Similar increases were seen in Meath, where 90pc of purchasers are now first- time buyers and a third of vendors are landlords.

Prices in the major cities outside the capital rose by an average of 2.25pc to 341,250 in the last three months, an annual rate of increase of 7.5pc.

Limerick city sales increased by an average of 10,000 for the second quarter in succession, an 11pc annual rise.

Prices in Galway city also increased by 10,000 (2.9pc) to an average of 360,000, with little or no new developments coming to the market, according to local agents REA McGreal Burke.

Cork (385,000) and Waterford (305,000) cities had quarterly rises of 1.3pc and 1.7pc respectively.

But it was homes in the countrys large towns that continued to show the biggest growth nationwide. Prices were up 10pc on last September and 3.6pc this quarter, to an average of 243,241.

Tralee has experienced the largest annual rise in the country, with three-bed semi prices rising by 22pc in the past 12 months, 20,000 in the past quarter and touching the 300,000 mark for the first time.

This 55,000 annual increase has been attributed to an acute lack of supply, with premiums being paid on each property, according to local agents REA Coyne and Culloty.

Agents in Ennis are also reporting a 20,000 quarterly rise  an annual increase of 17pc  with properties achieving up to 20pc above guide price due to a lack of both stock and new developments.

The recent SCSI proposal for the establishment of a dedicated adjudication body or rental court to deal with serious disputes between tenants and landlords as well as a thorough revision of the Residential Tenancies Act would be of great benefit to the property market as a whole, Liam Browne of REA Paddy Browne said.

There is strong demand from Northern Ireland buyers for both permanent residences and holiday homes in Donegal, according to Roger McCarrick of REA McCarrick and Sons, Bundoran, where prices have increased by 2.7pc to 190,000 in the past quarter.

Todays publication comes less than a week after the Central Statistics Office (CSO) confirmed an increase in property sales of 9.6pc to the year in July.

The figures from the CSO indicate demand is outstripping supply to such an extent that prices rose for the 11th month in a row.

The CSO also noted that prices of new homes have risen 124.3pc from their lowest point in 2013, while the price of second-hand homes has risen 146.4pc since their trough in 2012.

The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) recently found a widening affordability gap for buyers, including couples with two incomes.

Many are now finding themselves priced out of the market, even if they take advantage of state schemes.

Many experts still believe prices will rise further, amid ongoing pressures where demand is outstripping supply.
Work continues on the site of the new National Children's Hospital this morning as controversy rumbles on due to delays and costs of the new building..Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

The new date put forward for the completion of the 2.24bn National Childrens Hospital is June next year  but it is not being accepted by the board overseeing the project which wants a finishing time guaranteed in writing, it has emerged.

It follows revelations that the latest promised February 2025 date would not be met by the builders BAM.

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) is expected to reveal a proposed new date put forward by the builders when they appear before the Oireachtas health committee tomorrow.

Chief executive David Gunning is expected to say that in the last four years the main contractor, BAM, has shifted its substantial completion date 14 times.

In the last 12 months alone, BAM has shifted the substantial completion date four times, pushing out the completion date by a total of eight months.

BAM is currently communicating June 2025 as its anticipated substantial completion date.

In the absence of a written, contractually compliant, realistic and resource-loaded programme, the NPHDB cannot and will not simply accept BAMs ongoing deferral dates.

The employers representative, who is the independent contractor administrator, has not accepted this latest update, and has requested that BAM submits a revised baseline programme.

Mr Gunning will point out that a baseline programme is a critical contractual requirement, fundamental to any construction project, because it provides a clear approach and timeline.

He will say BAMs continued failure to provide a baseline programme, and its shifting of dates, is not acceptable.

Mr Gunning will say that it shows a complete disregard for internationally recognised professional processes and contractual procedures. The approach being taken by BAM also shows complete disregard for sick children and young people and their families  as well as the dedicated and excellent staff in Childrens Health Ireland.

Mr Gunning is due to say that the biggest factors in the delays are BAMs continued insistence on offering rooms and areas within the hospital as complete when they are still incomplete.

The hospitals board and BAM have also clashed over the resourcing of the hospital development, with neither side agreeing on the size of the workforce committed.

In a letter to the Public Accounts Committee in July, Mr Gunning said that in January 2019, BAM committed to a peak resource of over 1,700 productive operatives.

The figure was set out in the contract programme provided by BAM and did not take management into account, Mr Gunning said.

However, Mr Gunning said the highest level of resources was 1,260 workers in June 2022  over 400 fewer than the peak resource levels committed to.

The primary reason why the substantial completion date continues to move out is a lack of resourcing by BAM, he added.

In a statement to the Irish Independent, BAM said it has consistently ensured the project is fully resourced.

The company said that on several occasions, (BAM) has ensured significantly higher numbers are on site than projected.

It said it forecast a peak resource figure of 1,424 operatives.

BAM hit an actual peak of 1,705 operatives, the statement said.

On the number of operatives working on the hospital site currently, the builder said staffing levels were higher than anticipated.

Currently, the site is resourced at approximately 50pc above the level that was anticipated for this late stage, given the design changes that have occurred, BAM said.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly wrote to government party leaders at the weekend strongly criticising the construction company. BAM responded to his allegations, saying they are misleading, ill-informed and incorrect.

As of the end of August, the total amount spent on the project by the NPHDB is 1,478,606,163 including Vat.

Mr Gunning will accuse BAM of not fulfilling its contractual obligations and, consequently, will withhold 15pc of certified payments due to it.

Meanwhile, BAM continues to submit large volumes of claims, including duplication and triplication of claimed time and value, he will say. The total amount in claims is 748m.

BAM in its statement said it reviewed the ministers letter and rejects in the strongest terms the misleading, ill-informed and incorrect allegations.

It in particular rejects the irresponsible claims by the minister that BAM is in any way seeking to extract as much money from the Irish taxpayer as possible and is holding the State to ransom.

These claims have absolutely no basis in fact, nor are they helpful to ensuring this complex and vital project is completed at the earliest possible juncture, it said.
The Amarach study also showed notable gender differences with Gen Z males more likely to consider politics than females at 35pc and 27pc respectively. Stock image

A growing number of young people in Ireland are increasingly interested in politics, civic activism and social innovation, according to new research conducted by Amarach.

The research, which was conducted on behalf of Young Social Innovators (YSI), a non-profit organisation that enables young people to grapple with difficult social issues, advocating reform and advancing change, revealed that social media is a key tool for Generation Z  born between 1997 and 2012  to express their views and engage with broader societal issues.

The survey, which included just over 1,000 participants aged between 16 and 27, found that nearly one in three Gen Z individuals would consider getting involved in politics, with another 34pc open to the possibility.

Meanwhile, one-third of young people surveyed said they are interested in becoming civic activists or social innovators, while an additional 40pc might consider the option.

More than half of young respondents have shared their opinions via social media

The study also showed notable gender differences. Gen Z males are more likely to consider politics than females at 35pc and 27pc respectively.

The research highlights the central role of social media in political and civic engagement for Gen Z. More than half of young respondents have shared their opinions via social media, with 81pc reposting content related to their views.

Instagram leads as the platform of choice, used by 76pc of respondents, followed by TikTok and Snapchat at 39pc and 33pc respectively.

YSI chief executive Roger Warnock said the findings are encouraging particularly against the backdrop of a looming general election. Generation Z is made up of our future changemakers and leaders, he said.

Its inspiring to see so many young people desiring to contribute to positive change for society.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents described their generations overall mood as anxious or stressed  a 17pc increase compared with five years ago.

This is attributed mainly to issues such as the housing crisis particularly for those aged 21-27, with many respondents citing affordable housing and job opportunities as key challenges.

Young people are acutely aware of the issues society faces

For Natalia Sobkowicz, a 19-year-old communications intern with YSI, the survey reflects her generations awareness and drive. Young people are acutely aware of the issues society faces. YSI empowers them to create solutions, she said.

Young Social Innovators is about empowering them to create innovative solutions to these social challenges.

Our values-based education and training programmes that are run in schools and community settings across Ireland and beyond are specially designed to support people in the Generation Z age group by teaching them innovative, practical and creative skills in social activism and leadership.

I encourage young people who are interested in making a difference and educators across Ireland to become involved.
People watch as smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon. Photo: Reuters

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said there is possibility that areas of Lebanon in which Irish peacekeepers operate could be targeted by Israeli Defence Force missiles.

Mr Martin said there are no plans to bring home Irish Defence Force members based in Lebanon despite the escalation in tensions in the region.

He said the morale of soldiers serving with UNIFIL in the region is strong even though they are dealing with very challenging circumstances.

Speaking ahead of a meeting of United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr Martin said: Our soldiers are professionally trained and safe.

We say to the warring parties to desist, to de escalate, to bring the conflict to end, he added.

His comments came as it emerged nearly 300 people were killed in Lebanon as part of an Israeli bombing campaign.

Mr Martin said the security situation is being kept under constant review and countries contributing to the UNIFIL operation have discussed a number of scenarios,

There is a possibility that some (bombs) will be falling into that vicinity but even over the last number of months there have been various, a bit more random, but various events, if you like, close to where we operate and the operating area that we operate within, he added.

Mr Martin also said he is open to banning flights carrying munitions linked to Israel from Irish airspace.

The Ditch website reported a number of flights carrying military weapons destined for Israel have flown through Irish airspace since the war.

Under Irish law, airlines carrying munitions of war must apply for permission from the Minister for Transport before bringing the goods through Irish sovereign airspace. The department previously said no licences for such flights have been sought.

The Department of Transport has been engaging the relevant authorities in respect of this and the particular company. And we facilitated in terms of dialogue with the Belgian Government. Clearly now there have been quite a number of flights that have been in violation of our sovereign airspace, Mr Martin said.

It now remains for Government, as we go forward, to get further clarifications and verification of the cargo on those planes to take whatever actions. I think the basic action is the possibility of saying to those companies that you may not fly through Irish aerospace, if you violate the basic rules that govern this.

Mr Martin said there has to be consequences for airlines carrying munitions without receiving permission from the Irish State.
Michael D Higgins says it was improper for Israel to comment on his courtesy letter to Iran president

President Michael D Higgins said it was improper for the Israeli embassy in Ireland to comment on his letter of congratulation to the new president of Iran.

During a fiery press conference at the United Nations in New York, Mr Higgins was asked about criticism he received for sending a courtesy letter to Masoud Pezeshkian, who became Iran's president after his predecessor Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in May.

The Israeli embassy in Dublin has criticised the letter to Mr Pezeshkian at the time, saying it sent "the wrong message to the people of Iran living in fear under this brutal regime".

Commenting this evening, Mr Higgins said it was unfair of a Jewish advocacy group to say his controversial comments were fuelling antisemitic tropes.

The President repeatedly tried to shut down questions on his claim the Israeli embassy circulated the letter in order to criticise the President.

The President said the correspondence to Mr Pezeshkian was quite a formal letter that he sends whenever there is a change of head of state.

Now, let me say just this and it is all I am going to say on it, very unusually, a letter from a head of state to another head of state, wishing him and her, and their people well, and saying, in fact, we must have now work for peace would have been just a normal letter, he said.

For example, the text, much of it is, in fact, supplied to me by the Department of Foreign Affairs. And, the point is, that a statement was issued from the (Israeli) embassy saying that the President has written, and why hasn't he said this? Why hasn't he said this? And frankly, that was unusual, and many would regard it in diplomatic circles as improper. That's all I wish to say on this matter, he said.

Mr Higgins said he did not use the word leak but rather that the letter was circulated by the embassy.

He continually pushed back against questions about the letter and would not take questions on his claims the embassy circulated it.

Holocaust Awareness Ireland founder, Oliver Sears, said the Presidents claim about the Israeli embassy was demonising.

I find it deeply disturbing because it feeds into a very old conspiracy theory that Jews are somehow perfidious and villainous - its one of the oldest antisemitic tropes, he said.

Israel recalled its ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, in May in response to Ireland's recognition of a Palestinian state.

Ms Erlich has not returned to Ireland since, with the embassy stating earlier this month that it hopes "under different, more friendly conditions, Ambassador Erlich will resume her duties in Dublin".

In a statement, the Israeli embassy in Dublin said: "Unfortunately in Ireland, since the October 7 invasion by Hamas and massacre in Israel, which triggered this awful war, Israel has been subjected to a high level of malicious statements and accusations that have often manifested as incitement to hatred.

"This baseless accusation is highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous and the embassy rejects it completely.

"The fact remains that the letter was written and (therefore) it is the burden of the author to defend its content, which did not mention the threat Iran poses in the region, that it calls for Israel's destruction, that it arms and funds terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah, not to mention the violations of human rights against its own citizens."
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has called on the British government to make clear its intention to trigger a referendum on Irish unity.

Speaking at a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Ms McDonald also urged UK prime minister Keir Starmer to walk the final length of the Irish journey.

While in opposition, Mr Starmer said a referendum on Irish unification was not even on the horizon, while Sinn Fein has called for a date for a vote to be set before the end of the decade, but have not specified when.

Ms McDonald said the reunification of Ireland presents the single greatest opportunity to unlock our potential and to deliver prosperity for all.

Were living in a time when history will be made by the people, she said.

Thats why referendums on Irish unity must be held by the end of this decade to allow the people to have their say. The moment will come to name the date, but first, the British government must make clear its intention to trigger a referendum as per the Good Friday Agreement, and set out the threshold for the referendum as they see it  there cant be any more dodging.

Our countries are each others nearest neighbours, and good neighbours should always want whats best for each other.

What is best for Ireland is that Britain end its involvement in our affairs, and that the people of Ireland finally get to decide our future together.

The Sinn Fein leader was asked what she would say if given five minutes with Mr Starmer, to which she replied: I would say, this is a question of honour. This is a question of keeping your word and of doing the right thing.

And when the history books are written, I think he would wish them to record that it was a Labour prime minister who had the integrity and the vision to walk the final length of the Irish journey and to consign the ancient quarrel and the harm that was done by colonisation and partition to the dustbin of history.

Ms McDonald said successive British governments have absolutely refused to outline the thresholds for an Irish unity referendum.

I think we have to work from first principles: acknowledge whats in the Good Friday Agreement, accept, therefore, that there will be referendums, and then once you have acknowledged that, you then move to the question of when and how, Ms McDonald added.

She said her party would make reunification a key priority by establishing a reunification and one Ireland unit, appointing a minister and giving all MPs from Northern Ireland speaking rights in the Dail.

The new Ireland that we seek to build belongs every bit as much to the families of the Shankill as it does to the families of the Falls. Every bit as much to the families of Fermanagh as the families in Dublin and Cork and Galway, she said.

And whether you argue for Irish reunification or the preservation of the union, the nature and quality of the conversation really matters. We have to listen to each other, engage with the facts and resist the urge to be driven by fear or misinformation.
Taoiseach faced criticism for suggesting there is a link between the record levels of immigration into Ireland and the more than 14,000 people in emergency accommodationPresident says no evidence from other countries that making asylum seekers pay for state accommodation once they started working deterred people from seeking asylumPresident criticises States handling of homelessness but says he wont comment on any particular Government: The planning is a disaster

Taoiseach Simon Harris has clashed with President Michael D Higgins over plans to charge asylum seekers for accommodation once they begin working.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York at the weekend, the President said there was no evidence from the experience of other countries that such measures worked as a deterrent to people seeking asylum.

The Taoiseach also doubled down on comments saying there was a link between immigration and rising rates of homelessness.

Mr Harris faced criticism for suggesting there was a link between the record levels of immigration into Ireland and the more than 14,000 people in emergency accommodation.

The Taoiseach said the single biggest reason people gave for presenting to Dublin homelessness services in July was exiting direct provision. He said more than 20pc of the people presenting were from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

Speaking in New York after an event at the United Nations General Assembly, Mr Harris said: I was making the point, and I stand by it very, very much so, is that over the last number of years we've seen a growing population. Over the last number of years, we've seen many people come to our country.

Our country benefits from immigration, but it is important to unpack an issue when you want to try and bring about solutions to it. When I became Taoiseach, I promised the people of Ireland that I was going to try and apply common sense and there's absolutely no doubt that a rising population and a rising number of people coming to our country, of course, has an impact on housing supply.

Of course, it's not the fault of anybody. It's not to apportion blame and it's certainly not to apportion blame to vulnerable people, not in any manner or means, but the figures speak for themselves and the data is there for all people to see.

Mr Harris was criticised after he told the Sunday Times that homelessness numbers are heavily impacted by the fact we are seeing many people seek protection in our country.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 23rd

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said the Taoiseach was trying to scapegoat international protection applicants for their own failures and accused him of capitulating to anti-immigrant protesters.

The Taoiseach is entitled to his opinions, but he is not entitled to his own facts. The fact is that those seeking international protection are not counted in the monthly homeless numbers. It is only those living in emergency accommodation who are counted in those figures, Mr Gannon said.

We cannot have a situation in which the leader of the country is engaging in misinformation and stoking further division in an effort to deflect blame from his own governments handling of the housing disaster.

Mr Harris also hit back at President Michael D Higginss criticism of plans to seek financial contributions from asylum seekers for state accommodation once they secure work in this country.

Speaking to reporters at the United Nations General Assembly, the President said: No one has proved any arguments in relation to changing benefits as a deterrence.

There's no evidence there for that in Europe, and there isn't much evidence for it anywhere else either, even in relation to Mexico and the United States. I began studying migration in 1968. It's a long time ago, he said.

Later in the day, Mr Harris said: If you're working, for example, and you have a right to work in our country, and you're still in our asylum services or direct provision services, I believe you should have to contribute to part of the services that you receive.

The President went on the criticise other aspects of the States housing system. Asked how he would characterise the Governments handling of the housing crisis, he said he wouldnt comment on any particular Government.

However, when it was put to him that it was an abject failure to have thousands of homeless families, he said: Theres no doubt whatsoever that as one looks at it I have to answer the question properly now, it has failed in many dimensions. The planning is a disaster. There arent enough planning officers working for the local authorities.

He spoke about the suggestion that the delay in providing houses is because of people going to court to exercise their rights.

I think the total number was two per cent. In most cases where the courts took the decision, it was in relation to planning flaws. So theres side that of it.

Mr Higgins also said it is inconceivable that the State would not directly build new homes and said the current policy was relying on seducing the private market.
Spokesperson says President Higgins stands over claim message was circulated and presented as something out of the ordinaryTaoiseach Simon Harris criticises Israeli response to letter saying: You'd like to think that Israel would be more concerned with the fact that 14,000 children in Gaza are dead, that at least 20,000 are missing, many presumed dead

The Taoiseach has said he has no interest in getting into a row with Israel, over the best wishes letter President Higgins wrote to the new Iranian head of state.

President Michael D Higgins has insisted he did not claim Israel leaked the letter to the head of the oppressive Iranian regime, but stood over his claim the Israeli embassy had circulated it and that it had been presented as being something out of the ordinary.

Taoiseach Simon Harris also said he did not know how the letter was circulated, but insisted it was normal diplomatic protocol between heads of state.

However, Mr Harris was critical of the Israeli embassy in Ireland for publicly criticising the letter the President sent to congratulate his counterpart on taking office.

You'd like to think that Israel would be more concerned with the fact that 14,000 children in Gaza are dead, that at least 20,000 are missing, many presumed dead, Mr Harris said

Certainly my focus here in New York is not on an exchange of letters, but is on the fact that there is still a horrific, bloody humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Middle East.

"I have no interest whatsoever in getting into any sort of tit for tat or back or forth with the Israeli embassy or the government of a country that is continuing to allow this horrific humanitarian situation continue where children are dying on a daily basis, many more being maimed, and many, many hundreds of 1000s, if not millions, being deprived access to humanitarian aid.

Speaking to reporters during the UN General Assembly, President Higgins accused the Israeli embassy in Ireland of circulating the letter he wrote congratulating the recently elected Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian.

Mr Higginss letter was published by the London-based Jewish Chronicle in August and drew criticism from Fine Gael TDs.

The Israeli embassy has described his allegations as baseless accusations.

A claim has also emerged that in any case the letter was tweeted in full by the Iranian embassy in Ireland, before being deleted. A statement containing a summary of President Higginss communication remains on the website of the Iranian foreign ministry.

Speaking in New York, the President urged reporters to question why the letter was circulated and by whom.

Pressed on the matter, he said he believed the letter was circulated by the Israeli embassy, but said he had no idea how they accessed the private correspondence he wrote to his Iranian counterpart.

My letter was standard, one I have written to many heads of state, and I stressed in it the importance of peace in the region, and the importance as well of diplomacy returning in relation to the resolution of disputes and so forth, he said.

One of your journalist colleagues got [the letter] from the Israeli embassy and rang somebody and asked was I concerned and I wasnt concerned, he added.

Mr Higginss letter was criticised by Fine Gael TDs when it emerged during the summer.

In a statement, the Israeli embassy to Ireland described the Presidents comments as a baseless accusation.

Unfortunately in Ireland, since the October 7 invasion by Hamas and massacre in Israel , which triggered this awful war, Israel has been subjected to a high level of malicious statements and accusations that have often manifested as incitement to hatred, it said.

This baseless accusation is highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous and the embassy rejects it completely.

The fact remains that the letter was written and therefore it is the burden of the author to defend its content, which did not mention the threat Iran poses in the region, that it calls for Israels destruction, that it arms and funds terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah, not to mention the violations of human rights against its own citizens, it added.

A spokesman for President Higgins said the president made no suggestion the Israeli embassy leaked his letter, but rather that they circulated it.

"The exchange of letters upon the coming to office of a new Head of State is standard diplomatic practice for countries which share diplomatic relations. As is usual practice, the letter in question was drafted based on material supplied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and issued via standard diplomatic channels. Such letters have been sent to incoming Presidents of Iran for a number of decades," said the spokesman.

"In response to questions, the President indicated his view that this standard diplomatic letter had been circulated over the summer and presented as being something out of the ordinary.

"The President made no accusations of a leak, he solely referred to the letter being circulated. In this context, the question of reporting does not arise, he added.

Housing

Mr Higgins was separately asked how he would characterise the Governments handling of the housing crisis, but he said he would not comment on any particular government.

However, when it was put to him that it was an abject failure to have thousands of homeless families, he said: Theres no doubt whatsoever that as one looks at it I have to answer the question properly now, it has failed in many dimensions. The planning is a disaster. There arent enough planning officers working for the local authorities.

He spoke about the suggestion the delay in providing houses is due to people going to court to exercise their rights.

I think the total number was two per cent. In most cases where the courts took the decision, it was in relation to planning flaws. So theres side that of it, he said.

Mr Higgins said it is inconceivable that the State would not directly build new homes and said the current policy was relying on seducing the private market.

The President was also critical of the Governments policy on immigration.

No one has proved any arguments in relation to changing benefits as a deterrence. Theres no evidence for that in Europe, and there isnt much for it anywhere else either, even in relation to Mexico and the US. I began studying migration in 1968. Its a long time ago, he said.
A former school-teacher turned adventurer, who previously survived a bear attack, yesterday became the fastest and oldest person to swim Irelands longest river, the Shannon.

Dermot Higgins swam the 250km waterway stretch in 10 days, four less than the 2023 fastest record holder, Ger Moore, (Cork), and 22 days less than oldest record holder Dean Hall (USA), to raise awareness of mental health issues.

The Skerries native, who has battled severe bouts of depression, said all funds raised from his double-record swim will go directly to Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm prevention charity.

The journey was magic, its surpassed my wildest dreams, I was blessed with amazing weather, and the support I had from people made it really really easy, said Higgins who made land at Curragower Boat Club, Limerick City, at 11.21am.

Preparation was key, with Higgins starting pool training last January, followed by warm water training in Morocco and several long sea-swims.

As each of the ten days swimming the Shannon passed, Higgins who was supported in the water by Brian Dillon, Limerick Narwhales Swimming Club, grew stronger and stronger, and coming into Limerick I was full of swimming, I felt like swimming out into the Atlantic.

The 62-year old, who was the first Irish man and oldest person to cycle around the world for charity, said he is an open book when it comes to his personal battles with his own mental health demons and overcoming lifes challenges.

Ive had mental health issues over the years, including two serious episodes of depression.

I needed the support of Pieta and I called them several times and they were very good to me - I probably wouldnt be alive today if it wasn't for Pieta House.

Higgins is no stranger to overcoming endurance challenges and has raised over a quarter of a million euro for charities, however Pieta House is one that remains close to his heart.

I think the silence (around mental health) is the biggest killer, and I think people need to know the signs when they have loved ones suffering from mental health issues and when they are suicidal, he said.

Dermot Higgins

Sometimes people just dont know the signs and even when they do know the signs, they dont know what to do, so Pieta House has done great work in terms of informing people of what these signs are, and supporting not just the people who are in crisis but the families as well, which is hugely important.

Having survived the Shannon, Higgins smiled and recalled how he could have easily died when a bear encountered him as he was sleeping in a tent during a kayaking trip along the Yukon River, Canada.

Dermot Higgins

The bear was only a metre from me and I wasn't prepared at all, the bear came at me but I was really fortunate because I had pepper-spray and I sprayed the bear and then I fainted.

I was out cold and woke up half an hour later, I was covered in vomit, but I got myself to the river and I arrived in Dawson City with one shoe because the bear had taken my other shoe.

Higgins said he plans to swim the entire circumference of the island of Ireland next summer, if he can find a sponsor.
Robert Deegans family said he died like a warrior protecting his comrades

The devastated family of a former elite Irish soldier killed in combat in Ukraine have paid tribute to him as a man of determination, honour, loyalty and bravery.

Robert Deegan (29), from Newbridge, Co Kildare, was killed in action fighting for the Ukrainian special forces on the front line on Thursday, September 19.

The Kildare man was a highly skilled soldier who served in the Army Ranger Wing and the Engineers Unit of the Defence Forces Training Centre.

On Monday his family in a statement said Mr Deegan died like a warrior protecting his comrades.

The family are extremely devastated for the loss of Robert. He made the ultimate sacrifice while staying true to his principles and character, they said.

Robert should be remembered as a hero who died protecting his comrades in battle while fighting for a principled cause.

He was severely injured in Ukraine in 2022 and lost an eye due to an IED strike.

Once he recovered he went back out to the Ukraine war against the familys wishes.

Robert embodies the definition of determination, honour, loyalty and bravery

He stayed behind to cover his comrades' retreat. He fought and died like a warrior.

He will be forever remembered in our hearts.

It is understood Mr Deegan joined the Ukrainian effort to combat the Russian invasion shortly after the outbreak of the war in 2022. However, he suffered extensive injuries in an IED strike later the same year and was medically evacuated home to Ireland.

After undergoing rehabilitation, Mr Deegan was laser-focused on returning to Ukraine and was deeply committed to the Ukrainian cause, a source said.

In his youth, Mr Deegan was a highly regarded cyclist and represented Ireland internationally.

A source in Newbridge described Mr Deegan as a great young man.

"His family must be so proud of him and themselves for raising a man to be so selfless

You could always tell there was something different, quite special about him, the source said.

I havent seen him in a long time but I did hear he was back in Ukraine and I remember thinking how difficult that must be on his poor mam.

Now they get this news and its just heartbreaking. But they must be so proud of him and themselves for raising a man to be so selfless.

It is understood his family are steeped in public service and have a long history in the Defence Forces.

A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is providing consular assistance.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of reports and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the detail of individual cases, the spokesperson said.

Mr Deegans brings to five the number of Irish people killed during the war between Russia and Ukraine.

In December 2023, Dubliner Graham Dale (45) was killed in combat while fighting for the Ukrainian army.

Mr Dale, who had dual Irish-American citizenship, had previously fought with the US marines during the Iraq War.

He was originally from Raheny in north Dublin but moved to the US in 2000.

Following the September 11 terror attacks, he enlisted in the marines and served on a number of tours in Iraq.

In April 2023, Finbar Cafferkey (46), from Achill, Co Mayo, was killed while battling Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

He was a military volunteer with previous combat experience in Syria, where he assisted Kurdish militia in their battle against Islamic State.

In a statement after his death, Mr Cafferkeys brother Colm paid tribute to a man who was always fair-minded, strong-willed and unafraid.

He was in Ukraine to help the Ukrainian people, as he would have helped any person in the world who was under attack. I loved him and always admired his clear-eyed bravery, the statement added.

In October 2022, Rory Mason (23), from Dunboyne, Co Meath, died while fighting for Ukraines International Legion near the Russian border.

In August 2024, Alex Ryzhuk (20), from Rathmines, Dublin, was killed while serving as a volunteer with the Ukrainian military.

Mr Ryzhuk was born in Dublin to Ukrainian parents and was killed along the front line in eastern Ukraine where he was operating as a drone pilot.
When Mirlesna Azor-Sterlin heard former president Donald Trump repeat the lie that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating pets during his debate with Kamala Harris, she was reminded of her job as an educator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

We teach our students to  when theyre writing papers in class  to really have the facts right, the evidence, she told The Independent on a Thursday evening in a suburban neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina. She was surprised that Trump and Vance failed to do the same.
Sir  Ive often wondered how people who see themselves on Crimecall CCTV footage indulging in shoplifting feel. I imagine it would be much the same way some of the concerned citizens caught on camera felt when they viewed the RTE Investigates Inside the Protests documentary on Thursday night.

The programme should be a wake-up call for anyone who doesnt think we have a problem with racism in Ireland.

What a sad commentary on our ostensibly welcoming nation.

Protesters screaming get them out and hurling the foulest of abuse at people already hurt and broken by whatever hell theyve escaped from. Buildings earmarked for asylum-seekers set alight.

Workers just trying to do their jobs subjected to vile intimidation, and self-appointed guardians of the white race believing they had the right to tell a cameraman not to film their peaceful demo.

And it isnt just a case of a small extreme element giving the larger anti-immigrant movement a bad name. Those who attach themselves to these hate campaigns are encouraging the toxic far-right agenda.

Apart from garda action to apprehend the racists identified on film and through crazy online ranting and incitement, we urgently need a new, hard-hitting anti-racism message to be hammered home in all primary and second-level schools. It wont be in time to change the minds of some of the charmers we saw and heard on Thursday night, but it might help to prevent another generation of Irish people from being brainwashed by nutjobs posing as patriots.

Its time for Ireland to say no  to racism and the politics of hate.

John Fitzgerald, Callan, Co Kilkenny

Empathy is missing  Israel has crossed line

Sir  In reading the re-called ambassador Dana Erlichs article, you could feel a deep sense of disappointment towards Ireland (Irelands lack of empathy for plight of Israelis is bewildering, September 15).

It is difficult to argue with someone who feels so hurt following the barbaric events of last October 7. Her thoughtful and provoking piece is all-consuming against the enemies of Israel and would-be sympathisers.

She reflects that Ireland needs to be what she calls a true neutral observer. Is there any such observer? We all take sides consciously and subconsciously; we see what we see.

A true friend will offer support and that support may be to speak out honestly when you are wrong. Like many Irish people, I have a great love for the Jewish people, born out of a biblical history, but also out of the horror of the Holocaust, forever etched in my mind.

But Israel has crossed the line of legitimate defence of its people in inflicting revenge against Hamas while killing thousands of innocent people trapped in Gaza and putting millions in harms way.

You cannot hide behind the shield of Hamas doing likewise as a justification.

Thousands dead and injured, families destroyed, hostages held in terror, all more unending hurt.

Empathy lies and will always lie with those suffering attack, oppression or pain, be they Israelis or Palestinians.

Ms Erlich hopes the people of Ireland will understand the complexities of the situation, rather than accepting simplistic or binary views that are presented. The taking of innocent human life is always wrong; it is as binary as that for those with an ounce of humanity in their soul.

Compassion for the Palestinian people is not an anti-Israel sentiment. Israel must never morph into a barbaric terrorist state because of the actions of others, including its own questionable leaders.

Israel and Hamas must seize peace to truly end the suffering and the killing.

Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18

Jews at home and abroad oppose war

Sir  The Israeli ambassador to Ireland conflates being anti-Israel with being anti-Jew. Jews inside and outside Israel are opposed to the continuing slaughter in Gaza, including prominent Jewish historians such as Norman Finkelstein, who is a son of Holocaust survivors.

The ambassador says Hamas has been absolved of any responsibility for the war, yet every RTE report says it started on October 7 following the Hamas attacks.

The ambassador has never once expressed empathy for the Palestinian people.

Michael Jordan, Point Road, Dundalk

Funding from US has prolonged violence

Sir  It is ironic that the Israeli ambassador accuses Irish people largely of a disregard of history while insinuating that there are significant similarities between the peace process in Northern Ireland and what passes for peace negotiations in the Middle East.

The glaring difference, which the ambassador disregards, is that in Northern Ireland the US administration was largely even-handed and had the credibility to play a groundbreaking role as a facilitator.

In the Middle East, by contrast, the US has unconditionally funded and facilitated the Israeli states oppression of the Palestinian people, perpetuating a grotesque power imbalance and prolonging the violence.

David Murphy, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14

 Media are showing a clear bias in conflict

Sir  I would like to commend the Sunday Independent for publishing the article by the Israeli ambassador to Ireland.

Whatever ones view in relation to this conflict since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 last year, Ms Erlich is correct in her observation that there is a clear bias against Israel within large elements of the general media in Ireland.

Any TV debates on certain channels in Ireland where Israel is being discussed usually have a panel and presenter sharing similar viewpoints and speaking against Israel, while rarely if ever discussing the motives and actions of Hamas.

When one reads and watches media outlets and channels from outside Ireland, the information and viewpoints that are shared in relation to this conflict are far more balanced and would make one believe there is a completely different conflict than the one being reported within the Irish media.

The Sunday Independent to its credit bucks the trend here and is to be commended for doing so.

Sean Burns, Knocknacarra, Co Galway

Dana Erlich, Israeli Ambassador to Ireland.

Ambassadors take on war misleads us

Sir  The Israeli ambassadors claim that we have both made painful compromises to achieve peace is misleading.

Perhaps the ambassador was referring to the Israeli states withdrawal from its illegal colonial settlements in the Sinai Peninsula in 1982, or to the Israeli militarys conclusion of its 18-year occupation of the southern part of Lebanon in 2000. Surely the conclusion of blatantly expansionist projects cannot be regarded as compromises to achieve peace.

More likely, the ambassador is referring to the Israeli governments withdrawal of its troops and illegal settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

Far from being a concession towards harmony, this served as a decoy to deflect the growing international outcry over its indefensible oppression of the Palestinian people, thus allowing the Israeli state to continue its occupation, fragmentation and de facto annexation of the larger and more desirable territory of the Occupied West Bank.

Brian O Eigeartaigh, Donnybrook, Dublin 4

Support for Palestine is growing stronger

Sir  Instead of providing a single reason or new insight to explain her claim, what Dana Erlichs article achieves is to confirm that Ireland is correct to support the people of Palestine.

The grounds on which she appeals for empathy with the Israeli position are unconvincing, to say the least, and the destruction of Palestine and attempted annihilation of the Palestinian people remains completely unjustifiable.

The article does not contain one word of compassion or mercy for the plight of the homeless, displaced Palestinian people or those killed or left with horrific injuries. In seeking to undermine the affinity and solidarity Ireland has with Palestine, Dana Erlich has instead helped to clarify and strengthen the reasons for that resolve.

Mary Clare Walsh, Drogheda, Co Louth

 Lack of humanity is truly bewildering

Sir  What Ireland finds bewildering is that the good people of Israel have tolerated an extreme right-wing government that defied Joe Bidens plea last October not to seek revenge.

Ireland is well aware of Israels history; that is why it finds the lack of humanity shown in Gaza utterly incomprehensible.

Teresa Mitchell, Arklow, Co Wicklow

Sir  Dana Erlich has to understand that voicing ones opinion to the awful and dreadful policies of the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not imply that one is promoting antisemitism. If the Irish people decided to stay quiet on this situation, we would be giving Netanyahu a free hand in doing whatever he wishes.

John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Sir  In response to the Israeli ambassadors insulting and denigrating Ireland for a perceived lack of understanding of the brutal campaign of indiscriminate violence perpetrated on over 40,000 Palestinians  mainly innocent women and children in Gaza  clearly she doesnt realise we in Ireland are sickened and disgusted by the callous disregard for the dignity and lives of fellow human beings.

Ms Erlich arrogantly dares to lecture and insult the Irish Government and population.

John and Elaine Leahy, Wilton Road, Cork

Sir  In response to Ms Erlich, I would like to point out that the war on Palestinians did not start after the Hamas outrage last October 7. It started with the Deir Yassin massacre of Palestinians by Jewish terror gangs in April 1948, which led to the exodus of 330,000 Palestinians, who fled in terror.

Most Irish people have empathy with Palestinians because we share a history of colonialism.

Daniel Teegan, Union Hall, Co Cork

 Hamas aims to wipe out an entire nation

Sir  Over 700 Israeli soldiers are dead in a completely unnecessary war started by Hamas, a cruel and cunning foe, just like their comrades in arms, Hezbollah.

Israel is the size of Munster. It is where Jewish people have a refuge and they call it home. The obvious aim of Hamas and Hezbollah is to finish the work of the Nazis and wipe Israel and its largely Jewish citizens off the map.

Ena Keye, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14

Sinn Fein prejudice is an insult to voters

Sir  One sure-fire way to know a general election is in the air is when the front pages of the Sunday Independent are disparaging Sinn Fein and when columnists like Eilis OHanlon want us to remember the horrors of the Troubles before we vote.

Add in the fact that Phil Hogan is back in the Fine Gael tent and one begins to realise nothing is going to change. Housing and providing homes for our young people, most of whom will not be reading this newspaper, are relegated to afterthoughts.

The most pressing challenge of our time  that of providing affordable housing for the up-and-coming generation  is being left to the ones who have failed to address the problem after three successive terms in government.

How one solves the macro-economic issues of wealth inequality, which is all about ownership, will not happen without changes in our politics.

Regrettably, it seems the Sunday Independent has again taken the bait in favour of maintaining the status quo, rather than offering real-world solutions to present-day problems.

Tom McElligott, Tournageehy, Co Kerry

Politicians right to delete attacks on X

Sir  Sam McBride alleges that Mary Lou McDonald was deleting posts on X that were critical of Sinn Fein (Sunday Independent, September 15).

Anyone who uses X will know it is a cesspit with no lid, a breeding ground for cowardly, masked abusers who target leading politicians from under the cover of not just aliases, but multiple different ones.

Most of these cowards have notifications set on their devices so that as soon as there is a mention of Mary Lou McDonald, Micheal Martin, Stephen Donnelly or Eamon Ryan, they are out from beneath their rocks with insults that are so personal it is a wonder anyone would want to become a politician.

What Leo Varadkar endured on X was despicable. Meaningful debate is stifled and there seems to be some kind of sadistic contest aimed at seeing how close we can go to wrecking the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr McBride knows, or should, that X has provided a delete facility for the very purpose of protecting followers of your posts from being exposed to vile and despicable comments. I encourage your readers to go to X and take a look at any post from any politician and see the hateful comments for themselves.

Tom Fennelly, Firhouse, Dublin 24

Simon Harris must identify his best vote-getters

Sir  Gabija Gataveckaite was right last Sunday about a week being a long time in politics; a year has to be an eternity. Only a year ago, it looked like Fine Gael was about to return to the opposition benches for the first time since 2011 and the Shinners and Fianna Fail were about to form a lethal partnership.

Its remarkable how some new leaders can change a partys fortunes. The big challenge for Simon Harris now is getting the right runners in place to replace the non-runners.

It can be a tough task identifying a potential vote-getter. I can remember entering a Fine Gael ard fheis some time ago and meeting a former vote-getter who was on a smoke break.

I encouraged him to come out of political retirement and give it another shot. He did, won back his seat and improved the partys fortunes. Sometimes the solutions are under our noses.

Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo

Asylum stats show flaws in our policy

Sir  Given that all political party think-ins of late stayed remarkably silent on the thorny issue of asylum (one wonders why), the latest statistics on the subject (belatedly put up on the government website recently, despite the figures being available from September 5), make for interesting reading.

The good news is that median processing times have fallen from 82 weeks to 75; the not-so-good is that International Protection Office applications pending are 23,727 (up from 16,566 12 months ago), while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal has 6,748 applications pending.

However, the figure that stands out is a 64pc refugee status grant rate for August by the Ministerial Decisions Unit, which has greatly increased compared to previous months.

It would appear the accelerated interview procedure for Jordanian (often Palestinian) claimants may have contributed to the surge in grant rates, with the knock-on effect that all granted refugee status can apply to bring their family into the country under family reunification.

Other than having a belligerent Israeli for a neighbour, I am unaware of any political turmoil in Jordan that would cause over 2,000 (mainly males) to claim international protection here so far this year.

Yet again, it would appear unintended consequences are at work in the make-it-up-as-you-go-along world of international protection policy.

Michael Flynn, Bayside, Dublin 13

Writer Eamonn Sweeney on song in fine satirical column

Sir  Eamonn Sweeneys column of September 8 (The Gaelic Gigs Association) was satire at its best, a wonderful piece of writing. It should be required reading for journalism students.

Paul Colligan, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin
We need a new wastewater treatment plant in Mitchelstown as soon as possible, said Cllr Peter ODonoghue at a recent Northern Committee meeting.

Cllr ODonoghue brought forward a motion requesting that Cork County Council would write to Uisce Eireann seeking a date for when the new wastewater treatment plant will be built in Mitchelstown.

Cllr ODonoghue said prior to the recent local elections it was the number one issue amongst residents in the North Cork town. This is an issue that has been going on for a long time. The wastewater plant in Mitchelstown is a massive issue. When I was canvassing prior to the election it was the number one issue. People are very concerned that their ability to build houses in the town is curtailed.

The Independent councillor provided an update on the current situation in Mitchelstown. In January 2023 the interim works provided additional capacity for around 70 to 75 housing units in Mitchelstown. That was due to the rehabilitation of the fort filter in the plant. This was an interim development and a temporary fix. A real solution to the housing crisis in Mitchelstown was required and a new wastewater treatment plant had to be built in Mitchelstown. At this moment we havent seen that.

We need clarity, said Cllr ODonoghue who reiterated his call for the local authority to write to Uisce Eireann. Our current situation is only a short-term solution. How many houses can be added to the town of Mitchelstown with the current wastewater treatment plant? We should write to Uisce Eireann asking for a date for when the new wastewater treatment plant is to be put in Mitchelstown.

Fianna Fail councillor Nelius Cotter who seconded the motion echoed the sentiments of Cllr ODonoghue. It is very concerning and it is an ongoing issue for a number of years. Issues like this are being totally left behind in the north of the county. We need to build a new waste treatment infrastructure plant in Mitchelstown.

Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy queried if a new wastewater treatment plant for Mitchelstown is on the agenda for Uisce Eireann this year. People want answers when the developments can happen in Mitchelstown. Mitchelstown seems to be ignored because of the wastewater treatment plant. Is it on the agenda for this year? We need answers and actions.

Mitchelstown is a town at the centre of Munster, said Independent councillor William OLeary. If we dont get sustainable development into these communities they will die a painful death. It is very hard to watch. The government last year allocated 40 million nationwide regarding treatment plants. That doesnt even tip the iceberg.

Cork County Councils Divisional Manager for North Cork Kevin Morey reassured councillors that the issue of a new wastewater treatment plant in Mitchelstown remains top of their list. There isnt an argument about the principle about a major plant upgrade required in Mitchelstown. Uisce Eireann has factored this in to their capital plan. We have a small number of major investment priorities that we keep highlighting and Mitchelstown is up there at the top of the list.

Mr Morey informed the councillors that representatives from Uisce Eireann are due to meet members of the local authority in October. I would advise members to highlight what they see as critical issues in advance of that engagement with Uisce Eireann. We are looking for the plant to be progressed as their key priority in Cork County. The meeting gives the members the opportunity to further emphasise that point.

Fine Gael councillor John Paul OShea appealed for a co-ordinated effort from the North Cork councillors in the meeting with Uisce Eireann and suggested that a list of priority cases for the region be put together before the meeting.

This suggestion was met with a positive reaction from the divisional manager who stated: I agree with the suggestion that the meeting with Uisce Eireann by division with the biggest problems for best effect. I will bring this message to the other divisional managers.

It was unanimously agreed that a letter would be sent to Uisce Eireann seeking clarity on when the new wastewater treatment plant will be built in Mitchelstown.
Sinn Fein has selected sitting TD Thomas Gould and Cllr Joe Lynch to contest the general election in the Cork North Central constituency.

Deputy Gould said he will continue to stand up for the people in Cork North Central. It has been a huge honour to serve the people of Cork North Central. I was the first ever TD elected from Knocknaheeny and I promised to stand up for people across Cork North Central. From Mayfield to Knocknaheeny, Ballyvolane to Churchfield, Blarney to Glanmire, I have been honoured to stand with you on the issues most important to you.

Deputy Gould continued: This general election is our best possible chance at real and radical change on the problems facing ordinary people  housing, healthcare, the need for additional garda numbers, access to services for children with disabilities and the cost of living.

Housing continues to be the number one issue of this generation. For those locked out of the housing markets, for those spending years on housing waiting lists and for those paying crippling rents, I want to be very clear Sinn Fein have a plan. A plan that would see truly affordable homes, social homes at scale and a properly regulated rental sector right here in Cork city. From day one, we will hit the ground running, he added.

The neglect of the northside has been allowed to happen for too long, said Deputy Gould. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael did not stand up for us. I am determined to continue to stand up for our communities. I know that unclean water and reliable public transport will be key issues in this election. These are issues I believe people need strong voices on. I will work tirelessly to continue to be that voice.

Cllr Joe Lynch who was elected to public office at his first attempt in June 2024 described his pride at being selected on the party ticket. I am very proud to have been selected by the Sinn Fein membership to join Thomas Gould TD on the party ticket for the next general election.

Mallow town which is currently in the Cork East constituency was moved into the Cork North Central constituency following the publication of the Electoral Commission Constituency Report last year which split the town from the rest of North Cork and its rural hinterland.

Ballincollig will also be included in the Cork North Central constituency after being transferred from Cork North West.

Cllr Lynch said it is vital that communities have strong representation in Dail Eireann. With places like Ballincollig and Mallow moving into the constituency, Cork North Central is changing and it is vital that communities right across the constituency have strong representation in the Dail. Electing a team of Sinn Fein TDs is the best way to give voice to the concerns of workers and families right across Cork North Central.

"Ballincollig is my hometown. I care about the village, the communities that make it up and its people passionately. We have been without a TD of our own for far too long, With over ten years experience of working in Leinster House, I am up for the job and ready to hit the ground running, he added.

My generation who just want somewhere to call home cant wait any longer, said Cllr Lynch. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail's failure to address the housing crisis is making it impossible for those who have grown up in communities surrounding Cork city to afford a home - to buy or to rent - in their own communities. We need a new approach, a new plan and new voices in power to deliver affordable homes.

The number of Cork TDs is set to rise to 20 after the general election.

Both Cork North Central and Cork South Central will see an increase in political representation as their constituencies move from a four-seater to a five-seater.

The current TDs in the Cork North Central constituency are Mick Barry (People Before Profit-Solidarity), Colm Burke (Fine Gael), Thomas Gould (Sinn Fein) and Padraig OSullivan (Fianna Fail).

A number of candidates have been selected to run in Cork North Central thus far:

Fianna Fail has selected sitting TD Padraig OSullivan and Fine Gael has selected sitting TD Colm Burke. Solidary TD Mick Barry has also confirmed that he will be running again in the constituency.

The Labour Party has selected Mallow based councillor Eoghan Kenny and Cllr John Maher to run in Cork North Central.

Independent Ireland has selected Cllr Ken OFlynn and the Green Party has selected Cllr Oliver Moran to run in the constituency.
The price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in Kerry has increased to 347,500, up 4.5 per cent from 332,500 in the last three months and is up 15 per cent annually, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance.

Across the county, the average time taken to sell currently sits at six weeks, the Q3 REA Average House Price Index shows.

Tralee has shown the largest annual rise in the country, with three-bed semi prices rising by 22 per cent in the past 12 months  20,000 in the past quarter  and touching the 300,000 mark for the first time.

It joins other large towns around the country such as Ennis, Tullamore and Athlone which have experienced average increases of 20,000 in the past three months.

We are continuing to see no new housing for sale, with supply limited and a premium being paid for detached houses in town centres, said Donal Culloty of REA Coyne and Culloty, Killarney.

The survey shows that across the county, 40 per cent of purchasers were first-time buyers and 15pc of purchasers were from outside of the county.

A total of 30 per cent of sales in the county this quarter were attributed to landlords leaving the market.

The REA Average House Price Index concentrates on the sale price of Ireland's typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide.

The actual selling price of a three-bed, semi-detached house across the country rose by 2.7 per cent in the past three months to 323,741.

Time taken to reach sale agreed nationally has dropped to four weeks as low supply continues to drive sales.

A supply drought in Dublin has reignited the commuter property market as buyers battle to secure affordable family homes, the Index has found.

Frustration in the capital has led to the return of the previously unheated commuter market, which has risen by 2.9 per cent over the past three months to an average of 336,944.

Actual selling prices in Dublin city rose by 1.3 per cent in the last three months, and the average three-bed semi in the capital is now selling at 532,333  an annual increase of 7.4 per cent

The number of sales in the capital due to landlords leaving the market has risen six points to 24pc in the past year, the Index revealed, but some areas are reporting a figure of over 50 per cent.

Prices in the major cities outside the capital rose by an average of 2.25 per cent to 341,250 in the last three months  an annual rate of increase of 7.5 per cent.

Homes in the countrys large towns continue to show the biggest growth nationwide, up 10 per cent on last September and 3.6 per cent this quarter to an average of 243,241.
Footage of fire attack at house in Garryowen which led to the hospitalisation of a man

Terrifying footage apparently showing a fire attack at a house in Garryowen, which led to the hospitalisation of a man with non life-threatening injuries, circulated widely on social media in the aftermath of the blaze.

The home was completely gutted by the fire, which occurred at around 9.50pm on Sunday night, September 22, 2024.

Both the fire and the video are now under investigation by gardai in the city as a probe was launched into the potentially-deadly incident.

Emergency services sped to the scene of the fire as the alarm was raised with the Limerick Fire Service bringing it under control quickly.

A spokesperson for Limerick Fire and Rescue said: We got the call at 9.48pm. Three appliances from Limerick city fire brigade attended the scene and left just after midnight.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana has said: A man (30s) was taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The video that circulated on social media in the aftermath of the incident on Sunday night shows hooded men arriving to a house by car, before at least two individuals exit the vehicle. One of the assailants can be seen smashing a window before another apparently douses the front of the home in an accelerant. Massive flames erupt within seconds at the front door of the house, with someone racing from the scene with his arm in flames.

He can be seen attempting to douse the flames on his arm before the car speeds off  with the whole video sinisterly pinned with Johnny Cashs Ring of Fire as a soundtrack.

The garda investigation is expected to determine if the video definitely relates to the Garryowen blaze on Sunday night. The home in Garryowen is now completely gutted and behind a special cordon.
A restaurant worker has spoken of how he ran for his life after a fire engulfed a takeaway in Longford town this afternoon.

Quddus Ur Rehman sustained burns to his head, arm and leg after a blaze broke out at Pizza Max in the Ardrum Court area of the midlands town at around 1pm.

The 39-year-old was captured in dramatic footage running from the premises after a huge fireball suddenly ripped through its interior, causing onlookers to similarly run for cover.

Quddus Ur Rehman standing outside Pizza Max in Longford town following his dramatic escape earlier this afternoon.

In a candid interview with the Irish Independent outside the smoke damaged premises, Mr Rehman showed the extent of his injuries as he waited for an ambulance to bring him to hospital.

The Pakistani born retail worker said the blaze ignited after smoke filled the inside of the restaurant with what he contended was an electrical fault.

Smoke started (to fill the restaurant) and it caught fire, he said.

Outside, people saw the fire and they said to put water (on it). I came out and started to call the fire brigade and while that was going on one person went in from outside and was ready to put water on it.

Quddus Ur Rehman sustained significant burn injuries to his head, arm and leg as a direct consequence of the fire.

The fire brigade said to me to move everyone out and when he went in I followed him in to get him out. He then started to putting water on it and I said for him to stop but he poured water on the oil and it exploded. As it went up, I just tried to run.

The scene itself was cordoned off for a period of time this afternoon before local fire crews deemed both the area and adjoining businesses safe enough for those restrictions to be lifted.

A spokesperson for Longford County Council confirmed fire personnel from its Longford station were on the scene within a matter of minutes.

"Upon arrival they discovered a fully developed fire in a takeaway premises, and the fire was quickly brought under control by the crew, said the spokesperson.

"There were two members of the takeaway staff passed over to the HSE ambulance service for assessment.

Fire crews at the scene in Longford town.

Its understood another man was taken to hospital for treatment to suspected burn injuries to his arm with Mr Rehman revealing that he too had phoned for an ambulance.

The incident comes just a matter of weeks after a fire engulfed a commercial building on the opposite side of the street, causing more than 3m of damage and forcing over a dozen businesses to close.

Fifty-five-year-old Guo Zhong Chen, of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar is currently on remand in custody charged with arson as a result of that incident during the early hours of July 28.

Gardai are, however, not treating this afternoons blaze as anything other than accidental.
Wexford nurse Kathleen Cunningham, originally from Kildare, has closed the chapter on her career as a nurse after 42 years.

Ms Cunningham knew exactly what she wanted to do from a young age and entered secondary school with a set path to work in healthcare. She trained from 17 years of age and started in Baggot Street Hospital.

"It was always a childhood dream of mine. I just knew it was for me, she said.

Her move to Wexford was unplanned, but after meeting her husband during a six week training stint in St Senans Enniscorthy, the rest was history. The pair married in 1987, the same year she qualified.

However, it was not all smooth-sailing, and unlike today, there were was a shortage of nurse vacancies in Wexford, and across Ireland, that had her looking towards England.

"When I tried to get a job I could not get one or love nor money. It is very different to today, there was no problem with retaining staff. There is a crisis in nursing, you just dont see the younger people coming through, she said.

Ms Cunningham also worked in the private sector for five years and St James for eight years, before starting in St Johns Enniscorthy in 2001 where she stayed up until her recent retirement.

During her long career, she has noticed that while policies are very important as they ensure there is a certain standard of patient care, she feels that less emphasis is being put on the caring' aspect.

"I have always been a nurse caring for the elderly, because unlike other areas, you take care of the whole patient, mentally and physically; making sure all parts are working together. If you take the caring out then the profession is lost, she added.

Kathleen Cunningham and Connie Kennedy.

One thing she will immensely miss is the sense of company and comradery she enjoyed in St Johns with colleagues who had become like a second family.

"I will miss the company of my colleagues. It is a very social profession and there is always constant chatter. The amount of stuff we could talk about in just two hours, she laughed.

Around 40 of those former colleagues rallied around Ms Cunningham to give her big send off at a party in the Riverside Park Hotel recently.

"It was really lovely  it felt like just being at home. As nurses, you spend most of your time away from home and you spend holidays like Christmas with your colleagues. Great friendships were developed here and I feel so grateful and honoured by the send off and the effort of those who travelled for the night, she said.

While she currently has no decided plans for the future, besides a well-earned break, she is interested in venturing into something different, opening a new chapter as she closes this one.
The community of Poulpeasty came together in recent days to celebrate the golden jubilee of Fr Bernard Cushen, marking 50 years of dedicated service in the priesthood. The event, held in the heart of the parish, was a resounding success, attended by an outpouring of well-wishers, including Bishop Ger Nash, fellow clergy, family, relatives, parishioners, and friends.

The evening was a testament to the deep affection and respect the community holds for Fr Bernard. The celebration was organised by a dedicated committee comprising Bridget Murphy Lynch, Susanne Keating, Roisin Quigley, Sinead Parnell, Martin Ryan, Paddy Murphy, Tom Kelly, Norma Flood, and Ed and Susan Kehoe. Their hard work ensured that the evening was one to remember, bringing together people from all walks of life to honour the beloved priest.

Fr Cushen, visibly moved by the overwhelming turnout, expressed his profound gratitude during his address. I am extremely glad to see so many relatives, friends, and parishioners here. I am grateful for your support, friendship, and hospitality over the years. Thank you to everyone who has made this night one to remember. I am eternally thankful for your kindness. May you all receive abundant blessings from the God of all goodness and mercy.

Fr Bernard Cushen with his fellow priests and Bishop Ger Nash.

In his heartfelt speech he reflected on his 50 years of ministry, giving thanks for the faith that was nurtured in his family home and furthered by his education at the Convent of Mercy in Graiguenamanagh and St. Peters College, Wexford. He recounted the various parishes he served, including Saltley in Birmingham, Monamolin, New Ross, Terrarath, Rathangan, Cairn, Ramsgrange, and now Cloughbawn in Poulpeasty. Each of these appointments, he noted, brought unique challenges and rewards that enriched his priesthood.

Fr Cushen also acknowledged the support of his brother priests and the six bishops under whom he has served, emphasising the demanding yet rewarding nature of a life devoted to the Church. He shared poignant memories, from baptising new members into the faith to offering the Sacrament of the Sick to those at the end of their earthly journey. He particularly highlighted the lessons he has learned from children and the sick, whom he described as powerful witnesses to Gods goodness.

The evening culminated in the presentation of a beautiful painting by local artist Lar Joyce, a fitting tribute to Fr Cushens unwavering dedication to his calling. The artwork serves as a lasting memento of a night filled with joy, reflection, and heartfelt appreciation.

As the community of Poulpeasty continues to bask in the afterglow of this remarkable celebration, Fr Cushens words of thanks and blessing will surely resonate for years to come. His golden jubilee not only marked a significant milestone in his own life but also brought the entire community together in a spirit of unity, faith, and gratitude.
The tightknit community of Enniscorthy is shrouded in sadness following the death of Nadia Dempsey after a short battle against cancer.

Nadia (32) from Castle Lane, Brownswood, Enniscorthy died on Saturday after a brave fight against cancer, a fight she fought both here and in Thailand where she had been living when she was first diagnosed.

The daughter of Lorraine and Tony Nadia was diagnosed with Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma, a rare form of cancer in November 2022 and underwent a hysterectomy in Thailand followed by radiotherapy, brachytherapy which is an internal radiation close to the cancer site, and chemotherapy.

A former Bio-Pharmaceutical Science student at Carlow IT Naida had spent eight years travelling the world before her diagnosis.

At the time her only sister Natalie set up a GoFundMe page which went on to raise almost 40,000 to help fund the lifesaving treatment Nadia needed.

Then Natalie described Nadia as the most generous, family and friend focused woman. Her heart, mind, and body have been dedicated to the people in her life, near or far. She fights for those who need an advocate and she gives to those who need, no matter how big or small the matter.

Nadia returned to Ireland in the summer of 2023 but in February 2024 she posted that her cancer had returned and in new places which was treated with surgery, another round of chemotherapy and multiple sessions of radiation.

Despite her own suffering Nadia continually advocated for women to ask for a HPV test when undergoing a smear test.

Nadia Dempsey lived life to the fullest.

Nadia died on Saturday, September 21, surrounded by her friends and family. Since her death a wealth of tributes have been posted online.

One mourner wrote: I met Nadia at the bar in Darwin in 2017, Nads a blazing sun, full of life and energy and me a quiet 22-year-old with no idea about the world. We both decided to go and do our farm work together in Queensland and without her it wouldn't of been the same.

Nads truly loved everyone and had a childlike curiosity about everything (even what you were cooking for dinner every night) her wacky outfits and zest for life were unmatched. We jumped off a ledge tied to each other for a tandem bungee jump  Nads having a shot beforehand raring to go whilst my legs were shaking. We got our tongue pierced together, Nads having four piercings whilst I was throwing up from one.

Nads had no issues planning trips around the world, travelling was easy to her, she would have the most craic wherever she went and make friends with everyone without judgment.

I have never met anyone like Nads, she is a special angel and has been taken too soon. She truly loved all her friends and family, who I share my condolences with.

Fly high Nadia, I know you will. You already were flying high here on earth. Thank you for blessing my life for a short time, but a memorable one.

Another tribute read: Nadia was truly one of a kind, a beautiful person inside and out. From meeting her in Carlow many moons ago to her unwavering support and help during my move to Hanoi. She had an absolute heart of gold and would move mountains to help anyone who needed it.

"Youll always be in our hearts Nadia, the impact you have made will never ever be forgotten. No doubt you are somewhere now filling everyone around you with pure and utter craic! So so much love. Rest easy Nadz

Another tribute read: Rest of Peace Nadz! Ill be forever grateful for your travel insights and tips, your lends of sparkly crop tops and high leg boots when I definitely wasnt allowed or old enough to wear them! Your kindness was infectious and you lived life to the max, an inspiration to all. Fly high xx

Another family friend wrote: Nadia spent many hours in our house full of devilment, mayhem, mischief, fun and laughter. She was a true ray of love and sunshine. I can still feel her last kisses and hugs to me and I know when I look up I will see her bright shining star staring back at us, fly high angel. You will always be remembered a true inspiration to live life to the fullest no matter what.

Nadia is survived by her parents, Tony and Lorraine, sister Natalie, partner Adam, Nanny Sheila, nephew Conor, brother-in-law Darren, aunts, uncles, cousins and a wide circle of friends.

Her remains will repose in Brownes Funeral Home until 8pm on Monday. Her funeral service will take place in the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Glenbrien on Wednesday, August 25, at 2 p.m. Mourners are asked to wear colours of the rainbow in memory of Ms Dempseys love for life.
Calls have been made for a crossing to be installed from Wexford Library to Wexford Arts Centre.

Wexford County Council have been asked to look into the possibility of installing a pedestrian crossing at Wexford library, making it easier to get across to Wexford Arts Centre.

The call ca me from Independent councillor Leonard Kelly, who said: I know of one frequent library user, who wouldnt be the quickest on their feet should we say, and they find it quite difficult to get across the road there.

"The sightlines are quite bad there with cars coming around the bend. I was just wondering if there's anything we could do in terms of a pedestrian crossing or if thats ever been looked at before.

Borough Engineer Eilis Furlong said that its not something that had been discussed since she was in the role.

"Im aware that its quite tight from the Arts Centre across to the library," she said.

"Most of the time, we'd put up speed cameras and see if theres an issue that way and then look to see if we can tackle it with the low cost safety budget.

Cllr Kelly highlighted it was sightlines that were the issue here more than speed.

"Maybe this could be one of the crossings without the lights etc, he suggested. I know theyve started to pilot those types of crossings in Dublin. It might save a bit of money.

Ms Furlong said shed look into it, but it wasnt the easiest location.

"I know the sightlines are an issue for people crossing the road, but you also need a line of sight so that cars can see people at a crossing and stop, she said.
Chinese Moon Festival at St Kilian's Sch Bray. Councillors Aoife Flynn Kennedy and Dermot O'Brien, and St Kilian's principal John Murphy with members of the Southside Chinese Residents' Association and a cheque with money raised for Open Door Bray

Councillors Aoife Flynn Kennedy and Cathaoirleach Dermot OBrien were among the guests at a wonderful community occasion, as Southside Chinese Residents Association held its Chinese Moon Festival in St Killians Community School, Bray, on Saturday September 21.

Beginning with the opening ceremony at midday, the colourful event included kung fu and dance performances, a childrens traditional costume fashion show and of course, Moon cakes and traditional Chinese food. All the money raised, over 2,500, will be going to the Open Door Day Centre.

Dan Pan, on behalf of the association, said: This event is particularly special as it provides an opportunity for the entire community, not just the Chinese residents, to come together, celebrate, and share in this beautiful tradition. By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, we aim to strengthen community bonds, promote cultural understanding, and create an inclusive environment for everyone.

Cllr Flynn Kennedy remarked how 20 years ago, she and Summy Wong, from the association, were part of a team looking at inclusion and diversity, in the county, and the association now continues to grow in strength promoting those very same values.
National Womens Enterprise Day takes place on Thursday, October 17, and is organised by Local Enterprise Offices, who provide a wide range of help, incentives, training, and development programmes.

The theme of this years event, Making it Happen, will encourage businesswomen to take that next step whether that be to act on an idea, grow their business or take steps to change or innovate in their business.

The Wicklow event is one of 14 taking place throughout the country and runs from 12 noon to 4pm. Clermont House, the venue for the Wicklow gathering, is an 18th Century Palladian House on 50 acres, owned and restored by Wicklow County Council and now home to Wicklow County Campus, LEO Wicklow Offices and Clermont Screen Hub.

Guest speaker Lyndsey Cavanagh founded One Dame Lane in 2018, a jewellery manufacturing company and shop focusing on the bridal jewellery market and trend-led fashion jewellery. Lyndsey has collaborated successfully with comedian Joanne McNally and influencer Lauren Arthurs.

Catherine Brady is co-owner of Bradys Coffee in Wicklow town. Catherine started this coffee roastery business in 2018 also, with her husband Craig, and has seen impressive growth and US exports. Catherine is LEO Wicklows local ambassador for NWED 2024.

Lyndsey and Catherine will be joined by facilitator, guest speaker and entrepreneur Margaret Hoctor. Margaret has had a long career in corporate marketing, co-owns Kilmullen Farm (lamb, apple juice and corn) and is a business trainer and facilitator with The Entrepreneurs Academy. Most importantly, Margaret is a ball of positive energy and a master MC, who intends to involve the audience and get everyone talking.

Head of enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow Vibeke Delahunt said: The theme for this years National Womens Enterprise Day on October 17 is Making it Happen and we want to highlight all the supports that can empower women in Wicklow who want to start or grow their businesses into the future.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Paul OBrien said: There are some amazing female entrepreneurs in County Wicklow and I am looking forward to meeting them at the NWED event and to listen to the inspiring stories of the guest speakers. Small businesses and sole traders are such an important part of the fabric of society in this county and this event is tailor made for them.

Lunch will be served on arrival from local female entrepreneur Thea Kinsellas company Maidin Catering. From Rathnew, Thea has just returned to Ireland from the vibrant London food scene, where she was head craft chef on movies such as Wonka, and a private chef catering to movie stars such as George Clooney, Adam Sandler, and Noah Baumbach. Her lunch offering and bright pink coffee truck is bound to spark plenty of conversation and networking.

Chief executive of Wicklow County Council Emer OGorman said: I would like to call on all female founders and entrepreneurs to come and join us on Thursday, October 17 in Rathnew to network, and celebrate the stories of these impressive speakers. There is nothing like supporting and learning from each other in business, especially for women who are often juggling many other responsibilities.

The team at LEO Wicklow work with thousands of client companies in Co Wicklow in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.

Tickets which cost 15 for this event, are open to all. To book your place please visit www.localenterprise.ie/nwed.
Using wood as a building material instead of more carbon-heavy alternatives can help reduce Ireland's carbon footprint.

Sponsored by

In the face of a climate crisis, there is an increasing urgency for more sustainable practices and a drive to decarbonise our built environment.

Here in Ireland, significant steps are being taken to reduce our carbon footprint, and one key element in this effort is increasing the use of sustainably grown Irish wood and wood products in construction. Not only does building with wood help to reduce carbon emissions, but it also supports local jobs and the local economy.

Coillte - wood

Ronan O'Keeffe, a Forester working with Coillte, talks to us about the future of sustainable building practices in Ireland and how Irish wood is helping to shape a greener future for all.

Q: Ronan, tell us about your role at Coillte and how it connects to Ireland's climate goals?

At Coillte, I work in the wood supply chain, helping to produce and supply wood for our customers. Producing wood in a sustainable way ensures that we balance timber production with the environmental and social aspects of our forests and all the benefits they deliver to society.

This includes managing our forests sustainably so that they can generate a triple benefit for climate by acting as a carbon sink, store and substitute, ensuring we contribute to helping Ireland meet its climate action goals. By producing a home-grown supply of wood and always replanting our forests, we're not just meeting the needs of today, we are also ensuring that future generations can benefit.

Q: How is wood central to Ireland's climate action efforts?

As a natural, renewable and sustainable resource, wood plays a significant role in reducing carbon emissions. Trees act as carbon sinks by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis. This carbon is then stored in the trees as they grow.

Wood products harvested from our forests also provide long-term carbon storage, which can then be used as a low-carbon substitute for carbon-intensive construction materials such as concrete and steel. This makes forests and wood crucial to supporting the delivery of Ireland's Climate Action Plan.

We're fortunate that Ireland has an ideal climate for growing conifer trees and producing wood, with trees maturing here in just 35 years compared to twice that time in other parts of Europe.

Q: Can you explain how forests contribute to this effort?

Actively managed and certified productive forests are essential to our climate strategy. As trees grow, they continuously remove carbon from the atmosphere. When these trees are harvested, the carbon they've stored is locked into the timber products they produce.

Using wood as a building material instead of more carbon-heavy alternatives, further reduces emissions. Typically the wood that we need to build our homes is softwood, which comes from conifer trees such as spruces and pines.

Conifers grow very well in Ireland, and they are excellent at combating climate change as they sink carbon dioxide very quickly. The benefit of building with wood is that it is fully sustainable and for every tree Coillte harvests, we plant three more, ensuring the sustainability of our forests and continuing the cycle of renewable wood production.

Q: What makes Irish wood so important to our future?

Ireland's climate allows trees to grow rapidly, making wood an excellent renewable resource. Irish wood is highly versatile and is used for a range of purposes, including fencing, decking, furniture, and constructing lower-carbon homes.

Timber construction is also more efficient, reducing waste, saving time, and cutting costs. This not only supports sustainability but also strengthens the Irish forest industry, creating thousands of jobs and benefiting local businesses around the country.

Q: What steps is Coillte taking to manage forests for biodiversity?

For us, it's about planting the right tree in the right place for the right objective. Coillte has set a goal to increase the area of forests managed primarily for nature from 20pc to 30pc by 2025. This approach allows us to enhance and restore biodiversity while also providing a reliable supply of Irish wood to meet a growing demand for sustainable, low-carbon wood products.

Q: Why is it important for people to choose certified Irish wood products?

Building with certified locally sourced, sustainably grown Irish wood reduces the carbon footprint associated with construction and helps sustain our forest industry. It also provides the consumer with independent assurance that the wood they are buying has come from well managed forests, balancing the social, environmental and economic aspects of forest management.

By opting for Irish wood, you're not just supporting local jobs and businessesyou're also contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for Ireland.

For more information about Coillte, click here.
Italian police have raided the home of an influencer whose affair with the countrys tourism minister brought about his political downfall, with officers seizing a pair of spy glasses which she used to film inside parliament.

Maria Rosaria Boccia is under investigation for allegedly making threats to Gennaro Sangiuliano, who was forced to resign over their affair earlier this month. The exact nature of the alleged threats has not been made public by prosecutors, but under Italian law it is an offence to make threats to a public official or politician.
LATEST | We're seeing blatant disregard of international law by Israel  Taoiseach reacts to airstrikes in Lebanon today as death toll reaches 492

Simon Harris said that were not seeing a targeted response to terrorism amid reports that at least 21 children are deadTanaiste says hes in daily contact with Irish peacekeeping troops who are safeUN envoy pleads for calm with region on brink of catastropheHezbollah fires barrage of rockets at Israel as fears of all-out war grow

Smoke rises from Khiam, Lebanon following an Israeli bombing. Photo: Ramiz Dallah/Anadolu via Getty Images.

Philip Ryan, Natalie Melzer and Kareem Chehayeb Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 22:46







Taoiseach Simon Harris has accused Israel of showing a blatant disregard for international law and giving no consideration to the protections for civilians as he reacted to the Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon today.
Donald Trump says 2024 presidential run will be his last if he loses

Trump rarely admits the possibility he could legitimately lose an election

Mr Trump would be 82 in 2028, a year older than President Joe Biden is now (Alex Brandon/AP)

Irish Independent Newsdesk Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 08:35







Former president Donald Trump has said he does not think he would run again for president in 2028 if he falls short in his bid to return to the White House in 2024.
Teen girl who killed her mother and invited friend to see the corpse is jailed for life

Carly Gregg, 15, has been convicted of fatally shooting her mother Ashley Smylie and attempting to kill her stepdad after they learned of her secret life with drugs. Andrea Cavallier reports on the chilling details revealed during her murder trial

Andrea Cavallier UK Independent Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 09:39

Have you ever seen a dead body?
Phil Wang believes he would not be doing stand-up comedy if he was not mixed British-Malaysian heritage (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Comedian Phil Wang has said his mixed British and Malaysian heritage is central to his comedy  and believes he would not have chosen a career in stand-up without having dual-cultures.

The month of September marks East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) Heritage Month, during which the 34-year-old comedian discussed his book Sidesplitter: How To Be From Two Worlds At Once at the ESEA Lit Fest, believed to be the UKs first ESEA literary festival, on Saturday.
A Promising Future for India-Finland Collaboration

In 2024, India and Finland celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties, marking evolving partnerships in digitalization, sustainability, and innovation.

India and Finland have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations since 1949, shortly after India gained independence. Over the years, the relationship has grown significantly, with both countries fostering deeper collaboration in areas like trade, economic development, science, and innovation. High-level visits, such as those by Indias Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Finlands Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto, have played a vital role in this development.

Recent diplomatic engagements

As of 2024, India and Finland mark 75 years diplomatic ties, and both nations have seen their partnership evolve to include areas such as digitalization, sustainability, and innovation. On September 10, 2024, officials and business leaders, including Finlands Ambassador to India, Kimmo Lahdevirta, highlighted the growing cooperation between India and Finland, driven by a framework called DESI, focusing on digitalization, education, sustainability, and innovation.

Later this year, Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Norway for the 3rd India-Nordic Summit, which will include Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland.

Last year, on November 1, India and Finland held their 12th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi, led by Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Sanjay Verma from India and H.E. Mr. Jukka Salovaara from Finland. Both sides discussed political, economic, educational, and cultural collaborations. They agreed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2024. Global issues, such as the war in Ukraine and Arctic cooperation, were also on the agenda. The next FOC will be held in Helsinki.

Finland has historically sent large delegations during state visits to India, fostering cooperation across sectors such as trade, science, and the economy. In the fall of 2019, Indias Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, visited Finland, followed by visits to India from Finlands Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pekka Haavisto, and Minister of Labour, Timo Harakka. The Finnish Parliaments Finance Committee also visited India in early 2020.

Strategic engagements in technology and innovation

Beyond trade, India and Finland have established strategic partnerships in technology, renewable energy, and research. Finnish companies excel in telecommunications, artificial intelligence (AI), and other digital solutions, and have been instrumental in advancing Indias technological landscape.

Technological expertise: Finlands reputation for technological innovation has been well-received in India. Finnish companies are offering solutions in telecom, IT, AI, and more.

Sustainability focus: With a strong commitment to sustainability, Finnish companies in clean energy and eco-friendly solutions are aligning with Indias goals for green development.

Approximately 30-40 large Finnish companies maintain a permanent presence in India, while dozens more have smaller-scale operations or trade with the country. Finnish SMEs and start-ups are still in the early stages of entering the Indian market, especially in the digital solutions space.

Meanwhile, a few Indian companies, mostly IT service providers, have established a presence in Finland, and Indian IT experts represent the largest group of foreign professionals working in Finland on short-term contracts. As both nations look ahead, trade in servicesparticularly in digital solutions, design, and maintenanceis expected to continue growing.

Technological collaboration in quantum computing and nuclear energy

India and Finland are also deepening cooperation in cutting-edge technologies, particularly quantum computing and nuclear energy. Discussions are underway between Indias Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and Finlands IQM Quantum Computers to advance joint research in quantum computing. In addition, Finnish universities are exploring collaborations with Indian institutions in quantum technology research.

Another area of focus is nuclear energy, where Finlands expertise in small nuclear reactors could contribute to Indias clean energy goals. These small reactors offer lower costs and faster construction times, aligning with Indias plans to replace aging thermal plants and transition to cleaner energy.

Emerging sectors of collaboration

Finland and India have identified key sectors for cooperation, including vocational training, cybersecurity, space exploration, environmental sustainability, and digitalization. Notably, Indian specialists have contributed significantly to Finlands ICT sector. Additionally, there has been a rise in Indian tourists visiting Finland.

Trade and economic ties

In terms of trade, Finlands traditional exports to India include paper, machinery, and industrial services, while Finnish companies have also been active in Indias telecommunications, energy, construction, and heavy industry sectors. Finnish companies in India also engage in research and development, particularly in digital solutions. Indias exports to Finland mainly include pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles, and ICT services. Trade between the two countries amounts to roughly 1.52 billion annually, with Finland enjoying a trade surplus in goods but also benefiting from the substantial local production in India, which includes Finnish-made telecommunications networks, power plants, and digital solutions.

Trade 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 Indias export to Finland 268.63 284.36 344.35 532.50 582.52 Growth % 5.85 21.10 54.64 9.39 Indias import from Finland 625.65 713.20 876.28 1,491.62 913.48 Growth % 13.99 22.86 70.22 -38.76 Total 894.28 997.56 1,220.63 2,024.12 1,496.00 Growth % 11.55 22.36 65.83 -26.09

Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI

Indias Exports to Finland (Value in US$ Million) Commodity 2022-2023 2023-2024 Growth % Copper and articles thereof. 1.20 14.84 1,132.44 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts. 132.77 194.63 46.59 Pharmaceutical products 100.40 84.64 -15.70 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof. 66.97 45.75 -31.69 Organic chemicals 22.80 57.94 154.12 Rubber and articles thereof. 15.97 17.45 9.28 Ships, boats and floating structures.  11.62  Silk 0.00 0.02 247.83 Other made-up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags 10.38 7.44 -28.28 Miscellaneous edible preparations. 2.73 4.12 51.26 Coffee, tea, mate and spices. 1.92 2.06 7.22 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof. 0.00 1.36 71,447.37 Aluminium and articles thereof. 4.17 8.75 109.84

Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI

Indias Import from Finland (Value in US$ Million) Commodity 2022-2023 2023-2024 Growth % Iron and steel 48.82 44.19 -9.50 Articles of iron or steel 5.12 5.86 14.48 Copper and articles thereof. 15.86 16.60 4.69 Fertilisers. 401.83 56.21 -86.01 Miscellaneous articles of base metal. 2.63 1.38 -47.32 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof. 150.50 109.27 -27.40 Nickel and articles thereof. 0.00 4.43 245,955.56 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard. 87.01 70.12 -19.41 Plastic and articles thereof. 48.00 32.49 -32.31 Ships, boats and floating structures. 51.90 9.94 -80.84 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof. 31.58 14.75 -53.28 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts. 400.60 335.49 -16.25 Optical, photographic cinematographic measuring, checking precision, medical or surgical inst. And apparatus parts and accessories thereof; 35.73 31.29 -12.43

Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI

Important bilateral commercial agreements signed between India and Finland

Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation (1983); amended January 2010.

Air Services Agreement between Civil Aviation authorities signed 1995, MoU signed 8 December 2016

Agreement for Cooperation in Science & Technology in 2008 (DST, India).

Social Security Agreement signed June 2012 ratified June 2012, implemented from August 2014.

MoU cooperation in Renewable Energy October 2014 (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy India).

MoU cooperation in Biotechnology October 2014; renewed November 2018 (Department of Biotechnology India)

MOU between Department of Biotechnology, India and Business Finland, 30 November 2018

MOU for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, 10 January 2019 (Department of Space, India)

MOU between National Skill Development Corporation, India and EDUFI, Finland for cooperation in Vocational Education Training, January 2019

MOU for R&D Cooperation August 2019 (Department of Science and Technology, India)

MOU for cooperation in Tourism November 2019 (Ministry of Tourism, India)

Joint Declaration of Intent between Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, India and Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Finland for Cooperation in Digitalization, November 2019

MOU for Cooperation in Defense Procurement January 2020 (Ministry of Defense, India)

Market potential and sectoral opportunities

India presents a dynamic market landscape with vast business opportunities across various sectors. Finnish companies are finding opportunities in technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and education. Indias export offerings include electronics, mineral fuels, pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, textiles, and metals, while Finlands exports to India consist mainly of machinery, paper products, iron, steel, and automobiles.

India-Finland Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)

The India-Finland Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), first signed in 1983 and amended in 2010, is designed to prevent the double taxation of income earned by residents of India and Finland. The agreement ensures that individuals and companies who are residents of either country do not pay tax on the same income in both jurisdictions.

Recipient Country Withholding Tax Rates (%) from Certain Types of Income Finland Dividend Interest Royalty Fee for technical services 10 10 10 10

Source: India Briefing

Key sectors for Finnish companies in India

Technology and innovation: Indias growing tech ecosystem provides a perfect landscape for Finnish tech companies to collaborate with Indian firms and offer specialized digital solutions. Healthcare and life sciences: Finlands advanced healthcare systems can complement Indias rapidly transforming healthcare sector, particularly in medical research and infrastructure development. Renewable energy: Finlands expertise in clean energy aligns with Indias focus on renewable energy projects, creating opportunities in sectors such as wind energy and sustainable infrastructure.

Moving forward, both countries aim to enhance cooperation in areas like clean energy, climate action, and talent exchange, with the upcoming India-NORDIC Summit serving as a key platform for future collaborations and shared goals for a sustainable future.

Conclusion

India presents abundant business opportunities for Finnish companies. Strong diplomatic ties, rising trade relations, and complementary strengths in technology, healthcare, and renewable energy offer a conducive environment for growth. As both nations deepen their partnership, the potential for mutually beneficial ventures will continue to expand, contributing positively to global economic cooperation.
Indias Emerging Semiconductor Ecosystem: Key Players

India aims to become a notable semiconductor manufacturing hub to reduce import dependencies in electronics production and frontier sectors. We note prominent distributor partners crucial for driving semiconductor adoption and growth across industries as well as beneficiaries under the India Semiconductor Mission.

The global semiconductor industry is rapidly expanding, driven by technological advancements and the increasing demand for electronics across sectors like electric vehicles (EVs), the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI). Recognizing the strategic importance of semiconductors, India is making concerted efforts to establish itself as a key player in this ecosystem. In this context, distributor partners become important to the creation of supply networks and domestic production capacity in India.

While India has long excelled in electronics manufacturing and IT services, the semiconductor industry has traditionally lagged due to the absence of domestic chip manufacturing. However, recent initiatives, including the US$10 billion India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), aim to transform India into a global semiconductor hub. The ISM program seeks to attract international semiconductor manufacturers, support local start-ups, and provide incentives for research and development.

Key initiatives like Digital India and Make in India further promote the development of local semiconductor production, intending in the long-term to reduce the countrys dependence on imports. With investments in fabs (fabrication plants) and chip packaging units, Indias semiconductor ecosystem is poised to benefit traditionally strong manufacturing industries like automotive and electronics, as well as emerging capacity in telecom equipment production.

To stay briefed on the latest developments in this area, follow our article: Indias Semiconductor Sector: Tracking Government Support and Investment Trends

Key distributor partners driving the chip ecosystem in India

Prominent distributors like Mouser, Digikey, Element14, Rochester, and Avnet are key players in Indias semiconductor industry. The companies reportedly provide critical technical expertise, logistical support, and supply chain solutions, thereby enabling manufacturers to meet the growing demand across various sectors. Other distributors such as Future Electronics also facilitate the supply of components, contributing to the expansion of the local market. Some of the allied component manufacturing companies in India are:

Tata Elxsi HCL Tech Dixon Technologies CG Power Vedanta L&T Bharat Electronics Hitachi Energy MIC Electronics Moschip Technologies Rajesh Exports ABB India Kaynes Technology SPEL Semiconductor Ami Organics ASM Technologies Praj Industries Va Tech Wabag RIR Power Electronics Surana Telecom & Power

With Indias smartphone industry projected to grow to US$150-200 billion and the electronics sector to US$400 billion within five years, distributors are set to play an increasingly vital role. The strong presence of precision industries like aerospace and defense in Bangalore (capital, state of Karnataka) has made the southern Indian city a natural fit for the semiconductor sectors growth in India. However, the government appears now to be pushing for an expansion of regional capabilities under its ISM program.

Distributor partners role in Indias semiconductor ecosystem

As Indias semiconductor industry expands, distributor partners are crucial in ensuring the efficient delivery and adoption of semiconductor components. Their roles include:

Supply chain management: Distributors manage the complex supply chains of semiconductors, ensuring timely delivery and minimizing disruptions. Technical expertise: They provide manufacturers with technical guidance, including design support, prototyping, and application engineering, particularly important for local companies with limited semiconductor expertise. Global-local market connection: Distributors bridge the gap between global semiconductor manufacturers and Indian markets, ensuring that imported components meet local requirements. Collaboration for innovation: Distributors foster innovation by collaborating with manufacturers, R&D centers, and start-ups, contributing to Indias emergence as a semiconductor innovation hub.

Key trends shaping Indias semiconductor market

5G and telecommunications: The rollout of 5G networks is driving demand for high-performance semiconductors. Companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are heavily investing in 5G infrastructure, pushing innovation in semiconductor technologies. Automotive and EVs: The growing EV sector in India is a significant consumer of semiconductors, with chips used in sensors, controllers, and power systems. IoT: Expanding applications of IoT across healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities are fueling demand for specialized semiconductor technologies. AI and machine learning (ML): The rise of AI across industries in India is increasing the need for semiconductors designed for AI/ML workloads. Local manufacturing: Indias growing talent pool in semiconductor design, coupled with government support, may soon lead to the establishment of local fabs, further boosting domestic production.

The role of semiconductors across key sectors

Semiconductor chips are fundamental to several industries, powering devices from personal electronics to complex machinery. Semiconductors play a critical role in the following sectors:

Computing: Semiconductors like microprocessors and GPUs ensure the smooth performance of computers by executing commands and managing power, preventing overheating during intensive tasks. Telecommunications: Semiconductors in smartphones and communication devices manage critical functions such as display, battery life, and connectivity. Devices like routers and pagers also rely on these chips. Household appliances: From refrigerators to washing machines, semiconductors control essential functions like temperature regulation and automation, with their importance growing as smart technology and IoT adoption increases. Banking: Microchips power online banking systems, ATMs, and security systems, enhancing efficiency and security in financial transactions. Security: High-performance chips support cybersecurity measures and devices like motion-detection cameras, ensuring quicker responses and better security. Healthcare: Medical equipment, including surgical machines and pacemakers, rely on semiconductors for precision, safety, and reliability. Transportation: Semiconductors enable essential functions like GPS, Wi-Fi, and automated systems in cars, airplanes, and trains, improving travel efficiency and safety. Manufacturing: Factories depend on semiconductors to ensure smooth operations of machinery, reducing risks of delays and breakdowns.

Semiconductors underpin nearly every significant technological breakthrough today. Intrinsic semiconductors (pure without impurities) and extrinsic semiconductors (modified through doping) are the two primary types that drive these advancements. Materials like silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide are commonly used, alongside emerging organic semiconductors.

Semiconductor firms benefiting from the ISM program in India

The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has been instrumental in attracting investments and collaborations in the semiconductor sector. Below are some key companies that have leveraged the program:

Tata Group: Tata Electronics signed an MoU with Tokyo Electron (TEL) on September 9, 2024, to acquire equipment and services for its semiconductor facilities in Gujarat and Assam. This collaboration will emphasize workforce training, R&D, and infrastructure development. Tata Electronics is investing INR 910 billion (US$10.84 billion) in its Gujarat fabrication unit and INR 270 billion (US$3.21 billion) in its Assam assembly and testing unit. The facilities will produce chips for sectors such as automotive, mobile devices, and AI. TEL plans to utilize Indias engineering talent to support its global product development, fostering innovation across multiple technologies. Additionally, Tata Electronics is expanding with two more fabs in Dholera, Gujarat. The first fab, in partnership with Taiwans PSMC, is under construction and expected to start production in 2026, with a capacity of up to 50,000 wafers per month. The development of the second and third fabs will be determined based on future market conditions. (As of April 2024, Tata-PSMC commenced development of 14nm chip technology, supplementing plans to manufacture 28nm nodes at the Dholera fab unit.)

Furthermore, Tata Projects has secured a contract to construct Micron Technologys advanced semiconductor assembly and testing facility in Sanand, Gujarat, which will adhere to LEED Gold Standards with sustainable construction practices.

Also, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is set to work with Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd in various stages of the chip manufacturing process. TCS can provide semiconductor design, engineering, software solutions, and IP-based products. Kaynes Semicon: On September 2, 2024, Indias Union Cabinet approved a proposal by Kaynes Semicon to set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat, at a cost of about INR 40 billion (approx. US$475 million). This will be the fifth semiconductor unit approved under the ISM and the second in Sanand. The facility will produce 6 million chips through OSATs per day for industries such as automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, and mobile phones. STMicroelectronics: Murugappa Groups CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd. has partnered with Renesas Electronics America Inc. and Stars Microelectronics (Thailand) Public Co. Ltd. to establish an outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) facility in Gujarat. The investment breakdown includes US$205 million from CG, US$15 million from Renesas, and US$2 million from Stars. The JV is pending necessary approvals and subsidies from the government. CG has committed to investing approximately US$791 million over five years in the OSAT venture. Micron Technology: Micron Technologys President and CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, announced that Phase 1 of the companys plant in Sanand, Gujarat, will be operational by early 2025, featuring 500,000 square feet of clean room space for ATMP operations. Micron has already hired 200 people for this facility, who are undergoing training in Mohali and Malaysia. The completed project will create 5,000 jobs in Gujarat, with Phase 2 planned for the latter half of this decade. Per a company press release, Microns new facility will enable assembly and test manufacturing for both DRAM and NAND products and address demand from domestic and international markets.

South Korean firm Simmtech, which manufactures high-layer PCBs for semiconductors, had signed a US$150-million-MoU to set up a plant close to Micron over 30 acres of land. Simmtech has been given a subsidy under the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS). Simmtechs three largest customers are Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron. Samsung Electronics: Samsung, a key player in Indias electronics sector, inaugurated a semiconductor R&D facility in Bengaluru in February 2024, under its subsidiary Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR), to bolster its semiconductor capabilities. Larsen & Toubro Ltd.: Larsen & Toubro Ltd. plans to invest over US$300 million in establishing a fabless chip company in India. The company aims to design 15 products by 2027, aligning with Indias goal to reduce semiconductor imports and build local capacity. Sahasra Semiconductor: Sahasra Semiconductor, a participant in Indias Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS), will begin commercial production of the first made-in-India memory chips at its Bhiwadi plant by late 2023. The facility will start with basic memory products and later expand to advanced packaging. The company receives a 25 percent financial incentive on capital expenditure under SPECS. Foxconn: Foxconn plans to invest around US$37.2 million in a joint venture with the HCL Group, holding a 40 percent stake. The decision on the units location has been left to HCL, which prefers Uttar Pradesh due to its proximity to its headquarters in Noida. The venture has secured 30 acres of land near the upcoming Jewar airport in Noida, allocated by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), for setting up a semiconductor outsourced assembly and testing unit. This would be the first OSAT unit in Uttar Pradesh, pending central government approval, which has asked the firms for more information, such as a technology document or a technical agreement for OSAT. The UP government provides substantial capital and interest subsidies, but Foxconn-HCL are awaiting approval from the ISM. Indian Startups: The semiconductor ecosystem in India is also being strengthened by emerging startups such as Saankhya Labs, Mindgrove Technologies, Terminus Circuits, Morphing Machines, FermionIC Design, Oakter, Agnit Semiconductors, Incore Semiconductors, SignOff Semiconductors, Cientra, Silizium Circuits, Aura Semiconductor, Vervesemi, Sensemi, and Netrasemi.

Scheme Applicant Total Project Cost (INR Billion) Eligible Project Cost (INR Billion) Incentive Approved (INR Billion) Modified scheme for setting up of semicon fabs in India TEPL (commercial fab) 915.26 679.56 339.78 Modified scheme for setting up of compound semicon/silicon photonics/sensors fab and semicon/ATMP/OSAT facilities in India Micron Techonology Inc. (ATMP) 225.16 225.16 112.58 TEPL (OSAT) 271.20 204.49 102.25 CG Power & Industrial Solutions Ltd. (ATMP) 75.84 70.02 35.01 Total 1487.46 1179.23 589.62 (Source: Indian Express using Government of Indias internal documents). As of September 1, 2024.



Design-Linked Incentives (DLI) Scheme: 12 India startup beneficiaries under the India Semiconductor Mission

Per reporting in the Indian Express, as of September 9, 2024, there are 12 India startup firms receiving financial assistance under the DLI Scheme out of 59 applicants. Also, 21 applications are currently under review.

The DLI incentive beneficiaries and their areas of focus are: DV2JS Innovation (image sensor system on chip for automotive applications); Vervesemi Microelectronics (microcontroller integrated circuit for industrial applications); Fermionic Design (beamformer IC for satellite communication); Morphing Machines (RISC-V multi-core accelerators for telecom applications); Calligo Technologies (hardware accelerators for AI); Sensesemi Technologies (wearable SoC for healthcare applications); Saankhya Labs (basestation SoC for 5G communication); Aheesa Digital Innovations (networking SoCs for telecom application); Netrasemi (edge-AI SoC for smart vision and IoT applications); Green PMU Semi (energy harvesting power management IC for IoT and sensing applications); WiSig Networks (NarrowBand IoT SoC); and MosChip Technologies (smart energy metre IC).

In total, the approved projects will cost INR 3.42 billion (approx. US$40.94 million) and shall receive assistance from the Central Government worth INR 1.33 billion (approx. US$15.92 million).

India has become a key player in chip design, hosting design offices for all major semiconductor companies. However, Indian engineers have mostly developed systems for international firms, resulting in little to no intellectual property (IP) creation by Indian companies. The chip DLI scheme aims to bridge this gap by encouraging domestic IP development, focusing on a crucial part of the semiconductor supply chain.

Indias Modified Program for Semiconductors and Display Fab Ecosystem

Source: MEITY

On September 21, 2022, the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved key modifications to the Program for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India:

Fiscal support of 50 percent of project cost on pari-passu basis for all technology nodes under Scheme for Setting up of Semiconductor Fabs in India. Fiscal support of 50 percent of project cost on pari-passu basis under Scheme for Setting up of Display Fabs. Fiscal support of 50 percent of capital expenditure on pari-passu basis under Scheme for Setting up of Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics / Sensors Fab and Semiconductor ATMP /OSAT Facilities in India. Additionally, target technologies under the Scheme will include discrete semiconductor fabs.

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Summary

India, recognizing the strategic importance of semiconductors, is actively working to become a key player in the global market. Initiatives such as the US$10 billion India Semiconductor Mission, Digital India, and Make in India aim to reduce dependency on imports by fostering local production and innovation.

Distributor partners also play an important role in the semiconductor ecosystem by offering supply chain management, technical support, and bridging global chip manufacturers with local markets. Indias burgeoning demand for semiconductors is further shaped by trends like 5G, the rise of EVs, IoT, and AI, which are expanding the need for specialized chips. Indias ISM program scheme has thus far attracted Micron, Stars Microelectronics, Reneas, among others, to invest in local chip manufacturing. In coming months, the Indian government will release an updated version of the ISM program as it targets more high value addition in the semiconductor sector.
Representational image by Nisarg Vyas via Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi/IBNS: A day after SpiceJet raised Rs 3,000 crore (about $360 million) through selling new shares, the airline's chairman and managing director (CMD) Ajay Singh said that the low-cost carrier aims to have 100 aircraft by the end of 2026, The Economic Times (ET) reported on Monday (Sept. 23).

SpiceJet is an airline that has strong fundamentals but was hamstrung by two black swan events one after the other  the worldwide grounding of Boeing 737 Max, followed by Covid pandemic, CMD Ajay Singh told ET in an interview.

After enduring major setbacks, such as the global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX and the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, SpiceJet is focused on reclaiming its competitive position in the aviation market.

Despite these challenges, the airlines core strengths remain intact, and with a robust infrastructure, it is well-equipped to recover from its recent struggles.

After acquiring SpiceJet in 2015, we had improved its operational and financial metrics in a very short time. With highest aircraft occupancy, there were profitable quarters on the trot," Ajay Singh told ET.

"We ordered 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Everything was going just fine when two black swan events happened in quick succession: global grounding of the 737 MAX in March 2019 and then Covid in 2020, Singh said.

As the domestic aviation sector becomes increasingly dominated by major players, there remains ample opportunity for other airlines to succeed.

A competitive environment is essential for driving innovation and offering consumers more choices, ultimately leading to a more balanced market.

SpiceJet is seizing new opportunities and enhancing its services to attract a wider customer base.

This proactive strategy is aimed at reinforcing its market position and reclaiming the share lost during recent challenging years.

Looking ahead, the airline plans not only to rebuild its fleet but also to innovate its approach to air travel.

With a focus on resilience and adaptability, SpiceJet is ready to face future challenges and leverage emerging opportunities in the industry.

"We have resumed dialogue with Boeing for getting delivery of MAX ordered by us. We will rededicate all efforts to be an efficient and on time airline, the SpiceJet CMD told ET.

SpiceJet stock soars 10% as company raises Rs 3,000 crore via QIP

SpiceJets share price on Monday (Sept. 23) jumped by 10 percent, hitting an intraday high of Rs 72.8 per share on the BSE, following the airline's successful raising of Rs 3,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) process.

In the early trade on Monday, SpiceJets shares were trading 6.41 percent higher at Rs 70.4 per share on the BSE, while the BSE Sensex saw an increase of 187.83 points, reaching 84,732.14 around the same time.
Sundar Pichai and PM Modi during a meeting in 2023 | Photo courtesy: MEA X handle

New Delhi/IBNS: Google CEO Sundar Pichai has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day tour to the United States, for his "clear vision" about how Artificial Intelligence will benefit India.

Speaking to ANI, Pichai said, "He (Modi) is really thinking about how AI can transform India in a way that benefits the people of India. He challenged us to think about applications in healthcare, education, agriculture and he is also thinking about the infrastructure of India."

"We are robustly investing in AI in India and we look forward to doing more."

#WATCH | New York, USA: After the roundtable meeting of prominent CEOs of Tech Companies with PM Narendra Modi, Google CEO Sundar Pichai says, "The PM has been focussed on transforming India. It is Digital India vision. He pushed us to continue making in India, designing in pic.twitter.com/kF2XwV5X2F  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Pichai added, "He has always challenged all of us to do more for India and now he is asking us to do the same with AI. He has a clear vision both in terms of the opportunity that AI will create but he wants to make sure ultimately AI is there to benefit the people of India. And he has a clear vision that it should all be in the service of people of India. He is challenging us to do more."

The Indian Prime Minister is in the US primarily for the Quad Summit and the Summit of the Future.

He held meetings with several world leaders including US President Joe Biden and also addressed the Indian diaspora.

On Modi's Digital India push, the Google CEO said, "The Prime Minister has been focussed on transforming India. It is Digital India vision. He pushed us to continue to make in India, design in India."

Modi addresses tech industry in New York

At an event with the technology industry leaders in New York, Modi highlighted the economic transformation happening in India, particularly in electronics and information technology manufacturing, semiconductors, biotech and green development.

He stated that his government was committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing.

He also dwelt on Indias BIO E3 policy to develop India into a biotech powerhouse. On AI, he noted that Indias policy is to promote AI for All, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use.

-| Further cementing technology and business connect.



PM @narendramodi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of USA, in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, in New York today.



PM emphasized Indias growth pic.twitter.com/oDIx05eNOO  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2024

The CEOs expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India.

India's growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities, got much appreciation from the tech-leaders.

They also agreed that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in India.
TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh arriving at the CBI office | Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

Kolkata/IBNS: Trinamool Congress MLA Nirmal Ghosh on Monday appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the case pertaining to the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Ghosh, who is an MLA from Panihati, arrived at CBI's CGO Complex office located in Salt Lake at 10:30 am.

The ruling party leader is accused of playing a role in hasty final rites of the victim, whose rape and murder have triggered massive outrage across India.

The administration's role has come under the scanner over police's alleged cover-up of the incident.

After the Kolkata Police arrested civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy in connection with the crime, the CBI, which was given the charge of the case by the Calcutta High Court four days after the crime was discovered, arrested former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and a lower level police officer.

The next hearing in the Supreme Court is scheduled to be held on September 27.

'CBI not sleeping over the probe'

In its third hearing, the Supreme Court earlier this week said the status report of the RG Kar rape-murder case provided by the CBI is "worse" and "really disturbing" stating the probe agency will be given time "to unearth the truth".

"What the CBI has revealed in the report is worse, really disturbing..What you are flagging is of utmost concern, we ourselves are concerned, CBI has flagged it for us..we are ourselves disturbed by what we have read," Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said.

A three-judge bench led by the CJI said the CBI is not "sleeping over" the probe and the investigating agency has responded to the issues that the court has flagged.

The CJI said as quoted by Live Law, "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 truth.. the SHO himself has been arrested... CBI has responded specifically to the issues we have raised, including whether the challan in the statutory form was submitted along with the postmortem...

"CBI is also exploring the possibilty of whether the scene of the crime was tampered with, evidence was destroyed, whether there was the complicity of other persons in failing to report the crime etc..."

"The CBI, apart from performing its independent investigation, is also addressing the issues we raised. There is still time to complete the investigation. We have to give CBI adequate time, they are not sleeping over. To put any time limit will be to dislocate the investigation...They are required to be given time to unearth the truth," the CJI added.
PM Modi addressing Indian Diaspora in New York/ courtesy: X

New York/IBNS: In an address to the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday announced that his government will open two new consulates in the US -one in Boston, and another in Los Angeles.

"Last year, I announced the opening of a new Indian consulate in Seattle. I sought your suggestions for two additional consulates. India has now decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles," PM Modi said.

He made this announcement during an address to the Indian community in New York's Nassau Coliseum, packed with excited and cheerful-looking faces welcoming the Indian PM with chants of "Modi, Modi".

The Prime Minister lauded the Indian Diaspora as being "the country's strongest brand ambassadors."

"Wherever I go, I mix with all people considering my family. Understanding diversity, living it, incorporating it into our lives...this is in our culture," the Prime Minister, who is in the US for the Quad Summit and the Summit of the Future, added.

Stressing unity in diversity, Modi said, "We have multiple languages but our feelings are the same. The feeling is Indianness."

The warmth and energy of the Indian diaspora in New York is unparalleled. Addressing a community programme. Do watch! https://t.co/ttabGnATaD  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2024

"For the world, AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. But I believe AI also represents the America-India spirit," the Prime Minister, who returned to power back home in 2024 but with the support of allies, said.

The Prime Minister also reminded the Indian diaspora about the roadmap to Viksit Bharat, the goal his government aims to achieve by 2047.

"PUSHP combines five pillars that will build Viksit Bharat. PUSHP stands for Progressive, Unstoppable, Spiritual, Humanity First and Prosperous," he said.

Thank you New York! These are glimpses from the memorable community programme. Grateful to all those who joined. @ModiandUS pic.twitter.com/2OokNwYTb2  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

More than 16,000 people travelled from all corners of the US overnight to attend PM Modi's speech at the community reception.
In image TN Guv RN Ravi/ courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi/IBNS: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has sparked a controversy with his comment on the origin and meaning of secularism with leaders of the Congress and other parties calling it an "irresponsible" remark, especially from a person who occupies an important constitutional post.

At a public event in Tamil Nadu's Kanniyakumari, Ravi described secularism as a concept that came from distant lands in the West, which, he added, does not have a home in India.

"A lot of frauds have been committed on people of this country, and one of them is that they have tried to give a wrong interpretation of secularism. What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, and it is not an Indian concept," Ravi told the gathering.

"In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight between the church and the king... How can India be away from dharma? Secularism is a European concept and let it be there only. In India, there is no need for secularism," he said.

Reacting to the Tamil Nadu Governor's comment, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat said Ravi's remark was "perplexing" as it would mean "the Constitution doesn't hold much value for him."

"The Governor's statement shows that he thinks that the Constitution is also a foreign concept. Those who believe in the Constitution, those who question it are sitting in the Governor's chair..." she said.

Targeting the BJP-led Centre, Karat said it has been appointing those who do not believe in the country's supreme rulebook as Governors.

Congress MP from Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar, Manickam Tagore, in a X post said the Governor's comment is against the Constitution.

My views on the statement of Tamilnadu Governor Ravi. pic.twitter.com/S5CT7LUaer  Manickam Tagore .B . (@manickamtagore) September 23, 2024

"While the idea of secularism may be different in foreign countries, in India we respect all other religions, we respect all other traditions and we respect all other practices and this is the idea of secularism in India," said Tagore, a three-term MP.
Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page

Indian PM Narendra Modi met Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on Monday when the two leaders reviewed the unique and close bilateral relationship between the neighbouring nations.

Modi and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in diverse sectors including development partnership, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people ties, and enhancing connectivity  physical, digital and in the domain of energy.

Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade. @kpsharmaoli pic.twitter.com/WGrSrL8mEO  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

Prime Minister Modi congratulated Nepal on becoming the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a full member, and underlined the importance of a regional response to the challenge of climate change.

Nepal is a priority partner of India under its Neighbourhood First Policy. This meeting continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of our Neighbourhood First policy.
Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page

Indian PM Narendra Modi expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating security situation in the region during his meeting with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas in New York.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in the US city on September 22.

During the meeting Prime Minister reiterated India's time-tested principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue, and called for ceasefire, release of hostages and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.

He stressed that only a two-State solution will deliver enduring peace and stability in the region.

Recalling that India was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine, he conveyed Indias continued support to Palestine membership of the UN.

"The two leaders held constructive discussion on various facets of India-Palestine bilateral relations, including Indias support to Palestine at the United Nations and ongoing assistance and support to Palestine in the field of education, health, and other capacity building efforts," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen India-Palestine bilateral relations.

A savage Hamas attack against Israel on October 7 comprising rocket launches and vehicle-transported and powered paraglider incursions massacring and kidnapping civilians in a music festival breaching the border triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Israel repulsed the attack with unprecedented fury, killing more than 40,000 people so far as the war extended to southern Lebanon with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
Photo courtesy: MEA India X handle

New York/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the Indian diaspora "the country's strongest brand ambassadors" addressing thousands of Indian-Americans at a community event at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island in New York, the United States.

Modi said, "Indian Diaspora have always been the country's strongest brand ambassadors."

"Wherever I go, I mix with all people considering my family. Understanding diversity, living it, incorporating it into our lives...this is in our culture," the Prime Minister, who is in the US for the Quad Summit and the Summit of the Future, added.

Stressing on unity in diversity, Modi said, "We have multiple languages but our feelings are the same. The feeling is Indianness."

The warmth and energy of the Indian diaspora in New York is unparalleled. Addressing a community programme. Do watch! https://t.co/ttabGnATaD  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2024

'AI means America-India spirit'

"For the world, AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. But I believe AI also represents the America-India spirit," the Prime Minister, who returned to power back home in 2024 but with the support of allies, said.

The Prime Minister also reminded the Indian diaspora about the roadmap to Viksit Bharat, the goal his government aims to achieve by 2047.

"PUSHP combines five pillars that will build Viksit Bharat. PUSHP stands for Progressive, Unstoppable, Spiritual, Humanity First and Prosperous," he said.

PM @narendramodi held a roundtable with tech leaders and CEOs from the USA, where he highlighted India's strong growth prospects and outlined key initiatives to accelerate innovation and collaboration. pic.twitter.com/F2v35811xL  PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 23, 2024

Modi addresses tech industry in New York

At a separate event with the technology industry leaders in New York, Modi highlighted the economic transformation happening in India, particularly in electronics and information technology manufacturing, semiconductors, biotech and green development.

He stated that his government was committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing.

He also dwelt on Indias BIO E3 policy to develop India into a biotech powerhouse. On AI, he noted that Indias policy is to promote AI for All, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use.

The CEOs expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India.

India's growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities, got much appreciation from the tech-leaders.

They also agreed that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in India.
A group of Khalistan extremists from Canada and the United States gathered in Wilmington, Delaware, to protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The protest took place in a neighborhood familiar to President Joe Biden, highlighting the groups intent to draw attention at a national level. Among the demonstrators was Bakhshish Sandhu, who identifies himself as Dr. Bakhshish Sandhu and is associated with Sikhs for Justice, an organization advocating for Khalistan.

Sandhu, a naturalized American citizen, frequently travels to Canada to participate in protests against the Indian government. During the Wilmington demonstration, he was confronted by a journalist who questioned the legitimacy of his medical credentials.

According to the journalist, Sandhu graduated from CETEC, a university based in the Dominican Republic that was reportedly shut down after four years of operation due to allegations of issuing thousands of fake diplomas.

When pressed about his qualifications, Sandhu allegedly responded with the phrase, Mocha, go back! referencing previous controversies surrounding referendums hosted in Calgary, Canada.

(Image and text courtesy: Khalsavox.com)
Photo Courtesy: UNICEF

Last Octobers terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on Israeli communities marked a devastating day for children, and the suffering has continued unabated, a senior UNICEF official said on Thursday.

Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action, stressed the urgent need for an immediate end to the hostilities and a negotiated political settlement that prioritises the rights and well-being of both Israeli and Palestinian children, now and in the future.

He was briefing and taking questions from journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, via video link from the West Bank, having concluded a visit to Israel and Palestine.

Relay the suffering of children

Chaiban recalled his meeting with Israeli children and families who were affected by the 7 October 2023 attacks, stating that they asked me to be the voice of all children to relay their suffering.

He added that UNICEF will work with relevant ministries in Israel to ensure the children there are supported.

Chaiban also asked Israeli authorities for increased access for aid and commercial goods, in particular fresh food and nutrition supplies.

I advocated for protecting children, improved security measures, and standard operating procedures for humanitarian personnel and facilitating the movement of separated unaccompanied children, he said.

Risk of lost generation

In Gaza and the West Bank, the senior UNICEF official warned of a lost generation of children, who have lost months of learning and endured agonizing trauma.

He visited Kamal Adwan Hospital in north Gaza  the only remaining paediatric unit in the area  meeting a few months-old baby who was wounded by shrapnel. Her mother was the only other survivor of a strike.

The baby is a striking reminder of the thousands and thousands of children who have been killed and injured in the Gaza Strip in the past 11 months, Mr. Chaiban said, as he cited the situation of other children suffering from cancer and other deadly diseases.

If we do not evacuate them quickly, they will not make it. We will make all efforts with our colleagues at WHO (UN World Health Organization) to get these children out for treatment.

Living in wastewater

Chaiban also described how families are living in overcrowded shelters in squalid conditions.

I visited a school, which was turned into a shelter. There in the middle of the school court, people had dug a makeshift open sewer to evacuate wastewater  people and children are literally living in that wastewater, he said, warning that conditions were rife for emergence and spread of diseases.

He added that aid deliveries to the enclave have fallen sharply, from an average of up to 100 trucks a day in January, to 50 in August, and just 15 in September. Reasons included concerns over law and order, limitations on the fence road, and insufficient entry points.

Ceasefire now

Chaiban underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire to protect the lives children, enable the delivery of critical aid, and the unconditional release of all hostages, especially the two children.

In the absence of a ceasefire, we need the kind of pauses that allowed for the polio campaign, he said, reiterating the need for increased security for staff, standardized checkpoint procedures and enhanced telecom capacity in Gaza, including Internet.

The continued destruction of Gaza and the escalating violence in the West Bank will not bring peace or safety to the region  that can only be achieved with a negotiated political solution, one that prioritises the rights and well-being of this and future generation of Israeli and Palestinian children, he said.

Independent rights panel expressed deep concern

Meanwhile in Geneva earlier, top independent human rights experts on Thursday expressed concern over the high number of children in Gaza killed as a result of the war and the damaging impact on Palestinian youngsters being detained by Israel.

Following a scheduled review of Israel, the Committee on the Rights of the Child condemned the fact that children in Gaza had been killed, maimed, injured, or were missing, displaced, orphaned and subjected to famine, malnutrition and disease, as a result of [Israels] indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks.

According to the Palestinian authorities, more than 11,300 children have been killed since Israeli bombardment of Gaza began on 7 October in response to Hamas-led terror attacks.

The child rights panel  whose members are not UN staff  also said that they were deeply worried about the continued abduction, arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention of large numbers of Palestinian children by Israeli forces, mostly without charge, trial or legal representation.

Exploding pagers a terrifying violation: Rights experts

In the wider Middle East region, UN independent rights experts on Thursday condemned the malicious manipulation of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies to explode simultaneously across Lebanon and Syria, describing the attacks as terrifying violations of international law.

A climate of fear now pervades everyday life in Lebanon, the Human Rights Council-appointed experts said in a news release.

The attacks reportedly killed at least 32 people and maimed or injured 3,250, including 200 critically.

Among the dead are a boy and a girl, as well as medical personnel. Around 500 people suffered severe eye injuries, including a diplomat. Others suffered grave injuries to their faces, hands, and bodies.

These attacks violate the human right to life, absent any indication that the victims posed an imminent lethal threat to anyone else at the time, the experts said, calling for prompt, independent investigation to establish the truth and enable accountability.

Disguised booby-traps

The experts further noted that international humanitarian law prohibits the use of booby-traps disguised as apparently harmless portable objects.

That added that at the time of the attacks there was no way of knowing who possessed each device and who was nearby.

Simultaneous attacks by thousands of devices would inevitably violate humanitarian law, by failing to verify each target, and distinguish between protected civilians and those who could potentially be attacked for taking a direct part in hostilities, they said.

Appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, the experts are mandated to monitor and report on thematic and country human rights situations. They are independent of the United Nations, are not UN staff and do not draw a salary.
Videograb of Israel's airstrike on Lebanon/ courtesy: Videograb from X

Beirut/IBNS: In the deadliest cross-border escalation since war erupted in Gaza on October 7, Israeli air strikes on Lebanon Monday left 356 people dead, including 24 children, the Lebanese health minister told the media.

The war began when Palestinian group Hamas launched the worst-ever attack on Israel, with Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups around the region drawn into the violence.

Israel claimed to have hit about 1,100 Hezbollah sites in southern and eastern Lebanon in the last 24 hours, including a "targeted strike" in Beirut.

According to media reports, the strike on Beirut targeted Ali Karake, the group's third in command after the execution of key commanders earlier.

Following an Israeli Airstrike earlier on a Residential Building in Southern Lebanon, the Sound of Munitions Cooking-Off and Secondary Explosions can be heard, with Long-Range Rockets and/or Cruise Missiles having likely been stored within the Building. pic.twitter.com/6OOmoGajzA  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 23, 2024

Lebanese state media reported new raids in the country's east, while Hezbollah said it targeted five sites in Israel.

Israelis ran for cover when air raid sirens sounded in the coastal city of Haifa on Sunday.

World powers have urged Israel and Hezbollah to pull back from further escalation, as the focus of a full-on war has shifted sharply in recent days from Israel's southern front with Gaza to its northern border with Lebanon.

Last week, Israel announced it had killed Hezbollah's elite unit commander in a strike on southern Lebanon earlier.

The Israeli Army claimed to kill Ibrahim Aqil, also wanted by the United States for involvement in the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, who headed the Iran-backed militant group's elite Radwan unit.
Strikes in Hebbariyeh village in southern Lebanon come amid intensifying exchanges of fire either side of the Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon.Photo Courtesy: OCHA/Lebanon

Lebanese Health Ministry has said at least 356 people died following Israel's strike on Lebanon, media reports said.

The Lebanese Health Ministry has said at least 356 people died in Israeli strike on Lebanon, media reports said.

The dead included 24 children and 42 women, the ministry said in a statement on Monday as quoted by CNN on the ongoing strikes in southern Lebanon, Bekaa and Ballbek.

The ministry said at least 1,246 people had been injured in the attacks.

Tensions continued to ratchet up in the Middle East on Monday with reports of hundreds of retaliatory Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon which have reportedly left nearly 300 dead, and strikes in Gaza including on a refugee camp, UN humanitarians said.

The development comes as the UN's top official in Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert began an official visit to Israel to meet senior government officials, after insisting that there is no military solution that will make either side safer.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement he was "gravely alarmed by the escalating situation along the Blue Line and the large number of civilian casualties, including children and women, being reported by the Lebanese authorities".

Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric cited thousands more displaced amid the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since October.

"The Secretary-General is also gravely alarmed by the continued strikes by Hizbullah into Israel. He expresses grave concern for the safety of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line, including UN personnel, and strongly condemns the loss of lives."

In Lebanon, it has been reported that people in the south received phone and social media messages on Monday from the Israeli military telling them to keep away from any building or village linked to the militant group Hezbollah.

The armed group reportedly launched some 150 projectiles into northern Israel over the weekend, the latest in a series of Hezbollah attacks that began shortly after war erupted in Gaza, and which have uprooted around 60,000 Israelis to date. In southern Lebanon, some 30,000 people have been displaced from their homes.

UN mission voices 'grave concern' for civilians

The UN mission which patrols the Blue Line separting Lebanon and Israel, UNIFIL, expressed "grave concern for the safety of civilians", amid what has been the deadliest day of violence and bombing by Israel since the October terror attacks sparked the regional crisis.

Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL, has contacted both Lebanese and Israeli parties, emphasizing the urgent need for de-escalation. "Efforts are ongoing to reduce tensions and halt the shelling", the mission added.

Any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences, not only for those living on both sides of the Blue Line but also for the broader region.

Attacks on civilians are not only violations of international law but could amount to war crimes, UNIFIL reminded.

"It is essential to fully recommit to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which is now more critical than ever to address the underlying causes of the conflict and ensure lasting stability.

Amid repeated calls from the international community for regional de-escalation, the Security Council met in emergency session last Friday, following deadly Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut and in the south.

The meeting came at the end of a week of increased cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces after two days of deadly wireless device explosions targeting the militant group.

Rain adds to humanitarian crisis

In central Gaza, meanwhile, shelters were destroyed in the strike on the camp around Nuseirat,, according to the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, while media reports also indicated an uptick in Israeli military activity.

The UN agency also reported that heavy rain and higher tides have overwhelmed makeshift shelters along the shoreline, where the Israeli military has instructed the enclaves residents to make for, via numerous evacuation orders. Since Hamas-led terror attacks on multiple targets in Israeli on 7 October, 1.9 million Gazans have been displaced, or 90 per cent of the population.

Local authorities have urged people staying in low-lying areas to leave and seek higher ground, while UN aid teams and partners reported that they have not had access or safety guarantees to allow them to bring in sufficient shelter materials to help all those affected by the rains.

In addition to the ongoing deadly threat of war, UNRWA warned that people sheltering in open spaces in Gaza face dire health risks because there is no sewage network or rainwater drainage in place.

The UN agency noted that that reptiles, rodents and insect presented a growing threat of disease and that its teams had already begun spraying pesticides and removing waste to protect families from falling sick.

Power cut

In northern Gaza, meanwhile, UN humanitarians said that the lack of clean water remains a critical concern.

Water, sanitation and hygiene facilities which run on generators powered by fuel transported into the enclave have had to drastically reduce their operating hours to prevent total shutdowns, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said.

Humanitarian partners working on the response say it continues to be extremely difficult to get fuel to the north, with deliveries often delayed or rejected at checkpoints by Israeli authorities, it noted.

In addition to chronic aid access problems, the current water crisis in Gaza has been made worse by damage to water infrastructure, the lack of safety preventing repairs and a lack of spare parts and chlorine.

To help address the emergency, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) said that it is providing 15 litres of water per person each day for nearly 900,000 people, ensuring that part of their water needs are met for three months.

Since October, UNICEF has provided water for more than 1.7 million people in Khan Younis, Rafah and central Gaza, distributing 4.75 million litres of bottled water.

The UN agency has also supported local authorities with more than 3.4 million litres of fuel and more than 40 cubic metres of water treatment chemicals that partially restored water production and distribution from seawater desalination plants.

Four mobile water treatment plants in Khan Younis and Rafah have also been with UNICEFs support, each capable of producing five cubic metres of water per hour. Tankers then distribute the clean water to displaced Palestinians near their shelters, as fuel for vehicles is difficult to obtain and children are often tasked with walking long distances to collect water for their families.
Anura Dissanayake takes oath as Sri Lankan President. Photo Courtesy: Anura Dissanayake X page

Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday took oath as the ninth executive president of Sri Lanka, just years after the country experienced a severe economic crisis.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected the president of the Island Nation after he registered a victory in the presidential polls.

He won the elections with a total of 5,740,179 votes, media reports said.

He defeated his closest opponent Sajith Premadasa who received 4,530,902.

Outgoing President and veteran Sri Lankan politician Ranil Wickremesinghe got 2,299,767 in the first round of counting.

He was excluded in the second round.

After he was sworn-in as the new president of Sri Lanka, he posted on X: " I promise to fulfill your responsibility to usher in a new era of Renaissance for this country, and I look forward to your collective contribution to that."

In his congratulatory wish to his successor, the Sri Lankan leader wrote on X: "Mr. President Anura Dissanayake, I hand over to you the loving child Sri Lanka whom I love.President Ranil Wickramasinghe."

"We need to strengthen democracy. I pledge to do my utmost to safeguard democracy," the new President-elect was quoted as saying by BBC.

Saturday's Presidential poll was the first since Sri Lanka witnessed a massive mass movement which led to the ouster of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa from power.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake's alliance the National Peoples Power rose to prominence since the 2022 movement.
When it comes to fashion, television actresses are stepping into the spotlight and giving Bollywood stars a serious run for their money. Heres a look at five fabulous TV divas who are making waves with their stunning style!

1) Jennifer Winget

Jennifer Winget is not just one of the highest-paid actresses on Indian television; shes a true fashion chameleon. With numerous accolades to her name, including two Indian Television Academy Awards, Jennifers wardrobe is a delightful mix of casual chic and high-end couture. Whether shes rocking a sleek gown for an award show or a comfy outfit for a day out, she nails it every time. Her recent Instagram posts showcase her versatility, making her a favorite among fans and fashion enthusiasts alike.

2) Gauahar Khan

Gauahar Khan is a style guru with a wardrobe thats as versatile as her roles. From casual tees to sharp formal suits, her public appearances are a treasure trove of outfit inspiration. She knows how to mix and match pieces effortlessly, proving that fashion is for everyonewhether you prefer minimalist looks or bold statements. Her recent looks from her Swiss vacation her ability to blend comfort with elegance, making her an absolute style icon.

3) Karishma Tanna

Karishma Tanna is known for her great vacation wardrobe, and her social media is proof of that! From beachy bohemian dresses to stylish resort wear, she captures the essence of holiday fashion perfectly. Her recent Greece getaway snaps showcase vibrant prints and playful silhouettes that make us want to revamp our travel outfits. Her style screams comfort and trendy, inspiring us all to pack our bags and hit the beach in style!

4) Mouni Roy

Mouni Roy has always been a fashionista, and she recently turned heads at London Fashion Week 2024 while supporting renowned couturier Rahul Mishra. Her bold choices and stunning outfits at Milan Fashion Week 2024 further solidified her status as a global style icon. From glamorous evening wear to edgy street style, Mouni knows how to make a statement. Her fashion journey is one to watch, and her Instagram is a constant source of inspiration for fashion lovers everywhere.

5) Roshni Chopra

Roshni Chopra brings a touch of chic to everyday fashion. She dons a variety of stylish outfits perfect for both casual outings and more polished events. From cute dresses to tailored looks, she ensures her style stands out. Roshnis recent outfits show that you can be chic without trying too hard!

In a world where fashion constantly evolves, these five TV actresses are proving that they belong at the forefront of style. With their unique approaches to fashion, they inspire us to express ourselves through our wardrobes, making it clear that great style knows no bounds!
At 4,207 m above sea level, stands the dormant Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii. One photographer recently scaled this volcano to get to its highest point and record a stunning shot of Saturn slowly "slipping behind" the moon. The stunning shot reveals the Moon's surface as you've never seen it before, and Saturn--which is a reported 19.8 million kilometres away from the Moon according to NASA--hiding behind Earth's Moon.

What does the viral photo show?

Andrew McCarthy is a photographer from Arizona in the U.S., who recently posted a shot of Saturn hiding behind the Moon on Reddit where it quickly became viral. One look at the shot and you'll see why. The story behind the perfect shot is equally intriguing. Taking to Reddit, McCarthy explained, "I traveled to the top of the famous Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii to capture the moment Saturn slipped behind the moon. This was captured using a 14" telescope I borrowed on the island."

"This photo required traveling to Hawaii due to the local nature of these occultation events. It was actually visible from my backyard, but so low on the horizon it would have been extremely distorted from atmosphere. Going to the top of Mauna Kea was also guaranteed good weather, as it put me above the clouds. Instead I was fighting the health concerns being with less oxygen while setting up the heavy equipment. As a result I came back with the flu but I think it was worth it," OP explained in a follow-up post.



He also shared a video on Instagram explaining in detail what all he did to get the shot.

How did the internet react?

The photo was shared on September 22 to the r/space sub Reddit and has already raked in 81,000 upvotes and comments to match. Take a look:

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What are your thoughts on this? Hit us up in the comments section below and let us know.



To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Ever heard of an internship that can deposit lakhs of rupees into your bank account? Saishwari Patil, an investment banker, recently won Rs 9 lakh with one such internship. Job description? Just sleep! The banker just won the title of 'Sleep Champion' in Wakefit's third season of its innovative sleep internship program.

What was the internship all about?

Credit: Canva | The job description for the internship was to just sleep

The sleep internship, which is intended for people who struggle to get enough rest, requires participants to sleep at least eight to nine hours per night. Saishwari was one of twelve "sleep interns," each of whom received a quality mattress and a contactless sleep tracker to monitor their sleep patterns. Interns also attended courses conducted by professional sleep mentors to improve their sleeping patterns.



The internship selection procedure consisted of several parts. Initially, submissions were vetted to produce a shortlist, followed by a video resume round in which candidates displayed their enthusiasm for sleep. Personal interviews were then conducted with the finalists to assess their motivation to improve their sleep quality.

How was the intern's experience?

Credit: Canva | Woman earned a total of 9 lakh rupees

Saishwari spoke with The Hindu about her experience and the discipline required for success. She stressed the need to have consistent wake-up and sleep periods in order to attain a good average score.



This included limiting late-night behaviours such as binge-watching and surfing on social media, which she admitted were difficult to break but eventually rewarding.

She also said that her profession as an auditor, which requires long hours, had interrupted her sleep schedule, making the internship particularly useful to her.

Also read: Girl bags 'dream' internship at Google for software engineering, shares how it all happened

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
A troop of monkeys allegedly intervened to defend a 6-year-old girl, a UKG student, from a rape attempt in Baghpat. Following her parents' complaint, the unidentified accused was charged under the Pocso Act and is currently on the run, police said on Sunday.

What happened with the 6-year-old girl in UP?

Credit: Canva / Man caught on CCTV walking in a narrow lane

The girl's parents stated that on Saturday, a guy led their child to an abandoned house, where he took off her clothes and attempted to sexually abuse her, when a few monkeys violently came towards him, compelling him to release the minor and flee.

After returning home, the traumatized child told her family about her incident and how the monkeys "saved her from the accused".



In a TOI report, her father said, "My daughter was playing outside when the accused took her away. The man could be seen in nearby CCTV footage, walking on a narrow lane with my daughter. He is yet to be identified though. He also threatened my child that he would kill me... My daughter would have been dead by now if the monkeys had not intervened."

FIR has been registered

Baghpat Circle officer Harish Bhadoria told TOI: "We've heard about the incident involving monkeys and are investigating the matter. Following the parents' complaint, an FIR was registered under BNS sections 74 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 76 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and the Pocso Act. More sections will be added if needed. We're trying to identify and nab the accused."



How did people on the internet react?

People on the internet lauded the monkeys for their efforts. Here's what people wrote.

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Also read: Viral video: Monkey vibes with woman singing Ram bhajan, people on the internet had goosebumps

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamans recent remarks about handling work stress, following the death of Ernst & Young employee Anna Sebastian, have triggered a wave of criticism on Reddit.

The finance minister reportedly suggested that stress should be managed by relying on God, sparking online outrage. The comments were made during an event at a private college in Chennai on Sunday, where Sitharaman emphasized the role of spirituality in dealing with stress.

However, many social media users, particularly on Reddit, found her remarks out of touch with the reality of work-life balance in todays high-pressure environments.

Social media outcry over God suggestion

Sitharamans statement came in response to the tragic death of Anna Sebastian, a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young, who allegedly died due to overwhelming work stress. Her suggestion that stress could be managed through spiritual discipline was met with severe backlash on the popular subreddit r/india.

One user sarcastically commented, "You'll have to pay 6.9 percent extra atheist tax," while another expressed frustration, saying, Better work conditions? Nope. Better labour laws and protection? Nope. Support in case of unemployment? Nope. Believe in God? Yes, that solves everything."

The finance minister had stated, The inner strength will come only with growing Atma shaktiEducational institutions should bring in divinity and spirituality. Then only will our children get the inner strength. It will help in their progress and the country. That is my strong belief. However, this only fueled further criticism online.

Calls for better labour laws

Many Reddit users voiced concerns that the minister's comments ignored the need for more practical solutions, such as improved work conditions and labour laws.

It will be more surprising if something sane came out of her mouth at this point, to be honest, one user remarked. Several others urged citizens to reconsider their voting choices in the future.

Also Read: EY employee death: Netizens say 8hr double jobs is moonlighting, but 16hrs for one firm is 'Indian culture'

Please think before you vote again!! Please share this with your parents," urged a commenter, while another summed up the general sentiment with, This flippant comment proves once again that no one cares for the common man in India.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Gunfire erupted on Monday afternoon in Metaxourgio, Athens, injuring a man.

The Hellenic Police reported that the immediate response center was alerted to gunfire at the intersection of Kritis and Akominatou streets. While police arrived promptly, they found no one at the scene but discovered seven shell casings during their investigation.

Shortly afterward, a man from Albania arrived at Laiko Hospital with a gunshot wound to the shoulder blade and is believed to be linked to the incident. Reports suggest that two individuals on a motorcycle approached the victim and opened fire. An investigation is ongoing.

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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to meet in New York on Tuesday, during the United Nations General Assembly.

The primary aim

of the meeting is to keep the dialogue between Greece and Turkey on course and to deepen cooperation in key areas of mutual concern, particularly migration, which has become increasingly pressing for both nations. The leaders will outline the next steps for discussions on confidence-building measures, political dialogue, and advancing a positive bilateral agenda, with the goal of completing these initiatives by the end of 2024. They are also expected to set date for the High-Level Cooperation Council, likely to take place in Ankara in early 2025.

Ahead of the meeting, a senior Greek government official highlighted the progress made in Greek-Turkish relations over the past 14 months, despite a turbulent regional environment. The official emphasized that in the context of the Middle Easts ongoing crises, the ability of both countries to engage in dialogue and avoid escalating tensions is a significant achievement.

Migration will be a focal point of the discussions, with recent developments increasing pressure on both Greece and Turkey. While the Greek government is generally satisfied with its cooperation with Turkey, officials noted that human smugglers are continuously adapting their methods. The use of faster boats by smugglers has made it even more crucial to prevent illegal crossings from the Turkish coast. With ongoing crises in Asia and Africa expected to fuel new migration waves, both sides recognize the need for coordinated efforts within the EU to manage a potential future crisis.

Another delicate topic on the agenda is the issue of maritime boundaries, a longstanding point of contention between Greece and Turkey. A senior Greek official suggested that the depth of discussions on this topic would depend on the outcome of the meeting between the two leaders. However, analysts remain cautious, noting the difficulty of making progress on such a sensitive issue, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. elections and its potential impact on the geopolitical landscape. Despite this, Greek officials stressed that bilateral relations between Greece and Turkey are not tied to the outcome of the American electoral process.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis is also expected to raise the Cyprus issue with President Erdogan, as there is anticipation of new developments in the near future. Although Turkey has maintained a hardline stance on the matter in recent years, there is cautious optimism that pressure from the United Nations could bring Turkish Cypriots back to the negotiating table. Mitsotakis, who will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres later in the week, has expressed reserved optimism about the possibility of restarting talks. Greece will continue to emphasize that any resolution must be grounded in existing UN Security Council resolutions.

The meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan, which will take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, comes with a tight agenda. However, both leaders are expected to address a range of critical issues, focusing on mutual concerns and exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation.

By Yiannis Kantellis



Translated by Anthee Carassava

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Frigoglass announced it signed a legally binding agreement for the acquisition of foreign companies. The binding agreement concerns the Spanish companies Tricorporacion, S.L. and World on  Premise Espana, S.L.,

Frigoglass: Expansion in the Iberian Peninsula -  
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has apprehended one Pa Aremu Shojobi, an 80-year-old grandfather, with 14 kilogrammes of cannabis.

Shojobi admitted to trafficking illegal substances for the past 25 years, according to a statement released on Sunday by the agencys spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

Shojobi admitted to trafficking illegal substances for the past 25 years, according to a statement released on Sunday by the agencys spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

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According to the agency, the suspect obtained the medicines from the Republic of Benin.

Babafemi said, Operatives of the Lagos State Strategic Command of the Agency on Friday, September 20, arrested an 80-year-old grandfather, Pa Aremu Shojobi, with 14 kilograms of cannabis at his home in the Iyana Ipaja area of the state. In his statement, the octogenarian claimed he had been in the business of selling illicit drugs for 25 years. He further claimed he got his supplies from the Benin Republic and sold to his customers from his residence between 7 am and 10 pm every day.

Babafemi further stated that a total of 25,000,000.00 pills of tapentadol, an opioid three times stronger than tramadol, and 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered in the Tin Can port complex in Lagos.

READ MORE: Stepfather, Two Others In Police Net For Defiling Wifes 12-Year-Old Daughter

He stated that the seizures occurred between September 17 and 20, 2024, from three containers that had been added to the agencys watchlist as a result of processed intelligence.

He stated that the seizures occurred between September 17 and 20, 2024, from three containers that had been added to the agencys watchlist as a result of processed intelligence.

As a result, the NDLEA requested 100% joint examination of the shipments with men of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies. The 25 million pills of tapentadol have an estimated street value of N13,725,000,000.00 while the codeine consignment has an estimated street value of N2,450,000,000.00, bringing the total value of the seizures to N16,175,000,000.00.

The tapentadol consignment packed in 500 cartons was discovered in one of the containers on Tuesday, September 17, while another container examined the same day contained 175,000 bottles of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine packed in 875 cartons. The third container containing 175,000 bottles of CSC cough syrup with codeine was examined on Friday, September 20, the statement added.
After months of political struggles, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Monday Okpebholo, has been declared winner of the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, made the declaration on Sunday, at the state collation center, Benin.

It was gathered Okpebholo, secured 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 247,274 and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party came a distant third in the race with 22,761 votes.

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The result was announced by the INECs Returning Officer for the poll, Prof Faruk Kuta, at the collation centre in Benin City, the state capital on Sunday.

READ MORE: Edo Guber: PDP Demands Review Of Collated Results, Accuses INEC Over Votes Deduction To Favour APC

Kuta, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, in Niger State, declared the winner of the poll after series of recesses.

He said: That Okpebholo Monday of APC having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.

Okpebholo won in Esan West, Owan West, Egor, Akoko-Edo, Esan Central, Orhionmwon, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Etsako West, Oredo.

Recall that APC lost power in Edo state, 2020 after the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, defected from the party to the PDP due to fallout with his predecessor, Oshiomhole.

After he was denied the APC governorship ticket, Obaseki joined the PDP and clinched the ticket to defeat APCs Osagie Ize-Iyamu to seal his second term which will end on November 12, 2024.
Patrick Doyle, a veteran Nollywood actor, has criticized the popular phrase I Am a Chosen often used by members of The Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries.

His comments come amidst ongoing social media controversy surrounding the churchs viral testimonies.

On his Facebook page on Sunday, Doyle labeled the phrase nonsensical and argued it doesnt align with Christian doctrine.

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He emphasized that the phrase focuses on the churchs leader, not Jesus Christ.

READ MORE: Dj Cuppy Makes History Becomes First Nigerian To Host UNGA Youth Opening Session

He clarified that content creators and bloggers criticizing the phrase are targeting the sect and its founder, not the Church of God.

Doyle stated:

The phrase I am a Chosen, used by members of the religious sect called Chosen, should never be connected to the Body of Christ.

The members of this sect dont have Jesus in mind when chanting the phrase. Their adoration is unequivocally directed at a man, their GO. The phrase does not mention or imply Jesus in any way.

To infer that the nonsensical phrase is connected to giving glory to the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is to make a mockery of our faith.

Content creators and bloggers using the phrase are not mocking the Church of God but the sect and its founder.

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has released six persons arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kaduna State.

Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of the secret service, reportedly directed their release the conclusion of investigation.

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According to the DSS, three other protesters would be arraigned in court.

On September 19, 2024, six persons held in Kaduna were released after being cleared at the end of investigations. Meanwhile, three are being prosecuted as prima facie cases have been established against them.

The DG DSS directed the immediate release of the protesters who were arrested for their various roles in the EndBadGovernance protests.

The DG is resolute in upholding the mandate of the service by decisively investigating and bringing to justice those who exploit such rights to perpetrate crime, a source told Punch on Sunday.

READ ALSO: Stepfather, Two Others In Police Net For Defiling Wifes 12-Year-Old Daughter

Nigerians staged a 10-day nationwide protest to demanded a reduction in the cost of governance, a return to the petrol subsidy, food security, and fiscal discipline, among others.

The demonstration turned violent in many parts of the country, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.

The police announced the arrest of alleged perpetrators in some states and secured an order to detain 124 of them in prison custody within the federal capital territory (FCT) for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigations.

Already, 10 of the 124 persons took their plea before a federal high court in Abuja and were granted bail in the sum of N1 million each.

Recall that Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, disclosed that a total of 2,111 protesters were arrested by security agents during the protests.
The lawmaker representing Edo North senatorial district, Adams Oshiomhole, has described the victory of the All Progressive Candidate in the just concluded governorship election in Edo State as will of God.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday, declared Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21 election.

Okpebholo polled 291,667 to beat his closest contestant, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who scored 247,274 votes.

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Meanwhile, Oshiomhole, while reacting to the development during an interview with newsmen in Benin City on Sunday night, slammed outgoing Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki over his do or die statement.

READ MORE: Edo Election: PDP Kicks As Oshiomhole, Shaibu Deliver LG For APCs Okpebholo

He said: Anything that God cannot do does not exist, stressing that those with wisdom know that power only resides with God.

When some people said the election was do or die, we said no. It is about choice. Today, God, by His infinite powers, has decreed that Senator Monday to make up for 8 years of disaster caused by Obaseki and Asua together.
Olumide Akpata, candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Saturdays governorship election in Edo State, says the poll was sold to the highest bidder.

He said this in reaction to the declaration of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the gubernatorial winner.

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Akpata, came distance third with 22,763 votes, behind Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) Asue Ighodalo.

In a lengthy statement issued on Monday, he advocated a comprehensive electoral reform by leverage technology to create fool proof systems that make vote buying difficult and impossible.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to building a democracy that works for all, not just the highest bidder. We continue to envision an Edo State, and a Nigeria, where ideas triumph over Naira, where the collective will of the people shapes our future.

We must also address the root causes that make our people susceptible to vote-selling by creating economic opportunities, improving education, and building a society where citizens do not feel compelled to mortgage their future for immediate gains, he said.

Akpata lamented that Edo election has laid bare the stark reality that our political landscape is dominated not by ideologies or the peoples will, but by those with the deepest pockets and the most extensive networks of influence.

READ ALSO: LP Crisis: Hes Being Misled, Pressurised  Abure Faction Rules Out Sanction For Obi

While condemning those who engage in vote buying, he noted that the actions have directly contributed to the destruction of the States economy over the past 25 years, creating the enabling environment democratic sacrilege to thrive.

He added: We reserve our strongest condemnation for those who engaged in vote buying, the APC and PDP. Their actions have directly contributed to the destruction of our States economy over the past 25 years, creating the enabling environment for this democratic sacrilege to thrive.

This election has laid bare the stark reality that our political landscape is dominated not by ideologies or the peoples will, but by those with the deepest pockets and the most extensive networks of influence.

As for the APC and the Governor-elect, their actions have undermined the democratic process, betrayed the trust of the very people they seek to lead, and eroded faith in our democratic institutions.

This is the legacy that will overshadow their ill-gotten mandate. Their grab, snatch, and run playbook is akin to riding on the back of a tiger will ultimately be the source of their undoing.

The engagement of widespread vote-buying scheme by APC and PDP has reduced our electoral process to a commodity market and a bidding war for votes.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has detained one Okafor Anthony, a 38-year-old drug trafficker, at Mallam Aminu International Airport while attempting to board a Qatar Airlines aircraft to Iran via Doha.

Anthony was carrying 76 wraps of cocaine in his stomach.

Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, confirmed the arrest on Sunday, saying the narcotics suspect was captured last Sunday.

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The statement read, After three days in excretion observation, Okafor excreted 76 pellets of the ingested cocaine weighing 1.267kg.

READ MORE: Stepfather, Two Others In Police Net For Defiling Wifes 12-Year-Old Daughter

Also in Kogi state, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja expressway on Tuesday 17th September recovered 700,000 pills of exol-5 coming from Lagos for distribution in Kano and Kaduna, while a suspect Udemefuna Chibuike, 23, was arrested by operatives on Friday 20th September along Mokwa-Jebba road, Niger state, in possession of 49,000 tablets of tramadol, 20,000 tablets of diazepam, 100 ampoules of tramadol injection and 50 bottles of cough syrup with codeine.

Also, a total of 451 blocks of cannabis, weighing 213kg were intercepted along Azikiwe road, Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Wednesday 18th September, by NDLEA officers, who apprehended a suspect, Ogochukwu Paul, 33, conveying the consignment to a notorious drug haven in Borikiri.
The Peoples Democratic Party has accused Independent National Electoral Commission, and the All Progressives Congress of trying to change the political will of Edo people.

The party on Sunday, insisted that its Edo state governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, won the 2024 governorship election.

PDP in a statement made available to newsmen, by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that the results of the gubernatorial poll, as submitted by its polling agents across the State, indicated that Ighodalo, clearly won the election.

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He added that the same position was echoed by the Chairman of the Edo PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State and warned both INEC and All Progressives Congress, against tampering with the results.

Ologunagba said: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stands by the results of the Edo State Governorship election as garnered by its polling agents across the State and echoed by the Chairman of the Edo PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State which indicate that the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo clearly won the election.

The PDP asserts that the rush, venom and hauling of insults with which the All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked Governor Fintiri only confirms APCs violent desperation to cover its manipulations and steal the mandate freely given to Dr. Asue Ighodalo by the people of Edo State as reflected in the genuine votes cast at the Polling Units.

As Governor Fintiri presented, the results collated from the Polling Units have Asue Ighodalo in clear lead before the State collation exercise was hijacked by the APC which, in connivance of some unscrupulous INEC and security officials, engaged in blatant alteration and substitution of the genuine results with fabricated figures in favour of the defeated APC candidate.

READ MORE: Edo Election: PDP Kicks As Oshiomhole, Shaibu Deliver LG For APCs Okpebholo

The PDP had on several occasions alerted Nigerians of this sinister plot by the APC which will be firmly resisted as the APC and its candidate Monday Okpebholo were thoroughly defeated in the election.

The PDP in the strongest terms cautions the APC and INEC not to announce or declare any result that does not reflect the Will of the people as expressed at the Polling Units. Such will be a recipe for a huge crisis in the State as the people of Edo State will never allow their mandate in illegitimate hands.

Our Party again cautions INEC not to lose sight of the violent protest that trailed the criminal attempt by the former Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Ari to alter the outcome of the 2023 Governorship election in that State which nearly led to the death of some INEC officials.

Any attempt to change the results of the Edo State governorship election and allocate victory to a defeated candidate will provoke worse consequences.

INEC must therefore do that which is right in the interest of peace, stability and sustenance of Democracy in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Armys 6 Division troops have neutralised two armed vandals, seized two AK 47 weapons, and detained 18 suspected oil thieves across various states in the Niger Delta region.

The troops also demolished 13 operational illegal refining installations and 7 boats, uncovered 8 illegal connecting points, and seized more than 60,000 litres of stolen goods around the region.

Lit-Col. Jonah Danjuma, the acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, stated this in a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

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Danjuma stated that the achievement came as a result of the Armys consolidation of ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations, which had yielded great gains in the crude oil and gas-rich region.

The statement read, In the latest feat recorded, troops neutralised two armed vandals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites, seven boats, discovered 8 illegal connection points and confiscated over 60,000 litres of stolen products across the region.

READ MORE: Dont Rely Solely On Police, Get A Security Dog  Delta Commands Spokesperson Advises

Following credible intelligence on a criminal attempt to vandalise the Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipeline, traversing Upatabo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, troops swiftly mobilised to the scene.

On getting to the scene, the criminal elements engaged troops in a firefight. In the gun duel that ensued, troops neutralised two of the criminals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, while others fled in disarray. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

At Bille in Degema LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, two wooden boats and handled over 6,000 litres of stolen products. Likewise at Odagba village, at the fringes of Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats with over 5,000 litres of stolen products, destroyed one oven and received each within the swampy area of Odagba village.

The statement further noted, In Akwa Ibom, troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted six drums of premium motor spirit estimated to be 1,500 litres at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA.

The products were being primed for onward smuggling to a neighbouring country through the waterways. All the persons arrested have been handed over to the prosecuting agency, while products confiscated are handled appropriately in compliance with subsisting mandates in the region.

Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, the divisions General Officer Commanding, congratulated troops on their victories and promised everyone that the division will continue to conduct operations throughout the Niger Delta region.
The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, has hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission, over what it described as good conduct, in the just concluded governorship election in the state.

The Edo APC Chairman, Jeret Tenebe, led this out while addressing newsmen, on Sunday evening in Benin.

He noted that if INEC continues to conduct elections the way it did in the South South state, Nigeria would be seeing a good electoral process.

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According to him, the Edo governorship election was the fairest election he has seen, refuting allegations that the APC rigged it in favor of its candidate, Monday Okpebholo.

Tenebe said: Our party cannot rig the election, because we are not INEC. And the elections that we saw yesterday are the fairest election ever conducted in this state. And we pray that INEC continues like this.

And if they continue like this, it then means the country is going to be advancing to seeing a proper and good electoral process.

READ MORE: #EdoDecides: Outcome Shows Confidence Of People In Tinubus Govt  Akpabio

This victory is a victory for Edo state. It is a victory for all Edo people. This victory means so much for us.

Okpebholo will bring development. He is going to empower the youths. He is going to empower women.

Okpebholo will unite the state. No respect for traditional rulers will stop. This result reflects what happened on Saturday.

Nobody would see anything that has to do with Obaseki and touch it. Nobody wants to touch Obaseki.
To Ideskogs point, ill-defined access control policies are the bane of many API initiatives. Broken authentication and authorization rank high on OWASPs list of the top 10 API risks. Governance that addresses these areas helps keep pace with attackers, who are increasingly turning to APIs. APIs are often entry points to sensitive data and systems, says APIwizs Tahir. Incidents like the most recent data breaches at T-Mobile and at Dell show us that malicious actors are always watching.

Avoiding wasted efforts

In addition to addressing security and regulatory needs, well-governed APIs can bring more coherence across a digital landscape, says INNOQs Wilde. Ungoverned APIs can result in wasted resources, he says, because the same problems get solved numerous times instead of establishing a good practice in a platform. With proper API governance, you can eliminate duplicative efforts and reduce the time to find APIs for projects. Very often, an API for what youre trying to implement already exists, says Snyder. With good governance, youll probably have access to an inventory that will help you find it.

In most cases, efforts are underway to reduce the proliferation to unify and simplify processes while reducing licensing and maintenance costs, adds Higginbotham. Others cite benefits such as faster software delivery, reduced licensing and maintenance costs, easier monitoring of business effectiveness, better monetization potential, and a leaner outcome overall.

More consistent API designs

API governance can also promote more consistent internal design standards. Solid governance ensures that APIs are consistent and use predictable patterns, making it easy for APIs to work with each other and with external interfaces, says Voget. API style guides, linting rules, and contract tests can help decrease defects or spot missing security schemes, he says. Without this kind of governance, its very possible that these details may be neglected, leading to serious risks.

Setting these standards and automating design reviews and checks when possible greatly aid the API design process. These measures also can reduce repetitive tasks in the API life cycle and inform future development. Effective API governance results in default decisions made easy for teams when embarking on the design and delivery of a new or updated API, says Higginbotham. It also helps the organization capture lessons learned from past efforts.

Better collaboration and business alignment

Lastly, having an API governance framework in place improves collaboration with other stakeholders  whether internal or external consumers. API governance makes sure everyone is rowing in the same direction, says Halliwell. Providing consistent and well-documented APIs improves their experience and gives your API the reputation of being easy to work with, she says.

Internal knowledge sharing can reduce inefficiencies and avoid hacky workarounds. It can also help increase API awareness for business stakeholders. The primary benefit were seeing is at a business level, where business managers can understand what APIs are available and which team is managing them, says Apiables Knabe. If the APIs exist in silos with little or no governance, then developers are often required in business meetings to explain what is possible and what is not, he says.

API governance futures

The API landscape varies widely among enterprises, and most efforts to centralize governance are still in progress. As API portfolios grow, the need for API governance becomes more necessary, says Higginbotham. The adoption of microservices, serverless functions, and SPAs [single-page applications] over the last decade have only caused the enterprise API portfolio to multiply in size, he says.

Looking to the future, others forecast a world with more industry-wide API standards. I see a stronger push toward adopting standard protocols like OAuth, GraphQL, OpenAPI, and AsyncAPI, says Halliwell. She also believes AI will play a significant role in grading API designs and driving automation, such as predictive analytics and automated compliance, that will significantly reduce manual governance efforts.

At the same time, the rush to integrate AI capabilities could exacerbate an already-swelled API catalog. Generative AI will act as yet another API portfolio multiplier, says Higginbotham. The challenge is whether the API economy will place value in establishing the people, processes, and tools necessary to address the API sprawl we are seeing today.

The emerging platform engineering discipline may help answer this call. We will also likely see more unified catalogs emerge that are discrete from preexisting tools. Organizations should start with the enforcement of discoverability and findability, says Pronovixs Van Tomme. An API registry for security and management purposes can be distinct from that developer portal.

Others see security requirements playing a larger role in the future of API governance. I think governance will be looked at from the authorization perspective over the coming years, says Ideskog. Better tools for authorization will enable stronger governance and will be the big driver for the governance side of the API economy, he says.

To that point, industry-driven security regulations are anticipated to encourage more API governance practices across the board. I strongly believe that the increasing external regulations such as open banking and healthcare standards, coupled with growing apprehensions regarding AI data security, will drive organizations to prioritize stringent governance in their API initiatives, says APIwizs Shukla.

Yet, because the needs of API governance cannot be addressed with one single tool, organizations will also require a cultural shift. For some groups, this means tasking the right leader to head up API standards. The simple fact that an API product manager exists who takes care that the APIs are correct and up-to-date works wonders if implemented correctly, says Apiables Knabe.

In short, API governance calls for a multifaceted approach to the visibility and control of organization-wide use of APIs that must answer a multifaceted technical dilemma. Whether you call it governance, standardization, or having a platform strategy it will only become more important to the API economy as APIs proliferate and our need for composable, flexible, microservice architectures increases, says Voget.
Just after midnight, Philadelphia police investigate the scene of a one-car crash at the intersection of Pattison Avenue and South Third Street. Read more

Dressed in banana suits, Donald Trump masks, and green alien costumes, hundreds of people descended on Philadelphia during the weekend for a series of car meetups  a night of mayhem participants have dubbed Project X online and that resulted in police officers being surrounded and, in some cases, attacked in their cars.

Law enforcement said the meetups, which included people drag racing, doing doughnuts, and exploding fireworks, spanned the city, with at least 11 events from the Northeast to Southwest to right outside City Hall. Across more than seven hours Saturday night and into Sunday morning, police trailed the groups in what they described as a game of whack-a-mole, arriving just in time for the crowds to rapidly disperse, then move to a new location.

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In multiple instances, including around 4:30 a.m. in front of City Hall, responding police were greatly outnumbered by the crowds that in some places lit fires in the streets. Videos shared on Instagram showed dozens of people surrounding one officers car, jumping onto the hood and hanging off the back while filming themselves. People threw traffic cones into the officers windshield and at one point, opened the cruisers back door. Another video showed a small number of baton-wielding officers running through smoke-filled streets as people fled in all directions. Most appeared to have escaped.

The scenes quickly went viral online and became talking points for Republicans. The GOP-controlled House Judiciary Committee posted on X that youre not safe in Democrat-run Philadelphia, and Elon Musk shared the video, saying it resembled a scene from The Joker.

In total, five police cars were damaged through the night, police said, and one 39th District officer suffered minor injuries after his vehicle was struck by another car, which then fled the scene.

Car meetups, also known as takeovers or slide shows, arent new or unique to Philly and theyve been going on for years. But police said the events this past weekend went beyond what they typically encounter in size, scope, and aggression and that they believe it was in retaliation for the departments heightened efforts in recent months to arrest and fine those who participate.

Police said they arrested only three people across Saturday night and Sunday morning. Jhonny Martinez, a 19-year-old from Upper Darby, was charged with recklessly endangering another person after police said he crashed into a pole at Third Street and Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia while fleeing officers. He has been released from custody on his own recognizance, according to court records.

Two teens were also arrested and issued code violation notices, police said. Officials declined to name them because they are juveniles.

Police said 15 spectators were cited and nine were fined under the citys nuisance car ordinance  which carries a $2,500 penalty  in Southwest Philadelphia.

How the meetups work

The meetup was organized with drivers, or sliders, from across the region, from New York to North Carolina and Virginia, as a final ode to summer, said a 19-year-old from Long Island who drives a black Camaro. He asked not to be identified so he could speak openly about the illegal racing scene, which he has participated in for about five years.

The event, like most meets, was organized through Instagram stories, he said, and was called Project X, a nod to the 2012 film about high schoolers who host an unruly party.

That was probably one of the biggest meets weve had on the East Coast in like two years, he said of the turnout.

It was Phillys spectators who sowed chaos, he said, adding that he and other drivers have tried to discourage people from lighting fires and fireworks. It gives the thrill-seeking hobby a bad rap, he said.

We dont like that, we yell at people. Theres been fights multiple times because of it, he said of the spectators behavior. In every other state, we do the same [stuff]. But these guys in Philly  we call them crash outs.

He said that they moved to multiple locations through the night in their cars, and that he was surprised by the limited police response at each location.

As soon as they said City Hall, I knew all hell was going to break loose, he said.

Another man, who described himself as an independent journalist who films the meetups, said drivers want somewhere to do this legally with no repercussions. The man, who asked not to be identified to discuss events that are illegal, said many racing tracks have restrictions or are shutting down, making it hard to find a place to keep this off the streets.

Law enforcement wasnt sympathetic, and said they were reviewing camera footage and social media posts to identify the people involved.

This is not a victimless crime, said Adam Geer, Philadelphias director of public safety. Theyre putting peoples lives in danger.
University of Pennsylvania will sanction controversial law professor Amy Wax for a a major infraction of the universitys behavioral standards . Read more

The University of Pennsylvania will sanction controversial law professor Amy Wax for a major infraction of the universitys behavioral standards following a decision by a university committee made public Monday.

Wax  who has called into question the academic ability of Black students, invited white nationalist Jared Taylor to her classroom, and said the country would be better off with fewer Asians and less Asian immigration  will be suspended for one year at half pay with benefits intact. She also will face a public reprimand issued by university leadership, the loss of her named chair and summer pay, and a requirement to note in her public appearances that she is not speaking for or as a member of the Penn Carey Law school or Penn.

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But she will not be fired or lose her tenure.

These findings are now final..., Penn said in a statement, noting the five-member hearing boards determination that Wax violated the universitys behavioral standards by engaging in years of flagrantly unprofessional conduct within and outside of the classroom that breached her responsibilities as a teacher to offer an equal learning opportunity to all students.

Penn intends to publish the announcement of the decision in Tuesdays Penn Almanac.

Sanctions initially were handed down by a Penn hearing board in June 2023 and upheld by former Penn president Liz Magill, but Wax appealed the decision, which kicked off a review by Penns Senate Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility. That group decided that proper procedures were followed, the university said, which means the sanctions can take effect.

With the school year already underway, Penn said it would impose Waxs suspension for the 2025-26 academic year. That means she will continue to teach this year.

The decision, which comes after more than two years of university proceedings, marks the first time in at least 20 years that a tenured professor has been sanctioned after the full faculty senate process was followed.

This has been a faculty driven process and ... the decision in the case was reached after a significant amount of faculty time and thought, and is in accordance with the process set forth in the Faculty Handbook, said Eric Feldman, chair of the faculty senate, who also is a law professor.

In a letter of reprimand to Wax that will be published in the Almanac on Tuesday, Penn provost John L. Jackson Jr. wrote that while academic freedom is broad, teachers ... must conduct themselves in a manner that conveys a willingness to assess all students fairly. They may not engage in unprofessional conduct that creates an unequal educational environment.

The Board has determined that your conduct failed to meet these expectations, leaving many students understandably concerned that you cannot and would not be an impartial judge of their academic performance. It is imperative that you conduct yourself in a professional manner in your interactions with faculty colleagues, students, and staff. This includes refraining from flagrantly unprofessional and targeted disparagement of any individual or group in the university community.

 READ MORE: Penn hearing board recommended sanctions against Amy Wax in June, but her appeal means the process isnt over

In her Aug. 11, 2023 letter explaining her decision to uphold the hearing boards recommendations, Magill said the case wasnt easy, noting Wax is an award-winning teacher and the importance of academic freedom.

But, Magill wrote in the 14-page letter, Waxs conduct would make many students reasonably wonder whether they could be fairly educated and evaluated by her.

Reached by phone, Wax said: Please dont call me.

Waxs conduct, according to Magills letter, included a history of sweeping, blithe, and derogatory generalizations about groups by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and immigration status. She also, according to the letter, breached the requirement that student grades be kept private by publicly speaking about the grades of law students by race and continuing to do so even after cautioned by the dean that it was a violation of University policy.

Wax also, both in and out of the classroom, repeatedly and in public made discriminatory and disparaging statements targeted at specific racial, ethnic, and other groups with which many students identify, the letter said.

 READ MORE: Penn law professor Amy Wax enraged people with her comments about Asians. Now, she may face sanction.

Interim Penn president J. Larry Jameson did not have to act on the hearing board recommendations because Magill had already done that. Jameson stepped into his role last December following Magills resignation in the wake of a bipartisan uproar over her congressional committee testimony about the handling of antisemitism on campus.

Jameson said in a letter that also will be published in the Almanac that he was confirming and implementing the decision.

Magill noted in August that under faculty senate rules, the president shall normally accept the recommendations, and only in exceptional circumstances can depart from them.

The decision could draw fire

The decision is likely to reignite scrutiny over Penns handling in September of the Palestine Writes literature festival, which critics say included speakers with a history of making antisemitic remarks, and for resisting calls to discipline faculty and students for remarks some called antisemitic in the wake of Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the countrys subsequent military response in Gaza. The campus continued to be roiled last spring after a pro-Palestinian encampment was erected on the College Green and eventually removed by university and city police. The encampment  one of dozens on campuses around the country  was up for more than two weeks.

 READ MORE: Penn law prof Amy Wax asks for delay of disciplinary proceedings for her cancer treatment

The U.S. congressional committee that investigated Penns handling of antisemitism complaints, a lawsuit filed by two Jewish students at Penn, and Waxs lawyer all have pointed to the proceedings against Wax as evidence that Penn is willing to attempt to take action against some professors for some speech.

Penn has demonstrated a clear double standard by tolerating antisemitic  harassment, and intimidation, but suppressing and penalizing other expression it deemed problematic, Virginia Foxx, the Republican congresswoman who heads the House Education and Workforce Committee, wrote in January.

Others have argued that the two should not be conflated.

Wax has been accused of making racist statements to students in the classroom and of actions including inviting Taylor to speak to her class, most recently in November. Former Penn law school dean Theodore Ruger said in a 12-page report initiating the sanctions process against Wax that her initial invitation to Taylor cross[ed] the line of what is acceptable in a university environment where principles of nondiscrimination apply.

Her comments have been pervasive and consistent, those critics argue, negatively impacting her students and colleagues.

We know that professor Waxs conduct and speech  not just speech but also conduct  has been ongoing for years, Apratim Vidyarthi, a 2022 Penn law graduate, said in February. He was part of a group that presented a petition to Penn with about 2,500 signatures, asking the university to launch an investigation into Wax.

There is a strong record of evidence of her saying discriminatory things toward minority students, he said. There is that higher level of evidence that indicates that she is unfit to teach law students.

Reached Monday afternoon, Vidyarthi said he was glad to see Wax get sanctioned, but said it took way too long from when complaints first surfaced and too many students have had to suffer. And, the sanctions didnt go far enough, he said.

What we originally asked for is her to lose her tenure, he said, but added that a half measure is better than nothing.

He also said hes concerned that the suspension isnt occurring until next school year.

Thats really unfortunate, especially since her harm is ongoing, he said, referring to Waxs decision to bring Taylor to campus again this semester.

Taylor is scheduled on Dec. 3 to deliver a guest lecture in Waxs class: Conservative and Political Legal Thought, the Daily Pennsylvanian, Penns student newspaper, reported earlier this month.

But others were critical of Penns decision, saying the university failed to uphold academic freedom, which is supposed to protect controversial faculty from being sanctioned for expressing their views.

Today Penn delivered on years of promises that theyd find a way to punish Amy Wax, without evidence of actionable discrimination, academic freedom be damned, said Alex Morey, director of campus rights advocacy for the Philadelphia-based Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Private university faculty everywhere will pay for Penns desire to get at this one professor. Institutions that promise free expression and academic freedom now have the Penn playbook on getting around it if theres enough pressure to find a way to punish a particularly controversial faculty member.

Wax has denied making some comments and alleged other comments were taken out of context. In a filing, Waxs lawyer had contended that Wax had been treated unfairly and that the charges against her presented a one-sided and incomplete picture. Among his arguments, he wrote that it was proper for Wax to invite Taylor to the seminar on conservative and legal thought, which is supposed to educate students on conservative and right-of-center positions.

Proceedings against Wax, 71, a professor at Penn for more than two decades, began in January 2022 when former Carey dean Ruger invoked the faculty review process, asserting that Waxs racist speech was escalating and multiple complaints about her promotion of white supremacy had been lodged, and that her faculty presence had a cumulative effect on the law school community.

Up until then, Penn had condemned Waxs statements, and in 2018, removed her from teaching mandatory courses but had cited academic freedom in declining to fire her.

From awards to under fire

A Troy, N.Y., native, Wax got her bachelors degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale, graduating summa cum laude. She then studied philosophy, physiology, and psychology at Oxford. She graduated from Harvard Medical School, trained as a neurologist, and later got her law degree from Columbia, according to her curriculum vitae listed on Penn Laws website.

She started her academic career at the University of Virginia and came to Penn in 2001. In 2005, she received Penn law schools A. Leo Levin Award for Excellence in an Introductory Course. Two years later, in 2007, she was awarded her named chair after Robert Mundheim, a former Penn law school dean. And in 2015, she received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Just two years later in 2017, criticism ensued after Wax coauthored an op-ed in which she said, All cultures are not equal. Or at least they are not equal in preparing people to be productive in an advanced economy. Then she said during an interview that she didnt think shed ever seen a Black student graduate in the top quarter of the class at Penn Law and rarely, rarely in the top half, a claim that Ruger later disputed.

In 2019, she found herself under fire again after commenting during a conference about immigration.

Then in 2021, during a podcast with Brown University economist Glenn Loury, she said immigration policies should be geared toward cultural compatibility and called the influx of Asian elites  problematic. She later wrote on Lourys site that as long as most Asians support Democrats and help to advance their positions, I think the United States is better off with fewer Asians and less Asian immigration.
University of Pennsylvania Law Professor Amy Wax (right) on a podcast with Glenn Loury, a Brown University economist. Read more

After more than two years, the case against controversial University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax has finally come to an end.

She becomes the first tenured professor at Penn in at least 20 years to be sanctioned after the full faculty senate process was followed.

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Heres a look at the case and the process the university followed to levy sanctions against Wax.

 READ MORE: Penn hearing board recommended sanctions against Amy Wax in June, but her appeal means the process isnt over

Who is Amy Wax?

Wax, an Ivy League-educated lawyer and neurologist, had a prestigious career at one time, both before and at Penn.

A Troy, N.Y., native, she got her bachelors degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale, graduating summa cum laude. She then studied philosophy, physiology, and psychology at Oxford. She graduated from Harvard Medical School, trained as a neurologist, and later got her law degree from Columbia, according to her curriculum vitae listed on Penn Laws website.

She started her academic career at the University of Virginia and came to Penn in 2001. In 2005, she received Penn law schools A. Leo Levin Award for Excellence in an Introductory Course. Two years later, in 2007, she was awarded her named chair after Robert Mundheim, a former Penn law school dean. And in 2015, she received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

When did she begin to face criticism?

In 2017, Wax coauthored an op-ed in which she said, All cultures are not equal. Or at least they are not equal in preparing people to be productive in an advanced economy. Then she said during an interview that she didnt think shed ever seen a Black student graduate in the top quarter of the class at Penn Law and rarely, rarely in the top half, a claim that former Penn law school dean Theodore Ruger later disputed.

 READ MORE: Penn law professor Amy Wax enraged people with her comments about Asians. Now, she may face sanction.

In 2019, she found herself under fire again after commenting during a conference about immigration. Then in 2021, during a podcast with Brown University economist Glenn Loury, she said immigration policies should be geared toward cultural compatibility and called the influx of Asian elites ... problematic. She later wrote on Lourys site that as long as most Asians support Democrats and help to advance their positions, I think the United States is better off with fewer Asians and less Asian immigration.

In April of that year, a group of alumni filed a complaint about Waxs remarks. Ruger asked Daniel B. Rodriguez, former dean of Northwestern Universitys law school, to review the criticism. He spoke with 26 Penn alumni; Wax declined to participate. Rodriguez, according to a chronology of the case in a university document, did not find evidence of discrimination against individual students, but said: Professor Wax has made a number of comments in class and a few outside of class which could reasonably be viewed as derogatory and harmful.

Ruger later met with Wax and tried unsuccessfully to resolve the matter informally.

How did the disciplinary case against her at Penn get started?

In January 2022, Ruger announced he had initiated the faculty senate process that could lead to sanctions against Wax for racist speech. He did so after receiving additional complaints against Wax. Under Penns process, allegations against a tenured professor are to be adjudicated by faculty peers.

 READ MORE: Penn law prof Amy Wax asks for delay of disciplinary proceedings for her cancer treatment

What were the charges against her?

In his 12-page charging statement, former Penn law school dean Ted Ruger said Wax exhibited a callous and flagrant disregard for the university community with her incessant racist, sexist, xenophobic, and homophobic actions and statements.

Wax has made these statements in the classroom and on campus, in other academic settings, and in public forums in which she was identified as a University of Pennsylvania professor, he wrote.

He noted that in 2021 she invited renowned white supremacist Jared Taylor to speak to her class and then have lunch with her and students.

What has happened over the last two-plus years?

The hearing board began reviewing the written charges against Wax in October 2022 and decided there were sufficient grounds to hold a hearing, which occurred between May 1, 2023, and May 3, 2023, yielding over 700 pages of transcript and 70 exhibits. In addition to arguments from both sides, there was testimony from students, alumni, and faculty and expert testimony on issues of academic freedom and professional conduct. The hearing board issued its decision in June 2023.

 READ MORE: Penn law dean starts process that could lead to sanctions on professor Amy Wax

What did the hearing board decide?

The five-member board made up of tenured faculty unanimously decided Wax committed a major infraction of the Universitys behavioral standards, according to an August 2023 letter from former Penn President Liz Magill, explaining her position on upholding the hearing boards decision. The board said Wax had exhibited flagrant unprofessional conduct that breached her responsibilities as a teacher to offer an equal opportunity to all students to learn from her.

The board found she had a history of sweeping, blithe, and derogatory generalizations about groups by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and immigration status, and that she breached the requirement that student grades be kept private by publicly speaking about the grades of law students by race and continuing to do so even after cautioned by the dean that it was a violation of University policy. She also repeatedly, both in and outside the classroom and in public, made discriminatory and disparaging statements targeted at specific racial, ethnic, and other groups with which many students identify, the board said.

What sanctions did the board recommend?

A one-year suspension at half pay with benefits intact, a public reprimand issued by university leadership, the loss of her named chair and summer pay, and a requirement to note in her public appearances that she is not speaking for or as a member of the Penn Carey Law school or Penn.

Will she lose tenure?

No.

Did the president have a role in approving the sanctions?

Magill, the president at the time of the hearing board decision, noted in her letter that she could deviate from the boards recommendations only in exceptional circumstances and only to reduce the severity of recommended sanctions or to dismiss the charges for failure of proof, she wrote, citing university policy.

She upheld the decision of the board.

The case is not easy, Magill wrote, noting that Wax is an award-winning teacher and she acknowledged the importance of academic freedom.

But, Magill wrote, that Waxs conduct would make many students reasonably wonder whether they could be fairly educated and evaluated by her.

Academic freedom is and should be very broad, but it does not include the right to engage in flagrantly unprofessional conduct that creates an unequal educational environment for students.

Why werent the sanctions enacted over a year ago when Magill issued her letter?

Wax appealed the decision and that kicked off a review by Penns Senate Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility to determine whether proper procedures were followed. Wax alleged defects in procedure in several areas, including that the board levied sanctions based on vague, novel, and undefined allegations of offenses, according to Magills letter. Wax also said the board declined to order Ruger to provide to Wax the grades and class standing of current and former law students.

The academic freedom committee earlier this year decided that proper procedures were followed. That means the sanctions can take effect.

Did interim President J. Larry Jameson have a role in the Wax decision?

Because Magill already acted, he did not have to. But he noted in a letter to be published in the Penn Almanac Tuesday that he was confirming and implementing the decision.

Is the decision final?

Yes.

When will Waxs suspension begin?

The suspension will take effect for the 2025-26 school year.
The year of South Street Sam is almost at a close.

Every day without fail for the past year, Sami Aziz  better known by his Instagram handle @SouthStreetSam  has been out on this most eclectic Philly street, ultimately creating over 100,000 photographs of the many different kinds of people he has met there.

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Hardly anyone turned down the polite, 29-year-old photographer, and becoming one of his humans of South Street was a highlight for many of its diverse visitors.

And Azizs project became very popular. His Instagram account attracted about 270,000 followers, and his videos got close to 60 million views. With images of little kids going to school, young lovers, business owners, moms and babies, punk rockers, city workers, and more, the project became his love letter to the street that nurtured his immigrant family many years ago.

But while the project will end on Sept. 24, a full year after Aziz began it, it wont go out without a party. Aziz is marking the conclusion with a number of community events including a street cleanup with @_yafavtrashman from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fifth and South Streets, a meet and greet at the Status shop from 5 to 7 p.m., and a celebration/after-party at the Queen & Rook Game Cafe from 7 to 9:30 p.m. All are invited.

Here, Aziz shares some of his thoughts on what he saw and learned, and what comes next for South Street Sam.

Youve spent every day for a year photographing people on South Street. What changes have you noticed on the street over the past year?

I feel like South Street is coming back, and to be part of that is really incredible. At the same time, I dont think South Street ever really left. There have certainly been some changes, like the reopening of Jims Steaks and a few new businesses. But for the most part, the quirky, eclectic, free-spirited nature of the neighborhood remains intact

If Im being honest, the main change Ive actually noticed is now I cant walk a block on the street without getting recognized by someone, and that really means the world to me  that Ive been able to build a community with my camera through trying to show the good in people.

I dont think that a lot of the narratives about South Street before this year were very accurate or fair to begin with. Its hard to say if my photography project has really made a difference; Id like to think it has. Nearly 60 million views later, here we are: South Street has always been a fun, safe, cool spot to hang out in Philly. A few exceptions never changed that vibe.

Part of what drew you to this project was the importance of South Street in your familys history. How would you describe the South Street of today? In your opinion, how does it fit into the life of the city?

Being able to honor my familys roots on South Street gives me an incredible sense of pride. I speak to my uncle, Saeed, the original South Street Sam, regularly and he watches my videos every day. I also have lunch or dinner at the Greek restaurant where my mother worked, South Street Souvlaki, four, five times a week. While Im dining in, Ill sometimes imagine what it must have been like for her as a young woman in her late teens, early 20s trying to serve her way through classes at Temple University.

From conversations with my family, and some of my own early memories, Id describe the South Street of today as very similar in spirit to the South Street of the late 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.

To be more specific, its a place that comes alive on the weekends, especially by night. While theres no denying that the area faces challenges such as filling retail vacancies, its in my opinion, a broader sign of the times rather than an issue specific to the neighborhood.

I feel like South Street fits into city life the way it always has: a diverse hub of arts, fashion, food, and nightlife, with room to evolve and improve with the right people and policies.

What has doing this project taught you about people?

Taking portraits every single day for a year has shown me that people are overwhelmingly good in their hearts. I grew up attending Quaker schools in Philly, and was taught to see the light of God in every person. This is to say, the project demonstrated that concept for me in practice.

Coming into this project, I had already spent about 10 years photographing some 15,000 people around the world. Yet, another valuable lesson reaffirmed for me was that people will often meet you with the energy that you approach them with. As long as youre being kind, polite, and respectful, this is usually the response you will get in return.

In other words, the sheer amount of human interaction Ive had on this one street has confirmed what I always knew to be true: everyone has good in them. Ive been embraced by people of all different ages, races, and backgrounds. Were all human, and beautiful in our own unique way.

What were some of your most memorable experiences and people you met doing this project?

In the last Inquirer piece, you mentioned the short video I did with the little boy who impersonated Spider-Man during his family portrait. His name was Ishmael, and that video is still the most popular on my page. We have since filmed a few follow-up videos with his mother, and were even featured on a WHYY kids show that will air in the summer of 2025.

Aside from Ishmael and his family, I did end up encountering a number of celebrities on South Street like actor Michael Pena and activist Wallace Peeples a.k.a. Wallo 267. I also had a chance to photograph Philly-area rappers such as: Beanie Sigel, Omelly, Lil Uzi, Gillie Da King, OT7 Quanny, Kur, and Skrilla. This culminated in an opportunity to photograph French Montana, a rapper that I share Moroccan ancestry with, when he was in Philly for a concert. I was definitely humbled and starstruck by the opportunity. He signed my Moroccan flag. I was also fortunate enough to photograph Rick Ross and Fabolous in the same two-week span.

Celebrities aside, I truly value all of the genuine interactions Ive had with the people Ive photographed on South Street. Families, couples, friends, pets, and more. Many of the images can bring back a fond memory, a few kind words, or simply the spirit of that particular moment.

Youve created over 100,000 images during your South Street project. What are your plans for them?

While I was very focused on just reaching the milestone of one consecutive year, the project grew into a cultural moment. It was always a dream of mine to have my photography get recognized by the public, but also to publish a book and have my own gallery. With the conclusion of my yearlong streak, I will now have the time to put my heart into these mediums.

I noticed the Philadelphia Museum of Art followed me on Instagram recently. Maybe if one of their curators is reading this article, we can begin discussing an exhibition called A Year on South Street when Im back from my travels overseas.

What is next for South Street Sam? What are you thinking about for your future?

I will be traveling for the month of October. My first stop will be Casablanca, Morocco, to see my parents. Then I will make a stop in London. And to celebrate my 30th birthday on Oct. 23, I will be visiting Baghdad, Iraq, my fathers hometown, for the very first time to meet cousins, aunts, uncles, and pay respects to my grandparents.

As an artist, my goal is to continue evolving and doing important work. While Ill certainly be back to shoot on South Street, having a chance to travel and take portraits on the other South Streets of the world is exciting to me. I will always strive to challenge preconceived notions a general public might have about a place, to humanize subjects, and capture that inner light of people wherever my camera might take me.
The crowd cheers for PhilHarmonia, the community chamber choir that just performed on stage, during the Root 2 Fruit Festival  a creative wellness day featuring music, dance, meditation, yoga, art, and more at the One Art Community Center in West Philadelphia on Sept. 14. Read more

In West Philly, wellness and art go hand in hand.

On Sept. 14, the creative wellness organization Forbidden Fruit hosted the Root 2 Fruit Festival, a free, daylong celebration of wellness practices, artistry, and community.

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Root 2 Fruit welcomed about 200 attendees at the One Art Community Center in the Carroll Park neighborhood for music performances, guided meditations, reiki healing, local vendors, food, and free massages. The two West Philly-based friends behind Forbidden Fruit, Tyra Crux Jones-Blain and Anthony Stonez Lewis Jr., said that the festival was meant to make wellness, healing, and art more accessible to community members.

Were looking to plant seeds, Lewis said. We want people to be able to have this first experience, and then go venture on now that theyve had that and go deeper into their own practices.

Curating uplifting experiences for artists and art lovers

Jones-Blain and Lewis met while they were students at Temple University, connecting through the schools arts scene. Jones-Blain studied dance at Temple, but said that she had grown out of the competitive energy that swirls around the dance world, and wanted to do something more focused on bringing people together. Meanwhile, Lewis was in a music group and had a passion for organizing different gatherings centered on art, including transforming friends houses into impromptu art galleries.

We noticed that there was a lack of creative wellness spaces, like holistic spaces for artists to have along their careers. Thats what we strive to create, Jones-Blain said. Opportunities, experiences for artists and art lovers to be empowered and uplifted along their journeys in a holistic way.

They held their first Forbidden Fruit event in 2019, and said that since then, theyve hosted over 100 events for thousands of attendees, both in person in cities like Philly, Los Angeles, and Miami, as well as digitally.

We just try to create a space where even though youre coming to be about your art and all that, its still a wellness-centered community space, Lewis said. Artists sometimes forget that wellness is a part of the entire practice.

At Root 2 Fruit, their focus broadened from artists and art connoisseurs to anyone from West Philly, of all ages. While DJs played their sets, artists sang, and people danced, the festival differentiated itself from a traditional one by keeping wellness and healing a consistent theme throughout the day.

Artists sometimes forget that wellness is a part of the entire practice. Anthony Stonez Lewis Jr.

You can heal and have a good time at the same time, Lewis said.

At one point, Adonis Rosario, a breath work and mindfulness practitioner from North Philly, stood on stage holding a microphone with a DJ behind him waiting for cues. But instead of singing, he led people through a meditation practice, reminding them that they didnt need to do anything complicated or spend a lot of money to find inner peace.

We all have the capacity to be a very grounded, excellent version of ourselves. But sometimes we just need to just take a pause and breathe, he said.

Chelsa Clofer, a dance and talk therapist from West Philly, came to the festival to connect with other community members and help promote healthy healing practices. She said that it was important for Black communities in particular to recognize that there are wellness and healing options outside of the traditional medical system.

Healing can look like a lot of things, she said. Its community-based. Do this in your community, with your community. Youre not alone, we all need it.

Be conscious of what youre doing

Eric Bines, also from West Philly, took full advantage of the Root 2 Fruits yoga mat space in front of the stage, stretching out during Rosarios session. Wellness practices have transformed his life, he said, helping him process the death of his sister. Bines, 50, said that after she died a couple of years ago, he got to be 40 pounds overweight and found himself partying often, living a crazy lifestyle.

It really hurt me deeply, he said about his sisters passing.

Once Bines met Rosario and a sound bowl practitioner named Lady Vic, who also attended Root 2 Fruit, things started to change.

We all have the capacity to be a very grounded, excellent version of ourselves. Adonis Rosario

They really grounded me and helped me release a lot of things, a lot of anger, traumas in my life, he said. Now, Bines said that he has lost the weight, prioritizes self-care, and feels like he reverse-aged 20 years.

He wants other people to understand that healing doesnt necessarily require a major overhaul of your life, just a shifting of priorities and a willingness to seek care.

You dont have to be monk-like or nun-like, Im not saying that. Im just saying be conscious of what youre doing, he said. You dont need that third drink. You go to a cookout, you make yourself a nice plate  you dont need that second or that third or that fourth plate. A lot of things we do, the vices we are involved in, are because of emotional traumas.
Animal welfare is a tough business and most animal shelters are struggling to make ends meet. Shelter leaders often blame poor outcomes for dilapidated conditions on the green scapegoat: money.

But a recent Inquirer investigation found that the Montgomery County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is by far the wealthiest animal shelter in the state  and yet its kennels are dangerously run-down, its facilities are understaffed, and euthanasia is rampant under what staff and volunteers describe as neglectful leadership.

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Here are some of our findings:

 READ MORE: Euthanasia, understaffing, and broken kennels are rampant at Montcos ultra-wealthy SPCA

1. Montco SPCA is extraordinarily wealthy compared to other shelters

Montcos financial assets  over $67 million at the end of 2023  are an anomaly in the animal welfare industry. Pennsylvania SPCA, in Philadelphia, ranks second, with assets less than half of that.

The financial position for most large rescues is far more grim. Half of all animal shelters in Pennsylvania reported $4.5 million or less in assets, according to an Inquirer analysis of federal nonprofit filings at more than 30 shelters statewide. Those assets include buildings and land, as well as rainy day funds for operating expenses.

Despite its wealth, Montco SPCA spends only about $3 million a year on operations, while Pennsylvania SPCA spent more than $10 million last year. (The Montco SPCA board of directors declined to answer detailed questions about the shelters finances.)

2. Montcos kennels are run-down and understaffed

Montcos kennels are chronically broken, and conditions are often dire due to understaffing, we found. Dogs often escape through the unlockable kennel gates. Photos taken by staff and volunteers show dogs that gashed their eyes and coats on protruding metal wires. Others showed dogs that appeared to have burns on their paws, which staff attributed to the animals standing in their own urine.

In July, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration received complaints about black mold in the cat isolation room and other subpar conditions at the main Conshohocken shelter. (Shelter operations manager Ed Davies said the mold has since been remediated, and the board of directors said that facility upgrades are in the works.)

3. The Conshohocken shelter has the highest euthanasia rate in the region

The Inquirer found that the Montco SPCAs save-rate was the lowest among shelters in the Philadelphia region. By its own metrics, its main shelter, in Conshohocken, saved about 82% of animals last year, meaning it euthanized about one in five. The save-rate across all three branches was 85%.

That rate was on par with the national average, but low among shelters in a region where both elected officials and animal welfare leaders have pushed to implement a no-kill policy. Shelters with a 90% save-rate or higher are considered no-kill.

Comparable suburban rescues have routinely met that goal in recent years. Montco attributes its higher kill rate to its policy of being an open-door facility that turns no animal away, even those with severe medical or behavioral issues.

There is no national standard for how animal shelters should calculate their save-rate, or the percentage of animals that leave the shelter alive. Many shelters do not count owner-requested euthanasia, a public service that allows pet owners to humanely put down elderly or sick animals.

Montcos saverate lowers to 75% when accounting for those cases, representing one of the largest lifesaving gaps in Pennsylvania, according to Best Friends Animal Society, a Utah-based animal welfare nonprofit that tracks save-rates nationwide.

4. Animals are often deemed unadoptable and quickly put down

Staff and volunteers said euthanasia recommendations are often controversial at the shelter. Managers often recommend euthanizing dogs that showed no red flags to other staff members and volunteers. Decisions are often made unilaterally by managers, whistle-blowers alleged, with little input from staff and volunteers. The shelters record-keeping often fails to document the reasons for the euthanasia. (Davies acknowledged disagreements among staff, but defended his and other managers ability to make the right call.)

5. The executive director has been working there for 52 years

Carmen Ronio, 79, started working at the Montco SPCA in 1972 and took the reins as executive director around 2000. He also holds a vice president seat on the 11-person board of directors.

Staff and volunteers blame Ronio and the board for the shelters problems. Rick Matelsky, former executive director of Providence Animal Shelter in Delaware County, said Ronio runs the shelter like its back in the 60s, which is to bring animals in, hold them for three days, and then euthanize.

Ronio declined to be interviewed. He makes more than $250,000 a year, according to federal nonprofit filings. In 2022, his salary accounted for nearly 10% of the shelters expenses.

6. Montco SPCA has few modern programs compared to other shelters

Most modern shelters have prioritized adoption programming and community engagement, efforts that animal welfare experts said are necessary to improve outcomes for animals.

But unlike most shelters, the Montco SPCA does not have a foster program for adult dogs and cats that places them in temporary homes. It does not hold regular adoption events, or partner with other animal rescues and shelters.

(Davies, the shelter operations manager, said such programs have not been needed to keep adoptions flowing.)

7. There is little oversight

SPCAs operate independently, and no national or state umbrella organization provides oversight.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture offers one of few accountability checks for shelters. State dog wardens from the department conduct regular kennel inspections and can revoke licenses when shelters do not meet state standards. The agency has refused or revoked 19 kennel licenses in the past three years, according to annual reports.

Montco SPCA has passed all of its recent inspections, though a Department of Agriculture spokesperson said the agency is investigating multiple complaints it has received from shelter volunteers in recent weeks.

More than 1,000 people recently signed a new online petition, Save the Animals, Change the Management!, calling for an overhaul of shelter leadership.
Former "Jackass" star Bam Margera walks to Chester County Justice Center in 2023. He's currently in custody for violating his probation agreement. Read more

Former Jackass star Bam Margera appeared in a Chester County courtroom for violating his probation agreement on Monday.

Margera, 44, was placed in custody at the Chester County Prison Wednesday, following the former reality stars arrest by Pennsylvania State Police in Fulton County for driving under the influence of alcohol, summary reckless driving, and related charges.

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Prosecutors said Margeras arrest violated the drug and alcohol conditions of his probation, which began after Margera pleaded guilty to two counts of disorderly conduct in June. The plea capped off more than a year of legal troubles that started when Margera was accused of assaulting his brother and making terroristic threats toward other relatives at the Pocopson home known as Castle Bam.

Margera was led into Common Pleas Judge Patrick Carmodys courtroom in handcuffs wearing a white T-shirt. His wife, Danielle Marie, mouthed words of support to Margera as he sat silently next to his legal team.

Margeras attorneys, Michael T. van der Veen and William J. Brennan, requested that Margera be released from prison and placed into a rehabilitation facility. They described Margeras arrest as one episodic relapse that followed a period of otherwise successful sobriety.

Nobody is here with ill intent  everyone wants Bam to get help, Brennan told reporters after the hearing. Hes done really phenomenally well, he had a little set back  This is somebody whos a good guy who has an addiction.

Carmody, however, said he would like to see the results of an impending medical evaluation before deciding when Margera should be released and placed in a rehab facility chosen by the court. And his release could come after a period of jail time Carmody said could last between 28 days and six months.

Carmody said a Breathalyzer test showed Margeras blood alcohol content was 0.140  nearly double the legal limit in Pennsylvania.

Im just concerned about the safety of the public and Mr. Margera, Carmody told the court. My attitude toward addiction is different when you get behind the wheel.

Margeras evaluation is expected to take place Tuesday, according to his probation officer. The result will include a sentencing recommendation.

Speaking in court, Margera told Carmody that his arrest last Monday occurred during the first road trip hed taken during probation without Marie, whom he called my sober rock.

On my third day, I screwed up, Margera said.

Following the hearing, van der Veen and Brennan said they agreed with Carmodys assessment, and that any sentence for Margera would likely last seven to 30 days.

Youve got to take the positive out of any negative, and for Bam, hes taken a lot of good steps forward, van der Veen said. Theres been one step back, and were going to just make sure he keeps going forward.
Security incidents at the Stout Center for Criminal Justice and four other buildings have tripled since 2019, the year before the COVID pandemic reduced in-person activity. The Sheriff's Office says it needs more money. But city officials say the office ended last year with a $1 million surplus. Read more

The video shows one man knocked out cold, lying facedown on the marble hallway floor in Philadelphias Family Court, reportedly with a serious head wound.

Two other men continue to brawl. A lone sheriffs deputy, in a futile attempt to break up the fight, slaps one of them on the shoulder with a water bottle. It doesnt work.

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That fight in February, captured on video and shared online by a Fox29 reporter, is not an isolated incident.

The Philadelphia Sheriffs Office is losing control of city courthouses, according to public records and interviews with judges, attorneys, and Sheriffs Office staff.

The problem is twofold: Assaults, threats, and other security incidents are on the rise, while criminal trials and hearings at the Criminal Justice Center are being delayed for hours or postponed because sheriffs deputies are unavailable to transport defendants from holding cells to courtrooms.

Security-related incidents at the CJC and the citys four other court buildings are now being reported, on average, at a rate of six per month under the leadership of Sheriff Rochelle Bilal.

Last year, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts tracked 72 security incidents in city courts. Thats a nearly threefold increase from the 25 incidents logged in 2019, under Bilals predecessor and before the COVID-19 pandemic upended in-person court operations.

This years incidents are on pace to be even higher, with 59 reported through mid-September.

One judge last week described it as an emergency situation. Another called it a disaster waiting to happen.

In addition to the security lapses, judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys say that the delays and postponements of criminal proceedings have been getting worse in recent weeks.

Benjamin Jaye, assistant chief of the Municipal Court trials department at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, said some jailed defendants have waited for hours in the CJCs basement, only to be driven back to prison because a deputy failed to transport them to the courtroom.

Its shocking and disappointing, Jaye said. The liberty of our clients is at stake and in jeopardy because there simply arent enough deputies.

Meanwhile, family members of victims and defendants are left waiting together in tense courtrooms for hearings that may or may not happen.

Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott has gone so far as to explain in open court that the delays are the fault of the Sheriffs Office, not the city courts.

The emotional cost to victims and defendants families waiting for hours for their opportunities to give victim impact testimony or address the court is unquantifiable, McDermott recently said in a statement to The Inquirer.

In some courtrooms, civilian court staff are left to police the room without law enforcement assistance. They have been struggling in particular to stop people from recording video with their phones.

I dont understand how it got this bad, where we dont have security in our courtrooms, said one judge, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about court operations.

Common Pleas Court Judge Nina Wright Padilla, who serves as president judge of the citys First Judicial District, last week referred questions about security problems to Bilals office.

The Sheriff makes all courtroom assignments, court spokesperson Martin ORourke said in a statement. They are solely responsible for securing all entrances to all court buildings, courtrooms and cell room areas. They are also responsible for transporting inmates to and from the prison/facilities.

Over the last two weeks, Bilal has not responded to several requests for comment.

We cant get a sheriff

One of the core functions of the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office is deploying deputies to secure 136 courtrooms in five buildings  the CJC, Traffic Court, Family Court, the Widener Building, and City Hall  and to transport in-custody defendants to court.

Bilal was elected in 2019 as a reformer who promised to clean up the scandal-plagued office. She took office in January 2020.

 READ MORE: With each new sheriff, same old problems: The history of Phillys scandal-plagued elected office.

The COVID pandemic struck two months later. Security incidents remained low as in-person court business was severely restricted, according to state records. Then, in 2023, the incidents soared. The types of security incidents reported to the state can include violent acts, vandalism, threats, menacing behavior, suspicious packages, and anything that requires a police response.

The fact that there has been this uptick is really alarming, Eleni Belisonzi, chief of the Municipal Court unit in the District Attorneys Office, said last week.

The lack of deputies is a topic of open discussion in CJC courtrooms, where judges and lawyers are routinely forced to wait for hearings  or hurry to conduct them  based on when a sheriff can get to the room. In one courtroom recently, a defense attorney told a clients relative not to stray too far while waiting for a hearing to begin.

Over the summer, Belisonzi said, she noticed a huge increase in delayed cases. Everyone in the courtroom can be ready to go, but the defendant is missing. Some cases then end up getting postponed and can weaken over time.

My ADAs are coming back and saying all these cases got rolled because we cant get a sheriff, Belisonzi said.

Judges are having to run their courtrooms without a deputy sheriff. That goes against the guidance of the National Center for State Courts. In its courtroom safety tip sheet for judges and staff, updated in October 2023, the first bullet point is: Do not conduct court sessions or hearings in the absence of a court security officer.

Generally, if its a criminal proceeding, or one where the public is present, its absolutely best practice to have a court security officer, for the protection of the judge as well as the public, said Shay Cleary, the centers managing director of court services.

The two Philadelphia judges who spoke to The Inquirer on the condition of anonymity said, before Bilal took over as sheriff, it was rare for a criminal courtroom to be in session without a sheriffs deputy.

Now, its the norm, one judge said.

The problem is so severe that judges working without the protection of a sheriffs deputy are having to delay announcing sentencing decisions out of concern that it could trigger an outburst from defendants or others in the courtroom who they wont be able to control.

You dont know whats going to happen, the judge said. Do you say, Im going sentence you to jail but I want you to sit there and wait until a sheriff comes to take you to jail? It doesnt work that way.

ORourke, the court spokesperson, said there have been many threats to judges over the last several years, but he was not aware of a judge being physically attacked. He noted that all courtrooms have a panic button to immediately summon a sheriffs deputy.

Roosevelt Poplar, president of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, the union that represents the sheriffs deputies, said he, too, is concerned.

Our officers are entitled to work in an environment where they feel safe and valued, Poplar said in a statement. The head of the Philadelphia Sheriffs Department is responsible for appropriately staffing the Criminal Justice Center to ensure that our judges, staff and families attending hearings are safe to allow the criminal justice system to work efficiently. We continue to monitor operations at the CJC and remain concerned about adequate staffing levels.

Underfunded or mismanaged?

The problem seems obvious: There are not enough deputies in the court buildings. Less clear is whether that is due to a lack of funding, poor recruiting and training, or mismanagement of the existing employees and funding allocated to the sheriff  or, perhaps, a combination of the three.

At a City Council budget hearing in April, a Sheriffs Office official testified that the 270 deputies employed at that time were way below what was needed to staff the courthouses. Major buildings, like the CJC, have about half the number of deputies the office estimates it needs.

Bilal, a former police officer who was elected to a second term as sheriff last year, later claimed that budget limitations made it impossible for her to increase staffing. She requested $10.3 million more in city funding  a 30% increase  mostly to boost hiring.

This increase is essential due to the understaffing of uniformed and non-uniformed employees, Bilal said.

Bilals chief budget director, Craig Martin, blamed training requirements that made replacing deputies a lengthy process, and other costs, such as officers out on disability, for sucking away the money meant to hire more deputies.

The budget lists a certain amount of people, but they dont give us the money to hire the people, Martin said. Weve never, ever, ever been able to hire, since Ive been here, for eight years, to hire the number of people on staff that we should have.

But at that hearing, Councilmember Rue Landau questioned why Bilal was seeking millions more in personnel funds when budget documents showed that the department had 80 uniformed positions that were funded, but still unfilled.

Last week, a spokesperson for the city said the Sheriffs Office ended the last fiscal year with a $1 million payroll surplus due to unfilled positions. The Office of the Director of Finance has also told the Sheriffs Office that it can hire deputy sheriffs up to its budgeted level of 307 regardless of the budget impact, the spokesperson said. As of last week, the office had 253 deputy sheriffs.

City payroll records show that the office has about 60 fewer deputies or recruits than when Bilal took office, as attrition and a national shortage of law enforcement candidates ate into recruitment. But the office employs about 30% more deputies today than it did in 2008, and the sheriffs overall budget has nearly tripled since that year.

Last year, The Inquirer reported that the Sheriffs Office had diverted money intended for new uniformed positions to pay raises for Bilals executive staff and other nonunion office workers, according to an internal memo.

Under the offices original plan, Bilal would have seen her salary, which was $136,083 at the time, increased by 105%. That was later reduced to 5% because the City Charter caps yearly raises for elected officials. (Bilal later said a staffer had tried to double her salary without her knowledge.)

The department has lost an additional dozen deputies since last year. The office, which pays comparatively low salaries to deputies, has struggled to make new hires. It offered a $10,784 hiring bonus to recruits this year.

In June, City Council voted to allocate $35.7 million to the Sheriffs Office for fiscal year 2025, or $1 million more than what was in Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers proposed budget.

Just another example

Since Bilal took office in 2020, the Sheriffs Office has seen a breakdown of several core functions, including sheriffs sales, which has renewed calls for reforming the office, or eliminating it as an independently elected office and transferring its responsibilities to other city departments.

In July, State Rep. Jared Solomon, in a letter to Wright Padilla, the president judge, suggested that she hold an evidentiary hearing to fully document the current deficiencies and issue an administrative order to provide for the safety of court personnel, court users, and the public; the security of financial and cash operations; and the timely administration of records.

Solomon, a Democrat like Bilal, cited problems that have been reported by the news media and the city controller, including the questionable raises, misappropriation of revenue generated by service fees, lengthy delays in recording deeds, a three-year backlog of property auctions, allegations of missing guns, and mishandled domestic-abuse cases.

Wright Padilla has not publicly responded to the request.

Solomon said he was disturbed to learn about the sharp increase in court security incidents and the delays in proceedings due to problems at the Sheriffs Office. He said he could speak from his own experience going to court as a child during his parents contentious divorce. To force people to wait together in courtrooms, sometimes for hours, under adversarial circumstances is really disrespectful to people who are in a very vulnerable state, he said.

The very least we can do is provide for a functioning and effective judicial system, Solomon said.

Andrew McGinley, vice president of external affairs at the Committee of Seventy good-government group, said its little surprise that the Sheriffs Office is falling short with court security, given its history. He said the city needs to take action.

This puts people at risk, McGinley said. Justice being delayed in the courthouse has real human costs. Its eroding public trust and wasting money and starting to harm people directly.

Jennifer Coatsworth, chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, said the security issues are particularly troubling. Threats targeting federal judges have more than doubled between 2021 and 2023, the head of the U.S. Marshals Service testified earlier this year. Threats to prosecutors and other court staff have also increased.

There is a lack of respect for the judiciary and the roles our courts play in upholding the rule of law, Coatsworth said.

The Philadelphia judges interviewed by The Inquirer each praised the sheriffs deputies for their work, but they questioned whether they are being deployed effectively.

There are very good, quality sheriffs who do a good job, one judge said. But their leadership is out of whack.

Im worried, said another judge. The worry is that something is going to happen to a judge, lawyer, or civilian. Im just fearing how serious that something is going to be.

Staff writers Samantha Melamed and Chris Palmer contributed to this article.
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Good morning to those Birds, but not those Phils, who are still a game away from clinching the division title. Heres hoping they do it tonight at home.

Today, we dig into the courthouse security incidents and trial delays that have soared under Sheriff Rochelle Bilal. Judges have described it as an emergency situation and a disaster waiting to happen.

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And six weeks from the election, Pennsylvanias undecided voters weigh in on their looming decision. Plus, does voter registration status affect your health? Hospitals say yes, and are signing up their patients to vote this November.

Read on for the latest news of the day.

 Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

The Philadelphia Sheriffs Office has faced accountability concerns for years. During Sheriff Rochelle Bilals tenure, issues have ranged from off-budget spending to a lengthy backlog of tax-delinquent properties to auction off. The beleaguered office is now facing criticism for how it handles two of its chief responsibilities: court security and inmate transportation.

By the numbers: Security incidents including assaults and menacing behavior in courthouse hallways have nearly tripled since 2019, with 72 incidents across the five city courts in 2023. Delays of criminal proceedings have also increased as some jailed defendants have waited for hours to be moved from a holding cell to court by a sheriffs deputy.

The source: While its clear the office is understaffed, its less clear if that problem is caused by mismanagement, a lack of funding, or both.

Why it matters: To State Rep. Jared Solomon, who has suggested the courts hold an evidentiary hearing to fully document the issues, forcing defendants, victims, and their families to wait so long for court proceedings to begin is really disrespectful to people who are in a very vulnerable state, he told The Inquirer. The very least we can do is provide for a functioning and effective judicial system.

Reporters William Bender and Ryan Briggs have the latest tale of dysfunction out of the Sheriffs Office.

With just six weeks to go until the November election, the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is still looking extremely close in purple Pennsylvania.

A deciding factor in who takes the battleground state will be the roughly 4% of likely voters who say theyre undecided. And while Trump is more of a known entity with a full presidential term under his belt, some say they still dont know enough about the VP of four years to make a decision.

Reporter Julia Terruso spoke to undecided Philadelphians about their lingering questions for Harris.

Plus: Area health systems such as Penn Medicine, Main Line Health, and Jefferson Health are part of a national, nonpartisan initiative that helps patients register to vote while at the hospital. Program participants say its not about who people vote for, but that they vote at all.

Health-care providers are not out to gain something for themselves from this initiative, one Penn rep told The Inquirer, amid criticisms from the right that the program benefits Democrats. Its a health-care provider talking about how your health and civic responsibilities overlap.

Reporters Sarah Gantz and Jesse Bunch explain how Vot-ER works.

What you should know today

 Trivia time

The Philadelphia Eagles now officially own the trademark for the name of which signature play?

A) Brotherly Shove

B) Tush Push

C) Philly Special

D) Hurts So Good

Think you know? Check your answer.

What were...

 Anticipating: Stevie Wonders October stop at Wells Fargo Center.

 Awww-ing over: Moo Deng and Phillys hippo cuties.

 Reviewing: Lessons from The Inquirers investigation into the wealthy, yet rundown, Montco SPCA.

 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: One of several former 2008 World Series team members who took the field with the Savannah Bananas Saturday

NONHISTORIC AVE

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Linda Milanese Kerschner, who solved Sundays anagram: Wing Bowl. The Friday-before-Super-Bowl-Sunday Philly competition that started in 1993 and got progressively more sleazy. Now, six years after it drew to a close, its getting a documentary.

P.S. Cheers (again!) to Sean Ramsden, who solved Saturdays anagram: Shirley Chisholm. The first Black woman to campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination got a shoutout at Harris Tuesday visit to the Community College of Philadelphia.

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Your only in Philly story

 Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if youre not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again  or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This only in Philly story comes from reader Karen Clarkson, who pays tribute to a beloved Shore institution:

I was so sad when I read about Gillians closing. Truly the end of an era. As a kid I remember the excitement of stepping under the roof of Gillians and watching the little train circling around the ceiling. And the sounds of machines, bells, horns, and laughter. And then the smells of popcorn and funnel cake. It was a childs delight. I have so many memories of my parents taking me and riding the carousel, and then as I got older trying to grab the rings as I went around while trying not to fall off my horse. Fast forward 25 years to me taking my own son and seeing the pure joy as he rode the fire trucks, ringing the bell and wishing the ride would never end. Sadly its come to an end, but what wonderful memories we have.

On our final vacation day this summer while riding our bikes on the boards, I had a passerby take our picture so we had one final memory. A Wonderland indeed.

 Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. See you back here tomorrow.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Dr. Johnson "devoted her life to making a difference through service, leadership, and a quest to help others see their potential and opportunities," colleagues said in a tribute. Read more

Mildred F. Johnson, 89, of Philadelphia, retired interim vice president of finance and administration at Cheyney University, onetime executive director of the YWCA of Philadelphia and the Washington-based National Technical Association, professor of business and secondary education at Cheyney, Temple University, and Community College of Philadelphia, high school teacher, and church leader, died Sunday, Sept. 1, of complications from Alzheimers disease at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington.

Born and reared in Virginia, Dr. Johnson and her husband moved to West Oak Lane in 1960 for his job, and she spent the next seven decades as an award-winning leader and innovator in higher education, business administration, and community service. She earned a masters degree in business administration and doctorate in education at Temple, and worked closely for years with the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan at Zion Baptist Church.

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Dr. Johnson was a professor and top official at Cheyney in the tumultuous 1970s and 80s as it underwent several administrative reorganizations. She helped state education officials and college administrators navigate thorny issues on accreditation, finances, staffing, and enrollment, all while teaching business classes and organizing valuable workshops for students and colleagues in the emerging role of computers and data processing.

She described her seminars in a 1981 Daily News article as a multimedia instructional approach to explain what a computer is, how it works, and how the computer is used to help solve problems not only in business and science but in classrooms and offices. She also taught business classes at CCP in the 1970s and Temple in the late 1980s.

In 1979, she was on Mayor Frank Rizzos short list for appointment to the Philadelphia Board of Education. She was on Mayor Bill Greens short list in 1981 and 82.

Organized, energetic, and collegial, Dr. Johnson served in 1987 and 88 as executive director of the YWCA as it worked through years of financial challenges. She focused on centralizing its administrative procedures, and a colleague told the Daily News in 1988 that she was really dynamite for the organization, and she was really bringing it back. Dr. Johnson told the Daily News: I feel Im a real catalyst for change. Things are happening now.

She was then introduced to top officials at the National Technical Association, and she worked for a decade as its executive director. From 1990 to 1999, she increased membership and corporate support, and developed mentoring and outreach programs for scientists, engineers, and students.

Dr. Johnson committed to inspiring and developing leaders in all sectors of her life, her work, family, and church to better serve others, NTA president Constance Meadors said in a tribute. She worked hard to bridge the often perceived barrier between religion and science.

At Zion Baptist on North Broad Street, Dr. Johnson became a trustee and executive director of its learning center. She founded the churchs investment club and youth council, and was founding chair of the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan Humanitarian Legacy Awards program.

Eight times she traveled with Sullivan to summits in Africa. Her faith was her guiding compass, her family said in a tribute. Her husband, Lonnie, said: She was good for my heart and soul.

She was active with the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, and National Political Congress of Black Women, and she won service and achievement awards from the NTA, National Council of Negro Women, and other groups. She earned a bachelors degree in business administration at Virginia State University and served as president of its national and Philadelphia alumni associations.

She helped found the Class of 1956 Endowment Scholarship Fund at VSU in 1986 and was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Her smile, genuine spirit, kindness, and love for Virginia State University will live on in the memories she leaves with us, VSU president Makola Abdullah said in a tribute.

Mildred Florence Fitzgerald was born March 27, 1935, in Chatham, Va. She grew up on a 100-acre farm, learned to work hard from her parents, and left Northside High School for college after 11th grade.

She graduated from VSU in 1956 and earned her masters degree in 1964 and doctorate in 1976 at Temple. She started as a high school teacher in Portsmouth, Va., and practicum supervisor for new teachers at Norfolk State University.

She met Lonnie Johnson at a dance in Virginia, and they married in 1960, moved to Philadelphia, and had daughters Carol, Valerie, and Pamela.She made nearly every stranger she met into a friend, her family said, and hosted international students from around the world at her home for years during the holidays.

Her daughter Carol said she was a strong woman, a fearless advocate for education, kind and supportive. Her daughter Valerie said: She taught me the meaning of unconditional love, strength, and compassion. Her daughter Pamela said: She was my rock, my greatest source of strength.

Her grandson Michael said: She will forever live in my heart.

In addition to her husband, daughters, and grandson, Dr. Johnson is survived by three sisters, a brother, and other relatives. A sister and two brothers died earlier.

Services are to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Zion Baptist Church, 3600 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19140.

Donations in her name may be made to the VSU Class of 1956 Endowment Scholarship Fund, 1 Hayden Dr., Virginia State University, Va. 23806; and the Alzheimers Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601.
A live broadcast of President Donald Trump speaking from the White House is shown on screens at an election night party in Las Vegas on Nov. 3, 2020. Read more

When Matt Teague and I wrote The Steal in 2021, a book that examined how Donald Trump tried to overturn the 2020 election, it was clear that the effort involved three kinds of people.

First was the army of true believers, who swallowed whole Trumps claim that he had, in fact, won, despite the actual vote count. They took to the streets and social media by the thousands, threatening election officials and manufacturing a seemingly endless stream of wild conjecture about how Democrats (and willing Republicans) had stolen their victory.

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Second were the partisans, Republican officials, lawyers, and media propagandists who, out of zeal or self-interest, echoed these baseless claims, filed groundless lawsuits, and, in some cases, directly attempted to alter the vote count and certification.

Third were the plotters, the small group of legal conspirators who coordinated the assault and who orchestrated an unprecedented scheme to derail the certification process.

Our book was written hastily over five months in 2021 and was published in hardcover on the first anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol Building. It necessarily focused on the public acts of Trump, his army, and his partisans.

A paperback edition published this year records the criminal and political reckonings for hundreds of them and reports the largest libel award in U.S. history against Fox News, Trumps most prominent media ally. But it has only been more recently that federal and state prosecutors have unearthed the full culpability of Trumps plotters.

To understand what they were up to, it helps to have a trained legal mind. This is what David H. Moskowitz brings in his newly published, slender volume, The Fake Elector Playbook.

Moskowitz practiced law in Philadelphia for 50 years and has been writing a series of books about legal philosophy called The Judge and the Creative Positivist. His wife, Marian, is the Democratic chairperson of the Chester County Board of Commissioners.

In plain language, Moskowitz explains how the 2020 plot unfolded. It was much more centrally conceived and directed than we knew two years ago.

The scheme preyed on our archaic Electoral College process, by which instead of simply reporting election totals, states certify electors to formally present the outcome to Congress.

The Trump plotters, led by Kenneth Chesebro, a Harvard-educated lawyer, and Stefanie Lambert, a Detroit defense attorney, created secondary slates of unauthorized electors in seven battleground states that Joe Biden won, including Pennsylvania.

The idea was to confuse the certification process enough for the Senate to find the outcome uncertain and ultimately to have Bidens victory overturned. Trumps electors filed papers purporting to be the certified representatives of their states, which they were not.

Moskowitz draws a critical distinction. In Pennsylvania and New Mexico, legal advisers wisely inserted a caveat  the Trump electors would be valid only if a court ruled in favor of their candidates legal challenges. None did. That careful step avoided criminal trouble for those states faux electors  Moskowitz calls them alternates.

Not so those from Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, many of whom have now been criminally charged. These, Moskowitz says, are clear-cut fakes. They signed and filed legal documents purporting to be something they were not.

The bottom line is that all of the fake electors were active in Republican politics, but some were not lawyers, Moskowitz says. The lawyers who advised them knew, and there is little doubt about this, that the fake elector playbook was not based on established legal rules but required that the fake electors commit criminal acts. The Republican lawyers knew or should have known that they were asking the fake electors to commit a crime.

Indeed, Chesebro has already pleaded guilty in Georgia and has been meeting with prosecutors in various other states. Lambert has been criminally charged in several states. She, along with the disbarred Rudy Giuliani, Trumps most famous attorney, is one of many lawyers who, writes Moskowitz, were sucked into this opportunity to become famous or wealthy by getting involved with Trump, only to end up with the potential loss of their licenses to practice law and possibly being sentenced to prison.

So The Fake Elector Playbook serves as a cautionary tale to lawyers tempted to jump on Trumps wagon this year, and to the country.

The Republican lawyers knew or should have known that they were asking the fake electors to commit a crime.

As Trump seeks to regain the White House, he still swears he won four years ago. As Kamala Harris put it during this months debate, he was fired by 81 million people, and is having a difficult time processing that.

Just as he did then, Trump is laying the groundwork to seize power if he loses the election. Despite the fates of Chesebro, Giuliani, Lambert, and others, there is little doubt he will find new legal talent to further his schemes.

In Moskowitzs book and The Steal, his methods are spelled out clearly. Weve been warned.

Mark Bowden, who spent 24 years as a staff writer at The Inquirer, is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Steal: The Attempt to Overturn the 2020 Election and the People Who Stopped It, with Matthew Teague.
Lars Peterson, Lankenau's manager of patient experience, shows nurse Daria Salvitti the QR code that people can scan to register to vote at the hospital on Tuesday, Sept., 10, 2024. Read more

Lankenau Medical Centers manager of patient relations flags down a nurse in scrubs who is hustling past his red-, white- and blue-decked voter information table in the Wynnewood hospitals busy cafeteria.

Lars Peterson explains how she can add voter registration to her checklist of patient health screening questions:

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Do you drink? Do you smoke? Do you feel safe at home? he says, ticking off the questions she should routinely ask. And are you registered to vote?

Philadelphia-area hospitals are rallying patients and staff to register to vote ahead of a high-stakes presidential election in which Pennsylvania has become a critical battleground.

 READ MORE: How to vote in Pennsylvania this election with president, Senate, and more on the ballot

Hospitals say the initiative is not about playing partisan politics, but rather to address the ways social and economic factors, such as violence, pollution, and housing can profoundly affect health.

Hospitals from University City to the Philadelphia burbs have set up information tables alongside cafeteria checkout counters, given staff lanyard badges with a QR code linked to a voter registration website, and changed the computer screensavers to a message reminding them to vote.

Such efforts are being organized nationally through groups like Vot-ER, which describes itself as a nonpartisan voter registration nonprofits, but has drawn criticism from the Republican National Committee and other conservatives for having ties to Democrats.

You go to the doctors office to receive medical care, not to get a political lecture, said Kush Desai, the Pennsylvania communications director for former President Donald Trumps campaign. This is a clear abuse of the doctor-patient relationship.

Program leaders at Philadelphia-area hospitals said they dont care how people vote, and train staff to never discuss politics.

Health-care providers are not out to gain something for themselves from this initiative, said Judd Flesch, an associate professor of clinical medicine at Penn, who is involved in the systems voter registration efforts. Its a health-care provider talking about how your health and civic responsibilities overlap.

A study of 44 countries, including the U.S., found that people who were registered to vote reported better health, according to findings published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine & Public Health.

Nonpartisan or not?

Vot-ER has partnered with at least 50 organizations in Pennsylvania, including some of Philadelphias leading health systems: Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, Main Line Health (which owns Lankenau), and St. Christophers Hospital for Children.

Some conservatives are taking issue with the politics behind its creation.

Vot-ERs partnership with the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute in Harrisburg was the subject of an article in August published by the Free Beacon, a conservative media outlet, which called it a leading player in a Democratic-backed directive turning health care centers into political battlegrounds.

The outlet drew attention to the nonprofits perceived support of the Democratic Party, a complaint repeated in several other conservative media and blog reports this summer.

Vot-ER was founded by Alister Martin, a practicing physician and former White House fellow under Vice President Kamala Harris. And the Biden administration in 2021 ordered federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services to work with health-care providers to expand voter registration through similar initiatives.

 READ MORE: Doctors, hospitals in Pa. and other states launch voter registration efforts

Earlier this month, the Republican National Convention issued letters to the secretaries of state offices overseeing elections in six swing states  including Pennsylvania  urging elections officials to monitor Vot-ER ahead of the general election.

Vot-ER does not endorse political parties or politicians, complies with all election laws, and has board members from both political parties, its executive director, Aliya Bhatia, said in a statement.

The American Medical Association is among the prominent medical professional groups that shares its view of voting as a social driver of health, she added.

We want to make sure all eligible voters can have their voices heard in federal, state, and local elections that shape our health outcomes in America, Bhatia said in a statement.

What are Philadelphia hospitals doing to register voters?

Philadelphia-area hospitals that partner with Vot-ER emphasized that participation is voluntary for staff and patients.

CHOP uses voter registration materials from Vot-ER because theyre family friendly to use and easy to access, said Ashlee Murray, an emergency medicine physician at CHOP.

The nonprofit makes lanyards with plastic ID cards that say Ready to vote? and are printed with a QR code that, when scanned, takes people to the website TurboVote, a nonpartisan third-party voter registration website.

 READ MORE: Philly hospital patients were missing elections, so students are helping them cast absentee ballots

Temple Health does not partner with Vot-ER, but similarly encourages doctors to talk to patients about why its important to vote, whether they are registered, and whether they plan to vote in-person or through a mail-in ballot.

Its important for people to take charge of their individual health and the health of their communities, said Nicolle Strand, director of the Center for Urban Bioethics within Temples medical school.

Overcoming voting challenges for patients and providers

Volunteers at St. Christophers Hospital for Children have found that patient families often arent registered to vote for logistical reasons: They dont know how, think they need to go to an elections office, or worry it will take too long. Others are registered, but werent planning to vote because getting to the polls is inconvenient, said Angela Kim, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor at the North Philadelphia childrens hospital.

Many of our patient families are juggling multiple jobs and have social needs that preclude them from taking off a day to go to the polls, she said.

Volunteers can help families register on the spot, or can show them how to apply for an absentee ballot.

During previous election cycles, Penn Medicine set up kiosks in the emergency department offering patients voting information and registration help. But they often got unplugged and didnt get much use from patients with more pressing medical issues on their mind.

Encouraging providers to carry QR code lanyards makes the interaction more personal and helps doctors build relationships with patients, said Aliza Narva, director of ethics at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, who helps organize the hospitals voter registration efforts.

Inside Lankenau Medical Centers cafeteria on a recent Tuesday, nurse Daria Salvitti stopped to take a lanyard from the information table.

She thinks patients will welcome the conversation and appreciate that their nurses and doctors were interested in aspects of their life beyond a diagnosis.

I think everyones voice should be heard, she said.
Paul Johnson voted for Donald Trump in 2016 but thought he botched his first term, so Johnson voted for Joe Biden in 2020.

Now the retired contractor from West Oak Lane isnt sure what to do in the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

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I dont think Americas ready for Kamala, Johnson, 62, said. And I think we had enough of dealing with Trump but if we had a choice right now, we might have to give Trump a chance. He was president once and  did a crappy job, but for me, I dont think Kamala can handle the diplomatic part of being president.

Johnson is one of a small but powerful group of undecided voters in Pennsylvania who say they plan to vote in the race but have yet to make up their minds.

About 4% of likely voters in the state are undecided, according to a recent Philadelphia Inquirer/New York Times/Siena College poll. Thats the same number of undecideds that a similar Pennsylvania survey found in August. When third-party options are considered, about 2% of voters are unsure.

Pennsylvania is a highly coveted swing state that was won by a little more than one percentage point in 2020 and a little less than one percentage point in 2016. Its increasingly looking crucial to Harris chances of winning the presidency and Trumps path toward blocking her and securing another term.

While the vast majority of voters know who theyre supporting, the race could come down to a conflicted few who for reasons often personal, ideological, or specific to their own circumstances, are torn between two vastly different visions for the country, leaning toward a third-party candidate, or unsure whether theyll vote at all.

In Pennsylvania, the small group of undecided voters is evenly split across all ages, gender, and geography. The majority are independent voters and the group is slightly higher represented by nonwhite voters without college degrees, though the sample size  about 40 people in a survey of 1,000  is extremely small.

Johnson has concerns about how Harris, who would be the first woman to lead the United States, would be received internationally.

She was vice president but she didnt wield a lot of power. You got people like Putin and Kim Jong Un, and they dont respect women, let alone a Black woman, said Johnson, who is Black. We need someone strong. Attorney general is one thing but running the country is a whole other.

Another debate would help him decide, Johnson said, though Trump has said his first and only debate with Harris will be his last.

She needs to show herself more, stop telling these stories about how shes gonna stop shrinkflation. I want to know more about Kamala, he said.

Johnson isnt alone in that desire. About a quarter of Pennsylvania voters said they want to know more about Harris, who has been vice president for nearly four years but only the partys nominee since Aug. 6.

While Johnson teeters between both candidates, Daniele Fedonni, a 34-year-old biostatistician, from South Philadelphia, is a progressive voter feeling left behind by Harris more moderate stances, particularly what he considers a weak response to atrocities in Gaza.

Shes pro-fracking, shes anti-Medicare for all  shes running on building a wall  one of the most disgusting policies from Trump that all the Democrats were once against, Fedonni said. Shes talking about funding all cops, while theyre shooting people over fare evasion in New York.

Fedonni said he feels like lesser of two evils, is a false equivalency and hes considering not voting in the presidential race.

For Kayla Mann, her conflict is whether to vote for Harris or sit out entirely during a traumatic year for her family. Mann and her 11-year-old son were living with her grandmother until the family matriarch died last year and they wound up homeless. Theyre currently living in a shelter in North Philadelphia as Mann tries to save up by working at another shelter for people with disabilities.

The statement that Kamala made during her debate where she was saying shed rather build up the middle class, well, why are there so many people in poverty right now? Mann, 27, said. Why are there so many people who cant afford to stay in their homes?  Some people cant finish school, so I feel like just catering toward the middle class, what about the working class?

Mann, whose dream job is to become a veterinary tech or vet assistant, has been trying to get into a program to study X-ray tech or medical assistance but juggling childcare and work has made that difficult.

As a sexual assault survivor, she said she feels strongly about womens reproductive rights which she thinks Harris would fight to protect.

But Mann said shes uneasy about Harris background in law enforcement and had concerns that Harris might shield cops who abuse their power. (Harris coauthored the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act, which included provisions that would have lowered the standard of proof in police misconduct cases and limited qualified immunity for cops.)

Its sad that I have to talk to my son about certain things and certain actions when he goes out into the world, Mann said. Hes only 11.

Ultimately, she said she also wants to see more of the Democratic nominee.

I want to just hear her say, Look, were all in this together. Everybody needs to come together  and I see you. I think then I might be more geared toward Kamala. Maybe.
Volunteers with the Office of Homeless Services conducted their winter point-in-time count of people living on the streets around Center City on Jan. 24. Read more

The number of homeless Philadelphians increased for the third consecutive year, according to the annual point-in-time homelessness count conducted by the Office of Homeless Services.

The count was conducted in January and includes unsheltered people and those living in emergency shelters, safe haven and transitional housing. In 2024, the total number of homeless people reached 5,191, up from 4,725 the previous year  a 10% increase.

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Mandated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, the annual point-in-time count is a snapshot of homelessness on one day in January.

Philadelphias count calls on volunteers, armed with clipboards, socks, and gloves, to spread across the city interviewing and cataloging people who are homeless.

Numbers are still below pre-pandemic levels, when the number of homeless Philadelphia residents hovered around 5,600, but exceeded 5,000 for the first time since 2020. And, at 976 people, the number of unsheltered people represents a 38% increase from the year before, and a 16% increase from the pre-pandemic count in the winter of 2020. Its the highest number of unsheltered Philadelphians recorded since at least 2018, according to city data.

High  but declining  poverty, the opioid epidemic and a lack of affordable housing are to blame for the rising numbers of unsheltered people, according to a summary of the citys winter count.

Poverty remains a factor, irrespective of poverty trends/trajectories, said Sherylle Linton Jones, spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services.

More than 20% of homeless people had either been evicted or displaced for another reason in the preceding 90 days, showing how impactful an issue affordable housing is in Philadelphia.

Which neighborhoods saw the largest increases in unsheltered residents?

Both Center City and Kensington saw a 23% increase in the number of unsheltered people living there compared to the previous year. The 337 unsheltered residents in Kensington represent the highest number since at least 2015, according to city data. The count took place before the city began clearing homeless encampments in Kensington as part of Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers plan to end the neighborhoods open-air drug market.

Other neighborhoods that saw sharp increases in the rate of unsheltered homelessness include parts of North Philadelphia excluding Kensington, and parts of South Philadelphia, where the number of unsheltered people as much as tripled in some areas.

In addition to increases in the unsheltered population, the rate of sheltered homeless people increased by 5% between 2023, which the city attributes to more individuals presenting for shelter, according to its report. Emergency shelters were home to 729 children. Transitional housing programs housed 181 children.

Philadelphias rising homelessness comes after the office overspent its budget by almost $15 million, pressured by a mandate to keep people sheltered.

Parker this month appointed Cheryl Hill, a former senior vice president with Project HOME, an anti-homeless nonprofit, to lead the citys Office of Homeless Services. Hill took over the office from Liz Hersh, who had led the office for nearly eight years and left at the end of 2023 to join a national nonprofit. Former Mayor Jim Kenney appointed David Holloman, who served as OHS chief of staff, as the organizations interim director following Hershs departure.

In March, Parkers administration also moved a number of homeless people living around the Philadelphia International Airport in the far southwest section of the city. At the time of the point-in-time count, 43 unsheltered people were living at the airport, up from 19 people the year before.

Homelessness is on the rise nationally

Philadelphias numbers are in lockstep with a nationwide trend of rising homelessness. In 2023, homelessness grew 12% to the highest level ever recorded. More than an estimated 650,000 people are homeless in the United States, the largest number since the country started tracking the annual point-in-time survey in 2007. The rising homelessness crisis led the conservative-leaning Supreme Court to rule that municipalities could ban sleeping in public places, effectively outlawing unsheltered homelessness.

Philadelphias OHS condemned the Supreme Court decision, saying a person who is experiencing homelessness and does not have any place but outdoors to sleep should not be classified as a criminal.
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We consider that commissions create an inevitable conflict of interest, whether they be commissions paid to a broker from an insurer, or whether they be commissions paid to a strata manager from a broker or from an insurer, he told Fridays hearing. Depending on the exact nature of the relationship, theres a conflict of interest there.
In 2021, the New South Wales (NSW) Court of Appeal ruled that references to the repealed Quarantine Act did not exempt insurers from covering pandemic-related claims. This decision forced IAG to increase its provisions for potential COVID-19 claims. In July 2021, IAG initially set aside $100 million, but by November 2021, it raised the provision to $865 million, reflecting the potential impact of the courts ruling. The company also raised $750 million in capital to manage anticipated claims.
We want to work closely with each of our partners to strengthen and support the life insurance industry to deliver better customer experiences for millions of Australians on their best and worst days, she said.
To offer further support, HCF is also allowing Hospital Basic Plus to be paired with its Flex My Extras product, which gives customers flexibility in choosing extras cover for services such as dental, physiotherapy, and optical care. This option is aimed at young singles and couples who want to customise their cover according to their individual needs.
Being a part of this project has been genuinely enlightening and rewarding but of course now the hard work really begins. We have made numerous commitments in our RAP, and we are really optimistic about achieving those goals through the Reflect RAP stage with the guidance of Reconciliation Australia where needed, she said.
Leonardo Castrichino will lead the companys efforts in Italy, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the European insurance market. Prior to joining BHSI, he held numerous leadership roles in the industry, most recently serving as chief operating officer for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region at another global insurer.
Baos leadership will focus on further strengthening the actuarial function and utilizing her expertise to enhance the underwriting process. Her credentials include time spent at Chubb, where she served as analytics product owner and assistant vice president actuary for cyber within the risk management & analytics group.
The admitted insurance market in California has struggled to keep pace with the rising risks associated with wildfires. Many insurers have reduced their capacity or withdrawn from the market altogether, unable to sustain the financial losses associated with underwriting these high-risk policies. This has placed immense pressure on the E&S market, which has become the last resort for many property owners in high-risk areas.
Commenting on her new role, Yoast stated: The BOXX team shares an outstanding purpose and mission. They have already secured some great partnerships as a result, which speaks to the innovation they are introducing to the US cyber market. I am excited to pursue this opportunity and to lead BOXX USA into its next phase of growth.
As per a report from AM Best, the reorganized company would operate as Hospitality Group Mutual Insurance Holding Co, which would wholly own Hospitality Holdings Inc. Current members of HMIC would automatically become members of the new mutual holding company, and all existing policies would remain unchanged.
We made every effort to resolve this issue amicably and avoid legal action, but it has unfortunately become clear that NASW and its affiliated entities will not act in policyholders best interest unless forced to do so in a court of law.
Snowdon brings over 20 years of experience in the insurance sector, with extensive expertise in capital management, financial strategy, and risk management. She joins MS Amlin from Direct Line Group, where she spent more than a decade, most recently as director of insurance and financial risk, overseeing financial risk management and insurance oversight across the group.
Tim Edwards, managing director and head of international catastrophe & actuarial analytics at Howden Re International Treaty, highlighted the results of its study. As Europe grapples with changing patterns of flood events, it is imperative that we adapt our strategies to stay ahead of emerging risks, he said. While floods are commonplace in the region, increased preparedness and investment in societal resilience have been pivotal to mitigating the impact of this event from a reinsurance perspective.
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Streamlining Data Extraction with AI OCR Bridge

Data extraction is a critical component of the insurance process, particularly when dealing with ACORD forms and other tailored documents. Traditionally, this has been a manual and error-prone task. SelectsysTechs AI OCR Bridge offers a game-changing solution by automating the data extraction process.

Powered by advanced artificial intelligence, AI OCR Bridge efficiently extracts data from standardized ACORD forms as well as customized documents. This extracted data is then seamlessly transferred to any API-enabled IMS, policy administration systems, rating platforms, and digital quoting platforms. By eliminating the need for manual data entry, AI OCR Bridge significantly reduces the time and effort required for these tasks, while also minimizing errors and ensuring that data is accurately captured and integrated into the necessary systems.

AI OCR Bridge is specifically tailored for the Property and Casualty lines of business, making it an invaluable tool for carriers and MGAs looking to streamline their data management processes. Its ability to handle diverse forms and complex policy information ensures that underwriters have access to the most accurate and up-to-date data, which is crucial for making informed decisions.

Simplifying Underwriting with Underwriter Link

For underwriters, managing the quoting and binding process across multiple carriers can be a daunting task. Navigating different carrier websites, re-entering the same data, and manually managing documents can slow down productivity and increase the risk of errors. Underwriter Link by SelectsysTech is designed to address these challenges.

Underwriter Link provides a centralized platform where underwriters can quote and bind policies across multiple carriers from a single interface. This platform supports a wide array of lines of business, including General Liability, Workers Compensation, Property, Cyber, and more. By streamlining the quoting and binding process, Underwriter Link reduces repetitive data entry, minimizes errors, and enhances workflow efficiency.

The intuitive interface of Underwriter Link makes it easy for underwriters to navigate and manage their work, allowing them to focus on delivering exceptional service to their clients. With accelerated efficiency and seamless integration, Underwriter Link ensures that underwriters can quickly access quotes, bind policies, and manage documentsall in one place.

Case Study: Transforming Underwriting and Quoting with SelectsysTechs Integrated Solutions

Background

An MGA specializing in commercial property and liability insurance was facing significant challenges in managing their underwriting and quoting processes. Their reliance on legacy systems and manual data entry was causing delays, errors, and inefficiencies. With a growing client base and increasing pressure to deliver faster turnaround times, the MGA needed a solution that could streamline their operations and improve accuracy.

Challenges

Inefficient Rate, Quote, and Bind Process: The MGA was using outdated rating platforms that were difficult to maintain and did not integrate well with their other systems, leading to bottlenecks and delays. Manual Data Entry: The process of extracting data from ACORD forms and other documents was manual and prone to errors, resulting in inconsistencies and rework. Fragmented Underwriting Process: Underwriters had to navigate multiple carrier websites and manually enter the same data repeatedly, which slowed down the process and increased the risk of errors.

Solution

The MGA implemented SelectsysTechs RQB Platform, AI OCR Bridge, and Underwriter Link to address these challenges. The RQB Platform modernized their rate, quote, and bind processes, integrating seamlessly with their existing IMS and ensuring smooth transitions across multiple rate updates. The AI OCR Bridge automated the data extraction process, eliminating manual entry and reducing errors. Finally, Underwriter Link provided a centralized platform for underwriters to manage quotes and policies across multiple carriers efficiently.

Results

Increased Efficiency: The MGA saw a 40% reduction in the time required to generate quotes and bind policies, thanks to the streamlined processes enabled by the RQB Platform and Underwriter Link. Reduced Errors: The AI OCR Bridge significantly reduced data entry errors, improving the accuracy of their underwriting decisions and reducing the need for rework. Improved Customer Satisfaction: With faster turnaround times and more accurate quotes, the MGA was able to provide better service to their clients, leading to higher customer satisfaction and retention rates.

The Power of Integration

While each of these solutionsRQB Platform, AI OCR Bridge, and Underwriter Linkoffers significant benefits on its own, the true power of SelectsysTechs offerings lies in their integration. By combining these technologies, insurance carriers and MGAs can create a streamlined, efficient, and highly productive insurance operation.

The RQB Platform modernizes the rate, quote, and bind processes, ensuring that all data is captured and managed effectively. AI OCR Bridge enhances data extraction, eliminating manual errors and ensuring that underwriters have access to accurate information. Underwriter Link simplifies the quoting and binding process, allowing underwriters to work more efficiently and focus on delivering value to their clients.

Together, these solutions transform the insurance landscape, providing a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that meets the demands of modern insurance operations. For MGAs, wholesalers, and carriers looking to enhance their efficiency, reduce complexity, and improve competitiveness, SelectsysTechs integrated solutions offer the perfect answer.

Conclusion

By adopting SelectsysTechs integrated solutions, the MGA was able to transform its operations, achieving greater efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. This case study highlights the tangible benefits of modernizing underwriting, quoting, and data management processes with advanced technology.

Visit our website at Selectsys.com for more insights, services and solutions.

Topics Data Driven Underwriting
Consumers are hearing a lot about insurance difficulties around the country. The news from California and Florida and elsewhere about how disasters, skyrocketing premiums and carrier withdrawals are making coverages hard to find and afford naturally raises concerns in other states.

New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner D.J. Bettencourt wants his states residents to know that the story in the Granite State is different and they have little to worry about.

What I want to stress though to consumers is that things here in New Hampshire are going quite well, said Bettencourt, who was confirmed as head of the New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) a year ago after serving as deputy insurance commissioner since early 2021.

Were not immune to the larger national and, in some cases, international trends that are causing the insurance industry to struggle. But what we want to ensure is that the situation in New Hampshire is being appropriately communicated, Bettencourt said in an interview with Insurance Journal.

We dont want consumers to get the impression that coverages are hard to get these days, or theyre really expensive, he said. For the vast majority of coverages in New Hampshire, things are going about as well as possible.

According to Bankrate, while they have been increasing, car and home insurance costs in the state are still among the lowest in the country on average.

The message that things are going well in New Hampshire is one that Bettencourt wants the insurance industry to hear as well.

Were in a lot better shape here in New Hampshire than in other parts of the country to be sure, he bragged, citing the states high quality of life metrics and its collaborative rather than adversarial approach to insurance regulation and legislation.

According to Deputy Insurance Commissioner Keith Nyhan, who joined the conversation, the Granite State is benefitting from competition and on the whole is very insurable on the property/casualty side. Our risks compared to the Gulf Coast or California with its wildfires are less severe. Companies want to be in New Hampshire, said Nyhan, who prior to being promoted to deputy commissioner last October served as director of NHIDs consumer services unit since 2007.

New Hampshire is a small insurance market. It ranks 44th, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Its a $12.6 billion total insurance market, with $3 billion in property/casualty. The state has about 1,300 insurers for all lines.

According to Bettencourt, its small size informs the states approach to insurance regulation. Were a small state and at the end of the day, if we become unreasonable in how we approach our regulatory philosophy, those companies will just withdraw from New Hampshire and, financially speaking, its not going to make a whole big difference to them, he said. He added that the state has established a reputation over many, many years of being a collaborative and pragmatic regulator.

While there are things like the weather that states cant control, the regulatory attitude is among the things he believes a state can control. My philosophy is lets be collaborative, lets work together to fix this problem, stressed Bettencourt, who was a state legislator before he became a regulator.

Profitability

In its 2022 report card on state insurance regulation, the R Street Institute gave New Hampshire a B grade, the same grade it gave Maine, Vermont, Iowa, Kentucky, Washington and a few others.

The insurance results also tell a positive story for insurers. According to the NAICs 2022 Profitability Report, insurers made a 12% gain on underwriting for all lines in 2022 and have averaged a 15% underwriting profit over the last decade.

All of this is not to say that there are no insurance challenges at all in New Hampshire. There is, in fact, one line of insurance that is a worry: general liability for nonprofits.

This is an incredibly hard market, and I understand the reasons why, Bettencourt said, citing the large claims with long tails seen in the sector.

The insurance for nonprofits issue has grown in importance in the context of the states continuing efforts to enhance programs for mental health and substance use disorder. The state makes the funding available and then puts the programs out for bid to community organizations to run them. In order to contract with the state, these organizations need to have general liability insurance. NHID has learned that in some cases, small to mid-sized nonprofits are unable to access coverage or afford it.

Bettencourt said NHID is working to address the matter. He said he does not want the state to lose the opportunities to rebuild the healthcare infrastructure to benefit people because it doesnt have the nonprofit partners to run programs.

Nyhan agreed insurance for nonprofits is a difficult market right now. Its a risky business, he commented, adding that NHID is actively trying to get more companies to come to the state.

Consumer Calls

Another matter Bettencourt wants to tackle is customer service that provided by insurance carriers and by NHID itself.

NHID receives about 6.500 calls from consumers a year. About 500 of the calls will turn into formal complaints against an insurance carrier, according to Nyhan. The vast majority of the calls are from consumers who have a question about their policy or want help interpreting a letter that they received from their insurance carrier.

The most common consumer complaint has to do with frustrations with carriers customer service, especially the inability to speak with a human being.

Bettencourt said insurers want insureds to do everything online but many have difficulty navigating the portals and online systems. When people need to file a claim, theyre typically not having their best day. So sometimes the task of going through all of the electronic portals and all of the different technology systems is overwhelming to them and they just want to get somebody on the phone. So theres just a lot of frustration in that people cant get another human being on the phone, he added.

Overwhelming Technology

Asked if he thinks the industry is relying too much on digital and online service, expecting consumers to be comfortable going digital, Bettencourt didnt hesitate.

In my personal opinion, yeah. I mean the technology thats coming online obviously provides a lot of opportunities. I understand that companies want to take advantage as much as they can, and theyre not wrong for wanting to do that.

But, he added, they need to also not forget that there are consumers at the end of the day who need to speak to another live human being. Their particular claim may be complex.

He urged carriers to remember that in most situations where an insured needs to interact with their insurance carrier, it means something bad has happened. When people need to file a claim, theyre typically not having their best day. So sometimes the task of going through all of the electronic portals and all of the different technology systems is overwhelming to them. They just want to get somebody on the phone.

Bettencourt is on a mission to improve his departments own customer service and what he calls insurance literacy among consumers. He believes a key to improving insurance understanding is to raise awareness of the departments existence including what it does and the services it can provide to consumers to help them better understand their insurance, solve a problem or manage a crisis. Were trying to figure out how we can meet the consumer, where they are and where they are on these new alternative ways of getting news, social media, podcasts, webinars. Were trying to adapt along with the times because we cannot help the consumer that doesnt know that we exist. To accomplish better literacy, NHID is reaching out in different ways. NHID has called upon its consumer division and communication team to emphasize outreach including going out to community events and trade shows, producing podcasts and webinars, creating a new website and beefing up the departments social media presence.

Were trying to figure out how we can meet the consumer where they are and where they are on these new alternative ways of getting news, social media, podcasts, webinars. Were trying to adapt along with the times because we cannot help the consumer that doesnt know that we exist, Bettencourt explained.

He said NHIDs consumer protection job includes going out into the community to meet consumers, initiate conversations, and distribute advisories.

NHID held a March symposium on property/casualty insurance cost drivers featuring Dr. Robert Hartwig, professor of finance at the University of South Carolina; Lee T. Dowgiewicz, CEO of Co-operative Insurance Companies; attorney George Roussos of Orr & Reno; and Christian Citarella, chief property/casualty actuary at the NHID.

The department has convened town halls including one with behavioral health providers to enhance NHIDs own understanding of their concerns. It has sponsored legislative updates for the public and press. Its webinars have touched on various subjects from how to prepare for potential weather disasters to what to know about wedding insurance. NHID also participated in an event warning about reckless driving that was held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.

Cat Response Team

The most recent initiative is a dedicated intergovernmental Weather Catastrophe Response Team, which the department sees as a proactive, coordinated, department-wide effort to support consumers in the aftermath of severe weather incidents. This team is tasked with organizing community outreach events in affected areas and collaborating with other state and federal agencies and officials to provide comprehensive support to consumers. The goal is to ensure that residents receive accurate information and timely assistance.

New Hampshire is not he most disaster prone state but it does face storm surge and rising tide threats along its coast. This July and last July some communities suffered flooding. Winter storms damage is not uncommon. Wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakesthose have been rare, thus far anyway.

Were really just trying to stay ahead of the curve, offered Bettencourt, who believes that when people experience a major weather catastrophe, their minds are going to be in a thousand different places. He wants the department to be an obvious resource. So, for instance, if citizens have to go to a shelter to get information, he wants the department to be there to make sure insurance is part of the conversation.

We obviously believe that an individuals insurance coverages are going to be a big part of getting that individuals life back on track, he said.

He said the emphasis on communications and customer service is especially important to those who do not have an agent to call and for whom contacting their carrier is an unpleasant undertaking.

The other thing is I think there are consumers who want to hear from an authoritative source in answer to a particular question or want to understand if the companys handling their claim in the appropriate way, he added.

For Bettencourt, the volume of calls in to NHID, along with the $6.5 million recovered for insureds every year, are measures of how well NHID is doing.

In fact, the more calls, the better.

My goal is by the time I leave here to have that number at 10,000 or more calls a year, because thats going to indicate to us that all of our outreach efforts are paying off, the Granite State commissioner said.

Topics New Hampshire
Vermonts largest city of Burlington has paid $215,000 to settle a lawsuit accusing a police officer of using excessive force by grabbing a man and slamming him to the ground, knocking him unconscious in September of 2018.

According to the federal lawsuit filed in 2019, Mabior Jok was standing outside with a group when a conversation became heated. Officer Joseph Corrow, without announcing himself or issuing any instructions, then slammed Jok to the ground, the lawsuit said.

The police chief at the time said an internal investigation found Corrow did not call for backup or use verbal commands, but he did not use excessive force, according to a court filing. He also had said that Jok was known to officers as a person who has a violent history who has attacked the community and police officers.

The settlement was reached at the end of August, about a week before the planned start of a trial, said Joks lawyer Robb Spensley, who called it a reasonable settlement. It was first reported by Seven Days.

I would add that this settlement is life-changing money for my client, who has been intermittently homeless for years, Spensley said by email on Thursday.

The citys insurance carrier paid $140,000, and the city paid $75,000, according to Joe Magee, deputy chief of staff in the mayors office.

The city acknowledges that the case has been in litigation for a long time and is glad to have reached a resolution, Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak said in a statement Thursday.

We hope that the resolution of the case provides some measure of relief for Mr. Jok, she said. We also recognize the City must approach every instance where force is used as an opportunity to review what happened and ensure our police department training, practices, and policies emphasize de-escalation, minimal reliance on using force, and effective communication.

Last year the city agreed to pay $750,000 to settle another excessive force lawsuit, accusing police of brutality against another Black man also in September of 2018.

The lawsuit said Officer Jason Bellavance approached two men who were arguing outside of a bar and without announcing his presence shoved Jeremie Meli with both hands. Meli fell backward, hit his head on a wall and was knocked out.

Bellavance was suspended after an internal investigation, and in 2020 left the department in a separation agreement with the city. That came amid protests over George Floyds killing in Minneapolis. Protesters in Burlington called for the firing of three officers, including Bellavance.

In another case in 2019, a man died two days after being hit in the head by a Burlington police officer. A federal judge in 2021 approved a $45,000 settlement of a lawsuit filed by Doug Kilburns family.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Vermont
MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (AP)  A police pursuit that began in New York City ended on Long Island with the shooting death of the driver, and seven police officers and a civilian taken to hospitals for treatment, police said.

Patrick Ryder, commissioner of the Nassau County police department, told reporters Saturday that the chase began after New York City officers tried to stop a driver in the Jamaica neighborhood in the borough of Queens shortly after 11 p.m. Friday. The driver tried to ram the two police officers, striking them before fleeing, Ryder said.

Officers in Nassau County boxed in the driver at one point, but he hit two police cars and forced two officers to dive out of the way, he said. The vehicle went further down the road, hitting another police car, turned around and went the wrong way before turning around again and hitting a civilian car.

The drivers vehicle went out of control and stopped on a berm in Massapequa, Ryder said. Officers tried to get the driver to get out of the car, but he refused to comply and was killed by gunfire, Ryder said.

Ryder described the driver as reckless, saying his vehicle was flying.

He jumped onto oncoming traffic  hes ramming police car, hes ramming civilian cars, and he lost control of his own vehicle, he said.

Five police officers from Nassau County and two from New York City were taken to hospitals, along with the driver of the civilian car, Ryder said. One officer was struck by the vehicle, two were injured diving for safety and three were taken for treatment of trauma after the police shooting, he said.

The drivers name wasnt immediately released. The state attorney generals office was notified and is investigating, Ryder said. Video was being collected from the city and from places along the highway, as well as from officers body-worn cameras, he said.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Personal Auto Law Enforcement
Environmental activist charity ClientEarth launched a lawsuit against Germany on Friday to push Berlin to implement an EU law to limit pesticide use in farming, the group said on Friday.

The group said in a statement Germany was not complying with the 2009 Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive. The EU law should have been in force across the 27-member by 2011, but the reality has been patchy implementation, the group said.

Insect populations are in decline globally and bee populations  a vital pollinator  are shrinking, which could threaten global food security. Pesticides are a known contributor to these declines.

The European Commission tried to introduce a new law in 2022, the Sustainable Use Regulation, to replace the directive. The regulation aimed to halve pesticide use by 2030, but the proposal was scrapped earlier this year after widespread farmers protests.

The regulation would have been much stronger than the previous directive with binding and directly applicable rules.

The suit was filed in the Higher Administrative court of Berlin-Brandenburg against the German government and the ministry of food and culture.

(Reporting by Julia Payne; editing by Aurora Ellis)

Topics Lawsuits Pollution Germany
Much of Brazil is burning as tens of thousands of fires rage around the country, half of them in the Amazon rainforest. Exacerbated by a severe drought, the fires threaten one of the worlds most crucial ecosystems and are consuming the Amazons vast stores of carbon, sending more of the damaging greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.

2.4 million hectares (about 6 million acres) of forests, fields and pastures in the Amazon burned between June and August. There were more than 95,000 hot spots in the Amazon biome this year to Sept. 18, according to data from Brazils National Institute for Space Research, known as Inpe.

The fires emitted 31.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent between June and August, says the Amazon Environmental Research Institute, or Ipam. That represents an annual increase of 60% and is roughly on par with the emissions from running eight coal-fired power plants for a year.

A Continent Ablaze: South America Surpasses Record for Fires

The Amazon is one of the worlds most important carbon sinks, said Lucas Ferrante, a biologist and researcher at both Sao Paulo University and the Federal University of Amazonas. Now, it is emitting carbon, he said. We are at a turning point.

Although fires are common during the countrys dry season, this years anomalies are a red flag for experts.

The timing of the fires and how long it is lasting is what is worrying us, said Ritaumaria Pereira, executive director at Imazon, a nonprofit focused on research and projects in the Amazon region. Things have gotten out of control, and the name for that is climate change.

When Rainforests Burn

Climatologists have warned for decades that events like this years would come to pass. Droughts in the last two decades have become much more severe and much more common. The last year  the hottest on record globally  brought Brazils extremes to a new level.

This was always something that we know would happen, said Michael Coe, senior scientist and tropics program director at the Woodwell Climate Research Center. But theres a huge difference between knowing that it will happen and seeing it happen.

When rainforests burn, what replaces them cant replace the carbon storage and evaporative cooling that benefits the global climate. The Amazon is a critical part of the global climate system. Without it, modeling suggests that the Earth could warm another degree Celsius on top of the already dangerous 2.7C or so thats already in store. Fossil-fuel burning, deforestation and other causes have lifted the global average temperature by about 1.3C since before industrialization.

Around 40% of the fire spots in Brazil are in areas of primary, or undisturbed, vegetation. The rest are mostly in deforested areas. Deforestation is lower than it has been in years past, an indication of how primed the land is to burn due to hot, dry conditions.

Climate change worsens fire conditions, said Rodrigo Agostinho, president of Ibama, Brazils environmental monitoring agency. Although it is not the climate that starts the fires, he added.

Ibama says almost all of the fires have been caused by humans, whether deliberately or accidentally. Burning is common in Brazilian agriculture. Historically, Brazil encouraged it as a fast, cheap way to clear land and prepare soil for new planting. The government has banned the practice, although many farmers dont obey the rule.

Agostinho said Ibama has gone on a war footing, with thousands of vehicles and hundreds of inspectors, to control the fires. The agency has asked for assistance from neighboring countries, even some that are also dealing with wildfires themselves.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva told senators earlier this month that the rainforest is losing humidity and becoming more vulnerable to fires in a severe process of climate change.

On Tuesday, she said during a radio interview that at the moment, any fire is characterized as criminal. The government wants to stiffen existing penalties for setting fires.

Clouded Skies

Smoke from the fires has already covered a large part of the country and has clouded the sky over far-away Sao Paulo. The smoke even reached Argentina and Uruguay, according to Climatempo, a climate monitoring service. (Brazils smoke is compounded by that from fires in other countries, including Bolivia and Paraguay.)

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva this week announced 514 million reais (about $95 million) to fund emergency measures, including more investigations and hiring specialized firefighters.

Last year, at the start of his third term in office, Lula returned to the international stage promising to bolster protections for the Amazon, shield tribal lands from resource extraction and spark a green transition of Brazils economy. Deforestation went down and a project establishing guidelines for developing sustainable fuels was approved, marking progress toward a cleaner-energy future.

However, the crisis in the Amazon  captured in photos seen around the world  may pose a challenge for Lula when he heads to the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this week.

The region needs better fire prevention, more investment in firefighting and stepped-up enforcement, said Manoela Machado, a post-doctoral researcher at Woodwell who studies drivers of fire risk in the Amazon.

Lula is trying to convince the world that Brazil is a climate leader. But theres some disconnect there in the actual actions on the ground, Machado said.

Photograph: Wildfire smoke blankets the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sept. 4, 2024. Photo credit: Maira Erlich/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) and QBE Iberia.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

BHSI Launches in Italy, Names Country Leader and Key Team Members

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced it has opened an office in Milan and named Leonardo Castrichino to oversee its business in Italy as country manager, along with several additional leadership appointments.

Castrichino comes to BHSI with nearly three decades of experience in the European insurance market, where he has held numerous country and regional level leadership positions and amassed deep knowledge across multiple commercial lines and business segments. He was most recently chief operating officer for the Europe, Middle East and Africa Region (EMEA) at American International Group where he held various leadership roles since 2014, according to his LinkedIn profile. Castrichino can be reached at Leonardo.castrichino@bhspecialty.com.

Since opening our first European offices in 2016, BHSI has been growing thoughtfully and strategically across the region, always with an eye on bringing sustainable, long-term solutions to the marketplace, said Alessandro Cerase, head of Europe, BHSI. We are pleased to now expand into Italy with Leo leading our business, building a team with exceptional talent, and bringing the BHSI brand, balance sheet, and service to the marketplace.

BHSI also announced the following additional leadership appointments in Italy:

Marco Vantellino has been appointed head of Executive & Professional Lines. He joins BHSI with 20 years of industry experience focused on Executive & Professional Lines and was most recently Head of Financial Lines for the Mediterranean business at another global insurer. Vantellino can be reached at vantellino@bhspecialty.com

has been appointed head of Executive & Professional Lines. He joins BHSI with 20 years of industry experience focused on Executive & Professional Lines and was most recently Head of Financial Lines for the Mediterranean business at another global insurer. Vantellino can be reached at vantellino@bhspecialty.com Thomas Tasso has been appointed head of Property  Energy and Construction. He has spent nearly two decades working across Europe and demonstrating exceptional underwriting acumen across property and engineered risks. Tasso was most recently head of Property for the Mediterranean business at AIG. He can be reached at tasso@bhspecialty.com.

has been appointed head of Property  Energy and Construction. He has spent nearly two decades working across Europe and demonstrating exceptional underwriting acumen across property and engineered risks. Tasso was most recently head of Property for the Mediterranean business at AIG. He can be reached at tasso@bhspecialty.com. Nicolo Mussi has been appointed head of Commercial and Financial Institutions for Executive and Professional Lines. He comes to BHSI with more than 10 years of industry experience and will focus on building BHSIs Directors & Officers Liability and Financial Institutions business in Italy. Throughout his career he has held increasingly senior positions in financial institutions underwriting, most recently senior underwriter & financial institutions practice leader at Liberty Specialty Markets. Mussi can be reached at Nicolo.mussi@bhspecialty.com.

has been appointed head of Commercial and Financial Institutions for Executive and Professional Lines. He comes to BHSI with more than 10 years of industry experience and will focus on building BHSIs Directors & Officers Liability and Financial Institutions business in Italy. Throughout his career he has held increasingly senior positions in financial institutions underwriting, most recently senior underwriter & financial institutions practice leader at Liberty Specialty Markets. Mussi can be reached at Nicolo.mussi@bhspecialty.com. Chiara Baldissara has been appointed Operations Manager. She was previously underwriting technician at BHSI in London. Baldissara joined the company in 2017 and has more than a decade of industry experience. She is relocating to Milan for her new role and can be reached at baldissara@bhspecialty.com.

BHSI continues to expand its team in Milan and provides a full line of property, casualty, and executive & professional lines products, including global multinational program capabilities.

***

QBE Iberia Names Diaz-Guardamino as Managing Director

QBE has appointed Mario Diaz-Guardamino as the next managing director for QBE Iberia, pending regulatory approval.

Diaz-Guardamino has more than 20 years experience working in financial services, starting his insurance career as a broker before progressing to credit lines underwriting at AIG Spain, and then becoming head of EMEA Trade Credit Insurance.

He brings a wealth of experience across specialty underwriting, business development, broker and customer distribution strategy.

Diaz-Guardamino will lead the team to deliver QBEs plans for Spain across the offices in Madrid and Barcelona. He will concentrate on profitable growth by driving expertise, service delivery and strong relationships with brokers and customers. Focus points will include the corporate and middle market business, multinational programs, construction, and sustainable energies.

Diaz-Guardaminos experience, market knowledge, leadership abilities and national and international track record will be essential in strengthening our position in the Spanish and Portuguese markets, commented Beatriz Valenti, director of Insurance, QBE Europe.

Part of QBE Insurance Group, QBE European Operations is a trading name of QBE Europe, QBE UK Ltd., QBE Underwriting Ltd., QBE Management Services (UK) Ltd., and QBE Underwriting Services (UK) Ltd.

Topics Talent Leadership Human Resources
A Johnson & Johnson subsidiary filed for bankruptcy for a third time on Friday as the healthcare giant seeks to advance an approximately $10 billion proposed settlement that would end tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that the companys baby powder and other talc products caused cancer.

J&J faces lawsuits from more than 62,000 claimants who alleged that its baby powder and other talc products were contaminated with asbestos and caused ovarian and other cancers. To stop those lawsuits, J&J subsidiary Red River Talc filed for bankruptcy protection in a federal bankruptcy court in Houston.

The company has denied the allegations and has called its products safe.

Erik Haas, J&Js worldwide vice president of litigation, said on Friday that the settlement is fair and equitable to all parties and that 83% of current talc claimants voted for it.

The settlement proposal has divided attorneys who represent cancer victims. Opponents of the deal said they will quickly ask the court to dismiss the bankruptcy or transfer it to New Jersey, where courts have twice rebuffed J&Js attempts to end the litigation in a so-called Texas two-step bankruptcy.

Andy Birchfield, an attorney opposed to the deal, said that J&J is gaming the bankruptcy system in an attempt to underpay tens of thousands of cancer victims.

We view this so-called vote as another fraudulent effort by J&J to manipulate the bankruptcy process and minimize the legitimate claims of ovarian cancer victims, Birchfield said.

Other attorneys spoke in support of the deal, including Allen Smith, a lawyer who had previously represented 11,000 claimants in partnership with Birchfields law firm.

Smith said the settlement offer finally provides my clients reasonable and fair compensation. Its now time to go to work and get them compensated as soon as possible.

The two-step maneuver employed by J&J involves offloading liabilities onto a newly created subsidiary that then declares Chapter 11, a type of bankruptcy that involves a reorganization of assets and debts under court supervision. The goal is to use the proceeding to force all plaintiffs into one settlement, without requiring J&J itself to file for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy judges can enforce global settlements that permanently halt all related lawsuits and forbid new ones.

Outside of bankruptcy, any settlement J&J reached with some claimants would still leave holdouts or future plaintiffs with the right to sue  and leave the company exposed to potential multibillion-dollar verdicts that encouraged it to use a two-step in the first place.

To improve its chances in a third bankruptcy effort, J&J asked plaintiffs to vote on its proposed deal ahead of time to ensure that it has enough support for its plan to succeed. J&J needed more than 75% to back the plan for a bankruptcy judge to impose the deal on all plaintiffs.

GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER CLAIMS

J&Js third attempt at a bankruptcy settlement also differs from its previous efforts in part because it focuses only on ovarian and other gynecological cancer claims, building on J&Js previous settlements with state attorneys general and people who had sued after developing mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

J&Js proposed settlement would pay talc claimants about $10 billion over 25 years. The present value of the settlement is roughly $8 billion after J&J recently agreed to kick in an additional $1.1 billion to the settlement fund and pay $650 million in legal fees to attorneys that had previously opposed the settlement offer.

The company has been engaged in a bitter fight with lawyers opposing its third attempt to settle the litigation in bankruptcy.

J&Js bankruptcy strategy still faces legal hurdles. These include a June U.S. Supreme Court decision involving Purdue Pharmas bankruptcy, court orders dismissing its previous efforts and proposed federal legislation aimed at preventing financially healthy companies like J&J from benefiting from bankruptcy protection.
A senior Google executive sought to refute the US Justice Departments antitrust case over its display advertising technology business, testifying that it faces fierce competition from the likes of Microsoft Corp., Amazon.com Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc.

But the federal judge overseeing the trial in Virginia called the testimony highly questionable and potentially tainted given that Google officials had known about antitrust concerns over the ad tools since the US opened its probe in 2019.

The Justice Department, which accused the Alphabet Inc. unit of monopolizing online ad technology tools, rested its case Friday after two weeks of testimony. That allowed Google to start presenting its defense, calling as the companys first witness Scott Sheffer, vice president of partnerships.

Sheffer, an 18-year veteran of Google, walked through the companys various products and pointed out dozens of online rivals that provide fierce competition in the business.

US District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who will decide whether Google violated the law, chastised the companys lawyers for presenting testimony she viewed as irrelevant.

This doesnt get to the core issues in this case, she said, questioning Sheffers views on ad tech competition because the company has been aware of antitrust probes for more than four years. A group of state attorneys general filed an antitrust suit over the alleged monopolization in 2020 and the Justice Department filed its own case last year.

Sheffer said that Google has recently lost some clients to Microsoft Corp., which purchased AT&T Inc.s ad tech business in 2022. Also that year, Netflix Inc. moved from Google to Microsofts advertising tools, in part, he said, because the Windows maker offered a financial guarantee that was quite large.

Sheffer also detailed Googles recent partnerships with X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and Roku Inc., but Brinkema ruled that the company couldnt offer the evidence because it had failed to disclose the information to the government earlier in the case.

Google is expected to continue its defense next week, after which the Justice Department will have an opportunity to recall witnesses before the trial concludes.

The government has alleged that Google manipulates the $677 billion display advertising market in violation of antitrust laws, building up a trifecta of monopolies to lock up the technology behind website ads and harm publishers and advertisers  claims Google has denied.

Photo: Photographer: Marlena Sloss/Bloomberg

Topics Legislation
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said on Friday it intends to seek sanctions against Elon Musk after he failed to appear for court-ordered testimony for the regulators probe into his $44 billion takeover of Twitter.

In a filing in San Francisco federal court, the SEC said the sanctions motion would seek an order to show cause for why Musk should not be held in civil contempt for waiting until three hours before the scheduled Sept. 10 testimony to advise he would not show up.

Musk, whose businesses include electric car maker Tesla and rocket company SpaceX and who is the worlds richest person, went to Floridas Cape Canaveral that day to oversee the launch of SpaceXs Polaris Dawn mission.

But the SEC said that as SpaceXs chief technical officer, Musk surely was already aware of the planned launch because the company had discussed it two days earlier. It said Musks actions violated a May 31 court order compelling his testimony.

Musks excuse itself smacks of gamesmanship, SEC lawyer Robin Andrews wrote. The court must make clear that Musks gamesmanship and delay tactics must cease.

Alex Spiro, a lawyer for Musk, called sanctions drastic and unnecessary, saying Musks absence from the launch could have endangered astronauts lives, and that his testimony has been rescheduled for Oct. 3.

Musks failure to testify on Sept. 10 resulted from an emergency he did not cause, and there is no reason to believe such an emergency will reoccur, Spiro wrote.

An SEC spokesperson declined to comment, though the regulator said in the court filing that nothing deters Musk from failing to show up on Oct. 3.

The SEC is investigating whether Musk violated securities laws in early 2022 when he started accumulating Twitter stock.

Musk has been criticized, including by Twitter shareholders, for waiting at least 10 days too long to disclose he was buying Twitter shares.

Investors must disclose when they reach 5% ownership of public companies. Musk eventually disclosed a 9.2% Twitter stake, and soon thereafter offered to buy the whole company.

In July, Musk said he misunderstood SEC disclosure requirements, and that all indications suggested his delay was a mistake.

The SEC sued last October after he missed a scheduled interview at its San Francisco office.

Musk has said the SEC was trying to harass him through subpoenas.

He has long feuded with the SEC, including after it sued him in 2018 over his Twitter posts about taking Tesla private.

Musk settled that lawsuit by paying a $20 million fine, agreeing to have Tesla lawyers review some posts in advance, and giving up his role as Teslas chairman.

Photo: Patrick Pleul/Pool via AP, File
Johnson & Johnsons third effort to end lawsuits claiming its baby powder caused thousands of women to get cancer should be dismissed because it violates US Supreme Court precedent and twists the purpose of the American bankruptcy system, holdout creditors said in court papers.

The health-care giant cant force women with ovarian cancer to join a proposed, $8 billion settlement under a ruling earlier this year by the top US court, lawyers who have long fought J&J argued. In June, justices voted 5-4 to reject the attempt by drugmaker Purdue Pharma to impose a $6 billion deal on holdouts opposed to an agreement that would have ended years of addiction claims related to the opioid epidemic.

The company will be in court Monday afternoon seeking to halt all court action outside of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case filed last week by Red River Talc, the unit J&J created to dispose of tens of thousands of lawsuits that claim baby powder once contained talc tainted with toxic substances.

Most of the more than 62,000 baby powder cancer suits filed so far have been gathered before a federal judge in New Jersey for pre-trial information exchanges. Lawyers for Red River will seek to put those cases on hold while the bankruptcy case plays out.

The new insolvency case is J&Js latest attempt to use special bankruptcy rules that allow corporations facing financial turmoil to force an end to all product-liability lawsuits. The rules require the company to win more than 75% of a vote by alleged victims and to set up a trust fund to pay claims. In return, all current and future lawsuits would be channeled through the trust, instead of fought in court and decided by juries.

Johnson & Johnson says it has overwhelming support for the roughly $8 billion settlement. Because 83% of alleged victims voted for the deal, Red River Talc qualifies for the special rules, the company argues.

The same lawyers who successfully defeated J&Js first two attempts to use bankruptcy have asked Judge Christopher Lopez to throw out the new case as well. The opponents, including attorneys from the law firms Brown Rudnick LLP and Otterbourg PC, also claim that J&J rigged the victim vote by including women with gynecological cancers that cannot be linked to tainted baby powder.

The company bought the votes of the holders of these negative value, non-compensable claims by offering a $1,500 Quickpay payment, the holdouts said in a court filing.

The Purdue ruling does not prevent Johnson & Johnson from using bankruptcy because the baby powder claims involve alleged asbestos poisoning. Decades ago US lawmakers added rules to the bankruptcy code to help companies facing asbestos lawsuits. Those rules have been upheld by the US Supreme Court and can benefit Johnson & Johnson, the company said in statement.

The company also disputed claims that the voting was flawed, calling the allegations disingenuous.

Over the past 15 years, juries have awarded billions of dollars in damages to people who blame fatal cancers like ovarian and mesothelioma on J&Js powder. Some of those verdicts were later overturned on appeal. The company has struggled to reach a so-called global out-of-court settlement with some victims and put an end to the suits.

J&J has said its talc-based powders never caused cancer and it appropriately marketed its now-withdrawn talc-based baby powder for more than 100 years. Last year, the company discontinued the talc-based version of the product and replaced it with a cornstarch-based substitute across the globe.

The bankruptcy case is Red River Talc LLC, 24-90505, US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston).

Photo: The Johnson & Johnson logo is displayed outside the companys headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Photographer: Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A jury in Texas began to deliberate Friday whether the so-called Trump Train that surrounded a Biden-Harris campaign bus days before the 2020 election in a heated highway encounter amounted to political intimidation.

This case is not about politics, Robert Meyer, an attorney representing those aboard the bus, told the jury. Its about safety.

The civil trial has spanned two weeks in a federal courthouse in Austin has included testimony from former Texas Democratic lawmaker Wendy Davis, who ran for governor in 2014, and is one of three people who was on board the bus and brought the lawsuit against six supporters of former President Donald Trump.

No criminal charges have been filed against the Trump supporters, who have argued that their actions during the convoy on Oct. 30, 2020, were protected speech.

Video that Davis recorded from the bus shows pickup trucks with large Trump flags slowing down to box in the bus as it tried to move away from the group of Trump supporters. One of the defendants hit a campaign volunteers car while the trucks occupied all lanes of traffic, forcing the bus and everyone around it to a 15 mph crawl.

During closing arguments Friday, Meyer argued that the defendants conversations leading up to the convoy about Operation Block the Bus, dissemination of flyers and aggressive driving met the criteria for political intimidation. Jurors also listened to several 911 calls from bystanders who were fearful that the convoy would cause a collision.

This wasnt some kind of peaceful protest, Meyer said. The bus swarmed on all sides.

Attorneys for the defendants argued they did not intend to hurt anyone or scheme a plan for Democrats to cancel their remaining campaign events in Texas.

There was no civil assault because there was no intent to hurt anybody, attorney Francisco Canseco said. Canseco represents Eliazar Cisneros who is accused of hitting a volunteers car that was following the bus.

The jury will have to decide whether the defendants made an informal agreement to intimidate, harass or injure the Democrats on the bus in an effort to suppress their political support of President Joe Biden.

On Friday, comments outside the courtroom got heated between gallery members and one woman was escorted out.

Those on the bus  including Davis, a campaign staffer and the driver  repeatedly called 911 asking for help and a police escort through San Marcos, but when no law enforcement arrived, the campaign canceled the event and pushed forward to Austin.

The trial began with plaintiffs attorneys saying that organizers targeted the bus in a calculated attack to intimidate the Democrats, arguing that it violated the Ku Klux Klan Act, an 1871 federal law that bans political violence and intimidation.

The City of San Marcos settled a separate lawsuit filed by the same three Democrats against the police, agreeing to pay $175,000 and mandate political violence training for law enforcement.

___

Lathan 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 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas
A Connecticut couple who previously lived in Tampa, Florida, has agreed to settle a subrogation lawsuit brought by Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co., which accused the couple of using a nonprofit theater groups credit card for personal gain.

The suit said the couple, Lindsay Warfield and Randall Adkison, ran up more than $587,000 on the card. Philadelphia Indemnity, which covered the alleged theft losses, also asked for interest, punitive damages, attorney fees and other costs. The settlement amount was not disclosed in court papers filed last week in federal court in Connecticut.

This case has been reported settled. Rather than continue to keep the case open on the docket, the Clerk of Court is directed to close this file administratively without prejudice to reopening on or before October 21, 2024, reads the judges order, filed after a settlement conference.

The alleged fraud highlighted a stunning fall from grace for one of the nonprofit theater worlds rising stars. For almost a decade, Warfield was chapter director of the Florida State Thespian Society, an affiliate of Educational Theatre Association, which was insured under a policy from Philadelphia Insurance. In 2020, she was named theater educator of the year by the Florida Association for Theatre Education. That year, she was a theatre teacher at George M. Steinbrenner High School in Tampa, according to published reports.

As state chapter director, Warfield had access to the associations bank accounts and checkbook and had the authority to approve credit card payments for the business. The Society has troupes in schools around the state and an annual festival in Tampa, its website shows.

Warfields non-business expenditures allegedly included payments for groceries, clothing, furniture, airline tickets, and beauty salon, custom auto and veterinarian services, as well as payments to vendors including Airbnb, Universal Studios, Sea World, Disney, Broadway, and various museums and movie theaters.

According to the complaint, the couple moved to Connecticut from Florida shortly before the board of the Educational Theatre Association in March 2023 uncovered the alleged misappropriation of funds and suspended Warfield.

Philadelphia Insurances lawsuit complaint alleged that after the fraud was uncovered by the nonprofits board, Adkison, who was an assistant director with the Florida chapter, deleted all festival registration data prior to 2023.

When asked about the credit card charges, Warfield admitted to misappropriating monies for personal use such as AirBnB stays and Wayfair expenses. She said she kept her business credit cards in the same electronic wallet on her phone and that she sometimes used the business credit cards for personal items by mistake.

Read more about the subrogation lawsuit.

Topics Carriers
The US Gulf Coast from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle is at risk of a hurricane strike by the end of the week as a patch of turbulent weather in the Atlantic becomes more organized.

Currently a swirl of thunderstorms in the Caribbean and southern Gulf of Mexico, the system has a 70% chance of becoming the Atlantics next storm by Wednesday, the US National Hurricane Center said.

Forecast models predict it will thread the gap between Cuba and Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula, driving north across the warm waters of the Gulf before making landfall somewhere between Bay St. Louis, Mississippi  east of New Orleans  to Floridas western coast. It would be the fourth named storm to hit the US mainland this year.

As it moves, it will encounter ideal conditions, Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist at commercial forecaster AccuWeather Inc., said in an interview. We are very concerned for rapid intensification Wednesday to Thursday afternoon.

The storm, which would be called Helene if it continues to strengthen, threatens to be the first this year to hit the US mainland as a major hurricane with winds of 111 miles (180 kilometers) per hour or more. That would make it at least a Category 3 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale.

The storms track will be determined by a larger low-pressure system across the central US that could steer it ashore anywhere from southern Mississippi to western Florida, Roys said. This would currently keep it to the east of many offshore oil and natural gas operations near Louisiana and Texas.

Meanwhile, a second system in the Pacific will smash Mexicos Guerrero and Oaxaca states as a major hurricane with winds topping 120 mph when it comes ashore Tuesday, the hurricane center said. Wind speeds have more than doubled since midnight, now peaking at 85 mph, and will continue to strengthen.

This means it has met the criteria of rapid intensification, a dangerous situation that occurs when a storms winds increase by 35 mph or more in just 24 hours. A hurricane warning is in place along the coast from Punta Maldonado to Bahias de Huatulco.

There is a chance more than 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain will fall across the mountainous region, leading to deadly floods and landslides, Roys said.

We are very nervous, he said.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Florida Hurricane
Authorities have identified two people killed when a gas station exploded and started a fire in a remote Idaho town last week.

The Clearwater County Sheriffs Office said Brandon Cook, 53, of Orofino and Wesley Lineberry, 62, of Pierce were both killed in the explosion at the Atkinson Distributing station in Cardiff on Sept. 11.

Two others were badly burned in the explosion and subsequent fire, and they remained hospitalized on Wednesday. Separate GoFundMe pages identified the injured as fuel tanker driver Donny Billeter and gas station attendant Roxann Hubbs.

A fuel tanker semi truck was in the process of filling the above-ground tanks at the station when the explosion happened just after 3 p.m., said Idaho State Fire Marshal Knute Sandahl. The blast destroyed the tanker and sent debris including truck parts, piping, pieces of the tank and chunks from the gas station building flying across an area about the size of a city block, Sandahl said.

Both the tanker truck driver and the gas station attendant were near the truck when the explosion occurred. The bodies of Lineberry and Cook were found just outside the gas station, but investigators have not yet confirmed if they were inside or outside the building when the disaster began, Sandahl said.

Its not yet clear what caused the explosion, Sandahl said, and the National Transportation Safety Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are assisting in the investigation.

Were digging deep and its just going to take some time, said Sandahl. Im hoping well have something a little bit more definitive to release in October sometime.

Some nearby buildings were also damaged by the explosion and fire, and the remaining fuel at the site has been an obstacle for investigators. A regional hazardous materials response team was called in to help mitigate the danger.

Gas station explosions are rare, Sandahl said.

In my 19 years of being a state fire marshal here in Idaho, this is the first incident Im aware of, he said.

Offloading  the process of moving fuel from a tanker truck to a stations storage tanks  increases the risk somewhat but is still typically a very safe process because the drivers follow specific procedures, he said.

Quite honestly, I think the most dangerous thing is fueling up your vehicle while smoking or filling plastic gas cans in the back of your pickup truck, which increases the risk of sparks from static electricity, Sandahl said. As we know from high school chemistry, its actually the fumes that are volatile, and if there is a spark introduced, it can cause a problem.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection employee was arrested on suspicion he started five brush fires in Northern California in recent weeks, officials said.

Robert Hernandez, 38, was arrested at the Howard Forest Fire Station in Healdsburg, California, on suspicion of arson to forest land, the state agency said in a statement.

Hernandez is an apparatus engineer with the agency, which entails operating and maintaining fire engines and water tanks during emergency responses.

Neither Cal Fire nor the union representing Cal Fire employees would say Friday whether they know if he has retained an attorney.

Cal Fire said Hernandez ignited the blazes while off duty between Aug. 14 and Sept. 15 in forest land near Geyserville, Healdsburg and Windsor.

The blazes combined burned less than an acre thanks to the quick action of residents and firefighters, the agency said.

I am appalled to learn one of our employees would violate the publics trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of CAL FIRE, Cal Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler said in the statement.

Ari Hirschfield, a Cal Fire spokesperson, said in an email that the agency would not answer further questions about the arrest.

On Tuesday, a delivery driver pleaded not guilty to starting the massive Line Fire on Sept. 5. The blaze forced the evacuation of thousands of people east of Los Angeles, injured a firefighter and destroyed a home.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, was charged with 11 arson-related crimes, court records show.

Authorities said Halstenberg, of Norco, attempted to start three fires within an hour. Two of the blazes were extinguished by firefighters and a good Samaritan, and a third became the Line Fire, which has charred 61 square miles in the San Bernardino mountains. It was 53% contained on Friday.

In July, a man was arrested on suspicion of starting the Park Fire in Northern California by pushing a burning car into a gully. Ronnie Dean Stout was charged with felony arson of an inhabited structure or property. He pleaded not guilty.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Wildfire
September 23, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Donald Trump has once again waded into an issue he doesn't understand - this time over diverting Canadian fresh water south for irrigating drought-affected areas.

The Republican presidential nominee announced an idea to help alleviate California water shortages involving British Columbia.

"So you have millions of gallons of water pouring down from the north with the snow caps in Canada and all pouring down and they have essentially a very large faucet," Trump said last Friday.

"And you turn the faucet and it takes one day to turn it. It's massive. It's as big as the wall of that building right there behind you. You turn that, and all of that water aimlessly goes into the Pacific (Ocean), and if you turned that back, all of that water would come right down here and into Los Angeles, he said.

Informed Canadians reacted immediately to Trump's facile idea.

"It's not that simple. To me, it's an uninformed opinion. It's somebody that doesn't fully understand how water works and doesn't understand the intricacies of allocating water not only between two countries but also for the environment," Tricia Stadnyk, an environmental engineering professor at the University of Calgary, told CTV TV in Calgary.

The faucet Trump is talking about is the Columbia River, which begins in southeastern British Columbia and flows south to Oregon, where it empties into the Pacific Ocean near Astoria.

The Columbia River Treaty regulates how much water is flowing across the border and what it's going to be used for. The treaty originally required Canada to provide 15.5 million acre-feet of water storage by building three dams: Duncan, Hugh Keenleyside and Mica.

First signed in 1961 by Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and US President Dwight Eisenhower, the treaty was recently renegotiated and there is nothing in it about diverting limited water in US states like Idaho to California. Read more on the history

An agreement-in-principle signed in July enables officials to update the treaty to ensure continued flood-risk management and co-operation on hydro power on the river, CTV News reported.

US eyes Canadian water

It's not the first time that California and Nevada have looked north to get more water, states an article published in the Idaho Capital Sun.

Water - the next US-Canada trade irritant - Richard Mills

Columnist Rocky Barker reminds readers that in 1990, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn won the unanimous vote of his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors to study transferring water from the Columbia River and the Snake River, its largest tributary.

An aqueduct system would start near Hagerman, Idaho, where river water would be pumped about 6,500 feet above sea level to Jackpot, Nevada. From there, the water would flow downhill to Lake Mead, where it would turn turbines to generate electricity at the Hoover Dam.

While the idea eventually died, Barker writes that Donald Trump has resurrected it. He also notes the US Senate must approve the re-negotiated Columbia River Treaty before it's finalized, and asks whether, if Trump is re-elected, he will try to rewrite the treaty so it diverts Columbia-Snake River water to California.

Stadnyk, the environmental engineering professor, says the US doesn't get to decide how much water goes across the border and how much stays.

"There is not a lot of water in any system just sitting there to be had. We are over-allocated in almost all our systems, for the increases in population that we have and the demands and uses of our water supply, both in Canada and the U.S." she said.

Moreover, a diversion project would cost billions and the consequences would have everlasting effects on the ecosystem.

"We can't just be taking water and diverting it and sending it somewhere else. Besides that, every time that we're asked to do that, it's a sign that we're living outside of our means," she said.

Werner Antweiler with the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business said that there is no limitless supply of water in Canada as claimed by Trump.

"In fact, we've actually had less water because of climate change that's going south," he told Global News. "And so there has to be some adjustments made. But also the water is used for hydro dams. It's used for maintaining the fisheries in the Columbia River all the way to the coast, all the way through Oregon primarily. And so there is just no spare water here, frankly, shipping it anywhere."

Antweiler said B.C. and Canada needs its own water and there is no more to reroute in bulk to other countries.

"It's unrealistic for ecological reasons as well as commercial reasons. And it would actually require a treaty and we would not negotiate a treaty that would be to the detriment of Canada. We would only want to negotiate a treaty that would be beneficial to us," Antweiler said.

"In fact, that is exactly what the Columbia Treaty is doing."

Trump said that if B.C. would turn the faucet then "farmers would have all the water they needed."

Antweiler said it's best to take comments like this one with a grain of salt.

"I'm sure Mr. Trump has never studied hydrology or the economics of water management and the actual, the needs of California, because what California needs is mostly local water," he said.

"They need to actually manage their own water much better. They actually have water, but they're mismanaging it for a number of reasons."

Antweiler added that there is a lot that California can and should do to manage their water sources, including the use of water in agriculture.

California, whose nearly 40 million population is greater than Canada's, is North America's biggest supplier of fruits, nuts and vegetables. Not being able to properly irrigate its 43 million acres used for farming is their sole motivation to look elsewhere for a reliable source of H2O.

In fact, Canadians may be surprised to learn that plans have been on the books since the 1950s to divert a large amount of water from Canada, state-side.

The North American Water and Power Alliance (NAWAPA) proposed to use nuclear explosions to blast canals and channel water from the north-flowing Yukon, Liard, and Peace rivers, southward to water-deprived US agricultural regions and cities. A 2015 column posted on Radio Canada International notes that NAWAPA is still very much alive, with detailed proposals and analysis made in 2010 and 2012.

Another scheme, called the Grand Canal, would dam the top of James Bay, turning it into a huge reservoir, and cut a massive trench through northern Ontario that would bring fresh water to the Great Lakes, from where Americans could siphon however much water they need for farms, towns and cities impacted by climate change.



Source: Wikipedia public domain

Abhorrent as these ideas seem, some Canadian politicians have advocated selling Canadian water down the river.

Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney introduced a bill that would have allowed exports by tanker and small-scale land diversion. Ex-NDP leader Thomas Mulcair wanted to explore the concept of bulk water exports while he was Quebec's environment minister.

The Montreal Economic Institute reportedly argued that water exports would be a huge boon to heavily indebted Quebec, pointing out the province could earn as much as $65 billion annually by exporting around 10% of its fresh water supply.

Of course a large amount of Canadian water was shipped out of the country by Swiss consumer products giant Nestle, which sucked up vast amounts of groundwater for its bottling plant in Ontario, before selling its Canadian water business in 2020.

Columnist Lloyd Alter, in his piece 'Canada has water. The US wants it', claims that 3,200 cubic feet per second is pumped from Lake Michigan and sent south through the Chicago River and into the Mississippi, through deals made between Canadian and US industries.

The federal government's Bill C-383 bans inter-basin transfers into international rivers but the legislation does not cover non-boundary waters or water resources in the north, states the Council of Canadians.

A further loophole in the act, is it narrows the definition of water removal to 50,000 liters or more, and exempts water used to make beverages.

Conclusion

Canadian politicians should be wary of any overtures the United States makes toward us for our water, not only because we may need all we can get, as drought conditions migrate north, but given how poorly our southern neighbour and supposed friend has treated us lately.

Consider how former President Trump decided the first country he would visit after inauguration in January 2017 was Saudi Arabia. Most incoming US presidents prioritize a visit with Canada, arguably its greatest ally, friend, and neighbor. The snub is not easily forgotten.

In 2018 Canada was surprisingly included among countries subject to Trump's tariffs on imported aluminum and steel.

Then there was the fight over NAFTA. In renegotiating the trilateral agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico, Trump railed against Canadian dairy farmers, calling tariffs on milk, cheese and butter coming from the United States "a disgrace" and threatened to slap a 25% duty on Canadian-made cars."

After Trump lost the election to Joe Biden many in Canada hoped the tense relationship between the two countries would become more cordial, but Biden was quick to throw sand in the face of that notion. On his first day in office, Biden announced the Keystone XL pipeline expansion project would be scrapped.

It took a trade war with China for the US to realize how easily it can be held ransom over rare earths, cobalt, graphite, manganese or any other of the 35 minerals the US Geological Survey considers critical to US economic and national security.

Realizing that Canada supplies 13 of these minerals, and is America's leading supplier of indium, potash, aluminum and tellurium, its second-largest supplier of tungsten, manganese and niobium, and ships roughly a quarter of US uranium supply, suddenly all previous acrimony was forgotten amid the new threat posed by China's monopoly over much of the world's critical minerals supply chain.

In January 2020, the two nations agreed to a Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration aimed at improving critical minerals security.

That was followed in 2021 with an agreement between Biden and Trudeau to build a US-Canada electric vehicle supply chain.

In March 2023, President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau launched the one-year Canada-US Energy Transformation Task Force (ETTF) to accelerate cooperation on critical clean energy opportunities and supply chains. The ETTF was extended for another year this past May.

What gets me, though, is how bad Canadian politicians are at negotiating. Here we finally have a resource that should give us significant leverage in dealing with our largest trading partner. In return for offering our minerals and our mining expertise, what are we asking for in return? I've yet to discover anything in print.

Our best friend and ally's reaction? To increasingly view Canada as a kind of "51st State" for mineral supply purposes (quoting here from Reuters).

Excuse me? A 51st State? What happened to Canadian sovereignty over it's natural resources? Where's the contrition in treating little brother Canada like a punching bag over our oil? Our minerals? Our lumber? Our dairy products? And now our water?

If we can't even stand up for ourselves over mining, an area of national expertise since well before the United States asked for our help, what hope do we have in maintaining Canadian sovereignty over fresh water?

Richard (Rick) Mills

aheadoftheherd.com

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UK real estate website Rightmove has said it will consider a 6.1bn (7.3bn) sweetened bid from REA Group  the third proposal in less than three weeks from the Australian property portal.

The offer stands 2.8% higher than a previous bid by REA, which is part of media mogul Rupert Murdochs empire. REA had expressed frustration at the UK firms refusal to even discuss a deal after rejecting its two previous offers.

Rightmove said its board will carefully consider the increased proposal, together with its financial advisers, according to a statement.

The UKs go-to website for property listings has managed to extract quickfire sweeteners from REA worth about 500m by previously keeping its doors closed. The interest from the largest player in the Australian online real estate industry has sent Rightmoves stock soaring 25% since the start of September.

The risk for Rightmove shareholders is that REA walks away and shares in the UK company slump.

Rightmove has maintained steady revenue growth in recent years and its future prospects are looking bright as the UK housing market is expected to pick up on declining interest rates and efforts by the new Labour government to increase housing supply through a slew of planning reforms.

The strength of Rightmoves fundamentals explain the acquisition interest, with more high-single-digit sales gains likely in 2024-25, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence report. The British firm may yet again reject the offer, and a bid north of 800 pence is more likely to be accepted, according to the report.

While Rightmove enjoys the largest market share in the UK property portal market, rival OnTheMarket recently launched an expansion drive after being acquired by US real estate firm CoStar Group.

REA has already expanded into other markets including India. REA plans to have a secondary stock market listing in London if it buys Rightmove.

Before Rightmove announced its decision to consider the latest offer, it had rejected proposals from REA for 705 pence a share and 749 pence a share.

REA pushed the London-based companys shareholders to agitate for talks to kick off. It urged them to encourage the UK company to engage in constructive discussions.

We are genuinely disappointed at the lack of engagement by Rightmoves board, REA chief executive Owen Wilson said.

Bloomberg
Brian Lalor has distinguished himself as an architect, archaeologist, educator, author and editor, but it is arguably his work as an artist that has given him the greatest pleasure over the past sixty years.

His primary interest has been in printmaking, and his exhibition, Brian Lalor: Retrospective, currently running at Uillinn: the West Cork Arts Centre in Skibbereen, features a range of his distinctive copperplate etchings and woodcuts, as well as watercolours and drawings, and a number of ceramic pieces he produced with potter Jim Turner.

Lalor was born in Cork in 1941. He studied at the Crawford College of Art, at a time when it was still housed in the Crawford Art Gallery on Emmet Place.

As an art college, the Crawford was staggering to a halt at that point, he says. There were three lecturers who had been there for a lifetime and were all due to retire. But, although I did ceramics and the like, I was actually there to study architecture, and that department was very vibrant, with young lecturers who were all working in practices around Cork."

He recalls a good experience overall. "The problem was that the Royal Institute of British Architects who validated the course didn't consider there were enough lecturers at the Crawford, so you could do only three years there, and then youd have to go somewhere else to qualify. I went to London. It was the early 1960s, and I had a great time.

Brian Lalor's triple Self Portrait

Lalor worked in architecture for about five years. The last year I was in Tel Aviv, in Israel, he says. I was an award winner in a major international architectural competition, and then I quit. It was one of those quit while you're ahead moments. I had an opportunity to move into archaeology, and I had wanted to study archaeology rather than architecture originally.

"So I moved out of architecture into being the head of the architectural department of a very large excavation. I went from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and I spent five years there, making some serious discoveries. It was truly fascinating work. I was very lucky to have that opportunity.

It was while working as an archaeologist that Lalor taught himself printmaking. He soon became absorbed in etching, where you work on copper plates. You cover them with wax and put them in acid, and the acid etches the lines. It's the principal art form I do.

Lalor visited Gaza often in those days. It was then very, very poor. In fact, there's a picture of one of the refugee camps in my retrospective. The Gulf states put an awful lot of money into moving the population into high-rise apartments in Gaza, and these are the buildings that are now being destroyed.

Whats happening is an absolute tragedy. The Hamas attack on Israel, in which more than a thousand people were murdered, has spurred Israel on to an act of revenge that will achieve nothing. They need to make peace now, today.

Lalor returned to Ireland around 1973, settling with his family in Ballydehob. We bought a derelict farmhouse for not a lot of money, as you could do at the time. That was when I started printmaking seriously. I worked there for ten years, and then we moved to Dublin, where I had a studio and I taught printmaking and published books.

In 1977, Lalor collaborated with the poet Eileen Ni Chuilleanain on a publication called Cork, a tribute to their native city that featured her poems and his drawings. The book has just been re-printed by the Gallery Press. To coincide with Lalors retrospective, Uillinn has also produced an illustrated book  Brian Lalor: Retrospective  that features an extensive interview with curator Vera Ryan.

Brian Lalor, No. 70 Merrion Square

Among Lalors other publications is Ink-Stained Hands, his history of printmaking in Ireland, whose title comes from a poem by Paul Muldoon about the artist Mary Farl Powers. It's a perfect title for the subject, says Lalor. You're getting ink all over yourself, not just on your hands. Its like children playing with mud.

As an editor, Lalors crowning achievement was The Encyclopaedia of Ireland, with over 5,500 articles on all things Irish, produced by Gill & MacMillan in 2003. It was then, and possibly still is, the largest single volume publication ever published in Ireland, he says. It has a million and a quarter words. At the launch, someone remarked that not only is it full of information, it makes a valuable weapon.

I was chosen as the general editor because I had a very broad range of interests. For the five years I worked on the Encyclopedia, I was learning all the time. So, it was personally a very enriching experience. I managed to write notes on a range of major themes with more than 800 contributors, many of them senior academics, and I only fell out with two. That was an achievement in itself. At any rate, I didn't disgrace myself.

The various institutions Lalor has taught at include UCD, and he has also lectured at the National Gallery and other places. "I enjoy teaching, but I've tried not to let it take over my life. I value my independence as a freelance artist and writer, and I've tried to stick with that.

But you need the temperament of a gambler, really, to survive in the arts. You can have a very good exhibition, but then people think theyve had enough of your work. You have these wonderful successes, and then nothing.

Lalor returned to Ballydehob about 12 years ago. I built a new studio, and now I work between here and Dublin, mostly. When the exhibition at Uillinn is over, Im going to Hangzhou in China for two weeks. Im going for a trade fair, a combination of art, craft and fashion, with people from Dublin and West Cork. It's not a place Ive ever been, so I'm looking forward to the visual experience of whatever it has to offer. Its a kind of escape from having to think about what I'm going to do next. Though something will pop up soon, I'm sure.

Lalors retrospective at Uillinn has, of course, given him occasion to look back over his lifes work. Asked to comment on his myriad achievements, his response is typically modest. So far, so good, he chuckles.

Brian Lalor: Retrospective runs at Uillinn: the West Cork Arts Centre until October 12. Further information:brianlalor.ie; westcorkartscentre.com
An Garda Siochana is understood to be carrying out a fact-finding exercise after President Michael D Higgins stated that the Israeli Embassy in Dublin circulated an official letter he sent to Iran.

The letter was published in a British publication, the Jewish Chronicle, and attracted strong criticism from a number of international security academics and some Irish politicians, including within Fine Gael.

Speaking at the UN in New York on Sunday, President Higgins said he believed the letter had been circulated by the Israeli embassy, but that he did not know how the Israelis obtained it.

"You should ask where the criticism came from and how the letter was circulated and by whom and for what purpose," he said. Mr Higgins said that he had written to the new Iranian President as a new head of state.

Pressed as to where he believed the letter came from, Mr Higgins said: It was circulated from the Israeli embassy."

It is understood that the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service, which is the lead agency responsible for internal security, is carrying out inquiries on the matter.

This is believed to be a fact-finding exercise and not a formal investigation. It is thought that officers will be in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Presidents Office in relation to the matter.

It is possible that the contents of the letter may not have been accessed in Ireland and that this could have happened in Iran or elsewhere in the Middle East, where Israel is believed to conduct extensive surveillance and interception measures.

Israel Embassy reaction

The Israel Embassy in Dublin has completely rejected the assertions of the President.

In a statement, it said: "Unfortunately in Ireland, since the October 7 invasion by Hamas and massacre in Israel, which triggered this awful war, Israel has been subjected to a high level of malicious statements and accusations that have often manifested as incitement to hatred.

This baseless accusation is highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous, and the embassy rejects it completely. The fact remains that the letter was written and therefore it is the burden of the author to defend its content, which did not mention the threat Iran poses in the region.
Gardai in Dublin remain searching for a suspect after a five-month-old girl was abducted following an opportunistic carjacking in the city on Monday.

The parents of the girl faced an agonising two-hour wait before discovering that the girl had been found safe and well by patrolling gardai.

The incident happened at around 1.50pm in the Mountjoy Square area of the city, when a car was stolen with the baby passenger in the back seat.

It is believed the man who hijacked the car was not known to the child or her family.

Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty said: Gardai immediately commenced searches in the north inner city and an emergency alert was issued to all gardai on patrol.

Gardai issued a formal child rescue alert to the media at 3.56pm, but stood it down at 4.17pm and said the child had been found safe in the car in a laneway near to where it had been taken.

The Nissan Qashqai was recovered on North Richmond St in the north inner city by gardai searching for the vehicle, said Supt Geraghty. The suspect in this case is best described at this stage as a white, middle-aged male wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap.

The senior garda said that it was obviously a very traumatic time for the childs mother and father, but they were reunited shortly after 4pm.

When asked if it was an opportunistic crime, Supt Geraghty said: That would be what it appears to be at this stage.

Gardai have established an incident room at Mountjoy Garda Station and are currently harvesting CCTV footage in following a definite line of inquiry, as they appealed for witnesses to come forward.
The garda file has been sent to the DPP in the case against a man accused of arming himself with a screwdriver and shouting at another young man in Cork: Do you want to die, black boy?

James Hogan of 60 Liffey Park, Mayfield, Cork, appeared before Judge Philip OLeary at Cork District Court by video link from prison on Monday where he was represented by solicitor Frank Buttimer.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said the file was now with the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Buttimer said that this represented progress in the case and said the accused would consent to a three-week remand in custody in the circumstances.

Mr Hogan then spoke up on the video link from prison to Cork District Court, asking for peremptory the next date. Mr Buttimer said he would apply for a peremptory adjournment against the State on October 14.

Garda Ray Costello outlined the allegations against the accused when bail was refused initially: On July 12, gardai received a call that a male had threatened another male with a screwdriver and shouted, 'Do you want to die, black boy?'

The screwdriver was disposed of in a nearby bin. Gardai went to the scene and the male was identified by gardai as James Hogan. The screwdriver was retrieved from the bin. CCTV was downloaded which shows James Hogan holding the screwdriver and shouting at the injured party.

An injured party statement was taken and there were two witnesses, with one stating that the screwdriver had been put in the bin, and the other witness saying what occurred.

Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor, said: He described a lawful reason for having the item in his possession. He has three days a week working and would use equipment of that kind. Garda Costello said: I recall him saying he had work on a construction site.

James Hogan, who is aged around 20, is charged with being in possession of a screwdriver, contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
The Taoiseach has defended comments he made linking homelessness levels and migration.

Simon Harris had told the Sunday Times the rate of homelessness was impacted by the numbers of people coming to Ireland seeking international protection or migrating.

Speaking in New York, Mr Harris said there was "an absolute link" between people leaving direct provision presenting as homeless. However, the Taoiseach said his comments were not "apportioning blame" to any particular group of people.

"There is no doubt that there is a link between the migration challenge we face and the homeless challenge  not the entirety of homelessness, of course.

"But if you look at the figures, for example, for the month of July in Dublin, the single biggest reason people gave for presenting at Dublin homeless services was exiting direct provision.

"And if you look at the figures for Dublin over the summer months, I think June, but this is generally over months, you'll see that around 20% to 24% of people who present come from countries outside the European Economic Area, and I think around a similar percentage from either the UK or the EU.

"So the point I was making, and I stand by very, very much so, is that over the last number of years, we've seen a growing population. Over the last number of years, we've seen many people come to our country."

Mr Harris said he had reiterated in the interview that immigration was a good thing and that Ireland benefitted from immigration.

"I promised the people of Ireland that I was going to try and apply common sense, and there is absolutely no doubt that a rising population and a rising number of people coming to our country, of course, has an impact on supply.

"Of course, it's not the fault of anybody. It's not to apportion blame, and it's certainly not to apportion blame to vulnerable people, not in any manner or means," he said.

"But the figures speak for themselves, and the data is there for all people to see.

"There is an absolute direct link in our figures that are published monthly between people exiting direct provision and people presenting at homeless services," the Taoiseach added.
He stares unflinchingly into the screen from the prison he is currently in. His image is beamed into the North Cork courtroom as a judge, gardai, and a solicitor talk about his case.

His face and eyes are blank of any emotion, even as the judge raises concerns about the length of time he has been in custody for three offences under public order legislation, alleged to have occurred almost two years earlier in a Cork town.

The man, aged in his mid 20s, is pale and gives no flicker of acknowledgement when reference is made to an assault on him in prison in recent times.

Nor is there any sprig of hope to be gleaned from his demeanour when the judge hints that he may strike out the three charges against him, which would pave the way for him to get the help he is believed to need.

No family members are in court to hear the concerns raised, neither are they there two days later when the judge acts on his impulse to strike out the case against him, allowing for him to be taken into custody under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act  a mechanism used to allow a doctor to recommend compulsory admission to hospital for assessment or treatment.

The case came up in court just under a fortnight after the release of the latest batch of prison visiting committee reports, which covered 2022 but which were only published last month.

Several of the reports raised concerns about mentally-ill people being in the prison justice system.

For example, the visiting committee for the Dochas centre for women in Mountjoy outlined: As Visiting Committee we reiterate our significant concern and unease about the inappropriate detention of women with serious mental ill-health in the Dochas Centre and continue to request urgent action in this matter. Our concerns also reflect international best practice.

"The Bangkok rules state that women who are in prison should have gender-specific responses to mental health care and that alternatives to prison should be available for women.

The Irish Examiner reported earlier this month that a third of beds at the 170-bed Central Mental Hospital in Portrane, which opened in November 2022, remain closed because of staffing issues  while 21 people are on the waiting list for a bed at the facility.

A third of beds at the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane remain closed because of staffing issues. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

Meanwhile, as of August 1, the number of people being treated through the prison psychology service was 526, while approximately 2,090 were waiting to be seen. According to the Irish Prison Service (IPS), the average wait time for a psychology service is 31.4 days.

Criminal lawyer Joseph Cuddigan, who says he has come across numerous cases involving people who should not be in the criminal justice system, believes there are people in a prison setting who should instead be receiving medical treatment. However, there is no other option because of a lack of facilities for such offenders, he contends.

We have of course the Central Mental Hospital, which has a disproportionate number of beds compared to the general prison population, with the result that there are not beds available for people and then people who should be in a psychiatric setting are not in a psychiatric setting," said Mr Cuddigan.

"They are in a general prison and it is impossible where you have a mixture of inmates, some with psychiatric problems, some who havent, and you have the prison officers trying to in effect deal with this blended population.

"Some of them [inmates] are quite conscious of early release and obey the rules and all the rest of it. And then there are other poor people in there who are hearing voices and are in and out of psychotic states and they do not react to the normal inducement of an early release. It is impossible.

He also said that the pressure of overcrowding in the prison system is an added stressor.

Because of the overcrowding in the prisons, you have people sharing cells and some of the people sharing the cells are quite psychiatrically adversely affected and are very vulnerable to other prisoners.

Earlier this year, Mental Health Reform released a report which found that men in prison face significant barriers to accessing mental health care and called for increased funding to support people in prison experiencing mental health difficulties and addiction issues.

Chief executive of Mental Health Reform Fiona Coyle says many people in prison with addiction issues and mental health difficulties are unable to access appropriate treatment.

Investment is needed to introduce a National Clinical Programme for Dual Diagnosis across the prison system. This is critical to improve outcomes for people in prison who have mental health needs as well as a substance or alcohol use disorder.

She welcomes the publication of the Mental Health Bill which was debated in the Dail last Wednesday, saying it will help to divert individuals from custody towards supportive environments where they can access in-patient care.

Fiona Coyle says many people in prison with addiction issues and mental health difficulties are unable to access appropriate treatment. Picture: Conor McCabe

In its report, Dochas prison visiting committee referenced the High Level Taskforce set up to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector and which published its final report in September 2022. The prison visiting committee hoped it would deliver its recommendations in a timely fashion.

Executive director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust Saoirse Brady said that when the taskforce published its report in 2022, it was published in the same week as Budget 2023 yet its recommendations were not costed.

While we have seen some progress, with a number of key initiatives started, many of those short-term recommendations have not yet been completed.

In its pre-budget submission, the IPRT has identified a number of short-term goals under the taskforces radar, including allocating an additional 1.4m to provide ring-fenced funding to the IPS to recruit the minimum number of psychologists required, based on current prison population. It also wants the expansion of the Psychiatric In-Reach and Court Liaison Service model which between 2006 and 2023 has successfully diverted nearly 2,000 people from prison.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health defended the roll-out of the taskforce recommendations, citing achievements including the introduction of the new Mental Health Bill and the replacement of the former Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum with the new hospital in Portrane  which has not been fully opened because of staffing shortages.

It said a focus has been on bringing about new and real options around diversion", including more person-centred and integrated care by all relevant health services for this small but highly vulnerable group.

She also said: There has been very good co-operation by relevant health and justice agencies to improve interagency planning and delivery of services. These include, for the health sector, progressing initiatives relating to suicide, ADHD, crisis resolution teams, as well as an update of the Mental Health Act 2001.

A Department of Justice spokesman said progress reports on the implementation of the taskforces recommendations will be published annually, including a report in the coming months to cover up to this month.

He cited the expected roll-out of a pilot project in Limerick in the coming months to establish an appropriate co-response approach to calls relating to mental health and situational trauma, involving gardai and the HSE.

The project, which will be a 12-month pilot, was contained in the recommendations of the taskforce but its rollout is two years behind schedule.

Support and helplines:
The Western strategy towards supporting Ukraine is dominated by concerns about potential nuclear escalation and the possibility Russias invasion could trigger a third world war. It is clear no democratic state, including Ukraine, wants to see such an outcome.

However, over-cautious preventive measures that allow Russia to prevail in its aggression could themselves become escalatory. Excessive apprehension may inadvertently provoke the very outcome the West seeks to avoid.

A current topic of global discussion is whether President Joe Biden will approve Ukrainian strikes on military targets within Russian territory using US-supplied weapons. The UK government is waiting for Washingtons decision before taking further action.

Yet the length of this debate points to a deeper issue: the absence of a unified strategy between Ukraine and its allies for achieving victory and ending the war. The Western coalition, led by the US, continues to prioritise avoiding escalation, even if this slows down Ukraines defence efforts.

There is no doubt western assistance has been crucial in helping Ukraine survive and the support is deeply appreciated. However, this aid is not tied to a cohesive strategy or coordinated campaign plan, which weakens its effectiveness.

Western support has become a tool for sustaining Ukraines resistance for as long as possible, rather than a means to secure a victory.

Prolonging this war results in higher Ukrainian casualties, more lost territory and the further exhaustion of its troops, who are already severely worn down. Beyond the moral hardship of these losses, the harsh reality is that the numbers do not favour Ukraine.

Additionally, even small, incremental Russian gains allow Moscow to project a sense of success, which spreads doubt among Ukraines allies.

While the prospect of nuclear war is undoubtedly far worse, the key question is whether the Wests concerns about escalation are reasonable. These concerns are not new or exclusive to the question of using Western-supplied weapons on targets within Russian territory.

And so we can look at recent decisions to inform us. The fear of escalation led to significant delays in providing Ukraine with critical weapons systems, for example. From man-portable air defence systems in early 2022, to howitzers, multiple rocket launchers, ground-based air defence systems, tanks, fighter jets, and tactical ballistic missiles  each of these decisions was postponed for months, some even for years.

Ukraine has already taken bold actions that many thought would provoke a severe Russian response: it attacked Crimea, destroyed a large part of Russias navy, and recently conducted operations in Russias Kursk region. Yet no nuclear retaliation followed. File picture: AP/Evgeniy Maloletka

Yet when these weapons were finally supplied, none of them triggered the feared escalation. Delaying such decisions was therefore unnecessary. Although nuclear escalation might have seemed a real threat at the time, enough evidence now exists to show many of these concerns were overcautious.

Ukraine has already taken bold actions that many thought would provoke a severe Russian response: it attacked Crimea, destroyed a large part of Russias navy, and recently conducted operations in Russias Kursk region.

Yet no nuclear retaliation followed. Instead, Putin downplayed these events in front of the domestic audience, demonstrating his nuclear threats were bluster rather than a genuine response.

This suggests it is time to seriously reconsider the theory of nuclear escalation and deterrence. Today, a wide range of experts and policymakers argue the chances of Russia using nuclear weapons are practically zero.

One of the main reasons for this is the unified global message sent to Putin that nuclear escalation is simply not an option. Putins regime cannot exist in complete isolation, and he has been forced to comply with this reality. It seems that, collectively, the world has been able to silence Putins nuclear sabre-rattling  not because of the Wests delay in sending weapons, but in spite of it.

Furthermore, the overcautious approach prolongs the war by delaying the prospects of negotiations or even a suspension of hostilities. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the option to negotiate is not always available when the war goes poorly.

The Kremlin is not interested in real negotiations because it sees better options, such as seizing more of Ukraine, exhausting the country and outmanoeuvring the West.

The precedent set by this war is crucial  not just for Ukraines sake, but for the future of the world. Should Russia emerge victorious, the risks of future wars expanding into even greater conflicts will rise sharply. Picture: AP/Evgeniy Maloletka

To bring Russia to the negotiating table, Putin must be convinced Russia is losing. This requires a clear, unified resolve from the West to provide Ukraine with the necessary resources and demonstrate faith in a Ukrainian victory. Today, however, Western hesitation only fuels Russias hope for victory and emboldens further military action.

The precedent set by this war is crucial  not just for Ukraines sake, but for the future of the world. Should Russia emerge victorious, the risks of future wars expanding into even greater conflicts will rise sharply.

Failing to contain Russia now will multiply threats posed not only by Moscow but by other potential aggressors. If Russia successfully weaponises the fear of nuclear escalation, we could see a new era of global nuclear proliferation.

In this sense, the Wests overcautiousness and its reduction of Ukraines chances for success carry significant escalatory risks of their own.

It is true that Putins grand objective has failed  Ukraine survives, with the vast majority of its territory still under its control. But this achievement should not lead to complacency.

Putin will not stop unless he is forced to. He is willing to sacrifice hundreds of thousands more Russian soldiers, adding to the already staggering numbers of those killed or wounded, which now exceed 600,000.

He is prepared to destroy villages and towns in Ukraine, turning them into rubble if it means capturing more territory. To bring an end to this war even through negotiations or an armistice, Putin must first experience full operational defeats.

He must see his efforts are futile and his prospects grim. Only a clear, resolved strategy from the Western coalition  one that shows an unwavering commitment to victory without restraint  can secure this cause and save the world from a much larger disaster.
The co-founder of the company that owned the experimental submersible that imploded en route to the wreckage of the Titanic is scheduled to testify before the US Coast Guard on Monday as part of its investigation of the maritime disaster.

Businessman Guillermo Sohnlein founded Titan owner OceanGate with Stockton Rush, who was among the five people who died when the submersible imploded in June 2023.

The Coast Guard opened a public hearing earlier this month that is part of a high-level investigation into the cause of the implosion.

Mr Sohnlein left the Washington company years ago, but in the aftermath of the submersibles implosion, he spoke in defence of its efforts.

This June 2023 United States Coast Guard still frame from video provided by Pelagic Research Services, shows remains of the Titan submersible on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean (US Coast Guard Video courtesy Pelagic Research Services via AP)

In his testimony, he is expected to provide perspective into the companys inner workings. The public hearing began on September 16 and some of the testimony has focused on the troubled nature of the company.

Earlier in the hearing, former OceanGate operations director David Lochridge said he frequently clashed with Mr Rush and felt the company was committed only to making money.

The whole idea behind the company was to make money, Mr Lochridge testified.

There was very little in the way of science.

Other witnesses expected to testify on Monday include former OceanGate engineering director Phil Brooks and Roy Thomas of the American Bureau of Shipping.

The hearing is expected to run through Friday and include more witnesses.

During the submersibles final dive on June 18, 2023, the crew lost contact after an exchange of texts about Titans depth and weight as it descended.

The support ship Polar Prince then sent repeated messages asking if Titan could still see the ship on its onboard display.

In a still from from a video animation provided by the United States Coast Guard an illustration of the Titan submersible, right, is shown near the ocean floor as communications between the submersible and the support vessel Polar Prince are represented a

One of the last messages from Titans crew to Polar Prince before the submersible imploded stated, All good here, according to a visual re-creation presented earlier in the hearing. When the submersible was reported overdue, rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to an area about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland.

Wreckage of the Titan was subsequently found on the ocean floor about 300 metres off the bow of the Titanic, Coast Guard officials said.

No one on board survived.

OceanGate said it has been fully co-operating with the Coast Guard and all other investigations since they began.

Titan had been making voyages to the Titanic wreckage site going back to 2021.
Israels defence minister says recent attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon are a step towards facilitating the return of displaced Israelis to their homes in the north of the country.

Speaking on Sunday evening after visiting the militarys Northern Command headquarters, Yoav Gallant described the recent air strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut as significant, important and powerful.
The Israeli military has called on people in Lebanon to immediately evacuate homes and other buildings where the Hezbollah militant group stores weapons.

The warning on Monday came as Israel launched another wave of strikes in southern Lebanon.

It was the first warning of its kind in nearly a year of low-level conflict along the border and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire on Sunday, when Hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets into a wider and deeper area of northern Israel than it had struck previously.

The move was in retaliation over recent Israeli strikes that killed a top commander of Hezbollah and dozens of its fighters.

Residents of different villages in southern Lebanon posted photos on social media of their hometowns that were being struck. The state-run National News Agency also reported air strikes on different areas.

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes that hit Al-Rihan mountain, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon. Picture: AP Photo/Hussein Malla

The Israeli militarys Arab-language spokesperson said Israels air force was attacking Hezbollah targets in different parts of the country.

An Israeli air strike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen Hezbollah members, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000.

Lebanon blamed Israel for the attacks, but Israel did not confirm or deny its responsibility.

The escalating strikes and counter-strikes have raised fears of an all-out war, even as Israel is still battling the Palestinian Hamas in Gaza and trying to return scores of hostages taken in the October 7 attack.

Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group.

An Israeli military official said Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation. with the strikes aimed at curbing Hezbollahs ability to launch more attacks on Israel.

Lebanese media reported that residents received text messages urging them to move away from any building where Hezbollah stores arms until further notice.

Rescuers clear the rubble as they look for survivors at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, the Arabic message reads, according to Lebanese media.

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the Israeli orders. Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied out because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure. That could lead it to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards ban communications devices after strikes on Hezbollah

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has ordered all members to stop using any type of communication devices after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by its Hezbollah allies in Lebanon blew up in deadly attacks last week, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters.

One of the security officials said a large-scale operation is underway by the IRGC to inspect all devices, not just communication equipment. He said most of these devices were either homemade or imported from China and Russia.

Iran was concerned about infiltration by Israeli agents, including Iranians on Israel's payroll and a thorough investigation of personnel has already begun, targeting mid and high-ranking members of the IRGC, added the official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

This includes scrutiny of their bank accounts both in Iran and abroad, as well as their travel history and that of their families.

Iran's Foreign, Defence and Interior Ministries were not immediately available to respond to the comments made by the security officials to Reuters.

In a coordinated attack, the pager devices detonated on Tuesday across Hezbollah's strongholds. On Wednesday, hundreds of Hezbollah walkie-talkies exploded. The attacks killed 39 people and injured more than 3,000 people.

Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on Kfar Rouman village, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Lebanon and Hezbollah say Israel was behind the attacks. Israel has neither denied nor confirmed involvement.

The security official declined to give details on how the IRGC force, comprising 190,000 personnel, are communicating. "For now, we are using end-to-end encryption in messaging systems," he said.

According to the same official, there is widespread concern among Iran's ruling establishment. IRGC officials have reached out to Hezbollah for technical assessments, and several examples of exploded devices have been sent to Tehran for examination by Iranian experts.

Missile, nuclear facilities

Another Iranian official said the Islamic Republic's main concern was the protection of the country's nuclear and missile facilities, particularly those underground.

"But since last year, security measures at those sites have increased significantly," he said in reference to stepped up measures after what Iranian authorities said was Israel's attempt to sabotage Iran's missile program in 2023. Israel has never commented on this.

"There has never, ever been such tight security and extreme measures in place as there are now," he added, suggesting that security has been significantly increased beyond previous levels after the pager explosions in Lebanon.

The IRGC is a powerful political, military and economic force in Iran with close ties to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Set up after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the clerical ruling system, it has its own ground force, navy and air force that oversee Iran's strategic weapons.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. File Picture: AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

It exerts influence in the Middle East through its overseas operations arm, the Al Quds Force, by providing money, weapons, technology and training to allied groups: Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Yemen's Houthis and militias in Iraq.

Iran's military uses a range of encrypted communication devices, including walkie-talkies, for secure communication, said the first Iranian source. While specific models and brands might vary, Iranian military communications equipment was often developed domestically or sourced from a combination of local and foreign suppliers, he said.

He said Iran's armed forces have stopped using pagers for over two decades.

Tehran has developed its own military-grade radio transmissions through its defence industry to avoid reliance on foreign imports, especially due to Western sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program, he added.

However, in the past, Iran has imported communication devices from countries such as China and Russia and even Japan.

Iran and Israel have been locked in a shadow war for decades, with mutual allegations of sabotage and assassination plots.

The conflict, including between Israel and Hezbollah, has intensified in the past year in parallel with the Gaza war, which erupted after the Palestinian Hamas group attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7.

Iran and Hezbollah have blamed Israel for assassinating Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah's most senior military commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut a few hours earlier in July. Israel said it killed Shukr but it has not confirmed it was behind Haniyeh's death.

Iran does not recognise Israel's right to exist. Khamenei has previously called Israel a "cancerous tumour" that "will undoubtedly be uprooted and destroyed".

Israel believes that Iran poses an existential threat. It also accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, though Iran denies seeking to build a nuclear bomb.
Pope Francis has cancelled his audiences on Monday because of a slight flu-like state just days before he is to embark on a trip to Belgium and Luxembourg, the Vatican said.

The move was described as a precaution in a statement from the Vatican.
Luis Armando Albino was six years old in 1951 when he was abducted while playing at a park in Oakland, California. Now, more than seven decades later, Mr Albino has been found thanks to help from an online ancestry test, old photos and newspaper clippings.

The Bay Area News Group reported on Friday that Mr Albinos niece in Oakland  with assistance from police, the FBI and the Justice Department  located her uncle living on the east coast.

Mr Albino, a father and grandfather, is a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, according to his niece, 63-year-old Alida Alequin. She found Mr Albino and reunited him with his California family in June.

Luis Armando Albino (right) was six years old in 1951 when he was abducted while playing at a park in Oakland, California, with his brother Roger. Picture: Alida Alequin

On February 21, 1951, a woman lured the six-year-old from the West Oakland park where he had been playing with his older brother and promised the Puerto Rico-born boy in Spanish that she would buy him candy.

Instead, the woman kidnapped the child, flying him to the east coast where he ended up with a couple who raised him as if he were their own son, the news group reported. Officials and family members did not say where on the east coast he lives.

For more than 70 years, Mr Albino remained missing, but he was always in the hearts of his family and his photo hung at relatives houses, his niece said. His mother died in 2005 but never gave up hope her son was alive.

Oakland police acknowledged Ms Alequins efforts played an integral role in finding her uncle and the outcome of this story is what we strive for. In an interview with the news group, she said her uncle hugged me and said, Thank you for finding me and gave me a kiss on the cheek".

Oakland Tribune articles from the time reported police, soldiers from a local army base, the Coast Guard and other city employees joined a massive search for the missing boy. San Francisco Bay and other waterways were also searched, according to the articles.

His brother, Roger Albino, was interrogated several times by investigators but stood by his story about a woman with a bandana around her head taking his brother.

The first notion that her uncle might be still alive came in 2020 when, just for fun, Ms Alequin said, she took an online DNA test. It showed a 22% match with a man who eventually turned out to be her uncle. A further search at the time yielded no answers or any response from him, she said.

In early 2024, she and her daughters began searching again. On a visit to the Oakland Public Library, she looked at microfilm of Tribune articles  including one that had a picture of Luis and Roger  which convinced her she was on the right track. She went to the Oakland police the same day.

Investigators eventually agreed the new lead was substantial, and a new missing persons case was opened. Oakland police said last week the missing persons case was closed, but they and the FBI consider the kidnapping a still-open investigation.

Mr Albino was located on the east coast and provided a DNA sample, as did his sister, Ms Alequins mother.

On June 20, investigators went to her mothers home, Ms Alequin said, and told them both her uncle had been found.

We didnt start crying until after the investigators left, Ms Alequin said. I grabbed my moms hands and said, We found him. I was ecstatic.

On June 24, with the assistance of the FBI, Mr Albino came to Oakland with members of his family and met with Ms Alequin, her mother and other relatives. The next day, Ms Alequin drove her mother and her newfound uncle to Rogers home in Stanislaus County, California.

They grabbed each other and had a really tight, long hug. They sat down and just talked, she said, discussing the day of the kidnapping, their military service and more.

Mr Albino returned to the east coast but came back again in July for a three-week visit. It was the last time he saw Roger, who died in August.

Ms Alequin said her uncle did not want to talk to the media.

I was always determined to find him, and who knows, with my story out there, it could help other families going through the same thing, Ms Alequin said. I would say, dont give up.
A Russian space capsule has undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) to take three astronauts back to Earth  two of them having completed a record-long stay on the orbiting laboratory.

The capsule carrying Russians Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub and American Tracy Dyson is expected to land in the vast Kazakhstan steppe about three and a half hours after the undocking.
The Israeli military says it is widening an aerial offensive against what it says are Hezbollah weapons sites in southern and eastern Lebanon.

The military said on Monday that it is expanding its air strikes to include areas of the Bekaa Valley, along Lebanons eastern border, after targeting more than 300 sites in southern Lebanon.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said residents of the Bekaa Valley must immediately evacuate areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons.

Earlier, Lebanese authorities say 180 people have been killed in what would be the deadliest day in the country in nearly a year of fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.

The Lebanese health ministry said more than 700 others were wounded in the strikes in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army announced the strikes on the social media platform X, posting a photo of what is said was the military chief, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, approving additional attacks from military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

It is one of the most intense barrages of air strikes in nearly one year of fighting against Hezbollah.

Lt Gen Halevi and other Israeli leaders have promised tougher action against Hezbollah in the coming days.

As Israel was carrying out the attacks, Israeli authorities reported a series of air-raid sirens in northern Israel warning of incoming rocket fire from Lebanon.

Earlier, Israel had urged residents of southern Lebanon to leave their homes in areas where it claims Hezbollah has stored weapons, warning of extensive strikes there.

It was the first warning of its kind in nearly a year of steadily escalating conflict and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire on Sunday.

Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed a top commander and dozens of fighters.

There was no sign of an immediate exodus from the villages of southern Lebanon, and the warning left open the possibility that some residents could live in or near targeted structures without knowing that they are at risk.

The increasing strikes and counter-strikes have raised fears of an all-out war, even as Israel is still battling Hamas in Gaza and trying to return scores of hostages taken in Hamas October 7 attack.

Lebanese citizens watch the smoke of Israeli airstrikes on Mahmoudiyeh mountains, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group. Israel says it is committed to returning calm to its northern border.

Associated Press journalists in southern Lebanon reported heavy air strikes targeting many areas on Monday morning, including some far from the border.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency said the strikes hit a forested area in the central province of Byblos, about 81 miles north of the Israeli-Lebanese border, for the first time since the exchanges began in October.

No injuries were reported there. Israel also bombed targets in the north-eastern Baalbek and Hermel regions, where a shepherd was killed and two family members were wounded, according to the news agency. It said a total of 30 people were injured in strikes.

The Lebanese health ministry asked hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa valley to postpone surgeries that could be done later.

The ministry said in a statement that its request aimed to keep hospitals ready to deal with people wounded by Israels expanding aggression on Lebanon.

An Israeli military official said Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation. The official said the strikes are aimed at curbing Hezbollahs ability to launch more strikes into Israel.

Lebanese media reported that residents received text messages urging them to move away from any building where Hezbollah stores arms until further notice.

If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, the Arabic message reads, according to Lebanese media.

Lebanons information minister, Ziad Makary, said his office in Beirut had received a recorded message telling people to leave the building.

This comes in the framework of the psychological war implemented by the enemy.

Mr Makary urged people not to give the matter more attention than it deserves.

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the Israeli orders. Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied out because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure. That could lead the Israeli military to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

The military said it had targeted more than 150 militant sites early on Monday. Residents of different villages in southern Lebanon posted photos on social media of airstrikes and large plumes of smoke. The state-run National News Agency also reported air strikes on different areas.

An Israeli air strike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen fighters, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000. Lebanon blamed Israel for the attacks, but Israel did not confirm or deny any responsibility.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel a day after the October 7 attack in what it said was an attempt to pin down Israeli forces to help Palestinian fighters in Gaza.

Israel has retaliated with air strikes, and the conflict has steadily intensified over the past year.

The fighting has killed hundreds of people in Lebanon, dozens in Israel and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. It has also sparked brush fires that have destroyed agriculture and scarred the landscape.

A damaged building at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs. Picture: AP Photo/Bilal Hussein

Israel has vowed to push Hezbollah back from the border so its citizens can return to their homes, saying it prefers to do so diplomatically but is willing to use force. Hezbollah has said it will keep up its attacks until there is a ceasefire in Gaza, but that appears increasingly elusive as the war nears its first anniversary.

Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 captives are still held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November.

Israels offensive has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry. It says women and children make up a little over half of those killed. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.
Israeli strikes killed more than 270 Lebanese in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war on Monday.

It comes as the Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since the 2006 fighting.

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun, Lebanon (Hussein Malla/AP)

More than 1,000 other people were wounded in the strikes  a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

The government ordered schools and universities to close on Tuesday across most of the country and began preparing shelters for people displaced from the south.

The Israeli military announced that it hit some 800 targets on Monday, saying it was going after Hezbollah weapons sites.

Some strikes hit in residential areas of towns in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley.

One strike hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos in central Lebanon, more than 80 miles from the border north of Beirut.

The military said it was expanding the airstrikes to include areas of the valley along Lebanons eastern border with Syria.

Hezbollah has long had an established presence in the valley, and it is where the group was founded in 1982 with the help of Irans Revolutionary Guards.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari repeated warnings urging residents to immediately evacuate areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons, including in the valley.

The rubble of a building at the site of Fridays Israeli strike in Beiruts southern suburbs, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

The warnings left open the possibility that some residents could live in or near targeted structures without knowing that they are at risk.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a statement that it fired dozens of rockets toward Israel, including at an military post in Galilee.

It also targeted for a second day the facilities of the Rafael defence firm, headquartered in Haifa.

As Israel carried out the attacks, Israeli authorities reported a series of air-raid sirens in northern Israel warning of incoming rocket fire from Lebanon.

The evacuation warnings were the first of their kind in nearly a year of steadily escalating conflict and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire on Sunday.

Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed a top commander and dozens of fighters.

The increasing strikes and counter-strikes have raised fears of an all-out war, even as Israel is still battling Hamas in Gaza and trying to return scores of hostages taken in Hamas October 7 attack.

Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group.

Residents react as rescuers sift through the rubble, searching for people still missing at the site of Fridays Israeli strike in Beiruts southern suburbs (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Israel says it is committed to returning calm to its northern border.

Associated Press journalists in southern Lebanon reported heavy airstrikes targeting many areas Monday morning, including some far from the border.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency said the strikes hit a forested area in the central province of Byblos, about 130 kilometres (81 miles) north of the Israeli-Lebanese border, for the first time since the exchanges began in October.

Israel also bombed targets in the north-eastern Baalbek and Hermel regions, where a shepherd was killed and two family members were wounded, according to the news agency.

It said a total of 30 people were wounded in strikes.

The Lebanese Health Ministry put the death toll at 274.

It asked hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley to postpone surgeries that could be done later.

The ministry said in a statement that its request aimed to keep hospitals ready to deal with people wounded by Israels expanding aggression on Lebanon.

Emergency workers use excavators to clear the rubble at the site of Fridays Israeli strike in Beiruts southern suburbs, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

An Israeli military official said Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with regulations, said the strikes are aimed at curbing Hezbollahs ability to launch more strikes into Israel.

Lebanese media reported that residents received text messages urging them to move away from any building where Hezbollah stores arms until further notice.

If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, the Arabic message reads, according to Lebanese media.

Lebanons information minister, Ziad Makary, said in a statement that his office in Beirut had received a recorded message telling people to leave the building.

This comes in the framework of the psychological war implemented by the enemy, Mr Makary said, and urged people not to give the matter more attention than it deserves.

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the Israeli orders.

Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied out because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Cars sit in traffic as they flee the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes, in Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure.

That could lead the Israeli military to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

The military said it had targeted more than 150 militant sites early on Monday.

Residents of different villages in southern Lebanon posted photos on social media of airstrikes and large plumes of smoke.

The state-run National News Agency also reported airstrikes on different areas.

An Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen fighters, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000.

Lebanon blamed Israel for the attacks, but Israel did not confirm or deny any responsibility.
The death toll from Israeli strikes across Lebanon has risen to 492, the Lebanese health ministry has said.

The Israeli military has warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

The death toll surpassed that of Beiruts devastating port explosion in 2020, when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse detonated, killing at least 218 people and wounding more than 6,000.

In Beirut and beyond, schools were quickly repurposed to receive the newly displaced as volunteers scrambled to gather water, medicine and mattresses.

In the coastal city of Sidon, people seeking shelter streamed into schools that had no mattresses to sleep on yet. Many waited on sidewalks outside.

Ramzieh Dawi had arrived with her husband and daughter after hastily evacuating the village of Yarine, carrying just a few essential items as airstrikes boomed nearby.

These are the only things I brought, she said, gesturing at the three tote bags she carried.

Fatima Chehab, who came with her three daughters from the area of Nabatieh, said her family had been displaced twice in quick succession.

We first fled to stay with my brother in a nearby area, and then they bombed three places next to his house, she said.
An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Tamim al-Hasan at the al-Mada newspaper in Baghdad reports that at a time when an imminent announcement is expected of the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Iraqi paramilitary groups have declared their solidarity with Lebanons Hezbollah in the struggle with Israel. Moreover, they are putting their drones where their mouths are, attacking Israel on Sunday.

In a rare admission, the Israeli army acknowledged on Sunday that it had intercepted two suspicious airborne objects coming from Iraq, but that there had been no casualties.

The attacks were claimed by the Islamic Resistance of Iraq, a coalition of three Shiite paramilitaries, who said that they had fired missiles and let loose unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at targets in Israel. They said that they fired al-Arqab advanced cruise missiles. They also said that they had targeted a military base in the northern Jordan Valley using drones, as well as trying to strike at southern Israel. The Resistance group said they would continue to attack the strongholds of the enemy at an increasing pace in response to the massacres committed by the entity [Israel] against Palestinian civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The Lebanese Hezbollah itself launched dozens of rockets at Israeli munitions factories in North Haifa on Sunday, as well.

In related news, influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for a reduction in the status of the US diplomatic mission in Baghdad and for an Iraqi boycott of Arab countries that have recognized Israel.

The Islamic Resistance of Iraq comprises the Brigades of the Party of God, the Nobles (al-Nujaba), and the Brigades of the Prince of Martyrs. All three have had sanctions placed on them by the United States.

The Shiite militias that helped Iraq defeat ISIL (ISIS, Daesh) in 2014-2018 have been recognized as a sort of national guard by the Iraqi Parliament, which helps fund them and put them under the authority of the National Security Advisor, who is nowadays Qasim al-Araji, who hails from one of the groups, the Badr Corps. He is a former Interior Minister (equivalent to the US Department of Homeland Security).

He oversees the groups making up the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), including the Badr Corps, the League of the Righteous, the Imam Ali Brigades, and the Brigades of the Army of the Imam.

The three groups making up the Islamic Resistance of Iraq are technically part of the PMF, but they do not accept a command line to al-Araji.

These paramilitaries typically also field political parties in Iraqi elections, with PMF-allied parties gaining 43 seats in parliament in the most recent elections  a significant bloc of the ruling coalition. Prime Minister al-Sudani is therefore beholden to them, and indeed is said to be close to the PMF  though he is closer to the Badr Corps and the civilian bloc of Nouri al-Maliki than to the Islamic Resistance of Iraq.

Al-Mada quoted former member of parliament Mithal al-Alusi as saying that he believed the US had pressured Israel not to retaliate against Iraq. He added that these attacks by the Shiite militias would make it difficult for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani to maintain his governments studied neutrality on the Israel-Hamas war.

The Iraqi government is said to be annoyed by the militias participation in the Israel-Lebanon fighting.

Abu al-Ala al-Walai, the leader of the Brigades of the Prince of Martyrs, said after Israels booby trap attack on Hezbollah (and anyone around a pager or walkie-talkie), A flood of Iraqi human beings will come, crowding the borders and trenches of Lebanon. If Hezbollah loses a thousand martyrs, we will provide it with a hundred thousand heroes.

Although these numbers are of course a vast exaggeration, a multi-national coalition of Shiite parties did help bring down the Sunni fundamentalist rebellion in Syria, and their sheer person-power shouldnt be underestimated. The PMF claims 230,000 fighters, compared with little Lebanese Hezbollahs likely 45,000. Iraqs population is nearly ten times that of the citizen population of Lebanon. So an actual investment in the Lebanese front by the Shiite militias of Iraq would be significant.

On Friday, Iraqs Brigades of the Party of God announced that an Israeli strike on Damascus had killed its member, Abu Haydar al-Khafaji, who had been forwarded to Damascus as a security counselor.

Prime Minister Sudani is expected to announce a two-phase withdrawal of the 2,500 US troops in Iraq. The Iraqi parliament demanded this move in January 2020, but al-Sudani is the first prime minister to make it a priority, given his closeness to the PMF. A handful of troops will remain after 2026 to liaise with the 900 US troops in Syria.

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Bonus video added by Informed Comment:

Oneindia News: Israel Under Attack! Iraqi Fighters Team Up with Hezbollah, Multiple Drone Bomb Key IDF Airbase
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has arranged a non-brokered private placement of 15,000,000 common shares (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.30 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $4.5 million (the "Placement").

The anticipated closing date of the Placement is October 9, 2024. Closing of the Placement is subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). All securities issued in connection with the Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation. The Company may pay up to a 6.0% cash commission on the value of Common Shares issued to subscribers to qualified finders in Canada in connection with the Placement. Any finder fees paid would be in accordance with TSXV policies.

Proceeds from the Placement will be used primarily for exploration programs at the Company's projects in Jamaica; for exploration programs, permitting and property costs for Company projects in Peru; and, for working capital and general corporate purposes.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

ABOUT C3 METALS INC.

C3 Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on creating substantive value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company holds approximately 30,000 hectares located in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru. Mineralization is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). The Company has identified over 15 skarn prospects and two porphyry prospects over two parallel 28km belts. The Company has published a maiden resource estimate on the first of these skarn targets, which contained Measured & Indicated Resources of 52Mt at 0.5% copper and 0.2 g/t gold. The Company is also actively exploring in Jamaica where it has identified 16 porphyry, 40 epithermal and multiple volcanic redbed copper prospects over a 30km strike extent. The Company holds a 100% interest in 17,855 hectares of exploration licenses and a 50% interest in 9,870 hectares in a joint venture with Geophsyx Jamaica Ltd, the largest mineral tenure holder in the country. Barrick Gold Corp. announced on May 1, 2024 that it had entered into an earn-in agreement with Geophysx Jamaica Ltd. on approximately 400,000 hectares of exploration licenses, several of which surround C3 Metals' mineral concessions. Mining is currently the second largest industry in Jamaica, and historical mining dates back to the colonial eras of the 1500s (Spanish) and 1800s (British).

Related Link: www.c3metals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the exploration operations of the Company and the timing which could be affected by the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Further to its news releases dated September 6 and 12, 2024, Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) (Frankfurt: Z68) confirms that it has fully subscribed its brokered private placement pursuant to the "listed issuer financing exemption" under Part 5A of NI 45-106  Prospectus Exemptions (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") of 19,000,000 units (the "LIFE Units") of the Company (the "LIFE Offering"). Due to heavy demand, the Company has determined to increase the total amount of the recently announced concurrent non-brokered private placement from 3,222,222 units of the Company at a price of C$0.45 per unit to 6,126,167 units (the "Non-LIFE Units") for gross proceeds of C$2,756,775 (the "Private Placement" and, together with the LIFE Offering, the "Financings").

The Company is pleased to advise that it has received lead orders for the Private Placement from Term Oil Inc. (Mr. Rick Rule) and Luca's CEO Dan Barnholden in the amounts of C$500,000 and C$450,000 respectively. Dan Barnholden, CEO stated: "I am very pleased to welcome an extremely strong group of retail and institutional investors, including Rick Rule. I believe Luca is poised to deliver on its plan for production growth as demonstrated by my own personal investment".

The Non-LIFE Units have identical terms to the LIFE Units except that the securities issued or made issuable pursuant to the Non-LIFE Units will be subject to a statutory four-month hold period. There are no finder's fees payable on the Private Placement.

The combined gross proceeds of the Financings will total C$11,306,775. The net proceeds from the Financings will be used for ongoing work on the Campo Morado Improvement Program, exploration drilling at both Campo Morado and Tahuehueto, commissioning of the Tahuehueto mill and for general corporate purposes.

Certain directors and officers of the Company are acquiring securities under the Private Placement. Such participation is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of any shares issued to, or the consideration paid by, such persons will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The Financings are scheduled to close on or about September 26, 2024, and are subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, "U.S. Persons" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent such registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities for sale, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. Any public offering of securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about the company and management, as well as financial statements.

About Luca Mining Corp.

Luca Mining (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines in Mexico. The Company produces gold, copper, zinc, silver and lead from these mines that each have considerable development and resource upside.

The Campo Morado mine, is an underground operation located in Guerrero State, a prolific mining region in Mexico. It produces copper-zinc-lead concentrates with precious metals credits. It is currently undergoing an optimization program which is already generating significant improvements in recoveries and grades, efficiencies, and cashflows.

The Tahuehueto Gold, Silver Mine is a new underground operation in Durango State, Mexico, within the Sierra Madre Mineral Belt which hosts numerous producing and historic mines along its trend. The Company is commissioning its mill capacity to +1,000 tonnes per day, and key test work and production ramp-up is underway, to increase production by 2H 2024.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

(signed) "Dan Barnholden"

Dan Barnholden, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com

Qualified Persons

The technical information contained in this News Release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Chris Richings, Vice-President Technical at Luca Mining as the Qualified Person for the Company as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

It should be noted that Luca declared commercial production at Campo Morado prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Luca's production decision has been made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Campo Morado mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision. Luca has completed a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") mining study on the Campo Morado mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on the previously identified mineral resources (see news releases dated November 8, 2017, and April 4, 2018).

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding the Financings, the anticipated timing of closing thereof and the expected use of proceeds therefrom; and other possible events, conditions or financial performance that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties, such as production rates and increases; success of exploration, development and bulk sample processing activities, and timing for processing at its own mineral processing facility on the Tahuehueto project site. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that all requisite approvals in respect of the Financings will be received, and all conditions precedent to completion of the Financings will be satisfied, in a timely manner; the Company will be able to raise additional capital as necessary; the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Campo Morado Mine and the Tahuehueto Project can be achieved; the program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado will proceed as planned; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. 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, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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.
Executive Transitioning

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - As GPM Metals Inc. (TSXV: GPM) ("GPM or the Company") makes the transition from an access and permission focus to exploration, Chairman, Dan Noone, on behalf of the Board of Directors, wishes to welcome John Tait as GPM's new Chief Executive Officer and to our Board of Directors. Mr. Tait has been involved in mining exploration for over 25 years, highlighted by being President of Southern Star Resources, prior to becoming Gold Eagle Mines which was sold to Goldcorp Inc in 2008 for C$1.5 Billion. Mr. Tait has also been an Officer and Director of several exploration companies throughout his career.

The Board would like to thank Peter Walsh for his outstanding achievements while CEO. Dan Noone, Chairman of the Board, commented, "GPM would not be where we are today without the extraordinary efforts and effectiveness of Mr. Walsh in moving the project forward with the Traditional Land Owners and the Northern Land Council". Mr. Walsh will assist in the transitioning of Mr. Tait to his new role and will remain on the Board where his contributions, insights and contacts will remain invaluable.

The Board also wishes to welcome Benn Whistler as Country Manager. Mr. Whistler brings decades of experience in exploration globally, including most recently, playing a key role in the discovery of SolGold's world-class Cascabel porphyry copper-gold discoveries in Ecuador. Mr. Whistler commented: "I am excited to be involved with GPM's Walker Gossan project and look forward to drilling the potentially world class targets that exist on the property".

With the addition of Mr. Tait to the Executive Team, Dan Noone will also transition from Executive Chairman of the Board to Chairman of the Board.

EXPLORATION PROGRAM UPDATE

Following an extensive investigation of access to the remote Walker Gossan project by our Country Manager Mr. Whistler two weeks ago, exploration drilling has been deferred to the end of the wet season, or approximately the second quarter of 2025. The road accessing the property has deteriorated significantly during an 8-year absence of exploration on the property and an extreme rainfall event in the early 2024 storm season caused unexpected damage to the access route. The unexpected increase in road maintenance required to access the site has restricted the Company's exploration goals prior to the start of the wet season.

The deferral to the second quarter of 2025 will allow GPM to have the luxury of extra time to thoroughly plan for a larger exploration program next year. GPM anticipates spending additional time reviewing our exploration plans with our geophysicist, geologists and McArthur River Basin experts to further ensure we have done everything possible to fully understand and prioritize our drill targets.

About GPM Metals Inc.

GPM Metals Inc. is an exploration company with offices in Toronto. The Company's current holdings include the district scale Walker Gossan Project, NT, Australia.

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "might", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information and/or statements. Forward-looking statements and/or information are based on a number of material factors, expectations and/or assumptions of GPM which have been used to develop such statements and/or information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although GPM believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward- looking statements as GPM can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified herein, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: results from planned exploration and drilling activities; GPM's future plans for operational expenditures; the accuracy of the interpretations of exploration and drilling activity results; availability of financing to fund current and future plans and expenditures; the impact of increasing competition; the general stability of the economic and political environment in which GPM has property interests; the general continuance of current industry conditions; aboriginal matters; the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; the ability of GPM to obtain qualified staff, equipment and/or services in a timely and cost efficient manner; the ability of the operator of each project in which GPM has property interests to operate in a safe, efficient and/or effective manner and to fulfill its respective obligations and current plans; future commodity prices; currency, exchange and/or interest rates; and the regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and/or environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which GPM has property interests. The forward-looking information and statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such information and/or statements, including the assumptions made in respect thereof, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and/or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information and/or statements including, without limitation: risks associated with the uncertainty of exploration results and estimates, currency fluctuations, the uncertainty of conducting operations under a foreign regime, exploration risk, the uncertainty of obtaining all applicable regulatory approvals, the availability of labour and/or equipment, the fluctuating prices of commodities, the availability of financing and GPM's dependence on its management personnel, other participants in the property areas and/or certain other risks detailed from time-to-time in GPM's public disclosure documents, (including, without limitation, those risks identified in this news release and GPM's current management's discussion and analysis). Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligations to publicly update and/or revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of additional information, future events and/or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy and / or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VR Resources Ltd. (TSX.V: VRR, FSE: 5VR; OTCBB: VRRCF), the "Company", or VR, is pleased to announce that it has successfully Closed the recently announced Acquisition Agreement for the Empire, Silverback and Golden Bear mineral properties (the Properties; see Figure 1) in northern Ontario, and plans to commence exploration on them immediately.

Acquisition terms are provided in the previous news release dated Sept. 12, 2024, and are summarized here:

The first 90% interest is acquired with an initial payment of $45,000 and the issuance of 600,000 shares.

The remaining 10% interest can be acquired by a second payment of $5,000 and issuance of 400,000 common shares upon commencement of a diamond drill program on the Properties.

A 2% NSR is granted and VR has the option to buy down for $4M for each half percent down to a 1% royalty in favour of the vendor

From VRs CEO Justin Daley: "Empire and Silverback have been on VRs radar for the past two years. We have monitored progress closely, as the vendor, Holbik Exploration, developed and began testing targets with airborne DIGEM geophysics and two scout holes on Silverback. Holbik has both re-examined regional datasets with an eye to new exploration models on historic showings, and been active on the ground prospecting (see Photo 1). Im excited to be heading up to Thunder Bay this week to get my hands dirty on these new ideas and targets.

The Properties represent a new chapter for low-cost, high-impact exploration by VR Resources, continuing our strategy for large-footprint copper-gold systems on deep crustal structures in Ontario. Scoping is well underway for advanced 3D DCIP geophysics this fall to target the source for surface mineralization: a large-footprint, disseminated sulfide system with copper and gold.

We have been hard at work over the past week integrating these projects within our own regional databases and staking new opportunities nearby. Our expertise exploring under cover for our KSZ strategy north of Cochrane, paired with the deep regional knowledge of Holbik Exploration will enable us to quickly synthesize the results of Holbiks initial exploration at Empire in order to identify and prioritize targets going forward.

We look forward to providing further updates soon as we advance these targets, boots on the ground.

Figure 1. Location of VRs newly acquired and recently expanded properties in northwestern Ontario, outlined in blue, showing proximity to greenstone belts with mafic and alkalic-felsic intrusions mapped by the OGS. The Empire District, an area covered by thin glacial till and is nearly unexplored relative to surrounding areas. Contained metal for advanced and producing projects are from publicly available sources and are not mineral resources.

Technical Information

Technical information for this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101. Justin Daley, P.Geo., President & CEO at VR and a non-independent Qualified Person oversees and/or participates in all aspects of the Companys mineral exploration projects, and the content of this news release has been reviewed on behalf of the Company by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Michael Gunning, P.Geo., a non-independent Qualified Person.

About the New Properties

The Properties now consists of 410 mineral claims in 3 contiguous blocks covering 15,229 hectares. The Properties are located on Federal crown land, with mineral rights administered by the provincial Ontario Ministry of Mines. There is a 2% net smelter royalty on the claims and within the Empire AOI (See Figure 1 NR-24-17). There are no annual payments, but the MENDM requires certain annual exploration expenditures and reporting (ie. mineral assessment reports) in order to maintain a mineral claim in good standing. The Properties falls within the Lac de Mille Lac and Wabigoon Lake First Nations traditional territories.

Technical information for this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101. Justin Daley, P.Geo., President and CEO at VR and a non independent Qualified Person oversees and/or participates in all aspects of the Companys mineral exploration projects, and the content of this news release has been reviewed on behalf of the Company by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Michael Gunning, P.Geo., a non-independent Qualified Person.

About VR Resources

VR is an established junior exploration company based in Vancouver (TSX.V: VRR; Frankfurt: 5VR; OTCQB: VRRCF). VR evaluates, explores and advances large-scale, blue-sky opportunities in copper, gold and critical metals in Nevada, USA, and Ontario, Canada, and more recently, Canadas newest discovery of a diamond-bearing kimberlite pipe at its Northway project. VR applies modern exploration technologies and leverages in-house experience and expertise in greenfields exploration to large-footprint mineral systems in underexplored areas/districts. The foundation of VR is the proven track record of its Board in early-stage exploration, discovery and M&A. The Company is financed for its mineral exploration and corporate obligations. VR owns its properties outright and evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis, whether by staking or acquisition.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Justin Daley

Justin Daley, MSc, P.Geo

President & CEO

For general information please use the following:



Website: www.vrr.ca

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 778-731-9292

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 Companys actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry 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 document include statements concerning VRs plans for near-term exploration on the newly acquired properties this fall, and all other statements that are not statements of historical fact.

Although the Company believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve assumptions, 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.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Companys ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; competition; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties.

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. While the company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

This news release may also contain statements and/or information with respect to mineral properties and/or deposits which are adjacent to and/or potentially similar to the Companys mineral properties, but which the Company has no interest in nor rights to explore. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on similar properties are not necessarily indicative of mineral deposits on the Companys properties.

Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. All of the Companys public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedarplus.ca and readers are urged to review them.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Photo 1. Byron Holbik of Holbik Exploration prospecting roadcut exposures on the Trans Canada Highway on the Empire property just west of Upsala, Ontario.
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Coast Copper Corp. ("Coast Copper" or the "Company"); (TSXV: COCO) is pleased to announce positive assay results from reconnaissance exploration conducted at three of its six 100% owned mineral properties, all of which are in the province of British Columbia ("BC").

Coast Copper's generative program, which commenced in 2023, was scaled up in 2024 resulting in the acquisition of two new projects (Sully and Sweeney). The 2024 field programs involved early stage exploration at three of the Company's six BC projects including its flagship Empire Mine property on which Coast Copper published a National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 mineral resource estimate in May 2023. This news release details results from exploration work performed on the Empire Mine, Knob Hill NW and Sully projects, the aim of which was to identify new target areas for follow-up work.

Highlights:

Empire Mine "Big Zinc" target (Figure 1): rock sample MWCM24-004 returned 1.37% zinc (" Zn ") and 12.95 grams per tonne (" g/t ") silver (" Ag ") and rock sample MWCM24-005 returned 7.50% Zn, 1.16% lead ("Pb") and 56.45 g/t Ag.

target rock sample MWCM24-004 returned 1.37% zinc (" ") and 12.95 grams per tonne (" ") silver (" ") and rock sample MWCM24-005 returned Knob Hill NW Property "Coppertop" target ( Figure 1; located approximately 5.5 km from Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.'s (" Northisle ") NW Expo Zone): rock sample KH2024R-001 taken in this area returned 0.16 g/t gold (" Au "), 41.6 g/t Ag and 0.67% Copper ("Cu") . Moss matt samples KH2024MM-005 and 006 taken on the eastern side of the property returned 1.08 g/t Au and 1.40 g/t Au.

target ( located approximately 5.5 km from Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.'s (" ") NW Expo Zone): rock sample KH2024R-001 taken in this area returned 0.16 g/t gold (" "), 41.6 g/t Ag and . Moss matt samples KH2024MM-005 and 006 taken on the eastern side of the property returned Sully Property "South Red Zone " target (Figure 2): rock sample Su2024R03 returned 0.94 g/t Au, 118 g/t Ag, 1.93% Cu and 0.19% Zn, and rock sample SU2024R04 returned 1.81 g/t Au, 295 g/t Ag, 4.29% Cu and 0.38% Zn.

Adam Travis, Coast Copper's CEO, commented: "Over the past 4 months, we have successfully completed reconnaissance exploration programs aimed at identifying new target areas for follow-up exploration at 3 of our 6 projects. While this kind of work is not expensive, it is an important first step and a critical part of our generative program allowing us to better understand and advance each of our projects. We committed to our generative program as part of our May 2024 financing, and we have delivered on all of our stated objectives. This work puts Coast Copper in a strong position to take advantage of the rising market with multiple projects at varying levels of advancement, including the Benson Lake mine area within our Empire Mine property, which is drill ready. Our project portfolio now includes base metal, industrial metal and precious metal potential and we continue to develop new target zones having strong prospectivity. We are compiling and interpreting our latest results, and together with the historical information and other studies, they will form the next steps for each project, including drilling planned for 2025."

Empire Mine Property

Throughout 2024, Coast Copper expanded the Empire Mine property to the northwest through staking and the property now covers 17,125 hectares ("ha"; 42,316 acres) along a prospective trend that stretches over 25 kilometers ("km") including 28 known mineral occurrences. The northwest area of Empire Mine is known as Big Zinc and is historically known as prospective for zinc, lead and silver, with a similar geological setting as the Merry Widow deposit (located 16 km southeast). Approximately 4,500 tonnes of ore grading between 4 to 5% Zn was reported to occur in surface exposures in 1974, and in 2017 a sample from the zone yielded 1.43% Zn .

A total of 16 soil, 11 rock and 5 moss matt* samples were collected over the northwest section of the Empire Mine property (see Figure 1). Rock sample MWCM24-004 returned 1.37% Zn and 12.95 g/t Ag and sample MWCM24-005 returned 7.50% Zn, 1.16% Pb and 56.45 g/t Ag. These assay results are consistent with the historical results in the Big Zinc area and show the potential for district scale polymetallic mineralization at Empire. Additional work in this area is proposed.

Knob Hill NW Property

In July 2024, a total of 30 moss matt*, 14 soil and 2 rock samples were taken at the Knob Hill NW property, which is located to the west of Northisle's recent discoveries at the NW Expo zone. The soil and moss matt samples had elevated copper in the southwest area around magnetic highs and along trend with Northisle's copper-gold Porphyry deposits. For example, rock sample KH2024R-001 taken in this area returned 0.16 g/t Au, 41.64 g/t Ag and 0.67% Cu (see Figure 1). This area is prospective for porphyry copper-gold potential. Moss matt samples KH2024MM-005 and 006, taken along the eastern portion of the Knob Hill NW property, returned 1.07 and 1.40 ppm Au, this zone is located approximately 5.5 km of northwest of Northisle's NW Expo zone . The Knob Hill NW property is an early-stage exploration but is located at the western end of a 50 km trend that originates from the past producing Island Copper Mine and passes through Northisle's property. The results encountered thus far have been very encouraging and consequently, the Company conducted a second phase program in early September to follow up on the positive results and is awaiting the results from this program.

Sully Property

A total of 11 rock, 22 stream and 27 soil and 2 moss matt* samples were collected at the Sully property over a 5-day period in July 2024 as part of an initial reconnaissance for Sullivan-style massive sulphide, intrusive related copper, gold and molybdenum ("Mo") and structurally related base and precious metal deposit potential. Soil sample SU2024S-005 returned 4.23 ppm Ag, 460.5 ppm Cu, 1,138.6 ppm Pb and 456 ppm Zn. Rock sample Su2024R03 returned 0.94 g/t Au, 118 g/t Ag, 1.93% Cu and 0.19% Zn, and rock sample SU2024R04 returned 1.81 g/t Au, 295 g/t Ag, 4.29% Cu and 0.38% Zn. Additionally, samples around the Jolly Molly minfile occurrence had elevated copper, molybdenum and tungsten levels near a mapped intrusion showing the potential for a copper-molybdenum porphyry discovery. See Figure 2 for Sully map.

A review of the historical data revealed a gravity geophysical survey, completed in 2013 , with anomalies that have not been followed up and could represent areas of denser sulphide accumulations.

These results are very encouraging and highlight the potential for both Sullivan-style massive sulphide deposits and copper, gold and molybdenum porphyries. Coast Copper will be conducting a second phase program in late September to follow up on these initial results as well as complete geochemical sampling and geological observations in areas that were not visited in the first program.

Other Property Work

Coast Copper continues to evaluate other projects through research, and once modest property examinations have been completed, if the properties meet the Company's criteria, they will become part of the Company's property portfolio through staking or purchase.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Procedures

Soil samples were taken at 25 m spacings when possible and by up to 50 m spacings in areas of interest. All samples were taken from the B horizon soil profile.

Sampling completed on the projects in 2024 was supervised by onsite Coast Copper personnel and sub-contractors who collected and tracked samples and implemented a full QA/QC program using blanks, standards and duplicates to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. The samples were sealed on site and shipped to MSA Labs in Langley BC for analysis. MSA Labs' quality control system complies with global certifications for Quality ISO9001:2008. Soil samples were dried and screened to 80 mesh and then analyzed in 20g samples with multi-element ICP-MS Aqua Regia digestion (IMS-131and IMS-128. Rock samples were dried and crushed to 70% passing 2mm mesh and split to 250g samples which were pulverized to 85% passing 75m and then analyzed by 4-acid digestion with a ICP-MS finish (IMS-230). Gold contents were analyzed by fire assay 30g sample with an AA finish (FAS-111). Sully Rock samples were analyzed for Gold, Platinum and Palladium by fire assay with a ICP-ES finish on a 30g sample. Ag samples >100 ppm were analyzed ICF-Ag. Copper, Zinc and Lead assays greater than 10,000 ppm were completed with ICF-6**, 4acid, ICP-AES ore grade analysis.

Qualified Persons

The technical information contained in this news release has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Wade Barnes, P.Geo. (BC), Coast Copper's geological consultant and a Qualified Person within the context of the Canadian Securities Administrators' NI 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Coast Copper Corp.

Coast Copper's primary exploration focus is the Empire Mine property, located on northern Vancouver Island, BC, which covers three historical open pit mines and two past-producing underground mines that yielded iron, copper, gold, and silver. In 2023, Coast Copper launched a generative program aimed at advancing its other properties in parallel with Empire. In 2024, Coast Copper acquired two new projects bringing its total number of 100% owned projects in BC to six, consisting of the mineral titles comprising the Empire Mine property, the Sully property located in southeastern BC, the Knob Hill NW property located on northern Vancouver Island, the Home Brew property located in central BC, its Sweeney property located in the central interior of BC, and its Scottie West property located in the "Golden Triangle" of northern BC. Coast Copper's management team continues to review precious and base metals opportunities in western North America.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors:

"Adam Travis"

Adam Travis, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Cautionary Notes/Footnotes related to News Release/Maps



 Big Zinc Minfile Record Summary 092L 314. https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=092L++314

 This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which Coast Copper has no right to explore or mine. Investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties.

 Technical Report Premier Lake Property, BC Assessment Report 34204. September 15, 2013

 Jolly-Molly Minfile Record Summary 082GNW 057. https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=082GNW057

* Moss matt samples were collected in areas of high runoff mountainous areas where traditional stream silt sample collection is problematic; sampling of the base or Matt of moss accumulations from boulders within creeks has been shown to be very effective method for sampling of stream sediments

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information regarding the proposed Transaction, private placement, board and management changes, 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 to be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Coast Copper, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, geological and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Although Coast Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not a guarantee of future performance. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: fluctuations in market prices, exploration and exploitation successes, continued availability of capital and financing, changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations, expropriation or nationalization of property and general political, economic, market or business conditions. 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 and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release, or incorporated by reference, are qualified by these cautionary statements. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia / Sep 23, 2024 / Business Wire / New Found Gold Corp. (New Found or the Company) (TSX-V: NFG, NYSE-A: NFGC) is pleased to announce the results of the first phase of channel samples from the Keats Trench and an update on the Iceberg Trench at the Queensway Project (Queensway), located on the Trans-Canada Highway 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland.

Keats Trench Highlights:

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Zone KM-24-01-11 14.93 16.98 2.05 10.87 Keats Main Trench Including 15.43 16.18 0.75 27.80 And 22.59 25.15 2.56 26.23 Including 24.15 25.15 1.00 60.84 And 30.03 34.91 4.88 7.35 Including 30.03 30.93 0.90 37.65 And 48.23 50.90 2.67 35.61 Including 48.23 49.08 0.85 108.74 KM-24-01-12 20.77 25.98 5.21 214.97 Keats Main Trench Including 20.77 21.67 0.90 14.72 And 22.58 24.18 1.60 688.66 And Including 22.58 23.58 1.00 1088 KM-24-01-13 32.58 39.13 6.55 27.70 Keats Main Trench Including 33.23 33.98 0.75 37.14 Including 35.68 36.23 0.55 263.48 KM-24-01-15 50.77 53.02 2.25 9.73 Keats Main Trench Including 51.32 52.07 0.75 27.76 KM-24-01-16 17.50 31.20 13.70 10.38 Keats Main Trench Including 19.25 20.20 0.95 128.71 And 44.25 70.84 26.59 13.41 Including 54.89 57.34 2.45 63.41 Including 58.34 63.00 4.66 13.61 Including 63.98 67.04 3.06 28.28 Including 69.94 70.84 0.90 12.46 KM-24-01-17 18.33 32.40 14.07 3.77 Keats Main Trench Including 25.80 27.00 1.20 16.82 Including 27.85 28.60 0.75 10.88 And 39.97 51.59 11.62 33.57 Including 48.36 51.59 3.23 119.31 And 56.70 62.37 5.67 19.04 Including 59.39 61.77 2.38 43.62 And 73.66 78.76 5.10 300.36 Including 73.66 74.47 0.81 32.74 Including 76.22 77.86 1.64 907.44 And Including 76.22 77.02 0.80 1808 KM-24-01-18 35.85 52.45 16.60 38.88 Keats Main Trench Including 38.35 41.45 3.10 44.53 Including 44.60 46.80 2.20 221.00

Table 1: Keats Trench Channel Sample Highlights

True widths are generally estimated to be 70% to 95% of reported intervals. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Undulations in the bedrock surface could also result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 4m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as channel length.

Todays highlight channel intervals include 300 g/t Au over 5.10m, 215 g/t Au over 5.21m, 38.9 g/t Au over 16.60m, 13.4 g/t Au over 26.60m, 10.4 g/t Au over 13.70m, and 27.7 g/t Au over 6.55m, confirming good continuity of high-grade mineralization while comparing well with neighbouring drill holes and demonstrating the broad distribution of gold mineralization in this portion of the Keats Zone (Figure 1).

Prior to trenching and channel sampling, the Keats Zone was fully obscured by overburden and defined entirely by diamond drilling. Exposing the bedrock surface and sampling it at this resolution represents an important step to fully understand the extent, distribution and variability of gold mineralization across this portion of the Keats Zone and provides insights that might apply to other areas of Keats that are not currently exposed or able to be assessed in this way. This new exposure has also enabled validation of the 3D geologic model, which controls, constrains, and dictates the geometries of gold mineralization at Queensway.

The Keats Zone is hosted within the Keats-Baseline Fault Zone ( KBFZ ), a high-grade gold bearing structure that has been defined over a current strike length of 1.9km averaging 50m wide. It is characterized by a damage zone containing gold-bearing quartz veins that form a network with varying orientations. The trenched surface gives a complete 2D picture, providing additional understanding of the gold system in the following ways: Exposed an approximately 50m by 50m surface expression of the key southwest plunging high-grade corridor within the KBFZ that has been drill defined over a length of over 500m. Detailed mapping has provided an increased understanding of its controls, which will be beneficial for future exploration targeting. Uncovered veins that were not well constrained by the drilling because of their oblique orientation in relation to the main drill orientation. Revealed additional peripheral low-grade gold mineralization currently not well represented in drilling and the existing model.

), a high-grade gold bearing structure that has been defined over a current strike length of 1.9km averaging 50m wide. It is characterized by a damage zone containing gold-bearing quartz veins that form a network with varying orientations. The trenched surface gives a complete 2D picture, providing additional understanding of the gold system in the following ways: This improved understanding along with the channel gold results are currently being incorporated into the Companys 3D geological model which will extend the gold mineralization to the bedrock surface.

The Phase I channel sampling program was completed over a stripped bedrock surface that is 200m long by 70m wide with a 27-line sampling grid spaced 7.5m apart, covering a total length of 1,782m that includes 2,200 individual samples.

A Phase II channel sampling program is ongoing at Keats that is designed to increase the sample density along very high-grade veins to provide more certainty about grade variability of these domains. In addition, the Phase II program aims to better assess vein domains oblique to the systematic grid that were not adequately represented in the Phase I program.

Iceberg Trench Update:

A surface trench at the Iceberg Zone was announced on July 3, 2024, with a plan to excavate between 1-12 metres of overburden that covers the projection of the Iceberg Zone at the bedrock surface, exposing 220m of strike length over a 105m wide area (Figure 3).

The Company is now 80% complete with excavation and plans to undertake a detailed analysis of the geological and structural models currently defined through drilling, as well as a detailed channel sampling program.

Greg Matheson, COO of New Found, stated: Our approach at the Keats Trench has been to systematically test across the entire exposed surface to accurately map the extent of gold mineralization and determine with more certainty the distribution and variability of the gold contained within the mineralized domain. This is the highest density of assay data at Keats obtained to date and we are extremely pleased to see the broad widths of high-grade mineralization carrying across the exposure which is largely in line with modelled mineralization from the drilling program. The assay grade data from the trench is another key component to building our geologic understanding of the mineralization and structural controls at Keats. Given some of the elevated high-grade gold encountered, with many individual samples exceeding 100 g/t and some above 1,000 g/t, the team is now completing a second phase of channel sampling. This Phase II program will include a more targeted assessment of the high-grade components of Keats and cross veins that were not well tested in the first phase.

Many of the key zones at Queensway extend to the bedrock surface and given some of the sensitivity surrounding these types of systems, it is fortunate that we are able to remove the overburden cover to study these zones in finite terms. We feel that uncovering both Keats and Iceberg will contribute significantly to the understanding of this gold system and future study work.

Channel Details

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Zone KM-24-01-01 26.07 28.50 2.43 3.72 Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-02 25.90 28.37 2.47 1.75 Keats Main Trench And 33.00 40.22 7.22 1.04 And 41.89 44.22 2.33 1.01 And 46.18 49.06 2.88 1.21 KM-24-01-03 1.90 4.54 2.64 1.78 Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-04 29.49 31.74 2.25 2.95 Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-05 11.57 14.14 2.57 2.74 Keats Main Trench And 26.87 29.11 2.24 2.69 KM-24-01-06 7.48 10.06 2.58 1.24 Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-07 4.45 7.11 2.66 1.85 Keats Main Trench And 28.75 30.88 2.13 1.03 KM-24-01-08 No Significant Values Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-09 33.30 39.60 6.30 1.26 Keats Main Trench And 47.22 49.70 2.48 1.54 KM-24-01-10 13.12 15.79 2.67 1.36 Keats Main Trench And 35.13 39.51 4.38 2.78 KM-24-01-11 7.03 10.80 3.77 5.39 Keats Main Trench Including 7.03 7.97 0.94 18.78 And 14.93 16.98 2.05 10.87 Including 15.43 16.18 0.75 27.80 And 22.59 25.15 2.56 26.23 Including 24.15 25.15 1.00 60.84 And 30.03 34.91 4.88 7.35 Including 30.03 30.93 0.90 37.65 And 48.23 50.90 2.67 35.61 Including 48.23 49.08 0.85 108.74 And 58.86 61.07 2.21 1.90 KM-24-01-12 20.77 25.98 5.21 214.97 Keats Main Trench Including 20.77 21.67 0.90 14.72 And 22.58 24.18 1.60 688.66 And Including 22.58 23.58 1.00 1088 And 31.63 34.92 3.29 1.89 Including 31.63 32.03 0.40 11.77 KM-24-01-13 32.58 39.13 6.55 27.70 Keats Main Trench Including 33.23 33.98 0.75 37.14 Including 35.68 36.23 0.55 263.48 KM-24-01-14 31.28 36.44 5.16 2.56 Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-15 25.25 29.80 4.55 1.73 Keats Main Trench And 50.77 53.02 2.25 9.73 Including 51.32 52.07 0.75 27.76 And 60.58 62.63 2.05 1.84 KM-24-01-16 17.50 31.20 13.70 10.38 Keats Main Trench Including 19.25 20.20 0.95 128.71 And 44.25 70.84 26.59 13.41 Including 54.89 57.34 2.45 63.41 Including 58.34 63.00 4.66 13.61 Including 63.98 67.04 3.06 28.28 Including 69.94 70.84 0.90 12.46 KM-24-01-17 18.33 32.40 14.07 3.77 Keats Main Trench Including 25.80 27.00 1.20 16.82 Including 27.85 28.60 0.75 10.88 And 39.97 51.59 11.62 33.57 Including 48.36 51.59 3.23 119.31 And 56.70 62.37 5.67 19.04 Including 59.39 61.77 2.38 43.62 And 73.66 78.76 5.10 300.36 Including 73.66 74.47 0.81 32.74 Including 76.22 77.86 1.64 907.44 And Including 76.22 77.02 0.80 1808 KM-24-01-18 16.90 20.25 3.35 1.20 Keats Main Trench And 24.40 26.70 2.30 8.20 Including 25.80 26.70 0.90 14.04 And 35.85 52.45 16.60 38.88 Including 38.35 41.45 3.10 44.53 Including 44.60 46.80 2.20 221.00 And 61.05 69.00 7.95 2.47 And 79.15 81.50 2.35 1.17 KM-24-01-19 22.78 25.19 2.41 2.18 Keats Main Trench And 35.32 37.93 2.61 1.52 And 48.48 53.70 5.22 1.13 KM-24-01-20 No Significant Values Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-21 No Significant Values Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-22 38.05 41.00 2.95 1.77 Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-23 54.85 57.60 2.75 1.15 Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-24 No Significant Values Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-25 No Significant Values Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-26 17.55 20.05 2.50 1.24 Keats Main Trench KM-24-01-27 No Significant Values Keats Main Trench

Table 2: Summary of composite results reported in this press release for Keats Trench channel samples

True widths are generally estimated to be 70% to 95% of reported intervals. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Undulations in the bedrock surface could also result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 4m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as channel length.

Channel No. Azimuth () Length (m) Channel Start UTM E Channel Start UTM N KM-24-01-01 118 40.92 658087 5427477 KM-24-01-02 118 53.87 658117 5427512 KM-24-01-03 118 16.28 658101 5427461 KM-24-01-04 118 47.04 658088 5427484 KM-24-01-05 118 51.22 658094 5427490 KM-24-01-06 118 49.32 658099 5427496 KM-24-01-07 118 45.98 658105 5427501 KM-24-01-08 118 49.76 658111 5427507 KM-24-01-09 118 56.99 658124 5427516 KM-24-01-10 118 55.20 658132 5427521 KM-24-01-11 118 58.87 658138 5427526 KM-24-01-12 118 91.40 658140 5427533 KM-24-01-13 118 91.08 658144 5427539 KM-24-01-14 118 87.81 658153 5427543 KM-24-01-15 118 96.35 658161 5427548 KM-24-01-16 118 90.07 658169 5427552 KM-24-01-17 118 91.63 658173 5427558 KM-24-01-18 118 77.20 658180 5427563 KM-24-01-19 118 76.86 658187 5427568 KM-24-01-20 118 69.05 658192 5427573 KM-24-01-21 118 61.62 658201 5427577 KM-24-01-22 118 57.19 658206 5427583 KM-24-01-23 118 56.00 658209 5427590 KM-24-01-24 118 51.75 658215 5427595 KM-24-01-25 118 55.17 658217 5427602 KM-24-01-26 118 52.54 658223 5427608 KM-24-01-27 118 20.68 658244 5427605

Table 3: Details of channels reported in this press release

Queensway 650,000m Drill Program Update

The Company is currently undertaking a 650,000m drill program at Queensway. Approximately 232m of channels is currently pending assay results.

Sampling, Sub-sampling, and Laboratory

All channel samples are collected directly from the bedrock.

A geologist examines the bedrock and marks out the intervals to be sampled and the cutting line. Sample lengths are mostly 1.0 metre and adjusted to respect lithological and/or mineralogical contacts and isolate narrow (<1.0m) veins or other structures that may yield higher grades.

Technicians saw the channel along the cut line, producing two lines 5 cm apart and approximately 6-8 cm deep. The sample is removed from the bedrock and placed into sample bags. Individual sample bags are sealed and placed into totes, which are then sealed and marked with the contents.

New Found has submitted channel samples for gold determination photon assay or screened metallic at ALS in Thunder Bay, Ontario. ALS is an ISO-17025 accredited laboratory for the photon assay and screened metallic methods.

Samples submitted to ALS received gold analysis by photon assay whereby the entire sample is crushed to approximately 70% passing 2 mm mesh. The sample is then riffle split and transferred into jars. For routine samples that do not have VG identified and are not within a mineralized zone, one (300-500g) jar is analyzed by photon assay. If the jar assays greater than 0.8 g/t, the remaining crushed material is weighed into multiple jars and submitted for photon assay.

For samples that have VG identified, the entire crushed sample is riffle split and weighed into multiple jars that are submitted for photon assay. The assays from all jars are combined on a weight-averaged basis.

For samples which returned values >350 g/t, the samples were submitted for screen metallic. All jars were analysed, with results combined as a weighted average. For the screened metallics assay, the entire coarse fraction (sized greater than 106 microns) is fire-assayed, and two splits of the fine fraction (sized less than 106 microns) are fire-assayed with a gravimetric finish.

Channel sample design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with industry best practices. Standards and blanks account for a minimum of 10% of the samples in addition to the laboratorys internal quality assurance programs.

Quality Control data are evaluated on receipt from the laboratories for failures. Appropriate action is taken if assay results for standards and blanks fall outside allowed tolerances. All results stated have passed New Founds quality control protocols.

New Founds quality control program also includes submission of a duplicate channel for 2% of the channel sample intervals. In addition, approximately 1% of sample pulps for mineralized samples are submitted for re-analysis to a second ISO-accredited laboratory for check assays.

The Company does not recognize any factors sampling, or recovery that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the assay data disclosed.

The assay data disclosed in this press release have been verified by the Companys Qualified Person against the original assay certificates.

The Company notes that it has not completed any economic evaluations of its Queensway Project and that the Queensway Project does not have any resources or reserves.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matheson consents to the publication of this press release dated September 23, 2024, by New Found. Mr. Matheson certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release.

About New Found Gold Corp.

New Found holds a 100% interest in the Queensway Project, located 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, and just 18km from Gander International Airport. The project is intersected by the Trans-Canada Highway and has logging roads crosscutting the project, high voltage electric power lines running through the project area, and easy access to a highly skilled workforce. The Company is currently undertaking a 650,000m drill program at Queensway and is well funded for this program with cash and marketable securities of approximately $45 million as of September 2024.

Please see the Companys website at www.newfoundgold.ca and the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Acknowledgements

New Found acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Contact

To contact the Company, please visit the Companys website, www.newfoundgold.ca and make your request through our investor inquiry form. Our management has a pledge to be in touch with any investor inquiries within 24 hours.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling and mineralization on the Companys Queensway gold project in Newfoundland and Labrador; the Keats and Iceberg surface trenching programs and the expected next steps, timing and benefits of such programs; assay results; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the results of drilling programs, mineralization and the discovery of zones of high-grade gold mineralization; plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Queensway project; future press releases by the Company; and funding of the drilling program. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, interpreted, intends, estimates, projects, aims, suggests, indicate, often, target, future, likely, pending, potential, goal, objective, prospective, possibly, preliminary, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, can, could or should occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the 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 with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration, drilling and assay results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Managements discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) ("Goldshore" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from the 2024 field programs that concentrated on extending mineralization along the Moss trend, and evaluating the exploration potential along the Kawa trend through rock chip and channel sampling and through assaying unsampled historical drill core (Figures 1 & 2). The Company plans to conduct systematic top of bedrock sampling and ground based induced polarization geophysical surveys over these prospective shear zones in the future to develop robust drill targets.

Sampling has focused on largely undercover areas, yielding favorable results including the following:

Discovery of additional high grade mineralized areas north of the Moss Deposit at the Superion and West Span prospects including grab assays of 15.4 g/t Au and 10.5 g/t Au.

Discovery of a new mineralized shear outside of the drilling envelope close to the Southwest Zone of the Moss Deposit returning a surface assay of 12.3 g/t Au.

Expanded mineralized intercepts at the Moss Nose and Kawa prospects through assaying of unsampled historical drill core returning individual values as high as 7.88 g/t Au over 0.65m in ML-02-001.

Additional mineralized outcrops discovered at the Moss Nose prospects with grab samples returning up to 3.39 g/t Au.

Identified mineralization at surface over 4.5km along the Kawa trend with channel samples at the Deaty prospect returning 0.92 g/t over 2.85m.

Michael Henrichsen, CEO of Goldshore commented, "The results from the rock chip and channel sampling programs in conjunction with assaying unsampled historical drill core has demonstrated the potential within the Moss Deposit area. These results re-enforce not only our belief of the ability to extend the Moss Deposit but also the discovery potential in the area. The Company's technical team is currently designing a program to efficiently evaluate the 23 km of prospective structural corridors in the Moss Deposit area where we believe there is excellent potential for a new discovery."

Review of regional historical drill core

Goldshore's Moss Nose and Kawa trend targets were initially drilled in the early 2000s by then project holder Moss Lake Gold Mines ("MLGM"). Goldshore has relogged the MLGM core and noted strong similarities between the diorite complex which hosts the Moss Deposit and the diorites present at both the Moss Nose and Kawa targets. Goldshore assayed 477 samples to fill in significant gaps in the original MLGM sampling to better define the widths and grade of the historical drilling. Assay results returned elevated Au values which expand the known mineralized zones at both targets with values as high as 7.88 g/t Au over 0.65m in ML-02-001 underscoring the difficulty of visually identifying mineralization (Figure 1). Trace element values within the diorites of the Moss Nose and Kawa trends are very similar to those of the Moss Deposit demonstrating the prospectivity of the host rocks at these target areas. Updated significant intercepts resulting from the assaying of unsampled historical drill core are presented in Table 1 and demonstrate intervals that could be on the margins of higher-grade zones as observed at the margins of the Moss Deposit.

Figure 1: Select assays from infill sampling of historical core



Table 1: Updated significant intercepts from the assaying of unsampled historical drill core

Results of 2023 field program

Goldshore's 2023 field program focused on advancing targets within the Moss Deposit area. Gold mineralization styles discovered during this program included sulphidised iron formations as well as "Moss-like" shear-controlled sulphides. Assay results received from the 2024 grab and channel samples have revealed expanded surface gold mineralization at several targets including West Span, Southwest Kawa, Deaty, Moss Nose and a new near-deposit mineralized shear near the Moss Southwest Zone (Figure 2). Collectively these results demonstrate the potential within the Moss Deposit area. In particular, the high-grade grab samples of 15.4g/t Au and 10.5g/t Au from the West Span target demonstrate the potential of extending mineralization to the northeast of the Moss Deposit. In addition, the results from the Deaty prospect along the Kawa trend has demonstrated gold mineralization over a 4.5 km length and show the need for systematic exploration along the approximately 10km long trend to develop robust drill targets as the Company aims to realize the full potential of this structural corridor. Select results of the surface grabs and mineralized channel widths are included in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively.

Figure 2: Select assays from grab and channel sampling during the 2023 field activities.



Table 2: Selected surface grab sample results from the 2023 field program.



Table 3: Significant channel widths from the 2023 field program.

Update of ongoing field activities

In 2024 Goldshore has embarked on a systematic geochemical sampling program across the core of the project surrounding the Moss Deposit in order to identify the broader signature of the gold mineralization system and identify further targets. This work is split between an ongoing summer/fall outcrop sampling program and a top-of-bedrock drilling campaign that is in planning stages for 2025 to infill unexposed areas. Sampling from prior field work is contributing to this project where able.

A stripping program is also scheduled in the fall to expose more of the SW Kawa prospect discovered in 2022 (2.5km southeast of the Moss Deposit). Additional detailed geological mapping and channel sampling will assist in determining correlations between the broad mineralization seen across the Kawa trend and that of the Moss Deposit.

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, soci-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

Digital marketing services

Machai Capital Inc. ("Machai") has been engaged to provide branding and content and data optimization to assist the Company in creating in-depth marketing campaigns. Machai will also offer search engine optimization, search engine marketing, lead generation, digital marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and brand marketing services to the Company.

Machai has been engaged by the Company for an initial 3-month period. In consideration for the services provided, the Company will pay Machai a total of $110,000 in cash based on the completion of service milestones.

Machai has a business address at 505 - 5033 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 0H6. The services to be provided by Machai will be overseen by Suneal Sandhu, President. The Company and Machai act at arm's length, and neither Machai Capital nor Suneal Sandhu has a present interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or present intent to acquire such an interest.

Machai has agreed to comply with all applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange in providing the services to the Company.

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 SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.goldshoreresources.com).

For More Information - Please Contact:

Michael Henrichsen

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Goldshore Resources Inc.



E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

W: 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, the Company's plans to conduct systematic top of bedrock sampling and ground based induced polarization geophysical surveys over prospective shear zones to develop robust drill targets, the proposed program to efficiently evaluate the 23 km of prospective structural corridors in the Moss Deposit area, the top-of-bedrock drilling campaign planned in winter 2025, the stripping program scheduled for the fall, and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company's plans to conduct systematic top of bedrock sampling and ground based induced polarization geophysical surveys over prospective shear zones to develop robust drill targets, the proposed program to efficiently evaluate the 23 km of prospective structural corridors in the Moss Deposit area, the top-of-bedrock drilling campaign planned in winter 2025, and the stripping program scheduled for the fall may not be carried on the timing anticipated 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; 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 and that the Company's planned exploration and development programs will be completed and on the timetable expected.

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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Lara Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: LRA) ("Lara") is pleased to report completion of the expenditures required to increase its ownership interest in the Mantaro Phosphate Project from 33% to 70%. As part of its operational strategy, Lara has established a new subsidiary, Fosfatos Alli Allpa, as the vehicle to advance further exploration, technical studies, and the eventual development. Named for its significance in the local Quechua language as "good soil" phosphates, Fosfatos Alli Allpa aims to produce and concentrate phosphate rock to meet the growing demand for natural fertilizers in the Junin Region, the Peruvian market generally, and eventually for export.

"Lara remains committed to sustainable practices and proactive community engagement, as we seek to develop phosphate fertilizer production via Fosfatos Alli Allpa," commented Miles Thompson, Chairman of Lara Exploration Ltd.

Lara is working under a Research Collaboration Agreement with the Peruvian National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA) with on-going studies, fertilizing soils on selected test plots near the project with crushed phosphate rock, to demonstrate potential improvements in crop yields through the application of locally sourced phosphates.

Located between the provinces of Jauja and Concepcion in the Junin Region of Central Peru, the Mantaro Phosphate Project hosts thick and extensive layers of sedimentary phosphate. Previous exploration, including trenching, drilling, processing test work, and other technical studies, have identified phosphate mineralization that is suitable for surface extraction, beneficiation and production of marketable phosphate rock concentrates. The project was previously studied by Stonegate Agricom Ltd. (later acquired by Itafos Inc.), which published a NI 43-101 technical report ("Technical Report on the Mantaro Phosphate Deposit Junin District Peru" authored by Donald H. Hains and Michelle Stone of Hains Technology Associates) on SEDAR on March 16, 2010.

The project also benefits from its strategic location near the national highway and major rail line connecting Huancayo with Lima and the port of Callao, as well as the newly completed Chinese-operated mega-port of Chancay. The rail line is being upgraded to increase capacity and a new concession has recently been granted to extend it to Huancavelica. High tension transmission lines traverse the property's western side.

About Lara Exploration

Lara is an exploration company following the Prospect and Royalty Generator business model, which aims to minimize shareholder dilution and financial risk by generating prospects and exploring them in joint ventures funded by partners, retaining a minority interest and or a royalty. The Company currently holds a diverse portfolio of prospects, deposits and royalties in Brazil, Peru and Chile. Lara's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "LRA".

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Israel said Friday that it killed the commander of Hezbollah's elite unit in a strike that Lebanese officials said left 14 dead and dozens wounded in the movement's Beirut stronghold.

Ibrahim Aqil, who was wanted by the United States for involvement in the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, headed the Iran-backed militant group's elite Radwan Force.

Hezbollah confirmed late Friday that Aqil had been killed by Israeli fire, hailing him as "one of its great leaders".

AFP journalists at the scene said the blast left a massive crater and gutted the lower floors of a high-rise building in the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs.

Rescue workers were still using heavy equipment to search the rubble hours after the strike, AFPTV footage showed.

Aqil's killing was the second of a senior Hezbollah commander since the start of the war in Gaza. An Israeli strike on Beirut in July killed Fuad Shukr, a top operations chief for the movement.

It also followed two waves of explosions, on Tuesday and Wednesday, of communication devices used by Hezbollah members, which Hezbollah blamed on Israel.

Those blasts killed dozens and left Hezbollah reeling while shifting the focus of the Israel-Hamas war northward.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the body was "very concerned about the heightened escalation" and called for "maximum restraint" from all sides.

The Israeli military said it conducted a "targeted strike" against Aqil, which also killed around 10 other senior Radwan commanders.

A source close to Hezbollah said Aqil was "at a meeting with commanders" when he was killed.

Lebanon's health ministry said that the attack killed at least 14 people and wounded 66 more, and that it expected more bodies to be found.

The United States had offered a $7 million reward for information on Aqil, describing him as a "principal member" of an organisation that claimed the 1983 embassy bombing, which killed 63 people.

- Spearhead -

Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters have battled each other along the Israel-Lebanon border since Hamas militants triggered the war in Gaza with their October 7 attack.

The focus of Israel's firepower for nearly a year has been on Gaza, but with Hamas much weakened, the focus of the war has moved to Israel's northern border.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the countries' "enemies" would find no refuge, "not even the Dahieh in Beirut," a reference to the city's southern suburbs.

An Israeli military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said after the strike that Israel was "not aiming for a broad escalation in the region".

But Hamas called it a "brutal and terrorist aggression" and an "escalation".

Iran's foreign ministry accused Israel of seeking to "broaden the geography of the war".

Months of near-daily border clashes have killed hundreds in Lebanon, most of them fighters, and dozens in Israel, forcing tens of thousands on both sides to flee their homes.

The latest blow to Hezbollah came after thousands of Hezbollah operatives' pagers and walkie-talkies exploded over two days, killing 37 people and wounding thousands more.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah vowed on Thursday that Israel would face retribution for those blasts.

Earlier Friday, Israel said Hezbollah had fired dozens of rockets from Lebanon following airstrikes that destroyed dozens of the militant group's launchers.

Speaking to troops on Wednesday, Gallant said "Hezbollah will pay an increasing price" as Israel tries to "ensure the safe return" of its citizens to border areas.

"We are at the start of a new phase in the war," he said.

Aqil's Radwan Force spearheaded Hezbollah's ground operations and Israel has repeatedly demanded through international mediators that its fighters be pushed away from the border.

- 'Fear of wider war' -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed by a day his scheduled departure to the United States, where he is due to address the United Nations General Assembly.

On Friday the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, told the Security Council that the attack on Hezbollah communications devices violated international law and could constitute a war crime.

The pagers and walkie-talkies exploded as their users were shopping in supermarkets, walking on streets and attending funerals, plunging the country into panic.

"I am appalled by the breadth and impact of the attacks," said Turk, adding that it "is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians".

Earlier Friday, Hezbollah said it targeted at least six Israeli military bases with salvos of rockets after bombardments that people in south Lebanon described as among the fiercest so far.

Residents of Marjayoun, a Lebanese town close to the border, said the overnight bombardment was among the heaviest since the border clashes began last October.

"We were very scared, especially for my grandchildren," said Nuha Abdo, 62. "We were moving them from one room to another."

Clothing store owner Elie Rmeih, 45, counted more than 50 strikes.

"It was a terrifying scene and unlike anything we have experienced since the escalation began," he said. "We live in fear of a wider war."

International mediators, including the United States, have been scrambling to stop the Gaza war from turning into an all-out regional conflict.

Hamas's October 7 attacks that sparked the Gaza war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, on the Israeli side, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Out of 251 hostages seized by militants, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,272 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations has acknowledged the figures as reliable.

burs/ser/dcp/it/sbk/js

ADMIRAL GROUP
The United Nations said Friday the detonation of hand-held communication devices in Lebanon could constitute a war crime as Beirut's top diplomat accused Israel of orchestrating what he called a "terror" attack.

The blasts that killed at least 37 people and wounded nearly 3,000 on Tuesday and Wednesday targeted communication devices used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

Pagers and walkie-talkies exploded as their users were shopping in supermarkets, walking on streets and attending funerals, plunging the country into panic.

"International humanitarian law prohibits the use of booby-trap devices in the form of apparently harmless portable objects," the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, told the Security Council during an emergency session on Lebanon requested by Algeria.

"It is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians," he added, repeating his call for an "independent, rigorous and transparent" investigation.

Lebanese authorities blame Israel for the attack and have said the targeted devices were booby-trapped before they entered the country.

Hezbollah has vowed retribution and launched its own internal probe into the explosions.

"I am appalled by the breadth and impact of the attacks," said Turk.

"These attacks represent a new development in warfare, where communication tools become weapons," he added.

"This cannot be the new normal."

Speaking at the Security Council, Lebanon's top diplomat Abdallah Bou Habib called the attack "an unprecedented method of warfare in its brutality and terror."

"Israel, through this terrorist aggression has violated the basic principles of international humanitarian law," he said, calling Israel a "rogue state."

- 'Diplomatic efforts' -

Israel has not commented on the device blasts but has said it will widen the scope of its war in Gaza to include the Lebanon front.

"I can tell you that we will do everything we can to target those terrorists," Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon told reporters on Friday when asked about the device explosions.

He spoke after Israel announced it had killed the commander of Hezbollah's elite unit in a strike on Beirut on Friday.

"We have no intention to enter a war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, but we cannot continue the way it is," Danon said.

Speaking at the Security Council, Danon said Israel will do "whatever it takes" to restore security in northern areas.

"If Hezbollah does not retreat from our border... through diplomatic efforts, Israel will be left with no choice but to use any means within our rights," he said.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the body was "very concerned about the heightened escalation" across the Lebanon-Israel frontier after Friday's Israeli strike on Beirut.

He called for "maximum restraint" from all sides.

Iran-backed Hezbollah is an ally of Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has been fighting a war in Gaza since its October 7 attack on Israel.

For nearly a year, the focus of Israel's firepower has been on Gaza but its troops have also been engaged in near-daily clashes with Hezbollah militants along its northern border.

Hundreds have been killed in Lebanon, most of them fighters, and dozens in Israel, including soldiers.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern Friday to President Nicolas Maduro about alleged human rights violations in Venezuela, in their first telephone conversation since the disputed July 28 presidential election.

The men discussed the precarious political situation in the South American nation, and Guterres "expressed concern over reports of post-elections violence and allegations of human rights violations," the UN chief's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a daily briefing.

Guterres "stressed the need to resolve any political dispute peacefully, through genuine and inclusive dialogue," the spokesman said, adding the secretary-general "took note" of Maduro's position on the situation.

The Venezuelan leader, for his part, said the two spoke for 15 minutes and that he explained "the struggle we are waging against fascism" and the "devil," words he routinely uses to describe the opposition movement seeking to oust him from power.

Within hours of polls closing on election day, the regime-aligned CNE electoral council declared Maduro the victor with 52 percent of votes cast.

The opposition immediately cried foul and dozens of countries refused to recognize Maduro's claim to a third six-year term unless the CNE published a detailed vote breakdown, which it has not.

According to the opposition, its presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who has since sought asylum in Spain, obtained more than 60 percent of the vote.

On Friday seven countries in the Americas -- Argentina, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay and Uruguay -- asked the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva to investigate the "grave violations" of rights in Venezuela.

The seven nations have launched an urgent appeal to the council for Caracas to "put an end to the intensification of repression after the last elections and to investigate the serious human rights violations, which could constitute crimes against humanity," Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The crackdown on protests that followed the announcement of Maduro's reelection left at least 27 people dead and 192 injured. Some 2,400 people have been arrested, according to official sources.
Hezbollah said Saturday that a second senior commander was among 16 fighters killed in an Israeli air strike on its Beirut stronghold the previous day, highlighting the scale of the blow to its military leadership.

Israel said Friday's strike on the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital killed the head of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, Ibrahim Aqil, and several other commanders.

Coming hot on the heels of sabotage attacks on communications devices this week that killed 37 people in Hezbollah strongholds, the strike raised new questions about the Iran-backed group's security arrangements and dealt a heavy blow to its fighters' morale.

Hezbollah named the second commander as Ahmed Mahmud Wahbi, saying he had headed the group's operations against Israel from the onset of the Gaza war in October until the start of this year.

Confirming the death of Aqil, who was wanted by the United States for involvement in the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, Hezbollah hailed him as "one of its great leaders".

AFP journalists said Friday's strike left a massive crater and gutted the lower floors of a high-rise building.

It was the second Israeli strike on the Hezbollah military leadership since the start of the Gaza war. An Israeli strike on Beirut in July killed Fuad Shukr, a top operations chief for the movement.

It also followed sabotage attacks on pagers and two-way radios used by Hezbollah on Tuesday and Wednesday, which killed 37 people and raised fears of a wider war.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the world body was "very concerned about the heightened escalation" and called for "maximum restraint" from all sides.

The Israeli military said it conducted a "targeted strike" against Aqil, which a source close to Hezbollah said killed a total of 16 Radwan Force members.

The source said Aqil was "at a meeting with commanders" when he was killed.

The United States had offered a $7 million reward for information on Aqil, describing him as a "principal member" of an organisation that claimed the 1983 embassy bombing, which killed 63 people.

- Spearhead -

Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters have battled each other along the Israel-Lebanon border since Hamas militants triggered the war in Gaza with their October 7 attack.

The focus of Israel's firepower for nearly a year has been on Gaza, but with Hamas much weakened, that focus has now moved to Israel's northern border.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel's "enemies" would find no refuge, not even in Beirut's southern suburbs.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said after the strike that Israel was "not aiming for a broad escalation in the region".

But Hamas called it a "brutal and terrorist aggression" and an "escalation".

Iran's foreign ministry accused Israel of seeking to "broaden the geography of the war".

Months of near-daily cross-border exchanges have killed hundreds in Lebanon, most of them fighters, and dozens in Israel, forcing tens of thousands on both sides to flee their homes.

The latest blow to Hezbollah came after thousands of Hezbollah operatives' pagers and walkie-talkies exploded over two days, killing 37 people and wounding thousands.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah vowed on Thursday that Israel would face retribution for those blasts.

Before Friday's Beirut strike, Israel said Hezbollah had fired dozens of rockets from Lebanon following air attacks that destroyed dozens of the militant group's launchers.

Speaking to troops on Wednesday, Gallant said "Hezbollah will pay an increasing price" as Israel tries to "ensure the safe return" of its citizens to border areas.

"We are at the start of a new phase in the war," he said.

Aqil's Radwan Force spearheaded Hezbollah's ground operations, and Israel has repeatedly demanded through international mediators that its fighters be pushed back from the border.

- 'Fear of wider war' -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed by a day his scheduled departure to the United States, where he is due to address the UN General Assembly.

On Friday the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, told the Security Council the attack on Hezbollah communications devices violated international law and could constitute a war crime.

The pagers and walkie-talkies exploded as their users were shopping in supermarkets, walking on streets and attending funerals, plunging Lebanon into panic.

"I am appalled by the breadth and impact of the attacks," said Turk, adding that it "is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians".

International mediators, including the United States, have been scrambling to stop the Gaza war from becoming an all-out regional conflict.

Hamas's October 7 attacks that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, on the Israeli side, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Out of 251 hostages seized by militants, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,272 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations has acknowledged the figures as reliable.

burs/kir/srm
Hezbollah was in turmoil Saturday after Israel took out two leaders of its elite operations unit in a strike on a command meeting in a Beirut stronghold that Lebanese authorities said killed 31 people.

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said three children were also killed in Friday's strike on an underground meeting room, which AFP journalists said left a huge crater in a densely populated neighbourhood of the capital's southern suburbs.

Israel said the strike killed the head of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, Ibrahim Aqil, and several other commanders.

The military said Saturday it was again hitting targets "belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organisation in Lebanon", without elaborating.

It said it also targeted a "Hamas command and control centre" in Gaza City it alleged was "embedded inside" a school where rescuers said 19 civilians were killed in adjacent buildings used as a shelter.

Abiad said emergency services worked "through the night" to recover dead and wounded from the Beirut strike, adding that "a residential building collapsed on top of occupants" after the Israeli attack.

The Radwan Force has spearheaded Hezbollah's ground operations, and Israel has repeatedly demanded through international mediators that its fighters be pushed back from the border.

Coming after sabotage attacks on communications devices that killed 37 people in Hezbollah strongholds, Friday's strike raised new questions about the Iran-backed group's security arrangements.

Hezbollah said a second senior commander, Ahmed Mahmud Wahbi, was also killed. He headed the group's operations against Israel from the onset of the Gaza war in October until the start of this year.

Confirming the death of Aqil, who was wanted by the United States for involvement in the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, Hezbollah hailed him as "one of its great leaders".

It was the second Israeli strike on Hezbollah's military leadership since the Gaza war began. In July, an Israeli strike on Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a top operations chief.

It also followed sabotage attacks on pagers and two-way radios used by Hezbollah on Tuesday and Wednesday, which killed 37 people.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the world body was "very concerned about the heightened escalation" and called for "maximum restraint" from all sides.

Israel's military said it conducted a "targeted strike" against Aqil, which a source close to Hezbollah said killed 16 Radwan Force members.

"The command of the Radwan Force was meeting in the basement of the building," the source said.

Washington had offered a $7 million reward for information on Aqil, calling him a "principal member" of an organisation that claimed the 1983 US embassy bombing which killed 63.

- No refuge -

Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters have battled each other along the Israel-Lebanon border since Hamas militants triggered the war in Gaza with their October 7 attack.

The focus of Israel's firepower for nearly a year has been on Gaza, but with Hamas much weakened, that focus has now moved to Israel's northern border.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel's "enemies" would find no refuge, not even in Beirut's southern suburbs.

Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel was "not aiming for a broad escalation in the region".

But Hamas called it a "brutal and terrorist aggression" and an "escalation".

Iran accused Israel of seeking to "broaden the geography of the war".

Months of near-daily cross-border exchanges have killed hundreds in Lebanon, mostly fighters, and dozens in Israel and the annexed Golan Heights, forcing tens of thousands on both sides to flee their homes.

The latest blow to Hezbollah came after thousands of its operatives' pagers and walkie-talkies exploded over two days, killing 37 people and wounding thousands.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah vowed Thursday that Israel would face retribution for those blasts.

- Gaza school strike -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed by a day his departure for the United States, where he is due to address the UN General Assembly.

On Friday the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, told the Security Council the attack on Hezbollah communications devices violated international law and could constitute a war crime.

The pagers and walkie-talkies exploded as their users were in supermarkets, walking on streets and attending funerals, plunging Lebanon into panic.

"I am appalled by the breadth and impact of the attacks," said Turk, adding that it "is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians".

International mediators, including the United States, have been scrambling to stop the Gaza war from becoming a regional conflict.

On Saturday, the civil defence agency said an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City killed 13 children and six women, one of them pregnant.

Israel's military said the Hamas target was "embedded inside" the Al-Falah School.

An AFP reporter said the adjacent Al-Zaytoun School C was hit. Witnesses said orphans had gathered to receive sponsorship from a local NGO for humanitarian assistance.

Israel's military did not provide a death toll but said "numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians".

The October 7 attacks that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, on the Israeli side, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Of 251 hostages seized by militants, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,391 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The UN has acknowledged the figures as reliable.

burs/kir/srm
Gaza's civil defence agency reported 21 killed in an Israeli strike on Saturday, the latest attack on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians where the Israeli military said it targeted militants.

A spokesman for the civil defence agency, Mahmud Bassal, said more than half the dead at the Gaza City school were children. According to witnesses, a group of orphans had earlier gathered at the building to receive sponsorship from a local aid group.

"Civil defence crews recovered (the bodies of) 21 people, including 13 children and six women", one of whom was pregnant, said Bassal.

The health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip gave the same death toll for what the Israeli military said was "a precise strike on terrorists who were operating inside a Hamas command-and-control centre... embedded inside" an adjacent school.

AFPTV footage showed the ground floor of the school-turned-shelter covered with concrete rubble and mangled chairs and tables, and a gaping hole in the ceiling of what appeared to be a classroom.

Thousands of Palestinians displaced by the Israel-Hamas war had sought shelter there, Bassal said.

There were "around 30 injured, including nine children (needing) limb amputations, as a result of an Israeli bombing on Al-Zeitun School C" in Gaza City, he said.

Israel's military said its target was in Al-Falah School, adjacent to the Al-Zeitun School buildings.

An AFP reporter at the scene confirmed that Al-Zeitun School C had been hit.

The military, without mentioning the casualties reported by Gaza's civil defence and health ministry, said it had taken steps "to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance and additional intelligence".

Displaced Gazan Randa al-Nadim told AFP she saw a pregnant woman killed in the strike.

"Here a woman was martyred, and this is her blood on the stairs... we found her belly open and the fetus on the stairs," she said.

"Did the fetus fight Israel?"

It was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes on school buildings housing displaced people in Gaza, where fighting has raged on for nearly a year since Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel.

- Warehouse hit -

A strike on the United Nations-run Al-Jawni School in central Gaza on September 11 drew international outcry after the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said six of its staffers were among the 18 reported fatalities.

The Israeli military accuses Hamas of hiding in school buildings where many thousands of Gazans have sought shelter -- a charge denied by the Palestinian militant group.

Hamas on Saturday condemned the strike on Al-Zeitun School C, describing it in a statement as "a war crime under American cover", a reference to Washington being Israel's most important military backer.

The vast majority of the Gaza Strip's 2.4 million people have been displaced at least once by the ongoing war, which was triggered by the October 7 attack.

In a separate incident on Saturday, Gaza's health ministry said an Israeli air strike hit a warehouse in a "densely populated" area in the south, killing "three health ministry personnel and a passer-by" and injuring six others.

"The warehouse was directly targeted with several missiles while doctors and staff were performing their duties, preparing to transport the medicines stored there to hospitals... that are facing severe shortages," a statement said.

Israel's military had no immediate comment on the warehouse strike.

At least 41,391 Palestinians, a majority of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza since the war began, according to data provided by the health ministry. The United Nations has acknowledged these figures as reliable.

Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people on the Israeli side, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, which includes hostages killed in captivity.

Out of 251 people taken hostage that day, 97 are still being held inside the Gaza Strip, including 33 who the Israeli military says are dead.
Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, which has been exchanging fire with Israel for months, on Saturday announced that two commanders of its elite operations unit had been killed by an Israeli strike on Beirut, which authorities said left 37 people dead.

Health Minister Firass Abiad said three children were also killed in Friday's strike on an underground meeting room, which AFP journalists said left a huge crater in a densely populated neighbourhood of the capital's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.

Israel said the strike killed the head of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, Ibrahim Aqil, and several other commanders.

The military said Saturday it was again hitting targets "belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organisation in Lebanon", without elaborating.

The Iran-backed group later said it targeted at least seven military positions in northern Israel and the annexed Golan Heights with rockets, and AFP correspondents reported heavy Israeli strikes in south Lebanon.

Israel's military also said it targeted a Hamas command centre in Gaza City that it alleged was "embedded inside" a school, where rescuers said 21 people were killed in adjacent buildings used as a shelter.

Abiad, Lebanon's health minister, said emergency services worked "through the night" to recover victims from the Beirut strike, adding that "a residential building collapsed on top of occupants" after the Israeli attack.

The Radwan Force has spearheaded Hezbollah's ground operations, and Israel has repeatedly demanded through international mediators that its fighters be pushed back from the border.

Hezbollah said a second senior commander, Ahmed Mahmud Wahbi, was also killed on Friday. It said he headed the group's operations against Israel from the onset of the Gaza war in October until the start of this year.

Confirming the death of Aqil, who was wanted by the United States for involvement in the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, Hezbollah hailed him as "one of its great leaders".

It was the second Israeli strike on Hezbollah's military leadership since the Gaza war began. In July, an Israeli strike on Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a top operations chief.

Friday's strike also followed sabotage attacks on pagers and two-way radios used by Hezbollah on Tuesday and Wednesday, which killed 39 people. Hezbollah blamed Israel, which has not commented.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah vowed Thursday that Israel would face retribution for those blasts.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the world body was "very concerned about the heightened escalation" and called for "maximum restraint" from all sides.

Israel's military said it conducted a "targeted strike" against Aqil, which a source close to Hezbollah said killed 16 Radwan Force members.

"The command of the Radwan Force was meeting in the basement of the building," the source said.

Washington had offered a $7 million reward for information on Aqil, calling him a "principal member" of an organisation that claimed the 1983 US embassy bombing which killed 63.

- No refuge -

Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters have battled each other along the Israel-Lebanon border since Hamas Palestinian militants triggered the war in Gaza with their October 7 attack.

Hezbollah says it is acting in support of Hamas.

After Friday's strike, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel's "enemies" would find no refuge, not even in Beirut's southern suburbs.

Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel was "not aiming for a broad escalation in the region", but Hamas called it a "brutal and terrorist aggression" and an "escalation".

Iran accused Israel of seeking to "broaden the geography of the war".

Months of near-daily cross-border exchanges have killed hundreds in Lebanon, mostly fighters, and dozens in Israel and the annexed Golan Heights, forcing tens of thousands on both sides to flee their homes.

- Gaza school strike -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed by a day his departure for the United States, where he is due to address the UN General Assembly.

On Friday the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, told the Security Council the attack on Hezbollah communications devices violated international law and could constitute a war crime.

The pagers and walkie-talkies exploded as their users were in supermarkets, walking on streets and attending funerals, plunging Lebanon into panic.

"I am appalled by the breadth and impact of the attacks," said Turk, adding that it "is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians".

International mediators, including the United States, have been scrambling to stop the Gaza war from becoming a regional conflict.

On Saturday, Gaza's civil defence agency said an Israeli strike on Al-Zaytoun School C, which had been turned into a displaced shelter, killed 21 people including 13 children and six women, one of them pregnant.

Israel's military said the Hamas militants targeted were "embedded inside" the adjacent Al-Falah School.

An AFP reporter confirmed Al-Zaytoun School C was hit.

Israel's military did not provide a death toll but said "numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians".

In late August the United Nations said Israel had struck at least 23 school shelters since July 4.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of operating from such facilities in highly urbanised Gaza, a charge the militants deny.

The October 7 attacks that triggered the Gaza war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, on the Israeli side, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Of 251 hostages seized by militants, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,391 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The UN has acknowledged the figures as reliable.

burs/kir/it/srm
Israel pounded southern Lebanon Saturday, raising fears of all-out war a day after an Israeli strike on Beirut left senior Hezbollah commanders among the 37 people Lebanese officials said were killed.

With heavy equipment still working at the site of the southern Beirut strike beneath high-rise buildings, Lebanon's health ministry reported six additional dead, up from 31 earlier Saturday.

AFPTV footage showed mourners gathering in the Lebanese capital on Saturday for the funerals of three slain Hezbollah members.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati decried "horrific massacres" and said he had cancelled his trip to the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York, "in light of the developments linked to the Israeli aggression".

Germany's foreign ministry said there was "an urgent need" to defuse tensions, as the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip threatens to engulf Lebanon too.

The UN has also voiced concern about "heightened escalation" and called for "maximum restraint" from all sides.

Israeli aircraft "struck thousands" of rocket launchers ready to fire from southern Lebanon, as well as "approximately 180" other, unspecified targets, a military statement said.

AFP correspondents reported intense Israeli strikes over a wide area of southern Lebanon including parts of the Nabatiyeh district and Jezzine further north.

- Basement bombed -

Iran-backed Hezbollah said it targeted at least seven military positions in northern Israel and the annexed Golan Heights with rockets.

Israel's military said the militants had fired "about 90" rockets by late afternoon Saturday.

Lebanon's Health Minister Firass Abiad said three children and seven women were killed in Friday's strike on an underground meeting room, which AFP journalists said left a huge crater in a densely populated neighbourhood of the capital's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.

Israel said the strike killed the head of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, Ibrahim Aqil, and several other commanders.

Israel's military said it conducted a "targeted strike" against Aqil, which a source close to Hezbollah said killed 16 Radwan Force members.

"The command of the Radwan Force was meeting in the basement of the building," the source said.

The Radwan Force has spearheaded Hezbollah's ground operations, and Israel has repeatedly demanded through international mediators that its fighters be pushed back from the border.

Confirming the death of Aqil, Hezbollah hailed him as "one of its great leaders".

Washington had offered a $7 million reward for information on Aqil, calling him a "principal member" of an organisation that claimed the 1983 Beirut US embassy bombing which killed 63.

- Exploding pagers -

Hezbollah said a second senior commander, Ahmed Mahmud Wahbi, was also killed on Friday. It said he headed the group's operations against Israel from the onset of the Gaza war in October until the start of this year.

It was the second Israeli strike on Hezbollah's military leadership since the Gaza war began. In July, an Israeli strike on Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a top operations chief.

Friday's strike also followed sabotage attacks on pagers and two-way radios used by Hezbollah on Tuesday and Wednesday, which killed 39 people. Hezbollah blamed Israel, which has not commented.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah vowed that Israel would face retribution for those blasts.

For nearly a year, Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have traded cross-border fire with Israeli forces in stated support of Palestinian ally Hamas, whose October 7 attack on Israel triggered the war in Gaza.

After Friday's strike, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel's "enemies" would find no refuge.

Iran accused Israel of seeking to "broaden the geography of the war", and Hamas called the Beirut strike an "escalation".

Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel was "not aiming for a broad escalation in the region".

The months of near-daily exchanges have killed hundreds in Lebanon, mostly fighters, and dozens in Israel and the annexed Golan Heights, forcing tens of thousands on both sides to flee their homes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed by a day his departure for the United States, where he is due to address the UN General Assembly.

On Friday the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, told the Security Council the attack on Hezbollah communications devices violated international law and could constitute a war crime.

International mediators, including the United States, have been scrambling to stop the Gaza war from becoming a regional conflict.

Critics of Netanyahu in Israel, demanding a deal to free hostages held by Hamas, have accused the prime minister of dragging out the war.

- Gaza school strike -

In Gaza on Saturday, the civil defence agency said an Israeli strike on Al-Zeitun School C, which had been turned into a displaced shelter, killed 21 people including 13 children and six women, one of them pregnant.

Israel's military said the strike targeted Hamas militants who were "embedded inside" an adjacent school, and that it had taken steps "to mitigate the risk of harming civilians".

An AFP reporter confirmed Al-Zeitun School C was hit.

In late August the United Nations said Israel had struck at least 23 school shelters since July 4.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of operating from such facilities in highly urbanised Gaza, a charge the militants deny.

In a separate incident, Gaza's health ministry said an Israeli air strike hit a southern Gaza warehouse killing four people, mostly health ministry personnel.

The October 7 attack that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, on the Israeli side, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Of 251 hostages seized by militants, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,391 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The UN has acknowledged the figures as reliable.

burs/kir/it/ami
After Azerbaijans flash invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, 2023, Armenia ratified the Rome Statute. Was it a tough decision to make?

I will start from the very beginning. I had been at the Armenian Parliament for five years [2007-2012] and, being a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, I was asking a question: why are we postponing ratification of the Rome Statute? I was in the opposition, and we couldnt bring the issue to the agenda. I was told by colleagues from the Committee that this is a very sensitive treaty, we cant ratify it because we had the First Nagorno Karabakh war [1988-1994], different accidents, war crimes. If Azerbaijan accuses Armenia, we are afraid that our heroes, who defended Nagorno-Karabakh, might be held accountable for crimes.

To be frank, I believed what they said. Then after 2022, when Azerbaijan launched another aggression on Armenia and committed many war crimes, we had a meeting with the Prime Minister [Nikol Pashinyan] and one of our regular meetings with other experts. A friend of mine, a partner of the Institute [of International and Security Affairs, see Bio], asked a simple question: Mr. Pashinyan, now you understand that the next war will be for the territory of Armenia. So dont you think we have to consider the ratification of the Rome Statute, because it can be a powerful tool to prevent a further attack?

The National Security Council was ordered to examine the issue. But there was a problem because, under the previous government, the Constitutional Court decided that the ratification of the Rome Statute was against the Constitution of Armenia. It was in mid-2000. It was nonsense. The court believed that the Rome Statute would contradict the powers, enshrined in the Constitution, of the president. It found that, if the president wanted to pardon someone, then someone from the International Criminal Court [ICC] could come and say no, you cant pardon him.

We understood that the ratification would be a very strong message that Aliyev [president of Azerbaijan] and even Putin [president of the Russian Federation], who stands behind Aliyev, might be held accountable. We were in 2022 when we realized that. Then it had to go through the Constitutional Court again. It took one more year. One of the reasons for this delay was that the Armenian government wanted to explain to Russia that this is not about you guys, this is about Aliyev. The ratification was coincident with the ICC warrants on Ukraine. Russia was manipulating and dropping proxies here. They were asking why are you making that decision, because Putin will be facing problems while visiting Armenia, and still Russia is Armenias strategic ally.

Of course, they knew that Armenia is in a very weak position, and that even with a great desire to arrest Putin, we are not in a situation to do so. But Russia had a second concern: Putin understood that, backed by the West, Armenia was closing the window for war by Aliyev and Azerbaijan. Aliyev would think twice about attacking Armenia, knowing that he might be punished. Putin saw Aliyevs fear. That is why Putin was very, very, aggressive.

His third major concern was for the Russian military base here in Yerevan. Why? Thats also because of Ukraine, because part of the military is rotated and sometimes sent to Ukraine [where the ICC has opened an investigation]. Previously, it was 7,000 to 8,000 military. Now the number is lower, up to 3,500 military. We heard a lot of scenarios about their potential engagement in case of domestic turmoil in Armenia. So, that is why Putin was against that.

An NGO, the Armenian Center for Truth and Justice last April filed a communication to the ICC on crimes allegedly committed by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, which was backed by the first ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo. But the Armenian government is still not officially filing nor backing any complaint against Azerbaijan before the Hague court. Why?

What we can say is that the government still envisages this instrument as a kind of preventive measure, not as a tool for transitional justice related to the crimes committed by Azerbaijan.

Due to the ongoing peace negotiations?

In part, yes. Peace negotiations started between Armenia and Azerbaijan, backed by the West -- the European Union and the United States -- in October 2022, right after an Azerbaijani attack. On October 7, Armenia and Azerbaijan were invited to a summit in Prague. The two countries agreed to recognize in principle each others territory, territorial integrity, to conduct the limitation and demarcation of the border. Basic principles.

But this was against Russias desire. And as Putin couldnt encourage Aliyev to attack Armenia itself, Azerbaijan attacked Nagorno-Karabakh. The [19-20 September] 2023 attack was a punishment on us. Azerbaijan refused to attack Armenia only because the West was deterring it.

During these peace negotiations, one of the points was about submitting applications on war crimes to international courts. But now this provision has just been removed by Azerbaijan. Armenia said if we cant come to an agreement, then lets remove what is not agreed, and sign it. We agreed on 13 articles, among 17 articles, but Azerbaijan refused to sign.

You believe that in short term you solve some problem, but in in mid-term and in long term, it will be just very, very dangerous for Armenia. We have a problem of justice. And none of the solutions to the conflict can be sustainable if you are just bypassing the issue of justice, if you are ignoring the committed crimes, and no one is responsible. This can open a window for future crimes.

So, would you say that the deterrent effect of ratifying the Rome Statute didnt work?

No, it worked. What I have described shows Azerbaijans fears. One of them is still the Rome Statute, and Pashinyan knows that this still works. Pashinyan is mostly focused on preventing a new large-scale war in the region, hes still working on that and if he doesnt make an application to the court, then you can conclude for sure that he believes the deterrent effect is still powerful.

Pashinyan doesnt want to give Aliyev reasons to make the peace process fail. Because if Armenia sends an application to the ICC, then Aliyev will say you have no intention to establish peace, your goal is accusing Azerbaijan, revenge and so on. Pashinyan doesnt want to give Azerbaijan a chance to reverse the process and legitimize new aggression.

It [the Rome Statute] was one of the three important tools that prevented a large-scale war. The second one was the deployment of the EU monitoring mission. The third one is the ongoing strong American engagement in the region with the parties. And I know that they have signalled several times in different ways that attacking Armenia is a red flag for Aliyev. So, its a group of tools.

What could the US do if there was an attack?

Nothing. Strong statements. And this is what the Armenian leadership knows as well. Armenia knows that we have some volume of American engagement. It might not be satisfactory for Armenians, of course. However, we know that this engagement keeps fragile stability and prevents Azerbaijan attacking. We dont know what will happen if [former US president] Trump comes back to power. So, thats about politics, international politics. One can understand that there is no agenda on justice because its too complicated to go further.

Why is there no justice even at national level, nor a truth and reparation mechanism for the victims of Nagorno-Karabakh?

The fact is that there is no justice, nothing has been done. After the revolution in 2018, we were really looking forward to it. After Pashinyans very populist and smart statements on holding accountable those who murdered, killed, grabbed and stole, I was expecting we would launch very tough, smart judicial reforms. But, of course, resistance was very strong.

Why have vetting, deep and comprehensive judicial reforms not taken place in Armenia? The first reason is the incompetence of the appointed ministers. They explained to Pashinyan that it cannot happen. They said we cant do vetting, we cant clear the system, we cannot fire corrupt judges. Second is resistance from the judges. They mobilized, especially the very corrupt ones, and sent letters to international organizations like the Council of Europe. We were told guys, dont make a revolution, just an evolution. These obstacles, unfortunately, failed the process.

The only thing which was satisfactory was that at last the Ministry of Justice, the government, and the Supreme Court examined concrete cases, and, fortunately, corrupt judges were involved in that. Finally, some dozens left their positions. But it was not systemic. It was not part of a reform.

How does this prevent fully investigating within the domestic judicial system war crimes allegedly committed in Nagorno-Karabakh?

Opening investigations is a problem. From the very beginning, Armenia said that Nagorno-Karabakh is not Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh people are not citizens of Armenia.

When Armenia ratified the Rome Statute, I remember one of the international experts said that this ratification would be useful for Nagorno-Karabakh, on the universal jurisdiction basis. But Im not an international lawyer and specialist on that, and I cant make any comment. There are a lot of people who came, and we say that we have around 150,000 refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Pashinyan said in 2018 when he came to power that its up to Nagorno-Karabakh to decide for its future. And now he cant go against his position, especially after the defeat and having been in this tricky negotiation process where Azerbaijan would like to use every opportunity to defect from it. Im explaining why Armenia doesnt do it at the governmental level, not to justify its position. For me, its not a right methodology to reach stability or some peace while ignoring the dimension of the truth. Not at all. The path is not stable.

Can you see a better path for Armenia?

This is challenging. If we had applications in the International Criminal Court, then tell me, whats the guarantee that we would not be punished? The system doesnt work properly, unfortunately. As I told you, I have serious disagreements with the methodology of the government, because it puts security concerns first, which is right, but ignores the elements of truth and justice. So I think it is less preventive than it could be. A combination of justice and a negotiation process, with strong backing from Western partners and clear arrangements, would be more effective, more preventive.

What can be the next step?

There will be no next step while we have these uncertainties regarding American and Georgian elections, and while no strategic decision from Armenia is taken. After Armenia witnessed Russias betrayal, the betrayal of CSTO [the Collective Security Treaty Organization, backed by Russia, that didnt react to the invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh], Armenia discounted this issue in the Security Council on its possible withdrawal from the CSTO, and then what we heard from the West, hold on, thats not in your interest, because we are not going to protect you. This is where we are.

Recommended reading Armenia joins the ICC in a geopolitical tightrope
The United Nations voiced alarm Monday at the escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, warning that actions and rhetoric was catapulting the Mideast conflict "to another level".

"We are extremely concerned, deeply worried about the escalation in Lebanon," Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN rights office, told AFP.

"The attacks that we saw on the communication devices, the pagers, followed by rocket attacks and rocket fire being exchanged on both sides ... marks a real escalation," she said.

"What we've been warning about all along, the regional spillover of the conflict, it appears that both the actions and the rhetoric of the parties to the conflict is taking the conflict to another level."

After nearly a year of tit-for-tat cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, the strikes since the weekend are the most intense since the outbreak of war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip last October 7.

Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli strikes on the south killed 100 people and wounded more than 400 others on Monday, while Lebanese official media said people were receiving Israeli phone warnings telling them to move away from Hezbollah targets.

Israel meanwhile said more than 300 Hezbollah sites had been targeted on Monday in dozens of strikes.

That came after at least 39 people were killed and nearly 3,000 wounded last week when hand-held communications devices used by Hezbollah operatives detonated across Lebanon. Hezbollah has blamed Israel, which has not commented.

On Friday the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, told the Security Council the attack on Hezbollah communications devices violated international law and could constitute a war crime.

Without attributing the attack on the communications devices, Shamdasani stressed that "it is a war crime to commit violence that is intended to spread terror among civilians".

"The simultaneous targeting of thousands of individuals, whether they are civilians or members of armed groups, without knowledge of where these people will be ... this is not acceptable under international law."

Shamdasani highlighted the calls from across the international community "pleading for a deescalation".

"But instead of a deescalation, what we have seen ... is further rhetoric with further plans of an escalation," she said. "This needs to stop."
The versatile actor Yan Yi Kuan has been in the industry for over two decades. During his career, he has rejected many roles that would have made him a leading man.

Yan Yi Kuan, along with his striking looks and acting ability, made him one of the most demanding actors in the industry. However, he has chosen a career that has allowed him time for his family while still working and makes him happy.

Yan Yikuan is a 45-year-old Chinese actor. He was born in Shanghai and might have become a musician since he began to study it privately at the age of fifteen.

However, he did not enter the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, nor did he graduate, since he was accepted to the Shanghai Theatre Academy, one of the most prestigious acting institutions in the country.

At 33, he was already considered too old to become a leading man and seems to have accepted this destiny.

The man often called "god's work" by fans and publications made his first television appearance in 1999 when he starred in the series Love Letter. He played a divorced father who was a playboy. Since then, most popular costume dramas can boast of his participation.

He appeared in Taiji Prodigy and The Prince of Qin, Li Shimin, often playing noble characters. However, Yan has always chosen substance over style.

In 2011, the actor was offered to play in The Palace, the 2011 hit which both went viral and became a target of criticism because of its flawed production, but he refused. The main reason was that he could not agree to shave his head for the role.

SEE: Korean Celebrities Who Starred in Chinese Dramas & Films [Updated 2022]

Yan also prioritized his family. He married his present 33-year-old wife, Du Ruoxi, in 2013, and the couple welcomed a daughter, Rourou, in 2018.

The decision to marry Du was particularly problematic because she had already had two miscarriages. Ruoxi suffered from postpartum depression then, and a few years later, she delivered her baby via cesarean section.

Responding to critics who pointed out that she does not match her man's appearance, Yan said, "It is my duty to protect her," which explains almost all his future moves.

For all his six million Weibo followers, Yan is a devoted husband and father, as he shares photos of nature and flowers there. The man has recently appeared on the reality show Call Me by Fire Season 4.

Viewers laughed and sighed when he called himself a "vase." The term is very often stated about good-looking shallow people. Explaining his metaphor, Yan said, "I look after and protect my family as if they are flourishing flowers."

The actor will appear in upcoming projects The Legend of Ba Qing, Love and Passion, and The Justice parade.

SEE: Netizen's Chance Encounter with THIS Chinese Actor While Filming K-Pop Dance Cover Goes Viral

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Sunday, September 22, 2024 - American teenage killer, Carly Gregg broke down in court Friday, September 20 as she was found guilty of ruthlessly shooting her mother in March.

The 15-year-old girl from Mississippi cried after being found guilty on all charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder and tampering with evidence.

The verdict comes after the jury viewed chilling surveillance video of the baby-faced teen shuffling around the home clutching a gun behind her back shortly before she opened fire on her mother, Ashley Smylie.

She was 14 at the time of the killing.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before delivering their verdict, and are now deliberating her sentencing.

Upon hearing of the verdict, the teenager immediately switched her mood and started shedding tears.






Sunday, September 22, 2024 - American teenage killer, Carly Gregg, who fatally shot her mother and attempted to kill her stepfather, has been sentenced to life in prison.

The jury in Rankin County, Mississippi, found Gregg, 15, guilty on all counts, and prosecutor Kathryn Newman said Gregg had shown "zero remorse."

The teen was charged with murder and aggravated assault in the March 19 shooting that killed her mother, 40-year-old Ashley Smylie, and wounded her stepfather, Heath Smylie. She was also charged with tampering with evidence for hiding a security camera after the shooting.

On the first and second counts, Gregg was sentenced to life in prison. On the third count, she received 10 years.

Gregg was 14 at the time of the March 19 shooting, in which prosecutors argued she killed her 40-year-old mother, Ashely Smylie, with the mothers gun inside the familys Brandon, Miss., home, according to The Clarion-Ledger, WLBT, and WJTV.

Later, the teenager lay in wait in an apparent ambush designed to shoot and kill her stepfather, 39-year-old Heath Smylie, when he arrived home, prosecutors said Gregg then fled but was later arrested near the home.

While Greggs defence team did not deny she killed her mother, the attorneys contended that the teenager was experiencing a mental health crisis on the day of the killing and didnt remember the shooting.

Dr Andrew Clark, a child psychologist, testified on Tuesday, Sept. 17, that on the day of the shooting, Gregg was grumpy and irritable and couldnt focus in class at Northwest Rankin High School, where her mother was a math teacher, according to The Clarion-Ledger.

Clark also said the teenager claimed her memory went blank that day after letting her dog out in the backyard.

Clark further testified that Gregg dealt with symptoms of depression and was previously prescribed medication that made her feel numb, The Clarion-Ledger reported. Clark also testified that Gregg heard voices, which were getting worse prior to the shooting, and that she had a history of self-harm.

After returning home with her mother, prosecutors said Gregg went straight into her parents bedroom to retrieve a .357 Magnum pistol from beneath their mattress, according to video from the courtroom shared by Court TV.

Hiding the gun behind her back, Gregg went to her own bedroom and confronted her mother, fatally shooting her three times, Mississippi state prosecutor Kathryn White Newman said, according to The Clarion-Ledger, WLBT, and WJTV.

According to Newman, Gregg invited her friend a short while later. When Gregg answered the door, she asked the friend, Are you squeamish around dead bodies? before leading the friend to her bedroom, where Gregg's mother was dead on the floor from three gunshots, CourtTV and WAPT reported.

During closing arguments earlier this week, State Attorney Michael Smith told the jury she was aware of her actions at the time of the shooting, per WAPT.

"We would ask that you go back there and find her guilty of all three because she was not insane at the time that this happened, Smith said, per the outlet. She knew exactly what she was doing, and she knew the difference between right and wrong."




Monday, September 23, 2024 - The Atheists in Kenya Society has supported a plan by President William Rutos allies to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a statement signed by Atheist of Kenya President Harrison Mumia on Monday, the society said Gachagua is a national leader but has been fighting for the interests of the Mt Kenya region only.

In the past few weeks, Kenyans have observed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua strategically using tribalism to promote his selfish political agenda.

"The Deputy President has become adept at leveraging tribal allegiance for personal benefit, narrow interests, patronage, and cronyism, Mumia noted.

Mumia further said Gachagua is taking the country to the 2007-08 era with his tribal and divisive politics.

We all remember how Kenya's 2007-08 post-election violence revealed the extent to which tribal forces could quickly bring a country to the brink of civil war. The Atheists In Kenya Society demands for the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, he said.

Some of Rutos close allies have vowed to table an impeachment motion against Gachagua and vowed that will happen in the next two weeks.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 23, 2024 - One of the three Kenyans who were abducted by people suspected to be state agents has opened up about his ordeal at the hands of the abductors.

Through his family, Bob Njagi, the Free Kenya Movement coordinator, revealed that he was locked up in a separate cell from others in an unknown location and was not allowed to speak to anyone during the detention.

The family told the media that Njagi disclosed to them that he was kept in a dark room and denied permission to go outside forcing him to even relieve himself inside the confinement.

They also revealed that Njagi told them that despite being locked up, he was neither interrogated nor informed why he was being held.

Njagi, who is currently under medical observation, is reportedly mentally disturbed from the incidents that he underwent raising concerns over a possible case of human rights abuse.

He seems to be learning how to speak right now having spent many days in solitary confinement and not talking to anyone, a source narrated to the media.

The family also noted how Njagi was held in handcuffs over the entire period that he was under the watch of his tormentors.

I am sure they mentally tortured him badly, until now he is not able to speak fluently, he is behaving like someone who is being trained how to speak, stated a relative who did not want to be named.

Njagi together with the other two brothers Jamil Longton and Aslam Longton were held at unknown facilities for 32 days without their families' knowledge of their whereabouts.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, September 22, 2024 - The abduction of a six-year-old boy from Oakland in 1951 has been solved after 73 years.

Luis Armando Albino has been found following efforts made by his dedicated niece who never gave up hope of tracking him down.

Luis, who was one of five siblings, had been playing at what was formerly known as Jefferson Square Park in West Oakland.

Luis, who is now 79, had been playing alongside his older brother, Roger, who was ten, in the park in West Oakland, when he was abducted by a woman on February 21, 1951.

The woman lured him away by promising that she would buy him candy.

Luis was then flown across the country to the East Coast where he was raised by a New York City couple as if he were their own son.

Luis' mother never stopped hoping that he might one day turn up safe and well. Sadly, she passed away in 2005 aged 92 without ever learning what had happened to her son.





A breakthrough in the case only came earlier this year when Luis' niece used DNA testing and information from newspaper clippings to search for him.

The niece, Alida Alequin, 63, who had remained in Oakland had been determined to find her long lost uncle and, together with help from local police, FBI and Department of Justice, she managed to piece the clues together.

Oakland police say her efforts played an integral role in finding her uncle.

In the time since he had been taken from his family, Luis appeared to have led quite the life having worked as a firefighter and served in the Marine Corps, including two tours of duty in Vietnam.

He had also become a father and grandfather himself.

Alida was able to organize a reunion for the two brothers, Luis and Roger, now 83, to meet for the first time in 73 years.

She told Mercury News how her uncle hugged me and said, Thank you for finding me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

The reunion was bittersweet, with Roger having recently been diagnosed with cancer and not having much time left to live.

They grabbed each other and had a really tight, long hug. They sat down and just talked, Alida said as the brothers caught up on the past including their military service and what happened on the day of the kidnapping.

Luis saw his brother one more time this past July before Roger died a month later in August.





I think he died happily. He was at peace with himself, knowing that his brother was found. I was just so happy I was able to do this for him and bring him closure and peace,

Alida said. As for Luis' mother and Alida's grandma, she believes that she would have been very happy, most definitely. She never forgot him. She always said he was still alive. She had hoped she would see him. She never gave up that hope.

I'm so happy that I was able to do this for my mom and (uncle). It was a very happy ending, she said.

I was always determined to find him, and who knows, with my story out there, it could help other families going through the same thing. I would say, don't give up.

Luis has so far not spoken to the media but has some memories of what happened during his kidnapping. The adults surrounding him in New York refused to answer any questions as to why he was abducted, and he was never told what was going on.

The people he believed were his parents have since died.






Sunday, September 22, 2024 - Music mogul, Sean Diddy Combs is facing a difficult situation while being held in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) of the tough Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn.

According to sources close to the family, his chief concern while in his 10 ft. x 8 ft. cell is his children.

Although Diddy is holding up well given the circumstances, he's reportedly desperate to speak to his seven children. The family's close circle is leaning on one another and turning to faith for strength, particularly after his shocking arrest earlier this week.

Diddy has seven childrenQuincy, Justin, Christian "King," Chance, twins D'Lila and Jessie, and two-year-old Love. While some of his children are adults, the younger ones, especially 17-year-old twins D'Lila and Jessie, are currently staying with a friend of their late mother, Kim Porter, in Los Angeles.

The arrest has hit the family hard, with Diddy's eldest sons, Justin and Christian, attending his bail appeal hearing, where a judge denied his bond request, deeming him a danger. Despite having no bail set and being placed on suicide watch, Diddy is said to be focused on his kids, hoping to contact them soon.

At MDC Brooklyn, Diddy has limited privileges, including just one hour of recreational time and three showers per week. While family and friends are permitted to visit periodically, it's unclear how often he can communicate with them.






Sunday, September 22, 2024 - A man's execution in the US has been thrown into chaos after a key witness said in a sworn statement that he lied in order to have him convicted.

South Carolina's Freddie Owens is set to d!e by lethal injection late Friday September 20 (America time) for the killing of convenience store clerk, Irene Graves in Greenville in 1997 during a robbery.

On Wednesday, his lawyers filed a statement from his co-defendant Steven Golden saying that Owens wasn't at the store at the time when Graves was killed.

Golden said that he had blamed Owens, who was 19 at the time, because he was high on cocaine and facing pressure from police.

He wrote: 'I thought the real shooter or his associates might kill me if I named him to police. I am still afraid of that. But Freddie was not there.'

Despite the claims made by Golden, the South Carolina Supreme Court has refused to step in and stop the execution of Owens by lethal injection.

The justices ruled on Thursday that Golden's statement wasn't enough to halt prison officials from executing Owens.

Attorney Gerald 'Bo' King said: 'South Carolina is on the verge of executing a man for a crime he did not commit. We will continue to advocate for Mr. Owens.'

Golden had testified at Owens' trial saying prosecutors promised to consider his testimony in his favor but still faced a death sentence or life in prison.

He was eventually sentenced to 28 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Golden said: 'Im coming forward now because I know Freddies execution date is September 20, and I dont want Freddie to be executed for something he didnt do.

'This has weighed heavily on my mind, and I want to have a clear conscience.'

Prosecutors said that several other witnesses testified that Owens had been the one that pulled the trigger.

Those witnesses had been friends of Owens who said he had bragged to them about killing Graves. His former girlfriend also testified that he confessed to the killing.

Less than 12 hours after he was convicted of Graves' murder, Owens also killed fellow prisoner Christopher Bryan Lee, 28, in a jail cell argument, after Lee allegedly revealed his cousin was on the jury that sentenced Owens to death.

Prosecutors argued that Golden's decision to U-turn on his story couldn't be trusted as he had now admitted to lying under oath, showing he can't be trusted.

On Thursday a group called South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty presented a petition with over 10,000 signatures to Governor Henry McMaster.

They want Owens' sentence to life imprisonment, with director Rev. Hillary Taylor saying: 'Justice works for restoration. You cannot restore someone who you kill.'

According to McMaster, a Republican, he will wait to announce his decision on clemency until officials call him minutes before the execution.

If executed, Owens would be the first in the state in 13 years after they struggled to obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections.

The state added a firing squad option and passed a shield law to keep much of the details of executions private. The state Supreme Court then cleared the way for the death chamber to reopen this summer.

Owens was given the choice of lethal injection, electric chair, or firing squad, opting for lethal injection.

He left his fate up to his lawyer, arguing his Muslim faith means he cannot take an active role in his own death.




Monday, September 23, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned President William Ruto against green-lighting his impeachment, saying the people of Mt. Kenya may never forgive him.

Speaking at a church service at Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Church in Thika Town, Kiambu County, Gachagua urged Ruto to shun betrayal politics rocking UDA today.

He particularly asked Ruto to keep his promise of ensuring his deputy is not humiliated, adding that if he cannot keep that promise, then he will not be trusted to keep any other.

He therefore challenged the Head of State to ensure his critics do not humiliate him.

I would like to ask my boss Ruto to be cautious and do the right thing and lets keep our house together. Let us not be disruptive and let us not re-introduce the politics of betrayal, he cautioned.

According to Gachagua, Ruto is the greatest beneficiary of the people of Mt Kenyas distaste of betrayal and as such, he should avoid the politics of betrayal.

Gachagua, seemingly pricked by the current state of affairs, warned the president that should he take the path of betrayal politics, there would be consequences.

Our people hate betrayal and they are very unforgiving if you betray them. I ask my brother not to be tempted to go in that direction because these people will be very unforgiving, Rigathi Gachagua asserted.

He further reminded the president that there was an attempt to betray him in the former regime but the people stood with him to express their displeasure of betrayal.

I would like to request the president to put his house in order so that we can deliver for the people.

"And if there is a problem in a home, the father of the homestead can still down and resolve pressing issues with his family, he added.

Gachagua also cautioned that betrayal politics is a threat to the unity of the UDA party.

I want to caution the direction that is being taken of dividing our UDA house. If the house collapses it will not be remade again, he observed.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 23, 2024- Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has constantly reminded Mt Kenya leaders who are opposing him that they have until December this year to declare their stand or prepare to go home in 2027.

Also, in what appears to be a threat to his boss, President William Ruto, Gachagua on Sunday urged the head of state to tame his attack dogs who are planning to impeach him.

The second in command, who seems to have a huge support base in the Mt Kenya region, urged the President that members of the Kikuyu community hate the politics of betrayal and warned him of consequences should he support his impeachment.

Gachaguas impeachment will clearly rattle Mt Kenya region which supported Rutos presidency in 2022.

In fact, 47 percent of the votes that propelled Ruto to the House on the Hill, came from the mountain.

Ruto is already wooing Luo and Luhya tribes since his fallout with Gachagua is imminent and has reached a point of return.

Gachagua on the other side is wooing the Ukambani region and he seems to enjoy the camaraderie of former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka who is the undisputed Kingpin.

With all these politicians eyeing the 2027 presidential election, lets look at the numbers of each camp and why Kalonzo Musyoka will be a man to watch during the 2027 election.

The five counties in Central Kenya account for 3.1 million votes of the 22.1 million registered voters countrywide.

When you include Upper Eastern Kenya (Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi), Rift Valley (Nakuru), and Laikipia - whose voting pattern mirrors those in Central Kenya, the number of voters jumps to 5.8 million accounting for 26.1 per cent of the registered voters.

Kalonzos Ukambani total registered voters as of 2022 are 2.3 million and 600,000 of the numbers are from Kambas in diaspora ie Nairobi and Mombasa counties.

In Rift Valley, Ruto controls the Kalenjin vote which according to IEBC data in 2022 has 1.7 million voters including 200,000 in the diaspora.

Raila Odinga on his side controls 2.5 million registered voters in Nyanza and this includes Nyamira and Kisii counties

Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi is not in firm control of Western Kenya but in the last election, Ruto polled 630,282 votes in Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, and Trans Nzoia with 1.2 million voting for Raila Odinga

In Maasai land, there were 800,000 voters in the 2022 election with Ruto and Raila Odinga sharing the numbers 50/50.

The Coast and North Eastern votes which are approximately 1.2 million votes will be up for grabs since Raila Odinga is not competing and he has been in control of them.

Nairobi which is a metropolitan city is always divided into two when it comes to presidential elections though an alliance between Gachagua and Kalonzo can change the tide in their favour because of Kikuyu and Kamba's dominance.

In a nutshell, the Gachagua and Kalonzo alliance can send Ruto home very easily in 2027.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, September 22, 2024 - A man who identifies as an ambulance and has "sxual relationships" with them has told of their adventures with the large vehicles.

Dominik Chvatal, from Prague, Czech Republic, 22, says he identifies as both non-binary and an ambulance and enjoys polygamous relationships with the response vehicles.

According to the petrol pump worker, his obsession with ambulances began at age 13, but by 15 his fascination turned sxual after becoming aroused by the vehicles' "several openings".

However, Dominik, who has been diagnosed with objectophilia, only exclusively dates the Mercedes brands of ambulances, as he is most "attracted" to their appearance, including their "wheels and lights".

Objectophilia is a condition in which a person experiences romantic or sxual feelings towards inanimate objects and it can involve different degrees of involvement with the item in question.

Dominik now goes by the name "Sanitka Mercedes". Sanitka is the Czech word for ambulance.

"I chose the name myself. Because that's how I feel. I am a car trapped in human form" said Sanitka.

He also spoke of his feelings for ambulance vans, adding that for him, it was more than sx, as he had fallen in "love" with the vehicle.

He said: "Actually, its everything in terms of appearance, from wheels to lights. Its love.

"And it is possible to have sx. The ambulance has many places where you can have a sexual act.





"It has several openings, the exhaust, the door handles, the front, and a lot in the chassis too."

He added: "We talk about everything that is normally talked about, it depends on what topic comes to mind. We talk like people do."

He made it clear that his attraction was solely to Mercedes-made ambulances, and while he may admire other makes and cars from time to time, it was strictly platonic.

"I love only Mercedes emergency vehicles, all Mercedes ambulances," said Sanitka.

"Volkswagens are ugly and mainly hurt Mercedes cars. They laugh when something hurts or bothers them."

For those questioning the legality of Santika's behaviour, he opened up about it being risky business.

He said: "I got into trouble often.

"One time paramedics rushed me, and despite my diagnosis, they called the police and I was taken to talk to a psychiatrist."

Sanitka has since learned to be discrete, even striking up an agreement with one company that occasionally allows him to indulge.

He said: "They don't even know about me anymore, that I walk around their depots.

"There is one company that has Mercedes ambulances and they directly allow me to go to them and have sex with Mercedes ambulances."





Sanitka lamented about the limits of his love and awaits a time when marriage to ambulances will be made legal.

"Unfortunately, it is not possible in the Czech Republic," he said.

"But perhaps it is in America. In Czechia, they say that America is a land of unlimited possibilities."

Speaking on his family's reaction to his relationships, he added: "My family reconciled after a long time and my friends understand and support me.

"I have no problem going public with it. It is harmless. I am not harming anyone."




Monday September 23, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's chief agent Saitabao Ole Kanchory has urged Kenyans to consider a Kalonzo Musyoka presidency in the next General Election.

Taking to X, the lawyer painted Kalonzo as a loyal and principled person.

To put across his point, Kanchory pointed out Kalonzo's decision to turn down cabinet slots purportedly offered to him by the government and standing with Raila three times.

He noted that he was confident Kalonzo would make a good president, further likening him to late Retired President Mwai Kibaki.

"Let's never forget that he was offered cabinet slots and asked to name his price but when it mattered the most, Kalonzo chose to stand with the young people of Kenya.

"He stood with Raila three times and never sold out.

"I have my issues with Kalonzo but he's still way safer than some of the names being tossed about.

"We can make Kalonzo the president we want. We don't need another strongman or one-man show. A weak president like Kibaki is what we need," Kanchory wrote on X.

Kalonzo has consistently expressed his opposition to supporting President William Ruto's administration.

The Wiper leader has articulated that joining Ruto's government would be a betrayal to the Kenyan people, particularly to the youth who have been vocal against the current regime.

Kalonzo has stated that Azimio will not participate in the proposed broad-based government led by Ruto, labeling it a betrayal of their coalition's values and the citizens' aspirations for good governance.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 23, 2024 - Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku was yesterday forced to run for his dear life after Embu residents booed and chased him for trying to storm activist Morara Kebasos civil education event.

The crowd, which had attended Kebasos event, admonished the MP, forcing him to leave the event without getting an opportunity to address the residents.

Matters got worse after Morara Kebaso, who was addressing his supporters when the MP appeared, reminded Embu residents that Ruku was the MP who tabled the controversial Maandamano Bill.

In Mbeere North had you not been promised a KMTC in Ishiara? Kebaso quipped, Let me ask you, is there anything Geoffrey Ruku can tell us?

"He is the one who sponsored the Maandamano bill, Kebaso added.

Using the Kenya ni Home phrase that had put him at loggerheads with Mercy Tarus, Kebaso asked the crowd to succumb to fear.

With the tide against him, the MP left the event during which the excited crowd kept cheering Kebaso.

Morara Kebaso had earlier in the day carried on with his project inspection activities, this time going to the ground to assess the Embu Governors residence.

While on-site, Morara claimed Ksh49 million had been budgeted for the project with Ksh27 million already been paid to the contractor.

However, the project appeared stalled judging by the overgrown grass around the building and the unfinished shell standing with no active construction ongoing.

During the same Embu tour, residents were also seen giving Morara monetary gifts and celebrating him in Embu Town.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 23, 2024 - Renowned political analyst, Prof Mutahi Ngunyi has told Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that he should not blackmail President William Ruto by telling him that he mobilised over 3.7 million Mt Kenya residents to vote for him.

Ngunyi, who is now on state house and Harambee house payroll, stated that in 2022, Ruto campaigned for himself in the Mt Kenya region and convinced the electorate to vote for him.

The political scientists further said all Ruto needed was a Kikuyu 'flower girl' like Gachagua to escort him to the state house and nothing else.

Dear Riggy G: You are NOT ELECTED, you are SELECTED. Ruto TOOK Mt Kenya from UHURU without you.

"The 47% of GEMA that voted Ruto had NOTHING to do with you. Do NOT Lie. All Ruto NEEDED was a Kikuyu FLOWER GIRL, with the head of a coconut to ESCORT him to STATEHOUSE. Lucky you! Ngunyi wrote on his X platform on Sunday.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 23, 2024 - Thirdway Alliance Kenya Party Leader Ekuru Aukot has raised a red flag over the ongoing squabbles between young activists, particularly Mercy Tarus and Morara Kebaso.

The duo have been clashing over the use of the Kenya ni Home slogan which was popularized by Tarus before Kebaso adopted it for his civic education campaign.

Taking to his X, Eukot noted that he has been observing the clashes with a lot of concerns.

"I have observed the clashes between the young activists with concern. While we champion change and political hygiene, we must avoid deception and rent-seeking spirit amongst ourselves," Aukot wrote in part.

Aukot went on to call out Kebaso, accusing him of seeking a deal from President William Rutos government to end his 'Vampire Diaries' tours.

Kebaso has been traversing the country, exposing government projects that were launched by the government but later abandoned.

At the same time, Aukot cast doubts on Kebaso's claims that he was approached by the government and subsequently called by President William Ruto.

"My younger brother Morara Kebaso claims he was approached by the government even outrageously, claiming he was called by President Williams Ruto himself but there is credible information and even messages of him seeking out the government's audience and asking for a deal to drop his tours.

"We must call out such levels of hypocrisy if we are to maintain the credibility of this cause," Aukot added.

Additionally, Aukot expressed concerns over Kebaso's moves since he started crowdfunding, claiming that he is not engaging in what Kenyans funded him to do.

"Apart from the constant fundraisings, when is the last time Morara showed any stalled government projects that we gave him resources to pursue? When he's not seeking a car, he is seeking a house, furniture, or upkeep from Kenyans

"Indeed, we have a long way to go as long as personal greed continues to precede the desire for reform... Self-aggrandizement is killing the reform agenda that Kenya desperately needs.

"Young change-makers shouldn't allow themselves to be used for political expediency," he concluded.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, September 22, 2024 - A male model who was told by modelling agents that he does not have what it takes to be a model has shared a motivational post after his photo went up on multiple billboards abroad.

The model named Anointing shared screenshots of chats he received from a modelling agency putting him down when he began chasing his dreams of being a model.

He then took videos across streets and malls in the UK, showing him modelling for a major brand on electronic billboards in the UK.

"My first global campaign for a major UK brand," he wrote alongside videos documenting his success story.

"This is your sign to never stop chasing your dreams no matter what!"

Watch the video below.




Monday, September 23, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told his boss, President William Ruto, to avoid politics of betrayal.

Speaking on Sunday during a church service in Thika, Gachagua warned Ruto that if he practices the politics of betrayal then he risks losing the trust of the Mt. Kenya people, with no way to recover it.

Referencing the difficulty Ruto endured during his time as Deputy President, Gachagua said that no one will ever trust him again if he (Ruto) allows his allies to humiliate him (Gachagua).

"Ruto made one promise which does not require any funding, it does not require the IMF or the World Bank.

"He promised that under his watch he would not allow his deputy to be humiliated. If he cannot keep that one promise, then there is no other thing people can trust him with," Gachagua said.

Allies of President William Ruto, including Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, have been insulting Gachagua, while the President remains silent.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 23, 2024 - A young medical intern doctor identified as Desree Moraa reportedly took her own life after facing a lot of challenges at work.

Moraa was among the 1,210 interns who were hired in April with a monthly stipend of Sh70,000, but the doctors' union quickly filed a petition with the Labour Court, requesting a review of the proposed sum.

The review was supposed to be done in September this year.

The government is required by law to pay stipends to all nursing, clinical officers, pharmacy, dental, and medical interns while they intern for one year.

However, Moraa went for months without pay and couldnt settle her bills on time, prompting her to take her own life.

She was also being frustrated by senior doctors, with reports indicating that she worked upto 36 hours without food.

Political activist Kasmuel McOure took to his X account to mourn the deceased doctor.

Kasmuel said the government must be held accountable for Moraas death.

We must hold this government accountable, for it aided her demise through systemic cruelty. How? By forcing her to work 36-hour shifts under brutal conditions; without food, without decent pay. By ensuring she endured unprofessional consultants who drained the life from her. If the Kenya Kwisha regime isnt killing our youth with rogue police, its driving us to death through despair, he tweeted.

















The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Sunday, September 22, 2024 - Quavo is facing allegations that he stole the concept for his 2018 hit song "Bubble Gum" from Louisiana rapper Lamount London, also known as L.Mont, who claims he personally handed Quavo the inspiration.

According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, L.Mont alleges that after opening for 2 Chainz and Quavos group, Migos, at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans on February 9, 2016, he gave Quavo a CD containing his own track, titled "Bubble Gum."

L.Mont claims the song he shared with Quavo was a "bouncy NOLA-style track" recorded in 2015, hoping to collaborate with the Atlanta rapper in the future. However, after not hearing back, L.Mont says he recognized his own work when Quavo released the track "Bubble Gum" on his debut solo album, Quavo Huncho, in 2018.

In the lawsuit, L.Mont alleges that Quavo copied the lyrics, arrangement, and melody of his song, claiming everything but the titles candy theme was taken from his original work. L.Mont is now seeking damages, pointing to the millions of plays Quavo's "Bubble Gum" has garnered over the years.

Neither Quavo nor his representatives have responded to the allegations at this time.




Monday, September 23, 2024  The political marriage between President William Ruto and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, is beyond redemption.

This is after it emerged that Ruto has taken away Gachaguas privileges in government.

This was confirmed by Githunguri MP and UDA loyalist Gathoni Wamuchomba who asserted that Gachagua has begun bearing the brunt of falling out with the ruling regime.

Speaking during an interview, Wamuchomba noted that on Sunday while heading to a church service, it was apparent that some of the privileges Gachagua is entitled to were taken away.

The UDA insider, who has been Gachagua's fiery defender, noted that the DP was entitled to a security team and a convoy even when going to church, some of which were missing.

"For example yesterday, we went with the DP to church. The DP is supposed to be given his privileges.

"He is supposed to be given an escort when he is going to church, he is going to be given security, and all his privileges.

"Can someone tell us yesterday if the deputy president got his privileges as a DP of Kenya?" she questioned.

"I was with him the whole day and he did not receive all his privileges. He did not."

"Who is this person whose job is to remove all these privileges from the DP's office?

"Who is this person whose business is to remove the DP from the diary of the executive President?" Wamuchomba added.

As a result, she called on Ruto to appear on television and keep his word of protecting his deputy from the torment that he underwent during his (Ruto's) tenure as the DP.

She noted that the Head of State was elected by Kenyans, including Mt Kenya residents, who she argued deserved an explanation from the Head of State.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday September 23, 2024 - Tana River County Senator, Danson Mungatana, has filed a censure motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The motion, presented at the Senate on Monday, raises concerns about Gachagua's statements on employment opportunities and resource allocation dubbed One Man One Vote One Shilling

Mungatana said Gachagua's comments have marginalised some communities and increased ethnic tensions.

He noted that the Deputy President's actions violate Article 75 of the Constitution, which outlines conduct expected of state officers.

I have today September 23, 2024, filed a motion of censure against the holder of office of the Deputy President because of conduct unbecoming of that office, Mr Mungatana said at a press conference at Parliament Buildings.

This is a censure motion which I have filed with the office of Senate speaker. Once approved, it shall be tabled in the House, and the senators will debate the censure motion against the DP.

He said the censure motion would strongly show disapproval with the conduct of Mr Gachagua, whom he accused of behaving as if he is the deputy president of Mt Kenya region.

We must remind him that he is the DP for Kenya and not one region. I and the people of Tana River are aggrieved in the manner the DP has been conducting himself, Mr Mungatana said.

A Censure motion is a debate to show strong disapproval against the conduct of a state officer, it is not an impeachment motion.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, September 22, 2024 - South Carolina death row inmate Freddie Owens has been put to death by lethal injection during the states first execution in 13 years.

Owens, 46, was sentenced to death in 1999 for killing a convenience store clerk, Irene Graves, during a robbery in Greenville, South Carolina, when he was 19 years old.

Owens was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. ET, state officials said at a news conference Friday evening, September 20.

South Carolinas Supreme Court declined on Thursday to halt his execution and Gov. Henry McMaster chose not to grant Owens the requested clemency.

Owens attorneys filed for a stay of execution with the Supreme Court of the United States on Friday, hours before his execution, court documents show, but the court denied the request.

The inmate requested an emergency injunction in part because of the violation of due process his attorneys said occurred when South Carolinas Department of Corrections and Gov. McMaster did not provide Owens with basic information about the lethal injection drugs and the execution teams qualifications, according to the emergency motion.

The state-mandated d3ath marks the states first by lethal injection since it regained access to the medication required to perform the procedure following nearly a decade of lethal injection supply issues.

Graves, a 41-year-old mother of three children, was working an overnight shift at a store in Greenville on November 1, 1997, when she was shot and killed during a robbery, CNN affiliate WHNS reported.

Owens was sentenced to d3ath two years later after being convicted of murder, armed robbery, and criminal conspiracy, the corrections department said.

Owens also confessed to killing a cellmate in 1999 while awaiting sentencing following his conviction, WHNS reported.

His execution began at 6:35 p.m. ET, officials said. Two family members of Graves who were present appeared to look intently at Owens, who was dressed in a green jumpsuit and covered with a white sheet, according to an Associated Press reporter who witnessed the lethal injection.

Didnt look away from him until well into the process, AP reporter Jeffrey Collins said Friday at the news conference.

There wasnt like any animosity or any, you know, anger or anything, they just kind of gave him a fairly intense stare.

Owens was put to d3ath using a single drug called pentobarbital, described by the South Carolina Law Review as a sedative commonly used in pet euthanisation.

The state secured the use of the drug after McMaster passed a shield statute in 2023 that protects the identities of individuals or entities involved in the planning or execution of a death sentence, according to the governors office.

On Thursday evening, for the second time this month, the South Carolina Supreme Court refused to halt Owens execution despite a new affidavit signed Wednesday by his co-defendant, Steven Golden, who now claims Owens was not present at the time of the robbery and killing, court documents show.

Owens filed separate motions on August 30 and September 5 asking the court to halt the Friday execution. The court denied both motions on September 12 and saw no reason on Thursday to reconsider their decision.

Goldens affidavit also claimed that he was not the gunman but swears he knows the persons identity, according to a court order.

This new affidavit is squarely inconsistent with Goldens testimony at Owens 1999 trial, at the first resentencing trial in 2003, and in the statement he gave law enforcement officers immediately after he participated in committing the crimes in 1997, the order reads.

The court also noted Owens previously confessed to five people, including two law enforcement officers and his girlfriend.

The South Carolina Supreme Court issued an execution order for Owens to the states corrections department on August 23.

Owens was asked to choose between lethal injection, the electric chair, and firing squad two weeks ago, according to the corrections department, but instead granted his attorney, Emily Paavola, the power to make the decision, court documents show.

Paavola chose the lethal injection option for her client, according to the documents.

One of Owens attorneys referred to his death as a tragedy in a statement to CNN on Friday night and said he was not responsible for Graves killing.

Freddie Owens did not kill Ms. Graves. (His) childhood was marked by suffering on a scale that is hard to comprehend, attorney Gerald Bo King said in a statement.

He spent his adulthood in prison for a crime that he did not commit. The legal errors, hidden deals, and false evidence that made tonight possible should shame us all, King said.






Sunday, September 22, 2024 - A Government worker has been fired from his job after his wife busted him cheating outside a hotel and the whole thing was caught on camera by a passerby.

In the video, Marcelo Serra, the Conservation and Public Services undersecretary in Brazil, is ambushed by his wife, Gabrielle Kienan, who storms out of her SUV and races up to his car just as hes about to leave the Praia Grande Hotel in Niteroi with another woman riding in the passenger seat.

Gabrielle is clearly angry as she pounds on the drivers window, then flings open his door.

Serra finally steps out to have a few tense words with his wife of 6 years.

"You ruined my life, you bastard!" the wife yells at him in Portuguese.

The video ends with Gabrielle in full meltdown mode, shouting and even getting into it with a bystander, while Serra backs away in his car to escape.

The viral clip caught the attention of the mayor's office and Serra was swiftly fired.

The use of official vehicles for personal purposes is expressly prohibited, the city said in a statement. The secretariat does not comment on the private lives of its employees.

No updates on whether his marriage is still intact or the wife has left him.

Watch the video below.
An excerpt from Facing Suicide: Understanding Why People Kill Themselves and How We Can Stop Them.

Between 2000 and 2007, suicide rates were almost stagnant for young people between the ages of ten and twenty-four. Then they began moving steadily upward. By 2018, suicides in this age group had increased 57.4 percent from 2007 levels. An economic crisis darkened that period, and according to online posts, some seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds felt like a burden because their families were overwhelmed by household expenses and had too many mouths to feed.

But something else was happening in the background. Social media was gaining a real foothold. In the past ten years, social network platforms have more than quadrupled their number of usersfrom 970 million in 2010 to 4.48 billion in 2021.

Youth suicide rates turned upward at a time when social media were becoming more available, psychiatrist Eric Caine, MD, of the University of Rochester Medical Center told me. In 2018, an academic review of literature supported this alarming correlation, stating that the increase in suicide rates paralleled the increase in social media use. In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported the astounding fact that mental health disorders have surpassed physical conditions as the most common complaints causing impairment and limitation among adolescents. That same year, the United States Surgeon General expressed alarm about the devastating mental health epidemic affecting American teens.

But was social media to blame? At least in part. A ten-year study of five hundred teens conducted by Brigham Young University beginning in 2009 showed that girls who used social media for two to three hours a day and increased their use over time developed a higher risk for suicide. An independent survey of US teens in grades eight through twelve and national statistics on suicide deaths for those ages thirteen to eighteen both showed that depressive symptoms, suicide-related injuries, and suicide rates all went up between 2010 and 2015, especially among girls. Teens who spent more time on new media, like social media and electronic devices such as smartphones, were more likely to say they had mental health problems. Teens who spent more time on non-screen activities, like in-person social interaction, sports/exercise, homework, print media, and religious services, were less likely to say they had mental health problems.

How else do social media and new media contribute to suicide? The ten-year study of five hundred teens suggested that young people who harm themselves are more active on social networks than young people who dont engage in self-harm. Self-harm generally consists of cutting, burning, or hitting oneself, often without the intent to die. However, those who engage in self-harm are at significant risk for suicide. As Moutier says, some may be seeking help online and are rewarded with supportive messages. But the opposite can also be true. Online help-seeking is often met with derision, which can fuel self-harm. And young people engaging in self-harm find messages that encourage their behavior and even copy the dangerous actions of others shared in messages or videos.

Danish suicide expert Annette Erlangsen, PhD, who studies suicide in Denmark and the United States, observed darker online connections. We do know suicide pacts that have been established through Facebook or group forums, where people are discussing thoughts of suicide and maybe even trying to promote or trigger others to carry out suicidal acts. So we have examples where we can clearly see that social media has had a bad impact.

At least one social media giant has studied the life-threatening impacts its sites cause and has done nothing about them. In 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported that internal documents prepared by researchers at Facebook showed that the company had long been aware that it contributed to mental health disorders in young people. They found that Instagram, its photo-based site, made body-image problems worse for about 30 percent of female teenage users and added to depression and anxiety. Another internal report showed that among teens who reported suicidal ideas, 6 percent of American users and 13 percent of British users traced the desire to kill themselves to Instagram. These revelations came courtesy of whistleblower Frances Haugen. In May 2021, she quit her job as a product manager at Facebook and took tens of thousands of internal papers with her. The records, made public in newspaper articles, have led to a flurry of accusations and lawsuits from eight states.

Meta Platforms, the company that owns both Facebook and Instagram, is in the crosshairs of litigation that accuses it of causing eating disorders, despair, and even deaths among adolescents and teenagers. In 2021, the parents of Englyn Roberts, a Louisiana teenager, brought a case against Instagram. According to their suit, Englyn was bombarded by harmful photos and videos, including violent and distressing content celebrating self-harm and death. As Englyn interacted with these images and videos, carefully crafted algorithms offered up more and more similar content, trapping the teenager in a dangerous cycle. Englyn began sharing films of herself and her friends committing self-harm. In August 2020, copying a video she had seen online, Englyn tried to take her life in the same manner. After days on life support, she died.

Her parents suit alleges her death was the direct result of psychic damage brought on by her compulsive use of social media, particularly Instagram. Englyn Roberts was just fourteen.

James Barrat is a journalist and author of Facing Suicide: Understanding Why People Kill Themselves and How We Can Stop Them.
Refuting the notion by a plaintiff attorney that there are no frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits

James Haliczer, an erstwhile defense attorney turned plaintiff attorney, audaciously claims in a YouTube video that there is no such thing as a frivolous lawsuit.

There are ten species of stakeholders in medical malpractice litigation: claimants, plaintiff attorneys, defendants, defense attorneys, medical experts, medical expert directories, mentors, malpractice insurance carriers, and jurors. They are part of the medical liability litigation industry.

With the exception of defendants and jurors, each prospers from $55.6 billion per year. Those who prosper will not refute Mr. Haliczers notion, outrageous as it is.

The $55.6 billion includes over 3 million malpractice claims, which are reviewed by 64,000 plaintiff law firms, filing 85,000 lawsuits per year. Therefore, for every 37.5 cases reviewed, only one case is represented. Plaintiff attorneys have their own criteria for case selection. Merit, as it is commonly known, is not included.

As evidence, in the 85,000 cases represented, 27,000 are settled, and 1,200 are plaintiff verdicts. For the most part, plaintiff verdicts and settlements can be regarded as having merit. This is one-third of all cases. Conversely, 52,000 are dismissed, and 4,800 are defense verdicts. These can be regarded as not having merit. This is two-thirds of the 85,000 cases. If selection criteria included merit, this could not happen.

There are 1 million doctors. Each has an 8.5% chance of being sued per year, and each lawsuit has a 66.7% chance of being frivolous.

Do you think there is a problem here?

If James Haliczer is a representative, plaintiff lawyers are not. The reason for his assertion is that frivolous lawsuits are just too expensive to litigate. With this excuse, Mr. Haliczer spills the beans.

Mr. Haliczer asserts that there are no frivolous lawsuits because, for him, there are none. This is because plaintiff attorneys, like him, make a frivolous lawsuit appear to have merit. This gives a frivolous claim of negligence an artificial value so that a plaintiff verdict or a settlement is possible. When this does not work, it does not mean there is no merit. In litigation, mistakes happen.

Nevertheless, when two-thirds of all litigation decisions do not end according to Mr. Haliczers expectations, it is not because of a mistake.

There are mistakes. Claimants who do not self-examine merit in their claim surrender to others who will make these judgments. Likewise, defendants who do not self-examine their culpability surrender to others who will make these judgments. These are mistakes.

What follows are the biases of provocateurs and accomplices to whom claimants and defendants surrender.

Plaintiff attorneys who advertise they win lawsuits are provocateurs. To stay in business, they insert merit into frivolous lawsuits, which is biased.

Defense attorneys are complicit. For them, frivolous lawsuits are billable hours. To stay in business, they make excuses for extensions. This is a bias.

Medical experts are complicit. To stay in business, they selectively advocate for whatever side retains them. This is a bias.

Medical expert directories are complicit. To stay in business, they promote the services of medical experts. This is a bias.

Mentors are complicit. To stay in business, they offer instructions and advice only to provide emotional support. This is a bias.

Malpractice carriers are complicit. To stay in business, they keep defense attorneys, whom they hire, beholden to them. This is a bias.

Jurors are complicit. They allow themselves to be influenced by emotion. This is a bias.

Indeed, frivolous cases are expensive, and so they should be because they are founded on mistakes or biases in traditional decision-making by each stakeholder.

Traditional decision-making is inductive reasoning. It is subjective. Subjectivity is the sine qua non of bias. Its fundamental principle is preponderance of evidence.

All decision-making techniques have a level of confidence. It is the odds of being right. For preponderance of evidence, the level of confidence is 50% probability plus a scintilla. Scintilla is discretionary, and in traditional decision-making, it is just a smidgen. Even a coin toss has a 50% probability.

All decision-making techniques have a type-1 error. It is the odds of being wrong. For preponderance of evidence, type-1 error is 50% minus a scintilla.

For the above reasons, traditional decision-making is only slightly better than a coin toss.

Hypothesis testing is different. Hypothesis testing is deductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning is used in court all the time. It is discussed by the Daubert decision. It is objective. Objectivity is the antithesis of bias.

When adapting hypothesis testing to medical malpractice, scintilla, which is discretionary, is given a value of 45%. Now, preponderance of evidence has a level of confidence of 95% and a type-1 error of 5%.

If Mr. Haliczer, or any plaintiff attorney, dares to insert merit in a frivolous case using 50% probability plus a scintilla, hypothesis testing exposes this manipulation with 95% confidence.

A stakeholder should want to use hypothesis testing.

First, it undoes mistakes made by claimants and defendants. It assures a claimant that a meritorious complaint is appropriately represented. It encourages a defendant to proactively demand the best defense of a frivolous claim and the most expedient settlement of a meritorious one.

Next, it avoids biases of all the other stakeholders. It prevents a plaintiff attorney from manipulating a frivolous lawsuit. It holds a medical expert accountable to professional codes of conduct. It keeps an expert directory conscious of whom it promotes. It keeps a mentor conscious of what it instructs or advises. It refocuses a malpractice carrier on a legal strategy that best serves the insured rather than on a legal strategy that best serves it. It refocuses the defense attorneys professional obligation to be an advocate for the defendant, who is a client, rather than to be an advocate for itself. It discourages a juror from being influenced by bias in evidence because any rational person intuitively knows that 95% confidence is better than 50% probability plus a scintilla.

Howard Smith is an obstetrics-gynecology physician.
By Anthony Wesaka

High Court Judge Isaac Muwata will on Thursday rule on whether police form 17A will be relied on in the ongoing trial in which five people are charged in connection with the murder of businessman Henry Katanga.

This was after defence lawyers last week questioned the reliability of the police form 17A, a document used to request DNA analysis, by the acting director of Forensics at the Uganda Police Force, Mr Andrew Kizimula Mubiru.

Defence lawyers claimed they had observed some discrepancies, including the appearance of a missing sample (H) that was not disclosed to them but was included in the evidence submitted to the court. Read more
As the world marks International Day of Sign Languages, Uganda is poised to make a significant leap and social media awareness forward on inclusive education.

In an interview with KFM on Monday, Uganda Disabled Womens Association (UDWA) Executive Director, Florence Drajo, is leading the charge, calling on the government and stakeholders to introduce a sign language syllabus in schools.

This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower deaf and hard-of-hearing students, providing them with equal access to education and opportunities.

By incorporating sign language into the curriculum, Uganda will bridge the gap between deaf and hearing communities.

We believe every individual deserves equal access to education, regardless of ability, Dragyo emphasized.

This syllabus will unlock doors for deaf students, enabling them to learn, grow, and contribute to society, she added.

With UDWAs advocacy, Uganda is on track to become a model for inclusive education in Africa. By

This years theme; Sign up for Sign Language Rights emphasizes the power of connection, highlighting how sign languages foster relationships and understanding.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has called for expressions of interest from aspirants in the Kisoro Woman representative by-election.

The NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Fred Tanga Odoi called on interested persons to apply for the parliamentary seat for the Kisoro district womens representative position to replace the late State Minister for Defence, Sarah Mateke.

He said the elections will also cover the district woman councilor for the south division, the municipal male older persons councilor in the Northern division, and councilor for persons with disability who died in the same district.

We are replacing those who have died. The one for Honourable Saraha Mateke was unfortunate and the one for the older persons in Kosoro was an aged person, Dr. Odoi said.

He explained that the aspiring candidates are expected to hand over their applications on September 30, 2024.

The late Sarah Mateke was the Woman Member of Parliament for Kisoro district.
Kampala City socialite Nasser Nduhukire, also known as Don Nasser, appeared before Buganda Road Court on Monday, facing charges of aggravated trafficking in children for sexual exploitation.

Don Nasser is accused of working with Promise Gatete to transport a 16-year-old girl from Tagore apartments at Acacia Mall and holding her captive in Kito, Kira Division for three days. Both individuals have denied the charges but were remanded to Luzira prison, pending their appearance before the High Court for trial. The maximum penalty for this crime is death.

Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayiizi ordered their return to court on October 8, 2024, to monitor the progress of the ongoing investigation.

More details to follow
The Karuma Bridge, a link between the Acholi, West Nile, and Lango regions, will be completely closed to traffic starting September 23, 2024. The closure will allow for essential repairs to the bridge, which were deemed necessary after the discovery of structural defects.

Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala, announced the closure. The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) estimates that the repairs, including the demolition of the concrete deck, will take approximately three months.

Previously, in May, the bridge was partially closed to buses and trailers due to safety concerns. To accommodate motorists during this closure, alternative routes have been provided. Travelers from Kampala to Gulu and West Nile can use the Luweero-Kafu-Masindi-Para route, with a second ferry available to ease water crossings. Those heading to Lira can use the Rwenkunye-Apac route via Masindi Port Ferry or the Iganga Nakalama-Tirinyi-Pallisa Kumi-Soroti route. Travelers to West Nile may also use the road through Murchison Falls National Park, subject to certain conditions.

The current Karuma Bridge was constructed in 1963 and has been facing safety issues for some time. The bridge lacks pedestrian lanes and monitoring equipment.
On September 23, communities worldwide celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages, a heartfelt initiative launched in 2018 to honour the deaf communitys rich culture.

With an estimated 72 million individuals using over 300 sign languages, this day serves as a reminder of the beauty of diverse forms of communication.

This years theme; Sign up for Sign Language Rights emphasizes the power of connection, highlighting how sign languages foster relationships and understanding.

From vibrant street performances to engaging workshops, events around the globe invite everyone to participate, learn, and appreciate the art of signing.

As Ugandans embrace this day, they celebrate the joy of inclusivity and the invaluable role sign languages play in building bridges between people.
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The History of the Adani Group

khaskhabar.com : , 23  2024 6:26 PM
A HOST of local primary schools are going to go phone free in order to tackle concerns about childrens access to smartphones and social media.

The Parents Associations of 11 primary schools in Naas and its surrounding areas (including Clane, Eadestown and Two Mile House), in conjunction with school management and teachers launched a Go Phone Free initiative at the Osprey Hotel in Naas.

With over 200 parents, guardians and members of the local community, including Mayor Fintan Brett and councillors Ger Dunne and Evie Sammon, in attendance, the meeting heard from Brian Barron, principal of Portlaw National School, on his experience of successfully implementing a voluntary Go Phone Free code in over 70 schools in Co Waterford.

Jana Drennan, Michelle Gaffney, Tamsin Jones and Mary Feighan (Mercy Convent Go Phone Free Sub-Committee)

The event also heard from Catherine Hallissey, a highly-regarded child psychologist from Cork, who provided hands-on tips on how to model, mentor and manage our children's screentime.

She also advised on ways in which people can better support their children safely to navigate the online world.

Ingrid Samnicka, Ciara Whelan and Paul Ennis (Principal Naas Community NS)

Go Phone Free is a voluntary initiative which invites parents and guardians collectively to agree, in respect of their primary school children, to the following code: no smartphones while in primary school, no social media while in primary school, and to respect the age rating on video games.

Organisers believe that this initiative offers parents and guardians, who are concerned about their children having access to a smartphone and social media, a tool to help address the above issues.

Guest Speakers Mary Feighan (Mercy Convent Go Phone Free Sub-Committee member), Catherine Hallissey (Pyscologist) and Brian Barron (Principal Portlow NS, Waterford)

By collectively embracing a voluntary code, schools, parents and guardians are working together in order to create a safer and healthier environment for primary school children.
By Claudia Savage, PA

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on the British Government to make clear its intention to trigger a referendum on Irish unity.

Speaking at a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Ms McDonald also urged British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to walk the final length of the Irish journey.

While in opposition, Starmer said a referendum on Irish unification was not even on the horizon, while Sinn Fein has called for a date for a vote to be set before the end of the decade, but have not specified when.

Ms McDonald told the audience in Liverpool that the reunification of Ireland presents the single greatest opportunity to unlock our potential and to deliver prosperity for all.

She said: Were living in a time when history will be made by the people. Thats why referendums on Irish unity must be held by the end of this decade to allow the people to have their say.

The moment will come to name the date, but first, the British Government must make clear its intention to trigger a referendum as per the Good Friday Agreement, and set out the threshold for the referendum as they see it  there cant be any more dodging.

We need clear and we need an honest conversation. Our countries are each others nearest neighbours, and good neighbours should always want whats best for each other.

What is best for Ireland is that Britain end its involvement in our affairs, and that the people of Ireland finally get to decide our future together.

The Sinn Fein leader was asked what she would say if given five minutes with Sir Keir, to which she replied: I would say, this is a question of honour. This is a question of keeping your word and of doing the right thing.

And when the history books are written, I think he would wish them to record that it was a Labour prime minister who had the integrity and the vision to walk the final length of the Irish journey and to consign the ancient quarrel and the harm that was done by colonisation and partition to the dustbin of history.

Ms McDonald said successive British Governments have absolutely refused to outline the thresholds for an Irish unity referendum.

She said: I think we have to work from first principles: acknowledge whats in the Good Friday Agreement, accept, therefore, that there will be referendums, and then once you have acknowledged that, you then move to the question of when and how.

Since becoming the Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn has shared the Prime Ministers commitment to a reset in relations with Ireland.

Ms McDonald said the current climate called for not merely a reset, but indeed a transformation of British-Irish engagement.

She said: The immediate post-Good Friday Agreement era was not without its challenges, times when our relationship required dialogue, diplomacy and leadership, challenges that we navigated in a spiritual partnership, even, at times, a very intense disagreement.

And then came Brexit. I think its reasonable to say that the post-Brexit realities have frayed the relationship, fuelled in the most part by Tory gameplay, undermining of agreements and general belligerence towards the safeguarding of Irish interests.

Its clear that the relationship between our countries requires now recalibration. One that puts respect back at the heart of engagement.

The leader of the opposition in the Irish Parliament said her party would make reunification a key priority by establishing a reunification and one Ireland unit, appointing a minister and giving all MPs from Northern Ireland speaking rights in the Dail.

She said: The new Ireland that we seek to build belongs every bit as much to the families of the Shankill as it does to the families of the Falls. Every bit as much to the families of Fermanagh as the families in Dublin and Cork and Galway.

And whether you argue for Irish reunification or the preservation of the Union, the nature and quality of the conversation really matters.

We have to listen to each other, engage with the facts and resist the urge to be driven by fear or misinformation, such as we witnessed during the Brexit debate.
We're as close as it takes the planners to produce the diagrams, said Naas councillor Seamie Moore referring to the long-term plan to alleviate Main Street traffic.

They have designed a masterplan to finish out the town, he confirmed.

With the planned Inner Relief Road from the Dublin Road to the Blessington Road being held up by residents concerns in The Gallops, cllr Moore brought up the subject at the most recent meeting of the Naas Municipal District meeting last week.

He suggested that following the failure of the infamous Naas Pathfinder Programme and the non-usage of road allocation grants for the town, that the Corbans Lane/South Main Street project be now brought forward as the most essential roads project to be completed.

This plan will open up the rear of the town to allow access to the recently re-opened shopping centre (and it 750 car parking spaces), with an exit down at Murtaghs Cross onto the Newbridge Road.

Cllr Moores motion received a very positive reply from Area Engineer David Reel.

The design for Murtaghs Corner/Corbans Lane is being prepared by the Transport Capital Team and is at detailed design with delivery anticipated in 2025, he said.

In respect of the Public Realm Team, they have tendered for the services of a multi-disciplinary integrated design team lead by a suitably qualified urban designer to prepare a non-statutory regeneration Town Renewal Masterplan for Naas, he revealed.

The plans will have a strong focus on the Public Realm and the successful candidate will provide all necessary consultancy design services required to deliver the regeneration. The SPPR team are currently assessing tenders with a view to awarding a contract in the coming weeks, and a programme for delivery will be outlined, with progress reports to be provided in the monthly chief executive reports.

It is envisioned that the Masterplan will incorporate the entire town centre area, it will have a particular phased priority on three interlinked Core Regeneration Areas (CRAs) located within the historic core of Naas town centre and two key transportation and public realm interventions on the north and south access points to Main Street. It will also acknowledge and develop the relationship between and integration of the Canal Quarter, the Naas Library and Cultural Centre and the Grand Canal Greenway.

Floods pub was knocked down in 2007 to make room for Corbans Lane to allow access to the shopping centre, and was left as a magnificent ruin for the last 15 years, said cllr Moore.

Well probably have to take about 150m off the secondary school, but it wouldnt be terribly missed, he predicted.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has accused the Israeli embassy of leaking a letter in which he sent his best wishes to the new president of Iran.

Mr Higgins is in New York where he addressed the UN Summit of the Future at the organisations headquarters.

Speaking to journalists after his address, Mr Higgins was asked about criticism he received for sending a courtesy letter to Masoud Pezeshkian, who became Irans president after his predecessor Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in May.

The Israeli embassy in Dublin criticised the letter to Mr Pezeshkian at the time, saying it sent the wrong message to the people of Iran living in fear under this brutal regime.

Mr Higgins said on Sunday that the correspondence to Mr Pezeshkian was standard for when someone is a newly elected head of state.

He added that the letter, which was leaked online in August, emphasised peace in the Middle East and the importance of diplomacy.

When asked about the letter, Mr Higgins said: Why dont you ask where it came from?  Where the criticism came from and how the letter was circulated and by whom and for what purpose?

When pushed on the matter, Mr Higgins said: It was circulated from the Israeli embassy.

He added that he did not know how Israeli authorities would have obtained the letter and noted that Israels ambassador to Ireland was not in residence to consult.

Israel recalled its ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, in May in response to Irelands recognition of a Palestinian state.

Ms Erlich has not returned to Ireland since, a decision which the Israeli embassy said followed the troubling rise in anti-Israel discourse in Ireland and claimed that accusations against Israel crossed the line into vilification, incitement and libels.

It said these accusations created an inhospitable environment for the Jewish and Israeli communities in Ireland.

We do hope that under different, more friendly conditions, Ambassador Erlich will resume her duties in Dublin and continue the important work ahead of her, the embassy said earlier this month.

The Israeli Embassy in Dublin rejected President Michael D Higgins' accusation, Newstalk have reported.

In a statement, it said the fact remains the letter was written, and therefore it is the burden of the author to defend its content, which did not mention the threat Iran poses in the region.

It said unfortunately, in Ireland, since the October 7th invasion by Hamas and massacre in Israel, Israel has been subjected to a high level of malicious statements and accusations that have often manifested as incitement to hatred.

It described the accusation as baseless and highly inflammatory.
A motorist who crashed into a parked car right in front of a garda patrol car, has appeared before Kilkenny District Court.

Linda Gill, 22 St Michaels Terrace, Graignamanagh, made two discoveries after the accident - that she had not been insured to drive and that she was suffering from illness.



Garda Tom Loughnane gave evidence that on January 24 last, at 9.30am at Irishtown, Kilkenny, he observed Ms Gill driving a Honda CRV.

Ms Gill crashed into a parked car, in front of the gardas patrol car.

The garda spoke to her and she produced her driving licence, but not her insurance.

She failed to produce this at a garda station within ten days.

Solicitor Chris Hogan said Ms Gill had no previous convictions and has compensated the other car owner for the minor damage caused.

His client, Mr Hogan said, was originally from England and had kept her vehicle there for family reasons.

It had recently been brought back to Ireland and it was in the process of being re-registered here.

Unbeknownst to Ms Gill, her husband had contacted their insurance company in the UK to cancel the policy on the vehicle, as part of this process.

Her husband suffers from a medical condition for which forgetfulness is a symptom and he had forgotten to tell her he did this.

On the day Ms Gill herself was feeling unwell. She realised when she returned home that she had a temperature and was suffering from an infection.

Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted Ms Gill of driving without insurance and imposed a fine of 200. There was no disqualification.
The head of the HSE has said that six people are facing a disciplinary process after the death of Aoife Johnston as he apologised to the family again for failings in the teenagers care.

Bernard Gloster said there was still a risk of reoccurrence at University Hospital Limericks (UHL) emergency department, but the risk was now reduced and said the aim was to make the hospital safer.

An independent report found that a grossly overcrowded emergency department and lack of clarity on sepsis protocols were among the factors ahead of Aoifes death at UHL two years ago.

The 16-year-old died at the hospital after waiting for 12 hours to be assessed for suspected sepsis.

Aoife presented to the hospitals emergency department (ED) on the evening of Saturday December 17 2022 following a referral from an out-of-hours GP service which had queried the possibility of sepsis.

She was not administered the appropriate sepsis bundle of medication until 13 hours later, between 7.15am and 7.20am; protocols on sepsis suggest that treatment should take place within one hour.

Read Also: Clare teen who died of sepsis sent to wrong section of hospital ED, report finds

The HSE published a report on Friday written by former chief justice Frank Clarke, who described the circumstances around her death as almost certainly avoidable.

Mr Justice Clarkes report also said that unless capacity issues at UHLs emergency department are addressed, and despite improvements made since 2022, a risk of reoccurrence will inevitably be present.

On Sunday, Mr Gloster apologised to the Johnston family and said he can only imagine what they are going through.

We can never tire of saying we failed Aoife, we failed her badly. Our failure caused her death and that has led to the devastation that her family are now left with, he told RTE Radios This Week programme.

It is important to start any commentary by recognising that, by restating that and by that motivating us to do what we can now to ensure the system is better than that.

Mr Gloster also addressed concerns raised by the Johnston familys solicitor, who said the family wanted people to be held accountable for failings in their daughters care and were unhappy that the report did not have adverse findings.

He said that four members of staff were on administrative leave from their roles and that others are facing disciplinary investigation.

At this point in time six people are the subject of various considerations within the disciplinary process.

He said he will be able to confirm when the process is concluded, whether there were findings against people and whether sanctions were applied  but he said he would not be able to confirm who is the subject of those processes.

Damien Tansey, solicitor for the Johnston family, said that when wrongdoing is exposed, part of the sanction is public disclosure.

Aoife Johnston and the family are in the glare of publicity since her death and that continues. And yet the people who caused it are entitled, according to the HSE, to anonymity.

Mr Gloster said: People can have no doubt that accountability is being pursued here, but this is being pursued lawfully and appropriately and fairly, and lest there be any doubt, everything that Frank Clarke has said to me has been accepted.

The HSE chief said that if Mr Justice Clarke were able to make adverse findings, the report would not have been available for a very, very, very long time.

Mr Gloster said he did not intend to give the impression to the Johnston family during a meeting in previous months that Mr Clarke could make adverse findings.

He said: Had he chosen to make adverse findings in respect of any individual, theres a critical chance his report would have been able to be struck down in the courts were it challenged, thats the first thing.

The second thing is I would ask anyone to reflect on the fact that were the former chief justice of Ireland allowed to make a finding against you in a civil process and a civil report, what chance would anybody stand of a fair hearing under the disciplinary procedures in their contract  and the answer to that is they wouldnt.

He said the choice was not a binary one of either recognising the trauma suffered by the Johnston family or to operate lawfully.

Asked who made the decision on whether adverse findings could be made as part of the independent report, Mr Gloster said that was clear from the terms of reference.

If people wanted and desired accountability in our public services, be it in this case or any other, that accountability if it is not pursued lawfully and appropriately, it doesnt stand up, it cant happen.

Mr Gloster said he made it clear on several occasions before the report was concluded that the issue of accountability rests with him as head of the HSE.

He said that he did not believe a statutory inquiry, as now requested by the Johnston family, would reveal anything different or any greater accountability than Mr Justice Clarkes probe already had.

All of the reports in the world are not going to change the harm that was done to Aoifes family as a result of the failing here, he said.
Roderic OGorman has said we need to stick to the facts about migration and homelessness as the Taoiseach was criticised for comments on Irelands record high homeless figures.

Taoiseach Simon Harris told The Sunday Times that homelessness numbers are heavily impacted by the fact we are seeing many people seek protection in our country.

Mr Harris has been urged to clarify that asylum seekers are not counted in the monthly homeless numbers released by the Department of Housing.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called the Taoiseachs comments cynical, untrue and dangerous and accused him of engaging in a dog whistle attack on asylum seekers.

The monthly homeless figures have repeatedly hit record highs, with the figures for July showing that 14,429 people, including 4,401 children, are in emergency accommodation.

These figures do not include people in Direct Provision, people sleeping rough or people who are couch surfing.

Integration Minister Roderic OGorman said that people who have applied for asylum in Ireland are not entitled to housing support or the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), and cannot access homeless accommodation.

Mr OGorman said: I think we just need to be clear on where migration and homelessness interact.

Somebody seeking international protection has no right to claim housing supports in Ireland, has no right to HAP, has no right to access homelessness accommodation.

Someone fleeing the war in Ukraine in Ireland has no right to seek housing support, to seek HAP or to seek homelessness accommodation.

The whole reason that my department has led our response to the people fleeing Ukraine and people fleeing seeking international protection is to ensure that our response to those vulnerable people is undertaken in a way that does not in any way impact the Department of Housings ability to implement Housing for All and its ability to deal with immediate homelessness situations.

And thats why my department opened the course the last year, at its height, was providing accommodation to over 100,000 people.

Asked to clarify his comments while on a trip to New York for the UN General Assembly, Mr Harris said it was not to apportion blame to vulnerable people, but added that the homeless figures speak for themselves.

Mr OGorman said that he agreed with Mr Harris that we shouldnt be blaming vulnerable people for the housing situation.

That is a reality of a process that Ireland and every country that allows international protection acknowledge: where someone gets international protection, where it is said that they are a refugee, that they met the criteria, they are then entitled to remain in Ireland and to access services on the same basis as everybody else.

I support and I will always defend that process because it is important that people who are fleeing war, fleeing conflict, have that ability to find safety in Ireland or in any other country.

Housing minister Darragh OBrien echoed Mr OGormans comments on Monday and said he makes no distinction between groups of people accessing emergency accommodation.

Mr OBrien was speaking at the launch of 120 new social homes in the Deansgrange area of Dublin.

He described homelessness as a complex area and said the Department is transparent in releasing figures on the backgrounds of people accessing emergency accommodation.

We have seen in the last number of months  and I think thats just what the Taoiseach was speaking to as well  in the area of new arrivals as well, in particular with singles.

It is a factor but as Ive always said and have been very open about: Anyone who does not have a home, weve a moral duty of care to them, to support them in emergency accommodation.

The minister said there had been an increase in the number of people exiting the direct-provision system into State emergency accommodation.We will provide that accommodation for them regardless of where someone is, or where theyve come from as well.

We as a country are a caring country. We want to make sure that people are looked after and they will be looked after. We make no distinction between one cohort of people and another. I never have and I never will.
Irish premier Simon Harris is to hold a bilateral meeting with the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.

It will be the first meeting between the Taoiseach and Mr Abbas since Ireland recognised the state of Palestine in May.

They will discuss efforts for a ceasefire in the Middle East, efforts to release Israeli hostages and the urgent need for aid to flow into Gaza.

Mr Harris said: Ireland recognised the state of Palestine to help keep alive the hope of a two-state solution with Palestine and Israel living peacefully side-by-side.

Today I will be asking President Abbas how we can support him and the Palestinian Authority in making that hope a reality.

Ireland knows how important it is for a country to take its place on the global stage.

Also on Tuesday, following the official opening of the United Nations General Assembly, the Taoiseach will hold bilateral meetings with King Abdullah of Jordan and the secretary-general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.
Stuff reports:

There are calls from some Wellington businesses for the Government to follow the lead of one of the worlds biggest companies  Amazon  and order workers to stop working from home. It could be the number one fix for an economy that bankers in a recent Kiwibank report described as so low it was icy.

I know WFH has contributed to the problems some Wellington shops have. But banning WFH for the public service would be wrong. The role of the public service is to provide effective and efficient public services. It is not to create shoppers in Wellington.

If a public agency decides that they can best achieve their mission by allowing staff to work partially from home, then they should be able to do so. It also reduces congestion, transport costs and emissions.

I note the Government has said:

The Government wants to see more public servants come into their place of work each day and is taking steps to make this expectation clear to chief executives, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. Updated guidance for the public service will make clear that working from home is not an entitlement and must be agreed and monitored, Nicola Willis says. While carefully defined working from home arrangements can benefit workers and employers, if the pendulum swings too far in favour of working from home, there are downsides for employers and employees. Thats even before we consider the effects for the CBD retailers, restaurants and cafes.

I think it is far enough that WFH is not regarded as an entitlement, and should be monitored. But public service employers should be focused on whether WFH arrangements are good for them achieving their mission, not the impact on CBD shops.

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Shares of Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSE:WCP  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Buy from the nine research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$13.61.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Whitecap Resources to a moderate buy rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$12.00 to C$13.00 in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$12.00 to C$11.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 16th.

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Whitecap Resources Price Performance

Shares of TSE WCP opened at C$10.49 on Monday. Whitecap Resources has a 1 year low of C$8.15 and a 1 year high of C$11.83. The stock has a market capitalization of C$6.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.39, a P/E/G ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 2.69. The companys 50-day moving average is C$10.18 and its 200 day moving average is C$10.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.55, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported C$0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.29 by C$0.12. The firm had revenue of C$1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$946.00 million. Whitecap Resources had a return on equity of 13.89% and a net margin of 22.43%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Whitecap Resources will post 1.001005 earnings per share for the current year.

Whitecap Resources Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.061 per share. This represents a $0.73 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.98%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. Whitecap Resourcess payout ratio is 58.40%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Whitecap Resources news, Director Chandra Henry acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 10th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$10.00 per share, with a total value of C$100,000.00. In other news, Director Grant Bradley Fagerheim sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$10.22, for a total transaction of C$204,400.00. Also, Director Chandra Henry acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of C$10.00 per share, for a total transaction of C$100,000.00. 0.83% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Whitecap Resources

(Get Free Report

Whitecap Resources Inc, an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company's primary areas of focus of its development programs are in Northern Alberta and British Columbia, Central Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Barclays PLC (LON:BARC  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the seven analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 276 ($3.65).

BARC has been the topic of several recent research reports. Shore Capital restated a buy rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Wednesday, June 19th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Monday, September 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Barclays from GBX 260 ($3.43) to GBX 250 ($3.30) and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 270 ($3.57) price objective on shares of Barclays in a research note on Monday, September 9th.

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Barclays Stock Down 1.7 %

Barclays Cuts Dividend

Shares of BARC opened at GBX 222.85 ($2.94) on Monday. Barclays has a 12 month low of GBX 128.12 ($1.69) and a 12 month high of GBX 241.80 ($3.19). The companys fifty day moving average is GBX 224.36 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 209.14. The firm has a market cap of 32.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 872.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.36.

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 20th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a dividend of GBX 2.90 ($0.04) per share. This represents a yield of 1.24%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 15th. Barclayss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3,076.92%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Barclays

In related news, insider Anna Cross sold 49,013 shares of Barclays stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 221 ($2.92), for a total transaction of 108,318.73 ($143,089.47). In other Barclays news, insider Dawn Fitzpatrick acquired 5,259 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 210 ($2.77) per share, for a total transaction of 11,043.90 ($14,589.04). Also, insider Anna Cross sold 49,013 shares of Barclays stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 221 ($2.92), for a total transaction of 108,318.73 ($143,089.47). Insiders own 1.47% of the companys stock.

Barclays Company Profile

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Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services.

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Edison International (NYSE:EIX  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twelve ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have given a hold recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $85.83.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on EIX shares. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Edison International from $82.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Guggenheim upped their price target on shares of Edison International from $80.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Edison International from $86.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. UBS Group upped their target price on Edison International from $86.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Edison International from $62.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Trading of Edison International

In other Edison International news, CEO J Andrew Murphy sold 23,896 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.45, for a total value of $2,041,913.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 19,850 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,696,182.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . In other Edison International news, VP Natalie K. Schilling sold 2,341 shares of Edison International stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $187,280.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 6,338 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $507,040. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, CEO J Andrew Murphy sold 23,896 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.45, for a total value of $2,041,913.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 19,850 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,696,182.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 89,099 shares of company stock worth $7,223,342 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.03% of the companys stock.

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Able Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Edison International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Edison International during the second quarter worth $27,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Edison International in the first quarter valued at $28,000. Country Trust Bank bought a new stake in Edison International during the second quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. grew its holdings in Edison International by 53.8% during the 2nd quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 400 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares during the period. 88.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Edison International Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:EIX opened at $85.43 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.04. Edison International has a 12-month low of $58.82 and a 12-month high of $88.77. The companys 50 day moving average price is $82.32 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $75.58. The firm has a market cap of $32.87 billion, a PE ratio of 37.47, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.91.

Edison International (NYSE:EIX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The utilities provider reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $4.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.12 billion. Edison International had a return on equity of 13.01% and a net margin of 6.60%. The companys revenue was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.01 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Edison International will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Edison International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, July 8th were issued a $0.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 8th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.65%. Edison Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 136.84%.

About Edison International

(Get Free Report

Edison International, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation and distribution of electric power. The company supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 50,000 square mile area of southern California to residential, commercial, industrial, public authorities, agricultural, and other sectors.

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George Weston Limited (TSE:WN  Get Free Report) Senior Officer Rashid Wasti bought 1,100 shares of George Weston stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 17th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$21.99 per share, for a total transaction of C$24,189.99.

Rashid Wasti also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, September 20th, Rashid Wasti bought 1,000 shares of George Weston stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$20.54 per share, for a total transaction of C$20,539.00.

On Monday, August 26th, Rashid Wasti bought 2,000 shares of George Weston stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$21.67 per share, for a total transaction of C$43,340.00.

On Wednesday, August 28th, Rashid Wasti sold 150 shares of George Weston stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$222.51, for a total value of C$33,376.50.

On Friday, August 23rd, Rashid Wasti bought 1,500 shares of George Weston stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$21.72 per share, for a total transaction of C$32,580.00.

On Monday, August 19th, Rashid Wasti bought 1,300 shares of George Weston stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$21.63 per share, for a total transaction of C$28,119.00.

On Thursday, August 15th, Rashid Wasti sold 150 shares of George Weston stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$218.50, for a total value of C$32,775.00.

On Wednesday, August 7th, Rashid Wasti purchased 1,500 shares of George Weston stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$21.34 per share, for a total transaction of C$32,010.00.

On Tuesday, July 30th, Rashid Wasti sold 3,300 shares of George Weston stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$215.00, for a total value of C$709,500.00.

George Weston Price Performance

WN opened at C$219.53 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average is C$215.74 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$197.89. George Weston Limited has a 1 year low of C$144.41 and a 1 year high of C$229.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 171.94, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The firm has a market capitalization of C$29.01 billion, a PE ratio of 24.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.42.

George Weston Announces Dividend

George Weston ( TSE:WN Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported C$2.93 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$14.09 billion during the quarter. George Weston had a return on equity of 17.52% and a net margin of 2.06%. Research analysts anticipate that George Weston Limited will post 13.0828367 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Sunday, September 15th will be issued a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. George Westons dividend payout ratio is presently 36.90%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on WN shares. Desjardins raised their price target on George Weston from C$212.00 to C$232.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. CIBC raised their price target on George Weston from C$235.00 to C$254.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on George Weston from C$196.00 to C$220.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, TD Securities cut their target price on George Weston from C$246.00 to C$242.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$229.67.

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George Weston Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

George Weston Limited provides food and drug retailing, and financial services in Canada. The company operates through two segments, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Choice Properties). The Loblaw segment provides grocery, pharmacy and healthcare services, health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, and financial services.

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National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Saturday, September 21st, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of 0.8081 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, November 1st. This represents a yield of 3.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. This is a positive change from National Bank of Canadas previous dividend of $0.81.

National Bank of Canada Stock Performance

NTIOF opened at $93.66 on Monday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $86.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $83.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The firm has a market cap of $31.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.12 and a beta of 1.08. National Bank of Canada has a 1-year low of $60.71 and a 1-year high of $94.20.

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National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.96 earnings per share for the quarter. National Bank of Canada had a net margin of 19.10% and a return on equity of 17.48%. The company had revenue of $2.18 billion during the quarter.

National Bank of Canada Company Profile

National Bank of Canada provides financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional clients, and governments in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services, such as credit, and deposit, investment solutions, international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services.

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Scotiabank lowered shares of Telecom Argentina (NYSE:TEO  Free Report) from a sector perform rating to a sector underperform rating in a research report released on Friday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has $6.10 target price on the utilities providers stock, up from their previous target price of $5.70.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Telecom Argentina from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 5th.

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Telecom Argentina Stock Performance

TEO stock opened at $8.53 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Telecom Argentina has a fifty-two week low of $4.50 and a fifty-two week high of $9.97. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $7.07 and a 200-day moving average of $7.53.

Telecom Argentina (NYSE:TEO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 15th. The utilities provider reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $967.38 million during the quarter. Telecom Argentina had a return on equity of 0.69% and a net margin of 1.01%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Telecom Argentina will post 1.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new position in Telecom Argentina in the 2nd quarter worth about $334,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Telecom Argentina in the 2nd quarter worth about $174,000. PFG Investments LLC bought a new position in Telecom Argentina in the 2nd quarter worth about $104,000. Oaktree Capital Management LP boosted its stake in Telecom Argentina by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Oaktree Capital Management LP now owns 2,454,156 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $17,547,000 after purchasing an additional 10,000 shares during the period. Finally, Jump Financial LLC boosted its stake in Telecom Argentina by 209.1% in the 4th quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 42,816 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $306,000 after purchasing an additional 28,964 shares during the period.

Telecom Argentina Company Profile

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Telecom Argentina SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services. The company offers mobile telecommunications services, including voice communications, high-speed mobile Internet content and applications download, online streaming, and other services; and sells mobile communication devices, such as handsets, Modems MiFi and wingles, and smart watches.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Two Harbors Investment (NYSE:TWO  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report issued on Friday morning.

TWO has been the subject of several other research reports. Janney Montgomery Scott assumed coverage on shares of Two Harbors Investment in a research report on Friday, August 16th. They set a buy rating and a $15.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Two Harbors Investment from $12.50 to $13.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and set a $15.00 price objective on shares of Two Harbors Investment in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Two Harbors Investment from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $13.50 to $14.50 in a research note on Friday, June 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $14.90.

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Two Harbors Investment Stock Performance

Two Harbors Investment stock opened at $13.94 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. Two Harbors Investment has a twelve month low of $9.83 and a twelve month high of $14.59. The company has a market capitalization of $1.44 billion, a PE ratio of 7.83 and a beta of 1.86. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.73 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $13.13.

Two Harbors Investment (NYSE:TWO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.02 by $0.15. Two Harbors Investment had a return on equity of 3.64% and a net margin of 27.71%. The firm had revenue of $115.95 million during the quarter. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($0.04) earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Two Harbors Investment will post 0.46 EPS for the current year.

Two Harbors Investment Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 29th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 1st. Two Harbors Investments payout ratio is presently 101.12%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Howard Financial Services LTD. raised its stake in Two Harbors Investment by 2.3% in the first quarter. Howard Financial Services LTD. now owns 39,657 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $525,000 after buying an additional 903 shares in the last quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Two Harbors Investment by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 17,779 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $235,000 after purchasing an additional 944 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its stake in shares of Two Harbors Investment by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 52,100 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $688,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of Two Harbors Investment by 7.8% during the first quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 23,491 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $310,000 after purchasing an additional 1,696 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp grew its holdings in Two Harbors Investment by 12.0% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 16,743 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $221,000 after buying an additional 1,798 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.19% of the companys stock.

Two Harbors Investment Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Two Harbors Investment Corp. invests in, finances, and manages mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), and other financial assets through RoundPoint in the United States. The company target assets include agency RMBS collateralized by fixed rate mortgage loans, adjustable rate mortgage loans, hybrid mortgage loans, or derivatives; and other assets, such as financial and mortgage-related assets, including non-agency securities and non-hedging transactions.

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By Yi Whan-woo

Kim Jung-woo, a seasoned customs officer, describes the Port of Incheon where he works as a frontline in the fight against smuggling in of agricultural products from China.

The port on Korea's west coast is the closest border checkpoint for tons of varieties of vegetables, crops and other agricultural goods that are imported from China via the sea.

The prices of Chinese agricultural imports are far lower than those of Korea and the Seoul government imposes a tariff of as high as 600 percent on these imports to boost competiveness of the Korean farming industry.

Under the circumstances, it is evident that a failure to prevent smuggling of Chinse agricultural goods would wreak havoc on Korean farmers, Kim said in a recent telephone interview with The Korea Times.

Accordingly, my team takes the job very seriously as the frontline soldiers in an anti-smuggling campaign for the sake of farmers and consumers.

Serving nearly 16 years at the Korea Customs Service (KCS), he was assigned as leader of a four-member team at KCS Incheon Regional Customs in July 2023.

The team is tasked with inspecting smuggled goods, mostly from China, that include not only agricultural products but also counterfeit goods and tobacco.

In August, he was named customs agent of the month for successfully leading a crackdown on 46 tons of Chinese vegetables and 10,000 counterfeit items that otherwise could have made their way into the Korean market illegally.

It was the second time that he won the honor, following once in 2019 when he was serving at Seoul Regional Customs.

The confiscated goods in the 2024 crackdown were dried jujubes, fresh peanuts and fake clothing brands, which were worth about 10 billion won ($7.53 million) combined in sales value, according to the KCS.

Such value is not particularly high compared to those of goods seized in other KCS crackdowns on smuggling attempts, Kim explained.

But what is noteworthy was that my team arrested the owner of a bonded warehouse who was the key figure of this well-organized crime, he said, with reference to special arresting rights given by the prosecution on customs-related crimes.

A bonded warehouse is a private building or other secured area at a border checkpoint where dutiable imports are stored.

It requires a KCS-approved license to run a bonded warehouse.

Some bonded warehouse operators exploit trust from the KCS to collude with freight forwarders to smuggle goods and hide them the warehouse.

A freight forwarder is an individual who coordinates and organizes the entire shipping process on behalf of a shipper.

They are mostly masterminded by a bonded warehouse operator in smuggling and rarely give up the name of the master even if they are arrested, Kim explained.

He expressed hope to "strive for excellence throughout his career," despite the danger and other demanding circumstances that he faces on the job.
Attention centered on whether Woori Financial chief will appear for government audit

By Jun Ji-hye

Tension is rising in the financial sector with the first parliamentary inspection under the 22nd National Assembly approaching. Given a series of controversial incidents surrounding the industry, there is a strong possibility that major figures, including chairmen of financial groups, will be asked to appear at the inspection sessions.

Particular attention is being drawn to Woori Financial Group, which has been at the center of controversy over huge inappropriate loans extended to relatives of its former chief.

The Assemblys National Policy Committee, which is in charge of financial matters, plans to finalize a list of figures to be brought to the inspection sessions by the end of this month. The schedule is set to begin on Oct. 10, starting with institutions such as the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Korea Deposit Insurance Corp.

Key issues expected to be addressed this year include Woori Banks loan scandal, the liquidity crisis involving TMON and WeMakePrice, the sharp growth of household loans and the implementation of a financial investment income tax.

Attention is particularly centered on whether Woori Financial Chairman Yim Jong-yong will attend. In August, Yim made a public apology and acknowledged holes in his firms internal control system after the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) found that Woori Bank gave loans worth 61.6 billion won ($46 million) from April 3, 2020, to Jan. 16 this year to relatives and associates of former Chairman Son Tae-seung.

FSC Chairman Kim Byoung-hwan said during a press conference on Sept. 12 that he has very serious concerns regarding this matter.

Given the gravity of the issue and the intense focus from both financial authorities and the political sphere, it is believed that it will be difficult for Yim to refuse the request to appear before the Assembly this time.

TMON and WeMakePrices massive cash crunch, which caused delays in payments to vendors and refunds to customers, is also expected to be a key issue.

In July, the suspension of settlements by the two Korean affiliates of Singapore-based e-commerce platform Qoo10 led to significant losses for numerous sellers and consumers. The damage is estimated to be around 1.4 trillion won, according to the government data.

The supervisory responsibilities of the FSC and the FSS in relation to this matter are also expected to be addressed.

Additionally, heated debates are expected over the growth of household debt, as loans across all financial institutions increased by 9.8 trillion won in August compared to the previous month. This marks the largest increase in three years since August 2021, prompting concerns that the rising debt poses a threat to economic growth.

Rival parties are also expected to deal with a financial investment income tax that is set to take effect next year, with the government calling for scrapping such a tax scheme to ease market uncertainty and help boost the stock market.
The head of Korea Zinc Inc., the world's largest zinc smelter, has been making last-ditch efforts to thwart a tender offer by private equity firm MBK Partners and Young Poong Corp., the smelter's biggest shareholder, industry sources said Monday.

Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom met senior executives of business partners in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore last week to seek a potential white knight to come to the smelter's aid in the management battle, according to the sources.

In collaboration with Young Poong, MBK Partners has announced plans to acquire up to a 14.6 percent stake in Korea Zinc through a 2 trillion-won (US$1.5 billion) tender offer, aiming to consolidate control.

Currently, Young Poong holds a 33 percent stake, while Korea Zinc and its owner family collectively own 18 percent.

In response, Choi has been actively expanding his moves to seek support from domestic and international allies, according to the sources.

During a recent trip across Asia from Sept. 16-18, Choi met with executives from major companies and global private equity firms, including Japan's Softbank and Sumitomo Corp.

In particular, Choi's meeting with Softbank has sparked speculation about whether the Japanese investment giant could play a role in Korea Zinc's defense strategy.

Korea Zinc has a history with Softbank, having participated in the Japanese firm's 2022 investment in Swiss energy storage company Energy Vault.

In a letter to his employees during the Chuseok holiday last week, the Korea Zinc chairman expressed confidence in Korea Zinc's ability to fend off the takeover attempt.

"I had no problem communicating with foreign companies despite the Chuseok holiday. I worked day and night to devise plans with the help and encouragement of many grateful people," he wrote. "I was able to find a way to win this battle."

Choi has also met with Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan of Hanwha Group, a defense-to-energy conglomerate in South Korea, which holds a 7.76 percent stake in Korea Zinc.

Industry insiders suggest that Korea Zinc may launch its own tender offer with a budget of 1 trillion won, as a way to outbid MBK Partners' offer. (Yonhap)
By Lee Hae-rin

The city government in Seoul is searching for symbolic and catchy names for each of its eight Han River Buses, part of a water transportation system set to launch next year, officials announced on Sunday.

The public transportation service will connect the Han Rivers major hubs in Seouls southwestern Magok area and southeastern Jamsil. The city will introduce eight ships by the end of this year through a trial phase, with operations commencing in March 2025.

The ships will be equipped with a cafeteria and a bicycle rack, along with 199 seats. The fee will be priced at 3,000 won ($2.25) and those who use the citys Climate Card, can use it through a season ticket system.

Through this naming contest, which will begin on Wednesday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is searching for meaningful names that will display the characteristics of the city and the river. Normally, ships are named after astronomical terms, nature and city names, but this time, officials said they were looking for something more innovative and creative.

The contest will run from Wednesday to Oct. 7, and any Korean citizen can participate. Each person can submit up to three names after filling out the application form, which can be found at the city government's website.

The city government plans to announce the final eight names in November, and each winner will be given a gift certificate worth 200,000 won.

"Han River Buses, Seoul's representative water transportation method, will begin its official operation in March next year under the name given by the people," Joo Yong-tae, head of Seoul's Future Han River Headquarters, said, adding, "We will carry out the project smoothly so that it is loved by not only Seoul citizens but also foreigners with safe and pleasant public transportation."
By Baek Byung-yeul

Disneys beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are set to meet Koreas historic palace in an attempt to blend centuries-old royal heritage with globally adored pop culture icons in a unique exhibition.

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS), in charge of managing and promoting the nations cultural heritage, said Monday that it will present the exhibition "Mickey in the palace: art beyond boundaries" at the palace in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company Korea.

The agency said this event will showcase works by local artists depicting Disney characters naturally blending with royal heritage at Dondeokjeon Hall, as part of its efforts to widely promote the value of national heritage.

"This exhibition is part of an agreement signed in June to enhance and widely promote the traditional value of national heritage both domestically and internationally," the KHS said. "It will present works reinterpreted from the perspective of young Korean artists, showing Disney characters visiting Deoksu Palace's Dondeokjeon Hall and naturally blending with the royal heritage."

Located inside Deoksu Palace, Dondeokjeon Hall is a historic Western-style building used as a royal guesthouse during the 1897-1910 Korean Empire period. The exhibition will be held at the palace from Sept. 28 to Oct. 20.

Notably, illustrator Wooh Na-young, the KHS's promotional ambassador, will present a six-panel folding screen depicting Mickey Mouse and friends experiencing various national heritages, including Deoksu Palace, while traveling in Korea.

The artist's work, titled "Mickey Jangsaengdo," is inspired by Sipjangsaengdo, a court painting wishing for longevity. It features Mickey and Minnie in traditional wedding attire and Donald Duck in hanbok, or traditional Korean costume.

Wooh expressed her joy in collaborating with Disney, which had inspired her on her journey to becoming an illustrator.

"Being an illustrator and being able to collaborate with Disney over and over again is one of my greatest blessings," Wooh said on Instagram.

Ahn Yu-jin, a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of dancheong, collaborates with contemporary artist Jang Seung-jin to create object works that blend traditional and modern aesthetics. Dancheong is a traditional form of decorative art based on five colors  blue, red, yellow, white and black  and involves coloring and pattern-drawing on the surfaces of wooden buildings as well as handicraft items.

Artist Kim Se-dong created print works depicting Disney characters enjoying themselves in front of the palace, while sculptor Kang Jae-won's balloon sculpture, portraying Disney characters walking on a bird in the palace pond, greets visitors.

During the exhibition period, photo zones will be set up where visitors can take pictures with Disney character sculptures.

The KHS added that a music video of K-pop group AKMU's Lee Su-hyun reinterpreting Disney theme songs against the backdrop of Seokjojeon Hall will be released through its YouTube channel.

The exhibition can be viewed daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except on Mondays when Deoksu Palace is closed.
Shin criticizes opposition bloc's support of N. Korea's two-state proposal

By Anna J. Park

National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik warned on Monday that North Korea retains the capability to conduct nuclear tests at any time, with one possible timeframe for their next test potentially aligning with the U.S. election in November.

Shin made the comment during a televised interview when asked about the timing of Pyongyang's potential seventh nuclear test.

He emphasized that South Korea and the U.S. are closely monitoring North Koreas nuclear activities as a "top priority."

"North Korea has always maintained the ability to conduct its seventh nuclear test whenever Kim Jong-un decides," Shin explained, noting that the regime likely needs this test to further develop nuclear miniaturization capabilities.

"The timing will depend on North Koreas strategic interests, and the period surrounding the U.S. election is one possible timeframe," he added.

S. Korea, US, Japan trilateral summit by year-end

The national security adviser also said that a trilateral summit between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan is expected to take place by the end of this year.

"As agreed at Camp David last year, the three countries are planning to hold the summit within this year. While discussions are still ongoing about whether the summit would occur during a multilateral event or as a separate meeting, what I can say for sure now is that it is highly likely to happen this year," Shin said during the televised interview.

He emphasized that the three countries share a common perspective on strengthening trilateral security and comprehensive cooperation, and this stance will "remain unchanged regardless of any political shifts or leadership changes."

Shin also criticized a recent proposal by Lim Jong-seok, the former Presidential Chief of Staff during the Moon Jae-in administration, to accept North Korea's "two-state theory."

"It is deeply regrettable, dangerous, and unconstitutional to suddenly align with North Koreas proposal," Shin said, emphasizing that despite North Korea's denial of the concept of a united nation, South Korea will continue to pursue peaceful unification based on the liberal democratic order enshrined in the Constitution.

He criticized previous administrations for staging what he described as "political shows" that seemed to promote peace but ultimately provided North Korea with time and space to advance its nuclear program. This, he said, worsened inter-Korean relations and security on the Korean Peninsula.

In contrast, the national security adviser stressed that the Yoon administration is pursuing a sincere and principle-based approach to North-South relations.

"We are always open to dialogue and maintain the position that any topic can be discussed. North Korea must realize that threats and provocations will never get them what they want. We hope they seize this opportunity to engage in genuine dialogue and seek a compromise, and we look forward to a sincere response to the proposals outlined in the unification doctrine announced on August 15," Shin said.

Referring to a recent surge in North Koreas waste balloon launches toward South Korea, Shin called on the North to stop such "petty and low-level provocations."

Shin went on to assure the public that the government is implementing all necessary preventive measures as well as immediate countermeasures.

"The government will continue its approach of assessing potential safety risks once the balloons have landed and swiftly removing them. We believe this is the most effective response," Shin said during the interview.

Additionally, Shin highlighted that the South Korean military will display powerful strategic weapons capable of countering North Korean nuclear and WMD threats at the upcoming Armed Forces Day, which falls on October 1.
By Sami M. Alsadhan

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its 94th National Day on the 23rd of September every year, which is the day on which the founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud announced the unification of the country under the name Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, after a unification phase that lasted 32 years, which established for this construction and a young state emerged at that time, spreading peace and goodness, searching for knowledge and development, moving steadily towards a better tomorrow for its people and the whole world.

On this day, Saudis commemorate a momentous occasion that instills pride in their faith and patriotism, under the leadership of a government dedicated to development and empowerment, raising the nation to stand tall with pride and dignity among the peoples of the world. And they remember this occasion as they live today in a new reality full of huge development projects that stand as a witness to the progress and advancement of the Kingdom similar to developed countries.

This year, the citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia evoke this memory under the slogan "We dream and achieve," which has been extended from last year, and which embodies the ambitious spirit and great aspirations carried by the Kingdoms Vision 2030 and reflects the great commitment of the government and people to achieve the goals of this vision, which aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a global economic and cultural power.

Today we live in a distinguished present, and we look forward to an even more distinguished future. We are filled with confidence in the title of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who, since assuming power since 2015, has been making an effort to advance the nations journey. His activities have varied in diverse fields both internally and externally, and were preceded by tasks and achievements at various stages during his assumption of many positions.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the young Crown Prince, has always been keen on preserving the Kingdoms effective role regionally and internationally, taking care of the affairs of its citizens and striving hard to reach the ranks of developed countries at all levels. In 2016, His Royal Highness launched the Kingdoms Vision 2030, which is a systematic plan, built on a clear and strong foundation, accompanied by a serious intention to carry out a series of huge projects and investments in all fields, to invest in the strengths that God has bestowed upon us. From a distinguished strategic position, and a pioneering investment force, it has been eight years since its launch has achieved many achievements. Among the achievements, several transformative capabilities have evolved, contributing to tangible results in the government's work system, economy and society. It laid the foundations for success in the future, and we gained many experiences that strengthened our confidence in achieving our goals.

The Kingdom plays a major role in maintaining security and stability in the region and enjoys a regional, Arab, Islamic and international status while playing an active and influential role in international decision-making, and its continuous pursuit of international peace and security.

As one of the major oil producers in the world, Saudi Arabia recognizes its share of the responsibility in strengthening efforts to combat climate change, and the Kingdom is already working on designing innovative solutions to help combat the climate crisis, and in the era of the dawn of renewable energy sources. Saudi Green Initiatives will support the Kingdom to become a global leader in sustainability.

It must be noted that the relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea are a real partnership, and the leaders of the two countries pay special attention and are keen to strengthen this relationship and raise it to broader horizons in a way that serves the interests of the two countries by developing the paths of economic relations and increasing trade between the two countries and joint investments.

The historic visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the Republic of Korea in November 2022 contributed to strengthening the historical relations between the two countries, which resulted in the signing of more than 26 agreements worth $30 billion in economic, developmental, cultural investment and other areas. I must point out here that the Republic of Korea is a strategic partner of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 under the Memorandum of Cooperation "Saudi-Korean Vision 2030," which was signed in October 2017. This is a clear indication that the Kingdom considers Korea to be an important economic partner for the realization of its Vision 2030 and an active participation in accompanying programs and cities such as Neom City, The Line, Oxagon and others.

The year 2024 also witnessed many positive transformations in the course of friendly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea. It was a distinguished year full of achievements, visits and agreements between the two countries, which rapidly pushed the wheel of distinguished relations between them. There is no doubt that the visit of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period from Oct. 21 to 24, 2023, witnessed great success that contributed to strengthening the historical relations between the two countries. During this visit, the Strategic Partnership Council was established between the two countries, in addition to many other visits by ministers and others from both sides, some of which were for implementation and work to reflect what the leadership in the two countries had reached on the ground.

On the cultural level, the two countries seek to enhance cultural exchange by concluding memoranda of understanding between cultural and intellectual centers and institutions in the two countries and enhancing channels of cooperation through bilateral visits to exchange expertise.

Sami M. Alsadhan is the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Korea.
The top diplomats of South Korea, the United States and Japan will hold talks on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly in New York on Monday (local time), according to South Korea's foreign ministry.

This will be the first trilateral meeting among South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa since their last talks during the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Brazil in February.

The diplomats are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including trilateral security cooperation, following up on the landmark Camp David summit in August of last year among the leaders of the three countries.

North Korea's recent disclosure of its uranium enrichment facility and its series of provocations are also expected to be high on the agenda.

Cho departed for New York earlier in the day for a six-day visit, during which he is expected to deliver a keynote speech at the General Debate session of the U.N. General Assembly. The speech will reaffirm South Korea's commitment to promoting global peace and prosperity.

Cho also plans to participate in the U.N. Security Council's General Debate session and the ministerial conference of the U.N. Peacebuilding Commission.

Additionally, Cho will attend a foreign ministerial meeting of G20 member states and a separate gathering of MIKTA nations  Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey and Australia  to discuss cooperation among middle-power countries. (Yonhap)
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) said Monday it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a Czech hydrogen association to seek cooperation for clean hydrogen.

The agreement, inked with the Czech Hydrogen Technology Platform (HYTEP) in Prague last week, will focus on exchanging information and seeking cooperation in the European market for clean hydrogen, according to KHNP.

Under the agreement, the two institutions aim to collaborate in the production of clean hydrogen using surplus energy from nuclear power plants, as well as in other areas of the hydrogen industry.

KHNP has been making efforts to develop the so-called pink hydrogen technology, which aims to generate hydrogen by utilizing electricity and steam from nuclear power plants.

"The agreement will help Korea gain global competitiveness in the clean hydrogen industry," Kong Young-gon, a senior KHNP official, said, noting that the company will make efforts to achieve success in the European market through its partnership with HYTEP.

The MOU follows the efforts of a Korean consortium, led by KHNP, to finalize a contract for the construction of two nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, after being selected as the preferred bidder in July. (Yonhap)
Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung will attend a U.N. meeting on sea-level rise in New York this week as he seeks to promote Korea's bid to jointly host the U.N. Ocean Conference in 2028 with Chile, officials said Monday.

"During the trip, we will solidify Korea's position as a pivotal nation in the global maritime sector by leading agendas such as supporting vulnerable island nations amid climate change," Kang said in a statement.

The minister also plans to discuss strategies for hosting the U.N. Ocean Conference with the Chilean foreign minister, the ministry said.

Kang will highlight Korea's support for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement during his trip as well, which aims to expand global cooperation for a sustainable maritime ecosystem, the ministry said. (Yonhap)
By Lee Hyo-jin

Local defense firm LIG Nex1 plans to expand its global client base to 30 countries by 2030, from the current 11 countries, building on recent successes in the Middle Eastern market, the company announced Monday.

The ambitious plan, which includes a 5 trillion won ($3.75 billion) investment, was unveiled by CEO Shin Ick-hyun during the LIG Global Day event at the companys Pangyo headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The gathering, which brought together defense industry officials, academics, investors and reporters, marked the first such event since Shin took office in March.

"Currently, our firm supplies 15 types of weapons systems to 11 countries. While our client base was initially focused in Asia and the Middle East, following the start of the Ukraine war, we were able to enter the Eastern European market," Shin said.

The CEO outlined plans to further grow the firm's multi-layered defense systems in Asia and North Africa, while also targeting the U.S. market with unmanned weapons systems.

Over the next five years, the companys 5 trillion won investment will focus on enhancing advanced technological capabilities  such as multi-layered air defense systems and unmanned systems  as well as boosting production capacity to strengthen its manufacturing infrastructure, Shin explained.

Through this strategy, LIG Nex1 aims to rank among the top 20 global defense companies by 2030 and expand its international footprint to 30 countries. And by that year, the company seeks to expand its annual sales to 10 trillion won from the current 2.3 trillion won.

The announcement comes as LIG Nex1 continues to grow its presence in the Middle Eastern market, widely seen as a rising market for Korean defense manufacturers.

With Arab nations seeking to modernize their defense capabilities, Korean weapons systems are increasingly being recognized for their proven performance and cost-competitiveness compared to U.S. and European rivals.

Last week, LIG Nex1 signed a 3.7 trillion won contract with Iraqs defense ministry for its Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system. This marks the companys third export deal exceeding 1 trillion won, following agreements with the United Arab Emirates in 2022 and Saudi Arabia in 2023.

The Cheongung-II, a multi-layered anti-missile system with a 40-kilometer operational range, can intercept incoming missiles at altitudes of up to 15 kilometers. It provides robust defense against hostile aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

Shin noted that this latest deal has helped establish an anti-missile defense network in the Middle East.

"If we can expand this momentum to Asia and North Africa, we will be able to complete a 'K-anti-missile belt,'" he said.

By fulfilling its ambition, LIG Nex1 also highlighted the potential benefits for the domestic defense industry, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, through increased export opportunities.

"This will contribute to our nation's goal of becoming the fourth-largest defense exporter," Shin said.

In collaboration with the government and the industry, Korea aims to secure a 5 percent share of the global defense export market by 2027, positioning itself as the worlds fourth-largest defense exporter after the U.S., Russia and France.
By KTimes

A shocking cold case has been solved after 16 years, leading to the arrest of a man in his 50s who murdered his live-in girlfriend and encased her body in cement on their apartment balcony.

The crime, which had nearly gone unnoticed as a long-term missing person case, resurfaced when a homeowner's leak repair inadvertently uncovered the concealed remains.

Police in the southeastern city of Geoje said Monday that they arrested the man who is accused of murdering his girlfriend B (then in her 30s) during an argument in October 2008.

The incident occurred in a rooftop studio apartment in Geoje, where the man struck the woman on the head and face with a blunt object, resulting in her death. To conceal the crime, the man placed the woman's body in a travel suitcase, moved it to an outdoor balcony adjacent to the studio, and encased it in cement and bricks.

The woman, who had minimal contact with her family, was not reported missing until 2011. When the police began investigating, they initially suspected the boyfriend, the last person known to be with her.

However, the man claimed that they had broken up, and with no physical evidence or leads, the case went cold. It was classified as a missing person case, with possibilities of death or fleeing abroad being considered.

The crime came to light last month when a construction worker, tasked with repairing a leak on the rooftop balcony, broke through the concrete and discovered the suitcase containing the woman's remains.

The body, which had been partially preserved due to the sealed environment, was identified through fingerprint analysis. An autopsy revealed that she died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Following the discovery, police quickly zeroed in on the boyfriend as the prime suspect and arrested him on Sept. 19 in southeastern city of Yangsan, where he had been living.

During questioning, the boyfriend confessed to the crime, saying that he killed the woman during a heated argument over a romantic issue. He also admitted to disposing of her mobile phone and the murder weapon in the sea near Geoje.

The investigation revealed additional details about why the crime remained hidden for so long. In 2008, shortly after the woman went missing, her family visited Geoje but were unable to meet the boyfriend, who had informed the landlord that the woman left after an argument.

The man continued living in the apartment for another eight years until 2017 when he moved out after being imprisoned on drug charges. The landlord, unable to dispose of the mans belongings, left the apartment unoccupied until 2020 when a court-ordered eviction was finally processed.

A police officer said, "The landlord, who lived elsewhere, used the room as a storage space. The concrete structure was located on a balcony separate from the rooftop room, making it difficult to notice from inside the room."

Police initially considered charging the man with concealing a corpse, but the statute of limitations had expired. They are now investigating additional crimes related to his drug use and will forward the case to prosecutors once the investigation is complete.

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.
By KTimes

A foreign zookeeper was found dead in an abandoned zoo in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, a year after the facility was shut down following allegations of animal abuse.

The body of the 60-year-old Russian national was discovered inside the lion enclosure of the now-defunct Bookyung Zoo on Sept. 11, according to the police.

The zoo, which had been the center of controversy due to reports of malnourished animals, including emaciated lions whose ribs were visibly protruding, was permanently closed in August last year. At the time of its closure, all animals were relocated, and the zoo was left without any staff.

The discovery was made by a local individual who had visited the site to purchase second-hand items left behind after the zoos closure. Upon entering the lion enclosure, he found a lifeless body and immediately reported it to the authorities.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the zookeeper had been living in the abandoned zoo since its closure, as personal belongings such as clothing and cooking utensils were found at the scene.

The police said that there were no signs of foul play, and an initial autopsy by the National Forensic Service revealed some underlying health issues, but the exact cause of death remains undetermined.

It is believed that he had been dead for approximately a month before his body was discovered.

A spokesperson from the police department said, We have informed the Russian Embassy about the incident. Unless any unusual findings, such as drug involvement, emerge from further testing, the case will likely be classified as a death by natural causes.

The incident has drawn attention to the neglected state of the zoo and the tragic circumstances that led to the death of its former caretaker. The case remains under investigation as authorities await final forensic results.

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.
Two Philippine domestic workers have been out of contact since last week after arriving in Korea under a pilot project aimed at reducing child care burdens and boosting the birth rate, officials said Monday.

The two, who arrived on Aug. 6 as part of a 100-member group of home helpers from the Southeast Asian nation, left their quarters on Sept. 15, the second day of a five-day Chuseok holiday. They were supposed to return by Sept. 18 but did not.

Their job placement agency has since tried unsuccessfully to reach them.

The agency plans to report their unauthorized absence to a regional labor office and the justice ministry Thursday. If they remain out of contact thereafter, they will officially be categorized as illegal immigrants, officials said.

It was not clear why they chose to leave, though some raise speculation that they fled due to low wages from short working hours compared with the manufacturing sector as well as fears of layoff after the short-term project.

On Sept. 2, they were paid about 2 million won ($1,492) in training allowance per person before tax and other deductions. The actual amount given to them was about 1.47 million won after deductions, according to city government officials.

The workers entered Korea as part of a six-month project led by the Seoul city government to assign foreign nannies to households with kids or newborns to help with child care and housework, and began working on Sept. 3 after about a month of training.

The remaining 98 people have been working normally, officials said.

The Seoul city government said it will actively cooperate with the labor ministry to improve their working conditions, including changing the wage system from a monthly to a weekly payment system through talks with the ministry. (Yonhap)
By Kwak Yeon-soo

President Yoon Suk Yeol is widely expected to focus on mending relations with the ruling party over medical reforms as he returned home, Sunday, from his trip to the Czech Republic, according to political watchers, Monday. He had made the trip to boost economic ties with the European nation via a nuclear energy partnership.

Yoon desperately needs to regain pubic trust for his governments key policies including his medical reform plan that rolled out in late February and led to strikes by trainee doctors, causing substantial disruptions to essential services at major hospitals such as emergency care. According to a survey by Realmeter released on Monday, Yoons approval rating stood at 30.3 percent.

Yoon will hold a dinner meetingon Tuesday with ruling People Power Party (PPP) chief Han Dong-hoon and other PPP leaders, including its floor leader Rep. Choo Kyung-ho and Supreme Council members, to discuss the governments medical reform plans.

Political analysts said the dinner and how Han seeks to repair his relationship with Yoon will shape the fortunes of both the president and the party. The two remain divided over the medical school quota issue. Han has been insisting that a consultative body  comprising major parties, the government and doctors groups  could discuss the medical school quota increase for 2025.

The government, however, argues it cannot retract its plan for next year because universities have already begun accepting admissions for medical schools, and to do so now would likely trigger a massive backlash from students and parents. Instead, it said it is open to discussion regarding the size of the quota for 2026, but only if doctors can provide a reasonable basis for the number they come up with.

The dinner meeting had originally been planned for Aug. 30 but was postponed by the presidential office after Han proposed deferring the medical school quota hike for 2026 to help break the impasse between the government and groups representing doctors.

Since the government is determined to increase its medical school quota for 2025, Han needs to suggest an alternative plan on how to resolve the standoff between the government and doctors. If he tries to represent the doctors, his relationship with Yoon will deteriorate further, said Park Sang-byeong, a political commentator.

Eom Gyeong-yeong, director of political think tank the Zeitgeist Institute, said the government and the ruling party are playing a political game of chicken.

I doubt that Tuesdays dinner meeting will have any fruitful results. No one is quite sure what the next step will be amid lingering deadlock over the medical reform. However, Yoon and Han could discuss decreasing the size of enrollment for 2026 or dismissing the health minister on the condition of doctors accepting the governments proposals, Eom said.

Han had been considered one of Yoon's closest confidants during their time as prosecutors, but their relationship has soured due mostly to differences over how to handle medical reform plans and controversies surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Han requested a private, one-on-one meeting with Yoon, but the presidential office refused to give a direct answer.

The fact that Han requested a private meeting with Yoon suggests that he may have found a compromise to deal with doctors groups. The two need to mend the political rift for the sake of the PPP, Park said.

Eom said, If held, their private meeting could alleviate some concerns about the recent conflict between Yoon and Han and the deterioration of party-government relations. Yoon is also under pressure as the opposition continues pushing to pass a bill targeting first lady. Of course, Yoon is likely to veto the bill mandating a special counsel to investigate Kim.
Three recently passed bills, including one targeting first lady Kim Keon Hee, violate the Constitution, the presidential office said Monday, suggesting they will be vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The bills were unilaterally passed by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Thursday despite fierce objections from the ruling People Power Party.

One calls for an independent probe into Kim's stock manipulation allegations, as well as her receipt of a luxury bag and her alleged interference with the ruling party's candidate nominations ahead of the April 10 general elections.

The others call for a special counsel probe into allegations of inappropriate interference in the military's investigation into the 2023 death of a Marine, and promoting the use of local currency vouchers to boost the economy.

"It is a duty and an obligation for the president to exercise his veto power against anti-constitutional and unlawful bills," a presidential official told reporters. (Yonhap)
By Jhoo Dong-chan

Kyung Hee University System held its annual Peace BAR Festival on Friday to celebrate the U.N.-designated International Day of Peace, observed annually on Sept. 21.

BAR stands for Kyung Hee University's three core values  spiritual beauty, material affluence and humanly rewarding.

During the annual event, participants discussed the world's various daunting challenges, such as climate change, nuclear threats, famine and social inequality.

"Climate and nuclear issues are surpassing what humanity can handle," Kyung Hee University System Chancellor Choue In-won said during his keynote speech at Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Palace in Seoul on Friday.

"More than 190 countries signed the Paris Agreement to counter climate challenges facing mankind, but we haven't witnessed any progress yet. It is now time to pay attention to civic consciousness in resolving it."

Kyung Hee University also awarded the winner of the inaugural Miwon Peace Prize, honoring the vision of Choue Young-seek, the university's founder.

The Elders, a nonprofit organization founded by former South African President Nelson Mandela in 2007, won the prize for its "active engagement in addressing regional conflicts and global challenges," "long careers of dedicated and tireless work" and "commitment to comprehensive and universal peace" as well as to "elevate their international recognition."

The prize also comes with a 267 million won ($200,000) grant.

Following the prize announcement, the event hosted a colloquium on "The Future of Humanity, The Future of Planet Earth: In Search of a Path to Hope" to explore solutions to global challenges.

"Some terms associated with climate change, such as global warming or tropical night phenomenon, aren't alarming enough," Lee Jung-mo, former head of Gwacheon National Science Museum, said during the colloquium.

"We should use some scary words for them, like climate crisis instead of climate change. This will definitely raise awareness."
Forty-three cases of heavy downpours warranting emergency alerts have occurred in regions where the text alert system was unavailable so far this year, data showed Monday, prompting calls to expand the service nationwide.

A total of 137 cases of torrential rain have occurred so far this year at levels that meet the requirements for emergency text alerts to be sent to residents in the area as of Aug. 21, according to the data submitted to Rep. Kim Ju-young of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

Such disaster text alerts are sent when at least 50 millimeters of rain falls in an hour, along with a three-hour total of at least 90 mm, or when at least 72 mm of rain falls per hour.

Of them, 59 percent, or 94 cases, took place in regions where the alert system was in place, but the remaining 31 percent, or 43 cases, occurred in locations where the service was not available.

The text alert system, which is credited with preventing human casualties, has been available in the greater Seoul area since last year, and it was expanded to North Gyeongsang Province and South Jeolla Province in May this year.

"Human causalities that could have been prevented if the emergency text service was available also took place this year," said Rep. Kim, stressing the need to expand the system nationwide in response to the abnormal climate. (Yonhap)
By Whang Joo-ho

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) recently opened the North America Business Center in the heart of Washington, D.C. By relocating our previous Washington D.C. office from the outskirts to a more central location and rebranding it, we aim to strengthen cooperation between the nuclear industries of Korea and the United States.

With nuclear energy playing an increasingly important role in achieving carbon neutrality and ensuring energy security, the importance of cooperation between the nuclear industries of both countries is more crucial than ever. This partnership has the potential to generate tremendous synergy by combining Koreas nuclear expertise with advanced technologies of the U.S.

The areas for collaboration between the Korean and American nuclear industries are boundless. Over the past 50 years, Korea has built and operated 34 nuclear reactors, establishing a robust nuclear supply chain. We have a highly skilled construction and operational workforce and the confidence gained from successfully completing the UAE nuclear project on time and within budget. By partnering with the U.S., a leader in the nuclear sector, Koreas capabilities can make a powerful impact in the global nuclear market.

In particular, cooperation in the SMR (Small Modular Reactor) sector between our two nations will be key to leading the future nuclear market. KHNP is actively engaging with various domestic and international companies to strengthen collaboration on diverse SMR applications.

Looking back, the growth of Koreas nuclear industry owes much to the contributions of the U.S. After fighting ceased in the 1950-53 Korean War, Korea was a poor country left in ruins, facing a severe energy shortage. Resources were scarce, but energy was essential to rebuilding the nations industries. It was Dr. Walker Lee Cisler from the U.S. who introduced nuclear power to then Korean President Syngman Rhee, explaining that nuclear energy could be mined from the human mind and was necessary for Koreas economic development. This situation led to the construction of Koreas first nuclear power plant, Kori Unit 1, and opened the door for the country to pursue self-reliance in nuclear technology by learning from American experts.

The fact that Korea, once a beneficiary of U.S. support, now has a business center in the heart of the U.S. capital holds special significance. The opening ceremony became even more meaningful with the presence of a distinguished guest, James Komosinski, who had participated in several projects during Koreas early nuclear development. Veterans like him played a pivotal role in advancing our nuclear industry, and his wrinkled face stood as a powerful reminder of the strong and successful Korea-U.S. partnership that has driven our industry's progress.

The founding principle of Korea is Hongik Ingan, which means to benefit all of humanity. The benefits of nuclear energy that we have received should now be shared with other nations to create a prosperous future together. Just as close neighbors develop strong bonds through frequent interaction, active communication and cooperation between the Korean and U.S. nuclear industries will greatly contribute to both countries advancement. We look forward to building on this cooperation as a foundation for jointly expanding into global markets and providing much-needed electricity to countries around the world.

Whang Joo-ho is President & CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.
By Robert Neff

Anna Northend Benjamins observations and venomous pen were not confined to just Korean women; she also commented on the lives of Korean children  more specifically, boys.

Korean children are the least fortunate, or the most fortunate  according to ones point of view  of any children of the Far East, for in this hermit kingdom education is not compulsory, and the average small boy or girl grows up with little instruction, she bombastically declared.

She described the childrens homes as nothing more than a little hut with mud walls, its roof thatched with straw which was held in place by ropes stretched across and tied down. Many of these homes had only a single room  about nine square meters  and their walls were covered with plaster and paper and the floor layered with matting  thin and coarsely woven. The ceiling is low; it would be considered a waste of time and material to make it of any height, for the people who live in this little house rarely stand up in it. The floor, she explained, was used to sit on during the day and to sleep on at night  the room and house had no other function except storage.

In an almost backhanded compliment, she praised the homes as being very warm, even during the severe cold of the winter  and noted Japanese and Chinese homes were, in contrast, quite cold. Korean homes were thoroughly heated by the ondol system, a series of flues beneath the floor that carried warm air and smoke from the kitchen fire. But there were drawbacks to this system  smoke and intense heat could sometimes be hard to regulate.

The fire is often so hot that Koreans are sometimes blistered by it while asleep in the night, and since it is also used for the family cooking, it is kept throughout the summer when the heat is great, she described.

Benjamin then turned her attention to the appearance of Korean boys and their white clothing: [His] outfit consists of loose trousers stuck into heavy socks padded with cotton wool all the year round. The rest of his clothes are also padded in this way in winter. A short loose jacket with full sleeves completes his costume.

While this description was relatively accurate, it contrasted greatly with those of her peers  including Isabella Bird Bishop who disparagingly wrote that the streets of Fusan (modern Busan) were filled with mangy dogs and blear-eyed children, half or wholly naked, and scaly with dirty, roll in the deep dust or slime, or pant and blink in the sun, apparently unaffected by the stenches which abound.

While Benjamins initial description was somewhat benign, she could not resist commenting on the perceived filthiness of Korean boys  and by extension, the general Korean population. After a boy has worn his white clothing for a few days, the white part belongs entirely to the imagination. Think of his wearing one suit for a month!

On the other hand, many early Western visitors were actually impressed by the attention the average Korean paid to their clothing. Koreans spent considerable sums of money on their clothing and were fastidious about keeping them clean. Benjamin acknowledged this, but noted it was only after the boy became an adult.

Despite her initial harsh criticisms, Benjamins opinion of Korean boys softened and took on a defensive, almost maternal, tone. She declared they lead the thoughtless kind of existence which was common to boys in all parts of the world. She added that one of the greatest pleasures for a Korean boy was to follow a foreigner, crying at the top of his voice: Foreign lady  or man  are you well? It was harmless behavior and, she noted, much more polite than the epithets in which Chinese children indulge on similar occasions.

There may have been some truth to this observation. Korean boys were notorious for following Western sailors around the ports  not to practice their English but to bum a cigarette or a small amount of tobacco. When their requests were refused, they often hurled a volley of British oaths (acquired from earlier encounters with sailors) and occasionally stones  with alarming accuracy.

Aside from harassing foreigners, perhaps the second-greatest pleasure to a Korean boy was eating. When Frank G. Carpenter, an American travel writer, visited Korea in 1888, he wrote: a big stomach is an honor  [and] mothers, in order to increase the size of the stomachs of their babies, stuff them day after day with rice, paddling them on the stomach to press down the contents to make room for more.

Carpenters exaggerated account was clearly written to amuse his readers whereas Benjamins was more understated and endearing. She noted that at an early age, the Korean boy learns to use the brass chopsticks, and shovels in rice very fast from his brass or china bowl. Sometimes there will be pickles or bits of meat and on great occasions something sweet. The meals are served on a low wooden stand or table, set within the doorway of the house.

But these were the pursuits of boys  although men, too, had voracious appetites and were known to pester foreigners for tobacco. At some point in a Korean males life  often sooner rather than later  marriage transformed him from a Korean boy into a man. His long, loosely braided hair was cut and styled into a sang-to (topknot), held in place by a sort of net of bamboo or horsehair. Over all he wears one of the famous transparent black hats made of the same material.

From this moment on, his attitude towards his personal hygiene depended on whether or not he rose to official dignity. Although Benjamin did not mention the common man, we can infer from the tone of her earlier descriptions that they remained unkempt. However, if he was of the gentry or was a scholar, he [took] pride in the immaculate appearance of his outer garments at least, and to further increase his dignity [wore] a pair of enormous goggles of horn or shell, which probably took his last cent to purchase.

She was not exaggerating about the cost (up to $100  a very princely sum in the 19th century) or the importance of the goggles. In the late 1890s, James Scarth Gale, a missionary, vividly described a Korean scholar:

In immaculate white he emerges from the holes and corners of every mud village. If he is an official of importance, he does not walk alone, but is assisted by the arms on each side. If he ventures by himself, it is with a magnificent stride that clears the street of indifferent passers, and commands only on-lookers. In one hand is a pipe three feet long, in the other a fan; over his eyes two immense discs of dark crystal, not to assist him in seeing, but to insure his being seen. How precious these are! Many a man will forego the necessaries of life if only he can gain a pair of Kyung-ju (spectacles), and so cover himself with glory before an on-looking assemblage.

Interestingly, Benjamin never mentioned the Korean propensity to smoke nor the importance of the ever-present pipe  not just for men, but for women and children as well. In the 1890s, George W. Gilmore, an American teacher in Seoul, observed:

The use of tobacco is universal, even boys and women are using the weed. A part of the dress of a Korean is his tobacco-pouch, his flint, steel and tinder or his matches. Without it, he never goes abroad

However, tobacco was not the only subject conspicuously missing from Benjamins accounts of Korea. Despite being an early feminist, she wrote almost nothing about Korean girls. Perhaps she intended on doing so later, when she had more time, but unfortunately, Benjamins time ran out on Jan. 2, 1902, when she suddenly passed away from cancer at the age of 27.

Following her death, the New York Tribune wrote:

Miss Benjamins personality was interesting. She seemed utterly unlike a woman who would have the courage to go through the experiences which she so eagerly sought. She was slight and girlish in appearance, and had none of the self-assertiveness which some might expect in a woman war correspondent. Indeed, her demeanor was quiet and retiring to the point of apparent timidity. Doubtless her very femininity was a great aid to her, for army officers and others were glad to help her when they would have turned a deaf ear to a more pushing, belligerent type of woman. In spite of her almost shy way, she usually managed to obtain privileges which she sought.

Like her Korean articles, perceptions of Benjamin were full of contrasts. To some, she was a dowdy old feminist war correspondent, while others saw her as a timid, shy young woman who skillfully  and without shame  used her femininity to achieve her goals. Regardless of the perspective, I think everyone, including the grumpy conservative American minister to Korea, Horace N. Allen, would agree that she was an intriguing woman who died far too early.

I would like to thank Diane Nars for her invaluable assistance.

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
Naver Arabia to spearhead AI, digital twin biz

By Nam Hyun-woo

Naver will set up a Middle East unit in Saudi Arabia by the end of this year as the Korean internet service giant explores business opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin and other national digitization projects being pursued by Arab nations.

According to Naver, Monday, the unit, tentatively called Naver Arabia, will be based in Saudi Arabia, serving as the companys regional headquarters in the Middle East.

To facilitate this, Naver will join Saudi Arabia's Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Program, a support initiative led by the Ministry of Investment and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City to attract and accommodate the regional headquarters of global companies.

In the process, Naver will collaborate with partners on Saudi Arabia's national technology projects, aiming to explore a range of business opportunities within the sector.

Naver also said it is in discussions with various local partners to establish several joint ventures in projects currently being pursued by the Saudi Arabian government.

Naver did not disclose its partners, saying that its efforts are still in the early stages. However, there is growing speculation that it may collaborate with Saudi Arabias Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, as well as the National Housing Company, both of which are involved in the countrys digital twin platform project.

Naver signed a deal with the Saudi Arabian government in October last year to create a digital twin platform for Riyadh and four other cities. Digital twin refers to a technology mirroring real-world entities in a virtual environment.

In addition to the digital twin platform, Navers regional headquarters is expected to serve as the hub for its partnership with Saudi Arabia in developing the countrys sovereign AI. AI sovereignty refers to a nation's ability to create AI services using its own infrastructure, language, data, workforce, and business networks.

On Sept. 12, Naver and its affiliates signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Data & AI Authority to cooperate in various sectors, including AI, cloud computing, data centers and robots.

Under the MOU, both sides plan to collaborate in the development of an Arabic large-language model (LLM), along with technology solutions and services in related fields.

Naver has been stressing the importance of sovereign AI, warning that the global expansion of generative AIs powered by LLMs developed by tech giants in the U.S. and China could threaten the technological sovereignty of other countries. In line with this perspective, Naver has been promoting its own Korean-based LLM, HyperCLOVA X, as a key example of maintaining technological autonomy.

As Naver is expected to apply the technology behind HyperCLOVA X to develop the Arabic LLM, industry experts believe there is a strong likelihood that Naver will expand its presence beyond Saudi Arabia into other Arab nations.

Following the collaboration in the digital twin platform, full-scale cooperation in the development of sovereign AI with Saudi Arabia marks another milestone, a Naver official said. Starting from the Middle East, Team Navers technology-based businesses are expected to expand their global reach.
MBK skeptical of Chois alliance with conglomerates

By Park Jae-hyuk

Conglomerates holding stakes in Korea Zinc have begun expressing concerns about possible fallout from an intensifying conflict between owner families over management rights to the worlds largest zinc smelting company.

Hanwha Group and LG Chem, which have 7.75 percent and 1.89 percent shares in Korea Zinc, respectively, said that their partnerships with the smelter may face setbacks if the feud is prolonged.

We hope for a smooth business partnership with Korea Zinc, a Hanwha Group official said.

Since 2022, Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom and Young Poong Group adviser Chang Hyung-jin have been locking horns over Korea Zinc's management rights following the chairman's efforts to gain independence from Young Poong. Korea Zinc is Young Poong's key unit.

Their dispute escalated as Chang joined hands with MBK Partners, allowing the latter to inherit Young Poongs position as Korea Zincs largest shareholder and oust Choi from the smelting company's chairmanship.

Last week, Choi reportedly met with Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan to discuss responses to Young Poong's takeover bid. Both Choi and Kim are graduates of St. Pauls School in the United States.

However, it remains to be seen whether Hanwha Group and LG Chem will spend their money in Chois favor, as both companies have yet to disclose their stances to investors.

Hyundai Motor Group, which has a 5.05 percent stake in Korea Zinc, has also remained silent about the feud despite its strong partnership for a stable supply of nickel, one of the core minerals for electric vehicle batteries.

Among Korean conglomerates holding stakes in Korea Zinc, Hankook Tire & Technology, which owns a 0.75 percent stake, is the only company that has disclosed its intention to side with Choi.

Last year, Hankook Tire managed to defy MBK's bid to oust Chairman Cho Hyun-bum of Hankook & Company, the tiremakers parent firm, when the private equity firm joined hands with Chos disgruntled siblings. Choi and Cho are also known to be maintaining a close friendship.

Against this backdrop, speculation is growing that the Korea Zinc chairman may ask for help from Korea Investment Holdings Chairman Kim Nam-goo, who also formed a friendship with him. SoftBank, Bain Capital and raw materials producers in Japan and Australia are also mentioned as possible white knights for Choi.

In response, MBK expressed its confidence that Chois alliances with major conglomerates in and outside of Korea are unlikely. The private equity firm pointed out that Hyundai Motor, Hanwha and LG are not able to side with Choi without disclosing their stances in advance to investors.

If SoftBank and Bain Capital acquire Korea Zincs shares after the stock price hike caused by our tender offer, it will be difficult for them to devise exit plans, MBK said in a statement.

Although Trafigura, Glencore and Sumitomo may purchase Korea Zincs shares for higher prices, they will likely raise the prices of raw materials supplied to the Korean firm, deteriorating the profitability of the smelting company.

Questions are also growing over the series of revelations about Chois meetings with representatives from the companies mentioned as Korea Zincs allies, given that a non-disclosure agreement is prerequisite to most major investments.

Amid the intensifying dispute, Korea Zinc said it will unveil its strategies to defeat MBK and Young Poong during a press conference today in Seoul. Korea Zinc Chief Technology Officer Lee Je-joong will attend the event with the companys engineers.
Labor dispute may dampen favorable responses to new vehicle

By Lee Min-hyung

Renault Korea faces increasing risks of delayed production of its Grand Koleos premium SUV, as the carmaker has reached a deadlock in wage negotiations with unionized workers.

The automaker launched the much-touted model in June, marking a new release for the first time in four years in the Korean market. But the escalating conflict between its management and labor union casts a gloomy outlook for the timely delivery of the vehicle.

Customers placed orders for some 17,000 Grand Koleos vehicles, but the protracted strike by the union is delaying their production and delivery to customers.

The conflict reached its peak on Monday after Kim Dong-seok, head of the carmaker's union, decided to go on a hunger strike at the company's manufacturing site in the southern port city of Busan.

More than 900 union workers also joined a rally urging its management to stop a lockout and resume negotiations.

The carmaker's labor union launched an all-out strike on Sept. 13, and management reacted by locking out some parts of the Busan plant. This is the first all-out strike by the Renault Korea union in three years and the first case of the union chief engaging in a hunger strike since 2012.

The union maintains a hard-line stance that it will continue the walkout until it reaches an agreement in the now-suspended wage negotiation.

"The management launched the lockout unexpectedly before the recent Chuseok holiday season, but more than 65 percent of our unionized workers are participating in the strike, refusing to return to their workplace," Kim said. "We will get back to the dialogue table anytime once the management proposes any updated (negotiation terms)."

The union demands that the management increase the base pay to 73,000 won and offer a special incentive worth 3 million won to celebrate the launch of the new vehicle.

The company relocated some non-participating workers to some production lines. The carmaker said it is leaving the communication channel with the union open.

Renault Korea hopes to achieve a major rebound in the Korean market with the premium SUV. The carmaker's market share here has been declining for years due to a lack of new models.

The vehicle has been getting positive reactions from customers, as was shown by the initial order figure.

According to data from the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association, Renault Korea's vehicle production plunged by 26.8 percent to 51,801 for the first seven months combined from a year earlier.
Israel and Hezbollah threatened on Sunday to escalate their cross-border attacks despite a chorus of international calls for both sides to step back from the brink of all-out war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after intense rocket fire from Lebanon that Israel has dealt "a series of blows on Hezbollah that it could have never imagined."

A defiant Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem said the group was in a "new phase" in its battle against Israel.

Both spoke after attacks on northern Israel sent hundreds of thousands of people to bomb shelters and caused damage in the Haifa area.

"No country can tolerate attacks on its citizens," Netanyahu said nearly a year into the Gaza war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel that has also drawn in Iran-backed groups across the region, including Hezbollah.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said military actions "will continue until we reach a point where we may ensure the safe return of Israel's northern communities to their homes."

"This is our goal, this is our mission, and we will employ the means necessary to achieve it."

Army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi in a video statement vowed to "hit anyone who threatens" Israelis.

Israel's key ally the United States said military escalation is not in Israel's "best interest," with President Joe Biden saying Washington was doing everything possible to prevent a wider conflagration.

Biden said his administration was "going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out. And we're still pushing hard."

Ahead of the annual General Assembly, U.N. chief Antonio Guterres warned of the risk of Lebanon becoming "another Gaza" and said it was "clear that both sides are not interested in a ceasefire" in the Gaza war.

Hezbollah rocket fire reached Kiryat Bialik near north Israel's largest city Haifa, leaving a building in flames, another pockmarked with shrapnel and vehicles incinerated.

"This is not pleasant. This is war," said resident Sharon Hacmishvili.

On the brink

Israel has signalled a focus shift to Iran-backed Hezbollah after nearly a year of cross-border fire that began in October in what Hezbollah calls support for Hamas Palestinian militants fighting Israel.

An Israeli air strike in a densely populated Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut Friday killed the head of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, Ibrahim Aqil.

Lebanon's health ministry said the strike killed 45 people.

It came after a series of coordinated communications device blasts on Tuesday and Wednesday across Lebanon that killed 39 people and wounded almost 3,000, and which were blamed on Israel.

Speaking at Aqil's funeral in Beirut Sunday, Qassem said: "We have entered a new phase, namely an open reckoning" with Israel.

"Threats will not stop us... We are ready to face all military possibilities."

Hezbollah's Radwan Force has spearheaded its ground operations, and Israel has repeatedly called for its fighters to be pushed back from the border.

U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert posted on X that the region was "on the brink of an imminent catastrophe."

The Israeli army said more than 150 rockets, missiles and drones were fired at its territory during the night and early Sunday, most from Lebanon.

It said it attacked Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in response and "to prevent a larger-scale attack."

Schools closed

Lebanon's health ministry said three people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern areas, and Hezbollah announced two fighters were killed.

Israel's civil defense agency ordered all schools in the north closed after the rocket fire.

"It reminds me of October 7 when everybody stayed home," Haifa resident Patrice Wolff told AFP.

Hezbollah said it had targeted Israeli military production facilities and an air base in the Haifa area after this week's communication device blasts.

"In an initial response," Hezbollah said it "bombed the Rafael military industry complexes" in northern Israel with "dozens" of rockets.

It said it targeted Ramat David airbase deep inside Israel with Fadi-1 and Fadi-2 rockets in Hezbollah's apparent first use of that rocket type since the Gaza war began.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has acknowledged that the communication devices attack was "unprecedented." He vowed that Israel  which has not commented  would face retribution.

Stalled truce talks

Months of near-daily exchanges have killed hundreds in Lebanon, mostly fighters, and dozens in Israel and the annexed Golan, forcing tens of thousands on both sides from their homes.

Netanyahu on Tuesday announced an expansion of Israel's war goals to include the return home of northern residents.

International mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States have for months tried to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, which diplomats repeatedly said would help calm regional tensions.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told AFP in an interview Sunday the Israel-Hezbollah flare-up "negatively affects" Gaza ceasefire efforts.

"The problem is the lack of political will on the Israeli side," he added.

Netanyahu's critics in Israel have accused him of dragging out the war.

Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Of the 251 hostages also seized by militants, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,431 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The U.N. has acknowledged the figures as reliable. (AFP)
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris leads Republican rival Donald Trump by 5 percentage points in an NBC News poll released on Sunday that found that respondents have come to see her more favorably since she emerged as the Democratic candidate for president.

Asked about their views of Harris since she became the nominee, 48 percent of 1,000 registered voters surveyed said it was positive compared to 32 percent in July  the largest jump among politician ratings polled by NBC since President George W. Bush's favorability rose after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Asked about Trump, 40 percent of those polled said they viewed him positively compared to 38 percent in July, the news network said. The poll, conducted Sept. 13-17, has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

A separate CBS News poll also found Harris leading Trump, by 4 percentage points, 52 percent to 48 percent, among likely voters, with a margin of error rate of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

The findings are broadly in line with other recent national polls, including those by Reuters/Ipsos, that show a close contest heading into the Nov. 5 election.

While national surveys offer important signals on the views of the electorate, the state-by-state results of the Electoral College determine the winner, with a handful of battleground states likely to be decisive.

Trump, 78, is making his third consecutive bid for the White House after losing to Joe Biden in 2020, which he continues to falsely blame on widespread voter fraud while facing federal and state criminal charges over efforts to overturn the election results.

Harris, 59, is a former U.S. senator and prosecutor now serving under Biden. She would be the first woman to serve as president in the nation's 248-year history.

"She's been able to change this from a race that was a referendum on Joe Biden to a race that is a referendum on Donald Trump," Amy Walter, publisher and editor in chief of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, told NBC's "Meet the Press."

In CBS' poll of 3,129 registered voters surveyed Sept. 18-20, Harris edged up 2 percentage points after a 50-50 split in August, shored by her performance in the Sept. 10 debate and brightening economic news. (Reuters)
Israel attacked hundreds of Hezbollah targets on Monday in airstrikes which Lebanese health authorities said killed at least 100 people, making it the deadliest day in Lebanon in nearly a year of conflict.

After some of the heaviest cross-border exchanges of fire since the conflict flared, Israel warned people to evacuate areas where it said the armed group was storing weapons.

After almost a year of war against Hamas in Gaza on its southern border, Israel is shifting its focus to its northern border, from where Iran-backed Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of its ally Hamas.

"The actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a video published by his office, setting the stage for a long conflict as Hezbollah has vowed to fight on until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.

"These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure."

He was speaking after the Israeli military targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon's south, eastern Bekaa valley and northern region near Syria.

Lebanon's health ministry said at least 100 people had been killed, including women, children and medics, and more than 400 wounded in Israel's strikes on Monday.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X that more than 300 Hezbollah targets had been struck so far after earlier warning that airstrikes were imminent on houses in Lebanon where "Hezbollah hid weapons".

In response, Hezbollah said it had launched rockets at Israeli military posts.

Another round of attacks was expected. Israeli aircraft are preparing to attack Hezbollah strategic weapons stashed in houses in Lebanon's Bekaa valley, the Israeli military spokesperson said, calling on civilians to evacuate immediately.

"The sights now from south Lebanon are of secondary explosions of Hezbollah weapons, which are exploding inside houses. In every house we are attacking there are weapons. Rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles that were meant for and aimed at killing Israeli civilians," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement.

The airstrikes have intensified pressure on Hezbollah, which last week suffered an attack its Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah called unprecedented in the history of the group, after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by its members exploded.

The operation was widely blamed on Israel, which has not confirmed or denied responsibility.

In another major blow, an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb on Friday targeted senior Hezbollah commanders, killing 45 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Hezbollah said 16 members of the group were among the dead, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and another commander, Ahmed Wahbi.

One person was slightly hurt by shrapnel from the latest rocket barrage at northern Israel, according to the Israeli ambulance service.

Imad Kreidieh, the head of Lebanese telecoms company Ogero, told Reuters on Monday that more than 80,000 automated calls asking people to evacuate their areas were detected on the network. Not all were answered. Such calls were "psychological warfare to make havoc and chaos," he added.

Evacuation calls have been received on phones as far as the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

Psychological War

Lebanon's information minister Ziad Makary said his ministry had received a call ordering the building to evacuate, but said the ministry would do no such thing. "This is a psychological war," Makary told Reuters.

In the eastern Beirut district of Sassine, state employee Joseph Ghafary said he feared that Hezbollah would respond to Israel's intensified strikes and that a full-blown war would break out.

"If Hezbollah carries out a major operation, Israel will respond and destroy more than this. We can't bear it," he said.

"Israel wants to strike, it wants to keep going, meaning it is squeezing Sayyed Hassan (Nasrallah) to start a war. It is definitely dangerous."

Mohammed Sibai, a shop owner in the Beirut neighbourhood of Hamra, told Reuters that he saw the escalation in strikes as "the beginning of the war." "If they want war, what can we do? It was imposed on us. We cannot do anything," he said. Asked by reporters about a possible Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon, Hagari said earlier "we will do whatever is needed" in order to return evacuated residents of northern Israel to their homes safely, a war priority for the Israeli government.

Hagari presented in a media briefing an aerial video of what he described as Hezbollah operatives trying to launch cruise missiles from a civilian house in Lebanon, and the subsequent Israeli strike moments before it was launched.

"Hezbollah is endangering you. Endangering you and your families," Hagari said. (Reuters)
A Russian space capsule undocked from the International Space Station on Monday to take three astronauts back to Earth, two of them completing a record-long stay on the orbiting laboratory.

The capsule carrying Russians Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub and American Tracy Dyson is expected to land in the vast Kazakhstan steppe about three and a half hours after the undocking.

Kononenko and Chub blasted off for the space station on Sept. 15, 2023, and on Friday set the record for the longest continuous mission on the ISS. Dyson, in her third mission into outer space, spent six months aboard.

Eight astronauts remain on the space station, including Americans Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have remained long past their scheduled return to Earth.

They arrived in June as the first crew of Boeings new Starliner capsule. But their trip was marred by thruster troubles and helium leaks, and the U.S. space agency NASA decided it was too risky to return them on Starliner.

The two astronauts will ride home with SpaceX next year. (AP)
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Paschim Medinipur (West Bengal) [India], September 23 (ANI): West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Monday blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the flood situation in the state.

"Mamata Banerjee is responsible for this... This is TMC's failure, TMC should be accountable to the people of Ghatal... The state government has no role here, Mamata Banerjee herself came here but what happened? There is no rice in people's homes, no tarpaulin, no food for children. The government has completely failed here," Adhikari said.

Also Read | 'One Earth, One Family, One Future': PM Narendra Modi Reiterates India's Commitment in Eradicating Poverty, Bridging Digital Divide During Address at UN Summit in New York (Watch Video).

Earlier today, West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari met flood-affected people in Ghatal of Paschim Medinipur district.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the BJP-led Central government of being the main reason behind flooding of lakhs of houses in West Bengal.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024: 25.78 Lakh Voters To Decide Fate of 239 Candidates Covering 26 Seats in Second Phase of J&K Polls.

"In Jharkhand, as soon as it rains, we become worried because they release water to save themselves, which affects the entire Bengal region. The Ganga Action Plan, flood control, and DVC are all under the central government's control, but due to their inaction, lakhs of homes are getting flooded," she said.

She also mentioned that if the Central government provided the West Bengal government with one-fourth of the money it spends on elections, building large structures, and erecting statues, then West Bengal would better control the flood situation in the state.

"During elections, the money that political parties spend--building large structures and erecting statues--if the Central Government gives us even one-fourth of that amount, we (the West Bengal government) could manage the Ganga Action Plan and flood control much better," he said.

Banerjee also claimed that more areas in West Bengal would be flooded in the coming days if the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) releases water.

"Two depressions have developed over the Bay of Bengal. The situation will worsen, if it continues to rain, especially if the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) releases more water from its dams," she said.

Earlier today, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee toured the flood-affected districts of the state. In Bardhaman, she distributed essential items to the affected people during her visit.

Earlier on Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the flooding in South Bengal, which she attributed to "abnormally heavy releases of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) reservoirs in Jharkhand."

In her previous letter, Banerjee noted that the floods had affected five million people and urged the central government to release emergency funds to support recovery efforts.

"The floods have led to significant loss of crops, damage to public infrastructure, and destruction of homes and livestock," she wrote, adding the state government is working hard to provide relief, with operations underway to evacuate people to safer shelters.

Banerjee urged the Prime Minister to seriously consider her concerns and requested the release of funds for flood management efforts to help the affected population. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, September 22: The campaigning for the second phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir ended on Sunday and the political parties held hectic campaigns in support of their candidates. While Congress reaffirmed its seven guarantees to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as part of its campaign, senior BJP leaders held rallies to shore up the prospects of party candidates and slammed the National Conference-Congress alliance.

The second phase of polling will be held in 26 assembly segments in Jammu and Kashmir on September 25.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who has campaigned in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasised the party's agenda in a post on X. He said seven guarantees of Congress will usher in a brighter future for people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The Indian National Congress pledges to safeguard the Constitutional Rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Our progressive development agenda is for everyone," the Congress president wrote. The 7 guarantees of the Congress party for Jammu and Kashmir will usher in a brighter future, which focusses on social justice and economic empowerment," he said. The Congress chief also shared a video which highlighted the seven guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024: Will Respond to Bullets From Across LoC With Goli Not Boli, Says Home Minister Amit Shah.

Under "Achi Sehat Humara Haq" health initiative, the party has promised upto Rs 25 lakh of health insurance for every family, along with universal, affordable, and accessible healthcare in 30 minutes via ambulance-equipped mobile clinics in every tehsil. The guarantees include "Mahila Samman Scheme," which promises monthly transfers of Rs 3,000 to women heads of households among economically weaker sections, along with free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for self-help groups. The party said it will fully implement former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's policy for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, protection of OBCs in line with the Constitution and fill one lakh vacant government jobs.

The party has promised 11 kg of foodgrains for every family member. The party has promised to work for quality and affordable education for all students. It plans to establish state-of-the-art model schools at the block level and model boarding schools in each district to ensure equitable access to quality education. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that the Congress party and its alliance partner National Conference (NC) are dedicated to placing the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) at the centre of their policymaking. He emphasized that the Congress' "progressive development agenda" aims to transform Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024: Preparations Underway for Polls; West Pakistani Refugees Set To Vote for First Time.

"As Jammu and Kashmir votes to shape its own destiny after a decade, the Congress and its alliance is committed to keeping the people of the state at the centre of its policymaking," KC Venugopal posted on X. He highlighted that the alliance would pave the way for the J-K to attain full statehood while bringing relief to the youth and farmers. "We will carve out a path for J-K to attain full statehood, bring relief to the youth, farmers, and poor suffering due to misgovernance, and bring an end to the rampant corruption taking place throughout the state. Ours is a progressive agenda that will transform J&K!" he added.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who addressed a rally on Sunday in Rajouri, reiterated India's commitment to fostering peaceful relations with its neighbours, including Pakistan, but emphasised that dialogue with Pakistan would depend on its commitment to halting terrorist activities targeting India.

Addressing a public rally, Rajnath Singh remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, highlighting his focus on humanity, democracy, and Kashmiriyat.

"Our former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, emphasised humanity, democracy, and Kashmiriyat. We have a principle: if we want to live peacefully, we should maintain good relations with our neighbours. We want good relations with all our neighbouring countries, even with Pakistan. But they (Pakistan) is encouraging terrorism. How can we maintain good relations when they continue to promote terrorism? If they guarantee they will not launch terrorism on Indian soil, we are ready to engage in dialogue with them," Singh said.

In response to Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif backing the National Conference's stance on Article 370, Singh said that the government would not allow Pakistan's "evil agenda" to succeed in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Pakistan's Defence Minister has said that Congress and its ally National Conference want the return of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan also wants the same. The question arises whether Congress and the National Conference are working as Pakistan's proxy. Why do the Congress and its broken INDI Alliance raise the same issues again and again, which come from Pakistan? These are the people who raised questions about Pulwama. Proofs of surgical strike and air strike were demanded," he alleged.

"All these things are clearly indicate that efforts are being made to run Pakistan's agenda. But I want to tell both sides that we will not allow Pakistan's evil agenda to work in Jammu and Kashmir," he added. Singh also pointed to the high voter turnout in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir's assembly elections as a sign of the positive changes in the region."The first phase of voting ended on September 18. More than 61 per cent of votes were cast in 24 seats here. People came out of their homes and voted without any fear and have given a message to the whole world that this Jammu and Kashmir has changed for the better after the abolition of Article 370," he noted.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who addressed a public meeting in Nowshera, said that the central government will not hold any talks with Pakistan until terrorism is eliminated. He also hit out at the National Conference over its stance on bringing back Article 370. "Farooq Abdullah says that they will bring back Article 370. Farooq Sahab, nobody can bring back Article 370. Now, bunkers are not needed because no one can dare to fire bullets. 'Agar wahan see goli aayi to goli ka jawab gole se diya jayega'.

They want to bring back Shiekh Abdullah's flag. Only our tricolour will wave in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorism continued in Jammu and Kashmir for 30 years, curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir for 3000 days in 30 years, 40,000 people were killed. Farooq Sahab, where were you during those days? Let me tell you, when Kashmir was burning, Farooq Sahib was comfortably holidaying in London," Shah said. The second and third phase will be held on September 25 and October 5 respectively. The first phase of polling was held on September 18. Votes will be conducted on October 8 along with that for Haryana assembly polls.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Prayagraj, Sep 23 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court has observed that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, which was enacted to provide relief to victims of atrocities, is being misused by some individuals to get compensation.

Justice Manju Rani Chauhan strongly emphasized the need for a pre-registration verification process that would require law enforcement agencies to assess the credibility of complaints before filing FIRs, potentially preventing the misuse of the 1989 law.

Also Read | Akshay Shinde, Main Accused in Badlapur Sexual Assault Case, Dies in Encounter With Thane Police.

The court suggested measures to be implemented to prevent the misuse of the SC/ST Act.

"First, a thorough pre-registration verification process should be established, requiring law enforcement to assess the credibility of complaints before filing FIRs. This could involve mandatory mediation sessions, where parties can attempt to resolve disputes amicably before resorting to legal action."

Also Read | Badlapur Sexual Assault Case: Rape Accused Akshay Shinde Dies in Retaliatory Firing After Snatching Police Officer's Gun and Opening Fire at Cop.

"Second, training programs should be conducted for police officers and judicial officials to help them recognize signs of potential misuse and to ensure that they approach cases with sensitivity and awareness of the implications. Third, a dedicated oversight body could be established to monitor complaints under the SC/ST Act, investigating patterns of misuse and providing recommendations for action," the court added.

The court further said, "Finally, public awareness campaigns should be launched to educate communities about the Act's purpose and the consequences of filing false claims, thereby fostering a culture of integrity and accountability."

These measures would not only help safeguard the Act's integrity but also support genuine victims in receiving the justice they deserve, it said in its order passed on September 18.

These observations were made while quashing criminal proceedings against the applicants, Vihari and others, under the 1989 Act at Sambhal district court.

In this case, the alleged victim admitted before the court that he had lodged a false FIR under the pressure of the villagers and that he did not wish to proceed with the case.

In its order, the court also directed the alleged victim to return Rs 75,000 which he received as compensation from the state government.

Noting that the court has identified several cases where false FIRs were lodged with the sole aim of securing such compensation, the judge also opined that a rigorous verification process must be implemented by the authorities before the lodging of an FIR so that the abuse of the law could be prevented.

The high court also directed the Director General of Police, UP to issue a necessary circular to the police authorities of the districts to consider the court's observations regarding the invocation of the provisions of Section 182 IPC (now Section 217 of BNS).

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dhaka, September 23: Bangladesh's deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and 69 others were on Monday booked over the death of a garment worker during the quota reform protests in Dhaka's Kafrul area on August 5.

Hasina, 76, who resigned and fled to India on August 5, is now facing 194 cases, including 173 for murders, 11 for crimes against humanity and genocide, three for abduction, six for attempted murder, and one for an attack on a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) procession, The Daily Star newspaper reported. The victim's wife filed the case against Hasina and others with the Court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Saiful Islam. Sheikh Hasinas Stay in India Will Not Hurt Bilateral Relations, Says Bangladeshs Interim Government Adviser MD Touhid Hossain.

After the hearing, the magistrate asked the Police Bureau of Investigation to submit a report following an investigation. In her complaint, she said her husband, Md Fazlu, was shot in front of the police lines at Mirpur-14 on the morning of August 5. Later, he was rushed to Max Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead, the report said. Sheikh Hasina To Stay in India Until Britain Grants Asylum: Report.

Yesterday, two more cases were filed against Hasina and several others over the deaths of 14-year-old madrasa student at Jatrabari on July 18 and 12-year-old Rakib Hasan at Mohammadpur on July 19.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
United Nations, September 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged terrorism and "new theatres of conflict" in areas like cyber, maritime and space at the UN on Monday, saying global action on these issues must match global ambition. His address at the UN's landmark Summit of the Future comes against the backdrop of conflicts across the world, including the Israel-Hamas war and the Ukraine crisis.

Modi said terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security. He added that areas such as cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new theatres of conflict. "On all these issues, I will stress that Global Action must match Global Ambition!" he said. "Success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield," Modi told the UN event. PM Modi in US: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Arrives in New York To Attend Summit of the Future at United Nations (See Pics).

PM Modi Addresses UN Summit

Speaking at Summit of the Future at the @UN. https://t.co/lxhOQEWEC8  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

On the first day of the summit that opened Sunday, world leaders adopted by consensus the Pact of the Future, with annexes - Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations that lays the path forward for the UN and the international community as the world organization turns 80 next year.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hanna Howell has abandoned all hope of resuming her romantic relationship with Peso Pluma and made strong accusations against him, including one last request.

The American content creator and influencer returned to social media to talk about the end of the relationship. Hanna hinted that she had continued talking to the Mexican artist since they broke up and that at one point she thought they might patch things up. However, that seems to be a thing of the past.

Hanna's first words about her breakup with Peso Pluma were harsh. "Raise your hand if you just got out of a crazy relationship and you want to return everything you were given during the relationship, so you throw everything in a box and send it to the hotel with a note that says 'For the next one,' and they return the package, with everything in it except the note. I hope that man frames that note or gives it to the next one," he said.

She then highlighted how the artist had no time for her with a song about someone who only caters to one person when he can.

Hanna Howell asks Peso Pluma for the dog

Implying that there was back and forth, Hanna seemed to conclude that the relationship no longer has a future and made one last request to him. She then went on to set her social networks to private and removed the ability to write comments to him.

"At this point please give me back the dog you 'gave me' hahaha. You're not even taking care of the poor dog, but you refuse to give it to me because you want the power."

The puppy is an important element in Peso Pluma and Hanna's relationship. The woman confirmed the relationship between the two when she posted a video of the three of them on her TikTok account. Then, in a farewell-like video, in which she included moments from their love story, the puppy came out on several occasions.

In fact, she described him as "the dog I've loved all my life."

As if that wasn't enough, Hanna said that Peso Pluma had gone on vacation with another woman to Turks and Caicos, on a trip he had planned for her birthday.

What is Peso Pluma doing?

After it became known that he had broken up with Hanna, the artist performed at the Las Vegas concert of his 'Exodus' tour and has continued with his shows. The tour ends in October in the state of Connecticut.

In addition, the artist is one of the nominees for the most important Latin music awards. La Doble P has 15 nominations for the Latin Billboard Awards, which will be presented in Miami on Sunday, October 18. She also has five nominations for the Latin Grammys.

As for her now ex, Peso simply deleted all the photos he had with her on Instagram.
UPDATE: Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, and offensive tackle Lane Johnson wont return with a concussion.

###

The Eagles offense is in trouble.

Right tackle Lane Johnson, offensive guard Mekhi Becton and wide receiver Britain Covey all left with injuries during the second quarter on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

BUY EAGLES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

Becton, who went to the locker room after suffering a finger injury, is questionable to return. At the end of the second quarter, he returned to the sidelines and got his hand taped. Second-year guard Tyler Steen played the last few drives of the second half in Bectons place.

Steen lost the starting right guard job to Becton during training camp. As a rookie, he only started one game last season.

The Eagles signed Becton to a one-year deal in May. Then, he transitioned from tackle to guard this summer.

According to Fox Sports, Johnson vomited on the sidelines and is being evaluated for a concussion. Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro helped him walk off to the locker room. Fred Johnson has stepped in for Johnson at right tackle.

Covey is questionable to return with a shoulder injury, according to the team. The Eagles wide receiver depth is a concern because A.J. Brown was already out with a hamstring injury, so they couldnt afford to lose any more players. DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson and Parris Campbell are the only healthy wide receivers available.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust.

Cayden Steele may be reached at CSteele@njadvancemedia.com
Two changes to the bus routes used by Phillipsburg School District to transport its students to and from school should improve student safety considerably, the district announced on Monday night.

The corner of Claremont Street and Logan Street will now become a bus stop for Phillipsburg Primary School students and the existing bus stop at South Main Street and River Street will be relocated to South Main Street and Jersey Street. Both changes will take effect on Sept. 30.

The changes are in response to multiple complaints by residents about the potential risk posed at certain bus stops, and the lack of crossing guards to assist students, the district stated. The Phillipsburg Police Department continues to actively hire crossing guards to assist the community, also, the school district stated.

The school district cannot do anything about drivers who choose to illegally pass school buses that are stopped to load or unload students, an official statement from the school board states. New Jersey Traffic Code requires vehicles to stop at least 25-feet away from school vehicles, when the red flashing light is signaled. It is illegal to pass a school vehicle.

School buses have an important job, namely, to safely transport students, the district stated in a public notice.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe to lehighvalleylive.com today.
A process is underway that could end the spending of taxpayers' money renting offices around Portlaoise that was caused by the Government's costly decentralisation programme.

The concentration of Department of Agriculture operations in two buildings in the Laois county town is being worked on with some of the existing five rented buildings to transfer to Laois Offaly Gardai for use while their Divsional HQ in town is being redeveloped.

The latest twist in the costly property saga that resulted from decentralisation in 2003 was revealed in the Dail by Laois Offaly TD Carol Nolan.

The Indpendent TD asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue for a report on his consolidation plans for his Department's offices in Portlaoise.

The Minister replied in writing.

"Earlier this year, the Office of Public Works (OPW) approached my Department regarding the Department of Justice's plans for the refurbishment of the Garda Station in Portlaoise. Officials in my Department were informed that An Garda Siochana (AGS) would require an alternative premises while the refurbishment works were being carried out.

"Separately, OPW were aware of my Departments long-held wish to consolidate our footprint in the town and suggested a refurbishment of Government Offices in Old Abbeyleix Road to allow staff from the Grattan Business Park complex (124 staff) to be accommodated both in this building and a second building in Portlaoise that contains Department staff (EIR building). This consolidation will free up Pavilions A and B of the Grattan Business Park complex for use by AGS during the refurbishment.

"Local management have consulted extensively with staff, unions, committees and the OPW regarding all aspects of the consolidation. The process of vacating the Grattan Business Park complex Pavilions began in early August. Refurbishment works at Government Offices on Old Abbeyleix Road are being carried out on a phased basis with an expected completion date of February next year," he said.

The Minster outlined the impact of the changes. READ MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Grattan Business Park complex on Portlaoise's Dublin Road has been rented since 2006 for the Department of Agriculture.

"The move will result in approximately 535 Portlaoise-based staff consolidating from five buildings to two. This will both reduce the building footprint and costs for my Department and also enable staff to be able to engage and work together in a more cohesive setting. The business of my Department will remain unaffected during this period. I welcome the consolidation and the collaboration with OPW to meet cross government needs," he said.

The reply is the most significant development in the saga of decentralisation which has resulted in the spending of millions of euro in rent and a property purchase.

As recently as 2018 it was revealed the the Department was spending more than 800,000 annually in rent and storage space in Portlaoise. Figures obtained by the now Minister Sean Fleming related to Eir building on the Old Knockmay Road, the Grattan Business Centre on the Dublin Road, a warehouse in Kyleikiproe and an office in Kilminchy.

The Leinster Express reported in 2011 that the Grattan Business Centre cost over 265k to rent annually after being leased in 2006. It's fit out for use by about 100 staff cost 100k 18 years ago. The Eir building cost 191k to rent annually after a lease was signed in 2005.

A previous Government scrapped plans to build a new HQ via a public-private partnership in 2009. This was followed by the leasing of land from the IDA at its Business and Technology Enterprise Park in Portlaoise for a new HQ for 800 staff which the OPW wanted to complete by 2014.

The land lease cost taxpayers 1 million and planning permission was obtained but that plan was shelved in 2013 during the recession with the OPW opting instead to expand the HQ on the Abbeyleix Road. READ MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: The IDA park on Mountrath Road in Portlaoise where the OPW has leased land.

The OPW said in June 2024 that it had no plans for the land which it holds on a 999-year lease. A proposal to accommodate the gardai there temporarily failed to proceed. In a further twist, IDA Ireland acquired lands beside the Business and Technology Park in Portlaoise in 2022.

All this spending stemmed from a surprise Budget speech by Charlie McCreevy when he was Minister for Finance in 2003. He announced a Fianna Fail / PD Government plan to move thousands of civil servants out of Dublin under a decentralisation plan.

Apart from renting offices for the Department of Agriculture in Laois, public money was also spent on offices for the Equality Tribunal, NCAA and other agencies under Decentralisation.
The amount of public money spent on a new building in Portlaoise which cannot be used for the purpose intended must be revealed according to a Laois Government TD who also questions

The price and justification for the Irish Army building within the town's prison complex was raised by Charlie Flanagan who says he is also "very concerned" about delays to the linked construction of a Garda Station in the town as building contracts have yet to be signed as promised.

The Fine Gael TD has tabled a question to Minister Paschal Donaghue on the recently completed Army building on the Dublin Road Portlaoise at the perimeter of the prison complex bordering the Fielbrook housing estate.

The building was constructed for the Defence Forces so that soldiers could prepare securely for armed duty in Portlaoise Prison. It was built to replace the premises behind Portlaoise Garda Station which is to be knocked to allow the Laois Offaly Garda Divisional HQ to be expanded.

Just as the new building was being completed, the Government announced that the Defence Forces would no longer be required to serve in Ireland's high-security jail.

Dep Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline all costs, including planning, preparation, consultants, construction and fit out of the new building in the prison campus.

A written reply delivered on September 18 said the Office of Public Works would respond directly to Dep Flanagan.

The Fine Gael TD described this response as 'obfuscation' when he spoke to the Leinster Express.

He highlighted the long-sought and now-planned Garda Station redevelopment in Portlaoise which was linked to the Defence Forces project.

"I am very concerned about the situation with Portlaoise Garda Station and the slow pace of progress. When I was Minister for Justice, the Garda Commissioner confirmed that it was the number one garda station to be built. My concern is that four years later the main contract has not been signed," he said.

Dep Flanagan questioned if the Defence Forces building "was necessary" as it had been long flagged that the Army would be vacating Portlaoise Prison. He said this can be viewed in the context of other contractual problems with State projects.

"The bureaucratic nature of public contracts is a real issue in this country from the Dail bike shed to the Children's hospital...One thing is clear to me is that the left-hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing," he said.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the prison and garda station projects. It told the Leinster Express / Laois Live in July that the new unit would be complete in the coming weeks. It briefly outlined future use.

"There is a pre-existing agreement that if this piece of land/building was no longer to be required by the Defence Forces, then it would revert to the Irish Prision Service (IPS). If and when that happens, IPS will consider the best use for the building," it said. More below picture.

Picture of the planning notice at the Dublin Road site.

It did not reply to a subsequent question posed in August about whether the building had transferred from the builder or the final cost to the State for its construction.

Flynn Construction Ltd was appointed as the main contractor. Work commenced in May 2023 and construction was expected to be completed in quarter one of 2024.

The OPW told the Leinster Express / Laois Live in May 2023 that it was not possible to give a budget figure due to commercial sensitivity until after the conclusion of the works and a final account is signed off.
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Tributes have been paid online following news of the death of a former Irish soldier from Newbridge in combat in Ukraine.

The Mirror confirmed 29-year-old Robert Deegan died last Thursday while retreating from an area of Ukraine which had come under attack from Russian forces.

He was a member of a special forces unit there, involved in complex missions.

It does not appear he had any ties to Ukraine before joining the efforts to fight Russia in 2022.

However, he had to return home in October that year as he was injured in an explosion and lost an eye as a result of his injuries but returned to help earlier this year following his recovery.

After undergoing rehabilitation, Mr Deegan was laser-focused on returning to Ukraine and was deeply committed to the Ukrainian cause, a source told the Irish Mirror.

The Kildare man was a highly skilled soldier who served in the Army Ranger Wing and the Engineers Unit of the Defence Forces Training Centre. He passed basic training and joined the Irish Defence Forces in 2013, and served for a number of years.

In his youth, Mr Deegan was a highly regarded cyclist and represented Ireland internationally.

A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is providing consular assistance.

Robert Deegan is the fifth Irish person to be killed in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Tributes were paid online to the fallen soldier, with one condolence labelling him "a hero of Ireland", and calling for a State funeral for the Kildare man.
A Naas District Court judge was visibly angered by a male defendant's comments he made to his own mother.

Judge Desmond Zaidan was not impressed by the comments he heard during one in-camera (in private) court session, which was heard on Thursday, September 19 last.

The man in question has been accused of domestic violence offences against his mother.

Gardai objected to bail being granted for the defendant, as they said that the man is of no fixed abode and citing 'a likelihood of him going on to commit further offences.'

"That's not true," the man interjected.

It was also heard that the man has an addiction to illegal drugs.

Upon hearing this, Judge Zaidan asked the accused: "Why are you taking this stuff? The person who loves you, you're causing them grief."

"My Mam and I hate each other," the man responded: "It's been like this for over a decade."

The judge then asked the man: "Is she trying to teach you right from wrong?"

"Yes."

"Well, that's what parents are meant to do," the judge replied.

"She is a state herself, and that's a fact," the man insisted.

The judge said that he would consider granting the man strict bail, so long as he stays out of the County Kildare town where his mother is residing.

When the alleged injured party (the mother) walked in, the man looked in her direction and said out loud: "Get the f**k away from me, your dirty b***h!"

Upon hearing this, the judge said that he would refuse bail and instead remand the man in custody.

"He did it right under my nose," Judge Zaidan said to court gardai: "It takes courage for a mother to come up [to testify against her son]."

He added: "If I wasn't a judge, I'd have very strong words to say to him."

The judge ultimately decided to remand the man in custody, but added that if a bed becomes available at an in-house facility for treatment, then it should be made available to the accused.

He also ordered that the man should receive medical attention while in custody.

The case will resume at a later date.

If you have been affected by this article, you can find resources to help you by contacting Women's Aid at 1800 341 900 or emailing helpline@womensaid.ie, or Men's Aid by ringing 01 554 3811 or emailing hello@mensaid.ie.

Additionally, you can find resources to help you by emailing Samaritans Ireland at jo@samaritans.ie, or by ringing 116 123.
The Tree Council of Ireland, in partnership with SPAR, is encouraging primary schools across Ireland to connect with nature and plant a tree on SPAR National Tree Day, Thursday, October 3. The campaign, themed Trees are Magic- Draiocht na gCrann is calling on children, teachers and parents to take the pledge and plant one of the 2,000 Native Irish Hawthorn tree saplings that are FREE to primary schools on www.treeday.ie.

SPAR National Tree Day is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the importance of trees in our environment, encouraging primary school children, teachers, and families across Ireland to connect with the magic of nature through educational activities and tree planting. This years campaign focuses on the native Hawthorn tree, also known as Crataegus monogyna or An Sceach Gheal, which has roots in folklore and is believed to have special magical properties; importantly it plays a vital role in Irelands ecosystem.

A native Irish species, the Hawthorn tree thrives in deciduous woodlands and hedgerows. It is known for its distinctive white flowers and vibrant red berries, which provide essential food for birds and insects. Important for biodiversity, the Hawthorn tree also holds a special place in Irish folklore, where it is known as the fairy tree, where fairies, known as Sidhe, gather.

The Tree Council of Ireland invites children across the country to step outside the classroom and discover the magic of trees on SPAR National Tree Day. Commenting on this years theme, Cormac Downey, President of the Tree Council of Ireland, said: SPAR National Tree Day is a fantastic opportunity to foster a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature and its trees among primary school children. This year's theme encourages us to look beyond the ordinary and appreciate the extraordinary and magical role trees play in our lives.

SPAR Sales Director, Colin Donnelly said: We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland and support SPAR National Tree Day. Through this collaboration we aim to enhance awareness and engagement with our natural environment, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. We believe that education is key to fostering a deeper connection with nature. By providing resources and opportunities for children to learn about trees and their ecosystems, we hope to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

In addition to the tree planting initiative, there is a range of fun and magical resources available on the SPAR National Tree Day website. From videos and colouring sheets to fun facts about the Hawthorn tree, theres something for everyone to enjoy and learn more about the magic of trees!

To learn more about this years SPAR National Tree Day and for schools to claim their FREE native Irish Hawthorn tree sapling, visit www.treeday.ie.
A 12-month sentence was imposed on a County Kildare man who threatened to kill his own mother.

The verdict was heard at Naas District Court on Thursday, September 19 last during an in-camera (in private) court session.

The man was charged with breaching a protection order taken out against him by his mother, possession of an offensive weapon and a threat to kill offence.

He pleaded guilty to committing all three offences.

The injured party (the man's mother) was present in the court on the date in question, as well as her own mother (and the man's grandmother).

Gardai told Judge Desmond Zaidan that the man arrived at his mother's house in the afternoon and had threatened to kill her.

He told his mother: "I don't care about your order, I'll strangle you and enjoy doing it."

This prompted the mother to quickly enter into her home and lock the doors, and the son proceeded to knock on the front door.

CCTV at the mother's residence showed him tapping on one of the windows with a knife.

The mother rang the gardai and informed them of the incident, it was heard.

A garda who was sworn in also told Judge Zaidan that the man had white powder 'caked' onto his nostrils.

The court heard that the man has one previous conviction, which relates to a drug-driving offence.

The man's defending solicitor, David Powderly, told the judge that his client suffers from both mental health and drug addiction issues.

He added that his client was under the influence of intoxicants on the date of the incident, and has been in custody since July.

The mother then took to the stand, and Judge Zaidan asked her how her son's actions had affected her.

She replied: "It is very hard, he needs help with his drug addiction... his Dad left him at a young age, and things have happened to him which were out of his control."

The mother further explained that when her son was in his teenage years, he had been both physically and sexually abused by his friends at the time, and he had never sought help to combat his trauma.

"All of them are in jail now," she added.

"He also suffered a break-up with his girlfriend and he just snapped," the mother further said: "He needs drug counselling and he needs mental health counselling."

"It goes to show you the evils of illicit drugs," Judge Zaidan said.

The man was represented by solicitor David Powderly. File photograph.

When Mr Powderly asked the woman if she and her son have any contact, she replied: "By phone, yes."

"Has he apologised to you?" Mr Powderly responded.

"Yes," she said.

"You said that you would help him upon his release [from custody]?" Mr Powderly asked.

"Yes," the mother replied.

Mr Powderly then discussed more of his client's personal history with the judge, including the sexual abuse his client had suffered in the past.

He said that the man is now attending in-house treatment to address his issues, and had previously experienced a period of homelessness.

"He is anxious to make amends with his mother," Mr Powderly added.

Mr Powderly also said that he is now sober, and that he 'makes no excuse for doing the things he did to his mother, who comes across as a very nice and gentle lady.'

He added that since his client has been in custody since July, he would be seeking for any custodial sentence imposed by the judge to be backdated to when his client first entered into custody.

While considering the case, Judge Zaidan remarked: "He is one of the thousands of people who are victims of the illicit drugs trade."

However, he pointed out the 'serious' nature of the incident, and added that he has 'a duty to people of Ireland and the victim."

For the death threat offence, the judge imposed a 12-month custodial sentence on the man, which was backdated to when he first went into custody.

He also imposed a six-month sentence on the man in relation to the knife possession charge, which will run concurrently with the first sentence.

Judge Zaidan said that he took into account the breach of the order as part of his verdict, and also set appeal at 500 in cash.

If you have been affected by this article, you can find resources to help you by contacting Women's Aid at 1800 341 900 or emailing helpline@womensaid.ie, or Men's Aid by ringing 01 554 3811 or emailing hello@mensaid.ie.

Additionally, you can find resources to help you by emailing Samaritans Ireland at jo@samaritans.ie, or by ringing 116 123.

You can also find additional resources at the Rape Crisis Centre at http://drcc.ie.

For resources relating to young people who are concerned about sexual violence, please visit https://www.childline.ie/.
A shortage of mechanics has curtailed an expansion of bus services in west Wicklow.

Local councillor Edward Timmins said that according to Dublin Bus it has struggled to recruit mechanics - although a large number drivers have been taken on by the company.

He was one of a group of councillors who met with DB concerning the 65 and 65A bus services.

The 65A is a new service that will run from Blessington to Tallaght twice a day and once from Tallaght to Blessington.

The 65 bus links Blessington and with Dublin city centre with a partial service to Ballymore..

Cllr Timmins said DB have now made progress finding mechanics. This shortage of mechanics limited their ability to expand services.

He said there are four new buses on the 65 route and he called for a more regular service to Tallaght as that was what many people wanted.

He added that DB indicated they will monitor the new arrangements and revert to the councillors later this year because the most accurate information is likely to be provided in October.

A more connected bus service continues to be needed to meet the needs of Blessington commuters, he said.

He also asked Dublin Bus to upgrade their systems to allow payment by card or phone.

Presently, they don't give change or accept notes. This means that bus travel is unattractive for people who don't have Leap Cards. So casual users are put off at a time when we are supposed to be attracting people to public transport. Such systems are hugely successful in London, Madrid, Stockholm, Rome and several cities in Finland.

However, a new system allowing payment by cards and smartphones wont be in place before early 2026 but I would like to see progress on this accelerated.

He said stronger bus links are needed to connect Blessington with Manor Kilbride, Lackan, Ballyknockan, Valleymount and Hollywood.

A key feature of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan is the provision of more local routes that connect smaller settlements with the regional public transport network. This can only be achieved with improvements to the 65 bus service.
Applications for domestic violence protection orders have increased by 25% over the past five years, according to the Courts Service annual report.

The temporary safety orders give protection to the applicant until the court decides on a safety or barring order application.

It is intended to last until the case is heard and decided on, and does not oblige the respondent, or the person the order is being taken against, to leave the family home.

There were 25,570 applications to the District Court under domestic violence legislation in 2023, an increase of almost 2,000 applications on the previous year and up from 20,501 in 2019.

There were 2,975 safety orders granted last year from 9,913 applications, which compares to 3,316 safety orders granted from 6,069 applications in 2016.

The report also said there were 779 asylum judicial review cases lodged with the High Court last year  a more than doubling of the 336 cases in 2022.

The report noted this increase appeared to be linked to a rise in decisions by the Department of Justice in asylum and citizenship applications.

The report noted a reduction of less serious crimes coming before the courts, with drugs cases reduced by 10.5% over five years and larceny, fraud and robbery reduced by 10% over the same period.

There were 539 sentences for rape and attempted rape handed down in the Central Criminal Court last year, following trials involving 741 offences and 101 defendants.

Life sentences were handed down in 42 cases; more than 10 years in 290 cases; between five and 10 years in 135 cases; two to five years in 34 cases; and up to two years in 38 cases.

Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne, chairwoman of the board of the Courts Service, said the report was a snapshot of the courts work in 2023.

(It) highlights the strides being made in dealing with the legacy of challenges associated with a post-pandemic era, and consistently driving and implementing change to improve court services to users.

Courts Service chief executive Angela Denning said 24 new judges appointed in 2023 had made a difference to backlogs.

These extra judges have had an instant impact, reducing backlogs and waiting times, and supporting initiatives like the new Planning and Environment Court and administration associated with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which commenced in 2023.

The report also noted that the Central Criminal Court saw it increase the rate at which it clears cases by 73% since 2019 and that this was partly due to the use of modern court facilities outside of Dublin.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: I thank the Courts Service for its hard work and diligence in getting planning permission this year for the Dublin Family Courts Complex in Hammond Lane, which is a key project in my family justice strategy and will be a game-changer for those navigating the family justice system in Ireland.

I look forward to continuing to work with the Courts Service to facilitate access to justice for our citizens and families in a fair, more efficient and compassionate way.
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has called on the British Government to make clear its intention to trigger a referendum on Irish unity.

Speaking at a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Ms McDonald also urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to walk the final length of the Irish journey.

While in opposition, Sir Keir said a referendum on Irish unification was not even on the horizon, while Sinn Fein has called for a date for a vote to be set before the end of the decade, but have not specified when.

Ms McDonald told the audience in Liverpool that the reunification of Ireland presents the single greatest opportunity to unlock our potential and to deliver prosperity for all.

She said: Were living in a time when history will be made by the people. Thats why referendums on Irish unity must be held by the end of this decade to allow the people to have their say.

The moment will come to name the date, but first, the British Government must make clear its intention to trigger a referendum as per the Good Friday Agreement, and set out the threshold for the referendum as they see it  there cant be any more dodging.

We need clear and we need an honest conversation. Our countries are each others nearest neighbours, and good neighbours should always want whats best for each other.

What is best for Ireland is that Britain end its involvement in our affairs, and that the people of Ireland finally get to decide our future together.

The Sinn Fein leader was asked what she would say if given five minutes with Sir Keir, to which she replied: I would say, this is a question of honour. This is a question of keeping your word and of doing the right thing.

And when the history books are written, I think he would wish them to record that it was a Labour prime minister who had the integrity and the vision to walk the final length of the Irish journey and to consign the ancient quarrel and the harm that was done by colonisation and partition to the dustbin of history.

Ms McDonald said successive British Governments have absolutely refused to outline the thresholds for an Irish unity referendum.

She said: I think we have to work from first principles: acknowledge whats in the Good Friday Agreement, accept, therefore, that there will be referendums, and then once you have acknowledged that, you then move to the question of when and how.

Since becoming the Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn has shared the Prime Ministers commitment to a reset in relations with Ireland.

Ms McDonald said the current climate called for not merely a reset, but indeed a transformation of British-Irish engagement.

She said: The immediate post-Good Friday Agreement era was not without its challenges, times when our relationship required dialogue, diplomacy and leadership, challenges that we navigated in a spiritual partnership, even, at times, a very intense disagreement.

And then came Brexit. I think its reasonable to say that the post-Brexit realities have frayed the relationship, fuelled in the most part by Tory gameplay, undermining of agreements and general belligerence towards the safeguarding of Irish interests.

Its clear that the relationship between our countries requires now recalibration. One that puts respect back at the heart of engagement.

The leader of the opposition in the Irish Parliament said her party would make reunification a key priority by establishing a reunification and one Ireland unit, appointing a minister and giving all MPs from Northern Ireland speaking rights in the Dail.

She said: The new Ireland that we seek to build belongs every bit as much to the families of the Shankill as it does to the families of the Falls. Every bit as much to the families of Fermanagh as the families in Dublin and Cork and Galway.

And whether you argue for Irish reunification or the preservation of the Union, the nature and quality of the conversation really matters.

We have to listen to each other, engage with the facts and resist the urge to be driven by fear or misinformation, such as we witnessed during the Brexit debate.
The Iron Mountain Literature Festival, set to take place in Carrick-on-Shannon from Friday, October 4th to Sunday, October 6th, 2024, has officially sold out. This years festival promises an exciting lineup of renowned writers, historians, and cultural commentators, all gathering to explore themes of peace, war, and the music of what happens.

Taking place at The Dock, the 2024 edition will feature literary luminaries such as Kevin Barry, Neil Jordan, Nelofer Pazira-Fisk, and Ronan McGreevy. Fridays opening night will include readings by acclaimed Galway writer Caoilinn Hughes, Welsh music critic Jude Rogers, and Kevin Barry, followed by live music from Mohammad Syfkhan, Zoe Basha, and Rose Connolly.

Saturdays events include a guided tour of Strokestown Park House and the National Famine Museum, offering an exploration of Irelands social and political history. Back at The Dock, artist Richard Malone will introduce A Record of Tenderness, a striking exhibition delving into themes of labour and class through textile work.

Throughout the weekend, thought-provoking discussions will centre on peace and conflict. Denis Bradley, a Derry peace negotiator, will read from his memoir Peace Comes Dropping Slow: My Life in the Troubles. Guardian journalist Rory Carroll will discuss his book Killing Thatcher: The IRA, The Manhunt and the Long War on the Crown, while Ronan McGreevy will address the controversial 1983 kidnapping of Don Tidey in his co-authored book The Kidnapping.

On Saturday, a highlight of the festival will be the presentation of the John McGahern Award, which is supported by Leitrim County Council and the McGahern Estate. This award, created to honour the exceptional contribution of John McGahern to literature and to Leitrim, also encourages the development of emerging Irish writers. The recipient, who will receive a prize of 2,500, will be announced on October 5th during the festival. McGahern, one of Irelands most celebrated authors, is internationally renowned for his fiction, which includes Amongst Women, The Dark, and The Barracks. His work continues to be a major influence on Irish literature, and his legacy is honoured annually at this festival.

Nelofer Pazira-Fisk will reflect on her late husband, journalist Robert Fisk, and his final book, Night of Power: The Betrayal of the Middle East, offering insights into ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts.

Sundays closing event, the Iron Mountain Session, will bring literature and traditional Irish music together at Rynns Bar, Ballinaglera. Though sold out, the festival will be a vibrant weekend celebrating literature, history, and culture in Leitrim.
Leitrim is poised to play a pivotal role in The Gathering 2025, Ireland's nationwide celebration of its global diaspora. Scheduled from May 23rd to 25th, this major event will reconnect millions of people with their Irish roots. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty, Leitrim is set to be a cornerstone of the celebrations, offering a truly unique experience for visitors tracing their ancestry back to the county.

Leitrim County Council is actively inviting locals to take part in the planning and hosting of events, aiming to make the county's contribution to The Gathering 2025 as impactful as possible. Community groups are encouraged to organise local festivities that reflect the diverse heritage and traditions of Leitrim, showcasing the countys beauty and warmth to the thousands of visitors expected to descend on the area.

A series of exciting events will take place across the county, ranging from family reunions and historical tours to traditional Irish music sessions and storytelling, all designed to highlight Leitrims strong sense of community. Whether it's exploring the countys stunning landscapes, engaging with its cultural treasures, or simply enjoying the lively atmosphere, Leitrims part in The Gathering promises something special for every visitor.

Leitrim will also host a variety of heritage-themed events, giving participants the chance to explore historical landmarks and learn more about the countys contributions to Irish history. With traditional music, dance, and local festivals set to fill the streets and venues across the region, the weekend promises to be a vibrant, unforgettable celebration of craic agus ceoil.

Whether you're part of the Leitrim diaspora or simply have a love for Irish culture, the Leitrim Gathering 2025 is the perfect opportunity to reconnect, rediscover, and celebrate all that makes Leitrim unique.

For more information about how to get involved or to find out whats planned, visit the official website at leitrimgathering.com or contact the organisers at thegathering@leitrimcoco.ie.
Last Friday, Leitrim Independent Councillor Eddie Mitchell addressed a crowd outside the Dail at a rally organized by Fridays for Future, where he strongly condemned the government's plans to establish a fracked gas import terminal in Ireland. The rally, which brought together environmental activists and concerned citizens, was held to protest the government's recent decision to build a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve as part of the "Energy Security in Ireland to 2030" package, published in November 2023.

Speaking to the demonstrators, Mitchell voiced his deep concern and disappointment over the plan, warning that the creation of such a terminal would pave the way for fracked gas imports into Ireland, a move that contradicts the government's earlier stance. He highlighted that the May 2021 Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas had opposed such developments and urged the government to remain committed to its original position.

"We are deeply disappointed with the governments reversal on this issue," Mitchell said. "This plan threatens to undermine everything we've been working towards in the fight against environmental destruction and climate change."

Mitchell also called on the Council to formally write to Minister for Environment, Climate, and Communications, Eamon Ryan, demanding a reversal of the new policy. He urged the government to align its actions with its promises in the Programme for Government, which emphasized a sustainable and fossil-free future. His appeal is part of an ongoing effort to ensure Ireland bans Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals outright, without exceptions or conditions.

Addressing the crowd, Mitchell stressed that building a gas terminal reliant on fracked gas would not only pose environmental risks but also betray Irelands commitment to green energy and climate action. He noted that the rally was a testament to the growing public sentiment against fracking and the necessity for Ireland to invest in renewable energy solutions rather than fossil fuel-based infrastructure.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eddie Mitchell (@eddiemitchell7473)

The Leitrim councillor, who has long been involved in anti-fracking campaigns, warned that such projects could open the door to fracking in Ireland and risk irreversible damage to the environment. His speech at the rally echoed the concerns of many in Leitrim and beyond, where communities have been actively resisting any potential fracking-related developments for years.

Mitchells call to action at the Fridays for Future rally now adds additional pressure on the government to reconsider its energy strategy, as environmental activists across the country demand more sustainable alternatives to fracked gas imports.
A fresh row has erupted between the Irish Government and the contractor of the National Childrens Hospital over the projects spiralling cost and drawn-out timeline.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly sent a letter to the Taoiseach and senior ministers on Friday to outline concerns about a further delay.

It set out the latest updates from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) on the snagging and nish phase for the hospitals 5,500 rooms.

It is understood that the letter said the board views construction firm BAMs approach as based on extracting as much money from the Irish taxpayer as possible and that this is partly responsible for the delays.

It also said the Government must be clear and consistent in its response to this and any other contractor who might seek to attempt to hold the state to ransom.

In a statement BAM rejected the misleading, ill-informed and incorrect allegations.

It in particular rejects the irresponsible claims by the minister that BAM is in any way seeking to extract as much money from the Irish taxpayer as possible and is holding the state to ransom.

It said the unhelpful claims have absolutely no basis in fact and described the disagreement as a highly complex construction dispute.

In a statement on Sunday, the Department of Health said BAM had attempted to push a previous completion date of February 2025 back further and that according to the development board, BAM had shifted its completion date 14 times since it began work in early 2019.

The board accused BAM of continued insistence that rooms and areas within the hospital were complete, when they were not, and said the firm was unwilling to resource the project appropriately.

BAM said the project has always been fully resourced and it is fully confident in the quality of construction for the world-class hospital.

It claimed that a key driver of delays were extensive changes to the building after a compliance audit, which required BAM to revisit the vast majority of ceilings in the hospital and remove and reinstall more than 2,200 devices such as smoke detectors and sprinkler heads.

This level of change comes at an enormous financial and time cost which the minister has failed to recognise or present in his correspondence to the Taoiseach, it said.

BAM has complied at all stages with all requirements and provisions set out in the contract and has not been sanctioned by the NPHDB.

Any application by the board to withhold money will be assessed by the employers representative and the standing conciliator.

The boards previous attempt to take this action, alluded to by the minister, was overturned by an independent adjudicator and no money was withheld from BAM following this decision.

The Department of Health said the board and the minister would not accept an inferior standard of completion on the largest health investment in the history of the state.

This Government has been very clear that no further budget increases will be sanctioned, the department said.

The total spent on the hospital is 2.2 billion euro after the Government approved more than 500 million euro in additional spending in February.

The amount includes millions for an expected payout to the contractor over ongoing disputes, as well as other contingency funding.

The ministers expectation is that the contractor will meet its contractual commitments: produce a compliant programme, resource the project appropriately, and meet its own milestones to secure substantial completion as soon as possible, the department said.
Avicena Demonstrates 30m Reach of microLED-based LightBundle Technology at European Conference on Optical Communication





Avicena, headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, is showcasing the world's first microLED-based 30 meter link at ECOC 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany (https://www.ecoc2024.org/), tripling the reach shown in its previous public demonstrations. Avicena's LightBundleTM microLED-based links provide superior bandwidth density, energy efficiency, reliability and cost compared to other optical interconnect technologies. Now, with a 30 meter reach, LightBundle interconnects can span a full row of data center racks, unlocking unparalleled performance from HPC and AI clusters.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving an unprecedented surge in demand for compute and memory performance. This requires ever higher density, lower power, longer interconnects between processors, and between processors and memory.

Today, there is a duopoly of high-speed interconnect technologies: Up to about 1 meter distance electrical links dominate while laser-based optical links are the choice for longer distances. Electrical interconnects are both cost-effective and reliable, while laser-based links are significantly higher cost and suffer from limited reliability. "At Avicena, we are excited to showcase a microLED-based link with a reach of 30 meters after having previously publicly demonstrated 10 meter links," says Bardia Pezeshki, Founder and CEO of Avicena. "At 30 meters these interconnects can easily cover a row of racks in a datacenter or the full length of a commercial vehicle like a bus in automotive applications. With further optimization of devices and fibers, reaches of 100 meters or more could be possible with this technology."

"LightBundle links offer superior density, power efficiency, and cost compared to more conventional optical interconnect technologies, but are limited to shorter reaches," says Rob Kalman, CTO and Co-Founder of Avicena. "Extending LightBundle's reach from 10 to 30 meters opens up important new applications and shows that we are continuing to rapidly advance this exciting new technology."

Avicena will also showcase the greatly relaxed alignment tolerances of the LightBundle technology suite in their booth using standard LEGOTM based components. This underlines the fact that aligning LED-based optical links is truly "child's play" compared to the tight tolerances of single mode based silicon photonics, enabling LightBundle to achieve much lower manufacturing costs and higher packaging reliability.

Avicena at ECOC 2024:

In addition to showcasing its LightBundle interconnect technology at Booth B59, Avicena will participate in the following events:

Simon Richmond, VP of Operations & Jess Brown, Business Development will present at the Product Focus Session on the Exhibit Floor:

uLEDs ? not just for fancy displays! A new paradigm in ultra-low power optical interconnects for AI

September 23, 2024 ? 2:50pm ? 3:20pm

Chris Pfistner, VP Sales & Marketing will also be hosting a panel at the Global Economic Photonic Forum in Malaga, Spain, the following week:

China Panel ? Discussion on China's evolving role in the global photonics industry

October 2, 2024 ? 9:40am ? 10:55am

About Avicena

Avicena Tech Corp. is a privately held company located in Sunnyvale, CA, developing LightBundle, a next generation optical interconnect architecture for AI/ML, HPC, sensors, 5G wireless and aerospace applications. This unique, flexible ultra-low energy technology is based on microLEDs, offering both very high bandwidth and low latency. Now, system designers can disaggregate functions like compute and memory and radically grow system throughput. Avicena's technology is a key building block in the evolution of networking and computing that will reduce the energy impact on our planet.

For more information, visit https://avicena.tech.

23 september 2024 at 00:05

News published onand distributed by:
Skanska selected for reservoir construction project in Yonkers, NY, USA, for USD 630M, about SEK 6.6 billion





STOCKHOLM, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has, in a joint venture with ECCO III Enterprises, Inc., signed a contract with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) for the Hillview Reservoir Chemical Addition Facilities Construction project in Yonkers, New York, USA. The project is mandated by the Hillview Reservoir Consent Decree and Judgment. The contract is worth USD 848M. Skanska will include its 75 percent share of the contract worth USD 630M, about SEK 6.6 billion, in the US order bookings for the third quarter of 2024.

The project scope includes upgrades to the existing North Entrance and the addition of two new Chemical Addition Facilities buildings to the Hillview Reservoir grounds. The project includes the construction and implementation of two new electrical service feeds and associated distribution equipment, a new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, interim structures for chemical systems for water quality monitoring and water carry pumps. Essential function of the facility will be maintained for the water supply during construction for the surrounding community.

The project will pursue LEED v4.1 certification and employ environmentally conscious building practice requirements related to energy conservation and efficiency, indoor air quality, and resource efficiency.

Work commenced August 2024 with expected completion in April 2030.

For further information please contact:

Maritza Ferreira, Vice President of Communications, Skanska USA, tel +1 (678) 492 2003

Andreas Joons, Press Officer, Skanska Group, tel +46 (0)10 449 04 94

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/skanska-selected-for-reservoir-construction-project-in-yonkers--ny--usa--for-usd-630m--about-sek-6-6,c4040853

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/4040853/3012799.pdf 20240923 US yonkers reservoir

SOURCE Skanska

23 september 2024 at 01:37

News published onand distributed by:
VITALOGRAPH ACQUIRES MORGAN SCIENTIFIC TO MEET GROWING GLOBAL DEMAND FOR RESPIRATORY DIAGNOSTIC SOLUTIONS





Acquisition of Massachusetts -based PFT software partner to strengthen Vitalograph's US commercial footprint and ability to meet growing global demand for advanced PFT solutions.

BOSTON and ENNIS, Ireland, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vitalograph has today announced the acquisition of Massachusetts-based Morgan Scientific, a long-term partner of the respiratory diagnostics leader, strengthening its U.S. commercial footprint and enabling it to meet the growing global demand for its innovative solutions, particularly in advanced pulmonary function testing solutions.

Speaking of the acquisition, Frank Keane, CEO of Vitalograph said: "We have a long and successful relationship with Morgan Scientific. This agreement is the natural progression for both companies as our combined expertise allows us to focus on delivering the best possible diagnostic solutions that can enable a better understanding of lung health."

Morgan Scientific is an expert in customer-facing software for advanced PFT systems. ComPAS2, the company's flagship software powers Vitalograph's innovative range of advanced PFT solutions, the VitaloPFT Series. Morgan Scientific is also a key distributor for Vitalograph's pulmonary function testing solutions in the US.

Speaking of their collaboration to date, Mr Keane said: "The recent creation of the VitaloPFT Series has given us valuable experience in working as a team and built mutual respect for our individual expertise. Morgan Scientific is a natural complement to the Vitalograph brand, and this development brings incredible value to our customers all over the world. This acquisition paves the way for us to develop our comprehensive PFT range further."

He continued: "Vitalograph is a family-owned company and recognises the pioneering drive of the Morgan family to create a business founded on people, integrity, quality, and innovation. These values are at the heart of Vitalograph and are instilled in every part of our business today."

Gareth Morgan, son of the founder of Morgan Scientific said: "There is no other company in the world that we trust to uphold our legacy of innovation and to continue to put the needs of customers at the forefront of every decision. Joining a globally present and renowned brand such as Vitalograph will enable us to concentrate our efforts on building the business through what we know best - excellence in innovation and customer service."

The acquisition of Morgan Scientific is a key milestone in Vitalograph's plan to develop its respiratory diagnostics business globally, furthering its goal of providing comprehensive testing solutions that enable the best possible respiratory healthcare. The company is in the middle of an ambitious growth strategy and is on track to treble its respiratory diagnostics business in the four years leading to 2026.

The acquisition coincides with Vitalograph's 50th anniversary of operating and growing in Ennis, Ireland.

About Vitalograph - https://vitalograph.com/ie/

Founded in Buckingham in 1963, and with an R&D, engineering, and manufacturing facility in Ennis in County Clare for 50 years, Vitalograph is a leading global provider of respiratory diagnostic solutions and clinical drug trial services. Through the delivery of respiratory diagnostic solutions that are accurate and reliable, healthcare professionals are empowered to give the best possible care to their patients, wherever it is needed. Based in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Morgan Scientific, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vitalograph.

For media information:

Edwina Gore, Gore Communications

+353 87 6295323

Laura Colleran, Vitalograph

+ 353 (0)89 4727860

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2510842/Vitalograph.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2510843/Vitalograph_1.jpg

23 september 2024 at 03:00

News published onand distributed by:
Professor Luo Min Appointed as Chairman of Spine Neurocardiology Interdisciplinary Professional Committee in China to Promote Development of Innovative Heart Disease Treatments





BEIJING, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Professor Luo Min, Doctor of Medicine (MD), from Beijing Yuhe Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Rehabilitation Hospital, was recently appointed as the Chairman of the National Association of Health Industry and Enterprise Management (NAHIEM) Spine Neurocardiology Interdisciplinary Professional Committee and the Head of the Preparatory Group, in recognition of his contributions to the field of spinal nerve and heart disease treatment.

As the head of the NAHIEM Spine Neurocardiology Interdisciplinary Professional Committee's Preparatory Group, Professor Luo will be responsible for leading the organization and preparing the committee to solidify its commitment to the promotion of interdisciplinary research and cooperation, a field in which he excels. The committee will advance the development and application of innovative therapies by supporting research on spinal nerves and heart diseases, which have the potential to benefit more heart disease patients in China and around the world.

Professor Luo commented, "I am deeply honored to be appointed to this important role. The integration of interdisciplinary research has the potential to bring new hope to more heart disease patients in China and globally. Interdisciplinary research is the future of heart disease treatment and I believe that neuromodulation can bring safer and more effective treatment options to patients. I look forward to promoting technical exchanges and cooperation around the world through the work of the committee."

Professor Luo is a senior expert in the field of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases with more than 30 years of experience in clinical diagnosis and multidisciplinary research. He graduated from Bethune Medical University and has since studied in multiple disciplines including orthopedics, neurology, general surgery, anesthesiology, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular medicine, and critical care medicine. His primary focus in recent years has been on the neuromodulation treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and he has been credited with developing Luo's Theory, which has the potential to bring revolutionary breakthroughs in clinical treatment.

Professor Luo discovered that spinal nerve abnormalities can cause spasms, contractions, and stenosis of the coronary arteries of the heart, thereby causing myocardial ischemia. Abnormal thoracic sympathetic nerve function is an important and long-ignored cause of coronary heart disease and, as the heart's coronary vascular system is controlled by thoracic sympathetic nerves, Professor Luo found that abnormal excitation of the sympathetic nerves can trigger coronary artery contractions. Therefore, theoretically, coronary vascular spasms and stenosis through the regulation of the nervous system can be relieved, and cardiac ischemia, especially coronary heart disease and heart failure, can potentially be effectively treated, greatly improving the patient's prognosis.

Professor Luo has extensive international exchange experience, including his participation in the World Congress of Cardiology in 2019 in Paris, where he was invited to present a report on the role of sympathetic nerves in heart failure, along with a clinical treatment model. He also participated in the 23rd World Congress of International Society for Heart Research (ISHR) in Beijing, and in academic exchanges in Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University in 2016.

About Professor Luo Min

Professor Luo Min has over 30 years of multidisciplinary clinical consultation experience, and has studied orthopedics, neurology, general surgery, anesthesiology, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular medicine, and critical care medicine. He created the first interdisciplinary physician alliance in China, integrating advanced technologies from multiple disciplines and creating a unique new concept of modern diagnosis and treatment. Professor Luo has independently developed 19 national-level minimally invasive technologies and 12 provincial-level minimally invasive innovations.

CONTACT: Xuejing Zhang, [email protected]

SOURCE Beijing Yuhe Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Rehabilitation Hospital

23 september 2024 at 03:06

News published onand distributed by:
MOUAWAD PARTNERS WITH OCTA PROPERTIES TO LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE BRANDED LUXURY RESIDENCES





OCTA Properties has been appointed as the global licensee for Mouawad-branded residences, extending Mouawad's legacy of timeless elegance into premium real estate

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mouawad, the renowned luxury jewelry house, is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with OCTA Properties LLC, a leading development management firm celebrated for its expertise in bespoke branded residences. This milestone agreement appoints OCTA Properties as the global licensee for Mouawad-branded residences, marking an exciting new chapter in the brand's prestigious journey and legacy into the world of premium real estate.

This collaboration represents a historic extension of Mouawad's unmatched elegance and craftsmanship into high-end residential projects. As the exclusive provider of branded residence services, OCTA Properties will harness its innovative solutions and strategic partnerships to infuse Mouawad's timeless luxury into select, high-profile developments. Each residence will embody the brand's opulent essence, with every detail upholding Mouawad's renowned standards.

The partnership is long-term and not limited to just one project. The agreement is already in effect, with both parties excited to deliver unparalleled experiences in the world of luxury branded residences.

Pascal Mouawad, Fouth Generation Co ? Guardian, expressed his excitement about this new chapter: For more than a century, Mouawad has long been a hallmark of luxury and enduring elegance. Our collaboration with OCTA Properties enables us to expand our legacy into the realm of branded residences, infusing our unique identity into prestigious developments around the world. We believe this milestone will set a new standard for luxury living in the real estate market.

Fawaz Sous, CEO of OCTA Properties, shared his enthusiasm: "We are honored to be chosen for this transformative venture. Collaborating with Mouawad to introduce their iconic brand into the luxury residential sector aligns perfectly with our expertise. We are eager to unveil our first project and embark on this extraordinary journey."

This exclusive partnership promises a unique lifestyle experience, seamlessly blending Mouawad's rich heritage with OCTA Properties' cutting-edge development expertise.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2512676/OCTA_Properties_Logo.jpg

SOURCE OCTA Properties

23 september 2024 at 06:57

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ServiceNow Demonstrates Commitment to Building a Better World, Expands Access to Technology, Knowledge, and Opportunity





UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ? ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) today announced plans to accelerate digital experiences for nonprofit organizations by expanding access to technology, knowledge, and opportunity. The company showcased its refreshed commitment to a better world during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where it is also sponsoring activities and organizations, including the Concordia Annual Summit and the Diana Award, Goals House, the Devex Summit, the World Climate Summit, and the Global Africa Initiative.

Driven by the company's purpose to make the world work better for everyone, ServiceNow believes technology has the power to improve people's lives and is providing tangible opportunities for action and pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve a more sustainable world, eradicate hunger and poverty, end discrimination, and address climate change.

"At ServiceNow, our defining impact is reflected in our purpose and permeates every aspect of our business ? how we build technology, how we collaborate with customers and partners, how we support the growth of our people, and how we aim to do good in the world," said Vanessa Smith, president, ServiceNow.org. "ServiceNow believes it's a tremendous moment to shape the trajectory of how the world works in the 21st century ? and to lead that endeavor with intent. We're excited to seize this moment together and show what it truly means to create access to a better world for everyone."

Commitment to making the world work better at UNGA 2024

Across UNGA events from September 23-27, ServiceNow will demonstrate its commitment to listening and learning from leaders and engaging in meaningful discussions and advocacy with civil society, government, and business.

Company leadership, including Vanessa Smith, president, ServiceNow.org; Paul Smith, chief commercial officer; Jacqui Canney, chief people officer; and Karen Pavlin, chief equity and inclusion officer, among others, will join activities throughout the week to drive meaningful conversations about the importance of technology in solving the world's most challenging problems. ServiceNow is a lead partner for the Concordia Annual Summit, a partner for the Devex Summit, a partner of the Global Africa Initiative, and a supporter of the World Climate Summit and the Goals House.

ServiceNow is committed to expanding access to technology resources and supporting nonprofits in solving the world's most significant challenges. Through these efforts, ServiceNow has set a bold ambition to partner with nonprofits and customers to accelerate impact and reach 1 billion people. This includes the company's ambition to positively reach 20 million people through its philanthropy efforts.

As a market leader in AI and digital transformation, ServiceNow is focused on helping nonprofits have better access to AI and technology by empowering innovators to address global challenges.

by empowering innovators to address global challenges. Knowledge by creating equitable entry to the digital economy and advancing tech careers through RiseUp with ServiceNow.

by creating equitable entry to the digital economy and advancing tech careers through RiseUp with ServiceNow. Opportunity by facilitating the digital transformation of underserved communities and through greater access to donations and needed resources.

Research reveals nonprofits need AI and technology for more significant impact

Nearly 60% of nonprofits say AI, especially generative AI (GenAI), will increase productivity, boosting their ability to raise funds, engage donors, and deliver on their missions, according to the Nonprofit Digital Transformation Report 2024 by ServiceNow and ThoughtLab. Further, if all nonprofits advanced their digital transformation efforts, they could support an additional 103.1 million people annually. While nonprofits recognize the value of digital transformation to achieve greater efficiency and scale, few lead the way in digital innovation, as they are often faced with significant barriers due to limited resources and technical skills.

Through ServiceNow.org, the company is helping close this gap while creating equitable access to AI and technology. This includes its partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a global nonprofit dedicated to helping people affected by humanitarian crises, to equip frontline workers with the technology they need to make their jobs more efficient. ServiceNow has helped the IRC along its digital transformation journey, deploying technical solutions that enable the organization to work more efficiently and effectively.

Other global impact efforts include the company's longstanding partnership with GivePower, through which ServiceNow helps 1 million Kenyans access clean, safe drinking water daily. In June, ServiceNow helped fund two solar-powered water systems in Kenya, which combine solar power and advanced water purification technology to produce up to 75,000 liters per day of sustainable and reliable clean drinking water for the local communities and has the potential to serve more than 35,000 people every day for 20 years.

Enhancements to advance ESG solution now available

ServiceNow's ESG solution, powered by the Now Platform, helps companies activate ESG strategies, programs, and initiatives?from enhancing diversity and inclusion and reducing carbon emissions to enabling business resilience?and assists organizations in planning, managing, governing, and reporting on their ESG programs and initiatives to drive greater environmental, social, and business impact.

As part of the Now Platform Xanadu release that launched on Sept. 10, 2024, ServiceNow rolled out enhancements to its ESG solution, designed to further expand ESG capabilities built into the ServiceNow platform:

A new Scope 3 dashboard allows companies to comprehensively track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for scopes 1, 2, and 3, and define categories and representations of data.

allows companies to comprehensively track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for scopes 1, 2, and 3, and define categories and representations of data. Metrics enhancements empower greater customization, precision, and flexibility in data management and analysis, with the ability to collect data in custom fiscal calendars and run metrics on-demand.

empower greater customization, precision, and flexibility in data management and analysis, with the ability to collect data in custom fiscal calendars and run metrics on-demand. Additional content and integrations enhance reporting capabilities to help ensure the most comprehensive and up-to-date information is represented across sources.

ServiceNow's global impact inspires a movement that removes barriers and creates opportunities to make the world work better. The company has dedicated some of the most capable, resourceful, and innovative minds worldwide, eager to fulfill our purpose.

Catch ServiceNow in action

In support of its activities during the week, ServiceNow will participate in the following sessions at UNGA and the World Climate Summit:

Monday, Sept. 23

Goals House panel discussion with Vanessa Smith, president of ServiceNow.org, hosted in partnership with the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) on "Harnessing Transformation and Innovation for the SDGs".

Concordia roundtable discussion in partnership with Diana Award on youth advocacy with Paul Smith, chief commercial officer at ServiceNow.

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Deloitte Climate Week NYC panel with Karen Pavlin, chief equity and inclusion officer at ServiceNow, on "Bridging the Generational Divide: A Catalyst for Innovation and Sustainability".

Wednesday, Sept. 25

Concordia keynote session with Jacqui Canney, chief people officer at ServiceNow, on "The Tech Industry's Role in Shaping Policy and Social Progress".

World Climate Summit fireside chat with Combiz Abdolrahimi, vice president of government affairs at ServiceNow, on "Accelerating the Green Transition with Policy and Innovation".

Concordia roundtable session with Cheick Camara, vice president managing director, ServiceNow Africa, on "Open Source AI: it's about Choice".

Thursday, Sept. 26

Devex Keynote Session with Vanessa Smith, on "Innovative education for a sustainable future: Leveraging technology to advance the SDGs".

GABI panels on "Ai-frica! How the continent can win the AI race" & "The Panel of the Future: Solutions for igniting Africa's digital revolution" with Cheick Camara, vice president managing director, ServiceNow Africa.

Goals House panel discussion hosted by ServiceNow's Karen Pavlin and the Obama Foundation on "Black Women in Leadership".

Find out more about ServiceNow's commitment to a better world.

About ServiceNow

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is putting AI to work for people. We move with the pace of innovation to help customers transform organizations across every industry while upholding a trustworthy, human centered approach to deploying our products and services at scale. Our AI platform for business transformation connects people, processes, data, and devices to increase productivity and maximize business outcomes. For more information, visit: www.servicenow.com.

 2024 ServiceNow, Inc. All rights reserved. ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, Now, and other ServiceNow marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other company names, product names, and logos may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

23 september 2024 at 07:05

News published onand distributed by:
CLM Announces $300,000 Private Placement Flow-Through Financing





NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc. (TSXV: CLM | OTCQB: JORFF | FRA: Z36) ("CLM" or the "Company") announces today that it intends to complete a best efforts non-brokered private placement financing of up to 15,000,000 common shares of the Company (each, a "Flow-Through Share") issued on a "flow-through basis" (the "Offering"). Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about September 30, 2024. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. Completion of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including without limitation, receipt of TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval. Finder's fees may be paid to eligible finders in accordance with the policies of the TSXV consisting of a cash commission equal to up to 10% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering and finder warrants ("Finder Warrants") in an amount equal to up to 10% of the number of Flow-Through Shares sold pursuant to the Offering. Each Finder Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.05 per share for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration expenses on its lithium mining properties located in Quebec.

About Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc.

Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc. is a Canadian junior mining exploration company trading under the symbol "CLM" on the TSX Venture Exchange and "Z36" on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The Company is focused on the acquisition, exploration, production, and development of mining properties. The Company's properties are in Quebec, Canada, primarily in the spodumene-bearing pegmatites of the La Corne Batholith, around North American Lithium's Quebec lithium mine.

For more information:

Rene Bharti, VP Corporate Development

Email | [email protected]

Phone | (416) 861-5800

Website | www.consolidatedlithium.com

Cautionary and Regulatory Statements

This press 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 Offering, including the Company's intended use of proceeds, closing conditions and timing, and other matters relating thereto. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of CLM to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future mineral prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages and other risks of the mining industry. Although CLM has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information 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 information. CLM does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

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.

23 september 2024 at 07:30

News published onand distributed by:
Bally's Buyout Alert: Shareholders Concerned About $18.25 Deal Price Should Contact Julie & Holleman LLP Regarding Potential Legal Claims





NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally recognized shareholder rights firm Julie & Holleman LLP is investigating the proposed buyout of Bally's Corporation (NYSE: BALY) by the company's largest shareholder, private equity firm Standard General L.P.

For a free, no-risk consultation, please visit https://julieholleman.com/ballys-corporation/, or contact firm partner Scott Holleman by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (929) 415-1020.

Standard General already owns 25% of Bally's and proposes to buy out the rest of the company for $18.25. This price is less than Bally's recent trading prices. In addition, financial analyses in a recent SEC filing suggest that the company may be worth as much as $35.32 per share.

Julie & Holleman is also concerned about conflicts of interest?Standard General is squeezing out public shareholders while retaining for itself the company's massive potential. Indeed, certain investors have expressed that Standard General is taking advantage of short-term market conditions to buy the company at a steep discount to its intrinsic value.

Please visit https://julieholleman.com/ballys-corporation/ or contact partner Scott Holleman by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (929) 415-1020 for more information.

Julie & Holleman is a boutique law firm that focuses on shareholder litigation, including derivative actions, mergers and acquisitions cases, securities fraud class actions, and corporate investigations. The firm's attorneys litigate in state and federal courts across the nation and have helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved companies and their shareholders. For more information about the firm, please visit www.julieholleman.com. This notice may constitute attorney advertising.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Julie & Holleman LLP

W. Scott Holleman, Esq.

157 East 86th Street

4th Floor

New York, NY 10028

(929) 415-1020

www.julieholleman.com

SOURCE Julie & Holleman LLP

23 september 2024 at 07:45

News published onand distributed by:
AAR awarded five-year contract to perform airframe maintenance for U.S. Navy's P-8A Poseidon fleet





WOOD DALE, Ill., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, has been awarded a five-year indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity contract with an aggregate ceiling value of approximately $1.2 billion by the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to perform P-8A Poseidon depot airframe maintenance and depot field team support for the U.S. Navy, government of Australia, and foreign military sales (FMS) customers.

"Our rapid deployment teams provide on-demand expertise anywhere in the world," said Nicholas Gross .

This follow-on contract continues AAR's strategic partnership supporting NAVAIR. AAR will provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, in-service repair, technical directive incorporation, airframe modifications, and aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support.

This contract retains AAR's position as a leader of commercial derivative airframe maintenance for the U.S. Department of Defense and supports the Navy's readiness through the repair of the P-8A Poseidon.

"AAR is pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with NAVAIR and honored to be the prime provider supporting this critical fleet," said Nicholas Gross, AAR's Senior Vice President of Integrated Solutions. "Our rapid deployment teams provide on-demand expertise anywhere in the world."

For more information on AAR's government solutions, visit https://www.aarcorp.com/en/services/government-solutions/.

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services. Additional information can be found at aarcorp.com.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, reflecting management's expectations about future conditions, including anticipated activities and benefits under the five-year contract. Forward-looking statements may also be identified because they contain words such as ''anticipate,'' ''believe,'' ''continue,'' ''could,'' ''estimate,'' ''expect,'' ''intend,'' ''likely,'' ''may,'' ''might,'' ''plan,'' ''potential,'' ''predict,'' ''project,'' ''seek,'' ''should,'' ''target,'' ''will,'' ''would,'' or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Contact:

Media Team

+1-630-227-5100

[email protected]

SOURCE AAR CORP.

23 september 2024 at 08:00

News published onand distributed by:
Masco Corporation Announces Date for Earnings Release and Conference Call for 2024 Third Quarter





Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS) announced today that it will hold a conference call regarding 2024 third quarter results on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. ET. The conference call will be hosted by Masco President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Allman. Participants in the call are asked to register five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time by dialing 800-549-8228 or 646-564-2877. Please use the conference identification number 72522.

The 2024 third quarter results and supplemental material will be distributed at 7:00 a.m. ET on October 29 and will be available on the Company's website at www.masco.com.

The conference call will be webcast simultaneously and in its entirety through the Masco Corporation website. Shareholders, media representatives and others interested in Masco may participate in the webcast by registering through the Investor Relations section on the Company's website.

A replay of the call will be available on Masco's website or by phone by dialing 888-660-6264 or 646-517-3975. Please use the playback passcode 72522 #. The telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the end of the call and continue through November 29, 2024.

Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, Masco Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products. Our portfolio of industry-leading brands includes Behr paint; Delta and hansgrohe faucets, bath and shower fixtures; Liberty branded decorative and functional hardware; and HotSpring spas. We leverage our powerful brands across product categories, sales channels and geographies to create value for our customers and shareholders. For more information about Masco Corporation, visit www.masco.com.

23 september 2024 at 09:05

News published onand distributed by:
Canadian Animal Health Institute 2024 World Rabies Day Webinar: Event to feature leading experts on cross-border changes to pet travel, wildlife monitoring, and One Health strategies for rabies surveillance and control





TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) is excited to announce its 2024 World Rabies Day Webinar, happening on September 27, 2024. This year's theme, "Breaking Rabies Boundaries," will focus on overcoming key challenges in rabies prevention across borders, wildlife, and the wider One Health landscape.



Date: Friday, September 27, 2024

Time: 2:30 PM EST

Location: Free Online Webinar (registration required)

This free event will feature presentations from prominent experts in the field of rabies control and prevention, discussing the latest updates on dog import regulations for the US, wildlife rabies monitoring in Ontario, and innovative approaches to rabies elimination.

Key Presentations Include:

Dr. Krista Puddester , Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): "Navigating the New CDC Border Requirements for Dogs: What You Need to Know"

, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): "Navigating the New CDC Border Requirements for Dogs: What You Need to Know" Tore Buchanan , Coordinator for Wildlife Research and Monitoring, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR): "Wildlife Rabies Research and Control in Ontario"

, Coordinator for Wildlife Research and Monitoring, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR): "Wildlife Rabies Research and Control in Ontario" Cin Tang, Centre of Expertise for Rabies, CFIA: "Advances in Rabies Control and Surveillance: A One Health Perspective"



"As a global community, we are tackling rabies prevention on all fronts, from addressing cross-border animal movements to advancing wildlife research," says Dr. Catherine Filejski, President and CEO of CAHI. "This webinar will provide an essential platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, as we work to break rabies boundaries in Canada and beyond."

The 2024 World Rabies Day Webinar is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: Zoetis Canada, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada, and Ceva Animal Health - Canada.

Registration for the webinar is now open and can be accessed through the CAHI website at https://live.webcastcanada.ca/webcast/registration/0c3308f9-380d-4fea-aa7a-0ed539af6732

About the CAHI

Established in 1968, CAHI is the trusted, science-based voice of the Canadian animal health industry. Our members provide Canada's veterinarians and animal owners with the animal medications and tools necessary to maintain the health of our pets and food animal population. Healthier animals for a healthier Canada. www.cahi-icsa.ca.

Contact: Eleanor Hawthorn

437-253-1667 ext. 105, [email protected]



23 september 2024 at 12:00

News published onand distributed by:
D2L Brightspace Ranked First for Teaching and Learning by Leading Analyst





Tambellini Group recognizes D2L Brightspace as the top performing learning platform

TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - D2L, a global learning technology company, shared that its learning platform Brightspace ranked highest among competitors for usability and innovation in the inaugural Tambellini StarCharttm 2024 for Learning Management Systems (LMS).

The Tambellini Group, a leading higher education analyst firm, offers insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by educational institutions. The StarCharttm can help higher education institutions navigate the current technology landscape through the lens of usability and innovation ? two key factors influencing technology investment decisions.

D2L Brightspace was placed highest in the StarCharttm 'Commander' category, which includes market-leading learning solutions with highly innovative and user-centric designs. Commanders set the benchmark for what is possible, pushing the boundaries of technology and usability to new heights. Their leadership is characterized by a consistent track record of excellence, significant market influence and the ability to anticipate and shape future trends. Commanders not only excel in their offerings but also drive the industry forward, inspiring change and innovation across the technology landscape.

"We are excited to see our dedication to building world-leading client experiences and innovation acknowledged by the Tambellini Group," said John Baker, Founder and CEO of D2L. "Our mission is to transform the way the world learns by helping to make it easier for clients to create more engaging, inspiring, and personalized learning. This ranking reflects our ongoing commitment to build the best learning platform in the world and one that can make the learning experience better for both learners and educators."

"It is clear that D2L is committed to the ongoing expansion and enhancement of Brightspace. Their approach to both AI and tools that strengthen teaching and learning makes them a leader in the current market. As expectations continue to rise in higher education, D2L offers technology to help institutions prioritize student experience and outcomes," said Matt Winn, Senior Analyst at Tambellini Group.

Earlier this year, D2L was also ranked as the "Easiest to Use" Learning Management System (LMS) by G2, one of the largest peer-to-peer review sites. G2 identified D2L Brightspace as the usability category leader by measuring real user satisfaction ratings of how easy the product is to administer, in addition to how well the product meets key business requirements.

"Brightspace has been an amazing platform that has allowed us to transform the way we approach teaching and learning both synchronously and asynchronously. It seems that no matter what we want to do, no matter what problem we want to solve, Brightspace can be used to meet our goals," said Adrian Peterson, Instructional Designer at Delaware Technical and Community College.

"The time I spend managing my classes, marking assignments and prepping my lessons has decreased by at least 30 percent since I started to use Brightspace," said Dan Stephenson, New Media Production and Design Instructor at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

For more information about D2L and its award-winning learning solutions, visit D2L's website.

About D2L

D2L is transforming the way the world learns, helping learners achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with customers all over the world, D2L is on a mission to make learning more inspiring, engaging and human. Find out how D2L helps transform lives and delivers outstanding learning outcomes in K-12, higher education and business at www.D2L.com.

The D2L family of companies includes D2L Corporation, D2L Ltd, D2L Australia Pty Ltd, D2L Europe Ltd, D2L Asia Pte Ltd, D2L India Pvt Ltd, D2L Brasil Solucoes de Tecnologia para Educacao Ltda and D2L Sistemas de Aprendizaje Innovadores, S. D2 R.L de C.V.

All D2L marks are trademarks of D2L Corporation. Please visit D2L.com/trademarks for a list of D2L marks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE D2L

23 september 2024 at 12:09

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Life Sciences Week 2024: Advancing Innovation, Investment, and Collaboration in Alberta's Life Sciences Sector





EDMONTON, Alberta, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Life Sciences Week, Alberta's flagship event for showcasing the life sciences sector, returns from September 23 to 27, 2024, projecting an estimated 3,000 attendees at over 60 events. This year's expanded program promises to highlight groundbreaking innovations and major announcements, spotlighting Alberta's role as a global leader in life sciences.



The life sciences represent a unique intersection of multiple disciplines, integrating scientific research, technological development, and commercial applications to drive innovation and improve human health. From medicine and pharmacology, to agriculture and veterinary care, to technology and AI, many disciplines draw from insights and innovations in the life sciences. Life Sciences Week serves as a vital platform for showcasing the latest advancements, sharing knowledge, and addressing key challenges facing the sector.

Supported by API , Life Sciences Week will feature events hosted by other key partners such as Alberta Innovates and Edmonton Global. Welcoming key leaders like the Honorable Nate Glubish, Alberta's Minister of Technology and Innovation and the Honorable Adriana LaGrange, Alberta's Minister of Health, this initiative underscores the sector's strategic importance to Alberta's economy. With Alberta ranking third in Canada for venture capital investment?securing nearly $400 million across 41 deals in the first half of 2024?life sciences represents over 30% of this activity, making it the province's second-largest sector for VC deals.

The week-long initiative aims to showcase Alberta's growth as a leading hub in the life sciences sector while driving forward innovation, investment, and strategic partnerships across the province. This is a sector that changes lives, drives economic growth, and acts as the bridge between what is possible for Alberta today and what will be possible in the future.

Media Contact

Tessa Vriend

Director, Engagement & Brand - API

Phone: (780) 674-7199

Email: [email protected]

Life Sciences Week 2024 Highlights:

The Honourable Nate Glubish will speak at the Life Sciences Week Kick-off event on Monday, September 23. The Honourable Nate Glubish will also attend Calgary Investment and Innovation Day on Wednesday, September 25.

on Monday, September 23. The Honourable Nate Glubish will also attend on Wednesday, September 25. There will be a special announcement from Nanostics during Edmonton Investment and Innovation Day on Tuesday, September 24. Last year, Nanostics announced the launch of ClarityDX Prostate, a tool designed to assess a patient's risk of clinically significant prostate cancer and aid in more informed healthcare decisions.

during Edmonton Investment and Innovation Day on Tuesday, September 24. Last year, Nanostics announced the launch of ClarityDX Prostate, a tool designed to assess a patient's risk of clinically significant prostate cancer and aid in more informed healthcare decisions. The Honourable Adriana LaGrange will bring greetings at Happy Hour with Montreal-based VC firm, BoxOne Ventures on Tuesday, September 24.

on Tuesday, September 24. Many investors and VC firms will attend Edmonton and Calgary Investment and Innovation Days. For example, Peter van der Velden, Founder and Managing General Partner at Toronto-based VC firm, Lumira Ventures, will speak as a panelist .

Quotes

Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Government of Canada: "Building a strong, more inclusive, and forward-looking economy means investing in the life sciences sector and the good paying jobs they help create. That's why our government is once again supporting Life Sciences Week and the collaborative steps we're taking together to chart a stronger, and healthier path forward for workers in Alberta and across the country."

Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta: "Innovation in the life sciences sector has the potential to save lives. Alberta's government recognizes the strategic importance of this industry and I'm proud to support Life Sciences Week and to reinforce our commitment to prioritize its growth and impact. Our vision is to make our province the destination of choice for the innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs who are addressing global challenges in healthcare. A strong and growing life sciences sector means more jobs, more investment, and a better, healthier future for all Albertans."

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, City of Edmonton: "Edmonton is proud to host Life Sciences Week and highlight our growing role as a hub for life sciences innovation. This event not only celebrates our city's achievements but also underscores our commitment to fostering collaboration and investment in cutting-edge research. I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of our life sciences sector."

Andrew MacIsaac, CEO, API: "Albertans are making discoveries that have the potential to cure diseases and save lives. Life Sciences Week is a chance to highlight the tremendous growth we're seeing in this sector and to show the world that Alberta is serious about health innovation, and this life changing sector is poised to transform the province."

23 september 2024 at 13:15

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Experts on the eve of the UN Summit of the Future said that a clean energy transition is the only path to addressing the climate crisis and achieving sustainable development. by Xinhua writers Xia Lin, Gao Shan NEW YORK, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- On the eve of the UN Summit of the Future, experts and diplomats gathered at a high-level event at Columbia University on Saturday, calling for rapid transition, enhanced innovation and better financing to facilitate global clean energy development that will benefit more people and nations. According to them, a clean energy transition is the only path to addressing the climate crisis and achieving sustainable development, and the next 10 years will be a breakthrough period for such a transition on a global level. Countries must strive to curb carbon emissions and move toward significant reductions by 2035. CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION There are many problems to be tackled, as supply shortage still deprives over 600 million people of electricity access, energy transition lags far behind with fossil energy accounting for over 80 percent of global energy consumption, and trade protectionism and technical barrier hinder the progress of new energy industry, Cheng Zhiqiang, executive secretary for Cooperation of Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), said at the event on the sidelines of the UN summit. "This is a power game, not a technical game," said Jeffrey Sachs, president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). There is ample money for the industry, but it doesn't flow to the poor countries; in this regard, the financing policy should be adjusted from a global point of view, said Sachs, also director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University. King Letsie III of Lesotho said in a keynote speech, "We have to confront the reality head-on," and "pivot to renewable energy as the cornerstone of our national economy," in order to shed the country's reliance on migrant labor remittances, seek self-sufficiency and benefit local communities. Echoing the king's view, GEIDCO Chairman Xin Baoan said the development of renewable energy must chart its way towards benefiting as many countries as possible, staying inclusive and clean, as well as being electrified and digitalized. "Clean energy is the energy of the future," he noted. "It helps us avoid wrecking our planet." According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy investment is set to exceed 3 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024 for the first time, with 2 trillion dollars going to clean energy technologies and infrastructure. Investment in clean energy has accelerated since 2020, and spending on renewable power, grids and storage is now higher than total spending on oil, gas and coal. Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said that China remains a leader in the transition to a green and low-carbon economy, a promoter of international cooperation for such a transition, and a contributor to global energy and climate management. The new energy vehicles that we manufacture have been widely popular around the world, said the senior diplomat. Xu Haoliang, under-secretary-general and associate administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said the whole picture for the industry is far from good, and many major challenges are yet to emerge. Much more money is needed for energy access and transition, he said, floating the concept of Green Bonds or SDGs (UN Sustainable Development Goals) Bond to help finance the cause. Selwin Hart, special adviser to the secretary-general and assistant secretary-general of the Climate Action Team, reminded the attendees that leadership is needed for the upgrading of the clean energy sector, while international cooperation is a good way to make it come true. "We also have to pick up the pace of transition, guarantee fairness, as well as avoid debt arising from such progress." Amina J. Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the UN, emphasized that "renewable energy now accounts for over 29 percent of global electricity generation, but this figure must reach nearly 60 percent by 2030 to stay on track with the IEA's 1.5 degrees Celcius pathway." It is an essential driver for achieving Net Zero by mid-century, and a critical means of reducing inequalities through universal access to electricity, she said. "Although 2023 saw record investments in renewables, global annual investments will need to triple to 4 trillion dollars by 2030, with 1.7 trillion dollars needed in emerging markets and developing economies," she added. FUTURE ENERGY DECLARATION A Future Energy Declaration was issued as a highlight of the event co-sponsored by the SDSN and GEIDCO, which assessed the challenges, trends and outlook of future energy development and proposed 10 key initiatives to promote global energy transition. The declaration calls on "all countries to work together to accelerate the transition to future energy systems and achieve sustainable development for all humanity." Among its initiatives, the declaration proposes that countries must strive to peak carbon emissions and move toward significant reductions by 2025; Countries should accelerate the development of renewable energy, with developed nations providing comprehensive support to developing countries to jointly achieve the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity. It also proposes a systemic approach to fully advance the energy transition, as well as developing a strong smart digital grid that tackles the energy trilemma. Moreover, the declaration proposes accelerating the research and application of cutting-edge technologies to provide technical support for the zero-carbon energy transition, as well as strengthening the integration of energy and meteorology to enhance climate resilience, increasing investment in energy systems, adopting comprehensive measures to address the rising cost of energy use, and accelerating an inclusive and just energy transition, among others. "Looking to the future, we propose that countries strengthen cooperation and work together to promote the global clean energy transition, accelerate the realization of future energy, and let the light of electricity illuminate the path of sustainable development so that clean and low-carbon energy can create a bright future for humanity," the declaration said. As world leaders convene in New York for the UN General Assembly's high-level week and the Summit of the Future, the SDSN and its partners are hosting a series of events, including Saturday's High-Level Pre-Summit of the Future Event. More than 130 heads of state and government are scheduled to attend the Summit of the Future, which is taking place on Sunday and Monday, just ahead of the annual debate in the UN General Assembly.
Vermont State Dental Society, University of Detroit Mercy, Sanders, and Welch Announce Historic Effort to Advance Dental Care and Education Across State





BURLINGTON, Vt., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vermont State Dental Society (VSDS), University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Peter Welch are partnering to bring an innovative Dental Oral Health Education Center to Vermont in Fall 2027. This new dental clinic and education program would bring UDM students to Vermont to complete their final years of training ? strengthening the dental care provider pipeline and expanding access to much-needed care across the state.

At a recent press conference, VSDS, UDM, Sanders, and Welch celebrated the program receiving its accreditation from the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA) ? an essential step in establishing the teaching program in Vermont.

Sanders and Welch are working to secure $4.6 million in federal funding through the FY25 Congressionally Directed Spending process to support this historic initiative. The funding was recently approved by the Appropriations Committee and needs to be passed by the House and the Senate before being signed into law by President Biden.

The tentative location for the new center will be in Chittenden County.

VSDS, a nonprofit professional healthcare organization whose mission is to improve the oral health of Vermonters and to serve the profession of dentistry in the state, is pioneering the new institution with UDM as it brings more than 90 years of experience in educating dentists worldwide.

Beginning in the fall of 2025, this partnership will include two years of foundational and preclinical education at the UDM School of Dentistry Campus in Detroit, followed by two years of clinical and didactic education at a new dental clinic based in Colchester. The Detroit Mercy-Vermont dental program will offer DDS dental education in the state of Vermont, accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA).

University of Detroit Mercy-Vermont will house modern classrooms with on-site clinics to support its clinical education program and serve as a public health Medicaid clinic to provide dental care to qualifying individuals. Extending its reach beyond its Colchester facility, the new dental program will partner with clinical organizations in Vermont to reach areas with a shortage of dental health professionals and underserved populations.

As Vermont's professional association for dentists, the VSDS works diligently to enhance the oral healthcare environment in the state. With just under 400 members, VSDS includes more than 80% of the state's practicing dentists. VSDS provides resources, educational information, and support for its members and the public and advocates for public policies and systems to improve oral healthcare for all Vermonters.

University of Detroit Mercy is Michigan's largest and most comprehensive independent Catholic university, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). For more information, please visit www.udmercy.edu.

SOURCE University of Detroit Mercy

23 september 2024 at 16:02

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Ideagen earns prestigious recognition in the 2024 The Educator Service Provider Awards





Ideagen is delighted to announce its inclusion in the prestigious 2024 The Educator Service Provider Awards, a comprehensive roundup in the school sector that highlights the best in the industry.

Its Ideagen CompliSpace solution was identified as one of the distinguished contributors to the industry in the School Management Systems and Performance Tracking categories, following an exhaustive four-month research study to identify and showcase the industry's top performers by The Educator, an impartial authority in the education sector.

The Educator's 30+ strong Intelligence Unit determined the winners by following a rigorous process, which included interviewing objective industry professionals, and conducting extensive research. The winners are those who matched the exacting Service Provider Awards criteria.

Chris Sweeney, Managing Editor for Special Reports at The Educator, shared his insights on the selection process, stating, "The range of platforms and solutions created by the nominees, proves how resourceful and inventive the sector is. Ideagen deserve their recognition as winners for showcasing true innovation and for also delivering a proven positive impact on Australian education."

David Griffiths, President of Ideagen Australia and New Zealand, said; "It is a great honour to be acknowledged as one of the industry's finest within the education domain for our Ideagen CompliSpace solution. The customers we support undertake incredibly important work so we are always challenging ourselves to not just meet their needs but to exceed expectations. Being recognised with this Service Provider Award is testimony to that."

This recognition underscores Ideagen's dedication to industry excellence and its continued commitment to delivering exceptional results through Ideagen CompliSpace and its full suite of solutions.

About Ideagen:

Ideagen is dedicated to the safety and sustainability of regulated and high-compliance industries worldwide. More than 16,000 customers trust Ideagen to support them with their risk, quality, safety, compliance and operational efficiency. It has more than 16,000 customers worldwide including more than 1,000 government organizations, over 1,100 schools, more than 1,300 hospital and healthcare centers, nine of the top 10 global aerospace and defense corporations, 15 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies, nine of the top 10 accounting firms, 250 global aviation organizations 65% of the top 20 global food and drink brands as well as some of the biggest names in mining, construction and energy.

CompliSpace is Ideagen's SaaS enabled solution supporting over 1,100 schools to simplify their governance, risk, compliance and policy management obligations, giving time back to do what they do best ? caring for students.

About 2024 The Educator Service Provider Awards:

In May, The Educator called on education service providers catering to schools across Australia to participate in the annual Service Provider awards. Entries were invited across ten categories: learning management systems, recruiters, student and school management systems, interactive learning, performance tracking, suppliers, security software professional development, tech and hardware, and AI for schools.

The Educator team objectively assessed each entry for true innovation and proven success and benchmarked each nominee against the others. By the end of the judging process, the team had narrowed the entries down to 18 of the sector's most outstanding service providers, producing the highly anticipated Service Provider Awards 2024 list.

23 september 2024 at 17:05

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Anura Kumara Dissanayake leaves the offices of the electoral commission after his victory in the presidential election, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on September 22, 2024. DINUKA LIYANAWATTE / REUTERS

It was a long day in Sri Lanka on Sunday, September 22. It took hours of counting before the winner of the presidential election was announced. The results came early in the evening, despite a curfew imposed by the outgoing president, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, 55, was announced as the Indian Ocean island's ninth president and its first Marxist president. Sri Lankans, who turned out in massive numbers  turnout was 77%  opted for a break with the past.

The process of proclaiming the results was a complex one. Dinassayake came out on top with 42.3% of the vote, but failed to break the 50% plus one vote mandate. For the first time in the country's history, the electoral commission had to count "preferential votes." Voters in Sri Lanka can choose a contender or rank the top three candidates in order of preference.

At the end of the count, Dissanayake was well ahead of his rivals: The center-right candidate, Sajith Premadasa obtained 32.7% of the vote and the highly unpopular incumbent president garnered just 17.2% of the vote. "This victory belongs to all of us," wrote the president-elect in a message on X. "Together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history."

No experience of power

This son of farmers who has a degree in science used to be a simple member of parliament. He has no experience of power and his party has only three seats in Parliament. But, in the eyes of Sri Lankans, fed up with the stranglehold of a few nepotistic families who have succeeded one another in power for eight decades, he embodies renewal.

Read more Subscribers only Sri Lankan presidential election: Hope abounds for a new chapter after the 2022 revolution

At the head of the National People's Power (NPP)  a coalition of left-wing parties, trade unions, members of civil society, women's groups and students, formed in 2019  "AKD," as he is known to his supporters, has capitalized on the anger of Sri Lankans, hit for the past five years by a historic economic and financial crisis. This admirer of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro has succeeded in making people forget the violent past of his political group, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, associated with two armed insurrections against the state in the 1970s and 1980s, which left thousands dead.

His victory bore a taste of revenge for the men and women who took part in the great citizens' revolution of 2022, demanding the departure of the president at the time, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in office since 2019 and held responsible for the country's bankruptcy. At the end of these demonstrations, many protesters felt betrayed. Rajapaksa had fled the country, but no real political change followed. Parliament appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe as his successor, who was close to the Rajapaksa family and went to great lengths to protect them. All the demands of the "Aragalaya," the name given to the citizens' movement, were ignored, from the abolition of the executive presidency, which confers huge powers on the head of state, to the fight against corruption and the quest for justice.

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Everything you come across is an opportunity for you to learn; its an opportunity for you to become emotionally intelligent, he noted.
Senator Konneh: I am honored to have chaired this important committee, which sought to ensure that all procurement and execution of contracts comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
A RETIRED member of An Garda Siochana has appeared in court after he was charged with multiple counts of indecent assault.

The man, aged in his 60s, faces a total of 15 charges under the provisions of section 10 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act relating to offences which are alleged to have happened at an address in County Limerick on dates between April 1, 1982 and August 31, 1988.

During a procedural hearing, Judge Patricia Harney was told the defendant replied not guilty to each of the charges adding: It never happened, she and I know it, she is lying through her teeth.

READ ALSO: Boil water notice affecting thousands in Limerick is in place a year

Inspector Gearoid Thompson said the Director of Public Prosecutions has been consulted in relation to the case and that the matter is to proceed on indictment before the circuit court.

He confirmed there was no garda objection to bail subject to the defendant complying with two specific conditions, details of which were submitted to the court.

Solicitor Turlough Herbert confirmed his client was aware of the conditions and that they were agreed.

The matter was adjourned to a date in October to facilitate the preparation of a Book of Evidence.

Judge Harney imposed strict reporting restrictions.
DERRY Magistrate's Court has heard how a woman is alleged to have assaulted two nurses and a consultant at Derry's Altnagelvin Hospital.

Amanda Coleman (39) of Rockmills in Derry appeared charged with assaulting the three individuals on September 21.

She was also charged with disorderly behaviour in the hospital on the same date as well as a charge of possessing cannabis.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

The court heard that police were called to the hospital at 12. 25pm on September 21 due to a female causing a disturbance and being aggressive.

They were told that the defendant had become aggressive and was shouting at staff and patients.

She put one nurse in fear of violence and then as Coleman left the major trauma area she tried to punch another nurse who was walking past.

A consultant told police the defendant had kicked a bottle of water at him and was 'swearing and pointing her finger'.

She was then said to have kicked another bottle of water at a different staff member.

Coleman was said to have left A&E and later that evening was arrested in the city centre.

While in custody a deal bag of cannabis was said to have been found on her.

The police officer said that Coleman was from the Republic and so he believed she posed a risk of flight.

He also said that there was a delay in finding out from Gardai if she had a record in that jurisdiction.

The officer said that when Coleman was brought to see a nurse while in custody she had become aggressive and had had to be brought back to her cell.

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that his client was originally from Limerick and had then resided in Donegal before coming to Derry.

He said that there had been no case made out that she was a flight risk apart from the fact she was originally from the Republic.

He said that she could be released to an address approved by the PSNI.

District Judge Barney McElholm said he would take a chance and release the defendant on her own bail of 500 with a cash surety of 1,000.

She was released to an address approved by the PSNI and banned from the grounds of Altnagelvin Hospital apart from a medical emergency.

Coleman will appear again on October 10.
THE HEAD of the HSE has said that six people are facing a disciplinary process after the death of Aoife Johnston as he apologised to the family again for failings in the teenagers care.

Bernard Gloster said there was still a risk of reoccurrence at University Hospital Limericks (UHL) emergency department, but the risk was now reduced and said the aim was to make the hospital safer.

An independent report found that a grossly overcrowded emergency department and lack of clarity on sepsis protocols were among the factors ahead of Aoifes death at UHL two years ago.

The 16-year-old died at the hospital after waiting for 12 hours to be assessed for suspected sepsis.

Aoife presented to the hospitals emergency department (ED) on the evening of Saturday December 17 2022 following a referral from an out-of-hours GP service which had queried the possibility of sepsis.

She was not administered the appropriate sepsis bundle of medication until 13 hours later, between 7.15am and 7.20am; protocols on sepsis suggest that treatment should take place within one hour.

The HSE published a report on Friday written by former chief justice Frank Clarke, who described the circumstances around her death as almost certainly avoidable.

Mr Justice Clarkes report also said that unless capacity issues at UHLs emergency department are addressed, and despite improvements made since 2022, a risk of reoccurrence will inevitably be present.

On Sunday, Mr Gloster apologised to the Johnston family and said he can only imagine what they are going through.

We can never tire of saying we failed Aoife, we failed her badly. Our failure caused her death and that has led to the devastation that her family are now left with, he told RTE Radios This Week programme.

It is important to start any commentary by recognising that, by restating that and by that motivating us to do what we can now to ensure the system is better than that.

Read Also: Health minister welcomes report into death of Aoife Johnston

Mr Gloster also addressed concerns raised by the Johnston familys solicitor, who said the family wanted people to be held accountable for failings in their daughters care and were unhappy that the report did not have adverse findings.

He said that four members of staff were on administrative leave from their roles and that others are facing disciplinary investigation.

At this point in time six people are the subject of various considerations within the disciplinary process.

He said he will be able to confirm when the process is concluded, whether there were findings against people and whether sanctions were applied  but he said he would not be able to confirm who is the subject of those processes.

Damien Tansey, solicitor for the Johnston family, said that when wrongdoing is exposed, part of the sanction is public disclosure.

Aoife Johnston and the family are in the glare of publicity since her death and that continues. And yet the people who caused it are entitled, according to the HSE, to anonymity.

Mr Gloster said: People can have no doubt that accountability is being pursued here, but this is being pursued lawfully and appropriately and fairly, and lest there be any doubt, everything that Frank Clarke has said to me has been accepted.

The HSE chief said that if Mr Justice Clarke were able to make adverse findings, the report would not have been available for a very, very, very long time.

Mr Gloster said he did not intend to give the impression to the Johnston family during a meeting in previous months that Mr Clarke could make adverse findings.

He said: Had he chosen to make adverse findings in respect of any individual, theres a critical chance his report would have been able to be struck down in the courts were it challenged, thats the first thing.

The second thing is I would ask anyone to reflect on the fact that were the former chief justice of Ireland allowed to make a finding against you in a civil process and a civil report, what chance would anybody stand of a fair hearing under the disciplinary procedures in their contract  and the answer to that is they wouldnt.

He said the choice was not a binary one of either recognising the trauma suffered by the Johnston family or to operate lawfully.

Asked who made the decision on whether adverse findings could be made as part of the independent report, Mr Gloster said that was clear from the terms of reference.

If people wanted and desired accountability in our public services, be it in this case or any other, that accountability if it is not pursued lawfully and appropriately, it doesnt stand up, it cant happen.

Mr Gloster said he made it clear on several occasions before the report was concluded that the issue of accountability rests with him as head of the HSE.

He said that he did not believe a statutory inquiry, as now requested by the Johnston family, would reveal anything different or any greater accountability than Mr Justice Clarkes probe already had.

All of the reports in the world are not going to change the harm that was done to Aoifes family as a result of the failing here, he said.
PUBLIC Health HSE Mid West have put out a last call for students and young people in Limerick to avail of free, walk-in MMR vaccines at third level campuses.

The HSE Mid West vaccination team is asking young people to check their MMR status by asking their parents, their GPs, or their Local Immunisation Office if they missed out on their MMR vaccines as children.

The campus clinics that were provided this month mark the end of the current catch-up MMR vaccine campaign.

Public Health HSE Mid West is encouraging all students to avail of the free programme this week, before the campaign finishes.

Clinics will be held in Shannon College of Hotel Management on September 24 from 12-4pm, TUS Moylish Campus on September 25 from 10am-3pm, Mary Immaculate College on September 26 from 10am-3pm, and the University of Limerick on September 27 from 9am-3:30pm.

The clinic at TUS will be open to the public in surrounding communities.

Those eligible are those born in Ireland from January 1, 1978 and do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines, or those born outside of Ireland of any age who do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Limerick School of Art and Design hosts exhibition of MA students final-year work

Following widespread measles outbreaks across Ireland, the UK, and Europe this year, the Mid-West has experienced its highest number of measles cases since 2018, with a recent outbreak in Clare, linked to other areas, involving up to 16 cases - the largest among recent outbreaks.

Across Ireland, young adults aged between 15 and 24 years of age account for a significant proportion of confirmed measles cases.

Young people who have not received their MMR vaccines, dose one at 12 months and dose two in junior infants, are vulnerable to measles infection which can cause serious illness.

MMR vaccination uptake remains around 91% in the Mid-West region, below the WHO-recommended target of 95%.

Dr Kenneth Beatty, consultant in Public Health Medicine, Public Health HSE Mid West, said that while many people are fully vaccinated against measles, a small number of young people, particularly among those attending college, may not have had one or both vaccines.

We are concerned about the increased number of measles outbreaks across the Mid-West and Ireland, which is why we want young people to make sure that they have their two doses of MMR vaccines. It is possible that a number of young people may not be fully vaccinated, partly due to a period of misinformation and disinformation in the late 1990s and early 2000s around MMR vaccination. Our HSE clinics will include information stands on the day, and we are encouraging all students to speak with our team about the importance of vaccination.
PALLASGREEN councillor Noreen Stokes has been selected by Fine Gael to join Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick O'Donovan on their general election ticket.

With speculation of an autumn election building, parties in Limerick and across Ireland have been finalising their line ups.

And over the weekend, the Fine Gael faithful in rural Limerick did just this, at a selection convention chaired by Cork TD Colm Burke in the Rathkeale House Hotel.

Mr O'Donovan, who first ran and was successful in 2011, will be hoping to be returned to the Dail for a fourth straight election.

READ MORE: Limerick social media star, Sinead OBrien, talks wedding plans and building her business

It will be the first time Cllr Stokes will run for the Oireachtas - coming just a few months after she was elected to Limerick City and County Council at the second time of asking in Jubne.

Fine Gael has now chosen 65 general election candidates in 40 constituencies, including in Limerick, where it will run Minister of State Kieran O'Donnell and Senator Maria Byrne.

Mr O'Donovan said: "I am delighted to have been selected by my neighbours and friends tonight, to once again contest the election in rural Limerick on behalf of Fine Gael. The last few years have not been easy, politically or personally and I am grateful for the support and the vote of confidence in me that the result showed tonight.

Congratulations to Minister @podonovan and Councillor Noreen Stokes on being selected to contest the General Election in Limerick County. pic.twitter.com/TMIaIvewIF  Fine Gael (@FineGael) September 22, 2024

Delivering for Limerick county in the south, east or west is a huge honour. Whether its working to deliver better roads, driving investment in town and village renewal, or building better garda stations - making people feel safe, secure and at home in their communities is something I am serious about," he added.

Mr O'Donovan paid tribute to wife Eileen and his children "for being my rocks during stormy weather".

Cllr Stokes said: "I am privileged members of Fine Gael believed in me to be nominated for this selection convention. I would like to thank Michael Gleeson for proposing me and Bernie Carroll for seconding me. I am looking forward to working with Minister Patrick O Donovan to deliver two seats for Fine Gael in Limerick County."

The general election must take place by next March at the latest.
THE SCRIPT have announced a massive open-air show at Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick next summer.

The concert will take place on Saturday July 12, 2025 and will be their only show in 2025 on the island of Ireland.

James Bay is the very special guest. Todays announcement will surely come as fantastic news for fans who were unable to secure a ticket for the bands five sold-out upcoming November 2024 arena shows in Belfast and Dublin.

Tickets for Thomond Park go on sale this Saturday, September 28 at 10am from www.Ticketmaster.ie

READ MORE: Limerick social media star, Sinead OBrien, talks wedding plans and building her business

After ten billion streams, twelve million album sales, six UK #1 albums and two Platinum-certified US singles, The Script returned with the release of their acclaimed new album Satellites last August.

After reuniting for select shows of collective grieving and joyous communion with The Script family in 2023, the band headed out on a massive tour supporting P!nk across the UK, Europe and America before returning to big stages of their own this autumn. This will see them play to over 2 million fans around the world this year.

Tickets are priced from 59.85 to 75.25 (subject to service charge) and will go on sale this Saturday at 10am from www.ticketmaster.ie.
Earth is set to gain a second 'mini moon' for a few weeks this autumn.

Research published by the American Astronomical Society shows that an small asteroid, roughly the size of a bus, will be captured by Earths gravitational pull and orbit the planet for about two months.

According to the paper authored by Carlos and Raul de la Fuente Marcos of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid; "Earth can regularly capture asteroids from the Near-Earth object (NEO) population and pull them into orbit, making them mini-moons."

The asteroid, known as 2024 PT5, is set to orbit Earth from September 29 until November 25, before returning to its home in an asteroid belt revolving around the sun.

The object that is going to pay us a visit belongs to the Arjuna asteroid belt, a secondary asteroid belt made of space rocks that follow orbits very similar to that of Earth, Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, a professor at Universidad Complutense de Madrid and the lead author of the research, told Space.com.

"Objects in the Arjuna asteroid belt are part of the near-Earth object population of asteroids and comets."

Some of these objects in the Arjuna asteroid belt can approach Earth at a close range of around 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km) and at low velocities of around 2,200 miles per hour (3,540 km/h), Professor Marcos explained.

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"Under these conditions, the geocentric energy of the object may grow negative, and the object may become a temporary moon of Earth. This particular object will undergo this process starting next week and for about two months," he added.

"It will not follow a full orbit around Earth.

"You may say that if a true satellite [like the Moon] is like a customer buying goods inside a store, objects like 2024 PT5 are window shoppers."

Unfortunately for stargazers, 2024 PT5 will be "too small and dim for typical amateur telescopes and binoculars", but will be "well within the brightness range of typical telescopes used by professional astronomers," Prof Marcos said.

He and his team plan to carry out "spectroscopic and photometric observations" of 2024 PT5 to better understand its nature during its visit to our orbit.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin is to attend the opening ceremony of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York.

Mr Martin will attend and speak at a number of events throughout Tuesday, including delivering a keynote address at a UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) event on investing in women and girls in agriculture.

He will pledge Irelands support to the FAOs Commit to Grow Equality initiative, a global process which aims to enhance gender equality and womens empowerment in agri-food systems.

By formally joining the Commit to Grow Equality initiative, Ireland will be pledging to make gender equality a key objective of its agri-food development initiatives around the world.

Ireland will commit 1.5 million euro as part of our contribution to the Commit to Grow Equality Initiative.

This is on top of 7.5 million euro that Ireland has already dedicated to gender equality and womens empowerment, including through programmes that protect and promote womens rights, support women in the agri-food sector and champion womens climate solutions.

The Tanaiste said: Women play a critical role in food production and farming globally but face a range of barriers that hold them back.

Removing those barriers would significantly increase food production and farm incomes in the poorest countries.

By joining the Commit to Grow Equality initiative, we are pledging to put gender equality at the heart of our agri-food work around the world.

Our increased funding for female-led and female-focused food programmes will not only support vulnerable women, it will boost food production and income for communities and entire economies.
Gavin Robinson has made clear the DUP will not collapse Stormont powersharing under his leadership.

The DUP leader said stability was key to his overriding objective of making Northern Ireland work.

The DUP used its veto power to collapse Stormont in 2022 in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

It lifted its boycott on devolution in February on the back of a UK Government command paper that pledged to reduce red tape and remove barriers on trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Sinn Fein used its veto to bring down devolution in 2017  triggering a governance vacuum that lasted three years.

Mr Robinson took charge of the DUP in March in the wake of Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons shock departure after he was charged with a series of historical sex offences  charges he denies.

The party subsequently suffered a bruising general election in July, losing three of its eight seats.

East Belfast MP Mr Robinson delivered his first speech to a DUP conference as party leader on Saturday. He used his address in Belfast to pledge a new direction for the party, with a promise to rebuild and reconnect with voters across Northern Ireland.

On Monday, he was asked to commit to the DUP not collapsing Stormont under his leadership.

I think if you read my speech (on Saturday) or listen to what I said, its the importance that I place on our ability to deliver for people in Northern Ireland, and you can only do that when you have a stable government, when we are making government work for people in Northern Ireland, when we are making Northern Ireland work within the United Kingdom, he told BBC Radio Ulster.

Asked if he was answering yes to the question about never collapsing powersharing, he replied: It is yes. It is yes because it is vitally important for us, but its vitally important for everyone in Northern Ireland that stability brings product, brings progress and shows purposefully what good government can do for you.

Thats not to say that there wont be challenges, of course there will.

Youll have stories every day about the challenges of wanting to do more much more quickly than we can ever hope to achieve, but not lose the sense of purpose. And, for us, theres a constitutional side to that sense of purpose and within that making Northern Ireland work is key.

Mr Robinson then branded as nonsense any suggestion his party could instead boycott the North South Ministerial Council if further issues arise with the co-called Irish Sea border.

There was nothing suggested on Saturday or anything since I became leader that this was even a question, so Im not going to fuel it anymore, he said.

I think its nonsense, and I think people need to grasp what they hear and engage with what they see, rather than look round the corner for dark shadows.

When he became DUP leader, Mr Robinson moved to address concerns held by some unionists and loyalists that his party oversold the Governments Safeguarding the Union command paper by overstating the degree to which it had removed Brexit barriers on trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Mr Robinson has said the DUP should have responded to the command paper with more cautious realism.

On Monday, he said the job was not done when it came to addressing issues on sovereignty and trade.

He noted that the UK government was hopeful of securing an overarching agreement with the EU to bring about a closer trading relationship.

Its not going to come quickly, he added.

Theres no indication that the European Union will settle this discussion within the next two years. And we will continue to champion Northern Ireland and to remove the harmful position that we have been placed in by successive governments who treated Northern Ireland as an afterthought. Thats not where we are, thats not where we want to be, and we will never shy away from championing the best for Northern Ireland.

During ministerial question time at the Stormont Assembly on Monday, First Minister Michelle ONeill was asked to give a similar commitment as Mr Robinson, that she would not collapse the powersharing institutions.

The Sinn Fein vice president told MLAs: I have always been clear that I am here because I want to govern.

Im here in the Executive, leading the Executive, developing a programme for government, bringing forward strategies, trying to make peoples lives better.

I am fully committed to making the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement work, including the Executive and the Assembly.
The new UK Government needs to do better in terms of resetting relations with political parties in Northern Ireland, First Minister Michelle ONeill has said.

Ms ONeill was speaking to MLAs as she said she hoped Westminster would be a partner in rebuilding the derelict Casement Park stadium in west Belfast.

During ministerial questions, Sinn Fein MLA Declan Kearney asked Ms ONeill if she thought the rebuild of the GAA stadium should proceed as a matter of urgency.

The First Minister said: Yes I do, and I think that last Friday when the British Government made a number of announcements that were not in the interests of the people here, was a very poor start to any kind of reset that this new government wants to have with us.

They need to do better.

Casement Park was earmarked as a venue for the Euros hosted by the UK and Ireland in 2028.

However, the Government announced recently that it would not help fund the project for the Euros because the risk of missing the tournament deadline was too high.

It also expressed concerns about how the cost of the project had potentially risen to more than 400 million.

Attention has now turned to whether Westminster will instead provide funding for the stadium to be redeveloped for GAA use.

Ms ONeill told the Assembly: Casement Park must be built. It is a flagship Executive project.

It is something that both the British and the Irish governments have committed to.

We know what the quantum of funding is available from the Irish Government, we know what our Executive has set aside.

We now need to see the British Government fulfil its commitment if they want to be a partner.

I hope they will be a partner in terms of getting Casement built because the economic potential that comes from being able to invest in this site, the state-of-the-art facilities, what it means for gaelic games, what it means for the local economy and job creation, we need to push forward and get this done, it has gone on for far too long.

The Euros unfortunately have passed us by because of inaction, but I think now we are in a scenario where we must move forward and get Casement built.

Mr Kearney asked if the First Minister agreed that rebuilding the stadium would be the spur for wider investment.

Ms ONeill said: I think the economic benefits speak for themselves so we just need to get on and get the stadium built now.

It is much wider, it will be to the huge benefit of west Belfast in terms of that local economy, but it is much wider than that in terms of what the construction of Casement Park will do.

What it means for gaels, what it means for job creation, what it means for growing our economy, it is quite significant and we must now move on and get it done.

In 2011, the Stormont executive committed 62.5 million to the Casement project. The GAA sporting body said it will contribute 15 million.

The Irish Government has offered roughly 42 million towards the project and said this funding remains in place even without the stadium being built for the Euros.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said he does not understand the point in abolishing a new Troubles investigative commission.

Mr Benn said getting rid of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) would mean further delay for families seeking answers over Troubles deaths as well as wasting money.

The ICRIR was set up in May under the Legacy Act.

Many families who lost loved ones during the conflict claim the commission lacks the teeth and independence to properly re-examine their cases.

Last week the Court of Appeal in part allowed an appeal by several Troubles victims against the ICRIR.

The court found that a Government veto power over what sensitive material can be disclosed to bereaved families by the commission is unlawful.

The court also ruled that the ICRIR does not provide victims and their next of kin adequate means to participate in its processes.

The ruling has led to renewed calls from some families for the commission, headed by former Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan, to be scrapped.

Labour has pledged to repeal the Act introduced by the previous government, but has said it will retain the ICRIR.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Benn was asked if he would consider getting rid of the commission.

He said: No, because when the Stormont House Agreement was reached, almost everybody recognised you need a mechanism for recovering information and you need a way of continuing investigations.

And those two functions are in effect combined in ICRIR.

I came to the conclusion that I really dont understand the point in abolishing something, wasting all the money that has gone in, leading to further delays when families want answers.

But we are committed to reforming the way it works.

Mr Benn said he was still studying the Court of Appeal judgment and would not comment on whether it would be challenged.

Delivering his speech to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Monday, the Northern Ireland Secretary said it had fallen to his party to put right the Tory wrong over legacy.

He said: I have met many families who have lost loved ones in the Troubles. I have found it very difficult to listen to their stories.

Imagine what it is like for them as they recount yet again the sheer brutality of what happened.

And some tell of the passing of the years without finding answers.

The Tories Legacy Act has rightly been rejected by victims and survivors, all of the Northern Ireland political parties and the Irish Government, and that is why Labour will repeal and replace it. And we will, of course, make ICRIR, the independent commission whose job it is to find those answers for families, compliant with Article 2 of the Convention on Human Rights.

We will consult widely in doing so. Recognising in doing so that this will require some really difficult discussions and conversations because many people will hold different views about the right way forward.

But do you know what, history teaches us that it is only by coming to terms with the past that we can move forward to the future.

Grainne Teggart, Northern Ireland deputy director for Amnesty International UK, said it should be patently obvious to Mr Benn why the ICRIR needs to be scrapped.

She said: No part of the last governments Troubles Act should stand.

If the Secretary of State is committed to properly addressing the past he should pay attention to what the court said on Friday, listen to victims and repeal the Act and replace the ICRIR entirely.

You cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear; there is no way to make do and mend the ICRIR.

The only option is to bin it entirely and go back to the Stormont House Agreement and build from there.

There must be no more unilateral decisions from Westminster on Troubles legacy, victims deserve better.
Excitement is building at Cistercian College Roscrea (www.ccr.ie) as the Midlands-based secondary school, offering day, 5 day and 7 day boarding, hosts an Open Evening and Overnight Experience for prospective students and their families, from 3pm on Friday, September 27.

The event has attracted widespread interest, with students considering enrolment for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years pre-registering online in advance.

The College President, Colm Maloney is looking forward to welcoming families for a unique insight into daily life at one of Irelands leading secondary schools.

For our upcoming Open Evening Experience event along with overnight experience, were really looking forward to welcoming all interested students and their parents for a fantastic viewing of the College and campus. Cistercian College is a unique place to learn, develop and grow.

The evening will include a guided tour of the College,s led by our very proud current students and staff, to include group activities showcasing the Cistercian College, as well as providing an evening meal and refreshments for all guests in the College refectory.

Those students interested in boarding can avail of the overnight experience and immerse themselves in the life of a boarder at Cistercian College.

For further information, and to register your attendance for the event, parents and students are invited to visit https://www.ccr.ie/Septemberopenday2024 , email the College Admissions team at admissions@ccr.ie or call (0505) 23344.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with top American CEOs, including Google's Sundar Pichai, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Adobe's Shantanu Narayen and IBM's Arvind Krishna, at a tech CEOs roundtable in New York. The roundtable, held at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, was part of the second leg of the Indian Prime Minister's three-day visit to the United States.

In a post on X informing about the meeting, the Prime Minister wrote,Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India.

An official release from the Ministry of External Affairs stated that PM Modi discussed a range of topics during the roundtable, including artificial intelligence, quantum biotechnology and life sciences, computing, IT, communications and semiconductor technologies.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi noted that he will make every effort to make India the third largest economy during his current term and encouraged the technology leaders to seize the opportunities of India's economic and technological growth. The Prime Minister also assured them of India's commitment to protecting intellectual property and promoting technological innovation.

Also Read | PM Modi announces India will open new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles

PM Modi also stated that the Indian government is committed to making India a 'global hub of semiconductor manufacturing' and a 'biotech powerhouse'.

Specifically on the topic of artificial intelligence, PM Modi outlined the government's policy of promoting AI for all, underscored by its ethical and responsible use.

As per MEA, the tech CEO's also expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India while lauding the country's growing prominence as a global technology hub.
Is TikTok toast? Fearing Chinese spying, the U.S. decided to ban TikTok last April if it wasnt sold by January 2025. TikTok owner ByteDance refuses to sell and sued. At a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia hearing last week, Judge Douglas Ginsburg, asked, Why is this any different, from a constitutional point of view, than the statute precluding foreign ownership of a broadcasting license?"

Why indeed. Broadcasters are publishers. Is TikTok?

Social-media companies flourished under the protection of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which states: No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider." In other words, anyone hosting content on a server or platform cant be sued by others for that content.

But were a long way from 1996. Online service Prodigyremember it?lost a 1995 defamation suit brought by bucket-shop brokerage Stratton Oakmont, which sparked passage of Section 230. Remember, no one even had a BlackBerry back then. Now, algorithms and artificial intelligence, not humans, decide whats on our feeds. TikToks FYP or For You Page" algorithm uses AI to serve up videos. The $200 billion question is: Does using AI or algorithms make you a publisher? I think so.

And so does the Third Circuit. On her TikTok For You Page," 10-year-old Nylah Anderson was shown a Blackout Challenge" video encouraging the recording of self-asphyxiation. She hanged herself. Her mother sued and the case wound its way to the appeals court, which noted that TikToks FYP algorithm is not immunized by Section 230 because the algorithm is TikToks own expressive activity." The court did suggest a person searching for videos would fall under Section 230. Humans post, AI publishes.

Social-media companies are allowed to moderate content, removing or leaving up anything they want. The U.S. Supreme Court further established this as a First Amendment right in Moody v. NetChoice (2024). But because these algorithms are now an expressive activity," the companies are publishers and not protected from liability from third-party content under Section 230.

This changes everything. Last year I suggested we needed a Section 230.ai. I think we got it, an implicit word human" added, meaning platforms wont be treated as a publisher of information provided by another human information content provider." Congress should codify this.

Its a new world. Large language models churn out speech by the mile. Chatbots hallucinate and write strange things, spewing statements they think are true but are falselike many politicians. Both OpenAI and Microsoft have been sued for defamation for their chatbots output. Congress and courts should label generative AI companies as publishers, which they are, with all the ensuing copyright and liability issues. They will fight it tooth and nail, but lets call a bot a botthey dont host, they publish.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), a member of the Intelligence Committee who has seen more than most, told Fox News, TikTok is a tool of Chinese Communist propaganda." That expressive activity" is a long way from human information content publisher." Lets treat them this way as publishers. Russian bots feeding us lies arent human either. We need laws structured to shut them down.

Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X may have to change how they operatehow their algorithms and AI fill our feeds. Good. Their outputs are messy anyway, filled with useless ads and other garbage. To maintain their protections under an implicit or explicit Section 230.ai, they need to clean up their act, enabling a more human touch to what we see, with less reliance on algorithms or bots.

Under Moody v. NetChoice, these privately owned and operated platforms can still apply community standards" to moderate content and take down whatever they want. Dont like it? Start your own platform. Sadly, whether government can pressure social-media companies to censor is still an open issue. For lack of standing, the Supreme Court recently tossed a lawsuit trying to limit such interference.

Thirty years is a long time in Techworld. The norm of the mid-1990s was big clunky monitors, 28K dial-up modems and America Online. With no clue about smartphones or 5G, legislation written then inadvertently spawned the digital world we know today, good and bad. This time, legislators should think hard about a future world of chatbots and machine-learning algorithms, with laws that affect billions of digitally connected users. I can easily imagine an AI bot defaming whoever it wants to or, gulp, whoever dares speak against it.

Write to kessler@wsj.com.
Global private equity firm Carlyle is building a $400 million platform in India to acquire and merge auto component makers, two people aware of the plans said.

Carlyle may acquire at least two parts-makers by the end of this financial year and two more in the next 12-18 months, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity, adding it will focus on companies catering to electric vehicles, as well as export-led companies.

Auto parts focus

The firm is looking to build a business with a focus on auto components, especially in the precision machining and forging components in EVs," one of the two people cited above said. It will look to acquire mid-size companies and integrate them," he added. Apart from EVs and exports, Carlyle will also make smaller investments in component makers for commercial vehicles.

The PE firm will look to secure controlling stakes in its investments, the people cited above said. Carlyle did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

Since Carlyle has not found suitable large-sized businesses, it will buy smaller businesses to be integrated later, the people cited above said, in so-called roll-up mergers.

In August, Carlyle acquired Worldpac, a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America from Advance Auto Parts in a $1.5 billion deal.

It is a thesis that they strongly believe in and are looking to replicate in other markets. Besides being a huge domestic consumption play, India can grow as an export hub, especially in the auto component segment and hence, this seems a lucrative opportunity," the second person added.

Competitors's success

Other PE firms have seen success with auto components investments as well.

Carlyles India head Amit Jain, in his previous role as a Blackstone managing director, had led the investment in Sona Comstar, an auto component business supplying to EV manufacturers. Blackstone had created Sona Comstar through the 100% acquisition of Chennai-based Comstar for about 1,000 crore, which was then merged with Sona BLW. When Blackstone exited Sona Comstar, it had made nearly 12 times multiple of its initial capital.

Also read | KKR, GIC & DigitalBridge in fray to acquire Carlyle Nxtra stake

Rival Bain Capital is also in the process of creating an auto components platform. On 17 September, the PE firm said it was investing in RSB Transmissions, which makes automotive, construction, and off-highway equipment systems and aggregates. Bain said it would provide the capital to pursue strategic M&A opportunities towards building a diversified platform through RSB. We are collaborating closely with the Behera family (the founders of RSB) and are committed to building a larger, more diversified platform," Rishi Mandawat, partner at Bain Capital, said last week.

Second Indian platform

This would be Carlyle Groups second platform in India after it set up one in the generic pharmaceuticals segment after partnering Viyash Life Sciences in 2021. Through the platform, it acquired Symed Labs, a manufacturer of niche APIs to enable backward integration.

Carlyle is likely to invest out of its new sixth Asia buyout fund for which it has so far received commitments up to $3 billion for the total fund of $8.5 billion it is looking to raise. On 13 August, Bloomberg reported that the fund has raised a Japan focused fund from investors to invest in high growth opportunities.
Two chip-making giants have discussed building huge factory complexes in the United Arab Emirates that could transform the industry in the coming years and become a cornerstone for artificial-intelligence investments in the Middle East.

Top executives at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the worlds largest chip maker, have visited the U.A.E. recently and talked about a plant complex on par with some of the companys largest and most advanced facilities in Taiwan, according to people familiar with the interactions.

Samsung Electronics also is considering major new chip-making operations in the country in the years ahead, according to other people with knowledge of its strategy. Senior leaders of the South Korean company have visited the U.A.E. recently and discussed the possibility, they said.

Discussions are still in the early phases and face technical and other hurdles that mean they might not pan out. Under initial terms being discussed, the projects would be funded by the U.A.E., with a central role for Abu Dhabi-based sovereign development vehicle Mubadala, which is eager to develop a domestic tech industry. The broader goal would be to increase global chip production and help bring chip prices down without hurting chip-makers profitability, some of the people said.

A Mubadala spokesman said MGX, a state-backed company that is spearheading some of Abu Dhabis most prominent AI investments, had made semiconductor manufacturing a pillar of its strategy and was in regular dialogue with partners around the world," although there are no specific plans currently for a facility in the U.A.E.

The discussions with TSMC and Samsung reflect both the U.A.E.s growing tech ambitions and a global push to fund expanded chip production, in large part to satisfy the needs of the AI boom. Costs have ballooned in recent years, to the point that a single cutting-edge chip factory can require $20 billion. Projects on the scale being discussed in the U.A.E. involve complexes that could contain numerous factories and cost over $100 billion in aggregate.

Abu Dhabi has one of the worlds largest pools of sovereign wealth, and Mubadala said its portfolio of investments was valued at about $300 billion as of last year.

Government officials and industry executives say substantial technical and political hurdles remain. One concern is that chip manufacturing requires large amounts of super-clean water for uses such as rinsing the silicon wafers that microscopic circuits are etched onto. Much of the U.A.E.s water is produced through desalination and would require substantial purification.

There also are concerns about the availability of engineering talent to staff major new factories far from the companies home bases, in a country without much of an existing chip-making supply chain.

If TSMC and Samsung were to go forward, the projects could usher in a next wave of industry expansion following an era of manufacturing growth driven by government subsidies in the U.S., Europe and East Asia.

The U.S. is putting $39 billion of grants into domestic chip-making under 2022s Chips Act, coupled with tax incentives expected to be worth much more. European leaders have cobbled together their own incentive packages, drawing in companies including Intel and TSMC.

As they consider new projects in the U.A.E., TSMC and Samsung have had discussions with U.S. government officials who are concerned about shipments of advanced AI chips into China, a U.A.E. trading partner. The parties have spoken to Biden administration officials about giving the U.S. oversight on the production and shipments of chips coming from any U.A.E. factories, although details have yet to be worked out.

We have worked extensively with the U.A.E. on areas of advanced technology over the last two years, and the partnership is moving in the right direction, " a U.S. National Security Council spokesman said.

The chip makers arent expecting a resolution of U.S. concerns about China to materialize soon, and construction on the factories likely wont start until that happens, according to people involved in the discussions.

The U.A.E. is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and Abu Dhabi, its capital, is a major producer of oil and natural gas. Like other natural-resource powers in the region, Abu Dhabi has sought to diversify its economy in recent decades, using its oil wealth to invest in industries such as aluminum production.

The U.A.E. has made headway recently in its effort to be a player in advanced technologies. OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman has talked with investors in the U.A.E., among other places, about dramatically expanding production of chips, power and other essential inputs for developing AIefforts that ultimately could entail investment of as much as $5 trillion to $7 trillion, The Wall Street Journal reported in February.

Emirati entities have forged ties with other big companies in AI, including a stake in the startup Anthropic of nearly $500 million and recent talks about participating in the latest funding round for Altmans OpenAI. The countrys leading AI company, G42, received a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft this year.

MGX also has partnered with companies including BlackRock and Microsoft on a fund announced this month to invest up to $100 billion expanding and building artificial-intelligence data centers.

Abu Dhabi has invested in the chip industry before, taking control of the former manufacturing operations of Advanced Micro Devices in 2008 as part of a spinoff. There were discussions then about a potential chip plant in the U.A.E. that never materialized. The spinoff, called GlobalFoundries, was listed in a U.S. initial public offering in 2021.

Yang Jie, Berber Jin and Tom Dotan contributed to this article.

Write to Asa Fitch at asa.fitch@wsj.com, Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com and Jiyoung Sohn at jiyoung.sohn@wsj.com
Mumbai: Epsilon Carbon Pvt Ltd's subsidiary expects to sign offtake agreements for lithium-ion cell anode material in the coming six months for both its planned US and Indian manufacturing units, a top executive said.

Epsilon Advanced Materials Pvt Ltd has already passed customer qualification for commercial production at both the sites and signing take or pay deals with these customers will be the final step before it commits to plant construction, according to Vikram Handa, managing director at Epsilon Carbon.

Anode is the negative terminal of lithium-ion batteries that power everything from electric vehicles to electronic devices.

Capacity plants Epsilon Advanced Materials is looking to set up two 30,000 tonnes-per-annum capacity plantsone each in the US and in India. These will be the largest facilities for anode material outside of China and the first plant to supply anode material at scale in India, Handa said. While the US unit is expected to cater to the American market, the Indian plant will initially cater to export demand, according to Handa.

Read more: Gravita India on solid ground with regulatory tailwinds giving it a boost Today, the total US capacity is 10,000 tonnes (per annum). A company like us wants to build 30,000 tonnes (per annum capacity), he said.

Epsilon is working on a similar plant in Finland too, but awaits regulatory nod, which could take about 18 months, he said.

While multiple companies like the Tata Group, a unit of Reliance Industries and Ola Electric are setting up lithium-ion cell plants in India, no company has yet signed a supply agreement with Epsilon for anode material, according to Handa.

In India, everybody continues to buy from China, he said. To be honest, we have been building our business mainly on export customers because we see that as a bigger market.

The company has qualified its anode material product with several customers in Korea and Japan, he said. It has planned additional capacity in the upcoming Indian plant for the local market once demands catches up, according to Handa.

Read more: Indias 20GWh battery capacity yet to take off due to China's visa issues Epsilon Advanced Materials is also exploring setting up cathode manufacturing facilities in India for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry cells. While the anode material is similar for most chemistries of lithium-ion cells, cathode material varies with cell chemistry.

Himadri Specialty Chemicals also has plans of manufacturing cathode active material for LFP cells in India.

Epsilon envisages investments to the tune of 9,000 crore for its anode material plants and about 5,000 crore for cathode plant over the coming 6-7 years, according to Handa. The company has so far invested upwards of 700 crore towards research and development and setting up pilot plants, he said.
Online sellers of refurbished electronics like Apples iPhones and Samsung laptops expect an uptick in business during this years festive season even as consumers face a quandary with new devices becoming more affordable and accessible.

New Delhi-based ReFit Global, which featured in the third season of Shark Tank India, expects to sell more than 350,000 units in the last three months of the year, which would be more than half of its projected FY25 sales, founder and chief executive officer Saket Saurav told Mint.

Prosus-backed Cashify, which buys old devices and sells refurbished ones, may more than double its smartphone procurement numbers to 250,000 to 300,000 a month compared with business-as-usual days, its chief executive officer Mandeep Manocha said.

The weeks leading up to the festival season is when consumers trade their old phones in preparation for new phones, offering us a big opportunity," Manocha told Mint.

Refurbished devices have grown in popularity over the past few years, offering users a cost-effective way of securing trendy smartphones and laptops at a fraction of the original price.

The festive season, which usually starts in August during Raksha Bandhan or Independence Day and goes on until New Years Eve, typically brings a 30-40% increase in demand for refurbished items, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where price sensitivity is higher, according to an e-commerce executive who did not want to be identified.

Cashifys Manocha noted that users are increasingly looking at premium brands like Apples iPhone and Samsung devices, aiming to make aspirational purchases and stay in line with trends.

The Indian consumer base is heterogeneous, and there are consumer personas who seek refurbished devices owing to their growing accessibility, affordability and availability," Prabhu Ram, vice president (industry research group) at CyberMedia Research, told Mint.

Also Read: Refurbished smartphone sales soar as new devices struggle

Moreover, refurbished devices too come with monthly payment options, which make the proposition more attractive.

E-commerce platforms have further normalised second-hand purchases by showcasing verified, certified refurbished items alongside new products, making these items more mainstream and accessible. Improved aesthetics, packaging, and flexible financing options have also contributed to the shift in perception," said the e-commerce executive quoted earlier.

Indias second-hand market has benefitted device makers, too. In 2022, refurbished iPhones accounted for 11% of Apples secondary smartphone sales, up from 3% in the previous year, making it the fastest-growing refurbished brand in India, according to estimates by Counterpoint Technology Market Research.

Consumers wary

However, many value-conscious consumers are starting to face a dilemma about buying repurposed devices, especially when new devices are becoming more affordable and easily accessible.

Last Friday, Apple's iPhone 16 hit the stores at one of the lowest first-day prices for any new iPhone. With bank tie-ups, discounts and exchange offers, the iPhone 16 base model could be purchased for 48,900 compared with the official price of 79,900.

Over the years, online festive sales such as Flipkarts Big Billion Days and Amazons Great Indian Festival as well as offline sales in Reliance Digital and Croma have offered consumers affordable deals as well as easy financing options, making first-hand purchases an attractive proposition.

If I get the option to avail no-cost EMI on a purchase of a brand new 50,000 smartphone, Im okay with buying it over a refurbished one," said Mayur, a 23-year-old marketing executive in Bengaluru who opts for a repurposed mobile phone once in four years.

Durga, a chef based in Mumbai, added that she is willing to spend more money on a new iPhone if she gets a sizeable discount from its listed price during Flipkarts Big Billion Days sale which is scheduled to begin on 26 September.

Once touted to be a fast-growing segment, Indias handset refurbishment market is now slowly decelerating, hurt by growing market maturity and consumers upgrading smartphones less frequently. According to estimates by Counterpoint Research, the market grew in high single digits in 2022, against 20% growth every year from 2020 to 2022.

The market also remains largely unorganised, requiring companies to work towards educating users about authenticity.
ALEXANDRIA, Va.Trial proceedings in the U.S. governments antitrust case against Googles advertising business have provided a rare window into internal company anxieties about its central role in the buying and selling of ad space online.

The Alphabet unit is on trial over its software used to place display ads, those ubiquitous digital billboards served in fixed boxes on millions of websites every day.

The Justice Department spent nearly two weeks presenting evidence for its claims that Google has a stranglehold on this advertising technology, and abuses that dominance to extract anticompetitive rates from advertisers and publishers who sell ad space.

Government lawyers have said some of their strongest evidence is in Googles own internal communications.

Witnesses so far included YouTube Chief Executive Neal Mohan, who previously ran Googles display-ads business and faced heat on the witness stand for an email he wrote to colleagues in 2010. At the time, a new crop of ad-tech companies were threatening Googles bottom line.

One way to make sure we dont get further behind in the market is picking up the one with the most traction and parking it somewhere, Mohan wrote.

Google ended up buying one such company, AdMeld, for $400 million in 2011. Google shut down AdMeld two years later, after incorporating some of the startups technology into its ad exchange, known commonly as AdX.

The Justice Department argued that AdMeld was part of a larger trend: Google acquiring nascent rivals to corner the market and then locking customers into using its products by conditioning access to one software tool on them paying for another.

Under friendly cross-examination by a Google lawyer, Mohan denied that he was suggesting to buy AdMeld to eliminate competition. The acquisition filled a gap in Googles product offerings, allowing it to deliver better results for customers, he said.

Rather than taking a larger slice of the pie for itself, Google was growing the pie for every part of the industry, he said.

In a 2016 email introduced by the government, Google executive Jonathan Bellack asked colleagues: Is there a deeper issue with us owning the platform, the exchange, and a huge network? The analogy would be if Goldman or Citibank owned the NYSE [New York Stock Exchange].

On the witness stand, Bellack, who has since left the company, testified that he wasnt saying Google had conflicts of interests but rather airing potential concerns of other market participants.

The Justice Department also cited a 2018 email from another then-executive, Chris LaSala, who raised concerns internally over the 20% cut that Google takes from many of its AdX customers, saying Google was extracting irrationally high rent from users.

I dont think there is 20% of value in comparing two bids, wrote LaSala. AdX is not providing additional liquidity to the market. It is simply running the auction.

Another former Google executive, Eisar Lipkovitz, testified that Googles omnipresence in ad-tech gives rise to conflicts of interest. Lipkovitz was rebuffed when he tried to get Google to lower the cut it took from AdX, he testified in a prerecorded deposition.

The Justice Department finished presenting its case on Friday. Other witnesses included Google customers. One was Stephanie Layser, a former News Corp executive, who said she felt she had no choice but to use Google technology because the search giant has such market power that switching to another ad server would have meant losing out on millions in advertising revenue.

Layser now works at Amazon.com. News Corp, The Wall Street Journals parent company, has been an outspoken Google critic and was among the companies contacted by antitrust investigators.

Googles legal team in the civil case will spend the coming week presenting its defense. The company says the government has presented a contorted view of the advertising market. It makes no sense to focus on display ads, Google argues, when the industry is shifting to apps, social media and streaming services.

Far from monopolizing the space, Google is actually losing ground, Google lawyer Karen Dunn said in her opening trial statement earlier this month.

There will be no witness in this case who can say with clarity where this industry is going in the next five years, Dunn told the court. Not even in the next year.

The case will be decided by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia. It could be several months before she issues a ruling.

If she rules against Google, she could order the company to sell off parts of its ad-tech business, which by some estimates is worth upward of $100 billion.

Brinkema has given little indication of her views. But one question she posed to a witness suggested she is weighing how a breakup of Google would affect the market.

During the testimony of Jed Dederick, an executive at Google ad-tech competitor The Trade Desk, Brinkema asked what would happen to the ad-buying experience if, as a result of this litigation, Google were blown apart and data were spread out among 10, 15, 20, and 30 little entities.

Dederick responded that the resulting lack of scale wouldnt be a problem for market participants.

Publishers wouldnt let their ads go unsold, he said.
Brands that embraced influencers for their reach, authenticity and affordability are recalibrating strategies, as they target maximum bang for their marketing buck. For several consumer brands that swept over YouTube and Instagram thanks to the wide reach of influencers, returns on investment (ROI) are beginning to nag.

Influencer marketing in India may grow from 2,344 crore in 2024 to 3,375 crore in 2026, according to an April report by EY, which also noted that the biggest challenge for marketers was determining ROIs of their campaigns.

Also read | Brand hopping may no longer be an option for social media influencers

While there is no set definition of ROI, brands generally measure it on the basis of views, clicks, engagement and affiliate link sales an influencers post generates for them. However, it may or may not be possible to measure all these on every occasion," said Shankar Prasad, founder of Plum, a beauty and skincare brand that has partnered creators since 2016.

Budgets trimmed

Plum, which used to spend 20-30% of its marketing budget on influencers till three years ago, has now trimmed it to 15%, Prasad said. Initially, when influencer marketing was a new thing, everybody overestimated it. Now that we are getting a data-driven perspective, we are trying to calibrate and size it to the optimum level," he added.

While some brands decreased their budgets, others are allocating them differently for optimum returns.

Sidhant Keshwani, founder of ethnic wear apparel brand Libas, said that the company is focusing on creator-driven commerce by tracking sales through affiliate links and coupon codes unique to creators. By doing so, brands can invest more effectively, compensating revenue-generating creators on a commission-based model that aligns closely with their profit and loss objectives," he said.

Others are going for the smaller influencers. According to the EY report, Nano influencers had the highest engagement rate compared to other influencer categories." Besides, since they have below 10,000 followers, they charge less as well. There is just one catch thoughInfluencer management agencies mostly represent and push for top influencers.

Also read | Influencers ready for a festive haul of brand tie-ups

Many of the smaller influencers have a good reach, and it is cost-efficient for brands like us to work with them. But, I dont think the influencer marketing agencies do a good job at collating and representing these creators," said Ganesh Sonawane, founder of consumer healthcare brand Frido. Hence, his company has hired an executive to coordinate with influencers directly, avoiding agencies. Sonawane said the executive reaches out to about ten small influencers each day and picks two of them who can meet the brand's requirements. Frido prefers running whitelisted ads on Meta since they perform better than other formats, he said.

Its important to match the right brand with the right creator," said Akshita Kant, associate director of influencer marketing firm IPLIX media. "We need to understand their objective of the campaign, if its for awareness, ROI or sales. Creators, if given enough context and creative freedom, can bring ample results for brands," she said, adding it is important for the brands to work with the right agency that has a good mix of both big and small influencers represented fairly.

Whitelisted ads

Whitelisted ads are ads that run on a social media platform through a creator's account rather than the brand's own account. This helps the brand leverage the authenticity factor.

Meanwhile, some brands riding the wave of influencer marketing are experiencing hardships but are not taking any particular steps to resolve them.

Perfora, an oral healthcare brand invests around 15% of its 30 lakh monthly marketing budget on influencers. The company, which is working with influencers for the past nine months said it sees every two of five collaborations not doing well. However, its founder Jatan Bawa, sees this as part of the process." The brand has not increased its influencer marketing percentage in its marketing budget. To be sure, its marketing budgets has grown as the company grew.

Also read | Brands fret as negative influencers rise, pushed toward credibility

According to Ayaz Abr Ahmed, an influencer on Instagram who posts lifestyle content to his 151,000 followers, user-generated content works better than scripted content from brands, in terms of reach and ROI, thanks to its authenticity. "Brands need to ensure that the creator promoting or reviewing their products has personally used it. They also need to have a certain level of trust in the influencer they are working with and give them a little freedom to create and be innovative with the content," Ahmed said.
(Bloomberg) -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pressing for Germanys approval of Eurofighter Typhoon jet sales to Turkey, amid signs the two NATO allies are trying to improve ties.

The Turkish leader is set to bring up the issue with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz when the two meet on Monday in New York, where they traveled for the UN General Assembly, according to people familiar with the matter.

Turkey is pushing for a deal with an estimated value of about 5 billion ($5.6 billion) to buy at least 20 Eurofighter warplanes with an option to double the amount, the people said, asking not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Germanys defense ministry and government declined to comment. The government in Berlin expects Turkey to raise the issue during Mondays bilateral meeting, but there may not be an immediate decision, according to officials from Germanys ruling coalition, who asked not to be identified by name, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

Germany has blocked sales of the jet to Turkey for more than a year now, primarily due to Turkeys row with Greece over energy exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, a conflict dating back to 2019. Erdogans renewed push to get Scholz to approve the deal comes against a backdrop of some improvement in ties with the European Union.

Germany is the only hold-out in a four-way consortium that produces the Eurofighter.

In order to change that, Turkey  a fellow member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization  is highlighting what it says is its critical role in slowing migration into Europe. It has also recently reined in offshore energy exploration in some areas to appease Greece and lobbied for increased defense collaboration, telling allies that it would boost deterrence along NATOs southeastern flank.

The Turkish government also wants to buy Meteor guided missiles and has asked for access to Eurofighters mission computers to integrate domestic missile systems, the people said.

Turkeys defense ministry declined to comment.

In July, Erdogan urged Scholz to lift his block on the sale during a meeting in Washington. Earlier this year, Germany lifted a block it had placed on the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia.

The EU is accelerating plans to improve ties with Ankara following a thaw between Greece and Turkey, which applied to join the BRICS alongside Russia and China in search of new alliances.

Erdogan is trying to modernize Turkeys air forces since the US ousted the country in 2019 from the program to buy  and help build  Lockheed Martins more advanced F-35 fighter jets, which regional rival Greece is preparing to receive in the coming years.

--With assistance from Michael Nienaber and Kamil Kowalcze.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the Securities and Exchange Board of Indias (Sebi) direction of a valuation exercise in Linde Indias related-party transactions case.

Linde India had approached the top court challenging a recent Securities Appellate Tribunals order that also rejected the companys appeal against the Sebi-directed valuation exercise on Friday.

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said: If the order has been dismissed in SAT, at this stage, we cannot interfere in the matter.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, senior counsel appearing for Linde India, informed the top court that the main matter is scheduled for 15 October before SAT. Therefore, in the meantime, if a valuation exercise is carried out, it would make the main matter infructuous.

Also Read: Will Linde India really benefit from semiconductor business? Singhvi argued that if the valuation is done and published ... and if the main matter is deeming the valuation wrong ... and if that is published on the stock exchanges, it would create a huge scare in the market since Linde is a publicly listed company. None of the shareholders are affected. When the allegations were made, the share price was 600 per share, and today it has risen to 9,900 per share.

On 29 April, Sebi, in its interim order, said Linde India was carrying out material related-party transactionswhich on the surface seem significantwithout first obtaining shareholder permission. The company did not make any valuation available to its board when the decision to award future businesses to related parties was made.

Now that the case has reached the Supreme Court, the company has taken a very peculiar argument in the matter. That is, if the valuation were to be disclosed, it would cause havoc in the market and shake investors confidence in ignorance of the primary intention of the LODR Regulations, which is to keep the stakeholders duly informed about details of such transactions by listed entities. Therefore, the Supreme Court has rightly refused to interfere with the order passed by SAT, said Amarpal Singh Dua, an Independent advocate before the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, in an order on Monday, Sebi asked the NSE-appointed valuer MM Nissim and Co Llp again to maintain strict confidentiality of the information shared by Linde for the valuation exercise in compliance with the 13 September directions by SAT.

The matter is in regard to various transactions and agreements that Linde India entered into with Praxair India and Linde South Asia Services, both of which are related parties of the company.

Also Read: Kalyani family feud could take a fresh turn as a crucial will surfaces Sebi had asked the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to appoint a registered valuer to carry out a valuation of the business foregone and received, including by way of geographic allocation, in terms of the joint venture (JV) and shareholders agreement (SHA) between Linde India and Praxair India that led to the formation of Linde South Asia Services.

On Friday, a bench led by Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar and Dheeraj Bhatnagar held that we direct the Sebi to issue necessary order/clarification that NSE and the valuer appointed by NSE shall be bound by the unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI) confidentiality norms.

While the tribunal also clarified that information to be divulged for valuation exercise shall be kept confidential by Sebi, and the UPSI will be given due protection in accordance with Sebi rules.

Before SAT, Linde India argued that there was no urgency warranting immediate valuation exercise. The NSE-appointed valuer has sought details from 2016 and such old details are not readily available. Dhond added that hearing of the main appeal before this tribunal is scheduled on 15 October, and if the companys appeal is allowed, the entire exercise of valuation would be futile."

Also Read: Bombay court ruling raises questions on Sebi's power to punish company promoters Further pointing out that there could be potential risk of leakage of the UPSI related to the company. The senior counsel mentioned that the company has been called upon to furnish the same to the valuer who is a third party and such the UPSI may have serious consequences in the securities market and may potentially impact investors confidence.
(Bloomberg) -- Messaging app Telegram will provide users IP addresses and phone numbers to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests, according to Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov.

The platform changed its terms of service to deter criminals from abusing it, Durov said in a post on Telegram Monday. The move comes less than a month after his arrest in France, where he faces charges of alleged complicity in the spread of child sexual abuse materials.

The move represents a marked difference from Telegrams approach to government requests for data and its reputation for lax moderation. The United Arab Emirates-based platform has been notoriously non-responsive to takedown requests from governments around the world, and often ignored requests for information about suspected criminals.

The app, using artificial intelligence and a team of moderators, has now begun to conceal problematic content from its search results as part of its efforts prevent misuse, Durov said.

French prosecutors in August charged the Russian-born Durov in connection with alleged crimes committed on the app. The case portrays the billionaire CEO as the head of a company that refused to provide law enforcement with data to assist legal wiretaps on suspected criminals.

Durov, who has been ordered to remain in France during the investigation, denies the charges.

Under Durov, Telegram has drawn the ire of governments ranging from the European Union to authoritarian regimes in Russia and Iran. It has been used by protesters seeking to organize against the authorities, while also becoming a hub for conspiracy theorists and extremists.

White supremacists in the US, for instance, for years have used Telegram to coordinate attacks on power infrastructure.

The Kremlin in 2018 attempted to block Telegram, only to reverse course two years later after failing to shut down the service. When the ban was dropped, the Russian regulator said Durov had signaled that he would help counter extremism and terrorism.

Durovs arrest has led to a number of policy changes at Telegram. Earlier this month, Telegram disabled new media uploads, which Durov said was aimed at stopping bots and scammers.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
As one of the chief architects of Amazons Alexa, Rohit Prasad has been at the vanguard of artificial intelligence. Now, he is leading the companys effort to catch up in the AI race.

The Seattle company was taken aback by a surge in competitors AI capabilities. It turned to Prasad to upgrade the technology for its Alexa voice assistant and reboot the companys AI ambitions.

Alexawhich is integrated into more than 500 million devices around the worldhas been one of the dominant AI assistants, along with Apples Siri and Googles Assistant. OpenAI released ChatGPT, and the AI races rules changed.

Amazon put thousands of people in a new team under Prasad to develop AI products for an Alexa upgrade and other businesses. The company has been building its own large language modelsthe software behind generative AIand it is taking time to train and fine-tune the powerful technology.

While it is expected to unveil a new Alexa with AI as early as next month, Amazon insiders say the company has struggled to catch up with OpenAI, Microsoft, Alphabets Google and others that fixated on the new AI earlier. Amazons proprietary AI models are still behind those of its biggest competitors, say insiders and industry analysts.

If Amazon cannot regain its edge in AI, it risks losing its position as a front-runner in tech innovation.

At this point, theyre not leaders," said Gil Luria, an analyst with investment bank D.A. Davidson.

Amazon has said it isnt behind and that it is playing the long game with AI. No matter which companys AI software succeeds, it expects soaring demand for its cloud business because of the intensive computing resources required. Chief Executive Andy Jassy has said he expects AI to drive tens of billions of dollars of revenue for the company over the next several years.

Amazon declined to make Prasad available for an interview. A spokesman for the company said it expects him to drive AI-model development in the way he led advances in speech-recognition technology.

Prasad, 48 years old, has long proclaimed that interactive AI is a challenging undertaking to build, even though the dream of such AI has been part of science-fiction novels, movies and television shows for decades.

This need to communicate to a machine has been there for a reason in fiction," Prasad said in an Amazon video in 2022.

As a child, Prasad first became interested in the potential of talking computers by watching Star Trek." He eventually became an expert in natural language understanding in machines and built his career around the technology. That background fit well at Amazon, which sought in the early 2010s to make a virtual assistant that could understand and respond to spoken commands.

In 2023, Prasads role evolved from Alexa head scientist to leading the companys most aspiring tech team. The group is trying to compete in the world of large language models and generative AI, the technology behind ChatGPT.

This article is based on accounts from people who have worked on Amazons AI efforts.

Making Alexa smarter

Amazon has worked on machine learning and other forms of AI for years. Still, the company was later than its competitors in building the large models needed for generative AI, which uses software trained on vast amounts of data to generate solutions. The technology can have conversations and respond to complicated instructions.

Within hours of ChatGPTs release in late 2022, Prasads Alexa team started experimenting with it. They were impressed with how easy it was to use and the knowledge it could surface on various topics. Staff asked ChatGPT to generate code for Alexa features such as smart-home control, and its results were at times better than those from Amazons internal systems.

Prasad called a meeting with employees to discuss what impact ChatGPT might have on the tech industry. Within weeks, they devised a plan to catch up. Amazon accelerated work on a large model named Titan and started a newer model named Olympus. It planned to use its models to remake Alexa and deploy them in other businesses.

The company shifted thousands of employees to the new team under Prasad and labeled it the AGI group as a nod to its ambition to eventually develop artificial general intelligence, the next level of AI that can outperform humans.

Amazon demonstrated a smarter Alexa a year ago. The updateknown internally as Remarkable Alexahas taken longer than expected to get ready for release to the public. Delays in developing new products arent unusual for cutting-edge technologies.

Doing the basic and complex

Insiders say Prasads group has struggled with accelerated deadlines and getting its company-created AI to work properly. Goals have changed often, deadlines have been rushed and the group has sometimes proven too unwieldy to innovate quickly.

Before the ChatGPT boom, Amazon had been adding to the tasks Alexa could handle, making the assistant work seamlessly across various products and trying to build a profitable business. Amazon has put Alexa into cars, microwaves and even eyeglasses.

Prasads expertise for Alexa was natural language understanding and accuracy, answering common questions such as Whats the weather today?" with few flaws. Before ChatGPT, not much work was being done with large language models and Alexa.

Amazon has struggled to use its latest internal AI models to overhaul the assistant. As Amazon infused large language models into Alexa, the voice assistant became less reliable for simple tasks. In some tests, for example, it lost the ability to turn on the lights with 90%-plus reliability.

The Amazon spokesman declined to comment about delays and troubleshooting on its latest AI projects.

Prasad said in an interview last year that generative AIs creative and conversational capabilities can prevent it from reliably performing basic tasks.

If you came in and said, Alexa, Im feeling hot here or I feel this is too warm, it should come back and ask you, Do you want to turn down the thermostat or lower the temperature? It shouldnt tell you to go to the beach," he told an analyst in the interview posted on YouTube. This is why AI is such a hard problem, because the context is so crucial."

In-house technology

As with many tech companies, Amazon prefers to develop its own technology to have full control over its products and services. As the AI race has progressed, the company has increasingly leaned on partnerships. It invested $4 billion in AI startup Anthropic and recently hired employees from Adept AI. It also has partnerships with Meta Platforms and others.

While Amazon had planned to depend on its own models for Remarkable Alexa, it later decided to integrate AI technology from Anthropic and others.

With Amazon planning to spend more than $100 billion over the next decade on data centers to help meet AI demand, the internal pressure to produce its own AI products has been growing. CEO Jassy has been more involved with the AGI group than is typical. He has met with its leadership about every four to six weeks.

Amazon is planning an event to show off new device updates that might highlight some of Alexas upgrades. It has planned to include a more conversational Alexa that can help draft messages and give advice on shopping. The company has considered charging consumers for the smarter Alexa.

Amazons competitors have also been launching chatbots and upgrading the capabilities they have.

Apple recently unveiled its Apple Intelligence system with a souped-up version of its Siri assistant. The system will be available on the companys new iPhone 16 models. Google recently introduced a new generative-AI assistant for its phones.

Jim Oberman contributed to this article.
In a recent social media platform, X, Anil Agarwal, an Indian industrialist known as the metal king, highlighted the disparity between consumption growth and domestic production across several key sectors over the past three years.

Agarwal noted, Growth of copper consumption was 22 percent while production of copper concentrate grew only 4 percent. For aluminium, consumption grew by 13 percent, but raw material bauxite only grew at 6 percent.

He further pointed out similar trends in ferroalloys and steel, where demand outpaced domestic production of raw materials.

This imbalance, according to Agarwal, is leading to a steady increase in India's mineral and metal imports. He emphasised that natural resources already account for a significant portion of the country's import bill, stating, Already 50 percent of our annual import bill, around USD 380 million out of USD 760 million, is on account of natural resources.

With India's economy projected to grow rapidly, the demand for metals and oil is expected to accelerate further, potentially exacerbating the import situation.

Agarwal called for increased private sector involvement in mineral exploration and streamlined clearance processes. He suggested, We should look at brownfield expansion of assets like Hindustan Copper, Bharat Gold Mine, and Hutti Gold Mines with private sector participation.

The industrialist argued that leveraging India's substantial geological potential could reduce imports and create numerous job opportunities, particularly for less-skilled workers, potentially eradicating poverty.

Agarwal concluded by drawing parallels with other developed nations, stating, Every country that has advanced has made optimal use of below-the-ground resources. We should also.

Copper industry outlook in India The mining industry plays a pivotal role in India's economic development, providing essential raw materials for key industrial sectors. As a country rich in mineral resources, India is well-positioned to leverage its natural wealth to fuel industrial growth and enhance its global competitiveness, as per the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) report.
New Delhi: Software solutions startup Techjockey Infotech Pvt. Ltd. has filed an insolvency case against cash-strapped airline SpiceJet for an alleged default of around 1.18 crore.

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the case for consideration and issued a notice to SpiceJet. The case is scheduled to be heard in November.

The insolvency plea, filed under Section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), aims to initiate insolvency proceedings against the airline for default that stems from a 2021 agreement wherein SpiceJet acquired cloud services.

According to Techjockey's counsel, the company sent several invoices and raised demands for payment, to which SpiceJet did not respond, prompting the filing of the insolvency petition.

This case adds to a list of insolvency cases against SpiceJet for unpaid dues to various vendors and aircraft lessors. However, none of these pleas have resulted in insolvency proceedings against the airline to date. Some have been dismissed by the NCLT, while others have been withdrawn after settlements, with some still pending final decisions.

The parties filing various insolvency cases include Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin), Willis Lease Finance, Celestial Aviation, Aircastle, and Alterna Aircraft. Three entitiesAWAS 36698 Ireland, AWAS 36694 Ireland, and AWAS 36695along with Shannon Engine Support Limited and Engine Lease Finance B.V., and Raymach Technologies Pvt., have also filed cases.

The NCLT rejected the pleas of Willis Lease Finance and Wilmington Trust SP, while SpiceJet settled with Celestial Aviation, Alterna Aircraft, and Raymach Technologies Pvt., all of which have withdrawn their cases against the airline.

The pleas from Aircastle, AWAS 36698 Ireland, AWAS 36694 Ireland, and AWAS 36695 remain pending, as do those from Shannon Engine Support Limited and Engine Lease Finance B.V.

Wilmington Trust and Willis Lease Finance have moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to challenge the NCLT's dismissal of their insolvency pleas.

Spicejet's QIP plans SpiceJet on Monday said it had raised 3,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP), which opened on 16 September and closed on 18 September. The airline reported an overwhelming response from qualified investors, significantly oversubscribing the offering, reflecting strong confidence in the companys growth prospects.

SpiceJet claimed that the diverse pool of top-tier institutional investors and mutual funds reaffirmed the market's belief in SpiceJets ability to navigate industry challenges and capitalize on growing demand in the aviation sector.

Prominent global investors include Goldman Sachs (Singapore), Morgan Stanley Asia, BNP Paribas Financial Markets ODI, Nomura Singapore Limited ODI, Tata Mutual Fund, Discovery Global Opportunity Ltd, Societe Generale ODI, Authum Investment and Infrastructure Limited, Bandhan Infrastructure Fund, White Oak, Carnelian Bharat Amrikaal Fund, 360 ONE Equal Opportunity Fund, and The Jupiter Global Fund.

According to the airline, in addition to the 3,000 crore raised through its QIP, SpiceJet will also receive an additional 736 crore from a previous funding round, further boosting its financial stability and growth plans.

The strong response from investors and institutions is a testament to their faith in SpiceJets potential to rapidly scale and become a formidable player in Indias burgeoning aviation market. This fundraise marks a pivotal moment for SpiceJet as we look to scale new heights in the aviation industry," said Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director of the airline.

This fresh capital raised by SpiceJet will be crucial in helping the airline overcome its financial woes and settle with various creditors, primarily the lessors involved in ongoing litigations in the NCLT, Delhi High Court, and the Supreme Court regarding unpaid dues. Recent court orders have mandated the grounding of leased engines and aircraft in return for these unpaid dues, mounting troubles for the airline.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court rejected SpiceJet's plea against a Delhi high court order requiring the airline to ground three engines leased from Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS over unpaid dues, compelling the airline to ground these engines.

According to media reports, SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh claimed that the airline aims to increase its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2026. Singh indicated that SpiceJet plans to quickly return its 36 grounded aircraft to service due to a lack of spare parts.

By March 2025, the airline expects to have a fleet of 40 aircraft, equivalent to what Akasa Air will have, with plans to add another 40 thereafter.

SpiceJet's share price surged 10% on Monday, hitting an intraday high of 72.8 per share on the BSE after the news of the QIP.
Japanese jet fighters fired warning flares at a Russian military reconnaissance plane that violated Japans airspace on Monday, the first time Tokyo has taken such an aggressive stance against incursions of its airspace mostly carried out by Moscow.

A Russian IL-38 patrol plane entered Japanese airspace three times between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. local time Monday as it flew over waters off Rebun Island, the northernmost part of Japans major Hokkaido island, Japans chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said.

Tokyo has lodged an extremely stern protest" with Moscow for the violation, Hayashi added.

Russias Defense Ministry didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Russian military has increasingly operated around Japan in recent years, engaging in exercises with the Chinese military as Moscow and Beijing forge deeper ties against the West and its allies.

The Russian and Chinese navies set out at the weekend to conduct naval exercises with warships in the Sea of Japan, to repel an attack by a simulated enemy from the air, water and underwater, according to state news agency RIA. Earlier this month, the two navies also carried out naval drills described by Russian President Vladimir Putin as necessary to counter the U.S. in the Pacific.

On Monday, Japans air force scrambled F-15 and F-35 jet fighters in response to the first airspace violation, and the jets began firing flares during the third one-minute incursion by Russia around 3:42 p.m.

It was the first time Japans air force has fired flares since it started deploying only defensive measures against airspace violations in 1958.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said the air force took the action only after issuing warnings to the opponent." He refused to comment when asked if the Russian patrol plane was flying with other Russian aircraft. The plane wasnt undertaking particularly dangerous actions, he said.

Since the days of the Soviet Union, Russian military aircraft have been the most frequent violators of Japans airspace, according to Japanese government figures. Out of 48 airspace violations, some 44 were carried out by the Soviet Union or Russia, Japan said. Most of the rest were conducted by China, and one by Taiwan, according to the defense minister.

Last month, a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft flew into Japanese airspace for about two minutes above Danjo island, west of Japans main southern island of Kyushu, the first such violation by a Chinese military plane.

Also on Monday, four Russian warships, including two destroyers and two frigates, sailed through the Soya Strait in the Sea of Japan, together with four Chinese warships, including two missile destroyers, according to Japans Defense Ministry. The strait, also known as La Perouse Strait, divides the Russian island of Sakhalin from Hokkaido. In 2022, a Chinese and Russian fleet together sailed around Japan and conducted a joint exercise in the East China Sea.

Kate Vtorygina contributed to this article.

Write to Chieko Tsuneoka at chieko.Tsuneoka@wsj.com
MUMBAI : Even as furniture startups such as Reliance Retail Ltd-backed Urban Ladder and Pepperfry Ltd are witnessing a sales plateau, investors are gung-ho about a small-ticket niche in the segment. Over the last few months, they have backed about half a dozen home decor startups selling kitchenware, bathware, living room accessories, etc.

Home and lifestyle brand Nestasia, founded in 2019 by Aditi Murarka Agrawal and Anurag Agrawal, raised about $8.35 million on 10 September, led by Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital and Stellaris Venture Partners. According to data from Tracxn, it is one of the largest funding rounds in the space, leaving aside HomeLane (Homevista Decor and Furnishings Pvt. Ltd and LivSpace, which also offer interior design services.

Similarly, Vaaree, founded in 2022 by Garima Luthra, Pranav Arora and Varun Vohra, raised $2.5 million in May in a pre-Series A round led by Capier Investments, with the participation of Peak XVs Surge Ventures. In September 2023, it raised $4 million.

Startups such as Decortwist, founded in 2022, and Nestroots, founded in 2016, have also found backers.

The home decor and kitchen market, valued at $15 billion, is growing rapidly as consumers increasingly seek higher-quality products and fresh designs. Despite strong customer demand, building a standout brand in this category has proven challenging, leading to limited venture capital (VC) interest," Rahul Chowdhri, partner at Stellaris Venture Partners, told Mint.

The big opportunity

While big players such as Flipkart's Myntra, Nykaa (FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd), Amazon India and furniture startups Pepperfry and Urban Ladder have home decor as a category, theres an opportunity for companies to build a business focused just on this segment, according to industry experts.

A company that can consistently deliver innovative designs while maintaining tight control over inventory has the potential to scale and become a major player in this space," Chowdhri added.

The category has seen a lot of interest after the covid-19 outbreak, according to Satish Meena, advisor at data platform Datum Intelligence. This is happening across income groups, also because of improved catalogues offered by these companies," he said.

Many of these companies with a singular focus on home decor have better designs. Customers have more trust in direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands than in the past," he said, adding that the investor interest is directly proportional to how much sales and scale these companies can generate. All these things are working together."

To be sure, these startups have their work cut out for them. The market is dominated by players like Ikea and Home Centre.

The Swedish multinational conglomerate recorded a 61% rise in India sales to 1,768 crore in 2022-23. Lifestyle International-owned Home Centre's revenue stood at 642 crore in the same fiscal.

In comparison, Nestasia recorded a revenue of 37 crore in 2022-23, compared to 22 crore in 2021-22, while Vaaree posted a revenue of 2 crore in its first year of operations (2022-23).

Though the ticket size is small, investors seem to be betting on the order frequency. While the average order value (AOV) is relatively lower than that of home design and furniture segments, the frequency of purchases is much higher. An average customer buys 5-10 times a year, compared to just once or twice in a lifetime for home design purchases."

Vaaree follows a factory-to-home model, connecting high-quality local manufacturers and artisans with the end consumer". On the other hand, Nestasia launches new products every week, which is supposed to be a pulling factor.

"Two key trends are seen prevailing in the sector that are key reasons for peaking investor interest, namely premiumization, where shoppers now prefer well-designed, higher quality products, as well as the emergence of branded purchase. Branded market share, although still a small percentage of the overall largely unorganised market, is a positive influence," said Nestasia's co-founder Aditi Murarka.

Also Read: Home decor shines thanks to wood panel and tile makers

Trampoline, a business-to-business home decor startup offering retailers buyer experience akin to a D2C site, also raised $5 million from Matrix Partners and Waterbridge Ventures in June.

Its great to see more startups verticalised in home decor, building more tech-enabled solutions and driving higher efficiencies across the value chain," said Anushka Mahanti, co-founder and chief commercial officer, Trampoline.

The social-media boost

Kitchenware, gifting and home decor are among the top 10 sub-categories that consumers are looking to buy from quick-commerce platforms, according to Datum intelligence's festive sales forecast.

Moreover, short videos across social media platforms are the third-most preferred source of research for consumers, according to the report.

This change in the way customers discover products has also led to increased organic discovery of such players, as compared to a time when Amazon or Flipkart were the only two product-discovery platforms.

If you go to Amazon, these items' discovery isnt great. But if you have a dedicated space, it gives a better chance to deliver a unique experience," said Meena.

With a focus on non-furniture items, these companies also shed a major logistics burden. Returns were a big issue in the furniture segment as the cost of return logistics was very high due to the size and weight of the products. With the option of logistics partners providing distributed warehousing, a lot of these brands are also offering the same and next-day deliveries," said Meena.

The volumetric weights, shipping, storage and overall logistics complexities for our categories compared to furniture are relatively lower, according to Agarwal of Nestasia.

The lull in the furniture segment

Besides these startups raising funds, the space hasn't seen much activity lately.

Pepperfry and Urban Ladder, which have raised $300 million and $108 million so far, respectively, are struggling to stay afloat. In fact, Pepperfry, which claims about 65% market share in the organized furniture market, is reportedly exploring a sale.

Pepperfry's revenue grew 10% to 272 crore in 2022-23, while Urban Ladder's revenue declined nearly 15% to 193 crore in the same fiscal year.

India's furniture market, on the other hand, is witnessing healthy growth and is likely to reach $39 billion by 2027, according to data portal Statista.
A ministerial panel on Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate rationalisation is set to convene on September 25 in Goa, where it will likely discuss possible adjustments to tax slabs and rates, PTI reported.

The meeting of the GoM on rate rationalisation is scheduled for September 25 in Goa, an official told PTI, as quoted by PTI.

The six-member Group of Ministers (GoM), led by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, last met on August 22. Following that meeting, the panel submitted a status report to the GST Council on September 9.

At the August meeting, the GoM directed the fitment committeecomprising tax officials from both the Centre and statesto assess the impact of potential tax rate changes on specific items and to collect additional data.

The current GST system in India operates under a four-tier structure, with tax rates of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. Essential goods are either exempt from GST or taxed at the lowest rate, while luxury and demerit goods attract the highest tax slab of 28%, along with an additional cess.

There have been discussions about merging the 12% and 18% tax slabs, but no formal proposals have been made to date.

One reason for these talks is that the average GST rate has dropped to around 12%, significantly lower than the revenue-neutral rate of 15.3%. This decline has fueled the debate over the need for rate rationalisation.

Some states, including West Bengal and Karnataka, have expressed reservations about altering the current GST structure.

Also Read | Nifty and Sensex outperform most global indices amid robust market rally

What other minister said? West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, after the August meeting, stated, "I have said there should be no changes in the GST slab."

Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the need to evaluate the implications of any changes. What do you achieve by disturbing it? We said in the next meeting we will discuss it (reducing slabs), Byre Gowda remarked.

Also Read | UK finance minister Reeves vows no austerity despite tough budget

Apart from Chaudhary, the GoM also includes Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Rajasthan Health Services Minister Gajendra Singh, and Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal.
New Delhi: The national rural job guarantee scheme that gives millions of the poorest Indians employment is unlikely to see a higher allocation in FY25, two people aware of the matter said, citing government hopes of an improvement in the rural economy this year on the back of better rains.

Allocations for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)  considered a lifeline for the rural poor  are unlikely to be increased during FY25, the first person mentioned above said.

"The allocations will remain the same unless there are major problems with the rural economy, in terms of famine or other challenges. But  the rainfall this year has been better than the last year, and as a result, the rural economy is in a much stronger position," the person mentioned above said, requesting anonymity.

"The growth trend in the rural economy is expected to better its urban counterparts with favourable monsoon conditions and improved sowing data sustaining the upward trend in rural demand," the person added.

Overall private consumption growth during Q1, FY25 surged to a two-year high of 7.4% as against 4% in Q4, FY24 and 5.5% in the year-ago period. Separate figures for rural consumption are not available.

The Centre allocated 86,000 crore towards MGNREGS for FY25 in the annual budget presented in July.

Also read | Budget 2024: MGNREGS unlikely to see higher allocation Initial estimates for MGNREGS stood at 60,000 crore and 86,000 crore for FY24 and FY25, respectively. However, spending overshot estimates in FY24, indicating high demand for rural jobs.

While the revised FY24 estimate for MGNREGS stood at 86,000 crore, the actual spending touched 1.06 trillion, according to data from the rural development ministry.

During FY24, the government's first supplementary demand for grants for MGNREGS sought an additional sum of 14,524 crore. These grants are typically sought when the original appropriations prove insufficient to meet ongoing expenses.

Additional funding However, during FY25, the government is unlikely to seek additional funding under the supplementary demand for grants for MGNREGS, the second person mentioned above said.

Also read | No direct steps, but there's still budget cheer for car, 2-wheeler, tractor cos Interestingly, the annual budget 2023-24 (FY24) had allocated 60,000 crore for MGNREGS, sharply lower than the outlay of 89,400 crore for FY23.

During FY25, between 1 April and 23 September 2024, the average days of employment provided per household under MGNREGS stood at 33.93, compared to 52.08 days innall of FY24, according to data from the ministry of rural development.

The total number of households employed under MGNREGS in the same period of FY25 stood at 44.3 million, compared with 60 million in all of FY24

As things stand, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides a minimum of 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to the poorest households in rural India.

Days under the scheme usually increase when the overall rural economy is weak and people are out of work.

Experts said allocations towards MGNREGS are directly linked to the state of the rural economy, with demand for jobs under the scheme going up when the rural economy is not doing well.

"The demand for MGNREGS typically goes up when people in the rural areas are out of work or when they face crop failures. The MGNREGS also supports farmers between the two crop-sowing seasons," said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at the Bank of Baroda.

"However, if you take FY24, there was a demand for jobs under the MGNREGS as the rural economy was weak. This year, so far, the demand for jobs under the MGNREGS has been lower since the rural economy is doing better as compared to last year," Sabnavis added.
New Delhi: Indias unemployment rate taking into account both men and women of ages 15 years and above inched up to 3.2% between July 2023 and June 2024 from 3.1% in the same year-ago period, according to the governments periodic labour force survey.

But taken separately, unemployment among the two genders showed a slightly different trajectory.

"While the same (unemployment rate) for males has shown a marginal decline from 3.3% during July 2022-June 2023 to 3.2% during July 2023-June 2024, among females it has increased from 2.9% to 3.2% during the same period, according to the PLFS annual report released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI) on Monday.

The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labour force who are not employed.

Meanwhile, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above stood at 60.1% between July 2023 and June 2024, with men at 78.8% and women at 41.7%, MoSPI said in a statement.

Overall LFPR in usual status for persons of age 15 years and above has increased from 57.9% during July 2022-June 2023 to 60.1% during July 2023-June 2024, it said.

LFPR for females of age 15 years above in usual status has increased from 37.0% during July 2022-June 2023 to 41.7% during July 2023-June 2024. For males of the same age group, the LFPR in usual status increased from 78.5% to 78.8% during the same period," it added.

The labour force participation rate is the ratio of the total labour force to the total working-age population, expressed as a percentage. Typically, the working-age population is defined as people between the ages of 15 and 64.

Meanwhile, the worker population ratio (WPR) for persons aged 15 years and above stood at 58.2% for July 2023-June 2024; WPR for men stood at 76.3% and women at 40.3%.

WPR in usual status among females of age 15 years and above has shown an increase from 35.9% during July 2022 and June 2023 to 40.3% during July 2023 and June 2024. The overall WPR among persons of the same age group in usual status has increased from 56.0% during July 2022 and June 2023 to 58.2% during July 2023 and June 2024, the ministry added.

The worker population ratio measures the percentage of people in a population who are employed.

Also read | Enterprise and employment: We need dynamic firms to generate jobs

Increasing labour force participation Among other key findings of the PLFS report were an increasing trend in the labour force participation rate for persons aged 15 years and above, and an increasing trend in worker population ratio for the same age group.

In rural areas, LFPR increased from 50.7% in 2017-18 to 63.7% in 2023-24 while for urban areas it increased from 47.6% to 52.0%. LFPR for males in India increased from 75.8% in 2017-18 to 78.8% in 2023-24 and the corresponding increase in LFPR for females was from 23.3% to 41.7%, the survey said.

"In rural areas, WPR increased from 48.1% in 2017-18 to 62.1% in 2023-24 while for urban areas it increased from 43.9% to 49.4%. WPR for males in India increased from 71.2% in 2017-18 to 76.3% in 2023-24 and the corresponding increase in WPR for females was from 22.0% to 40.3%, it added.

The survey also said that the unemployment rate in rural areas decreased from 5.3% in 2017-18 to 2.5% in 2023-24 while in urban areas it decreased from 7.7% to 5.1%.

The unemployment rate for males in India decreased from 6.1% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24 and the corresponding decrease for women was from 5.6% to 3.2%.
Canada has announced a reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025, a move that will adversely impact Indian students who aspire to study there.

With this reduction, Canada has cut its study permit target by 10% from the 2024 goal of 485,000 down to 437,000 for the year 2025. In 2023, the number of study permits issued to international students reached a peak of 500,000.

The 2026 intake cap for study permits will be consistent with the 2025 cap, and the 20252026 study permit quota will include both master's and doctoral students, who are now required to provide a provincial or territorial attestation letter.

The reduction will significantly affect Indian students, who make up almost 40% of all international students in Canada. From 2013 to 2023, the number of Indians immigrating to Canada increased from 32,828 to 139,715, marking a 326% rise, according to the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP).

The enrolment of Indians at Canadian universities has also rose more than 5,800% in the last two decades, from 2,181 in 2000 to 1,28,928 in 2021.

There are about 13.35 lakh Indian students studying abroad of which about 4,27,000 are studying in Canada, shows recent data released by the Indian government.

Also Read | Canadas foreign student quota cut may force Indians to head to East Europe

In a post on X, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Canada government is granting 35% fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that numbers going down by another 10%.

"Immigration is an advantage for our economy  but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down, he wrote adding that stricter regulations will be implemented for foreign workers.

Were reducing the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers and shortening the duration of their work terms. We adjusted the program after the pandemic, but the labour markets changed. We need businesses to invest in Canadian workers, Trudeau added.

Notably, international education accounts for over $22 billion in economic activity annually in Canada. This is greater than its exports of auto parts, lumber or aircraft, and supports more than 200,000 jobs in Canada.

The decline in international student numbers in 2020 led to a loss exceeding $7 billion in Canada's gross domestic product for the same year.

Additional measures Canada is taking to manage the volume of temporary residents: The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program is being updated to more closely align with immigration objectives and the demands of the labour market.

From later this year, work permits will be available exclusively for spouses of students enrolled in master's degree programs of at least 16 months' duration.

For anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit on or after 1 November 2024, a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required.

Also Read | How likely is an Air Canada strike and what impact would it have?
KERKDRIEL, the NetherlandsFor much of the spring and summer, Jeroen van Diesen got paid for using electricity.

Sometimes his neighbors came over to power up too, generating even more cash.

Van Diesens situation reflects the strange, new dynamics of electricity that could soon become the norm in many parts of the world: A big increase in wind and solar power has pushed wholesale prices to zero or below for many hours of the year, spurring a sea change in the way people use powerbased on whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.

Most people pay a fixed price for each kilowatt of electricity they consume throughout the day. The price is set by their power company and only changes at infrequent intervalsonce a week, a month or even only once a year.

Van Diesen, a software salesman, recently signed up to receive electricity from two providers that charge him the hourly price on the Dutch wholesale power market, rather than a fixed price that resets monthly or annually. When the price of electricity falls low enough, smart meters in his house begin charging his two electric cars.

Wholesale prices swing wildly each hour of the day, and even more so as a larger share of electricity flows from wind and solar installations. Because the generation costs of wind or solar farms are negligible, market prices will be near zero when there is enough renewable power to cover most of a regions electricity demand.

Electricity market dynamics get weirder when renewable-energy producers dont have an incentive to stop feeding power into the grid, usually because of government subsidies. Then grids can be flooded with excess power, pushing prices into negative territory.

Van Diesen said hes made 30 euros, equivalent to around $34, over the past five months charging his car, enough to cover the service fee from his power supplier, a Norwegian company called Tibber.

Im charging the car for free," said van Diesen, who is part of a group of clean-energy enthusiasts in the Netherlands who call themselves green nerds. To me its also like a hobby and a gamehow far can I go?"

Doing laundry in the evening? The electricity could be free a few hours later when demand dies down and the wind picks up. Likewise, in regions with lots of solar power, charging an electric vehicle in the morning is usually far more expensive than powering up under the midday sunor whenever the price is right.

In the U.S., most states dont currently allow such real-time pricing, but many think that will change. Already, in some of the worlds biggest economies from Western Europe to California, the occurrence of zero and negative wholesale power prices is growing fast.

Negative prices

Wholesale prices across continental Europe have fallen to zero or below in 6% of all hours this year, up sharply from 2.2% in 2023 and just 0.3% in 2022, according to data collected by Entso-E, the group of European transmission system operators. In markets with lots of renewable capacity, this years figure was higher: 8% in the Netherlands, 11% in Finland and 12% in Spain. Analysts expect those numbers will grow as more solar panels and wind turbines are installed.

The changes sweeping Europes electricity markets, which were accelerated by the energy crisis brought on by the war in Ukraine, show what could happen in the U.S. in a few years when renewable capacity reaches a similar scale. In 2023, 44% of EU electricity was generated by renewables, compared with 21% in the U.S.

In some U.S. marketssunny California, the wind-swept Great Plains, and Texaszero and negative prices are already common. The wholesale price in Southern California was negative nearly 20% of all hours this year because of the regions boom in solar-panel installations. That compares to around 5% last year, according to data collected by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

U.S. regulators have been cautious about allowing households and companies to sign up for electricity plans that charge them wholesale prices, fearing consumers could be hit with big bills if prices jump. Texas consumers who signed such contracts were walloped with huge bills in 2021 when a rare winter storm sent prices soaring.

States reluctance, however, may now be waning as policymakers increasingly see real-time pricing as a way to lower peak demand, reduce the need for costly infrastructure and integrate more renewables into the grid.

California regulators this year ordered the states utilities to expand dynamic price pilot programs that have only been available for a select group of customers.

Your overall power bill still wont be zero in a clean-energy future. Generation costs comprised around 60% of customer bills on average in the U.S. in 2023. Transmission and distribution costs account for most of the restand are expected to grow sharply in the coming decade to reinforce the grid for electric heating, electric transport and data centers.

Negative prices could also be reined in over the next few years as governments from Europe to California pare back renewable-energy subsidies. Governments are particularly focused on trimming subsidies for solar power, which is driving negative prices in a number of markets.

Green nerds

In Europe, energy-hungry manufacturers are shifting their operating strategies to maximize energy consumption when prices are close to zero or negative, while throttling back when prices are high.

Linde, a U.K.-based engineering company, is building a new generation of industrial gas plants that can be quickly ramped up and down depending on the wholesale price of power.

When solar and wind power drive prices down, Lindes plants fire up and send the output to large tanks. When electricity prices shoot up again, the plants can ramp back down and supply customers out of the gases stored in the tanks.

The tank functions like a virtual battery," said Klaus Ohlig, a research and development executive at Linde Engineering.

Trimet, an aluminum producer that is one of Germanys single-largest power consumers, is overhauling its smelters to vary their power consumption depending on the availability of renewable energy on the grid.

A new European Union law requires dynamic-price power contracts be made available to consumers across the 27-nation bloc. Tibber, a power retailer based in Norway that charges its customers the wholesale hourly price, has signed up more than one million households across the Nordic countries, Germany and the Netherlands.

Edgeir Aksnes, Tibbers co-founder and chief executive, says he doesnt expect customers to constantly track the hourly price before deciding when to charge their car or run appliances.

We can automate all of this for you. You dont have to think about it," he said.

Some enthusiasts, however, like to get into the weeds.

Wouter van Embden, a 49-year-old Dutch entrepreneur and one of the countrys so-called green nerds, switched to Tibber earlier this year. On a recent summer Sunday, the battery in his home began charging as solar power flooded the Dutch grid and the wholesale power price fell to zero. He also charged his two electric cars and programmed his heat pump to make the water in the house tank extra hot.

Toward the evening, as prices rose with the drop-off in solar, van Embdens batterywhich he and his son built at homewould power his home as well as feed into the Dutch grid.

I have to be honest, when I started building the battery I had so many outages. There was a lot of testing to do," he said. But now its working pretty stable."
American Airlines Capt. Dan Carey knew his cockpit equipment was lying to him when an alert began blaring pull up!" as his Boeing 777 passed over Pakistan in Marchat an altitude of 32,000 feet, far above any terrain.

The warning stemmed from a kind of electronic warfare that hundreds of civilian pilots encounter each day: GPS spoofing. The alert turned out to be false but illustrated how fake signals that militaries use to ward off drones and missiles are also permeating growing numbers of commercial aircraft, including U.S. airlines international flights.

It was concerning, but it wasnt startling, because we were at cruise altitude," Carey said. Had an engine failure or other in-flight emergency struck at the same time, though, the situation could be extremely dangerous."

Pilots, aviation-industry officials and regulators said spoofed Global Positioning System signals are spreading beyond active conflict zones near Ukraine and the Middle East, confusing cockpit navigation and safety systems and taxing pilots attention in commercial jets carrying passengers and cargo.

The attacks started affecting a large number of commercial flights about a year ago, pilots and aviation experts said. The number of flights affected daily has surged from a few dozen in February to more than 1,100 in August, according to analyses from SkAI Data Services and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.

Modern airliners heavy reliance on GPS means that fake data can cascade through cockpit systems, creating glitches that last for a few minutes or an entire flight. Pilots have reported clocks resetting to earlier times, false warnings and misdirected flight paths, according to anonymized reports shared with government and industry groups.

Aviation-safety officials said spoofing has disrupted some flights but hasnt posed major safety risks. While pilots are trained on how to use non-GPS navigation systems as a backup, managing the bogus GPS signals and alerts risks dividing pilots attention if a more serious problem strikes.

If we lose an airplane because of workload issues because of these problems were encountering, compounded with an emergency, that is going to be a horrendous event," said Ken Alexander, the Federal Aviation Administrations chief scientist for satellite navigation, during a pilot union forum this month in Washington, D.C.

Airlines are huddling with aircraft makers, suppliers and air-safety regulators to develop short-term workarounds and longer-term fixes. Equipment standards designed to harden civilian aircraft against spoofing wont be issued until next year at the earliest, according to people familiar with the matter.

Pilots are meanwhile getting preflight briefings about how to identify potential spoofing and respondwhich may at times include turning off certain features or ignoring false pull up!" commands from a safety system heralded for sharply reducing crashes.

Pilots in some cases have pulled up unnecessarily, according to industry officials. Other aircraft systems, including pilot messaging services, have been thrown off when cockpits draw false time and position data from spoofed signals.

Researchers said the volume of faked GPS signals has surged over the past six months. Most spoofing attacks come from powerful electronic-warfare transmitters in Russia, Ukraine and Israel, said Todd Humphreys, a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Hand-held devices can also spoof GPS signals in a smaller area.

Civilian flights apparently havent been targets, though that is little comfort to commercial pilots flying through some of the worlds busiest air corridors.

These pilots are doing double duty in the cockpit," Humphreys said, citing pilot reports. He said the industry and regulators should fast-track work to harden planes against spoofing before one has an accident. This is embarrassing for the airline industry, for the carriers and for the FAA," he said.

The variety of attacks across different locales have caused a range of problems, according to anonymized reports collected by OpsGroup, an aviation-safety organization that includes pilots, dispatchers and other airline staff.

A spoofed GPS signal in September 2023 nearly sent a private Embraer jet into Iran without clearance, a misdirection that could have led the plane into hostile airspace. The crew of an Airbus A320 departing from Cyprus in July reported a severe map shift" in the cockpit and the failure of a separate navigation system. A Boeing 787 the same month aborted two landings, one of them 50 feet above the ground, after the loss of a GPS signal kicked off a series of instrument problems.

The FAA said it knew of no spoofing events in the U.S., though industry and government officials said there have been sporadic reports in recent years of possible spoofing or other types of GPS interference that can cause similar disruptions.

In October 2022, GPS interference disrupted air traffic at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Some planes went off course, and one got too close to another aircraft on final approach in a minor violation of federal rules that keep planes safely apart, according to a government official. Pilots had to rely on conventional navigation systems for their approaches for about two days.

The FAA earlier this year said it found no proof of intentional interference and was continuing to examine the cause.

GPS spoofing has disrupted operations in Europe but hasnt endangered flights, said Florian Guillermet, executive director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Pilots have had to divert to airports they werent intending to land at, and earlier this year an airline temporarily halted operations to an Estonian airport that wasnt equipped with ground-based navigation as a backup for GPS.

The risk is growing in terms of the number of occurrences," Guillermet said in June.

Industry and government officials are weighing how to address the immediate risks.

Carriers including United Airlines and American Airlines have been discussing new procedures that would allow pilots to reset cockpit circuit breakers when confronted with false GPS data.

Airlines and regulators are generally reluctant to let pilots reset systems using circuit breakers, a step that could require them to stand up or introduce other risks such as electrical issues. Boeing hasnt endorsed the procedure on its 777 aircraft, people familiar with the matter said. The FAA declined to comment on the procedures.

Boeing said manufacturers, carriers and regulators globally are contributing GPS expertise for solutions to ensure safety. Boeing and Airbus are working with airlines to help develop procedures to assist pilots, the companies said.

United and American said their pilots are equipped with several ways to navigate with precision, even with GPS interference. American said it hasnt experienced disruptions or significant safety concerns from GPS interference.

Industry officials are urging pilots to stick to manufacturers and regulators procedures, given the absence of uniform guidance. We dont want a do-it-yourself approach," said Andy Uribe, an aviation-security expert with the Air Line Pilots Association union, during a panel discussion last week.

Christopher Behnam, who retired in August as a Boeing 777 captain at United, said he frequently encountered GPS interference flying into the Middle East.

We are trained for these things, so you stay calm and you just follow the procedure," Behnam said. Still, he said, when pilots rely on GPS to land in low-visibility conditions, spoofing could get very, very, very alarming."

Write to Andrew Tangel at andrew.tangel@wsj.com, Drew FitzGerald at andrew.fitzgerald@wsj.com, Adrienne Tong at adrienne.tong@wsj.com and Carl Churchill at carl.churchill@wsj.com
New Delhi: The union government is looking to reduce the tax on marine diesel oil (MDO) by building consensus to bring it under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), among other options. The goal is to reduce costs for coastal and inland shipping to help companies become more competitive and attract more cargo for this relatively less-polluting mode of transport.

The ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MOPSW) will ask the ministry of finance and states to consider reducing taxes and bringing MDO under GST while considering additional incentives for the nascent sector, according to three people aware of the developments.

Revenue loss from the exercise will be minimal as marine fuel consumption accounts for about 1% of Indias fuel consumption. Even if states lose some revenue, they could be compensated for this under GST, one of the people cited above said.

India's demand for petroleum products including petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and naptha is expected to touch a new high of 238.95 million tonnes this fiscal year. At this level, consumption of marine oil would be around 2.4 million tonnes.

Queries sent to the ministry of finance and MoPSW were not answered immediately.

Oil accounts for 40% of operational cost Rakesh Singh, secretary, ICC Shipping Association, said, Reducing taxes on marine diesel oil used by coastal ships and inland waterway vessels would help bring down the high operational costs. Oil cost is almost 40% of operational cost for coastal shipping and any cut in this would be a big boost to the sector.

He added, The reduction in taxes can easily be brought by placing MDO under GST for coastal shipping and inland waterways as 95% of the segment consumes this lighter oil as compared to the heavy bunkering fuel used by large intercontinental ships. Bunker fuel has attracted 5% GST since late 2017 and this rate applies to foreign-going vessels and the movement of container cargo ships on Indian coastal routes.

The GST rate on bunker fuel was initially set at 18% on the recommendation of the GST Council. On seeing that the high rate of GST on bunker fuel supplied to foreign-going vessels was making India less competitive vis-a-vis neighbouring countries, the GST Council recommended a reduction in GST to 5%. The council said this GST rate on bunker fuel would encourage coastal shipping at par with foreign-going vessels and obviate the administrative problems of monitoring the end-use.

Another official in the directorate general of shipping, MoPSW, who did not wish to be named, said the proposal to reduce taxes on MDO and bring it under GST was being discussed, and that his office was collecting data on the volume and variety of fuels consumed by the sector.

MoPSW has also discussed the matter with states at the Maritime State Development Council. The MDO proposal will require approval from states at the GST Council meeting to be cleared.

The official quoted above said a proposal to allow all coastal and inland vessels to use bonded bunkers  special fuels with lower taxes  was also being discussed. The shipping ministry has undertaken a comprehensive study of the issue and taken up the matter with the finance ministry, this person said. The finance ministry has sought a few clarifications, for which discussions with oil marketing companies are underway, the person added.

Cant be done without incentives Singh of ICC Shipping Association said case studies of several European countries show that coastal and inland waterways cant be developed without government incentives.

MoPSW has launched various schemes for the promotion and development of coastal shipping and inland waterways under the Sagarmala programme. About 231 projects with a cost of 14,526 crore have been planned to facilitate a shift of more cargo from land-based transportation to waterways. Another 25 projects worth 2,906 crore are aimed at providing infrastructure for coastal handling of cargo.

Also read: Why GST Council cannot ignore the health insurance row

The shipping ministrys roll on-roll off cum passenger ferry (ROPAX) service is aimed at reducing travel time, vehicular emissions and traffic on roads. About 75 projects related to the development of ROPAX and passenger jetties have been identified under the Sagarmala programme and are being implemented across the country.
Debt-laden telecom operator Vodafone Idea Ltd is in fresh talks with the Centre over the recalculation of what it believes is wrong labelling of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues, its chairman Ravinder Takkar said during a conference call with investors on Monday.

Backing the statement at a press briefing, the Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the telecom major remains in talks with the communications ministry and both parties are looking for a deeper understanding of the matter.

We have been engaging with senior government officials with a clear view from every side that merits of the case, with reference to calculation errors and mistakes, and penalties and interest on the mistakes, Takkar said.

"The Centre has asked us to comprehensively view what we believe is the right mechanism and request for addressing the challenge because there's a clear understanding in the government that it should not be fair to ask us to pay for a calculation error, he added.

Also Read | Vodafone Idea to conduct investor meet on Sept 23 after SCs AGR verdict setback

Funding talks Vi's senior executives added that it remains in discussions with banks for additional funding, including waiving bank guarantees worth 27,000 crore for further financing, which are developing positivelywith solutions expected in the coming weeks.

Talks for identifying funding sources are expected soonerwithin the next seven to eight weeks.

The telco currently has a net AGR liability of 70,300 crore, as opposed to 21,533 crore based on its own assessment.

AGR is a revenue-sharing model between the Centre and telecom operators, which was established in 1999 following the governments move away from a fixed lofty licence fee model.

Cash generation from our business will go towards paying the government debt, small bank debt and vendor dues. Deliveries of equipment for services expansion will commence by the second half of the upcoming quarter. Once the initial supplies are taken care of, further supplies will continue regularly, and a 10,000-crore revolving line of credit from vendors will persist, said Akshya Moondra, the telco's chief executive, during the investor call.

The apex court relief in the AGR issue was deemed pivotal to Vis future. Vi is currently in massive debt and is the only telco out of the three private ones in the country without commercially available 5G services.

On Sunday, however, Vi announced a 30,000-crore deal with Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung to expand its services, informing shareholders through an exchange filing that this was the first move out of the companys six-year capital expenditure plan of 55,000 crore.
Arkade Developer IPO: After the announcement of share allotment last week, lucky allottees and market observers are eagerly waiting for the announcement of the Arkade Developer IPO listing date. In the wake of the 'T+3' listing rule, the share listing will most likely be on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024. The public issue received a strong, decent response during the subscription date, and the grey market continues to remain bullish on the book build issue.

Arkade Developer IPO GMP today According to stock market observers, shares of Arkade Developer Limited are available at a premium of 65 in the grey market today. This means the Arkade Developer IPO GMP (grey market premium) today is 65, which is 5 higher than the weekend GMP of 60. They said that the positive response by investors and the bullish trend on Dalal Street could be the reason for the rise in the grey market sentiment. They noted that the grey market signalled that Arkade Developer IPO listing price would be at a whopping premium.

Arkade Developer IPO listing price Market observers said that Arkade Developer IPO GMP today is 65, which means the grey market expects that Arkade Developer IPO listing price will be around 193 ( 128 + 65). So, this Arkade Developer IPO GMP suggests that an allottee may expect a listing gain of around 50 per cent against one's investment.

Infographic: Courtesy mintgenie

However, stock market experts said that GMP should not be taken seriously as it is non-regulated and has nothing to do with the company's financials. They noted that GMP can be artificial on some occasions as it involves even those with a high stake in the public offer. They advised allottees to stick with the convictions they developed while scanning the company's balance sheet. They said that the company's financials give an idea about its fundamentals in the medium to long term.
Shares of Kajaria Ceramics Ltd have lagged the Nifty 500 index so far in 2024. While the Kajaria stock has gained about 16%, the index has risen by 25%. Kajarias stock market underperformance can be attributed largely to weak demand in the tiles sector. Still, Kajarias returns are not insignificant. A saving grace is that the company began 2024-25 clocking an 8% year-on-year growth in sales of tiles by volume in the June quarter (the first quarter of FY25), far ahead of the industrys 3-4% growth.

Kajaria is looking at a low double-digit growth in volumes in FY25 aided by extensive branding and distribution efforts. In the second quarter, however, the monsoons are likely to spoil the party as it is a seasonally weak period when construction activities typically slow down. Thus, momentum is likely to gather pace only in the second half of FY25.

In general, the company foresees the tiles industry to fare much better in FY25 than it did in FY24, with exports momentum likely to sustain and a rub-off of strong real estate demand likely leading to better tiles off-take.

After posting about 4% year-on-year consolidated revenue growth in FY24 to 4,578 crore, Kajarias management expects a three-year compound annual growth rate of 12% over FY24-FY27. Nonetheless, the management said during the companys first-quarter earnings call that revenue growth in FY25 would be slightly lower than volume growth and that prices had more or less stabilized.

The company expects to spend aggressively on advertisements in FY25, which is likely to provide further brand pull," said analysts from Nuvama Research. Kajarias advertising, publicity and sales promotion expenses increased 21% year-on-year in FY24 to 131 crore.

That said, the commissioning of Kajarias Nepal facility should aid earnings growth. On the margin front, lower cost biofuel is expected to offer support. In the first quarter, Kajarias Ebitda margin had contracted year-on-year by 90 basis points to 15%, but it remains in the range of 15-17% that the company has guided for FY25.

To be sure, the stocks valuations are not enticing enough even as some reckon the companys leadership position deserves higher valuations. Kajarias shares trade at 38 times FY26 estimated earnings, Bloomberg data showed.

Beyond the near-term demand hiccups, medium-term prospects are expected to remain intact," Jefferies India said in a report dated 20 September. The brokerage forecasts Kajarias FY24-27 sales and profit-after-tax Cagr at 14% and 23%, respectively, driven by volumes (11-12% Cagr), optimizing mix (higher mix of vitrified tiles), better margins in bathware, and deeper distribution into tier 2/3/4 cities. Better-than-expected growth can act as a trigger for further expansion in valuation.
Multibagger penny stock Evexia Lifecare caught investors' attention on Monday, as the stock surged by almost 5 per cent following the companys announcement of a new fundraising initiative.

The companys board approved the preferential issue of up to 24 crore convertible warrants, each priced at 3.60. These warrants can be converted into fully paid-up equity shares, with a face value of 1 and a premium of 2.60 per share, totalling 86.4 crore. This issue will be executed in accordance with Sections 42 and 62 of the Companies Act 2013 and related rules. Approval from shareholders and relevant regulatory authorities will be sought before moving forward, and proposed allottees will be required to make an upfront payment of 25 per cent of the total issue size, per the companys filing.

Stock Market Performance Evexia Lifecare's stock has demonstrated remarkable performance, rising 4.6 per cent on Monday to hit its 52-week high of 3.81 in intra-day trading. The stock has surged an impressive 146 per cent from its 52-week low of 1.55, recorded in December 2023.

In the past year, the stock has delivered multibagger returns of 108 per cent. Year-to-date (YTD) in 2023, it has rallied by 103 per cent, offering positive returns in 6 of the 9 months this calendar year. In September alone, it climbed 12.5 per cent, marking a third consecutive month of gains. The penny stock also rose 12.3 per cent in August and 24.7 per cent in July, reflecting sustained investor interest.

Shareholding Patterns The shareholding structure of Evexia Lifecare showcases diverse ownership. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) hold a 1.03 per cent stake in the company, while banks and mutual funds own smaller stakes of 0.13 per cent and 0.4 per cent, respectively. The promoter group controls 6.29 per cent, with the remaining 93.71 per cent held by public shareholders, according to the June 2024 quarter data.

Earnings Overview Evexia Lifecare reported strong earnings growth in the June 2024 quarter. Net Sales increased by 45.65 per cent to 20.42 crore, up from 14.02 crore in June 2023. The company's Net Profit for the quarter soared by 253.68 per cent, reaching 0.26 crore compared to 0.07 crore in the same period last year. EBITDA also saw a significant jump, rising 130 per cent to 0.46 crore, up from 0.20 crore in the June 2023 quarter.

Despite the stock's impressive performance, market experts advise investors to be cautious. Penny stocks like Evexia Lifecare are known for their volatility, and sudden corrections could accompany the stock's rapid rise. The company's ability to effectively utilize the new capital raised through the convertible warrants and the outcomes of upcoming regulatory approvals will be key to its long-term growth prospects. Investors should monitor the company's board decisions and fundraising methods closely.
Stock market investing is often seen as a journey of patience and strategy. Those who can spot potential in companies early on and hold onto their investments tend to be rewarded the most. Unlike the quick profits from short-term trading, long-term investors understand the value of sticking with companies that demonstrate strong fundamentals, growth prospects, and industry leadership.

In this context, Action Constructions Equipment (ACE) is such a stock in this lineup. It has rewarded its long-term shareholders with phenomenal returns by maintaining a steady upward trajectory with each passing year.

The company is India's leading material handling and construction equipment manufacturer, dominating the mobile and tower crane segments. Along with mobile cranes, the company offers a wide range of products, including tower cranes, electric cranes, crawler cranes, truck-mounted cranes, backhoe loaders, vibratory rollers, forklifts, warehousing equipment, and agricultural machinery like tractors and harvesters.

Wealth creation machine Over the past five years, the company's shares have surged from 74 apiece to their current value of 1,398, delivering an extraordinary return of nearly 1,800 per cent. Looking even further back over the last eleven years, the stock has skyrocketed from 7.65 apiece to its present value, resulting in a phenomenal gain of 18,710 per cent.

To put this into perspective, if an investor had invested 1 lakh into the stock during this period, the investment would now be worth nearly 2 crore. What's more impressive is that in these 11 years, the stock only posted losses in two calendar years, with the rest yielding positive returns.

The standout years include CY17, with a remarkable gain of 219 per cent, and CY23, with a 173 per cent increase. In the current year alone, the stock has already risen 70 per cent, and in April, it crossed the 1,500 mark for the first time, hitting a new all-time high of 1,695 apiece.

Record-breaking performance in Q1 ACE achieved its best-ever first-quarter performance (April-June) in terms of revenue and margins. It demonstrated strong growth momentum, with operational revenue increasing by 12.82 per cent year-on-year (YoY). Additionally, EBITDA margins expanded by 212 basis points (bps) YoY, reaching 17.11 per cent.

This margin expansion was primarily driven by operating leverage, an improved product mix with better price realizations, and efficient cost control measures. ACE's cranes, construction equipment, and material handling volumes also saw significant growth of 20 per cent YoY, further contributing to the robust quarterly performance. The net profit for the quarter improved to 84 crore from 68 crore in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the company is discussing with KATO Works, a Japanese global construction equipment manufacturer of mobile cranes and excavators, to establish a joint venture in India.

The Joint Venture intends to produce mediumand large-sized cranes, mainly truck cranes, crawler cranes, and rough terrain cranes, for the growing Indian market. In the future, the JV also plans to utilize the technology cultivated by the expertise of ACE and KATO to introduce a wide range of value-added products for the export market.

Government initiatives driving construction equipment growth The construction equipment industry in India is witnessing robust growth, driven by government initiatives such as the National Infrastructure Pipeline, the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, and the "Make in India" campaign that prioritizes domestic manufacturing.

Looking forward, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to invest between 1,400and1,500 crore in FY25. This investment will target debottlenecking, product developmentincluding CEV-V compliant equipment and alternative fuel powertrainsand localization efforts. Ongoing projects under initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are also boosting demand for construction equipment.

Moreover, the expansion of airports, railways, ports, and metro systems further underscores the construction market's growth potential, indicating a promising outlook for the industry.
Shares of Reliance Industrial Infrastructure climbed up 19 per cent in today's trade to hit an 11-week high of 1,387 apiece. This jump in shares came even after the company received a tax notice. In an exchange filing on Friday, the company said that it had received an order dated September 19, 2024, from the office of the state tax officer in Jamnagar, Gujarat, imposing a penalty of 1,59,810 under Section 74 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, and the Gujarat Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

Also Read | Reliance Power share price hits upper circuit for fourth straight session

"The order has been passed alleging incorrect availment of input tax credit by the company. The company intends to file an appeal against the order. The financial impact of the order is to the extent of the penalty levied. There is no impact on operations or other activities of the company due to the order," the company said in its regulatory filing.

Meanwhile, today's rally was the biggest intraday jump for the stock in 2024. The Reliance group company is mainly engaged in the business of setting up and operating industrial infrastructure.

Also Read | Reliance Power share price hits upper circuit for fourth straight session

Its main activities are providing services of transportation of petroleum products and raw water through its pipelines, construction machinery on hire, and other infrastructure support services.

The company has its operations mainly in the Mumbai and the Rasayani regions of Maharashtra, Surat, and the Jamnagar belts of Gujarat.

Stock rally stalls in 2024 After experiencing a steady uptrend between 2020 and 2023, the stock has seen a noticeable pause in its bull run this year, gaining just 2 per cent so far. Despite this slowdown, it reached a high of 1,604, marking its highest level since 2008.

Between 2009 and 2023, the stock delivered multibagger returns only once, in CY21, with a 112 per cent gain. Although the stock has maintained an upward trajectory over the past few years, it remains significantly below its all-time high of 3,202, achieved in 2007.

Currently, the stock trades 57 per cent below that peak, reflecting both the recovery and the distance still to cover from its historic highs.
Vodafone Idea share price jumped over 8% in early trade on Monday after the company announced the conclusion of a $3.6 billion deal with Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung, for supply of network equipment over a period of three years. Vodafone Idea shares rose as much as 8.96% to 11.42 apiece on the BSE.

The deal marks the first step towards the rollout of the companys transformative three-year capex plan of ~USD 6.6 billion (Rs. 550 billion). The capex programme is directed towards expanding the 4G population coverage from 1.03 billion to 1.2 billion, launching 5G in key markets and capacity expansion in line with data growth, Vodafone Idea said in a stock exchange filing on September 22.

The company has continued with its existing long-term partners Nokia and Ericsson and also onboarded Samsung as a new partner, it added.

Post the recent equity raise of 240 billion and additional spectrum acquisition of 35 billion in June 2024 auction, Vodafone Idea has also executed some quick win Capex, while simultaneously working on concluding these long-term contracts. These quick wins were mainly by way of deployment of more spectrum on existing sites and also the roll out of some new sites.

This is resulting in a ~15% boost in capacity and an increase in population coverage by 16 million by end September, 2024.

The Capex is currently being funded out of the equity raise. For the long-term Capex, the Company is in advanced stage of discussions with its existing and new lenders to tie up 250 billion of funded and 100 billion of non-fund-based facilities, Vodafone Idea said in the BSE filing.

AGR Case Last week, Vodafone Idea share price came under heavy selling pressure after the Supreme Court of India rejected a plea by telecom companies on re-computation of adjusted gross revenues (AGR) dues.

In its Q4FY24 earnings call, the Vodafone Ideas management highlighted that they were seeking 60 billion correction in the base AGR amount and 350 billion (out of ~ 700 billion dues) on current value on the basis of including interest, penalties and interest on penalties. However, SCs outright rejection is a setback, especially for Vodafone Ideas revival hopes.

The unfavourable Supreme Court verdict comes as a big setback to Vodafone Idea. However, the sharp 20% correction in the stock price on Thursday, more or less captures the value of the incremental liability, over and above what the Street was expecting. Hereafter, the focus shall shift to Vodafone Ideas progress on key operational parameters  pace of subscriber loss, tariff hike impact and capex velocity, brokerage firm Nuvama Institutional Equities said.

The brokerage house maintained a Hold rating and 12 month price target 11.5 apiece.

Vodafone Idea shares plunged nearly 15% in one week and more than 28% in one month. The telecom stock is down over 33% in three months and nearly 29% year-to-date (YTD).

At 9:30 am, Vodafone Idea shares were trading 8.11% higher at 11.33 apiece on the BSE.
The first thought Delhi invokes isnt nature, but the city does enjoy four distinct seasons with their attendant charms and inconveniences. Anuradha Kumar-Jain urges us to look closely at the changing flora, fauna, colour of the sky and texture of the air as each season rolls into the Capital. Written as a journal and illustrated by Bahaar Meera Jain, this volume is a treat to the senses. If you are a Dilliwala, this book will make you fall in love with the city all over again.

Delhi: A Nature Journal by Anuradha Kumar-Jain, Rupa, 240 pages, 695

If youre a fan of Elizabeth Strout, her upcoming novel promises to be a treat. Bringing back characters like Bob Burgess, Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge from her bestsellers, Tell Me Everything weaves a delicate story of friendship, betrayal and love in her trademark style.

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout, Penguin Random House, 256 pages, 899

The late supercop Vijay Ramans memoir takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride through his eventful career. Awarded the Presidents Police Medal for Gallantry, he was involved in tackling some of the most notorious names in crime: Paan Singh Tomar, Phoolan Devi and Daku Malkan Singh. If adventures and tales of daredevilry are your thing, this pacy book will not disappoint.

Did I Really Do All This?: Memoirs of a Gentleman Cop Who Dared to be Different by Vijay Raman, Rupa, 280 pages, 795

Chimps in space tend to end up badly but not in David Walliams books. In Astrochimp, his first ever comic book with illustrations by Adam Stower, the bestselling writer takes us into the adventures of Chump. Throw in a couple of tortoises, Bardot the cat and a swarm of giant fruit flies and outer space seems like the coolest place to be.
Many countries "piggyback" onto the visa approval systems of large developed nations, allowing visa-free entry or visas on arrival for Indian travellers holding valid US, UK, Canada, or Schengen visas. If you already possess a residence or even tourist visa issued by the US, UK or Schengen-area country, many third country doors will open for you.

With long wait times for US visas and high costs for UK visas, the Schengen visa offers a practical alternative. The Schengen area, comprising 26 European countries, permits free travel across its member nations with a single visa. A visa issued by any one of them automatically allows you to travel to the others. However, you may not know that a Schengen visa also lets you travel to some non-Schengen countries.

For example, nationals like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Cyprus allow entry by Schengen visa holders without needing additional national visa from their own embassies or consulates. Even countries outside Europe like South Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Peru and Saudi Arabia allow such visa holders entry into their borders without requiring a separate visa.

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Before taking advantage of this access, check out specific conditions individual countries impose. For example, South Korea allows Schengen visa holders to travel only if it is used as a transit country (you are flying to a Schengen nation from South Korea).

Saudi Arabia requires that the Schengen visa be used at least once. Several countries require that the Schengen visa should have six months validity left at the time of applying or that you should have a multi-entry Schengen visa. A single-entry Schengen visa will not do.

Traditionally, this would have been a deal breaker since European nations have historically shied away from issuing multi-year Schengen visas with multiple entries. However, this situation has changed since April 2024.

Also Read: How to obtain a Dubai Golden Visa through real estate investment

Can you get a multi-entry Schengen visa?

In April 2024, the European Union approved a Schengen Visa cascade for Indians. Basically, if you travel at least twice to Europe in three years (get two single-entry Schengen visas), you become eligible for a two-year multiple-entry Schengen visa. On expiry of this visa, you become eligible for a five-year multiple entry Schengen visa.

This has made the visa more competitive versus countries like the US and UK, which routinely issue multi-year, multiple-entry tourist visas. However, both nations have some drawbacks. The US has a large processing time that can go on for four months or more. It also mandates an interview at the Consulate or Embassy. The UK has higher-cost tourist visas than Schengen countries. A five-year multiple entry UK visa costs 88,167. For a 10-year UK visa, the cost is 110,123. A Schengen visa costs 90 euros ( 8,300 approximately).

Where to apply?

You must apply for a Schengen visa through the country you plan to enter first in Europe. However, many Indians choose their entry through the country which is fastest in processing and approving visas. This can be a smart strategy. Check the visa approval statistics before submitting your applications. Switzerland receives the largest share of Indias Schengen applications from a single embassy/consulate (Delhi). It is followed by Germany and the Netherlands.

France has also been historically a popular point of entry into Europe and a large recipient of Schengen visa applications. The application success rate is reasonably high (more than 85% in most cases).

Also Read: Is moving to Dubai on the nomad work visa worth it?

If you are looking at a piggyback country for travel, make sure to thoroughly check its foreign ministry website and embassy/consulate website in India. Save screenshots or keep print-outs of the relevant sections. The airport staff may not be aware of this.

"Ive had a personal experience where in December 2023, I was actually stopped and not allowed to proceed for my next flight to Dubai in Bahrain because the authorities there werent sure of the visa on arrival for Indians with US visa. They ended up giving me stay in a hotel and put me on the next flight the next morning," said Raivat Shah, a Singapore-based Indian professional who has developed a website called visahacks.in to track piggyback nations along with two friends, Chaitanya Baranwal and Walter Tay.

Third-party websites are often useful, but due to the changing and complex nature of visa regulations, ensure that you cross-check any such data with the concerned nations official websites.

Also Read: How Indian students can get work visas after studying abroad
(Bloomberg) -- Australian pension funds are tightening scrutiny of their private assets as regulators raise more questions about disclosure and valuations, according to asset manager Stafford Capital Partners.

The nations top two pensions last month revealed losses on their investments in unlisted US education software firm Pluralsight Inc., highlighting the risks around private assets that regulators have been flagging in recent months. AustralianSuper wrote off A$1.1 billion ($750 million) as private credit lenders took control of the firm, while Australian Retirement Trust lost A$75 million.

Were finding our clients in superannuation are asking for a lot more direct information about the companies in terms of revenue, Ebitda, leverage covenants, Stafford Capital Partners Global Head of Private Equity Rick Fratus said in an interview. They want to have their ducks in a row when the regulators come in.

Fratus didnt comment specifically on the Pluralsight deal, which Stafford wasnt involved in. The London-based firm manages around $8 billion globally, including more than A$700 million of assets for some of Australias biggest pensions.

Regulators are targeting private markets as Australias A$3.9 trillion pension industry ramps up allocations to about a fifth of overall assets. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is setting up a specialized unit to engage with private markets, while the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has repeatedly raised concerns about the frequency of valuations and disclosures for unlisted assets.

We want to ensure consistency and accountability on meeting expectations in the outcomes of investments in private markets, ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant said in an interview. Were looking at superannuation funds financial reporting and disclosures, what they say publicly and what they are disclosing in their reports.

Fratus said while larger funds appeared to be well placed to come to a true understanding of their investments and potential challenges, it could be harder for smaller players with lower levels of governance and controls.

A number of Australian pensions wrote down some unlisted property assets last year amid slumping office valuations around the world. However, they have pointed to losses like those and the Pluralsight writedowns as unique and immaterial when compared to the overall size of their portfolios.

A lot of the private assets over the last couple of years have been either repriced or reworked or looked at, Con Michalakis, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at A$115 billion pension fund Hostplus, said in an interview. Theres been a lot of work over the last couple of years with the regulators over private market valuations.

One area that regulators are focused on is private credit, where pensions are increasingly investing as banks retreat from riskier lending activity. While the assets are still a relatively small part of the portfolios, ASIC says the complexity of risk makes it disproportionately important.

For example, we might ask with commercial real estate private credit, what does it mean for members that it is outside the banks risk appetite, but inside the super funds appetite? said Constant.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
BRASILIA, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Brazil's government on Monday defended its appropriation of so-called forgotten bank funds as a legitimate tool to boost budget revenue rather than a gimmick, arguing that this was already implemented by a previous administration 27 years ago.

The move was passed as part of a bill alongside several initiatives to offset costly payroll tax exemptions, but it has sparked controversy. The central bank issued a note to lawmakers stating that these funds, surpassing 8 billion reais ($1.45 billion), should not count toward the fiscal target.

Forgotten funds are assets held in deposit accounts whose registration details have not been updated in accordance with guidelines established by the central bank in 2019.

Speaking at a press conference, the Finance Ministry's executive secretary, Dario Durigan, said that former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's administration issued an executive order on the matter in 1997, which was later approved by Congress.

The 1997 measure allowed for the incorporation of the funds as budget revenue.

"This is not some kind of fiscal trick being used by the government," Durigan said.

He argued that under Brazilian law, these resources should eventually be absorbed by the public sector, as they do not belong to financial institutions.

By law, the central bank's methodology is used to assess compliance with the fiscal target, which this year aims to eliminate the primary deficit, with a 0.25% margin of GDP on either side.

The bill's final version removed a provision that would have effectively required the central bank to incorporate these funds. Still, it stated that they would count "for the purposes of verifying compliance with the primary balance target."

This has raised concerns that the government may be resorting to fiscal maneuvers to boost revenue to meet its fiscal target.

Durigan said the government expects to hold talks with the central bank in the coming weeks.

"If the central bank maintains its position (in line with past practices), it should be considered primary revenue," he said.
Hours after the Thane police crime branch shot down Badlapur sexual assault accused Akshay Shinde on Monday evening, politics on the reported encounter has heated up, with the opposition slamming the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government.

Citing the reason for the encounter, the police had mentioned that the Akshay Shinde  prime accused who allegedly assaulted two minor girls in Badlapur  had snatched a police officer's weapon and opened fire. He also injured one officer, following the accused was shot in cross-firing and later succumbed to his injuries.

However, the opposition has started raising questions about the government's inaction and referred to it as the Mahayuti government's 'incompetence'. They are also seeking a judicial enquiry into this incident.

Here's how opposition leaders react: Nationalist Congress Party - Sharadchandra Pawar president Sharad Pawar reacted on the Badlapur shooting case and said that it seems that the government has become weak in threatening the law, so no one would even think of such a reprehensible act in the future.

He took to X and wrote, The injustice done to the two children in Badlapur should have been executed within the proper framework of law. But the laxity shown by the Home Department in transferring the main accused in this incident is questionable. It seems that the government has become weak in threatening the law so that no one would even think of such a reprehensible act in the future. It is expected that the situation will emerge from the thorough investigation of this incident.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi even claimed that the co-accused and the entire altercation are a story written by the state government.

Also Read | Badlapur sexual abuse case: Victims to identify accused in identification parade

Chaturvedi took to X and wrote, The accused is dead and the other Co-accused under POCSO who were the school board members as well as BJP office bearers are on the run. Such a textbook case of shoot and scoot tactics applied by incompetent government.

Coming soon, nobody sexually assaulted the 6 year olds. A story written, sponsored and executed by the state government, Chaturvedi added.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said the accused was murdered in cold blood. He said, as quoted by ANI, "He was murdered in cold blood. Nobody will believe that it was an encounter. It is a black day for Maharashtra Police as once upon a time it had a great reputation. I have demanded an inquiry from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who was in Mumbai at the same time. I don't believe Maharashtra Police under the current dispensation will be able to do justice. The real perpetrators of this crime will never be found. People of Maharashtra would like to know the truth."

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole asked why the government is trying to protect the main culprits?

Also Read | Bombay HC tells police not to act under pressure in Badlapur sexual abuse case

He commented, "We are coming to know that the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case has died...Our demand is that no accused should be spared so that such an incident does not repeat...Why the government is trying to protect the main culprits, the court should investigate this, this is the demand of the Congress party..."

NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule stated the Mahayuti Government's approach as shocking.

She took to X and wrote, The Mahayuti Government's approach to the Badlapur sexual assault case of two minor girls is shocking! Delay in the filing of FIR first, and now the prime accused is killed in custody! This is an absolute breakdown of law enforcement and justice system. This is inexcusable, it deprives the people of Maharashtra of justice.

Maharashtra LoP and Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar stated the police didn't handled the Badlapur incident seriously. He also sought a judicial enquiry into this incident.

He said, as quoted by ANI, "The police haven't handled the Badlapur incident seriously. There were protests all over the state. The Home Department and the govt tried everything to protect the accused... In the incident that happened today, the police fired in self-defence, I think there is something wrong with that. It might be an attempt to protect the people related to BJP and RSS by killing the main accused... We demand a judicial inquiry into this..."

While Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey said, "...The Home Minister & Police should form an SIT to probe the matter as there are many doubts. The govt and Police should clarify and tell the public what happened..."
Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwaron Monday said the prime suspect in the murder of a 29-year-old woman in Malleswaram area of Vyalikaval Police Station, has been identified and efforts are on to arrest him as he is believed to be in West Bengal.

The Karnataka police had recovered the body of the womanidentified as Mahalakshmichopped into more than 30 pieces and stuffed in a refrigerator in her Bengaluru flat on September 21 after the residents of the area alerted the authorities after detecting a strong stench coming from the house.

Also Read | North Indian influencer takes a U-turn after getting slammed by Karnataka celebs

Already some information has been collected, which I cannot reveal now, but we will soon nab those involved in it ... an individual -- they say is the one (involved), but unless we have more information, we can't really confirm. He is from West Bengal, they say. As early as possible we will secure (those involved), Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwar said.

So far as Vyalikaval case (Mahalakshmi murder case) is concerned, we are investigating from all the angles. The prime suspect who is likely to have committed this ghastly offence is identified. The only thing is we are yet to apprehend him. As and when the person is caught and the interrogation is done, then we will be able to provide further details PTI quoted Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda as saying.

He hails from another state, but is staying in Bengaluru. We cant give more information as of now as it may help the accused, Dayananda added.

According to the fresh details, Mahalakshmis family hails from Nepal but had shifted to Karnatakas Nelamangala 35 years back.

The mother of Mahalakshmi told PTI, The owner of the building informed me that there was foul smell coming from the house. When I came and opened the door I saw the body of Mahalakshmi cut into pieces. I saw her for the last time on Raksha-bandhan festival. Since then her phone was switched off.
New Delhi: As the winter approaches, the central government has started reviewing preparedness to tackle the toxic smog that engulfs Delhi-National Capital Region every year.

A high-level task force met on Monday at the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) to evaluate ongoing efforts to tackle pollution from various sources, including paddy stubble burning, vehicular emissions, road and construction dust, solid waste management, and diesel generators.

Punjab is estimated to generate 19.52 million tonnes of paddy straw in the coming kharif season, while Haryana may see 8.10 million tonnes. Both states have committed to eliminating stubble burning this year.

Punjab plans to manage 11.5 million tonnes of its paddy straw through in-situ crop residue management (leaving it in the fields) and the rest via ex-situ methods (by removing it from the farms). Similarly, Haryana will manage 3.3 million tonnes in-situ and use ex-situ methods for the remainder, according to an official statement.

Read more: Traffic congestion is anti-national but there exists a way out Over 150,000 crop residue management (CRM) machines will be available in Punjab, supported by 24,736 custom hiring centres, while Haryana has 90,945 CRM machines supported by 6,794 centres.

Additionally, 2 million tonnes of paddy straw will be co-fired in 11 thermal power plants across the NCR region.

Chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been directed to rigorously monitor and implement action plans aimed at eliminating stubble. That includes full utilization of CRM machines, strengthening the supply chain for ex-situ management, and supporting small industries in briquetting and pelletizing operations to enhance the economic use of paddy straw.

Regular monitoring of thermal plants will ensure co-firing targets are met, with penalties for non-compliance.

Read more: Centre plans to start e-waste audit, impose penalty as environment compensation Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) informed that 220 out of 240 industrial areas in the NCR region are now equipped with gas infrastructure, with the remaining areas set to be connected soon.

Dust pollution from construction and demolition (C&D) activities is being remotely monitored through a web portal, with mandatory registration for projects over 500 square meters.

Chief secretaries of the NCR region have been requested to augment electric bus services in the region. PM eBus Sewa Scheme aims to add 10,000 battery-powered buses in the country by 10,000. States and union territories have been asked to judiciously aim to use the scheme to increase their fleet of e-buses.
India reported its first Mpox case belonging to the Clade 1b strain on Monday  weeks after it was declared a public health emergency by WHO. The patient is a 38-year-old man from Malappuram district in Kerala who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates.

The infected individual was admitted to a government medical college hospital in the district and remains in a stable condition. A nodal officer told Reuters that around 29 friends and family members of the patient along with 37 passengers on his flight were currently being monitored at home. None of them have shown any Mpox symptoms so far.

This is the first case belonging to the Clade 1b strain which prompted the World Health Organization to declare Mpox a public health emergency last month for a second time. The earlier case of Mpox that emerged in the national capital was a 26-year-old resident of Haryana's Hisar who has tested positive for the previous West African Clade 2 strain earlier this month.

Since the 2022 declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO, 30 cases were reported in India.

Meanwhile, Kerala Health minister Veena George has already appealed to the public, including those returning from abroad with any symptoms, to inform the health department and seek treatment at the earliest.

In a social media post, she also released a list of state-run hospitals in various districts where treatment and isolation facilities for the affected persons have been arranged.

Besides this, treatment was available in all medical colleges in the state, the minister said.

Urging people to be vigilant, George said the state health department has already stepped up surveillance in airports in the state in accordance with the Centre's guidelines in the wake of the outbreak of Mpox in many African countries.

Those arriving from the nations where the infection was reported have been instructed to report at the airport if they develop any symptoms, she said.

As soon as the outbreak of the Mpox was reported in 2022, the southern state had brought out a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) in this regard.

Isolation, sample collection and treatment, in accordance with the SoP, have been ensured in the state, the minister said and urged every hospital to follow this protocol without any fail.

George also cautioned people, especially health workers who handle the samples of the affected persons, to strictly follow infection control precautions.

Mpox infections are generally self-limiting, lasting between two and four weeks, and patients usually recover with supportive medical care and management.

It is transmitted through prolonged and close contact with an infected patient.

Mpox typically manifests itself with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.

Also Read | High Mpox Vaccine Price to Pose Key Hurdle in Africa Order Talks
Creating Indian brands with priority products for the local as well as global markets is likely to be a key focus area of the upcoming national policy on electronics. The aim is to identify and push products with high value addition and design capabilities within the country.

According to several people aware of the stakeholder consultations being led by the ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity), the priority products would be identified along with their supply chains, including components and semiconductors.

Two of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity that a fund of funds is being proposed along with an intellectual property (IPR) pool to facilitate creation of such brands and products. One of them added that some industry associations have pegged the funding required for the plan to be about 1 trillion.

Local value addition

A senior government official said the policys broad mandate will be in line with increasing local value addition to 35-40%, getting global value chains to India, and making India an export hub for electronics and components to global markets.

It would also include the larger goal of meeting the needs of the $500-billion domestic market for electronics by 2030 articulated by the prime minister earlier this month, the official added.

The products would span multiple categories including smartphones, home appliances, consumer electronics, hearables, wearables, among other consumer electronics categories. Products such as smart meters and optical converters, which are likely to have a massive consumption in India as the government upgrades the infrastructure of utilities, may also be included.

Theres a lot of focus on creating Indian brands and products within electronics, which is one of three legs of the new policy, the other two being electronics components manufacturing and semiconductors," a senior industry executive who is directly involved in the policy making said, asking not to be named as the discussions were still going on.

PLI replacing SPECS

The executive added that component manufacturing will require incentives of 50,000 crore, which could include a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and a design-linked incentive (DLI) scheme, besides the next round of incentives for semiconductors.

The PLI for electronics components would replace the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) that expired on 31 March 2024, after a years extension. The SPECS scheme attracted 42 applications with proposed investment of 11,690 crore. The committed incentive from the government comes to 1,612 crore. As of February 2024, the government had disbursed 378.37 crore to the applicants.

Also read | TCS working with Tata Electronics to build first made-in-India chips

After establishing a giant manufacturing ecosystem relentlessly, China is now focusing on establishing global brands. Barring Hero and Bajaj in motorcycles, India has not much to claim in this sphere," said Pankaj Mohindroo, chairman of Indian Cellular Electronics Association. The association is one of the industry bodies consulting with the government on the electronics policy.

Government think tank Niti Aayog said in a report in July that robust policy support, including fiscal incentives and non-fiscal interventions, were needed for India to aim for $500 billion in electronics manufacturing by value by FY30, which would comprise $350 billion from finished goods manufacturing and $150 billion from components manufacturing.

Paltry exports

While Indias electronics sector had grown rapidly to reach $155 billion in FY23, with production doubling from $48 billion in FY17 to $101 billion in FY23, the growth was driven primarily by mobile phones, constituting 43% of total electronics production. Indias exports of $25 billion make up only 1% of global share.

To enhance competitiveness, India needs to localize high-tech components, strengthen design capabilities through R&D investments, and forge strategic partnerships with global technology leaders," Niti Aayog pointed out in its report, emphasising on increased local electronics manufacturing.

With higher value addition, the profits will be ploughed back into the country and create value and economic gain, as opposed to what the Chinese phone brands have done in the past several years," said an industry executive who did not want to be named.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is putting in all possible efforts to host the 2036 edition of the Olympic Games. During the Paris Olympics, India won six medals, including five bronze and a silver.

PM Modi US visit LIVE updates While addressing the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York, PM Modi said, ...Only a few days ago, the Paris Olympics concluded. Very soon, you will witness the Olympics in India too. We are putting in all possible efforts to host the 2036 Olympics.

This is not the first time PM Modi expressed his wish for India to host the Olympics. Earlier, during his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, he had said, It is the dream of India to host the 2036 Olympics, we are making preparations for that.

The Prime Minister said that India's successful hosting of the G20 Summit last September in New Delhi and other cities showcased the existing infrastructure in the nation. "India organising the G20 Summit on a large scale has proven that India has the capability to organise large-scale events," he had said during Independence Day speech.

Also Read | PM Modi congratulates newly elected Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Prior to that, in July, PM Modi had urged athletes to share their views on the arrangements in the French capital to help his government's ambitious plan to bring the quadrennial showpiece here.

"We are hoping to host the Olympics in 2036, it will help in creating a sporting atmosphere (in the country). Work is in progress to prepare infrastructure for it," he had told the players.

Meanwhile, India's bold proposal for the 2036 Olympics has received support from IOC President Thomas Bach. The last major international multi-sport event hosted by India was the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Currently, Ahmedabad is emerging as a strong contender for the Olympic Games.
Workers of Samsung India, who are protesting against low wages and long working hours, may approach the court if police prohibit their strike near the electronics company's factory near Chennai, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Tamil Nadu Secretary Muthukumar said on Monday.

More than 1,000 Samsung workers have been on strike since September 9 to get their 20 demands implemented, including wage hike, union recognition and 8-hour work.

If police are not allowing us to protest here again, we will take this matter to court and get our rights, Muthukumar said.

After three rounds of negotiations with them (Samsung management), no amicable decision was reached, when the employees tried to march towards the collector's office, they were arrested by the police, he added.

Earlier, Muthukumar said that the Samsung management had initiated a case in a court that the protesting workers should sit 500 metres away from the factory, while they were already sitting 2 kilometres away.

The CITU leader said: The Samsung management has initiated a case in the Kanchipuram court that we should sit 500 metres away from their premises but we are nearly two kilometers away and blamed us saying that the striking employees have been indulging in brainwashing the employees who have been going to work.

The workers union has threatened that the protests will continue until the demands are met.

Earlier, the Samsung management had asked the workers to disband the union, and was hindering the recognition of unions by raising various complaints.

Muthukumar also said: Our demands were not met and the management has urged us to disband the union. They are hindering the recognition of the union by raising complaints. When the union decided to stop overtime, the management forced employees to work overtime for up to 11 hours.

The first and second rounds of talks had failed with the state labour department and labour minister in the Secretariat.

On Monday, several protesting workers were arrested by the police when they entered Kanchipuram. They were later released in the evening.
Tirupati Laddu row: The Santhi Homam Panchagavya Prokshana ritual began at the Tirumala temple early on Monday to restore the sanctity of the Devalayam amid allegations of adulteration of Tirupati Prasadam with animal fat. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter.

Naidu also criticised the former Jagan Mohan Reddy-led state government for altering procedures to procure ghee at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). As the political slugfest over the Tirupati Laddu controversy continues here are the top ten latest updates for the same.

Tirupati Laddu row: Top 10 updates -A day-long 'Samprokshnas' and Shanti Homam began on Monday morning to restore the sanctity of the Devalayam as the allegations over Tirupati Prasadam containing animal fat escalated on Sunday.

-Priests and the executive officer of TTD Rao were seen participating in the ritual early morning on Monday.

-A Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) source confirmed to PTI that the ritual began at 6 am and will last till 10 am, aimed at propitiating Lord Venkateswara Swamy from the alleged sacrilegious practices such as mixing animal fats and beef tallow in making Tirupati laddus (consecrated sweet) and others.

-Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Sunday, September 23 to launch an investigation regarding the adulteration of ghee used in preparing Tirupati Prasadam.

-"We are forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers of IGP and above posts. The SIT will submit a report to the government and we will take action based on that report so that such things are not repeated," ANI quoted Naidu as saying.

-Reacting to the announcement Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole on Monday told ANI, An SIT should be formed against PM Narendra Modi. The PM, who talks about Hindutva, has an alliance partner government in Andhra Pradesh, where open mixing of meat into laddus is happening and it is being distributed. This corrupt system that has come to power has now revealed its true face to the people. An SIT is definitely needed, but it should be against PM Narendra Modi, not Tirupati Balaji.

-Meanwhile, the former chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams trust board Bhumana Karunakar Reddy has rejected the allegations of adulteration of Tirupati prasadam with animal fat, reported Times of India. Terming the allegations made by Andhra Pradesh CM as baseless, Reddy also demanded a CBI probe into the allegations, reported TOI.

-In another development, YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to intervene in the matter. Reddy also accused Nadu of being a "habitual liar", reported PTI.

-The allegations of using ghee, adulterated with animal fat, in Tirupati Prasadam, has sparked widespread anger among several Hindu outfits and devotees. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal on Sunday termed the alleged adulteration as a grave crime and an unforgivable controversy. He also demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into the matter, saying that stringent action should be taken against those responsible, reported ANI.

-The controversy surrounding adulteration of ghee used in Tirupati Prasadam with animal fat has raised alarms for Hindu religious places across the country. Recently, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) collected 13 samples of items being sold as 'prasadam' outside the temples in Mathura and sent them for testing, an official told PTI on Sunday. Additionally, a campaign in the entire district began from Monday where teams will go to every area to collect samples.

-Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, on Monday told PTI, This incident is not only alarming but also condemnable. The way the sentiments of crores of people have been hurt is completely unacceptable. The government wants to assure you that strict action will be taken against all those found guilty.
(Bloomberg) -- A group of lawyers in South Sudan are challenging the governments decision to postpone elections for two years that were due in December, a move they say is unconstitutional.

South Sudan deferred elections on Sept. 13, drawing a sharp rebuke from donor countries that said the nations leaders had failed to create the conditions necessary to hold credible, peaceful and inclusive elections by the end of the year.

We are challenging the legality and constitutionality of the extension of the transitional period for 24 months, Deng John Deng, one of five lawyers that filed a suit at the Supreme Court, told reporters in Juba, the capital, on Monday. This extension is unconstitutional and is illegal and we are demanding our government to conduct elections within the time frame.

State coffers in South Sudan have almost been wiped out after a key oil export pipeline burst, halting shipments of the commodity. The fissure is in an active conflict zone in neighboring Sudan, so repair work was delayed.

US Ambassador Michael Adler said last week the government wasnt allocating adequate revenue for the elections, security and civil service salaries.

While we recognize elections cannot be held this year because of leadership failures, we cannot in good conscience endorse this extension because we are not prepared to endorse a status quo that prioritizes the privileges of the elite over the welfare of the South Sudanese people, he said.

President Salva Kiir has said the election delay will allow for the implementation of critical remaining protocols agreed under a 2018 peace accord to end a civil war in the East African nation. They include the drafting of a constitution to replace the current transitional charter, a national census, and registration of political parties.

Theres potential for violence for the already fragile country and region if the election process is mismanaged, the United Nations warned in March.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
The Maharashtra government has decided to rename Pune airport to Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj International Airport, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed on Monday.

In a post on X, Shinde stated various proposals approved by the state cabinet, one of them being changing the name of Lohegaon airport in Pune.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, who is from Pune, too, informed about the cabinet decision in a post on X.

The first step towards renaming the international airport in Pune as 'Jagadguru Santshrestha Tukaram Maharaj Pune International Airport' has been taken today and the proposal given by us has been approved by the state government, he said.

Also Read | Maharashtra: Here are 8 things to know before assembly elections

According to Mohol, the proposed change will be sent to the Centre for approval.

The said proposal has been approved in the cabinet meeting and will be sent to the central government for further processing. This proposal will be approved in the coming cabinet itself. Deputy Chief Minister Devendraji Fadnavis did it in Pune just two days ago. Devendraji has approved this proposal in the very first cabinet after making the announcement, Mohol said.

Now, this proposal approved by the state government will go to the central government and the central cabinet will soon take a decision in this regard and follow up on the matter. I believe this process will be completed soon, he added.

According to Mohol's X post, Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj was born in Lohegaon, where Pune International Airport is located. He also spent his childhood there. Therefore, this proposal was presented to the state government.

Mohol said that the villagers and all the Warkari community in Maharashtra also wished to change the name of the airport. Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj propagated Bhagwat Dharma through the Warkari community.
Now, Mumbaikars can travel across the city in an hour, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) plans to build 90.18 km of additional roads. MMRDA has proposed seven ring roads across the city. The planned proposal will cost around 58,517 crore, an Indian Express report said. This plan will reportedly reduce the travel time across the maximum city to one hour.

The plan will include infrastructure projects such as metro, bridges, flyovers, and slum development at a projected cost of 3 lakh crore.

These Ring Roads aim to boost east-west connectivity, which will further improve productivity in the city. Check the full list of the seven ring roads, location and routes according to the Indian Express report.

1. First Ring Road Location Nariman Point-Coastal Road-Worli Sewri Connector-Eastern Freeway-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point

Route The route will start at Nariman Point and head towards Bandra Sea Link at the Worli junction.

A right turn from the Bandra Worli Sea Link will lead to the Sewri-Worli Connector, which will lead to the southern end of Atal Setu.

The road will then lead to the planned Orange Gate Tunnel and return to Nariman Point through Coastal Road. 2. Second Ring Road Location Nariman Point-Bandra Worli Sea Link-WEH-Santacruz Chembur Link Road-EEH-Eastern Freeway-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point

Route The second ring road will begin from Nariman Point on the Mumbai Coastal Road, leading to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

The road will connect the Western Express Highway (WEH) until Santacruz Junction. After this, the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) will connect with the Eastern Express Highway until it reaches the Orange Gate Tunnel and returns to Nariman Point.

3. Third Ring Road Location Nariman Point-Bandra Worli Sea Link-WEH-JVLR-Kanjurmarg Junction-Eastern Freeway Extension-Eastern Freeway-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point

Route It starts from Nariman Point, linking it to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, the Bandra-Versova Link, and the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road.

Following this, the third ring road will lead to Powai-Kanjurmarg Junction and connect with the Eastern Express Freeway.

The Eastern Express Freeway will lead to the Orange Gate Tunnel and return to Nariman point. 4. Fourth Ring Road Location Nariman Point-Bandra Worli Sea Link-Versova Bandra Sea Link-Versova Dahisar Link Road-Goregaon Mulund Link Road-Eastern Freeway Extension-Eastern Freeway-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point

Route The ring road begins from Nariman Point, leading to the Bandra- Worli Sea Link.

The route transitions to the Versova-Bandra Sea Link. A right turn from the Versova-Dahisar Link Road will link to the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) connecting to Airoli Junction.

Following this, the fourth ring road will link the proposed Eastern Freeway towards Orange Gate Tunnel and return to Nariman Point.

5. Fifth Ring Road Location

Nariman Point-Bandra Worli Sea Link-Versova Dahisar Link Road-Bhayander-Fountain Hotel Connector-Gaimukh-Ghodbunder Tunnel-Thane Coastal Road-Anand Nagar-Saket Flyover-Eastern Freeway Extension-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point

Route Similar to the fourth ring road, the fifth ring road also starts from Nariman Point, leading to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the Versova-Bandra Sea Link.

The Versova-Dahisar Link Road leads to the Mira-Bhayander and Bhayander Fountain Hotel Connector in Thane.

The road further connects to Gaimukh through Ghodbunder-Gaimukh Tunnel.

It leads to the Anand Nagar-Saket flyover and finally to the Orange Gate Tunnel. 6. Sixth Ring Road Location Nariman Point-Versova Bandra Sea Link-Mira Bhayander Link Road-Alibaug Virar Corridor-Thane Coastal Road-Anand Nagar Saket Flyover-Eastern Express Highway-Eastern Freeway-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point.

Route It begins at Nariman Point along the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and moves towards the Versova-Bandra Sea Link.

Following this, the route links the Versova-Dahisar Link Road to the Mira-Bhayander Link Road and the Uttan Link Road.

This route further leads to the Nagar-Saket flyover, which links the Orange Gate Tunnel and returns to Nariman point.

7. Seventh Outer Ring Road Location Nariman Point-Versova Dahisar Bhayander Link Road-Uttan Link Road-Vadodara Mumbai Expressway-Alibaug Virar Multi Modal Corridor-Atal Setu via JNPT-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point
Ahead of UP International Trade Show, Noida Traffic Police issued an advisory for routes around Greater Noida. Traffic restrictions will be in effect till the conclusion of the trade show for five days from September 24, according to DCP Traffic Yamuna Prasad, Jagran reported.

The Trade Show is scheduled to take place at India Expo Mart from September 25 to 29. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is slated to inaugurate the five-day event.

Commuters travelling through the Noida region must take note of the traffic advisory and avoid routes with road closures and restrictions. Alternative routes and diversions will be in place to facilitate a smooth flow of traffic. During the days of the event, following traffic restrictions will be effective.

Also Read | Mumbai traffic advisory: Check routes to avoid and take on September 23

Road closure Between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM, goods vehicles will be barred from accessing the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and surrounding routes.

Only essential goods vehicles will be permitted to operate along the route. No-entry instructions will be put up wherever applicable. This refers to vehicles carrying essentials, such as milk, fruits, vegetables and medical supplies.

Alternative routes Given below are the alternative routes through which commuters can travel.

Traffic movement of vehicles coming from the Chilla border will be diverted at Chilla Red Light, from where they can take a U-turn and use NH-9, NH-24, NH-91, and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway to reach their destinations.

Traffic movement of vehicles coming from DND border will be diverted at DND Toll Plaza, from where they can take a U-turn and proceed to their destination via NH-91 and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway

Traffic movement of vehicles coming from Kalindi border will be diverted to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and NH-91.

Also Read | Traffic congestion is anti-national but there exists a way out
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry to investigate the reported torture of an army officer and the sexual assault of his fiancee at a police station.

The Odisha government has appointed a commission, headed by Justice Chittaranjan Dash, a retired high court judge, to probe the incident, ANI reported.

The commission will look into the chronology of incidents and the role of the authorities, it said.

The commission will suggest measures to be taken to avoid the recurrence of such events in future, and ensuring safety and security of women, ANI reported, quoting the government notification.

CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan met the victim along with her father and Army officers at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

Also Read | Key women-centric cash schemes that boost voter appeal during polls

This is a crucial situation...Whatever incident has happened was not called for. She has asked for help and she has not been given a proper response from the Police station...When it came to the notice of the Government, CM formed a ministerial committee to listen to the grievance, to discuss it with the victim, her parents and other Army veterans, Law Minister Harichandan said while addressing the reporters after the meeting.

We sat with the team, we listened to them very patiently...In the evening, we apprised the CM regarding all this. After that, there was a high-level committee meeting, it was decided that a judicial inquiry would be instituted...Since it's a crime against women, for which we have zero tolerance, CM has decided to let the Crime Branch inquiry continue and the High Court will monitor the investigation process,

The government has also asked the Orissa High Court to oversee the probe being conducted by the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police, along with an independent enquiry.

Also Read | Odisha deploys dead officer for crowd management ahead of PM Modis visit

The government also suspended five cops of the Bharatpur police station.

The reported incident took place on September 15 when an army officer and his fiancee approached the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar to complain about a road rage incident. The couple were allegedly assaulted at the station.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the newly elected Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. The left leaning leader and a self-avowed Marxist will be sworn in as president of the island nation on Monday. The People's Liberation Front (JVP) leader registered a landslide victory against Sajith Premadasa on Sunday by attaining nearly 1.3 million more votes than his closest rival.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, Congratulations @anuradisanayake, on your victory in the Sri Lankan Presidential elections. Sri Lanka holds a special place in India's Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. The post added, "I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of our people and the entire region.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Election Result LIVE: Dissanayake wins presidential polls

The 55-year-old newly elected President, after claiming victory in the polls in the island country, said this victory had been "paved by the sacrifices of so many who gave their sweat, tears and even their lives for this cause". He added, "Together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history," AFP reported.

He will be sworn in at 9:00 am at the colonial-era President Secretariat in Colombo, AFP reported citing a statement by election commission officials.

Outgoing president Ranil Wickremesinghe, 75, who took charge at the peak of the financial crisis, imposed steep tax hikes and other austerity measures per the terms of an International Monetary Fund bailout.

The island nation went to the polls on Saturday, September 21, to elect the nations 10th president. This marks the first election since the devastating 2022 economic crisis that culminated in a loan default. According to reports, voter turnout stood was 70 per cent an hour before polling stations closed at 4:00 pm. The result announcement was made by the polling authorities of the country after a second vote count, the first in the nation's history.

Also Read | Sri Lanka President Says Upending IMF Deal is Major Threat

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka is set to be the country's 9th Executive President. The Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe also ran for president for the third time but was reportedly eliminated after the first round of vote count. His previous two bids for the top post dates back to 1999 and 2005.
(Updates prices, adds quotes, changes byline, changes dateline from previous HAMBURG)

By Julie Ingwersen

CHICAGO, Sept 23 (Reuters) -

Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures hit nearly a seven-week high on Monday as uncertainty about Brazilian planting weather and the size of the U.S. harvest sparked a round of fund-driven short-covering, analysts said.

U.S. corn and wheat futures followed the firmer trend, with the benchmark contract in each market rising almost 3%. Higher Russian cash wheat prices lent support.

As of 1:09 p.m. CDT (1809 GMT), CBOT November soybean futures were up 26 cents at $10.38 a bushel after climbing to $10.41-3/4, the contract's highest price since Aug. 6. CBOT December corn was up 11 cents at $4.12-3/4 a bushel and December wheat was up 15-1/4 cents at $5.83-3/4 a bushel.

Soybeans rose on worries about crop weather in Brazil, the world's top supplier, as well as the U.S., the second-largest exporter. Commodity funds hold a sizable

net short position

in CBOT soybean futures, leaving the market open to short-covering rallies.

With the U.S. harvest under way, market players are waiting for more harvested yield data to determine whether a hot and dry finish to the Midwest growing season affected yields. The USDA this month kept its national soybean yield estimate unchanged at a record-high 53.2 bushels per acre.

"There is some suspicion that we could see lower yields - not materially so, but the arrow is pointing down, whereas 30 days ago, the arrow was still pointing up," said Terry Linn, an analyst with Linn & Associates in Chicago.

Ahead of the USDA's weekly

crop progress report

due later on Monday, analysts surveyed by Reuters on average expected the government to show the U.S. soybean harvest as 13% complete and the corn harvest as 17% complete.

In Brazil, dry weather is delaying the start of seeding. Soybean

planting

was 0.9% complete by last Thursday, consultancy AgRural said, below last year's 1.9%.

CBOT wheat futures rose on firmer cash prices and weather risks around the world.

Russian wheat export prices

edged up slightly last week, and analysts anticipate further gains as export volumes have slowed.

European trade association Coceral on Friday cut its estimate of this year's grain crop in the European Union and Britain to 280.3 million metric tons from the 296 million tons projected in June after poor weather.
Sri Lanka Elections: President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his support and emphasised a shared commitment to strengthening ties between India and Sri Lanka following his poll victory.

Taking to X, he replied to PM Modi saying, "Thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for your kind words and support. I share your commitment to strengthening the ties between our nations. Together, we can work towards enhancing cooperation for the benefit of our peoples and the entire region."

Earlier, PM Modi had extended greetings to the newly elected Sri Lankan President.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Election Result LIVE: Dissanayake wins presidential polls

Noting that Sri Lanka is a strategic neighbour of India, Modi stated that India looked forward to working closely with the island nation. He stated that a multifaceted cooperation would benefit the Indian citizens, as well as other people in the region.

The left-leaning leader and a self-avowed Marxist will be sworn in as president of the island nation on Monday.

The People's Liberation Front (JVP) leader recorded a landslide victory against Sajith Premadasa on Sunday by attaining nearly 1.3 million more votes than his closest rival.

More about Anura Kumara Dissanayake Dissanayake has been a key figure in Sri Lankan politics and is known for his strong stance on economic reforms and social justice. As the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), he has made a notable impact despite having no political lineage.

Dissanayake has served as a member of parliament while taking a strong stance on issues pertaining to tackling the nations economic challenges.

Also Read | Will next Sri Lanka President favour India or China?

Anura Kumara Dissanayake was born on November 24, 1968, at Thambuthegama, Anuradhapura District. His father was a labourer and his mother a housewife. He graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science from the University of Kelaniya.

Dissanayake's party has sought to reassure India that his administration will not be caught in the geopolitical rivalry between India and China, Sri Lanka's largest lender.
Following his historic address to the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the city on Monday.

PM Modi US visit LIVE updates: In a post on X, PM Modi thanked the New York crowd who were present at the event and shared pictures from the memorable community programme.

"Thank you, New York! These are glimpses from the memorable community programme. Grateful to all those who joined," he wrote.

PM Modi is currently visiting the United States. On Sunday, he spoke at the "Modi and US" event held at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York. The gathering attracted around 15,000 members of the Indian diaspora from 42 states, who came together to extend a warm welcome to the Prime Minister.

Also Read | Sri Lankan President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake thanks PM Modi

While addressing the people, the Prime Minister said Our Namaste has become multi-national, has gone from local to global, only because of you. The warmth and energy of the Indian diaspora in New York is unparalleled.

He also said, AI also means American-Indian spirit. This is the new 'AI' power of the world. The same AI spirit is taking India-US relations to new heights. I salute Indian diaspora.

He also announced that India will open new consulates in two American cities  Boston and Los Angeles. India currently has six consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Besides this, the Indian Embassy is in capity city of Washington DC, and India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) is based in New York City.

Following his address, the Prime Minister also held bilateral talks with the Nepali Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

While speaking to the Palestinian President, he expressed his "deep concern" at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India's continued support to the Palestinian people and also held talks with Kuwait's Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.
Top news today: On 23 September, a series of events are set to take place right from politics to business.

M&M, Kotak Bank, HUL... nearly 350 stocks hit 52-week highs on BSE; investors earn about 4 lakh crore in a day

Nearly 350 stocks, including Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finserv and Sun Pharma, hit their fresh 52-week highs in intraday trade on BSE on Monday, September 23, amid an all-round buying which boosted benchmarks, the Sensex and the Nifty 50, to their fresh record levels. Read more

Mpox in India: First case of Clade 1b strain that triggered WHO 'public health emergency' detected in Kerala India has reported the first case of the Mpox strain, which led to the WHO declaring it a public health emergency last month, in a patient from Kerala who had tested positive last week, official sources said on Monday. They said Clade 1b strain has been detected in a 38-year-old man from Malappuram district who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates. Read more

Fresh formal hiring up 2.5% in July to 1.05 million, shows EPFO data The number of monthly fresh formal hirings under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) increased 2.6% on month to 1.05 million in July, according to the latest monthly payroll data released by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Monday. This signals a recovery in the formal labour market. The EPFO data is considered crucial as only the formal workforce enjoys social security benefits and is protected by labour laws. Read more

Congress flags Kangana Ranaut's 'intellectual bankruptcy' after jibe against Sonia Gandhi: An illiterate person would Members of the Himachal Pradesh Congress threatened to file a defamation case against actor-politician Kangana Ranaut on Monday for her foolish remarks. The Mandi MP had sparked outrage on Sunday after claiming the state government took loans and diverted the money to Sonia Gandhi. The Congress leader dismissed the allegations as a foolish statement and issued an open challenge to the BJP lawmaker to prove her claims. Read more

Vodafone Idea in fresh talks with Centre over AGR issue after Supreme Court verdict setback: Report Telecom major Vodafone Idea is in fresh talks with the Centre over its Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) issue, its Chief Executive Officer Akshaya Moondra said during a conference call with investors and analysts, Moneycontrol reported on Monday. In light of the curative petition dismissal, we have initiated fresh dialogue with the government on likely remedy, Moondra said, according to the report. Read more

Israel-Hezbollah war: 100 killed, more than 400 injured as Tel Aviv strikes 300 targets in Lebanon At least a 100 people were killed and more than 400 others injured on Monday as Israel struck 300 targets in neighbouring Lebanon. The intense barrage of airstrikes came hours after Tel Aviv urged residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate from homes and other buildings where it claimed Hezbollah has stored weapons, saying the military would conduct extensive strikes against the militant group. Read more
Google Doodle Today honours Oskar Picht, the German inventor behind the first braille typewriter. The remarkable invention brought inclusivity to blind people, enabling them to type faster and more accurately.

Google Doodle Today

The latest edition of Google's improvised search engine icon features a bronze typewriter engraved in braille on a bronze slab. Additionally, viewers can find icons of stationary items and tools like screw driver, etc.

About Google Doodle Today The unique doodle was created by Kiel-based artist Ute Dietz. The main inspiration behind the key elements in the doodle was inspired from the achievement and artwork of Oskar Picht. To provide an equitable, legible and interesting tactile Google Doodle experience for blind people, the artwork is available for visitors in Munich. The artwork, has been permanently installed at the first Accessibility Discover Center in the Google Munich offices.

Who is Oskar Picht, inventor of braille typewriter? Oskar Picht was a German teacher and inventor who found immense interest in blind teaching. Born in Germany's Hamburg in 1871, Picht became a teacher immediately after schooling. After a few years, he realised his increased interest in blind education. As a result, he attended the State Institute for the Blind in Berlin-Steglitz for two years to learn more about the field.

Picht developed his first braille writer in 1899 and also received a patent for it in 1901. To make the typewriter more useful for the blind and improve its accessibility, Picht continued to make improvements and modifications for decades. His thirty years of hard work and determination yielded fruitful results when he received another patent for braille typewriter in 1931.

How was the new typewriter different from the old one? The upgraded machine, which was patented in 1931, had six keys with different combinations of depressed dots that could also indent a sheet of paper. The modification made it more easier for blind people to type easily.
In a bizarre on-flight incident, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) was forced to make an emergency landing in Copenhagen after a passenger found a live mouse in her in-flight meal. The SAS flight from Norway's Oslo was headed to Malaga in Spain.

Terming the incident an "extremely rare" occurrence, the SAS spokesperson Oystein Schmidt said the flight was diverted for the safety of passengers and the crew.

According to the BBC report, the SAS plane underwent a thorough inspection on landing to locate the mouse.

Airlines usually have strict restrictions on rodents on board since they can chew through electrical wiring.

"This is something that happens extremely rarely. We have established procedures for such situations, which also include a review with our suppliers to ensure this does not happen again," Schmidt said.

Sharing the incident on Facebook, a passenger, Jarle Borrestad, wrote: "Believe it or not. A lady next to me at SAS opened the food and jumped a mouse out. Now we have turned around and landed at CPH [Copenhagen Airport] for flight changes."

He also remembered taking preventive measures, such as pulling his socks over the hems of his pants to stop the mouse from climbing up. Despite the startling find, he observed that the other passengers stayed remarkably composed, exhibiting no signs of panic. Following a short postponement of a few hours in Copenhagen, the journey to Malaga resumed on an alternate plane.

The incident follows another rodent-related interruption last week, when a train service in southern England was halted mid-journey because two squirrels would not vacate the carriage.

Also Read | Passengers clash over overhead cabin space on Guwahati-Delhi Indigo flight
A Reddit post about a job opening at a Navi Mumbai company has gone viral. In the post, the company posted a job vacancy for a Senior Executive in Talent Acquisition at its Navi Mumbai office in Loma. But what gained the listing so much attention was the bizarre job reqirement which stated, Personal life should be sorted with no baggage. This intriguing request has led to various reactions, prompting many to question the implications of such a stipulation in the hiring process.

The bizarre job requirement shared on Reddit originated from Naukri.com, where the company is offering a salary package between 2.75 and 3.75 lakhs per annum to people with sorted personal life. The post on Reddit was shared by a forum named, Recruiting Hell.

Here are some of the comments on the viral post The post has got severe backlash from users.

One user wrote, Employers need to be legally forced to treat employees with basic respect.

Another added, India, so not surprised. The professional work/life imbalance over there is reaching Japan levels. See: the two EY suicides over work stress.

Also Read | Florida woman suffers severe reaction after receiving 3 vaccines at once | Watch

That's actually kind of hilarious, how on earth would they even measure that? "Sorry but we've decided not to move further with your candidacy, one of the interviewers sensed some unresolved trauma."

Indian corporate life

Another remarked, Need to work due to poverty ? Unsolved personal issues, come back when you're a millionaire

Some other commented, red flag alert! management has personal life with baggage.

Another user added, I'm not at all surprised by this. Companies started telling people where they can be in their off hours and what they're allowed to post on social media. no one should be shocked they want to control the rest of your life outside of work, too. They already pushed the boundary and know people will accept it with minimal complaint.
Prince Harry's tenure in the British Military is one of the least talked about phases of his life ever since he married American actress Meghan Markle a few years ago. During his decade-long career in the British military, the Duke of Sussex had served two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Being deployed in the war-torn country was not easy, but it didn't take long for the British media to find out about Harry's deployment in Afghanistan. Just ten weeks after Prince Harry was deployed in Afghanistan's Helmand province, a story published overseas leaked confidential information about his deployment in Afghanistan.

The information could have significant repercussions on the Army's operation in Afghanistan. Hence, it was decided to withdraw Prince Harry's deployment in Afghanistan.

The decision to withdraw Harry from operations was not made lightly and was given careful consideration. At the time of the decision, he was deployed in the field, conducting operations against the Taliban, and we, therefore, had to consider not just the consequences for him personally but those that he was serving alongside, Mirror quoted Helmand task force commander Brigadier Andrew Mackay as saying.

Removal from Afghanistan hardest moment in Harry's life Terming the withdrawal from Afghanistan during tenure as British Army officer as one of Prince Harry's hardest points in life, royal expert Duncan Larcombe, said that only one person could calm him down during the situation. According to Mirror, Larcombe believed that only Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy could help him deal with the situation. Another thing which could alleviate the situation was Harry was a place close to his heart, Botswana.
Meghan Markle could rejoin the Royal Family under certain conditions, according to Royal expert Tom Quinn. He believes that, for her to return, she would need to live in England and quietly take part in traditional Royal duties.

The author of Scandals of the Royal Palaces: An Intimate Memoir of Royals Behaving Badly, claimed that the Duchess of Sussex could return, but not if she asked too much of the Royal Family.

Also Read | Not Harry or Meghan, Ipsos survey reveals THIS person is most popular UK royal

I think it's possible that Meghan could return, but I think she would physically have to live in England and she would have to, very quietly, start to do the things that the Royal Family does best, the author of Scandals of the Royal Palaces: An Intimate Memoir of Royals Behaving Badly told the Express.

However, Quinn also mentioned that Meghan could not return if she expected an apology or demanded major changes from the Royal Family as they were unlikely to agree to such requests.

"I don't think she could come back if she wants an apology or if she wants the Royal Family to completely change. They just can't do it, I just don't think they will," said the Royam Family author, whose last published book was Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family.

Royal Familys olive branch Meanwhile, the Royal Family has extended what is perceived as an olive branch to the Sussexes. After three years, Buckingham Palace publicly wished Prince Harry on his 40th birthday. Prince William and Kate Middleton posted a message on the platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

Also Read | Prince Harry would be happier if King Charles

The Prince and the Princess of Wales wrote on social media: Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!.
US Presidential candidate Donald Trump has found himself repeatedly under fire in recent weeks for peddling baseless rumours, changing his policy stances or even issuing questionable jibes against his rival. Weeks of outlandish rhetoric have however failed to budge the poll needle. With a mere six weeks left until Election Day both Trump and Kamala Harris remain locked in an unusually close race  with neither candidate managing to secure an advantage of five points or more till date.

The ideological lines that have long defined the political priorities of each party are also likely to blur in the coming weeks as Trump and Harris seek to expand their support base. Both candidates have already displayed ideological deviation from their previous claims  be it abortion or gun control.

The closest US election in nearly a century may ultimately come down to how many disaffected suburban Republicans vote for Harris and how much of Democrats traditional base migrates to Trump.

Also Read | Trump Vows to Hit John Deere With Tariffs If Jobs Move to Mexico

Donald Trump is a twice-impeached, convicted felon who remains entangled in multiple legal cases. He has found himself mired in a torrent of scandals over the decades and currently finds himself at the center of yet another controversy on an almost weekly basis. It is almost inconceivable that any other politician could have staged such a stunning comeback and remained within reach of the Oval Office for three consecutive times.

In September alone, Trump has falsely accused immigrants of eating their neighbours' pets, warned Jewish voters that they would be responsible if he lost the polls and blamed Kamala Harris and Democrats for inviting or instigating two assassination attempts against him. He refused to openly condemn his protege and North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson who made headlines after describing himself as a black Nazi on a pornographic website. Trump has also continued to peddle voter fraud allegations (for nearly five years now) and insists that the 2020 elections were stolen from him.

They're eating the cats!

Members of the Republican party have repeatedly accused Haitian immigrants of eating the pets of people in Springfield since Trump first levelled the bizarre charge during the Presidential debate with Harris. Multiple fact-checks and a social media meme (and reel) fest mocking the claim (you might have seen Olympian Gabby Thomas and others dancing to "eating the dog, eating the cat" song) have however failed to dampen support for Trump. And in a darker reflection of the political strategy behind the comment, there has been a spate of threats against Haitians and local schools and government buildings in Springfield.

These incidents (and several others) however appears to have made only a minuscule dent in his support base  or left it unscathed. National polls have shown very little change in recent weeks, even as analysts and election experts brace for backlash from voters after each assertion from Trump.

Over the years Trump has managed to transform the Republican party in his own image and built an unassailable support base. It is worth noting that the his party had overwhelmingly rejected candidates such as Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley during the primary race in favour of a third Trump nomination.

National polls have shown a slight improvement for Kamala Harris since the US Presidential debate on September 10. However the changes remain well within the margin of error with no clear leader in sight.
Tim Walz, Minnesota Governor and Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, faced backlash following a gaffe he made during his speech at a rally in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

Social media was abuzz following this major blunder and fiercely ridiculed the politician.

Soon after Vice President Kamala Harris announced Tim Walz as her running mate, the VP pick was pilloried by conservative politicians and supporters. Ahead of the 2024 US Presidential polls, social media was flooded with harsh remarks mocking Tim Walz.

What was so strange in Tim Walz's speech on Saturday? During the September 21 rally, Tim Walz discussed gun violence and launched a scathing attack on former US President Donald Trump and his VP pick, JD Vance. He also hit out at Project 2025.

However, his remarks were overshadowed by his gaffe.

Also Read | Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz unhurt after Milwaukee motorcade crash

Tim Walz made a confusing statement, We cant afford four more years of this. Netizens were in a frenzy and suggested that he was campaigning for Republican candidate Donald Trump now.

Pointing at a rallygoer in the crowd after a brief distraction, Tim Walz said, Ill bring her home here quick, folks: Look, Kamala Harris made it clear these guys want to instil fear, Fox News reported. He added, They want to tell you that [you should] just get over it; its a fact of life. This is the way it is."

Continuing his speech, Tim Walz, referring to Kamala Harris, said, "She has said it doesnt have to be this way. It doesnt have to be this way. We cant afford four more years of this.

Also Read | Tim Walz Leads Democratic Rising Stars Targeting Trump During Convention

This confusing statement drew massive criticism for Kamala Harris' running mate. A social media account handled by Trumps campaign, Trump War Room, roasting the Minnesota Governor, remarked, "WALZ FINALLY TELLS THE TRUTH: We cant afford four more years of Kamala Harris.

Taking to social media platform X, Sky News host and political commentator Rita Panahi wrote, Dude is campaigning for Trump now? Donald Trump's son also ridiculed Im with Him/Tim and pinned the post at the top of his X feed.

Also Read | Tim Walzs Progressive Policies Spark Debate Back Home in Minnesota
In 1951, 6-year-old Luis Armando Albino was abducted from a park in Oakland, California. A woman promised him candy but took him away to the East Coast in the US, where a couple raised him as their child. For more than seven decades, his family in Oakland never gave up hope that he was still alive.

Earlier this year, after years of searching, Luis was found alive. Thanks to the persistence of his niece, Alida Alequin, who used DNA testing and old newspaper articles, and with the help of the police, FBI and the Department of Justice, Luis was finally reunited with his family, according to Mercury News.

Her grandmother, Antonia Albino, always felt her son was alive, according to Alequin.

She took that with her to her grave, she said.

The mother maintained her "vigil of hope" for years, as noted in a 1966 Tribune article about the kidnapping that occurred 15 years earlier. She continued hoping for her childs return until she passed away at 92 in 2005.

Also Read | Dental student at Rohtaks PGIMS accuses doctor of kidnapping and assault

Alida had been determined to find her uncle, and her efforts led to a breakthrough. In 2020, she took an online DNA test, which showed a connection to a man who turned out to be Luis. After further research and working with investigators, the family confirmed his identity.

Luis returns home Luis, now a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran, returned to Oakland in June 2024 to reunite with his long-lost family. The reunion was emotional, with tearful hugs and joyful conversations. Luis also reconnected with his brother Roger, who had been with him at the park on the day of the kidnapping.

Sadly, Roger passed away in August, but Alida said he was at peace, knowing that his brother had been found. Luis has since returned to the East Coast, but the family is grateful for the reunion, which ended a decades-long search.
An American neurosurgeon shared an extraordinary experience, where he claims to have journeyed to the afterlife during a coma. Adopted as a child, he only later learned he had a biological sister, Betsy, but it was too late to meet her as she had passed away.

Dr. Eben Alexander had always been sceptical about spiritual experiences, believing out-of-body and near-death encounters to be brain-related hallucinations.

Also Read | Andhra woman watches film as doctors perform brain surgery

However, everything changed when he fell into a deep coma caused by a severe bacterial meningitis infection. His brain completely shut down, with no signs of activity. Yet, despite this, his consciousness continued.

During his seven-day coma, Alexander describes travelling through different realms, eventually reaching a heavenly place. He encountered vivid landscapes, animals and even a guide, a beautiful woman, who made him feel immense love and peace. This journey, he says, was not a dream or hallucination but a real experience beyond the physical world.

There are medical records for every minute of my coma, and none of them show any indication of brain activity. In other words, as far as neuroscience can say, my journey was not something happening inside my head, the Daily Mail quoted Alexander as saying in his book, Extracted from Map of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon Explores the Mysteries of the Afterlife & The Truth About What Lies Beyond.

There were trees, fields, animals and people. There was water, too, flowing in rivers or descending as rain. Mists rose from the pulsing surfaces of these waters, and fish glided beneath them, Alexander added.

When he awoke from the coma, Alexander had no memory of his life on Earth. However, his knowledge and memories returned over time. Despite this, he felt like a changed man.

Alexanders sister, Betsy Months later, he received a picture of his biological sister, Betsy, and immediately recognised her as the woman he had seen during his journey in the afterlife. This confirmation solidified his belief in what he had experienced while in the coma.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 22 announced that India will open new consulates in two American cities  Boston and Los Angeles, PTI reported. He was addressing Indian Americans in New York's at the Nassau Veterans Coliseum.

Modi said this comes amid long-pending demand for consulates in these cities from the fast-growing Indian American community, the report added.

Friends last year, I had announced that our government had plans to open a new consulate in Seattle. It is now operational. I had asked for suggestions from you for two more consulates. I am happy to announce that after reviewing your suggestions, India has decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles, Modi stated.

Why Boston and Los Angeles? The report noted that Boston is considered the education and pharma capital of the United States, while Los Angeles, which houses Hollywood, will be hosting the next summer Olympics. Further, Eric Garcetti, the present US Ambassador to India is a former mayor of Los Angeles.

India currently has six consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Besides this, the Indian Embassy is in capity city of Washington DC, and India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) is based in New York City.

Also Read | PM Modi US visit LIVE: PM Modi attends tech CEOs roundtable

Indian-Americans Rejoice The announcement was immediately welcomed by the residents of Los Angeles. The Modi government listens and responds to the needs of Indian Americans and of American business and political leaders. I am grateful to Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and former Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Sandhu for the decision to open a consulate in Los Angeles, Gunjan Bagla, CEO of Amritt Inc, a Los Angeles-based consulting firm, told PTI.

Bagla had led an effort in this regard. We obtained over 3,600 signatures from Southern California residents. Dozens of American and Indian American organisations wrote letters to the Prime Ministers Office, he said.

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States and its twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach handle about 40 per cent of all overseas goods trade in the United States .

With the growing global importance of the Indo-Pacific, Los Angeles is the capital of the Pacific Rim and India needs to be present here.

All but one of the G20 countries have consulates here in Los Angeles. American business executives with an interest in India will feel more engaged with a local consul general representing India. While we have been blessed with Consul General Dr Srikar Reddy visiting us from San Francisco dozens of times in the last year, there are numerous local events where the absence of India is clearly felt. NRIs and Indian Americans will benefit in the case of emergency travel needs to India by not having to fly to San Francisco, Bagla said.
US Elections 2024: United States Vice President and Democratic Party presidential nominee Kamala Harris (59) is leading opponent Donald Trump (78), former US President and Republican nominee, in two recently conducted national polls, Bloomberg reported.

The NBC News poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters, while the CBS/Ipsos poll surveyed 3,129 registered voters in the US. Both polls surveyed registered voters and were released on September 22.

According to the report, these poll numbers come at a crucial time, as many states have begun early voting ahead of the November 2024 elections.

Also Read | India to open new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles, PM Modi announces

Kamala Leads, But Margin of Error Persists Harris is leading Trump by 49 per cent to 44 per cent in the NBC News poll conducted from September 13-17. While the lead is 5 percentage points, the poll has a 5 per cent margin of error, so the race may be closer, the news channel reportedd.

Further, in the CBS/Ipsos poll conducted from September 18-20, Harris leads Trump by 52 per cent to 48 per cent. Notably, this poll was conducted after the apparent second assassination attempt against Trump on September 17, Bloomberg added.

NBC Polls Findings The NBC News poll showed that the positive view of Harris has jumped 16 percentage points since she took over the Democratic nomination from US President Joe Biden in July 2024. In an earlier survey by the channel, 32 per cent of registered voters polled said they viewed Harris favourably, and this has jumped to 48 per cent in the September poll.

NBC further pointed out that this increase is the "largest any candidate has seen" since former US President George W Bush's approval rose after the September 11 twin tower attacks in 2001.

Also Read | Reseller prices soar up to 26x as Coldplay concert tickets vanish in a flash

Early Voting Begins The Bloomberg report also noted that early voting has begun in many states before the official election scheduled on November 5. Among the states that have started the process include Minnesota, South Dakota and Virginia, with others expected to begin in October.

What is this and is it official? To answer the question, 'Early in-person voting' permits voters to vote in person before Election Day. These are legitimate votes and is allowed as sometimes circumstances make it hard or impossible for voters to cast their ballot on the day of itself, as per the US government website.

Most states in the US let voters cast their ballot in person during a designated early voting period. While some states require an excuse, some others do not.

Also Read | PM Modi US visit LIVE: PM Modi meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

Battleground 'Swing' States Remain Locked With the race being close, a "limited number of battleground states" will likely determine who becomes the next US President, the Bloomberg report noted.

The CBS/Ipsos poll it said had listed all seven swing states as "tossups", with Harris making it over the "majority" line but within the margin of error in five of these states. Further, both Trump and Harris are strongly pushing their campaigns in the swing states to mobilise voters, it added.

This election is going to be close. We have always known that. And in a state like Michigan or Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, we know that this is going to be a close race, Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Governor and Democrat from a swing state, told CNN on September 22.

Also Read | US Presidential candidate Kamala Harris raises her biggest fundraising success

The CBS polls also found that Harris has narrowed the gap with Trump on the widely acknowledged important election battle point  the economy.

The CBS poll showed Trump led Harris 53 per cent to 47 per cent on the issue in September, compared to 56 per cent to 43 per cent in August.

Asked about the intent of Trumps unsubstantiated claims about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs, 65 per cent of the surveyed registered voters told CBS it was "to make people fearful of migrants" and 63 per cent said the stories were "probably false".
The Rouse Avenue Court on September 23 has extended the judicial custody of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan till October 7. Khan was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on September 2 in connection with the purchase of 36 crore property in Okhla.

Earlier on 19 September, the Delhi High Court had sought the response of the ED on a plea moved by Khan challenging his arrest. The bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued notice to the ED and listed the matter for October 18, 2024.

Also Read | Waqf Board money laundering case: Amanatullah Khan sent to 4 days ED custody

In his petition, Khan had argued that the ED violated his fundamental and human rights during the arrest process, doing so with impunity. He claimed that his arrest constitutes an "unprecedented assault" on his fundamental rights, which are part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.

The agency stated that Amanatullah Khan is the primary accused in the case, with the proceeds of crime allegedly laundered through land purchases. A prosecution complaint has already been filed, and four other suspects were arrested earlier, with cognizance taken. Special Public Prosecutor Manish Jain noted that Khan's anticipatory bail was denied and that 14 summons had been issued to him, which he allegedly ignored.

ED said that the property in question was of 36 crores but an agreement to sell was fabricated to show that it was of 13.4 crores. It was submitted that 4 crores were paid and the rest amount was paid through the banking channel.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi assumed charge as Delhi Chief Minister on Monday. Atishi took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on September 22 after she was named successor to the post by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal earlier this week.
The US Federal Aviation Administration is working to overhaul its internal processes for identifying and addressing aviation safety risks in the wake of a mid-air blowout on a Boeing Co. jet, the agencys top official plans to tell lawmakers on Tuesday.

The changes underway are intended to strengthen oversight across the agency, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker plans to tell members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committees aviation panel. FAA audits revealed a series of manufacturing and safety lapses at Boeing after a fuselage panel blew off a 737 Max jet shortly after takeoff in January. The agency has since been criticized by some lawmakers for failing to catch those problems sooner.

Whitaker will say that the FAA must establish more proactive oversight processes that allow us to anticipate and identify risks before they manifest themselves as events, according to a copy of his prepared remarks seen by Bloomberg.

Whitaker has acknowledged that his agency should have been more hands-on in its oversight of Boeing prior to the January accident. FAA has since taken steps to bolster its oversight, such as placing more inspectors on the ground at the planemakers factories.

Whitaker also plans to say that the FAA is exploring ways to better use internal and external data to become more predictive in identifying risks across the aviation system.

Lawmakers are examining Boeings actions before and after the January accident, as well as the FAAs role as the aviation industrys chief watchdog. Whitaker is also slated to testify before an investigative subcommittee in the Senate on Wednesday.

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, and Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois introduced legislation in August that would require the FAA to boost its safety management system and analyze prior lapses.

Long-Term Change

Following the January mishap, the FAA capped production of the 737 Max and required Boeing to submit a comprehensive plan to fix the issues at its factories. That plan, provided to the regulator in May, includes a series of performance metrics that the agency is monitoring in real time to measure the companys progress.

Whitaker said in an interview earlier this month that Boeings factories must show that theyre healthy before the FAA will allow the planemaker to increase production rates beyond that cap.

Boeing must make significant changes to transform its quality system and ensure the right layers of safety are in place, Whitaker will tell Congress Tuesday. He says hes emphasized to Boeings new Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg that these changes must be sustained over the long term.

The House subcommittees hearing comes as Boeing has been forced to halt jetliner production across the Pacific Northwest because of striking workforce seeking better pay and benefits. Members of Boeings largest union representing 33,000 workers voted to reject a new labor accord earlier this month.

On Monday, Boeing offered the union a 30% wage hike in a bid to break the stalemate.
At least 274 people were killed and more than 700 others injured on Monday as Israel struck hundreds of targets in neighbouring Lebanon. The intense barrage of airstrikes also prompted a counter-attack from Hezbollah as thousands of civilians fled the southern part of the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the military was changing the "security balance" along the northern border.

Israel struck more than 800 Hezbollah sites on Monday after issuing a warning for civilians to evacuate. The militant group said that it has targeted three sites in northern Israel as part of its response. An update from the health ministry said Israeli strikes had killed "182 people and wounded 727 others" with children, women and health workers among the casualties.

World powers have urged both Israel and Hezbollah to pull back from the brink of an all-out war as the clashes gained momentum in recent weeks. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon warned on Monday that further escalation on the Israel-Lebanon border risked having "devastating" regional consequences

Here are the latest updates: Thousands fled southern Lebanon on Monday with the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut. Health Minister Firass Abiad said thousands of families from the targeted areas have been displaced.

More than 1,000 other people were wounded in the strikes  a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week. Officials estimate that around 5,000 people have been wounded in less than a week of Israeli attacks  since Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies exploded.

The attacks are likely to go on for the near future according to Israeli officials. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari urged civilians in Lebanon to immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety and avoid potential targets linked to Hezbollah. He indicated that the IDF would engage in (more) extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was changing the "security balance" along the northern border. He added that Israel's policy was to preempt threats rather than "wait" for them.

I promised we would change the security balance, the balance of power in the north  and that is exactly what we are doing, he said during a security meeting.

I promised we would change the security balance, the balance of power in the north  and that is exactly what we are doing, he said during a security meeting. Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian accused Israel of seeking a wider war in the Middle East and laying traps to lead his country into an expanded conflict. He insisted that Tehran did not want to see the current war in Gaza and airstrikes across the Israeli-Lebanon border expanded.

US President Joe Biden has said that he will discuss efforts to calm tensions in the Middle East with visiting United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on Monday.
Japans ruling party wanted someone different. It might get more than it bargained for.

While nine lawmakers are contesting the race to become the countrys next leader, the field has narrowed to just three: conservative Sanae Takaichi, self-proclaimed heir to Abenomics; political scion Shinjiro Koizumi, dashing but inexperienced; and popular maverick Shigeru Ishiba, making his fifth and final bid for power.

As an alternative to the outgoing Fumio Kishida, as well as a fresh face to front the next election campaign, the Liberal Democratic Party couldnt have asked for more. Each of the three can claim to represent a break with the past. Takaichi would be the first female prime minister. Koizumi, at just 43 years old, would represent a generational shift. And Ishiba would show acceptance of an outsider for much of his career.

But in ways not true of a Japanese leader in years, each carries serious risks. Disregard those who say the choice is unimportant so long as the LDP stay in power: the prime minister might not have the power of a US president, but from the late Shinzo Abes radical monetary easing to Kishidas embrace of the US alliance, its undeniable that the premier can shift the LDP in hugely significant ways.

Start with Takaichi, economic-security minister and an acolyte of the easy-money policies known as Abenomics. Shes also a supporter of that wings hawkish foreign policies, representing her biggest risk. Improved relations with South Korea, boosted by Kishida to levels rarely bettered, may be imperiled. Those with China might worsen further, at a time when tensions with Beijing have spiked over the killing of a Japanese schoolboy and the entry of an aircraft carrier into Tokyos waters.

Takaichi is a defender of visits to Tokyos Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates Japans war dead, including those convicted as war criminals  a habit she would likely seek to continue as prime minister. The last visit by a sitting leader to the divisive shrine, that of Abe in December 2013, triggered diplomatic incidents, Chinese boycotts and a rare rebuke by the US. Takaichis policy platform includes a pledge to create an environment where the country can pay respect to those who have died in the service of national policy, a thinly veiled reference to Yasukuni.

Koizumi, too, is a frequent visitor to the Tokyo shrine. His father, the reformist Junichiro Koizumi, went every year as prime minister, including, in his last days in power, on the anniversary of Japans defeat in World War II. The younger Koizumi has been cagier on the subject of whether he would carry on that tradition  though next year marks the significant 80th anniversary of the wars end.

The former environment minister also brings different questions, none larger than his inexperience. On the campaign trail, that has shown as he has stumbled into obstacles of his own making. He called for labor reforms to make it easier to fire workers  a necessary change, but one which lets opponents paint him as being in the pocket of big business. He has struggled to respond to these claims, giving room for more spurious rumors to grow online  and denting his once sky-high poll ratings. And his foreign-policy experience is practically non-existent, in an environment where the 1980s anti-Japan bluster of Donald Trump might make a return to the White House.

Given Trumps transactional nature, he might even understand Shigeru Ishibas talk of re-balancing Tokyos relationship with the US. But others in Washington might not be so sure, given Tokyos increasing importance in US plans to contain China. Ishiba is well-known in defense circles. But his talk of reviewing the Status of Forces Agreement to place Japan on equal terms with its security guarantor, as well as building an Asian NATO, are already raising eyebrows in Washington.

Some circumspect conversation around the dangers to Japan of a Chinese invasion to Taiwan, as well as comments that the country isnt simply limited to allying with the US or moving closer to China, could rankle those who have welcomed Tokyos recent positioning as the USs most crucial Asian ally.

Ishibas economic arguments also raise questions on his best days. I struggle to reconcile some of his reasoning  such as making the end of deflation his top priority, while simultaneously calling for Bank of Japan rate hikes to bring prices down.

The lack of an economic vision isnt just limited to Ishiba, however. While each of the three represents a different strand of traditional LDP economic thinking  neoliberal Koizumi, who sees growth prompted by sweeping reforms; spend-heavy Takaichi, who favors a return to easing; and fiscally cautious Ishiba  their plans lack substance.

And for all the talk of issues such as allowing married couples to keep separate surnames that dominate the hustings, the next prime minister will likely survive or fall on the economy. Change can be good. But be careful what you wish for.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Gearoid Reidy is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Japan and the Koreas. He previously led the breaking news team in North Asia, and was the Tokyo deputy bureau chief.

/opinion
Sri Lanka has chosen Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist leader, as its 10th President. This landmark decision follows a referendum against the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe and signifies a crucial shift after the Rajapaksa family's ousting in 2022. The nation is still grappling with the aftermath of a severe economic meltdown, and Dissanayake's leadership brings hope for recovery.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Election Result LIVE: Dissanayake wins presidential polls

Economic Recovery: Will Dissanayake Deliver? Dissanayake's election has raised expectations for effective navigation through Sri Lankas ongoing economic crisis. However, speculation abounds regarding his geopolitical stance: Will he lean toward China like his predecessors, or foster a stronger relationship with India?

Pro-China or Pro-India: What Lies Ahead? Initial reports suggested that Dissanayake may be inclined towards China, a notion rooted in the stereotype of Marxist leaders. Historically, Sri Lanka has favored China during the Rajapaksa era, with significant loans funding controversial projects like the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port, ultimately exacerbating the countrys debt crisis.

Dissanayake's Party Clarifies Stance on India Dissanayakes party, the National People's Power (NPP), aims to allay concerns about potential pro-China leanings. They have reassured India that the new administration will not become entangled in geopolitical rivalries.

"Sri Lankan territory will not be used against any other nation," Bimal Ratnayake, a spokesperson for the party, told AFP. We are fully aware of the geopolitical situation in our region, but we will not participate.

Professor Anil Jayantha, a member of the NPP's national executive committee, emphasized the importance of engaging with India: India is certainly our neighbour and a superpower. Our leader wants to deal with all major powers to stabilize the Sri Lankan economy.

The Geopolitical Importance of Sri Lanka Sri Lankas strategic location in the Indian Ocean has heightened its geopolitical relevance, especially given interests in the Indo-Pacific and Chinas expanding influence in South Asia.

Also Read | Will next Sri Lanka President favour India or China?

Chinas Continued Influence in Sri Lanka Despite Indias efforts, China remains a significant player in Sri Lanka. From 2006 to 2022, China committed $11.2 billion in grants and loans for infrastructure projects, far exceeding the $97 million spent by the U.S. during the same timeframe, according to a Bloomberg report citing AidData.

Also Read | Sri Lanka presidential polls: Wickremesinghe faces challenge from Marxist leader

Indias Growing Concerns India is increasingly cautious about Chinas footprint in Sri Lanka, particularly following the leasing of Hambantota Port to a Chinese firm. Once intended to be a major shipping hub, Hambantota struggled to attract traffic, leading Sri Lanka to surrender control to China for 99 years in exchange for $1.1 billion. This move has raised fears that the port could be used for military purposes, a claim Sri Lankan officials have refuted.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Bondholders and Government Hold New Round of Talks

Strengthening Indo-Sri Lankan Ties In response to China's growing influence, India is actively working to bolster its relationship with Sri Lanka. Notably, the Adani Group, supported by U.S. funding, is leading a multi-million-dollar expansion of the Colombo West International Terminal.
Former President Donald Trump accused China of failing to honor a deal he made with the country to buy $50 billion in US agricultural exports and vowed to raise the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping if the Republican nominee returns to the White House.

My first call, Im going to call up President Xi and say you have to honor the deal you made, Trump said Monday at an event in swing-state Pennsylvania focused on China and threats to US farmers and the nations food supply.

You made a deal, youd buy $50 billion worth of American farm product. And I guarantee you he will buy it, 100%, he will buy it, he added.

Trump as president reached a so-called phase one trade deal with China in early 2020 that saw the US reduce some duties in exchange for China pledging to increase its purchases of US exports, including $50 billion of agricultural goods. But actual purchases fell short of that vow, with China importing less than 60% of the promised goods and services  covering food, energy and manufactured products through December 2021, according to a study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The Republican presidential nominee on Monday assailed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris  his November election rival  saying the current administration had failed to enforce the deal.

China, the worlds second largest economy, has emerged as a top target in the presidential race between Trump and Harris as both candidates vow to take a tough stance against Beijing and its growing military and economic influence.

Mondays event was organized by the Protecting America Initiative, which describes itself as a group committed to stopping Chinese influence in the US. Its senior advisers include former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell and former US Representative Lee Zeldin, both of whom joined Trump for the discussion.

The former president heard from farmers about the challenges they face, using the opportunity to tout his pledge to hit both US allies and adversaries with tariffs if he secures a second White House term. Trump has vowed to impose a 60% tariff on China and has threatened a 100% tariff on Chinese cars made in Mexico  part of a broader agenda that would upend global trade. As president, Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion of Chinese goods.

Harris is largely expected to hew to Bidens approach of intensive diplomacy, keeping communication with Beijing open and highlighting areas where the nations can cooperate even as the administration looks to make the US more competitive with China and restrict its access to cutting edge technologies with national security implications.

Over the weekend, Biden hosted the Quad Leaders Summit in Delaware, bringing together the prime ministers of India, Australia and Japan, part of an effort to strengthen ties with US allies in the Indo-Pacific as a counterweight to China. During a hot mic moment, Biden was heard telling other leaders that China is testing the US and its allies in the region.

Earlier: China Testing Us All, Biden Says at Indo-Pacific Summit

The Biden administration this year has taken a number of steps to tighten the screws on China, including finalizing new tariffs on Chinese goods, cracking down on de minimis exemptions for Chinese shipments of cheap products and curbing shipments of steel and aluminum from China and elsewhere through Mexico.

Donald Trump used the White House to give handouts to wealthy corporations and foreign companies at the expense of family farmers, drive farm bankruptcies to record levels, and sacrifice small American farmers as pawns in his failed trade war with China, Harris campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said in a statement Monday.

Earlier: Harris Says Trump Sold Us Out to China, Slams His Praise of Xi

Trumps event in Pennsylvania comes ahead of a rally he is slated to hold in the state later Monday. Pennsylvania has emerged as the top battleground in the fight between Harris and Trump and a state that underscores the importance of the economy in the race. An August Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows a tight race, with Harris leading Trump in Pennsylvania by four percentage points.

Both Trump and Harris have crisscrossed western Pennsylvania, looking to court blue-collar workers and rural communities worried wages and jobs as well as high prices that have burdened US households.

With assistance from Stephanie Lai.
Former President Donald Trump threatened to hit US farm machinery maker Deere & Co. with steep tariffs if the company moves production to Mexico during an event on American farmers and trade.

Im just notifying John Deere right now, if you do that, were putting a 200% tariff on everything that you want to sell into the United States, Trump said Monday, citing reports about the company shifting manufacturing to Mexico.

The company earlier this year said it would lay off 503 workers in Illinois and 310 in Iowa as it faces rising operational costs and declining demand. Those workforce reductions have spurred concerns from Republicans that the iconic American firm is aiming to shift production overseas.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida in August urged the company to prioritize US workers in a letter he sent to Deere Chief Executive Officer John May.

Trumps comments came at a forum in Pennsylvania focused on threats to US farmers, as he sought to rally support in the crucial battleground. In addition to warning Deere, Trump accused China of failing to honor a deal to buy $50 billion in US agricultural exports and vowed to raise the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping if the Republican returns to the White House.

My first call, Im going to call up President Xi and say you have to honor the deal you made, Trump said. You made a deal, youd buy $50 billion worth of American farm product. And I guarantee you he will buy it, 100%, he will buy it.

Trump as president reached a so-called phase one trade deal with China in early 2020 that saw the US reduce some duties in exchange for China pledging to increase its purchases of US exports, including $50 billion of agricultural goods. But actual purchases fell short of that vow, with China importing less than 60% of the promised goods and services  covering food, energy and manufactured products through December 2021, according to a study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The Republican presidential nominee on Monday assailed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris  his November election rival  saying the current administration had failed to enforce the deal.

China, the worlds second largest economy, has emerged as a top target in the presidential race between Trump and Harris as both candidates vow to take a tough stance against Beijing and its growing military and economic influence.

Mondays event was organized by the Protecting America Initiative, which describes itself as a group committed to stopping Chinese influence in the US. Its senior advisers include former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell and former US Representative Lee Zeldin, both of whom joined Trump for the discussion.

The former president heard from farmers about the challenges they face, using the opportunity to tout his pledge to hit both US allies and adversaries with tariffs if he secures a second White House term.

Trump has vowed to impose a 60% tariff on China and has threatened a 100% tariff on Chinese cars made in Mexico  part of a broader agenda that would upend global trade. As president, Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion of Chinese goods.

China Focus

Harris is largely expected to hew to Bidens approach of intensive diplomacy, keeping communication with Beijing open and highlighting areas where the nations can cooperate even as the administration looks to make the US more competitive with China and restrict its access to cutting edge technologies with national security implications.

Over the weekend, Biden hosted the Quad Leaders Summit in Delaware, bringing together the prime ministers of India, Australia and Japan, part of an effort to strengthen ties with US allies in the Indo-Pacific as a counterweight to China. During a hot mic moment, Biden was heard telling other leaders that China is testing the US and its allies in the region.

Earlier: China Testing Us All, Biden Says at Indo-Pacific Summit

The Biden administration this year has taken a number of steps to tighten the screws on China, including finalizing new tariffs on Chinese goods, cracking down on de minimis exemptions for Chinese shipments of cheap products and curbing shipments of steel and aluminum from China and elsewhere through Mexico.

Donald Trump used the White House to give handouts to wealthy corporations and foreign companies at the expense of family farmers, drive farm bankruptcies to record levels, and sacrifice small American farmers as pawns in his failed trade war with China, Harris campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said in a statement Monday.

Earlier: Harris Says Trump Sold Us Out to China, Slams His Praise of Xi

Trumps event in Pennsylvania comes ahead of a rally he is slated to hold in the state later Monday. Pennsylvania has emerged as the top battleground in the fight between Harris and Trump and a state that underscores the importance of the economy in the race. An August Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows a tight race, with Harris leading Trump in Pennsylvania by four percentage points.

With assistance from Stephanie Lai.
Israel Hezbollah news: The Israeli military on Monday called on Palestine to 'immediately' evacuate any buildings where Hezbollah is storing arms.

Earlier, the militant group's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, announced that the Israel-Hezbollah war has now entered a new phase, as firing continued between the two countries. At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to do whatever it takes to improve the country's security in the north.

The comments from the two leaders came after Hezbollah fired a barrage of missiles at the Ramat David air base in northern Israel, near Haifa, The Washington Post reported. Here are the latest updates:

Israel-Hezbollah tensions: Top points Israel's escalating exchanges of fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon have left hundreds dead or injured on both sides of the border and forced thousands to evacuate. 2. Israeli PM Netanyahu also posted a video yesterday, stating that No country can accept the wanton rocketing of its cities. We can't accept it either.

3. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has reiterated the country's commitment to ensuring the security of its residents in the Gaza strip. Military actions will continue until we reach a point where we may ensure the safe return of Israel's northern communities to their homes, said Gallant. In addition, Army Chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi vowed that Israel would "hit anyone who threatens" its citizens.

4. Hezbollah has shown no signs of deterrence, with Qassem stating that the group is prepared to face "all military possibilities." This comes as Israel continues to target Hezbollah's military infrastructure, attempting to prevent the group from expanding its influence along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

5. Meanwhile, the United States, Israel's strongest ally, has called for restraint. President Joe Biden stressed that military escalation is not in Israel's "best interest" and that the US is committed to preventing a wider conflict. "We'll do everything we can to prevent a larger war from erupting," Biden stated.

6. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also shared similar concerns, warning that Lebanon could become "another Gaza" due to the ongoing conflict.

7. Lebanon's health ministry stated that three people were killed in Israeli strikes in southern areas, while Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of two of its fighters. The Israeli army reported that over 150 rockets, missiles, and drones were launched into its territory from Lebanon overnight.

Also Read | Death toll from Israeli strike on Hezbollah military leaders rises

8. Despite mediation efforts from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Attempts to secure a ceasefire and facilitate the release of hostages have stalled, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty noting that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is hindering efforts to stabilize Gaza.

9. The United Nations has described the situation as being "on the brink of an imminent catastrophe."
Lets call it Operation Chutzpah. If, as is widely believed, the Mossad detonated pagers and walkie-talkies used by Lebanese Hezbollah terrorists, killing dozens and wounding thousands, it will go down as an intelligence operation for the history books. This strike is the latest in a string of daring operations from the tunnels beneath Gaza to the heart of Tehran. It also demonstrates how software has ushered in a new phase of warfare.

Remember that Russian soldiers stole $5 million in John Deere equipment in 2022 from occupied Ukraine, only to discover that the internet-connected tractors could be remotely turned into scrap. Months later, Tesla drivers at the Chinese resort of Beidaihe found their cars banned from the town during a Chinese Communist Party conclave.

The party has since blocked Tesla at other sites, worried that the connected cars cameras pose a security risk. In January the FBIannounced that Volt Typhoon, a Chinese state-sponsored group, had embedded malware inside Americas critical infrastructure such as communications, energy, transportation, and water sectors." This malware could destroy the systems that keep our homes, businesses and hospitals running.

Look at the damage done by exploding pagers. Then imagine the chaos caused by haywire power grids, or the economic consequences of frozen ports. The Biden administration recently warned that Chinese-made port cranes could be controlled . . . from remote locations." European companies found that Chinese groups may have gained access to the systems that control cargo ships. Billions of endpoints connect to the internet, including sensors and devices that physically interact with critical infrastructure. Anyone with control over a portion of the technology stack such as semiconductors, cellular modules, or hardware devices, can use it to snoop, incapacitate or kill.

The weaponization of commercial hardware and software will drive a bifurcation in the technology stack between the free world and our totalitarian rivals. In June, CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping declared that the high-tech field has become the front line and main battlefield of international competition." Accordingly, the Communist Party has required that technologies from social-media apps to AI models reflect the partys socialist values. China has even used smart city" systemsnetworks that govern traffic management and trash collectionas a digital backbone that facilitates the consistent enforcement of social control programs."

Mr. Xi is working to remove American technologyiPhones, Intel chips and Microsoft softwarefrom the partys totalitarian technology stack. He seeks a future where he could turn off the lights in Green Bay or Geneva knowing we could not do the same in Guangzhou.

To prevent such a disaster, we should first recognize that the Chinese Communist Party isnt interested in cooperating on AI risks and safety. This delusion underlies the Biden administrations diplomatic approach to Beijing. Despite little to show from engagement on climate change and fentanyl, President Biden seems to believe we can persuade China to use AI for humanitys benefit.

But what does AI safety" look like to a regime using facial recognition to ethnically profile Uighurs as part of their genocide in Xinjiang? The main AI risk the party wants to mitigate is having the U.S. dominate this critical technology. We should focus on mitigating the main risk to our way of life, by building a free world technology stack, with trusted allied vendors from chips to servers to software.

Second, we need to wield the free-world technology stack more effectively. In World War II, America equipped its allies to be the Arsenal of Democracy." Today, nations looking to us for weapons might call us the DMV of Democracy"we provide what we promised only after an agonizing wait. As Rahm Emanuel, our ambassador to Japan, recently noted, our military industrial base is ferkakte . . . its screwed up . . . the weakest link in our national security." Technology can help. America has the tools to build a software-defined manufacturing ecosystem, where we can find and fix bottlenecks. A digital twin of the entire defense supply chain would allow us to analyze, allocate, and accelerate production from the factory floor to the front line.

Third, a revitalized American technological industrial base should catalyze an interoperable free-world technological industrial base. To outcompete China, we must make it easy for allies and geopolitical swing states to adopt, contribute to, and innovate on top of our software. In Mr. Xis main battlefield of international competition," we must make the free worlds technology stack more attractive than the totalitarian alternative, drawing more countries to our side of the emerging Silicon Curtain.

Pillar Two of the AUKUS arrangement with Australia and the United Kingdom presents a massive opportunity to do this, by enhancing joint capabilities in critical areas alongside two allies. We havent made the most of this opportunity. The State Department recently proposed, at last, exemptions to burdensome International Traffic in Arms Regulations weapons-export restrictions for Australia and the U.K. Even then, the exemptions dont apply to hypersonic missiles, undersea vehicles, and electronic warfarecore elements of Pillar Two. The exemptions also dont apply to other Indo-Pacific allies, notably Japan.

Congressional Republicans have pushed to loosen ITAR, which a Rand report calls an impediment to defense innovation and integration with allies." Doing so, and transferring implementation from the overcautious State Department to the Pentagon, would serve as a down payment on the policy America needs to win the technology stack competition.

America and our allies have the tools to build a shared software-defined manufacturing ecosystem backed by a free-world technology stack. This is the cornerstone of a safer and more prosperous U.S.-led coalition, one that geopolitical swing states will want to join. If we fail, Chinas totalitarian technology stack will flourish, ushering in a more fractured and hostile world. In that case, Americans may view their iPhones and car batteries the way Hezbollah operatives now see their pagers.

Mr. Gallagher, a Journal contributor, is head of defense for Palantir Technologies and a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute. He represented Wisconsins Eighth Congressional District (2017-24) and was chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
India is experiencing a flight of the wealthy, and that is not a great feeling. As the fastest growing large economy in the world, with its ease of doing business improvingstrike-prone Kerala recently won the Centres prize for the best-in-class business reformsIndia should be not just retaining its rich and talented, but also luring to its shores entrepreneurs from around the world.

Something is amiss. Indians have been snapping up spots in the sun abroad. Between July and August this year, there was a 37% increase in Indian purchases of real estate in Greece, including properties under construction. These investments can serve as an escape route out of India.

Greece has had a golden visa programme with a relatively low bar: invest 250,000 in Greek property and youd be eligible for permanent residency. That is not a big sum for Indias better off. Many flats in Mumbai, Gurgaon and other big cities cost more than the 2.2 crore or so that sum works out to.

But Greece recently raised the investment eligibility for its residency permit to 800,000, with effect from 1 September. Hence the spurt in Greek property purchases.

Many believe that the countrys wealthy migrate when they are forced to flee. Like, for example, when banks start insolvency proceedings against them and their companies.

True, rich Indians have given the Sanskrit term Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family, a new meaning when faced with action for the recovery of unpaid dues.

But the flight of delinquent capitalists isnt all there is to the apparent desire of well-heeled Indians to resettle abroad. In its 2024 edition, the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report says that 4,300 dollar millionaires are projected to leave India and take up residency abroad this year.

The report takes into account only migrants who spend more than six months of the year in their newly adopted land and excludes millionaires who, gripped by wanderlust, embrace the idea as a means to gain easy access to countries that dont roll out red carpets for Indian passport-holders.

The report also notes that Indias exit number is lower than the 2023 reports figure (by all of 800), and that the worlds largest emigration of dollar millionaires is from China.

But then, since China has 6.2 million dollar millionaires while Indias count is less than a sixth of that number, out-bound Chinese are fewer as a share of the total in this bracket of wealth than Indians packing up. On the face of it, the Chinese have stronger reasons to leave their country than Indians do.

Beijing tells Chinese industry what kind of tech sectors should grow, capital flows to some sectors at a lower cost than to others, and the state can arbitrarily put people behind bars.

Chinas Xinjiang policy of forced camps to educate" people has tainted swathes of its industry using direct or indirect inputs from that region.

And China is prone to sanctions by the US and other countries in the West. Business owners in India cannot claim to face such problems.

Why then are so many of Indias rich leaving our shores? Is it to escape a tax burden that they expect will only get heavier? Fear of policy caprice? Are they put off by Indias level of protection for some sectors?

Also read: Behind the allure of investment visas

Do they see potential economic pitfalls in the countrys political patterns? Or is it a broad exhaustion with the way things are"? The problem must be identified and fixed. India cannot afford to lose its most dynamic sons and daughters.
As the world's largest developing country, China always considers its growth in the context of the common development of all humanity. The country has provided development assistance to over 160 countries. BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Three years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, calling for building a consensus on pursuing development, promoting shared growth and helping accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The initiative has since been continuously substantialized, its implementation mechanisms increasingly refined, and practical cooperation under its framework has gradually taken shape, thereby offering China's solution to bridging the development gap in Global South countries as well as building a better world together. DEVELOPMENT AS PRIORITY "The international community must pursue the larger interests of all countries, respond to people's concerns, and restore development to the center of the international agenda," said Xi at the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August 2023, once again urging countries to seek development together. The GDI lists "prioritizing development" at the top of its six core concepts and principles, which aligns with the needs of the times and has received widespread recognition and active support from the international community. More than 100 countries and many international organizations including the UN have supported and participated in the GDI. Additionally, more than 80 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. As the world's largest developing country, China always considers its growth in the context of the common development of all humanity. The country has provided development assistance to over 160 countries. At the opening ceremony of the second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development held in July in Beijing, Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai hailed his country's joining the Group of Friends of the GDI in early this year as another milestone in China-Vanuatu relations, referring to Vanuatu as a beneficiary of this initiative. A demonstration center for the China-Africa (Ethiopia)-United Nations (UNIDO) Cooperation was established during this conference. UNIDO Director-General Gerd Muller said that the demonstration center, which focuses on industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development, plays a significant role in sharing China's development experience, promoting advanced Chinese technologies and attracting investment. Abu Bakr al-Deeb, an advisor to the Cairo-based Arab Center for Research and Studies, said the GDI "seeks to enhance world partnerships to be more just and balanced" and protects more people from the impacts of hunger, poverty, and conflict, which is particularly important when the world is facing many challenges and tensions. HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT The GDI has created a global open platform focused on poverty reduction, food security, development financing, climate change, green development and the digital economy, among other key areas. These key areas "all speak to the development aspirations of emerging economies, most of which are based in Africa," said Cavince Adhere, a Kenyan specialist on international relations. From providing food assistance and nutritional meals for impoverished women and children to promoting Juncao planting technology in over 100 countries, the initiative embodies the Chinese proverb that it "not only gives people fish but also teaches them how to fish." "This initiative has not only enhanced global awareness of development issues but has also offered innovative solutions to address complex challenges such as poverty, infrastructure development, and climate change," Benjamin Mgana, chief editor of Foreign News of the Guardian in Tanzania, told Xinhua. China has also promoted a large number of "small-scale yet impactful" projects under the framework of the GDI to create education and employment opportunities worldwide, such as teaching technical skills to Tajikistani youth through the Luban Workshop and helping Ethiopian women start businesses with the "replace plastic with bamboo" initiative. Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, said the GDI offers a model of high-quality growth for developing countries. In Cuba, the three solar photovoltaic power stations built with Chinese assistance, each with a capacity of 4 megawatts, shine brightly under the Caribbean sun. Deborah Rivas, deputy minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba, said the project holds great significance to Cuba's national economy and its people. The GDI also provides opportunities for many companies in fields such as green energy and artificial intelligence, where China is playing an increasingly important role, said Bernard Dewit, chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION During the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held earlier this month in Beijing, development was a keyword that resonated throughout the three-day event, with participating countries expressing their unified support for the GDI. The GDI is highly compatible with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries, and "has injected strong impetus into common development across the world," said a joint statement on deepening cooperation between China and Africa within the framework of the GDI released during the summit. Under the initiative, China has upgraded the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, increasing its capital to 4 billion U.S. dollars. The total number of global development projects established has surpassed 1,000, with over 500 projects completed or currently in implementation. In South-South cooperation, China never attaches any political conditions and consistently offers sincere support for developing countries to enhance their self-development capabilities, while continually exploring new fields and methods for collaboration. China was the first to explicitly support the African Union's membership in the Group of 20, calling for greater representation of developing countries in global decision-making bodies. It also remains committed to developing and improving multilateral cooperation frameworks such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to amplify the voice of developing countries in international affairs. Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina told Xinhua in a recent interview that China has demonstrated a "constant commitment" to Africa's development and opened up new prospects for countries including Madagascar in key areas such as infrastructure and industrialization. With the joint efforts of the Global South, "we can not only accelerate our own development but also make a significant contribution to building a fairer, more multipolar world," he added.
Indias frugal moon mission, Chandrayaan 3, achieved the pioneering feat of landing near the south pole of the Moon. In STEM fieldsof science, technology, engineering and mathematicsIndia and the Indian diaspora have nearly as many Nobel laureates (two in Physics, one in Chemistry and one in Medicine) as the Peoples Republic of China and the Chinese diaspora (three in Physics, one in Chemistry and one in Medicine).

Two Indians have won the prestigious Fields Medal in Mathematics (only one Chinese mathematician has done so). India participates in several global mega science projects, such as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), Large Hadron Collider at CERN and the Square Kilometer Array (SKA).

On this evidence and more, you might well be sceptical that India faces a challenge of higher education and innovation.

Also read: Innovating in India: Bringing Indian R&D back into focus

A closer look suggests something different. According to the QS Global ranking of universities for 2025, the highest ranked Indian university, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, ranks 118th. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, IIT Delhi and IIT Madras are ranked in the next 150.

Apart from those IITs and IISc, of the 1,168 registered universities in India, only University of Delhi and Anna University make it to the top 500. While India files applications for about 80,000 patents a year, this is one-twentieth that of China and one-eighth that of the US.

The vast majority of universities in India do not produce any globally competitive new knowledge, preferring to remain teaching colleges and student factories.

A dirigiste higher education system ensures that even their teaching is not as up-to-date, multi-disciplinary and agile as it needs to be in this fast-changing world.

The responsibility for much of Indias innovation and new knowledge creation rests with government laboratories set up 60 or 70 years ago in emulation of a Soviet model.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) coordinates the work of 37 laboratories that span entities such as the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Chemical Laboratory and Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

The highest-paid scientists of CSIR, who are classified as Scientist H or Outstanding, receive an annual compensation not exceeding 36 lakh ($40,000). In contrast, the minimum compensation for a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University for this academic year is $67,400.

Also read: China is the Wests corporate R&D lab. Can it remain so?

Add to this the difficulties of establishing and maintaining a world-class laboratory and the near impossible task of obtaining cutting-edge lab consumables through a thicket of red tape. It is little wonder that the most innovative minds, particularly in STEM areas, choose to live and work outside India.

This third column in a series on the need for a quantity to quality transformation in India is focused on higher education and the process of knowledge creation.

For India to progress from middle-income to developed-country status, it will not only have to adopt knowledge born elsewhere, but also contribute to the stack of new knowledge.

The countries of Western Europe, the US, and more recently Japan, South Korea and China have all moved through these stages. Other countries that have not been able to follow this path, such as Thailand, Mexico and Malaysia, remain in middle-income traps.

For India to become a knowledge economy, we must radically reimagine the way knowledge is created in the country. There are two distinct elements that need to be fixed. First, the government needs to step up its funding of fundamental research.

A Niti Aayog report says that Indias gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) is one of the lowest among large countries, at 0.7% of GDP. Second, the participation and collaboration of the private sector in funding, leading and co-creating knowledge needs to dramatically increase.

The first element may require a complete structural change in how research is conducted, by merging several labs with universities. At the very least, it will require a hybrid model of research centred on both universities and centrally funded laboratories.

There is evidence that the most creative breakthroughs in science come at an early age for scientists. This pipeline of young scientists working with older guides is impossible to replicate at scale in anything other than a university setting.

Private sector spending on R&D is a mere 0.3% of GDP, compared to 1.5% or more in many developed countries. The private share of GERD is only about 40% in India, while it is well over 70% in China, the US, Korea and Japan.

So far, few private R&D labs work on projects beyond adaptation and adoption. Private R&D spending is led by the pharmaceutical sector, with transportation a close second.

Other policy changes, such as restoring a large tax-deduction for R&D expenditure, an ease-of- doing-business initiative for lab consumables and steps to unbox Indias patent box regime, are also required to kick-start R&D spending.

Also read: A few good actions may actually be enough to improve education

Diaspora scientists have been a critical factor in the R&D revolutions of Taiwan, China and South Korea. India could experiment with a more democratic and flexible version of Chinas Thousand Talents programme to attract the best from Indias diaspora and help catalyse an R&D revolution in India.

P.S: From a little spark may burst a flame," said Dante Alighieri
Earlier this month, OpenAI released its most-advanced models yet, saying they had the ability to reason" and solve complex math and coding problems. The leading AI startup, valued at some $150 billion, also acknowledged that they raised the risk artificial intelligence (AI) could be misused to create biological weapons.

You would think the potential of such a consequential outcome would raise alarm bells that stricter oversight of AI is critical. But despite almost two years of existential warnings from industry leaders, academics and other experts about the technologys potential to wreak havoc, the US hasnt enacted any federal regulation.

A chorus of voices inside and outside the tech industry dismisses doomsday warnings as distractions from AIs more near-term harms, such as potential copyright infringement, deepfakes and misinformation, or job displacement. But lawmakers have done little to address these too.

One core argument levelled against regulation is that it will impede innovation and could result in the US losing the AI race to China. But China has been rapidly advancing in spite of heavy oversightand all-out US efforts to block it from accessing critical components and equipment.

US export controls have hampered Chinas progress, but one area where it leads the US has been in setting standards for how the most sweeping technology of our time can be created and used.

Chinas autocratic regime find its easy to impose tough rules, as suffocating as they may seem for its tech industry. Beijing has different motives, including retention of social stability and party power, but also sees AI as a priority and is working with the private sector to boost innovation under its supervision.

Despite political differences, there are some lessons the US can learn. For starters, China is tackling near concerns through a combination of new laws and court precedents.

Cyber regulators rolled out laws on deepfakes in 2022, protecting victims whose likeness was used without consent and requiring labels on digitally altered content.

Chinese courts have also set standards on how AI tools can be used, issuing rulings that protect artists from copyright infringement and voice actors from exploitation.

Broader interim rules on GenAI require developers to share details with the government on how algorithms are trained and pass stringent safety tests (alignment with socialist values is one such). But regulators have also shown balance and rolled back some daunting requirements after feedback from Chinas AI industry.

This is in stark contrast to efforts in the US. Lawsuits over current AI harms are making their way through courts, but the absence of federal action has been stark. A lack of guidelines also creates uncertainty for business leaders.

US regulators could take a leaf out of Chinas playbook and narrowly target laws focused on known risks while working more closely with the industry on guardrails for far-off threats.

In the absence of federal regulation, some states are taking matters into their own hands. Californian lawmakers okayed an AI safety bill that would hold companies liable if their tools are used to cause severe harm," such as to unleash a biological weapon.

Many tech companies, including OpenAI, have opposed the bill, arguing that such legislation should be left to the US Congress. An open letter from AI entrepreneurs and researchers also said that the bill would be catastrophic" for innovation and would let places like China take the lead in development of this powerful tool."

Such loud voices have long used this line of argument to fend off regulation. And its a worry that the US cant seem to agree on laws to prevent worse-case AI scenarios, let alone address the more immediate harms.

China should not be cited as an excuse to avoid meaningful oversight. Approaching AI safety as a zero-sum game between the US and China leaves no winners. Mutual suspicion and geopolitical tensions mean we wont likely see the two working together to mitigate AI risks anytime soon. But it doesnt have to be this way.

Some of the most vocal proponents for regulation are pioneers who helped create AI. A few so-called AI godfathers, including Turing Award winners Yoshua Bengio, Geoffrey Hinton and Andrew Yao, sat down earlier this month in Italy and called for global cooperation across jurisdictions.

They acknowledged the geopolitical climate, but also implored that loss of control or malicious use of AI could lead to catastrophic outcomes for all of humanity." They offered a framework for a global system of governance.

Many argue that they may be wrong, but the risks seem too high to write off. Policymakers from Washington to Beijing should learn from scientists who have at least shown it is possible to find common ground. bloomberg
With assets amounting to 165 Crore, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party is the richest candidate contesting assembly elections in the Union Territory (UT). Bukhari, the Apni Party president, is contesting from Channapora seat in Srinagar going to polls in the second phase of elections on September 25.

Tariq Hameed Karra, the state Congress president contesting from Central Shalteng seat, is the second richest candidate with a declared wealth of 148 Crore. Devender Singh Rana of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who is contesting the Nagrota seat in Jammu, is the third richest candidate, with a declared wealth of 126 Crore.

Jammu and Kashmir is voting in three phases for the 90 assembly seats. The first phase was held on September 18. The second phase will be held on September 25 while the third and final phase is scheduled for October 1. The results will be declared on October 8.

Election watchdog, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Jammu & Kashmir Election Watch analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 872 out of 873 candidates, who are contesting in theassembly elections in all three phases.

47 per cent Crorepatis Out of the 872 candidates analysed, 410 (47 per cent) are crorepatis. In 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, out of 831 candidates, 317 (38 per cent) were crorepatis.

The average of assets per candidate contesting the polls 2024 is 3.65 Crore. In 2014 Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections, average assets per candidate for 831 Candidates was 1.93 crore.

With assets amounting to <span class='webrupee'></span>165 Crore, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari is the richest candidate contesting assembly elections in the Union Territory.

Party wise average assets: Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 62 BJP candidates analysed is 9.13 crores, 56 National Conference candidates analysed is 8.26 crores, 39 Congress candidates have average assets of 8.08 crores, 80 PDP candidates have average assets of  5.27 crores and 28 BSP candidates have average assets worth 1.59 crores, the ADR report said.
Atishi took charge as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Monday  with an empty chair set aside for Arvind Kejriwal in her office. The senior AAP leader opted to use a white chair next to the Chief Ministerial seat used by her predecessor and expressed hope that the people of Delhi would re-elect Kejriwal to the top post. The move has sparked backlash from several quarters with the BJP and Congress insisting that it was a grave insult to the constitutional rules and the post of chief minister.

I will work for four months as the chief minister of Delhi like Bharat did by keeping Lord Ram's khadaun on the throne. Arvind Kejriwal has set an example of dignity in politics by stepping down. The BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image, Atishi said after taking charge.

The BJP and Congress however accused her of being a dummy chief minister and wondered whether Kejriwal would still be running the Delhi government through remote control.

I have a strong objection to this that a person who was in jail for a corruption case is being compared to Lord Ram. Atishi has crossed all limits and presented herself as a dummy chief minister, added Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav.

Also Read | When will RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat break his silence: AAP MP Sanjay Singh

The Delhi CM said that she was confident the people of Delhi would make Kejriwal Chief Minister yet again during the upcoming polls. The AAP supremo has said he would only return to the post after getting a renewed mandate from the people of Delhi. The surprise announcement was made two days after Kejrwal exited Tihar jail on bail after five months of incarceration.

Both Kejriwal and his former Deputy Manish Sisodia have sought a certificate of honesty from the people of Delhi and insisted they would only reprise their administrative roles if the AAP was reelected.
Members of the Himachal Pradesh Congress threatened to file a defamation case against actor-politician Kangana Ranaut on Monday for her foolish remarks. The Mandi MP had sparked outrage on Sunday after claiming the state government took loans and diverted the money to Sonia Gandhi.

We respect Kangana Ranaut as an MP. But it is unfortunate the way she has made statements against our national leader Sonia Gandhi. I think not even an illiterate person would say such things. Either she should show evidence or apologise within a week, or else we will file a defamation case against her. BJP should take cognizance of this matter, urged Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh.

The Congress leader dismissed the allegations as a foolish statement and issued an open challenge to the BJP lawmaker to prove her claims. He also took a swipe at Ranaut over delay in the release of her film Emergency.

Also Read | Kangana Ranaut fumes at Rahul Gandhi for Sikh remark amid Emergency movie row

They take loans and give it to Sonia Gandhi, which has made the state's coffers hollow. If we (Centre) give disaster funds, it goes to the CM Relief Fund but everyone knows that it goes to the Sonia relief fund from there, Ranaut had alleged during a BJP programme on Sunday.

She also questioned the performance of Vikramaditya Singh as the state PWD minister during her address. Ranaut urged the northern state to 'root out the present government' during the next state elections.

Acts of the son of a 'king' are known to everyone and people are tired of potholes on the roads. I would do more than possible for my area but the PWD minister should also do something, she jibed.

Also Read | Why is Centre allowing Manipur to be like banana republic, asks Congress MP

Meanwhile an MP-MLA court in Bulandshahr has summoned the actor on Lok Sabha member and actor Kangana Ranaut on October 25 over her remarks on the 2020 farmers protests. The complaint was filed by a functionary of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kisan Shakti) and pertains to her assertion that "violence", "rapes" and "murders" happened during the protest against three controversial farm laws.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi commented on secularism during a public event in Kanyakumari on September 22, referring to it as a 'European concept' and saying India has no need for it. The governor is facing backlash for this remark.

Ravi has claimed that many frauds have been committed against the people of India, and one of them is the 'wrong interpretation of secularism'.

He had said, as quoted by News18, What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, and it is not an Indian concept. In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight between the Church and the king How can India be away from dharma? Secularism is a European concept and let it be there only. In India, there is no need for secularism.

Opposition leaders react: Several opposition leaders strongly condemned the Tamil Nadu governor's comment.

Manickam Tagore, Congress MP from Virudhunagar, criticised Governor Ravi, calling the latter's comments 'unacceptable'.

Also Read | Fiscal secularism in the budget: A political point

Tagore took to X and wrote, "The statement of Tamil Nadu Governor on secularism is unacceptable and is against the Constitution of India and against the Idea of India by Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel.

While the idea of secularism may be different in foreign countries, in India we respect all other religions, we respect all other traditions and we respect all other practices and this is the idea of secularism in India, he added.

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) spokesperson Clyde Crasto also pointed out that Ravis comment was completely contrary to the principles of his position.

Also Read | Working for some is called secularism, says PM Modi in Assam

He took to X and wrote, People in such honorable positions should maintain neutrally and refrain from such comments no matter to whom their core affiliations belong."

DMK leader TKS Elangovan stated that secularism is the most essential concept in India. He said, as quoted by News18, Secularism is not a European concept, it is an Indian concept as there are many religions in India. India is the motherland of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Secularism is the most needed concept in India, not in Europe."

He added, "Article 25 says that there should be a conscious freedom of religion that he doesnt knowHe should go and read the constitution fully.

CPI (M) Polit Bureau Member Brinda Karat condemned Ravi's statement on secularism and said that the Tamil Nadu governor took an oath to uphold the Constitution.
The delay in implementing the Mediation Act, which received the presidential nod over a year ago, is hindering Indias alternative dispute resolution framework, especially in family disputes, experts told Mint.

The law was enacted to regulate and promote mediation as an alternative to litigation, aiming to resolve conflicts more efficiently and at a lower cost. While the president approved it on 15 September 2023, its implementation is stalled due to a delay in finalizing rules and regulations governing mediation sessions.

The Department of Legal Affairs established a working committee, chaired by former law secretary P.K. Malhotra in January this year, to draft the rules, regulations and standards for mediation. Its report, submitted on 31 August, included draft rules for the Mediation Council of India and cover the registration and payment of mediators as well as the framework for online mediation processes. But the government is yet to notify the law.

Corporate and financial sectors could greatly benefit from the streamlined approach offered by mediation, said experts. While parties, including government bodies and public sector units, can still opt for it without the act being notified, the acts formal implementation would create a more structured and attractive ecosystem for dispute resolution.

Courts, including the Supreme Court, send high-stake disputes involving members of the promoter family of large conglomerates and companies for mediation at an early stage, said Indranil D. Deshmukh, a partner at law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. An expert and trained mediator, supported by a conducive legal ecosystem, can play a vital role in paving the way for amicable settlement of even the most bitter family disputes.

Possible solution for family disputes Mediation offers a powerful solution, particularly in family disputes, allowing parties to reach a middle ground and avoid becoming entrenched in rigid legal battles.

In relation to companies, the stakeholders are not aligned; this could either be a family which controls the company or may even be unrelated. This often leads to disputes, said Ketal Dalal, managing director at Katalyst Advisors, a boutique structuring and advisory firm. The enactment of Mediation Act will put an institutional and structured framework around what is expected to be a very useful route in resolving disputes, whether commercial disputes or family disputes.

Read more | Mint Explainer: How mediation can speed up insolvency dispute resolution

Prolonged litigation can be especially damaging in cases where the future of a company is at risk, and mediation provides a valuable alternative for dispute resolution, he said.

According to Ravi Prakash, an associate partner at law firm Corporate Professionals, traditional litigation often deepens divisions and results in cold, impersonal verdicts, leaving family relationships in ruins.

He referred to the so-called third-generation curse to highlight the vulnerability of family legacies as fewer than 10% of family businesses surviving beyond the third generation. In this context, Prakash argued, mediation offers a shared, cooperative solution, helping preserve both family unity and business continuity to ensure enduring legacies.

Overburdened courts The Mediation Act lays out a less adversarial route to settling disputes, which might otherwise drag on for years in court. Without its implementation, the judicial backlog remains unresolved, Prakash said.

A fraction of the civil cases in India land in arbitration. Of nearly 76.98 million civil disputes pending in Indian courts, commercial suits account for 0.36% and arbitration contributes 0.77%, according to the National Judicial Data Grid.

The banking and finance sectors could particularly benefit from the Mediation Act. For example, banks dealing with high volumes of disputes related to loan defaults and restructuring could use mediation to achieve quicker and more efficient resolutions, especially concerning non-performing assets (NPAs). Mediation aligns well with the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) guidelines on one-time settlements and inter-creditor agreements, enhancing the sectors flexibility, Prakash said.

Also read | Bar council asks law colleges to add new criminal laws, mediation in curriculum

The delay in implementing the Mediation Act is preventing India from aligning with international mediation standards, which are vital for resolving cross-border disputes in global business contexts, according to Prakash.

In real estate, where disputes often arise over project delays, cancellations and buyer-developer contracts, mediation can provide faster resolutions. Mediation offers a discreet way to resolve contractual conflicts without jeopardizing ongoing in technology and manufacturing.
The Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala said it will release revised guidelines for the prevention and treatment of Mpox after the state reported the first confirmed case of the new strain of the disease in the country on Monday.

The state Health Minister Veena Georgeafter a meeting Rapid Response Team to assess the overall situationsaid instructions have been given to take necessary action if the number of cases increases.

"Isolation facilities have been set up in all districts, and monitoring has been strengthened, including at airports. Currently, testing facilities have been arranged in five laboratories. If required, testing facilities will be expanded to more labs," George said in a statement.

The minister said a revised guidelines for the prevention and effective treatment of Mpox would soon be released in the state.

The minister urged citizens arriving from other countries who show symptoms to inform the health department and seek treatment.

She directed the authorities to inform the health department if they come to know about anyone who comes with Mpox symptoms to government or private hospitals for treatment.

Earlier, official sources reported Indias first case of the Mpox strain in a patient from Kerala who tested positive last week.

The report said a 38-year-old man from Malappuram, who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates, tested positive for Clade 1b strain of Mpox. The patient is stable.

"This was the first case of the current strain that led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare Mpox a public health emergency last month for a second time," PTI reported citing sources.

Before that, a 26-year-old resident of Haryana's Hisar tested positive for the previous West African Clade 2 strain earlier this month.

It is important to note that the country has reported 30 cases of Mpox so far, since the WHO declared Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2022,

Mpox symptoms Mpox symptoms can be seen 1 to 21 days after exposure. Common indicators include rashes, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle ache, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. The symptoms typically last typically last 24 weeks but be extended for people with a weakened immune system.

Can mpox transmitted? Mpox can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on genitals. Infection can also occur through use of contaminated objects such as clothing or linens or in a community setting such as tattoo parlours.
For many Americans, the drive to and from work requires enduring slow-moving, soul-draining traffic. The commute remains one of the top gripes that workers have about returning to offices.

But in certain cities, driving during rush hour is a breeze.

Columbus, Ohio; Memphis, Tenn.; and Milwaukee have some of the fastest commutes, clocking in around 22 minutes one way, according to a new analysis of federal data looking at cities. While the data includes all types of commutes, three out of four American workers drive. When measured by miles an hour, Fort Worth, Texas, Memphis and Detroit have speedy commutes. They average 27 miles an houror 4 mph faster than the U.S. averagewithout having to slow down for congestion, according to research conducted by the Harris Poll and ride-share company Lyft. Most commuters say time, rather than cost, is their most important factor.

Just getting around town is very simple," Vahid Behzadi, 45, says of his Fort Worth commute. Its a big city, but its not overwhelmed with traffic."

Behzadi drives to Fort Worth a couple of times a week from his home in Frisco, Texas, 50 miles away. The founder of Pocket Case Manager, a software platform for disability-service providers, says it takes about 45 minutes on the highway, and theres a toll road option if the highway is backed up. Before moving to Texas several years ago, he commuted in Los Angeles for 15 years.

In L.A., any time of the day, youre probably stuck somewhere," Behzadi says.

On average, workers spend nearly 27 minutes commuting each way to and from work, according to the Census Bureaus American Community Survey. Shaving just three minutes per trip off a commute three days a week can save a worker 13 hours a year, according to the new analysis.

Minutes matter

The cities with the fastest drive times either had visionary urban planning, well-run public transit programs that help ease car traffic or smaller populations on bigger roadways that made the commute less frustrating, transportation researchers and city officials say.

Memphis, for instance, installed 150 miles of fiber optics to coordinate traffic signals and gather real-time data on traffic flow. The technology has helped to reduce average travel time on major roadways by about 20%, said Randall Tatum, the citys senior traffic engineering administrator.

It takes Jeremy Adams, a director of IT certificate programs at Columbus State Community College, half an hour to commute to downtown Columbus from his home in Dublin, Ohio, north of the city, driving 65 miles an hour on the freeway.

You pretty much have a highway available to you within a 10-minute to 15-minute drive," he said of how suburbs in the area are planned and connected. Theres usually two or three ways to get somewhere in about the same amount of time."

Multiple highway options, as opposed to one primary route, distinguishes Columbus from other cities where Adams has commuted, including Atlanta. On a business trip to Norcross, Ga., driving from his hotel to the office should have taken less than 10 minutes but could require 30 minutes of sitting in traffic, Adams said.

Bad commutes

Commute times have crept up since 2021, as companies called workers back to offices, but drive times remain shorter than before the pandemic. In 2023, Americans spent an average 26.8 minutes commuting one way to work, compared with 27.6 minutes in 2019, according to the Census Bureau.

In addition to federal commuting data, researchers synthesized Lyft data on traffic speeds to and from offices during rush hours in 35 of the largest cities. Their ranking also gives high speed scores to Las Vegas, San Diego and Tucson, Ariz.

New York, Chicago and Los Angeles have the highest number of hours lost to delays during car commutes, according to transportation research firm Inrix. Rush-hour drivers there waste between 89 and 101 hours a year in traffic. Some metro areas, including Washington, D.C., Seattle, and Charlotte, N.C., show less commute time lost to delays compared with 2019. That reflects an enduring shift to remote and hybrid work, as well as commuters with flexible schedules driving during non-rush hour periods, said Bob Pishue, Inrixs senior economist and transportation analyst.

Cities known for torturously slow commutes can have significantly slower-than-average travel times during rush hours than they do at other times of the day.

In Boston, for example, a trip home on a Saturday night might take 20 minutes while on a Friday afternoon the same route could take six times as long, according to Eric Bourassa, director of transportation at Bostons Metropolitan Area Planning Council. That might be why Boston has among the fewest car commuters in the U.S., the report says. A full 13% of commuters there walk to work.

Write to Ray A. Smith at Ray.Smith@wsj.com
In a significant development for Indias technology landscape, global tech giants Google and Nvidia have announced plans to deepen their engagement in the country, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence (AI). The announcements came after Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a roundtable meeting held on Sunday at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel.

The meeting was part of Modi's three-day visit to the United States, where he engaged with leaders from US-based companies specializing in cutting-edge technologies, including AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors. Both Pichai and Huang praised Modi's vision for a "Digital India" and his focus on AI's potential to transform various sectors, such as healthcare, education, and agriculture.

Speaking after the meeting, Pichai highlighted Modi's commitment to harnessing AI for societal benefits in India. The Prime Minister has been clear in his vision, aiming to ensure that AI serves the people of India. He is pushing us to explore ways AI can revolutionize sectors like healthcare and education while ensuring the infrastructure to support this transition," Pichai stated. He also noted that Google is committed to ramping up its AI investments in India.

Pichai emphasized the companys ongoing efforts to "Make in India" and "Design in India," pointing out that the Prime Minister has consistently urged Google to focus on local applications of AI. We are looking forward to doing more in India, especially in response to the Prime Minister's challenge to design AI solutions that address the country's unique needs," Pichai added.

On the similar note, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang underscored India's potential to lead in AI adoption, pointing to the countrys talent pool of computer scientists and startups. India is home to some of the world's brightest minds, and AI presents a tremendous opportunity for the country," said Huang.

Huang further detailed Nvidias plans to increase its involvement in India, particularly through partnerships aimed at scaling up AI infrastructure. Nvidia has already partnered with Yotta Data Services, which is expected to expand its GPU resources to 32,768 units by 2025 to meet the growing demand for AI workloads.

Huang also highlighted Nvidias collaborations with Indian academic institutions, noting that every Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) now hosts an Nvidia AI Center of Excellence. We are training professionals and students to embrace AIs complexities. This is a pivotal moment for India to leverage AI in ways never imagined before," he said.

Both tech leaders acknowledged Modis deep interest in the transformative power of AI. Huang lauded the Prime Minister for his inquisitiveness and engagement with AI, saying, Every time I meet with him, he is eager to learn more about AI and its implications for Indias future."

(With inputs from PTI)

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Samsung S24 FE has been in the news for a few months now, having been spotted in many benchmarks and its promotional material recently appeared online. However, a new leak has given us a glimpse at the US pricing of the upcoming device.

Also Read | Government issues high severity warning for iOS, iPadOS and macOS users post iPhone 16 launch

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Price (expected):

According to leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer, the Galaxy S24 FE will start at $649 (around 54,000) for the 128GB model, a $50 price increase from last year. Meanwhile, the 256GB storage variant is said to cost $709 (around 59,000).

The S24 FE has previously been spotted on the US FCC list and has also received BIS certification, indicating an imminent launch in India. Reports suggest that the phone could go on sale worldwide next week.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE specifications (expected):

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is expected to sport a 6.7 inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, 1900 nits of peak brightness and a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.

Also Read | Weekly Tech Recap: iPhone 16 goes on sale in India, Samsung may be working on a rollable phone and more

The Phone is likely to house the Exynos 2400e processor based on 4nm process and could be paired with Xclipse 940 GPU. It could come with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of storage.

On the optics front, the S24 FE could feature a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens and a 8MP telephoto shooter with 3x optical lens. On the front, there could be a 10MP selfie shooter.

The upcoming samsung phone is likely to run on OneUI 6.1 based on Android 14 and feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. It is likely to house a 4,565 mAh battery with support for 25W of fast charging.

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A portion of the shoulder on Pine Hill Road has become unstable.
62 year-old swimmer Dermot Higgins has become both the fastest and oldest person to complete a swim along the entire length of the River Shannon.

The swimmer from Skerries tackled the extraordinary challenge in just 10 days, having swam from the source of the Shannon in County Cavan to the mouth of sea in Limerick.

Dermot was supported in the water by Brian Dillon from Limerick Narwhales Swimming Club, and finished the epic swim at the Curraghgour Boat Club.

Starting on September 12, Dermot covered over 350km of swimming in a record breaking ten days, four less than the 2023 fastest record holder, Ger Moore from Cork.

Dermot completed the swim for charity, raising thousands of euro for Pieta, a charity dedicated to supporting those affected by suicide and self-harm.

Dermot has already raised over 250,000 for charity and is a long-time supporter of Pieta, having faced his own struggles with suicidal feelings. He previously completed a 24-hour swim for Pieta and released a book, He Who Swears at Bears, detailing his record-breaking attempt at kayaking the Yukon River.

This challenge held special significance for Dermot, as the retired teacher and principal has battled depression three times, the most severe episode occurring during the Covid pandemic, when he was hospitalized and attempted suicide. After retiring in 2017, he turned to extreme outdoor challenges to improve his physical and mental well-being.

Im physically strong, but Ive struggled with my mental health, Dermot said ahead of the swim. "As a suicide survivor, I know all too well the importance of the resilience training which this amazing charity promotes."

Dermot's previous exploits include becoming the oldest person to cycle around the world, paddling the Shannon in just three days, and surviving a bear attack while paddling the Yukon River from source to sea.

Last year, he also became the first Irish person to swim non-stop for 24 hours. Now, hes returning to the Shannon, having been forced to cancel his first attempt in 2022 due to a serious injury.
Former Mayor of Athlone, Louise Heavin, has announced that she intends to run as an independent candidate in the next general election.

The local architect explained she decided to put her name forward as Longford-Westmeath is where she grew up and is where she is now raising her family.

"I want to see the Midlands progress over the coming years into the thriving beating heart of Ireland," she said. "To do this we need to address the deficiencies and inequalities we experience in our communities, most crucially in housing, which is my main focus."

Ms Heavin stated although the current government is delivering more homes than the last, there is still a huge gap between where we are and where we need to get to.

"I have many years experience as an architect in the housing sector. I intend to put my skills and expertise to good use as a TD delivering solutions that build homes for current and future generations," she said. "We need to ensure everyone has a warm comfortable place to live in their local area."

Ms Heavin said if the private sector is not delivering in areas with a housing need then the next government must.

"I've decided to run because I want to take positive action and be a progressive and constructive voice for our communities," she added.

The former councillor also made an appeal for support for her campaign stating.

Over the next few weeks I will be starting my campaign and I will need all the help I can get to make it to the Dail," she said. "All skills are welcome on the team. If you would like to support my effort, please get in touch."

The Independent candidate said updates from her campaign will be posted on her social media accounts and www.louiseheavin.ie
The crucial role of Longford public libraries in local community life will be highlighted on National Public Libraries Open Day this Saturday, September 28.

Non-members and members alike are encouraged to Take a Closer Look and visit their local public library on National Public Libraries Open Day to explore the myriad of free services on offer.

According to Dr Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development for the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), part of the remit of public libraries is to provide assistance to society where it is required.

Also read: Relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes to visit St Mel's Cathedral, Longford

Irish public libraries have a proud and long-standing history of being integral within our villages, towns and cities in supporting people on an individual and a collective, community basis, he said.

They continue to fulfil an integral role in Irish life and, as their importance has continued to grow, the services provided have expanded to meet the needs of individual members and broader society.

We aim to create a habit of visiting the public library among people who might not otherwise.

Also read: Longford Music: Magical evening at Mary Lyons Memorial Fundraiser

Irish public libraries are important places of inclusivity within our communities.

They provide a diverse range of resources and services to appeal to people of all abilities across society.

Public libraries are connectors in the community. The local librarian will know the groups working to support learning, develop skills, support jobs seekers and those with special needs, and will be able tell you who to talk to.

Public libraries are community settings offering a broad range of free services which allow people connect, access information, receive support and browse and escape.

Also read: Wolfe Tones Mostrim win the Longford Senior Hurling title for the 21st time

Anna Marie Delaney, Chair of the National Libraries Development Committee, said National Public Libraries Open Day will highlight the crucial role of libraries in communities.

Public libraries are vibrant, inclusive community hubs providing all sorts of events and activities within our villages, towns and cities, she said.

Diversity of resources and services includes encouraging reading at all levels, improving digital skills and literacy, enabling formal and informal learning and supporting the provision of information and guidance on every topic.

Libraries across the region will be showcasing their services throughout National Public Libraries Open Day.
Two men are being treated for their injuries after a Longford pizzeria fire this afternoon.

The blaze began shortly 1pm when a pan at the Pizza Max outlet on Main St went up in flames.

It is understood Quddus Rehman (42), a brother of the proprietor who is originally from Pakistan, sustained minor burns to his knees and back.



He is being treated at the scene along with a bystander who also sustained injuries.

The Longford fire service have been lauded as heroes after they rushed to a fire at a Longford pizzeria this afternoon.



Onlooker Shabban Naz, who owns Longford Halal Meats, said the fire brigade arrived within 10 minutes and responded very promptly.



"They got here very quickly, they are heroes," she added.



Ms Naz said water was poured on the fire which made it worse.

The fire has now been brought under control.

The two men are being treated at the scene in ambulances and it is unclear if they will be hospitalised.

Gardai assisted emergency services personnel at the scene.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: September 23 2024

The original law only provided assistance to combat veterans.

Suffolk County Ed Romaine, joined at a press conference by the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee Nick Caracappa, Legislator Chad Lennon, Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue, and Suffolk County Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Services Jim Brennan, called on Governor Hochul to sign a bill to provide more educational aid for higher education.

The diversity of the men and women of the Armed Forces represents every city and small town in this country, said Romaine. They have all volunteered for service, committing their lives to their country. We owe them every opportunity to flourish in civilian life for these sacrifices. Our veterans need counseling, housing, financial assistance, better medical care, and education.

New York State has long provided a veterans tuition award program to ensure that the cost of a college degree or vocational training program is not an insurmountable barrier. The state program can help bridge the gap when federal assistance does not cover additional costs.

A veteran is a veteran, no matter when or in what capacity they served. Every veteran has gone through the rigors of training to be combat ready should that call to duty be summoned. It is why every veteran deserves the same opportunities so when they exit their tour of duty or length of service, they can succeed in life after their service to this country has ended, said Caracappa. As Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee of the Suffolk County Legislature, I will do everything I can to provide equal support for all of our veterans."

However, state law makes these benefits available only to eligible combat veterans and not all who have served.

Secluding State education assistance to only veterans in combat misses an entire demographic of veterans who signed up for service during wartime, said Legislator Chad Lennon, a combat veteran and Major in the Marine Corps. We have service members who transported and prepared the bodies of service members who were killed in action. Our State must recognize all veterans who served to support and defend our Nation.

Legislation passed in Albany this year would change that, opening this critical tuition award program to all who served in whatever way their country saw fit.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: September 23 2024

Taqueria Hidalgo, A.K.A. 123 Food Market, located at 123 Route 112, was found not to be in compliance with multiple penal and state liquor laws, officials say.

Suffolk County Police last night arrested the owner of a Patchogue business for having illegal gambling machines on the premises among other violations.

In response to community complaints, Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers, along with Community Support Unit, Anti-Crime, NYS State Liquor Authority, and Patchogue Village Code Enforcement conducted an investigation into Taqueria Hidalgo, A.K.A. 123 Food Market, located at 123 Route 112, at 11:45 p.m. The business was found not to be in compliance with multiple penal and state liquor laws.

Three electronic gambling machines and flavored tobacco products listed for sale were confiscated. The state liquor authority and Patchogue village code enforcement issued multiple citations for violations observed.

The owner/manager of the business, Ghulam Choudhry, 56, of 1652 Manatuck Blvd., Bayshore, was arrested and charged with Promoting Gambling 2nd Degree, Possession of Gambling Devices, On Premises Gambling Violation, Criminal Nuisance 2nd Degree, and Violation of Beer Consumption Off Premise. Choudhry was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.
The world situation today is characterised by the opening up of a whole series of bloody conflicts: in Ukraine, in Gaza, in Congo, in Sudan. In the epoch of imperialism, the capitalist system which has outlived itself would sooner drown humanity in a sea of blood than peacefully go into the dustbin of history. On the other side, the world situation is characterised by revolutionary anger against war and imperialism.

This year, we published a brand new selection of Lenin on imperialist war, as a weapon for a new generation of communist fighters. We publish the introduction by Jorge Martin here, and urge our readers to get their copy of Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war now from Wellred Books. Available in paperback, ebook and audiobook formats.

This introduction places this invaluable collection of writings in its context, explaining how Lenin and the Bolsheviks fought against imperialism, before, during and after the First World War and the seizure of power by the working class of Russian in October 1917, and how they connected the revolutionary programme of communism with the masses at each step.

This volume is a collection of Lenins writings on the crucial question of the position of revolutionary Marxists towards war, specifically in relation to the First World War. The study of these texts is important today, when the question of war is again on the agenda and, disgracefully, many in the workers movement, including some who call themselves communists have taken a social-chauvinist position of support for their own ruling class.

The Marxist position on war was developed by Marx and Engels, at a time when capitalism still played a relatively progressive role and the bourgeoisie had conducted a series of progressive and even revolutionary wars. Lenin explained how, in the period between the Great French Revolution of 1789 and the Paris Commune of 1871, most wars in Europe were wars of a bourgeois-progressive, national-liberating character and as a consequence:

 all honest and revolutionary democrats, as well as all socialists, always wished success to that country (i.e. that bourgeoisie) which had helped to overthrow or undermine the most baneful foundations of feudalism, absolutism and the oppression of other nations.[1]

The twentieth century announced the beginning of a completely different period, that of imperialism. This had implications for the position of Marxists. By this time, Europe was dominated by imperialist powers and the idea of national defence or of a just national war no longer applied. Rather, wars were now being fought by different sets of slave-owners fighting each other for a more just redistribution of slaves, as Lenin put it. [2]

The Second International, which formally based itself on Marxism, had discussed the coming outbreak of war between imperialist powers and had taken a clear position against it. The Stuttgart Conference of the Socialist International in 1907 had adopted a resolution explaining clearly that wars are part of the very nature of capitalism; they will cease only when the capitalist system is abolished. [3]

The main body of the resolution had been drafted by August Bebel, and it reflected the Marxist view on war in general terms, but lacked any concrete detail about action the workers must take against war and militarism. The Russian delegation (Lenin and Martov) drafted a number of amendments together with Rosa Luxemburg. These were put to the committee on Militarism and International Conflicts, which accepted them. Lenin explained:

These amendments (1) stated that militarism is the chief weapon of class oppression; (2) pointed out the need for propaganda among the youth; (3) stressed that Social-Democrats should not only try to prevent war from breaking out or to secure the speediest termination of wars that have already begun, but should utilise the crisis created by the war to hasten the overthrow of the bourgeoisie.[4]

In the committee discussing war and militarism at the Stuttgart Congress, Lenin and Luxemburg were also able to answer the semi-anarchist ideas of the French ultra-left Gustave Herve, and in doing so they stressed the basic Marxist position on war:

The notorious Herve, who has made such a noise in France and Europe, advocated a semi-anarchist view by naively suggesting that every war be answered by a strike and an uprising. He did not understand, on the one hand, that war is a necessary product of capitalism, and that the proletariat cannot renounce participation in revolutionary wars, for such wars are possible, and have indeed occurred in capitalist societies. He did not understand, on the other hand, that the possibility of answering a war depends on the nature of the crisis created by that war. The choice of the means of struggle depends on these conditions; moreover, the struggle must consist (and here we have the third misconception, or shallow thinking of Herveism) not simply in replacing war by peace, but in replacing capitalism by socialism. The essential thing is not merely to prevent war, but to utilise the crisis created by war in order to hasten the overthrow of the bourgeoisie. [5]

Ironically, Herve, who did not base himself on a materialist understanding of the question, and who was obsessed with the struggle against militarism and war in general, swung violently in the opposite direction and joined the chauvinist national defence camp in 1914.

A similar resolution to that of Stuttgart was approved by the Copenhagen Congress of the Socialist International in 1910 and at the Basel Congress in 1912. The Socialist International had clearly declared that the forthcoming war was an imperialist one, and that the duty of the Socialist parties was to oppose it by all means at their disposal.

The betrayal of 1914

However, when the war broke out in 1914, the Socialist International betrayed its own resolutions and gave wholehearted support to the imperialist slaughter. One after another, in Germany, France, Belgium and Britain, the same socialist parties which had voted for the resolutions against the imperialist war now voted for war credits, declared a truce in the class struggle between labour and capital, entered governments of national unity with the ruling class, and succumbed to social-chauvinism.

This came as a big shock, including to Lenin, who initially thought that the issue of the German Social Democratic Partys (SPD) paper, Vorwarts, which announced support for war credits was a forgery by the general staff of the German army. In fact, while nominally still defending Marxist ideas and programme, the main parties of the Second International, including the large and influential SPD, had become thoroughly infected with reformism. Having developed in a period of prolonged economic upswing of capitalism, the top layers of the socialist organisations had been co-opted by capitalism. In Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism (1916), Lenin explained the social roots of chauvinism and revisionism, which he linked to the rise of imperialism. The super-profits derived from the exploitation of the colonies allowed the ruling class in the imperialist countries to buy off the top layer of the working class and its organisations, creating a labour aristocracy. They had become nothing more than labour lieutenants of the capitalist class, as Lenin put it.[6]

Those who remained loyal to the internationalist, anti-imperialist principles of the movement were in a small minority, chiefly amongst them the Russian Bolsheviks and the Serbian party, which were the only ones not to vote for war credits, as well as prominent but initially isolated individuals, such as Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg in Germany, James Connolly in Ireland, John Maclean in Scotland, Eugene V Debs in the US, and the great Balkan Marxist Christian Rakovsky. Others who opposed the war did so from a hopeless pacifist or neutral position, such as the British Independent Labour Party and the Italian Socialist Party.

In this initial period, Lenin was isolated in exile (originally in Austrian-occupied Galicia, then in the safer neutral Switzerland), with very few means to maintain contact and correspondence with Bolsheviks inside Russia. He launched himself into a decisive battle to defend the principles of Marxism on the all-important question of the war. He saw as his main task that of establishing firm theoretical clarity and a clear line of demarcation, not only between the revolutionaries and the social-patriots, but also between the revolutionaries and the wavering elements (represented by Karl Kautsky), and with anyone who was not prepared to carry out a clean break with them.

The main ideas he fought for were that the war was an imperialist war and had to be opposed by the working class in all countries; that the leaders of the Social-Democracy had betrayed the movement; that the Second International was dead and a new international had to be built; and that the only way to end the war was through revolution. He also took a firm position against pacifism, explaining that an imperialist peace would be just the prelude to a new imperialist war.

Zimmerwald

Over a period of time, as the war  which everyone thought was only going to last a few months at most  became prolonged and more deadly, the voices within the labour movement opposed to the imperialist slaughter started to get a bigger echo. A conference of socialists opposed to the war was formally called by the Swiss and Italian parties. It took place in Zimmerwald, Switzerland, from 5-8 September 1915.

In preparation for the conference, Lenin wrote a pamphlet spelling out the position of the Bolsheviks regarding all important aspects of the opposition to the imperialist war. The pamphlet Socialism and War, which was co-signed by Zinoviev, was printed in German and given out to all Zimmerwald attendees. [7]

The document was a summary of the main ideas Lenin had been defending since the beginning of the war. He explained that Marxists are not pacifists. The Marxist approach to war starts from the understanding that war is the continuation of politics by other means, and therefore it must also be approached from the point of view of the interests of the working class. Marxists do not oppose all wars, but start from an analysis of the character of each war. Their attitude towards a war is not determined by who fired the first shot or who is the aggressor, as imperialist powers will always find or fabricate an excuse to justify a war. There are reactionary imperialist wars, which Marxists oppose, but there are also progressive wars. Revolutionaries are in favour of wars of national liberation and wars against imperialism by oppressed nations. Revolutionaries are also in favour of class war of the oppressed classes against the ruling class.

As Lenin later added, commenting on the position of German Internationale group of Luxemburg, Liebknecht and Zetkin, Marxists are also in favour of wars waged by a victorious proletarian state against attempts by the bourgeoisie to crush it.[8]

Marxists are opposed to the idea of national defence in an imperialist war, as what this really means is the right of one group of robbers to plunder the colonial countries at the expense of an opposing group of robbers. The rights of small nations are used as an excuse by the imperialist powers.

In fact, in regards to the First World War, Lenin argued that the only instance in which the war could be considered to have a national character, and therefore to be progressive, was in the case of Serbia, which had been attacked by Austria-Hungary. But even here, the national considerations were superseded by the general imperialist character of the war, and the fact that behind Serbia stood the interests of Russian imperialism. Most interestingly, Lenins appraisal was emphatically shared by the Serbian Marxists  their understanding of the revolutionary position towards war in the imperialist epoch was sharpened by the Balkan Wars that preceded the First World War, and they therefore took a principled position. [9]

In times of war, as in times of peace, the working class must maintain its class independence in defence of its own interests and not enter into any coalitions or agreements with the capitalist class. Marxists oppose national unity or a social truce in the name of national defence.

Lenin reserved some of his strongest language for his attacks on the opportunists, chiefly represented by Kautsky / Image: public domain

Lenin reserved some of his strongest language for his attacks on the opportunists, chiefly represented by Kautsky. They in general and in principle opposed the war, but then made excuses for those who had voted for the war credits and succumbed to social-chauvinism. Opposing the war in words, they refused to struggle in practice against it. They also wavered on the question of the need for a clean break with the social-chauvinists.

For Lenin, this too was a crucial point. The Second International had betrayed the cause of the working class and a new international was needed.

How was the struggle against the imperialist war to be conducted? Lenins starting point was that the only way to put an end to the war was by turning it into a civil war, a revolutionary war to overthrow the capitalist system. An imperialist peace would be merely the continuation of imperialist war, and would prepare for new predatory wars of conquest. The only consistent struggle against war was the struggle to bring the working class to power.

Additionally, Lenin highlighted cases of fraternisation between soldiers of different countries and stressed the need to carry out systematic work in that direction. In the conditions of curtailment of democratic rights in all the belligerent countries, he argued for the supplementing of legal and parliamentary work with underground and illegal work. More generally, he advocated support for all kinds of revolutionary mass action by the proletariat.

The participants in the Zimmerwald Conference fell mostly into three groups. The right wing opposed the war, but mostly from a pacifist, not a revolutionary, position, and were against a clear break with the social-chauvinists. The Left wing around Lenin and the Bolsheviks, in addition to opposing the war, insisted that those socialists who had supported the war must be denounced; they demanded that socialist deputies should vote against war credits; they explained that the war could only be ended by revolutionary means; and they put forward the need for a clean break and the formation of a new international. Between these two groups stood a centre grouping, which sided with the Left on several key questions, but not completely.

It soon became clear that the Left was in a minority. One of the German delegates, Georg Ledebour, threatened to walk out if a call for socialist deputies to vote against the war credits was included in the final resolution.

In the end, a joint statement, including the most important ideas proposed by the Left, was agreed. It had been drafted by Trotsky, who, while not formally part of the Zimmerwald Left, sided with it on all the fundamental questions.

The Zimmerwald Manifesto declared that the war was imperialist and had to be opposed. It argued that the International and the parties which had voted for the war credits, which had joined national unity governments and had advocated social peace, had failed the working class. Finally, it reminded workers that war had to be opposed by the methods outlined in resolutions at previous socialist conferences.

However, it was clear that a number of crucial questions were left out, and therefore two additional statements were made at the conference by the Left, pointing out the shortcomings of the main manifesto.[10] The first statement explained that the manifesto did not contain any criticism of the opportunists. The second statement protested that the inclusion of the demand that socialist deputies should vote against war credits was blocked by the threat of a walkout by some German delegates.

The Left therefore made it clear that, while the manifesto was a step forward, there were a number of points which should have been made more clearly or more forcefully. They had therefore made a partial compromise on political clarity for the sake of maintaining unity with the centre, while preserving their freedom to explain their position fully and agitate for it publicly.

As we can see, even amongst those opposing the war, there was still confusion, and many had not drawn all the necessary conclusions, particularly in regards to the need for a clean break with opportunism and the need to found a new international.

Seven months after the Zimmerwald Conference, a follow up meeting was held in Kienthal, Switzerland, on 24-30 April 1916, with the participation of forty-three delegates. Of those, twelve supported the Zimmerwald Left led by Lenin, an increase of four since the previous conference. Working-class public opinion on the war had shifted even further, giving the Left a stronger position at Kienthal. On some issues, the Left managed to get twenty votes. Even the right wing of the anti-war socialists was coming under pressure from below to adopt a more radical stance, at least in words. The approved manifesto was thus a step forward in relation to Zimmerwald in two important aspects: it included an explicit criticism of the social-patriotic leaders of the Socialist International, and it openly called for socialist deputies to vote against war credits and break with governments of national unity.[11]

The main debate at Kienthal centred on the question of how the crisis of the socialist movement was to be resolved. The Zimmerwald Left openly called on workers to create the theoretical and organisational preconditions for preparing the launching of a new International, while the Right and the Centre wanted the International to reconvene its leading body, the International Socialist Bureau, so as to wage a struggle there.

Revolutionary defeatism

It is in this context that Lenin adopted a position of revolutionary defeatism:

 to us Russian Social-Democrats there cannot be the slightest doubt that, from the standpoint of the working class and of the toiling masses of all the nations of Russia, the defeat of the tsarist monarchy, the most reactionary and barbarous of governments, which is oppressing the largest number of nations and the greatest mass of the population of Europe and Asia, would be the lesser evil.[12]

Here Lenin stressed that the defeat of the tsarist monarchy was the lesser evil from the point of view of the Russian workers. The German social-chauvinists justified support for their own ruling class on the basis of the war aims of Germany being somehow progressive, as it was fighting the most reactionary force in Europe: Russian autocracy. But, of course, Lenin insisted that the German workers main task was that of fighting their own ruling class.

In raising the idea that the defeat of ones own government is the lesser evil, Lenin was addressing the cadres, the most advanced layers of revolutionary Social-Democracy, and in so doing he used the sharpest formulations in order to straighten out any vacillation and to draw a line which excluded the confused elements. On important occasions, Lenin would bend the stick in the opposite direction to his opponents to emphasise a point. This was a clear instance of that. As a result, the slogan of revolutionary defeatism is perhaps one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted of Lenins formulations.

First of all, Lenin clarified that this did not mean carrying out of acts of sabotage or adventurist actions:

 this does not mean blowing up bridges, organising unsuccessful strikes in the war industries, and in general helping the government defeat the revolutionaries.[13]

Secondly, the slogan was used mainly between 1914 and 1916 in the context of polemics against the waverers and the centrists. In fact, the slogan was not used in any of the agitation carried out by the Bolsheviks in Russia during that period. In the classic work, St. Petersburg Between the Revolutions, Robert B McKean says:

A textual analysis of forty-seven leaflets and appeals published illegally by Bolshevik militants between January 1915 and 22 February 1917 is most illuminating. Not a single leaflet mentioned the essential Leninist slogan of the defeat of Russia being the lesser evil[14]

Most of the Bolshevik agitation before the revolution was centred on attacking the policies of the government against the working class, and advocating for revolutionary struggle against it as the only way to end the war, stressing the slogans of a democratic republic, the eight-hour day and the distribution of the land. This was the concrete practical meaning of the defeat of ones own government  the continuation of the revolutionary agitation against the government, even during wartime, regardless of the fact that such agitation was bound to weaken that government in relation to the war effort.

That can also be seen in the draft resolution of the Left delegates to the Zimmerwald Conference, written by Karl Radek, but presented jointly with Lenin, with whom he collaborated closely in Switzerland. The resolution insisted on the need for revolutionary struggle against the capitalist governments, the need to use:

 all the struggles, all the reforms demanded by our minimum programme for the purpose of sharpening this war crisis as well as every social and political crisis of capitalism of extending them to an attack upon its very foundations. [15]

It concludes by quoting the words of Liebknechts letter to the conference: Civil war, not civil peace  that is the slogan![16] The resolution did not, however, contain any mention of the defeat of ones own government being the lesser evil.

Lenin also drafted his own resolution for the Left delegates. In it he explained that socialists should use the masses growing desire for peace in order to intensify their revolutionary agitation and should not be shying away in that agitation from considerations of the defeat of their own country. It should also be noted here how, in this resolution, Lenin  who had energetically rejected pacifist illusions and even the use of the peace slogan  made a point of recognising the need to base revolutionary agitation on the desire for peace amongst the masses. He explained that this was an expression of their rejection of the bourgeois lie regarding the defence of the fatherland, and the awakening of their revolutionary consciousness.[17] Again, in Lenins text there is no mention of the defeat of ones government being the lesser evil.

Lenin was taking aim at the opportunists, who everywhere capitulated to their own government and attempted to put a halt to the class struggle, to create social peace, in order to help the war effort. Lenin therefore posed the question in the negative: revolutionary agitation should not be constrained by the fact that it might lead to the weakening and defeat of the government. Quite the contrary.

After the February Revolution

Once the revolution broke out in Russia in February 1917, and Lenin was able to return to the country in April, he completely dropped the idea that the defeat of ones own government would be the lesser evil, because he was now addressing the masses in the context of a revolution. In all his writings and speeches after the February Revolution, we can see how he recognised the difference between the honest defencist mood which existed amongst the mass of workers and peasants who had carried out the revolution, and the reactionary defencism of the ruling class, echoed by the social-chauvinists. As a result, he stressed the need to patiently explain the programme of the Bolsheviks using slogans which serve to raise the level of understanding of these layers.

Here we can see Lenins consistent revolutionary method / Image: public domain

The masses take a practical and not a theoretical approach to the question. We make the mistake of taking the theoretical approach. [] In view of the undoubted existence of a defencist mood among the masses, who recognise the war only of necessity and not for the sake of conquest, we must explain to them most circumstantially, persistently and patiently that the war cannot be ended in a non-rapacious peace unless capital is overthrown. [] The soldiers want a concrete answer: how to end the war. [] We must base ourselves only on the political consciousness of the masses. [] When the masses say they dont want conquest, I believe them. When Guchkov and Lvov say they dont want conquest, they are swindlers. When the worker says that he wants to defend the country, he voices the oppressed mans instinct.[18]

Here we can see Lenins consistent revolutionary method. The conclusion he drew from this was not to fall into defencism, but rather to explain that only when the workers take power can a genuine defencist position be adopted.

In fact, on a number of occasions between February and October 1917, the Bolsheviks were at pains to defend themselves against the slanderous allegations of the Provisional Government that they were for the disorganisation of the army, or for a separate peace with Germany.

This war cannot be ended by a refusal of the soldiers of one side only to continue the war, by a simple cessation of hostilities by one of the belligerents. The Conference reiterates its protest against the base slander spread by the capitalists against our Party to the effect that we are in favour of a separate peace with Germany. We consider the German capitalists to be as predatory as the Russian, British, French and other capitalists, and Emperor Wilhelm as bad a crowned brigand as Nicholas II or the British, Italian, Romanian and all other monarchs.[19]

In June 1917, Lenin reproduced a leaflet distributed by Bolshevik agitators in the army:

 beware of those who, posing as Bolsheviks, will try to provoke you to riots and disturbances as a screen for their own cowardice! [] The real Bolsheviks call you to conscious revolutionary struggle, and not to riots.[20]

In fact, there was a period just before the October Revolution in which the army high command and sections of the ruling class were openly working for a military defeat of Russia in order to drown the revolution in blood. In effect, they were putting their class interests before the national interest. At this point, Lenin developed his arguments further, explaining the measures that would be necessary to turn the capitalist imperialist war into a just war:

The defence potential, the military might, of a country whose banks have been nationalised is superior to that of a country whose banks remain in private hands. The military might of a peasant country whose land is in the hands of peasant committees is superior to that of a country whose land is in the hands of landowners.[21]

The fundamental argument is the same: the workers must take power. But the way the argument is presented is different, taking into account the audience the Bolsheviks were addressing and the concrete mood of the masses at the time.

During a debate at the Extraordinary Fourth All-Russia Congress of Soviets about the ratification of the Brest-Litovsk peace treaty with Germany in March 1918, Lenin spelled out the change:

We were defeatists at the time of the tsar, but at the time of Tsereteli and Chernov we were not defeatists.[22]

That is, while the tsarist autocracy was in power, the Bolsheviks were revolutionary defeatists, but they ceased to be so when tsarism was overthrown and the Provisional Government was established.

Lenin himself explained the meaning of this change in a discussion during the Third Congress of the Comintern in 1921:

At the beginning of the war we Bolsheviks adhered to a single slogan  that of civil war, and a ruthless one at that. We branded as a traitor everyone who did not support the idea of civil war. But when we came back to Russia in March 1917 we changed our position entirely. When we returned to Russia and spoke to the peasants and workers, we saw that they all stood for defence of the homeland, of course in quite a different sense from the Mensheviks, and we could not call these ordinary workers and peasants scoundrels and traitors. We described this as honest defencism. [] Our original stand at the beginning of the war was correct: it was important then to form a definite and resolute core. Our subsequent stand was correct too. It proceeded from the assumption that the masses had to be won over.[23]

Here we see the extraordinary skill of Lenin. First, he waged an implacable struggle for principles, not just against the open betrayers, but also against those who were willing to make compromises or were not prepared to draw all the necessary conclusions from the political break that had taken place.

He not only struggled against those to his right, but also against those who made left-wing, or more precisely ultra-left, mistakes. This was the case for instance in his criticism of the Junius Pamphlet.[24] He praised the text as an important breakthrough, as it showed the existence of an internationalist and revolutionary wing in the German Social-Democracy, where the betrayal had been most damaging. But at the same time, he insisted on pointing out certain shortcomings of the document, which unbeknownst to him had been written by Rosa Luxemburg (under the pseudonym Junius), and subjecting them to detailed criticism. One of those mistakes was related to the national question and the possibility of national wars in the epoch of imperialism, on which Luxemburg had a different position to Lenin.

Having thus established a principled position through an implacable struggle with other trends, and having won over the vanguard to a correct position, Lenin then, without changing his principles one iota, undertook the second part of the task: that of winning over the masses to that position. And that required being able to explain those same ideas in a way that the mass of workers and peasants would be able to understand, and which connected with their experiences and consciousness.

There was general political agreement between Lenin and Trotsky regarding the struggle against the imperialist war / Image: public domain

It is in this context that Lenins criticism of Trotsky in The Defeat of Ones Own Government in the Imperialist War, written in 1915, needs to be understood.[25]

Trotsky was at the time editing a daily anti-war newspaper in Paris, Nashe Slovo, and therefore his audience was different from that which Lenin was addressing. The slogan of the defeat of ones country being the lesser evil could not be used in a paper which aimed to reach wider layers.

There was general political agreement between Lenin and Trotsky regarding the struggle against the imperialist war, as witnessed by their close collaboration at Zimmerwald and Kienthal, but Trotsky had illusions in the possibility of re-establishing the unity of the party, which Lenin adamantly opposed. On this question, Lenin was right.

The Bolsheviks in power

One last observation. The Russian Revolution, as is known, was fought on the basis of the slogan Peace, Bread and Land, which the Bolsheviks argued could only be achieved through the workers and peasants coming to power, hence the slogan All Power to the Soviets. Upon coming to power after the October Revolution, the Decree on Peace was one of the first passed by the Soviet Government.[26] In it, the Bolsheviks fulfilled their promises, offering a genuine democratic peace, without annexations, to all belligerent countries.

In addition, the Bolsheviks in power repudiated all secret treaties, which they made public, to the great embarrassment of the imperialist powers. These included, for instance, the Treaty of London, by which Britain, France and Russia promised territorial concessions to Italy to be carved out of Austria-Hungary in exchange for Italian support in the war; and the Constantinople and Sykes-Picot agreements between Britain, France and Russia for the division of the Ottoman Empire, even though they had promised the Arabs self-rule in exchange for rising up against the Turks.

Lenin put forward the idea that, if this proposal for a democratic peace were to be rejected, then Soviet power would wage a genuine defensive war, a revolutionary war against Germany and other imperialist powers that threatened the new workers state. This was not to be. In fact, such was the state of demoralisation in the Russian Army that a strong tendency towards disintegration set in as the revolution triumphed.

During the peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk in early 1918 between the Soviets, led by Trotsky, and the Central Powers, the Bolsheviks were barely able to hold the line at the front. They were stalling and hoping that revolution would break out in Germany. Revolution did break out in Germany, although not until November of that year. The German high command was fully aware of the dire situation of the Russian Army and extracted an onerous peace from the Soviets. Starting in February 1918, a whole new army had to be created, the Red Army of Workers and Peasants, tasked with defending the Revolution and Soviet power. But that falls beyond the scope of this volume.

Lenins writings on the struggle against the imperialist war are a treasure trove for revolutionaries today. Much can be learned from a detailed study of the principles he defended  which were a development of those outlined by Marx and Engels, in new conditions  and also of the way he then applied those principles in his practical agitation aimed at winning over the masses. We hope that this selection, though by no means exhaustive, will help revolutionary communists today in that endeavour.

References

[1] VI Lenin, Socialism and War, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 64.

[2] Ibid., p. 65.

[3] Resolution of the Seventh International Socialist Congress at Stuttgart, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 368.

[4] Lenin, The International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 7.

[5] Ibid., p. 6, emphasis added.

[6] Lenin, Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, Wellred Books, 2019, p. 8.

[7] Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 57.

[8] See Lenin, The Military Programme of the Proletarian Revolution on p. 199 and The Junius Pamphlet on p. 173.

[9] See The position of Serbian socialists during WWI, In Defence of Marxism, 2023

[10] See Two Declarations of the Zimmerwald Left, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 395.

[11] The Kienthal Manifesto, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 397

[12] Lenin, The War and Russian Social-Democracy, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 16.

[13] Lenin, The Defeat of Ones Own Government in the Imperialist War, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 43.

[14] Robert B McKean, St. Petersburg Between the Revolutions, Yale, 1990, p. 361.

[15] Draft Resolution and Manifesto Submitted by the Left Wing Delegates at Zimmerwald, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 389, emphasis in original.

[16] Ibid., p. 390, emphasis in original.

[17] Lenin, The Draft Resolution of the Left Wing at Zimmerwald, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war. p. 112, both quotes.

[18] Lenin, Report at a Meeting of Bolshevik Delegates to the All-Russia Conference of Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 271, emphasis in original.

[19] Resolution on the War at the Seventh (April) All-Russia Conference of the RSDLP(B), Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 295.

[20] Lenin, Bolshevism and Demoralisation of the Army, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 313.

[21] Lenin, The Struggle Against Economic Chaos  and the War, from The Impending Catastrophe and How to Combat It, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 327.

[22] Lenin, Reply to the Debate on the Report on Ratification of the Peace Treaty, Extraordinary Fourth All-Russia Congress Of Soviets, 14-16 March 1918, Lenin Collected Works, Vol. 27, Progress Publishers, 1960, p. 193.

[23] Lenin, Speeches at a Meeting of Members of the German, Polish, Czechoslovak, Hungarian and Italian Delegations, 11 July, ibid., Vol. 42, p. 325

[24] See Lenin, The Junius Pamphlet, this volume, p. 173.

[25] See this volume, p. 43.

[26] See Second All-Russia Congress of Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies, Lenin: selected writings on imperialist war, p. 351.
A young cancer patient at a Massachusetts hospital got a surprise visit from his favorite superhero last week.

Actor Ryan Reynolds visited Nash, an 8-year-old boy battling cancer, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on Friday, according to a video posted by Mass General for Children on X.

.@VancityReynolds (@Deadpool) & @RealHughJackman (@WolverineMovie), surprised arguably their biggest (little) fan, Nash! The 8-year-old, who is getting treatment for a rare form of cancer, met Ryan and got a FaceTime from Hugh. Watch the moment he meets his personal superheroes! pic.twitter.com/B8QoaioPtU  MassGeneralChildren (@mghfc) September 20, 2024

The Deadpool star is seen entering Nashs room with a bag of gifts as the starstruck boy stares in awe.

Reynolds gave the gifts to Nash and shook his hand. Nash showed Reynolds his Deadpool-themed radiation mask and Reynolds took a selfie with the boy and the mask.

Reynolds, 47, provided some words of encouragement to the young cancer patient.

Everything youre going through, that is a lot for an 8-year-old kid to shoulder. I hope you know that. That is serious stuff, Reynolds told Nash in the video. Everything youre going through is going to be incredibly useful.

Nash then got an extra surprise when Reynolds FaceTimed his Deadpool and Wolverine co-star Hugh Jackman to say hello to the boy.

It is so nice to meet you Nash, and tell Ryan to stop calling me, Jackman joked, according to the video.

Nashs mother, Angie Poirier, set up the visit. She said on X that she and Reynolds have followed each other on the social media platform for years.

Poirier said she sent Reynolds a picture of her sons mask and Reynolds said he wanted to come meet Nash in Boston.

We kept it a surprise for Nash, Poirier wrote on X. Thank you for this memory Ryan!

The actor then reshared Poiriers post and wrote, Massive thanks to the medical staff at @mghfc for devoting your life to this work. [expletive] I know it isnt easy. Wish every kid needing treatment got it here. And I wish every parent with a sick kid could put their kid in hands this capable. Nash, youre the best. Love you, pal.
SPRINGFIELD  A program that gives free legal advice and business support to entrepreneurs is coming to Springfield from Boston, where it has seen nearly a decade of success helping hundreds of small business owners.

The Springfield City Library is joining forces with Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston to stage the first BizGrow Conference in Western Massachusetts. The legal support and business expo is being held at the librarys central branch on State Street in October.

When I got the email from Lawyers for Civil Rights, I jumped right out of my chair to go talk to our director about being able to host this conference, said Elizabeth McKinstry, training and programming librarian. It felt like exactly the opportunity we need to talk more about the kinds of resources available for small businesses.
Those who got a taste of a new ice cream collaboration between Ben & Jerrys and Noah Kahan are hoping the company makes it a permanent fixture in its flavor lineup.

Ben & Jerrys served scoops of a very limited availability flavor called Northern Latte-tude at Kahans benefit concert in Essex Junction, Vermont, on Thursday, Sept. 19, the company said on Instagram.

The flavor  with maple latte ice cream, graham cracker cookie dough and graham cracker pieces  was inspired by Kahans 2022 song Northern Attitude.

Ben & Jerrys even posted a picture of Kahan on Instagram from the event, which was in support of Kahans non-profit mental health foundation called The Busyhead Project.

Our Vermont friend @noahkahanmusic celebrated his benefit concert tonight with a very limited availability flavor, the post read.

Well, it appears people couldnt get enough of the special flavor because Ben & Jerrys ended up serving the limited edition ice cream at two shops in Burlington and Waterbury, Vermont, the next day.

Noah Kahans Northern Latte-tude will make a very special encore TODAY ONLY at local Ben & Jerrys Scoop Shops, the company said on Instagram Friday, Sept. 20. Scoops will be available today only, while supplies last!

But that still wasnt enough for fans who either did or did not get to try Northern Latte-tude for themselves.

People have started commenting on Ben & Jerrys Instagram posts asking the company to bring back the limited-time flavor and sell it in stores across the country.

I speak for everyone when we say release this nationwide, one comment reads.

One Instagram user said they want to start a petition to get Northern Latte-tude on shelves immediately, while another person said they already have plans to buy the flavor in every store its stocked in.

Can [you] release it in stores, another user asked. I beg.

Other notable comments included, This flavor is SO GOOD  please make it permanent, Take my money and make this national and Let us all have a taste please.

People were also commenting on a Reddit thread, which started Thursday, about making the short-term collaboration long-term.

Whoevers attending this concert we need you guys to sell this flavor out so Ben & Jerrys will make it part of their permanent line, one comment reads.

This is literally the worst FOMO Ive ever had in my LIFE, another comment reads. I really [expletive] hope Ben and Jerrys makes it part of their permanent range.
A new film shot and set in Western Massachusetts debuted Friday at the 40th annual Boston Film Festival. Sheepdog, from local filmmaker Steven Grayhm, made its debut to dozens of local fans and military veterans alike.

The film was written, directed and stars Grayhm as a decorated combat veteran who is court ordered into treatment when an ex-convict shows up on his doorstep and reveals that he must put himself back together again.

Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen (Sideways, The Candyman), Emmy nominee Vondie Curtis-Hall (Raymond & Ray, Falling Down), Tony nominee Lilli Cooper (Tootsie on Broadway), Dominic Fumusa (Nurse Jackie) and Matt Dallas (Kyle XY) also star in the drama.

Sheepdog was shot and takes place entirely in Western Massachusetts, including in Turners Falls, Montague and Greenfield. Much of the film takes place in Turners Falls, including the now defunct Turners Falls Paper mill, where filmmakers shot the opener and all of the scenes in the films local veterans affairs office. There are also plenty of shots of the natural beauty of Western Mass., which Grayhm described as his love letter to Massachusetts in the films post-screening Q&A.

Grayhm, who was born in Canada but now resides in Erving with his wife, said at the premier that he decided to shoot the film here because [co-star Matt Dallas] and I had lunch together at [my wifes] mothers restaurant in Turners. We said our goodbyes and we were headed to Texas. And as I stepped out of her restaurant into this misty afternoon, I looked up and down Avenue A and thats where I had the moment of I think Im going to shoot the movie here. And that was 2013.

Grayhm and Dallas spent the better part of 12 years on a journey to make a film that focuses on the issues that veterans and their families face when returning home from war, including PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. The two interviewed hundreds of military vets from across the country and partnered with VAs and other veterans nonprofit organizations like the Heroes Wellness Collective to tell an incredibly accurate story of how devastating war can be for veterans when they return home. But the film also shows in the same light how getting help can allow them to overcome the issues they face, dubbed Post Traumatic Growth.

Theres just not very much material that tells the story of veterans, troops, and recovery and growth, co-star Virginia Madsen recounted in the Q&A.

This was something that Grayhm was determined to change. He recounted a story of how, after a long shoot, his car broke down and he got a three-hour ride back home from a veteran who recounted stories of his life and struggles. That was when he decided to make a film that would shed light on veterans stories.

I truly believe with my heart and soul that if we save even one life with this movie, then itll be the greatest Hollywood success, Grayhm said after the showing on Friday.

Every time we went back [to Massachusetts]... it always came down to the people. And everyone was just so generous and kind and curious and supportive and its as simple as that, said Grayhm.

Sheepdog currently does not have a wide release date set. Follow MassLive to stay informed on future release information.
A man was killed in a car crash in Boston on Sunday night, according to the Boston Police Department.

Officers responded to Seaport Boulevard at around 8:34 p.m. after receiving a call about a car crash, Boston police said.

Officers found a Blue Cadillac in the middle of Congress Street after it hit the back of a building at 131 Seaport Blvd., police said.
Two armed men in masks were arrested on Sunday in connection with an armed robbery of a persons moped, the Worcester Police Department announced.

Lucas Parent, 18, and Willie Watson, 21, were charged with armed and masked robbery and seven counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, police said in a statement on Monday.

At around 6:23 p.m. on Sunday, officers met with a group of people on Crystal Street about a reported stolen vehicle, the statement read.

One of the people told police that they were outside standing near a moped that belonged to another person in the group, police said.

They said they were approached by "some individuals wearing black ski masks and holding firearms, the statement read. The armed individuals took the moped and left the area.

Police found the suspects vehicle on Grand Street and arrested two men, the department said. The moped was found and returned to its owner.
In the wake of his arrest outside MGM Springfield on Saturday, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi apologized for not living up to the high standards Ive set for myself, my staff, and the justice-involved population.

Cocchi is facing a single charge of operating under the influence, according to a spokesperson for Attorney General Andrea J. Campbells office.
To our dismay, the Massachusetts legislature failed this year to reach agreement on any substantive climate bill. In light of the urgency of global warming, doing nothing over the course of the last 19-month session is neither responsible nor appropriate. According to the reputable Yale Center for Climate Communication, 78% of Massachusetts residents believe global warming is happening and 58% report our state government should act to address it. As citizens, we can bring pressure on the State House to reach a compromise and pass urgently needed climate legislation. This opinion piece is intended to give our fellow citizens information they need to press our legislators to move past the current House/Senate stalemate and pass a substantive climate bill before this year ends.

The Senates and Houses separate climate bills each contain features critical to the commonwealths ability to grow our clean energy sector and achieve our state-mandated climate goals. Although time is running out this year to call a special session to pass a compromise bill, there is still an opportunity to achieve passage before the years end. Towards motivating our legislators to act, there is power in our collective voice, but only if we raise our individual voices.

The good news is that in their conference committee negotiations, the Senate and House are in broad agreement that reforming the siting and permitting process for new electric infrastructure projects (e.g. new transmission lines, solar farms, wind farms, etc.) is critical to the states clean energy transition. Historically, the process of siting an infrastructure project and obtaining all necessary permits often takes 10 years or longer. By streamlining the process, building in meaningful stakeholder engagement, and strengthening environmental protections, the commonwealth can build clean energy infrastructure at the necessary pace. The two chambers broad agreement on this issue mirrors agreement among state regulators, advocates and industry representatives. Nevertheless, while crucial, siting and permitting reform is not enough.
MAYO Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway-Walsh has said she favours her party running two candidates in the five-seat Mayo constituency in the upcoming general election.

At present, Deputy Conway-Walsh is the only Sinn Fein candidate selected to run in the election, which could take place as early as November.

Speaking to The Mayo News from her partys think-in at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin, Deputy Conway-Walsh said she would like to run alongside Charlestown-based county councillor Gerry Murray.

Cllr Murray has previously said he would seriously consider running for the Dail if asked to do so by his party.

Thats already been decided, that if there is a second candidate, it will be Gerry Murray, said Deputy Conway-Walsh. The numbers are being crunched at the moment, but my preference has been for a long time that we would have a two-candidate strategy. That decision will be made collectively by members in Mayo and the Ard Chomhairle election department.

My intention all the time is that we dont leave a seat behind. We need to have sufficient candidates to show that we can lead a government. We want to lead the next government and I think it would be really good in Mayo to have two Sinn Fein TDs.

Fluctuating support

Deputy Conway-Walsh was elected to Dail Eireann in 2020 on the first count after receiving 14,796 first-preference votes in a general election that saw a nationwide surge in support for Sinn Fein.

Since then, Mayo has gained an extra seat thanks to the reinstatement of parts of South Mayo to the constituency.

However, support for Sinn Fein has plummeted since 2020, with the party recording an approval rating of 18 percent in a recent Business Post/Red C poll.

Cllr Murray was the only one of ten Sinn Fein candidates to be elected to Mayo County Council in the local elections last June.

Speaking towards the conclusion of the count at the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre in Castlebar, Deputy Conway-Walsh disagreed with the suggestion that her party ran too many candidates in the local elections.

When asked yesterday (Monday) if it would be wise to run two candidates at the upcoming election in light of the partys drop in support, Deputy Conway-Walsh said that the local elections were very different to general elections.

I think there was a low turnout in Mayo and so we have to encourage people to come out to vote in the first instance. And secondly, I would say that people in a general election see it as an opportunity for real change, she said.

In the local election you have the issue of incumbency. When you have a county councillor on the ground whos had probably a million euro over five years to spend on roads and on different things in communities, then its very challenging to get new people elected and our candidates probably need another while just to get known in the areas.

I think people are more focused on the general elections, and thats what we were getting on the doors as well going around, is that people are really waiting until the general elections.

Swinford vote

Sinn Fein were denied a second seat in the Mayo County Council chamber when John Sheahan fell one vote short after two recounts in the four-seat Swinford Local Electoral Area.

An investigation was subsequently launched into unstamped ballot papers, which resulted in a number of votes, including nine for Mr Sheahan, being deemed invalid.

Deputy Conway-Walsh said Sinn Fein are still awaiting separate reports from the Irish Electoral Commission and Mayo County Council regarding the matter.

Mr Sheahan received a total 1,636 votes, just one short of Cllr Neil Cruise, who was elected alongside Cllr John Caulfield and Cllr Adrian Forkan without reaching the quota.

When we get a report back from it, then well be able to make an assessment, but its extremely unfortunate that Swinford are left without a councillor despite the majority of people voting for the Sinn Fein candidate in John Sheahan, said Deputy Conway-Walsh.

I feel for the people of Swinford being without the representation that they wanted in John Sheahan, clearly, as well as for John himself.
The crucial role of Mayo public libraries in local community life will be highlighted on National Public Libraries Open Day this Saturday, September 28.

Non-members and members alike are encouraged to Take a Closer Look and visit their local public library on National Public Libraries Open Day to explore the free services on offer.

According to Dr Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development for the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), part of the remit of public libraries is to provide assistance to society where it is required.

Irish public libraries have a proud and long-standing history of being integral within our villages, towns and cities in supporting people on an individual and a collective, community basis, he said.

They continue to fulfil an integral role in Irish life and, as their importance has continued to grow, the services provided have expanded to meet the needs of individual members and broader society.

Irish public libraries are important places of inclusivity within our communities. They provide a diverse range of resources and services to appeal to people of all abilities across society, he added.

Anna Marie Delaney, Chair of the National Libraries Development Committee, said National Public Libraries Open Day will highlight the crucial role of libraries in our communities.

Public libraries are vibrant, inclusive community hubs providing all sorts of events and activities within our villages, towns and cities, she explained.

She continued: Diversity of resources and services includes encouraging reading at all levels, improving digital skills and literacy, enabling formal and informal learning and supporting the provision of information and guidance on every topic.

Libraries across the region will be showcasing their services throughout National Public Libraries Open Day.

More information is available on the Libraries Ireland website.
Original Irish Hotels epic eight-day Wild Atlantic Way charity cycle for Irish Cancer Society will stop throughout Mayo.

Grainne Seoige launched the Original charity cycle, which will kick-off on Monday, September 30. Original Irish Hotels team members, guests and local suppliers will embark on the cycle starting along the Wild Atlantic Way beginning in Cork and finishing in Donegal.

Across relay style cycle team members will visit a variety of the beautiful Original Irish Hotels along the spectacular and rugged Wild Atlantic Way route, with participants from each hotel taking part at various stages along the cycle.

Twenty-four hotels, including Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Clew Bay Hotel, Westport, Park Hotel Kiltimagh will be visited by participants throughout the cycle.

The cycle, which is over 800 kilometres, marks the ten-year anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way, celebrating the impact the route has had on local communities over the last decade with a goal to raise 50,000 for The Irish Cancer Society.

The teams are made up of hotel proprietors, hotel staff, guests, suppliers, and many local heroes with a combination of experienced and leisure cyclists.

All donations will help the hotel teams make this event an important contributor to the local communities along the Wild Atlantic Way through The Irish Cancer Society.

Stephen Belton, Chairperson at Original Irish Hotels, said they wanted to make a difference to local communities through the challenge.

The Irish Cancer Society was the right charity to partner with, as everyone in our community and throughout Ireland has been touched by cancer in some way, he added.

This years cycle was launched by Journalist and TV presenter Grainne Seoige, who said she was delighted to support the great cycle.

She continued: As a proud Galway woman, I want to wish a happy birthday to the Wild Atlantic Way. I also want to commend the hoteliers and their teams for this initiative. I know how important these individual hotels are to their local communities, and they deserve support to reach their fundraising goal. To all participants, let me say, go n-eiri an t-adh leat!

Original Irish Hotels will support The Irish Cancer Society through the challenge.

These hotels are at the heart of their communities and The Irish Cancer Society provides invaluable services to their communities, including support for patients, funding cancer research projects and providing care to many all-around Ireland.

Original Irish Hotels offer a collection of distinctive, owner-operated hotels situated in Ireland's most stunning locations, with 50 properties spread across all of Ireland in beautiful locations such as the Wild Atlantic Way.

Donations for the cycle can be made up until Monday, October 7 through iDonate.

Every contribution will help Original Irish Hotels to reach their goal of a 50,000 donation to The Irish Cancer Society.

See below the full cycle route:

Start  Caseys of Baltimore

DAY 1Monday, 30th September

Casey's of Baltimore (Baltimore), Seaview House Hotel & Spa (Bantry), Sneem Hotel (Sneem)

DAY 2Tuesday, 1st October

Parknasilla Resort & Spa (Kerry), Arbutus Hotel (Killarney), Randles Hotel (Killarney), The Victoria (Killarney), Dingle Benners (Dingle)

DAY 3Wednesday, 2nd October

Ballyseede Castle (Tralee), Dunraven Arms Hotel (Adare), Fitzgerald Woodlands House Hotel (Adare)

Day 4Thursday, 3rd October

Vaughan Lodge Hotel (Lahinch), Sheedy's Boutique Hotel (Lisdoonvarna), Hylands Burren Hotel (Ballyvaughan)

Day 5Friday, 4th October

Connemara Sands Hotel (Ballyconneeley), Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (Connemara)

Day 6Saturday, 5th October

Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel (Connemara), Knockranny House Hotel (Westport), Clew Bay Hotel (Westport), Park Hotel Kiltimagh (Kiltimagh)

Day 7Sunday, 6th October

Markree Castle (Collooney), Sandhouse Hotel (Rossnowlagh)

Day 8Monday, 7th October

Mill Park Hotel (Mullans), Arnolds Hotel (Dunfanaghy)

End  Arnolds House Hotel, Dunfanaghy
Mayo councillor Paul Lawless has called for the slurry spreading deadline to be extended this year.

The Aontu councillor has said farmers and agricultural contractors are under immense pressure to meet the current October 1 deadline following an unusually wet summer that has left fields waterlogged and unworkable.

The councillor, who was selected represent Aontu in Mayo for the next general election, is calling for the deadline to be extended well into October to provide farmers with much-needed relief.

In a letter to the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, Cllr Lawless stressed the urgency of the situation.

Farmers and agricultural contractors are struggling with the dreadful weather conditions weve faced this summer. The fields were waterlogged for weeks, and only recently have we seen any improvement, he wrote.

He continued, Contractors have been contacting me non-stop, with many working up to 20 hours a day to meet the October 1 deadline. Theyre trying to compress two months worth of work into just two weeks, which is simply unachievable under these circumstances.

Slurry spreading usually takes place during the spring and summer, but this years persistent rainfall has left many farmers unable to do so.

With more rain than sunshine this summer, the agricultural sector has endured a disastrous season. Extending the October 1 slurry spreading deadline is vital to give farmers the chance to empty their tanks before winter sets in, Cllr Lawless concluded.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, September 20, 2024

Google opened its defense in a Virginia courtroom Friday in Alexandria, Virginia, where the tech company is battling allegations that it illegally monopolized online ad-tech tools.

The Department of Justice has alleged that Google monopolizes three markets connected to open web display advertising -- publisher ad servers, advertiser ad networks, and ad exchanges.

Google denies it acted anticompetitively, and contends that open web display advertising -- banner ads on sites operated by news organizations and other online publishers -- is not a market. Among other arguments, Google says the government's proposed market definitions don't account for ads on streaming services or social apps. Google called Scott Sheffer, a vice president for global partnerships, as its first witness Friday, and is expected to call additional witnesses this week.

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Megan Gray, GrayMatters Law & Policy Founder and CEO, believes that if the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ad antitrust case ended today, the government would win. It's important to note that she acted as former counsel to DuckDuckGo, which has said it was harmed by Google's dominance in search.

Witness testimony for Google continues this week. The company had planned to present 19 witnesses, including six the DOJ objected to initially. They are representatives of federal agencies named by the DOJ as plaintiffs in the case. The judge, however, will allow them to testify, because they use Googles tools to advertise. The judge stated that what advertisers do in the real world is critical to understanding the case.

Judge Brinkema said she will offer time between the conclusion of rebuttal arguments and closing, but has not indicated any specific timeline for closing arguments, or timing for any decision.

Gray believes it would require an enormous amount of staffing and budget to cleanly divest any of Googles companies, but any settlement discussions will become very difficult to keep separate because the cases are not only in the United States, but worldwide. They include Europe, Australia and South Korea. All need to be considered.

Very hard to think youre going to stay in your own lane when you have this much enforcement activity, not just in the United States, but around the world, Gray said.

Suggesting that its like trying to corral cats, she pointed to getting consensus with many state attorney generals who are involved not only in this case, but with Googles search case.

Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia presided over the Google antitrust search trial. Gray said this antitrust case was filed while Trump was in office during his last term, and just now, within the past couple of days, Mehta set the schedule for the timing.

The remedy for the search trial, which addresses the action and harm suffered by a party due to the unlawful actions of another, will be scheduled by November 20, Gray said.

The trial is set for either the last week of April or the first week of May, and it could be the first part of August 2025 before the judge makes a decision.

The search case is about exclusive default contracts, and at a minimum that will go away, Gray said. That does not mean Google cannot pay Apple. That does not mean Google cannot be a default or pay a small player like Firefox to be a default.

The case was filed without any idea of what the remedy should or could be, she said, which has become problematic. The remedy is likely to only address the causes of action. It just says Google cannot be the exclusive default and doesnt address what it can pay.

Its likely Google will say, well, thank you very much, well just keep our $25 billion and Apple, either with a choice screen or by continuing to sell the default, it will still be the vast majority for the use on browsers.

She explained that exclusivity and a choice screen are two different things. Exclusivity provisions shut off a way to change the browser.

The remedies under discussion now are very different than what youve heard floated or contemplated in the past four years, said Gray. She thinks the judge will do something more than just strike the exclusivity provision, but how do you divest companies in search?

It would provide a way to monetize Chrome and Android, Gray said. And you did have in a part of the case a finding of liability in the search ad text market, which is AdWords in its original form, she explained.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 23, 2024

The watchdog Media Matters of America is seeking to immediately appeal a Texas judge's decision allowing X Corp. to proceed with claims over a report alleging that ads for large companies were appearing next to pro-Nazi posts on the platform.

In papers filed Friday with U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth, Media Matters and two of its reporters argue that one of the key legal issues in the case -- whether the lawsuit belongs in Texas -- warrants immediate review by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Lawsuits like this one pose a severe threat to press freedom, Media Matters and the reporters argue in a petition seeking permission for an immediate appeal.

The court should not run the risk of subjecting defendants to years of chill of their First Amendment rights, coupled with millions of dollars of litigation expense, without making sure of its jurisdiction, the group adds.

The advocacy group's request comes in a battle dating to November, when Media Matters reported that ads for brands including Apple, Bravo, IBM and Oracle were being placed next to pro-Nazi posts.

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After the report came out, Apple, IBM, Comcast and other companies -- but not Oracle, according to court papers -- suspended advertising on X, formerly Twitter.

Elon Musk's X Corp. subsequently alleged in a complaint filed in federal court in Texas that Media Matters manipulated X's algorithms in order to bypass safeguards and create images of Xs largest advertisers paid posts adjacent to racist, incendiary content.

The tech platform also said ad placements highlighted in Media Matters' report were inorganic and rare.

The company's complaint included claims that Media Matters and its reporters interfered with X's contracts and disparaged its business.

In February, Media Matters urged Fort Worth to throw out the case.The advocacy group -- which is based in Washington, D.C. -- made several arguments, including that X lacked a valid basis to sue in Texas.

O'Connor rejected Media Matters' request last month. He said in a 16-page opinion that X could proceed in Texas because two of X's advertisers -- AT&T and Oracle -- are based in that state.

The alleged conduct was directed at two blue-chip advertising Texas companies, O'Connor wrote. A defendant who targets a Texas company with tortious activity has fair warning that it may be sued there.

Media Matters and the reporters now argue that O'Connor's ruling stretches the boundaries of personal jurisdiction well beyond those firmly established by Fifth Circuit and Supreme Court precedent.

They add that the November report didn't name AT&T, and that Oracle didn't suspend ads on X.

The ruling will have harmful, chilling consequences for journalists in the internet age, exposing them unpredictably to jurisdiction in any state that is home to any third-party individual or entity that is simply mentioned in any article, the group writes.

X Corp., which has lost significant ad revenue since its 2022 acquisition by Musk, is separately suing the World Federation of Advertisers' Global Alliance for Responsible Media for allegedly triggering a massive advertiser boycott.

The Global Alliance for Responsible Media discontinued operations soon after the suit was filed.

The tech company additionally sued the research group Center for Countering Digital Hate after that organization issued critical reports about content on the platform. In March, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer in the Northern District of California threw out that case under California's anti-SLAPP (strategic litigation against public participation) law, which enables defendants to obtain rapid dismissals of claims based on statements about matters of public interest.

X Corp. recently asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate the claims.


Did you know that men with #Alcohol_Use_Disorder (AUD) who have #depression and #cravings often have lower levels of #testosterone and other hormones? In contrast, women with higher testosterone and #sex hormone-binding globulin levels are more likely to #relapse within the first three months of treatment. 

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Gender-Specific Pathways in Alcohol Dependence

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Gender Differences in the Psychosocial Determinants Underlying the Onset and Maintenance of Alcohol Use Disorder



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Biochemical Markers of Alcohol Use Disorder

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Need for Gender-Sensitive Approaches in Alcohol Use Disorder Care

Gender Differences in the Psychosocial Determinants Underlying the Onset and Maintenance of Alcohol Use Disorder - (https:www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2022.808776/full)

Men and women with alcohol problems may benefit from different therapies, according to a recent study that uncovers hormonal and physiological aspects that affect alcohol dependence (also known as Alcohol Use Disorder).Scientists are aware that men and women are at distinct risk for alcohol abuse and related issues, and that men and women may require different approaches to alcohol treatment. Uncertainty exists regarding the biological processes underlying those variations.For both men and women, specific combinations of hormonal and molecular indicators have been linked to variations in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and related difficulties, as confirmed by this large-scale investigation().According to lead researcher Victor Karpyak, "it may mean that sex-specific treatments can be customized to improve responses for men and women with alcohol problems.As part of a research project researching the alcohol dependence medication acamprosate, the researchers looked at hormonal and protein markers of 268 men and 132 women with Alcohol Use Disorder.They correlated these markers with psychological markers, such as depressed mood, anxiety alcohol consumption and treatment outcomes during the first 3 months of treatment.At the beginning of the trial  before anyone had taken any medication  the researchers tested men and women for several sex-specific blood markers, including sex hormones ( testosterone , estrogens, progesterone ) as well as proteins known to impact their reproduction (such as follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone) or bioavailability of these hormones in the blood (albumin and sex hormone-binding globulin).They found that at the beginning of the trial men with Alcohol Use Disorder, symptoms of depression, and higher cravings for alcohol, also had lower levels of the hormones testosterone, estrone, and estradiol, as well as the protein sex hormone binding globulin. No such associations were found in women with AUD.Professor Karpyak said, We found that there were different associations in men and women. For example, women who had higher levels of testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, and albumin were also more likely to relapse during the first three months of treatment compared to women with lower levels of those biochemical markers. No such relationships were found in men.These hormones and proteins are known to influence behaviour, and indeed we see an association between different levels of these compounds and different behavioural aspects of an alcohol use disorder, although we cant for sure say that one directly causes another.What it does mean is that if you are treating a man and a woman for alcoholism, you are dealing with different biochemical and psychological starting points. This implies that what works for a man may not work for a woman, and vice versa.This is the first study large enough to be able to confirm that particular combinations of sex hormones and related proteins may be part of the biological differences in how alcoholism manifests itself in men and women. We need more research to understand what this means for disease progression and its treatment.Given that many of those differences are related to sex hormones, we particularly want to see how the dramatic hormonal change women experience during the menstrual cycle and at menopause may affect the biochemistry of alcoholism, and guide treatment efforts.Dr. Erika Comasco, Associate Professor in Molecular Psychiatry at Uppsala University in Sweden, stated that the research represents an important step forward toward achieving gender equity in medicine. The findings provide an important first insight into the relationship between sex hormones and alcohol use disorder treatment.While sex differences in the way the disorder manifests itself are known, these results suggest that sex hormones may modulate treatment response, potentially supporting sex-specific pharmacological intervention.However, hormone fluctuations related to the menstrual cycle are also potential modulators of alcohol misuse, warranting further investigation into their role in treatment and relapse outcomes for female patients.Source-Eurekalert
SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19

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Genetic tracing of market wildlife and viruses at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic



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Not every virus can cause a pandemic, but mixing them is like setting off a fire in a small space. #SARS-CoV-2 #COVID-19 #pandemic #medindia

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Sample Collection and Genetic Sequencing at Wuhan Market

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SARS-CoV-2 Linked to Wildlife in Wuhan Market

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Evolutionary Analysis of Early COVID-19 Viral Genomes

Reducing the Risk of Future Wildlife-Related Pandemics

Genetic tracing of market wildlife and viruses at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic - (https:www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)00901-2?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867424009012%3Fshowall%3Dtrue)

New study findings provided a list of wildlife species connected to the spread of, which caused thepandemic in late 2019 ().The study results were published Thursday in Cell. Genetic data for the study was taken from the. Over 800 samples were taken from the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan starting January 1, 2020, with viral genomes from the first COVID-19 patients."This may be the last big, new set of data directly from the market, and in a way, its like finishing the last piece of a puzzle showing a picture that has been pretty clear already," said Michael Worobey, one of three co-corresponding authors on the paper and head of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona. "We present a thorough and rigorous analysis of the data and how it fits in with the rest of the huge body of evidence we have about how the pandemic started."On Jan. 1, 2020, just hours after the market closed, investigators from the Chinese went to the market to collect samples. Although they encountered little in the way of live wildlife, they swabbed the floors, walls, and other surfaces of many stalls. They came back days later to focus on surfaces in stalls where wildlife was sold, such as cages and carts used to move animals, and also collected samples from drains and sewers.They performed metatranscriptomic sequencing of the samples, a technique used to obtain RNA sequences (and which can pick up DNA as well) from all organisms present in the samples  viruses, bacteria, plants, animals, and humans. The Chinese CDC team, led by Liu Jun, published its data and results in 2023 in the journalHowever, the article left unresolved the exact identities of the animal species found in the data. The Chinese CDC shared the sequencing data on public and open repositories.According to the latest analysis of the data, SARS-CoV-2 was present in some of the same stalls where wildlife was sold at the market. That wildlife included raccoon dogs  small foxlike animals with markings similar to raccoons  and civet cats  small carnivorous mammals related to mongooses and hyenas. In some cases, genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus and these animals were found on the same swabs."Many of the key animal species had been cleared out before the Chinese CDC teams arrived, so we cant have direct proof that the animals were infected," said co-corresponding author Florence Debarre of the French National Centre for Scientific Research. "We are seeing the DNA and RNA ghosts of these animals in the environmental samples, and some are in stalls where SARS-CoV-2 was found, too. This is what you would expect under a scenario in which there were infected animals in the market."Putting wild animals with viruses in contact with humans in the heart of big cities, where population densities make it easy for these viruses to take hold, is one of the most risky things humans can do, Worobey said."Not all of those viruses have the potential to start a pandemic, but when you do bring them in, its like a spark in a tinderbox," he said.The researchers also performed an evolutionary analysis of the earliest viral genomes reported in the pandemic. The results imply that there were very few, if any, humans infected before the market outbreak. This is consistent with spillovers from animals to humans within the market, then subsequent spread throughout Wuhan and, eventually, the whole world, Worobey said.While the data cannot prove whether one or more of these animals were infected, the analyses provide a clear list of the species that most likely could have carried the virus.The study also presents the most complete record of animal species and specific populations within those species that could have acted as intermediate hosts at the market, Worobey said."It gives us clues about the populations that were represented there for each species," he said. "Where in Southeast Asia did they live? Where might they have come from? How many were farmed versus wild-caught and then moved into the transportation networks of illegal wildlife?"Although there has been an increased focus on lab safety since the pandemic began more than four years ago, Worobey says "surprisingly little has been done to decrease the risk of a virus jumping from wildlife into humans again.""We need to start putting the evidence of how this pandemic started into action by taking serious, concrete action to stop the perilous practice of bringing live animals with potential pandemic pathogens into densely populated urban areas," he said.Source-Eurekalert
Imagine being a sure thing for a film, then being left out because the person chosen in your place has better contacts. Thats not all, the movie then goes on to be a blockbuster and makes a 800% profit. For Anushka Sharma back in 2013, this was very much a reality. She was supposed to play the female lead opposite Ranbir Kapoor, but was replaced by Deepika Padukone after she said yes to the director Ayan Mukherji, according to DNA. Which movie are we talking about? None other than the blockbuster Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

 X/YRF The film was made on a budget of Rs. 40 crore. It then went to make a worldwide profit of Rs. 320 crore. Anushka was to play the role but once Deepika said yes, she was rejected. She had been very vocal about her displeasure back then. The movie also ran into some controversy with the Jammu & Kashmir government Omar Abdullah, who was then the states Chief Minister, was not happy to see that the outdoor locations of Gulmarg, where the movie was actually shot, were shown as Manali within the film.

 Eros International He posted on what was then Twitter saying "It is irritating when we roll out the red carpet and facilitate the shoot only to have people believe it's Manali." In reply Dharma productions issued a statement saying The opening credit slate clearly mentions Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Tourism Minister GA Mir and Inspector-General of Police SM Sahal. The names of the entire crew in Kashmir have been mentioned in the credits of the film." Other than Deepika and Ranbir, the film also starred Aditya Roy Kapur, Kalki Koechlin, Farooq Shaikh, Kunaal Roy Kapur and a special appearance by Madhuri Dixit and Rana Daggubati. It was the first time Deepika and Ranbir were acting in a movie since their breakup in 2009. They had dated from 2007 before they ended it. They had earlier acted together in the 2008 movie Bachna Ae Haseeno. In 2015, they were paired in Tamasha, their last movie together till date.
Today, the hit sitcom turns 30. And while theres a lot to reminisce over, the passage of three decades also brings along some not-so-pleasant memories and news.

For many millennials, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. was an integral part of growing up. When the six chums  Joey, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Monica and Phoebe  came on our TV sets, life seemed good for that half hour. What brought fans even more joy was that the six actors were close friends even in real life, and continue to stay the same way today too.

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Last year, Matthew Perry, the actor who played Chandler Bing, was found dead in his home, breaking the hearts of many fans who had grown up watching him and enjoying his sharp wit and sarcastic humour. His co-stars, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Courtney Cox and Matt LeBlanc attended his memorial service and posted heartfelt tributes on social media.

However, it seems that Perrys BFF on and off screen, Joey aka Matt LeBlanc seems to have taken the news rather hard. He was seen twice last year  once to bid adieu to Matthew Perry and a month later at Nobu for dinner with friends. Since then, he had not been spotted in public, so fans were in for a shock when they saw him earlier this week, looking almost unrecognisable.

Jennifer Aniston is worry over her friend, Matt LeBlanc of being anti socialhttps://t.co/zkOuMOGBbg#jenniferaniston pic.twitter.com/6oAI8cIfjK  Jennifer Aniston Fan (@jenanistonblog) September 22, 2024

Matt LeBlanc was spotted outside a California car showroom in the Fernando Valleys Van Nuys neighbourhood. He was dressed in a black T-shirt and dark wash jeans. According to the source, his F.R.I.E.N.D.S. co-stars have been trying to reach out to him and help as he is barely seen socialising.

He used to be such an upbeat, happy guy, but now it seems like he doesnt feel worthy to be around them, an insider told InTouch Weekly following Matt LeBlancs recent appearance. His 'exhausted' look during the outing with his daughter Marina has sparked a debate among fans about his health. Many feel that Perrys death has impacted him deeply.
Online retailer Amazon's announcement that all their staff must return to the office is a positive signal for UK logistics, according to logistics marketing experts Full Mix Marketing.

Amazons Chief Executive, Andy Jassy, announced on 16th September that all home or hybrid-working staff have to return to the office five days a week from January.

Amazon is the latest of many firms in many industries who are returning entirely to the office. With those who make and influence decisions back at their desks, it makes it easier to reach and engage them with the right marketing says Sarah West, Managing Director of Full Mix Marketing.

The pandemic in 2020 resulted in many office workers being sent home to work. However, concerns over drops in productivity, innovation and workers mental health has seen many companies and organisation reverse their working from home policies.

A common comment over recent years has been how hard it can be to get hold of the right person when contacting a company. Marketing has very effectively adapted to the less centralised workforce but the return to the office does make it easier to reach key people and attract new business adds Sarah.

Full Mix Marketing specialises in B2B (business-to-business) marketing and works with many companies in logistics, manufacturing, engineering, technology, construction and business services.

The agency says they and the logistics firms they support have experienced first-hand the reported rise in demand for UK transport and warehousing.

Though there have been challenges, UK logistics appears to have benefitted from the growth in online retail, home delivery and the drive to shorten global supply chains. Urban locations, greater automation and an increased focus on sustainability are just some of the ways they are satisfying demand states Sarah.

The CIM Chartered Marketer and her team believe marketing is proving key to helping their clients take advantage of these increased opportunities.

In a large and competitive sector, marketing is more important and more effective than ever for transport and logistics firms. Whilst word of mouth and reputation remain paramount, it is being more visible and standing out from the crowd that frequently result in the biggest uplift in sales says Sarah.

One of the particular areas the agency has seen its clients in logistics, transport and warehousing benefit from is direct marketing.

Most companies know who their ideal customers are, so we work with them to reach them via email, mail, social media and other direct marketing. Its proven a game-changer for many and will become even more effective as more major companies return to working in the office full time concludes Sarah.
MARJAYOUN, Lebanon  Israeli strikes on Monday killed more than 180 Lebanese in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war as the Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since the 2006 fighting. More than 400 other people were wounded in the strikes.

The Israeli military announced that it hit some 300 targets Monday, saying it was going after Hezbollah weapons sites. Some strikes hit in residential areas of towns in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley. One strike hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos in central Lebanon, more than 80 miles from the border north of Beirut.

The military said it was expanding the airstrikes to include areas of the Bekaa Valley, along Lebanons eastern border. Hezbollah has long had an established presence in the Bekaa Valley, which runs along the Lebanese-Syrian border, and it is where the group was founded in 1982 with the help of Irans Revolutionary Guards.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said residents of the valley must immediately evacuate areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a statement that it fired dozens of rockets at an Israeli military post in Galilee. It also targeted for a second day the facilities of the Rafael defense firm, headquartered in Haifa.

As Israel carried out the attacks, Israeli authorities reported a series of air-raid sirens in northern Israel warning of incoming rocket fire from Lebanon.

Earlier Monday, Israel issued a broad warning urging residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate from homes and other buildings where it claimed Hezbollah has stored weapons.

It was the first warning of its kind in nearly a year of steadily escalating conflict and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire on Sunday. Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed a top commander and dozens of fighters.

There was no sign of an immediate exodus from the villages of southern Lebanon, and the warning left open the possibility that some residents could live in or near targeted structures without knowing that they are risk.

The increasing strikes and counterstrikes have raised fears of an all-out war, even as Israel is still battling Hamas in Gaza and trying to return scores of hostages taken in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group. Israel says it is committed to returning calm to its northern border.

Associated Press journalists in southern Lebanon reported heavy airstrikes targeting many areas Monday morning, including some far from the border.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the strikes hit a forested area in the central province of Byblos, about 130 kilometers (81 miles) north of the Israeli-Lebanese border, for the first time since the exchanges began in October. No injuries were reported there. Israel also bombed targets in the northeastern Baalbek and Hermel regions, where a shepherd was killed and two family members were wounded, according to the news agency. It said a total of 30 people were wounded in strikes.

The Lebanese Health Ministry put the death toll at 182. It asked hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa valley to postpone surgeries that could be done later. The ministry said in a statement that its request aimed to keep hospitals ready to deal with people wounded by Israels expanding aggression on Lebanon.

An Israeli military official said Israel is focused on aerial operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with regulations, said the strikes are aimed at curbing Hezbollah's ability to launch more strikes into Israel.

Lebanese media reported that residents received text messages urging them to move away from any building where Hezbollah stores arms until further notice.

If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, the Arabic message reads, according to Lebanese media.

Lebanon's information minister, Ziad Makary, said in a statement that his office in Beirut had received a recorded message telling people to leave the building.

This comes in the framework of the psychological war implemented by the enemy, Makary said, and urged people not to give the matter more attention than it deserves.

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the Israeli orders. Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied out because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure. That could lead the Israeli military to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

The military said it had targeted more than 150 militant sites early Monday. Residents of different villages in southern Lebanon posted photos on social media of airstrikes and large plumes of smoke. The state-run National News Agency also reported airstrikes on different areas.

An Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen fighters, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000. Lebanon blamed Israel for the attacks, but Israel did not confirm or deny any responsibility.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel a day after the Oct. 7 attack in what it said was an attempt to pin down Israeli forces to help Palestinian fighters in Gaza. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes, and the conflict has steadily intensified over the past year.

The fighting has killed hundreds of people in Lebanon, dozens in Israel and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. It has also sparked brush fires that have destroyed agriculture and scarred the landscape.

Israel has vowed to push Hezbollah back from the border so its citizens can return to their homes, saying it prefers to do so diplomatically but is willing to use force. Hezbollah has said it will keep up its attacks until there is a cease-fire in Gaza, but that appears increasingly elusive as the war nears its anniversary.

Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 captives are still held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November.

Israel's offensive has killed over 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and fighters in its count. It says women and children make up a little over half of those killed. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

___

Lidman and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report.
MIAMI  Migrants intercepted at sea aboard U.S.-bound voyages are being kept in inhumane and prison-like conditions at a federal facility at Guantanamo Bay, according to a report released Wednesday by a legal-aid and advocacy group that has represented migrants at the center.

The International Refugee Assistance Project said that migrants waiting to be resettled in a third country or returned back home at the Migrant Operations Center in the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay had inadequate healthcare, lived in deteriorated quarters with mold and sewage issues and were denied confidential phone calls with attorneys. The group collected the testimony of migrants and former staff as part of its investigation, and conducted independent research. It is asking that the federal government shut the facility down.

This is in clear violation of the United States legal commitments and a violation of core values that anyone should have and the U.S. purports to have, said Jose Miranda, a senior staff attorney at the organization who represented a Cuban family featured in the report.

Many of those kept at the facility are Haitian and Cuban migrants, who use makeshift boats to try to reach the United States by sea. The migrant processing facility is separate from the operations of the naval base. A spokesperson from the Department of State, which oversees the processing and care of migrants held there with the Department of Homeland Security and the International Organization for Migration, denied the reports findings to the Miami Herald.

The claim that migrants housed at the Migrant Operations Center (MOC) are detainees and they lived there in prison-like conditions and had their rights violated are false, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the facilitys operations were consistent with the Department of Homeland Securitys housing policies, and that migrants received food and health care and had access to learning and recreational activities as well as laundry, gym and kitchen facilities. They also said that protected migrants could go to work, shop for groceries at the bases store and attend social and religious activities.

The spokesperson emphasized that the facility is humanitarian in nature and that people can return to their country of origin at any time, while eligible migrants can wait to be resettled.

But Miranda said that the migrants were presented with a false choice.

People are faced with the choice to wait indefinitely to be resettled somewhere they will be safe or return somewhere where they face persecution, he told the Herald.

The New York Times first reported the reports findings, as well as the results of an investigation from the Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, a watchdog agency that urged the government to not house children in the Migrant Operation in Guantanamo Bay. The advocacy organization said in its report that children were kept in the same facilities as single adults, contrary to U.S. detention standards.

The migrant population at the facility is low, with no more than a few dozen people waiting to be resettled at a time, according to statistics the New York Times and Dropsite news compiled through documents and interviews.

Miranda represented a couple and their two young children who fled Cuba by boat because they feared political persecution on the island. The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted the family at sea and sent them to Guantanamo. The paternal grandparents of the children, who were traveling with them, were paroled into the United States to seek medical treatment.

They lived for over a year at Guantanamo, where the report says they spent weeks at a time in their rooms and had limited access to confidential attorney calls. The children could not continue their schooling or seek adequate medical treatment, the organization said. IRAP shared a letter the group attributed to a Navy doctor who wrote about the couples son, which said that his diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and inguinal hernia exceeded the treatment capabilities of the Naval Hospital in Guantanamo Bay.

The organization said that its clients were finally resettled to a third country after they threatened to sue on their behalf. The report also features the stories of a pair of journalists who escaped Cuba with their children and other relatives.

Guantanamo Bay is famously known for holding suspected terrorists after the 9/11 attacks. But during the 1980s and '90s, it held thousands of Haitians, including HIV-positive patients from the Caribbean country. When Cubans started leaving their island en masse during the 1994 rafter crisis, the federal government also held them in custody at Guantanamo. The Biden administration  anticipating a mass exodus  also considered using it to process Haitian migrants after gang violence in the spring led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the creation of a presidential transitional council.

For several immigrants-rights advocates, the facility is a symbol of the mistreatment that Haitians have historically faced navigating the U.S. immigration system.

The administration should be working to close the Guantanamo Migrant Operations Center and to process all asylum seekers in a manner consistent with its human rights obligations, including those interdicted in the Florida Straits or Caribbean Sea, said Guerline Jozef, executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance.

In its report, IRAP said that everyone who is currently in the facility should be paroled into the United States. It also called on Congress to investigate the Migrant Operations Center.

Miranda told the Herald that while the family was settling in the third country, their preference was to be with their grandparents and other relatives in the United States.

Overall, there is little transparency and accountability for what happens, said Miranda.

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2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
GRAND MARAIS, MI -- Dont miss your chance to tour one of Michigans most picturesque light stations during its big anniversary year.

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has been celebrating Au Sable Light Stations 150th year all summer with special events, including free and more frequent tours.

This week is the last time to tour inside the iconic light station on the south shore of Lake Superior until next summer.

RELATED: This Pictured Rocks lighthouse was once Michigans most isolated station

The light tower extends 86 feet high, and is known as the Beacon of the Shipwreck Coast.

On the beach below the light station trail, exposed shipwreck remains dot the shoreline.

The lighthouse, constructed 1873-1874, is still operational. Its fully automated with a smaller, solar-powered light on the catwalk railing that shines over Lake Superior every evening.

Before automation, the light station was continually staffed for 84 years, until the Coast Guard left in 1958. The light station was transferred from the Coast Guard to the National Park Service in 1968.

RELATED: When Pictured Rocks impressive Grand Portal dome collapsed, the ground shook a half mile away

Free tours are scheduled seven days a week beginning at 11 a.m. and run through 3:30 p.m. A park ranger guides the tour, lasting about 40 to 60 minutes, beginning at the lighthouse east porch.

Tours consist of a guided walk around the grounds and support buildings, followed by a climb up the lighthouse tower to learn about the towers original Fresnel lens and experience the view from the top of the lighthouse.

To visit the Au Sable Light Station, travel to the Hurricane River Campground located 12 miles west of Grand Marais on Alger County Road H-58.

The national park advises to park in the day-use parking area near the bridge. From the parking lot, walk east through the campground from the picnic area near the Hurricane River mouth.

The trail continues past the campground on the historic U.S. Coast Guard access road to the light station. It is a 1.5 mile walk, one way, to the lighthouse.

Learn more about the Au Sable Light Station here: https://www.nps.gov/.../historycu.../ausablelightstation.htm
ERIE TOWNSHIP, MI -- A K9 officer with the Monroe County Sheriffs Department tracked down a missing toddler earlier this month after the boy got lost in a corn maze. According to WXYZ-Detroit, the K9 deputy, named Bane and his partner MCSO Deputy Jack Hall were dispatched to Erie Orchard on Sept. 3 for a report of a missing boy.

Despite the boy being lost in the massive maze, Bane was able to track the toddler more than a quarter of a mile away after the boys family gave Bane a starting article to sniff. Using a bathing suit the boy wore earlier in the day, Bane picked up the scent and bolted into the maze.

Three minutes later, Bane had found the boy and police were able to get to the child safely. The boy was reunited with his family and did not appear to suffer any injuries in the ordeal.

Body cam footage shows one officer saying Thats the fastest hes (Bane) ever ran. Hall told WXYZ that Banes training and understanding of commands helped the K9 find the boy without hurting him.
In the past two weeks, the United States has issued, revised, or reissued multiple travel advisories, including warnings for popular European destinations like Italy and the United Kingdom, now classified under the exercise increased caution or Level 2 alert category, with Level 4 being the highest level of warning.

The three newest countries with updated travel advisories are Denmark, Lesotho, and Haiti, so travelers should be forewarned.

On Sept. 18, Haiti was classified as a Level 4 country, the highest security level due to life-threatening risks, such as terrorism, ongoing rebellions, war, and bombings. Citizens are strongly advised not to visit. Some reasons for a Level 4 travel advisory include:

War

Bombings

Nuclear terrorism threats

Ongoing rebellions

Kidnapping or hostage taking

On Sept. 17, Denmark and Lesotho were classified under the Level 2 category, which means travelers should exercise increased caution when visiting due to a higher risk of disorder or attacks in certain areas.

For Level 2, travelers should be aware of their surroundings and recognize heightened risks to safety and security. The State Department provides additional advice for travelers in these areas within the Travel Advisory.

Additional countries classified as Level 2 this week, with advisories for travelers to exercise increased caution, include:

Sri Lanka, due to civil unrest and the threat of terrorism.

Jordan, due to the threat of terrorism. The alert warns that some parts of the country, including the area surrounding the Jordan-Syria border, should be avoided due to armed conflict.

Bahrain, due to the threat of terrorism.

Saudi Arabia, due to the threat of missile and drone attacks from Yemen and terrorism.

(AP Photo/Eileen Putman)AP

If traveling to Denmark, travelers are advised of the following:

Meanwhile, travelers should take note of Level 3 countries before embarking on travel, which means reconsidering nonessential travel due to serious risks to safety and security.

Reasons for a Level 3 advisory can include terrorism threats, natural disasters, civil unrest, widespread violent crime, or infectious diseases.

Countries classified as Level 3 are:
DAVISON, MI  Davison High School was put into secure mode Monday afternoon after the school received a threat via phone call, officials said.

All high school students, including alternative education students, are being evacuated out of an abundance of caution, the districts Director of Public Information, Community Outreach and Culture/School Safety Liaison Michelle Edwards said.

Everyone is safe, but out of an abundance of caution, were just clearing classroom by classroom and going from there, Edwards said.

Students are being evacuated from the high school to The Hub, located at 8428 Davison Road.

Multiple police agencies are at the high school investigating the threat, Edwards said.

Agencies that can be seen outside the building include Davison and Davison Township police, Michigan State Police, and the Genesee County Sheriffs Department.

The Davison-Richfield Fire Department also responded to the school.

Police vehicles are visible at the schools main entrance, blocking some of the parking lot, and at the stadium.

Parents and visitors are being asked to not visit the high school at this time.

Parents are asked to pick their student up from The Hub, if they normally do parent pick-up at the school.

Students will also be bussed home from The Hub.

If students drove or walked to school, they were able to leave when their classroom was dismissed, Edwards said.

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KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo County Undersheriff James VanDyken will be retiring at the end of 2024.

The sheriffs office announced VanDykens retirement in a press release on Monday, Sept. 23. VanDyken has been undersheriff since 2016 and has served the sheriffs office since 1992, according to the release. The undersheriff position is second in command to the sheriff.

Prior to his retirement, VanDyken will be stepping down as undersheriff to return to his previous position as chief deputy of the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Supervisors Association, the release said.

Current Chief Deputy Michelle Greenlee will be transitioning to the role as undersheriff starting Sept. 28.

With over 32 years of dedicated service, we are grateful and appreciative of (VanDykens) commitment to Kalamazoos citizens and the Sheriffs Office, the release said.

VanDyken said the minimum retirement age at the sheriffs office is 55 and hell be turning 55 on Thursday, Sept. 26. After retiring, VanDyken plans on spending more time with his children and grandchildren, he said.

Retiring as a chief deputy has better retirement benefits than retiring as undersheriff, VanDyken said.

Theres no medical insurance for my spouse if I retire as the undersheriff, VanDyken said. Its for personal reasons.

In the meantime, VanDyken said hell be helping Greenlee transition into the undersheriff role.

Greenlee started working with the sheriffs office in 1999.

Sheriff Richard Fuller, a Democrat, is running for reelection this fall against Republican James Charon.

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With school holiday approaching, more and more Aussies might be planning an outdoor getaway. Now drivers are being warned against taking unnecessary risks.

A 4WD owner recently got stuck in the Warren River attempting to cross Moon's Crossing in WA. Source: Kayla White via ABC

With school holidays looming across the country, those planning a 4WD getaway are being warned to be careful and not take risks when heading off-road with an increase in rescue call-outs expected to surge in the coming weeks.

One driver attempting a risky night-time river crossing required rescuing after becoming wedged between rocks in the Warren River at Moon's Crossing near Northcliffe, about 340 kilometres south of Perth. Manjimup vehicle rescue operator Kayla White and her team responded to the call for help and arrived to see the Toyota Land Cruiser partially submerged in water on Wednesday.

It's a common mistake many drivers make when attempting to navigate through water with "inexperienced" drivers regularly the ones in need of help. However more experienced outdoor enthusiasts taking risks when navigating outdoor trails and beaches across the country is also leading to mishaps.

4WD owner 'very lucky' to walk away unscathed

Speaking of the rescue at Moon's Crossing  known for its treacherous eroding river bed  White said it was the most difficult emergency her family-owned business had ever responded to. The driver had allegedly chosen the wrong route through the river crossing, causing the car's wheels to get lodged among the rocks.

"I've never had anything this bad before that we couldn't get out," white told the ABC. "He's very lucky that he walked away. Especially when you're on your own and you don't know anyone else around you."

The driver, who was travelling on his own, was fortunate enough to have gotten stuck close to a popular campsite. But in a more remote area, it could have been far worse, she warned.

Social media is increasingly filled with people sharing their off road adventures. A viral social media video last month shows one man taking on the country's 'toughest 4WD track'  the infamous Gunshot Creek crossing on the Old Telegraph Track in Cape York  where incidents are common due to its challenging nature.

Tim Bowman, who works in the off-road camping and caravanning industry, said incidents like that seen in WA last week are increasingly common, with rescue operators across the country sharing his concerns.

"A lot of it comes down to overconfidence  and not having the ability or knowledge to get out of these situations," Bowman told the ABC.

4WD owners regularly take risks on trails and beaches across the country with rescuers often called in to help. Source: TikTok/theexplorelife and Facebook

4WD rescues surge during holiday season

Across the country in Queensland, Rick Williams, who owns a towing service at the popular Bribie Island, is frequently called out to help travellers out of sticky situations. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia recently, he said he's rushed to the aid of numerous travellers attempting to drive onto the famous 4WD beach because their vehicles often get bogged before they even get there.

"You've got people who are novices who don't know about four-wheel-driving, they try and drive up the beach and go through there with 40 PSI in their tyres," he explained. "They should be dropping it right down to about 18psi."

Like in WA, demand for his towing services picks up over holiday periods as more and more people flock to the same popular areas. Previously WA man Peter Fullarton, of 4WD Recovery and Charters, also warned against "inexperienced" drivers tackling the beaches across the state.

He said "there's a perception" that a four-wheel drive "is a magic carpet and it can take you anywhere"  but that's not always the case.

Moon's Crossing is easily accessible when the river isn't flowing, but drivers can become stuck when there's water. Source: Facebook/Wanderer Joe

Drivers encouraged to take safety precautions

There are many things off-road enthusiasts could do to reduce safety risks," Bowman warned, including always travelling with other people who can help assist when times get tough. And while "water crossings are inevitable" on outback tracks, he advised avoiding them where possible.

"If it's safe to do so, try and walk the crossing first  if you can't walk it, then you probably can't drive it," he said, adding it also helps to determine what's underneath  rocks, sand or mud.

He also recommended travelling in a convoy so other people and vehicles were around to assist if something goes wrong.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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HEFEI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Eyeing opportunities emerging from the opening-up and upgrading of China's manufacturing sector, multinational companies gathered at a conference on Friday that was held as part of the ongoing 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, the capital of east China's Anhui Province. Their discussions focused on how the country's advancements in manufacturing are opening doors for enhanced global cooperation and investment, signaling the industry's growing appeal to international investors. The conference was a key event at the convention, attracting 178 political and business leaders from 19 countries and regions, including representatives of 92 Fortune 500 and multinational companies. "The coordinated digital and green transformation of traditional manufacturing is an inherent requirement for the development of new quality productive forces, and it has created new advantages for China's high-quality economic growth. This new model aligns closely with Honeywell's strategic objectives," William Yu, president of Honeywell China, said at the conference. With over 50 years of expertise in industrial automation, the U.S. multinational has steadily increased its investment in China in recent years. Its focus spans key sectors such as automation, energy transformation and aviation. In July, Honeywell China signed a strategic cooperation agreement with BBCA Group to develop sustainable aviation fuel and other initiatives in the city of Bengbu in Anhui, aiming to support green and low-carbon development. Honeywell is among a growing number of foreign companies expanding their investment in the world's second-largest economy, driven by rising optimism about China's economic outlook and recognition of the high-level opening-up of its manufacturing sector. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, a total of 36,968 new foreign-invested firms were established across China in the first eight months of 2024 -- an increase of 11.5 percent year on year. During the period, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Chinese mainland, in actual use, totaled 580.2 billion yuan (about 82.1 billion U.S. dollars). The high-tech manufacturing sector attracted 12.4 percent, or 72.1 billion yuan, of the total FDI inflow, which was up 1.9 percentage points from the same period last year. Additionally, China's top economic planner announced earlier this month that restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector would be lifted. "This policy not only demonstrates China's positive willingness to expand international cooperation but also boosts the confidence of foreign-funded enterprises in continuously deepening their presence in the Chinese market," said Tamai Takeshi, deputy general manager of Mitsubishi Electric (China) Co., Ltd. As China accelerates its development of new quality productive forces and sustainable manufacturing, foreign enterprises are increasingly viewing these advancements as tangible opportunities. And integrating into China's manufacturing upgrade has become a trend among international investors. "The Chinese market is developing at its own drumbeat. With a strong focus on the needs of the Chinese customers, Volkswagen is going for 100 percent 'in China for China' through a fully fledged local R&D center and strong local partnerships," said Thomas Ulbrich, chief technology officer of Volkswagen Group China. By streamlining its R&D processes and granting more local decision-making authority, Volkswagen aims to reduce its time-to-market by 30 percent, Ulbrich said, speaking about the company's development plans for the Chinese market over the next few years at the conference. According to the German Chamber's Innovation Report 2024, which was released this month, German companies in China are doubling down on their localization of innovation to increase competitiveness and utilize China as an innovation hub for global markets to a greater extent. "German companies are investing in local innovation and strategic partnerships with customers and suppliers to stay competitive in an intense and dynamic market environment," said Martin Klose, executive director and board member of the German Chamber of Commerce in South & Southwest China. "Foreign investment in China's emerging industries will promote the cross-border flow of capital, talent and technology, as well as international exchange in science and technology. This will help foster deeper open and innovative ecosystems in China, unlocking the country's economic development potential further," said Liu Qiao, dean of the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University.
Officials have encouraged anglers to follow best practice after the confronting images were met with backlash by Aussies online.

Australians have been reminded to act responsibly while fishing, after a half-filleted shark was found along the water's edge at Noosa. Source: Facebook

Wildlife authorities are again urging anglers to fish responsibly, after a half-filleted shark carcass was found at at major Aussie tourist hotspot on the weekend. Those who enjoy fishing have been reminded that leaving an unwanted catch by the water's edge, or anywhere near where people swim, can attract "a large number of sharks" and risk public safety.

The warning comes after a concerned Noosa local took to social media to blast the person responsible for discarding a cut up bull shark, criticising them for leaving behind so much meat on the frame. Sparking backlash online, many residents argued the scene was both "wasteful" and "dangerous".

"Not cool!" the local said of the find at Hilton Esplanade, along the Noosa River on the Sunshine Coast.

Weighing in, a spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries encouraged all in the area to adhere to proper procedure. "While its not an offence under fisheries legislation, Fisheries Queensland is urging fishers to think of others when disposing of frames," they told Yahoo News Australia.

While officials encouraged fishers never to leave scraps in areas that could attract sharks, locals said the amount of meat left on the frame was 'wasteful'. Source: Facebook

"Only fish for sharks away from swimmers and other waterway users. Fishing for sharks near people on and in the water can put others at risk. Don't throw your scraps, fish frames or leftover bait in the water unless you're far away from where people swim.

"Dispose of your scraps and rubbish in a bin on land," they added.

Australians urged to practice responsible fishing

The department also warned against scattering bait on the water to attract sharks in spots where people swim. "This can attract a large number of sharks, which can be dangerous for other waterway users. Sharks can be caught effectively with the correct rig and baits," they said.

Australians were reminded that when catching sharks larger than 150cm, "set it free by cutting off the trace/line". "If you catch a shark smaller than 150cm, handle it with a wet towel," the department said.

Online, Australians appeared torn over whether the fisher responsible for the catch had been wasteful. "Thats so upsetting," one person said. "A lot of wasted meat on that," another agreed. "Just a complete waste of good shark meat there, enough to feed a few families," argued a third. "That's just cruel," somebody else said of the carved up animal.

Meanwhile others said they believed there was nothing wrong with the scene.

"What's the issue here? Other than possibly missing some flesh off the fillet  it's a bull shark under 1.5m so you can legally keep it. There are thousands of bull sharks in the Noosa River, more people need to take one here and there, it would be like someone taking a legal flathead or bream home to eat," one local said.

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Spending on camping and caravan holidays by Australians reached an all time high last year.

Camping in some of Victoria's most idyllic spots may soon be free. Source: Instagram/Sophiamulheran

It's no secret that Australians love to get out into the great outdoors whether it's a weekend of camping in a simple setup, or exploring the country in a massive caravan. And there's reason to celebrate this summer as one state has made a generous offer to those planning their next great Aussie adventure.

In an attempt to keep residents in their home state this holiday period, camping could become completely free in 131 of Victoria's campsites in a move that would see residents save an estimated $7million in fees. It would be a welcome move to ease cost-of-living pressures over the holidays for everyday families. It's also expected to support some 20,000 jobs in the industry.

We have a beautiful natural environment in Victoria, its one of our great strategic assets, Premier Jacinta Allan told the Herald Sun, admitting that her family love camping.

We want to make those memories easier to be made, and thats why Im looking at how we can, coming into this summer period, make camping free for families, because it is a great family experience.

"And also, we want to make sure families can have the confidence to plan ahead for their holiday, she added, suggesting changes to booking systems may be required.

In Victoria, camping at state and national parks ranges from $3 per night at Mt Arapiles to $40.70 a night at Tidal River.

Parks Victoria was contacted by Yahoo for more information.

Authorities grapple with growing camping issue

Data shows that Australians took 15.3 million caravan and camping trips and related spending was at $14.3 billion last year  an all time high. But as those travelling the country's most stunning locations look to do so on a budget, and availability struggles to keep up with demand, illegal camping has become a growing problem.

Australians are camping and caravanning more than ever. Source: WA Government

Across the country, local authorities are tackling issues as a result of the rise in popularity of camping. Exmouth, a small resort town in WA's North West Cape, has dealt with soaring levels of illegal camping which has left residents and local authorities at odds over how best to manage the problem. The council has voted to increase the amount of funding allocated to address the issue of illegal camping to $200,000 and has opened a new campground to help combat the problem.

Other councils in WA have rolled out new booking systems and increased enforcement to "clamp down" on campers doing the wrong thing.

Meanwhile in the beachside town of Noosa in Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the local council has been grappling with illegal camping in its most popular car parks by issuing fines from $77 to $116.

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The incident was raised in parliament, and Australia Post has spoken with the family of the boy who received the package.

An Australia Post package was delayed for 10 days, resulting in a 'devastating' outcome for the boy who ordered it. Source: Supplied

For most kids, nothing could be more joyful than receiving a package in the mail. But when a 16-year-old opened his package from Australia Post, what he discovered inside left him close to tears.

The incident, which saw an Express Post satchel containing dead bees delivered to the teenager, has prompted an apology from the postal service and a speech in Parliament calling for an overhaul of packaging rules. The Animal Justice Partys Emma Hurst described the incident as shocking.

It wasnt that teenage beekeeper Quinn didnt expect to find bees inside the Express Post satchel, the problem was he thought theyd be alive. Unsurprisingly, after his prized queen bee and several nurse bees became lost in the post for 10 days, and temperatures soared above 30 degrees, she perished.

It was devastating I really care about my bees, and the last thing I want to do is harm or kill them, Quinn told Yahoo News.

While the transport of most live animals is banned by Australia Post, Hurst is concerned that it allows bees to simply be dropped in the post box along with letters, cards and bills. And Quinn's experience isn't an isolated one  mortalities are a frequent occurrence.

Packages containing these live animals are treated the same as regular mail and are subject to rough and unpredictable handling in packages that could easily be crushed, lacks air, light, food and water Hurst told NSW Parliament last week.

Despite the clear labelling on the packaging, the specially packaged bees were lost for 10 days by Australia Post. Source: Supplied

Is Australia Post aware bees die in transport?

Those placing bees in the mail are warned by Australia Post that the animals inside need to be able to withstand being dropped up to 1.2 metres, and there are no temperature controls where the packages are stored.

To minimise mortalities, Australia Post recommends bees be sent on a Monday, to give them the best chance of not being left boxed up over the weekend. And senders must adhere to what the service describes as strict requirements for packaging.

We have very strict rules and guidelines that were recently updated in consultation with experts including beekeeping associations and university researchers, with animal welfare front of mind, an Australia Post spokesperson told Yahoo News.

How many bees are actually sent in the mail?

If you assumed bee transportation in Australia was a niche issue, youd be wrong. The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council estimates hundreds of thousands of queens are transported around the country each year. Because beekeepers across the southern end of Australia dont have optimal weather conditions to breed queen bees, they often source them from Queensland and northern NSW.

We are in regular dialogue with Australia Post, especially when we do have issues. We have been working with them to update those protocols and make sure they are fit for purpose, the Councils CEO Danny Le Feuvre told Yahoo News.

We've got a queen breeding association and theyve been doing things like putting temperature tags in consignments to monitor the temperature in transit to see what we can do to improve. But it is a very large system that they're operating, and there are mistakes from time to time.

Emma Hurst has championed animal welfare issues since being elected to NSW Parliament in 2019. Source: AAP

Can't bees just be sent through courier services?

With many beekeepers struggling to simply cover costs of production, Le Feuvre argues sending bees through courier services to rural areas would be prohibitively expensive.

But its not just bees that are transported under Australia Posts invertebrate exemptions. Millions of insects including mealworms, and flies, which are used for pollination, are also sent via the post.

Where farmers are trying to use less pesticides, they turn to things like beneficial insects to provide an alternative method. And the only way that they can be moved to stay alive and be viable on farm is to be posted, Le Feuvre said.

How did Australia Post respond to the child?

While insects benefit Australias agriculture sector, Hurst believes the central issue for Australia Post should be the well-being of the animals in its care.

Why on earth Australia Post thinks its acceptable to allow live animals such as bees to be sent through the post is beyond me, she told Yahoo. Animal welfare is being ignored and it is absolutely unacceptable.

While Australia Post bans the mailing of most live animals, it makes some exceptions. Source: Australia Post

Quinns mother Rebecca, who is based in Byron Bay, contacted Hurst after feeling Australia Post showed little compassion for the bees or their welfare, describing the response when the bees were lost two weeks ago as aggressive and defensive until the politician advocated for her.

My son is pretty sensitive, and he was really excited about the queen bee coming. He was distressed and felt like her dying was his fault he said.

Australia Post just really didnt care. The package even had on the outside of it, live queen bees, so that they knew what was inside.

When they finally arrived they were crispy and in this tiny container, the queen bee and her nurses. I was just like, Oh my god, this is heartbreaking. They just slowly died in the mail.

Australia Post confirmed with Yahoo it had since responded to Quinn. We take the utmost care with deliveries of this nature and have sincerely apologised to the customer, a spokesperson said.

Will Australia Post be banning the transport of bees?

Hurst said her call for Australia Post to review its live animal protocols so that no more animals suffer and die was rejected. Shes launched an online petition calling for a ban  you can read the full wording here.

"Guidelines are just guidelines - they can and will continue to be ignored meaning animals will continue to suffer. If Australia Post genuinely cares about the welfare of these animals they will change the rules to stop all animals being sent by the post, she said.

Yahoo reached out to the company that supplied the bees, but the business did not respond at the time of publication.

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Shares of M&T Bank Co. (NYSE:MTB  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Hold from the fifteen research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $175.85.

MTB has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Bank of America boosted their price target on M&T Bank from $160.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on M&T Bank from $170.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of M&T Bank from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $183.00 to $215.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of M&T Bank from $160.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of M&T Bank from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and decreased their price target for the company from $170.00 to $165.00 in a report on Thursday, August 15th.

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M&T Bank Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MTB opened at $179.56 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.00 and a quick ratio of 1.00. M&T Bank has a one year low of $108.53 and a one year high of $180.25. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $167.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $153.59. The company has a market capitalization of $29.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 0.76.

M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $3.73 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.50 by $0.23. M&T Bank had a net margin of 17.84% and a return on equity of 9.62%. The company had revenue of $3.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.27 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $5.12 EPS. Analysts anticipate that M&T Bank will post 14.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

M&T Bank Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.01%. M&T Banks dividend payout ratio is currently 36.51%.

Insider Buying and Selling at M&T Bank

In other news, Director Denis J. Salamone sold 10,000 shares of M&T Bank stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.03, for a total transaction of $1,720,300.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 44,902 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,724,491.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other M&T Bank news, Director Denis J. Salamone sold 10,000 shares of M&T Bank stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.03, for a total transaction of $1,720,300.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 44,902 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,724,491.06. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Robert E. Sadler, Jr. sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.23, for a total value of $172,230.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 31,796 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,476,225.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 32,699 shares of company stock valued at $5,115,349 in the last 90 days. 0.82% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On M&T Bank

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in M&T Bank during the 4th quarter valued at about $232,322,000. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 232.1% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 676,745 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $102,432,000 after acquiring an additional 472,997 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its position in M&T Bank by 77.0% during the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 733,304 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $110,993,000 after acquiring an additional 319,051 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia increased its holdings in M&T Bank by 1,155.9% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 205,392 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $28,154,000 after purchasing an additional 189,038 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Asset Management Holding S.A. raised its position in M&T Bank by 643.3% in the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Asset Management Holding S.A. now owns 165,883 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $22,739,000 after purchasing an additional 143,565 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.68% of the companys stock.

About M&T Bank

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M&T Bank Corporation operates as a bank holding company for Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association that engages in the provision of retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Commercial Bank, Retail Bank, and Institutional Services and Wealth Management.

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StockNews.com cut shares of EMCOR Group (NYSE:EME  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Friday.

Separately, DA Davidson increased their price objective on EMCOR Group from $410.00 to $430.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 26th.

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EMCOR Group Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of EME opened at $435.60 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $373.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $366.69. The company has a market capitalization of $20.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.73 and a beta of 1.07. EMCOR Group has a 52-week low of $191.50 and a 52-week high of $437.10.

EMCOR Group (NYSE:EME  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $5.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.76 by $1.49. The business had revenue of $3.67 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.52 billion. EMCOR Group had a return on equity of 32.73% and a net margin of 6.01%. The companys revenue was up 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.95 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that EMCOR Group will post 19.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

EMCOR Group announced that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Friday, June 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $500.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the construction company to reacquire up to 2.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

EMCOR Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 15th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.23%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 15th. EMCOR Groups payout ratio is currently 6.60%.

Insider Transactions at EMCOR Group

In other news, Director Robin A. Walker-Lee sold 1,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $370.79, for a total transaction of $482,027.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 8,637 shares in the company, valued at $3,202,513.23. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of EME. Matrix Trust Co purchased a new position in EMCOR Group in the second quarter worth $26,000. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. purchased a new position in EMCOR Group in the second quarter worth $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in EMCOR Group in the second quarter worth $29,000. ORG Partners LLC purchased a new position in EMCOR Group in the second quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new position in EMCOR Group in the first quarter worth $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.59% of the companys stock.

EMCOR Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

EMCOR Group, Inc provides construction and facilities, building, and industrial services in the United States and the United Kingdom. It offers design, integration, installation, start-up, operation, and maintenance services related to power transmission, distribution, and generation systems; energy solutions; premises electrical and lighting systems; process instrumentation; low-voltage systems; voice and data communications systems; roadway and transit lighting, signaling, and fiber optic lines; computerized traffic control systems, and signal and communication equipment; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and geothermal solutions; clean-room process ventilation systems; fire protection and suppression systems; plumbing, process, and high-purity piping systems; controls and filtration systems; water and wastewater treatment systems; central plant heating and cooling systems; crane and rigging services; millwright services; and steel fabrication, erection, and welding services.

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Algoma Steel Group Inc. (TSE:ASTL  Get Free Report) Director David Daniel Sgro sold 6,845 shares of Algoma Steel Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$10.06, for a total value of C$68,842.90.

Algoma Steel Group Trading Down 2.1 %

TSE:ASTL opened at C$13.26 on Monday. The companys 50 day moving average is C$12.99 and its 200-day moving average is C$11.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 4.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 40.70. Algoma Steel Group Inc. has a 12 month low of C$8.71 and a 12 month high of C$14.48. The firm has a market cap of C$1.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -60.27 and a beta of 1.51.

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Algoma Steel Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th will be issued a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 23rd. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.51%. Algoma Steel Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -122.73%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Algoma Steel Group from C$16.00 to C$19.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Algoma Steel Group from C$13.00 to C$15.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Cormark increased their target price on shares of Algoma Steel Group from C$14.50 to C$18.75 in a research report on Monday, July 22nd.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Algoma Steel Group

Algoma Steel Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Algoma Steel Group Inc produces and sells steel products primarily in North America. The company provides flat/sheet steel products, including temper rolling, cold rolled, hot-rolled pickled and oiled products, floor plate, and cut-to-length products for the automotive industry, hollow structural product manufacturers, and the light manufacturing and transportation industries; and plate steel products that consist of rolled, hot-rolled, and heat-treated for use in the construction or manufacture of railcars, buildings, bridges, off-highway equipment, storage tanks, ships, and military applications.

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Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, July 19th, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 24th will be given a dividend of 0.50 per share by the utilities provider on Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 24th.

Portland General Electric has increased its dividend by an average of 5.8% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 19 years. Portland General Electric has a payout ratio of 61.7% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Portland General Electric to earn $3.21 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.00 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 62.3%.

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Portland General Electric Stock Performance

NYSE:POR opened at $47.70 on Monday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $47.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $44.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33. Portland General Electric has a twelve month low of $38.01 and a twelve month high of $49.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.28, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.59.

Insider Transactions at Portland General Electric

Portland General Electric ( NYSE:POR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 26th. The utilities provider reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.07. Portland General Electric had a return on equity of 9.15% and a net margin of 9.24%. The company had revenue of $758.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $716.43 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.44 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Portland General Electric will post 3.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Portland General Electric news, COO Benjamin Felton sold 1,886 shares of Portland General Electric stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.00, for a total transaction of $90,528.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 30,142 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,446,816. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, VP John Teeruk Kochavatr sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.25, for a total value of $50,875.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 22,606 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,045,527.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, COO Benjamin Felton sold 1,886 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.00, for a total transaction of $90,528.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 30,142 shares in the company, valued at $1,446,816. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 5,486 shares of company stock worth $262,153. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have issued reports on POR. KeyCorp raised shares of Portland General Electric from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. StockNews.com downgraded Portland General Electric from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, September 6th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Portland General Electric in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an underperform rating and a $47.00 price target for the company. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Portland General Electric in a research note on Friday. They set a hold rating and a $48.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Barclays lowered Portland General Electric from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $48.00 to $49.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $45.88.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on POR

About Portland General Electric

(Get Free Report)

Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,254 circuit miles, including 287 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 554 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 934 thousand retail customers in 51 cities.

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Southern Copper (NYSE:SCCO  Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Morgan Stanley from $97.00 to $100.00 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an underweight rating on the basic materials companys stock.

Separately, UBS Group started coverage on Southern Copper in a research report on Friday, July 12th. They issued a neutral rating and a $120.00 price target on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Southern Copper has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $89.57.

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Southern Copper Trading Down 1.2 %

SCCO opened at $103.60 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.27, a current ratio of 2.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Southern Copper has a 52 week low of $68.93 and a 52 week high of $129.79. The businesss 50 day moving average is $101.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $107.99. The firm has a market cap of $80.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.17.

Southern Copper (NYSE:SCCO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The basic materials company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.13 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $3.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.96 billion. Southern Copper had a net margin of 26.15% and a return on equity of 34.98%. On average, research analysts predict that Southern Copper will post 4.33 EPS for the current year.

Southern Copper Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.32%. Southern Coppers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.77%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southern Copper

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in Southern Copper during the 2nd quarter valued at $611,000. Truist Financial Corp grew its stake in Southern Copper by 83.4% in the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 35,185 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,791,000 after purchasing an additional 15,995 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its stake in Southern Copper by 222.6% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,871 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $202,000 after buying an additional 1,291 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Southern Copper by 1,112.4% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 43,645 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $4,702,000 after buying an additional 40,045 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning grew its position in shares of Southern Copper by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 47,236 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $5,089,000 after acquiring an additional 2,266 shares in the last quarter. 7.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Southern Copper

(Get Free Report)

Southern Copper Corporation engages in mining, exploring, smelting, and refining copper and other minerals in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile. The company is involved in the mining, milling, and flotation of copper ore to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates; smelting of copper concentrates to produce blister and anode copper; refining of anode copper to produce copper cathodes; production of molybdenum concentrate and sulfuric acid; production of refined silver, gold, and other materials; and mining and processing of zinc, copper, molybdenum, silver, gold, and lead.

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Like other major cities, Perth has been rolling out the new tech in place in traditional parking metres. But the method has major issues, an expert has warned.

Perth residents are seeing the EasyPark payment app option being used across the city. Source: reddit/Getty

Cashless parking systems are being rolled out across Australia with councils in major cities rapidly adopting tech-forward payment methods. Rather than tapping your card or using cash to pay for street parking, in many areas, drivers are required to pay via an app on their phones. And so far it's proven divisive.

Sydney residents have already expressed their concern for cyber safety after a "confusing" and "invasive" app  PayStay  was introduced across northern suburbs in recent months. Now, Perth has jumped on board using another called EasyPark "in most areas".

And while some say they're "loving it" others aren't so sure, including cybersecurity expert Matthew Warren who told Yahoo News Australia they're often "problematic".

Residents given 'no choice' but to use apps for parking

The biggest issue with these parking apps is that residents "don't have a choice" but to use them Professor Warren from RMIT told Yahoo News. They can't pay cash, and in many cases can't tap their card on the spot, with the only other option being not to park, or be fined.

"It puts us, people and members of communities, at a complete disadvantage because you've got no choice but to download the app, provide your information, and just hope that there isn't a problem," he said.

In Melbourne, where he's based, councils have introduced similar systems "and it brought in a whole range of problems and issues", especially for those who might not have a mobile phone handy when parking.

"But I think the main concern is the trust in the provider because part of the problem is that organisations are becoming victims of cyber crimes," Warren said. When councils are picking providers for these systems, we'd hope they're "taking cyber security as part of the consideration and not just going for the cheapest option," he added.

Aussies divided over payment apps for parking

One Perth resident shared their thoughts on social media this week claiming it's EasyPark is "easy to use and you only pay for the amount you park". However some expressed concerns over privacy since the apps, like those used in Sydney and Melbourne, require personal information from users, including name, address and phone number.

"This is not a good app to be using, they recently had a data breach. Stay clear of this app," one warned. "Countdown for when your personal and credit card details will be leaked," feared another.

And their fears are valid since EasyPark, a Dutch company, was subject to a data breach in December, with those in Europe affected. However, the City of Perth insists Australian and New Zealand users were not compromised. "The cyber-attack did result in the unauthorised access of certain non-sensitive information from customers in Europe," they said.

A new parking system in North Sydney offers a PayStay app to make payment, which requires people to enter personal information to sign up. Source: Facebook/AL Markarian and 9News/2GB

Councils 'don't care' about residents' concerns

Speaking of the data breach, Warren said that while Australian users weren't impacted, it's something to be aware of considering "identifiable information" including user's names, phone numbers, addresses and emails, were all accessed.

But he feels "councils don't care" despite extensive backlash from residents across the country who've deemed the new systems a "total nightmare". In most cases, the apps incur an extra surcharge too. Others have complained of the time it takes to set up.

"I think what councils are concerned about is generating revenue, and if this is a way for them to optimise their revenue generation, that's what they're focused on," Warren told Yahoo.

"If anything, I think they would opt more and more into these systems because, again, they're transferring it to a third party, so it's reducing their cost. They're then generating higher income streams, and they can police it as well by fining people if they have done the wrong thing."

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The definition of consent has been revised and the act of 'stealthing' is now recognised as rape in Queensland  with offenders set to face life behind bars.

Queensland has ushered in a suite of new sexual consent laws aimed at "improving the experience of victims of sexual offences" in the state, when they "make the brave decision to come forward and hold their perpetrators to account."

As of today, the official definition of consent has been revised, and the act of "stealthing"  where a sexual partner secretly removes a condom during intercourse  is now formally a criminal offence, punishable by a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Laws in Queensland previously defined consent as "being freely and voluntarily given by a person with the cognitive capacity to give it". The new changes have seen the word "given" replaced with "agreed".

What are Queensland's new sexual consent laws?

Stealthing is now recognised as rape in the state, with offenders set to face potential life behind bars. It brings Queensland into line with most other Australian jurisdictions, including Victoria, the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and NSW, with the latter announcing similar changes in 2022.

Queensland's Minister for Health and Women Shannon Fentiman said the government is committed to holding perpetrators to account.

Queensland's Minister for Health and Women Shannon Fentiman said the government is committed to holding perpetrators to account. Source: Dan Peled/Getty Images

"We know that non-physical violence is just as dangerous as physical violence," she earlier told media.

"Coercive control is also the biggest predicting factor for intimate partner homicide. Thats why we have taken strong steps to make coercive control an offence in Queensland. Reforms to consent laws aim to improve the experience of victims of sexual offences when they make the brave decision to come forward and hold their perpetrators to account."

Stealthing is a serious violation of consent, Fentiman said. "It is rape, and it should be treated as such under the law."

How did this come about?

The law reforms were part of 188 recommendations from the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce's final Hear Her Voice report, all of which have been either fully supported or supported in principle by the Queensland government.

The bill was developed in consultation with domestic, family, and sexual violence bodies. To implement the recommendations, the government said it would commit $225 million, which includes upgrading IT systems in 81 courts across Queensland to facilitate victim testimony and expanding the 24-hour sexual assault response team in Townsville to two additional locations.

Australia's shameful problem with domestic violence

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were a staggering 35,138 victims of sexual assault recorded nationwide in 2023  a jump of 11 per cent year on year. NSW and and Queensland saw the steepest rise, with 19 per cent (2,296 victims) and 14 per cent (1,011 victims) respectively.

Women made up the overwhelming majority of cases, with 84 per cent, or 30,466 victims.

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Ian Phillips is making Owasco Lake a top priority in the campaign for state Assembly with his plan to combat harmful algal blooms.

Phillips, D-Auburn, toured Owasco Lake on Saturday and called for state action to address the proliferation of harmful algal blooms. The blooms, which contain toxins that threaten the lake's water quality, develop during the summer and are present into the early fall.

One of Phillips' proposals is for the state to adopt and implement watershed cleanup plans for waterbodies affected by harmful algal blooms. He also supports the enforcement of federal and state laws to crack down on polluters.

The city of Auburn and town of Owasco attempted to update the Owasco Lake watershed rules and regulations, which hadn't been amended since 1984. After submitting the proposed changes in 2020, the state Department of Health released its own proposal last year that excluded nutrient management regulations and other local provisions.

In July, local officials were notified by the state Department of Health that the agency would not update the watershed rules.

"Harmful algal blooms are a serious issue in our community affecting every one of us," Phillips said. "Touring Owasco Lake (Saturday) once again underscored all the ways central New York suffers from these outbreaks. I am disappointed that New York state backed out of new regulations to combat HABs."

Phillips also visited Twin Birch Dairy, a farm in Skaneateles that has been recognized for its environmental practices. One plank of his water quality agenda is to drive resources that mitigate pollution sources. If elected to the state Assembly, he will support sustainable farming.

In the 126th Assembly District race, Phillips is highlighting the differences between him and Republican Assemblyman John Lemondes.

Lemondes, R-LaFayette, generally supports water quality protections, but opposed the local push to update the Owasco Lake watershed rules. He told the crowd at an Auburn town hall meeting in August that his opposition was due to concerns about the data used to justify the proposed regulations.

In a statement Friday, Lemondes' campaign said he is "a strong advocate for protecting the Finger Lakes" and noted his support for a state budget bill that provides $3.5 million in funding for the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance.

"As a farmer, I know firsthand the importance of local ecosystems. Without freshwater resources, there's no farms and no food," Lemondes said. "We need leaders who are committed to addressing these issues head-on instead of making political grandstands. It's time for us to come together to create commonsense solutions instead of promoting radical policies."

The 126th Assembly District includes parts of Cayuga and Onondaga counties. Three of the Finger Lakes  Otisco, Owasco and Skaneateles  are in the district.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday that New York's first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis since 2015 has died.

The individual, who was not identified, lived in Ulster County and was hospitalized. The Ulster County Health Department is investigating.

Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, is a mosquito-borne illness. Symptoms of EEE include chills, fever, headache and vomiting. In severe cases, the symptoms include disorientation, encephalitis and seizures.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30% of people who have severe EEE will die. Those who survive the illness will have neurological problems.

Human EEE cases are rare. The CDC says there have 196 confirmed human cases in the U.S. since 2003. In most years, there are fewer than 10 cases.

This year, the CDC reports there have been at least 10 human EEE cases in six states, including four in Massachusetts and two in New Hampshire. The total does not include the recent case in New York.

In response to the confirmed EEE case in New York, state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an imminent threat to public health declaration that will be in effect from Sept. 30 through Nov. 30. The declaration will allow local health departments to receive state assistance for EEE response efforts.

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which oversees New York's state parks, will have mosquito repellent available at campgrounds and park offices. State parks will have signage to raise awareness about EEE. Park hours may be limited in some areas where EEE has been detected.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is taking similar actions on its lands to notify the public about the threat of EEE and mosquito-borne illnesses.

"Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority," Hochul said. "Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took statewide action to help protect communities  and with today's declaration, we're making more state resources avialable to local departments to support their public health response."

McDonald noted that EEE's presence in New York is different this year. In the past, EEE was found in a few counties.

"Mosquitoes, once a nuisance, are now a threat," he said.

Although it's the first human case of EEE in New York, there are confirmed cases of the virus among horses. Two horses in Cayuga County have died of EEE this year. Several counties, including Cayuga, sought imminent threat to public health declarations from the state Department of Health to respond to the EEE cases.

A EEE vaccine is available for horses, but there is not a vaccine for humans.

To prevent EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses, health officials advise to take precautions. If you are going to be outside when mosquitoes are active between dusk and dawn, you should wear long sleeves and pants.

Insect repellents containing DEET are recommended. Home doors and windows should have screens and owners should inspect them for holes and tears.

Standing water, which mosquitoes use for breeding, should be eliminated.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On September 20, 2024, at the Apsara Conference 2024, autonomous commercial vehicle technology firm Plus announced a comprehensive partnership with Alibaba Cloud.

Signing ceremony; photo credit: Alibaba Cloud

The collaboration will focus on advancing autonomous driving innovation and operational optimization in the commercial vehicle sector. Together, the companies will deploy a cutting-edge cloud-based intelligent autonomous driving computing platform tailored for heavy-duty trucks. The initiative aims to revolutionize services for OEMs and logistics partners, enhancing their operations and customer experiences.

This partnership marks a significant step for Alibaba Cloud in deepening its involvement in smart logistics and autonomous driving. Alibaba Cloud will leverage its expertise in cloud computing, big data, V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide full-spectrum support to Plus, from infrastructure to algorithm optimization, accelerating the commercialization of autonomous driving solutions.

Plus will bring its strengths in Level 4 autonomous driving technology, including full-stack R&D, data closed-loop application, as well as mass production and commercial operation. By combining these capabilities with Alibaba Cloud's leading cloud and AI technologies, the two companies aim to build a scalable, secure, and efficient cloud-driven platform. They will also work together on digital transformation initiatives, talent development, and joint marketing efforts.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On September 23, automotive intelligence company ExceedData (SCT) announced the completion of its Pre-B financing round, which raised for the company tens of millions of yuan.

Photo credit: ExceedData

The financing round was led by BAIC Group Industrial Investment and followed by existing investor Rock Sparrow Investment. The funds will be used to accelerate the development of data intelligence applications and integrate its EXD automotive cloud data platform with AI-driven scenarios, said the company.

Founded in 2017, ExceedData is a national high-tech and specialized enterprise, with a team from leading companies like IBM and Teradata. The company specializes in providing data-driven solutions for automakers, focusing on database technology, edge computing, and foundational software to deliver full-stack vehicle-to-cloud computing solutions.

In 2022, ExceedData began mass production of its vehicle-cloud integrated computing solutions in China. To date, the company has collaborated with over 10 major automakers, supporting more than 20 mass-produced models, including those from FAW Group, SAIC Motor, Dongfeng Motor, BAIC Group, GAC Group, Geely, Great Wall Motor, and JAC Group.

ExceedData has launched a range of data intelligence applications, including intelligent diagnostic solutions, autonomous driving shadow mode, a no-code cloud data analysis platform, smart thermal management, and micro-collision detection. These applications have already attracted orders from several automakers.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On September 13 at 10:00 a.m. local time, EVE ENERGY US Holding LLC held a grand opening ceremony in California, officially launching its U.S. regional headquarters, according to EVE Energy's press release. This milestone marks a significant step in EVE Energy's global expansion strategy.

Steven Chen, Senior Vice President of EVE Energy and CEO of EVE Energy Storage, emphasized the company's commitment to high-quality development, stating, EVE Energy is dedicated to providing comprehensive lithium battery solutions and premium services for global clients. The establishment of our U.S. headquarters highlights a crucial advancement in our global strategy, showcasing our determination to enhance localized services and offer excellent support to meet the growing needs of our customers worldwide.

Photo credit: EVE Energy

According to EVE Energy, the U.S. regional headquarters integrates sales, warehousing, and after-sales services, ensuring that customers receive efficient and reliable product solutions through a full-service chain. This development supports the company's customer-centric platform by enabling closer proximity to clients and delivering services more effectively.

In addition to the U.S. office, EVE Energy's factories in Malaysia and Hungary are progressing smoothly, further strengthening the company's global manufacturing network. With its robust production capacity, EVE Energy aims to boost delivery efficiency and continue providing top-quality service to its global customers.


"We must recognize that collaboration is key," said Neil Bush, chairman of George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, when addressing the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention on Friday. #GLOBALink
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Dongfeng Motor, Huawei collaborate on next-gen electrical, electronic architecture

Yu Zheng, Deputy General Manager of Dongfeng Motor Group, disclosed on September 23 that the group is collaborating with Huawei to develop the next generation of electrical and electronic architecture. The new architecture will deliver comprehensive upgrades in configuration, efficiency, user experience, and safety, marking a significant evolution for future vehicle technologies.

All-new VOYAH DREAM; photo credit: VOYAH

Changan Mazda begins shipment of MAZDA EZ-6 model

On September 19, the first batch of MAZDA EZ-6 vehicles (referred to as EZ-6) was officially shipped from Changan Mazdas Nanjing factory. These vehicles are expected to reach dealerships in the coming days, signaling the start of the countdown to the new models pre-sale phase.

MATenergy completes angel round funding

MATenergy, an innovative company specializing in flexible solid-state electrolyte films for solid-state batteries, announced on September 21 that it has successfully completed an angel round of financing worth tens of millions of yuan.

China ' s Zhengzhou city eyes 3 million vehicles of annual production capacity by 2025

Zhengzhou city, the capital of China's Henan province, is aiming to boost its total vehicle production capacity to 3 million units by 2025, with new energy vehicles (NEVs) surpassing an annual output of 1.5 million units, according to He Xiong, Mayor of Zhengzhou city. He made this announcement during the opening of the 2024 China (Zhengzhou) New Energy Vehicle Ecosystem Partner Conference on September 23.

Changan NEVO kicks off presale for E07 SUV model

On September 22, Changan Auto ' s new energy vehicle range NEVO officially unveiled the presale prices for the E07 mid-to-large SUV model, with three variants available.

Alibaba Cloud teams with Plus to build cloud-based autonomous driving solution

On September 20, 2024, at the Apsara Conference 2024, autonomous commercial vehicle technology firm Plus announced a comprehensive partnership with Alibaba Cloud.

EVE Energy ' s U.S. regional headquarters starts operation

On September 13 at 10:00 a.m. local time, EVE ENERGY US Holding LLC held a grand opening ceremony in California, officially launching its U.S. regional headquarters, according to EVE Energy's press release. This milestone marks a significant step in EVE Energy's global expansion strategy.

CATL, Beijing Xianglong to collaborate on logistics electrification, NEV promotion

On September 22, CATL and Beijing Xianglong Assets Management Co., Ltd. (Xianglong) signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Beijing, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account. The partnership aims to develop green, low-carbon industries, facilitating Beijing's development of new energy-related industries.

DENZA obtains over 5,000-unit fixed orders 36 hours after Z9GT model hitting market

On September 22, DENZA, a premium car brand under BYD, announced that its newly launched Z9GT model received over 5,000 fixed orders within just 36 hours of its market release. The Z9GT, which hit the market on September 20, offers seven trim levels across PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) and BEV (battery electric vehicle) variants, including two limited-edition models. Prices range from 334,800 yuan to 414,800 yuan.

ZEEKR launches scale delivery of 7X SUV upon model ' s market launch

ZEEKR, the premium electric vehicle maker under Geely Holding, announced via its WeChat account that on September 21, just a day after the official market launch of the ZEEKR 7X, the company completed deliveries to thousands of customers across 100 cities nationwide.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On September 20, Changan Automobiles new energy vehicle brand DEEPAL officially released its second sedan, the DEEPAL L07, onto the market with six variants priced between 151,900 yuan and 173,900 yuan.

Photo credit: DEEPAL

The new model offers both range-extended electric (REEV) and all-electric (BEV) power options and features Huaweis advanced intelligent solutions, including three variants equipped with Huawei's Qiankun ADS SE intelligent driving system.

The DEEPAL L07 boasts a large body, with dimensions of 4,875mm in length, 1,890mm in width, 1,480mm in height, and a 2,900mm wheelbase.

It replaces the traditional dashboard with a 55-inch AR-HUD and features advanced configurations like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, Deepal OS, a 15.6-inch 2.5K display, 50W wireless fast charging, and a voice assistant.

Photo credit: DEEPAL

In terms of power, the L07 REEV is powered by a BlueCore range extender with 44.28% thermal efficiency, providing two variants with CLTC-rated ranges of 230km and 300km using only battery power, and a total range exceeding 1,400km. The L07 BEV includes a 185kW motor paired with a 56.12kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, offering a range of 530km.

Photo credit: DEEPAL

As for intelligent driving, the L07 is the first mid-sized sedan to feature Huawei's Qiankun ADS SE system, which offers highway navigation with features like smart lane changing, obstacle avoidance, and adaptive speed control. Non-ADS SE versions of the L07 include advanced parking assistance and adaptive cruise control.
Peter Carlsson is the cofounder and CEO of battery startup Northvolt. Northvolt

European battery firm Northvolt said on Monday it would lay off 1,600 workers.

The startup, founded by two former Tesla execs, builds batteries for electric vehicles.

Northvolt has struggled financially, with BMW pulling out of a $2.1 billion order in June.

A European battery startup founded by two former Tesla executives is cutting a fifth of its workforce amid a darkening outlook for electric vehicles.

Swedish battery maker Northvolt announced on Monday it would lay off 1,600 employees and scale back on expansion plans, citing efforts to prioritize its existing customers.

Peter Carlsson, CEO and cofounder, said in a press release that the company needed to make "tough" decisions to respond to "headwinds in the automotive market, and wider industrial climate. We now need to focus all energy and investments into our core business."

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The company was founded in 2016 by Carlsson and Paolo Cerutti and has been backed by investors including Goldman Sachs, Baillie Gifford, and Spotify cofounder Daniel Ek. It aimed to revolutionize battery manufacturing but has struggled in recent months.

BMW pulled out of a $2.1 billion order for battery cells for its EVs in June, outlets including Reuters reported.

Northvolt has also faced a series of deaths among workers at one of its factories near the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden.

In late 2023 the company asked investment banks to pitch for roles in a listing as soon as this year that could have valued Northvolt at about $20 billion. It's unclear when, or even if, the company will go public.

EV companies have slashed jobs over the past year as demand for electric vehicles has slowed. Tesla laid off more than 10% of its global workforce in April, and rivals Rivian and Lucid have also cut workers.

Northvolt did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former Energy Minister Dzikamai Mavhaire has returned to Zanu PF and will soon be filthy rich again like someone who has won a sports betting jackpot on BetWinner CI, marking his second return to the ruling party in two decades. This move, which comes after a period of political and financial hardship for Mavhaire, has sparked speculation about his motives, TellZim has reported.

Mavhaires fortunes took a dramatic downturn after he was fired as Minister of Energy in 2014, amidst factional fights within Zanu PF. He was subsequently expelled from the party and lost his shares in Bikita Minerals, which was sold to the Chinese company Sinomine in 2022.

His truck company also collapsed, and the ministerial fleet he left government with has continued to depreciate. Mavhaire has been surviving on a struggling horticulture project at his farm near the Great Zimbabwe Monuments.

Sources who accompanied Mavhaire to a recent meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House revealed that the former minister requested a private meeting with the President. These sources suspect that Mavhaire was seeking financial assistance.

We went with him (Mavhaire) to meet the President. We were, however, surprised when he suddenly pleaded with the President for a private meeting. We are not sure what he wanted to discuss with the President but we suspect it has to do with his welfare as you can see he is in a sorry state, said one source.

When contacted by TellZim News, Mavhaire denied joining Zanu PF. He questioned the reporters focus on his political affiliations, suggesting that he was more interested in positive news about development.

So you want to write that I have joined Zanu PF? Have you ever seen my CCC membership card? he asked before hanging up.

Political analysts have weighed in on Mavhaires decision, suggesting that his return to Zanu PF is driven by self-preservation and a desire to benefit from the ruling partys resources.

Dr Lucas Aribino, a political analyst, stated that What has just happened is indeed a qualitative indicator of the credo that politics is about self-preservation. In terms of international relations, politicians just behave like nation states that enter into either bilateral or multilateral agreements for the purpose of comparative advantages, it is the what is in it for me thing.

Dr Arthur Fidelis Chikerema, who previously worked with Mavhaire, echoed this sentiment, describing the former minister as a power-hungry politician who always seeks to be close to power. Chikerema pointed to Mavhaires past behaviour in various political parties, highlighting his opportunistic nature and his desire to be in control.

The issue with Dzikamai Mavhaire should not be a surprise to anyone. I knew him when we were both representing our respective provinces during our tenure at the inception of Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) led by former Vice President Joice Mujuru. What I observed is that Mavhaire is an opportunist and a power-hungry politician as he was the self-imposed chairperson. Due to his egoistic and power-hungry nature he engineered the split of the party as there was disagreement on the composition of the constitution on the issue of two vice presidents where the young turks wanted one vice president which made members think that ZPF was a Zanu PF project, said Dr Chikerema.

He further noted that Mavhaires return to Zanu PF is not surprising, considering the difficulties faced by those who leave the ruling party. Everyone knows that if you leave Zanu PF, life will not be rosy, as they will come after you and will strip off all of the benefits you were getting. Being left as director of Bikita Minerals shows that there is a paradox, meaning that there were still connections between him and Zanu PF, said Dr Chikerema.

Mavhaires return to Zanu PF comes after a period of close association with opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. He was a vocal critic of former President Robert Mugabe, calling for his resignation due to old age. This criticism is believed to have contributed to his expulsion from Zanu PF.

Despite Mavhaires return, his son Moses, who is involved in charity work in Masvingo Central, has publicly declared his loyalty to Chamisa and his refusal to join Zanu PF.

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In a shocking turn of events, a Zimbabwe Republic Police constable has been arrested for criminal abuse of office after taking a bribe from a commuter omnibus driver in the presence of members of the Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO).

The incident, which occurred on September 21 along the Harare-Marondera Road, has sent ripples through the police force and raised serious questions about corruption within the ranks.

Personal Dzuramera (41), a constable on duty during a road traffic blitz, stopped a Caravan commuter omnibus with registration number AGL 4031. He demanded a US$30 fine from the driver, who claimed to only have US$10 in his possession.

Dzuramera, instead of issuing a ticket or taking the driver to the nearest police station, accepted the US$10 bribe and gave the driver US$5 in change, claiming it would be used to pay a tollgate fee.

This brazen act of corruption took place in full view of four SARACO members who were passengers in the kombi, along with two other commuters. The SARACO members, witnessing the blatant disregard for the law, disembarked from the vehicle and confronted Dzuramera.

They identified themselves as anti-corruption officers, prompting Dzuramera to hastily remove US$10 from his pocket and throw it on the ground, along with an exercise book he was holding. Fortunately, the money was immediately retrieved by a SARACO intelligence officer.

Dzuramera was subsequently taken to Dema Police Station, where a docket was compiled under case number ZRP Dema RRB 6052555. He is expected to appear in court soon.

Chief Superintendent Chokuda from the Police General Headquarters Internal Investigations department has been notified and instructed the officer-in-charge at Dema to ensure that the case is handled swiftly and that the accused is brought to justice.

This incident highlights the ongoing struggle against corruption in Zimbabwe. While the police force is tasked with upholding the law, instances like this demonstrate the need for increased vigilance and accountability within the ranks.

SARACO: Fighting Corruption in Southern Africa

The Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) is a regional body established to combat corruption and promote good governance in Southern Africa. Founded in 1997, SARACO comprises member states from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The organisation plays a crucial role in supporting member states in developing and implementing anti-corruption strategies, fostering regional cooperation on corruption-related issues, and providing technical assistance to law enforcement agencies.

SARACO also promotes public awareness of corruption and its detrimental effects on society. Through its various programmes and initiatives, the organisation seeks to empower citizens to play an active role in the fight against corruption. The incident involving Dzuramera demonstrates the importance of SARACOs work and its commitment to ensuring that corruption is tackled head-on across the region.

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Sharp

Sharp reveals LDK+ EV concept in Japan, previewing its planned foray into the EV market.

Developed with iPhone maker Hon Hai, better known in the west as Foxconn, the battery-electric minivan features a reconfigurable interior with a large screen positioned on the aft wall.

Sharp has not indicated just when it plans to offer a production version of this model, given the rather thin market for electric models in this segment at the moment.

Sony's plans with Honda to field the uniquely styled Afeela brand are still on track, with the futuristic but somewhat anonymous sedan set for a 2026 launch. And Sony is not the only one that wants a slice of the EV pie, even given the recent slowdown in demand that has upended quite a few automaker's plans and balance sheets.

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But electronics manufacturers are used to thinking a decade ahead. So perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise to see yet another Japanese electronics giant has revealed plans to enter the EV market.

This month Sharp revealed the LDK+ concept at the Tokyo International Forum in Japan, developed in concert with Hon Hai Technology Group, better known as Foxconn, maker of the iPhone.

But this isn't exactly meant to be a people carrier, at least not in the manner we've seen mass-market models in this segment that have been fielded thus far.



Rather, the concept features a second rear-facing row of seats and a table, all facing a large 65-inch screen attached to the back wall, rendering this something akin to a mobile conference room or a cinema, if not quite a living room as Sharp paints it.

"The large screen allows seamless communication with family members at home, providing a safe and convenient space as if they were in the next room," the company says.

This second row of seats can rotate forward, the company notes, so the imagined passengers don't get car sick while conferencing with relatives via the giant screen instead of using a smartphone.

Story continues

To give the passengers extra privacy, the side windows of the LDK+ concept can turn opaque thanks to liquid crystal shutters. Solar panels on the roof, meanwhile, can juice up the battery and the home thanks to V2H charging.



Perhaps more consequential than the infotainment tech inside is the EV platform itself, provided by Hon Hai, which has been itching to get into the EV contract manufacturing industry. Lending this concept plenty of credibility is the fact that the platform already underpins EVs that are in production at the moment in Taiwan, so this isn't a concept without an underlying industrial base.

Quite a few questions remain about this effort, including just when Sharp wants to begin selling EVs under its own brand, and whether consumers will adapt quickly to electronics brands hawking EVs via their usual retail spaces.

China's Xiaomi, until recently know for its smartphones and tablets in the single largest personal electronics market in the world, clearly believes consumers will easily make the transition, and has the orders to show for it.

Will we see at least five electric minivan models offered stateside in this decade, or will this segment remain small for the next few years? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
A shocking incident has rocked the New Generation Prophetic Ministries in Chegutu, with the churchs leader, Prophet Timothy Michael, arrested on Saturday for allegedly committing a lula lula-related crime against a beautiful female church member.

The arrest took place during a church service, sending ripples of disbelief and concern through the congregation. While Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kohwera, stated he had not yet received details of the case, senior church member Venjai Jowo confirmed the arrest, saying, Yes, he has been arrested.

Sources speaking to H-Metro revealed that the alleged abuse involved Prophet Michael demanding a kiss from the female congregant. The woman, who stood up to defend her rights, reportedly shouted at the prophet when he made his advances.

This is the only female member who stood up to defend her rights, a source said. When he demanded a kiss, that is when she shouted at him.

The sexual assault arrest has cast a dark shadow over the church, which has gained a following for Prophet Michaels supposed prophetic abilities.

His followers have credited him with accurately predicting events in Zimbabwe, including a prophecy about a wave of prosperity that would sweep the nation, leaving Zimbabweans and civil servants enjoying life more than in any other country.

Ndaona Mwari vaita deliverance muno muZimbabwe. Zimbabwe ndaona yanakidza kudarika dzimwe nyika dzese. Ndirikukutaurirai, ndirikukutaurirai, Prophet Michael declared nine months ago before his words were met with cheers and ululation from his followers. This prophecy, however, is yet to come to pass.

The arrest of Prophet Michael has raised serious questions about the boundaries of faith and authority within the church. The alleged abuse, if proven, represents a betrayal of trust and a violation of the womans rights.

The impact of this incident on the New Generation Prophetic Ministries remains to be seen. However, the arrest of Prophet Michael has undoubtedly shaken the foundations of the church and raised serious questions about the future of the ministry.

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A 53-year-old man from Tshinwanyani area in Beitbridge has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping his 9-year-old daughter.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, pleaded not guilty to the charges but was convicted on the strength of the States evidence.

The court heard that the accused stayed together with his daughter in the Todi area while her mother was away.

The victims grandmother, who was living in the same area, took her to her homestead after intercepting her on her way to school. The grandmother and the victim then started staying together.

However, after school, the grandmother would accompany the Grade 1 girl to the accuseds place to sleep, where the man was sharing the same bedroom and blankets with her, like a husband and wife. During one night in June, the man woke up and raped the complainant.

A relative living in the same area realised that the accused and victim were sharing the same blankets at night like a married couple and informed the victims mother. On August 19, the complainants mother took her away from the accused and grandmother.

She interviewed her juvenile daughter about the sleeping arrangements and she disclosed the sexual abuse incident. The matter was reported to the police resulting in the mans arrest.

Prosecuting, Miss Tsitsi Mutukwa told the court that the accused took advantage of his wifes absence to commit this heinous act. She highlighted the vulnerability of the victim and the abuse of trust by the accused.

The sentence handed down by Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Mr Innocent Bepura sends a strong message against such acts of violence and abuse within families.

This case is unfortunately not an isolated incident. A few months ago, another 53-year-old Beitbridge based cross-border transporter was jailed for 42 years for raping his biological daughter for three years until she fell pregnant. The man started raping the woman from August 2020 from the age of 13 until she fell pregnant at the age of 16 years last year.

Another 67-year-old man is set to stand trial at the same court for raping his granddaughter.

These cases highlight the alarming prevalence of sexual abuse within families in Beitbridge and across Zimbabwe. It is a reminder of the need for increased awareness, support for victims, and stricter enforcement of laws against such crimes.

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Can China remotely control and detonate electric vehicles?

Can the Chinese communist government track Chinese-made electric vehicles , monitor drivers behaviors around the world, and target EV drivers they believe are a threat to their national security? Can China remotely detonate electric vehicles?

These questions wouldve sounded completely insane a month ago; however, revelations out of Israel have raised questions about totalitarian governments assassinating people with detonation devices. We now know that the Israeli government is detonating personal devices, and they are proud of their capabilities. If the Israeli government thinks you are a terrorist, they can provide you with a device that they can remotely detonate whenever they want. So, what is China capable of?

A British think tank is now warning about the electric vehicles coming from China, claiming they present both economic and security risks to the people of the United Kingdom and the European Union. Their latest report warns that Chinese-made electric vehicles could be weaponised by Beijing.

Report warns about economic and security risks from Chinese-made electric vehicles

The China Strategic Risks Institute (CSRI) just published a report warning about the UKs dependency on Chinese-made electric vehicles. According to the report, Chinese-made EVs have rapidly expanded their UK market share in the past five years. In 2019, these Chinese EVs had a market share of 2%. By the first half of 2023, that market share had jumped to 33.4%. With UK leaders refusing to levy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, the report warns that Britain will become Beijings dumping ground and a potential backdoor into the European market.

The report warns that the UK is subsidizing communist Chinas EVs, encouraging the annual importation of five to ten million cheaply-produced EVs. But its not just the UKs 198,000 vehicle manufacturing jobs that are in jeopardy to Chinas growing electric vehicle market.

The report also warns about the abuse potential of Chinese-manufactured Cellular Internet of Things Modules (CIMs). These devices, embedded inside Chinese-made EVs, send personal data back to Beijing. This data collection violates the privacy of British drivers, and in the future, it could put Britons at risk to adversarial governments and rogue actors.

Communist China requires the UK to give up data access on all UK drivers. So far, UK leaders have complied with Chinas data collection schemes and ignored the national security risks which include potential remote control of EVs, the remote shutdown of EVs, and the remote detonation of EVs.

Report warns of potential remote shutoff and remote control over EVs

The CSRI report explicitly warns that these CIM modules could allow for remote shutoff or allow hackers to take remote control over the cars. If this is possible, then it isnt out of the realm of possibility that the CIMs could be loaded up with detonation material and remotely detonated at a future date.

The report advises UK leaders to mandate that all foreign suppliers of EVs agree not to transmit data under any circumstances. The report also advises UK leaders to legally require China to share their source code with the British government and mandate regular inspections of their data storage centers around the globe. The report advises the UK to routinely check data storage centers worldwide to make sure that sensitive driver data is not being collected and analyzed by foreign servers.

Senior policy director at the CSRI, Sam Goodman told The Telegraph: The Government and the public appear to be unaware when it comes to the dependency, disruption, and data security risks the CIMs within Chinese EVs present to the UK.

We have heard little from the new Government on the risks Chinese EVs present so far. We urge that this be addressed, otherwise, the UK risks alienating its closest allies, deepening its dependency on China for its EV supply chain and the green transition, and leaving itself exposed to being bullied and blackmailed by Beijing.

Sources include:

Expose-News.com

Brighteon.com

Telegraph.co.uk
LAUGHABLE: Hillary Clinton demands CRIMINAL CHARGES for Americans spreading disinformation

Failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wants Americans spreading what she calls "disinformation" to be slapped with criminal charges.

She voiced this out during a Sept. 17 appearance on "The Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC. According to the former first lady, holding American individuals accountable through civil or criminal charges could serve as a warning to deter the distribution of "disinformation."

Clinton also acknowledged the importance of indicting foreign actors, namely the Russians, who are responsible for what she dubs as election interference. However, Americans who play a role in amplifying disinformation shouldn't be overlooked, she added.

"I think it's important to indict the Russians  who were engaged in direct election interference and boosting [former President Donald] Trump back in 2016. But I also think there are Americans who are engaged in this kind of propaganda. Whether they should be civilly, or even in some cases criminally, charged is something that would be a better deterrence," Clinton told program host Rachel Maddow.

The former secretary of state under the Obama administration endorsed the ongoing efforts of the Department of State and the Department of Justice to reveal the extent of Moscow's influence in the U.S. elections.

Clinton, who ran against and lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential election, has long maintained that her defeat was due to Russian interference. She described these efforts as merely scratching the surface of a much larger issue, adding: "There is a far distance to go."

The former first lady's comments also touched on the broader issue of foreign influence in American politics  warning that the U.S.'s enemies such as Moscow, Beijing and Tehran are seeking to sway voters. "We are not going to let adversaries, whether its Russia, China, Iran, or anybody else, basically try to influence Americans as to how we should vote in picking our leaders," she ultimately remarked.

Hillary can't get over Trump 8 years on

According to Reclaim The Net, the former first lady's call for charges against Americans who share "disinformation" is "a controversial step toward restricting free speech." It added: "The idea of penalizing individuals for spreading information, regardless of its origins, raises concerns about the boundaries of government power and the potential for misuse of such laws to suppress dissenting views."

"The First Amendment  prohibits Congress from making laws that abridge the freedom of speech. Under this protection, the idea of prosecuting individuals for the mere act of sharing information  regardless of its veracity  presents a potential conflict with these foundational rights."

But upon scratching the surface, Clinton's hatred of "disinfo" stems from her bitterness toward her 2016 loss to Trump. During the same interview, the failed presidential candidate reiterated how "dangerous" the real estate mogul is for democracy. (Related: Crooked Hillary Clinton calls Trump DANGEROUS a day after a second assassination attempt against him.)

"The object in this case is Trump, his demagoguery, his danger to our country and the world. You know, they were merciless about what they saw as President [Joe] Biden's problems in the debate and calling for him to withdraw. I believe Trump has disqualified himself over and over and over again to be a presidential candidate, let alone a president," she told Maddow.

"We can't go back and give this very dangerous man another chance to do harm to our country and the world. I'm very hopeful, and even optimistic, that Americans who do not want to see a continuation of this politics of hate and division will reject Trump. I do think more and more Americans are rejecting the kind of chaos that he represents."

Head over to FirstAmendment.news for similar stories.

Watch this clip of Hillary Clinton calling for criminal charges and jail time against Americans who spread disinfo.

This video is from the GANG STALKING AUSTRALIA channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Arrest Hillary Clinton and all who supported the Russian collusion hoax.

Hillary Clinton calls for 'formal deprogramming' of MAGA 'cult members.'

Failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton claims Trump wants to "KILL" and "IMPRISON" his political opponents.

Analysis: Hillary Clinton and everyone who perpetuated the Trump-Russia collusion hoax should stand trial, but not in D.C.

Hillary Clinton compares pro-Trump supporters to CULT members even while mindless Democrats obediently parrot contrived government narratives.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

Breitbart.com

Brighteon.com
Israels entire occupation of Palestine since 1948 ruled illegal by the UN

The 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recently agreed with the Palestinian resolution demanding that Israel end its invasion of Gaza and West Bank within a year and the imposition of sanctions for non-compliance.

A majority of 124 voted in favor of the resolution while 14 countries voted against it, including Israel and the United States. U.S. allies Australia, Canada, Germany and Ukraine and another 39 countries chose to abstain. No votes were cast by the remaining 12 nations.

The resolution put forward by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which was passed on Wednesday, Sept 19., is not legally binding. But it includes stern rebukes of Israel and won the support of many nations in the West that have traditionally backed Israel.

It was based on the advisory opinion of the world's highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), back in July. According to ICJ, Israel is "abusing its status as the occupying power" by building and expanding settlements, using the area's natural resources, annexing and imposing permanent controls over lands, and undermining Palestinians' right to self-determination. (Related: ICJ orders Israel to end its 57-year military occupation of Palestinian territories "as rapidly as possible.")

"It's an important precedent because one of the main problems with Palestinian issues for the last 75 years is that nobody was putting actual deadlines," former advisor to Palestinian leadership Nizar Farzakh told Middle East Eye. "In international politics, it becomes a talking point that countries like South Africa or the global south, in general, can use, because it's the UN General Assembly  the mood of the international community."

According to the resolution, Israel should "bring to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility, and do so no later than 12 months."

It also calls for Israel to comply with international law and withdraw its military forces, immediately cease all new settlement activity, evacuate all settlers from occupied land and dismantle parts of the separation wall it constructed inside the occupied West Bank.

The resolution also demands Israel to return land and other "immovable property" as well as all assets seized since the occupation began in 1967 and all cultural property and assets taken from Palestinians and Palestinian institutions.

Finally, it also provides that Israel should allow all Palestinians, who were displaced during the occupation, to return to their places of origin and make reparations for the damage caused by its occupation.

World leaders react to UN's decision

UN's decision to agree with the PA-raised resolution gathered mixed reactions from world leaders and international organizations.

For the New York-based Human Rights Watch, Israel should immediately heed the demand of an overwhelming majority of UN member states. The global movement Amnesty International shared this sentiment, emphasizing that it is crystal clear "that Israel's 57-year occupation cannot be allowed to continue any longer."

"Over the past 11 months, the systematic human rights violations that are a hallmark of Israel's brutal occupation and system of apartheid have drastically intensified," the organization's Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said, adding that Israel should immediately withdraw its forces from the occupied West Bank and Gaza and remove its settlers from the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said in a statement: "UN General Assembly has forcefully reaffirmed its commitment to the realization of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including its right to an independent and sovereign State, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, following the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly."

Hamas said it welcomes the adoption. It added that the decision reflected "the international community's solidarity with the Palestinian people's struggle."

Meanwhile, Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, criticized the result of the vote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"This is a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority's diplomatic terrorism," he wrote. "Instead of marking the anniversary of the Oct. 7 massacre by condemning Hamas and calling for the release of all 101 of the remaining hostages, the General Assembly continues to dance to the music of the Palestinian Authority, which backs the Hamas murderers."

The U.S. mission to the UN mirrored this belief as it called the resolution "one-sided," pointing to its failure to recognize that Hamas, "a terrorist organization," still exerts power in Gaza and that Israel has a right to defend itself.

"This resolution will not bring about tangible progress for Palestinians," the U.S. said. "In fact, it could both complicate efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and impede reinvigorating steps toward a two-state solution, while ignoring Israel's very real security concerns."

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Oren Marmorstein also said on X that the resolution was "a distorted decision that is disconnected from reality, encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace."

Head over to IsraelCollapse.com to read stories related to this.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

AlJazeera.com
 
Defense Department funds FAKE MEAT manufacturer that uses fungus protein

The Department of Defense (DoD) has bankrolled a company that makes fake meat using fungus protein . Interestingly, the company is owned by a major Democratic donor.

According to the Daily Wire, West Sacramento, California-based The Better Meat Company (TBMC) was awarded almost $1.5 million to establish a facility to make its products. The $1.48 million grant will ostensibly be used to set up "a bioproduction facility for mycoprotein ingredients that are shelf-stable, have high protein and fiber contents, and can be dehydrated." An Aug. 20 DoD press release noted that TBMC is but one of seven companies bankrolled by the department for its Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP).

The news site explained that TBMC makes its lab-grown meat "by feeding water and nutrients to fungal roots stored in a bioreactor." The process turns "the material into a semi-solid gray liquid that is strained to finally become the end product."

A Defense Department spokesman told the Wire that the DBIMP grant "is in support of a bioproduction facility for types of protein that are shelf-stable, have high protein and fiber content and can rapidly support the sustainment requirements of our globally deployed forces."

He continued: "We are investing in sources of protein such as chickpeas and tofu. The [DoD] is not funding research into 'lab-grown' or 'fake meat'  nor does it have plans to include such protein substitutes in service members' MREs."

The media outlet clarified if these facilities will be used by TBMC to create fake meat during or after the grant term, given that the Aug. 20 release indicates funding a "facility for mycoprotein ingredients"  the exact ingredient used to create fake meat. However, the Wire did not receive a response as of press time.

The DoD previously announced plans to feed fake meat to service members, in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint. Criticism from the general public forced the department to backtrack its initial plans and agree not to fund fake meat initiatives in July. But the department seemingly reneged on that promise as evidenced by its August funding of TBMC. (Related: Pentagon plans to serve LAB-GROWN MEAT to troops in the name of climate change.)

TBMC is owned by a major Democrat donor

The Wire continued that TBMC's push for fake meat appears to be motivated by ideology and politics, as its CEO Paul Shapiro is an activist with a history of donating to prominent Democrats. According to the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit OpenSecrets, he has donated to the campaigns of former New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland.

A Politico profile of him from 2018 describes Shapiro, who previously worked as a vice president at the Humane Society of the United States, as "one of the nations most consequential animal rights advocates." The same profile also outlined extensive sexual harassment allegations against him.

"The problem today is that we are using vast numbers of geese, ducks, chickens, turkeys, pigs, cows and other animals that we frankly really like to eat," Shapiro said in a speech about his company.

"We believe the future of meat production is fermentation-fueled," TBMC states on its website. "We aspire to revolutionize the meat industry by creating a new and better way to make meat."

Jack Hubbard, the executive director of the Center for Environmental Welfare (CEW), denounced the DoD's $1.48 million grant to TBMC. He expressed concern that the funding would support the company behind the production of phony meat instead of bolstering the nation's security.

"America's foreign enemies are laughing at us," Hubbard told the Wire. According to the CEW head, the Defense Department should stick to national security instead of diverting taxpayer money to TBMC and other firms that manufacture fake meat.

Head over to FakeMeat.news for similar stories.

Watch this video about the DoD's plan to feed soldiers with fake meat under the BioMADE program.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Americans shun fake meat due to high prices and its link to "wokeism."

Real meat for me, but not for thee: Globalists pushing lab-grown meat for the masses.

Israeli company that produces 3D-printed fake meat opens new factory in the Netherlands.

Brannon Howse: US military under Biden is prioritizing WOKENESS over READINESS  Brighteon.TV.

It's all a scam: Al Gore a major investor in fake meat company while pushing fake climate science scare over real meat.

Sources include:

ClimateDepot.com

DailyWire.com

Defense.gov

Brighteon.com
Study: Minnesota experienced a net loss of 4,000 families in 2021 and 2022 despite family-friendly initiatives

A recent American Community Survey has revealed that Minnesota experienced a net loss of 4,000 families in 2021 and 2022 despite the presence of so-called "family-friendly" incentives.

Under Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, Minnesota has received widespread praise for its supposedly family-centered policies. In fact, Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell argued that these measures demonstrated that "one major party cares about children and families" and even proposed a national agenda dubbed "Make America Minnesota Already." (Related: Report: Tim Walz approved funding for Minnesota lab that worked with notorious Wuhan facility.)

However, the reality on the ground tells a different story.

According to a study by demographer Lyman Stone and sociologist Brad Wilcox published by the Institute for Family Studies, more families with children moved out of Minnesota than moved into it in 2021 and 2022. This caused a 0.3 percent decline in families with children, which ranked as the 13th worst nationwide for family migration.

Stone and Wilcox stated in their study that high housing costs, increasing crime rates and controversial school policies may outweigh the benefits of family subsidies like child tax credits and paid parental leave. They said these family subsidies are insufficient to keep families in a state where safety, education quality and affordable living are top concerns.

Moreover, the authors noted that parents sought suburban and rural areas with more space for remote work, lower taxes, job growth, quicker school re-openings and new school choice laws for better education options during the post-pandemic era.

Families have been migrating from blue states to red and purple states

States like New York, California and Oregon have also experienced the same despite offering benefits such as child tax credits, paid parental leave and universal school lunch programs.

California, the most populous state, experienced a net loss of 92,000 families with children during this period  a 1.2 percent decline. New York saw 71,000 families move away, while Oregon lost 7,000. Even Massachusetts, known for its high education standards and progressive politics, saw a 0.7 percent decline in families.

Across the board, blue states that voted for Democratic presidential candidates in 2016 and 2020 collectively lost 213,000 families, a net decline of 0.7 percent. Meanwhile, red states that voted for former President Donald Trump in both elections have gained a notable influx of families.

Florida, Texas and Tennessee are leading the charge in net family migration. Texas alone saw a net gain of 53,000 families, while Florida attracted 38,000. Purple states like Arizona and Georgia have also become popular destinations for families looking for better opportunities and living conditions. Arizona gained 16,000 families, while Georgia added 22,000.

In total, red states saw a 0.6 percent increase in family migration, while purple states saw a 0.4 percent rise.

Red and purple states, particularly in the Sunbelt and Mountain West, offered more opportunities for remote work, suburban living and lower housing costs compared to the expensive cities and states they left behind. Additionally, many red states reopened schools more quickly during the pandemic and implemented school choice laws that gave parents more control over their children's education.

Meaning, cultural and economic factors have played a role in migration. The high cost of living, rising crime rates and housing shortages in blue states have made it difficult for middle-class families to thrive, despite the family-friendly policies that progressive leaders promote.

Watch this clip from "Paul Murray Live" on Sky News about Tim Walz's brother Jeff Walz being "100 percent opposed" to the Democratic vice presidential nominee.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Tim Walz appointee affiliated with CCP-linked political faction.

House panel subpoenas Tim Walz over $250M COVID fraud  was he aware of it at the time?

Retired military leaders slam Tim Walz as HABITUAL LIAR.

Kamala Harris working with Tim Walz to create federal Department of GROCERIES  food price controls and empty shelves wont be far behind.

Revolver News: Tim Walzs crazy wife goes VIRAL for looking and sounding like the Wicked Witch of The West.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

IFStudies.org

Brighteon.com
Texas judge threw out prosecutions of Tren de Aragua gang members who crossed border illegally

Earlier this year, a magistrate judge in Texas by the name of Humberto Acosta dismissed all charges against more than 100 members of the notorious Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) who entered the United States illegally, which effectively released them onto the streets of America to wreak the havoc they have been causing in recent weeks.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) let the gang members go after they were arrested on March 21 in the infamous border riot that overwhelmed Texas National Guard soldiers. Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed that the gang members were, in fact, affected at the border blowout in El Paso that month.

The charges against some 211 illegal immigrants in total who were involved in the incident were dropped by Judge Acosta after the El Paso District Attorney's Office revealed that it was unprepared to proceed with the appropriate detention hearings. ICE then let all these immigrants go free, resulting in many of them now terrorizing American towns and cities with reckless abandon.

(Related: Did you catch our earlier report about how TdA terrorized and took over an entire hotel in El Paso?)

Abbott says Tren de Aragua is a "terrorist organization"

According to Gov. Abbott, TdA is now considered by the state of Texas to be a "terrorist organization." As such, the gang's illegal human trafficking activities will be prosecuted with a mandatory 10-year minimum sentence and have their names entered into a new database.

Venezuela has a hand in all this chaos as well since the nation refused to share information with the U.S. about the gang members' criminal pasts before sending them north to America's southern border for illegal entry.

Chris Cabrera, the National Border Patrol Council President for the Texas Rio Grande Valley, admitted that identifying TdA gang members is extremely difficult as they bear no recognizable markings or tattoos like the members of other gangs such as MS-13 do.

Media headlines say TdA gang members are taking over entire apartment buildings while armed with rifles. One of them is also the brother of the illegal alien who killed Laken Riley, according to court documents.

Donald Trump brought much of this to the nation's attention by talking about the growing presence of illegal gang members in U.S. cities. Even left-wing CNN is reporting that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are responsible for unleashing this ruthless horde of illegal gang members on America, all thanks to their open borders policies.

In a statement, Gov. Abbott talked about the threat of TdA to Texas and the nation.

"The recent entry and expansion of the vicious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, is a dangerous and deadly problem facing our state and nation," he said. "Our top focus is the safety and security of all Texans."

"To address this looming threat, I have ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch a statewide operation directly targeting Tren de Aragua to deter and disrupt their criminal operation. I am also officially designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization. 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. Texas is the wrong state for them to try to do business in."

DPS Director Steve McCraw, who joined Abbott at a press conference about TdA, added that he sees the gang's members as "cockroaches" who "multiply quickly" and whose "small intrusions into communities" quickly "become infestations if not aggressively pursued."

Illegal immigration is destroying the fabric of America town by town, city by city, and state by state. Learn more at InvasionUSA.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NaturalNews.com

Gov.texas.gov
LINCOLN  Stanger Enterprises, the Valley-based company that did business as Premier Pools, has been stripped of its business license, following a recent court ruling in Lincoln.

The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office in November sued the company for deceptive trade practices, alleging the company took large sums of money from homeowners and left them with dangerous, ugly unfinished pits in their yards.

On its website, Premier Pools says it has built thousands of high-quality pools in Nebraska and Iowa since starting in business in 2009.

But many of the promotional pictures of finished pools on its website have watermarks denoting the images belong to the pool manufacturer, which the state said were misleading.

The Attorney Generals Office said the company also unlawfully sought to suppress bad reviews and complaints through a gag clause in their agreements with customers.

Stanger Enterprises failed to file an answer to the amended complaint within 10 days, as required.

The allegations in the amended complaint ... are therefore admitted, Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post wrote in his order last week.

Post said the allegations support a finding of liability against Stanger Enterprises on each of the counts in the complaint alleging violations of the Consumer Protection Act, Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Consumer Review Fairness Act.

And he granted the states request to bar Stanger Enterprises from engaging in business activities involving the construction of pools and any other business activities involving unfair, deceptive or unconscionable acts.

Post reserved judgment regarding the matter of the refund of money, civil penalties and attorney fees pending a full resolution of the lawsuit.
For years, AT&T enjoyed heavily discounted pricing from VMware and derived enormous value from the parties agreement. But the agreement contains an unambiguous End of Availability provision, which gives VMware the right to retire products and services at any time upon notice, the chipmakers lawyers wrote in the response. Whats more, a year ago, AT&T opted not to purchase the very Support Services it now asks the Court to force VMware to provide.

The filing alleged that AT&Ts lawsuit is an attempt to secure more time to transition to other software while still receiving discounted support services, which Broadcom has already phased out for perpetual license holders. (Read more in our timeline of the Broadcom-VMware deal)

A breakdown of the allegations

Broadcoms filing claimed that AT&Ts complaint, filed earlier this year, is a distraction from the real issue: AT&T has been reluctant to make the necessary software upgrades and chose not to purchase support services when it had the opportunity.

In its filing, Broadcom pointed out that AT&T had benefited from heavily discounted pricing for VMware products for years but was now unwilling to transition to Broadcoms new subscription-based offerings.

AT&T has rejected every proposal, despite favorable pricing, and would rather file a lawsuit and migrate away from VMware if Broadcom does not allow it to renew the discontinued support services, Broadcom stated in its memorandum. But AT&T chooses instead to wait until a week before its Support Services were set to expire to file its Motion.

The company further argued that AT&Ts claim of potential harm from losing support is weak, considering the telecom giants internal admission that it had been using outdated software versions and had already delayed upgrades.
PM Modi holds talks with Nepalese counterpart, discusses matters of mutual interest

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Nepalese counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli in New York on the second day of his three-day US visit on Sunday.

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of the age-old, multi-faceted and expanding India-Nepal partnership, Randhir Jaiswal, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said in a post on X.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi in a post on X said: "Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade."

Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Oli described the meeting as "fruitful" and various matters of bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting.

According to Nepal's Foreign Affairs Ministry, the two countries enjoy excellent bilateral ties. Founded on the age-old connection of history, culture, tradition and religion, these relations are "close, comprehensive and multidimensional and are pronounced more in political, social, cultural, religious and economic engagements with each other".

The two countries established diplomatic relations on June 17, 1947.

Regarding its relations with India, the Nepalese foreign office says that the "unwavering commitment to the principles of peaceful coexistence, sovereign equality, and understanding of each other's aspirations and sensitivities has been the firm foundation on which our bilateral relations have been growing further".

 PM Modi holds talks with Nepalese counterpart, discusses matters of mutual interest

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PM Modi, Kuwaiti Crown Prince discuss ways to add vigour to bilateral ties

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Kuwait historical linkages and people-to-people contacts with Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sunday.

"The talks with His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, were very productive. We discussed how to add vigour to India-Kuwait ties in sectors like pharma, food processing, technology, energy and more," the Prime Minister said in a post on social media platform X.

"PM Narendra Modi met HH Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait today, on the sidelines of UNGA. The leaders reviewed India-Kuwait bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen our historical linkages and strong people-to-people contacts," Randhir Jaiswal, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said in a post on X.

The leaders noted with satisfaction that the two countries were supporting each other with energy and food security requirements.

"They expressed their firm commitment to deepen and diversify bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of both countries. Prime Minister thanked the Crown Prince for ensuring the well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait, which is the largest diaspora group in the country," the MEA said, adding that the meeting between the leadership of the two countries is expected to impart fresh momentum to bilateral ties between India and Kuwait.

According to MEA, India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations, which are rooted in history and have stood the test of time.

India has been a natural trading partner of Kuwait and until 1961, Indian Rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait. Till the discovery and development of oil, Kuwait's economy revolved around its fine harbour and maritime activities which included shipbuilding, pearl diving, fishing and voyages to India on wooden dhows carrying dates, Arabian horses and pearls that were traded for wood, cereals, clothes and spices.

The two countries have had diplomatic relations for more than 60 years.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Nepalese counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli. The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of the age-old, multi-faceted and expanding India-Nepal partnership.

 PM Modi, Kuwaiti Crown Prince discuss ways to add vigour to bilateral ties

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PM Modi meets Palestinian President, expresses deep concern on Gaza crisis

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deep concern at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating security situation in the region during a meeting with Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the United Nations' 'Summit of the Future' in New York.

Prime Minister Modi also reaffirmed India's unwavering support to the people of Palestine, including continued humanitarian assistance. He reiterated India's time-tested principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue, and called for a ceasefire, release of hostages and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.

"Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated India's support for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine," the Prime Minister said in a post on social media platform X on Monday after the meeting.

Prime Minister Modi stressed that only a two-State solution will deliver enduring peace and stability in the region. Recalling that India was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine, he conveyed India's continued support for Palestine's membership of the UN.

The two leaders held constructive discussions on various facets of India-Palestine bilateral relations, including India's support to Palestine at the United Nations and ongoing assistance and support to Palestine in the field of education, health, and other capacity-building efforts.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen India-Palestine bilateral relations.

 PM Modi meets Palestinian President, expresses deep concern on Gaza crisis

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Tech, biosciences CEOs meet with PM Modi, express 'immense optimism'

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi met with the top technology and biosciences leaders after outlining his vision of making India a technology powerhouse at a rally of the diaspora.

After the meeting with 15 CEOs from chip design and manufacture, IT, and biosciences fields on Sunday, he posted on X that he was "glad to see immense optimism towards India".

His administration was "committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing" and a biotech powerhouse, PM Modi told them, according to the Ministry of External Affairs press release.

He said India's policy is "to promote AI for All, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use".

PM Modi's X post called the roundtable "fruitful" and that they discussed technology and innovation while he "highlighted the strides made by India in this field".

He met separately with Kris Singh, the CEO of Holtec International, a company that makes small nuclear reactors.

"They discussed Holtec's plan to expand manufacturing in India and the potential for boosting cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy," said an X post from MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaisal.

The MEA release said the the roundtable with the CEOs of tech and bioscience focused on artificial intelligence and quantum computing; biotechnology and life sciences; computing, IT and communication, and semiconductor technologies.

The release said they had a "deep dive" on the evolving technology landscape at a global level and "how these cutting-edge technologies are contributing to the well-being of people around the world. including in India".

PM Modi assured the CEOs about India's "deep commitment" to protecting intellectual property, the MEA said.

During his third term, "India will make every effort to become the third largest economy in the world", he said, asking them "to take advantage of India's growth story for collaboration and innovation".

"They can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from India's economic and technological growth," the release said.

While on previous visits to the US, he has met with many tech leaders, this time there were more from the chip, semiconductor, and biosciences fields.

The leaders from the chip field were CEOs Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Lisa Su of AMD, Tim Archer of Lam Research, Thomas Caulfield of Global Foundries, and Arvind Krishna of IBM.

CEOs Shantanu Narayen of Adobe, Sundar Pichai of Google, Enrique Lores of HP, and Hans Vestberg of Verizon from the IT sector were at the roundtable.

From life sciences and biotech came, CEOs Chris Viehbacher of Biogen, Chris Boerner of Briston Squibb Myers, David Ricks of Eli Lilly, and Noubar Afeyan, the chairman of Moderna.

The MEA release said they expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India seeing its "growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities".

 Tech, biosciences CEOs meet with PM Modi, express 'immense optimism'

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On eve of UN address, PM Modi meets leaders of Palestine, Nepal, Kuwait

O

n the eve of his address to the United Nations Summit of the Future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the beleaguered Palestine, Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, and Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid to discuss cooperation.

Taking to his X handle, PM Modi wrote that at the meeting with Abbas, he "reiterated India's support for early restoration of peace and stability in the region" and "exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine."

Meanwhile, Oli met PM Modi for the first time after he took over as the Prime Minister in July for the third time.

"India-Nepal friendship is very robust, and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties," PM Modi posted on X after their meeting.

"Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade," he added.

In a post on X, the Nepal PM called their meeting "fruitful" and said they discussed "various matters of bilateral relations."

Al-Sabah, who became Crown Prince in June, discussed strengthening economic relations with the Prime Minister.

PM Modi said that they discussed "how to add vigour to India-Kuwait ties in sectors like pharma, food processing, technology, energy and more."

The talks were very productive, he posted on X.

The three leaders met with PM Modi on the sidelines of the summit, which charts the future course of the world organisation as it is about to embark on the 80th year of its founding.

The meeting with Abbas comes less than a week after India abstained on a General Assembly resolution demanding that Israel end its occupation of Palestine.

The resolution, which passed with a two-thirds majority, backed a World Court decision that Israel's occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip was illegal under international law.

It came in the middle of the brutal war in Gaza, where more than 25,000 people have died in Israel's retaliation for a terrorist attack carried out by Hamas from Gaza on Israel.

After the vote, India's Permanent Representative P. Harish reiterated the nation's "abiding commitment to achieving a just, peaceful and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine issue."

 On eve of UN address, PM Modi meets leaders of Palestine, Nepal, Kuwait

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Senate candidate Tim Sheehy and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem hold a rally in the Beacon Air hangar at the Billings airport on Sunday. Protestors from the Crow and Assiniboine Tribes protest outside.
Jamie Foxx walks daughter down the aisle as she ties the knot with Joe Hooten in lavish ceremony

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hings are looking good for the Hollywood star Jamie Foxx a year after being hospitalised with a mystery illness. The actor walked his daughter down the aisle in a lavish ceremony.

The 'Django Unchained' star, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of singing legend Ray Charles, was rushed to hospital last April while working on the Netflix film 'Back In Action' alongside Cameron Diaz, reports 'Mirror.co.uk'.

While the exact details of what happened to him have still not surfaced, the actor appeared to be back in full health as he attended his daughter's wedding over the weekend.

As per 'Mirror.co.uk', the actor looked dapper in a black tuxedo as he beamed with pride on daughter Corinne's big day. Corinne, who is also an actor, tied the knot with her writer-director beau Joe Hooten in a lavish ceremony in Los Angeles over the weekend.

Corinne was dressed in an off-the-shoulder dress which had a short skirt at the front and train at the back. In the pictures shared by her father's 'The Jamie Foxx Show' co-star Garcelle Beauvais on social media, the actor was also pictured in a father-daughter dance with Corinne after the ceremony.

Garcelle wrote, "Last night we got to witness & celebrate the love of @corinnefoxx and @joe.hooten your love & respect for each other is palpable. Corinne, you looked stunning".

Earlier this year, Jamie revealed how he 'took a pill for a bad headache' and 'woke up 20 days later' when he was hospitalised in April 2023. The actor has since said he 'doesn't remember anything'. At the time his daughter Corinne described what happened to her father as a 'medical complication'. The actor gave a few more details about his ordeal when speaking at an event in May this year.

He shared, "I had a bad headache. Asked my boy for an Advil". Jamie then snapped his fingers before telling the crowd, "I was gone for 20 days. I don't remember anything. So they told me... I'm in Atlanta... they told me... my sister and daughter took me to the first doctor. (They) gave me a cortisone shot".

 Jamie Foxx walks daughter down the aisle as she ties the knot with Joe Hooten in lavish ceremony

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Right to dissent is the hallmark of democracy, says former CJI UU Lalit at Soli J Sorabjee Memorial Lecture



The right to dissent is the hallmark of democracy. A right for free expression is the mark of democracy and noted jurist and former Attorney General of India, Soli J.

Sorabjee was a firm believer and upholder of this right," said former Chief Justice of India, U.U. Lalit at the Soli J. Sorabjee Memorial lecture organised by the Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University recently. Justice Lalit delved into his personal interactions, the public judgements and writings of Sorabjee to demonstrate his deep understanding of the Constitution and the laws of the country and how he was key to upholding the law as a pillar of democracy. As a human being he had a wide range of interests from music to poetry, literature to geography and he was an eclectic reader. But he was committed to upholding the tenets of the law and his most significant work has been in the area of freedom of expression. It needs to be said that some of his arguments and cases belong to the era when the emergency had been enforced!" Justice Lalit recalled.

He recalled how important research and preparation was to Sorabjee who ensured that the members of his team followed due process and his belief in the rule of law. His writing on protecting the right to dissent and freedom of expression lay in the foundation of democracy itself in Greece where the very crux of democratic setup wanted you to participate in every walk of life, show your concern and do your duties as a citizen. It would be expected of every citizen to express himself or herself and make his or her views known to everybody in the society. "Even if there is one dissenting voice in society, you may not agree with it, but that voice has a right to be heard and that is the basis of the right to free expression."

Professor Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik, Registrar, O.P. Jindal Global University welcomed the distinguished gathering and spoke about the high-level contribution made by Soli J. Sorabjee to the study and practice of law in India and how his erudition and knowledge upheld the law as well. "JGU is the proud recipient of the personal collection of books from Sorabjee's library and I invite you all to peruse through the collection to get an understanding of the wide-ranging interests of the legal luminary who was not just proficient about the study and interpretation of law but had a great understanding of the world at large."

Professor S.G. Sreejith, Executive Dean, Jindal Global Law School spoke about the intellectual aura and respect with which young law students saw Soli J. Sorabjee. "Not many of us had the good fortune to know him or work with him in his chambers but we have had the opportunity to be able to read his writing and interpretations of the law. His legacy as a jurist, legal expert and the Attorney General of India will be long and enduring. But I do see him, additionally, as a reader and you only need to see his collection of books and the ideas that influenced him and his sensibilities."

The occasion was also marked by announcing the recipient of the 2024 Soli J. Sorabjee Endowment Award & amp; Scholarship, established to honour the memory of renowned Jurist and former Attorney General for India, Soli J. Sorabjee. This Award and Scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving student in the field of Human Rights Law & Theory, offered as part of the undergraduate programmes at the Jindal Global Law School. This year the award was given to Khushi Doshi of the Jindal Global Law School.

Soli J. Sorabjee was born in 1930 in Bombay. He studied at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai and Government Law College, Mumbai, and was admitted to the bar in 1953. At Government Law College, he was awarded the Kinloch Forbes Gold Medal in Roman Law and Jurisprudence (1952).

In 1971, Sorabjee was designated a senior advocate of the Bombay High Court. He served as Solicitor-General of India from 1977 to 1980. He was appointed Attorney-General for India on 9 December 1989 up to 2 December 1990, and then again on 7 April 1998, a post he held until 2004. In March 2002, Soli Sorabjee received the Padma Vibhushan for his defense of the freedom of expression and the protection of human rights. Throughout his career, Soli remained passionate about Public Law and International Law, especially in relation to the protection and promotion of human rights. Soli Sorabjee was appointed by the UN as a Special Rapporteur for Nigeria. Later he was appointed as Chairman of the UN Sub Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, from 1998 to 2004. He also served as a member of the United Nations Sub Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities since 1998. Soli Sorabjee also served as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague.

Representing India, in the Atlantic Case between India and Pakistan, Sorabjee appeared before the International Court of Justice, The Hague.

 Right to dissent is the hallmark of democracy, says former CJI UU Lalit at Soli J Sorabjee Memorial Lecture

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Sudan launches campaign to address cholera outbreak

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udanese Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim announced the launch of a one-month campaign to address the cholera epidemic.

The decision to launch the campaign was made during an urgent meeting of the higher committee for health and humanitarian emergencies in Kassala, the capital city of Kassala State in Sudan, the minister said in a statement on Sunday.

He said the campaign aims to combat cholera, enhance response to the disease in the states, unify the efforts, utilise available capabilities, and maximise the role of the community, with a focus on environmental sanitation, according to Xinhua news agency.

The campaign's programs include vaccination, vector control, environmental health interventions, food control, and water purification, besides raising awareness about the dangers of cholera and health promotion activities, he noted.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Health Minister said 12,896 cholera cases, including 388 deaths, have been recorded across the country so far.

According to the minister, nine states have been affected by the cholera outbreak, including Kassala, Gedaref, the Red Sea, the River Nile, the Northern state, Khartoum, Gezira, the White Nile and Sinnar.

On August 17, the Sudanese Health Minister officially declared a cholera outbreak. The health ministry attributed the spread of cholera to deteriorating environmental conditions caused by the war and the use of unclean water.

Since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, epidemics such as cholera, malaria, measles, and dengue fever have spread, leading to hundreds of deaths.

The conflict has resulted in at least 16,650 deaths and displaced millions of people, according to UN estimates.

 Sudan launches campaign to address cholera outbreak

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Dissanayake vows to lead Sri Lanka into 'new era of Renaissance'

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nura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Marxist-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party, who was sworn in on Monday as the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka, vowed to usher in a "new era of Renaissance" in the island nation.

"This morning (23rd), I took oath as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the presence of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat," the newly-elected leader said in a post on X.

Expressing his commitment to work for the country, Dissanayake wrote, "I promise to fulfil your responsibility to usher in a new era of Renaissance for this country, and I look forward to your collective contribution to that."

Addressing the complexity of the challenges Sri Lanka faces, Dissanayake assured citizens that he would work diligently to meet their expectations.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, where Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya administered the oath, marking a historic moment as the country's first leftist head of state.

After the swearing-in ceremony, he pledged to "restore the public's confidence in politicians" and to govern the country with wisdom and transparency.

"I'm not a magician but an ordinary citizen with certain capabilities and incapabilities. My top priority is to enhance my abilities, expand my knowledge, and make the best decisions to govern the country," he further emphasised.

The election results were finalised on Sunday evening after Sri Lanka's first-ever presidential run-off, as neither Dissanayake nor Samagi Jana Sandhanaya candidate Sajith Premadasa secured the required majority in the initial round.

According to the Sri Lankan Election Commission, Dissanayake won the presidency with 42.31 per cent of the vote, with Premadasa finishing second and outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe third.

Following his victory on Sunday, Dissanayake, popularly known as AKD, reflected on the historic nature of the moment, writing on X, "The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. This achievement is not the result of any single person's work, but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful."

Dissanayake also paid tribute to those who sacrificed for this cause, stating,

"Our journey here has been paved by the sacrifices of so many who gave their sweat, tears, and even their lives for this cause. Their sacrifices are not forgotten," he wrote.

In a message of unity, the newly elected President stressed the importance of solidarity among all Sri Lankans, saying, "The unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of this new beginning. The New Renaissance we seek will rise from this shared strength and vision."

Dissanayake has been a prominent figure in Sri Lanka's political scene, leading the JVP party through significant national events. His presidency is seen as a pivotal moment in the country's history, marking the first time a leftist leader has taken the highest office.

 Dissanayake vows to lead Sri Lanka into 'new era of Renaissance'

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Japanese PM reiterates India's call for expansion of UN Security Council

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eiterating India's longstanding stance on expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in both permanent and non-permanent categories, as well as reform in its working methods, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called for "concrete actions" to adapt the international organisation to the contemporary world realities.

The outgoing Japanese PM, while addressing the 'Summit of the Future' in New York on Monday, Japan time, stated that the world stands at a "historical inflection point" and there is an urgent need to collectively take actions to safeguard the interest of present and future generations.

"The Summit of the Future is witnessing a clear call from Member States for action on reform, with a majority supporting the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats. A great majority are also acutely aware of the Security Council's vital role in international peace and security and the urgent need to reform it and restore confidence in its effectiveness," said Kishida.

"Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations. We should take concrete actions towards the Security Council reform. Japan is determined to continue to contribute to the realization and maintenance of international peace and security by strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law, in a reformed Council," he added.

The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been according highest priority to obtain a permanent membership for India in an expanded UNSC. The process of UNSC Reforms is being presently discussed under the Inter-Governmental Negotiation (IGN) framework of the UN General Assembly, where India along with like-minded countries have been pushing for text-based negotiations to commence on an urgent basis.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India is also working alongside other reform-oriented countries through its membership in G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) and the L.69 Group (a cross regional group of countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America) for building support among the UN Member States for expansion in both permanent and non permanent categories.

The process of reforming the United Nations Security Council would require amendments in the United Nations Charter. As per Article 108 of the UN Charter.

On Saturday, the Japanese PM had held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders' Summit hosted by the US President Joe Biden in his hometown of Wilmington in Delaware.

"At the beginning, Prime Minister Kishida mentioned that he chose India as the destination of his first bilateral visit since taking office, and while mentioning the various achievements he has made with Prime Minister Modi, stated that he hopes that Japan and India will continue to cooperate in global governance," the Japanese Prime Minister's Office stated after the meeting.

The two leaders also confirmed that both countries will continue to cooperate on concrete initiatives in a wide range of areas, bearing in mind Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan as part of the annual reciprocal visits between the leaders of both countries.

 Japanese PM reiterates India's call for expansion of UN Security Council

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Jaya Prada reportedly joins Madurai shoot of Prabhas starrer- 'Fauji'

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he shoot schedule of the Telugu superstar Prabhas starrer 'Fauji' has commenced in Madurai along with actress Imanvi. Meanwhile, it is getting reported that veteran actress Jaya Prada has also joined the schedule.

As per recent reports, the first-day shoot is currently taking place in the district of Madurai where the entire cast and crew members have been assembled.

Meanwhile, it is now speculated that 'Aaj Ka Arjun' fame actress Jaya Prada has also joined the shooting schedule with its lead actor Prabhas and actress Imanvi who will be making her debut with the historical drama.

However, due to Prabhas' busy schedule, the team of technicians has planned many sequences to shoot without Prabhas as the 'Rebel' fame actor is shooting simultaneously for his upcoming horror-comedy 'The RajaSaab' helmed by director Maruthi.

'Fauji' is set in the backdrop of 1945 in which Prabhas essays the role of a soldier working in the British Army. As per early rumors, the first look of Prabhas will be unveiled on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra. The upcoming action-drama also features Mithun Chakraborty in crucial roles in which he will essay the role of the father

The music has been composed by 'Sita Ramam' fame music director Vishal Chandrasekhar and the project has been bankrolled by Mythri Movie Makers.

Jaya Prada is considered one of the most prominent actresses of the era of 70s and 80s who has starred in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and Marathi films.

Her first Bollywood film was 1979's 'Sargam', a remake of her own 1976 Telugu movie 'Siri Siri Muvva'. Some of her acclaimed Hindi films were 'Sharaabi' opposite Amitabh Bachchan and K Vishwanath's 'Sanjog'.

On 22 February 1986, she married producer Srikanth Nahata. The marriage stirred a lot of controversy due to his first marriage, especially since he did not divorce his wife and had a child with his first wife after marrying Jaya Prada.

For the unversed, Indian director late Satyajit Ray has described Jay as one of the prettiest women in the world.

 Jaya Prada reportedly joins Madurai shoot of Prabhas starrer- 'Fauji'

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Zeenat Aman recalls being 'high as a kite' after wrapping up shoot for 'Dum maro dum' song

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eteran actress and diva Zeenat Aman reminisced about how she took long pulls from chillums for the 1971 song Dum maro dum, which left her high as a kite.

Zeenat took to Instagram, where she posted a still from the iconic number that featured in the film "Hare Rama Hare Krishna", directed by Dev Anand. The movie dealt with the decadence of the Hippie culture and aimed to have an anti-drug message.

She recalled: "We were in Kathmandu shooting Hare Rama Hare Krishna, and Dev Saab had rounded up a gaggle of hippies from the streets to be featured in the song. Which song? The picture is a dead giveaway - Dum Maro Dum of course!"

"The hippy extras were delighted with their good fortune. They were not only getting to pack their chillums with hashish in beautiful Nepal, they were also getting free food, going to feature in a Bollywood movie and were being paid to boot!"

She shared that the late legendary actor-filmmaker Dev Anand wanted authenticity in this sequence.

"My character, the drug addled Janice, had to really look stoned. And the easiest way to achieve this was to partake in the hippy offerings! So there I was, still in my teens, gamely taking long pulls from their chillum for take after take. By the time we wrapped the day's work I was high as a kite! I was in no state to return to the hotel in that happy, dizzy and slightly gormless haze."

She shared that some of the team members packed her into a car and took the actress on a drive to a beautiful vantage point.

"There in the cold mountain air, I contemplated the Himalayas and slowly, peacefully came down from my high."

Zeenat revealed that her mother was furious when she learnt about what happened.

"I later found out that my mother was furious when she learnt what happened, and gave the senior crew members a sharp tongue lashing for allowing her precious child to "do drugs"! Luckily, I was spared her wrath."

"Well, what can I say, it was the 70s, and I was something of a flower child."

She further shared that this October, she will be in Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur sharing many such anecdotes, and grooving to the most memorable numbers from her films.

"All performed by a live band. This is a musical extravaganza especially created for "my generation" of fans! Don't forget to book tickets for your parents, aunts, uncles and anyone else who grew up dancing to my songs. Yeh Shaam Mastani".

 Zeenat Aman recalls being 'high as a kite' after wrapping up shoot for 'Dum maro dum' song

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Aamir Khan expresses gratitude to FFI for choosing 'Laapataa Ladies' as India's official Oscar entry

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ollywood superstar Aamir Khan, whose home production 'Laapataa Ladies' has been submitted as India's official entry to the Oscars, has expressed his gratitude to the selection committee of the Film Federation of India for their decision.

The actor issued a statement thanking the members of the committee, and shared that he is proud of the director of the film, and his ex-wife Kiran Rao.

He said in a statement, "We are all so happy with the news. I am so proud of Kiran and her entire team. I would like to thank the selection committee of the Film Federation of India, which chose our film to represent India at the Oscars".

The film was picked as the official submission on Monday for the upcoming 97th edition of the Academy Awards.

The actor further mentioned, "My heartfelt gratitude to our audience, our media, and the entire film fraternity, for all the love and support they have given 'Laapataa Ladies'. Thanks to both Jio and Netflix who have been great partners to work with. I am so happy that all our hard-work has paid off. Thank you everyone. Here's hoping that 'Laapataa Ladies' is able to win the hearts of the members of the Academy".

This is not the first time for an Aamir Khan Productions film has been picked by the Film Federation of India for the Oscars. Earlier, his films like 'Taare Zameen Par', 'Peepli Live' and 'Lagaan' have been India's official entries to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category with 'Lagaan' even securing a seat in the final nominations. However, the film didn't win 74th Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Film, as it lost out to the Bosnian film 'No Man's Land' which was directed by Danis Tanovic.

 Aamir Khan expresses gratitude to FFI for choosing 'Laapataa Ladies' as India's official Oscar entry

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When Montanans see an advertisement or hear U.S. Senate candidate and political newcomer Tim Sheehy speak, hell likely talk about his experiences as a businessman and pilot who launched an aerial firefighting company in Bozeman. Its a central part of the campaign and the candidates identity.

The Republican who is challenging incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester has built that backstory: First he was a U.S. Navy SEAL, combat wounded, and then a businessman who even wrote a book on aerial firefighting. That book was widely seen as a prelude or introduction of Sheehy as a public figure.

The book, Mudslingers: A True Story of Aerial Firefighting, was also subtitled, An American Origins Story. Its part history, part travelogue and part autobiography, published in 2023 by Permuted Press and distributed by publishing giant Simon and Schuster.

But, the book which has helped solidify his place as a candidate and authority on aerial firefighting seems to have at least four different passages that were plagiarized  sourced, but not credited in the book, according to an investigation by the Daily Montanan.

The Daily Montanan put Sheehys book through commercially available software that scans texts against a massive store of other published and online sources to compare passages. The software is commonly used by publishers, academic institutions and researchers to check for originality, possible copyright or intellectual property violations, or to find the origins of a particular fact or statement.

The Daily Montanan reached out to the Sheehy campaign for further explanation, but heard nothing back from it.

The Daily Montanan also reached out to Permuted Press, the books publisher, with a list of questions including some pertaining to the vetting, writing and editing process, but it did not respond either. Though Permuted Press published the work, according to the books introductory pages, Sheehy holds the copyright.

It is not the first time the details of Sheehys life before politics have come under scrutiny for their truthfulness. Sheehys past, including a gunshot wound that may have been sustained in Glacier National Park, claims of parachute training over Glacier, and his business dealings including his aerial firefighting company, Bridger Aerospace, have come under fire. Its also not the first time that Sheehy has remained silent when confronted with difficult questions. Sheehy has not openly commented or explained a recording of him in which he repeated on different occasions disparaging comments about Native Americans drinking, even after being called upon by Montanas tribal leaders to disavow, apologize or explain the comments.

Even the book itself has come under scrutiny: It promises that all of the proceeds from telling the story of aerial firefighters will go back to supporting them. However, as other media outlets have reported, including Business Insider, it appears that the proceeds of the book go back to an aerial firefighting lobbying company which Sheehy himself founded, which in turn, works on behalf of his own company, raising questions about whether the money is really being funneled right back to him.

Problems inside the book

According to Sheehys own writing, he penned Mudslingers in his spare time and then had it published. He described it in the prologue as a way to collect and tell the story of American aerial firefighting, combining the history and practice of aerial firefighting with his own experience as an aerial firefighter.

The book runs 309-pages long and does include a bibliography and source list. One of the four problematic passages discovered by the Daily Montanan was included generally in the list; the other three were not.

One of the things that is different about Mudslingers is that it contains no footnotes, no endnotes and no citations, making it difficult to tell how sources listed in the back of the book are worked into the books pages. Another challenge is that the book is part autobiography, part history, blurring the lines of Sheehys life with those of the others hes profiling.

For example, the first direct quotation of any length is found on Page 25, and is made by John Gould, a chief executive of an air tanker company that flies DC-10s. However, it is unclear by the citation or the source list whether the interview was conducted by Sheehy himself as a researcher, or taken from some other work. The same thing happens about 10 pages later at the next quotation with a man named Jason Robinson.

But, those are not the passages of greater concern that raise questions of plagiarism.

Plagiarism usually occurs when a source takes anothers work and presents it as his own without attribution or citation. Correct attribution and citation usually involves endnotes, footnotes, or quotations that let readers know where the material is coming from, and crediting the original authors for their first-hand work.

The Daily Montanan found four instances where Sheehys work is nearly verbatim, if not identical, to an older known source, but is presented as his original work. The Daily Montanan also checked that there was not quotation marks or other annotation that would suggest Sheehy was trying to communicate to readers sourced material.

The first questionable passage in Mudslingers, occurs on Page 33 where Sheehy apparently needs a definition of smokejumper and inserts a definition found on Wikipedia. It is the shortest in length of the four examples found by the Daily Montanan.

Comparing the passages, Sheehy uses the same 26 words in the same order as the Wikipedia definition, with only one exception, to add the word often in the middle of it. The definition is not used with quotation marks or citation. Wikipedia is not cited as a source or in the bibliography.

The second problematic passage appears to be taken from Wildfire Today, which is a website showcasing news about wildland fire.

In that portion of the book, Sheehy describes a lawsuit that centers on the environmental impacts of dropping fire-fighting foam and the possible health effects of the chemicals. Four paragraphs, or a large chunk of Page 208 in the book, contains large portions of three entire paragraphs from the website that are nearly identical, including three paragraphs of continuous text that dont appear with citation or attribution. It also appears that Sheehy, who is listed as the sole author of the book, may have added a date or inserted a clause to help orient the reader.

For example, at the beginning of the passage from Wildfire Today, the website doesnt list a date for the lawsuit centering on the firefighting foam. But in the text of Sheehys book, he adds, In the fall of 2022. Later on in the paragraph, he deleted the verb has in an apparent move to coordinate the verb tense for his book. Otherwise, the next 59 words are identical, in identical order. Large blocks of the next three paragraphs show similar results.

The next portion the Daily Montanan examined came from The Backseat Pilot, an aviation website that offers resources and education to pilots. Four paragraphs are nearly identical, in identical order. It appears that Sheehy only edited a portion of it at the end to condense some of the technical information he was presenting about how the thrust of propeller-driven engines worked.

The Backseat Pilot is the only one of the four passages in Mudslingers that is listed in the sources, but within in the text, it is not cited or presented as a quotation.

The possibly plagiarized passage contained on Page 237, is four paragraphs and consists of six sentences. The first 75 words are an exact match  same words, same order  as the Backseat Pilot, and even after that, it appears that Sheehy may have taken parts of the next two sentences.

The final passage the Daily Montanan looked at was a portion of a paragraph that describes a support operation for the Afghan Air Force, found on Page 289, and seemingly taken from a 2022 article from the San Marino Tribune.

Based on this passage, which doesnt appear with citation, quotation or in the bibliography, Mudslingers uses the one-sentence paragraph and changes the position of the verb and inserts a pronoun, but otherwise 31 out of 40 words match. In this particular case, Sheehy appears to have changed the order of the words at the beginning of the sentence which were almost identical to the original, just in a slightly different order.

Problems outside the book

Even before Sheehys book was published in December 2023, it had already drawn scrutiny. An Aug. 10, 2023, story by Bryan Metzger of Business Insider summarized the challenge in the headline of his story: GOP Senate candidate plans to steer book sale money to a group that lobbies for his industry, teeing up potential conflict of interest.

It details that Sheehy set up a lobbying and industry group in Washington,D.C., United Aerial Firefighters, where the proceeds of the book sales have gone. The Daily Montanan has asked about those proceeds, but has not received a response from the publisher. The lobbyist for the UAF is the same one used by Sheehys company, according to the Business Insider article.

The Business Insider article summarizes just a few of the conflicts-of-interest that Sheehys campaign has had to face, including self-dealing: If Sheehys campaign chooses to promote the book when its released, that would mean using campaign resources to raise money for a lobbying organization that benefits Sheehys bottom line.

The problems with plagiarism

Paul Pope, associate professor of political science at Montana State University-Billings, seems perfectly positioned for a case just like this. Pope is an expert in political science, and especially the use of words and narratives in political campaigns. Some of his training and work involves forensic analysis of candidates words and speeches. He teaches full-time so is also familiar with the academic implications of plagiarism, as well as being immersed in the field of politics in Montana.

Previously, Pope has published on the role of narratives and how they changed throughout the reporting and re-telling of the Jan. 6 insurrection.

He said that with most any information being as easy as a click away on the internet, plus the ease of technology which allows students to copy and paste something into a document, plagiarism, citation, and attribution have become even more essential in classrooms and in the world to help clearly define the boundaries of ones own work.

Its ridiculously easy. Technology has made plagiarism so possible, Pope said.

He said that in his classes, any sentence that is more than 50% sourced from someone else needs citation, almost universally, noting that his approach is one that is commonly shared by other professors and academic institutions, not just the political science department at MSU-B.

If he did what hes accused of doing here at a university, hed fail, Pope said, referring to Sheehy.

He said the academic penalties at colleges and universities can vary, but the penalties for even plagiarizing a paper could lead to getting a zero on the paper, failing the course or even being kicked out of the college. He said as more and more work is scrutinized for plagiarism, some universities and colleges are even rescinding degrees based on plagiarism.

Its not the first time even recently that a U.S. Senate candidate in Montana has been embroiled in a plagiarism scandal. Former U.S. Sen. John Walsh, a Democrat, appointed by former Gov. Steve Bullock, who served the remainder of former Sen. Max Baucus term after Baucus was appointed as U.S. Ambassador to China, had to drop a re-election bid after opposition research by Republicans revealed that Walsh had plagiarized parts of his masters thesis at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, while serving in the military. The War College later rescinded Walshs advanced degree.

Pope said most universities and colleges have seen an uptick in the cases of plagiarism because the software detection has become so sophisticated. But, those same institutions, including most in Montana, have adopted academic integrity training and policies, which focus on how to avoid plagiarism as part of their code of conduct or ethics, meaning that students can be dismissed. Moreover, he said even recently at MSU-B, the academic offices have begun to coordinate information to help alert professors and instructors of students who have been found to plagiarize.

Its the high performing students who tend to do it, he said, which can be counterintuitive. Its usually someone who is stretched too thin and theyre overloaded.

Pope also said that theres different things to look for in plagiarism cases. For example, sometimes, it may be clear that the student or the author just forgot or was careless. Other times, when the word order is slightly changed or verb tenses are altered to fit more smoothly into a paper or presentation, then its often a sign of intentional manipulation.

In Sheehys Mudslingers case, it seems clear to Pope.

One section? Maybe, Pope said. Four? Thats a pattern.

He said that regardless of the number of words, paragraphs or passages, the reason for students as well as professionals is often the same.

They think theyll get away with it, Pope said. But plagiarism is lying. Its just an untrustworthy behavior. And, we generally dont trust liars.

However, what the plagiarism might mean to Sheehys chances at a seat in the United States Senate, remains something harder to predict.

The most recent polling data shows that Sheehy, the Republican, has taken a larger lead over the incumbent Democrat Tester. One poll had Tester outside the margin-of-error, showing him trailing by 6 percentage points. The Cook Political report recently shifted the race from a toss-up to leans Republican.

However, the most recent polling data also was conducted before a torrent of decidedly unfavorable news about Sheehy, including two recordings which were first reported by the Char-Koosta News about him describing Crow Native Americans as drunk, something which Montanas tribal communities have excoriated, and demanded an apology for. So far, Sheehy has remained silent on the issue.

Pope said that because of the deeply divided nature and extreme partisanship that has been present in politics during this cycle, more negative news about Sheehy may not be game-changer, even though it may have been a death sentence to other candidates not so long ago.

Pope said its counterintuitive, but the more divided and acrimonious the political climate, the more each side will tend to ignore unfavorable or unflattering news about their favored candidate.

Tribalism, a commonly used phrase in politics, may be at play here, Pope said. That is often summarized as everyone on the other side is a traitor.

He also said that Sheehy has something else in his favor: Recent polling shows that among Sheehys strongest bloc of support are those who have lesser education, and may not have a college degree. Pope said that because of the demographics, that bloc doesnt tend to read as many books, so it may discount plagiarism as an academic technicality, or not care about Sheehys skill as an author.

However, Pope also said news of plagiarism could still wind up hurting Sheehy because it fits with a narrative that has been developed by news reporting, including of not telling the truth about a gun incident in Glacier Park, or another training which Sheehy talked about but has later been debunked.

Plagiarism is no different than lying to the public. Its the same thing, Pope said. Its a pattern of dishonesty.

He also said that the Sheehy campaigns apparent strategy of remaining quiet in the face of some of the controversies, including questions about plagiarism, is also part of a political calculus.

Dont give it any attention or any oxygen, Pope said. The less they talk about it, the less attention it draws. Theyre hoping people forget about it because once he starts speaking, hes on the defensive. It requires great political discipline. Not too many politicians can do it. They get roped into it.

The unknown variable, Pope said, is always timing.

It could be a blip, he said, Or it could destroy him.
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A direct comparison between the experimental psychedelic drug psilocybin and a standard SSRI antidepressant shows similar improvement of depressive symptoms, but that psilocybin offers additional longer-term benefits.

The comparison, between psilocybin (the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms") and the SSRI escitalopram gave similar long-term improvements in depressive symptoms over a 6-month period, however patients taking psilocybin also reported better psychosocial functioning including experiencing a greater sense of meaning in life and psychological connectedness.

The work is presented for the first time at the ECNP Congress in Milan. A related paper will appear in the peer-reviewed journal Lancet eClinicalMedicine to coincide with the conference presentation (see details below). Lead researcher Mr Tommaso Barba (PhD candidate from Imperial College, London) said:

"This is the first work to compare the long-term effects of these two drugs in the context of overall well-being, not just freedom from depression. In previous work we had found that both treatments led to comparable improvements in alleviating symptoms of depression at the 6-week mark, such as sadness and negative emotions. However, this work shows that psilocybin outperformed escitalopram in several measures of well-being, meaning in life, work and social functioning. These results appeared to be maintained over a 6-month follow-up period. In addition, in previous work* we had found that psilocybin also improves sexual drive, in contrast to SSRIs which tend to lower libido in many patients. So overall it seems psilocybin might give additional positive mental health benefits."

SSRI drugs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft, are one of the main types of drugs used to treat depression. However, around a third of patients don't respond to SSRI treatment, so for them psilocybin may offer an alternative, although this was not studied in this trial.

Tommaso Barba continued:

SSRIs work well, but not for everyone. They are also associated with some side effects. However this work implies that psilocybin generally seems to offer a real alternative, and perhaps additional benefits, to people who are worried about taking conventional antidepressants." Mr Tommaso Barba, Imperial College, London

The researchers, from Imperial College in London, undertook a 6-month study (phase 2, double-blind, randomised controlled trial) with 59 patients with moderate to severe depression. 30 were treated with a single dose of psilocybin, 29 patients were given a six-week course of escitalopram. Each group received similar psychological support of around 20 hours in total. Both groups showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms, even up to 6 months after treatment (the researchers stopped monitoring at 6 months). However those given psilocybin reported greater improvements in social functioning and psychological connectedness, with large effect sizes.

Co-first author Dr David Erritzoe, Clinical Director and Deputy Head of the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College, London, commented:

"This is important because improving connectedness and having greater meaning in life can significantly enhance a person's quality of life and long-term mental health. The study suggests that psilocybin therapy might be a more holistic treatment option for depression, addressing both the symptoms of depression and overall well-being. This could make a substantial difference in the overall happiness and daily activities of those suffering from depression, providing a more joined-up approach to mental health treatment".

The researchers note that the patients were only treated for 6 weeks, and that many of the patients received additional treatments over the 6-month follow up.

Dr Erritzoe cautioned:

"Psilocybin is still an experimental drug; it has not yet been approved for general use. It is administered in highly controlled and protected environments: these precautions are not found in recreational psychedelic use, which is known for having unpredictable and potentially harmful effects, especially for vulnerable people struggling with mental health issues".

Commenting, Johan Lundberg (Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the

Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm) said:

"This report is an important attempt to compare the clinical value of psilocybin compared to a state-of-the-art treatment of major depressive disorder. The results come with several caveats, including the lack of a non-inferiority analysis and failure to report other interventions given during the follow-up period. That said, as a hypothesis generating piece it may benefit the field substantially. For now, we don't know if psilocybin will be approved for the treatment of major depression, but if so, it won't be for everyone. Some future patients might prefer psychedelic treatment over SSRI, but some patients may be intimidated by the dramatic alterations in perception and confrontations with challenging emotions that psychedelic drugs promote".

This is an independent comment, Professor Lundberg was not involved in this work.
The U.S. struggles with poor health outcomes and equity despite its highest-ever healthcare spending, while top performers like Australia and the Netherlands offer valuable lessons on access, affordability, and efficiency.

Report: Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System - Comparing Performance in 10 Nations

A recent report by The Commonwealth Fund compared the health system performance in 10 countries.

Mirror, Mirror 2024 is the eighth report of the Commonwealth Fund comparing health system performance in select nations. The goal has been to highlight lessons from the experiences of these countries, with emphasis on how they may inform the improvement of the United States (U.S.) health system. Although health systems are unique by country, comparisons offer insights into policy thinking and illustrate the impact of national policy choices on a nations health and well-being. This edition also introduces new metrics on telehealth usage and discrimination in healthcare, further expanding its analysis.

The study and findings

The present study compared the health systems in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the U.K., and the U.S. Overall, 70 unique measures were assessed across five domains  care process, access to care, equity, health outcomes, and administrative efficiency. The study utilized a combination of survey data from 20212023, collected from patients and primary care physicians, along with standardized data from international organizations such as the WHO and OECD. The study used data from surveys conducted in 202123 by the Commonwealth Fund on primary care physicians, older adults, and the general population.

Reginald D. Williams II, Vice President, International Health Policy and Practice Innovations, The Commonwealth Fund Mirror, Mirror underscores the importance of international comparisons, offering evidence and inspiration to improve Americas health system. While other nations have successfully met their populations health needs, the U.S. health system continues to lag significantly. This report shows that by adopting proven strategies and making smart investments, America can enhance its health system to better meet the needs of its people. Theres no reason we cant elevate our standing if we choose to do so.

Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom (U.K.) were the three top-performing countries, while the U.S. ranked last. Notably, each country showed areas of lower and higher performance. Despite its high overall ranking, Australia faced challenges in access to care, while the U.S., despite its last place, excelled in the care process domain. Although healthcare spending was not a performance metric, the U.S. was an outlier, spending 16.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare in 2023, exceeding other nations. However, Australia and the Netherlands had the lowest healthcare spending as a share of GDP. This gap has widened since the 1980s, with U.S. spending now exceeding that of other nations by a significant margin.

Healthcare spending in other countries was closely clustered. The access to care domain focused on the availability and affordability of health services at the population level. The Netherlands, the U.K., and Germany performed best in terms of access to care. These countries also excelled in affordability measures due to minimal out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and low cost-related barriers to care. Notably, Australia performed poorly in this domain.

The care process domain assessed whether care included attributes and features essential to high-quality care. New Zealand ranked first in the care process, followed by the U.S., the Netherlands, and Canada. Sweden had the poorest performance. Strong U.S. performance in this domain was due to the provision of preventive services such as mammograms and flu vaccinations, as well as its emphasis on patient safety.

Administrative efficiency focused on challenges in dealing with medical claims or insurance issues, patients time spent in resolving medical bill disputes and paperwork, and requirements for providers to report data to government agencies. The U.K. and Australia excelled in administrative efficiency, while the U.S. and Switzerland were the last.

Equity reflected how people with below-average and above-average incomes differed in their access to healthcare and care experience. This edition of the report also added an equity dimension examining the rural/nonrural divide and gender-based equity alongside the traditional income-based analysis. Australia and Germany were top performers in this domain, with the smallest differences between below-average and above-average income residents. By contrast, New Zealand and the U.S. were the last.

Health outcomes were the outcomes most likely to be responsive to interventions. The study also considered the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Outcome measures were life expectancy at birth, deaths with treatable and preventable causes, and excess deaths due to the pandemic. Australia, Switzerland, and New Zealand were the three top-performing countries regarding health outcomes, while the U.S. was the last.

The remarkable performance of the top three countries was partly due to their success in COVID-19 management. Australia's stringent lockdowns and New Zealand's early border closures contributed to their positive outcomes, while the U.S. struggled with high levels of treatable and preventable deaths, driven in part by its ongoing substance-use crisis and gun violence. The U.K. struggled with COVID-19-related outcomes but had a slight reduction in treatable deaths.

Areas for improvement for the U.S.

The notably high U.S. performance in the care process was primarily due to vigorous value-based care or pay-for-performance efforts undertaken by public and private payers over recent years. Notwithstanding its performance in this domain, health outcomes in the U.S. were the poorest, indicating that the care process might not drive health outcomes. Further, financial barriers to care in the U.S. are substantial.

Joseph R. Betancourt, M.D., Commonwealth Fund President The U.S. is failing one of its principal obligations as a nation: to protect the health and welfare of its people. The status quo  continually spending the most and getting the least for our health care dollars  is not sustainable. It isnt about lack of resources  its clearly about how they are being spent. Too many Americans are living shorter, sicker lives because of this failure. We need to build a health system that is affordable and that works for everyone. Its past time that we step up to this challenge.

Despite the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act, 26 million Americans still lack coverage. All other countries in this study have universal coverage. The healthcare delivery system also has several deficits, such as administrative inefficiency and the lack of primary care investment. To improve healthcare equity, the U.S. must reduce financial barriers to care access by extending coverage to the uninsured.

At least two reforms are needed for a more functional healthcare delivery system. First, a robust primary care system has to be built through increased investment in training primary care providers and increased compensation of primary care clinicians. Second, the U.S. has to address the uncontrolled consolidation of healthcare resources, which drives prices higher, making insurance less affordable.

To this end, the proliferation of entities that trade primary care practices like commodities warrants scrutiny for its long-term impact on the quality and cost of care. Further scrutiny is needed on the administrative inefficiencies stemming from the complexity of insurance plans and billing practices, which burden patients and providers. The complexity and variation in insurance plans should be minimized to decrease administrative burden. Further, the U.S. needs interventions that address gun violence, substance use, and the historical/ongoing effects of racism on the health and care of Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic populations.

Conclusions

The variations in health system performance across the ten countries in Mirror, Mirror 2024 suggest ample opportunities for cross-national learning. The U.S. continues to underperform in healthcare. While the nine other countries varied in performance and details of their health systems, they have found means to meet their residents most basic healthcare needs, including universal coverage. This report emphasizes the importance of addressing not just healthcare services but also social policies, such as those aimed at reducing poverty, substance abuse, and gun violence, as key drivers of better health outcomes.
A recent follow-up to the MAVIDOS trial confirms that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy improves offspring bone mineral density, with benefits persisting up to seven years of age.

Study: Pregnancy vitamin D supplementation and offspring bone mineral density in childhood Follow-up of a randomised controlled trial. Image Credit: April stock / Shutterstock.com

Previously, the MAVIDOS trial reported that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy significantly improved offspring's bone mineral density (BMD) when measured at four years. In a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examine the persistence of this improvement in BMD into later childhood years.

What is the MAVIDOS study?

The MAVIDOS study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that assessed the effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy in the United Kingdom. All participants enrolled in the study were between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation and received 1,000 IU of vitamin D/day until delivery.

A total of 965 individuals were included in the study, with 723 children born at term. Of these term children, 477 underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan from which BMD could be assessed at four years of age. By the second time point of six to seven years, 447 children underwent a second DXA scan.

Children who completed the second visit were more likely to be born to non-smoking older mothers with a higher educational level. These children also had a longer period of breast milk consumption, with a slight increase in the proportion of children taking vitamin D supplements since the initial assessment visit.

Improved bone outcomes

Whole-body-less-head (WBLH) DXA scans were used to measure BMD and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD). Both WBLH BMD and BMAD were higher in the vitamin D group than in the placebo group at six to seven years of age.

Even with adjustments for sex, height, weight, the duration of breast milk consumption, and vitamin D supplementation at six to seven years, children whose mothers took vitamin D supplements during pregnancy exhibited higher WBLH BMD and BMAD measurements.

Children born to mothers who took 1,000 IU/day of vitamin D exhibited significantly higher bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD), demonstrating the sustained impact of prenatal supplementation.

For a subset of children who underwent the DXA scan at birth and both assessment points, similar increases were observed at both time points for WBLH bone outcomes. A trend towards increased lumbar spine BMAD at six to seven years was also observed.

The primary aim of the MAVIDOS study was to test for improved BMC at birth, which showed no difference with supplementation. However, infants born in winter months exhibited higher bone mineral content (BMC) than placebo.

How do these findings compare to other studies?

The study findings agree with those of the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC 2010 ) trial. However, a Bangladesh study failed to show such improvements. Although baseline health conditions, such as malnutrition and infections, may contribute to these contradictory findings, additional research is needed to clarify these differences.

An Australian observational study also demonstrated similar positive outcomes in the offspring at 20 years following maternal vitamin D supplementation at 18 weeks.

How does maternal vitamin D supplementation support bone density in children?

Breastfeeding duration and childhood vitamin D use were positively associated with improved bone outcomes, further enhancing the benefits of prenatal vitamin D supplementation.

Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy does not increase the availability of calcium to the growing fetus despite higher fetal vitamin D levels during the first few months of life, which may support calcium absorption. Higher anti-rachitic activity in breast milk may also contribute to higher bone mineralization in the child.

Epigenetic mechanisms may also be involved in the impact of vitamin D supplementation on bone outcomes later in childhood but not at birth. For example, vitamin D may stimulate the bones response to mechanical loading as the child begins to move on its own. Alternatively, higher vitamin D levels in early infancy promote spinal growth at the time when it is occurring rapidly, thus improving its mineralization in early rather than later childhood.

Conclusions

The study findings reaffirm that the positive effects associated with vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy persist beyond four years of age into later childhood years. Nevertheless, validation and extension of these findings is warranted to guide recommendations on pregnancy supplementation with vitamin D at 1,000 IU/day.

The observed increase in BMD during childhood is expected to reduce fracture risk, as confirmed by one retrospective analysis of the Danish trial. Future studies are needed to determine whether this increase in BMC and BMD persists as children transition into adulthood. These effects would be clinically significant in reducing the fracture risk due to fragile bones.
AB ANALITICA partners in DECIDER project to improve diagnostics and treatment of ovarian cancer with the help of AI  15 million euros in funding from the EU

Image Credit: AB ANALITICA

The goal of the 5-year research project is to discover novel diagnostic tools and effective drug combinations based on data from high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients. Partners in this international and multidisciplinary project come from 14 organisations in seven EU countries.

The European Union has funded a project to improve personalized treatments for ovarian cancer with nearly 15 million euros for five years. The international DECIDER project has partners from 14 organizations in seven EU countries.

In Europe, over 40.000 women die of ovarian cancer every year. In addition to surgery, most patients are treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the effect of the chemotherapy often decreases during the treatment cycles, and currently there are few effective treatments to those patients who develop resistance to platinum-based drugs.

The project starts in February and will develop diagnostic tools to identify earlier and more reliably patients whose cancer is not responding to the current treatments. The research also aims to discover effective combination treatments based on the data measured from the tumours.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in the world and as the population ages, the incidence of cancers will only increase. Any new tools that enable better and more targeted treatment of cancers in the future will not only decrease the amount of human suffering, but also the burden on healthcare, Sampsa Hautaniemi, professor, University of Helsinki and coordinator of the DECIDER project.

Artificial intelligence to integrate and visualise patient information for doctors

In the project, a patients response to treatments is predicted using methods, which use, among others, histopathological and genomic data from the patient. Genomic changes and aberrations in gene functions are used to find effective, personalized treatments.

We will develop an open source program, which will integrate and visualize all relevant data from a patient. Using this information, doctors can more easily identify effective drugs for their patient, says Hautaniemi, whose research group works in the project on method development as well as analysis, integration and interpretation of the data measured from the tumours.

An important part of the project is collaboration with SMEs in developing, producing and registering diagnostic kits, producing a drug-sensitivity test based on the tumour tissue samples, developing image based diagnostics of digital samples, and developing data pseudonymisation and anonymisation techniques necessary for the management of sensitive patient data for privacy risk protection.

AB ANALITICA, as a developer and manufacturer of IVD (In Vitro Diagnostics) devices compliant with the applicable regulations, consisting of reagent kits for performing nucleic acid molecular testing assays and related equipment and software, is involved in the development and subsequent production and marketing of diagnostic kits for performing the drug-sensitivity tests.

Legal researchers address ethical and legal concerns

In addition to medical research, the project also includes a legal work package that addresses the ethical and legal concerns that may arise in the project. Furthermore, the legal researchers will also study whether there are inconsistencies between the pharmaceutical regulatory system and other relevant legislation.

Our aim is to overcome legal challenges that impede or slow down the provision of new treatments for chemotherapy resistance in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients. We want to facilitate the commercialisation and availability of personalized therapies in an ethically and legally sustainable manner, says Professor Paivi Korpisaari.

DECIDER partners and persons in charge of the research

DECIDER (Clinical Decision via Integrating Multiple Data Levels to Overcome Chemotherapy Resistance in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer) partners and persons in charge of the research:

University of Helsinki, Finland (Sampsa Hautaniemi, Olli Carpen, Paivi Korpisaari)

Hospital District of Southwest Finland (Johanna Hynninen)

HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Finland (Anni Virtanen)

Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (Jussi Taipale)

Danish Cancer Society, Denmark (Tuula Kallunki)

Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany (Julio Saez-Rodriguez)

Institut Pasteur, France (Benno Schwikowski)

University of Moden a and Reggio Emilia, Italy (Elisa Ficarra)

Insitute for Research in Biomedicine, Spain (Fran Supek)

Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Spain (Salvador Capella)

Aiforia Technologies Oy, Finland (Kaisa Helminen)

VEIL.AI Ltd, Finland (Tuomo Pentikainen)

2cureX A/S, Denmark (Ole Thastrup)

AB ANALITICA SRL (Diego Boscarino)

In advisory role representing cancer patients viewpoint: Cancer Society of Finland and Association of Cancer Patients in Finland.

The project has been funded by European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 965193.
Joshua Lupton, M.D., has no memory of his own cardiac arrest in 2016. He only knows that first responders resuscitated his heart with a shock from a defibrillator, ultimately leading to his complete recovery and putting him among fewer than one in 10 people nationwide who survive cardiac arrest outside of a hospital.

He attributes his survival to the rapid defibrillation he received from first responders -; but not everybody is so fortunate.

Now, as lead author on a new observational study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, he and co-authors from Oregon Health & Science University say the study suggests the position in which responders initially place the two defibrillator pads on the body may make a significant difference in returning spontaneous blood circulation after shock from a defibrillator.

The less time that you're in cardiac arrest, the better. The longer your brain has low blood flow, the lower your chances of having a good outcome." Joshua Lupton, assistant professor of emergency medicine, OHSU School of Medicine

Researchers used data from the Portland Cardiac Arrest Epidemiologic Registry, which comprehensively recorded the placement position of defibrillation pads from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2023. For purposes of the study, researchers reviewed 255 cases treated by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, where the two pads were placed either at the front and side or front and back.

They found placing the pads in front and back had 2.64-fold greater odds of returning spontaneous blood circulation, compared with placing the pads on the person's front and side.

The current common knowledge among health care professionals is that pad placement -; whether front and side, or front and back -; is equally beneficial in cardiac arrest. The researchers cautioned that their new study is only observational and not a definitive clinical trial. Yet, given the crucial importance of reviving the heartbeat as quickly as possible, the results do suggest a benefit from placing the pads on the front and back rather than the front and side.

"The key is, you want energy that goes from one pad to the other through the heart," said senior author Mohamud Daya, M.D., professor of emergency medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine.

Placing the pads in the front and back may effectively "sandwich" the heart, raising the possibility that the electrical current will be delivered more comprehensively to the organ.

However, that's not readily possible in many cases. For example, the patient may be overweight or positioned in such a way that they can't be easily moved.

"It can be hard to roll people," said Daya, who also serves as medical director for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. "Emergency medical responders can often do it, but the lay public may not be able to move a person. It's also important to deliver the electrical current as quickly as possible."

In that respect, pad placement is only one factor among many in successfully treating cardiac arrest.

Lupton survived his cardiac arrest and went on to complete medical school at the very hospital where he spent several days recovering in the intensive care unit -; Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The episode led him to alter the focus of his research so that he could examine ways to optimize early care for cardiac arrest patients.

The results of the new study surprised him.

"I didn't expect to see such a big difference," he said. "The fact that we did may light a fire in the medical community to fund some additional research to learn more."
The ECDP 2024 event brings together experts, researchers, and industry leaders in the field of digital pathology. Join us from June 6th to June 8th in Vilnius, Lithuania, for an exciting collaboration that promises to advance research and innovation!

Image Credit: 3DHISTECH

Discover 3DHISTECH's digital pathology solutions

3DHISTECH, a pioneer in digital pathology solutions, will be showcasing at booth #27. Its PannoramicTM Research Solutions, including the MIDI III scanner, revolutionize research in neurosciences, infectious diseases, drug development, and more. The 3DHISTECH SlideManager software streamlines research workflows, providing easy access to slide data and enhancing efficiency.

3DHISTECH will also present the new generation of P480, powered with polarization, enhanced assets and improvements making it an essential tool for modern digitized laboratories. CaseManager, its pathology information system, presents an integrated system spanning digitization, pathologist assignment, primary inspection, supplementary orders, and consultation, culminating in image analysis. Grand Master is the fastest, highest capacity, and user-friendly tissue microarrayer in the market with fully automated walkaway operation, 72 block capacity controlled with TMA Control and TMA Register software. The 3DHISTECH booth will also feature Barco's MDPC- 8127 display.

... and see Barco's MDPC-8127 display for whole slide imaging with your own eyes

As global leader in medical imaging solutions, Barco will be showcasing its cutting-edge technology at booth #5.

Related Stories 3DHISTECH launches the new flagship P480 2nd Generation, powered with polarization

Explore the MDPC-8127 medical grade display for digital pathology, renowned for its unprecedented visual richness, color confidence, and stable image quality. With regulatory clearances for use in digital pathology including primary diagnosis, it's the first display that you can confidently integrate into your digital pathology workflow with multiple whole slide imaging systems.

The MDPC-8127 supports you investigating the etiology and pathogenesis of histological samples with specialized technologies for sharp images, ultimate brightness, and constant image stability, throughout its entire lifetime. It shows authentic colors that are automatically calibrated thanks to the included cloud-based solution QAWeb Enterprise.

About the European Congress on Digital Pathology:

The ECDP 2024 is a must-attend event for pathologists, researchers, and industry professionals.
The Union Government has given the green light to rename 11 stations on the underground Metro Line-3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ).

This aqua line stretches 33.5 km and features 27 metro stations. Excitingly, part of the line, from Aarey to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), will start passenger service next week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially launch it between October 3 and 5.

The 12.5 km stretch between Aarey and BKC includes 10 stations, and safety inspections by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety are currently ongoing. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) is working on the rest of the line, with completion expected by March 2025.

According to Hindustan Times, Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of MMRC, explained the changes: For instance, in the 2013 notification, the airport stations were labeled International and Domestic. Now, they are named Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport  T1 and T2.

One station previously named Bandra has also been updated to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to reflect its location more accurately.
Expressing grief over the tragic loss of EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children. She also informed that the Union labour ministry has already assured a thorough investigation into the allegations of an exploitative work environment related to the tragic demise.

The comments come after Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who is a member of Shiv Sena (UBT), mentioned the finance minister over her remark that students should have inner strength to handle pressure.

Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji,Anna had inner strength to handle the stress that came with pursuing a gruelling Chartered Accountancy degree. It was the toxic work culture, long work hours that took away her life which needs to be addressed. Stop victim shaming and atleast try to be pic.twitter.com/HP9vMrX3qR  Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) September 23, 2024

In a post on X, Chaturvedi said, Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji, Anna had inner strength to handle the stress that came with pursuing a gruelling Chartered Accountancy degree. It was the toxic work culture, long work hours that took away her life which needs to be addressed. Stop victim shaming and atleast try to be a little sensitive, am sure god will be the guide if you seek.

Replying to this, the finance minister said, Dear Priyanka Chaturvedi, Had referred to this matter in a talk delivered in Tamil at a deemed University on the outskirts of Chennai. Had specifically mentioned that after clearing a demanding and rigorous examination such as CA, the stress on her was unbearable. No names were taken, neither of the lady nor of the firm.

Dear @priyankac19,Had referred to this matter in a talk delivered in Tamil at a deemed University on the outskirts of Chennai. Had specifically mentioned that after clearing a demanding and rigorous examination such as CA, the stress on her was unbearable. No names were taken,  Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 23, 2024

The University has set up a Meditation Hall and a place of worship for all its students and faculty. It is in this context that I spoke on how it is necessary to build inner strength for students, Sitharaman said.

She also said the Union Labour Ministry has already assured a thorough investigation into the allegations of an exploitative work environment related to the tragic demise.

With a sense of grief over the tragic loss, I highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children, and in no way victim shaming was done nor intended, even remotely, Sitharaman added.

Anna Sebastian Perayil, who passed her CA exams in 2023, worked at EY Pune office for four months before she succumbed. Earlier this month, her mother wrote to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani flagging the glorification of overwork at the multinational consulting firm.

Last week, EY issued a statement stating, We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastians tragic and untimely passing in July 2024.

Since the death, EY has been in touch with the family, helping them but it is only now that her family has chosen to write to the company, complaining about the excessive workload, it had said.

EY has said it will continue to improve and provide a healthy workplace in its offices throughout the country.

Anna was a part of the audit team at S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, in Pune for a brief period of four months, joining the firm on 18 March 2024. That her promising career was cut short in this tragic manner is an irreparable loss for all of us, the EY said in the statement.
After the roundtable meeting of prominent CEOs of Tech Companies with PM Narendra Modi, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that PM Modi has been focussed on transforming India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a roundtable with the CEOs of leading American tech companies, where he emphasised Indias growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster bilateral collaborations across various sectors.

After the meeting, Pichai said, It is Digital India vision. He (PM Modi) pushed us to continue making in India, designing in India. We are proud to now make our Pixel phones manufactured in India. He is really thinking about how AI can transform India in a way that benefits the people of India. He challenged us to think about applications in healthcare, education, agriculture and he is also thinking about the infrastructure of India  be it data centres, power, energy and investing to make sure that India can transition.

Pichai also mentioned Googles India plans and investment in AI expansion.

We are proud to be partnering with India. We are robustly investing in AI in India and we look forward to doing more. We have set several programs and partnerships. He has always challenged all of us to do more, more for India. Now, he is asking us to do the same with AI. He has a clear vision, both in terms of the opportunity that AI will create but he wants to make sure ultimately AI is there to benefit the people of India and he has a clear vision that it should all be in the service of the people of India. He is challenging us to do more, Pichai added.

PM Modi In US: Tech Roundtable

The meeting took place at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on Sunday during the second leg of Modis three-day US visit. It saw the participation of CEOs of 15 major US-based firms working on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum computing and semiconductors.

Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India, Modi said in a post on X.

During the conference, Modi said technology collaboration and efforts such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) lie at the core of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, according to a Ministry of External Affairs press release.

The prime minister stressed that in his third term, India will make every effort to become the third largest economy in the world, and encouraged the companies to take advantage of Indias growth story for collaboration and innovation.

Organised by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, the CEOs of top US tech firms, including Google CEO Pichai, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayena, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang attended the conference.

After meeting PM Modi, Huang said that PM Modi is an incredible student. Every time I meet him, He wants to learn more about technology.

Artificial intelligence is a new industry and I am looking forward to partnering with India in a deep way. We are partnering with many companies, start-ups and IITs in India . AI really democratises computing, and this is Indias moment, Huang added.

Others who participated in the roundtable include AMD CEO Lisa Su, HP Inc. CEO Enrique Lores, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, Dr Noubar Afeyan, Chairman of Moderna, and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg.

Assuring the business leaders of Indias deep commitment to the protection of intellectual property and to fostering tech innovation, Modi highlighted the economic transformation happening in the country, particularly in electronics and information technology manufacturing and semiconductors.

Modi asserted that his government was committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing.

He also talked about Indias BIO E3 (biotechnology for environment, economy and employment) policy to develop the country into a biotech powerhouse and on the topic of AI, noted that Indias policy is to promote AI for All, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use.

The CEOs appreciated Indias growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities. They also expressed strong interest in investing and collaborating with India, agreeing that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in the country.

Others who attended the conference include Biogen Inc CEO Chris Viehbacher, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, Chris Boerner, Eli Lilly and Company CEO David A. Ricks, LAM Research CEO Tim Archer, GlobalFoundries CEO Thomas Caulfield, and the CEO of Kyndryl, Martin Schroeter.

Further cementing technology and business connect. PM @narendramodi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of USA, in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Engineering, in New York today. The PM emphasised Indias growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster collaborations and innovation across diverse sectors, the official account of the MEA said in a post on X.

Modi reached New York on Saturday after attending the Quad Leaders Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware.
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Monday issued notice to debt-ridden air carrier SpiceJet over the plea filed by one of its operational creditors. A two-member NCLT bench, comprising Mahendra Khandelwal and Sanjeev Tanjan, has directed Spicejet to file a reply and list the matter for the next hearing on November 14.

SpiceJet is already facing several insolvency petitions from creditors, including Willis Lease, Aircastle Ireland Ltd, Wilmington and Celestial Aviation at NCLT and the appellate tribunal NCLAT.

The latest petition is by Techjockey Infotech Pvt Ltd, an operational creditor, filed under section 9 of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, through Karanjawala & Co.

Techjockey Infotech claimed a default of nearly Rs 1.2 crore owed by SpiceJet against software services availed by them and requested to initiate a corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) against the air carrier.

It contended that its debt has been acknowledged by SpiceJet, though it has not been yet complied.

Earlier in June, NCLT had issued notice to SpiceJet over the petition filed by Engine Lease Finance (ELF). Based in Ireland, ELF is the worlds leading independent engine financing and leasing company and claimed a payment default of over USD 12 million (around Rs 100 crore).

The NCLT rejected the pleas of Willis Lease Finance and Wilmington Trust. Spicejet settled the case with Celestial Aviation.

The petitions filed by Aircastle and Alterna Aircraft are pending before the insolvency tribunal.

Both Wilmington Trust and Willis Lease Finance have moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) challenging the dismissal of their insolvency plea by NCLT.

SpiceJet has raised Rs 3,000 crore through the sale of shares to qualified institutional buyers, which will provide a much-needed tailwind for the struggling airline.

Among others, the proceeds will be used for settling liabilities of creditors, including aircraft and engine lessors, engineering vendors and financiers.

Five allottees each have received more than five per cent of the shares offered in the QIP. They are Authum Investment and Infrastructure Ltd (9.33 per cent), Discovery Global Opportunity (Mauritius) Ltd (8.33 per cent), Troo Capital (6.67 per cent), Societe Generale  ODI (6.04 per cent) and Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte  ODI (5.33 per cent), as per another regulatory filing The carriers statutory dues totalled Rs 601.5 crore as of September 15 and net proceeds from the placement will also be utilised towards clearing the dues.
SpiceJet Share Price: SpiceJet shares rallied over 10 per cent to intraday high on NSE following the announcement that its board has approved the issuance and allotment of approximately 48.71 crore equity shares to eligible qualified institutional buyers.

It is aiming to raise Rs 3,000 crore at an issue price of Rs 61.60 per share. This issue price includes a premium of Rs 51.60 per unit and a discount of Rs 3.19 from the floor price.

According to a filing to the exchanges, the allotment will increase the companys paid-up equity share capital from Rs 7,94,67,27,170, consisting of 79,46,72,717 equity shares, to Rs 12,81,68,57,030, consisting of 1,28,16,85,703 equity shares.

The proceeds from this equity issue are intended for several critical objectives aimed at stabilizing SpiceJets financial health and resuming full operations. A primary goal includes settling statutory dues totaling Rs 601.5 crore, which encompasses obligations for Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), provident fund contributions, and Goods and Services Tax that have been delayed due to financial constraints.

The airline had received shareholder approval for the special resolution to raise up to Rs 3,000 crore in a regulatory filing on Friday.

Foreign investors, including Societe Generale  ODI, Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte  ODI, Discovery Global Opportunity (Mauritius) Ltd, Authum Infrastructure and Investment, and Troo Capital, have been allocated shares in the airlines oversubscribed QIP.

SpiceJet will also receive Rs 750 crore additionally from previous funding. This fundraise marks a pivotal moment for SpiceJet as we look to scale new heights in the aviation industry, said chairman and managing director Ajay Singh. With this new capital, the airline is determined to paint the skies red once again.

SpiceJet plans to use the proceeds from this QIP to tackle liabilities, restructure leases, and expand its fleet by reviving grounded aircraft and acquiring new ones. The airlines cash crunch is evident in monthly aviation data, revealing its market share dropped to 3.1 per cent in July.

Additionally, SpiceJet placed about 150 cabin crew on Leave Without Pay (LWP) and had to cancel flights from Dubai.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), SpiceJets domestic market share fell to a record low of 2.3 per cent in August, down from 5.6 per cent at the beginning of the year. This decline underscores ongoing financial challenges, exacerbated by disputes with lessors and technical issues that have grounded a significant portion of its fleet.

SpiceJets operational challenges are evident as it has reduced its fleet from 74 planes in 2019 to approximately 20 aircraft currently in operation. On Friday, SpiceJet shares closed 3.25 per cent lower at Rs 66.16 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
Red Trail Elementary in Mandan and two other schools in North Dakota have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024 by the U.S. Department of Education.

Red Trail, Lincoln Elementary in the Golden Valley County town of Beach, and Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood K-12 Public School in Renville County all were chosen as an exemplary high-performing school.

"This honorable award highlights the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication that the students, teachers and administrators at these exceptional schools bring to the classroom every day," North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said in a statement. "We are grateful ... for their commitment to excellence that earned them this well-deserved honor, as well as the schools throughout our state that are adopting and applying innovative approaches to teaching and learning."

The schools

Red Trail Elementary opened to children in pre-K through fifth grade in 2014, and now has 442 students. A student assembly celebration was held Monday afternoon, with recognition for the achievement planned throughout the school year, Principal Dave Steckler said.

In northwestern North Dakota, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Public Schools is a single school with 320 students in grades kindergarten through 12. Superintendent Keith Campbell credited the recognition as the result of the effort that went into the application work by Principals Janet Asheim and Heidi Newgard, as well as leadership teams and the school's teachers.

"We're proud of what we're doing, we're proud of the work our students and our teachers have been doing," Campbell said. "This is the crown on the top of your cap. We're making progress and we are proud of it."

As for Lincoln Elementary in the far west part of the state, this year marks the second that the elementary received the honor, with the first time being in 2008. The achievement makes it the seventh state school to be presented with the honor twice. The school, pre-K through sixth grade, has 155 students. Principal Lynn Swanson said she anticipates a root beer float celebration to celebrate the honor.

Qualifications

This year, 356 educational institutions were named as National Blue Ribbon Schools in two performance categories: exemplary high-performing schools and exemplary achievement gap-closing schools.

The hundreds of schools are spread across the country, each serving as models of effective and innovative practices for educators in the nation, the Education Department said in a statement. High-performing schools are among the top performers in their state, measured by assessments or nationally normed tests, while achievement gap-closing schools are best in narrowing gaps between certain students groups and the overall student body.

"As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child," U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.

Up to 420 schools can be nominated every year.
The Group of Ministers on GST rate rationalisation, under Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, will meet in Goa on September 25 to discuss potential revisions to tax slabs and rates.

The six-member GoM, led by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, will likely focus on the possibility of merging the 12 per cent and 18 per cent GST slabs. While some states remain cautious about such changes, discussions are aimed at optimising the tax structure.

The six-member Group of Minister (GoM) had last met on August 22 and had submitted a status report to the GST Council on September 9. During the August meeting, the panel had tasked the fitment committee comprising tax officers from the Centre and states to analyse the implication of tax rate change on some items and gather more data.

Currently, the GST framework consists of four slabs  5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%  with essential goods either exempted or taxed at the lower rates, and luxury or sin goods subject to the highest slab along with an additional cess. However, some states like West Bengal and Karnataka have expressed reservations about adjusting the goods and services tax (GST) rates.

Around 12 per cent, the average GST rate has fallen below the revenue neutral rate of 15.3 per cent. This has prompted the need to start discussions on GST rate rationalisation.

West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya had said after the GoM meet in August, I have said there should be no changes in the GST slab.

Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had said the GoM has to analyse whether there is need to disturb the GST system, which has now broadly stabilised.

What do you achieve by disturbing it. We said in next meeting we will discuss it (reducing slabs), Byre Gowda had said.

The six-member GoM also includes Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Rajasthan Health Services Minister Gajendra Singh, and Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal.

Meanwhile, in the 54th GST Council on September 9, 2024, the Council also formed a new GoM on GST rate reduction on medical health insurance set up, which will submit its report by October-end. FM Nirmala Sitharaman said the GST Council meeting to be held in November will take a call on reduction in rate on health insurance.

(With PTI Inputs)
In India, many young people dream of studying MBBS abroad, but due to financial constraints, this dream often remains unfulfilled. Several factors contribute to this, including the limited number of MBBS seats in India and low scores in the NEET exam. However, there are many countries where studying MBBS is more affordable.

Heres a list of countries where MBBS can be pursued at a lower cost:

Germany: Many students aspiring to study MBBS opt for Germany, as the cost of medical education is relatively low. Admission is based on the NEET score. The annual cost of an MBBS course in Germany ranges from Rs 4 to 6 lakh. Notable institutions for medical studies in Germany include Heidelberg University and Hamburg University.

Russia: Every year, a large number of Indian students choose to study MBBS in Russia. NEET scores are essential for admission. The course duration is 6 years. According to reports, Kursk State Medical University is one of the most popular universities among students. Bashkir State Medical University is another sought-after institution. The overall cost of completing an MBBS course in Russia is around Rs 29 to 30 lakh.

Philippines: Medical education in the Philippines is also affordable, attracting many Indian students. In 2022, over 15,000 Indian students went to the Philippines to pursue an MBBS course. The course duration is between 5.5 and 6.5 years. Admission is granted based on the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). Candidates applying for MBBS in the Philippines must be between 17 and 25 years of age. The total cost for MBBS studies here is between Rs 20 to 22 lakh.

Belarus: Belarus is another country popular with Indian students for MBBS studies due to its affordability. MBBS degrees from Belarus are recognised by the WHO and the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India. The cost of the MBBS course is between Rs 25 to 30 lakh, with monthly living expenses ranging from Rs 15,000 to 20,000.

Kazakhstan: Medical education in Kazakhstan is considered inexpensive. The MBBS course is completed in 5 years. Admission requires a minimum of 50% marks in Class 12. The cost of the MBBS course in Kazakhstan is up to Rs 25 lakh. After completing the MBBS degree, students must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practise medicine in India.

China: The MBBS programme in China lasts for 6 years, which includes 5 years of education and 1 year of internship. Many Indian students choose China for MBBS studies, partly because China offers scholarships to international students. The minimum age for admission is 17 years. The total cost of studying MBBS in China is around Rs 29 to 30 lakh.

Students who pursue MBBS abroad must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practise medicine in India. The exam is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBE) and takes place twice a year, in June and December.

Recently, the Delhi High Court issued a notice requiring students who have completed their medical education abroad to complete at least 12 months of internship in their home country before being allowed to practise in India. This ruling came in response to a petition by students who had returned from Ukraine, requesting permission to continue their studies in India.
Just ahead of the October 5 Haryana assembly elections, all sides are trying to woo the farmers who hold the key to power in the state.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is particularly concerned about getting the votes of this section of society. With massive anti-incumbency after a 10-year rule and recent protests by farmers, the BJP is keen to make amends.

While the key leaders of the party will ensure farmers participation in their rallies across the state, the major focus of the BJP will be on a big outreach effort at the grassroots level.

Sources aware of the development said that the BJP will hold door-to-door campaigns across the state for this reason. Leaders from the national to the state level will hold interactions with farmers and farmer leaders. Programmes like chaupals in villages and tiffin meetings with farmer leaders will be organised. The BJP leaders will also elaborately explain the work that has been done by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre and the Haryana government in the state for the welfare of the farmer community. In fact, in their door-to-door interaction, the BJP leaders will also distribute pamphlets to these farmers, highlighting how past governments failed to work for them and only used them as vote banks.

Not only has the government at the Centre ensured that farmer insurance helps the community in tough times but also the BJP government is the only one which is giving MSP on all 24 crops in the state, said a party source. The BJP is so committed to the welfare of the farmers that despite the contentious farm laws passed by Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a decision to withdraw them in the interest of the community.

Even during the April-June Lok Sabha elections, the BJP spoke about focusing on Annadata (farmers), women, the youth, and the poor. Prime Minister Modi had coined the term, GYAN, which is an abbreviation to describe these sections, which he termed the only castes in the country.

On Sunday, there was a Kisan Mahapanchayat In Kurukshetra, where farmers resolved to block the government of the BJP from retaining power in the state in the upcoming elections. They also announced that they would block trains across the country in an agitation against the saffron party on October 3 and will not vote for the BJP.

Keeping this in mind, the BJP has developed a fresh strategy ahead of the polls.

Union home minister Amit Shah at a rally on Monday once again highlighted the work done by the Modi government In the state and said that the Congress only used farmers to secure votes. He also reminded the farmers of Haryana how the Congress leadership in the state and Centre snatched away the lands of the farmers and gave it away at cheap throwaway prices to the damad (son-in-law) of the family, in a dig at Robert Vadra.

All 90 assembly seats in Haryana will have voting in a single phase on October 5. The BJP was able to form the government in both 2014 and 2019. In 2019, with a reduced tally, the BJP formed an alliance with Dushyant Chautalas Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) to form the government. However, just before the elections, the alliance split and chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar stepped down, replaced by Nayab Singh Saini. Khattar came to Delhi, contested the Lok Sabha elections from Kurukshetra, and is currently a cabinet minister in the Modi government. Saini is BJPs chief ministerial face for the upcoming assembly polls.

The BJP is in a bitter battle with a buoyant Congress led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda. However, the Congress is also facing multiple issues like being a divided house. Lok Sabha member of Parliament Kumari Selja and Hoodas differences have created unease in the party.
I was setting up dinner when a loud shot rang out just outside our house, said Saroj Bala, recalling the night of January 1, 2023, when she survived an attack by gunmen in Jammus Dhangri village in what is seen in some quarters as the first of a new wave of terrorist strikes in the region. That night she lost her sons and her nephew.

Minutes ago my son, Deepak, had parked his vehicle there and called out to me that he was coming up to eat. My younger son, Prince was in our aangan when a second bullet caught him. My nephew Rohit was also lying on the ground. When I saw the gunman load his weapon for the fourth time, I knew this was for me. I ran to the storeroom to save my life, Bala said, sitting at her house in Upper Dhangri.

As election campaigning takes over the streets of Dhangri in the run-up to the Assembly polls, the wounds of the 2023 massacre in the area are still fresh. The residents of Upper Dhangri, who witnessed terror on January 1, 2023, said they long for justice and that politicians have eluded them. Dhangri will vote on September 25, the day of the second-phase polling in Jammu and Kashmir.

Seven people were gunned down in Upper Dhangri that day, all Hindus. Eye-witnesses said the terrorists went house to house and checked I-cards to ascertain identities before shooting victims point blank. An IED planted in Saroj Balas premises exploded the next day, killing two children and injuring many mourners.

Almost two years and an NIA chargesheet later, the survivors feel both justice and politicians have eluded them.

Earlier 3 voting slips used to come to my house. In the Lok Sabha polls and again now, only one has come. No one comes to ask for my vote any more for they know I will ask about my case. But I will go to the booth and remind them of their promise to give me justice, Saroj Bala told CNN-News18 sitting below a framed photograph of her two dead sons.

A few metres downhill, Kamlesh Devi, another survivor, showed her scars from the IED blast. I have undergone multiple surgeries but it still hurts. Doctors say some splinters are still lodged in my leg and neck, Kamlesh narrated, wiping off tears.

Gopal Das, whose nephews died in the attack and family members were injured, said, Vote to hum denge, pehele bhi diya hai. BJP ko bhi diya, NC, PDP ko bhi diya. To hum vote dene se mana nahi karte, par humare saath insaaf nahi ho raha ye bhi sach hai. (We will vote, we have voted earlier as well, we have voted for the BJP, NC, PDP. So we wont refuse to vote, but justice has not been done for us, and that is a fact.)

These victims feel that NIA in its chargesheet has failed to unearth the real conspiracy and unmask the local support. There are so many Hindus who stay around my neighbourhood. Why did they come only at my house? They asked, enquired and came to my house. If Pakistani militants had to kill people, they could have shot anywhere. You said that those terrorists ran away to Pakistan, how should we believe that, Saroj Bala said.

Saroj has demanded reinvestigation into the case and named locals whom she suspected.

NIA chargesheet

The NIA, in its chargesheet, has named Lashkar-e-Toiba for the Dhangri massacre. The agency, in its February 2024 chargesheet, said that LeTs Sajid Jutt, Abu Qatal and Mohammed Qasim masterminded the killings from PoK. The terrorists who actually carried out the killings have not been named, but three Poonch residents, including a minor, have been booked for providing logistical support to the terrorists.

Investigation has revealed that two unknown Pakistani terrorists (One of tall height and another of short height) wearing military attires came to village Dhangri. The terrorist of short height planted the IED, the NIA chargesheet said. NIA claimed that the short terrorist introduced himself as Anas to the overground workers but no other details have been mentioned about the duo.

Nisar Ahmed, a resident of Gursai in Mendhar, Poonch, has been accused by the NIA of collecting the arms consignment that was allegedly used to carry out the Dhangri massacre and also the attack on the Army vehicle in April 2023. Nisar has allegedly been involved with Lashkar since 1997.

Nisars son Bilal Ahmed, a juvenile, has been charged with attempting to destroy evidence. The NIA has claimed that Bilal tried to burn a mobile phone handset which was used to contact the Pakistani handlers through encrypted  Conion app.

Mushtaq Hussain, a mason, has been named for providing shelter to the Dhangri terrorists.

Elusive Politicians

The residents of Upper Dhangri lamented that while top leadership of the country assured them help after the attack, their quest to find the real culprits has not met with support. Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself had met the victims and ordered NIA probe. Residents pointed out that while local politicians and administration made a beeline for Upper Dhangri in the aftermath of the incident, today, election campaigning stops at the Dhangri Chowk, on the foothills.

The markets, schools, community centres in lower Dhangri have been decked with BJP flags. Campaign vehicles can be heard blairing out songs in favour of local candidate Vinod Kumar Gupta. The NC-Congress alliance has fielded Iftiqar Ahmed from the seat. In 2014, Qamar Hussain had won this seat for PDP. This year, Mastar Tadaak Hussain is the PDP candidate.

The PDP and NC-Congress have blamed the BJP for the return of terror to Jammu division while the BJP in its campaign has claimed that it is the valley based parties which are responsible for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Supporters of all three parties agree that it is a tight contest in this constituency in 2024 and the spectre of terror unleashed in Dhangri might play a role on the voters mind.
The long pending United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform continues to be a big talking point. On Sunday, Quad leaders called for urgent reforms to the UNSC to make it more representative and accountable, and also called for its expansion to include representation from more countries.

After the leaders summit in US President Joe Bidens hometown, Quad leaders called for expanded permanent membership to include representation from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We will reform the UN Security Council, recognizing the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council," the joint statement read.

This expansion of permanent seats should include representation for Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean in a reformed Security Council," it added.

US also supported the call for permanent membership for India at the UNSC. President Biden shared with Prime Minister Modi that the United States supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect Indias important voice, including permanent membership for India in a reformed UN Security Council," the joint fact-sheet released by the White House read.

What UNSC Reform Seeks

The question of equitable representation has been on the Assemblys agenda since 1979. However, the calls for reform grew louder amid widening conflict worldwide.

The UN General Assembly had concluded its discussion on Security Council reform in November 2022, when member states had agreed on the need to modernize the 15-member body to maintain the relevance of the United Nations. With the UNSC failing to pass resolutions to stop the Russia-Ukraine war, questions were raised on the veto power with some permanent members.

The veto is not a right, but rather a privilege unfairly granted to some Member States in violation of the United Nations Charter, the representative of Iran had emphasised. He had also noted that the majority of the Councils members were Western nations.

Several member states had also supported expanding both the permanent and non-permanent member categories when it came to the Councils membership. Additionally, many speakers had also endorsed adding more seats for Africa.

The representative of France, a permanent member of the organ, had also supported the candidacies of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan for permanent membership as well as a stronger representation of African nations.

Renewed Call For Reform After Israel-Gaza War

With the Israel-Gaza war that began in October 2023, there were renewed calls for UNSC reform and expansion. Violence and war continue to spread in regions across the world, while the United Nations seems paralyzed due largely to the divisions in the Security Council," Dennis Francis, former President of the UNGA had said.

He called on the member states to grasp this opportunity" to break through ingrained positions, and to promote Security Council reform through practical steps that support effectiveness and represent the full diversity todays world.

In their statements, UN Member States reiterated that reform was more urgent than ever. Speaking on behalf of the group of developing countries from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, together with Latin America and the Caribbean  Deputy Permanent Representative from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Nedra P Miguel, said it was a stark reality" that the Council is no longer fit for purpose."

Similarly, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bahrain, called for an urgent need for real reform of the Council, emphasizing that the use of veto in an arbitrary manner had challenged its credibility.

Indias Stand on UNSC Reform

India has continued its efforts to advance the process of UNSC reforms, including active engagement in the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform. As part of the G4, which includes Brazil, Germany, and Japan, New Delhi has advocated for expanding the UNSC to include more nations as permanent members to reflect current geopolitical realities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have been vocal on the reform issues in their speeches at the UN stage in New York.

During his visit to France in July 2023, PM Modi pitched for Indias rightful place" in the UN Security Council. Calling for reforms in the global body, PM Modi said it epitomises the dissonance of an institution not in step with a changed world order.

How can we talk of it as a primary organ of a global body, when entire continents of Africa and Latin America are ignored? How can it claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member," he asked.

I think most countries are clear on what changes they would like to see in the UN Security Council, including on the role India should play. We just need to listen to their voice and heed their advice. I must appreciate the clear and consistent position that France has taken in this matter," he added.

Earlier this year, EAM Jaishankar had also said a radical change" in the global order was the need of the hour. Taking a dig at China, Jaishankar said the biggest opposer to the UNSC reforms is not a Western country. The West, as the dominant force earlier, is largely responsible for where we are today. The new players havent helped. If you take UN Security Council (UNSC) reform, the biggest opposer is not a Western country," he said without naming China.

So, lets get the totality of the problem right. We have to battle bit-by-bit to create groups for change," he added.
Atishi, who took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on September 21, took charge of her position on Monday. However, Atishi did not sit on former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals seat, but kept it vacant. Sitting on a different chair, Atishi said she did so because Kejriwal has set an example of dignity in politics by stepping down. Moments later, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) termed it drama.

I will work for four months as the Chief Minister of Delhi like Bharat (in Ramayana) did by keeping Lord Rams Khadaun (wooden slipper) on the throne. Arvind Kejriwal has set an example of dignity in politics by stepping down. The BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image, Atishi said after taking charge.

Hope people will bring back Kejriwal in February polls, his chair will remain in the Chief Ministers office till then, she said.

Meanwhile, the BJP slammed Atishis act and said The drama should stop.

In an X post, BJPs IT cell chief Amit Malviya wrote, This drama in Delhi must stop. Today Atishi Marlena took charge by placing an empty chair next to her Chief Ministers chair. That means Atishi is the Manmohan Singh of the Delhi government and the real Chief Minister is Arvind Kejriwal, whom the Supreme Court has stopped from going to the Delhi Secretariat, let alone signing files.

This is a mockery of the constitution made by Baba Saheb. The oath of office and secrecy of the Chief Minister was taken by Atishi, not by the ghost of Kejriwal sitting on an empty chair, a rough translation of Malviyas post in Hindi suggested.

                                   ,         ,     pic.twitter.com/HKy2xPpu0u  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 23, 2024

In a video, BJPs Shehzad Poonawala also referred to Atishi as the new Manmohan Singh of Delhi.

Delhi gets its new Manmohan Singh ! pic.twitter.com/3JM4LrrXEA Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) September 23, 2024

The Delhi Assemblys session will be held on September 26 and 27.

THE DELHI CABINET

Atishi has retained the 13 portfolios she held in the Kejriwal government, including those of education, revenue, finance, power and PWD.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has eight departments under him, the highest after Atishi, including those of health, tourism, art and culture.

New entrant Mukesh Ahlawat has got the portfolio of labour, SC and ST, employment and land and building departments. Gopal Rai has been given the portfolio of development, general administration department, environment and forest  the portfolios he held in the Kejriwal government. Kailash Gahlot has also retained his previous portfolios  transport, home, administrative reforms, women and child development.

The new cabinet headed by Atishi has a long list of pending projects, schemes and new initiatives to be launched in the next few months before Delhi goes to polls in February next year.

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 chappals 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 prime suspect in the murder of Mahalaxmi, 29, whose body was chopped into 50 pieces and dumped inside the refrigerator of her one-bedroom apartment in Bengalurus Malleshwaram, is hiding near the Odisha-West Bengal border, according to police sources.

The mutilated body was found to be infested with maggots when Hemant, Mahalaxmis estranged husband, along with other family members, checked the flat from which the smell was emanating.

ALSO READ | Head in The Lowest Tray, Other Parts in Middle Shelves, Maggots: How Bengaluru Womans Family Found Her Body

According to police sources, they suspect the murder could have taken place at least 15 days ago. This coincided with Mahalaxmis mother, Meena Rana, stating that her daughters phone had been switched off since September 2.

BODY MAY HAVE BEEN CHOPPED SOMWHERE ELSE, SAY SOURCES

The suspect was working in Bengaluru. The Bengaluru police raided his house on Sunday night, but there was no indication of a body being chopped there. The investigation team suspects that the body might have been cut into pieces elsewhere and brought to her flat. No bloodstains, except for blood flowing from the fridge, were found at the flat too, according to sources.

The motive is not clear yet, say police sources.

Earlier a person named Ashraf and others were questioned, but they are no longer being treated as persons of interest. He had claimed that he had stopped talking to her a few months ago. Mahalaxmi was in touch with multiple men and dated some of them, said sources.

HOW THE MURDER CAME TO LIGHT

On September 21, locals in the vicinity of the house complained of a foul smell emanating from the place. A police team, a dog squad and forensic experts visited the house and found the woman murdered.

Mahalaxmis family hails from Nepal, but had shifted to Karnatakas Nelamangala 35 years ago. The woman was born and raised in Bengaluru, it was revealed.
As Netflix continues streaming the multi-starrer mini-series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, based on the Indian Airlines flight hijacking on December 1999, a similar event occurred 43 years ago, in November 1981, at Mahe, an island in Seychelles, where an Air India flight had landed for refueling.

The Air India flight AI-224, had taken off from Lusaka Airport in Zambia and was destined for Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. The aircraft had 65 passengers and 13 cabin crew members on board.

The total journey, by the Boeing 707 aircraft, was for about 21 hours. Since the fuel capacity of the aircraft was limited, it had to stop at Seychelles International Airport at Mahe for refueling after flying for about 10 hours.

During this, about 47 terrorists from Africas Swaziland, barged into the Seychelles International Airport. They were trying to take over the airport. Amidst an encounter with the security forces at the airport, all of them entered the Air India aircraft.

The terrorists were equipped with ultra-modern automatic weapons and hand grenades. They took all the passengers and crew members hostage and hijacked the plane. Their leader, Peter Daffy kept forcing Captain Umesh Saxena to take off and fly the aircraft to Durban in South Africa. However, the captain confronted the hijackers and refused to fly.

To free the passengers and the cabin crew from the clutches of the hijackers, negotiations started between the local agencies and the hijackers. This lasted for about six hours following which the hijackers agreed to release the hostages and surrender.

The hijackers were then arrested and a case was filed. After their case was heard, they were sentenced to imprisonment for different terms ranging from one year to 20 years.

This was the second Indian plane to be hijacked in the 1980s. Earlier, some separatists had hijacked an Indian Airlines plane flying from Amritsar to Delhi. This plane landed at Lahore. The Special Service Group (SSG) of Pakistan Army conducted an operation and saved all the passengers and crew members from the clutches of the hijackers.

In the 1970s, a total of thee planes were hijacked. However, this incident at Seychelles was the first in the 1970s and 1980s, in which an Indian aircraft was hijacked on foreign soil.
In a roundtable with top leaders of technology companies in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday underlined Indias growing prowess in emerging tech areas and said that the country is moving forward with an ambitious USD 15 billion investment in the semiconductor field.

Addressing leaders of US tech giants, Modi underscored Indias potential to become a global partner in the semiconductor sector and highlighted how technological advancements in the country can drive innovation. The meeting, attended by the likes of Googles Sundar Pichai and Nvidias Jensen Huang, took place at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel during the second leg of Modis three-day US visit.

The event focused on artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, life sciences, IT and communications, and semiconductor technologies. During the meeting, the Prime Minister spoke about Indias growing appeal as a destination for semiconductor investment, citing a positive reception for the countrys new policies in this sector.

#WATCH | New York, USA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Roundtable meeting with prominent CEOs of Tech Companies.PM Narendra Modi says, The policy that we brought on semiconductors and chips is being welcomed in India and people related to this sector are very excited to pic.twitter.com/EwSIggPSao  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

India has significant potential

The policy we introduced on semiconductors and chips is being well received in India, and those involved in this sector are very excited to invest in the country. We are placing a strong emphasis on design in India. India has significant potential to become a reliable partner in global semiconductor supply chain systems, he said.

In a spirited address, PM Modi reflected on the progress made over the past year and the promising future of India as a key player in the global economy. A year after a similar gathering of CEOs was addressed by PM Modi in Washington, he expressed appreciation for the positive attitude towards India, saying, It feels so good when you all talk about India and its bright future.

#WATCH | New York, USA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Roundtable meeting with prominent CEOs of Tech Companies.PM Narendra Modi says, Last year when I arrived in Washington, I participated in a Hi-Tech Handshake programme and I got the chance to meet some of pic.twitter.com/B2ctiHQR6Y  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

You all have worked with India

Asserting the need for a balance between technology and democracy, the Prime Minister stated the importance of collaboration while highlighting the technological transformation shaping the 21st century. Making a pitch for India as a prime destination for investment, PM Modi said that India possesses a unique combination of talent, a growing market and a democratic framework, presenting a rare opportunity for investors.

You all have worked with India and other global partners, and you can compare India with others, he said. He described India as an ambitious nation, one of the fastest-growing economies, and expressed confidence in achieving the status of the worlds third-largest economy in his third term. For any country, policy stability is very important, and India is now a front-runner in stable and predictable policy, Modi concluded, inviting global leaders to engage further with Indias transformative journey.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged torture of an army officer and the sexual assault of his fiancee at a police station here.

The state government has appointed a commission of inquiry to be headed by Justice Chittaranjan Dash, a retired high court judge, an official notification said.

The panel will examine the sequence of events and circumstances, as well as the role, conduct and accountability of individuals and authorities, it said.

The report will be filed within 60 days.

The commission will suggest measures to be taken to avoid the recurrence of such events in future, and ensuring safety and security of women, the notification said.

Meanwhile, the army officer, his fiancee and her father met Majhi at the state secretariat here in the morning, an official said.

The chief minister, in a statement, had on Sunday evening said that the Odisha government is committed to taking strict action against all persons or officials who are found guilty.

The state government also requested the Orissa High Court to supervise the investigation being carried out by the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police. An independent inquiry will also be conducted under the supervision of the high court.

While emphasising on rule of the law, Majhi said his government respects the Indian Army. The state government is fully concerned about the dignity, safety and rights of women, the statement said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Majhi, the father of the woman said, We had urged the Odisha government for a judicial inquiry and it has agreed. We welcome the decision and thank the CM for this. The Odisha government has suspended five personnel of the Bharatpur police station, and registered a case against them for torturing the army officer and sexually harassing his fiancee.

The alleged incident took place on September 15 when the army officer posted in West Bengal and his fiancee approached Bharatpur police station to lodge a complaint of road rage in which they were allegedly harassed by some local youths.

However, a verbal altercation took place between the duo and some policemen following which the officer and his fiancee were allegedly assaulted at the police station.

BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had demanded a court-monitored SIT probe and a judicial inquiry into the incident.

The opposition party called off its proposed six-hour Bhubaneswar bandh on Tuesday, after the government ordered the judicial inquiry.

A few retired army officers, along with Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo and Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, attended the meeting at the state secretariat earlier in the day.
The Maharashtra government has approved a plan to install 669 CCTV cameras across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to monitor 195 eco-sensitive zones in an effort to curb the destruction and encroachment of mangroves.

The initiative, to be deployed in two phases, will be spearheaded by the states forest department at a cost of Rs 119.88 crore. It will be funded by the Maharashtra Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation.

The government resolution issued on Friday detailed the plan, which covers various locations, including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayander, Bhiwandi, Panvel, and Uran. The project aims to enhance surveillance in these vulnerable areas and prevent illegal activities that threaten mangrove ecosystems.

The project was approved by a high-power committee, which included provisions for both the installation of the cameras and their maintenance for five years. To streamline the execution, the project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will focus on 115 highly sensitive zones, while the remaining 80 sensitive locations will be addressed in the second phase.

In Mumbai alone, 57 locations have been earmarked for protection, with 135 CCTV cameras slated for installation. These areas are critical to mangrove conservation as the city continues to grapple with the twin challenges of urbanisation and environmental degradation.

The surveillance system will incorporate three types of cameras: fixed CCTV cameras, PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras, and automatic number plate capture (ANPC) cameras. These technologies will ensure comprehensive monitoring and allow authorities to respond swiftly to potential threats.

Mangroves play an indispensable role in protecting coastal regions like Mumbai, serving as natural barriers against flooding and storm surges, stabilising soil, and acting as valuable carbon sinks. The protection of these ecosystems is crucial for a city like Mumbai, which is increasingly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

Maharashtra boasts of a total mangrove cover of approximately 32,000 hectares, with 16,984 hectares classified as legal forests. Any diversion of this land for non-forestry purposes requires clearance under the Forest Clearance Act of 1980. Protecting this vital ecosystem is not only crucial for biodiversity but also for the long-term resilience of the region against climate-induced challenges. With the state governments decision to prioritise mangrove conservation through advanced surveillance technology, it marks a proactive step toward safeguarding Mumbais ecological future.
Prime Minister Modi held separate talks with world leaders including his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, discussing various facets of bilateral ties and reaffirmed Indias support for the Palestinian people.

Modi is in New York on the second leg of his three-day US visit and met the leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade, Modi said in a post on X.

Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade. @kpsharmaoli pic.twitter.com/WGrSrL8mEO Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

Deepening the warm and close friendship. PM @narendramodi met PM @kpsharmaoli of Nepal, on the sidelines of the UNGA today, the official account of the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X. The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of age-old, multi-faceted and expanding  partnership, it added.

Oli is in the US on his maiden foreign visit to attend the 79th Session of the UNGA, breaking the tradition of visiting a neighbouring country first. Had a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister of India Shri @narendramodi ji on the sidelines of #UNGA79. During the meeting, various matters of bilateral relations were discussed, Oli said in a post on X.

Palestines President Abbas

Modi met with Palestines President Abbas and reiterated Indias support for the Palestinian people. PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today, the MEA said in an X post. PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed Indias continued support to the people of Palestine, it said.

PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today.PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed s continued support to the people of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/6SvSBBds0x  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2024

Kuwaits Crown Prince

PM Modi also met Kuwaits Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah and discussed ways to deepen historical linkages and people-to-people contacts. Taking new strides in India-Kuwait ties. PM @narendramodi met HH Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait today, on the sidelines of UNGA. The leaders reviewed  bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen our historical linkages and strong people to people contacts, the MEA said in a separate post on X.

PM @narendramodi engaged in fruitful discussions with His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait. The talks focused on bolstering India-Kuwait relations across key sectors, including pharmaceuticals, food processing, energy and more. pic.twitter.com/BWeLkwtOcl PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 23, 2024

Earlier in the day, Modi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of the US in a roundtable conference. He addressed the Indian diaspora at the packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum on Long Island in New York before it. Modi reached New York on Sunday after attending the Quad Leaders Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday. In Wilmington, he also held bilateral talks with Biden, Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
PM Modi In US Day 3 Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday and held bilateral talks with Vietnamese counterpart To Lam.

Monday was the third day of PM Modis US trip which saw him attend a Quad Summit, the Summit of the Future, Quad Cancer Moonshot Event and a roundtable of CEOs of top tech companies.

Modi also presided over a mega-gathering of members of the Indian diaspora in the Nassau Coliseum in New York where over 13,000 along with star performers gathered to catch a glimpse of him.

He also held important bilateral discussions with Joe Biden and both leaders expressed their desire to strengthen relations between India and the US. He also met Australian PM Anthony Alabanese and Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Archmere Academy in Wilmington. The academy is the alma mater of Biden and the Quad summit was held there.

The Prime Minister held separate talks with world leaders including his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He also met Kuwaits Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah and discussed ways to deepen historical linkages and people-to-people contacts. On Monday, he met Vietnamese President To Lam on the sidelines of UNGA.

He also met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, Armenian counterpart Nikol Pashinyan and secretary of state of the Vatican City Cardinal Pietro Parolin in New York.
The floor was sticky with dried blood, and inside we saw the head placed in the lowest tray, other body parts in the middle shelves, and the legs on top of the fridge, said the family of the woman whose dismembered body was found in a refrigerator at a Bengaluru house on Saturday.

The woman, identified as Mahalaxmi, was found dead by the police on September 21. The Bengaluru police have revealed they found 59 pieces of her body.

The Bengaluru police commissioner, B Dayananda, on Monday said that they have identified the prime suspect who committed the ghastly act and have sent teams to apprehend the culprit.

When he is caught, and the interrogation is completed, we will be able to share details on the case. The prime suspect has been identified. We only have to physically arrest him. At this stage if we reveal any information, it will affect the investigation and benefit the accused, the commissioner said.

Dayananda reiterated that they would not want to reveal any information that would affect the ongoing investigation and impede the arrest of the man behind the act. The Bengaluru Police has identified the prime suspect as a man originally from Odisha, residing in Bengaluru, say police sources.

He is believed to be in West Bengal now and efforts are being made to arrest him, said Karnataka Home minister Dr G Parameshwara.

How Mahalaxmis Family Found Her Maggot-Infested Body

According to police sources, they suspect the murder could have taken place at least 15 days ago. This coincided with Mahalaxmis mother, Meena Rana, stating that her daughters phone had been switched off since September 2.

The mutilated body was found to be maggot-infested when Hemant, Mahalaxmis estranged husband, along with other family members, checked the flat from which the smell was emanating. According to statements Hemant, who worked in a mobile accessory shop in Nelamangala, gave to the police, he would visit Mahalaxmi with their daughter at her Vyalikaval home every 15 days so that she could spend time with her.

Mahalaxmis sister stayed in the same building. When the flats owner asked her to check on her sister, she, along with her mother, called Hemant to the house and used the spare keys to open the house.

Speaking to the media, Hemant, along with Mahalaxmis mother Meena and her sister Lakshmi (called Shahida Bano after marriage), recalled the horrific scene when they opened the house. They found clothes strewn everywhere, dried blood on the floor, and as they saw maggots crawling, they traced the smell to the refrigerator.

Meena, the victims mother, and her elder daughter, ran out of the house in horror and informed her son-in-law Syed Imran, who fainted and then called the police. The crime scene was so brutal that even the police officers who entered the house struggled to handle the stench and the rotting body parts, explained a senior police officer.

A suitcase was also found open at the scene of the crime. The police suspect that the killer initially tried to stuff the body into it, and, after being unsuccessful, decided to use the fridge instead.

In her complaint to the police, Meena recalled how Mahalaxmi, after separating from her husband, began living alone in October 2023. At first, she stayed with her younger brother, Hukum Singh, and his wife for the first 15 days, but after a domestic dispute, her brother moved to another locality in Bengaluru called Gunjur with his family.

My daughter called my husband on September 2, 2024. at around 9 am and told him she would come to see us. After that call, we received no further contact from her and could not reach her, she said in her complaint.

The police, tracing Mahalaxmis routine, have learned that she would leave for work each day around 9:30 am and return after 10 pm. They also have CCTV footage of a male friend who could often be seen dropping her off at her residence. Another officer working on the case told News18 that the victim maintained a low profile and only interacted with one immediate neighbour. They are also questioning another individual who was in regular contact with the victim via phone.

The way the body has been dismembered indicates the use of a sharp object. It also looks like a strong hand could have done it. We are still investigating, said an officer who requested anonymity.

In another twist to the case, Mahalaxmis estranged husband had filed a police complaint against her in February this year after an altercation at their Nelamangala residence.

She had come to me asking for money, and I told her I didnt have the amount she wanted. We argued, and she was very upset. During the argument, she bit my hand. So, I went to the police and filed a case against her, seeking restraint, Hemant told the media after recording his statement with the police.

Investigation Underway

Police sources said they had been questioning three men, who were allegedly the victims male friends. They have also been questioning several others, including her estranged husband, Hemant Das. She had separated from him last October, and they have a four-year-old daughter from their marriage.

The Bengaluru police have been scrutinising CCTV cameras in Bengalurus Vyalikaval, the area where Mahalaxmi was found murdered on Saturday, after the flats owner complained of a foul smell emanating from the house.

The three teams of the Bengaluru police department deployed to investigate and track the killer have been trying to piece together the timeline and cause of Mahalaxmis gruesome murder. They also face the challenge of piecing together the body parts of the victim, which her attacker cut into more than 50 pieces and stuffed into a 165-litre refrigerator.

We are in the process of determining the motive for the crime. Investigations are ongoing. Those who were close to her are also suspects in this case. However, we request people not to speculate.

The victim, originally from Nepal, was brought up along with her three siblings in Nelamangala, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The 29-year-old salesgirl worked in a popular city mall.

Similarities with Shraddha Walkar Case

The gruesome murders of Shraddha Walkar and Mahalaxmi have three things in common: both were brutally killed, their bodies cut into several pieces and stuffed into a refrigerator, they were around the same age, and their killings were acts of blinding anger or revenge.

In the Walkar case, the police stated that, after committing the heinous crime, the accused Aftab allegedly disposed of Shraddhas body parts at 18 different locations. He was finally arrested six months after the murder took place. He pleaded not guilty, but in May 2023, a Delhi court said that a prima facie case under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing the disappearance of evidence) was made out against Aftab.
Setting aside a Madras High Court judgment in a child pornography case, the Supreme Court on Monday held that mere storage of porn material is an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). The court observed that a childs victimisation begins with the sexual act, continues with its recording, and perpetuates with the material flowing in cyberspace.

A childs victimisation begins with the sexual act, continues through its recording, and perpetuates as photographs and videos that float through cyberspace, freely accessible to anyone who has the ability to surf the internet, stated the 200-page judgment penned by Justice JB Pardiwala.

The three-judge bench of the Apex Court, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, also held that child sexual exploitation is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. The bench noted that this crime essentially turns a singular incident of abuse into a ripple of trauma-inducing acts, where the rights and dignity of the child are continuously violated each time such material is viewed or shared.

Why SC Called For Change In Child Pornography Terminology

The Supreme Court urged the government to bring in an ordinance to replace the term child pornography with child sexual exploitative and abuse material (CSEAM), stating that the use of the term child pornography can lead to a trivialization of the crime, as pornography is often seen as a consensual act between adults. One must also be mindful of the fact that the term child pornography is a misnomer that fails to capture the full extent of the crime, the judgment read.

The term child sexual exploitative and abuse material or CSEAM more accurately reflects the reality that these images and videos are not merely pornographic but are records of incidents where a child has either been sexually exploited and abused or where any abuse of children has been portrayed through self-generated visual depictions, the apex court said. The bench emphasised that the term CSEAM rightly places the focus on the exploitation and abuse of the child, highlighting the criminal nature of the act and the need for a serious and robust response.

The order was passed in an appeal filed by the NGO Just Right for Children Alliance against the judgment of the Madras High Court, which held that watching child pornography in private does not constitute an offence. Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the Madras HC had ruled that merely downloading or watching child pornography on ones personal electronic device does not constitute an offence under the POCSO Act and the IT Act. These observations were made while quashing proceedings initiated against one S. Harish, who had been booked for downloading and viewing two child pornography videos on his mobile phone.
Some miscreants allegedly attacked and threatened a 12-year-old boy in Tamil Nadus Tirunelveli for wearing janeu, a sacred thread worn by people from Brahmin community. The unidentified men also allegedly cut off his sacred thread and threatened him against wearing it in the future.

According to the victims father, the incident took place on September 21 at around 4:30 pm when Akhilesh (12) was on his way to attend a religious event. Subsequently, four to five miscreants allegedly attacked him and cut off his sacred thread. They also warned and threatened him for wearing it in the future.

The incident caused widespread outrage with BJP and AIADMK blaming the MK Stalin-led DMK government for fostering an environment of hostility.

Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy strongly condemned and expressed his outrage over the incident.

I strongly condemn the attack and the death threat on a 12-year young boy Akilesh at Thiyagraja Nagar, Tirunelveli. Attacking him, the hooligans had cut the sacred thread he was wearing. He was also threatened that he should not wear the sacred thread in future. Wearing a sacred thread is not only a belief, but its a tool of worship not only praying for ones wellness but for the wellness of ones family and the society as a whole, Thirupathy said in a long post on X.

I strongly conemn the attack and the death threat on a 12 year young boy Akilesh at Thiyagraja Nagar, Tirunelveli.Attacking him, the hooligans had cut his sacred thread he was wearing. He was also threatened that he should not wear the sacred thread in future. Wearing a Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) September 22, 2024

The BJP leader further emphasised that the wearing of a sacred thread is not limited to Brahmins, countering a common misconception.

In the past 75 years, some evil forces like Justice Party and Dravidar Kazhagam & the DMK had created an impression that only Brahmins wear the sacred thread. However, most of the communities like Chettiars, Ayravaisiyas, goldsmiths, carpenters and sculptors had rituals of wearing and changing their sacred thread as a duty and belief during the important changes in their lives, he said.

He further criticised those behind the attack, saying, Cutting a sacred thread from a person is the height of stupidity, as the imperialist Britishers who created the illusion that Brahmin society has subjugated other societies and hence these fools want to destroy that society. It is the same pseudo-secularists and politicians who claim that there is no caste but are engaged in conspiring to seize political power on the basis of castes, are the ones engaged and instigating the cutting off the religious symbol of sacred thread by stating that all those who wear it are Brahmins.

He further called on CM Stalin to take immediate action.

It is the duty and responsibility of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who claims I am the Chief Minister for all, to order the arrest of those evil forces who had cut the sacred thread and attacked the young child and render justice, he added.

Meanwhile, the Tirunelveli police have registered the complaint in CSR (Community Service Register) and initiated a probe into the matter.
The International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated annually on September 23 to raise awareness about the importance of sign language and promote linguistic diversity and cultural identity for the deaf community. This special day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 to support and protect the rights of people with hearing impairments.

The theme for this years International Day of Sign Languages is Sign up for Sign Language Rights, emphasising the need for country leaders to recognise and promote sign language rights in their respective nations. In fact, the World Federation of the Deaf is encouraging government officials to sign this years theme in their national sign language to show their support.

International Day of Sign Languages 2024: History

The proposal to commemorate the International Day of Sign Languages came from the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). The WFD of 135 national associations of deaf people represents roughly 70 million deaf people around the world.

In 2018, the first International Day of Sign Languages was celebrated as part of the broader International Week of the Deaf, which has grown into a global movement since its inception in September 1958.

It is celebrated from September 24-September 30. Since then, the day is marked on September 23 every year.

International Day of Sign Languages 2024: Significance

Sign languages are fully fledged visual languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages that pass your message through the use of gestures or symbols. Sign language is not universal; instead, each country has developed its own unique sign language system.

For instance, in the UK it is British sign language, whereas in the US it is American sign language. The International Day of Sign Language throws light on the need to preserve this medium of communication for people with hearing impairments.

The day also underscores the equal status of sign languages with spoken languages and calls for states to facilitate sign language learning for the growth and development of deaf individuals.

Moreover, it gives a stage for the development of sign language, the internationally agreed development goals, and the achievements associated with them.

International Day of Sign Languages 2024: Quotes

I come from a place where you dont need to talk all the time. There are sign languages you learn.  Warwick Thornton.

Sign language is the equal of speech, lending itself equally to the rigorous and the poetic, to philosophical analysis or to making love.  Oliver Sacks.

Sign language is the noblest gift God has given to deaf people.  George Veditz

If you are to reach masses of people in this world, you must do it by sign language. Whether your vehicle is commerce, literature, or politics, you can do nothing but raise signals, and make motions to the people.  John Jay Chapman.

Human eyes are the sign language of the brain. If you watch them carefully, you can see the truth played out, raw and unguarded.  Tarryn Fisher

The symbolic view of things is a consequence of long absorption in images. Is sign language the real language of Paradise?  Hugo Ball

You can never comprehend sign language until you understand the reason behind it.  Unknown

Systems of morals are only a sign language of the emotions.  Friedrich Nietzsche

International Day of Sign Languages 2024: Interesting Facts

More than 70 million people are deaf worldwide, as per the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).

This huge population uses more than 300 different sign languages to communicate.

Sign language, also known as a visual mode of communication, has its own form of grammar.

Every country has their own version of sign language.

Many people have name signs, to be better understood as nicknames.

Indian Sign Language is still not recognised as an official language in the country.
Ashnoor Kaur has appreciated Hina Khans resilience during her cancer treatment. In a recent interview, Ashnoor, who worked with Hina in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, revealed that she spoke to the latter after learning about her stage three breast cancer. Ashnoor used to play the role of Hinas daughter Naira in YRKKH.

I spoke to Hina and conveyed my wishes to her. She is a very strong woman and the way she has been fighting everything that has come her way, I am sure she will get out of this very soon. She is working along with her treatment, which is incredible, I am sure she will continue showing her magic and strength to everyone, Ashnoor told Indian Express.

Ashnoor Kaur is not the first of Hina Khans co-stars who has reacted to her cancer diagnosis. Previously, Shivangi Joshi also called Hina a fighter and revealed that they are still in touch with each other. The former Balika Vadhu actress had also shared that she was planning to meet Hina soon.

Im still in touch with her. We spoke yesterday. She is okay. She is very strong. She is a fighter and she will be fine soon. We are all praying for her. I will meet her soon. She will get well super soon, Shivangi told Pinkvilla. Shivangi used to play the role of Hina Khan and Karan Mehras daughter in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.

Later, Karan Mehra, who used to essay the role of Hinas husband in YRKKH also told Hindustan Times, I would like to wish her a speedy recovery, which is already visible as she is battling it bravely. So, God bless her.

Several other actors including Shaheer Shaikh and Mahima Chaudhary also visited Hina in the hospital to convey their wishes.
Boman Irani finally made his directorial debut, with The Mehta Boys. The movie, a heart-touching story about the bond between a father and son, recently premiered at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF), where it not only received thunderous applause but the film was also honoured with an award for its gripping story and outstanding performances. The screening was attended by the whole team, including Boman Irani, his wife Zenobia, actors Avinash Tiwary and Shreya Chaudhry, along with writer Alexander Dinelaris and producers Danesh Irani and Ankita Batra. Following the screening, the 3 Idiots star proudly flaunted his first award as a director and called it a dream come true moment. He also thanked his team for their hard work and commitment to bringing the film to life.

Sharing the happy news on Instagram, the actor wrote, Winning at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival for The Mehta Boys feels like a dream come true. Having my family and the cast here made it a true celebration. To everyone who poured their heart and soul into this film but couldnt be here with us tonightthis ones for you. Your hard work and passion made this possible, and I am so grateful. Cheers to the entire team.

According to Bollywood Hungama, before the screening of The Mehta Boys, Boman Irani said, This film started many years ago, actually, with a friend, producer and director named Sujoy Ghosh, who wanted to cast me in a film. He came over to my house while I was running a fever and pitched me a few ideas. Among them was this one-liner, The Mehta Boys. I said I wanted to do that one because I wanted to direct it. He said, Youve got the story, and Ill always be grateful to him for being so generous. I began writing the film in my own silly way, just to wake my wife, Zenobia, in the middle of the night. Id read the scenes to her and she would groggily say, Its very nice, before going back to sleep. In the morning, I would tear off the page and realize that a lot of work needed to be done.

The actor further mentioned that it took them 55 days to complete the film and revealed that he never thought about becoming an actor or a filmmaker. He credited his mother for what hes today, as she encouraged him to watch movies every day.

Directed by Boman Irani, The Mehta Boys, featuring Avinash Tiwary and Shreya Chaudhary, is scheduled to release on Prime Video soon.
A large section of Coldplay fans in India were left highly disappointed on Sunday (Sept 22) when the tickets for the globally popular bands Mumbai show were sold out in less than a few minutes. However, looks like we all are about to get another chance to enjoy Adventure of a Lifetime under A Sky Full of Stars.

The buzz is that Coldplay is likely to add another show in India. Several unconfirmed reports and posts on X claim that Chris Martin is likely to perform at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on January 25, 2025. The speculation has left netizens across the country super-excited and as a result, hotel prices in the city have soared.

It seems the rumours are true! #ColdplayConcert at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Hotel rates are soaring for January 25th, 2025 in Ahmedabad (sic), one of the users wrote on X. 23 five-star hotels sold in Ahmedabad for the night of January 24 are already sold out. @bookmyshow and @_ColdplayIndia_ merely a coincidence or something else? claimed another.

23 five star hotels sold in Ahmedabad for the night of January 24 are already sold out. @bookmyshow and @_ColdplayIndia_ merely a coincidence or something else? pic.twitter.com/g2OYv5eMCn Abhishek Yadav (@abhixh) September 23, 2024

However, it should also be noted that there has been no official confirmation regarding this Ahmedabad Coldplay show as of now.

Meanwhile, Coldplay will be performing in Mumbai on January 18, January 19 and January 21, 2025. Earlier today, News18 Showsha visited Viagogos Coldplay tickets page and noticed that tickets that were originally costing Rs 4,000 are being resold for Rs 778,952 per ticket by a user. Another user is reselling tickets originally costing Rs 12,500 for Rs 1.21 lakhs. The lounge tickets, originally priced at Rs 35,000, are being resold for Rs 1.01 lakhs. A lounge ticket worth Rs 270,575 was allegedly sold on the platform this morning. However, News18 Showsha couldnt verify the claims at the time of reporting.
Deepika Padukone hasnt shared any updates about her motherhood since announcing the arrival of her baby girl on September 8. However, she recently reposted an Instagram Reel that gives a glimpse into her new life as a mom. On Monday morning, Deepika shared a reel with a GIF of someone stepping out from behind curtains and waving before leaving. The reel is titled If adults ate like newborns and shows a woman waking up on a sofa, going to the kitchen to make a meal, staring at her plate, and then trying to eat messily at the dining table. She ends up passing out after one bite, with her mouth open and head shaking like a newborn throughout the video.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on September 8, 2024. Since then, they have been busy with their little one, and fans are excited to see Deepika as a mother. In the meantime, she shared a glimpse of this new phase in her life. Deepika recently changed her Instagram bio saying Feed Burp Sleep Repeat.

The couple officially shared the announcement on social media and their heartfelt post read, Welcome Baby Girl 8.9.2024. Deepika & Ranveer. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are yet to decide on a name for their baby girl. The proud parents-to-be had also visited Shri Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai before delivery to seek blessings ahead of the birth. As news spreads, friends, family, and fans have poured in their warm wishes and congratulations for Deepika and Ranveer as they step into this exciting new role as parents. The Bollywood power couples joy is palpable, and their fans couldnt be happier for them!

Deepika Padukone, who became a proud mother to a baby girl recently, is likely to not have a nanny for her little princess. If a recent report by Bollywood Life is to be believed, Deepika will possibly follow Aishwarya Rai Bachchans path in nurturing her daughter. She will not opt for a nanny but will rather be a hands-on mom.
Arjun Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor arrived for Malaika Aroras fathers prayer meeting in Mumbai. Malaikas father, Anil Kuldip Mehta passed away 13 days ago in Mumbai. Malaika Arora, her sister Amrita Arora and her mother Joyce Polycarp held a prayer meeting in the city on September 23, Monday.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, Arjun Kapoor and Arhaan Khan among others were seen arriving for the prayer meeting to offer their condolences and pay their last respects to Anil Mehta.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

Malaika Arora is navigating a difficult period following the tragic loss of her father, Anil Mehta. His untimely passing has left the Arora family devastated. Mehta was found outside his residence in Bandra, Mumbai, where it was reported that he had sustained multiple injuries. A post-mortem revealed these injuries as the cause of his death. In his final moments, he reportedly made calls to his daughters, Malaika and Amrita Arora, before switching off his phone.

Malaika issued an official statement and sought for privacy from the media and well-wishers during this difficult time. We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear father, Anil Mehta. He was a gentle soul, a devoted grandfather, a loving husband, and our best friend. Our family is in deep shock by this loss, and we kindly request privacy from the media and well-wishers during this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding, support, and respect, the statement read.

DISCLAIMER: This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata).
Namrata Shirodkars latest social media update has kept her fans busy. She wore a stunning royal blue straight kurta adorned with intricate mirror hand embroidery which made everyone go wow. The knee-length solid blue pants and silver-lined chiffon dupatta enhanced the overall appeal.

To keep her style simple and elegant, Namrata opted for minimal accessories, wearing just a neckpiece and skipping earrings entirely. For her makeup, she embraced a natural look with a light base, letting her features shine through. She styled her short, wavy hair down for an effortlessly chic vibe.

Namrata Shirodkar captioned her post with the playful phrase, Blues before Monday! #OOTD.

Take a look at her pictures here:

Namrata along with her husband and South star Mahesh Babu visited Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to hand over his donation to the CM Relief Fund. The actress was seen dressed in the same blue attire while Mahesh Babu wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

The actor was spotted with long hair look which he is readying for his upcoming film with SS Rajamouli. The story of this upcoming project is penned by Vijayendra Prasad

Namrata Shirodkar earlier treated fans with a rare peek into the cherished moments spent with her family. Namrata dropped a throwback video from a memorable family trip to New York. The vacation was particularly significant as the 18th birthday of Namrata and Mahesh Babus son Gautam.

The clip begins with an adorable selfie of Namrata alongside her daughter Sitara and son Gautam. This is followed by a candid picture of Gautam and Sitara sharing a laugh while looking at something on their phone. The clip also features Namrata posing solo on the streets against the backdrop of a beautiful building. She looks stunning in an all-black ensemble.

Namrata made her debut in Bollywood with the film Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, starring Salman Khan, in 1998. She is known for films like Kachche Dhaage, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, and LOC Kargil among others.

Namrata Shirodkar tied the knot with South star Mahesh Babu in 2005. She decided to step away from acting. Namrata and Mahesh have two children, a son and a daughter.
Actor Parvin Dabas was hospitalised in the ICU at a Bandra hospital in Mumbai after a road accident on Saturday morning. His wife, actress Preeti Jhangiani has now updated about his health condition. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Preeti shared the emotional impact the accident has had on their family. She said it has been a shock and they are still trying to cope with it.

Its a shock, were still coping with it emotionally. He is usually very active and doesnt stop talking about work even for a minute. To see him lying down and not his active self is disturbing for the family, she said.

Preeti also said that Parvin has been experiencing dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, and nausea, all signs of a concussion. She said, He has dizziness, double vision, drowsiness and nausea  signs of a concussion. He hasnt been able to speak too much. Thankfully, his medical reports  MRI and CT scan  were clear. He will stay in the hospital for another week and will be out of the ICU soon. We will do another CT scan in three days.

Preeti Jhangiani also cleared up any rumors, confirming that Parvin Dabas wasnt drinking and driving during the accident. She said, He wasnt drinking and driving. It has been ruled out in the police report. Parveen is strictly against drinking while driving or going against any rules.

The Mohabbatein also recalled how Parvin Dabas was rushed to the hospital after the accident. Speaking to The Times of India, she said that two boys saw the car, pulled him out, and sat him on the sidewalk before others took him to Holy Family Hospital in Bandra. Thankfully, two boys saw the car and dragged him out of the car and made him sit on the sidewalk for some time. With the help of two other people, they rushed him to the Holy Family Hospital in Bandra. They left while we were in the ICU. I didnt get a chance to thank them. I request them to connect with me so I can thank them, she said.

Parvin Dabas began his acting journey with the film Dillagi in 1999, but it was Mira Nairs Monsoon Wedding in 2001 that brought him widespread recognition. Since then, he has appeared in notable films like The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Khosla Ka Ghosla  where his performance was especially praised  and Ragini MMS 2. In addition to Bollywood, Parvin has also worked in Malayalam and Kannada cinema.
Karnataka High Court has granted bail to Keshavamurthy and two others who were accused in the murder case of Renukaswamy. Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa was also accused of the murder of Renukaswamy. Now, three accused out of the 17 people arrested have been granted bail.

The bench comprising Justice Vishwajit Shetty has granted bail to Keshavamurthy. Besides him, Karthik and Nikhil Naik have also been granted bail by the sessions. Notable accused personalities like Darshan Thoogudeepa, Pawan, Vinay, Pradosh, Nagaraj, and Laxman are still in jail.

Darshans involvement has brought significant attention to the case. Actor Darshan received a visit from his family at Ballari Central Prison last week. His mother Meena, sister Divya, and brother-in-law Manjunath arrived at the prison in the morning, around 11:30 am. Darshan left his cell to meet them in the visitors area. They spent about half an hour talking.

Sources reported that Darshan was visibly moved when he saw his mother after a considerable time; and despite his typically stern expression, he was seen smiling as he made his way back to his cell after the visit. Darshan was seen as particularly emotional when he talked to his mother. Reportedly, he hugged his mother and burst into tears.

It is reported that Darshans mother, who was moved to tears witnessing her sons condition, comforted him during the visit. His elder sister was also emotional upon seeing his condition.

It was earlier reported that following a request from the actor, prison authorities provided him with a television, though it has access to only a few channels. Darshan is said to have asked for more amenities, but officials have reportedly stated that only what is permitted under the prison regulations would be allowed. The actor has been in judicial custody for more than 100 days, facing charges in connection with the murder of Renukaswamy.

Darshan was initially detained at Bengalurus Parappana Agrahara Central Prison before being transferred to Ballari Central Prison on August 29 amid a controversy. This arose after viral photos and videos surfaced, showing him drinking coffee, smoking a cigarette, and allegedly making a video call from inside the prison. As soon as the video went viral, the actor was shifted to Ballari jail.
Kim Taehyung, popularly known as V from BTS, took some time off from his demanding military duties to attend IUs concert. On September 22, he was spotted at the final show of her HEREH World Tour in Seoul, accompanied by his bandmate J-Hope. Fans were excited to see him there, cheering for IU as she performed their recent collaboration, Love Wins All, a song that features his vocals. His appearance, particularly with his toned physique after military training, pleasantly surprised the crowd. The night before, Taehyung reportedly shared moments from his outing on Instagram, where IU was celebrating her 100th performance at the encore of her 2024 World Tour.

Videos and photos circulating online show V entering the venue, dressed casually in a hoodie and tracks. With his buzz cut and a noticeably fit build, fans couldnt stop talking about his look.

TAEHYUNG AND HOBI AT IUs CONCERT!!! pic.twitter.com/utAzKLblUK moni (@sevenrchive) September 22, 2024

J-Hope, who accompanied him, is nearing the end of his military service and is expected to resume his solo activities soon, along with Jin. Fans are eagerly awaiting the return of all BTS members.

During IUs performance of Love Wins All, V stood up from his seat to capture the moment, cheering her on. In the songs official music video, V played Taejun, while IU portrayed the character Jihye.

taehyung was smiling watching iu perform love wins all and recording it  pic.twitter.com/gOOn5OfEAe  (@kalamaleila) September 22, 2024

The collaboration song Love Wins All, which was released in January 2024, thrilled fans even more as they speculated that V might witness the special Happy-ending version of the track at the concert.

Watch some more glimpses of Taehyung at UIs concert here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by BTS News (@bts_daily.news)

Before his enlistment, Taehyung released his solo album Layover in September 2023, featuring six songs, including the lead single Slow Dancing. He also collaborated with UI on another track and released the solo single FRI(END)S. During his recent break, V was reportedly also spotted attending the musical Chicago with his friend Park Hyo-Shin.

Meanwhile, IU is also having a busy year. In February 2024, she made a comeback with her sixth mini-album The Winning. Shes also starring in screenwriter Lim Sang-choons drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, alongside actor Park Bo-gum, keeping herself equally busy with her music and acting career.
What happens when Gothams underworld is shaken by the return of a crime lords daughter? Matt Reeves The Batman left fans on the edge of their seats in 2022, as Robert Pattinson brought a fresh, gritty take on Bruce Wayne, highlighting the Dark Knights detective prowess. But just when we thought Gotham couldnt get any darker, Penguin, the spin-off series starring Colin Farrell, steps in. Picking up after The Batman, Gotham is still reeling from The Riddlers chaos and Carmine Falcones death  creating a dangerous power vacuum. Enter Sofia Falcone, Carmines daughter, played by Cristin Milioti. Her character, also known as The Hangman, is about to change everything, and her story takes a thrilling twist, unlike anything weve seen in the comics.

According to the show, Sofia has already served time in Arkham Asylum for her past heinous crimes and is now on a mission for revenge. While the show has yet to delve into her infamous background as The Hangman, we can explore what makes her such an important character in the new series and learn more about her rise as a new crime lord.

In The Long Halloween, written by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, Batman investigates a mysterious Holiday Killer targeting the Falcone family. Sofia, Carmine Falcones eldest daughter, ends up in jail but is later released to help solve the murders in her family. In a shocking twist, her brother Alberto is revealed as the Holiday Killer. The story also traces the rise of Harvey Dent/Two-Face, who ultimately kills Carmine. After her fathers death, Sofia seeks revenge alongside Two-Face, but a confrontation with Catwoman leads to Sofia falling out of a window.

In Dark Victory, it is revealed that Sofia survived the fall but is now paralyzed. She leads the Falcone family while a new killer targets Gotham, hanging people connected to the old Holiday case. Eventually, its revealed that Sofia is the Hangman, having faked her condition to eliminate her enemies.

In the first episode of Penguin, Sofia confronts Oz Cobb after the mysterious disappearance of her brother, Alberto. The episode reveals that Oz was responsible for Albertos death. Though Sofia knows about their complicated past, she tries to reconnect with Ozbut her true intentions remain hidden.
In a notable divergence from the unified stance of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), where leaders have stated that the decision on the Chief Ministers post will be taken collectively after the upcoming elections, Vidarbha Congress leaders have been striking a different chord. In a recent meeting, they strongly backed Nana Patole for the Maharashtra Chief Ministerial position, asserting that he deserves the role due to his efforts for the party.

Congress MLA Vikas Thakre, speaking at a review meeting for Nagpur city led by Nana Patole, made a bold statement, saying, The Congress is set to witness good days after the Assembly elections, and Nana Patole, who has worked tirelessly, should be rewarded with the Chief Ministers post. If that doesnt happen, we will seize it. He added that the people of Vidarbha would stand with Patole and, if necessary, fight for him.

The meeting, which was attended by several Congress leaders, echoed this sentiment. Many predicted that Nana Patole would be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Thakre highlighted Patoles journey, stating that he gave up the position of Assembly Speaker to serve as Congress president, traveled across the state, and made personal sacrifices. According to Thakre, these efforts should not go unrewarded, and the people of Vidarbha are prepared to fight for Patoles rightful claim.

Senior Congress leader Nitin Raut also openly called for Patole to be made the Chief Minister, asking party workers whether they felt it was time for Patole to rise further. Raut reminded everyone that it had been 32 years since a Chief Minister from Vidarbha had led the state, following the legacy of Vasantrao Naik and Sudhakarrao Naik. He expressed confidence that the Gandhi family, which has always had Vidarbhas support, would back Patoles claim.

Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe further emphasised that the party was ready to defeat the BJP in Nagpur, a stronghold of the BJP and RSS, and that Nana Patole was the partys best bet for the Chief Ministers post.

While MVA leaders continue to promote a collective decision on leadership, the push from Vidarbha Congress members for Patoles Chief Ministership could stir internal discussions within both the MVA and Congress.
Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually assaulting two girls at a school in Badlapur town of Maharashtra, died in retaliatory firing by police after he snatched a cops pistol and opened fire on Monday, an official said.

The incident occurred at 6:15 PM when Shinde, 24, was taken to Badlapur in Thane district from Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai in a police vehicle.

When the vehicle reached Mumbra bypass, Shinde allegedly snatched the pistol of one of the officers and fired two to three rounds, injuring an Assistant Police Inspector (API). In response, another police officer opened fire on Shinde, injuring him critically.

Shinde was rushed to a hospital in Kalwa where he succumbed to his injuries, the official said, adding that API Nilesh More, injured in the firing by Shinde, is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

According to a police officer, four policemen and Shinde were travelling in the vehicle.

The shootout occurred over a month after massive protests erupted on streets and at Badlapur railway station over the alleged sexual abuse of two girls by Shinde, who worked as a sweeper in the school.

As the news of Shindes death spread, some people burst crackers in Badlapur town on Monday night.

Cops Acted In Self-defence: Govt

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and State Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said police opened fire in self-defence, leading to Akshay Shindes death.

Akshay Shindes former wife has accused him of sexual assault and lodged a complaint against him. Police were taking Shinde (to Badlapur) to investigate this complaint. He snatched the gun of a policeman and opened fire at officials. He also fired in the air. Police shot at him in retaliation, Fadnavis said.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, His (Akshay Shinde) ex-wife has lodged a complaint of sexual assault, police along with a warrant was taking him for investigation. He snatched the police gun and fired on police personnel and in the air too. Police fired on https://t.co/MJgfoX9nOR pic.twitter.com/EgQVa56yUb ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Shinde, a contractual sweeper at the school in Badlapur, was arrested on August 17, five days after he allegedly sexually abused the two girls in the school toilet.

On September 3, the Bombay High Court told the police to build a watertight case and not file a charge sheet hurriedly under public pressure.

CM Shinde said Akshays ex-wife had accused him of sexual violence and the police were taking him for a probe regarding these allegations.

He snatched the gun of a policeman and opened fire. Police fired back in self-defence, he told reporters.

#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde says, He (Akshay Shinde) was taken for investigation as his ex-wife has registered a case of sexual assault. He fired on a police personnel, Nilesh More who got injured and has been admitted to hospital. Police in self-defence took that https://t.co/MJgfoX9nOR pic.twitter.com/oICJU3OJiK ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Milind Deora said, The hue & cry raised by the opposition over the death of Akshay Shinde is both despicable & irresponsible. The #Badlapur accused opened fire on policemen & seriously injured API Nilesh More. What exactly does the opposition expect? Should our police officers lay down their lives at the hands of rape accused?

The hue & cry raised by the opposition over the death of Akshay Shinde is both despicable & irresponsible.The #Badlapur accused opened fire on policemen & seriously injured API Nilesh More. What exactly does the opposition expect? Should our police officers lay down their lives  Milind Deora |    (@milinddeora) September 23, 2024

Opposition Dubs Fake Encounter

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders expressed shock over the encounter and called for a detailed probe into the incident. They asked if Akshay Shinde was killed to destroy evidence in a case that had triggered national outrage.

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan claimed the encounter was done to save some other people.

Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Vijay Wadettiwar said, This is shocking. There should be a judicial probe into this incident. State Congress president Nana Patole wondered if this encounter was done to save trustees of the school who have not been arrested so far.

#WATCH | Mumbai | On the death of Badlapur sexual assault accused Akshay Shinde after being shot at by police in retaliatory firing in Badlapur, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan says, He was murdered in cold blood. Nobody will believe that it was an encounter. It is a black day pic.twitter.com/ihyIVenOrv ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Akshay Shindes uncle told a Marathi TV channel that he met his nephew at Taloja jail on Monday and was told that police were beating him up regularly.

Is it an attempt to destroy evidence? Were Akshay Shindes hands not tied by the police during the transit? How could he reach for the gun, and how come the police were so careless? We demand a judicial probe in this matter, Wadettiwar said.

There is no action against the BJP-linked school management but an arrested accused is shot dead in suspicious circumstances, he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare equated the incident with the gunning down of four rape accused in Telangana in 2019.

There too the police claimed it was done in self-defence. However, due to the deaths, the truth never came out. The same will be the case with the Badlapur sexual assault. Was Akshay Shinde killed as he was hiding something more sinister? Why is the school management still on the run? she asked.

How come Akshay Shinde managed to snatch a gun despite being handcuffed and how did he know to operate the firearm, Andhare further questioned.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the disgraceful conduct by the CM and HM to obfuscate the entire case from day one is obvious.

Please understand the timeline of Badlapur case the assault incident occurred on august 12th the FIR after much reluctance is filed on august 16th. Accused arrested on 17th but school authorities not booked, no cctv footage collected/recorded protests on 21st august- Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) September 23, 2024

Hitting back, CM Shinde said, Earlier, the opposition parties demanded that Akshay Shinde be hanged. Now, they are taking his side and questioning the integrity of Maharashtra police. Such act of the opposition leaders is condemnable and unfortunate. When asked about the oppositions allegation that the accused was killed to gain political sympathy, the CM said these parties are making such insensitive allegations as they are rattled by the success of the state governments Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme.

Fadnavis said, The Opposition raises questions on every issue. They had wanted him (Shinde) to be hanged. It is wrong to say such things when the police tried to save lives.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar stated Shinde should have been hanged as per the legal provisions, but the actions of the Home Department, while transferring him (from Taloja Jail) are questionable. He demanded an in-depth inquiry into the incident.

              .             .          Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) September 23, 2024

Noted criminal lawyer Ujjwal Nikam said Shinde might have tried to end his life as two chargesheets filed against him showed sufficient evidence against him in the sexual abuse case.

A police officer said Shindes postmortem will reveal if he had any previous injuries.

Shindes parents had met him in Taloja Jail at 3:30 PM. They claimed to have received information about his death through TV channels and not from police.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi faced backlash for stating that secularism is a European concept and that India has no need for it. He made these remarks during a public event in Kanyakumari on Sunday.

In his speech, Ravi had claimed that many frauds have been committed against the people of this country, one of which is the wrong interpretation of secularism.

He further stated: What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, and it is not an Indian concept. In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight between the Church and the king How can India be away from dharma? Secularism is a European concept and let it be there only. In India, there is no need for secularism.

Reacting on the social media platform X, several opposition leaders strongly condemned the Tamil Nadu Governor for his comments.

Congress MP from Virudhunagar, Manickam Tagore, stated that Ravis remarks on secularism was unacceptable and it goes against the Constitution of India.

The statement of Tamil Nadu Governor on secularism is unacceptable and is against the Constitution of India and against the Idea of India by Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Tagore said in his post.

While the idea of secularism may be different in foreign countries, in India we respect all other religions, we respect all other traditions and we respect all other practices and this is the idea of secularism in India, he added.

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) spokesperson Clyde Crasto said that Ravis comment was completely contrary to the principles of his position.

A Governor holds a Constitutional post and a person in that position must abide by the Constitution.Tamil Nadu Governor making a statement on Secularism is completely contrary to the principles of his position.(1/2) Clyde Crasto    (@Clyde_Crasto) September 23, 2024

People in such honorable positions should maintain neutrally and refrain from such comments no matter to whom their core affiliations belong, he stated.

Meanwhile, disagreeing with Ravi, DMK leader TKS Elangovan stated that secularism is the most essential concept in India.

Secularism is not a European concept, it is an Indian concept as there are many religions in India. India is the motherland of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Secularism is the most needed concept in India, not in Europe, Elangovan said.

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | DMK leader TKS Elangovan says, Secularism is not a European concept, it is an Indian concept as there are many religions in India. India is the motherland of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Secularism is the most needed pic.twitter.com/LJeq62XL69 ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Criticising Ravi for not understanding the Constitution of India, the DMK leader pointed out, Article 25 says that there should be a conscious freedom of religion that he doesnt knowHe should go and read the constitution fully.

CPI (M) Polit Bureau Member Brinda Karat commented that the Tamil Nadu Governor took an oath to uphold the Constitution, yet his remark that secularism is a European concept suggests he sees the Constitution as merely an immediate concept.

Secularism is an intrinsic part of the Indian Constitution, not just a word. Its essence is the separation of power and religion, and the Supreme Court has affirmed, through multiple judgments, that secularism is a basic structure of the Constitution, Karat emphasised.
The Redmi Note 14 series is set to be launched in China next week. Xiaomi teased the design of the new models while also highlighting their build quality in a social media post. These smartphones, succeeding the Redmi Note 13 5G series, come with a revamped camera module. The four-camera setup features a squircle design, unlike the previous generation. Following its tradition, Xiaomi is expected to launch three models in the new series Redmi Note 14, Redmi Note 14 Pro and Redmi Note 14 Pro+.

The company shared a couple of images of the new models on Weibo suggesting that the new lineup will be launched between September 23 and September 29. The larger one seemed like the Pro+ variant which features a 50MP camera with OIS. The main camera comes with an f/1.6 aperture. The module also has a 60mm f/2.2 mid-focus lens.

The other handset should be the Note 14 Pro. It also has the same 50MP AI camera with OIS. This variant is unlikely to feature a telephoto lens. The third camera may have a depth sensor which will be essential for macro photography. The camera island in the Pro+ model has a glass cover while in the other phone, camera units protrude from the module.

According to Xiaomi, the Redmi Note 14 series has got a major upgrade in terms of its built quality. The new devices have IP68-rated builds, enabling more dust, water and drop resistance. Every variant of the 14 series has passed several rigorous tests. Reportedly, they have been chosen as the official handset of the Blue Sky Rescue Team Chinas largest private rescue force.

Rumours suggest that the company has continued with the plastic frame for the Note 14 series. The Pro model is claimed to have a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC processor and features a 1.5K dual-curved screen. This handset as well as the other variants of the series will run Android 14.

As per a report by GizmoChina, the Note 14 Pro+ will support 90W fast charging and has acquired the 3C certification. The previous models, Note 12 and Note 13 Pro+ have 120W supported fast charging which means there could be a drop in the speeds for the newer model.
Criticise in private, praise in public, they say. Nothing is more gratifying than realising how much your efforts are valued. Giving compliments in public is a simple, quick and efficient way to inspire others, boost motivation and increase engagement. A recent study analysed the influence of public praise on workers productivity in a Chinese technology firm.

Researchers determined that it was highly advantageous to frequently appreciate the employees for their performance, particularly through the mediated communication channels within the workplace.

The Business Insider India featured a study in which Wen and their colleagues explored a Chinese tech firm where the employees were praised in the public channels of an internal messaging app.

Whenever one sales representative sealed a deal, the human resources department was informed to relay the good news to everyone in the group. When such messages were sent in public, not only was the said employee happy, but it had an impact on the productivity of the co-employees as well.

The research showed that as little as a 10% boost in the ratio of messages containing praise to the ones with constructive criticism meant the workers were making roughly an additional call per day.

One important challenge faced by many companies is how to motivate remote workers and keep them productive, explains the lead author of the study, Wen Wen, to Business Insider.

Wen also noted that their study provides pragmatic guidance on how the correct messages about peers should be shared resulting in efficient gains.

When co-workers were recognised for their efforts, everyone received motivation. It made no difference whether the recipient of the appreciation was a friend or a stranger to the colleague. Anyone, who was at the workplace during that period, could testify that they put in some extra effort.

However, when the praise was directed towards someone, the effects varied. The co-workers directly related to the praised worker reported the feeling of inspiration, while others that were distantly related did not report the same feeling.

It may be because effort seems within our reach, while abilities can appear as an innate talent.

In fact, compared to employees who work in offices, research indicates that it is more simple for workers to get demotivated while working from home.

For a distributed workforce, managers should probably consider crafting effort-focused messages when sharing peer successes, instead of ability-focused messages, Wen explained to Business Insider.
A 65-year-old man was arrested in connection to a murder case dating back over three decades, all because he spat outside his house. DNA from James Hollomans saliva led to his arrest for the murder of a woman in 1988. Although police had found a cheque bearing Hollomans name near Karen Taylors body, they were unable to link him to the crime through forensic evidence at the time, CBS reported.

Last year, Holloman spat on the sidewalk outside his Boston residence. Authorities collected his saliva and sent it for DNA testing. The results matched DNA from under Taylors fingernails, as well as from a sweatshirt and cigarette found near her body, according to officials who spoke to WCVB.

Boston police arrested Holloman on September 19. Holloman, who has no prior criminal record, will next appear before judges on October 29.

Hollomans defence attorney raised concerns about the reliability of DNA evidence decades after Taylors death. He questioned the accuracy of the match.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden praised the detectives and prosecutors for their exceptional work, crediting modern forensic science for the breakthrough in the unsolved murder mystery.

But most of all, its an opportunity for Karen Taylors loved ones to see someone answer for her death after so many years of unanswered questions, he added.

What happened 36 years ago?

On May 27, 1988, Karen Taylor was discovered dead in her Roxbury apartment in Boston. She was just 25 years old at the time.

Her body was discovered after her mother called the apartment and the womans 3-year-old daughter answered the phone, telling her grandmother that her mother was sleeping and she could not wake her up, the Suffolk County District Attorneys office said in a statement, per WHDH.

Taylors mother rushed to her daughters apartment on Williams Street in Roxbury but couldnt enter the building. She then climbed through a window into Taylors first-floor bedroom, where she found her daughter lying face-down in a pool of blood.

The autopsy revealed Taylor had been stabbed 15 times, suffering fatal wounds to her chest, head, and neck.
Coldplay is making a long-awaited return to India after nine years, with three electrifying shows lined up for January 2025. When tickets went live on BookMyShow on September 22, fans flooded the site and patiently waited in virtual queues to secure them. Many were even sharing updates online on how many people stood between them and their golden ticket. Amid this, an MBA student took a bold chance on a Grapevine thread  not to talk tickets, but to ask working professionals for job referrals. Surprisingly, his hustle paid off, and he landed a few referrals.

Read| Indian Mans Reaction to Securing Coldplay Tickets During Online Booking Chaos Goes Viral

Hustle Max Pro: So a student got into a Coldplay ticket-related thread and asked all the working professionals for referrals and even succeeded with a few, wrote Saumil Tripathi while sharing a screenshot on X (formerly known as Twitter).

As per the screenshot, a discussion was going on Grapevine where people were sharing their ticketing woes. A student replied to the comment and wrote, Hi, can you please give me a referral for a freshers role? Im pursuing an MBA in finance.

An individual, working at Razorpay, replied to his comment and wrote, Asking for referral even in the Coldplay queue. This is the coldest of emails I have ever seen.

The student replied to this comment by a Razorpay employee and wrote, Im in a queue too, to get selected by a good company. Youre from Razorpay. I think you should give me a referral too.

Razorpay employee then asked the student to drop him a direct message.

Take a look at the post here:

Hustle Max Pro: So a student got into a Coldplay ticket related thread and asked all the working professionals for referrals and even succeeded with a few pic.twitter.com/MQHdIW6O4f Saumil Heard It (@OnTheGrapevine) September 23, 2024

Coldplay will perform at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on January 18, 19 and 21. Tickets for all three shows, limited to four per user, have completely sold out. However, theres still a chance to catch the Grammy-winning band live. You can get Infinity Tickets priced at 2,000 each, with a cap of two tickets per user. These limited tickets will go live on November 22 at 12 pm on BookMyShow.

A limited number of Infinity Tickets are released for every Coldplay show to give fans the chance to attend the Music Of The Spheres World Tour at a super low price. They cost the equivalent of 20 / $20 / 20 per ticket and must be brought in pairs. Infinity Tickets are randomly allocated anywhere in the venue  from the back row to the floor to the best seat in the house, Coldplay shared on their website.
A video of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson from his 2007 interview on Late Night With Conan OBrien resurfaced recently and shed some light on the possible impact of the asteroid Apophis. Asteroids, sometimes called minor planets, are small solid objects made of rock that did not become planets when the solar system was formed. When asked about the discovery of Apophis, Tyson described what could happen in the event it hit Earth.

Taking the Pacific Ocean to draw home his point, he said, the impact, should it ever occur, would create a large hole with a diameter of about three miles stretching three miles deep into the ocean, in the process generating water waves that could wreak havoc on coastal communities, including homes in Malibu.

During the interview, Tyson claimed that the possibility of Apophis impacting the Earth on April 13, 2036, was one in 45,000.

He also wanted to assure the viewer that scientists were keeping track of the asteroid, and if it were to be on course for an impact with Earth, there would be enough notice.

Theres a one in 45,000 chance that it will hit. Weve got top people working on this problem.

Tyson also mentioned that Apophis would be making a very close approach to Earth in the year 2029, which was later verified by NASA. Its likely to come as close as about 31,860 kilometres to the Earth on April 13 in the year 2029.

This object was discovered by astronomers from Kitt Peak National Observatory in the year 2004, and NASA has keenly been monitoring Apophis afterwards.

An asteroid of this size requires a special approach, and the space agency has already appointed a spacecraft called OSIRIS-APEX to observe the asteroid during its flyby in 2029 and plans to embark on an intensive mapping of the asteroid for about 18 months.

NASA has dismissed the possibility of the asteroid hitting the Earth both in 2029 and 2036. However, they have found that there is an extremely low probability of collision under certain conditions as per the latest data.
Our solar system is much bigger than what has been previously estimated by astronomers, a new study has revealed. The Subaru Telescope has been conducting studies of the outer Solar System to help NASAs New Horizons spacecraft. It is the first mission to investigate the Kuiper Belt on the outer frontier of the Solar System beyond Neptune. Now, astronomers found a new set of objects far beyond the Kuiper Belt in what can be called Kuiper Belt 2.

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) published the details of the study. Regarding the potential existence of a second ring of Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) in addition to the existing one, Dr. Fumi Yoshida of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences and the Planetary Exploration Research Centre at the Chiba Institute of Technology states, If this is confirmed, it would be a major discovery.

Dr. Yoshida added, The primordial solar nebula was much larger than previously thought, and this may have implications for studying the planet formation process in our Solar System.

Scientists have identified 11 new objects at a distance of 70 to 90 AU from the Sun. That means these KBOs are as far as 13.5 billion kilometres from the Sun.

This distance is pertinent as it is outside the confines of the Kuiper Belt, which ranges from 30 to 55 AU. The discovery points to the presence of a large population of icy bodies present in this remote area, a region that was yet to be explored.

There is a relatively empty region of space between the 55 AU and the 70 AU mark where no objects have been found.

Most of these objects are ordinary KBOs, but some of them are distinct and may be pivotal in understanding the environment of the early solar system. The study used these distant bodies in suggesting they were formed during the formation of the solar system hence giving an account for its formation.

The discovery questions everything we have come to believe about the solar system and its dimensions. It indicates the initial mass forming the solar nebula, the huge gas and dust cloud from which the solar system developed was considerably larger than recently hypothesized.

New Horizons was launched in 2004 and Subaru Telescope has been engaged in the mission from the start. The New Horizons probe is well known for conducting a flyby of Pluto in July 2015 and further Kuiper belt exploration is ongoing.

Subaru had a problem when it started looking for Kuiper Belt objects as possible targets for New Horizons to observe with its cameras from a distance or to visit up close.

At the time, Subaru could only detect 24 objects in the Kuiper Belt, all of which were deemed excessively far away for New Horizons to approach or observe with its cameras.

However, Pluto and that area of the solar system have receded into a less populated area of the night sky, which has made it possible for Subarus Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) to find 239 objects since 2020.

Our solar systems Kuiper Belt long appeared to be very small in comparison with many other planetary systems, but our results suggest that idea might just have arisen due to an observational bias, said Wes Fraser of the National Research Council of Canada, who led the new research.
Youve probably heard about police looking into and hunting for automobiles, motorcycles and other stolen property. However, are you aware of the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look for sheep that have been stolen? If not, we will share a fascinating tale of sheep thievery. An eight-person SIT has been assigned to look for a stolen sheep, and they have been told to apprehend the suspects as soon as they are found.

The districts Kishangarh Renwal is presently experiencing a surge in the theft of sheep and donkeys. The search for the stolen donkeys and lambs has led to the formation of a high-level investigative commission. wherein the senior police officers would look into the sheep theft and search for the farm animal. To find the stolen sheep, the Superintendent of Police has assembled a Special Investigations Team.

A few days ago, forty sheep and eight donkeys were taken from the vicinity of Kishangarh Renwal Krishi Mandi. The police then pledged to apprehend the sheep thieves in ten days. Following that, the police found eight donkeys and arrested the robbers, but they were unable to locate the sheep. The people arrived at the police station when the sheep were still missing. After the ultimatum ended, the Gurjar community members held a sit-in protest against the polices failure because they were upset about the theft occurrence.

Devi Lal and Pemaram have been tasked with finding the culprit within the SIT team led by the Superintendent of Police. The team also includes Assistant Sub-Inspector Prahlad Singh, Head Constable Ramniwas, Govindgarh Police Station Constable Harish Kumar, Renewal Police Station Constable Mukesh Kumar, and Officer Hemraj Singh Gurjar of Govindgarh Police Station.

Demands were made to remove the negligent police officers during the protest. Although the police could not apprehend every individual suspected of stealing sheep, resident Deepak Singh Pratappura claims that it is incomprehensible how they managed to apprehend the donkeys. In this instance, CO Narendra Kumar promised to resolve the theft case in ten days, but the police have not produced any evidence. Hundreds of Gurjar community members, infuriated by the police administrations slack attitude, sang anti-police slogans and persisted in their protests until the situation was resolved. Later, after SIT was established, the protest came to an end.
An eight-year-old girl in Ohio, US, took her parents car on an unexpected adventure after deciding to go shopping at the local Target store by herself. According to reports, she managed to drive the SUV for an astonishing 10 miles (approximately 16 km) for 25 minutes before arriving at her destination. A dashcam video from another vehicle has since gone viral on social media, showing the little girl swerving across lanes. At one point, she even hit a mailbox on her way to the store. Fortunately, she was found by the local people in time and no one got injured in the incident. The video has tickled the funny bones of internet users and received hundreds of reactions on social media.

Concerned about her reckless driving, a fellow motorist, Justin Kimery, called 911, believing he was witnessing reckless driving by an adult as per the New York Post. Theres a guy in a car, hes like right behind me. Hes swerving all over, hes swerving everywhere like in all the lanes, Kimery said, as per the report. Initially, he didnt not realise that the young girl was actually behind the wheel.

A few seconds later, Kimrey added, It looks like a kid. What the f*** is this kid doing? while talking to the operator.

Watch the video here:

an 8-year old girl in Ohio drove herself 25 minutes to Target, spent $400 and was drinking a Frappuccino when she got caught.Shes probably grounded for a while but as soon as shes free, Im investing in whatever she does next pic.twitter.com/1cuBMyJzvZ  Sheel Mohnot (@pitdesi) September 21, 2024

According to the Bedford Police, the determined young driver made the journey after taking her mothers 2020 Nissan Rouge without permission. As per the outlet, the police received a call from her worried parents reporting their daughter missing, shortly before the SUV was spotted miles away. A neighbours security camera had recorded the girl climbing into the vehicle alone, setting off a chain of events that would have local authorities scrambling to locate her.

The report also noted that the girl had $400 (nearly Rs 33,500) with her and used it to shop around at Target. Police made sure she returned safely to her parents after the adventure. She wasnt charged due to her age. No one was injured in the ordeal.

Eventually, the Bainbridge Township police found her in the parking lot of Target, where she was happily shopping, a Frappuccino in hand. In a light-hearted Facebook post, Bedford Police remarked, Well Ive finally found a woman whos in more of a hurry to shop at Target than my wife. More of hurry by 8 years. Thats right an 8 year old took mommys car this morning and drove to Target in Bainbridge to shop. Thankfully she made it and was immediately located by Bainbridge Police. Shes now home safe. Not sure what she bought, or if she was even able to use her Target app to save 5%. We did let her finish her Frappuccino. Were not mean.

The incident quickly became a source of amusement for everyone, with the comment section buzzing with a variety of reactions.

One user jokingly remarked, She should run for President in 2056, as soon as shes eligible. This is a leader.

She should run for President in 2056, as soon as she's eligible. This is a leader. https://t.co/Oqysh6Coxo urbanisms (@urbanisms) September 22, 2024

Another, clearly impressed with the young girls driving skills, chimed in with, The intelligence and independence of an 8-year-old is all you need to survive in the modern world.

The intelligence and independence of an 8 year old is all you need to survive in the modern world. https://t.co/7HgPc5KrBr Chirag Patnaik (@chirag) September 22, 2024

I find myself intensely curious as to what she bought at Target. You know you wanna know, someone else commented.

I find myself intensely curious as to what she bought at Target. You know you wanna know. https://t.co/Gjo5OH3cBi Dawn Bernstein (@guitardawn) September 22, 2024

Meanwhile, on Bedford Polices post, a user admitted, Im not gonna lie, Im pretty impressed. Theres some adults that cant manage that drive on their own, let alone only hitting a mailbox.

Another added, Just a girl in the world and sometimes you need retail therapy at Target. No one was hurt. This post is great.

What do you think of the incident?
A Bengaluru society has become a centre of controversy after a woman destroyed a Pookalam, a traditional floral arrangement made by children to celebrate Onam. A video that is doing rounds on social media platforms, shows a woman engaged in an argument and eventually stepping on Pookalam to destroy it. The incident has left both residents and internet users shocked, sparking outrage over the disrespect shown by the woman towards a cultural practice.

The altercation reportedly took place at the Monarch Serenity Apartment Complex in east Bengalurus Hegde Nagar. The woman in the video was involved in a dispute with other residents regarding the placement of the Pookalam in the common lobby area. She objected to the floral design display in a shared space rather than individual homes.

As she attempted to justify her actions, she referenced unclear statements about the Constitution of India and the Holy Bible. Let me see what the Constitution of India says. Even the Bible, as per the Bible, this is not (space) is not for putting any Pookolam here, Nair is heard saying in the viral footage.

Take a look at the video here:

That was truly shameless behavior! Simi Nair, a resident of Monarch Serenity Apartment Complex in Bengaluru, deliberately destroyed a Pookalam created by children in the common area to celebrate Onam. This act not only shows a lack of respect for the traditions and efforts of the pic.twitter.com/RrGrb9d3W0 Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) September 22, 2024

Though the authenticity of the footage hasnt been confirmed, it has triggered a flood of reactions on social media. Many users have criticised her action calling it disrespectful and mean.

One user voiced their frustration, saying, Where is our education, at this age she will not be happy and not let others be happy, soft beautiful flowers and good smell all around, how can one do this, ooh god save this mother.

where is our education, at this age she will not be happy n not let others be happy, soft beautiful flowers n good smell all around, how can one do this, ooh god save this mother. Pavan Uppoju (@PUppoju61280) September 23, 2024

Another called the womans act wicked and added, Whatever is the reason. Respect religion and traditions. Which are spread happiness and joy.

Its wicked and cheap mentality. Whatever is the reason.Respect religion and traditions. Which are spread happiness and joy. Vinay Shelar (@VinayNshelar) September 23, 2024

Another user called out for action against her behaviour, saying, This sort of people should be kicked out of society, how did she ever think of destroying others happiness which was not harming her in any way. Not acceptable. File a case against her.

This sort of people should be kicked out of society, how did she ever think of destroying others happiness which was not harming her in any way. Not acceptable. File a case against her. Ramesh Muniyappa (@MuniyappaR58902) September 23, 2024

India is all about responsibility and respect for each other. But she learnt nothing except arrogance, said one individual while another added, This made me so sad. What has happened to people?

India is all about responsibility and respect for each other. But she learnt nothing except arrogance https://t.co/cfM7AsQPAx Mahima Sharma  (@mahimawrites) September 23, 2024

This made me so sad. What has happened to people? https://t.co/MJY4vfGFGo Ziba Bhagwagar (@howbza) September 23, 2024

Onam, a 10-day festival celebrating the annual harvest in Kerala, began on September 5 this year and concluded on September 15.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a roundtable on Sunday with the CEOs of leading US companies, where he underscored Indias growth prospects and committed to making India a global hub for emerging technologies like semiconductors.

The meeting took place at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on Sunday during the second leg of Modis three-day US visit. The event focused on key areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, life sciences, IT and communications, and semiconductor technologies.

During the discussion, the CEOs delved into the evolving global technology landscape and its impact on human well-being, including advancements in India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). They explored how technology can drive innovations that have the potential to revolutionise the global economy.

Immense optimism towards India

Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India, Modi said in a post on X. Organized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, the CEOs of top US tech firms included the following:

List Of CEOs

Global technology landscape

The CEOs participated in a deep dive with Prime Minister on the evolving technology landscape at a global level and how these cutting-edge technologies are contributing to the well-being of people around the world including in India, the MEA release said. They touched upon how technology is being leveraged for innovations, which have the potential to revolutionize the global economy and human development.

PM Modi commended the MIT School of Engineering and its Dean for convening the technology leaders, emphasising that collaboration and initiatives like the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) are central to the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. He reaffirmed his governments commitment to making India the worlds third-largest economy and encouraged companies to leverage Indias growth story for collaboration and innovation.

Committed to making India a

PM Modi also underlined the economic transformation underway in India, particularly in sectors such as electronics, IT manufacturing, semiconductors, and green technology. He stated that his government was committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing. He also dwelt on Indias BIO E3 policy to develop India into a biotech powerhouse, the MEA said. Regarding artificial intelligence, he stated that India promotes an AI for All policy, rooted in ethical and responsible usage.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the CEOs expressed strong interest in investing and collaborating with India, noting the countrys emergence as a global technology hub driven by innovation-friendly policies and market opportunities. They recognised the potential for synergistic opportunities in investing in startups to develop new technologies, the MEA added.
As Robert notes, progress is a policy choice, and our leaders have the agency to build a forward-looking economy to the benefit of all Canadians.

Authored by my colleague Robert Asselin, who is a former economic advisor to two Prime Ministers, the report concludes with 17 concrete recommendations for policymakers.

Thats why earlier this month the Business Council released Engines of Growth . The report provides a roadmap for a new innovation-driven economic strategy  one that focuses on production over consumption with the goal of raising the living standards of all Canadians.

As MPs return to Parliament next week, my hope is that they focus their efforts on long-term solutions rather than short-term politics.

Yet this year Im concerned. Despite all that our country has to offer, our economy is struggling with rising unemployment and falling GDP per capita.

As someone who grew up in Alberta, Ive always thought of the fall as a time of hope and optimism. Its harvest season after all  a time of year when Canadas rich bounty is on full display.

Letter to The Honourable Mary Ng, P.C., M.P., Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, regarding Global Affairs Canadas economic security consultation.

Dear Minister Ng:

Re: Global Affairs Canadas economic security consultation

I am pleased to share with you the Business Council of Canadas (BCC) views on your departments economic security consultation.

The BCC appreciates the opportunity to participate in this important consultation. We have long advocated for the Government of Canada to work collaboratively with Canadas business leaders to safeguard Canadians economic security, which is increasingly threatened by mercantilism, economic coercion, and other unfair trade practices.

As we asserted in our 2023 report, Economic Security is National Security:

Canada and its allies adhere to a common set of market values  such as the rule of law  that ensure that economic competition takes place on a level playing field.

Strategic threat actors reject these globally recognized rules. They are increasingly adopting mercantilist practices aimed at giving their state champions the advantages necessary to replace imports with domestic production, climb global value chains, and seize dominant global market share in strategic sectors.

The catalogue of predatory practices is lengthy. It extends well beyond generally accepted support for home-grown industries, to include manipulating local currencies to give their state champions an unfair price advantage in foreign markets, requirements for foreign firms to transfer advanced technology to state champions as a prerequisite to access their markets, and the showering of massive industrial subsidies on state champions that allow them to engage in unprofitable activity that wipes out foreign competition.

These mercantilist interventions mean that Canadian firms are not competing with a typical commercial company. Instead, they are operating on a skewed playing field, competing with the full strength and resources of a foreign state

This, in turn, destroys domestic industries and gives Canada no choice but to rely on state champions for critical economic inputs.

That reliance is especially problematic. The blurred lines between state policy and private pursuits means that even ostensibly private firms often have no choice but to support their governments national security objectives. This includes providing support, assistance, and cooperation to intelligence agencies.

In addition, we warned:

Our reliance on international trade makes also us vulnerable. Strategic threat actors seek to expand their global influence by weaponizing Canadas dependence on trade to pressure, induce, or influence the Government of Canada into taking actions that conform with their national priorities.

Strategic threat actors use diverse tactics to coerce the Government of Canada. They can restrict the movement of critical goods for which there are no substitutes, withhold reciprocal access to domestic markets, and subject Canadian goods to onerous import inspections and conditions.

With Canadian exports supporting more than one out of every six jobs in the country, weaponized trade can directly threaten the livelihoods of Canadians

Weaponized trade may also have broader societal costs. As Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has highlighted for our European allies, overreliance on a strategic threat actor for critical economic inputs, especially one with systemically divergent values and interests, can prove both costly and deadly for society during a crisis.

Canada is dependent on strategic threat actors for a broad range of commodities vital to Canadians safety, security, and prosperity

To mitigate these and other serious economic security threats identified in our 2023 report, the BCC urged the Government to adopt a new national security strategy, one that for the first time puts economic security considerations at its core. To flesh out this strategy, we further offered the Government nearly 40 detailed policy proposals.

We are pleased to see the Government has followed our advice by announcing that it will soon publish its first national security strategy in over two decades. We are also pleased to see that the Government has adopted many of our detailed policy proposals, including amending the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act to authorize CSIS to proactively share threat intelligence with Canadas private sector, and modernizing the national security provisions of the Investment Canada Act to better target and screen out malicious foreign investments.

However, several key recommendations from our 2023 report  which have direct relevance to your departments current consultation  have not yet been addressed. We urge that you reconsider these proposals.

Specifically, we recommend that:

To blunt the impacts of mercantilist practices, the Government should create new legal mechanisms to block the import of foreign goods and services that have benefitted materially from unfair economic practices. The Governments initial focus should be on blocking strategic threat actors market access to critical industries where they are using illegal means to catch up and surpass Canada.

To safeguard our continued access to critical economic inputs while strengthening the Governments capability to act independently on the global stage, the Government should work with sectors vulnerable to economic coercion to strengthen the depth and resilience of critical supply chains. This should include conducting vulnerability reviews, sharing threat information, developing robust mitigation strategies, curbing excessive dependence on strategic threat actors, and increasing availability of free-market alternatives.

To help Canadian companies compete on a level playing field with strategic threat actors in developing and commercializing emerging and disruptive technologies, the Government should complement the economic and innovative capacity of Canadian companies with a modern industrial strategy. More specifically, the Government must identify and support advanced technologies that are foundational to spurring economic growth, strategic from a national security perspective, and where companies on their own are not yet able to make the investments needed to develop and commercialize such technologies.

To reinforce the rules-based economic order, the Government, in partnership with other like-minded allies, should: Strengthen the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core;

Strengthen or join international frameworks promoting free and fair trade and investment among market-oriented countries, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework; and

Create and enhance plurilateral measures to collectively deter, withstand, and counter economic coercion and other unfair trade practices, such as through a NATO for trade whereby allied nations agree to come to the aid of each other when they are economically threatened. As a part of this initiative, Canada should leverage its economic advantages, such as in the production of energy, food, and minerals, to help reduce our allies trade dependencies on strategic threat actors.



To ensure that any new economic security measures are implemented in an effective and timely manner, the Government should create a dedicated planning, decision-making, and coordination unit within the Privy Council Office to engage Canadian businesses and to organize, coordinate, and direct the Governments responses across the numerous government departments and agencies with competing economic security mandates and responsibilities.

In addition to these recommendations, we note the consultation materials asked stakeholders to comment on potential new measures to improve the competitive standing of Canadian critical minerals projects and related supply chains. Specifically, the materials suggested that the Government may be contemplating additional incentives for the critical minerals sector as well as financing measures to address price volatility and supply chain diversification. The BCC generally agrees that additional attention is needed in this area.

That said, the BCC believes that the competitiveness of Canadas critical minerals sector could best be enhanced through project approval and permitting reform. The unpredictability and uncertainty of Canadas regulatory approval and permitting processes is the single greatest disincentive to invest in new critical minerals mining projects. This extends to both the approvals for mines and the critical infrastructure needed to support their operations and access to foreign markets.

While this consultation asks important questions about Canadas critical mineral supply, we strongly urge the department to take a broader view to ensure that the countrys diverse energy interests, inclusive of oil and gas, are factored into its work. The strategic importance of our oil and gas sector should not be overlooked, especially at a time when our allies and trading partners are looking to Canada to provide a safe and stable supply of energy in the decades to come.

Lastly, the consultation materials underscore the importance of compliance with international obligations, including those set out in Canadas various trade and investment agreements. The BCC agrees that this must be a priority  especially for Canada.

As we stressed in our 2023 report:

[The Governments approach to addressing economic security threats] must be balanced. While it must be capable of tackling the threats facing Canadians at home and abroad, it must also remain consistent with Canadas democratic values as well as ensure that the domestic and international environment remains conducive to beneficial cross-border activities, such as trade and economic immigration, which are central to our national interests.

In other words, protecting Canadas economic security should not be used as a veiled excuse for the Government of Canada to undermine Canadians rights, adopt protectionist trade and investment rules, or decouple its relations with certain foreign states altogether.

Indeed, if the Government expects foreign states to adhere to the rules-based international economic order, then it is incumbent upon Canada to honour the commitments it has made to its trading partners.

Unfortunately, the Government has taken measures which our closest trading partners believe violate the letter and spirit of our international economic agreements. This includes, most recently, the Governments decision to unilaterally impose a digital services tax on foreign technology companies which very likely violates Canadas critically important trade agreement with the United States and Mexico.

Economic coercion, mercantilism, and other unfair trade practices represent a clear and present danger to the economic prosperity of all Canadians. While urgent government action is required, the Government must ensure the measures it takes do not jeopardize Canadas relations with its closest trading partners. As a trading nation, these partners have, and will remain, essential to protecting Canadians economic resiliency and prosperity.

Yours very truly,

Goldy Hyder

c.c.:
Israel and Hezbollah threatened on Sunday to escalate their cross-border attacks despite international pleas to step back from the brink of all-out war that could ravage the West Asia region. After facing a barrage of rocket fire from Lebanon last week, IDF dealt a series of blows to the Iranian-backed outfit.

A defiant Hezbollah soon announced that the group was in a new phase in its battle against Israel. Undeterred, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, meanwhile, threatened more assassinations and the destruction of Hezbollah. After the Lebanese group launched over 150 rockets and drones into Israel, Halevi said on Sunday that the price Hezbollah will pay will only grow.

We advise Lebanon civilians

In a warning of potential escalation, the Israeli military on Monday told people in Lebanon to move away from Hezbollah targets and vowed to carry out more extensive and precise strikes against the Iran-backed group.

We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harms way for their own safety, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a media briefing. The IDF will engage in extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon. Hagari said the military had launched new strikes against Hezbollah sites since Monday morning.

War Of Attrition

In a Maariv interview on Sunday, former IDF Air Defence commander Brig.-Gen. Zvika Haimovich voiced his skepticism about his countrys current military strategy, which he says does not align with the war goals to restore the North. Weve seen cyber and psychological operations on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Friday, the targeted killing of Ibrahim Aqil. But the question is, are these tactical actions really part of achieving the larger goal?

Speaking about the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallahs promise to get revenge on Israel, Haimovich said, For the first time, Nasrallah admitted, We suffered the hardest blow. But just a moment later, he doubled down on his long-standing position since the war began: Israel is caught in a multi-front conflict. His doctrine is clearif Gaza is quiet, Hezbollah will hold fire as well. For him, the war of attrition is the right path.

Unwritten rules

Haimovich stressed that while Israels tactical operations have been impressive, they are not enough to force Nasrallah into a truce. These actions, successful as they are, wont change his position. He warned that Israel must be ready for a response from the Lebanese outfit that breaks the current unwritten rules between the two sides.

We need to prepare for the possibility that Hezbollah will strike beyond the usual scopewhether thats drones targeting Haifa, national infrastructure in places like Hadera or Tel Aviv, or a combination of the two. We must also stay alert to other potential fronts, as I believe there is coordination between Iran and Hezbollah. Any response could include unresolved issues from Iran as well, he was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post.

Escalate to de-escalate

Amid escalating tensions on the northern border, Israeli media reported on Sunday evening that the US government has conveyed a stern warning to Israel, urging the country not to reach the highest level of military response against Hezbollah. The Biden administration fears a full-scale war in the region could draw the United States into a broader conflict. The message from Washington to Israel reflects concerns about the recent security escalation and emphasizes caution, KAN News reported.

The US reportedly understands Israels new tactical approach, often referred to as escalate to de-escalate, but cautions against crossing a critical threshold in its responses. US officials reportedly advised their Israeli counterparts to leave room for a diplomatic solution even when responding. Channel 12 News quoted unnamed diplomatic sources saying, The American message emphasizes an understanding of Israels need to respond to Hezbollahs provocations. However, there is a clear call for restraint to avoid a broader confrontation.
The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday released pictures and videos of what it called proof of Hezbollah weapons being placed in homes, as it launched heavy airstrikes on Lebanon that killed at least 492 people, including 35 children.

This came soon after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Lebanese to get out of harms way. It was coupled with the militarys warning on Monday (September 23) that called on residents of southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate homes and other buildings, where Hezbollah stores weapons and said it was carrying out extensive strikes against the militant group.

The rocket that you see below is a long-range rocket, stored on a hydraulic system directed toward Israeli civilians and ready to be launched at a moments notice, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a post on X along with pictures.

The rocket that you see below is a long-range rocket, stored on a hydraulic system directed toward Israeli civilians and ready to be launched at a moments notice. This is just one of the 1,300 targets including long-range cruise missiles, heavy-weight rockets and UAVs that were pic.twitter.com/XHGsKPzxbQ  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024

This is just one of the 1,300 targets including long-range cruise missiles, heavy-weight rockets and UAVs that were struck today in Lebanon and were going to be used to cause major damage in all areas of Israel, it added.

Netanyahu further said Hezbollah is using the Lebanese people as human shields. I have a message for the people of Lebanon: Israels war is not with you. Its with Hezbollah. For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage. Starting this morning, the IDF has warned you to get out of harms way. I urge you  take this warning seriously. Dont let Hezbollah endanger your lives and the lives of your loved ones. Dont let Hezbollah endanger Lebanon. Please, get out of harms way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes, he said in a video message.

Message for the people of Lebanon: pic.twitter.com/gNVNLUlvjm Benjamin Netanyahu    (@netanyahu) September 23, 2024

The IDF also released a video explaining how the group is exploiting civilian infrastructure as weapons storage sites. Taking to X, the Israeli forces posted the video and wrote, IDF Spox. RAdm. Daniel Hagari explains how Hezbollah exploits civilian infrastructure as weapons storage sites and uses the Lebanese people as human shields.

WATCH: IDF Spox. RAdm. Daniel Hagari explains how Hezbollah exploits civilian infrastructure as weapons storage sites and uses the Lebanese people as human shields: pic.twitter.com/nuNG8OEo8G Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024

Marking the deadliest day of cross-border violence since the Gaza war began, the Israeli army announced it had struck 800 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Lebanese citizens in the southern part of the country and Israelis in the northern region fled their apartments for safer locations.

Residents of the northern Israeli city of Haifa ran for shelter as sirens rang out Monday evening. Sirens sounded in the city of Haifa and surrounding areas, northern Israel, the Israeli army said in a statement.

Approximately 180 projectiles and one unmanned aerial vehicle crossed into Israeli airspace over the course of the day in different parts of the countrys north, the army reported. The majority of the projectiles were either intercepted by Israels Iron Dome anti-missile system or fell in open areas, it said.

Lebanese Flee War

Health workers in southern Lebanon scrambled to treat hundreds of wounded, as families rushed to flee the deadliest Israeli strikes in nearly a year of cross-border clashes. In the southern city of Sidon, there were traffic jams on the main highway to Beirut, as families fled the strikes in cars and vans.

Some of the areas hit on Monday had largely been spared from the near-daily cross-border violence that began when Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, sparking the Gaza war. Lebanons education ministry said all educational institutions would shut for two days.

Biden Urges Restraint

President Joe Biden said the United States was trying to calm the situation in Lebanon after Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds killed at least 274 people, including children. Ive been briefed on the latest developments in Israel and Lebanon. My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and were working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely, Biden said as he held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House.

US Moves Troops

The United States is sending a small number of additional troops to the Middle East in response to rising tensions in the region, the Pentagon said, giving few further details. The announcement comes as fears of a broader regional war grow, with Israel striking hundreds of targets in Lebanon in what is by far the deadliest cross-border escalation in nearly a year of violence between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israel is reportedly investigating the potential death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar following a deadly rocket strike that targeted a school in Gaza City. The Israeli military said that the strike was aimed at a Hamas command center, while Palestinian health authorities reported that 22 people were killed in the attack.

Israeli officials are now looking into the possibility that Sinwar may have been killed during the Israeli Defense Forces operations in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported. In Israel, they are investigating the possibility that Haya Sanwar is no longer alive. This possibility was raised in Amn, by some of the experts dealing with the Palestinian arena, although it has no support or evidence on the ground, journalist Ben Caspit said in a post on X.

    :        .    ,      ,        . ,  ,      .    ,   Ben Caspit   (@BenCaspit) September 22, 2024

Dead Or Alive?

Caspit suggested that Sinwars history of evading death could explain why he might not be confirmed dead at this time. He referenced past instances where Sinwar disappeared after strikes, leading to similar rumors about his demise. The Shin Bet, as far as is known, rejects the possibility and believes that Sanwar is alive, the journalist said.

According to the theory being tested, Sanwar was killed during an IDF activity without this being known or published. As mentioned, this possibility is currently being examined, but the chance that the man was indeed killed is not high, he added. Citing a knowledgeable source, the Israeli journalist added that There have also been cases in the past when he disappeared and we thought he was killed, but then he reappeared.

Yahya Sinwar, who masterminded the October 7 attacks on Israel, became the chief of Hamas in August after his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an explosion in Iran. Born in 1962, Sinwar was one of the early members of Hamas when it was founded in 1987. He previously led the militant groups security branch and was known for his ruthless tactics against suspected collaborators.

Sinwar was imprisoned by Israel in the late 1980s for killing 12 individuals accused of being informants and received four life sentences. While incarcerated, he organized protests for better conditions and studied Hebrew and Israeli society. In 2008, he overcame brain cancer with treatment from Israeli doctors.

He was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange for an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas. Alongside Mohammed Deif, head of Hamass armed wing, Sinwar is believed to have orchestrated the October 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis. This assault triggered a conflict that has claimed over 40,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities.
At least 376 people were killed and thousands wounded after the Israeli military carried out some 300 strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday.

This is the heaviest daily toll reported in nearly a year of cross-border clashes amid growing fears of a full-fledged war between the two sides that could upend the region.

Israeli enemy strikes on southern towns and villages since this morning have killed 274 people and wounded 1,024 others, a statement from the Lebanese health ministry said, adding that children, women and paramedics were among the casualties.

working to de-escalate

President Joe Biden said on Monday that the United States was trying to calm the situation in Lebanon after Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds killed at least 274 people, including children.

Ive been briefed on the latest developments in Israel and Lebanon. My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and were working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely, Biden said as he held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House.

Get Out Of Harms Way

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanese people to move away from danger as the Israeli military pounded Hezbollah targets in the countrys south and east on Monday.

Please, get out of harms way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes, Netanyahu said in a video statement shortly after the Israeli army announced it had struck 800 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Lloyd Dials Israeli Counterpart

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Austin voiced support for Israels right to self-defence as Hezbollahs attacks escalate.

He , however, maintained the need for a diplomatic solution to ensure the safety of civilians and called for a ceasefire in Gaza to secure the release of hostages.

Austin also reiterated that the US is ready to protect its forces and deter any attempts to widen the conflict.

IDF Says it Struck 300 Targets in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced in a post on the social media platform X that more than 300 Hezbollah targets were struck in Lebanon on Monday.

The Israeli army also shared a photo showing what is believed to be military chief Lt Gen Herzi Halevi approving additional attacks from military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

The Chief of the General Staff approves strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon from the IDF Headquarters Underground Operations Center. So far, more than 300 Hezbollah targets have been struck today. pic.twitter.com/hbNKWJ8QAs Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024

The Chief of the General Staff approves strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon from the IDF Headquarters Underground Operations Center. So far, more than 300 Hezbollah targets have been struck today, the post stated.

A pro-Israel channel on X also shared a video of IDF jets thundering through the skies over the Sinai village in Lebanon.

   pic.twitter.com/u740rYaGcj     (@Saher_News_24_7) September 23, 2024

Hezbollah Strikes Back At Israeli Military Positions

Hezbollah said that it targeted three sites in northern Israel, including military production facilities, in retaliation for IDF strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon.

In response to the Israeli enemy attacks that targeted the south and Bekaa areas, Hezbollah fighters bombed two military positions in northern Israel, as well as the Rafael Defense Industries complexes north of Haifa, the group said in a release.

Hamas condemns Israels barabaric aggression

The Palestinian militant group Hamas also condemned Israels attack on southern Lebanon on Monday. We, in the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, affirm that this wide-scale barbaric aggression is a war crime, the group stated, adding that they reaffirmed our solidarity with our brothers in Hezbollah and the brotherly Lebanese people.

The attacks mark the largest escalation of violence between Hezbollah and Israel since the war in the Gaza Strip erupted on October 7.

Iran warns Israel of dangerous consequences

Following deadly strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani called the Israeli strikes as insane and cautioned against the dangerous consequences of the Zionists new adventure.

Kanani said Israels crimes in Palestinian territories and their expansion to Lebanon are a clear example of a serious threat to regional and international peace.

He strongly criticised US support for Israel and called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take immediate action to halt these crimes.

Lebanon closes schools for 2 days

Lebanese Education Minister Abbas Halabi on Monday said that the schools in the countrys east and south as well as in Beiruts southern suburbs would shut for two days as Israeli strikes intensified.

In a statement, Halabi announced the closure of public and private schools on Monday and Tuesday in the areas due to security and military situations that pose a danger to the movement of students.

Iraqs Top Shiite Cleric Calls For Efforts To End Israeli Aggression

Iraqs top Shiite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, on Monday urged for every possible effort to stop Israeli aggression against Lebanon, particularly targeting the Shiite Hezbollah movement.

Sistani called for actions to end this barbaric aggression and to protect the Lebanese people.

Destructive plan

Earlier, a military spokesperson told news agency AFP that in the morning there were about 150 strikes. Shortly after IDF announced its military strikes, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced a destructive plan amid intense Israeli strikes Monday on east and south Lebanon.

The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns, Mikati told a cabinet meeting. He urged the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries to deter the (Israeli) aggression.

Stop all non-essential surgery

Lebanons health ministry on Monday told hospitals in the south and east to stop all non-urgent surgery in order to handle the wounded from intense Israeli strikes. The ministry asks all hospitals in south and east Lebanon districts to stop all non-essential surgery in order to make space to treat the wounded due to the expanding Israeli aggression on Lebanon, a statement said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant attended an assessment on the readiness of the home front amid widening fighting, The Time Of Israel reported. Ahead of us are days when the public will have to show composure, discipline, and full obedience to instructions by the Home Front Command, he said.

We advise civilians

Earlier on Monday, the Israeli military told people in Lebanon to move away from Hezbollah targets and vowed to carry out more extensive and precise strikes against the Iran-backed group.

We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harms way for their own safety, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a media briefing.

(With inputs from agencies)
Japan lodged a very serious protest with Moscow after a Russian patrol plane entered its airspace three times, the defence minister said Monday, calling it the first confirmed incursion since 2019.

The military responded by scrambling fighter jets and issuing radio and flare warnings, Minoru Kihara told reporters.

We confirmed today that a Russian Il-38 patrol aircraft has violated our airspace over our territorial waters north of Rebun Island, Hokkaido, on three occasions, he said.

The airspace violation is extremely regrettable and today we lodged a very serious protest with the Russian government via diplomatic channels and strongly urged them to prevent a recurrence.

Japan has supported the Western position on Ukraine, providing Kyiv with financial and material support and sanctioning Russian individuals and organisations after Moscows invasion of its neighbour.

Kihara said it was the first publicly announced airspace incursion by a Russian aircraft since June 2019, when a Tu-95 bomber entered Japanese airspace in southern Okinawa and around the Izu Islands south of Tokyo.

In 2023, an aircraft believed but not confirmed to be Russian entered Japanese airspace, according to the defence ministry.

Top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi also said on Monday that we will refrain from giving any definitive information on the intent and purpose of this action, but the Russian military has been active in the vicinity of our country since the invasion of Ukraine.

Japan also scrambled fighter jets this month when Russian aircraft flew around the archipelago for the first time since 2019.

The Tu-142 planes did not enter Japanese airspace but flew over an area subject to a territorial dispute between Japan and Russia, Tokyo said.

Russian and Chinese warships recently held joint drills in the Sea of Japan, part of a major naval exercise that President Vladimir Putin said was the largest of its kind for three decades.

Japan scrambled fighter jets in August after the first confirmed incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into its airspace, with Tokyo calling it a serious violation of its sovereignty.

Then last week, a Chinese aircraft carrier sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan for the first time. Japan called that incident totally unacceptable from the perspective of the security environment of Japan and the region.

China said the passage complied with international law.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance Sunday since she announced she had completed chemotherapy and would return to some public duties.

Kate and her husband, Prince William, were seen Sunday attending church with King Charles III and Queen Camilla near their royal Balmoral estate in Scotland.

Kate, 42, announced on Sept. 9 that she had completed treatment six months after revealing she had an undisclosed type of cancer. Her announcement came six weeks after Buckingham Palace announced that the king was being treated for cancer.

In a video announcing her progress, she said the path to full recovery would be long and she would take it day by day. She said she would undertake some limited engagements through the end of the year.

While she stepped away from most public duties during her treatment, Kate made two appearances earlier this year. First, during the kings birthday parade in June, known as Trooping the Colour, and most recently during the mens final at Wimbledon in July, where she received a standing ovation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is returning to India after completing a three-day trip to the United States which saw the Prime Minister engage with Quad leaders, meet the US President Joe Biden in his hometown, preside over a mega gathering of the Indian diaspora and make a fresh pitch for peace at the UN Summit for the Future event.

On the final day of his US trip, the Prime Minister also met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York after meeting leaders of Vietnam and Armenia.

PM Modi kicked off his trip on Saturday, greeted by members of the Indian diaspora in Wilmington, Delaware. He then held a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden where they both held productive discussions on ties between both nations.

The United States partnership with India is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history. Prime Minister Modi, each time we sit down, Im struck by our ability to find new areas of cooperation. Today was no different, Biden said in a post on X.

He also met Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. All the three leaders were hosted at Bidens residence in Greenville.

Quad Summit

The Prime Minister attended the Quad Summit with the three leaders at Bidens alma mater Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware. At the summit, which was meant to be a farewell summit for outgoing leaders Kishida and Biden, PM Modi said Quad is here to stay and that the group is not against anyone.

Our meeting is taking place at a time when the world is surrounded by tensions and conflicts. In such a situation, it is crucial for the Quad to unite around our shared democratic values for the greater good of humanity, Modi said in his remarks at the summit.

We are not against anyone. We all support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of all issues, he said.

China has been viewing Quad as a grouping aiming to counter its strategic heft.

Quad Cancer Moonshot

The Quad Cancer Moonshot is a groundbreaking partnership to save lives in the Indo-Pacific region by combating cervical cancer. Through the initiative, the Quad countries comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia have committed to work together to address gaps in the cervical cancer care and treatment ecosystem in the Indo-Pacific countries.

India has pledged a grant of USD 7.5 million to the testing, screening, and diagnosis of the disease in the Indo-Pacific region.

India is ready to share its experience and expertise, he said, asserting that the grant was made under Indias vision of One Earth, One Heath.

The prime minister also announced that India will provide support for radiotherapy treatment and capacity building for cancer prevention in the Indo-Pacific.

He also said that Indo-Pacific countries will be benefiting from the supply of 40 million doses of vaccine from India under GAVI, an international organisation created in 2000 to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the worlds poorest countries, and QUAD programmes.

Mega Diaspora Event

The Indian diaspora accorded a warm welcome to the Prime Minister on Sunday at the Nassau Coliseum in New York when over 13,000 members of the Indian-American community from over 40+ states of the US gathered for the Modi & US event.

At the event, PM Modi lauded the Indian-American community for being living bridges connecting India and the US.

He told the mega gathering that he has set very ambitious goals for the country during his third term.

Every Indian has confidence in India and its achievements. India today is a land of opportunities. Its no longer waiting for opportunities. It is now creating opportunities, he said, adding that in just a decade 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty.

This was possible because we changed our old way of thinking. We changed our approach. We empowered the poor, he told the Indian Americans. It is this new middle class, which is accelerating the development of India, he said.

Modi said he has dedicated his life to good governance and for a prosperous India. Observing that destiny brought him to politics, Modi said he had never thought of becoming a chief minister or prime minister. Over the last 10 years, people have seen this model of governance and thus have voted him to power for a third term, he added.

The Prime Minister also announced that India will open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles, meeting the long-pending demand of the fast-growing Indian American community in these two large American cities.

Push For Peace And Reform At UN Meeting

Modi on Monday said that the success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not on the battlefield as he addressed the UNs Summit of the Future held against the backdrop of raging global conflicts.

Addressing world leaders from the iconic podium of the UN General Assembly hall, Modi, beginning his speech with a Namaskar, said that he brings the voice of 1.4 billion Indians or one-sixth of humanity to the UN.

He emphasised that for global peace and development, reforms in global institutions are essential.

He noted that the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 under Indias presidency of the grouping at the New Delhi Summit last year was an important step in this direction. India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts to reform the 15-nation Security Council, saying the powerful UN body does not reflect current geopolitics realities and underscoring that it rightly deserves a permanent seat at the horse-shoe table. India last sat at the UN high table as a non-permanent member in 2021-22.

Modi also gave a call for global action to match global ambition as the world continues to grapple with the threat of terrorism as well as newer challenges.

While on the one hand, terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security, on the other hand, areas such as cyber, maritime and space, are emerging as new theatres of conflict, he said.

On all these issues, I will stress, that, global action must match global ambition! he said.

CEO Roundtable

The Prime Minister urged CEOs of US majors to take advantage of Indias growth story as the country is making all efforts to become the third largest economy of the world in his third term.

India is currently the fifth largest economy of the world after the US, China, Germany and Japan with a GDP of around USD 3.9 trillion. India has been the fastest growing large economies of the world with GDP growth rate of over 7 per cent for the last three consecutive years.

Addressing CEOs of the large US tech firms on Sunday, Modi said India will make every effort to become the third largest economy in the world in his third term (2024-29).

Companies should take advantage of Indias growth story for collaboration and innovation by co-developing, co-designing, and co-producing in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from the countrys economic and technological growth, he said.

Bilateral Meetings

PM Modi met the leaders of Kuwait, Nepal, Palestine and Vietnam in New York. He discussed issues of regional and global importance and status of bilateral ties with Nepals KP Sharma Oli and accepted his invitation to visit the Himalayan nation.

Modi met with Palestines President Abbas and reiterated Indias support for the Palestinian people.

PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today, the MEA said in an X post.

The PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed Indias continued support to the people of Palestine, it said.

Modi also met Kuwaits Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah and discussed ways to deepen historical linkages and people-to-people contacts.

On Monday, he met Vietnamese President To Lam on the sidelines of UNGA here and discussed ways to enhance the ties between the two countries and add momentum in sectors such as connectivity, trade, and culture.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday evening met American industry leaders from sectors including semiconductors, electronics and biotechnology, and discussed Indias vast potential and opportunities it can offer in these sectors.

#WATCH | United States: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a Roundtable meeting with prominent CEOs of Tech Companies in New York. pic.twitter.com/QzsgAwIsN9 ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2024

Among the participants at the CEO roundtable were Adobe Chairman, President, and CEO Shantanu Narayen; Google CEO Sundar Pichai; IBM CEO Arvind Krishna; AMD Chair and CEO Lisa Su; and Moderna Chairman Noubar Afeyan.

News agency ANI released a video of the CEO roundtable where Pichai and Su were seen delivering remarks as PM Modi listened keenly. External affairs minister S Jaishankar also attended the meeting.

According to the news agency, the CEOs and PM Modi discussed possibilities of emerging technologies collaboration. They also discussed means to foster stronger collaborations between India and the US in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology sectors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged for conflicts to be resolved at diplomatic levels instead of bloodshed on battlefields while addressing the UN Summit For The Future Summit in New York City.

The success of humanity lies in our collective strength and not on the battlefield, PM Modi said, who recently visited Kyiv and sent his national security advisor to Moscow on the sidelines of a multilateral summit, urging both sides to pursue a diplomatic solution to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.

He is among the very few world leaders who have spoken to both leaders, Ukraines Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and urged them, in-person, to pursue a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict which inches towards its third year.

PM Modi is also among the leaders who have spoken to the Palestinian government led by Fatah and the Israeli government and have urged them to pursue a path of dialogue.

His remarks also come after his brief meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in New York and reaffirmed Indias continued support to the people of Palestine.

PM Modi had earlier spoken to Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on two occasions. Shortly after the October 7 attacks, PM Modi told Netanyahu that people of India stand firmly with Israel and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

However, in a recent call in the month of August, he told the Israeli Prime Minister the need to de-escalate the situation.

India in the UN has backed the two-state solution to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict, while calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip and ensuring that civilian lives are protected as the war in the coastal enclave rages on, with the death toll of Palestinian civilians climbing.

PM Modi also said that terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security and pointed out that cyber security, maritime and space are emerging as new theatres of conflict.

I will stress that global action must match global ambition, he said.
Upset with the huge success of Prime Minister Narendra Modis event in the United States on Sunday, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), released a 90-second video threatening Indo-American citizens.

In his message, Pannun said, Please take your Indo-Americans back to India. All those who planned and funded the event are followers of Modis Hindutva ideology."

ALSO READ | NY Cops Thwart Khalistani Bid To Disrupt PM Modis Mega Diaspora Event In New York, Arrest One

According to sources close to intelligence agencies, his video was on expected lines. Pannun is a rogue element who has no identity. He is doing this on the directions of foreign agencies who have funded him. His law suit was planned deliberately at a time when the PM was going and these agencies never expected huge success. The event was as successful as any event in India," sources said.

Pannun, a US citizen who is misusing his access in the UK and Canada, is responsible for acts of terrorism in multiple countries and is booked in multiple cases by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state police departments in India.

Pannun had planned anti-Modi protests in the US, timing it with the PMs visit.

Ahead of the PMs visit from September 21-23, Pannun had filed a civil lawsuit in a US court, alleging Indian officials orchestrated a conspiracy to assassinate him, which was foiled as the hitmen turned out to be undercover US agents. The lawsuit seeks damages, alleging that he was targeted for speaking in favour of an independent Sikh state. The US court has summoned Centres officials, evoking a sharp response from New Delhi. Intel sources have termed the allegations baseless".

ALSO READ | Protests To Lawsuit: Decoding Pannuns Plans Ahead of PM Modis US Visit | Exclusive From Intel Sources

This is the first visit of PM Modi in his third term. It is also significant as this time, along with bilateral issues, QUAD, concerns of Global South, the focus is also on the war in Europe as he recently visited both Russia and Ukraine.

On September 23, Prime Minister Modi will address a gathering of world leaders at the Summit of the Future (SOTF) at United Nations and on the sidelines, he is expected to hold bilateral meetings with other Heads of states visiting New York for UNGA.
US Vice President Kamala Harris leads Republican rival Donald Trump by 5 percentage points in an NBC News poll released on Sunday that found that respondents have come to see her more favourably since she emerged as the Democratic candidate for president.

Asked about their views of Harris since she became the nominee, 48 per cent of 1,000 registered voters surveyed said it was positive, compared to 32 per cent in July  the largest jump among politician ratings polled by NBC since President George W Bushs favorability rose after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Asked about Trump, 40 per cent of those polled said they viewed him positively compared to 38 per cent in July, the news network said. The poll, conducted September 13-17, has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

A separate CBS News poll also found Harris leading Trump, by 4 percentage points, 52 per cent to 48 per cent, among likely voters, with a margin of error rate of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

The findings are broadly in line with other recent national polls, including those by Reuters/Ipsos, that show a close contest heading into the November 5 election.

While national surveys offer important signals on the views of the electorate, the state-by-state results of the Electoral College determine the winner, with a handful of battleground states likely to be decisive.

Trump, 78, is making his third consecutive bid for the White House after losing to Joe Biden in 2020, which he continues to falsely blame on widespread voter fraud while facing federal and state criminal charges over efforts to overturn the election results.

Harris, 59, is a former US senator and prosecutor now serving under Biden. She would be the first woman to serve as president in the nations 248-year history.

Shes been able to change this from a race that was a referendum on Joe Biden to a race that is a referendum on Donald Trump, Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, told NBCs Meet the Press.

In CBS poll of 3,129 registered voters surveyed from September 18-20, Harris edged up 2 percentage points after a 50-50 split in August, shored by her performance in the September 10 debate and brightening economic news.
Paramount, you got some splainin to do! 'I Love Lucy: The Complete Series' Blu-ray Box Set Coming November 5th!
The government has directed the Harare City Council to fund the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwas social projects.

NewsDay is in possession of letters from government ministries and the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) directing the Harare municipality to participate financially in the First Ladys programmes.

In a letter dated June 6, 2024 addressed to Harare town clerk Hosiah Chisango, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare permanent secretary Simon Masanga directed Harare to release money to fund the relocation of street children to Auxillias Childrens Home in Chiredzi. Twenty children were removed from the streets and placed at Auxillias Childrens Home in Chiredzi. They were enrolled at nearby schools.

As the chairperson of Harare task force on children working on the streets, your support is requested towards the removal and placement of children removed from central business district to Auuxillia Mnangagwas Children Home from 12th to 15th of June 2024, the letter read in part.

On April 4, 2024, UCAZ wrote directing Chisango to release funds for female councillors to attend the junior councillors annual national conference held in Victoria Falls from 11th to 14th of the same month.

On July 9, 2024, Harare metropolitan province secretary for provincial Affairs and Devolution Cosmas Chiringa wrote to Chisango requesting the release of HCC official Chiruzi Selina to be part of the advance team to the Sadc regional cookout competitions in Victoria Falls held from July 24 to 29.
The Illinois Department of Corrections has begun moving inmates out of Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, adhering to a federal court order due to the prison's poor conditions. The aging facility opened in 1925 and saw John Wayne Gacy's execution and was said to be in need of $286 million in overdue maintenance. Last spring, Gov. JB Pritzker's administration said the prison would be shuttered and replaced with a new facility on adjacent land. However, specific details about the new prison design, demolition, and construction timeline still remain undisclosed.

Acting Corrections Director Latoya Hughes emphasized that the closure is essential for safety, efficiency, and rehabilitation. US District Judge Andrea Wood mandated the evacuation of the prison's 430 inmates by September 30, highlighting severe maintenance issues like falling concrete, unsanitary bird droppings, and foul water.

Concerns abound from employees and service providers regarding the disruption during the transition to the new facility. Stateville staff members worry about job security and possible long commutes if they are reassigned to other prisons. State Sen. Rachel Ventura was critical of the lack of updates: "If they're going to shut it down (Sept. 30), well, what are you doing with it? Are you transferring furniture out of there? Are you getting out a demo plan? Are you getting an environmental study done? These would be the next logical steps, but to have nothing, no response from DOC on thisagain, highly concerning." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
Switzerland, celebrated for its natural splendor, recently rejected a biodiversity initiative in a nationwide vote. The proposal, which sought to increase funding for conservation efforts, was opposed by over 63% of voters. The initiative aimed to protect land from human development and bolster green spaces, fostering wildlife habitats. The federal government and prominent political parties argued the current expenditure of over $700 million yearly was sufficient and additional costs would hinder economic growth.

The vote was conducted through mail-in ballots followed by in-person voting on Sunday morning. Proponents of the initiative attributed declining biodiversity to intensified farming, habitat fragmentation, pollution, and climate change. They stressed the importance of wildlife for tourism and ecological health, with one committee member stating, "Diversified nature guarantees air purity, drinkable water, pollination, fertility of the soil, and our food supply."

Opponents countered the costs, about $470 million more, would restrict energy, food production, and tourism development. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development lists Switzerland among the top four countries with the highest number of threatened species.

story continues below

Besides the biodiversity vote, the latest Swiss referendums also included a pension reform plan, which was similarly rejected by more than two-thirds of voters. The referendums occur four times a year, giving the roughly 9 million residents a direct role in national policy decisions. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
In the wake of his big scandal, four top staffers have resigned from Mark Robinson's gubernatorial campaign. Robinson, currently the lieutenant governor of North Carolina, has long been known for inflammatory comments, but he insists he did not make the alleged racist and sexually explicit posts on a pornography website for which he is currently under fire. Even so, his campaign announced Sunday it had lost Conrad Pogorzelski III, Robinson's general consultant and senior adviser; Chris Rodriguez, campaign manager; Heather Whillier, finance director; and Jason Rizk, deputy campaign manager, Politico reports. Sources tell WUNC other staffers have also exited the campaign, and just three remain: two spokespeople and a bodyguard.
Sasi Sheva didn't have a great 2022 working for his employer, Deltaat least not according to his new lawsuit against the airline accusing it of religious discrimination. Delta has "engaged in a pattern of intentionally discriminating and retaliating against ethnically Jewish, Hebrew, and/or Israeli employees based upon their race and ancestry," the complaint reads, per the New York Post.

Non-kosher: The 44-year-old Israeli from Encino, California, who says he's worked for Delta for 2 1/2 years in good standing, alleges that the airline first discriminated against him in July of 2022, when Sheva's work assignments shifted and he had to be rushed to a new flight. The flight attendant hadn't eaten in some time, so he asked Delta managers taking him in a van to the runway to stop at the airport's concourse so he could find a kosher, vegetarian meal, per his complaint. Instead, he says, he was handed a ham sandwich, which is definitely not kosher nor vegetarian, despite his employee profile noting that he adheres to both.
Donald Trump doesn't think he'll be on the GOP ticket four straight times. In an interview aired Sunday on the Sinclair Media Group's Full Measure, the former president suggested he won't run in 2028 should he lose to Kamala Harris in November.

"No, I don't," Trump told host Sharyl Attkisson, when asked if he thought another campaign was possible, reports USA Today. "I think that that will be, that will be it. I don't see that at all."

"Hopefully, we're going to be very successful," he added, per the BBC. "It would have been easier if I did it ... contiguous." Trump would be 82 in November 2028.
While tensions remain high between the US and Iran, there's at least one American that state radio in Tehran invites on the air each week for its millions of listeners. It's just that he's a fictional detective who's been on the case since 1949. Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, a radio program created by CBS that later found a devoted listenership in Iran for a Farsi-language version in the 1960s, has returned to Iranian radio, per the AP . It's not clear why exactly the network controlled by hard-liners has decided to bring back "the man with the action-packed expense account," but his reappearance harkens back to an era when Iran and the US enjoyed close relations.

The original CBS radio show ran from 1949 until 1962 and focused on the cases of Johnny Dollar, an investigator from Hartford, Connecticut. The serial relied on the investigator's expense account entrieslike "$10 deposit on the car I rented" or "one dollar, one drink for me"to propel the story forward as Dollar interviewed witnesses and suspects in the transatlantic accent common to detective stories of the era. Iran's version of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar dropped the expense account format but kept the noir-light vibe, dramatic music, and US location. Instead, the shows would end with Iranian state radio inviting the public to write in to explain what clue gave away the guilty party, with those getting it right having a chance to win a prize.

"It is amazingit reminds me of the '60s and '70s, when I listened to the episodes with my parents through a vacuum tube radio," said Masoud Kouchaki, 73. "We did not have any worries except for guessing how Johnny Dollar would find the murderer." After Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, the country's state radio and television broadcaster soon found itself controlled by hard-line adherents to the country's Shiite theocracy. Any program celebrating America found itself removed after the US Embassy hostage crisis saw relations collapse. The state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcast hasn't explained its reasoning for allowing the show back on the air on its Radio Namayesh channel. So far, state radio has broadcast nine episodes and plans to air 17 more. For those old enough to remember him, they're glad he's back on the case. More here.

(More Iran stories.)
Pope Francis has cancelled his official audiences for Monday due to a "slight flu-like state," the Vatican announced. This comes just days before his planned trip to Belgium and Luxembourg and was described as a precautionary measure by Vatican officials. The 87-year-old pontiff is scheduled to visit Luxembourg on Thursday, followed by a visit to Belgium, culminating in a Mass in Brussels on Sunday. The trip comes on the heels of an extensive 11-day, four-nation tour of Asia that the pope returned from on September 13. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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He Vanished From Park in 1951 at Age 6. He Just Turned Up

Luis Armando Albino is tracked down by family members from Oakland
Israeli strikes killed more than 180 Lebanese people on Monday in the deadliest and most intense barrage in nearly a year, per the AP . The Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of time, the first such Israeli warning of its kind in Lebanon, reports NBC News . Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. More than 400 other people were injured in the strikes.

The Israeli military announced that it hit some 300 targets Monday, saying it was going after Hezbollah weapons sites. Some strikes hit in residential areas of towns in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley. One strike hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos in central Lebanon, more than 80 miles from the border north of Beirut. The military said it was expanding the airstrikes to include areas of the Bekaa Valley, along Lebanon's eastern border. Hezbollah has long had an established presence in the Bekaa Valley, which runs along the Lebanese-Syrian border, and it's where the group was founded in 1982 with the help of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said that it fired dozens of rockets at an Israeli military post in Galilee. It also targeted for a second day the facilities of the Rafael defense firm, headquartered in Haifa. The increasing strikes and counterstrikes have raised fears of an all-out war, even as Israel is still battling Hamas in Gaza and trying to return scores of hostages taken in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group. Israel says it's committed to returning calm to its northern border.

(More Lebanon stories.)
A vandal somehow got into an invite-only art show in Italy and smashed a large sculpture made by renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, reports Reuters . Ai himself posted surveillance video of the act in Bologna on his Instagram account. "When I learned that it was my large porcelain artwork that had been destroyed, I was astonished," he said, per the New York Times . "I never imagined that a piece nearly 100 kilos [220 pounds] in weight could be damaged so easily." The piece in question was called "Porcelain Cube," per CNN . There was no immediate word on its value.

Ai has over the years become an outspoken critic of the Chinese government, though the vandalism doesn't appear to be related to his politics. Authorities arrested a 57-year-old Czech native who has a history of such stunts, reports ArtNews. "Unfortunately, I know the author of this inconsiderate gesture from a series of disturbing and damaging episodes over the years involving various exhibitions and institutions in Florence," says Arturo Galansino, curator of the Ai exhibit at the Palazzo Fava. Last year, for example, the man identified as Vaclav Pisvejc and described as an aspiring artist climbed a statue nude in Florence with the word "censored" written on his body, per the Times. (More Ai Weiwei stories.)
Senegal's navy discovered at least 30 bodies on a drifting boat off Dakar's coast, amid a surge in West African migration. The military received notification of the vessel's presence on Sunday night, dispatching a patrol to the site located 70 kilometers from the capital, according to military spokesperson Ibrahima Sow. The decomposed state of the bodies complicates identification, with ongoing investigations expected to shed light on the death toll and origin of the boat.

This incident follows an event earlier this month when a boat carrying 89 people capsized near Senegal, resulting in at least 37 deaths. Many West African migrants fleeing conflict and economic hardships aim for Spain's Canary Islands as a gateway to continental Europe. So far this year, the Canary Islands have seen over 22,300 arrivals, an increase of 126% compared to the previous year, according to Spain's Interior Ministry.

Senegal's military has intensified efforts to curb smuggling, arresting 453 people, including network members, during a recent 12-day operation. The dangerous Atlantic route to the Canary Islands is one of the deadliest globally. With many lost vessels going unreported, estimates by the Spanish group Walking Borders suggest thousands of migrant deaths this year. Some boats drift for months, only to be found far away in places like the Caribbean or Latin America, carrying human remains. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
Chinese cars aren't common on American roads and the federal government wants to keep it that way. The White House announced in a statement Monday that a proposed Commerce Department rule will ban the sale or import of connected vehicles with software or certain components from "countries of concern," including China and Russia. The rule, which covers any technology a vehicle uses to communicate, including WiFi and Bluetooth, "would effectively ban all auto imports in the US from China," the Verge reports. The White House said the Commerce Department had detected "particularly acute threats" in some technologies used in connected vehicles.
The Mitchell's Bay (Lake St. Clair) IRB station will remain open on weekends, from 2:00 p.m. on Fridays until 6:00 p.m. on Sundays, until October 14, 2024.

The IRB program employs and trains post-secondary students to provide additional maritime search and rescue services during the busy summer season. The Canadian Coast Guard's search and rescue lifeboat stations across the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay are staffed by Canadian Coast Guard personnel and will remain in service until November/December.

Marine emergencies can be called in to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 1-800-267-7270; or to a Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre by VHF radio (channel 16). For additional information on the Canadian Coast Guard's search and rescue services, please visit: https://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/search-rescue-recherche-sauvetage/index-eng.html.

For more information on the IRB program, please visit: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/search-rescue-recherche-sauvetage/irb-esc/index-eng.html.

Associated Links

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SOURCE Canadian Coast Guard

For more information: Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard, Central Region, 204-984-4715, [email protected]
Education efforts run across North America from Sept. 23-29

CALGARY, AB, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) this week joins Operation Lifesaver Canada (OL), Operation Inc. in the U.S. (OLI) and the Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF) to raise rail safety awareness in communities across North America. Rail Safety Week, or See Tracks? Think Train Week as it's known in the United States, runs from Sept. 23 to 29.

Rail Safety Week (CNW Group/CPKC)

Throughout the week, CPKC Police Service officers in Canada and the United States will be out in schools, neighborhoods and communities across CPKC's network conducting rail safety presentations to warn about the dangers of unsafe behaviour around trains and tracks. In Mexico, CPKC de Mexico representatives will help spread the safety message #VesViasPiensaEnTren (#SeeTracksThinkTrain) in collaboration with AMF by educating students, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians about staying safe at railway crossings and near tracks.

"A rail incident can have devastating, long-lasting effects on families, friends, communities, train crews and first responders," said Dale Ruzycki, CPKC Chief of Police Canada. "During Rail Safety week, and all year round, we work to encourage children and adults to always act safely around tracks and trains so that everyone goes home safely."

Highlighting the importance of the awareness week, Kelly Clough, CPKC Chief of Police U.S., said, "See Tracks? Think Train Week is an opportunity to work together with other railroads, governments, local law enforcement and communities to promote public safety around railroad crossings and tracks. One incident is one too many. We must remain vigilant with ourselves, our family and friends to help stop track tragedies."

CPKC will be participating in Operation Clear Track in Canada which includes the unveiling of "Look. Listen. Live." rail decals at four railway crossings across CPKC's network in Canada. In conjunction with OLI, CPKC will be promoting #STOPTrackTragedies in the U.S.

"Safety is job one for all railroaders - the dedicated women and men of CPKC are proof positive of that," says Chris Day, Interim National Director, Operation Lifesaver Canada. "Over recent months, we have seen a spike in serious injuries and fatalities related to trespassing and crossing incidents across Canada. Each track tragedy is a reminder that rail safety is a shared responsibility. Everyone has a role to play in 'getting to zero' - a critically important message this Rail Safety Week and year-round."

According to OLI, every year approximately 2,100 North Americans are seriously hurt or killed because of unsafe behaviour around railway tracks and trains.

"See Tracks? Think Train Week concentrates rail safety awareness and education activities across North America in an impactful seven-day campaign. With more than 140,000 miles of track across the U.S. and 200,000 places where roadways cross the tracks, making safe choices around railroad tracks and trains is critical," said Rachel Maleh, Executive Director of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. "We appreciate CPKC's dedication to Operation Lifesaver, Inc.'s mission and their unwavering commitment to rail safety. Everyone can help make their communities safer. Know the facts, recognize the signs and always make good decisions around railroad tracks and trains. Together, we can #STOPTrackTragedies."

Follow CPKC's rail safety outreach activities on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Visit OL and OLI to learn more about rail safety and how to become a rail safety ambassador.

About CPKC

With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and Mexico, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of Mexico to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC.

About Operation Lifesaver Canada

Operation Lifesaver Canada is a national public rail-safety program sponsored by Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CPKC, VIA Rail, Metrolinx, Exo, West Coast Express and Genesee & Wyoming, among others. Through its national network of Rail Safety Ambassadors, partnerships with safety councils, police, the trucking industry and community groups, and innovative tools such as its virtual-reality Look. Listen. Live. campaign, Operation Lifesaver Canada works to save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards of trespassing on railway property and failing to exercise caution at rail crossings. Canadians can keep up-to-date on the latest rail safety news by visiting operation lifesaver.ca.

About Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI)

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is a national #RailSafetyEducation nonprofit dedicated to stopping track tragedies through public awareness and education campaigns as well as a national volunteer network that gives free presentations encouraging safe behavior near tracks and trains. OLI supports the efforts of 47 state programs and the District of Columbia in sharing the rail safety education message. Explore OLI's virtual library of rail safety materials on the oli.org website. Visit oli.org to learn more, take a rail safety pledge, request free presentations and volunteer. Follow OLI on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X and YouTube.

About Mexican Association of Railroads

The AMF's main purpose is to promote rail freight transportation, increasing its contribution to the competitiveness of the Mexican economy. For this purpose and with the representation of its members, the AMF collaborates with the authorities of the executive and legislative branches to promote that the regulation of the railway service promotes it effectively and that it contributes to the competitiveness of the Mexican economy, in terms of safety and healthy coexistence with the communities through which we travel. Additionally, the Association collaborates with other modes of transportation with the purpose of achieving an effective intermodal scheme. Also, we coordinate with other Chambers and User Associations, advancing an agenda that identifies areas of opportunity and joint solutions.

SOURCE CPKC

Contacts: Media, CPKC: [email protected]; Operation Lifesaver Canada: Catherine Henry, [email protected], (613) 564-8100; Operation Lifesaver U.S.: Jennifer DeAngelis, [email protected], 202-815-4340; AMF: Dr. Iker de Luisa, [email protected]
Exploring the legacy of a Canadian icon and her impact on pop culture

CALGARY, AB, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Glenbow is thrilled to announce an incredible exhibition co-curated by Jeanne Beker and Paul Hardy: Obsession: The Unscripted Life of Jeanne Beker. This is one of the feature exhibitions Glenbow visitors will experience when the museum reopens at the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture in 2026. Through her gifted skillset of writing, storytelling, and innate ability to connect with people, Beker pioneered new forms of reporting, that in turn democratized public access to industries like music and fashion that had been largely veiled in exclusivity.

Jeanne Beker and Paul Hardy are co-curating the exhibition Obsession: The Unscripted Life of Jeanne Beker, which will debut at Glenbow in 2026 when the museum reopens at the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture. Photo credit: Phil Crozier. (CNW Group/Glenbow)

"Jeanne's incredible life story is really at the center of this exhibition," says acclaimed designer and exhibition co-curator Paul Hardy. "We've brought together personal belongings, industry items, and fashion from Jeanne's own wardrobe, all from designers Jeanne has interviewed. For years, Jeanne has brought a humanity to music, fashion, and gave voice to faces and social causes she had a conviction about."

At the heart of this exhibition is the uniquely Canadian story of Jeanne Beker's career. Beginning with her love of performing, Beker became a trailblazer in a world she was passionate about. As a television personality, fashion and lifestyle journalist, editor, and interviewer, her unique ability to connect with people made her a household name in Canada and around the world through her work as the host of Fashion Television, which aired for nearly three decades.

"As a child of immigrant parents, who were also Holocaust survivors, I was raised to dream and believe, be fearless, and tenacious," says Beker. "I hope this retrospective of my career will inspire young people to pursue their ambitions with passion and faith, knowing that with hard work, even the grandest dreams can come true."

Beker and Hardy first met in the early 2000s shortly before Hardy's first fashion show at Toronto Fashion Week, after which Beker compared Hardy's talent as being that of Marc Jacobs or Stella McCartney in her article published in the National Post. Since then, the two have been fierce friends and supporters of one another  culminating now in this partnership to bring together art, fashion, music, and storytelling.

Both Beker and Hardy are no strangers to Glenbow. In 2015, Hardy was Glenbow's Artist in Residence, culminating in the exhibition Kaleidoscopic Animalia. Beker has previously supported Glenbow's Schmancy gala, an annual fundraiser held prior to the museum closing for renovations.

"Glenbow is committed to telling and showcasing unique arts and culture stories you may not find anywhere else," says Melanie Kjorlien, Glenbow's COO and VP, Engagement. "This exhibition will be unlike anything people may have seen before at Glenbow or elsewhere. We're looking at how storytelling has shaped social culture and self-expression  as told through Jeanne's incredible career."

Obsession: The Unscripted Life of Jeanne Beker will debut at Glenbow's new home, the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture, upon the museum's reopening in 2026. The exhibition will be the first in the new double-height salon gallery, which will be named in recognition of Gail and David O'Brien. More information will be available at glenbow.org.

Ahead of this biographical exhibition, Beker's new memoir, Heart on My Sleeve: Stories from a Life Well Worn, publishes on October 8, 2024 through Simon & Schuster Canada.

About Glenbow

Founded in 1966 as an independent, non-profit museum, archive, and gallery, Glenbow cares for an extraordinary collection of more than 250,000 works of art and historical belongings  from Canada and cultures around the world  on behalf of the people of Alberta. Glenbow Reimagined is a project to renovate the museum's 50-year-old building and provide a vibrant, thriving cultural resource in the heart of Calgary, committed to expanding the accessibility and impact of arts and culture. Glenbow's main building is closed as it renovates to become the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture. While renovations are underway, visitors can experience exhibitions at the museum's satellite gallery, Glenbow at The Edison.

SOURCE Glenbow

Media Contact: Sam Brown, Manager, Marketing & Communications, 587-894-8419 | [email protected]
A man riding an ATV died last week after he crashed into a pole in Atlantic County, authorities said.

The 64-year-old Egg Harbor Township man was driving the ATV in the area of Betsy Scull Road near the Atlantic County Firearms Training Facility in town shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 when he struck the utility pole, according to a release from the Egg Harbor Township Police Department.

The man had died before officers arrived, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The man was not identified Monday.

No other details were released Monday as the crash was still under investigation by the department. Officials asked anyone with information to contact the traffic safety unit at 609-926-2661.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
An Atlantic County man who documented his entry into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 by posting on Instagram while inside House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office has pleaded guilty to two charges.

Christian Alfonso, 31, of Galloway, pleased guilty on Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C. to being disorderly or disruptive in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, court records show.

He was charged with four counts related to Jan. 6. Alfonso is scheduled to be sentenced in January.

Alfonso was in the Capitol for about 13 minutes, but he made his way to Pelosis office and took photos and videos and posted some to his Instagram account, federal authorities said in court documents.

The FBI interviewed Alfonso on Jan. 11, 2021, but he said he was not in the Capitol, and the images he posted were from other sources.

Federal investigators later searched his cell phone records and data and found it was geographically in and around the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Later, investigators found others with photos or videos that depicted Alfonso in the Capitol.

Authorities arrested Alfonso in February, in Camden.

Two lawyers listed as representing Alfonso did not immediately return email messages Monday.

The man circled in red is New Jersey resident Christian Alfonso in Nancy Pelosi's office on the day of the Jan. 6 riots, the FBI alleges in a criminal complaint.U.S. District Court

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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
The former deputy police chief of a Bergen County borough has filed a lawsuit claiming the police chief, borough administrator, and the mayor created a hostile work environment to force him into retiring and retaliated against him for filing a previous lawsuit.

Bergenfield Deputy Chief Christopher Massey, 55, claims in court papers borough officials violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination by subjecting him to a campaign of harassment and discriminatory actions aimed at pressuring him into retirement.

That included a campaign of baseless disciplinary measures, removal of benefits, and reassignment to less favorable positions, according to the lawsuit filed Sept. 11 in Superior Court of Bergen County. The discrimination was based on his age, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit names Borough Administrator Corey Gallo, Police Chief Mustafa Rabboh, Mayor Arvin Amatorio, and several members of the borough council.

Gallo, Rabboh, and Amatorio, and other Bergenfield officials did not immediately respond on Monday to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

John L. Shahdanian II, the boroughs labor attorney, told NJ Advance Media on Monday the lawsuit has no merit and was filed the same day a judge dismissed Masseys federal lawsuit.

Massey has reached retirement status and is essentially looking for a cash grab on his way out the door, Shahdanian said. Thats really what this case is all about.

The state Superior Court lawsuit asserts that borough officials retaliated against Massey for filing a federal civil rights lawsuit five years ago. That lawsuit alleged racial discrimination after he was passed over for promotion in favor of Rabboh.

The federal lawsuit, which was dismissed hours before Masseys attorneys filed in state court, claims that Rabboh was chosen for the chief position due his race.

At the council meeting, council explicitly referenced Rabbohs race and religion  he is a Muslim of Palestinian descent  as a reason why Rabboh was promoted, states the federal suit, filed Feb. 24, 2020, in U.S. District Court.

In dismissing the federal lawsuit, a judge found that Massey had not provided enough evidence to support the case.

But according to Masseys lawsuit in state court, the retaliation intensified following the filing of the federal lawsuit, with increased harassment, ignored grievances, and further disciplinary actions.

Massey is seeking compensation for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, and harm to his reputation.

Public records show Massey has been a police officer in the borough since May 1, 1995, and earned $185,328 a year.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A Bergen County man was arrested Friday and charged with sexually assaulting a child under age 13 in Cliffside Park, authorities said.

Daniel E. Lauture, 49, of Cliffside Park, was charged after police contacted the Special Victims Unit of the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.

An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and the Cliffside Park Police Department revealed that (Lauture) engaged in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13 in Cliffside Park, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a news release.

Lauture was arrested in Cliffside Park and charged with sexual assault by sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child, both second-degree crimes. He was held at the Bergen County Jail pending a court hearing.

Attorney information for Lauture was not immediately available on Monday morning.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Tech companies continue using AI technology to duplicate the creative process, but they havent quite nailed down the art of a good roast.

Around 45,000 trailblazers at the annual Dreamforce conference at the Moscone Center were subject to some hefty jabs from star comedian John Mulaney in his closing set Thursday, as reported by the San Francisco Standard.

Perhaps the conferences decision to forget late-night talk show host and comedian Seth Meyers previous 2023 set tearing into corporate speak wasnt the best choice.

Throughout his 45-minute set, Mulaney saw the landscape of what was reported to be the largest AI event in the world and didnt hold back.

You look like a group who looked at the self-checkout counters at CVS and thought, This is the future, Mulaney said.

The comedian would then go on to specifically target the trailblazer moniker itself, which Im sure was met with many people wincing in the crowd.

Some of the vaguest language ever devised has been used here in the last three days. The fact that there are 45,000 trailblazers here couldnt devalue the title anymore.

Mulaney recently released a six-episode talk show on Netflix, John Mulaney Presents: Everybodys in LA earlier this summer. He also just welcomed his second child, daughter Mei June Mulaney, with wife Olivia Munn through surrogate left with a few parting shots hinting at a possible future for his 3-year-old son, Malcolm.

He sarcastically noted, For the world youre creating for my son where he will never talk to an actual human again. Instead, a little cartoon Einstein will pop up and give him a sort of good answer and probably refer him to another chatbot.

Related coverage:

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Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.comand followed on Twitter at@MurjaniRawls.
Three Jersey City men held two prostitutes against their will at gunpoint, repeatedly raped them, transferred more then $2,000 from their phones and stole cash from them, criminal complaints say.

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced the arrest of Mohamed Mohamed, 24, Abdalla Abdelsalam Elsayed, 20, and Mahmoud Hegazi, 18, Monday. The three men were arrested Sept. 20 and are being held in the Hudson County jail, pending a detention hearing Wednesday, Sept. 25, Suarez said.

Each man faces 21 counts, including multiple counts of aggravated sexual assaults, kidnapping and weapons offenses.

The criminal complaint said on Sept. 11 two two women agreed to go to an apartment on Bergen Avenue, between Clinton and Communipaw avenues, and have sex with the men for money. Afterward, said one of the men pulled out a handgun, pointed it at her and demanded money, one of the women told police.

In addition, she was forced at gunpoint to respond on the phone that she was OK, the complaint said. The woman was then taken to the bathroom and sexually assaulted by all three men, police were told.

One of the men demanded her phone, unlocked it, and accessed her banking apps to transfer $2,000. The second victim told police she noticed her purse was missing and then one of the men pulled a gun on her and demanded her phone, the complaint said.

All three men took turns sexually assaulting her, and some of the acts may have been filmed, she told police. The men stole $100 from her banking app and transferred to money to the names Mohamed Mohamed and Mousa Hegazi, the complaint said.

The men also took $200 from her purse, according to the complaint.

The men were each charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault including kidnapping, two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault including a weapon, two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault including more than one assailant, two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree possession of a weapon, two counts of third-degree criminal restraint, two counts of third-degree terroristic threats, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery; two counts of second-degree theft by extortion and two counts of third-degree computer criminal activity.

Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutors Office Special Victims Unit with the arrests and investigation, with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department.

Anyone wishing to report a sex crime, should call the Hudson County Prosecutors Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) at (201) 915-1234. All information will be kept confidential.
Calling it the summer of peace, Jersey City elected officials and community organizers came together Monday to discuss how their efforts have successfully curtailed shootings and murders in the city.

No homicides were committed the entire summer  the last killing was a fatal shooting in May  putting Jersey City on pace for a historic low. Shooting incidents are also down dramatically, a city spokeswoman said.

Bergen-Lafayette Councilman Frank Gilmore, who hosted the event at the city hall Annex, called it a historic milestone and credited city officials, the Jersey City Police Department and community organizations, including Hudson County Anti-Violence Coalition, Saving Blocks, Caring Capable Hands, B.L.E.S.C. and Hudson Partnership Care Management Organization.

This just means so much to me because I know most of these kids, Gilmore, who runs the Educational Gilmore Community Learning Center, told event attendees Monday. It extremely hurtful for me to witness a young man who was in the gym lose his life and watch his family go through all the grief.

Gilmore noted there is also a peace treaty agreement among different neighborhoods, referring to the gangs that are mostly associated with housing complexes across the city.

Mayor Steve Fulop credited local organizers and Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Stacey Flanagan, who he said refers to gun violence as a public health issue. He said HHS has dedicated millions of dollars over the last couple of years toward domestic violence issues and $1 million in extracurricular after-school grants to the citys recreation department.

For the entire city of Jersey City, this year there have been five homicides to date, including one that occurred from a previous year  a 50% decrease from the past two consecutive years where we had already achieved historic low crime rates, Fulop said in a statement.

This level of progress is a testament to our strategic and collective efforts, especially when you consider the size and complexity of our city, and we will continue the work until crime reaches zero.

The fifth homicide occurred when a person injured last year died earlier this year.

The city is on pace to break the record-tying low of 11 homicides in 2023. The city was poised to set a new low, but a teen was shot dead less than two weeks before the new year. The 2023 total matched the number of homicides in 2012.

Wallace-Scalcione added that by September 2023 there were already nine homicides and 42 shootings. She said there have been 23 shooting incidents and 178 guns recovered so far this year.

There were 12 homicides in the city in 2022, and 23 in 2021. The recent high was 26 in 2015. The city had 47 shootings by the end of 2023.

The city spokeswoman emphasized the citys work in adding CCTV cameras, increasing police presence, diversity recruitment and a new public safety building to streamline critical services.

The Fulop administrations strategic public safety approaches have led to historic decreases in crime over several consecutive years while significantly expanding police/community relations, Wallace-Scalcione said.
Two Powerball tickets valued at $50,000 each were bought in New Jersey for Saturdays lottery drawing.

One was sold at Wegmans on Route 35 in Ocean Township in Monmouth County while the other was purchased at a 7-Eleven on Bergenline Avenue in West New York in Hudson County, according to the New Jersey Lottery.

Each third-prize ticket matched four numbers plus the Powerball.

Saturdays winning numbers were: 17, 19, 21, 37 and 45. The Powerball drawn was 14 with a Power Play of 2x.

No one across the country hit Saturdays $197 million jackpot, pushing the top prize for Mondays drawing to $208 million with a cash option of $104.6 million.

Two second-prize tickets matching five numbers, but not the Powerball, were bought. A ticket sold in Florida is worth $2 million because the winner spent an extra $1 for the Power Play option. A North Carolina ticket is valued at $1 million.

The odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot are 292,201,388 to 1. A player who buys a $2 ticket has about a 1 in 11,688,053 chance to match five numbers and win at least $1 million, while the odds are 913,129 to 1 to win a third prize of at least $50,000.

Powerball drawings are held each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A 23-acre college campus in Mercer County may be getting a new owner.

The municipal council in Princeton took the first steps toward purchasing Westminster Choir Colleges historic former campus at 101 Walnut Lane during a meeting earlier this month.

This large, geographically significant site, located in the heart of the community, adjacent to Princeton High School and Princeton Middle School, is uniquely positioned to meet various public and community needs that we hope would honor the cultural and historic significance of the property, said Mia Sacks, Princetons council president.

An ordinance authorizing the municipality to acquire the property  either by negotiation, purchase, condemnation or seizing through eminent domain  is scheduled for a hearing on Monday.

The council has also introduced a second ordinance to appropriate $50 million to acquire the property and make capital improvements. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Oct. 14.

The property includes several historic buildings, including the towering Williamson Hall at the heart of the campus.

But, who currently owns the property remains deeply contested.

Rider University in Lawrence merged with Westminster Choir College decades ago, but neighboring Princeton Theological Seminary says it is now the steward of the land based on the original terms of the agreement that donated to the property to the choir school nearly a century ago.

The simplest answer is there are conflicting claims of ownership, which is the subject of current litigation between the Princeton Theological Seminary and Rider University, said Kristine Brown, a spokeswoman for Rider University.

In a statement, Anne Stewart, the executive vice president of Princeton Theological Seminary, said the property is well-situated to serve community needs.

Princeton Theological Seminary takes seriously its role as trustee of the trust established by Sophia Strong Taylor, the original donor of the land, and will evaluate the municipalitys interest in the property, she said.

Due to financial troubles, the choir college merged with Rider University in 1992 and in 2021, it moved to the universitys main campus in Lawrenceville.Michael Mancuso | NJ.com

Westminster Choir College has a long and complicated history.

In 1926, the college was founded in Dayton, Ohio. It first moved to Ithaca, New York, before relocating to Princeton in 1932. It became known as Westminster Choir College several years later, according to a history on the schools website.

Sophia Strong Taylor donated property in Princeton to the choir college in the 1930s and named Princeton Theological Seminary as a steward of the gift, stipulating the lands ownership would shift to the seminary if Westminster stopped operating as a choir college, according to one of the lawsuits, Planet Princeton reported.

Due to financial troubles, and faced with either a closure or merger, the choir college merged with Rider University in 1992. Decades later, in 2021, the choir college moved to Rider Universitys main campus in Lawrenceville.

Due to its own financial issues, Rider University officials announced the college campus in Princeton was for sale. That spurred protests and several legal battles.

A controversial $40 million deal to sell the college to a Chinese education technology company was scrapped in 2019.

At one point, Princeton Public Schools expressed interest in purchasing the land.

In a joint statement issued by members of the Princeton council and Mayor Mark Freda this month, officials said they would work with community stakeholders to determine the sites best public purposes, if the ordinances are approved and the land is acquired.

It would represent a generational investment  enabling Princeton to more effectively plan for its long-term future  including but not limited to the provision of much-needed educational and recreational facilities for the community and school district, and other public needs, they said.

For some years now, the property has been the subject of multiple different lawsuits, including claims regarding its ownership, Sacks, the council president, told NJ Advance Media. These claims cannot preclude the municipalitys ability to acquire the property.

Brown, the spokeswoman for Rider University, said the ordinances are the first step in a larger process.

We understand the municipality intends to use the property for public purposes, which we believe would be a good outcome for the property and the community, she said.

Since relocating to Lawrenceville, Westminster Choir College of Rider University remains dedicated to its mission of providing world-class music education and fostering a vibrant cultural environment, said Brown. Westminsters new chapter in Lawrenceville reflects Riders ongoing commitment to artistic innovation and academic rigor.

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A woman has been charged with multiple crimes after it was alleged that she tracked down the family members of a Prosecutors Office employee on social media to stalk and threaten them.

Malina Jaffrey, 24, of Watchung, was arrested on Monday. She has been charged with three counts of cyber harassment, three counts of retaliation against a public official, three counts of stalking and one count each of criminal coercion and terroristic threats, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office said in a news release.

Jaffrey was enrolled in a pre-trial intervention program in January of this year, after she was charged with crimes related to the alleged bias intimidation of a man from Plainsboro.

Then this past summer, she started using several Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts to harass the spouse and sister of a Prosecutors Office employee, authorities alleged.

In a particular message, Jaffrey allegedly threatened to kill the employees spouse, prosecutors said.

Jaffrey is in custody at Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a detention hearing.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached atnfernandes@njadvancemedia.com
Two NJ Transit buses hit the road this month wrapped with a lifesaving message, highlighting the national suicide prevention hotline.

The buses were publicly unveiled in a ceremony at Newark Penn Station Monday morning to recognize National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. One of the buses contains a message targeted at military veterans, reminding them: Your country still needs you.

Both buses include the national toll-free 988 hotline for people who might be contemplating suicide to get help immediately and to get resources for veterans.

In 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 679 people died by suicide in New Jersey, according to state Department of Health Statistics, a higher number than the 587 people killed in traffic fatalities that year.

Of those who died by suicide that year, 58 were veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

NJ Transit is honored to support National Suicide Prevention Month, highlighting critical resources that can save lives, particularly for veterans who face unique challenges, said Kevin Corbett, NJ Transit CEO, who also served in the U.S. Navy. Through this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of our customers, employees, and the broader community.

The bus wraps were commissioned by Military to Mobility, the new NJ Transit Military Company Employee Resource Group. One of the buses will be deployed in north Jersey and the other in south Jersey.

The Military to Mobility group commissioned the wraps as a way to show its support for colleagues and fellow veterans who may struggle to cope with their military experiences.

We have come a long way in the U.S. in reducing the stigma of mental health, including among our veterans. But any death by suicide is one too many, said Fran OConnor, state Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit board chairman. I am proud of NJ Transits campaign to increase the visibility of mental health challenges and support for suicide prevention, for our customers, our brave veterans and our employees. Help is available.

If you or a loved one is contemplating suicide: Call or text 988, or chat988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @CommutingLarry.
A Louisiana man who traveled to New Jersey to have sex with a 14-year-old last year after communicating with the teen on the Whisper messenger app has been sentenced to seven years in state prison.

Spencer Caudle, 36, of Prairieville, arranged to meet the teen in the Toms River area on May 27, 2023, according to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. He was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport the following month when he returned to meet with the 14-year-old a second time, authorities said.

Caudle pleaded guilty to sexual assault in April and will be required to register under Megans Law upon his release from prison. He has remained at the Ocean County jail since his arrest.

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Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson
Why is Donald Trump refusing to debate Kamala Harris again?

The answer is obvious: She kicked his butt before 67 million people in the last debate, and hes scared to death that she could do it again.

Now Democrats are having some fun with this. Outside tonights Trump rally in Pennsylvania, they are launching a new swing-state billboard campaign, with a digitally altered image of Trump in a chicken suit alongside the words, Theres no debate: Donald Trumps a chicken.

This campaign has been terrifying, but this moment is delicious. We need to enjoy it. We deserve this.

The beauty of it is that this campaign must driving Trump nuts. The macho man is being called out to fight by a woman.

How long can he stand it? Can she goad him into taking this bait? Will we have another debate after all in October?

Chris Christie thinks his old friend will fold and agree to another debate. If the polls continue to move a bit away from Trump, you know how much he focuses on that, and hes going to need something to change it, Christie said Sunday on ABC News This Week. And in todays media landscape, absent a big mistake by one or the other, this is the only thingHe needs it.

Donna Brazile, his Democratic sparring partner on the show, agreed. Look, he knows there are 67 million reasons to try to do another debate, she said. Yesterday, Donald Trump said no, tomorrow he might go back to being undecided about it and by the end of next week, with the polls moving in Vice President Harriss direction, he may change his mind.

These two are not bloggers with no background. Brazile had two stints running the Democratic National Committee, and Christie carried Blue Jersey twice, and knows Trump intimately. So, Im buying some more popcorn for another debate.

Harris on Saturday accepted an invitation from CNN to debate on Oct. 23, under the same rules that Trump agreed to in his July debate with Biden.

Remember, too, that CNN went soft on Trump that night. Their moderators didnt shoot down his lies during the debate, choosing to do their fact-checking online, and in a segment broadcast immediately after the debate. In Trumps September debate with Harris, the moderators for ABC News shot down at least three of Trumps lies during the debate, with the full audience watching.

No, Haitians are not stealing pets and eating them. No, Democrats arent executing babies after birth. And no, schools are not arranging gender surgery for students during the school day without their parents knowledge. The corrections were quick and decisive. For a guy like Trump, thats a toxic environment.

So, what does a bully like Trump do when hes challenged to a fight hes likely to lose?

He squirms.

Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate, with the same network and rules as the one he pretends he won. But hes obviously chicken. No way hes man enough to debate #Kamala2024 ever again!https://t.co/pkqFRoX9Eg  Laurence Tribe   (@tribelaw) September 21, 2024

The problem with another debate is that its just too late, voting has already started, Trump said at a recent rally in North Carolina.

Uh-huh. His reverence for voting process is holding him back. Of course, he debated Joe Biden in 2020 after voting had begun, and hes OK with this running mate JD Vance debating Gov. Tim Walz next week.

Hes squirming about his decision, too. After the drubbing by Harris, he ruled out another debate, definitively and forever. THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE! he posted on social media.

But last week, he waffled. Maybe if I get in the right mood, he told reporters who asked.

You wonder how the chicken billboards might affect his mood. My guess is that it will drive him nuts. And that, I admit, puts a big smile on my face.

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

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Theres been a recent trend in the hotly contested battleground state of Pennsylvania that could decide the election outcome.

And at first glance, it tilts in Donald Trumps favor against Kamala Harris.

According to Spotlight PA, Democrats in Pennsylvania are entering the home stretch of the 2024 election with their weakest voter registration advantage compared to Republicans in recent decades.

More from the report:

The partys raw registration numbers began to rise after Biden dropped out in late July and that trend is continuing. But simultaneously, the number of Republicans has increased even more quickly.

In other words, Democrats overall share of voters is still declining, and recent increases havent made up for losses over the past four years.

The Pennsylvania Department of State makes available voter registration data as far back as 1998. In those 26 years, Democrats have never had as small an advantage as they do now.

As of Sept. 16, Democrats made up 44% of registered voters in the commonwealth, down from a 2009 high of 51.2%, while Republicans were at 40.2%, up from 36.9% in 2009. Unaffiliated and third-party voters have boosted their numbers even more, from 11.9% in 2009 to 15.7%.

Trump is back on the campaign trail Monday and expected to travel to the swing state of Pennsylvania to speak about his plans to counter the U.S. reliance on China with a group led by a loyalist who served as his top intelligence official.

Later in the day, Trump is expected to rally voters at 7 p.m. Eastern in Indiana, Pennsylvania, a town east of Pittsburgh, where he is hoping conservative, white working-class voters help him pull ahead of Harris.

Harris is also visiting Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
Vice President Kamala Harris keeps insisting that shes the underdog in the presidential race with former president Donald Trump, and while that might have been the case when she first pinch-hit for President Joe Biden, its not anymore.

Harris, who has been gaining momentum since her dominating debate performance, now leads in every major forecast, including Nate Silvers projection  to which Trump supporters clung whenever a new poll favored Harris. But that has flipped, too, and Silver now projects a victory by Harris, who has a three-point polling average advantage.

Harris also has widened her lead in Polymarket to 5 points  the largest lead shes had, erasing Trumps commanding 72-17% lead over Biden in June, when 6% were also betting Harris would get into the race.

In key battleground states, Silver gives Harris an edge in Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. Trump holds advantages in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Texas. North Carolina, with GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson imploding, is a flat-out tie.

In an NBC News poll released on Sunday, Harris leads 49%-44% (+5) in a two-way head-to-head with Trump, and leads 47%-41% (+6) in the full field that includes all candidates. When Harris entered the race, Trump led by two points in the same poll.

The favorables and unfavorables of Harris and running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, continue to rise: Walz is a plus-7 and Harris is plus-3, while NBC puts Trump (-13) and running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (-13) heavily underwater with voters.

A recent CBS News poll also has Harris up by 4 nationally, 52%-48%, and by two points in the battlegrounds.

In addition, Harris out-raised Trump by four times in August, with her campaign taking in $190 million and Trump raising just shy of $45 million.

According to Politico, Harris outspent Trump $174 million to $61 million in August, but her preexisting cash advantage and superior fundraising mean that she ended the month with $235 million, $100 million more than Trump. It added that Harris spent nearly three times as much as Trump did in August  but raised so much that she still grew her cash advantage.

Money will play an integral part in getting out the vote, and analysts say Democrats have a decided advantage in cash and infrastructure.

Harris has challenged Trump to a second debate and has accepted an invitation by CNN, but Trump has declined. Harris tweeted Saturday that she will gladly accept a second presidential debate and that she hopes Trump will join her on Oct. 23. Trump on Saturday said it was too late to have another presidential debate because voting has already begun.

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Project 2025, the conservative policy blueprint with close ties to former Donald Trump officials, is deeply unpopular, according to a new poll.

Its so unpopular voters have a slightly less negative view of socialism.

Per a recent NBC News poll, shows a whopping 57% of voters have a negative view of it, versus just 4% who see it in a positive light.

New @NBCNews poll finds that Project 2025 is more unpopular than socialism.



PROJECT 2025: 4% , 57% 



SOCIALISM: 18% , 55%   Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) September 23, 2024

Trump says Project 2025 is not related to his campaign and has denied knowing about the Heritage Foundation, which is overseeing its own transition effort with the help of dozens of his allies and former aides. Democrats and Kamala Harris campaign have for months tried to pin Trump to Project 2025s most sweeping proposals.

The Heritage Foundation created it as a handbook for the next Republican administration and has caught a lot of attention because longtime allies and former Trump administration officials drafted it.

Project 2025 would implement conservative and Christian nationalist policies regarding climate change, LGBTQ+ communities, abortion, foreign aid, education, health care, taxes and more

The document outlines a dramatic expansion of presidential power and a plan to fire as many as 50,000 government workers to replace them with presidential loyalists. It calls for the U.S. Education Department to be shuttered, and the Homeland Security Department dismantled, with its various parts absorbed by other federal offices.

Theres a top to bottom overhaul of the Department of Justice, particularly curbing its independence and ending FBI efforts to combat the spread of misinformation. It calls for stepped-up prosecution of anyone providing or distributing abortion pills by mail.

There are proposals to have the Pentagon abolish its recent diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, what the project calls the woke agenda, and reinstate service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
Springfields Republican mayor is stressed.

The Ohio official is still dealing with the fallout of JD Vance and Donald Trump falsely claiming Haitian immigrants are eating cats and peoples pets.

Mayor Rob Rue said on MSNBC hes asking the leaders at the national stage to speak well of our city and to understand the weight of their words and the impact that it has had on our city.

His comment came after Vance told people at a rally over the weekend: I challenge you to go to Springfield, Ohio, which has been overrun with 20,000 Haitians, go to any community that has been overrun by Kamala Harris illegal alien policies and tell me these are stories made up by politicians.

Trumps running mate was the first between them to mention the false rumors. Trump later repeated the claims during his debate with Harris.

Since the Republican candidates initial comments, more than two dozen bomb threats mostly from foreign actors seeking to sow discord  have prompted the state to send in additional state troopers and install surveillance cameras around the city in order to reopen schools and government buildings.

Heres what Rue had to say on MSNBCs Ana Cabrera Reports:

Cabrera: Are you surprised to hear JD Vance still really doubling down, tripling down on this?

Rue: I think anybody from our area is probably a little surprised at it, for sure, but you know, theyre campaigning and theyre making decisions in the moment. Weve asked before, well continue to ask, we need we need help, not hate. We need peace, and asking the leaders at the national stage to speak well of our city and to understand the weight of their words and the impact that it has had on our city.

Cabrera: What is that impact today? What are things like right now?

Rue: Well, I mean, you know, the weekend was was fairly calm. People are still using businesses in our city. Its a beautiful town. People are just, you know were [on] edge, in a way, because the threats still do come in and people are still still feeling anxiety from what their city has been put under in the last 12 to 14 days since the national debate, and were asking for peace.

Cabrera: Have you had any contact with the Trump campaign since Trump said he was planning to visit Springfield himself?

Rue: I have personally not spoken with them. I believe there was an effort at one point to speak with Vances campaign, and that just did not happen based on the terms in which that was going to take place. So we were not we did not speak.

...

Cabrera: I read youve been facing threats. Personally, Im wondering, does your family feel safe? Do your workers feel safe?

Rue: You know, I think its obviously that is a strain and a stress on any family. And my family is no different than any other family that would be hearing things about their father or about their husband and, you know, getting that kind of stress and things  [Choking up.] Sorry, Im not doing this on purpose. It just its a very stressful time. OK? Sorry about that.

Cabrera: No, dont apologize. You are doing the best you can in a very difficult situation.

Rue: This is the entire city is, you know, I mean, were, we have a very committed city manager and his staff who are devoted hours and hours and hours to see that the city is taken care of safely. There are so many people working, and just kudos to Mike DeWine, the state of Ohio for stepping in those troopers are at schools. Theres teachers that feel safe, just to see that there is additional support for the children that are going to school and the families feel safer that theyre there. It is a excellent response from the state of Ohio and how they serve Springfield right now, super appreciative of that. I can see how deeply impacted you feel right now.

Sen. JD Vance continues to defend baseless conspiracies about migrants in the city of Springfield, OH.



The citys Mayor Rob Rue joins @AnaCabrera to share how the conspiracies have impacted his community. pic.twitter.com/CqeecVK1aB  MSNBC Reports (@MSNBC_reports) September 23, 2024

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
MSNBC host and former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough wants the sane-washing media to know: He sees what youre doing  trying to convince voters that Donald Trump isnt so bad, and certainly isnt as bad as Vice President Kamala Harris.

Do you have no shame? Are you so desperate to not vote for Kamala Harris that you will actually twist and contort yourself so badly that you undermine decades of good work, because thats whats happening right now, and we can see through you, Scarborough said on Mondays Morning Joe. This is like Romper Room. I dont have the [magic] mirror to hold up, but we see you, and we see what youre doing.

Earlier in the show, Scarborough had played a clip from HBOs Last Week Tonight, in which host John Oliver mimicked and mocked Trump supporters. Oliver showed Trump at the presidential debate screaming the ridiculous and unfounded Springfield, Ohio, rumor: Theyre eating the dogs! Theyre eating the cats! Theyre eating the pets!

Then, acting as a Trump supporter or undecided voter, Oliver said, I dont like the way Kamala Harris laughed when he said that.

Scarborough, during his Monday morning rant, used a couple of examples of his own to point out Trumps incoherency  and the medias false equivalency coverage  when asked about policy.

When questioned how he would bring jobs to Michigan, Trump talked about North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un and nuclear war. When talking about water shortages in California, Trump imagined installing a big faucet in the mountains that would deliver water to the desperate farmlands.

Scarborough ripped New York Times columnist Bret Stephens  who was humiliated by fellow MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle on Bill Mahers Real Time when Stephens hedged on voting for Harris. Scarborough called out Wall Street Journal columnist Dan Henninger, who accused Democrats of trying to assassinate Trump by insisting Trump, who said he would be a dictator on Day One and could terminate the Constitution, was a threat to democracy.

Under the headline Killing Trump, Henninger all but dismissed Trumps role in Jan. 6, and wrote: Did Democrats think this nonstop assault on a person who twice got about half of the countrys popular presidential vote would be cost-free, that it would have no negative effect on the psychological health of Americas public life? Did assassination ever enter their minds?

Scarborough was scathing and unforgiving in his response.

Theres even a Wall Street Journal writer whos accusing Democrats of killing Donald Trump, Scarborough said. Oh, they put a question mark after [the headline], but blaming Democrats for violent rhetoric ... [when we know] that Donald Trump inspired Jan. 6, that Trump stared repeatedly ... at the most violent moments on Jan. 6, instead of calling it off, that those cops were brutalized because of Donald Trump  brutalized, and four later died, their families say, as a direct result of Jan. 6.

Donald Trump called those people ... responsible for their deaths, and those people that beat and brutalized cops with American flags ... he called them patriots. He said theyre hostages. He has a Jan. 6 choir.

He told his legal counsel in the White House that maybe [vice president] Mike Pence deserved lynching ... he said that [Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen.] Mark Milley should be executed for treason. He has used violent rhetoric repeatedly, but you try to whitewash it and say its the Democrats that are responsible for rhetoric because they say that Donald Trump may be a threat to American democracy.

What do you call Jan. 6? Is that a threat to American democracy? ... Do you not call it a threat to democracy when Donald Trump says that he wants to execute the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs for treason? Is that not a threat? When you say that your vice president deserves lynching? ... Undermining Americans confidence in voting?

I know youre desperate for a permission structure not to vote for Kamala Harris and to get people to vote for Donald Trump. If they gave out gold medals [for anti anti-Trumpism], youd get it. ... Define for me what is a threat to American democracy. Its certainly not people going around speaking out against Jan. 6. ...

This is insanity. ... And the question I cannot answer ... what is it? What is it that they fear about Kamala Harris so much that theyre willing to say, You know what? Weve already had four years of Donald Trump, and it turned out OK.

Talk to the families of the dead Jan. 6 cops and talk to the federal judges who had to repel Trumps attempt to undermine democracy, Scarborough says, not mentioning dozens of other failings by Trump, including Covid.

Was anything I said there not true? Is there anything you could call hate speech? Anything? No, I didnt think so. I could go on all day and you know it, Scarborough said. Stop embarrassing yourself.

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A proposal by the nonprofit that owns and runs Canterbury Woods to construct 52 units of senior housing in the Village of Angola  including 16 for formerly homeless seniors  is running into opposition from neighbors, who object to the height of the building and voice concerns about the new occupants.

Episcopal Church Home plans supportive housing in Angola for formerly homeless The Episcopal-affiliated nonprofit that owns and runs Canterbury Woods is now proposing to develop a new housing project in Angola aimed at single seniors who have experienced homelessness, with more than $3.8 million in state funding to help finance the venture.

Episcopal Church Home & Affiliates wants to build a three-story senior apartment building at its St. Pauls Place Apartments, behind the St. Paul Episcopal Church at 930 Lake St. The project by the nonprofits Episcopal Community Housing Development Organization would quadruple the size of the housing project, which has 16 one-story patio homes and was built in 2003.

All of the new units would be one- or two-bedroom apartments, aimed at people aged 55 and older, who meet income requirements.

We are very excited to be able to develop this project in the town of Angola and keep these populations of elderly people who need specialized services in their homes, in the community that theyve lived in their entire life, said Episcopal Church Home CEO Rob Wallace.

And 16 of the units would also be funded as permanent supportive housing for single seniors who have experienced homelessness, with People Inc. providing support services.

These people who are homeless will now have homes. Isnt that fantastic? Wallace said. These homeless people are people who are in their community now and are struggling to survive and are living on the margins. Our project will allow them to not only live in their community but have the services to be taken care of.

The goal is to address a continued need and desire for more affordable housing for older adults in the community, particularly for those who dont want to relocate. Theres a waiting list of over 50 people for the existing units.

Theyre in that community now, [but] theyre getting services outside the community, Wallace said.  People who have lived all their lives in their community, unfortunately, they have to leave now.

However, neighbors along Joyce Lane say the three-story project doesnt fit with their neighborhood of single-family homes. The project site consists of an undeveloped and heavily wooded property at the northeast corner of Lake Street and Erie Road, behind a Tops supermarket and a field. The church sits in front, on the street, while the Joyce Lane neighborhood is on the other side.

This will literally be a three-story house in our backyard that doesnt belong in this area, said Wendy Gartley, who lives on Joyce. Theyd be looking down at our pool and our backyard.

The property also includes wetlands, and Gartley said neighbors have already experienced problems with their backyards flooding in the years since the first set of homes was built.

When we moved in here, 22 years ago, we were told it was wetlands back there, and they could never build, Gartley said. The drainage is already terrible there.

Another neighbor, Chris Weber, also voiced concerns about increased traffic on Lake Street. And Gartley suggested it would drive down their property values.

I just worry about who theyre going to put back there, Gartley said. I dont want somebody whos going to come in and I have to worry about them coming into my yard.

The $25 million St. Pauls Apartments II project has not come up for the required municipal approval yet. Episcopal Church Home executives presented it to their current St. Pauls tenants, who will share a parking lot with the new residents.

Wallace said they didnt want to bring it to the surrounding neighborhood and community before they knew if they even had the funding to make it happen.

That changed this month, when Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $3.8 million grant for the project through the states Homeless Housing Assistance Program, which Wallace said is essential for the project to move forward.

But it will still require low-income housing tax credits from New York State Homes and Community Renewal, which Episcopal Church Home applied for on Sept. 18. Officials wont know if they got that money until at least spring 2025.

Wallace said the nonprofit can begin the municipal review and community outreach. The nonprofit owns the property, which is zoned to allow for the overall project, including at three stories, so it wont need variances for height or density, although it may require variances for other technical matters.

The nonprofit conducted a wetlands study, as required by state law, and submitted its report as part of its tax credit application. It will also be included in the municipal application.

But it wont impede the project as designed. Any proposed building or development on a site that has wetlands has to put a plan in place to maintain those wetlands, Wallace said.

If the project is approved as soon as next year, Wallace said, the nonprofit hopes to have a shovel in the ground by year-end 2025, with completion by the end of 2027.
Dolton CofE Primary School in Torridge is celebrating its recent Ofsted inspection, which resulted in aN outstanding review for both the school and its community.

The school received the highest possible rating of outstanding for its Personal Development and Early Years and Foundation Stage Provision, a significant achievement for the small village school.

The report, now available online, highlighted the school's nurturing environment, with inspectors praising the positive interactions between staff and pupils.

The report noted: Pupils enjoy attending this small village school. Warm, supportive relationships with staff enable pupils to flourish. Pupils are enthusiastic about what each day at school has in store for them. Pupils treat one another with compassion. Pupils of all ages socialise and work together harmoniously

Dolton CofE Primary is closely linked with The Clinton CofE Primary School in Merton, with the two schools sharing a headteacher and collaborating on various initiatives, including extra-curricular activities.

Both schools were recognised earlier in the year with the prestigious ACE (Association for Character Education) Quality Mark Award, an accolade given to fewer than 100 schools nationwide.

This award acknowledges the schools' efforts to develop well-rounded, confident individuals who can inspire positive change.

The Ofsted report highlighted the school's focus on character development, stating: Developing pupils' characters is at the heart of everything the school does. Pupils value the virtues that the school wants them to acquire. They understand the relevance of these to their everyday lives, both now and for their futures. The schools approach to developing pupils character contributes strongly to the cooperative and exuberant atmosphere. Pupils, including the very youngest, concentrate well. They persist when they find learning challenging.

Pupils at Dolton also spoke positively about their school experience. One student said, Everyone is caring and kind to everyone, while another added, Everyone works hard, we are confident in what we write and we are proud of our achievements.

The school's lunch program, run by Sharon, was also a hit with students, who described the meals as delightful and delicious.

Headteacher Mrs Samantha Drew, who took on the role less than two years ago, was commended for her leadership in the report.

Inspectors noted the implementation of a new, ambitious curriculum, which aligns with the high aspirations that both staff and the headteacher hold for the pupils.

In response to the Ofsted results, Mrs Drew expressed her pride in the school's achievements, stating: We are extremely proud of this really positive outcome which is a testament to the care and commitment of our staff, the support of our families and local community, And of course, a celebration of our wonderful children!

Dolton and The Clinton Primary Schools both cater to children aged 2 to 11, offering free breakfast and after-school clubs, as well as free school meals for all pupils, including those in nursery.
CHICAGO  The family of 26-year-old Valparaiso native Rhyker Earl, who died earlier this month after allegedly being restrained by police during a seizure, called Monday for the release of officer body-cam footage of the event.

"If there is nothing to hide, release the video," civil rights attorney Ben Crump said during a morning news conference. "That's what this family wants  transparency, truth."

Crump, who represented the family of George Floyd in the wake of the high profile May 2020 death of the 46-year-old while being restrained by Minneapolis police, likened the two cases.

"They all heard him (Earl) say, 'I can't breathe,' " Crump said.

When contacted Monday for a response to the family's request for the video footage, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department replied, "The Indiana State Police are independently investigating this incident. We intend to release the body-worn camera video once the investigative agency has cleared us to do so."

State police Monday declined comment beyond their original statement confirming their role in the investigation and calling for patience amid social media discussion of the case.

Various family members of the deceased were on hand for Monday's press conference, including Earl's grandmother, Connie Widner, who said she regrets calling 911 for help for her grandson.

"He's never been violent," she said of her grandson's history with seizures.

Widner questioned why emergency medical technicians on hand during the Sept. 8 call to the home in DeMotte played a secondary role to police.

The family, who is also represented by attorney Stephen Wagner, claims Earl fell into an officer during the medical response and was subsequently handcuffed with his face in a pillow and ignored while repeatedly begging for his life and screaming he could not breathe.

Woman dies after driving under parked semi-truck, police say "The driver of the semi was not injured as he was in the sleeper area of the cab at the time of the crash," police said.

Earl eventually went limp, was taken to the hospital and life support measures were stopped two days later when it was determined he had no brain activity, the attorneys said.

Wagner has 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.

Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson has said the portrayal provided by Crump and Wagner is "full of inaccuracies."

Williamson said body camera video shows Earl "forcefully banging his head on the floor, causing officers to ask the family for a pillow to place under Earl's head to prevent him from hurting himself further." Williamson said Earl's head was lying on the pillow and that his breathing was not restricted.

Williamson further said that officers were holding Earl the way they had been trained to do  by his legs, arms and shoulders  in a way that would not restrict breathing. Williamson said Earl was "vocalizing" the entire time. Police placed Earl on his side in the recovery position, he said.

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."
Case 9:24-mj-08441-RMM Document 14 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/23/2024 Page 7 of 10 17. As part of this investigation, FBI agents recently reviewed a book apparently authored by ROUTH in February 2023 titled, Ukraine's Unwinnable War: The Fatal Flaw of Democracy, World Abandonment and the Global Citizen-Taiwan, Afghanistan, North Korea, WWIII and the End of Humanity." In the book, ROUTH stated that he "must take part of the blame for the [person] that we elected for our next president that ended up being brainless, but I am man enough to say that I misjudged and made a terrible mistake and Iran I apologize. You are free to assassinate Trump as well as me for that error in judgment and the dismantling of the deal. No one here in the US seems to have the balls to put natural selection to work or even unnatural selection." 18. On September 18, 2024, law enforcement was contacted by a civilian witness who stated that ROUTH had dropped off a box at his residence several months prior. After learning of the September 15, 2024, incident at Trump International, the witness opened the box. The witness stated the box contained ammunition, a metal pipe, miscellaneous building materials, tools, four phones, and various letters. One handwritten letter, addressed to "The World," stated, among other things, "This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job." The witness took a photograph of the first page of the handwritten letter, as shown below: [This Space Intentionally Left Blank] 7
A 36-year-old Thai man who admitted to having only a Grade 9 education has been arrested for performing penis enlargement procedures for 20 years without a medical license.

Kittikorn Songsri, a 36-year-old man from the city of Samut Sakhon, in Central Thailand, was arrested last week following a sting operation at a townhouse where he had been conducting various penis enlargement procedures over the last two decades. Songsri admitted to advertising his services via social media and operating on at least two or three patients every month, despite having no medical training or license. He told police that he had taught himself how to do implants when he was 14, and he had been doing it ever since. Unfortunately, he was reported to the authorities by a disgruntled patient who suffered a serious infection following a silicone infection.

Photo: Sander Sammy/Unsplash

Police working with officials from the Department of Health Service Support arranged for an undercover agent to contact the unlicensed doctor and pose as a prospective client. When he was invited to Songsris townhouse for the procedure, a team of officers raided the place and arrested the fake doctor. He admitted to only completing Mathayom Suksa 3 (Grade 9), adding that he had taught himself how to conduct the delicate procedures when he was a teenager.

During questioning, Kittikorn Songsri told investigators that he had provided the services for the last 20 years and that he was currently charging between 5,000 baht ($150)and 20,000 baht ($600) per procedure. He has been charged with running an unauthorized medical clinic and providing medical services without a license.



Kittikorn Songsri is also facing legal action from the client whose silicone implant he botched causing a serious infection and erectile dysfunction that persisted even after treatment. Still, its downright astonishing that this self-taught doctor could practice such delicate procedures for two decades without anyone reporting him before this latest malpraxis.
Lindsey Trickett

LifeSci Advisors has named Lindsey Trickett managing director of the IR, corporate communications shop focused on healthcare.

During a six-year run at AstraZeneca, Trickett rose to the director of IR slot.

She joined that pharma giant following its acquisition of Medimmune, where Trickett was director-operations strategy.

Trickett exited AstraZeneca in 2019 for the VP-IR & communications post at F-Star Therapeutics, and then the VP-IR position at Preclude Therapeutics.

Michael Rice, co-founder of LifeSci said hiring the best talent from Wall Street, industry and academia is a priority as the firm continues to grow.

Our service offering in investor relations is unique and we believe that, by hiring seasoned professionals such as Lindsey, we can provide our clients with thoughtful counsel and deliver exceptional value, he added.

New York-based LifeSci has a presence in Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Charlotte, London, Geneva, Paris, Milan, and Tel-Aviv.
Meeting on the margins of the Summit of the Future at United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen and the UN Secretary-Generals Envoy on Technology, Under-Secretary-General Amandeep Singh Gill, announced a new enhanced collaboration between the UN and the OECD on global AI governance.

The speed of AI technology development and the breadth of its impact requires diverse policy ecosystems to work more cohesively. And in real time. I am delighted that the OECD and the UN will link their efforts to help governments improve the quality and timeliness of their policy response to AIs opportunities and its risks, UN Under-Secretary General Gill said. We will work with all stakeholders, including leading scientists and academic centres from around the globe, to realise this goal.

Rigorous scientific and evidence-based assessment must be at the heart of global AI governance. This announcement marks a significant step in that direction by bringing the technical and analytical capabilities of the OECD together with the UN's global reach and complementary efforts to support globally coordinated AI governance. OECD Deputy Secretary General Knudsen said. The OECD's AI Policy Observatory, our extensive work to advance the implementation of the AI Principles and the Global Partnership on AI at the OECD provide a strong foundation for this collaboration. Our joint efforts will help countries to seize all the opportunities of AI while mitigating and better managing the associated risks and disruptions to foster human-centred, safe, secure and trustworthy AI.

UN-OECD collaboration will focus on regular science and evidence-based AI risk and opportunity assessments. The two organisations will leverage their respective networks, convening platforms and ongoing work on AI policy and governance to support their member States and other stakeholders in their efforts to foster a globally inclusive approach.

For further information, journalists are invited to contact Elisabeth Schoeffmann in the OECD Media Office (tel. + 33 1 45 24 97 00).
There was widespread shock and sadness in Edenderry, Co Offaly, on Saturday after news filtered through that a man had died in the local Lidl supermarket.

There was a huge response from the emergency services with multiple units of the local fire brigade, ambulance services and gardai on the scene at the store on the Dublin Road in the town.

The man sadly died at the scene in the store. The store was then closed for the afternoon as emergency services dealt with the situation.

Lidl Ireland issued a statement to the Offaly Express confirming the sad news.

"Our Edenderry store was closed for a number of hours on Saturday 21st September due to a customer experiencing a medical episode whilst shopping in the store.

READ NEXT: Teenage motorist banned after driving at 'colossal' speed in built-up area in Offaly

"Our store team immediately responded to the incident and contacted emergency services and the Gardai to assist but, sadly, the customer passed away. Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones."

Gardai also confirmed that they responded to the medical emergency. The man has not yet been named locally.
THE winner of the Aldi /YDP Junior Stockperson of the Year 2024 held recently at Iverk show was Raymond Dockery from Towra in Shinrone.

Raymond was one of nine contestants that took part in one of the most prestigious young handler events held in Ireland and indeed across Europe with a total prize fund of 3000 kindly sponsored by Aldi.

The event was held at Iverk show and following its 4th -year running has grown to be the highlight of young handler events with Irish Angus competitions.

Nine young handlers competed at this event all having qualified at previous show qualifiers in our 3 provincial regions Charleville show representing Munster, Longford show representing Leinster and Bonniconlon show representing Connaught.

The event was judged by the recently appointed pedigree livestock editor of the farmers journal Navan Mc Kiernan who did an excellent job and made it easier for those competing by his manner and professionalism.

Raymond was declared the overall winner having gained the highest score I when all 6 categories were totalled up which included

1. General knowledge questionnaire

2. Interviewing

3. Preparation and grooming

4. Showmanship

5. Stock judging

6. Best overall stockperson

Raymond says: I was thrilled to win this competition, I love showing cattle, we breed angus and shorthorn at home and some commercials, and I love the whole buz around getting animals ready for showing . I do most of the halter training ahead of the shows. We are well set up at home with a clipping crate and good facilities and that makes it much easier and more enjoyable. I won the junior young handler in 2020 which was run by the ISA and FBD and IFJ so its great to be back winning again after 4 years. Well done to all my fellow handlers.

The nine competitors that took part are:

Raymond Dockery, Shinrone Co Offaly  Overall winner Champion Junior stockperson 2024

Katie Flanagan  Elphin, Co Roscommon

Jason Dockery- Shinrone, Co Offaly

Anna and Jack Murphy, Co Cork

Sean Murray, Dunkerrin Co Offaly

Megan Reynolds  Leitrim

Patrick Regan  Roscommon

Liam Reilly  Leitrim
With a hot September sun beating down, Niagara Falls Firefighter Earl Bass climbed over the rail on the First Street traffic bridge above the roaring rapids a few hundred yards from the brink of the falls. With ropes attached to his belt buckle and upper back, he slowly descended toward the deadly waters, a team of his compatriots lowering him to a shallow spot where the water covered the slippery rocks by a few inches.

Donning a yellow helmet and red and yellow swift-water dry suit, Bass stepped onto a submerged rock, paused to retrieve his cellphone from a zippered pocket and smiled for a selfie. Today, he was playing the victim in a swift-water training exercise, part of a new program for the department despite being involved in rapids and gorge rescues for about as long as fire brigades have rushed to the aid of folks in the Cataract City.

Bass, sweat dripping down his face shortly after being rescued by his partner Gus Nienburg, said joining the swift-water team has been eye opening.

This is way outside my comfort zone, he said.

Bass said that while standing in the rapids was both unique and exciting, he also gained a lot of knowledge by performing the training and built trust in his fellow swift-water team members.

I felt a lot more comfortable doing this, Bass said. Gus is a good dude, too, so I wasnt worried about his ability to come get me.

Bass and Nienburg are among the eight swift-water team members. The unit was created last fall, though plans to institute an official swift-water team had been in place since 2019.

Jason Cafarella, a member of the swift-water team who handles logistics around training and organization, said that those plans were delayed during the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, when state trainings were canceled.

But last year the department was able to upgrade its equipment and send eight firefighters to the states training course in Oriskany, near Rome. There they spent the better part of a week  four firefighters in September and four in October  receiving classroom training and practicing what they learned on the states swift-water training course.

Cafarella described it as a ringed pool, akin to the lazy rivers found at resorts and theme parks, with various terrain obstacles and powerful jets that move the water. The ring then attaches to a pond-like area where first responders can train for deeper water scenarios.

There is also an area in the center with cars and mock buildings where they simulate flood rescue scenarios, he added.

So not only were we trained in swift water, we were trained for flood response, too, Cafarella said.

All Niagara Falls firefighters go through rope rescue training, techniques that are deployed in the rapids and the gorge using fixed pulley systems to allow all units to safely respond to emergencies that require first responders to retrieve people from the rushing waters or haul them out of the steep-walled gorge. Prior to the team being put in place, no one was specifically trained on how to deal with the rapids. And the equipment they had was dated and not ideal for rapids rescues.

Cafarella said the cold water wetsuits they used to wear during rescues were used as an example of the wrong type of equipment during the state training. The buoyancy of those suits make it harder for first responders to keep their feet planted to the slippery rocks below the rapids.

If your body is buoyant, its harder to get a footing, because as youre stepping, your feet are being dragged away as your feet are coming up off of the ground, he said.

The new drysuits and improved pulley system make things easier on first responders performing rapids rescues, he added.

While the training exercises offer swift-water team members interesting days at work and experience that will be valuable when they are involved in real-life rescues, the teams also know how risky even training exercises can be. They need to only look 20 miles south to Buffalo, where Buffalo Police Officer Craig Lehner died during a 2017 dive team training session in the Niagara River near the Peace Bridge.

Even though the things that were doing, theres aspects of them that are fun, its still inherently dangerous, Cafarella said. And even though we take as many safety precautions as possible, theres always a risk.

Back on the First Street bridge firefighters and members of the New York State Parks Police swift-water team took turns lowering each other into the rapids. The next day they gathered again, this time wading out into the rapids off of the Three Sisters Islands in Niagara Falls State Park.

The swift-water team has not responded to a live rescue since it was formed last year. But Nienburg, the firefighter playing the role of rescuer in the training, said they know its only a matter of time before they will be called upon. And the work they did this week will help them when they are put to the test.

Well be prepared when the time comes, he said.
The board of directors for Western Regional Off-Track Betting is still piecing together a salary and benefits package for Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown, two weeks after the board unanimously voted to offer Brown the position of chief executive officer of the gaming enterprise.

Were moving along, getting our ducks in a row, Dennis Bassett, board chairman, told The Buffalo News.

The board is scheduled to meet again Wednesday and Thursday, and Bassett said board members have some work to do before then in terms of putting together a package thats acceptable to Brown and fair to the public benefit gaming corporation.

Bassett and Brown have had several conversations since the board selected Buffalos longest-serving mayor to lead the corporation that runs Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, but those discussions have not been back-and-forth negotiations, according to Bassett.

Were putting our pieces together to make sure we offer a very fair, complete package, he said.

Brown continued to ignore requests from The News to discuss his future. He has refused to comment on a time frame for stepping down as mayor.

Brown, first elected in 2005, is the longest-serving mayor in Buffalo history and the citys first Black mayor. He is in the third year of a fifth four-year term.

If he resigns, Common Council President Christopher Scanlon would take the helm as acting mayor until a regular election in 2025.

Bassett said he had no reason to believe Brown would decline the WROTB post. Terrance L. Baxter, a board member from Cayuga County, also said he was confident a deal will be worked out.

The negotiations will be going on in a closed room. The results of those negotiations will be published, Im sure, when its over, said Baxter.

But Bassett said Brown was unlikely to attend the board meetings this week.

The board chose Brown over one other unnamed finalist for the position. Both candidates were interviewed Sept. 5 as part of the boards more than five hour meeting in executive session.

The move to hire the Democratic mayor comes after the board voted to buy out current WROTB CEO and President Henry Wojtaszek and two other executives with lucrative severance packages.

Some Democratic government officials have lambasted the so-called golden parachutes  which combined total more than $500,000  as unwarranted and in violation of the states Severance Pay Limitation Act.

At the same time, some Republicans view the selection of Brown as the culmination of Democratic efforts to take control of WROTB for political purposes, including patronage jobs.

Wojtaszeks annual salary was $299,000. As mayor, Brown was making $178,519 per year after Common Council approved a pay raise that took effect at the beginning of 2024.

Brown likely will receive a hefty pay raise in his new post. Whats uncertain is whether he immediately brings along anyone else from City Hall.

Paul Bartow, a board member from Schuyler County, said he would advise against that and instead encourage the new president and CEO to take some time in learning the operations and what has made the corporation effective.

There have been good returns and good revenues being produced over the past five years, even through the pandemic. That says something. You have to say, Whats the something that made that happen? And you look at the management and learning the operational end of things, said Bartow. I wouldnt bring in anyone up front until I knew the lay of the land and got a sense of what was working and wasnt working.

Bartow said he expects the board to have a healthy discussion about what the new president and CEO will need to do an effective job.

Relying on executive staff who have plenty of experience in how Batavia Downs works will help the mayors transition, he said.

So, if there is talk of folks coming in with him, well just have to see what that means and is it going to be beneficial? said Bartow. You cant bring in people just because you like working next to them.

He added: If were adding to operational costs in a way that isnt necessarily economical, then thats going to hit a sore spot with board members. I can guarantee that.

However, there is a history of chief executives at Batavia Downs bringing in executive staff.

When he was chairman of the Niagara Party Republican Party, Wojtaszek tabbed Scott P. Kiedrowski for a seat on the WROTB board of directors. Then, in 2016, when the board named Wojtaszek president and CEO of Batavia Downs, he chose Kiedrowski, another former GOP chairman, as vice president of operations for the corporation. Kiedrowski later was named chief operating officer of Batavia Downs.

Wojtaszek and Kiedrowski are defendants in a federal lawsuit by Batavia Downs employees alleging sexual harassment and wage theft. Western Regional Off-Track Betting is also named as a defendant.

Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. oversees the operation of off-track betting sites, as well as Batavia Downs and its video gaming casino floor, hotel and live horse harness racing. Since the inception of WROTB in 1973, revenues from gaming operations have paid out more than $240 million to 15 counties, including Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Orleans, Wyoming and Genesee, as well as the cities of Buffalo and Rochester.
Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi takes over Anura Kumara Dissanayakes parliamentary seat

Posted by Editor on September 23, 2024 - 5:00 pm

An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued appointing Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi as a member of parliament for the National Peoples Power (NPP).

This gazette notification was issued by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka.

Due to Anura Kumara Dissanayakes election as President of Sri Lanka, his parliamentary seat became vacant.

Following Dissanayakes resignation from his parliamentary position, the Secretary General of Parliament informed the Election Commission about the vacancy.

Accordingly, Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi has been appointed to the vacant parliamentary seat based on the preference list from the 2020 General Election in Sri Lanka.
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While there are high expectations that having a former teacher as their Vice-Presidential candidate will strengthen the Democratic Party's commitment to public education, its 2024 platform was completed before Tim Walz was picked. Still, this document includes a strong commitment to educating our children, especially when the Republican platform promises "to close the Department of Education". On education policies, the difference between the two parties is stark:

The weakest part of the Democrat's education platform is the party's commitment to fighting the privatization of public education. Unlike the Republicans, the platform does "oppose the use of private-school vouchers, tuition tax credits, opportunity scholarships, and other schemes that divert taxpayer-funded resources away from public education". However, for charter schools, it only calls to "continue working to increase accountability at charters". This is stronger than what is outlined in Project 2025, which calls for "the new Administration [to] take immediate steps to rescind the new requirements and lessen the federal restrictions on charter schools." More preferable would have been the Green Party's unalterable opposition "to the dissolution of public schools and the privatization of education."



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In Los Angeles, effective accountability for these publicly funded private schools is limited by the millions of dollars the Charter School industry and its billionaire supporters pour into elections. The political arm of the California Charter School Association (CCSA) has controlled the LAUSD School Board for decades as a result of advertising campaigns that have used lies, hypocrisy, ableism, and antisemitism. The CCSA has also legally laundered additional campaign funds through labor unions and the California Democratic party to hide its financial support of candidates until the election has passed.

Any meaningful attempt to hold charter schools accountable for the public funds they receive depends on removing the CCSA's influence from the Board that is responsible for oversight. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party continues to ignore its obligation to public education and the Democratic Party's platform by continuing to endorse Graciela Ortiz in LAUSD's Board District 5.

To date, the CCSA has not publicly shown support for Ortiz, instead allowing SEIU-99, a union that is supposed to represent special education aids, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and other non-certificated LAUSD employees, to be the front for the campaign. This union secretly took $25,000 to help the pro-privatization School Board Member Monica Garcia's reelection campaign (full disclosure - I was one of her opponents). The union's leadership claims that the decision to support Ortiz was unanimous, but conversations with rank-and-file members indicate this is not true.

Ortiz has refused to answer questions about charter school co-location policy and how these publicly funded private schools affect Special Education and student safety. Her opponent, Special Education teacher Karla Griego, answered all of them.

SEIU-99 and the Los Angeles Democratic Party continue to support Ortiz despite serious allegations that have been lodged against her. This includes a lawsuit by a former LAUSD student claiming that Ortiz failed to adequately protect her from being sexually assaulted at gunpoint, an event the candidate describes as an "unfortunate occurrence". Questions have also been raised about $1,300 donations to her campaign by people who listed their occupation as "Dishwashers". This seems to suggest that she may be guilty of the same type of money laundering that landed former LAUSD Board Member Ref Rodriguez, also a charter school industry candidate, in jail. There have also been allegations that she coerced her subordinates in the LAUSD to financially support her campaign.

During the primary campaign, the Los Angeles chapter of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) reacted to the allegations swirling around Ortiz by pulling its endorsement. So far, SEIU-99 and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party have remained steadfast in supporting this severely flawed candidate. When financial forms are filed after the election will we find that they did so to protect funding they receive from the CCSA or other Charter School Industry supporters?

Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, who serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him "a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles." For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own.
The New York Times is hyping a report by war profiteers proposing higher war spending.

The report is here. It's on the website of the United States Senate Armed "Services" Committee, but the authors are Congresswoman Jane Harman, chair; Ambassador Eric Edelman, vice chair; General John M. Keane; Thomas G. Mahnken; Mara Rudman; Mariah Sixkiller; Alissa Starzak; Roger Zakheim.

Harman has not actually been a Congresswoman for 13 years, 10 of which years she has spent working for the weapons-company-funded Wilson Center, which also misleadingly advertises itself as a purely Congressional entity. Edelman has not been an ambassador for 15 years but has worked for the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies which is funded by foundations which are funded by weapons companies, as is a great deal at Johns Hopkins which also has a U.S.-military-funded University Affiliated Research Center. Jack Keane hasn't been a general for 21 years but prior to that made a career of escalating wars; now he's at the weapons-company-funded Institute for the Study of War. Mahnken's weapons funding comes from, among other places, the weapons-company-funded Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. Rudman has worked for the weapons-company-funded Center for American Progress. Sixkiller works for Hakluyt & Company, which works for weapons dealers. Starzak works for military contractor Cloudfare. Zakheim works for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, and, like several of these people, has worked for the U.S. military and other parts of the U.S. government.

Of course, the New York Times does not tell you that any of these people are in any way supported by the MICIMATT.

The weapons-funded report linked above tells us that U.S. military spending is declining as a percentage of GDP, that China is "outpacing the United States and has

largely negated the U.S. military advantage in the Western Pacific," that "China's overall annual spending on defense is estimated at as much as $711 billion," and that "Russia will devote 29 percent of its federal budget this year on national defense." The technical term in the U.S. government for this information is rank bullshit.

Using SIPRI figures, which leave out various things (over a half a trillion dollars' worth in the case of the U.S. by some analyses) but allow for comparison, of 230 other countries, the U.S. spends more than 227 of them combined on its military. Russia and China spend a combined 21% of what the U.S. and its allies spend on war. The United States maintains 917 military bases outside its borders, Russia 58 and China 6. Of 230 other countries, the U.S. exports more weaponry than 228 of them combined. Most places with wars manufacture no weapons. Most wars have U.S. weapons on both sides. War is dominated by the United States.

In per-capita military spending, the U.S. is second only to Israel (no data on North Korea), and Russia comes in after the U.S. and 22 U.S. weapons customers, while China is way, way down the list.

The reason for pretending that military spending is "defense" is obvious, but it sure doesn't make anyone safer. The reason for measuring it as a percentage of an economy should be obvious (it's the only way to argue for even more U.S. military spending). But think about what it means. It means that the more militarism the world can get the better, so those who can afford it should fund it to the extent of their ability. This would make a lot of sense if we were talking about environmental protection or healthcare or housing, and in fact we could be if so much money weren't going into the Death Star.

Finally, and I cannot stress this enough, the United States IS NOT IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC.
**Doubled, yet still modest, new US $200 entrance fee per person expected to bring in $40 million per year for long-term conservation and the local community** (Quito, Ecuador) - As anyone who has explored the Galapagos knows, the islands that inspired Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution give as good as they get. Now, the captivating archipelago lying 620 miles off the coast of Ecuador is getting more, as per the recent 
In an ever-evolving world dominated by technology and innovation, students across Australia are faced with the growing demand for comprehensive knowledge of programming. The pressure to excel in courses involving coding languages like Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, and many others has intensified, leading to a surge in students seeking professional guidance. CodingAssignmentHelp.io has emerged as a trusted ally for students by offering the best programming assignment help in Australia. Get up 
Paul Pisces - the controversial author of "Desperately Seeking Sex & Sobriety" - has returned to his Colchester hometown after more than 20 years in Zurich, Switzerland. "I am now 65 and have returned to Colchester to be near my family as I move into the last stage of my life", says Paul. Paul, who attended Colchester Royal Grammar School for 7 years, is best known for his honest writing on addiction, 
Oregon landlords are allowed to raise rents by up to 10% in many residences next year, state officials said on Monday.

Oregon passed its first-in-the-nation rent control law in 2019 in what supporters cast as a way to stabilize unregulated price increases. Lawmakers modified the law in 2023 to set a ceiling at the lesser of 7% plus inflation or 10%.

Since Oregon implemented rent control in 2019, the cap has equaled about 9% to 10%, according to the Department of Administrative Services, except in 2023 when it reached 14.6% for half the year amid blistering inflation.

That was a turning point for the statewide law, as renters rights groups expressed dismay and claimed the high allowable increases would cause more evictions.

Landlord representatives have said that property taxes and housing demand are generally more influential on their pricing decisions than the rent cap formula, and that most rent increases come in below the statutory maximum.

The rate reset to 10% in mid-2023 after lawmakers voted to install an upper limit. It held at 10% in 2024 and will be the same in 2025, as calculated by the statess Office of Economic Analysis, which by law must issue a rate by Sept. 30 annually.

The law doesnt affect rentals built in the past 15 years. It only regulates older houses and apartments.

-- Jonathan Bach covers housing and real estate. Reach him by email at jbach@oregonian.com or by phone at 503-221-4303.

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You might not think of Oregon as a dance powerhouse, but a group of young ballet students recently took home a raft of top prizes in an international competition in China. No kidding! Fourteen members of the Oregon International Ballet Academy competed in the Rising Star Dance Competition, and racked up an impressive number of awards, including three Rising Star awards, two group dance gold awards, two soloist silver awards, and best of all, the OIBA dances won first place overall, besting 140 competitors for the highest prize from the jury.

The competition was part of a monthlong cultural exchange tour (July 14 to Aug. 14) in which the OIBA dancers performed in nine cities in Japan and China. They were led by OIBA Artistic Director Xuan Cheng, a former principal dancer with Oregon Ballet Theatre and currently ballet master for the Hong Kong Ballet and her husband Executive Director Ye Li, an award-winning choreographer and former soloist with OBT. Cheng and Li founded OIBA 10 years ago with a vision that addresses each student individually.
Portlands food scene has been celebrated for years, and its not unusual to see local restaurants making best-of lists in such nationally known publications such as Bon Appetit, or to see Rose City chefs and establishments earning highly sought-after James Beard Awards.

Americas Best Restaurants may not carry the critical cachet associated with those sorts of honors, but the national media and marketing company regularly travels around the country to shine a spotlight on independently owned dining establishments.

The Americas Best Restaurants approach isnt built around feedback from food critics. According to the company, businesses that are featured in Americas Best Restaurants Roadshow videos are chosen based on customer reviews, menus, social media presence, restaurants that apply to be featured, internal vetting, and customer nominations.

Americas Best Restaurants will first visit Bamboo House, a Vietnamese restaurant thats been open since 2019, and is located at 4005 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd, on Sept. 30. According to the press release, owners Tam and Truc Cao will be interviewed, and popular dishes will also be featured.

The filming is scheduled to happen from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 30, and the episodes premiere date will be announced on the restaurants Facebook page, and be featured on the Americas Best Restaurants website, americasbestrestaurants.com.

The second establishment that Americas Best Restaurants will visit in Portland is DeNicolas, an Italian restaurant that has operated since 1978, was founded by Giovanni and Rosina DeNicola, and is still run by members of the family.

The eatery was nominated by a diner who appreciated its home-style quality East Coast Italian food with great atmosphere.

Americas Best Restaurants will be at DeNicolas, located at 3520 S.E. Powell Blvd., from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 1. As with Bamboo House, the finished episode premiere date will be announced on the restaurants Facebook page, and be featured on the Americas Best Restaurants website.

For more Oregon restaurants, visit the Americas Best Restaurants website, and click on the state of Oregon in the U.S. map, to find other local spots that have been featured.

Subscribe to The Best Thing I Ate This Week newsletter

Each week, restaurant critic Michael Russell takes Oregonian/OregonLive subscribers along on his culinary explorations. Not a subscriber? You can receive a few weeks of The Best Thing I Ate This Week newsletter as a free trial. Sign up here.

 Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist

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Teachers are vital to the growth of a healthy, educated society. In addition to teaching facts, good teachers also teach students how to think independently and how to develop resources for assessing news and media they read and hear about outside of school.

Kudos for the Portland Public Schools administrative directive that restricts individual teachers from expressing personal beliefs or their own political views in class. The ruling ensures sensitivity to and inclusivity of all students, regardless of their heritage or gender identity or political beliefs, (Portland Public Schools quietly adopts rule barring teachers from political or personal classroom displays, Sept. 12).

The PPS rule is a validation of the importance teachers play in the lives of students. Educators have access to young minds; good educators dont abuse that power. Instead, they teach facts, which can include explaining various perspectives about the subject matter being taught.

Educators who take a political or personal stance in their class can transmit incomplete or erroneous information to gullible young children. They can also subtly threaten older students, who recognize the teachers ability to grade them unfairly if they challenge what the teacher is imparting. This is unethical and unprofessional.

Teachers are individuals. Outside of school they are free to advocate for what they believe. In school, we must separate personal views from the professional mission.

Sherry Scheinman, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
I saw a report about more than 300 ineligible noncitizen voters mistakenly being registered under Oregons Motor Voter program. The report indicated that of those registered, only two actually voted. The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services division and Secretary of States office have caught this and are fixing it. Before anyone has a hissy fit and claims voter fraud, Id like to put this all in perspective.

According to the Secretary of States office, 1,997,689 Oregon voters cast ballots in the 2022 election. If you do the math, the two noncitizens who did vote represent 0.000001% of the total vote cast; the approximately 300 who were registered represents 0.00015% of the total vote cast. Everyone should take a deep breath and lets all move on. Sounds like our election folks have this under control.

Terry Crawford, Tigard

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
The chief lawyer for the states crisis-ridden public defense agency has escaped a scorching workplace investigation without any discipline, records show.

Oregon Public Defense Commission director Jessica Kampfe sent a letter of expectations to General Counsel Eric Deitrick rather than take disciplinary action after an outside probe found he slashed payments to two female public defenders and caused a third to lose a job offer.
Connie Chung is an icon. Its been almost 20 years since she was regularly on air, but shes still a household name and a namesake for a generation of Asian American women.

Americans remember her as one of the faces of the news, from the 1970s through the early 2000s. She interviewed Nixon and Oregons one-time Olympic darling-turned-national villain, Tonya Harding and covered the events that rocked the country from the O.J. Simpson trial to the Oklahoma City bombing.

In Connie: A Memoir released Tuesday from Grand Central Publishing, Chung, now 78, tells her own story.

Connie: A Memoir, which Chung will discuss in Portland on Wednesday, Sept. 25, is an inside look at reporting on some of the biggest events of the 20th century, and the story of doing it as a woman, sometimes a very young woman, always a Chinese American woman, nearly alone in a sea of white men.

Chung spoke with Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Lizzy Acker in August, about her book, her career and one memorable interaction with Richard Nixon.

Listen now.

Subscribe to Beat Check anywhere you listen to podcasts to get new episodes each week.

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The Oregon DMV has allowed 1,259 non-citizens to register to vote since 2021, a fourfold increase from the agencys previous estimate, state officials said Monday.

Non-citizens are prohibited from voting in national or local elections. But earlier this month, the DMV acknowledged that it had found at least 306 instances in which employees mistakenly coded non-citizens who presented foreign passports or birth certificates when applying for a drivers license or ID as having a U.S. passport or birth certificate.

That number shot up to 1,259 this week following a complete investigation by the DMV, according to Kris Strickler, director of the Oregon Department of Transportation, which oversees the department.

While we regret this situation has occurred, we moved swiftly to correct the issue before the coming election and implemented swift corrective action to ensure the data processing error will not impact the (November) election or future elections, Strickler told reporters Monday.

Ten of the non-citizens have voted in an election, according to Ben Morris, chief of staff for Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade.

However, its unclear how many of those 10 were ineligible to cast a ballot because they became a citizen by the time they voted, Morris said. The Secretary of States Office already confirmed that one of those individuals legally voted after becoming a U.S. Citizen.

For nearly a decade, Oregon has automatically registered to vote anyone who obtains or updates a drivers license or state ID and isnt already a voter. That changed in 2021 after Oregon lawmakers authorized drivers licenses for undocumented residents. The DMV instituted a system to make sure only citizens information got sent to the state elections division to be registered to vote.

The DMV only realized that it had mistakenly helped register non-citizens to vote after it conducted a review in response to inquiries from The Institute for Responsive Government, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on making governments more efficient and accessible.

DMV Administrator Amy Joyce told reporters earlier this month that her agency had a two-step process for verifying that license applicants had a U.S. passport or birth certificate but has since added a third step after learning of the data errors.

Strickler said the agency is preparing for an external review, but did not specify who will conduct the review.

We are looking at bringing forward kind of an external review that would then look at the DMV data processes and the analysis associated with ... the data entry procedures to really give us best practices from other places in the country, he said.

Gov. Tina Kotek said Monday that she had directed the DMV to implement processes to ensure that non-citizens arent mistakenly registered again in the future.

The integrity of election systems is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy, and any error that can undermine our voting system must be taken seriously and addressed immediately, Kotek said in a statement.

Since learning of the error, the DMV has taken several steps to correct the issue, officials said. The department now requires staff to enter a state and country for all U.S. birth certificates. It also now requires DMV managers to verify that documents submitted for identification match their entries in the departments system at the end of each day.

Automatic voter registration at the DMV remains the most trusted and secure way for engaging more eligible voters in our democracy, Morris said. While any error needs to be taken seriously, and we are taking this issue very seriously, we can take some comfort in the fact that this system is generally working correctly.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

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TSMC logo is seen at TSMC Museum of Innovation in Hsinchu

(Reuters) -Two of the world's largest chipmakers, TSMC and Samsung Electronics, have discussed building potential chip projects in the United Arab Emirates in coming years which could be worth more than $100 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

Top executives at TSMC have visited the UAE recently and talked about a plant complex on par with some of the companys largest and most advanced facilities in Taiwan, the WSJ said, citing people familiar with the interactions.

South Korea-based Samsung Electronics, a maker of smartphones, TVs and memory chips, is also considering major new chip-making operations in the country in the years ahead, the paper said.

TSMC told Reuters it had no new investment plans to announce.

"We are always open to constructive discussion on ways to promote development of the semiconductor industry, but we remain focused on our current global expansion projects and have no new investment plans to disclose at this time," it said in a statement on Monday, without elaborating.

Samsung declined to comment on the WSJ report.

Senior figures at Samsung Electronics visited UAE recently and discussed the idea, WSJ reported, adding that the discussions were still in the early phases and may face technical and other hurdles.

Under initial terms being discussed, the projects would be funded by the UAE, with a central role for Abu Dhabi-based sovereign development vehicle Mubadala, according to WSJ.

The paper added that the broader goal would be to increase global chip production and help bring prices down without hurting chip-makers' profitability.

As tech deals in the region speed up, Washington has become increasingly concerned about the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries becoming a conduit for advanced U.S. AI technology reaching China.

(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey and Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Christian Schmollinger)
The nearly $550 million expansion includes a new through-air-dried (TAD) paper machine and three converting lines that will produce Brawny paper towels and other premium private label brands. The nearly $550 million expansion includes a new through-air-dried (TAD) paper machine and three converting lines that will produce Brawny paper towels and other premium private label brands.

Georgia-Pacific Holds Grand Opening for $550 Million Green Bay Tissue Mill

Sept. 23, 2024 - Georgia-Pacific on Sept. 18 celebrated the completion of its investment initiatives at the Green Bay Broadway Facility. The nearly $550 million expansion includes a new through-air-dried (TAD) paper machine and three converting lines that will produce Brawny paper towels and other premium private label brands for the retail market.

Construction for the initiative began in July 2022, and not only helps support Georgia-Pacific's own retail towel brands, and the growth of both current and potential premium private label brands, but also reduces manual "touches." This is a critical part of the new paper machine's production process, the associated converting equipment, and the overall infrastructure. With the entire production process nearly 85% automated, the technology-focused jobs as part of this project will manage high levels of automation across the entire product system.

Georgia-Pacific President and CEO Christian Fischer, pictured with Dean Wesolowski, the expansions operations manager, speaks at the Green Bay, Wisconsin facility grand opening. Georgia-Pacific President and CEO Christian Fischer, pictured with Dean Wesolowski, the expansions operations manager, speaks at the Green Bay, Wisconsin facility grand opening.

The new TAD machine adds thousands of tons of tissue production capacity to the Broadway mill, which already operates seven other paper machines and several converting operations.

The entire expansion project is massive  spanning approximately 600,000 square feet.

"Today is an exciting day for Georgia-Pacific," said John Nundahl, vice president of manufacturing, Georgia-Pacific. "After more than two years, it is wonderful to see the results of this new investment in the form of more than 100 full-time jobs, enhanced levels of technology and automation, and production capabilities that will produce Brawny paper towels and other premium private-label brands."

The Broadway manufacturing facility now employs more than 1,000 full-time employees who support the production of paper products for Georgia-Pacific's away-from-home and retail businesses.

Since 2006, approximately $1.2 billion has been invested in Georgia-Pacific's Green Bay facilities, including the Broadway mill. Many of the investments were focused on high-tech equipment and technology, including the latest in automation, laser-guided vehicles, artificial intelligence, and robust data analytics that help operations run safely and efficiently. Georgia-Pacific has five facilities in Wisconsin, which provide close to 2,000 direct jobs in the state.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose and building products.

SOURCE: Georgia-Pacific
Kadant Johnson Promotes Chad Corte to Vice President and General Manager

Chad Corte Chad Corte

Sept. 23, 2024 - Kadant Johnson announced the promotion of Chad Corte to Vice President and General Manager. In this capacity, he is responsible for the company's operations in Three Rivers, Michigan, which include research and development, design, and manufacturing activities.

Corte has served as vice president, finance at Kadant Johnson since 2021 and before that served as the director of customer service. Since joining the company in 2007, he has worked in various capacities in the financial, commercial, and operations areas of the company.

"Chad's diverse experiences at Kadant Johnson position him well for his next role as general manager," said Wes Martz, President of Kadant Johnson. "I look forward to Chad advancing our high-performance culture where our people are engaged and expected to develop into their best selves to create sustainable value for our customers, communities, and shareholders."

Kadant Johnson LLC, based in Three Rivers, Michigan, is a leading provider of rotary joints, precision unions, and fluid handling systems and equipment used to optimize the transfer of power, fluid, and data in rotary sealing applications found in process industries.

SOURCE: Kadant Johnson LLC
Metsa Fibre Taking Production Downtime at Joutseno Pulp Mill in Finland

The Joutseno pulp mill has the capacity to produce 690,000 tonnes per year of softwood pulp, which is used as raw material for paperboard, tissue and printing papers. The Joutseno pulp mill has the capacity to produce 690,000 tonnes per year of softwood pulp, which is used as raw material for paperboard, tissue and printing papers.

Sept. 23, 2024 - Metsa Fibre announced that its Joutseno pulp mill is undergoing a production shutdown to adapt to the current market situation.

The Joutseno pulp mill has the capacity to produce 690,000 tonnes per year of high-quality softwood pulp.

In addition to the shutdown, on the basis of construction technical reviews, the mill's baling plant building has been placed under a temporary operating ban due to the potential risk of collapse detected in the roof structures.

According to the current estimate, the dismantling of the roof structures and ensuring safe work conditions will take approximately two months. A more detailed schedule is determined on the basis of the project plan to be drawn up.

"Structural changes observed in the baling plant building pose a potential risk of collapse," explained Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsa Fibre. "Over the years, the pillars have been repaired but despite the repairs, their subsidence has continued. We have been monitoring the situation and have carried out a number of surveys and inspections. Now, after the latest studies and more accurate measurements, it was found that roof structures pose a safety risk. Therefore, on September 19, we decided to ban the use of the baling plant building.

"At Metsa, safety is our top priority, and production volumes never take precedence over safety under any circumstances," Nousiainen added.

Metsa Fibre, part of Metsa Group, produces not only pulp and sawn timber but also other bioproducts such as biochemicals and bioenergy.

SOURCE: Metsa Fibre

Read a related article on PaperAge's website: Metsa Fibre Starts Negotiations on Possible Layoffs at Joutseno Pulp Mill in Finland - Aug. 6, 2024.
Well, the click-bait headline worked, didnt it? Gotcha! But here are a couple of brief items before we get to that:

Have you seen Six Days in August Official Trailer #2? Take a look. Apparently its more popular with women than with men, whereas Official Trailer #1 is evidently preferred by men more than women.

The invaluable Jacob Hess strikes again: National study finds Latter-day Saints are the faith community most resilient to political division and polarization: Strong prohibitions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against bringing political discussions into worship services are partly credited as well as the faiths official political neutrality.

And now to the subject of the title:

Ive decided to address this issue because of some comments that Ive recently read about President Dallin H. Oaks. Some are portraying him as enthusiastic about expelling people from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

First of all, let me make it plain that Im saddened by excommunications  as, Im confident, President Oaks is. I dont, as one very small pod of my somewhat unhinged personal critics pretend to believe, rejoice when people are excommunicated. More precisely, though, Im saddened by the acts of immorality, the abandonment of once-treasured covenants, the loss of spiritual confidence and trust, the angry rejection of Church leadership, the repudiation of central teachings of the Restoration, or whatever else it may be that has led to excommunication. What saddens me isnt so much the excommunication itself, which, in important ways, merely acknowledges a defection from the Kingdom, as it is the original straying from fellowship.

Rumors of my glee over excommunications have not only been greatly exaggerated, theyve been invented out of whole cloth. As Ive mentioned, similar things are currently being said about President Oaks. As Ive also said, Im sure that theyre equally untrue and unjust.

(Ill supply an unusually clear example, not entirely unrelated, of how such things are manufactured entirely ex nihilo. I apologize for its somewhat gross character: Two or three years ago, at the principal place where my most obsessive critics spin their fantasies about me, it was revealed that I believe that those who fail to gain the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom in the hereafter  the males, anyway  will be mutilated, that they will literally be anatomically emasculated, in the resurrection. And Im supposed to relish this, and to find it enormously funny. As it happens, I had never even encountered the idea before. Ive never thought any such thing, never imagined any such thing, never written about such a thing  not so much as a line, at least until I felt that I needed to deny holding such an opinion  and I absolutely dont believe it. Period. Full stop. Thereafter, though, several in that exceedingly weird place took to using the fact of my gleeful anticipation of the neutering of unbelieving men, including several specific, prominent, agnostic scientists of the past generation or so, as a revealing window into my allegedly cruel and vengeful soul.)

Anyway, back to the idea of excommunication:

Some time back, I read a denunciation of the practice of excommunication from a person who, I think, may still be at least a nominal member of the Church. As a vehicle for approaching the general issue, Ill respond, very briefly, to some of the points raised by this person:

Excommunication is outdated.

Truthfully, I dont even know what that claim means. How does the mere passage of time, in and of itself, render a truth or a (divinely-commanded) practice obsolete? Granted, conditions change. But when did excommunication pass its sell-by date? Was it on 12 May 2009, by any chance? At 1:17 PM? Or perhaps earlier, sometime in, say, the Fall of 1997? More recently? During the COVID-19 pandemic? Consequent upon BYUs failure to earn a bowl bid last year?

In the Latter-day Saint understanding, the Church as a whole, in its doctrines and its organizations and its practices, represents the restoration (indeed, the Restoration) of very old things. We believe temples, apostles, priesthood, baptism, prophets, and other such matters to be exceedingly old, but faithful members of the Church certainly dont regard them as outdated. Age isnt a very potent argument against orthodox Latter-day Saint doctrine.

Excommunication is abusive.

Well, I suppose it could be. And perhaps, in a few cases, it has been. Church leaders are, after all, human, and subject to all of the limitations to which mortal flesh is heir. (Although I would imagine that there are more excommunicants who feel that theyve been abused than there are actual cases of ecclesiastical abuse. Just as there are more criminal defendants who claim to be innocent than there are actually-innocent defendants.) But Ive been involved in enough ecclesiastical disciplinary councils to be quite confident that many and probably the vast majority of them, even when they involve quite grave offenses, are conducted with the utmost seriousness, prayerful sensitivity, a profound desire to get things right, and a genuine concern for the wellbeing not only of the Church but of the individual whose fellowship is in question.

Excommunication has the effect of ostracizing people, socially.

Well, yes. In several senses. Thats rather the point of the term  (karath, to cut off), which occurs in various forms throughout the Hebrew Bible. Its also certainly the point of such New Testament passages as

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (Matthew 18:15-17) It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his fathers wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed . . . to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators. . . . But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (1 Corinthians 5:1-4, 6-9, 11)

But, according to the New Testament, such ostracism isnt reserved only for cases of gross immorality:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 1:10-11)

And, needless to say, the practice of excommunication has continued by revelation in modern scripture, as well, and under the leadership of contemporary prophets and apostles.

Ostracism from Latter-day Saint society as such, however, seems to me to be, as often as not, substantially self-imposed. Certainly the Church advocates nothing like formal shunning.

I recall reading a letter, many years ago, from an elderly ex-Latter-day Saint lady to a monthly Baptist tabloid that was focused on attacking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In her letter, she lamented how, supposedly urged on to it by Church leaders, her children had begun to avoid her, to fail to invite her to social events, and the like. But then, seemingly without the slightest tincture of self-awareness, she also told how, at every family birthday party and picnic, she spent as much time as she could on denouncing Joseph Smith, attacking their faith, and trying to bring her grandchildren out of the cult of Mormonism. It didnt take much imagination to realize that no directive to her kids from their bishop or stake president was required for them to stop inviting such a tiresome anti-Mormon bore, Grandma though she was, to their family barbecues.

No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guilereproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; that he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-44)

Excommunication is spiritual violence.

Again, I dont know exactly what this is supposed to mean, except that its plainly designed to portray as evil those who advocate the Church and the Restoration as the Church and Restoration have long been understood and taught.

Couldnt that be viewed as, itself, a form of spiritual violence and abuse? Its certainly a case of attempted rhetorical manipulation. However, I strongly prefer retaining the word violence for . . . for, well, you know, actual cases of violence. Excommunication isnt remotely comparable to the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, nor even to a brutal carjacking.

Excommunication is foreign to the beautiful, accepting, always-affirming message of the gentle Jesus.

God is love. Jesus is loving. By this shall men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

All quite true. But lets not forget about the Jesus who carefully braided the whip and drove the moneychangers from the temple, who called the Pharisees whited sepulchers, who distinguished between sheep and goats, who spoke extensively of Hell, who warned of false prophets who would appear in sheeps clothing while inwardly they are ravening wolves (Matthew 7:15).

The Churchs message should always be Come unto Christ, never driving anybody away.

That is its message, and it always has been. But coming unto Christ means accepting him as lord and master, not as uncritical playmate and always-affirming pop psychologist: He didnt say, Im OK, youre OK, and isnt it beautiful? He said, If ye love me, keep my commandments. He commanded us to repent.

The leaders of the Church have no authority to determine who gets to belong and who doesnt, no right to decide who fits and who doesnt fit in.

On the contrary, for believing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that is precisely their right and their authority and their responsibility. The Kingdom isnt an open-ended debating society in which every doctrine is up for grabs, every commandment subject to focus groups and polling and negotiation, every policy a matter to be worked out by means of street demonstrations and town hall meetings but always subject to revision if even a single person objects.

The Kingdom should, of course, always be led with compassion and love, and we can hope and pray and work to include as many within its boundaries as are willing to affiliate themselves with it on conditions of repentance. But the Kingdom does have leaders, and it does have boundaries. The Kingdom means something specific, and the very definition of definition is to set borders and limits  which is why the term is also used to refer to the degree of distinctness in the outline of an object, an image, or a sound.

Excommunication is one way in which those facts are made plain.
As part of a special operation according to the Ghana Police Service, some roads in Accra especially those leading to the Jubilee House area have been blocked.



In an announcement, the police said the traffic diversions in Accra was part of a special operation scheduled for improving security and observing the movement of traffic within the city of Accra.



The operation is from September 21 to 24, 2024, and will affect several major routes in the city.



This was contained in a statement signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs.



ROAD BLOCKS AND DIVERSIONS AS PART OF POLICE SPECIAL OPERATION IN PARTS OF ACCRA



As part of Police Special Operations in Accra, the following routes would be blocked and diverted from 21st to 24th September 2024, as follows;



Traffic from CBD to Independence Avenue linking up to the Liberation Road would be blocked at AU Roundabout.



Traffic from AU Roundabout will turn at the Castle Road to the Ridge Roundabout to the Kanda Highway, through to Gold House Traffic Light (Kawukudi). Alternatively, from the AU Roundabout to the Castle Road link up with the Lokko Street, and link up to the Independence Avenue to Labone and beyond.



From the AU Roundabout, traffic will turn right towards the Second Avenue (GIJ), to the Ring Road Central, in front of the Police Headquarters to the Dankwa Circle, through the Cantonments Road to the Ghana International School and along the Second Circular Road to Giffard Road (El-Wak traffic light) and beyond.



Traffic from Madina direction to Accra will terminate at 37 Roundabout and be diverted as follows: Obasanjo Highway to Gold House Traffic Light and turn unto the Dr. Liman Highway (Kanda Highway), to the Ridge Roundabout to the Castle Road to Accra Central Business District.



Traffic from 37 Roundabout will be diverted to turn at Giffard Road (Burma Camp Road) to link up with the Second Circular Road in front of the Ghana International School to the Cantonments Road towards Dankwa Circle.



Alternatively, motorists can go through the Giffard Road, towards Trade Fair and join the Beach Road towards the Central Business District.



The Presidential Drive (behind TV3) would be blocked at the Kanda Post Office Junction. Motorists will be directed to use the Dr. Liman Highway (KandaHighway) to access alternative routes.



Traffic will turn right to the Obasanjo Highway to Gold House Traffic Light to Dr.Liman Highway and beyond.

The road in front of the Prudential Bank will be blocked from the Ring Road towards TV3. Police Officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) will be deployed at vantage points to assist motorists with the traffic diversions.



We urge pedestrians to avoid using the stretch from the AU Roundabout to 37 Roundabout. Alternative arrangements would be made for persons accessing the 37 Military Hospital, TV3 and individuals accessing their homes in the affected enclave during the period.



We thank the motoring public for their understanding in this regard.

Source: graphiconline









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

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Professor Francis Owusu, a Ghanaian Professor at the Department of Community and Regional Planning at Iowa State University, says Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's effort to promote digitalization in Ghana is commendable.



He asserted that Dr. Bawumias digitalization programmes ensure internet productivity is harnessed and efficient in the various aspects of national development.



Speaking during a public lecture held at Iowa State University on the book "Dr Bawumia and the Modern Vice Presidency in Ghana" authored by Prof. Etse Sikanku, Professor Francis Owusu said harnessing the power of digital technology is a necessary requirement for Africa.



He urged the country to take advantage of the next frontier of technology which is Artificial Intelligence.



He said countries with strong internet connectivity and digital infrastructure can innovate and improve their capacities.



He added that strong digitalization infrastructure gives a nation better opportunities to especially engage with the outside world since technological innovation is a major mechanism around which the world functions.



This will also provide more job opportunities and expand the markets for Ghanaians.



In this regard, he said, it is important to have a solid digital foundation which is what Dr. Bawumia has committed to all these years, hence he deserves a big applause for his efforts in setting the right foundation.



It helps to move the country forward in terms of allowing internal process to be efficient and allows the country to engage externally. Data centers for machine learning and Artificial Intelligence are all based on having access to internet capabilities, he averred.



Prof. Sikanku's book examines Dr. Bawumia's contribution to the evolutionary role of Vice Presidents, hence highlights that Dr. Bawumia has through his zeal, commitment and dedication to social progress largely contributed to making the Vice Presidency a more productive office.



During the lecture, Dr. Sikanku also emphasized that Dr. Bawumia has elevated the office of the Vice President by using the office as an instrument for innovation and social advancement.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The police service has cautioned Democracy Hub demonstrators for what they described as Unghanaian act during their protest.



A statement from the police asked the protesters to desist from the act to maintain law and order.



"The Ghana Police Service has monitored attempts by the Democracy Hub demonstrators to frustrate and put impediments in the way of commuters and other road users.



"We are urging the demonstrators to desist from such uncivil, unpatriotic and unghanaian acts depicted in the images and videos and allow the general public to go about their businesses without any hindrance.



We would like to assure the public that more Police officers have been deployed across the city to manage the traffic and ensure security, law and order. The statement said.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com









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Some members of the Democracy Hub group who were seen engaging in violent acts around the 37 Roundabout where they are picketing have been arrested by the Police.



It comes after police cautioned them not to converge at the same spot today since it was impeding traffic flow and inconveniencing the public.



The arrested demonstrators were seen pushing down police crash barriers, blocking the main 37 road and harassing commuters.



Statement



The Ghana Police Service today arrested some of the Democracy Hub demonstrators who engaged in acts of lawlessness including blocking the road, pushing down Police crash barriers and obstructing traffic.



The Police are on manhunt to arrest one of their leaders Oliver Vormawor and others who engaged in some acts of lawlessness at the 37 Intersection.



We would like to assure the public that the Police will arrest all the perpetrators involved and bring them to face justice.







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.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has made an impassioned plea to fellow world leaders to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), emphasizing its outdated structure and inadequate representation of African nations.



Addressing the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, President Akufo-Addo stressed that the current Security Council does not reflect todays global realities.



The Need for Reform



Established in 1946, the UNSCs structure has remained largely unchanged, sparking debates about the need for reforms.



The Councils five permanent members  the United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom- hold veto power, while its ten elected members serve two-year terms without veto authority.



This imbalance has hindered the Security Councils ability to address pressing global issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.



African Underrepresentation



President Akufo-Addo highlighted Africas gross underrepresentation in the Security Council, despite being home to 1.4 billion people.



He emphasized that the current system undermines the UNs credibility and perpetuates an unfair world order.



Ghana, currently serving its second term as a non-permanent Security Council member, has witnessed firsthand the Councils inefficiencies.



A Call to Action



The President urged world leaders to insist on immediate reforms, ensuring that all nations have an equal voice at the table.



He emphasized that half-measures are insufficient and that comprehensive reforms are necessary to achieve a fair and inclusive system of governance.



President Akufo-Addos call to action is backed by Ghanas support for UN Reform, particularly the Security Council, as outlined in Africas Common Position on UN Reform.



Pact for the Future



In a significant development, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, which includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.



This pact aims to ensure international institutions can deliver on their promises and create a more representative and equitable global order.



The Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed the Pact as a strong statement of countries commitment to the UN, international law, and the international system.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Mr. Kwadwo Anokye Kankam, Convener of the Black's Progressive Party (BPP), has called for a restructuring of the country with a strong focus on agriculture as a key driver of economic growth.

According to him, agriculture is the only sector capable of transforming the nation's economy.



He emphasized that prioritizing agriculture and fishing will not only boost local production but also enable the country to export goods for foreign exchange, which in turn will enhance economic growth.



Mr. Kwadwo Anokye Kankam further advocated for the establishment of state-owned enterprises, fully funded by the government, to drive agricultural development.



He also stressed the importance of training more extension and veterinary officers to provide the necessary expertise to support state-led farming initiatives.



Additionally, he proposed collaboration with traditional leaders to allocate land for state farming projects, ensuring that both the nation and local communities benefit from the agricultural ventures.



Mr. Kankam also criticized the two major political parties in the country, stating that they have failed the nation.

He believes it is time for a new political party to lead the way in rebuilding and transforming the country, with a focus on innovative policies centered on agriculture.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/peacefmonline.com









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The Electoral Commission (EC) has pledged to Ghanaians that the Commission will conduct itself in truth and integrity and organize fair, credible, transparent and peaceful elections come 7th December 2024, assuring Stakeholders that, We will not let you down.



The Chairperson of the EC, Mrs. Jean Mensa, gave these assurances at a Let The Citizen Know press conference on Friday, 20th September, during which the Commission formally announced the list of presidential candidates who qualified to contest the 2024 Presidential Election as well as those who were disqualified following the Nomination Process.



The Commission announced that 13 candidates successfully qualified to contest the 2024 Elections while 10 candidates either failed to meet the nomination requirements or failed to correct errors that the Commission brought to their attention. One candidate withdrew his nomination after filing his nomination papers.



Addressing the press conference, the Chairperson of the EC underscored the Commissions readiness to engage with Stakeholders to ensure peaceful, transparent, free and fair Elections in December 2024.



As we head towards the 7th of December, we urge all of you distinguished citizens to work with us to strengthen and uphold the integrity of our systems and the Commission as a whole. Our doors remain open. We assure our stakeholders that we are receptive to constructive feedback and advice. Indeed the feedback and advice from well-meaning Ghanaians has helped enrich our work and enabled us to serve you better.



We urge all the Candidates to engage in a decent campaign  a campaign based on policies and programs that will lead to the betterment of our society. As referees, our role is to arrange and organize orderly, fair, transparent, peaceful and credible election.



We assure you that we are working to do just that. We do not have the power to determine who wins the elections. It is not in our control to determine the outcome of the election. That power lies with the good people of our dear country. The citizens and the citizens alone can determine who should lead them  Not the Electoral Commission.



It is the Candidate who is given power to lead this country by the citizens, who will be declared President of the Republic of Ghana by the Electoral Commission come 7th of December, 2024. Thankfully the Electoral Commission has institutionalized a fair, open, transparent and accountable process to guide the declaration of the results.



To you our distinguished citizens, we thank you for believing in us and walking this journey with us. We pledge that we will conduct ourselves in truth and integrity and organize fair, credible, transparent and peaceful election come 7th December, 2024. We will not let you down.









Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com









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The outgoing Member of Parliament for the Essikado-Ketan Constituency in the Western Region, Hon. Joe Ghartey, has led the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Essikado-Ketan, Charles Onuawonto Bissue, to the Palace of the Divisional Chief of Kojokrom, Nana Panyin Yena IV.



https://youtu.be/B8mm4kt_kyQ?si=ep8UOss-q5yB6Xr8



Hon. Ghartey and Mr. Bissue who is likely to succeed him as Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan Constituency, recently paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Kojokrom at his Palace.



https://youtu.be/uqV7dBqqY-g?si=6GWIrLVRRab3-mYt



During the visit which was intended to formally introduce Charles Bissue to the traditional leader, Hon. Ghartey seized the opportunity to preach peace and unity in the area ahead of the 2024 presidential and Parliamentary elections.



In his brief remarks, he said the people of Essikado-Ketan Constituency and indeed all Ghanaians are one people, saying emphatically "we are all one people."

Source: Alex Ofei-Kwayisi/peacefmonline.com









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Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has glorified God for his number one position on the ballot paper for the 2024 presidential election.



Dr. Bawumia got the number 1 after the NPP representative at a balloting held by the Electoral Commission picked the much-sought-after number twice.



Speaking during his interaction with the congregation of the Church of Pentecost at Breman Asikuma in the Central Region, Dr. Bawumia attributed this to the will of God saying "there are so many things men cannot do but we believe God can do everything. There is nothing God cannot do...whatever we do, we have to put our faith and trust in God. Once we put our trust in God, things will go well."



"Two days ago, we went for the balloting to select the order of the ballot for voting. We prayed to the Lord and we believe that God listened to our prayers. God gave us the number one position, so we are grateful to God", Dr. Bawumia said.



The NPP representative during the balloting, first picked the number one position but it was nullified after NDC representatives protested the procedure, resulting in heated arguments which lasted for half an hour.



However, the NPP representatives refused to yield to the NDC's nullification proposal and after sanity prevailed for the process to start again, they surprisingly picked the number one position again.



In respect of the turn of event, many Ghanaians describe Dr. Bawumia's number one position as divine.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/peacefmonline.com









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

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The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been cautioned to refrain from unnecessarily attacking the Electoral Commission (EC), especially as the December 7 elections gradually draw closer.



Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice Presidential Candidate, sounding the caution, stated that the NDCs can't attack the EC to create tension ahead of the elections.



According to him, the NDCs d of winning the impending polls should not blindfold their leadership, especially former President John Mahama, to put the peace, progress, and security of the country in danger.



Speaking during an engagement with chiefs and religious leaders at New Edubiase in the Ashanti region on Monday, Dr. Prempeh, aka Napo said political parties have the right to question the EC, but they must do so with decorum.



The various political parties, he said, should always ensure that their dealings with the EC would not cast doubts about the integrity and fairness of the electoral body, who are mandated by the constitution to supervise the polls.



Political parties have the right to protest against the EC, but we must avoid disruptions that cast doubts on the intentions of fair elections, Napo said, adding, that the country would only be developed in a peaceful atmosphere.



The NPP vice presidential candidate also expressed worry about the way the NDC has been trying to make the public, especially their supporters, to see the EC as a bias body, which is planning to rig the polls for a certain political party.



According to him, the NDC's weird and unpatriotic behaviour can easily create tension and disturb national peace, stressing the need for the NDC and their leadership a prioritize the peace and progress of the country.



All well-meaning persons must encourage the expression of concerns about the electoral process, but it must be done in the interest of our dear motherland. We must know that we have only one Ghana to develop, Napo advised.



He urged all sundry to play important roles to jealously protect and maintain the peace thats being enjoyed in the country before, during and after the polls, saying that Disturbances will draw the countrys development back.





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/peacefmonline.com









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Comedian and central Pennsylvania native, Shane Gillis, made headlines not all too long ago when he was famously booted from Saturday Night Live after being accused of using racist and homophobic jokes on podcasts and social media.

Not only did Gillis return to host SNL after pushback to this pushback, but now creator and producer of the show, Lorne Michaels himself, recently came out and said it was all a bit of an overreaction.

Michaels during a recent The Hollywood Reporter interview discussed todays political correctness landscape and its affect on comedy, bringing up Gilliss controversy as an example.

We had a bad time when I added Shane Gillis to the cast [in 2019], told Michaels to the Reporter. He got beat up for things that hed done earlier and the overreaction to it was so stunning  and the velocity of it was 200 Asian companies were going to boycott the show.

It became a scandal and I go, No, no, hes just starting and hes really funny and you dont know how were going to use him. And when he came back to the show last year [to host], we saw Oh right, hes really talented, and he wouldve been really good for us. Now, his life turned out well without SNL, but my point with it is everything became way too serious.

Indeed, things seemed to have taken a turn for the better for Gillis: The comedian  who hails from Mechanicsburg  has since scored a partnership with Bud Light, released a new Netflix series, and even had a cameo in Eminems video for Houdini.

However, Asian groups are still demanding Gillis apologize for his past statements. Otherwise, they claim they will continue to petition companies such as Budweiser and Netflix to drop any sort of deals with him.

Im happy to apologize to anyone whos actually offended by anything I said, said Gillis himself in 2019, according to Variety. My intention is never to hurt anyone.

But Im trying to be the best comedian I can be. And sometimes that requires risks.
A former United States military official went public a few years ago concerning how the government lacks transparency with regards to its investigations of UFOs.

This official is once again making headlines as he continues to discuss the topic in an upcoming book.

People reports how Luis Elizondo  a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent  shook things up about seven years ago when he resigned from the latter position, specifically from a top-secret Pentagon job that looked into UFOs.

According to Elizondo, it was during his time in this program  officially called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program  that he began to fully believe that all the sightings and encounters recorded by other military personnel posed potential threats to our nation.

The amount of stigma and taboo that was placed on this topic for so long has really paralyzed the conversation, told Elizondo to People. But these things are real.

We dont know what they are yet, but they are real, so we should probably take them seriously.

As The New York Times explains, when Elizondo tried to get high-ranking officials to address said potential dangers, leading to the now famous congressional inquiries into the matter. His new book  Imminent: Inside the Pentagons Hunt For UFOs  goes even deeper.

It had to be reviewed by the Pentagon, which took almost a year, said the 52-year-old of the books publishing process.

The same Times article states how Department of Defense spokeswoman, Sue Gough, has confirmed that the program is still continuing its review of historical UFO records but has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession of reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently.
Weis Markets is expanding its south-central Pennsylvania footprint.

The Sunbury-based chain on Sept. 20 announced it agreed to buy two Sunnyway Foods, Inc. stores in Franklin County.

The locations include 49 Warm Spring Road in Chambersburg and 212 N. Antrim Way in Greencastle. Sunnyway is a family-owned company in operation for about seven decades.

It has been my familys pleasure to serve the wonderful people of Franklin County for over 69 years, said Sunnyway President and CEO Dean Martin. While this move is bittersweet for us, we are comforted knowing that we leave our customers in the capable hands of Weis Markets.

Weis said the transaction is expected to be completed by the end of this year. It will briefly close the stores for conversion and reopen under the Weis Markets banner, according to a press release.

Weis noted interested Sunnyway employees will be considered for employment.

Sunnyway Foods, the Martin family and its associates are known for their service and dedication to their communities, said Jonathan Weis, Weis Markets chairman and chief executive officer. As a company with a strong local focus, our goal is to build upon this strong foundation. We look forward to interviewing the associates of these stores for employment with our company.

Weis was founded in 1912 and operates 196 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia.
UPDATE: $100,000 reward offered in Alabama mass shooting as officials plead for help

More than a week of steady bloodshed on the streets of Birmingham continued Sunday night when three people were shot on the citys east side, one of them fatally.

The killing came less than 24 hours after a mass shooting in Five Points South that left four people dead, and 17 others wounded.

Police officials on Sundays night scene said they had not ruled out the possibility that the gunfire could be linked to Saturdays carnage in Southside.

One of our personnel received intel that this may be related,' said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. So anytime we have a community member willing to step up and give information, were going to investigate that the best we can.

Just before 9:30 p.m. Sunday, the citys gunfire detection system - Shot Spotter - alerted officers to shots fired in the South East Lake community, specifically the 700 block of 81st Place South.

Shot Spotter registered at least 30 rounds fired, and there were multiple evidence markers placed in the middle of 81st Place South.

Once on the scene, they found a man unresponsive on the sidewalk and a woman unresponsive in a front yard.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service rushed both of the to UAB Hospital, where the man died. His identity has not yet been released.

The womans injuries, Fitzgerald said, are life-threatening.

Police then learn another gunshot victim showed up by private vehicle at St. Vincents East.

The initial report was that the victim was shot in the same incident but Fitzgerald said they are still working to positively confirm that.

No arrests have been made.

Witnesses are coming forward. They have been helpful,' he said.

Were hearing reports the shooter was possibly in a vehicle. However, were working to confirm if the shooter fired shots from the vehicle, or exited and then fired shots,' Fitzgerald said.

Birmingham police investigate a deadly shooting that happened Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in the 700 block of 81st Place South.(Carol Robinson)

In the past nine days, 11 people have died due to violence in the city.

On Friday, Sept. 13, a Birmingham Housing Authority contract employee was gunned down in broad daylight in the Collegeville public housing community.

Five days later, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, a 26-year-old man was found shot to death in the 1700 block of Laurel Avenue S.W.

Within hours, police were investigating another killing that happened in Brother Bryan Park on Magnolia Avenue, a half block away from where Saturdays nights mass shooting took place.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, a 35-year-old woman was fatally shot inside a Birmingham bar.

Early Friday, a Bessemer man was shot to death during an argument with another man inside Third Avenue Package Store.

And, on Friday afternoon, a 27-year-old woman who had not been seen or heard from since the previous night was found dead in a Glen Iris apartment.

Then, on Saturday, the drive-by shooting outside Hush lounge - which police believe was a targeted hit - happened.

Fitzgerald was asked if any of the shootings appeared to be gang-related.

He said what police typically see in Birmingham is neighborhood-based cliques or groups that have isolated beefs that have bled out into our streets.

Thats why its important that anyone that has information on these shooters to give us that information as quickly as you can,' he said. Because, as weve seen tonight, no one took last night as a warning of what can happen when you let tempers flare and bullets fly.

Sunday nights homicide victim is the citys 123rd so far this year. Of those, eight have been ruled justifiable and two happened in previous years and died in 2024.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 155 homicides including the 123 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
OSLO, Norway  Its an old cliche to joke about the quality of airline food. This is a new twist.

A woman flying on Scandinavian Airlines flight from Oslo, Norway, to Malaga, Spain, was preparing to eat her in-flight meal. When she opened the box containing the meal, she was stunned to see a live mouse hop out, the BBC reports.

The incident forced the plane to make a diversion and land in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Believe it or not, Jarle Borrestad, a passenger who was on the flight, says in a post on Facebook. A lady next to me here at SAS Plus opened the food and jumped out a mouse. Now we have turned around and landed at CPH for flight changes.

Borrestad tells the BBC that passengers on the plane remained calm, but admitted he pulled his socks over the legs of his pants so the mouse could not scurry up his pants legs.

Alexandra Lindgren Kaoukji, a Scandinavian Airlines spokesperson, tells USA Today the plane made a very normal landing and the passengers continued to Spain on a different airplane.

In these cases, we have very clear procedures to follow, including full inspection of the aircraft and of all our suppliers processes to see what needs to be improved or changed in order to avoid scenarios like these in the future, she said.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, speaks during a campaign event, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)AP

PITTSBURGH  Donald Trump is back on the campaign trail Monday and expected to travel to the swing state of Pennsylvania to speak about his plans to counter the U.S. reliance on China with a group led by a loyalist who served as his top intelligence official.

The former president and Republican presidential nominee is attending the 3 p.m. event in a rural area outside of Pittsburgh hosted by the Protecting America Initiative, which is led by Richard Grenell, Trumps former acting director of national intelligence, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin.

Trump has embraced tariffs as he tries to appeal to working-class voters who oppose free-trade deals and the outsourcing of factories and jobs. The event on Monday focuses on proposals to increase Americas food supply and to protect U.S. farmers.

The National Agricultural Law Center estimates 24 states ban or limit foreigners without residency and foreign businesses or governments from owning private farmland. The issue emerged after a Chinese billionaire bought more than 130,000 acres near a U.S. Air Force base in Texas and another Chinese company sought to build a corn plant near an Air Force base in North Dakota.

Later on Monday, Trump is expected to rally voters at 7 p.m. in Indiana, Pennsylvania, a town east of Pittsburgh, where he is hoping conservative, white working-class voters help him pull ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris, his opponent. Harris is also visiting Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

His running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, meanwhile is visiting North Carolina, where Trump rallied on Saturday, making direct appeals to women on the issue of reproductive rights. The former president argued women would be safe and prosperous and would no longer be thinking about abortion. They are both navigating the fallout from an explosive CNN report where North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican running for governor, made racial and sexual comments on a website where he also referred to himself as a black NAZI.

Robinson had been a frequent presence at Trumps North Carolina campaign stops. The Republican presidential nominee referred to him as Martin Luther King on steroids for his speaking style. But on his Saturday rally in Wilmington, Trump campaigned without him and did not mention him by name.
A 55-year-old Pennsylvania man died Sunday evening after being pulled from the ocean waters off Avon-by-the-Sea, borough police said.

Rescue swimmers saved two other people who were in distress in the water, Avon police Capt. Tony Pecelli said.

Police did not immediately identify the victim, who was from Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

The incident started on the Washington Avenue beach, the southern most beach in the Monmouth County town, next to the Shark River Inlet. Police and rescue authorities responded to a 6:34 p.m. report of several swimmers needing assistance, Pecelli said.

Rescue swimmers brought two to shore who were then taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

At 6:46 p.m., rescuers found a third person submerged in the nearby inlet, and brought him to shore and began life-saving efforts. He was also taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Pecelli said.

The Jersey Shore had strong, sizable waves and surf all weekend, and beaches were red flagged, meaning no swimming. Most Jersey Shore beaches are without full-time lifeguards after Labor Day weekend.

Water rescue authorities in Avon-by-the-Sea on Sept. 22, 2024. Rescuers pulled three people from the surf off the Washington Avenue beach, one who died.(Photo by Caroline Shea)

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and TARA COPP, Associated Press

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP)  Under extraordinarily tight security, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday visited the Pennsylvania ammunition factory that is producing one of the most critically needed munitions for his countrys fight to fend off Russian ground forces.

Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Democrat who was among those who met with Zelenskyy at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, said the president had a simple message: Thank you. And we need more.

The Scranton plant is one of the few facilities in the country to manufacture 155 mm artillery shells and has increased production over the past year. Ukraine has already received more than 3 million of them from the U.S.

Zelenskyys visit kicked off a busy week in the United States as he works tirelessly to shore up support for Ukraine in the war. He will speak at the U.N. General Assembly annual gathering in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday and then travel to Washington for talks on Thursday with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The area around the ammunition plant had been sealed off since Sunday morning, with municipal garbage trucks positioned across several roadblocks and a very heavy presence of city, regional and state police, including troopers on horseback.

As Zelenskyys large motorcade made its way to the ammunition plant in the afternoon, a small contingent of supporters waving Ukrainian flags assembled nearby to show their appreciation for his visit.

Its unfortunate that we need a plant like this, but its here, and its here to protect the world, said Vera Kowal Krewson, a first-generation Ukrainian American who was among those who greeted Zelenskyys motorcade. And I strongly feel that way.

She said many of her friends parents have worked in the ammunition plant, and she called Zelenskyys visit a wonderful thing.

Laryssa Salak, 60, whose parents also immigrated from Ukraine, also said she was pleased Zelenskyy came to thank the workers. She said it upsets her that funding for Ukraines defense has divided Americans and that even some of her friends oppose the support, saying the money should go to help Americans instead.

But they dont understand that that money does not directly go to Ukraine, Salak said. It goes to American factories that manufacture, like here, like the ammunition. So that money goes to American workers as well. And a lot of people dont understand that.

The 155 mm shells made in the Scranton plant are used in howitzer systems, which are towed large guns with long barrels that can fire at various angles. Howitzers can strike targets up to 15 miles to 20 miles (24 kilometers to 32 kilometers) away and are highly valued by ground forces to take out enemy targets from a protected distance.

With the war now well into its third year, Zelenskyy has been pushing the U.S. for permission to use longer range missile systems to fire deeper inside of Russia.

So far he has not persuaded the Pentagon or White House to loosen those restrictions. The Defense Department has emphasized that Ukraine can already hit Moscow with Ukrainian-produced drones, and there is hesitation on the strategic implications of a U.S.-made missile potentially striking the Russian capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia would be at war with the United States and its NATO allies if they allow Ukraine to use the long-range weapons.

At one point in the war, Ukraine was firing between 6,000 and 8,000 of the 155 mm shells per day. That rate started to deplete U.S. stockpiles and drew concern that the level on hand was not enough to sustain U.S. military needs if another major conventional war broke out, such as in a potential conflict over Taiwan.

In response the U.S. has invested in restarting production lines and is now manufacturing more than 40,000 155 mm rounds a month, with plans to hit 100,000 rounds a month.

Two of the Pentagon leaders who have pushed that increased production through  Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology and Bill LaPlante, the Pentagons top weapons buyer  were expected to join Zelenskyy at the plant, as was Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The 155 mm rounds are just one of the scores of ammunition, missile, air defense and advanced weapons systems the U.S. has provided Ukraine  everything from small arms bullets to advanced F-16 fighter jets. The U.S. has been the largest donor to Ukraine, providing more than $56 billion of the more than $106 billion NATO and partner countries have collected to aid in its defense.

Even though Ukraine is not a member of NATO, commitment to its defense is seen by many of the European nations as a must to keep Putin from further military aggression that could threaten bordering NATO-member countries and result in a much larger conflict.
By Danica Coto, The Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico  Hurricane watches were issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico on Monday as a cluster of storms located south of the Cayman Islands could strengthen into a major hurricane in upcoming days while moving north toward the U.S., weather forecasters said.

The disturbance could become Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It could certainly become a major hurricane, which is Category 3, Brad Reinhart, a senior hurricane specialist at the center, said in a phone interview. People in the Florida Panhandle and the west coast of Florida certainly need to pay close attention.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 41 counties on Monday as a result of the expected storm.

Reinhart said that its too early to forecast where it might make landfall. He warned theres always some potential for it to strengthen into a Category 4 storm, but added that it might not be the most likely outcome.

He said the disturbance could become a tropical storm by Tuesday, and that tropical storm conditions could affect parts of Florida on Wednesday as it approaches. It could turn into a major hurricane by the time it reaches the northeast Gulf Coast on Thursday.

Its a pretty aggressive forecast for intensification over the next few days, he said. People need to remain on high alert.

Very warm sea temperatures are forecast to fuel formation of a tropical storm, which is forecast to quickly strengthen into a hurricane thanks to favorable conditions that include a moist atmosphere, which supports thunderstorm developments, and light upper-level winds at more than 10,000 feet (around 3,000 meters), Reinhart said.

The cluster of storms was located about 110 miles (175 kilometers) south-southwest of Grand Cayman on Monday. It had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 kph) and was moving north at 6 mph (9 kph).

A hurricane watch was in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio and eastern Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum. A tropical storm warning was in effect for eastern Mexico from Rio Lagartos to Tulum and for the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth.

Up to eight inches of rain is forecast for western Cuba and the Cayman Islands with an isolated total of some 12 inches (30 centimeters). Up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) of rain is expected for the eastern Yucatan Peninsula, with an isolated total of more than 6 inches (15 centimeters) inches.

This graphic shows an approximate representation of coastal areas under a hurricane warning (red), hurricane watch (pink), tropical storm warning (blue) and tropical storm watch (yellow). The orange circle indicates the current position of the center of the tropical cyclone.National Hurricane Center

Heavy rainfall also is forecast for the Southeast U.S. starting on Wednesday, threatening flash and river flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Meanwhile, up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) of storm surge is forecast for parts of Cuba and Mexico.

On Monday, authorities in the Cayman Islands closed schools as forecasters warned of heavy flooding associated with the disturbance, which is due to cut a path between Cuba and Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula in upcoming days.

Helene would be the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year because of record warm ocean temperatures. It forecast 17 to 25 named storms, with four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
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The merger of two United Way organizations in western Wisconsin means the popular Day of Caring is returning to Dunn County, and volunteers and projects are needed to make it successful.

We are so happy the United Way Day of Caring is coming back to Dunn County, said Jenalee Nutter, Dunn County human resources director who is working to sign up employees for the event. People really missed this, and bringing it back will be great for the community.

The event is an annual day of action connecting teams of corporate and government volunteers with nonprofits from across Dunn and Pepin counties. Volunteer teams complete half-day projects at local nonprofits.

In July, United Way St. Croix Valley merged with the Dunn County United Way to form United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys, encompassing the counties of Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix.

Announcing the return of the Day of Caring in Dunn and Pepin on Oct. 10 was one of the first major initiatives of the merged organization, said Steven McCarthy, the groups executive director.

Prior to 2021, it had been a longtime tradition, McCarthy said. Thats why it is in peoples minds, and its why we are getting back to it.

The last normal Day of Caring in Dunn County was in 2021; the Dunn County United Way held a quasi Day of Caring in 2022 that extended from Aug. 17-Sept. 30 to help move the groups donation center.

Sarah Weiske, United Way director of development, said the group revived the Day of Caring in Dunn and Pepin counties to demonstrate the return and renewed strength of the United Way in those counties. She added that this event would help determine whether it could be a sustainable model to replicate in other counties served by the organization.

Weiske emphasized that the success of the event depends on the involvement of volunteers and organizations in those counties. We are actively seeking event sponsors, project ideas and teams to participate, she said.

For details about the inaugural Day of Caring, including how to become a sponsor, register a team or submit a project, visit www.uwvalleys.org/dayofcaring.

All nonprofit organizations  including agencies, service clubs, schools, local governments and community organizations  can submit project proposals. Projects have included yardwork, painting, landscaping, deep cleaning, disseminating flyers, sorting and straightening items, furniture assembly and clerical or administrative tasks.

The deadline for submitting project proposals and signing up as a volunteer is Oct. 4. Questions can be submitted to givehope@uwvalleys.org.

Nutter said she is working within Dunn County government to sign up teams of volunteers. Interest has been high, she added.

You get out of a normal day at the office and get to do some good for the community, Nutter said.

The organization also is looking for financial sponsors to cover expenses. More information on sponsorships is available at the Day of Caring web site or by emailing sarah.weiske@uwvalleys.org.
A grand total of 3,509 entries were made across all starting flights of Event #1: 350 NLH Opener of the 2024 World Series of Poker Europe at King's Resort Rozvadov. The 1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool was met, eventually reaching 1,039,014. The majority of payouts were handed out today, as Day 2 of the tournament saw the 359 survivors being whittled down to just 20.

Germany's Dmitrij Fadeev was the most successful of them, bagging up 7,985,000 chips at the end of the day, worth 50 big blinds at the start of Day 3. This is only the second-ever WSOP event Fadeev has cashed in, the other one being the 550 Collosus at WSOP Europe in 2019. However, he placed himself in a prime position to capture the bracelet and the top prize of 115,350.

Not far behind Fadeev are King's regular Przemyslaw Szymanski (7,865,000) and Fadeev's fellow countryman Daniel Trunk (7,335,000), the two other players who managed to eclipse seven million chips.

End of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Day 2 Big Blinds 1 Dmitrij Fadeev Germany 7,985,000 50 2 Przemyslaw Szymanski Poland 7,865,000 49 3 Daniel Trunk Germany 7,335,000 46 4 Georg Strebel Switzerland 5,950,000 40 5 Viorel Gavrila Romania 4,990,000 31 6 Rostyslav Sabishchenko Ukraine 4,620,000 29 7 Marco Di Persio Italy 4,105,000 26 8 Daniel Kschammer Germany 3,985,000 25 9 Enrico Linke Germany 3,340,000 21 10 Jozsef Dobos Hungary 3,280,000 21

However, the most recognizable face still left in the field is that of Vladimir Troyanovskiy. The Russian poker veteran with over eight million in life-time earnings is hunting for a career-first bracelet. He will have his work cut out for him, though, as his stack of 1,330,000 will see him start with less than ten big blinds on Day 3.

Vladimir Troyanovskiy

Day 2 Action

Among the many contenders who showed up at the start of the day were bracelet winners Tobias Peters, Martin Kabrhel, Or Nezer, and Lukas Pazma, the latter of which being the defending champion of the 350 Opener. However, their day was short-lived as Peters, Pazma, and Kabrhel all booked an early exit, picking up 805.

Nezer made it a bit further and collected a four-figure payout of 1,040 for his 120th place, but also could not add a second bracelet to his trophy cabinet. Czechian regulars Michal Mrakes (289th - 805) and Josef Snejberg (53rd - 2,055), both in the top ten of Czechias all-time money list, were also present but failed to capture their first bracelet.

After Snejbergs exit, the international field steadily moved towards the final three tables. On the way there, they lost Serbias best performer Milos Culjkovic (50th - 2,055), last woman standing Anna Tsyhryk (45th - 2,450), the final Belgian player Dominique Potenza (39th - 2,960), and Antonio Jelenkovic (30th - 3,615), who was the highest-placing Croatian player.

Antonio Jelenkovic

Eventually, Lishai Heshbon and Yunus Ekinci were eliminated in 25th and 24th place almost simultaneously, each receiving 3,615 for their efforts, leaving the remaining players to battle it out across three tables. Once there Catalin Diac, Carlos Fernandes Lourenco, and Daniel Biclea departed, picking up 4,470, before the day ended and the 21 remaining players bagged up for Day 3.

Day 3 will kick off tomorrow, September 23, at 1 p.m. local time, resuming in Level 32: 80,000/160,000 with a big blind ante of 160,000. All levels will remain 40 minutes in length, with a break after every three of them, and the players will play as many of them as needed to crown a winner. All players have locked up a cash prize of 4,470, but the hunt will be on for the glory, the bracelet, and the truckload of cash that comes with winning the tournament.

Remaining Payouts*

Place Prize 1 115,350 2 80,150 3 60,850 4 47,250 5 37,550 6 30,650 7 25,700 8 22,050 9 19,407 10-11 17,425 12 15,940 13-15 5,590 16-20 4,470

* Top 12 includes 10,350 WSOP Europe Main Event ticket

Make sure to check back in with PokerNews tomorrow to find out who will win the first golden bracelet of the 2024 WSOP Europe and will walk away with the six-figure first-place prize in the 350 Opener.
The first gold bracelet of the 2024 World Series of Poker Europe has been presented at King's Resort in Rozvadov. This marks the seventh time that Europes largest poker venue has hosted the series, which will award a total of 15 WSOP gold bracelets.

And claiming the first bracelet of the festival was Przemyslaw Szymanski, who emerged as the first champion after prevailing in Event #1: The 350 NLH Opener.

The tournament attracted 3,509 entries, narrowing besting last year's count of 3,503. Of those, 359 players made it through the Day 1 flights to secure a share of the 1,039,014 prize pool, with 20 players returning for the final day.

Dmitrij Fadeev, Szymanski and Daniel Trunk were the top three stacks going into the final day and the trio managed to each secure a seat at the final table.

Szymanski joined the ranks of over 30 Polish bracelet winners, marking a personal milestone as this is his largest tournament cash to date, according to Hendon Mob. He triumphed over Trunk in heads-up play to claim the 115,350 top prize, while Trunk had to settle for 80,150 as the runner-up.

Szymanski started the final day second in chips but faced a tough run leading up to the final table, entering as one of the shorter stacks. He initially lost some chips but then doubled up twice and won a few small pots before pulling off a significant double-up against Fadeev, hitting quad queens. He took the chip lead when his kings held against Alberto Speranzoni's jacks in a pot worth over 30,000,000.

From that point, Szymanski seemed to be in the zone, especially with the river working in his favor during the heads-up against Trunk. At one stage, they went all-in on the turn, where Trunk had trips and Szymanski held two pair, putting him in a precarious position. However, fortune smiled upon him as the much-needed ace appeared on the river.

Later, Szymanski reflected, "I was very happy when the ace came on the river, very, very happy."

Przemyslaw Szymanski

After that pivotal moment, Trunk was left with a short stack. He doubled up again, but it wasnt enough. In the final hand, he was again outdrawn by Szymanski on the river, ending his tournament run.

Szymanski, who usually plays tournaments with buy-ins up to 300, and the top twelve finishers also all secured tickets to the 10,350 WSOPE Main Event. Can Szymanski pull off a cinderella story when the Main Event shuffles up and deals?

Event #1: 350 NLH Opener Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1 Przemyslaw Szymanski Poland 115,350* 2 Daniel Trunk Germany 80,150 3 Rostyslav Sabishchenko Ukraine 60,850 4 Alberto Speranzoni Italy 47,250 5 Dmitrij Fadeev Germany 37,550 6 Georg Strebel Switzerland 30,650 7 Antonio Menga Italy 25,700 8 Viorel Gavrila Romania 22,050 9 Jozsef Dobos Hungary 19,41

* Top 12 finishers also received an entry to 2024 WSOP Europe 10,350 Main Event

Action of the Final Day

Twenty players returned to their seats for the finale, and that number decreased quickly. In less than 30 minutes, the tournament had quickly progressed to the final two tables, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.

One of the most painful bust-outs came from Ferdinando Costagliola, who pushed all-in preflop with pocket nines, only to be snap-called by Georg Strebel holding ace-king. Costagliola flopped a full house, but the turn and river delivered a better full house for Strebel, forcing Costagliola to exit in eleventh place.

Daniel Kschammer was the final table bubble and he left with a payout of 17,425 as the field merged around one table.

Viorel Gavrila entered the final table second in chips but quickly lost momentum. He attempted to bluff Jozsef Dobos with a pair of tens, which backfired. Later, his pocket jacks couldn't withstand Fadeevs ace-king. Gavrila was forced to go all-in with queen-six offsuit against Rostyslav Sabishchenkos ace-ten. Failing to improve, Gavrila ended his run in eighth place.

Three-handed play was met when Antonio Menga, Georg Strebel, Fadeev and Speranzoni found themselves on the wrong side of the rail.

Sabishchenko emerged as the slight favorite and for a long while, it seemed like he might secure the victory. However, he struggled to gain traction, frequently losing chips along the way. His run came to an end when his ace-high hand was unable to compete against Trunk's pocket pair.

Although Trunk enjoyed a considerable amount of luck throughout the tournament and proved to be a river-hitting master, it was ultimately that very river that cost him his tournament life. During the heads-up against Szymanski, Trunk first found himself in a tough spot when his trips fours were bested by Szymanski's rivered full house.

In the final hand, Trunk held a pair of kings. However, Szymanski managed to make two pair on the final card of the tournament, securing the victory.

This wraps up PokerNews' live coverage of Event #1: 350 NLH Opener, but stay tuned  another 14 WSOP gold bracelets will be awarded over the next two and a half weeks at King's Resort in Rozvadov.
On the same that a new report found the largest decrease in US murders in 20 years, hundreds of police leaders endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.

NBC News reported:

Crime, including serious violent incidents like murder and rape, dropped nationally from 2022 to 2023, according to new data released by the FBI on Monday.

Violent crime was down about 3% from 2022 to 2023 and property crime took a similar drop of 2.4%, the FBI reported in its annual Summary of Crime in the Nation. The most serious crimes went down significantly: Murder and non-negligent manslaughter were down an estimated 11.6%  the largest single year decline in two decades  while rape decreased by an estimated 9.4%.

On the same day as the FBI announced the historic drop in murders, the group Police Leaders For Community Safety Endorsed Vice President Harris.

This endorsement reflects Vice President Harris track record and unwavering commitment to public safety and the rule of law, said Sue Riseling, Chair of Police Leaders for Community Safety. As police leaders who have led law enforcement agencies and the major national law enforcement leadership groups, we know first-hand what it will take to make our communities safer  and that includes having Kamala Harris as our next President, Riseling added.

Police Leaders For Community Safety is the only national police leadership organization that endorses political candidates. The organization is non partisan and it is made up of the leadership of national law enforcement organizations.

The endorsement of Harris runs counter to the Trump campaign narrative that America is a flaming hellscape of crime that can only be extinguished by sending a convicted felon back to the White House.

One of the successes of the Biden-Harris administration has been in the area of reducing crime. Trump has no answer for the facts, so he claims that the FBI is faking crime statistics.

Crime is reaching lows that havent been seen in decades and the Biden-Harris commitment to safer communities is a big reason why.

To comment on this story, join us on Reddit.
Ill watch Nicole Kidman in anything. I applaud whenever her AMC ad comes on in the theater. In fact, when I watched Blink Twice, it was the best part of my viewing experience. And I will always-always-always watch Nicole Kidman play an elite woman dripping with cash who has an ambiguous accent and an unhinged family. Thankfully for me, thats all she seems to be playing these days. And I eat it up every time.

While Ive mourned and lamented the fact that were probably never getting another season of Big Little Lies, Kidman has not been slacking when it comes to prestige drama. She starred in Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing, and Expats, playing what TV critics call the sad wife. While some call it repetitive, I call it iconic. And the latest entry in this genre is Netflix The Perfect Couple. Messy, murderous, and mysterious, the miniseries is currently going viral for its addictive plot and the TikTok video of a dancey intro (opening credits) where the entire cast dances on the beach.

And, as you can probably tell from the dancey intro, its a new take on the murder mystery for one key reason: the showrunners wanted it to be fun. Its based on a beach read, after all, so its aiming for a soapy, sundrenched take on the murder mystery. And the result is something between The White Lotus and The Summer I Turned Pretty. Im not kidding. So, not prestige television but an entertaining watch. Netflix The Perfect Couple is overrated, but perhaps because its misunderstood.

Whats the plot of The Perfect Couple?





In the ever-expanding pantheon of rich-people-behaving-badly content, Netflix The Perfect Couple is the latest entry that attempts to marry Big Little Lies glamor-drenched trauma with the sardonic bite of Succession. The result? An unpolished but highly-addictive six-hour binge that'll make you question everything while also making you wish you live in Nantucket  with friends who wouldnt murder you.

Let's start with the premise: It's wedding season in Nantucket, and the obscenely wealthy Winbury family is about to welcome a new member into their dysfunctional inner circle. Bride-to-be Amelia  played with electric likability and nuance by Eve Hewson (Bad Sisters, Flora and Son)  is not from the world of money like the Winburys  and shes paying for it. In the opening scene, she walks through the house in boxer shorts only to release a ladybug outside. Of course, the matriarch of the house, Greer (Kidman), does not like that.

From snide digs about Amelias carb consumption to endless nitpicking about her sartorial choices, Greers doubts about the couple are documented plenty. Husband-to-be, Benji, is so devoted to Amelia that he stands up to his domineering mother to defend Amelia  brave for any rich mommas boy. But his deference to Greer feels justified. Everyone in the family defers to her. She sets a high bar, especially considering her own relationship with Tag (Liev Schreiber), which has been touted as the perfect relationship by everyone  including book publishers. As a bestselling author, Greers brand is her everything. And when the maid of honors dead body washes up on the shore the morning of the wedding, the ideal world Greer created begins to crumble.

Kidman  fresh off her tour de force role of wig-wearing Grace Fraser in The Undoing  brings her A-game to B-grade material. Her Greer is a master class in barely concealed contempt, with every arched eyebrow screaming, "I'm Nicole Kidman; what am I doing here?" It's a sentiment the audience might share. But damn if it isn't fun to watch.

Amelias wide-eyed innocence and desire to belong in this family turns into suspicion and resentment as she tries to uncover which of her potential in-laws killed her best friend, Merritt (Meghann Fahy). Since Fahy wowed in The White Lotus Season 2, campy murder mysteries are not new to her. Her turn as seemingly shallow Merritt with secrets of her own is imbued with depth that keeps the audience guessing to the very end.

And, because the women are the most compelling characters in this cast, Dakota Fanning rounds out the mother ensemble as Abby, the heavily pregnant, vanity-obsessed wife of the eldest Winbury son. Shes a cold queen bee, who apparently has more money than Amelia and Merritt, but still trying to win over Greer like the rest of the world.

When the police descend on the Winbury estate on the day of the would-be wedding to dig up the familys secrets, it seems everyone has something to hide. Classic rich family problems: the dishonest husband cheating on his wife, the obnoxious and entitled eldest son Thomas (Kendall Roy if he had frat energy), the non-white family friend who is, of course, the first suspect. And while the show's structure isnt necessarily innovative, it works.

We bounce between police interviews and flashbacks, feeling half-invested in each subplot until the suspense finally finally kicks into gear  mostly because Nicole Kidman dominates the screen in the final few episodes.

But here's the kicker: despite its middling plot and lackluster character development, The Perfect Couple is oddly... entertaining? The shows aware that it's not reinventing the wheel; it's just hoping you're too dazzled by the star power to notice the lack of substance.

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for Elin Hilderbrands book The Perfect Couple and all six episodes of Netflix The Perfect Couple.

How does the book The Perfect Couple end?

Fans have noticed that the TV version of The Perfect Couple is very different from the book. While this is true for many adaptations, most scripts will keep the basic plot points. But in this case, director Susanne Bie and creator Jenna Lamia were intentional about the kind of changes they wanted to see and the tone they wanted to strike. The key words: murder, but make it fun.

Elin Hilderbrands novel The Perfect Couple is a murder mystery without the murder. The book ends with a smart, but somewhat underwhelming, revelation: Merritts death was an accident.

In the book, Thomas wife Abby (Fanning) is the culprit (kind of) but she didnt mean to drug Merritt. Instead, she puts one of Greers sleeping pills into a drink meant for the familys eccentric, fab foreign friend, who is, in both versions, having an affair with Thomas, her husband. Abbys intentions were simpler: she just wanted her husband to come to bed, rather than sneaking off to sleep with another woman.

But the drink is accidentally passed to Merritt. She drinks it and heads out on a late night canoe ride with Tag. She then goes into the water to retrieve the ring he gave her (in the series its a bracelet). The sleeping pills go into effect as shes in the water, causing her to drown.

While this makes for a subversion of expectations, it doesnt make for very exciting TV. Hence the changes. I realized that it may be more satisfying for the audience to find out that there was a murderer who fully intended to murder the person they murdered, creator Jenna Lamia told Indie Wire . We decided that the killer had intended to kill the person she kills, and that she had a very clear motive for doing so, and it wasnt just jealousy. So [we] added the money plot.

Whos the killer in The Perfect Couple ending?

In the series, Abby is still the killer, but this time its committed on purpose. Per Lamias directives, the motive needed to be fleshed out. For Abby, it was money.

A central tension that drives Merritts death is her affair with Tag. As we discover later, Merritt is pregnant with Tags baby. When wedding party members learn her secret, many have motive to murder Merritt. The main reason: the family trust fund. The Winbury family trust has a rule that only bestows the money to the boys upon the 18th birthday of the youngest son. If Merritt were to have a baby, the trust would get reset for another 18 years.

With her own baby on the way, Abbys been pressuring Thomas to move them into a bigger house. She cant wait another 18 years to finance the lifestyle she expects from being a Winbury  certainly not with Thomass risky investments and flagrant affairs. So she kills Merritt.

However, the trust fund motive could not appear in the novel because Will Winbury  the brother on the cusp of his 18th birthday  doesnt even exist. In the book, there are only two Winbury boys: Benji and Thomas. The addition of Will adds conflict and is causes the shows ending to really ramp up.

Other character changes range from small to significant. A big one is names. Eve Hewsons Amelia Sacks in the show, is named Celeste Otis in the books. I like to think they wanted to cast French actress Isabelle Adjani so much that they changed the family friend character from a Londonite named Featherleigh Dale (which, respectfully, is a very Colleen Hoover name) to the aloof French family friend named Isabel Nallet. Also altered: Gosia, the Winburys housekeeper, who is named Elida in the book; and family friend Shooter Dival is Shooter Uxley in the book.

The detective in the novel is also quite different. First of all, the fictional version is male. And he tries to keep the peace with the Winburys, hoping to coax cooperation out of them through kindness. In the show, Donna Lynne Champlin plays a version of the detective that has no sympathy for the Winburys and blatantly calls out their privilege. Her relatable and comedic quips serve as a breath of fresh air when you get sick of the Winburys entitlement.

The miniseries positions itself as a scathing critique of wealth and privilege, but it often feels like a lifestyle porn video that occasionally realizes it needs a plot. The camera lovingly caresses every inch of the Winbury estate as if it's auditioning for an Architectural Digest tour. But this light, beachy vibe is intentional. Athough its a murder mystery, Lamia wanted the tone to be capricious and fun.

The most talked-about way she achieved her goal? The opening credits dance scene. One second youre immersed in the narratives drama the next youre watching the cast doing a choreographed, flash-mob dance sequence.

You see that its directed by Susanne Bier, who did The Undoing and The Night Manager so incredibly well. So youre expecting a bit of a self-serious show, sais Lamua. But I think when you get to the credits and everyones dancing to Meghan Trainor, you have to think, Well, wait a minute. I think this might be a fun ride.

And shes right  the series might not be particularly good in the traditional sense. But in the landscape of peak TV  where every shows striving to be the next big thing  there's something refreshing about a show that's content to be a glossy, star-studded mess.

By the time you reach the finale, you'll have developed a love-hate relationship with every character, a newfound appreciation for prenuptial agreements, and no desire to ever visit Nantucket. The resolution  when it comes  is both satisfying and eyeroll-inducing  much like the entire series itself.
COLUMBIA  Five Columbia-area locations of the national chain MUV Fitness have been bought out by another gym brand. The new company, Onelife Fitness, plans to invest $6 million in renovations.

The five gyms will undergo a series of renovations, including an expanded free weight section and additional equipment, new locker rooms and a recovery area. The recovery area will include hydromassage options and red light therapy, Onelife Fitness President Ori Gorfine told The Post and Courier.

During the renovations, which will take place in two phases with the second phase expected to start in three to four months, the gym will remain open to members, Gorfine said.

Aside from updating the gyms, Gorfine said gym members shouldn't expect to see many other changes to their membership. The annual membership cost and the staff will remain the same.

Onelife, which has locations across the Southeast, bought all but one of the Columbia-area locations of MUV Fitness  the West Columbia location. All other locations at Forest Acres, Columbiana Drive, Killian Road, Sandhills and North Lake Drive in Lexington, have been converted to Onelife Fitness gyms. The purchases are the first for the company in South Carolina.

"South Carolina was a market that we've wanted to be in for a long, long time," Gorfine said.

The gym chain, which costs around $20 or $30 a month for a membership, aims to be the best value in fitness, Gorfine explained. The gym brand recently acquired a building in Raleigh, N.C., marking its move into the state.
MANCHESTER, NH (09/25/2024)-- It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Summer 2024 President's List. The summer terms run from May to August. Read moreSNHU announces Summer 2024 President's List
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH  Ousted City Manager Mike Mahaney has a plan for appealing his sudden removal by North Myrtle Beach leaders last week.

Mahaney, 74, contends that email exchanges with city leaders in February will provide the basis for his appeal. He said the emails show most council members did not ask him to hire a grants coordinator, despite the council voting to remove him for that reason.

"The majority never responded," he said of the reaction to an email that said he would pursue hiring a grants coordinator if that's what most council members wanted.

Mahaney said he intends to request a public hearing within the allowed five-day window after his removal. Once the hearing is requested, it would be held at a City Council meeting between 20 and 30 days after the request is received.

"I'm very proud of what we've accomplished," Mahaney said on Sept. 19, speaking while council members were in a closed-door session discussing his employment. "The things we accomplished here, in my opinion, have changed the face of North Myrtle Beach forever."

North Myrtle Beach City Council voted 5-2 to remove Mahaney, who had served in the role for 14 years. Mahaney technically has been placed on administrative leave until council members make a final decision about his employment, but city officials said the vote was the first step in forcing him out of the job.

"Prolonged efforts by some members of City Council to work out, through communications with the City Manager, the terms of a dignified exit arrangement for the City Manager, were not successful," according to the resolution that removed Mahaney. "The City Council desires to formally conclude its employment relationship with City Manager Mike Mahaney as soon as possible."
The latest Winthrop University Poll was still in the field when the storm came. The results, mostly collected before the former hurricane named Helene slammed into South Carolinas midsection and Upstate, suggested that South Carolinians believe a second civil war is imminent. Read moreEditorial: A second civil war in the forecast? Our better angels will not allow it.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) and certain of the Company's senior executives.If you invested in ABR, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/arbor-realty-trust-inc Investors have until September 30, 2024 to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in ABR securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and is captioned Lois Martin v. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc., et al., No. 24-cv-05347.What is the Lawsuit About?ABR is a nationwide real estate investment trust ("REIT") and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for commercial real estate assets. The complaint alleges that during the relevant period, ABR misrepresented the health of the Company's loan book. In truth, ABR used fake holding companies to help conceal that its loan book was distressed, and the underlying collateral was overstated.On March 14, 2023, NINGI Research published a report which claimed, among other things, that "Arbor has been hiding a toxic real estate portfolio of mobile homes with a complex web of real and fake holding companies for more than a decade." This news caused the price of ABR stock to decline by $0.87 per share, or almost 7%, to close at $12.12 per share on March 14, 2023.Then, on December 5, 2023, Viceroy Research published an in-depth study of ABR's Jacksonville, Florida properties. Viceroy found that the Company's entire loan book is distressed and the underlying collateral is vastly overstated. This news caused the price of ABR stock to decline by $0.19 per share, or over 1%, to close at $13.67 per share on December 5, 2023.Finally, on July 12, 2024, Bloomberg reported that ABR was "being probed by federal prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York." According to the news report, "[t]he investigators are inquiring about lending practices and the company's claims about the performance of their loan book." This news caused the price of ABR stock to decline by $2.64 per share, or almost 17%, to close at $12.89 per share on July 12, 2024.Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/arbor-realty-trust-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in ABR, you have rights and are encouraged to submit your information to speak with an attorney.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The Firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
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AURP awarded $50,000 in prize money for equitable access for rural entrepreneurs in autonomous systemsWASHINGTON, DC and TUCSON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / TheU.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)today announced the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) has been selected asone of 44 Stage Two winners for the SBA 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition(GAFC).AURP will receive a $50,000 cash prize for its work as a Growth Accelerator Partner in supporting the launch, growth and scale of STEM/R&D-focused small businesses through its "RAIN" (Rural Autonomous Innovation Network).As part of these SBA award funds, RAIN will leverage AURP's current university membership (AURP ecosystem partners known as the "The RAIN Makers"), plus supporting firms in rural EPSCOR states and other rural communities.View the RAIN Stage Two summary here ."We are incredibly honored to receive Stage Two funding in the U.S. SBA's 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition," said Vickie Palmer, CEO of AURP. "We are additionally excited to unveil RAIN as a groundbreaking model for rural innovation. By leveraging the strengths of our university members and ecosystem partners, RAIN will build a powerful platform to support rural entrepreneurship in areas such as autonomous vehicles and robotics, both terrestrial and aerial. Our aim is to address the challenges faced by small tech businesses in rural regions and foster significant growth within these communities." SBA's 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition catalyzes strategic innovation ecosystem building across the U.S. Over the last decade, SBA has awarded prizes totaling over $33 million to winners throughout the U.S. and U.S. territories. Learn more about the GAFC Stage One and Stage Two awardees in the2024 GAFC Public Directory .Last April, SBA selectedAURP as a Stage One winner for the 2024 GAFC . AURP received a $50,000 cash prize for its impactful, inclusive approach to nurturing a collaborative national innovation ecosystem to advance small business R&D from ideas to the market.2024 GAFC Stage One awards focused on strengthening ecosystem networks, while Stage Two prizes provide enhanced support to Growth Accelerator Partnerships as they play a crucial role in helping startups and small businesses scale, helping contribute to U.S. economic growth. These partnerships span public, private, nonprofit and academic institutions, fostering collaboration across industries and geographies."We thank our RAIN partners for supporting this project," said Brian Darmody, AURP Chief Strategy Officer. "Partner organizations for RAIN includeInBIA ,Federal Lab Consortium ,AUTM ,UIDP ,EcoMap ,Radically Rural ,BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting ,MIT Venture Mentoring Service ,UAS Angel NetworkandVentureWell ."At its2024 International Conferencein Bentonville, AR (Nov. 11-14), AURP will host a session (Wed., Nov. 13) on autonomous technologies supporting rural ecosystems. AURP's International Conference is hosted by theUniversity of Arkansasand theUniversity of Arkansas Technology Development Foundation .In 2025, AURP plans to support new partnerships withI-Corps nodes ,Manufacturing Extension Partnershipcenters,State Small Business Credit Initiative(SSBCI) funders andSmall Business Development Centers(SBDC). These partnerships will engage AURP members in rural areas to host national workshops for rural autonomous small business entrepreneurs in Maryland, Alabama and North Dakota. A national RAIN workshop for autonomous entrepreneurs is planned for late 2025 in Maryland.About AURP:AURP is a non-profit international organization with offices in the Washington, D.C. area at the University of Maryland Discovery District; headquarters at the University of Arizona Tech Park in Tucson; and an office in Northern California. AURP focuses on creating communities of innovation and education for research parks, both operating and planned, plus innovation districts, incubators, accelerators and the businesses that support the research park industry. AURP and its global membership promote research, institute-industry relations and innovation districts to foster innovation and to facilitate the transfer of technology from such institutions to the private sector. Learn more: www.aurp.net Media Contact: Ken BerlackAURPkenberlack@ aurp.net SOURCE: AURP
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KELOWNA, BC and MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BU0) ("Avant" or the "Company"), a leading Canadian producer of award-winning, craft cannabis products, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive trademark licensing agreement with Nectar Portfolio Pty Ltd. ("Nectar"), a leading Australian medicinal cannabis importer and distributor. This landmark agreement marks Avant's strategic entry into the rapidly growing Australian medical cannabis market, introducing its renowned BLK MKT brand to a new audience.The agreement with Nectar adds to Avant Brands' growing international presence, with the BLK MKT brand now available in Canada, Australia, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland, representing a combined population of approximately 127 million. The Company is actively engaged in discussions to further expand the reach of its premium cannabis brands into additional global markets. It is anticipated that BLK MKT products will be available to Australian consumers in the coming months.Key Highlights:Exclusive Partnership: Nectar gains exclusive rights to market, sell, and distribute BLK MKT dried cannabis flower throughout Australia for a two-year term, with the potential for extension based on performance.Premium Brand Recognition: The BLK MKT brand is synonymous with ultra-premium quality and a commitment to craft cultivation practices, offering a unique and sought-after experience for consumers. BLK MKT stands out in the market due to its unparalleled craft cultivation and ultra-premium cannabis offering.Authentic Canadian Cannabis: BLK MKT products in Australia will be cultivated exclusively by Avant at its Licensed Facilities in Canada, featuring the same high-quality cultivars that have established the brand's reputation in Canada. All products will be grown to meet Australian medicinal cannabis standards, ensuring compliance with local regulations.Global Expansion: This partnership expands Avant's global footprint, with BLK MKT now available in Australia, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland, and active discussions underway for further international expansion.Stringent Quality Control: All BLK MKT products sold internationally will adhere to Avant's rigorous quality control standards, ensuring the brand's reputation for excellence is maintained.Royalty Structure: Avant will receive its standard international sales price for BLK MKT products. Additionally, Avant will earn an additional royalty fee on Nectar's net sales of these products, ensuring a steady revenue stream from this strategic partnership.Norton Singhavon, Avant Brands Founder and CEO commented:"We are excited to partner with Nectar Brands, a leader in the Australian medical cannabis industry, to bring our flagship BLK MKT brand to patients in Australia. This agreement represents a significant step in our global expansion strategy and we anticipate that it will generate incremental revenue growth for Avant Brands. We believe that the Australian market, as well as other key international markets, presents a tremendous opportunity for growth, and we are confident that our partnerships will be instrumental in establishing BLK MKT as a leading global cannabis brand." Chris Nasr, CEO of Nectar, added:"We are excited to collaborate with Avant Brands and introduce BLK MKT to Australian patients. We are committed to delivering the same exceptional quality and experience that BLK MKT is known for in Canada, ensuring that Australian patients have access to the best possible cannabis products." About Nectar Brands Pty LtdNectar Brands Pty Ltd is a house of healthcare brands at the forefront of Australia's digital health and medicinal cannabis sectors, focused on delivering innovative healthcare solutions and ensuring access to high-quality medicines. Nectars' subsidiary is a leading importer and distributor of medicinal cannabis products in Australia. Committed to improving the lives of Australian patients, Nectar provides safe and effective cannabis-based therapies, fostering better health outcomes and advancing the medical cannabis landscape.About Avant Brands Inc.Avant is an innovative, market-leading premium cannabis company. Avant has multiple operational production facilities across Canada, which produce high-quality, handcrafted cannabis products based on unique and exceptional cultivars.Avant offers a comprehensive product portfolio catering to recreational, medical, and export markets. Avant's consumer brands, including BLK MKT, Tenzo, Cognoscente, flowr and Treehugger, are available in key recreational markets across Canada. Avant's products are distributed globally to Australia, Israel and Germany, with its flagship brand BLK MKT currently being sold in Israel. Additionally, Avant's medical cannabis brand, GreenTec, serves qualified patients nationwide through its GreenTec Medical portal and trusted medical cannabis partners.Avant is a publicly traded corporation listed on the TSX (TSX:AVNT) and accessible to international investors through the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX:AVTBF) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA: 1BU0). Headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, Avant operates in strategic locations including British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.For more information about Avant, including access to investor presentations and details about its consumer brands, please visitwww.avantbrands.ca For further inquiries, please contact:Investor Relations at Avant Brands Inc.1-800-351-6358ir@avantbrands.ca Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected benefits of the exclusive trademark licensing agreement with Nectar Portfolio Pty Ltd., the potential for Avant Brands Inc. ("Avant") to expand into new international markets, the anticipated growth and opportunities in the Australian medical cannabis market, the expected quality and market reception of BLK MKT products in Australia and other global markets, and the expectation of a steady revenue stream from the strategic partnership with Nectar.This includes the impact of upcoming
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 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 Shikowitzross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
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A Vibrant Day of Music, Food, Art, and Community Sponsored by Vida ChiropracticLAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Celebrate the Heart of Latin Culture at "La Cultura Cura"! Viva Mexico! A Celebration of Unity, Tradition, and Community in Las Vegas NV - September 28, 2024 - Mark your calendars and get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Latin culture at "La Cultura Cura," sponsored and produced by Vida Chiropractic!We are excited to invite all Latinos, friends of Latin culture, and anyone who appreciates the richness of our heritage to a special cultural gathering that promises to be an unforgettable celebration of everything that makes our community so unique. Join us from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2352 E Bonanza Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89101, for a day filled with the best of Latin music, food, dance, and art. This isn't just another event-La Cultura Cura is a heartfelt celebration of our stories, traditions, and unity. Whether you're Mexican, Latino, or simply someone who loves and respects Latin culture, we welcome you to share in the joy and pride of this incredible day.What to Expect:Live Music: Move to the rhythm of traditional and modern beats that showcase the vibrant energy of our culture.Delicious Food:Savor authentic Mexican flavors that will take you straight to the heart of Mexico.Live Art:Watch local artists bring their talents to life with cultural murals and artwork.Wellness Check:Take advantage of free health check-ups, courtesy of our community sponsors.Voter Registration:Your voice matters-get registered to vote and make a difference in our community.This event is sponsored and produced by Vida Chiropractic in partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa, Make The Road, Artkore, Union Raza, Edgar Flores, and Reuben D'Silva, each bringing their unique contributions to help make this a day filled with pride and cultural connection."This gathering isn't just about celebrating Mexican culture-it's about celebrating the diversity and unity of the entire Latin community," said Dr. Cesar Quintana, organizer and proud Latino. "La Cultura Cura is an opportunity for us to come together, share in the joy of our traditions, and strengthen the bonds that make our community so powerful.This event is about embracing who we are and where we come from, while looking forward to the future together." From live music and traditional foods to cultural art and wellness resources, this event has something for everyone. Bring your family, invite your friends, and come ready to celebrate the vibrant heart of Latin culture in the heart of Las Vegas.Event Details: Event Name: La Cultura Cura Date: September 28, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: 2352 E Bonanza Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89101Contact: For more information, call 702-678-8888Follow us on social media for updates and more details:#VivaMexico #LaCulturaCura #LasVegasLatinos #CommunityCelebration #MiRaza #CulturaUnida #vidachiropracticMedia Contact: Hanna OlivasFENIX TV Info@ fenixtv.app 702-601-2171Let's come together to celebrate, honor, and showcase the richness of our beloved culture. See you at La Cultura Cura!SOURCE: FENIX TV
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Innovation propels Epique's unique agent-centric and all-inclusive model forwardHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 /Epique Realty proudly announces that CFO and Co-Founder Janice Delcid, along with Epique Realty have been named finalists in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and ultimately will be a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Stevie Award winner in the program. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they run - worldwide. The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world's premier business awards.Janice Delcid and Epique Realty have been recognized in these four categories:Most Innovative Woman of the Year - Industry Finalist:Janice Delcid, CFO and Co-Founder, Epique Realty, Houston, Texas, USMost Innovative Company of the Year - More Than 10 Employees Finalist: Epique Realty, Houston, Texas, USFastest Growing Company of the Year Finalist: Janice Delcid CFO and Co-Founder, Woman Owned Fastest Growing, Epique Realty, Houston, TX, USAchievement in Growth Finalist: Epique Realty, Houston, Texas, US: Janice Delcid, CFO and Co-Founder"We are honored and thrilled to see our CFO Janice Delcid and the entire Epique team officially recognized and awarded these esteemed distinctions for their exceptional work in delivering innovative and advanced AI technology solutions, which have driven our tremendous growth in 2024," announced both Josh Miller, CEO and Co-Founder, and Christopher Miller, COO and Co-Founder, Epique Realty.More than 1,500 entries from organizations and individuals in 36 nations and territories were submitted this year for consideration in more than 100 categories, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners will be announced during a gala event at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City on Friday, November 8. Nominated women executives and entrepreneurs from around the world are expected to attend. The event will be broadcast on Livestream."In its 21st year, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business received an impressive collection of remarkable nominations," said Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards. "We look forward to recognizing the outstanding achievements of women in the workplace in New York." "It is truly an honor to accept this prestigious recognition celebrating our remarkable achievements on behalf of myself and the entire Epique team," said Janice Delcid, CFO and Co-Founder, Epique Realty. "Our success reflects the collaborative energy and dedication of our team, whose commitment to the unique Epique agent-centric and all-inclusive approach drives our growth and innovation. We are profoundly grateful for this acknowledgment and excited about the future." About Epique RealtyEpique Realty is more than just a brokerage; it's a movement. Epique is dedicated to empowering agents to thrive and succeed by providing incomparable technology, astonishing benefits, extraordinary support, and a wealth of resources. Epique Realty's all-inclusive model signals a shift towards a more equitable and technologically advanced real estate landscape. With a solid foundation of inclusion, innovation, and integrity, Epique Realty is transforming the real estate landscape, one success story at a time.#BeEpique Contact InformationBarbara SimpsonPR & Communicationsbarbara@ epiquerealty.com (281) 773-7842SOURCE: Epique Realty
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 20:01:28

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New York State aims to improve Medicaid member outcomes through establishing Social Care Networks under its 1115 Health Equity Reform Waiver.NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Ready Computing, a New York-based company, has a deep understanding of healthcare integrations and has been focused on delivering products and solutions to public and private sector clients for over a decade. Their Channels360 solution has been in service at the Staten Island PPS, a New York State Social Care Network awardee, for the past several years and supports several key operational functions, including outreach, screenings, assessments, closed-loop referral management, and delivering robust reporting data for tactical oversight and performance management."Ready Computing is proud to partner with the Staten Island Performing Provider System to support their Social Care Network with our Channels360 platform and integration services. We are privileged to have the opportunity to further improve the health and well-being of Medicaid participants on Staten Island," said Mark Taylor, Ready Computing's Vice President of Product Strategy.The Channels360 platform and Ready Computing's Integration expertise are a proven formula, able to manage and maintain FHIR resource bundles, integrate with Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), Qualified Entities (QEs), and support MCO billing and Community Based Organization payment allocations."For over four years, Ready Computing's Channels360 platform has been a mainstay of care coordination and screening at the SI PPS," said Dr. Joseph Conte, Executive Director of Staten Island Performing Provider System. "The platform enables us to affordably and nimbly create workflows for navigation of high-risk clients in substance use disorder and chronic disease management. We have been screening health-related social needs and making closed-loop referrals for over 60,000 patients over the past four years in clinical and social care settings. When we were awarded the Social Care Network for our borough, Channels360 adopted the ACH screening tool within weeks, and even prior to official implementation. Our navigators and their employees are already using the tool! We are looking forward to the kick-off of the NY SCN program, and we are confident we have the technology partner to achieve success," Dr. Conte added.About the Staten Island PPSStaten Island PPS has addressed health-related social needs for New Yorkers through various programs over the last ten years.In 2014, Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) formed an integrated network of medical, behavioral, and social services agencies under the New York State Department of Health Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP). Their founding goals included improving the quality of care, reducing costs, and improving health outcomes for Staten Island's Medicaid and uninsured populations. By the end of the DSRIP Program, they exceeded their established goals and maintained their network to continue enhancing and refining the transformative work built in the Staten Island Community.Today, the PPS continues to work with partners like Ready Computing and the Channels360 platform to improve population health outcomes, address health-related social needs, grow their network, and reduce health disparities. The Staten Island PPS is dedicated to improving health equity by holding conversations with their community, creating educational and workforce opportunities for youth, and bridging connections with non-traditional service providers to meet people where they are in the community.Contact InformationMichael LaRoccaCEO of Ready Computinginfo@ readycomputing.com (212) 877-3307SOURCE: Ready ComputingView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 10:00:15

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / As Halloween approaches, many thrill-seekers and horror enthusiasts head to haunted destinations. According to a survey conducted by Valuepenguin in 2022, 4 in 10 Americans were planning to travel for Halloween. This trend probably hasn't changed much since then as Valuepenguin has also reported that 39% of Americans have traveled before for Halloween.Adventure Suites - Haunted Castle While iconic spooky accommodations like the Stanley Hotel or Salem's historic homes might be fully booked by now, fear not-there are still plenty of thrilling options available! Cozycozy.com offers a diverse selection of eerie, historical, and haunted stays that will make your Halloween adventure unforgettable.Adventure Suites - Haunted Castle in North ConwayLocated in North Conway, New Hampshire, Adventure Suites is home to one of the most unique accommodations in the U.S.-the Haunted Castle Suite. Its high stone walls, antique furnishings, and dark ambiance set the perfect mood for an unforgettable Halloween. The Haunted Castle provides a thrilling environment while maintaining the comfort of modern amenities. Travelers can check out Adventure Suites on cozycozy.Concord Colonial Inn - A History of HauntingsSituated in Concord, Massachusetts, the Concord Colonial Inn is one of New England's most haunted accommodations. Its history dates back to 1716, making it one of the oldest inns in the United States.During the Revolutionary War, the inn served as a temporary hospital, and the spirits of soldiers who died on its grounds are said to linger. Room 24 is particularly notorious for paranormal activity. This haunted inn is available to book on cozycozy.Chateau de Fougeret - Explore its Dark PastChateau de Fougeret, built in the 14th century is one of the most haunted castles in France. The fortress, steeped in dark history, has sparked reports of voices, apparitions, and unseen touches from visitors and paranormal investigators.If you're planning to explore this haunted castle, consider staying in nearby accommodations like this beautiful chateau but there are plenty of options to choose from on cozycozy.Bodmin Jail Hotel - A Haunted History in the UKThe Bodmin Jail Hotel, located in Cornwall, UK, is a stunning transformation of a former prison that dates back to the 18th century. This historic jail was notorious for housing some of England's most hardened criminals, and many executions took place within its walls.Over the years, guests have reported ghostly footsteps and an eerie sense of being watched. The hotel now offers ghost tours to embrace its haunted reputation.Bran Castle - The Home of Dracula's LegendBran Castle in Romania, famously associated with Dracula, is a popular tourist destination, visitors come here in the hopes of feeling the presence of the infamous Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.To have the full experience, consider bookingthis charming house near Bran Castle on cozycozy, which offers easy access to the castle's haunted halls. Whether you're exploring the dark passages of Bran Castle or relaxing in your nearby stay, this region is perfect for those in search of a vampire-inspired adventure.About cozycozyCozycozy is on a mission to empower millions of travelers by offering the most comprehensive and transparent accommodation search engine. Whether you're dreaming of a cozy cabin, a chic apartment, a budget-friendly hotel, or a luxury villa, our platform features over 20 million accommodations worldwide. We simplify your search by aggregating listings from over 100 booking platforms, including Booking.com , Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, and many more.Contact InformationRomain ClaudelCo-founderpress@ cozycozy.com Related ImagesAdventure Suites - Haunted Castle Adventure Suites - Haunted Castle Bodmin Jail Hotel Bodmin Jail Hotel Bran Castle by Nomadic Julien Bran Castle Romania SOURCE: cozycozyView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 21:30:41

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ST. ALBERT, AB / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Enterprise Group, Inc. ("Enterprise" or the "Company") (TSX:E)(OTCQB:ETOLF), Enterprise, a consolidator of energy services (including specialized equipment rental to the energy/resource sector), emphasizes technologies that mitigate, reduce, or eliminate harmful emissions for small local and Tier One resource clients, 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 3:00 PM (Local Time -PST).Leonard D. Jaroszuk, Chairman & CEO and Desmond O'Kell, President & Director of Enterprise will be hosting the presentation and answering questions at the conclusion.To access the live presentation, please use the following information:Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 in association with Small Cap DiscoveriesDate: Thursday, September 26, 2024Time: 6:00 PM Eastern Time (3:00 PM Pacific Time)Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3056/51150 If you would like to book 1x1 investor meetings with Enterprise Group, 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 AccesswireAbout Enterprise Group, Inc.Enterprise Group, Inc is a consolidator of services-including specialized equipment rental to the energy/resource sector. The Company works with particular emphasis on systems and technologies that mitigate, reduce, or eliminate harmful emissions for itself and its clients. The Company is well known to local Tier One and international resource companies with operations in Western Canada. More information is available at the Company's website www.enterprisegrp.ca . Corporate filings can be found on www.sedarplus.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: Desmond O'KellPhone: 780.418.4400Email: Des.OKell@EnterpriseGRP.ca SOURCE: Enterprise Group, Inc. via Planet MicroCap
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 15:01:38

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WASHINGTON / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Hip Hop Caucus is proud to announce that President & CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. has been named to Forbes' first ever "Sustainability Leaders" list. This prestigious recognition highlights 50 entrepreneurs, scientists, funders, policymakers, and activists who are at the forefront of addressing the global climate crisis through innovative, impactful solutions.Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. Hip Hop Caucus President & CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.Forbes' decision to launch this list for the first time underscores the urgency of the climate and environmental challenges we face. Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.'s inclusion is a testament to his lifelong commitment to climate justice and the significant strides he has made in connecting climate change to racial justice and social equity."It is an honor to be recognized by Forbes among this group of incredible leaders who share a passion and dedication for solving our climate crisis," said Hip Hop Caucus President & CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.. "Hip Hop Caucus is committed to making the world more sustainable, equitable, and just, and this moment is a reminder that we must collectively continue pushing forward." Through his leadership of Hip Hop Caucus, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. has mobilized young people, artists, communities of color and other marginalized groups to become active in the climate movement, advocating for policies and solutions that address both the climate crisis and systemic inequalities. His work aims to ensure that those most affected by environmental injustices are not just heard, but are leading the fight for change."This recognition is a reflection of Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.'s unwavering commitment to serving communities who are first and worst impacted by climate and environmental injustice, and creating a liveable planet for everyone. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping Hip Hop Caucus' leadership in linking climate justice and racial justice solutions, and this honor reinforces the vital role he plays in the global movement for clean air, clean water and true community-based prosperity," said Hip Hop Caucus' Managing Director and COO Liz Havstad.Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. is the host of the award-winning climate and environmental justice podcast The Coolest Show, chair of Bloomberg Philanthropies Beyond Petrochemicals Campaign, and has been recognized by the Obama White House for his climate and sustainability leadership as a Champion of Change.The Forbes "Sustainability Leaders" list features global climate and environmental justice leaders including the mayor of Sierra Leone's capital Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan.Earlier this month, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. delivered a keynote speech at the University of Maryland's Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health (CEEJH) 10th Annual Environmental Justice Symposium. CEEJH uses data and training to empower communities.For more information on Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.'s work and Hip Hop Caucus, visit www.hiphopcaucus.org ###About Hip Hop CaucusFormed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, Hip Hop Caucus addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. Hip Hop Caucus programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today's young leaders.Contact InformationJoseph Pate Media Communications Directormedia@ hiphopcaucus.org 443-244-2911SOURCE: Hip Hop CaucusView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 15:00:59

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Active-Duty Military and Veterans, First Responders, Teachers, Police, Firefighters and Nurses Can Receive a $35 Discount on a 2-10 Home Warranty Service PlanDENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, a leading provider of home warranties, is celebrating National Good Neighbor Day by offering a good-neighbor discount on a 2-10 home warranty service plan.National Good Neighbor Day is Sept. 28. 2-10 will be offering a $35 discount to select home buyers - active-duty military and veterans, first responders, teachers, police, firefighters and nurses - from Sept. 23 through Oct. 11 when they close on an existing home purchase."2-10 takes pride in supporting those who make our communities great places to live," said 2-10 CEO Ryan O'Hara. "2-10 is offering these incredible neighbors a good-neighbor discount on a 2-10 home service plan when they purchase an existing home to celebrate and show our appreciation for all the good they do." Eligible home buyers can contact their real estate agent to take advantage of this exclusive discount on 2-10 buyer coverage."2-10 is always proud to do the right thing for those who help others live the best lives they can," said 2-10's Chief Business Officer Ray Picard. "We're excited to welcome even more good neighbors to the amazing experiences and peace of mind that 2-10 offers to homeowners every day." 2-10 is the most trusted home warranty company of 2024 according to Best Company. To learn more about how 2-10 buyer coverage helps homeowners protect more and pay less this Good Neighbor Day, visit https://www.2-10.com/blog/reward-buyers-good-neighbor-discount About 2-10 Founded and based in Denver, the 2-10 family of companies has covered over 6 million homes with their complete line of warranties, system and appliance home service plans and risk management products. Since 1980, 2-10 has been a market leader in helping builders, real estate agents and homeowners protect their businesses and budgets against the unexpected. 2-10 continues to work with thousands of the nation's finest real estate professionals, home builders and service contractors. For more information about 2-10, please visit 2-10.com.###Contact Information Mark PlumbMarketing Managermplumb@2-10.com 720.747.6142SOURCE: 2-10 Home Buyers WarrantyView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 19:03:06

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Indiana recently celebrated Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day as declared in a recent proclamation by Governor Eric Holcomb. This day highlighted the importance of preventing prenatal alcohol exposure and supporting individuals with FASD. Observed in September, the 9th month, to represent the nine months of pregnancy, FASD Awareness emphasizes that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. FASD affects as many as 1 in 20 school-aged children in the U.S., leading to challenges in communication, social interaction, cognition, and growth.Governor Holcomb's proclamation urges communities, healthcare professionals, and the public to work together to raise awareness, support affected individuals, and combat stigma. "Healthy children are one of our most valuable resources," said Holcomb. "This proclamation calls on all Hoosiers to recognize the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure and support those living with FASD." Local non-profit organization, Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance Exposure (a subsidiary of Mental Health America of Indiana), has taken the Governor's message to heart. Through a community-based process, the organization supports the prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure and creating more resources for individuals and families impacted by FASD. Indiana Alliance offers regular educational opportunities and support for families. "FASD is a fairly common, but largely undiagnosed developmental disability," said Jackie Franks, MPH, Executive Director of Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance Exposure. "We work closely with all sectors of the community to identify what is needed to ensure that Hoosiers with FASD are healthy and have the support they need throughout all stages of life." During a recent assessment of community needs, Indiana Alliance identified access to care, education about prenatal alcohol exposure, and social norms surrounding alcohol use to be contributing factors to the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders across the state. "Access to quality reproductive care, especially in rural areas of our state, is essential to improving birth outcomes and preventing FASD," stated Franks. "Indiana Alliance looks forward to addressing this factor and others in the coming months through strategic statewide initiatives." Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance Exposure's work has not gone unnoticed. Tom Donaldson, CEO of FASD United, a national organization based in Washington, D.C., believes they are a leader in prevention and education in the FASD field. "Through the years, our collaboration has led to an increase in FASD-informed practitioners and contributed to invaluable support for families," Donaldson stated."FASD Awareness isn't just one day," said Franks. "Every day, I encourage Indiana communities to consider the impact of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and work towards supporting individuals and families affected by these disorders. It is a reminder that prevention is key, but so is providing the necessary interventions and supports to ensure that those living with FASD have the opportunity to thrive." For more information on FASD in Indiana, please visit www.inalliancepse.org Contact InformationJackie FranksExecutive Directorjfranks@ mhai.net 815-383-7538SOURCE: Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance ExposureView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 15:02:04

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Costa Rican artist Karla Herencia introduces a new body of work at MIRAME, highlighting her ongoing engagement with the ocean and environmental concerns. This selection features four new paintings alongside a striking sculpture, complemented by works from her previous series.SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Promoting Costa Rica's rich cultural heritage, MIRAME Fine Art connects artists with art lovers worldwide.Karla Herencia, El Vuelo De La Observacion Acrylic on Canvas Sensitive Oceanographies: A New Exploration in PaintingHerencia's four new paintings, part of the Sensitive Oceanographies series that exhibited this year in San Jose, build on her extensive study of the Pacific Ocean near her home on the Nicoya Peninsula. These works transcend traditional depictions of the sea, focusing on its complexities as a natural and disrupted space. They evoke the tension between the ocean's constant motion and the pressures imposed by human activity.Through layered abstract forms and sharp, contrasting lines, the paintings suggest the collision of geological, ecological, and industrial forces. Herencia's use of deep blues, greens, and greys evokes the visual language of the ocean, while jagged, angular shapes subtly reference the scars left by human interference-ranging from ecosystem disruption to the floating debris of plastic waste.This suite of paintings invites viewers to see the ocean not just as a serene expanse but as a dynamic and embattled environment where nature and human activity coexist, often uneasily.A Sculpture That Marries Nature and PlasticAlongside her new paintings, Herencia introduces a sculpture, a wooden trunk, that recontextualizes found materials from the coast. Resembling a weathered piece of driftwood, the sculpture appears organic at first glance, yet is punctuated with small, colorful bits of plastic jutting from its surface-artificial elements integrated into a natural form.The driftwood-like structure evokes a sense of naturalness, as if it were collected from a beach after years of erosion. In contrast, the plastic feels foreign yet disturbingly at home within the form, highlighting the growing intrusion of human-made materials into natural ecosystems. Herencia's work challenges viewers to confront the reality of environmental degradation and recognize the link between nature and human waste.This particular sculpture is soon to be shown at the Cultural Center of Spain in San Jose and Herencia is making more sculptures in this series to continue challenging perceptions of development and sustainability.A Growing International ProfileHerencia's participation in global exhibitions, such as the Tijuana Triennial, has contributed to her growing international reputation, broadening the reach of her work beyond Costa Rica. Her artistic focus however remains rooted in her home country's coastal environments, offering a meditation on environmental degradation and a deep connection to the landscapes she knows intimately.Herencia's new works are now available at MIRAME, providing viewers with an opportunity to engage with her latest contributions to the conversation on art and the environment.Contact InformationBelinda Seppings Co-Founderbelinda@ miramefineart.com +447821591397SOURCE: Mirame Fine ArtView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-24 00:20:05

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WASHINGTON, D.C., 3683 / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / In "How to Get Your Startup Funded in 6 Months or Less", Johann Marx delivers a powerful, comprehensive roadmap for turning startup dreams into reality. Marx, who brings years of expertise in disruptive technology, defense and intelligence solutions, has a background in advising governments globally on critical areas such as national security, security reform initiatives, counternarcotics, cybersecurity, quantum computing, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence (AI). His distinguished track record in providing advanced security, intelligence, and technology solutions, as well as combatting financial crime, sets the stage for a book that offers both practical tools and deeper business wisdom.Marx is the Chief Investment Officer of The Studebaker Group, working alongside figures such as General (Ret) Wesley Clark - the former Supreme Commander of NATO and General (Ret) Ronald Fogleman - the former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Marx has been at the forefront of designing cutting-edge defense and intelligence strategies for governments globally.Marx's personal experience with raising capital and navigating the complexities of multiple fundraising rounds provides readers with a powerful toolkit for achieving exponential business growth. He demystifies critical concepts like the financial roadmap, shareholder dilution, term sheets, and the due diligence process, all while offering insights into the formulas used by successful startups in Silicon Valley and other global hubs. His aim is to remove the entrepreneurial fear of dilution' emphasizing the power of fresh capital injection, and the secrets to creating exponential growth returns, while enjoying free cash flow and dividends along the way.The book isn't just about the mechanics of securing investment, though-it's about mindset. Marx's philosophy integrates practical financial strategies with a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial journey, blending business acumen with spiritual and psychological insights. He encourages entrepreneurs to align their personal values with their business goals, aiming for both personal and collective success.Whether you are a startup founder in need of capital or someone looking to scale your business, this book offers both practical strategies and inspiration. Marx's personal touch, his track record of success, and his understanding of the future of technology makes "How to Get Your Startup Funded in 6 Months or Less" a must-read for any serious entrepreneur.Available on Amazon: "How to Get Your Startup Funded in 6 Months or LessMedia Contact Details: Alan Mackenzie alan@ webo.co.za SOURCE: Johann Marx
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 12:00:28

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THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR SOUTH AFRICA OR TO BE TRANSMITTED, DISTRIBUTED TO, OR SENT BY, ANY NATIONAL OR RESIDENT OR CITIZEN OF ANY SUCH COUNTRIES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION MAY CONTRAVENE LOCAL SECURITIES LAWS OR REGULATIONS.This announcement is an advertisement and not an admission document or a prospectus and does not constitute or form part of an offer to sell or issue or a solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy any securities nor should it be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever in any jurisdiction. Potential investors should not purchase or subscribe for any transferable securities referred to in this announcement except on the basis of the information in the final form of an admission document (the "Admission Document") which may be published in due course in connection with the proposed admission of its issued and to be issued common shares ("Common Shares") to trading on AIM, a market operated by London Stock Exchange plc ("AIM"). Upon such publication the Admission Document will supersede this announcement and the information contained herein in its entirety and your investment decision, if any, must be made only on the basis of the information contained therein. It should be noted that an investment in any transferable securities referred to in this announcement carries a number of risks and that the value of investments may go down as well as up. Investors should take independent advice from a person experienced in advising on investment in securities such as those referred to in this announcement if they are in doubt.CASCAIS, PORTUGAL / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Pulsar Helium Inc. (TSXV:PLSR)(OTCQB:PSRHF) ("Pulsar" or the "Company") the multi project helium development company announces that its President and CEO, Thomas Abraham-James, Minnesota Senator (MN Sen) Grant Hauschild and Minnesota Representative (MN Rep) Roger Skraba participated in an interview regarding the latest developments at Pulsar's 100% owned Topaz helium project (Topaz') and Minnesota's ongoing support.The interview can be accessed on the following link: bit.ly/HELIUMUSA The Topaz Helium Project is a new helium discovery in the State of Minnesota which the Company believes has district scale potential. As announced by Pulsar on May 23, 2024, the State of Minnesota enacted legislation that now includes helium exploration, production, and leasing on state lands. This followed advances made by the Company at Topaz where the Jetstream #1 well flowed up to 14.5% helium, the highest concentration discovered in North America. MN Sen. Hauschild and MN Rep. Skraba, together with Pulsar's CEO are working with the Department of Natural Resources to help expedite the legislative process to keep apace with Pulsar's rapid project development timeline.MN Sen. Hauschild and MN Rep. Skraba have both expressed their support for the Topaz Helium Project and its upcoming drill program, which aims to unlock the full potential of the Topaz Helium resource. It is anticipated that Pulsar's district scale discovery, coupled with state-level support, could help attract new industries to Minnesota and drive broader economic growth across the state.Mr. Abraham-James stated, "From the outset we've been fully engaged and encouraging site visits and discussions with all Minnesota stakeholders which has earned the enthusiasm and support of the politicians and regulators. All parties recognize that helium is a critical commodity in new technologies and will help with the Green Energy Transition. We have made great progress in our first year as a listed entity and intend to rapidly build on our successes to realise the Topaz Helium Project's full potential." About the Topaz Project, MinnesotaOn August 21, 2024, the Company reported Jetstream #1's contingent and prospective helium and CO2 resources prepared by Sproule, an independent qualified reserves evaluator, dated August 21, 2024.The Company considers the resource evaluation as significant as it is based only on one prospect within the Topaz Project and data from only one well, Jetstream #1, which naturally flowed high-concentration helium of up to 14.5% to surface and without the presence of water. Such positive estimations received from a single and comparatively shallow well are hugely encouraging ahead of further exploration, which Pulsar has scheduled for Q4 2024. Data indicates that the well penetrated only the top of the helium-bearing fracture zone which is likely to persist for a further 1,650ft (500m) vertical depth. Therefore, deepening of the Jetstream #1 well, scheduled for Q4 2024, is likely to have a significant impact on the next iteration of the resource estimation.About Pulsar Helium Inc.Pulsar Helium Inc. is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange with the ticker PLSR and on the OTCQB with the ticker PSRHF. Pulsar's portfolio consists of its flagship Topaz helium project in Minnesota, USA, and the Tunu helium project in Greenland. Pulsar is the first mover in both locations with primary helium occurrences not associated with the production of hydrocarbons identified at each. For further information visit https://pulsarhelium.com , follow us on X https://twitter.com/pulsarhelium?lang=en and LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/company/pulsar-helium-inc On behalf Pulsar Helium Inc."Thomas Abraham-James"President, CEO and DirectorFurther Information: Pulsar Helium Inc. connect@ pulsarhelium.com + 1 (604) 599-0310OAK Securities* info@ OAK-securities.com +44 203 973 3678Neither 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.IMPORTANT INFORMATIONThe communication of this announcement is not being made, and has not been approved, by an authorised person for the purposes of section 21 of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.The contents of this announcement, which has been prepared by and is the sole responsibility of the Company, has not been approved by either of Strand Hanson Limited ("Strand") or OAK Securities (a trading name of Merlin Partners LLP) ("OAK") for the purposes of section 21(2)(b) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended).Neither this announcement nor any copy of it may be taken or transmitted, published or distributed, directly or indirectly, in, into or from
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 15:17:46

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Program updates ensure consistent, effective and diligent qualification verification processWASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today announced a partnership with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to support the state Medicaid's managed care organizations (MCOs), accountable care organizations, clinically integrated networks (CINs), and providers participating in the Targeted Investments (TI) 2.0 Program by coordinating activities that support Health Equity Accreditation.This partnership will leverage each sector's strengths to address health disparities from a population health lens, such as data collection, evaluation, community engagement and access to culturally and linguistically responsive providers, and the individual's perspective, such as health care experience and overall quality of life. A subset of participating provider organizations (approximately 40 organizations comprising 120 medical, behavioral health or integrated outpatient clinics) are pioneering NCQA's Health Equity Accreditation, which will allow health centers to earn the rigorous Accreditation seal originally developed for health plans. Most AHCCCS MCOs have earned NCQA Health Equity Accreditation, but this is a first for many participants."NCQA's partnership with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System will help elevate health equity programs across the state," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "The AHCCCS TI 2.0 Program and NCQA's Health Equity Accreditation program are both committed to helping health systems create better outcomes for patients by incentivizing a whole-person care system." "Our goal of improving health equity for target populations by addressing health-related social needs remains a priority. We plan to use national benchmark data to enhance our annual performance," said Carmen Heredia, AHCCCS director. "AHCCCS believes that NCQA's Health Equity Accreditation program offers a consistent approach to promoting standardized structures, processes and policies, which will enhance health equity across Arizona." The Targeted Investments 2.0 Program is one of several AHCCCS programs supporting whole-person care and health equity initiatives. Building from the original TI program (2016-2022), AHCCCS and Arizona State University partners provide structured guidance, support and incentives for nearly 150 provider organizations (500 outpatient clinics statewide) participating in the TI 2.0 program to identify and address individuals' medical, behavioral and health-related social needs, as well as health disparities in their patient population, through 2027."The AHCCCS and NCQA partnership uses evidence-based methods to help health systems and clinics successfully implement the NCQA Health Equity Accreditation program," said Dr. William Riley, Professor at Arizona State University and Director of the National Safety Net Advancement Center. "The NCQA Health Equity Accreditation program is an important step to help advance better care for all populations." Through financial incentives, this program supports and rewards outpatient primary care and behavioral health providers to develop comprehensive, whole-person care systems that addresses social risk factors that negatively affect health and contribute to health inequities among patients.Find more information about the program at NCQA Health Equity Accreditation for AHCCCS TI 2.0.About NCQANCQA 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 About AHCCCSFounded in 1982, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is Arizona's Medicaid agency that offers health care programs to serve Arizona residents. Built on a system of competition and choice, AHCCCS operates under an integrated managed care model, through a Research and Demonstration 1115 Waiver. Contracted health plans coordinate and pay for physical and behavioral health care services delivered by more than 93,000 health care providers to more than 2 million Arizonans.Contact InformationTheresa MasnikSHIFT Communicationsncqa@ shiftcomm.com 508-395-7416SOURCE: National Commitee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 19:02:56

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BROOKLYN, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / If you're in search of luxury watches in Brooklyn, look no further than Tailored Timepieces. Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn, Tailored Timepieces has become the go-to destination for both new and seasoned watch enthusiasts. Offering an exquisite collection of new and used luxury watches from world-renowned brands like Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, this boutique store is redefining the luxury watch shopping experience in Brooklyn.A Curated Selection of Exquisite TimepiecesAt Tailored Timepieces, every watch tells a story. Whether you're seeking the timeless elegance of a Rolex Submariner, the innovative design of an Omega Speedmaster, or the intricate craftsmanship of a Patek Philippe Nautilus, you'll find a curated selection that caters to diverse tastes and preferences. The store prides itself on sourcing only the finest luxury watches, ensuring authenticity and exceptional quality with every piece.Meet Nick Campanella: Brooklyn's Best Watch DealerThe driving force behind Tailored Timepieces is Nick Campanella, a name synonymous with expertise and trust in the Brooklyn watch community. With nearly a half decade of experience in the luxury watch industry, Nick has cultivated a reputation as the best watch dealer in Brooklyn. His passion for horology and commitment to customer satisfaction have made Tailored Timepieces a beloved local establishment.Nick's journey began with a fascination for mechanical watches, leading him to immerse himself in the world of luxury timepieces. Over the years, he has built strong relationships with collectors and brands alike, allowing him to offer exclusive pieces that are often hard to find. His expertise ensures that every customer receives personalized advice, whether they're investing in their first luxury watch or adding to an extensive collection.Why Choose Tailored Timepieces?Expertise You Can Trust: With Nick Campanella at the helm, customers benefit from his extensive knowledge of luxury watches. His insights help buyers make informed decisions, ensuring they find the perfect timepiece that suits their style and investment goals.Authenticity Guaranteed: Every watch at Tailored Timepieces is thoroughly vetted for authenticity. The store's rigorous inspection process means you can purchase with confidence, knowing you're acquiring a genuine piece.Competitive Pricing: Offering both new and used luxury watches in Brooklyn, Tailored Timepieces provides competitive pricing without compromising on quality. This approach makes luxury accessible to a broader audience.Exceptional Customer Service: The team at Tailored Timepieces believes in building lasting relationships. From the moment you walk in, you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere where your needs are the top priority.A Community Hub for Watch EnthusiastsBeyond being a retail space, Tailored Timepieces serves as a community hub for watch enthusiasts in Brooklyn. The store regularly hosts events, showcases, and discussions that celebrate the art of watchmaking. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the world of horology, you'll find a community that shares your passion.Conveniently Located in the Heart of BrooklynAccessibility is key when searching for luxury watch dealers in Brooklyn, and Tailored Timepieces delivers. The store is conveniently located, making it easy for locals and visitors alike to explore their impressive collection. Its central location underscores its commitment to serving the Brooklyn community.Testimonials from Satisfied Customers"Tailored Timepieces is a gem in Brooklyn. Nick's knowledge and honesty made my purchase of a pre-owned Rolex a delightful experience." - John D."I was new to luxury watches, and the team guided me through every step. I couldn't be happier with my Omega Seamaster." - Maria S.Visit Tailored Timepieces TodayIf you're on the hunt for the best luxury watches in Brooklyn, make Tailored Timepieces your first stop. Experience firsthand why Nick Campanella and his team have earned a reputation for excellence. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply browsing, you'll be met with unparalleled service and a selection that rivals any in New York.Media Contact InformationAddress: Brooklyn, NY 11201Phone: (732) 439-3561Email: info@ tailoredtimepieces.com Website: www.tailoredtimepieces.com SOURCE: Tailored Timepieces
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 20:01:15

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Fans Can Listen to Official Concert Audio from the Highly Anticipated Tour - Available for Streaming and Download Exclusively on nugs.net SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / nugs.net , the leading channel for live concert streaming, has announced that it is releasing official live concert recordings from Sturgill Simpson's "Why Not?" Tour 2024, which is currently underway. nugs.net to Stream Sturgill Simpson's, aka Johnny Blue Skies, "Why Not?" Tour 2024 Fans Can Listen to Official Concert Audio from the Highly Anticipated Tour - Available for Streaming and Download Exclusively on nugs.netPerforming under the moniker Johnny Blue Skies, Simpson's return to the stage marks a new chapter for the Grammy-winning artist. Spanning 30 U.S. dates in 2024, the artist-official concert recordings from the tour will be made available for download on nugs.net and streaming exclusively in the app for subscribers. The "Why Not?" Tour continues into 2025, with 17 additional dates in Europe just announced.In launching this collaboration, five concerts from the first week of the tour are available now on the live-music platform, and fans can expect nightly recordings to be available on nugs within 12 hours of each show.Exclusive Access to Official Concert AudioAs part of this exclusive offering, fans will have the option to stream or download Simpson's official concert recordings in standard and high-resolution formats. These high-fidelity soundboard recordings capture the energy and rawness of his live performances, allowing fans to experience the tour nightly as if they were front row."We first teamed up with Sturgill for a livestream event during the pandemic, a benefit concert streamed live to fans worldwide from an empty Ryman Auditorium. Fast forward four years, and we're elated to have him back on nugs.net in this capacity; this is a special opportunity for fans," said Brad Serling, founder and CEO of nugs.net . "This tour is a celebration of his return, and through nugs, we're proud to be able to provide fans a piece of that live experience from home." The "Why Not?" Tour is Simpson's first full tour in over four years and features his band-Kevin Black (bass), Robbie Crowell (keys), Laur Joamets (guitar) and Miles Miller (drums). Of a recent three-hour long concert, the Santa Barbara Independent praises, "In his long-awaited return to music, Sturgill Simpson  brought a mesmerizing sense of calm to the Santa Barbara Bowl," while American Songwriter declares, "Not only does this prove Simpson's creativity is otherworldly, but it also proves just how versatile of a musician he is." Sturgill Simpson's "Why Not?" Tour - Full List of Dates:September 14 - Los Angeles, CA-The Greek TheatreSeptember 15 - Santa Barbara, CA-Santa Barbara BowlSeptember 17 - West Valley City, UT-Maverik CenterSeptember 19 - Bend, OR-Hayden Homes AmphitheaterSeptember 20 - George, WA-The Gorge AmphitheatreSeptember 22 - Missoula, MT-KettleHouse AmphitheaterSeptember 24 - Moorhead, MN-Bluestem Center for the Arts AmphitheaterSeptember 25 - Minneapolis, MN-Roy Wilkins AuditoriumSeptember 27 - Lexington, KY-Rupp ArenaSeptember 28 - Detroit, MI-Fox TheatreOctober 1 - Chicago, IL-Salt ShedOctober 2 - Chicago, IL-Salt ShedOctober 4 - Brandon, MS-The Brandon AmphitheaterOctober 4-6 - Austin, TX-Austin City Limits Music FestivalOctober 8 - Oklahoma City, OK-CriterionOctober 9 - Rogers, AR-Walmart AMPOctober 11-13 - Austin, TX-Austin City Limits Music FestivalOctober 15 - St. Louis, MO-Fabulous Fox TheatreOctober 18 - Pittsburgh, PA-Petersen Events CenterOctober 19 - Forest Hills, NY-Forest Hills StadiumOctober 21 - Asheville, NC-ExploreAsheville.com ArenaOctober 22 - Cary, NC-Koka Booth AmphitheatreOctober 24 - Duluth, GA-Gas South ArenaOctober 25 - Nashville, TN-Bridgestone ArenaNovember 12 - Philadelphia, PA-The MetNovember 15 - Hampton, VA-Hampton Coliseum*November 18 - Washington, DC-The Anthem*November 20 - Toronto, ON-Massey HallNovember 21 - Toronto, ON-Massey HallNovember 23 - Boston, MA-MGM Music Hall at FenwayFebruary 23 - Belfast, UK- LimelightFebruary 24 - Dublin, IE-Vicar StreetFebruary 26 - Glasgow, UK-Barrowland BallroomFebruary 27 - Manchester, UK-Albert HallMarch 1 - London, UK- Eventim ApolloMarch 2 - Bristol, UK-BeaconMarch 4 - Amsterdam, NL-ParadisoMarch 5 - Hamburg, DE -MarkthalleMarch 7 - Copenhagen, DK-KB HallenMarch 8 - Stockholm, SE-AnnexetMarch 10 - Oslo, NO-Sentrum SceneMarch 14 - Helsinki, FI-House of CultureMarch 15 - Tallinn, EE-Alexela Concert HallMarch 18 - Berlin, DE-MetropolMarch 19 - Munich, DE-MuffathalleMarch 21 - Brussels, BE-La MadeleineMarch 22 - Paris, FR-Le Trianon(Note: The audio for the September 14th Greek Theatre show will not be available. Europe audio is not confirmed yet to be available for streaming or order.)With a free 7-day trial to the nugs.net app, fans can stream Sturgill Simpson's "Why Not?" Tour audio and unlock nugs' expansive concert catalog, featuring official audio and video from last night's show, and deep archives from the world's most iconic artists.About nugs.net Since 1997 nugs has been at the forefront of live music. Founded as a fan site for downloading concert audio, nugs.net has grown into the leading live music platform for the world's largest touring artists and emerging acts. Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Phish, Dead & Company, Jack White and many others distribute official and professionally-mixed concert recordings exclusively through nugs, available for order and streaming with a subscription. nugs is also respected worldwide as the premiere site for livestreamed events, delivering unparalleled at-home concert experiences in stunning 4K and HD quality. nugs catalog of live music is available on the web, iOS, Android, AppleTV, CarPlay, Sonos, plus BluOS, and a free 7-day trial is available.About Sturgill Simpson Respected, beloved and fiercely independent, Sturgill Simpson made his highly anticipated return to music this year with the release of the full-length album, Passage Du Desir, under a new name, Johnny Blue Skies. The eight-song album was produced by Johnny Blue Skies and David Ferguson and recorded at Clement House Recording Studio in Nashville, TN, and Abbey Road Studios in London, England.Released to overwhelming acclaim, GQ calls the album, "an instant classic," while Pitchfork named it "Best New Music," proclaiming, "expertly balances cosmic and outlaw country and reintroduces himself as the premier Nashville out
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 21:30:29

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FDA-approved system enables safe, smooth and accurate fixationDifferentiated hydraulic design gives spinal surgeons greater freedomUsed in more than 50 surgeries worldwide; now seeking U.S. investors and partnerHORSHAM, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / OrtoWay-US Inc., inventors and developers of the world's first hydraulically-powered OrtoWell Distractor for spinal surgery, announced today the receipt of a new patent from the U.S. Patent Office for its OrtoWell Distractor system. The patent, numbered US 12,023017 B1, entitled "Apparatus, Methods and Systems for Spine Surgery," was issued on July 2, 2024. It covers the innovative application of the company's hydraulically powered distractor for use in corpectomy procedures."We are thrilled to receive this newly issued U.S. patent," says Stan Mikulowski, CEO of OrtoWay-US Inc. "While we have already obtained FDA approval, securing our intellectual property is a crucial step for future investors and our continued commercial success." New possibilities for spinal surgeons The award-winning OrtoWell Distractor System, originally invented in Sweden and now manufactured in Tuttlingen, Germany (with U.S. production planned), opens new possibilities for spinal surgeons seeking to separate vertebrae for disc implant insertion. Traditional handheld wedge distractors, clamps and retractors often struggle to maintain structural integrity during longer operations. In contrast, the uniquely designed OrtoWell system addresses and overcomes these challenges."Spinal surgeons today face immense pressure to work efficiently, safely, and avoid complications while achieving high efficacy," says Stan Mikulowski. "During anterior surgeries, it's not uncommon to encounter up to 100 kg (220 lbs) of axial pressure in the spine, which increases the risk of vertebral damage when using hammers or conventional clamps that may collapse under the strain." Safer, smoother, gentler The novel OrtoWell device leverages hydraulic power, enabling spinal surgeons to carry out safer, smoother, gentler and more controlled separation of vertebral bodies. This is achieved through a controlled, measured and reproducible solution for opening the space between vertebra, making it easier to remove a disc - without excessive force.To date, the distractor system has been utilized in more than 50 surgeries worldwide. It includes several permanent parts that must be autoclaved on site (distractor unit, spanner tools, retractors, frame, tools, tray) as well as refurbishable parts (tube unit, gauge, hooks, bone screws), which are returned to us for inspection, cleaning and sterilization. The revenue model is based on repeatable use of refurbished parts.Used by leading spinal clinicsThe OrtoWell Distractor has been utilized by prominent spinal clinics, with published case reports and ongoing clinical research in Germany. For instance, a leading German spinal surgeon at Sana Dreifaltigkeits-Krankenhaus Koln Clinic ( https://www.sana.de/koeln) in Cologne, Germany, successfully employed the hydraulic device in a case involving spine inflammation that required a 2-level corpectomy, vertebral body replacement and fusion. *In 2020, OrtoWell was recognized for its design and excellence, winning its category at the MedTech Awards from Global Health and Pharma Magazine (GHP), which was established to honor "innovators and leaders reshaping their sectors." To meet the rigorous demands of German and U.S. spinal clinics and hospitals, OrtoWay-US Inc. has recently established a subsidiary, OrtoWay GmbH, in Southern Germany near Tuttlingen - a globally renowned center for surgical tool manufacturing. The company also operates out of Horsham, PA, USA, near Philadelphia, with plans to initiate manufacturing operations in Pennsylvania.Seeking commercialization partnersWith the recent granting of its U.S. patent and the company's product entering a new phase of development, Mikulowski states that OrtoWay-US Inc. is actively seeking partners and investors to support the further commercialization of the OrtoWell Distractor.* Clinical Case published as abstract in 2018 by ISASS, Toronto, Canada.For further information, please contact:Stan Mikulowski, CEO of OrtoWay-US Inc. Two Walnut Grove Drive, Suite 100 Horsham, PA 190 44 USA stan.mikulowski@ortoway-usa.com Phone (Sweden): 01146 708 769 991 www.ortoway-usa.com About OrtoWayOrtoWay was founded in 2006 by a group of Swedish experts in biomaterials, spinal surgery and medical technology aiming to enhance anterior surgical techniques and the implantation of spinal prosthesis in the lumbar region. OrtoWay-US Inc., the current developer and IP holder of the OrtoWell Distractor System is a privately held medical technology company actively seeking commercialization partners. The OrtoWell instrument recently received a U.S. patent for corpectomy use and is FDA approved for use as a Class 1 Medical Device. The product will be made available through OrtoWay LLC, an independent company based near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.Patents & registrations OrtoWay has received patents for this invention in Europe, the USA and in Australia.OrtoWell is a registered trademark in the USA, Canada, EU and Australia.Currently OrtoWay is looking for partners to commercialize this invention. U.S. patent numbered US 12,023,017 B1 / OrtoWay-US Inc.U.S . patent number 8,152,811 / OrtoWay-US Inc.Additional U.S. patent pending.Attachments & photos:- Newly redesigned OrtoWell Distractor Caddy Equipment- Case Report (with images) involving spine inflammation that required a 2-level corpectomy, vertebral body replacement and fusion, by Dr. Biren Desai, head of the Department of Spinal Surgery at Dreifaltigkeits Clinic, Cologne, Germany.- U.S. Patent 12,023017 B1, issued July 2, 2024: "Apparatus, Methods and Systems for Spine Surgery." Contact InformationStan MikulowskiCEOstan.mikulowski@ortoway-usa.com 01146708769991Related ImagesSOURCE: OrtoWay-US Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 15:01:02

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Identity Automation's Cutting-Edge Anti-Phishing Tool Receives Prestigious RecognitionHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Tech & LearningandIdentity Automation(IA) announced that PhishID, a robust phishing detection and prevention tool by Identity Automation,has won this year's Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School 2024 within the Secondary category.PhishID is designed to safeguard K-12 educational institutions from the growing threat of phishing attacks. Novel browser-based attack vectors circumvent traditional anti-phishing methods, and school system employees and students are popular targets for identity theft. This easily deployed browser plug-in catches phishing attacks that other security measures miss, including zero-day vulnerabilities-previously unknown security flaws that attackers exploit before they can be patched. PhishID is not just a security tool; it is a nationwide community of school systems forming a crowdsourced security fabric that becomes stronger every time it intercepts a phishing attempt.The Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence seek out the most outstanding products offering schools versatility, value, and solutions to specific problems to support innovative and effective teaching and learning. Judged by a panel of industry experts, winning an Award of Excellence is more than just acknowledgment from Tech & Learning's editors; it showcases which products truly go above and beyond to contribute to the education sector."The 2024 awards program received many high-quality entries," said the Tech & Learning Award editorial team. "A diverse panel of industry experts judged the winning products and solutions to be of the highest standard in supporting effective teaching and learning practices when moving into the new school year. Every winner should be immensely proud of their accomplishments." To help K12 school systems improve their cybersecurity posture, Identity Automation is offering PhishID licenses to K12 school systems at no cost for K12 faculty and staff. Student licenses are available for pennies per year. To learn more about PhishID, visit https://www.identityautomation.com/products/phishing-protection About Identity Automation Identity Automation provides identity and access management (IAM) solutions for K-12 and higher education. Its flagship platform, Technology leaders turn to RapidIdentity for its best-in-class security capabilities, time-saving automation, and flexible approach to managing digital identities. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Identity Automation is trusted by Chicago Public Schools, North Carolina Public Schools, the University of Rochester, Houston Community College, and hundreds of other institutions. To learn more about partnering with Identity Automation, visitwww.identityautomation.com Identity Automation Contact:marketing@ identityautomation.com SOURCE: Identity+Automation
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 16:34:15

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Self-Funded Innovation: dlivrd Releases Proprietary App to Address Complex Catering Delivery.HORSHAM, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / dlivrd, the leader in delivery technology across the U.S. and Canada, is pleased to announce the launch of its new driver app. After years of perfecting the art of on-time deliveries, dlivrd is once again pushing boundaries with the launch of the first custom-built catering delivery driver app. This app, designed with the needs of both drivers and restaurants in mind, promises to improve the catering and non-catering delivery experiences. With customizable features that address the complexities of pre-scheduled, large orders, it's the latest chapter in dlivrd's mission to enhance operational efficiency and keep drivers at the heart of their success story.Delivery technology just got better New dlivrd application picture for catering deliveryChris Heffernan, CEO of dlivrd, is excited about the app and its potential impact on delivery operations: "What I'm most looking forward to is the full customizability of the app. We've taken feedback from drivers and clients and created something that truly goes the extra mile for everyone involved. Whether it's optimizing the delivery route or improving communication, the app brings everything into one easy-to-use platform," Heffernan said.Improving Delivery with Customizable FeaturesThe dlivrd app stands out in the crowded delivery tech space, particularly for its flexibility for drivers. One of its key features is allowing drivers to set their preferred delivery zones and working hours."This is a game-changer for drivers who need flexibility," said Heffernan. "Other apps don't typically offer this level of customization, but we listened to our drivers and made it happen. Now, drivers can manage their availability and choose where they want to work, making pre-scheduled deliveries even smoother." Both drivers and customers benefit from this customization, as it allows available, nearby drivers to handle deliveries, thereby reducing delays and improving service.Enhancing Efficiency with Geofencing and Real-Time NotificationsAnother impressive feature of the app is its geofencing technology, which delivers real-time notifications based on the driver's location. When a driver reaches a pickup or delivery point, they receive precise instructions and updates to help them stay on track and hand over the delivery smoothly."A lot can happen during a delivery, from traffic jams to last-minute changes. Our geofencing technology ensures the driver gets the right information at the right time, so communication with the customer is more reliable," Heffernan said. This feature reduces delivery time and increases accuracy by removing guesswork and providing clear, timely updates, leading to a better customer experience and happier drivers.Boosting Communication with Push NotificationsIn the delivery industry, communication can be challenging, particularly with SMS systems limited by cost and update frequency. dlivrd's new app addresses this with an improved push notification system."With push notifications, we can communicate with our drivers more frequently and without the constraints of traditional SMS messaging," Heffernan said. "This means drivers are always in the loop, whether it's an update on a delivery or changes along the way." This real-time communication allows drivers to stay connected throughout the entire delivery process, reducing missed updates and ensuring everything runs smoothly from pickup to drop-off.Easy Control from Start to FinishThe new dlivrd app gives drivers full control over the delivery experience-from accepting an order to getting paid. This all-in-one integration makes the delivery process simpler and more efficient for both drivers and clients."This is more than just an app-it's a new way of doing delivery," Heffernan said. "By bringing everything into the dlivrd ecosystem, we're setting a new standard for delivery technology. It's not just a win for us as a company; it's a win for every driver and client we work with." Setting a New Standard in Delivery TechnologyWith this launch, dlivrd is taking a big step forward in making delivery operations more effective and driver-friendly. This new app will play a key role as the company continues to grow and innovate. For more information about the app and how it can benefit you, visit https://www.dlivrd.io/ Contact InformationAshley CamposChief Strategy Officer, dlivrdashley@ dlivrd.io SOURCE: dlivrd.io View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 20:45:27

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Paragon 28, Inc. ("Paragon 28" or the "Company") (NYSE:FNA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Paragon 28 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 July 30, 2024, Paragon 28 disclosed that its previously reported financial results for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 were unreliable. The Company admitted to material weaknesses in its internal controls and disclosed significant accounting errors. Specifically, Paragon 28 understated its cost of goods sold by 19%, resulting in an overstated operating loss by 22% and net loss by 20%.On this news, Paragon 28's stock price fell $1.24 per share, or 13.73%, to close at $7.79 per share on July 31, 2024.Then, on August 8, 2024, Paragon 28 reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2024. Among other items, the Company said that it now expects full-year revenue between $249 million and $255 million, down from a previous range of $249 million to $259 million. Paragon 28 further disclosed that, in an effort to cut costs and preserve cash, it is implementing an operational efficiency strategy that includes laying off approximately 7% of its workforce, as well as reducing inventory and adjusting executive compensation.Following these announcements, Paragon 28's stock price fell $1.67 per share, or 20.1%, to close at $6.64 per share on August 9, 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.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 17:02:56

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Franklin" or "the Company") (NYSE:BEN) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Franklin admitted on July 26, 2024, that "following the launch of an internal investigation focusing on certain past trade allocations of treasury derivatives in select Western Asset Management (WAM') accounts, WAM received notification of parallel investigations by the SEC and U.S. Department of Justice." The Company then disclosed on August 21, 2024, that WAM co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech had been played on leave "effective immediately" adding that "in light of Mr. Leech's leave of absence, the Company has determined that closing its Macro Opportunities strategy (approximately $2.0 billion in AUM as of 7/31/2024) is in clients' best interests." Finally, the Company also disclosed that Leech had received a Wells Notice from the SEC. Based on this news, shares of Franklin fell significantly.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss,click here to participate .We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website atwww.schallfirm.com , or by email atbschall@ schallfirm.com The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT: The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq. www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 14:02:06

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"The Critical Minerals and ZEO Company"THOMPSON FALLS, MT / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / United States Antimony Corporation ("USAC", or the "Company"), (NYSE:UAMY) announces today that management is participating in the iAccess Alpha Buyside Best Ideas Fall Conference 2024 on September 24 and 25, 2024. On behalf of the Company, Gary C. Evans, Chairman and Co-CEO, will deliver a company presentation at 11:30am ET on September 24th, and host one-on-one meetings the following day, September 25th.iAccess Alpha hosts virtual investor conferences, where presenting companies are recommended by investors. The conference format spans two days, with company webcast presentations on day one, followed by one-on-one meetings with company management teams on day two.To learn more about theiAccess Alpha Buyside Best Ideas Fall Conference 2024 on September 24 and 25, 2024 or to register and schedule a one-on-one meeting with USAC, please visit the conference website https://www.iaccessalpha.com/home The presentation will be webcast live and available for replay at: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3064/51218 The webcast of the USAC presentation will also be available on the company's website under the Investors tab at: https://www.usantimony.com/investors About USAC:United States Antimony Corporation and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Mexico ("USAC", the "Company", "Our", "Us", or "We") sell processed antimony, zeolite, and precious metals products in the U.S. and Canada. The Company processes antimony ore primarily into antimony oxide, antimony metal, and antimony trisulfide. Our antimony oxide is used to form a flame-retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings and paper, as a color fastener in paint, and as a phosphorescent agent in fluorescent light bulbs. Our antimony metal is used in bearings, storage batteries, and ordnance. Our antimony trisulfide is used as a primer in ammunition. In its operations in Idaho, the Company mines and processes zeolite, a group of industrial minerals used in soil amendment and fertilizer, water filtration, sewage treatment, nuclear waste and other environmental cleanup, odor control, gas separation, animal nutrition, and other miscellaneous applications. We recover certain amounts of precious metals, primarily gold and silver, at our plant in Montana from antimony concentrates.Forward-Looking Statements:Readers should note that, in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and intended to be covered by, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company including matters related to the Company's operations, pending contracts and future revenues, financial performance, and profitability, ability to execute on its increased production and installation schedules for planned capital expenditures, and the size of forecasted deposits. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties. In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in the Company's most recent filings, including Form 10-K and Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "pro forma" and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.Contact:United States Antimony Corp.PO Box 64347 Cox Gulch Rd.Thompson Falls, Montana 59873-0643Jonathan Miller, Vice President - IRE-Mail: Jmiller@ usantimony.com Phone: 406-606-4117SOURCE: United States Antimony Corp.
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UpStream Global Services, committed to quality assurance, is expanding its QA capabilities to offer comprehensive testing solutions for your software products.BEDFORD, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / UpStream Global Services, a trusted name in Quality Assurance (QA) and software testing, is reaffirming its commitment to excellence with enhanced services in manual testing, automation testing, performance testing, and vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT). With decades of experience in delivering high-quality QA solutions, UpStream has established itself as a key player in ensuring the reliability and performance of software applications.For many years, UpStream Global Services has partnered with top-tier companies to deliver cutting-edge QA services that align with evolving industry demands. The company's comprehensive offerings include manual testing, automation testing, performance testing, and penetration testing, ensuring that clients have access to end-to-end testing solutions tailored to their specific needs. This partnership-driven approach highlights UpStream's dedication to staying at the forefront of quality assurance, demonstrating that they are not new to this space, but instead have a solid track record of expertise."Our company's long-standing commitment to quality assurance reflects our deep understanding of the critical role QA plays in software development," said Deepu Suresh, Chief Operating Officer at UpStream Global Services. "By continuously evolving our testing services and partnering with other leading firms, we ensure that our clients benefit from the most effective and comprehensive testing solutions available." As a recognized QA specialist, UpStream Global Services takes pride in offering extensive testing capabilities to ensure software reliability, security, and performance. The company's expertise spans industries, providing clients with tailored solutions that address complex challenges in today's fast-paced digital world.For more information about UpStream Global Services and its specialized QA testing services, please visit www.upstreamgs.com About UpStream Global ServicesUpStream Global Services is a Massachusetts-based firm specializing in Quality Assurance and IT consulting services. Offering a wide range of testing services such as manual, automation, performance testing, and VAPT, the company is committed to helping businesses achieve superior software performance and security.Contact InformationDeepu Suresh Chief Operating Officerdeepu@ upstreamgs.com +91-96450 49646SOURCE: UpStream Global ServicesView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-23 19:31:29

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Company's global footprint leverages its breadth of technology and services to establish it as the leading single-source provider of HR solutions for SMBs.LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 /Vensure Employer Solutions (Vensure), a leading provider of HR/HCM technology, managed services, and global business process outsourcing, returns to the HR Technology Conference and Exposition (Las Vegas, September 24-26, 2024) with an expanded presence that showcases its powerful solutions for businesses worldwide.Under the theme "The Power Behind Your Business," Vensure's booth #9600 demonstrates how the rapidly expanding company helps customers reduce costs and increase efficiencies through its HR services and technologies that scale as a company grows. Powering its growth, Vensure acquired more than 80 businesses in the past six years, cementing its position as a global HR force with multifaceted solutions to help businesses at every step in their development lifecycle. With a commanding presence on the HR Tech exhibit floor, Vensure will showcase new, upcoming capabilities for its Namely HCM platform as well as its Solvo BPO business and Global Payroll solutions.Namely's full-powered, comprehensive HCM platform will include modules for payroll, accounting, time and labor, benefits administration and enrollment, HR administration, analytics, and global reporting. Namely's latest technology enhancements will provide HR professionals and business owners with expanded, native functions and self-service features to manage the employee journey from hire to retire. Additions to the platform include:New, All-In-One HCM: With enhanced features and functionality, Namely provides a modern UX and 24/7 support to power more industries and complex workforces.Applicant Tracking System (ATS): The powerful and configurable ATS enhances the hiring process, allowing the creation of customized workflows and providing an integrated onboarding experience.Workforce Management (WFM): The WFM module streamlines business operations and increases efficiency through features including advanced scheduling, intuitive shift planning, and biometric punch in/out. The customizable, modern interface seamlessly integrates with payroll.Performance Management (PM): The PM module improves communication and helps enhance employee satisfaction with a robust set of tools to engage, develop, and retain a talented workforce. The module includes automations and workflows to facilitate continuous feedback, goal tracking and 360 reviews.Vensure's HR Tech presence will also highlight Solvo, the company's business process outsourcing (BPO) division. Solvo is a leading source for nearshore talent solutions and AI-powered customer service efficiencies. The company offers high-quality professionals to help businesses of all sizes in all verticals. Additionally, Solvo's related services include recruitment support and the provision of junior IT developers.Vensure will also unveil its latest business initiative, Global Payroll, designed to help businesses enhance their international reach and thrive in a global economy. Vensure's new Global Payroll offering will expand rapidly with a presence in more than 50 countries by the end of the year, reaching 75 companies in 2025."The latest tools and technologies within Namely help small and mid-sized businesses up to enterprise organizations plan for the future, adapt to change, and work smarter in today's rapidly evolving HR environment," said Alex Campos, CEO of Vensure Employer Solutions. "We look forward to talking with attendees at HR Tech about how our HCM technology and expanded portfolio of services, highlighted by our new Global Payroll initiative and the latest offerings from Solvo, can power the success of our clients' businesses across the entire HR spectrum and around the world." At the booth, Vensure will highlight its 2024 IndyCar sponsorship and feature 18-time IndyCar winner and Indy 500 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay along with IndyCar #23. Hunter-Reay will be available for photos and autographs with attendees on Wednesday, September 25 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., as well as Thursday, September 26 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Hunter-Reay will be available to meet with media on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to noon and 3:00 -3:30 p.m., as well as Thursday from noon to 12:30 p.m.Attendees can stop by Booth #9600 to see the IndyCar and product demos at any time during expo hours and see a representative to scan to win a deluxe VIP weekend for two at the 2025 Indy 500.About Vensure Employer Solutions Vensure Employer Solutions is the largest privately held organization in the HR technology and service sector, providing a comprehensive portfolio of solutions, including HR/HCM technology, managed services, and global business process outsourcing (BPO). The company and its service providers collectively serve over 141,000 businesses and process over $159B in annual payroll. As a "One Employer Solution" headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Vensure helps thousands of businesses streamline and grow their operations with custom strategies that benefit both employers and employees. Find out more by visiting vensure.com Media Contact Owen SereyMower, on behalf of Vensure oserey@ mower.com SOURCE: Vensure Employer Solutions
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AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2024 / Xtra Energy Corp. (OTC Pink:XTPT) is pleased to announce the results of a geological mapping and sampling program completed on the American Antimony Project between August 11th and August 20th by Robert Johansing, MSc, PG, QP, a California-based consulting geologist with extensive experience in Nevada, the southwestern United States, and beyond.Link to Full Technical Report : Click Here .Bernice Canyon, which spans the property from northwest to southeast over several kilometers, features a series of historical antimony mines on both sides. A total of twenty-one samples were collected from dumps and stockpiles scattered along the canyon floor, along with several exposures of the felsite dike complex itself. Antimony values range from 98 ppm to 30.9% Sb; in general, antimony values correlate with the sample's visible stibnite. Five grab samples of the spread-out, spheroidal stibnite hosted in the QSP-altered felsite had Sb values ranging from 0.24 to 2.45%. This style of mineralization appears to be volumetrically more important than the higher-grade vein-type occurrences. We collected four grab samples of felsite-hosted stibnite-rich veins; the Sb values ranged from 5.69-12.03%. A pile of mostly vein-type minerals, composed of milky-white quartz and ankerite/iron oxides, had the highest value of 30.89% Sb.Figure 1 : Geologic map of the Bernice Canyon project area showing sample sites and antimony (Sb) values.A northwest-to-north-trending felsite dike complex, which traces for at least 2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles), is closely associated with antimony mineralization. The dike is composite and may consist of up to three parallel splays; it dips steeply from 70 to 90 degrees, bends clockwise to the north in its northern extent, and varies in width from a few meters to roughly 10 meters (33 feet). The dike is fine-grained, pale-white in color, widely altered to quartz-sericite-pyrite ("QSP"), and invaded by stibnite (an antimony sulfide-Sb2S3), manifesting as spheroidal disseminations, sulfide veinlets, and quartz-stibnite-ankerite veinlets in fractures that reach widths of up to 5 centimeters (2 inches) each. The sub-horizontal and sub-vertical fracture-fill veinlets made of massive stibnite have the highest antimony grades. However, the disseminated mineralization style is widespread along the dike complex, and volumetrically, samples may be significant because they contain up to 2.45% Sb.There were no other metals present and the QSP change was widespread and continuous. This suggests a major hydrothermal event caused by magma rather than a more common low-temperature antimony system far away. The close spatial relation between the felsite dike complex and stibnite mineralization is clear and presents an important target for ongoing exploration along the more than 1.55-mile-long exposed strike of this dike complex.The historical road along the canyon floor provides simple access to all of the important historical mines located along the flanks of Bernice Canyon. At stations along the road, initial drilling can be done to test the two main splays of this dike complex at different depths along its strike length. This will give a rough idea of how much antimony is contained. The company's exploration team will now focus on securing the necessary permits to repair sections of this road and undertake a drilling program.Xtra Energy's Chairman and CEO, Mr. Mac J. Shahsavar, P.Eng., comments: "We are extremely pleased with the successful results of our recently completed mapping and sampling program at the American Antimony Project. The data collected reinforces our confidence in the project's potential and highlights significant mineralization zones that exceed our initial expectations. This achievement is a critical step forward in advancing our exploration efforts and underscores the long-term value this project holds for our shareholders. We are excited to move forward with further drilling and exploration phases to unlock the full potential of this promising resource." Contact & Learn More:Xtra Energy CorporationPhone: 512-412-3636Corporate Website: https://americanantimony.com/ Corporate Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtra-energy-corp/ Corporate Twitter: https://twitter.com/xtra_corp Corporate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtraenergycorp/ Corporate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093057374695 About Xtra Energy CorporationXtra Energy Corporation is an antimony exploration company focused on developing its flagship project "American Antimony", approximately 31 miles northeast of Eastgate, Nevada. Xtra Energy Corporation holds a 100% ownership in a 207 lode claim, 4276 acre antimony project surrounding the historically documented Antimony King Mine and covering all other documented antimony producers of the Bernice Mining District. The Company is seeking to develop this expanding portfolio of antimony-rich assets to become a major supplier of antimony based products.FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events, including our ability to raise capital, or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause materially different results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc. Our public filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc are available from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the OTC Markets at https://www.otcmarke
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has condemned the conduct of Saturdays governorship election but called for calm and subtly encouraged aggrieved parties to seek redress in court.

Mr Obasekis candidate, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost the election to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, in the keenly contested election.

Clearly it is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election, Mr Obaseki said in a recorded video he shared via his X account apparently after the APC candidate was declared winner of the election on Sunday.

Mr Obaseki, who leaves office after completing his second term on 12 November, painted a picture of democracy coming under an assault in the manner of the conduct of the election.

The attractive thing about democracy is the power it bestows on the people to choose who governs them. Therefore, when this power is blatantly seized from the people, it is just a tragedy but a travesty of democracy, he said.

Subtly calling on aggrieved parties, which might include his partys candidate, to seek redress in court, Mr Obaseki said, In a democracy there are always safeguards for addressing grievances and we hope that all those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process.

However, Mr Ighodalo or any other candidate in the election has yet to disclose any plan to file a petition at the governorship election petition tribunal. The election tribunal offers a 21-day window to any aggrieved candidate and their political parties to file their petitions after the declaration of results.

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Mr Obaseki had alleged impartiality of the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the lead-up to the election that was marked by violence and trading of blames.

The governors late night visit to INEC office in Benin City, the state capital, after voting ended and final collation of results was being awaited on Saturday. He would later justify the step which he said was informed by INECs silence on some anomalies taking place during the election.

Several election observer groups reported widespread irregularities such as vote-buying by both the PDP and the APC agents and lack of transparency and violation of extant laws in the results collation processes during the election.

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Andrew Wynne, a British socialist declared wanted for alleged attempt to topple President Tinubu-led government, has again dismissed the Nigerian governments allegations against him.

Mr Wynne, 70, who became a target of the Nigerian government as a result of his roles in the #EndBadGovernance protest in Abuja in August.

The police linked him to 10 persons that were arrested in connection with the protest being tried on treason charges at the Federal High Cout in Abuja, accusing him of building a network of sleeper cells to topple the Bola Tinubu administration and plunge the nation into chaos.

In a statement on Monday, the second he has issued since the police declared him wanted on 2 September, Mr Wynne, also known by his alias, Andrew Porvey, said protest is not treason. He wrote in his earlier statement that protest is not treason.

On Monday, Mr Wynne, who owns the Ivy Bookshop located in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC in Abuja, raided by the police in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protest, maintained in his fresh statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES that he is totally innocent of any wrongdoing that the government might have filed against him.

Mr Wynne wrote in the statement, his most detailed personal account regarding the protest and governments clampdown on him and others associated with the protest to date, that he had no criminal records since the last 25 years that he has been visiting Nigeria.

He said that the police illegally blocked about 32 accounts without providing any concrete proof that he sponsored the owners of the accounts to cause mayhem during the hunger protest.

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But, they have not provided a single example of any transaction to support their claim that I funded treason or any other illegal activity. The police have no evidence for the crimes that they claim I have committed. The police have not provided any evidence that I paid people to support the protests. I did not pay anyone for such activities, he said.

Mr Wynne also denied the allegation that he visited other African countries 13 times in two months, describing it as a complete fabrication.

I have been travelling to Nigeria regularly, five or six times a year, since at least 2008. I have had a business visa to cover each of these visits. The police claim that I visited other African countries 13 times in two months. This is a complete fabrication.

I have never called for a military coup in any country. I support democracy and do not believe that military coups are a step forward. I do not think the recent coups in West Africa have benefited the common people in those countries, he added.

Other suspects charged with treason are innocent

Mr Wynne, who described himself as a retired accountant, explained that he has been running the bookshop for the past seven years openly. To my knowledge the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security operatives have never visited the book shop, he wrote.

The British national also stated that he set up a book stall in Eagle Square, Abuja during the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) May Day celebrations in the last two years.

On each occasion, the DSS officers came and greeted us and looked at the book stall. Beyond this, they expressed no interest in myself or the book stall.

The nickname claimed for me by the police of Povich is their fabrication. I had never before even heard of such a name, the renowned socialist said.

He said he freely left Nigeria on 4 August, four days into the #EndBadGovernance protest.

I freely flew out of the country from Abuja Airport on 4th August on a ticket that I had purchased nearly three months earlier, he wrote, adding, I had no reason to flee and had already booked a ticket to return as usual on 18th September.

He denied knowing some of the arrested protesters detained by the Nigerian authorities for treason, saying that he had no business or close relationship with them.

I hardly know any of those detained for the alleged crimes associated with me. I have never met most of them and had no contact with them before they were detained.

Yomi has worked with me for nearly five years, but beyond this I have never had any contact of any sort with most of the others that I am accused of conspiring with.

I believe that all of the 10 people who have been charged with alleged offences associated with me are completely innocent. When they are found not guilty my name will also be cleared, he concluded.

#EndBadGovernance protest, allegations against Briton

Nigerians held a nationwide protest between 1 and 10 August against bad governance and the rising cost of living attributed to President Tinubus flagship economic policiesthe controversial removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira.

The protests turned violent and led to the destruction and looting of government and private properties in many Northern Nigerian cities. Some individuals were also spotted in Kano and Kaduna waving the Russian flags. On multiple occasions, the police fired teargas at protesters, and on two occasions in Abuja, live ammunition at peaceful protesters and journalists covering the protests at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium. The police arrested over a thousand protesters, 10 of whom are currently facing charges of treason.

The government said it was investigating individuals behind the Russian flags, leading to multiple arrests, including tailors who sewed the flags and Polish nationals on an academic visit at the Bayero University Kano.

Accusing Mr Wynne of plotting to topple Mr Tinubus government, the police declared him wanted and obtained a court order for his arrest alongside two Nigerians Lucky Obiyan and Abdullahi Musa accused of being the Britons collaborators.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the result of the Edo State governorship election declared by tthe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday.

INEC announced candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the election having scored the highest votes cast.

Mr Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes while Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate scored a total of 247,274 votes to become second,. The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, came third with 22,763 votes.

Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, said at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, that the partys candidate won the election but that the result was manipulated in favour of the APC candidate.

The PDP chairman asked INEC to review the results of the election.

The PDP therefore unequivocally rejects the final result of the Edo State Governorship election as declared by INEC as it did not meet the minimum standard for democracy, having not reflected the expressed will and aspiration of the people in line with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines for State Governorship Election.

The PDP demands that INEC within the time stipulated by Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022 review the Edo State governorship election and announce results only as obtained from the genuine votes cast at the Polling Units, he said.

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Compromised

Mr Damagun alleged that the APC compromised the secunity operatives and used thugs who harassed and detained PDP members and supporters to pave the way for the manipulation of the process.

Nigerians and the world watched in horror as the APC-compromised security operatives and thugs unleashed terror, harassed, arrested and detained PDP members and supporters, foisted siege mentality on the people, paved the way for APC agents and procured INEC officials to manipulate the ballot process, substitute genuine results from the Polling Units with fictitious figures and transferred the victory clearly won by our candidate, Asue Ighodalo to the defeated APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo.

As Nigerians already know, despite the violence, intimidation and manipulations by the APC, results obtained from the Polling Units show that our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo clearly won the election before the figures were altered at the state collation exercise in favour of the defeated APC candidate, he said.

Mr Damagun called on residents of Edo State to reject the results declared by INEC.

The PDP calls on all Nigerians and lovers of democracy all over the world to stand up in solidarity with the people of Edo State in rejecting this assault on the democratic rights of the people as witnessed in the Edo State Governorship election.

Justice

The PDP chaiman also said the party would challenge the outcome of the election and seek justice.

In this election, we shall once again test the level of preparedness of the judiciary to deliver justice where it is needed. Therefore, we cannot rule out a situation where justice will be dispensed, but the most important thing is that we shall subject them to greater scrutiny in the eyes of Nigerians. They say that when the judicial system does not work, then you dont have a country. I dont know if we will still have a country, he said.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, also a member of the PDP, had earlier rejected the result of the poll and urged the aggrieved party to challenge the outcome in court.

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The police have ordered enhanced deployment of their personnel in and around INEC facilities, critical infrastructure, and individuals involved in the governorship election in Edo State, to forestall possible violence.

Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

The off-cycle governorship election was conducted by INEC on Saturday.

On Sunday, the electoral body declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the election.

Before the exercise, there was tension in Edo State, prompting massive deployment of security personnel in the state. The police alone deployed 35,000 personnel.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in the state stormed the INEC headquarters protesting against the result earlier released by the commission.

However, there have not been any reports of violence since the APC candidate was announced winner of the poll.

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Mr Adejobi said as the electoral process winds to an end, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the election Frank Mba, has activated the post-election security strategy of the Force.

He said the move is designed to boost the confidence of citizens and to reassure them of the readiness of the Force to respond appropriately to any possible threat to public safety and security in the state.

In line with the post-election security strategy, the DIG has ordered enhanced deployment in and around INEC facilities, key stakeholders involved in the election and other critical infrastructure within the state, Mr Adejobi added.

Read the Police full statement below

PRESS RELEASE

EDO ELECTIONS: POLICE ACTIVATES POST-ELECTION SECURITY STRATEGY

-EMBARK ON SHOW OF FORCE EXERCISE, URGES CITIZENS TO REMAIN PEACEFUL

As the Edo 2024 Governorship Elections gradually winds to an end, the DIG in-charge of the elections, DIG Frank Mba, mni has activated the post-election security strategy of the Force. This include, but not limited to, Show of Force Exercise, designed to boost the confidence of citizens and to reassure of the readiness of the Force to respond appropriately to any possible threat to public safety and security in the State.

In line with the post-election security strategy, the DIG has ordered enhanced deployment in and around INEC facilities, key stakeholders involved in the election and other critical infrastructure within the State.

READ ALSO:Police confirm arrest of suspect over female victim held captive in hotel

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force calls on citizens to remain peaceful and law abiding while going about their endeavours. The Force however warns against any conduct by any individual or group capable of disrupting the existing peace in the State, noting that the Force and the security forces are prepared than ever before to ensure continuous peace in the State.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FORCE HEADQUARTERS,

ABUJA.

22ND SEPTEMBER 2024

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said its tower T372, along the Gombe -Damaturu-Maiduguri 330 Kilovolt (kV) transmission line, has been brought down by vandals.

The company said the incident occurred on Saturday around 1:44 a.m.

Ndidi Mbah, TCNs general manager of public affairs, said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Mrs Mbah said that the development had disrupted the power supply to Damaturu in Yobe and Maiduguri in Borno.

She said that the vandals cut off all four tower footings, resulting in the towers collapse, which was discovered by TCNs linesmen deployed on emergency patrol.

According to her, Maiduguri town will be fed from the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).

Following the destructive attack, an effort is ongoing by TCNs engineers in the interim to back-feed Damaturu through a 33kV transmission line from Potiskum.

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Meanwhile, work will commence immediately to dismantle and evacuate the collapsed tower for reconstruction and restoration of the transmission line.

TCN frowns at the incessant attack on our collective national assets and enjoin citizens to be vigilant in protecting these assets.

They should report suspicious activities or persons around our transmission infrastructure to law enforcement agents or TCN offices in that vicinity, she said.

Mrs Mbah said the TCN would ensure quick restoration of bulk power to the affected areas.

She said that the company would expedite reconstruction work on the tower to ensure that it is completed as soon as possible.

(NAN)

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the 260 councillorship seats in the 17 local government areas of Enugu State during Saturdays local elections in the state.

Christian Ngwu, a professor and chairperson of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), stated this while declaring the results on Monday in Enugu.

Mr Ngwu said the commission delayed the announcement of the councillorship election results because it was scrutinising them.

The election commission earlier on Sunday declared the PDP winner of all the 17 chairmanship positions in the state.

Mr Ngwu, also the returning officer for the polls, said that ENSIEC carefully collated and analysed the results to ensure that there were no mistakes or infractions of the electoral law.

PDP won all 260 ward councillorship positions within the 260 political wards in the state. The election was duly conducted and was most peaceful, fair, free and credible.

ENSIEC ensured a level playing field for all 17 political parties that participated in the Polls held on Saturday.

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Full details of the councillorship election will come out and be made known to the public subsequently, he said.

According to him, a Certificate of Return would soon be issued by the commission to the winners.

The chairperson said there was no substantial record of violence during the polls.

The commission is not aware of any violence or breakdown of law and order during the polls, he said.

(NAN)

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Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has sworn in the chairpersons and vice chairpersons of the 16 local governments elected on Saturday.

Shortly after the oath administration at Government House Ilorin, the governor congratulated the new council chiefs and urged them to exercise their power prudently and work with the people in the interest of all.

The governor congratulated their families, party leaders, community stakeholders, and everyone who played different roles in their emergence.

The inauguration was attended by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly,. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, and principal officers of the Assembly; the Chief Judge, Ayodele Adebara; the Grand Kadi, Abdullateef Kamaldeen; the Secretary to the State Government, Mamman Jubril; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Abdulkadir Mahe, cabinet members; the APC state chairman, Sunday Fagbemi; and many government officials and party elders.

Set realistic goals for yourself. Be conscious of your legacies. Be fair to everyone and yourself. Attend to the needs of the people, and be open to positive engagements across the board, he said.

Our country is in a transitive phase as our economy undergoes reforms. This has brought some inconveniences for the people. Please be sensitive to the realities of the time. Dont indulge yourselves while the people struggle to meet basic needs.

As local government areas and the first layer of government, be creative, explore areas of cooperation, and complement yourselves for bigger accomplishments. Importantly, please prove to the people that you deserve to occupy this esteemed office. I wish you all the best, ladies and gentlemen.

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The APC chairperson, Mr Fagbemi, commended the people of the state for their support and the governor for his service.

This is a great moment. We have just cemented the foundation laid for the good of Kwara. We are thankful to Kwarans for their support. The agenda is to develop Kwara and take the state to the next level, according to the party chairman.

Majeed Podo, the Ilorin South chairman who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said they will work hard for the good of the people.

The local government officials are the first to be elected in the state in seven years. The election was conducted by the states electoral commission and involved five political parties. The candidates of the ruling APC won all the seats.

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The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its conduct during the recent Edo off-cycle governorship election.

The Chairperson of CDDs Election Analysis Centre, Adele Jinadu, expressed his commendation at a post-election observation news conference on Monday in Abuja.

He said that CDD deployed 70 accredited observers across 18 local government areas to monitor the electoral process.

Mr Jinadu noted that the organisations observers reported positively on the availability and efficiency of INECs Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

The BVAS and iReV Technology efficiently carried out accreditation and were used in virtually all polling units in a timely manner, he said.

However, Mr Jinadu highlighted some malfunctions, including a case in Esan North-east where the BVAS was not fixed.

He also reported instances of slow uploads, blurry image capturing, and over-voting.

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He commended INECs overall conduct but recommended improving crisis communication to boost voter confidence and curb disinformation.

He also advocated for increased voter education and partnership with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency to mitigate weather-related issues.

Mr Jinadu commended the electorate for their calm and peaceful conduct during the polls.

(NAN)

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The European Union (EU) has said that it supported Nigeria and five other Sahel countries affected by floods with 5.4 million Euros.

In a statement issued by the bloc and made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday, the other countries that benefitted are Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso

The bloc noted that the fund was meant to assist the more than 4.4 million people estimated to be affected by floods in the countries.

Floods have led to the destruction of houses, public health facilities, water systems, schools and sanitation facilities as well as roads, infrastructures, and agricultural areas.

Moreover, the lack of access to water, hygiene, and sanitation services is increasing the risk of spreading of waterborne diseases.

This funding will help our humanitarian partners on the ground, to provide immediate aid and respond to the most urgent needs concerning food, shelter, access to clean water and sanitation and other essential services in the hardest-hit areas.

The amount will be distributed as follows: Chad one million Euro; Niger 1.350 million Euro; Nigeria 1.1 million Euro; Mali one million Euro and Cameroon 650,000 Euro and Burkina Faso 300,000 Euro.

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The funding comes in addition to 232 million Euro in humanitarian assistance already allocated to these countries so far this year.

The EU and its partners had already responded to the immediate consequences of floods in Liberia, Guinea, Chad, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Mali, the bloc said.

In the statement, Janez Lenarcic, the Commissioner for Crisis Management, was quoted to have said: Excessive rainfalls had lashed the Sahel and Lake Chad regions with unprecedented impact, displacing millions and causing widespread suffering and damage.

We are mobilising all means at our disposal to help the most vulnerable in the flood-stricken countries, so they can receive much needed relief.

(NAN)

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Governor Siminalayi Fubaras loyalists are contesting the Rivers State local government election under the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP).

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn from the local elections.

The PDPs boycott of the 5 October polls is the latest sign of a deepening political rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, who has total control of the party structure in the state.

Governor Fubara allies who have picked the APP form for the election include a vocal critic of Mr Wike and the chairperson, caretaker committee of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chijioke Ihnuwo.

Its my pleasure to inform the people of Obio-Akpor that I have scaled through the screening at the headquarters of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

I will be running under the APP, the party that has an elephant as its logo, Mr Ihunwo wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.

I want to specially thank Governor Fubara for giving me his blessings to contest for this position, Mr Ihunwo wrote on the microblogging site, suggesting that he has the approval of Mr Fubara, a PDP governor, to contest the election on the platform of APP, a move that may be described as anti-party.

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The same day, Mr Ihunwo uploaded on X his campaign poster bearing the APP logo.

He later announced that Achor Nna, a former councillor representing Mr Wikes Ward in Obio-Akpor Legislative Council who resigned in March and declared support for Governor Fubara, would be the director general of his campaign.

Rivers govt reacts

Besides coming to power on the PDP platform, Mr Fubara is also the vice chairperson of the PDP Governors Forum, an influential group within the party.

Asked if Mr Fubara has given approval for his loyalists to contest the election under another party, the Commissioner of Information in Rivers, Joseph Johnson, told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday that the governor was not contesting the election.

Governor Fubara is a PDP member, and hes not contesting the election. Those who are contesting are spread all over the local government, all over the parties and all over the country.

If PDP, which is our own party, decided that they would run for local government election, aspirants from 16 political parties across the 23 local governments are at liberty to contest the election, Mr Johnson said.

PDP is okay; they said they are not running; why would you break your head over someone that said hes not running? Mr Johnson said.

Mr Ihunwo did not respond to calls and text messages from our reporter.

The PDP chairperson in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka did not also respond to calls and text messages.

Fubara and APP

Although Mr Fubara has not officially joined the APP, there have been indications that the governor may turn to the party for political salvation if his efforts to reclaim the PDP structure from Mr Wike are unsuccessful.

For instance, the Rivers APP secretariat was attacked twice within a month amid speculations that Governor Fubara would join the party, an allegation Mr Fubara has dismissed as propaganda.

The Rivers APP chairperson, Sunny Wokekoro had, while briefing reporters after the party secretariat was bombed the second time, denied that Mr Fubara was planning to join the party but insisted that the attack would not dissuade the party from participating in the local government elections.

Mr Wokekoro also dismissed claims that Governor Fubara was funding the APP. He described the PDP as a dying party.

Mr Johnson, the information commissioner in Rivers, previously told PREMIUM TIMES that Governor Fubara preaches PDP, and has PDP in his DNA.

You cannot be a vice chairperson of a forum without being a member of the PDP, Mr Johnson had said, dismissing rumour that Mr Fubara was planning to dump the party.

They are joining APP  Wike

Although Mr Fubara is the governor of Rivers State, Mr Wike is in control of the PDP structure in the state, an anomaly the PDP Governors Forum wants to correct.

Mr Wike, who helped Mr Fubara to become governor, has been battling the governor over the control of the political structure in the state.

Governor Fubara boycotted PDP congresses in Rivers after his loyalists secured a court order against it, but the PDP national leadership released voting materials to Mr Wike, whose loyalists emerged party executives at ward, local government areas and state levels.

Mr Wike last month threatened to take the fight to other PDP governors backing Mr Fubara in the Rivers crisis.

Addressing delegates during the Rivers PDP congress at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt last month, Mr Wike, without mentioning names, said he was aware that some unstable characters in the PDP in the state would join the APP.

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Nigerian stocks were up by 0.8 per cent last week as more money chased stocks in the equity market.

The market has now yielded 31.4 per cent since the start of the year, with the NGX Oil and Gas Index leading other sector indexes.

Investment bank United Capital said in its investment view for the week that The Bulls will remain incentivised to persist in bargain hunting, given the tremendous mid-long-term opportunities in the equities market.

Access Holdings issued its 2023 audited financials with fairly strong performance. The result of top-tier rival United Bank for Africa is currently being awaited.

PREMIUM TIMES has assembled some stocks with fundamentals and other potential, adopting key analytical approaches to save you the hassle of randomly picking equities for investment.

The selection, a product of an analytical market watch, offers a guide to entering the market and taking strategic positions in hopes that equities will increase in value with the passage of time.

This is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation but a stock investment guide. You may need to involve your financial advisor before taking investment decisions.

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NEM Insurance

NEM Insurance tops this weeks pick for trading significantly below its intrinsic value. The underwriters price-to-book (PB) ratio is 0.8x, while its price-to-earnings (PE) is 1.9x.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI)

ETI features on this weeks list for currently trading below its intrinsic value. The lenders PB ratio is 0.2x, while the PE ratio is 1.3x.

Veritas Kapital Assurance

Veritas Kapital makes this weeks list for trading well below its intrinsic value, making it a potentially strong investment for value investors. Its PB ratio is 0.9x, while its PE ratio is 1.5x.

UACN

UACN appears in the pick for currently trading well below its actual value. The PB ratio of the conglomerate is 1x at the moment, while the PE ratio is 0.7x.

Ikeja Hotel

Ikeja Hotel appears on the list for trading significantly below its real value. The companys PB ratio is 0.8x, while its PE ratio is 2.5x.

Mutual Benefits

Mutual Benefits makes the cut for currently trading below its real value. The insurers PB ratio is currently 0.4x, while the PE ratio is 2.4x.

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The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, on Sunday, described his victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturdays governorship election in Edo State as a vote of confidence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate, as the winner of the election on Sunday evening. Mr Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, who scored 247,274 votes.

The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumude Akpata, came a distant third with 22,763 votes, while all the 14 other candidates received 8,945 votes. The returns show that Mr Okpebholo polled 12,685 more votes than all his rivals in the election.

Mr Jibrins reaction

In a Facebook statement, Mr Jibrin, who represents Kano North District in the Senate, said the victory reinforced Nigerian voters confidence in the APC and the president.

This victory is a manifestation of the confidence the people of Edo have in President Bola Ahmed Tinubus exemplary leadership since assuming office last year.

I want to congratulate Senator Monday Okpebholo, our governor-elect, on this well-deserved win. This success is not only a victory for the APC but for our democracy and the good people of Edo State, whose voices were heard loud and clear, Mr Jibrin said.

Also, Mr Jibrin said Abdullahi Gandujes leadership as the partys national chairman has made the APC stronger and more united and guided it to the election victory in Edo.

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(Mr) Gandujes vision continues to pave the way for our partys growth, Mr Jibrin said.

As we celebrate this momentous occasion, I urge Senator Okpebholo to be magnanimous in victory. I also call on those who contested but didnt win to join hands with him in moving Edo State forward.

Together, we can achieve greater progress for the state and nation, he added.

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The governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, who chaired the Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) situation room for the governorship election in Edo State, has said Nigerias democracy is under attack.

Mr Fintiri said this in a post on X after his party lost the election held on Saturday.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Monday Okpebholo, the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged victorious after scoring the highest votes in the election.

Mr Okpebholo, a sitting senator, polled 291,667 votes to defeat his major contender, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who scored 247,274 votes. Labour Party (LP) Olumide Akpata left with 22,763 votes.

To emerge as the winner, a candidate must have the highest votes and at least 25 per cent of the votes in at least two-thirds (12) of the states 18 local government areas (LGAs). Mr Okpebholo has met this criteria, according to a PREMIUM TIMES review of official results declared by INEC.

Rape of democracy  democracy under attack

Democracy indeed is under attack, Mr Fintiri said. We must condemn this rape of democracy and demand accountability. The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better.

Mr Fintiri also refuted claims by the opposition APC that he announced unauthorised results.

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I merely shared results from INECs IRev portal, as collated by INEC from the various local government areas, the governor said.

He also accused the APC National Chairperson, Abdullahi Ganduje, of flying into Edo with a private jet on election day, defying movement restrictions, while their governors used armoured escorts to intimidate voters.

Mr Fintiri added: This blatant disregard for democratic norms is the real brigandage. Nigerians are outraged, slamming INEC for compromising and favouring APC. The reported vote-buying, disruption of collation processes, and suspicious results with more votes than accredited voters undermine trust in our democracy.

Various election observation groups, including Yiaga Africa, indicated that both parties were involved in vote-buying.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that some PDP supporters staged a protest on Sunday at INEC headquarters in Benin City to reject the results of the Saturday election.

While PDP rejected the outcome of the elections, saying it could be dubbed as the worst polls in the history of Nigeria, the APC, through its state Chairperson, Jarret Tenebe, defended the election as the fairest and most representative in the states history.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Governor Godwin Obaseki visited the INEC office in Benin City, Edo State, in the early hours of Sunday to protest the results collation process, which he and his party, PDP, claimed had been compromised against them.

Mr Obaseki held a four-hour meeting with INEC officials and Frank Mba, a deputy inspector general of police in charge of the election.

The governors visit heightened tension, with APC through its national secretary, Ajibola Basiru, accusing him of behaving like a thug.

The PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, also raised concerns over what he described as complicity between INEC officials and the police when the collation of results of two LGAs  Oredo and Ikpoba/Okha  were moved to the collation centre in Benin City.

He said the action aimed to subvert the elections and the will of the Edo people.

Yiaga Africa said earlier on Sunday that moving the results collation of the two LGAs violates the established procedure for results collation.

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The federal government has threatened to sanction financial institutions in Nigeria that violate the accessibility law on the movement of persons with disabilities.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Ayuba Gufwan, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Gufwan was reacting to a case of alleged discrimination against Chris Agbo, a wheelchair user, at one of the popular banks in Area 3, Abuja, on 18 September by the banks staff.

He said the incident occurred at about 11:45 a.m. when Agbo wanted to use the banking hall and the ATM Machine but was unable to access the banks facilities due to a lack of ramps. He sent his aide inside to request assistance.

However, the aide was informed that the banks ATM machine was not working and Agbo was left with no other option.

This highlights the ongoing accessibility challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria, despite the existence of laws meant to protect their rights, he said.

Mr Gufwan said the commission will investigate the incident and other similar cases.

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According to him, NCPWD will not hesitate to ensure the prosecution of any organisation violating the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, which mandates organisations to make their facilities accessible to PwDs.

We will not tolerate any form of discrimination, inaccessibility anywhere in both private and public buildings against persons with disabilities.

It is very unfortunate seeing how the disability communities have been repeatedly shortchanged. If you go to banks, you can not access the banking services simply because there are no ramps.

And you can not use your ATM card through a third party because you will be forced to reveal your password to the third party because many PwDs have fallen victims of third party intervention.

Due to their inability to access banking facilities, their monies stolen by fraudsters because they can not access ATM Machines and anybody that is available they sought for assistance and theyre shortchanged in the process, Mr Gufwan said.

He, therefore, condemned any act of discrimination against persons with disabilities, saying that the commission would do all within its powers to ensure organisations comply with the provisions of the law.

We condemn in the strongest terms the inability of banks, schools and hospitals to provide ramps and other assistive facilities for PwDs to access their facilities with ease.

The commission will sanction any erring organisation that refuses to provide enabling environment for PwDs to do their businesses without any hindrance, he said.

The executive secretary said the NCPWD establishment law empowers the commission to sanction any individuals or organisations found in violation of the accessibility law.

Because the bill for the establishment of this commission provided for a five years period for organisations to make their facilities accessible to PwDs and the period ended last year.

So, this is a year of action because the moratorium period was to give time to existing buildings, structures to be modified and make them accessible to all manner of persons with disabilities.

We will ensure strict supervision, monitoring and evaluation to make sure that every building that serves the public in this country fully complies with the Accessibility Law.

(NAN)

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A PREMIUM TIMES reporter, Qosim Suleiman, has been shortlisted for the 2024 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award.

The award is an annual competition organised in partnership with the UKs Foreign Press Association (FPA) to celebrate outstanding young journalists globally.

Mr Qosim, for his month-long investigation on the plight of residents in rural communities overtaken by terrorists in Nigerias North-west and how the violent crisis has restricted their access to quality healthcare services, made the shortlist for the highly coveted award alongside 11 other journalists.

His two other reports submitted for the award are an investigative story on the mass killings on the eve of Christmas in Plateau State and an investigation into the impacts of illegal sand mining on farmlands in Kano State.

The investigation on the dearth of health facilities, published in July, is titled, In Northwest Nigeria, insecurity is fueling medical deserts. It exposes how the dire situation of the residents has been increasing maternal and neonatal mortality and the outbreaks of preventable diseases, especially among children most of whom are zero-dose children.

Nominees

The Thomson Foundation said only 12 journalists made it to the shortlist of the 825 stories from 275 journalists who sent in applications across 64 countries of the world.

This years top 12 entrants for the prestigious award are from Ukraine, India, Nigeria, Yemen, Ghana and Pakistan. They were chosen from almost 300 entries, said the organisation on its website.

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The non-profit stated that the selected journalists went to great lengths to tell important stories.

Apart from Mr Suleiman, the second Nigerian nominated for the coveted award is Kunle Daramola of TheCable Newspaper.

Mr Daramola was shortlisted for his stories, including the one that uncovered the horrendous working conditions of employees at a plastics factory in Lagos, Nigeria.

As it is the practice of the organisers, the 12-person list will be pruned down to the top three finalists who will be invited for the announcement of the winner at the Foreign Press Association Awards in London, UK, on 25 November.

However, Amardeep Bassey, a senior lecturer in the investigative journalism MA course at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK, said all the shortlisted candidates are winners in his eyes.

Mr Bassey, a judging panel member for the award, said: It was exceptionally difficult to whittle down what was an impressive array of fearless and brave journalism.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja stopped on Monday the EFCC from prosecuting Leno Adesanya, the promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Co Ltd, on regarding the $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project fraud.

The judge, Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, also gave an order of mandatory injunction compelling the EFCC to remove Mr Adesanyas name and photograph from its wanted list.

The order is pending the determination of the contractual dispute between the company and Federal Ministry of Power and Steel.

The judge equally ordered that the anti-graft agency should remove all other negative contents concerning or pertaining to Adesanya in connection with any criminal allegation associated with the contract.

He, however, refused to grant a prayer seeking compensation in the sum of N1 billion against the defendants.

On the issue of compensation, I have stated before that this court, at this moment, is concerned with the protection of the sanctity of the arbitral proceeding of the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration based on the UN Conventions on international dispute resolutions.

Nigeria (the 2nd defendant in this case) is not just a signatory but has domesticated by virtue of AMA 2023.

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This judgement is to ensure that parties are compelled to do so. This is the order of this court, he said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judgement was delivered on a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/267/2024 filed by plaintiffs lawyer, M.S. Diri, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The suit was filed against the EFCC, the ministry, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The EFCC had declared Mr Adesanya wanted for an alleged case of conspiracy and corrupt offer to public officers in relation to the Mambilla project.

However, Mr Adesanya and Sunrise Power and Transmission Co Ltd, sued the defendants to challenge the EFCCs action.

Mr Diri sought a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from further investigating, inviting, or publishing Adesanyas name as a wanted person on its website: https://www.efcc.gov.ng and all other social media handles and notice boards with respect to the project.

Plaintiffs case

The senior lawyer prayed the court to determine the propriety of the anti-graft commissions powers to investigate the commercial transaction between his clients, the federal government, and the Ministry of Power, even when the case was already pending at the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris.

He argued that Mr Adesanya, seeking to ensure sustainable power in Nigeria, proposed constructing the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project through Sunrise Ltd as the special purpose vehicle to drive the project.

He said that Sunrise and its Chinese partners, North China Power and China Hydroelectric Companies, held various meetings in China with three Power Ministers regarding the Zungeru and Mambilla projects.

He submitted that in 2005 and 2006, former President Olusegun Obasanjo approved financial negotiations for the project, but to date, no funds had been disbursed by the Federal Government to the plaintiffs regarding the contract.

He said to amicably resolve the issues concerning the project, the company wrote letters to the Ministry of Power, leading to meetings between his clients and the executive branch of government.

Following these, the Federal Government agreed to pay the 2nd plaintiff the sum of $200 million within 14 days of executing the Terms of Agreement, and failure to do so would trigger the commencement of 10% compound interest per annum.

As a result of the Terms of Settlement, the arbitration in Case No. 23211 was withdrawn, he said.

He added that by a letter dated April 22, 2020, rather than honouring the agreement, the Federal Government wrote through the AGF seeking a review of the terms.

Consequently, the 2nd plaintiff instituted fresh arbitral proceedings: Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited v. Federal Government of Nigeria  ICC Case No: 26260/SPN/AB/CPB (Exhibits D and E), the lawyer said.

He stated that the arbitral proceeding was scheduled for virtual hearing on 22 March.

Mr Diri said despite the pending case, the federal government and its security agencies, including the EFCC, sought to criminalise and scandalise the Mambilla Project, aiming to evade their legal contractual obligations.

EFCCs defence

In response, the EFCCs lawyer, Attah Ocholi, argued that evidence of criminal activity was established against the plaintiffs during the investigation, leading to charges being framed in a High Court.

On 14 December 2023, a warrant of arrest was issued against Adesanya to ensure his presence in court,Mr Ocholi said.

The EFCC also denied being used by the federal government or any other entity to witch-hunt or intimidate the plaintiffs, emphasising that the investigation and prosecution were related to the contractual award for the Mambilla project without presidential and Federal Executive Councils approval.

Judgement

Delivering the judgment, Mr Ekwo held that since the Ministry of Power had contested the claims of the plaintiffs and had counterclaimed against them at the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration, the sanctity of the arbitral proceedings must be respected and protected.

He stressed that the Ministry of Power must not be seen as a territory where international commercial transactions are unsafe and where municipal laws and agencies can be used against investors in case of disputes.

Mr Ekwo observed that Sunrise Ltd had instituted fresh arbitral proceedings against the Federal Government of Nigeria, which are ongoing.

Although the judge agreed with the EFCCs argument that fundamental rights provided by the constitution are not absolute, he held that the assertion did not serve as a defence against violation of fundamental rights that did not conform to constitutional provisions.

The judge further held that there is no justification for EFCCs publication of Mr Adesanyas name and photograph as a wanted person on its website.

Mr Ekwo subsequently declared that the commission was not legally entitled to investigate, resolve or prosecute the contractual dispute between Sunrise Ltd and the Ministry of Power and the federal government, pending before the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris, under ICC Case Reference No. 26260/SPN/AB/CPB.

NAN also reports that the anti-corruption agency is currently prosecuting Olu Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel during President Obasanjos administration, in an FCT High Court on alleged $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract.

The EFCC had alleged that Mr Agunloye corruptly received the sum of N3,600,000.00 through his Guaranty Trust Bank account number: 0022530926 from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) and Leno Adesanya for approving the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station project.

(NAN)

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Nigerian military troops have killed eight notorious terrorist fighters and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages in sweeping operations against terrorists and insurgents in different parts of the country.

The Nigerian Army, in a post on its official X-Handle on Monday, said the troops recovered a haul of firearms during the operations.

The post said that troops, on 22 September, thwarted an attempt by terrorists to raid some villages in Borno State for supplies and logistics and eliminated three assailants.

According to the army, the troops recovered one light machine gun, one AK-47 rifle, two hand grenades, five AK-47 rifle magazines, 200 linked Rounds of light Machine Gun and other materials, including money and phones.

The army also revealed that in another clash, while acting on credible information, troops cornered terrorists escorting abducted victims through Uvaha village in Gwoza Local Government Area.

In spite of heavy rain fall, the troops went after the terrorists and eliminated one of them, forcing the others to flee, leaving behind 16 hostages.

Among the freed victims were 10 men and six women. A follow-up search of the area uncovered two grenades, a bag of fish and sundry items.

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Meanwhile, in Yobe, troops set up a well-planned ambush while acting on intelligence about a group of terrorists receiving supplies from their collaborators.

This led to the neutralisation of 4 terrorists in Madza and Azare villages of Gujba Local Government Area.

The soldiers captured two AK-47 rifles and two empty Ak-47 rifle magazines, as well as other sundry items, it said.

The post revealed that troops deployed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also troops in synergy with other security agencies activated a stop and search operation on suspected vehicles and apprehended suspects at Kugbo, Abuja.

According to the post, a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of 178 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition concealed in a bag of flour.

Also recovered from the suspect is a mobile phone and the sum of N29,000.

All these efforts underscore the Nigerian Armys unflinching dedication to wiping out terrorism, insurgency, and sundry crimes.

The public is encouraged to keep sharing tips and useful information with security forces for prompt action, he said.

(NAN)

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A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday stopped the EFCC from prosecuting Leno Adesanya, the promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Co Ltd, on allegations bordering on the six billion dollars Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project fraud.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, also gave an order of mandatory injunction compelling the EFCC to remove Mr Adesanyas name and photograph from its wanted list.

The order is pending the determination of the contractual dispute between the company and the Federal Ministry of Power and Steel.

The judge equally ordered that the anti-graft agency should remove all other negative contents concerning or pertaining to Mr Adesanya in connection with any criminal allegation associated with the contract.

He, however, refused to grant a relief seeking compensation in the sum of N1 billion against the defendants.

On the issue of compensation, I have stated before that this court, at this moment, is concerned with the protection of the sanctity of the arbitral proceeding of the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration based on the UN Conventions on international dispute resolutions.

Nigeria (the 2nd defendant in this case) is not just a signatory but has domesticated by virtue of AMA 2023.

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This judgment is to ensure that parties are compelled to do so. This is the order of this court, he said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judgment was delivered following a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/267/2024 filed by the plaintiffs lawyer, M.S. Diri.

The suit is against the EFCC, the ministry, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as the first to fourth defendants, respectively.

The EFCC had declared Mr Adesanya wanted for an alleged case of conspiracy and corrupt offer to public officers in relation to the Mambilla project.

However, Mr Adesanya and Sunrise Power and Transmission Co Ltd, listed as the first and second plaintiffs, sued the defendants through their lawyer.

Mr Diri sought a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from further investigating, inviting, or publishing Mr Adesanyas name as a wanted person on its website: https://www.efcc.gov.ng and all other social media handles and notice boards with respect to the project.

The senior lawyer prayed the court to determine the propriety of the anti-graft commissions powers to investigate the commercial transaction between his clients, the federal government, and the Ministry of Power, even when the case was already pending at the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris.

He argued that Mr Adesanya, seeking to ensure sustainable power in Nigeria, proposed constructing the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project through Sunrise Ltd as the special purpose vehicle to drive the project.

He said that Sunrise and its Chinese partners, North China Power and China Hydroelectric Companies, held various meetings in China with three power ministers regarding the Zungeru and Mambilla projects.

He said that in 2005 and 2006, former President Olusegun Obasanjo approved financial negotiations for the project, but to date, no funds had been disbursed by the federal government to the plaintiffs regarding the contract.

He said in an effort to amicably resolve the issues concerning the project, the company wrote letters to the Ministry of Power, leading to meetings between his clients and the executive branch of government.

Following these, the federal government agreed to pay the 2nd plaintiff the sum of $200 million within 14 days of executing the Terms of Agreement, and failure to do so would trigger the commencement of 10 per cent compound interest per annum.

As a result of the Terms of Settlement, the arbitration in Case No. 23211 was withdrawn, he said.

He added that by a letter dated 22 April 2020, rather than honouring the agreement, the federal government wrote through the AGF seeking a review of the terms.

Consequently, the 2nd plaintiff instituted fresh arbitral proceedings: Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited v. Federal Government of Nigeria  ICC Case No: 26260/SPN/AB/CPB (Exhibits D and E), the lawyer said.

He stated that the arbitral proceeding was scheduled for a virtual hearing on 22 March.

Mr Diri said that despite the pending case, the federal government and its security agencies, including the EFCC, sought to criminalise and scandalise the Mambilla Project, aiming to evade their legal contractual obligations.

In response, the EFCCs lawyer, Attah Ocholi, argued that evidence of criminal activity was established against the plaintiffs during the investigation, leading to charges being filed in a High Court.

On December 14, 2023, a warrant of arrest was issued against Adesanya to ensure his presence in court, Mr Ocholi said.

The EFCC also denied being used by the federal government or any other entity to witch-hunt or intimidate the plaintiffs, emphasising that the investigation and prosecution were related to the contractual award for the Mambilla project without presidential and Federal Executive Councils approval.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Ekwo held that since the Ministry of Power had contested the claims of the plaintiffs and had counterclaimed against them at the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration, the sanctity of the arbitral proceedings must be respected and protected.

He stressed that the Ministry of Power must not be seen as a territory where international commercial transactions are unsafe and where municipal laws and agencies can be used against investors in case of disputes.

Mr Ekwo observed that Sunrise Ltd had instituted fresh arbitral proceedings against the Federal Government of Nigeria, which are ongoing.

Although the judge agreed with the EFCCs argument that fundamental rights provided by the constitution are not absolute, he, however, held that the assertion did not serve as a defence against violation of fundamental rights that did not conform to constitutional provisions.

The judge further held that regarding the EFCCs publication of Mr Adesanyas name and photograph as a wanted person on its website, he did not find any valid defence from the agency.

Justice Ekwo subsequently declared that the commission was not legally entitled to investigate, resolve or prosecute the contractual dispute between Sunrise Ltd and the Ministry of Power and the Federal Government, pending before the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris, under ICC Case Reference No. 26260/SPN/AB/CPB.

NAN also reports that the anti-corruption agency is currently prosecuting Olu Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel during President Obasanjos administration, in an FCT High Court on an alleged $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract.

The EFCC alleged that Mr Agunloye corruptly received the sum of N3,600,000.00 through his Guaranty Trust Bank account number: 0022530926 from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) and Leno Adesanya for approving the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station project.

(NAN)

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The Federal Executive Council has approved the construction of judges quarters in the Katampe area of Abuja. The council also approved bills to amend Nigerias tax laws.

One of the bills offers tax relief to companies that generate incremental employment. Another offers personal income relief to people in private and public employment, from N200,000 to N400,000, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga wrote in a statement shared on X.

Mr Onanuga summarised the key decisions reached at Mondays FEC meeting presided by President Bola Tinubu.

PREMIUM TIMES will provide more details in subsequent reports.

Read the full statement below.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF DECISIONS AT THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER 2024

1. The meeting reviewed the flooding in some parts of the country, especially the one that destroyed almost 50 percent of Maiduguri in Borno state.

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The meeting also backed the Presidents idea of setting up a Disaster Relief Fund to be funded by a portion of the revenue accruing to the Federation account. Funds will also be solicited from the private sector.

2. The meeting resolved to set up a technical committee to conduct integrity tests on Alau Dam and other dams countrywide.

3. The Council also approved the Economic Stabilisation Bills, which embody the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms set up last year by President Tinubu. The bills seek to amend the income tax laws, promote the export of goods and services, reform the exchange rate regime and unlock foreign exchange liquidity. One of the bills offers tax relief to companies that generate incremental employment. Another offers personal income relief to people in private and public employment, from N200,000 to N400,000.

Another of the bills seeks Federal and state collaboration to suspend certain taxes on small businesses and vulnerable populations. The Economic Stabilisation Bills, with the Councils approval, will now be transmitted to the National Assembly for passage.

4. The Council approved a contract to build a 258 km 3-lane carriageway with continuous reinforced concrete pavement in Kebbi and Sokoto states. The stretch is part of the 1000km superhighway from Illela, Sokoto State, to Badagry, Lagos State.

5. The council approved the revised estimated contract cost for constructing Bodo-Bonny Road with bridges across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State. The contract was awarded in 2014 for N120 billion and revised in 2021 to N199, 923,638,963.87. The FEC approved another increase to N280 billion.

6. The council approved the rescoping and downward review of the contract to rehabilitate the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway at a lower cost of N740.79 billion to Julius Berger.

7. Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited was awarded two road contracts, including bridges in Kogi and Cross River, at a total cost of N133.4 billion. They are the construction of Cross River to Oferekpe Road and the rehabilitation of Kabba (Kogi State), Iyamoye-Omuo-Ikole-Ifaki-Ado Ekiti Road.

8. Messrs BDT International Limited was awarded the contract to repair the Gamboru Bridge along Gamboru-Ngala-Kala, Balde Road in Borno State. The cost is N3.2 billion, and completion will take 24 months.

9. Messrs CCECC Nigeria will repair the damaged loops and ramps of the Third Mainland Bridge superstructure and rehab Adeniji-Falomo Roads at N42 billion. Completion time is six months.

10. The council approved the N158 billion contract to construct service lanes for the Lekki Deep Sea Port through Epe to Shagamu-Benin Expressway. Dangote Industries will be awarded the contract under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure Development Fund and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.

11. The council approved the contract for the dualisation of Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road in Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states. The road will be financed under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.

12. Also approved by the councils are contracts for the repair of 14 bridges and roads and flooded sections of the Federal Highways nationwide..

13. The council approved no fewer than seven memos brought by the FCT Ministry. Among them was the contract for the building of Judges Quarters in Katampe. Also approved was the contract to construct an access road from Ring Road 1 by N16 Shehu Shagari Way to Judges Quarters.

14. The council approved the contract for building an access road from Arterial Road N11 in Mabushi District to Judges Quarters within Cadstral Zone B07.

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The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the removal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, accusing him of mishandling the investigation into former Governor Yahaya Bello.

The lawmakers condemned what they described as an unprovoked attack on the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja, calling it an assault on the states governor and its people, according to a post on the Kogi State Governments website on Monday.

During its plenary session on Monday, the Assembly asserted that the EFCCs 17 April as well as 18 September actions amounted to an assassination attempt on both Mr Bello and his successor, Governor Ahmed Ododo.

The EFCCs actions reveal a troubling disregard for the rule of law and a disturbing willingness to carry out politically motivated attacks, Speaker Aliyu Yusuf said.

In a resolution, the House of Assembly urged President Bola Tinubu to remove Mr Olukayode from office, arguing that his leadership was unprofessional and politically motivated.

The House session saw a member representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency, Akus Lawal, move a motion of urgent public importance. Mr Lawal accused the EFCC of attempting not only to humiliate but also potentially harm both Governor Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.

Other lawmakers echoed Mr Lawals sentiments, including Jacob Olawunmi of Ijumu State Constituency, who seconded the motion, and Abu Jibril of Ajaokuta constituency, who went a step further by calling for Mr Olukayodes prosecution.

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Mr Jibril alleged that the EFCC chairman had ordered operatives to fire live rounds at the Kogi State Government Lodge, where the former governor had sought refuge.

The Chairman has shown incompetence that warrants his removal, he said.

The lawmakers accused the EFCC of political bias, suggesting that the agencys actions were part of a broader agenda to tarnish the reputations of Kogis leaders.

Also, a member representing Ogori/Magongo State Constituency, Bode Ogunmola, said, If I am in London and there is a crisis, if I get to the Nigerian House, I will feel safe. If I am in Abuja and there is a crisis, I believe that if I get to the Kogi Lodge, I will be safe. For the EFCC Chairman to order that fire be opened on the official lodge of the Governor, he should be sacked and prosecuted. We should be told why he wants to kill our Governor.

The Assemblys majority leader, Suleiman AbdulRazak, claimed that EFCC officials had begged Mr Bello to allow them to stage his arrest for public spectacle, describing the incident as an embarrassing charade.

He argued that the EFCCs tactics were an embarrassing act, which showed that the anti-graft agency was acting on a script written by some political enemies of the former Governor.

EFCC vs Bello

PREMIUM TIMES reported how a late night shootout ensued between EFCC operatives and security details of Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo and Mr Bello last Wednesday at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro Abuja.

Earlier in the day, Mr Bello, accompanied by Mr Ododo, visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to surrender himself after months of evading trial on N80.2 billion money laundering charges pending against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, was said to have sent word to the two men that they could leave the commissions premises and that they he would invite them when necessary. However, operatives of the anti-graft agency stormed the Kogi State Government Lodge at night in a bid to arrest the former governor. As the situation grew tense, Mr Bello escaped from the scene with Mr Usman in the governors convoy.

The EFCC has provided little information concerning the developments, leaving the public confused as to what it is up to.

The commission has yet to explain why it did not arrest the suspect, previously declared wanted, when he voluntarily surrendered at its premises, only to later resort to a violent approach to apprehend him elsewhere.

Its only statement on the matter yet only denied having Mr Bello in custody and insisted that he remained a wanted person.

EFCC declared Mr Bello wanted in April, a day after Mr Ododo helped to block the operatives of the agency from arresting Mr Bello at the former governors residence in Abuja.

EFCC charged Mr Bello, who completed his tenure as Kogi State governor in January, with money laundering charges involving N80 billion allegedly diverted from the states treasury.

But Mr Bello has evaded trial on six occasions since April.

Last Wednesdays drama came exactly a week before the next court session scheduled for 25 September (Wednesday).

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I hardly know any of those detained for the alleged crimes associated with me. I have never met most of them and had no contact with them before they were detained. Yomi has worked with me for nearly five years, but beyond this I have never had any contact of any sort with most of the others that I am accused of conspiring with.

I am completely innocent of having committed any crime in Nigeria over the last 25 years that I have been visiting the country. The police have no evidence of the crimes that they claim I have committed. The evidence that they have given to the court does not support any of the charges against any of the accused. I am a 70-year-old retired accountant. I am not an international terrorist.

The police have not provided any evidence that I paid people to support the protests. I did not pay anyone for such activities. The police blocked 32 bank accounts, but they have not provided a single example of any transaction to support their claim that I funded treason or any other illegal activity.

I have been travelling to Nigeria regularly, five or six times a year, since at least 2008. I have had a business visa to cover each of these visits. The police claim that I visited other African countries 13 times in two months. This is a complete fabrication.

I have been operating the book shop, Iva Valley Books, perfectly openly for the last seven years. To my knowledge the police, DSS and other security operatives have never visited the book shop. We also organised a book stall in Eagle Square during the NLC May Day celebrations over the last two years. On each occasion, DSS officers came and greeted us and looked at the book stall. Beyond this they expressed no interest in myself or the book stall.

The nickname claimed for me by the police of Povich is their fabrication. I had never before even heard of such a name. I have not been to Russia in the last 20 years. I only ever visited the country for a short holiday when I was 18 and again briefly on a business trip over 20 years ago. Similarly with Sudan, I worked there as a teacher in the 1970s, but I have not visited what is now Sudan in the last 45 years.

I have never called for a military coup in any country. I support democracy and do not believe that military coups are a step forward. I do not think the recent coups in West Africa have benefited the common people in those countries.

I freely flew out of the country from Abuja Airport on 4th August on a ticket that I had purchased nearly three months earlier. I had no reason to flee and had already booked a ticket to return as usual on 18th September.

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I hardly know any of those detained for the alleged crimes associated with me. I have never met most of them and had no contact with them before they were detained. Yomi has worked with me for nearly five years, but beyond this I have never had any contact of any sort with most of the others that I am accused of conspiring with.

I believe that all of the 10 people who have been charged with alleged offences associate with me are completely innocent. When they are found not guilty, my name will also be cleared.

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Personally, I usually restrain from commenting on Nigerias political issues. I do, not because I dont have opinions, but because most times, I dont really know where to start from. As you are thinking of one, more than ten issues rear their ugly heads almost simultaneously. That is why I chose to limit myself to focusing on issues that have to do with the education sector. Even at that, I caution myself these days because I am not really sure if those in authorities read these things and if they do, whether it makes meaning to them or not.

But I cant but talk about the circus game the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is playing with the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. Perhaps, the urge to talk about this wouldnt have been but for the fact that it was one of the topics analysed when I appeared on TVC as an analyst on Journalists Hangout. On the programme, I expressed my curiosity as to why the EFCC would allow someone who had been on its Wanted List for months, return home in peace after voluntarily presenting himself to the commission.

As many other Nigerians, I woke up to find out that the former governor of Kogi, popularly known as the White Lion, who the EFCC had told Nigerians times without number, was hiding in an unknown place, had voluntarily reported to the EFCC office to honour the commissions invite. Bello was being haunted by the EFCC for allegedly laundering N84billion of Kogi States money.

Before Thursday, the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede had waited for more than four months to get Bello behind a dock. He even promised in April this year that he would resign if he failed to get the former governor to stand trial for the money laundering case against him. Then he made it clear that Bello could only run, but couldnt hide. I dont mind the outcome of this case, but the right thing must be done. If we dont see this case through, I will resign, he had threatened.

But just as it was being reported that Bello had gone to EFCC, a statement from the office of the agency stated in clear terms that the former governor was not in its custody. It also added that Bello remained a Wanted Person. Before we knew what was going on, there were pictures of the former governor in media space showing that he was actually at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. He was also seen with the Chief of Staff to the EFCC chairman, Mr. Michael Nzekwe . Later we heard that the former governor was with EFCC for four hours and that some of the commissions directors that attended to him, as well as the chairmans chief of staff, asked him to go back home. Hours later, EFCC operatives were seen firing gunshots within the premises of the Kogi State Governors Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja in an attempt to forcefully arrest Bello. At the end of the drama, nobody was arrested. The video of the invasion of the Government House was all around the media space.

I had expected the EFCC to come up with a plausible reason for their actions but unfortunately days after this drama, nothing has happened. I think the commission is now saddled with a moral burden to explain to Nigerians what is going on here. Has the commission been compromised? Could it be that the whole noise about Yahaya Bello is all a ruse after all? I know that the former governor had claimed that the reason why he refused to honour the EFCC invitation in the past was because he had an order of the court stopping the commission from arresting him. A Lokoja federal high court had restrained the anti-graft agency or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action. But EFCC also got the courts nod to arrest the former governor. That was the situation until the court of Appeal sitting in Abuja upheld a ruling of a federal high court in Abuja restraining the former governor from moving any preliminary objection until he is arraigned.

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Bello must have decided to voluntarily present himself to the EFCC when the order of the court he was relying on had been vacated. He is billed to appear in court on September 25. Why should EFCC treat the case the way it did? Nigerians need to know what is going on. The Nigerian people are not that gullible. If the agency is working for Nigerians, we need more transparency.

The EFCC is supposed to be an anti-graft body working in the interest of Nigerians. My concern is that the commission has failed to meet the expectation of many people in going about its duties. Already, many Nigerians see the commission as an instrument of fighting perceived enemies. They are still waiting to be convinced that the commission is truly interested in prosecuting corrupt Nigerians. Can we blame them? After all, if EFCC is truly fighting corruption, probably half of the people in power today will have no business being there. We know too many people whose cases are with the EFCC who are either walking in corridors of power or left in peace to enjoy their loot. It is also no news that despite EFCCS media hypes about many high-profile corruption cases, nothing tangible has come out of them. The way the EFCC is handling this Yahaya Bellos case is beginning to smell like a political vendetta of some sort.

The excuse that the presence of a sitting governor that enjoys immunity with Yahaya Bello was the reason why the commission could not attend to him is not tenable. Nyesom Wike as governor of Rivers State brought Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State to the EFCC office when he voluntarily surrendered himself to the commission in 2018 and nothing happened. Wike brought him and left. Nobody could have prevented EFCC from detaining Bello if it wanted to. Anything contrary is a mere excuse. The truth is until last Thursday, EFCC could justify the blame game between it and Yahaya Bello. But as it is, Im afraid, the EFCC no longer has any excuse.

Nobody is interested in the drama attached to arresting a suspect, especially politically exposed ones. Neither are Nigerians interested in media trials of perceived political opponents. What I think most people want is an anti-graft agency that will live to its name. Is the current EFCC capable of doing this? Time will tell.

Olabisi Deji-Folutile is the publisher of franktalknow.com and director at AF24News.

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In the last few weeks, serial anti-democratic indications have reinforced public concerns about the creeping dictatorship in the 16-month administration of President Bola Tinubu. Democracy and dictatorship, as we know, are alien to each other. Nigeria has no fertile ground for their fusion. As a matter of fact, nothing could be more subversive than a hybrid of the two.

Two weeks ago, Nigerians were dismayed by the visit of operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) to the offices of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), in search of some of its directors. It came across as an overt act of intimidation and harassment, which we believe could constrict the civic space.

This came in the wake of SERAPs condemnation of the shenanigans perpetrated by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which have sustained fuel scarcity and the astronomical price range of a litre of petrol across the country.

A whopping sum of over $25 billion spent on the maintenance of the nations four refineries since 1999, have not produced any positive outcome, resulting in the crippling of businesses and transport fares going beyond the reach of the common man. It is one of the worst acts of economic sabotage against Nigeria.

SERAP had, as a result of all this, called on President Tinubu to use his leadership position and good offices to direct the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse the high and official N855 fuel pump price per litre, to the old pump price of N600. The nationwide hunger protesters had also made a similar demand in August.

Still, SSS operatives doubled down on 9 September, with the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom to attend the World Trade Union Congress. He was billed to deliver an address at the event, which never was. His passport was seized.

A few weeks earlier, Ajaero had been detained over alleged treasonable felony, terrorism financing, criminal conspiracy and cybercrime charges by the police. He was quizzed and later released as organised labour bristled for a nationwide showdown. His ordeal was part of the clampdown on those suspected to have played a role in the #EndBadGovernance protests that rocked the country in August, driven by mass hunger, poverty and the escalating cost of living.

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A new price template of fuel issued by NNPCL, following its bulk-purchase of fuel from Dangote Refinery last week, has not helped matters either. The official pump price of a litre is as high as N1,019 per litre in Borno State. It goes for N950 per litre in many places in Lagos, and N992 in Abuja. Many marketers indulge in price gouging, a form of greed that is not likely to abate with the recent turn of events.

Ajaero might have been lucky to escape being charged to court. But 10 others were not. Temporary relief came their way on 11 September, when a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each.

The regimes authoritarian fangs have not spared the media either. In February, Dele Fasan, the bureau chief of Galaxy Television, was arrested and placed in handcuffs by soldiers for recording a video of the labours protest in Uvwie, Warri, over economic hardship. Madu Onuorah, publisher of Global Upfront; Daniel Ojukwu of Foundation for Investigative Journalism; Dayo Aiyetan, executive director, International Centre for Investigative Journalism; Nurudeen Akwasika and Adejuwon Soyinka have all tasted the obnoxious bitter pill of media repression on Tinubus watch.

A PREMIUM TIMES reporter, Abdulkareem Mojeed, and three of his colleagues from other media organisations, escaped death by a whisker in August. His car was riddled with bullet shots fired by the police during the #EndBadGovernance protest at Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja. This venue, on the outskirts of the city, was sanctioned by the court for the protest.

Firing live ammunition at innocent and non-violent protesters is a premeditated attempt at killing or maiming, and it is not in accord with modern policing and respect for the sanctity of life and human rights.

These anomalies have not gone unnoticed by the Freedom Index of the global watchdog  Reporters without Borders, which tagged Nigeria, late in 2023, as one of West Africas most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are often monitored, attacked and arbitrarily arrested.

Tinubus government should be well aware of this fact: any effort to shrink the civic space, or manacle the media in any form is a reckless adventure that would be dead on arrival. The freedom of speech, association and the press are guaranteed rights in Sections 39 (1) and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Our statutes have penal provisions, with which cases of errant media conduct could be treated. Therefore, the resort to self-help in arrests, brute force and detention of media practitioners are extra-legal and unconstitutional. PREMIUM TIMES categorically condemns these tendencies.

Perhaps the most offensive of the regimes vile behaviour was the Counter Subversive Bill 2024 recently sponsored in the House of Representatives by its Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas. It sought to criminalise citizens abuse of politicians, protests, or what it described as unlawful procession, among other purported offences, with penalties ranging from five to 10-year jail terms; and N2 million to N5 million fines. This was akin to Decree 4 of 1984 (Protection Against False Accusation) of the military regime at the time.

Public fulminations against Abbas initiative led to its withdrawal. To conceive such an idea in a democracy was bad enough, but to brazenly push it to the extent that it went, was absolute recklessness in governance and a howler for a purported progressive-minded government. The same parliamentary intolerance of criticism of the administration produced a victim in Ali Ndume in July, when he was removed as the Senates Chief Whip.

It is ironic that Tinubu, who rose to political prominence through activism or protests against bad governance  whether by the military, or the democratic government of Goodluck Jonathan, as evident in the 2012 protest, when an attempt was made to remove fuel subsidy  is showing utter indifference to these unhinged anti-democratic forces running riot. As one of the Argonauts of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought the Sani Abachas military regime to a standstill, he was charged for treason in 1994. But he fled the country.

As one group observed, the Tinubu government Is making political prisoners of anyone brave enough to speak out. PREMIUM TIMES denounces these recurrences, which are emblematic of military dictatorship. They should stop.

With governments apparent lack of transparency and accountability in managing the countrys oil resources, public officials ostentatious lifestyles at the taxpayers expenses, no level of Gestapo antics will silence the growing public dissent that has sprouted from the badly executed fuel subsidy removal and forex market deregulation policies, which have culminated in national misery and frustration.

Impunity in a democracy, we warn, will always meet its match in popular disapproval here.

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These enhancements are more than just technical upgradesthey are designed to have a real, positive impact on your day-to-day operations.

In todays dynamic business world, elite players know that the need for more ease, speed, and security drives innovation. Having efficient and reliable online banking tools is not just a convenience  it is a necessity. At Stanbic IBTC Bank, we understand the evolving challenges faced by our business customers, and this is one of the reasons that we are excited to announce a significant innovative upgrade to our Enterprise Online platform.

Why the Upgrade?

We have been listening. Several of our valued business customers expressed their desire for more unique features to expand the sphere of online banking after doing business on Enterprise 2.0. We took this feedback seriously and set out to not only address the stated, needs but to create a truly superior online banking experience for businesses.

Introducing Enterprise Online 3.0: Your new business banking ally

Heres what you can look forward to:

1. Faster, smoother transactions: We have optimised our systems to improve processing times for both single and bulk transfers.

2. Enhanced security, greater control: You can take charge of your account security by setting and modifying your secret word for password self-resets.

3. Flexible authentication: Choose between One-Time-Password(OTP) or hardware token authentication based on your preference and security needs.

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4. Stay informed: Receive notifications upon login and email alerts for pending transactions requiring approval.

5. Streamlined bulk operations: Our updated bulk upload feature makes managing large-scale transactions more effortless than ever.

6. User-Friendly interface: Navigate your banking tasks easily, thanks to our improved, intuitive design.

The impact on your business

These enhancements are more than just technical upgradesthey are designed to have a real, positive impact on your day-to-day operations. Now you can:

 Save time: With faster processing and self-service options. Spend less time on banking and more time growing your business.

 Enjoy enhanced security: Including new features help protect your accounts and give you greater control over access.

 Experience improved efficiency: From bulk uploads to streamlined approvals, every feature is optimised to make your banking tasks more efficient.

Join the evolution

The business banking landscape is constantly evolving, and at Stanbic IBTC Bank, we are committed to staying at the forefront of innovation. Enterprise Online 3.0 is our latest step in ensuring our business customers can access the best tools and technology.

We invite all our business customers to experience the power of Enterprise Online 3.0. Whether you have used our online platforms for a long time or are considering making the switch, now is the perfect time to discover how Enterprise Online 3.0 can transform your business banking experience.

Ready to get started? Visit our website https://www.stanbicibtcbank.com/nigeriabank/business/products-and-services/ways-to-bank/Enterprise-Online to learn about upgrading to EOL 3.0. Welcome to the future of business banking with Stanbic IBTC Bank.

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A notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Sharme, has been reported killed in a clash with a rival gang in a Kaduna forest on Sunday.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, announced the development in a statement on Monday.

Mr Aruwan said two other bandits from the rival group were killed in a fierce gun duel, which also enabled some kidnapped citizens escape.

The commissioner said the clash occurred on Saturday around a location referred to as Hambakko, in the Rijana and Kaso forests which span Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru LGAs.

After diligent follow-up operations and exploitation of vast human intelligence networks, it can be happily reported that the notorious bandit commander Kachalla Tukur Sharme, and other bandits, have been killed in a fratricidal clash.

According to intelligence sources, five bandits were injured in the clash and are presently lurking in the area, seeking paramedics to manage their wounds.

Sharme, a notorious bandit who had butchered many citizens, kidnapped hundreds and rustled innumerable herds of cattle, met his end in a battle between his group and an opposing gang.

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Sharme had several times escaped the crosshairs of security forces by a mere whisker, and remained hotly sought after before he was gunned down by fellow terrorists.

Sharme and his gang of bandits were largely responsible for attacks, killings and kidnappings in Millenium City, Maraban Rido, Kujama, Kajuru, Maro, villages in Kateri general area and other locations in adjoining LGAs of Kagarko, Kachia and Birnin Gwari. This was in addition to his criminal acts in neighboring states of Katsina and Niger which were also left reeling from the waves of his terrorism.

One of the most heinous acts perpetrated by Kachalla Sharme was the kidnapping of 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kujama, Kaduna State on 5th July, 2021.

In the course of repelling Sharme and his gang of terrorists, two personnel of the security forces paid the supreme price.

Residents of Rijana, Kaso, Kasarami, Jaka da-Rabi, Kajuru and Dutse general areas and beyond, are warned not render any assistance to suspicious persons seeking treatment for gun wounds. They are urged instead to contact the nearest security forces or reach the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on the following lines:

09034000060

08170189999

As is standard practice, such information received will be treated with the highest sense of confidentiality, the commissioner said.

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The 2024 Edo State governorship election has come and gone, but not without the usual political intrigues and drama.

The off-cycle governorship election held last Saturday ended with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, emerging as the winner in the fiercely contested exercise.

A total of 18 candidates from various political parties participated in the election.

However, the exercise was a three-horse pitting Mr Okpebholo of the APC, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Olumide Akpata.

Patience Ofure-Key of the Peoples Redemption Party was the only female flag bearer in the election. Five other women served as deputy governorship candidates.

In the end, Mr Okpebholo, a serving senator, polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest challenger and the PDP candidate, Mr Ighodalo, who scored 247,274 votes.

Messrs Okpebholo and Ighodalo hail from the same Edo Central District, which has not produced a full-term governor since 1999.

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The beginning

There was tension before the election, prompting a massive deployment of security personnel. A total of 35,000 police officers and 8,000 soldiers were deployed in the state.

On election day, voters headed to the polling units to cast their votes. However, in many polling units in some local government areas, officials and voting materials arrived late.

Esan South-East was among the local government areas where polling officials and materials arrived late, and voters in some polling units protested against the development.

Like the voters, the PDP candidate, Mr Ighodalo, who hails from the council area, later suggested that the development was happening in his strongholds to reduce his chance of victory, given that voting was to end by 2:30 p.m. in line with INEC guidelines for the election.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall, which started at about 6 a.m. on Saturday, delayed the exercise in many areas. INEC, the electoral body, consequently announced an extension of voting time where the exercise started late.

Vote-buying, underage voting

Like in other elections, there were cases of vote buying across polling units in the state.

A prominent election observation group, Yiaga Africa, reported incidents of vote buying in different polling units and wards in the state on Saturday. The group said, for instance, that it saw APC and PDP agents bribing voters with N10,000 cash.

At Polling Unit U 003 in Ward 1 in Ewohimi Community, Esan South-east Council Area, PREMIUM TIMES observed some party agents sharing snacks and food with voters, apparently as an inducement.

There was also a case of suspected underage voting in the same area.

Accusations and counter-accusations

As often witnessed in Nigerian elections, there were accusations and counter-accusations among the political actors in the state.

On Saturday, the PDP and its candidate, Mr Ighodalo, accused the opposition APC of using some compromised, armed and uninformed police officers to arrest and attack PDP agents and supporters in some polling units.

Earlier on Wednesday, the APC had also accused the PDP of colluding with three INEC officials to comprise the integrity of the Saturday poll.

The accusations and counter-accusations continued after Saturdays vote when the PDP accused the APC of planning to disrupt the collation of results.

The party also alleged that the APC schemed to alter the election results.

Some PDP supporters in the state later stormed the INEC office, protesting against the results earlier released by the commission.

Voter apathy

Over 2.2 million voters were expected to cast their votes in the elections, but the results revealed that voter apathy in Nigerias elections has continued, with a low turnout recorded across the states 18 LGAs.

Data on INECs portal shows that there are 2,629,025 registered voters in the state, but only 2,249,780 voters collected their Permanent Voters Cards and were thus eligible to vote. Less than 700,000 eventually voted in the election.

IRev results upload

Within hours of the voting, INEC uploaded over 90 per cent of the results from various polling units in the state.

With the results trickling in, tension heightened as the PDP and the APC claimed victory and warned each other against plans to change the outcome of the poll.

Some concerned people of Edo State and party supporters were apprehensive about who would emerge victorious in the poll.

Obasekis dramatic late-night visit to INEC office

There was a mild drama at about 2 a.m. on Sunday when the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, stormed the INEC office to protest the planned collation process, which he and his party, the PDP, claimed had been compromised against them.

During the visit, Mr Obaseki held a four-hour meeting with INEC officials and Frank Mba, a deputy inspector-general of police who was leading a police team to ensure security for the poll.

The governor, whose tenure ends on 12 November, is the political godfather to the PDP candidate in the election, Mr Ighodalo.

The APC later slammed the governor for the visit and accused him of trying to stir up violence.

The party stressed that the visit happened while the collation of results across the various wards and local government areas was still ongoing.

Battle of godfathers

Observers said the Edo State governorship election provided a platform for battle among three political godfathers who fought to crown the godsons.

Governor Obaseki handpicked Mr Ighodalo as his preferred successor. Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and 2023 LP presidential candidate, backed Mr Akpata, while Adams Oshiomohole, a former governor of Edo State and serving senator, supported Mr Okpebholo.

The election saw these three godfathers working hard to outwit one another to win the poll.

Tension and suspense during collation

Tension increased on Sunday morning when INEC began collating results from the states 18 local government areas.

Supporters of the various political parties were tense and attempted to gauge the election swings.

While the result collation was ongoing, the PDP quickly began a press conference due to apparent discomfort with figures announced by the INECs returning officers for various local government areas.

It was organised by Governor Obaseki and the PDP candidate, Mr Ighodalo, while Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State read out the text of the conference.

At the conference, Mr Fintiri announced election results from various local government areas, which he claimed were obtained by PDP agents from various polling units. The PDP claimed the results differed from those collated by INEC at the commissions centre.

He announced that the party rejected the outcome of the election.

The Adamawa governor was criticised by the APC, which accused him of usurping the electoral bodys powers by announcing election results ahead of time.

However, he denied the allegation, arguing that he merely reeled out results submitted by their agents from local government areas.

The PDP Governors Forum later issued a warning to INEC and the APC. The governors asked the electoral body to ensure it declares results that represent the wishes of the people.

Final result declaration

It was a night of drama on Sunday when INEC announced the final results of the Saturday poll and declared Mr Okpebholo the winner. That was despite stiff opposition from Tony Iyoha, the PDP agent, at the collation centre.

Mr Iyoha alleged that the votes announced by INEC were manufactured because they did not reflect the wishes of the people of Edo State.

Meanwhile, before the declaration, there was a heavy security presence in and around the INEC collation centre in Benin City.

How the votes were shared among candidates

According to the results declared by INEC, Mr Okpebholo of the APC won 11 local government areas, while the PDP candidate, Mr Ighodalo, won in the remaining seven.

The LP candidate, Mr Akpata, did not win any local government area.

Mr Okpebholo won the council areas of Esan West, Owan West, Akoko Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Orhionmwon, Owan East, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Oredo, and Etsako West.

On his part, Mr Ighodalo won in Esan Central, Esan North-east, Ovia North-east, Ovia-South-west, Uhunmwode, Igueben, and Ikpoba-Okha.

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Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the just-concluded Edo governorship election, has insisted, without proof, that he was robbed of victory.

That day (the election day) will forever be etched in our history as one of our darkest moments, marked by the brazen theft of our mandate and the shameful subversion of the will of the people, Mr Ighodalo said in a statement personally issued by him on Monday, two days after the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of Saturdays election.

Mr Okpebholo scored 291,667 votes against Mr Ighodalos 247,274. The candidate of the Labour Party, Olumude Akpata, came third with 22,763 votes.

From our perspective, the way these elections are going, theyre probably going to be the worst elections in the history of this country.

We have information, for instance, where we have over 20 polling units, where the accredited voters are less than the total votes, which is not possible, Mr Ighodalo said on Sunday while collation of results was going on.

Like Mr Ighodalo, the PDP and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State have accused INEC and the APC of manipulating the outcome of the election.

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It is obvious to the least discerning the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election, Mr Obaseki said in a recorded video he shared via his X account, apparently after the APC candidate was declared winner of the election on Sunday.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has said that the APCs victory in the Edo election shows that people support his policies.

Nigeria is currently experiencing the worst economic hardship in its history.

Not the end

In his Monday press statement, Mr Ighodalo praised the Edo voters as the true heroes of our democracy and assured that their sacrifices for a better Edo State will never be forgotten.

Most voters cast their ballot while it rained heavily across the state, a situation Mr Ighodalo acknowledged in his statement.

He said that the voters faced intimidation, threats of violence, harassment, arrests and financial inducements and yet cast their votes overwhelmingly for him.

We must not be discouraged. The illusory triumph of evil over good is only temporary, Mr Ighodalo said. Our journey towards a prosperous Edo State does not end here; it is just beginning.

The PDP candidate, who said the future is uncertain, did not say whether he would challenge the election outcome in court.

Let us remain engaged, committed, and united in our collective resolve to create a Pathway to Prosperity for All in Edo State. You did not abandon me during our campaign, and I promise you that as we face a daunting and uncertain future together, I will not abandon you, he said.

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Nine months after the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the leader of the faction, Martin Amaewhule, has said that they did not leave the PDP.

Mr Amaewhule is the speaker of the 27-member faction.

A lot has been said about the issue of defection  27 of us in the (Rivers) State House of Assembly never defected to any other party.

We were elected under the platform of the PDP, and we never defected. We never took any steps to defect to any other party. What you see every time are mere plans by the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Amaewhule said in a video posted on X on Saturday.

Mr Amaewhule, who led a team of 26 other lawmakers loyal to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, stated this after a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the suit filed by Action Peoples Party (APP) seeking the replacement of the 27 lawmakers after their seats were declared vacant.

Defection

On 11 December 2023, the pro-Wike lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC because of the political rifts between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Mr Wike.

Mr Wike helped Mr Fubara, who was Rivers accountant general, to become the governor against all the odds. However, the duo fell out about four months after Mr Fubara was sworn in.

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On your mandate, we shall stand, the pro-Wike lawmakers were seen in a video of their defection chanting President Bola Tinubus campaign song and waving the APC flag on the day they defected.

The lawmakers had cited divisions in the PDP as the reason for their defection.

Edison Ehie, a lawmaker loyal to Governor Fubara, subsequently declared the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant after getting a court order which enabled him to take over the Rivers legislature.

Mr Ehie led a four-man Rivers assembly but later resigned after President Tinubu brokered a controversial peace deal between Messrs Wike and Fubara.

The deal had since collapsed.

Events, intrigues after collapse of peace deal

While the peace deal subsisted, the pro-Wike lawmakers had at least four times passed a bill into law by overriding Mr Fubaras veto on them, including stripping the governor of the power to appoint a caretaker committee for the local government areas in the state.

Frustrated by the actions of the pro-Wike lawmakers, Mr Fubara declared that Rivers has no House of Assembly. He emphasised that the seats of Mr Amawhule-led members had been declared vacant.

A barrage of litigations followed Mr Fubaras declaration. Many from Rivers urged the court to declare the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed a suit filed by the APP seeking a replacement for the pro-Wike lawmakers over their defection.

The judge, Peter Lifu, said the suit was status-barred because it had not been initiated within the 14 days allowed by the law.

The APP filed the suit on 12 July, about eight months after the lawmakers defection.

The judge cited a previous judgment by Justice James Omotosho, who rejected the suit because of insufficient evidence to establish that the 27 lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC.

Speaking at the court in Abuja on Friday, Mr Amaewhule said Governor Fubara sponsored the suit against them.

He said that he and his 26 colleagues did not defect to the APC and that Governor Fubara wants to remove them through the backdoor.

Everything youve seen is being sponsored by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remove us from office because he cannot withstand the rule of law. He does not want to govern under the tenets of our democracy.

He cannot withstand the principle of separation of power. The governor is afraid of democracy, and that is why hes hell-bent on removing all of us. He runs to every court anywhere in this country, looking for how to remove us through the backdoor. What the court had said today, including all theyve tendered as evidence, is clear: no such thing as defection.

In any case, we have a right to defect, but we never defected. Anything youve seen is just the arrangement being sponsored by the governor. I say it clearly because hes the one pushing all of them.

Hes sponsoring all these persons from one court to the other, but I can tell the only way our democracy can be sustained  the only way the dividends of democracy can get to our people is when you have the rule of law in place, he said.

The Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Joseph Johnson, did not respond to calls and texts seeking comments on the allegations that Governor Fubara sponsored the court case against the pro-Wike lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the APC in Rivers has vowed to sanction the 27 lawmakers over their claim that they were still members of the PDP.

Right now, we are focused on local government elections, and after that, we will take necessary actions concerning them, the APC chairperson in Rivers, Emeka Beke, said of the lawmakers, according to a report by Punch newspaper.

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The documentary, available on Prime Video from 23 September, tells the life-changing encounter of Nelson Freitas, winner of the most recent S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition, under the mentorship of the world-renowned chef Virgilio Martinez

MILAN, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- S.Pellegrino is proud to announce the release of its highly anticipated first documentary, "Afuera Hay Mas  A Young Chef's Journey". Set in the vibrant culinary scene of Peru, the compelling film follows the unique mentorship experience between Nelson Freitas, winner of the last S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition, and Virgilio Martinez, chef of Central, number one on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023. "Afuera Hay Mas" is the culmination of the path that young chef Freitas began when he joined the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy in 2022.

The life-changing encounter of young chef Nelson Freitas under the mentorship of the world-renowned chef Virgilio Martinez Afuera Hay Mas - A Young Chef's Journey

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www2.multivu.com/s_pellegrino/9291951-en-gb-young-chefs-journey-unveils-first-documentary.

As part of its commitment to fostering the next generation of culinary talents and making the world a better place through food, the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy created a unique learning experience for Freitas, following his victory as the best young chef in the world. The initiative exemplifies how the Academy connects rising talent with the world's most renowned chefs, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth.

Where the Pacific Ocean meets the coast and the Andes stand tall in the backdrop, what begins is more than just professional training. It's a journey through the entire local gastronomic ecosystem created by Virgilio Martinez, along with Pia Leon  Best Female Chef 2021 and Virgilio's life partner  and Malena Martinez  Virgilio's sister and co-creator of Mater, the multidisciplinary research center that nurtures all of Virgilio's and Pia's projects. Through the lens of gastronomy, Freitas is invited to grasp the true essence of "Afuera Hay Mas"  the motto of Mater. This philosophy is an invitation to step outside the confines of the kitchen, embracing themes of inspiration, knowledge, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in a path made of multiple encounters. Local producers, ceramic artists, farmers, biologists and many more, each one offering a unique opportunity for Freitas to elevate his culinary vision and become a better chef.

Under Martinez's wing, and working in the kitchens of both Central and Kjolle, as well as travelling to Mil in Cusco, Freitas learns how to push creative boundaries and infuse meaning into every dish. "Afuera Hay Mas" captures the deep connection between mentor and mentee. Virgilio Martinez shares his thoughts: "Mentorship is about more than just sharing skills in the kitchen; it's about sharing a vision of the world. I take it as both an honor and a big responsibility to share our philosophy and values with younger chefs like Nelson. His dedication and passion remind me of the importance of contributing to the learning paths of younger generations."

And as the culmination of his mentorship journey, young chef Freitas has been hired by Virgilio Martinez to join the staff at his renowned restaurant, Central. In the end, this is not just a story of two chefs, but a celebration of the transformative power of mentorship exploration, and the endless pursuit of growth, both professionally and personally. Freitas reflects on the impact of this experience: "Working with Virgilio Martinez helped me realise that there's so much more to learn, not just in the kitchen, but in life. Stepping out of the kitchen doesn't just mean leaving the stoves to explore other places. It primarily means engaging with other realities, other people, other cultures, and allowing oneself to be involved. It means changing one's perspective on things. Becoming today part of his team is a dream come true. The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy project has been life-changing and opened doors I never imagined. I'll always be thankful for this opportunity."

"Afuera Hay Mas  A Young Chef's Journey" will be available for streaming from 23 September on Prime Video in France, Italy, Spain, Peru, the UK and the US. The production is a result of a collaboration with YAM112003, a creative agency and production company based in Milan, Italy, and a trusted partner of Sanpellegrino.

CREDITS

Agency and production company  Yam112003

Directed by: Mattia Colombo  Davide Fois

Written by: Mattia Colombo  Davide Fois  Elisa Tacchinardi

Editing: Serena Pighi  Claudio Bonafede

About S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy

Gastronomy has the potential to transform society, shaping a more inclusive, more sustainable future. But doing requires talent. That's why S.Pellegrino has created S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy, a platform to attract, connect and nurture the next generation of culinary talents. An environment that will empower them through education, mentoring and experience opportunities, as well as through the renowned global competition. The Academy opens its doors to members from over 70 different countries, ensuring that talent is not constrained by geography, ethnicity, or gender. This is a place where passionate young chefs interact with the most influential players in global gastronomy, and where together they cultivate an inspiring culinary community.

To discover more please visit: https://www.sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com.

About S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna

S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna and Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks are international trademarks of Sanpellegrino S.p.A., which is based in Milan, Italy. Distributed in over 150 countries through branches and distributors on all five continents, these products represent quality excellence by virtue of their origins and perfectly interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of pleasure, health and well-being. Founded in 1899, Sanpellegrino S.p.A. is the leading company in the beverage sector in Italy with its range of mineral waters, non-alcoholic aperitifs, drinks and iced teas. As a major Italian producer of mineral water, it has always been committed to enhancing this primary good for the planet and works responsibly and passionately to ensure that this resource has a secure future.

Video: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2510854/SanPellegrino_trailer.mp4

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2510841/SPYCA_Afuera_Hay_Mas.jpg

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HONG KONG, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited ("Dunxin" or the "Company") (NYSE American: DXF), a company engaged in real estate operation management and investment and a digital technology security business in Hong Kong, today announced that on September 17, 2024, it received notification from NYSE Regulation of the NYSE American LLC (the "NYSE American" or the "Exchange") that it had suspended trading of the Company's ADS and of its determination to commence delisting proceedings of the Company's ADS from the Exchange pursuant to Section 1003(f)(v) of the NYSE American Company Guide due to the low selling price of the Company's ADS. The Company plans to appeal the determination to the Exchange's Listing Qualifications Panel, although there can be no assurance that any such appeal will be successful.

The Company's ADS has begun trading under the trading symbol "DXFFY" on the OTC Pink operated on the OTC Markets system effective with the open of the markets on September 18, 2024.

Dunxin's CEO Longwen (Stanley) He commented, "Following a successful business restructuring, our operational management and financial health are robust, and the new ventures are already contributing to our revenue. Management remains confident in the company's future growth and is fully committed to cooperating with the Exchange during the appeal process."

About Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited

Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited is a company engaged in real estate operation management and investment and a digital technology security business in Hong Kong, China. The Company was formerly a licensed microfinance lender serving individuals and SMEs in Hubei Province, China, but has suspended offering loans to its customers since 2020.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of market in China and the other international markets the Company plans to serve; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and the international markets the Company plans to serve and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov . The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forwardlooking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

SOURCE Dunxin Financial Holding Limited
PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The rise in the need for operational efficiency and transparency in business processes and the increase in demand for ERP software from small & medium enterprises boost the growth of the global market. In addition, the surge in adoption of cloud and mobile applications is positively impacting the growth of the market.

Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Market by Component (Software and Services), Deployment Model On-premise, Cloud and Hybrid), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises, Medium Enterprises, and Small Enterprises), Business Function (Finance, Human Resource (HR), Supply Chain, Customer Management, Inventory Management, Manufacturing Module, and Others) and Industry Vertical (Manufacturing, BFSI, Healthcare, Retail & Distribution, Government & Utilities, IT & Telecom, Construction, Aerospace & Defense and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030". According to the report, the "enterprise resource planning (ERP) market" was valued at $43.72 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $117.09 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.0% from 2021 to 2030.

The rise in the need for operational efficiency and transparency in business processes and the increase in demand for ERP software from small & medium enterprises boost the growth of the global market. In addition, the surge in adoption of cloud and mobile applications is positively impacting the growth of the market. However, the availability of open-source ERP applications and the high implementation cost of ERP software technology hamper the growth of the ERP market. On the contrary, the rise in the application of ERP solutions in small & medium enterprises and the rapid transformation of modern business models are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the enterprise resource planning market during the forecast period.

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The software segment held the highest market share in 2020.

By component, the software segment dominated the market in 2020, The demand for ERP software surged as businesses across industries increasingly sought to streamline operations, integrate various business functions, and enhance decision-making through centralized data management. However, the services segment is expected to witness the largest CAGR of 10.7%, this growth is driven by the increasing need for consulting, customization, implementation, and ongoing support as businesses adopt more complex ERP systems. As organizations transition to cloud-based and AI-powered ERP solutions, they require professional services for seamless integration with existing systems, data migration, training, and system optimization.

The on-premise segment held the highest market share in 2020.

By deployment model, the on-premise segment accounted for the largest share in 2020. This dominance is attributed to several key factors. Many organizations, particularly those in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, prefer on-premise solutions due to their ability to provide greater control over data security and compliance. However, the cloud segment is expected to witness the largest CAGR of 11.6%. This anticipated growth is driven by several key factors. First, the increasing demand for flexibility and scalability in business operations has led many organizations to adopt cloud-based ERP solutions, which allow for easy updates and expansion without the need for significant hardware investments.

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Regional Insights: The North America region held the highest market share in 2020.

By region, the enterprise resource planning (ERP) market was dominated by North America in 2020. North America, particularly the United States, has a highly developed technological infrastructure and a strong presence of leading ERP vendors, which facilitates the adoption of advanced ERP solutions across various industries.

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Key Industry Developments

In July 2024 , Eton Solutions launched an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform - AtlasFive, for managing family offices in India .

, Eton Solutions launched an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform - AtlasFive, for managing family offices in . In July 2024 , SAP and its partner SGN Software Pvt Ltd launched a flagship Cloud ERP offering designed for small and mid-sized organizations.

, SAP and its partner SGN Software Pvt Ltd launched a flagship Cloud ERP offering designed for small and mid-sized organizations. In May 2024 , Forterro launched Fortee, its entry-level cloud-based ERP solution. Fortee has been designed specifically for the needs of SME discrete manufacturers and industrial startups and is based on 15 years of cloud-ERP learning.

AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model):

AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports.

Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

Contact:

David Correa

1209 Orange Street,

Corporation Trust Center,

Wilmington, New Castle,

Delaware 19801 USA.

Int'l: +1-503-894-6022

Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285

UK: +44-845-528-1300

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Fax: +1-800-792-5285

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
AUSTIN, Minn., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, announced today that Debbra Schoneman, president of Piper Sandler Companies, has been elected to the Hormel Foods Board of Directors, effective September 21, 2024.

Debbra Schoneman

"I am delighted to welcome Deb to the Hormel Foods board," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Hormel Foods. "She has an impressive background and brings extensive expertise in finance and corporate development, which will be invaluable as we continue to transform, modernize and grow our company."

Schoneman joined the Audit and Governance Committees of the Hormel Foods Board of Directors.

Schoneman is president of Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR), a leading investment bank and financial services company, where she manages the equities, fixed income and public finance businesses. She has been with the firm for 34 years, having served as president since 2018 and previously as chief financial officer from 2008 to 2017.

Schoneman has a long history of board service in the public, private and philanthropic sectors. She is currently a director on the Allina Health board, a $5 billion healthcare system, having served as its chair for three years. She also is a member of the board of trustees for the University of St. Thomas, a private university in Minnesota.

Schoneman holds a bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.

About Hormel Foods  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters, Skippy, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies, received a perfect score of 100 on the 202324 Corporate Equality Index and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

Contact: Media Relations

Hormel Foods

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation
A native of Dallas, Odell launched his first venture into the spirits industry in the summer of 2010. Today, Dynasty Spirits is a leading independently owned spirits portfolio company boasting over ten brands, across various categories, with Lasso Motel Whiskey as its latest release. Odell's leadership has earned him a reputation as a respected industry veteran, solidifying Dynasty Spirits as the third-largest producer of spirits in Texas.

The creation of Lasso Motel Whiskey was inspired by Odell's time at the storied Belmont Hotela now-shuttered but historic Dallas landmark reminiscent of the iconic Chateau Marmont. The hotel, once a vibrant hub for artists and celebrities, offered stunning views of the city. Encapsulated by the rock-and-roll nostalgia and the sense of history that the Belmont represented, Odell's memories of this place laid the foundation for the timeless essence of Lasso Motel Whiskey.

"Lasso Motel Whiskey began as a passion project of mine and pays homage to the whiskey industry. While many brands draw on stories of prohibition or the Old West, we chose a product and packaging design that reflects our own style and experience. The result is a whiskey that not only shines in a glass but also stands out on a bar top. Distinguished by its heavy-grade glass decanter and paperweight cork, Lasso Motel Whiskey offers a premium consumer experience, featuring a range of global cask selections that make each bottle a coveted addition to any collection," says Devin Odell of Dynasty Spirits. "Lasso Motel Whiskey is driven by our commitment to constant innovation and a dedication to creating unique consumer experiences. Lasso will continue to evolve, offering new products that resonate with both whiskey enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike."

Ongoing availability for each Lasso Motel Whiskey offering will be phased throughout the remainder of the year, with additional cask finish and aged inventory becoming available early next year. Their current distribution partner, Green Light Distribution, is the third-largest national spirits distributor in Texas with a well-established and expanding footprint in Florida.

Lasso Motel Whiskey will be supported in the market by a comprehensive marketing strategy, including exclusive events, dynamic social media campaigns, and strategic partnerships with industry thought leaders, bourbon clubs, and other premium spirits communities.

For additional information on Lasso Motel Whiskey please visit https://lassomotelwhiskey.com/ and follow on Instagram @LassoMotelWhiskey.

About Dynasty Spirits

Dynasty is a highly successful spirits company with a diverse portfolio of brands and a proven track record for quality and high performance. Founded by Devin Odell in 2010, Dynasty has consistently innovated to stay ahead of industry trends. We pride ourselves on quality which has helped us build strong relationships with our friends in the industry and gain loyal followers. Our vast family of brands ranges from botanical vodkas to tequila  offering something for every taste and every occasion. For additional information please visit: https://www.dynastyspirits.com/.

SOURCE Lasso Motel Whiskey
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Justice, the leading fashion and lifestyle brand for tween girls, is excited to announce their new collaboration with the upcoming cinematic event Wicked  from Universal Pictures. Together, Wicked x Justice will launch an exclusive fashion collection celebrating the generation-defining film.

Just in time for the film's release on November 22, the limited-edition collection aims to celebrate the beautiful story of friendship and individuality that the movie portrays. The collection, which will be sold exclusively at Walmart stores online and nationwide, melds the story's two iconic shades, Glinda's pink and Elphaba's green, with Justice's playful takes on Wicked, including butterflies, iconic logos, and so much more.

The new collab has more than 25 SKUs across accessories, sleep, and apparel, priced at $8- $32. Wicked fans can purchase jewelry, hair accessories, mini bags, robes and pajamas, sweaters, denim, fleece, tees, socks and more to celebrate the movie's release.

Kat DePizzo, President of Justice Design Lab, is ecstatic about the limited-edition collection's launch, sharing: "At Justice, we are beyond thrilled to announce our latest collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences for the upcoming 'Wicked' movie. This collab represents a magical alignment of our shared values and commitment to supporting tween girls and their families. By blending the beloved world of 'Wicked' with the playful spirit of Justice, we aim to create inspiring and imaginative experiences that resonate deeply with young hearts and minds. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional products and exciting collaborations that uplift, empower, and spark the creativity of the next generation."

At its core, the collection aims to inspire young girls with the magical world of Oz. Empowering them to be themselves and break through norms, the Wicked x Justice collaboration is a form of self-expression, further driving Justice's position in Walmart stores nationwide as a safe space for tween girls to shop and find their personal style.

The Wicked x Justice collaboration will launch on September 23 at Walmart stores nationwide and on Walmart.com.

For media inquiries, please contact: Sarah Lundgren, Director | Michele Marie PR [email protected]

ABOUT JUSTICE

Justice is the leading tween clothing brand, empowering young girls to express their individuality through fashion. With a commitment to inclusivity, creativity, and confidence, the collaboration with Wicked continues Justice's mission of encouraging and supporting tween girls and redefining fashion. Justice is managed by Bluestar Alliance. Additional information about Bluestar Alliance can be found by visiting the corporate website, bluestaralliance.com.

ABOUT WICKED

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Wicked flies into theaters November 22, 2024.

Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway's The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.

The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

The film also stars Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University's regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway's Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba's favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.

The cast of characters includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots), and a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman).

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 21, 2025.

Wicked is produced by Marc Platt (La La Land, The Little Mermaid), whose films, television shows and stage productions have earned a combined 46 Oscar nominations, 58 Emmy nominations and 36 Tony nominations, and by multiple Tony winner David Stone (Kimberly Akimbo, Next to Normal), with whom Platt produced the blockbuster Wicked stage musical. The executive producers are David Nicksay, Stephen Schwartz and Jared LeBoff.

Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is adapted for the screen by the stage production's book writer Winnie Holzman and by legendary Grammy and Oscar winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The Broadway stage musical is produced by Universal Stage Productions, Marc Platt, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

SOURCE Justice
The White Paper contains invaluable insights from experts on the utilisation and future of AI in the hospitality industry and comprises several interviews with the sector's top players

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading up to Future Hospitality Summit 2024, Katch International and Keane unveil their informative White Paper on the evolving role of technology in the hospitality industry. Compiled over several months, it features expert insights from CEOs, industry leaders, and business owners, shedding light on how AI is revolutionising hospitality operations.

Katch International and Keane MEA Release White Paper on the Evolution and Use of AI in the Hospitality Industry

The report aims to clarify misunderstandings around AI and highlights the real value it can bring to the guest experience and operational efficiency. Collectively, the interviews reveal a clear 'triad of intelligence', where artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, and relationship intelligence work together to drive successful investments.

AI is transforming how hotels and hospitality businesses operate, from enhancing guest experiences to optimising revenue management systems. The White Paper explores these advancements while addressing some of the critical issues that arise with the increasing adoption of AI, including data privacy, potential job displacement, and the risks of over-reliance on technology.

Containing insights from Amit Nayak, Vice President and Executive Board Member at HAMA MEA, Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench, Quentin Reyes, CEO of Hyperfusion, Othmane Zrikem, founding Partner at VDD.ai, Basma Elkhereiji, serial entrepreneur and owner of the Social Kitchen, John Losasso, CEO of FAS Hotels, Lokesh Kumar, VP of Development Middle East Minor Hotels, Khaled Sarhan, MD of Ishraqah Developments, and Nitin Thariyan, CEO of Lean on Data, amongst others, it focuses on the balance between automation and the human touch in hospitality.

Georgie Woollams, Founder and Managing Director of Katch International, said of the White Paper, 'We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this White Paper, which has been an eye-opening experience with many valuable insights. The discussions have highlighted both the potential and limitations of AI in enhancing operations and driving investments in the industry.'

Kevin Doherty, Managing Director of Keane MEA, stated, 'We sincerely thank the industry leaders who dedicated their time to our white paper. Their insights have been extremely thought-provoking, and we are confident they will enrich the ongoing dialogue on AI in hospitality at the upcoming FHS event and beyond.'

Click here to get your copy: https://thisiskeane.com/campaign/keane-x-katch-ai-hospitality-whitepaper/.

CONTACT:

Alankrita Singh, Senior PR Account Manager

+971 4 243 8577

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2509731/KEANE_x_KATCH_AI.jpg

SOURCE Katch International
Harnessing generative AI, speech-to-search, and cloud technology to transform how businesses interact with their video surveillance system

ORLANDO, FL, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - March Networks, a global leader in cloud-based intelligent video surveillance, is excited to unveil AI Smart Search at the 2024 Global Security Exchange (GSX) trade show in Orlando, USA. This innovative feature uses generative AI to transform how businesses search and analyze video data, helping them work smarter and faster to remotely identify and fix issues across their locations.

Imagine knowing exactly who's coming and going, 24/7. Smarten up your surveillance with license plate recognition. Get alerted when VIP clients arrive. Connect to your customer loyalty program. From known offenders to valued customers, receive accurate, real-time alerts. Captures license plates from: 100+ countries 680 manufacturers 7,250 models Stay informed and in control with detailed reports and dashboards. March Networks. Intelligent Video Surveillance.

AI Smart Search leverages natural language processing and advanced algorithms to identify specific events, people or objects across multiple camera views. With AI Smart Search, business operators can now use voice commands to search through hundreds of thousands of images quickly and easily. Using generative AI, video snapshot images are transformed into a searchable database, allowing users to find key operational issues by simply speaking commands like "show me open cash registers" or "search for open backdoors at night" or "find empty shelves". This significantly speeds up security and operations audits, reducing manual video searches and helping companies prevent liabilities, improve compliance, and optimize daily operations.

Leveraging March Networks Operations Audit solution, AI Smart Search analyzes video snapshots from all cameras taken at customizable time intervals. This gives customers access to a cost-effective, yet advanced generative AI tool for video surveillance, minimizing the storage and processing demands of analyzing full video footage.

"We're excited to bring useful and practical generative AI solutions to our customers, and this initial application is just the beginning," said Peter Strom, CEO of March Networks. "As leaders in secure, cloud-based solutions, we're pushing the boundaries to simplify video searches, solve real problems, boost revenue, and reduce risks for our customers. AI Smart Search is a game-changer, and we can't wait to see the impact on our customers' businesses."

In partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), AI Smart Search uses cloud scalability and real-time data processing to ensure seamless performance and responsiveness.

March Networks will be working with a large multi-site customer as part of a Proof of Concept to continue refining AI Smart Search.

Highly Accurate License Plate Recognition Solution

At GSX, March Networks also launched its new LPR Camera. Powered by Vaxtor, the camera delivers real-time, high-precision license plate recognition to enhance security and efficiency in drive-thrus, parking lots, delivery zones, and more. It captures plates from over 100 countries, 680 manufacturers, and 7,250 models.

Ideal for banks, specialty retail, convenience stores and restaurants with drive-thrus, this solution allows businesses to welcome VIP customers the moment they arrive, enables drive-thru restaurants to link license plates with customer loyalty programs, and alerts convenience stores if a known offender's vehicle is on site.

Paired with video intelligence tools like Smart Rules real-time alerts and Searchlight Cloud's transaction data integration and analytics, March Networks LPR Camera gives businesses proactive insights that boost security and create meaningful, personalized customer experiences.

For more information about March Networks, visit marchnetworks.com.

To speak to someone about our intelligent video solutions or book a demo, please contact us.

About March Networks

March Networks is leading the future of intelligent video, transforming enterprise video into actionable business intelligence. Globally recognized for our deep expertise in video security and data analytics, we empower organizations to enhance operational efficiency, security, and profitability. Our cloud-based, intelligent video technologies extend beyond traditional surveillance, integrating AI analytics and advanced integrations like POS systems, IoT devices, and ATMs to drive business growth and improve customer experiences. With over two decades of experience, March Networks is a trusted partner to over 1,000 financial institutions, more than 300 retailers, and over 800 commercial and industrial brands. We are committed to guiding our clients intelligently and cost-effectively through their transition to cloud-based enterprise video. Our extensive network of over 800 certified partners ensures adaptability to a myriad of business needs, integrating with a wide range of third-party cameras and systems. With global reach, local support, and a dedication to customer service, we ensure seamless operation, maintenance, and optimization of systems for customers in over 70 countries. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and owned by Delta, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions, March Networks stands as a trusted partner and innovative leader in the intelligent video sector. For more information, please visit marchnetworks.com .

March Networks and the March Networks logo are trademarks of March Networks Corporation.

To keep up with March Networks news and updates, subscribe to our Intelligent IP Video Blog and stay connected by following March Networks on LinkedIn.

SOURCE March Networks Corporation
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Midori & Friends, a nonprofit organization that provides high-quality music education to students in New York City schools, today announced it has received a $15,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation. The funding will be used to support a variety of school & community programs at Midori & Friends, including Play to Learn instrumental and vocal instruction for students and the NextGen Teen Musician Program.

"Creating equitable opportunities for our community requires resources, and we appreciate the support from the U.S. Bank Foundation, which helps us continue to build and expand the innovative music programs we're proud to offer to students and schools across New York City," said Larisa Gelman, executive director of Midori & Friends.

Midori & Friends creates transformative music education programs that not only develop students' musical skills but also enrich their lives and communities. By providing accessible music education, Midori & Friends encourages children to find courage and self-expression, while fostering a lifelong love for music. For 32 years Midori & Friends has provided tuition-free music education programs, investing in over 320,000 students in New York City.

"All of us deserve to experience the joy we receive from opportunities to play, create, and immerse ourselves in learning a musical instrument. We're proud to invest in organizations like Midori & Friends to help more people access the benefits of music education and inspire students to use their musical talents to contribute positively to their communities," said Yuka Hashimoto, community affairs manager at U.S. Bank.

U.S. Bank is committed to powering human potential and creating lasting change in communities. The bank does this through the Community Possible platform, including philanthropy, community investments and team member volunteerism.

For more information about Midori & Friends and its programs, visit www.midoriandfriends.org

Midori & Friends harnesses the power of music to transform the lives of children and enrich their communities. Through accessible music education programs, Midori & Friends cultivates the joy of learning, a spirit of service, and courageous self-expression for all, illuminating pathways to a brighter future.

Larisa Gelman, Executive Director, Midori & Friends

SOURCE Midori & Friends
OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Workers Law Firm is excited to announce the addition of Yuvanna M. Davis to its team as a Workers' Compensation Attorney. With a strong background in workers' rights and a commitment to advocating for injured workers, Ms. Davis brings a wealth of experience and passion to the firm.

Ms. Davis has been working as a Workers' Compensation attorney for more than 10 years with other Oakland based law firms. "We are thrilled to welcome Yuvanna to our team," said Bilal Kassem, Co-founder of Pacific Workers Law Firm. "Her experience and commitment to fighting for justice align perfectly with our mission to support and empower workers throughout the claims process."

In her role as the newest Associate Attorney at Pacific Workers, Ms. Davis will work closely with Managing Attorney Michael Ullrich on some of the firms most complex cases.

"I am thrilled to be a part of Pacific Workers with a team full of amazingly efficient and compassionate people. The firm's reputation for excellence, innovation, and commitment to serving the clients' needs is inspiring!" said Ms. Davis

Pacific Workers, The Lawyers for Injured Workers is the leading workers compensation law firm in California with six offices and more than 90 professionals. The firm was founded by Eric Farber and Bilal Kassem in 2014 and has since served more than 8,000 professionals in the California Community. www.PacificWorkers.com

For more information contact:

Carmen Ramirez, Community Director

[email protected]

(925) 642-1988.

SOURCE Pacific Workers' Compensation Law Center
PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The QR codes payment market is expected to witness notable growth owing to the massive adoption of QR code payment among merchants and the rise in the usage of smartphones & surge in faster connectivity.

Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "QR codes payment Market by Offering (Solution and Services), Payment Type (Push Payment and Pull Payment), Transaction Channel (Face-to-Face and Remote), End User (Restaurant, Retail & E-Commerce, E-Ticket Booking and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030". According to the report, the "QR codes payment market" was valued at $8.07 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $35.07 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.1% from 2021 to 2030.

Get Your Sample Report & TOC Today: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A13075

The QR codes payment market is expected to witness notable growth owing to the massive adoption of QR code payment among merchants and the rise in the usage of smartphones & surge in faster connectivity. Moreover, developing economies are expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market during the forecast period. On the contrary, rising data breaches and security issues limit the growth of the QR codes payment market.



The solution segment held the highest market share in 2020.

By offering, the solution segment dominated the market in 2020, this segment includes the various software and platforms that enable QR code payments, such as mobile payment applications, POS systems, and digital wallets. The widespread adoption of QR code payment solutions was driven by their ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and the growing demand for contactless payment options, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the services segment is expected to witness the largest CAGR of 18.0%, the services segment is expected to witness the highest growth in the coming years. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for services related to the integration, maintenance, and support of QR code payment systems.

The push payment segment held the highest market share in 2020.

By payment type, the push payment segment accounted for the largest share in 2020. This dominance is largely due to the convenience and efficiency associated with push payments, where consumers initiate transactions by sending funds directly to merchants or service providers through QR codes. However, the pull payment segment is expected to witness the largest CAGR of 18.4%. Pull payments, where merchants initiate transactions by scanning a customer's QR code, offer enhanced convenience for both consumers and businesses. This method allows for faster checkouts and reduces the friction associated with traditional payment processes.

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Regional Insights: The Asia-Pacific region held the highest market share in 2020.

By region, the QR codes payment market was dominated by Asia-Pacific in 2020. The widespread adoption of mobile payment technologies and the increasing penetration of smartphones have created a favorable environment for QR code payments in countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asian nations.

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Leading Market Players-

Alibaba.com

Barclays

Google

LINE Pay Corporation

One97 Communications Limited (Paytm)

PayPal

Revolut Ltd

Square, Inc.

Tencent

UnionPay International Co. Ltd

Key Industry Developments

In March 2024 , Payment Asia released Hong Kong's annual payment trends and made predictions for the next year's payment trends. With the increasing update of mobile payment methods and the gradual popularity of QR code payments.

, Payment Asia released annual payment trends and made predictions for the next year's payment trends. With the increasing update of mobile payment methods and the gradual popularity of QR code payments. In October 2023 , The Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank (KVGB) launched its merchant QR code facility, an easy payment acceptance solution, as part of its efforts to build a cashless economy. KVGB chairperson Shreekant Bhandiwad said the government is aggressively pushing for higher usage of digital payment mechanisms, including the BHIM app, increasing usage of PoS machines and QR codes among others.

, The Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank (KVGB) launched its merchant QR code facility, an easy payment acceptance solution, as part of its efforts to build a cashless economy. KVGB chairperson said the government is aggressively pushing for higher usage of digital payment mechanisms, including the BHIM app, increasing usage of PoS machines and QR codes among others. In May 2022 , SimplyPayMe launched their new QR (quick response) code payments system. Devised to facilitate faster touch-free digital payments, the new system allows businesses to create QR codes for instant customer payment without having to manually enter or share their card details.

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Key Benefits for Stakeholders

The study provides in-depth analysis of the global QR codes payment market share along with current trends and future estimations to illustrate the imminent investment pockets.

Information about key drivers, restrains, and opportunities and their impact analysis on the global QR codes payment market are provided in the report.

Porter's five forces analysis illustrates the potency of buyers and suppliers operating in the market.

An extensive analysis of the key segments of the industry helps to understand the QR codes payment market trends.

The quantitative analysis of the global QR codes payment market forecast from 2021 to 2030 is provided to determine the market potential.

Key Market Segments

By Offering

Solution

Static QR Code

Merchant-Presented Mode (MPM)

Customer-Presented Mode (CPM)

Dynamic QR Code

Services

Professional Services

Managed Services

By Payment Type

Push Payment

Pull Payment

By Transaction Channel

Face-to-Face

Remote

By End User

Restaurant

Retail & E-Commerce

E-Ticket Booking

Others

By Region

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

UK

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

Netherlands

Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

Australia

South Korea

Rest of Asia-Pacific

LAMEA

Latin America

Middle East

Africa

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About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
TAIPEI, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RuggON, a Ubiqconn company specializing in rugged mobile solutions, is excited to announce its participation in MINExpo 2024, the world's largest mining technology and solutions exhibition, taking place from September 24th to 26th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visitors are invited to explore RuggON's innovative rugged tablets and mobile computing solutions at booth 3043.

RuggOn Debuts at the Minexpo 2024

At MINExpo, RuggON will showcase its latest advancements in rugged technology designed to meet the rigorous demands of the mining industry. The company's devices are engineered to endure extreme conditions, offering unmatched reliability, durability, and performance to support uninterrupted operations in critical mining environments.

According to the 2024 Global Metals and Minerals Market Report by GII Global Information, the market is projected to reach $10,197.23 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0%. As the mining industry embraces electric vehicle (EV) revolutions, green technologies, and advances in digitization and automation, there is a growing need for innovative solutions that enhance productivity and reduce operational costs. The miniaturization of wireless technologies and integration of satellite communications, AI, and Big Data analytics are expected to drive significant progress in metal and mineral production.

RuggON's rugged mobile computing solutions, designed for mining vehicles and machinery, will be featured prominently at MINExpo. Highlights include specialized vehicle mounted computers like the 12.1" VX-601, 10.4" VULCAN, and 7" Vortex, as well as rugged tablets such as the 10.1" PX501. These products are engineered to perform reliably in harsh environments, addressing challenges such as high dust levels, extreme temperatures, and intense vibrations. They also support real-time communication and data transmission, crucial for efficient mining operations.

"Our participation in MINExpo 2024 underscores our commitment to providing the best rugged computing solutions for mining professionals," said Tim Tsai, North America CEO of Ubiqconn (RuggON's parent company). "We are eager to demonstrate how our products can enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity in the mining industry."

Attendees at MINExpo will have the opportunity to see RuggON's rugged products in action, interact with experts, and explore how these technologies can transform mining operations. Visit RuggON at booth 3043 to learn more.

For additional information about RuggON and its offerings, please visit http://www.ruggon.com or follow us on Ubiqconn Technology and RuggON's LinkedIn.

About RuggON

RuggON Corp. is a a subsidiary of Ubiqconn Technology and a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computing solutions. Combining Ubiqconn's advanced technology to drive innovation and expand in the Mobile Industrial (IioT) market. With decades of ruggedized mobile solution expertise, RuggON strives to improve mobile productivity in harsh environments. A committed engineering team delivers devices of exceptional value and quality that improve user experience. The company is dedicated to understanding the various demands of different industries in order to provide application-oriented, tailored solutions that are efficient and effective. RuggON is committed to higher standards to achieve customer satisfaction. It prides itself on providing endless possibilities today to meet the demands of tomorrow. For more information, visit our website http://www.ruggon.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE RuggON
MELBOURNE, Australia, INDIANAPOLIS and LAKE MARY, Fla., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) and RLS (USA) Inc. (RLS, RLS Radiopharmacies), America's only Joint Commission-accredited radiopharmacy network distributing PET[1], SPECT[2] and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, today announced an agreement by the Company to acquire RLS from its parent company, RLS Group Ltd. The acquisition significantly expands Telix's North American manufacturing footprint and establishes the basis of a next generation radiometal production network to benefit Telix and select strategic commercial partners.

RLS Logo

Strategic Rationale

The acquisition of RLS is aligned to Telix's investment strategy around vertically integrated supply chain, manufacturing, and distribution, further enabling the delivery of future clinical and commercial radiopharmaceutical products. The Company views this as a necessary measure to ensure product integrity and delivery, and to strengthen and complement existing commercial partnerships.

Telix will leverage RLS' 31 licensed radiopharmacies located in major metropolitan areas across the U.S. to build a radiometal production and distribution network for key therapeutic and diagnostic isotopes alongside last-mile delivery of finished unit doses in relevant markets. The RLS footprint includes over 100,000 square ft of appropriately licensed expansion space that can be utilised to meet rapidly growing production demand. The acquisition also provides a clear pathway to extensively deploy Telix's ARTMS QUANTM Irradiation System (QIS) cyclotron technology, enabling standardised, high-efficiency and cost-effective production of radiometals.

By augmenting its existing distribution network, Telix aims to provide additional supply chain backup and improve capacity to meet future demand, while broadening access for patients across the entire U.S. market, including under-served populations. The acquisition aligns Telix's pharmaceutical development workforce with RLS' highly skilled and multi-disciplinary radiopharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain and operational expertise.

RLS will continue to service its existing customers and operate as an independent business unit under Telix Manufacturing Solutions (TMS), which includes other key Telix brands with multi-vendor and third-party relationships such as ARTMS, IsoTherapeutics and Optimal Tracers. As part of the TMS business vertical, RLS will become a key node in Telix's network of U.S. manufacturing and distribution partnerships and is geographically complementary to TMS' state-of-the-art GMP[3] production facility located in Belgium.

RLS' revenue for FY23[4] was US$158 million, and the transaction is expected to be cost-neutral to Telix from an operating cash flow perspective. RLS is currently a distributor of Illuccix and, as such, the acquisition is expected to be accretive to Telix, following completion.

Dr. Christian Behrenbruch, Telix Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, said the acquisition is part of the Company's ongoing investment focus around vertical integration and building integrated supply chains.

"Our vision is to build a radiometal production and distribution network fit for the future. By combining the ARTMS platform and the RLS network, we can scale up the production of key isotopes and build a stable and consistent supply of PET and SPECT diagnostic tracers, along with therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals across the U.S. for the benefit of Telix, our partners and the patients we serve. Telix is a trusted brand, recognised for our technical expertise, product quality, scheduling flexibility and delivery reliability. As we grow and commercialise new products, this investment ensures we can continue to deliver to this standard, alongside our key trusted distribution partners."

Mr. Stephen Belcher, Chief Executive Officer, RLS, added, "We look forward to becoming part of the Telix Group ecosystem. The RLS management team has emphasised quality, reliability and flexibility, and by leveraging Telix's support, we will be able to expand our capabilities further and, together, build the radiopharmaceutical company of the future. We see this as a very positive step for the company, our people and our customer base."

Deal Terms and Conditions

The purchase price comprises upfront cash consideration of US$230 million before adjustments for cash and cash equivalents (net of restricted cash); debt and debt equivalents; transaction expenses; and working capital, and deferred cash consideration up to a maximum of US$20 million, contingent on achievement of certain milestones related to demonstration of accretive financial and operational performance during the four-quarters following closing. The acquisition and related transaction costs are expected to be funded from existing cash reserves.

Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, RLS shareholder approval, licence transfers and certain third-party consents. The acquisition is expected to close early in the first quarter of 2025.

About RLS Radiopharmacies

RLS is America's only Joint Commission-accredited radiopharmacy network, with 31 radiopharmacies covering more than 85% of the population. Every RLS radiopharmacy houses cutting-edge clean rooms and is fully equipped and aligned to USP <797>, USP <825> and ISO 14644-1 compliance standards. Every RLS radiopharmacy is led by experienced nuclear pharmacists, who, along with nuclear technicians, in-house couriers and a robust delivery fleet, ensure every SPECT, PET and therapeutic product the company offers is meticulously prepared, dispensed and distributed to the company's more than 1,500 customers without fail. For more information, please visit rls.bio.

About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of therapeutic and diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and associated medical devices. Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, with international operations in the United States, Europe (Belgium and Switzerland), and Japan. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical and commercial stage products that aims to address significant unmet medical needs in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX).

Telix's lead imaging product, gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide injection (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11 and marketed under the brand name Illuccix), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)[5], by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) [6], and by Health Canada[7]. No other Telix product has received a marketing authorisation in any jurisdiction.

Visit www.telixpharma.com for further information about Telix, including details of the latest share price, announcements made to the ASX, investor and analyst presentations, news releases, event details and other publications that may be of interest. You can also follow Telix on X and LinkedIn.

Telix Investor Relations

Ms. Kyahn Williamson

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

SVP Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Email: [email protected]

Telix Media Relations (U.S.)

Eliza Schleifstein

ES Media Relations

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 917-763-8106

RLS Investor Relations

Mark Elliott

RLS (USA) Inc.

VP Finance and Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

Legal Notices

You should read this announcement together with our risk factors, as disclosed in our most recently filed reports with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) or on our website.

The information contained in this announcement is not intended to be an offer for subscription, invitation or recommendation with respect to securities of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (Telix) in any jurisdiction, including the United States. The information and opinions contained in this announcement are subject to change without notification. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Telix disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any information or opinions contained in this announcement, including any forward-looking statements (as referred to below), whether as a result of new information, future developments, a change in expectations or assumptions, or otherwise. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained or opinions expressed in the course of this announcement.

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements that relate to anticipated future events, financial performance, plans, strategies or business developments. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "outlook", "forecast" and "guidance", or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on Telix's good-faith assumptions as to the financial, market, regulatory and other risks and considerations that exist and affect Telix's business and operations in the future and there can be no assurance that any of the assumptions will prove to be correct. In the context of Telix's business, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: the initiation, timing, progress and results of Telix's preclinical and clinical trials, and Telix's research and development programs; Telix's ability to advance product candidates into, enrol and successfully complete, clinical studies, including multi-national clinical trials; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals for Telix's product candidates, manufacturing activities and product marketing activities; Telix's sales, marketing and distribution and manufacturing capabilities and strategies; the commercialisation of Telix's product candidates, if or when they have been approved; Telix's ability to obtain an adequate supply of raw materials at reasonable costs for its products and product candidates; estimates of Telix's expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; Telix's financial performance; developments relating to Telix's competitors and industry; and the pricing and reimbursement of Telix's product candidates, if and after they have been approved. Telix's actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, and the differences may be adverse. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

2024 Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited. The Telix Pharmaceuticals, Illuccix, ARTMS and QIS names and logos are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates  all rights reserved.

[1] Positron emission tomography. [2] Single-photon emission computed tomography. [3] Good Manufacturing Practice. [4] Financial year ended 31 December 2023. [5] Telix ASX disclosure 20 December 2021. [6] Telix ASX disclosure 2 November 2021. [7] Telix ASX disclosure 14 October 2022.

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Transforming Classrooms: TeraBox's 1TB Free Cloud Storage Becomes Essential for Educators and Students

TOKYO, Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TeraBox ("TeraBox" or "the Company"), a globally trusted cloud storage service headquartered in Tokyo, also a favored cloud storage solution among Indonesian users, held its first large-scale campus event at prominent Indonesian universities such as University Diponegoro, Universitas Indonesia, and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember. The company hosted numerous offline events, attracting interactions from more than 30,500 students and teachers, and handed out 85,000 flyers. Event videos posted on the universities' official Instagram and YouTube accounts received tens of thousands of views. TeraBox looks forward to deepening its collaboration with academic institutions to offer innovative cloud storage solutions for students.

In an era where digital resources are integral to academic success, TeraBox is committed to becoming an essential tool for students, providing a secure and efficient way to save and share curriculum files and materials, simplifying file management. By offering a massive 1TB (1024GB) of free cloud storage space per account, TeraBox alleviates the challenges of managing extensive educational materials, such as e-books, digital textbooks, learning notes, and experimental data in the new semester to come. Furthermore, TeraBox enhances productivity by enabling students to engage in online assignments and collaborative projects, fostering sharing, collaboration, and communication among students and between students and teachers. TeraBox not only addresses issues related to insufficient memory on devices like smartphones and laptops, but also significantly boosts efficiency in data management in an environmentally friendly manner.

Understanding the need for seamless collaboration, TeraBox features user-friendly sharing options that allow students and faculties to create links with just one click. This facilitates easy sharing of multiple files simultaneously, which can greatly improve collaborative efforts among peers. Whether accessing files from mobile devices or desktops, students can manage their documents effortlessly anytime and anywhere. Feedback from offline surveys reveals that many users in Indonesia are impressed with TeraBox's offering of 1TB (1024GB) of free storage space. This generous storage not only meets the needs of university students for sharing various social and lifestyle content but also eliminates the necessity of creating multiple accounts with other storage services to fulfill their storage requirements.

As of July 2024, TeraBox boasts over 320 million registered users worldwide, with more than 20 million active daily users across over 231 countries and regions. The platform ensures top-tier security by employing advanced measures such as TLS/SSL protocols, encryption algorithms, and access controls. TeraBox is accredited with ISO standards (ISO 27001/27701/27018) certifications to protect the safety of data storage and transmission. These technologies also guarantee the stored and transmitted information is safe through client-side endpoint encryption within a large-scale distributed system architecture.

About TeraBox

TeraBox, developed by Flextech Inc., is a globally trusted cloud storage app headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. With a focus on intelligent, efficient, and secure cloud storage, TeraBox is dedicated to providing users with innovative and user-friendly solutions for their data storage needs. Download the TeraBox App on Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Windows devices, or visit www.terabox.com for online access. To learn more about the fantastic Referral Program, please visit the provided site.

SOURCE Flextech Inc.
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global smart elevator market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.92 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.78% during the forecast period growing number of construction activities is driving market growth, with a trend towards cloud predictive maintenance However, intense competition poses a challenge - Key market players include Express Lifts Ltd., Fujitec Co. Ltd., Halma Plc, Hitachi Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Hyundai Elevator Co. Ltd., Johnson Lifts Pvt. Ltd., KONE Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Nidec Corp., Otis Worldwide Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Robustel, Schindler Holding Ltd., Sigma Elevator Co., thyssenkrupp AG, TK Elevator GmbH, Toshiba Corp., and Vantage Elevation LLC.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global smart elevator market 2024-2028

Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View the snapshot of this report

Smart Elevator Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.78% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 4923.2 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.23 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and

Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 33% Key countries US, UK, China, Germany, and Japan Key companies profiled Express Lifts Ltd., Fujitec Co. Ltd., Halma Plc,

Hitachi Ltd., Honeywell International Inc.,

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Hyundai Elevator

Co. Ltd., Johnson Lifts Pvt. Ltd., KONE Corp.,

Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Nidec Corp., Otis

Worldwide Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH,

Robustel, Schindler Holding Ltd., Sigma Elevator

Co., thyssenkrupp AG, TK Elevator GmbH,

Toshiba Corp., and Vantage Elevation LLC

Market Driver

The Smart Elevator market is driven by the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in elevators. This innovation enables the collection and analysis of elevator data in the cloud, comparing it with historical data from the supplier's database. Analyzing this information can predict potential component failures, alerting service engineers to take preventive measures before major breakdowns. This proactive approach saves time and money on repairs for lift operators, making it a significant market growth factor during the forecast period.

The Smart Elevator Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for modernization and new deployment of elevator systems in both high-rise and low/mid-rise buildings. Freight elevator systems and passenger elevator systems are becoming increasingly popular, with a focus on energy efficiency and green buildings. The integration of IoT, AI, and cloud computing enables advanced features like regenerative drive, destination-oriented technology, and virtual reality diagnostics. Elevator manufacturers provide new installation services and renovation services to incorporate hardware upgrades and software enhancements. Infotainment systems, spatial technologies, and sensors are added to enhance user experience. Traditional elevators are being replaced with smart elevators, offering control systems, AI, and cameras for improved safety and efficiency. Urbanization and smart cities require commercial applications of smart elevators to reduce energy consumption and optimize maintenance with cloud predictive maintenance.

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Market Challenges

The global smart elevator market is currently undergoing a challenging phase, with profit margins for vendors decreasing due to heightened competition and escalating raw material costs. Major players like KONE Corp and Otis Worldwide Corp dominate the market share. New entrants, such as Hitachi Elevators, are entering the market due to its continuous growth. However, this expansion has resulted in intense price competition among vendors, leading to reduced profit margins. The increasing competition could potentially introduce lower-quality products, potentially hindering market growth during the forecast period.

The Smart Elevator Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for modernization and new deployment of elevators in both low & mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Freight elevator systems and passenger elevator systems are being upgraded with IoT, AI, and regenerative drive features to enhance efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Green buildings and urbanization are key drivers, with a focus on energy-efficient elevators and smart technology. Elevator manufacturers are offering new installation services and renovation services to cater to this demand. Infotainment systems, spatial technologies, and virtual reality diagnostics are also becoming popular in commercial applications. Traditional elevator systems are being replaced with smart elevators, incorporating sensors, cameras, control systems, and destination-oriented technology. Cloud computing and predictive maintenance are also gaining traction in the market. Overall, the Smart Elevator Market is set to revolutionize the way we move in buildings, making them more efficient, sustainable, and convenient.

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Segment Overview

This smart elevator market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Service

1.1 Modernization

1.2 New deployment

1.3 Maintenance

Application

2.1 Commercial

2.2 Residential

2.3 Industrial

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 APAC

3.4 Middle East and Africa

and 3.5 South America

1.1 Modernization- The Smart Elevator Market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing demand for energy-efficient and technologically advanced elevators. These elevators offer features like automatic door opening, destination dispatch, and real-time monitoring, enhancing building efficiency and user experience. Major players in the market include Otis Elevator Company, Schindler Group, and Kone Corporation, who are investing in research and development to innovate and meet evolving customer needs. The market is expected to continue its expansion, driven by urbanization and rising construction activities.

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Research Analysis

The Smart Elevator Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions in buildings, particularly in high-rise structures and urban areas that are becoming smart cities. These elevators are equipped with advanced control systems, destination-oriented technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) for optimized energy consumption and efficient operation. The integration of cloud computing, hardware, and software enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and infotainment systems. Green buildings and building construction are also driving the market for smart elevators, which are designed to be compatible with IoT sensors and virtual reality diagnostics. Both passenger and freight elevator systems are benefiting from these innovations, offering improved safety, comfort, and productivity.

Market Research Overview

The Smart Elevator Market is experiencing significant growth due to the integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) in elevator systems. These technologies enable predictive maintenance using cloud computing and data analytics, leading to energy savings and improved efficiency in both commercial and residential buildings. The market includes Passenger and Freight Elevator Systems, with a focus on energy-efficient designs and regenerative drive features. New deployment and modernization services are in high demand for existing buildings, while infotainment systems and virtual reality diagnostics enhance the user experience. Spatial Technologies and Destination-oriented systems are becoming popular in high-rise buildings, while sensors and cameras ensure safety and security. The market also caters to the needs of green buildings and smart cities, offering innovative solutions for urbanization and sustainable construction. Overall, the Smart Elevator Market is transforming traditional elevator systems into intelligent, connected, and energy-efficient solutions for the future.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Service

Modernization



New Deployment



Maintenance

Application

Commercial



Residential



Industrial

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



Middle East And Africa



South America



7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The Global Sodium Nitrate Market size is estimated to grow by USD 32.5 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 4.65% during the forecast period. growing demand for fertilizers is driving market growth, with a trend towards use of sodium nitrate in renewable energy segment However, soil deterioration caused by chemical fertilizers poses a challenge - Key market players include AG Chemi Group s.r.o., Akshay Group of Companies, All Chemical Manufacturing and Consultancy Pty Ltd., Anish Chemicals, Arihant Chemical, Avantor Inc., BASF SE, Deepak Nitrite Ltd., Jagannath Chemicals, Jost Chemical Co., Nitroparis S.L., Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd., Penta s.r.o, Quality Chemicals S.L, Ravi Chem Industries, SNDB, SQM S.A., Spectrum Laboratory Products Inc., Vizag Chemical International, and Weifang Haiye Chemistry and Industry Co. Ltd..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global sodium nitrate market 2024-2028

Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View the snapshot of this report

Sodium Nitrate Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.65% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 32.5 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.4 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 50% Key countries China, US, Japan, Germany, and India Key companies profiled AG Chemi Group s.r.o., Akshay Group of Companies, All Chemical Manufacturing and Consultancy Pty Ltd., Anish Chemicals, Arihant Chemical, Avantor Inc., BASF SE, Deepak Nitrite Ltd., Jagannath Chemicals, Jost Chemical Co., Nitroparis S.L., Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd., Penta s.r.o, Quality Chemicals S.L, Ravi Chem Industries, SNDB, SQM S.A., Spectrum Laboratory Products Inc., Vizag Chemical International, and Weifang Haiye Chemistry and Industry Co. Ltd.

Market Driver

The solar energy market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing energy demands and depletion of non-renewable resources. Solar power plants generate electricity by converting heat energy into electric current, requiring thermal energy storage materials to effectively store and utilize this heat. A combination of potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate, with a ratio of 60:40, is used as a thermal energy storage material. Sodium nitrate plays a crucial role in this system by undergoing a state transition during heat storage. Consequently, the expanding solar industry is projected to boost the sodium nitrate market during the forecast period.

The sodium nitrate market is experiencing significant growth due to its diverse applications in various industries. In the agricultural sector, sodium nitrate is widely used as a fertilizer for crops like sugarcane, corn, wheat, and soybeans, boosting cereal crop production and improving yield. In the explosives industry, it is an additive element in black powder and pyrotechnics. In glass manufacturing, sodium nitrate provides stability and clarity. The Indian agriculture sector, with its large population and expanding agricultural production, is a major consumer of sodium nitrate. It is also used as a non-toxic, non-poisonous preservative, antimicrobial, and coloring agent in the food industry for meats, fish, cheese, and other food products. In the chemical industries, sodium nitrate is used in industrial-grade activities. However, concerns over groundwater and drinking water contamination and diseases like Blue Baby Syndrome limit its use. The market is expected to continue growing due to increasing demand from the fertilizer and explosive manufacturing industries. According to the World Bank, the global sodium nitrate market is projected to reach over 2 million metric tons by 2025, with agricultural land and arable land being the primary consumers. Farmers continue to rely on sodium nitrate to increase their food crops' yield and improve their livelihoods.

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Market Challenges

Sodium nitrate is a widely used fertilizer due to its easy solubility in water and other solvents, making it quickly available to plants. It is not prone to volatile losses, making it a reliable choice for farmers. However, excessive use can negatively impact soil health over time. Developing countries have faced soil degradation due to long-term use of chemical fertilizers, leading to a shift towards less harmful alternatives. This trend may negatively influence the global sodium nitrate market growth in the fertilizer sector. Farmers must use sodium nitrate scientifically to maintain soil health and maximize crop yield.

The Sodium Nitrate market faces significant challenges in the agricultural sector due to fluctuating cereal crop production and limited arable land. Farmers rely on sodium nitrate as a yield enhancer for food crops, but its use is restricted due to the availability of arable land. In the food industry, sodium nitrate serves as a preservative, antimicrobial, and coloring agent in various end-use industries like fish, cheese, and meats. The industrial-grade segment caters to industries requiring high purity levels, such as construction, electronics, and solvents for adhesives, drain cleaners, heat transfer agents, and fertilizers. Population growth fuels the demand for processed foods with longer shelf life, driving the market growth. However, the production of industrial-grade sodium nitrate, including black bombs, raises safety concerns. Ensuring safety and maintaining the required purity levels for food-grade sodium nitrate remains a key challenge.

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Segment Overview

This sodium nitrate market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Application

1.1 Agriculture

1.2 Others

Grade Type

2.1 Industrial

2.2 Food

2.3 Pharmaceutical

Geography

3.1 APAC

3.2 Europe

3.3 North America

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Agriculture- The Sodium Nitrate market is experiencing steady growth due to its extensive applications in various industries. Food processing is a major sector driving demand, as sodium nitrate is used as a preservative and color enhancer. In agriculture, it functions as a fertilizer and herbicide. Pharmaceuticals also utilize sodium nitrate for therapeutic purposes. Its versatility and wide range of applications ensure a continuous market presence.

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Research Analysis

Sodium nitrate is a versatile inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaNO3. It is a white, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. Sodium nitrate finds extensive applications in various industries, including fertilizers, explosives, glass, and pyrotechnics. In the agricultural industry, it is used as a source of nitrogen for crops, particularly in the Indian agriculture sector, where it plays a crucial role in increasing agricultural production. Sodium nitrate is a non-toxic and non-poisonous additive element for cereal crops such as sugarcane, corn, and wheat. Its stability makes it an ideal choice for use in the explosive industry as well. However, excessive use of sodium nitrate in agriculture can lead to groundwater contamination, posing potential risks to drinking water and human health. Diseases like blue baby syndrome have been linked to high levels of sodium nitrate in drinking water. Despite these concerns, the global consumption of sodium nitrate continues to grow, with the market projected to reach several metric tons in the coming years.

Market Research Overview

Sodium nitrate is a versatile inorganic compound with various applications in different industries. It is primarily used as an essential ingredient in fertilizers due to its ability to enhance agricultural production, particularly in crops like sugarcane, corn, wheat, and soybeans. In the agricultural industry, sodium nitrate plays a crucial role in increasing crop yield and improving food-grade quality. Beyond fertilizers, sodium nitrate finds extensive use in the explosives industry as an additive element, enhancing the stability and performance of explosives such as black powder and pyrotechnics. It is also used in the glass industry as a fluxing agent. The Indian agriculture sector, with its vast arable land and growing population, is a significant consumer of sodium nitrate. The increasing demand for food crops to feed the expanding population has led to a surge in the consumption of sodium nitrate in the fertilizer manufacturing industries. Sodium nitrate is also a non-toxic and non-poisonous compound, making it suitable for use in the chemical industries, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. It is used as a preservative, antimicrobial, and coloring agent in various food products like fish, cheese, and meats. In the industrial-grade segment, sodium nitrate is used in various applications such as solvents, adhesives, drain cleaners, heat transfer agents, and in the production of ready-to-eat food products to enhance their shelf life and processed foods for improved texture and flavor. The global sodium nitrate market is expected to grow significantly due to population growth, increasing agricultural production, and the expanding end-use industries such as construction, electronics, and various manufacturing industries. However, concerns regarding the potential contamination of groundwater and drinking water due to sodium nitrate usage and the risk of diseases like blue baby syndrome may pose challenges to the market's growth.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Application

Agriculture



Others

Grade Type

Industrial



Food



Pharmaceutical

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 market for ecologically friendly and sustainable products is expanding. Therefore, the market for wet shave products will likely concentrate more in the future on environmentally friendly items like shaving creams and razors composed of recyclable or biodegradable materials. Companies are encouraged to implement greener packaging and manufacturing techniques to appeal to environmentally conscious customers.

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Wet Shave Market by Gender (Male and Female), Product (Disposable Razors, Non-disposable Razors, Shaving Lotions & Creams, Razor Cartridges, Blades and Others), and Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets, Supermarkets, Independent Retailers and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the wet shave market was valued at $18.3 million in 2023, and is estimated to reach $46.8 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2024 to 2033.

Request The Sample PDF of This Report: @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A07780

Prime determinants of growth

One of the main factors driving the wet shave market's expansion is rising consumer awareness of personal grooming, which is being fueled by social media's influence and shifts in culture. Technological developments in razor and shaving product designs are especially important since they provide better comfort and performance, which attracts customers looking for the best possible shaving experience. Wet shave products' increased accessibility due to the growth of e-commerce and subscription services has also helped this sector expand. The market also has to cope with obstacles, though, as electric razors continue to gain popularity and as people choose to keep their facial hair longer, which may reduce the need for wet shaving. Another factor propelling innovation and expansion in this sector is consumer demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20242033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $18.3 million Market Size in 2033 $46.8 million CAGR 9.9 % No. of Pages in Report 250 Segments Covered Gender, Product, Distribution Channel, and Region. Drivers Increased Focus on Personal Grooming

Technological Advancements

Growth of E-Commerce and Subscription Models Opportunities Expansion into Emerging Markets

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Products Restraints Competition from Electric Razors

Maintenance of Facial Hair Trends

Segment Highlights

By gender, the male segment dominated the market with the highest share in 2023. Men's attention to personal grooming and the need for a close, comfortable shave fuel demand for traditional shaving products. Modern razor innovations, like ergonomic handles and sophisticated blade designs, have been developed especially for men who want the best possible shaving experience. Men's changing preferences for sustainability and convenience are also reflected in the rising popularity of subscription services and eco-friendly goods. To cater to the varied demands and preferences of male consumers in the wet shave industry, both established brands and developing companies are focusing on this market segment with specialized marketing strategies and product offers.

By product, the shaving lotions & creams segment was the dominant segment in the market in 2023. In the wet shave industry, shaving lotions and creams play a significant role since they offer the lubrication and protection needed for a flawless shave. They reduce irritation and guarantee a closer shave by reducing facial hair and forming a barrier between the skin and the blade. Formulations with moisturizing ingredients, natural extracts, and anti-inflammatory qualities are among the innovations in this market that target sensitive skin and improve the shaving experience. Demand for organic and environmentally friendly products has increased, which is in line with broader consumer trends toward sustainability. The growing popularity of high-performance products that offer additional benefits like cooling effects or anti-aging chemicals is propelling this category's growth.

By distribution channel, the hypermarket segment dominated the market with the highest share in 2023. Hypermarkets are an essential distribution channel in the wet shave business because of their wide reach and high foot traffic. They make it simple for customers to get a variety of wet shave products in one place, such as shaving creams, lotions, and razors. Hypermarkets' capacity to provide deals, discounts, and possibilities for bulk purchases additionally attracts customers on a limited budget. High visibility and regular shopper visits are further advantages of this channel, which helps marketers promote their products and boost sales in the competitive wet shave industry.

Buy This Research Report (250 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/5fc452868eeba03639ed306a76391f9a

Regional Outlook

The market is well-established in North America, especially in the U.S., due to innovations including subscription models and strong consumer demand for high-end grooming goods. Europe is growing steadily, with an emphasis on eco-friendly products and sustainability. Urbanization, the growing middle class, and rising disposable incomes are all contributing to the rapid market expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in China and India. However, the market is still in its early stages in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, but it is expanding due to rising grooming awareness and the spread of international brands. In general, innovation, regional preferences, and a move toward ecologically friendly products characterize the global market.

Players: -

Procter & Gamble

Unilever PLC

Edgewell Personal Care Company

Beiersdorf AG

Johnson & Johnson

Raymond Limited

Godrej Consumer Products Limited

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global wet shave market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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Recent Development:

In February 2024 , a range of eco-friendly shaving creams and gels, emphasizing natural ingredients and recyclable packaging, was introduced by Dollar Shave Club as part of their product line expansion. The release of this product is in line with consumers' growing desire for environmentally friendly and sustainable products.

, a range of eco-friendly shaving creams and gels, emphasizing natural ingredients and recyclable packaging, was introduced by Dollar Shave Club as part of their product line expansion. The release of this product is in line with consumers' growing desire for environmentally friendly and sustainable products. In October 2023 , the company Bevel, which sells products specifically for men of color, partnered with big-name American retailers like Walmart and Target to increase its retail footprint. Gaining more accessibility and publicity for the brand across the nation is the goal of this growth.

Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Consumer and Goods Domain:

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Top Cybersecurity Experts Unite in Taiwan to Share Real-World Zero Trust Solutions and Strategies

MILPITAS, Calif., Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zentera Systems, Inc., the leader in Zero Trust Security for the digitally-transformed enterprise, today announced that it is co-sponsoring and co-hosting the Zero Trust Architecture Implementation Summit in conjunction with Taiwan National University of Science and Technology. The event will take place on October 3, 2024, at the Renaissance Taipei Hotel, and will bring together top cybersecurity leaders to explore evolving challenges and practical strategies for implementing Zero Trust architecture.

The event will feature a special keynote by Dr. Chase Cunningham (also known as " Dr. Zero Trust ")  a cybersecurity advisor to the U.S. government, former Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester, and a consultant on the NIST SP800-207 Zero Trust Architecture. Dr. Cunningham will be speaking on "From Revelation to Application: New Cyber Threats and the Realities of Zero Trust Implementation," sharing his extensive experience and insights on implementing Zero Trust security. Having played a critical role in the development of the Zero Trust framework from its inception, Dr. Cunningham will help businesses and organizations understand the key challenges they may encounter during the planning and deployment process, along with the strategies and actions they should take to ensure their security frameworks are robust, effective, and adaptable to the ever-evolving cyber threats.

Dr. Jaushin Lee, Founder and CEO of Zentera Systems, will also present "From Theory to Practice: How to Make the Zero Trust Goal Actionable and Attainable." Lee will also moderate a panel featuring industry experts, including Robert Jin, CISO at ASUS Group, and Thomas Wan, General Manager at Ernst & Young Management Consulting Co., and Dr. Ying-Dar Lin, Deputy Director of the National Institute for Cyber Security (NICS). The panel will discuss strategies for successful Zero Trust implementation across various industries.

"As cybersecurity threats to Taiwanese industries intensify, Zero Trust offers an indispensable framework to secure digital assets. At Zentera, we are committed to providing the tools and insights necessary to help companies achieve real-world Zero Trust implementation," said Jaushin Lee. "We are proud to contribute to this summit and help businesses transform Zero Trust theory into practice."

The Zero Trust Architecture Implementation Summit promises to provide actionable insights for organizations looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge from real-world case studies and expert discussions on overcoming the challenges of Zero Trust adoption.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders. Register now for insights that will transform your Zero Trust strategy. To learn more about how Zentera's solutions can transform your Zero Trust journey, visit our web site.

About Zentera Systems, Inc.

Zentera Systems is the leader in Zero Trust Security solutions for the digitally-transformed enterprise. Founded by experts in networking, security, and remote access, the company offers award-winning Zero Trust networking, security, and multi-cloud connectivity that overlays any fragmented infrastructure and deploys rapidly on premises or in the cloud. Global enterprises use Zentera's products to secure employee and third-party access, protect against data leaks, and instantly defend applications in complex hybrid and IT/OT environments. The Silicon Valley-based company has received numerous recognitions, including Cool Vendor for Cloud Security by Gartner.

Press Contact: Katie Quaranta, PR Manager, +1 (949) 236-6448 x 770, https://www.zentera.net/

SOURCE Zentera Systems, Inc.
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
Bhopal, Sep 20 : After witnessing humiliating defeats in two back-to-back electoral battles against the ruling BJP in the last six months, Congress veteran Kamal Nath has started reviving and restructuring the party in his bastion Chhindwara.

In a bid to boost the morale of the party cadre the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister along with his son and ex-MP Nakul Nath started participating in public meetings in their home turf around two-and-half months after the Congress lost the Amarwara bypoll on July 13.

On their visit to Chhindwara on Friday, Kamal Nath and Nakul Nath flagged-off 'Kisan Nyay Yatra' that began under the leadership of state Congress chief Jitu Patwari across Madhya Pradesh.

The father and son duo, who had arrived in Chhindwara on Thursday, held a series of meetings with Congress workers and leaders in different Assembly segments - Pandhurna, Sausar and Amarwara.

In these back-to-back meetings, Kamal Nath reviewed the partyas situation in his bastion.

Sources in the Congress told IANS that during these meetings, Kamal Nath also assured the party workers that Nakul Nath would be looking after the party's activities like before.

The veteran leader also assured that the process of restructuring the party would begin soon in Chhindwara.

It all started after Kamal Nath met Congress top brass Rahul Gandhi on September 3 in New Delhi.

That meeting took place after the Congress under the leadership of Kamal Nath witnessed an embarrassing defeat in Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections in December last year.

After that meeting, Kamal Nath visited Madhya Pradesh twice in two weeks and held a series of meetings with senior party leaders, including ex-CM and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh and some other prominent leaders in his bungalow in Bhopal.

However, Thursday was the first time the father and son visited their home turf Chhindwara after the Amarwara bye-election, which the party lost to the BJP's Kamlesh Shah.

Incidentally, Kamlesh Shah once used to be a Kamal Nath loyalist and won two elections on the Congress' symbol.

Kamal Nath would need to restructure the party in Chhindwara because, he has not only lost the election (Nakul Nath lost Lok Sabha) but also several of his loyalists, especially former MLA Deepak Saxena, who once used to be the most trusted person for the Nath family.

Saxena, who had even resigned as MLA for Nath in 2019 from the Chhindwara Parliamentary constituency, had shifted to the BJP ahead of the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, accusing Nakul Nath of disrespecting senior allies of his father.
Kolkata, Sep 20 : The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police have arrested a Trinamool Congress councillor on charges of abducting a Tripura-based businessman.

The councillor, arrested late Thursday night, was identified as Milan Sardar and is the councillor from ward number 33 of Barasat Municipality in North 24 Parganas district. He will be presented at a district court on Friday.

After his arrest by police, Trinamool Congress leadership announced Sardar's expulsion from the party. The CID sleuths earlier had arrested six of his associates for the crime.

The abducted Tripura-based businessman had come to his relative's place at Sodepur in North 24 Parganas district in the first week of September when he was abducted at gunpoint from a garage in the locality.

He was first kept at a farmhouse in Barasat and from there was shifted to a residential flat in a housing complex in the locality. The CID sleuths after taking over the investigation raided the residence and rescued the abducted businessman.

Soon, the six persons involved in the abduction were also arrested. In the face of interrogation, they admitted that Sardar was not only the main brain behind the abduction but also arranged for the two accommodations where the abducted businessman was kept.

However, Sardar went absconding then. Sources said that finally on Thursday night, the CID sleuths received information about him coming to the residence at Barasat.

A sudden raid was conducted by the investigating officials and finally, Sardar was arrested.

Reacting to the development, four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from the Barasat constituency and also the party's organisational district president Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said the party has decided to expel Sardar from the party. "We will not tolerate such activities at any cost," she said.

Sardar was a worker at a local gold ornament shop in Barasat before joining politics. He became the councillor of Barasat Municipality in 2015. In the past also, there had been several complaints of financial irregularities against him.
Jerusalem, Sep 23 : Israeli forces "are carefully planning the coming days" and their attacks against Hezbollah will intensify, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has said.

Israeli forces have killed over 600 militants, "including dozens of Hezbollah's top military leaders," since the onset of the Gaza conflict last year, and have struck "hundreds" of targets in Lebanon recently, weakening Hezbollah's launch and combat capabilities, Halevi said on Sunday in a televised speech from the Tel Nof Airbase, a principal airbase of the Israeli Air Force.

"The price Hezbollah is paying is increasing, and our strikes will intensify," Halevi was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.

"We have many more capabilities yet to deploy, and we are in a very high state of readiness, both offensively and defensively," he said.

Meanwhile, Halevi claimed that the Israeli airstrike on a building in Beirut's southern suburb on Friday has "eliminated" Hezbollah's chain of command.

The building was bombed by Israeli warplanes when Hezbollah commanders were planning in it an attack on northern Israel aimed at killing civilians and kidnapping soldiers, he claimed.

"We will ensure the safety of those (displaced Israelis) returning (to their home along the border), and if Hezbollah hasn't understood this yet, they will continue to face blow after blow until they do," he said.

Tension along the Israel-Lebanon border has escalated sharply following communication device explosions across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday that killed 37 people and injured 2,931, as well as an Israeli airstrike on Friday targeting a building in the Jamous area in the southern suburbs of Beirut that killed 45 and injured dozens more.

The Israeli army and Hezbollah, which has deep ties to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, have been exchanging fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since Oct. 8, 2023, raising fears that the nearly one-year-long confrontations could escalate into a full-scale war.
New York, Sep 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Nepalese counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli in New York on the second day of his three-day US visit on Sunday.

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of the age-old, multi-faceted and expanding India-Nepal partnership, Randhir Jaiswal, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said in a post on X.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi in a post on X said: "Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade."

Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Oli described the meeting as "fruitful" and various matters of bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting.

According to Nepal's Foreign Affairs Ministry, the two countries enjoy excellent bilateral ties. Founded on the age-old connection of history, culture, tradition and religion, these relations are "close, comprehensive and multidimensional and are pronounced more in political, social, cultural, religious and economic engagements with each other".

The two countries established diplomatic relations on June 17, 1947.

Regarding its relations with India, the Nepalese foreign office says that the "unwavering commitment to the principles of peaceful coexistence, sovereign equality, and understanding of each other's aspirations and sensitivities has been the firm foundation on which our bilateral relations have been growing further".
Nepalese telco Ncell has denied market rumors that it has struck a deal to take over fixed-broadband ISP Classic Tech, although it confirmed that is seeking some sort of deal with an ISP.

Last Thursday, several local media outlets reported that Ncell had secured an initial deal to acquire shares in Classic Tech that would pave the way for a complete takeover of the ISP. The reports, citing anonymous sources, noted that the alleged deal had yet to be finalised.

On Friday, Ncell said in a statement that such reports were premature and speculative, and that it has not struck any such deal with any ISP.

However, Ncell did say it was looking for some sort of tie-up with an ISP to expand its service portfolio.

While Ncell is actively exploring opportunities in the ISP market, we remain committed to conducting thorough discussions and assessments, the statement said. Our goal is to ensure that any potential decisions align with both the strategic objectives of Nepal and the broader telecommunications industry.

The telco added that by expanding our offerings, we can empower individuals, support businesses, and ultimately foster a more connected and digitally inclusive Nepal.

According to the latest stats from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Classic Tech is the sixth largest fixed-broadband ISP in the country as of July 2024 with just over 163,000 subscribers (including around 700 FWA subscribers), which works out to a market share of 5.79%.

Overall, there are 2.8 million fixed-broadband subscribers in Nepal, with a market penetration of around 42%. However, the fixed-broadband segment itself accounts for just 8.2% of Nepals overall broadband internet space.

Mobile broadband accountsfor most of the rest at 31.2 million subscribers. Out of that, state-owned Nepal Telecom dominates the market with 71.85% market share, with privately-owned Ncell holding the remaining 28.15%.

Nepal Telecom is also the third-largest fixed-broadband provider in the country with over 313,000 subscribers and a market share of 11.1%.
New York, Sep 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the CEOs of leading American tech companies in a roundtable in New York and discussed aspects relating to technology, innovation and more.

During the roundtable, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the strides made by India in the field of technology.

The Prime Minister in a post on X on Monday said he had a "fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York..."

"I am glad to see immense optimism towards India," he added.

The tech roundtable anchored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) focused on Artificial Intelligence and Quantum; Biotechnology and Life Sciences; Computing, IT and Communication; and Semiconductor technologies.

The CEOs participated in a deep dive with the Prime Minister on the evolving technology landscape at a global level and how these cutting-edge technologies are contributing to the well-being of people around the world including in India. They touched upon how technology is being leveraged for innovations, which have the potential to revolutionise the global economy and human development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Prime Minister Modi appreciated the efforts of the MIT School of Engineering and its Dean for bringing the technology leaders together. He noted that technology collaboration and efforts such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) lie at the core of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister stressed that in his third term, India will make every effort to become the third-largest economy in the world. He encouraged the companies to take advantage of India's growth story for collaboration and innovation. "They can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from India's economic and technological growth," he said.

Prime Minister Modi assured the business leaders of India's deep commitment to the protection of intellectual property and to fostering tech innovation.

He also highlighted the economic transformation happening in India, particularly in electronics and information technology manufacturing, semiconductors, biotech and green development.

Prime Minister Modi told the CEOs that his government was committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing. He also dwelt on India's BIO E3 policy to develop India into a biotech powerhouse. On AI, he noted that India's policy is to promote AI for All, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use.

The CEOs expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India. They also agreed that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in India.

According to MEA, India's growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities, got much appreciation from the tech leaders.

The CEOs who attended the roundtable included Google's Sundar Pichai, Arvind Krishna of IBM, Julie Sweet (Accenture), Shantanu Narayen (Adobe), Lisa Su (AMD), Chris Viehbacher (Biogen Inc), Chris Boerner (Bristol Myers Squibb), David A. Ricks (Eli Lilly and Company), Enrique Lores (HP Inc.), Tim Archer (LAM Research), Noubar Afeyan (Moderna - Chairman), Hans Vestberg (Verizon), Thomas Caulfield (Global Foundaries), Jensen Huang (NVIDIA), and Martin Schroeter of Kyndryl.
New York, Sep 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deep concern at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating security situation in the region during a meeting with Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the United Nations' 'Summit of the Future' in New York.

Prime Minister Modi also reaffirmed India's unwavering support to the people of Palestine, including continued humanitarian assistance. He reiterated India's time-tested principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue, and called for a ceasefire, release of hostages and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.

"Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated India's support for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine," the Prime Minister said in a post on social media platform X on Monday after the meeting.

Prime Minister Modi stressed that only a two-State solution will deliver enduring peace and stability in the region. Recalling that India was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine, he conveyed India's continued support for Palestine's membership of the UN.

The two leaders held constructive discussions on various facets of India-Palestine bilateral relations, including India's support to Palestine at the United Nations and ongoing assistance and support to Palestine in the field of education, health, and other capacity-building efforts.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen India-Palestine bilateral relations.
New York, Sep 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the top technology and biosciences leaders after outlining his vision of making India a technology powerhouse at a rally of the diaspora.

After the meeting with 15 CEOs from chip design and manufacture, IT, and biosciences fields on Sunday, he posted on X that he was "glad to see immense optimism towards India".

His administration was "committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing" and a biotech powerhouse, PM Modi told them, according to the Ministry of External Affairs press release.

He said India's policy is "to promote AI for All, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use".

PM Modi's X post called the roundtable "fruitful" and that they discussed technology and innovation while he "highlighted the strides made by India in this field".

He met separately with Kris Singh, the CEO of Holtec International, a company that makes small nuclear reactors.

"They discussed Holtec's plan to expand manufacturing in India and the potential for boosting cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy," said an X post from MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaisal.

The MEA release said the the roundtable with the CEOs of tech and bioscience focused on artificial intelligence and quantum computing; biotechnology and life sciences; computing, IT and communication, and semiconductor technologies.

The release said they had a "deep dive" on the evolving technology landscape at a global level and "how these cutting-edge technologies are contributing to the well-being of people around the world. including in India".

PM Modi assured the CEOs about India's "deep commitment" to protecting intellectual property, the MEA said.

During his third term, "India will make every effort to become the third largest economy in the world", he said, asking them "to take advantage of India's growth story for collaboration and innovation".

"They can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from India's economic and technological growth," the release said.

While on previous visits to the US, he has met with many tech leaders, this time there were more from the chip, semiconductor, and biosciences fields.

The leaders from the chip field were CEOs Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Lisa Su of AMD, Tim Archer of Lam Research, Thomas Caulfield of Global Foundries, and Arvind Krishna of IBM.

CEOs Shantanu Narayen of Adobe, Sundar Pichai of Google, Enrique Lores of HP, and Hans Vestberg of Verizon from the IT sector were at the roundtable.

From life sciences and biotech came, CEOs Chris Viehbacher of Biogen, Chris Boerner of Briston Squibb Myers, David Ricks of Eli Lilly, and Noubar Afeyan, the chairman of Moderna.

The MEA release said they expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India seeing its "growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities".
Srinagar, Sep 23 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is slated to address two election rallies in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday ahead of the second phase of the Assembly polls, scheduled for September 25.

The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha will address his first public rally in Poonch's Surankote at 12:00 noon followed by another in Srinagar's Shalteng at 1:30 p.m.

Sources said that the Congress will first arrive in Srinagar on Monday morning in a special chartered flight and then will take a helicopter to fly to Surankote from Srinagar.

They added that after addressing the campaign rally in Surankote, he would fly back in the helicopter to Srinagar.

"He will address a party campaign rally in the central Shalteng constituency of Srinagar district in the afternoon. JKPCC chief, Tariq Hamid Karra is fighting the election from this Assembly constituency. He will then leave for New Delhi in the special chartered flight in the evening," Congress sources told IANS.

National Conference (NC) and the Congress have entered into a pre-poll alliance in J&K. The NC is contesting on 52 seats while the Congress will be fighting in 31 constituencies.

They are not fielding any candidate in two seats, leaving one in the Valley for CPI-M and the other in the Jammu division for the Panthers Party.

The NC-Congress alliance could not reach a consensus on five seats of Banihal, Nagrota, Kishtwar and Doda in Jammu division and Sopore in the Valley.

The two parties have fielded candidates in these constituencies who will engage in a friendly contest.

Voting for the second phase of the J&K Assembly elections will take place on September 25 while the third and the last phase is slated for October 1. Counting will take place on October 8.

--IANS

sha/
Bhubaneswar, Sep 23 : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged police brutality with an Army Major and his fiancee at Bhubaneswar's Bharatpur Police station on September 15.

As per a statement issued by the Chief Ministeras Office (CMO), CM Majhi took the decision after holding a high-level discussion with Deputy Chief Ministers K.V. Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, DGP Odisha Police, Y.B. Khurania and other senior officials at the Lok Seva Bhawan here late Sunday evening.

Earlier, Deputy CMs Singh Deo and Parida along with R&DM Minister Pujari and Law Minister Harichandan had met with the victim Army officer and his fiancee and discussed the matter at the state guest house. The woman's father and other retired Army officials were present during the meeting at the state guest house.

According to the statement, CM Majhi ordered the judicial inquiry under Justice Chittaranjan Das and requested the probe team to submit the report within 60 days.

The government has also requested the Orissa High Court to expedite the court-monitored Crime Branch investigation into the matter.

CM Majhi emphasized the rule of law and said that the state government has high respect for the Indian Army. He further added that the state government is fully concerned towards the safety, dignity and rights of women.

He added that the erring cops involved in the case have been placed under suspension and a case has been registered against them too. Action has been taken against the youths accused of misbehaving with the Army officer and his fiancee on September 15.

The Chief Minister said the state government is committed to taking stringent action against all the persons and cops found guilty in the matter.

As per the reports, the Army officer, Gurvansh Singh Gosal, attached to the 22nd Sikh regiment in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal and his fiancee had gone to the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar to lodge a complaint against some miscreants over an incident of road rage during early hours on September 15. An argument ensued between the police and the Army officer and his fiancee at the police station.

The Army officer was allegedly beaten by the on-duty police officials while three female cops dragged his fiancee into a cell of the Police station. Some male cops, including the ex-Inspector in charge of the Bharatpur Police Station reportedly thrashed and molested her at the police station.

As many as five police officials have been placed under suspension by the state police following widespread furore over the incident.
Chennai, Sep 23 : Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson and senior party leader A.N.S. Prasad called for a CBI investigation and a judicial probe in the Tirupati laddu controversy.

He said that the issue has shaken the Hindu community worldwide, sparking outrage and demands for accountability are growing.

The BJP leader said that at the heart of the issue is the alleged use of animal fat in the sacred 'laddu' prasadam, a cherished tradition that must be preserved.

Prasad said, "This shocking revelation has led to widespread distress among devotees, with many calling for a thorough investigation, protection of Tirumala's spiritual integrity, and transparency in the temple's management."

The BJP Tamil Nadu spokesperson said that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu revealed that animal fat was used in the laddu making, along with excessive oil.

ANS Prasad said that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam sourced oil from five private companies, but one refused to upgrade standards despite quality concerns.

He said that further testing confirmed the presence of animal fat in the oil, causing widespread distress among devotees.

The BJP leader said that Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Pralhad Joshi have sought clarification and a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.

Prasad said that devotees were urging the government to protect Tirumala's spiritual integrity, allocate funds according to the TTD Act, and remove non-Hindu employees.

He also said that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams devotees disapprove of the use of TTD funds for unrelated projects like 'Garuda Varadhi' construction.

The BJP leader in the statement said that the former priest of the temple, Raman Dikshathalu has claimed that he had noticed adulteration in the cow ghee used to prepare Tirupati Laddu Prasad many years ago. Prasad said that this was also a matter to be probed and urgent action was the need of the hour.

The senior leader said that this controversy highlights the need for transparency and accountability in religious institutions and added that by addressing these concerns, the government can preserve Tirumala's sanctity and maintain devotees' faith.

Prasad said that in response to the controversy, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has sought a detailed report from the Andhra Pradesh government. He further said that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has vowed to uphold the religious sanctity of the Tirumala Tirupati temple and announced plans to cleanse all state temples following the allegations.

The BJP leader in the statement said, "Devotees seek a comprehensive solution to address the controversy, including a thorough investigation into the alleged adulteration of the prasadam, protection of Tirumala's spiritual integrity, and transparency and accountability in the management of the temple."
Tokyo, Sep 23 : Unprecedented rainfall has left six people dead in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture, with 10 remaining unaccounted for as rescue work continued, local media reported.

Among the victims, two men were discovered dead on Sunday near a tunnel where landslides had trapped workers. Another two elderly women were found dead on Saturday, buried under mud and debris, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting the public broadcaster NHK.

A man rescued near the downstream area of a river was confirmed dead and one more fatality was reported as a home was engulfed by a landslide.

Authorities are still searching for two people, one in Noto Town and one in Suzu City, who were swept away by a river, local media reported, citing information from local police.

There are eight others whose safety is unconfirmed, bringing the number of people unaccounted for to 10, the report added.

Torrential rain pounded Ishikawa from Saturday, a region still reeling from a major earthquake at the start of the year.

Japan's weather agency on Sunday downgraded its heavy rain emergency warning for parts of Ishikawa Prefecture to a warning, but authorities called for continued vigilance against possible floods and landslides.

The record-breaking rain has isolated 115 villages due to landslides, and concerns are growing about the prolonged impact on water supply and infrastructure, according to the media reports.
Mumbai, Sep 24 : Actress Shraddha Kapoor, who is currently basking in the success of her latest release "Stree 2", celebrated the film's success with the most inspiring "strees" in her life.

Mumbai, Sep 24 (IANS) Actress Shraddha Kapoor, who is currently basking in the success of her latest release "Stree 2", celebrated the film's success with the most inspiring "strees" in her life.

Shraddha took to Instagram, where she shared a gamut of pictures from her girls night out with her friends, with whom she celebrated the roaring success of "Stree 2", which crossed the Rs. 600 crore benchmark on Sunday, as per trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

In the images, the actress is seen wearing a fiery red dress. Her friends too followed the colour theme. Shraddha also shared a picture of a cake, which had "Record breaking Stree" written on it.

"Jashn ka vatavaran With the most inspiring and wonderful Strees in my life - my "Magic Girls" @shraddha.naik @maaheknair @namrata.deepak_ @nikitamenon1," wrote Shraddha, who is one the most followed Bollywood celebrity with a following of a jaw-dropping 93.2 million.

"Stree 2" is the fifth installment in the Maddock Supernatural Universe and serves as the sequel to "Stree", which was released in 2018.

The film also stars Rajkummar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Pankaj Tripathi, and Aparshakti Khurana. The narrative follows a group of friends who must defeat a malevolent entity abducting the women of Chanderi.

Earlier this week, the daughter of Bollywood actor Shakti Kapoor shared an update about having some additions into her family.

She revealed that she had a furry-friend joining the family and introduced her as 'nanhi stree' named 'Small'.

In the caption, she wrote: "Mere ghar aayi ek nanhi stree!!! Miliye 'Small' se. Humaari nayi family member Meri dildaar dost @fazaa_s6 ne is choti si khushi ko mujhe gift kiya. Ab ye hua na sabse best tareeka jashn manane ka Woh toh alag baat hai ki is celebration mein ek koi hai jo kaafi na khush hai Swipe karke dekho woh shaqs kaun hai".
Canberra, Sep 23 : The Australian government has announced additional humanitarian support for Gaza.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy on Monday said that Australia will provide an additional 10 million Australian dollars (US$6.8 million) in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to Xinhua news agency.

They said in a joint statement that the funding will be directed to UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and will provide lifesaving assistance -- including nutrition support and hygiene and dignity kits -- with a focus on women and girls.

"Australia's support will help address the dire humanitarian situation with the delivery of nutrition and essential hygiene and health products," Wong said.

She added that rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must reach civilians, and aid workers "must be protected to enable their lifesaving work."

"We continue to press for a ceasefire, the protection of civilians and the release of hostages," Wong further said.

It takes the total amount of funding committed by Australia to provide humanitarian assistance in Gaza since the October 7 attack to 82.5 million AUD (US$56.2 million).

Conroy described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic and said civilians should not be made to pay the price for the acts of others.
Bamako, Sep 23 : Mali's President Assimi Goita pledged to intensify the fight against terrorism, reaffirming his determination to pursue peace, security, and development in the country.

Goita on Sunday made the remarks after a military parade marking the 64th anniversary of the country's independence, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We will pursue these armed groups day and night until our country is completely free from this threat," he said.

While praising the commitment of the Malian people who, "despite the challenges," continue to actively support the Malian Armed Forces in their mission to defend the nation, Goita emphasised the need for a "sacred union" around the Defence and Security Forces, noting that victory in this fight requires constant support from citizens and partners.

"We are open to all our partners in a spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation," he said, adding that Mali, together with its partners in the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States, will make every effort to eradicate the terrorist threat.
Digicel Papua New Guinea hailed efforts in expanding its mobile network to all 21 provinces of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, noting 4G coverage now stands at 80% in the location where in the past, it was rumoured to be exiting.

The Post-Courier reported, Digicel PNG had significantly expanded its network in the region since 2022 with 115 mobile towers newly constructed and 96 existing sites upgraded to 4G in the past two years.

Digicel PNG CEO Tarik Boudiaf said: By extending our mobile network to all 21 provinces we are making significant strides towards enabling every Papua New Guinean to get access to reliable and high-speed internet.

It was reported in 2017 Digicel PNG had submitted a proposal to local government to exit from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville despite being a main source of connectivity for citizens. The operator vehemently denied this calling the rumours baseless and false.
New Delhi, 23 Sep : "The right to dissent is the hallmark of democracy. A right for free expression is the mark of democracy and noted jurist and former Attorney General of India, Soli J. Sorabjee was a firm believer and upholder of this right," said former Chief Justice of India, U.U. Lalit at the Soli J. Sorabjee Memorial lecture organised by the Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University recently.

New Delhi, 23 Sep (IANS) "The right to dissent is the hallmark of democracy. A right for free expression is the mark of democracy and noted jurist and former Attorney General of India, Soli J. Sorabjee was a firm believer and upholder of this right," said former Chief Justice of India, U.U. Lalit at the Soli J. Sorabjee Memorial lecture organised by the Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University recently.

Justice Lalit delved into his personal interactions, the public judgements and writings of Sorabjee to demonstrate his deep understanding of the Constitution and the laws of the country and how he was key to upholding the law as a pillar of democracy. As a human being he had a wide range of interests from music to poetry, literature to geography and he was an eclectic reader. But he was committed to upholding the tenets of the law and his most significant work has been in the area of freedom of expression. It needs to be said that some of his arguments and cases belong to the era when the emergency had been enforced!" Justice Lalit recalled.

He recalled how important research and preparation was to Sorabjee who ensured that the members of his team followed due process and his belief in the rule of law. His writing on protecting the right to dissent and freedom of expression lay in the foundation of democracy itself in Greece where the very crux of democratic setup wanted you to participate in every walk of life, show your concern and do your duties as a citizen. It would be expected of every citizen to express himself or herself and make his or her views known to everybody in the society. "Even if there is one dissenting voice in society, you may not agree with it, but that voice has a right to be heard and that is the basis of the right to free expression."

Professor Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik, Registrar, O.P. Jindal Global University welcomed the distinguished gathering and spoke about the high-level contribution made by Soli J. Sorabjee to the study and practice of law in India and how his erudition and knowledge upheld the law as well. "JGU is the proud recipient of the personal collection of books from Sorabjee's library and I invite you all to peruse through the collection to get an understanding of the wide-ranging interests of the legal luminary who was not just proficient about the study and interpretation of law but had a great understanding of the world at large."

Professor S.G. Sreejith, Executive Dean, Jindal Global Law School spoke about the intellectual aura and respect with which young law students saw Soli J. Sorabjee. "Not many of us had the good fortune to know him or work with him in his chambers but we have had the opportunity to be able to read his writing and interpretations of the law. His legacy as a jurist, legal expert and the Attorney General of India will be long and enduring. But I do see him, additionally, as a reader and you only need to see his collection of books and the ideas that influenced him and his sensibilities."

The occasion was also marked by announcing the recipient of the 2024 Soli J. Sorabjee Endowment Award & amp; Scholarship, established to honour the memory of renowned Jurist and former Attorney General for India, Soli J. Sorabjee. This Award and Scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving student in the field of Human Rights Law & Theory, offered as part of the undergraduate programmes at the Jindal Global Law School. This year the award was given to Khushi Doshi of the Jindal Global Law School.

Soli J. Sorabjee was born in 1930 in Bombay. He studied at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai and Government Law College, Mumbai, and was admitted to the bar in 1953. At Government Law College, he was awarded the Kinloch Forbes Gold Medal in Roman Law and Jurisprudence (1952).

In 1971, Sorabjee was designated a senior advocate of the Bombay High Court. He served as Solicitor-General of India from 1977 to 1980. He was appointed Attorney-General for India on 9 December 1989 up to 2 December 1990, and then again on 7 April 1998, a post he held until 2004. In March 2002, Soli Sorabjee received the Padma Vibhushan for his defense of the freedom of expression and the protection of human rights. Throughout his career, Soli remained passionate about Public Law and International Law, especially in relation to the protection and promotion of human rights. Soli Sorabjee was appointed by the UN as a Special Rapporteur for Nigeria. Later he was appointed as Chairman of the UN Sub Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, from 1998 to 2004. He also served as a member of the United Nations Sub Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities since 1998. Soli Sorabjee also served as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague.

Representing India, in the Atlantic Case between India and Pakistan, Sorabjee appeared before the International Court of Justice, The Hague.
Vijayawada, Sep 23 : YSR Congress Party leader Kukkala Vidyasagar, arrested in Dehradun over alleged harassment of Mumbai-based actress was on Monday remanded to judicial custody till October 4.

Vidyasagar has been shifted to Vijayawada sub-jail, following judicial remand order by the magistrate.

Mumbai-based actress Kadambari Jethwani had filed a complaint with police on September 20, claiming that she was mentally and physically harassed.

Earlier, Vidyasagar was brought from Dehradun to Vijayawada by train late on Sunday night and taken to Ibrahimpatnam police station where case was lodged against him. Before producing him before the Magistrate, the accused was taken to government hospital and his medical examination done.

The YSR Congress leader was held by a team of Vijayawada police in Uttarakhandas Dehradun on Friday. The police had produced him before a local court and obtained a transit remand.

It was on September 13 that a case was registered against Vidyasagar. In the complaint, the actress had claimed that a false case was lodged against her by using forged documents and she was being mentally and physically harassed.

Vidyasagar, who is also said to be a film producer, was named as accused Number one. Remaining accused were mentioned as others in the FIR.

The actress was arrested on a complaint by Vidyasagar in February, when YSR Congress Party was in power. She was accused of forging property documents and extorting money from Vidyasagar.

Jethwani, who was behind bars for 42 days early this year, claimed that IPS officers and political leaders were involved in the alleged harassment.

She claimed that a fabricated case was filed against her to coerce her into withdrawing a complaint of sexual assault, she had lodged against a prominent corporate executive in Mumbai.

The actress and her parents were arrested in Mumbai by a team of Andhra Police officers.

On September 15, the state govt had suspended P. Sitharama Anjaneyulu, the then Director General of Police, Intelligence, Kanthi Rana Tata, the then Commissioner of Police Vijayawada and Vishal Gunni on allegations that they arrested the actress and her parents by bypassing laid down procedures and protocol.

Kranti Rana Tata last week approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The petition is likely to come up for hearing on Monday.

Jethwani also Andhra Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, last week to request for her and familyas protection. She claimed that she and her family face danger from people they filed a case against.
Kolkata, Sep 23 : The vice-president of the Kolkata branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) Dr Kaushik Biswas has resigned from the chair accusing the authorities of remaining inactive in the case of ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital last month.

Biswas has claimed that the Kolkata branch of IMA remained inactive in the matter even after instructions from the central leadership. According to him, as the erstwhile branch vice-president such inaction was unacceptable to him and hence he had decided to resign from the chair.

Meanwhile, sources said that Biswas had been critical of the functioning of the Kolkata branch for quite some time. He was also vocal about the fact that the Kolkata branch should have taken suo motu initiative in suspending Ghosh, instead of waiting for the association's central leadership to do that.

The central leadership of IMA announced Ghosh's suspension on August 28 and on the same day, a communication was sent to Ghosh informing him about the decision of the disciplinary committee to suspend him. "The disciplinary committee of IMA HQs has unanimously decided to suspend you forthwith from the membership of the Indian Medical Association," the communique read.

In the letter, it has also been mentioned that the West Bengal branch of IMA and certain other associations of doctors have demanded action against Ghosh citing "the nature of disrepute" brought by him to the profession on the whole.

In the communique, it has also been mentioned that the parents of the victim junior doctor too have expressed their grievances about Ghosh to the IMA delegation to West Bengal earlier in the month.

Ghosh is currently in CBI custody in connection with the rape and murder case. He is being currently probed by the central agencies both in connection with the rape and murder case as well as in the case of financial irregularities at RG. Kar.

There are serious charges against him for misleading the investigation and tampering with evidence.
Vijayawada, Sep 23 : YSR Congress Party leader Kukkala Vidyasagar, arrested in Dehradun over alleged harassment of Mumbai-based actress was on Monday remanded to judicial custody till October 4.

Vidyasagar has been shifted to Vijayawada sub-jail, following judicial remand order by the magistrate.

Mumbai-based actress Kadambari Jethwani had filed a complaint with police on September 20, claiming that she was mentally and physically harassed.

Earlier, Vidyasagar was brought from Dehradun to Vijayawada by train late on Sunday night and taken to Ibrahimpatnam police station where case was lodged against him. Before producing him before the Magistrate, the accused was taken to government hospital and his medical examination done.

The YSR Congress leader was held by a team of Vijayawada police in Uttarakhandas Dehradun on Friday. The police had produced him before a local court and obtained a transit remand.

It was on September 13 that a case was registered against Vidyasagar. In the complaint, the actress had claimed that a false case was lodged against her by using forged documents and she was being mentally and physically harassed.

Vidyasagar, who is also said to be a film producer, was named as accused Number one. Remaining accused were mentioned as others in the FIR.

The actress was arrested on a complaint by Vidyasagar in February, when YSR Congress Party was in power. She was accused of forging property documents and extorting money from Vidyasagar.

Jethwani, who was behind bars for 42 days early this year, claimed that IPS officers and political leaders were involved in the alleged harassment.

She claimed that a fabricated case was filed against her to coerce her into withdrawing a complaint of sexual assault, she had lodged against a prominent corporate executive in Mumbai.

The actress and her parents were arrested in Mumbai by a team of Andhra Police officers.

On September 15, the state govt had suspended P. Sitharama Anjaneyulu, the then Director General of Police, Intelligence, Kanthi Rana Tata, the then Commissioner of Police Vijayawada and Vishal Gunni on allegations that they arrested the actress and her parents by bypassing laid down procedures and protocol.

Kranti Rana Tata last week approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The petition is likely to come up for hearing on Monday.

Jethwani also met Andhra Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha last week to request for her and familyas protection. She claimed that she and her family face danger from people they filed a case against.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 23 : Following the Chief Minister's order regarding a judicial probe into the alleged police brutality against an Army officer and his wife-to-be at Bharatpur Police Station on September 15, the Odisha Home Department on Monday issued a formal gazette notification in this regard.

As per the notification, the Odisha government is deeply concerned over the cases and counter-cases lodged alleging misbehaviour and assault on the serving Army officer and his betrothed inside Bharatpur Police Station, so it ordered the judicial enquiry keeping in view the seriousness of the matter.

"This being a matter of serious public importance, should be enquired into by a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952," reads the order.

"Now therefore in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 read with sub-section (1) of Section 5 of the said Act, the State Government does hereby appoint a Commission of Inquiry consisting of Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash, Retired High Court Judge, to enquire into and report in respect of the following matters within 60 days from the date of publication of this notification in the Odisha Gazette," the notification added.

The commission has been directed to examine the sequence of events and circumstances that led to the incidents of alleged misbehaviour and assault on a woman, serving Army officer, police officers etc. leading to registration of different cases at Bharatpur and Chandaka Police Stations and the Crime Branch of Odisha Police.

The commission will also investigate the role, conduct and accountability of the individuals/groups/authorities.

"Any other matter connected with or incidental thereto as the Commission may consider appropriate. To suggest measures to be taken to avoid the recurrence of such events in future and ensure safety and security of women," reads the gazette notification.

The state government has also urged the Orissa High Court to supervise the investigation being carried out by the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police.

Meanwhile, Opposition Biju Janata Dal on Monday called off its plan to hold a six-hour Bhubaneswar bandh on September 24.

Senior party leader Debi Prasad Mishra told media persons here on Monday that the six-hour Bhubaneswar bandh has been called off as the state government accepted the Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik's demand of initiating a judicial probe into this sensitive issue.

As per the reports, the Army officer attached to the 22nd Sikh regiment in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal and his woman friend had gone to the Bharatpur Police Station in Bhubaneswar to lodge a complaint against some miscreants over an incident of road rage during the wee hours of September 15.

An argument ensued between the police and the Army officer and his friend at the police station.

The Army officer was allegedly beaten by the on-duty police officials while three policewomen dragged his lady friend into a cell of the police station.

Some male cops including the ex-IIC of the Bharatpur Police Station reportedly thrashed and molested her at the police station.

As many as five police officials have been placed under suspension by the state police following widespread furore over the incident.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : The combative Left Democratic Front (LDF) backed independent legislator PV Anwar has received a dressing down from the party's top leadership but that seemed to have done little to break down his resolve against fighting corruption in Pinarayi Vijayan government.

He said that he has been chosen to 'stay silent' for sometime but that doesn't mean that he will back down from his demands. The development assumes importance in light of the fact that Kerala Assembly's session is set to begin from October 4 and Opposition may use graft charges to corner Vijayan government.

The slew of allegations by PV Anwar has already left the Left leadership embarrassed and rattled as he enjoys the backing of ruling party in the state.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Sunday, himself took a stand against his allegations and said that he should desist from an approach that 'weakens' the party. He publicly criticized MLA P. V. Anvar, asserting that the Nilambur legislator does not truly represent leftist ideals as he had a past with Congress party.

It's for a month now that the 'whistleblower' Left backed independent legislator has been giving headache to the ruling Left CPI-M in general and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in particular.

Anvar has been taking pot shots at Vijayan, accusing him of shielding his political secretary P. Sasi and Kerala Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M.R. Ajith Kumar.

CPI-M's highest decision-making body also rejected his 'revelations' and asked him to behave in the manner in which a 'Left ' legislator and worker should behave.

Two things happened after this and that has baffled many in the Left who has been following Anvar closely. Firstly, he wrote in his social media account that for the time being he has decided to keep quiet as he has given in writing to both Vijayan and also CPI-M state secretary M V Govindan. He has been promised investigation and subsequent action on all his complaints and grievances. Also, he removed the picture that was there along with CM Vijayan in his hugely popular social media page and in its place, a new picture has come where he is seen in the midst of the ordinary people.

According to a noted media critic, speculations are whether he will hold fort or fizzle out after strong rebuke by the party. A similarity is being drawn between him and former seven time legislator P C George.

"George was a rolling stone in politics and rolled for a while and since joining the BJP, nothing is now heard of him. At the moment we will have to wait for some more time, if Anvar will be another George, but one major difference between the two is Anvar appears to have a huge support base from the disgruntled CPI-M followers, presently upset in the manner in which Vijayan is going forward and that could be a worry for the CPI-M. If Anvar plays his cards well, then he could play spoilsport for CPI-M and Vijayan," said a political watcher.

Anvar has maintained that he has no fears for his life as his three children are backing him and huge support coming especially from the very active pro CPI-M cyber groups. However, the coming weeks will reveal if Anvar will become another George or will play spoilsport for the CPI-M.

Anvar is a two time Left-backed independent MLA from Nilambur Assembly constituency in Malappuram district, the home turf of Congress veteran late Aryadan Mohammed. In 2016, Anvar secured his maiden win, defeating Mohammed's son Aryadan Shoukat and repeated the feat in 2021 polls.

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Bhopal, Sep 23 : The administrative committee led by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has completed its investigation into the rape of a three-year-old girl in a school by her teacher, and is likely to submit its report to the Bhopal District Collector in the next one or two days.

The committee visited the school multiple times and recorded statements of the staff, including the school principal, official sources told IANS on Monday.

The Special Investigative Team (SIT) of Madhya Pradesh Police investigating the case has also completed its probe and is supposed to file the charge sheet in a couple of days, a police official posted in Kamla Nagar Police Station said.

On Saturday, a team of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) also visited the school and carried out an inspection.

During the inspection, the commission noticed several safety lapses and sought a report from the school management.

In a shocking incident, a nursery student was allegedly raped by a teacher in her school on September 16 in Bhopal.

The accused teacher, identified as Kasim Rehman, was arrested within two hours of the victim's parents lodging a complaint at the Kamla Nagar police station on September 18.

Chief Minister Yadav has already urged Madhya Pradesh High Court to conduct the hearing on this case in a fast-track court and to give an exemplary punishment to the accused teacher.
Jerusalem, Sep 23 : Israel's military spokesman Daniel Hagari, on Monday, urged residents of southern Lebanon to leave their homes immediately ahead of a large-scale Israeli strike in the area.

Hagari warned that "extensive" airstrikes would begin "shortly," targeting Hezbollah assets located in houses and other buildings "widely throughout Lebanon."

"We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety," he said.

Hagari said that the Israeli army had found out that Hezbollah prepared to launch attacks on Israel, according to Xinhua news agency.

Earlier on Monday, Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley. The military said in a statement that its warplanes are "currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to Hezbollah."
Colombo, Sep 23 : Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Marxist-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party, who was sworn in on Monday as the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka, vowed to usher in a "new era of Renaissance" in the island nation.

"This morning (23rd), I took oath as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the presence of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat," the newly-elected leader said in a post on X.

Expressing his commitment to work for the country, Dissanayake wrote, "I promise to fulfil your responsibility to usher in a new era of Renaissance for this country, and I look forward to your collective contribution to that."

Addressing the complexity of the challenges Sri Lanka faces, Dissanayake assured citizens that he would work diligently to meet their expectations.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, where Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya administered the oath, marking a historic moment as the country's first leftist head of state.

After the swearing-in ceremony, he pledged to "restore the public's confidence in politicians" and to govern the country with wisdom and transparency.

"I'm not a magician but an ordinary citizen with certain capabilities and incapabilities. My top priority is to enhance my abilities, expand my knowledge, and make the best decisions to govern the country," he further emphasised.

The election results were finalised on Sunday evening after Sri Lanka's first-ever presidential run-off, as neither Dissanayake nor Samagi Jana Sandhanaya candidate Sajith Premadasa secured the required majority in the initial round.

According to the Sri Lankan Election Commission, Dissanayake won the presidency with 42.31 per cent of the vote, with Premadasa finishing second and outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe third.

Following his victory on Sunday, Dissanayake, popularly known as AKD, reflected on the historic nature of the moment, writing on X, "The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. This achievement is not the result of any single person's work, but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful."

Dissanayake also paid tribute to those who sacrificed for this cause, stating,

"Our journey here has been paved by the sacrifices of so many who gave their sweat, tears, and even their lives for this cause. Their sacrifices are not forgotten," he wrote.

In a message of unity, the newly elected President stressed the importance of solidarity among all Sri Lankans, saying, "The unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of this new beginning. The New Renaissance we seek will rise from this shared strength and vision."

Dissanayake has been a prominent figure in Sri Lanka's political scene, leading the JVP party through significant national events. His presidency is seen as a pivotal moment in the country's history, marking the first time a leftist leader has taken the highest office.
With excellent timing  considering last weeks downbeat headlines about AGR dues  Indian operator Vodafone Idea has announced the conclusion of what it quite reasonably describes as a US$3.6 billon megadeal with three global network partners.

The deal  with Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung  is for the supply of network equipment over a period of three years. Its described as part of the companys three-year capex plan involving a sum of about US$6.6 billion. The capex programme, says Vodafone Idea, is directed towards expanding 4G population coverage from 1.03 billion to 1.2 billion, launching 5G in key markets and pursuing capacity expansion in line with data growth.

The company says it has continued with its existing long-term partners Nokia and Ericsson and also onboarded Samsung as a new partner. It adds that the supplies against these new long-term awards will start in the coming quarter. The main focus will be on expanding 4G coverage to 1.2 billion Indians.

According to Indias Economic Times, Vodafone idea will allocate 40% each of the deal to Ericsson and Nokia, with the remaining 20% going to Samsung. The same source notes that Vodafone Idea shares surged nearly 10% on the news.

Its certainly a significant step for the company given its own financial issues and subscriber losses, not to mention the progress of rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtels in both 4G and 5G to date. Indeed, Bharti Airtel is reportedly planning to invest US$1 billion in capex over three years to expand its 4G coverage.

Vodafone Idea made less desirable headlines last week after Indias Supreme Court dismissed its plea for reduced AGR dues, upholding the full amount of the AGR demand, despite the operators hope for a US$4.6 billion reduction.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reacting sharply to the 'grandstanding' by Delhi's new Chief Minister Atishi while taking charge of the Chief Minister's office on Monday, said that it was nothing less than making a mockery of the Constitution.

A couple of BJP spokespersons slammed the Atishi-led AAP government and accused it of staging a drama by keeping an empty chair for Arvind Kejriwal inside the Chief Minister's office.

Senior BJP leader Tom Vadakkan lashed out at the new Delhi CM and dubbed her as a "puppet CM" and Kejriwal as the "puppeteer."

"AAP got wiped out in Lok Sabha elections, but that didn't draw a lesson from it. Naatak and nautanki mein Atishi number one hai (Atishi is Number 1 in drama and gimmicks)," Vadakkan told IANS.

In further criticism of the Delhi govt, he said that the new Delhi CM will keep resorting to such gimmicks as she has no standing of her own and became Chief Minister with the backing of Arvind Kejriwal.

"She is a puppet CM, Kejriwal is the puppeteer. There are no doubts about remote control being in the hands of Kejriwal. Till the time he is not held guilty by the court, this drama will go on," he further said.

BJP IT-cell chief Amit Malviya took to X to hit out at AAP's drama.

He said, "This drama in Delhi must stop. Today, Atishi Marlena took charge by placing an empty chair next to her Chief Minister's chair," said.

He also drew a parallel between Atishi and former PM Manmohan Singh and said that real power will lie in the hands of their political masters.

Malviya also sought to remind the Atishi-led government that the oath of office and secrecy of the chief minister was taken by Marlena, not by the ghost of Kejriwal sitting on an empty chair.

Earlier, addressing a press conference after taking charge of the CM's office, Atishi said that she was feeling pain similar to Bharat when Lord Ram went to 14-year-long exile.

"I am confident that now the people of Delhi will make Kejriwal the CM again by making him victorious with a huge majority in the Assembly elections. Till then, this chair of the Chief Minister will wait for Arvind Kejriwal," she said.
Patna, Sep 23 : The collapse of a section of the under-construction bridge connecting Bakhtiyarpur in Patna district to Tajpur in Samastipur district has sparked a political row in Bihar.

Opposition leaders are criticising the Bihar government over the incident, questioning the quality of construction and seeking accountability.

However, both the construction company officials and the ruling Janata Dal (United) leaders have dismissed these allegations.

The bridge was being constructed over the Nandini Lagunia railway station by the Navyug Engineering Company Ltd and a span that had been installed a few months ago collapsed, leading to an uproar.

Project manager Joseph, attributed the incident to a "technical error" in the alignment of the bridge.

"The collapse was not accidental but a deliberate demolition after the error was identified. This was not an accident. The span has not collapsed on its own," Joseph said.

Despite these assurances, the Opposition is targeting the Nitish Kumar government, raising concerns over infrastructure safety and project oversight in Bihar.

The ruling JD(U) has supported the construction company's explanation, attempting to downplay the political criticism.

The Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur Ganga Mahasetu project that started in 2011 with an initial completion deadline of 2016 at an estimated cost of 1600 crore, has faced repeated delays, with new deadlines extended to 2018 and 2020.

Even after a decade, only 55 per cent of the construction is complete.

The collapse of a span of the bridge's approach road has reignited controversy surrounding the bridge, leading to political sparring between Bihar's ruling JD(U) and Opposition leaders.

Neeraj Kumar, JD(U) MLC and spokesperson, has denied claims that the span collapsed, attributing the incident to necessary technical work.

"The bearings of the bridge had rusted and were being replaced, necessitating the removal of the beam," Kumar said.

He accused critics of spreading misinformation for political gains, stating that questions raised about the bridge's quality were "totally wrong and politically motivated."

On the other hand, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari criticised the Nitish Kumar government, alleging rampant corruption, terming it a part of a series of bridge collapses in Bihar.

"The government's failure to complete the project on time and the removal of debris at the site highlight the poor quality of construction and rampant corruption," Tiwari said.
Kolkata, Sep 23 : A division bench headed by Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, on Monday, directed the West Bengal government to file an affidavit on the CAG report on its annual donation to different community Durga Puja committees.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on the annual puja donations, which this year has been Rs 85,000 to each puja committee. The Chief Justice during the hearing made an observation that the donation is a negligible amount of the total expenditure by each puja committee at least in Kolkata.

He also observed that the money could probably be utilized for the members of the clubs concerned.

According to him, he had moved around in different pandals on the puja days during the last two years and it seemed to him that the amount of Rs 85,000 was a meagre percentage of the total expenditure.

The Chief Justice also observed that if the state government could spend Rs 85,000 as a donation to each puja committee, it could consider adequate spending for people suffering for different reasons. The state government should think about the interest of everyone, the Chief Justice observed.

The state government has faced criticisms on the issue since the time the Mamata Banerjee-led government introduced the system for annual donations to the local clubs.

There had been questions behind the justification of such expenditure from the state exchequer, especially, when the state government employees are denied dearness allowances at par with the Central government employees and the arrears accrued on it.

This year, several puja committees announced their refusal to accept the state government donation as a token protest against the ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital last month.

The Chief Minister has announced that the money allotted to clubs refusing the donation will be given to the new applicants.

The CAG does a review of the expenditure of the state government under various heads and also makes observations on such expenses. As per the Calcutta High Court order, the state government will have to file the affidavit on CAGas review and observation on the expenditure of the money paid as a donation by the state government.
Chennai, Sep 23 : Senior Congress leader and MP from Virudhunagar Lok Sabha constituency, Manickam Tagore on Monday came out against Tamil Nadu Governor, RN Ravi's alleged statement on Sunday that "in India, there is no need for secularism." Chennai, Sep 23 (IANS) Senior Congress leader and MP from Virudhunagar Lok Sabha constituency, Manickam Tagore on Monday came out against Tamil Nadu Governor, RN Ravi's alleged statement on Sunday that "in India, there is no need for secularism."

On Sunday the Tamil Nadu Governor had at a public function at Kanyakumari said, "A lot of frauds have been committed on the people of this country, and one of them is that they have tried to give a wrong interpretation of secularism."

The Governor had said, "What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, and it is not an Indian concept. In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight between the Church and the king... How can India be away from 'dharma'? Secularism is a European concept and let it be there only. In India, there is no need for secularism."

In response to this Tagore, in a post on social media platform X said, "The statement of Tamil Nadu Governor on secularism is unacceptable and is against the Constitution of India and against the Idea of India by Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel."

He said, "While the idea of secularism may be different in foreign countries, in India we respect all other religions, we respect all other traditions and we respect all other practices and this is the idea of secularism in India."

The three-term MP said that the BJP and other affiliated organisations were against this idea of secularism in India.

He professed that the BJP wanted to insult other religions and other traditions and added that the tradition of India was not like that.

He said, "We want to celebrate diversity, we celebrate other religious beliefs, we celebrate other traditions, other languages and other practices and that is India's idea of secularism."

Manickam Tagore said that Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi was speaking against the Constitution.

The senior Congress leader said that the BJP and RSS were for changing the Indian constitution which was based on the thinking of Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

The Congress leader said that the Congress party will never allow that to happen.

He also said that Governor Ravi had exceeded his limits.

IANS

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Ahmedabad, Sep 23 : The Gujarat Congress has raised concerns over discrepancies in the recently declared results of the Competitive Civil Exam (CCE) Preliminary Examination and has written a letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, urging immediate corrective action.

The results, announced by the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) on September 19 have reportedly led to dissatisfaction among candidates, particularly those from reserved categories, the Congress leaders alleged.

According to the Congress, many deserving candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and even the general (OPEN) category have been unable to qualify for the CCE Main Exam due to issues related to cutoff marks and merit list errors.

The party pointed out that GPSC had previously offered category-wise relaxations for similar exams, such as Class 1/2 and Class 3 level exams. However, many candidates were deprived of these relaxations this time, causing significant distress.

In the letter to the Chief Minister, the Congress party emphasized that the newly applied standards had led to unfair treatment of backward category candidates. The party expressed concern over the systemic oversight and demanded a review of the merit list and cutoffs to ensure fairness in the selection process.

The Congress further stated that this issue has created unnecessary challenges for candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The letter concluded with an appeal to the Gujarat government to take swift action and ensure that the GPSC rectifies the situation, safeguarding the rights of all affected candidates.

On September 21, Congress urged CM Patel to increase the number of vacancies for Secondary and Higher Secondary Teaching Assistants and extend the age limit for TET-1 and TET-2 qualified candidates. Dr Manish Doshi, Spokesperson of the state Congress, claimed that the governmentas announcement of 7,500 vacancies was insufficient, as over 38,000 candidates have already passed the TET exams in Gujarat, many of whom are nearing the upper age limit.

Congress claimed that this delay in recruitment has put thousands of eligible candidates at risk of missing their opportunity. "If 15,000 vacancies are announced instead of the current 7,500, it would ensure justice for most qualified candidates," said Dr Doshi. He further called for simultaneous recruitment announcements for government and grant-in-aid schools to help alleviate the teacher shortage in Gujaratas schools.
Visakhapatnam, Sep 23 : Bodies of two medical students who drowned in a swollen stream in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitarama Raju district were recovered on Monday while the search was on for a third student, police said.

The bodies of two female students were recovered on Monday morning from the Maredumilli stream near Jalatharangini waterfalls and they were identified as of B. Amrutha, 21, of Bobbili in Parvathipuram Manyam district and K. Sowmya, 21, of Bapatla, an official said.

The search was on for missing student C.H. Hardeep, 20, of Markapuram of Prakasam district by a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

According to police, a group of 14 students of MBBS Second Year from ASRAM College in Eluru went for a fun trip to Maredumilli on Sunday. They stopped at Jalatharangini waterfalls on the way to Chintur from Maredumilli, a picturesque destination in the Eastern Ghats.

Five of the students, who entered the stream, were swept away due to heavy rainfall for a brief period in the upper reaches. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Haripriya and Gaytri Pushpa of Vijayanagaram district were rescued by two tourists from Odisha. Both the students were admitted to Rampachodavaram Area Hospital. Haripirya was later shifted to Rajamahendravaram after her condition turned critical.

Though the search operation was immediately launched for missing students, it had to be called off after sunset.

The rescue teams resumed the search early Monday and found the bodies of two medicos. The bodies were shifted to Rampachodavaram Area Hospital for autopsy.

MLA Sirisha Devi visited the hospital and consoled the families of the deceased. The MLA also spoke to the parents of missing student Hardeep and assured all help from the government. Following the incident, the authorities have cautioned tourists visiting Maredumilli against entering the stream due to continued heavy flow from the upper reaches.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 23 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai took charge of the Environment Ministry on Monday and shed light on the new government's focus and priorities.

He said that the new Cabinet under Delhi Chief Minister Atishi will take forward the work started under AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and hopes to take it to new heights by the next Assembly elections in the city.

Rai, also a close confidante of Kejriwal, spoke to IANS about the new government's roadmap and said that staving off pollution in the city during winters is the biggest challenge of this government.

"We will complete all the pending projects as envisaged and outlined by Arvind Kejriwal government and will undertake new initiatives for building a cleaner, greener and better Delhi. The biggest challenge before us right now is to contain the looming pollution levels during winters. Government will explore all options to resolve this issue. We have held roundtable discussions with seasoned experts and officials regarding this. Most departments have given their inputs on our Winter Action Plan. We will shortly meet the Delhi Chief Secretary to firm up the suggestions and recommendations."

"We are about to launch the Winter Action Plan on September 25. Earlier, it was scheduled for September 26," he added.

Gopal Rai also supported Chief Minister Atishi's decision to keep a chair vacant for Kejriwal in Delhi CM's office and rejected the 'stunt and gimmicks' charges by BJP.

"Everybody knows that Atishi took charge as Delhi CM under highly adverse circumstances," he said referring to Arvind Kejriwal's decision to quit the chair until proven 'innocent' in people's court.

Soon after Atishi took charge as Delhi CM while keeping an empty chair besides her for erstwhile CM Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP mounted scathing criticism of her as well as the AAP leadership for doing 'drama' in full public glare.

Rai also said, "Currently, the big focus of Team Kejriwal is to bring the pending projects to fruition and ensure that all public welfare benefits and facilities keep reaching the city residents, like it was during previous tenures."

"We owe the responsibility to ensure the progress work uninterrupted, till the elections. I am confident that the whole team will make it a success," he added.
New York, Sep 23 : Reiterating India's longstanding stance on expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in both permanent and non-permanent categories, as well as reform in its working methods, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called for "concrete actions" to adapt the international organisation to the contemporary world realities.

The outgoing Japanese PM, while addressing the 'Summit of the Future' in New York on Monday, Japan time, stated that the world stands at a "historical inflection point" and there is an urgent need to collectively take actions to safeguard the interest of present and future generations.

"The Summit of the Future is witnessing a clear call from Member States for action on reform, with a majority supporting the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats. A great majority are also acutely aware of the Security Council's vital role in international peace and security and the urgent need to reform it and restore confidence in its effectiveness," said Kishida.

"Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations. We should take concrete actions towards the Security Council reform. Japan is determined to continue to contribute to the realization and maintenance of international peace and security by strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law, in a reformed Council," he added.

The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been according highest priority to obtain a permanent membership for India in an expanded UNSC. The process of UNSC Reforms is being presently discussed under the Inter-Governmental Negotiation (IGN) framework of the UN General Assembly, where India along with like-minded countries have been pushing for text-based negotiations to commence on an urgent basis.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India is also working alongside other reform-oriented countries through its membership in G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) and the L.69 Group (a cross regional group of countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America) for building support among the UN Member States for expansion in both permanent and non permanent categories.

The process of reforming the United Nations Security Council would require amendments in the United Nations Charter. As per Article 108 of the UN Charter.

On Saturday, the Japanese PM had held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders' Summit hosted by the US President Joe Biden in his hometown of Wilmington in Delaware.

"At the beginning, Prime Minister Kishida mentioned that he chose India as the destination of his first bilateral visit since taking office, and while mentioning the various achievements he has made with Prime Minister Modi, stated that he hopes that Japan and India will continue to cooperate in global governance," the Japanese Prime Minister's Office stated after the meeting.

The two leaders also confirmed that both countries will continue to cooperate on concrete initiatives in a wide range of areas, bearing in mind Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan as part of the annual reciprocal visits between the leaders of both countries.
Jammu, Sep 23 : Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Monday in J&K's Poonch district that the Congress party has "psychologically defeated" the Prime Minister.

Addressing a large NC-Congress election campaign rally in the Surankote area of Poonch district, Rahul Gandhi said, "BJP and RSS people in J&K and other states spread hatred and violence. They make brother fight against brother. They only know to spread hatred and their politics is based on hatred. Hatred cannot be defeated by hatred. It can only be defeated by love. On one side there are people spreading hatred and on the other side are we, those who want to open the shop of love. During our Bharat Yatra, we opened the shop of love in every state in India."

"Narendra Modi of today is not a shade of what he was in the past. They bring laws and we oppose them and they cannot pass laws now. We have defeated the psychology of Narendra Modi. When he came under pressure during the Lok Sabha polls, he said he was not 'biological' pretending to be in direct connection with God. This shows we have broken him psychologically by defeating his hatred with our love," said Gandhi, the leader of opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha.

"In India, UTs are made out of states, states are divided into two states, but never in our constitutional history has a state been downgraded into a UT. Today your democratic right has been snatched. We will put enough pressure on them to restore your statehood," said Rahul Gandhi.

"Today, all your decisions are taken from Delhi, but we want your decisions should be taken in J&K. We wanted statehood before the election, but they did not do it. They divide people on the basis of region, language, and community. They are trying to divide Gujjars and Paharis. We will carry everybody together, give all of them their rights and move forward together," said the Congress leader.

While commenting on the job scenarios, he alleged, "In the entire country, Narendra Modi helps only two to three billionaires. He has waived off Rs 16 lakh crore of loans of billionaires. He has finished small industries and because of this employment is not available in the country, including J&K.

"Congress candidate is fighting from here and NC is supporting us. I appeal to all my workers to support NC candidates wherever they are fighting elections," said Gandhi.

National Conference president, Dr Farooq Abdullah also accompanied Rahul Gandhi to Surankote where he addressed the Congress poll rally.

Abdullah said, "The future PM of India, Rahul Gandhi is here today and our war is against the hatred spread by BJP and RSS. They first tried to divide people on the basis of religion and now they want to divide us in the name of communities. This PM says Muslims are intruders and they produce a lot of children. He tells our Hindu sisters and daughters that Muslims will snatch their 'Mangalsutra'. We joined hands to fight this. I request the BJP candidate, Chowdhary Akram to withdraw from the contest and support the NC-Congress candidate in Surankote. If you want to finish hatred, cast your vote for the Congress."

"Rahul Gandhi says he wants to stop the shop of hatred, but we add to his words that we want to sink the boat of hatred," Abdullah further said. He appealed to voters to cast their votes in favour of the Congress candidate in this Assembly constituency, Shahnawaz Choudhary.
Nokia announced on Monday that Thai wholesale network provider International Gateway Company (IGC) has deployed its next-gen optical transport solution to modernize its existing DWDM network in Thailand.

The upgrade boosts capacity on the DWDM network  which connects the east region to Cambodia and the south region to Malaysia  to 400G per wavelength.

IGC has also deployed Nokias data centre interconnect (DCI) solution in Bangkok and in the east and south regions. IGC CEO Pichit Satapattayanont said both solutions will enable it to better manage data traffic more cost-effectively as demand surges, while also reducing energy consumption.

Nokias cost-effective and resilient DWDM solution, based on coherent technology, will help us delight our hyperscale customers by providing superior connectivity from the Cambodian border to the Malaysian border, he said in a statement.

IGC also teams with LitUp Network

The Nokia announcement comes days after IGC has signed an MoU with OMS Group subsidiary LitUp Network Singapore to collaborate on various projects in Thailand and in the ASEAN region, including cable landing stations and submarine cable systems.

Under the MoU announced last week, IGC and LitUp Network will work together to develop and deliver advanced network connectivity infrastructure to support growing demand for high-speed, reliable internet services. The two firms will also establish and manage submarine cable landing stations, PoPs, and associated infrastructure. The MoU also allows for future projects between the two companies.

LitUp Network and IGC said they are also working together on a new subsea cable system from Songkhla to Rayong, along with related terrestrial links. The Satun-Hatyai-Songkhla-Rayong cable system will complement two other systems planned for future development connecting Hatyai to Padang Besar and Hatyai to Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Tokyo, Sep 23 : Unprecedented rainfall in Japan's Ishikawa has claimed seven lives as of Monday afternoon, with several people still missing as rescue operations continue at full speed.

The torrential downpour, which began on Saturday, has severely impacted the region, which is still recovering from a significant earthquake earlier this year.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and reassured the public that the government is making every effort to assist those affected. Addressing a press briefing, Hayashi detailed the rescue efforts and ongoing relief operations.

"As of 8:00 a.m. today, we have received reports that seven people have died, two are missing, and eight others are unaccounted for, some of whom may still have a connection to the disaster," Hayashi stated.

He emphasised that police, fire departments, and the Self-Defense Forces are conducting intensive search, rescue, and relief operations across the affected areas.

Hayashi also stated that some evacuation centres in Suzu City and Wajima City were facing shortages of essential supplies. He revealed that the prefecture had transported 2,000 servings of instant rice, 1,500 bottles of 2L water and tea, and other emergency supplies from stockpiles to Suzu City on Sunday.

Additionally, with improved weather conditions, the Self-Defense Forces were set to airlift 10,000 servings of instant rice and 8,000 portable toilets to the Machino and Monzen districts of Wajima City later in the day.

The Chief Cabinet Secretary also confirmed that in response to a request by Governor Hase, three national government officials had been dispatched to assist local authorities.

"The Cabinet Office Disaster Prevention Counselor and two other officials would be sent to the region, in line with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's instructions to ensure comprehensive support for the affected areas," he said.

"The region is still in the recovery phase from the Noto Peninsula earthquake, and we will continue to work closely with local governments to assess and respond to the evolving needs of the disaster-hit areas," Hayashi added.

Although Japan's weather agency downgraded the heavy rain emergency warning for parts of Ishikawa Prefecture on Sunday morning, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant against potential floods and landslides.

The severe weather has caused widespread damage, with rescue teams and government officials working around the clock to locate the missing and deliver essential aid to the affected communities.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Monday criticised Delhi Chief Minister Atishi for comparing her predecessor and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal with Lord Ram, labelling it "baseless" and accused her party of continuing to "insult the Constitution".

Speaking to IANS, the BJP MP said: "How can someone compare a corrupt person who is out on bail to Lord Ram? Was Lord Ram accused of corruption? He was 'Maryada Purushottam' (the perfect man). These people (AAP) do not hesitate to degrade the Hindu gods. They continue to insult the Sanatan Dharma."

"Those who are betraying Delhi and insulting the Constitution should not be taken lightly," he added.

Tiwari, who is the MP from North East Delhi constituency, also criticised Atishi for leaving an empty chair beside her while assuming the charge, calling it a "gimmick" and an "insult to the Constitution.

Earlier, addressing the media, he said, "We witnessed the new Chief Minister assuming office. However, it was unfortunate to see an empty chair placed next to her. We are left wondering if a spirit will now govern Delhi."

He took a jab at Atishi, the third woman to assume the role of Delhi's Chief Minister, accusing her of undermining the Constitution. "The Constitution empowers the Chief Minister, and their primary responsibility is to execute that power. But by leaving an empty chair, Atishi is indicating that she is not prepared to take responsibility," he said.

Mocking her actions, the BJP MP from North East Delhi added, "Later, she might claim she wasn't really the Chief Minister, that perhaps a spirit was sitting in the empty chair. We don't know whose spirit it was. It raises questions about her intent."

Tiwari further stated that the BJP has written a letter to Atishi, sarcastically suggesting, "If it is indeed someone's spirit, please have it read our letter." He said that the letter addresses issues related to Delhi's governance, including concerns over high electricity and water bills.

"We need to know why the people of Delhi are facing exorbitant bills, and we have called for refunds. We also requested measures to curb the tanker mafia and fix the drainage systems, which have led to tragic accidents, causing the deaths of children," he said.

He urged Atishi to take her responsibilities as Chief Minister seriously, warning that stunts like this only "rub salt into Delhi's wounds."
Mumbai, Sep 23 : The Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) on Monday organised a 'Prayer for Peace and Harmony' event, as part of the 'Sewa Pakhwada', to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 74th birthday.

The event organised at Colaba's Holy Name High School saw Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias leading the 'Sewa Pakhwada' celebrations, besides participation of many noted members of the Christian community.

During the prayers, the Christian community along with Rajya Sabha MP and IMF Convener Satnam Singh Sandhu prayed for the long life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also the continuation of his leadership to make India a developed nation by 2047.

After the prayers, the Christian community members came together to plant trees and distribute saplings at the Holy Name High School, under Prime Minister Modi's "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" tree plantation drive for paying respect to mothers and mother earth by planting saplings.

Lauding the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, Archbishop Oswald Gracias said, "I am happy that today we had this tree plantation, where saplings were planted. This is a movement we hope will begin here and spread to all people, the whole country, and the world as well. I am also pleased that the Union government has taken the initiative. I am grateful to the Prime Minister for encouraging this movement."

Members of the Christian community said that India is known for unity in diversity and peaceful co-existence of all religions.

They said under PM Modi's leadership, no discrimination on the basis of caste, community, gender, or religion exists in India as all communities are co-existing peacefully in the country.

The Christian community members also said that in the past decade under PM Modi, India has demonstrated that it is possible for harmony to exist amid diversity.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias welcomed PM Modi's invitation to Pope for visiting India and said, "The Prime Minister has invited the Pope to India, I hope it (invitation) is realised. This again will be a further motivation for peace and progress."
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay on Monday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for pursuing inclusivity in all spheres of his governance and said that his concern for everyone instils a feeling of confidence even among the minorities.

Speaking to media persons after the 'Ek Ped Ma ke Naam' programme in Mumbai, Archbishop Gracias said, "PM Modi is concerned about everyone including minority communities. I am confident that he has the interests of every minority, including the Christian community, in mind in all his plans and progress."

He also hailed India's diversity and termed it as a key pillar of the country's greatness.

"Our greatness lies in our diversity  people, cultures, languages, and religions. I believe no other country has the richness that we have," he said.

Sharing his views on celebration of 'Sewa Pakhwada' to mark PM Modi's birthday, Cardinal Gracias said, "Today was a very significant event as a part of the Sewa Pakhwada 2024. We had a programme to encourage our youth and everybody else also to make sure Earth's resources are very wisely used.

"The sapling plantation today was a symbol of our continuous commitment to care for the Earth and nature for future generations. We hope a movement begins from here in the whole country and the world. I am happy that the government of India has taken an initiative for this and I am thankful to the Prime Minister for having encouraged this movement (tree plantations)."

A 'Sewa Pakhwada' was organised by the Christian community of Maharashtra on Monday to celebrate PM Modi's 74th birthday with a 'prayer for peace'.

Notably, Sewa Pakhwada is a 15-day-long event, organised every year from September 17 to October 2, to mark PM Modi's birthday and also to mark the period as part of the party's devotion to poor and marginalised sections.

During this period, various activities from health camps to blood donation drives to cleanliness drives are organised throughout the country.
Guwahati, Sep 23 : At least four Bangladeshi infiltrators were pushed back by the security forces along Assam's Karimganj district, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday.

Taking to his X handle, CM Sarma wrote, "In yet another successful pushback operation of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, @assampolice managed to apprehend and send back to Bangladesh the following individuals through the Karimganj border 1. Sohil Hawladar 2. Shah Alam 3. Sourab Hawladar 4. Md Kawsar."

Earlier, on Sunday, another two citizens of the neighbouring country were arrested in two separate instances in Assam's Karimganj district and they were pushed back in a joint operation of state police and Border Security Forces (BSF).

The individuals were identified as Al Mamon and Anowar Hussain.

The Chief Minister had earlier announced a slew of measures to deal with the infiltration issue from Bangladesh which has seen a spike in the last few days.

According to him, recent reports indicate an increase in the number of illegal immigrants being detected, necessitating intensified efforts across the State.

CM Sarma shared data which showed from January this year to date, a total of 54 illegal immigrants have been detected -- 48 in the Karimganj district, four in Bongaigaon district, and one each in Dima Hasao and Dhubri district.

"Of these, 45 individuals were successfully pushed back into their country of origin, while nine were arrested in Karimganj. Additionally, there have been reports of suspected non-Indian nationals and foreign-origin individuals in certain areas of the State, particularly in Upper Assam and North Assam districts. The detection of such individuals is critical, given the potential threat to national security," the Chief Minister mentioned.

He also stated that Assam Police were directed to take all necessary preventive and precautionary measures to intensify detection and proactively curb the movement of illegal migrants while taking steps to repatriate these individuals.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : The Delhi government on Friday assured the Supreme Court that remission pleas of convicts lodged in prisons in the national capital will be processed soon since Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi has taken charge as the Chief Minister.

A bench, headed by Justice Abhay S. Oka, was apprised that the early release applications of convicts lodged in Delhi prisons, which were stalled due to the lack of Chief Minister's signature, will be decided soon.

The top court, in a hearing on September 6, flagged the delay in processing remission pleas of convicts lodged in Delhi prisons when Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself was in jail in the excise policy scam and could not have signed official files from Tihar Jail.

It had asked the Delhi government to clarify if there was any restraint order against Kejriwal in dealing with files pertaining to the premature release of convicts when he himself remained behind bars in a corruption case.

Remission files could not be forwarded to the Lt Governoras (L-G) office due to the lack of the signature of the then Chief Minister.

Observing that remission, which relates to the right of liberty of convict, cannot be stalled for want of signature of the Chief Minister, the SC had suggested that it would not hesitate to exercise its power under Article 142 to do "complete justice" in the matter.

Atishi was sworn in as the Chief Minister on Saturday, following Kejriwal's resignation soon after his bail in the liquor policy scam by the Supreme Court, and took charge on Monday.

Taking note of the changed circumstances, the Supreme Court asked the Delhi government to decide, within 3 weeks, the remission pleas of the convicts.

As per the procedures, the Delhi government recommends for premature release of convicts from prison and, thereafter, the proposal is submitted to L-G for approval. And, before a prisoner's plea reaches the L-G, the file has to bear the signature of the Chief Minister.
Istanbul, Sep 23 : One police officer was shot dead, and three people, including the attacker, were injured in a gunfire exchange on Monday, local media reported.

The incident occurred in the Umraniye district of Istanbul when a suspect, caught by the police for motorcycle theft, opened fire, reports Xinhua, quoting the state-run TRT broadcaster.

While being apprehended, the suspect seized one of the police officer's weapons and began shooting, according to the report.

Following the exchange of fire, a female police officer was killed, while another police officer, the suspect, and a civilian were injured, it said.

The 19-year-old attacker had 26 criminal records for various offences, the media reports suggested.
Khunti : , Sep 23 (IANS) BJP's National President, J.P. Nadda, on Monday mounted a blistering attack on the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) during the Parivartan Yatra at Khunti, Jharkhand.

He labelled the Congress a corrupt party that fosters nepotism, appeasement and corruption, accusing the JMM of adopting the same practices under the leadership of Hemant Soren.

Nadda claimed that the Congress not only supports corruption but also patronises anti-national elements and separatist forces.

"This party has nurtured nepotism, appeasement and corruption. In Jharkhand, Hemant Soren under Congress influence has also become corrupt, promoting nepotism and betraying the youth. He also marginalised individuals, even within his own family, who he perceived as outsiders," Nadda said.

Raising the issue of Bangladeshi infiltration in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana region, the BJP President expressed concern over the declining population of tribals which he claimed has dropped from 44 per cent to 28 per cent.

He said, "What is happening in Jharkhand? What kind of government is this? How is the state administration working? People are marrying illegally, tribal lands are being usurped. All this is going on in a planned manner. The government here is settling Rohingyas. Their Aadhaar cards are made. We have to take a pledge to free this state of the Congress, JMM and RJD."

Accusing JMM of deceiving the tribal community and restricting tribal identity to just a few family members, the BJP President said, "When JMM talks about tribal identity, it is restricted only to a few family members. Champai Soren, Sita Soren were humiliated."

He thanked the people of Jharkhand for supporting the BJP in the recent Lok Sabha elections, leading to Narendra Modi's third term as Prime Minister, despite the alleged misinformation campaign by the Opposition alliance, reiterating that only the BJP, under PM Modi's leadership, has truly safeguarded the interests of tribals.

He also highlighted the importance of PM Modi visiting the village of Lord Birsa Munda and appointing a tribal woman as the President of India.
Jerusalem, Sep 23 : The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday launched a large-scale airstrike campaign, targeting more than 300 Hezbollah positions in southern and eastern Lebanon.

This came after the IDF issued warnings to civilians to evacuate their homes in advance of the operation.

The military announced that the strikes were concentrated in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley. The IDF warplanes reportedly struck "terror targets belonging to Hezbollah," the statement mentioned.

"The Chief of the General Staff has approved the strikes on Hezbollah targets from the IDF Headquarters Underground Operations Center," the IDF stated on X, noting that over 300 targets had been struck so far.

Major General Uri Gordin, commander of Israel's Northern Command, conducted a situation assessment with fire centre commanders, leading the attack in the northern region.

The operation was carried out in full coordination with the Intelligence Division and the Air Force, according to the security forces.

Following the activation of alerts in Israelas Amiad and Safed areas, the IDF detected around 25 launches from Lebanon. The air defence forces intercepted several rockets, while other projectiles landed in open areas near Amiad.

Additionally, 10 rockets crossed into Israel's Lower Galilee region, where impacts were detected, though no immediate casualties were reported, the IDF further said.

The IDF reported that Hezbollah operatives were preparing for rocket strikes against Israel, prompting Israel's defensive and offensive measures.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant convened an emergency meeting to assess the readiness of the home front as hostilities expanded.

Gallant emphasised the importance of civilian resilience and adherence to safety instructions, declaring, "We will continue the operation until our goal is achieved a" the safe return of northern residents to their homes."

Earlier, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari issued a stark warning to Lebanese civilians, urging them to evacuate areas near Hezbollah military assets, particularly those storing weapons.

"Extensive airstrikes will commence shortly, and for their own safety, civilians should move out of harm's way," Hagari stated. He added that the Israeli army had uncovered Hezbollah's preparations for further attacks on Israel.

The escalating conflict comes amid increasing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, raising concerns over broader regional instability.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : BJP's Delhi unit President Virendra Sachdeva on Monday hit out at Chief Minister Atishi for placing an empty chair next to her own in the honour of party convenor Arvind Kejriwal, saying it is a "mockery of the Constitution".

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) BJP's Delhi unit President Virendra Sachdeva on Monday hit out at Chief Minister Atishi for placing an empty chair next to her own in the honour of party convenor Arvind Kejriwal, saying it is a "mockery of the Constitution".

Atishi, who was sworn in on Saturday, took charge on Monday. In a symbolic gesture, she left the CM's chair empty and chose to sit on a different chair. Her action has drawn criticism from several leaders of the BJP.

Speaking to IANS, Sachdeva said that according to the Constitution, there are norms and dignity of the Constitutional post which need to be followed.

"But, Delhi CM has tarnished Delhi's image today. If all this drama was to be done, then there was no need to take the oath," he contended.

The Delhi BJP President hit out at Atishi for being busy cleaning Kejriwal's image, saying: "She wants to put the tag of honesty on a corrupt person who has been released on bail which is not possible. The drama you are doing is wrong that you will put 'Khadau' in the honour of Kejriwal. Nowadays, Ramleela is being held everywhere in Delhi. I will tell them if there is Ramleela of corruption, then call these AAP leaders."

Sachdeva also posed several questions to the AAP leaders, asking: "If she (Atishi) does not sit on the chair, who will work for Delhi? You have started doing drama from the first day."

He strongly criticised Atishi for not speaking about the issues Delhi is facing right now. "Instead of doing all this drama, you should speak about the increased electricity prices and, how people will get clean drinking water and who will pay for it. Drains are not being cleaned, and 10,000 marshals have been removed."

He also asserted that the AAP government is cheating, and fooling the people of Delhi with these sort of dramas.
The economic and human situation in Cuba has become so dire that no one would be surprised if there were a sudden breakdown in the country's civil order. Frequent citizen protests and growing criminal violence indicate that Castroism is transforming into a failed state at a dizzying pace. Cuba is no longer that unsinkable island of cork that the economist Luis Machado described in 1936. Today the country, ravaged by its own government, is sinking into an abyss of despair.

It would be imprudent to contemplate this tragedy without fear, for everything points to the unsustainability of a situation being clumsily and maliciously bungled by the Communist Party, which is unable to avert disaster or mitigate a crisis that at any time could give rise to an unexpected and uncontrollable event, which, sadly, might result in a change taking us even further from that long-awaited sovereign, prosperous and democratic republic.

The future of the nation must not be left to chance, because freedom is not played with dice and democracy does not arise automatically. We must forge it, and begin by abandoning the idea that Castroism will fall like Batista did, because it does not seem that this time we will have a clean slate, but rather hard work and commitments in a tug-of-war transition ahead.

Although banking on the emergence of a Caribbean Gorbachev is not serious, since the future must be entrusted to institutions, not people, it is logical to assume that many members of the current Government are displeased with the material, human and spiritual strangling being suffered by the nation, and, unhappy with their superiors' lack of initiative, willing to commit themselves to regime change.

We do not know the levels of discontent in the Government and its partisan and military bureaucracy, because the higher one ascends in the power structure, the fiercer the repression and lack of freedom of expression in Cuba, a dynamic that condemns the system itself to ineffectiveness and disconnect from reality.

For a transition, the importance of those holding positions at different levels of the government, silent out of fear but yearning for change, must not be overlooked. Getting them to collaborate, to undercut Castroism from within, should be one of the priorities of opposition organizations.

Specifying the measures that the opposition should take to secure collaboration by today's notorious Castroists, towards a free Cuba, is a subject too broad to be addressed here, but it will be impossible to move forward in this regard without a credible and feasible proposal for a transition free of violence or foreign intervention, and without an avowed spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness, even if this means not being very rigorous (except with the most notorious repressors and the most abject Castroists) in dealing with the application of justice and the current regime's illicit seizures of assets.

As much as it hurts that supporters of the dictatorship will go unpunished, and even benefit from their activity, the priority should not be punitive justice, but rather justice for a whole people who live subjugated, and, therefore, poor in body and soul. If the opposition manages to allay the fears of those who remain on the side of Castroism only because their sins give them no other option, the Castroist ranks would cease to be so united, and we would see major desertions. And, most importantly, when the time comes, support for the most tyrannical and unforgivable core of the mafia that has tortured us for 65 years would be less monolithic, and people would be more willing to abandon them.

Although today we do not know who in the Central Committee, or in the leadership of the Party in some provinces or municipalities, or in the MINFAR, in some large military or police unit, in counterintelligence, or State Security, can and wants to undermine Castroism from within, it would be worthwhile for the opposition to build bridges and encourage those anonymous people today to earn the right to walk a gangway towards forgivemess by, rather than fleeing a sinking ship like a rat, actively collaborating in its sinking.

An example of this bridge-building policy has just been set by the Venezuelan opposition, led by Maria Corina Machado, who during the campaign did not call for punishment of the Chavista mafia, or spread hatred of those who now mercilessly persecute her. On the contrary, the message of the leaders of Venezuela's victorious but cheated opposition was always that of forgiveness, integration and even dialogue with the most criminal henchmen of Chavez and Maduro, the opposition being focused on its greatest and true objective: to liberate the country.
Jaipur, Sep 23 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday inaugurated the Shri Bhawani Niketan Sainik School in Jaipur which will operate under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

He emphasised on public-private partnership to take the nation forward through the field of education combined with soldiery discipline.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Sainik School run under Shri Bhavani Niketan Shiksha Samiti located on Sikar Road in Jaipur, Rajnath Singh described himself fortunate to inaugurate the Sainik School here.

He reflected on his own background as a teacher and said that it was a special honour to be present at the inauguration of a Sainik School.

"I am happy that I have been a teacher," he added.

Further speaking on the rich history of Rajasthan, he said, "The land of Rajasthan is known not only for bravery but also for culture. Heroes like Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan, Surajmal and Sawai Jai Singh were born here. Opening of Sainik School on the land of Rajasthan is no less than a blessing."

He added: "Some people might be thinking that many Sainik Schools are already running in the country. So, why was there a need to open 100 new Sainik Schools?"

Replying to this query, the Defence Minister said, "Actually, the Sainik Schools that have been in the country till now were established with the joint efforts of the Central and state governments. The state government used to allocate land and the Central government used to play other roles. All the old Sainik Schools of the country were running in the same manner. But, the 100 new Sainik Schools that PM Modi has set a target of establishing in the country are not being run through the partnership of the Central and state governments but on the basis of the PPP model i.e. Public-Private Partnership."

He then emphasised on the role of private entities in shaping Indian economy and said, "The PPP model suits our system as it helps to bring in the strength of public and private sector together."

"Private sector contributes to over 50 per cent of the country's economy and hence PPP can be termed Private-Public Partnership."

Rajnath Singh also quoted the ancient education system and said, "In our ancient education system, the focus has been on literature, science and mathematics along with spirituality."

He also quoted the lines spoken by former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee and said he used to say, "A person with a small mind can never become great, a person with a broken mind can never stand up. As the mind expands, happiness and joy will increase."

The Defence Minister praised Rajasthan's historical significance, noting that the state has always played a key role in every era.

He highlighted Rajasthan's reputation not only for its bravery but also for its rich traditions.

Speaking of Jaipur, he emphasised its renowned architecture, cultural heritage, and popular tourist attractions, which make it a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to India.

He also paid homage to the legendary figures of the state, including Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan, Maharaja Surajmal, and Sawai Mansingh.

Rajnath Singh also highlighted the vital characteristics of Sainik Schools and said that they inculcate commitment towards values and discipline and hence a student gets comprehensive development which inspires him to take his country forward.

"Sainik Schools have delivered renowned talent. Our Army Chief is a passout from Sainik School. In fact, students here can choose a career as per their choice; they can be doctor, engineer, banker, civil servant and others, however their learnings from Sainik schools will stay with them, this is what I believe," he said.

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and said that after 2014, a strong defence shield has been created in the country.

"The government is completely with the soldiers. PM Modi also celebrates Diwali with the soldiers. I am proud that I am a soldier's daughter," she said.
Mumbai, Sep 23 : The shoot schedule of the Telugu superstar Prabhas starrer 'Fauji' has commenced in Madurai along with actress Imanvi. Meanwhile, it is getting reported that veteran actress Jaya Prada has also joined the schedule.

Mumbai, Sep 23 (IANS) The shoot schedule of the Telugu superstar Prabhas starrer aFaujia has commenced in Madurai along with actress Imanvi. Meanwhile, it is getting reported that veteran actress Jaya Prada has also joined the schedule.

As per recent reports, the first-day shoot is currently taking place in the district of Madurai where the entire cast and crew members have been assembled.

Meanwhile, it is now speculated that aAaj Ka Arjuna fame actress Jaya Prada has also joined the shooting schedule with its lead actor Prabhas and actress Imanvi who will be making her debut with the historical drama.

However, due to Prabhasa busy schedule, the team of technicians has planned many sequences to shoot without Prabhas as the aRebela fame actor is shooting simultaneously for his upcoming horror-comedy aThe RajaSaaba helmed by director Maruthi.

aFaujia is set in the backdrop of 1945 in which Prabhas essays the role of a soldier working in the British Army. As per early rumors, the first look of Prabhas will be unveiled on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra. The upcoming action-drama also features Mithun Chakraborty in crucial roles in which he will essay the role of the father

The music has been composed by aSita Ramama fame music director Vishal Chandrasekhar and the project has been bankrolled by Mythri Movie Makers.

Jaya Prada is considered one of the most prominent actresses of the era of 70s and 80s who has starred in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and Marathi films.

Her first Bollywood film was 1979's aSargama, a remake of her own 1976 Telugu movie aSiri Siri Muvvaa. Some of her acclaimed Hindi films were aSharaabia opposite Amitabh Bachchan and K Vishwanath's aSanjoga.

On 22 February 1986, she married producer Srikanth Nahata. The marriage stirred a lot of controversy due to his first marriage, especially since he did not divorce his wife and had a child with his first wife after marrying Jaya Prada.

For the unversed, Indian director late Satyajit Ray has described Jay as one of the prettiest women in the world.

a"IANS

ays/
Kolkata, Sep 23 : The Ex-Servicemen Resettlement Society (ERS) that operates under the West Bengal Rajya Sainik Board (WBRSB) has sought thorough security surveys and comprehensive CCTV coverage at all hospitals, along with effective communication tools like handheld radio sets (walkie-talkies).

The ERS now provides security services to 56 government hospitals across West Bengal, including the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, where a junior doctor was raped and murdered last month.

Col Partha Pratim Barik, patron, ERS and secretary, WBRSB, addressed security supervisors and senior security personnel in the city on Sunday during which these issues came up. He also highlighted the importance of robust fire-fighting preparedness and proper coordination with local police outposts.

He also instructed supervisors to secure live CCTV monitoring rights in the security control rooms of hospitals and maintain detailed security log books.

Col Barik placed special emphasis on the security of patients, particularly women, and urged the supervisors to ensure a safe working environment for female employees. He warned that any security personnel found guilty of indiscipline, involvement in politics or corruption, or committing acts of violence or harassment towards women, would face strict disciplinary action, including being handed over to the police.

As in several other states, all security supervisors, assistant security supervisors and senior security personnel at the 56 government hospitals in West Bengal are ex-servicemen.

The ERS under WBRSB has provided employment to nearly 500 ex-servicemen. Unfortunately, the ex-servicemen are paid far less in West Bengal, as compared to other states. The wages for the security service they provide are governed by the Department of Labour, Government of West Bengal.

While ex-servicemen receive Rs 23,000-Rs 30,000 a month in other states, the wages in West Bengal are fixed at Rs 14,000.

According to the ERS, the positioning of security personnel at hospitals is managed by the Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal or Registrar of hospitals and the local police. ERS has already asked for the installation of a CCTV monitor in the security control room for live surveillance, the provision of walkie-talkies and proper functioning of firefighting equipment.

The ERS has clarified that none of its personnel were present on the floor where the incident took place at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on that fateful day as none had been assigned there by the hospital or police authorities.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that is probing the matter questioned two security supervisors from R.G. Kar who are ex-servicemen and 30 civilian security guards. Two of these security guards were later suspended.
Faisalabad, Sep 23 : A teenage patient was raped by an employee of a hospital in Faisalabad, Pakistani media reported on Monday.

"An employee at Allied Hospital in Faisalabad allegedly raped a teenage patient on hospital premises on Sunday. The complainant, the patientas mother, filed an first information report (FIR) with the Civil Lines police under section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code that she brought her ailing daughter to the hospital for medical tests," reported leading Pakistani daily Dawn on Monday.

According to the newspaper, the suspect took the girl to the labour room and allegedly kept her for three hours, administered an anesthetic, and raped her while she was unconscious.

The report mentioned that the girl's mother found her daughter lying unconscious and, upon regaining consciousness, told her about the assault.

Pakistan remains one of the most dangerous countries for women with Lahore and Faisalabad reporting the maximum cases of violence against females.

According to a report released by Islamabad-based Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), Faisalabad emerged as the epicentre of a harrowing surge in violence against women, reporting 728 cases in 2023.

The report, released in March on the occasion of International Women's Day, shed light on the escalating incidents of violence, rape, kidnapping, and honour killings against women in Pakistan, especially in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh.

It disclosed that the total number of reported cases of violence against women in Sindh reached a staggering 10,201 in 2023 marking a disturbing 16 per cent increase from the 8,787 cases documented in 2022.

Similarly, Punjab faced a grim situation, with 10,201 reported cases of violence against women. Incidents of violence against women spanned all districts in Punjab, with Lahore reporting a distressing 1,464 cases. Following closely were Sheikhupura with 1,198 cases and Kasur with 877 cases.

Simultaneously, incidents of rape showed a disconcerting surge across the province. A total of 6,624 cases were reported in 2023, reflecting a 12 per cent increase from the 5,890 cases reported in 2022. Faisalabad took the lead as the worst-affected district, with 728 reported cases, followed by Lahore (721) and Sargodha (398).

The SSDO report detailed that Sindh also witnessed a similarly distressing surge in violence against women in 2023 with an average of 26 women kidnapped every week.

Similarly, four rape cases were reported every week on an average in 2023 from the province.

"Shockingly, an average of 13 women per month lost their lives in honour killings in 2023. Comparing 2023 to 2022, the figures showed an increase in honour killings (136 to 96), kidnapping cases (1,500 to 1,349), and domestic violence cases (350 to 346).
New Delhi, Sep 23 : The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Monday issued a notice to embattled low-cost carrier SpiceJet over a petition by Techjockey Infotech Pvt Ltd, one of its operational creditors.

Software solutions startup Techjockey Infotech filed an insolvency case against cash-strapped airline SpiceJet for an alleged default of around Rs 1.18 crore.

The petition was filed under section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. It aims to initiate insolvency proceedings against the airline for default that stems from a 2021 agreement wherein SpiceJet acquired cloud services.

The NCLT has admitted the case for consideration and issued a notice to SpiceJet. The case is scheduled to be heard on November 14.

This case adds to several insolvency cases against SpiceJet for unpaid dues to various vendors and aircraft lessors. The pleas from Aircastle, AWAS 36698 Ireland, AWAS 36694 Ireland, and AWAS 36695 remain pending, along with Shannon Engine Support Ltd and Engine Lease Finance B.V.

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld the Delhi High Courtas directive requiring SpiceJet to ground and return three aircraft engines leased from French companies due to non-payment of dues, while dismissing the airlineas appeal.

The airline had said in a statement that it is currently in discussions with the aircraft lessor to reach an amicable settlement. aIt is important to note that two of the three engines in question are already grounded, and our operations remain completely normal and unaffected. We remain committed to ensuring seamless operations," the airline added.

Meanwhile, SpiceJet hit a new low with its market share shrinking by 80 bps to 2.3 per cent (month-on-month) in August, largely due to financial woes and increased grounding, carrying just 3.01 lakh domestic passengers. Also, embattled SpiceJetas board has approved the issuance and allotment of 48.70 crore equity shares to qualified institutional buyers at Rs 61.60 per share to raise Rs 3,000 crore.
Patna, Sep 23 : After Atishi assumed the role of Chief Minister of Delhi, senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi sharply criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership, calling it an unprecedented move in Indian politics.

Tyagi stated, "This is the first time in the history of the country that a Chief Minister has been elected by the MLAs in the country. This is the height of flattery and sycophancy."

His comments reflect the political tension surrounding the transition of power in Delhi.

Atishi, who is considered close to both Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, was recently elected by the AAP Parliamentary Board to take over as Chief Minister following the AAP National Convener Kejriwal's resignation amid allegations of corruption linked to the Delhi liquor policy case.

Her ascension is seen as a critical moment for the AAP, as it navigates leadership changes while facing intense criticism from Opposition parties.

Tyagi's remarks highlight the criticism from political opponents, accusing the AAP of internal favouritism and questioning the decision-making process.

The JD(U) senior leader addressed a range of political issues in a statement, touching on key figures in Indian politics.

Reacting to NCP leader Sharad Pawar's remarks on 'One Nation, One Election', Tyagi emphasised that the NDA is united on the issue, while the Opposition's INDIA bloc is divided.

He stated, "The NDA including BJP, JD(U), TDP, or RLD are united on this stand. Our party has declared this position publicly many times, but the INDIA bloc remains divided."

Tyagi also took the opportunity to criticise BSP chief Mayawati for her lack of engagement with Dalit communities.

He contrasted her leadership with that of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, saying, "When Kanshi Ram was alive, Dalit communities looked to him with expectation. Mayawati, however, doesn't even acknowledge them during difficult times."

He pointed out the significant decline in the BSP's political relevance over the past decade and suggested that instead of attacking Opposition parties, Mayawati should engage in introspection.

Former Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati had uploaded a series of posts on her X handle and targeted the ruling alliance leaders on Monday.

Additionally, Tyagi targeted AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, accusing them of deepening societal divides wherever they operate.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST) have developed catalytic droplets that can lead to faster chemical reactions and help accelerate drug development and lower healthcare costs.

The catalytic droplets can lead to a 10-fold increase in speed and efficient catalytic reactions and this is valid below a critical substrate concentration, said the researchers.

"Such efficient chemical reactions can accelerate drug development, leading to quicker access to innovative medications and potentially lower healthcare costs," revealed the findings, published in the journal Nanoscale.

The team led by Professor Sarmistha Sinha and colleagues explored a way to confine nano-catalyst molecules without impeding their movement.

They sought to confine protein-metal nanocomposites within droplets formed through liquid-liquid phase separation.

Unlike traditional methods, which relied on physical and chemical barriers to confine molecules during catalytic reactions, the new approach allowed for barrier-free confinement, so that the molecules within the droplets could move freely.

The droplets themselves were indifferent to the native conformation of the proteins they contained, creating an ideal environment for catalysis. The result was a staggering 10-fold increase in the catalytic efficiency of the metal nanocatalysts.

This discovery opens up new possibilities for accelerating chemical reactions, making them faster and more efficient than ever before.

The finding published in the journal Nanoscale represents a paradigm shift in approach to chemical reactions. The ability to confine molecules within barrier-free droplets while maintaining -- or even amplifying reaction rates could lead to more efficient industrial processes, from drug manufacturing to energy production.

Moreover, the insights gained from understanding phase transitions within these droplets could pave the way for new technologies that harness the power of liquid-liquid phase separation, said the researchers.
Bengaluru, Sep 23 : The Special MP/MLA Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of the bail petition by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator N. Munirathna from R.R. Nagar constituency in Karnataka -- arrested in connection with a rape case -- to September 25.

The court also directed officials to issue a notice to the victim in the case. Special Public Prosecutor S. Pradeep sought time for filing objections to the bail petition of MLA Munirathna.

Meanwhile, former corporator Velu Naik and leaders of Dalit communities met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday and sought protection, claiming "life threats" issued by Munirathna's suppoters.

Velu Naik claimed that life threats were issued to the complainant who was a victim of rape and honey trapping, and him as well.

They alleged that Hebbagodi police inspector I.N. Reddy is a close confidante of MLA Munirathna, and action should be taken against the police officer.

One Sunandamma, a supporter of Munirathna, had gone to the residence of a witness and allegedly threatened the family members. A complaint in this regard has been submitted along with the CCTV footage.

The Karnataka government had ordered a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) against BJP legislator N. Munirathna who is facing charges of rape.

The government has issued an order to form the SIT. Senior IPS officer B.K. Singh will be heading the unit.

Last Friday, Karnataka Congress leader D.K. Suresh alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his adversaries with HIV and that the government should investigate the matter.

Suresh said: "A network of people led by Munirathna was conspiring to infect enemies with HIV. The government must investigate all those who are part of the network."

A special court here on Saturday sent Munirathna, arrested in a rape case, to judicial custody for 14 days till October 5.

Munirathna was arrested in Bengaluru on Friday after a woman social activist filed a complaint alleging rape and criminal intimidation.

The Kaggalipura Police took the BJP legislator into custody immediately after he came out of the Bengaluru Central Prison.

The Kaggalipura Police in Ramanagara district had filed an FIR against Munirathna on Thursday following a complaint by a woman social activist.

The victim claimed in her complaint that Munirathna had taken her to a godown owned by him in Mutyalanagara and raped her.

The complainant had also stated that he recorded the act and threatened her that "if the matter came out, she would be dealt with severely". The victim also claimed that she was forced to honeytrap people in different private resorts.

"The BJP MLA forced me to carry out honey traps. He had threatened me with life to get this job done," the victim stated in her complaint.

Kaggalipura police had lodged a criminal case under 354 (A), 354 (C), 376 (2) (N), 506, 504, 120 (B), 149, 406, 308 of the IPC and column 66, 66 (E) of the IT Act on Sept 18.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Congress General Secretary and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja on Monday refuted all the speculations about not campaigning for the party in poll-bound Haryana as she was sulking over not being considered for the Chief Minister's post and said that she will be soon seen in the state.

Selja's clarification came following her conspicuous absence from critical party events, including the manifesto launch by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Adding to the controversy, Union Minister and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had invited her to join the BJP.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Selja, a prominent Dalit face of the party, spoke on a range of issues from why she is not campaigning for the Haryana elections to rift buzz.

IANS: Why are you not seen campaigning for the Haryana polls?

Selja: I will soon be seen in election campaigning.

IANS: This question was raised as you were seen meeting with your supporters in Delhi, but you are not campaigning for the Haryana polls.

Selja: No, it is not like that. The party workers have asked me to come when everything will be properly arranged for the election campaigns.

IANS: You wanted to contest the Assembly elections. Do you think that if you have contested for the polls, then it will have more impact?

Selja: The party can better think about it. I have the desire to contest elections and have told it a few months ago. But, the Lok Sabha came and we won that. Then, I wanted to contest the Assembly polls but, it was the decision of the high command.

IANS: There were reports stating that you were sulking over being sidelined by veteran leader and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda. What do you want to say about this?

Selja: It is not like that, I was not sulking about it. But, there were some issues and the High Command knows about it.

IANS: You met Congres party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday. Has the party accepted all your demands?

Selja: There are some conversions which need not be revealed and should be kept inside the party.

IANS: You wanted a Dalit CM in Haryana. Do you think if Congress wins the polls, you will be the CM post's contender?

Selja: The high command will decide better who will be more suitable for the CM's post.
Mumbai, Sep 23 : Veteran actress and diva Zeenat Aman reminisced about how she "took long pulls from chillums" for the 1971 song "Dum maro dum", which left her "high as a kite".

Mumbai, Sep 23 (IANS) Veteran actress and diva Zeenat Aman reminisced about how she "took long pulls from chillums" for the 1971 song "Dum maro dum", which left her "high as a kite".

Zeenat took to Instagram, where she posted a still from the iconic number that featured in the film "Hare Rama Hare Krishna", directed by Dev Anand. The movie dealt with the decadence of the Hippie culture and aimed to have an anti-drug message.

She recalled: "We were in Kathmandu shooting Hare Rama Hare Krishna, and Dev Saab had rounded up a gaggle of hippies from the streets to be featured in the song. Which song? The picture is a dead giveaway - Dum Maro Dum of course!"

"The hippy extras were delighted with their good fortune. They were not only getting to pack their chillums with hashish in beautiful Nepal, they were also getting free food, going to feature in a Bollywood movie and were being paid to boot!"

She shared that the late legendary actor-filmmaker Dev Anand wanted authenticity in this sequence.

"My character, the drug addled Janice, had to really look stoned. And the easiest way to achieve this was to partake in the hippy offerings! So there I was, still in my teens, gamely taking long pulls from their chillum for take after take. By the time we wrapped the day's work I was high as a kite! I was in no state to return to the hotel in that happy, dizzy and slightly gormless haze."

She shared that some of the team members packed her into a car and took the actress on a drive to a beautiful vantage point.

"There in the cold mountain air, I contemplated the Himalayas and slowly, peacefully came down from my high."

Zeenat revealed that her mother was furious when she learnt about what happened.

"I later found out that my mother was furious when she learnt what happened, and gave the senior crew members a sharp tongue lashing for allowing her precious child to "do drugs"! Luckily, I was spared her wrath."

"Well, what can I say, it was the 70s, and I was something of a flower child."

She further shared that this October, she will be in Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur sharing many such anecdotes, and grooving to the most memorable numbers from her films.

"All performed by a live band. This is a musical extravaganza especially created for "my generation" of fans! Don't forget to book tickets for your parents, aunts, uncles and anyone else who grew up dancing to my songs. Yeh Shaam Mastani".
This story was originally published in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News on Oct. 29, 2003.

The lunch-bucket bandit is alive and well. That's the word from the bandit's granddaughter, Ann.

I took a look back at the historic Troy bank robbery in my Oct. 15 column.

Ann read the column and immediately came in to share more. Because her grandfather is still alive in an area care facility, she asked that I keep his name in confidence.

I agreed, having made the same decision in the initial piece.

In July 1950, Ann's grandfather, 28 at the time, made away with more than $5,000 from the First Bank of Troy. He stuffed the money into a lunch-bucket, earning himself the unofficial title of "lunch-bucket bandit."

An interesting twist to the story came after he was captured and served his time in jail. He apparently went back to the bank and asked the manager for a loan. Believing the man had paid his debt to society, the manager granted the loan.

Apparently the bank manager wasn't as forthcoming the first time Ann's grandfather asked for a loan. Her grandfather had been in the logging business, but was down on his luck at the time. With a family to raise, he asked the bank manager for a few dollars to tide him over until he could find work.

Because he wasn't working and with no foreseeable way to pay back the money, the bank manager denied the loan.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Communist Party of India (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat on Monday expressed surprise and shock over Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi's statement, describing secularism as a 'foreign concept' and asked what kind of precedent was being set with such 'irresponsible' remarks from a person sitting on a top Constitutional post.

Speaking to IANS, Brinda Karat vented her anger and indignation at the controversial remarks and accused the Governor of setting up a 'disturbing' discourse.

"Tamil Nadu Governor's statement that secularism is not an Indian concept is perplexing. This means that the country's Constitution doesn't hold much value for him, and he even thinks this to be a foreign concept," said Brinda Karat.

She stated that secularism remains one of the basic principles of our Constitution and forms the basic structure of the country's rule book.

She further expressed her dismay and pointed fingers at the Central government for filling the Governoras post with those who 'lack faith' in the country's supreme rule book.

"The Governor's statement shows that he thinks that the Indian Constitution is also a foreign concept. Those who believe in the Constitution, those who question it are sitting in the Governor's chair. Modi government is to blame for all this," Karat added.

Notably, the Tamil Nadu Governor kicked up a major row with his statement describing secularism as a 'European concept' and is also facing huge public backlash for it. He made these comments during a public event in Kanyakumari during the weekend.

He said that a lot of frauds were committed in the country and one of them was the wrong interpretation of secularism.

"What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, and it is not an Indian concept. In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight between the church and the king. How can India be away from 'dharma'? Secularism is a European concept. In India, there is no need for secularism," he said.
Tehran, Sep 23 : The death toll from a mine explosion in Iran's South Khorasan Province has reached 38, with 14 people still trapped on Monday, reports said.

A blast struck the coal mine in Tabas, about 540 km southeast of the capital Tehran on Saturday night, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (IRNA).

A total of 47 workers were trapped in the B area of the mine. Thirty people have died and 17 others were injured. A total of 22 workers were trapped in the C area, among which eight have died and 14 others remain trapped, South Khorasan Province Governor Javad Ghenaat told reporters on Monday.

Rescue efforts are still underway but the high gas density in the tunnel in the C area has slowed down the work, said the official.

An expert group will be formed to organise technical personnel to investigate the cause, he said.

South Khorasan Province announced a three-day mourning period on Sunday.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K of the Indian Navy are all set to embark on the extraordinary mission of circumnavigating the globe with the "Navika Sagar Parikrama" expedition, the Navy said.

They will go for a Sagar Parikrama on Navy's Tarini boat on October 2.

It will take 8 months time and the women officers will return by May 2025.

However, weather conditions will play a vital role.

They will cover around 40,00 km or 21,600 nautical miles during this journey.

During a press conference on Monday, Lieutenant Commanders -- Roopa A and Dilna K -- shared their experiences and expressed extreme confidence for the forthcoming expedition embodying the spirit of resilience and indomitable spirit.

During the curtain raiser event on Monday, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, said that Indian naval sailing vessel Tarini would sail on this challenging expedition with the two courageous women officers on October 2.

The historic voyage will be flagged off from Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi, Goa.

Over a period of eight months, the duo will navigate 21,600 nautical miles without any external assistance, relying solely on wind power.

The circumnavigation highlights the exceptional valour, courage and perseverance of the officers, who will face rigours of high seas, extreme weather conditions, pushing the limits of human endurance.

The route will take them through some of the most treacherous waters, including the perilous passage around the three great Capes -- Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.

The voyage is not just a testament to their personal bravery and skill, but also a celebration of the Indian Navy's commitment to 'Nari Shakti' showcasing their indomitable spirit and determination, Vice Admiral Swaminathan added.

The expedition was conceived by the Indian Navy with the inaugural 'Navika Sagar Parikrama', the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all women crew of six officers in 2017.

The second edition of the expedition will be an exceptional one as they will become the first from India to accomplish such a feat in double handed mode.

Earlier, Captain Dilip Donde was the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in 2009-10.

Subsequently, Commander Abhilash Tomy was the first Asian captain to participate in two circumnavigations and accomplished the rare feat of completing the Golden Globe Race in 2022.

Significantly, Commander Abhilash Tomy has been closely associated with the training of both the officers as the official mentor.

The expedition is being conducted under the leadership of Indian Naval Sailing Association based at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, and Ocean Sailing Node, Goa, under Southern Naval Command.

Both the nodal centres will be coordinating the voyage in liaison with international maritime agencies and authorities.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, described Navika Sagar Parikrama II as a journey of empowerment, innovation, and commitment to India's maritime heritage while charting new paths for a brighter and empowered future.

He reaffirmed Indian Navy's pledge to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility, not just on Indian shores but across the vast expanse of the world's oceans.

Navika Sagar Parikrama II is more than a voyage, it also underlines the essence of maritime prowess, self reliance and commitment to a greater cause, the official added.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : The Indian hospitality industry has ramped up investments in greenfield hotel development, driven by the demand coming from tier 2 and 3 cities amid rising disposable incomes and overall economic growth.

In the first half of this year, greenfield hotel investments in the country rebounded to pre-Covid levels, as per latest data from HVS Anarock.

Greenfield developments accounted for nearly 48 per cent of hotel brand signings by keys, surging to 53 per cent in early 2024.

The growth was driven by hotel chains expanding aggressively in tier 2, 3 and 4 cities.

Mandeep S Lamba, President and CEO, HVS Anarock, said in reports that this renewed interest is primarily driven by hotel chains expanding aggressively into tier 2, 3 and 4 cities, where both business and leisure travel are experiencing robust growth.

Greenfield hotels refer to building new properties on previously undeveloped land, while brownfield projects involve redeveloping or expanding existing properties.

Cities like Indore, Kanpur, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, Udaipur, and Coimbatore are experiencing a rise in demand.

According to industry experts, unlike brownfield developments, greenfield hotel developments offer flexibility as it does not constrain hotel chains and developers to an existing structure.

The future of the Indian hospitality industry looks promising, driven by rising occupancy rates and a strong pipeline of new projects across all segments.

As per industry leaders, as road infrastructure and connectivity significantly improved in the last 10 years, the global hospitality majors are strategically expanding their presence by developing hotels near major highways and key service stations, providing travellers with convenient and comfortable options for stays.

According to Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, the government's mega infrastructure push, particularly highway development, offers significant growth opportunities for the hotel industry.

Hotel investment transactions reached $93 million and are expected to reach $413 million by year-end a" a 22 per cent increase compared to last year, according to latest data from JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group. Top hotel companies led by contributing 44 per cent of the total transaction volume. It was followed by owner-operators at 30 per cent and high-net-worth individual (HNIs), family offices, and private hotel owners at 26 per cent.

According to the report, the positive momentum is set to continue throughout the second half of the year.
Mumbai, Sep 23 : Actor Neil Bhoopalam who is best known for his commendable performances in 'Shaitan' and 'Illegal: Season 3' is all set to feature in his new project titled 'Pyaar Ka Profit'.

A source revealed to IANS that the 'Masaba Masaba' actor is gearing up for his next venture which is an adaptation of author Durjoy Dutta's critically acclaimed novel 'Now That You're Rich, Let's Fall in Love'.

As per the source, the series will be featuring 'Archies' fame actors Mihir Ahuja and renowned radio jockey Mahvash in the lead roles, Neil will also be featuring with them along with its other cast members.

The source has also said that the upcoming series will be a promising venture for Neil as it will be another astonishing mark in the actor's career, especially after getting a huge love for his character portrayal of Dushyant Singh Rathore in the crime-thriller, 'Illegal: Season 3".

The upcoming series promises to have a captivating storyline that blends love and ambition. The series will be set in a corporate backdrop of corporate culture that delves into the dynamics of love, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams with numerous twists and turns.

Meanwhile, the official announcement is expected soon by the makers to introduce their entire star cast and their specific characters as the ardent Neil fans have already been excited to watch him in a different league after giving nail-biting performances with his films and other running ventures.

The series will be bankrolled by the duo Yash Patnaik and Mamta Patnaik who has a proven track record of giving the audience timeless classic shows that include, 'Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi', 'Channa Mereya', 'Gauna: Ek Pratha', Ek Veer Ki ArdaasVeera' and many others.

Apart from this, Neil has also joined the star-studded cast of Laxman Utekar's upcoming historical epic 'Chhaava' starring Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna in crucial roles. The upcoming film is an adaptation of the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant.

It is scheduled for a theatrical release on 6 December 2024 in a brutal clash with Allu Arjun starrer 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' helmed by Sukumar.

IANS

ays/
Mumbai, Sep 23 : Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, whose home production 'Laapataa Ladies' has been submitted as India's official entry to the Oscars, has expressed his gratitude to the selection committee of the Film Federation of India for their decision.

The actor issued a statement thanking the members of the committee, and shared that he is proud of the director of the film, and his ex-wife Kiran Rao.

He said in a statement, "We are all so happy with the news. I am so proud of Kiran and her entire team. I would like to thank the selection committee of the Film Federation of India, which chose our film to represent India at the Oscars".

The film was picked as the official submission on Monday for the upcoming 97th edition of the Academy Awards.

The actor further mentioned, "My heartfelt gratitude to our audience, our media, and the entire film fraternity, for all the love and support they have given 'Laapataa Ladies'. Thanks to both Jio and Netflix who have been great partners to work with. I am so happy that all our hard-work has paid off. Thank you everyone. Here's hoping that 'Laapataa Ladies' is able to win the hearts of the members of the Academy".

This is not the first time for an Aamir Khan Productions film has been picked by the Film Federation of India for the Oscars. Earlier, his films like 'Taare Zameen Par', 'Peepli Live' and 'Lagaan' have been India's official entries to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category with 'Lagaan' even securing a seat in the final nominations. However, the film didn't win 74th Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Film, as it lost out to the Bosnian film 'No Man's Land' which was directed by Danis Tanovic.
Kolkata, Sep 23 : A special court in Kolkata on Monday sent R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital's former Principal and three others to judicial custody till October 7 in connection with the financial irregularities case.

The other three persons, who have been sent to judicial custody till October are Afsar Ali, Suman Hazra, and Biplab Sinha.

While Ali is the personal bodyguard of Ghosh, the other two are owners of business entities supplying medicines and medical equipment to R.G. Kar.

On Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) counsel informed the special court that the process of digital cloning of 18 digital gadgets seized during the investigation, which include mobile phones, laptops, hard discs and memory cards, among others, has been completed. The investigating officials are currently examining those and believe that more important clues in the matter relating to the financial irregularities are expected to surface following the examination process, he submitted.

Ghosh and three others were arrested by the CBI in the financial irregularities case on August 19. Later Ghosh was also shown as "arrested" by CBI in the ghastly rape and murder case of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar last month.

Besides the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also started an investigation into the matter after filing an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR). While CBI's investigation in the matter is court-directed and court-monitored, ED had made a suo motu entry into the matter. Already, the officials of both the central agencies have claimed to have collected incriminating documents in the case, conducted raids at multiple locations, and questioned several people.

The main charges against Ghosh are manipulating the tendering process at R.G. Kar to make room for ineligible suppliers or contractors, bypassing the norms for giving infrastructure-related work orders, smuggling bio-medical wastes and organs of unidentified bodies coming at the hospital morgue.
Patna, Sep 23 : Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) National President Nitish Kumar appointed senior leader Shyam Rajak as the party's National General Secretary on Monday.

Patna, Sep 23 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) National President Nitish Kumar appointed senior leader Shyam Rajak as the partyas National General Secretary on Monday.

The official announcement came via a letter from Afaq Ahmed Khan, the JD(U) General Secretary and MLC, confirming Rajak's appointment.

Shyam Rajak, a prominent Dalit leader in Bihar, rejoined JD(U) on September 1 this year, marking his second stint with the party.

Since his return, Rajak has been actively involved in a aPanchayat Yatra,a traveling across Bihar, engaging with local communities, and discussing the development work carried out by the Nitish Kumar government.

Rajak has a strong political presence, particularly in the Phulwarisharif Assembly constituency, where he has previously won elections.

His current efforts and visibility have fueled speculation that he is aiming for a JD(U) ticket from Phulwarisharif in the forthcoming Assembly elections, reinforcing his commitment to the party and its leadership.

Shyam Rajak's political journey has been marked by significant shifts between parties, notably from the RJD to JD(U), and back again.

Initially, Rajak began his political career with the RJD but switched to the JD(U), where he held significant influence.

Ahead of the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Rajak rejoined the RJD, hoping to contest from his stronghold in Phulwarisharif.

However, his ambitions were thwarted when, as part of the Grand Alliance's seat-sharing arrangement, the Phulwarisharif seat was allocated to the CPI(ML).

This decision left Rajak without the opportunity to contest, leading to growing disillusionment.

Despite rejoining the RJD before the 2020 election, Rajak felt increasingly sidelined, as he was neither granted a ticket for the Assembly election nor considered for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Additionally, he was denied key leadership positions within the party.

Frustrated with this treatment, Rajak, who had been the RJDas National General Secretary, resigned from the party on August 22 this year.

His departure was driven by feelings of being marginalised and overlooked, particularly after leaving the JD(U) to rejoin the RJD. Following his resignation from the RJD, Rajak rejoined the JD(U) on September 1 this year.
Abuja, Sep 23 : Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has directed local security and law enforcement agencies to crack down on individuals involved in the trafficking of stolen vehicles, a move aimed at further strengthening the country's economic and financial integrity against the infiltration of organised crime.

In a statement, Tinubu said Nigeria will continue to work with its international partners to ensure that cyber criminals and organised crime groups involved in transnational car theft are deprived of the benefits of their illegal activities, Xinhua news agency reported.

Noting that one of the most effective tools available to law enforcement agencies is depriving criminals of the proceeds of their illicit activities, the Nigerian leader acknowledged the recent handover of 53 vehicles and 180,300 U.S. dollars by the country's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, on behalf of two Canadian citizens who were victims of cybercrime perpetrated by Nigerian nationals.

While expressing concern over the involvement of transnational organized criminal groups in exporting stolen vehicles to Nigeria, Tinubu commended the local anti-corruption police for working with partners to ensure a coordinated and professional response to the menace.

The Nigerian president also ordered that the value of seized and confiscated moveable assets be preserved for the state, society, and victims in line with existing legislation and international conventions.

"Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries," he said, affirming that his administration remains committed to tackling money laundering, cybercrime, and other financial crimes.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY), launched in the second tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to provide universal health coverage to crores of citizens across the length and breadth of the country is a saga of success and also show how it went to lay the foundation of a 'Swasth Bharat'.

Today, an impoverished farmer in any village to a middle-class citizen in Top II, Tier III cities to someone in a metropolitan town has access to similar medical facilities, without worrying about financial fallouts. Money is not a constraint in getting healthcare benefits and this is what makes PM-JAY deliver on its universal health coverage.

Ayushman Bharat has become a lifeline today, with more than 60,000 patients getting free treatments daily and crores of families getting 'insulated' from exorbitant medical expenses.

Below are some interesting and lesser known facts about PM-JAY

* It was on September 23, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the transformative Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda made an interesting revelation on Monday about how the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, initially conceived with Rs 1 lakh insurance cover, went to become a gamechanger with suggestions from the Prime Minister.

Taking to X, the Health Minister said: "When we were initially drafting the roadmap for Ayushman Bharat, we proposed a health coverage of Rs 1 lakh. It was on the advice of PM Modi that it was increased to Rs 5 lakh, ensuring that the scheme truly benefits those in need.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed special emphasis on the effective implementation of Ayushman Bharat, launching nationwide campaigns to raise awareness and ensure accessibility for all citizens," he added.

As per government records, about 49 per cent of the Ayushman Cards have been issued to women and out of 7.79 crore hospital admissions, approximately 3.61 crores are utilised by women.

Public and private hospitals are equally contributing to the implementation of the scheme with 57 per cent and 43 per cent contributions, respectively.

PM-JAY, being the world's largest health insurance scheme, aims to provide health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries, corresponding to 12.37 crore families, constituting the bottom 40 per cent of India's population.

At least 18 states have converged their state-specific schemes with AB PM-JAY and some have even expanded the beneficiary base, at their own cost.

Recently, PM Modi-led government announced an expansion of PM-JAY yojana for all those senior citizens above the age of 70 years, irrespective of their socio-economic status. This will benefit about 6 crore such senior citizens residing in approximately 4.5 crore families.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, having emerged as the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme in mere six years of launch, embodies the government's resolve for building a 'Swasth Bharat' and transforming the healthcare landscape for crores of Indians.
London, Sep 23 : British Chancellor Rachel Reeves reassured the country on Monday that the United Kingdom (UK) will not return to austerity policies, referencing the austerity programme initiated by the Cameron government in 2009.

During her 2024 Labour Party Conference speech, Reeves said, "There will be no return to austerity," criticizing the Conservative Party's policy as "a destructive choice for our public services, and for investment and growth."

Looking ahead to the upcoming budget in October, Reeves reassured party members that it will align with the new government's manifesto commitments. These include no increases in income tax, national insurance, or value-added tax, capping corporation tax at its current level for the duration of the current parliament, closing the non-dom tax loophole, and cracking down on tax avoidance and evasion.

The Chancellor also announced the forthcoming release of a new industrial plan in collaboration with the Business Secretary, scheduled for October. This plan will represent a departure from Conservative economic ideologies of "trickle-down economics" and will focus on supporting long-term growth in both manufacturing and service industries, regional development, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

Reeves also revealed the appointment of a new COVID-19 corruption commissioner, tasked with investigating waste and corruption during the pandemic, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Labour Chancellor announced other reforms aimed at protecting workers' rights, including banning exploitative zero-hour contracts, ending unfair dismissal practices, and establishing a genuine living wage that reflects the true cost of living.
Kolkata, Sep 23 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Biden for the proposed joint-collaboration semiconductor manufacturing unit in Kolkata which was finalised during the PM's tour to America.

According to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the proposal was a result of relentless promotion by the West Bengal government.

According to CM Banerjee, since early last year, the state information technology department and the state-undertaking Webel (West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation) approached leading semiconductor industries as many chip-designing and packaging start-up companies had relocated to the various information technology parks of Webel after the COVID pandemic.

"Global Foundries, Synopsis, Micron and a few other leading international semiconductor companies held a number of technology-symposiums in West Bengal. They visited our units and offices to discuss emerging technologies and investment potential," the Chief Minister informed.

According to her, this year the state government-sponsored VLSI Conference 2024, held in Kolkata witnessed participation of all leading giants from the semiconductor industries.

"Hence, continuous deliberations coupled with successful promotion of the state's capacity have thus led to Global Foundries' recent proposal to set up a Global Capability Centre in Kolkata.

"I assure all support to the emerging investment in this frontier sector. Let West Bengal be the true destination for knowledge-based industries," the Chief Minister added.

Industry observers believe that the proposed joint collaboration semiconductor manufacturing unit in the state will bring a bit of relief to the state government regarding industrial investments.

The common criticism against the Trinamool Congress government is that although every year the annual Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) and the state government claim to have attracted lakhs of crores of investment proposals, the implementation of those proposals were hardly visible.
Jerusalem, Sep 23 : Israel's military issued a warning on Monday that it was about to attack sites in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah is allegedly storing strategic weapons, urging civilians to evacuate.

"Distance yourself from houses where weapons are located, for your own protection," Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said during a press briefing in the afternoon, adding that the attack would begin within the next two hours without providing further details.

This marked the second warning from Hagari on Monday, following an earlier message in the morning for residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, as Israel planned airstrikes targeting homes allegedly storing Hezbollah's cruise missiles.

So far, Israel has struck about 300 homes where Hezbollah allegedly hide missiles, Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adraee said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

Israel has launched on Monday a third wave of airstrikes on Lebanon, the IDF said in a statement, resuming an assault that has killed over 100 people since early the day, according to Lebanese health officials.
Mumbai, Sep 23 : The Maharashtra Cabinet during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday gave its approval to the state-run Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to give 39 land parcels for commercial development on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis on lease for the period of 60 years instead of previously proposed 30 years.

The available floor space index (FSI) will be allowed to be used for commercial development except five FSIs which will be used for carrying out development of depots and other facilities by the MSRTC. As per Monday's Cabinet decision, one FSI can be used for residential and commercial use under the BOT policy

According to a senior minister, some of the Cabinet ministers objected to a provision of giving land parcels on lease for 90 years, citing that the government provides plots to the educational institutes, which invests crores of rupees to build infrastructure and put in place various amenities, for 30 years. Thereafter, the Cabinet cleared giving MSRTC's land parcels for 60 years' lease expecting the huge potential of exploitation considering the rapid urbanisation.

The Cabinet gave approval to exempt MSRTC from paying 50 per cent of the profit earned by it from the commercial use of the land parcels. MSRTC has been given a green signal to finalise bids under BOT basis.

The Transport Department, which moved the proposal, said the MSRTC during 2008 and 2016 had completed projects on BOT basis on 45 land parcels. The MSRTC earned Rs 32 crore towards premium and also the construction of 29,780 sq mt for its use.

MSRTC was proposed to construct 13 modern bus depots in 2016, but it received bids for only Panvel and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

"One of the hurdles was giving such parcels for a 30 year lease. Therefore, the Cabinet has cleared giving such plots for 60 year lease so that the residential and commercial exploitation can be possible and financially viable," said another minister.

The Cabinet approval for a revised BOT policy for land use by MSRTC came days after Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), which is established by the state government on the lines of NITI Aayog, in its roadmap to $1 trillion economy, has suggested the monetisation of idol public assets to boost the capital formation.
Thane : , Sep 23 (IANS) In a shocking development, Akshay Shinde -- the prime accused in the sensational Badlapur rape case of two nursery school girls in August -- who allegedly grabbed a policeman's gun, was allegedly shot at in return fire and injured seriously, here on Monday evening.

Another policeman is reported to be injured in the sudden firing, and both have been admitted to a hospital in Kalwe town for treatment.

The incident -- suspected to be an 'encounter' by the police in self-defence' -- occurred when Shinde was being shifted by a police escort from Taloja Jail to Badlapur town for investigation in another case in which he is an accused.

As the police jeep entered the Thane Police jurisdiction, Shinde allegedly snatched a policeman's gun and fired around one round at himself and another at the police, even as other police personnel attempted to overpower him.

Shinde, who suffered grievous bullet injuries in the scuffle, and the injured policeman have been rushed to a nearby hospital and further details are awaited.

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders have strongly slammed the ruling MahaYuti regime and raised serious questions over the circumstances leading to the incident while demanding a probe.

Congress' Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar demanded to know "whether this was an attempt to destroy evidence" in the matter while Shiv Sena (UBT) Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare called for "a CBI investigation into the episode".

On August 12-13, Shinde had allegedly sexually assaulted two minor girls, aged three and five, in the Adarsh Vidya Prasarak Sanstha (AVPS) premises that led to a nationwide furore, a huge public protests in Badlapur with a rail and road blockage for over 10 hours.

The incident was echoed by the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other top national and state leaders, even as Shinde was arrested and slapped with stringent charges.

Later, the state government appointed ace lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor in the case and a Special Investigation Team was formed to probe the double rape, while the government removed the AVPS trustees and appointed an Administrator.
Mumbai, Sep 23 : Prominent Buddhist monks, religious leaders and a delegation of Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) led by convener and Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu performed Vipasana meditation at the Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai on Monday.

The event was organised as part of 'Sewa Pakhwada' that is observed every year to mark the birthday celebrations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prominent Buddhist monks and religious leaders performed a prayer for "The sound health and longevity of PM Modi and success in all his endeavours".

The Buddhist priests along with RS MP Satnam Singh Sandhu also took part in a tree plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam' campaign.

On the occasion, the Buddhist leaders expressed gratitude to PM Modi for propagating the teachings and ideologies of Lord Buddha not just in India but in the entire world and said that the unparallel initiatives taken under Modi government for the preservation of Buddhist culture, values system and heritage in the last 10 years have raised the stature of Buddhism world over today.

They also expressed gratitude to PM Modi for fulfilling the long-pending demand of the community, by declaring Ladakh as a separate Union Territory.

Hailing PM Modi for the developmental works done for the empowerment of the Buddhist community in the last 10 years, the Buddhist religious leaders said that no other Prime Minister in the history of India understood the aspirations of the Buddhist community, as has been done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"PM Modi not only shares a special and strong bond with the Buddhist community, but he has embodied the real essence of Lord Buddha's teaching and adopted the Buddhist way of living. Following the path shown by Lord Buddha, PM Modi practiced detachment, renounced family life and worked relentlessly and selflessly to serve the Nation," an official statement said.

"India gave the world Buddha, not Yuddh message, at the United Nations," members of the Buddhist community said.

Satnam Singh Sandhu emphasised that Buddhism is the greatest spiritual gift that India has given to the world, which has influenced humanity since its inception.

"Over the past decade, Prime Minister Modi has actively advocated the teachings of Lord Buddha worldwide. Additionally, PM Modi has taken significant initiatives for the welfare of the Buddhist community and taken several initiatives to preserve the cultural heritage, literature, and religious values of Buddhism. PM Modi-led government has taken steps to establish Bodh Gaya as the spiritual capital, development of the Buddhist circuit in India and Nepal, building an India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage at Lumbini with India's cooperation, and reopened the ancient Nalanda University for Buddhist studies," Sandhu said.

Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) said that PM Modi spread teachings of Buddhism world over with his message at the United Nations that 'India gave the world Buddha, not Yuddh'. We feel proud about it.

"As a Buddhist, I can say that no Prime Minister has highlighted Buddhism to the level, PM Modi has done. Of all the Prime Ministers till now, PM Modi has very eloquently presented the Buddhist heritage of India to the global community," he said.

Bhikkhu Bodhanand Thero said: "PM Modi is our beloved leader who has sincerely worked for this country and the minority community. PM Modi gave a valuable gift by making Buddha Circuit, which promoted Buddhism all over the world. Today, people from all over the world can visit the places associated with Lord Buddha through this circuit and I thank PM Modi for this circuit. Today, the proof of peace in the country is being given by the government and the entire credit for this goes to PM Modi."

Bhikkhu Sangh Mumbai President, Bhadant Shantiratan said: "The 15-day Sewa Pakhwada program dedicated to the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great effort to bring his life and work to the people.

"Today, the Buddhist youth of the country are doing better and getting better education. Buddha's teachings are being preached through today's conference and many such programs are being conducted under PM Modi's direction and should be conducted because it is promoting Buddhism and peace in the country," he said.

Sachin Umakant Gokade said that PM Modi has made extra effort in promoting Buddhism, something not done in previous regimes.

"PM Modi has given U-T status to Ladakh and it has been brought under the Central government. This effort of PM Modi will increase the number of tourists there and this will increase the income of the Buddhist community living there. The youth of the entire country are seeing PM Modi that he is traveling the world and he is giving the message of universal brotherhood," he said.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : The government on Monday said that the overall labour force participation rate (LFPR) in persons of age 15 years and above in India's urban areas stood at 60.1 per cent in the July 2023-June 2024 period - a significant increase from 57.9 per cent in the July 2022-June 2023 period.

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The government on Monday said that the overall labour force participation rate (LFPR) in persons of age 15 years and above in Indiaas urban areas stood at 60.1 per cent in the July 2023-June 2024 period a" a significant increase from 57.9 per cent in the July 2022-June 2023 period.

The LFPR for females of age 15 years above has increased from 37 per cent during July 2022a"June 2023 to 41.7 per cent in July 2023a"June 2024.

Similarly, for males of the same age group, the LFPR increased from 78.5 per cent to 78.8 per cent during the same time span, as per the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation data.

The ministry said that the worker population ratio (WPR) for persons of age 15 years and above was 58.2 per cent during the current reporting period.

The WPR among females of age 15 years and above saw an increase from 35.9 per cent during July 2022a"June 2023 to 40.3 per cent during July 2023a"June 2024.

"The overall WPR among persons of the same age group has increased from 56.0 per cent during July 2022a"June 2023 to 58.2 per cent during July 2023a"June 2024," the ministry said.

Moreover, the unemployment rate (UR) was 3.2 per cent for both males and females of age 15 years and above from July 2023 to June 2024. While the same for males has shown a marginal decline from 3.3 per cent during July 2022a"June 2023 to 3.2 per cent during July 2023a"June 2024, among females, it has increased from 2.9 per cent to 3.2 per cent during the same time span, the data showed.

In rural areas, LFPR increased from 50.7 per cent in 2017-18 to 63.7 per cent in 2023-24, while for urban areas, it increased from 47.6 per cent to 52 per cent.

LFPR for males in India increased from 75.8 per cent in 2017-18 to 78.8 per cent in 2023-24 and the corresponding increase in LFPR for females was from 23.3 per cent to 41.7 per cent, according to the data. LFPR is defined as the percentage of persons in the labour force (working or seeking or available for work) in the population and WPR is defined as the percentage of employed persons in the population.
Kochi, Sep 23 : The Kerala High Court on Monday closed the anticipatory bail applications moved by actor Jayasurya in connection with sexual abuse allegations made against him last month as the offences are bailable.

Looking into the two bail applications filed by Jayasurya, it pointed out that the offences alleged against the actor are bailable offences.

"In light of the above submissions, the bail applications are closed, reserving the right of the petitioner to work out his remedies in accordance with law," the High Court said.

Incidentally, there were two complaints against the actor, one registered in Kochi and another in the state capital city. The court, after going through the case, pointed out that the offences alleged against the actor are bailable since they were alleged to have been committed before 2013. He got relief as the sections under which he was charged were amended in 2013 to make it non-bailable.

Earlier this month, the court had closed the anticipatory bail plea moved by Malayalam film personality Ranjith on the same grounds.

Ever since the Hema Committee Report, which was finally released last month, brought out the pitiable condition of women in the Malayalam film industry, there has been a steady stream of complaints from yesteryear actresses against actors, directors and producers in the Malayalam film industry and the police were quick to act.

By now, the police have registered 11 FIRs against various film personalities after former actresses revealed to the media how they were exploited.

Presently those who are in the dock include actor-turned-CPI-M legislator Mukesh Madhavan, Nivin Pauly, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, directors Ranjith and Prakash, and production executives Vichu and Noble.

Mukesh, Ranjith, Raju, Prakash and now Jayasurya and a few others have already got relief from the courts from being arrested.

Incidentally, the arrest and subsequent release on bail of Prakash comes at a time when the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to probe the Hema Committee report, has, after studying it, held that around 20 FIRs can be registered. They said that they will meet the alleged victims and if they stick to their complaints, then FIRs will be registered. The SIT will have to give an action taken report when the case comes up before the special bench constituted to handle all similar cases where the film industry people are involved.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Agartala, Sep 23 : The opposition Congress in Tripura on Monday took out a protest rally and surrounded the Tripura Police headquarters over the "deteriorating law and order situation", while also demanding strict action against the perpetrators who are involved in a series of crimes including lynching.

The Congress leaders also threatened to carry out 'thana gherao' agitation in the coming days if the government and the police fail to take care of the law and order situation.

Thousands of Congress leaders, party members and workers, including women, participated in the rally, and later organised sit-in demonstrations in front of the police headquarters.

Later, a 7-member Congress delegation led by state party president Asish Kumar Saha met Director General of Police Amitabha Ranjan and apprised him about the rising crimes against women, children, innocent people, besides the opposition party members and supporters.

After meeting the DGP, Saha claimed that a "fascist rule" is going on in Tripura under the governance of the BJP.

Quoting the police records, the Congress leader said that every month, at least eight heinous murders of innocent people take place in the state.

"There are rampant lynching of innocent people, assaults on women, attacks on the common people and opposition party supporters. Voters were not allowed to exercise their franchise in the recently-held Panchayat elections. Many opposition party candidates were not allowed to contest and those who contested had to undergo harrowing torture in many places. People have lost faith in the government and police authority," the state Congress chief told the media.

He said: "We have asked the DGP to make sure that strict action is taken against the perpetrators, murderers, rapists and maintain a proper law and order situation, otherwise we will launch statewide agitation soon."

Accusing the police of being a "puppet and wooden doll" under the dictate of the leaders of ruling BJP, Saha urged the police to maintain their rule of law impartially and have the administration work without the culprits being shielded politically.

The Congress leaders also alleged that the BJP government had been harbouring corruption and claimed that a section of senior party leaders were hand in gloves in unethical activities.

Monday's agitation was led by Saha, AICC Secretary and in-charge of Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim M. Christopher Tilak, former minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Sudip Roy Barman, former state Congress Presidents, Gopal Roy, Pijush Kanti Biswas, Diba Chandra Hrangkhawl among others.
Bhopal, Sep 23 : Two women, one of them a 17-year-old, were gang raped in two separate incidents reported in Madhya Pradesh, police said on Monday.

One incident was reported in Rewa district where a college student was allegedly gang raped by two persons, police added.

The incident occurred under Antraila police station, around 45 km from the district headquarters Rewa.

The police said that both the persons named as accused in an FIR lodged on Monday have been arrested.

According to the police, the victim said she was returning to her house from a nearby market when two persons grabbed and dragged her into an isolated place and gang raped her.

The victim and both the accused were from the same village and were known to each other.

The accused were following the victim after she left from a mobile shop in the market and was returning to her house, police said.

Upon receiving a complaint, the police took the victim to a hospital for medical check-up, which confirmed rape.

Subsequently, the police carried a search and arrested both the accused on Monday, police added.

The second incident occurred in Datia district where two persons gang raped a 17-year-old woman.

The accused also filmed the act and threatened the victim with dire consequences if she informed the police.

In an official statement issued on Monday evening, the police said both the accused have been arrested and have been booked under the relevant charges, including the POCSO Act.
Bengaluru, Sep 23 : The ambitious Cauvery Phase 5 water supply project, aimed at delivering water to 110 villages around Bengaluru included into the fold of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP), is all set to be launched during Dasara, Deputy Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Monday.

Shivakumar underlined that the ultimate objective is to ensure Bengaluru becomes water surplus.

He was speaking to the media during an inspection of the ongoing work on the project.

The Deputy CM visited key locations, the pipeline installations at Kengeri, and the water treatment facility at TK Halli.

He also reviewed the pump station at Harohalli.

The Cauvery Phase 5 Water Supply Project is among the largest of its kind in India, designed to supply water to approximately 50 lakh people in Bengaluru.

This monumental project includes the construction of India's largest water treatment plant, with a capacity of 775 MLD.

The project is further supported by a cutting-edge flood control system to ensure uninterrupted operations, he stated.

Three advanced booster pumping stations have been constructed at TK Halli, Harohalli, and Tataguni, allowing water to be pumped to an elevation of 450 meters a" roughly the height of a 50-storey building a" through steel pipes ranging from 500 mm to 2,200 mm in diameter.

These pipes cover a distance of approximately 110 km to deliver water to Bengaluru, Shivakumar said.

The water provided through the Cauvery Phase 5 project will be distributed across Bengaluru's suburbs via a steel trunk main pipeline, reaching reservoirs in Gottigere, Doddakanahalli, Lingadhiranahalli, SMV 6th Block, Kadugodi, and Chokkanahalli, he said.

From these reservoirs, water will flow to areas in Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru South, Batarayanpur, T. Dasarahalli, Mahadevpura, Rajarajeshwarinagar, and Bommanahalli, ensuring water reaches every household in the identified areas, Shivakumar said.

The project was initially approved in 2014 under the then Congress government, with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Now nearing completion, the Rs 5,550 crore initiative not only focuses on water supply but also includes a Rs 1,000 crore investment in sewage management, a vital aspect of the city's sanitation infrastructure, he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister confirmed that the project will be inaugurated during the Dasara festivities, as most of the major work has been completed.

He has directed officials to finalise the remaining tasks and ensure that all arrangements are in place for the launch.

Bengaluru will receive an additional 775 MLD of water from the Cauvery Phase 5 project.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has already facilitated 10.64 lakh water connections, with an additional 4 lakh connections to be provided through this new phase, significantly boosting the boardas revenue, Shivakumar said.
Mumbai, Sep 23 : The Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday approved a proposal to name Pune airport after Sant Tukaram Maharaj.

The government will soon recommend it to the Centre for approval. The cabinet gave its consent after the government had received a request from the Warkari community to name Lohegaon airport in Pune after Sant Tukaram Maharaj who is the 17th Century Warkari Saint and poet.

The cabinet decision came after two days as Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the function held on Saturday at Pune announced that the government will name the Pune airport after Sant Tukaram Maharaj. Fadnavis received support from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari who was also present at that function.

Fadnavis in his speech had praised Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol for his suggestion to name the existing Pune airport after Sant Tukaram Maharaj and the new airport in Pune district after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He had told the gathering that the proposal would be brought to the next cabinet meeting and forwarded to the Centre for its approval.

Gadkari, who was present for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Dive Ghat to Hadapsar section of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi Marg and the Mula-Mutha river service road between Chandni Chowk and Warje, extended his support to rename Pune airport after Sant Tukaram Maharaj.

He further assured that he would seek Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approval for the same. "It is an honour to be associated with the proposal, and I will make sure it is pushed forward at the highest level," he added.

Meanwhile, the cabinet also cleared an additional freight rate of Rs 40 per quintal from the state government in addition to the freight rate given by the central government to the rice millers for the marketing season 2023-24. Due to this decision, the rice millers included in the scheme will get a total of Rs 50 per quintal (Rs 10 from the Centre and Rs 40 from the state government). The cabinet also approved an additional expenditure of Rs 46.55 lakh for this purpose.

The cabinet also approved the new greenfield expressway from Shirur to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar at the cost of Rs 14,886 crore. The 205 km expressway will be developed on a BOT basis. After its completion, the road tax will be levied on vehicles as per the Road Tax Policy 2008. Nearly 2,633 hectares of land will be acquired for this expressway.
Jammu, Sep 23 : In a humanitarian gesture, India on Monday handed back a Pakistani national, who had inadvertently crossed the line of control (LoC) into the country in J&K's Poonch district, officials said.

Officials said that Hassam Shahzad had been handed over to Pakistani officials by the army.

The gate at Chakan-Da-Bagh was opened and the Indian Army handed over Shahzad, 34, son of Shahzad Ahmed Khan, a resident of Tetrinote in POK.

"He was apprehended by the Indian Army on the intervening night of September 21/22 after he Inadvertently crossed into this side of the fence. During the handing over and taking over process, many officers from the army, police, and civil administration were present," the official said.

Shahzad was apprehended in the Mendhar sector by alert Indian troops.

"The intruder was intercepted and taken into custody by the troops when he tried to sneak into this side from across the border in the early hours of Sunday morning. The arrested intruder, about 35 years old, is being questioned by the army at a forward location to ascertain the motive behind his attempt to enter India," an official said on Sunday.
Damascus, Sep 23 : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced in a presidential decree the formation of a new government on Monday, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Monday.

The reshuffle included key ministries, namely the ministries of information, foreign affairs, economy, finance, industry, health, and electricity.

Bassam al-Sabbagh, former deputy foreign minister, replaced Faisal Mekdad to be the foreign minister. In another decree, Mekdad was appointed as vice president, tasked with implementing foreign and media policy under the president's directives.

Ziad Ghossoun, former Director General of the Al-Wahda Printing and Publishing Organization, one of the largest print media publishers in Syria, was named the new information minister.

The new government formation follows a decree issued by al-Assad on Saturday, in which he named former Communications Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali as the new prime minister and tasked him with forming the government after July's parliamentary elections.

Jalali, 55, has been under the European Union's sanctions since October 2014, Xinhua news agency reported.
Jerusalem, Sep 23 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel was destroying "thousands" of rockets and missiles aimed at Israeli cities as Israeli warplanes bombed Lebanon, killing at least 182 people.

Speaking at the beginning of a security assessment meeting at the Air Force Command Center in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said the strikes were "shifting the balance of power" between Israel and Hezbollah.

Since early Monday, Israel unleashed three waves of airstrikes, targeting more than 300 locations in Lebanon. The military also called residents to flee their homes, saying the large-scale airstrikes are targeting civilian buildings where Hezbollah allegedly hides missiles.

"We are destroying thousands of missiles and rockets aimed at Israel's cities and citizens," Netanyahu said. "I want to clarify Israel's policy -- we do not wait for a threat; we preempt it. Everywhere, in every arena, at any time. We eliminate senior figures, eliminate terrorists, eliminate missiles -- and we are far from done."

"Whoever tries to harm us, we will strike them with even greater force," he added, Xinhua news agency reported.

Netanyahu said Israel is "facing complex days ahead," referring to potential further Hezbollah retaliation.

Also on Monday afternoon, Hezbollah retaliated with rockets fired toward areas near Haifa and the Jezreel Valley, targeting for a second consecutive day areas in northern Israel.

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service reported no injuries in the latest attack, but earlier in the morning, five people were injured by rocket shrapnel. No fatalities have been reported on the Israeli side.
Tirupati, Sep 23 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday demanded a probe by the sitting judge of the High Court into the allegations of animal fat used in Tirupati temple laddus and also called for autonomy for Hindu temples.

The meeting of VHP's apex decision-making body Kendreeya Margadarsak Mandal, held in this temple town, passed a resolution demanding a thorough and impartial probe and stringent punishment for the culprits.

"The inquiry should be conducted by a sitting judge of the High Court on a day-to-day hearing. The culprits responsible for this heinous act must be identified and punished to the fullest extent of the law, serving as a deterrent against future such offenses," the resolution read.

The meeting, attended by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana members of Kendreeya Margadarsak Mandal, condemned alleged animal fat use in Tirumala Tirupati laddus.

The resolution says that the members are "deeply hurt, concerned and outraged" by the recent allegations of animal fat being used in the ghee for laddus offered at the Tirumala Tirupati temple and strongly condemn this "grave insult and injury" to the Hindu faith.

This heinous act not only violates the religious sentiments of millions of devotees the world over but also undermines the sacredness of one of the most revered pilgrimage sites of Hindus, it said.

"The VHP Kendreeya Margadarsak Mandal views this incident as a direct result of government interference in temple affairs and the appointment of individuals from other faiths to positions of authority within temple management. Such actions erode the autonomy of Hindu religious institutions and create a sense of distrust among devotees," it said

The VHP Kendreeya Margadarsak Mandal also demanded autonomy for Hindu temples.

"We demand that the state governments immediately cease their control over Hindu temples and allow Hindu society to manage its own religious institutions. Temples should again become centers of faith and spirituality, managed by dedicated individuals who understand and respect Hindu traditions. To ensure that temples serve the needs of all sections of Hindu society, we propose the establishment of Dharmika Parishad Boards that will oversee the management of temples independently. These boards should be composed of representatives from saints, Hindu organisations, scholars, and devotees, ensuring a democratic and inclusive approach to temple management," the resolution said.

The VHP Kendreeya Margadarsak Mandal emphasised the importance of preserving the purity and sanctity of all Hindu temples.

"We urge the Centre and state governments to take necessary measures to prevent any further instances of religious desecration or interference in temple affairs. It is essential to protect the rights of Hindu devotees and ensure that their religious freedom is upheld," says the resolution.

It urged the government to respect the religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution and allow Hindus to manage their own religious institutions.

"By doing so, the government can foster harmony, trust and respect among different communities and contribute to the overall well-being of the states and the nation," it added.
Thane : , Sep 23 (IANS) In a shocking development, Akshay Shinde -- the prime accused in the sensational Badlapur rape case of two nursery school girls in August -- met a grisly end in a sensational police encounter after a gunfight with cops, here on Monday.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis confirmed Akshay Shinde's death in firing by the police in self-defence, in which at least one more policeman was also injured, sending shockwaves in political circles.

Speaking to mediapersons, Fadnavis said that the accused was being taken from Taloja Jail (Raigad) to adjoining Badlapur town (Thane) after a proper warrant by the police for investigations into a sexual assault complaint lodged by his (Akshay Shinde's) former wife last month.

En route, somewhere within the Thane Police jurisdiction, Akshay Shinde allegedly snatched a sub-inspector Nilesh More's gun and fired at him and self, but the other police personnel immediately returned firing, injuring him seriously.

Akshay Shinde was critically injured in the gun-battle, while More sustained at least one bullet injury in the limb.

Both were rushed to the Kalwe government hospital for treatment, where Akshay Shinde succumbed, said the CM and Deputy CM, while more details of the incident that occurred around 6 p.m., were awaited from the concerned officials.

According to the police and political sources, the entire episode lasted barely a couple of minutes even as additional police forces were rushed to the spot to ward off any untoward incidents, while the injured cop was shifted to another hospital.

Soon afterwards, Akshay Shinde's parents slammed the police and government for their son's death and demanded that those responsible should be given the most stringent punishment for gunning down their only son.

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders have attacked the ruling MahaYuti government and raised serious questions over the circumstances leading to the grim incident, as top police officials rushed to the hospital to launch enquiries.

They unitedly demanded a probe by a Special Investigation Team or the CBI into the incident -- which happened in the home district of CM Shinde -- on a day when the Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud was in Mumbai for an official engagement.

Congress' state President Vijay Wadettiwar, Working President M. Arif Naseem Khan, Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, Sachin Sawant, Nationalist Congress Party (SP)'s state President Jayant Patil, GS Dr. Jitendra Awhad, MP Amol R. Kolhe, Clyde Crasto and others, besides Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sushma Andhare, Kishore Tiwari and more, launched a scathing attack on the government.

The Opposition leaders vociferously sought to know "whether this was a planned conspiracy and an attempt to destroy evidence", protect those allegedly linked to the BJP-RSS in the sordid matter and wanted the case to be handed over to the CBI.

On August 12-13, Akshay Shinde had allegedly sexually assaulted two minor girls, aged 3 and 6, on the premises of a school.

When the gruesome dual-rapes came to light after Independence Day celebration, it sparked a nationwide furore, led to a huge public protest in Badlapur with a rail and road blockage for over 10 hours, suspension of several cops for dereliction of duty and other tough measures to assuage the people's sentiments.

The incident was echoed by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other top national and state leaders, even as Akshay Shinde was arrested and slapped with stringent charges.

Later, the state government appointed ace lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor in the case and a Special Investigation Team was formed to probe the case.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in / qnajmi@gmail.com)
Kolkata, Sep 23 : A war of words between the ruling Trinamool Congress and Opposition BJP over the West Bengal government's constant attacks holding Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) responsible for the flood situation in West Bengal continued on Monday.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while speaking to the media persons at the sidelines of her administrative meeting at East Burdwan district on Monday noon, claimed that lakhs of people in West Bengal face immense suffering for the release of water by DVC, which is a Central government undertaking.

"West Bengal and Assam are always the worst-affected states because of floods. We get scared if there is excessive rainfall in Jharkhand, because flood waters are released from there. This happens even in the case of Bihar, where embankments are broken to release water," the Chief Minister said.

By directly referring to the horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital last month, Chief Minister Banerjee claimed that there are always attempts to create a negative narrative about the state on any issue.

"I will request all to be watchful that unnecessary canards are spread on any issue. If five tasks are being done, there are chances of mistake in one. This is not the time to create negative narratives. We should all stand by the flood-affected people in the state," the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, State BJP President and Union Minister, Sukanta Majumdar, on Friday claimed that that the decision of the state government to withdraw from representation in Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC) is nothing but a ploy to "divert public attention from the continuing public outrage over the R.G. Kar tragedy".

"The manner in which the state government has withdrawn its representation in DVRRC is totally unconstitutional. The Chief Minister is using the bureaucrats to serve her political purposes. Such things happen nowhere in India. It seems that the Chief Minister is trying to establish West Bengal as a separate nation within India. But we will never allow that," Union Minister Majumdar said.
Moscow, Sep 23 : A total of 15 people, reported to be a part of an extremist Islamist community, have been arrested in a crackdown by multiple security agencies in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic in Russia's North Caucasus region, and weapons and prohibited religious literature seized from them, authorities announced on Monday.

The Federal Security Service (FSB), in a statement, said its agents, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Guard, had suppressed the activity of an extremist group whose members were coordinating their actions through WhatsApp messenger, RT reported.

A total of 15 Russian citizens were arrested in the crackdown in the Islamey village in the Baksan district. The suspects have been accused of being involved in the "public dissemination of radical ideology based on the denial of traditional Islamic norms and the laws of the Russian Federation, as well as committing violent acts motivated by religious hatred", as per the FSB.

The FSB added that the Investigative Committee had opened a criminal investigation for "the creation of an extremist community" and for "participation in an extremist community." If the suspects are found guilty, they could face up to ten years in prison.

The Committee's Svetlana Petrenko told journalists that the group's suspected, Rezuan Kangezov, is believed to have created the community last year with the aim of "using violent methods of persuasion against an unlimited number of people, preparing and committing crimes against them based on religious hatred and enmity", the RT report said.

"On the instructions of the leader of the extremist community, its members subjected individuals whose behaviour did not correspond to the radical extremist ideology" to psychological pressure as well as physical violence, she said.

Searches were also conducted at the residences of the arrested suspects, during which prohibited religious literature was discovered and confiscated.

The FSB also shared a video in which several of the suspects were detained, as well as footage of a search at one of the residences, during which security teams appear to have found a number of firearms and boxes of ammunition.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Over the last ten years, the global community and media have persistently highlighted the extensive atrocities inflicted by China upon its minority groups, particularly the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province. The Uyghurs represent approximately 45 per cent of the region's demographic and have endured various forms of oppression, including mass detainment and indoctrination through what are termed 'vocational education and training centres'.

This has been accompanied by pervasive surveillance technologies, enforced sterilization, and systematic sexual abuse. In August 2022, Michelle Bachelet, the then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, released a significant report indicating that China's treatment of the Uyghurs might amount to "crimes against humanity".

The report detailed large-scale arbitrary detentions, torture methods such as forced starvation and coerced medical procedures, alongside evidence of forced labour.

The so-called 're-education camps,' which have also been referred to as 'internment camps' or 'concentration camps' by various observers, first emerged in 2014 and saw substantial expansion in 2017. According to the Chinese government's narrative, these actions are framed as necessary measures to combat terrorism, extremism, and separatism.

In 2019, claims made by the governor of Xinjiang suggested that many individuals had 'graduated' from these centres, leading to perceptions that numerous facilities had been shut down.

However, in 2020, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute revealed that this closure was merely a faAade for a shift towards utilising the formal prison system for detaining those deemed a 'threat' to state security, evidenced by a marked increase in prosecutions and convictions of Uyghurs.

Furthermore, to evade international scrutiny, China has been employing deceptive strategies to suppress its Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang. One such tactic involves presenting forced labour as a labour transfer initiative aimed at employment generation, industrial development, and poverty alleviation.

Adrian Zenz, a prominent researcher on China's policies in Xinjiang, examined the work practices of Uyghur Muslims in 2023 and uncovered that the labour-transfer programme involved the forced relocation of Uyghur Muslims to state-assigned jobs far from their home regions.

Unsurprisingly, these workers are threatened with prosecution or imprisonment should they attempt to leave their employment. Zenz asserted that this labour-transfer initiative is utilised in the production of various goods, including cotton, tomatoes and tomato products, peppers and seasonal agricultural items, seafood, polysilicon for solar panels, lithium for electric vehicle batteries, and aluminium for batteries, vehicle bodies, and wheels.

Another method through which China compels Uyghur Muslims into involuntary labour is via the prison system. As previously noted, recent years have seen alarming rates of Uyghur prosecutions. For example, Human Rights Watch reported that approximately half a million individuals in Xinjiang were prosecuted between 2017 and 2022.

Similarly, a leading media outlet disclosed that one county in Xinjiang recorded that one in every 25 residents was convicted on terrorism-related charges, all of whom were Uyghurs.

The accusations brought against Uyghurs by the People's Republic of China (PRC) can range from serious charges like terrorism to trivial ones such as 'picking quarrels and provoking trouble.' Given that labour is a standard practice for inmates, Uyghur Muslim prisoners are exploited to support China's industrial growth by working in agriculture, mining, and the manufacturing of goods.

The troubling reports of forced labour in Xinjiang have prompted Western governments to implement legal restrictions on imports from the region.

In 2021, US President Joe Biden enacted the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act, requiring companies to prove that their imports are not produced through forced labour involving Uyghurs. Similarly, in April 2024, the European Parliament approved legislation set to take effect in 2027 that will screen imports linked to forced labour.

Notably, by the end of the first four months of this year, the EU had already imported goods valued at $641 million from Xinjiang. According to a 2022 study, polysilicon produced in Xinjiang, essential for solar panels, accounted for approximately 95 per cent of photovoltaic energy in the world's top 30 solar power-producing nations.

The same research indicated that Xinjiang was responsible for about 18 per cent of globally traded processed tomato products and that one in five garments worldwide contained cotton sourced from the province.

Companies face significant challenges in identifying products made with Uyghur forced labour due to China's strategic obfuscation of these practices under various pretenses, including the so-called labour transfer scheme.

Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch published a report condemning major global automotive manufacturers, including General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Tesla, for failing to adhere to responsible sourcing standards regarding aluminium linked to Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang.

Recently, China has established itself as a leading producer and exporter of automobiles, with Xinjiang emerging as an industrial centre that experienced a dramatic increase in aluminium production, rising from one million tonnes in 2010 to six million tonnes in 2022.

Approximately 9 per cent of the global aluminium supply is sourced from Xinjiang, and since much of this aluminium is blended with other metals to create finished products, it becomes exceedingly difficult to ascertain the extent to which forced labour contributes to these goods.

While the international community is increasingly recognising the severe abuses perpetrated by China against the vulnerable Uyghur population, existing legal frameworks are inadequate due to the intricate nature of manufacturing processes and the lack of transparency surrounding them. Consequently, persistent pressure must be exerted on China to urge a change in its practices and to halt the dehumanisation, persecution, and exploitation of Uyghur Muslims.
The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has raised serious concerns over recent changes to the superannuation payment system, warning that small businesses will bear the brunt of increased administrative and financial burdens.

COSBOAs concerns follow the announcement by the Assistant Treasurer regarding the outcomes of consultations on the proposal to bring superannuation payments forward to every pay cycle, rather than the current quarterly payment requirement.[1] The government argues that this change will benefit superannuation members by ensuring more timely contributions to their accounts. However, COSBOA believes this policy will have dire consequences for small business owners and employers.

COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat explained, The proposed shift to pay day super contributions significantly increases the administrative burden on small businesses.

Employers will be required to make up to 13 times as many payments, handle up to 13 times as many transactions, and ultimately incur up to 13 times the cost to ensure super reaches their employees accounts under this new arrangement. This is an overwhelming ask, particularly for small businesses already struggling with tight margins.

The policy change also comes with the closure of the ATO-managed Small Business Superannuation Clearing House, which previously offered a no-cost solution for 250,000 small employers to help them meet their superannuation obligations and pay super contributions for their employees in one transaction, regardless of the number of funds they contribute to. This closure leaves many small business owners uncertain about how to manage their super obligations going forward. For those using payroll software with integrated payment services, the new requirements will likely lead to an increase in software costs that businesses cannot easily absorb.

Meanwhile, there is a further concern that super funds and payment gateways will continue to earn interest while holding onto super contributions for up to 7 days before allocating them to members, a process that many employers find unfair.

This change appears to overlook the reality of running a small business, says Achterstraat.

Not only will employers face increased payroll management costs, but they could also be penalised for delays that are entirely outside of their control.

We call on the government to reconsider this policy reform, to implement an option for small business to pay their super monthly, and remove penalties for employers that have instructed the bank to send the super payment. It is not the employers fault if others in the chain cant process promptly.

Small business is the backbone of the Australian economy. Imposing additional costs and compliance requirements on them will only serve to undermine their ability to thrive and support their communities, added Achterstraat.

COSBOA is urging the government, parliament, and opposition parties to commit to reconsidering this revised payday super policy to protect small businesses from further financial strain. In the current economic climate, the focus should be on supporting small businesses, not increasing their administrative and financial burdens.

For more about COSBOA, visit: www.cosboa.org.au

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Jammu, Sep 23 : In a humanitarian gesture, India on Monday handed back a Pakistani national, who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into the country in J&K's Poonch district, officials said.

Officials said that Hassam Shahzad had been handed over to Pakistani officials by the Army.

The gate at Chakan-Da-Bagh was opened and the Indian Army handed over Shahzad, 34, son of Shahzad Ahmed Khan, a resident of Tetrinote in POK.

"He was apprehended by the Indian Army on the intervening night of September 21/22 after he inadvertently crossed into this side of the fence. During the handing over and taking over the process, many officers from the army, police, and civil administration were present," the official said.

Shahzad was apprehended in the Mendhar sector by alert Indian troops.

Army and the security forces have been maintaining maximum alert in the hinterland and on the LoC and the international border in J&K as Assembly elections are being held here after 10 years.

The voting for the first phase of the 3-phased Assembly election in J&K was held on September 18.

Voting in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch and the Reasi districts of Jammu division and in the Ganderbal, Srinagar and Budgam districts of the Kashmir Valley will be held on September 25 while voting in three districts of Kashmir -- Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora and three districts of Janmu division -- Jammu, Samba and Kathua, will be held in the third and final phase on October 1.

The counting of votes will be taken up on October 8.
Mumbai, Sep 23 : Amid the opposition's attack against the Maharashtra government over the killing of Badlapur sexual assault case Akshay Shinde in an 'encounter', Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the police fired in self-defence.

"According to the preliminary information, the police fired in self-defence. More information will be known after the police conduct investigation into the incident," Shinde added.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis in his reaction said, "The ex-wife of the accused in this case had complained of sexual harassment. He was being taken for questioning in this regard. At that time, he snatched the gun from the police and fired at the police. So the police also fired in his direction in self-defence. He was then taken to the hospital. His death has not been officially announced by the doctors. However, according to the information I have received, he has died."

"It is wrong for the opposition parties to take the side of the accused. Everything is politicised by the opponents. This is the same opposition, which was demanding the death sentence for the accused. However, now when the accused attacked the police, the opposition party is taking the side of the accused. This is wrong," Fadnavis further said.

Shiv Sena MP and former Union minister Milind Deora said, "The hue and cry raised by the opposition over the death of Akshay Shinde is both despicable and irresponsible. The Badlapur accused opened fire on policemen and seriously injured API Nilesh More. What exactly does the opposition expect? Should our police officers lay down their lives at the hands of rape accused?"

Shiv Sena Deputy Leader and Spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam said, "Those who were demanding the death penalty for the Badlapur sexual abuse case till yesterday are now shedding tears over his encounter. The leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi should decide whether they are standing with the rapist or with the brave soldiers of Maharashtra Police?"
Kathua : , Sep 23 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi only talks about dividing the country while his ancestors had "worked towards dividing the country".

Speaking at an election rally in support of BJP candidate Jeevan Lal who is contesting from Bani Assembly constituency, the Rajasthan CM said: "The Congress, which does the politics of emergency, scams and loot in the country, only makes false promises to the people. Now the people of Jammu and Kashmir have understood their intentions.

"Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of India. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been a unique improvement in the economy of the union territory. Not only has the infrastructure strengthened here, but the standard of living of the people has also increased."

Sharma said that the abrogation of Article 370 has proved to be a milestone in the development of Jammu and Kashmir.

"This decision has not only opened the doors of development in Kashmir but the whole country has also united. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee believed that there should not be two flags and two constitutions in one country. In accordance with his wish, Article 370 was scrapped in Jammu and Kashmir, which led to a new beginning of development here," the Rajasthan Chief Minister said.

Sharma further said that there was a time when bullets were fired every day, and people remained under a shadow of fear. "But today, the atmosphere of fear has ended and the local people as well as tourists feel safe in the area. This has also increased the income of the locals in Jammu and Kashmir."

The BJP leader also said that the Congress, which has ruled the country for the longest time, never cared about the interests of the common people.

"The National Conference and Congress misled the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and threw them into the fire of terrorism and separatism. Today, the same parties are approaching the people and seeking votes," Sharma said, while appealing to the common people to avoid such parties and leaders and vote for the BJP so that the youth of Kashmir Valley get new employment opportunities.

The Rajasthan CM also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously working to fulfill the concept of 'Developed India 2047'.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir have also benefited from PM Modi's decisions," Sharma said, adding that 4 crore underprivileged families across the country got permanent houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, out of which more than 2.71 lakh families in Jammu and Kashmir have been benefitted.

Sharma also said that PM Modi has connected Jammu and Kashmir with all the development schemes.

"India is moving on the path of peace and progress and Jammu and Kashmir is connected with it," he said, while urging the voters to ensure the victory of BJP candidate Jeevan Lal.
Hyderabad, Sep 23 : The Telangana government is mulling a digital card for every family for ration, healthcare, and delivery of other welfare schemes.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday discussed the proposal with the officials of the Medical & Health and Civil Supplies Departments.

As states like Rajasthan, Haryana and Karnataka have already issued cards with comprehensive details of families, the Chief Minister suggested officials study the same. He asked officials to submit a comprehensive report after analysing the benefits of these cards and the challenges faced in the use of these cards for multiple services by the people.

Revanth Reddy asked officials to select one town and one village in every Assembly constituency and prepare an action plan for issuing family digital cards under a pilot project. He emphasised that the family digital cards should help the card holders avail all the welfare scheme benefits including healthcare, ration and other state-sponsored programmes.

The health profile of each family member will be included in the family digital card which will be useful to provide medical services to the family members in future.

The Chief Minister ordered the officials to provide an option to update the details of the family members mainly by addition and deletion of names of the family from time to time in the card and also set up a special mechanism at the district level monitoring the family digital cards.

Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Damodara Rajanarasimha, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, and senior officials were present. Last month, the Chief Minister had asked the officials of the Department of Medical and Health to study the policy of France to issue digital health cards to citizens. It was announced that the ration cards and health cards would be issued separately as the government decided to delink them.
Thane : , Sep 23 (IANS) In a sensational development, Akshay Shinde - the prime accused in the sensational Badlapur rape case of two nursery school girls in August - met a gory end in a stunning police encounter after a gunfight with cops, here on Monday evening.

Thane (Maharashtra), Sep 23 (IANS) In a sensational development, Akshay Shinde - the prime accused in the sensational Badlapur rape case of two nursery school girls in August a" met a gory end in a stunning police encounter after a gunfight with cops, here on Monday evening.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis confirmed Akshay Shindeas death in firing by the police in self-defence, in which at least one more policeman was also injured, sending shockwaves in political circles.

Speaking to mediapersons, Fadnavis said that the accused was being taken from Taloja Jail (Raigad) to adjoining Badlapur town (Thane) after a proper warrant by the police for investigations into a sexual assault complaint lodged by his (Akshay Shindeas) former wife last month.

En route, somewhere within the Thane Police jurisdiction, Akshay Shinde allegedly snatched a sub-inspector Nilesh Moreas gun and fired at him and self, but the other police personnel immediately returned firing, injuring him seriously.

Akshay Shinde was critically injured in the gun-battle, while More sustained at least one bullet injury in the limb.

Both were rushed to the Kalwe government hospital for treatment, where Akshay Shinde succumbed, said the CM and Deputy CM, while more details of the incident that occurred around 6 pm.

According to local police and political sources, the entire episode lasted barely a couple of minutes even as additional police forces were rushed to the spot to ward off any untoward incidents, while the injured cop was shifted to another hospital.

Late tonight, Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre set up up a 15-member special team to probe the incident that started a war of words between the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and the ruling MahaYuti government.

Soon afterwards, Akshay Shinde's parents slammed the police and government for their sonas death and demanded that those responsible should be given the most stringent punishment for gunning down their only son.

The MVA leaders launched a blistering attack on the MahaYuti government and raised serious questions over the circumstances leading to the grim incident.

They unitedly demanded a probe by a Special Investigation Team or the CBI into the incident - which happened in the home district of CM Shinde - on a day when the Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud was in Mumbai for an official engagement.

Congress' state President Nana Patole, Working President M. Arif Naseem Khan, Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, Sachin Sawant, Nationalist Congress Party (SP)as state President Jayant Patil, GS Dr. Jitendra Awhad, MP Amol R. Kolhe, Clyde Crasto and others, besides Shiv Sena (UBT)as Sushma Andhare, Kishore Tiwari and many more, scathingly targeted the government.

The MVA bigwigs vociferously sought to know "whether this was a planned conspiracy and an attempt to destroy evidence", protect those allegedly linked to the BJP-RSS in the sordid matter and wanted the case to be handed over to the CBI.

On August 12-13, Akshay Shinde had allegedly sexually assaulted two minor girls, aged 3 and 6, studying in the pre-kindergarten, at the Adarsh Vidya Prasarak Sanstha (AVPS) washroom premises.

When the bestial dual-rapes came to light after Independence Day celebration, it sparked a nationwide furore, led to a huge public protest in Badlapur with a rail and road blockage for over 10 hours, suspension of several cops for dereliction of duty and other tough measures to assuage the peoplesa sentiments.

The incident was echoed by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other top national and state leaders, even as Akshay Shinde was arrested and slapped with stringent charges under the POCSO, IPC and other laws.

Later, the state government appointed ace lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor in the case and a Special Investigation Team was formed to probe the double-rape.

Meanwhile, Akshay Shinde's body has been sent for an autopsy to a Mumbai government hospital.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in / qnajmi@gmail.com)
Bhubaneswar, Sep 23 : Welcoming the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court that held watching and downloading child pornography material as a criminal offence, the Odisha government on Monday asserted that it would implement the recommendations of the apex court.

The Odisha government in a statement issued on Monday asserts that it will constitute dedicated task forces to investigate and prosecute crimes related to viewing or downloading of child pornography which is a serious crime under the law.

The state government informed that it will implement the ruling, which unequivocally states that watching and downloading child pornography constitutes a criminal offence.

This landmark decision of the apex court sends a powerful message that the state will not tolerate any form of child sexual exploitation.

"It reinforces the responsibility of each citizen to protect our children, ensuring their safety and well-being. The State firmly asserts that ignorance of the law will no longer serve as a defence for those who exploit or endanger minors," reads a statement issued by the Odisha government.

"The state reaffirms its commitment to upholding stringent legal frameworks aimed at eliminating child sexual exploitation in all forms. The state will enhance coordination with law enforcement agencies to effectively combat the dissemination and consumption of child pornography. This includes the establishment of dedicated task forces to investigate and prosecute such crimes," added the statement.

In line with the Supreme Court's recommendations, the state will invest in comprehensive support services for victims of child abuse, providing them with the care and resources they need for recovery. It will adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards child sexual exploitation.

The state government urged the citizens to report any suspicious activity to authorities to protect vulnerable children in our communities. The Odisha government praised the order and also thanked the apex court for its decisive decision to protect the dignity and rights of the children.

"The State expresses gratitude to the Supreme Court for its decisive action and leadership in safeguarding the rights and dignity of our children. Together, we must collectively work towards creating a safer environment for every child in Odisha," reads the statement.

The Supreme Court on Monday set aside a decision of the Madras High Court, which had held that watching pornography involving children in private would not fall within the scope of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court said that an offence under Section 15 of the POCSO is in the nature and form of an inchoate offence, which penalises the mere storage or possession of any pornographic material involving a child when done with a specific intent prescribed thereunder, without requiring any actual transmission, dissemination etc.
Shillong/Kohima, Sep 23 : The influential North East Students' Organisation (NESO) on Monday said that the organisation is deeply disturbed over the recent ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the Oting massacre.

The NESO, an apex body of eight students' organisations representing seven NE states, said that despite overwhelming evidence unearthed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the Supreme Court, on September 17 reportedly closed criminal proceedings against the "accused military personnel".

NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa and Secretary General Mutsikhoyo Yhobu in a joint statement said that the tragic incident that occurred on December 4, 2021, in Mon district of Nagaland, saw the brutal killing of 14 innocent civilians by personnel of the 21 Para (SF), a unit of the Indian Army.

"This decision is an outright denial of justice to the victims and their families, who have been waiting for accountability. The SIT, formed by the Nagaland government, conducted a thorough investigation, showing overwhelming evidence that implicated 30 personnel of the 21 Para (SF), including senior officers, in the Oting killings. The charge sheet was submitted to the District and Sessions Court of Mon, yet the Union Government has refused to sanction their prosecution," the NESO leaders said.

They said that this lack of accountability undermines the legal process and mocks the rule of law, particularly in the sensitive region of the northeast, where historical injustices have left deep scars.

"The Supreme Court's ruling only compounds the sense of alienation felt by the people of the northeast region, especially as the court itself acknowledged that the case could proceed if the Union Government grants prosecution sanction," the NESO statement said.

It said that this bureaucratic impasse sends a dangerous signal - that the lives of civilians, especially those from the marginalised and often overlooked northeast, are dispensable under the draconian cover of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Demanding the repeal of AFSPA, the NESO said that the law continues to perpetuate violence, impunity, and gross human rights violations across the northeast.

"The Oting massacre is yet another tragic reminder of how AFSPA enables such heinous acts to occur with little to no accountability," the apex student body said and demanded that the Union government immediately sanction the prosecution of the 21 Para (SF) personnel involved in the Oting massacre and deliver justice to the victims and their families.

"If the AFSPA is not completely repealed in the northeast, it would only deepen the cycle of mistrust and violence in the region," the NESO said, adding that such law has no place in a democracy.

On September 17, a Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale directed the closure of the FIR and consequent criminal proceedings initiated by the Nagaland government against members of the Indian Army operational team in connection with the killing of 14 civilians in the state's Mon district in December 2021.

The apex court allowed the writ petitions filed by the wives of officers for quashing of suo moto FIR registered against the personnel of 21 Para (Special Force).

The apex court noted that the sanction under Section 6 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 was rejected by the competent authority in February last year. Section 6 provides that no prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings can be instituted against any person in respect of anything done under the AFSPA except with the previous sanction of the Union government.

Almost all Naga organisations including the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation, the All Naga Students' Association, and the United Naga Council organised a series of agitations against the killings and demanded punishment for the 21 Para (Special Force) personnel.
Chennai, Sep 24 : The Tamil Nadu Health Department is on high alert following the increase in dengue cases in the state. Around 14,000 dengue cases and seven deaths have been recorded in the last nine months, which is the highest number of cases in the last seven years.

With the northeast monsoon set to hit the state in the first week of October, the state Public Health Department has communicated to all the district health officers to increase surveillance on breeding of mosquitoes and to create awareness among the public about water stagnation and the possibilities of breeding of mosquitoes.

Director of State Public Health Department, T.S. Selvavinayagam, told mediapersons that till December the state health department would be on high alert. He appealed to the people to keep their surroundings clean and to prevent the breeding of mosquitos.

The state Public Health Department has already directed the district health officers to direct all the PHCs in their districts to conduct awareness among the public on the increase in dengue cases and to prevent mosquito breeding.

The data obtained from the state Public Health department revealed that ten districts account for 58 per cent of the total cases.

Of this, Chennai, Coimbatore and Krishnagiri districts have the maximal number of cases. While Chennai reported 14 per cent of the total cases, Coimbatore reported 11 per cent of the cases and Krishnagiri 8 per cent .

The local bodies are directed to conduct larval indices to monitor the population of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary carriers of the dengue virus.

This surveillance involves testing mosquito pools for the presence of the virus and 349 such pools have been identified in 2024.

The state Public Health Department officials told mediapersons that these findings guide health officials in implementing micro-containment measures which help to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.

Tamil Nadu Health Department officials told IANS that both the government and private hospitals are now required to upload dengue case data into the integrated Health information portals.

Health Minister Ma Subramainiam told media persons that the state is aiming for effective management of the disease early and prevent the number of deaths.

He said: "Early diagnosis and proper management is the goal of the government."

The minister also said that technically the government have strengthened surveillance compared to previous years.

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Agartala, Sep 24 : Fulfilling the pre-poll promise, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday launched a new scheme -- CM-SATH -- to support the meritorious students for higher education.

Launching the scheme, the Chief Minister reiterated the state government's commitment to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder the growth of genuine talent and access to quality education.

"Our government is committed to ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the growth of genuine talent and access to quality education. Fulfilling our earlier promise, we launched the CM-SATH project to support meritorious students who need financial support," Saha said.

The CM-SATH project has been designed to provide financial support of Rs 60,000 (Rs 5,000 monthly) to 200 students -- 100 at Madhyamik level and 100 at Higher Secondary level, on the basis of merit for two and three years respectively, for higher learning.

Under this project, out of 200 students, 152 students at the block level, 12 students at the Nagar Panchayat level, 26 students at the Municipal Council level, and 10 students at the Agartala Municipal Corporation level would be selected.

The 200 beneficiaries will be selected by the District Education Officer of each district.

Noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prioritised the development of the academic system to advance the country, Manik Saha said in line with the Prime Minister's vision, the state government is also taking various steps to strengthen the teaching method and provide quality education to the students of the state.

Saha, who also holds the Education portfolio, said that the main aim of the state government in the field of education is to formulate various policies and programs related to education and to ensure their implementation in a meaningful way.

The government intended to ensure quality education and a robust learning process in educational institutions, and to work for the development of education for marginalised communities, including the poor, tribals, women, and minorities.

He said: "To achieve this, we would provide financial assistance through scholarships, loans, and other means to deserving students, and implement the National Education Policy and related guidelines in educational institutions across the state."

The CM-SATH scheme has been launched to ensure that no student's education is interrupted due to a lack of funds. Rs 1.20 crore would be spent on this project in the first year, Rs 2.40 crore in the second year, and Rs 3 crore from the third year onward, Saha said.

During the event, two students from each of the eight districts were presented a symbolic check of the scholarship by the Chief Minister.
Gurugram, Sep 24 : To review the steps and measures taken on the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), a team of senior officials from the poll panel held a meeting with Divisional Commissioners, IG Police range, Deputy Commissioners-cum-DEOs, Police Commissioners, SPs, among other key officials from 11 districts regarding preparedness for the Haryana Assembly elections, here on Monday.

The ECI team included Deputy Election Commissioner Hridesh Kumar; Secretary, KP Singh; Principal Secretary, Avinash Kumar and SB Joshi. The meeting was held in the presence of Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal and State Police Nodal Officer, Saurabh Singh.

The ECI led by Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner had then taken the review of the administrative, logistics, law and order, and election-related arrangements with the Chief Electoral Officer and State Police Nodal Officer.

The commission had directed to ensure conduct of free and fair elections by maintaining good law and order situation. It had stressed to maintain good health of the electoral roll with the removal of dead and shifted voters.

Further, it directed to provide minimum assured facility at the pooling booths along with conducive environment to encourage voters turnout. DEOs were directed to be equally accessible to all the political parties and to resolve promptly the grievances related to various election related activities.

During the meeting Hirdesh Kumar, Deputy Election Commissioner reviewed the marking of electoral rolls, time plan for preparing ASD (Absentee, shifted, Duplicate or Dead) lists, distribution of voter slips, Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) distribution and addressing any major complaint related to electoral rolls.

He stated that the printing of pending EPIC cards should be pursued with the printer and the EPIC cards should be distributed by September 30. The BLOs can be engaged for ensuring the compliance of this task. The marked copy of voters lists should be prepared as per the instructions. Also the copies of the electoral rolls handed over to the candidates should match with the marked electoral rolls.

The team emphasised the importance of ensuring that all polling stations are fully equipped with the necessary facilities.

He instructed District Commissioners-cum-DEOs and SPs to personally inspect polling stations to verify the availability of essential facilities. The Commission emphasised that the Voter Facilitation Booths should be set up by the BLOs at each polling stations. Proper sitting arrangements have to be made to facilitate the voters standing in queues.

The team cited the need for webcasting from all polling stations. For ensuring better monitoring, cameras of high resolution should be used and they should be positioned in a way that these cover the polling stations properly for effective surveillance.

The DEOs briefed the Election Commission regarding the setup of special model polling booths. These include 'pink booths' staffed entirely by women employees, youth employees managed booths, and booths overseen by persons with disabilities (PwD) employees.

After gathering information from all the officials, instructions were given to ensure proper arrangements for the accommodation and meals of the polling parties. Additionally, appropriate provisions for healthcare services should also be made.

The police authorities briefed about the security arrangements for ensuring a good law and order situation. The team expressed its satisfaction over the deployment of the central forces and other security arrangements.

However, it stressed immediate action for better surveillance of the border areas in co-ordination with police of the neighbouring states. He instructed the concerned officials to establish mirror checkpoints in interstate districts along the borders with neighboring states, in accordance with the police manual.

The team noticed that the seizures done so far are not satisfactory. It emphasised to rework the strategy, monitor the working of different Flying Squad Surveillance Teams and Static Surveillance Teams.

Faridabad, Sonipat and Gurugram district were directed to make special efforts regarding this. The police officers assured that effective steps would be taken to increase surveillance and enhance seizures.

The ECI at the same time cautioned not to cause unnecessary public inconvenience while performing these duties. For monitoring the cash flow daily bank reports has to be scrutinised at the DEO level by placing some experienced persons on the task.

The Commission also cautioned that while performing these duties, inconvenience to the public should be minimized. The team reviewed the preparations related to counting centers, postal ballots, and the training of polling staff. District election officers provided updates on these issues.

The team further reiterated that maximum efforts should be made at both the local and state levels to increase voter turnout. The meeting also covered information about polling stations, theme polling stations, queue management, and counting arrangements. They reviewed the plans from each district aimed at increasing voter percentage.

At the conclusion of the meeting, they emphasised that all efforts should be made to ensure free and fair elections. The districts included in the meeting were Faridabad, Nuh, Palwal, Gurugram, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Jhajjar, Rohtak, and Sonipat.
The introduction of the right to disconnect in Australia has sparked a much-needed conversation about work-life balance in the age of technology.

This landmark legislation grants employees the legal right to ignore work-related communications outside of their designated working hours, providing a much-needed respite from the constant pressure to be always on.

The COVID pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote and hybrid work, blurring the lines between personal and professional life. As employees increasingly work from home, the temptation to check emails or respond to messages at all hours can become overwhelming. The right to disconnect offers a valuable boundary, preventing employees from feeling obligated to respond to communications outside of their designated work hours.

Challenges and opportunities

While the right to disconnect is undoubtedly a positive development, it presents challenges for employers. Ensuring that employees are working the required hours, whether in the office or remotely, requires careful monitoring and management.

Moreover, compensating employees for overtime work is essential. Hybrid work arrangements can often lead to employees working longer hours without adequate compensation, a practice that is both unfair and unsustainable.

Measuring productivity and engagement

To effectively manage hybrid workforces, organisations must have systems in place to track employee hours and productivity. This involves quantifying the time required to complete specific tasks and monitoring progress.

Workforce analytics platforms can play a crucial role in achieving these goals. By allowing employees to log their working hours and tasks, these platforms provide valuable data for management teams to analyse.

Cloud-based analytics platforms offer the flexibility to collect data from any location, making them ideal for hybrid work environments. The data collected can be used to create reports on employee engagement, productivity, and identify areas for improvement.

Preventing burnout

One of the significant benefits of workforce analytics is the ability to identify employees who may be working excessive hours and at risk of burnout. By monitoring workload and identifying potential stresses, organisations can take proactive steps to support their employees and prevent such burnout occurring.

The future of hybrid work

As hybrid work arrangements become more prevalent, organisations must adapt their workforce management strategies. Investing in a sophisticated workforce analytics platform is therefore essential for supporting employees and maintaining productivity.

By accurately tracking employee hours, measuring performance, and identifying potential issues, organisations can create a more balanced and sustainable work environment. However, it is important to note that the right to disconnect is not a panacea for all work-related challenges.

While the right provides employees with a valuable protection, it is essential to recognise that it is not absolute. There may be situations where employees are reasonably expected to respond to work-related communications outside of their regular working hours.

For example, in roles that involve urgent or time-sensitive tasks, employees may need to be available to respond to critical issues. In such cases, it is important for organisations to establish clear expectations and guidelines to ensure that employees are not unfairly burdened with excessive workload.

The role of technology

Technology can play a crucial role in supporting the right to disconnect. Organisations can implement tools that automatically manage email and messaging notifications, allowing employees to set specific times for checking work communications.

Additionally, employers can encourage employees to use out-of-office messages to indicate when they are unavailable and to set expectations for response times. By leveraging technology, organisations can help employees establish clear boundaries and manage their workload more effectively.

A step forward

The right to disconnect is a significant step towards a more balanced and sustainable work environment. By providing employees with the legal right to ignore work-related communications outside of their designated working hours, this legislation helps to address the growing issue of work-related stress and burnout.

However, the successful implementation of the right to disconnect requires a collaborative effort from both employers and employees. Organisations must invest in tools and processes to support employees and ensure that their workloads are manageable. Employees must also be responsible in setting boundaries and managing their own time effectively.

By working together, organisations and employees can create a workplace culture that values work-life balance and promotes the well-being of all involved.
United Nations, Sep 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Vietnamese President To Lam on the sidelines of the UN's Summit of the Future, saying the meeting will add momentum to the relations between the two countries.

After their meeting, PM Modi wrote on X: "We took stock of the full range of India-Vietnam friendship. We look forward to adding momentum in sectors such as connectivity, trade, culture, and more."

The two nations are deepening their ties in many areas with a multi-pronged strategic partnership.

The background to the meeting is the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Minh Chinh to India in July when a joint statement by him and PM Modi spoke of strengthening "the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in all areas".

"The leaders agreed that the current geo-political realities call for closer cooperation between India and Vietnam," the joint statement had read.

"They recognised convergence in their world view," it said.

The Prime Ministers' statement reiterated their commitment to the Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 and strengthening defence cooperation.

"Two-way trade turnover has increased 2.5 fold since the two countries upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016, reaching nearly $15 billion in 2023," according to Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Thanh Binh quoted by the publication Voice of Vietnam.

The minister said that "large Indian corporations are enhancing cooperation with Vietnam in strategic fields such as renewable energy, processing, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, seaport infrastructure, and logistics".

He also said that Vietnamese companies were also investing in India, with the automobile maker Vinfast Group committing $2 billion to a factory in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, speaking at the UN's Summit of the Future which aims to chart the path forward for the UN and world seeking relevance, PM Modi placed India at the centre of the global striving for development and peace. He said that on behalf of the "one-sixth" of humanity, they will work for "all humanity and for global prosperity".

PM Modi said: "India will continue to work in thought, words and deeds to protect the rights of all humanity and for global prosperity."

As he took the green-marbled rostrum with gold UN insignia, the Prime Minister, dressed in a simple white kurta outfit with a dark Modi waistcoat, spoke for just under five minutes in the vaulted General Assembly Hall that gives a place for all 193 UN members as the assembled leaders gave him an applause.

"When we are discussing the global future, we must accord the highest priority to a human-centric approach while prioritising sustainable development," he said.

"We must also ensure human welfare, food and health security."

PM Modi also focused on cooperation in two areas where India has demonstrated its capability: Eradicating poverty and bridging the digital divide.

"By lifting 250 million people out of poverty in India, we have demonstrated that sustainable development can be successful," the Prime Minister said.

"We are ready to share this experience of our success with the entire Global South friends," he added.
Mumbai, Sep 24 : Actor Shakti Arora, who is best known for his breakthrough performances in 'Pavitra Rishta' and 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya', has shared a bunch of pictures from his recent visit to a hotel.

Taking to his Instagram, Shakti shared a set of vibrant pictures in his cool and stylish avatar. He wrote in the caption, "Kaafi din baad aaye yahan?? Acha laga.. Aate raha Karo.. (with heart emoji)."

In the pictures, the, 'Ye Hai Aashiqui' fame actor was smiling happily with his hands in his pocket. For the picture-perfect-moment, Shakti opted for a brown colour denim shirt with a white t-shirt along with black jeans and black goggles. In the picture, Shakti is seen wearing a square neck chain, making his appearance more modish.

In the other pictures, Shakti gives glimpses of the inner side of the hotel as he continues his swag with all the charm.

Soon after his pictures surfaced online, fans flooded the comments with praiseworthy messages for the actor.

A fan wrote, "You have proven that you are the best person who deserves to have an army like Shakti Arora's fans."

Another one wrote, "You are like an inspiration Shakti sir and whenever I see you I fell for you. the best actor ever."

Shakti made his television debut in 2006 with horror-thriller 'Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai' and later played Kamran in Sony SAB's 'Left Right Left' the same year. In 2007, he signed Star Plus's medical-based series 'Dill Mill Gaye' for the supporting role of Sumit.

After a two-year break, he returned to television in 2009 as Jigar Thakkar in a family drama 'Baa Bahoo Aur Baby'.

Shakti has also been a part of numerous shows such as 'Yeh Hai Aashiqui', 'Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi', 'Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka', 'Kundali Bhagya' and more that gained him high popularity for his conviction and magnetic presence.

From June 2023 to June 2024, he portrayed Ishaan Bhosale in StarPlus's aGhum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiina opposite actress Bhavika Sharma.

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Bhopal, Sep 24 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday said that more than four crore people in the state have Ayushman Bharat cards of which 1.8 crore beneficiaries have been availing the benefits of the scheme.

He said that over the past six years, the support provided to poor citizens in recovering from major and serious illnesses and staying healthy has been nothing short of a life-saver.

Ayushman Bharat Yojana, a flagship healthcare scheme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has completed six years on Monday.

The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme was launched by PM Modi on September 23, 2018,

On this occasion, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for setting the path for a prosperous nation with healthy citizens with Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

"So far, treatment assistance has also been given in 45 lakh cases. Madhya Pradesh is leading in the implementation of the scheme. This scheme, which has benefited crores of beneficiaries of the country, will now also benefit senior citizens above 70 years of age," Yadav said.

The Madhya Pradesh CM further said that PM Modi provided the people of the country the benefits of this useful scheme on a large scale and the scope of people benefiting through Ayushman Bharat-Jan Arogya Yojana has been expanding.

He said that a new dimension is being added to this important scheme, for which the elderly people are also giving their blessings to the Prime Minister.

Mohan Yadav further stated that through this scheme, innumerable families have been saved from the huge expenditure on the treatment of diseases.

"Such benefited families will be grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state government is determined that the maximum number of citizens in Madhya Pradesh should get the benefit of the scheme when needed," the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister added.
Vadodara, Sep 24 : Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale met with top officials of Gujarat's Vadodara district to assess the progress of various welfare schemes implemented by the Central and state governments. Athawale expressed satisfaction with initiatives aimed at social upliftment, particularly benefiting marginalised communities.

The Union Minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, several welfare schemes have been introduced for the betterment of Dalits, the underprivileged, the oppressed, tribals, and women. "These schemes have brought significant positive changes in the lives of the poor," Athawale noted during the review.

He also stressed providing maximum assistance to disabled individuals through ALIMCO, a Central government company, and reviewed scholarship programmes, hostel facilities, and residential schools for students belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. He further evaluated schemes for sanitation workers, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.

Union Minister Athawale was briefed on the progress of the Dr. Babasaheb Sankalp Bhumi Memorial, which is under construction at Sayaji Baug in Vadodara. Key officials, including Collector Bijal Shah, District Development Officer Mamta Hirpara, Superintendent of Police Rohan Anand, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Julie Kothiya, along with other senior officials from the Social Justice Department, attended the meeting.

The Union Minister praised Vadodara for its welfare schemes.
Christopher Stewart is known by his students as the Peace and Love Librarian. His mission is to serve up heaping helpings of both as a high school librarian, teacher, preacher, and debut childrens author in Washington, D.C. His Becoming Ari series, illustrated by Lala Stellune (Lerner), includes the first four titles: Shelter Pet Block Party, Kicks for a Cause, Feeding Friends, and The Page Turner Project, which hit shelves in August. PW spoke with Stewart about why social justice is at the heart of everything he does, and how he hopes to help his students and readers create a kinder, more understanding, and empathetic world for all.

How did you get the name Peace and Love Librarian?

There is so much in the world that is not so kind and loving, but it doesnt take much to exude peace or to give love to people. My students gave me that name, and I try to live up to it every day. I wake up in the morning with the goal to spread kindness, love, and peace. And I go to sleep at night with the same goal for the next day. But its not simply about speaking it; its about acting on it. Even if youre not being treated as kind, theres always a way to combat that with the opposite of what youre receiving. I call it peacefully fighting; its simply serving individuals in the way that they feel whole, and loved. My hope is to embody this, to empower my students to give peace and love, and to receive that, too. And, when this happens, its a chain reaction!

What was it that turned you on to reading? And, how did you find your way to becoming a school librarian?

I did not like reading as a kid, but then I began to love it as a teen. I fell in love with Walter Dean Myers and R.L. Stine books, and titles in my moms collection, including books by J. California Cooper and Alice Walker, among others. When I read these books, something happened as I turned the pages. The more I read them, the more my comprehension improved, the more I loved readingand the better my writing became. Reading married it altogether, and I was hooked.

In college, I was studying biochemistry because I wanted to be an OB/GYN. I took a work study job at the librarys reference desk, and I really liked it. I ended up leaving school for a bit, and got a job at a public library in circulation. While I was working, I went back and finished my MLIS degree. It was the combination of working in circulation and programming that did it for me. I was able to help draw people into the library who were not necessarily interested in checking out books, but would find the programming that they wanted and the informational resources that they needed. This expanded my view of what the library could offer the community! While I was in that post, I started the Father/Son Book Club to ensure that young boys had a chance to engage with other men in the community, read books, and talk about topics that interested them. Being able to serve students and becoming a dad myself, I decided that working as a school librarian with my summers off to spend time with my growing family would be the best for my wife, kids, and me.

Can you talk about your current work as a librarian, teacher, and preacher? Whats the best part of it all?

Today, Im the senior school librarian, grades 912, in the District of Columbias public schools at the Columbia Heights Education Campus. In addition, I am a part-time professor at St. Johns University and Syracuse University, where I teach information technology for their graduate school library science programs.

One of the best parts is working with my high school students. I consider it a luxury to be able to serve them every day, because they come with so much. And Im able to help them navigate their world and build empathy for others. Helping create empathetic leaders is a big thing for me. Its one of the reasons why I created the Peace, Love, and Meditation room in our library. And, as part of my librarian work and my preacher role, my students and I give free food and books to our neighbors who are unhoused. When my students are engaged in that service, it builds empathy. They come back to me and ask, When is the next event, Mr. Stewart? They want to help! Theyre learning that this doesnt cost or take anything from you.

Empathy is an important theme in your writing, too. How did you begin creating your Becoming Ari series, and why?

Ive always loved writing. I remember my mom would encourage me to share my thoughts and feelings. Id often write these down as a noteespecially when I was upsetand slip it under her bedroom door. As I got older, I went through a poetry phase, and then I started writing short stories and longer pieces, too. Writing became therapeutic for me. When I started working in a public library and seeing a lack of material that represented our population, I thought it would be pretty dope to write a book that reflected my diverse community. Then, when I started working as a school librarian, I got an idea for a YA novel about a kid named Ari who wanted to develop a secret society with his friends and do amazing things in the community. I chose to make him Black and Indian because I am a Black man and my wife is Indian, and there arent a lot of books centered around Black and Indian children like our own. I thought it would be fun to have diverse characters involved in a secret kindness society, and that maybe readers would like to form their own.

 With my work in the library and the classroom, the biggest thing that I do is build relationships. 

What are your hopes for the Becoming Ari series?

With each book, I include a backstory of a kid in real life who is serving their community with peace and love like the characters in the series. My hope for the series is that it will add to stories that are already out there spreading messages of peace and kindness in every corner that we turn.

How do you think your writing, teaching, and library work inform and influence each other?

With my work in the library and the classroom, the biggest thing that I do is build relationships. Im building relationships with my students and teachers, and helping them build relationships with each other and with books. With my writing, my goal is to build relationships with my characters; and my readers build relationships with the characters and my books. And through these relationships, we can care about each other and set a kind agenda. We can make sure that everyone is respected, and that everyone is compassionate, empathetic, and stands up for each other.

Your obvious care for others includes your daily acts of social justice as well as plans to open a book and food store with a pay-as-you-will policy and build affordable housing in your boyhood town in North Carolina. Why does this matter so deeply to you, and why should it matter to us all?

It goes back to my relationship with God, my faith in God, and my faith in humanity. I know that humanity is incredible, and that we all have the capability of being loving, kind, and generous. Sure, we all can be selfish at times. But, if we choose to see ourselves in all of humanity, we see that we are truly connected. It becomes a deeper bond where when I see you suffering, I am suffering, too. Its an empathic experience. It hurts me to see you hurting. Its about asking yourself who you are, what your actions are, and doing whats right.
Is this a sign of progress? With Banned Books Week 2024 underway, the American Library Association released its preliminary data documenting attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries, finding that the number of tracked challenges fell significantly for the first eight months of 2024.

Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 challenges to censor library materials and services that amounted to 1,128 unique titles challenged. Thats down from 695 cases and 1,915 unique titles challenged during the same period last year, and puts the 2024 numbers on pace to come in well below 2023, when ALA tracked a total of 1,247 demands to censor books and 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorshipa 65% surge over 2022 numbers.

ALA reps said the positive news likely reflects the success of advocacy effortsincluding efforts by individual librarians, key wins in several lawsuits, and broad anti-censorship programs such as ALA's Unite Against Book Bans. Despite slowing the growth in the number of challenges, the report noted that censorship efforts remain far above levels tracked prior to 2020, when an organized political movement first began taking aim at books and materials in schools and libraries.

We must continue to stand up for libraries and challenge censorship wherever it occurs, said ALA president Cindy Hohl, in a statement. We know library professionals throughout the country are committed to preserving our freedom to choose what we read and what our children read, even though many librarians face criticism and threats to their livelihood and safety.

Once again, ALA data shows that most of the challenges included multiple titles, and targeted books "written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community." The ALA will release the full 2024 results (along with the years top 10 most challenges books) in its annual State of Americas Libraries report in spring 2025, during National Library Week.

While the decline in tracked challenges in the first part of 2024 is welcome news, the ALAs statistics stand in contrast to a report also released this week by PEN America, which found that censorship in school libraries nearly tripled in the 2023-2024 school year, surpassing 10,000 book bans in public schools, up from 3,362 bans in the previous school year.

In a release, PEN officials said its stats reflect a detailed content analysis of titles banned in the last school yearwith some 8,000 book bans recorded in Florida and Iowa, in reaction to new state laws that broadly target sexual content (laws which are currently being challenged in court). Like ALA, PEN officials insist their stats are certainly an undercount, noting that most book bans likely go unreported. PEN also found that book bans from the 2023-2024 school year overwhelmingly featured authors and stories involving the LGBTQ community and people of color.

PEN America will release the final count for the 2023-2024 school year this fall along with a public Index of School Book Bans.

The new statistics come as Banned Books Week 2024 gets underway, under the theme Freed Between the Lines, which reps said is a reference to the freedom we find in the pages of books and the need to defend that freedom from censorship.

Among the highlights of Banned Books Week, a day of action is planned for September 28Let Freedom Read Dayon which everyone is encouraged to do at least one thing on September 28 to fight censorship.
On May 28 of this year, the Georgian Parliament, dominated by the Georgian Dream Party, passed a law titled On Transparency of Foreign Influence. The law requires that non-governmental organizations receiving at least 20 percent of their funding from overseas register and declare that they are carrying out the interests of a foreign power.

The run-up to the eventual passage of what many Georgians call the Russian Law, gave rise to the largest protests in Georgia's post-independence history. The government responded with excessive and disproportionate force.

At the time, the United States Department of State responded by implementing visa restrictions on individuals deemed to be complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia.

On September 16, the State Department and the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned two more officials of the Georgian government for their involvement in serious human rights abuse during the violent response to peaceful protests against the foreign influence law, as well as two Georgian leaders of a violent extremist group for serious human rights abuse.

Zviad Khareba Kharazishvili is a Special Task Department Chief at the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the protests, he and his Deputy, Mileri Lagazauri, commanded units that violently targeted Georgian citizens, political opposition leaders, journalists, and youth activists who were peacefully expressing their views.

Konstantine 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 called for violent attacks against marginalized persons peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly. He led hundreds of followers to break into non-governmental organization offices and attack journalists and police officers at the scene.

Zurab Makharadze is a media personality associated with Alt-Info. 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.

All four of these men have been sanctioned under Executive Order 13818, which targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world.

Todays 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 Smith. The United States remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to undermine the rights of the Georgian people.
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Bjirn Ulvaeus, of the Swedish musical group ABBA, said "I do" once again on Saturday.

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Ulvaeus and Christina Sas are now husband and wife, according to a social media post.

"They met in Nurnberg in 2021 in connection with the release of ABBA's last album Voyage and started dating in the spring of 2022," the 79-year-old pop icon's Instagram post reads. "The wedding took place in Copenhagen in the presence of close friends and family."

This is Ulvaeus' third marriage. He and Agnetha Filtskog, also of ABBA, had been married nearly a decade, while he and Lena Kallersji had been married more than 40 years.

Voyage was ABBA's first album since their unofficial 1982 split, and its release included a 2022 digital concert.

"When we got into the studio after 39 years it was like no time had been lost. This is what we really love to do, and to be able to do it at 70 is deep satisfaction, as well," ABBA members had said about their new work.
Pilot killed in midair collision of two small planes in Southern California

Authorities say one pilot was killed and another pilot escaped without injuries when two single-engine airplanes collided in midair in Southern California
The Indian arm of the Norwegian investment company Orkla ASA, which owns spice brands like MTR and Eastern, is exploring the possibility of launching an initial public offering (IPO) in 2025, said a top company executive.

Photograph: Courtesy, MTR

The ASA board just cleared the proposal.

"We had done a pre-IPO study last year to understand what we need to do and based on that the board said, okay, lets go ahead and explore capital markets, Sanjay Sharma, CEO, Orkla India, told Business Standard.

Its not a definitive direction for us to go, so we are in the process of exploring that.

"Its too early for us to have a very clear perspective about it, Sharma said on the sidelines of the World Food India event being held at Bharat Mandapam.

The top company executive said it should happen sometime in 2025.

Orkla ASA entered India in 2007 with its acquisition of Bengaluru-based MTR.

In 2011, it bought MTRs wholly-owned subsidiary Rasoi Magic and acquired the Kerala-based Eastern spices in 2020.

In 2023, the company reorganised its businesses under one entity  Orkla India, which has three business units  MTR, Eastern and international.

Meanwhile, the company is also looking to expand its presence in the foods category with wet batters for idlis and dosa and pre-packed regional delicacies like Mysore pak, Bombay halwa, and payasam.

The wet batter market has started evolving.

"It is a different kind of market that requires refrigeration.

"It needs the supply chain and factories to be developed like that.

"We're growing month-on-month in the segment and that business is developing well, said Sunay Bhasin, CEO, MTR.

The company is also looking to expand its presence in the international market  with a focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

International business contributed as much as 18 per cent to the overall revenue of the company last year.

"This year, we expect it to contribute over 20 per cent to revenue, said Ashvin Subramanyam, CEO, international business, Orkla India.

The company recorded a revenue of Rs 2,300 crore in 2023.
The number of people averse to the surveys by the National Statistical Office (NSO) has more than doubled over the last five years between the 75th National Sample Survey (NSS) round (July 2017- June 2018) and the 79th NSS round (July 2022-June 2023), the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation MoSPI) said on Friday in a conference organised to discuss the issue of non- responsiveness to its sample surveys.

The ministry said that nearly 6.9 per cent people in urban areas surveyed by the NSO for the 79th NSS round did not participate in the exercise, while the number of people in rural India that refused to participate in these surveys stood at 3.9 per cent.

In contrast, the non -response rate for the 75th round of NSS was 2.8 per cent in urban areas and 1.5 per cent in rural areas.

Speaking at the conference, Amitava Saha, deputy director general, NSO said that the non- responsiveness is predominantly an urban phenomenon and it is increasing at a much faster pace.

Also, people from the higher income groups, both in the rural and urban areas are more reluctant to participate in the surveys, with many of them just straight away refusing to provide information.

"Among other probable causes, refusal by gated communities to provide access and non-cooperation by the households are also significant, he added.

Moreover, the non-responsiveness in the recently conducted Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) during August 2022- July 2023 stood at 9.8 percent in cities and 4.1 percent in villages.

An income category wise analysis of the HCES data showed that non- responsiveness in high income category of the urban areas grew to 11 per cent in HCES 2022-23 as compared to 3.3 per cent in the 68th NSS round (2011-12).

Similarly, non-responsiveness among the high income category in rural areas increased to 3.9 per cent from 1.3 per cent during the same time period.

Also speaking at the event, Saurabh Garg, secretary, MoSPI said that the ministry is also working to assuage data privacy concerns of the households, which can often act as hindrance to the informants providing information.

People have apprehensions about data anonymization. The ministry has been doing this for the last 7 decades and we are always cognisant of this, he said.

Meanwhile, representatives from several Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) who attended the conference highlighted the issue of security in granting access to the field enumerators and also asked the government survey body to tweak the questionnaires so that the residents find it easy to respond.

Residents often are not able to respond to certain questions that require them to impart many personal details.

"Moreover, it is required that field enumerators adopt digital means to canvas the responses, so that residents can respond at their convenience, said one of the RWA representatives in the meeting.
The TIME 100 AI list is an interesting assortment of titans.

Indians make up about 20 per cent of the coveted list, which is pretty commendable, notes Sandeep Goyal.

Ninety-one members of the TIME 100 AI 2024 list were not on last year's list, an indication of just how quickly the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing.

Just two months after TIME launched last year's list, all of us witnessed one of the most dramatic recent events in the business world, a moment that drew the world's attention to the individuals leading AI.

In November 2023, OpenAI's board shocked the industry by firing CEO Sam Altman amid questions about his integrity.

After his subsequent return to the company, Mr Altman was recognised as TIME's 2023 CEO of the Year.

The 2024 list features leaders, innovators, thinkers, and shapers who make up the chosen 100. Interestingly, there are a large number of Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) on the list.

The top of the Leaders segment has Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google & Alphabet, and Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft -- both of whom need no introduction.

Joining them among the Leaders is Rohit Prasad of Amazon, formerly the team leader for Alexa and now the head scientist for Artificial General Intelligence at the tech retailer.

The Innovators list includes Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity; Shiv Rao, CEO of Abridge; Anant Vijay Singh, product lead at Proton; and Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission, who is of Pakistani origin, not Indian.

The Thinkers list has Amba Kak, co-executive director of the AI Now Institute. Under her leadership, the AINow Institute is emerging as one of the leading critics of the industry.

She has been known to say that understanding technology policy isn't about studying the ins-and-outs of neural networks: 'It's about understanding power.'

In 2023, the institute released a seminal 103-page-report discussing how AI is concentrating power within the tech industry.

Since then, Ms Kak has advocated producing a US Food and Drug Administration-style body to regulate new AI models, interrogated the impact of the data-centres used to power AI on climate change, and released policy frameworks for governments on how to tackle the social risks of AI. All commendable stuff.

Also in the TIME Thinkers count is Dwarkesh Patel, a 23-year-old Bay Area resident, who has built one of the most deeply researched podcasts on AI.

Mr Patel has quickly become known for his thorough and technical explorations of the subject, becoming vital listening for those working on the technology -- including Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.

The Shapers list is headed by Amandeep Singh Gill, the United Nation secretary general's envoy on technology.

The ex-IFS officer, who studied in Chandigarh, has written extensively about the impact of AI on modern life and the necessity for establishing appropriate regulatory frameworks to ensure AI plays a positive role in the future.

He has also spoken at global forums about the potential impact of AI on the Global South and India's role in shaping how AI could develop within the bloc.

Arati Prabhakar, director, US office of science and technology Policy; Divya Siddharth, co-founder, Collective Intelligence Project, and Vinod Khosla, founder Khosla Ventures, are all in the Shapers list with Ashwini Vaishnaw, India's Union minister for electronics & information technology, Nandan Nilekani, and Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor -- who won a landmark victory at the Delhi high court recently over unauthorised AI use of his likeness.

He had sought protection over the use of his iconic phrase, 'jhakaas', or 'awesome', in Hindi -- first uttered in the 1985 Hindi film, Yudh.

The court ruled in his favour by restraining 16 defendants from using, in any manner, 'Anil Kapoor's name, likeness, image, voice or any other aspect of his persona to create any merchandise, ringtones ... either for monetary gain or otherwise.'

The TIME 100 AI list is an interesting assortment of titans. Indians make up about 20 per cent of the coveted list, which is pretty commendable.

The moot question, however, is whether all these august personalities are really helping shape the contours of AI in India in any which way.

Most of those on the list are far removed from their country of origin, with the exception of Minister Vaishnaw.

The Indian government has also allocated over $1.2 billion to support its nascent AI sector.

Most of the country's AI efforts have been funnelled through its 'IndiaAI' initiative, managed by Mr Vaishnaw's ministry.

The ministry aims to secure over 10,000 graphic processing units, the chips that power most AI technology, to increase the country's computing capacity; provide finance for local startups; increase access to high-quality datasets; expand access to AI educational opportunities for Indians; and develop its own state-of-the-art AI models. One hopes he succeeds.

Sandeep Goyal is chairman of Rediffusion.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
For India to view the new Sri Lankan leadership only through the prism of the past or through their narrow view on China is fraught with possibilities that should be avoided, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

IMAGE: Anura Kumara Dissanayake leaves the Election Commission office Colombo, September 22, 2024, after securing victory in the presidential election. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

Shooting from the hip, Indian observers of the emerging Sri Lanka scene have to be told to stay off, and leave it to the government to handle the new Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader of that nation, whose current edition they have no knowledge about.

If nothing else, they should learn their lessons from India's Maldives relations, and how New Delhi's patience and pregnant silence have brought around the once errant and erratic President Mohamed Muizzu.

The Muizzu experience in Maldives showed how the new rulers of that country knew less about what awaited them in office.

It is the same with Sri Lanka's new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), as the centre-left political leadership has had only a short spell in governance in the company of Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike-Kumaratunga and her political and constitutional successor, Mahinda Rajapaksa.

All that ended over a decade-and-a-half ago, and what the JVP knows is what they have been saying and doing in the Opposition.

By the sheer pace and phase of bilateral relations spanning over decades and governments, India knows more about the problem areas in those two countries than their new rulers were willing to accept, or so it seemed.

They trusted their domestic political adversaries even less and felt comfortable to see India through their eyes than the other way round.

Once they were sure of their own place in their nation's politico-electoral space, as with Muizzu after the sweeping parliamentary poll victory, months after his election as president, their new-found confidence gave them the time and space to re-work their perceptions of the Indian neighbour, for instance.

Nowhere else did silent Indian diplomacy get a shot-in-the-arm in Sri Lanka in recent times than in the way the government of recent president Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered a year-long moratorium on foreign research vessels undertaking their work in the nation's waters. Or, that is the general perception.

Whether India, or the US, or both were involved, the moratorium applied to Chinese research/spy vessels visiting Sri Lanka one every year over the past three years.

What Indian strategic community shout-outs could not achieve, the government could do it, more gracefully and quietly -- if that is what it was.

This one was akin to politically motivated and equally encouraged social media activists coming up with the 'Boycott Maldives' call after three of Muizzu's junior ministers had defamed India and Prime Minister Narendra D Modi through their own posts.

This was after Muizzu had ordered their suspension before leaving for China on his first state visit in January.

Indian campaigners noted how their boycott call hurt Maldivian tourism and economy, which India had helped to prop up through the Covid months and beyond, both before and after.

It put friends of India in the Maldives on the defensive.

It is another matter that most of the Indian social media activists did not know much about the Maldives, the trajectory of the nation's domestic politics and bilateral/multilateral relations.

The campaign stopped as suddenly as it had commenced -- and that (alone) made the difference.

IMAGE: External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar meets Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, in New Delhi, February 5, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Now, in the Sri Lankan context, the Indian strategic community's perception is that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's JVP has traditionally been anti-India, and hence pro-China.

There used to be a lot of evidence to support the JVP's anti-India policy in the past, yes.

'Indian Hegemony' was the third of the 'five classes' that militant JVP founder Rohana Wijeweera conducted for his cadres.

Till date, the JVP, after mainstreaming in the 1990s, has not removed either the 'five classes', or certainly the chapter on 'Indian Hegemony'.

Yet, post-tsunami, when the Indian forces returned home after helping out Sri Lanka (Maldives and Indonesia) in relief, rehabilitation and restoration, the JVP especially was convinced that the Wijeweera era's belief that the IPKF was there to stay, was all wrong.

After all, the IPKF too had left as it came, on the specific initiative of the Sri Lankan presidents of the day.

That way, the JVP leaders, cadres and sympathisers were as alive to India's helping hand at the height of their nation's economic crisis two years back.

Leave aside the fact that to date India's $4 billion assistance tops the list of overseas initiatives of the kind, India also rushed food, fuel and medicines that alone helped end the long queues for these and other essentials.

Hence, for Indians to view the new Sri Lankan leadership only through the prism of the past or through their narrow view on China, which is only India's adversary and not that of any of its neighbours, is fraught with possibilities that should be avoided in the first place.

That can only belittle the government's initiative for a smooth continuation of the existing bilateral relations just as they are going through a smooth transition in their country.

Like all previous presidents barring Ranasinghe Premadasa, slain by the LTTE, Anura Kumara Dissanayake also belongs to the upper caste Govigama community, which through different denominations, account for 50 per cent of the Sinhala-Buddhist population.

After Maithripala Sirisena, who is from the neighbouring Polonnaruwa district, Anura is from the religiously significant Anuradhapura district, both in the North Central Province.

For a party that has its traditional base in the deep South, Anura won his parliamentary seat from cosmopolitan Colombo district in 2019.

This time round, he tops the Colombo district list on vote share.

That the centre-left polity has a traditional base in urban areas is only one aspect of it.

This time around, the urban middle class, which was traditionally ill disposed towards the JVP on ideological grounds, swung to Anura's side.

They too wanted 'change', and also an end to their daily miseries after the economic crisis two years back drained them of all earnings and savings.

That is going to be the new government's biggest and immediate challenge -- keeping every one of their voters contented, if not outright happy.

Already, the party and leader have promised early parliamentary elections for them to try and obtain the majority 113 seats in a total of 225, just as they had increased their traditional 3 to 4 per cent vote-share 10-fold, to touch the 43 per cent mark this time.

But that is going to be a tall task, especially if their top two adversaries decide to bury the hatchet and work together, maybe under runner-up Sajith Premadasa's leadership.

As the presidential poll figures showed, Premadasa with his 32-plus per cent vote share and outgoing incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, who scored 17 plus per cent votes, coming third, together have crossed the mandatory first-preference cut-off point of 50 per cent against Anura's 42.

If he still won, it owed to the vagaries of the Sri Lankan presidential poll rules, where the untested institution of second and third preference votes did the trick for Anura and the JVP.

This is going to keep the rulers busy for the next couple of weeks/months, and they may have little time or energy for foreign policy issues, including India and India's China-centric concerns.

IMAGE: Anura Dissanayake after reports of victory in the presidential elections. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

As it turned out, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha became the first foreign envoy to call on the president-elect after the results rolled in.

It is customary for India to invite neighbouring heads of State/government on their assuming office.

Indications are that President Dissanayake of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka would follow the neighbourhood tradition of making New Delhi his first overseas stop.

If Muizzu in the Maldives did not do it, it also owed to mutual doubts and suspicions flowing from his poll-time 'India Out' campaign, which restrained New Delhi from extending that invitation.

It is thus not unlikely that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar may visit Colombo, beforehand to lay the ground for bilateral talks in Delhi.

There are three major concerns for India viz Sri Lanka, AKD or not. One, of course, is China.

Then, there is the fishers dispute that has only escalated in recent months, also after Modi made the aligned Kachchatheevu issue a talking point in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, that too after polling had concluded in Tamil Nadu, where alone it mattered.

During the run-up to the presidential polls in Sri Lanka, both nations were discussing early dates for the meeting of the governmental-level Joint Working Group of officials, and also for reviving the fishermen-level talks.

Now that the presidential polls are behind the nation, it remains to be seen if the Sri Lankan government, navy and courts are going to go easy on Indian fishers, mostly from southern Rameswaram coast in Tamil Nadu.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi meets then Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, June 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The third issue could centre on Indian investments, both in the government and private sectors, to help the Sri Lankan economy to recover and grow, if only over the medium and long terms.

This is apart from the multiple initiatives that the two nations are committed to take forward, in terms of people-to-people contact, tourism, power generation and sale.

India will have to wait and watch how the new government in Colombo is going to view the multiple MoUs signed during president Wckremesinghe's New Delhi visit last year.

The Dissanayake leadership can see it either as a launch pad for more things to come or as a stumbling block for Sri Lanka's own growth and progress sans overseas commitments of the Indian kind.

The alternative will be the Chinese example in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.

Yet, the fact remains that since the economic crisis of 2022, it is only India and Indians who have shown an inclination to invest big in that country with its inherent issues and difficulties, from which the nation will take years and decades to recover and grow fully.

The question arises just as after keeping silent for long months, following his maiden New Delhi visit in February 2024, AKD told one of his last campaign meetings that if elected president, he would cancel the green energy projects signed with India's Adani group, just as the party had vowed to re-negotiate the bail-out package conditions with the IMF.

IMAGE: People near the presidential secretariat in Colombo, September 23, 2024, react during Anura Dissanayake's inauguration as president. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

Over and above this, from a purely Sri Lankan concern that keeps cropping up every now and again is the US-led core group's resolutions at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, on war-crimes and accountability issues.

The Geneva session is just on and in the first week of October, they will be voting on a new resolution as the old one has run its course.

Indications are that the US & Co will pass a short resolution for the continuance of the old terms of reference, maybe for a year or two, giving time for the new government to take stock -- not that it will change the known position.

However, other voting members of the UNHRC council may not appreciate a new resolution that hangs like Damocles' sword over a new government leadership.

India in particular may continue with its 'abstention' after making a customary strong statement, as much on the impossibilities of such a motion as on the call for an early resolution of the decades-old ethnic issue, post-war that ended in May 2009.

It is here that successive Sri Lankan governments, and not just that of the JVP, have a problem.

India supports them with an abstention in the UNHRC. China votes against it and campaigns for the same.

What more, as a veto power at the UN Security Council, China means something more whereas India as a friend and neighbour has not been seen as doing enough to persuade its US and other Western allies to get off Sri Lanka's back, and early.

N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author, is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
A Sikh student was thrashed and his turban forcibly removed by some students during a clash with another group at a college New Delhi, triggering criticism as the video went viral on social media.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Bobby Yip/Reuters

The incident occurred at Sri Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College under Delhi University on Saturday, days ahead of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections scheduled for September 27.

The purported video of the incident shows a red-turbaned student being dragged, kicked and assaulted until his turban fell to the ground during the scuffle.

A first information report (FIR) has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Maurice Nagar police station in the matter, police said.

According to police, Pavit Singh Gujral, a second-year student said that he was attacked during the nomination process for DUSU elections.

"They forcibly removed my turban, beat me and pulled my kesh (hair). I was attacked by the group and I am not feeling safe in the college. I feel that my life is at risk," Singh said in the FIR.

A senior police officer said that teams have been formed to nab the accused.

Meanwhile, the college is yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
IMAGE: Emergency personnel work at houses damaged following a rocket attack from Lebanon, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, in Kiryat Bialik, Israel, here and below. Photograph: Shir Torem/Reuters

Photograph: Shir Torem/Reuters

Photograph: Shir Torem/Reuters

IMAGE: An Israeli woman leaves her house after it was damaged by rocket fire from Lebanon. Photograph: Rami Shlush/Reuters

IMAGE: The remains of a rocket are scattered on a road that was hit by a rocket that was fired from Lebanon into Israel. Photograph: Miro Maman/Reuters

IMAGE: Israeli men hang an Israeli flag over a damaged building that was hit by a rocket from Lebanon as emergency personnel work at houses damaged following the attack. Photograph: Shir Torem/Reuters

IMAGE: Medical staff move a bed of a patient to an underground emergency hospital in a parking lot at the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel, September 22, 2024. Photograph: Shir Torem/Reuters

IMAGE: Lebanese soldiers are seen at the site of Friday's Israeli strike, as search operations continue, in Beirut's southern suburbs. Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

IMAGE: Hezbollah members attend the funeral of senior Hezbollah leader Ibrahim Aqil and Hezbollah member Mahmoud Hamad, who were killed in Friday's Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

IMAGE: Mourners carry the coffins during the funeral. Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

IMAGE: Mourners gather during the funeral. Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

IMAGE: Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem leads funeral prayers. Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
A villager airs crops at Yangchan Village in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 22, 2024. This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

A farmer loads harvested corns onto a truck at Bianqiao Township of Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 17, 2024. This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival. (Photo by Wu Jiquan/Xinhua)

A farmer holds harvested rice at Yuanyang County of Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 22, 2024. This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival. (Photo by Xue Yingying/Xinhua)

Farmers harvest rice at Zhanglou Village of Xinyang City, central China's Henan Province, Sept. 22, 2024. This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival. (Photo by Xie Wanbo/Xinhua)

A farmer harvests peanuts at Gezhai Village in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Sept. 21, 2024. This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival. (Photo by Li Junsheng/Xinhua)

A farmer harvests grapes at an orchard of Xixiaoyi Village in Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, Sept. 22, 2024. This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival. (Photo by Zhu Dayong/Xinhua)

A farmer displays newly-harvested grain in Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 22, 2024. This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival. (Photo by Zhang Qiang/Xinhua)

A farmer sorts out corns at Tancheng County in Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 22, 2024. This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival. (Photo by Zhang Chunlei/Xinhua)

Farmers harvest rice at Wanchang Township in Yongji County, northeast China's Jilin Province, Sept. 20, 2024. This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

People attend an event to celebrate the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

An aerial drone photo shows a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

An aerial drone photo shows harvesters working in a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

An aerial drone photo shows harvesters working in a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Harvesters work in a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Harvesters are pictured in a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

An aerial drone photo shows harvesters working in a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Harvesters are pictured in a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

An aerial drone photo shows a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

An aerial drone photo shows a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024.

This Sunday marks the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival.

In recent years, China's major grain production province Heilongjiang has enhanced its grain production capacity and advanced the quality of high-standard farmland development. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Folk artists throw molten iron to create fireworks in Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 21, 2024.

The event aims to commemorate the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival which falls on Sept. 22 this year. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

Folk artists throw molten iron to create fireworks in Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 21, 2024.

The event aims to commemorate the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival which falls on Sept. 22 this year. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

Folk artists throw molten iron to create fireworks in Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 21, 2024.

The event aims to commemorate the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival which falls on Sept. 22 this year. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

Folk artists throw molten iron to create fireworks in Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 21, 2024.

The event aims to commemorate the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival which falls on Sept. 22 this year. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

Folk artists throw molten iron to create fireworks in Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 21, 2024.

The event aims to commemorate the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival which falls on Sept. 22 this year. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

Folk artists throw molten iron to create fireworks in Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 21, 2024.

The event aims to commemorate the seventh Chinese farmers' harvest festival which falls on Sept. 22 this year. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

Editor: ZAD
Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Monday asserted that on the judicial side, Supreme Court and HC judges work with the "fiercest sense of independence", but when it comes to the administrative side, they stand together with the government.

IMAGE: Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud speaks at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Bombay high court's new complex in Mumbai's Bandra. Photograph: @mieknathshinde/X

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Bombay high court's new complex on land allotted by the Maharashtra government in Mumbai's upscale Bandra area, he noted the mega project was a collaboration between the state and the judiciary to provide modern infrastructure to citizens.

Stones from the existing British-era HC building in south Mumbai are to be included in the foundation.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, senior Supreme Court judges and HC Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya attended the ceremony.

CJI Chandrachud said even though it is time for a new fitting home for the Bombay HC, the existing 150-year-old heritage structure is not going anywhere and would always be there for everyone to visit for inspiration and solace.

Supreme Court Judge Abhay Oka, who has served at the Bombay HC in the past, on the occasion said the existing structure should always remain with the judiciary.

CJI Chandrachud, expressing gratitude to the state government for strengthening the shared commitment by allotting the land expeditiously, opined that the priority should now be to construct the complex in a time-bound manner, while ensuring the safety and security of the existing building which will continue to operate in the interim.

He emphasised the foundation stone laying ceremony celebrates the spirit and collaboration of all stakeholders.

"Let us all be clear and let's not be befuddled by our vision. On the judicial side, judges across the Supreme Court and high courts exercise their functions with the fiercest sense of independence. But when it comes to the administrative side, 'the infrastructure and budgeting', we stand together with the government. We stand together because our mission is one and the same," the CJI noted.

These are not private projects for judge or lawyers, but for the country's citizens, he told the gathering.

"Let there be no doubt at all -- 'I have no doubt in my mind' -- that this sense of collaboration between the state and the judiciary is in the interest of providing modern infrastructure for our citizens," CJI Chandrachud affirmed.

He pointed out that the current HC building, existing since August 1862, hosts one of the busiest courts in the country, but there was a need for a change.

"This 150-year-old beauty hosts one of the busiest courts. This is no small feat. Successive governments, the bar and the bench have put in tireless efforts to keep it running safely and effectively. However, we cannot deny the inevitable. Our cherished old friend is slowly yielding to time," the CJI noted.

"The writing is on the wall and it is time for a fitting new home for the HC. Rest assured the heritage building is not going anywhere. It is always there for us to visit," he maintained.

Referring to 2001 hit Hindi film Dil Chahta Hai starring superstar Aamir Khan, the CJI pointed out that its popular song's lyrics Hum hain naye, andaz kyon ho purana (we are new, why should our style be old?) resonates on this historic day.

"Let me give an ode inspired from the song Koi kahe kehta rahe from iconic movie Dil Chahta Hai. I am a bit inspired because the HC building moves a little closer to Bollywood at least physically (Bandra is home to several top actors)," the CJI remarked.

"The lyrics Hum hain naye andaz kyon ho purana resonate deeply as we embark on this new chapter. As we move to the new HC with a naya andaz we will build on the values, the ideas and the rich legacy of our fore parents of the court while embracing innovation and progress," he said.

Justice Oka, in his address, said there is some apprehension about what would happen to the existing structure.

"I am expressing my personal opinion in the presence of senior political leaders -- even if the HC building is shifted, the present building must remain with the HC. The building was constructed 150 years ago for the judiciary, and it must remain with the judiciary," he maintained.

The apex court judge emphasized the need to start construction of the new structure at the earliest.

"In fact, the first deadline should be before November 2025 when SC Justice B R Gavai, originally from Maharashtra, would be the Chief Justice of India," Justice Oka noted.

Justice Gavai called for prioritizing construction of the new building and said it would host several amenities not just for judges and lawyers, but also for litigants.

CM Shinde and his deputy Fadnavis said while initially there was apprehension on part of lawyers about shifting of the HC complex to Bandra, with the new coastal road (connecting south Mumbai to western areas), that has gone away.

Shinde said, "Our cabinet works on a fast track. We pass proposals immediately. We will always work towards strengthening the judiciary."

The government has said possession of 30.16 acre of land will be handed over to the HC in a phased manner, adding the first tranche measuring 4.39 acres has already been given.

The HC, currently located in a majestic building near Hutatma Chowk (formerly Flora Fountain), exercises jurisdiction over Maharashtra through the Principal Seat in Mumbai and benches at Nagpur and Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) as well as Goa. It also exercises jurisdiction over the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
India has reported the first case of the Mpox strain, which led to the World Health Organisation declaring it a public health emergency last month, in a patient from Kerala who had tested positive last week, official sources said on Monday.

IMAGE: An electron microscopic image shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virus particles as well as crescents and spherical particles of immature virions, obtained from a clinical human skin sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak in this undated image obtained by Reuters on May 18, 2022. Photograph: Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regnery/CDC/Handout via Reuters

They said Clade 1b strain has been detected in a 38-year-old man from Malappuram district who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates.

The patient is stable, the sources said, adding "this was the first case of the current strain that led to the World Health Organization declaring Mpox a public health emergency last month for a second time".

The earlier case of Mpox that emerged in the national capital was a 26-year-old resident of Haryana's Hisar who has tested positive for the previous West African Clade 2 strain earlier this month.

Since the 2022 declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO, 30 cases were reported in India.

Meanwhile, Kerala Health minister Veena George has already appealed to the public, including those returning from abroad with any symptoms, to inform the health department and seek treatment at the earliest.

In a social media post, she also released a list of state-run hospitals in various districts where treatment and isolation facilities for the affected persons have been arranged.

Besides this, treatment was available in all medical colleges in the state, the minister said.

Urging people to be vigilant, George said the state health department has already stepped up surveillance in airports in the state in accordance with the Centre's guidelines in the wake of the outbreak of Mpox in many African countries.

Those arriving from the nations where the infection was reported have been instructed to report at the airport if they develop any symptoms, she said.

As soon as the outbreak of the Mpox was reported in 2022, the southern state had brought out a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) in this regard.

Isolation, sample collection and treatment, in accordance with the SoP, have been ensured in the state, the minister said and urged every hospital to follow this protocol without any fail.

George also cautioned people, especially health workers who handle the samples of the affected persons, to strictly follow infection control precautions.

Mpox infections are generally self-limiting, lasting between two and four weeks, and patients usually recover with supportive medical care and management.

It is transmitted through prolonged and close contact with an infected patient.

Mpox typically manifests itself with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.
National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Monday made a strong appeal to the people urging them to unite and support its alliance with the Congress in the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir polls, which he said is not about religion but action.

IMAGE: National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah addresses an election rally in Surankote. Photograph: @INCIndia/X

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir emphasised the fight against the "forces" spreading hatred across the country, which he claimed are trying to weaken the nation to stay in power.

Addressing a rally in Surankote, Abdullah took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticising his remarks about the 'mangalsutra', which he said were made to incite hatred among the masses.

Campaigning during the Lok Sabha polls, Modi had alluded to Muslims to allege that the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children' and would steal the "gold of mothers and sisters" if voted to power.

"Aaj yah dharm ki baat nahin hai, yah karm ki baat hai kyunki yah badi jung hai nafrat ke khilaf (Today, it is not about religion but it is about action, because this is a big fight against hatred). It is a fight against those hate-spreading parties who want to divide India. Can we bury those parties that are spreading hatred in India?" Abdullah said.

Abdullah was accompanied by Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (LoP) Rahul Gandhi while hitting campaign trail in support of the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance candidate Mohmmad Shahnawaz contesting the elections from Surankote assembly segment in the border district of Poonch.

"If today you want to end that hatred and bury those forces, then vote for the symbol of the hand and strengthen India, which belongs to all of us," Abdullah said.

He further stressed the importance of the alliance's success.

"This fight is against the hatred that the BJP and RSS are spreading throughout the country. They have tried to create conflicts between Hindus and Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs, and Hindus and Christians just to hold onto power. But they are failing and their strategy is not working," he said.

In a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'mangalsutra' remarks, Abdullah said, "He says Muslims have more children. Does he mean that if there are two houses, one should be given to a Muslim?

"He says they will snatch your mangalsutra and distribute it among themselves. These are the same people who cannot live without spreading hatred. If we want to end this hatred, we must unite and only then will it be possible," he said.

Taking a pot-shot on BJP, Abdullah called on the need for unity.

"If we want to end this hatred, we must come together. This is why the National Conference and the Congress united. We realised that to oust these hate-filled parties, we must join hands and make sacrifices," Abdullah said.

He also appealed for communal harmony, stating, "We all must unite and fight this battle together -- Hindus, Muslims, Gujjars, Kashmiris, Shias and Sunnis. Today, it is not about religion. It is about action because this is a big fight against hatred."

Abdullah quoted Gandhi, who said he intends to "shut down the shop of hatred and open a shop of love".

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir want to crush the vehicle of hatred and drive the vehicle of love throughout India. This is our action, and this is our belief," he said.

Abdullah urged public to vote for the alliance and bring its government to Jammu and Kashmir.

"Press the button on the symbol of the hand, make this alliance successful and bring its government to Jammu and Kashmir. This election will relieve you of your difficulties. This is our promise to you," he assured the crowd.

Abdullah referred to Choudhary Mohammad Akram, who is rebel candidate contesting against the Congress candidate in the constituency, and asked him to withdraw for "greater good" of the alliance.

"Akram sahab, your continued stance strengthens those forces that do not want us to live peacefully. Step down and make this alliance a success," he urged.
Prime Minister Modi held separate talks with world leaders including his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, discussing various facets of bilateral ties and reaffirmed India's support for the Palestinian people.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in New York on Sunday. Photograph: Courtesy @MEAIndia/X

Modi is in New York on the second leg of his three-day US visit and met the leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

'Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade,' Modi said in a post on X.

'Deepening the warm and close friendship. PM @narendramodi met PM @kpsharmaoli of Nepal, on the sidelines of the UNGA today,' the official account of the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.

'The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of age-old, multi-faceted and expanding -- partnership,' it added.

Oli is in the US on his maiden foreign visit to attend the 79th Session of the UNGA, breaking the tradition of visiting a neighbouring country first.

'Had a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister of India Shri @narendramodi ji on the sidelines of #UNGA79. During the meeting, various matters of bilateral relations were discussed,' Oli said in a post on X.

Modi met with Palestine's President Abbas and reiterated India's support for the Palestinian people.

'PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today,' the MEA said in an X post.

'PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India's continued support to the people of Palestine,' it said.

Modi also met Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah and discussed ways to deepen 'historical linkages' and 'people-to-people contacts'.

'Taking new strides in India-Kuwait ties. PM @narendramodi met HH Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait today, on the sidelines of UNGA. The leaders reviewed - bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen our historical linkages and strong people to people contacts,' the MEA said in a separate post on X.

Earlier in the day, Modi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of the US in a roundtable conference.

He addressed the Indian diaspora at the packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum on Long Island in New York before it.

Modi reached New York on Sunday after attending the Quad Leaders' Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday.

In Wilmington, he also held bilateral talks with Biden, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
On Sunday, September 22, 2024, the flood-like situation in Bihar was grim with 1.267 million people affected in 12 districts.

A large number of people from low-lying areas have been evacuated and brought to camps.

Meanwhile, three persons were killed and over 250,000 people affected by floods in southern West Bengal. Six districts of the state have been severely affected.

BIHAR

IMAGE: People use a makeshift boat to reach a safer place at a flood-affected area, in Patna, here and below. Photograph: ANI Photo

Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: People wade through water to reach higher ground. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: People from the Nakta Diyara area arrive via boats to reach safer ground after the water level of the Ganga rose following heavy rains, here and below. Photograph: ANI Photo

Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Flood-affected children study at a safer location. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Victims of the flood-affected region have their meals at a relief camp. Photograph: ANI Photo

BENGAL

IMAGE: A woman cooks food on a road alongside a flooded area at Amta in Howrah. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: An elderly man sits on the rooftop of a house surrounded by flood water. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: A mother and child use a makeshift raft to travel through a severely flooded area. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Water Wing Civil Defence personnel provide food packets to flood victims at Udaynarayanpur village in Howrah. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Workers make temporary arrangements to cross the waterlogged area as the road collapsed due to floods at Udaynarayanpur village. Photograph: ANI Photo

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said police shot dead Badlapur school sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde in self-defence.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the launch of the second phase of Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Scheme, at Reshimbagh ground in Nagpur. Photograph: ANI Photo

Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually abusing two minor girls in the school where he worked as an attendant, was being taken to Badlapur from Taloja jail for investigation when he snatched a policeman's gun and fired at an assistant inspector when the police vehicle reached Mumbra bypass.

He was killed in retaliatory firing by a police officer who was part of the escort team.

"Akshay Shinde's ex-wife had accused him of sexual violence and the police was taking him for a probe regarding these allegations. He snatched the gun of a police personnel opened fire. Police fired back in self-defence," CM Shinde told reporters.

However, the incident drew condemnation from the opposition parties who questioned the chain of events and also asked if it was a move to destroy evidence in a case that had triggered national outrage.

"Is it an attempt to destroy evidence? Were Akshay Shinde's hands not tied by the police during the transit? How could he reach for the gun, and how come the police were so careless? We demand a judicial probe in this matter," Leader of Opposition in the assembly Vijay Wadettiwar said.

There is no action against the "BJP-linked" school management but an arrested accused is shot dead in suspicious circumstances, he said, adding "we have no trust in Badlapur police".

Shiv Sena-UBT spokesperson Sushma Andhare equated the incident with the gunning down of four rape accused in Telangana in 2019.

"There too the police claimed it was done in self-defence. However, due to the deaths, the truth never came out. The same will be the case with the Badlapur sexual assault. Was Akshay Shinde killed as he was hiding something more sinister? Why is the school management still on the run," she said.

How come Akshay Shinde managed to snatch a gun despite being handcuffed and how did he know to operate the firearm, Andhare further questioned.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, must throw some light on these questions, she said, adding "it shows the state home minister's inability to handle critical cases".

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the incident must be probed by a sitting High Court judge.

"We demand a detailed inquiry into the incident by a sitting HC judge so that all the facts come out. No one should be allowed to go scot-free. It is not clear whether the accused committed suicide or was killed. We do not trust this government, which cannot protect girls or give them justice," he said.

He also alleged inefficiency on the part of the Maharashtra police under DGP Rashmi Shukla.

In a post on X, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray said, "The Badlapur case accused deserves to be hanged until death but what happened today evening is reckless and suspicious. Soon, people will start coming forward who would try to reap political gains and even pat their own back. Who is trying to save the directors of the school management board? Why have they not been found? Is today's incident and they being on the run connected? There should be a neutral inquiry of this matter."

Hitting back, CM Shinde said, "Earlier, the opposition parties demanded that Akshay Shinde be hanged. Now, they are taking his side and questioning the integrity of Maharashtra police. Such act of the opposition leaders is condemnable and unfortunate." When asked about the opposition's allegation that the accused was killed to gain political sympathy, the CM said these parties are rattled by the success of his government's Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme.

"Therefore, these parties are making such insensitive allegations," Shinde asserted.

Speaking on the incident, Fadnavis said police opened fire in self-defence, leading to Akshay Shinde's death.

He also said the police was taking him to Badlapur to probe allegations made by his ex-wife.

"The opposition raises questions on every issue. They had wanted him to be hanged. It is wrong to say such things when the police tried to save lives," the Deputy CM said while seconding the chain of events described by the CM.

In a post on X, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar said, "The accused should have been hanged as per the legal provisions, but the actions of the Home Department, while transferring him (from Taloja Jail) are questionable." The NCP-SP supremo demanded an in-depth inquiry into the incident.

Meanwhile, Thane Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske called the incident "nature's justice" and accused the opposition of politicising it.

CM Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis are committed to keeping citizens safe, adding the job of the police was to ensure "clean and crime-free society", the Shiv Sena MP added.

Ujjwal Nikam said, "Two chargesheets were filed against Shinde, and I was the public prosecutor in both cases. Going by the submitted documents, there was sufficient evidence against Shinde. Maybe because of that, Shinde tried ending his life. We cannot rule out this possibility. A judicial probe will bring out the truth in this case."

"The two young girls had already identified Akshay Shinde, and the Maharashtra police had collected other evidence against him.," Nikam said.

Asked if it was an encounter, Nikam, who unsuccessfully fought the 2024 Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket, said it would be inappropriate to jump to conclusions.
Secularism is a European concept, evolved following a conflict between the church and the king and whereas Bharat is a dharma-centric nation and there was no such conflict and it was, hence, not included in the Constitution, but added to it during the Emergency, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has said.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi. Photograph: @rajbhavan_tn/X

A lot of frauds have been committed on the people of the country, and one of them was a wrong interpretation of secularism, he said addressing an event in Kanyakumari district on Sunday.

"What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, secularism is not a Bharatiya concept." In Europe, secularism emerged as there was a fight between the church and the king and in order to end this conflict, which went on for a long time, this concept was evolved.

At the time of independence, when the Constitution was being drafted, a discussion came up on secularism and the Constituent Assembly rejected it observing that Bharat is a dharma-centric country and there has been no conflict, similar to what was witnessed in Europe.

Citing the Constituent Assembly discussions, he said it was deliberated there that Bharat is a country of dharma and, "how can there be a conflict with dharma? How can Bharat be away from dharma? it cannot be!

Hence, they said secularism was a European concept and let it be there. In India, there was no need for secularism, they said and hence, it was not included in the Constitution.

Decades later, during emergency (1975-77), "one insecure Prime Minister," introduced secularism in the Constitution in order to appease some sections of people, the Governor alleged. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister during emergency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the "success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not on the battlefield" as he addressed the United Nation's Summit of the Future held against the backdrop of raging global conflicts.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers an address at the UN Summit of the Future. Photographs: @MEAIndia/X

Addressing world leaders from the iconic podium of the UN General Assembly hall, Modi, beginning his speech with a "Namaskar", said that he brings the voice of 1.4 billion Indians or one-sixth of humanity to the UN.

A day after world leaders adopted by consensus the Pact of the Future along with the annexes the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations on the opening day of the Summit of the Future, Modi told the UN that "when we are discussing Global Future, we must accord the highest priority to a human-centric approach."

In his 5-minute address, Modi underscored that the "success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not on the battlefield.

The Summit of the Future followed by the annual General Assembly high-level week comes in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Ukraine war as well as challenges of climate change, inequality and deep geopolitical divides.

The Pact's five broad focus areas include sustainable development; international peace and security; science and technology; youth and future generations and transforming global governance. It lays the groundwork for actions and commitment by member states towards a safer, more peaceful, sustainable and inclusive world for tomorrow's generations.

With the UN turning 80 next year, the Pact underscores the need for reform of global institutions, a path forward for action on Sustainable Development Goals, climate action and the use of artificial intelligence among other areas. It, however, does not contain timelines for actions required to achieve these goals.

Underlining that reform is the key to relevance, Modi emphasised that for global peace and development, reforms in global institutions are essential.

He noted that the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 under India's presidency of the grouping at the New Delhi Summit last year was an important step in this direction.

India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts to reform the 15-nation Security Council, saying the powerful UN body does not reflect current geopolitics realities and underscoring that it rightly deserves a permanent seat at the horse-shoe table. India last sat at the UN high table as a non-permanent member in 2021-22.

Modi also gave a call for global action to match global ambition as the world continues to grapple with the threat of terrorism as well as newer challenges.

"While on the one hand, terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security, on the other hand, areas such as cyber, maritime and space, are emerging as new theatres of conflict, he said.

On all these issues, I will stress, that, global action must match global ambition! he said.

Highlighting that India has lifted 250 million people out of poverty in India and demonstrated that Sustainable Development can be successful, Modi voiced India's commitment to share its experiences with the Global South.

"When we are discussing the Global Future, we must accord the highest priority to a human-centric approach," he said, adding that while prioritising sustainable development, we must also ensure human welfare, food and health security.

The Indian leader also emphasised the need for balanced regulation at a global level, for the safe and responsible use of technology.

"We need global digital governance, which ensures that national sovereignty and integrity are upheld, he said, adding that "Digital Public Infrastructure should be a Bridge, not a Barrier!

UN officials and world leaders have consistently lauded India's digitalisation drive which has helped alleviate poverty and bring millions of people into the formal economic system through the use of a handset and a digitalization model.

Modi said that India is ready to share its digital public infrastructure with the entire world "for Global Good.

He added that for India, "One Earth, One Family, One Future is a commitment. This commitment is also reflected in our initiatives such as One Earth, One Health, and One Sun, One World, One Grid.

He assured the world community that India will continue to work in thought, words and deeds to protect the rights of all humanity and for global prosperity.

In his opening remarks to the summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with no end in sight and he called for the summit because our world is heading off the rails  and we need tough decisions to get back on track.

"Our collective security system is threatened by geopolitical divides, nuclear posturing, and the development of new weapons and theatres of war. Resources that could bring opportunities and hope are invested in death and destruction," he said.

He further stressed that he had called for this meeting of world leaders to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the UN Charter.

"I called for this Summit because 21st century challenges require 21st century solutions: frameworks that are networked and inclusive; and that draw on the expertise of all of humanity," he said.

Noting that the United Nations had 51 Member States when it was established nearly 80 years ago, he said today it is made up of 193 nations.

As a result, our peace and security tools and institutions, and our global financial architecture, reflect a bygone era, Guterres said.

He warned that the 15-nation United Nations Security Council, which he described as outdated and whose authority is eroding, will eventually lose all credibility unless its composition and working methods are reformed.

He said the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities.

On peace and security, they promise a breakthrough on reforms to make the Security Council more reflective of today's world, addressing the historic under-representation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, Guterres added.

Over 130 Heads of State and Government are expected to attend the landmark event, held just ahead of the annual high-level debate in the UN General Assembly.
The country's food safety regulator has issued a show cause notice to a Tamil Nadu-based firm for allegedly supplying substandard ghee to temple authority Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam even as the chorus for a thorough probe and strict action over the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddus grew louder.

IMAGE: A four-hour 'purification ritual' was carried out at the Tirupati temple amid controversy over animal fats used in laddu claim. Photograph: @TTDevasthanams/X

On Monday, a four-hour ritualistic sanitisation was carried out at the revered shrine to propitiate Lord Venkateswara Swamy after alleged "sacrilegious practices such as mixing animal fats" in making Tirupati laddus (consecrated sweet) and others, temple sources said.

More petitions were filed on the issue in the Supreme Court. Former minister and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy sought a court-monitored inquiry into the issue and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman and YSRCP MP Y V Subba Reddy, who has denied the allegations of adulteration, asked for a probe by an independent committee under a retired Supreme Court judge.

The apex body of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), which met in Tirupati, also appealed to the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of Tirupati laddu adulteration allegations.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had on Sunday announced a Special Investigation Team to probe the allegations.

Stepping in, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked A R Diary Food Private Ltd why its central licence should not be suspended for contravention of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, according to sources.

According to the notice, FSSAI said it received information from The Director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh), that A R Dairy Food Private Ltd in Dindigul was one of the suppliers of ghee to TTD for the last four years.

Further, as per the information, the ghee procurement committee of TTD has sent all the samples supplied to TTD for testing to NDDB CALF Lab at Anand, Gujarat, it said.

"After analysis, the sample from your firm M/s. A R Dairy Food Private Ltd (FSSAI Central License number 10014042001610) has failed to meet the parameters and your firm has been blacklisted by EO, TTD," the notice said.

"In view of all the above you are hereby directed to show cause as to why your central licence shall not be suspended for contravention of the above said provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011," it said.

The regulator asked the firm to send its reply by September 23 failing which it said suitable action will be initiated as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Regulations.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan termed the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddus as "worrying and condemnable" and said those involved would face stringent action to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Former Union minister Sharad Pawar said, "If anything was mixed, it is very wrong and action should be taken against those involved."

The controversy has sparked reactions across states. The famous Mankameshwar temple in Uttar Pradesh has now banned offerings of 'prasad' bought by devotees from outside and said they can offer homemade 'prasad' or fruits.

The temple's head seer, Devya Giri, on Monday said the distribution of "adulterated" 'prasad' in the Tirupati temple was an "unpardonable crime".

"There can be no bigger blow to Sanatan dharma. So, the administrators of all Hindu temples will have to make joint efforts to provide vegetarian prasad," Giri said.

Rajasthan had announced a drive from September 23 to 26 to check the purity of the bhogs and prasadams across temples in the state. Karnataka has already mandated the testing of temple prasadam and specified the use of only Nandini ghee for the preparation. In Uttar Pradesh, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has collected 13 samples of 'prasadam' from prominent temples in Mathura for testing.

Many political and religious leaders have called for strict measures to protect the sanctity of temples after Chief Minister Naidu alleged on September 18 that the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had used substandard ingredients and animal fat in Tirupati laddus.

While YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused Naidu of lying and has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to intervene, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday said Reddy should desist from such "drama" and allow the law to take its own course so that culprits are punished.

"He (Reddy) being an ex-chief minister, he could have just said go ahead, whoever the perpetrators or culprits are, let them get punished. If he is very clean in his heart, there is no need to do all this drama. That's what I feel," Kalyan told PTI Videos at Janasena party office in Mangalagiri.

Kalyan had on Sunday commenced his 11-day penance to propitiate the deity over the alleged desecration.

Former chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said the central government should form a committee under the chairmanship of a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court and expose the truth of this matter.

"This is a matter related to the faith and belief of crores of devotees of India," he said on X.

"Standard procedures should be laid down to ensure that work at any religious place is done in accordance with the traditions there," Gehlot said.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav alleged that shops in Mathura are selling adulterated 'khoya' and demanded an inquiry.

She said adulteration in Tirupati laddu prasadam is a "very serious" matter and it has hurt the religious sentiments of people. "There are reports there that 'khoya' being sold in Mathura is also adulterated. The BJP government should institute Inquiry in both the cases," she said.

In Delhi, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said her department will consider additional measures to monitor ghee quality in the market only after receiving the FSSAI report.

"We will wait for its report," Khare stated during a media briefing on the Modi 3.0 government's 100-day achievements.

She emphasised that food safety falls under FSSAI's purview, adding, "We should all wait for the FSSAI to take action."

Responding to queries about potential pre-festive season checks on ghee quality, Khare said, "We will take more action, if required, after the FSSAI report and provided there are consumer complaints on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH)."

Meanwhile, Swamy in his plea urged the ape court to issue an interim direction to obtain a detailed forensic report from the authorities concerned.

"Today, I filed a PIL seeking Supreme Court direction to investigate unsubstantiated allegation by CM C.B. Naidu that the Tirupati Tirumala Temple Prasadam were adulterated with meat of animals and other rotten items creating chaos amongst bhaktas," he wrote in a post on X.

CM Naidu has alleged that several procedures to procure ghee by the TTD were altered under Jagan Mohan Reddy government.
Amid the ongoing controversy over Tirupati laddu, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare on Monday said her department will consider additional measures to monitor ghee quality in the market only after receiving the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) report.

IMAGE: Sanskriti Bachao Manch supporters protest against former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy over the alleged use of 'Animal Fat' in the preparation of laddoos (prasad) of Tirupati Balaji temple, in Bhopal. Photograph: ANI Photo

"We will wait for its report," Khare stated during a media briefing on the Modi 3.0 government's 100-day achievements.

She emphasised that food safety falls under FSSAI's purview, adding, "We should all wait for the FSSAI to take action."

Responding to queries about potential pre-festive season checks on ghee quality, Khare said, "We will take more action, if required, after the FSSAI report and provided there are consumer complaints on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH)."

The secretary clarified that food-related complaints received on NCH are typically forwarded to FSSAI for action, given their expertise in the matter.

The controversy has sparked reactions across states. Karnataka has mandated testing of temple prasadam and specified the use of only Nandini ghee for the preparation. In Uttar Pradesh, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has collected 13 samples of 'prasadam' from prominent temples in Mathura for testing.

The issue came to light after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged on September 18 that the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had used substandard ingredients and animal fat in Tirupati laddus. Naidu subsequently announced a Special Investigation Team to probe these claims.

As the controversy continues to reverberate nationwide, various quarters are demanding steps to safeguard the sanctity of Hindu temples and their 'prasadam'.
The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday said it has gunned down a second accused in the Sultanpur jewellery store robbery case in a pre-dawn encounter in Unnao district.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Mohd Zakir/ANI Photo

The gunfight between the accused, Anuj Pratap Singh, and the Lucknow unit of the Special Task Force (STF) broke out around 4 am on Monday in the Achalganj area, officials said.

On August 28, jewellery worth approximately Rs 1.5 crore was stolen from a store in the Thatheri market area of Sultanpur city.

The STF had gunned down Mangesh Yadav, another accused in the case, on September 5.

The killing sparked a political controversy with the Samajwadi Party and the Congress calling the encounter 'fake'.

SP chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had alleged that the action was based on the 'caste' of the accused while the state police denied all such claims.

"An STF team from Lucknow engaged in an encounter with some accused involved in the robbery at Bharat Jewellers in Sultanpur in the Achalganj police station area of Unnao on Monday morning. One criminal was injured while another managed to escape," Additional Director General of Police (STF and Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said.

He said Anuj Pratap Singh, a resident of Janapur village in Amethi district, was taken to a government hospital in an ambulance for initial treatment and was subsequently referred to the district hospital.

"Anuj Pratap Singh was declared dead by doctors at the district hospital. Further legal proceedings are being conducted by the forensics team and the Achalganj police," the officer added.

Police had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to Singh's arrest.

Superintendent of Police, Unnao, Deepak Bhuker said Singh had a criminal record.

"Two pistols, seven empty cartridges, three live cartridges and a bag containing silver jewellery were recovered from his possession. A motorcycle was also impounded from the encounter site," Bhuker said.

Sultanpur Superintendent of Police Somen Barma said that during the investigation of the robbery case, the names of 14 accused came to light, out of which police have taken action against 11.

He said searches are being carried out to nab the remaining three accused -- Arbaaz, Furkan and Ankit Yadav.

"One of these 11 accused was Anuj Pratap Singh, who died today in an encounter with the STF in Unnao district. Singh was one of the five accused who carried out the robbery by entering the jewellery shop," he said.

"Even before this, Singh had committed a bank robbery in Surat, Gujarat and had gone to jail in the case," he added.

All the gold jewellery that was looted, which is about 2.6 kg, has been recovered. Police have also recovered 30 kg of silver jewellery, Barma said.

'Akhilesh's wish fulfilled', says father of accused

"Akhilesh Yadav's wish has been fulfilled, a Thakur has been encountered," said the father of Anuj Pratap Singh.

Expressing his anger and grief, Dharm Raj Singh alleged political motives behind his son Anuj Pratap Singh's death.

"My son has become a victim of politics. He only had one or two cases against him, yet he was encountered."

Dharm Raj Singh told reporters that he learned of his son's death through the media and had not been officially informed yet.

He also criticised the 'selective action' of law enforcement.

"There are people with 30 cases against them, yet they remain untouched, but someone with only one or two cases is being encountered. This government can do anything," he alleged.

Dharm Raj Singh also claimed that his son had visited their home on May 3 and left on June 4.

Prior to this, the STF on September 5 gunned down another accused, Mangesh Yadav, sparking a political controversy, with the Samajwadi Party and the Congress calling the encounter 'fake'.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav, who had claimed that such encounters were motivated by the accused's 'caste', also dubbed the STF as 'Special Thakur Force' and 'Sar-e-aam Thoko Force'.

However, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had said Yadav's jibes were made out of 'frustration' while the police denied his allegations.

In a post on X after the September 5 encounter, Yadav said, 'It seems that the people involved in the Sultanpur robbery had deep ties with the ruling party. That is why before the fake encounter, the main accused was contacted and made to surrender and other accused were shot in the legs only for show, and one of them was killed on the basis of their 'caste'.'

"When the main accused surrendered, all the looted goods should also be returned and the government should pay compensation separately," he had said.

Fake encounters turn the protector into a predator, he had claimed.

"The solution is not fake encounters but real law and order," Yadav further said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had alleged in a post on X on September 7, 'In the states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 'law and the Constitution' are being violated by those who have the responsibility to enforce them. The death of Mangesh Yadav in an encounter in Sultanpur has once again proved that the BJP does not believe in the rule of law.'

The Congress' state unit chief Ajay Rai had visited Mangesh Yadav's home and demanded that a high court judge investigate the matter.
'We have to keep a watch because India-Sri Lanka has a history that whenever there has been a change in government, either the connectivity projects have been questioned or cancelled or revived.'

IMAGE: Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrives at an election campaign rally in Dehiowita, September 17, 2024. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

That India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha was the first diplomat to call on the newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake soon after the presidential election results were declared in the island nation on Sunday, September 22, 2024 underlines the importance India attaches to its relationship with its neighbour and also how closely New Delhi was following the elections.

The Indian mission later posted on X: 'India as Sri Lanka's civilisational twin is committed to further deepen ties for the prosperity of the people of our two countries.'

Prime Minister Narendra D Modi followed with his own post: 'Congratulations @anuradisanayake, on your victory in the Sri Lankan Presidential elections. Sri Lanka holds a special place in India's Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR.

'I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of our people and the entire region.'

The importance India attached to the Sri Lanka elections is clear from the flurry of high-level visits of Indian officials to Colombo in recent months.

In June, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka and met all the prominent presidential contenders.

Three weeks prior to the elections, National Security Adviser Ajit K Doval also met all the prime aspirants across party lines when he traveled for the Colombo Security Conclave agreement.

While India kept its options open, it also tracked the rise of the Left-leaning AKD, as the new president is popularly known.

An administrative novice and an unknown quantity as far as foreign policy and international relations are concerned, India followed AKD's progress so that it is not caught off guard in case of his ascent to power.

An Indian official who was once posted in Sri Lanka said AKD's popularity was clear after he became one of the central figures in the popular uprising, called Aragalaya, that ousted the much-despised president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

His growing stature prompted India to invite him to New Delhi for discussions in February.

But now the question South Block mandarins face is how will AKD deal with India and the rest of the world, particularly China.

On the face of it, his natural affinity could be with Beijing given his ideological leanings.

But Yashvardhan Sinha, former Indian high commissioner to Sri Lanka, is optimistic.

"Once he is in, he will appreciate the full spectrum of the bilateral relationship between our two countries and he will work to strengthen it. Let him get sworn in, we shouldn't make second guesses."

Ambassador Sinha stressed that AKD is not an unknown figure.

"The good part is he is not completely unknown to us, he has come here and we will be happy to engage with him. He is the choice of the people of Sri Lanka and we should respect that."

While India watches him closely, AKD's main focus will be the economic health of his country and its people.

While his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe has nursed the economy to some early signs of recovery, the challenges are extremely steep for AKD.

And that may work to India's favour because the gigantic task in front of AKD may force him to follow a pragmatic path rather than be a prisoner of his ideological beliefs.

IMAGE: India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha called on Sri Lanka President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake, September 22, 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy India in Sri Lanka/X

"Given the economic situation of Sri Lanka, I don't think Anura can afford too many changes in foreign policy. After all, India has assisted the country a lot, for instance the $4 billion easy loan," says Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, Associate Fellow, Strategic Studies Programme, Observer Research Foundation.

'Actually, I think he will try to balance his relations with India and China because both are creditors, major lenders. So, I don't sense any anti-India policy coming from him," Shivamurthy said, adding that India did well to not hedge its bets.

"India was open to engaging with anyone coming to power because perhaps India sensed there was unpredictability," he points out.

New Delhi will also be encouraged by the fact that AKD has not been expressly anti-India in his utterances during the election campaign and even prior to that.

Rather, his party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), known for its extremist, jingoistic and violent ways in the past, has been very pragmatic.

The JVP today is nowhere near to its previous avatar.

"I think they have mellowed down a lot. In fact, the during the election campaign Anura has not promised anything that is anti-India in nature, most of it has been domestic politics and economy-oriented", said Shivamurthy.

"We know of the JVP's past anti-India stance, but during the campaign they took a pragmatic approach," notes Gulbin Sultana, Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

"They were even critical of the IMF loan, but they realised that stopping or scrapping the loan would take the country back to the 2022 economic situation," adds Sultana.

The JVP's election manifesto mentioned that it would not stop the loan but only seek to amend some clauses.

"He will perhaps renegotiate because he wants to increase the public investment for the poor, health, education sectors, etc," says Sultana, who spent weeks in Sri Lanka before the elections.

"Anura did not say anything anti-India during the election campaign," she says. "On foreign policy, his manifesto mentioned national interest will be the priority, also they will not allow any third party to use Sri Lankan territory against any nation."

But this does not necessarily mean that India will not have any concerns. New Delhi is likely to closely monitor four fronts.

IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets with then Sri Lanka president Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo, June 20, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

One, the fate of broader connectivity projects -- maritime, air, energy and power, trade, economic and financial, and people-to-people connectivity -- which were agreed upon when Wickremesinghe was in New Delhi last year.

"We will have to wait and watch whether AKD cherry picks certain initiatives. I don't think he can scrap the projects as his economic policies are more inward oriented. But we have to keep a watch because India-Sri Lanka has a history that whenever there has been a change in government either the connectivity projects have been questioned or cancelled or revived. So we have to keep an eye on that front," says Shivamurthy.

Two, India will keep a watch on how the new President deals with the IMF loan issue.

India has played a crucial part and it will hope that Sri Lanka continues to follow the strict mandatory set of guidelines.

Third, what will be AKD's China policy?

And fourth, India will monitor his domestic and economic policies because he has promised a lot.

"As far as the Tamil factor is concerned, all Sinhala politicians have been hesitant to implement the 13th Amendment and I don't think Anura is any different," says Shivamurthy.

"What is a possibility is that he has promised a new constitution. He may do away with the 13th Amendment that India had been advocating. They may look for an out of box solution in case he is really serious about Tamil reconciliation," adds Shivamurthy.

On the issue of a new constitution, India will mostly look at it as a sovereign matter.

"As far as India's interests are not harmed, I don't think India will intervene. I think now we just have to wait and watch, what is rhetoric and what is the reality," explains Shivamurthy.

For AKD, this is a chance to prove his mettle as a politician and an administrator.

After his victory, he said: 'The millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history. This dream can only be realised with a fresh start.'

'The unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of this new beginning. Let us join hands and shape this future together!'

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
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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
One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history.

In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group.

Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon.

RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war.

RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack?



Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences.

There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings.

Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good.

RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis?



Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months.



RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices?



Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other.

People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term."

So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire.

Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home?

One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective.

RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families?



Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular.

At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families.

Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen.

RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas?

Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk.

It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important.

Why? For a couple of reasons.

First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005.

RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future?



Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent.

I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term.
When Dragan and a group of fellow Serbs arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport in June 2023, it was with documents testifying to months abroad working for a Russian construction company.

The truth, however, was very different: All were returning to their homeland from the battlefields of Ukraine, where they had fought in a Russian "Wolf" assault unit after brief combat training at military proving grounds outside Moscow.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

The group was the latest evidence of an underground system that provides international cover for tours of duty from the Balkans to the front lines of Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine -- a decade-long conflict that began with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and then exploded into a full-scale invasion when tens of thousands of Russian regular forces poured over the border in February 2022.

Although their images have occasionally been posted (with faces obscured) on Telegram, the encrypted platform popular among soldiers on both sides, there are no reliable estimates of how many Serbs have fought alongside Russians, and such volunteers remain tight-lipped toward Western journalists in particular.

Serbia's Interior Ministry, its Foreign Ministry, and its Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) declined to respond to RFE/RL's question about how many of its citizens are currently in the conflict.

But RFE/RL was able to interview one of them about his stint as a mercenary, after granting him anonymity in order to get a detailed account of his eight-month experience in 2022-23. "Dragan," who spent two months in training and six more under contract to fight in Ukraine, provided RFE/RL's journalists with documents and photos that allowed them to corroborate the narrative presented here through independent sources and open data, unless otherwise noted.

Dragan's story of misplaced trust in dodgy intermediaries and disdainful commanders shows how Serbs lured in part by "brotherly" zeal are traveling to Russia to be hastily trained in warfare and shipped off to fight. It also provides a rare glimpse into a seemingly steady stream of casualties among Serbian and other Balkan nationals in Ukraine -- and the broken promises and other reasons that Dragan decided not to return to Russia or the trenches.

"Human life is as valuable to them as it was in [Josef] Stalin's time," Dragan told RFE/RL, invoking the legacy of the most brutal and notorious of the Soviet dictators to describe his experience as a mercenary. "One massive business, in which ordinary people are killed -- mobilized or paid, whatever."

Participating in foreign wars is a crime that can carry an eight-year prison sentence since Serbia tightened its laws in 2015, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's public warnings against it have stiffened since early 2022.

However, his EU candidate country has also avoided joining the bloc's sanctions against Russia and has maintained trade and diplomatic ties with Moscow. Polling shows that nearly half of Serbia's 7 million residents still regard Russia as their main ally (well ahead of China), and the "Z" symbol of support for Russia's war effort is a common sight in Serbia.

An exhaustive examination of Serbian court records since 2014 shows that -- despite official confirmation that hundreds of Serbs fought in Ukraine in the first few years of the conflict -- there have been just 37 convictions for participating in the Ukrainian war and one more for organizing such participation. Just six resulted in prison sentences, and only one of those involved activities after the 2022 escalation. There are currently no criminal prosecutions under way of alleged fighters.

Dragan, who is in his early 30s, has never been prosecuted, according to the limited identifying documents provided by the courts.

But he traveled to Moscow in mid-November 2022 for training and to be sent into the war in Ukraine based on plans he'd agreed in detail with another Serbian citizen, Dejan Beric.

Beric has remained abroad since joining Russian forces in Ukraine in 2014 and has a "passport" from Russia-backed separatists in occupied Ukraine. He calls himself a war reporter but was investigated by Serbian authorities in absentia for participation in the war. Beric has never hidden that he has been welcoming Serb fighters to the conflict since 2014, and his latest recruitment-style YouTube video on September 13 claimed he was about to embark on a Russia-wide trip as part of "Putin's command."

Beric and a Bosnian Serb named Davor Savicic have been associated with a Russian fighting unit that has shared Savicic's call sign, "Wolf," since its establishment around the time of the 2022 invasion. Both men have spoken openly as recently as last year about recruiting Serbs for the war, including through the notorious Wagner Group, despite the risk of prosecution by Serbian or Bosnian authorities.

Dragan said that while he was led to believe that Beric would join or lead him and other Serb troops, he saw him in Ukraine just twice when Beric was there to make promotional videos.

He said he saw Savicic, whom Bosnian authorities suspect of being a Wagner mercenary, in Avdiyivka and Bakhmut, two Ukrainian cities eventually devastated by fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces that caused untold civilian casualties and forced tens of thousands of residents to flee.

Neither Beric nor Savicic responded to RFE/RL's questions sent via social media.

Dragan had no previous military experience beyond his obligatory six months of conscription, and he told RFE/RL he has never been involved in nationalist groups or even been especially active politically. But attracted to the prospect of "helping the brotherly Russian people" and the Russian passport that Beric promised him but never delivered, Dragan said, he bought his own air ticket to Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport via Turkey.

"Salary and money were not my motive," he said.

Asked about the financial terms of the deal, Dragan said he received 110,000 rubles (about $1,215) in cash for each of the two months of training, and about twice that figure for each of the six months he was fighting in Ukraine. The average monthly salary at the time in Serbia was around $808.

Dragan said he was welcomed at Vnukovo airport by a man who introduced himself as Dima and who Dragan understood to be an officer of Russia's GRU military intelligence service. RFE/RL was unable to confirm Dima's official status. Dima escorted him to a snowy parking lot and a white van with tinted windows for a 45-minute drive.

"We got off the highway in some populated areas. And at one point, military boom gates started to appear," Dragan said. "Everything around us was military [The guards] just stood still and saluted and opened [the gates] without saying anything."

RFE/RL was able to confirm from Dragan's account of the trip and images he provided that he was taken to the Alabino military training ground just west of Moscow. RFE/RL also compared details from Dragan's photos with images from a Beric video from Alabino and confirmed they were made at the same location.

Dragan was taken to a tent with other fresh Serb recruits and, for the next two months of training at Alabino, Dima and another purported GRU officer who went by the name of Oleg were in the charge of them.

Dragan estimated that there were around 25 Serbs with him at Alabino over the next eight weeks; five, he said, quit before completion of training. There were Serbs from Serbia, he said, but also from Republika Srpska in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and even an ethnic Serb from France. RFE/RL could not independently verify that information.

Dragan said he signed a six-month contract with a private military company at Dima and Oleg's tent, although he could not provide a copy of the contract or a photo.

"You could see in the contract it doesn't have anything to do with the Russian Defense Ministry but that it's a private military company OOO Redut," he told RFE/RL. RFE/RL's Systema and Schemes programs have previously confirmed that Russia was using a company called PMC Redut at the time to recruit and deliver fighters to Ukraine.

As RFE/RL revealed in October 2023, the "Wolf" unit was one of at least 20 formations fighting in Ukraine under the Redut insignia.

Since then, partly as a result of the embarrassment felt by the Kremlin after Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin's rebellion against the Russian defense establishment in June 2023, mercenaries bound for Ukraine have entered directly into contracts with and been consolidated under the Russian Defense Ministry.

Dragan said the monthly cash payments were delivered by a man who went by the code name "Amur." The RFE/RL investigations confirmed Amur's ties to Redut and identified him as a commander of mercenary forces active in occupied areas of Ukraine. The same reporting found that Amur had ordered those forces to round up individuals for interrogation and throw them into "pits" before he personally interrogated and tortured the detainees.

Dragan had no complaints about his two-month combat training process, which he said took place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. six days a week.

He was part of a unit called the 1st Diversionary-Reconnaissance Assault Brigade "Wolves" (1-  ) and said the group was trained by four instructors who he understood to be members of the Russian military's Special Operations Forces.

He and his fellow trainees were schooled in shooting, drone piloting, medical aid, and participated in combat and other simulations.

After two months in Alabino, Dragan joined the war in Ukraine in January 2023.

He provided many details about where his team was deployed that RFE/RL was able to corroborate through photos and other digital clues. They fought battles near Lysychansk in the Luhansk region and near Avdiyivka in the Donetsk region. They were also sent to Soledar, a city with a prewar population of around 10,000 in the Bakhmut region that was captured by Russian forces in January 2023.

Dragan said he counted roughly 70 other Serbs throughout his eight-month experience, although he said many had been sent into the fight with far less training and utterly unprepared for battle.

"We're the only ones who had [a full two months of] training," Dragan said. "Others had it for five to 14 days."

He cited the case of one Serb who he said passed through Alabino, too, albeit for an even briefer period of training. Serbian media suggested in early August 2023 that Emrah Zornic, from Novi Pazar in southwestern Serbia, had mysteriously turned up in Ukraine before he was killed trying to "provide aid to the wounded and civilians."

But Dragan claimed Zornic was a fighter who had gotten an afternoon of training at Alabino before he was given weapons "and that was it." Although Zornic's family was Muslim, in what was possibly an effort to portray him as Orthodox for political reasons, Russian media showed his funeral service in the southwestern city of Tambov being presided over by an Orthodox priest. It also claimed Zornic had been a parishioner in Tambov, a city about 350 kilometers from the Ukrainian border -- virtually impossible since he had spent only a few days there en route from the training grounds near Moscow to Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

The date of his death was listed as April 17, 2023, matching Dragan's timeline in Ukraine. Beric, the "war reporter" who recruited Dragan, went on Russian TV in August to acknowledge the death of one unnamed Serb killed "below Bakhmut." On the same program, Savicic, the Bosnian Serb also associated with the "Wolves," said he never sent untrained individuals to fight but acknowledged that much "depends on how fast someone can learn."

Asked by RFE/RL, Dragan estimated that 15 Serbs died during his half-year of fighting in Ukraine, although that number was impossible to independently verify.

After six months in Ukraine, in June 2023, Dragan said he was disappointed by what he had seen of the Russian Army. From his perspective, "business and corruption are flourishing" and the "Russians -- as we Serbs imagine and regard them -- exist in a very small percentage."

He said it was also clear to him that he would never get the Russian passport that he had been promised by Beric.

Before returning to Serbia, Dragan was given a document saying he had been working for a Moscow-based company called Monte Gradnja, in case Serbian border officials were suspicious. The document, seen by RFE/RL, bore the company stamp and signature of its sole founder and general director, Rajko Backovic.

Monte Gradnja did not respond to queries, but RFE/RL uncovered a link between Backovic and Savicic through a Russia-based company called "Volf Group," that lists construction of residential buildings as its main activity.

Suspected in Bosnia of having joined the fighting in Ukraine, Savicic provided a similar explanation to journalists after a foreign trip in 2016, saying he was engaged in construction work. Last year, the mother of a Serbian volunteer who fought in Ukraine, Vukashin Stevanovic, told the BBC that her son "works in construction."

With writing and contributions by Andy Heil
By Grainne Ni Aodha and Cillian Sherlock, PA

Roderic OGorman has said we need to stick to the facts about migration and homelessness as the Taoiseach was criticised for comments on the States record-high homeless figures.

Taoiseach Simon Harris told The Sunday Times that homelessness numbers are heavily impacted by the fact we are seeing many people seek protection in our country.

Mr Harris has been urged to clarify that asylum seekers are not counted in the monthly homeless numbers released by the Department of Housing.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called the Taoiseachs comments cynical, untrue and dangerous and accused him of engaging in a dog whistle attack on asylum seekers.

The monthly homeless figures have repeatedly hit record highs, with the figures for July showing that 14,429 people, including 4,401 children, are in emergency accommodation.

These figures do not include people in Direct Provision, people sleeping rough or people who are couch surfing.

Minister for Integration Roderic OGorman said that people who have applied for asylum in Ireland are not entitled to housing support or the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), and cannot access homeless accommodation.

Mr OGorman said: I think we just need to be clear on where migration and homelessness interact.

Somebody seeking international protection has no right to claim housing supports in Ireland, has no right to HAP, has no right to access homelessness accommodation.

Someone fleeing the war in Ukraine in Ireland has no right to seek housing support, to seek HAP or to seek homelessness accommodation.

The whole reason that my department has led our response to the people fleeing Ukraine and people fleeing seeking international protection is to ensure that our response to those vulnerable people is undertaken in a way that does not in any way impact the Department of Housings ability to implement Housing for All and its ability to deal with immediate homelessness situations.

And thats why my department opened the course the last year, at its height, was providing accommodation to over 100,000 people.

Asked to clarify his comments while on a trip to New York for the UN General Assembly, Mr Harris said it was not to apportion blame to vulnerable people, but added that the homeless figures speak for themselves.

Mr OGorman said that he agreed with Mr Harris that we shouldnt be blaming vulnerable people for the housing situation.

That is a reality of a process that Ireland and every country that allows international protection acknowledge: where someone gets international protection, where it is said that they are a refugee, that they met the criteria, they are then entitled to remain in Ireland and to access services on the same basis as everybody else.

I support and I will always defend that process because it is important that people who are fleeing war, fleeing conflict, have that ability to find safety in Ireland or in any other country.

Housing Minister Darragh OBrien said he makes no distinction between groups of people accessing emergency accommodation (Niall Carson/PA)

Minister for Housing Darragh OBrien echoed Mr OGormans comments on Monday and said he makes no distinction between groups of people accessing emergency accommodation.

Mr OBrien was speaking at the launch of 120 new social homes in the Deansgrange area of Dublin.

He described homelessness as a complex area and said the Department is transparent in releasing figures on the backgrounds of people accessing emergency accommodation.

We have seen in the last number of months  and I think thats just what the Taoiseach was speaking to as well  in the area of new arrivals as well, in particular with singles.

It is a factor but as Ive always said and have been very open about: Anyone who does not have a home, weve a moral duty of care to them, to support them in emergency accommodation.

The minister said there had been an increase in the number of people exiting the direct-provision system into State emergency accommodation.We will provide that accommodation for them regardless of where someone is, or where theyve come from as well.

We as a country are a caring country. We want to make sure that people are looked after and they will be looked after. We make no distinction between one cohort of people and another. I never have and I never will.
Who is Rhea Singha? Meet Gujarati Beauty Who's Crowned Miss Universe India 2024

Rhea Singha, a 19-year-old beauty queen from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is not only a model but also an actor and student.

Who is Rhea Singha, winner of Miss Universe India 2024? Rhea Singha, who hails from Gujarat, has won the prestigious Miss Universe India 2024 title. Competing as contestant no. 36, she triumphed over 51 other finalists to claim the crown. Rhea will now represent India at the international Miss Universe 2024 pageant, set to take place later this year in Mexico. The grand finale was held on Sunday in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where Rhea's poise and talent led her to victory.

After her win, Rhea expressed her joy, stating, "Winning Miss Universe India 2024 has been a dream come true. Ive worked tirelessly to reach this point, and it feels incredible to wear this crown. I was motivated by the achievements of past winners, and Im proud to follow in their footsteps."

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Other top contestants included Pranjal Priya (#34), named the 1st Runner-Up, and Chhavi Verg, who took the 2nd Runner-Up spot. Sushmita Roy (#47) finished as the 3rd Runner-Up, while Ruopfuzhano Whiso (#39) secured 4th place.

Who is Rhea Singha, winner of Miss Universe India 2024?

Rhea Singha, a 19-year-old beauty queen from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is not only a model but also an actor and student. She is the daughter of entrepreneur Brijesh Singha, the director of eStore Factory, and Rita Singha. Currently studying performing arts at GLS University, Rhea also serves as the universitys ambassador.

Rheas journey in the modeling world began in 2020 when she won the Diva's Miss Teen Gujarat title at the age of 16. Her international exposure came in February 2023, when she represented India at the Miss Teen Universe 2023 competition in Madrid, Spain, where she secured a spot in the Top 6 out of 25 contestants. Later, in April 2023, she was the runner-up in JOY Times Fresh Face Season 14, a major event in Mumbai.

On September 22, 2024, Rhea achieved her biggest accomplishment yet when she was crowned Miss Universe India 2024 at Zee Studios Jaipur. This victory marked the first time the title was awarded under the ownership of the Glamanand Group.

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As she continues her education and modeling career, Rhea is preparing to represent India on the global stage at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico.

(For more news apart from Who is Rhea Singha, winner of Miss Universe India 2024, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Sucha Soorma Movie OTT Release Update: When and Where to Watch Epic Drama Online?

Fans are excitedly looking for information about the film's OTT release update.

Sucha Soorma Movie OTT Platform Release Date Update Latest News: The much-anticipated Punjabi film Sucha Soorma has been making news headlines ever since its release in theatres.

Directed by Kiran Rao, Sucha Soorma features a stellar cast, including Babbu Maan, who also plays the lead role. The film has garnered significant attention for its compelling storyline and engaging performances, making it one of the most talked-about releases in recent times.

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After successfully captivating audiences in theaters, the film kept the fans going. Meanwhile, the fans are excitedly looking for information about the film's OTT release update.

Sucha Soorma Movie OTT Platform Release Date Update Latest News:

Well, the film is most likely to hit KableOne, allowing fans who missed its theatrical run to enjoy the movie from the comfort of their homes. The specific release date on the OTT platform is yet to be announced, but viewers can anticipate it shortly after the film's theatrical conclusion.

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Sucha Soorma tells the inspiring story of resilience and determination, following the life of its protagonist as he navigates challenges and triumphs in a setting rich with Punjabi culture. The film has been well-received for its heartfelt message and strong performances, further solidifying its status as a must-watch.

As the excitement for the film continues to build, audiences are encouraged to keep an eye on KableOne for updates on the release date and additional content related to Sucha Soorma. This transition to OTT will not only extend the film's reach but also provide an opportunity for a wider audience to experience its impactful narrative.

(For more news apart from Sucha Soorma Movie OTT Platform Release Date Update Latest News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Clashes Erupt at Khalsa College Over Election Dispute; Student's Turban Displaced

The clash occurred following a letter from Khalsa College Principal Gurmohinder Singh to Delhi Universitys administration.

Delhi Khalsa College Clash With Sikh Student Leader Latest News Today: A violent clash broke out between two student groups at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University, outside the college principals office on Sunday. The conflict arose after the college, following directives from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), decided not to participate in the upcoming Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections. During the altercation, a students turban was knocked off, escalating tensions.

A viral video captured the chaotic scene, showing students gathered outside the principals office when the situation turned violent. A red-turbaned student was pulled back and assaulted by several others, resulting in his turban falling to the ground. Fortunately, some students intervened, stopping the attack, retrieving the turban, and returning it to the student. The assaulted student was then escorted away from the scene.

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The victim filed a police complaint, and an FIR was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. These include charges related to hurting religious sentiments, causing harm, criminal intimidation, and involvement in a group attack. An investigation into the incident has now commenced.

Shocking! A Sikh student thrashed while his turban was removed at #GuruTegBahadurKhalsaCollege in #Delhi. He was going to file nominations for the student elections. He alleged that some outsiders disrupted the election nomination process. An FIR has been registered with pic.twitter.com/Ua6l8tZEGh Advertisement September 23, 2024

Dispute Over College Election Participation

The clash occurred following a letter from Khalsa College Principal Gurmohinder Singh to Delhi Universitys administration, stating the college would not participate in the DUSU elections. Instead, student leaders would be selected by the Staff Advisory Committee, a decision influenced by the DSGMC, which manages four Delhi University colleges, including Khalsa College. This move sparked widespread protests from students.

Student Protests

Both ABVP and NSUI student groups assembled outside the college to protest the decision to withdraw from the DUSU elections. The ABVP has also filed a petition in a Delhi court, challenging the DSGMCs decision to disassociate its colleges from the DUSU polls. The situation remains tense as students continue to oppose the DSGMCs directive.

(For more news apart from Delhi Khalsa College Clash With Sikh Student Leader Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Nicolae Titulescu and the Romanian diplomacy in Europe in the 1930s

Nicolae Titulescu and the Romanian diplomacy in Europe in the 1930s

Steliu Lambru, 23.09.2024, 14:00

The diplomacies of countries that gravitate around the powerful ones, always have the mission of being one step ahead of events. They must decipher trends and intentions, if possible even before they occur. Diplomacies of the satellite countries are present in the capital cities and in all the places where important decisions are made. Some of them, even reach privileged positions. That was also the case of the Romanian diplomacy in the interwar period, under the leadership of Nicolae Titulescu (1882-1941).

The end of WWI had left behind a tense context and complicated European relations, marked by resentment. The defeated countries from the bloc of Central Powers led by Germany did not come to terms with the provisions of the peace treaties generically called the Versailles system. That would have meant legalizing their territorial losses and paying war damages. The emergence of the League of Nations in 1919, that would later be todays UN, was an attempt to bring representatives of all nations together, at one table, and discuss de-escalation. Romania was a defender of the Versailles System and the League of Nations, through which the status quo would be maintained. One of the most active diplomats for that was Nicolae Titulescu.

A lawyer by training, Titulescu was born in Craiova, in southern Romania. He was part of the Conservative Party and a supporter of Romanias entry into WWI alongside France. After the war, he was minister plenipotentiary in Britain, and between 1928-1936 he served as foreign minister in several governments. As of 1921, he was Romanias permanent delegate at the League of Nations, being elected twice, in 1930 and 1931, as its president.

Iosif Igirosianu was a diplomat discovered by Nicolae Titulescu. In 1997, the Radio Romania Oral History Center interviewed Igirosianu, who explained why Romania enjoyed a privileged position at the League of Nations and the role Nicolae Titulescu played in obtaining it: Romania was the only country in the world that had a legation with the League of Nations. That was accepted by the Swiss government to please Titulescu. Titulescu had done many things for the Swiss, he organized most of the gatherings and conferences in Switzerland because he was interested in them as well. And then, of course, all these things were of interest to the Swiss because he suddenly put Geneva in an extraordinary light.

Thus, in the structure of Romanian diplomacy, the representative in Geneva, with the League of nations, became even more relevant than the minister in Bern. Titulescu was regarded as a negotiator with important countries, while the one in Bern was considered only an official with ties to the country by which he was sent. Titulescu was the one expected to make friends from among the most important politicians and the most influential diplomats and to create connections that would benefit Romania.

Titulescu himself was more than a permanent representative of Romania in Geneva. At one point, he was requested to mediate a reconciliation between the French and British governments. A friend of the French Prime Minister Pierre Laval, he was considered a very nice man, with a lot of distinction and a lot of tact.

The dispute between the French and British governments emerged over how Germany should be treated. France and Britain had generally gone hand in hand on security guarantees in Europe after WWI. The two had forced the signing of the Treaty of Locarno in 1925 which guaranteed Frances eastern borders. But at the beginning of the 1930s, Britain had proposed France a taming of the policy towards Germany, a proposal that France did not take kindly to due to the fear of the revival of German militarism. British suspicions went further, to the idea that France was trying to dominate Europe more than Germany was capable of. In that context, Titulescu was asked to come in. His role is explained by Iosif Igirosianu: The high profile diplomats, out of vanity, did not want to request meetings with the other side. Contacts were not being made through ministries, they were made through the heads of governments or major political figures. So they needed Titulescu. He had been a minister in England for a long time, he had many friends, and then the French did not want to ask the English to meet, and the English did not want to ask the French to meet. They wanted everything to be arranged through a third person who would probe the mentalities, the attitudes, and discuss with every party.

In 1936, Titulescu was removed from public office in Romania because of he was against fascism and went into exile to Switzerland and then to France. He died in Cannes in 1941, disappointed by the course that history had taken.
Guidelines for postal voting

The foreign ministry made public the guidelines for postal voting for the presidential and parliamentary elections due this year.

A polling Station in Romania

Daniela Budu, 23.09.2024, 13:50

The Romanian foreign ministry posted on its home page the guidelines for postal voting in this years presidential and parliamentary elections.

Under the document, the deadline for Romanian living abroad to register as voters by mail is October 10 for the presidential ballot and October 17 for the general elections. The ministry reminds citizens that postal voting is an alternative to voting in polling stations, and is conducted via postal services.

According to the foreign ministry, all Romanian eligible voters living abroad may vote by mail if they have registered for this option in the Electoral Register (at www.votstrainatate.ro). Registration may be done via an online form on that website, the authorities explained. All the necessary information may also be found on the foreign ministrys home page, under the sections Elections for the President of Romania and Elections for the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, respectively.

So far, around 4,300 applications have been received for postal voting in the presidential election, and some 4,000 for the parliamentary election.

As for voting in polling stations abroad, little over 6,000 voters have registered for each of the 2 rounds of the presidential election.

According to the president of the Permanent Electoral Authority, Toni Grebla, approx. 900 polling stations will be set up outside Romania, where around 5 million ballots will be printed. The fact that a Romanian citizen with a temporary or permanent address abroad has not registered for voting in a particular polling station does not prevent them from voting anywhere they might be on election day, he also explained.

Moreover, for the presidential ballot the Romanian nationals who are on holiday or transiting a foreign country may vote in any polling station.

The final list of polling stations abroad for the presidential election will be made public on the websites of Romanian embassies and of the foreign ministry on September 28.

The voting process abroad in the first round of the presidential ballot will be open for 3 days, between November 22nd and 24th, while in the second round polling stations outside the country will be open between December 6th and 8th.

As for the parliamentary election, Romanian nationals living abroad will be able to cast their ballots on November 30th and December 1st.

According to the Permanent Electoral Authority, the total number of eligible voters in the Electoral Register is close to 19 million, approx. 960,000 of whom have temporary or permanent residence outside the country. (AMP)
The Dutch returned to growth territory on the back of strong exports, as initially estimated in the second quarter, the latest data from the Central Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday.

Gross domestic product rose 1.0 percent sequentially in the June quarter, reversing a 0.3 percent fall in the first quarter. That was in line with the flash data published on August 14.

The rebound was largely attributed to a 2.1 percent growth in exports of goods, especially in the industry. Investments and government consumption also contributed positively to growth.

Considering other demand components, government consumption grew by 1.2 percent, while household consumption declined by 1.0 percent. Investments rose 0.6 percent, which was more evident in the transport, housing, and machinery segments.

On an annual basis, GDP recovered 0.8 percent in the second quarter after falling 0.6 percent in the first quarter, as estimated.

Gain the edge with RTTNews Economic Calendar. Updated in real-time, explore RTTNews Economic Calendar today

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Oil prices rose on Monday to extend last week's rally as the Israel-Hezbollah conflict appeared to escalate.

Benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.3 percent to $73.90 a barrel while WTI crude futures were up 0.3 percent at $71.23.

Both contracts rallied around 4 percent last week on hopes that lower borrowing costs would support global economic growth and demand.

Concerns over a wider conflict in the Middle East have prompted international airlines to suspend flights to the region.

Israel's military pounded targets in south and east Lebanon today and said more strikes were coming.

A military spokesman has warned of "extensive, precise" strikes against Hezbollah and called for civilians to evacuate or move away from areas in which the militant group operates.

Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets early Sunday across a wider and deeper area of northern Israel after the country allegedly detonated several electronic devices used by the Lebanese group.

The escalating cross-border violence threatens to erupt into a full-blown war as U.S. President Joe Biden and U.N. officials call for restraint.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Pharmaceutical company SciSparc Ltd. (SPRC) announced Monday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that its investigational new drug (IND) application for its first in class drug candidate SCI-110 study may proceed with its Phase IIb clinical trials in the U.S. in adults patients with Tourette Syndrome (TS).

SciSparc has taken a major step forward with its proprietary SCI-110 for the treatment of TS with its submission of an IND application to the FDA for its phase IIb clinical trial.

The phase IIb clinical trial will be conducted at three global leading centers of excellence: the Yale Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut, United States, the Hannover Medical School in Hannover, Germany, and at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in Israel.

The Company has already secured the Institutional Review Board approvals from all three clinical sites, as well as approval from all related federal administrations.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
US embassies and consulates, along with American citizens traveling and living abroad, now have a powerful tool to protect against polluted air, thanks to a collaboration between NASA and the U.S. State Department.

Since 2020, ZephAir has provided real-time air quality data for about 75 U.S. diplomatic posts around the world. Currently, it provides three-day air quality forecasts for PM2.5, a type of fine particulate matter, for all the approximately 270 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

These tiny particles, much smaller than a grain of sand, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

The forecasts, created using NASA satellite data, computer models, and machine learning, are crucial for U.S. embassies and consulates, where approximately 60,000 U.S. citizens and local staff work. Many of these sites are in regions with few local air quality monitors or early warning systems for air pollution.

Previously, ZephAir only delivered data on current PM2.5 levels using air quality monitors on the ground from about 75 U.S. diplomatic locations and about 50 additional sources. Now, the enhanced tool provides PM2.5 forecasts for all sites, using the Goddard Earth Observing System forward processing (GEOS-FP), a weather and climate computer model. It incorporates data on tiny particles or droplets suspended in Earth's atmosphere called aerosols from MODIS on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites.

Aerosols are tiny airborne particles that come from both natural sources, like dust, volcanic ash, and sea spray, and from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels. PM2.5 refers to particles or droplets that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter  about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

NASA said that the Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team aims to expand ZephAir's capabilities to include ground-level ozone data, another major pollutant that can affect the of embassy staff and local communities.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
"Women in Internationalisation" book cover

By: The Division of Communications & Advancement

Continuing to celebrate its 120-year legacy, Rhodes University illustrated its deep commitment to internationalisation and gender equity by sponsoring a unique publication. "Women in Internationalisation" was produced by HERS-SA in association with Rhodes University, which generously sponsored its layout.

Orla Quinlan, Director of Global Engagement at Rhodes University, states, "There was a synchronicity in celebrating 120 years of Rhodes University, 30 years of democracy, Womens Month, and our interest in and commitment to international education, which converged in this publication." It celebrates women's contributions to international education within South Africa's higher education landscape. Edited by Quinlan, the book is a powerful platform for the stories, experiences, and wisdom of women who have played crucial roles in advancing internationalisation within South African universities. In this work, Quinlan masterfully brings together the voices of women from diverse backgrounds, generations, and disciplines, each contributing their unique perspectives to the broader narrative of gender equity and global engagement.

Quinlans leadership and vision are deeply intertwined with the book's goals. Her background as a key figure in international education in South Africa, coupled with her two-year tenure as President of the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) and her continuing service on its Council, gives her a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities women face in this field. Her work on this publication is a natural extension of her broader commitment to promoting gender equity and fostering global engagement at Rhodes University and beyond.

Rhodes Universitys support of this project is a testament to its commitment to these ideals, mainly when the university and the country reflect on thirty years of democracy. "As we commemorate thirty years of democracy in South Africa, gender disparity persists in the workplace, and the higher education sector is not exempt from this issue," Quinlan observes in the introduction. Indeed, while South Africa has made significant strides in terms of gender equality, the reality is that women, especially in higher education, continue to face discrimination, exclusion, and other forms of gender-based violence. Therefore, this publication is essential to the academic and social discourses around these issues.

The publication features the stories of 26 women, each offering a unique insight into their career in international education. These women, from senior academics to administrators, share candid reflections on their journeys. Many attribute their successes to the mentorship and support from other women, a recurring theme throughout the book. They also speak of the challenges they have facedboth personal and professionaland how these have shaped their careers.

For instance, Tohiera Bagus, a Manager at the International Education Association of South Africa, highlights the power of perseverance and self-confidence, noting, "The most valuable piece of advice Ive received from another woman was to 'be comfortable in your own skin.'" She explains that this advice has helped her navigate the often-challenging landscape of international education. Bagus also reflects on the importance of gratitude and collaboration, stating, "My engagement in international education has enriched both my personal and professional life. Exposure to diverse perspectives has broadened my worldview and shaped my evolution as a leader."

Similarly, Tracy Beckett, Manager at the International Relations Office of the University of the Western Cape, underscores the value of global connections, stating that she thrives on helping others navigate the complexities of international programs. "Witnessing first hand how these collaborations open doors to new cultures, ideas, and ways of thinking deeply motivates me," Beckett explains. Her work is a testament to how internationalisation in higher education creates pathways for personal and professional growth, fostering a deeper understanding of global citizenship.

The women featured in the publication are diverse regarding their professional roles, personal philosophies, and leadership styles. Anisa Khan, Director of Academic Services at the University of Johannesburg, offers a particularly reflective and personal narrative. She describes her journey into international education as "a series of saviour moments," highlighting how her entry into the fieldfollowing the tragic death of her husbandoffered her new hope and opportunities she had never imagined. "My first job in this space was a 'marriage of convenience,' but ultimately, it became a lifeline," Khan shares, illustrating how international education can open doors to new possibilities, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Another standout narrative is from Nolusindiso Kayi, Senior Manager of Strategic Projects at the South African Qualifications Authority. Kayi emphasises the importance of trust and empowerment in leadership, stating, "If people know you believe in them, they will work hard to 'pay back' that trust." Kayis work advancing regional qualifications frameworks speaks to the transformative potential of international collaboration, particularly in promoting skills mobility across Africa. Her story is one of dedication, resilience, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning.

Orla Quinlans reflections in the book provide a broader context for the importance of such initiatives. She notes that despite the progress made in gender equity within South Africas higher education system, "gender-based violence remains the dominant gender discourse in higher education." This is a sobering reminder that while initiatives like this publication are critical for showcasing womens achievements, much work still needs to be done to create safe, supportive, and equitable environments for women in academia and beyond.

Quinlan also speaks to the structural barriers that women face in the workplace, highlighting issues such as unequal pay, sexual harassment, and the silencing of womens voices in collective spaces. "How many ideas proposed by women in meetings are ignored until a man repeats them?" she asks, drawing attention to the subtle but pervasive forms of discrimination that many women continue to encounter in their professional lives.

What makes "Women in Internationalisation" particularly significant is its celebration of individual achievements and its collective call for solidarity among women in higher education. As many featured women note, lifting each other and creating supportive networks is vital to overcoming the existing challenges.

For Rhodes University, this book is more than just a celebration of Womens Month or an academic projectit is a statement of the universitys commitment to gender equity, internationalisation, and the transformative power of education. At a national level, the institution was one of the sponsors of the 26th International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA). Rhodes University has also been active globally, recently embarking on its first international student recruitment campaign in collaboration with Study International. Additionally, Quinlan announced the institutions participation in the European Association of International Education (EAIE) in Toulouse, France, promoting South Africa as a study destination of choice, while celebrating 120 years of educational excellence, alongside thirteen other South African universities.

Quinlan writes in her editorial, "This publication is my gift to some of the women I work closely with in international education." It is also a gift to future generations of women. It offers inspiration, guidance, and a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, collaboration, and self-belief in the journey toward gender equity. Through this initiative, Rhodes University has elevated women's voices and contributed to a broader global dialogue about the role of international education in fostering a more just and equitable society.
[L-R]: Ms Orla Quinlan (Director, Global Engagement /International Office), Ms Asiphe Mxalisa (Lecturer, Centre for Postgraduate Studies), Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi (DVC: Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships) & Prof Sybert Mutereko (Director, Centre for Postgraduate Studies).

By Andrea Lucinda Cole

The Rhodes University Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) held an invaluable two-day conference titled Building Bridges: Unleashing the Potential of Scholarship on September 13th and 14th. Hosted across various Barratt Lecture Hall venues, the event provided postgraduate students a platform to present and showcase their research abstracts  from Honours to Postdoctoral. The event also hosted the prestigious 3 Minute Thesis competition (3MT), where the top ten finalists competed for prizes, and the five most outstanding presenters were awarded for their concise and impactful research summaries.

The postgraduate conference has been a longstanding annual event since 2017. Opening the conference, Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships, stated, The annual postgraduate conference has become a flagship event in the postgraduate calendar because it helps us to strengthen and to give meaning to our intention of being a postgraduate centric university.

This years theme, Building Bridges, drew inspiration from the South African national elections held in May. In light of the recent general election, which resulted in no clear winner and the subsequent formation of unity governments at both national and provincial levels, the postgraduate liaison committee chose a theme that emphasises the importance of building bridges, not only across political divides but also in various social and economic spheres where such unity is crucial, said Professor Sybert Mutereko, the Director of the Centre for Postgraduate Studies.

He further states, Academically, the theme underscores the need for collaboration across departments and faculties, fostering well-rounded researchers capable of addressing complex, global challenges. Dr Mzilikazi emphasised the sentiment: Rhodes University is trying to curate opportunities so that we can say that our way of doing research is the collaborative way.

Dr. Boudina McConnachie, an Ethnomusicologist and Head of the Department of Music and Musicology at Rhodes University, delivered the keynote address. She emphasised the need to change how we approach research. Traditionally, relationships between researchers and communities have been defined by a top-down approach, where communities are viewed as subjects and are studied rather than [viewed as] active partners of the research process, she says. With a specific focus on science researchers, she reflected on how awareness and understanding of communities during fieldwork can be enhanced. Thus, she emphasised the importance of community-engaged research practices.

She continued to impart knowledge on the lessons she learnt throughout her research endeavours. Transgressive learning involves moving beyond and questioning research boundaries. The goal is to empower communities and remember the significance of indigenous ways of knowing, creating, and existing in the world, she affirms. In concluding remarks, she reiterates that all disciplines should embrace breaking [research] rules.

The afternoon continued with a packed schedule as students from all six faculties presented insightful research across various fields. Each student had 15 minutes to present their study and five minutes to answer questions. Professor Mutereko underscored the importance of the event, Through this conference, we aim to provide our postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows with a platform to share their research and receive constructive feedback at various stages, from proposal to findings. After presenting, students received a certificate for participation.

Delight Chaka, a Masters student in Pharmacy, discussed the importance of CPGS events and noted that they have benefitted her postgraduate studies. An event like this allows us to practise and stretch ourselves to the limits we want to reach, she explains.

The conference was a space for imparting research wisdom and curated to offer students insight into the various resources Rhodes University provides. We invited all departments that work closely with the postgraduate student body to showcase information that will make the life of a postgrad easier, said Ms Siphokazi Mankayi, the Assistant to the Director of CPGS. The exhibitions on show were from the Health Care Centre, Postgraduate Funding, Global Engagement division, Rhodes University Community Engagement, and the Library, which contained information on research support, reference management software, and research data management.

Saturday kicked off bright and early with an opening speech from Professor Enocent Msindo, the Dean of the Humanities Faculty. He encouraged students to dream big, be consistent, stand up, and be counted. We will learn from a variety or diversity of disciplines. Take advantage of it to broaden our knowledge and perspective. Take all the offers that CPGS gives us and maximise them. he ended off.

A keynote address by Dr. Yusuf Motara, the Deputy Dean of Science, further developed the message introduced by Dr. McConnachie. Emphasising the theme again, he stated, Building internal bridges for yourself should be a focus. It is complementary to the thought my colleague Dr McConnachie posed yesterday. One has internal thoughts and collaborates externally. Furthermore, he discussed what makes excellent research. To aid students in building internal bridges, he shared common characteristics and behaviours with all great researchers: "Have a vision, copy a style, then read widely, learn everything, and observe reality.

After a day filled with presentations, the top ten students from the 3MT competition were announced. They were:

Munyaradzi Chiwundura

Stacey Kundiona

Lian May

Tressia Chikodza

Bridgette McMillan

Mmaphefo Thwala

Verona Davids

Abongile Gotyana

Anele Makhanjana Sibanda

Emma Wasonga

I have always been curious about the 3MT, but I never had the confidence, Lian said enthusiastically. But I challenged myself to do it, and when I submitted the video, I was not happy with it, but I went with it because I thought it was now or never. And to my surprise, I made the top 10.

The students had to compete for a spot in the top three to get prizes. After deliberation, the judges, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda, Dr C Simuja, and Ms Sisonke Mawonga, announced the top five.

This year was the first time a social media award was given to students with the most engagement through their posts of their 3MT entry. In fifth place was Delight Chaka, with 328 likes and 167 comments. In fourth place, discounting her second-place ranking in the actual competition after the judges deliberated, was Verona Davids, with 485 likes and 64 comments.

The top three finalists (for the actual competition) were:

1st: Stacey Kundiona (Masters in Pharmacy)

2nd: Verona Davids (Masters in Education)

3rd: Lian May (Masters in Political and International Studies)

The conference ended with a cocktail party celebrating the postgraduate communitys achievements. Professor Mutereko concluded, This conference reinforces our status as a research-intensive university with a solid postgraduate trajectory and a thriving research culture.
Two Decades, Eight Models: Hyundais Steady Export to South Africa

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) celebrates two decades of continuous exports to South Africa. A jourey that began in 2004. The recent addition to this export roster is Hyundai Exter. A small car that has joined the ranks of other popular models sent to South Africa. Now the eighth model to be exported to the region.

Thelineup of models sent to South Africa include Grand i10 NIOS, Aura, i20, i20 N Line, Venue, Venue N Line, and Alcazar. The initial export batch of the Exter includes 996 units, contributing to Hyundais continued efforts to expand its presence in this market. Marking a strong start for this model in South Africa, export expansion succeeds on the back of cars tailored for global markets.

Tamil Nadu Plant Powers Global Markets

Hyundai Exter, like other exported Hyundai vehicles, is manufactured at HMILs factory in Tamil Nadu. This facility plays a crucial role in Hyundais export operations, enabling the company to meet global demand.

In the Indian market, Hyundai Exter has surpassed 1 lakh sales within a year of its launch. Exter is available in multiple variants, including a Hy-CNG (dual-cylinder CNG) option. And the recently introduced Knight Edition. Variants cater to evolving consumer demand, offering fuel-efficient alternatives alongside unique design elements in the Knight Edition.

Hyundai is Strengthening Its Market Share in South Africa with Exter

With 20 years of export experience, Hyundai continues its strategy of tailoring models to different global markets. Exters inclusion in the South African portfolio reinforces HMILs long-term commitment to expanding its reach and meeting global customer demend.

South Africa remains a key market for HMIL. The success of Hyundai models in South Africa has helped HMIL expand its footprint in this region. By exporting the Exter, Hyundai aims to strengthen its market share. Exters competitive pricing, combined with advanced features helps position it as an attractive option.

From India to the World: Hyundai Exter Set to Succeed in South Africa

Hyundais export growth reflects a broader vision of strengthening its global footprint. Supported by efficient production and strategic market penetration. South Africa is an important market for the company, further highlighted by the introduction of the Exter. Hyundai Motor Indias export strategy reflects a long-term vision to cater to diverse markets worldwide. By offering a variety of models and configurations, Hyundai ensures that it meets the expectations of different consumer segments in both India and international markets.

Jae Wan Ryu, Function Head  Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, South Africa has always been an important export market for HMIL, as most of the models that are manufactured at HMILs factory in Tamil Nadu are exported to South Africa. Also, 2024 is a milestone year for HMIL as it marks 20 years of exporting worldclass products to South Africa. Made in India, Made for the World is a testament to HMILs manufacturing prowess as it is evident that our products are not only loved by the Indian audience, but garner appreciation from customers the world over. I am confident that the Hyundai EXTER would be highly appreciated in South Africa, replicating its success story and tremendous popularity in India.
On an average, Ola Electric receives around 80,000 complaints per month which can sometimes go up to 6,000-7,000 per day

Ola Electric, the Bengaluru based electric scooter manufacturer has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Sales have been dwindling while customer complaints mount to new heights each month. Customers have taken to social media vent their ire in terms of delayed service response with repair wait times ranging from 30 to 45 days.

Ola Electric Customer Dissatisfaction

One such customer also set the companys showroom on fire in Kalaburagi city in Karnataka. The customer cited dire lack of support for his recently purchased e-scooter and lower response from the service team. This incident however, caused Rs 8,50,000 worth of damages while luckily no one was hurt during the fire.

A new report reveals, Ola Electric that offers the S1 e-scooter in three variants- S1X (2kWh), S1X and S1X Plus, receives around 80,000 customer complaints per month. It can also go up to 6,000-7,000 per day. In a bid to tackle these grievances, the company has set up a new team with special focus on after sales service operations. This new team consists of employees from other departments such as production and operations.

Ola Electric has sold 6,80,000 electric scooters since its inception. It currently operates via 430 service stations across India. However, with complaints pouring in, the waiting period for repairs stretches to 30-45 days while a lack of customer support has related to much discontentment among customers.

One particular customer had his e-scooter stuck at a service center for 2-3 months. He cited issues such as the stand sensor problem that took 3 months to resolve. Other issues such as battery failure, range reduction and wheel jamming were also a part of these complaints. The Delhi service center at Najafgarh Road has been labelled the graveyard of scooters. The center is grossly understaffed with only 4 service personnel tackling repairs as against a need for a strength of 10 service teams.

Ola Electric Lower Sales

Along with growing customer complaints, the company has also reported lower sales in Aug 2024. Its S1 series recorded lowest monthly sales volumes, falling 34% in July 2024 to 27,506 units. Market share of the company also declined to 31% from an earlier 39% share in the electric two wheeler segment. On the other hand, competitors such as Bajaj Auto with the Chetak e-scooter (20% share) and TVS Motor with the iQube (19% share) have cited increased demand.

Despite falling sales and customer complaints, Ola Electric is going full steam ahead in its future endeavours. The company announced its first electric motorcycles the Roadster, offered in Roadster Pro, Roadster, and Roadster X variants. Deliveries are set to commence from next year.

Ola Electric also plans to diversify into the 3 wheeler segment as a test mule of their electric three wheeler rickshaw was spied in Bengaluru for the first time. This e3W will be offered in electric auto rickshaw and electric 3W cargo vehicle and is likely to be called Ola Raahi. Ola Electric also introduced India 4680 Bharat battery cell which promises faster charging and more energy storage. This cell is currently under trial production at Olas Gigafactory.

Source
The new Rs 84,869 (Ex-sh) base price quoted for TVS Raider 125 is for the drum brake variant

Ever since its launch, TVS Raider 125 has been one of the best-selling motorcycle offerings from TVS Motor. There have been a couple of updates in the form of feature additions along the years to keep the product fresh. Fast forwarding to September 2024, TVS has slashed the entry price of Raider 125 ahead of the festive season. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Yashraj for sharing this update.

TVS Raider Entry Price Slashed by Rs 10k

Ahead of the festive season, TVS Motor is offering excitement among the 125cc commuter motorcycle buyers. The company has revised pricing of Raider 125 and is now offering at a much lower starting price point. How much lower, one might ask. Raider 125 starts now around Rs 10K lower than before.

Now starting at an attractive price point of Rs 84,869 (Ex-sh), which is over Rs 10K less than the Rs 95,219 (Ex-sh) starting price before this development. With an asterisk, TVS Motor is claiming that customers can avail up to Rs 13,000 of savings with an exciting ROI (Rate Of Interest) of 5.55%.

It has to be noted that base Rs 84,869 (Ex-sh) is for drum brake variant and top-spec SX trim with all the bells and whistles goes till Rs 1,04,330 (Ex-sh). Other than these revised prices, there are no changes to the actual motorcycle. TVS Raider 125 continues to be offered in Drum, Single-Seat, Split Seat, SSE (Super Squad Edition) and SX variants.

Depending on variant, colour options include Striking Red, Wicked Black, Fiery Yellow, Blazing Blue, Iron Man, Black Panther and Forza Blue. Powertrain is the same 125cc 3V single cylinder oil-cooled unit with 11.13 bhp of peak power and 11.2 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox.

TVS Raider Sales Decline Last 3 Months  YoY

When it was new, TVS Raider 125 was the most feature-loaded 125cc offering in India. Along the way, sales have been taking a hit recently, with July 2024 witnessing lowest sales of 24,547 units in the last 12 months. August 2024 was a slight improvement. At 26,923 units sold, it was no match to what Raider used to sell before.

As seen in the table below, TVS Raider saw the highest sales performance in April 2024 at 51,098 units. In the past three months, June 2024, July 2024 and August 2024, TVS Raider sales are declining with 13%, 33.48% and 36.46% YoY decline, losing 4,459, 12,353 and 15,452 units in volume respectively. The revised pricing should boost sales in the months ahead.

Also read  Updated TVS Apache RR 310 launched
Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemns Zionist escalation in Lebanon & warns of comprehensive regional war

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[Mon, 23 Sep 2024 23:23:44 +0300]Cairo - Saba: The Arab Republic of Egypt condemned the dangerous Zionist escalation in Lebanon and the extensive military operations that led to the death and injury of hundreds of Lebanese, including women and children.In a statement on Monday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed its sincere solidarity with Lebanon and its brotherly people, and its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured. It affirmed its total rejection of any violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territory.Egypt has previously warned of the dangers of continued Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and the danger of its expansion, which threatens to slide the region into a full-scale regional war, according to the Middle East News Agency.The statement stated that while Egypt continues its efforts to cease fire in Gaza and contain the dangers resulting from the war there, it calls in this context on international powers and the United Nations Security Council to intervene immediately to stop the Zionist escalation in the region, which threatens the fate of its peoples and the prospect of peace.Egypt also called for a peaceful settlement of the crisis, an immediate de-escalation, the start of the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 without selectivity, and the opportunity for diplomatic solutions, especially since military escalation will only exacerbate the crisis.
According to the national nonprofit Mental Health America

second leading cause of death

statistically at higher risk

120% higher risk

LGBTQ youth also are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.

Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center

Ozone House Youth & Family Services

bills

in other states

Ruth Ellis Center

often face harassment, abuse, and violence in school settings

MDE also reports

A 2024 survey

as much as 43 percent

GSAs
Doug Coombe Dallas and Dayton Palmer play on a trampoline in their backyard.

Madiha Tariq Madiha Tariq.

Ahmad Taylor Ahmad Taylor.

Kirsten Elliott Kirsten Elliott.

Chris LaGrand Chris LaGrand.

Dee Dee Ohara Blizard Dee Dee Ohara Blizard.

Clay Cooper Clay Cooper.

Doug Coombe Dallas, Jamillyah, and Dayton Palmer in their new home in Pontiac.
Rightmove on Monday said it would respond to a third offer from Rupert Murdochs REA Group for the UK housing portal valuing it at 6.1bn, "in due course".

REAs offer is worth 770p per Rightmove share, made up of 341p in cash and 0.0422 new REA shares. The first approach on 5 September of 705p per share, or 5.6bn, was rejected by Rightmove which said it fundamentally undervalued the company. On Friday the offer was sweetened by 300m.

Owen Wilson, chief executive of the Australian digital property business, said he was genuinely disappointed at the lack of engagement by Rightmoves board.

In response, Rightmove chair Andrew Fisher said its board was " confident in the company's short and long term prospects, and sees a long runway for continued shareholder value creation".

"Based on the implied value and structure of REA's first and second indicative non-binding proposals, we considered these proposals to be uncertain, highly opportunistic and unattractive. Accordingly, the Board unanimously rejected them.

"The board will continue to act on behalf of our shareholders and respond to the most recent proposal in due course."

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
India and the United States have announced plans to set up a new semiconductor fabrication plant, named Shakti, which aims to become one of the worlds first multi-material fabs dedicated to national security.

In a joint statement, US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed this groundbreaking arrangement, highlighting its focus on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics critical for national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications. The fabrication facility will be developed in partnership with Bharat Semiconductors, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force.

The proposed plant is likely to be located in Uttar Pradesh and will concentrate on three essential areas for modern warfare: advanced sensing, communication, and high-voltage power electronics. It will manufacture infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors, bolstered by support from the India Semiconductor Mission and a strategic technology partnership involving the aforementioned companies and the US Space Force.

During their recent meeting, Biden and Modi also commended ongoing efforts to create resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains. This includes GlobalFoundries (GF) establishment of the GF Kolkata Power Center, which aims to enhance collaborative research and development in chip manufacturing and foster advancements in zero and low-emission vehicles, Internet of Things devices, artificial intelligence, and data centers.

Both leaders noted GFs plans to explore long-term, cross-border manufacturing and technology partnerships with India, promising high-quality job creation in both nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a roundtable discussion in New York with the CEOs of leading American technology companies, where he highlighted Indias advancements in technology and innovation. The event, organized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), focused on cutting-edge developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, and Semiconductor technologies.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi described the meeting as 'fruitful', noting the optimism expressed by the CEOs toward Indias growth. He emphasized Indias growing role in the global tech landscape, driven by initiatives like the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET). The Prime Minister stressed that India is on the path to becoming the worlds third-largest economy in his third term and invited companies to co-develop, co-design, and co-produce technologies in India for global markets.

During the roundtable, discussions centered on how technological innovations are transforming economies and human development, with a particular focus on the well-being of people worldwide, including India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the dialogue touched upon Indias growing prominence as a technology hub, enabled by innovation-friendly policies and market opportunities.

Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the pivotal role of the MIT School of Engineering in organizing the roundtable and thanked its Dean for facilitating the interaction. He reiterated Indias commitment to fostering technology collaboration and emphasized the countrys policies designed to protect intellectual property, encourage innovation, and promote AI with a focus on ethical and responsible use. He also detailed the countrys BIO E3 policy aimed at making India a biotech powerhouse and reiterated the governments mission to establish India as a global semiconductor manufacturing hub.

semiconductor production, biotech, and green technologies. The CEOs expressed a strong interest in investing and collaborating with Indian startups, viewing this as an opportunity for synergistic innovation. Prime Minister Modi assured the leaders of India's continued efforts to support technology development and encouraged them to participate in Indias rapidly growing technology ecosystem. He highlighted the ongoing economic transformation within India, particularly in electronics,, biotech, and green technologies.

Among the prominent attendees were Sundar Pichai (Google), Arvind Krishna (IBM), Julie Sweet (Accenture), Shantanu Narayen (Adobe), Lisa Su (AMD), Chris Viehbacher (Biogen Inc), Chris Boerner (Bristol Myers Squibb), David A. Ricks (Eli Lilly and Company), Enrique Lores (HP Inc.), Tim Archer (LAM Research), Noubar Afeyan (Moderna), Hans Vestberg (Verizon), Thomas Caulfield (Global Foundries), Jensen Huang (NVIDIA), and Martin Schroeter (Kyndryl).

The roundtable underscored the deepening India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, with technology serving as a key driver of future collaboration.
During a recent CEOs roundtable with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet and Google, expressed strong admiration for the Prime Ministers vision of utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle pressing societal issues in India. Pichai emphasized that Google is not only significantly investing in AI initiatives within the country but is also eager to inject further capital into Indias burgeoning tech landscape.

Reflecting on the Prime Ministers ambitious 'Digital India' vision, Pichai stated, PM Modi has pushed us to continue making in India and designing in India. We are proud to now manufacture our Pixel phones in India. He highlighted Modis proactive approach to transforming India through technology, noting, He is really thinking about how AI can transform the country in a way that benefits the people.

Pichai elaborated on Modis challenge to tech leaders to develop AI applications across various sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy. He remarked, We are robustly investing in AI in India and we look forward to doing more. We have set several programs in partnership with MeitY, the agriculture and health ministries, and the central and state governments.

The Google CEO acknowledged Modi's ongoing encouragement for the tech community to enhance their contributions to Indias growth. PM Modi has always challenged all of us to do more for India. Now, he's asking us to do the same with AI. He has a clear vision, both in terms of the opportunities that AI will create and how the technology will benefit the people, Pichai noted.

CEOs from various sectors, Modi shared his optimism on social media, stating he was glad to see immense optimism towards India. This meeting with top technology and biosciences leaders followed Modis address to the Indian diaspora, where he outlined his aspirations for India to emerge as a technology powerhouse. After engaging with 15, Modi shared his optimism on social media, stating he was glad to see immense optimism towards India.

Additionally, Pichai announced the launch of a $120 million Global AI Opportunity Fund aimed at making AI education and training accessible in communities worldwide.

Speaking at the 'UN Summit of the Future', Pichai reflected on his upbringing in Chennai and the transformative impact of technology on his life. He recalled limited access to computers during his childhood, saying, When I came to graduate school in the US, there were labs full of machines I could use anytime. Access to computing inspired me to pursue a career where I could bring technology to more people.

With PM Modi's vision as a guiding force, Pichai envisions a future where AI plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for millions in India.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Well wishers gathered aboard the Cornucopia Destiny for a harbor cruise and a unique gala titled Lighting Our Way with Royalty hosted by Linda Dianto, the executive director of the National Lighthouse Museum.

The 2017 Advance Woman of Achievement was joined by board of directors and friends for a dinner cruise around New York Harbor to celebrate 10 years since the opening of the not-for-profit museum and remember community leaders and friends who helped brighten the path.

Community leaders were lauded, like Robert Patches Elsele with the Wind in Our Sails award, the family of Kate Walker with the Light Keepers Award, Halina McCormick with the Maritime Conservation Award, Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks and the St. George Theatre with the Community Lamplighter Award.

Princess Anne, the honorary chair of the museums campaign to Illuminate Future Generations, was at the Summer Olympics in France. But she nonetheless delivered well wishes to the museum on its 10th anniversary.

Clockwise from the left, Doreen Cugno, Brian Laline, David Gaskin, Teresa Cirelli and Luanne Sorrentino. (Courtesy/Doreen Cugno)Staten Island Advance

As a result, King Charles sent from the British Consulate New York, the North American Trade Commissioner Niall Mackenzie.

Mackenzie represented Buckingham Palace and delivered a message from His Royal Highness noting that Dianto, along with the museum team, have accomplished feats recognized by the 2022 visit of Princess Anne and her pledge to return and see the museums expansion project to completion.

Barbara Pezzengrilli and Wade Goria. (Courtesy/Christine Curry)Staten Island Advance

From the left, Dr. Alejandra Marraccino and Dr. Frida Kleiman. (Courtesy/Robert Marraccino)Staten Island Advance

A LITTLE ABOUT THE NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM

Located on the former site of the United States Lighthouse Services (USLHS) General Depot in St. George, Staten Island, the National Lighthouse Museum educates visitors about the history and technology of the nations lighthouses.

From the left, Lillian Lagazzo, Joe Daly and Vincent Innocente. (Courtesy/Linda Dianto)Staten Island Advance

From the left, Dr. Lina Merlino and her niece, Dr. Phyllis Merlino. (Courtesy/Matthew Rusinak)Staten Island Advance

ABOUT THE LANDMARK

The National Lighthouse Museum on Staten Island is a reminder of how lighthouses played an important role in the security and well being of New York and the United States. The museum is located in one of the buildings of the former lighthouse depot complex that dates back to 1862. The organization also offers special events, lectures and occasional boat tours to nearby lighthouses.

From the left, Dean Curry and Karen Day and Linda Martin, visitors from Rhode Island. (Courtesy/Linda Dianto)Staten Island Advance

The complex includes the landmarked 1868-69 Office Administration Building. It is the only remaining Alfred B. Mullett designed building in New York City. Mullett was the supervising architect of the U.S. Treasury and designed the old New York General Post Office that once stood in City Hall Park.

Marine 9 sprays in front of the Statue of Liberty. (Courtesy/Matthew Rusinak)Staten Island Advance

The General Depot was the national headquarters, testing ground, and distribution center for all materials and equipment used by light keepers and USLHS personnel from 1864 to 1939. Once a lively and bustling site of 18 buildings, today only six remain.

From the left, Doreen Cugno, Linda Dianto and Luanne Sorrentino. (Courtesy/Doreen Cugno)Staten Island Advance

The museum occupies the 2,400 square foot 1912 USLHS foundry building. Visitors are welcome to enjoy self-guided tours of the museum exhibits including:\ Beacons Through Time, Supplying the Nations Light Stations: The General Depot, Optics: Projecting the Light, Life at the Light: Lighthouse Keepers, and more.

National Lighthouse Museum Board President Joe Ahlstrom and his wife, Carolyn. (Courtesy/Linda Dianto)Staten Island Advance

In addition to self-guided exhibits, there are monthly lectures, group tours by appointment, seasonal Lighthouse Boat Tours (May  October), and annual events such as the Lighthouse Weekend (August) and Lighthouse Point Fest (September).
A former volunteer fire chief from Bergen County has been charged with obstruction and hindering apprehension in a crash that killed a 15-year-old girl in Ridgewood earlier this year, authorities said.

Timothy C. Moots, 61, of Hasbrouck Heights, made misleading statements to police after his pickup struck Serenity Law, who was riding an electric scooter on April 14 in Ridgefield, according to the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y - Preliminary federal data indicates a significant decline in drug overdose deaths across the country, as stepped up efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis have become more widespread -- but local officials have said much work remains.

From April 2023 to April 2024, national overdose deaths fell by roughly 10% compared to the same time period a year earlier, according to preliminary CDC data.

Despite the drop, deaths still stood at more than 100,000 across the country over those 12 months.

Overdose deaths in U.S. spiked during pandemic

Preliminary data are early findings that may change with new information, showing initial trends until final data is confirmed.

Although the most recent data is still provisional, the sharp decline it indicates comes after a historic peak of 107,000 overdose deaths officially recorded nationwide in 2021.

Preliminary data suggest that the figure was even higher in 2022, with around 109,000 fatalities. Preliminary data for 2023 suggests that overdose deaths may be lower than the 2022 total, but exact figures are still being finalized.

New York States overdose deaths soared by 44% in 2020 and rose another 17% in 2022, underscoring a serious public health crisis.

The rise in overdose deaths was largely due to a spike in opioid fatalities, mainly from illicit fentanyl, according to the Office of New York State Comptroller.

The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard, CDC Director Robert Redfield said.

Overdose death rates surged across all racial and ethnic groups in the state in 2020, increasing nearly five-fold for Black New Yorkers, quadrupling for Hispanic or Latino New Yorkers, and tripling for white New Yorkers. That year, white New Yorkers experienced the highest death rate, recorded at 28.7 per 100,000, according to CDC data.

As part of the states initiative to reduce the harms associated with drug use, Governor Kathy Hochul announced in August 2022 that naloxone would be available in all New York pharmacies and can be dispensed without a prescription.

The opioid and overdose epidemic has impacted far too many New Yorkers, Governor Hochul said. Alongside harm reduction, preventive, and treatment support programs, the expanded availability of Narcan has saved lives throughout New York State, and over-the-counter accessibility will save even more. We will continue to focus State resources towards addressing the overdose epidemic effectively and compassionately.

Naloxone is an easy-to-use medication that can reverse life-threatening opioid overdoses, including those from fentanyl, heroin, and prescription painkillers.

Staten Island recorded the second highest overdose death rate in NYC

Someone dies of an overdose in New York City every three hours, according to the Citys Department of Health.

According to an article from the American Journal of Public Health, the authors stated: we posit that the crisis is fundamentally fueled by economic and social upheaval, its etiology closely linked to the role of opioids as a refuge from physical and psychological trauma, concentrated disadvantage, isolation, and hopelessness.

In 2022, New York City recorded 3,026 overdose deaths, the highest total since the Department of Health began tracking these incidents in 2000. As of now, the final data for drug overdose deaths in New York City for 2023 is not yet finalized.

That year, Staten Island recorded the second highest overdose death rate in New York City at 38 per 100,000, following the Bronx.

Members of the Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force advocate for National Fentanyl Awareness Day during a news conference on May 10, 2024, at the office of District Attorney Michael E. McMahon in St. George. Luke Nasta, president and CEO of Camelot Counseling, speaks at the podium. (Courtesy of the Richmond County District Attorney's Office)Courtesy of the Richmond County District Attorney's Office

In January of this year, the Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force called on Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislators in Albany to declare a state of emergency in response to the rising number of fatal overdoses on Staten Island and across New York State.

This is something that we are not doing enough about nationally, and yet, if you compare Staten Island even to the nation, we are under resourced, Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) Executive Director and task force member Dr. Brahim Ardolic told The Advance/SiLive.com.

The New York State HOPEline is available 24/7 and staffed by specially trained mental health professionals and peer advocates with lived experience in addiction. For help and hope, call 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369) or text HOPENY (467369) for toll-free and confidential support.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City homeowners gathered on the steps of City Hall last week pushing to use their property as they see fit.

Jeanne and Daniel Raleigh, residents of Llewellyn Place in West Brighton, joined the Sept. 17 protest calling for changes to a city statute that puts a host of restrictions on short-term rentals in the five boroughs.
While many polls and pundits say that the election results in a number of swing states will decide the presidency, one analyst says that the election will come down to just three states.

And it could mean that the election, and the presidency, might be decided earlier on Election Night than people think.

Writing in Politico, senior political columnist and politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin says the actual electoral map is three states: Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia.

And if former GOP President Donald Trump wins them all, he will return to the White House.

If Vice President Kamala Harris cant carry Pennsylvania, her only hope is on a Southern strategy, Martin says. Harris must win either Georgia or North Carolina. She has no other path to the White House. The election could well be determined when polls close in the eastern time zone. (Well, yes, after the ballots are all counted.)

He says that other battleground states are important as well, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona.

But if Democrat Harris loses Pennsylvania, which her aides acknowledge is a challenging state for her, then Martin says the veep will have to carry Michigan and Wisconsin and will have to pick off one of the two Southern states and one of the two Western states in order to become president.

Yet none of those other four battlegrounds are relevant if Trump first blocks her in Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina, Martin says.

Martin says that this is the most obvious route for the former president and a reminder of the advantage the Electoral College can confer on a Republican.

Martin also said that a narrow Pennsylvania loss for Harris could prove moot, though, if Harris is able to make inroads with perhaps the two most pivotal constituencies in the Southern states: Black men and moderate Republicans.
Television executives contort themselves explaining the reappearance of shows that went off the air. Reboot? Reimagining? Revival? Does it matter what the re word is, as long as the program works?

For a sitcom, that means staying funny. Frasier remains so in the second season of this version, which returned to Paramount+ on Thursday, September 19, with new episodes dropping weekly.

Toks Olagundoye, Kelsey Grammer and Nicholas Lyndhurst in Frasier: the haughty psychiatrist has barely lost a step. Credit: Paramount+

Forty years after first playing the pontificating psychiatrist on Cheers, Kelsey Grammer keeps him fresh. Partly thats because Grammer still gets a genuine kick out of the character, which is obvious when he and the cast gather on the Paramount lot at Soundstage 18 for the table read, a first run-through of the script.

We were standing on the stage at 31 last year, and I thought to myself, What does 31 mean numerologically? Grammer says beforehand. I looked it up and it meant new beginnings. I thought, Oh, well then this is a very auspicious stage for us. So, they kicked us out of there. Fantastic! I thought.
Warning: Graphic content

An urgent manhunt is under way for a killer who stabbed a gifted rugby league player on the main street of Marrickville, leaving him to die in front of horrified family members and diners.

The teammates of Sitaleki Filihiahekava, who wore the number 10 for Mascot Juniors, are among those mourning his death, while others lay flowers and left candles on Marrickville Road.

The man stabbed to death in Marrickville has been identified as Sitaleki Filihiahekava.

Chaos erupted on the bustling restaurant strip about 7.40pm on Monday when the 32-year-old was stabbed during a brief encounter with his attacker, who fled the scene.
A Brisbane man charged with a string of child abuse material crimes this week worked at a school, online records suggest.

Christopher Gerald Savage was arrested after electronic devices were seized from a property in Ipswich on August 20 by Australian Federal Police.

Online records showed a man with the same name had his teaching licence suspended one day after the raid.

The 36-year-old fronted Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday after three charges were laid.

The offences carry a maximum penalty of 45 years in jail.
Scott Morrison attracted international attention for a trophy in his prime ministerial office of a model asylum seekers fishing boat bearing testimony to his proudest achievement as immigration minister with the words: I stopped these. The boats still arrive in dribs and drabs these days, but asylum seekers now come by aircraft and each month, some 1000 are asking for sanctuary.

The number of people seeking asylum has hit a six-year high. A record 117,500 are awaiting a decision or deportation as huge backlogs and five-year wait times expose how Australias immigration system has become open to exploitation.

The system backlog has created an opportunity for people (including students) on temporary visas who run out of options to keep working in Australia by applying for asylum and entering the drawn-out appeal process. The latest Home Affairs data reveals 25,210 people applied for protection visas in the 2023-24 financial year, the highest number of applicants since 27,931 people in 2017-18.

Migration Institute of Australia chief executive Helen Duncan said without doubt people who probably did not have legitimate claims were using protection visas to extend their stays in Australia. Its not a situation we like to see because it means genuine refugees have their cases delayed because of huge backlogs and cases that have no merit, she said.
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Brisbane Lions gun Hugh McCluggage says his side learnt much from a review of last years narrow grand final loss to Collingwood, especially how to play the key moments in a game in which they gave the Magpies many goals.

McCluggage, who was among Brisbanes best in the four-point grand final defeat, also said the Lions entered this weekends grand final believing they could win from any position  and that whatever the situation, they would play bold and fearless football.

Hugh McCluggage embraces Dayne Zorko in the rooms after the Lions preliminary final win. Credit: AFL Photos

Yeah, we watched things wed like to improve, we took a lot from that, so, yeah, a fair bit to learn from it, the star midfielder/wingman said of his teams review of the 2023 grand final.

Asked what had been the major lesson from the loss in the grand final, McCluggage said: The moments, just making sure that youre reliable to your teammates in those moments ... we gave them a lot of goals, I suppose. So yeah, that was one of the biggest things.
Microsoft has been aggressively signing up business customers for Copilot, its conversational AI chatbot launched in 2023. In July Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said 77,000 organisations had adopted the tool, up by nearly 200 per cent year-on-year. Every customer is at a different place in their journey, but overall, we are hearing something quite different from our Copilot for Microsoft 365 customers, Microsoft said in a supplied statement from executive Jared Spataro. Last quarter alone, we saw a customer increase of over 60 per cent, and daily users have more than doubled. When I talk to CIOs directly, and if you look at recent third-party data, organisations are betting on Microsoft for their AI transformation. Loading Salesforces approach, according to Benioff, goes a step beyond Copilots. The companys headline announcement at Dreamforce was Agentforce, a set of AI agents that will let companies increase their workforce capacity during busy periods without having to hire additional full-time employees. The agents can run 24/7 and be trained to resolve customer issues, offer refunds, and answer questions, leveraging business data already held by Salesforce. At Dreamforce, Salesforce encouraged customers to build AI agents, a process it said could take only 10 minutes.

Were only about one thing, customer success, Benioff said. We care about, are you successful? Yes or no. Are we getting you there? Yes or no. And where we have been successful as a company is, people will come in and say, you have to DIY this, about AI and agents. And we say, oh no, you dont have to spend that money. This is a science project. Theyre selling you science projects, and you need to move away from it. And over and over again with our best customers, we have shown them that our approach is better. Benioff, who has led Salesforce since its inception 25 years ago and is worth an estimated $US9.4 billion ($13.8 billion) said AI would likely lead to reduced headcount for some companies, though others would benefit from increased capabilities and therefore add staff. Nearly 50,000 people descended on San Francisco last week for Salesforces annual summit Dreamforce, described by the company as the worlds largest AI event. Credit: Bloomberg Salesforce will charge $US2 per AI conversation, and Agentforce will be released widely to customers in October. Benioff underscored just how ambitious and aggressive his plan is: We want to get a billion agents with our customers in the next 12 months.

Despite the hype and strong initial customer interest, Salesforce  like Microsoft  is also coming up against uncertainty and scepticism around what is still a nascent technology. One key concern with use of generative AI in the workplace is its hallucinations, which are inaccurate or nonsensical outputs. Salesforce encouraged customers to build AI agents, a process it said could take only 10 minutes. Benioff said Salesforces agents will produce lower hallucinations than its rivals because its fed on customers data, which already exists on their Salesforce platform, rather than relying on data scraped from the public internet, as ChatGPT is for example. The agent will also be much more limited in scope, and trained specifically to handle customer enquiries, so should be less prone to going off-piste. Benioff said a tweet he posted six months ago  that AI large language models such as ChatGPT and Gemini are just commodities and that the real value lies in the data held by customers  led to a long phone conversation with Elon Musk, who agreed.

And then I said what am I doing to help my customers realise that?, Benioff said. It started to really bother me, and thats where I was starting to ramp it up internally, and I said were going to deliver this by Dreamforce. So this isnt some future fantasy thing, our customers are doing this right now. Salesforces share price has nearly doubled over the past five years, but the company is facing questions about its revenue growth, which is dropping to single digits after years of being in the double digits. While some tech companies like Nvidia and Oracle have benefited from the AI boom and grown sharply in valuation, other companies like Salesforce havent yet benefited to the same degree. Agentforce should grow into a key revenue line for the company and help restore that double-digit growth, according to Salesforce president and chief operating officer Brian Millham.

We absolutely see Agentforce as a driver of our growth going forward, he said. At $US38 billion [in current full-year revenue] its hard to move the needle next week or next quarter, but in the long run, we feel that this is a huge opportunity for growth. Our international markets also remain a huge opportunity for us. Weve had a lot of success here in the US and were a little overweight in terms of revenue. We see that as a huge opportunity for us to go and drive growth in the international markets. Salesforce general manager for Australia and New Zealand, Frank Fillmann, said some Australian companies are already deploying Agentforce ahead of its wider release. Salesforce has over 2500 employees in Australia, and the companys general manager for Australia and New Zealand, Frank Fillmann, said some Australian companies are already deploying Agentforce ahead of its wider release.
Rome: Italian police have raided the home of an influencer whose affair with the countrys tourism minister brought about his political downfall, with officers seizing a pair of spy glasses which she used to film inside parliament.

Maria Rosaria Boccia is under investigation for allegedly making threats to Gennaro Sangiuliano, who was forced to resign over their affair earlier this month.

Maria Rosaria Boccia (right) is under investigation for allegedly making threats to Gennaro Sangiuliano (left). Credit: Instagram

The exact nature of the alleged threats has not been made public by prosecutors, but under Italian law it is an offence to make threats to a public official or politician.

Police raided her home in Pompeii, the modern town adjacent to the World Heritage ancient Roman archaeological site, seizing her computer, mobile phone and a pair of spy glasses that she used to record video of herself walking through the corridors of power in the lower house of parliament in Rome.
Jerusalem/Beirut: The US is sending additional troops to the Middle East in response to a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said.

A Pentagon spokesman would not say how many more forces would be deployed or what they would be tasked to do. The US now has about 40,000 troops in the region.

The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, two Navy destroyers and a cruiser set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, have now departed to the Sixth Fleet area in Europe on a regularly scheduled deployment, opening up the possibility the US could keep both the Truman and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Arabian Gulf, in the region in case more violence breaks out.

In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region, Major General Pat Ryder said. But for operational security reasons, Im not going to comment on or provide specifics.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA), through its Women's Desk, in collaboration with Kingdom Courtyard, successfully hosted an informative session on grief counseling on Saturday, September 21, at the Government Administration Office.

The session, moderated by Ms. Ramona Riley, was well attended, offering participants the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of grief, its causes, and various coping mechanisms. Attendees were also introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Cabey, founders of Kingdom Courtyard, along with its members, Dr. Tasheena Thomas and Mrs. Zoya Hyman, both seasoned professionals in the field of counseling. A significant highlight of the event was when several parents shared their personal stories of losing a child and spoke about the profound positive impact the counseling services have had on their healing journeys. Additionally, they encouraged attendees to make use of the available services, stressing the importance of seeking support during such challenging times.

CDFHA is an executing department within the Ministry of VSA whose mission is to deliver efficient and high-quality services in the areas of community development, family support, and humanitarian affairs, emphasizing the importance of this collaboration with Kingdom Courtyard. Together, they aim to provide much-needed counseling services and establish support groups for individuals dealing with grief. Recognizing that grief, when left unaddressed, can have profound effects on individuals, families, and the community at large, CDFHA is committed to ensuring these services continue beyond Kingdom Courtyard's initial eight-month funding period under the R4CR (Resources for Community Resilience) program.

Both organizations acknowledged the positive impact the grief counseling services have had thus far, as well as the growing demand for these services. Grief is a complex issue that many people struggle to talk about or even recognize. Some are unaware they are experiencing it, while others may not know that support is available to them. In light of this, CDFHA and Kingdom Courtyard are proud to offer these services at the Gaston Boasman Community Helpdesk for the Elderly & Disabled, located in Hope Estate.

Minister Jansen - Webster who was also in attendance and shared her personal story on grief, applauded the partnership between CDFHA and Kingdom Courtyard, commending their efforts to provide vital services to those in need.

For more information, please contact the Women's Desk via WhatsApp at +1 (721) 520-6291 or Kingdom Courtyard at +1 (721) 550-3212.
10 key developments since the October 7 attacks on Israel



Paris, Sept 23 (AFP) Sep 23, 2024



After Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out the deadliest attack in Israeli history on October 7, 2023, Israel responded with a devastating military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

The air and ground operation has killed more than 41,431 people, according to the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.

Ahead of the war's first anniversary, AFP looks back at key moments.



- Hamas attacks -

At dawn on October 7, hundreds of Hamas fighters infiltrate Israel.

The unprecedented attack results in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

This toll includes hostages who subsequently died or were killed in captivity in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas took 251 hostages back to Gaza, some as corpses. A year later some 64 are still detained, while 117 have been freed and 70 confirmed dead.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to destroy Hamas, which is blacklisted as a "terrorist" organisation by the European Union and the United States.



- Ground offensive -



Israel begins bombing Gaza and further tightening its siege of the territory. On October 13, it tells civilians in northern Gaza to move south.

The United Nations later estimates that nearly all of Gaza's population of 2.4 million is eventually displaced.

On October 27, Israel launches a ground offensive.

On November 15, its troops raid Gaza's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, where Israel says Hamas has a command centre, an accusation the militants deny.



- Truce and hostage swap -



On November 24, a week-long truce between Israel and Hamas takes effect.

Hamas releases 80 Israeli hostages in return for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Twenty-five other hostages, mainly Thai farm workers, are also freed.

Israel allows more aid into Gaza via Egypt, but the humanitarian situation there remains dire.

When fighting resumes, Israel expands its actions into southern Gaza.



- Aid hitches -



On February 29, Gaza's health ministry says 120 northern Gaza residents were shot dead by Israeli forces as they rushed towards a convoy of food aid. Israel says soldiers believed they "posed a threat".

From early March, several countries airdrop aid into Gaza. A first aid ship from Cyprus arrives on March 15.

On April 1, seven aid workers from the US charity World Central Kitchen are killed in an Israeli strike, which the military calls a "tragic mistake".



- Israel-Iran tensions -



On April 13, Iran pounds Israel with drones and missiles in retaliation for a deadly strike on its consulate in Damascus blamed on its arch enemy.

Most of the projectiles are intercepted.



- Operations in the south -



On May 7, the Israeli army launches a ground offensive in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city where a majority of the territory's people have sought shelter.

It takes control of the border crossing with Egypt, blocking a key entry point for aid, and targets safe areas including tent camps and schools sheltering displaced people.

On July 13, a strike in southern Gaza kills the chief of Hamas's armed wing, Mohammed Deif, Israel says.



- Regional flare-up feared -



On July 20 Israel attacks Yemen in retaliation for a deadly drone strike on Tel Aviv by the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have repeatedly attacked Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping in solidarity with Gaza.

On the Israel-Lebanon border, almost daily exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah intensify.

On July 27, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, 12 children are killed in a rocket strike. Hezbollah denies responsibility.

Hezbollah's top commander, Fuad Shukr, is killed in a Beirut suburb on July 30 in a retaliatory strike.

The next day, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh is killed in a strike in Iran, blamed on Israel. Hamas names Yahya Sinwar, its leader in Gaza, to replace him.



- Truce talks -



Washington on August 16 presents a new truce deal, which Hamas immediately rejects. Negotiations mediated by Egypt then Qatar resume on August 22.

On August 25, Israel says it has thwarted a large-scale Hezbollah attack with air strikes into Lebanon. Hamas says it successfully launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel.



- West Bank raid -



On August 28 Israel launches a major operation against Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank.

The UN calls for an immediate end to the raid.

After the military recovers the bodies of six hostages from Gaza, on September 2 pressure mounts on the Israeli government to secure the release of the remaining captives, but Netanyahu does not budge over a truce.



- Lebanon attacks -



On September 17 and 18, thousands of Hezbollah members' pagers and walkie talkies explode across Lebanon, killing at least 39 people and wounding almost 3,000.

Israel had announced it was expanding its Gaza war aims to include securing the northern front with Lebanon, but does not claim responsibility.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah says Israel will face "tough retribution and just punishment".

On September 20, an Israeli air strike in Beirut kills 16 Hezbollah fighters including the head of its elite Radwan Force and another senior commander. Lebanon's health ministry says the strike killed at least 45 people.

Escalating cross-border exchanges follow, with increasing calls internationally for both sides to step back from the brink of all-out war.

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One dead in dozens of Israeli strikes on Lebanon: official media



Beirut, Lebanon, Sept 23 (AFP) Sep 23, 2024



Dozens of Israeli air strikes hit Lebanon's south and east Monday, killing at least one civilian, official media reported, as Israel's military warned Lebanese to move away from Hezbollah targets.

The official National News Agency (NNA) said "enemy warplanes launched... more than 80 air strikes in half an hour", targeting south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh district. It also reported strikes in the Tyre area.

At the same time, the NNA reported "intense raids in the Bekaa" Valley in the east, deep inside Lebanon near the Syrian border, including in the vicinity of Baalbek and the outskirts of Hermel.

The NNA said the strikes in the east killed a "civilian", a shepherd, "and wounded two members of his family" and four others.

AFP correspondents in the south and east reported the sound of heavy strikes.

A Hezbollah source, requesting anonymity, said strikes in the Bekaa Valley targeted the area from east to west.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that "we advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety".

Hagari told a media briefing Israel's military "will engage in (more) extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon".

Hezbollah has traded near daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces in support of Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack triggered the Gaza war.

Violence has spiked dramatically in recent days, and Israel and Hezbollah traded heavy fire over the weekend, raising fears of all-out war.
Israel army tells Lebanese to 'move away' from Hezbollah sites



Jerusalem, Sept 23 (AFP) Sep 23, 2024



The Israeli military on Monday told people in Lebanon to move away from Hezbollah targets and vowed to carry out more "extensive and precise" strikes against the Iran-backed group.

It was the first such warning issued to Lebanese people by Israel's military since the war in Gaza erupted nearly a year ago. Lebanon's Hezbollah says its rocket and other fire into Israel is an act of support for Gaza's Palestinian Hamas militants.

"We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a media briefing.

"The IDF (military) will engage in (more) extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon."

Hagari said the military had launched new strikes against Hezbollah sites since Monday morning.

"The strikes will go on for the near future," he said.

In a separate briefing to journalists, a military official emphasised that the appeal made to Lebanese people was the first of its kind.

"This the first time that we do this kind of warning in that way," said the official, who cannot be further identified under military rules.

"If you are in a house where there is a rocket or a cruise missile, get out immediately," the official said, adding that the military was "monitoring from the air" to gauge compliance.

"We are giving them an advance warning. Get out of the house. We are aiming only on the capabilities of the rockets, on the missiles, launchers, etc," he said.

The official also said the Israeli military was currently only focused on an "aerial campaign".

The first goal of the operation, he said, was to "degrade threats" from Hezbollah, while the second was to push Hezbollah back from the border and the third was to destroy infrastructure built near the border by Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force.

He said Israel's "pre-emptive" strikes had already hindered Hezbollah's ability to fire rockets.

"We've been doing it for already a long time, but we are doing it extensively in the last couple of days and also yesterday, and that's one of the reasons that the numbers (of rockets fired) are down," he added.

mod-rcb-jd/it
Japan protests airspace 'violation' by Russian patrol plane



Tokyo, Sept 23 (AFP) Sep 23, 2024



Japan lodged a "very serious protest" with Moscow after a Russian patrol plane entered its airspace three times, the defence minister said Monday, calling it the first confirmed incursion since 2019.

The military responded by scrambling fighter jets and issuing radio and flare warnings, Minoru Kihara told reporters.

"We confirmed today that a Russian Il-38 patrol aircraft has violated our airspace over our territorial waters north of Rebun Island, Hokkaido, on three occasions," he said.

"The airspace violation is extremely regrettable and today we lodged a very serious protest with the Russian government via diplomatic channels and strongly urged them to prevent a recurrence."

Japan has supported the Western position on Ukraine, providing Kyiv with financial and material support and sanctioning Russian individuals and organisations after Moscow's invasion of its neighbour.

Kihara said it was "the first publicly announced airspace incursion by a Russian aircraft since June 2019", when a Tu-95 bomber entered Japanese airspace in southern Okinawa and around the Izu Islands south of Tokyo.

In 2023, an aircraft believed but not confirmed to be Russian entered Japanese airspace, according to the defence ministry.

Top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi also said on Monday that "we will refrain from giving any definitive information on the intent and purpose of this action, but the Russian military has been active in the vicinity of our country since the invasion of Ukraine".

Japan also scrambled fighter jets this month when Russian aircraft flew around the archipelago for the first time since 2019.

The Tu-142 planes did not enter Japanese airspace but flew over an area subject to a territorial dispute between Japan and Russia, Tokyo said.

Russian and Chinese warships recently held joint drills in the Sea of Japan, part of a major naval exercise that President Vladimir Putin said was the largest of its kind for three decades.

Japan scrambled fighter jets in August after the first confirmed incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into its airspace, with Tokyo calling it a "serious violation" of its sovereignty.

Then last week, a Chinese aircraft carrier sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan for the first time. Japan called that incident "totally unacceptable from the perspective of the security environment of Japan and the region".

China said the passage complied with international law.
Iraq's top Shiite cleric calls for end to Israeli 'aggression' on Lebanon



Baghdad, Sept 23 (AFP) Sep 23, 2024



Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Shiite Islam's highest authority in Iraq, appealed Monday for "every possible effort" to end Israeli "aggression" against Lebanon, where Israeli forces are targeting the Shiite Hezbollah movement.

Sistani, in a statement on his website, called for "the exercise of every possible effort" to end this "barbaric aggression and to protect the Lebanese people".

Sistani, 94, urged "believers" to "contribute towards easing the suffering" of the Lebanese people and help "meet their humanitarian needs".

Such comments from Sistani are relatively rare.

In August he urged an end to the "genocidal war" in Gaza and warned over the risk of a regional escalation with potentially "catastrophic consequences", following the killing of two Iran-backed militant leaders.

His new statement came during intense Israeli bombing of Lebanon, which Beirut said had killed 100 people and wounded more than 400 in the south of the country.

Iraq's government is dominated by pro-Iran parties, and have strong ties with Lebanon and the pro-Tehran Shiite Hezbollah movement.
Israel army says to launch 'large-scale' strikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley



Jerusalem, Sept 23 (AFP) Sep 23, 2024



The Israeli military said on Monday it would launch more air strikes targeting eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and warned residents to move away from Hezbollah sites in the area.

"We are preparing for a large-scale and targeted strike in Bekaa Valley," military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a media briefing, adding that residents should "distance themselves" from Hezbollah sites "for your safety and protection".

"Hezbollah stores its strategic weaponry in civilian buildings and uses the population as human shields," Hagari said.

"The houses in Bekaa have rockets and drones. We will attack them before they pose a threat to the residents of Israel."
Israel army says air strikes hit more than 1,300 Hezbollah targets in 24 hours



Jerusalem, Sept 23 (AFP) Sep 23, 2024



The Israeli military said late Monday that air strikes in Lebanon hit more than 1,300 targets of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in the previous 24 hours.

The strikes hit "over 1,300 targets", army spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing.

An earlier statement from the Israeli army specified that the targets included "buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure where rockets, missiles, launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles posed a threat".

In a separate statement Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that "on this day we have taken out of order tens of thousands of rockets and precise munition".

Gallant called Monday "a significant peak" in the operation.

"This is the most difficult week for Hezbollah since its establishment -- the results speak for themselves," he said.

"Entire units were taken out of battle as a result of the activities conducted at the beginning of the week in which numerous terrorists were injured," he said.

Hezbollah's elite Radwan force suffered "a fatal blow" with the loss of "top commanders, including regional and brigade commanders", he said, referring to a strike Friday that killed, among others, the elite force's head Ibrahim Aqil.
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When I was young, being female was not something to enjoy, but to navigate carefully: there was always a terrible jeopardy in it. When I look back on the mild workplace assaults and the insinuations  so long ago I feel they were directed at a different woman  what strikes me most is how little they had to do with sex. I dont think men who harass women at work want sex: at least not principally. It is a function of inadequacy and the dominion that masks it: putting you on your knees, where you belong. On my first day at a national newspaper, a journalist told me I looked like Monica Lewinsky. Then he asked me if I wanted a cigar: you might remember what Clinton did to Lewinsky with a cigar. I knew enough to smirk, because I also knew that if I complained, I would be the one to be expelled. Sexual harassment was part of a zero-sum game: men protecting their power, lest women take it from them.
Sean Diddy Combs lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, replied to the charges, saying: "We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr Combs by the US Attorneys Office," Agnifilo said. "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."
Although Magna Carta was limited in that it mainly enshrined the rights of the landed, rather than the freedom of the common people, it has been held up as one of the first time in history that a monarch conceded they were not above the law, sowing the seeds for Britains democracy.
Enjoying an authentic taste of local life is exactly what this trip was about, and we certainly got that on a ferry to Cat Ba Island. Instead of following the typical circuit of the Five Hs: Hanoi  Halong Bay  Hue  Hoi An  Ho Chi Minh, this route enabled us to visit the lesser-known Lan Ha Bay, a quieter destination, a world away from the crowds of Halong. Admiring the limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons from the water on a kayak was about as bucket-list-ticking as it gets  with a window into why this part of the world is so famous, yet also highlights how avoiding the most obvious paths can mean a more edifying experience.
Mr Parkinson, who took up the post as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in November last year, said prosecutors are very alive to the risk of children being criminalised unnecessarily, after becoming involved in the riots which erupted in some parts of the UK in the summer, in the wake of the Southport stabbings.
America's First 'Fight, Fight, Fight' Song

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Old Guard Republic

Sept. 23, 2024

LERONA, Wyo., Sept. 23, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Old Guard Republic releases a new docu-music-video Fight, Fight, Fight. The first relevant protest song since Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. In a heavy drum beat Johnny Cash vibe, this song brings out all the current issues facing the American citizen.

Based on the fundamental principles of the Declaration of Independence you will find yourself tapping your foot to this relevant docu-music-video.

Written, performed, and produced by Stephen Redden and Jesse "MelloRed" Redden.

Available on all music platforms, distributed by DistroKid.

Distrokid link: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/oldguardrepublic/fight-fight-fight

See YouTube link: https://youtu.be/is_v65xGRXw - shows the actual docu-music-video

https://www.oldguardrepublic.com - shows information and song cover

SOURCE Old Guard Republic

CONTACT: Stephen Redden, Song Writer/Musician, 727-776-3316
A high-level delegation headed by H.E. Ms. Shen Ying, Executive Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) visited the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) and met with the Chairman of the Board of Alat Free Economic Zone Authority, Mr. Valeh Alasgarov.

During the meeting, Mr. Alasgarov gave detailed information about the favorable business climate created in AFEZ for the investors. He briefed the guests about strategic geographical location of AFEZ, its unique legal framework, as well as about the industrial land plots with ready-to-use off-site and on-site infrastructure and utilities, and the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives package for the investors.

Ms. Shen Ying emphasized that, the unique geographic location of AFEZ and its legal base, as well as well-planned infrastructure and proper strategy of AFEZ is attractive for foreign investors, in particular for Chinese investors. She stated that the members of the Federation are high-tech manufacturing companies and hoped that they will be interested in establishing companies by taking advantage of the provided privileges.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Azerbaijan has condemned the statement by Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, "directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," stated in a comment by the press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aykhan Hajizada in response to the statement by the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trend reports.

"We strongly condemn and categorically reject the statement made by the Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on 22 September.

The Canadian Foreign Minister is once again engaged in manipulations and distortion of facts, instead of familiarising herself with the realities in our region, where conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has ended 4 years ago based on norms and principles of international law. She is also ignorant about the fact of Azerbaijans full restoration of its sovereignty over the Karabakh region in 2023 that ended illegal presence of Armenias armed forces and a separatist rejime it has sustained.

Canadian Foreign Ministers allegations in reference to Garabagh region targeting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and supporting separatism, demonstrates how ingenious and far-fetched the foreign policy of Canada is.

It is unfortunate that the Canadian officials being silent about the ethnic cleansing, massacres and crimes against humanity by Armenia against Azerbaijanis during its military aggression for almost 30 years, disseminate false narrative promoted by the Armenian diaspora about Azerbaijans anti-terror measures conducted in its own sovereign territories without targeting any civilians.

Canadian Ministers assertion about the humanitarin crisis in the region, when it has never demonstrated support and interest towards the situation and inalienable rights of almost 1 million IDPs from formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan and of those who were forcefully deported from Armenia, is an indication of the overt bias of Canada against Azerbaijan.

Canada has no moral right to preach about how the peace and security needs to be established in our region.

We once again reiterate that such provocative and biased statements are nothing more than an obstacle to the further development and progress of the region on the basis of respect for the principles of international law.," the ministry said.
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The leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), prime minister Marcel Ciolacu, said on Monday that he would recommend the Social Democrat MPs not to vote for the draft law that allows Klaus Iohannis to run for a seat in the next Parliament, during his term as president of Romania, informs Agerpres.

"If you want my personal opinion, which I have outlined at this moment, I will recommend to my colleagues in Parliament and to myself not to vote for such a project," Ciolacu said.

He detailed that he will have a clear statement on this topic at the end of the meeting of the National Permanent Bureau of the PSD, which is underway at the party's headquarters in Bucharest.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, participated on Sunday, in New York, at the opening of the Future Summit, an event that precedes the High-level Week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) informs.

Odobescu gave a speech in the interactive dialogue with the theme "Consolidation of multilateralism for international peace and security", on which occasion she reaffirmed Romania's support for effective multilateralism, centered on UN principles.

At the same time, she emphasized the importance of respecting international law, human rights and democratic values, as essential premises in the implementation of the Pact for the Future.

On the sidelines of the Future Summit, Odobescu had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, with whom she discussed the state of bilateral relations, emphasizing the important potential for increasing trade and investment, as well as and interest in expanding cooperation in areas such as transport, agriculture and cyber security. Also, the meeting was the occasion for an exchange of views regarding the evolution of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, respectively the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Minister Odobescu also had a meeting with Mantas Adomenas, the general secretary of the Community of Democracies (CoD). She conveyed her support for the activity of Adomenas, who is at the beginning of his mandate, and reiterated Romania's full willingness to cooperate in promoting CoD objectives.

The Future Summit brings together leaders from around the world and includes a plenary session and four interactive dialogues.
The health of a nation begins with the health of our children, said prime minister Marcel Ciolacu, on Monday, at the Victoria Palace, at the event "Romanian Government for Health - the future is being built today! The health of a nation starts with the health of our children", organized by the government and UNICEF Romania, informs Agerpres.

"The health of a nation begins with the health of our children. And, for this reason, it is very important to focus both on prevention and health education, as well as on the existence of services for children and parents at the community level," stated Marcel Ciolacu.

He also emphasised the investments in health scheduled for the next period, recalling the over 2 billion euros from the PNNR for the modernisation of the infrastructure of the Romanian health system, adding that "another 7 billion RON are allocated for new and modern hospitals, equipped at the higher standards".

The head of the Executive also referred to the importance of ensuring human resources in the health system, thus motivating the unlocking of employment in the system, for approximately 13,000 vacant positions in hospitals and ambulance services.

The prime minister also told those present that the fight against drugs must go to a completely different level, calling on all the NGOs involved to intensify prevention, but also reiterating the fact that the National Anti-Drug Agency must be moved to the Ministry of Health, because the aid must come from the Ministry of Health, not the Ministry of the Interior. "The future of our children depends on what each of us does today!" Ciolacu said.
Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu pleaded on Monday for a rapid adoption of the national reindustrialisation plan, mentioning that there is "a huge interest" from the private sector in this regard, informs Agerpres.

"The next step is now to quickly adopt the national reindustrialisation plan, already approved in the PSD-PNL coalition. There is a huge interest from the private sector on this subject. That is why we have to make the final adjustments, to pass through the government this major project for Romania's development," said Ciolacu, at the beginning of the government meeting.

On September 18, Marcel Ciolacu said that the National Plan for Large Industry is "the most important" package to support the economy, of about two billion euros, focused on three main pillars.

The first pillar is targeting the support scheme for strategic investments in the processing industry, with a budget of over 500 million euros. The second pillar is the National Support Programme for Large Industry in Romania, and the third component of the plan is a state aid scheme of 250 million euros for companies that propose investments in the production of industrial raw materials - wires, profiles, bars, aluminum or copper.
The National Liberal Party (PNL) has asked the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) to rule on a bill that would allow President Klaus Ioannis to run in this year's general election while still in office, informs Agerpres.

According to PNL, the request was made based on an opinion of the Legislative Council on the bill.

Consequently, the PNL will not put on the agenda of the Senate's Standing Bureau meeting a debate on the bill pending an answer from BEC.

PNL MPs Daniel Fenechiu and Gabriel Andronache submitted last Wednesday to Parliament a legislative proposal that provides that the President of Romania can run in a general election in the last three months of the presidential term of office as an independent on the lists of a party or alliances in the parliamentary elections. The bill amends Article 52 of the law on the election to the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
The actions of the Russian Federation towards the Ukrainian civilian nuclear power plants, culminating in the occupation and militarization, for the first time in an armed conflict, of a nuclear power plant, the one in Zaporizhzhia, remain deeply worrying, declared Romania's ambassador to the UN, Cornel Feruta in an interview for AGERPRES.

The Romanian diplomat emphasized that "these actions, together with the continuation of attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, increase the degree of risk of a nuclear accident or incident at these plants, potentially endangering the civilian population of Ukraine and neighboring states alike".

In the context in which on September 26 the UN General Assembly marks, for the tenth consecutive year, the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, Ambassador Cornel Feruta says that "the uttering of nuclear threats, a constant of the Russian Federation's rhetoric since the beginning of the aggression against of Ukraine, is unacceptable from a permanent member of the UN Security Council, in contradiction with the line agreed and promoted by the five states possessing nuclear weapons recognized by the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT) - a nuclear war cannot be won and should never be waged".

Romania's ambassador to the UN states that it has now reached "a turning point where, all the more, the rhetoric and irresponsible nuclear actions must stop".

"In the current international context, we need a return to responsibility in the nuclear field, which responds both to the challenges of the present and to the opportunities of the future, ensuring the foundation of a sustainable development of nuclear energy for the benefit of all, outside the spectrum of the nuclear apocalypse.

Romania continues to join the desire for a world without nuclear weapons, in accordance with the objectives of the NPT, and a process of nuclear disarmament, gradual and pragmatic, which takes into account the global security context and ensuring undiminished security for all states", Feruta also said in the interview given to AGERPRES.
The Ministry of Finance (MF) borrowed on Monday 667.1 million RON from banks, through an issue of benchmark state bonds, with a residual maturity of 72 months, at a average return of 6.64% per year, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR), informs agerpres.ro.

The nominal value of Monday's issue was 500 million RON, and the banks invested 1.059 billion RON.

An additional tender is scheduled for Tuesday, through which the state wants to attract another 75 million RON to the bond yield set on Monday.

The Ministry of Finance has planned, in September 2024, loans from commercial banks in the amount of 5 billion RON, to which the amount of 675 million RON can be added through additional sessions of non-competitive offers, related to bond tenders.

The total amount of 5.675 billion RON is 25 million RON less than the one that was scheduled in August 2024, of 5.7 billion RON, and will be intended for refinancing the public debt and financing the state budget deficit.
The President of the Romanian Senate, National Liberal Party (PNL) leader Nicolae Ciuca, emphasized, on Monday, at the "National Security Dialogue" conference held in Switzerland, in Vevey, the need for a long-term and predictable US policy for the Black Sea in order to keep it "free" and "open ", according to a press release published by the Senate, inform agerpres.

"We need a long-term and predictable American strategy in the Black Sea to keep a free and open Black Sea. It is in the interest of Europe and in the interest of the US. As far as I am concerned, I can tell you only one thing - you can count on on Romania in the future. We will resist here together with you", stated Ciuca, in the address dedicated to freedom of navigation.

Ciuca drew attention to the strategic importance of the Black Sea from the perspective of connectivity, energy resources, food security, being the place where trade routes from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean Sea or the routes from Central Asia to Europe intersect.

He pointed out that the Black Sea also has its own gas resources, stressing that, from 2027, due to the exploitation of natural gas in the area, Romania will become the largest producer in the field in the EU.

The "National Security Dialogue" conference was organized by Pepperdine University and The Heritage Foundation in the USA and brought together officials and experts from all over the world to discuss the most important topics for global security.
Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Deputy speakers of the Azerbaijani Parliament will no longer be allowed to hold the committee chair position, Trend reports.

The change is part of the newly adopted rules.

The snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

A total of 112,749 local observers were registered to monitor the election. More than 65,000 of them were representatives of political parties. The number of registered international observers was 598 people, representing 51 organizations in 69 countries.

Out of 990 registered candidates in the parliamentary election, 305 are representatives of 25 political parties. Although 371 candidates are members of political parties, they were not nominated by the parties to which they belong. In total, 676 candidates have political party affiliation.

On September 21, the Constitutional Court approved the election results.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A group of 12 citizens from Syria and Afghanistan were detained by the border police in the Zimnicea area, for fraudulent border crossing, after they crossed the Danube in two motor boats and were boarded in a van, the General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGPF) informed on Monday, informs Agerpres.

They were 11 Syrian citizens and one Afghan citizen and they were handed over to the Bulgarian border authorities according to the readmission agreement concluded between Romania and Bulgaria.

Migrants were observed crossing the Danube in motorboats, in the evening of September 17, during joint actions carried out in the area of the Zimnicea border sector by the policemen of the Teleorman and Giurgiu Territorial Border Police Services.

"Thus, at around 11.00 pm, the border police noticed two motorboats carrying several people crossing the Danube river. After reaching the shore, the people were loaded into a van. At around 00.25 am, our colleagues intercepted and detained the group of people and the driver of the van, who was a Romanian citizen, and led them to the headquarters of the Territorial Service of the Teleorman Border Police, in order to continue the investigations," stated the same source.

The van driver is being investigated for migrant trafficking, and the foreign citizens are being investigated for fraudulently crossing the state border.
Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, Missouris two Republican U.S. senators, agree on many things.

Most recently, their minds have met over the Secret Services response, or alleged lack thereof, to two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.

Last week, the U.S Senates Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee adopted an amendment proposed by Hawley that would require the Secret Service to turn over all documents related to the shooting attempts to the Senate.

Given the way that Secret Service and DHS has stonewalled this committee ... I just think its incumbent upon us to say we want this information, Hawley told the committee.

As to how forthcoming the Secret Service will be, Schmitt said he has his doubts.

I am skeptical, Schmitt said in an interview last week with The Heartlander, a conservative publication. I think whether its the FBI or the Secret Service, we just need answers.

I dont care if youre Republican or youre a Democrat; political violence is a terrible thing that should be condemned, Schmitt said.

Hawley has been sharply critical  since the assassination attempt in July in Pennsylvania in which Trump was shot in the ear  of the protection provided to Trump. He recently released a 22-page whistleblowers report that questions the protection strategies of the Secret Service.

In his ongoing criticism, Hawley has said the Secret Service is plagued by a compounding pattern of negligence, sloppiness, and gross incompetence that goes back years.
ST. LOUIS  A Belleville man was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison for a 2021 killing in the city's Lewis Place neighborhood.

Darius Meeks, 35, was set to face trial this week on charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon in the death of 31-year-old Anthony Bruce.

Instead, Meeks pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter as part of a deal with prosecutors in exchange for a recommended seven-year sentence.

Charges said Meeks and Bruce had been partying at Bruce's home in the 4500 block of McMillian Avenue when multiple people got into a fight.

The men walked outside just before 7 a.m. April 23, 2021, and a witness told police that Bruce held onto Meeks' car as Meeks tried to drive off. As Meeks started to drive away, he lowered a passenger-side window and shot Bruce twice, charges say.
ST. LOUIS  On a recent morning walk to buy cigarettes, Lavell Wade stopped along Cherokee Street to watch a crew sandblast and scrub a brick wall. A longtime neighbor, Wade was glad the graffiti that defaced it for days was coming off.

Its best to remove it, Wade said. People wont come to your business if it looks like that.

The five-person crew from Brightside St. Louis spent hours erasing the graffiti, just as they had done in April when a previous batch covered the same wall. Wade, 43, liked their effort but doubted it would last. Spray-paint vandals will return, he warned.

If the little dudes see it off their wall, theyll hit it again as soon as possible, Wade said. Itll be right back up there.

Graffiti on shuttered restaurants, brick walls, warehouses and overpasses across St. Louis pops up so fast that its challenging  and costly  for the city to keep up.

St. Louis has seen increased graffiti complaints in recent years. And a perceived surge in vandalism in September, coinciding with annual street art festival Paint Louis, has festival organizers on the defensive.

While some view graffiti as an artsy fixture of urban living, others call it an eyesore fostering a sense of anarchy.

When youre just scribbling names and things, youre not making a philosophical point, said David Weglarz, whose downtown distillery had a special billboard ruined this month by graffiti vandals. Youre just defacing property. Its the mark of a decrepit city. Its not a signature of a thriving city.

Over the past 3 years, the Citizens Service Bureau in St. Louis fielded 7,431 graffiti complaints. According to the mayors office, the bureau received 1,763 calls complaining about graffiti on both public and private land in 2021; 2,068 in 2022; and 2,113 in 2023. So far this year, the bureau has received 1,487 calls.

The St. Louis Police Department, meanwhile, said it has handled dozens of calls for destruction of property involving graffiti over that same time frame. Police had such reports 20 times in 2021, 28 times in 2022, 24 times last year and 32 so far this year.

St. Louis spends roughly $365,000 annually for graffiti removal through the nonprofit Brightside St. Louis. But that pays for removing only a fraction of what is out there.

Its not hard to spot: Graffiti covers the old Railway Exchange parking garage downtown. Spray-painted block letters, spelling words like NULL and RUDE, are visible to visitors staying on the upper floors of the nearby Hotel Saint Louis.

Graffiti in the city used to be primarily smaller taggings, like scribbles on the back of a stop sign. It is now vibrant, bold and splashy. The bubble graffiti alphabet has infiltrated several neighborhoods.

Its significantly larger, said Mary Lou Green, who has spent 34 years with Brightside. So it continues to cost more and more to remove graffiti.

Brightside paints over the graffiti or uses a high-pressure water blaster to remove it. Workers travel the city in pickup trucks carrying a few dozen 5-gallon buckets with paint colors to match the most basic exteriors.

Brightside focused on two buildings on Sept. 12 at Cherokee Street and Oregon Avenue. One wall stretched a half-block. But that was only a small part of the graffiti problem in that neighborhood. Two alleyways nearby are littered with the stuff. Storefronts and signs are also tagged.

Wade, who watched the cleanup along Cherokee, said the city should force graffiti vandals to clean it up themselves. That worked out well for Wade, he said, when he and co-workers found youths spray painting messages at the bar where he worked.

But you have to catch them first, Wade acknowledged, and thats hard to do.

A spike in September?

Brightside St. Louis removed graffiti from 2,822 locations in the city in 2021; 1,931 locations in 2022; 2,505 locations last year and 1,800 locations so far this year. The agency is part of the Parks Department.

Green said graffiti vandalism worsens in September, around the time of the city-sanctioned event called Paint Louis. The three-day graffiti and music festival began in 1997 and coincides with Labor Day weekend. Graffiti artists from around the world enliven the 2-mile stretch of the flood wall south of the Gateway Arch, along the Mississippi River.

Event organizers warn artists to paint only the flood wall. But Green said spray-paint vandals were rampant elsewhere, tagging spaces and existing murals that were supposed to be strictly off-limits.

Graffiti complaints always spike after that Paint Louis weekend, Green said.

Green drove around Soulard after Labor Day to see what the vandals had done.

After Paint Louis weekend, its a visible difference, she said. I personally went out and wrote down locations (of paint vandalism), and I had two pages of notes.

Green said she thinks the graffiti art along the flood wall is beautiful. But vandalism of public and private property, she said, is a continual frustration.

John Harrington, co-founder and longtime organizer of Paint Louis, argues that festival participants arent the vandals  and he takes issue with Greens claim that vandalism spikes in September.

Businesses get hit all year long, 365 days a year, Harrington said in an interview. There will be graffiti today and graffiti tomorrow. How are we responsible for that?

Artists are invited to the festival after organizers screen portfolios to ensure they have at least five pieces of quality artwork.

We dont allow tags or throw-ups, Harrington said, referring to the graffiti that vandals regularly put up on the fly.

Harrington said graffiti has been in St. Louis for years, as it is in major or mid-size cities across America.

It could be people from across the river; it could be local guys who dont get that much attention throughout the year, he said. If you have proof its Paint Louis, then OK. But nobody has proof.

A police major asked to meet with Harrington in the coming days, and Harrington said he will tell him the same thing: Paint Louis is not responsible for the vandalism.

Vandals ruined a billboard featuring liquor bottles outside the StilL 630 distillery Weglarz owns on South Fourth Street downtown. They also damaged Faring Purths mural Prime on the south side of the Nebula Building on South Jefferson Avenue, near Cherokee.

St. Louis police took at least three reports of graffiti vandalism over Labor Day weekend. St. Louis police Sgt. Charles Wall said investigators were looking into persons of interest but had no suspects or arrests.

Vandalism with property damage of more than $750 is the least serious category of felony. St. Louis police had no statistics to share on graffiti arrests or charges.

Weglarz said he spent $4,000 of his own money to replace the billboard. A fundraiser Sunday was helping to cover the cost.

An obnoxious problem

In 1982, St. Louis launched Operation Brightside as a beautification campaign after an attitude survey found that more than a third of city residents ranked dirtiness as their top complaint. Volunteers were asked to bag loose trash on their blocks.

Operation Brightside changed its name in 2011 to Brightside. Graffiti removal is a big part of what it does. In a newsletter this summer, the agency said it painted over or power-washed more than 235,000 square feet of graffiti throughout the city in one year.

It runs on a $350,000 federal grant awarded through St. Louis Community Development Administration. The grant pays the staff and for most of the supplies. Private donations from individuals and companies cover another $8,000 to $15,000 in supplies, Green said.

A report by the U.S. Justice Department said graffiti harms communities in part by reducing property values and retail sales and discouraging people from riding mass transit. By local ordinance, graffiti is considered obnoxious and a public nuisance in St. Louis.

Brightside removes graffiti quickly if it has hate speech that could incite violence, Green said.

When it comes to gang graffiti, cleanup crews tread carefully. After a vandal spray painted RIP on a garage after a killing, for example, Brightside relied on police to say when it was safe to remove the message. Green said no one on her crew has been harmed removing graffiti.

James Edward Smith, a utility worker with Brightside, saw no gang references in the scribbles he removed from the brick wall at Cherokee and Oregon. Smith said the crew has been doing the work long enough to know which messages not to touch.

They got weapons, he said of the gang members. We dont.

Graffiti south of Natural Bridge Avenue is rarely done by gangs, Harrington said. Most graffiti downtown, on the South Side or in Midtown, he said, is from what he calls graffiti crews, artists traveling through St. Louis who want to leave their mark on a building.

Kind of like a Kilroy was here situation, Harrington said. That way, they can say, Ive got a piece in St. Louis, Ive got a piece in Denver.

Paint Louis response

Paint Louis pledges to have sponsorships next year to include money for cleanup, and Harrington wants to team up with Brightside. Harrington said anyone connected to the festival who defaced buildings wont be invited back.

This year, the event brought more than 400 artists from Germany, Australia, Mexico, Canada and across the United States. Organizers said an estimated 30,000 people attended as spectators, including families with children who took part in kid-friendly events.

Some worry the festival inspires vandals to go rogue and tag spaces beyond the flood wall.

This kind of activity really puts the festival in jeopardy, said St. Louis Alderwoman Cara Spencer.

Spencer, who is running for mayor, said what happened to StilL 630s billboard is just reprehensible. It really gives a bad name to the good artists who are engaged in constructive public art. When Spencer kicked off her campaign for mayor in June, she pledged to make basic services like picking up trash and answering 911 calls her top priority as mayor.

Conner Kerrigan, a spokesperson for Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, said Jones shares the frustrations of business owners and event organizers. The mayor is grateful for Brightsides graffiti removal work, Kerrigan said, adding that Brightside is looking to hire an additional staffer.

Weglarz said the spray-paint vandals who hit his business were brazen about their deed, posting a video on social media showing them defacing the south side of his building. The same vandals, who Weglarz said are from Los Angeles, Denver and Tucson, then posted more videos showing them painting the flood wall at the sanctioned event, Weglarz said.

Harrington said some people in city government have pretty much always been against us. He plans to start taking photographs of the graffiti he sees around St. Louis just before next years Paint Louis event, to prove it was there before festival participants came to town.

Weve become villainized, Harrington said. We experience this every year.
ST. LOUIS  Two months after Superintendent Keisha Scarlett was suspended from St. Louis Public Schools, a decision on her future with the district appears imminent.

The St. Louis Board of Education placed Scarlett on paid temporary leave July 25 pending the results of an investigation of her hiring practices and spending habits. On Monday, the board is scheduled to meet in a special closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

Scarlett, 50, was hired from Seattle Public Schools in July 2023 under a three-year contract. She was ousted in the wake of revelations that the new SLPS communications director planned to split her time between Texas and St. Louis while earning a $200,000 salary.

The third-party investigation into Scarletts one-year tenure at SLPS centers on at least $3 million in contracts and salaries awarded to former colleagues from Seattle.

Scarletts likely ouster could cost the district well beyond the $45,000 in salary she has received during the suspension. If the board votes to terminate Scarlett without cause, her contract calls for a severance package of one years salary ($268,000) plus health benefits.

Alternatively, a majority of the board could opt to terminate for cause, which includes misconduct or immorality that materially injures the reputation of SLPS or the board, according to the contract. In that case, Scarlett could pursue legal action against the district.

They might have to pay her off to go away, said David Jackson, who served on the SLPS board from 2007 to 2015. The whole board is negligent. Everything that Scarlett did, that board had to approve.

After placing Scarlett on leave, the school board appointed her deputy Millicent Borishade as acting superintendent. Borishade, who is not certified with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, came from the Seattle area with Scarlett and is now making $230,000.

How in the world did you turn around and put this woman that the superintendent brought here in charge of the schools? If that wasnt a slap in the citizens face, I dont know what is, said Jackson, who ran unsuccessful school board campaigns in 2021 and 2022 and plans to run again in April.

Borishade came to SLPS soon after receiving a vote of no confidence from teachers in the 2,500-student Tukwila School District outside Seattle. In their letter calling for Borishades resignation, staff accused Borishade of demeaning and insulting behavior, violating student privacy and ignoring special education.

Its unclear if the SLPS board would hand the lead role to Borishade, who received four out of seven votes to become the acting superintendent. At the time, board President Toni Cousins said Borishade was the best choice because she was already running the school district.

One expert said the board faces a challenge if they open a new superintendent search for the troubled 18,000-student district, especially if there is an internal candidate.

That was the situation when Scarlett was chosen to replace Kelvin Adams, who stepped down in December 2022 after 14 years as superintendent. The two other finalists were Nicole Williams, chief of staff under Adams and the interim superintendent in spring 2023, and Jermaine Dawson, now a deputy superintendent in the School District of Philadelphia.

The first question that I get is: Is there an internal candidate? because they could be seen as a favorite and deter qualified applicants, said Gary Ray, president of the Iowa-based educational search firm GR Recruiting.

Ultimately, the board needs to rebuild trust in the community after the leadership turmoil, Ray said.

I think they have to be open and honest with the public with what theyre going to do, he said. Does that mean that stakeholders ought to be choosing their superintendent? I dont think so. l think the board is hired to hire one employee, and they are responsible for that superintendent. But theyre also responsible to their constituency and keeping them informed.
ST. LOUIS  Four former members of the St. Louis Board of Education are calling on current leaders to take immediate steps to repair the districts reputation and rebuild trust in St. Louis Public Schools.

Their letter to the school board was sent Monday, hours before a closed-session meeting that likely involved the future of suspended Superintendent Keisha Scarlett. The board did not release any information from the meeting but will host a work session Tuesday night that is open to the public.

The seven-member SLPS board placed Scarlett on paid temporary leave July 25 pending the results of an investigation that centers on at least $3 million in contracts and salaries awarded to her former colleagues.

On top of the leadership situation, SLPS is also grappling with a transportation crisis, projected $35 million operating budget deficit and an ongoing state audit. The director of public relations was dismissed in August, and media inquiries have gone unanswered for weeks.

The current state of affairs at SLPS cannot continue. ... We recognize how stressful this situation is but in times of crisis leaders cannot shut out the public, reads the letter from former members Dorothy Rohde-Collins, Joyce Roberts, Regina Fowler and city Treasurer Adam Layne, who all served various terms between 2017 and 2022. The lack of transparency surrounding the leadership change and new school year has eroded the trust of stakeholders and damaged the districts reputation.

Rohde-Collins, who has two children in SLPS, said she grew concerned earlier this year seeing that the board has strayed away from what I would call standard operating procedures.

The board has a yearlong backlog of meeting minutes that havent been approved and regularly pulls items off agendas without a vote.

It indicates there are issues in how the board is functioning together as a team, Rohde-Collins said. Once Dr. Scarlett was put on leave and the audits were underway, it didnt feel like the board was looking to communicate in an upfront and transparent way. Those of us who signed the letter reached out to each other to say this doesnt fit with our perception of how a school board should operate.

The goal is to support the current board and offer strategies for collaboration, Rohde-Collins said, adding that board Vice President Matt Davis responded to the letter by inviting the former members to an upcoming meeting.

In a recent op-ed, Davis and board President Antionette Toni Cousins acknowledged it was a mistake to hire Scarlett following the 14-year tenure of retired Superintendent Kelvin Adams. During her brief tenure, the school districts general operating budget plunged from a surplus of $17 million to a projected deficit of $35 million, largely due to an emergency transportation plan involving a patchwork of vendors.

Scarlett, 50, was recruited from Seattle Public Schools under a three-year contract starting in July 2023. She was ousted one year later in the wake of revelations that the new SLPS communications chief planned to split her time between Texas and St. Louis while earning a $200,000 salary.

The SLPS board has not released the name of the third-party investigators looking into Scarletts hiring and spending practices.

After suspending Scarlett on leave, the school board appointed her friend and deputy Millicent Borishade as acting superintendent. Borishade, who is not certified with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, came from the Seattle area along with Scarlett without going through the hiring process at SLPS.

If the SLPS board ends up firing Scarlett, its unclear if board members will leave Borishade in the role or open a new superintendent search. Cousins said a majority of the board approved the appointment of Borishade to acting superintendent because she was already running the 18,000-student school district.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The Paris-based online newspaper La Gazette du Caucase has released an article calling the new French Cabinet of Ministers headed by Prime Minister Michel Barnier the most Azerbaijanophobic government in 15 years, Trend reports.

"Unlike Western democracies, where the executive branch is formed based on coalition agreements, in France the government is created more from political or personal preferences rather than a coordinated action plan. As for the Caucasus, there is enough reason for concern. If there was hope that reason would prevail over the anti-Azerbaijani hysteria of the previous government, we are now far from that," the article authors said.

Two ministers of Armenian origin have joined the new government.

"This in itself wouldnt raise questions if they hadnt previously carried out various anti-Azerbaijani campaigns and unconditionally supported the Karabakh separatists," the article emphasized.

Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet, appointed Minister of Labor and Employment, actively supported a resolution demanding the cessation of Azerbaijan's so-called "aggression" and also led a delegation of French politicians to Armenia. Guillaume Kasbarian, the new Minister of Civil Service, also signed an anti-Azerbaijani resolution.

The new ministers include Bruno Retailleau, appointed as Interior Minister, who is known for his ultra-conservative views and supports the idea of a civilizational war between Muslims and Armenians. He criticized the international community for its insufficient support of Armenia.

"Other members of the government, such as Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu and Minister of Justice Didier Migaud, also have a history of actively supporting Armenian interests. Most of the new ministers, including Antoine Armand and Anne Genetet, signed a resolution against Azerbaijan in 2022. The exception is Rachida Dati, reappointed as Minister of Culture, who will have to show courage to avoid censorship when mentioning Azerbaijan's cultural heritage," the article added.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemics and conflicts are leading to unprecedented costs for economies, societies and the planet, threatening the future of humanity. In this new global crisis landscape, practising resilience is critical to manage high uncertainty and turbulence. But in most cases, resilience is used as a general attribute for recovery or as a path to bounce back as fast as possible.

At Climate Week NYC 2024, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Global Resilience Partnership and Future Earth, announce a new initiative between science and policy with the ambition to integrate resilience science in decision-making and governance.

The first outcome of the science-policy initiative will be presented at COP30 in Brazil in 2025. The Key Must-Knows in Resilience Science report will be complemented and informed by a series of policy dialogues to better understand practical challenges and ways of operationalizing resilience in various contexts, called Road to Brazil COP30.

Resilience is the superpower of our Biosphere, that supports societies to deal with climate impacts in ways that make it possible to thrive within the Planetary Boundaries. We just cant take this superpower for granted anymore, says Line Gordon, director at Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University.

Although advances in resilience science and practice have been substantial, we need to urgently start translating this progress into action across scales and sectors in ways that allow for embedding resilience thinking in our day-to-day human activities, says Jesper Hornberg, CEO of Global Resilience Partnership.

We hope to gather sustainability researchers from across the globe to distil the latest from resilience science to underpin policy, meeting an increased demand from policymakers and practitioners in understanding how to implement resilience in their work, says Wendy Broadgate, Global Hub Director, Sweden, Future Earth.
How Can Publishers and Advertisers Monetize Rokus Platform?

In this clip from Streaming Media Connect 2024, Head of Roku Exchange Charlie Goodman and Future Today Marketplace VP Tim Ware discuss the opportunities and the challenges of monetizing the Roku Channel and Exchange for programmers, distributors, and advertisers alike.

How Roku enables advertisers to achieve their goals

Ware asks Goodman how Roku manages a model where programmers and distributors share revenues.

Our philosophy at Roku is we want advertisers to find success however they deem [it], Goodman says. Maybe it's acquisitions, maybe it's household reach and frequency. And so our job is really to make those moments matter and give them that ability to be able to bid on the audience they want, on the programs or the genre that matters, because context matters.

Goodman emphasizes Rokus aims to provide transparency and valuable signals, allowing advertisers to bid on specific audiences and content genres. People want to know where they're delivering ads to, he says. They want to know if it's live or not, [and the] genre, [and] content rating. So we bundle all that stuff together and send it out. And in the Roku Channel, we allow our publishers or our content providers to also monetize there. Our goal is to make sure that everything is mutually beneficial and we're able to reward users with great ad content and make sure the advertisers are driving their outcomes. We really want to make sure that we're using the open Real-Time Bidding (RTB) standards. There's a lot of semantically relevant fields there.

Ware asks, Do you have any of the revenue? How much is data-driven addressable versus non-addressable?

Goodman says that he doesnt have the revenue numbers readily available. However, he says, I know from our perspective, most people that are coming to us, it's more than just the Gross Rating Points (GRPs). It's more than just this program has this makeup. Most of it is based on addressability at a household level. I think most of the investment that we're seeing is through addressability versus contextual only.

How Rokus relationship with publishers has evolved

Ware touches on the evolution of Roku's relationship with publishers, highlighting improvements in transparency and the sharing of identifiers, which facilitate better monetization for content providers. Roku is, I think, through experiences, realizing more harmony with its content providers, which is really relevant, he says.

I totally agree, Goodman says. Our philosophy in working with our content providers is that we want them to be able to find success. So we are committed to providing things like Roku ID for Advertising (RIDA), which is our identity for advertising. I think it's a really valuable Identifier for Advertising (IFA), and a lot of people use that to monetize and make sure that they're reaching the right devices. We are all about [being] mutually beneficial, and I think that's the cool thing for me, at least in my position at places like the Roku Channel. It's no longer just like, Peacock over here, Roku Channel over here. There's a lot of competition. I mean, you saw it with our NewFronts. You just saw it with the Olympics, where we had the NBC Olympic Zone. Really, our goal is to make sure that everybody's finding that success in the moments of the matter.

Join us in November 2024 for more thought leadership, actionable insights, and lively debate at Streaming Media Connect.

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Master Sgt. Matthew Parker received the Distinguished Flying Cross with a C device for combat in recognition of the care he provided in flight on Aug. 27, 2021, to three Afghan children who had been badly wounded in the Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul. Parker is a critical care air transport respiratory therapist with the 86th Medical Squadron at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany  Master Sgt. Matthew Parker has finally received recognition for helping to save the lives of three children after one of the deadliest days for U.S. forces in Afghanistan more than three years ago.

The official record of his actions to aid the critically injured Afghan children on a C-17 military flight from Kabul to Qatar on Aug. 27, 2021, was lost.

A respiratory therapist on a critical care air transport team, Parker received no award for the mission or for his deployment to the Middle East during the drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, others with whom he had deployed received awards within months of returning home.

When he reached out to the unit he was assigned to in Kuwait, they told him,  We have a folder that says Parker, but theres nothing in it,  he recalled.

All my paperwork was apparently routing. It was signed, but it got lost, Parker said.

The snub left Parker salty as he dealt with traumatic memories from a deployment that had him wondering whether his Air Force career might be over.

I had a lot of things that I saw, a lot of attacks, he said. I was having trouble sleeping, focusing. With no medals from my deployment, I thought, Im never going to promote. 

Brig. Gen. Adrienne Williams, the 86th Airlift Wing commander, presents Master Sgt. Matthew Parker with the Distinguished Flying Cross at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany on Sept. 6, 2024. Parker helped save the lives of critically injured children after they were evacuated from Afghanistan on Aug. 27, 2021. (Jared Lovett/U.S. Air Force)

Parker credits Air Force leaders for stepping in to change that. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross with C device, the nations highest award for extraordinary aerial achievement, earlier this month at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where he is assigned to the 86th Medical Squadron.

Parker was based in Ohio when he deployed to the Middle East. His team went to Bagram Airfield and closed the aeromedical evacuation squadron at what had been the U.S. militarys largest base in Afghanistan.

They had moved to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait to set up operations for critical care air transport missions when they got the call that there had been a bombing in Kabul.

The airmen were told to grab as much gear as they could and take off as quickly as possible.

They said, We still dont know what youre getting but we might fill up this entire plane with bodies or patients,  he said.

The Abbey Gate suicide bombing at Kabuls airport on Aug. 26, 2021, took the lives of 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. That number would have been higher without Parker and others like him.

When Parkers team arrived at a Kabul hospital, it looked like a movie where you see people covered in blood (and) in shock, he said.

The crew airlifted 11 Afghan children and their families. Three of the kids were missing limbs and had to be sedated.

Parker oversaw the placement of endotracheal tubes to support breathing in each of the three. At one point, one of the tubes had to be attached to the inside of the aircraft with a parachute cord to keep it from kinking and blocking the patients airway. One of the children kept waking up because of the rough flight, Parker said.

The plane landed in Qatar, where Parker escorted the children on a bus headed to the military hospital. He had to hook up two of the patients to one oxygen tank because of a shortage.

Awards were far from his mind in the days and weeks that followed. But as the years passed, the career-damaging realities of being a senior NCO without so much as a medal to show for a combat zone tour sank in.

Unbeknownst to Parker, a new paper trail had started with his name on it.

The Distinguished Flying Cross with C device was awarded to Master Sgt. Matthew Parker for the life-saving care he provided to three Afghan children on Aug. 27, 2021. Parker is a critical care air transport respiratory therapist with the 86th Medical Squadron at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Gen. Mike Minihan, the former head of Air Mobility Command, wanted to recognize more airmen who had helped with the Afghanistan withdrawal.

(Minihan) said, If you did anything of note, get your paperwork in. I want to sign off on it before I retire,  Parker said.

Parker found out about Minihans efforts days before the general retired and figured that, once again, it was too late for him. But the air crew on Parkers flight submitted a packet in time for everyone on the plane that day, he said.

Soon after, I looked on my personnel record, and (the award) was scanned in there.  Now I just really feel like I can close that box and put that away, he said.

Parker also received a commendation medal for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service during the deployment.

Most importantly, Parker later heard that the children he treated on the evacuation flight in 2021 were recovering in the United States.

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a reminder of that success story, he said. This is something that I know one day my kids will have on their mantel and will be proud of.
Paladins belonging to the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment conduct their final fire missions during training at Forward Operating Station Torun, Poland, on Feb. 22, 2024. A U.S. Army War College study argues that replacing unit rotations from stateside with units based permanently in Europe would encourage European allies to allocate more of their weapon stockpiles to Ukraine. (Trevares Johnson/U.S. Army)

STUTTGART, Germany  Turning U.S. Army rotational brigades into units permanently based in Europe could give the security assurances needed to nudge allies into playing a larger role in supporting Ukraine, a new U.S. Army War College study asserts.

The report, released Thursday, said U.S. policymakers should consider making permanent the deployments of armored combat brigades that for the past decade have been the centerpiece of Army efforts to bolster defenses along NATOs eastern flank.

European reluctance to dig deeper into domestic military stocks is related to allies security concerns, according to the report, which also noted that many countries on the Continent are struggling to balance equipping their own military with ramping up weapons production for Ukraine.

American forward-stationed military forces can play a critical role in reassuring allies they can take on greater risk and dig deeper for Ukraine, wrote Army War College researchers John Deni and Lisa Aronsson.

The change would have the added benefit of saving the U.S. money, the report said. Past U.S. Army War College research has shown that the long-standing practice of rotating armored brigades back and forth between the United States and Poland costs about $135 million more per brigade compared with the permanent basing of such units in Europe.

U.S. soldiers from 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division stand in formation during a transfer of authority ceremony in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, on April 2, 2024. Turning Army rotational brigades into units permanently based in Europe could give U.S. allies the security blanket they need to get them to dig deeper into their weapons stockpiles to arm Ukraine, according to an Army War College study. (Trevares Johnson/U.S. Army)

The latest study delves into the array of problems allies face when it comes to boosting weapons production on the Continent and solidifying that support for the long term.

The difficulties range from outdated laws that hinder defense industrial production to command-and-control flaws that leave other militaries unable to fill the role the United States plays in facilitating the flow of arms into Ukraine.

Since Russias full-scale 2022 invasion of Ukraine, allies have stepped up their support for Kyiv. While the United States remains the single largest donor, Europe is now collectively surpassing the U.S. in supplying Ukraines war effort.

Even so, a Europe-only effort to assist Ukraine would clearly fail, the report said.

Now three years into the war, the Pentagon also has grappled with its own defense industrial limitations and depleted stockpiles.

In the United States, support for Ukraine also has become a partisan issue, with former President Donald Trump opposing the extensive delivery of American weapons for Ukrainian defense.

But the U.S. Army War College authors concluded that success hinges on sustained U.S. involvement in Europe, noting that allies will not be able to increase their military support for Ukraine dramatically in the short term.

U.S. soldiers with the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division hurry to their vehicles during an exercise in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, in May 2022. Permanently basing U.S. Army brigades in Europe could help prompt allies to dig deeper into their weapons stockpiles to arm Ukraine, according to an Army War College study. (Tobias Cukale/U.S. Army)

The situation has created a set of tradeoffs for various countries depending on their respective threat perceptions. And in many of them, bureaucratic red tape stands in the way of getting industrial production onto a wartime footing, according to the analysts.

European allies  even those closest to the Russian threat  appear unwilling or unable to implement a wartime approach to industrial production, the report said.

Allies need legislation akin to the Defense Production Act in the U.S. that would allow governments to better direct the prioritization of specific defense contracts and procurement.

European allies cannot continue supporting Ukraine or expand their assistance without significant adjustments, the report said.
Marines Ted Davis, 23, and Rylie Petrosky, 20, have been charged with rape by police in Surf City, N.C., a small beach town near Camp Lejeune where the two men are assigned. (Photos provided by Town of Surf City, N.C. )

Police in Surf City, N.C., on Monday charged two Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune with rape, officials in the small beach town near the base said.

Ted Arthur Davis, 23, and Rylie Tate Petrosky, 20, were in jail Monday after an initial appearance in court, Surf City officials said. A judge granted them a $300,000 secured bond in that hearing, but the suspects had not been released as of Monday afternoon.

Davis was charged with first-degree forcible rape, felony conspiracy and providing alcohol to a person under 21, according to police. Petrosky was charged with first-degree forcible rape and felony conspiracy. The rape charges carry a minimum penalty of 12 years imprisonment up to a life sentence, according to North Carolina law.

It was not clear Monday when the suspected rape occurred, but police described the incident as an isolated case. Town officials said the Marines knew the victim, who was receiving support via a victims advocate.

Police officials said they could release no further information Monday to protect the victims identity and the integrity of the case.

Surf City Police Chief Phillip Voorhees said the investigation was ongoing. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Onslow County Sheriffs Office, the Camp Lejeune Provost Marshals Office and the Wilmington Police Department have assisted in the probe, he said.

We take these charges extremely seriously and remain dedicated to seeing that justice is served, Voorhees said in a statement. Our department, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, worked swiftly to conduct a thorough investigation, bring appropriate charges, and ensure the safety of our community.

Surf City is a small coastal town about 20 miles southeast of Camp Lejeune. The citys police department identified the suspects as Marines, but they provided no additional information about their service.

Camp Lejeune officials did not immediately respond Monday to a request for more information about the Marines.
Hugo Morales waves American flags as the USS Harry S. Truman deploys Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. The Morales familys sailor, 19-year-old Alexis Morales, is deploying for the first time with the Truman and its strike group. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes)

NORFOLK, Va.  Just one more! Cecilia Gamboa shouted, throwing her arms around her daughter, Machinists Mate Gianna Rodriguez.

Seven months is nothing compared to a lifetime, Rodriguez said, hugging her mother.

Then, after smoothing out her dress whites and saying her final I love you, Rodriguez disappeared into a group of sailors making their way down the pier toward the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

Dozens of family members and friends gathered Monday at Naval Station Norfolk to wish the crew of the Truman fair winds and following seas ahead of a deployment that is expected to take the warships strike group into the Middle East.

Sailor Gianna Rodriguez hugs a family member before climbing aboard the USS Harry S. Truman on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes)

Sailors stoically stood on the flight deck, manning the rails in their dress whites, as the carrier was pushed off the pier. The warship will be joined at sea in the coming days by its strike group, which includes Carrier Air Wing 1 with nine aviation squadrons, guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, and two guided-missile destroyers, the USS Stout and the USS Jason Dunham.

For now, the Truman strike group is deploying to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility, which spans approximately half of the Atlantic Ocean, from the North Pole to Antarctica, as well as the North, Adriatic, Baltic, Barents, Black, Caspian and Mediterranean seas, senior leaders said.

This crew is ready to answer any call that our nation may have for us to answer, said Capt. Dave Snowden, commanding officer of the Truman.

Capt. Dave Snowden, commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman, and Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the Truman Carrier Strike Group hold a news conference Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, before the aircraft carriers departure from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes)

The last time that the Truman deployed was in 2022 to provide air support in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. This time, the warship is potentially deploying for a different kind of battle  drone warfare. The strike group has spent recent months training in the western Atlantic Ocean for a rare, pre-planned deployment expected to take the ship into the hostile environment of the Red Sea.

U.S. sailors and allies have fought almost daily for months to down drones and missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as tensions in the Middle East have raged on for nearly a year.

Our world is a dynamic place where threats are emerging everywhere, all across the globe, said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the Truman carrier strike group.

The Truman is deploying with a strike force of 90 aircraft, including F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, E-2D Hawkeye command and control aircraft, E/A18 Growler electronic warfare jets and MH-60 Seahawk helicopters.

The senior commanders said the Truman strike group trained for a broad spectrum of missions but confirmed the group has leveraged lessons learned from other carrier strike groups deployed recently in the region to prepare for a potential Red Sea mission.

It has not necessarily changed how we focus our training, Bailey said, referring to the Red Sea. But what it has done is its given us more increased capability against those threats, as they emerge to ensure that we are fully trained to be ready wherever we may go.

The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and a force of 6,500 sailors deploys Monday, Sept. 23, 2023 on a mission that is expected to take the warships strike group into the Middle East. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) The Morales family clings to each other and waves American flags as the USS Harry S. Truman deploys Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. The familys sailor, 19-year-old Alexis Morales, is deploying for the first time with the Truman and its strike group. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and a force of 6,500 sailors deploys Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, on a mission that is expected to take the warships strike group into the Middle East. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) Dozens gather Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., to see the USS Harry S. Truman as it departs for a scheduled deployment. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes)

In the past year, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has twice ordered two carriers to the region, as well as bolstering U.S. forces with an amphibious ready group and a nuclear-powered submarine.

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, homeported in Virginia, was ordered in October 2023 to sail to the region after a deadly attack on Israel by Hamas militants. The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, also East Coast-based, joined the Ford in the winter before the Ford returned to Norfolk. The Eisenhower completed an eight-month deployment to the region in July, being relieved by San Diego-based carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

In August, Austin ordered the extension of the Roosevelt as well as directed the USS Abraham Lincoln, also a West Coast-based carrier, to the Red Sea. The Roosevelts and the Lincolns time in the region overlapped by about three weeks before the Roosevelt was ordered to return home. The Lincoln and its strike group are still there.

When we deploy, we never know what is going to be in store for us. It is a testament to previous carrier strike groups that were able to quickly pivot to go from one theater to another, go from one mission to another, Bailey said.

Hours before the ship departed, sailors lingered by the gates of the pier for last-minute goodbyes.

Seaman Mason Baker hugs his mother, Clare Baker, who traveled from North Carolina to see her son off on his first deployment aboard the USS Harry S. Truman on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes)

Seaman Mason Baker wrapped his mother, Clare Baker, with a hug. She traveled from North Carolina to see her son off on his first deployment. An American flag was emblazoned across her shirt, which read, My kid has your back.

Nearby, Gianna Rodiguezs family stood in the shadow of the ships bow a few moments after she said goodbye. They wanted to watch her climb the brow and board the warship. Her mother, father and two sisters traveled from California to see the sailor off on her first deployment.

She is proud to protect our country. As a mom, my heart is broken because we never want to let go of our children, but we have got to be proud that we raised them well enough. They are doing something big, Cecilia Gamboa said, wiping tears from her cheeks.

At about midday, the Truman was guided off the pier by tugboats. Dozens of families trickled down the pier, following the ship as far as the pier would allow.

When the ship turned to transit to the Chesapeake Bay and out to sea, a pod of dolphins appeared in the wake of the warship. It will be at least six months before the Truman Carrier Strike Group and its force of 6,500 sailors return home.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The first session of the seventh convocation of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held, Trend reports.

The first session of the seventh convocation of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held on September 23.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the session.

First, the national anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played.

The head of state delivered a speech.

- Dear MPs, ladies and gentlemen.

The Milli Majlis of the seventh convocation is beginning its work today. I would like to sincerely congratulate all the MPs on this occasion and wish the Milli Majlis the best of luck.

I am sure that the Milli Majlis and its MPs will continue to contribute to the comprehensive development of our country with their work, thus ensuring the sustainable development of Azerbaijan.

This year's presidential and parliamentary elections were held in the entire territory of our country for the first time in the history of our independent state. This is a historic event. The Second Karabakh War and the complete restoration of our sovereignty is a historic event on a global scale. The people of Azerbaijan put an end to the 30-year occupation by showing strong will and unity. The state of Azerbaijan has shown its strength, our people have demonstrated their indomitable spirit to the whole world. Therefore, I am sure that 2024 will be a year that will go down in history from this point of view. Because the presidential and parliamentary elections were held in all territories and the people of Azerbaijan once again showed their will.

The full restoration of our sovereignty as a result of the Second Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation ushers ample opportunities and opens new horizons for our country. The 30-year occupation was left behind. Our country has now embarked on large-scale construction and development work, and the results are obvious. In the last three to four years, the international positions of our country have further strengthened. We have succeeded in having the results of the Second Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation acknowledged by the whole world. However, there were countries and circles that did not want to accept it, and they are still there today. We all see that unfounded accusations against us, the accusations based on double standards are continuing. However, this cannot affect our resolve or the resolve of our people in any way.

Only one year has passed since the restoration of state sovereignty. Three days ago, we already celebrated this day as a holiday. However, I would like to say that there is no cause for becoming complacent. We will keep this glorious history in our hearts forever. The people of Azerbaijan, all future generations will be rightly proud of this glorious Victory. However, the tasks facing the country must be fulfilled so that we always develop, increase our strength and secure a safe life of the Azerbaijani people in the future.

Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity today to share my thoughts with you and the people of Azerbaijan about some of the tasks ahead of our country.

The number one priority is to increase our military strength. Although the Second Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation are now in the past, the processes going on in the world, new conflicts, the emergence of war zones and the increase of tensions around us, at the same time, the revengeful tendencies in Armenia compel us to keep this area in the spotlight at all times. Without military power, we cannot succeed in any sphere  neither economic nor political. I do believe that the history of independent Azerbaijan, including the 30-year occupation, is graphic evidence of that. Without the military capability and strength, we would never have been able to liberate our lands from the invaders. Not only those involved in politics, but I think anyone in the world can see that the concept of international law has been completely undermined. The security architecture formed after World War II no longer exists, the principle of Might is right prevails, and some major states are not even hiding this at all. In fact, we have been conducting a policy in this direction for many years. During the occupation, increasing our military strength was always our primary objective. Every year, when our state budget was approved in the Milli Majlis, everyone could see that military expenses were top priority. This should be the same today.

Yes, the country is facing challenging tasks, first of all, the task of restoring Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. However, if we reduce our attention to the military field and do not ensure the appropriate level of funding for it, problems may await us in the future.

Revengeful forces are raising their head in Armenia. These are not only marginal political elements. Today's Armenian government lives with these ideas and fantasies as well. They do not want to come to terms with the results of the Second Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation. Although they are saying one thing, their work, policies and steps create a completely opposite picture. The formal keeping of the Minsk Group, which has had no functional significance to date, is proof of this. Everyone knows perfectly well why the Minsk Group was created  to resolve the Karabakh conflict. The Karabakh conflict has been resolved, completely, once and for all. The official circles of Armenia seem to admit this in their statements. But at the same time, despite our insistence, keeping the Minsk group officially alive can only serve one purpose  the territorial claims against us will arise again. The countries standing behind Armenia, their activities, their decisions, resolutions, statements - all this shows that this dirty game against us is not over yet. Foreign circles unable to digest our Victory are preparing new plans against us. There is no need to elaborate further on this. But the obtained data is evidence of that. This is exactly the purpose of the media campaign, the aspersion, libel and defamation campaigns - to keep this topic on the daily agenda and live with the hope that one day if Azerbaijan stumbles or weakens, these ugly actions against us will start again. In other words, we should be aware of that. The government of Azerbaijan knows this, and the public should know this too. Therefore, we have no right to be complacent.

This is why I am saying it again: the number one priority is to build up our military strength, and we are doing that. In the time after the Second Karabakh War, we have significantly increased our military capacity, new armed units have been created and the number of special forces has been increased several times. New special forces and commando units have been set up, and their number will increase year by year. Other special purpose units have also been established and they are trained day and night. The combat capability of our army is increasing and their provision with equipment is and will be maintained at the required level. Armenia and any country behind it should know that it will not be possible to talk to us in the language of blackmail and ultimatums. We are prepared, capable and always ready to give an answer.

In parallel, we must develop our domestic military industrial complex more rapidly. Major funds have been allocated for this purpose this year and will be allocated next year as well. Large-scale modernization work is under way in all our military plants. Therefore, new equipment, machinery and ammunition are manufactured. The introduction of new production sites with several foreign partners has already assumed practical proportions. In the next year or two, our military industrial complex will grow even larger both in terms of the assortment and quality of the products to be manufactured. There are several goals here. First of all, the creation of a domestic military industrial complex is evidence of the overall strength and development of a country. Secondly, we should be less dependent on external sources. Of course, it will not be possible to completely eliminate this dependence. We should know this as well. But we should provide ourselves with local production to the maximum extent possible. Technological innovations in this field, especially in modern times, will strengthen our overall intellectual potential. Because the personnel working in this field are building and will build their work on completely new technological and methodological foundations. Thousands of new jobs will be created. All these are not only our plans, but specific projects we have implemented. Of course, there is no need to talk extensively about these projects. I should just note that this will be one of our main priorities for the coming years.

Another factor is that countries playing the leading part in the worlds arms market are involved in their own affairs these days. They are busy trying to satisfy their domestic needs. Therefore, there is a natural shortage in the world arms market. We should also take this into account. At the same time, this field will allow us the opportunity to expand the export geography of our military-technical goods. Today, Azerbaijan exports products of the military industrial complex to dozens of countries, and this geographical reach is expanding by the year. This is a part of our negotiations with a number of countries, including talks in economic and investment fields. We will become a major player in the world arms market in the near future, and we have these opportunities.

You also know quite well that we have recently announced this field open to the private sector, and I am glad that the private sector has responded positively to my call. Several Azerbaijani private companies are already involved in the development of the military industrial complex, of course, on the condition of obtaining licenses from relevant state institutions. Thus, this will make it possible to raise production in this field to the value of billions of dollars in just a few years.

Another important priority is related to the protection of our borders. I have already shared my thoughts about this with the public several times. Currently, engineering work is under way on our conditional border with Armenia. At the same time, our border with other neighbors should be equipped with modern infrastructure.

After the Second Karabakh War, the length of our conditional border with Armenia, which used to be under occupation, exceeds 500 kilometers. The natural terrain and geography of this conditional border is very difficult. It is located in very harsh places from the point of view of climate, and it is not so easy to carry out service there. Some of our service areas are located at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. Despite this, our military positions along the border are being reinforced. We are strengthening the conditional border because any provocation can be expected from Armenia at any moment. The Armenian side is getting extensively armed. At the same time, it conducts military exercises with foreign countries and major powers. Western countries are sending weapons and ammunition to Armenia. In some cases, it is open, as in the French-Armenian military cooperation, while in some cases it is concealed. However, we need to know everything now. And we know who sends what to Armenia and when, which military cargo planes land at Armenian airports and which military products are transported to Armenia on those cargo planes. In other words, the plans of some Western countries to turn Armenia against us are obvious. Of course, they are not interested in the Armenian people. The Armenian people are just a tool in their hands, a tool for keeping Azerbaijan under constant pressure, using the territory of Armenia to create sources of threat for Azerbaijan and other neighbors of Armenia, and thus, securing their own interests. This methodology is quite straightforward. But they should also know that we will not allow that. I have already said that if we see a real threat, it will not be very difficult for us to nip it in the bud wherever it is. Everyone should understand this. Border protection is and should be organized by visual, infrastructure and technological means. But we should all know that this is a very big and large-scale task.

Strengthening the border with other neighbors is one of the most important conditions, and I am sure that the people of Azerbaijan also understand this. Our land borders are still closed, i.e. for the movement of people. We do understand that this creates certain difficulties. However, today's geopolitical situation is quite obvious, and this is the only correct step to ensure internal security. All necessary measures are taken to protect internal security. There are also threats  real and potential. Relevant agencies are working hard to eliminate these threats. The public is also updated on this issue to the possible extent, information is provided. However, since this area is very sensitive, I think the people of Azerbaijan understand that it would be inappropriate and harmful to talk about it. But I can say with absolute certainty that the closure of our land borders over the past years has saved us from many major disasters. Even today, when the borders are closed, dangerous actions do take place and these actions are prevented. Therefore, the protection of our borders will safeguard us from external risks. There are no internal risks in Azerbaijan. Security and peace have been ensured in Azerbaijan for many years. Our stability can be an example for the whole world. Everyone knows that no country can develop in the absence of stability. Today, everyone can see the situation and the fate of destabilized countries. This is the main condition for security, development and the attraction of foreign investment. All other security measures are also in place. Azerbaijan is a strong state and our strength is increasing by the year.

Another important task is related to ideological security, and here too we must always be careful. Because ideological provocations against us are continuing. It is true that they have not yielded any results yet, because the strong will of our people and our national spirit are in their way. It is impossible for any ideological provocation to take root here. But at the same time, this should not make us complacent. Therefore, we must always be ready for it and expose the dirty games played against us, as we have done, officially, in the public space and in the media. I believe that the people of Azerbaijan see everything perfectly well, know everything perfectly well  who is our friend and who is our enemy. The main criterion is the attitude of the countries to the restoration of our sovereignty. There is no need to go any further. Who supported and congratulated us on the restoration of our sovereignty? These are our friends. Who was and is against it? They cannot be our friends. During the occupation, this was not so clear. In other words, although it was clear to us, it was not clear to the general public. Because foreign propaganda was once deeply rooted in Azerbaijan, and not just from one source, but from several ones. Foreign forces and countries were competing for having a say in Azerbaijans public opinion. They wanted to change the situation in their favor by instigating a provocation in our media through their henchmen. In other words, there have been many such attempts, but the strong will and unity of our people did not allow it to happen. This continues to this day. This is why I am saying it again - there are very simple criteria. Whoever is happy with the return of Karabakh to Azerbaijan is our friend and brother. Whoever is disappointed by this and wants to incite the separatists again, whoever invites them to foreign countries, whoever gives them visas, whoever conducts a smear campaign against us through various tools, how can they be our friend? This is why, as they say, everything is clear and visible today. Let me say again - there werent such open and provocative steps against us during the occupation. Because that occupation was completely in the interests of the forces against us - let the state of Azerbaijan always be under pressure, always need some mediators, let our people always suffer morally, let the refugees suffer. It does not take a great mind to understand the feelings of the people who have lost their land. So we saved our lives from this trouble, and the masks of the anti-Azerbaijani forces were immediately torn. We see it today. I think there is no need to name anyone. Everyone can see everything. Therefore, issues of ideological security should always be in the spotlight for state institutions, legislative bodies and public activists. We are certainly taking our own steps in this matter and will continue to take them.

I would also like to touch upon another issue. I said this at the opening of the Garabagh University in Khankendi three days ago, and I want to say it again. The importance of the issue suggests that the education of the young generation in the national spirit is not just words. This is the main guarantor of the future development of Azerbaijan, because countries are governed by their people. People's ideas, thoughts and courage, and, conversely, different negative characteristics and the situation of countries depend on that to a large extent. Therefore, we should bring up a young generation that would be knowledgeable and educated, it should be attached and devoted to the Motherland. It should not succumb to external influence, it should be proud. In fact, after our glorious wars, including the Second Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation, if we are not proud, then which people should be? Who won this brilliant Victory in a matter of 44 days, giving martyrs? May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace. The anti-terror operation, which lasted for several hours under tremendous foreign pressure  I am not talking about other factors, separatism was rooted out in Azerbaijan  who else could do this? In other words, it is the people of Azerbaijan who has the biggest right to be proud of our country and people.

Let me say again that this is why we, our entire society, should always be vigilant. I also said this in Khankendi: the main sources of education are family and school. This is the key. Of course, society, the general atmosphere prevailing in society, as they say, the climate  all this has a serious impact on the consciousness and future of the young generation. Therefore, this issue should always be in the spotlight. I am sure that this will be the case. Our MPs, of course, should also always keep this issue in mind during meetings with their electors.

The restoration of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur is, of course, an important task for all of us.

If I start to list the things we have done since the Second Karabakh War, I will have to speak in front of you for several hours. I would just like to bring a few figures to your and the public's attention. After the war, the amount to be spent by the end of this year is 19 billion manats. Most of the funds is channeled into infrastructure projects. At the same time, efforts are being made to return former IDPs to their homes, and more than 8,000 former IDPs have already resettled in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Their number will increase every month and every year.

Infrastructure projects have reached very large proportions, 3,000 kilometers of highways have been built. Among general projects, 45 tunnels are to be built and the length of these tunnels is 70 kilometers, i.e. it is not an easy task to build a tunnel and a road in those mountains. The construction of 450 bridges is also planned. Railways and two international airports have been commissioned. Energy potential has been strengthened and 270 megawatts of hydropower plants have been put into operation in the three years, and this process is ongoing. Schools, hospitals, social facilities, villages are under construction. In other words, in a nutshell, large-scale work is under way for the revival of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. I don't know if similar restoration work has ever been done in any country in history or not. However, this also shows that it has always been the most important issue for us - new settlements were built for IDPs both during the occupation and especially in the current conditions.

Specific work is under way to protect our cultural and historical heritage. We are restoring our historical monuments. Seven mosques destroyed by the Armenians have been rebuilt. The construction of eight mosques is still under way. Victory museums, occupation museums, victory parks, such large-scale work is under way in this geography. This, let me say again, shows the great capabilities of our people. And I am not talking only about financial resources here. At the same time, the state we have built has technical capabilities. There is also personnel training. Because doing these things - laying power lines in the mountains more than 3,000 meters high in winter - requires truly great professionalism. So this is the potential of our country. We are ready for it. As soon as we freed our lands, we started this work immediately. I would even say that the 44-day Second Karabakh War was not even over yet, but we had already started building the road infrastructure in Aghdara district. Of course, things will go faster in the coming years. In the near future, the next year's budget will be discussed in the Milli Majlis. I am sure that MPs will approve the government's plans for Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, and we will ensure it. Of course, we must have the economic opportunities to do all these things. I have to say that we are doing all these things at our own expense. To date, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have been the brotherly states that have helped us in the reconstruction work. A school and a children's creative center were built in Fuzuli, and currently the Kyrgyz Republic is also engaged in the construction of a school in Aghdam district. That is it. Other than that, as they say, we have not received a single stone from anyone. We are doing all these things at our own expense. There are many donor organizations in the world, but they are, as they say, indifferent to this issue. There are thousands of foreign representatives who have seen this large area in this plight. Seeing this and not doing anything tangible shows again that this attitude towards us must be taken into account. This should demonstrate to us again that we should only rely on our own strength and trust our own potential.

I think that this year's economic indicators have been positive. In the first eight months, the economy grew by more than 4 percent, in the non-oil sector it was 7 percent. We have been reducing our foreign debt year by year on my orders, and today it accounts for only 7.5 percent of the gross domestic product. We can say that we have repaid almost all the key loans, and if we view our debt in absolute numbers, it is about 5.3 billion dollars. We can repay it in one day. I don't want to compare ourselves to any other country, but let me tell you one figure: in some developed countries, including some countries that want to lecture us, the foreign debt accounts for 100 percent of the gross domestic product or even higher. So, this is just a small reference.

Of course, in order to implement our future plans, including the improvement of the well-being of our citizens, the economy must always develop. We have implemented four packages of social reforms since 2018. The value of this package of social reforms is 7 billion manats and it covers four million people. During the last five years, the minimum wage in Azerbaijan has increased 2.7 times and the minimum pension 2.5 times. I must also inform you that an instruction has already been given that the minimum wage and minimum pension will be increased again from next year.

In other words, this social-oriented course once again shows our overall policies and intentions. Of course, the diversification of the economy, the development of the non-oil sector and the expansion of local production are the primary conditions for pursuing our policy in this direction in the future. Today, new production sites are opening in all regions of our country, including Karabakh. The opening of the Istisu mineral water factory has a tremendous symbolic meaning, and Istisu is on our tables again. This has a great symbolic meaning and means the restoration of historical justice. After all, the Armenians destroyed both the factory and the sanatorium that used to operate there in Soviet times.

I would also like to touch upon the issue of normalization of relations with Armenia. I would like to state again that peace negotiations were initiated by Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War. At that time, neither Armenia nor any other country in general had developed their own opinion about what the future would hold. It was our initiative. After a while, when we saw that it remained unanswered, we already laid out the basic principles, made them public and the process begun. But what do we see? We see that Armenia is artificially delaying this issue. Because from the time we sent our first draft to Armenia, there have been 10 exchanges of comments and each time certain provisions were agreed, i.e. there was certain progress in this work. We should state everything the way it is. But at the same time, as months passed, we naturally expected Armenia to share its comments with us more promptly and flexibly. But we saw the exact opposite. We had to wait 70 days to receive the final version from them. On June 24, our comments were sent to them and they sent us a reply at the end of August or at the beginning of September. So what was this answer? All non-agreed provisions were removed from their version of peace treaty. In other words, such a primitive and inadequate step could not have been expected. Provisions that were removed from the text, i.e. those proposed to be removed at their request, are important. Without them, the peace treaty will be incomplete. Therefore, such an insincere attitude naturally makes us think. In addition to the factors I have just mentioned, if we put all these facts into a framework, we will see that both the rapid armament, the revenge tendencies and the fact that Armenia's patrons have raised the issue of Karabakh against us again, this inadequate and insincere attitude in the progress of the peace agreement, the delaying tactics and other issues suggest that Armenia does not want peace, it wants to bide time and use this time to build up its military potential with the support of its foreign patrons. Representatives of some European countries, not only European but also other Western countries have already started working in the Armenian army. A so-called European peace or observer mission has been illegally established on our border, while this represents a violation of the agreement reached. I would like to remind both the European Union and Armenia that an agreement was reached at the Prague meeting in 2022, and yes, we also agreed  that a small number of observer missions should be stationed on the Armenian side in the direction of the conditional border, for only two or three months. So this was agreed with us. But after that, they extended it without our approval, increased their number, representatives from Canada were included, and this actually has become a NATO mission. After that, a binocular diplomacy, namely, policy was carried out against us. Foreign representatives went there day and night and looked at us through binoculars. What did they want to show us?! Is this a demonstration or a cheap show?! All these factors should make us think carefully, and they do, of course. Therefore, if they are not interested in normalization of relations with Armenia, then it will not happen. In any case, we will not take a step back from our position. Anyone can say what they want, we don't need mediators. It is true that we do not object to some mediation proposals, simply for the sake of political decency. But as a matter of fact, we do not need a mediator. We delimited the state border with Armenia without mediators. We simply told them that the four villages of Gazakh district should be returned to us unconditionally, and I said this for the last time in February this year. I believe that these words were very convincing, and after that, four villages of Gazakh, which were under occupation, were returned to us without any mediators and without any conditions. Thus, we have started not only delimitation but also demarcation. This is why we don't need any mediators in the negotiations. Armenia should not rely on that either. In general, it should not rely on anyone else. If they want to live in this geography and if they want to live in the conditions of security, they must make serious adjustments to their policies towards their neighbors. This is first. Second, neither they nor those behind them should ever forget the 30-year occupation. But they want to forget it and want others to forget it too, as if this occupation never even happened. They should not forget the results of the Second Karabakh War. The Armenian army was crushed. Armenia signed an act of capitulation. After that, I gave the order and the glorious Victory march of the Azerbaijan Army was stopped. Today's reality once again shows that this was the right step, and the subsequent events are also obvious. As a result, September 20, the day of full restoration of our sovereignty, should not be forgotten, and this historic truth should always be at the negotiating table.

After World War II, no one offered a peace treaty to Nazi Germany. Fascist Germany was divided into several parts and the capitulating fascist state was punished. Here, the capitulated fascist state was not only not punished, they were given all the preferences. America is now giving them 250 million dollars. They will use this money for their internal purposes, while the saved money will be used to buy weapons to kill us. Who bears this responsibility and who will bear it in the future? Those giving them this money, including the so-called European Peace Facility. Look at the level of hypocrisy. The fund is intended for weapons and they call it the Peace Facility, Armenia uses it and gets free weapons from France. And this money is not paid either, from other places. So this is a serious matter and I would not like to talk too much about it. Simply put, our terms remain in place. Those arming Armenia should bear in mind that they will be directly responsible for all future developments, and naturally, official territorial claims against us should be stopped. Their constitution should be amended and the Minsk group should be abolished.

You know, during the years of occupation, our foreign policy was mostly focused on this direction, of course. And now, after our historic Victory, we have become freer in our foreign policy, and I would like to say a few words on this occasion: an independent and principled foreign policy is our main direction. We have never done anything against anyone, we have never interfered in anyone's affairs. But we have always taught a lesson to those who wanted to interfere in our affairs that they should not do so. There are and will be such attempts. It is true that they don't mean anything. However, this factor will certainly always be taken into account in our foreign policy. Whoever wants to cooperate with us in a bilateral format, on the basis of mutual respect, we will double our cooperation. But if someone thinks that they will come and dictate their will to us, that they will accuse us without grounds or that they will defame us by some means and we will be friends with these countries as if nothing had happened, this is a wrong idea, this will not happen! Azerbaijan has long established itself as a dignified and proud state. Especially, after our historic Victory, our international reputation has further increased. Our international positions have been strengthened and the international community is with us. Some Western countries believe that the international community is only about them and the states dependent on them I dont want to mention. No, the international community means all countries of the world, and these countries voted for us unanimously. The holding of COP29 in Azerbaijan is a decision made unanimously by nearly 200 countries. And it is an important factor that shows our international authority and respect. After that, there will be no step back in foreign policy. The number of our friends on all continents is increasing. We will conduct a more active foreign policy now - after the Second Karabakh War and after restoring our sovereignty. Now very serious contacts are being established with regions where we did not exist before, we are reviewing investment projects, and at the same time, new opportunities for cooperation in various fields are emerging. Of course, our relations with traditional partners and friends are in place and will continue to develop.

Of course, our country has many other tasks. I want to once again congratulate all members of the Milli Majlis on the occasion of the commencement of the seventh convocation of the parliament. I wish you all good luck and good health. Thank you.
Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum of Sigamos Haciendo Historia arrives to give a speech after the first results released by the election authorities show that she leads the polls by wide margin after the presidential election at Hilton Hotel on June 03, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is leaving his successor in Mexico a volatile currency, tepid economic growth and the widest budget deficit since the 1980s. But the most urgent challenge Claudia Sheinbaum will face is calming investor fears over the outgoing leaders overhaul of the judiciary.

The plan, which will see Mexico elect thousands of judges and magistrates nationwide, was approved this month amid outcry from the opposition, investors and business leaders who fear it will remove checks and balances on the ruling Morena party and erode the rule of law.

Sheinbaum, who takes office Oct. 1, signaled continuity a day after the vote, confirming that most of the existing Finance Ministry team will remain in their posts. But given the current presidents record of clashing with private business while giving handouts to the heavily indebted state oil company, its unclear how reassuring that will be to investors.

In addition to riling two of Mexicos biggest trading partners  the U.S. and Canada  and raising questions about judicial independence, the overhaul has sparked concern about how far Morena will go to pass other radical reforms proposed by AMLO, as the outgoing nationalist leader is known. The list includes eliminating independent regulators in the energy and telecom sectors in favor of ministerial oversight.

Sheinbaum will bear a heavy political cost for the approval of the judicial reform, said Amrit Singh, executive director of the Rule of Law Impact Lab at Stanford Law School in California. The president-elect will have trouble convincing Mexicans that she genuinely intends to place their interests above political calculations that require her to continue AMLOs legacy.

The way in which Morena engineered its legislative victory in the final month of Lopez Obradors six-year term, by flipping one opposition senator amid allegations of coercion, only added to fears that the party will stop at nothing in its pursuit for power.

The senator who cast the decisive vote  at the last minute, after a prolonged absence  called the reversal of his earlier position against the reform the hardest decision of his life. Another opposition lawmaker never made it to the floor, amid allegations that his father was detained and his house surrounded by police officers.

The change in the senators vote came after a top-ranking Morena member, former Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez, allegedly promised that the government would shelve corruption investigations against him and his family, according to political columnists in Mexico. And the opposition lawmaker who never made it to the session was threatened with his fathers arrest if he left the city of Campeche and followed through on his pledge to vote against the plan, according to his Movimiento Ciudadano party. An El Pais investigation suggested that his absence was agreed to beforehand.

AMLO acknowledged at his Sept. 11 daily press briefing that Lopez might have spoken with the senator who changed his vote, but denied that the congressman had been paid or threatened. In politics, it is always necessary to choose between disadvantages and to seek a balance between efficiency and principles, the president said about the strategy to get the missing vote.

Even Mexican pundits who previously defended the Morena leadership were shocked that the president and his allies took such flagrant measures to get the contentious reform approved. So now its up to Sheinbaum to repair the partys image and to show that her legislators will get in line behind someone other than AMLO, whose son was named to a top Morena leadership post on Sunday.

He is imposing on her a scenario that is highly conflictive and disruptive by promoting an enormous reform  the most important in decades  just before she starts her government, said Ricardo Becerra, president of the Institute of Studies for a Democratic Transition, a think tank in Mexicos capital.

Despite the challenge, Sheinbaum has sought to develop her own plans over the past months. Speaking to reporters last week, she denied that Lopez Obrador will continue to have a commanding voice during her administration, noting that hes repeatedly said hes retiring to write a book.

However, the president-elect said she will continue implementing AMLOs vision for Mexico, including judicial reform. Our adversaries want there to be a rupture, but there cannot be a rupture if we have been building this project together, Sheinbaum said. Her office didnt respond to a request for comment on this story.

Beyond political fallout from the overhaul, the new president also has to address economic setbacks left behind by Lopez Obrador.

As of Friday, the Mexican peso had fallen about 14% since the June election and was one of the worst-performing major currencies as lawmakers discussed AMLOs plan to elect judges. The central bank recently cut its growth forecast for this year to 1.5% from 2.4% previously, and lowered its estimate for 2025 to a 1.2% economic expansion.

State oil giant Petroleos Mexicanos, meanwhile, has nearly $100 billion in debt thats required frequent government support to pare down. AMLO said Friday he expects Sheinbaum to continue injecting cash because she agrees with what we have established and that our economic policy will continue.

Pemexs needs will be a major factor when the president-elect presents a final budget in November, though shes aiming to narrow the deficit to under 3.5% of gross domestic product from a bulging 5.9% currently.

Then theres managing the relationship with Mexicos neighbors after both the U.S. and Canadian ambassadors spoke out against the judicial overhaul. Washington could seek changes during the 2026 review of the North American free-trade agreement, opening up avenues for international arbitration instead of limiting companies to resolutions in Mexican courts, according to Andy Shoyer, a partner at Sidley Austin LLP who was previously a legal adviser in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

After winning the election in a landslide with nearly 60% of the vote, the former mayor of Mexico City has broad domestic maneuvering room. But worries around judicial reform and the legislative arm-twisting required to pass it raise questions about whether international investors might turn away from Mexico.

Sheinbaums inaugural speech after taking office will be a key signal to markets, according to Gabriela Soni, head of investment strategy at UBS Mexico, who is hoping to hear a conciliatory message after AMLOs clashes with big business. They have very little fiscal room, Soni said, so they have to open up to the private sector in order to achieve their ambitious agenda.

With assistance from Scott Squires.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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One of the planes operated by Venezuelas state-owned oil company. Similar aircraft have been used to transport senior members of the Nicolas Maduro regime. (U.S. Department of the Treasury)

The Venezuelan Supreme Court ordered on Monday the arrest of Argentinas president, Javier Milei, along with other members of his government for alleged crimes related to the seizure in 2022 of a Venezuelan cargo plane belonging to the Caracas socialist regime.

The court, an entity tightly controlled by the Nicolas Maduro regime, also ordered the arrests of Karina Milei, the sister of the president who serves as secretary general of the presidency, and of Security Minister Patricia Bullrich.

The order was issued a week after the Venezuelan regimes attorney general, Tarek William Saab, charged Milei with money laundering, unlawful deprivation of liberty and unlawful Interference in the operational safety of civil aviation, among other crimes.

The Venezuelan Supreme Court has repeatedly been accused by international organizations of acting more as an instrument of political persecution than as an independent entity dedicated to the administration of justice.

The aircraft in question, a Boeing 747-300M, was initially detained in Argentina in June 2022, with Venezuelan and Iranian crew members suspected of being involved in espionage. Weeks later the U.S. government moved to take possession of it. After months of diplomatic wrangling, the Boeing 747 was finally flown from Buenos Aires International Airport to South Florida on Feb. 12 of this year.

The aircraft was owned by the Iranian company Mahan Air and was sold to Emtrasur Cargo, a subsidiary of the Venezuelan state-owned Conviasa, companies that are under sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Mahan Air has been targeted by the U.S. government for its support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, according to U.S. officials. The force, a branch of the Iranian military, has been designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization.

A few days after the plane was seized by U.S. officials in February, Maduro flew into a rage, claiming the plane had been destroyed in Miami out of spite by Washington while insisting that his government would issue a strong response.

Last night we were informed of a vile, criminal, outrageous act at an airport in Miami, Florida. The vengeful, perverse gringo empire with all its evil proceeded to dismember the Emtrasur plane, the Conviasa plane that was hijacked from us, Maduro said at an event broadcast on national television.

While it is not clear if the plane was actually destroyed as Maduro claimed, law enforcement sources said that usually property confiscated by the U.S. government is eventually sold if it cannot be used by government agencies. They added that destroying a Boeing 747 would cost money and it would make much more sense for authorities to sell it.

After learning last week that the Venezuelan attorney general had requested an arrest order against Milei, a spokesman for the government of Argentina said the president was not concerned.

Describing the order as a pavada,  a silly thing  presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni added: What a dictatorial government such as the one in Venezuela says does not concern us in the least.

2024 Miami Herald.

Visit miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Police, not prosecutors, decide formal charges under the South Korean justice system. (Wikimedia Commons)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  A U.S. service member stationed in South Korea pleaded guilty to assaulting a taxi driver in Seoul and was fined roughly $2,250 last month.

The unidentified service member admitted to entering the taxi in the Gangnam district of the capital city at 4:11 a.m. Feb. 17, according to an Aug. 14 verdict sheet from the Seoul Central District Court.

South Korean law enforcement agencies and courts typically do not identify defendants except in extreme cases, such as homicide.

After getting into the back seat of the taxi, the 52-year-old driver told the service member that another passenger had already reserved the taxi, according to the court document.

The service member then exited the taxi and walked toward the driver, at which point the driver also left the taxi. The service member then pushed the drivers chest, choked him and punched him in the face several times, according to the court record.

The assault committed by the service member is not light and his conduct during the incident was very bad, Judge Goo Changgyu said in the verdict, the document states.

In addition to the $2,250 fine, the service member paid the same amount to the driver as a settlement, according to the document.

Eighth Army referred questions about the incident to U.S. Forces Korea, which did not immediately respond Tuesday morning.

At least one other U.S. service member has been accused of assaulting a South Korean taxi driver this year.

Earlier this month, police from Dongducheon city alleged a U.S. soldier assaulted a taxi driver near Camp Casey, about 25 miles north of Seoul.

The 21-year-old enlisted soldier allegedly threw the 73-year-old driver to the ground by the neck, according to the Dongducheon Police Station. Police may refer charges to prosecutors this week

Roughly 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, the majority of them in Camp Humphreys, about 40 miles south of the capital city.
Damaged homes from a rocket attack from Lebanon in Kiryat Bialik on Sunday. (Heidi Levine/The Washington Post)

Israeli officials issued blunt new warnings to Hezbollah on Sunday, threatening to pitch the long-simmering conflict along Lebanons border into all out war.

Despite calls to deescalate, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Sunday that his military will take whatever action is necessary, to eliminate the threat on Israels northern border, an echo of his own rhetoric in the lead up to Israels invasion of Gaza last year.

The heightened rhetoric comes amid a spike in cross border strikes after a week of punishing Israeli attacks on the militant group based in Lebanon that Israeli officials said amounted to a new phase in the conflict. That has caused concern among Israels western allies, with top U.S. and E.U. officials cautioning against escalation.

No country can accept the wanton rocketing of its cities, we cant accept it either. We will take whatever action is necessary to restore security and to bring our people safely back to their homes, Netanyahu said in a video statement.

Hezbollah has launched dozens of rockets, missiles and drones across the border into Israel in recent days. The militant group announced Sunday that it attacked a northern Israeli air base that appeared to be the deepest large barrage fired by the group since hostilities escalated last year. Hezbollah announced that it conducted a similarly deep attack in May, but it appeared to involve fewer munitions.

Israel said it struck hundreds of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon since Saturday. Lebanons Health Ministry announced that three people had been killed and four wounded in the strikes overnight. In Israel, sirens sounded across the north and Israel Defense Forces restricted gatherings in the area.

Israel also begun moving significant ground forces to its northern border, including the powerful 98th army division that participated in some of the heaviest fighting in Gaza, according to an official familiar with the matter.

The price Hezbollah is paying is increasing, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said Sunday. Our strikes will intensify.

In a town outside Haifa, Israels Iron Dome defense system failed to intercept a Hezbollah projectile on Sunday. The munition landed on a residential street and left three lightly injured.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israeli operations will continue until we reach a point where we may ensure the safe return of Israels northern communities to their homes. He said Israel would employ the means necessary to achieve its goal.

Hezbollah began launching attacks against Israel on Oct. 8 in solidarity with Hamas, since then violence along the border has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides. For months, the White House has tried to broker a deal between Israel and Hezbollah, but failed to gain traction. Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has said it refuses to negotiate as long as Israel is still striking Gaza.

National security spokesman John Kirby during the White House daily briefing on Wednesday. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

White House national security spokesman John Kirby warned that a full-fledged war in the north may not be the best thing for Israel and that escalating this conflict militarily is not the best way to get Israeli hostages home.

In a separate interview Sunday, Kirby said the United States is trying to negotiate a diplomatic solution to avoid a regional conflagration, but conceded U.S.-led efforts to secure a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza have been stalled for weeks.

And E.U. foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the European Union is extremely concerned by the escalation in Lebanon, pledging that finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict would be high on the agenda at the upcoming United National General Assembly.

A cease-fire is urgent, across the Blue Line as in Gaza. Civilians on both sides are paying a high price. They will also be the ones suffering once again the most in a full-blown war, he said.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah is still reeling from Israeli attacks that killed senior members of the groups leadership and dismantled key communications networks. Within a week, explosives placed inside pagers and radios maimed thousands, mostly Hezbollah fighters.

Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah said the explosive attacks crossed all red lines and conceded they dealt a major security and military blow, to the militant group.

It is an act of war against the people of Lebanon, Lebanons sovereignty. It is a declaration of war, Nasrallah said in a video address Thursday.

The next day, an Israeli airstrike killed one of Hezbollahs top commanders, Ibrahim Aqil in Beiruts southern suburbs. The attack leveled a nine-story apartment building on a residential street in the middle of the afternoon. Residents at the site said entire families were at home in their apartments at the time of the attack.

Moti Fitch, 75, outside his damaged home in Moreshet in northern Israel following a rocket barrage fired from Lebanon that heavily damaged homes and cars on Sunday. (Heidi Levine for The Washington Post) Moti Fitch, 75, outside his damaged home in Moreshet. (Heidi Levine for The Washington Post)

The death toll from the strike rose to 51 on Sunday, according to Lebanons Civil Defense. Medical workers and children were among the casualties, according to the health ministry.

Emergency crews worked for days to clear the rubble and recover victims. Ten people remain unaccounted for and in some cases the dead will only be identifiable through their DNA, according to health and emergency personnel.

The target of the strike, Aqil was head of Hezbollahs operations and wanted by the U.S. government for his alleged role in abducting Americans in Lebanon in the 1980s. The State Department identified Aqil as a principal member of the Islamic Jihad Organization, which claimed responsibility for two bombings in Lebanon in the 1980s that killed 258 Americans.

Following the attacks, the United States issued fresh warnings to its citizens in Lebanon. American citizens were urged to leave the country through available commercial options, due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict, between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon.

In Israel, in the town outside Haifa hit by a Hezbollah projectile Sunday, emergency workers hurried to clear charcoaled wreckage from a residential block.

Glass and blown-out cars littered the street. By midmorning, a large Israeli flag had been hung over the outer wall of one of two homes that were hit. Residents were shocked, and some were angry.

Our government doesnt care about us, said Moshe Bichman, 73. In his home, a block away from the strike, windows were blown out by the blast. He said all-out war with Hezbollah was on the horizon.

People will be leaving the country because there is no security here, he said.

Timsit reported from London, Berger from Kiryat Bialik, Israel, and Soroka from Tel Aviv.
An additional small group of U.S. troops is deploying to the Middle East as fighting in the region intensifies, the Pentagon said Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (U.S. Army photo)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. military is sending an additional small group of troops to the Middle East, the Pentagon said Monday.

In light of increased tension in the Middle East, and out of abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons top spokesman.

Citing operation security reasons, Ryder did not say how many troops will deploy, where they will be located or what they will be doing.

The announcement follows a recent increase of attacks between Israel and Hezbollah as fighting in the Middle East continues to intensify.

Hezbollah officials have said Israel crossed a red line with explosive attacks on its communications devices and vowed to keep up the missile strikes that the militant group has launched since fellow Iranian-backed group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, setting off the war in Gaza.

Israel has also launched strikes, including one Monday that killed more than 270 Lebanese in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign against Hezbollah, The Associated Press reported.

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli air strike in the Lebanese village of Tayr Harfa, near the Lebanon-Israel border, on Sept. 23, 2024. The Israeli military told people in Lebanon to move away from Hezbollah targets and vowed to carry out more extensive and precise strikes against the Iran-backed group. (Kawnat Haju, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

Despite the Pentagon announcement Monday, defense officials have said the U.S. has a substantial force in the region.

Were confident in the ability [of what] we have there right now to protect our forces and should we need to come to the defense of Israel as well, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said last week.

The U.S. has expanded its forces in the region in the last several months to help defend Israel, as well as protect American and allied personnel and assets.

The Navy announced Friday that the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and a force of 6,500 troops will deploy this week on a mission that is expected to take the warships strike group into the Middle East.

U.S. sailors and allied nations have fought almost daily for months to down drones and missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen as tensions in the Middle East have raged on for nearly a year.

In the past year, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has twice ordered two carriers to the region, as well as bolstering U.S. forces with an amphibious ready group and a nuclear-powered submarine.

Austin in August ordered the extension of the USS Theodore Roosevelt as well as directed the USS Abraham Lincoln to the Red Sea. The aircraft carriers deployment in the region overlapped by about three weeks before the Roosevelt was ordered to return home. The Lincoln and its strike group are still there.

Ryder confirmed on Sept. 10 that the submarine USS Georgia arrived in the Middle East more than a month after it was ordered to the region.

Deployments in August brought the U.S. force in the Middle East to about 40,000 troops, according to a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The number spiked several weeks ago to nearly 50,000, according to the AP.
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (Hussein Malla/AP)

LONDON (Tribune News Service)  Dozens of British troops are in Lebanon to train and advise the countrys armed forces as part of a sensitive mission, The Times reported on Monday.

The report comes as the Israeli military said it struck 300 Hezbollah targets on Monday in Lebanon in one of the most intense barrages of airstrikes in nearly a year of fighting against the group.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said 182 people were killed and more than 700 wounded in what would be the deadliest day in Lebanon since the Gaza war started last October.

There have been no changes to the scale of the program in recent days despite the risk of all-out war, The Times reported, citing U.K. defense sources.

The Lebanese ambassador to the U.K., Rami Mortada, said: The British Army is a very close partner to the Lebanese armed forces. They have been very active on training, providing equipment and technical advice.

Specifically on the situation in south Lebanon, the U.K. was also very proactive in trying to play its role in what we refer to as the de-escalation scheme.

The scheme is led by the U.S. and considers how to prevent an escalation of skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah near the Israel-Lebanon border, Mortada said.

Lebanons armed forces have been trained by the U.K. for years, although little is known about the program.

The British government has long hoped that by building up the capacity of the armed forces, they would be in a stronger position to maintain security than Hezbollah.

Mortada has said the armed forces would not stand idly by if Israel carries out a ground war on Lebanese territory or mounts an extensive aerial attack.

A conflict between Israel and Lebanon would put British diplomats in an extremely difficult position because the U.K. has tried to maintain a positive relationship with both countries.

U.K. officials are understood to be considering whether they would assist Israel and help protect its skies should it come under attack as a result of an invasion of Lebanon.

Protecting Israel against a defensive attack carried out by the Lebanese armed forces would be more complicated than responding to an attack by Iran.

Highlighting the deep Lebanese-British relationship, Mortada said the U.K. has also offered to help his country replicate a watchtower scheme along its southern border with Israel  a program that is currently in place along Lebanons eastern border to keep watch on Daesh militants.

Under the old watchtower scheme, the U.K. helped to ship 9 meter towers to Lebanon. Lebanese soldiers, mentored by British veterans, were using the positions to catch or kill hundreds of terrorists trying to cross the border from Syria every month.

Mortada said another option under review with the British is whether they could help train and empower new Lebanese armed forces border regiments that could be sent to the south of the country.

He added that they are currently over-stretched and want a more visible and active presence in the south, where clashes with Israel have intensified since the war in Gaza started.

All the ingredients are coming together for having such a de-escalation scheme, except the Israelis seem to be heading towards the exact opposite direction, Mortada said.

(c)2024 the Arab News.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The Western Azerbaijan Community has strongly condemned the statement made by Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on September 22, which is full of bias and slander against Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The community expressed this in a statement.

The Canadian minister makes a groundless accusation that Armenians were allegedly forced to leave the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, demonstrating a position that contradicts the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and serves to create tension in the region.

Canada, which turns a blind eye to the ethnic cleansing of one million Azerbaijanis by Armenia, which has kept Azerbaijani territories under occupation for thirty years and does not allow hundreds of thousands of Western Azerbaijanis to return to their native lands, has no moral right to talk about humanitarian issues, the statement reads.

The community highlighted that this reflects Canada's unwillingness to recognize the supremacy of international law achieved through Azerbaijan's full restoration of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and its attempts to reignite conflict in the region.

"We would like to bring to the attention of the Canadian minister, who refers to the principles of self-determination to solve a problem that no longer exists, that this principle is relevant not for the issue she has stated but for the issue of the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to their homeland and ensuring their rights there.

As the Western Azerbaijan Community, we strongly condemn this shameful statement and demand that the Canadian government withdraw this statement, show respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and for the right of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to safely return to their homeland," the statement concluded.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., at the Capitol in Washington, Sept. 11, 2024. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

WASHINGTON  Congressional leaders announced an agreement Sunday on a short-term spending bill that will fund federal agencies for about three months, averting a possible partial government shutdown when the new budget year begins Oct. 1 and pushing final decisions until after the November election.

Temporary spending bills generally fund agencies at current levels, but an additional $231 million was included to bolster the Secret Service after the two assassination attempts against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and additional money was added to aid with the presidential transition, among other things.

Lawmakers have struggled to get to this point as the current budget year winds to a close at months end. At the urging of the most conservative members of his conference, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had linked temporary funding with a mandate that would have compelled states to require proof of citizenship when people register to vote.

But Johnson abandoned that approach to reach an agreement, even as Trump insisted there should not be a stop-gap measure without the voting requirement.

Bipartisan negotiations began in earnest shortly after that, with leadership agreeing to extend funding into mid-December. That gives the current Congress the ability to fashion a full-year spending bill after the Nov. 5 election, rather than push that responsibility to the next Congress and president.

In a letter to Republican colleagues, Johnson said the budget measure would be very narrow, bare-bones and include only the extensions that are absolutely necessary.

While this is not the solution any of us prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances, Johnson wrote. As history has taught and current polling affirms, shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats would evaluate the bill in its entirety before this weeks vote, but with the agreement, Congress is now on a bipartisan path to avoid a government shutdown that would hurt everyday Americans.

Rep. Tom Cole, the House Appropriations Committee chairman, had said on Friday that talks were going well.

So far, nothing has come up that we cant deal with, said Cole, R-Okla. Most people dont want a government shutdown and they dont want that to interfere with the election. So nobody is like, Ive got to have this or were walking. Its just not that way.

Johnsons earlier effort had no chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate and was opposed by the White House, but it did give the speaker a chance to show Trump and conservatives within his conference that he fought for their request.

The final result  government funding effectively on autopilot  was what many had predicted. With the election just weeks away, few lawmakers in either party had any appetite for the brinksmanship that often leads to a shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the same agreement could have been reached two weeks ago, but Speaker Johnson chose to follow the MAGA way and wasted precious time.

As I have said throughout this process, there is only one way to get things done, with bipartisan, bicameral support, Schumer said.

Now a bipartisan majority is expected to push the short-term measure over the finish line this week. The agreement on the short-term measure does not mean getting to a final spending bill will be easy in December. The election results could also influence the political calculations if one party fares much better than the other, potentially pushing the fight into early next year.

The Secret Service funding also comes with a string attached, with lawmakers making it contingent on the Department of Homeland Security providing certain information to a House task force and Senate committee investigating the assassination attempts made against Trump.

In a recent letter, the Secret Service told lawmakers that a funding shortfall was not the reason for lapses in Trumps security when a gunman climbed onto an unsecured roof on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and opened fire. But acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. said this week that the agency had immediate needs and that hes talking to Congress.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy waves from the back seat of a U.S. Secret Service vehicle as his motorcade departs the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Pittston Township, Pa., en route to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pa., on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (Christopher Dolan, The Times-Tribune via AP)

SCRANTON, Pa.  Under extraordinarily tight security, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday visited the Pennsylvania ammunition factory that is producing one of the most critically needed munitions for his countrys fight to fend off Russian ground forces.

Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Democrat who was among those who met with Zelenskyy at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, said the president had a simple message: Thank you. And we need more.

The Scranton plant is one of the few facilities in the country to manufacture 155 mm artillery shells and has increased production over the past year. Ukraine has already received more than 3 million of them from the U.S.

Zelenskyys visit kicked off a busy week in the United States as he works tirelessly to shore up support for Ukraine in the war. He will speak at the U.N. General Assembly annual gathering in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday and then travel to Washington for talks on Thursday with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The area around the ammunition plant had been sealed off since Sunday morning, with municipal garbage trucks positioned across several roadblocks and a very heavy presence of city, regional and state police, including troopers on horseback.

As Zelenskyys large motorcade made its way to the ammunition plant in the afternoon, a small contingent of supporters waving Ukrainian flags assembled nearby to show their appreciation for his visit.

Kristina Ramanauskas, a first generation Lithuanian, waves a Ukrainian flag before President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyys motorcade arrives at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (Laurence Kesterson/AP)

Its unfortunate that we need a plant like this, but its here, and its here to protect the world, said Vera Kowal Krewson, a first-generation Ukrainian American who was among those who greeted Zelenskyys motorcade. And I strongly feel that way.

She said many of her friends parents have worked in the ammunition plant, and she called Zelenskyys visit a wonderful thing.

Laryssa Salak, 60, whose parents also immigrated from Ukraine, also said she was pleased Zelenskyy came to thank the workers. She said it upsets her that funding for Ukraines defense has divided Americans and that even some of her friends oppose the support, saying the money should go to help Americans instead.

But they dont understand that that money does not directly go to Ukraine, Salak said. It goes to American factories that manufacture, like here, like the ammunition. So that money goes to American workers as well. And a lot of people dont understand that.

The 155 mm shells made in the Scranton plant are used in howitzer systems, which are towed large guns with long barrels that can fire at various angles. Howitzers can strike targets up to 15 miles to 20 miles away and are highly valued by ground forces to take out enemy targets from a protected distance.

With the war now well into its third year, Zelenskyy has been pushing the U.S. for permission to use longer range missile systems to fire deeper inside of Russia.

So far he has not persuaded the Pentagon or White House to loosen those restrictions. The Defense Department has emphasized that Ukraine can already hit Moscow with Ukrainian-produced drones, and there is hesitation on the strategic implications of a U.S.-made missile potentially striking the Russian capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia would be at war with the United States and its NATO allies if they allow Ukraine to use the long-range weapons.

At one point in the war, Ukraine was firing between 6,000 and 8,000 of the 155 mm shells per day. That rate started to deplete U.S. stockpiles and drew concern that the level on hand was not enough to sustain U.S. military needs if another major conventional war broke out, such as in a potential conflict over Taiwan.

In response the U.S. has invested in restarting production lines and is now manufacturing more than 40,000 155 mm rounds a month, with plans to hit 100,000 rounds a month.

Two of the Pentagon leaders who have pushed that increased production through  Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology and Bill LaPlante, the Pentagons top weapons buyer  were expected to join Zelenskyy at the plant. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, also joined the Ukrainian president.

The 155 mm rounds are just one of the scores of ammunition, missile, air defense and advanced weapons systems the U.S. has provided Ukraine  everything from small arms bullets to advanced F-16 fighter jets. The U.S. has been the largest donor to Ukraine, providing more than $56 billion of the more than $106 billion NATO and partner countries have collected to aid in its defense.

Even though Ukraine is not a member of NATO, commitment to its defense is seen by many of the European nations as a must to keep Putin from further military aggression that could threaten bordering NATO-member countries and result in a much larger conflict.

Copp reported from Washington.
According to the the Mercury News, a woman promising candy abducted Albino from an Oakland park where he was playing with his older brother Roger  who died in August  on Feb. 21, 1951. The boys mom died in 2005. (Elena Hryhorova/Dreamstime/TNS)

A 6-year-old boy northern California boy kidnapped in 1951 has been found living on the East Coast, where he reportedly raised a family of his own and retired as a firefighter after serving in the Marine Corp during the Vietnam War.

Thank you for finding me, Luis Armando Albino told his 63-year-old niece Alida Alequin, who tracked him down with the help of an online ancestry kit, old newspapers and local and federal law enforcement officials.

According to the the Mercury News, a woman promising candy abducted Albino from an Oakland park where he was playing with his older brother Roger  who died in August  on Feb. 21, 1951. The boys mom died in 2005.

Alequin came to suspect her uncle was still alive after a DNA test taken in 2020 showed a 22% match with Albino, whom she was unable to contact. In early 2024, Alequin and her daughters continued searching for Albino by perusing old news articles at the Oakland Public Library. That research yielded evidence compelling enough to pique the interest of local police, which led to the involvement of U.S. Justice Department and the FBI.

Authorities found Albino, who submitted a DNA sample matching one provided by his biological moms sister on the West Coast. Investigators confirmed the connection on June 20, according to CBS News.

Four days later, Albino, now a grandfather, returned to Oakland with his family to meet the biological relatives who tracked him down. He was also reunited with his brother, who was still alive in Stanislaus County, Calif. Roger and Luis Albino spent their time together talking about the day they were separated and discussing their time in the military, according to Alequin.

Roger, who was 10- years old when his little brother was abducted, reportedly spoke to investigators multiple times over the years. He maintained that a Spanish-speaking woman with a bandana around her head walked off with the boy.

Oakland police confirmed to CBS News that Albinos missing persons case was closed, while the FBIs kidnapping investigation remains active. Where on the East Coast Albino was raised or currently resides wasnt reported.

2024 New York Daily News.

Visit at nydailynews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The city of Hamtramck celebrates Eid, the celebration at the end of the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, in this undated photo. (City of Hamtramck)

(Tribune News Service)  Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib has endorsed former President Donald Trump in the presidential race, a move the Republican nominee quickly touted on social media.

Ghalib, who is Muslim and a Yemeni immigrant, announced his endorsement on social media Sunday evening and it came less than a week after the two met in Flint at a Trump campaign event. Ghalib said he and Trump met at the Dort Financial Center before Trump addressed the crowd and the former president asked for Ghalibs endorsement.

Among the things the two discussed was a cease-fire in the Middle East and on the domestic front, ways of breaking the wall between the Republican Party and the minorities, Ghalib said in a video he posted on social media last week. The video is a separate post from the mayors endorsement that he posted Sunday on Facebook.

President Trump and I may not agree on everything, but I know he is a man of principles, Ghalib said in the endorsement post. Though it is looking good, he may or may not win the election and be the 47th president of the United States, but I believe he is the right choice for this critical time.

Ghalib confirmed the endorsement on Monday to The Detroit News but didnt comment further, referring to the video he posted last week. In that video, Ghalib shares what he and Trump discussed in Flint.

He assured that his goal is to end the chaos in the Middle East and elsewhere. He doesnt want wars, Ghalib said in the video.

Ghalib is one of the more prominent Arab American leaders in Metro Detroit to publicly back Trump over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House. Assad Turfe, the deputy county executive for Wayne County, has endorsed Harris for the presidency.

But last week, Arab American leaders in Michigan of the Uncommitted Movement said they refuse to endorse Harris because she has not made a policy shift away from supporting U.S. weapons for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza. Leaders in the Uncommitted Movement said they would still work to defeat Trump and were discouraging votes for third-party candidates.

Ghalib pointed out that he and others have been calling for the past 11 months a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war that has escalated into a broader conflict in the region.

But nobody listens. Nobody is putting enough effort to address our concern, Ghalib said.

The mayor also asked Trump to visit Hamtramck, a roughly two-square mile city of 28,000 residents that is surrounded by Detroit.

Ghalib is an immigrant from Yemen. In 2021, he ousted incumbent mayor Karen Majewski. He and other Muslim candidates for city council won in that election in Hamtramck. U.S. Census data shows more than 40% of Hamtramcks population now is foreign-born, including natives of Yemen.

Last year, Ghalib was among a group of Hamtramck residents who met with controversial conservative activist Michael Flynn, a former Army general and Trumps first national security adviser. In 2017, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador. He was later pardoned by then-President Trump. Flynn visited Hamtramck last year.

2024 The Detroit News.

Visit detroitnews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Mr Flynn, a father-of-two of Dunsink Avenue, Finglas, is charged with multiple counts possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply

A VAN driver accused of having more than 400,000 worth of drugs in a road stop and a follow-up search of an apartment was caught red-handed, gardai said.

A court was told Shane Flynn (45) was allegedly transporting 15,000 worth of cannabis and heroin and had the keys to an apartment where the larger seizure of various drugs was made.

Judge Bryan Smyth granted him bail despite garda objections, but set it at more than 12,000 and remanded him in custody until he is able to take it up.

Mr Flynn, a father-of-two of Dunsink Avenue, Finglas, is charged with multiple counts possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply.

Objecting to bail, a garda told Dublin District Court the accused was stopped driving a van erratically at Tolka Valley Road, Finglas on September 18. Gardai got a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and the accused was arrested and brought to Finglas garda station.

Some 88g of suspected heroin was found on his person, and 138g of cannabis was in the van, the garda said. The combined estimated street value of these two seizures was 15,000.

Mr Flynn was arrested and detained and a follow-up search was carried out at an apartment at Botanic Road, Glasnevin. At this address, gardai found alprazolam tablets, cannabis, heroin and ecstasy worth a combined estimated value of 398,960.

The key to this apartment was in the accuseds possession when he was stopped and a key opened a safe where a large quantity of the drugs were found, the garda said.

The total value of drugs found in the case was 413,960.

The garda said he would be seeking directions for further more serious charges. The accused was the sole occupant of the van and was caught red-handed, it was alleged. The keys he had gave access to the apartment and CCTV evidence would show him entering the address on numerous occasions, the garda said.

Mr Flynn, an unemployed ground worker, had been cooperative with the gardai, his solicitor Daniel Hanahoe said, applying for bail.

He said any concerns over bail could be met by conditions.

Judge Smyth set bail in the accuseds own bond of 500, with an independent surety of 12,000, to be approved by gardai. Half of the surety amount is to be lodged in cash.

Under "strict" conditions, he is to sign on daily at Finglas garda station, be contactable by phone at all times, surrender his passport and not apply for any other travel documents.

He was remanded in custody, with consent to bail, to appear in Cloverhill District Court.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. A real opportunity has emerged to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasus, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the Turkish House in New York today, Trend reports.

"Thanks to the joint efforts with Azerbaijan and Armenia, a real opportunity for lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus has arisen," he explained.

To note, Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in the US to participate in the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Neil Beckett  who is currently suspended from his role  is standing trial on a total of 29 sexual charges against 11 complainants

A teenager who alleges her school's health and welfare officer touched her breasts, bottom and thighs in his office was called to give evidence at his trial.

Neil Beckett  who is currently suspended from his role at Lagan College in south Belfast  is standing trial on a total of 29 sexual charges against 11 complainants.

The 43-year-old, from Kilmore Village in Downpatrick, has denied all the offences which are alleged to have taken place over a 10-year period spanning from 2013 to 2023.

Now in its second week, the jury of six men and six women have already heard evidence from two young women who say they were abused as teenage Army Cadets by their leader Beckett.

This week a second Lagan College pupil gave her evidence and claimed Beckett touched her on multiple occasions in his office.

Via a video link, the complainant said she regularly frequented Beckett's office to talk about her mental health.

Crown barrister Charles MacCreanor KC asked her if Beckett ever physically contacted her and she recalled the first time he hugged her.

Describing this hug as really tight, the complainant said these hugs happened on numerous occasions.

She said during these hugs, she could feel Beckett's arms and hands on her breasts, her lower back and her bottom.

The complainant said it felt weird because you would never see a teacher hugging a student and the hugs were so tight there was no space between us.

Mr MacCreanor asked how she reacted when Beckett hugged her and she replied I kind of just froze.

She also alleged that on multiple occasions when she was upset, Beckett would sit beside her on the medical bed in his office and would touch and rub her thighs under her school skirt.

When asked to describe these incidents, she said: He would go from my knee to the bottom of my skirt and kind of like put his fingers up under my skirt.

The complainant also alleged after she got into trouble at school for vaping, she told Beckett and he offered to hide her vape in his desk and said she could come back and collect it.

The Crown barrister asked what her reaction to this offer was and she said she thought it was weird because he's a teacher and he shouldn't be letting it happen.

She was then asked if she ever told anyone about Beckett's behaviour and she replied that whilst she didn't tell a teacher, she spoke about the hugs with her friend.

She added: I didn't tell my Mum until it was on the news... that he was going to court.

The complainant said following the news reports, her mother came up to her bedroom and asked about Beckett and I just opened up about it.

She was then addressed by defence barrister Laura Ievers KC who told the pupil her client Beckett says none of this hugging that you have alleged happened at all... he said he never touched your leg to which she replied well it did.

It was also suggested to the complainant that she went to Beckett's office as an excuse to get out of class and the visits were so frequent that she was told off by a teacher.

The teenager said Beckett was the only one who seemed to listen and care and at this point, she started crying and asked for a break.

When the hearing resumed a short time later, Ms Ievers again told her Beckett refuted her allegations.

The defence barrister said nothing could have happened on the medical bed in the way she described as there was always stuff on the bed and there wouldn't have been enough room for Beckett to sit beside her.

Ms Ievers also raised inconsistencies between what the teenager told police and what she was saying in court, that she wanted to be part of the scandal at school involving Beckett and had fabricated her allegations.

These suggestions by the defence were rejected by the complainant, who said it's not lies.

The trial continues.
Mother-of-three Anne Brown died from the injuries she sustained after being struck by a lorry

A lorry driver has admitted causing the death of a 61-year-old pedestrian who was knocked down on the outskirts of Belfast.

Mother-of-three Anne Brown died from the injuries she sustained after being struck by a lorry in Glengormley in February 2022.

Patrick Campbell, from Lurgan Road in Crumlin, was due to stand trial at Belfast Crown Court after initially denying a charge of causing Mrs Brown's death by driving dangerously.

Before the jury was sworn, Campbell's barrister Charles MacCreanor KC asked that his client be re-arraigned on the single count.

After confirming his identity to a court clerk, Campbell (49) was then charged that on February 4, 2022, he caused Anne Brown's death by driving dangerously on the Antrim Road in Glengormley.

When asked how he pleaded, Campbell replied "guilty, Your Honour".

Following this, Mr MacCreanor told Judge Sandra Crawford he was seeking a pre-sentence report ahead of sentencing.

The judge was also addressed by Crown barrister Kate McKay who said victim statements will be obtained from Mrs Brown's husband and three children who have been "heavily impacted" by her death.

Judge Crawford re-listed the case for mention on October 7 when it is anticipated that a date for the plea will be set.

Campbell  who kept his head bowed throughout Mondays hearing  was released on continuing bail.
Sheehan has posted videos of himself simulating sex with a washing machine online in his quest for likes and views

A Limerick man who describes himself as the most hated man on TikTok has been warned he is facing potential prison time in the UK for assault and coercive control of his former partner.

Wannabe social media influencer Dean Sheehan (43), of no fixed abode but with a previous address on the South Circular Road in Limerick, appeared before Durham Crown Court in England earlier this month.

Sheehan, who has posted videos of himself simulating sex with a washing machine online in his quest for likes and views, admitted charges of controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship and assault causing actual bodily harm.

The charge said he caused the woman to fear violence would be used against her on at least two occasions; he assaulted her and made demands for money, while also verbally abusing her and making threats to assault members of her family.

The controlling and coercive behaviour took place between December 1 last year, while the assault took place on July 12.

Sheehan had initially pleaded not guilty to the offences as well as further charges of intentional strangulation and false imprisonment and was due to stand trial in January.

However, after pleading guilty the first two charges, Sam Ponniah prosecuting told the court those pleas were acceptable to the Crown and the other charges would be dropped.

Dean Sheehan

Sheehans defence counsel Annelise Haugstad asked for the preparation of a background report on Sheehan by the Probation Services

She said he was of previous good character. However, Mr Ponniah said that the good character only applied to England and Wales,and that

the Crown would research Sheehans previous criminal history with authorities in Ireland.

Sheehan, who appeared by video link from Durham Prison, told the court he had no outstanding cases pending in Ireland and his last conviction was a suspended sentence in Ireland last year.

The judge said it would be for the police and Crown to seek his full previous record in Ireland before his sentence hearing.

The Sunday World can reveal that Sheehan was given an 18 month suspended sentence for threats to kill or cause serious harm at Limerick Circuit Court last November.

He had also been charged with criminal damage but those charges were dropped after he pleaded guilty to the threats.

He has numerous other previous convictions in Ireland and he posted a video on TikTok last November three weeks after receiving his suspended sentence boasting about being released from prison early for another offence.

When you get eight weeks but released after three weeks, he wrote before adding tuff three weeks like.

Sheehan had built up an online following in recent years posting numerous videos on TikTok as well as other social media platform.

He described himself as a mental health advocate but would also post comments laughing about domestic violence and slapping women. He also posted videos verbal abusing women he knew personally.

Sheehan simulating sex with washing machine

Another video also shows him simulating sex with a washing machine and others show him responding to people making slurs against him. In one video he says: Apparently Im the most hated man on TikTok.

 His videos on TikTok alone have been viewed in excess of 100,000 times but significant numbers of comments under them are negative and some describe him as a danger to women.

He stopped posting videos to TikTok in December around the same time he travelled to the town of Ferryhill in Durham where he was in a relationship with his victim.

Sheehan was remanded in custody to October 17, when he will be sentenced.
David Baxter is a former teacher and Head of Music at Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen

A retired music teacher and former union president has pleaded not guilty to the charge of sexually assaulting a female child.

David Baxter (65) of Killadeas Road, Lisnarick, Co Fermanagh, is accused of sexually touching a child, aged under 13, on an unknown date between February 1 and April 2018.

No details surrounding the circumstances of the alleged offending were disclosed during the short hearing at Enniskillen Magistrate's Court today.

A defence barrister entered a not guilty to the charge on Baxter's behalf.

District Judge Alana McSorley adjourned the case until October 7 when a contest date is to be fixed.

Baxter is a former teacher and Head of Music at Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen, and retired in 2019.

He also served as Northern Ireland President of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT). He is also a founding member Musical Director, of Chamber Choir West.

When the allegations came to light Baxter stood down as Director of Omagh Music Society (OMS) and from his position with St Macartins Cathedral Choir in Enniskillen.

A spokesperson for OMS said: The committee are aware of information in the public domain concerning musical director Dr David Baxter.

He has agreed to step down from his role until further notice and alternative arrangements have been put in place.
Robert Deegan (29), from Newbridge, Co Kildare, was killed in action fighting for the Ukrainian special forces on the front line on Thursday, September 19

A former elite Irish soldier has been killed in combat in Ukraine.

Robert Deegan (29), from Newbridge, Co Kildare, was killed in action fighting for the Ukrainian special forces on the front line on Thursday, September 19.

The Kildare man, was a highly skilled soldier who served in the Army Ranger Wing and the Engineers Unit of the Defence Forces Training Centre.

It is understood Mr Deegan joined the Ukrainian effort to combat the Russian invasion shortly after the outbreak of the war in 2022. However, he suffered extensive injuries in an explosion later the same year and was medically evacuated home to Ireland.

After undergoing rehabilitation, Mr Deegan was laser-focused on returning to Ukraine and was deeply committed to the Ukrainian cause, a source said.

In his youth, Mr Deegan was a highly regarded cyclist and represented Ireland internationally.

A source in Newbridge described Mr Deegan as a great young man.

You could always tell there was something different, quite special about him, the source said.

I havent seen him in a long time but I did hear he was back in Ukraine and I remember thinking how difficult that must be on his poor mam.

Now they get this news and its just heartbreaking. But they must be so proud of him and themselves for raising a man to be so selfless.

It is understood his family are steeped in public service and have a long history in the Defence Forces.

A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is providing consular assistance.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of reports and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the detail of individual cases, the spokesperson said.

Mr Deegans brings to five the number of Irish people killed during the war between Russia and Ukraine.

In December 2023, Dubliner Graham Dale (45) was killed in combat while fighting for the Ukrainian army.

Mr Dale, who had dual Irish-American citizenship had previously fought with the US marines during the Iraq War.

He was originally from Raheny in north Dublin but moved to the US in 2000.

Following the September 11 terror attacks, he enlisted in the marines and served on a number of tours in Iraq.

In April 2023, Finbar Cafferkey (46), from Achill, Co Mayo, was killed while battling Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

He was a military volunteer with previous combat experience in Syria, where he assisted Kurdish militia in their battle against Islamic State.

In a statement after his death, Mr Cafferkeys brother Colm paid tribute to a man who was always fair-minded, strong-willed and unafraid.

He was in Ukraine to help the Ukrainian people, as he would have helped any person in the world who was under attack. I loved him and always admired his clear-eyed bravery, the statement added.

In October 2022, Rory Mason (23), from Dunboyne, Co Meath, died while fighting for Ukraines International Legion near the Russian border.

In August 2024, Alex Ryzhuk (20), from Rathmines, Dublin, was killed while serving as a volunteer with the Ukrainian military.

He was killed along the front line in eastern Ukraine.

Mr Ryzhuk was born in Dublin to Ukrainian parents.
Lesley developed sepsis after getting a stomach infection while visiting her daughter in the Middle East

Lesley Poots was visiting one of her daughters who lives in Dubai when she became unwell

A Northern Irish family say they have been overwhelmed by generosity after they started an online fundraiser to pay for live-saving medical care for their mother, after she became seriously ill while visiting Dubai to help her pregnant daughter.

Lauren Poots told the Belfast Telegraph that the family had been taken aback by the support they have received so far to help her mum, Lesley.

The 100,000 being targeted is only the start of the potential costs for the family, as they could see bills of 1m if their mothers condition worsens.

Lesley developed sepsis after getting a stomach infection while visiting her daughter in the Middle East.

She is currently in intensive care in a Dubai hospital, and as she lacks medical insurance, the family launched an appeal on GoFundMe on Sunday morning. By mid-afternoon, over 30,000 had been raised.

Lauren said: Its been honestly really overwhelming. I was really embarrassed, as the fundraiser was not a route I would ever want to take. But everyone has been so kind and so generous already.

Lesley Poots may require a liver transplant

The amount of people that have got in touch with the family, and everyones generosity: as a family were not able to thank everyone in person but we are eternally grateful for the funds weve already received.

Were incredibly lucky that people are so generous, and hopefully were in peoples prayers.

Lesley has been in Dubai for around 10 days. She came to help Lauren look after her two children during a difficult pregnancy.

The entire household became ill last week with a vomiting bug, but Lesley was hit harder than the others. She passed out in the house last Friday, and her family rushed to hospital.

They did all bloods and they said oh, shes got an infection because everyone else in the house is sick.

Lesley Poots is seriously ill in a hosptial in Dubai

Lesley was discharged some hours later and went back to her daughters home. However, her condition severely worsened overnight.

We went to try and wake her up, because I thought she needs to get fluids in and something to eat.

And when my husband went to wake her I was following up with a tea and toast, and he found her cold in bed and unresponsive.

Lauren called the emergency services, and two ambulances arrived within minutes.

There was about six people working on her. They give her IV drips just to try and stabilise her. At this stage she was completely unconscious.

Lauren asked for her mother to be taken to a medical clinic, and they were there within 10 minutes.

The staff at A&E quickly became concerned Lesley was suffering from sepsis.

Within an hour they had confirmed that she had sepsis. Her blood sugar was low, her heart rate was low, her blood pressure was low.

At this stage, they said we need to get her to ICU. Before we could move her to ICU, they needed payment.

We had to pay a deposit of 10,000 or else they wouldnt take her.

The ICU staff stabilised Lesley, who still requires intensive treatment.

Shes on a life support machine, ventilator, shes getting kidney dialysis.

Her kidneys are damaged and her liver is severely, severely damaged.

The family of Mrs Poots, far right, have started a fundraiser to help with the costs of her care

The hospital staff told Lauren that they were not allowing anyone to visit her mother, as she needed rest and the nature of the care could prove upsetting to the family.

She and her husband left for home that night, and she contacted her family in Northern Ireland to let them know they should come over urgently.

Her two sisters, her aunt and her mothers partner have all arrived in Dubai, which Lauren say is a huge comfort.

Its just nice to have family from home and all come together at this time.

I know that any decision I make will have their full support, and now that theyre here, its a decision well make as a family.

Their mothers condition has stayed very serious, and doctors are warning that she may require a liver transplant.

Because she doesnt have any health insurance, to get any liver its 1m. She would have to travel to Abu Dhabi for the transplant.

Even bringing Lesley back to Northern Ireland would cost a similar amount of money. With the costs for her care so far already reaching 17,000, Lauren was faced with a very difficult dilemma.

I thought, we can sell everything we have, but minimum she is going to need close to a 1m for a liver transplant plus everything else.

I thought, we cant do this as a family, we need help and we need the community to come together.

Were very, very embarrassed to be asking for help. But whenever its my mums life on the line, I want to try and do everything that I can to give her the best support and the best chance of surviving.

I just want to thank everyone so far that has donated, and I want to encourage people to share, donate, pray and just keep our family in their thoughts, she added.
Hezbollah fires barrage of rockets at Israel as fears of all-out war grow

Birds fly as a child approaches, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, in northern Israel, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

People walk at a beach as smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

Mourners carry a coffin during the funeral of Hezbollah senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and Hezbollah member Mahmoud Hamad in Beirut, Lebanon, yesterday. Photo: Reuters

People walk at a beach as smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

Israel unleashed its most widespread wave of airstrikes against what it said were hundreds of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday, killing 182 people by Lebanese tallies, and warned citizens to evacuate areas where it said the armed group was storing weapons.

The strikes came as the Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign against the militant group.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main route out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. More than 400 other people were injured in the strikes.

The latest attacks come amid some of the heaviest cross-border exchanges of fire in almost a year of conflict, as Israel shifts its focus to its northern border, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of its ally Hamas, which is fighting a war with Israel in Gaza.

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said that he is "very fearful" of an escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The peacekeepers will be continuing to discharge their mandate says Tanaiste Micheal Martin

Speaking to RTE Radio Ones Morning Ireland, Mr Martin added that "all the signs are that Israel is intent on doing more in Lebanon".

He continued; "The Lebanese situation is very difficult as it is.

"You're looking at a failed state - essentially no government, no proper banking system - and then to have a war on top of that would be extraordinarily difficult for the people of Lebanon, and it must be avoided at all costs."

Speaking in New York, the Tanaiste said he is in daily contact with the Irish Defence Forces' leadership.

He said that Irish troops in the country are safe, have good morale and are carrying out their mission under the United Nations mandate.

"We're keeping the situation under constant review and taking all of the force protection measures that are required, he said.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said he is extremely concerned by the overnight bombardment of Southern Lebanon, the massive loss of life reported there and the spectre that now arises of a second catastrophic front in the war in the Middle East.

Also speaking in New York, he said: An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. I will be using all my engagements at the UN to stress this point and I fully support the appeal from President Biden overnight for that to be the focus of all sides.

The Taoiseach added that he is closely monitoring the situation with Irish troops serving in Southern Lebanon.

The Government is receiving regular updates, and the Chief of Staff and Defence Forces are in constant contact and monitoring developments. Our troops in UNIFIL are well trained and their safety is our main concern, he said.

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

There are now growing fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah or other parties in the region, alongside Israel's year-long pummelling of Gaza.

"We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon, the actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes," Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a video published by his office on Monday.

"These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure."

People walk at a beach as smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

He was speaking after the Israeli military targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon's south, eastern Bekaa valley and northern region near Syria.

Lebanon's health ministry said at least 100 people had been killed, including women, children and medics, and more than 300 injured in Israel's strikes on Monday.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a post on X that so far, more than 300 Hezbollah targets have been struck after earlier warning that airstrikes on houses in Lebanon, in which "Hezbollah hid weapons" were imminent.

In response, Hezbollah said on Monday it had launched rockets at Israeli military posts.

The airstrikes have intensified pressure on Hezbollah, which last week suffered an attack its Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah called "unprecedented in the history" of the group, after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by its members exploded.

The operation was widely blamed on Israel, which has not confirmed or denied responsibility.

In another major blow, an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb on Friday targeted senior Hezbollah commanders killing 45 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Hezbollah said 16 members of the group were among the dead, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and another commander, Ahmed Wahbi.

One person was slightly hurt by shrapnel from the latest rocket barrage at northern Israel, according to the Israeli ambulance service.

On Monday, residents of southern Lebanon received calls from a Lebanese number ordering them to immediately distance themselves 1,000 metres (0.6 mile) from any post used by Hezbollah, a Reuters reporter in the south, who received the call, said.

Evacuation calls have been received on phones as far as the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

Lebanon's information minister Ziad Makary said his ministry had received a call ordering the building to evacuate, but said the ministry would do no such thing. "This is a psychological war," Makary told Reuters.

In the eastern Beirut district of Sassine, state employee Joseph Ghafary said he feared that Hezbollah would respond to Israel's intensified strikes and that a full-blown war would break out.

"If Hezbollah carries out a major operation, Israel will respond and destroy more than this. We can't bear it," he said.

"Israel wants to strike, it wants to keep going, meaning it is squeezing Sayyed Hassan (Nasrallah) to start a war. It is definitely dangerous."

Mohammed Sibai, a shopowner in the Beirut neighbourhood of Hamra, told Reuters that he saw the escalation in strikes as "the beginning of the war." "If they want war, what can we do? It was imposed on us. We cannot do anything," he said.

In a televised statement earlier, the Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the evacuation warning was being "distributed in Arabic on all networks and platforms in Lebanon."

Asked by reporters about a possible Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon, Hagari said "we will do whatever is needed" in order to return evacuated residents of northern Israel to their homes safely, a war priority for the Israeli government.

Hagari presented in a media briefing an aerial video of what he described as Hezbollah operatives trying to launch cruise missiles from a civilian house in Lebanon, and the subsequent Israeli strike moments before it was launched.

"Hezbollah is endangering you. Endangering you and your families," Hagari said.

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

Israeli warplanes carried out an intense wave of air strikes on towns along Lebanon's southern border and even further north on Monday morning, according to Reuters witnesses.

A rocket hit an uninhabited mountainside east of the Lebanese port city of Byblos on Monday, a resident and Lebanese state media said, in an area that has not previously been hit by airstrikes. The area falls between Christian and Shi'ite villages.

Reuters reporters in the southern port city of Tyre could hear warplanes flying low over southern Lebanon and hear a series of airstrikes nearby.

Warplanes also carried out airstrikes on the Hermel area in northern Lebanon, Hezbollah's al-Manar reported.
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti said urgent action is being taken to restrict the sale of nitrous oxide and he welcomes new advice from Medsafe highlighting tougher penalties if sold for recreational purposes.

Nitrous oxide has several legitimate uses, but we also know it is increasingly being used as a recreational drug, said Dr Reti.

Smokefree enforcement officers have even reported seeing nitrous oxide products  nangs  for sale in vape stores. This is extremely concerning.

Given the significant risks and the potential for long-term damage, and a number of overlapping portfolios in this area, last month I requested officials look at options on the Governments behalf to address it."

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, nitro, N2O, NOS, nangs, and whippet, is a colourless gas that is commonly used for sedation and pain relief. Its also a popular recreational drug, producing a short-lived but intense euphoric effect.

At higher doses, it can include psychedelic effects, including feelings of dissociation and mild changes in perception. It is often used with other drugs, most commonly alcohol, MDMA and psychedelics.

Dr Reti says last week he received advice from the Ministry of Health about a change in approach that would clarify the law for suppliers and users of nitrous oxide.

"This will enable Police to prosecute the sale and use of nitrous oxide for recreational use," said Dr Reti.

Whereas nitrous oxide had been considered under the Medicines Act 1981, Medsafe now advises that when its sold primarily for the purpose of inducing a psychoactive effect, the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 applies.

No products containing nitrous oxide have been approved for use under the Psychoactive Substances Act, making it illegal to sell nitrous oxide or products containing nitrous oxide for recreational use. A breach of this regulation is punishable by either prison time or a fine.

The proliferation of nangs  particularly targeted at our young people  is a significant public health issue with potentially serious consequences," said Dr Reti.

Police and health professionals have reported recreational use of nitrous oxide is on the rise, a trend seen in other countries like Australia and the UK.

This reinforces the gravity of the situation and the need for swift action. This cannot continue.

I have directed the Ministry of Health to monitor the effectiveness of this change and provide ongoing advice about whether further restrictions are necessary to keep New Zealanders safe, Dr Reti said.

Nitrous oxide isn't a laughing matter

What are the effects?

The effects of nitrous oxide come on very quickly (usually immediately) and lasts 1-2 minutes on average. Some of the effects can include:

Feeling relaxed or giggly

Sound distortions

Dizziness

Anxiety

Paranoia

Headaches

Confusion

Prolonged exposure to nitrous oxide may result in:

Memory loss

Vitamin B12 depletion (long-term depletion causes brain and nerve damage)

Ringing or buzzing in the ears

Incontinence

Numbness in the hands or feet

Limb spasms

Potential birth defects if consumed during pregnancy

Weakened immune system

Disruption to reproductive systems

Depression

Psychological dependence

Psychosis

More information on the risks of recreational use of nitrous oxide can be found here: Nitrous oxide - Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Will nitrous oxide impact my health? :: High Alert
This year marks the 10th year since the first New Zealand Chinese Language Week was celebrated, and organisers say 2024 is bigger and better than ever.

Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders enjoy taking part in New Zealand Chinese Language Week activities each year in all sorts of ways.

"The week is about encouraging New Zealanders to give Chinese language learning a go, and there are many activities to do that at libraries and schools throughout New Zealand this week," said New Zealand Chinese Language Week chair Jo Coughlan.

"Over the past 10 years, the Trust has distributed more than 20,000 tri-lingual childrens picture books to schools and libraries.



Their use of English, Te Reo Maori, and Chinese is unique, and we have great feedback from librarians that the books are highly valuable.



The tri-lingual book. Photo: Supplied.

This year, the book is available online in audio format in four languages  English, Te Reo Maori, Mandarin, and Cantonese.



During the past 10 years, there have been 70 Language Superstars who have shared their language learning journey to encourage other Kiwis to give Chinese a go, as well as XX Youth Ambassadors who have done well in national Chinese Bridge speech competitions.

More recently, 10 language teachers have been honoured in the past two years for their efforts, said Coughlan.



Nine Language Superstars, eight youth ambassadors, and six teachers are being honoured at the New Zealand Chinese Language Week opening ceremony event at Parliament today which will be attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.



Coughlan said the Trust that runs New Zealand Chinese Language Week is a private charitable trust, made up of business people, academics, and former diplomats. Its purpose is to encourage Chinese language learning in New Zealand.



Understanding and speaking another language is important for clear communication. We want New Zealanders to be able to take full part in business, trade, diplomacy, and in their local communities as well, making all welcome in our vibrant, diverse society.



She said the Trust facilitates events and activities where people choose what to do and how to do it, using what language they like. One of the activities is 'Design a Dumpling'.

Dumplings from Capers Cafe + Store, Rotorua.



Most of the Trusts resources are in Mandarin, as that is the language used in the New Zealand school system and the language most accessible for New Zealanders looking to learn Chinese.



Coughlan said Mandarin is the most widely spoken Chinese language in the world, including in New Zealand.

"It is the national language of China, the official language of Taiwan, the national language of Singapore, and the language of business with China," said Coughlan.



However, the Trust is a facilitator, not a gatekeeper and we encourage people to hold their own events.

"They can use the language they are comfortable with - Cantonese for example has been used at NZCLW events, in Parliament for the daily prayer as part of NZCLW, and last year a Cantonese film was celebrated in a special screening for NZCLW. Videos of support have been received using several different Chinese languages, and all are celebrated.

More information about New Zealand Chinese Language Week and events on around the country can be found at www.nzclw.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev highlighted the certain challenges facing the country as he addressed the first session of the seventh convocation of Milli Majlis, Trend reports.

"The task of increasing our military strength is the number one priority. Although the Second Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation are left behind, the recent developments worldwide, the new conflict, the emergence of war zones and the rising tension around us, at the same time, the revanchist trends in Armenia make us keep constant focus on this area.

Noting that the restoration of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur is also among the challenges facing the country, the head of state added: "However, if we decrease our focus on the military field and do not provide sufficient funds to it, we may encounter problems in the future".
Work has started to prepared the former Gilmours site for construction of a new $23m Bunnings retail store. Photo / Sandra Conchie.

The announcement comes about a year after a company linked to the Mitre 10 MEGA store was fined $500,000 for engaging in anti-competitive conduct to prevent Bunnings from opening nearby.

Opening soon signs have gone up on fencing at the former Gilmours site at 1150 Cameron Rd, Gate Pa about 500 metres away from Mitre 10 MEGA.

The Australian-owned hardware retailers news has been hailed as a win for Tauranga shoppers and tradies given the two brands aggressively compete in price, and because it would bring new job opportunities and see a long-vacant site tidied up.

A $23-million Bunnings store is set to open in Tauranga next year  just down the road from Mitre 10 MEGA.

In a statement, Bunnings told the Bay of Plenty Times it was looking forward to bringing a new, smaller format Bunnings store to Tauranga.

Bunnings overall investment for the new retail store was $23m and about 50 staff would be employed.

The retail space of the site was about 4500sq m including a nursery area, and there would be 80 car parks.

Weve started some works to prepare the site for construction and were hopeful of a mid-2025 completion date.

Bunnings already has a retail store in Mount Maunganui and a trade store in Tauriko.

Court documents show Bunnings acquired the former Gilmours site in 2018 for $7.9 million.

In 2019 NGB Properties Ltd, the then sister company of the Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga operator bought the site next door to the former Gilmours site.

After an investigation, the Commerce Commission accused NGB Properties Ltd of putting a covenant on that site preventing it from being used as a hardware store, to stop Bunnings from opening. In 2021 the covenant was lifted and the site was sold to another party.

NGB Properties was fined $500,000 in the High Court at Wellington last year after admitting the covenant breached the Commerce Act.

Mitre 10 MEGA in Cameron Rd, Tauranga. Photo / Mead Norton.

Tauranga Business Chamber chief executive Matt Cowley said Bunnings Cameron Rd development had advantages for tradespeople, retailers and shoppers.

Firstly, it shows that brick-and-mortar stores are far from dead with significant investments like these happening across the country. Consumers still want to buy in store and take it away, unlike buying online and waiting for the delivery a week later.

Having these two retailers aggressively compete in price is good for tradies and shoppers.

For transparency, Cowley noted Bunnings was an alliance sponsor of the NZ Chambers of Commerce.

Tauranga Business Chamber chief executive Matt Cowley. Photo / NZME.

Cowley said mainstream retail was generally a high-volume, low-margin business model and retailers aimed to achieve economies of scale with bulk stores and bulk-purchasing power.

He said having the two competitors operating nearby on the same road, was market forces at play.

As long as there is a good selection of players in the local market, such as Placemakers, ITM, Hammer Hardware etc, the competition will be good for consumers.

Cowley said Bunnings and Mitre 10 MEGA stores served a diverse range of customers, and not everyone was just after the cheapest item.

Consumers weigh up several factors, such as personalisation, service, range, convenience, as well as the best price.

Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale said the proposed Cameron Rd Bunnings store still had to go through the building consent process but represented an exciting opportunity for Taurangas growing city.

Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale. Photo / Alex Cairns.

It will bring jobs, boost our economy and provide more options for tradies and shoppers. It is also great to see vacant lots in Tauranga being developed and is hopefully a sign that the market is picking up.

Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor said it was wonderful news for Tauranga.

Its great to see this site is going to be tidied up and developed after sitting vacant for about 10 years. It will help add some vibrancy to the area.

Taylor said this development also created potential employment opportunities for people living in Gate Pa and Greerton and more choices for customers and tradespeople.

I congratulate Bunnings for the faith the company has shown us by investing in our city.

Tauriko ward councillor Martin Rozeboom said it was especially good news for Bunnings customers currently having to travel to the Mount Maunganui store.

Im quite in favour of having more competition between retailers and businesses as it gives shoppers a greater choice and the opportunity to compare prices.

Rozeboom said he regularly shopped at both businesses as each had a different range of items and healthy competition was good for everyone.

Mitre 10 New Zealand was approached for comment.

-Bay of Plenty Times.
Tauranga's a new Neighbourhood Support Area Coordinator is expected to bring a wealth of experience in working with communities.

Nga Utanga is the new Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support Area Coordinator for Tauranga South, and aims to strengthen communities in this part of the city.

Neighbourhood Support works to make homes, streets, neighbourhoods and communities safer, more resilient and more caring places.

Nga has had 35 years with the police, much of it in South Auckland and then in Tauranga from 1996, in charge of Youth Services.

Ive always worked in communities and we had our own community patrols and Neighbourhood Support groups, he said.

He retired from the police in 2017, and then went overseas to work in Asia, and in Papua New Guinea building restorative justice programmes.

Covid brought him home and hes decided to stay home now.

Communities and people are at the centre of everything Ive done. Power is in communities and people, not in courts, police or justice, said Utanga.

He has three children and four grandchildren now, and lives in Matua. For his first year in the new job he intends to concentrate on Tauranga South - Gate Pa, Merrivale, Welcome Bay, Greerton - before engaging with communities in places like Bethlehem, Minden and Te Puna.

I want to know what people think Neighbourhood Support is about first.

He said there are challenges out there - one being language barriers for some communities.

At the end of the day its about strengthening communities, and I want to know what that looks like for the people who live in them.
Rain and strong winds are being forecast for many parts of New Zealand, with a more widespread weather system bringing wet weather, possible snow and a drop in temperatures later in the week.

However, brighter conditions are in store for Wednesday.

The last few weeks have been characterised by wet weather moving furiously across the country.

On Sunday, thunderstorms swept across parts of the North Island, resulting in over 22,000 lightning strikes, 7000 of these over land, and power outages. This trend of rapidly-moving bands of rain is set to continue.

On Monday, rain was expected over the western South Island with showers in other areas of the South Island and western North Island.

However, many regions can look forward to some blue skies as the rain tracks north. This respite will be short-lived, as another round of wet weather is expected on Tuesday, accompanied by thunderstorms, hail and possible snowfall in inland Southland and Otago, along with gusty westerly to southwesterly winds across both islands.

The strongest winds will be felt in Central Hawkes Bay, the Tararua District, and the Wairarapa, where an Orange Strong Wind Warning is in place for Tuesday, with gusts of 120 km/h possible," said MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane.

"Strong Wind Watches are also in effect for much of the South Island. Thunderstorms in the western and lower South Island may bring additional gusty winds as they pass through.

The most widespread rain of the week is expected on Thursday and Friday, as a large weather system moves over the country.

While the largest rainfall accumulations are expected in the western South Island, most reaches of Aotearoa can expect a decent bout of rain, first for the South Island on Thursday, extending to the North Island on Friday.

Other hazardous conditions are expected with this weather system.

":In addition to rainfall, strong winds will sweep across the country, affecting the South Island and lower North Island. Snowfall makes a return, mainly for inland parts of the South Island, which may impact road travel on high-level roads and mountain passes.

"This will also have a flow-on effect on temperatures as they take a dip, especially over the South Island. In a nutshell, almost all of Aotearoa will see something from this weather system.

While the week begins and ends with active weather, Wednesday brings a brief respite.

Sunnier and drier conditions will give those umbrellas a much-needed break, offering an opportunity to get some laundry dried. The only trade-off will be a chillier start to the day with many low single-digit minimum temperatures, and some parts of the South Island even dipping below zero."

Image: MetService.
Proposed tolls on another Tauranga highway are excessive and grossly unfair given the city already has two of the countrys three toll roads, residents say.

Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty residents are calling out NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahis proposal to toll the Takitimu North Link (TNL) once it opens in 2028.

Construction of stage one, a 6.8km four-lane expressway between Tauranga and Te Puna stage, is under way.

NZTA is proposing a toll to cover maintenance costs and fund the construction of stage two.

Under the proposal, motorists in light vehicles using the stage one route would be charged $2.10 to $3.10 per use depending on the time of day, while heavy vehicles would pay $4.20 to $6.20.

Proposed tolls for stage two, which would complete the route from Omokoroa to Tauranga, increase to a maximum of $4.10 for light vehicles and $8.20 for heavy vehicles during peak hours.



Omokoroa community board member Chris Dever said the proposed toll prices are too expensive. Photo / Supplied

Omokoroa community board member Chris Dever did not have a problem with tolls, but the proposed prices were excessive.

Travelling from his Omokoroa home to Tauranga, including fuel, would cost him around $16 for the 20km journey.

It shouldnt be a significant amount of money, it should just be a little nibble every time you use the road.

Dever also questioned the fairness of it, as Transmission Gully in Wellington and the Waikato Expressway were not tolled.

That three of the four toll roads in New Zealand would all be in the Bay of Plenty seems grossly unfair.

Takitimu Drive and the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) are both tolled, along with Aucklands Northern Gateway.



Katikati / Waihi Beach councillor Rodney Joyce said NZTA needed to be careful not to price people off the road. Photo / John Borren

Katikati / Waihi Beach councillor Rodney Joyce said NZTA needed to be careful not to price people off the road.

If too many vehicles continued to use the current road - congestion-plagued State Highway 2 - it would end up costing ratepayers through maintenance costs.

Itll become a cost on ratepayers if its overused.

The region also needed more than just the TNL to deal with its congestion and infrastructure deficit, he said.

Smartgrowth leadership group iwi representative Riki Nelson said the TNL would be a road of national significance and the burden of paying for it should not fall solely on Western Bay of Plenty.

Our communities resent the fact that this Government is putting that burden on our local communities, on all the people that live and work, not just in Tauranga, but our wider region.

People were already struggling due to the lack of investment over decades in infrastructure, said Nelson, who was also member of the NZTA northern Tauranga iwi advisory group.

The Port of Tauranga  New Zealands largest port  was a significant asset, and Nelson said the region added enough to the national economy to warrant investment in infrastructure.



The Takitimu North Link will link Tauranga and Te Puna. Photo / NZTA

Omokoroa resident Kevin Payne said the road should be tolled.

Someone in Whangarei or Dunedin, why should their income be going to a road that 90% of the people using it are going to be from this district?

Thats not fair, its not equitable.

Payne is retired but travels to Tauranga three days a week to look after his grandchildren.

Jason Ponder said people already paid enough in fuel excise tax and road user charges, so it was not acceptable to add extra costs.

The Whakamarama resident owns a construction company and travels to Tauranga up to three times a day.

The tolls made it unaffordable so Ponder would just use the existing highway.

The whole idea of doing that road is to reduce congestion and in doing so, it needs to be affordable.

Taxing people in the way of tolls is just ridiculous.



NZTA senior manager project services Jo Wilton said investment in infrastructure was needed for the growing region of Western Bay of Plenty. Photo / Mike Scott

NZTA senior manager project services Jo Wilton said the Governments policy statement on transport introduced an expectation for NZTA to consider tolling for maintenance of all new roads, including roads of national significance.

The TNL was expected to move regional traffic and freight away from local roads, she said.

Modelling for 2031 showed 34,000 vehicles could travel between Tauranga and Omokoroa each day using both the TNL and existing state highway.

The annual population increase was 2% to 3% and the transport system needed investment to provide for the growth, she said.

Funding for stage one was secured but tolling the road would cover maintenance costs and support construction of stage two.

It also provided revenue to support other major infrastructure projects, she said.

If people travelled on the TNL and then onto Takitimu Drive or Tauranga Eastern Link they would pay the individual toll for each road, Wilton said.

The tolls would be removed when the cost of the road was recovered.

For Takitimu Drive the toll was expected to be removed in 2031 and the TEL was 2049. The TNL was proposed to be tolled for 35 years.

Proposed toll prices aimed to bring in sufficient revenue across the lifespan of the road to recoup the construction costs and contribute to maintenance and operation, Wilton said.

Public consultation on the tolls closes at 5pm on October 7. Submissions can be made via NZTAs website.

Proposed tolls on Takitimu North Link

Under the proposal, a light vehicle trip would cost $3.10 one way during peak times (7-9am and 4-6pm) and $2.10 during off-peak times for stage one.

For heavy vehicles a peak-hour trip would cost $6.20 one way and $4.20 off-peak.

Proposed tolls for stage two if travelling from Omokoroa to Tauranga would be $4.10 for light vehicles at peak times and $3.10 off-peak, and $8.20 at peak for heavy vehicles and $6.20 off-peak.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Three people have been arrested and charged more than two years after the largest ever cocaine shipment was found on New Zealand shores.

A record-breaking 725kg of the drug was found at Port of Tauranga in 2022, with an estimated value of $253.75 million.

Police launched Operation Bask following the discovery, and on Monday said they had arrested three people, all from Auckland.

Two men, aged 27 and 35, and a 41-year-old woman are facing charges including importing cocaine, possessing cocaine for supply and participating in an organised crime group. They were both due to reappear in the Tauranga District Court on October 3.

National Organised Crime Group Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said the vessel had travelled from "Ecuador, via Panama, with a container of produce loaded with cocaine, in a method known as 'piggybacking'... controlled drugs being loaded into a container of legitimate product in an effort to avoid law enforcement."

725kg of cocaine was imported into the Port of Tauranga via Panama on 25 February, 2022. Photo: Police / supplied.

More than two years later it remains the largest cocaine shipment to ever arrive on New Zealand shores, and if not detected, would have caused a huge amount of harm to the community.

A breakthrough in the investigation was made recently, resulting in the three arrests.

They have also been charged with a further importation of 30kgs of cocaine that arrived into the Port of Tauranga on 31 December 2021, again from Balboa in Panama.

Customs Acting Investigations Manager, Nigel Barnes, says global intelligence networks and well-developed targeting methods are key to identifying and stopping this type of smuggling attempt.

We Identified the South American shipment as a potential risk before it arrived in Tauranga and that turned out to be the case resulting in the record cocaine seizure that we made, Mr Barnes says.

This joint operation has also provided both Police and Customs with further intelligence and insights which are clearly still producing results.

These arrests demonstrate the persistence and determination of NOCG detectives and Customs staff in disrupting the drug supply line.

Detective Inspector Gollan say Police are committed to seeing less drugs on our streets and ultimately less money going to those who intimidate and cause violence within our communities.

Police will continue to target those who supply drugs into our vulnerable communities, however we cannot do it alone.

If you see any unlawful or suspicious activity, please update us online now or call 105.

For assistance with drug and alcohol addiction there are several organisations available to assist, one of which is the Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797 or online at: Alcohol Drug Helpline

Facts

 725kg of cocaine imported into the Port of Tauranga via Panama on 25 February 2022

 Is the single largest cocaine shipment to New Zealand

 Street value of $253,750,000

 Total drug harm prevented $270,845,500

 Equivalent to 7,250,000 individual doses

 30kgs of cocaine imported into New Zealand into the Port of Tauranga on 31 December 2021, again via Panama.

 Street value of $10,500,000

 Total drug harm prevented $11,207,400

 Equivalent to 300,000 individual doses

-Additional reporting by RNZ.
SUR Nerja Monday, 23 September 2024, 11:20 | Updated 13:56h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Almost 50 Democrats Abroad supporters enjoyed a lunch in Nerja last Saturday. Carey Ramos, leader of the local branch, welcomed members to an informal lunch at a well-known Italian restaurant in the town.

US citizens from all over the province of Malaga and as far afield as Salobrena and La Alpujarra in Granada discussed their experiences of living in Spain, the presidential debates and their plans to galvanise fellow Americans into voting in the next US presidential election.

SUR

The Malaga province group, which is only a year old, has a full programme of events running up to the decisive election in November.

Organisers were keen to point out that no dogs or cats were eaten during the get-together.
Eugenio Cabezas Nerja Monday, 23 September 2024, 15:41 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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After passing through the port of Malagas centre for the temporary attention of foreigners (CATE), 29 men who arrived in Nerja on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol on Thursday 19 September were taken to Red Cross reception centres in Malaga city (18) and Algeciras (11) on Friday. Four minors have been placed under protection by the Junta de Andalucia.

Zoom Some of the migrants on Nerja's Calle Chaparil on Thursday 19 September. E. Cabezas

Not all of the men will be automatically deported and each case is being looked at individually to determine whether there are extradition agreements with their countries of origin. In fact, they all have the option of requesting international protection, the right to reception or asylum in Spain, which, if granted, would paralyse the deportation orders. Spains interior ministry (home office) and migration ministry are also responsible for assessing applications for international asylum. If the men apply for asylum, they will leave the Red Cross centres and be taken care of by the Spanish Refugee Aid Commission (CEAR).

Related news Migrants This is the moment a boat dropped around 40 migrants on a busy Costa del Sol beach, before speeding off Eugenio Cabezas

If after two years in Spanish territory the migrants have not been deported or granted international protection through asylum, they can apply for residency, so long as they can prove they have been in the country for this amount of time, as SUR has been able to confirm.

Regularisation of 500,000 migrants

It is estimated that there are currently around 500,000 illegal migrants in Spain. In April this year Spains Congreso de Diputados (lower house in parliament) approved, with just political party Vox voting against it, to take into consideration the popular legislative initiative (ILP), supported by more than 600,000 signatures, to regularise around 500,000 migrants who have been in Spanish territory before 1 November 2021.

The arrival of this boat with thirty migrants in Nerja comes in a context in which the sociological research centre (CIS) stated a few days ago that migration is already the main social problem for Spaniards.

Malagas Red Cross provincial coordinator, Samuel Linares, told SUR that his work is to attend to these people who come in a situation of extreme vulnerability, who have risked their lives at sea, to build a better life for themselves. Since October 2023, the organisation has been managing reception programmes for migrants referred to the mainland from the Canary Islands at the Urban Beach hotel in El Morche, in Torrox.
Regina Sotorrio Malaga Monday, 23 September 2024, 22:47 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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The doctor could not believe his eyes. "Who is this foreigner? No one from Malaga has ever had so many people come to donate blood". While he was waiting to undergo a life-or-death operation in a hospital in Malaga, several friends were stretching out their arms in a nearby room to donate blood for a transfusion that would prove vital to save his life.

The year was 1992 and that foreigner was Robert Harvey (1924, Lexington - 2004, Macharaviaya), the affable 'Don Roberto' to the locals and an "eclectic" pop artist for the artistic circuits. The American artist had found his place in the world in a corner of the Axarquia after rubbing shoulders with aristocrats, Hollywood stars and prestigious writers, from Barbara Hutton and Eva Marie Saint, to Truman Capote.

Now, 20 years after his death and 100 years after his birth, the small village of Macharaviaya in the Axarquia area to the east of Malaga province is paying tribute to the man who called the place home for many years.

The painter is remembered every year in the village (17 meetings of the Friends of Robert Harvey have taken place so far) and they all hold him in high regard, but the absence of his work in the public collections of his adopted homeland is incomprehensible. "Apart from the occasional presence in the Casa Natal de Picasso, neither the CAC nor the Museo de la Aduana have any of Robert's work. And that is a handicap, because if you have to get to know writers by reading them, you have to get to know painters by seeing them," says Alfredo Vinas, his former gallerist. Most of his work is in private collections. "And he deserves to have his own space, a room where people can enjoy him and keep him in their memory forever", adds Jose Antonio Robles, his heir.

"Don Roberto was a very good person", Jose Antonio repeats. "When you love someone like that, like a father, it's difficult," he says. Jose Antonio Robles was only 14 years old when he met Robert Harvey. The year was 1973. The American needed help to renovate the farmhouse he had just bought in Macharaviaya, which was once the summer residence of the illustrious Galvez family.

Its name alone is evocative: La Huerta del Angel. From then on, Jose Antonio worked by his side, taking care of the house, watering the plants, running errands and looking after him until the end, until a tumour took the artist's life suddenly in 2004. He was like a son and that is why he named him his heir.

Jose Antonio and his wife Maria Victoria only found out about the inheritance when the will was opened: suddenly they were the heirs of around 80 of Harvey's paintings, but they also received the responsibility of defending and disseminating the artist's legacy. They could have sold everything and led a more comfortable life, but by doing so they would have failed 'Roberto'. So, instead, they started to organise exhibitions with his collection, like the one that is currently on at the Museum of Nerja and the one on display in the Galvez Museum in Macharaviaya, with paintings from his private collection to mark the centenary of his birth.

Zoom Robert Harvey, with Eva Marie Saint and her husband Jeffrey Hayden. Photo courtesy of Jose Antonio Robles and Victoria Llamas

During the more than thirty years in his service, Jose Antonio witnessed how his art and his friendships grew in Malaga. He also improved his Spanish, although he never lost his strong American accent. La Huerta del Angel - now rented out by an English couple for rural getaways - was during those three decades one of the most cosmopolitan places in Malaga, a place where artists and friends from Malaga met with others from San Francisco and New York over paella and good wine.

A couple of times, "at least", he was visited by Eva Marie Saint, Alfred Hitchcock's muse in films like North by Northwest and one of the few survivors of the golden Hollywood era who has celebrated her one hundredth birthday.

He moved naturally in those environments, "but he didn't show off". "It was very simple. You had to get it out of him because he didn't tell you by himself", says Antonio Delgado, one of the regulars at those meals in the Huerta del Angel, a good friend.

He turned his house, La Huerta del Angel, into a cosmopolitan refuge in the middle of the countryside, a meeting point for local and international artists.

He endeared himself. "He knew how to listen, and that's not something that happens very often," recalls Antonio. We did the maths and there was a 30-year difference between them. "I had never thought of that! He was a very jovial and at the same time very modern person". But really. "He used to say that modern is not what is fashionable, that it is an attitude that you either have or you don't have". And Robert had it.

Moreover, "he was a walking encyclopaedia". His house up in Macharaviaya received everything from the New Yorker to the latest international film, fashion and art magazines. He was up to date with everything and had a broad education. Little Bobby, as he was called at school, was always clear about his path.

In the Spanish documentary 'Oficio de pintor, oficio de vivir' (Cedecom), he tells how, as a child, the teacher asked the class what they wanted to be when they grew up. And he did not hesitate: "I am a painter", he said in the present tense. When they met years later, by then an artist, the teacher had not forgotten that blunt answer.

Zoom The painter with Jose Antonio Robles, his right-hand man. Photo courtesy of Jose Antonio Robles and Victoria Llamas

At a very young age he began to travel the world: at the age of 18 he left North Carolina to study in Florida at the Sarasota School of Art; shortly afterwards he moved to New York to work for a framing company that introduced him to artistic circles; and years later he got a place at the Institute of Art in San Francisco. For twenty years he was part of the bohemian and extravagant life of the Californian city, never ceasing to travel around the USA and Europe. One of these routes took him to Spain with the wealthy Barbara Hutton.

Until the Vietnam War broke out. As he told his family, his opposition to the conflict drove him to leave the USA. Widowed at the age of 30, Robert wanted to make sure his son didn't go to fight. One day he saw an advertisement in the local newspaper for a house in Frigiliana and that was where he went. He was 47 years old when he settled in what was his gateway to the Axarquia. The following year, on one of his walks, he saw La Huerta del Angel in the distance, with its roofs fallen down and half destroyed, but it captivated him.

This is the official version of why he ended up in Malaga, but few people today believe it to be true. "I'm convinced that he was fleeing from a past he didn't like at all", says his friend Antonio Delgado, who has given this question a lot of thought. The son was an excuse. In fact, he never accompanied him to Spain and they always had a very complicated relationship. He simply "wanted to start a new life" and overcome a cycle of depression.

Zoom Exhibition at the Alfredo Vinas Gallery in 1999. SUR

The change of scenery worked. "Here he grew and grew. Breaking away from the USA was a turning point. He had chosen his family, everyone was devoted to him," says his friend Antonio. And his art evolved. "Formally he was very pop, but the contents of his work were very different from those of interest at that time in the USA, which were very oriented towards the media and mass culture", says Alfredo Vinas, who paraphrases the critic Enrique Castanos when he defined him as "an eclectic pop artist". He was a "very free" creator.

He was influenced by the techniques present in American art of the 1950s and 1960s, such as photorealism, "but he did not maintain a servitude to that language". His palette, Vinas recalls, "became clearer in his later years with delicate transparencies". And he became more creative. Inspired by the rural world and, after the serious operation in 1992, he began to paint landscapes, fields of wheat, bougainvillaea, almond trees... for the first time. "I was still painting people, but I could do other things," says Delgado. It was his way of making the most of the extension that life had given him.

Macharaviaya celebrates the centenary by installing two sculptures in the street that recreate his paintings

His memory continues to be the reason for a reunion every year and this year even more so. On Saturday 28 September, the Asociacion La Huerta del Angel-Amigos de Robert Harvey is organising a day of celebration in Macharaviaya, with a talk on his life - with Lorenzo Saval, Guillermo Busutil, Antonio Delgado and the mayor Antonio Campos. Two sculptures by Harvey will be inaugurated in the streets of the village and Don Roberto will be home again.
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Monday, 23 September 2024, 12:47 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Malaga can proudly boast about its talented bricklayers after the local pairing made up of Javier Vargas and his assistant Manuel Fuentes won the 57th annual national bricklaying competition of the Pena El Palustre contest, held every year in the Malaga neighbourhood of El Palo.

A total of 30 pairs of bricklayers from all over Spain competed in this year's contest, held on Sunday 22 September and which brings together numerous bricklayers, as well as sector representatives, architects and construction company managers.

Zoom One of the participating pairs during the competition. Migue Fernandez

The winners, whose exceptional level of bricklaying was judged by a panel of experts, were awarded 6,000 euros. The second-placed pair of Jose Antonio Guerrero Flores and his assistant Manuel Sierra from Bienvenida (Badajoz) won 2,500 euros.

Zoom

Third place (with a prize of 1,500 euros) went to the pair made up of Jacobo Ceron and Yurii Kokodynskyi, from the municipality of Villanueva del Rosario in Malaga and fourth place went to Jose Maria del Pozo Galan and Miguel Angel Lopez Menchero, from Fuenlabrada (Madrid), with a prize of 1,000 euros. In addition to Malaga and most of the Andalusian provinces (Seville, Granada, Cordoba and Jaen), the competing teams came from other parts of the country such as Gerona, Madrid and Caceres.

A complex structure

Architect Demofilo Pelaez was the president of the jury and the person in charge of coming up with the structure the bricklaying teams needed to execute in the contest. "Finding a new design every year is a real complication, and therefore something was proposed that has not been in the competition since 1999, 25 years ago, and it was a design by my father," Pelaez said.

"It is a very special structure because it has to be worked in the air, it has only a few threads that do not serve as a support, but only as a guide. It is very complex because it requires one structure to meet the other at a single point and without any kind of plaster, and the setting out is also difficult."

"What is valued is not time as an element of quality, but accuracy in the layout and perfection in the finish," the architect added. "We are looking for excellence, this is art, to give value to traditional craftsmanship, with techniques that are no longer in use." In accordance with its mathematical and geometrical definition, the exercise was entitled in Spanish, 'a hueso', which in slang means that the structures touch at a point without plaster, brick by brick, "which is what requires absolute precision".

The participants received the plans of the structure first thing in the morning, as well as all the materials necessary to execute it. The jury considered the perfection of the finishing touches, the accuracy of the layout in plan and elevation, and, in the event of a tie, the winner would be the one with the shortest completion time.

The origin of the competition dates back to 1967, when the first members of the Pena El Palustre began to compete casually among themselves to compare their skills as bricklayers. Since then, it has grown to become known in the world of construction nationally. "The competition was born out of our love and enthusiasm for masonry," said the co-founder of the competition Manuel Pelaez Santiago. "If masonry work is dying, let this be a little push to raise the knowledge of professionals," he added. The event is organised by the Pena El Palustre, with the support of Malaga city council and the provincial authority.
Image of one of the arrested members of the criminal organisation.

Europa Press Malaga Monday, 23 September 2024 | Updated 24/09/2024 09:26h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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National Police officers have freed 24 women who were victims of a sex trafficking ring and forced to work as prostitutes in brothels throughout Spain including Malaga.

The women, mostly of Colombian nationality, were forced to work in brothels 24 hours a day for six days a week, with only two free hours a day, according to investigators.

The gang spearheading the operation was led by a woman at the head of a family network. Police arrested 21 people in the provinces of Madrid (10), Valencia (5), Castellon (3), La Rioja (2) and Zaragoza (1), including the four main perpetrators of the scheme, who have been remanded in custody. Police carried out 11 raids at homes and shut down five brothels.

Zoom CNP

The first complaint to police

The investigation was launched following the statement of a woman who said she had been a victim of sex trafficking by the gang. This led police to discovering the operation was led by a woman who, together with her direct relatives, operated as a family clan.

The gang recruited victims in their country of origin through online advertisements and, occasionally, through other women already working as prostitutes, according to investigators. The women accepted the conditions imposed due to their precarious economic situation at origin and in the hope of improving their living situation, as they were often the only breadwinners in their families.

The victims would then travel to Spain, pretending to be travelling as tourists, where the organisation would then pass the expenses on to the victims in the form of a debt they would have to pay off by working as prostitutes.

Exploitation in deplorable conditions

The criminal network was active in at least six brothels located in the provinces of Castellon, Madrid, Malaga and Valencia.

When the women arrived in Spain, they were transferred to one of these locations, where they stayed for periods of 21 days, and when the traffickers considered the women were "burnt out" in one area, they moved them to other brothels. This rotation system was used to satisfy the constant demand for "new women" from clients and increase the profits of the network, according to police.

The victims were forced to accept all sexual assignments 24 hours a day with only one day off per week and two hours off each day with prior notice. They were only entitled to 50% of the profits from the sexual services they performed.

The members of the criminal network were themselves in charge of answering and arranging sexual services with the clients, either through phone calls or instant messaging, controlling conditions of the services.

Money laundering

The brothels also functioned as points of sale and distribution of drugs, mainly cocaine, and prescription drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

The criminal network collected the proceeds through a mobile phone payment platform. For this purpose, it had a network of collaborators who provided telephone lines and bank accounts where payments were made, which were subsequently transmitted to the heads of the criminal network in cash or through cryptocurrencies.

In order to launder the profits, they made use of trading companies through which they acquired various movable and immovable assets.

The police operation ended with 11 house searches in which they seized 51,730 euros in cash, a vehicle, 11 mobile phones, two laptops, an I-pad, 35 grams of cocaine, 446 grams of marijuana, 52 grams of hashish, 23 tablets for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and an air pistol. Cash and cryptocurrencies were also blocked and a ban on the disposal of assets worth 508,367 euros was imposed.

National Police, on the international day against sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons, has reminded the public it operates a telephone helpline on 900 105 090 and email trata@policia.es to help victims and encourage anonymous and confidential reporting of this type of crime. The phone call will not be reflected on the telephone bill.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Large-scale modernization works are underway in all our military plants. New equipment, machinery, weapons and ammunition are being produced, said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the first session of the seventh convocation of the Milli Majlis, Trend reports.

The President noted that the establishment of new production facilities with several foreign partners has already entered the practical phase, and within the next year or two, our military-industrial complex will become even larger. The head of state noted that today Azerbaijan exports products of the military industrial complex to dozens of countries and this geographical reach is expanding year by year.
Scriba, N.Y.  A small electrical fire at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station has led to two units being shut down until further notice, company officials said.

Around 7:30 a.m. Monday, the fire broke out at an electrical breaker near the FitzPatrick and the Nine Mile Point Unit 2 reactors. Both reactors shut down automatically following an electrical issue,' according to a news release from the plant owners, Constellation Energy Corp. The fire was quickly extinguished by employees.

The areas impacted were in a confined area of the Unit 2 Turbine Building in the non-nuclear portion of the plant, said Mark Rodgers, a spokesperson for Constellation.

The fire was contained to an electrical breaker on the grounds outside the reactor buildings, Rodgers said. No one was injured.

Nine Mile Point Unit 1 was not affected and is operating at full power, Rodgers said.

The Nine Mile Point Unit 2 and Fitzpatrick Unit 1 automatically tripped offline. The units will return to service once any needed testing, inspections or repairs are completed, Rodgers said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Rodgers said their operations team is monitoring the plant. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission also has a resident inspector at Nine Mile Point, he said.

The Nine Mile Point Unit 2 is the youngest and largest of the three reactors at the Scriba facility, capable of producing 1,277 megawatts. It is licensed to operate until 2046.

The Fitzpatrick Unit, at 842 megawatts, is slightly older and is licensed through 2034.

Nine Mile Point Unit 1 is the countrys oldest reactor, and its license is set to expire in 2029.

The shutdown of the two reactors did not result in any customers losing power, according to officials at the New York Independent System Operator.

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.
Today marks the launch of Sabrina Carpenters highly anticipated Short n Sweet Tour, kicking off in Columbus, Ohio. The tour, which supports her sixth studio album of the same name, is set to captivate fans across North America before heading to the UK and Europe in 2025.

Carpenters tour will feature special guest Amaarae and includes stops in major cities such as Toronto, where she will perform at Scotiabank Arena this Wednesday, September 25.

Where to buy Sabrina Carpenter concert tickets

While tickets for the Short n Sweet Tour are sold out, fans can secure their spots through secondary market platforms like Vivid Seats, StubHub and SeatGeek, which offer verified tickets with a buyers guarantee.

Heres a look at the best prices available for her Toronto show (including fees):

Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change.

Where else is Sabrina Carpenter playing?

After Toronto, Carpenter will play 31 more shows across North America, including stops in New York City, Hartford, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Montreal and more.

A complete list of Carpenters Short n Sweet tour dates is available here.

Cant get enough live music? Carpenter isnt the only touring artist. Check out other favorites who know how to put on an unforgettable show, including Dua Lipa, Zayn Malik, Charli XCX, Kacey Musgraves, Benson Boone and Taylor Swift.
By Eliza Haverstock | NerdWallet

As the Nov. 5 election looms, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump offer starkly different visions for student loan policy at a time when the topic is top of mind for voters.

More than one in five student loan borrowers (22%) say that student loan forgiveness is one of the most important issues when choosing a presidential candidate, according to a recent NerdWallet survey conducted online by The Harris Poll. Both parties are thinking about the issue: 43% of Democrats and 30% of Republicans say student loan repayment will impact their vote, per the recent 2024 EdAssist by Bright Horizons Education Index.

The official Democratic and Republican platforms, along with past statements, actions and related policy documents, indicate how each candidate may approach student loans if elected to the White House.

Harris and her running mate, Minnesota governor Tim Walz, would likely continue to champion the student loan efforts started under President Biden, who has erased $168.5 billion in student loan debt for 4.76 million borrowers while in office. His administration did so largely by improving existing student loan forgiveness programs.

If Trump and his vice president pick, Ohio senator JD Vance, win the White House, borrowers can expect a reigning in of relief and forgiveness programs.

On the Trump side, this is someone who, as president, consistently proposed big cuts to all federal education funding, but especially to programs that would help students and student loan borrowers, says Michelle Dimino, director of education at the center-left think tank Third Way. On the Harris side, we have a history of supporting increases for Federal Student Aid and consumer protections for borrowers.

(Neither campaign responded to multiple NerdWallet requests to comment on their student loan positions.)

Project 2025, a 900-page playbook for the next Republican president overseen by the conservative Heritage Foundation, also offers clues about what a Trump presidency could mean for student loan borrowers, even though Trumps campaign has tried to distance itself from the document.

Its still very much put forward as a Republican Party conservative viewpoint on education, and so I think it includes a lot of policy proposals that there would be a lot of lobbying to get a potential Trump administration to implement, says Katharine Meyer, a fellow in the Governance Studies program for the Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings, a nonpartisan think tank.

From repayment plans and loan forgiveness to affordable degrees and community college, heres where Harris and Trump stand on issues impacting student loan borrowers.

Broad student loan forgiveness

Bidens plan B for broad student loan forgiveness is currently facing legal blowback from Republican-led states. It could be months before borrowers have a decision, and the outcome is largely dependent on the courts, independent of Novembers election results.

However, an incoming presidential administration still has power to sway the effort in their desired direction and to drive the appeals process, Dimino says.

I think certainly a Harris administration would be working to continue to defend that effort for as long as they can, continuing the appeals process and being as aggressive as they can be to safeguard that, she says.

Trump would most likely not support the forgiveness plan, echoing the Republican partys opposition to student loan forgiveness. Republican-led states filed lawsuits that took down Bidens original student loan forgiveness plan of up to $20,000 per borrower in 2023, along with lawsuits currently circling the SAVE repayment plan and Bidens forgiveness plan B.

In the past, [Trump] has been supportive of student loan cancellation. It was in his campaign eight years ago, which was really inconsistent with the Republican Partys platform at that time, says Beth Akers, senior fellow focused on the economics of higher education at the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right think tank. Things have changed a lot since then, and I would anticipate that a Trump presidency would not be pushing on continuing to use any existing authorities to cancel student debt, instead maybe a reining in of the programs, working potentially with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to create some of the reforms that conservatives now think are necessary in order to get the student loan program back into a functional state.

SAVE and other income-driven repayment plans

Like Bidens forgiveness plan B, the SAVE repayment plan faces lawsuits, with its future largely dependent on the courts. However, if elected, Harris would likely vigorously defend the plan in court, Dimino says.

Meanwhile, Trump is likely to support the dissolution of SAVE. Certainly in a Trump administration, there would be every effort to enact regulations striking down SAVE, even if it were ruled constitutionally appropriate, Meyer says. This sort of regulatory whiplash happens with every presidential transition in nearly every area of policy where the parties disagree.

Instead of SAVE and other existing income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, Project 2025 calls for a single IDR option that would generally increase monthly payments for borrowers relative to SAVE and other current options. It would also aim to remove the loan forgiveness option; under current IDR plans, borrowers can get forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of payments.

While income-driven repayment (IDR) of student loans is a superior approach relative to fixed payment plans, the number of IDR plans has proliferated beyond reason, the document says. And recent IDR plans are so generous that they require no or only token repayment from many students.

A family of four that earns $50,000 a year would have a $0 monthly payment under SAVE. But under the Project 2025 IDR plan, that familys payment would be about $156 per month, Meyer says.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Teachers, doctors, firefighters, police officers, military members, government employees and and other nonprofit workers benefit from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which erases your remaining federal student debt after 10 years of public service and 120 monthly student loan payments.

Under the Biden-Harris administration, weve seen some of the biggest Public Service Loan Forgiveness loan discharges ever. Theyve tried to make the process easier. They streamlined the application, making it easier to recertify with your employers, so taking down some of those administrative barriers to accessing PSLF relief, Dimino says.

In June, the Education Department also began an effort to expand PSLF eligibility to early childhood educators who dont necessarily work for nonprofits. Under a Harris presidency, borrowers can expect the government to continue prioritizing PSLF access, Dimino says.

As president and on the campaign trail, Trump has called for restricting loan forgiveness overall and making PSLF harder to access, Dimino says. It makes a less certain future for folks who have been working toward forgiveness, she adds. At one point in 2019, the Education Department rejected 99% of PSLF applications, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.

Project 2025 goes even further, calling for the program first introduced by Republican President George W. Bush in 2007 to shutter: The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which prioritizes government and public sector work over private sector employment, should be terminated.

Community college, trade school and free tuition

Theres bi-partisan support for alternatives to the four-year college degree, but the parties have different approaches.

Both Democrats and Republicans are having to return to this idea that college should deliver something to students, Akers says. It used to be, college is just this golden ticket, itll take me somewhere magical, and thats good enough. But now I think Americans are like, wait a minute, whats the ROI on this investment? What am I getting, and whats the opportunity?

The Harris campaign platform pledges to make trade school and community college free for every American and says its working to subsidize tuition at Minority Serving Institutions (such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities) for students whose families earn less than $125,000 per year. Harriss vice president pick, Governor Walz, signed a bill into law in 2023 that made Minnesota public higher education free for families in the state earning less than $80,000 per year.

The Trump platform says it will support the creation of additional, drastically more affordable alternatives to a traditional four-year College degree. That could mean investing in trade schools, vocational programs, community colleges and other career pathways, Akers says.

Borrower defense to repayment

When she was Californias attorney general a decade ago, Harris prosecuted Corinthian Colleges, alleging that the for-profit institution intentionally misled students about job placement rates. In 2022, the Education Department approved $5.8 billion in student loan discharges for more than half a million former Corinthian students, under the borrower defense to repayment program.

As president, Harris would likely continue supporting borrower defense, Akers says. The program began in 1995 to protect borrowers who are defrauded or misled by their colleges.

Trumps record indicates that he may be opposed to strengthening borrower defense. For example, in 2020, then-President Trump vetoed a bipartisan resolution that would have overturned a 2019 borrower defense rule that made it tougher for students who say they were defrauded by colleges to get federal student loan discharge.

Project 2025 calls for Congress to end the Education Departments broad ability to forgive loans through the borrower defense program. Instead, the Department should only be allowed to discharge loans in limited, case-by-case situations where convincing evidence exists to demonstrate that an educational institution engaged in fraud toward a borrower in connection with his or her enrollment in the institution and the students educational program or activity at the institution.

Pell Grants

The federal Pell Grant program, which gives undergraduates from low-income backgrounds up to $7,395 per year to help pay for college, has been around since the 1970s. Biden increased the maximum Pell award by $900 during his term  the largest expansion in over a decade.

In her platform, Harris emphasizes Bidens Pell record and promises to expand the program further: For young people just heading to college now, weve already secured the largest increase in Pell Grants in a decade, and well further expand these grants to 7 million more students, and double the maximum award by 2029.

Though Trump is unlikely to strike down the Pell, further increases to the maximum award are less certain if he wins the White House. I dont think [Trump] is against Pell, but he has proposed cuts to it as president in the past, says Dimino. I think we would expect that the Pell Grant will be in greater jeopardy under [that] administration than under a Harris administration,

Project 2025 supports maintaining Pell grants in their current voucher-like form.

Congressional elections matter, too

While the presidential election is extremely consequential, the upcoming congressional elections will also impact future student loan policies.

The U.S. Congress (composed of the Senate and the House) must align with the president to push legislation forward, though some policy work can be done without formal legislation, Akers explains. The president can veto bills passed by Congress, while Congress can refuse to pass bills that the president might support.

A lot of what ultimately gets done will rely on the makeup of Congress and what the majorities look like in Congress for that president, along with the pending court cases, says Dimino.

To register to vote in national, state and local elections  and to check your registration status  go to vote.gov. You must update your voter registration each time you move to a new address. Depending on your state, voter registration deadlines may be as early as 30 days before the Nov. 5 election.

More From NerdWallet

Eliza Haverstock writes for NerdWallet. Email: ehaverstock@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @elizahaverstock.
The 2024 MLB Playoffs field is officially taking shape, and the New York Yankees are one of the first teams to clinch a spot in the wild card round. That means fans can already celebrate with a new Yankees hat and gear for the 2024 MLB Playoffs, which just dropped on Fanatics.

SHOP: New York Yankees playoffs hats and gear on Fanatics.

The Yankees 2024 postseason collection has special edition New Era hats, Fanatics branded t-shirts and Nike hoodies to celebrate the Yankees incredible 2024 MLB season. New York has already clinched the Wild Card round, and if they hold for their final six games, they can even take the American League East crown, thanks to a powerhouse team including Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

Yankees postseason hat. (Fanatics)Fanatics

New York Yankees New Era 2024 MLB Postseason 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Navy - $43.99

The most iconic ball cap in the world gets a special edition release with the 2024 MLB Postseason side patch. The fitted cap is available in sizes 6 7/8 to 8, so you get the perfect fit, or you can choose New Eras low profile, flex or other varieties of fit.

Yankees postseason shirt.Fanatics

New York Yankees Fanatics 2024 MLB Postseason Locker Room T-Shirt - Navy - $39.99

Get October Ready with this Fanatics-branded postseason t-shirt. They made it this far, and thats good enough cause to start celebrating for a team that missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons last year. No one will doubt that you were along for the ride.

Yankees postseason hoodie. (Fanatics)Fanatics

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Ideological provocations against us are continuing. It is true that they have not yielded any results yet, because the strong will of our people and our national spirit are in their way. It is impossible for any ideological provocation to take root here. But at the same time, this should not make us complacent, said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the first session of the seventh convocation of the Milli Majlis, Trend reports.

We must always be ready for it and expose the dirty games played against us, as we have done, officially, in the public space and in the media. I believe that the people of Azerbaijan see everything perfectly well, know everything perfectly well  who is our friend and who is our enemy, the head of state noted.
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Tesla Model 3 Performance & Toyota Highlander go to Whistler, Canada for the weekend! Roadtrip from Seattle- Whistler, Canada (September 7 & 8th, 2024)



BHPian Crackhead never visited Canada and he was eager to visit and explore the food scene out in Surrey, Canada.



You may know from my previous travelogues that we regularly go to Surrey to enjoy some authentic Punjabi food. Crackhead being a Punjabi could not resist this temptation so we planned an overnighter and club the famous Whistler Gondola Ride as part of the trip.



We booked a lovely AirbnB in Vancouver and we were all set for this roadtrip.



This time I decided to take the Tesla as I wanted to see how it fares on the Sea to Sky Highway.



The plan was simple :



Saturday : Eat as much as you can in as many locations as you can in Surrey, Canada.



Well, we ate so much that we had to visit the gorgeous Stanley Park in Downtown Vancouver and cover our 10,000 steps to get rid of those calories. But, that was in vain as we immediately put it back with a fabulous dinner.lol!



Sunday : After a hectic day of eating, we headed out early (8:30am) to Whistler which is the skiing capital of Canada and there was a time winter olympics were held in this location. It's just 60 miles (100kms) away and the entire drive is through Sea to Sky Highway which is a spectacular highway with ocean on one side and mountains on other end.



By mistake, we booked the wrong Gondola ride (there is one more in the middle of the Sea to Sky highway). We convinced them to make it an open ticket and thankfully they agreed and made our ticket valid until December 31st, 2024 which means we have to make another trip to enjoy this gondola. Yay !!



We then booked the Gondola ride that was our original intention which was Whistler Gondola on the Blackcomb Mountains.



Let me tell you a little bit about this Gondola Ride. The ticket similar to all attractions in Canada is steep at $100/Person.



Gondola Ride #1



This is an almost 30 minutes ride to one of the mountains. This is possible the longest ride that I ever took on a gondola.



Gondola Ride # 2



This is known as "Peak to Peak" which means it takes you from the peak where we disembarked to another mountain across. This was around 12 mins ride.



Gondola Ride # 3



This was a tough one. There is a 20 mins hike through steep terrain to reach the Gondola departure station. This Gondola is an open top chair type to the top of the summit.



Once you reach the summit, there is a walk on a dangerously swaying bridge to the edge from where you get spectacular views. We also enjoyed a lovely lunch on the top enjoying the views of the mountain ranges.



We spent a lot of time up there and took the ride down late afternoon.



Around 5:30pm departed from there and stopped in Surrey for a quick charge and dinner and then headed out towards home to reach around midnight.



A lovely weekend spent in the British Columbia. Enjoy the pictures and videos !!



Cheers

Mobike008



Route for this trip.







Rosso Diablo gleaming before the trip.







Vancouver Downtown







Parked in Stanley Park, Vancouver







A cruise ship taking off from Vancouver- View from Stanley Park.







Happy Faces...















Seaplanes were taking off or landing every 5-mins.







We witnessed a spectacular sunset from Stanley Park. One of the best.



























Sea to Sky Highway (Vancouver to Whistler- 100 kms of unadulterated fun. The Tesla was taking these corners like a supercar. Carrying a lot of speed in the corners and staying flat. It was an activity of overtaking everyone. I tell ya'll it's boring alone in the front.











Beautiful town of Whistler- This is like Banff. Quaint, Historic, French influenced and surrounded by snow capped mountains.











A ferret or something similar was posing for the camera.







On the summit. We walked on this highly swaying steel bridge. It was fun!











Jeep and ATV tours up near the summit. Canada Adventures are next level.































Us on the Summit !!



BHPian Crackhead never visited Canada and he was eager to visit and explore the food scene out in Surrey, Canada.You may know from my previous travelogues that we regularly go to Surrey to enjoy some authentic Punjabi food. Crackhead being a Punjabi could not resist this temptation so we planned an overnighter and club the famous Whistler Gondola Ride as part of the trip.We booked a lovely AirbnB in Vancouver and we were all set for this roadtrip.This time I decided to take the Tesla as I wanted to see how it fares on the Sea to Sky Highway.Eat as much as you can in as many locations as you can in Surrey, Canada.Well, we ate so much that we had to visit the gorgeous Stanley Park in Downtown Vancouver and cover our 10,000 steps to get rid of those calories. But, that was in vain as we immediately put it back with a fabulous dinner.lol!After a hectic day of eating, we headed out early (8:30am) to Whistler which is the skiing capital of Canada and there was a time winter olympics were held in this location. It's just 60 miles (100kms) away and the entire drive is through Sea to Sky Highway which is a spectacular highway with ocean on one side and mountains on other end.By mistake, we booked the wrong Gondola ride (there is one more in the middle of the Sea to Sky highway). We convinced them to make it an open ticket and thankfully they agreed and made our ticket valid until December 31st, 2024 which means we have to make another trip to enjoy this gondola. Yay !!We then booked the Gondola ride that was our original intention which was Whistler Gondola on the Blackcomb Mountains.Let me tell you a little bit about this Gondola Ride. The ticket similar to all attractions in Canada is steep at $100/Person.This is an almost 30 minutes ride to one of the mountains. This is possible the longest ride that I ever took on a gondola.This is known as "Peak to Peak" which means it takes you from the peak where we disembarked to another mountain across. This was around 12 mins ride.This was a tough one. There is a 20 mins hike through steep terrain to reach the Gondola departure station. This Gondola is an open top chair type to the top of the summit.Once you reach the summit, there is a walk on a dangerously swaying bridge to the edge from where you get spectacular views. We also enjoyed a lovely lunch on the top enjoying the views of the mountain ranges.We spent a lot of time up there and took the ride down late afternoon.Around 5:30pm departed from there and stopped in Surrey for a quick charge and dinner and then headed out towards home to reach around midnight.A lovely weekend spent in the British Columbia. Enjoy the pictures and videos !!CheersMobike008 Last edited by mobike008 : 22nd September 2024 at 01:16 .
Something to look forward to: Microsoft is making a serious push to improve Edge's performance. The Chromium-based browser is introducing "smart" enhancements for managing slow extensions, giving users the final say on which ones should be disabled first.

Despite being the default web browser on Windows, Edge is still used by a minority of PC users compared to Chrome. Microsoft is actively enhancing the product to attract more users, with performance now a major selling point in the company's efforts to differentiate itself from other Chromium-based browsers.

Redmond recently announced another performance-focused change: an extension "performance detector" that helps users identify which add-ons negatively impact the browser's speed and responsiveness. When certain extensions consistently slow down the browser, Edge will display a pop-up alert. Clicking the alert will show users which extensions are causing slowdowns and how much they are affecting web page load times.

The alert allows users to disable problematic extensions immediately and will only appear if Edge detects ongoing performance issues. Microsoft stated that the new feature will soon be rolled out to "some users" in Edge Canary 130, the less stable beta version of Edge. Access to Edge Canary requires a Microsoft Edge Insider subscription, which provides the latest (daily) development builds.

Microsoft acknowledges that extensions can greatly enhance the browsing experience, offering productivity boosts and customization options. However, a poorly optimized add-on may introduce "extra lines of web code" that can negatively impact the browser's overall performance, especially when loading web pages.

Add-on developers should focus on optimizing performance, and Microsoft is offering useful advice for programmers interested in creating better extensions for the Edge ecosystem. The new performance alert feature can also be activated early via an experimental browser flag. To enable it, visit "edge://flags/#edge-performance-extension-detection," turn on the option, and restart the browser.

Although Chrome is often criticized as a key tool in Google's alleged monopoly, it has introduced significant performance improvements across the web. Modern browsers are increasingly focusing on being as smooth and fast as possible, with built-in performance monitors and "task managers" that allow users to track hardware resource usage.

Beyond performance, memory usage is a critical aspect of today's web browsers. Microsoft recently introduced a feature in Edge that lets users limit how much RAM the browser consumes.
Break different: Apple recently released the latest version of macOS, but things aren't going smoothly for Sequoia. The operating system is reportedly causing serious compatibility issues for security tool vendors, and it appears Cupertino was aware that the OS wasn't fully ready for prime time.

macOS 15 is hardly breaking new ground in terms of advanced features or technology. In fact, Mac users may want to skip or delay the upgrade, as the new OS is experiencing significant compatibility issues with anti-malware programs and other security tools. While third-party vendors have offered temporary workarounds, Apple is likely investigating the problem to provide a permanent fix.

After updating to macOS 15, many users have reported problems using security software from companies like CrowdStrike, Microsoft, and ESET. macOS security expert Patrick Wardle noted that Apple was alerted to these issues before Sequoia's release, yet the company chose to proceed with the launch. Now, vendors are issuing advisories, and users and IT admins are left to deal with the fallout.

The root of the problem appears to lie in macOS 15's updated network stack. A CrowdStrike representative confirmed that Apple made "quite a lot" of changes in this area, and easy fixes are not available.

"Please trust me when I say this was looked at through every angle, to see if there was any way to continue to provide the best protection to our customers on this new OS without having to delay," Crowdstrike said.

According to Microsoft's bulletin, macOS 15 introduced a strange issue with the system firewall. When stealth mode is enabled, Sequoia stops responding to "ping" requests, making further connection attempts impossible. To work around this, Redmond suggests temporarily disabling stealth mode either in the OS settings or through a compliance policy.

Due to Sequoia's problems with the networking stack, Slovak security firm ESET initially advised customers to avoid the update. However, ESET later managed to achieve full compatibility with macOS 15. Other security software still requires updates to function properly, and users have also reported issues with the Firefox browser and other network-dependent tools.

According to Wardle, Apple acknowledged the networking issues after being contacted by several "large" software vendors. Some "unintended" changes in Sequoia have caused the disruption, and Apple engineers are now working to resolve it. The exact cause of the problem remains unclear  whether it's related to the firewall or a deeper-level issue within the OS's networking stack.

"If you pride yourself on building secure systems, you can't push out software that breaks security tools," Wardle said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Shahin Seyidzadeh has been dismissed from the post of Chairman of the Board of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Department, Trend reports.

President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree in this regard.
Net-zero pledges growing but integrity lacking: study



Paris, Sept 22 (AFP) Sep 22, 2024



While more countries, companies and cities are setting net-zero targets, many of their pledges to slash carbon emissions lack integrity, said a study published Monday.

Net Zero Tracker, a research partnership between four organisations, annually reviews the climate pledges of more than 4,000 governments, states, cities, and major corporations.

Nearly 60 percent of the approximately 2,000 listed companies under its watch have vowed to eliminate their carbon footprints, it said: 23 percent up on its last assessment in 2023.

There was a "significant rise" in net-zero goals adopted by companies in Asia, it added.

In all, 148 countries have set net-zero goals, added.

Azerbaijan however -- this year's host of the UN climate negotiations in November -- was a "notable exception".

A growing number of state governments and cities had their own targets, 28 percent and 8 percent more respectively compared to the previous year.

But "fewer than 5 percent of entities across companies, states and regions, and cities" met the minimum required criteria, the report added.

This includes explaining how goals will be met, setting interim targets and covering all greenhouse gas emissions -- not just CO2 -- to demonstrate the credibility of these pledges.

While the number of companies with no plans whatsoever to slash emissions has "reduced substantially", nearly half of the world's largest 100 private firms have decided against setting climate targets, it added.

"Progress has been made, but we need much more," said Catherine McKenna, chair of the UN high-level expert group on net-zero commitments. "We have to be more ambitious."

The Paris agreement calls for capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above levels in the late 19th century, when burning fossil fuels began to seriously heat up the planet.

To stand any chance of meeting this goal and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, scientists agree that global emissions must be nearly halved by 2030 and reach net zero around mid-century.

Any leftover carbon pollution must be removed, by for example capturing CO2 in the atmosphere.
Colombia's Inirida flower: from 'weed' to emblem for UN meeting



Inirida, Colombia, Sept 23 (AFP) Sep 23, 2024



When Ruben Dario Carianil began cultivating the unusual, pointy Inirida flower in the Colombian Amazon ten years ago, his relatives made fun of him for growing "weeds."

Today, the 63-year-old Carianil, of the Curripako tribe, grows tons of the curious blooms on a plot outside Inirida -- the jungle city of 30,000 people from which the flower took its name.

Carianil exports Inirida cuttings to the United States, Europe and Asia, and soon even more foreigners will be introduced to the rare blossom as the emblem of a UN biodiversity conference to be held in Cali from October 21 to November 1.

"I'm very happy," Carianil told AFP of his success, which he sees as helping, not harming, the environment.

"For us, Nature, the forest, is life. We Indigenous people respect it and we live in harmony with Nature without damaging it."

Inirida flowers once grew abundantly in the wild in the region. Over-picking led to a dramatic reduction and the government in 1989 prohibited harvesting.

The ban remained in place until 2005, when the door was opened for Inirida's commercial cultivation as long as wild populations remained untouched.

So far, only Carianil's farm has managed to grow, and get a licence to market, the red flowers with their hard, spikey, finger-like petals.

He was helped in the domestication process by biologist Mateo Fernandez.

At first, Carianil's blooms sold at the local airport, then in the Colombian capital Bogota some 700 kilometers (about 430 miles) away, then further afield.

In 2022, the first box of Inirida blooms was delivered to China from Colombia, one of the world's top flower growers and exporters.



- 'Eternal flowers' -



Carianil runs the business with his wife Martha Toledo and their children.

On a plot of some 20 hectares (49 acres), the Inirida crops share space with a variety of native shrubs and even a patch of undisturbed forest.

From the air, the farm looks very different from the flower plantations abundant in Colombia's Andean regions with their rows upon rows of monoculture, often in plastic greenhouses.

Fertilizers and pesticides are banned on Carianil's farm, and only Indigenous farming methods used.

"When you buy a flower from Inirida, you take a piece of the jungle home with you," said Toledo.

They call the enterprise "Liwi: Eternal flowers" as the buds retain their shape years after being cut, even when dried.

It is this longevity that inspired the choice of the Inirida as the logo for the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

"This is a flower that never dies, its petals never fall apart. We hope that the COP16 in Colombia can help the world to make peace with Nature, so that we can sustain and maintain life on the planet forever," says Environment Minister Susana Muhamad.

The flower is native to Colombia's eastern Guainia department, of which Inirida is the capital, and a part of the neighboring Venezuelan Amazon.
Tajikistan rations electricity amid water shortages



Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Sept 23 (AFP) Sep 23, 2024



Tajikistan has restricted the use of electricity because a shortage of water has left it struggling to run vital hydroelectric power plants, authorities said on Monday.

Rising temperatures and a lack of rainfall have hit the landlocked nation in Central Asia, a region on the frontlines of global climate change.

"Electricity restrictions are being imposed as of September 22," a spokesman for Barqi Tojik, Tajikistan's state electricity company, told AFP.

The Central Asian country relies on melting glaciers across its vast mountain ranges to fill its rivers, lakes and reservoirs that in turn power the hydroelectric plants.

"Due to low rainfall last winter, water supplies to the Vakhsh river have diminished considerably," Barqi Tojik said of one of Tajikistan's main waterways.

Warmer temperatures also mean that the 20,000 glaciers across Tajikistan and neighbouring Kyrgyzstan are unable to regenerate sufficiently through the winter.

Barqi Tojik predicted seasonal power shortages of "over one billion kilowatt hours", equivalent to more than five percent of Tajikistan's total annual electricity generation.

Among the power plants facing possible water shortages is the Nurek facility, which provides electricity to more than half of Tajikistan's 10 million people.

"We ask the Tajik people to prepare for the winter period and to use electricity sparingly," the company said.

Despite its vast hydroelectric potential, Tajikistan is plagued by chronic energy problems.

President Emomali Rahmon has vowed to achieve energy independence through the controversial Rogun hydropower station, currently under construction.

If completed, the multi-billion-dollar dam would become the tallest in the world once completed. It has been blighted by a lack of funding and building delays.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on addressing some issues related to the activities of the Turkish-Azerbaijani University, Trend reports.

The full text of the decree can be found here.
Implementing the changes, her colleague Gregor W. Schuurman told the Times, was brutal. Its bargaining. Nobody wants to do this. We all got in this game, as the Park Service mission says, to conserve unimpaired, Schuurman said. But if you cant do that in the way you thought, you have to see what you can do. A section of collapsed eucalypt forest at the Wilsons Promontory National Park, which Parks Victoria is working to restore. Credit: Parks Victoria Across Victoria, Parks Victoria is responsible for the care of more than 4 million hectares of landscapes  many in partnership with traditional owners  representing 18 per cent of the states landmass. Norman, who took over as chief scientist eight years ago  conservation and climate action was added to his title in 2022 has increasingly become convinced a new approach is needed to help buffer Victorias unique landscapes.

In June 2023, he and Parks Victorias chief executive Matthew Jackson travelled to the US and Canada to visit sites being hit hard by climate change and learn about the RAD approach  a framework thats also making inroads as far afield as Finland and South Africa. In the local version, rangers will look to triage Victorias landscapes and locations into areas where resistance can be strengthened; areas where we have to accept that changes are unstoppable (for example coastal inundation, with sea level rises unlikely to retreat); and areas that have already changed. This section of Wilsons Prom in the states southernmost tip has collapsed forests that Parks Victoria rangers are working to reseed as part of a trial. Credit: Parks Victoria The challenges facing conservationists and park managers are similar across the globe. The headline events of climate change  changing weather patterns and the increasing frequency and intensity of bushfires, floods and storms  are well-known. But climate change also reveals itself in smaller changes that are less obvious, but equally devastating. In both Victorias forests and the famed Joshua Tree National Park in California, ecological systems are slowly drying out. This has led to trees having reduced defences against pests like bark beetles, and, in some cases, trees failing to produce the seeds required to germinate the next generation.

In Victoria, due to increasingly frequent bushfires, alpine ash  the towering eucalypts found below the treeless plains in the alps  are forming patches of ghost forests, including near Mount Hotham. Alpine ash, like mountain ash, take about two decades to reach the sexual maturity required to produce seeds to grow the next generation of trees. Joshua trees in the lower elevations of the iconic national park are dying. Credit: iStock Some of our areas have got an average of seven to eight years between the burns now, Norman said. So were ending up with areas that have nothing but Acacia (wattles) coming through. At the Joshua Tree National Park, named for its iconic trees, nothing less than an existential crisis is unfolding. At lower elevations, where temperatures are hotter and rainfall is dwindling, older Joshua trees are dying. Worse, theyre failing to drop seeds to reproduce.

Under the new RAD framework, park officials at Joshua Tree have been forced to accept the trees dying in some sections of the park, managing it as a sort of staged retreat. But at higher elevations, the trees remain strong and healthy. There, they can produce the seeds and young plants needed to protect the species and supply the stock to potentially establish new Joshua Tree forests further north, away from the worst of the heat. In sections of the park that have suffered severe and atypical wildfires, where Joshua trees have been lost completely, the new blank canvas  while tragic  still offers opportunities for conservation. You could, for example, bring in species that are struggling with even hotter temperatures further south, like endangered cactus species or reptiles from Mexico, says Norman. Were not going to stop sea level coming up anytime soon. So, how do you act differently  what you can for those systems? Dr Mark Norman, Parks Victoria Back home, Norman points out the natural environment also holds important cultural stories, and says this approach is a starting point for conversations with Victorias First Nations peoples. First Nations cultural heritage is also under attack from climate change. More frequent floods and more extreme storms have exposed cultural artefacts and ancestral remains along Victorian shorelines, and led to middens containing ancient cultural objects being eroded and exposed.

Weve been actively involved in working with traditional owners on sites where storm erosion and high sea levels have been eating into thousands-of-years-old middens and exposing cultural history that really needs protection  Its essential work to make sure that thousands of years of knowledge and culture is not lost, Norman said. Beach boxes exposed to the sea at Mount Martha North in 2018. Credit: Eddie Jim Theres understandable upset around Port Phillip Bay beach boxes being washed away by extreme storm events  imagine if thats the equivalent of your cathedral or your oldest historical building dating back thousands of years. Thats terrible. The US National Park Service describes the philosophy behind the RAD framework neatly. In short, one can respond to the trajectory of change by resisting (working to maintain or restore based upon historical or acceptable current ecosystem conditions), accepting (allowing an ecosystem to change without intervening), or directing (actively shaping ecosystem change toward preferred new conditions).
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Exclusive Eating outComing soon Melbournes master of pasta to open first Sydney restaurant The Greek-born chef behind Melbourne pasta bar Tipo 00 and Osteria Ilaria is bringing his talent to Sydneys it food suburb, Double Bay. Scott Bolles September 23, 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

Andreas Papadakis is the Greek-born chef with a gift for Italian food and a reputation in his adopted city as Melbournes master of pasta. Now Papadakis has chosen Sydneys it food suburb for his next move, with plans to open a restaurant in Double Bay. Andreas Papadakis from Tipo 00. Kristoffer Paulsen The project will be a Sydney first for Papadakis and business partners Luke Skidmore and Alberto Fava, the trio behind Melbourne pasta bar Tipo 00, Osteria Ilaria, pizzeria Figlia, and Grana Deli. They havent chosen just any street for their Double Bay incursion; the location is on the same Bay Street strip as Neil Perrys restaurants Margaret and the recently opened $10 million Song Bird.

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So, whats all the fuss about Papadakis, and yet another Melbourne food arrival? Our Melbourne colleagues tell us his gnocchi is cloud-like, and one review for The Age warns: Pity the carb-hating fool who will never know what it is to break into the perfectly formed tortellini. Papadakis confirmed the new hospitality entity, Conferre Group, has secured a site at the Ruby House development, on the corner of Bay Street and New South Head Road, where theyll open a restaurant next year, but beyond that details are sketchy. Were still working out what were going to do, he says. Were not going to replicate Melbourne  [but] were not going to open a Japanese restaurant. Tipo 00s signature pappardelle with duck ragout and porcini mushrooms. Kristoffer Paulsen The chef also confirmed they wont transport the Tipo 00 moniker north, something that might have been difficult because a similarly named (but unrelated) pizzeria operates in Balmain.

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Papadakis was raised in Athens and spent summers on the island of Crete in a family that ate pasta four times a week. When he was forging a career in restaurants in France, he spent most of his free time jumping the border to Italy. Hints of all those cultural influences are evident in a repertoire of Melbourne menu hits that includes octopus with njuda dressing, pappardelle with braised duck and porcini mushrooms, and tagliolini al nero with ebony strands of pasta flecked with pale squid and married with a briny sauce. Tipo 00 is the kind of restaurant that breeds an instant following, one Melbourne review claimed. Papadakis will be hoping its Sydney sibling will do likewise when it opens in 2025. Top Melbourne chef shares the crucial secret behind his cloud-like gnocchi

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University of Sydney vice chancellor Mark Scott has resisted calls for his resignation after a bruising Senate hearing in which he apologised to Jewish staff and students.

Internal documents obtained by the Herald reveal he was blindsided by the Jewish communitys angry reaction to the universitys deal with students which led to the end of the pro-Palestinian encampment in June.

University of Sydney vice chancellor Professor Mark Scott speaks at the hearing. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Scott apologised to Jewish staff and students at a Senate inquiry on Friday, conceding he and the university had failed them in his handling of the protests.

The Australasian Union of Jewish Students then renewed its calls for him to resign, saying his position was untenable.
Thank you for joining us today, were bringing our live blog to a close now.

Looking back on some of the bigger headlines from today, and Anthony Albanese made a flying visit to Perth for a milestone Metronet completion.

The new elevated rail line through Victoria Park and Cannington has allowed the removal of 13 level crossings, uniting communities divided for decades and freeing up space for community infrastructure.

The PM gathered alongside WA Premier Roger Cook, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas and local candidate for Cannington Ron Sao for the announcement.

Asked why he was making such a fleeting visit fresh from his trip to the US for the Quad meeting, Albanese said it showed he was committed to WA.

I have been coming to WA for a long period of time. I spoke to Roger about this project, and he encouraged me to come and its an exciting project, he said.

Speaking of Metronet, the Morley-Ellenbrook line is expected to be operational by Christmas  however, the long-awaited upgrade to WAs ageing public transport payments system has been delayed as Transperth works through technical issues with the rollout.

And, earlier today, the family of a WA Police officer injured when a man wanted over a drug investigation allegedly ran over him has revealed the extent of his injuries.

Detective Senior Constable Greg McDougall, 46, was seriously injured when the driver of a white Toyota Hilux allegedly sped away after being stopped by police on Friday night.

Speaking to media on Monday, Gregs twin brother Chris said it was touch and go on Friday night, but his brother began to stabilise on Saturday.

Thank you again for joining us, tune in again tomorrow as we bring you the days news.
Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto is expected to testify in the defamation trial against him on Tuesday, after a colleague accused him on Monday of privately saying Moira Deeming had organised neo-Nazis to attend a rally last year.

Kim Wells, the Rowville local member and former treasurer, also accused the party leadership team of double-crossing Deeming and her partyroom backers and engaging in a pile-on.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto and wife Betty arriving at the Federal Court. on Monday. Credit: Simon Schluter

In a heated exchange in the Federal Court defamation case Deeming has launched, Wells said Pesutto called him the night after the March 18, 2023, Let Women Speak rally to tell him he was moving to expel Deeming.

Wells testified Pesutto told him in that phone call that Deeming had organised neo-Nazis to attend the rally.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Changes have been made to the "List of services provided at DOST centers", Trend reports.

In this regard, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree.

The full text of the decree can be found here
A young family paid $6,601,000 for a stylish six-bedroom house with a swimming pool in Brighton East at auction on Saturday, beating two other bidders.

A crowd gathered to watch a 45-minute battle between bidders for the keys to 23 Lucas Street, which was listed with a price guide of $4.9 million to $5.2 million.

It was one of 1282 auctions scheduled in Melbourne for Saturday. By Saturday evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 61 per cent from 898 reported results, while 98 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate.

Bidding began at $5.2 million and no vendor bids were necessary as the three parties battled it out for the 924-square-metre block. The reserve was set at the top of the price guide.
The Albanese government says it is closely watching a move by the US to ban the use of Chinese software and hardware in smart vehicles due to national security concerns.

The US Commerce Department is expected to announce the proposed ban on Monday (US time), citing concerns about the potential for Chinese companies to access and track the data of American drivers, and potentially manipulate their vehicles through the cars communications systems and automated driving software.

The Biden administration is expected to announce a ban on the use of Chinese software and hardware in new vehicles due to national security concerns. Credit: Bloomberg

The Department of Home Affairs said it had been closely monitoring the US developments on the matter, saying in a statement it has been proactively engaging with the US government to understand the implications of any proposed regulation. However, the department did not elaborate on whether the Australian government would consider taking similar steps.

The US decision follows a months-long investigation by the department, ordered by President Joe Biden, and warnings from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo about the risks of Chinese-made connected-car technology, including that data could be shared with Beijing and used to disable cars remotely.
The Princess of Wales has been seen in public for the first time since announcing that she has finished her chemotherapy.

She attended the Sunday service at Crathie Kirk in Balmoral with her husband Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, at Wimbledon in July. Credit: Getty Images

This week, Catherine returned to work for the first time since starting her cancer treatment with a meeting about her early childhood project.

She 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Those arming Armenia must know that they will be directly responsible for all future events, said President Ilham Aliyev during the first session of the seventh convocation of the Milli Majlis.

"They are giving Armenia $250 million from the United States. Armenia will use that money for internal purposes, and with the saved funds, they will buy weapons to kill us. Who is responsible for this, and who will bear that responsibility? Those giving them the money. This includes the so-called European Peace Facility. Look at the level of hypocrisy. A fund meant for weapons is called a Peace Facility, and Armenia uses it to receive free weapons from France, the President stated.

He emphasized that Azerbaijans conditions remain unchanged. Those who arm Armenia must understand that they will bear direct responsibility for all future events. Naturally, Armenia must end its formal territorial claims against Azerbaijan, amend its Constitution, and the Minsk Group must be dissolved.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian over the numerous human casualties caused by an explosion at a coal mine in the town of Tabas, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

We were deeply shocked by the news of numerous casualties as a result of an explosion at a coal mine in the city of Tabas.

I share your grief over this tragedy, and on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, extend my deepest condolences to you, the relatives and loved ones of those who died, and all the people of Iran, and wish the injured a recovery.

May Allah rest their souls in peace!" the letter reads.
Campari CEO steps down after six months

Campari Groups Matteo Fantacchiotti has stepped down as chief executive officer and member of the Board of Directors. Fantacchiotti took over the role in April 2024. He cited personal reasons as the reason for his departure. Campari said that it came to a mutual agreement with Fantacchiotti to terminate the employment relationship.

The Campari Board of Directors has appointed Paolo Marchesini, chief financial and operating officer, and Fabio Di Fede, general counsel and business development officer, as interim co-CEOs. The interim CEOs will become executive members of a Leadership Transition Committee, to be chaired by non-executive director Bob Kunze-Concewitz.

The new committee will work with the companys Remuneration and Appointment Committee to select a new CEO.

Jean-Marie Laborde has also been appointed as vice chairman. Laborde is a current member of the Board of Directors of Davide Campari-Milano NV and member of the Control, Risks and Sustainability Committee.

Fantacchiotti said: It has been a privilege for me to be part of Campari Group for almost five years and to lead this organisation since April 2024. While I have now taken the decision to leave, I express my deepest gratitude to all stakeholders, particularly the chairman, the Board of Directors and the leadership team.

Luca Garavoglia, chairman of Campari Group, added: Our growth ambition remains very strong. We have a very solid future ahead thanks to our robust organisation, our global footprint, and particularly our unique portfolio made of some of the most admired brands in the spirits industry nurtured by a committed team of professionals.

In continuity with the past, well continue focusing on building our brands to keep on generating profitable growth and industry outperformance in the long run, as we have done since we went public in 2001.

As of his date of resignation, Fantacchiotti holds 2,988 shares of the company. The economic terms of his resignation are still to be defined and formalised, said Campari.

23 September 2024 - Lucy Schofield

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KILL OR PRESERVE?





 By UTTARA GANGOPADHYAYA :

Catapults To Cameras directed by wildlife photographer and conservationist, Ashwika Kapur, has made it to the shortlist of the Jackson Wild Media Awards, considered as Nature films equivalent to the Oscars.

Catapults To Cameras, a 40 minute film produced by Roundglass Sustain (a philanthropic education platform) is making waves documenting the transformation of five boys  aged 7 to 10 years, who were persuaded to exchange their slings or catapults (used for hunting birds and small animals) for cameras to photograph animals in their wild habitats. The real life success story is from Jhargram, a district in the southern West Bengal, says Meghna Banerjee, co-founder and executive director of Human and Environment League (HEAL), Kolkata, where Kapur is an advisory member and is working to stop the massacre of animals in the name of ritual hunting. It was June 2016. Banerjee and her team members had rushed to a railway station in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal as a local volunteer informed them that groups of armed hunters were on the move, travelling by trains. They were shocked at the sight that greeted them.

The railway platforms were littered with carcasses of animals  snakes, monitor lizards, civets, wild boars, deer, birds, to name a few. It was a gut wrenching sight, recalls Banerjee. The hunters were moving around openly with their weapons, skinning the animals, cooking the meat as if it was a picnic. Although hunting and trading in over 1800 species of wildlife or their derivatives have been banned in India since the implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (with a few later amendments), HEAL members realised there was no government official  from the forest department or the local police  present, to take stock of the situation, apprehend the hunters, or confiscate the dead animals. It was one of the many incidents of purported ritual hunting that HEAL members came across in the next few years. As part of their three-pronged approach  species conservation, habitat protection, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict HEAL works on a wide range of issues. One of their major initiatives under species conservation is bringing an end to the large-scale killing of protected wildlife that happens every year, over several days, under the garb of tradition and culture.

Ritual hunting shikar utsav as it is popularly known, is thought to be a part of tribal culture and therefore cannot be interfered with. However, Banerjee says, there has been no such exception provided in the legal framework. In many cases, HEAL found that the hunts were recreational in nature in the guise of ritualistic hunts. One of the biggest hunts takes place sometime in June, for nearly five days, around the festival of Phalaharini Kali Puja. There are about 50 days in a year when such hunts are organised. In many instances, they found local hunters were joined by those from neighbouring states of Jharkhand and Odisha. It may not be part of their (hunters from non-tribal communities) tradition but they sort of pile on. When they see a group of people going on these hunts, they know its for exotic meat and dont let go of the opportunity, Banerjee says. It is not an easy task to go against the grain and involves risks. The group has been mobbed, their cars surrounded by agitating hunters, their cameras broken. Beginning with Howrah and Purba Medinipur districts, HEALs surveys expanded across the districts of Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, and Purulia.

The annual ritual hunting festivals pose significant threats to wildlife, including protected species. Often skins of animals such as monitor lizards are preserved because they have commercial value. In the initial years of their study, members of HEAL found that the forest department, the police or the local administration, or even the railway authorities did not take any cognizance of the illegal activities that were taking place under the guise of ritual hunting. In 2016 and 2017, HEAL documented mostly the train driven hunts, gathering extensive information about the hunters and did photo- documentation. The group approached the law enforcement organisations but nothing worked out. Subsequently, HEAL filed two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) in the Calcutta High Court (CHC) seeking orders on the forest department and district administrations to end this annual massacre of wildlife. In response to their petitions, the CHC passed orders in May 2018 and April 2019, disallowing all hunting activities in the garb of rituals, Banerjee informs.

The Court also directed the West Bengal state authorities and the railways to take all possible steps to prevent the ritual hunting of wildlife in the said districts The bench also proposed the formation of a panel  the Humane Committee  for the five districts involved. But only a legal approach is not enough to stop recreational hunting, HEAL felt. It is also necessary to earn the trust of the local people and make them aware about the negative impacts of hunting. During our surveys, much to our regret, we often noticed that small boys were also being taken along for the hunts by their elders. Getting exposed to such brutal hunting at such an early age - how are they going to grow up and perceive hunting - a crime at the end of the day - worries all of us. Led by Kapur, who would often visit these villages for photo documentation, HEAL began to reach out to the kids in a particular village in Jhargram (often considered the epicentre of hunts).

Based on their interactions and suggestions from the local teams, they short-listed five boys. Hunts are, by the way, exclusively a male domain. These kids were extremely good shots with their slings. We gave them cameras and some basic training. Ashika and the HEAL team went out to the field, started taking their own pictures, and then the change happened. According to Banerjee, the team noticed the kids hunting instinct changing after photographing birds in the fields and seeing the beauty of nature from a close range. The boys not only stopped hunting but began to convince their elders to refrain from it too.

The photographs were displayed at an exhibition in the village and garnered a lot of attention. From looking at the animals as a quarry or a prey, they began to see them as living things which should be protected. Banerjee hopes that these boys will be an inspiration to other kids too. Through their Zero Hunting Alliance, HEAL aims to bring together volunteers from other environmental organisations and concerned citizens under a single umbrella group dedicated to eliminating ritual hunting. Although recreational hunting may not have stopped altogether, there has been a significant decline in numbers, says Banerjee. Members of HEAL remain hopeful that with legal backing, trust building programmes, and awareness campaigns, they will win the support of the local villagers, who in turn would ensure that hunting does not take place in their areas. (Photo courtesy HEAL) (TWF) 
1 year on, rain fury still haunts





The retaining wall that gave away due to flooding of Naag river near NIT Skating Rink, Daga Layout, still awaits reconstruction.

By Kaushik Bhattacharya :

On September 23, 2023, a rapidly swelling Naag river spilled on to streets and homes in nearby areas, causing tremendous damage to public property as well as human life. One year on, many of these colonies, from Ambazari Layout to Panchsheel Square, still bear signs of that nightmare. The memories of Ambazari floods still haunt the people. Many are unable to forget how they spent that fateful night when water gushed into their homes, making them shift to upper floors of the house, how vehicles got submerged, how they waited for food and water... Of course, the Government announced compensation, but it proved to be paltry as compared to the damage to property suffered by the people in areas where floods wreaked havoc. Among the several causes of floods cited at that time, Eichhornia plants are still covering part of Ambazari lake.





The construction work to ensure that floods do not take place again in case of heavy rainfall, is still to be completed. Whether to shift the statue of Swami Vivekananda, is still an area of study without any concrete conclusion in public domain. Some components of the grand plan for Ambazari lake project are still in progress. And, at some places, the task of repairing the damaged retaining walls appears to have been forgotten at the level of authorities concerned. Many of the affected people still go sleepless whenever they hear thunder or heavy rainfall battering the roofs at night. For, they fear the repeat of the Ambazari floods of last year. Many have been trying to rebuild their lives, but not everyone can afford the expenditure required on rebuilding.

The Hitavada tracked the length of the Naag river, discovering that many people are yet to recover economically and psychologically from the devastation, and that little has changed in terms of preventing a similar disaster from occurring again. Residents of low-lying areas near Ambazari lake awoke to a shocking and unexpected flood in the wee hours of September 23, 2023. The scale of the flood was unprecedented which left both -- the residents and the rescue teams -- baffled due to the sheer volume of water in the homes. Members of local rescue teams rushed to the scene and struggled to find the cause of this sudden flood. After conducting a thorough assessment of the affected area, the officials of rescue teams made a discovery -- the excessive growth of Eichhornia plants (Jalparni) in Ambazari Lake had played a major role in triggering the catastrophic flood. Four human deaths were recorded and more than 400 people were evacuated from their homes by rescue and relief teams including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on the morning of September 23. An estimated 10,000 houses were affected.

The British-era bridge on the Naag river near Panchsheel Square gave in to the force of flood water, blocking traffic on Wardha Road completely for many weeks to come. Apart from this, retaining wall of Naag river collapsed at various locations from where flood water entered in the nearby localities. Exactly one year after the disaster, the key reason of the incident is still alive. Eichhornia weeds, which choked the culvert at the overflow point of the lake leading to water spilling on to streets and in the localities, is still spreading in Ambazari lake. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) failed to find a lasting solution to the menace of Eichhornia which has invaded the lake. Public Works Departments National Highway Division constructed the Panchsheel bridge in six months but the garbage choking the culverts of Naag river remains as it is. The broken portion of retaining wall of Naag river was filled with sand bags after the disaster by the civic body. Sadly, today also, the sand bags are waiting to be replaced by proper retaining wall. The retaining wall is still awaiting reconstruction.

This has added to the list of reasons breeding fear among the citizens regarding a repeat of the last years floods. A compensation of Rs 10,000 was announced for the families affected by floods and Rs 5,00,000 for the affected business owners. On November 5, 2023, a flood mitigation project worth Rs 266.63 crore was announced for infrastructure repairs, to improve drainage and deepening of the Naag river, strengthening the dam at Ambazari, desilting of Ambazari lake and removal of encroachments. Despite allotment of funds, the work is still under way and panic among the residents refuses to wane. The administration started many works to strengthen the dam of Ambazari lake, like pitching it, felling many trees for the repair work, and increasing the height of the bridge near the overflow point etc. Owing to the work of the bridge in progress, the road connecting areas in South-West Nagpur with Dharampeth or Amravati Road through Ambazari lakeside is closed for traffic. This has resulted in diversion of traffic to Abhyankar Nagar and other parts of the city, increasing congestion on roads there. Besides, a lot of citizens time, energy, and money are getting wasted as people coming form Hingna Road have to take a detour via Matey Square, Shraddhanand Peth, VNIT, Indira Gandhi Rugnalaya to reach Ambazari T-point from where they can proceed to Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University. They have to take a similar detour up to Indira Gandhi Rugnalaya and then to Shankar Nagar Square to proceed towards Civil Lines. One year on, citizens wait for visible assurance of safety from floods, time-bound completion of all the works planned, and a good nights sleep continues. A question keeps ringing in their ears -- What is there is another flood?





Ambazari floods Sufferers still struggling to overcome the nightmare

After one year of the incident, the victims of the flood are yet to recover economically and mentally from the devastation and they termed it a hellish experience, which they dont want to face again. Aruna Purohit, an entrepreneur, social worker, and a resident of Ambazari Layout, said, A long-term solution is needed to prevent repeat of flood in future. Something must be done to prevent the water from flowing towards residential areas. The civic body should find out the exact reason behind flooding and prevent it. In last years disaster, we lost everything like our vehicle, refrigerator, furniture, electronic gadgets, washing machine etc. As compensation, sadly, we got just Rs 10,000 from the Government. We are still making efforts to overcome the situation. She further said that the dampness in their walls is still there, reminding the family of the adversity they faced on that fateful night. Shrikant Deshpande, a retired officer of an insurance company and a resident of Shankar Nagar, behind LAD College, also witnessed the wrath of flood on September 23 last year.

It took 6 months to redevelop my house after the flood. I suffered loss worth around Rs 8.50 lakh in that flood and got a measly Rs 10,000 as compensation from the administration. Now, me and my family are just waiting for the withdrawal of the monsoon because whenever there is heavy rain, we face the same fear we experienced a year ago, said Deshpande. Salish Ganvir, a retired employee of MSRTC and a resident of Ambazari Layout, said, I used my retirement money completely to get out of this loss. After the incident, I sold my one car in scrap and spent Rs 3 lakh to repair my another car. Ganvir replaced all the furniture and did paint job on the ground floor of the house. I somehow managed the situation but the poor are still suffering, struggling to overcome the loss, said Ganvir. The floods inflicted heavy losses on people, but the loss of sense of safety was the biggest of all. Their struggle to get over this loss continues, one year on...
Attempts to derail trains foiled in MP, UP





Railway officials remove a gas cylinder from the railway track in Kanpur on Sunday. The loco-pilots of goods train spotted the cylinder and applied the emergency brakes to avoid untoward incident. (PTI)

NEW DELHI :

IN TWO separate incidents, attempts to derail trains in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were uncovered on Sunday, raising concerns about coordinated efforts to sabotage rail operations across the country. In Madhya Pradeshs Nepanagar Assembly constituency, a plot by unknown miscreants to derail a special train using detonators was thwarted. As the train passed over the detonators, the driver became alert due to an explosion and promptly stopped the train. He informed the station master, preventing a potentially deadly accident. The conspiracy involved the placement of 10 detonators on the tracks. Top officials from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), National Investigation Agency (NIA), railways, and local police inspected the site. The detonators that went off had been given by the railways and they are used as part of regular operations, he said.

These detonators are called crackers and when they explode, they make a loud sound which is a signal for an obstruction or fog or mist ahead, he said. Another top railway official said that the military special train was going from Khandwa at the time. Reacting to the incident, Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar said, This is a matter of various investigations, and our railway staff is fully alert. When the incident occurred, our security agency immediately launched an investigation, and one person has been apprehended. Investigations take time, and we are following a systematic approach. In Uttar Pradesh, another attempt to derail the train was foiled when the loco pilot of a Kanpur-bound JTTN goods train spotted a cylinder lying on the tracks near Prempur station. Loco pilot Devendra Gupta quickly applied the emergency brakes and halted the train, preventing any damage.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and other teams swiftly arrived at the scene to remove the cylinder. The incident, which occurred around 5:50 AM, revealed that the object was an empty 5-litre cylinder placed near the starter on the track. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the matter. Shashikant Tripathi, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway, stated, Security agencies have registered cases for both incidents. The investigations will help determine who is behind these acts and their motives. Both incidents are currently under investigation, with authorities remaining on high alert to prevent further attempts to sabotage rail operations.
Biden praises Modis visit to Ukraine, message of peace





Biden conveyed to Modi that the US supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect Indias important voice, including permanent membership for New Delhi in a reformed UNSC

WILMINGTON,

US PRESIDENT Joe Biden commended Prime Minister Narendra Modis historic visit to Ukraine last month and his message of peace, as the two leaders held wide-ranging talks that figured pressing global challenges including the situation in the war-ravaged country. The US President hosted Modi at his personal home in Wilmington, Delaware after the Prime Minister arrived in the US on a three-day visit. At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, while answering a question on defusing the Ukraine crisis, said very important conversations are underway with multiple people on all sides of the conflict. In the talks, Biden conveyed to the Indian Prime Minister that the US supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect Indias important voice, including permanent membership for New Delhi in a reformed UN Security Council, according to a joint fact-sheet on the meeting. Though the Modi-Biden talks primarily focused on bilateral ties, the two leaders also touched upon key global challenges including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Indo-Pacific that has witnessed increasing Chinese muscle-flexing.

The fact-sheet said President Biden expressed his immense appreciation for Indias leading role on the world stage, particularly Modis leadership in the G20 and in the Global South and his commitment to strengthen the Quad to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. It said India is at the forefront of efforts to seek solutions to the most pressing challenges, from supporting the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to addressing the devastating consequences of conflicts around the world. President Biden commended Prime Minister Modi for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades, and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, including its energy sector, and on the importance of international law, including the UN charter, it said. It is understood that Modi briefed Biden on his visits to Moscow in July and to Kyiv last month. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, when asked at a media briefing on the extent of discussion on the Russia-Ukraine conflict between the two leaders and whether the Indian side mentioned any kind of peace proposal, only said New Delhi is involved in a set of negotiations. I want to again underline that we are involved in a set of ongoing conversations with interlocutors on all sides, he said.

It is, obviously, people see value in Indias engagement in these conversations and we are able to talk to multiple interlocutors, and this is not something that is going to have an outcome in the present stage because there is still quite a bit of work that remains to be done, he added. As and when there is something in the nature of what you have suggested, we will come back to you, but at the moment, these are very important conversations that are going on with multiple people on all sides of this conflict, Misri said. The $1 billion India-US initiative to build a safe and secure global clean energy supply chain aims to capture the benefits of the clean energy transition, including the creation of high-quality jobs, acceleration of clean energy deployment and achievement of global climate goals, the Government said on Sunday.

The funding will support supply-side manufacturing capacity expansion for key technology verticals, focusing on solar, wind, battery, energy grid systems, and high-efficiency air conditioner and ceiling fan supply chains. As an important aspect of our economic growth agendas, we are committed to working together to capture the benefits of the clean energy transition, said the Government after the meeting between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the sixth Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware. Both the countries aim to expand manufacturing capacity for clean energy technologies and components and lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in third countries, with a focus on partnerships in Africa. The Prime Minister said India was on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict and he would even like to contribute personally for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. In their meeting, Modi and Biden reaffirmed their support for the freedom of navigation and the protection of commerce, including critical maritime routes in the Middle East where India will assume co-lead in 2025 of the Combined Task Force 150 to work with Combined Maritime Forces to secure sea lanes in the Arabian Sea, the document said.

The leaders voiced their view that a closer US-India partnership is vital to the success of efforts to build a cleaner, inclusive, more secure, and more prosperous future for the planet, it added. Modi and Biden also deliberated on ways to further bolster India-US cooperation in areas of semiconductors, clean energy and defence. President Biden and Prime Minister Modi hailed a watershed arrangement to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant focused on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics for national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications, the fact-sheet said.

The fab, which will be established with the objective of manufacturing infrared, gallium nitride and silicon carbide semiconductors, will be enabled by support from the India Semiconductor Mission as well as a strategic technology partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force, it said. It said the leaders praised combined efforts to facilitate resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains including through GlobalFoundries (GF) creation of the GF Kolkata Power Center. They noted GFs plans to explore longer term, cross-border manufacturing and technology partnerships with India which will deliver high-quality jobs in both of our countries, it said. They also celebrated the new strategic partnership between the US Department of State and the India Semiconductor Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in connection with the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund. The Prime Minister and the US President welcomed steps to build safe, secure, and resilient supply chains for the US, Indian, and international automotive markets, including through Ford Motor Companys submission of a Letter of Intent to utilise its Chennai plant to manufacture for export to global markets.

Quad is here to stay: Modi

WILMINGTON,

Sept 22 (PTI)

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Quad is not against anyone, but for a rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty, in a veiled reference to China. Free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our priority, Modi said in his opening remarks at the summit. We are not against anyone. We all support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all issues, Modi said, without naming any country.

Our message is clear -- Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to complement, Modi said. He said that the Quad leaders have gathered at a time when the world is surrounded by tensions and conflicts. At such a time, the working together of Quad with its democratic values is significant for the entire human race, the Prime Minister said. During the Quad Leaders Cancer Moonshot event, Modi announced the dedication of a grant of USD 7.5 million to cancer testing, screening and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Quad Cancer Moonshot is a groundbreaking partnership to save lives in the Indo-Pacific region by combating cervical cancer. India is ready to share its experience and expertise, Modi said in his remarks, asserting that the grant was made under Indias vision of One Earth, One Heath. He added that India will also provide assistance in radiotherapy treatment and capacity building.
Cotton and soybean to be purchased at higher than guaranteed rate





DCM Devendra Fadnavis promise to farmers in presence of PM Modi

Staff Reporter :

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the soybean and cotton of farmers from Maharashtra are purchased at higher than guaranteed rate. He also requested an increase in the duty on imported crude oil to help farmers secure better rates. PM Modi immediately acted on this request and the results are evident - soybean prices have risen. In the presence of Prime Minister Modi in Wardha, DCM Fadnavis promised farmers that this season, soybeans and cotton will be purchased at prices higher than the guaranteed rate.

It was also announced that the MahaYuti Government has decided to provide free electricity. Fadnavis spoke at Wardhas Swawalambi Maidan to commemorate the anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. During this event, the e-bhoomipujan for PM Mitra Park in Amravati, the Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Center Scheme, and the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Women Startup Schemes were launched.

DCM Fadnavis also reaffirmed his commitment to these initiatives. He underlined that through this programme in Wardha, the bhoomipujan of PM Mitra Park, the Acharya Chanakya Skills Development Center Scheme, and the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Women Startup Schemes, along with the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, will assist two lakh people in Maharashtra. With these comprehensive plans, the lives of 6.5 lakh families are set to change, providing them with employment opportunities and empowerment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created opportunities for everyone aspiring to change their lives, he stated. The State Government is providing Rs 1,500 per month to our beloved sisters in the state. Additionally, DCM Fadnavis reminded PM Modi that the Lakhpati Didi initiative is also being implemented.
Ex-MPs nephew shot dead during scuffle at panchayat election





CHHOTA UDEPUR :

KULDEEP Rathwa, the nephew of former MP Ramsinh Rathwa, was shot and killed during a scuffle related to the Gram Panchayat elections in Pipladi village in Gujarat on Saturday The incident occurred when two individuals allegedly opened fire, resulting in Kuldeeps death. Reports said that Kuldeep Rathwa had previously defeated one of the accused, Shankar Rathwa, twice in the Panchayat elections, leading to threats against his life. Shankar Rathwa, a former serviceman, allegedly shot Kuldeep on September 20th night before fleeing the scene with Amla on a two-wheeler. Shankar has since been arrested, and authorities are actively working to apprehend the second accused Amla. For the past five days, he had been threatening to kill Rathwa.

The hostility between the two reportedly dated back to a local village Sarpanch election a few years ago, in which Kuldeeps faction emerged victorious. This loss fueled a deep-seated grudge, which ultimately led to the fatal confrontation. Following the shooting, both accused fled the scene. The police arrested the main suspect, Shankar Rathwa, while the search for Amla Rathwa continued. Authorities have intensified their investigation and reassured the public that the second accused will be apprehended soon.

The police have registered a case of murder against Shankar and Amla Rathwa at Kawant police station, with investigations currently underway. Kuldeep Rathwa, the victim, was the son of the younger brother of Ramsinh Rathwa, a former BJP MP from Chhota Udepur and the Chairman of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Federation of India. According to the police, the incident occurred around 10 PM in Pipladi village, Kawant taluka. Shankar, along with his accomplice Amla Rathwa, allegedly opened fire on Kuldeep at his residence. Kuldeep, who was politically active in the area, had long been considered an archrival of Shankar, the matter is under investigation.
Mamata again writes to PM on WB flood





KOLKATA :

CHIEF Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote another letter to PM Narendra Modi on the flood situation in West Bengal, maintaining that Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) released water from its reservoirs without consulting her government, inundating several districts. Responding to Banerjees earlier letter to the PM, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil had said the States officials were informed at every stage about the release of water from DVC reservoirs, which was essential to prevent a major disaster. The CM said, While the honble minister claims that the release from DVC dams was carried out by consensus and collaboration with the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee, including consultations with representatives of the government of West Bengal, I may respectfully disagree. All the critical decisions are made unilaterally by representatives of the Central Water Commission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India without arriving at a consensus, she said. Banerjee claimed that sometimes water is released without any notice to the State Government and the views of her government are not honoured.

Moreover peak release from the reservoirs lasting for a prolonged period of nine hours were conducted with only 3.5 hours notice which proved insufficient for effective disaster management, she said in the letter dated September 21, which was made public on Sunday. Banerjee said that on the night of September 16, she had requested the DVC chairman to defer the release, but it was not adhered to. Stating that her government did not consent to the peak discharge of 2.5 lakh cusecs, she said it had requested the volume of discharge be reduced to 2.3 lakh cusecs at 4.34 pm on September 17 and 2 lakh cusecs at 5 pm. The DVC first issued an advisory to reduce the release to 2.2 lakh cusecs at 6 pm and later to 2.1 lakh cusecs at 11.20 pm, she said. Unfortunately, there was a significant time lag between our requests and its implementation (ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 hours), she said, adding that the delay worsened the situation, causing substantial damage to our state.

The CM said the peak discharge of 2.5 lakh cusecs could have been avoided. Had the reservoirs (Maithon and Panchet) been allowed to encroach beyond their maximum flood management level (MFML), the peak discharge could have been moderated, potentially minimising the impact on south Bengal, she said. Thus I believe the union ministers statement that all efforts were made to minimise flooding is not entirely accurate, she said. Banerjee said that as a protest against the apparent disregard for West Bengals concerns and the lack of cooperation regarding flood moderation, her government was withdrawing its representative from the DVRRC immediately. She said the Ghatal Master Plan in Paschim and Purba Medinipur districts, and the flood management scheme for Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda were approved with investment clearance of Rs 1,238.95 crore and Rs 496.70 crore. Despite these projects being approved for a 100 per cent central grant under the River Management Activities in Border Areas (RMBA) on March 14, no funds have been received, she said.

The delays in receiving central assistance and the prolonged appraisal process are undermining the urgency of addressing flood management in a scientific and comprehensive manner. The budgetary allocation of Rs 449.57 crore in the 2024-25 fiscal year is insufficient, thereby confirming that flood management is not a priority area for the Central government, she said. Banerjee urged the Prime Minister for his personal intervention. In her letter to Modi on September 20, she claimed that 5 million people in the state were affected by the floods. In his response to it, Paatil had explained that the releases were managed by the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), which includes representatives from the Central Water Commission, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and the DVC. BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya accused Banerjee of politicising the flood instead of mitigating sufferings of people. Due to the rampant corruption by functionaries of her own party, no central funds could be used to stop recurrence of such situations. The irrigation canals and rivers were not dredged properly, and TMC leaders sold land and filled up waterbodies. The present situation is due to the CMs mishandling, he claimed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan. Septermebr 23. Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan attended and delivered remarks at NAM Ministerial Meeting organized by Uganda under the theme of Protecting the civilians during armed conflicts: Solidarity with Palestinian People, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X, Trend reports.

The role of NAM was emphasized as a true defender of justice and rule of law in international relations. Apart from its recent Chairmanship at NAM in 2019-2023 as well as resilient efforts and flagship initiatives to increase the effectiveness of the Movement, Azerbaijan as an active member of NAM Troika remains committed to further enhancing the role and visibility of the Movement. Azerbaijan shares the view that a just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine in all its aspects must remain a priority on the Movements agenda until it is resolved in accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions, norms and principles of international law.
Marxist leader Anura Dissanayake wins Sri Lankas presidential election





By Jayprakash Ramaiah :

COLOMBO,

MARXIST leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday was declared winner of the Sri Lankan presidential election by the countrys Election Commission after an unprecedented second round of counting of votes. Dissanayake, 56, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna partys broader front National Peoples Power (NPP), defeated his closest rival Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe was eliminated in the first round after he failed to become within the top two in the vote list. NPP said Dissanayake will take oath on Monday. He will be the 9th President of the island nation. After being defeated in the election, Wickremesinghe bid an emotional farewell to his 26-month tenure, marking the end of his presidency. Addressing President-elect Dissanayake in a statement, the 75-year-old outgoing President said, President Anura Dissanayake, I am handing over to your care the lovable child of Sri Lanka. He said that over the last two years he has safely carried the Sri Lanka child on the vine bridge, and I wish that under your care as the new President, the child is carried safely to the end of his destination.

The election on Saturday was the first to be held since mass protests unseated Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 after the country suffered an economic crisis. Earlier, the Election Commission ordered a second round of counting after no candidate secured over 50 per cent votes needed to be declared the winner of Saturdays election. In the first round of counting, Dissanayake topped the chart by securing 5.63 million votes or 42.31 per cent, followed by Opposition leader Premadasa with 4.36 million votes or 32.8 per cent and Wickremesinghe getting only 2.29 million votes or 17.27 per cent of the total votes polled. No election in Sri Lanka has ever progressed to the second round of counting, as single candidates have always emerged as clear winners based on first-preference votes. The accession of Dissanayake, who is popularly known as AKD, to the top post is a remarkable turnaround for his half-century-old party JVP, which had long remained on the margins. He is Sri Lankas first-ever Marxist party leader to become head of state. Dissanayakes anti-corruption message and his promise of a change in political culture resonated strongly with young voters who have been demanding system change since the economic crisis. The NPPs popularity has risen sharply since 2022 after securing only around three per cent of the vote in the last presidential election in 2019. Dissanayake, who hails from rural Thambuttegama in the North Central province, is a science graduate from the Colombo suburban Kelaniya University.

He joined the JVP, the mother party of the NPP, in 1987 at the height of their anti-Indian rebellion. The JVP eliminated many activists of all democratic parties that supported the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987. The Rajiv Gandhi-J R Jayawardena pact was the direct Indian intervention to solve the Tamil demand for political autonomy in the country. The JVP dubbed the Indian intervention as a betrayal of Sri Lankas sovereignty. However, Dissanayakes visit to India in February this year is seen as a change in the NPP leaderships approach towards India, expressing alignment with foreign investment interests. With JVPs taking up democratic politics in the late 90s, Dissanayake got a place in the JVP central committee. In the 2000 parliamentary election, he entered Parliament from the JVP. He has been an opposition livewire since 2001. Dissanayake re-entered Parliament from the north-western district of Kurunegala after the 2004 election in an alliance with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He was appointed the Minister of agriculture.

With the JVP leaving the Government over a joint mechanism with the LLTE on sharing the 2004 Tsunami relief aid to the North, then controlled by the rebel group, Dissanayake became the parliamentary group leader of the JVP in 2008. He was again elected to Parliament in the 2010 parliamentary election from the Colombo district and became his partys chief in 2014. Having won again from Colombo in 2015, he became the chief opposition whip, a post he held till 2019. In 2019, the JVP rebranded itself as the NPP, which embraced sections of Sri Lankan society that had never been enamoured towards the JVP given its violent past. The party had led two bloody rebellions in 1971 and between 1987 and 1990 to overthrow popular Governments and faced brutal state crackdowns each time. Dissanayake faces the immediate challenge of determining the future of economic reforms in the cash-strapped country. Historically, the NPP has opposed International Monetary Fund programmes, but its recent endorsement of the current programme, although with a renegotiation of its terms, marks a significant shift.
Laapataa Ladies' picked as India's entry for Oscars 2025





Chennai, Sep 23 (PTI)

Kiran Rao's "Laapataa Ladies" has been picked as India's official entry for Oscars 2025, the Film Federation of India announced here on Monday.

The Hindi film, a light-hearted satire on patriarchy, was chosen from a list of 29 films, including Bollywood hit "Animal", Malayalam National Award winner "Aattam" and Cannes winner "All We Imagine As Light".

The 13-member select committee headed by Assamese director Jahnu Barua "unanimously" decided on "Laapataa Ladies", produced by Aamir Khan and Rao, for reckoning in the best international film category at the Academy Awards.

Besides "Laapataa Ladies", Hindi film "Srikanth", Tamil movies "Vaazhai" and "Thangalaan" and Malayalam film "Ullozhukku" were among the top five in the 29-title list.

"Laapataa Ladies", which was released in March to universal praise from the critics, is a heartwarming and empowering take on two brides in rural India in 2001 who accidently get swapped during a train journey. The film is backed by Rao's Kindling Productions, Aamir Khan Productions, and Jio Studios.

Rao said she is "deeply honored and delighted" that her film will represent India at the 97th Academy Awards.

"Cinema has always been a powerful medium to connect hearts, transcend boundaries, and ignite meaningful conversations. I hope that this film will resonate with audiences across the world, just as it has in India.

"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the selection committee and to everyone who believed in this film. It is indeed a great privilege to be selected from among such amazing Indian films this year - who are equally worthy contenders for this honor," the director said in a statement.

The filmmaker, who returned to direct "Laapataa Ladies" after a hiatus of almost 13 years, said she and her team look forward to taking the journey ahead "with great enthusiasm". Rao made her debut with "Dhobi Ghat", the 2010 drama centered around people from different walks of life in Mumbai.

Starring Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta and Sparsh Shrivastav in the lead alongside Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma, the Hindi film had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

Kishan credited Rao, Khan, his co-stars and writers for the feat. In the film, the actor-BJP MP played the cop investigating the case of the two brides who accidentally got swapped on a train.

"I never thought the film would go to the Oscars. The entire world would witness Indian society, especially rural India which comprises 80 per cent of the country's population, from the Oscars stage.

"They will see how India's daughters are moving forward. The film gives a beautiful message about how these daughters don't give up on their dreams, be it self-reliance or organic farming," Kishan told PTI in Gorakhpur as he dedicated the film to the daughters of India.

It's a twin treat in a year for Kadam, currently in Spain for a film premiere. In May, she attended the 2024 Cannes Film Festival where her film "All We Imagine As Light", directed by Payal Kapadia, became the first movie from India to win the Grand Prix award.

Kadam, who essayed the fan favourite Manju Maai, a fierce teaseller with a soft corner for one of the two heroines in "Laapataa Ladies", said she had predicted that the film would be selected as India's official entry for the Academy Awards.

"This happiness doesn't belong only to me, it belongs to Indian cinema. I hoped that something like this would happen and I'm feeling great now that it actually happened. I had sent a message to Kiran in Marathi, saying that 'We will go to the Oscars'. And today, when the news broke, I called her up and said, 'I told you so!'" she told PTI over phone.

Tamil film "Maharaja", Telugu titles "Kalki 2898 AD" and "Hanu-Man", as well as the Hindi films "Swatantraya Veer Savarkar" and "Article 370" were also part of the list.

No Indian entry has been nominated for best international feature film at the Oscars since the Khan-starrer "Lagaan" in 2002. Only two other films have previously made it to the final five and they are the Nargis-starrer "Mother India" and Mira Nair's "Salaam Bombay!"

Malayalam superhit "2018: Everyone is a Hero" was sent last year.
Silver prices shine, touch all-time high of Rs 90,000/kg in city





 Business Reporter :

 According to the latest figures released by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the countrys silver imports in the month of August 2024 jumped more than 7 times to Rs 11,038 cr as compared to Rs 1,317 crore in August 2023

SILVER is shining these days asitspricehasconqueredanew high. On September 20, 2024, silverprices touchedanall time high of Rs 90,000 per kiloin the city. The gold and silver prices arerisingataphenomenalpace due to high festive and wedding demand across the country.Anothermajorcontributor to the strong rise in demand is theloweringof theimportduty on gold and silver to 6 per cent from the earlier 15 per cent by the Government. Thesilverprices areexpected to touch Rs 1 lakh per kilo on the back of strong demand by Diwali, said Rajesh Rokde, Director of Rokde Jewellers, Secretary of Nagpur Sarafa AssociationandViceChairman of All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) while speaking to The Hitavada. Asa resultofloweringimport duty, the demand for gold and silver has accelerated in the country.

According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the countrys silver importsin themonthofAugust 2024jumpedmore than7 times toRs 11,038crore ascompared toRs1,317croreinAugust2023. Similarly, countrys gold importsin themonthofAugust 2024 rose by 103.71 per cent to Rs 84,401 crore as compared to Rs 40,883 crore in August 2023. Kishor Sheth, Director of Batukbhai and Sons Jewellers said that silver and gold prices are creating history due to strong demand in the international markets. It is seen that gold and silver prices tend to risewheninterestratesarelower. Also, the Government recently slashed the import duty on gold and silver to 6 per cent,compared toearlier15per cent.

This has had a positive affect on the demand for gold and silver to surge, he said. Currently, with reduced import duty the gold and silverpricesare thesameatDubai andMumbai.Loweringimport dutyhasincreased thedemand for the precious metals across the country. Lastweek,KishoreShethwas in Dubai and met a jeweller who operates 12 showrooms. In the discussions, Sheth was informed that the jewellery demand in Dubai had crashed by 70 per cent, due to lowering of import duty in India. People who were going of the country to buy silver and gold were now buying in the country itself, as there is no differenceinprices.

Currently, bringing gold and silver in to Indiahas become unviable, headded. Accordingly, silveris gainingimportanceasitiswidelybeingused in various industriesincluding electronic industryfor manufacturing components. Also, geopolitical tensionslike war and slowing global economy are some of the factors that attracts governmentsand people to buy gold. Other than this, it is estimated that there will be recordnumber of weddings of morethan 35lakh takingplacein thecountry thisyear.Withthis, thegrowthindemand forgoldjewellery is expected to be 25 percent higher, as compared tothe previous year, he said. (Note: The gold and silverprices are without GST andHallmarking charges).
Victims of Maoist violence from Bastar meet President Murmu





President Droupadi Murmu meeting the victims of Maoists violence.

Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Victims of Maoist violence from Bastar, Chhattisgarh, gathered at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday under the banner of Bastar Shanti Samiti to meet President Droupadi Murmu. More than 50 Naxal-affected individuals shared their tragic experiences of living under the terror of Maoists, describing the devastation and fear that has gripped the once peaceful region. The residents explained how Bastar, historically known for its rich tribal culture, has been turned into a stronghold of Maoist insurgency over the past four decades. They expressed their agony over the daily threat of violence, with landmines scattered across rural and forested areas, making even simple movement dangerous. Lives have been lost, and many have been left with life-altering injuries. Among those who spoke with the President was Radha Salam, a 16-year-old victim who lost the sight in one eye due to a Maoist attack when she was just three years old. Radha tearfully asked, What was my fault in this?

Another victim, Mahadev, recounted how a Maoist bomb attack on a bus cost him one of his legs.Jairam Das, representing the Bastar Shanti Samiti, told the President that the group consists of everyday Bastar residents who have suffered deeply due to Naxalite violence. Some have lost their eyes, others their limbs, while others have witnessed the brutal killings of family members at the hands of Maoists. The victims handed over a memorandum to the President, urging her to intervene and take action to make Bastar free of Maoism.

They appealed for justice and relief from the terror that has made normal life impossible. President Murmu, in a social media statement following the meeting, expressed her deep concern over the situation in Bastar. She reiterated that no cause can justify the use of violence, which ultimately destroys society. The President urged left-wing extremists to renounce violence and return to the mainstream, assuring them that the government would work to address the issues they raise. In this world plagued by violence, we should follow the path of peace, President Murmu emphasised, reminding all of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the decades-long Maoist insurgency that continues to torment the people of Bastar.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. At the instigation of some foreign forces, revanchist forces in Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora have intensified a campaign that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is allegedly not solved and remains open, and demand from the Armenian government and revanchist circles to abandon the dangerous path, the statement of the Western Azerbaijan Community (WAC) said, Trend reports.

The statement stresses that such an approach, as well as the Armenian side's inaction against elements that threaten Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, its rapid militarization, and its refusal to exclude territorial claims to Azerbaijan from its constitution, are of serious concern.

In this regard, we would like to strongly remind that those who think that the 'Nagorno-Karabakh issue' has not yet been resolved are fundamentally mistaken. Azerbaijan has once and for all restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty, it is immutable and irreversible. The issue of the safe and dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis to their native lands is unresolved. Only the question of returning to West Azerbaijan remains open. The Western Azerbaijani community will consistently continue its efforts in this direction.

We demand from the Armenian government and well-known revanchist circles to abandon this dangerous path, the statement of the WAC emphasizes.
Storm debris after the May 16 derecho hit the Heights and Garden Oaks/Oak Forest areas (photo by John "Gusty" Gustafson)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. At the invitation of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, on September 23, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov, paid a visit to our country to participate in the 5th Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition "ADEX," Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

As part of the visit, it is planned to discuss military cooperation between the two countries, regional security, and a number of other issues of mutual interest.
Piper Sandler assumed coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued an overweight rating and a $131.00 price objective on the healthcare product makers stock.

A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on ABT. Citigroup raised their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Edward Jones cut Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Tuesday, June 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They set a buy rating and a $121.00 price target for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $123.33.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $113.70 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $197.80 billion, a PE ratio of 35.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $89.67 and a 12 month high of $121.64. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $110.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $108.45.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $10.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.37 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.65% and a return on equity of 20.18%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.08 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.93%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 68.54%.

Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories

In related news, CEO Robert B. Ford sold 141,679 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.41, for a total transaction 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 at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abbott Laboratories

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Unique Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the first quarter valued at $30,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Transcendent Capital Group LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Get Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Piper Sandler Companies initiated coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) in a research note published on Thursday morning, Stock Target Advisor reports. The brokerage issued an overweight rating and a $131.00 target price on the healthcare product makers stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Citigroup increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Edward Jones downgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Tuesday, June 4th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $123.33.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of ABT opened at $113.70 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $197.80 billion, a PE ratio of 35.42, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.72. The firms 50 day moving average price is $110.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $108.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.68. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $89.67 and a twelve month high of $121.64.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.04. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.18% and a net margin of 13.65%. The company had revenue of $10.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.37 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.08 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.93%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is presently 68.54%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories

In related news, CEO Robert B. Ford sold 141,679 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.41, for a total value of $16,492,852.39. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 220,059 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,617,068.19. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.8% in the second quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 11,165 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,160,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Encompass More Asset Management grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. Encompass More Asset Management now owns 3,002 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $312,000 after buying an additional 96 shares during the period. Wynn Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Wynn Capital LLC now owns 3,427 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $390,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the period. NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT Co LLC grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT Co LLC now owns 5,396 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $613,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Hummer Financial Advisory Services Inc grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Hummer Financial Advisory Services Inc now owns 8,290 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $942,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. 75.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Royal Bank of Canada restated their outperform rating on shares of American Water Works (NYSE:AWK  Free Report) in a research report report published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $164.00 price target on the utilities providers stock.

Separately, Wells Fargo & Company cut American Water Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $127.00 to $138.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $140.29.

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American Water Works Trading Down 1.2 %

Shares of AWK stock opened at $147.23 on Thursday. American Water Works has a fifty-two week low of $113.34 and a fifty-two week high of $150.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $143.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $131.85. The stock has a market cap of $28.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.86, a P/E/G ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.69.

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The utilities provider reported $1.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.05). American Water Works had a return on equity of 9.60% and a net margin of 21.93%. The business had revenue of $1.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.44 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that American Water Works will post 5.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Water Works Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 13th were given a $0.765 dividend. This represents a $3.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.08%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 13th. American Water Workss dividend payout ratio is currently 62.07%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Martha Clark Goss sold 710 shares of American Water Works stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.85, for a total value of $101,423.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 36,880 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,268,308. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Water Works

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Heritage Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of American Water Works in the second quarter valued at $488,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new position in American Water Works in the second quarter valued at $3,715,000. Pensioenfonds Rail & OV acquired a new position in American Water Works in the second quarter valued at $21,311,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its holdings in American Water Works by 1.1% in the second quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 357,186 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $46,134,000 after acquiring an additional 3,797 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in American Water Works in the second quarter valued at $1,295,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.58% of the companys stock.

About American Water Works

(Get Free Report)

American Water Works Company, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides water and wastewater services in the United States. It offers water and wastewater services to approximately 1,700 communities in 14 states serving approximately 3.5 million active customers. The company serves residential customers; commercial customers, including food and beverage providers, commercial property developers and proprietors, and energy suppliers; fire service and private fire customers; industrial customers, such as large-scale manufacturers, mining, and production operations; public authorities comprising government buildings and other public sector facilities, such as schools and universities; and other utilities and community water and wastewater systems.

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D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI  Free Report) had its price target upped by Bank of America from $196.00 to $215.00 in a research report report published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Bank of America currently has a buy rating on the construction companys stock.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on DHI. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on D.R. Horton from $191.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of D.R. Horton from $141.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on shares of D.R. Horton from $178.00 to $208.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. StockNews.com downgraded shares of D.R. Horton from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of D.R. Horton from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $183.33.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on DHI

D.R. Horton Stock Down 2.6 %

D.R. Horton stock opened at $191.89 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 7.22. D.R. Horton has a one year low of $100.08 and a one year high of $199.85. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $180.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $159.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.06, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.73.

D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The construction company reported $4.10 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.75 by $0.35. The firm had revenue of $9.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.61 billion. D.R. Horton had a net margin of 13.36% and a return on equity of 20.72%. D.R. Hortons quarterly revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.90 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that D.R. Horton will post 14.03 earnings per share for the current year.

D.R. Horton declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, July 18th that permits the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the construction company to purchase up to 6.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

D.R. Horton Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 1st were paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 1st. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.63%. D.R. Hortons dividend payout ratio is currently 8.17%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On D.R. Horton

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in DHI. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in D.R. Horton by 105.2% during the 2nd quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 675 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $95,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the period. Heritage Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in D.R. Horton during the second quarter valued at $812,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in D.R. Horton in the 2nd quarter worth about $13,668,000. Clear Rock Advisors LLC boosted its position in D.R. Horton by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Clear Rock Advisors LLC now owns 24,412 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,440,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares during the period. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky grew its stake in D.R. Horton by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 154,818 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $21,818,000 after acquiring an additional 1,026 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.63% of the companys stock.

D.R. Horton Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

D.R. Horton, Inc operates as a homebuilding company in East, North, Southeast, South Central, Southwest, and Northwest regions in the United States. It engages in the acquisition and development of land; and construction and sale of residential homes in 118 markets across 33 states under the names of D.R.

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Photo: The mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan in NATO

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. A delegation led by Samir Poladov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action visited NATO headquarters in Luxembourg, Trend reports.

On the first day of the visit, representatives of the Agency and the Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to NATO held bilateral meetings with Orkhan Muratli, Head of Operations Support of the Alliance's National Security and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and other officials.

During the meetings, NATO's financial and technical aid to solve the landmine problem faced by Azerbaijan, as well as issues of studying modern technologies in this area and applying new methods were discussed.

The parties also widely discussed the exchange of experience in cooperation in the field of humanitarian demining.

In 2020-2024, a total of 379 people fell victim to mines in Eastern Zangezur and Karabakh. Of these, 70 people died, 309 people received various injuries. In Eastern Zangezur and Karabakh, demining work has been carried out on an area of 161 thousand hectares to date. 157 thousand mines and unexploded ordnance have been cleared.
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN Women, and Women Aid Collective, WACOL, a non governmental organizations have called for the passage of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill into law in Ebonyi state.

The UN Women said that the passage of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill, other gender-responsive legislation, electoral and constitutional reform and women's roadmap to 2027 general elections will help in addressing developmental issues in the country.

In a stakeholder meeting put together by the UN Women in conjunction with Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, WACOL and UN-WOMEN Political Participation Group Ebonyi State Chapter, they called on women to lend their voices for the passage of the Gender and Equal opportunity Bill in the state as it will benefit every gender.

The meeting, funded by the Canadian government, was aimed at enhancing womens representation and participation in politics and governance in Ebonyi state through the adoption of constitutional and legislative reforms that are gender inclusive and supportive of womens political aspirations as well as political parties action and state-positive steps to ensure equitable representation.

Mariam Mustapha, a Proffesor of Public Law University of Illorin and a consultant with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies while speaking on the Understanding Gender Equality Opportunities Bill, and other Legal Reforms, pointed out that Nigeria has one of the lowest numbers of female representation, ranking 181st out of 193 countries with only 3.6% female representation in the parliament.

According to Mustapha, Women hold only 9.8% of local government seats, only 30.3% hold managerial positions, and Nigerian women rank 27.3% in the financial inclusion index.

She said, "The consequences of gender inequality in Nigeria are evident in the pervasiveness of sexual violence against women; disproportionate experience in conflicts between men and women; setback experienced by women occasioned by childbirth; rape; and sex trafficking.

Denial of or discouraging girl child education (thereby perpetuating the cycle of poverty and inequality) Low economic status of women because of undervaluation of their work; Exclusion of women from national and international decision-making bodies (thereby inhibiting their ability to affect policies that perpetuate the above-mentioned manifestations of inequality).

"In light of the above, it is not out of place for efforts like the Gender Equal Opportunities Bill to emerge in Nigeria, Ebonyi State inclusive. Gender Equal Opportunities Bill is therefore conceived against the backdrop of the pervasiveness of gender inequality in Nigeria and we are advocating its passage for Ebonyi State." She said.

Mustapha, who commended the Ebonyi State government for appointing women into different political positions, said the bill if passed into law, provides for equal opportunities for all persons and prohibits all forms of gender-based discrimination and inequalities in Ebonyi State and other related matters.

"The law is made up of 7 Parts of 46 sections The provisions of the Bill are to protect our fathers, mothers, daughters, sisters, sons, Nieces, nephews and wives from any form of abuse, violence, discrimination; and to make them enjoy life in its fullest in the area of education, health, employment and decision making.

Stella Okechukwu-Kalu, the chairperson of the UN-women Political Participation Working Group in Ebonyi State, said the group is pushing for policies and laws that promote Women's political participation and representation, and they will continue to lend their voices for the benefit of women, especially in the rural areas in the state.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 24. Azerbaijan is ready to cooperate with Portugal in developing alternative energy sources, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov said during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic Paulo Ranger within the framework of the 79th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the prospects for multilateral cooperation, as well as the current regional and international situation were discussed.

The importance of using the mechanism of political consultations to discuss the prospects for developing cooperation between our countries was emphasized.

It was noted that Azerbaijan successfully cooperates with a number of European countries on energy security issues, and the signing of the Memorandum on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy between Azerbaijan and the European Union is a manifestation of this. In this direction, it was stated that our country is ready for practical cooperation with a number of European countries, including Portugal, in developing alternative energy sources.

Confidence was expressed that our country's chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed Paulo Ranger in detail about the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, large-scale reconstruction and construction work carried out in the liberated territories, as well as the progress in normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 24. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Kenyan Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kenya, as well as issues of multilateral cooperation.

Jeyhun Bayramov expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between the two countries within the framework of international organizations, in particular the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement, and thanked his Kenyan counterpart for supporting Azerbaijan's initiatives during its chairmanship of the NAM.

The meeting also discussed the prospects for developing relations between the two countries in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres. It was noted that the launch of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kenya is an important contribution to the development of relations between the two countries.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister also touched upon the prospects for cooperation in combating climate change, speaking in detail about the preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held this year in Azerbaijan, and the prospects for cooperation in this area.

The parties also discussed other regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Then a signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on holding political consultations between Azerbaijan and Kenya took place.
The Bengal government has withdrawn its representatives on the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a second time to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Damodar Valley Corporations uncontrolled water release from the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs. Miss Banerjee, in her missive to the Prime Minister, stated that in protest of the Centres actions, she is withdrawing the states representatives from the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC).

Accordingly, two top state officials have resigned from the DVC Board and the DVRRC. Shantanu Basu, secretary of the West Bengal Power Department, has resigned from the DVC Board, and the Chief Engineer of the state Irrigation Department, has resigned from the DVRRC. The DVRRC comprises representatives from the DVC, Water Commission, and the governments of West Bengal and Jharkhand. In a letter to the DVC chairman, the Power Department Secretary stated: Due to the uncontrolled water release by the DVC from the two reservoirs, large sections of the states population are suffering.

This action is unprecedented, and in protest, I am resigning as West Bengals member from the DVC Board. Incidentally, Mr Basu, in addition to being the secretary of the Power Department, is also the secretary of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, which is headed by Miss Banerjee herself. Rainfall caused by a lowpressure system in the Bay of Bengal last week led to an increase in water levels at the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs. After the DVC released water from these reservoirs, vast areas in West Midnapore, Hooghly, Howrah, Bankura, East Midnapore, East Burdwan, and West Burdwan were flooded. Miss Banerjee herself visited the flood-affected areas last Wednesday and stayed in Midnapore overnight. She has consistently blamed the DVC for the entire situation.

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According to her, the flood was deliberately caused to save Jharkhand by releasing dam water into Bengal, which she has called a manmade flood. Miss Banerjee had warned that she would sever all ties with the DVC, and subsequently, she wrote to Mr Modi informing him of the flood situation. In response to Miss Banerjees letter, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C. R. Patil, wrote back, stating that the DVRRC makes decisions on water release after consulting with state representatives and that the committee had made efforts to prevent flooding in Bengal. On Saturday, Miss Banerjee wrote a second letter to Mr Modi in response to the ministers letter, stating that the Centres claims are incorrect. She asserted that on many occasions, water is released without the states consent, and all major decisions are taken by the Central Water Commission and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, without considering the states requests.
Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta on Monday said that Delhi Assembly is the forum to raise citizens issues during its Question Hour, and alleged that, unfortunately, the Kejriwal government has denied this Constitutional opportunity to BJP MLAs.

He further said that now the BJP MLAs will not let the trend continue, and based on the strength of citizens complaint forms, the BJP legislators will raise the complaints, and stall the Assembly till CM Atishi responds.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva along with Gupta launched a campaign, with the aim to know the problems faced by the people of the city. The campaign will continue till September 25. The issues will be raised in the legislative assembly, the Delhi BJP said.

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The BJP has named the campaign Janta Ka Mudda Assembly Mein, through which the saffron party will collect information from people regarding their issues.

After the campaign started from the iconic Connaught Place, Sachdeva spoke to a woman and her daughter who had come from Ashok Nagar, and shared the issues affecting their area.

The mother-daughter duo filled in the complaint form given by Delhi BJP chief, where they listed major issues faced by people in their area including dirty water supply, waterlogging, dirty unmaintained colony parks and e-rickshaws blocking traffic.

According to the Delhi BJP, most people who filled in the complaint forms wanted the BJP MLAs to raise issues such as inflated electricity bills, dirty water supply, irregular social welfare pension, encroachments, lack of civic amenities, e- rickshaws issues and the lack of proper health and education facilities.

Sachdeva further informed that BJP workers who are going door-to-door, as part of the partys membership campaign, will get complaint forms filled by the people of the city and submit to the LoP Vijender Gupta, who will then shortlist issues to be raised in the Delhi Assembly.

BJP MLAs Ajay Mahawar, O P Sharma, Mohan Singh Bisht, Abhay Verma, Anil Vajpayee and Delhi BJP media chief Praveen Shankar Kapoor were also present on the occasion. They got complaint forms filled in by the common public near Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place.
A man allegedly jumped onto the Metro track at Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station on Monday, just before the arrival of a train, the police said.

The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Devendra Kumar, a resident of Tijara in Alwar district, Rajasthan.

He was rushed to Dr RML Hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

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The police received a call regarding the incident at 6:24 PM from the security inspector at Rajiv Chowk Police Station.

The call was assigned to the concerned officer, who reached the spot.

After an initial inquiry and reviewing CCTV footage, it was found that at 5:47 PM, the man had allegedly jumped onto the Metro track at platform No. 2 of Lok Kalyan Marg station, apparently to commit suicide, just before the arrival of the train.

The Delhi Police Crime Team inspected the spot, but no suicide note was found.

The deceaseds family has been informed, the police added.

The body has been preserved in the mortuary at Dr RML Hospital, and inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC are being conducted, a police official said.
The highly awaited pan-India project Devara will hit theatres on September 27. Ahead of the films release, the team cancelled the pre-release event scheduled for September 22 in Hyderabad at the last minute. Reportedly, several factors led to the cancellation of the event. Due to apprehensions about rain, the team decided to conduct the event indoors, however, the turnout exceeded the venues capacity manifolds, and the event became unmanageable.

The pre-release event for Devara was slated to take place at the Novotel in Hyderabad on Sunday evening. The films director Koratala Siva, actors Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor, and special guests like director Trivikram Srinivas and producer Naga Vamsi were going to attend. However, the team cancelled the pre-release in an unanticipated turn of events. Since then, disappointed fans have taken over social media and expressed regret over not being able to meet Jr NTR. They blamed the team for mismanagement and questioned their decision to pick a closed venue. Following the cancellation, the actors have also released statements expressing their regret.

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5k capacity ki 15 k vacharu,

Open area lo plan cheyalsindhi

Event almost cancelled Worst decision by producersand event Organizers #Devara #JrNTR pic.twitter.com/QeW2ymdJrY  ram reddy (@ramreddy667202) September 22, 2024

On the flip side, Devaras team claims that they faced several challenges while planning the pre-release event scheduled close to Ganesh Nimarjanam. They added that heavy rains created hindrances, rationalising their decision to not choose an open-air venue. The team wrote, Even though it didnt rain today conditions wouldnt have been favourable for an outdoor event to happen even if we had planned it. They also added, The massive turnout of fans despite our best efforts became uncontrollable as barricades were broken due to the overwhelming crowd. For the safety of everyone we had to make the tough decision to call off the event.

Additionally, star Jr NTR also released a video statement addressing the issue. The actor stated in Telugu, It hurts me that the Devara pre-release event was cancelled, you know it hurts me. I wanted to meet you (fans) in person and share our journey with you. But we had to cancel it due to security reasons. My pain is bigger than yours in this regard. But this is not the producers or event organisers fault. Ending the video on a positive note, the actor said that he hopes that fans love his upcoming release and raise their collars in pride.

We regret being in this situation but are forever grateful to our beloved Man of Masses NTRs fans. The biggest celebration awaits. See you in theatres on Sept 27th.#Devara #DevaraOnSep27th pic.twitter.com/oSXa2ga6Za  Devara (@DevaraMovie) September 22, 2024



Echoing similar sentiments, Jahnvi Kapoor also issued a video statement in Telugu. In the video, Jahnvi said, You have loved me as one of your own. I know how important you are to my mother (Sridevi), and know that youre important to me also and I will work hard to ensure that you are proud of me. I hope you like this attempt of mine, and I would like to thank Koratala sir and NTR sir for choosing me. Sharing the video, she wrote in Telugu, I thought I would say these words to you myself. But not this time. Hope to see you all soon. For now, this is from me to you. This short messageSee you in theatres on 27th of September #Devara.

Also Read: Jani Master confesses to sexual assault; placed in custody

Helmed by Siva Koratala, Devara boasts a stellar cast. The list includes Saif Ali Khan as Bhaira and Janhvi Kapoor as Thangam in lead roles alongside Jr NTR. Yuvasudha Arts and N. T. R. Arts have produced the two part film. Devara: Part I releases on September 27 in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 24. The Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkiye Mr. Yasar Guler, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Army General Metin Gurak, Navy Commander Admiral Ercument Tatloglu, Commander of the Land Forces Army General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu and Air Force Commander Army General Ziya Cemal Kadoglu arrived in Baku to participate in the 5th Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition ADEX at the invitation of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense.

The Turkish delegation was welcomed by the First Deputy Minister of Defense  Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev and other leading staff of the Defense Ministry at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

Within the Baku visit the Turkish delegation is planned to hold discussions on further expansion of the prospective opportunities of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye.
Chiranjeevi, the veteran Telugu actor known as the Megastar, has added another remarkable accolade to his illustrious career by earning a Guinness World Record for being the most prolific film star in the Indian film industry.

The recognition celebrates his unparalleled contribution to cinema over more than four decades, acknowledging not only his prolific output but also his outstanding dancing abilities that have captivated audiences.

The timing of this prestigious honor holds special significance for Chiranjeevi, as it falls on the anniversary of his acting debut, which took place in 1978. Over the years, Chiranjeevi has solidified his status as a cinema icon, appearing in over 150 films and delivering countless memorable performances.

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He has also become one of the finest dancers in Indian cinema, with 24,000 distinct dance moves performed in 537 songs across 156 filmsa feat that has cemented his place in history.

The award ceremony, held in Hyderabad, was even more special with Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan presenting the honor to Chiranjeevi. The two legends shared a warm moment on stage, with Aamir embracing Chiranjeevi as a sign of admiration and respect.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chiranjeevi Konidela (@chiranjeevikonidela)

In a heartfelt tribute, Aamir praised the actors legendary dancing talent, saying, If you watch any of his songs, his heart is completely in it. He enjoys every move, and because of that, we cant take our eyes off him. His joy is infectious, and we all feel it as we watch him.

Aamir went on to express his admiration for Chiranjeevis long list of achievements. Your journey has been filled with many milestones, and Im certain there are more to come. We are always here to be entertained and inspired by you, he added.

Chiranjeevis career has spanned over 45 years, during which he has consistently broken records and set new standards in Indian cinema. He holds the title of having the most Industry Hits in Telugu cinema, with eight of his films becoming the top-grossing films of their timean achievement unmatched in the industrys 100-year history.

In 2006, Chiranjeevi received the Padma Bhushan, Indias third-highest civilian award, and in 2024, the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema and culture. He also received the IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award in 2022, alongside other accolades such as the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, three Nandi Awards, and nine Filmfare Awards South, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. His influence on Indian cinema received acknowledgement from CNN-IBN in 2013, which named him one of the men who changed the face of Indian Cinema.

Chiranjeevis rise to stardom began in 1978 when he made his acting debut. Initially, he gained attention for his powerful performances in supporting roles, often playing anti-heroes or antagonists. However, his breakthrough came in 1983 with the release of Khaidi, a film that became the highest-grossing Telugu film of its time and firmly established him as a leading actor in the industry.
Actress Parvati Nair, known for her role alongside superstar Thalapathy Vijay in the movie GOAT, is facing legal trouble after a domestic worker accused her of harassment.

A case has been registered against the actress and five others following a complaint by a man named Subash Chandra Bose, who previously worked at her residence.

The legal case stems from an incident in 2022 when Bose, who was employed as a helper at KJR Studios, was also asked to perform domestic chores at Nairs home. During his time there, several items from the actresss home, including a laptop, watch, camera, and mobile phone, reportedly went missing. Suspicion fell on Bose, prompting Nair to file a theft complaint against him.

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Bose, however, has since come forward with allegations of his own. According to his statement, after release from custody following the theft accusation, he returned to work at KJR Studios. It was then, Bose claims, that Nair visited the studio and assaulted him. He alleges that she slapped him while five others accompanying her verbally abused him.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Parvati Nair (@paro_nair)

Bose initially took his complaint to the Teynampet Police Station but says they took no action. Frustrated with the lack of response, he decided to take the matter to court. The Saidapet 19th MM Court took notice of his complaint and ordered the registration of an FIR (First Information Report) against Parvati Nair and the others involved. As a result, police investigations into the incident are now underway.

The charges filed fall under several sections of the BNS legal code, specifically sections 296(b), 115(2), and 351(2). These sections typically pertain to assault and harassment.

On the professional front, she last appeared in the film GOAT, where she played a prominent role opposite Vijay.
Senior Aam Aadmi Party leaderAtishi on Monday took charge as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi, keeping the chair of her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal besides hers and said it would remain unoccupied until the latter becomes the chief minister again.

Drawing a parallel to Bharats rule in Ayodhya, she said she was feeling pained like Bharat when Lord Rama went to exile, and he ruled Ayodhya by keeping the latters khadaun'(wooden sandals).

Confident of Kejriwals comeback as CM, she expressed faith that the people of Delhi will once again elect him as their leader.

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CM Atishi posted on social media handle X, Today I have taken over the responsibility of the Chief Minister of Delhi. Today I have the same pain in my heart that Lord Bharat had when his elder brother Lord Shri Rama went on a 14-year exile, and Bharat had to take over the governance of Ayodhya. Just like Bharat ruled Ayodhya by keeping Lord Shri Rams sandals for 14 years, I will run the government of Delhi for 4 months.

The CM added that Lord Ram is the ideal for everyone, and Kejriwal also followed his path,served the people of Delhi and followed the decorum by resigning from the post of CM.

She expressed that she was confident that now the people of Delhi will make Kejriwal the CM again by making him victorious with a huge majority in the assembly elections, and till that time, this chair of the CM will wait for him. She added that Kejriwal has set an example of dignity and morality in the politics of this country, and alleged that for the previous two years, BJP has left no stone unturned to malign the AAP chiefs image.

She alleged that the saffron party got false cases filed against Kejriwal, got him arrested and kept him in jail for 6 months.

Atishi further said that when Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court, the top court said his arrest was made with ill intent. The Delhi CM said that had it been any other leader, he would not have given a thought before sitting on the CMs chair, but Kejriwal said that he would not sit on this chair until the people of Delhi show faith in his honesty, and had tendered his resignation.
Congress leader Raj Babbar said on Sunday here that the BJP has been in power for the last 10 years in Haryana but in Gurugram they failed to address the civic issues of the district.

The senior Congress leader was present in Gurugram to support the partys Badshahpur candidate, Vardhan Yadav, and Gurgaon constituency candidate, Mohit Grover.

While addressing a public meeting, Babbar launched a scathing attack on the BJP and said that only making a few flyovers is not called development.

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The BJP failed to fix the state of civic infrastructure in the constituency, which, despite contributing a hefty sum to Haryanas coffers, has been given a short shrift.

Babbar said that in the upcoming Assembly elections people want Congress to retain power and correct the wrongdoing of the current state government.

The Congress leader added that despite generating a major chunk of revenue for Haryana, Gurugram does not have proper civic infrastructure and its condition is exposed glaringly during the monsoon.

People do not have basic amenities. The government has been receiving a big chunk of revenue from Gurugram, but how much does it give back, Babbar said.

This was the first public meeting of the actor-turned-politician in Gurugram after he fought the election as a Congress candidate against senior BJP leader Rao Inderjit Singh.

The Congress leader asked people to vote for all four Congress candidates of Gurgaon district constituencies and assured the public gathering that if they want better civic infrastructure, they should vote for the party for the betterment of the city.

Babbar also said: Gurugram is generating huge revenue for the state government but despite this, people are forced to clear garbage on their own. There is no fool-proof plan to deal with monsoon, no infrastructure, no accountability of the civic bodies.

Targeting the BJP, he said that constructing the Sohna elevated highway cannot be termed development in the Badshahpur constituency.

It was the Centres plan The BJP government here failed to connect Nuh district to the railway network, they failed to start the Rapid Metro project here and even failed to develop better infrastructure during the past many years.

Babbar added that the people of Gurugram and Haryana have decided to vote for the Congress in the Assembly elections and also bring in a Congress government under the leadership of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav on Monday slammed Chief Minister Atishi for comparing her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal with Lord Ram calling it sycophancy.

After assuming the charges of her duties, Atishi said, Today I have taken over as the Chief Minister of Delhi. Today, I have the same pain in my heart as Lord Bharat had when Lord Shri Rama went to exile from Ayodhya for 14 years and Lord Bharat had to take over the governance of Ayodhya. Just as Bharat ruled Ayodhya by keeping Lord Shri Rams khadaun for 14 years, in the same way I will run the Delhi government for the next 4 months.

Reacting sharply to her statement, he said, CM Atishi equating Kejriwal, who spent over five months in jail without getting bail on corruption charges in connection with the liquor scam before the Supreme Court granted him bail with stringent condition, to Lord Ram is the depth of sycophancy. Her primary concern seems to be to whitewash the corruption of the former CM, and not the welfare of the people.

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In an apparent reference to the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, he said, Kejriwals vanvas will be forever as Delhiites have made up their mind to banish him from the political landscape of the capital. Atishi would have to wait endlessly for his return to the CM chair.

Atishis lopsided priority as CM was quite evident from her declaration that she has kept the CMs chair vacant expecting Kejriwal to return to power after four months. It is only a political drama and a clear indication that she was just a dummy CM with Kejriwal still controlling the reins of power, Yadav charged.

In fact, he added, Atishis assertion is a clear message that the welfare of the people and solving the problems of the capital is least of her priorities as her focus would be to get the corrupt leaders of AAP like Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia back in power.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York and said when we talk of global future, then a human-centric approach has to get top priority.

Conveying the message of the one-sixth of humanity, after being re-elected as Indias Prime Minister for the third consecutive time in the biggest election in human history, he said while giving priority to sustainable development, we have to ensure human welfare, food and health security also.

India has shown by taking 25 crore people taken out of poverty that sustainable development can be successful, and India is ready to share its experience of this success with the global South, he said.

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The Prime Minister said success of humanity lies in our collective strength and not in the battlefield. He said world peace and development require reforms in global institutions. Reform is the key to relevance.

He said entry of African Union in the Delhi G20 Summit as permanent member was step in that direction. Global peace and security face a major threat from terrorism on the one side, and on the other side, cyber, maritime, Space are coming up as new areas of challenge. On all these, I will stress global action must match global ambition, he said.

Mr Modi said safe and responsible use of technology requires balanced regulation. We need global digital governance which allows national sovereignty and integrity to remain unharmed. Digital public infrastructure should be a bridge and not a barrier; for global good, India is ready to share its digital public infrastructure with the whole world, the Prime Minister said.

For India, One Earth, One family, One future is a commitment. The same commitment applies to One Earth, One Health, One Sun, One World, One Grid initiatives of the country, he said. For protection of interests of the whole humanity and for world prosperity, India will continue to work with mansa, wacha, karmana (with intent, word and deed), he said.

The Summit of the Future was held as an occasion for the global community to chart the road ahead for the betterment of humanity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that Indias role will be crucial in accelerating global growth, promoting global peace, advancing climate action, closing the global skills gap, driving innovation, and stabilising the global supply chain.

Bharat (India) is emerging as a new catalyst on the global stage, and its influence will be felt across all sectors, Modi said while addressing the Indian Diaspora in New York.

Touching upon Indias foreign policy, the prime minister said the countrys partnerships are expanding globally adding that previously, India followed a policy of Equal Distance, but now it embraces a policy of Equal Proximity.

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We are also becoming a strong voice for the Global South. You may have noticed that, due to Bharats initiative, the African Union was granted permanent membership at the G20 Summit. Today, when Bharat speaks on the global stage, the world listens. Not long ago, when I said This is not the era of war, the gravity of the statement was understood worldwide, he said.

Modi stressed that Indias priority is not to impose its dominance but to enhance its influence.

We are not like fire that burns; we are like the suns rays that provide light. We do not seek to dominate the world but to contribute to its prosperity. Whether its promoting yoga, advocating for superfood millets, or championing the Mission LiFE vision (Lifestyle for the Environment), Bharat is prioritizing human-centric growth alongside GDP-centric growth. I urge you all to promote Mission LiFE as much as possible here. Small changes in our lifestyle can have a significant positive impact on the environment, the Prime Minister said.

Noting that India is one of the first countries to respond whenever there is a crisis anywhere in the world, Modi said, During the COVID-19 pandemic, we sent vaccines and medicines to over 150 countries. Whether it was an earthquake, a cyclone, or a civil war, we were among the first to offer assistance. This is a reflection of the values and teachings passed down by our ancestors.

Hailing the Indian Diaspora, the prime minister called them Rashtradoot (nations emissaries) who have connected the US to India and India to the US.

Ive always recognized the strength of the Indian diaspora. Even when I held no official post, I understood it, and I understand it today. You have always been Bharats strongest brand ambassador for me. Thats why I call you the Rashtradoot (nations emissaries). Youve connected America to Bharat and Bharat to America, Modi said.

Your skills, talent, and commitment are unparalleled. Though youve crossed seven seas, no ocean is deep enough to separate you from the Bharat that resides in your hearts. What Maa Bharti has taught us, we can never forget. Wherever we go, we treat everyone like family. Embracing diversity, living it, and integrating it into our livesthese are our values, embedded in our very being, he said.

For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but I believe AI stands for America-India. This America-India spirit is the AI power of the new world, elevating Bharat-America relations. I salute all of you, the Indian diaspora, the Prime Minister said.

Expressing gratitude towards US President Joe Biden for inviting him to his home in Delaware, Modi said, This honour is for 140 crore Indians, for your hard work, for the millions of Indians living here.

During the event, PM Modi announced that India has decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles.

He said the partnership between India and the United States is growing stronger by the day.

Our collaboration is for the benefit of the world. We are enhancing cooperation across all sectors, and your convenience has been taken into account as well. Last year, I announced that our government would open a new Consulate in Seattle, which has now become operational. I had also sought your suggestions for the opening of two more consulates, and I am pleased to inform you that, based on your feedback, Bharat has decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles, Modi said.

The prime minister also announced the establishment of the Thiruvalluvar Chair for Tamil Studies at the University of Houston. This will further help in propagating the philosophy of the great Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar to the world, he said.

Modi also coined a new abbreviation PUSHP as a new mantra for Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

Youll remember one word: PUSHP (flower). Yes, consider it a lotus, I have no objections. PUSHP, and I define this PUSHP. P for Progressive Bharat, U for Unstoppable Bharat, S for Spiritual Bharat, H for Humanity First Bharat, and P for Prosperous Bharat. Together, these five petals of PUSHP will shape a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), the Prime Minister said.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said legislative institutions can help achieve sustainable development and inclusive governance by ensuring accountability and transparency of the Executive, making governance responsible and efficient.

He was chairing the Plenary Session of the 10th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) (India Region) Conference in Parliament House. The theme of the Session was The role of legislative bodies in attainment of sustainable and inclusive development.

Forty-six Presiding Officers including four Chairmen, 25 Speakers, three Deputy Chairmen, and 14 Deputy Speakers of State Assemblies and Union Territory legislatures from the country attended the conference.

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Mr Birla said that Indias Constitution is the strongest example of the spirit of inclusive governance which inspires and guides the country to move forward, taking everyone along on the path of development.

Building a self-reliant and developed India will not be possible without cooperation and support of legislative institutions, he said.

It is the responsibility of public representatives and legislative bodies to come up with solutions to the challenges and obstacles on the path of inclusive development, Mr Birla said.

Indias vision of inclusive development encompasses various aspects of development including good governance, social progress, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

The historic legislations passed by Parliament of India have enhanced the pace of development in India and they have made Indias progress more inclusive, reaching to the last person in the row, he said.

The Lok Sabha Speaker emphasised on the use of technology to improve efficiency and functioning of legislatures. He said the legislative bodies should discuss on various platforms and shape welfare schemes for the benefit of the last person of the society through technology.

In the current context, when technology and means of communication have become a part of peoples daily lives, public representatives should find ways and means to meet the increasing aspirations and expectations of the people from democracy through legislative institutions, he said.

Stating that Indias future lies in building a system in accordance with hopes and aspirations of the people, he said that India can emerge as a model democratic nation through inclusive engagement and creation of a responsible system within the rapidly changing world.

The legislatures have to smoothly discharge the functions and duties necessary for sustainable and inclusive development where equal opportunities are available to all and all sections of the society have equal access to such opportunities; and even the most vulnerable and deprived sections of the society are included in the journey of development, Mr Birla said.

He urged the Presiding Officers and legislators to reflect on the extent to which they had succeeded in fulfilling the expectations and aspirations of the people in the journey of the last seven decades. Without this introspection, the dream of inclusive development cannot be realised, he added.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha Speaker chaired the Executive Committee meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region in Parliament House where he emphasised on enhanced public participation in the democratic system.

Mr Birla suggested that Legislative Bodies must engage with grassroots level bodies, especially Panchayati Raj Institutions, and by doing so, they would be discharging their responsibilities of fulfilling needs and aspirations of people more effectively.
Congress President Malikarjun Kharge on Monday extended the heartiest congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on being elected as the Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Taking to social platform X, Kharge wrote in a post, On the behalf of the Indian National Congress, I extend my heartiest congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on being elected the Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

India and Sri Lanka have a rich legacy of multifaceted cooperation and interaction, which dates back centuries. The people of India look forward to strengthening our ties and shared values for the benefit of our region.

Earlier today, PM Narendra Modi extended his regards to the Sri Lankan President-designate following his win in the Sri Lankan Presidential election on Sunday.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi congratulated Dissanayake and said that the island country holds a special place in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which focuses on concerted cooperative measures for sustainable use of oceans and provides a framework for a safe, secure and stable maritime domain in the region.

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Congratulations, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on your victory in the Sri Lankan Presidential elections. Sri Lanka holds a special place in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of our people and the entire region, he said.

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, also conveyed his greetings to Dissanayake following his victory.

HC Santosh Jha called on Sri Lanka President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Conveyed greetings from Indias leadership and congratulated him on winning the peoples mandate. India, as Sri Lankas civilisational twin, is committed to further deepen ties for the prosperity of the people of our two countries, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said in an X post.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. On 20 September, Azercell executives met with a group of female students who achieved the highest scores in the 2023-2024 entrance exams for Information Technology (IT) specialties. The event was attended by Shirin Aliyeva, Chief Legal, Ethics and Compliance Officer, Dilara Huseynova, Director of Human Capital Management Department and Sona Abbasova, Director of the Corporate Communications Department.

Azercell is committed to empowering women. We are proud to celebrate your exceptional academic achievements. Choosing a path in IT requires both courage and vision. At Azercell, we are dedicated to supporting the next generation of IT specialists and will be by your side every step of the way, encouraging your growth. I believe that creative and intelligent young women like you are laying the foundation for a more innovative and inclusive society, stated Shirin Aliyeva, extending her congratulations to the students.

Dilara Huseynova shared information about an internship program available for the girls during their bachelor education: Azercell creates extensive opportunities for young people in IT/ICT field, with a particular focus on enhancing the skills and knowledge of female employees. Our goal is to nurture talented young people and prepare them for successful careers in the IT industry.

Sona Abbasova, in turn, discussed the company's corporate social responsibility strategy, highlighting initiatives aimed at empowering women and supporting their professional development.

During the meeting, the students were presented with valuable gifts and a free subscription to the SuperSn 10GB tariff package for 6 months.

Azercell extends its congratulations to all the students who earned their bachelors degrees this year and wishes them continued success and achievements.

It should be noted that the list of students was provided by the State Examination Center of the Republic of Azerbaijan according to the results of selection for academic specialties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly Sunday.

The two leaders reviewed the unique and close bilateral relationship between India and Nepal, and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in diverse sectors including development partnership, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people ties, and enhancing connectivity  physical, digital and in the domain of energy.

The PM congratulated Nepal on becoming the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a full member, and underlined the importance of a regional response to the challenge of climate change.

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Nepal is a priority partner of India under its Neighbourhood First Policy. This meeting continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of Indias Neighbourhood First policy, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The PM also met Kuwaits Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. This was the first meeting between them.

Mr Modi conveyed to him that India attaches utmost importance to its bilateral relations with Kuwait. Both leaders recalled the strong historical ties and people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

They noted with satisfaction that the two countries were supporting each other with energy and food security requirements. They expressed their firm commitment to deepen and diversify bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of both countries. The PM thanked the Crown Prince for ensuring the well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait, which is the largest diaspora group in the country.

The meeting between the leadership of the two countries is expected to impart a fresh momentum to bilateral ties between India and Kuwait, the MEA added.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged police brutality with an Army Major and his fiancee at Bhubaneswars Bharatpur Police station on September 15.

As per a statement issued by the Chief Ministers Office (CMO), CM Majhi took the decision after holding a high-level discussion with Deputy Chief Ministers K.V. Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, DGP Odisha Police, Y.B. Khurania and other senior officials at the Lok Seva Bhawan here late Sunday evening.

Earlier, Deputy CMs Singh Deo and Parida along with R&DM Minister Pujari and Law Minister Harichandan had met with the victim Army officer and his fiancee and discussed the matter at the state guest house. The womans father and other retired Army officials were present during the meeting at the state guest house.

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According to the statement, CM Majhi ordered the judicial inquiry under Justice Chittaranjan Das and requested the probe team to submit the report within 60 days.

The government has also requested the Orissa High Court to expedite the court-monitored Crime Branch investigation into the matter.

CM Majhi emphasized the rule of law and said that the state government has high respect for the Indian Army. He further added that the state government is fully concerned towards the safety, dignity and rights of women.

He added that the erring cops involved in the case have been placed under suspension and a case has been registered against them too. Action has been taken against the youths accused of misbehaving with the Army officer and his fiancee on September 15.

The Chief Minister said the state government is committed to taking stringent action against all the persons and cops found guilty in the matter.

As per the reports, the Army officer, Gurvansh Singh Gosal, attached to the 22nd Sikh regiment in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal and his fiancee had gone to the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar to lodge a complaint against some miscreants over an incident of road rage during early hours on September 15. An argument ensued between the police and the Army officer and his fiancee at the police station.

The Army officer was allegedly beaten by the on-duty police officials while three female cops dragged his fiancee into a cell of the Police station. Some male cops, including the ex-Inspector in charge of the Bharatpur Police Station reportedly thrashed and molested her at the police station.

As many as five police officials have been placed under suspension by the state police following widespread furore over the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in New York and called for an end to the war in West Asia.

The PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating security situation in the region and reaffirmed Indias unwavering support to the people of Palestine, including continued humanitarian assistance.

The PM reiterated Indias time-tested principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue, and called for ceasefire, release of hostages and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. He stressed that only a two-State solution will deliver enduring peace and stability in the region. Recalling that India was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine, he conveyed Indias continued support to Palestines membership of the UN, the Ministry of External Affairs said Monday.

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The two leaders held constructive discussions on various facets of India-Palestine bilateral relations, including Indias support to Palestine at the United Nations and ongoing assistance and support to Palestine in the field of education, health, and other capacity-building efforts. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen India-Palestine bilateral relations.
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday attacked the BJP and its ideological mother, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for allegedly spreading hate and violence in Jammu and Kashmir and other states of India.

Addressing a rally in Surankote in Poonch district of the state, the Congress leader said,BJP-RSS only spread hate and violence in J&K and other statesAll they know is to spread hate and their politics is of hatred. You all know that hatred cannot be eliminated by giving hate but by love.

Slamming the saffron party for snatching Jammu and Kashmirs statehood, Rahul said it was a first instance in the history of the country that a state was made a Union Territory.

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There have been several instances where a union territory was made a state. Many times states have been divided into two parts.But this happened for the first time in history, when the rights of Jammu and Kashmir were snatched away by making the State a Union Territory. Therefore, we want statehood to be returned to Jammu and Kashmir. We will put pressure on the government for this and if they dont do it, we will get it done, he asserted.

The LoP further reiterated Congress partys promise to push the Centre for the regions statehood. We wanted it (restoration of statehood) to happen before the polls. However, after the elections, we will pressurise the government to ensure the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir is restored, he added.

Rahul asserted that a stronger Opposition has hit the confidence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that, he is no longer the leader he used be.

Today whatever the opposition wants to get done, that happens. Modi government brings laws, we stand up against them, then they take a U-turn. Narendra Modis confidence has ended. Narendra Modi is no longer the same as he was before, he remarked.
Terming education as the most fundamental element in the development of the nation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Monday highlighted the efforts being made by Sainik Schools towards ensuring the physical, mental and social development of children, thereby creating a stronger future generation.

He was formally inaugurating the Sainik School in Jaipur in line with the governments vision to establish 100 new Sainik Schools pan-India in partnership mode. Of the 100 schools, the Ministry of Defence has approved 45 in collaboration with state governments, NGOs and private schools. Forty of these schools have started operations, and the Sainik School, Jaipur is among them.

Mr Singh exuded confidence that the school will prove to be a boon for the patriotic youth of the state as proper guidance and necessary infrastructure will be provided to them to join the Armed Forces and serve the nation. Rajasthan is a land of bravehearts like Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan, Maharaja Surajmal and Sawai Jai Singh. These heroes are a motivation to the younger generation to join the military. This new Sainik school will provide a direction to them to serve their motherland, he said.

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He stated that the PPP-model is generally considered as Public-Private-Partnership, but the collaboration is now moving away from its standard definition, and is now being seen as Private-Public-Partnership. The private sector is now in the drivers seat of the countrys economy, contributing significantly in agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors. Through these new Sainik schools, the private and public sectors will come together and provide the best education to our future generations, he added.

He underlined that Sainik schools not only impart academic knowledge, but also inculcate the values of discipline, patriotism and courage. The all-round development of the personality of students inspires them to take the nation forward, he added.

He said the students of Sainik Schools can choose any career and not the Army alone and serve the nation in their own way. He urged the students to never give up and continue working hard to achieve their desired goals.

The 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode are apart from the existing 33 Sainik Schools already functioning under the erstwhile pattern. These new schools, besides their affiliation to respective education boards, will function under the aegis of Sainik Schools Society and follow its Rules and Regulations. In addition to their regular affiliated board curriculum, they will impart education of Academic Plus Curriculum to the students of Sainik School pattern.
Calling for strong measures to desist Sri Lanka from indiscriminately arresting fishermen and impounding their boats, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday urged the Union Government to be proactive in protecting fishers from the state.

In a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, he expressed anguish at the recent arrest of 37 fishermen and seizure of their boats and nets. Even as the Chief Minister dashed off a missive, the island navy has arrested five more fishermen and impounded their vessel.

With the arrest of fishermen becoming a routine and creating a political furore, this is a second letter from Stalin within a month. The 37 fishermen, from the coastal Poompuhar, were arrested on September 21for fishing in Sri Lankan waters while five others were arrested from Kanniyakumari, the reports said.

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Stalin, in his letter, has requested the Union Government to secure the release of the fishermen and their vessels at the earliest. While Colombo has been releasing the fishermen after a couple of months of incarceration, the boats are not and are left to rot.

As I have been pointing out, such instances of arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen while fishing in their traditional fishing waters have been on the rise. Besides this, the Sri Lankan courts are levying penalties beyond these fishermens means. Strong steps must be taken to prevent the Sri Lankan authorities from apprehending fishermen and their boats, he said in his letter.

Recently, a Sri Lankan lower court had imposed Rs 10 crore as penalty on 45 fishermen from Thoothukudi and Rameswaram on the charge of illegally engaging in fishing in the island nations territorial waters. Further, reports said that some of the arrested fishermen lodged in prison have been tonsured.

Meanwhile, fishermen from Mayiladuthurai have expressed serious concern over the fishermen of mechanised vessels using the purse seine nets. Those arrested from Poompuhar were found to be using the nets for bottom trawling, detrimental marine resources and the livelihood of the fishing community. They have been protesting against a section of their community using the purse seine nets in violation of the rules. They have been demanding a blanket ban on it.
In a tragic incident, three persons including a Class 7 student were electrocuted to death when they inadvertently stepped onto an illegal electric fence erected to prevent wild boars from entering into the farmlands.

The incident occurred in Perumpattu village at the foothills of Yelagiri hills near Jolarpet town in Tamil Nadus Tirupathur district on Sunday.

Police said the deceased persons were identified as K. Singaram (45), an ayurveda practitioner, his son S. Lokesh (15) and S. Karipriyan (65) who is a farm help of Singaram.

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A country-made weapon, explosives, torch lights and nets were also recovered from the spot.

Singaram and his son Lokesh belong to Mookkannoor village near Jolarpettai town whereas Karipriyan belongs to Perumapattu village in Yelagiri Hills.

Police after a preliminary inquiry revealed that Singaram, his son Lokesh and Karipriyan ventured into reserve forests in the hills to hunt small wild animals like rabbits and spotted deer in the early hours on Sunday.

They were returning from the reserve forest to the farmland in Perumapattu village when they accidentally stepped onto the illegal electrical fence.

Police also found that the farmland where the incident occurred belongs to K. Murugan who has signed a lease agreement and given the farmland to another farmer S. Nidhi.

Police said that Nidhi has been cultivating cereals in the three-acre plot for more than a year.

It may be noted that as the village is located in the foothills of the reserve forest, the farmer has erected illegal electric fencing around the plot to prevent wild animals from destroying the crops.

Karusalipettu Police reached the spot after they were alerted by the villages headman and the bodies were sent to the Government Taluk Hospital in Tirupattur town for post-mortem.

Police have registered a case and an investigation is underway.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday ordered a probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the alleged presence of animal fat in ghee used for making Tirupati laddus when YSR Congress Party was in power.

He told a press conference that the SIT will be headed by an Inspector General (IG) or a higher official.

Stating that action would be taken against the guilty based on the SIT report, he vowed to purify Tirumala and restore its glory.

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Naidu said due to suspicion over the quality of ghee being used for making laddu prasadam, samples from four tankers were sent to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for analysis. He claimed that lab reports revealed the presence of pork and beef fat.

The Chief Minister said Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Executive Officer Shyamala Rao issued notices to concerned organisations and blacklisted them. A committee of experts was constituted for subsequent action and fresh tenders were called.

Naidu remarked that former chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy defended the wrong in the letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The letter is full of lies. Tirumala does not have a system to conduct full-fledged tests to check adulteration, he said.

He alleged that in the name of reverse tendering, Jagan did not even spare Tirumala. He changed the rules to give tenders to his own people for commissions, he said and claimed that even those who could not produce ghee participated in the bidding.

The TDP chief alleged that Jagan used Tirumala for political advantages and appointed those who did not believe in Lord Venkateswara as TTD chairman. TTD board was turned into a political rehabilitation centre. Tirmala was desecrated in every way, he said.

Recalling that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam signed affidavits while visiting Tirumala that they were believers of Lord Venkateswara, the TDP chief asked Jagan Mohan Reddy why he did not sign an affidavit.

The Chief Minister launched a counterattack on YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders Y. S. Subba Reddy and Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, who served as chairmen of TTD during the YSRCP rule. Naidu claimed that Subba Reddys wife goes around with a Bible in her hand while Karunakar Reddy performs the marriage of his daughter as per Christian traditions.

Referring to the 2003 claymore mine attack on him by Maoists near Tirumala, Naidu claimed that Lord Venkateswara gave him a new life. He also claimed that he got another term as the chief minister for the purification of Tirumala.

The Chief Minister said no ruler in the past dared to tarnish the sanctity of Tirumala. He said when Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy said Tirumala has only two hills, he fought against him.

Naidu claimed that immediately after taking oath as the chief minister, he started purification at Tirumala by appointing Shyamala Rao as the TTD chairman. He revealed that as part of purification, a yagam was held at Tirumala on August 15. Agama Advisory Council of TTD has decided to conduct Shanti Homam. Shanti Homam and Panchagravya Prokshana will be conducted on Monday.
Responding to the controversy surrounding adulteration in the prasadam from the Tirupati Balaji temple, Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Sunday said, Action should definitely be taken. He assertively said that those responsible for this issue must face consequences.

The adulteration in prasadam has sparked public outrage, with saints and religious leaders continuously protesting and demanding a thorough investigation. They insist that strict action should be taken against anyone found guilty.

Devotees visiting the Tirupati Balaji temple on Sunday expressed their concerns, noting that they learnt about the issue regarding the laddu prasadam through media reports. They hope the matter will be resolved quickly, wishing for the blessings of Balaji to remain with everyone. One devotee remarked that if the allegations of adulteration are true, it is very disappointing and undermines the faith of millions of visitors.

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In response to the laddu controversy, the Ujjain Mahakal Temple shared how their prasadam is prepared, stating that only chana daal are used for the laddu offering, and they do not use market-bought gram flour. The prasadam is made with semolina, cashews, raisins, and powdered sugar, using pure ghee authorised by the Madhya Pradesh government.

On Saturday, Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya gave an angry reaction to the whole episode, saying it is shameful if people tamper with Sanatan Dharma. He expressed his own unease, stating he had consumed prasadam from Tirupati and is now uncertain about its quality. He believes those responsible for this incident should be punished.

Amid all the controversy surrounding the alleged use of animal fat in prasadam served at the Tirumala temple in Andhras Tirupati district, Karnataka Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced on Friday that all prasada offered at major temples in the state will be tested.

However, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy dismissed the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)s charges of the presence of animal fats and fish oil in laddus prepared at the famous Tirupati temple. He stated that no violation happened under his government and that the entire controversy was unwarranted.
Prime Minister Modi discussed the outcome of his visits to Kyiv and Moscow with President Biden when they met over the weekend in Wilmington, Delaware on the sidelines of the Quad summit. He would have highlighted differences in perception of both sides on a possible solution to the conflict. It is not just the US which is interested in India being involved in stopping the war and negotiating peace but even the participants. After his address to the Russian Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in early Sept, Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked which countries could potentially offer to negotiate between Moscow and Kyiv. He responded without hesitation, China, Brazil, India.

It is believed that Putin has given his pre-conditions for negotiations to PM Modi. The Ukrainian perspective was shared with him when the Indian NSA met him. PM Modi would be holding a summit with Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS+ conclave next month in Russia. He could discuss options offered by the US. The Italian PM, Giorgia Meloni, also recently mentioned, China and India have a role to play in resolving the conflict. The Ukrainian Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, mentioned in an interview in Delhi, that in case India seeks a permanent seat in the UNSC it should negotiate between the two sides. Ukrainian president Zelenskky is hoping India will host the next peace summit around November this year.

India is hesitating as without the presence of Russia, a peace summit has little value. Russia has refused to participate in any peace summit aware that nothing would be achieved. India on its part has been mentioning that both sides have to negotiate. As External Affairs minister Jaishankar mentioned, If they want advice, we are always willing to give it. PM Modi is the only global leader who has visited and been heard in both Moscow and Kyiv. He has refused to bend to Western demands of stopping oil procurements from Russia while providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. India has also refused to be cowed down by Western pressures.

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A recent example has been India turning down the US request to ban and block the Russian state media network RT, formerly known as Russia Today. The Indian government mentioned that the matter does not pertain to it while insisting that New Delhi does not adhere to unilateral sanctions, not approved by the UN. India, on its part, has cautioned Russian media networks, RT and Sputnik, for falsely citing Bangladesh as an example of a US regime change operation, a report which garnered immense discussion within India. It had also pulled them up for falsely mentioning Indian intelligence concerns on US diplomatic staff meeting opposition leaders. Evidently, Russian media has been working to distance India from the US. In fact, India is being requested to negotiate in other global trouble spots too. The Israeli Ambassador to New Delhi, Reuven Azar, mentioned in a recent interview that it is up to India to decide the extent to which it wants to be involved in resolving the Gaza war. He stated, There is an increasing role of India in West Asia in general, because India can bring a lot to the stability and prosperity in our region.

India has always been a proponent of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. The Palestinian PM, Muhammad Mustafa, congratulating PM Modi on his re-election wrote, as a global leader and a nation that values human rights and peace, India holds a significant role in bringing an end to the genocide in Gaza. It is imperative for India to utilize all diplomatic channels to call for an immediate ceasefire. The Palestinian ambassador to India reiterated this in a media interaction. PM Modi in his telephonic conversations with the Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, in August urged for de-escalation as also for implementing a ceasefire.

The latest request for Indian participation in resolving ongoing conflicts flowed from Elisabeth Braw, a Senior Associate Fellow, European Leadership Network and a columnist with Politico Europe and Foreign Policy. Writing on the Red Sea crisis where Yemen based Houthis are targeting global shipping, she mentions that the war impacts India as it has over 113,000 individuals in global shipping companies. She writes, PM Modi is a man keen on conducting foreign policy independent of global alliances. She adds that Indias growing economic power lends weight to Modis foreign policy, and makes him perfectly positioned to read the Houthis the riot act. She ends by mentioning, If you can help stop the attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, the whole world will be grateful. Why is India a nation that the world looks up to for resolving global crises? The reasons are that India has always stood for peace and dialogue.

Its foreign policy has been sans influence from major powers, despite its alliances, and has displayed over the years that it will not be cowed down. It has always been the first to support nations facing crisis and humanitarian suffering, which is evident when nations face natural calamities as also during Covid, when Indian manufactured vaccines were distributed globally. Indias voice is globally respected. When India speaks, it is not for itself but its voice represents billions from the Global South, who are indirectly impacted by wars being fought in distant lands. Their concerns are equally important; however, they lack a platform, which India provides.

At the same time, most global conflicts are complicated, involving more than just the warring nations. There are nations that treat those involved in the conflict as proxies keeping their own national interests foremost in mind. Conflicts are also beneficial for global defence suppliers, who fund political parties, as also a testing ground for new equipment and operational concepts. Hence, dialogue will invariably also involve those supporting the conflict from the background. This makes the process slow and tedious. Ultimately, while great powers and leaders exploit the conflict for their own advantage, it is innocents who suffer. It is this suffering which India seeks to end. Resolution to conflicts between conflicting states is slow and tedious. However, the first step is imposing a ceasefire. It is this that India would seek, but for this it would need backing of multiple nations, which is not easy, given their own interests.

(The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Global Fund projects are being successfully implemented in Azerbaijan, Health Minister Teymur Musayev said at a meeting with the Global Fund Portfolio Manager Olga Avdeeva, Trend reports.

Welcoming the guests, Musayev highlighted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with the Global Fund. According to the minister, regular meetings of the Ministry of Health with the Global Fund missions contribute to strengthening cooperation.

The minister added that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has been actively involved in promoting tuberculosis control activities in our country since 2005.

"Since 2005, the Global Fund has actively contributed to tuberculosis control efforts in Azerbaijan. Currently, projects funded by the Global Fund are making a vital impact in the fight against tuberculosis," he said.

The minister also reminded attendees that in March of the previous year, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified Azerbaijan as a malaria-free country. He attributed this success to the comprehensive support from partners, with the WHO playing a leading role.

In conclusion, Teymur Musayev expressed confidence in the further successful development of cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan and the Global Fund.

In turn, the portfolio manager of the Global Fund praised the certification of Azerbaijan as a country "free from malaria". According to her, this achievement was credited to the dedication of healthcare workers and effective prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.

The meeting also addressed the current state of collaboration and potential avenues for future development.
The death toll from a blast at a coal mine in the eastern Iranian province of South Khorasan has risen to 51, media reports said.

The number of those wounded in the explosion has reached 20, Tasnim quoted Mohammad-Ali Akhoundi, director general of the provincial crisis management headquarters, as saying.

He added the blast, which occurred at the mine belonging to the Madanjoo Company in Tabas County at about 21:00 local time on Saturday, was due to a rise in the amount of methane gas in one of the tunnels, noting that the casualty count could rise, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

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The injured have been transferred to medical centres, according to Tasnim.

The provincial authorities have declared three days of mourning in South Khorasan, according to the official news agency IRNA.

Earlier on Sunday, Akhoundi said 40 equipped teams were providing rescue services, putting the number of the rescuers at 100. Two ambulance buses and 13 ambulances were present, Xinhua news agency reported quoting IRNA.

In a phone call, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni ordered South Khorasans Governor Javad Ghenaat to mobilise all provincial facilities and resources to accelerate rescue and relief operations, IRNA reported.

Elias Hazrati, head of the Iranian governments Information Council, said President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a special directive to handle the incident, ordering relevant ministers to take necessary measures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (local time) highlighted the unbreakable bond between India and its people, no matter where they are in the world and the key role the Indian diaspora plays in the relationship between India and the US.

Addressing the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York, Long Island at Modi&US Event, he said, You have connected India with America and America with India. Your skill, talent, and commitment are unmatched. Despite being overseas, no ocean can separate you from India.

PM Modi said that he has always understood the potential and capabilities of the Indian diaspora, and for him, they have been strong brand ambassadors of India and he calls them Rahstradoot.

Now Apna Namaste has also become multinational. It has gone from local to global and you have done all this. Every Indian who keeps India in his heart has done this, PM Modi added.

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He also praised the Indian community for keeping up the tradition of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam that means the world is one family.

While being PM, I have received immense love and affection from you. Wherever we go, we treat everyone as family and mingle with them. Understanding diversity, living it, implementing it in our lives it is in our values. Someone speaks Tamil someone Telugu, someone Malayalam, someone Kannada someone Punjabi, someone Marathi, someone Gujarati There are many languages, but the feeling is one and that feeling is  Indianness, said PM Modi.

Praising the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister recounted his old days and how interested he was to connect with them.

Your love is my great fortune. I remember those days when I was not even the PM, not even the CM and not even a leader. At that time I used to come here as a curiosity. Even before I was not holding any post, I had visited about 29 states of America. After that, when I became CM, the process of connecting with you through technology continued, said PM Modi.

Speaking on the diversity of India, PM Modi said, We are residents of a country where there are hundreds of languages and dialects, all the religions and sects of the world. Still, we are moving ahead united and noble. This is our biggest strength to connect with the world. These values naturally bind us to the world.

PM Modi also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to United States President Joe Biden for his warm hospitality during a visit to his home in Delaware, stating that it touched my heart.

I salute you all, the Indian diaspora. Wherever I go in the world, I hear praise for the Indian community from every leader. Yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware, and his warmth and hospitality touched my heart. This honour belongs to 1.4 billion Indians, its your honour, your achievement, and the honour of the millions of Indians living here. I express my gratitude to President Biden and to all of you, said PM Modi.

Further, PM Modi also spoke on Indias general elections held earlier this year and stated that the recent elections in India were the largest in human history.

This 2024 is crucial for the entire world. On one hand, there is conflict and tension among some countries. In some countries, however, there is a celebration of democracy. India and America are together in this celebration of democracy. In America, elections will be held, and in India, elections have concluded. These elections in India were the biggest election in human history so far! In India, people twice the population of America cast their vote, said PM Modi.

The diaspora crowd gave a standing ovation to PM Modi, as he entered the event venue, and took the stage. Talented artists from the Indian community took the stage, setting the perfect tone for PM Modis imminent address to the Indian diaspora in the US.

PM Modis address at the Modi and US programme is a historic event that unfolded at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, as 15,000 members of the Indian diaspora gathered from 42 different states to welcome the Prime Minister.

Artists from different groups had been preparing since days to showcase traditional music for the big show once the PMs arrival.

An amazing spectacle at the Nassau Coliseum! PM@narendramodi addressed the Indian community in US. PM received a warm and magnificent welcome by the Indian diaspora in the US. PM highlighted Indias resolve to become VIKSIT BHARAT, a developed country by 2047, and the invaluable role the Indian diaspora plays in cementing our bilateral ties with the US, posted Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

PM Modi will chair key bilateral meetings in New York and attend a CEO Roundtable in addition later today. He will also address the Summit of the Future on September 23.


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KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, September 23. A new academic year has officially begun, a development that brings pride, Azerbaijan's Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev told Trend on the first day of school at school No. 4 in Khankendi.

He noted that schools in Shusha and Khojaly had opened a week prior, and today marks the start of the academic year at Garabagh University and School No. 4 in Khankendi.

Tonight, we will also inaugurate the Turkish-Azerbaijani University.

We aim for Garabagh University to become one of the leading institutions in science and education. All of this progress has been made in a very short time. Over 500 children are currently enrolled in schools in Khankendi, and I am confident this number will grow in the coming weeks. I believe a second school will also be opened here, depending on student enrollment.

There are plans to open a medical faculty at Garabagh University. There are also plans to build a research hospital here. If everything goes according to plan, we will see first-year students of medical universities next year," the minister added.

To note, a total of 1,104 students were admitted to Garabagh University in the 2024/25 academic year, and the admission plan was 98.5 percent filled. Of the students admitted to the university, 101 scored more than 600 points and 385 scored more than 500 points. The highest result was recorded in the specialty jurisprudence (683.8 points). One applicant, who became the winner of the Olympiad, was admitted to the specialty engineering in the field of electrical and electronic engineering of the University out of competition. In general, the average score of admission to Garabagh University for I-IV groups of specialties amounted to 467.6. In addition, in the first academic year, SABAH groups were organized at Garabagh University in the specialties of law, teaching of foreign languages (English), finance, and accounting.
Shares of struggling telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) have been in the spotlight over the last few days. Last week in a major setback to telecom operators, especially Vi, the Supreme Court of India rejected curative petitions filed by them related to their AGR dues. Following the ruling, shares of Vi had crashed to a 52-week low of Rs 9.79 on Friday, September 20. On Monday, the stock jumped over 11 per cent, eventually closing up 3.3 per cent at Rs 10.83 as investors gave a thumbs up to its announcement on Sunday that it had awarded Rs 30,000 worth of contracts for network equipment.

Ravinder Takkar, the company's chairman said on Monday that the teleco had been in talks with the government even before the Supreme Court's last week judgement related to the AGR matter.

"We have been engaging with various senior government officials. All the engagements have been...a very clear view from every side that the merits of our case on the AGR with regards to the calculation errors and mistakes are quite strong and correct and while there was a hope that the court will obviously consider the petition, the fact that the court has not done so means that the action and responsibility in some ways falls squarely on the government," said Takkar.

He added that the government had asked the company to put together a comprehensive view of what it believes would be the right mechanism and request that it can make for addressing the challenge.

"There is a very clear understanding that the government should not be fair to ask us to pay for something, which is a calculation error. We are in the process of putting together those requests," Takkar informed analysts in a call on Monday.

The government currently holds 23.1 per cent stake in the ailing telecom company.

A major concern for Vi has been around the huge dues it has. Over the past year till June, the company's debt from banks and financial institutions reduced by Rs 4,550 crore. However, payment obligations to the government stood at Rs 2.09 lakh crore at the end of June, including deferred spectrum obligations and AGR liability.

Company officials said on Monday that while the Supreme Court verdict was disappointing, it would not affect Vi's long-term business plan.

"While a positive outcome would have no doubt eased the overall liability and enabled faster deleveraging, we would like to reassure that our long-term business plan and revival strategy remains unaffected. In fact, our long-term business plan, which has been shared with the banks and on the basis of which the techno-economic evaluation has been done, has been constructed without considering any potential benefit in the AGR matter," said Vi's CEO Akshaya Moondra.

Vi's three-year capital expenditure plan is of a sizeable Rs 55,000 crore. The capex will be towards expanding the 4G coverage, launching 5G in key markets and capacity expansion in line with data growth.

The telecom operator needs massive investments in its network, given that it lags its larger rivals Reliance Jio as well as Bharti Airtel, not just in 5G, which it is yet to launch, but even 4G coverage. Vi had been in discussions with equipment suppliers for some time, and closing the deal now is a hugely positive step in the right direction.

Another problem Vi faces is a drop in subscribers. For a long time now, the company has been losing customers month after month, a key reason being the network constraints. In the April-June quarter, for instance, the company's user base had declined by 2.5 million to 210.1 million.

Notably, all the three private playersJio, Airtel and Vi lost subscribers in July 2024, according to data published by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). All the three had raised tariffs earlier. This was the first tariff hike in more than two years, and analysts say more hikes will be needed for improving health of the sector.

But, many customers unhappy with the tariff hike, quickly ported out to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) in July. The state-owned company was the only one not to have raised prices and it was the only player gaining subscribers that month.

Vi raised Rs 24,000 crore earlier this year, which included a follow-on share sale and preferential issue to promoters. It also issued shares to equipment suppliers Nokia and Ericsson to partially settle outstanding dues.

Separately, the company has also been in talks with lenders to raise additional funds. It seeks to raise Rs 25,000 crore in term loans and another Rs 10,000 crore in non-fund based loans. Moondra is hopeful that it will be completed in the next 7-8 weeks. The banks had recently completed the techno-economic evaluation of the company.

He is also hopeful that once its investment in the network happen, the subscriber churn it has seen should also reduce.

"Once we make the investment, we will be able to arrest the churn so that instead of losing subscribers, we can start participating in the growth of the industry. I would say, once our supplies start coming end of next quarter and then some amount of the rollout is happening and it gives momentum in Q4 (January-March quarter) of the financial year, we should start seeing subscriber metrics improving from that time," said Moondra.

He further added that while it was difficult to say from when the subscriber numbers would start turning positive, he expects that towards the financial year end they will be in a position where the network rollout will be significant and the change in customer experience will also be significant.

The recently concluded fund raising by the company has ensured its medium-term sustainability, said Dayanand Mittal of JM Financial Institutional Securities.

"However, for the company to turn around into a sustainable telco, we believe it might need multiple significant tariff hikes that can boost ARPU (average revenue per user) to Rs 370 by FY27 (versus Rs 146 in Q1 FY25) so as to meet the annual Rs 43,000 crore payment obligation to government over FY27-31 (and Rs 29,100 crore payment in FY26); partial relief from government dues and ability to internally fund sharp sustainable jump in capex to Rs 10,000-15,000 crore per annum in the long term or 15-20 per cent of revenue (in line with 16-20 per cent of revenue assumed for Bharti Airtel and Jio)," he felt.

Vibhor Singhal of Nuvama Institutional Equities said that while the unfavourable Supreme Court judgement was a "big setback" to Vi, the sharp correction in the stock price post the judgement "more or less captured" the value of the incremental liability over and above what the street was expecting.

The focus would now shift to the company's progress on key operational parameters, including pace of subscriber loss, tariff hike impact and capex velocity, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a roundtable with the CEOs of leading American tech companies, where he discussed India's potential and investment possibilities for these companies back home.

The tech CEOs who attended the roundtable included Google CEO Pichai, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayena, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang. Others who participated in the meeting include AMD CEO Lisa Su, HP Inc. CEO Enrique Lores, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, Dr Noubar Afeyan, chairman of Moderna, and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg.



The meeting took place at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on Sunday during the second leg of Modi's three-day US visit.



The Prime Minister invited these companies to India and assured them a role in India's growth story. "They can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from India's economic and technological growth," the press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.



#WATCH | New York, USA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Roundtable meeting with prominent CEOs of Tech Companies.



PM Narendra Modi says, "In the last decade, India is moving forward with the mantra of reform, perform and transform...We will give importance to reform pic.twitter.com/48sPQODL6n  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024 #WATCH | New York, USA: After the roundtable meeting of prominent CEOs of Tech Companies with PM Narendra Modi, Google CEO Sundar Pichai says, "The PM has been focussed on transforming India. It is Digital India vision. He pushed us to continue making in India, designing in pic.twitter.com/kF2XwV5X2F  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Modi also stressed the collaboration of these companies with India in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, semiconductors and biotechnology.



With regard to semiconductor manufacturing, Modi reiterated India's commitment to the case, stating the aim was to make India a "global hub of semiconductor manufacturing". He also spoke about developing India into a biotech powerhouse and AI for all.



The CEOs hailed the strides India made in turning into a global technology hub and expressed interest in collaborating with India. They agreed that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in the country.
Its not sure which of its nine lives SpiceJet is on, but over the course of Monday, as its shares rocketed up in share value at Indias stock exchanges, what was clear was that promoter Ajay Singh has managed to get this proverbial flying cat survive yet another fall, and live to die another day.



The tale of SpiceJet is filled with the sort of twists and turns that could impress an OTT scriptwriter, or even inspire him to write the next potboiler. Since its launch in the mid-2000s, the low-cost airline has soared the skies, faced turbulence galore, had two ownership changes, multiple court cases (many still ongoing), a streak of luck that never seemed to ditch its side, and of course, a hand of god that always seems to help it out just when everyone thought all hope was lost.

So it was in the last few days, as the airline pulled back from a summer of misfortune  its coffers had run dry and sundry authorities ranging from Indias aviation regulator DGCA to foreign airports like Dubai and even the PF office (for not depositing employees PF with the authority for over two years) and taxman putting it on notice. When the Supreme Court refused to stay a high court order to ground three engines for not paying lessors, the story, already compounded with unpaid vendors and staff with salaries and perks pending, had seemed like a potent recipe for the final nose dive.

But trust Ajay Singh, close to the ruling dispensation, to pull another one out of his mystery hat. Selling shares through the QIP route, the airline raised about 3,000 crore rupees, leading to a stock rally, and more importantly, enough cash to tide over the existential crisis.

The strong response from investors and institutions is a testament to their faith in SpiceJets potential to rapidly scale and become a formidable player in Indias burgeoning aviation market. This fundraise marks a pivotal moment for SpiceJet as we look to scale new heights in the aviation industry, Singh said.

If Indias aviation scene is littered with the ones that soared high but then crashed and burned  remember the likes of Air Sahara, Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways, SpiceJet was a different story. Time and again, the airline faced existential crises, and time and again, it had come out by the skin of its teeth.

SpiceJets first brush with cataclysm was just a few years after its 2005 launch, when promoter Singh found the going tough. Marans of the Sun group, a formidable media group which was also interlinked with the then UPA government at the Centre, soon took control of the airline. However, the rise in oil prices in 2012 and beyond found the airline lurching into another round of financial chaos, with the Marans offloading the airline back to Singh by 2015.

Singh then went on an aggressive expansion plan, ordering new aircraft, snapping up old aircraft of Jet Airways as it went belly up and even rising to become the second biggest domestic airline behind Indigo, snapping up a market share of around 10 per cent around 2019.

However, two sudden whammies socked Singh into seeing buzzing bees  first was the Boeing 737 Max crashes of 2019 which grounded the aircraft type around the world  it was the mainstay of SpiceJets fleet, followed by Covid.

The long Covid winter saw the airline pivoting to cargo in a big way, but things were never the same. There were vendors and others knocking on the doors of the court, while the government regulator pulled up the airline for lapses time and again.

Time and again, Singh and SpiceJet have managed to survive, much like the cat with nine lives. Singh has a best-case-scenario blueprint in front of him, to use the fresh infusion of cash to pay up dues, get grounded aircraft (SpiceJet has as many as 36 planes grounded, by one estimate) running again and get new plane deliveries fast.

Beside luck, the one thing running in this flying cats favour  beside a benevolent government that seems fine in giving it a long rope, is the gung-ho global investors and experts have in the immediate future prospects of Indian aviation. With a massive, yet-to-be-fully tapped market and increasing passenger numbers, India's domestic aviation can only go up, up and away, by all calculations. All Singh and SpiceJet need to do is stay alive, and keep on trying. Even after the next fall.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Chinese Foreign Minister and Special Representative Wang Yi on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisers meeting in St. Petersburg on September 12, 2024.

While no concrete decisions were reached, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to finding an early resolution to the issues related to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and emphasised the importance of stabilising and improving India-China relations.

This meeting is particularly noteworthy, as it marks the first time since 2019 that the two special representatives have met, underscoring the urgent need for progress in bilateral discussions.

The two Asian giants have had a troubled relationship since Indias Independence primarily due to Tibet and the boundary dispute. Having fought a war in 1962, there was detente in the relations post 1990s albeit with a huge underlying distrust. The situation along the border, however, has deteriorated since the Doklam crisis of 2017, resulting in a major military standoff in Ladakh since 2021.

ALSO READ: India plays a crucial role in global world order, says CDS General Anil Chauhan

The talks between the military commanders at the highest level have not resulted in any improvement on the ground and both the armies have deployed for a long haul.

Despite the growing tension on the border, the trade between the countries has reached unprecedented levels wherein China has replaced the US as the biggest trading partner of India. In the $136 billion trade value, China enjoys a trade surplus of nearly $100 billion which has increased fourfold in the last decade.

Both nations recognise that this dichotomous relationship marked by rising economic ties and deteriorating diplomatic relations is unsustainable. The deep-rooted distrust and complex structural causes of conflict present significant challenges for the diplomats and political leaders of both countries.

READ MORE: China strengthening border infrastructure with new heliport just 20 km away from Arunachal Pradesh?

For relations to improve, China, as a larger and more influential nation, must take the initiative by adopting a problem-solving attitude and fostering meaningful dialogue. Rebuilding trust with India requires a significant shift in approach, which includes the following key elements.

Recognition of Indias global role

China should acknowledge India as a major global player with considerable influence, given its status as the most populous country, the largest democracy, and one of the fastest-growing economies. This acknowledgment should lead to a more pragmatic approach from Chinese policymakers.

Understand Indias stance

Chinese experts must grasp the current realities of Indias position. The 1998 nuclear tests, discussions related to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and recent developments in Doklam and Ladakh should signal to them that they are now engaging with a more determined and resilient India than they might have encountered in the past.

Reassess historical perspectives

Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai perceived the colonial legacy of India and the Indian National Congress as antagonistic to China, which led to their mistrust of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Unfortunately, this skepticism persists in the broader Chinese mindset. There remains a belief that India is acting as a proxy for Western powers against China. It is crucial to reassess and move beyond this outdated perspective and see India as a friend.

Understand Indian perspective on Tibet

Chinas forcible occupation of Tibet and the breach of its promised sovereignty are unjustifiable. However, China should move beyond its suspicion that India is undermining its interests in Tibet. India was among the first to recognize the People's Republic of China in 1949 without preconditions.

Moreover, India accepted China's occupation of Tibet and voluntarily relinquished the special rights it inherited from the British. The asylum granted to the Dalai Lama by India is a purely humanitarian act, demonstrating India's special historical relations with Tibet. Given this background, there is no reason to suspect that India would act against China's interests in Tibet.

Base claims on historical evidence

Chinas claims to Indian territory, including Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, lack historical basis. The most substantial discussions on the boundary dispute between the two nations occurred from June to December 1960. During these talks, numerous discrepancies were noted in the maps and documents provided by the Chinese side, which also changed their positions frequently. For these discussions to be productive, China must present authentic data and documentation rather than obscuring the issue.

Altering place names in Arunachal Pradesh will only exacerbate the already complex situation.

ALSO READ: Understanding 'Project 33', the US Navy's ambitious plan to outpace China by 2027

The responsibility for improving relations between the two countries primarily rests with China. To achieve this, China must demonstrate true statesmanship by shifting its attitude and perspective toward India, thereby earning the trust of the Indian public. A more constructive approach is essential, one that addresses contentious issues with honesty and transparency.

Both nations stand to gain significantly from enhanced diplomatic relations, which would foster greater stability and cooperation in the region.
Last week, British band Coldplay made an exciting addition to their record-breaking tour, Music of the Spheres, with an Asian leg that includes stops in Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Seoul.

The band will be in India on January 18, 19 and 21, 2025. It led to a mad rush for tickets among the fans.

Tickets for the Mumbai show went live on Sunday afternoon on BookMyShow, with an astounding 1.3 crore people waiting in a virtual queue system. On seeing the high demand, Coldplay announced a third show for January 21, which was also sold out within minutes.

However, fans were quick to notice that platforms like Viagogo, known for ticket resales, had acquired a huge percentage of tickets and were selling them at extremely high rates.

Tickets that were originally priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 35,000 were now being listed for amounts ranging from Rs 30,000 to over Rs 7 lakh.

Many were also individually selling tickets on social media at a resale value much higher than the originally listed price.

The price upsurge sparked outrage among fans, who took to social media to express their frustration, calling it cheating.

I still can't believe it, What happened with me!



It's Cheating



It was my turn, Ticket availability was around 30% each for 4 stands as soon as I selected, showed not available

This is literally heart break!#BookMyShow #Coldplayindia #Coldplay @Bookmyshow_live @bookmyshow_sup pic.twitter.com/3msechyOYm  Anirudh Garg (@anirudhgarg_) September 22, 2024

Many fans also tagged the band, telling them to cancel the Mumbai show.

WTF @bookmyshow WTF IS THIS!!! @coldplay cancel your show here in India. Your ticketing partners have internally given out tickets to blackmarket! #Coldplay #Coldplayindia pic.twitter.com/fjUvHxrYtH  Mayur Milan (at ?) (@mayormilan) September 22, 2024

Netizens urged BookMyShow to look into the issue, to which they replied with a warning, not to purchase tickets that were not sold on their website and to be vigilant of scams.
India has reported the first case of Mpox Clade 1 strain, which led the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare Mpox as a public health emergency last month.

The Mpox clade 1 strain has been reported from Malappuram district, Kerala. The 38-year-old man had returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to health authorities, the patient is stable and is currently under observation.

"This was the first case of the current strain that led to the World Health Organisation declaring Mpox a public health emergency last month for a second time," the official sources said.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George had already appealed to the public, especially those returning from abroad to watch out for the symptoms. She also urged the public to inform the health department and seek treatment at the earliest as well.

Earlier, a 26-year-old resident of Haryana's Hisar tested positive for the previous West African Clade 2 strain earlier this month.

Mpox clade 1b is a type of monkeypox which is currently endemic in Central Africa and can cause severe illness.

Over 30,000 suspected cases of Mpox have been reported from Africa this year so far, with most of them in the Democratic Republic of Congo where tests have run out.

According to the UN health body, more than 800 people died of suspected Mpox across the continent in that time. Congo's central African neighbour Burundi has also been hit by a growing outbreak, the organisation said.
All 33 crest gates of the Tungabhadra Dam need to be replaced as they have outlived their lifespan, said Kannaiah Naidu, a retired dam expert, who had saved the day for Karnataka and two other riparian states of Andhra and Telangana after one of the 33 crest gates of Tungabhadra dam in Koppal was washed away last month, causing a flood alarm.

Naidu (77), a national expert on hydraulic gate and handling equipment, rushed from Hyderabad to the dam site and worked tirelessly for five days with a team of experts to design, fabricate and install the new gate, in record time.



On Sunday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who offered 'bagina' to the dam on reaching its full capacity (103 tmc ft), felicitated Naidu and his team.



Naidu, who spoke to THE WEEK, said he cautioned the government to replace all the crest gates as they are already 70 years old and have outlived their lifespan.



According to the Government of India gazette, the total life of a concrete dam is 100 years and the equipment (including the gates) is 45 years. Since Tungabhadra was commissioned in 1954, almost 70 years, it is time all its gates are replaced, said Naidu.



"Once the dam gates complete 2.5 million cycles, they fail. All 33 gates need to be replaced and it may cost around Rs 250 crore. The new design will have vertical gates with higher density and will be stronger than the existing gates," said Naidu, adding that the country had many ageing dams and the state governments should give priority to dam safety.

Recalling the Morbi (Machchu dam) disaster in Gujarat (in 1979) when 2,000 lives were lost, Naidu said the Dam Safety Act was enacted only in 2021 in response to the disasters related to dam failure due to inadequate maintenance and surveillance.

In India which has around 6,000 large dams, states are required to classify dams based on the level of hazard they pose, and are to regularly inspect dams, create emergency action plans and flood warning systems.

"Now, regular inspections are being carried out in India though not all states have foolproof systems of surveillance. The Centre has realised the importance of dam management and if dams are not managed well, by 2030, there could be a scarcity of drinking water. So, the centre has roped in experienced dam experts to assess the risk and take corrective measures. But the state governments have to take it seriously and provide funds to carry out the replacement of the gates and overall maintenance," said Naidu, who has commissioned 170 dams across the country and extended technical know-how to 500 dams, since his retirement in 2002.



With dam safety concerning all three state governments, they must take a call on TB dam unanimously. "We have replaced the gates in some of the dams already. In 2002, I replaced the Prakasam barrage gates. The Gujarat government has made a rule that all the dam gates will be replaced on competition of 45 years. The dam gates at the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mysuru were also replaced as they had completed 75 years. We stopped the storage of water and carried out the replacement work. I am conversant with all the dams  from Trivandrum to Kargil. Even after retirement, I am controlling the dams in Gujarat and many southern states. I do this as a service to the farmers," added Naidu.



Earlier, Naidu shared his experience of replacing the broken gate at the TB dam, which was crucial to avoid a drought-like situation. On August 10, the gate had crashed and the excessive outflow of water threatened to empty out the dam causing another drought year in the river basin.



"I got a call from the chief minister asking me to help save the farmers who had already completed sowing. The CM also told me we might not have enough rice to eat if we dont act fast," recalled Naidu.



Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar at Tungabhadra Dam after it was filled for the second time | PTI

The TB had stored 105 tmc of water as all the dams on the Tungabhadra river - from TB Dam in Koppal in Karnataka to Prakasam barrage in Vijayawada (Andhra) - had received good rains. When the 19th crest gate (chain link) snapped and was washed away, the initial plan was to empty out 65 tmc ft of water from the dam and retain only 40 tmc ft to install the new gate. But, the deputy commissioners of Koppal (Karnataka) and Anantapur (Andhra) districts were apprehensive as they felt it could not meet the drinking water needs of the two districts. Farmers had sown across 26 lakh acres of land.



"The TB dam is managed by three governments  Karnataka, Andhra and Telangana and is administered by the Centre. So, the Karnataka chief minister, finance and irrigation minister of Andhra visited the site and a joint action plan was prepared. As we wanted to store at least 75 tmc ft of water in the dam, we decided to drop the stoplog elements in the flowing water of 12 ft depth. At the emergency (virtual) meeting chaired by the chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC) and chairman of Tungabhadra Board, it was decided to issue the work order under my guidance. Around 150 workmen worked for three days continuously to fabricate three elements of the stoplog gate at the Jindal plant and two more elements were fabricated at Hindusthan company and Narayana engineering companies," explained Naidu.

The challenge was the design. "We designed the gate based on the main gate groove and by matching the stop log. If we hadnt acted swiftly no water would have been left in the dam. It would have taken three months to install the gates. Now, the broken gate has been replaced with a new gate. But this gate cannot be operated as it is a temporary one used only to stop water from flowing out. The flood control should be done using the other 32 gates," said Naidu, adding that there were several other hurdles too.



The installation posed a major challenge. The vent width was 60 ft, gate length was 60.5 ft, groove width was 64 ft. The team could not afford to let the elements collide with the stone walls of the old dam and invite another disaster. Initially the Centre did not give permission to remove the horse bridge. We had to convince them that such efforts had been made at the Narayanapura dam in Karnataka, Singur dam in Andhra and Tehri dam in Uttarakhand. And they agreed," recalled Naidu.



On August 15 morning, the horse bridges were removed and the following day, they lowered the three elements of the stop log gate and plugged the flow of water. People rejoiced at the sight as precious water was finally saved from going to waste. On August 17, they handed over the project to the authorities. Farmers came in with sweets and there was jubilation as we could save water hopefully to harvest two crops this year.



At 77, Naidu worked tirelessly for five days without a break. He says the operation was one of its kind as it was a major challenge but accomplished in record time. The police had imposed Section 144 around the dam site as farmers and people were anxious and agitated over losing water stored in the dam through the broken gate.



"I was standing throughout the operation and it took a toll on my health, which was already delicate. Everyone wanted to felicitate me. But I quietly came back to the Jindal plant taking the outer ring road, trying to avoid the villages, which were in a celebratory mood. I took a flight to Hyderabad," said Naidu, a native of Andhra Pradesh.



Born into a farming family in Dasarapalli village in Chittoor district, Andhra, Naidu did his mechanical engineering from Venkateshwara college in Tirupati. He joined Madras State Company and trained in dam design for five years under Srirangachari Thiruvalla Iyengar. His mentor told him to apply for a job at Tungabhadra Steels. Having joined Tungabhadra Steels on January 16, 1976, and in March 2002 he took voluntary retirement but continued to stay at Hospet till 2005. During his career, he designed and built crest gates, sluice gates, power generation gates and canal water regulator gates, which helped him get close to the farmers in the Tungabhadra basin.


The controversy surrounding accounting giants Ernst & Young (EY) refuses to die down even days after the letter written by its late employee Anna Sebastian Perayil's mother went viral on the internet. In the latest development, a LinkedIn post has surfaced claiming that EY's senior officials have threatened its employees with consequences if found engaging in social media conversations surrounding Anna Perayil's passing.

ALSO READ | EY executive Anna Sebastian contacted HR wing for help, manager glorified toxicity: Friend recollects last call hours before her passing

A 26-year-old chartered accountant working in Ernst & Young's Pune office, Kochi-native Anna passed away allegedly due to work stress. A letter written by her mother Anita Augustine to EY chairperson Rajiv Memani, detailing the work culture in the office, had exposed the work pressure prevalent in the organisation.

After the letter garnered the attention of the public as well as the government, Rajiv Memani expressed regret that nobody from the company attended Anna's funeral of Sebastian Perayil. "I have conveyed my deepest condolences to the family, although nothing can fill the void in their lives. I truly regret the fact that we missed being present at Annas funeral. This is completely alien to our culture. It has never happened before; it will never happen again," Memani had said.

ALSO READ | EY staff Anna's death: Nirmala Sitharaman slammed for 'victim blaming' after saying youngsters should learn to manage stress

Meanwhile on September 22, Sunday, another LinkedIn post made news claiming that EY employees were threatened with "serious action" for participating in conversations about Anna Perayil. The post was from one Nikhil Karla, who claimed to be an activist and business consultant. He shared the screenshots of his conversation with an EY employee who alleged "bulliyng" by her seniors over her social media activity in the light of recent developments. The person was forced to delete her comments due to pressure from her senior collegaues.

Full transcript of the screenshot released by Nikhil Karla:

Hi Nikhil,



I wanted to tell something, just keep my identity - name, department hidden

I commented on a post of someone regarding Anna and I did not tell anything about EY but still I am bullied by a Seniors of my firm that ho can I comment so I had to delete.

Then next day we had a call and are told to not do any comment post or anything. And people who has done this will face serious action. Then I got call from a partner saying how can I do and should take care or serious action can be taken

Nikhil had blurred the name of the handle from which the message was shared so that the person's identity remained undisclosed.

When Rajiv Memani had reacted to Anna's passing on LinkedIn, a woman, who was associated with the South Africa chapter of EY also made a concerning comment. She claimed that she was targeted by the company for raising her voice against workplace discrimination and toxicity. Nazeera Kasi, a Chartered Accountant with the South Africa chapter of EY, claimed that she was facing repercussions after she used the company's ethics hotline to report mental health abuses committed by the management.

Anna Sebastian Perayil's demise: The controversy

The letter written by Anna's mother Anita Augustine to EY chairperson Rajiv Memani, detailing the work culture in the office, exposed the work pressure prevalent in the organisation. The letter sparked a debate online about work-life balance, with many netizens, mostly ex-employees, calling out EY.

ALSO READ | EY India chairman Rajiv Memani reacts to Anna Sebastian Perayil's colleagues skipping her funeral, says...

Anita ended the letter by saying that she read the EY's human rights statement, which bears the signature of the chairman. I cannot reconcile with the values expressed in the statement... How can EY begin to truly live by the values it professes? she asks.

Anna's death should serve as a wake-up call for EY. It is time to reflect on the work culture within your organization and take meaningful steps to prioritize the health and wellness of your employees.

In another letter, a person claiming to be Anna's colleague confirmed what Anita wrote in the letter about the manager. The employee said the manager bought IPL final tickets and showed it off on Insta.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sparked critcism after making shocking remarks following the death of a CA professional working at Ernst & Young.



Anna Sebastian Perayil, 26, died in July after working at EY's Pune office for four months. She had passed her Chartered Accountancy exams in 2023.

Speaking at an event in a Chennai medical college, Sitharaman said, "Our children go to colleges and universities for education and come out in flying colours. A company, without mentioning its name, its a partnership. There, a woman who had studied CA well, unable to cope with the work pressure, two-three days ago we received a news--she died unable to cope up with the pressure."

She said institutions should not only impart good education and ensure jobs to students, they should also teach certain thing that are taught in the family. "What should families teach? Whatever you study and the job you do, you should have the inner strength to handle that pressure and this can be achieved through divinity only," she said.

"Believe in God, we need to have God's grace. Seek God, learn good discipline. Your self-strength will grow only from this," the FM added.

Sitharaman's remarks have sparked criticism from various corners, including the opposition. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal lashed out at the minister, saying the Centre can only see the pain of corporate giants like Adani and Ambani and not the pain of the hardworking young generation. He added that freshers like Anna are exploited by the greedy corporate system even if they manage to land a job in this era of unemployment.

He posted on X that it is "downright cruel" on the minister's part to blame Anna and her family for suggesting that she should have learnt stress management at home. "This kind of victim blaming is despicable and no words can convey the anger and disgust one feels because of such statements." he added.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP, took to X, saying, "Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji, Anna had inner strength to handle the stress that came with pursuing a gruelling Chartered Accountancy degree. It was the toxic work culture, long work hours that took away her life which needs to be addressed." She asked the minister to stop victim shaming and to be sensitive "I am sure god will be the guide if you seek," she added.

Replying to Chaturvedi, Sitharaman clarified that she had "specifically mentioned that after clearing a demanding and rigorous examination such as CA, the stress on her was unbearable." She added that no names were taken, neither of the lady nor of the firm.

Sitharaman added that the Chennai institution where she was speaking had set up a Meditation Hall and a place of worship for all its students and faculty. "It is in this context that I spoke on how it is necessary to build inner strength for students. With a sense of grief over the tragic loss, I highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children, and in no way victim shaming was done nor intended, even remotely."

She added that the Union Labour Ministry has already assured a thorough investigation into the allegations of an exploitative work environment related to the tragic demise.
Khankendi, Azerbaijan, September 23. We have a motivation from President Ilham Aliyev's specific attention to Garabagh University, student of Garabagh University Narmin Maharramzadeh told Trend.

The University of Garabagh is of particular importance to President Ilham Aliyev. We are also encouraged and given incentives by this. With 573 points, I was admitted to Garabagh University's English Language Teaching Department. Earlier today, we had our first day of study. For students, the university has provided everything. We will be better prepared for future positions as a result of all this, she said.

To note, in the 2024/25 academic year, Garabagh University admitted a total of 1,104 students, achieving 98.5 percent of its admission plan. Among the students admitted to the university, 101 achieved scores exceeding 600 points, while 385 achieved scores beyond 500 points.. The highest result was recorded in the specialty jurisprudence (683.8 points). One applicant, who became the winner of the Olympiad, was admitted to the specialty engineering in the field of electrical and electronic engineering of the University out of competition. In general, the average score of admission to Garabagh University for I-IV groups of specialties amounted to 467.6. In addition, in the first academic year, SABAH groups were organized at Garabagh University in the specialties of "law," teaching of foreign languages (English), finance, and accounting.
Taking a swipe at the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Monday that Jammu and Kashmir has not only been downgraded to a Union Territory but is also being ruled by outsiders.

Addressing a huge rally in support of JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra at Central Shalteng constituency in Srinagar, Gandhi referred to J&K's Lieutenant Governor as a Raja who is working against the wishes of the people here. He added, He doesnt know how to work.

Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Modi for speaking eloquently in his Mann ki Baat (talk from the heart) programme but neglecting the Kaam ki Baat (talk of work). He said, Kaam ki baat means addressing unemployment and restoring statehood in J&K.

The fact is that nobody listens to the Mann ki Baat of PM Modi anymore, he said.

Referring to the lead-up to the Lok Sabha polls, Gandhi said it was said that Modi had a 56-inch chest and would speak with confidence, but the INDIA alliance has managed to dent his psychology. "His confidence is lost, he said.

I see him very closely in the Lok Sabha, while people see him on TV, he said. His mood has changed, and his face has changed. He credited the INDIA alliance for the shift.

Gandhi accused BJP leaders of spreading hatred and dividing people.

They have spread hatred across the country. Hatred cannot be dealt with hatred but with love, he said.

He recalled his Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he travelled 4,000 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Wherever the BJP had opened its shops of hatred, we opened shops of love, he said. We will continue to do the same.

He said this is the first time a state has been downgraded to a Union Territory. We have seen Union Territories being converted into states, not the other way around, he said. We want statehood to be restored as soon as possible so that J&K becomes a state again. We wanted this to happen before the elections, but the BJP didn't.

He vowed that Congress would pressurise the BJP to restore statehood after the polls. If they dont do it, I guarantee you that we will, as it is your democratic right, he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said police shot dead Badlapur school sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde in self-defence.



Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually abusing two girls in the school where he worked as an attendant, was being taken to Badlapur from Taloja jail for investigation when he snatched a policeman's gun and fired at an assistant inspector when the police vehicle reached Mumbra bypass. He was killed in retaliatory firing by a police officer who was part of the escort team.

VIDEO | Badlapur sexual assault case: Visuals from government hospital in Kalwa, where accused Akshay Shinde has been admitted.



Shinde, arrested for sexually abusing two girls at a school in Badlapur town of Maharashtra's Thane district, fired at a policeman and was injured in pic.twitter.com/sIdAtfYRxf  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 23, 2024

"Akshay Shinde's ex-wife had accused him of sexual violence and the police was taking him for a probe regarding these allegations. He snatched the gun of a police personnel opened fire. Police fired back in self-defence," CM Shinde told reporters.

However, the incident drew condemnation from the opposition parties who questioned the chain of events and also asked if it was a move to destroy evidence in a case that had triggered national outrage. "Is it an attempt to destroy evidence? Were Akshay Shinde's hands not tied by the police during the transit? How could he reach for the gun, and how come the police were so careless? We demand a judicial probe in this matter," Leader of Opposition in the assembly Vijay Wadettiwar said. There is no action against the "BJP-linked" school management but an arrested accused is shot dead in suspicious circumstances, he said, adding "we have no trust in Badlapur police".

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare equated the incident with the gunning down of four rape accused in Telangana in 2019. "There too the police claimed it was done in self-defence. However, due to the deaths, the truth never came out. The same will be the case with the Badlapur sexual assault. Was Akshay Shinde killed as he was hiding something more sinister? Why is the school management still on the run," she said.

How come Akshay Shinde managed to snatch a gun despite being handcuffed and how did he know to operate the firearm, Andhare further questioned. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, must throw some light on these questions, she said, adding "it shows the state home minister's inability to handle critical cases". Hitting back, CM Shinde said, "Earlier, the opposition parties demanded that Akshay Shinde be hanged.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole says, "We are coming to know that the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case has died...Our demand is that no accused should be spared so that such an incident does not repeat...Why the government is trying to protect the pic.twitter.com/YMdmMU4kpO  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Now, they are taking his side and questioning the integrity of Maharashtra police. Such act of the opposition leaders is condemnable and unfortunate." When asked about the opposition's allegation that the accused was killed to gain political sympathy, the CM said these parties are rattled by the success of his government's Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme.

"Therefore, these parties are making such insensitive allegations," Shinde asserted. Speaking on the incident, Fadnavis said police opened fire in self-defence, leading to Akshay Shinde's death. He also said the police was taking him to Badlapur to probe allegations made by his ex-wife. "The opposition raises questions on every issue. They had wanted him to be hanged. It is wrong to say such things when the police tried to save lives," the Deputy CM said while seconding the chain of events described by the CM.

In a post on X, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said, "The accused should have been hanged as per the legal provisions, but the actions of the Home Department, while transferring him (from Taloja Jail) are questionable."

The NCP (SP) supremo demanded an in-depth inquiry into the incident. Ujjwal Nikam said, "Two chargesheets were filed against Shinde, and I was the public prosecutor in both cases. Going by the submitted documents, there was sufficient evidence against Shinde. Maybe because of that, Shinde tried ending his life. We cannot rule out this possibility.

A judicial probe will bring out the truth in this case." "The two young girls had already identified Akshay Shinde, and the Maharashtra police had collected other evidence against him.," Nikam said. Asked if it was an encounter, Nikam, who unsuccessfully fought the 2024 Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket, said it would be inappropriate to jump to conclusions.
Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case, was shot dead by the Mumbai Police on Monday evening. According to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, the police fatally shot Akshay Shinde in self-defence after he reportedly snatched a policeman's gun and fired at an assistant inspector while inside the police vehicle. He was killed in retaliatory firing by a police officer who was part of the escort team, the CM said.



READ HERE | Badlapur school sexual assault accused Akshay Shinde shot dead by police

According to media reports, a police officer who pulled the trigger was known for involvement in "encounters." The officer in question is police inspector Sanjay Shinde, who reportedly fired the shot that claimed Akshay's life. Officer Sanjay himself and Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More were the two cops injured by Akshay before he was neutralised, India Today said in a report.

VIDEO | Badlapur sexual assault case: Visuals from government hospital in Kalwa, where accused Akshay Shinde has been admitted.



Shinde, arrested for sexually abusing two girls at a school in Badlapur town of Maharashtra's Thane district, fired at a policeman and was injured in pic.twitter.com/sIdAtfYRxf  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 23, 2024

Before he was asked to join the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Maharashtra government to probe the Badlapur case, he had worked with the anti-extortion cell of the Thane Police Crime Branch. Shinde also served the Mumbai Police in the not-very-distant past, the report added.

Sanjay Shinde was part of the team which arrested gangster Iqbal Kaskar, brother of terror kingpin Dawood Ibrahim. Kaskar was last arrested in February 2022 in a money laundering case following raids at multiple properties linked to him.

However, it was Inspector Shinde's time with the Thane Police Crime Branch that was the most noteworthy as the anti-extortion cell he was part of was led by Pradeep Sharma IPS, a well-known 'encounter specialist' in Maharashtra police circles. The former Mumbai Police personnel reportedly eliminated over 100 criminals during his years in service. The news report said that several members of the Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan gangs were targeted by Sharma in the 1990s. He was known to have executed some high-profile encounters during those days of violent police action, the report said.

On Monday, Inspector Sanjay Shinde was included in the squad that was tasked to Akshay to Badlapur from Taloja jail when the incident happened.

Who was Akshay Shinde?

Akshay Shinde, 24, was accused of sexually abusing two girls in the school where he worked as an attendant. Massive protests erupted on streets and at Badlapur railway station over the incident that shocked Maharashtra.

His ex-wife had accused him of sexual violence and the police were taking him for a probe regarding these allegations when he allegedly snatched a police weapon and was killed in retalliatory fire. He was rushed to a hospital in Kalwa where he succumbed to his injuries.

Shinde's parents had met him in Taloja Jail at 3:30 PM. They claimed to have received information about his death through TV channels and not from police.

Tthe incident drew condemnation from the opposition parties who questioned the chain of events and also asked if it was a move to destroy evidence in a case that had triggered national outrage. "Is it an attempt to destroy evidence? Were Akshay Shinde's hands not tied by the police during the transit? How could he reach for the gun, and how come the police were so careless? We demand a judicial probe in this matter," Leader of Opposition in the assembly Vijay Wadettiwar said. There is no action against the "BJP-linked" school management but an arrested accused is shot dead in suspicious circumstances, he said, adding "we have no trust in Badlapur police".
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi assumed charge as Delhis eighth chief minister on Monday, by leaving the chair used by her leader and former CM Arvind Kejriwal vacant next to her.



Likening the situation to Bharat becoming king of Ayodya when Lord Ram was sent on exile, Atishi said, Today my pain is the same as that was of Bharat when Lord Ram went to exile for 14 years and Bharat had to take charge. Like Bharat kept the sandals of Lord Ram for 14 years and assumed charge, similarly, for the next four months, I will run the Delhi government like that.

#WATCH | Delhi CM Atishi says, "I have taken charge as the Delhi Chief Minister. Today my pain is the same as that was of Bharat when Lord Ram went to exile for 14 years and Bharat had to take charge. Like Bharat kept the sandals of Lord Ram for 14 years and assumed charge, https://t.co/VZvbwQY0hX pic.twitter.com/ZpNrFEOcaV  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Atishi said the chair of Delhi CM belongs to Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal and expressed hope that he would be elected again. The chair of the Delhi chief minister belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. I am hopeful that the public of Delhi will elect him again as the Delhi CM. Till that, the chair will remain in this office and wait for Arvind Kejriwal, ANI reported quoting her. Atishi sat on a different chair as used by Kejriwal.

                              14      ,              14            pic.twitter.com/OkNEgtYIq4  Atishi (@AtishiAAP) September 23, 2024

Atishi charged the Bharatiya Janata Party did everything in its power to malign Kejriwals image. Arvind Kejriwal has set an example of dignity and morality. For the last two years, the BJP has left no stone unturned to malign the image of Kejriwal. False cases were put on him, he was arrested and put in jail for six months, she said.

Atishi has retained the 13 portfolios she held in the Kejriwal government, including those of education, revenue, finance, power and PWD. Saurabh Bharadwaj has eight departments under him, the highest after Atishi, including those of health, tourism, art and culture, PTI reported.

New entrant Mukesh Ahlawat has got portfolios of labour, SC and ST, employment and land and building departments. Gopal Rai has been given the portfolio of development, general administration department, environment and forest  the portfolios he held in the Kejriwal government. Kailash Gahlot has also retained his previous portfolios  transport, home, administrative reforms, women and child development. The Delhi Assembly's session will be held on September 26 and 27, the publication reported.

Like Bharat ruled Ayodhya with Ram padhuka... Atishi assumes charge as CM; leaves Kejriwals chair vacant

New entrant Mukesh Ahlawat gets portfolios of labour, SC and ST, employment and land and building departments

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi assumed charge as Delhis eighth chief minister on Monday, by leaving the chair used by her leader and former CM Arvind Kejriwal vacant next to her.

Likening the situation to Bharat becoming king of Ayodya when Lord Ram was sent on exile, Atishi said, Today my pain is the same as that was of Bharat when Lord Ram went to exile for 14 years and Bharat had to take charge. Like Bharat kept the sandals of Lord Ram for 14 years and assumed charge, similarly, for the next four months, I will run the Delhi government like that.

Atishi said the chair of Delhi CM belongs to Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal and expressed hope that he would be elected again. The chair of the Delhi chief minister belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. I am hopeful that the public of Delhi will elect him again as the Delhi CM. Till that, the chair will remain in this office and wait for Arvind Kejriwal, ANI reported quoting her. Atishi sat on a different chair as used by Kejriwal.

Atishi charged the Bharatiya Janata Party did everything in its power to malign Kejriwals image. Arvind Kejriwal has set an example of dignity and morality. For the last two years, the BJP has left no stone unturned to malign the image of Kejriwal. False cases were put on him, he was arrested and put in jail for six months, she said.

Atishi has retained the 13 portfolios she held in the Kejriwal government, including those of education, revenue, finance, power and PWD. Saurabh Bharadwaj has eight departments under him, the highest after Atishi, including those of health, tourism, art and culture, PTI reported.

New entrant Mukesh Ahlawat has got portfolios of labour, SC and ST, employment and land and building departments. Gopal Rai has been given the portfolio of development, general administration department, environment and forest  the portfolios he held in the Kejriwal government. Kailash Gahlot has also retained his previous portfolios  transport, home, administrative reforms, women and child development. The Delhi Assembly's session will be held on September 26 and 27, the publication reported.
A man's attempt to sexually assault a six-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat was foiled by a troop of monkeys which attacked the accused, reports said. The shocking news came to light after the girl, a UKG student, managed to reach the safety of her house and told her parents how the monkeys saved her.



According to Uttar Pradesh Police, the incident happened at Baghpat's Daula on Friday, September 20. The girl was playing outside her house when approached by the accused, who is now on the run. He convinced the girl to follow him and initially took her to a street near a religious house. However, he had a change of mind a took the child to an abandoned building where he tried to sexually abuse her, News18 said in a report.

According to the girl, the man never let go of her hand and threatened to kill her and her family if she resisted and didn't do as asked. The monkeys entered the abandoned building while the man forcefully removed the child's clothes, the news report said. The aggressive nature of the wild animals forced the man out of the building and the child used the chance to run back to her parents.

A police case was filed under relevant sections of the POCSO Act after the girl reached home and explained the ordeal to her kin. According to the police, the accused was not a resident of Daula but hailed from the neighbouring village. In the course of the investigation, UP Police found CCTV visuals that showed the accused travelling with the child. All efforts are on to nab him at the earliest, reports quoted the cops as saying.
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi sparked a row on Monday, saying secularism is a European concept that doesnt belong to India.

Addressing a convocation function of Hindu Dharma Vidya Peetham at Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari, Ravi said wrong interpretation of secularism was one of the many frauds that have been committed to the people of the country.

"What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, secularism is not a Bharatiya concept. In Europe, secularism emerged as there was a fight between the church and the king and in order to end this conflict, which went on for a long time, this concept was evolved, he said.

READ: Indian secularism: What defines it?

The governor said when the Indian Constitution was being drafted after Independence, the Constituent Assembly rejected the concept of secularism as India was a dharma-centric country and there has been no conflict.

Ravi further claimed it was one insecure prime minister who introduced secularism in the Constitution during emergency in order to appease some sections of peoplea reference to Indira Gandhi.

READ: OPINION: Features of India's ideological revolution

Ravis remark stirred up a political storm with the ruling DMK saying the governor should first fully read the Constitution.

Article 25 says that there should be a conscious freedom of religion that he doesn't know...He should go and read the constitution fully, DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan.

The problem with the BJP is that they neither know India, nor the Constitution...They don't know anything. That is why they could not even form a government on their own," he said.

READ: Isn't the Ram Temple in Ayodhya a victory for Jinnah?

The CPI also condemned the governors remarks, saying secularism is essential to keep religion and politics separate.

"I strongly deplore the statement made by RN Ravi. What does he know about secularism? What does he know about India? He is a governor...he must abide by the Constitution. The Constitution of India defines India as secular democratic republic...Dr BR Ambedkar emphatically rejected theocratic concept...Ambedkar went to the extent of saying, if at all Hindu Rashtra becomes a fact, that will be a calamity for the nation...secularism means keeping religion and politics separate...don't bring Gods for electoral purposes," CPI leder D. Raja said.
Terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the United Nations on Monday. He added that areas such as cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new theatres of conflict.

In his address at the UN's landmark Summit of the Future, the prime minister stressed that global action on these issues must match global ambition.

"While on one hand, terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security, on the other hand, cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new areas of conflict. On all these issues, I will stress that global action must match global ambition," he said.

"Success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield, the prime minister added in a statement that comes in the backdrop of Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas conflict.

READ - Modi in US: What PM told Indian diaspora in New York

Modi said a "human-centric approach" should be given top priority in any discussion on the the future of the world. Human welfare, food and health security must also be ensured while prioritising sustainable development, he added.

"By lifting 250 million people out of poverty in India, we have demonstrated that Sustainable Development can be successful," he said.

The prime minister also called for reforms in the global institutions, saying these are essential for global peace and development.

READ - 'Quad is here to stay, partner and contribute': PM Modi at Leaders' Summit

Talking about the global digital governance, Modi said digital public infrastructure should be a bridge, and not a barrier. He added that India is ready to share its DPI with the entire world.

For India, One Earth, One Family, One Future is a commitment," the prime minister asserted.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, currently on a two-day visit to the flood-hit regions of Purba Bardhaman and Birbhum districts, criticised the Centre once again on Monday over the ongoing release of water by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) from Maithon and Panchet reservoirs.

She also took a dig at Jharkhand for discharging water without coordinating with West Bengal.

Recent floods in West Bengal have severely impacted lives of local people, with roads and transportation routes submerged, making many areas completely inaccessible, but our health workers are working nonstop and reaching people with the emergency medical services. #WBHealth pic.twitter.com/gUDnArufLA  Department of Health & Family Welfare, West Bengal (@wbdhfw) September 23, 2024

For over a week, the DVC has been releasing large volumes of water, leading to the flooding of more than 1,000 square kilometres across Purba Bardhaman, Birbhum, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Medinipur, and Paschim Medinipur districts, impacting over 5 million people. The situation has been further aggravated by Jharkhands disemboguing of water from its Tenughat Dam.

Its unfortunate that Bengal and Assam experience such severe flooding, unlike any other region. Bengal is the land of rivers. We become anxious when it rains in Jharkhand because they release water, CM Banerjee told the press in Purba Bardhaman.

She added, The DVC is under the central government. But people's houses are submerged because the Centre is not doing anything. If I had received even a fraction of the money thats spent on elections, I could have managed to stop the floods.

The chief minister conducted an administrative meeting in the district to evaluate the states flood response, which has impacted the livelihoods of lakhs of people just before Durga Puja in West Bengal.

She directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to survey all damaged roads and instructed the Panchayat & Rural Development department to assess the affected houses. CM Banerjee announced that the state government would allocate funds for the construction of 11 lakh pucca houses, including those damaged by the ongoing floods.

The flood situation has again brought the centre-state tussle to the forefront with the Government of West Bengal claiming that the DVC at times doesnt honour the views of the state and releases water without notifying it.

The West Bengal chief minister had threatened last week to sever all ties with the DVC.

CM Banerjee has already written two letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the crisis a man-made flood. She said the DVCs discharging water in an unprecedented, unplanned and unilateral manner has resulted in the biggest flood in Lower Damodar & adjoining areas after 2009.

In her second letter to PM Modi on Sunday, CM Banerjee claimed that all critical decisions of DVC are taken by representatives of the Central Water Commission (CWC) and Union Ministry of Jal Shakti without arriving at a consensus.

In response, she announced that the state would withdraw its representation from the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC) which advises on water release and includes representatives from West Bengal, Government of Jharkhand, CWC and DVC.

Shortly after her letter, Santanu Basu, Secretary of the West Bengal Power Department and the state's primary representative in the DVRRC, along with Uttam Roy, Chief Engineer (West) of the Irrigation and Waterways department, resigned from the committee. Basu also stepped down from his position on the DVC board.

#WATCH | West Bengal: On the flood situation in the state, West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari says, "Mamata Banerjee is responsible for this... This is TMC's failure, TMC should be accountable to the people of Ghatal... The state government has no role here, Mamata Banerjee herself https://t.co/t4PCxnyV1p pic.twitter.com/YnylWHNnqP  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

Meanwhile, the opposition has accused the chief minister of unjustly blaming the DVC and the Centre for covering up the states failure in managing the flood situation. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, citing the resignation of West Bengal's representatives from DVRRC, rebutted the claim that the state's views were not considered while discharging water.
A notorious gangster, accused of murdering BSP leader K Armstrong in Chennai, was killed in an alleged police encounter on Monday morning. Raja, aka Seizing Raja, was taken into custody by the Chennai Police on Sunday evening from his hideout in Andhra Pradesh. He was killed in Chennai on Monday morning.

This is the second encounter killing of an accused in the Armstrong case, with another history-sheeter identified as Thiruvengadam killed in a police encounter near Madhavaram in Chennai in July.

Raja, an A-plus category rowdy, was absconding ever since he was implicated in the murder of Armstrong. The BSP leader was hacked to death on July 5 and Raja was among the 28 people who were under police radar.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | History sheeter Raja alias Seizing Raja gunned down in a police encounter in Akkarai, Chennai. Chennai Police officials are inspecting the spot. pic.twitter.com/xI4kKVDOhV  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

According to Chennai Police, they had actively been searching for Raja for the past few months. A few days back, they received information that he had been hiding in Andhra Pradesh. He was nabbed last night and brought to Chennai on Monday morning. Police also seized a few guns and weapons from him.

However, on Monday morning, he tried to escape the police by attacking them at Neelankarai on the ECR stretch. Police had to fire at him for self-defence, officials claimed. Though he was immediately rushed to Royapettah Hospital, police declared him dead on arrival.

Also read: K Armstrong murder: Arcot Suresh's brother Balu vowed to kill BSP leader

Who was Seizing Raja?

Raja, 49, reportedly had over 33 cases against him in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. These include five murder cases and seven attempt-to-murder cases.

A native of East Tambaram, Raja earned his nickname after being employed by a private bank to seize vehicles from defaulters. He also began getting Kangaroo Court and real-estate business, with his activities focused on suburban areas and Kancheevaram.

Meanwhile, the alleged encounter killing of the second accused in the Armstrong case has raised brows. Thiruvengadam, who was killed in a police encounter a month after the murder of Armstrong, was in police custody for five days being before shot dead.

These aren't the only encounter deaths in Tamil Nadu. This is the third encounter related to Armstrongs murder since A Arun took over as Chennai Police Commissioner on 8 July 2024. Last week, another notorious gangster 'Kakka Thoppu Balaji' was killed in a police encounter after he reportedly attacked police officers. Balaju was wanted in over 50 cases.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in on Monday as the ninth President of Sri Lanka. At a ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, he was sworn in as the president by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. Anura emerged as the winner in Sri Lankas presidential election on Sunday with a decisive mandate.

"It is very clear that the people wanted a change in the political and economic set-up of Sri Lanka. He is a pragmatic leader who is both mentally and physically fit to do the job entrusted by the people of this country," professor Anil Jayantha told THE WEEK over phone from Colombo.

Anuras emergence

Anuras ascent to the Sri Lankan executive presidency is meteoric as he secured a mere 3.2 per cent votes in 2019 election. The people have resonated with Anura because of his anti-corruption rhetoric, social justice and his call for economic reform. Unlike Ranil or Sajith or Namal, Anura doesnt come from a wealthy political dynasty. Anura is no new to Sri Lankan politics. He was part of Chandrika Kumaratungas SLFP government in the early 2000s as an agricultural minister. He is an MP from Colombo and leads the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) or the People's Liberation Front. JVP is the main constituent in the National People's Power (NPP) coalition, which has three seats in the 225-member parliament. In 2019 he contested against the powerful Rajapaksas and Sajith to win only three percent votes. His prospects improved impressively in these five years due to an impressive grassroots campaign.

It all began in 2021, when Gotabaya came up with a new fertiliser policy. Since then Anura and his team began working with the people and also participated in the Janatha Aragalaya or the people uprising in 2022. "We became part of that struggle, not as leaders or planners, but as participants. As a political movement, the NPP recognised the significant challenges in fulfilling the aspirations of that struggle. While anarchy is not a solution, and some form of constitutional authority must be maintained, the core demands of the people were not fully addressed in the resulting political framework. However, the people have entrusted us the responsibility of carrying their hopes forward through the election. We benefit from the momentum of that uprising and the peoples desire for change," Anura told The WEEK in an exclusive interview.

Born on November 24, 1968, at Thambuthegama in Anuradhapura district, Anuras early life in politics began during the JVP insurgency in 1987. Born to a daily wage labourer father and a housewife mother, Anura was the first to get into a university from Thambuthegama Central College, where he did his undergraduate. He became active in student politics and later got into full-time politics in 1987, with the onset of the JVP insurrection during 1987-1989. Later he got into the University of Peradeniya and left due to threats and then studied at University of Kelaniya and graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical science. In 1995, he became the national organizer of the Socialist Students Association and was appointed to the Central Working Committee of the JVP and later into the polite bureau in 1998. And later when Chandrika Kumaratunga came to power, the JVP revamped itself only to get back into mainstream politics under Somawansa Amarasinghe.

"I believe only Anura and the NPP can bring in a change in Sri Lanka. I am for a change. Corruption has to go for the economy to be thriving. All the other contenders are from the same old guard," says Chandani Karunaratne, a student from Jayawardenapura university. Chandani and her classmates were part of the Aragalaya in 2022 only to get inspired by JVPs people policies.

This morning (23rd), I took oath as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the presence of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat.



I promise to fulfill your responsibility to usher in a new era of Renaissance pic.twitter.com/TFJuyh9SbC  Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) September 23, 2024

What does Anuras emergence mean to India?

His victory might alter the geopolitics in the region as he is considered to be close to China. Though Anura says that he will maintain cordial relations with India, the JVPs idea of continuing with the IMF with certain amendments and their stance on the investments made by the Adanis in Sri Lanka are indications of Anuras plans to alter the existing relations with India.

From its inception, JVP has always been anti-India. JVP staged the 1987 insurrection, as the prospect of Tamil autonomy in the North-East and the presence of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) stirred up a wave of Sinhalese nationalism. Once the JVP denounced Indian-origin estate workers, or the hill country Tamils, as a "fifth column instrument of Indian expansionism". For decades JVP voiced against various deals like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which opened up possibilities for greater trade and investment between India and Sri Lanka. In 2008, he voiced in Sri Lankas parliament against the handing over KatchaTheevu back to India.

However in his exclusive interview to THE WEEK, just ahead of the voting day, Anura sounded positive in engaging with India. Incidentally, he was one of Indias guests in February this year and called on External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and other MEA officials. "Our approach to India will reflect its close proximity and significant role in geopolitics. India has made impressive strides in both economy and technology, and it is crucial to our development and regional security. We will ensure that our sea, land and airspace are not used in ways that threaten India or regional stability. Additionally, we will carefully consider how our economic measures impact our country, recognising the importance of Indias support in our development efforts," he added.

On the apprehensions about his close proximity with China, he said, It is well known that there is competition between India and China in our region. India, being a country in the Indian Ocean, understands the strategic significance of our regions political and economic positions. Meanwhile, China is actively working to consolidate its economic and political influence here, and we are aware of this as well. Our approach will be to safeguard regional security while leveraging economic opportunities to our advantage. However, we are committed to maintaining our sovereignty and will not become subordinate to any power in this geopolitical race. We believe in adopting a strong foreign policy that aligns with the global conditions and serves our national interests effectively.

How Anuras emergence can alter the Sri Lankan polity?

Though the JVP-NPP combine is popular among the people, particularly the youngsters, there are two apprehensions against Anura and his party. Anuras popularity and his revolutionary ideas doesnt go well with the Colombo elitist and the rich in the country. In 2019 the people voted for Rajapaksas because there was a fear factor about terrorism returning to the country. Though the country has come out of terrorism, JVPs revolutionary ideas and their insurrections in the 1980s are the two issues that still linger in the minds of the people. "In 2022 when Aragalaya was at its peak, the houses of MPs were burnt. Many places were set on fire. Who did that? Do we have an answer? The JVP was well entrenched in Aragalaya. So this fear factor is there this time," a senior officer close to Ranil Wickremesinghe told THE WEEK, during the election campaign.

On the other side, the Tamils look at him as yet another version of the Rajapaksas who celebrate the Sinhala majoritarianism. Anura is clearly against the 13th amendment and unlike Ranil or Sajith he did not utter a word on devolution of powers to the people in the North and the East. During his campaign in the North, he told the Tamils that he did not come to ask for votes in exchange for a promise to implement the 13th Amendment. "We didn't come here to ask for your vote. We didn't come here to tell you that wed offer you the 13th Amendment and you can vote for us in exchange. I didn't come here to offer you federalism so I can ask for your vote. I came here to discuss how we can help Sri Lanka emerge from its crisis."

Apparently, the JVPs rise to power will also ensure that the traditional SLFP and the UNP votes which got divided this time split further and shift to the JVP. However, it remains to be seen how the JVP-NPP combine will perform in the ensuing parliament elections.
SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, September 23. The first day of the seminar titled "The Role of Religion in Ideological Struggle: expectations from the Media" in Shusha has concluded, Trend reports.

The event has gathered leading media outlets of the country, reporters, and public representatives.

Gunduz Ismayilov, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, pointed out that the seminar is set to shine a light on matters concerning religion and freedom of conscience in the media.

"Media professionals might benefit from hearing different perspectives on these issues," he said.

We believe that the exchange of views with media representatives will be useful for their future work. The seminar is attended by representatives of almost all leading media outlets. At the same time, well-known specialists in the field take part as experts. The topic of religion is a sensitive issue. It is important for the media to take this into account while covering this topic, he said.

Within the framework of the seminar, which is aimed at ensuring wider public awareness of the model of state-religion relations in Azerbaijan, raising journalists' awareness of issues related to religion in the news policy of media structures, reports of media specialists will be heard, interactive discussions will be held, and media tours to the territories liberated from occupation will be held.

The first day of the two-day regional seminar was marked by opening speeches by Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Structures, and the Head of the Humanitarian Affairs Department of the Cabinet of Ministers Arastu Habibbayli.

The first session of the seminar on religious freedom and free media moderated by Deputy Chairman of the State Committee Gunduz Ismayilov was addressed by Executive Director of Baku International Center for Multiculturalism Ravan Hasanov, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting CJSC Rafig Hashimov, Deputy Executive Director of Media Development Agency Natig Mammadli, Executive Secretary of the Press Council of Azerbaijan Avaz Rustamov. In conclusion, a media tour dedicated to the historical and religious monuments of Shusha City was organized for the participants.

The event will continue on September 24 with the second session dedicated to the issues of combating religious radicalism. The session will be moderated by the Rector of Azerbaijan Theology Institute Agil Shirinov.

The third session, moderated by Elshad Miralam, deputy head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Structures, will be devoted to the role of media in organizing religious education.

The two-day seminar will end with a trip to the cities of Khankendi, Khojaly, and Aghdam.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the United States to present his victory plan to end the war with Russia. A series of high-level meetings are lined up during his visit. Zelenskyys visit comes at a crucial juncture with the US elections around the corner.

Though the details of the victory plan are not released, Zelenskyy appears to be confident that Russia would be forced to end the war diplomatically once the West approves the plan. "The Victory Plan envisages quick and concrete steps by our strategic partners - from now until the end of December," Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday.

This fall will determine the future of this war. Together with our partners, we can strengthen our positions as needed for our victorya shared victory for a truly just peace.



Right now, the legacy of the current generation of world leaders is being shapedthose in the highest pic.twitter.com/ji2dZ6cAgR  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 22, 2024

Zelenskky had underlined that his plan consisted of small number of points and that "all these points depend on Biden's decision, not Putin's."

During my visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, where components for artillery and mortar shells are produced, including 155 mm shells for Ukraine, I emphasized the dedication of the workers, which is truly inspiringthey are helping Ukraine stand strong in our fight for pic.twitter.com/rs0vLZRlVU  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 23, 2024

He had also added that the plan would act as a bridge to a second Ukraine-led summit on peace that Kyiv wants to hold and invite Russia to later this year.

"There is no alternative to peace," he said.

I met with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Bob Casey, and Congressman Matt Cartwright.



I am grateful for all their support. We agreed to work even more actively to increase our common strengththe strength of both Ukraine and America.



I also want to extend my pic.twitter.com/Ad6Wd5XcWO  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 23, 2024

Zelenskyy hopes to persuade Washington and other allies to provide further and deeper aid to his country in an effort to force Moscow to end the conflict on terms acceptable to Kyiv.

The Ukrainian president will be presenting the 'victory plan' to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump. Both Democratic candidate Harris and Republican Trump are presented with the plan as November elections will be setting a new course for Washington with Bidens exit.

Trump's victory might reset Washington's policy on Ukraine, which relies heavily on US military and financial support.

During the presidential debate, Trump refused to take any side when asked about his views on ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The former US president said that he would try and end the war before taking office and criticised the inefficiency of Biden and Harris to end the war.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said that if the details of the victory plan are officially released, then we would study it and discuss the plan in detail.

"We believe that one should not analyse media reports. If information about it appears in official sources we will of course scrutinise it. There is a lot of contradictory and unreliable information it out there, so we are very cautious

about this," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

During Zelenskyys trip, he will also be addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Putin says peace talks can only begin if Kyiv abandons swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine to Russia and drops its NATO membership plan.
Israel's airstrike on Lebanon targeting Hezbollah camps had killed over 200 and injured more than 1,000.

According to the Israeli military, it is widening an aerial offensive against Hezbollah 'weapon sites' in southern and eastern Lebanon.

IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari exposing Hezbollahs way of firing missiles from civilian homes, and how the IDF plans on dismantling it: pic.twitter.com/smkfjv6VDh  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024

The military said on Monday that it was expanding its airstrikes to include areas of the Bekaa Valley, along Lebanon's eastern border, after targeting more than 300 sites in southern Lebanon.

Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, Israeli military spokesman, urged the Bekaa Valley residents to immediately evacuate areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons.

Lebanon's health ministry claimed at least 282 people were killed and 1,127 were wounded, including women, children and medics, in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

IDF claimed it had struck over 300 targets.

Defending the strikes, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said, "Israel's patience is not inexhaustible. He also highlighted that Israel had taken measures "to get civilians out of harm's way in Lebanon."

"Hezbollah endangers the people of Lebanon. They use civilians as human shields to hide their weaponry and carry out attacks against Israel from within that country. Israel could not be clearer to Lebanese civilians [that] if you live next to properties or homes in which Hezbollah is hiding its rocket launchers and weaponry you should evacuate immediately," said Mencer.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah in a statement said it targeted a military base in northern Israel with dozens of missiles.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday Israel faced "complicated days" as it stepped up strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and he called on Israelis to stay united as the campaign unfolded.

"I promised that we would change the security balance, the balance of power in the north - that is exactly what we are doing," he said in a message issued following a situational assessment at military headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Electronic Voting Machines were first brought into Bhutan by Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, first chief election commissioner, whose trips to India and meetings with then Election Commission of India paved the way for introduction of the EVM system in the Himalayan kingdom. Bhutan has not looked back since and Wangdi credits his kings and the help of the India's EC for their smooth transition to democracy.

ALSO READ: 'India is not a controlling big brother', says Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay

As the auditor general during my visit to Karnataka, I was not too keen to see EVMs because I thought simputers were more useful. Later, when I was appointed CEC and went for my first orientation to India, I visited BEL where a polling station was recreated and realised instantly how EVMs would be useful. Thats when we decided to have EVMs, he said. He bought 130 EVMs for the first time for training. For the actual election, Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) bought 4,000 EVMs, which was later reimbursed by the Indian government as a gift.

ALSO READ: How Bhutans Gelephu Mindfulness City on the Assam border could benefit India

Wangdi highlighted the role of the Supreme Court in the success of the election commissions, both in India and Bhutan, and he urged people not to ignore their responsibility to cast their vote to ensure peace and progress. If you want to be critical of the workings of the government, you enjoy the right to do so if you have voted, otherwise you have accepted whatever they decide. Excerpts:

Q/ You were instrumental in running the country's first democratic elections in 2008. What were the highlights?

A/ The vision of the king and the provisions enshrined in the draft Constitution paved way for the first democratic parliamentary elections in 2008. After the king had decided to execute it, it was a very fast process. My first orientation visit to India gave us the opportunity to interact with the Election Commission of India and it was an eye-opener. Many lessons were learnt and it helped us in creating an election system that is purely Bhutanese in nature. The First Parliament of the Kingdom of Bhutan as a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy, with the First National Council election at end of 2007 and with the National Assembly elections held in Bhutan for the first time on March 24, 2008, and declared on the March 25, 2008, were historic milestones. Since we had only two registered political parties at that time, the Election Commission of Bhutan decided to conduct the General Elections straightaway as the Primary Round was redundant to contest the first parliamentary elections. The fact that the Constitution provided that elections in Bhutan are not going to be influenced by money power and muscle power, and particularly the election campaign is going to be state-financed, the draft Election Act was supported with the Public Election Fund Act. Even today, parties and candidates are not allowed to gather funds from any source other than under headings and amount permitted under laws and spend it freely. Over the last 15 years, things have passed smoothly. So, I feel that we have done the right thing.

Q/ Why was the king keen to create a democratic system?

A/ I guess whenever you talk of monarchy, you think of it as dictatorship or autocracy where things are not too good. But I think the king had a lot of things to do which were more democratic in nature and the well being of the people was his priority. I was the assistant protocol officer during the kings coronation in 1974 and I was listening to his coronation speech. He was talking of people's participation and economic self-reliance. At that juncture, I was wondering what is people's participation? And he also said that, as a king, he is a single person and can't do anything by himself, so everybody has to be involved. He later on talked about decentralisation, bottom-up approach and grassroot planning and development, which means people will have to decide what they want and the government will help them do it. All our kings have been unique that way. The first king was also elected, in a way, the second king talked about modernisation and the third king saw the creation of the National Assembly, judiciary with the concept of separation of powers of government and people's representatives in various institutions. And even before 2008, the fourth king was handing over power and elections were held by early 2008. The fourth king was a strong believer in democracy and he proved it.

Q/ How tough was it to prepare voters to cast their vote and can you share how was your interaction with the Election Commission of India?

A/ First, we took it as a historic opportunity and worked hard to prepare the people, who never thought about politics. It was unthinkable for many about a government which will be elected, because many wanted to continue with the existing system since they were happy with the monarchy. Fortunately, as an auditor general, I was first invited by the CAG in India in 2001 and they asked me what I wanted to see. Given the changing times in Bhutan, I wanted to see computers and electronics. They took me around and I attended an exhibition of Electronic Voting Machines but at that time I was not too keen to see EVMs because I thought computers were more useful. Later, when I was appointed CEC and went for my first orientation to India, I visited a polling station created to demonstrate EVMs and I saw how EVMs were useful. Thats when we decided to have EVMs. We bought around 130 EVMs that time and first conducted a training drive. The Indian government later reimbursed the costs for us as a gift. I see the EVMs as an answer to several years of challenges faced by India in managing polling booths and dealing with concerns of rigging and tampering. I boldly told the Indian Election Commission later that you should not have put an E before it because people think it is a computer, when it is a reliable vote recording and counting gadget only. The losing party or a candidate often complain, if results dont go in their favour not for any fault of the machine.

Q/ Do you see EVMs as the most credible way to cast the vote today?

A/ Yes, there is absolutely no way you can tamper with the EVM. If anyone wants to play mischief with it, it would require cooperation of everyone including the media because you cant do it in a quiet way. The EVMs go through a series of sealing and if you look at it , it looks like a completely bandaged machine with a lot of signatures and seals of many agencies present. The EVMs save a lot of resources as well. Imagine if we had to use paper ballots. Now we don't have to print voting papers. Counting has become easier. Transportation is easy. In fact, you can imagine with ballot papers, even when we got around 4,000 EVMs, once they came in truckloads so much so that storage became a problem for us.

Q/ How do you see the Indian democratic system today?

A/ The Indian election system is fantastic and they are manned by dedicated and hard-working people. I think the good part is that the Election Commission of India has got the support of the Supreme Court. So, they have been able to do things and handle issues every now and then without partisan interventions. The last time transparency concerns were raised, the SC upheld the EVM polling system so that helps maintain the sanctity. The Supreme Court judges have been very supportive of them. In Bhutan, too, we expect the Supreme Court to play a role as per the Constitution when the need arises. When I met former Indian CEC Navin Chawla, he told me that we have the loneliest and toughest jobs. I realised later because whenever there are any challenges, we cant go to the Attorney General or the Head of State or judiciary to consult them. Not even the Election Commissioners, as they were chairs of the lower committees whose decisions may be challenged. We have to apply our minds and do things in the stipulated time frame. It is a lonely job but it is an opportunity to do things in an efficient way.

Q/ How do you see Bhutan's political system evolving as competitive politics come in?

A/ The Constitution has provided for it, so I see it as the duty of the opposition to play its role. It is necessary. We expect that they do not oppose the government on issues they feel are in peoples interest and in national interest. The danger that political parties can get powerful and side-track real issues remains, but so far we have had four different governments and it is going fine. The voters want peace, prosperity, development, education, health and food on your plate. The present government has come out with an ambitious 13th Five Year Plan and the aim is to make significant progress as we are moving on from being a developing to a developed country. The king is impressing upon this fact and seeing that the decision making is on the right path.

Q/ You studied in St. Stephen's College in Delhi. What were the learning during your college years?

A/ I say that the first time I became a voter was when Shashi Tharoor was contesting as a candidate for St. Stephen's students union. The other candidates were Chandan Mitra and another guy from Manipur. I voted for Tharoor and many years later when I met him, I told him I had voted for him. It was an eye-opening experience being a student in Delhi at a time when Indira Gandhi was prime minister, the Jai Prakash movement started and we could see its progress. Then, during the Delhi University Students Union elections, Arun Jaitley was elected president. Though I was only an onlooker, I was witness to some of developments that were shaping Indian politics.

Q/ Do you think the world is moving towards authoritarianism or is democracy still alive and kicking?

A/ I think there's no guarantee that there won't be any war in the world but hopefully things will not be that bad. It is true there is a leaning towards more authoritarianism but people will have to take the responsibility of exercising their democratic duties and responsibilities. Every one should go and vote and even if they dont like any political parties, they still must exercise their right. NOTA is helpful in such times if you dont like both parties equally. We do not have NOTA in Bhutan as of now. I think if you want to criticise the government, you should vote to exercise that right otherwise you have accepted whatever they say.
The US is sending additional troops to the Middle East in response to a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder would provide no details on how many additional forces or what they would be tasked to do. The US currently has about 40,000 troops in the region.

In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region. But for operational security reasons, I'm not going to comment on or provide specifics.

The new deployments come after significant strikes by Israeli forces against targets inside Lebanon that have killed hundreds and as Israel is preparing to conduct further operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned Lebanese civilians in a videotaped message to evacuate their homes ahead of further airstrikes. He spoke as Israeli warplanes continued to strike alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

The State Department is warning Americans to leave Lebanon as the risk of a regional war increases.

Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the US Embassy urges US citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available, the State Department cautioned Saturday. Ryder would not say if those additional forces might support the evacuation of those citizens if needed.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held back-to-back calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend as he pressed for a cease-fire and a reduction of tensions in the region, Ryder said.

Given the tensions, given the escalation, as I highlighted, there is the potential for a wider regional conflict. I don't think we're there yet, but it's a dangerous, situation Ryder said.
Israel is investigating the rumours about Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar who has been incommunicado for a while. This comes after the IDF struck a school in Gaza City after it targeted a Hamas command centre where 22 people were killed.

Journalist Ben Caspit posted on X that Sinwar's death has not been confirmed due to his history of evading death in the past. Earlier, there were similar rumours as Sinwar disappeared following such strikes by the IDF.

Palestinian health authorities reported that only women and children were among the 22 victims killed in the strike.

Israel's Shin Bet agency believes Sinwar is still alive while the IDF's Military Intelligence Directorate claimed that he was possibly dead though no evidence was retrieved.

ALSO READ: Did Ebrahim Raisi's chopper crash after pager blast? Iran MP hints at Israel's involvement

Sinwar, the kingpin in the October 7 attacks on Israel, was a founding member of the Hamas when it was formed in 1987. He became Hamas chief following the assassination of his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in August.

Besides Haniyeh, Israel has assassinated Hamas military wing chief Muhammad Deif, Khan Younis Brigade chief Rafa'a Salameh, Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri and several others.
GAOBEIDIAN, China, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 20, the 2024 ChinaGaobeidian International Windoor Festival, alongside the 2024 ChinaGaobeidian International Green and Healthy Building Conference, commenced. This significant event attracted over 20,000 attendees, including experts, scholars, industry leaders, and more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 50 countries and regions, all gathering in Gaobeidian City, Hebei Province, to participate in this authoritative international event focused on green and healthy buildings.







The event, lasting three days, is themed "Strengthening International Cooperation for Green Transition and Advancing the Development of Green Low-Carbon Buildings." It is organized by the Baoding Municipal Government, the China Construction Metal Structure Association, the China Association of Building Energy Efficiency, the China Energy Conservation Association, and the China Academy of Building Research and hosted by the Gaobeidian Municipal Government and Hebei Orient Sundar Group.



The conference features over ten industry-themed sessions, focusing on international trends, experience sharing, technical systems and practices, green building materials, and quality housing. More than 150 distinguished experts and professors from many other countries and regions, alongside renowned domestic academicians and scholars, engaged in in-depth discussions, providing constructive and forward-looking solutions related to enhancing living environments, global climate governance, and energy conservation and emission reduction.



Covering an area of 60,000 square meters, the festival's exhibition area hosts over 1,000 enterprises participating in exhibition and sales activities. Attendees can explore new products, technologies, materials, applications, and innovations in the green and healthy building sector. The exhibitions include an international green and healthy building expo, a showcase of premium green and healthy home designs, and investment promotion meetings for the green and healthy building industry. The exhibitions aim to provide comprehensive solutions across the green and healthy building industry's entire value chainfrom planning and design to construction and operationswhile facilitating a platform for business cooperation and technical exchange to advance high-quality development in the construction sector.



Additionally, the festival features promotional activities showcasing local specialties, intangible cultural heritage products, and tourism offerings in Baoding to create vibrant new consumption scenarios. The inaugural National Green Building Energy-Efficient Window and Door Installation Worker Skills Competition also took place, aimed at selecting and motivating skilled workers and driving innovation and advancements in energy-saving technologies and processes within the construction industry.



In recent years, Gaobeidian City has embraced the concept of green development, actively implementing the "dual carbon" strategy, enhancing planning, optimizing its environment, establishing platforms, and strengthening supply chains. These efforts have spurred the growth of a green and healthy building industry cluster, establishing robust core technology support, creating competitive advantages within the industrial chain, and expanding international influence. The city is steadily progressing towards its goal of becoming the "International Capital of Green Buildings."



Contact: Wang Juan

Tel.: 0086-13630862258

E-mail: wangjuan19810928@163.com



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2512513/gaobeidianwindoorfestival1.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2512514/gaobeidianwindoorfestival2.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

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By Alvin Thomas, Associate Professor, Phyllis Northway Faculty Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Quinn Kinzer, Graduate student and PhD Candidate, Department of Consumer Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison



Washington, Sep 23 (The Conversation) A few weeks before Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey, announced in May 2024 that they were expecting, the pop icon posted a selfie where he appears tearful and distraught.

While media attention quickly pivoted to the pregnancy, there was little attention paid to the significance of a male celebrity and expectant father publicly sharing his vulnerability.

Yet Biebers social media post is notable for making his internal struggle visible.

Emotional pain is linked to serious health issues. But the publics response to male expressions of emotion and vulnerability is often minimizing, if not dismissive. In response to Biebers tearful post, for example, Hailey described him as a pretty crier.

A year ago, the Canadian rapper Dax released the song To Be a Man. He said at the time: This is a song I poured my heart into. Im praying this reaches everyone who needs it.

Today, the songs message remains timely. It includes the lyrics:

Yeah, I know this life can really beat you down, uh

You wanna scream but you wont make a sound, uh

Got so much weight that youve been holdin

But wont show any emotion, as a man, that goes unspoken

As researchers who study fatherhood and the roles that men play in their families, we recognise the loneliness and pain in these lyrics. We have heard fathers describe the toll of attempting to keep a lid on their feelings.

In a recent study we conducted on 75 new and expectant Black fathers, they spoke of the need to address individual and collective trauma. This, they said, would ultimately help support their families. But they said resources to help men with their mental health are often unavailable or very limited. They said they often feel invisible to health providers.

Being a father and a man, one participant said, you have to keep the peace and be strong on the outside. But on the inside, you know, youre falling apart.

Daxs lyrics and our research reflect an enduring social health challenge  the deafening silence that typically surrounds mens mental health.



The toll of isolation on men



In May 2023, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory highlighting what he described as an epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the country. Our research confirms this scourge.

Since mens social support networks  colleagues, family, close childhood friends  are often less robust than womens, the epidemic disproportionately impacts men. The resulting solitude has very real health consequences.

In Murthys report, loneliness is associated with negative health outcomes, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults. Additionally, lacking social connection increases risk of premature death by more than 60%.

While Murthys report focuses on both men and women, research shows that men are less likely than women to seek mental health services. Additionally, men hold more negative attitudes toward seeking help, and they prematurely terminate treatment more often than women.

With these consequences in mind, a caring society may ask: Why are men carrying the brunt of this health risk, and what can be done about it?



Redefining mens value beyond breadwinning



Many factors can contribute to feelings of isolation and disconnection among men.

In To Be A Man, Dax points toward one prominent factor:

As a man, we gotta pave our way

Our only function is to work and slave

Theres no respect for you if you aint paid

Youre disregarded as a human and you cant complain

Traditional definitions of masculinity emphasise the importance of mens role as breadwinners.

An uncertain economy and increasingly expensive housing and food prices make the ability to financially provide for a family elusive for many men. These factors also undermine mens sense of self and contribute to loneliness and feelings of isolation.

As partners and fathers, men are still often perceived as deficient if they cant provide economically. And societal norms stress that they are not valued for their capacity as caregivers, even if they are more involved in raising their children than ever before.

This is out of touch with reality.

Men play an important role as caregivers in their childrens lives, according to our research, and exert a powerful influence on childrens health and well-being. Men also find meaning in their roles as fathers.

As Dax says:

As a man, our son is our horizon

The cost of suppressed vulnerability

Beyond pressures to provide, men also have to overcome enduring stereotypes that suggest they should be stoic and keep their fears and sadness to themselves.

Here, too, gender norms are in need of an update. Boys and men need to feel comfortable presenting their true, authentic selves to the world. When they suppress their vulnerability, it creates a barrier to seeking help. It also perpetuates stigma and the epidemic of loneliness.

There is a complex interplay between societys assumptions and beliefs about men and fatherhood.

Men, consequently, are less likely than women to seek mental health services. Health providers, as a result, are more likely to underdiagnose and misdiagnose men. Additionally, when health resources are made available, they are often not tailored to mens needs.

Societal expectations can create unbearable pressure for men. And the most marginalized groups, like low-income Black fathers, bear a disproportionate burden, research shows. This became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Black fathers working in high-risk and essential jobs prioritized supporting their children and families over their own risk of infection and mental health.

As men continue to redefine their roles within families and communities, its important for society to create a space that acknowledges and embraces their vulnerabilities and full humanity in all social roles.

Men need outlets for their pain. They would benefit from relationships  with partners, family and friends  that support and nurture them in times of joy and through the emotional challenges. Their loneliness will continue to be disproportionate without the necessary connection to services.

Men can consider engaging in low-stakes discussion groups in their communities, with online groups and in their churches. They may also seek out therapists in person or online for introductory sessions to test out the therapeutic interaction before establishing a more consistent pattern of therapy services.

In To Be a Man, Dax sings:

No wonder most men are so depressed

All the things that they cant express

Its the circle of life, as a man, you provide

They dont know what youre worth til the day that you die

As the Biebers adjust to life as parents, Justin may find people he can talk to about his experiences and emotions, people who see and value him fully. And we hope the same for every man and father, living their life out of the spotlight and doing the best they can for themselves and for their family. (The Conversation) SCY

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By Caroline Fitzpatrick, Canada Research Chair in Digital Media Use by Children and Its Implications for Promoting Togetherness: An Ecosystemic Approach, Universite de Sherbrooke; Fabricio De Andrade Rocha, Postdoctoral fellow, Group for Research and Intervention on Children's Social Adjustment, Universite de Sherbrooke; and Gabrielle Garon-Carrier, Professor, departement de psychoeducation, Universite de Sherbrooke



Toronto, Sep 23 (The Conversation) The number of children who own their own tablet has increased from seven per cent in 2013 to 44 per cent in 2020. In the United States, tablet use has become nearly universal, with 93 per cent of parents reporting that their two- to four-year-old uses a mobile device.

Tablets and mobile devices can be connected to the internet and allow users unlimited access to tailored content thanks to personalized algorithms. For this reason, these devices can be highly engaging for young children. However, they offer few opportunities for children to develop important emotion regulation skills, including the ability to manage strong emotions like anger and frustration.

The early childhood years are foundational for the development of emotion regulation skills. More challenging, less well-regulated children also tend to be exposed to more screen time by parents. For this reason, it remains important to answer the following question: does childrens tablet use contribute to poor emotional regulation, or do poorly regulated children spend more time on tablets?

We and our co-authors addressed this question in a study published in JAMA Pediatrics.



Tablet use and emotional regulation



Over the course of three years, we longitudinally studied a sample of 315 children at the ages of 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 years in Nova Scotia. Parents reported how much time their child spent using tablets on average every day, and reported how frequently their child expressed anger and frustration in the context of their daily routines.

Children in our sample spend on average 55 minutes (0.92 hours) per day using tablets at age 3.5, 57 minutes (0.95 hours) per day using tablets at 4.5, and 60 (one hour) per day using tablets at age 5.5.

We found that for every 73 minutes (1.22 hours) increase in tablet use at the age of 3.5 years, there was a significant increase in expressions of anger and frustration at age 4.5. Children who expressed anger and frustration more frequently at age 4.5 then increased their tablet time at age 5.5 by 17 minutes (0.28 hours).

Our studys rigorous design also allowed us to compare each child to themselves over time. That means they served as their own baseline control, which prevents other factors such as pre-existing individual differences (such as child sex and temperament) or differences in the quality of the family environment or socio-economic status from confounding the analyses.



Kids tablet use



Because of their small size, tablets can be transported to restaurants or brought along for car or bus rides to keep children busy or manage boredom and emotional outbursts. Indeed, parents report using screen media as a calming tool to help manage young childrens emotional outbursts. This strategy may be an effective short-term solution, but is likely to backfire in the long run.

In addition, very young children can operate tablets on their own, which can lead parents to use mobile devices to keep children busy. As such, child tablet use is likely to offer immediate gratification to children while remaining a solitary activity.

For these reasons, three-year-olds who spend more hours using tablets may forfeit opportunities to engage in activities  such as interactions with caregivers or free play with other children  that are essential for rehearsing and eventually mastering self-regulation. By the age of four, more frequent expression of anger also contributed to increases in tablet use, suggesting that early childhood tablet use could contribute to a vicious cycle over time.

Our study is not without limitations. First, our study was conducted during the pandemic with a convenience sample of 315 children with low levels of socioeconomic risk. Replications on more diverse and vulnerable samples post-pandemic are needed to confirm these results.

Future studies could examine the roles of screen media content and context of use on children. For instance, using tablets for e-book reading versus using a tablet to watch videos on YouTube may have different effects on children. Furthermore, the co-use of tablets with caregivers may offer more opportunities for social interactions, which may contribute to child learning outcomes.



Takeaways for parents and caregivers



Our results indicate that parents should closely monitor tablet use in the early preschool years. Parents should also avoid using tablets as a digital calming tool, especially with children who may be having trouble regulating their emotions and behaviour.

Finally, to improve emotional regulation skills, parents can ensure that children have sufficient opportunities to engage in activities that promote the development of emotion. (The Conversation) SCY

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Rome, Sep 23 (AP) Pope Francis cancelled his audiences Monday because of a slight flu-like state just days before he is to embark on a trip to Belgium and Luxembourg, the Vatican said.

The move was described as a precaution in the statement from the Vatican.

Francis is due to visit Luxembourg on Thursday and then spend the rest of the week in Belgium, ending with a Mass in Brussels on Sunday.

Francis, 87, who has battled a series of health problems in recent years, has had a packed schedule of audiences since returning from a four-nation, 11-day journey through Asia on Sept 13. It was the longest and farthest trip of his pontificate.

The statement from the Holy See press office described Francis as having a flu-like state. Through much of last winter, Francis battled acute bronchitis and recurring bouts of influenza, which forced him to cancel a quick trip to Dubai to participate in the UN climate conference.

In Belgium, Francis is due to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the country's main Catholic universities, and minister to Belgians who have been rocked by years of unrelenting revelations of clergy sexual abuse and cover-up. (AP) SCY

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Moscow, Sep 23 (AP) A Russian space capsule undocked from the International Space Station on Monday to take three astronauts back to Earth, two of them completing a record-long stay on the orbiting laboratory.

The capsule carrying Russians Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub and American Tracy Dyson is expected to land in the vast Kazakhstan steppe about 3 1/2 hours after the undocking.

Kononenko and Chub blasted off for the space station on Sept 15, 2023, and on Friday set the record for the longest continuous mission on the ISS. Dyson, in her third mission into outer space, spent six months aboard.

Eight astronauts remain on the space station, including Americans Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have remained long past their scheduled return to Earth.

They arrived in June as the first crew of Boeing's new Starliner capsule. But their trip was marred by thruster troubles and helium leaks, and the US space agency NASA decided it was too risky to return them on Starliner.

The two astronauts will ride home with SpaceX next year. (AP) SCY

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov met with Chairperson of the Higher Education Council of the Republic of Turkiye Erol Ozvar on September 23, the statement of the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic said, Trend reports.

The meeting expressed satisfaction with the successful development of relations of strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries in all spheres.

Furthermore, the dynamics of relations in the field of education were emphasized, and the results of long-term effective cooperation between higher education institutions and research centers of the two countries were assessed. The establishment of the Turkish-Azerbaijani University (TAU) was highlighted, and it was noted that the universities participating in the project are the leading higher education institutions of the two countries. According to the results of admission to TAU, which started functioning in the 2024/2025 academic year, about 90 students will study here in computer engineering, industrial engineering, and food engineering.

The meeting discussed current issues related to the activities of the Turkish-Azerbaijani University, as well as prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of science and education between the two countries.

The Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullayev, as well as rectors of leading higher education institutions in Turkiye and the rector of Azerbaijan Technical University, took part in the meeting.
By Guillaume Lafortune, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Jeffrey D Sachs, Columbia University; and UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network in New York City



New York, Sep 23 (360info) Barbados ranks first and the United States last in a new index ranking countries' global cooperation.

Almost 80 years after the creation of the United Nations, the Summit of the Future this month represents a timely effort to revitalise UN-based multilateralism to address the shared global challenges of our time.

Only 16 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets are on track to be achieved by 2030.

War is raging in many parts of the world, with rising tensions among nuclear powers. The consequences of climate change are increasingly visible.

Global challenges can be solved only when "appropriate frameworks of multilateral governance" are adopted and respected, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently explained.

The UN Charter established in 1945 outlines the purposes and principles of the UN to promote peace, friendly relationships among nations and global cooperation on socio-economic affairs. Ultimately, nation states remain at the heart of the UN-based multilateral system.



Why rank nations?



Essentially, nations hold the keys to "what it is that they will allow the [UN] to do and what resources  financial and otherwise  they will provide," as the 2022 book The UN in the 21st Century puts it. In this way the UN is often subject to political influence and the "whims of member governments".

Nations are responsible for ratifying and implementing UN treaties. Each nation has one vote at the UN General Assembly and can decide to participate in and finance the work of multilateral organisations (or not).

Since nations are still at the centre of the multilateral system, they must be held accountable for promoting UN-based multilateralism and implementing SDG17 ("Partnerships for the Goals").

A new index of countries' support for UN-based multilateralism, released in June, evaluates countries' efforts to promote the principles established in the UN Charter  principles that can enhance better international cooperation for sustainable development.

The index uses six headline indicators including: ratification of major UN treaties; percentage of votes aligned with the international majority at the UN General Assembly; participation in selected UN organisations and agencies; participation in conflicts and militarisation; the use of unilateral coercive measures (such as sanctions and embargos); and contribution to the UN budget and international solidarity.



The (good, bad and ugly) findings



The index reveals a positive general picture of support for UN-based multilateralism  but also highlights a handful of powerful outliers that show lower support.

Overall, most countries do signal their intention to support UN-based multilateralism. The average score across all 193 UN member states of 65 and the median is 70. For example, of the 193 UN member states, 90 per cent have ratified two-thirds or more of the major UN treaties, 66 per cent vote with the international majority at UN General Assembly two-thirds of the time, and more than half are members of the 24 international organisations and entities considered.

Barbados ranks number one followed by Antigua and Barbuda and Uruguay. (Interestingly, Barbados is behind the Bridgetown Initiative launched in 2022, which calls for urgent and decisive action to reform the international financial architecture.)

Now for the less-than-good news.

A handful of countries, including some large and powerful players, show lower support for UN-based multilateralism.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Russia, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Israel, South Sudan, Somalia, and the United States are the 10 countries least committed to UN-based multilateralism, all with scores below 50 (and below 40 for the North Korea, Israel, South Sudan, Somalia and the US).

The US ranks last in support for UN-based multilateralism.

It ratified three out of the nine core UN Human Rights treaties  fewer than any other G20 members and large countries (above 100 million inhabitants). From 2018-2022, the US vote at the UN General Assembly was aligned less than 25 per cent of the time with the majority vote of the international community (compared with around 75 per cent for China and India for example).

Since the 1990s, the number of unilateral coercive measures introduced by the US has increased sharply, even though several UN resolutions stress that unilateral coercive measures and practices are contrary to international law and international humanitarian law. The US spends more annually on defence than the next nine countries combined.

What's more, the US is among the few federal governments in the world that never presented a Voluntary National Review on its progress and action plan toward the SDGs at the UN. Most governments in July 2024 presented their second, third or even fourth review and action plan to achieve the SDGs.

This contrasts with the active role played by several US States, cities, scholars and civil society organis ations to advance the SDGs. Several US states and cities have presented Voluntary Local Reviews.

Overall, the poor performance of the US Federal government on the index suggests that the concepts of "rules-based-international order", promoted by the US government, and "UN-based multilateralism" are truly distinct, and arguably, even opposite concepts.



Towards a UN 2.0 to deal with 21st-century global challenges



The lack of support for and engagement with the UN processes by recent US Federal governments is in sharp contrast with the leadership role that President Franklin Roosevelt  and his wife Eleanor  played in the 1940s in setting up the UN system, learning from the failures of the League of Nations (1920-1946).

Midway between the founding of the UN in 1945 and 2100, we need thought leadership and diplomacy to foster more effective global cooperation in a multipolar world which counts 193 UN member states (compared with around 50 in 1945).

New institutions and new forms of global financing  including global taxation  may be required to achieve peace and sustainable development for all.

The SDSN Statement published ahead of the UN Summit of the Future and endorsed by more than 100 leading scientists and practitioners from around the world makes practical recommendations to strengthen the UN system and advance long-term sustainable development.

In Building a Just World Order Alfred de Zayas, also makes important recommendations to improve the functioning, inclusiveness and enforcement mechanisms of the UN system.

The solutions exist to build a more effective UN-based multilateral system, but require courage and goodwill from all UN member states. (360info) SCY

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Mumbai, Sep 23 (PTI) As Mumbai, India's financial capital, witnessed vertical growth over the years with highrises dotting its skyline, some 'gaothans' (villages) have held onto their heritage and legacy.

Ranwar, in the heart of Bandra, is one such village that has resisted the urge to make way for towering structures.

Dwarfed by highrises, the East Indian-majority village has narrow streets lined with old quaint bungalows and crosses outside homes. With jazz music streaming in the air, walking around the area can transport you to a simpler time.

While Bandra developed rapidly and became home to Bollywood's elite and a burgeoning street shopping hub, residents of Ranwar maintained their old bungalows. The coexistence, however, has come at a price, causing traffic issues and crowding.

And now, plans are afoot to give the 300-year-old village a facelift while preserving the past.

Talking to PTI, Johan Dharmai, BJP secretary and a member of the East Indian community, said, "Locals want to preserve the heritage. One of the steps in the facelift plan is to close vehicle movement and build a walkway so that tourists can take a stroll and enjoy the architecture."

Though many houses in Ranwar are now being redeveloped, Veronica Street has maintained its old-world charm. It has a square erected in 1866. However, honking rents the air on this street, as motorists see it as a shortcut to Bandra Reclamation and other areas.

Mehboob Studio is just a stone's throw away, and senior citizens living on Veronica Street recall seeing actors Helen and Zeenat Aman around Ranwar.

A beautification, restoration and conservation project is being initiated to improve safety, regulate traffic and create awareness about the centuries-old village.

Mumbai BJP president and Bandra West MLA Ashish Shelar recently met locals to discuss ways to move the project forward.

"The beauty of Bandra West is its 'gaothans'. The heritage needs to be protected and showcased. I have asked the government to allocate funds from the District Planning Development Committee (DPDC). Ranwar village will get a facelift. The work has begun on roads, CCTV cameras, street light illumination, parking and traffic plan will be in place with the help of locals and architects," Shelar told PTI.

Architect Samir D'Monte has been working with the Ranwar Veronica Street Residents' Association since 2009, and they identified a range of problems that the area faced.

D'Monte said improvements were made to open spaces and common areas, roads, sewage and drainage systems, street signage, street lighting and traffic and parking management.

Apart from this, individual houses were restored, and an innovative fire system was also introduced.

Locals say most residents are senior citizens and want to live peacefully without disturbances by motorists.

Kaevan Umrigar of Khaki Tours, who works to create awareness about Mumbai's heritage, said Bandra comprised 23 gaothans that housed fisher folk, Kunbis (a farming community) and the agris community who had salt pans.

"Ranwar was a farming village, and the area had paddy fields. Later, these paddy fields made way for urban settlements. These little villages are now trapped in the city. Now, only 10 to 15 gaothans in Bandra have survived," he said.

But preserving heritage comes at a cost, and if a 'gaothan' comes under heritage guidelines, it becomes difficult to upgrade a home in the area or live a modern life, Umigar said, adding that heritage should be made attractive by tapping the tourism potential of these areas.

'Gaothans' in Mumbai and the larger Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR) are urban villages that house the city's original inhabitants.

The Mumbai suburban district collector and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been roped in for Ranwar's facelift plan.

Umigar calls land scarcity a threat to 'gaothans', with only 100 left in the city.

"When someone wants to develop gaothans, they want to do it vertically. There is a constant battle between heritage and development. They (villages) survive because the houses are tightly packed and on narrow lanes. So individual houses are not attractive for redevelopment, and parking becomes an issue," he said.
Bhopal, Sept 23 (PTI) The world's largest ultra mega solar power plant in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district has been included as a case study for the ideal management by the prestigious Harvard University, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said.

He said Madhya Pradesh is progressing rapidly to emerge as a solar energy-rich state under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.

"The world's largest Rewa ultra mega Solar Power Project has become functional. It has been included as a case study by Harvard University in terms of an ideal example of excellent management operations," the CMO stated.

Along with this, the world's largest floating solar project of 600 MW capacity is also being developed on the Narmada River in Omkareshwar, it said.

Yadav said that many small and major solar energy projects are being constructed in different regions of MP.

The Rewa ultra mega solar power plant is not only the world's largest such facility but it is producing commercial energy at the lowest rate globally. From here, electricity will be available at Rs 3.30 per unit for 25 years.

Power supply to Delhi Metro Railway Corporation started from this UMPP in April 2019 while commercial production began in January 2020, the CMO stated.

An official on Monday said Madhya Pradesh has abundant solar energy and more than 300 sunshine days.

He said the Rewa plant is the country's first solar project funded through the World Bank's Clean Technology Fund.

"Today, half of the world's 10 largest solar projects are in India. Rewa Solar Power Plant is one among them," the official added.

Under the Union government's Solar Park Scheme, launched in 2014, solar projects with more than 500 MW capacity are included in solar parks and called ultra mega solar parks, he said.

The Harvard case study mentions that India has an estimated barren land of 4.67 lakh square metres where solar plants can be set up, the official said.

In a prelude to setting up the Rewa solar power plant, the government allotted 275 hectares of land in Badhwar village in June 2014. The formal approval for the establishment of this facility was given in April 2015, the official added.

Two months later, Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited was established as a joint venture of 50 per cent each between the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

Subsequently, another tranche of 981 hectares of land was allotted in Barwar, Barseta Desh, Barseta Pahad, Itar Pahad, and Ramnagar Pahad villages. By 2018-19, barren land available in more villages was allotted for the project. Power supply to Delhi Metro Railway Corporation started in April 2019 and commercial production began in January 2020, the official added.
Kolkata, Sep 23 (PTI) In a sarcastic remark, the Calcutta High Court on Monday said the West Bengal government may consider giving Rs 10 lakh as dole to each Durga Puja committee, maintaining that the current Rs 85,000 appears to be meagre.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently announced that the dole for Durga Puja organisers, which was Rs 75,000 in 2023, would be raised to Rs 85,000 this year.



Hearing a petition seeking a stop to the disbursal of dole to Durga Puja organisers by the state, the court directed the state government to file an affidavit on the petitioner's prayer for an audited report of the CAG on disbursal of funds to clubs and NGOs and utilisation of the money by these organisations.

Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam told Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the West Bengal government, that the state should consider giving Rs 10 lakh to each organiser as that would be commensurate to conducting the puja, saying that Rs 85,000 is nothing compared to the expenditure required to celebrate the Durga puja.



The Chief Justice said that he visited several Durga Puja pandals in the two previous years and felt that Rs 85,000 is nothing compared to the expenditure made in organising it, and those are probably utilised for the expenses of the organisers.



The court noted that the West Bengal government gives a paltry Rs 1,000 to a person suffering from disability owing to muscular dystrophy.



The Chief Justice said that there are more pressing issues like the plight of the contract workers, daily wage earners and badli (replacement) workers.



He also said that PWD workers deputed to the high court were not being paid minimum wages.



The division bench, also comprising Justice Bivas Pattanayak, however, did not grant a prayer for an order to the state government restraining it from giving rebate on electricity charges to the puja organisers, holding that this may have a public purpose as proper lighting and infrastructural facilities are required at the pandals.



The court said that it is of the view that disbursement of state funds to the puja organisers may be for a laudable purpose to encourage the committees to set up puja pandals as it is part of the cultural heritage of the state.



"Going by the amount of funds which are being infused for establishing such puja pandals, we are of the prima facie view that the amount of Rs 85,000 can hardly meet the cost of establishing a puja pandal and carrying out other activities for the entire period of puja.



"Thus what remains to be seen is how the funds are utilised," the court said, holding that the committees which received such funds are accountable to the state.



The bench said the nature of expenditure has to be minuted and submitted to the authorities in the light of an earlier order of September, 2022 and other earlier orders on the issue.



Petitioner's lawyer Nandini Mitra submitted that it is alarming that accounts of expenditure were not being provided by various Durga Puja committees on the dole provided by the West Bengal government.



Mitra stated that despite non-submission of expenditure accounts, funds were being disbursed to the clubs for providing financial assistance for holding Durga Puja year after year.



The state's lawyer submitted that a petition on the issue was disposed of by the high court in October 2020, and a report was also filed by the government as per the direction of the court.



On the prayer for setting aside the state government's decision to disburse funds to clubs on account of the festival and rebate on cost of electricity, the court noted that the disbursement has already taken place.



The 2020 order had also directed the CAG to submit a detailed report on disbursal and accounts of expenditure by the recipients.
New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) The CPI(M) on Monday congratulated the people of Sri Lanka for voting decisively and electing Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the country's new president.

The victory of a Left candidate in the presidential election for the first time in Sri Lanka's history is a historic occasion, it said.

Dissanayake, a Marxist leader, was sworn in as Sri Lanka's ninth president earlier in the day.

The CPI(M) Politburo said in a statement that it was confident Dissanayake would lead the country on the path of socio-economic development, progress and welfare.

"The Communist Party of India (Marxist) congratulates the people of Sri Lanka for voting decisively in the presidential elections held after their massive struggle, Aragalaya," the CPI(M) said.

The 2022 Sri Lankan protests, popularly called Aragalaya, were a series of mass protests against the country's government, triggered by an economic crisis.

"Anura Dissanayake, leader of the JVP and the National Peoples' Power (NPP), was elected as the ninth executive president of Sri Lanka in these elections. The victory of a Left candidate in the presidential election, for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, is a historic occasion," the CPI(M) said.

"We are confident that President Anura Dissanayake would lead the country on the path of socio-economic development, progress and welfare, ensuring the rights of the minorities. We wish him all the very best in his endeavours," it said.
Lucknow, Sep 23 (PTI) A second accused in the Sultanpur jewellery store robbery case was killed in Unnao on Monday in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force, a senior officer said.

The Special Task Force (STF) on September 5 gunned down another accused, Mangesh Yadav, sparking a political controversy, with the Samajwadi Party and the Congress calling the encounter "fake".

Additional Director General of Police (STF and Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said, "An STF team from Lucknow engaged in an encounter with suspects related to the robbery at Bharat Jewellers in Sultanpur in the Achalganj police station area of Unnao. One criminal was injured while another managed to escape."

He said Anuj Pratap Singh, a resident of Janapur village in Amethi district, was transported via an ambulance to a government hospital for initial treatment and subsequently referred to the district hospital.

"Anuj Pratap Singh was declared dead by doctors at the district hospital. Further legal proceedings are being conducted by the forensic laboratory team and the Achalganj police," the senior officer added.

On August 28, jewellery worth approximately Rs 1.5 crore was stolen from a store in the Thatheri market area of Sultanpur city.
New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday sought the dismissal of the Punjab government's suit in the Supreme Court by which it has sought to restrain the hill state from taking over the control of the Shanan Hydropower Project upon expiry of the 99-year lease agreement.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal said it will first hear on November 8 the Himachal Pradesh government's application challenging the maintainability of the suit of the Punjab government under Order 7 Rule 11 of the Civic Procedure Code (CPC).

"We will have to first hear the preliminary objections raised against the suit," the bench said and adjourned the matter.

Earlier, the Punjab government moved the apex court against the Himachal Pradesh government's attempt to take control of the 110-MW Shanan Hydropower Project from the Punjab government on the expiry of the 99-year lease that expired on March 2.

The dispute between the neighbouring states is related to the British-era Shanan Hydropower Project at Jogindernagar of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh.

It was constructed in 1925 under the lease agreement executed between Raja Joginder Sen, the ruler of the then Mandi state, and Col BC Batty, who represented the British government and served as the chief engineer of the undivided Punjab.

Under the agreement, the water for the project was to be utilised from Uhl River, a tributary of Beas River for generating power for undivided Punjab, Lahore, and Delhi before independence.

In its application filed through advocate Sugandha Anand, the Himachal Pradesh government said the suit of the Punjab government was barred by law, does not disclose any cause of action, and is not at all maintainable.

The Himachal Pradesh government said the 1925 agreement was the basis for the construction of the project, the grant of lands and the recognition of rights between the parties.

"Since the agreement in question has a force of law as per Section 2 (f) of the 1970 Act (Himachal Pradesh Act), therefore by operation of law the suit property is vested in the state of Himachal Pradesh/Defendant No.1.

"Hence, plaintiff has no cause of action to maintain the present suit against the true owner and therefore, the plaint is liable to be rejected as the same is barred by law as well as discloses no cause of action," it said.

The application said the Punjab government was never the signatory of the land lease agreement, hence the present suit seeking a prohibitory injunction is not maintainable against the true owner of the land.

"Hence, the plaint discloses no cause of action for a permanent prohibitory injunction. The plaintiff has never sought declaration for ownership of the project," the Himachal Pradesh application said.

The hill state said the Punjab government's suit filed under Article 131 of the Constitution, which allows a state to approach the Supreme Court directly in case of inter-state dispute, discloses no cause of action and is barred by law.

"It is submitted that a dispute arising out of a pre-Constitution treaty or agreement is not amenable to the jurisdiction of this court under Article 131 of the Constitution of India.

"The instant suit is in the nature of a 'dispute' which emanates/arises out of the agreement dated March 3, 1925, between the British Government and the Raja of Mandi," it said.

On March 4, the top court issued a summons on the suit of the Punjab government and sought a response from the Himachal Pradesh government on it.

It was informed that the Centre has ordered status quo with regard to the possession of the project.

The bench had directed the Punjab government to place on record the copy of the order dated March 1, of the Union Ministry of Power asking both the states to maintain the status quo on the project.

The Punjab government's suit filed through its secretary (power and energy), said, "The instant suit is being filed on behalf of the government of Punjab seeking relief of permanent prohibitory injunction for restraining defendant 1 (Himachal Pradesh government) from disturbing the lawful-peaceful possession and smooth functioning over the Shanan Power House Project as the plaintiff (Punjab) is the owner and is in lawful possession of Shanan Power House Project and its extension project along with all assets."

In the interim, the Punjab government wanted the status quo to be maintained and sought a "temporary injunction" against the dispossession of the project.

The state government further claimed that the project in dispute has been "managed and controlled by Punjab" through Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and allocated to it by a central notification of May 1967.
Scientists searching for the origins of COVID-19 have zeroed in on a short list of animals that possibly helped spread it to people, an effort they hope could allow them to trace the outbreak back to its source.

Researchers analyzed genetic material gathered from the Chinese market where the first outbreak was detected and found that the most likely animals were racoon dogs, civet cats and bamboo rats. The scientists suspect infected animals were first brought to the Wuhan market in late November 2019, which then triggered the pandemic.

Michael Worobey, one of the new studys authors, said they found which sub-populations of animals might have spread the coronavirus, which may help researchers identify COVID-19s natural reservoir.

For example, with the racoon dogs, we can show that the racoon dogs that were (at the market)  were from a sub-species that circulates more in southern parts of China, said Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona. Knowing that might help researchers understand where those animals came from and where they were sold. Scientists might then start sampling bats in the area, which are known to be the natural reservoirs of related coronaviruses like SARS.

While the research bolsters the case that COVID-19 emerged from animals, it does not resolve the polarized and political debate over whether the virus instead emerged from a research lab in China.

Mark Woolhouse, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Edinburgh, said the new genetic analysis suggested that the pandemic had its evolutionary roots in the market and that it was very unlikely COVID-19 was infecting people before it was identified at the Huanan market.

Its a significant finding and this does shift the dial more in favor of an animal origin, Woolhouse, who was not connected to the research, said. But it is not conclusive.

An expert group led by the World Health Organization concluded in 2021 that the virus probably spread to humans from animals and that a lab leak was extremely unlikely. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus later said it was premature to rule out a lab leak.

An AP investigation in April found the search for the COVID origins in China has gone dark after political infighting and missed opportunities by local and global health officials to narrow the possibilities.

Scientists say they may never know for sure where exactly the virus came from.

In the new study, published Thursday in the journal Cell, scientists from Europe, the U.S. and Australia analyzed data previously released by experts at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It included 800 samples of genetic material Chinese workers collected on Jan. 1, 2020 from the Huanan seafood market, the day after Wuhan municipal authorities first raised the alarm about an unknown respiratory virus.

Chinese scientists published the genetic sequences they found last year, but did not identify any of the animals possibly infected with the coronavirus. In the new analysis, researchers used a technique that can identify specific organisms from any mixture of genetic material collected in the environment.

Worobey said the information provides a snapshot of what was (at the market) before the pandemic began and that genetic analyses like theirs helps to fill in the blanks of how the virus might have first started spreading.

Woolhouse said the new study, while significant, left some critical issues unanswered.

There is no question COVID was circulating at that market, which was full of animals, he said. The question that still remains is how it got there in the first place.

(AP)
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

WHAT WE SHOULD BE DAVENING FOR

In a Sefer called Yehge Chochma we find a list of 7 things that Rav Yitzchok Feigelstock ztl said that we should be davening for during the period of Elul and Yomim Noraim:

We should be davening for our brethren living in Eretz Yisroel amidst all the dangers of terrorism.

We should be davening for our brethren that are estranged from Torah. Through no fault of their own, they have never tasted the glorious taste of Torah and Mitzvos.

We should be davening for all those who are suffering from illness in our times  young and old.

We have to daven for the welfare of the yeshivah movement  the Yeshivos and other institutions of Torah. They are the foundation stone for the success of the nation.

We should daven for the well-being of the Gedolei Yisroel  that they should continue to have strength to lead. We should also daven for the creation of future and worthy Gedolei Yisroel.

If we have a friend that we know needs something  whether it is of a physical or spiritual nature  we should be davening for that for him.

And when we do make these requests  we must do so without demands, with no expectations  like a poor person at a doorstep requesting alms.

THE SHLIACH TZIBBUR

The Shliach Tzibbur that is chosen both for Selichos as well as the Yomim Noraim should have the following six qualities. The qualities are in the following order of preference:

A] Talmid Chochom B] yarei Shomayim C] thirty years old or more D] Married with children E] Sweet Voice F] Merutzah laKahal  desired by and acceptable to the congregation.

The Baal Tefillah for Slichos should also, ideally, be the Shliach Tzibbur for Shacharis and Mincha. This is to fulfill the principle found in the Jerusalem Talmud (Psachim 10:5) of HaMaschil BMitzvah omrim lo gmor.

EREV ROSH HASHANA

We recite more Slichos on this day than on other days because this day is even more favorable for Hashem forgiving our sins. Many people fast on Erev Rosh HaShana. Some fast only until Mincha. This fast does not need to be declared on the Mincha before it like other fasts.

After Shacharis, it is important to recite the Hataras Nedarim on Erev Rosh HaShana so that we enter the new year without having the sins of unfulfilled vows. This is done before three knowledgeable men. Husbands should have their wife and daughters in mind when saying it and should say this aloud.

We do not sound the Shofar on this day for two reasons: 1] To differentiate between the voluntary Shofar blastings of Elul and the mandatory ones for Rosh haShana. 2] We wish to confuse the Satan by not letting him know when Rosh HaShana occurs and thus will be unable to present his charges against us. It is therefore very important that he not get hold of this pamphlet.

Other things that we do in order to confuse the Satan is not to bentch Rosh Chodesh Tishrei, not to say the words uvroshei Chodhsaichem takrivu in the Mussaf of Rosh HaShana, and we do not end the cycle of the reading of the Torah on Rosh haShana either.

Many have the custom to visit Tzaddikim at the cemetery on Erev Rosh haShana. It is important not to pray to them or to ask them to intercede on our behalf. Rather, we should pray to Hashem that in the merit of the Tzaddik we should have a good judgment.

It is also a minhag for men to immerse in a Mikvah on Erev Rosh HaShana. The preferred time for this is after the fifth hour of the day (one hour before Chatzos). It is the minhag to get a haircut on this day and put on nice clothing to show our confidence that Hashem will have mercy upon us. One should not wear overly festive clothing so as not to forget the impending awe of Yom HaDin.

THE DIFFERENCES IN THE TEFILLAH

One of the most important differences between the Shmoneh Esreh of the Aseres Yemei Teshuva (including Rosh haShana and Yom Kippur) is in the blessing of HaKel HaKadosh  the third bracha in the Shmoneh Esreh  we change the world Kel to HaMelech HaKadosh. This statement is quoted in the Talmud in the name of the great sage Rav. The reason why we make this change, according to Rashi, is that during this time Hashem demonstrates his Kingship over the entire world by judging them. If one is unsure whether HaMelech HaKadosh was said or not  the assumption is that it was not said  and the Shmoneh Esreh must be repeated.

On weekdays, when we generally say, melech ohaiv tzedaka uMishpat  we change this to HaMelech HaMishpat. If HaMelech HaKadosh was not said and he or she did not yet begin the next bracha  one may recite hamelech hakadosh and continue in the Shmoneh Esreh. This is because the newer version was the one that is considered correct. If, however, more than 3 seconds had elapsed the correction did not count and the entire Shmoneh Esreh must be recited again. It is a good idea to insert a tissue or stick on arrow in ones siddur on account of this. If one erred in regard to HaMelech haMishpat then one does not have to repeat the Shmoneh Esreh.

ADDITIONS OF THE GAONIM

The Gaonim who lived after the time of the Gemorah initiated certain additions to be made into the Shmoneh Esreh during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah beyond the changes mentioned in the Gemorah. They added the recitation of certain phrases. Zachreinu LeChaim  Remember us for life  O King who is Desirous of Life and Write us in the Book of Life is inserted in the first bracha of the Shmoneh Esreh. Mi Chamocha is inserted in the second bracha. Uchesov lchaim tovim kol bnei baisecha, is said in the bracha of Modim and Bsefer chaim is inserted at the end of the 19th bracha of the Shmoneh Esreh.

Generally speaking, there is a debate between the Rambam and the Ramban (see HaSagos on Sefer HaMitzvos #5) as to the nature of the obligation of Tefillah. The Rambam holds that the obligation is from the Torah. The Ramban holds that it is only a Torah Mitzvah when one is in an Ais Tzarah  a time of great difficulty. Rav Yeruchem Olshin shlita, cites the Alter of Slabodka (Yareiach LaMoadim Vol. I p. 43) that during Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur we are all considered as being in an Ais Tzara  and it is a Torah Mitzvah according to all opinions.

In the Kaddishes that are recited during the aseres yemei Teshuva the words laiyla ulaiyla mikol birchasa are said instead of laiyla min kol birchasa. The number of words in the Kaddish must equal 28 words, according to the Zohar. Hashems name also has 28 words. This is why we combine the two words min kol to mikol when we add the word laiylah. On Friday evenings after the Shmoneh Esreh we generally say the Tefilah of Magain Avos. In this Tefillah as well we replace HaKel HaKadosh with HaMelech HaKadosh.

The Poskim have ruled that on the Yomim Noraim we Daven slightly louder than we do during the rest of the year. There are two reasons for this: The first is to increase ones kavana  intent. The second is that our Tefillah during this time is one of an Ais Tzarah  the form of which is tzaakah  screaming out (See Yareiach LaMoadim p. 49). One must, nonetheless, be careful that this ruling not be a source of Machlokes  argument. It is better to Daven in a more quiet tone if it will cause someone to be disturbed or distressed  Heaven forbid.

We recite the Avinu Malkeinu on Rosh haShana and throughout the Aseres yemei Teshuvah, a Tefillah that was composed by Rabbi Akiva. It is recited during Shacharis and Mincha  but it is not recited on Shabbos.

After Maariv during Rosh HaShana the Chazan recites each posuk of LDovid Mizmor. The congregation repeats each verse after the Chazzan.

After Maariv, each person extends a greeting to friends and family. The general greeting as cited by the Chofetz Chaim is, Lshana Tova tekasaiv vsaichasem lalter, ulchaim tovim ulshalom. This is not said during the daytime, however, because the Tzaddikim are inscribed in the morning. We want to treat everyone as if they were already inscribed  a worthy action that helps both ourselves as well as others.

This too, when said with the proper intent can be a fulfillment of VeAhavta layacha kamocha  a biblical Mitzvah.

ROSH HASHANA

Rosh HaShana is the day in which the creation of the world is celebrated. In actuality, however, it is the day that mankind was created (See Talmud Rosh haShana 10b). The world was created six days earlier on the 25th of Elul.

It was on this day that Adam HaRishon, the first man, was created. On this day he also sinned. And on this day he was granted amnesty, or forgiveness. Because of this, the day of Rosh haShana became the day in which all mankind is judged.

Rosh HaShana is referred to in the Torah only as Yom HaZikaron, or as Yom Teruah  the name Rosh HaShana is not found in the Torah. Yom HaZikaron means the Day of Remembrance and Yom Teruah means the day of Sounding the Shofar.

Rosh HaShana plays a central role in our lives as well as that of the entire world. It is a day that we mark with intense prayer. What do we pray for? We long for the time when the entire world will recognize Hashem, and his Divine Plan for the world. This longing helps change our perspectives.

In the evening, right after the Maariv prayers and after we extend greetings to friends and family, we come home and eat the Seudah. However, it is the custom to recite the special Yehi Ratzons found in the siddur as a good omen and sign for the upcoming year. This is based upon the Talmud that states, Simana Milsa  omens are significant (Horios 12a). Another Gemorah (Krisus) tells us to eat certain foods on Rosh haShana in order to have these good signs.

Some also have the Minhag not to eat walnuts (Egoz) on Rosh haShana. There are three reasons cited for this 1] Because it increases phlegm 2] Because it has the same Gematria as the word Chait  sin. Egoz is 17 and ches tes is 17. 3] The Chsam Sofer writes that the word Egoz alludes to the exiles of Israel.

The two days of Rosh HaShana are also called a Yoma Arichta  one long day  a single period of time and holiness. This was an enactment of the sages out of a concern as to when the witnesses testifying to the new moon would arrive. Because of this status, there is a debate as to whether we recite a Shehecheyanu on the second night of Rosh haShana. To avoid doubt, we try to purchase a new fruit or garment that would require a Shehecheyanu to be recited regardless. In the past decade the availability of new fruit in this country as expanded rapidly. It is thus rare to be able to recite a Shehecheyanu on a new fruit. One should therefore rely on the clothing option. If neither are available a Shehecheyanu is still recited.

One should arise on time to Davening on Rosh haShana. There is a Talmud Yerushalmi that states, One who sleeps on Rosh haShana  his Mazal will also sleep.

The main special Mitzvah of this day is the sounding of the Shofar. The Rambam writes that the shofar tells us:

Awaken from your sleep, you sleeper! Think about your deeds. Remember Hashem and go back to Him in Teshuvah. Dont be like those who miss everything that is real and important and instead chase after things that are just a shadow. Dont waste your years chasing after vain things that wont help you. Look to your souls and consider your actions. 

It is a positive Mitzvah in the Torah to hear the blast of the Shofar on account of the verse, Yom Truah yiheheh Lachem. We also learn from this verse that the Mitzvah is during the day. The earliest time one may fulfill this Mitzvah is after alos haShachar  dawn. Ideally, however, it should be done after sunrise.

Nowadays, we blow shofar after Shacharis. Originally, we blew it during Shacharis because of the principal of Zrizim makdimim lMitzvos. Why then did we change? According to the Gemorah (Rosh HaShana 32b), we changed during Roman times because of a decree. According to the Yerushalmi the enemies thought that the Shofar was a battle cry  a call for a rebellion and they killed Jews. Even though this is no longer applicable  the Gemorah states that we do not change back.

The sages enacted that when Rosh haShana falls on Shabbos the Shofar is not to be blown. They ruled in this manner so that someone will not come to carry a Shofar by accident. This is a lesson in how seriously we should be concerned about the issues of carrying on Shabbos  the sages were so concerned that they repealed a Torah Mitzvah!

The Gemorah tells us that any year in which the Shofar is not blown ends up as a calamitous year. What about Shabbos then? Rabbi Aharon Kotler explains that the merit of Shabbos observance  in having given up the item that will silence the Satan  will serve to silence him.

The Gemorah tells us that one set of Shofar blasts is to fulfill the Mitzvah, while the other set of shofar blasts is to confound or confuse the Satan. Rashi explains that the Satan will be unable to prosecute us when he sees us lovingly perform Hashems Mitzvah again. Tosfos explains that the Satan is afraid that he will lose his job, thinking that this shofar blast is the one that hails the arrival of the Messianic era. One may ask how it is that the Satan can be confounded and confused so easily? The Taamei haMinhagim explains that the Satan is concerned that the Jewish people are not just doing Teshuvah. He is worried that they are doing Teshuva mAhavah  repentance out of Love of Hashem. When that happens all the Aveiros that the Jewish people performed are turned into Mitzvos. This is what worries and confuses him!

Some shuls have the custom to break for Kiddush and a snack before the blowing of the shofar. This is controversial because many authorities forbid eating before any Mitzvah of the day. Because Mussaf ends late, however, many shuls are lenient. Nonetheless, a full meal should not be eaten  they should only eat enough to help them focus on the Mitzvah further.

Women are technically exempt from the Mitzvah of Shofar because it is a time-bound Mitzvah. Nonetheless, if they hear the Shofar it is counted as the fulfillment of a Mitzvah. For this reason Ashkenazic women may recite the blessing. A child is obligated in hearing the Shofar by Rabbinic decree.

Two blessings are recited on the Shofar. Asher kidshanu bmitzvosav vtzivanu lishmoah kol shofar, and the Shehecheyanu. The brachos should be said while standing.

A shofar may only be made from a Tahor or pure animal. Ideally, a rams horn should be used, alluding both to the merit of Akeidas Yitzchok and to the eventual rams horn of Moshiach. The word Shofar means hollowed tube. Therefore a horn which is not naturally hollow but was hollowed by man is not called a Shofar. A deerhorn or oxhorn is called a Keren by the Torah and therefore are also invalid  even though they are hollow.

If a shofar has a hole or a crack it may have become invalid. The shofar should be presented to a Rav who is proficient in these laws to rule upon it.

The shofar blasts are divided into two types  the sitting blasts Tekios dmeyushav (although our custom now is to stand for them too) which are blown before Mussaf

And the standing blasts  Tkiyos dmeumad which are blown during and after Mussaf.

There should not be any talking from the time the blessing is recited until the last blast of the Shofar. If one did speak and at least one set of blasts was heard  the blessing does not have to be recited again.

The Shofar is blown from the Shulchan and not the Amud. The reason is to remind the heavenly court of the merit of our Torah study.

The Shofar is blown from the right side of the mouth. If this is difficult for the blower, the baal tokeah, then may switch sides.

The Torah mentions the word Truah three times. The Chachomim derive from here that three truahs must be sounded on Rosh HaShana. We also have a tradition that each Truah must be preceded and followed by a Tkiyah. We must therefore hear at least 9 different blasts. However, our sages were unsure as to whether Truah means wailing, sobbing, or both. Therefore we make all types of sounds to ensure that we have fulfilled the Mitzvah.

Rav Saadya Gaon lists ten reasons why the Shofar is blown  other than the fact that it is a Mitzvah in the Torah.

Kings are enthroned with trumpet blasts. We are enthroning Hashem as King of the Universe. The Shofar sound is a call for us to do teshuvah. It reminds us of Har Sinai  where a Shofar blast was heard throughout the camp. We commited ourselves then to Naaseh vnishmah  which we should do now too. It reminds us of the mussar, the chastisement, of the prophets which is described as like a Shofar in Sefer Yeshaya chapter 58 and Sefer Yechezkel chapter 33as like a Shofar. It reminds us of the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash and arouses us to pray for its rebuilding. It reminds us of Akeidas Yitzchok  and arouses within us thoughts of commitment and self-sacrifice to Hashem  something that will help us in judgment. The sobbing instills Yiras Shamayim into us. It reminds us of the final Day of Judgement. It reminds us of Kibutz Galios  when all exiled Jews will return. It reminds us of Tchias HaMaisim.

The daytime Kiddush of Rosh haShana is the recitation of the verse, Tiku bachodesh shofar bakeseh leyom chageinu etc. Then a Borei Pri haGafen is recited on wine. As in all Kiddush a mezonos must be eaten or one is not permitted to taste anything.

SHACHARIS

When the Shliach Tzibbur begins Shacharis after Psukei DZimra, he sings a long traditional tune while he is still standing at his regular seat. Then he recites the word HaMelech aloud and walks up to the Amud, where he will continue leading the prayers. The Sefer HaChaim explains that, just as a robbery victim overcome by robbers will shout out to police when he sees them, so too do we shout out to the king when we are overcome by accusers.

After Shacharis, as mentioned earlier, we recite the Avinu Malkeinu that was composed by Rabbi Akiva. The Gemorah tells us that Rabbi Akivas prayer was effective when other prayers were not only because of a remarkable quality that Rabbi Akiva possessed  He was maavir al midosav  forgiving toward others. One of the reasons why this prayer should be said is to remind us to emulate the qualities of its author.

TORAH READING

The Zohar tells us that when we open the Aron in preparation for the reading of the Torah  it is a special Ais Ratzon  a time of remarkable receptivity for prayers. Normally we say the prayer Brich Shmay during this time. On Rosh haShana we add the 13 midos of compassion as well. We also add the word VeNorah in the middle of Echad Elokainu, Gadol Adonainu, Kadosh _____ shmo.

The reading of the first day on Rosh haShana is the story of the birth of Yitzchok. One of the reasons that we read this section is to highlight the idea that Hashem pays particular attention to answer prayers said in deep anguish and said in earnest. Sarah Imeinus Tefilos were recited in this manner. Yitzchok was also conceived on Rosh haShana. On the second day we read of the Akeidah.

MUSSAF

The Mussaf Tefillah contains three main sections called, Malchios, Zichronos and Shofros. Each section contains ten psukim  3 from the Torah, 3 from the neviim, 3 from ksuvim and 1 more from the Torah. The Malchios section contains verses that declare hashems Kingship. The Zichronos section contains psukim that describe how hashem remembers all of our deeds. The Shofros section contains Psukim that proclaim Hashems glory, the removal of wickedness and the merits of Klal Yisroel.

We also have the custom to blast the Shofar 100 times over Rosh haShana. We do three series of thirty and one last one of ten.

ROSH HASHANA AFTERNOON

Ideally one should not sleep on Rosh HaShana afternoon on account of the aforementioned Yerushalmi. If need be, however, one can rely on those authorities who understand the Yerushalmi as referring to times of prayer and the time to hear the shofar.

On the afternoon of the first day of Rosh haShana many people have the custom to recite the Tashlich service at a body of water. Ideally the body of water should contain fish. If the first day of Rosh haShana comes out on a Shabbos, Tashlich is delayed until the afternoon of the second day of Rosh haShana. If one is unable to do it the Tashlich may be said until Hoshana Rabbah.

THE TEN DAYS OF REPENTANCE

Hashem, in His Infinite Kindness has given us a gift in the Aseres Yemei Teshuva. How so? Not everyone, unfortunately, merited to receive a judgment on Rosh HaShana. Some people, have their spiritual report card pushed off. The Talmud Yerushalmi explains that the bainonim  the average people, are judged during these ten days of Bein Keseh LAsor. If the average person successfully repents  then they are inscribed with the Tzaddikim in the book of Life. Indeed, even the Rashaim, although they are written down negatively, it is not sealed until Yom Kippur and that fate can be changed. The gift is that everyone receives a second chance.

The phrase Bein Keseh LAsor is used to refer to the days between Rosh haShana, when the moon is covered, to the tenth of the month  Yom Kippur. These ten days give all people the opportunity to make amends and correct their sins. Hashem comes closer to us and makes it easier to make those changes. The Talmud (Yevamos) understands the verse, Dirshu hashem Behimatzo  seek Hashem where He may be found (Yishayahu 55:6) as referring to the Ten Days of Repentance.

We find that these Ten Days have significance in other places too. Chazal also tell us that Hashem did not immediately punish Nahval, the first husband of Avigayil, for the sins he committed against Dovid HaMelech, and for his tremendous inhospitality. Nahval deserved immediate punishment for this mistreatment. But Hashem did not inflict it then. Rather, Hashem gave Nahval the opportunity to do Teshuvah during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. We see here the enormous power that these ten days possess.

In fact, the Midrash called Yalkut Shimoni tells us that the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah incorporated the ten verses of malchios, zichronos, and shofros in the Mussaf of Rosh haShana to correspond to the ten days of Teshuvah  this is how important these days are.

The Shla explains that each day of the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah is progressively more and more urgent. Action should be taken in both areas of Mitzvos Bain Adam LMakom andBain Adam lChaveiro and all three tools should be utilized, Teshuvah, Tzedakah, and Tefillah.

There are seven days that are in between the two days of Rosh haShana and the one day of Yom Kippur. The Seforim HaKedoshim explain that during each of these seven days, Sunday through Shabbos, it is possible to do Teshuvah for every Sunday that we sinned throughout the year 0n that corresponding day of the 7 days. So on Tuesday of the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, we can atone for every Tuesday in that year.

OUR ROLE

The nation of Israel was given a special role in Hashems Master Plan for the world. Up until now, we have only partially fulfilled this Plan of being a nation of priests, bringing knowledge of Hashem to the world. Indeed, the davening on Rosh HaShana emphasized the hope and dream when all the nations would form one Agudah to do His Will. The Torah commands us to make sure that we not forget this special role, and even provided us with special Mitzvos to make sure that our role not be lost. The Mishna in tractate Avodah Zarah tells us that the Rabbis forbade a number of items that were made or owned by the surrounding gentiles. Their concern was of the possibility of intermarriage, and of losing the special destiny that G-d has planned for us. One of the items mentioned in the Mishna is bread produced by gentiles.

ONLY PAS YISROEL

During the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah it is our custom not to eat what is called Pas Palter  Bakers bread. This refers to bread or flour items that were baked under non-Jewish ownership. Regular Kosher bread, cakes, pretzels, cookies and ice cream sandwiches are not to be eaten during this time. It may only be eaten if the words Pas Yisroel appear on the supervision.

There are a few reasons for this stringency. One reason, according to the Tur, is that during these days we try to fulfill all our Mitzvos, both Torah and Rabbinic Mitzvos, in the most pure and ideal manner possible. How is Pas Yisroel more ideal? In the past, the sages forbade us from eating all bread and mezonos items that were baked by non-Jews. However, this prohibition was partially repealed by the Rabbis because the majority of our people were unable to adhere to this stricter ruling. However, during the Aseres Yemei Teshuva (and according to the Mishna Brurah on Shabbos too) we avoid eating Pas Palter.

Another reason for this stringency, according to the Levush, is to serve as a reminder of how unique these days are. A third reason, according to the Chayei Adam, is that we are asking Hashem not to be strict according to the law  just as we are doing something extra that is not strictly required, we ask Hashem not to be strict with us.

TZOM GEDALIAH

Immediately after Rosh haShana we observe Tzom Gedaliah. The Gemorah (Rosh haShana 18b) explains that the death of Tzaddikim is likened to the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash itself. Gedaliah was the last hope of the Jewish people to retain some form of autonomy and self-rule. Gedaliah was actually murdered on Rosh haShana itself. However, it was pushed off until after Rosh haShana in order to observe the day properly. The murder of Gedaliah is particularly vexing because a] He was a Tzaddik and Navi b] This murder was rachmana litzlan done by a Jew and c] Klal Yisroel suffered many additional tzaros because of his death.

Only boys 13 and above and girls 12 and above must fast. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ztl (Halichos Shlomo) holds that there is no Chinuch for fasting on Rabbinic fast days. If a child does wish to fast he must ask the permission of his parents and it must not affect his learning. Nonetheless, those who are not fasting should not have sweets, candy, ice cream or between meal snacks (See Mishna Brurah 550:5 and Chayei Adam 133:6).

If Rosh HaShana falls on a Thursday and Friday, Tzom Gedaliah is pushed off until Sunday. Since it is pushed off  at a Bris the father, mohel and Sandek may eat after Mincha time. At a Pidyon HaBen, the father and the Kohain may eat after Mincha too.

In the Avinu Malkeinu, there are usually two columns indicating two different versions to recite  one for the Ten Days of Repentance and one for Fast Days. On Tzom Gedaliah, the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah side is recited  not the column for fast days.

FORGOT ITS A FAST

If someone forgot that it was a fast day and ate, they should stop eating as soon as it is remembered that it is a fast day. We do not say that once he or she at, the fast is lost. If a bracha was made on food and then the person remembered that it was a fast day, do not taste the food  rather say, Boruch Shaim Kvod Malchuso Lolam voEd.

A diabetic or other sick person who is told not to fast should make up the fast with charity. The amount should be equivalent to the amount of food one eats in a typical day. If someone has difficulty fasting, but is not sick, that person must still fast. If they do not fast they are Poretz Geder  breaking a fence. The Mateh Ephraim writes that the verse And their sin shall be on their bones (Yechezkel 32:27) applies to them.

TEFILOS AND ADDITIONS

We must take enormous care to make sure that we add the appropriate additions to the Tefilah during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. One such addition is the fact that in Shmoneh Esreh we say Oseh HaShalom Bimromav instead of oseh Shalom Bimoromav. The Arizal explains that HaShalom in Gematriah is equivalent to the name of the angel in charge of inscribing Safriel.

During the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah we also try to be stringent regarding other Mitzvos too, not just Pas Yisroel. Some people try to purchase their lulavim and esrogim during this time in order to get more Mitzvos. The Seforim say that if someone is not careful to eat Glatt Kosher all year round but just regular Kosher, he or she should keep Glatt Kosher. For this reason, it would also be appropriate to be stringent in Cholov Yisroel during this time  if it is possible. It is not worthwhile, however, to cause a Machlokes over a Chumrah.
The IDFs Home Front Command has imposed restrictions on the residents of northern Israel  schools are closed and hospitals are operating underground  but the Kol HaTorah continues and yeshivos in northern Israel are continuing their usual intense Elul schedule.

On the other hand, the tense security situation cannot be ignored and some yeshivos are considering moving to central Israel if the situation worsens.

Moti Wizgan, the administrator of the Rechasim Yeshiva and deputy head of the Rechasim local council, spoke with Radio Kol BRama on Sunday and discussed how the yeshiva is dealing with the security concerns.

We have 600 bochurim at the yeshiva, Wizgan said. We talked to the parents last night, many of whom are worried about the situation. As of now, none of the students have left the yeshiva. There are shelters in the basement of the building and we are continuing classes as usual.

The decision about whether to remain is up to the Rosh Yeshiva. If theres a significant escalation, we might consider relocating the yeshiva to the center.

Yediot Achronot military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua was also interviewed on the program and said: The enemy is planning revenge, which could succeed, fail, or be thwarted. Residents wont return to the north when theres no security and as long the Radwan Force terrorists arent pushed back from the border. The Israeli decision was not to go to war. There are those in Israel still looking for a diplomatic solution.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The International Chess Federation's General Assembly held its last meeting on the last day of the 45th World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, Trend reports.

According to information, during the meeting, the Azerbaijan Chess Federation (ACF) proposed to create a special structure to strengthen cooperation and ties of Turkic-speaking countries in the field of chess.

Addressing the meeting, ACF Secretary General Ilaha Gadimova emphasized the importance of creating a joint association of Turkic-speaking countries and informed about the main goals of the future structure. The proposal put to vote at the FIDE General Assembly was adopted unanimously. Thus the Chess Association of Turkic-speaking countries was established. The first members of the association became Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan.

At the end of the meeting, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich met with the heads of chess federations of the member states of the Chess Association of Turkic-speaking Countries. The charter of the association will be approved shortly. The leadership of the structure will be elected for two years and will be on a rotational basis. The main goal is to expand ties between the Turkic-speaking countries in the field of chess and the regular realization of joint projects.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
In a closed meeting of the Knessets Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly informed lawmakers that only half of the 97 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7 are believed to be alive.

According to the information we have, half of the hostages in Gaza are alive, Netanyahu was quoted as saying by Army Radio.

The revelation came during a tense briefing, where Netanyahu also addressed the status of ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release. According to earlier leaks from the meeting, Netanyahu denied obstructing a potential deal to free the hostages, instead blaming Hamas for repeatedly altering the terms of the proposed agreement.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Monday that he is considering a plan to lay siege to northern Gaza, a proposal promoted by senior IDF reservists. Speaking before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Netanyahu indicated that the so-called generals plan is one of several strategies under review to address Hamas forces.

The prime minister also shared grim news regarding the hostages held in Gaza. According to the information we have, half of the [97 remaining] hostages in Gaza are alive, Netanyahu reportedly said, implying that around 50 hostages may have died. The IDF has only confirmed the deaths of 33 hostages still in Hamas hands.

The plan to besiege northern Gaza, championed by retired Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland, calls for cutting off supplies and warning civilians to evacuate. Eiland, a former IDF official, argued that such a move would change the reality in Gaza and weaken Hamass hold over the region. What matters to [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar is land and dignity, and with this maneuver, you take away both land and dignity, Eiland explained.

Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of controlling the distribution of humanitarian aid to diminish Hamass power. As long as Hamas controls food and fuel, they can continue to recruit fighters, he told the committee.

Likud MK Amit Halevi expressed support for the plan, saying that in order to defeat Hamas, we must control the land and the population. Halevi also suggested that the siege could increase pressure on Hamas to negotiate for the release of hostages, asserting that Hamas would have no incentive to deal if they had ample resources.

The possibility of shifting northern operations to Lebanon also came up in the meeting, with Netanyahu noting the intensifying conflict with Hezbollah. He said that military actions in the north could help force Hamas to negotiate in Gaza.

Netanyahu also addressed criticisms over delays in reaching a hostage deal, denying claims that he was the obstacle to an agreement. He stated that Hamas has repeatedly revised the terms of a proposed ceasefire, while Israel has accepted the conditions laid out by American mediators. Netanyahu suggested a new approach involving multiple brief ceasefires, during which small groups of hostages would be released.

Amid growing hostilities with Hezbollah, Netanyahu warned that Israel would continue to degrade Hezbollahs capabilities while seeking to avoid full-scale war. In recent days, Hezbollah expanded its rocket attacks, targeting the Haifa area and the Jezreel Valley, bringing over two million Israelis within range of its strikes.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israeli airstrikes in Beirut this evening targeted senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki, according to security sources cited by Israeli media. Karaki, head of Hezbollahs southern command, is responsible for the terror groups military operations in southern Lebanon and is a key member of Hezbollahs Jihad Council, its top military body.

The IDF confirmed the targeted strike and stated that more details would be provided soon. This marks only the fourth Israeli airstrike on Beirut since the war began.

If Karakis death is confirmed, it would leave just one surviving member of Hezbollahs top chain of command under Hassan Nasrallah  Abu Ali Rida, commander of the terrorist organizations Bader unit.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Former CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has described the mass detonation of Hezbollah communication devices, widely attributed to Israel, as a form of terrorism.

The ability to be able to place an explosive in technology that is very prevalent these days and turn it into a war of terror. This is something new, Panetta told CBS.

When you have terror going into the supply chain, it makes people ask the question, What the hell is next? This is a tactic that has repercussions, and we really dont know what those repercussions are going to be, Panetta continued.

The former CIA chief suggested that the current dynamics in the region are being dominated by the forces of war, and warned of the unpredictability of future developments.

When pressed on whether the United States should condemn Israel for the operation, Panetta avoided a direct answer. Instead, he called for a global discussion on the issue.

I think its going to be very important for the nations of the world to have a serious discussion about whether or not this is an area that everybody has to focus on because if they dont try to deal with it now, mark my word, it is the battlefield of the future, Panetta said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Labour is facing growing calls to block handouts for Drax after the 'green' energy firm was hit with an air pollution fine in Mississippi.

Drax  which has been given more than 6billion of subsidies for its power station in North Yorkshire  is currently waiting for ministers to decide whether to extend subsidies beyond 2027.

One campaigner said it is 'ludicrous' that the Government is even considering the move given the FTSE 250 company's environmental record.

The latest fury comes after Drax was fined more than 170,000 by Mississippi regulators earlier this month for 'repeated instances of hazardous air pollutants'.

The group's facility in Mississippi produces wood pellets from trees sourced from southern states, which are then burned as fuel in Drax's power station in Selby, North Yorkshire. But the plant has previously come under fire, breaching air pollution rules in 2020 when Drax was slapped with a 1.9m fine.

Handouts: Drax has been given more than 6billion of subsidies

The US campaign group Dogwood Alliance has now taken aim at the British Government for its approach. 'The fact that the UK Government is even considering more subsidies for Drax is ludicrous.

The company has done nothing but destroy forests, pollute communities and the atmosphere in the southern US since it began operations here ten years ago,' a spokesman said.

'Labour needs to stop this madness and stop wasting taxpayer money on this dirty, destructive industry,' he added.

And Almuth Ernsting, from the campaign group Biofuelwatch, said it would be 'unconscionable' for ministers to approve more grants for Drax.

Last week the Government insisted that no decision had been made.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman told the Mail: 'We expect full compliance with all regulatory obligations on biomass. The subsidies for large-scale biomass generators will end in 2027 and we are reviewing evidence on potential support beyond this.'

Drax posted profits of 515m for the six months to the end of June, up from 417m in the first half of last year.
Galliford Try has gained another contract to deliver infrastructure improvements on behalf of a British water company.

The construction firm said it would work on the 'design and build' aspects, and as a mechanical and electrical contractor, for Wessex Water's capital delivery framework, a planned 3.7billion programme of upgrades across South West England.

Between 2025 and 2030, Wessex Water intends to spend 445million on reducing storm overflows and more than 1.1billion on boosting water quality by removing 1,550 tonnes of nutrients from waterways.

Deal: Galliford Try said it would work on the 'design and build' aspects, and as a mechanical and electrical contractor, for Wessex Water's capital delivery framework

This forms part of the wider AMP8 scheme, an agreement between regulatory body Ofwat and water firms setting out how the latter manages their assets, provides services to customers and invests in infrastructure.

Galliford expects to bring in at least 400million from working on Wessex Water's asset management plan.

Consultancy Aecom and civil engineering businesses Kier Group, Morgan Sindall, and Mott MacDonald Bentley are among the other names working on the project.

Bill Hocking, chief executive of Galliford Try, said: 'We are delighted to be working with our partners at Wessex Water to assist them in delivering their plans for AMP8.

'The significant increase in activity anticipated in the water sector is a key part of our sustainable growth strategy, and we look forward to delivering for Wessex Water's customers and stakeholders.'

Galliford's latest contract win comes about a month after Southern Water appointed the company to work on its planned 3.1billion infrastructure upgrades.

The London-based business said the deal with Southern Water could be worth more than 500million over seven years.

Southern Water, whose majority owner is Australian investment bank Macquarie Group, provides services to 4.7 million customers across Kent, Hampshire, Sussex, and the Isle of Wight.

Britain's water industry has faced considerable criticism from politicians and environmental campaigners in recent years due to the high volume of sewage spills affecting Britain's waterways.

Sewage spills into England's rivers and seas by water firms more than doubled from 1.75 million hours in 2022 to 3.6 million hours last year, according to the Environment Agency,

Water UK, the trade association for the country's water sector, called the increase 'unacceptable' but blamed it on higher rainfall, a major cause of storm overflows.

Galliford Try shares were 2.8 per cent higher at 299p on early Monday afternoon, taking their gains since the year started to around 34 per cent.
AstraZeneca revealed its experimental breast cancer drug did not succeed in prolonging the survival of patients with the disease.

Britain's largest pharmaceutical business said the trial focused on patients who were suffering from inoperable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-low or negative breast cancer.

The Cambridge-based firm said the drug did not 'achieve statistical significance' in terms of the survival rates of those suffering from breast cancer compared to chemotherapy.

AstraZeneca revealed that its experimental breast cancer drug did not succeed in prolonging the survival of patients with the disease.

The drug, which is named Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), was jointly developed by the British-Swedish group and Japanese global healthcare company Daiichi Sankyo.

More than two million people worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

HR-positive, HER2-low or negative breast cancer is the most common subtype, accounting for more than 65 per cent of diagnosed cases, according to AstraZeneca

The news will come as a massive blow for the FTSE 100 drugs giant, who said earlier this year that it was targeting $80billion in annual revenues by 2030.

Susan Galbraith, executive vice president of oncology research and development at AstraZeneca, said that the results did show the drug offered 'clinical value'.

She said: 'We will continue discussions with regulatory authorities and apply insights from these results to our clinical development programme for datopotamab deruxtecan in breast cancer.'

Ken Takeshita, global head of research and development of Daiichi Sankyo, added: 'We are proud to have brought forth a new standard of care for patients with metastatic breast cancer with Enhertu and we remain committed to making datopotamab deruxtecan another potential option for patients who can benefit.'

In July, sales in AstraZeneca's top business, oncology, grew 19 per cent at constant currency rates to $5.3billion (4.1billion) and accounted for 41 per cent of the total, while its rare disease and heart and kidney disease arms also each raked in double-digit growth.

However, the group's second-quarter profit was hit amid a rise in expenses and sales of cancer drugs Enhertu and Imfinzi were slightly softer than expected, analysts said.

Earlier this month, AstraZeneca boss Pascal Soriot, said the company is 'working very closely' with China after the arrest of a handful of staff.

The firm revealed a 'small number' of employees were under investigation in the country, where it made 4.5billion of revenue last year, or 13 per cent of its total.

The Chinese authorities are looking into whether AstraZeneca breached privacy laws when collecting patient data as well as the distribution of a liver cancer drug that has not been approved in mainland China.

AstraZeneca shares were down 2 per cent to 11,536p in early afternoon trading on Monday.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 23. Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. has significantly increased its polypropylene exports, shipping over 150,000 tons from January through August 2024, Trend reports via KazMunayGas JSC.

According to the data, the companys polypropylene is now reaching markets in Europe, China, Russia, and Turkiye.

The plant manufactures eight varieties of polypropylene, including five new types previously not produced in Kazakhstan.

In total, the plant produced around 165,000 tons of polypropylene in this period, with approximately 13,000 tons allocated to the domestic market.

The company remains committed to supporting local processors, aiming to enhance domestic production and supply.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Azerbaijani-Slovakian business forum will be held in Azerbaijan, the nation's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

Jabbarov pointed out that a meeting took place with Slovakias Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova.

"During the meeting, our discussions centered on the priority issues on the bilateral economic agenda, including:

 Prospects for developing the business partnership;

 Opportunities for utilizing Azerbaijans potential in fostering the energy security of Central and South-Eastern Europe;

 Joint activities in the energy sector;

 Development of cooperation and knowledge exchange in pharmaceuticals;

 Preparation for the first session of the Working Group on Economic Cooperation and Business Forum between Azerbaijan and Slovakia to be held in Baku," he added.

To note, the forum will be held on September 25.

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Jinxin Technology (NAMI) expects to raise $9 million in an initial public offering (IPO) on the week of October 7th, IPO Scoop reports. The company will be issuing 1,900,000 shares at a price of $4.00-$5.00 per share.

In the last year, Jinxin Technology generated $53.5 million in revenue and $11.8 million in net income. Jinxin Technology has a market cap of $291 million.

Craft Capital Management, WestPark and R.F. Lafferty & Co. acted as the underwriters for the IPO.

Jinxin Technology provided the following description of their company for its IPO: (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands) We are an innovative digital content service provider in China. Leveraging our powerful digital content generation engine powered by advanced AI/AR/VR/digital human technologies, we are committed to offering our users high-qualityA digital content services through both our own platform and the content distribution channels of our strong partners. We currently target K-9A students in China, with core expertise in providing them digital and integrated educational content, and plan to further expand our service offerings to provide premium and engaging digital contents to other age groups. We were the largest digital textbook platform and a leading digital educational content provider for K-9A students in China, both in terms of revenue in 2022, according to Frost & Sullivan. We collaborate with leading textbook publishers in China and provide digital version of mainstream textbooks used in primary schools and middle schools. Our digital textbooks primarily cover Chinese and English subjects used in K-9A schools in China. We also create and develop digital self-learningA contents and leisure reading materials in-house. Our AI-generatedA content technology enables our comprehensive digital contents to deliver an interactive, intelligent and entertaining learning experience. Textbooks have been the primary teaching instrument for most children. Access to an advanced and intelligent version of textbook is becoming a rising demand, particularly among K-9A students who are at early stage of learning and forming an efficient learning style. There are currently over 150A million K-9A students in China while the digitization rate of textbook remains relatively low. Since our inception in 2014, we have built expertise in creating digitized, interactive and intelligent textbooks that we believe improve K-9A studentsa learning experience. Previously, CDs were the most common learning equipment used by K-9A students to assist with studying textbook in China. We are committed to replacing outdated learning materials and equipment with our intelligent, interactive digital products and resources, and eventually cultivate a fresh and innovative learning style. We are authorized by major Chinese textbook publishers to digitize their proprietary textbooks, and design and develop the digital version. Besides digital textbooks, leveraging our deep insights in Chinaas childhood education sector and our technological strength, we also provide digital self-learningA materials and digital leisure reading materials, catering to the evolving and diversified needs of potential users. We have strong in-houseA content development expertise in digitized materials, amusement features, video and audio effects as well as art design. Our products and contents are imbued with the rich operational know-howA and deep understanding of Chinaas childhood education sector, which we believe make our digital contents highly compelling to our users. We distribute digital contents primarily through (i) our flagship learning app, Namibox, (ii) telecom and broadcast operators and (iii) third-partyA devices with our contents embedded. We launched our interactive and self-directedA learning app Namibox in 2014, to provide users an integrated entry point to our digital textbooks, self-learningA materials and leisure reading materials. Users can access various free contents, subscribe to advanced contents and choose to become premium members through our membership programs. In addition, we partner with all mainstream Chinese telecom and broadcast operators to tap into their large user base. Our partnered telecom and broadcast operators broadcast our various programs to end users through their respective platforms, distribute our educational contents to interested users and share certain percentage of revenues with us. Through networks of our partnered telecom and broadcast operators, individual users gain easy access to our digital contents through TVs or mobile devices. Furthermore, we cooperate with well-knownA hardware manufacturers, such as manufacturers of digital pads and intelligent TVs, and pre-installA our programs in such devices directly. The integrated distribution channels empower us to increase our brand awareness in a cost-efficientA manner, grow our user base sustainably and improve our contents continuously based on usersa real time feedbacks. Our business has evolved significantly since inception and we have never stopped reimagining and innovating our products and digital contents. We are doing this not only to cater to, but influence, the learning habits and lifestyles of our users, to fulfill their goals and enrich their lives. With innovative and high-qualityA educational contents, we have built a trusted and well recognized brand, as well as a large user base throughout China. Since our inception, our Namibox app has amassed over 79A million cumulative downloads and more than 39A million registered users as of DecemberA 31, 2023. The high-frequencyA interactions we have with users and our unique access to a large amount of mission-criticalA learning data further provide us deep insights in K-9A education sector. Fueling all of these great achievements are our technologies. We deploy advanced digitization technologies, AI technologies and big data analysis to provide superior user experience. We also deploy advanced AI technologies that power various teaching and voice assessment tools, all to improve the learning effectiveness for children. Leveraging our proprietary digital content generation engine, we are able to consistently refine and upgrade our educational contents, as well as to intelligently recommend content to our users, continually improving user experience. We have realized steady growth with healthy financial performance since inception. Despite negative impacts caused by regulatory changes in the online education industry in 2021, our registered users increased from 29.9A million as of DecemberA 31, 2021 to 35.3A million as of DecemberA 31, 2022, and further to 39.5A million as of DecemberA 31, 2023. In addition, we recorded net income of RMB55.1A million and RMB83.5A million (US$11.8A million) in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Note: Net income and revenue are for the year that ended Dec. 31, 2023. (Note: Jinxin Technology Holding Company unveiled the terms for its IPO  1.88 million American Depositary Shares  orA 1,875,000 ADS  at a price range of $4.00 to $5.00  to raise $8.46 million, according to an F-1/A filing dated Aug. 19, 2024. Each ADS represents 33.75 million ordinary shares. Background: Jinxin Technology filed its F-1 on Aug. 10, 2023  about five months after submitting its confidential IPO documents to the SEC on March 24, 2023.) .

Jinxin Technology was founded in 2014 and has 93 employees. The company is located at Floor 8, Building D, Shengyin Building, Shengxia Road 666 Pudong District, Shanghai 201203 Peopleas Republic of China and can be reached via phone at +86 21-5058-2081 or on the web at http://www.namibox.com/.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Azerbaijani Railways will switch to a new pricing policy on domestic routes from November 1, the head of the passenger transportation department of Azerbaijan Railways Azer Farajov said at a briefing for media representatives on the innovations in the field of services, Trend reports.

He noted that under the new pricing policy, ticket prices may change depending on demand.

Thanks to advanced technologies integrated into the ticketing system, passengers can track prices in real-time and choose the most suitable travel time. Passengers who have purchased a ticket to the point of arrival and in the opposite direction 25-30 days before the trip will be able to take advantage of a 15 percent discount, the head of the department said.

Farajov noted that the new pricing policy provides customers with a wider choice.

Speaking about the global experience, Russian Railways uses a strategy of dynamic pricing on routes with high demand, Belarusian Railways offers reservations and discounts at off-peak times, in many European countries prices vary depending on the time of ticket purchase, occupancy rate, and seat selection. Passengers of Azerbaijani Railways will also be able to get discounts by pre-planning travel to domestic destinations. Prices are determined depending on factors such as the time of ticket purchase, day of the week, and direction of travel, he said.
StockNews.com started coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS  Free Report) in a report released on Friday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

American Shared Hospital Services Stock Performance

Shares of AMS stock opened at $3.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a current ratio of 1.92. American Shared Hospital Services has a one year low of $2.16 and a one year high of $4.60. The firm has a market cap of $19.97 million, a PE ratio of 39.25 and a beta of 0.67.

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American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 14th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $7.06 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 million. American Shared Hospital Services had a net margin of 18.41% and a return on equity of 5.39%. Equities research analysts predict that American Shared Hospital Services will post 0.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

About American Shared Hospital Services

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new position in American Shared Hospital Services in the first quarter valued at $31,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 4.9% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 179,637 shares of the companys stock valued at $574,000 after purchasing an additional 8,436 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its position in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 31.2% in the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 55,501 shares of the companys stock valued at $177,000 after purchasing an additional 13,201 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 23.16% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

American Shared Hospital Services provides stereotactic radiosurgery and advanced radiation therapy equipment. It operates in two segments, Medical Equipment Leasing, and Retail. The company offers radiosurgery equipment for the Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure to treat malignant and benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations, as well as for trigeminal neuralgia.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The International Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, a key component of climate financing, will commence its operations in 2025, Trend reports via the COP29 official website.

The decision was made during the 3rd board meeting of the fund, hosted in Baku under Azerbaijan's presidency of COP29.

"After many years of diplomatic negotiations since the fund's creation at COP27 and its operational decision at COP28, it was decided in Baku that the fund will provide financing for the first time in 2025," the announcement notes.

The COP29 presidency plans to leverage the upcoming summit in November to engage with countries that have committed nearly $800 million to the fund, aiming to convert these pledges into tangible support for communities in need.

"This is a critical step towards fulfilling one of the key objectives of the COP29 presidency within this year's global climate process," the statement emphasized.

Additionally, Ibrahima Cheikh Diong was elected as the fund's executive director at the board meeting.

The board also approved the stewardship agreements with the World Bank (the fund will be under the patronage of the bank).

"This breakthrough in Baku marks a significant step in addressing climate change. This is indeed a historic day, the preparation for which took years and required determination from many, focusing on the needs of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis. The COP29 presidency will continue to pursue further contributions to the fund and work on the broader landscape of loss and damage to ensure we build on today's historic achievements," COP29 President-designate Mukhtar Babayev commented on the results of the Baku Council meeting.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held in Baku on November 11-22.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Azerbaijans Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov has left for Germany to participate and deliver a speech at the Wind Energy Hamburg conference, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy.

"This international event will take place on September 24 in Hamburg, featuring delegations from European countries, leaders from companies such as Wind Europe, Nordex Group, LandWind Group, and other firms involved in wind energy," the ministry highlighted.

Shahbazov will speak on the topic "Investment and Global Cooperation" at the "Energy Transition" panel with a presentation titled "Azerbaijan's Green Energy Export Strategy".

To note, Azerbaijan's offshore wind energy potential in the Caspian Sea is estimated at 157 GW, making it the second largest in the world after the North Sea.

Azerbaijan plans to develop offshore wind farms, with electricity to be exported to Europe.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. PwC guides Azerbaijani companies on artificial intelligence (AI), Head of Advisory Services at PwC Azerbaijan Farid Gattal said to Trend in an exclusive interview.

According to him, the main trends in Azerbaijan are related to the use of AI in high-transaction sectors such as telecommunications, retail, financial services, and the public sector.

These are industries where large amounts of data are created and processed. The outlook here aligns with global trends, with many companies seeing AI as a way to reduce costs and increase revenues. According to our global Emerging Technologies Survey, more than 55 percent of companies plan to invest in AI, especially in its generative forms. More than 80 percent of organizations also intend to increase spending on technology solutions, Gattal informed.

He also talked about the unique challenges that Azerbaijani companies face in implementing AI.

"Solving the "build or buy" question is the main challenge for Azerbaijani companies. In most cases, companies choose to buy ready-made solutions such as SAP, IBM, Oracle, and others.

However, this is an expensive solution, as most products are purchased abroad. At the same time, creating your own AI product requires significant resources, which are scarce in the local market. Precious are experienced AI specialists, who are very scarce in the country, the head of the department said.

Gattal noted that artificial intelligence is used mainly in three areas.

Firstly, it is the automation of mundane processes. Artificial intelligence allows us to do this much more efficiently than traditional robotization methods. Secondly, it helps in decision-making based on cognitive analytics, which differs significantly from conventional analytical tools. Here we are talking about advanced analytics in situations where there is a lack of data or it is poorly structured. The third direction is the use of generative AI, which can recreate human behavior in such processes as communication, customer support through chatbots, and other forms of interaction, he said.

Gattal pointed out that PwC is approaching artificial intelligence with a forward-thinking strategy.

At the strategic level, it has been decided to invest more than one billion dollars over two years in the development of this technology. This implies that we plan to train more than 65,000 employees worldwide, including our office in Azerbaijan. We have planned close cooperation with OpenAI to use GPT-4 technology for both internal processes and customer services. Artificial intelligence helps to optimize our services and increase their efficiency. An important aspect is also the development and updating of internal policies that regulate where and how AI can be used and set the boundaries of its application, he added.

The head of the department emphasized that PwC is currently reviewing its business model.

PwC provides professional services in three areas: audit, tax consulting, and advisory services. The utilization of artificial intelligence has changed the understanding of the cost and speed of service delivery. We are revisiting the regulations and costing methods used before the introduction of AI. In addition, AI opens up opportunities to develop new products and services, which is also becoming part of our strategy, Gattal noted.

He also added that PwC sees the greatest potential for AI applications in audit and tax advisory services.

It was predicted a few years ago that the accounting profession could disappear. Artificial intelligence is already helping to make accounting and tax services more efficient, which is becoming an important challenge for companies like ours, the head of the department explained.

Gattal stressed that among the main challenges is the company's readiness to implement artificial intelligence.

This involves three key aspects: the availability of data needed to train and analyze AI; the availability of resources - expertise and finance; and the existence of policies and legislative regulations that determine how and where AI can be used. For instance, in the jurisprudence, AI is not yet allowed to be used to analyze court cases, he said.

Farid Gattal also talked about how PwC is meeting the challenges of embedding AI in corporate culture and risk management.

Risk management includes developing clear policies on the use of AI. We are updating our procedures to govern where and how AI can be applied. Risk policies, HR policies, and accounting standards are also being updated. The second important aspect is employee training. As soon as the decision to implement AI was made, we organized a process to inform all participants about the technologies used and how they will be developed in the future, he added.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 23. Kyrgyzstan holds significant potential to become a leader in renewable energy and climate initiatives, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said during a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov in New York, Trend reports.

"Kyrgyzstan holds a unique position in Central Asia for advancing mountain initiatives and has significant potential to lead in renewable energy and climate projects," Guterres emphasized.

In response, Zhaparov expressed Kyrgyzstan's recognition of the UN as a credible and universal international organization, affirming his confidence in its continued efforts to promote global peace, prosperity, and solutions to socio-economic and climate challenges.

The president reaffirmed Kyrgyzstan's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting a human-centered policy approach. He announced the launch of the second voluntary national review of the SDGs, aimed at furthering the country's development and achieving the ambitious goal of being among the top 30 countries by 2030.

Addressing regional climate challenges such as glacial melt and dwindling water resources, Zhaparov called for support in establishing a UN Regional Center for Energy Efficiency. He proposed a debt-for-green projects mechanism as a significant contribution to combating climate change.

Additionally, Zhaparov highlighted the importance of promoting mountain agendas and invited the UN to participate in preparing for the "Bishkek+25" second global mountain summit, scheduled for 2027. He suggested creating an international platform, "UN-Mountains," to coordinate sustainable development efforts in mountainous regions.

On September 22, Zhaparov took part in the UN Summit of the Future, held as part of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 23. Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea have discussed the prospects of cooperation in the establishment of transport, transit, and logistics infrastructure, Trend reports via Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry.

The discussions were held during the meeting of Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation of Korea Park Sang-woo.

Furthermore, the sides discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation within the framework of Turkmenistan's transport projects. During the conversation, the successful long-term work between the two countries, especially in the field of motor transport, was emphasized.

Moreover, the participants of the meeting paid attention to opportunities for cooperation in urban planning, seismology, and transportation, which indicates the countries' desire to develop comprehensive relations in key sectors of the economy.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 23. The foreign trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Iran amounted to $255.8 million from January through July 2024.

The data obtained by Trend from the country's Statistics Agency shows that this is 17.2 percent less compared to the same period of 2023 when the trade turnover amounted to $299.9 million.

Thus, Iran has become one of the 20 largest trade partners of Uzbekistan.

Exports of Uzbek goods to Iran totaled $86.8 million, which is 27.6 percent less compared to last year ($110.8 million from January through July 2023).

Uzbekistan's imports from Iran reached $169.1 million from January through July 2024. This figure decreased by 11.8 percent compared to the same period last year ($189.1 million from January through July 2023).

To note, Uzbekistan's total trade turnover amounted to $36.8 billion from January through July 2024. This indicator increased by 5.4 percent compared to the same period last year ($34.9 billion from January through July 2023).

The country's exports reached $14.7 billion from January through July 2024, while imports totaled $22 billion.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 23. Uzbekistan could soon be accessible via Air France, Trend reports.

The matter was reviewed during a meeting between Chairman of Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan Umid Shadiev and Director of Commercial Affairs of Air France Frederic Decors within the framework of the IFTM Top Resa international tourism exhibition in Paris.

During the meeting, the sides discussed increasing tourist flow from France to Uzbekistan, as well as cooperation in promoting Uzbekistan's tourism potential on the airline's platforms.

Meanwhile, the number of French citizens visiting Uzbekistan totaled 12,200 from January through July 2024. This figure increased by 31.2 percent (2,900 people) compared to the same period in 2023.

The main purposes of French citizens' visits to Uzbekistan are recreation (10,780 people), business trips (662 people), visits to relatives (640 people), commercial purposes (43 people) and study (28 people).
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 23. Qanot Sharq (Uzbekistan's private airline) announced the launch of direct flights between Tashkent and Tel Aviv (Israel), the airline told Trend.

The flights will be taking off starting in November.

Furthermore, the flights from Tel Aviv to Tashkent will take off on Wednesdays, while the return journey will be on Thursdays.

Qanot Sharq Airlines announced the launch of a new flight between Uzbekistan and Israel in May 2023 with a private carrier flying from Samarkand to Tel Aviv.

In September of the same year, Uzbekistan and Israel agreed to lift restrictions on air traffic between the countries. The decision is likely to open the floodgates for new carriers to jump on board the flights and boost the flow of tourists.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The French police have once again pulled out all the stops, using force against demonstrators in Martinique, Trend reports.

Residents hit the pavement to stand up for their rights, but found themselves in hot water with law enforcement, facing violence and arrests.

The growing economic and social inequalities in Martinique, brought about by the colonial policies of France, were the driving forces behind the protests.

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Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. has served as the leader of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Missouri since 2015

For the most part his tenure hasn't been very controversial. He has worked to repair damage suffered by the Church in recent sex abuse litigation and fostered more open and forthright communication amongst his flock.

However, as campaign season 2024 moves forward . . . This week Bishop Johnston sent an unprecedented message throughout the Diocese and we're honestly surprised that his words haven't resonated more clearly.

Apropos for Sunday . . .

KANSAS CITY BISHOP JOHNSTON FEARS "CULTURE OF DEATH" VOTES TRENDING & URGES CATHOLIC FAITHFUL TO VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 3!!!



Again . . .

Outright political orders are exceptionally rare for Catholic clerics and so we believe this message deserves special attention.

Here's the Kansas City Catholic call to action with more documentation afterward . . .



So what can you do?



Pray



I believe the magnitude and gravity of the current moment requires a fervent spiritual response. For, to be honest the present odds appear to favor the culture of death. Go to Mass and pray that God will save Missouri; pray the Rosary daily through November 5; invoke the intercession of St. Joseph who protected the infant Christ against the wickedness of Herod, and if you're able, practice fasting on Fridays.



Vote



I am urging you to vote "no" on Amendment 3 so that women and preborn babies continue to be protected in Missouri from the trauma of abortion and that Missourians will no surrender their rights. Share the facts about his alarming amendment with others.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com screencap . . . Click this link or the image for a bigger, better view . . .

Developing . . .
Today's reminder that Kansas City's top elected official is VERY DEDICATED to the upward ascendancy of his career . . . To be fair, the pix that he shared are nice, it's also great to see local support for the military . . . But some of our most KICK-ASS TKC READERS seem uncertain about how the leader of our cowtown can help bolster our national defense when local streets often seem unsafe.

In fairness, here's the far more upbeat quote from Mayor Q . ..



"I recently had the chance to spend time with the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, home of the B-2 stealth bomber. Were proud to house them in the Heart of America, and I am always honored to support the bases ongoing growth and development."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Mayor Quinton Lucas: "I congratulate the 509th for their selection as a home for the new B-21 bomber program, ensuring the Kansas City regions central role in global air defense."
You won't find Shakespeare in Michelle de Braux and Tobie Loukes' Grade 11 English class. Instead, their students may be studying the works of Indigenous authors like Tanya Talaga, Duke Redbird and Lee Maracle.

De Braux and Loukes are teachers at the Toronto District School Board's Kapapamahchakwew  Wandering Spirit School, which provides an Indigenous-focused education by centring the voices, cultures and values of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples. But their Grade 11 class is not unique.

The pair are just two of approximately 370 educators across the board who are currently teaching this course at some 100 Toronto schools. By the end of the academic year, the new Grade 11 English class will be offered at all 114 high schools in the TDSB. It's part of a broader plan to replace the existing curriculum and make the course mandatory for all students  a necessary change, educators and students say, that will help promote truth and reconciliation, and shine an important spotlight on Indigenous perspectives.

"As someone who has Indigenous heritage, it's so important to hear these voices in the classroom to help understand who you are, to give your own life context and your family's history context," said Loukes, teaching the class with de Braux for the first time this year.

The board-wide implementation of the new course  Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Metis and Inuit Voices or NBE3  comes after TDSB trustees voted last year to replace its compulsory Grade 11 English curriculum with one focused on Indigenous writers. The course, as outlined by Ontario's Ministry of Education in its revised 2019 curriculum, can be used to fulfil the mandatory English credit requirement for Grade 11 students.

For educators and student advocates who've pushed to make the course mandatory across the board, the change has been a long time coming. And, in many cases, it's also deeply personal.

"It feels absolutely phenomenal," said Tanya Senk, system superintendent of Indigenous education at the TDSB. "I graduated from Monarch Park Collegiate Institute from the old Toronto Board of Education and, certainly, something like this didn't exist. I remember I took two English courses in Grade 13  one was called British and European English, and the other was Canadian and American English  and there were no Indigenous authors on the syllabus at that time."

Though the NBE3 course has been offered at select TDSB schools for the better part of a decade, its broader adoption has only come more recently. It follows the TDSB's 2022 motion to "embed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (TRC) and the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in all areas of board processes and practices."

The TDSB joins several other boards across the province that have introduced the course at their schools. Jennifer Brant, an associate professor at the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education whose research has focused on the implementation of this curriculum, said the rollout is in direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report, specifically call number 63.

Some advocates, however, note that the changes have only come after years of inaction from Ontario's publicly funded schools. In 2022, some seven years after the commission issued its report, the Yellowhead Institute found that only 13 of the 94 calls to action had been fully implemented, none of which were those focused on education.

What the new NBE3 course looks like in classrooms will vary widely across the province. While the ministry's curriculum outlines specific learning goals, it does not offer a list of mandatory texts. Instead, it's often up to individual school boards to help develop the recommended reading lists for teachers, often in consultation with Indigenous leaders, noted Brant.

At the TDSB, for instance, NBE3 instructors this year were provided a list of 300 to 450 suggested materials, including poetry, novels, films and other types of media.

The breadth of the curriculum, said de Braux, who is also Indigenous, allows teachers to tailor the course to their students, keeping the material contemporary and relevant.

In the NBE3 class that she co-teaches with Loukes, students this past week studied texts concerning the Grassy Narrows First Nations and the devastating effects of industrial mercury poisoning in the region. It was a relevant issue to study; on Wednesday, de Braux, Loukes and their students attended the Grassy Narrows First Nations rally in downtown Toronto, meant to draw attention to the ongoing pollution in the region.

(The event generated controversy when pro-Palestinian slogans were among those being chanted. The TDSB said it was investigating.)

"For many non-Indigenous students, the course has the possibility to offer a window into the worldviews and experiences of Indigenous peoples," said Brant, who belongs to the Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk Nation) with family ties to Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. "On the other hand, for Indigenous students, whose realities are not often reflected across mainstream curricula, Indigenous literatures offer reflections of their lived experiences and community narratives."

Derian Westra, the TDSB's Indigenous student trustee and a Grade 12 student at R.H. King Academy, took the NBE3 course last year and said he's pleased the board decided to make the course mandatory.

"Instead of learning stuff like Shakespeare  it's more focused on something you never really hear about in school," he added. "When I took English in Grade 10, Indigenous Peoples were never mentioned. In Grade 9 English, it was only mentioned once. And other courses don't even touch the topic."

Westra, however, does have some concerns about the implementation of the new curriculum and he feels that not enough educators are getting qualified to teach the course.

It's an issue that Brant has observed across the province in other school boards. Some teachers, particularly non-Indigenous educators who do not have the lived experience or were never taught about Indigenous issues, may feel hesitant to take on these courses, she said.

Brant added that professional development opportunities vary widely between school boards, and that there needs to be more support for teachers so they don't feel like they're "holding more responsibilities on top of an already busy workload." (At the TDSB, teachers hoping to teach the NBE3 course are required to attend a minimum of two professional learning sessions.)

While Senk said that enough teachers in the TDSB are signing up to teach the NBE3 course, she acknowledged there's still more work to be done. Indigenous teachers are still under-represented in the system despite efforts to hire and retain these educators, she said, adding that the board needs to continue to follow the calls to action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the articles of the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

"Ultimately, there should be Indigenous perspectives centred in all courses across the TDSB through all grades," she said.
ART IN TIME Monaco celebrates its fifth anniversary. To mark the occasion, in close collaboration with the galerie horlogere, Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud has created an exclusive five-piece limited series of the Chronometre FB 3SPC, available for the first time in sandblasted titanium

When Karl-Friedrich Scheufele  Co-President of Chopard and President of Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud  inaugurated ART IN TIME in Monaco in 2019, he created an unusual concept: a unique space uniting watchmaking houses around the shared values of craftsmanship, independence and originality.

This pioneering space meets a growing need: to offer collectors the chance to discover the rarest and most original creations from independent watchmaking houses. Eight of the latter joined the initiative when this exclusive space opened on the Riviera and the success of ART IN TIME is demonstrated by the fact that it now represents 24 Maisons offering highly sought-after timepieces from a number of independent master watchmakers, as well as innovative mechanical creations from well-known houses. We are delighted with the results of our first five years in Monaco, explains Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. They exceed our expectations and reinforce the idea that such a place must exist in order to represent independent watchmakers with due dignity.

FerdinandBerthoud

To celebrate this achievement and the gallery's fifth anniversary, Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud and ART IN TIME are presenting an exclusive series of five Chronometre FB 3SPC timepieces in sandblasted titanium. Winner of the Chronometry Prize at the 2023 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve, the FB 3 collection remains the only one to date powered by a mechanical movement with a cylindrical balance-spring chronometer-certified by the COSC.

In addition to its original sandblasted titanium case, this anniversary series is also distinguished by its colour combination: its finely sandblasted, white rhodium-plated movement matches the white dial and inner bezel ring, complete with blue numerals and minutes track. The only things that stand out from this composition are the gear train and the escapement with its cylindrical balance-spring at 9 o'clock. Representing a horological challenge in terms of both design and precision timing, this escapement has an average rate variation of between -1 and +3 seconds per day. This is 2.5 times more accurate than the variation accepted by the COSC, the highly selective test to which these movements are subjected.

FerdinandBerthoud

These five examples of the Chronometre FB 3SPC.4 are adorned with three interchangeable straps  in blue rubber, blue alligator leather and grey alligator leather  secured by pin buckles also made of sandblasted titanium. The back of each case bears three engravings: Art in Time, 5th Anniversary and One of Five. We are delighted to be able to offer this special edition of the FB 3SPC Chronometer at ART IN TIME, adds watch gallery director Yohann Martinez. Its very light case, rubber strap and exclusive colours bring a modern touch to this collection, renowned for its traditional approach to chronometry.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky has thanked Ukraine for the assistance provided to the Czech Republic in combating the consequences of devastating floods.

He said this in a post on X, Ukrinform reports.

"Our diplomats from the Consulate General in Lviv are currently transporting a shipment of dryers provided by Ukraine to Czechia. Ukraine is at war, yet it does not forget its friends in need. We appreciate it. Thank you!" he wrote.

Ukraine's state rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia earlier changed the schedule of international trains due to floods in the Czech Republic, Austria and Poland.

At least 21 people were killed due to severe flooding caused by Storm Boris in Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Romania.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is never stopped by peace agreements as his appetite for land doesnt decrease, whatever concessions he is offered, and citizens across the EU should become aware of this.

Thats according to Lithuanias Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, who posted a thread on X ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting.

If all NATO members followed Lithuania and increased defense spending to at least 3% of GDP, there would be an extra $270bn available for supporting Ukraine and defending NATO's borders, said the minister, adding that Lithuania managed to do so despite some commentators claiming it is politically impossible to achieve.

Public support for defense spending requires a new social contract and a widespread understanding of the risks of inaction, the top diplomat believes, adding that Lithuanians understand the risk of Russian aggression far too well as civilians have died in the country under Russias T-72 tanks.

In countries with no experience of occupation by Russia there is a tendency to underestimate the risks to all of Europe that are being posed by this regional conflict. Such terminology is incorrect. This is now a global struggle for rules-based freedom and prosperity, warns Landsbergis.

Russia, with the help of allies Iran, Belarus and North Korea, is already rebuilding, preparing to win and to march on further.

Putin is never stopped by peace agreements. His appetite for land doesnt decrease, however much you throw to him. Yes, there are historical analogues for his annexations and no, they didn't bring peace, wrote Landsbergis.

At the same time, even if leading politicians explain the risks, voters still might not accept the costs of effective deterrence as they tend to worry about their taxes being diverted away from services they use daily.

So thats why we need to rethink the social contract, believes Landsbergis.

Lithuania increased defense spending not just through borrowing, but also by increasing taxes and budgeting for this sustainably, to secure the long-term support of the population, not to kick the can down the road.

If you want to update the social contract and enable your economy to provide enough weapons to defend the schools, hospitals and factories on your territory then you need to have a serious debate about the role of taxpayers in national defense. It won't happen by magic, the minister wrote.

At the same time, it is impossible to convince your population to pay for more weapons if governments also pretend that Ukraine's surrender would quickly bring peace, says Landsbergis. That myth must be busted, he stressed.

Negotiations with Russia have never worked, not in Putins time or Soviet times or the days of the Czars. We have every reason to believe Russian propagandists and people in the streets when they say they are aiming for Berlin and beyond. Even if my historical arguments do not convince you, I have a simple economic argument. During WWII the UK increased defence spending to 50% of GDP. Ukraine is already spending 37%. Increasing to 3% to deter invasion seems cheap in comparison, the minister concluded.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on September 24, the Ukrainian president will take part in the UN Security Council meeting on the Ukraine issue. On September 25, he will speak at the general debate, held as part of the high week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has found new evidence showing common patterns of torture by Russian authorities against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war in occupied Ukrainian territories and in the Russian Federation.

The Commission announced this in its latest update to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, Ukrinform reports.

"The wide geographic spread of locations and the prevalence of shared patterns in the way torture is committed demonstrate that torture has been used as a common and acceptable practice with a sense of impunity," the Commission said.

The Commission's further investigation into cases of torture provides evidence that "Russian authorities committed torture in the Ukrainian regions where they have taken control of territories," and "the new evidence reinforces the Commission's previous finding that torture committed by Russian authorities has been widespread."

"The Commission has identified additional common elements in the use of torture by Russian authorities, reinforcing its earlier finding that this was systematic. One element is the consistency of violent practices imposed in detention centers where detainees from Ukraine have been held in the Russian Federation, and the replication of these practices in several large penitentiary centers in occupied areas of Ukraine. Another common element emerging from the evidence points towards a coordinated use of personnel from specific services of the Russian Federation involved in torture in all the detention facilities investigated by the Commission," the update reads.

The Commission said that a further common feature was the recurrent use of sexual violence, mainly against male victims, as a form of torture in almost all of these detention centers.

Moreover, the Commission notes testimonies of former detainees about penitentiary personnel in the Russian Federation referring to orders to inflict brutal treatment. Testimonies also illustrate that in some detention facilities higher ranking Russian authorities ordered, tolerated, or took no action to stop such treatment.

The Commission has also continued its documentation of attacks with explosive weapons affecting civilian objects in populated areas with devastating consequences. It investigated attacks that struck medical institutions, cultural objects, residential buildings, and supermarkets in territories under Ukrainian Government control.

"Pursuing its investigation of Russian Federation's large-scale waves of attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure  some of which have resulted in power outages affecting millions of civilians  the Commission has found new evidence of the impact of such attacks on the health and well-being of the population," the update said.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was established by the Human Rights Council on March 4, 2022 according to resolution 49/1 to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law and related crimes in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
As Art in Time celebrates its fifth anniversary, the Monaco boutique unveils a special limited-edition Chronometre FB 3SPC by Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud, offering a contemporary twist on horological tradition

Celebrating half a decade of championing high-end independent watchmaking, Art in Time is marking its fifth anniversary in style. Located in the glamorous One Monte-Carlo complex in Monaco, this gallery-boutique has become a haven for collectors seeking rare, artisanal timepieces that blend superlative craftsmanship with boundary-pushing creativity.

To honour the occasion, Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud has unveiled an exclusive five-piece limited edition of its Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve-winning Chronometre FB 3SPC.

With its lightweight, sandblasted titanium case and striking white, grey and blue aesthetic, this timepiece encapsulates the very essence of Art in Times philosophy: offering discerning collectors access to the finest in independent watchmaking.

ArtInTime

Evolution of a Gallery

Since its inception in 2019, Art in Time has become synonymous with exclusive, independent horology. Spearheaded by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard and president of Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud, the gallery was conceived as a space to showcase and sell the work of the worlds most revered independent watch- and clock- makers.

As Scheufele remarked at the time of its opening: The maisons in Art in Time are all motivated by the same deeply-held convictions, each in their own distinctive fashion.

Initially bringing together eight brands  Chopard and Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud alongside MB&F, Greubel Forsey, Urwerk, Ressence, LEpee 1839 and Florian Schlumpf  Art in Time boasted a philosophy built around shared values, rather than specific styles or collections.

Independence, craftsmanship and innovation have been the guiding principles behind this unique space, creating an environment where collectors can experience horological art in a minimalist, refined setting.

Over the past five years, this showroom has grown to represent 24 of the most respected names in independent haute horlogerie. Timepieces by Akrivia, De Bethune, Petermann Bedat, Sylvain Pinaud and Ludovic Ballouard are now part of the gallerys collection, together with creators of high-end horology-, art- and design-related objects.

As Scheufele recently noted: The results of our first five years in Monaco exceed our expectations and reinforce the idea that such a place must exist to represent independent watchmakers with due dignity."

With its impeccable curation, Art in Time remains the only showroom of its kind along the Cote d'Azur to offer this level of quality and craftsmanship under one roof, attracting collectors from around the globe.

ArtInTime

A New Look for the FB 3SPC

This new iteration is housed in a lightweight, sand-blasted 42.30mm titanium case with lateral porthole, giving the watch a more contemporary and wearable feel compared to the original red gold and white gold models.

In keeping with the cases modern aesthetic, the peripheral inner bezel ring for hours and minutes, along with the small seconds subdial at 6 oclock, are finished in semi-matte white varnish with blue varnish numerals that match the central blued hour and minute hands. Meanwhile, the highly visible Calibre FB-SPC has been sandblasted and treated with a bright white-rhodium finish.

Adding to its versatility, this timepiece comes with three interchangeable straps: a classic blue alligator leather strap, a grey alligator leather strap and a blue rubber strap. The quick-change system allows for seamless transitions between looks, making the watch effortlessly adaptable for different occasions.

 Amaury Thomas/WorldTempus

Winning Technical Traits

The Chronometre FB 3SPC may be new in appearance, but it retains the same technical traits that helped one of the original models win the prestigious Chronometry Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve (GPHG) in 2023.

One of its standout elements is its cylindrical  or helical  hairspring, inspired by the No. 26 decimal pocket watch from 1793, signed by Ferdinand Berthouds nephew Louis Berthoud, but also worked on by Ferdinand Berthoud himself.

In the FB 3SPC, this cylindrical hairspring, paired with a 3Hz variable-inertia balance wheel as part of the finely-tuned regulating organ, ensures superior precision. The movement achieves an impressive average daily variation of between -1 and +3 seconds, not only meeting but exceeding the standards required for COSC certification.

Comprising 230 components including 16 bridges, the movement is meticulously hand-finished, as you would expect from the Val-de-Travers-based brand. Each of the five pieces is engraved around the case back with the inscriptions "Art in Time", "5th Anniversary" and "One of Five".

 Amaury Thomas/WorldTempus

A Fitting Tribute

As Art in Time director Yohann Martinez puts it: [This Chronometre FB 3SPCs] very light case, rubber strap and exclusive colours bring a modern touch to this collection, renowned for its traditional approach to chronometry.

In many ways, this timepiece reflects the ethos of Art in Time itself  a concept deeply rooted in tradition, yet with a distinctly modern outlook. Indeed, with this timepiece, Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud and Art in Time have crafted a fitting tribute to five years of celebrating the art of horology.

For more information, please visit the Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud and Art in Time websites.
Scientists have announced that on September 29, the Earth's gravitational field will attract an asteroid to the planet. And until November 25, this space rock, about the length of a city bus, will orbit the planet like a second moon.

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According to the study, after a two-month excursion, this space object will return home to the asteroid belt that orbits the Sun. However, in 2055, it will return to Earth's orbit again, Space.com reports.

"The object that is going to visit us belongs to the Arjuna asteroid belt, a secondary asteroid belt that consists of space rocks whose orbits are very similar to those of the Earth," said Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, professor at Complutense University of Madrid and lead author of the study.

According to the scientist, some asteroids in the Arjuna belt can come relatively close to Earth - about 4.5 million kilometers away. If they are moving relatively slowly for asteroids - at a speed of about 3540 km/h - then their paths are more strongly affected by the Earth's gravity than usual.

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"Under these conditions, the object can become a temporary satellite of the Earth," Marcos added.

The researchers said that the asteroid, which is 10 meters long and about 3,474 km in diameter, is tiny compared to the Moon and will be difficult to spot in the sky.

"The object will be too small and dim for typical amateur telescopes and binoculars. It is within the brightness range of telescopes used by professional astronomers," said the lead author of the study.

According to the scientists, the asteroid was discovered on August 7 using the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (Atlas) program funded by NASA. This is not the first traveling satellite to circle the Earth. Our planet has already had such mini-moons in 1981 and 2022.

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A Vermont woman was sentenced Monday in federal court for embezzling approximately $223,000 from The Dartmouth, the student newspaper at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

Nicole Chambers, 41, received a 15-month prison sentence and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud on April 30, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said in a statement.

"The Dartmouth, a non-profit student newspaper, entrusted the defendant with their finances, and she betrayed that trust by embezzling more than $223,000 over the course of four-and-a-half years," Young said. "This was a crime motivated by the defendant's greed, plain and simple. The defendant stole to fund her high lifestyle, including trips across the United States and Caribbean and purchasing luxury items. The consequence of crimes like this is federal prison."

Chambers served as the office manager for The Dartmouth from 2012 to 2021, gaining full access to its finances, including bank, PayPal and Venmo accounts. Between April 2017 and September 2021, she made unauthorized transfers to her accounts and used the newspaper's funds for personal expenses like travel and luxury items, including a memory foam mattress and bedframe, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Notably, she also diverted $1,900 for fees related to her husband's court case.
Five Tufts University men's lacrosse players are still hospitalized after a workout on Monday, led by a former Navy SEAL trainee.

The session, involving 50 athletes, resulted in 12 players being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by extreme overexertion.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, rhabdo occurs when muscle tissue breaks down, releasing toxins into the bloodstream that can cause kidney damage. Seven players were treated in the emergency room and released, while five remain hospitalized, CBS News reported.

"It's very unusual to see that many people being hospitalized all at once with this condition, particularly young men who are presumably very physically fit," Dr. Shruti Gupta, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told the outlet.

In a statement to The Tufts Daily, the school's student-run newspaper, Tufts' executive director of media relations Patrick Collins said, "Both the number of confirmed cases and the number of those hospitalized could change. Our thoughts are with the players and their families, and we are hoping for their quick return to good health under the care of local medical experts."

The university has suspended all lacrosse team practices until the athletes can be medically cleared, and initiated an independent investigation into the incident.
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KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2024) Burj Modaraba Management Company (BMMC) has received approval from the pakistan stock exchange (PSX) for listing Burj Clean Energy Modaraba (BCEM) on the Growth Enterprise Market (GEM), Pakistans First Green Energy Fund.

This approval is a big step for Pakistans Capital Markets, BMMCs ability to access direct investments through the Stock Exchange for sustainable energy investments will lead the way for clean energy project developers and investors to come together through BCEM.

According to press release issued by BURJ Clean Energy Modaraba Company, The Initial Offering (IO) of Burj Clean Energy Modaraba (BCEM) will take place on the 25th and 26th of September 2024, marking the official launch of this groundbreaking fund.

The offering will consist of 10%, amounting to PKR 100 million out of a total issue size of PKR 1 billion. BCEM/ Green Energy Fund is Pakistans first renewable energy investment fund to be listed on the GEM board.

This move highlights BMMCs commitment to offering profitable, Shariah-compliant investment opportunities through capital markets while advancing the growth of renewable energy projects across Pakistan.

The approval from psx for GEMS listing is a first step to attracting investment in the renewable energy sector through capital markets.
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Sep, 2024) U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome, along with U.S. Consul General in Lahore Kristin Hawkins, highlighted the U.S. governments commitment to the U.S.-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, aimed at tackling climate change, food security, and energy challenges during his visit to Lahore.

Ambassador Blome toured Zyp Technologies and emphasized, Tackling global challenges, like climate change, demands creativity, strong partnerships, and diverse perspectives.

The United States has financially supported Zyp Technologies in its efforts to actively cut carbon emissions and fight air pollution by offering eco-friendly transportation solutions. The companys innovative electric motorcycles are revolutionizing Pakistans transportation sector, driving it towards a more sustainable and innovative future.

While in Lahore, Ambassador Blome also visited Agrilift AI Private Limited, which has received U.S. government support to attract investment to fund operations and research. AgriLift AI Private Limited precision farming technology exemplifies how innovative solutions can revolutionize agriculture. This program is just one example of the U.S. governments support in advancing agritech, improving crop yields, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Pakistan, noted Ambassador Blome.

The United States remains committed to working with Pakistan to increase agricultural productivity and farmers incomes, while also preserving soil and water resources. Together, through projects and partnerships like these, we can build a brighter and more prosperous future for the Pakistani people, said Ambassador Blome.
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ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2024) Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar expressed grief over the death of the mother of senior journalist Chaudhry Hussain Riaz.

The minister, in a message, expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family.

"The mother is a blessing of the Almighty which has no substitute," the minister said while praying to the Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace, and grant courage and fortitude to the bereaved family to bear the loss with equanimity.
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2024) Disastrous floods caused by climatic changes have wreaked irrecoverable damage on trout fish farming industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, threatening its survival as farm owners and skilled labor are opting for other sources of earning to eke out living.

The disastrous deluge caused by 2022 floods has badly impacted trout fish farming sector by destroying around 250 number of farms including nine in public sector hatcheries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province besides washing away hundreds of tonnes of fish stock, informed Ameenullah, President All Trout Fish Farms Association Swat.

We have around 300 fish farms in Swat established near the embankment of river or canals fed by glacial water and a large number of them around 229 are completely destroyed by devastating flood, shared Ameenullah while talking with APP.

Since trout is reared in cold glacial water, so majority of the fish farms are located in Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, he explains.

According to estimates made by Fisheries Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2022, the damage to fisheries sector because of devastating flood was around Rs. Two billion.

Now after passage of almost around two years, only ten to 12 fish farm owners have revived their farms on self-help basis and on low scale production due to lack of financial resources, he added.

For arranging a normal stock of 10,000 fries, the owner need an amount of Rs. Two million. While rearing of 10,0000 fries for around 15 months to prepare a mature stock, an investment of Rs. 10 million is required, Ameen told APP.

Ameenullah also made a startling disclosure that due to inability of trout fish farm owners in arranging finances to restart the business, majority of them have migrated from their native locality of Swat to other parts of the country and even abroad.

The skill labor associated with trout fish farming have also shifted to major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan in search of new sources of earning due to complete closure of fish farms, he added.

Several trout fish farm owners have sifted to Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries for earning money to pay loans they have obtained for starting of trout fish business, continued President of Swat Trout Fish Farms Association, comprising of more than 300 members.

The number of trained labor in trout fish farming who became jobless due to damage to the farms is in hundreds because each farm provided livelihood facility from five to 20 persons.

About 1500 people in Swat depend directly on trout farms for employment, with thousands of others affected via their jobs in hotels, eateries and shops, observed Usman Ali, General Secretary Swat Trout Fish Farms Association.

Usman also had a big trout fish farm in Madyan on which a restaurant providing staying facility to tourists was also established which all washed away in 2022 floods.

Similarly, he continued, he had also established six trout fish farms in Mankiyal which all wiped out besides eleven others.

The trout fish industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has faced sever financial damages thrice during the last twelve years.

First after the 2010 devastating floods, later in 2019 due to corona lockdown, imposing complete ban on visits of tourists to scenic resorts and in 2022 because of the disastrous floods.

This time after 2022 floods no support is provided to trout fish owners by government or non-governmental organizations, leaving them alone to overcome the losses.

Those who restarted business, have arranged money by obtaining loans from banks, selling some lands, jewelry and other valuables.

Another problem of price hike also increased difficulties of trout fish owners. The price of feed jumped from Rs. 70 to 75 per kg in 2022 to Rs. 250 to 300 per kg.

Similarly increase in price of soybean has damage the productive quality of fish meal, increasing the growth period of trout fry (baby fish) from 14 to 15 months to 23 to 24 months to gain a weight of one kg.

The price of one kg of trout fish in 2022 is increased from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 3500, badly impacting sale of business due to high price of the commodity.

Poor quality of feed in wake of increase in price is also causing surge in mortality rate of fish stock in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), informed Ghulam Mohiuddin, Director Fisheries GB.

Mohiuddin informed that floods also damaged several farms in GB with no progress in revival due to huge amount of required investment.

He also shared concern over threats posed by climatic changes on trout fish farming as frequent damages are diverting attention of investors from this sector due to involvement of high risk.

Director Fisheries GB also suggested for establishing of cold chain system for supply of trout fish from mountainous region to down country in major cities where people can pay high price.

In mountainous region, the main source of earning for trout fish growners sale of fish to tourists while during off season response from locals is very low due to their low purchasing power.

So supply to major cities can fetch good earnings for trout fish owners and help in revival of this industry reeling through the disastrous impacts of climate changes, Mohiuddin opined.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2024) A delegation of officers under training from the Mid-Career Management Course of the National Institute of Management (NIM) Islamabad visited Safe City Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) on Monday as part of their study tour.

According to a public relations officer in the light of the special orders of Inspector General (IG) Police Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Safe City Muhammad Shoaib Khan welcomed the Mid-Career Management Course delegation from National Institute of Management (NIM) Islamabad at the Safe City Islamabad.

He said, the delegation was informed about the various sections of Safe City Islamabad, including the Command-and-Control Center, online Women Police Station, advanced technology-equipped cameras, and the Police Operations Center Hall.

He said the delegation was informed that the project is playing a key role in multiple departments such as the Police Operations Center, Emergency Control Center, Dispatch Control Center, e-Challan System, and the "Pucar-15" helpline.

The delegation was informed that Safe City Islamabad's advanced camera systems are pivotal in preventing crime and ensuring the safety of citizens. The modern cameras help resolve 42% of crimes through the Safe City Command and Control Center, he added.

The delegation was informed that face recognition cameras installed at entry and exit points are assisting in identifying suspicious individuals.

The delegation later met with Director General (DG) Safe City Shakir Hussain Dawar and appreciated the technical capabilities of the Islamabad Police.

The delegation expressed gratitude to DG Safe City Islamabad and his team for facilitating a successful visit. The visit concluded with the exchange of commemorative shields.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2024) During the last 24 hours, Islamabad Police apprehended 12 outlaws including 06 advertisers and habitual criminals involved in drug selling and other crimes from different areas of the city and recovered drugs and weapons with ammunition from their possession.

According to a police Public Relation Officer (PRO), under the special directions of Inspector General (IG) Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, the ICT Police conducting a crackdown against drug dealers and criminal elements from the city.

The PRO said that the police teams arrested 12 criminal elements involved in drug dealing and other crimes including 06 advertisers and habitual criminals during the last 24 hours.

He said, Shalimar police arrested accused Shaukat and recovered 520 grams of hashish from his possession.

Similarly, Ramna police station arrested two accused Muhammad Nadeem and Najeeb Khan and recovered 30 bore pistols and a 223-bore rifle from their possession, he said.

He said Sabzi Mandi police station arrested accused Jameel and recovered 30 bore pistols from his possession.

Police Station Industrial Area Police arrested accused Muhammad Arshad and recovered 1,260 grams of heroin from his possession.

Furthermore Bani Gala Police Station arrested accused Muhammad Ali and recovered 30 Bore Pistols from his possession.

He said cases have been registered against the nabbed accused and further investigation is underway

During the crackdown against proclaimed offenders and absconders, the ICT Police teams arrested six criminals from various areas of the city, he added.

DIG Syed Ali Raza said that the ICT Police will bring to justice the elements involved in dirty business such as drug and alcohol sales and possession of illegal weapons, he added.

Citizens are urged to cooperate with police and report any suspicious activity or information through the emergency helpline "Pucar-15" or via the "ICT-15" app for immediate assistance
Starting from 2025, Ukrainians will need to obtain an ETIAS permit, which will cost 7 euros (289 UAH) to enter the EU. The permit will be valid for three years or until the expiration of the passport, and privileged categories (children under 18 and people over 70) will be exempt from paying the fee.

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This was stated by the European Commission spokesperson Anita Hipper. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is a new system introduced by the European Union to verify citizens of countries that have a visa-free regime with the EU.

It is designed to strengthen security controls and prevent the entry of persons who may pose a threat to EU countries. The system will automatically check travelers against various security databases and make a decision on whether to allow entry.

The ETIAS permit will be valid for three years or until the expiration of the passport, if earlier. Holders of the permit will be able to travel to the EU for no more than 90 days in each 180-day period.

Despite Ukraine's visa-free regime with the EU, after the launch of ETIAS in 2025, every Ukrainian citizen will have to apply for a permit to enter the EU. This will require several steps:

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fill out an online application on the official website or via the ETIAS mobile application;

on the official website or via the ETIAS mobile application; provide personal data , including name, passport details, and contact information;

, including name, passport details, and contact information; answer questions from the security service about previous travels, possible criminal records, or other security risks;

about previous travels, possible criminal records, or other security risks; pay a fee of 7 euros (approximately 320 hryvnias in 2024).

The authorization system will be largely automated, and most applications will be processed within minutes. However, in some cases, the process may take up to 30 days if additional verification or an interview is required.

It is important to note that only biometric passport holders can use the entry permit. Holders of regular passports will have to apply for a visa under the current rules.

Fortunately, at the first stages of ETIAS operation, a grace period of about six months is envisaged, during which some travelers will be exempt from paying the fee. In particular, children under 18 and people over 70 will be able to obtain a permit free of charge.

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In addition, those who hold a valid Schengen visa or a long-term visa from an EU country will not need an ETIAS permit. This rule will also apply to citizens traveling with officially recognized temporary protection documents issued under EU humanitarian programs.

ETIAS will be valid in all countries that are part of the Schengen area. Among them:

Austria;

Germany;

France;

Italy;

Spain;

Poland;

Netherlands;

Hungary;

and other EU countries, including non-EU countries such as Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.

Although the ETIAS permit is a mandatory document for entry, it does not guarantee 100% admission to the European Union. The final decision always rests with the border guards of the country where the traveler arrives. The Border Guard Service may request additional documents or refuse entry if there are suspicions about the legitimacy of the trip.

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Vienna, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2024) Anti-vaxxer Martin Rutter is delighted he has been able to apply for public funds for "vaccination victims" from his far-right allies who run the province around Vienna.

The controversial project, pushed through by the Freedom Party (FPOe) -- which looks set to win this week's Austrian elections -- has raised the ire of other parties but has drawn thousands of applications.

"I have an association that takes care of vaccination victims," said Rutter, who is known for spreading conspiracy theories online.

The 41-year-old helped organise massive demonstrations against the conservative-led government's Covid measures, which were also attended by the FPOe's leader Herbert Kickl.

The far right is tapping into still seething voter anger about restrictions during the Covid pandemic, which it hopes will propel them to power on Sunday.

"The FPOe was the only party that did not support these measures," Rutter told AFP, describing them as an "orgy" of restrictions.

Rutter -- who peddles conspiracy narratives online, including recommending fruits to cure cancer -- has applied for money from a 31.3-million-euro ($34.8-million) fund set up by the Lower Austria region, which the FPOe co-governs, for "information events" he organises.

The fund was set up last year to "repair" the "poor crisis management" of the pandemic, according to Maximilian Fender-Tarczaly, who works for the FPOe state councillor in charge of the project.

The project is meant to support "victims... who are suffering from the various consequences of the disease, the measures and the vaccination", he said in a written reply to AFP.

"The spectrum is broad... mental health problems, isolation, vaccination impairments, fines for non-compliance with health measures," he wrote.

Some 5,700 applications had been approved and 3.7 million Euros paid out by July, but "until now no money has been paid" to Rutter, Fender-Tarczaly said then.

The FPOe is keen to roll out the project nationally, railing in its election manifesto against the government's "unprecedented indoctrination and brainwashing" during the pandemic.

Health Minister Johannes Rauch of the Greens party described the project as "irresponsible", arguing that out of 20 million vaccinations, just 200 people have suffered side effects.

"Vaccination has saved millions of lives, and if the willingness to be vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella also decreases, this jeopardises the lives of children," he said in May.

The opposition Social Democrats have accused the FPOe of "losing all moral sense" by offering a "bonus" to those who "attack elected officials", while the opposition liberal NEOS party has slammed the far right for pandering to its base.

The pandemic -- and in particular the government's move to make vaccination mandatory, which was later scrapped -- have led to lasting "polarisation" in the Alpine nation of nine million people, according to Julia Partheymueller, a political scientist from Vienna University.

The vaccinations "victims" project was a means to criticise "the government's mistakes" and has come from a "desire for revenge" rather than reconciliation," she argued.
Tumaco, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2024) A veneer of calm has settled over Narino, one of the most violent regions of Colombia, where armed groups until recently waged bloody battles for control of vast coca fields.

The guerrilla group Segunda Marquetalia has taken control of the southwestern region -- roughly the size of Belgium -- using financial backing from Mexican cartels to unify myriad armed outfits, analysts say.

"The change has been spectacular, the groups have united, the violence has reduced considerably," said Jerson David, the president of a local association of subsistence farmers who work in the coca fields.

"Here, people grow coca according to the rules of the Segunda Marquetalia," he added.

Nearby, workers carry sacks filled with vivid green coca leaves that will be crushed and mixed with gasoline and chemicals in a makeshift laboratory, making a paste that will later become cocaine.

Coca fields stretch as far as the eye can see around the town of Zavaleta. In 2022, the Narino region grew some 40 percent of the total coca in Colombia -- the world's main cocaine producer.

In the town's center, packs of motorbikes roar down the main street, and men dripping in gold chains and with handguns at their sides stare suspiciously at strangers.

At the entrance to the town hangs an old banner: "Segunda Marquetalia wishes you a Merry Christmas."

Until 2016, it was the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group that held a monopoly over the profitable region.

When the group signed a landmark peace agreement with the government that year, "there was a rush to occupy this space," explained Elizabeth Dickinson, an analyst for the International Crisis Group (ICG).

Narino became a "cauldron of violence and competition around drug trafficking."

Segunda Marquetalia was formed by the chief FARC peace negotiator, Luciano Marin -- alias Ivan Marquez -- who launched a new rebellion in 2019.

Dickinson said one of the group's commanders had links with Mexican cartels who provided the capital to recruit forces from other regions.

"The Segunda Marquetalia, with that influx of money and fighters, swept through Narino with remarkable speed," in the last two years, she said.

The takeover also involved a bloody war with another FARC dissident group, the EMC (Central General Staff) in 2023.

Since then, Segunda Marquetalia has reigned supreme in this Pacific coastal region, where the Andes descend into the foothills of the Amazon, towards scorching savannah and seaside mangroves.

Narino in 2023 accounted for 27.3 percent of all victims of conflict in Colombia, according to the Indepaz think tank.

About 30 massacres have been committed there and 130 community leaders killed since 2016.

In the baking afternoon heat in Zavaleta, coca workers and guerrillas, with beers in hand, flock to bars like "El Patron", bearing the image of the late narco kingpin Pablo Escobar.

The police and army are totally absent, entrenched behind sandbags at their bases dozens of kilometers away.

The guerrillas keep a close watch over coca production and development projects such as road building.

Like several of Colombia's armed groups, Segunda Marquetalia has been involved in stop-start peace negotiations with the government.

"Peace, and the abandonment of coca, requires a transformation of the land, that is to say road construction, electricity networks," the group's second-in-command and chief negotiator, Walter Mendoza, told AFP surrounded by gun-toting men.

The group says it works in the interest of local communities, but experts refer to coercive control of the population.

Local journalist Winston Viracacha described the relationship as a "pact" in which locals carry out projects for the benefit of both sides, in return for payment from the guerrillas who "ensure order and social control."

One reason for the respite from violence is that the armed group is no longer interested in taking on the government directly.

"What interests them is local control to facilitate illegal economic activity. Rather than fighting the army, they want to control the population," said Dickinson.

Segunda Marquetalia has enforced its authority in other towns too, such as coastal Tumaco with its mainly Afro-Colombian population and long history of extreme poverty and violence between armed groups.

Until 2023, "no foreigner could set foot" in Bajito, a neighborhood of Tumaco with a pretty beach where mutilated bodies used to turn up, said municipal councillor Duvan Mosquera Cortes.

Now, "tourists can come here in peace."

However, Dickinson warns that "the situation remains extremely fragile," as a rival armed group could try and edge out the Segunda Marquetalia at any time.
Tokyo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2024) Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa said on Monday she will meet her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a visit to New York to discuss the fatal stabbing of a schoolboy.

After the attack last week in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida demanded an explanation and urged China to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens.

"The recent incident in Shenzhen, where a child at a Japanese school was attacked and killed, was very tragic," Kamikawa told reporters at the airport in Tokyo ahead of the trip.

"We will... strongly urge China to provide a clear explanation of the facts and ensure the safety of Japanese people, especially children," she said, according to Japan's foreign ministry.

She said Japan will spend 43 million Yen ($300,000) to immediately ramp up the security of Japanese schools in China.

Kamikawa is traveling to New York from Monday for three days to attend the United Nations general assembly.

Japan's vice foreign minister meanwhile was sent to Beijing to discuss the stabbing with Chinese officials on Monday.

Last week, Beijing expressed "regret and sadness" for what it called an isolated incident that "could happen in any country".

Japanese media reported that the boy was a 10-year-old Japanese national living in Shenzhen, while Beijing's foreign ministry said his parents were Japanese and Chinese citizens, respectively.

Police detained a 44-year-old man suspected of stabbing the child.

While it remains unclear if the attack was politically motivated, it happened on September 18, the anniversary of the 1931 "Mukden incident" or "Manchurian incident", which is known in China as a day of national humiliation.

In June, a Japanese mother and child were injured in another knife attack in Suzhou near Shanghai, which China's foreign ministry described at the time as an "isolated incident".

A 55-year-old Chinese woman died attempting to stop the assailant and was honoured by the local government after her death.

Relations between the countries have worsened as China grows more assertive in territorial disputes in the region, and as Japan boosts security ties with the United States and its allies.

But Beijing announced last week it would "gradually resume" importing seafood from Japan after a ban in August last year over the release of water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Last week, Japan said a Chinese aircraft carrier sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan for the first time.

Tokyo slammed the incident as "totally unacceptable", while China said it had complied with international law.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Colombo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2024) Sri Lanka's first leftist president was sworn into office Monday vowing to restore public faith in politics after anger over the island nation's unprecedented economic crisis propelled him to a landslide poll win.

Self-avowed Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayaka of the People's Liberation Front (JVP) took his oath at the colonial-era Presidential Secretariat in Colombo after trouncing his nearest rivals in Saturday's vote.

The previously fringe politician -- whose party led two failed uprisings that left tens of thousands dead -- saw a surge of support after the country's 2022 economic meltdown forced painful hardships on ordinary Sri Lankans.

Dissanayaka, 55, was sworn in by the chief justice in a ceremony attended by lawmakers, members of the Buddhist clergy and the military who sang the national anthem after the ceremony.

"I will do my best to fully restore the people's confidence in politicians," Dissanayaka said after taking the oath.

"I am not a conjurer, I am not a magician," he added. "There are things I know and things I don't know, but I will seek the best advice and do my best. For that, I need the support of everyone."

Dissanayaka succeeds outgoing president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took office at the peak of the financial crisis following the government's first-ever foreign debt default and months of punishing food, fuel and medicine shortages.

Wickremesinghe, 75, imposed steep tax hikes and other austerity measures per the terms of an International Monetary Fund bailout.

His policies ended the shortages and returned the economy to growth but left millions struggling to make ends meet.

"I can confidently say that I did my best to stabilise the country during one of its darkest periods," he said in a statement after placing a distant third in Saturday's poll.

Shortly before the ceremony, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena resigned, clearing the way for Dissanayaka to appoint his own cabinet.

Dissanayaka's party has said he wants to have his own cabinet until a fresh parliament is elected later this year. His JVP party has only three members in the 225-member parliament.

He has vowed to press ahead with the IMF rescue package negotiated by his predecessor last year but modify its terms in order to deliver tax cuts.

"It is a binding document, but there is a provision to renegotiate," Bimal Ratnayake, a senior member of Dissanayaka's party, told AFP.

Dissanayaka's party led two rebellions in the 1970s and 1980s that left more than 80,000 people dead before renouncing violence.

It had been a peripheral player in Sri Lankan politics in the decades since, winning less than four percent of the vote during the most recent parliamentary elections in 2020.

But Sri Lanka's crisis proved an opportunity for Dissanayaka, who saw his popularity rise after pledging to change the island's "corrupt" political culture.

The 55-year-old labourer's son was a JVP student leader during the second insurrection and has described how one of his teachers sheltered him to save him from government-backed death squads that killed party activists.

He counts famous Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara among his heroes.

Since his rise to popularity, he has softened some policies, saying he believes in an open economy and is not totally opposed to privatisation.
Donald Robertson

Stoicism and Self-Help Strategies is the topic of a University of Wyoming Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies lecture from Donald Robertson, a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, trainer and writer, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, in the UW College of Business auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Robertson will discuss the relationship between ancient Stoic philosophy and modern cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy while exploring how Stoic contemplative exercises can be combined with insights from modern psychology for the purpose of self-improvement.

The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies is excited to have Donald Robertson talk here at UW, says Rob Colter, department head. Donald is one of the leading figures of the modern Stoicism movement and has made great contributions to public discussions of Stoicism and psychotherapy. I expect his public lecture to have something for everyone.

Robertson helped start Modern Stoicism, a nonprofit dedicated to the collaboration between academics and psychotherapists. He also founded Platos Academy Centre, a nonprofit that will bring business to Greece, helping to renew the Akadimia suburb of Athens.

He teaches evidence-based psychological skills and explores the connection between modern therapy and classical philosophy, blending philosophy, history and psychology in his work. Robertson has written several books, including How to Think Like a Roman Emperor and How to Think Like Socrates.

Born in Irvine, Scotland, Robertson grew up in Ayr, Scotland, and worked as a psychotherapist for about 20 years in London, where he had a clinic and ran a training school for therapists. He immigrated to Canada in 2013 and began focusing more on writing and consultancy. He now divides his time between Greece and Canada.

An experienced public speaker, Robertsons therapy practice specialized for many years in helping clients with social anxiety and self-confidence issues. His work has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and the BBC.

For more information, email Colter at rcolter@uwyo.edu.
Samsungs US$1.8 Billion Investment to Boost Vietnams OLED Manufacturing Capacity

Fresh investment by Samsung in Vietnam

Samsung Display Co, a subsidiary of South Korean electronics giant Samsung, is set to invest an additional US$1.8 billion in a new OLED manufacturing plant in northern Vietnam, Reuters is reporting. The facility, to be located in Yen Phong industrial park, Bac Ninh province, will focus on producing advanced organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays for automobiles and technology equipment. This investment will elevate Samsungs total capital in Bac Ninh to US$8.3 billion, up from the current US$6.5 billion.

The new plant is strategically positioned near Samsungs existing electronics facility, allowing the company to leverage synergies in logistics and supply chain management. This expansion not only reflects Samsungs confidence in Vietnams manufacturing capabilities but also reaffirms the countrys growing role as a global electronics production hub. Over the past decade, Vietnam has emerged as a preferred destination for major electronics manufacturers due to its competitive labor costs, stable business environment, and advantageous trade agreements.

Strengthening Vietnams position in the global supply chain

Vietnams ability to attract substantial investments from global leaders like Samsung highlights its competitive edge in the global supply chain. Samsungs commitment is a testament to the countrys evolving industrial landscape, which has seen significant growth in high-tech manufacturing and electronics production. The Vietnamese government has actively supported this development through favorable policies and investment incentives, making it an attractive destination for companies looking to diversify their manufacturing bases away from traditional hubs like China.

Samsungs cumulative investment in Vietnam is growing

Samsungs cumulative investment in Vietnam now totals US$22.4 billion, with six manufacturing plants, one research and development (R&D) center, and a sales entity established across the country. This extensive footprint has positioned Samsung as a crucial player in Vietnams economy, contributing significantly to the countrys exports. In 2023, despite global economic challenges and a shrinking mobile phone market, Samsung Vietnam achieved an impressive export turnover of US$55.7 billion.

Advancing R&D and innovation in Vietnam

Beyond manufacturing, Samsung is also deepening its engagement in Vietnams R&D ecosystem. The companys R&D center in Hanoi employs 2,400 engineers, who are instrumental in the development of cutting-edge technologies, including AI features for the new Galaxy S24 series. This center not only showcases Samsungs commitment to innovation but also highlights the growing technical expertise of Vietnamese engineers. By integrating local talent into its global R&D network, Samsung is helping to elevate Vietnams profile as a hub for technological research and development.

Collaboration with the National Innovation Center (NIC)

In addition to its manufacturing and R&D activities, Samsung is collaborating with Vietnams National Innovation Center (NIC) to support the countrys ambition of becoming a leader in the semiconductor industry. As part of this collaboration, Samsung has pledged to assist in training 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030. This initiative aligns with Vietnams broader strategic goal of building a skilled workforce that can support the countrys transition to more sophisticated and higher-value-added industries.

The partnership with the NIC is expected to accelerate the development of Vietnams semiconductor sector, a critical area for the future of global technology supply chains. By investing in talent development and fostering innovation, Samsung is playing a pivotal role in enhancing Vietnams competitiveness in high-tech industries.

Implications for Vietnam-South Korea relations

Samsungs ongoing investments are not only significant for Vietnams economic development but also for strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Vietnam and South Korea. The two countries have enjoyed a robust bilateral relationship, characterized by strong trade and investment flows. Samsungs expansion in Vietnam is likely to further deepen these ties, creating new opportunities for collaboration in technology, innovation, and industrial development.

As Vietnam continues to position itself as a key player in the global electronics supply chain, Samsungs investments will be crucial in driving the next phase of the countrys industrial growth.
Experience is not always the main requirement for vacancies. Especially in the current environment, when there is a shortage of personnel in a number of areas. That's why employers are willing to hire people with no experience and invest in their training  and in some cases pay them about UAH 35 thousand and even more.

ADVERTISIMENT

For example, on a popular job search site, you can find a vacancy for a sales assistant for mobile phones and accessories. They promise to pay from 35,000 to 40,000 UAH. According to the author of the ad, "no work experience is required" to get the position.

An IT company is looking for a chat manager with a salary of 15,000 to 40,000 UAH. "Work experience in online communication is not required, but will be a plus," the ad says.

A digital technology company is ready to pay UAH 24,000 to 36,000 to an online store manager. The requirements include fluency in computers, and basic knowledge of Excel and Word. Work experience in a similar position, it is noted, "will be an advantage."

English teachers are ready to be paid about 40 thousand

At the same time, English teachers can count on good earnings in Ukraine. The number of such vacancies on HR portals is several hundred, and some employers are willing to pay such specialists up to UAH 40,000.

ADVERTISIMENT

For example, one of the schools is looking for a teacher with a salary of UAH 25,000 to 35,000. They will have to conduct classes for groups and individual clients in English using the Callan method (full immersion in the language environment).

As OBOZ.UA reported, copywriters can also count on good earnings. Some companies are willing to pay more than 50,000 UAH for such work.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The 12-month grace period for student loan borrowers ended on September 30. The "on-ramp" period helped borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid the risk of defaulting and hurting their credit score.

"The end of the on-ramp period means the beginning of the potentially harsh consequences for student loan borrowers who are not able to make payments," said Persis Yu, Deputy Executive Director at the Student Borrower Protection Center.

Around 43 million Americans have student loan debt, amounting to $1.5 trillion. Around eight million of those borrowers had enrolled in the SAVE plan, the newest income-driven repayment plan that extended the eligibility for borrowers to have affordable monthly student loan payments. However, this plan is currently on hold due to legal challenges.

With the on-ramp period and a separate program known as Fresh Start ending and the SAVE plan on hold, student loan borrowers who are struggling to afford their monthly payments have fewer options, added Yu. Student loan borrowers who haven't been able to afford their monthly payments must consider their options to avoid going into default.

If you have student loans, here's what you need to know.

What was the on-ramp period?

The Education Department implemented this grace period to ease the borrower's transition to make payments after a three-year payment pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this year-long period, borrowers were encouraged to keep making payments since interest continued to accumulate.

"Normally, loans will default if you fall about nine months behind on making payments, but during this on-ramp period, missed payments would not move people towards defaulting and then being subject to forced collections. However, if you missed payments, you still be falling behind ultimately on repaying your loans," said Abby Shaforth, director of National Consumer Law Center's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project.

Since this grace period has ended, student loan borrowers who don't make payments will go delinquent or, if their loans are not paid for nine months, go into default.

Borrowers who cannot afford to make payments can apply for deferment or forbearance, which pause payments, though interest continues to accrue.

What happens if I don't make my payments?

Borrowers who can't or don't pay risk delinquency and eventually default. That can badly hurt your credit rating and make you ineligible for additional aid and government benefits.

If a borrower missed one month's payment, they will start receiving email notifications, said Shaforth. Once the loan hasn't been paid for three months, loan servicers notify to the credit reporting agencies that the loan is delinquent, affecting your credit history. Once the borrower hasn't paid the loan for nine months, the loan goes into default.

If you're struggling to pay, advisers first encourage you to check if you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan, which determines your payments by looking at your expenses. You can see whether you qualify by visiting the Federal Student Aid website. If you've worked for a government agency or a non-profit organization, you could also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives student debt after 10 years.

What happens when a loan goes into default?

When you fall behind on a loan by 270 days  roughly nine months  the loan appears on your credit report as being in default.

Once a loan is in default, it goes into collections. This means the government can garnish wages (without a court order) to go towards paying back the loan, intercept tax refunds, and seize portions of Social Security checks and other benefit payments.

What if I can't pay?

If your budget doesn't allow you to resume payments, it's important to know how to navigate the possibility of default and delinquency on a student loan. Both can hurt your credit rating, which would make you ineligible for additional aid.

If you're in a short-term financial bind, you may qualify for deferment or forbearance  allowing you to temporarily suspend payment.

To determine whether deferment or forbearance are good options for you, you can contact your loan servicer. One thing to note: interest still accrues during deferment or forbearance. Both can also impact potential loan forgiveness options. Depending on the conditions of your deferment or forbearance, it may make sense to continue paying the interest during the payment suspension.

What is an income-driven repayment plan?

The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of several plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrower's discretionary income. If a borrower's earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

What is the latest with the SAVE program?

In August, the Supreme Court kept on hold the SAVE plan, the income-driven repayment plan that would have lowered payments for millions of borrowers, while lawsuits make their way through lower courts.

Eight million borrowers who had already enrolled in the SAVE plan don't have to pay their monthly student loan bills until the court case is resolved. Debt that already had been forgiven under the plan was unaffected.

The next court hearing about this case will be held on October 15.

What happened with the Fresh Start program?

The Fresh Start program, which gave benefits to borrowers who were delinquent prior to the pandemic payment pause, also closed on September 30. During this limited program, student loan borrowers who were in default prior to the pandemic were given the opportunity to remove their loans from default, allowing them to enroll in income-driven payment plans, or apply for deferment, among other benefits.
As world leaders meeting in the United Nations this week discuss the future of efforts to rein in the gangs strangling Haiti, Haitians are expressing hopelessness that an international response can turn the tide of violence.

Thus far, a U.N.-backed force of 400 police from Kenya and about two dozen Jamaican officers have done little to quell the country's gangs, which have terrorized the country since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. World leaders have been discussing the next steps in a convoluted effort to restore order to the Caribbean nation.

The United States has floated the idea of a U.N. peacekeeping force, but the idea was considered too controversial given the introduction of cholera and sexual abuse cases that occurred the last time U.N. troops were in Haiti.

The deployment of Kenyan forces was, in part, to avoid tensions that may be sparked by sending another U.N. peacekeeping mission.

But in a visit to Haiti by Kenya's President William Ruto over the weekend  on his way to the United Nations General Assembly session, which began on Sunday  Ruto said he would be open to expanding Kenya's operations into a larger U.N. peacekeeping mission.

"On the suggestion to transit this into a fully U.N. Peacekeeping mission, we have absolutely no problem with it, if that is the direction the U.N. security council wants to take," Ruto said.

While Ruto hailed the successes of the Kenyan forces on Sunday, a recent report by a UN human rights expert said gang violence is spreading across Haiti and that Haitian police still lack the "logistical and technical capacity" to fight gangs.

The ongoing violence has left Haitians like 39-year-old Mario Canteve disillusioned with further international efforts to quell the gangs, saying he no longer believes promises by world leaders that they'll be able to change anything in the crisis-stricken nation.

"No one is coming to save Haiti. Nothing is changing," he said. "A new mission cannot save Haiti."

Canteve sells cellphone chips and repairs electronics in the capital of Port-au-Prince, 80% of which is estimated to be controlled by gangs. Facing brutal gang violence, some Haitians have organized vigilante groups to battle the gangs themselves.

Such groups speak to the lack of hope many Haitians have that an international solution can mark a shift in Haiti.

Moise Jean-Pierre, a 50-year-old schoolteacher, recalled past U.N. missions in Haiti and said such efforts were a "waste of time."

"It would not be the first time we've had U.N. missions in Haiti," he said. "What difference will it make?"

Sentiments on the ground speak to the bind world leaders are in as they've spent years looking for a larger solution to Haiti's woes.

The current security mission is expected to reach a total of 2,500 personnel, with the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin and Chad also pledging to send police and soldiers, although it wasn't clear when that would happen.

Few at the U.N. have an appetite for a larger peacekeeping mission in part due to the abuses in past missions, but also because many Haitians have an aversion to foreign interventions. Experts say three previous interventions by U.S. and the U.N. have not improved crises in Haiti.

Some harbor hope that elections planned next year will pave the path to a Haitian-born solution.

The country has not held general elections since 2016 as the crisis has dragged on.

Last week, Haiti took its first steps in creating a provisional election council to prepare the nation for elections. Haiti still has many hurdles ahead of it to get there. Chief among them is violence.

While Canteve, the cellphone chip salesman, called for unity and said "a new mission cannot save Haiti, the children of Haiti need to save themselves," he also expressed doubts the country was safe enough to facilitate elections.

"How can you hold an election when everything is so violent. Everyone is so violent. When police cannot even go into certain areas, what kind of election are going to get? he asked.
At least 30 bodies were found on a boat drifting off the coast of Senegal's capital, the military said Monday, as the number of migrants leaving West Africa increases.

The navy was informed of the vessel's presence on Sunday evening and sent out a boat patrol to the area, 70 kilometers (38 nautical miles) from Dakar, Ibrahima Sow, spokesperson for Senegal's military, said in a statement.

"So far, 30 bodies have been counted," Sow said.

The advanced state of decomposition of the bodies is making the identification process very difficult, the military said, adding that investigations will provide more information on the death toll and the boat's origin.

Earlier this month, a boat carrying 89 people on board capsized off the coast of Senegal. At least 37 people died, according to Senegalese authorities.

Many of the migrants leaving West Africa through Senegal flee conflict, poverty and a lack of jobs. Most head to the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of West Africa, which is used as a stepping stone to continental Europe.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 22,300 people have landed on the Canary Islands, 126% more than the same period last year, according to statistics released by Spain's Interior Ministry.

Last month, the Senegalese army said it had arrested 453 migrants and "members of smuggling networks" as part of a 12-day operation patrolling the coastline. More than half of those arrested were Senegalese nationals, the army said.

In July, a boat carrying 300 migrants, mostly from Gambia and Senegal, capsized off Mauritania. More than a dozen died and at least 150 others went missing.

The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is one of the deadliest in the world. While there is no accurate death toll because of the lack of information on departures from West Africa, the Spanish migrant rights group Walking Borders estimates the victims are in the thousands this year alone.

Migrant vessels that get lost or run into problems often vanish in the Atlantic, with some drifting across the ocean for months until they are found in the Caribbean and Latin America carrying only human remains.
Joe Biden makes his final presidential address before the United Nations General Assembly this week. But hanging over his head as he takes to the green marble podium for the last time, and as he meets separately with other leaders in New York: conflict in the Middle East  and how his actions have shaped it. VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell reports from New York.
United Nations investigators are accusing the Belarusian government of Alexander Lukashenko of instilling a pervasive climate of fear by quashing all avenues of dissent by systematically oppressing its perceived political opponents.

Measures of repression and intimidation aimed at suppressing dissent continue unabated in Belarus, particularly in the lead-up to the presidential election scheduled in 2025, Karinna Moskalenko, chair of the Group of independent Experts told the U.N. human rights council Monday.

Moskalenko presented a searing account of widespread human rights violations, abuse, and horrific cases of cruelty and deprivation in this first oral update of the human rights situation in Belarus by the Expert Group, newly created by the council in March.

She read out a list of abuses committed in Belarus since May 2020, when nationwide protests erupted, following Lukashenkos decision to seek another term as president.

Among those cited are arbitrary deprivation of the right to life and to liberty, torture and ill-treatment, including sexual and gender-based violence, denial of a fair trial, violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

While sexual and gender-based violence is underreported, there is credible information some women and men in detention have been threatened with rape and subjected to forced nudity and cavity searches, Moskalenko said.

We continue to observe a misuse of national security and criminal laws to silence any dissent. Individuals perceived as political opponents continue to be charged and arrested under the criminal code, for exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association, she said, adding that free trial rights are systematically violated.

The report notes that Belarusians forced into exile continue to be harassed by Lukashenkos government, that their assets and properties are seized and relatives left behind are intimidated by the authorities.

The group of experts accused the government for the near-total destruction of civic space and fundamental freedoms, with most of the opposition either imprisoned or forced into exile since the 2020 elections  creating a chilling effect on any participation in activities perceived as critical of the government.

Lukashenko recently pardoned dozens of people who had been convicted for participating in the 2020 protests. While welcoming the announced release, Moskalenko noted that they represent only a small fraction of those who have been arrested and urged the government to promptly release all those arbitrarily detained on politically motivated charges.

Larysa Belskaya, Belarusia ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva was unimpressed by what she heard and told the West, which she claimed was behind the report, to stop meddling in our domestic affairs.

She said next years presidential election will be the domestic affair of a sovereign state.

We do not need foreign approval or disapproval regarding the outcome of our peoples expression of their will, she said. Belarus, like the overwhelming majority of developing countries, does not accept interference in its domestic affairs or pressure or sanctions.

This set off a spirited debate in the council with Western countries strongly condemning the persecution and intimidation of all segments of Belarusian society. They demanded an end to the governments repressive policies and urged the immediate release of all political prisoners.

They denounced the Belarusian governments support of Russias aggression against Ukraine and called for an end to its complicity in the illegal deportation of Ukranian children by Russia.

Michele Taylor, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. human rights council in Geneva, condemned the ongoing repression in Belarus including the use of torture, arbitrary detention, intimidation, harassment of families of political prisoners and transnational repression of Belarusians.

On the other hand, Stanislav Kovpak, chief counselor at the Russian Foreign Ministrys Department for Multilateral Human Rights Cooperation deplored the double standards and biased approach in assessing the situation in Belarus.

At the same time, the role of the West is hushed up as is their significant support for the opposition who has emigrated, he said, criticizing the use of illegal restrictive measures by Western countries against the Belarusian economy  and the stirring up of anti-government feeling by Western-controlled, biased media.

He rebuked the group of experts who worked here in gross violation of the basic principles of impartiality that should underpin the human rights body.

Addressing the council via videolink, exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said she was speaking for the more than 1,400 political prisoners who could not speak for themselves, along with the teachers, doctors and activists behind bars for speaking the truth and dreaming of freedom.

Many of them are held in complete isolation, incommunicado  no letters, no phone calls, no contact with the outside world. My husband Syarhei has been cut off for over a year. I do not know if he is alive, she said.

Syarhei Tsikhanouski was arrested and imprisoned in 2020 after announcing his plan to challenge Lukashenko for the presidency.
The Egyptian government has confirmed sending arms shipments to Somalia amid regional tension over Ethiopias controversial deal with the self-declared republic of Somaliland.

Ethiopia agreed to recognize Somaliland in return for the lease of 20 kilometers of sea to Ethiopia, according to Somaliland officials. Somalia sees the deal as an infringement of its sovereignty.

Somalia wants Ethiopia to cancel its deal with Somaliland and reaffirm respect for the sovereignty of Somalia.

Egypt, which has a separate dispute with Ethiopia over the sharing of Nile river waters, strongly supports Somalia. Leaders of the two countries in August signed a defense agreement, followed by the first shipment of military equipment delivered by two C-130 military aircraft, according to two Somali officials.

[Sundays second weapons shipment from Egypt was delivered by a cargo ship operated by the Egyptian military.



The arrival of the shipment was confirmed in a statement by Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt.



Within the framework of Egypt's support for Somalia's efforts to achieve security and stability, combat terrorism, and preserve its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, a shipment of Egyptian military aid for the Somali army has arrived in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, with the aim of supporting and building its capabilities, Khallaf said in the statement.

He said the aid was part of implementing Egypt's obligations under the recently signed military cooperation protocol with Somalia, and as an affirmation of the continuation of Egypt's pivotal role in supporting Somali efforts to possess national capabilities and potentials to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Somali people for security, stability and development."



The offloading of military equipment was first reported by some Mogadishu port staffers who said they were told on Sunday to take the day off. This was followed by residents who took pictures of the weapons, including howitzers pulled by military vehicles.



There has been no official statement from the Somali government, but defense minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur has published on his Facebook page a photo of him and Somali army commander General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyadin observing the offloading of the equipment from the Egyptian-flagged ship at Mogadishu port.

Somali lawmaker Mursal Khalif says Somalia has a right to seek support from friendly countries.

Somalia asking for allies, in order to defend our territorial integrity and our sovereignty is the right thing to do, and I fully support President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his administration on that effort, he told VOA Horn of Africa Service. Egypt is not taking land or sea that belongs to Somalia or Ethiopia. Egypt is not proposing to redraw the map of any African country in the region, especially.

Ethiopia has thousands of troops in Somalia serving as part of African Union peace-keeping mission, but Somalia wants these troops out by December, unless it cancels the deal with Somaliland.

Without naming a specific country, Ethiopia has made no secret of its opposition to new regional geopolitical maneuvers, including expressing concerns about the planned transition to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, which aims for a 2025 start.

Ethiopia is being expected to ignore hostile statements, and the continued attempt to undermine the sacrifices s of Ethiopian Defense Forces, Ethiopias ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Aug. 28.

Ethiopia cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region, the statement added.


After more than two months without a functioning government, Frances new cabinet got to work Monday. How long it will remain in office is unclear.

French politics have been in limbo since inconclusive snap legislative elections in late June and early July. The elections saw a leftist coalition win the most votes and the far-right National Rally emerging as the largest party. Only now, after the Paris Olympics, has a new center-right government been named, which doesnt include either of these two blocs.

On national TV Sunday night, conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier outlined some broad priorities. He called for controlling and limiting immigration, saying the number of migrants arriving in France had become unbearable.

His new interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, strongly advocates tighter migration controls.

Barnier also called for what he described as a national effort, including taxes on the rich to cut the countrys budget deficit, which is well over the European Union limit. But he said he would not touch social changes like gay marriage and a recent move to enshrine abortion freedoms in the French constitution.

Barniers new government is already feeling pressure. Thousands demonstrated in Paris even before his cabinet was named.

Far-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon warned Barniers government had no future  a warning picked up by the far right. The left has vowed a no-confidence motion, but analysts say it isnt likely to succeed.
The son of Irans last monarch, exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, used a speech to Israeli American activists in Washington on Friday to urge them to act in support of his campaign to oust Irans Islamist rulers.

In an interview with VOA shortly after his speech at the Israeli-American Council national summit, Pahlavi answered a question about what kind of action he wants to see from Israelis by citing the concepts of maximum pressure against the Islamic Republic and maximum support for the Iranian people. He said that support includes fomenting civil disobedience movements in Iran and said it is important to fund them.

After VOA published its initial story on Friday, highlighting Pahlavis reference to funding civil disobedience movements in Iran in his answer to the question about what he is urging Israelis to do, some of his supporters in the Iranian diaspora used the social media X platform to express doubt about Pahlavis stated position.



Those supporters said they did not believe Pahlavi was calling on Israelis to provide financial support to dissidents in Iran. Rather, they said they believed he was referring to diaspora Iranians as the people who should do the funding.

In a statement sent to VOA on Saturday, an aide to Pahlavi said the U.S.-based crown princes comment about funding civil disobedience movements such as protests and labor strikes in Iran had been misinterpreted in the initial VOA story.

The crown prince has long been a strong advocate for the establishment of a labor strike fund, emphasizing its importance in empowering the Iranian people in their fight for freedom, the aide said. He believes that such a fund could be financed using Iran's blocked assets, asserting that this money rightfully belongs to the Iranian people, not the regime.

The Washington event at which Pahlavi spoke is an annual gathering of Israeli American activists, their Jewish American allies and other Israel supporters.

Pahlavi drew cheers and standing ovations from the audience for urging Israelis to work with Iranians to oust the radical clerics who have ruled Iran since overthrowing his father in 1979.

The speech was his most high-profile outreach to Israelis since traveling to Israel in April 2023, when he became the most prominent Iranian opposition figure to make a public visit to the Jewish state.

The following transcript of Pahlavis interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: In your IAC speech, you urged the audience to take action. What kinds of actions do you expect to see from Israeli Americans, Israelis in general and the Israeli government when it comes to achieving regime change?

Reza Pahlavi, exiled Iranian crown prince: There are two major components in this campaign. On one hand, it is important to put maximum pressure on the regime. Parallel to that is maximum support for the people of Iran. We are trying to foment civil disobedience movements within Iran, ranging from protests to labor strikes. It is important to fund them.

Many diaspora Iranians would like to help. But U.S. sanctions make it almost impossible for them to, for instance, transfer money back home. Many aspects of the sanctions rules have to change to facilitate that. It requires a new U.S. policy.

There also needs to be an appropriate media strategy to counter the regime's propaganda machinery. All aspects of the campaign should be coordinated with some key governments that can help.

VOA: Iran and its main proxy Hezbollah are once again threatening revenge against Israel for alleged Israeli attacks on Hezbollah communications devices in Lebanon this week. What is your message to the Islamic Republic as it considers its next move?

Pahlavi: There is no message to give to warmongers who stand against freedom, peace, human rights and even our national identity. Iranians, by the millions, have shown how much they despise this regime and want to tell the world that it does not represent us. Iranians are peace lovers. We want to have good relationships with our neighborhood  with Arabs, Israelis and the rest of the world.

This is why Im not going to waste my time telling the regime anything. At the end of the day, the solution is for the Iranian people themselves to put an end to this regime. But as I said in my speech, they have done all of this work alone so far. They need extra support to have a chance of success.

VOA: In the audience, some Iranian Muslims waved Irans former Lion and Sun flag and chanted your name, reflecting the support you have in the diaspora for your friendship toward Israel. But there also are some in the diaspora who accuse you of supporting Israeli aggression toward Palestinians and others in the region. What is your message to Iranians who are skeptical of your view that they need to embrace Israel to achieve regime change?

Pahlavi: I think a strategic partnership with a country like Israel brings a tremendous amount of opportunities for sharing technological knowhow. One of the reasons for my trip to Israel was to explore the possibilities of using their expertise in water management for agriculture. We are facing a drought and water crisis in Iran, so we need to have a cordial relationship with such governments.

It is unfortunate that when we have such a conflict [like the Israel-Hamas war], there always are casualties. Of course, my heart goes out to many victims.

The main problem is the regime itself. As long as it is there, it will not allow for normalization [of relations in the region], or for stability and peace. Ive been insisting for years that as long as you dont eliminate the source of the problem, which finances terrorism and forces governments to act and react, we will never be rid of it.

The solution is for this regime to go. That is what the majority of the Iranian people are calling for. And what Ive been calling for is solidarity. I think governments, including Israel, are very cognizant of, and know the difference between, the people of Iran and the regime that has nothing to do with the peoples aspirations. The regime is only there to represent its own self-interest at the expense of the Iranian people.

This story was produced in collaboration with VOAs Persian Service.
Iran, like authoritarian allies China, Cuba and Russia, continue to support the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following his disputed reelection in late July.

On September 18, Venezuelan Minister of Transportation Ramon Blazquez met with Iranian officials in Tehran to deepen bilateral cooperation and deflect credible accusations the election was rigged by promoting anti-Western conspiracy theories.

Referencing unfounded allegations that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency conspired to assassinate Maduro, Irans Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said such conspiracies will fail if the Venezuelan government and its people remain unified and its armed forces vigilant.

Nasirzadeh further sought to legitimize the reelection of Maduro to a third six-year term in office.

The change of governments does not alter the overall policy and approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward Venezuela. The Islamic Republic of Iran will certainly continue to support the legitimate and legal government of Mr. Maduro with all its strength, as it has in the past, Nasirzadeh said.

Nasirzadehs claim that Maduros government is legal and legitimate is misleading.

Venezuelas opposition has provided ample evidence that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez of the Unitary Platform, won the July 28 poll by a comfortable margin.

VOA has previously reported on how transparency safeguards at the polling stations allowed the opposition to compile verifiable evidence that Gonzalez won the election.

The opposition acquired 83.5% of the precinct-level vote tallies, showing Gonzalez received 67% of votes to Maduros 30%. Even if Maduro received all the remaining 16.5% of votes, he could not overcome the deficit.

Independent exit polls conducted by domestic and international election monitors had Gonzalez winning by a similar margin.

Maduro claimed the voting records, which the opposition published online, were forged.

Officials with the Maduro-aligned National Electoral Council continue to claim without evidence that pro-Gonzalez hackers tampered with the data.

However, United Nations experts who monitored the election process in Venezuela says that they have reviewed a small sample of the documents that are currently in the public domain [including those posted online by the opposition], and concluded that they exhibit all the security features of the original result protocols.

The pre-electoral period was marked by continuous restrictions on civic and political space, the U.N. panel reported. The government campaign dominated state-owned media outlets, with very limited access for opposition candidates.

Venezuelas election authorities fell short of the basic transparency and integrity measures that are essential to holding credible elections, said the U.N. report.

The vote tally sheets compiled by the opposition reportedly contain readable QR codes, identifying the state and polling station where the vote was cast, along with the number of votes each party and candidate received.

Thus, the information provided by the opposition could be validated if authorities released the detailed vote counts.

The U.S., Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, along with independent election monitors, called on Venezuelan authorities to release those tabulated precinct-level official results for independent audit.

Maduro, however, has ignored calls for an independent audit and instead asked the government-aligned Supreme Tribunal of Justice to review the vote. On August 23, the court confirmed Maduros disputed victory.

The U.S. State Department said that ruling lacks all credibility in light of the overwhelming evidence that the oppositions Gonzalez had received the most votes.

Dozens of countries refused to recognize the legitimacy of Maduros reelection.

On September 19, the European Parliament voted to recognize Gonzalez as the legitimate and democratically elected President of Venezuela.

Maduro responded to criticism that the poll had been rigged by violently cracking down on demonstrations against his contested reelection. His security forces have arrested more than 2,000 people, and more than two dozen have been killed in the protests. The government has also begun persecuting the political opposition, forcing them into hiding or exile.

The Supreme Tribunal of Justice barred opposition figure Maria Corina Machado from running in the election. Gonzalez, who has since received asylum in Spain, only ran after Venezuelan authorities prevented another Machado stand-in, Corina Yoris, from registering her candidacy.

Gonzalez claims that Maduro allies forced him to sign a letter recognizing Maduros victory, while taking refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas.

Like other members of the opposition, the government used the criminal justice system to target Gonzalez, accusing him of conspiracy and other crimes.

On September 20, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay and Uruguay asked the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate "grave violations" of rights in Venezuela following the election.
SBU military counterintelligence neutralized a Russian military intelligence (GRU) operational and combat group in Odesa. The head of the enemy cell and his "right hand man" were detained in the regional center, and a lot of weapons, ammunition and tactical equipment were seized.

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At the beginning of the full-scale war, these criminals intended to help the occupation forces if they approached the Ukrainian port city, and when the aggressor's plan failed, they went "into the shadows". This was reported by the SBU and the Prosecutor General's Office, telling what threatens the enemy agents.

Thus, according to the instructions of the Russian secret service, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops, these offenders were preparing for the seizure of state institutions in Odesa region. In addition to storming administrative buildings, the offenders were tasked with attacking the Defense Forces from the rear if the occupiers advanced to the regional center.

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After the Russians' failures at the front, the enemy put this task force on standby and activated it only in the summer of 2024, giving it new secret missions.

The Security Service of Ukraine thwarted the enemy's intentions: it documented subversive activities and neutralized the group immediately after it was "activated" by the enemy. It was established that the group's leader was a 49-year-old resident of the temporarily occupied Crimea.

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After the seizure of the peninsula, he moved to Odesa, where, at the beginning of the full-scale war, he began to form operational and combat units under the guise of several NGOs.

"For the general public, the NGO dealt with issues of military history, ecology and law, but in reality it created underground groups: snipers, intelligence, communications, operational support, and one of the main ones  an assault group. In the selection of potential candidates, preference was given to citizens with special skills, combat experience, or narrowly specialized specialists," the SBU explained.

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In the event of the capture of Odesa, the aggressor promised the members of this group "positions" in the local occupation administration.

In total, the suspects managed to recruit more than 20 people who were subordinate to the leader according to the principles of military hierarchy. All of them are currently under investigation, and comprehensive measures are being taken to bring them to justice for crimes against Ukraine.

During the searches, the law enforcement officers seized instructions on subversive activities, cold steel weapons, including those with the logo of the Russian special services, and computer equipment with evidence of crimes. In addition, more than 70 firearms with optical sights and ammunition, as well as bulletproof vests, helmets, ballistic goggles and other tactical equipment were seized.

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The special operation was conducted jointly with the SBU Investigative Unit in Odesa region under the procedural supervision of the Regional Prosecutor's Office. Based on the collected evidence, the SBU investigators served the detainees a notice of suspicion under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

 art. 28(2), Art. 109(1) (actions aimed at violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons)

 art. 1, 3, Art. 260 (creation of paramilitary or armed groups not provided for by law).

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The SBI added that the detainees are in custody and face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property. Investigative actions are also underway to identify all members of the "organization".

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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Israel widened its war against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon on Monday, killing at least 490 people and injuring more than 1,650 others in massive new airstrikes that raised fears of an all-out war.

Israels military said it attacked more than 1,300 targets, while Lebanons state news agency reported heavy strikes across multiple regions in the southern part of the country. Among those killed were 35 children and 58 women, Lebanese health officials said.

The Israeli military warned residents of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon's east to stay away from Hezbollahs armament supply depots.

"We are continuing to monitor Hezbollah's preparations in the field in order to proactively thwart attacks against Israeli territory, and we are systematically broadening our strikes against Hezbollah," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters.

In a recorded message to Lebanese civilians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to heed Israeli calls to evacuate, saying they should take this warning seriously.

Please get out of harms way now, Netanyahu said. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes. Thousands of people have fled southern Lebanon, jamming the main highway north to Beirut.

The Israeli military said Monday evening it had carried out a targeted strike in Beirut but gave no details.

Through a spokesman, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is indeed alarmed by the escalating situation along the Israeli-Lebanon border, especially the large number of civilian casualties and the thousands of displaced persons.

Israeli spokesman Hagari said in a video message that Israeli forces acted in response to indications that Hezbollah was preparing to fire toward Israeli territory.

He said Hezbollah is storing missiles, drones and other weapons in civilian areas, and he said Israel is advising Lebanese citizens to evacuate areas in which Hezbollah is present.

We are operating to achieve all of our goals of the war, Hagari said. In Gaza, to dismantle Hamas and bring back home all the hostages. And in the north, to repeal the threat posed by Hezbollah and enable the residents from the north of Israel safely to return to their homes.

Hezbollah said it responded with dozens of rockets Monday fired at Israeli military targets in northern Israel.

Israeli air defenses also intercepted a drone early Monday launched by a pro-Iranian militant group in Iraq.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it was targeting an Israeli base.

The surge in fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border during the past week prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a new travel warning urging U.S. citizens to leave Lebanon on commercial flights while they still have the option.

Hezbollah and Israeli forces traded hundreds of missile strikes Sunday, while Netanyahu pledged to do whatever it takes to restore safety in northern Israel.

Netanyahu said Israel in recent days had dealt Hezbollah a series of blows they never imagined, calling it a message.

The back-and-forth attacks included Hezbollah retaliating to an Israeli attack that killed Hezbollah military leaders in Beirut on Friday, while the militants blamed Israel for remotely detonating explosives in pagers and walkie-talkies inside Lebanon earlier last week, killing at least 37 and injuring thousands.

Hezbollah deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem said Hezbollah had started a new phase of its fight against Israel, which he described as an "open-ended battle of reckoning."

In Washington, the Pentagon said that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, in a Sunday evening call that the United States supports Israels right to defend itself, but stressed the importance of finding a path to a diplomatic solution that will allow residents on both sides of the border to return to their homes as quickly and safely as possible.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Sunday on ABC News This Week show that Israel and Hezbollah must restrain themselves to keep the conflict from escalating into an all-out war.

We believe there are better ways  than opening a second front along the Israeli-Lebanon border beyond Israels nearly year-long fight with Hamas militants in Gaza.

Nobody is Pollyannish [unreasonably optimistic] about how difficult this will be, Kirby said, but the warring parties should pull back from continued fighting so this doesnt become an all-out war.

As the Israeli-Hezbollah warfare mounts, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees pointed to ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen, noting that the region is already very fragile.

An expansion of the conflict may have incalculable consequences, Filippo Grandi told VOA of the escalation in Lebanon this week.

He said the U.N., particularly its humanitarian agencies, has been making contingency plans for some time should the war spread, but that no one should expect humanitarians to address all the countless problems, countless challenges, that will emerge from an even greater regional war.

Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire since the outbreak of the war in Gaza last Oct. 7, when the militant group began firing rockets in solidarity with the Palestinians and its fellow Iran-backed ally Hamas. The fighting has killed dozens of people in Israel, hundreds in Lebanon, and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the frontier.

The war in Gaza began with Hamas' October 2023 attack on southern Israel, in which Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage. They are still holding around 100 captives, a third of whom are believed to be dead. More than 41,400 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, with the Israeli military saying the death toll includes thousands of Hamas fighters.

Hamas has been designated a terror group by the U.S., U.K., EU and others.

VOAs United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report; some material came from The Associated Press.
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With pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai jailed in Hong Kong facing widely condemned charges, the journalists son and his international legal team are pushing the United States and other countries to help secure Lais immediate release. From Washington, Liam Scott has the story for VOA
100 people were killed and 400 injured by Israeli air strikes in Lebanon in the latest escalation of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The UN General Assembly is underway in New York, and US President Joe Biden is preparing to address the conference for the final time as President. In a move widely condemned by free speech advocates, Israeli forces raid the offices of Al Jazeera and confiscate equipment. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the US as Ukraine strikes major weapons storage facilities inside Russia, and Sri Lanka has a new president.
Widespread hopes for a more pluralistic and democratic Kazakhstan are fading some 30 months after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev unveiled his program for dismantling the authoritarian system associated with his predecessor and mentor, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The New Kazakhstan program was greeted enthusiastically by political analysts and civil society members when it was announced in March 2022 to a country still reeling from violent nationwide protests two months earlier.

However, some of those same analysts and experts are now expressing disillusionment, saying New Kazakhstan has largely remained on paper while Nazarbayev and his relatives continue to wield influence.

Nazarbayev ruled over Kazakhstan for three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, turning the country into a vibrant regional economy while skillfully balancing relations with Russia, China and the West.

As his relatives and close business associates prospered, Nazarbayev crushed political opposition and promoted a cult of personality.

In 2010, the Kazakh Parliament declared him Leader of the Nation, a title that came with immunity from prosecution and a right to stay in power indefinitely. In 2019, Kazakh authorities changed the name of the capital city from Astana to Nur-Sultan in his honor.

In March 2019, Nazarbayev stepped down from the presidency and transferred power to his hand-picked successor, Tokayev, then serving as speaker of the Parliament. But he ensured that he would continue to hold real power as the head of the Security Council, a governmental body that oversaw Tokayevs Cabinet.

Nazarbayevs political fortunes changed abruptly in January 2022 when, amid violent street protests caused by a fuel price increase, Tokayev stripped him of his role as head of the Security Council and arrested his loyalists, including Karim Massimov, the head of the National Security Committee, on treason charges.

Nazarbayevs relatives, meanwhile, were forced to relinquish high-ranking government positions.

The January 2022 protests untied Tokayevs hands, said a Kazakhstani researcher who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity for fear of official retribution.

Previously, he had to obtain Nazarbayevs approval for all major political decisions, which created a dual power situation in the country. This [arrangement] proved useful in the beginning but led to bloodshed in the end.

In subsequent weeks and months, Tokayev presided over further efforts to weaken Nazarbayev, including a restoration of the capitals name as Astana and a ruling by the Constitutional Court that annulled the law protecting Nazarbayev and his family from prosecution.

Kairat Satybaldy, Nazarbayevs nephew, who had a reputation as an oligarch, was sentenced to six years in prison on embezzlement charges in September 2022. In January of this year, prosecutors charged another nephew, former deputy head of the National Security Committee Samat Abish, with abuse of office.

According to media reports, between 2022 and 2024, Kazakh investigators recouped $1.7 billion in what prosecutors said were illegally appropriated assets from Nazarbayevs relatives and business associates.

Supporters of Tokayev remain enthusiastic about the reforms.

Mikhail Kazantsev, a member of the Parliaments lower chamber, the Mazhilis, proclaimed in March of 2024 that "a new model has begun.

We had constitutional reform, the Parliament changed, the government became more dynamic, the presidents rhetoric has changed, and changes deepened, he told Kazakh media.

Kazantsev added that Kazakh citizens had more freedom and the government had become more accountable.

But other experts and analysts now say that the political reforms and the dismantling of Nazarbayevs legacy have stalled. In a March interview with Kazakh media, Dosym Satpayev, an Almaty-based political analyst, described Tokayev as a mini-Nazarbayev.

Behind the facade of political advertisements, the essence of the system has not changed, Satpayev said.

Tokayev has not abolished the oligarchic system. People who surround him are not reformers, but those who made their careers under Nazarbayev. We are seeing the reincarnation of the Nazarbayev system under new slogans.

In a September analysis published by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Kazakhstani analysts Aliya Tlegenova and Serik Beissembayev wrote that New Kazakhstan increasingly looks like [the] old one."

Tokayev has successfully consolidated power while the society fell into apathy caused by fear and disappointment, they said.

In March, Abish was released from prison after receiving an eight-year suspended sentence. Then, in August, Kazakhstans Supreme Court refused to consider a corruption case against Nazarbayev, declaring that he still has immunity under Kazakh law.

Some experts see political expediency behind Tokayevs lack of enthusiasm for a continued crackdown on Nazarbayev and his family.

The Kazakhstani researcher who spoke on condition of anonymity said Nazarbayev has fostered an image of himself as the founding father of the nation. How can they [the ruling establishment] go after the founding father?

The researcher added that Tokayev does not want to be seen as an ungrateful person who turned against his mentor.

In a July 2023 interview with Kazakh media, Joanna Lillis, a journalist based in Kazakhstan, said Tokayev is still constrained in his actions. There is a likelihood of reaction from Nazarbayev and his people, even if they have been weakened.

Moreover, the Kazakh public has been told for three decades that Nazarbayev is a great leader who built a great country, she said. If this myth is busted, what will be left from three decades of independence? The problem is that this may create an ideological vacuum.
Pakistan has appointed Lieutenant-General Muhammad Asim Malik as the new head of the countrys top spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI.

The move comes amid persistent criticism of the powerful military-run agency for its alleged role in making or breaking elected governments in the South Asian nation.

A senior Pakistani security source confirmed to VOA on Monday that Malik will assume office as the agency's next director general on September 30, replacing the current ISI chief, Nadeem Anjum.

The military's media wing did not immediately comment on the high-profile appointment, but Pakistans state broadcaster reported it with a brief profile of the new ISI chief.

Malik graduated from Fort Leavenworth in the United States and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London and currently serves as an adjutant general at the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, adjacent to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

The ISIs meddling in national politics has lately been the subject of intense debate in Pakistans national media and political circles.

Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan accuses current ISI chief Anjum of playing a role at the behest of the military in ousting him from power in 2022 through an opposition parliamentary no-confidence vote, instituting frivolous lawsuits subsequently, and unleashing a crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party to keep him from returning to power.

Several federal and provincial court judges, in a recent letter to the Supreme Court chief justice, have also alleged that the ISI was pressuring them to decide cases against Khan to ensure he remains in jail. The incarcerated former prime minister remains Pakistans most popular politician.

The military, in turn, has recently arrested Anjums predecessor, Faiz Hameed, and initiated his court marshal on various charges, including the use of his position as the ISI chief to enable Khan to suppress political opponents while in office.

It is widely believed that Khan's decision not to let Anjum replace Hameed in October 2021 angered the military and eventually led to the prime minister's removal from power several months later.

Subsequent governments and the military deny having any political role or pressuring judges, a claim critics dispute.

The army has ruled Pakistan for more than three decades since the country gained independence from Britain in 1947. Former Pakistani prime ministers, including Khan, and political parties say generals maintain control over foreign policy and national security issues.

Khan has persistently alleged in statements from his prison cell that the current coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is merely a tout of the military. He alleges that the army leadership used the ISI to massively rig the February 8 parliamentary elections this year to prevent his party from winning.

The allegations were supported by a detailed Supreme Court majority decision released on Monday, resolving a petition concerning pre- and post-election controversies. The judgment declared several actions of Pakistans election commission in the lead-up to the polls unlawful, saying they were meant to keep PTI-nominated candidates from winning.

The judgment stated that the commission has failed to fulfill this role in the general elections of 2024. It noted that election authorities actions significantly infringe upon the rights of the electorate and corrode their own institutional legitimacy.

The vote outcome has worsened the political turmoil triggered by Khans ouster, undermining Pakistans efforts to stabilize an already troubled economy. A spike in militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan provinces, which border Afghanistan, has added to the challenges facing the military-backed Sharif administration.

"All this has familiar echoes of the past  a government unwilling to engage with the opposition, jailing opposition leaders, trying to steamroll legislation, and a desperate opposition in constant protest mode against a backdrop of economic gloom, weak governance, and ubiquitous establishment pulling the strings from behind the scenes, Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistans former ambassador to the U.S. and the United Nations, wrote in an article published by Pakistans Dawn newspaper Monday.

The term establishment in Pakistan is a reference to the military and its intelligence services.
The United States is sending a small number of additional troops to the Middle East following a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said on Monday.

Ryder did not provide further details on the number of forces or what they would be doing.

However, a senior U.S. official told VOA the number of troops would be in the dozens and their primary task would be preparing for a potential military-assisted departure of U.S. citizens, should a greater regional war break out.

Another U.S. official stressed that the situation was not at a point yet where a military-assisted departure was needed.

If an evacuation is needed, the U.S. military has Marines deployed nearby who could execute the mission, another official told VOA. All spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive national security issues.

Ryder, in response to a VOA question on Monday, told reporters that the Pentagon was a planning organization that was ready for a wide variety of contingencies, should the U.S. military be called for assistance.

We have more capability in the region today than we did on April 14, when Iran conducted its drone and missile attack against Israel, he said.

The announcement comes after several strikes by Israeli forces against Hezbollah targets inside Lebanon have killed hundreds of people. The State Department is warning Americans to leave Lebanon as the risk of a regional war escalates.
Pope Francis canceled his scheduled appointments for Monday due to a mild flu, the Vatican said in a statement.

The Vatican said the 87-year-old pontiff made the decision as a precautionary measure in view of his planned four-day trip to Luxembourg and Belgium later this week. It gave no further details.

Francis is scheduled to begin the trip, his 46th foreign visit as pope, on Thursday. It comes less than two weeks after he returned from a demanding 12-day, four-country tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Francis now regularly uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain. He has also suffered bouts of ill health in recent years. Earlier this year, he canceled several appointments over what the Vatican variously described as a cold, bronchitis and influenza.

The pope appeared in good form throughout his Sept. 2-13 trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. He maintained a packed schedule, headlining more than 40 events, and clocked up a total of nearly 33,000 km.

His trip to Luxembourg and Belgium is expected to highlight the needs of migrants in Europe and to include a meeting with survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy.

Francis' agenda in Luxembourg and Belgium will be lighter than that of the Southeast Asia and Oceania trip, with the pope scheduled to take part in about a dozen events over four days.
Officials in southeastern Ukraine said Monday that Russian airstrikes injured at least 16 people in the city of Zaporizhzhia.

Ivan Fedorov, governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, said on Telegram the attacks also damaged 13 apartment buildings, educational institutions, cars, garages and private residences.

Ukraines military said Russia attacked the country overnight with four aerial drones and two guided missiles.

Ukrainian air defense shot down three of the four Russian drones, the military said.

Russias Defense Ministry said Monday it intercepted four Ukrainian aerial drones over the Belgorod region and another four over the Kursk region.

Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said one drone damaged several cars and two apartments, while two other drones damaged the roof of an industrial building and a playground.

The latest fighting came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United States to seek increased support for his countrys effort to halt the invasion Russia launched in 2022.

Zelenskyy on Sunday toured an ammunition factory in the state of Pennsylvania that produces some of the munitions being sent to Ukraines military.

I emphasized the dedication of the workers, which is truly inspiringthey are helping Ukraine stand strong in our fight for freedom, Zelenskyy said on X early Monday.

Zelenskyy is also set to speak this week at the United Nations, and to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Some information for this story was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters


Police arrested Tanzania's top opposition figures on Monday, their party said, as the authorities moved to block a mass protest in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

Despite an official ban, the opposition Chadema party had vowed to go ahead with the rally over the alleged kidnapping and killing of its members by security forces.

Chadema said its chairman Freeman Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu were both arrested on Monday, while riot police were stationed in key areas across the city to prevent gatherings.

"Demonstration is our constitutional right and we are surprised by the magnitude of force being used by the police to threaten people and suppress our freedom," Mbowe told supporters before being led away by police, according to a video shared by the party online.

Chadema accuses President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government of returning the country to the repressive tactics of her predecessor, John Magufuli.

Hassan took over following Magufuli's sudden death in March 2021 and appeared to signal a more liberal approach, reversing restrictions on opposition rallies and the media.

But Chadema accuses the security forces of being behind the recent disappearance of several members and the killing of Ali Mohamed Kibao, of its national secretariat, who was found dead earlier this month.

Police also blocked a youth day rally by the party in August, arresting dozens of its leaders including Mbowe and Lissu.

Rights groups and Western governments, including the United States, have raised concerns about renewed repression ahead of local elections in November and a general election in late 2025.

Lissu, an opposition stalwart, has been arrested countless times and suffered multiple gunshot wounds in an assassination attempt in 2017.

He returned to Tanzania last year after Hassan lifted the ban on opposition rallies.

Police had alleged that the Chadema protests would be violent.

But in a speech broadcast on X on Sunday, Mbowe said: "I remind Tanzanians that we are going to hold peaceful protests. We are neither carrying any weapons nor planning to violate the peace as some people allege.

"In case some of us will be arrested, hurt or even killed, pray for us and never turn back. We are doing this to make our country a peaceful place to live," he said.
The Victory Plan that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to present during his visit to the United States this week aims to provide Ukraine with long-term guarantees of support from the West. The president emphasizes that the plan needs urgent support from Joe Biden and other Western leaders so that Ukraine can start negotiations by the end of the year from a favorable position.

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This was reported by the British newspaper The Times. The publication notes that security guarantees should be such that the new US administration, even in the event of a hypothetical victory of Republican Donald Trump in the election, could not cancel them.

Among the four main points of the plan, sources say the key one is a request for security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO collective defense treaty. Another new point of the plan concerns support for the continuation of operations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Russia, particularly in the Kursk region. In addition, the plan provides for guarantees of modern weapons supplies and international financial assistance to Ukraine.

The plan has not yet been officially made public. Zelenskyy noted that he would not disclose all the details before meeting with Biden at the White House on Thursday, and would also like to present it to the two presidential candidates, Trump and Kamala Harris.

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Earlier, some media outlets reported that the plan also includes a formal invitation for Ukraine to join NATO and permission to strike deep into Russia with Western long-range weapons.

The Times's sources say that Biden is unlikely to publicly announce the lifting of the ban on the use of US long-range missiles to attack Russian territory during Zelenskyy's visit. However, this decision may be made unofficially, as noted by the British newspaper The Guardian. Russian authorities have previously warned of the consequences for the West in the event of such a decision.

It is unclear how security guarantees for Ukraine, similar to its participation in NATO, could be formalized. Numerous Western countries, including the United States, have repeatedly emphasized that by providing assistance to Ukraine, they seek to avoid a direct armed conflict with Russia.

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The publication also points out that military analysts and diplomats believe that Ukraine will not be able to quickly oust the Russians from the occupied territories in the east in the short and medium term. In this period, keeping Ukraine in the fight until Russia is forced to negotiate seems to be the most realistic goal. One NATO diplomat acknowledged that any negotiations would be "very, very difficult and painful for Ukraine."

"Obviously, Ukrainians will not be able to kick the Russians out of their country," the diplomat said.

However, in his opinion, the idea of freezing the conflict along the current front lines and forcing Ukraine to remain outside the bloc would be a "disastrous outcome" and this "cannot be the basis for negotiations."

As a reminder, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy began his visit to the United States with a visit to a plant in Pennsylvania. This is the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, which produces artillery and mortar shells.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, the White House is looking forward to the presentation of Zelenskyy's Victory Plan and wants to agree on strategic goals with Kyiv for the last four months of Biden's presidency. At least that's what presidential adviser Michael Carpenter said.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Photo: Gotham/GC Images

Emily Ratajkowski went on social media to point out the connections between the sensationalized portrayal of the Menendez brothers on Ryan Murphys Monsters and the open secret of Diddys history of alleged sexual assault. I think we need to have a conversation about male sexual assault, she said. Ratajkowski noted that many of Diddys alleged victims are male: Diddy was able to hide in plain sight for so long, she says, because our culture views male sexual assault as extremely emasculating. This parallels the dehumanizing treatment Erik and Lyle Menendez received from the media in the 90s, from the justice system, and now from Monsters. In the new show, Erik and Lyle are portrayed as being in a homosexual, incestuous relationship, something Erik has strenuously denied.

Ratajkowski asserts that the silence around male sexual assault also contributes to some abused people later becoming perpetrators, citing R. Kelly and author Junot Diaz as being a part of that cycle. And to be clear, Im not making excuses for these people, Im just saying there are ways we can stop the cycle from happening, she says. Ive seen it in my own life, with men that Ive known, whove had really unhealthy sexual tendencies and behaviors, and theyre like Oh, thats just how guys are. We just naturally have these weird sexual inclinations that women dont. Which is such an excuse. And then it comes out that they have experienced sexual assault.

In the text of her TikTok, Ratajkowski points to Baby Reindeer as a show that explores the issue of male sexual assault. The series creator Richard Gadd, Brendan Fraser, and Reachers Alan Ritchson have all come forward in the past few years as survivors.
This column originally appeared in Brian Moylans newsletter, The Housewives Institute Bulletin. Sign up here to be the first to read the next edition. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Hulu, Bravo

Like so many Bravoholics barely enduring the fallow period where we only had RHODubai and RHOC to sustain us, Ive been talking a lot about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, the recent reality hit about a group of Mormon influencers in Utah. (Hulu says the show had its most-watched premiere for an unscripted show this year. Take that, Vanderpump Villa.) Naturally, many of those conversations have drifted toward another set of Mormon wives we all know and love: A friend recently asked if I thought that the popularity of the show might eat into the audience for The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, which had its triumphant return just this week, and there have been plenty of people on Elon Musks internet saying that Bravo missed out on either casting these women or creating this show.

I also got into an old-fashioned flame war with a hot (but wrong) personal trainer from San Diego when I said Mormon Wives wasnt upscale enough for Bravo: We never see the outside of the womens homes, and we never see them go to fancy restaurants, or any restaurants really. Yes, Mormon Wives shares some broad qualities with RHOSLC  a cast that is involved with the church, women squabbling about their place in a joint enterprise, a troublemaker named Whitney who is the only one in the group with a bob  but it looks, acts, and feels like a very different show. Whitney Leavitt wants to homestead and is picking up horse shit; Whitney Rose would never. Its a different caliber of production from Bravo, not just in the casting and storytelling, but also in the sheen that weve come to associate with the networks products.

This is speculation, but Im betting that Bravo was offered Mormon Wives and passed. How can I tell? Know the big jump in time between the first and second episodes where Taylor Frankie Paul is suddenly about eight months pregnant? I would assume that the production company made a pilot, shopped it around, people passed  including Bravo  and it ended up, a year later, getting a green light from Hulu. If this was really meant to be a Bravo show, that whole pilot episode would have been scrapped and redone: I wouldnt even have let the pilot air as is, a producer friend who worked with Bravo in the past told me. Obviously arcs arent meant to be resolved in the pilot, but they didnt do a good job of clearly planting the seeds for us to get fully invested. It wouldve gone through easily three more passes before air on Bravo.

Watching Mormon Wives  which definitely gets better the further you get into it  I was reminded less of Real Housewives than of Jersey Shore. Much like Snooki and the gang, this is really a show that is interested in exploring, explaining, and exploiting a subculture. Yes, Mormonism has always been at the heart of RHOSLC, but we never get discussions about who is or isnt wearing their garments, we dont see them explaining why soda shops are so important to Utahs culture, and we dont see their husbands freaking the fuck out over just stepping into the same building as some Chippendales. In Mormon Wives, the church is not only front and center, its literally in the title of the show.

For another distinguishing element, look to the other part of that title, the Wives themselves. Fans love to joke that its impossible to tell the Mormon Wives apart; I especially enjoyed the episode where they wore matching sweatshirts at a sleepover with their names emblazoned on the front, perhaps the only scene where I could actively tell the difference between Demi Engemann and Jessi Ngatikaura. There was a brief interval when I had the same problem with Meredith Marks and Lisa Barlow, but that was quickly alleviated because they were both so clearly different: Meredith loves to get mad about the stupidest thing and then disengage and Lisa Barlow is a narcissist who loves fast food even more than she loves to rant. Even when its pulling from a shared community, Bravo casting prioritizes individual characters first and foremost.

The Mormon Wives are a little harder to differentiate because, much like the guidos on Jersey Shore, theyre all representatives of a specific and narrowly defined subculture. Yes, theyre all individuals  and only Whitney Leavitt is delusional enough to think she could leave a group chat and then the people in the group chat would reach out to see whats wrong  but they all seem like different shades of the same person, which isnt helped by the fact that they dont get personal storylines like the Housewives do. Yes, we get some brief glimpses into their marriages or businesses, but theyre always in group scenes, always doing things together, whereas we always get to see full-time Housewives up to no good on their own as well as with the collective.

Speaking of the collective, the women of Salt Lake City benefit from the long line of Housewives that come before them. When RHOSLC debuted, we knew why these women had come together  to make a Housewives show and they have been fully invested in that project ever since. As a new series, Mormon Wives needed its own organizing principle, and it opted to carve that niche out of #MomTok. The seriess central question is whether #MomTok can survive this, as they ask every episode like Carrie Bradshaw at her laptop, but just watching the show its hard to know what #MomTok even is, much less why they all care about it like Angie K cares about gigantic sunglasses; we see a few clips of them making content, but not the effects of it. I wish that instead of the few brief TikToks we see of the women at the brand trip to California that Whitney mentions when shes explaining Demi and the Fruity Pebbles, the Mormon Wives cameras had actually followed them to the event and captured that backstory for the show. (I still dont entirely understand this drama, but I do know that Whitneys gift was mean girl behavior at its finest.) That could have given us a better sense of #MomToks popularity, the money that it makes, the influence it has.

That kind of stuff is baked into the Housewives formula thanks to pioneers like Bethenny Frankel: Heather Gay & Co. signed up to get famous, get their businesses seen, get their proverbial bag. Why are the Mormon Wives doing #MomTok and, by extension, why are they on this show? Without answering those questions, Mormon Wives #MomTok fixation just exists as this kind of vague idea that may or may not have been created for reality television. Bravo did this very thing ages ago when it turned the vague idea of a Real Housewife into a phenomenon, and I have faith that Mormon Wives can get there too, but the question of why it exists both as a program and for the women inside it still needs to be answered.

Could a second season of Mormon Wives improve on some of these existential issues and make it even better? Sure could. I would suggest cutting the cast by at least two women, giving them a bit more solo camera time so that we can see them as individuals, and showing more of the business aspects of #MomTok and illustrating why its survival is integral to these womens lives. All of those improvements would make Mormon Wives better than it already is, but it still wont be a Bravo show  and thats perfectly fine. For my money, RHOSLC will always be superior, but both can exist in their own corners of the reality TV universe and both be great. Not everything needs to be like Bravo to be good, and not everything fans think is good needs to be on Bravo. Internet stan culture loves to pit public figures against each other, especially women, but these series dont need to fight in order to both be successful. Now lets just hope were blessed with a renewal order.
Russia has said it is ready to familiarize itself with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's victory plan. The Kremlin will study it when the plan is posted in official sources.

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This was stated by the press secretary of the Russian dictator Dmitry Peskov at a briefing on Monday, September 23. Peskov also noted that the Kremlin is "cautious" about the details of the plan that appear in the media.

"The Kremlin will study the plan of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if it is in official sources, and is cautious about the content of media publications," Peskov's statement was reported by the TASS propaganda agency.

It is worth noting that on September 21, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia does not plan to participate in the second peace summit that Ukraine intends to hold this fall. Zakharova characterized the event as "another manifestation of fraud by the Anglo-Saxons and their Ukrainian puppets."

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As a reminder, the "Victory Plan" that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is going to present during his visit to the United States this week aims to provide Ukraine with long-term guarantees of support from the West. The president emphasizes that the plan needs urgent support from Joe Biden and other Western leaders so that Ukraine can start negotiations by the end of the year from a favorable position.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the White House is looking forward to the presentation of Zelenskyy's "Victory Plan" and wants to agree on strategic goals with Kyiv for the last four months of Biden's presidency. At least that's what presidential adviser Michael Carpenter said.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
ITA Airways cancels 28 flights due to strike action.

Air travellers in Italy face disruption on Tuesday 24 September due to a 24-hour strike by airport staff and baggage handlers at some of the country's main airports.

Wizz Air pilots and cabin crew are also set to stage a 24-hour walkout on the same day, with the airline pledging to minimise the impact of the strike and apologising to passengers for any inconvenience that it may cause.

The strike by airport staff and baggage handlers will affect airports in Bologna, Milan (Bergamo, Linate and Malpensa), Olbia, Rome Fiumicino and Venice.

seguito della proclamazione degli scioperi di 24 ore dello staff degli handler degli scali di Milano Linate, Bologna e Venezia previsti per la giornata di martedi 24 settembre, siamo costretti a cancellare 28 voli nazionali. Qui la lista aggiornata: https://t.co/ZoCcxUoEWX pic.twitter.com/5qm8kCP1AD ITA Airways (@ITAAirways) September 19, 2024

ITA Airways said it has been forced to cancel 28 domestic flights on Tuesday due to the strike, including connections between Rome and other Italian cities.

The industrial action has been called by several trade unions for a number of reasons relating to employment contracts and working conditions.

For official information about upcoming strikes in Italy see the transport ministry website.
Police hunt for the criminals who killed Ricky.

Rome police are hunting for the burglars responsible for throwing a dog to its death from the sixth floor of an apartment block after a failed robbery on Friday.

The dog, a 10-year-old cocker spaniel called Ricky, was at home alone when the thieves broke into the residence in the Monteverde Vecchio neighbourhood, La Repubblica reports.

The break-in triggered an alarm, notifying the owners who immediately returned home to discover that nothing had been stolen but their pet was nowhere to be seen.

They subsequently found Ricky lying on the ground of a neighbour's first-floor terrace before racing to the vet with their dog.

However nothing could be done for the animal which died of severe injuries sustained in the violent impact, La Stampa reports.

One theory is that the thieves attempted to carry the dog away but as they fled they threw the animal off the sixth-floor terrace.

The killing of Ricky, which has sparked a wave of outrage on social media, was slammed as "a horrible act of cowardice and cruelty" by Rome's guarantor for animals Patrizia Prestipino, who is responsible for raising awareness for animal protection.

"How can you kill an innocent being in this way?", Prestipino wrote on Instragram, expressing the hope that the culprits will face justice, as well as sending "a hug of solidarity to Ricky's family".

The dog's owners told news outlet RomaToday they would offer a reward to anyone who has information relating to the incident or anyone who saw "any suspicious people entering the building" on Via Carini, by contacting RomaToday via WhatsApp (3451709348).

The Italian Association for the Defense of Animals and the Environment (AIDAA) is also ready to pay a 5,000 reward - RomaToday reports - to anyone who, with "their formal complaint to the authorities who are investigating the case, will help to identify and definitively condemn the perpetrators of this crime".
A Waterford family are reeling after learning that their beloved baby girl was buried without her brain.

Bonnie Fox was less than a year old when she tragically passed away in her sleep in January 2021.

Her death left her parents Jenny and Mark, and her siblings, family, extended family and community in complete devastation. Since Bonnie's passing, the Fox family have raised money for charity through fundraisers in her memory.

CHI audit

In September this year, Bonnie's mother Jenny revealed through social media that her child's remains were held inside Crumlin Hospital without her knowledge.

She stated that An Garda Siochana contacted her a few days before Christmas last year to inform her that an audit showed that her child's brain was retained by the hospital.

She also said that she received a letter of apology from CHI Crumlin, but the apology has done little to temper the family's turmoil.

Jenny wrote on the post: "You're sorry you kept part of my baby in a jar? For three years? Or you're sorry there was an audit and you got caught?"

The ordeal has raised questions for the family over why and how the information was held for so long after Bonnie's death.

Jenny wrote: "In the year of 2024 they are doing this? You know why they are doing this? Because they get away with it!"

Crumlin response

CHI Crumlin were contacted for a statement. A spokesperson replied: "Children's Health Ireland cannot comment on individual cases. Even if a family decides to make their story public, we are still bound by patient confidentiality."

The matter of organ retention at CHI Crumlin was discussed at a HSE board meeting in September 2023.

Attending the meeting were Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman and Minister Anne Rabbitte.

The minutes stated that an audit was carried out in December 2021, which identified that organs had been retained at post mortem in CHI at Crumlin and remained, securely stored, in the department.

It read: "These organs were from post mortems performed pre-2020. The retention of organs from the children was the result of a breakdown (or non-commencement) of communication with families or an inadequate capture of information about the familys wishes regarding organ retention."
At a busy spot just off the quay where students, commuters and Waterford people would walk or drive by daily, two tents have been pitched at the corner of Hanover Street.

On Wednesday morning, September 18, the Waterford News & Star spoke with Alice O'Neill, one of the people sleeping in the tent.

Alice explained that the man (sleeping on the cold ground between the tents) was unknown to her. He had made an attempt at climbing into the tent in the middle of the night, and had to be asked to leave. Despite this, and while he was a stranger to her, Alice kindly gave a clean towel for him to cover himself with.

Rough sleepers in Waterford who have recently become homeless are shocked to see the queues for tents and soup kitchens in the city.

Giving an honest account of how she got to the point of camping out on the city street, she took full accountability and said she lost the house she was living in due to inappropriate behaviour of people and company she kept, which led to the windows of the house being smashed and doors being kicked in, with the intention to utilise the house as an area for drug usage.

Drug addiction

Battling drug addiction is something Alice has faced for many years, but in the last week is "completely sober". Alice said she would've been a heroin user, and explained that she can no longer "afford to take anything", along with her health being at risk.

"I took two massive heart attacks two years ago, coming off them street tablets, so I've heart problems as well," she said.

"I took my two massive heart attacks in 2022 and the doctors told my mother I only had a few hours, but I made it. My heart stopped for 11 minutes and then for another six minutes," Alice added.

She went on to talk in more detail about having to give up her house, which Alice said she "had no choice in the matter".

"The people that came into my house destroyed it. I came back home from Dublin one day and the windows and doors had been broken in.

"It was unlivable, what the people had done to the place," she said.

When asked if she knew the people who damaged her house, Alice's response implied that she no longer has a relationship with them: "I didn't know these people. Like... It was different. If they were friends of mine, they wouldn't have gone in and done things like that."

"It's my own fault, I have to take some kind of responsibility myself, because, you're only as good as the company you keep," Alice added.

"I mean, they're not really friends anyway, when you're on drugs, only associates. The only friend I have is my mother."

Support and services

Alice said her 75-year-old mother has continued to support her in many aspects, particularly with raising her children.

In addition to Alice's praise for her mother's support during her times of need, she has commended the work of local services in Waterford, particularly the Simon Community and her key workers.

Alice's key workers told her that while getting another house "is going to be a long road", officially leaving her previous address was the only possible way that she could be rehoused.

"They told me 'it's up to you to give up the place, but if you don't give up the place, then you don't get another place'. Like, I had no choice but to sign," she said.

When describing how she went about accessing services, Alice said she was in total shock to realise the amount of people reliant on being aided with shelter and food in Waterford City.

"I couldn't believe it," she said.

"I went down the night before last, they were giving out tents, and to see the queue that's waiting for the tents... It's absolutely crazy.

"I never thought I'd ever see homelessness like this here in Waterford, but you don't realise how bad it ever is until you're in the situation yourself," Alice concluded.
Keltech has achieved Gold Standard at Deloitte Irelands Best Managed Companies Awards 2024.

Keltech, who demonstrated "superior business performance", were part of an elite group of companies to be awarded gold recognition, for completing four years as a Best Managed company, at the gala awards held on Thursday, September 19, at the RDS Arena, Dublin.

Commenting on the award, Seamus Lawlor, Director Of Business Development, said: I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of Keltech. Its fantastic to gain national recognition for all of the hard work it takes to successfully operate a business like ours.

The programme recognises private businesses right across Ireland and an exceptional performance that sets them apart.

The Best Managed Companies Awards is run by Deloitte in association with Allied Irish Bank (AIB). The awards recognise companies that operate with a robust business model, putting strategies into action that reflect their internal strengths, capabilities and opportunities in the market. A Best Managed Company has a keen and clear focus, makes sound strategic decisions, works hard to keep its customers happy and strives to deliver best-in-class service and products.

"The Best Managed Companies Awards recognises Keltech as a company that has a formal and defined strategy in place  one which considers all stakeholders, and which is consistently clearly communicated at all levels of the business. In other words, everyone understands the business journey and embraces the goals," said Mr Lawlor.

Mr Lawlor explained to the Waterford News & Star that in the past year, Keltech delivered 28,800 hours of training and development.

"Unique education initiatives, such as Keltechs Welding Academy, CNC Traineeships, Train the Trainer and so on have all been carefully designed to meet industry needs, whilst also providing employees with the necessary skills to challenge, prosper and enjoy their roles," he added.

"The atmosphere and energy in Keltech is electric. Breakfast mornings, BBQs, badly needed ice-cream breaks during the hot spell and a few nights out to boot all enhance the company's excellent culture."

Keltech also prides itself on being driven by data "to make fast, evidence-based decisions", innovation, corporate governance, inclusivity and diversity.

"Diversity and inclusion is part of Keltechs serious commitment to supporting people. Keltech has always been a progressive company that has implemented many firsts in their sector. In the past 24 months, Keltech has significantly increased its female headcount to account for almost 30 of its workforce," Mr Lawlor continued.

"Deloitte Best Managed Companies are those with which customers can be confident to do business. Companies that have taken organisational excellence to the next level and have the metrics and capabilities to prove it. Keltech celebrates being counted among them.

"We would like to thank every customer, every supplier and every Keltech employee who has helped us achieve this national recognition, Mr Lawlor concluded.
A student at Newtown School of Performing Arts, he had expressed an interest in conducting and sat in on rehearsals for Rossinis William Tell Overture. Loading I printed out a score. I didnt know what I was doing and sort of highlighted some things that I thought were important. I watched the conductor, trying to figure out how you rehearse things and whats going on. Then he went on leave, and he said, Why dont you conduct while Im away? That performance led to us playing with the school orchestra at the Sydney Opera House on the concert hall stage when I was 16. I was like, Thats pretty cool. Weller then went on to study at the Sydney Conservatorium. I was a bit weird, he says. I did classical saxophone, which is even less employable than jazz saxophone. Saxophone, in a way, was a gateway drug to conducting. I loved orchestras, but you cant get a full-time job in an orchestra as a saxophone player, so conducting was a no-brainer.

Scoring one of the top spots in the Rotterdam competition this year has been a huge boost to Wellers career, propelling him closer to the higher ranks of the conducting world and equally important, getting him noticed. Its been a sort of dream, he says. You see these conducting competitions when youre young, and you think, Oh, that would be cool to one day be there. This was the first competition that I went into the live rounds, and, basically, my mentor said, just be unapologetically yourself. I went heads down, bum up, studied my arse off, and came out with the chocolates. As one of the winners, Weller gets the chance to conduct the Rotterdam Philharmonic in multiple concerts and then, next year will make his debut at Amsterdams storied Royal Concertgebouw with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Last year, Ensemble Apex staged Verdis Requiem at Dangrove in a performance sponsored by Beau Neilson, centre. Credit: James Alcock I wonder from where he draws the confidence to direct players who are mostly decades older than him and how he sets about gaining their respect.

Thats a huge, huge part of the psychology of conducting, he says. These people are all experts in their instruments. And more often than not they will have all played the piece more times than youve studied the piece. My job then is to work my butt off in preparation, make sure I know it absolutely back to front and then give them a genuine reading of it as to who I am. That sort of manifests in just the way I present myself. Conducting is a physical language, and the way I move is because of the way I exist in the world. If Im true to that, and Ive done the work, I think I can come off with a convincing interpretation of what Sams Mozart clarinet concerto is or Sams Mozart Symphony is. That endless preparation, reading and score analysis is a part of conducting that mostly goes unnoticed by audiences but forms the basis of a successful performance. With more and more opportunities to work conducting in concerts, Ive got much more of a strict routine of how I prepare for something. I discovered last year that when I thought I knew a score, Id only actually just started knowing the score, and now I really have to go back to the beginning and do it again.

One of the beautiful things is trying to get people who are curious about orchestral music to experience the music  They dont have to love it, but I think theres something so special about 80 people on stage all going for it. Sam Weller Weller created Ensemble Apex as a chamber orchestra while still at the Conservatorium. It has since grown to full symphonic orchestra size but, until now, the players - many of them from professional orchestras around the country - have been unpaid, with Weller relying on goodwill and favours. Now, thanks to funding from Create NSW and Creative Australia, Ensemble Apex is well on the way to becoming a new professional orchestra. Weller is currently preparing for Apex Festival, a two-part festival of orchestra music that he hopes will grow and become a regular fixture in the Sydney Calendar. The first program is called Wake Up and Die. Each of the works, which will include John Adams Doctor Atomic Symphony and the second movement of Henryk Goreckis ethereal Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, is connected to themes of life and death. There will also be two Australian premieres, George Crumbs A Haunted Landscape, and an experimental work by Melbourne composer Kitty Xiao, In flesh ii. The second program  Tchaikovskys Fourth Symphony  might seem oddly conventional in comparison, but Weller is adding a unique spin to the performance. The work will be performed in the basement space of Sydney Town Hall in the round, with the orchestra surrounding the audience and the Weller conducting from a circular podium.

No walls Theres all sorts of literature and studies on the ritual of the concert performance, he says. And I thought, OK, how do we break down this fourth wall? So I thought, no walls. Lets put the audience inside. It gives them a real tactile experience of the music. They get to see the sort of blood, sweat and tears up close. Theres plenty of opportunities to hear Tchaikovsky Four in Sydney each year. This is a different way to hear it. This unconventional set-up is all part of Wellers passion for sharing orchestral music with his own generation by breaking down the mystique of the concert experience and presenting an orchestra with players whose average age is about 27 years. One of the beautiful things is trying to get people who are curious about orchestral music to have the opportunity to experience the music. They dont have to love it, but I think theres something so special about 80 people on stage all going for it. We are trying to tune into a new audience, and were working with a PR team that deals more with dance music and stuff. We have just announced a partnership with Hawkes Brewery. Next 100 tickets get a free beer. So get on that.
Ireland will be the first country in the world to provide labeling that clearly links alcohol consumption to cancer. To be introduced in 2026, it is being viewed as a promising measure that will reduce consumption and encourage other European countries to follow suit, according to experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) in a recent report.

Irelands labels will give scientific evidence that alcohol causes cancer and liver disease  evidence that the industry wants to play down because, as happened with tobacco, sales are likely to fall as public awareness rises. There is plenty of room for improving awareness: according to a study published in July, almost half of Europeans do not know that there is a link between alcohol consumption and the possibility of suffering seven types of cancer, while only 15% know that drinking is linked to breast cancer.

At the moment what we know is that many people drink without being aware of the risks, says Dasa Kokole, a consultant at the WHO Regional Office in Europe and co-author of the report. At the World Cancer Congress organized by the International Union for Cancer Control (UICC) in Geneva, Kokole explained to EL PAIS that the Irish legislation could have a major impact on European public health if other countries see that it as successful and easy to implement. My personal opinion is that this is why the alcohol industry have objected so strongly to the Irish label, because they know it is just a first step, she says.

Katherine Paradis, another WHO alcohol expert for the European region, added that several studies in Canada show that once people are exposed to labels and understand that alcohol can cause cancer, they are significantly more likely to support other alcohol policies, such as tax measures to increase prices or the restriction on advertising or hours of purchase.

Meanwhile, Irish Cancer Society President, Averil Power, is encouraging organizations in other countries to mobilize. There are cancer leaders from around the world here [at the UICC] and I hope that the Irish initiative can give them confidence to do move on this. If it is possible in Ireland, it is possible in France, Italy and in any other alcohol producing country. But I think we need to have a big campaign and a broad alliance of social and health groups to make it happen, because the backlash from the industry will be massive, she explains.

Of course, it wasnt easy to get the scheme off the ground in Ireland either. Were talking about a place where every milestone in life, from birth to death, is celebrated with alcohol. Even the brand of alcohol most associated with Ireland has the Guinness is good for you slogan attached to it, suggesting that drinking is healthy. Its embedded in the Irish psyche, says Power, who added that 80% of Irish people do not know that alcohol leads to breast cancer and 60% are unaware of the link to bowel cancer, according to studies carried out by the Irish government.

Power believes that there have been three keys to implementing the measure in Ireland: The first was to provide evidence of alcohols impact on health; the second was political leadership; and the third was a powerful civil society campaign. We put pressure on the politicians, but we also supported them when they faced resistance from the industry, and we made sure that they stood by us, she explains.

In Ireland, around 60 organizations came together under one umbrella platform, the Alcohol Health Alliance. There were groups in the alliance representing everything from medical professionals to the interests of children and young people, she explains. Each organization used its own network to rally support. Of course, the industry reaction was really strong, but what was the government going to do  it couldnt actually go against the views of 60 of the most respected social organizations in the country, could it?

Another key to getting such a scheme implemented is being prepared to respond to pressure, according to Power. The industry will talk about the economic benefits, the amount of national revenue that comes from alcohol, as well as employment in production and distribution. But we had strong evidence that the economic value was largely going to private companies while the cost to public health of alcohol-related issues was huge  2.3 billion [$2.56 billion] in health care, lost working hours, violence and hospital admissions.

The economic cost of premature cancer deaths in 2018 was estimated at 52.9 billion in the EU, of which 4.58 billion ($5.10 billion) was linked to alcohol.

Alcohol consumption is thought to be linked to as many as 111,300 new cases of cancer in the EU (4.1%). The majority of cancers caused by alcohol in the EU were colon or rectum (36,900 cases), followed by breast (24,200 cases), and oral cavity (12,400 cases).

To date, the European Commission has not reached a decision on how to include warnings on drinks. In 2017, it invited the industry to include the information voluntarily, but the sector failed to step up.

Regardless of what the Commission decides, WHO experts seek to support countries in implementing anti-alcohol strategies. According to Dasa Kokole, inaction is not only due to commercial constraints. Sometimes, there are simply too few people working in health and they are underfunded and under-resourced, so they dont have the space or capacity to prioritize alcohol, she explains.

However, Kokole notes that the solutions for staying informed go far beyond labeling. Sometimes doctors forget to mention alcohol when referring to cancer risks, she says. That is also a major reason why there is currently little awareness.

Regarding Spains government campaign targeting drinks masquerading as alcohol for young people, Kokole says: Underage people are a gateway, because everyone wants to protect them from danger and harm.

The World Cancer Congress has made the need to tackle alcohol consumption a significant focal point. We know that cancer would be reduced if we acted against tobacco and alcohol, and worked on exercise and nutrition, says Jeff Dunn, President of UICC. We have the information and the evidence and now we need commitments.

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He contacted CER chief executive David Parker for an explanation of the organisations behaviour at the time, as revealed by this masthead last week, but he was dissatisfied with the response. I sent two emails which were uncharacteristically polite. I wasnt happy, he said. Im a type A personality so I got irritated [and] let that be known. David was basically saying there is a pretty regular exchange of information and views between the organisations and thats proper but this is a different case. This was the CSIRO writing a submission to an independent review. The FOI documents show CSIRO staff described the submission as nearly complete before multiple requests for a meeting by the CER executive changed its course.

Loading Could you please give me a call about the submission please? Many thanks. I should explain the matter is urgent as I gather the submission will be lodged tomorrow, one text by the CER said on October 6 2022 at 9.17am. Later that morning, emails show a CSIRO employee said the CER executive approached me to discuss CSIROs engagement with the CER on HIR methodologies. We need to actively manage this issue including putting mechanisms in place for more senior level visibility and oversight in this relationship. That afternoon, the CSIRO team held an internal meeting titled CSIRO-CER Meeting and the following morning a truncated version of its submission titled Updated submission was circulated and ultimately submitted.

A subsequent email showed the CSIROs research about over-prediction of abatement within HIR projects was raised on six separate occasions with the department or carbon companies but they were repeatedly rebuffed. The CSIRO tried to share this research between June 2021 and October 2022, but it was either asked not to progress or had little opportunity to speak in meetings and the information was ultimately removed from the Chubb review so still nothing remains finalised in terms of documenting our concerns in detail. Great that we are flagging with the Chubb Review that we are open to further discussion on how our analyses may relate to issues with HIR integrity, the email says. Hoping we can eventually ensure our concerns are officially documented (even if not publicly) to avoid criticism of being silent on the public debate around HIR integrity, given ... our research does indeed speak to this.

Loading The Chubb review was launched in 2022 after former Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee chairman Andrew Macintosh published damning research that claimed the majority of carbon credits, particularly HIR projects, were fraudulent and a waste of taxpayer funds. Chubb disagreed with Macintosh and found the industry was sound, which green-lit the federal governments introduction of the revamped safeguard mechanism, a policy that allows the countrys top polluters to achieve all emissions reductions by purchasing carbon credits. Chubb said government agencies were not specifically instructed to avoid discussing submissions with other organisations, and therefore he could not be sure the CER interference was contained to the two science organisations, but he stood by the review. At the end of the day, even if you say to people, No collusion, you have to trust the fact they wont collude, Chubb said. I dont think that we saw any indication that there were groups of people who colluded to give us the same story.

He said CSIRO was one of well over 150 submissions and while the panel would have given more weight to information provided by the national science agency, Chubb said a longer submission would not have changed his conclusions. Its easy to look backwards and say, What would you do differently? Not a lot. I think we wrote a pretty good report, entirely consistent with our terms of reference.Overall, I would stand by that report today. ACT independent senator David Pocock wants drafts of the CSIRO submissions to the Chubb review prior to the CERs intervention. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Senator David Pocock met with CSIRO to discuss the correspondence and has since issued a notice to produce the four draft submissions detailed in the FOI documents. Pocock said he was deeply concerned by allegations of CER influence. I am seeking to use the Senates powers to find out more about what actually happened and what changes were made through the tabling of relevant documents, he said.

Pocock said he didnt want to jump to conclusions about the CERs approach but that he wanted answers. Im not satisfied with what Ive heard from the CSIRO, their explanation. It seems like there was a flurry of activity after this phone call and I find it hard to believe it was simply a phone call to check if they were making a submission, Pocock said. Pocock said it was outrageous the CER feels like they have the right to meddle in that process by contacting people who are making submissions during a review into the industry it regulates. That shouldnt even be happening in the first place, Pocock said.

Science works because it has inbuilt self-correcting mechanisms, where you have scientists being able to put forward their view and then that can be contested. It doesnt work if you have people trying to influence what is put forward. CER chief executive David Parker had previously admitted to robust conversations between Thompson and the Wentworth Group scientists, who did not change their submission after the approach. When contacted for comment by this masthead, Thompson declined to say whether the CERs communication with the CSIRO was appropriate. I have no comment to make on any of those issues, said Thompson, who no longer works at CER, before hanging up. CSIRO declined a request for an interview. A spokesperson confirmed research was removed but said this was overly technical detail and they wanted to ensure the submission was clear, concise and fit for purpose and that CSIRO would strongly reject the assertion that our submission was edited due to external influence.

We have rigorous practices in place to maintain our reputation for integrity, scientific impartiality and independence. CSIRO regularly communicates with all its stakeholders at multiple levels, it said. The spokesperson said changes made to its submission were entirely CSIROs editorial decision to ensure clarity and accuracy and a decision was made that extensive supplementary material was not required. CSIRO did not share its submission, or any portion of it, with the CER prior to the submission being made or its publication. The CER did not respond to Chubbs criticism or specific questions about the correspondence or whether any staff were disciplined.

Loading A spokesperson said the CSIRO initiated contact with the CER over a technical matter and the CER did not see the submission prior to its being submitted. Ms Thompson retired in mid-2023 following an almost 30-year career of service to the people of Australia in climate change policy and implementation. Ms Thompsons retirement was for personal reasons and was not related to this matter. The CER stands by Mr Parkers comments in relation to these matters. Deakin University professor of wildlife ecology and conservation Euan Ritchie said the repeated CER approaches were concerning.

Scientists should be collecting data and producing submissions and reports without influence from others. If someone is writing to you, thats going to put you under pressure. That shouldnt be the case, he said. The fact that it was not just one event but multiple attempts to express concern about what CSIRO was doing, thats a worry. Its a repeated attempt to engage in the process of them preparing their submission. Ritchie published a survey in 2020 that found almost half of scientists working in government departments had experienced some form of influence. There is concern that scientists are being leant on by different parties for different reasons. We should always protect scientific freedom and academic freedom because we need that information to be available to decision-makers without influence. He said the alleged CER interference definitely needs to be investigated.
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Eating outRestaurants Intimate 25-seat restaurant from the Astral Weeks crew opens in Perths Chinatown The clubby, dimly lit dining room of Ah Um might be hard to pigeonhole, but its all too easy to like. Max Veenhuyzen September 24, 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

Ah-ummm? Ah-ooom? Ah-woooom? Aooooooooooom? When jazz composer Charles Mingus released Ah Um in 1959, listeners werent quite sure how to pronounce the ground-breaking albums name. Many still arent. The avant-garde Mingus, of course, wasnt in the business of telling people how to respond to his art  let alone how to pronounce something  preferring to let end-users come to their own conclusions. Which kind of makes Ah Um a perfect name for the Astral Weeks teams new, difficult-to-pigeonhole restaurant that opened on Friday. New dining room Ah Um in Perths Chinatown. Max Veenhuyzen Because while chef Branden Scotts bowerbird menus might feature farmhouse-style dishes such as gem lettuce teamed with the Basque sheeps milk cheese Ossau-Iraty, or anchovies dressed with olive oil  you know, plates you might have expected to eat during Scotts Wines of While era  Ah Um isnt a European restaurant or a wine bar. (Having said that, the wine list that South Australian winemaker Jean-Baptiste Courdesses has written for the bar wouldnt look out of place at either of those establishments.)

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Scallop crudo with the Peruvian dressing leche de tigre (tigers milk) and good oysters sharpened with a puckering rhubarb mignonette speak to a love of seafood, but steak tartare with prawn crackers suggests the menu is as much turf as it is surf. And although theres a bunch of interesting, small-scale sake imported by Blackmarket Sake  and the team behind Sydneys brilliant Ante  Ah Um is in zero danger of being classed as a Japanese restaurant. Rather, its a space that  like the mothership  offers its guests good sound (Translate Sound, the Sydney-based builders of Ah Ums digital speaker system, flew to Perth to calibrate the sound system in situ); good drinks and good food, only this time the focus is on creating somewhere to sit down and dine rather than to grab a snack and be on your way. 14.5 / 20 Review Bet on black: Mount Hawthorn wine bar a precious addition to Perths Italian food and drink scene Astral Weeks has become a bit of a calming sanctuary in Northbridge, said Sean ONeill, one of the partners behind Ah Um and Astral Weeks. Ah Um is almost like a sanctuary within that sanctuary. When you leave the restaurant, you almost forget where youve been.

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While ONeill and co stressed that Astral Weeks and Ah Um would be standalone prospects, the two venues remain connected, not least because you enter the latter through the former. (Indeed, guests that make a booking  and you should definitely book  check in with staff at Astral Weeks who will then bring them through.) Ah Um has also been given the same acoustic treatment as the listening bar to ensure that each evenings AWRadio playlist sounds top-notch. Astral Weeks smiley bar manager Indira Edwards will also be helping out at Ah Um, although the person in charge of the show is restaurant manager Jae Woods, formerly of Beaufort Street double-act Le Rebelle and Bar Rogue. A friendly, fashionable front-of-house presence striking out in her first venue manager role, Woods feels like an ideal ambassador for Ah Ums urban and urbane style of hospitality. Ah Um is at Shop 12/60-66 Roe Street, Northbridge (enter via Astral Weeks) and is open Wednesday to Saturday.
The last time Dee Salmin wore the skirt she donned for Mondays Brownlow red carpet, the radio presenter and podcaster was in high school.

For my year 12 formal, I got a vintage dress off Etsy for $20, and I am a huge fan of upcycling, so I thought why not use that dress and turn it into a skirt for the Brownlow? Salmin said.

Cementing their status as the AFLs first couple of style, Salmin and her partner, Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore, led a Brownlow red carpet that was high on glamour, but mostly low on risks.

Pairing her lavender skirt with a halter top made of stained-glass shards by Melbourne designer Poppy Templeton, with additional jewels by Millie Savage, Salmins look evoked the spirit of French designer Christian Lacroix, whose bejewelled jacket, reportedly worth $US10,000 ($14,700) at the time, graced Anna Wintours first cover of Vogue, in 1988.
Australia will lead a major international initiative to protect aid workers operating in war zones in a bid to prevent a repeat of the Israeli drone strike that killed Australian Zomi Frankcom in Gaza earlier this year.

In a move backed by Frankcoms family, Foreign Minister Penny Wong will meet with ministerial counterparts on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to rally support for a declaration setting out practical steps to protect workers who deliver humanitarian assistance in risky environments.

Zomi Frankcom, one of the aid workers killed in an airstrike in April, at a World Central Kitchen site in March.

Wong will also meet with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Food Programme executive director Cindy McCain, star chef Jose Andres and representatives from leading charities to discuss the pledge.

Andres founded World Central Kitchen, the charity Frankcom was working for when the 43-year-old and six colleagues died in April when the vehicle they were travelling in was hit by an Israeli drone while delivering aid in Gaza.
A military unit was patrolling the dirt roads of the El Barrio neighborhood in eastern Culiacan early in the morning of September 17 when they found the bodies of two men who had been executed. Their corpses were found face down in a puddle, wrapped in blankets, with signs of torture. Toy cars and a yellow plastic tray were placed on top of their bodies, according to witnesses and local journalists. Just two days earlier, five people were found murdered, all with their hands tied behind their backs and with small hats placed on their heads, on Mexico Highway 15. A scene almost identical in nature was discovered on September 22, on the same stretch of road, which has become the epicenter of violence between warring factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Since September 9, allies of Ismael El Mayo Zambada and Los Chapitos, led by the sons of El Mayos former partner, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, have turned Sinaloa into a war zone. The biggest fracture within the Sinaloa Cartel in more than a decade has resulted in at least 53 homicides and dozens of missing, wounded, and detained, according to official data. Neither the local population nor the authorities are able to anticipate when the conflict will end, or how far it will go.

EL PAIS has pinpointed the location of each of the murders reported by the police and the State Prosecutors Office up to September 20, and has compiled the violent deaths reported by federal forces to get a clearer picture of the crisis that is ravaging the state, and the trail of destruction left by the cartels. Over the two weeks previous to last Friday, there were as many homicides as in the previous five weeks. Three out of four victims were killed in Culiacan and its surrounding municipalities, the historic stronghold of the Sinaloa Cartel. And although the hostilities are concentrated in the state capital, violent incidents have been widespread in recent weeks, with over 135 miles between the two furthest points where a murder has been reported.

Soldiers guard a scene after a confrontation between municipal police and gunmen, in Culiacan, Mexico, September 21, 2024. Jesus Bustamante (REUTERS)

Delayed revenge

July 25 was the day everything changed in Sinaloa. El Mayo, who had never set foot in jail in more than five decades of criminal activity, landed unexpectedly at a small rural airport in New Mexico along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of El Chapos sons. The 76-year-old capo was captured without a shot being fired and without the governments of either country being able to provide a convincing explanation about the circumstances surrounding his arrest. Amid the confusion, El Mayo published a letter on August 10 in which he claimed that he was betrayed by Guzman Lopez, his godson, and handed over against his will to the United States, after being summoned to a meeting with Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha and opposition leader Hector Cuen, a former rector of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and an elected federal deputy. Cuen was murdered on the same day of El Mayos arrest. Guzman Lopez was named as the main suspect in the kidnapping of El Mayo by Mexican authorities on August 21. None of these events, however, translated into an immediate increase in murders in Sinaloa.

I call on the people of Sinaloa to use restraint and maintain peace in our State, wrote El Mayo. Nothing can be solved by violence. The revenge was prepared slowly. Shortly before a month had passed since El Mayos capture, Governor Rocha admitted that 10 members of both sides  seven loyal to El Mayo and three to Los Chapitos  had been killed in sporadic events, but there were no signs of an open conflict.

The first warning of rising tensions came on August 29. An attack by armed civilians against a military patrol in the municipality of Jesus Maria, a key territory for Los Chapitos, fueled fears of a new Culiacanazo, as the episodes of extreme violence that affected the city after separate operations to capture Ovidio El Raton Guzman, Guzman Lopezs younger brother, in 2019 and 2023 are known. That same day, the Attorney Generals Office hinted that El Raton could have been involved in the kidnapping of El Mayo. Despite the panic, there were only two murders that day. Everything is calm, Rocha declared a day later.

The outbreak of war

It was another attack on the Armed Forces that set alarm bells ringing in Sinaloa. On the morning of September 9, a shootout between civilians and soldiers in the La Campina neighborhood, east of Culiacan, forced the suspension of classes in that sector of the city. Until that moment, the governor still claimed that it was an isolated incident and that there had been no casualties. Hours later, it was announced that a sergeant had died after being taken to hospital, and another officer had been injured.

But the violence did not stop there. A man was found shot dead in the Simon Bolivar neighborhood. Another was shot dead on Mexico Highway 15, near the municipality of Costa Rica, also part of Culiacan. In the Villa Satelite neighborhood, a man was shot dead after being chased with a handgun. And another man was found dead and tied up in the community of Portaceli, in the municipality of Eldorado, over 40 miles from the capital. There were only three homicides registered in the official bulletin board of the federal authorities.

The beginning of the war was also marked by the silence of the state authorities, who took three days to provide a detailed report of the violence and who have presented inconsistent figures between those reported by the three levels of government, and even by the Attorney Generals Office and the local police. The federal forces took even longer. It was not until September 17 that the Secretary of National Defense, Luis Cresencio Sandoval, acknowledged 13 cartel-related attacks against military convoys in Sinaloa. The preliminary toll was two soldiers dead and nine wounded, as well as more than 30 civilians killed. An officer was killed in another attack on September 16 in La Campina, the area where it all began.

We were monitoring for five weeks and there was no activity that indicated a confrontation, or preparation for a confrontation. In the sixth week, we did start to have data, which led us to increase reinforcements, said Sandoval. One hypothesis that has gained traction to explain the delayed effect of the violence is that El Mayos group armed itself and sealed alliances with other factions before launching an attack on Los Chapitos.

The outcome of the clashes with law enforcement is also a testament to the firepower of the warring factions. An attack against the National Guard resulted in five assault rifles and more than 2,100 rounds of ammunition being seized and three arrests on September 15. In other operations, drones, armored vehicles, tire-punching devices, grenade launchers, anti-materiel rifles and drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana have been seized. The Sinaloa Public Security Secretariat has seized 120 weapons, 30,000 rounds of ammunition of different calibers and 75 vehicles as of last Friday, and arrested over 40 people.

The Armed Forces have deployed more than 2,200 reinforcements in recent weeks and have focused their strategy on containment: preventing clashes and avoiding confrontations. [The end of the violence] does not depend on us, it depends on the antagonistic groups, said Jesus Leana, commander of the third military region, in statements that revived criticism against President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors security policy. The security forces have not had much impact in the area, says Mike Ballard, director of intelligence for the firm Global Guardian. Our main concern is that this situation will continue and potentially expand beyond Sinaloa.

Spreading violence

The first episodes of violence offered hints of the wars flashpoints. In La Costerita, an area south of Culiacan bordering Mexico Highway 15, there have been nearly a dozen murders in the past two weeks. Last Monday, a man was killed by gunfire. On Tuesday, another man was shot to death. On Wednesday, authorities reported the discovery of three dead men, two of them decapitated and with their hands severed, under a bridge. That same day, a femicide was reported, with the victim abandoned with her hands bound. On Thursday, a man was reported shot after being kidnapped.

Mexico Highway 15, one of the main roads in the city and the country, has also become a corridor of violence, with attacks against authorities, clashes between drug traffickers, and narco-blockades. The story is repeated on other key roads such as the Culiacan-Mazatlan highway, with deaths recorded in remote towns and mountain communities, such as in the municipality of Elota. The municipality of Concordia, where there were at least five murders last week, has been besieged and cut off for days. State authorities assured that there have been no roadblocks since last Monday.

In El Barrio, where the bodies were found with toys placed on them, another man was shot to death last Wednesday and another died in the same circumstances the previous week. In the Simon Bolivar neighborhood, at least three people have been found executed in the streets near the well-known Parque 87. The war has intensified in recent days with threats and public displays of violence to intimidate enemies and instill fear in the population. Deadly attacks have been reported in the parking lot of a supermarket, in a funeral home, at a gas station, and in a hospital.

Lopez Obrador has insisted that Sinaloa is not out of control, but the escalation of violence has led him to air the harshest claim he has made against the United States since the capture of El Mayo. The president said that Washington is jointly responsible for the fight for control of the Sinaloa Cartel, for not consulting or notifying the Mexican authorities until the arrest was made. An explanation is required, because if we are now facing a situation of instability and confrontation in Sinaloa, it is because they made that decision, and we do not agree that Mexico should be ignored because we have the problem here, he said.

Ballard says the power vacuum following El Mayos arrest has accelerated internal conflicts over territory, drug trafficking routes, and access to drugs and chemical precursors. The analyst cites nearby states such as Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora, and Baja California, where there have been clashes between feuding criminal groups. Last week, for example, six burned bodies and two that were riddled with bullets were found after a confrontation on a highway in southern Chihuahua between the La Linea organization  allies of Rafael Caro Quinteros faction and the Juarez Cartel  and Los Salgueiro, veteran hitmen from Sinaloa.

The deadliest day was September 15, when 14 murders were recorded during Independence Day celebrations. But the impact of the conflict goes beyond violent deaths. It is about each and every one of the jobs that have been lost, the children who have not been able to go to school, the businesses that have remained closed, the reports of forced disappearances, the images that flood social media, the collective psychosis, the informal curfews, and the siege of crime. While the authorities try to decree normality, the war between El Mayo and Los Chapitos has already left a permanent mark on Sinaloa.

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The WCO-Japan Career Development Programme (CDP) for 2024-2025 officially commenced on Tuesday, 3 September 2024. Nine Customs officials from Cape Verde, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Maldives, Peru, Timor-Leste, Tunisia and Zambia have embarked on their 10-month journey at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. These participants will work as Professional Associates (PAs), contributing to research, analysis, and various other tasks within their assigned Directorates at the Secretariat.

WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders warmly welcomed the new cohort of Professional Associates during a roundtable meeting on 16 September 2024. He emphasized the importance of harnessing their unique expertise to make meaningful contributions to the Organization, while encouraging them to apply their newfound knowledge and skills to drive positive change within their home administrations after completing the Programme. He also highlighted the value of cultivating professional networks with their global peers and wished them great success throughout the Programme.

The CDP, launched in 2009 in collaboration with Japan Customs, continues to offer a platform for officers from Customs administrations around the world to engage in a wide array of technical areas. Over the past 15 years, 133 officers from 84 Customs administrations have taken part in this prestigious initiative, enhancing their professional competencies and contributing to the global Customs community.
The East African Community (EAC), a key player in regional trade integration, and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) conducted a five-day data harmonisation workshop for EAC Partner States Revenue Authorities and Port Authorities. The highly interactive workshop focused on building the technical capacity of EAC Partner States to harmonise the regional trade dataset using the WCO Data Model and other instruments. This highly participative workshop brought together 20 officials at the EAC Head Office in Arusha, Tanzania, from 9 to 13 September 2024 and was conducted under the aegis of the Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization Programme for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa (Sida-WCO TFCM Programme), with funding from the government of Sweden, in which the EAC is a beneficiary and a significant regional partner with the WCO.

At the workshops opening, the Director of Customs and Trade at the EAC, Ms Flavia Busingye, expressed appreciation to the WCO for various areas of collaboration and thanked the Partner States for committing to data harmonisation, which plays a vital role in the region. She emphasised the importance data quality in supporting cross-border trade in the EAC and encouraged delegates to engage effectively in the WCO Data Model and other tools during the workshop.

The workshop was preceded by a virtual capacity-building session, which exposed participants to the practical application of the WCO Data Model, the Globally Networked Customs (GNC) framework, and the Unique Consignment Reference. The workshop specifically focused on how these instruments and tools can be applied to support the EAC Single Customs Territory model and the EAC central data exchange platform hosted by the EAC Secretariat. The workshop further built-on strides and the efforts by the EAC to interface Customs and port systems with the central platform.

A major outcome of the workshop was the emphasis on the need to implement international standards in various areas of EAC trade integration, including WCO Data Model and developing a GNC Utility Block for regional Customs and trade interconnectivity. Harmonization and standardization exercise was undertaken by utilizing the WCO DM App, resulting in a comprehensive and harmonized national data catalogue that is in conformant with the international standard, that is the WCO Data Model, by creating a subset of the WCO DM My Information Package (MyIP).
The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) have made significant strides to strengthen the connectivity of their Customs systems to facilitate cross-border trade between Zambia and Tanzania and enhance intra-regional trade in general.

A bilateral workshop was held between the project teams of ZRA and TRA from 2 to 6 September 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia, to progress with the initiative to integrate their automated Customs systems and enable the electronic exchange of Customs data between the two Revenue Authorities. This innovative partnership, which aims to streamline cross-border trade, made possible with the support of the World Customs Organization (WCO) under the aegis of Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization Programme for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa (Sida-WCO TFCM Programme) with funding from the government of Sweden.

The integration of the Customs systems will address the challenges in data exchange between the two countries, improve Customs risk management, help reduce transit fraud, and enhance the seamless flow and growth of legitimate cross-border trade. In that regard, ZRA and TRA are fully committed to implementing the WCO instruments for strengthening the Customs-to-Customs network. These include the WCO Data Model, the Globally Networked Customs (GNC) framework, and the Unique Consignment Reference, which will play a crucial role in the success of this initiative.

The bilateral initiative represents a key milestone in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regions broader efforts to enhance trade facilitation and drive economic growth, aligning with the shared vision of seamless cross-border trade across Southern and Eastern Africa.

For more information on the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, kindly contact: capacity.building@wcoomd.org
Hundreds of Palestinians who have found shelter near the sea in the Al Mawasi area in southern Gaza have had their tents flooded in recent days by the strong tides, which have swallowed up meters of beach and forced many displaced people to move again. Others, unable to find a more remote place to take shelter from the bombs or to afford the expense of moving again, are trying to prevent the water from damaging their few belongings or threatening the lives of their families.

Ahmed al-Zaqzuq has decided to leave. The 56-year-old had been watching for days as the waves were getting rougher and the sea line was drawing closer. Although he relocated his family of 10, including two grandchildren, meters further out, it was not enough and one day at dawn they woke up surrounded by water. We came here to escape the bombs. It seemed the safest place from the Israeli bombings, Al-Zaqzuq now laments, as he dismantles the remains of his small shelter on the beach near Khan Younis.

The Al Mawasi area is a strip of land located west of the towns of Khan Younis in the southern Strip and and Deir al-Balah, in the center, bordering the Mediterranean Sea. For weeks, the Israeli army has designated it as a humanitarian zone, which means that several hundred thousand people are crammed into 47 square kilometres (13% of the total area of the Strip) in deplorable conditions and without access to basic services. According to the United Nations, the population density of Al Mawasi is around 30,000 people per square kilometre, compared to 1,200 per square kilometre before the start of the war.

Most people fled from the southern tip of Gaza after Israels ground operation in the Rafah area on the border with Egypt began in May. According to the UN, 90% of Gazas 2.3 million inhabitants have been forced to move, most of them several times, since October 2023 when Hamas-led militants carried out bloody attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel. Since then, Israel has relentlessly bombed Gaza and the death toll among Palestinians has now exceeded 41,000. The Strip is devastated. According to World Bank data from January, more than 60% of buildings and 80% of businesses have been destroyed. These figures have worsened since then, forcing a large part of the population to live in camps for displaced persons, such as Al Mawasi.

On September 14, a statement from the authorities in Gaza, which is under the control of Hamas, estimated that at least 74% of the tents in these camps are no longer in usable condition and need to be replaced immediately. Many of them have been put up and taken down several times due to forced displacement and have been worn down by the heat and sun of summer, leaving them unable to protect the population from the cold and wind in the coming winter.

We are cornered. On one side there is the Israeli army, which wants us dead, and on the other side there is our own sea, which is now drowning us Ahmed al-Zaqzuq, displaced Palestinian

Hundreds of precarious tents on the beach in the Al Mawasi area in southern Gaza, September 17, 2024. Mohamed Solaimane

We cant stay here any longer

Al-Zaqzuq cannot afford a new tent, which costs around $700, nor can he afford to renew the wooden beams on which he stretches the nylon tarpaulins, so he carefully looks after his planks and meticulously folds the already worn canvas to transport them to another place on a donkey-drawn cart. The family sets off on a journey with no clear destination. What is certain is that we cant stay here any longer, he laments.

His family first moved to a rented apartment in Khan Younis. From there they went to Rafah, and at the end of April they ended up on the beach in a tent. We are cornered. On one side there is the Israeli army, which wants us dead, and on the other side there is our own sea, which is now drowning us. When we settled by the sea, we thought it was a good place because we would have water nearby. We also thought that this war would end before winter and we could return to the ruins of our houses, but winter is coming and this massacre continues, says Al-Zaqzuq. His wife shows the composure that he no longer has and tries to cheer him up: We have dodged missiles and bullets for a year and we have come this far, she tells him, while collecting pieces of fabric and clothing that the waves have washed up, loading them onto a cart. We will take off again. We do not know what awaits us, but we will find a way to continue, she says confidently.

We are talking about thousands of people who are in danger of drowning and have no other shelter, and millions who do not have enough to survive the cold winter and the rain. The world must do something Dawud al-Astal, humanitarian aid worker

Other families who have nowhere to go, or cannot afford the cost of transport to a new location, try to keep their tents dry by moving them to other parts of the beach or creating barriers with sandbags or whatever they find in the area to try and slow the tide.

Saadi al-Zamli, a father of nine, admits, exhausted, that attempts to protect the tent are futile. His makeshift shelter has been flooded for several days in a row and he is now slowly moving his belongings to a small hut he has managed to build in a spot a little further away from the water, but still on the beach. We can drown in our sleep because the tide comes in at night. We are very scared, but what can we do? What options do we have? asks the 51-year-old. I cannot meet any of my familys daily needs. How will I cope with another displacement?

Ahmed al-Zaqzuq and his family prepare their few belongings to move to a safer place, after their tent was flooded by the tide in the Al Mawasi area, in southern Gaza, September 17, 2024. Mohamed Solaimane

Speaking hoarsely from exhaustion and lack of hope, Al-Zamli explains that he is tired of knocking on the doors of aid committees and humanitarian organizations for help finding a new tent or shelter for his family. But our fate depends on their support. If not, we will not be able to move anywhere and will face our fate here, in the bitter cold and rains that will flood our shelter.

Aid worker Dawud al-Astal, who belongs to an association that provides aid to displaced people in the Al Mawasi area, warns that the needs of these families are urgent and unprecedented. These tents were not designed to be used for such a long period of time. No one predicted that the war would last so long and Israel is not allowing the necessary humanitarian aid to enter, and at the moment, tents are essential items, he says. We are talking about thousands of people who are in danger of drowning and have no other shelter, and millions who do not have enough to survive the cold winter and the rain. The world must do something.

This article is published in collaboration with Egab, a platform that works with journalists in the Middle East and Africa.

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WSUs Walker Institute to host Meet the Candidates Night

September 23, 2024

OGDEN, Utah  In the run-up to local elections in Weber and Davis Counties, Weber State Universitys Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service will welcome candidates to participate in a Q&A session called Meet the Candidates Night at WSUs Ogden and Davis campus, respectively.

These unique events will allow candidates for various political offices including the Utah State Legislature, U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives to speak with the residents of Davis and Weber counties. Residents will also be able to ask questions and let their voices be heard.

Often we focus on getting people registered to vote and then mobilizing them to get out to vote. What is missing is the preparation for voting, said Leah Murray, director of the Walker Institute. Every person should know as much information as possible to make a good decision on their ballot that matches how they would like to be represented. Candidate nights are an excellent way to get to know a candidate, one on one, with no spin. Voters can meet the candidates running in their district and have a conversation about their vision.

The Weber County event will be held from 68 p.m. on Sept. 30 in the Dumke Legacy Hall room at the Hurst Center at the WSU Ogden campus.

The Davis County event will be held from 68 pm on Oct. 7 in the Stewart Ballroom at the WSU Davis campus.

Both events are open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
Although she remains a familiar face, Eva Mendes, 50, has not been in front of a camera for a decade. But that is only half true. Because the actress, born in Miami to Cuban parents, may not be making films anymore, but that does not mean shes staying out of the public eye. In addition to having 6.5 million followers on her Instagram profile  where she is very active and frequently her followers answers, talks about her daily life and posts videos of former movie stars  she is focused on her daughters: Esmeralda, 10, and Amada, eight, who she shares with her longtime partner, actor Ryan Gosling.

Mendes is involved in different facets of the business world: she is a partner in Skura Style, well-known brand of dish sponges that have become an unexpected viral hit; she is the face of different brands  including Stella McCartneys winter campaign  and for seven years she was a designer for the fashion firm, New York & Company. And now, she has launched herself into the publishing world as an author.

The actress has made her publishing debut with Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries, a childrens book released September 17 about little Desi, whose brain tricks her into seeing non-existent monsters that are difficult to get rid of. In the book, Desis mother helps her deal with the problem and come to understand that she is not her thoughts. Published in both Spanish and English, with illustrations by Abbey Bryant, the actress says it is one of the projects she is most excited about.

I am very proud of this book, she says in an interview with EL PAIS on the same day of the launch, admitting she is very happy. I feel very excited about this. It is not like a job... I dont know, it is something so personal and so intimate that I feel very proud.

When asked why she decided to write a childrens books, Mendes replies: I love picture books. Thats what I read with my girls. The youngest is eight years old and the oldest turned 10 a few days ago, but they still love it when I read to them, you know, when they go to sleep, at night.

She continues: I like that connection. They calm down a little and then we talk, because in my family we talk about everything, and with my girls I talk about everything, everything, everything

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes in a scene from the movie The Place Beyond the Pines, where the two first met. Focus Features

Its not often you hear Mendes talk about her family life. Thirteen years ago, the actress met Ryan Gosling while filming the movie The Place Beyond The Pines, which they both starred in alongside Bradley Cooper and Ray Liotta. In the movie, they played a couple  a waitress and a bank robber  who have just had a baby. Their love story spilled over onto the big screen, and they have remained together ever since.

The couple, however, make very few public appearances together. Indeed, they have only been spotted together on the red carpet once, when they appeared at the Toronto Film Festival in 2012 to present The Place Beyond The Pines. In 2014, Gosling wrote and directed Lost River, which he also starred in, again alongside Mendes, in what was her last film role. In September of that year, they had their first daughter, and in April 2016, their second. Since then, apart from a few moments snapped by the paparazzi, they have not been seen together, although from they occasionally give each other a nod in interviews or on social media.

Mendes stresses that her daughters also jealously protect their private life. Her book centers on the idea that fear is something that is created by the brain. The mother in the book explains to Desi, that we are not our brains, and she gives her tools to understand and confront her fears. It was Mendes eldest daughter who gave her the idea.

My daughter, Esmeralda, told me when she was five years old, that she had a name for her brain. And her dad and I, Ryan and I, were like... Whaaat!? the actress says, smiling. I dont want to say the name [that the daughter had given to her brain] because she is very private, she doesnt like it at all. Oh my God! She is very conservative. I told her: I promise you that I wont say the name. But, please, I have to share this because this you know started it all. I didnt know it at the time, five years ago. But that did something to me, because when she had a little problem or something, some worries, I would talk to her and say: Look, Esmeralda, thats not you, thats your brain, those messages have nothing to do with you. And thats where it started, she started it.

Eva Mendes arrives at the 'Good Morning America' show in New York, on September 17, 2024. Gotham (GC Images)

Mendes is thrilled to be promoting her book. Last Tuesday, she was at the TV studios of Good Morning America to talk about the book and then at a New York bookstore. But she says this isnt a comeback, because I have worked all the time, I didnt stop working, I just stopped working on movies. You know, I have a dish sponge, she laughs, and really [doing] publicity for that is the strangest thing because you either like it or you dont, she smiles, suggesting that it is easier to promote a story inspired by your children than a sponge. Will she write more books? I dont know, because today is the first day, Im still excited, I dont know what will happen, or if people will like this one, but I hope so.

40 films

After spending more than half her life in Hollywood and appearing in around 40 films, Mendes has seen how the landscape has changed. Along with Salma Hayek and Eva Longoria, she was one of the first Latinas of her generation to call for change and demand a different model that wouldnt pigeonhole them. She has no doubt that the movie industry has changed a lot  and for the better  since the late 1990s: When I started, I was 24 years old, and there was hardly anything if it wasnt [roles] for a drug addict or a cleaning lady. The roles for Latina women... My God, horrible.

I love it because I worked really hard for roles that werent for Latinas, because I thought: If I want to change this a little bit, in my little way, I have to fight. I was always like: I want to meet that male director, that female director, you know, I want this. But no, its not for Latinas, they dont want a Latina, they told me. And sometimes they gave me the job and other times they didnt, but I tried and tried, she says.

Mendes describes the moment when she decided that she was though with this battle: When I had a family, I didnt want to fight anymore. I still had ambition, but my ambition became about home. But I always work, I love to work.

As a woman and as a member of the Latino community  which represents one in five people in the United States and around 36 million voters  Mendes has a clear answer when asked if womens votes  particularly Latinas  are important in the fast-approaching November 5 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. I believe that everyones vote is important, everyones. Of course, she answers firmly, without dropping her smile.

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Pictured are Rose Cafferkey and Marie Ronan who are two pharmacists working in Mayo University Hospital.

On September 14, they won a national award in the category of excellence in patient safety at the Hospital Professional Awards held at the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin.

Rose and Marie's work on Penicillin Allergy Delabelling was recognised to earn the award.
A report prepared at the request of the Ethics Committee of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) certifies the deliberate and systematic manipulation of the curriculum of the rector of the University of Salamanca, Juan Manuel Corchado. The 131-page document is signed by Emilio Delgado and Alberto Martin, two of Spains leading experts in bibliometrics: the analysis of a persons scientific activity. Its conclusions are compelling: Corchado and his closest collaborators organized a factory of publications and citations with strategies based on questionable publishing conduct and bad editorial practices, if not on openly fraudulent practices.

The impact of a scientist is measured by the number of mentions or citations he or she receives in the work of other researchers, which in turn leads to reputation, promotions, and funding. The report by Delgado and Martin notes that Corchados resume was artificially embellished starting in 2017, when he lost the election for rector of the University of Salamanca on his first attempt. At that time, the already veteran professor of computer science and artificial intelligence had just 4,750 citations, a number that suddenly jumped to 15,000 in 2018, then to almost 31,000 in 2020, and 44,000 by March 2024, according to his profile on Google Scholar, which was deactivated by Corchado when EL PAIS began to publish information about his practices.

Delgado and Martin, a professor and a lecturer at the University of Granada respectively, denounce the creation of an editorial framework aimed at producing publications and citations in order to [] shine in the rankings of researchers. The authors of the report point directly to the mega-congress on computing organized each year by Corchados group, with a price of up to 585 ($650) per attendee. The submitted lectures, subsequently published in Springer Nature proceedings, were used to add a precooked list of up to 50 citations to Corchado or to the journal he edits: Advances in Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence Journal (ADCAIJ). Springer Nature has announced a massive retraction of these papers, without yet specifying a number.

On May 30, this newspaper published internal messages that showed Corchado gave instructions to his employees to add dozens of citations to himself in their studies over a period of years. The results of Delgado and Martins report confirm that there is a significant and systematic manipulation of the reference lists in some of the documents analyzed, especially in those presented at conferences organized by the BISITE group, led by Corchado at the University of Salamanca. This finding raises serious concerns about academic ethics within the BISITE group, warns the report. This group boasts of participating in multimillion-dollar projects, such as the European Network of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (dAIEDGE), with a budget of 14.4 million.

The new analysis identifies four platforms on which the strategy of citing the work of Corchado and his colleagues was carried out massively and irregularly. In addition to conference proceedings, this trick was repeated in publications edited by Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca and in documents uploaded to the academic repository of the institution (GREDOS), or to the social network ResearchGate. The existence of several patterns of bad practices that result in the manipulation of the academic record is confirmed, conclude the experts from the University of Granada. This newspaper has attempted to obtain the rectors version throughout the day. We will not be making any comments, responded a spokesperson for Corchado at 7:40 p.m.

Delgado and Martin examine the case of six volumes on mobile applications and artificial intelligence published by Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca in 2019 and 2020. Seventy-nine percent of the more than 3,100 references in these publications are to works by Corchado or his journal ADCAIJ. In one of the volumes, entitled Parallel and Distributed Systems, the percentage reaches 87%; In Mobile Computing and Applications, 85%; In The role of artificial intelligence and distributed computing in IOT applications, 82%. This citation pattern is extremely anomalous, as well as problematic, since it involves a spurious use of the academic citation mechanism, note the specialists from the University of Granada, who denounce that these volumes have disappeared from the internet without Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca having provided any explanation.

One of the aspects that we consider to be the most serious among those that have taken place during the development of this case is the systematic deletion of documents deposited in the institutional repository of the University of Salamanca, GREDOS, point out Delgado and Martin. We consider it extremely anomalous that an institutional repository, and we understand, the university library that manages it, agrees to delete documents from the repository without leaving a trace. It is extremely anomalous because the mission of an institutional academic repository is to preserve the memory of the research activity of its institution, they add.

The Ethics Committee of the Spanish National Research Council, an independent body created by the government and Spains autonomous regions, urged the University of Salamanca on June 11 to exercise its powers of inspection and sanction in view of the alleged seriousness of the practices of its rector. The response of the Salamanca institution was to commission a report from the historian Salvador Rus Rufino, an old acquaintance of Corchado who had even defended the rector in public. On September 9, Rus Rufino presented a superficial and exculpatory analysis, which was unanimously rejected by the 11 members of the committee, chaired by Professor Jordi Cami, general director of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park.

The committee requested a full investigation into Corchado on September 17, but the rector considers the issue closed. It is a matter that is already over for me, he declared to the local press last Friday. Delgado and Martin reveal in their report that they were willing to send their analysis to Rus Rufino. The reality is that the Commission of the University of Salamanca has not contacted us, they explain.

The report prepared for the Ethics Committee leaves the University of Salamanca in a very uncomfortable position, not only by having a rector accused of systematic manipulation of his credentials, but also by those bad practices having spread to other university bodies such as Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca and the Library Service, ultimately responsible for the deletion of some 200 documents. The Governing Council of the University of Salamanca, made up of 53 members, approved the exculpatory report of Rus Rufino on September 11 with a very large majority. Only three professors voted against.

Delgado and Martin denounce the elimination of information related to the case, especially after March 12, when EL PAIS contacted Corchado for the first time. In the case of GREDOS, there is no evidence that these documents ever existed, which represents a manipulation of the academic record by concealment, state the authors of the report. The specialists also point out that Corchado has deleted the texts from his blog, in which he boasted of being the fourth-best scientist in Spain and one of the 250 best in the world in the field of computing.

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COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLINROBE - WESTERN PEOPLE (SEPTEMBER 24 EDITION)

Robe Cinema is a new community cinema set-up in Ballinrobe with screenings set to take place in Ballinrobe Library. The news of this exciting venture was warmly greeted in Ballinrobe last week and surrounding areas, as the bustling south Mayo town used to always have a rich tradition of cinematic viewing, going back to the days of the cinema on Bowgate Street, and then the famous Ritz Cinema, which used to be situated on Bridge Street.

The Robe Cinema has been formed following the success of multiple screenings during the recent Ballinrobe Festival, including An Cailin Ciuin and That They May Face The Rising Sun, which included a questions and answers discussion with actors and writers. The organisers of Robe Cinema are now planning for many more events throughout the year, with monthly screenings taking place in Ballinrobe Library.

Robe Cinema will host a screening of Kneecap on October 3 and tickets will be on sale soon. Kneecap is the award winning Irish language movie being tipped for Oscar nominations in 2025. Robe Cinema brings the latest movies to the big screen, hosts captivating film festivals, and offers diverse screenings for all interests.

Further details and information are available by visiting www.robecinema.com or by visiting the Robe Cinema Facebook page.
13 new businesses have been awarded the Irelands Best Managed Companies (BMC) accolade at the 16th annual awards programme. This year, Deloitte recognised 129 indigenous companies at the awards, representing 28 of the 32 counties across the island of Ireland.

The network of companies has a combined turnover of more than 15 billion and provide employment to over 45,000 people across a range of sectors from technology and healthcare to construction.

Amongst the winning companies this year were Galway's Western Motors and Coen Steel Limited.

A thorough judging process precedes the recognition each year, evaluating the entire management team and the business strategy of each company. The judges examine a wide range of areas when assessing Irelands top privately-owned businesses, such as a business environmental, social and governance standards, strategic planning and talent strategy.

The 13 newly qualified companies are: Activ8 Solar Energies, Ashdale Care, Coen Steel Limited, Ethos Engineering, MCO, Mergon Group, Mivan, Mowlam Healthcare, S&W Wholesale, Sisk Group, United Hardware, Western Motors and Writech.
FILE - Amanda Darrow, director of youth, family and education programs at the Utah Pride Center, poses with books, including "The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison, that have been the subject of complaints from parents in Salt Lake City on Dec. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Karen Aguilar (not her real name) was 25 years old and living in Medellin. She was doing well, but not exactly flourishing. One day, she lost her job and decided to respond to her friends persistent suggestions: Come to the United States. She arrived in New Jersey in June 2018 as an au pair, and she hasnt left yet. The au pair program is one of 14 temporary migration programs administered by the U.S. Department of State under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. It is designed to provide a cultural and educational exchange between a foreign person (aged between 18 and 26) and a host family. The individual is in charge of caring for the host familys children in exchange for accommodation, food, $500 for education and the right to wages that meet federal standards, according to a report by the International Labor Recruitment Working Group. Despite this, sponsoring agencies limit wages to $4.35 per hour.

Those interested in the program must contact a specialized and accredited agency to handle the process. In 2018, more than 20,000 au pairs arrived in the United States. During the period from 2016 to 2018, the top five countries of origin were Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and South Africa. In that period, Colombia sent a total of 6,876 au pairs.

Karen is clear: I think it was the worst year of my life, they treated me like a slave. I had to clean, wash and work until 9:30 p.m. When you live with them, they simply dont respect schedules. They come to you and say oh, Karen, this happened, and if you are in your room, how do you say no? According to regulations, an au pair must not work more than 10 hours a day or more than 45 hours a week.

According to Maribel Lopez, the lead paralegal of the Center for Migrant Rights (CDM), the agencies sell the idea that this is a cultural exchange program strictly for educational or learning purposes, but the reality, as with other temporary visa programs, is that the labor component is very strong, and it is very easy for labor rights to be violated.

The process to become an au pair is very simple. And that may be one of the reasons why many people choose this program. Eliana Martinez (not her real name) thought it was the best option to learn English. They interview you in English with very basic questions, which I would think anyone could pass. You have to be under 26, you cant have children and thats it, technically thats it, she explains. Dayana Fernandez had just finished university and was at a party when a friend told her she was going to be an au pair. Dayana didnt know what it was, but the explanation of the program was enough to interest her: I was motivated by the fact that it was with agency. It wasnt about going to another country to find your own way, but was rather a guided process.

Eliana says that you can never know what to expect, but successful cases do happen. Its a coin toss as to whether the au pairs rights are respected. Carolina Torres, who returned to Colombia after finishing the program, says that many agencies do not sufficiently study the families where they stay. And when the girls have problems, they end up returning them to their country.

Entering U.S. society and economy involves a series of emotional and physical costs. Karen, in addition to that first bad year, went through all this extra toil: I do not come from a family with money, I dont have a family that helps me, in the end I help my family and I have always asked myself: where do I serve my parents the most? My answer will always be here. Six years after entering the program, she is still in the U.S. She went through the months of the pandemic working in construction, picking up garbage, cleaning offices. Now she is a nanny, earning more than $700 a week and working part-time. She is grateful that she was not able to leave during the Covid-19 pandemic because if she had, she might not be here today: in her apartment in Midtown Manhattan and with her husband, a Wall Street stockbroker.

A year ago, the State Department began a process to change the rules regarding wages, hours, duties, and overtime for au pairs. While we applaud the changes, we submitted comments to further improve protections. For example, one of the things is to limit the fees and deductions that agencies and families charge au pairs. Contracts must establish that labor rights are enforceable, so oversight mechanisms outside of agencies must be created. We believe that the program should be under the monitoring of the Department of Labor, says Lopez.

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The news of an alleged second assassination attempt on Donald Trump felt like deja vu in Butler. The Pennsylvania county where the first attack against Trump was perpetrated in July has still not recovered from the consequences of that event, which remains under investigation. Political divisions, according to some residents, have worsened in the Republican-majority town, located in a state  Pennsylvania  where every vote counts: it could end up deciding who will be the next president of the United States.

In Butler, the memory of what happened at that July 13 rally at the local farmers fairgrounds is still very much alive. Residents who werent there that day know someone who was. The iconic photograph of Trump bleeding with his fist raised can be seen on numerous posters. The Republicans cry of Fight! Fight! Fight! has inspired graffiti on the street and on some mailboxes. A local artist has immortalized the image of the former president with his fist raised in a sculpture made of thousands of nails.

Last Friday, the U.S. Secret Service admitted in an investigative report on the case that there had been failures in communication, technology and in following up on reports of a suspect on the roof of one of the fairgrounds sheds. The motives for the attack remain unclear: its perpetrator, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was a registered Republican voter but did not appear to have a strong political ideology.

Approaching Butler  a rural county of about 200,000 people 40 minutes north of the very Democratic city of Pittsburgh  one sees increasingly larger signs supporting the campaign of Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance. At the entrance to a farm, a trailer holds a full-length, larger-than-life portrait of the former president. On the grounds of another ranch, a large sign proclaims Trump 2024: Save America Again. Beyond it, a Confederate flag can be seen. On the main street, a picturesque road lined with charming shops and American flags, a jewelry store proclaims its support for the Armed Forces, amid a riot of stars and stripes.

Until this summer, few outside Pennsylvania had heard of Butler. With the possible exception of serious car enthusiasts: the prototype for the Jeep was invented in the county in the 1940s, a milestone still commemorated with street signs and an annual festival.

Today, it is a town in transition. Most of its residents still live on farms with generous acreage. But its relative proximity to Pittsburgh  Pennsylvanias second-biggest city  makes it a convenient place to live and work in the city. Manufacturing jobs  once the areas great economic engine  have been disappearing. But others have arrived thanks to companies in the business of fracturing shale gas, which is abundant in western Pennsylvania. A powerful steel mill provides more than a thousand jobs and good wages. Work is plentiful and well paid. While the trend in the rest of rural Pennsylvania is for young people to leave for cities, often from other states, Butlers population continues to grow. After a period of economic depression, its downtown has been revitalized. New small businesses are popping up: a flower shop, a restaurant where pork is the specialty.

Trump territory

In places like Butler, Democrats are hoping to increase their share of the vote and add it to their large majority in the cities. The goal is to win Pennsylvania and its 19 electoral votes at the presidential elections on November 5. The Democrats need to win Pennsylvania to win the White House. On the other hand, Trump needs to win by a high number of votes in Butler and similar counties to win the state that he won in 2016 against Hillary Clinton, but lost in 2020 to Joe Biden by just 80,000 votes.

At first glance, the Democrats goal seems almost like a pipe dream. Butler is Trump territory: the Republican candidate won in the county in 2020 with 65% of the vote. There are around 80,000 registered Republican voters  more than a thousand of them registered after the attack  compared to just under 40,000 Democrats. A local businessman has become somewhat famous in the area for the electronic signs that, from his land, show drivers on the highway anti-LGBTQ messages. After the attack in July, the sign displayed messages accusing the Democrats of being behind the attack. An image of Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, depicted her with devil horns and the message: Democrats kill children and dreams.

The attack has emboldened a segment of the population that now supports Trump, even more so, said educator Colleen Smith, 62, a Democrat from Butler. It is not uncommon, she and other residents say, to hear insults from vehicles passing by their pro-Harris signs.

That, Smith says, can be scary for some. A teenager I knew by sight, a neighbor, recently walked past my house and told me he liked the pro-Harris sign I have at the entrance to my yard. I asked him if he wanted one, but he said no. He said, There are too many Trump supporters in the neighborhood. We dont feel safe, we dont want to be targeted, she says. He ended up taking a small one, to keep in his room so no one would see it.

Colleen Smith, a Democratic voter in Republican-dominated Butler County, Pennsylvania. Macarena Vidal Liy

But others  specifically women  have decided to get organized. Heidi Priest, a 42-year-old real estate agent and self-described progressive mother of three, was concerned about the widespread support for Trump. And she decided to act. She used her experience as a mini-influencer  she has a Facebook baking page  to create a group on the social media site: Butler PA Women for Harris.

I felt that we needed it. Until then, traditional Democratic groups were mostly for older women, but there were also many women of my generation who wanted to be involved in some way. Women who sent me private messages to tell me that at home they couldnt express their opinions because their husband didnt think the same way, Priest tells EL PAIS.

The group now has about 1,500 members, who hold regular meetings. The first one was cathartic, they say. About 80 women met in a small park in Butler. It may seem like a small number, but for this area its a huge number, Smith explains. Women who showed up to say they were there for their daughters, for their granddaughters. Others said they came because they are mothers of someone who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and they need to know that they will be safe; others, because they have an autistic child and they dont want to have a leader who mocks the disabled

The group has also attracted younger people who are coming to defend their children in primary school, adds the teacher. There is a real sense of change in the tide. The enthusiasm is palpable, we no longer feel that we are alone. Priest, who says she has received hostile messages on her office answering machine, is now considering entering politics at a local level.

Heidi Priest, founder of the Facebook group Butler PA Women for Kamala Harris. Macarena Vidal Liy

There are also reports of friction among Republicans. Cindy Hildebrand is the chairwoman of the United Republicans of Butler County group and was at Trumps rally in July. Speaking to the local Butler Eagle newspaper last week, she said: Its very sad how divided we are. Its very sad that you cant have a civil conversation with people. Hildebrand said she had spent the previous two weeks canvassing door to door. I went to some Democrat homes, and before I even said hello, theyre screaming at me, and all I want to do is have a conversation.

But there are also encouraging moments. The graffiti urging Fight, fight, fight was scratched off a few weeks ago. Someone wrote instead: Love. The fact that anyone bothered to try to counter that call to fight with a call to love is huge, Smith says, smiling.

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Jonny Steinbergs book makes Wolfson shortlist

Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage by Jonny Steinberg shortlisted for the 2024 Wolfson History Prize

The Wolfson Foundation announced today, 23 September, the shortlist for the 2024 Wolfson History Prize, which includes the book Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage authored by Professor Jonny Steinberg and published by William Collins. The 2024 winner will be announced on Monday, 2 December 2024.

Steinberg tells the tale of the unique marriage of Winnie and Nelson turning the course of South African history through this political biography. It has been described as a modern epic in which trauma doesnt affect just the couple, but an entire nation  a Shakespearean drama in which bonds of love and commitment mingle with timeless questions of revolution.

Through an article in The Conversation Africa, Steinberg explains the premise of the book: Winnie and Nelson were consummate performers who wanted the story of their marriage to tell the story of South Africas struggle for freedom. The premise of the book is that their marriage really does embody the tale of modern South Africa, but not as they intended. The idea is that the book is at once about a couple, a nation, and a series of ideas about freedom, forgiveness and vengeance.

Steinberg is a Visiting Professor at the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research. A former Rhodes scholar, Steinberg has a doctorate in political theory from Oxford University where he currently teaches. A public intellectual of note, Steinberg is a multitalented writer whose insightful and engaging work covers a remarkably wide range of topics related to some of the fundamental questions facing South Africa and the African continent today. His body of work is an outstanding fit with WiSERs focus on social, economic and cultural research in an interdisciplinary vein, reaching across many and varied publics.

His books include Midlands: A Very South African Murder, The Number, Three Letter Plague: A Young Man's Journey through a Great Epidemic, Thin Blue: The Unwritten Rules of Policing South Africa, Little Liberia: An African Odyssey in New York City, A Man of Good Hope, and the shortlisted Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage.

In 2024, the shortlist focuses on major turning points in the histories of the Americas, Britain, Bangladesh, Germany, India, Pakistan and South Africa, exploring themes ranging from politics, slavery and international relations to healthcare and societal transformation, said the Foundation in a statement.

The most valuable history writing prize in the UK, the Wolfson History Prize celebrates books that combine excellence in research with readability for a general audience, demonstrating the relevance of history and historical writing to society today. The Wolfson History Prize awards a total of 75,000 with the winner receiving 50,000 and each of the five shortlisted authors receiving 5,000.

The Wolfson History Prize 2024 shortlist includes:

 Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century by Joya Chatterji (The

Bodley Head)

 Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire by Nandini Das

(Bloomsbury Publishing)

 Traders in Men: Merchants and the Transformation of the Transatlantic Slave

Trade by Nicholas Radburn (Yale University Press)

 Our NHS: A History of Britains Best-Loved Institution by Andrew Seaton (Yale

University Press)

 Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage by Jonny Steinberg (William Collins)

 Out of the Darkness: The Germans, 1942-2022 by Frank Trentmann (Allen Lane).

Over the past 52 years, the annual Wolfson History Prize has championed the finest history writing by authors and historians including Simon Schama, William Dalrymple, Amanda Vickery and Clare Jackson. Previous winners of the Wolfson History Prize include Antony Beevor for Stalingrad, Antonia Fraser for The Weaker Vessel: Womans Lot in Seventeenth-Century England and Mary Fulbrook for Reckonings: Legacies of Nazi Persecution and the Quest for Justice. The 2023 prize was won by Halik Kochanski for Resistance: The Underground War in Europe, 1939-45.

Read more at www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk.
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Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the seven research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 5,537.86 ($73.16).

A number of research firms have recently commented on AHT. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on Ashtead Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. They set a buy rating and a GBX 7,000 ($92.47) target price on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 6,500 ($85.87) price objective on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 6,150 ($81.24) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd.

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Ashtead Group Price Performance

Insider Buying and Selling at Ashtead Group

Ashtead Group stock opened at GBX 5,558 ($73.42) on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of 24.28 billion, a PE ratio of 2,107.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.22. Ashtead Group has a 12-month low of GBX 4,437 ($58.61) and a 12-month high of GBX 6,180 ($81.64). The firm has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 5,308.48 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 5,466.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 145.75.

In other Ashtead Group news, insider Renata Ribeiro bought 160 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 5,273 ($69.66) per share, for a total transaction of 8,436.80 ($11,145.05). In other news, insider Lucinda Riches sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,480 ($72.39), for a total value of 219,200 ($289,564.07). Also, insider Renata Ribeiro acquired 160 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 5,273 ($69.66) per share, with a total value of 8,436.80 ($11,145.05). 0.64% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Ashtead Group Company Profile

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Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services.

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Shares of e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:ELF  Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Buy from the sixteen analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twelve have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $198.80.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial raised their price target on e.l.f. Beauty from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 29th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $230.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $235.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Raymond James reissued a strong-buy rating and set a $235.00 price objective on shares of e.l.f. Beauty in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Baird R W raised shares of e.l.f. Beauty from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Investors Weigh In On e.l.f. Beauty

In other e.l.f. Beauty news, SVP Joshua Allen Franks sold 3,370 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.28, for a total transaction of $678,313.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 71,986 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,489,342.08. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . In other news, SVP Joshua Allen Franks sold 3,370 shares of e.l.f. Beauty stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.28, for a total transaction of $678,313.60. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 71,986 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,489,342.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Tarang Amin sold 15,386 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.85, for a total value of $3,090,278.10. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 171,329 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,411,429.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders sold 19,304 shares of company stock worth $3,864,492. 5.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in e.l.f. Beauty during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Matrix Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of e.l.f. Beauty during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of e.l.f. Beauty during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its position in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 405.9% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 172 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. 92.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

e.l.f. Beauty Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE:ELF opened at $112.91 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $153.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $174.16. The company has a market capitalization of $6.32 billion, a PE ratio of 50.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.44. e.l.f. Beauty has a twelve month low of $88.47 and a twelve month high of $221.83.

e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $324.48 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $303.60 million. e.l.f. Beauty had a net margin of 10.80% and a return on equity of 23.30%. On average, equities analysts predict that e.l.f. Beauty will post 2.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About e.l.f. Beauty

(Get Free Report

e.l.f. Beauty, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cosmetic and skin care products under the e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. Skin, Well People, and Keys Soulcare brand names worldwide. The company offers eye, lip, face, face, paw, and skin care products. It sells its products through national and international retailers and direct-to-consumer channels, which include e-commerce platforms in the United States, and internationally primarily through distributors.

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Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Buy from the fifteen ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $604.29.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on ELV shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Elevance Health from $600.00 to $593.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. StockNews.com downgraded Elevance Health from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, June 6th. TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Elevance Health from $624.00 to $589.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Elevance Health from $621.00 to $611.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $600.00 price objective on shares of Elevance Health in a report on Friday.

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Elevance Health Trading Up 0.3 %

ELV stock opened at $539.86 on Monday. Elevance Health has a twelve month low of $431.38 and a twelve month high of $567.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $125.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $536.19 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $529.47.

Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The company reported $10.12 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.99 by $0.13. Elevance Health had a net margin of 3.89% and a return on equity of 20.64%. The company had revenue of $43.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $42.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $9.04 EPS. The firms revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Elevance Health will post 37.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Elevance Health Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. Elevance Healths payout ratio is 24.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Gail Boudreaux sold 34,000 shares of Elevance Health stock in a transaction on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $500.98, for a total value of $17,033,320.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 126,709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,478,674.82. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Gail Boudreaux sold 34,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $500.98, for a total transaction of $17,033,320.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 126,709 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,478,674.82. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Ramiro G. Peru sold 753 shares of Elevance Health stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $531.52, for a total value of $400,234.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 8,744 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,647,610.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 35,058 shares of company stock valued at $17,588,116 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Elevance Health

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sanders Capital LLC grew its stake in Elevance Health by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 4,457,986 shares of the companys stock worth $2,102,208,000 after buying an additional 196,010 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of Elevance Health by 5.3% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,791,793 shares of the companys stock worth $2,054,641,000 after acquiring an additional 190,118 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors increased its holdings in shares of Elevance Health by 3.7% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 3,498,511 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,814,118,000 after acquiring an additional 123,802 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc raised its position in shares of Elevance Health by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 2,247,091 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,217,607,000 after purchasing an additional 64,376 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in Elevance Health by 34.0% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,062,706 shares of the companys stock worth $1,117,698,000 after purchasing an additional 523,910 shares in the last quarter. 89.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Elevance Health

(Get Free Report

Elevance Health, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health benefits company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Health Benefits, CarelonRx, Carelon Services, and Corporate & Other. It offers a variety of health plans and services to program members; health products; an array of fee-based administrative managed care services; and specialty and other insurance products and services, such as stop loss, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental health insurance benefits.

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Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, September 13th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 24th will be given a dividend of 0.675 per share by the real estate investment trust on Friday, October 11th. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.53%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 24th.

Equity Residential has increased its dividend by an average of 3.2% per year over the last three years. Equity Residential has a dividend payout ratio of 164.6% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Equities analysts expect Equity Residential to earn $4.02 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.70 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 67.2%.

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Equity Residential Stock Performance

EQR opened at $76.58 on Monday. Equity Residential has a twelve month low of $52.57 and a twelve month high of $78.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.07 billion, a PE ratio of 31.78, a PEG ratio of 4.27 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The firms 50-day moving average price is $72.72 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.69.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Equity Residential ( NYSE:EQR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.96 by ($0.49). Equity Residential had a return on equity of 8.53% and a net margin of 32.83%. The company had revenue of $734.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $735.26 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.94 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Equity Residential will post 3.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on EQR shares. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, September 16th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Wells Fargo & Company cut Equity Residential from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $69.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Equity Residential from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $62.00 to $83.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Equity Residential from $68.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, September 16th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Equity Residential currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $75.62.

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About Equity Residential

(Get Free Report)

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft.

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Reddit, Inc. (NYSE:RDDT  Get Free Report) CFO Andrew Vollero sold 11,287 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.00, for a total transaction of $722,368.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 840,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $53,784,256. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink.

Reddit Trading Up 2.5 %

Shares of Reddit stock opened at $66.17 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $59.47. Reddit, Inc. has a 52-week low of $37.35 and a 52-week high of $78.08.

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Reddit (NYSE:RDDT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.31) by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $281.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $253.86 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.70) EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 53.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Reddit, Inc. will post -4.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently issued reports on RDDT. Loop Capital upgraded shares of Reddit from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $75.00 target price for the company in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of Reddit from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Piper Sandler raised their price target on shares of Reddit from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Roth Mkm reduced their price target on shares of Reddit from $67.00 to $66.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $75.00 price target on shares of Reddit in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $66.12.

Get Our Latest Report on RDDT

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Truist Financial Corp purchased a new position in shares of Reddit in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $266,000. Scientech Research LLC boosted its stake in Reddit by 120.0% in the 2nd quarter. Scientech Research LLC now owns 19,432 shares of the companys stock worth $1,242,000 after purchasing an additional 10,601 shares in the last quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. boosted its stake in Reddit by 147.4% in the 2nd quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. now owns 742,145 shares of the companys stock worth $47,416,000 after purchasing an additional 442,145 shares in the last quarter. Alight Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Reddit in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,194,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in Reddit by 117.2% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 847,929 shares of the companys stock worth $54,174,000 after purchasing an additional 457,588 shares in the last quarter.

Reddit Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Reddit, Inc operates a website that organizes digital communities. It organizes communities based on specific interests that enable users to engage in conversations by sharing experiences, submitting links, uploading images and videos, and replying to one another. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Further Reading

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New apartments planned above city centre shop

Plans to develop several new apartments in Wrexham city centre could soon be given the go ahead.

An application has been submitted to Wrexham Council proposing that four new apartments are created in 36 Brook Street.

The building was previously home to a Nightingale House charity shop several years ago and is now occupied by a cobblers..

As part of the plans apartments would be be created on the ground, first and second floors.

However space will be retained on the ground floor level for retail use  which will be unaffected by the plans.

The application is the second of its kind to be submitted for the building in the last two years.

Plans to redevelop the vacant property were refused by Wrexham Councils chief planning and economy officer in 2023 amid concerns that a proposed rear extension would impact neighbouring residential units.

The new application for 36 Brook Street proposes that a one bedroom apartment with an open plan kitchen and living space is created at the rear of the property on the ground floor.

According to the applicants the ground floor apartment will have use of the yard for bike store/bin store and drying area

Retail use will continue to be provided at the front of the premises.

On the first floor it has been proposed that a small one bedroom apartment and one studio apartment are created whilst a two single bedroom apartment would occupy the second floor.

The plans do not include an extension to the property.

According to the applicants the building is easily capable of accommodating the proposed new use.

The applicants add: The mixed commercial/residential mixed use will be retained, the development proposal entails the reconfiguration of the internal space to create apartments and commercial floorspace, the mixed use proposed does not adversely impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties.

The development is considered not to have a significant impact on the privacy or amenity of surrounding neighbours and provides the same standard of amenity enjoyed by occupiers of nearby apartments, thereby according with policies.

The proposed use will provide a high quality residential environment. It will help meet the Boroughs need for one bed accommodation of this type, to meet the needs of individuals and couples.

The site lies within the town centre and is connected and accessible to rail services, public transport, education, services and facilities.

It will provide an excellent residential environment for the proposed residents, with no impact on existing neighbours.

As such the proposed development results in no significant use change of the building and is in overall compliance with policies of the Development Plan. Accordingly, the Council is respectfully requested to grant planning permission.

The application will be considered for approval by Wrexham Council at a later date.
Police warning over youths climbing on Acton community centre roof

Police have issued a warning following reports of youths on a roof of a community centre.

Local officers said, Officers have been carrying out patrols in the Acton area following reports of anti-social behaviour at the Acton Community Resource Centre with youths climbing on the roof.

Aside from the obvious dangers of this behaviour children are damaging the building and risking further involvement with the Police.

Please be aware of where your children are in an evening and speak with them to ensure that they are not a part of this group.

Local residents are encouraged to report any incidents at the centre to us on 999 if a crime is taking place, 101 or using the webchat facility on our website.
UK and Welsh Governments team up to tackle record high NHS waiting lists in Wales

The UK and Welsh governments have joined forces in a bid to reduce NHS waiting lists and improve healthcare on both sides of the border.

The collaboration, which will be unveiled at the Labour Party Annual Conference by Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, will see both administrations share best practices in a bid to address key challenges facing NHS England and NHS Wales.

Although healthcare is devolved in Wales, this initiative marks the first time the two governments will work closely together on such a scale.

Cross-border cooperation has long been discussed but rarely implemented. Under the previous Conservative administration, there were discussions about collaboration, but these failed to result in concrete action.

The new cooperation, according to Jo Stevens, is the first step in a bold new partnership that will deliver tangible benefits for patients and medical staff.

It comes as NHS waiting times in Wales continue to reach record highs.

Last week Wrexham.com reported that there are more than 616,000 patients in Wales waiting to begin their NHS treatment.

The worrying new figures are the equivalent of one-in-four people in Wales on a waiting list.

The NHS in Wales has also continued to fail to meet its own targets for emergency departments and ambulance response times.

First Minister Eluned Morgan, who served as health minister for several years, has come under fire for passing the buck over the record high waiting times.

At the Labour Party Annual Conference Jo Stevens MP and First Minister Eluned Morgan are expected to set out new ways of working together to deliver an NHS fit for the future.

As part of the partnership Labour say it will focus on improving dentistry appointments and deliver 40,000 extra GP appointments a week.

More on how these targets will be achieved are expected to be outlined during the partys conference.

Jo Stevens, Welsh Secretary, said: Healthcare is one of the biggest shared challenges our two governments face and we are acting quickly to tackle it.

These practical, common-sense steps could deliver real change on the ground for patients and clinicians. Until now, cheap political point scoring by the previous UK Conservative government made it impossible.

This is only the first step in a bold new partnership between UK and Welsh Labour governments that will help deliver better care for patients and drive down waiting lists.

Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales, said: People are rightly proud of the NHS, which was created here in Wales.

They want to see the governments in Wales and the UK working together to ensure they have better access to care  whether thats to an NHS dentist or to a planned operation.

We dont have a monopoly on good ideas and theres lots we can learn from our closest neighbours and we have lots we can share with our colleagues in NHS England, where we have already made changes to our NHS.

We are ready to harness the power of two Labour governments, with the same values and the same belief in our great National Health Service, working together to improve services for people on both sides of the border.

However opposition parties in Wales have argued that todays announcement fails to address the fundamental issue of NHS waiting times.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, argued that the partnership lacks clarity and the radical action needed to improve healthcare.

Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said: We need to be investing properly in the preventative agenda to keep people out of hospital and harnessing technological innovations to bring care closer to home.

We need radical action to tackle the deep-rooted issues of staff retention, investment and modernisation of the NHS estate, as well as securing a fair funding deal for Wales from Westminster.

The reality is that Wales NHS has been underfunded and mismanaged by successive Welsh Labour governments for over two decades, leading to some of the longest waiting lists in the UK  and needs more than cosmetic collaboration with Westminster.

While the UK and Welsh Labour governments tout this new partnership as a step forward for the NHS, it lacks clarity on how this will work in practice and doesnt appear to offer the radical action required to address the underlying crisis faced by the Welsh NHS.

We must also ensure that any future co-operation does not dilute Welsh health governance.

Commenting on the news that the Labour Welsh Government will be working with the UK Government for the first time to cut NHS waiting lists, Sam Rowlands MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister said: This is long-overdue, but welcome news.

The Labour Welsh Government rejected this offer from the UK Conservative Government for party political reasons, putting patients at risk.

Labour must also accept some responsibility and put their full focus back onto the NHS and deliver more doctors and nurses, instead of politicians in the Senedd.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 23, 2024 - 07:41 | World, Japan, All

Japan has told China that a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer that sailed into Chinese territorial waters in July despite repeated warnings by Chinese vessels did so inadvertently, diplomatic sources said Sunday, adding that the captain has been replaced for what was viewed as a serious error.

Observers say the incident, which occurred as the destroyer Suzutsuki was monitoring Chinese military drills on the high seas, calls into question the skill levels of MSDF personnel. Tokyo is also considering disciplinary measures against other crew members, the sources said.

Japan has unofficially informed China about its findings as well as the captain's dismissal. The incident triggered a protest from Beijing.

In the early morning of July 4, the Suzutsuki sailed for some 20 minutes in Chinese waters within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of the coast of Zhejiang Province.

When an MSDF base made an inquiry after noticing the destroyer's entry into Chinese waters, the male officer with the rank of commander, serving as the Suzutsuki's captain, responded that he was "not aware" the ship had sailed into an "off-limits area," according to the sources.

The officer had assumed command of the ship in May this year. An investigation conducted following the incident also revealed that there were flaws in relaying information from other crew members on duty when the destroyer entered Chinese waters, the sources said.

The officer was dismissed as captain of the ship later in July for negligence. The MSDF is also considering admonishing several other crew members for failing to fully check nautical instruments, maintain a lookout and report to the captain, the sources said.

It marked the first time an MSDF vessel had entered Chinese waters without advance notification since the establishment of the Self-Defense Forces in 1954.

The Japanese government compiled a report on the incident with the National Security Secretariat playing a key role, but it does not plan to release the document given that it concerns SDF operations.

A day before the MSDF destroyer entered Chinese waters, Zhejiang authorities said a no-sail zone would be set up in a nearby area for the Chinese military to conduct a live-fire drill. The Suzutsuki was on a mission to monitor the exercise.

Tokyo maintains the Suzutsuki's entry into Chinese territorial waters was lawful, invoking the right to innocent passage under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

But Beijing argues the MSDF ship failed to meet the requirements under its domestic law, which mandates that foreign vessels seek prior permission to enter Chinese territorial waters.

China criticized the Suzutsuki's entry into its waters as an "illegal and improper move" and called for a thorough investigation and steps to prevent similar incidents.

Yoji Koda, former commander in chief of the Self-Defense Fleet, the main force of the MSDF, attributed the low skill levels among MSDF officers in the incident to a lack of training amid increased missions to guard against Chinese military activities in the East China Sea.

China regularly sends its military and coast guard vessels into Japanese territorial waters near the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which Beijing claims and calls Diaoyu.

"If MSDF officers have to spend an enormous amount of time on surveillance activities, they cannot fully acquire basic skills" required for operating the force's vessels, Koda said, urging the Japanese government to increase personnel and equipment to rectify the situation.

In addition to the East China Sea, Chinese survey ships have repeatedly entered Japanese waters off Kagoshima Prefecture since November 2021.

MSDF vessels are also deployed in the Sea of Japan to keep watch for North Korean ballistic missile launches.

Related coverage:

Hotline not used over Japan airspace breach by China military plane

Hotline not used over Japan SDF ship sailing into Chinese waters

Japan destroyer sailed into China territorial waters despite warnings
KYODO NEWS - Sep 23, 2024 - 21:59 | All, Japan, World

Japan's Defense Ministry said Monday that a Russian military aircraft violated the country's airspace three times, prompting an Air Self-Defense Force fighter jet to fire a signal flare for the first time ever, with Tokyo lodging an "extremely stern protest" with Moscow.

An IL-38 patrol plane flew over waters in the Sea of Japan north of Rebun Island in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido three times between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and each intrusion lasted for about 30 seconds to one minute, according to the ministry.

ASDF F-15 and F-35 fighter jets were scrambled and fired the signal flare after the third intrusion, following repeated warnings for the Russian aircraft to leave the airspace after the first violation, the ministry said.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed government officials to respond "firmly and calmly" to the airspace intrusion while closely collaborating with the United States and other nations, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.

"The violation of our nation's airspace by a Russian military patrol plane is extremely regrettable," the top government spokesman told reporters, adding that the government "strongly" called on Russia to prevent a similar incident from happening again.

Signal flares are used as a warning against intruders and are designed to disrupt enemy infrared homing missiles.

The latest move came after Japan confirmed for the first time a Chinese military spy plane violated Japanese airspace over waters in the East China Sea off islands in Nagasaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan in late August.

The Japanese Defense Ministry has also said a total of 8 Chinese and Russian naval vessels jointly sailed from the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk from Sunday to Monday, passing through the Soya Strait between Hokkaido and Sakhalin.

Ties between Japan and Russia have deteriorated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Tokyo has imposed economic sanctions on Moscow, aligning with actions taken by Washington and other like-minded governments.

Related coverage:

Japan destroyer inadvertently entered China waters, captain sacked
The nineteenth national rally to oppose the US/UK-backed Israeli genocide against the Palestinians was held in Liverpool, UK on Saturday, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. The event, held under the slogan End the genocide in Gaza! Stop arming Israel!, took place outside the venue of the Labour Party conference which began the following day.

As with previous marches, the political aim of the Liverpool rally was to promote the illusion that the ethnic cleansing of the Gazans could be ended by exerting popular pressure onto the government of Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, which fully backs the Zionist regime even as it escalates the war into the West Bank and Lebanon. This perspective of protest politics has led the movement into a dead-end.

Mick Whelan, the General Secretary of the ASLEF train drivers union addressed the rally, despite the failure of the trade unions to organise action to oppose the slaughter. He stated, War crimes are being committed every single day. Displacing a civilian population is a war crime. Killing tens of thousands of children and civilian people is a war crime. Crushing every university, every home, and every hospital so they can never be used again, is a war crime. He made no call for industrial action aimed at pressuring the Labour government.

This march is about what we believe about ourselves and future generations. This is what we believe about international socialism. If we do right by the Palestinian people, well stop racism, well stop apartheid, well stop genocide. The ASLEF union is affiliated to the Labour Party, which backs the genocide and has a right-wing, anti-immigrant agenda for its new administration.

Amid much criticism of Labour, many speakers offered advice to the party to change its ways.

Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, spoke of a genocide unique in human history for being live-streamed, broadcasting across all of our screens images we will not forget. The political perspective of the organisation he leads is based on altering the foreign policy of the British imperialist state, rather than challenging the rule of the corporate elite.

Jamal declared, A Labour government should be sanctioning Israel, not promising it an enhanced trade deal. A Labour government should be cutting all arms sales, not shipping weapons to be used in a genocide. A Labour government should be shaming and sanctioning the British companies that support this illegality, not inviting them to hold stalls at their conference as they are doing this week with Barclays bank. He failed to explain why Starmers government, the end product of a systematic pro-big business evolution of that party, is playing such a murderous role or why they might be convinced to change course.

Ben Jamal at the Liverpool Gaza protest, September 21, 2024

Lindsey German of the Stop the War Coalition (STWC) explained the protesters were there to say to Keir Starmer do not support genocide, do not support an apartheid state, stop arming Israel, stop allowing Israel to do what it does. This week is the most important week to do so because we saw state terror on behalf of the Israeli government. Keir Starmer has not condemned what has gone on in Lebanon, and that is a disgrace because its a war crime. Starmer, the man who took away the winter fuel allowance, is going to increase spending on the military and so-called defence, including sending parts for F-35s to Israel.

People say: whats the point of marching? It says to the people of Gaza that were with them. It says to our government that were not going to put up with it. Starmer should not think that we wont get rid of him and Lammy, unless they change their policies.

Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, was the only speaker to raise the October 7 2023 attack. Her attempt to present Labour in parliament in a positive light was met with boos from the crowd. Its almost a year since the Hamas attack on Israel. I am a Labour MP and I have fought for a ceasefire.

Yes, you will boo me but I am one of the new Labour MPs that has asked for a ceasefire and a return of humanitarian aid. As the marchers shouted Out! Out! Out! she yelled back, I am a black, working-class woman from Liverpool and Ive fought racism all of my life, as if this justified her unprincipled membership of a right-wing party of war and big business. Increasingly angry, she concluded, I will not be silenced by you, or the government!

Ian Byrne was the only other member of Parliament and the Labour Party to appear and has been suspended as a Labour MP for backing an opposition motion aiming to scrap the two-child benefit cap. He did not mention his suspension or Starmer or the Labour Party by name. He said Gaza was a moral test for the new government [one of many including they have failed repeatedly] and I call on them today to stand up for the implementation of international law and be bold in confronting those who undermine it.

Jerome Legavre, a deputy from La France Insoumise (France Unbowed, LFI), the party of Jean-Luc Melenchon, denounced the role of the US, UK, and French governments in the genocide but offered no politically-independent programme for the working class to fight back. He stated, Without the weapons supplied by Biden, Starmer, and Macron the massacre in Gaza and the West Bank would be impossible. We must step up our mobilisation for ceasefire to stop this genocide. Stop arms deliveries!

The power of your demonstrations is a very strong encouragement in France, where Macrons government represses and seeks to intimidate those fighting to oppose the massacre of Palestinians. This power was expressed at the TUC annual congress and I welcome the motion adopted for an immediate ceasefire to put an end to all arms licences to Israel. In fact, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has organised a toothless protest stunt on October 10 to cover up the complicity of the union bureaucracy in the production and export of weapons which it has done nothing to oppose.

Socialist Equality Party members distributed the statement Opposing Gaza genocide demands a political struggle against the Starmer government and explained to protesters that only an independent political intervention by the international working class can halt the imperialist war machine and bring down the bourgeois governments that have their hands soaked in blood. They argued that only by building a mass socialist party of the working class can a global anti-war movement stop the genocide in Gaza.
The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester has cancelled director Stef ODriscolls five-week run of A Midsummer Nights Dream in an appalling act of political censorship. The modern take on the play, featuring a drum and bass soundtrack, was cancelled after last-minute demands by management that a song containing the phrase Free Palestine and referencing transgender rights be removed.

Director and cast opposed the attempted interference, refused to back down, and management cancelled the show.

The production, inspired by Manchesters rave scene, was to have marked the Royal Exchange debut of acclaimed director ODriscoll, former Interim Artistic Director at The Gate theatre. Her adaptation included original music by local artist Salo, who was to have appeared as the Moon. It was scheduled to run from first previews on September 6 until October 12.

The production transforms Shakespeares mechanicals into rappers in the citys drum and bass world. The final scene of the adaptation features a rap from Snug including references to ceasefire now, genocide and mass bloodshed. Performed on a set containing a car with free Palestine graffiti. The song, involving the audience, also went on to mention transgender rights.

This had been worked out through weeks and weeks of rehearsals and development. Theatre management intervened only at the first internal preview, on September 6.

The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, England, in 2014 [Photo by Stephen Gidley / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

The Royal Exchange last year moved away from having an Artistic Director responsible for productions to having a corporate creative director. This leaves productions employing freelance artists more susceptible to last-minute political interference and censorship.

Previews are public performances ahead of official opening and before press viewing. They allow final adjustments and improvements to the production, allowing for the final live realisation of the production process. At the Exchange, however, the theatre management really got suddenly interested in the show and demanded the cutting of material integral to it till then. ODriscoll rejected the cuts, telling the theatre that if they wanted them they would have to make them themselves, and they would need to tell the company themselves.

Taking a principled stand, her company backed her. The cast were very solid and unified, in the words of one insider. That source told the Manchester Evening News that ODriscoll responded to management: This is my direction, its what its always been, weve had weeks and months and you are now trying to change it after the first preview.

Censorship and interference began straightaway. Performances were cancelled and postponed, with various excuses offered. Management cancelled the first public preview saying a cast member was injured and there was no available understudy. They then informed ticketholders the September 10 show was cancelled because of technical difficulties. The next day they postponed the rest of the weeks performances over ongoing issues.

Management met the company on the morning of what should have been the press night. With ODriscoll and her company sticking to their guns, the Exchange cancelled the whole run on September 14, citing a number of issues.

The Exchange seem to have cut their losses immediately, with a commitment to pay crew for the entire contract at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds. Trade paper The Stage asked what this might mean for a theatre still recovering from COVID lockdowns, when it risked losing up to two-thirds of its permanent staff.

Actors union Equity said it was pleased no one would be out of pocket, but the issues that have led to the cancellation require further discussion. The union called for an urgent meeting to discuss the reasons for cancellation.

Preposterously, in light of the censorship it was demanding, the Exchange claimed that we want to work with artists who address complex issues. Actor Giovanni Bienne commented on X/Twitter: Every director worth their salt who wants to address complex issues will laugh and spit in the @rxtheatres face whenever they try to hire them.

The theatre blamed cancellation on a number of challenges, including a delayed technical week and changes late in the process. These changes were presumably the ones they could not force on the company. Cancelling, the Exchange said, Every effort was made to get the show on. This suggests only that they made every effort to pressure ODriscoll and company into the cuts.

There is a growing refusal to bow to political censorship under conditions where it is being pushed ever more aggressively. As a source told local press regarding ODriscoll, As far as she was concerned, it was all part of the scene she was setting. It isnt about Palestine and its not about trans rights. Its about a sub-culture and the world we are in.

It is not just that references to the real world are under attack. Any mention of the Israeli states genocidal onslaught on the Palestinian people is coming under pressure from pro-Zionist corporate and lobbying groups. Artists for Palestine said the Exchange has serious questions to answer with regards to transphobic and anti-Palestinian racist censorship.

Cast, crew and director are reported to be furious, with ODriscoll described as ground down by the attack. On Instagram, Salo wrote, The work I put into this was huge and Im f****** gutted for myself and everyone involved. Dont wanna talk about it too much as Im emotionally drained but will answer any questions about it at a later date. Just need some time to process.

After meeting the theatre, Equity reported frustration at the lack of transparency around the cancellation. The union pledged to fight for artistic integrity and freedom of expression, writing, We reject the growing culture of censorship created by funders and pressure groups.

Some of the response from theatre practitioners has been to criticise the Exchanges replacement of the Artistic Director with a creative director. The Stage described it as absolutely extraordinary that management might only find out about the creative content of a project days before press night.

But this is only a secondary factor in the wider drive towards political censorship of artistic expression. It acts as a deterrent to freelance artists interested in politically engaged work. As Bienne commented, Working there will make you an establishment stooge. And who wants that reputation.

Equity General Secretary Paul W. Fleming said that the show was definitely pulled in the context of an artistic dispute about some of the political messaging within it. He noted an increase in this over the last year, but actually increasingly over the last 15 years.

Censorship and the suppression of critical voices plays an ever-bigger part in funding. The Exchange receives 2.4 million a year from Arts Council England (ACE), the bodys third-highest grant after the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company.

One of its other main funders, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, reported being in conversation with the theatre to better understand the situation. ACE similarly said all its funding recipients remain fully responsible for their operations, artistic programme, and the day-to-day management of their activities.

In January this year, ACE revised its Relationship Framework policy guidelines to state that overtly political or activist statements might create reputational risk and possibly threaten funding arrangements. They warned funded bodies against artistic and creative output that might be deemed controversial and goes beyond your companys core purpose.

Facing pushback against this threat of censorship by funding cuts, ACE rewrote the guidance, claiming to champion freedom of artistic expression. ACE now say their guidelines are intended to support artistic freedom, by helping organisations identify, plan for, and respond to risks; avoid self-censorship; and tackle difficult subjects with clarity and confidence.

They wrote that they will not remove or refuse funding to an organisation or an individual purely because they make work that is political. The Stage asked, Despite ACEs insistence that this was not intended to encourage self-censorship, is it being interpreted differently by funded organisations?

To ask the question is to answer it.

References to the genocidal policies of the Israeli government express a growing anger and concern among layers of artists and performers who cannot stay silent at the world around them. This reflects the disgust of broad layers of the working class internationally. The response of governmental cultural authorities is to seek ways of silencing them.
On Friday, September 20, South Carolina carried out its first execution in 13 years. Freddie Eugene Owens, 46, who had taken the name Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah in prison, was convicted and sentenced to death for armed robbery and the murder of convenience store cashier Irene Graves, 41, a single mother of three, in November 1997. Owens was only 19 at the time of the crime and had long asserted his innocence.

Freddie Owens [Photo: South Carolina Department of Corrections]

Owens was put to death days after a key witness for the prosecution issued a sworn statement saying he had lied at trial when he named Owens as the shooter in exchange for a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty or a life sentence.

The South Carolina lethal injection was the first of five planned executions over the course of a week in the United States, including two on Tuesday, in Texas and Missouri, and two on Thursday, in Alabama and Oklahoma.

Owens was put to death in the states death chamber at Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia. When the curtain opened to the death chamber, witnesses saw the condemned inmate strapped to a gurney with his arms stretched to his sides.

The execution began at 6:35 p.m. local time. According to the Associated Press, after the lethal drug began to be injected, he appeared to mouth bye to his lawyer, who said bye to him in reply. He began to lose consciousness after about a minute, then his eyes closed and he took several deep breaths, AP reported. His breathing got shallower and his face twitched for another four or five minutes before the movements stopped. He was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m.

On Wednesday, two days before the execution, Owens lawyers filed a sworn statement from his former friend and co-defendant, Steven Golden, who said that Owens was not at the store when Graves was killed. Golden said he was high on cocaine and police put pressure on him to name Owens as the shooter.

Prosecutors never found the weapon used and didnt present any forensic evidence at trial linking Owens to the crime. Prosecutors told the jury that they could convict him for murder if they believed he was present during the murder, and it was not necessary for them to prove that he had pulled the trigger.

I thought the real shooter or his associate might kill me if I named [the real shooter] to police, Golden wrote in his statement. I am still afraid of that. But Freddie was actually not there. He added, Im coming forward now because I know Freddies execution date is September 20 and I dont want Freddie to be executed for something he didnt do. This has weighed heavily on my mind and I want to have a clear conscience. Golden was eventually sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The jury never heard about the deal.

Goldens statement did not sway the South Carolina Supreme Court, which ruled Thursday that the execution could move forward. Republican Governor Henry McMaster denied Owens clemency petition shortly before the execution. The US Supreme Court also denied Owens last-minute appeal for a stay, with Justice Sonya Sotomayor indicating she supported temporarily halting the execution.

In a statement released through a local activist on Friday before the execution, Owens mother Dora Mason condemned the grave injustice that has been perpetrated against my son and the states unwillingness to consider new evidence.

Mason said, I urge the people of South Carolina to consider the value of human life, the fallibility of our justice system, and the irreversible nature of capital punishment. I implore you to question the morality of taking a life in the name of justice, especially when doubt exists.

Freddie Owens did not kill Ms. Graves. His death tonight is a tragedy, Gerald Bo King, his attorney, said in a statement. [His] childhood was marked by suering on a scale that is hard to comprehend. He spent his adulthood in prison for a crime that he did not commit. The legal errors, hidden deals and false evidence that made tonight possible should shame us all.

Owens lawyers also said he had suffered brain damage from physical and sexual violence that he had endured while in juvenile prison.

Owens was the first person to be executed in 13 years as South Carolina struggled to obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections because pharmaceutical companies refused to sell them to the state if they could be publicly identified. There is still no transparency from the state on the name of the drug, or drugs, to be used in executions or their source. The state Supreme Court cleared the way for executions to resume this summer, after also adding options for the use of the firing squad and electric chair.

South Carolina now has five inmates on death row who have run out of appeals and whose executions can be scheduled five weeks apart. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, there are 35 inmates on death row in the state.

The execution of Freddie Owens began a week of executions in the US, which, barring any last-minute reprieves, will see four more men put to death:

On September 24:

 Travis James Mullis, 37, is scheduled to die by lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit in Texas. He was accused of sexually assaulting his three-month-old son and then stomping on his head and choking him. He was 21 years old at the time of the offense.

 Marcellus Khaliifah Williams, 55, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection in Bonne Terre, Missouri. He has long maintained his innocence and there is no forensic evidence tying him to the crime of murdering journalist Felicia Gayle. He is set to die despite this lack of evidence, his claims of innocence, and contamination of DNA evidence on the murder weapon by the prosecution that could rule him out as the perpetrator.

On September 26:

 Alan Eugene Miller, 59, is set to die by nitrogen hypoxia, or suffocation, at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama. His execution was called off in September 2022 after the execution team unsuccessfully attempted to insert the IV lines necessary to inject the lethal chemicals.

 Oklahoma is set to execute Emmanuel Littlejohn in the death of a convenience store clerk in 1992, despite his arguments that he wasnt the shooter.
Seattle teachers, students and parents: Speak out against the cuts! Fill out the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

Striking Seattle teachers at a rally during the third day of their 2022 strike

The Seattle Public Schools (SPS) declared at a September 18 public school board meeting its intent to close between 17 and 21 elementary schools next year. The closures would impact hundreds of teachers and staff while devastating working class communities across Seattle.

If one of the plans goes through, the number of Seattle public elementary schools would be reduced from 63 to either 52 or 56. About 50 percent of Seattles students will be forced to change schools, according to the districts own numbers. It has not been announced when the next school board meeting will take place.

The closures are part of a wave of massive cuts, driven by a fiscal cliff caused by the cut-off of COVID era federal funding for schools. In Chicago, the school district has announced a nearly $1 billion deficit for next year.

The cuts also were announced during the strike of 33,000 Boeing workers concentrated in the Seattle area. No doubt thousands of Boeing workers on the picket line have children in the Seattle school district. Around 50,000 Washington state public employees also took part in a one-day walkout recently. This demonstrates the potential for a fight against the closures by the working class, uniting teachers with Boeing workers and others.

Communities across Seattle have reacted angrily, with parents rallying outside the district headquarters on Thursday. Hundreds of parents also demonstrated outside of the school board meeting on Wednesday.

Almost 150 people had signed up at the board meeting to testify against the school closures, while only 25 openings were available, according to KUOW news. Parents whose children attend TOPS K-8 have told the local news station that SPS is considering closing the only elementary school which focuses on educating the deaf and hard of hearing.

Parents and students protested outside Catharine Blaine K-8 on Tuesday evening. Significantly, the protest was largely motivated by the students, with the Seattle Education Association nowhere to be seen. These demonstrations took place across multiple schools.

Parents, students and staff have innumerable concerns. Michelle Dunlop told KOMO News: You cant have that many schools impacted and not cause so much damage to the community, kids, to everyone involved. Parent Ashley Cappel was shocked to learn that SPS was considering closing John Stanford International School, a school focused on providing dual language programs. For my family, it means that my child no longer has access to dual language immersion. It means that my community is decimated.

Sixth grader Evelyn, who attends Catharine-Blaine K-8, told King5 news during their protest that, I just dont want Blaine to close, I love this school so much. I love my teachers and my community and the staff here. Its like a human body, everyone does something to contribute.

The district explained to outraged parents at the Wednesday board meeting that SPS is facing a $105 million budget deficit. One parent took to social media to explain that the district demanded the community accept cuts in transportation, staffing, programs, and (will) even introduce mandatory fees. This same parent illustrated that much of the meeting was dominated by pie charts and graphs, which were supposed to prove the necessity of the most drastic cuts.

The money does exist to prevent these school closures. But the federal government, rather than invest in education, is funneling a trillion dollars a year into war, including arming and equipping the Israeli genocide in Gaza, as well as tens of billions in funding for the proxy war in Ukraine.

The Biden administration has terminated the $122 billion Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), which was only ever meant to delay the enormous crisis facing public education nationally.

Washington state contains 13 billionaires, three of whom are worth more than $100 billion. However, according to the Washington Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, minimum wage workers pay 18 percent of their incomes on local and state taxes. The billionaires, on the other hand, pay just 3 percent.

SPS claims that these closures are part of a general plan to create, using the Kafkaesque-style phrase of well-resourced schools. Far from well-resourced, these closures will increase class sizes, decrease the variety of school programs available to students, increase transportation costs to families, etc.

Mobilize the working class against the closures

The closure of up to 21 Seattle schools is not only an attack on educators and students but on the working class as a whole. Money is diverted out of working-class schools and jobs and into the pockets of the military and Wall Street.

It is imperative that Seattle educators and staff link their struggle with the Boeing workers through the formation of rank-and-file committees that are controlled democratically by the workers themselves. Only by these means can Boeing workers and Seattle educators win their necessary demands and prevent the devastating closures.

They must also appeal for support for teachers fighting similar closures across the country, especially in the city of Chicago.

Over 6,000 Seattle educators fought for well-resourced schools during their courageous 2022 strike. This included COVID-19 safety measures and against the crippling workloads and stress which have exacerbated the ongoing staffing crisis.

But the Seattle Education Association (SEA) betrayed the education workers. The SEA corralled workers back into classrooms days before workers could vote on the tentative agreement. The SEA bureaucrats knew that forcing teachers back into the schools would make resuming the strike exceedingly difficult. Teachers and staff had even democratically passed a resolution declaring that they would stay on strike until a TA was passed. The SEA bureaucracy ignored this resolution.

Two years later, the SEA bureaucracy has continued its betrayal and not voiced any opposition to the school closures. The union knows that the elections are imminent and will do whatever is necessary to prevent the explosion of opposition to the Democratic Party, which dominates Seattle and Washington state governments.

The SEA made one public statement to King5 News on May 10, requesting that the district listen closely to community feedback. By feedback the union bureaucracy means only that it be allowed a seat at the table in deciding where the cuts will take place.

The SEA leaders are silent because they are waiting for the Democratic Party to provide them with marching orders. The union has been discussing the school closures with the district behind closed doors from the very beginning.

Neither Socialist Alternative, whose former member Kshama Sawant was a Seattle City Council member until the end of 2023, nor the Seattle chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America has posted anything on their official websites opposing the proposed school closures. This is only fitting due to their longstanding role in providing political cover for the union bureaucracy and the Seattle Democratic Party.

Just as Boeing workers rebelled against a sellout brought by the machinists union, a real opposition can only take place from below. Teachers in Seattle must take up the example set by Boeing workers and form their own rank-and-file committee to enforce the will of the membership and plan out their own campaign in defense of education, uniting with workers across the city and the world.
Over the weekend, US President Joe Biden hosted a leaders meeting in Delaware of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a de facto alliance of the anti-China military powers in the Indo-PacificAmerica, Japan, India and Australia.

Quad meeting in Washington, September 21, 2024 [Photo: @AlboMP]

As with all such gatherings, the meeting was couched in platitudes about development and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Biden administration officials claimed that the Quad was not directed against any particular country.

Those assertions were refuted in a hot mic moment that exposed the real thrust of the alliance.

Apparently unaware that his microphone was still live, Biden told the other government leaders that China continues to behave aggressively, testing us all across the region, and its true in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, South China, South Asia and the Taiwan straits. He added that this was true across the scope of our relationship, including on economic and technology issues.

Those remarks were an exercise in projection. In reality, the US has engaged in a full-court military, diplomatic and economic press against China, based on explicit fears that Beijings economic growth threatens the regional and global hegemony of American imperialism.

While falsely assigning blame to China, Bidens remarks did point to the scope of the confrontation. He identified flashpoints across the entire region as well as the critical issues of economic and technological development.

Even in comments that were intended to be private, there was an evident contradiction. Amid a slowdown of the Chinese economy, Biden stated that President Xi Jinping is looking to focus on domestic economic challenges and minimise the turbulence in Chinas diplomatic relationships.

But, Biden hastened to add, Xi was simply seeking to buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue Chinas interest. It was a change of tactics, not strategy.

Media coverage has focussed on the embarrassment of the hot mic incident. Bidens remarks are revealing, however. They underscore the reality that whatever Xi and the Chinese leadership do, the US is determined to press ahead with its aggressive confrontation. Bidens message also had the character of an insistence to the allied leaders that they not let up in their own involvement in the US-led anti-China activities, whatever Beijings shifts and maneouvres.

The hot mic episode is the framework within which the 6,000 word Wilmington Declaration, adopted by the leaders, should be read. It does not explicitly mention China, but it includes the usual host of thinly-veiled US accusations against Beijing. The entire purpose of the Quad over more than a decade has been to deepen the collaboration of its four constituent parts against China.

A particular focus was the South China Sea. The declaration states: We continue to express our serious concern about the militarization of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. It references the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which Washington continually invokes against Beijing, despite refusing to sign on to the agreement itself.

The declaration insists on the right to freedom of navigation exercises, which have entailed US and allied warships sailing in or near waters claimed by China in provocations that risk a shooting war. Similar points were made in relation to the East China Sea.

An entire paragraph is dedicated to a related denunciation of North Koreas destabilizing ballistic missile launches and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons, with its government accused of violating international law and threatening peace and stability.

Those allegations, against a beleaguered tinpot regime, are absurdly hypocritical coming from American imperialism, which has waged continuous war for the past 30 years and is currently setting entire regions ablaze. The dictatorship in Myanmar was also denounced over its human rights violations, with the real concern no doubt being its ties to Beijing.

The concrete measures outlined in the statement are largely directed toward facilitating and extending maritime aggression targeting China.

The declaration hails the Quads 2022 establishment of an Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). Essentially this is a pact for the surveillance and monitoring of the Indian and Pacific Oceans by the US and its allies. That includes the establishment of a data monitoring/spying centre in India and the rollout of data to countries throughout the region.

The statement says this will help countries to monitor the activities in their exclusive economic zonesincluding unlawful activity. Australia commits to boosting its cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency to enhance regional maritime domain awareness in the Pacific through satellite data, training and capacity building.

The four leaders announced a new regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific. This would enable allies to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behavior. A parallel legal commission is being set up to uphold the rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacificcode words for US dominance.

As part of its more than decade-long military build-up in the Indo-Pacific, the US has deliberately inflamed territorial disputes between China and several regional states, transforming them into trigger points for a potential war.

Over the past year, this agenda has been ratcheted-up still further. The Philippine government, under the right-wing President Bongbong Marcos, has provoked clashes with Chinese coast guard and civilian fishing vessels in disputes over territorial control of elements of the South China. Under conditions where the Marcos regime is closely integrated with the US military, these clashes have posed the imminent threat of a far broader war.

It is in that context that the Quad leaders announced that the US Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard, plan to launch a first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025, to improve interoperability and advance maritime safety, and continuing with further missions in future years across the Indo-Pacific. That will be a joint expedition in support of anti-China provocations.

Some media outlets jumped the gun and reported that the joint coast guard mission would focus on the South China Sea. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refused to confirm or deny that when asked during a press event. Such a move would be a major escalation, posing the risk of direct clashes between US and Chinese forces.

While pontificating about peace, freedom and the like, the Quad leaders solidarised themselves with the Israeli regime and its genocide of the Palestinians. They denounced the October 7 Palestinian military operation, but said nothing about Israels terrorist attacks in Lebanon the previous week.

The US-funded genocide and moves to a regionwide Middle Eastern conflagration are one front in a developing global war, which also includes the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and the US confrontation with China in the Indo-Pacific.

While expressing deepest concern over the war raging in Ukraine, the statement was somewhat muted on that conflict, under conditions where the US is moving to authorise Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory, in a policy that threatens all-out war between NATO and Russia. The muffled language was likely because India, while fully-committed to the anti-China aggression, maintains substantial economic ties with Russia.

The response of hawkish military-intelligence commentators to the gathering was mixed. Persistent frustrations have been voiced that the Quad has not implemented even more aggressive and concrete measures against China, and that its intermittent meetings often feature the announcement of already-unveiled initiatives.

The political crisis of capitalist governments internationally was also a feature of the leaders summit. Biden is a lame duck president, with his successor to be chosen in the November 5 election and inaugurated next January 20. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation in August. Albanese faces an election by next May under conditions of mass hostility to his government, including over the cost-of-living crisis and its support for the Gaza genocide.

Of the four leaders, Indian President Narendra Modis position would appear to be the most secure, but that only underscores the bogus character of the references to human rights and democracy. Modi is an autocratic figure whose rule, based on Hindu nationalism, has included a crackdown on civil liberties and the murder of political opponents abroad.

Notwithstanding this political crisis, the Quad leaders emphasised that the pact would continue, including in the event of a Trump presidency in the US. The pact forms part of an entire US-led network of military and diplomatic alliances in the Indo-Pacific, all directed at preparing for war against China.

Whatever the upheavals, the leaders were insisting the war drive would proceed. It is the only response that the imperialist powers, led by the US, have to the historic crisis of the global capitalist system.
25 years ago: Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochets extradition hearing begins in London

Former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochets extradition hearing had started at Bow Street Magistrates Court in London, 11 months after Spanish Judge Baltazar Garzon issued an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity. Pinochet remained under armed police guard at his rented mansion in Surrey, UK.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing Spain, disclosed grisly human rights abuses of electric shocks, beatings, burnings, and torture. The five-page indictment detailed 35 charges and incidents of torture against named citizens of Spain, then resident in Chile, and a single charge of conspiracy to torture when Pinochet was president and commander in chief of the Chilean Army. Alun Jones, QC, had said that this indictment reveals some of the most serious allegations of crime ever to come before the English criminal courts. It included inflicting severe electric shocks causing the eventual death of Wilson Fernanado Valdebenito Jucia and repeatedly beating Dolorez Paz Cautivo Ahumada and threatening to rape her sister.

Chilean former dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet, is seen in this 1975 photo. [AP Photo]

The purview of this hearing, as Jones said, was to determine whether Pinochet is or is not guilty of these charges and we are not here to determine whether or not there is evidence of his guilt. Your limited function under the European convention on extradition is to determine whether he is accused of these extraditable crimes.'

The previous March, the House of Lords ruled that General Pinochet was not entitled to immunity as a former head of state, but the charges must be restricted to the events after 1988 based on a newly ratified law, the Criminal Justice Act 1988, which adopted the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Of the 35 charges, the most notorious crime became known as the Caravan of Death, in which 10 high-ranking army officers executed over 70 political prisoners and then buried the bodies in secret locations in October 1973.

Pinochets dictatorship and reign of terror and murder started when pseudo-left Salavador Allende was deposed in a US-backed military coup on September 11, 1973 and would last until 1990. Pinchoets extradition to Spain never materialized. Home Secretary Jack Straw released Pinochet on failing health grounds to the glee of Margaret Thatcher and George H.W. Bush.

US Trotskyists hold rally demanding justice for boy killed by police

On September 28, 1974, the Workers League, the US predecessor to the Socialist Equality Party, held a rally in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn to advance a fight against police violence that had recently killed 14-year-old Claude Reese. Speakers at the rally included Helen Halyard and Terry Delgado, who were running as Workers League candidates for Congress in the 14th and 12th districts of New York state.

Claude Reese was murdered on September 15th. He was shot in the head by New York Police officer Frank Bosco after Bosco had broken into a basement where several children were setting up the room for a birthday party. Bosco claimed he had been investigating a robbery before he and his partner, Arnold Tamaroff, burst into the basement.

A demonstration against the police murder of Claude Reese

Surprised and terrified by the attack on their party the children attempted to flee the basement and run up the stairs. Tamaroff grabbed and held down two girls while five boys ran. Bosco chased after them into a courtyard where he encountered the young Reese and then fired on him, striking him in the head and killing him instantly.

Reese was one of several children killed by New York police in those years. In August 1972 police murdered 11-year-old Ricky Bodden; in January 1973, 16-year-old Rita Llyud was shot and killed; and in April 1973, police shot and killed Clifford Glover, just 10 years old.

The murder of Reese was met with massive opposition from the residents of Brownsville. A funeral march was attended by thousands who came out to protest police killings. Police responded to the march with open hostility and organized a force of 300 cops to attack the crowd.

Reports from the march recall that police used their cars to ram crowds of youth, attacked marchers with clubs, and that the police wore bands over their badges to prevent being identified for their criminal attacks.

In the face of the protests the city government ignored demands that Bosco be placed under arrest and made to face charges. Not even suspended from the police force, Bosco was only given a temporary desk assignment. No charges were ever brought against him and in December he was restored to regular police duties.

The Workers League rally was called to advance the struggle against police terror and insisted that the working class itself must take action. A Workers League statement published ahead of the rally stated, An investigation into the killing of Claude Reese cannot be left in the hands of the very police who are responsible for his death.

At the rally Helen Halyard responded powerfully to black nationalists like Amiri Baraka, who cited race as the lone issue in the killing and called for an all-black police force in Brooklyn. Halyard said, We say that it is not black against white but the working class against the ruling class and the Barakas proposals for an all-black police force will only be a cover for more repression.

75 years ago: Soviet Union confirms that it has atomic weapons

On September 25, 1949, the Soviet Union confirmed for the first time that it possessed atomic weapons through its official TASS news agency. That announcement followed a declaration by US President Harry S. Truman that the American government assessed that the Soviet regime had tested one of the devices in the recent past.

The Soviet Union had on August 29 detonated a 4.6 ton nuclear bomb, dubbed RDS-1 or fast lightning. The device, similar in design to the US fat man bomb, had been exploded at a testing facility in Kazakhstan, and produced an explosive yield equivalent to 22,000 kilotons of TNT.

The Soviet nuclear program had developed with extraordinary rapidity. The Stalinist regime had only begun intensive research and development in the field after the 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union by Hitlers Nazi Germany. The program was further accelerated at the end of the war, when the US dropped nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That attack had nothing to do with the military necessities of the war, given Japans already-vanquished state. It was instead intended as a threat to potential adversaries, above all the Soviet Union, and a declaration of untrammeled US military dominance.

First Soviet atomic test

The speed of the Soviet project was in part due to its possession of some documents of the Manhattan Project, American imperialisms own nuclear weapons blueprints. The Soviets also utilized the expertise of German scientists, whom they compelled to provide assistance after the defeat of the Nazis. With the successful August 1949 test, the Soviet Union rapidly expanded its production of atomic weapons as well as their testing.

Politically, the Stalinist bureaucracy hoped that the atomic weapons would enable it to bargain and come to a favorable arrangement with the imperialist powers, including the US. In practice though, the Truman administration responded to the first test by calling for a review of US military preparedness, which would lead to a massive expansion of the American military build-up.

100 years: Assyrian Christians forced out of Turkey

On September 28, 1924, the Turkish military forced thousands of Assyrian Christians into Iraq ending a revolt sometimes called the Assyrian Rebellion.

In July, thousands of members of the religious and cultural minority of Christians from a range of denominations including the Assyrian, Syriac and Chaldean churches, speakers of Neo-Aramaic languages, had returned from exile in Iraq to their home region of Hakkari in southeastern Turkey, now ruled by the newly founded Turkish state of the nationalist movement led by Kemal Ataturk.

The Ottoman Empire had begun an ethnic cleansing of Christians in the Hakkari region near Lake Van shortly before it entered World War I in November 1914, out of concern that they would support the forces of Russias Tsarist Empire. This marked the beginning of the Sayfo or Assyrian genocide, that reached a peak in 1915, alongside the Armenian genocide, with the mass killing of Assyrian civilians by Ottoman irregulars. An estimated 275,000 Assyrians were killed in the genocide.

In 1915 an exodus of as many as 50,000 Assyrians from Hakkari to Urmia in Iran, an area contested by Ottoman and Russian forces, took place, which included many deaths from hunger and exposure. Further pogroms against Assyrians took place there, and thousands fled again under the most brutal conditions toward the end of the war.

Assyrian refugees who fled genocide in Turkey

Others fled to northern Iraq, where, although it was a part of the Ottoman Empire at the time, there was a substantial local Assyrian population and the refugees were not subject to the same levels of violence. In the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, the victorious Allied imperialist powers denied the Assyrians their own state. Many Assyrians volunteered or were conscripted into British forces in Iraq after the country was placed under a British mandate by the League of Nations.

In 1922 Assyrians began to return to the Hakkari region without the permission of Turkish authorities and by July 1924 military engagements between the government and Assyrian militias were occurring. Promised British aid to the Assyrians never arrived and Turkish troops were able to force them back to Iraq where the British demanded they remain.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 23, 2024 - 14:49 | Sports, All

Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament champion Onosato pledged Monday to work even harder as he prepares to receive the fastest-ever promotion to ozeki.

The 24-year-old's ascent to ozeki at the unprecedented pace of nine tournaments from his debut will be finalized at Wednesday's Japan Sumo Association board of directors' meeting.

"I'd like to work even harder for the next one," Onosato told a press conference at his Nishonoseki stable in Ami, Ibaraki Prefecture.

"My phone didn't stop ringing after I won the title. That made me think so many people were watching my fights."

Onosato claimed his second title in the elite makuuchi division with a 13-2 record at the Autumn tourney, having won 34 bouts over the last three tournaments to meet the unofficial benchmark for ozeki promotion of 33 wins.

As for his speedy rise to sumo's second-highest rank, Onosato said, "My mind hasn't been able to keep up with the reality. I'm still not used to it."

Onosato, fighting as a sekiwake, won the first 11 matches and clinched the title with one day to spare at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Expectations among sumo fans are growing for his eventual climb to yokozuna.

"I think people expect more from me and things will get tougher," the Ishikawa Prefecture native said. "I'll try to do more and more. Those who became ozeki or yokozuna have overcome challenges"

Related coverage:

Sumo: Onosato triumphant despite final-day loss to Abi
KYODO NEWS - Sep 23, 2024 - 21:38 | World, All, Japan

A Japanese senior vice foreign minister on Monday strongly urged Beijing to take concrete steps to ensure the safety of expatriates in China after the fatal stabbing of a Japanese schoolboy in the southern city of Shenzhen last week, the Japanese government said.

During a meeting with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Yoshifumi Tsuge demanded that Beijing clarify the facts about the case, including the suspect's motive, "as soon as possible" and provide detailed information to Japan, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

But Sun did not give a clear response to his request to provide information on the attacker's motive and the background of the case, Tsuge later told reporters.

The 10-year-old boy, whose father is Japanese and mother is Chinese, died early Thursday morning after he was stabbed in the abdomen the previous day while on his way to a Japanese school in Shenzhen. The male suspect was apprehended by police stationed near the educational facility.

Chinese authorities have yet to reveal the assailant's motive, but speculation has been rife that the suspect intentionally targeted a Japanese child as the killing occurred on the 93rd anniversary of a Japanese bombing of a railroad track near Shenyang, the start of the Manchurian Incident that led to Japan's invasion and occupation of northeastern China.

Tsuge also urged China to tighten control over abusive social media posts targeting Japan, including unfounded claims about Japanese schools in China, as a preventive measure to avoid similar incidents, the ministry said. Some Chinese social media posts claim that the schools train spies.

"Unless (China) offers us the cause and motive, we cannot make instructions. So I strongly wish the Chinese government will properly address" this issue, the senior vice minister said.

Tsuge urged the two Asian neighbors to take specific steps to improve the security of expatriates, including the exchange of information between Japanese diplomatic establishments in China and local security authorities in areas with Japanese schools.

Sun pledged that Beijing will resolutely oppose and control violence, stating that "children in all countries should be prioritized for protection" and assured that the safety of foreigners in China, including Japanese residents, will be secured. He added that Chinese authorities were also shocked by the recent stabbing, the ministry said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference in Beijing that Sun and Tsuge affirmed the two countries' efforts to "properly and calmly handle this unfortunate incident" and agreed to maintain communication on the matter and prevent such cases from affecting bilateral relations.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said Monday she will meet her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York this week to discuss the stabbing incident.

Later in the day, Tsuge met with representatives of the Japanese community in Beijing and announced that the Japanese government has allocated 43 million yen ($300,000) as an emergency measure to enhance security at 12 Japanese schools in China, including those in Hong Kong.

Related coverage:

Japan, China top diplomats to meet over boy's killing

China police believe stabbing of Japanese boy isolated incident

Japan business group urges gov't to ensure citizens' safety in China
John Oliver and his Last Week Tonight team were busy winning an Emmy last week, so Sunday nights show marked his first opportunity to weigh in on the Donald Trump-Kamala Harris presidential debate.

Oliver chose to zero in on Trumps claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are abducting and eating cats and dogs. The HBO shows host set up the clip by calling it an exceptional moment in American oratory.

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In Springfield, theyre eating the dogs, the people that came in, theyre eating the cats, theyre eating the pets of the people that live there, Trump said in the clip from the Sept. 10 debate.

Responded Oliver: Yeah, that was Donald Trump accusing Haitian immigrants of killing and eating peoples pets. And can you even remember a time when something like that would have been disqualifying? Because I cant anymore. Republicans have now nominated Trump three times. Democrats have so far lost to him half the time. And the election is still inexplicably close because unfortunately, some Americans watched that and thought, I dont like how Kamala laughed when he called immigrants dog eaters. That wasnt very presidential.'

Oliver acknowledged that some time has passed since the debate, during which plenty of cat-eating jokes have been made.

But I still want to talk about this both because the chaos Trump stirred up in Springfield is ongoing and because it feels emblematic of his campaign, he said, noting that city officials insist there is no evidence of what Trump confidently spewed to 67 million people.

Oliver noted that Trump was actually repeating a claim previously made by J.D. Vance, his vice presidential running mate. Oliver showed a Sept. 9 tweet from Vance that reads: Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country. Where is our border czar?

Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio.



Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country. Where is our border czar? pic.twitter.com/rf0EDIeI5i  JD Vance (@JDVance) September 9, 2024

Oliver joked that Vances post on X (formerly Twitter) makes it sound like eating pets is a right reserved for natural-born Americans.

Oliver continued to criticize Vance, who, when asked about the post, has insisted he was just reflecting peoples concerns. He played a clip of Vance saying: The media has tried to say now for days that Ive made up this story. I havent made up anything. Ive just listened to people who are telling me these things.

Quipped Oliver: Wait  If enough people say it, I repeat it? It is not ideal when an aspiring vice presidents guiding philosophy is indistinguishable from a fucking parrot.

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The Duke of Sussex attended a dinner organized by the World Health Organization on Sept. 22 alongside Queen Mathilde of Belgium and actor Forest Whitaker

Shutterstock Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Prince Harry and actor Forest Whitaker pictured during a high-level dinner on 'Violence against children and its impact on mental health' organized by WHO in New York City on Sept. 22, 2024

Prince Harry is back in New York City to support his patronages and philanthropies.

On Sept. 22, the Duke of Sussex, 40, stepped out in N.Y.C. for a planned solo trip. Harry was last in Manhattan in October 2023 with his wife, Meghan Markle, for a set of events on World Mental Health Day.

Prince Harry attended a high-profile dinner on Sunday night at an event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) that focused on "Violence against children and its impact on mental health," according to Hello!. Also in attendance was Queen Mathilde of Belgium, actor Forest Whitaker and officials from Sweden, Canada, Zimbabwe, Iceland, Brazil, Colombia and Georgia, all of whom are in New York City for the UN General Assembly, according to the Daily Mail.

In August, a spokesperson for Prince Harry announced that the duke would visit N.Y.C. during the UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week. Climate Week runs from Sept. 22 until Sept. 29, while High-level Week spans Sept. 23 to Sept. 27.

The spokesperson added that Prince Harry would be in New York to "advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives" and "participate in engagements with African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst."

Related: Prince Harry's Upcoming N.Y.C. Visit Will Include a Stop Honoring Mother Princess Diana's Legacy

Shutterstock Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Prince Harry, World Health Organization director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, actor Forest Whitaker, British actor Will Poulter and United Nations International Children's Education Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell pictured during a high-level dinner on 'Violence against children and its impact on mental health,' organized by WHO in New York City on Sept. 22, 2024

Harry will also "be furthering the work of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organization he co-founded with his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex," the spokesperson said.

Harry and Meghan, 43, established the charitable Archewell Foundation in 2020 with the mission to "Show up, do good," its website says. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have honed the nonprofit's focus to three zones  uplifting communities, building a better online world and restoring trust in information  and emphasized the themes during their Colombia tour in August.

The Duke of Sussex is in New York after marking a major milestone  his 40th birthday. Prince Harry, who turned 40 on Sept. 15, told PEOPLE that his children are his best present. Harry and Meghan are parents to Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, and are raising their kids in the Duchess of Sussex's home state of California.

Related: Will Prince Harry and Prince William Be in New York City at the Same Time?

Shutterstock Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Prince Harry, World Health Organization director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Queen Mathilde of Belgium pictured during a high-level dinner on 'Violence against children and its impact on mental health' organized by WHO in New York City on Sept. 22, 2024

Reflecting on his birthday, the Duke of Sussex told PEOPLE via his spokesperson, "The best gift I've ever been given is, without doubt, my kids. I enjoy watching them grow every single day and love being their dad."

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!



Shutterstock Prince Harry and Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo pictured during a high-level dinner on 'Violence against children and its impact on mental health' organized by WHO in New York City on Sept. 22, 2024

Following the announcement of Prince Harry's upcoming trip to New York City in September, speculation arose about whether he and his brother, Prince William, might cross paths. The timing coincides with the Prince of Wales' third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, set to take place at the Plaza Hotel on Sept. 24.

After the announcement of Prince Harry's New York City trip in September, some wondered if he and his brother Prince William would be in the same place at the same time in light of the Prince of Wales' third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit at the Plaza Hotel on Sept. 24.

Although Prince William, 42, traveled to New York for the event in September 2023, he is not expected to attend this year.

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Read the original article on People.
Here are 10 places to see the best fall colors around the Ozarks

Though most trees are still bearing green leaves, soon the Ozarks will be full of red, orange and yellow.

The News-Leader compiled a list of the 10 best spots to see fall foliage throughout the Ozarks, from Jordan Valley Park in downtown Springfield to Dogwood Canyon in Lampe. This list is not comprehensive as fall foliage is beautiful throughout every region of the Ozarks.

Missouri State University

Address: 901 S. National Ave.

It's hard to miss a beautiful tree preparing to shed its leaves on Missouri State University's campus.

Maple Park Cemetery

Address: 300 W. Grand St.

Red, orange, and yellow leaves cling to the trees at Maple Park Cemetery in Springfield on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.

Maple Park Cemetery is one of the most photographed spots in Springfield during the fall season. The historic nonprofit cemetery is located in the heart of the city, open to all.

To celebrate the fall season, Springfield Little Theatre is hosting its Tree Top Jamboree at Maple Park Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 3-7 p.m. The event will include hayrides, live music and snacks. Apples, mums and pumpkins will be available for purchase. Admission is $25 per person. For an additional $25, guests 6 and up can take a ride in a hot air balloon. All proceeds from the event benefit Maple Park Cemetery. Advance tickets are available on the SLT website.

Jordan Valley Park

Address: 635 E. Trafficway St.

Located in the heart of Springfield, Jordon Valley Park boasts a beautiful fall landscape.

More: Looking for fall activities? Here are 16 pumpkin patches, corn mazes in the Ozarks

Springfield Conservation Nature Center

Address: 4601 S. Nature Center Way

Hours: Everyday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fall color at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center in 2009.

It's hard to miss the fall foliage on the Springfield Conservation Nature Center's 78.8 acres. Maintained by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the nature center offers three miles of walking trails, perfect for taking in colorful trees. The nature center's building is open Tuesday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Fellows Lake

Address: 4200 E. Farm Road 66

Folks interested in being near water to enjoy the fall leaves should explore Fellows Lake, a 860-acre body of water that serves as one of main sources of drinking water.

Galloway Creek Greenway

Address: Pershing Middle School at 2713 E. Seminole St. to Old Iron Bridge in Nixa

The Galloway Creek Greenway, which runs between Springfield and Nixa, is about five miles in length. It features a combination of asphalt and concrete surfaces with moderate inclines. Folks may enjoy the trail on foot or bicycle.

More: These 27 fall festivals around the Ozarks celebrate the best of harvest time

Lake Springfield

Address: 2312 Lake Springfield Park Road

Cyclists decked out in a mix of warmer and cooler-weather gear ride past fall foliage during a recent bike race at Lake Springfield Park.

Lake Springfield Park offers 158 acres of trails, woods, bluff and shoreline to explore  covered in reds, oranges and yellows during the fall season.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Address: 5242 S. State Highway Z in Republic

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield is the location of the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River. The site also marks where Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in action, died.

The park grounds are open 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The park's vehicle entrance opens at 8 a.m. and the visitor center and museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.

More: As ideas about the Civil War change nationwide, here's how Wilson's Creek stays relevant

Historic Iron Bridge

Address: Seneca Road in Nixa

The Historic Iron Bridge crosses over Finley Creek, accessible along Seneca Road in Nixa.

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Address: 2038 State Highway 86 in Lampe

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Lampe is a great place to see fall foliage.

Dogwood Canyon's Fall Fest is Oct. 25-31. The festival features several family-friendly activities throughout the week, including foraging workshops, critter encounters, an owl prowl and hot apple cider stations. Tickets to Dogwood Canyon include access to Fall Fest. Tickets are available on the Dogwood Canyon website. Admission is $16-20 for adults and $11.25-14 for children.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfields LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Best places to see fall colors in the Ozarks when leaves change
How to buy an island  and truly work remotely

Torsa island is on the market for the first time in 85 years - Keith Fergus/Alamy Stock Photo

For five decades, Farhad Vladi has been the king of private island sales. Since selling Cousine Island in the Seychelles in 1971 (a sprinkle of icing sugar in the Indian Ocean, now dedicated to ecotourism), Vladi has sold over 2,000 isles.

But far from the Robinson Crusoe ideal, during the last five years, Vladi has noticed a big push towards islands in safe havens closer to home. Areas like Scandinavia, Ireland, the French Atlantic coast and the lagoon of Venice, have shot up in popularity, in part because they are safe, reputable and relatively accessible.

Political stability is always a good factor, adds Vladi. Buyers are mainly isolationists and naturalists. The companys recent sales to British buyers were in Canada, Australia and New Zealand  all safe spaces. Perhaps a British person, if they see if its a Commonwealth area, they see political stability there.

For just under a million, Vladi Private Islands is selling Shore island, a 30-hectare island with great salmon fishing, which is just three miles from Shannon Airport.

Vladi Private Islands is selling Shore island for just under 1m - Vladi Private Islands

Canada has become another safe haven in an uncertain world, and its hitherto underpriced islands on the east coast are selling briskly. A mere 150,000 can buy you Hartlings Island in Nova Scotia. The new owners subjects will include visiting sea lions, a herd of deer, five miles of hiking trails and a 400 sq ft house. A fishing harbour and post office reside on the mainland nearby.

Ireland and Canada arent exactly Necker Island, Sir Richard Bransons subtropical sanctuary. But buying for weather misses the point, says Vladi. You buy an island for a month or two of holidays, rather than to live there year-round.

Even Sir Richard doesnt reside on Necker full time. If you are a hermit and you need to stay 12 months on an island, you might consider areas where you have 12 months good weather, such as Fiji and French Polynesia, says Vladi.

It will cost you  and you can blame Elon Musk.

Starlink, Musks satellite internet system, has connected once-isolated islands to the global marketplace, shaking a market once dominated by Bond baddies like a vodka martini. From 80 for a monthly internet subscription, owners of tiny Polynesian idylls and lonely Scottish specks can now work from home, then catch a lobster for dinner.

A long time ago, communication was a big issue, says Chris Krolow, chief executive of Private Islands Inc., another principal player in the private islands game. Not so much anymore because of Starlink.

A lot of islands that were for the birds 15 years ago are viable options today  which has helped to make them more popular with buyers, and more expensive. Prices rise around 10pc every year, says Vladi.

Motu Teta Rangiroa in French Polynesia, which is on the market for just over 1.5m

Krolow is talking about islands such as Motu Teta Rangiroa in French Polynesia, which is on the market for just over 1.5m. If you told a child to crayon a picture of a private island, this palm-tree studded paradise is what theyd draw. Thanks to Starlink, owners can live on coconuts while trading shares on their laptop.

A second reason for rising prices is that building rules have got stricter and stricter, continues Krolow.

For example, where I am [on an island in Canada] you used to be able to build on a one acre island. Not anymore. Potential buyers should note that if theres some kind of development on an island already, its usually a good thing.

Turnkey islands completed by their current owner are notoriously tricky to price, says Krolow. Theyre like, it took me 10 years to build this, so Ill add another $10m to the price tag.

With relatively few sales each year, however, its hard to draw concrete trends. Countries such as Belize, which are popular with buyers because English is spoken, have become pricey, so Caribbean island hunters are moving south. Im seeing more interest now in Honduras, says Krolow.

Some Caribbean countries offer residency programmes, such as so-called golden visas sold in St Lucia and Dominica, but Krolow says few of those particular nations have any islands for sale.

There is also the option to rent your island like Sir Richard to defray the cost. Its my biggest sales pitch, concludes Krolow. Before Covid there was a higher percentage of people looking for a private island as a second or third vacation home. In the past five years, I have seen an increase in buyers focusing on the rental potential of islands. There has been more interest in having an island as a vacation home and also monetizing it at the same.

Maintaining the property throughout the year also means that when the owner comes, they can put up their feet and enjoy the place, rather than sweeping leaves from the pool.

Scuba divers, stargazers and druids

It begs the question, who wants to be a housekeeper on a far-flung island? Meet Andy Jackson. The Londoner has been general manager of the Isle of Carna for 20 years. The island with diverse wildlife including golden eagles and sea otters, comprises 600 virgin acres bobbing in Loch Sunart, a three-hour drive from Glasgow Airport.

The Isle of Carna boasts diverse wildlife including golden eagles and sea otters

Private islands like Carna attract a wide-ranging bunch. Jackson has welcomed scuba divers, stargazers and druids. Plus adventurous families coming for a Robinson Crusoe style holiday, who can rent the islands Enid Blyton-era holiday home, with its log fires and gas lighting, for around 2,000 per week in summer.

Carnas fifth generation of owners arent considering selling. But private island fanciers can sample the island lifestyle before they purchase one of several Scottish islands available nearby.

Savills is selling Torsa island for offers over 1.5m. On the market for the first time in 85 years, the price includes a 19th-century farmhouse.

Island sales are a rarity and as such attract a great deal of interest, notes Luke French, the estate agent. But they are ultimately competed for by only a very small pool of determined buyers who have both the appropriate funds and lifestyle that is suited to island living. If you thrive on city bustle, suggests French, private island living may not be for you.

Savills is selling Torsa island for offers over 1.5m

Accessibility makes Torsa a rare gem. The drive from Glasgow Airport, with a small boat shuttle at the end, takes three hours. And for a proportion of the working population, adds French, commuting to the mainland is no longer necessary due to Starlink.

Buyers of private islands generally need deeper pockets. Baron Glenconner purchased Mustique for 45,000 in 1958. But Caribbean islands that cost 250,000 two decades ago are fetching ten times that today, with similar prices spreading to Northern Europe. But bargains still exist.

We just sold an Irish island to a lady coming with her horse and a dog, who swam across to the island together, says Vladi. The price was 275,000 (230,600). There was a little old house on it. She was so happy there. The private island life for the price of a semi in Stoke-on-Trent.

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 heartwarming story of a missing cat reuniting with its owners has been winning hearts on social media. Benny and Susanne Anguiano, a couple from California, went on a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park with their two pet cats  Rayne Beau and Starr  in June. While camping at the Fishing Bridge R.V. Park, Rayne Beau, a two-year-old male Siamese cat went missing into the Yellowstone National Park woods.

Despite an extensive search for five days, the owners were unable to find the feline. However, nearly two months after the incident, Rayne Beau miraculously traveled 800 miles from Yellowstone to reunite with his owners.

Missing cat returns home after 60 days and 800-mile journey

Two-year-old male Siamese cat Rayne Beau went missing while on a camping trip in Yellowstone National Park. Recently, he was reunited with his California owners, Susanne and Benny Anguiano.

The couple suddenly lost sight of the cat after he dashed into the woods. They waited for his return and went on to look for him in the area near their camping ground for five days. However, they could not find him and lost hope. Rayne Beaus sister cat, Starr, even began to meow through the trailers screen door as she could not see her brother.

After five days, the California couple decided to return home to Salinas with heavy hearts. As per The New York Times, Mrs. Anguiano expressed her anguish over the situation by saying, Leaving him (Rayne Beau) was unthinkable. She continued, I felt like I was abandoning him.

However, almost two months after the feline went missing, something happened that was nothing short of a miracle. Rayne Beau was discovered wandering on Roseville streets in California. It was just three hours away from the Anguianos place. As first reported by KSBW, this was a distance of over 800 miles away from Yellowstone National Park.

A local worker for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals informed Susanne and Benny Anguiano that Rayne Beau had been identified by rescuers with the help of his microchip. Soon, the couple were reunited with their beloved cat. He had lost a lot of body weight, according to the owners. But, they further stated that Rayne Beau has been doing well since he returned home in early August.

The post Cat Missing in Yellowstone Travels 800 Miles To Reunite With California Owners appeared first on CatTime.
There's a beauty to fiercely regional cuisine. Diners will debate the minute differences of a Brooklyn and New York style slice. Or tensions will rise regarding the tastiest version of regional barbecue styles. However, for those not raising the pitchforks, there's a grand pay-off: more varieties of a dish to sample. Such a passionate discourse is especially relevant to Maine and Connecticut lobster roll styles.

The two states don't border, and just like with their geographic gap, there's quite a division between the two sandwiches. In fact, only the pairing of lobster and bread is consistent, but past that, every component is reworked. The dressings on top of Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls differ, as do the preferred seasonings. And to finish it off, even the serving temperature is entirely different. Local residents will swear by a rendition, and stand by precisely what addition is blasphemous (for many in Connecticut, it's mayo). However, bite into either one, and it'll be a delicious experience.

Read more: How Restaurant Steak Tricks Your Tastebuds

Maine Lobster Rolls Are Served Cold

close up of Maine lobster roll - Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

Most people equate this far North Eastern state with both the lobster and its subsequent sandwich. Consequently, this region's rendition is the most iconic lobster roll. First and foremost, the Maine lobster roll comes cold -- perhaps its most identifiable characteristic. The chilled lobster is mixed with mayo, and is sometimes combined with tasty vegetable flavors like tarragon, chives, celery, or scallions. However, the addition of such aromatics is contentious amongst Mainers; some prefer to keep it to just the crustacean. And definitely don't ask for lettuce and tomato. The aim of the sandwich is to achieve delicious, seafood-flavored creaminess.

The employed bread is another area where things get a little polarizing. Some go for the all-American bun, while others swear by New England-style hot dog buns -- there's also some differing opinions over whether or not the bread should be toasted. A side dish isn't required, although if it's on the table, it's going to be easily reheated corn on the cob, and perhaps some potatoes. Best way to enjoy the experience is out of a food truck or lobster shack, oceanside.

Expect Your Connecticut Lobster Rolls To Come Toasted And Warm

Connecticut lobster roll held in hand - Jaclyn Vernace/Shutterstock

When it comes to the Connecticut lobster roll, the greatest contrast is the serving temperature. The lobster is heated prior to assembly, and covered with some melted butter. Not only does this alter its mouthfeel, but also change the color to a brighter red shade. In suit, the roll is always served warm, too. Similarly to the Maine lobster roll, the bread is generally either a New England roll or a classic hot dog bun. The bread is brushed with butter, and toasted on all sides, until it reaches a delectable golden brown. Typically, a side of extra melted butter accompanies the sandwich, for dipping.

Otherwise, the sandwich is kept simple, perhaps with a leaf of lettuce to keep the bun crisp. And alongside, pair with a serving of chips, to keep the crunchy textures going. When it comes to the debate over which regional variety of the lobster roll reigns supreme, some Connecticuters will claim that Maine's iteration isn't even a true lobster roll. If the lobster is cooled and there's mayo in the mix, local Connecticut residents refer to the dish as a lobster salad -- likely with a bit of a smirk. So don't bring up the cooled version in this coastal state, and instead enjoy how it's done, Connecticut-style.

Read the original article on Chowhound.
HOLLAND  Local nonprofit leader Lisa Hoeve has been named a 2024 L'Oreal Paris Woman of Worth for her work with Hope Pkgs.

The award recognizes 10 nonprofit leaders from across the country who work to drive positive change.

Local nonprofit leader Lisa Hoeve has been named a 2024 L'Oreal Paris Woman of Worth for her work with Hope Pkgs.

Hoeve started Hope Pkgs in 2015, intending to provide first night bags filled with necessities for children entering the foster care system. It started small and has grown rapidly.

Our original focus was to support one private agency in Holland and it was about 75 children a year, Hoeve said. That was our goal. Our community is very generous and, not long after, we had an over abundance of items donated from businesses and churches.

Hoeve is a mother of six children, and she and her husband have provided a safe environment for close to 20 foster children since 2013.

This work is rooted in our faith, Hoeve said. Just to take care of children. And I think, when you meet kids who have gone through really traumatic times, children that need a parent or two, I think that was something we were drawn to.

Hope Pkgs started locally in Ottawa County, but now provides first night bags to children of all ages in over 70 counties across Michigan, including in the Upper Peninsula, giving out close to 7,000 since starting.

Lisa Hoeve (center) and her organization, Hope Pkgs, provide "first night bags" to children entering the foster care system.

The bags cater to each individual child and include a brand new backpack and a range of items, from pajamas to socks to underwear to toiletries.

Hoeve touched on the sheer number of children of all ages entering the foster care system in the state. At a time when children are going through a tough transition, Hoeve said, her organizations goal is to show them they're loved and cared for.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

As part of her Woman of Worth recognition, Lisa and Hope Pkgs received $25,000 in funding, mentorship from LOreal Paris, and the brands national platform to share their organizations story with others.

To have that ($25,000), to know that it's coming, definitely helps us realize we should be good for quite a few months, Hoeve said. Its fantastic to know we have this huge gift coming. Also, wed love to use it on items for our teens in foster care, a lot of whom are overlooked because things are a little more expensive.

To learn more about the organization or to donate, visit hopepkgs.org/itemdonation.

 Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland nonprofit leader named L'Oreal Paris Woman of Worth
Don Ballard, 12, of McCallsburg crosses a stream as leaves change at Ledges State Park Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Boone County, Iowa.

Ledges State Park in rural Boone County is turning 100.

The iconic park, anchored by a picturesque canyon and several hiking trails, has been rock solid for 100 years." A centennial celebration is being held on Saturday, coinciding with National Public Lands Day.

We want to give back to the community with a celebration at the Ledges, said Rick Heldt, president of Friends of the Ledges.

Friends of the Ledges, an organization that advocates for the park, has organized plenty of fun Saturday, anchored by various food trucks, games, live music and activities. Free shuttles will help people get to and around the park.

More: Vote for the Ames Tribune Student of the Week

A generational existence

Ledges State Parkis named for the sandstone ledges that tower above the Des Moines River. It has been a popular spot for hikers, picnickers, and campers for several decades.

The park features four miles of trails and historic landmarks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the New Deal era in the 1930s. Dedicated on Nov. 9, 1924, Ledges State Park is located a few miles south of Boone.

Issra Hugill from the Wild & Free homeschool community in Des Moines tries to catch fish while playing in the water in the hot weather Thursday, June 17, 2021, at Ledges State Park in Boone County, Iowa.

What activities will be included in the centennial celebration?

A pancake breakfast will kick off the day from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Carl Fritz Henning Shelter.

Visitors can imagine a trip back in time during a historic character hike. Characters will tell their stories of Ledges' history. The hike leaves from Oak Woods Picnic Area at 10 a.m.

A bags tournament will also begin at 10 a.m. at the Oak Woods shelter area.

From 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Bingo will be played for a small fee at the Carl Fritz Henning Shelter.

From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be carnival games, face painting by Joyful Colorz, a professional magician and Silly Sally balloon art.

The event will be of relatively low cost for visitors, Heldt said.

The food trucks and bingo are the only expenses people might have, he said. Otherwise everything is free of charge.

More: Changing the vision of aging: Sixty Forward Center celebrates opening

Ledges State Park will host its annual meeting at 6 p.m. December 30 in the auditorium of Boone City Hall, 923 8th St. In addition, the Ledges First Day Hike will begin at 4 p.m. January 1 at the park. People can enjoy bird watching, cross-country skiing on parts of the trail system, as well as hiking and snowshoeing throughout the winter months.

Ledges plans rededication ceremony in November

Ledges State Park will be rededicated on Nov. 9, exactly 100 years after its initial dedication.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is collaborating with Friends of the Ledges to plan the event. Additional details are not yet available.

The celebration should have statewide appeal, joining one other park celebrating its centennial.

There are only two parks in the state of Iowa having a 100th year celebration this year, Heldt said. The Ledges and the other one is Pilot Knob up in Forest City.

Fall colors reflect on the water at Ledges State Park Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Boone County, Iowa.

What food vendors will be available during the 100th celebration?

Food will be available Saturday for purchase from:

Borrachos Mexican Tacos

Comfort Food Wagon

Tropical Sno

Wienie Wonderland

From left: Ledges State Park Manager Andy Barlett, Iowa DNR Director Kayla Lyon, DNR State Parks Bureau Chief Todd Coffelt and DNR Conservation and Recreation Division Administrator Pete Hilbreth walk a trail at Ledges Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Boone County, Iowa.

Who is performing live music during the Ledges centennial?

Plenty of musical performances will highlight the centennial celebration on Saturday.

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  The Weary Ramblers, the duo of Kathryn Fox and Chad Elliott, will perform at Oak Woods Shelter

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Justin Elliott with Aaron Ely will perform at the Park Entrance Stage

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Booneshine Band will perform at the Carl Fritz Henning Shelter

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Rural Route will perform at the Park Entrance Stage

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Lincoln Highway will perform at the Oak Woods Shelter Area

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to add photos.

More: $30 million central Iowa campus for young people recovering from addiction nearly complete

A motorcyclist crosses a stream as leaves change at Ledges State Park Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Boone County, Iowa.

Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ledges State Park holding free event to celebrate 100th birthday
Doritos chips are a classic party snack, known for their crispy texture and cheesy, tangy taste. But, Doritos is a brand that doesn't like to just stick to the original flavors. They're constantly coming out with new flavor combos to mix things up for their consumers, such as the sweet & tangy BBQ they launched in 2023.

While some of these Doritos new releases might get your mouth watering, there's one flavor that you might not quite be able to wrap your head around -- Doritos Coffee flavor. These Doritos debuted in July of 2024, although they were exclusively sold in Australia. The afternoon snack was rumored to have the usual Doritos flavor at first bite, but as you chewed, it started releasing coffee notes. It also had a slightly sweet finish, adding to the strange flavor combination of the snack. The coffee flavoring gives them a unique brown tinge making their appearance notably different from the classic orange-colored snack.

Read more: 14 Of The Oldest Cereals Still On Shelves

Why Doritos Came Up With The Idea Of A Coffee-Flavored Snack

coffee doritos - Facebook/KidspotAustralia

Although coffee and Doritos might sound like an odd pairing, the company actually had its reasons behind the launch. Three-quarters of Australians are coffee drinkers, and a fair chunk of those have more than one cup a day. The country also has quite a booming coffee culture, with plenty of craft cafes to be found all over the country serving up lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other types of coffee.

Unfortunately for many Australians, a good number of cafes close in the afternoon around three o'clock, which is right when most people's circadian rhythms are putting them in the midday slump. Doritos decided that they could come up with the solution by crafting a snack that has the caffeine kick of coffee to help get you through the day, while also marketing to the country's love of a good cup of Joe.

Beyond these reasonings, however, it's also an experimental product move that targets Generation Zers. The unconventional snack and its social media marketing campaign caught the eye of plenty of young people, which helped spread the word about Doritos and put the company's name back on the map.

The Future Of Coffee Doritos

Rows of Doritos chips - The Toidi/Shutterstock

If you were thinking of booking a plane ticket to Australia to buy these unique snacks, hold your horses. This was a limited-edition release and in fact, only 300 packets of the chips were distributed.

The company decided to release the chips as part of a PR move, which handed out a mere 25 packages of Doritos to different fans each day over the course of a little over a week. The packages weren't handed out helter-skelter, either -- fans had to compete in a social media contest by commenting on a company post about what was making them grumpy. At the end of the stint, the company gave away the remaining 100 packages at a pop-up stand in Sydney.

Indeed, these chips were never actually released to be sold as retail items and instead joined the ranks of discontinued Doritos products. Still, considering how much the chips shook up the market, there's no telling whether or not they'll come back someday in the future.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
Two elevator doors opened and I stepped inside, fighting off the urge to curl up on the ground and take a nap. It was another day as a freshman apology student, prone to sporadic partying and impulsivity, but occasionally turning in a decent paper in the nick of time.

I was bound for the 4th floor but on the second, the door opened and Professor Kaplan walked in. He was a portly man with a friendly face, wearing a grey coat, jeans, and glasses  the unofficial professor uniform in those days. Id heard about him. He was one of the best professors in the country, a former Harvard lecturer our school lured in with a huge salary package.

As the door closed, I turned and said, Greetings professor! I believe I am attending your lecture today. Holding his stack of notebooks, he turned, smiled, and said, My condolences. And then he proceeded to give one of the best lectures Ive ever attended. Which made his humility in that elevator so much more memorable and endearing.

Despite his esteemed career and gigawatt brain, he never came off as condescending, and made students feel welcome and open to ask questions. He won teacher of the year at the end of spring semester. Kaplan was like many you meet in life, who light up a room and are instantly well liked.

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Researchers can measure components of your personality without examining you directly. They measure you by the impact you make on others, also called the emotional signature you leave. Those who make other people feel warm and welcome are referred to as having a positive affective presence, which is exactly what Dr. Kaplan had. But how do we achieve this? Is it inborn? Can it be developed?

Dont invite him please.

One way to understand the positive affective presence, is to examine its antithesis. I saw an example in my 20s, when I threw raucous parties and was still highly social.

Before one party, a friend insisted that we didnt invite this guy Gerard because he always became an angry volcano after having a few beers. We called him Mount Gerardino. But it wasnt cute anymore. Hed spiral out and start shouting and try to fight people. He was the inverse of a positive affective personality, and viscerally displayed a concept called emotional contagion, where your mood and feelings spread over to other people.

Even dogs display it when they get sad after seeing their owner upset, or instantly ramping up after their owner jumps up and down with excitement. To develop your presence, always, always remember that your mood and emotions radiate outwards. They latch on to others. Having a vibe is truly a thing.

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As with Dr. Kaplan, self-deprecating humor, done lightly, and framed in a positive way, is powerfully charismatic and helpful in making impressions. It appeals to peoples insecurities.

Use an open and natural body language that shows you arent threatened by someone. My former CEO, who was highly likeable and down to earth, was a master at this.

During conversations, he was laid back and attentive and made you feel like the only person in the room, rather than eight paygrades below him. Pretend youre talking to family you havent seen in years and are happy to see again. Always be catching up.

The intrinsic nature of humans

As a social species, we invest inordinate amounts of thought and energy into being valued and accepted  which is by design and called the gregarious instinct. Everything from our careers, to our purchasing behavior, to the things we say and the emotions we feel (embarrassment, anger, love) are heavily influenced by our drive for group acceptance.

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When you understand this, and act to help a person feel liked and accepted, notice how quickly the dynamic improves with them.

For me, this approach feels more authentic. I generally like most people  even though my face or mood might not show it. Manifesting and expressing that curiosity and caring for people makes life more cohesive and socializing more fun.

In the process of writing this article, I took a break to attend a social event with my partner. It was one of her work events and I had socializing on my mind, so I did an experiment. At the party, I periodically did a room check, and was utterly fascinated watching peoples presence on display. Some were closed off or anxious. Others were waving their hands around and smiling as they talked.

They had several people around them listening and having a blast. It felt like you could take the words away from these people, and their energy alone would still enthrall people.

The challenge with this approach

People live in a stable but fluctuating emotional state that is prone to blips each day. People with a strong affective presence are great at navigating those blips rather than embedding it in their mood. Which is my weakness.

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Routinely, Ill be having a good day and some negative memory that nobody else remembers will bubble up. Ill lose myself in it and sour my mood. I have to snap myself out of it or risk becoming a wet blanket.

Dr. Hillary Elfenbein, of the University of Pennsylvania, said the key questions become: Can you regulate yourself so those blips dont infect other people? And, Can you smooth over the noise in your life so other people arent affected by it?

One strategy is to switch away from the negative thought and think of three things you are grateful for. Or to focus on your surroundings and being present in the moment. Listen to the sound of cars passing and the feel of wind blowing. Engage other senses rather than letting the cerebral shadows overtake you. This is especially effective if you are in your car and en route to a party.

As a quick warning, this shouldnt stray into letting every problem fester and boil up. My friend Cain went through a breakup with a girl hed only been dating for one month. He had high hopes for their relationship and seemed quite deflated.

When I asked how he was doing, he said, Its fine. Im giving myself three days to grieve over this. Then Im moving on. It was a great exercise in emotional intelligence, not bottling things up, and instead allowing that energy to course through him. It isnt a coincidence that Cain is also one of the most charismatic, caring, and well-liked people I know.

The key things to remember

Having a positive affective presence isnt about being popular. Its about allowing your emotions to make other people feel good. Being liked is a secondary effect of being more selfless.

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Channel your more positive self in a social setting. Resist the urge to criticize or shoot down other perspectives. Lead with your body language. Express curiosity and remember that your mood and emotions are highly contagious, even with strangers. We are a social species and most people just want to be accepted and understood. Avoid dominating and one-upping them as you talk, and instead have fun and self-deprecate in an easy going way.

Its as a mentor once told me, Master the art of enjoying people.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 23, 2024 - 12:50 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism

Shinkansen bullet train services restarted on a section of track in western Japan on Monday after being suspended for hours due to delays in maintenance work, operator JR West said.

Trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line were halted between Hiroshima and Kokura stations early in the morning, affecting travelers on the last day of a three-day weekend in Japan.

Services were resumed at around 11:35 a.m., the company said.

A maintenance vehicle got stuck on the tracks during work that started late Sunday night to replace overhead wires between Asa and Shin-Shimonoseki stations in Yamaguchi Prefecture, it said.

Related coverage:

Shinkansen makes emergency stop when cars uncouple en route to Tokyo

Shizuoka Pref. to grant boring survey for maglev train project
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Utahs Hogle Zoo is welcoming some new friends to the community  snow leopard cubs.

Storm warning: snow in September! the zoo posted on social media. Expect floof with a shower of cuteness.

Pavlova (female) and Bhutan (male) have begun exploring their outdoor habitat in the Asian Highlands section, zoo officials said. The new cats have reportedly already gone through three veterinary exams, and have had the chance to spend some time together behind the scene.

LDS Church to open Deseret Peak Temple for open house

The time spent is important for bonding with each other and with their care team, according to the zoo. But now, they are settling into their new habitat! And if you are going to the zoo, you might just be able to sneak a peek of these beautiful animals.

However, keep in mind that they are still settling in, and they have access to indoor spaces that they may choose to stay in as they get comfortable.

Snow leopards have evolved to live in some of the harshest conditions on Earth, according to the World Wildlife Fund. They have a thick, white-gray coat spotted with large black rosettes, allowing them to blend in with Asias steep, rocky mountains. Due to their remarkable camouflage, they are sometimes called the ghost of the mountains.

The snow leopards habitat range reportedly extends across the mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. They have recently become an important marker of climate change in mountain environments, according to the WWF.

If snow leopards thrive, so will countless other species and the largest freshwater reservoirs of the planet, the WWF website states.

You can plan your visit to the Hogle Zoo here.

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1 dead after crashing vehicle upside down in Stanford pond

STANFORD, Ky. (FOX 56)  One person was declared dead after a vehicle was removed from a pond between Junction and Stanford.

The Boyle County Fire Department (BCFD) said it received a call around 3 p.m. Saturday to assist with vehicle recovery in the area of Kentucky Highway 300.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Lincoln County Coroner Farris Marcum told FOX 56 that the driver, 40-year-old Nathan Fraley, ran off the roadway and went down a sharp embankment before crashing his vehicle upside down in a farm pond.

After working with nine other agencies, officials said the vehicle was removed from the water.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Fraley was declared dead at the scene and was the only person in the vehicle, according to the coroner.

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LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind.  One person was killed in a crash at a truck stop off I-90 in LaPorte County, Indiana.

Indiana State Police said at around 2:30 p.m., a trooper was sent to investigate a crash in the parking lot of a truck stop/rest area off I-90 West (Indiana Toll Road) at mile marker 56.

Former Gary commander accused of sexually exploiting minor in summer work program

When the trooper arrived, he found a Toyota Rav4 that had driven under a semi-trailer that was parked in the truck lot. The driver of the Toyota, identified as 73-year-old Marcie Rodriguez of Grayslake, Illinois, was found dead in their vehicle while the driver of the semi was not injured as he was in the sleeper area of the cab at the time of the crash, according to investigators.

Police said the initial investigation revealed the Toyota entered the rest area at a high rate of speed and, for reasons unknown, veered into the trailer of the parked semi. Drugs and/or alcohol are not believed to have been a factor in the crash.

No other information was released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person is dead after a crash involving a motorcycle in South-Central El Paso on Sunday evening, Sept. 22, El Paso Police said.

The crash happened at Gateway East at Radford near Lincoln Park, police said. There is one confirmed fatality, and the Special Traffic Investigations Unit is on the scene. STI investigates crashes involving serious injuries or fatalities.

Photos by Sebastian Esquivel/KTSM

Police sent out an alert to local media about the crash at about 7:20 p.m. but did not say exactly when the crash happened. Police did not say who was killed in the crash.

The crash happened near Lincoln Park, which hosted Lincoln Park Day on Sunday. Lincoln Park Day is a large celebration of Mexican-American culture that features a low-rider show and music. The celebration ended at 5 p.m. but lots of people were still seen at the park at the time of the crash.

Gateway East was closed at Radford for several hours after the crash. The nearby exit from Interstate 10 East onto Raynolds was also closed for several hours. All lanes of traffic reopened by 1 a.m. Monday.

Sunday has been a busy day in El Paso as far as crashes.

Early Sunday morning, four people were hurt in a crash along I-10 West at Redd. Sunday afternoon, four people were hurt, including two who suffered serious injuries, in an apparent wrong-way collision along Paisano West near Spur 1966 near UTEP.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Russian forces attacked the city of Kramatorsk and the village of Shakhove in Donetsk Oblast on Sept. 23, killing one person and injuring at least 10 others, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

Seven people including two children were wounded in the strike on Shakhove in the Pokrovsk district, Filashkin said in a post on Telegram.

The attack damaged 24 houses, three administrative buildings and a social institution.

Earlier in the day, Russian forces attacked Kramatorsk, a front-line city that has repeatedly suffered deadly strikes.

The attack killed a 45-year-old woman and injured three other people, Filashkin said.

Over the past day, Russian attacks against Ukraine killed three people and injured 38, according to local authorities.

Read also: They attack with quantity: With Ukrainian soldiers desperately defending Pokrovsk

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  UAW Local 475 workers on strike at Eaton Aerospace in Jackson will hold a solidarity walk outside the plant Monday afternoon.

The walk comes one week after over 500 unionized employees at the plant went on strike after months of contract negotiations over what the union claims is a disconnect between company profits and proposed worker benefits.

Eaton workers see the record profits and know it should mean a record contract, said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. This corporation continues to funnel money to the top and then ask workers to sacrifice more. Our members see through that and are demanding their fair share of the profits.

PREVIOUS: We will hold them accountable Hundreds strike at Eaton Aerospace in Jackson

Retirement benefits continue to be a major point of disagreement between workers and the company. The union says that Eaton Aerospace is continuing to push for a two-tier retirement system that would get rid of the workers pension and 401(k) plans for new hires by the end of the contract.

Union members and supportive community members will begin gathering outside of the plant at 3 p.m., rallying for what the union calls a fair contract that will preserve their right to retire, provide quality health care, and offer fair wages.

Eatons managers said they thought that we wouldnt last the week. They didnt understand the solidarity workers have with each other, said Donnie Huffman, president of UAW Local 475. We know that Eaton has made billions while demanding changes to our retirement and denying us quality health care. Were united and we wont back down until we win what is fair.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The countdown is on to the 31st annual National Public Lands Day.

Admission at Americas national parks will be free this upcoming Saturday, Sept. 28.

Take a hike  for free  on these days at Colorados national parks

There are four national parks in Colorado: Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Colorado is also home to several other monuments and historic sites that are managed by the National Parks Service and will be free, including:

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Bents Old Fort National Historic Site

Amache National Historic Site

Colorado National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument

Many people also volunteer to either plant trees, remove trash or restore trails on this day.

Interactive map of Colorados parks offers resources, alternate spots to visit

National Public Lands Day raises awareness about public land preservation.

If you are unable to get to one of Colorados national park sites on Saturday, you will have another chance for a free visit on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
These 10 California elections will help determine US House control. What to know

California has several of the most competitive 2024 races for the U.S. House of Representatives, races crucial to deciding who wins control of the chamber.

Democrats would need to flip four seats nationwide to gain control.

Right now, analysts say that its a tossup for either party to take the speakers gavel.

Two of the most highly-anticipated congressional races in the nation are in the Central Valleys 13th and 22nd Congressional Districts, along with a few others in Southern California. The 13th and 22nd feature rematches from 2022, the year when California helped secure a razor-thin House majority for Republicans.

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Nonpartisan elections analysts at The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and Sabatos Crystal Ball rate districts on a scale from likely to leans to tossup for either party. Inside Elections also rates races as tilts, which are close to tossups.

While analysts rate some races as likely going to the incumbent, their elections are still on their radar as still in play.

Not all the analysis organizations agree on exactly how to rate each race. Ratings will likely shift again between now and November.

Here are 10 California congressional races to watch, according to the experts, in numerical order of the district.

3rd Congressional District

Likely Republican: Cook Political, Inside Elections, Sabatos Crystal Ball

Freshman Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Roseville, is competing with Democrat Jessica Morse, a wildfire resiliency specialist.

The district stretches from the northern Sierra Nevada along the Nevada border into Death Valley.

Kiley served in the California State Assembly from 2016 to 2022. He was elected to Congress in 2022. Morse is the former deputy secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency.

>>Read more about Californias 3rd Congressional District here.<<

9th Congressional District





Likely Democratic: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabatos Crystal Ball

Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy, faces Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln in this mainly San Joaquin County district.

Harder has served in Congress since 2019; he unseated a Republican congressman from Harders hometown of Turlock in the 2018 election. Previously, he worked in venture capital at Bessemer Venture Partners and taught business at Modesto Junior College.

Lincoln has been mayor since 2021. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and on Marine One during President George W. Bushs administration. Before becoming mayor, he was a district manager for a private security company and an executive administrator for his local church.

>>Read more about Californias 9th Congressional District here.<<

13th Congressional District





Tossup: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabatos Crystal Ball

Farmer-turned-freshman Rep. John Duarte, R-Modesto, beat then-Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, by 564 votes in 2022. It was one of the closest House races that year, and the 2024 rematch is expected to be one of the most competitive too.

Gray served in the Assembly for a decade before he left as he pursued a congressional bid. Duarte is a farmer and businessman.

The district, which includes all of Merced County and chunks of Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno and San Joaquin counties, has more registered Democrats than Republicans.

It would have voted for President Joe Biden over former President Donald Trump in 2020 by 11 percentage points had current congressional maps been in place. Legislative districts were redrawn after the 2020 election based on census data.

Both the 13th and 22nd are Latino-majority voting-age districts.

Compared to other California districts, each tends to have low turnout, meaning older, white, conservative voters disproportionately influence elections there. This trend has historically been true even in November presidential elections, when turnout is typically at its best here.

>>Read more about Californias 13th Congressional District here.<<

22nd Congressional District

Tossup: The Cook Political Report, Sabatos Crystal Ball

Tilts Republican: Inside Elections

Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, and former Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield, are also set for a close November rematch.

In 2022, Valadao beat Salas by 3 percentage points. Valadao has faced several tough races since he was first elected to Congress in 2012. He lost his seat in 2018 and won it back in 2020.

Salas served in the Assembly for a decade before leaving to pursue a congressional seat.

The 22nd, which also has more registered Democrats than Republicans and would have picked Biden by 13 percentage points in 2020, includes most of Kings County and parts of Tulare and Kern counties.

>>Read more about Californias 22nd Congressional District here.<<

27th Congressional District

Tossup: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabatos Crystal Ball

Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, represents the northern Los Angeles County district and is running against a new 2024 challenger: Democrat George Whitesides, former CEO of Virgin Galactic, a spaceflight company.

Garcia entered Congress via a special election in 2020. He is a Navy veteran. He had faced the same challenger, former Assemblywoman Christy Smith, in each election until this cycle.

Whitesides was chief of staff of NASA in former President Barack Obamas administration.

40th Congressional District

Likely Republican: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabatos Crystal Ball

Rep. Young Kim, R-La Habra, who has represented this area since 2021, faces Democrat Joe Kerr, who served as an Orange County firefighter for over three decades.

The 40th holds parts of Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

41st Congressional District

Tossup: The Cook Political Report

Tilts Republican: Inside Elections

Leans Republican: Sabatos Crystal Ball

Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, and Democrat Will Rollins, a former federal prosecutor, are on the ballot again in this Riverside County district.

The Republican, first sworn into Congress in 1993, had his closest House race in over a decade against Rollins in 2022. Calvert won by less than 4 percentage points.

45th Congressional District

Tossup: The Cook Political Report, Sabatos Crystal Ball

Tilts Republican: Inside Elections

Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Seal Beach, is facing a challenge from Democrat Derek Tran, a consumer rights lawyer, small business owner and veteran.

The 45th takes in parts of Orange and Los Angeles counties. Steel was first elected to Congress in 2020; she previously was on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, as chair and before that vice chair.

47th Congressional District

Leans Democratic: The Cook Political Report, Sabatos Crystal Ball

Tilts Democratic: Inside Elections

Republican Scott Baugh, an attorney who ran here in 2022, and State Sen. Dave Min, D-Irvine, will battle in November to succeed Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine.

Baugh was the Republican leader from 1999 to 2000 in the Assembly. He served in the Legislature from 1995 to 2000. Min has been in the Legislature since 2020.

Porter is leaving the Orange County seat after a failed U.S. Senate bid.

49th Congressional District

Likely Democratic: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabatos Crystal Ball

Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, and Republican Matt Gunderson, a business owner, vie here in November.

The 49th covers northern coastal areas of San Diego County. Levin has held congressional office since 2019.
(NewsNation)  At least 10 more people are dead in Sinaloa, Mexico, amid an ongoing cartel rivalry that has led to the death or disappearance of more than 100 people, Mexican media is reporting.

At least 70 people have been killed, according to multiple domestic and international estimates. An additional 51 people are believed to be missing, Reuters reported.

The most recent deaths come nearly two months after officials arrested Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael El Mayo Zambada in the United States. His arrest reportedly sparked infighting within the Sinaloa Cartels two factions: Los Chapitos spearheaded by co-founder Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Loera and La Mayiza led by Zambada.

Feds propose permanent truck ban at El Paso port of entry

Fighting broke out on Sept. 9 and shootouts continue to disrupt daily life in the capital, Culiacan, ever since. Nearby schools have chosen to close some days while restaurants and shops shuttered early.

More than 40 people have been arrested in the past few days and more than 5,000 food packages have been distributed across Sinaloa, the states governor Ruben Rocha Moya said on Friday.

Mexicos military has struggled to calm the violence. On Thursday, its members arrested the alleged head of security for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman  El Chapos son and the leader of Los Chapitos.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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This story begins in 1945, when a young Navy officer found himself in San Francisco at the end of World War II, just one of thousands of uniformed men trying to get home.

His name was Ford S. Worthy Jr., and he came from Little Washington in the eastern part of North Carolina. Like every man in town, he was desperate for a plane ticket  hungry for some hugs and home-cooked meals on his one-week leave pass.

Something happened that day Worthy would carry for the rest of his life.

While he waited in the airport, attired in his crisp dress uniform, a stranger offered him her seat on an upcoming flight. In the few moments they conversed, she gave Worthy a single condition: Take my son Chester to Omaha, where his grandparents will meet him at the airport.

So without hesitating, Worthy boarded the flight with a boy he had never met, who looked about 10 years old, and who jabbered precociously.

But before I tell anymore, Ill let you know how this story ends.

It ends in Raleigh, where that old Navy officer turned 100 on Sunday, and his son Ford delivered him a gift he had sought ever since that day in 1945:

Whatever became of Chester?

Ford S. Worthy Jr. wrote but never mailed this postcard showing a Navy oiler much like his own under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, where he finished World War II.

What Should I Do?

Ford Worthy (who dropped the III from his name), never heard his father talk about Chester Park until June, despite his lifelong reputation as a storyteller with a stellar memory for detail.

Hed talked about serving on the USS Lackawanna, about refueling the Pacific fleet on its way into Okinawa. But never a peep about a 10-year-old boy in San Francisco until his 100th birthday drew near.

Chester was a young fellow  probably around 10, the elder Worthy recalled. He could have been 9, he might have been 11. It was clear he knew a lot about planes. Im not sure what kind of plane we were on  it could have been a C-54. Chester started right away identifying things like the ailerons and other parts of the plane. I was shocked by how much he knew.

They flew to Las Vegas for the first leg of the trip, and Worthy told his young companion to stay on the plane while he went for a drink at the airport bar. By the time he got back, Chester was squabbling with the flight attendant, telling her to watch out because his daddy was coming back soon.

Already unsettled, Worthy would grow even more uneasy when they landed in Omaha and found nobody waiting. It was almost midnight, and the terminal cleared out without a sign of Chesters grandparents.

It is hard to understand, in this Smartphone generation, the panic this situation could create. Prior to roughly 2000, people simply got stranded in airports late at night, forced to wait alone with the faint hope somebody would fetch them. Friends forgot to pick you up, and you sat for hours on a plastic bench watching the cleaning crew.

Now saddled with a child hed met that day, Worthy had only a few hours before his connecting flight took off. He wondered if hed been duped. Maybe Chesters mother had abandoned him.

What should I do? he remembered thinking. Should I leave the boy with a policeman? Should I leave him with the airline? Should I take him with me? If I had had a cell phone, I would have called my own mother and asked her what to do.

In the empty terminal, Worthy briefly considered adopting Chester and asking his mother to raise him. And then, at 2 oclock in the morning, the grandparents arrived just as Worthys plane was boarding.

He never saw them again.

It just sort of clicked

Fathers are notoriously hard birthday customers.

My own dad preferred nobody mention the anniversary of his birth. He never ate cake. He disliked ceremony of any kid. Anything he wanted, he bought for himself  usually in bulk.

But for Ford Worthy, a lawyer in Chapel Hill, tracking down a 10-year-old travel companion from his fathers distant memory seemed like an adventure as much as a good idea.

What do you get a father whos turning 100 as a birthday gift? he asked. It just sort of clicked. I honestly thought I was going to find the guy real quick or run into a complete dead end. But I thought I would enjoy the effort.

Ford S. Worthy Jr. and his son Ford S. Worthy are pictured about two years ago, when the elder worthy was roughly 98. He is shown eating an oyster on the half shell.

Worthy decided to document the search in a series of Facebook posts, taking readers on a safari through census records, city directories, voter registrations and old yearbooks  working with a handful of clues.

His 10 installments tunnel into deep statistical rabbit holes, in which he discovered:

 The name Chester has seen decades of decline. In 1919, it ranked no. 53 on the nations most popular names for baby boys. In 2023, it had fallen to no. 1,739.

 In 1935, this particular boys likely birth year, the government counted 1,432 newborn Chesters seeking a Social Security card.

 Your likelihood of being named Chester was far higher if you were born in Kentucky than either Nebraska or California.

He found candidates so likely that he called up their children  only to find a disqualifying detail. He sorted through Chester Y. Park in Pennsylvania, then Leonard Chester Park in California, then Chester E. Park in Nebraska.

He tried to match the available Chesters with what little he knew of Chesters mother: she had been divorced, and she may have worked for United Airlines.

No dice.

So in a breakthrough, Worthy decided to widen his search rather than narrow it, accounting for what he guessed might be a few misremembered details.

I decided to assume that my fathers memory may have been only half right, he wrote in Facebook post number four, that I should be looking for a Chester or a Park, but not necessarily a Chester Park. If my father could be only half right, its impossible for me to believe he would forget the name Chester.

This led him straight to Chester Pratt.

A match

Worthy and his father meet for dinner every Monday. Just the two of them. His sisters take other nights, Monday night is theirs.

As the Chester search unfolded over the summer months, Worthy learned his father  a successful Raleigh developer  had sometimes thumbed through telephone books while on trips through San Francisco or Omaha, looking for his old companion.

But decades later, his son had accomplished it thanks to the millions of birth, death, marriage and military records available online.

And thanks to weeks of checking and cross-checking, he discovered the boy from the San Francisco airport, along with the clues to flesh out his character.

Chester Pratt, right, shown with his grandfather Dr. Chester Impey and his older brother, Chuck.

Chester Allen Pratt was born in 1934, making him 11 at the end of World War II.

Both his parents came from affluent families in Omaha, explaining how his mother Dorothy could not only travel by plane in an era when few could afford to, but casually give up her seat to a handsome young sailor.

His father Douglas spent a lifetime as a transportation mogul, presiding over the nations shift from streetcars to buses and heading a company that posted on the New York Stock Exchange. A boy in such a household would likely know about planes.

And most importantly, Chesters parents had divorced, split between California and Nebraska, and then remarried. The society pages in Omaha described their comings and goings.

And when Worthy called up a niece in Tennessee, relaying the airport story from 1945, she told him, That sounds exactly like something my grandmother would have done.

Chester

In the telling, Worthy discovered what all good storytellers learn along the way. His story meant more than a brief encounter and the fate of a pair of people.

It revolved around a dozen larger points: memory, aging, technology, patriotism, history, loss.

In his dreams, he imagines his father and Chester reunited in an Omaha living room, sharing an extra-deep sofa, sipping tea and maybe something stronger. Lester Holt of NBC is there to capture their thoughts on camera.

But its hard to remember that Chester remains an 11-year-boy until the end of this story.

And in that time, almost 80 years have passed.

Chester Pratt died in 2009. He was 74.

It would be presumptuous of me to try to distinguish the ordinary moments of his life from the extraordinary, Worthy wrote in Facebook post number 10, because only he, and perhaps those closest to him, could do that.

Chester Pratt as a grown man, shown on an Ancestry page

He grew up in Oakland, Calif., and served as a quartermaster in the Navy after high school.

He followed his father into the transportation business, working for bus companies  a door Worthy notes that his father no doubt opened.

He married and had three children.

He married again when his first wife died young.

They lived in Pennsylvania, then Texas, where Chester started a company that sprayed concrete into pools, then gravitated into real estate. As a Texan, he became an enthusiast for a military museum near his home in Kerrville, which featured an exhibit on the very oil tankers where Ford S. Worthy Jr. served.

There is nothing to suggest Chester kept the same memory of his flight to Omaha, nor is there anything to suggest it every strayed far from his mind.

Either way, the elder Worthy stayed riveted by the story as it moved from chapter to chapter, and celebrated his 100th birthday very happy to hear an old question answered.

This story has a very long middle. Some might call it life.

Uniquely NC is a News & Observer subscriber collection of moments, landmarks and personalities that define the uniqueness (and pride) of why we live in the Triangle and North Carolina.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 23, 2024 - 08:23 | All, World, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Sunday that upholding the rule of law is essential in times when countries with different values must work together to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future.

Kishida made the statement during a speech at the U.N. Summit of the Future a few hours after the world body adopted a pact aimed at better dealing with 21st-century challenges ranging from conflict and climate change to human rights and artificial intelligence.

After referring to the principles of the U.N. Charter as fundamental guidelines for actions, Kishida said, "unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force cannot be tolerated anywhere in the world."

"Only the free and open international order -- based on the rule of law -- can deliver sustainable development and prosperity," he added in the speech at U.N. headquarters.

Kishida, who spoke in Japanese, noted that no single country can tackle complex global challenges alone, and asserted that for international cooperation to succeed, "human dignity" must be the foundation.

For a better future, he said, Japan and all other countries must endeavor to "invest in people," with a particular focus on empowering women and children. He announced that Japan will launch a program aimed at developing the next generation of leaders on gender issues.

The world has witnessed in recent years that crises such as the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip have left the United Nations paralyzed, unable to deliver much-needed actions largely because of divisions within its most important decision-making body, the Security Council.

The underlying theme of the two-day summit through Monday is the reinvigoration of multilateralism, with world leaders arriving in New York ahead of an annual high-level session of the U.N. General Assembly.

Kishida said it is urgently needed to reform the Security Council and restore trust in its effectiveness, and the time is ripe for the international community to take concrete actions to that end as next year marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of the United Nations.

He also pledged that Japan will continue working toward nuclear disarmament, saying, "No matter how difficult the path to a world without nuclear weapons may be, we cannot stop our progress."

In his conclusion, Kishida stressed that "world leaders must unite under the banner of multilateralism" and said that Japan's commitment to the United Nations remains unwavering.

The U.N. pact, adopted by consensus at the opening of the special summit on Sunday, pledges 56 actions in a number of major areas, including eradicating poverty, protecting all civilians in armed conflict, mitigating climate change and reforming the Security Council.

"Today, we pledge a new beginning in multilateralism. The actions in this pact aim to ensure that the United Nations and other key multilateral institutions can deliver a better future for people and planet," it said.

The accord was in doubt until the last minute due to an objection from Russia, backed by countries such as Belarus, Iran, North Korea and Syria.

Russia, one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, criticized the text as the work of Western countries and had sought to make an amendment highlighting the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs.

Related coverage:

Kishida to attend U.N. debate in New York in September before stepping down
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH)  A dozen people were injured after a car drove into a restaurant in Reynoldsburg Sunday evening.

According to Reynoldsburg police dispatcher, the car drove into an OCharleys restaurant on the 2200 block of Baltimore-Reynoldsburg Road at approximately 6:30 p.m.

According to Violet Township Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Birdwell, 12 people in total were injured, with eight being transported to the hospital by ambulance. Four others took themselves to a nearby hospital.

Watch: Car drives into Reynoldsburg restaurant

Birdwell said some of those injured were considered traumas, but he didnt have an exact number. All of those injured had non-life-threatening injuries, which included bruises and bandaged-covered arms and legs.

Witnesses said customers were seated at tables directly on the other side of where the car went into the building. Police did not say what led to the crash.

First responders at the scene of an OCharleys restaurant in Reynoldsburg after a car drove into the building on Sunday, Sept. 22. 2024. (KYLE BEACHY/NBC4)

First responders at the scene of an OCharleys restaurant in Reynoldsburg after a car drove into the building on Sunday, Sept. 22. 2024. (KYLE BEACHY/NBC4)

First responders at the scene of an OCharleys restaurant in Reynoldsburg after a car drove into the building on Sunday, Sept. 22. 2024. (KYLE BEACHY/NBC4)

First responders at the scene of an OCharleys restaurant in Reynoldsburg after a car drove into the building on Sunday, Sept. 22. 2024. (KYLE BEACHY/NBC4)

First responders at the scene of an OCharleys restaurant in Reynoldsburg after a car drove into the building on Sunday, Sept. 22. 2024. (KYLE BEACHY/NBC4)

First responders at the scene of an OCharleys restaurant in Reynoldsburg after a car drove into the building on Sunday, Sept. 22. 2024. (KYLE BEACHY/NBC4)

First responders at the scene of an OCharleys restaurant in Reynoldsburg after a car drove into the building on Sunday, Sept. 22. 2024. (KYLE BEACHY/NBC4)

Witnesses said that after the crash, a man, estimated to be between 60 and 70 years old, got out of the vehicle and appeared to be alert and okay. It is currently unkonwn if he will be charged.

Photos from the scene show the car drove into the to go area of the restaurant. At approximately 7:30 p.m., the car was removed from the building.

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The restaurant didnt sustain any structural damage since the car drove through glass doors, Birdwell said, adding that the restaurant would likely be closed for some time.

Clint Lautenschleger, COO of the restaurant chain, issued the following statement Sunday evening:

On Sunday evening at approximately 6:30 p.m. a guest crashed into the OCharleys Restaurant located at 2272 Baltimore-Reynoldsburg Road. Thirteen people were transported to the hospital, though we are grateful to say, none with life threatening injuries. The restaurant has been closed and will remain closed until we can fully assess and address the damage. We are incredibly thankful for the first responders who were on the scene quickly and our associates who handled themselves admirably in the situation. We will continue to cooperate with local authorities as they investigate and determine next steps.

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SYLACAUGA, Ala. (WIAT)  A 12-year-old girl was arrested Monday after allegedly sending text messages indicating that she wanted to blow up a middle school in Sylacauga, as well as shoot it up.

Lt. Willis Whatley of the Sylacauga Police Department said that over the weekend, police received information from text messages that had been circulating around about someone wanting to blow up Nichols Lawson Middle School. Through an investigation, detectives linked the original message to a phone owned by the 12-year-old, whose name has not been released due to her being a minor.

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The suspect, who was a student at Nichols Lawson, was charged with first-degree terrorist threats, which is a Class C felony. She was subsequently taken to Coosa Valley Detention Center in Calhoun County.

The SPD is also investigating terrorist threats that were made against Sylacauga High School on Friday. The 12-year-old suspect, however, has not been connected to that case.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Over a dozen schools throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education on Monday.

National Blue Ribbon Schools is the departments program honoring academically high-performing schools and schools that are making strides in closing achievement gaps.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that DC Bilingual Public Charter School and Payne Elementary School were among the 356 schools across the country recognized as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

4 Maryland elementary schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024

We are thrilled to congratulate Payne Elementary and DC Bilingual School on being named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024, Bowser said in a news release. We know that our public schools are a bright spot in the story of DC, and we celebrate these schools for their outstanding achievements and for earning this prestigious recognition  a testament to the hard work and dedication of our educators, students, families, and their entire school communities.

In Maryland, Chapel Hill Elementary, Worthington Elementary, Bells Mill Elementary and Woodfield Elementary, also received awards. Two of those schools are in Montgomery County, one is in Howard County and another is in Baltimore County, the Maryland Department of Education noted.

Staff at Bells Mill Elementary celebrate after being named a National Blue Ribbon School. (Courtesy: Montgomery County Public Schools)

Woodfield Elementary celebrates after being named a National Blue Ribbon School. (Courtesy: Montgomery County Public Schools)

Eight schools in Virginia were honored, three of which are located in Northern Virginia. Spring Hill Elementary School (Fairfax County Public Schools), St. Andrew The Apostle School (Arlington Diocese; Clifton, Va.) and T. Clay Wood Elementary School (Prince William County Public Schools) were among those awarded.

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A teenager has been arrested and charged with a slew of crimes after he allegedly tried to murder two men on a beach in Santa Barbara County.

A joint release issued by the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office and the Goleta Police Department states that the 15-year-old was arrested after a shooting that occurred at 12:51 a.m. Sunday at Haskells Beach in the city of Goleta.

Deputies were quickly dispatched to the beach and found two men in their 20s suffering from gunshot wounds, authorities said. They also learned that the suspect flashed gang signs at the victims before shooting them.

One of the victims was shot in the hip, while the other was shot in both legs. Each is expected to survive, and it is not believed that the victims and suspect were known to one another.

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Deputies were able to locate the suspect, who fled the area on foot, at 2:19 a.m., less than two hours after the shooting.

He dropped a handgun as he was fleeing, law enforcement officials said, adding that deputies recovered the gun and found it was registered to an owner from out of the area but not reported stolen.

The teen was booked at the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall for two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a concealed firearm, gang enhancement and enhancement for using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The suspect was not identified due to his age, and since he is a juvenile, he is not eligible for bail. The case will be forwarded to Juvenile Probation for adjudication.

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16-year-old arrested, charged with felony after making threatening statement on Xbox

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced on social media that theyve arrested a 16-year-old student for a threatening statement on Sunday.

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The Deltona high school student was gaming on Xbox and got mad at gamers and posted a photo of a gun along with a threatening statement, Chitwood said.

Chitwood said they responded to the Fortify Florida tip post around 1 p.m.

The teen is being charged with a felony of making a written threat to kill.

Read: Miracle: Holocaust Torah rescued from Central Florida synagogue fire, arson not suspected

Chitwood said, Parents, you need to be closely monitoring your kids activity on their phones, social media, Xbox, and on and on.

Investigators said the gun photo was downloaded from the internet, and the teen does not have a gun.

The teens father said, his guns are locked away and cant be accessed.

Read: 15-year-old arrested for making threat to school on Fortnite, says Sheriff Chitwood

Its not lost on me that other parents, including those of school shooters in Michigan and Georgia, claimed their child would never get their hands on a weapon to commit a shooting. Chitwood said, Again, this student didnt directly threaten a school, but were past the point where anyone can take any of these posts or threats lightly.

Officers said the teenager made statements indicating thoughts of self-harm.

VSO said the teen is getting an evaluation and mental health services.

Chitwood said, This is just not sustainable for our community or our society. If you havent checked in with your child or taken tough action as a parent in a while, now is the time.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  One person is facing misdemeanor charges after carrying a gun into Lincoln High School during a fundraising pancake feed on Saturday.

According to Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens, Phillip Linderman, 18, of Sioux Falls has been charged with one count of having a weapon on school grounds, which is a misdemeanor crime. Police said Linderman is not a student in the Sioux Falls School District.

Name released in 1929 Model A fatal crash

The charge came after police sent out a news release over the weekend asking for information about suspicious activity including photos of a person and a car. Police said Saturday night the person had been located and identified.

During a police briefing Monday, Clemens said students on the sidewalk noticed the driver of a car had a handgun on his lap and that person then entered the school, ate pancakes and then left.

He had the gun with him. It was concealed in his waistband when he was inside the school, Clemens said. He didnt show it to anybody, didnt threaten anybody with it.

Clemens said police worked with the Sioux Falls School District to get information about the suspect and received tips about the suspect.

There were no threats with that, Clemens said, adding there was no explanation why he had the gun with him at the school.

Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum said police were in close contact with school officials to quickly figure out what happened and who was involved.

Clemens said the gun was not stolen and Linderman did not own the gun.

It was lended to him by a friend, Clemens said.

Thum said police are constantly communicating about school safety, including with Brandon, Harrisburg and Tea School Districts.

Were just busy because were a big city, Thum said.

Thum pointed out police have to use the evidence they have in any case, including a gun inside a school.

These have to play out in court, Thum said.

Thum said the number of people legally carrying guns has increased.

With Constitutional Carry, there are rights that are afforded within South Dakota, Thum said. Those rights dont include everywhere and anywhere. There are still restrictions on where firearms can be and I think we can all agree schools are an important restriction on that.

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2 new chain coffee shops are coming to Weston, commissioner says

WESTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  Regardless of whether you prefer Starbucks or Dunkin, Weston will soon be the place to get your coffee fix.

Lewis County Commissioner Agnes Queen announced on social media Monday that construction has started on the new Starbucks location in the Market Place Shopping Center, which is just off of Interstate 79 exit 99 on U.S. Route 33/Corridor H.

Queen said the Starbucks will be between the New Mexican Restaurant location and the New Physical Therapy location.

Construction begins on new Starbucks location in Weston (Courtesy: Lewis County Commissioner Agnes Queen)

Starbucks has been expanding in north central West Virginia over the past few years. A Fairmont area Starbucks location opened in White Hall earlier this month, and Elkins added its first Starbucks inside Davis Medical Center in 2022.

Lewis County Sheriff running as a write-in in general election

But if Dunkin Donuts is more your speed, Queen also confirmed that a location would be moving into a former car wash in the area.

At this time, there are no estimated opening dates for the new restaurants.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
2 charged in takeover that shut down I-95 in New Haven, Orange, Stratford

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Two men have been charged after a convoy of more than 100 motorcycles blocked Interstate 95 from New Haven to Fairfield County.

The takeover started at about 11:10 a.m. Saturday when motorcycles started driving in an erratic manner on I-95 in New Haven, according to state police. Motorcycles then started doing stunts and blocking the entirety of the southbound lanes in New Haven, West Haven, Orange, Milford and Stratford.

More SNAP changes coming Oct. 1

A GMC Denali pickup truck lead the pack, and a person in the bed filmed the stunts, according to state police. Troopers then positioned on the Exit 33 onramp to try and stop the group.

While trying to pull the truck over, state police said that motorcycles surrounded the troopers cruiser to block it, and almost hit the cruiser. The trooper then called off the chase due to safety concerns, according to state police.

The group continued toward the state line, where New York police were able to stop the truck.

The driver, 26-year-old Shaun Puglia, West Haven, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer, reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer and knowingly inciting a street takeover. He was released on a $30,000 cash/surety bond.

The passenger, 24-year-old Ryley Lewis, of North Haven, was charged with second-degree breach of peace, failure to wear a safety seat belt and knowingly inciting in a street takeover. He has been released on a $20,000 cash/surety bond.

Ryley Lewis (Source: Connecticut State Police)

Sean Puglia (Source: Connecticut State Police)

Puglia allegedly told police he didnt know state police were trying to pull him over. Camera equipment was found in the trucks bed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
PERRY TWP., Ohio (WKBN)  Two people are dead after a fatal crash in Perry Township Saturday morning.

Read next: Middle school football season cut short for conduct concerns due to fight at game

The crash took place just after 8 a.m. Saturday in the 400 block of Georgetown Road. Reports state a Ford Fusion had gone left of center and struck a Toyota Sienna head on.

Three people were taken by ambulance to local hospitals while another was flown by helicopter. The driver of the Ford and the driver of the Toyota both suffered injuries, reports state.

Two passengers of the Toyota, Richard Hiner, 87, and Joanne Hiner, 89, died at the hospital as a result of their injuries, according to authorities.

The crash is still under investigation and police say more details may be released as they become available.

Kristy Regula contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is in the hospital after he was shot during a traffic stop Sunday night, the department said.

The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. in southwest Charlotte on East Arrowood Road at Nations Ford Road.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is in the hospital after he was shot during a traffic stop Sunday night, the department said. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. in southwest Charlotte on East Arrowood Road at Nations Ford Road.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is in the hospital after he was shot during a traffic stop on Sept. 22, 2024, the department said. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. in southwest Charlotte on East Arrowood Road at Nations Ford Road.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is in the hospital after he was shot during a traffic stop on Sept. 22, 2024, the department said. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. in southwest Charlotte on East Arrowood Road at Nations Ford Road.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is in the hospital after he was shot during a traffic stop on Sept. 22, 2024, the department said. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. in southwest Charlotte on East Arrowood Road at Nations Ford Road.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is in the hospital after he was shot during a traffic stop on Sept. 22, 2024, the department said. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. in southwest Charlotte on East Arrowood Road at Nations Ford Road.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is in the hospital after he was shot during a traffic stop on Sept. 22, 2024, the department said. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. in southwest Charlotte on East Arrowood Road at Nations Ford Road.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is in the hospital after he was shot during a traffic stop on Sept. 22, 2024, the department said. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. in southwest Charlotte on East Arrowood Road at Nations Ford Road.

The officer was shot multiple times and has serious injuries, CMPD Deputy Chief Dave Robinson said in a news conference.

I know hes in good spirits, Robinson said. I know it is a serious injury, he was shot multiple times. I know hes getting the best care possible with the medical facilities that we have here in Charlotte.

ALSO READ: Suspect found dead after officer shot in Chesterfield County, investigators say

CMPD said two officers in one police cruiser were responding to an assault with a deadly weapon call and pulled over a vehicle they believed could be involved. In a news release, the department said the officers were having a conversation with the person in that car when the suspect pulled out a gun.

Shots were fired and both an officer and that suspect were shot.

The second officer was also taken to the hospital as a precaution.

I know the other officer, they are both shaken up, Robinson said. This doesnt just affect the two officers, it shakes us to the core in the law enforcement community and should shake the community to the core.

The suspect has life-threatening injuries, CMPD said.

When asked who fired first, Robinson said that remains to be seen.

Thatll come out in the investigation, but I challenge anyone who has that type of question to say, Should that really matter? Robinson said. And what I will say to that is in a traffic stop, think about it just for a second, about the split-second decisions that have to be made. And if youre just talking to somebody and all of a sudden they just produce a firearm  and potentially you just did a violent crime in the area just minutes ago  What that suspect may be thinking, but what our police officers may be faced with doing. So that will come out in the investigation.

Police were at the shooting scene until around 1:30 a.m. Monday to collect evidence.

(WATCH BELOW: 1 hospitalized following west Charlotte shooting, MEDIC says)
KYODO NEWS - Sep 23, 2024 - 14:31 | All, Japan, World

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said Monday she will meet her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York this week.

In the wake of the stabbing death of a Japanese schoolboy in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen last week, Japan will demand China clarify the facts and provide detailed information about the case, Kamikawa told reporters before leaving Haneda airport.

The 10-year-old boy, whose father is Japanese and mother Chinese, died Thursday after he was stabbed in the abdomen on his way to school. The male suspect was apprehended by police stationed near the educational facility.

The meeting between Kamikawa and Wang also comes after China recently agreed to lift its ban on Japanese seafood imports, contingent on third-party nations, including itself, participating in monitoring the discharge of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea.

Related coverage:

Japan top diplomat eyes talks with China counterpart over boy killing

Japanese boy dies after being stabbed by man in China's Shenzhen
2 juveniles hospitalized after chase in stolen car in Spartanburg Co.

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  Two juveniles were hospitalized early Monday morning following a chase that ended in a fiery crash in Spartanburg County.

The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office was notified that two juveniles stole a car. Officials confirmed with 7NEWS that one suspect is a teenager and the other is a pre-teen.

When deputies spotted the vehicle, it was reported the suspects refused to stop for authorities.

A pursuit ensued, according to deputies.

During the chase, the sheriffs office said the stolen vehicle crashed and overturned at the intersection of Walnut Hill Road and Walnut Hill Church Road.

The car then caught on fire according to deputies.

Authorities were able to remove both juveniles from the vehicle and transport them to the hospital. Deputies said the individuals parents were notified.

Gabriella Parham said if it werent for her dog, Bella, continuously barking to alert her, she would have missed seeing the two minors who drove off in her car.

All I saw was a phone flashlight and I screamed get out of the car, unfortunately they sped off, said Gabriella Parham, owner of the stolen car used in the chase. We were notified that the lowest speed they were going was 80 miles an hour and the highest was 145 miles an hour.

The sheriffs office has not revealed the expected charges the juveniles face at this time.

Nothings going to change about our lives besides a little inconvenience, but you guys could have died, let that sink in, said James Parham, a witness and Gabriellas husband.

The Parhams tell us the car in their driveway was locked, but the member of law enforcement who responded mentioned to them a Tik Tok trend that involves breaking into certain, older makes of cars, like Kia Souls, with a USB cord.

They were able to break into my car, reverse it downhill, and start it, even though my key was inside the house, locked and safe, said Parham.

They said its disappointing to see this in their neighborhood.

The safety is the appeal to wanting to come and live here so to see this type of behavior escalate, this is an entire invasion and its just a stair step into breaking into homes, said James Parham.

But Parham said this neighborhood will not put up with this if it continues.

A lot more could have gone wrong, they are very lucky to be alive given the whole situation, said Parham. I just want to say that I hope that something positive comes out of this for their sake and ultimately for the sake of this neighborhood.

The Parhams told us the minors were wearing masks to cover their faces when they were breaking into their car.

The incident remains under investigation by the SCSO.

Picture of vehicle which was stolen and crashed in Spartanburg County, September 23, 2024 (From: James Parham)

Picture of vehicle which was stolen and crashed in Spartanburg County, September 23, 2024 (From: James Parham)

Picture of vehicle which was stolen and crashed in Spartanburg County, September 23, 2024 (From: James Parham)

Picture of vehicle which was stolen and crashed in Spartanburg County, September 23, 2024 (From: James Parham)

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FILE - Transgender activist Cecilia Gentili poses for a photo at the offices of the Oxford University Press in New York on April 24, 2014.(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  Two men have pleaded guilty to providing the fentanyl-laced heroin that killed prominent New York City transgender activist Cecilia Gentili earlier this year, federal prosecutors said Monday.

Michael Kuilan, 44, pleaded guilty to a charge that he distributed and possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Brooklyn federal court on Monday, according to U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace's office. Antonio Venti, 52, entered a guilty plea to the same charge in July.

As part of their plea deals, prosecutors said the men admitted they caused Gentili's death. They said text messages, cell site data, and other evidence showed that Kuilan, a Brooklyn resident, had supplied Venti, a Long Island resident, with drugs that he then sold to Gentili.

Law enforcement officials searching Kuilans home also found hundreds of small bags of fentanyl, a handgun and ammunition.

While these guilty pleas cant undo the tragic loss of transgender rights activist Cecelia Gentili, it sends a message that we will do everything we can to make sure those responsible for drug related deaths face the consequences for their actions, and the families of those who lost their lives receive justice, Frank Tarentino, special agent in charge of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's New York office.

Gentili was a former sex worker who became a leading advocate for other transgender people, as well as sex workers and people with HIV. She also acted in the FX television series Pose, about the underground ballroom dance scene in the 1980s and 1990s.

Her well-attended funeral at St. Patricks Cathedral in Manhattan drew outrage from some in the Catholic community, including from the venerable churchs own pastor.

Gentili was found dead in her bedroom on Feb. 6, the day after purchasing drugs from Venti. Prosecutors say the 52-year-old Brooklyn residents death was due to the combined effect of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine and cocaine.

Kuilan is expected to be sentenced in January, and Venti will be sentenced next month. Lawyers for the two men didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment Monday.

___

This story has been corrected to show Kuilan will be sentenced in January, not next month.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU)  Two schools in Siouxland have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools.

According to a press release, the Iowa Department of Education announced that five schools in Iowa have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024, two of which are from Siouxland.

McKenzie Snow, Iowa Department of Education Director said, Educators, families, and students in Iowas five 2024 National Blue Ribbon schools represent educational excellence across grade bands, school models, and regions of the state.

Rock Valley Elementary of the Rock Valley Community School District and Alta-Auralia Middle School of the Alta-Aurelia Community School District, in Siouxland, have both been named as one of the National Blue Ribbon Schools.

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Snow adds,  We applaud their leadership in investing in effective practices like evidence-based reading instruction, supporting teachers in doing their best work, and empowering students with multiple pathways to postsecondary success. The National Blue Ribbon designation recognizes these school communities as models of excellence in Iowa and across the nation, providing all students what they need to meet high expectations and realize their incredible potential.

Other Iowa schools that were named National Blue Ribbon Schools are:

Decorah High School, Decorah Community School District

Nodaway Valley Middle School, Nodaway Valley Community School District

Rock Run Elementary, Iowa Falls Community School District

All five schools were honored as Exemplary High-Performing schools. Each of them performed in the top 15 percent of all Iowa public schools based on overall performance on school accountability indicators, including student proficiency, growth, graduation rates, and postsecondary readiness.

Schools recognized through the National Blue Ribbon Schools program must display high achievements as an Exemplary High-Performing School or an Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing School.

For additional information on the National Blue Ribbon Schools program can be found, HERE.

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VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Two men were stabbed and another was arrested at the Visalia Rescue Mission Saturday evening, the Visalia Police Department announced.

Police say around 5 p.m. they responded to the Visalia Rescue Mission for a report of a stabbing.

Upon arrival, responding officers reported two men suffering from stab wounds. The suspect was identified as 60-year-old Claudio Banderas and was arrested at scene.

Investigators say the two victims and Bandera were transported to a local hospital. One victim remains in critical condition.

Detectives say once Banderas is released from the hospital he will be booked under suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

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20 worst places to live if you have asthma, per major health organization

20 worst places to live if you have asthma, per major health organization

Nearly 28 million people in the U.S. have asthma, or about one in 12 people  and depending on where you live, the condition may be more difficult to manage.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently released its Asthma Capitals report, which ranks the 100 most populated U.S. states based on how challenging they are for people with the chronic respiratory disease.

"This is not a report about bad cities for asthma  rather, it is a report that indicates the factors that can make living with asthma more challenging," Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of the AAFA in Virginia, told Fox News Digital via email.

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The report designates "asthma capitals" based on the prevalence of the disease, the number of asthma-related emergency room visits, and asthma-related deaths.

Nearly 28 million people in the U.S. have asthma, or about one in 12 people.

"The cities at the top of the report tend to score higher than average in at least two of these categories," Mendez noted.

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"High rates of hospitalization or death due to asthma indicate a lower quality of life for people with asthma in these cities."

This report also acknowledges that where people live can significantly impact their health, Mendez said.

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"Social, economic and environmental disadvantages play a role in determining asthma outcomes," he noted.

"Many of the top asthma capitals are also facing major challenges and inequities that lead to health disparities."

Asthma sufferers should have an action plan that includes medications, ways to recognize worsening symptoms, and steps to take in an emergency.

Risk factors for asthma  including air quality, poverty, access to specialists, tobacco policies, use of medications and lack of health insurance  are also factored into the report.

Added Mendez, "We see the report as a way to highlight factors impacting asthma."

The AAFA identified the following 20 cities as the top "asthma capitals."

The full list of 100 top asthma capitals is listed in the report, which can be accessed from the AAFAs website.

For those with asthma who live in one of the more challenging locations, the AAFA recommends taking the following steps to make the condition more tolerable.

To keep asthma under control, this plan should include information about medications, ways to recognize worsening symptoms and steps to take in an emergency.

Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter

Mendez noted that getting vaccines for respiratory infections such as the flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumonia can help to manage asthma symptoms.

"We spend 90% of our time indoors, so it is important to take steps to improve indoor air quality," Mendez told Fox News Digital.

"Patients should speak with their health care team to determine what plan is best for them," an expert said.

"These can include using certified asthma- and allergy-friendly air cleaners, and ensuring that cleaning products reduce allergens and are free from airway irritants."

This may include wearing a mask in crowded places, washing hands properly and avoiding contact with sick people, according to Mendez.

Getting the optimal amount of rest, drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods can help make asthma more tolerable, per the AAFA.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

"There are treatment options available that can help prevent the risk of an asthma attack, thus making it possible to live with this chronic lung disease," Mendez said.

"Patients should speak with their health care team to determine what plan is best for them."





Original article source: 20 worst places to live if you have asthma, per major health organization
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands returned home from a trip on Sunday.

An honor flight is a free memorial trip to Washington, D.C., where veterans can honor soldiers from the Vietnam and Korean Wars. Michelle Stewart, president of the chapters board of directors, said the veterans spent all day touring the city and visiting memorial sites.

Stewart said 21 local veterans toured the D-Day Memorial, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider and saw the Vietnam Memorial Wall over the weekend.

Overmountain Militia Muster to celebrate history at Sycamore Shoals

Its no greater joy than to take 21 veterans on a trip of a lifetime and then bring them home to be welcomed home by their community, said Stewart, You know, many of those veterans, when they came home from their service, they were not welcomed home back in [the] early seventies. They were not treated well. This gives us and gives them that change. It gives [the community] the opportunity to change that. Welcome home. And we are so grateful that the community came out to honor those soldiers and to give them the welcome home they deserve.

Stewart said a notable from this honor flight was a 92-year-old Korean War veteran who told jokes and sang songs throughout the weekend.

The chapter will take another trip in October. To learn more about the Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands, visit its official website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
23andMe agrees to $30M settlement over 2023 data breach: How much could users get?

(NEXSTAR)  23andMe has proposed a $30 million settlement over a class-action lawsuit filed in response to a 2023 data breach.

23andMe, a genetic testing and biotech company, first announced in Oct. 2023 that the site had been the victim of a credential stuffing attack, during which hackers were able to use login credentials  allegedly obtained via a previous hack of an unrelated website  to access its customers accounts.

In the months that followed, 23andMe confirmed that threat actors were able to access about 14,000 accounts, through which the data of 6.9 million users was compromised. Much of that data belonged to users who opted into the DNA Relatives feature, which allows users to share certain personal information with other users considered their genetic relatives.

A class-action lawsuit subsequently filed against 23andMe accused the site of failing to protect users, Reuters reported. The lawsuit also alleged that much of the stolen data belonged to Jewish and Chinese users, possibly in a targeted attack, according to the outlet.

Oracle privacy settlement: Who qualifies, and how can I filed a claim?

In a statement obtained by Nexstar, 23andMe confirmed it had proposed the $30 million settlement agreement, though it had not been approved as of Monday.

We have executed a settlement agreement for an aggregate cash payment of $30 million to settle all U.S. claims regarding the 2023 credential stuffing security incident. Counsel for the plaintiffs have filed a motion for preliminary approval of this settlement agreement with the court, a 23andMe spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement.

Roughly $25 million of the settlement and related legal expenses are expected to be covered by cyber insurance coverage, the statement continued. We continue to believe this settlement is in the best interest of 23andMe customers, and we look forward to finalizing the agreement.

Reuters reported that 23andMe had also proposed to offer affected users three years of enrollment in an online security program in addition to the payments.

Court documents filed by 23andMe, and first cited by tech outlets including PCMag and CNET, also indicate that members of the class-action lawsuit may be eligible for payments of around $100 or possibly more, depending on the claims rate. Payments of up to $10,000 may also be made in cases of extraordinary claims in which victims provide evidence of losses of expenses incurred as a result of the breach, the documents say.

Users who were targeted by the breach cannot yet file a claim or apply for a payment until approval of 23andMes proposal. A representative for 23andMe did not say whether users would be notified of any method for filing a claim in the future.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 2.9 magnitude earthquake struck Southern Californias South Bay area at 4:48 a.m. Monday.

The quake, which was downgraded from a preliminary magnitude of 3.2, hit less than a mile from the unincorporated Lennox area and about a mile and a half southwest of Inglewood at a depth of about 8 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Lennox area is located just a few miles east of Los Angeles International Airport.

The quake was felt as far south as Long Beach, east in Norwalk and north in Granada Hills, according to the USGA. Some of the strongest shaking was reported in the Beverly Hills area.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injury.

Latest California Earthquakes. Please wait a moment for map to load.

Use controls or your thumb to move and zoom.

What to do in an earthquake

During an earthquake, experts say knowing the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury is crucial. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides detailed guidelines on what to do during such events. Here are the key points:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On:

Drop: Immediately drop down onto your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked over and allows you to stay low and crawl to safety if necessary.

Cover: Use one arm to protect your head and neck, and if possible, take shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter is available, get down next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.

Seismologist warns of increasing earthquake activity in Southern California

Hold On: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if it shifts.

Thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California yearly, but the vast majority are incredibly minor. Several hundred reach a magnitude of 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 are greater than magnitude 4.0, according to the USGS.

In North America, only Alaska records more quakes per year than California.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
New 32m Lisnaskea health hub gets final sign off

Construction on the new Lisnaskea Health Centres could start within weeks [Department of Health NI]

Construction on a new 32m health and social care centre in County Fermanagh is set to start within weeks after being approved by the health minister.

The hub in Lisnaskea, which is set to open in 2026, will help support 16 GPs and provide services to 30,000 people in the area.

It comes weeks after posters were placed outside of the current Lisnaskea Health Centre referring to difficulties in getting an appointment.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the "significant investment" would provide a central hub in the town.

I appreciate that primary care services are under particular strain in the Lisnaskea and East Fermanagh area and recognise that people have been waiting for some time on this news," he said.

"However, it was imperative that the necessary checks and balances were completed before proceeding."

He said the Western Health Trust could now move forward with awarding a construction contract, allowing work to begin on site within weeks.

Mike Nesbitt said the hub would provide a range of services [PA Media]

The minister condemned the "completely unacceptable behaviour" staff at the Lisnaskea centre had faced last month.

"There is no place for such behaviour, and I reiterated my full support for the team when speaking to them," he added.

The Royal College of GPs and the British Medical Association (BMA) also condemned the action, adding that it created a "hostile environment" for patients and staff.

Planning permission has already been granted for the centre [Department of Health NI]

Eimear McCauley, from the Western Trust, said the latest move was "another step in providing an appropriate setting for the delivery of services" in south-east Fermanagh".

"This milestone has been achieved through the collaborative working of GP representatives, trust staff and Department of Health personnel with a focus on meeting the needs of patients and clients of Lisnaskea and the wider area," she added.

Ms McCauley said planning permission had already been approved for the centre at the former site of Lisnaskea High School.

'Huge step'

Local assembly member Aine Murphy said the project will benefit "families and patients across South Fermanagh".

Since becoming an MLA, making progress on this health centre has been a top priority," the Sinn Fein representative said.

"The people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone deserve access to healthcare facilities that are fit for purpose, and this is a huge step in the right direction for healthcare provision locally."
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Four California condors will be released into the wild on Saturday, Sept. 28, during an event celebrating National Public Lands Day at Vermilion Cliffs in Arizona.

Its an annual event that was interrupted last year by an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that killed 21 condors in the Utah-Arizona flock. The outbreak has ceased, according to a news release from the National Parks Service (NPS).

The four condors, which were bred in captivity, will be released at 1 p.m. Utah time (noon PDT) and the event will be live-streamed via The Peregrine Funds YouTube Channel.

Milagras story

One of the birds is affectionately known as Milagra  Spanish for miracle.

Before hatching, her mother died from HPAI, and Milagra hatched at Liberty Wildlife in Phoenix before being transported to The Peregrine Funds propagation facility in Idaho to be raised by foster parents. After more than a year in The Peregrine Funds care, Milagra is set to return to the wild during the 2024 release event! according to information provided in the YouTube event description.

When the pandemic struck in 2020, the condor release was a popular event online, drawing 10,000 viewers. That led organizers to live-stream this years event.

Condor #87 gets wet in Pipe Creek along the Tonto Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)

Because the condor team is unable to predict exactly when the birds will choose to leave their release pen, the live-stream event will have a picture-in-picture set up with a camera trained on the release pen and will include videos and interviews with the condor biologists and conservationists who work with these massive birds, according to the NPS news release. Viewers will also have their questions answered live by the condor team.

The event is open to the public on National Public Lands Day, when admission to national parks is free and volunteer events are widely available for participation. Vermilion Cliffs is about 235 miles east of Las Vegas.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument has been the site of the condor release event since Dec. 12, 1996.

California condors nearly went extinct and the population had dropped to 22 before conservation efforts found ways to rebuild the numbers. The enormous birds were dying after ingesting lead shot in the carcasses of animals killed by hunters. There are now more than 560 condors in the world, with half of those flying free in Arizona, Utah, California, and Mexico.

Carrion  the decaying flesh of dead animals  is the only thing condors eat.

Long before humans arrived in North America, these finely tuned scavengers relied in part on hunterssabertooth cats and other large predatorsfor carrion. Condors clean-up role hasnt changed, but new hunters to the scene can unintentionally leave behind a deadly contaminant: lead from spent ammunition, according to The Peregrine Funds website.

California condor  or turkey vulture?

At Zion National Park, wildlife experts offered tips on spotting condors  and how to distinguish them from turkey vultures, which have similar markings.

Full-grown condors are large with 10-foot wingspans  the widest of all birds in the U.S., and about twice as wide as turkey vultures. Smaller condors can be distinguished by several other factors  the shape of their wings, their coloring and numbers on their wings.

In flight, turkey vultures will have a slight v in their wings when looking at them from straight on. Condor wings are generally straight out when they are in flight, according to a Zion National Park Facebook post.

A difference in their coloring might be the easiest way to distinguish a condor from a vulture:

The bird on the left is a turkey vulture. (NPS Photo: Gavin Emmons)

Their wings are white towards their center, and their feathers are black out towards the end of their wings, park officials said. Turkey vulture wings are darker in the middle and the feathers are white toward the ends of their wings.

A number on the wing of each condor helps scientists recognize and track condors in the wild.

This years condor release will be especially impactful given the losses we experienced in 2023 from HPAI and lead poisoning, according to Tim Hauck, The Peregrine Funds California condor program director. With only 85 condors remaining in the Utah-Arizona flock and lead poisoning still a prominent issue, the release of these four condors will have a significant impact on the recovery program. But the California condor release this year is not just a celebration of these four condors, it is a moment of triumph for the biologists, volunteers, wildlife rehabilitators, recovery partners, and supporters who persevered through the last year.

The Arizona-Utah California condor conservation effort is a cooperative program by federal, state, and private partners: The Peregrine Fund, the Bureau of Land Managements Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and the Bureau of Land Management in Utah, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Kaibab and Dixie National Forests, and tribes (Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians [Kaibab-Paiute Tribe] and Navajo Nation), among many other supporting groups and individuals.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
JAKARTA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police have named 15 suspects in connection with the discovery of seven bodies floating in the Bekasi river, West Java, on Sunday morning.

Local media reported the first five bodies were found around 6:00 a.m. local time, followed by the discovery of two more soon after. The victims, reportedly teenagers, may have thrown themselves into the river while being chased by a police patrol.

"A total of 15 people were named as suspects and three of them were charged with carrying sharp weapons," said Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Karyoto at the river on Sunday.

He stressed that although it remains unclear whether the weapons were involved in the deaths, authorities continue to gather information from witnesses and suspects to clarify the circumstances.

Initial reports suggested the teenagers were involved in a brawl and fled from a police patrol that was passing through the area at 3:00 a.m. Police believed fear of the patrol may have driven them to jump into the river.

Karyoto emphasized that the patrol was acting within its duties, as brawls have become increasingly frequent in areas like East and South Jakarta, as well as Bekasi and Depok.

The bodies have been sent to Kramat Jati Police Hospital for identification, with DNA testing underway. The hospital has asked the victims' families to provide personal items such as toothbrushes or unwashed clothing to aid in the identification process. 
Police believe the suspects targeted a particular person, as far as someone willing to pay money to have that person killed

Birmingham Police Department, Alabama/Facebook Birmingham police officers respond to a mass shooting on Sept. 21, 2024

Four people are dead and 17 people are wounded in Birmingham, Ala., after a mass shooting that investigators believe was an intended hit.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, the Birmingham Police Department (BPD) was dispatched to the scene of the shooting  outside of hookah lounge Hush on the 2000 Block of Magnolia Avenue South around 11 p.m. after reports of multiple shots fired, the police said in a news release.

Upon arrival, officers found two adult males and one adult female unresponsive on the sidewalk, each suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officials pronounced the three individuals dead at the scene, and another victim, an adult male, was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

The incident resulted in 17 other gunshot victims, police said, noting that injuries range from non-life-threatening to life-threatening.

Three of the victims have been identified as Anitra Holloman, 21, of Bessemer; Tahj Booker, 27, of Birmingham; and Carlos McCain, 27, of Birmingham.

AP Photo/Vasha Hunt Hush hookah lounge in Birmingham, Ala., on Sept. 22, 2024

After a preliminary investigation, the BPD determined that there are multiple suspects in the shooting, which police believe stemmed from an isolated incident where multiple victims were caught in the crossfire.

In a Sept. 22 press conference, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said police believe the suspects were targeting one of the deceased.

We believe that there was a hit, if you will, on that particular person, as far as someone willing to pay money to have that person killed, he said.

Thurmond also stated investigators are not sure why the individual was targeted, noting that the shooting did not appear to stem from any altercations or other occurrences at businesses in the area.

Birmingham Police Department, Alabama/Facebook Birmingham police officers respond to a mass shooting on Sept. 21, 2024

After reporters asked about ties to the July mass shooting in Birmingham that left seven people dead  which still has no suspects  Thurmond said police do not believe the Sept. 21 shooting is linked at all.

Investigators believe the suspects may have used a fully-automatic weapon, as approximately over 100 shell casings were collected at the scene, along with numerous other pieces of evidence. The suspects arrived on the scene in a vehicle, which they later fled in, the chief added.

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.

Elsewhere in the press conference, both Thurmond and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin urged community members to come forward with any information related to the extremely unfortunate shooting.

Thurmond also discussed the effect of the evening on everyone from the first responders and hospital staff to the victims who were caught in the crossfire during their Saturday night out.

There was individuals there who were just trying to enjoy themselves, who just wanted to have a nice evening and this occurred, and now theyre injured, he said. Theyve got injuries that theyll have to live with for the rest of their life, the trauma, the mental anguish theyve had to go through  its difficult.

Its difficult for everyone that this touches, he added.

The BPD is partnering with the Alabama Field Offices and the FBI in the investigation, which is ongoing. There is no one in custody.



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SIOUX FALLS S.D (KELO)  Four South Dakota K-12 schools are being recognized as 2024 National Blue Ribbon recipients by the U.S. Department of Education.

South Dakotas fallen heroes bridge dedications

The list includes three elementary schools and one high school, according to the DOEs National Blue Ribbon Schools website.

2024 National Blue Ribbon Awaradees

Lennox Elementary

Warner High School

Christ the King School (Sioux Falls)

Lincoln Elementary (Aberdeen)

According to the National Blue Ribbon website, Christ The King School, Lennox Elementary School and Warner High School were nominated in exemplary high performing schools category while Lincoln Elementary School was nominated for exemplary achievement gap closing schools.

There were a total of 356 schools recognized with 46 sates along with Washington D.C., Department of Defense Education and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Blue Ribbon status is awarded to schools that demonstrate commitment to excellence for all students, South Dakota Secretary of Education Joe Graves said in a news release. The work that is being done at Lennox Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Christ the King Elementary, and Warner High School is a testament to talented teachers and staff, students who work hard to achieve their potential, and dedicated leadership.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
45+ wholesale dealers in Wisconsin have licenses revoked for violating state law

(WFRV)  Nearly 50 wholesale dears in Wisconsin had their licenses revoked for allegedly violating state law.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), 46 wholesale dealers based at 101 Skyline Drive #1 in Arlington had their wholesale dealer licenses revoked. The release claims that the dealers violated state law.

Officials say that after an investigation, the WisDOTs Dealer and Agent Section found that 42 dealers failed to maintain a business facility. Four other wholesale dealers reportedly failed to maintain a dealer bond.

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: Wisconsin employment breaks fourth consecutive month record, jobs reach new record high

The decision to revoke the licenses of the 42 dealers was reportedly affirmed by a hearing examiner on August 23. None of the dealers reportedly appealed and the decision became final on September 22.

The four dealers who allegedly violated state law had their licenses revoked effective September 21.

More information on all of the dealers can be found on WisDOTs website. No additional details were provided.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Five West Michigan schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools.

The award is bestowed upon schools that are high performing and making great strides in closing achievement gaps, according to the U.S. Department of Education, which names the National Blue Ribbon Schools.

This year, 356 schools were recognized, including 12 in Michigan. Five of those are in West Michigan:

Belmont : Chandler Woods Charter Academy

Grand Haven : Rosy Mound Elementary Schools, Grand Haven Area Public Schools

Marshall : Hughes Elementary School, Marshall Public Schools

Rockford : Meadow Ridge Elementary School, Rockford Public Schools

Spring Lake: Lake Hills Elementary School, Grand Haven Area Public Schools

National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success, the U.S. Department of Education explained in a news release.

The department said schools can be recognized in exemplary performance on state or national assessments, and/or achievements in closing gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.

A National Blue Ribbon School flag will be displayed in the schools entryways or on a flagpole, the U.S. Department of Education said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Several people passed out and were treated for heat-related illness during an event Saturday night at Richard Allie Middle School in Crowley, according to the Crowley Fire Department.

Officials evacuated the building, at 1033 McCart Ave., around 7 p.m., and four people were treated at the scene while one person was taken to a hospital for additional treatment, the fire department said.

According to Crowley school district officials, the incident occurred during a non-school event that ran over its scheduled time. The air conditioning in the middle school was working but was only turned on during the scheduled time for the event, which was supposed to end at 4 p.m., Crowley ISD said in a statement.

We are working with event organizers who rented the school to investigate the incident, the districts statement said.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon lawmakers are returning to Salem on Friday for September Legislative Days to receive updates on key issues impacting the state that could influence legislation that gets picked up in the next legislative session.

While lawmakers will receive updates on a slate of issues, a joint press release from Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-West Eugene & Veneta) and Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) identified five top priorities including addressing the drug addiction crisis, housing and homelessness, and the public defender crisis.

Drug addiction crisis

The lawmakers said they are continuing to search for ways to address the drug addiction crisis and will receive updates on existing laws, access to addiction treatment, and implementation of the Drug Addiction Recovery Act (Measure 110).

The update comes after lawmakers passed House Bill 4002, which reversed parts of Measure 110 and recriminalized drug possession.

According to a presentation from the Oregon Health Authority for Legislative Days, Measure 110 also created Behavioral Health Resource Networks, with at least one in every county.

Oregons richest place is in unincorporated Multnomah County, Forbes reports

Housing and homelessness

During Legislative Days, lawmakers will also receive updates on Gov. Tina Koteks Emergency Homeless Response Bill, the governors housing advisory council, modular housing funding, and other housing infrastructure needs.

The updates come after the lawmakers said they took unprecedented action to address Oregons affordable housing crisis earlier in the year by passing $2 billion in funding for new and existing homeless shelters, affordable housing production, and rental assistance.

Coraline cat statue found after being taken from Portland waterfront

Jobs and the economy

The offices of House Speaker Fahey and Senate President Wagner said lawmakers will also receive updates on the state of Oregons economy and workforce, including Oregons small businesses and implementation of the Oregon CHIPS Act.

Citing projections from economists, the lawmakers noted Oregon will see 3,000 semiconductor jobs and 1,000 construction jobs in the next five years thanks to the federal CHIPS and Science Act.

Doughy and delicious: Bread Fest returning to Portland

The projections come as Gov. Kotek recently moved to expand the urban growth boundary to build a new semiconductor facility near Hillsboro.

Public safety and public defense

According to the lawmakers, improving public safety and public defense will remain a priority into the next legislative session.

During September Legislative Days, lawmakers will hear updates on crime and recidivism rates  which comes as data from the Department of Justice and Portland Police Bureau found violent crime in Oregons largest city has seen a dramatic drop since 2022.

Lawmakers are also set to discuss Oregons public defender crisis.

Earlier in 2024, the legislature passed Senate Bill 337 which restructured the Oregon Public Defense Commission and created additional oversight to the structure for public defenders.

Forbes: These are the best companies to work for in Oregon

Additionally, the Legislature allocated over $96 million to increase pay for public defenders, hire more attorneys, and create regional hubs in high-need areas.

Supporting kids and families

In the press release, the Democratic leaders said access to childcare is crucial to reducing child poverty and growing Oregons workforce.

In the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers established a $172 million early childhood budget which created the states first child tax credit.

During Legislative Days, committees will receive updates on wrap-around services and housing programs for homeless youth, support for kids in the foster system, and the newly established Department of Early Learning and Childhood.

The 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 21.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Luis Armando Albino was reunited with his family after a decades-long search in June

Jaromir Chalabala / EyeEm / Getty Images A stock image of a police siren

A California man has been reunited with his family more than seven decades after he was abducted as a child.

Luis Armando Albino was just 6 years old when he was lured away by a woman while playing at a park with his big brother Roger in West Oakland on Feb. 21, 1951.

According to CBS News, a search conducted by his niece Alida Alequin in Oakland using an online ancestry test and old photos and newspaper articles led to him being found living on the East Coast.

Her efforts "played an integral role in finding her uncle," shared the Oakland police, who helped search for Albino alongside the FBI and Justice Department, as reported by Mercury News.

"It was the best possible outcome the Oakland Police Department (OPD) could hope for, as this is what our officers are dedicated to and strive for in every Missing Persons case," the authorities told PEOPLE in a statement.

"On March 18, 2024, a woman contacted OPD's Missing Persons Unit regarding the possible location and identity of her uncle, Luis Albino, who had been missing for more than 70 years. The woman told our investigators that her online DNA test results matched an individual believed to be her uncle, who was kidnapped in 1951," added the OPD.

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Jaromir Chalabala / EyeEm / Getty Images A stock image of a police siren

After Albino disappeared local authorities launched a major search operation in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and soldiers from a local army base, the OPD added to PEOPLE.

This involved a search of San Francisco Bay and other California waterways, reported The Guardian, while his brother Roger Albino, was repeatedly questioned by detectives about his story of how his sibling had been taken from the park by a woman wearing a bandana.

The first sign Albino may have been alive came after Alequin took an online DNA test for fun in 2020 and it showed a 22% match for a man as her uncle, reported KTUV. In February, she searched again and cross-referenced this with some old Oakland Tribune articles about Albino  including a photograph  that she found at the library. She then contacted the police and the missing persons case was opened.

"The resemblance was so strong; how much he looked like my other uncles," Alequin told KUTV. "Then another picture where he looked so much like my grandmother, that one gave me chills, and I said theres something here.' "



On June 20, Alequin was told by police that Albino, who is now a grandfather and a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran, had been located on the East Coast.

"In my heart I knew it was him, and when I got the confirmation, I let out a big 'YES!'" she said, per the Mercury News.

"We didn't start crying until after the investigators left," Alequin added. "I grabbed my mom's hands and said, 'We found him.' I was ecstatic."

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPD Missing Persons Unit at 510-238-3641.



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EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Seven people face charges for their alleged roles in a massive counterfeit pill manufacturing operation in East Haven, according to federal investigators.

Federal investigators believe the alleged dealers were responsible for manufacturing and trafficking counterfeit pills containing synthetic opioids and other substances, including oxycodone, Xanax and Adderall.

They allegedly manufactured these pills in a garage in East Haven rented out by 45-year-old Kelldon Hinton of New Haven.

East Haven Police seize THC/marijuana products from smoke shop

From there, investigators allege Hinton, with the help of his co-conspirators, marketed and sold those pills on the dark web and mailed pills to customers across Connecticut and the United States from February 2023 to February 2024.

Over the course of one year, Henton shipped more than 1,300 packages through the U.S. mail, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery said at a press conference Monday. He also distributed counterfeit pills through associates in Connecticut, who sold them to their own customers.

In addition to Hinton, the following six people were indicted by a federal grand jury:

Heshima Harris, 53, of New Haven

Emanuel Payton, 33, of New Haven

Marvin Ogman, 47, of West Haven

Shawn Stephens, 34, of West Haven

Arnaldo Echevarria, 42, of Waterbury

Cheryle Tyson, 64, of West Haven

The garage was the subject of a DEA investigation in East Haven on Sept. 5, where hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills were discovered. Officials said they seized several hundred thousand pills, two pill presses and pill manufacturing equipment. One of the pill presses can churn out 100,000 pills an hour, authorities said.

In this photo released by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Connecticut, seized counterfeit pills are displayed Sept. 5, 2024, in East Haven.

Authorities said they were tipped off about Hinton by an unnamed source in June 2023. Law enforcement officials said they later began searching and seizing parcels sent to and from Hinton and set up surveillance that showed him dropping off parcels at a post office. Investigators also said they ordered bogus pills from Hintons operation on the dark web.

Hinton has a criminal record dating to 1997 that includes convictions for assault, larceny and drug sales, federal authorities said in a search warrant application.

Roberts Avery said law enforcement is investigating a recent overdose that may be linked to this drug ring.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
OWINGSVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  Bath County Public Schools said no one was hurt after a bus accident on Monday in Owingsville.

Bath County Public Schools said on Facebook that the incident involved a bus being side-swiped by an oncoming vehicle near the Crossroads Elementary School campus.

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The school system said seven students and a driver were on board at the time and were immediately checked by paramedics, and no one needed immediate care.

Thank you to our local first responders for your quick response and great care of our students, Bath County Public Schools said on Facebook.

The school system said all families were contacted after the event, and a one-call was sent to all other families in the district.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ukrainian soldiers at their positions. Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Russian forces have launched a large-scale assault on the positions of the 79th Air Assault Brigade near the village of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast. The Russians deployed 14 armoured vehicles with infantry and 6 tanks to carry out the attack. The Ukrainian unit successfully repelled the attack.

Source: 79th Air Assault Tavriia Brigade on Facebook

Details: The Russians failed to achieve a surprise attack  the 79th Brigade opened fire on the Russian convoys of equipment before they even started to move to the attack line.

Artillery, attack drones, anti-tank missile systems and even minefields  Russian forces once again experienced the strength of the Ukrainian paratroopers.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 79  -   (@79_brigade)

Quote: "During the battle, our soldiers burned two enemy tanks and two armoured vehicles with troops inside. Another tank was hit. The rest of the equipment made a shameful escape.

A spectacular safari after the retreating Russian infantrymen was arranged by our attack drone operators.

A Russian paratrooper lost both legs as a result of a precision drone strike  this is what awaits those who come to foreign soil to kill Ukrainians."

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Writers attend the Global Authors Roundtable Conference of the 2nd Shanghai International Online Literature Week in east China's Shanghai, Dec. 6, 2023. (China Literature Limited/Handout via Xinhua)

HAIKOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The scale of China's digital publishing industry reached 1.618 trillion yuan (about 228.89 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, up 19.08 percent year on year, according to an annual report.

The report, issued by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication (CAPP), was released during the 14th China International Digital Publishing Expo that kicked off Saturday in the city of Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province.

By the end of 2023, the number of Chinese online literature readers reached a record high of 537 million. The overseas market scale for Chinese online literature exceeded 4 billion yuan, covering more than 200 countries and regions.

Traditional culture has become a significant theme element in various Chinese online culture forms, including literature, animation and games, noted Wei Yushan, head of CAPP, at the expo. 
8 Bulls Escape Massachusetts Mall Rodeo, Causing Chaos  and One Is Still on the Loose

8 Bulls Escape Massachusetts Mall Rodeo, Causing Chaos  and One Is Still on the Loose

Eight bulls escaped their pens from a rodeo taking place at the Emerald Square Mall in North Attleboro, Mass. on Sept 22

Edy Vasquez via Storyful Bulls escape rodeo at mall in Massachusetts

Numerous bulls escaped from a rodeo at a Massachusetts mall on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 22  and one animal is still on the loose.

According to ABC News, eight bulls escaped their pen at the rodeo, held at the Emerald Square Mall in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, on the border of Rhode Island.

A shocking video from the incident shows rodeo attendees looking on as the loose animals race through the parking lot and crash into a fence. One of the bulls was caught shortly after breaking free.

Edy Vasquez recorded the chaotic incident and told Storyful about the escape. "People started to panic, and that's when the bulls started running around," he said.

"In the video, you can see that the bulls almost hit a lady, but luckily, she made it out."

Edy Vasquez via Storyful Bulls escape rodeo at mall in Massachusetts

Related: Kaley Cuoco Introduces Her Family's New Rescue Cow Named Connie Cowstein: Our Girl

The North Attleboro Fire Department, along with members of the New England Rodeo and the mall's rodeo, assisted in searching for the escaped animals.

Six of the bulls found their way into a yard three miles away from the mall, local news site NBC News Boston reported.

"As soon as I stepped out when I looked over there, I was like, 'Those aren't horses, those are literally bulls' and 'Oh my God,' " Chris Mooney, whose yard temporarily hosted the bulls, told the outlet. "I got all my dogs from outside, brought them inside real quick."

The search team safely corraled the bulls from the yard into a trailer.



Related: Runaway Bull Rescued by Sanctuary After Halting Morning Commute by Running onto Train Tracks

No injuries were reported from the incident, and the rodeo, which shut down for the day, is currently under investigation, according to NBC News.

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.

As of Monday at 12:30 p.m., the remaining bull is still on the loose "in the Allen Avenue area of North Attleboro." "Rodeo personnel are continuing their search with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing," the fire department wrote on Facebook.

Community members are encouraged to call 9-1-1 if they have an update on the missing bull.

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Read the original article on People.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  A forum will be held next week in Evansville for voters to hear from candidates running for Congress.

The League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana will host the forum on Thursday, October 3.

It will be at McCollough Library on Washington Avenue from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m..

Candidates running for the House of Representatives will have a chance to introduce themselves and a moderator will ask questions.

Written questions from the audience will also be taken.

The forum is open to the public.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com.

California has some of the strongest abortion protections in the country  but in some of the states closest congressional races, the battle over abortion rights could make a big difference.

Races in three central and northern California districts with Republican incumbents could be where abortion views matter.

Reps. John Duarte of Modesto, Kevin Kiley of Roseville and David Valadao of Hanford face competitive races, according to nonpartisan analysts. In each case, their Democratic opponents are labeling them as unwilling to get tough and champion abortion rights.

I think that this election is unusual in the sense that there are things Congress could do that would actually matter, even in a state like California that has state level protections for reproductive rights, said Mary Ziegler, a University of California, Davis law professor who is an expert on the legal history of abortion in the U.S.

While California has strong abortion protections, federal legislation would override state law.

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So if you had a Republican majority in the House and Senate, which seems more likely than not at this point, passing some kind of national ban isnt out of the question, Ziegler said.

I dont know how much (abortion) will be what gets people to the polls, she said of the close races. But again, when theyre really close races, any amount of difference could be determining the outcome.

Washington and abortion

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has repeatedly taken credit for overturning Roe v. Wade by installing three conservative Supreme Court justices. Trump has declined to say whether hed sign a national ban, but boasts that abortion law is now regulated by states.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, has made reproductive health a central presidential campaign issue, calling state laws limiting abortion access Trump abortion bans.

While a simple majority in the House could pass a ban, it would probably need at least 60 Senate votes. Thats considered highly unlikely with the current and projected makeup of the chamber.

In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the precedent that had set federal abortion policy for nearly 50 years, in its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Roe v. Wade had protected abortion access until fetal viability, generally regarded at about 24 weeks of pregnancy. This 2022 decision allowed states nationwide to enact and enforce laws restricting abortion access.

Abortion rights became a key issue in the 2022 midterm elections, helping stave off a predicted red wave and instead handing Republicans a razor-thin House majority.

That year, California voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that enshrined abortion and contraceptive protections in the states Constitution.

Not all parts of the Central Valley wanted to add reproductive rights to the California Constitution. Some Central Valley counties voted no on slim margins; in some others, the ballot proposition prevailed on tight margins.

Central Valley and abortion

There are two tossup congressional districts in the Central Valley, Californias politically purple agricultural center, held by Republican incumbents. Close to Sacramento is another GOP congressional district that nonpartisan analysts have their eye on as demographics are expected to shift bluer overtime.

Issues that are important in the presidential race will impact congressional ones, nonpartisan election analysts have said. With the nationalization of elections and reduction in split-ticket voting, where people choose candidates from different parties for different offices, abortion and similar issues that are important at the top of the ticket have become more important locally.

In Californias 3rd Congressional District, freshman Kiley is likely, but not definitely, going to win in November against Democrat Jessica Morse.





The 3rd stretches from the northern Sierra Nevada along the Nevada border into Death Valley, taking in Alpine, Inyo, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas and Sierra counties plus parts of El Dorado, Sacramento and Yuba counties.

Voters in the 3rd supported Californias 2022 reproductive health ballot measure by 16 percentage points.

The tossups are both rematches in Californias 13th and 22nd Congressional Districts. In the 13th, its freshman Duarte and former Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced. In the 22nd, its Valadao and former Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield.

The 13th includes all of Merced County and chunks of Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno and San Joaquin counties. It has more registered Democrats than Republicans. It would have voted for President Joe Biden over Trump in 2020 by 11 percentage points had current legislative maps been in place. Congressional districts were redrawn after the 2020 election to reflect census data.

The 22nd, which has more registered Democrats than Republicans and would have picked Biden by 13 percentage points in 2020, includes most of Kings County and parts of Tulare and Kern counties.

The 13th supported the 2022 ballot proposition by just 6 percentage points. The 22nd, by 8 percentage points.

Analysts are also watching the Democrat-held 9th Congressional District which they say is likely, but not definitely, going to incumbent Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy. Voters there approved the 2022 ballot measure by 16 percentage points.

Three congressional districts in California voted no on the ballot proposition: the 20th, 23rd and 48th, all safely Republican districts.

House Republicans

Valadao and Kiley currently have an A-plus from anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. Most House Republicans do. Only eight score lower than an A, including Duarte, who got a C.

Duarte has said he supports abortion access through the first three months of pregnancy.

Valadao and Kiley have both said they are pro-life, the term used by the anti-abortion movement, but that they support exceptions in instances of rape, incest and to protect the life of the parent.

Their three opponents support codifying Roe v. Wade protections into federal law. Gray and Salas, as members of the Assembly, voted to get the proposition for abortion rights onto the 2022 ballot. Salas was a principal co-author of the measure.

There are several congressional votes praised by Pro-Life America and denounced by abortion rights advocates.

All three Republicans voted yes on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in 2023, which would have required health care providers to try to preserve an infants life if born alive from a failed abortion, a rare circumstance. Health care providers who failed to do so could have faced fines or up to five years in prison. The legislation did not became law.

It is already illegal to intentionally kill a baby that is born alive. Opponents of the bill said it was meant to intimidate health care providers who offer abortions. All House Republicans who cast a vote on the bill supported it.

In 2023, all three Californians voted for an annual defense spending bill that had an amendment to bar the Department of Defense from reimbursing service members for travel to receive abortion care. Duarte was one of two Republicans who opposed adding the amendment, but still voted for the overall bill with it. Valadao and Kiley voted yes on adding the amendment. The abortion measure was removed from the version that was signed into law.

The provision was added to the Houses defense bill again this summer, with Duarte again one of two Republicans voting no on the abortion amendment, but he supported the overall legislation. Valadao and Kiley voted yes on both adding the amendment and the overall bill.

Unlike the freshmen Duarte and Kiley, Valadao has been in the House for most of a decade.

Since 2013, he has repeatedly voted on federal efforts to limit abortion access, including multiple efforts to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for instances including rape, incest and to save the life of the parent. If the bill became law, health providers who conduct an abortion after this face a fine and a prison term of up to five years.

In 2022, Valadao cosponsored the Life at Conception Act, which would have banned abortion without those exceptions. He did not cosponsor the legislation again in 2023.

Messaging

Kevin Kiley wants to ban abortion nationwide, with no exceptions for rape or incest, says an ad from Morse, the wildfire resiliency specialist whos seeking Kileys congressional seat.

The 30-second Morse ad features a woman identified as Miranda who explains that she was the victim of sexual assault. She says Kileys support of a ban includes no exceptions for survivors like me. Its disgusting and cruel.

But Kiley said abortion policy is up to the states and he supports exceptions to abortion limitations in answering a questionnaire from The Bee for its primary election voter guide, The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the issue of the legality of abortion should be left up to individual states. Last election, California voters enacted a Constitutional Amendment making abortion services broadly legal in the state.

While I personally believe in protecting life and am opposed to late-term abortions, I am mindful that our states voters have spoken on this issue, Kiley said.

The Morse campaign argues that his congressional votes, including ones mentioned above, illustrate support for a national ban.

Dean Wallace, Morses campaign manager, also cited Kileys support for the Dobbs decision that allowed states to start passing laws restricting abortion access: States have actually started passing these bans. And they are bans without exceptions for rape and incest in many cases. If Kiley supports overturning Roe then he supports these bans without exceptions, he said.

Another issue they pointed to: Republican group membership. Kiley was a steering committee member of the Republican Study Committee, a conservative congressional group that has taken a hard line on abortion.

Dave Gilliard, a consultant to the Kiley campaign, countered, While Kiley is a member of the RSC he had absolutely nothing to do with this proposal and was unaware of its existence. He never voted for it, nor did he introduce or co-sponsor any legislation to implement this budge.

The ad, he said, is false: Kevin Kiley has never voted or expressed support for a national ban on all abortions and he has consistently and publicly said that he supports the rape, incest and mothers life in danger exceptions.

The Republicans and their candidates, theyre not in any way pro-choice, and so them pretending to be is insulting to our intelligence, said Pablo Rodriguez, the founding Executive Director of Communities for a New California Education Fund, which is part of a coalition to help Democrats of color turn out in November.

He said their polling of Latina women in the Central Valley shows reproductive rights as one of their top issues, and that Latina women are registered at higher rates to vote than Latino men, with a growing contingent being no-party preference. The 13th and 22nd are Latino-majority voting-age districts.

They dont necessarily automatically go to vote for the Democrats, Rodriguez said. They still need to be convinced. And so on issues like abortion and access to abortion, thats one issue. But theres an array of issues like jobs in the economy and health care and access to housing, specifically, where the candidates need to demonstrate a plan.
Maryland and Mississippi join the large and growing list of states to begin early and absentee voting Monday.

Voting is underway in nearly 20 states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Virginia.

States starting their early voting today are not competitive at the presidential level, but the Senate race in Maryland will be one of the most closely watched races on election night.

Fox News Poll: Voters Think Harris Did Better Than Trump In Debate

Maryland and Mississippi begin early voting on Monday, Sept. 23.

The last time the state voted for a Republican senator was 1980, but former Gov. Larry Hogan tied Democratic challenger Angela Alsobrooks in a recent poll, and has put forth a set of moderate policy proposals without raising the ire of former President Donald Trump.

Hogan, though a Republican, has been a vocal critic of Trump.

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Illegal Immigrants On Voter Rolls Spurs Watchdog Group To Sue Maricopa County

Alsobrooks is leaning on her experience as a county executive and prosecutor, and the states heavily blue tilt gives her an edge. This race is ranked Leans D on the Fox News Power Rankings.

Many states across the country have begun early voting as of Sept. 22.

This is a guide to registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on voter eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please go to Vote.gov and the election website for Maryland.

Maryland began absentee voting on Monday. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot. The state must receive a ballot application by Oct. 29, and that ballot must be delivered to state officials by Nov. 5.

Absentee ballots can be returned in-person through Election Day. Early voting begins Oct. 24 and runs through Oct. 31.

Maryland residents can register to vote online or by mail through Oct. 15. They can also register in-person during early voting or on election day.

House Gop Doubts Grow As Johnson Digs In On Funding Fight: 'Playing With A Government Shutdown'

Six more states will begin early voting later this week.

This is a guide to registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on voter eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please go to Vote.gov and the election website for Mississippi.

Mississippi began absentee voting Monday. Applicants need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot, however. The state must receive a ballot application by Nov. 4, and that ballot must be delivered to state officials by Nov. 5.

Mississippi does not support early in-person voting.

Residents can register to vote by mail or in-person through Oct. 7.





Original article source: Absentee voting begins in Maryland, Mississippi
Absentee voting for the Nov. 5 election starts Tuesday. Here's what you need to know

On Nov. 5, voters will choose statewide office holders and cast their ballots for the U.S. president.

In this election, Missourians will decide on governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and one U.S. Senate seat. Other state representatives and state senate seats will also be decided.

Absentee voting begins Tuesday, Sept. 24. Here's what you need to know about absentee voting and other dates to know for the general election.

What to know about absentee voting

Absentee ballots may be voted on from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Sept. 24 through Nov. 4 at the Greene County Archives/Election Center at 1126 N. Boonville Ave. When voting an absentee ballot in person, you must show a valid photo ID.

If you are requesting a ballot by mail, you must send in a handwritten letter or the fillable form on the Greene County Clerk's site, vote.greenecountymo.gov. Absentee ballot by mail requests must be received by the clerk's office no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 23.

Mailed ballots must be voted, notarized, returned by mail and received in the clerk's office before 7 p.m. Nov. 5.

If you have questions about absentee voting, call the clerk's office at 417-868-4060 or email absenteevoting@greenecountymo.gov.

Who can request an absentee ballot?

According to the Secretary of State, when a voter requests an absentee ballot, they must list one of the following reasons:

Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote;

Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability on election day, which includes caretakers who are primarily responsible for someone and reside at the same address;

Religious belief or practice;

Employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location on than your polling place, a first responder, a health care worker or a member of law enforcement;

Incarceration if all other qualifications for voting are retained;

Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.

From Oct. 22 to Nov. 4, voters can cast an absentee ballot in person without providing a reason as to why they need an absentee ballot.

Dates to know for Missouri general election

Sept. 24: This is the first day that voters can request a mail-in ballot. Requirements for obtaining an absentee ballot can be found on the Missouri Secretary of States website.

Oct. 9: This is the last day to register to vote for the November general election. Mail-in voter registration packets must be postmarked by this date.

Oct. 22: No excuse absentee voting in-person begins.

Oct. 23 : Requests for mail-in ballots must be received before 5 p.m. on this date.

Nov. 4: Those wishing to vote absentee in-person prior to the election must do so before 5 p.m. on this date.

Nov. 5: The general election will be held on this day, deciding the winner of various statewide races. Voters will also indicate their choice for U.S. President. Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the clerk's office by 7 p.m. on this date.

Those wishing to view the full election calendar may do so on the Missouri Secretary of States website, which also contains helpful resources for voter registration, absentee voting, and locating local election authorities and polling places.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri early voting 2024: Requesting absentee ballots, dates to know
'Absolutely dumb': Teen gunman driven by mom to planned fight gets decades in prison

A teenage gunman who admitted to fatally shooting a man during a confrontation outside an Independence home last August will spend decades behind bars.

Jackie Turner, 18, was sentenced on Monday to 30 years in prison. The prison term matches a recommendation from prosecutors made as part of Turner's July guilty plea to murder in Kenton County Circuit Court.

Turner was 17 years old when he was arrested alongside his mom and older brother after 23-year-old Seth Burns was shot to death a year ago this week.

Turner previously admitted in court that his mom, 39-year-old Amanda Turner, drove him to the residence knowing he was armed with a gun and there would likely be a fight. His older brother, 22-year-old Xxavion Turner, also had a gun, the younger Turner said.

Jackie Turner, 18, was sentenced Monday for the August 2023 killing of 23-year-old Seth Burns during a confrontation outside an Independence home.

Jackie Turner did not make a statement during his sentencing. His attorney declined to comment when reached by The Enquirer after the hearing.

Investigators said an argument on social media led to a real-life confrontation outside a house on Archer Court that culminated in the shooting on Aug. 25.

The posts involved the girlfriend Amanda Turners older son, Xxavion Turner and insults about children and parenting skills, or lack thereof, Kenton County Commonwealths Attorney Rob Sanders previously told The Enquirer.

Prosecutors said Amanda Turner, who pleaded guilty last week to charges including criminal facilitation of murder, was involved in text messages encouraging the fight.

Amanda Turner, 39, pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges related to the shooting death of 23-year-old Seth Burns at the hands of her then-juvenile son.

Doorbell camera video showed Amanda Turner also led her sons and two daughters, as well as Xxavion Turners girlfriend, down the street while screaming toward the Archer Court home, according to a criminal complaint.

However, the fight didnt happen because the younger Turner shot Burns in the torso after a brief exchange of words between the two groups, and the Turner family fled, prosecutors said.

Xxavion Turner is facing charges including murder and is expected to go on trial in November, court records show.

Amanda Turners daughters, Lakera Hughes and Keavier Turner, and Xxavion Turners girlfriend, Emma Ryan, were each charged with rioting and unlawful transaction with a minor but have since pleaded guilty as charged.

In statements written to the court, Burns' family described him as "the glue that held the family together," said Judge Kathy Lape.

"This was absolutely dumb," Lape said. "And Mr. (Turner) you're going to get 30 years in jail, but in reality, you've given the family members of Seth Burns a life sentence."

"Their grief is overwhelming and will stay that way forever," she said.

In a statement, Michael Burns, Seth Burns' father, wrote that his son didn't know the Turner family, wasn't part of the argument and was only there that day because he was spending time with a woman who instigated the dispute.

"I don't believe Jackie meant to kill my son. As much as I would like to believe he came there knowing what he was going to do, I know better," he wrote. "That doesn't negate the fact that it happened."

"He (Seth Burns) was a huge part of all of our lives and it's a hard pill to swallow knowing that he died completely innocent," Michael Burns added.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Northern Kentucky teen sentenced in killing when mom took him to fight
MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD)  A dispute between a contractor and Adelaide Pointe in Muskegon has been resolved.

Terra Contractors had filed an almost $1 million lien against Adelaide Pointe late last year. The two companies also filed lawsuits against each other over the payment dispute.

Terra Contractors has now discharged the lien, according to a notice filed with the Muskegon County Register of Deeds Sept. 9.

Developer Ryan Leestma previously told News 8 Terra Contractors had been hired to install roads and utilities at Adelaide Pointe, a $250 million waterfront project located at 1204 Western Ave. along Muskegon Lake.

Adelaide Pointe developers, contractors in dispute over $1M

In a joint statement from Terra Contractors and Adelaide Pointe, the companies said the dispute stemmed from a misunderstanding.

The parties recognize that there were differing perspectives and interpretations regarding the construction performed by Terra at the development which is commonly known as Adelaide Pointe, the statement says in part. The parties engaged in meaningful settlement discussions and are pleased to announce that were able to resolve their differences and the Litigation has been dismissed.

The statement also includes a retraction from the Adelaide Pointe developer.

Mr. Leestma and the Adelaide Parties hereby fully and apologetically retract any written or oral statements or claims which were made publicly or privately regarding Terra  including any statements and claims related to its business and billing practices or alleged misconduct by Terra or its principals, the retraction reads. Again, the parties have resolved the litigation in a mutually beneficial and professional manner.

Terra Contractors told News 8 the company is remaining off the project.

A lien filed by Hudsonville company Van Spyker Landscaping against Adelaide Point was discharged in August, according to a notice filed with the Register of Deeds.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
School lockers in a hallway. Getty Images.

From pop songs, to family milestones, to political sloganeering in election years and policy making by those in office, variation on the theme for the children is used as a clarion call for better things for the next generation. Less melodious and trendy is what to do when children become the threat.

News stories about violence and schools, ranging from hoax threats and the usual disciplinary issues to the worst case scenarios of active shooters, are relentless. The latest numbers from the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security detail that over the early days of September, 138 threats were received by 69 schools in 33 counties. Those numbers would constitute threats in one week to 20% of the schools in West Virginia. Over half the counties in the state with fresh threats to sort through, with more assuredly to come.

Threats, as it turned out, largely came from a viral TikTok hit list that quickly spread across social media. While some students in West Virginia were also being detained and questioned, much of the recent rash of threats came from out of state.

The FBIs Clarksburg office felt compelled to issue a statement about the rash of threats not only in West Virginia but also adjacent Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11 of all days, with the usual wording about coordinating and assisting in identifying and mitigating threats. Gov. Jim Justice responded by directing homeland security to establish a task force of involved agencies and create a centralized hub to be activated and coordinate incident response.

This is the hard part of bridging headlines and worry to policy and action. Most of the recent threats to West Virginia schools were hoaxes or students making empty threats to further a vicious viral trend. But all it takes is one of those threats to be real, and have access to a weapon, and show up to a school, and to slip through the parental, social, school, and law enforcement cracks to create a tragedy.

With the latest threats to West Virginia causing justified response, a look at the recent murder of two students, two teachers, and wounding of nine others at Apalachee High School in Georgia should be a teachable moment. The charged gunman was a student with known issues, having been investigated by the FBI and local authorities previously as a potential threat. Colin Gray, the gunmans father, was swiftly charged as well. While the Grays will get their day in court, what is clear is once again a mass shooting was perpetrated by a known threat that wasnt dealt with despite being identified.

Holding parents legally liable for the actions of their children has always been a controversial matter both legally and in society. It is also becoming depressingly necessary. The Secret Service detailed in their 2019 analysis of targeted school violence that all the attackers they profiled exhibited concerning behavior, and most elicited both concern from others and the attackers communicated intent. Also, the report states, Nearly every attacker experienced negative home life factors and that all the attackers experienced social stressors before acting. Combined, the picture of the people who should be most involved with a potential attacker are the ones most likely to identify and prevent violence. But at Apalachee, the parent is charged as being the enabler of the violence.

When gun violence in schools makes headlines, a predictable cycle of response begins. The debate quickly goes directly to the politically and culturally charged issue of guns. Administrators will point out how things like physical security upgrades require funding investment. There is the push/pull between local officials, parents and teachers over how much law enforcement presence at schools is needed, wanted, necessary and healthy.

All worthy topics of great importance. All reactionary responses after there is blood spilled and violence perpetrated by a student upon a school.

How to prevent modern attacks, especially in the face of rising and technologically enhanced threats, requires hard questions on very old topics. Questions of when should law enforcement be held accountable for not following up on known threats. The politically charged, ethically difficult and legally fraught matter of where do parents rights and the states obligation for public safety meet and when does one override the other? The very uncomfortable conversations of parents, peers, adults and students who see things  not only someones behavior and actions but also on social media and their online persona  and knowing when to get authorities involved.

That last one is not helped by state agencies like the West Virginia State Police and Department of Human Services having separate scandals, bad press and notable communication issues between themselves and the public. Or by a state that is far behind on services like adolescent mental health care options. See something, report something carries more weight when the citizens have faith their do something will result in something being done.

Like multiple choice test questions on school tests, the answers of protection, security and mitigating threats for the children requires an all of the above answer and approach in vigilance, accountability and effort. Recent evidence shows it doesnt take just one child to perpetrate violence upon a school and community. It takes a child that has been failed by various adults on multiple levels to turn a student into a shooter. Accountability and corrective action should be something adults should get busy doing, for the children.

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com. Follow West Virginia Watch on Facebook and X.

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Native Vote 2024. With just six weeks to go before Election Day, Advance Political Leadership Action Fund (Advance), the first and only national Native-led organization working to build a complete ecosystem approach to political power building in Native communities, announced its first-ever endorsement of any non-Indigenous candidate for office.

Anathea Chino (Acoma Pueblo), Co-Founder and Executive Director of Advance, says the Harris-Walz ticket is committed to Indian Country. Advance Political Leadership Action Fund is the organization's 501(c)4 project helping to elect Native leaders at all levels of public office.

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.

While this isnt the first time a national ticket has shown an understanding of and commitment to Native peoples, this moment represents a historic shift with a deeper investment in elevating Native leaders and communities,, said Chino. Gov. Walzs partnership with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and legislative record in Minnesota is proof he is committed to the unique status of Tribal Nations and our right to existence, self-governance, and self-determination. His inclusion on the presidential ticket is a game changer.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Ojibwe) were the first state executive leaders to visit all eleven tribes located in Minnesota. Since their election in 2018, Walz and Flanagan, a co-founder of Advance, have established a significant legislative record of greater opportunities and support for Native communities, including requiring state agencies to create and implement tribal consultation policies and requiring agencies to appoint tribal-state liaisons and mandating state agency leaders and employees to attend tribal-state relations training.

Following a longstanding conversation surrounding the Minnesota state flag and seal that had racist Native imagery, Walz and Flanagan changed the flag and included the Dakota name for the state, "Mni Sota Makoce on it. They also saw the return of Upper Sioux State park to the Sioux community.

This election season, the Native vote could be the deciding factor in a Harris-Walz victory in several key battleground states, including Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin. In 2020, Native American voters helped elect President Biden in each of these states, demonstrating the impact that Native voters can have in very tight races where their population is greater than the margin of victory.

So far this year, Advance has endorsed 42 Native leaders running for federal, state, and local offices across 13 states in 2024, representing its largest endorsement slate ever. This election season, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are making history like never before with 226 candidates running in 25 states. While 348 Native Americans currently hold elected office in the United States, more than 17,000 are needed to reach representational parity in elected office based on population.

This is a historic opportunity for Native peoples to participate in an election that can bring about a better Indigenous future, one that offers greater opportunities, visibility, and support for Native communities. A vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz is a vote for Peggy Flanagan to become the nations first Native woman governor, which could set a powerful precedent for Native representation in Minnesota and across the country. Her leadership would further elevate the concerns of Native communities, creating more opportunities for Indigenous voices to influence policy at the highest levels, says Chino. It is proof that inviting movement leaders and activists from all walks of life into the halls of power to develop shared strategy ensures we all win together.

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
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Summit of the Future opened at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York on Sunday, with the adoption of the Pact for the Future.

"Our future is in our hands," Philemon Yang, president the UN General Assembly, said at the opening segment of the two-day summit.

He said the world stands at a crossroads of global transformation, facing unprecedented challenges that demand urgent, collective action.

"From conflict and climate change to the digital divide, from inequalities to threats against human rights, together, we all face profound challenges," he said.

But "there is hope because challenges come along with opportunities" and a brighter future is "within reach," he said.

The Pact for the Future represents the pledge not only to address immediate crises, but lays the foundation for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order, he said, adding that it will boost the Sustainable Development Goals, inclusive and just societies and the common good of humankind.

Yang said that the summit offers a historic opportunity to ensure that progress is shared equitably across all nations and communities everywhere.

In his remarks, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the world is going through a time of turbulence and transition.

"But, we cannot wait for perfect conditions," he said.

Guterres noted that the international community must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation to make it "more networked, fair and inclusive now, and today."

The Pact for the Future, covering a broad range of themes including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance, was adopted unanimously. 
Advocates say their alternative to Xcels plan for new gas plants could save customers billions

Wind turbines in southwest Minnesota in 2024. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer.

Xcel Energys latest long-range plan for meeting electricity demand in Minnesota includes six new natural gas peaker plants that critics warn could be obsolete before customers are done paying for them.

Comments filed last month by clean energy advocates and the state attorney generals office push back on the utilitys plan to build a fleet of small fossil fuel plants as it otherwise ramps up clean energy investments. The facilities would operate sparingly, just a few hours at a time on days when the grid is strained and wind, solar and other clean power cant keep up with demand.

More economical options exist, though, according to a coalition of clean energy groups that hired experts to model alternatives. The study commissioned by the groups concluded Xcel could save ratepayers as much as $3.5 billion by opting for a single new gas plant, and relying more on existing plants, energy storage, efficiency and demand response, and buying surplus power on the regional power grid.

The clean energy groups include Fresh Energy, which publishes the Energy News Network (Fresh Energys leadership and policy staff do not have access to ENNs editorial process.)

The debate is over the utilitys latest integrated resource plan  the first submitted to state regulators since Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation last year requiring electric utilities to use 100% clean energy by 2040. Xcel Energy supported the legislation and has proposed various scenarios for achieving the target, but disagreements remain among stakeholders about how to get there, particularly when it comes to cost and equity issues.

Different approaches to modeling

Allen Gleckner, executive lead for policy and programs at Fresh Energy, said Xcels gas plant proposal is similar to one in its last integrated resource plan that asked regulators to approve two new peaker plants that would provide as much as 800 megawatts of electricity. Xcel eventually agreed to an open, fuel-neutral bidding process allowing clean energy companies to propose alternatives. That process is still underway, with an administrative law judge expected to make recommendations.

The clean energy groups consultants used the same software program as Xcel to arrive at a plan to add a new 374 megawatt gas plant, 3,800-4,800 megawatts of wind, 400 megawatts of solar, and 800 to 1,200 megawatts of energy storage resources by 2030. Extending contracts at existing peaker plants could add 970 megawatts, and energy conservation initiatives could reduce use during high demand times.

Gleckner said Xcel has taken an exceptionally conservative approach by mostly creating scenarios that did not consider electricity being available from neighboring systems or the MISO regional transmission grid. Gleckner said Xcel does not and has never operated as an island, with MISO delivering power to its customers through a shared resource pool.

Xcel is using a sort of fiction of modeling because the reality is were part of a regional grid, he said.

The result is a plan to build a bunch of new resources that we know are either not compatible with our state laws or are going to be costly and likely to retire early, he said.

Amelia Vohs, climate program director for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, praised Xcel for not asking regulators to extend the life of existing fossil plants, unlike its counterparts in other states. Unlike previous long-range plans, Xcels latest imagines a future in which large gas and coal power plants are not the backbone of the system.

What that grid will look like remains challenging, Vohs said. Adding to the challenge is rising power demand from data centers, manufacturing, and the electrification of buildings and transportation. Even so, Vohs believes clean energy is ready for a leading role.

Its a much better solution thats flexible in this time of uncertainty without making this big commitment to gas resources for the next 40 years, Vohs said.

Patty OKeefe, senior field strategist for the Minnesota Sierra Club, said proposed combustion turbine peaker plants pose significant environmental and public health risks because they potentially emit more carbon and nitrous oxide than larger, more common combined cycle gas plants. They also tend to be built in communities already suffering higher pollution levels.

The Sierra Club would like Xcel to focus more on energy efficiency than electricity generation in its planning. Efficiency reduces demand and makes the transition to clean energy smoother and more cost-effective, OKeefe said.

Managing risk

Meanwhile, the office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has also weighed in, warning that investments made now may become obsolete stranded assets, meaning the plants may become uneconomical or forced to retire before they have delivered projected benefits to customers.

Xcel has acknowledged the risk of stranded assets generally in Securities and Exchange Commission filings, though not specifically in relation to its proposed gas peaker plants.

Utilities are incentivized to build power generation because investors earn a return on capital investment. The attorney general argues that if plants become obsolete or transition to other forms of energy, such as hydrogen, Xcel ratepayers should not have to pay for retrofits and other investments it might have to make to reduce emissions.

In its filings to state regulators, Xcel said it is concerned about having enough firm dispatchable power to meet rising demand quickly during certain times of the day. By 2030, the company will have ended its use of coal for energy generation after closing four coal-burning facilities this decade. The proposal suggests Xcel may need to add even more peaker plants between 2030 and 2040.

Xcel spokesperson Kevin Coss said the company will be adding a significant amount of wind and solar power to our energy mix and complementing that generation with always-available generation  power we can supply any time its needed  to reinforce the reliability of the grid.

Coss said Xcel identifies generation sources in a technology-neutral way so it can decide not to use natural gas combustion plants in the future. The current integrated resource plan calls for fewer firm dispatchable resources than the 2019 version, he said.

The conservative modeling avoids overreliance on the energy market, which could expose our customers to excessive risk, Coss said.

Residents, businesses and organizations have until Oct. 4 to send comments on the integrated resource plan to the Public Utilities Commission. The commission is expected to make a decision on the plan in February 2025.

This article first appeared on Energy News Network and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Brevard County residents with disabilities and their caregivers don't have the resources they need, and advocates are looking to candidates this election year to explain what they plan to do about it.

Candidates for local and state offices squared off Friday in a forum hosted by the Brevard Autism Coalition at the Space Coast Health Foundation, pitching their ideas to beef up access and support for families dealing with a disability.

Decades of flagging resources have created a critical need for Brevard families, and it's only getting worse, coalition director Joseph Werner said.

"There hasn't been enough housing for people with disabilities forever. There haven't been adequate transportation systems. Families have been concerned about services they can get for their kids through the Brevard County school system," Werner said.

"None of these problems are new. We have to make a change, and the only way we're going to do that is if we work together and collaborate. This is a first step toward that," he said.

Candidates or their surrogates for State Senate, Florida House, County Commission and Brevard School Board addressed an audience of about 50  many of them caregivers, advocates and supporters  on issues like employment barriers, gaps in public transportation and accommodation for students with special needs.

Common themes included the need for additional funding through state or local sources and direct, ongoing communication between elected officials and stakeholders.

Several candidates also stressed a need for a high-visibility information hub that can connect families with providers, and help them navigate the challenges posed by the often-mazelike systems in place for getting help.

Those systems can often be a barrier in and of themselves, said Karen Levasseur, a parent of children with disabilities. She pulled two of her four kids out of Brevard Public Schools this year over problems getting them help through the school system, she said.

"It's enough just to try find the information. Now I have to jump through hoops to use that information and be able to use those services, It's not as easy as, 'Oh, well, I found a doctor and made an appointment,'" Levasseur said, shaking her head in frustration.

"There's not one issue. There's issues on top of issues, and it's really a lot to deal with, and you don't have a choice."

She was skeptical whether any of the candidates would actually deliver on their promises Friday. They were nice words, but she'd heard them before, she said.

"You can throw money at stuff, but that doesn't mean you're solving a problem," Levasseur said. "My hope is they follow through with creating committees where they're reaching out into the community and talking to the people who are actually living this life."

Werner said the coalition planned to host a follow-up forum next year to see whether the winning candidates made good on their words.

"What we want is accountability," he said. "They gave great answers. It sounds like there is a lot of willingness, a lot of intent. But the rub is: what's going to get done? And how can we help them do that?"

Eric Rogers is a watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717 or esrogers@floridatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Hope and doubt after Brevard candidates air plans for disabled community
In Afternoon Blues Club, kids learned about connections to today's music. They played along, too.

A student explores the guitar during a summer music program called the Afternoon Blues Club, where students at Milwaukee Academy of Science learn about blues music. The program was among many to receive funding from Northwestern Mutual's Summer Teacher Project Grants.

Ian Harper found a sweet spot to expose kids to the blues in a summer music program.

It came in connecting a musical genre that grew out of the cotton fields of the Deep South to today's popular music and hip-hop artists.

It would be finding someone they are interested in now and showing who influenced that particular artist, said Harper, an English teacher at the Milwaukee Academy of Science on the citys west side.

He would take music from artists like Questlove or Anderson .Paak and trace their blues musical equivalent to artists like Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, who played drums with Muddy Waters.

Without even realizing it, nearly 40 students in the Harpers Afternoon Blues Club were learning and playing blues music.

The nine-week pilot program was open to all school students. The students learned the fundamentals of blues and its history. They also learned a variety of instruments, including drums, bass guitar, electric guitar, piano and vocals.

But getting the program up and running took some help from the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. The Blues Club received funding through the companys Summer Teacher Project Grants.

The grants provided teachers with stipends to develop programming and resources to ensure student success throughout the school year. The funding helped pay for instruments and made the program free to students.

This program would not have happened without them, Harper said.

As a teen growing up in rural Kentucky, Harper, now 27, attended a youth blues program named after legendary blues performer Pinetop Perkins. Based in Mississippi, the Pinetop Perkins Foundation teaches blues music, its traditions and its history. Harper now also works as its director of youth outreach.

Harper fell in love with blues because of its simplicity. Its three chords and the same scale, he said, which makes it easy to teach.

Once someone starts to play it, anyone can play along with you, he said.

That ultimately shaped how he taught his class.

He knew students got it because they would pick out a sampled blues song in a current tune. He said B.B. King was sampled by Wu-Tang Clan and BlackStreets "No Diggity" samples Bill Withers "Grandmas Hands."

Eventually, the kids would put drum beats over their own lyrics.

If you want to preserve old music like blues and jazz, you have to give kids something that they will find interesting about it, Harper said.

A speech on violence prevention and youth sparked the idea for the program.

The head of Milwaukee's Office of Community Wellness and Safety spoke at the Milwaukee Academy of Science on the need for summer programs to keep students away from street violence. As a teacher, Harper knew the value of summer programs that keep kids safe but provide an environment to learn.

Ive had students that got into things that I knew they were smart enough to avoid, just because they were around the wrong people or didnt have anything better to do, he said.

Harper, who always wanted to open a music school, approached his school about starting a music program. His pitch was simple  the Afternoon Blues Club would be a safe and secure place for students to learn music.

Ian Harper, an English teacher at Milwaukee Academy of Science, created the Afternoon Blues Club at his school.

The only caveat was he had to find a way to fund it. Harper did some initial crowdfunding, which helped with instrument repairs. The biggest financial hurdle was funding for staffing.

If I am gonna promise a safe and secure place, I need to be able to have staff ..., Harper said. I was struggling figuring out how I was going to pay for it. I was looking into taking loans out.

But his principal recommended applying for Northwestern Mutuals Summer Teacher Project Grants. Milwaukee Academy of Science was one of four schools to receive funding totaling $99,590. Five programs at the school received grants.

The grants can be used for educational programs, curriculum and professional development. This year, Northwestern Mutual pledged $3.9 million to support these kinds of programs that improve the quality of education in Milwaukee.

Greenlighting it definitely helped cover the staffing that we needed, Harper said.

Learning blues offered a few hidden benefits. Students saw a connection between music and the schools STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) focus. They learned how to do basic math in their heads.

The song "Got My Mojo Workin'" by Muddy Waters put students math skills to the test. The song, Harper said, has a train beat that has a four-count rhythm, but emphasis is placed on the third beat.

They have to keep their hands moving the entire time, but they are focused and locked in because they are trying to count the beats, he said.

Students use technology to learn the fundamentals of recording and mixing music with programs like Googles BandLab or Apples GarageBand.

Once students learn how to record themselves making music, then you see a lot of students who are more invested in making it, he said. Now it is something tangible they can show to their friends.

Harper hopes to bring Afternoon Blues Club back next summer. He wants to include a live performance so people, including parents, can see the students' hard work and talent.

Barriers exist to getting kids engaged in music. Many dont have access to instruments. Having this program, he said, could at least provide a recreational space for youth to learn music or discover a new passion. Music education affects academic outcomes. He said reading sheet music increases students' mathematic skills as well as their music fluency.

I know there are educational benefits but nobody has the funding for it here, Harper said.

When Aubree Adams mom heard about the program, she quickly enrolled her 6-year-old daughter. But Aubree already knew exactly what instrument she wanted to play.

The drums, she said. I like drums. You can play music with them.

Aubree already had a drum set at her home to practice on. But she also joined the program to learn how to sing in addition to playing the drums.

Its the best thing to do, she said.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: At Milwaukee school's Afternoon Blues Club, kids learned through music
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell on Monday named an attorney to lead an independent investigation into the death of a young man who died while training to become a member of the Massachusetts State Police.

David Meier, a trial attorney for over 30 years and a partner at Todd & Weld LLP, has been tasked with investigating the recent death of 25-year-old Enrique Delgado-Garcia, according to Campbell.

Sources familiar with the investigation tell 25 Investigates that Delgado-Garcia suffered broken bones, damaged or missing teeth, and a spinal injury while participating in boxing training at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree earlier this month.

On Sunday, Massachusetts State Police Colonel John Mawn announced the suspension of the Academys boxing program and a review of its defensive tactics program.

Trooper Delgado-Garcia lost his life while training to protect and serve the Commonwealth, and I want to thank his family and the public for their patience as we sought to identify the most appropriate authority to investigate the facts surrounding his tragic death, Campbell said. Today, I am appointing Attorney David Meier to lead that investigation. Mr. Meier has deep experience in death investigations and will ensure independence and integrity in this matter.

Meier previously served as special counsel to former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in overseeing the investigation into the identification of all individuals potentially impacted by the misconduct at the Hinton State Drug Laboratory. Before his time in private practice, Meier was the chief of homicide in the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office, where he supervised the investigation, prosecution, and trial of homicides within Suffolk County.

The investigation into Trooper Delgado-Garcias death will be undertaken professionally, thoroughly, and responsibly, Meier said. The Delgado-Garcia family, their community, and the public have been waiting patiently. It is now time to get to work.

Campbell said Meier will oversee the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Delgado-Garcias death independently and impartially. He will also have complete authority to select his own investigative and legal team and to make his own independent decisions about the facts, the evidence, and the course of the investigation.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early decided last week that an independent agency must lead the investigation into Delgado-Garcias death because he worked as a victim advocate in Earlys office before transitioning down a law enforcement path with the state police.

Because of this close relationship, someone else will be handling this matter, Early said last week. There is no way this office can handle this. Everyone loved Enrique.

The Massachusetts State Police will have no role in Meiers investigative team or decision-making process, Campbell noted.

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The U.S. Air Force is set to significantly cut back the number of F-16 Viper aggressor jets at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, including those flown by a squadron that stood up in a high profile manner just last year. This comes despite a surge in demand for red air adversary support training and test and evaluation activities and raises broader questions about the future of the services steadily aging F-16 fleet.

Lt. Gen. John Healy, who serves as both Chief of the Air Force Reserve within the Air Forces top headquarters at the Pentagon and head of Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, provided an update on the aggressor force at Nellis on the sidelines of the Air & Space Forces Associations (AFA) main annual conference last week. Nellis is currently home to three dedicated aggressor units, the active duty 64th and 65th Aggressor Squadrons and the Air Force Reserves 706th Aggressor Squadron. The 706th was formally activated last year, transitioning from its previous role as a non-flying unit managing reserve pilots assigned to the United States Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC), as you can read more about here. The 64th and 706th also fly F-16 variants, while the 65th has F-35A Joint Strike Fighters.

F-16Cs assigned to the 706th Aggressor Squadron support Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 in August 2024. USAF

So, our F-16 aggressors at Nellis the program record currently has them divesting 26. So theres no change to that right now, Lt. Gen. Healy told The War Zone and others at a media roundtable on September 17. So. as were currently moving forward, the expectation is that we will divest the pre-Block F-16 aggressors, and we have new mission sets at Nellis that we will be able to do and should be able to utilize that manpower to build as we continue to go forward.

The tail of an F-16 aggressor belonging to the 64th Aggressor Squadron, but wearing the markings of the 926th Operations Group, the parent organization of what is now designated the 706th Aggressor Squadron, a ceremony marking the formal activation of the latter unit in 2023. USAF

With regard to F-16s, pre-Block refers to Block 30/32 and older C/D variants. For years now, the Air Force been pushing to divest all of its pre-Block F-16s in order to rationalize its Viper fleet around Block 40/42 C/Ds and newer Block 50/52 post-Block versions.

Well try to utilize them [the pre-Block F-16s from Nellis] for our other remaining pre-Block F-16 unit down in Homestead, which will involve working to find out whats the best of the bunch to keep our most viable jets for [the] long term, Healy added last week. Homestead Air Reserve base in Florida is currently home to the 482nd Fighter Wing and its 93rd Fighter Squadron.

It is unclear whether or not all of the 26 pre-Block F-16s that Lt. Gen. Healy said are now set to leave Nellis belong to the 706th Aggressor Squadron or if this includes ones assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron, as well. What this all might mean either way for the latter unit, including whether it might get additional newer jets to make up for the impending shortfall, is also not clear. The 64th has long operated a mix of Block 25 and 32 F-16s, but it has also received at least 11 post-Block versions in recent years, at least some of which are Block 40s. The Block 40s notably have different engines (General Electric F110-series) from the Block 25s and Block 32s (Pratt & Whitney F100-series), and different maintenance and logistics requirements, as a result.

An F-16C assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron. USAF William Lewis

There is already evidence that the aggressor changes at Nellis are set to impact more than just the reserve component. When the 706th started getting its first F-16s in September 2023, it was reported that the squadron was only set to get 18 Vipers in total. At least some of those jets appear to be Block 30s (also with General Electric F110-series engines) that came from the Air Force Reserves 457th Fighter Squadron at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas, which has been in the process of converting to the F-35A in the past year or so.

An F-16C wearing the TX tail code of the 457th Fighter Squadron lands at Nellis Air Force Base in November 2023. Jamie Hunter

The War Zone has reached out for more information about exactly what the Air Forces organic aggressor force at Nellis is expected to look like going forward and what broader implications this might have.

As already noted, the plans to cut 26 F-16s from Nellis aggressor community raises immediate questions about the Air Forces ability to provide organic red air support. Earlier this year, the active-duty 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska also notably transitioned to a unique air defense unit, the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, which you can read more about here.

Alaska based forces will continue to support Air Force and Joint exercises in Alaska, including Red Flag-Alaska, a spokesperson for the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson told The War Zone in April when asked about how the change in the 18ths primary mission might lead to an aggressor capacity gap and what steps might be taken to mitigate that.

An F-16C still wearing an aggressor-style camouflage scheme assigned to what is now the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron takes part in Red Flag-Alaska 24-3 in August 2024. USAF

U.S. military demand for aerial aggressors has already grown in scope and scale in recent years. The Air Force is now pushing to further expand its slate of large force air combat exercises as part of an ongoing shift in focus to preparing for potential high-end conflicts, especially one in the Pacific against China. There has also been an explosion in demand for aggressor support for test and evaluation activity activities in recent years, particularly as the Air Force has been pushing ahead with its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative and other modernization efforts.

The Air Force, as well as the U.S. Navy, have and continue to make heavy use of contractor red air services to help bolster aggressor capacity. There has also been a clear desire in recent years to bolster the services abilities to provide these capabilities organically, especially as privately-operated pre-fourth-generation aggressors become increasingly obsolete. There is a growing need for fourth and fifth-generation fighters to better replicate more advanced threats. With all this in mind, it is worth noting that in 2022, the Air Force abruptly decided not to renew a long-standing contract with private firm Draken to provide adversary air services at Nellis, specifically.

The U.S. military has also been working to acquire of more capable semi-expendable and stealthy target drones to help expand capacity to replicate advanced crewed and uncrewed aerial threats during training and testing. For the Air Force, new advanced target drones are seen as critical given the dwindling supply of older F-16s to convert into QF-16 drones. More capable uncrewed aggressors, possibly derived from future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) designs, could be part of the aggressor equation in the future, too. However, current domestic U.S. airspace restrictions mean that uncrewed platforms of any type are not really usable in large force exercises that extend beyond the boundaries of tightly controlled ranges.

Speaking at the roundtable at the AFA conference last week, Lt. Gen. Healy alluded to larger aggressor capacity concerns.

We put them there [the pre-Block F-16s for the 706th] with the hopes of expanding and continuing further, Healy said. That hasnt come to pass.

As the Air Forces fighter, F-16s continue to be in high demand to support training and test and evaluation requirements, as well as for operational deployments. As of Fiscal Year 2023, the service had 841 F-16s of all types, with the number expected to drop to 830 by the close of this fiscal cycle, which ends next Monday. Around 608 of the remaining jets are set to receive a slate of significant upgrades, including new active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radars and improved electronic warfare suites, as you can learn more about here.

Even so, questions have been emerging already about the sustainability of Air Force F-16s, even post-Block types that are also getting ever older. These challenges have only become more pronounced as the Air Force has steadily walked back its expectation that the F-35, a program staring down ballooning sustainment costs and other issues, will completely supplant the Viper any time soon. In March, the Air Force also warned that hundreds of aircraft, including Vipers and other types, could end up grounded without an additional $1.5 billion for spare parts on top of its formal budget request for the 2025 Fiscal Year.

The possibility of the Air Force buying new production Block 70/72 F-16C/Ds to bolster its tactical aviation fleets in the near term has come in the past.

A Block 70 F-16C for the Royal Bahrani Air Force undergoing flight testing. USAF

I am not tracking [that]. I dont have any information for you [on] that. There could be and I just dont know, or [there] may not be, Maj. Gen. Bryony Terrell, Special Assistant to the Director of the Air National Guard, said in response to a question from The War Zone at a separate roundtable on the sidelines of the AFA conference last week about whether there were any plans to even look into buying new-build Block 70/72 Vipers.

The Air Force has also expressed interest in utilizing the T-7A Red Hawk trainers that it is in the process of acquiring in the aggressor role. The idea of a light fighter based on the T-7 has also been put forward. Unfortunately, the T-7 continues to be beset by delays, with the first of these jet trainers now not expected to enter service until 2028.

The first pre-production T-7A arrives at Edwards Air Force Base in 2023. USAF The first pre-production T-7A lands at Edwards Air Force Base. USAF

Uncertainty around the Air Forces plans to acquire a new crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet, primarily as a replacement for the much more advanced by also aging F-22 Raptor fleet, has prompted renewed discussions about purchasing an alternative light stealth fighter of some kind, as well. The service is now regularly warning about at best flat budgets in the coming years that could upend modernization efforts across the board.

In the meantime, increasingly complex global threats from great power competitors China and, to a lesser degree, Russia only look set to grow. This has driven demand for higher-end aggressor support and, in turn, contributed to the major push for more organic red air adversary capacity, especially after the end of the Draken contract at Nellis. Now, despite the continued demand, the Air Forces aggressor forces look to be contracting again without a clear plan to make up for the resulting gap. No matter how the Air Forces force structure ultimately evolves, the existing Viper fleet, even with substantial upgrades, will never be able to last forever, either.

The plans to significantly shrink the number of dedicated aggressor F-16s at Nellis, together with other questions about the future of the Air Forces aging F-16 fleet, could be signs now of trouble on the horizon for the Air Forces aging F-16 fleet as a whole.

An F-16C assigned to the 706th Aggressor Squadron. USAF William Lewis

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Aging roofs reduce insurance options in hurricane-prone South MS. What you should know

Homeowners with older asphalt-shingle roofs are almost certain to see them damaged in high-wind events, which is why insurance companies are cracking down on policyholders who havent replaced their roofs in more than a decade.

Independent insurance agents say some companies are no longer willing to offer replacement cost for older roofs, instead depreciating roofs based on age and offering only actual cash value. Many companies are now turning down coverage on South Mississippi homes with roofs that are more than 20 years old, agents say.

In a nutshell, what the carriers are essentially telling us is that theyre getting tired of buying new roofs to replace roofs that are 20 years old, said Albert Betz, an owner of Betz Rosetti & Associates Inc., an independent insurance agency in Gulfport. Betz Rosetti shops policies for homeowners with numerous insurance companies.

Lets face it, Betz added, the first thing to go is a roof. Its been very costly to the industry. Theyre taking a more hard-nosed approach to these roofs.

The insurance industry has the data on roofs to back this stance. Technology allows closer inspection of roofs through satellite imagery and data analysis from high-wind events.

At 10 years, visible damage can be expected when wind gusts reach 100-110 mph. Wind gusts are short bursts of wind, while hurricane categories are based on the speed of sustained winds, or winds that blow for an average of at least one minute.

If you see winds, wind gusts over 100 to 110 miles per hour, the chance you will have damage for an older roof is near certain.  said Ian Giammanco, lead research meteorologist at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

An aerial view of the Roof Aging Farm at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safetys research center in South Carolina, where wind observations from actual hurricanes, or theoretical wind scenarios, can be used to test asphalt shingles. The chamber is also designed to run full-scale wildfire ember-attack scenarios and full-scale hailstorm simulations.

What IBHS study shows about roofs

IBHS has been studying roofing materials in high winds for almost 20 years. Testing and studies show the performance of asphalt shingle-roofs begins to drop after 5 to 8 years, Giammanco said.

IBHS worked with the University of Illinois and Auburn University to compile statistics on asphalt-shingle roof performance, using a database of more than 6,000 asphalt shingle roofs from hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Michael, Sally, Laura, Ida and Ian.

What they found for roofs subjected to hurricane wind gusts of 100-110:

A 5-year-old roof had visible damage 40% of the time.

A 10-year-old roof showed visible damage more than 80% of the time.

At 15 years, more than 90% of roofs were visibly damaged.

All asphalt-shingle roofs had a 40% chance of damage when winds were over 130 mph, with more than a 90% chance of damage by 10 years of age.

The best-performing roof in high winds is a standing seam metal roof built to modern code, Giammanco said. But not everyone can afford a metal roof.

Asphalt shingles become brittle over time and, also, the sealant that holds down the tabs eventually loses its adhesion properties, allowing the shingles to lift more easily in high winds.

Another angle on the Aging Wind Farm at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety Research Center in South Carolina.

FORTIFIED construction standards for wind

IBHS has established hurricane-resistant construction standards trademarked as FORTIFIED. Retrofitting to FORTIFIED standards starts with the roof, because thats the first place a storm is likely to breach and cause major damage.

The method uses specific nails in an enhanced pattern, a sealed roof deck to keep out water, and materials and installation methods for vulnerable roof edges.

Alabama now requires homeowners in Coastal counties to roof homes to FORTIFIED standards. The state has for years had a grant program in place for qualified homeowners.

Louisiana started its program this year. While the Mississippi Legislature earlier this year authorized $5 million in funding for a program, it is not expected to start until 2025, the Mississippi insurance commissioners office said.

The office might initiate a pilot program this year with 25 homes, Commissioner Mike Chaney said, although its unclear how the homes will be selected.

Demand is expected to exceed funding.

Like many homeowners, Kimberly Turner of Jackson County hopes to participate in the grant program. She replaced her roof in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, so its nearing the 20-year mark.

She lives north of the Interstate and is still able to find homeowners insurance, but she has to shop around each year. The cost keeps climbing.

Its going to get to a point, once I retire, that I might not be able to afford insurance on my home, she said.

Homes with FORTIFIED roofs can qualify for insurance discounts. IBHS lists discounts available by state.

The nonprofit also has a list of contractors licensed in FORTIFIED construction. Sunbelt Roofs, owned by Todd Gress, is a roofing company that does business in Mississippi and Louisiana and has a FORTIFIED roofing certification.

Gress is a big proponent of the program.

When the roof fails, its not just the cost of the roof, its the fact that water intrudes into your home, Gress said.

From an insurance perspective, thats where claims costs get out of hand. The insurance companies recognize that, so theyre willing to pass along savings with discounts.

The advice Gress has for homeowners: Put the best quality, best grade of roof on your home that you can afford. That means something different to everybody, based on their financial circumstances.

Roofers install modified bitumen tape to seal the roofs deck on the FORTIFIED home of an IBHS member in Waxhaw, NC in May of 2023.
(This story may be updated.)

Since January 2023, disgraced reality TV star Julie Chrisley has been an inmate at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. But days ahead of her resentencing hearing in the tax evasion and bank fraud case that sent her and her husband, "Chrisley Knows Best" star Todd Chrisley, to prison, a records check shows Julie Chrisley is not there.

According to a Bureau of Prisons record search, Julie Chrisley was shown as not in BOP custody as of Sunday, Sept. 22, with a release date of April 22, 2028. News reports state the 51-year-old Julie Chrisley is scheduled for another case hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The BOP site is a record locator for inmates and does not explain what not in BOP custody means. However, the site notes that a pretrial inmate may have been removed from custody by the U.S. Marshals Service "and subsequently released by the court with no further notice to the BOP."

In June 2022, Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guilty of tax evasion and defrauding community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans.

In January 2023, the Chrisleys traded their luxurious lifestyle for prison. While Julie Chrisley was at FMC Lexington, the 56-year-old Todd Chrisley is serving time at FPC Pensacola, described on its site as a "minimum security federal prison camp." The couple was sentenced to 7 and 12 years, respectively, before each had their sentences reduced.

A Sept. 22, 2024, check on the Federal Bureau of Prisons website shows Todd Chrisley will be released July 26, 2032, more than two years earlier than his original 12-year sentence.

Here's what we know about "Chrisley Knows Best" stars Todd and Julie Chrisley and their legal troubles.

Who are Todd and Julie Chrisley?

Before Julie and Todd Chrisley became residents of federal prisons in Kentucky and Florida, the pair were best known for their reality show "Chrisley Knows Best."

In the USA Network docuseries, the couple portrayed themselves as real estate tycoons, and viewers got a peek into their lavish lifestyle in the suburbs of Atlanta and Nashville. The show drew in more than 2 million viewers by its eighth season. Todd Chrisley has two children with his first wife, high school sweetheart Teresa Terry, and three children with his second wife, Julie.

On the show, Todd Chrisley doesn't shy away from sex talk, even giving The Sex Talk to his kids  on national TV. In 2017, Todd Chrisley made headlines after he called his 72-year-old mom out on TV for sexting, and he's addressed speculation that he's gay.

When is reality star Julie Chrisley's resentencing hearing?

After 18 months, Julie Chrisley's prison sentence was thrown out after federal judges ruled her case had insufficient evidence, according to a June 25, 2024, story in USA TODAY.

In June 2024, judges from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the judge in Julie Chrisley's 2022 trial miscalculated her sentence and did not find evidence proving her full involvement in the bank fraud scheme for which she was sentenced, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.

The court of appeals upheld Chrisley, her husband Todd Chrisley and their accountant Peter Tarantino's convictions, but found the original trial judge miscalculated Julie Chrisley's sentence. She was held responsible for the entire fraud scheme, which began in 2006.

"The district court did not identify the evidence it relied on to hold Julie accountable for losses incurred before 2007, and we cannot independently find it in the record," the judges wrote in their unpublished opinion.

"We're pleased that the Court agreed that Julie's sentence was improper, but were obviously disappointed that it rejected Todd's appeal," Julie and Todd Chrisley's lawyer Alex Little said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY in June 2024. "With this step behind us, we can now challenge the couple's convictions based on the illegal search that started the case."

Julie Chrisley will be resentenced in a lower court on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Julie Chrisley, reality TV star in prison for fraud, to be resentenced
The Air Force wants its recruits to one day carry real rifles at boot camp instead of practice M4 carbines, top NCO says

The Air Force wants its recruits to one day carry real rifles at boot camp instead of practice M4 carbines, top NCO says

The Air Force hopes its recruits will eventually carry real rifles in boot camp, its top enlisted airman said.

It recently restarted issuing practice M4 carbines to recruits for their eight-week program.

The push toward real weapons comes amid rising concern in the US of potential open conflict with China or Russia.

The US Air Force hopes to eventually require its recruits to carry real weapons during basic training, according to its highest-ranking noncommissioned officer.

The comment, from Chief Master Sergeant Dave Flosi, came just after the force announced in August that its recruits would receive practice M4 rifles.

"We really would want to get the real ones, because the threat's real, the environment is dangerous," Flosi said on Tuesday at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, per Defense News.

The Air Force hasn't said when it aims to start issuing actual rifles, but Flosi told the outlet that a live-weapon requirement is a "desired end state" and that the service "is working on taking the next steps down the road."

Col. Willie L. Cooper told Air and Space Forces Magazine that the Air Force would first have to assess how it can safely roll out such a program.

"It'll have to go through that entire process to make sure we understand what we're doing and why we're doing it," he said.

Army and Marine recruits are typically issued real rifles during boot camp but are only given ammo during live-firing exercises.

Air Force recruits now receive an inert M4  a gun that's never designed to fire bullets  on their first week of training. The practice was reinstated this summer after previously being discontinued in 2012.

Their rifles are fitted with a red flash suppressor, and recruits are expected to carry and care for the item throughout their eight-week basic training. When in their dorms, recruits store the practice weapons in wall lockers.

The point is to help new airmen familiarize themselves with the M4 even in the earliest stages of training, according to the Air Force, which said it restarted the program to prepare for "Great Power Competition"  a term increasingly being used by the US military for potential conflict with Russia or China.

Fears of war with Moscow, Beijing, or both at the same time are sparking a widespread push for increasing military spending and reviewing troop standards.

Washington and the Pentagon have, in recent years, been increasingly receiving urgent warnings from think tanks, top generals, and politicians who say the US risks falling behind or is already lagging in dozens of areas, from ammo production to shipbuilding capacity to nuclear weapons development.

The US spent about $916 billion on its military in 2023, per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, with the American defense budget expected to reach $1 trillion yearly in the near future.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An Arizona man on a flight to the Tri-Cities Airport has been indicted on suspicion of threatening to commit sexual abuse on an aircraft and also simple assault on an aircraft during the flight.

Ronald Lee Van Note II is scheduled to make his first appearance before a judge on Tuesday at the Richland federal courthouse.

He was on Allegiant Air flight 2267, which originated in Mesa, Ariz., and landed in Pasco on May 18, according to court documents.

He is accused of threatening to engage in a sexual act with another person on the flight, which is a felony that carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.

He also is accused of intentionally touching the person without their consent, a misdemeanor that carries a sentence of up to six months incarceration, according to court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Eastern Washington.
A pair of handcuffs poking through prison bars. Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, has filed a bill that would give judges the authority to set a percentage bond instead of the full amount. (File/Getty)

A state representative has filed a bill that could overhaul Alabamas approach to bail.

HB 42, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, would give a judge the authority to allow defendants to pay a percentage of their bail amounts to be released from pretrial detention.

When people are placed into custody after an arrest, they can secure their release by paying a preset amount of bail, based on the offense the person is charged with. Individuals who pay the full amount can be released, and that amount is kept with the court until their case is resolved. That deposit is returned so long as they continue to appear in court.

Those unable to pay the full amount can secure the services of a bail bond company who will charge a premium for their services, typically quoted at 10% of the value of the bond, which they pocket. The person is then released, and the bail bond company takes over the responsibility to ensure the defendant appears in court.

Under the Alabama Bail Reform Act of 1993, a defendant or their loved ones must deposit the total amount of the cash bail that is set with the court to win release while the case proceeds.

HB 42 would allow a court to accept a percentage of the bail.

Alabama courts allowed people to post percentage bonds for decades until the bail reform act ended that practice, according to England.

As it happens, sometimes the industry writes legislation, and the bail bonding industry wrote that bill to benefit themselves, he said. When you cant get percentage bonds, that means you are required to use a bonding company.

Englands legislation could allow defendants to bypass a bail bonding company to secure their release from pretrial detention.

Under Englands bill, a defendant who fails to appear for court would lose their bail. If the individual uses a bail bond company, the company is then liable for the full amount of the bond. If the company does not return the individual to court, it must pay the court the total or risk losing their license.

The state issues a fee at 3.5% of the value of the bond or $100, whichever is greater, that gets distributed for different uses. This includes money for the district attorneys office.

When you cant get a percentage bond, that means you are required to use a bail bonding company, England said. That means the money that would normally be going into the court system, in defendants spending their money to pay restitution, fines and court costs toward their cases. Now, since judges cant give percentage bonds anymore, they have to go to a bondsman, so that money never comes into the court system.

Courts continue to be underfunded in the state, from district attorneys offices to court operations, compelling state officials to resort to fines and fees to assist with funding the judicial system.

The Alabama Bail Bond Association is opposed to Englands bill because it allows defendants to leave custody of the jail without the guarantee to appear in court.

If you are able to post a percentage bond, and if you go to jail today in the same scenario, and a $1,000 cash bond, and you just pay the $100 and walk out, there is nobody to tap you on the shoulder to say, Hey, you have to be back in court, said Chris McNeil, president of the Alabama Bail Bond Association. The system stops when that defendant doesnt show up for court. That is why we are opposed to it, because we want the system to move forward, the victim wants the system to move forward, and the DA wants the system to move forward.

From their perspective, bail bond companies perform a service by pushing for their clients to appear in court, and in some instances retrieving them when they fail to appear. Victor Howard, who operates A Discount Bonding Company based in Huntsville, said that he issues reminders to clients for their court appearances and, sometimes, even provides rides to the courthouse. Howard also serves as vice president of the Alabama Bail Bond Association.

Both cited figures of differences in the rates that defendants fail to appear for court, with a higher percentage failing to appear when a bail bond company is not used as part of the process.

The data is really all over the place, said Allie Preston, senior policy analyst for criminal justice reform with the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank. Many cities have shown that, when they decrease bail, the failure to appear rates decrease and more people are showing up to court.

Those advocating for bail reform support the measure because it decreases the amount that people will pay to be released for pretrial confinement but admit that more progress for a system that disproportionately affects low-income households.

I dont think this is a panacea, nor would it necessarily solve the problem created by a system of wealth-based detention that results from the application of cash bail in any circumstances, said Jeremy Cherson, The Bail Projects communication director, a nonprofit that advocates for ending the cash bail system.

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Harvesters are pictured in a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- As autumn harvest approaches, Li Yucheng smiles at the sight of his thriving paddy fields, where golden ears of rice dance in the breeze and stalks stand tall against the backdrop of fertile black soil.

"We planted 800 hectares of rice this year. Despite facing challenges from low temperatures and rainy weather early on, we nurtured the crops back to health, and the yield is expected to exceed 9 tonnes per hectare," said Li, chairman of a modern agricultural machinery cooperative in Huachuan County, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

According to Li, the cooperative has implemented high-tech equipment, including agricultural Internet of Things devices, micro weather stations and pest monitoring systems. The dynamic data can be monitored right from the mobile phone, making field management more accurate and efficient, he added.

Back in 1998, when Li first started farming, he spent over 200 days a year in the fields, managing just around 5.33 hectares of rice. Now, thanks to advanced agricultural machinery such as high-horsepower tractors and plant protection drones, he works in the fields for no more than 100 days a year.

Li emphasized the importance the government has attached to grain production over the years, highlighting measures such as reducing agricultural taxes, providing grain subsidies and offering training in agricultural techniques. "I am now full of confidence in grain production," he said.

Dubbed China's grain barn, Heilongjiang has taken the lead in the country's agricultural modernization, with the overall mechanization rate for crop cultivation and harvesting reaching 99.07 percent. The province's grain output reached 77.88 billion kg in 2023, securing its position as China's top producer for the 14th consecutive year.

A farmer harvests wheat in the fields in Beidingzhuang Village in Weishi County, Kaifeng City of central China's Henan Province, May 26, 2024. (Photo by Li Xinyi/Xinhua)

In the central granary province of Henan, continuous improvements in agricultural infrastructure and the application of advanced technology have also significantly increased grain yields.

In Yuanwu Township of Xinxiang City, grain farmer Shen Jifeng coordinated early with a nearby agricultural machinery cooperative to schedule the harvest of over 20 hectares of corn.

"The yield is expected to be around 9,750 kg per hectare," Shen noted, adding that with the help of machinery, the harvest will be completed in just two days.

Shen also noted that the agricultural department regularly provides vital information, including meteorological alerts, soil moisture data, pest reports and field management suggestions. This information is partially sourced from a pole on his field equipped with solar panels, high-definition cameras, atmospheric sensors and other devices.

Developed by the Central-China Agricultural Valley, an agricultural innovation platform, the pole is connected to a buried soil sensor that continuously transmits various data. The data is processed to assess weather, soil conditions and seedling health, according to Yin Yue, a platform staff member.

Henan plans to establish a total of 1 million hectares of demonstration zones for high-standard farmland by 2025, aiming to increase grain production capacity from 65 to 70 billion kg.

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 4, 2024 shows farmers harvesting paddy in terraced fields in Congjiang County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Technology also ensures food security in mountainous regions. In southwestern Guizhou Province, where mountainous and hilly areas account for 92.5 percent of the total land, per capita arable land is only 0.09 hectares, below the national average.

At a modern seed breeding center in Kaiyang County, digital workshops are in full operation, and automated facilities are engaged in production. The center has bred over 10 new vegetable varieties, including peppers, tomatoes, kale, broccoli and eggplant, which were developed by domestic and international research institutions and seed industry enterprises.

"Through advanced technologies such as digital control, precision planting and tidal seedling breeding, we can produce 6 to 7 million seedlings per crop cycle," said Chen Fucai, technical director of Guizhou modern seed industry company, which manages the breeding center. Remarkably, two to three workers can oversee more than 4,000 square meters of seedling area.

Since April 2023, Guizhou has launched innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives for agricultural technicians, attracting 2,874 professional teams to contribute scientifically to improving grain and oil yields. Additionally, a project to cultivate high-quality farmers is scheduled to train over 10,000 individuals in cultural, technical and management skills.

China celebrates its seventh farmers' harvest festival on Sunday. The country continues to prioritize food security, as it feeds over 1.4 billion people with only 9 percent of the world's arable land. Over the past years, various measures have been implemented to improve grain output, including building more high-standard farmland and promoting agricultural technologies.

By the end of 2023, China has developed over 66.7 million hectares of high-standard farmland, with 13 key grain-producing provincial-level regions accounting for around 70 percent of the total. 
A young child reading a book. The Alabama Literacy Task Force could reconsider portions of a portfolio tied to the 2019 Literacy Act. (Catherine McQueen/Getty Images)

Alabamas Alabama Reading Initiative Director said at a Literacy Task Force meeting Friday that the Task Force could think about considerations on portfolios for certain populations of students.

Bonnie Short, director of the Alabama Reading Initiative, said that areas she heard the most about included blind and deaf students, as well as English language learners.

As your director of literacy, I hear the most about and Im not saying that any changes need to take place, but I do think we need to be very thoughtful and make sure that we take that as a consideration, because they do have some very unique situations, she said.

The Alabama Literacy Act, passed in 2019, aims to have students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Third-grade students who do not meet necessary requirements, such as a test, could be retained. The law also created the Task Force to make recommendations around reading programs and instruction in the state.

The 2023-24 school year was the first year of full implementation after years of delays.

Students can also advance in some other limited ways, such as good cause exemptions for students who have received intensive reading intervention for more than two years and still demonstrate a deficiency or were previously retained in a previous grade, according to the 2023 ALSDE Literacy Act FAQ. Students can also advance if they meet an acceptable score on the supplemental test or Master grade 3 Essential Reading Standards in a student reading portfolio.

Members went around the room and added comments in red, green and purple to sheets of paper labeled as items like portfolio to say why something should be a priority; should be delayed or should be a consideration after a review is done.

One purple consideration on the portfolio paper around the room was that English learner students could have other things considered, like the WIDA test, which is given to English learner students to test progress in learning academic English.

Ana Behel, English Language Development Teacher in Florence City Schools, said that the two tests, WIDA and reading, were not the same. She said the WIDA test measures more than literacy, and the literacy sub-portion is one where students struggle the most because it includes grade-level content, like language of science.

I just think its two different things, she said. Its not just reading.

Behel said students learning English could potentially have texts in languages side-by-side and raised the question about whether it was about learning to read or learning to read in English.

Do we want to know if the student can comprehend the text and make sense of it, or are we measuring English only? she said.

Other members of the Task Force argued that it was part of an English Language Arts curriculum.

Kristy Watkins, chair and director of curriculum at Jasper City School District, said that they might also need clarification for visual and hearing impaired and English learner students on what that portfolio should look like.

Short told members that she would send out a survey to have members note what they see as needing potential revision.

So that we can kind of get everyones voice at the table as to what they think about these different areas, she said.

Justin Hefner, co-chair of the task force and Homewood City Schools superintendent, said that while the task force is required to meet a minimum of two times a year, if members decide that many areas need revision, they will likely need to meet more often.

So I think we need to be mindful of how many times we wish to meet, he said. I think that if it comes back from the survey, Bonnie, that all of these need review, thats going to be a lot.

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MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala (WDHN)  Fifteen weeks after being attacked by a bull shark while on vacation, a 15-year-old survivor has returned to school.

Lulu Gribbin was one of three women attacked by a bull shark near Rosemary Beach, Florida, in early July. While a friend of Lulus, 17-year-old McCray Faust, walked away with relatively minor injuries, Lulus attack resulted in the loss of her left hand and right leg.

Photo of Lulu Gribbin, a teenager from Mountain Brook, AL, who survived a shark attack in Florida in June 2024 (Courtesy of the Gribbin family).

Since the attack, Lulus mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, has given constant journal entry updates on her daughters condition. On Friday, Gribbon announced her daughter had returned to school in person at Mountain Brook.

Today is a huge step in this journey. Today Lulu went to school for the first time, Griibbon wrote. Our school system in Mountain Brook has been so amazing and so accommodating navigating how we make sure Lulu stays up to date with school. We have had an awesome homebound teacher who has come in a couple of times of week to talk with Lulu and see if she has questions or concerns. We have a plan set up that she has her hardest classes in the morning and will be doing a couple of classes online until we figure out her stamina and how in-person school will happen.

Two Central Alabama teens and woman injured in shark attacks

In the journal entry, Gribbon described a heartwarming scene when Ellie, Lulus identical twin, was helping her sister prepare for her first day back.

Today was the day I witnessed the most amazing moment in my life. I woke up and went to check on Lulu to make sure she was up. I walked into the bathroom, and Ellie was doing Lulus hair. Ellie had woken her up. Ellie was helping her get dressed for her big day.

She continued, I am so proud of not only Lulu but her amazing sister Ellie! I hope she knows how truly amazing she is.

The mother of four also talked about what it was like adjusting to life back in Alabama.

Since we have been back in Birmingham, our new normal or our new routine or lack of routine has been crazy, to say the least.

Lulu continues to attend physical and occupational therapy three times a week.

I am so thankful that Lulus only injuries were physical ones. She did not have any sort of brain injury, and that smart girl is still here.

Lulu came home in late August after 77 days of recovering in hospitals. On her return, state officials praised her, and a parade was held in her honor.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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)  In the lush forests of Hawaii, a remarkable bird called the alala, or Hawaiian crow, once soared through the trees. This critically endangered species faced extinction, with only a few individuals surviving in captivity.

Melanie Dorado Wilson, the Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Windward Community College, shared her deep connection to the alala and the ongoing efforts to save it.

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About 2016, I felt the pull to come home to Hawaii, Dr. Dorado Wilson said. After years living on the continent, she returned to the islands and became fascinated by the alala. From 2016 to 2018, the alala was really in the news a lot. I just fell in love with the bird and the conservation efforts to help bring it back into the wild.

The alala is unique, even if it might not be the most colorful bird in Hawaii. As a fruit and seed eater, it plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to spread seeds and maintain the forest.

It is a keystone species in the native forest, Dr. Dorado Wilson explained. The loss of this bird has affected the ecology of the islands.

Originally from Hawaii Island, the alalas bones have also been discovered on Maui. This birds decline has been tragic, especially after a release effort in 2018 that ended in disappointment.

The Hawaiian io, a natural predator, posed a significant threat to the bird, and the environmental changes made it even harder for baby birds to survive, Dr. Dorado Wilson said.

The struggles of the alala are linked to broader issues like deforestation and the introduction of invasive species.

After the failed release, the alala seemed to disappear from the headlines. Dr. Dorado Wilson felt the loss.

I wanted to know what was happening. We cant give up on the alala, she insisted. She began her journey into Hawaiian studies and dedicated her research to the birds ecological importance.

The alala is more than just a bird; it holds cultural significance in Hawaiian mythology. Dr. Dorado Wilson pointed out that the name alala itself describes a cry and appears in chants.

Its an olelo noeau, a traditional saying, she said. The bird has woven its way throughout our culture.

She described the alala as a spiritual guide in Hawaiian beliefs, serving as a connection between the living and the afterlife.

If the alala is not alive, how does it function in our minds? Dr. Dorado Wilson asked, raising deep questions about spirituality and cultural identity.

As she prepares for her upcoming talk, Dr. Dorado Wilson plans to cover the history and ecological role of the alala, as well as the latest research efforts.

There are new ideas and practices being introduced, she noted, including efforts to release the bird in areas where natural predators are less of a threat.

With hope on the horizon, she emphasized the importance of education in raising awareness about the alala and the conservation of Hawaiian forests.

I want to share how this bird touched my heart and the critical role it plays in our ecosystem, she said passionately.

Dr. Dorado Wilson will read from her Hawaiian Studies Capstone paper titled Ka Alala, Aumakua in Transition: A Multimedia Exploration of the Science, Politics, Law, Culture, and Spirituality Surrounding the Hawaiian Crow, about Corvus Hawaiiensis, the Hawaiian Crow, a bird that is extinct in the wild, and show the final art she completed for the class.

You can click here for more information on the event and how you can join the conversation.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

Dr. Dorado Wilsons dedication to the alala inspires others to join the fight for its survival. As the community learns more about this unique bird, there is hope that the alala will one day return to the wild, soaring through the forests of Hawaii once 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 KHON2.
The funeral of the Bektashi leader Haji Dede Reshat Bardhi in Tirana in 2011. He helped reestablish the order after communism (GENT SHKULLAKU) (GENT SHKULLAKU/AFP/AFP)

Albania plans to establish a sovereign Muslim microstate within its borders run by a Sufi sect known for promoting "religious harmony and dialogue", Prime Minister Edi Rama announced.

The tiny Vatican-like enclave within Albania's capital Tirana will serve as the political home for Bektashi Muslims -- the fourth largest religious community in Albania after Sunni Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Catholics.

The order was founded in the 13th century in the Ottoman Empire and is regarded as a tolerant, mystic branch of Islam open to other religions and philosophies.

Some of its most important leaders relocated to Albania after being banned in Turkey in the early 20th century by modern Turkey's founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

"Our inspiration is to support the transformation of the Bektashi World Centre in Tirana into a sovereign state, a new centre of moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence," Rama said on Sunday at the United Nations in New York.

The Bektashi make up an estimated 10 percent of the country's Muslim population, according to Albania's 2023 census.

The Bektashi Order in Tirana praised the decision.

"The sovereignty of the Bektashi Order is an important step in strengthening the values of inclusion, religious harmony and dialogue in an increasingly divided world," it said in a statement.

Citizenship of the new state of roughly 10 hectares (25 acres) will be limited to members of the clergy and individuals dealing with state administration.

Its government would be headed by the Bektashi's leader and a council that will oversee its religious and administrative functioning, the statement added.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A community social media page in the Alger Heights area of Grand Rapids has been full of posts over the last few weeks, tracking a chronically loose dog that neighbors say has attacked small animals in the neighborhood.

Now, they are wondering what can be done to get the dog under control.

The Kent County Sheriffs Office and its animal control department say that repeated offenses are the main driver of successful legal consequences in situations like this. They have already received four unique reports for this specific dog in Alger Heights.

A roaming husky, often spotted with a rottweiler companion, is causing concern in the Alger Heights neighborhood of Grand Rapids.

A lot of times I just see it roaming around or on the Alger Heights discussion group just loose, doing things its not supposed to do. Its supposed to be locked in a cage and not loose, said Ky, Alger Heights resident and dog owner.

Neighbors told News 8 the young-looking husky is a sweet dog when it interacts with people, but small animals in the neighborhood are not faring as well. Posts to the Alger Heights community Facebook page show it has succeeded in catching a few birds.

Images posted to a neighborhood Facebook group. (Courtesy)

Alexandria Wong told News 8 the husky was seen roaming on their street for a while and was found in their backyard this past Saturday night.

The husky, I immediately recognized it, had our four-year-old daughters favorite chicken in its mouth. It totally decimated our little flock. It was sad, those were our pets, said Alexandria Wong. But its been going on for a few weeks. Long enough that you feel like the dog owner should take steps to contain their dog.

News 8 obtained reports from Kent County Animal Control, which received reports of the husky and rottweiler running lose four times this year.

In April, the dogs were rounded up by animal control and returned to the address listed on their collars on Hazen Street and the owner was warned.

Animal control takes huskies after cat killed in Grand Rapids

The same dogs were reported in August and twice in September  the owner receiving official warnings from the department to keep their dogs at home on Sept. 8 and Sept. 10.

The Alger Heights husky isnt the only example. Earlier this year, a shih tzu in southeast Grand Rapids and a cat on the West Side were both killed by loose dogs.

Kent County Animal Control told News 8 there are legal avenues available, but enforcement is largely a case-by-case basis.

Charging, attacking, obviously biting would give the authority for an animal control officer to issue a citation. If it is more egregious and rises above the level of civil infraction, then criminal charges could be field through the prosecutors office, Lt. Brian Wheeler with the Kent County Sheriffs Office Animal Control said. If it is severe attack, we would impound the animal at the time, especially if it is against a person.

Once the animal is impounded, or in the case of repeated civil infractions, the dog could face a dangerousness hearing. If it is deemed a dangerous animal, the owner has to fulfill very specific requirements to keep the dog. The dog could be humanely euthanized, but thats after a court hearing and a hearing in front of the judge, including a prosecutor and the owner.

Neighbors were able to point News 8 to the apparent residence of the Alger Heights husky, where we saw it sitting in the backyard, seemingly with a restraint keeping it there, for now.

Kent County animal control said above all else, if you encounter a stray animal in your neighborhood, aggressive or not, do not try to corral it yourself. The best reporting protocol is to call their office at 616.632.7300.

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The microbusiness program was sold to Missouri voters as a way to help victims of the war on drugs get a toehold in this burgeoning industry (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)

Destiny Brown thought she had been recruited last year to own and operate a small-scale Missouri cannabis dispensary  and get paid $200,000 to do it.

Cannabis investor Michael Halow told Brown, who is Black, that her disabled veteran status and the marijuana offense on her fathers record qualified her for a Missouri microbusiness license. The qualifications were designed for these licenses to end up in the hands of disadvantaged business owners, including disabled veterans, those with lower incomes and people with non-violent marijuana offenses.

Brown didnt closely read the 40-page contract she signed with Halow, but says he repeatedly told her he would help her with $2 million to get the business up and running, according to a transcript of Browns interview in March with the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation investigators.

Mike just said he had money to do that, Brown told officials, according to the document The Independent obtained through a public records request. He always says that. He just said, I have the money. I can help.

He never told Brown that the contracts fineprint aimed to give Halow full ownership of the business while using her as the legal front of it. A felony on Halows record could potentially disqualify him from holding a license himself.

Brown  who told state regulators she lives in Arizona and declined to be interviewed for this story  was among 16 people who won the lottery for Missouri microbusiness dispensary licenses last October. Six were connected to Halow, and each of those licenses has since been revoked.

After Brown got the license, she hired a lawyer and separated herself from Halow and his consultants. She gave cannabis regulators agreements she signed or that Halow had sent her  including documents the state previously did not have, according to legal filings.

The agreements stated she would not be allowed to sell any marijuana products in Missouri until ownership changed hands to Halow, or until Brown repaid the full $2 million plus interest.

Halows hired consulting firm, Cannabis Business Advisors, was listed as the designated contact on more than 400 of the 1,048 Missouri dispensary applicants, a practice known as flooding the lottery. The six winners connected to Halow all had similar contracts  each of which are technically complicated and ensure he ends up with control of the business, according to legal filings.

But Halow is not alone in this strategy.

The microbusiness program was sold to Missouri voters as a way to help victims of the War on Drugs get a toehold in this burgeoning industry. But contracts obtained in recent months by The Independent reveal out-of-state companies or cannabis industry insiders have repeatedly attempted to use qualified applicants to win the licenses but then largely shut them out of the profit.

Last year, The Independent revealed that a Michigan-based company was recruiting people on Craigslist to enter Missouris social equity license lottery using contracts forcing them to eventually relinquish all control  and profits.

The two licenses connected to the company were revoked, though the company is appealing that decision.

The Independent reported in July on Missouri cannabis leader John Payne using agreements for some applications that would give him and his partners 90.1% of profits and majority control of the business.

Legal experts who reviewed Paynes contracts called them unfair and potentially predatory. This summer, cannabis regulators opened an investigation into one license connected to Payne that was awarded in October to verify whether they continue to be majority owned and operated by eligible individuals.

The investigation is ongoing, a department spokesperson told The Independent.

Joseph von Kaenel, a St. Louis corporate governance attorney who reviewed Paynes contracts for The Independent, said the documents presented to Brown are just as problematic.

Its really the same old story weve seen of unscrupulous promoters trying to find a disadvantaged person, von Kaenel said, and have them front the business and then take it over when they cant pay.

The revocations of the five licenses still connected to Halow are being appealed with the legal representation of St. Louis-based law firm Armstrong Teasdale.

Its the same law firm Payne claimed wrote the contract that The Independent obtained for his client this spring. Even though the firms name appears in the contract, Armstrong Teasdale adamantly denies preparing or providing it to Payne.

Halow declined to comment in a phone call with The Independent, and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

Brown has also appealed the states decision to revoke the license with the Administrative Hearing Commission, a group of five judges who hear state licensing disputes. However, the commission found her complaint was filed after the deadline, which puts her case at risk of being dismissed.

Investing in the Future

According to Halows LinkedIn page, he lives in Puerto Rico and holds numerous cannabis licenses spanning multiple states.

But Ive always had my eye on the bigger picture  championing social equity and empowerment, he stated in a recent post. Its why Im dedicated to mentoring underrepresented candidates and guiding them through the complex licensing process.

While that may be his goal, hes also faced controversy in Arizona over his practices obtaining social-equity licenses.

In August 2023, he was sued by a woman who said Halow recruited her to apply for the social-equity license and then took over the business license without her knowledge or permission.

Halow and his Wyoming-based companies Investing in the Future LLC and Helping Handz won the suit and he retained the license. The judge awarded him $45,000 in legal fees.

Halows LinkedIn page says he studied in criminal justice and business at University of Texas at El Paso and Arizona State University.

In 2003, a grand jury in El Paso indicted Halow on several counts of sexual assault of a child, along with several more for producing child pornography. The charges were dismissed as a part of a plea agreement, in which he pled guilty to a second-degree felony offense of aggravated assault. He received three years of community supervision.

The constitution states that people with a disqualifying felony cant work in the industry, but it doesnt specify what types of felony offenses. It exempts marijuana offenses that are eligible for expungement. It also says that if its a nonviolent felony offense, employees are in the clear if it has been more than five years since the charge.

For other felonies, more than five years have passed since the person was released from parole or probation, and he or she has not been convicted of any subsequent felony criminal offenses, it states.

According to DHSS, a lot of their review is subjective.

What is written into law is then applied to each individual record, so it is a case-by-case analysis and cant simply be determined by a checklist of potential offenses, Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for DHSS, told The Independent last year.

The contract

Brown told state regulators this spring that she filled out an inquiry online, stating that shed like to run a dispensary to help veterans like herself.

Halows brother, whose name Brown says she doesnt remember, responded by calling and requesting documents, including her drivers license and veterans disability paperwork. He asked her to sign several agreements that she thought were outlining how the business would be run and that she would be paid $200,000 to do it.

She didnt realize that the documents would give away ownership of the company to Halow after the license was issued.

She also didnt know about Ever Eco LLC, which is the business the microbusiness application was filed under.

According to the states response to Browns April appeal of the license revocation, Ever Eco is an Arizona limited liability company formed on July 23, 2023. At the time of filing, Halow was listed as the sole member and manager of Ever Eco  yet he was not listed as an owner or designated contact in the microbusiness application.

A month later, and after the application was submitted, the business articles of organization were amended to remove Halow as the sole owner and operator, replacing him with Brown.

The licenses designated contact was Maxime Kot, with Cannabis Business Advisors. In her interview, Brown said she had never met or heard of Kot.

On Oct. 17, the department requested that Ever Eco provide several documents, including all agreements, verbal or written.

A couple weeks later, Kot responded to the department, saying her company was unable to provide the requested information and documents due to a lack of response or interest by the purported owner.

However, on Nov. 15, Browns attorney requested that Kot be removed as designated contact. The attorney then provided a number of documents, including a memorandum of understanding, a consulting agreement, a promissory note and a conditional management services agreement.

Each document was signed by Brown, either on behalf of herself or on behalf of the company, with a separate signature block for Halow, the response states.

The memo of understanding and promissory gave Halow the right to convert the loan he promised to provide Browns LLC into 100% of the membership interest  or all of the profits and voting rights of the business.

The state revoked the license on seven grounds, including that the application included false or misleading information and the licensee withheld information.

Armstrong Teasdale is not representing Brown in her case. However, in the appeals of the other five licenses Halow is connected to, his attorney responded to the states allegation that the licensee entered into an agreement that transferred ownership and operational control to another entity.

this contention envisions a hypothetical situation at most, Halows attorney writes, as the documents alleged to grant such ownership and operational control are expressly conditioned on DHSS approval and such rights for third parties are optional to exercise, not mandatory.

In Browns March 4 interview with cannabis regulators, her attorney said she wants to move forward with the license.

She has every intent of it, he said. And from everything I can see, shes more than qualified under the program and is eager to move forward either way. So, whatever we can provide to you to allay any concerns, just let us know.

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Almost $500k for an apartment in Myrtle Beach? Heres what we know about the new complex

A new development that will be similar in style to the Market Common concept on a smaller scale has plans to come to the northern part of Myrtle Beach.

The project, which developers from Nations Homes II have named Dunes Marketplace, will consist of retail and offices on the first floor with apartments on the second, third and fourth floors.

The average cost to live in one of them? Its about half a million dollars.

The development will sit on a current empty lot across the street from Pine Lakes Tavern and Lets Dance Studio on the intersection of North Kings Highway and 52nd Avenue N.

Current plans show that the proposed Dunes Marketplace development will include 18 apartments, 105 parking spaces, two restaurants, two offices, a retail space and a salon.

The site will include six two-bedroom apartments and 12 three-bedroom apartments, according to the documents discussed at Tuesdays Myrtle Beach Planning Commission Workshop.

This second phase of Ocean Village follows the construction of 33 homes on Ocean Boulevard across the street from the Dunes Village Resort.

A large wall with plenty of landscaping will be built in between the existing homes and the Dunes Marketplace to help reduce potential noise issues, Nations Homes II President and Founder Jeff Skelley said at the workshop.

This has been planned from the onset to be something similar to an individual Market Common building, but a little bit more contemporary looking, he said at Tuesdays meeting noting that he doesnt want any of the retail spaces under the residents to be open late at night.

As of Tuesday, Skelley said out of the six available retail spaces three have been reserved. One by an attorney for their offices, another for a mortgage companys offices and the third by a smoothie and acai bowl place.

Some of the Ocean Village homes that will abut this new development sold as recently as this past spring, according to Horry County property records.

Zillow listings are already active online for the apartments as part of the new development, with prices ranging from $353,900 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit to $470,625 for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom unit.

At the meeting, Skelley said they would range from $450,000 to $550,000 when theyre completed.

Some concerns were raised about how those Ocean Village homeowners might feel about this new development by Myrtle Beach planning commissioners. In response, Skelley said they all were aware about these plans when they purchased their homes.

They knew all along what was going to go there, he said.

He said theyve sent out postcards with renderings of the new retail/office/apartment center to homeowners in the Ocean Village community prior to bringing the development to commissioners.

Thus far, Skelley said he heard back from two people interested in purchasing new units in the complex, and hasnt heard anything negative so far.

If all of the permitting requests are approved, Skelley told commissioners he hopes to break ground on the development in Spring 2025 with construction taking approximately 18 months to complete.
Amazing Grace: See how the UGA Redcoat band paid tribute to Apalachee High School

The University of Georgia's Redcoat Band paid a heartfelt tribute to Apalachee High School during the Northeast Georgia Marching Exhibition at Cedar Shoals High School last Tuesday.

The event, marked by emotional performances by high school bands in the Athens area, came in the wake of a shooting tragedy at Apalachee on Sept. 4 that killed two students and two teachers.

The Apalachee High School band took the field for the first time since the tragedy and delivered a powerful performance that earned them a standing ovation.

UGA Redcoat Band performs Amazing Grace

UGA's Redcoat Band played "Amazing Grace" among other tributes in honor of the victims.

Apalachee High School resumed classes Monday, September 23, starting with half-day sessions to ease the transition.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: UGA Redcoat band paid tribute to Apalachee High School
Amazing Photo Shows The Burning Man Festival As Seen From Space

The Burning Man festival, held annually in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, has been a bastion of the US counterculture for decades, and these days routinely welcomes tens of thousands of attendees every year.

The sheer scale and sprawling grandeur of the desert festival is something that's impossible to capture in any single image, but one incredible photo taken from space gets a nod for giving us a distinctly unique overview of the famous spectacle.

The Burning Man festival, as seen from space. (Copernicus Sentinel/ESA/CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)

This newly released shot taken by the European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission shows what Burning Man looks like from the vantage point of a satellite in orbit, tracing the outline of some of the over 70,000 attendees who took part in this year's proceedings.

The image shows the settlement of camper vans, vehicles, tents, and installations that make up Black Rock City, the temporary desert community that gathers together for the week of the event, before disbanding for another year.

The Burning Man festival, as seen from space. (Copernicus Sentinel/ESA/CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)

Photographing cultural festivals is not Sentinel's regular day job.

The satellite mission's main role is giving us a unique perspective on environmental changes taking place in the world, tracking things like iceberg calving events in Antarctica, bushfire disasters in Australia, dust plumes sweeping over the globe, and pollution impacts across Europe.

Related News
Amazon workers in Garner take formal step toward union election. Heres what theyre doing

After more than two-and-a-half years of organizing, pro-union workers and advocates are advancing their campaign to unionize the massive Amazon warehouse in Garner.

Since Labor Day, organizers with Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment, or CAUSE, have asked workers at the facility south of Raleigh to sign union authorization cards, a preliminary step to call for an election.

Before requesting an election from the National Labor Relations Board, organizers must get at least 30% of workers to sign union authorization cards within a year. CAUSE is enabling employees to fill out these cards virtually, through QR codes and a link on its website, or with physical signatures.

The organizing group seeks to make RDU1 the nations second unionized Amazon facility, joining a warehouse in Staten Island, New York. Opened in August 2020, RDU1 spans 2 million square feet and houses multiple departments across four floors. It supports several thousand workers, with estimates ranging between 3,500 to 6,000.

RDU1 employees Mary Hill and Ryan Brown launched CAUSE in January 2022, and on Wednesday, the two workers will help lead a press conference to promote the union authorization card drive.

Amazon prioritizes profit over everything else, especially the well-being of workers, Brown said in a statement Monday.

Among its demands, CAUSE wants Amazon to pay a $30-an-hour minimum starting wage, give 180 hours a year in paid leave time, and provide workers with a full hour paid break during shifts, which the group says often stretch more than 10 hours. If successful, the independent union would collectively bargain pay and benefits on behalf of workers.

CAUSE says hundreds of RDU1 workers have so far signed cards, though the group said it would not share specific numbers at this time. Were going to win, Hill told The News & Observer.

Amazon employees Mary Hill and Ryan Brown are trying to get a massive union campaign off the ground in Garner, N.C.

Amazon is the second-largest private employer in the United States, after Walmart.

The union drive in North Carolina has faced obstacles, including high employee turnover and efforts by Amazon to quell support. The employer has held multiple voluntary informational meetings at RDU1 during which unionization is cast in a negative light.

Our employees have the choice of whether or not to join a union, Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards said in a statement Monday. They always have. We favor opportunities for each person to be respected and valued as an individual, and to have their unique voice heard by working directly with our team. The fact is, Amazon already offers what many unions are requesting: competitive pay, health benefits on day one, and opportunities for career growth.

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The eighth annual Ankara coffee festival has drawn thousands of coffee lovers to celebrate both traditional and modern coffee cultures, featuring numerous brands and activities.
Hamtramck, Michigan, Mayor Amer Ghalib made headlines over the weekend by endorsing former President Donald Trumps latest bid for president, putting the U.S. only Muslim-majority town in the national spotlight.

Ghalib, who became Hamtramcks first Muslim mayor after being elected in 2021, was born in Yemen and immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager in 1997, according to a profile of the mayor posted by Henry Ford College.

He attended Hamtramck High School and worked at a factory, eventually going on to attend then-Henry Ford Community College and Wayne State University, where he earned his bachelors degree in biology and pre-med. He later attended the Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, where he completed four years but did not complete his residency.

Ghalib spent most of his career as a medical professional in Hamtramck, an enclave of Detroit with about 28,000 residents. The town was known as a mostly Polish settlement until recent decades, with a large influx of Middle Eastern immigrants eventually making it the nations first Muslim-majority city.

Mayor Of Muslim-majority Michigan City Endorses Trump: Right Choice For This Critical Time

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, 43, is photographed in his office at City Hall in Hamtramck, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023.

He made history when he defeated former Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski, breaking an over 100-year streak of the city being represented by a Polish-American mayor. The city also became the first in the nation with an all-Muslim elected leadership that same year, with Hamtramcks six city council seats being won by Muslim candidates.

Read On The Fox News App

However, Ghalib has also attracted controversy during his time as mayor, including his support of a 2023 resolution that banned the display of LGBTQ+ flags on city property.

"You do not know our city more than we do, and you will not know the consequences of opening the door for every group to fly their flag on city properties," Ghalib said in a statement to critics of the move in a Detroit Free Press report. "Our residents are all equally important to us, and we will continue to serve them equally without discrimination, favoritism or preferential treatment to any group. The city government will stay NEUTRAL and IMPARTIAL toward its residents."

Later the same year, he attracted more controversy when he failed to condemn one of his political appointees who was accused of making antisemitic comments.

According to a report on the controversy from the Hamtramck Review, Hamtramck Plan Commission member Nasr Hussain came under fire for questioning whether Jewish people were being punished by God during the Holocaust for actions Israel is now taking in Gaza.

Trump Vows Tough Approach To Sanctuary Policies

"Was the Holocaust Gods advance punishment of the Chosen People for the savagery theyre committing today against the innocent Palestinians children and civilians," Hussain posted on the popular local Facebook page, "Hamtramck Square."

"A heinous act proving that theyre as savage and cruel as the Nazis themselves, or even worse.(Take into consideration that God isnt confined by space or time and that they believe in reincarnation.)," he added.

"You can ask Nasr about that. What do I have to do with his posts! I dont have to comment on every residents opinion, otherwise I would have commented on some posts that insult Islam and other religions, which are posted frequently by some residents on that same Facebook group," Ghalib responded when asked by the Hamtramck Review to respond to the post.

Ghalib and the Hamtramck City Council entered the spotlight again earlier this year, when the city voted unanimously to approve a resolution that required the city to avoid investing in Israeli companies or those supporting "Israeli apartheid," according to a report from the Detroit Free Press, a sweeping show of support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement that has targeted Israeli companies.

"For now, the city will do its best to refrain from buying, investing or contracting with companies that support the Israeli genocide," Ghalib said after the vote.

Kamala Harris Hit For Being Vague, Dodging Questions In Recent Interviews: 'She Owes Us These Answers'

Nevertheless, Trump lobbied hard for Ghalibs endorsement, according to a report in the Detroit News, holding a private 20-minute meeting with the Hamtramck mayor prior to his event in Flint, Michigan, last Tuesday.

"He asked me if I can endorse him and ask people to vote for him? I told him: 'Im here to talk about that and how we can make it happen,'" Ghalib told the Detroit News. "I then handed him an official letter with some details about our concerns and to invite him to come to Hamtramck if possible."

Ghalib would eventually come through with that endorsement, taking to Facebook to praise Trump as "a man of principles."

"Though its looking good, he may or may not win the election and be the 47th president of the United States, but I believe he is the right choice for this critical time," Ghalib wrote in Arabic on his Facebook page. "Ill not regret my decision no matter what the outcome would be, and Im ready to face the consequences. For this, and for many other reasons, I announce my support and endorsement for the former, and hopefully, the next president of the United States, Donald Trump."

Neither Ghalibs office nor the Trump campaign immediately responded to Fox News Digital requests for comment.





Original article source: Who is Amer Ghalib, the Trump-endorsing mayor of the US only Muslim-majority town?
For 20 years, doctors told Diana Falzone her pain was normal.

Well, thats just how it is for some women, she remembers one saying after she began experiencing unusually heavy and very, very painful periods when she was 12 or 13. Some women have it harder than others.

During another visit, she recalls rating the severity of her pain at a 10 on a 10-point scale. Youre a 10? the provider asked her. Are you sure youre a 10 pain? She was told she could take Advil and Tylenol and use a heating pad. And, you know, good luck, she says.

When she was 32, following years of periods that made her sick and multiple ovarian cyst ruptures, she went to the hospital after experiencing a sudden pain while working that felt like I had a serrated, hot knife just cutting through my sidewall, she says. A general practitioner told her she probably had the flu and a hormonal imbalance. She pressed to see a gynecologist and was told to go to her regular provider the following day. When she did, she was given a pack of birth control pills, told to bleed it out and once again sent home.

It was only after she sought out a specialist in reproductive health that she was finally diagnosed with what she describes as a severe case of endometriosis  one that has not only brought her decades of pain, but also impacted her fertility and caused her to lose an ovary, fallopian tubes and her appendix.

Falzone, a journalist and endometriosis advocate, is one of more than 50 million Americans who grapple with chronic pain, the vast majority of whom are women. Women bear a disproportionate amount of pain over the course of their lives. Theyre more likely to suffer from a wide array of painful conditions, including not only those that involve the female reproductive system, like endometriosis, but also everything from rheumatoid arthritis to fibromyalgia to migraines. Hundreds of studies have shown that theyre more sensitive to pain than men. They report feeling pain more often and more intensely.

Theyre also more likely to seek help for their pain than men are. And yet: Far from healing pains gender gap, the health care system appears to be making it worse.

Women in pain are left to sit longer in hospital waiting rooms, according to research and firsthand accounts shared with The Hill over the past three months; theyre prescribed fewer painkillers; theyre told thats just how it is or that they should bleed it out. Their concerns are dismissed or downplayed by health care providers; they go undertreated. And their pain goes on.

There seem to be disparities at the level of the pain sufferer that are probably some combination of life experiences and some physiological factors, says Elizabeth Reynolds Losin, the director of the Pennsylvania State University Social and Cultural Neuroscience Lab.

But then there are also disparities in treatment that are coming from the physician or other kind of clinician, she says. And in some cases these disparities are compounding one another.

Illustration / Courtney Jones; and Adobe Stock

Youve been told its all in your head

In a 2021 study, Losin and her colleagues asked participants to estimate the pain of real patients based on video clips. They found that even when men and women rated the intensity of their pain at the same level and displayed the same degree of suffering in their facial expressions, the female patients were perceived to be in less pain.

In other words, Losin says, womens pain behaviors are being discounted.

The participants in the study were also more likely to recommend that men receive pain medication, and that women undergo psychotherapy  responses that indicate womens pain is being viewed as more psychological in origin, Losin explains.

Falzone says patients with chronic conditions like herself often have to wage a really unfair battle against dismissiveness and psychologization from doctors.

People that suspect they have endometriosis or suspect they have some sort of chronic disease, they always have to advocate for themselves, and thats a crappy position to be in when youre in terrible amounts of pain, she says. You feel defeated. Youve been told its all in your head or whatever, and then youre supposed to have the fortitude to keep trying to find doctors who might tell you that youre crazy again.

Women whose pain stems from more acute conditions confront similar problems.

Kisha Stewart, who suffered a heart attack when she was 31, recalls a nurse assuring her that she was just experiencing anxiety while she was in the midst of it.

Stewart had begun feeling heavy, sharp chest pain when she was out to dinner. It felt like I was being crushed, like my chest was in a vise, she says. She went to the hospital and told the nurse working at reception that she felt the pain in her chest, in her neck, in her jaw, that she couldnt breathe. She also told her shed had a baby two weeks earlier and had gone out for the first time that evening.

The nurse kind of rolled her eyes, Stewart recalls, and told her, Its just anxiety. Youll be fine. Just go home, rest, go be with your baby.

Stewart, who was a nursing assistant at the time, insisted something was really terribly wrong and that she wasnt leaving. The nurse told her she could sit in the waiting room. She was there for 15 to 20 minutes, still experiencing that intense, sharp pain, that crushing sensation, before she was called back.

Women  and particularly Black women like Stewart  generally wait longer to be seen by emergency room staff when theyre experiencing chest pain, the most common heart attack symptom, a 2022 study found. Minutes count when someone has a heart attack, senior study author Harmony Reynolds observed in a statement. And on average, women face waits 11 minutes longer than men, and nonwhite women wait 15 minutes longer than their white counterparts.

Women who go to the emergency room with chest pain are also less likely than men to be prescribed heart medication, admitted to the hospital or even kept in the emergency room for observation, the study found.

Stewart, for her part, was eventually brought back into triage, and an older nurse who passed by realized she was having a heart attack. She was treated; she survived.

If I had listened to the receptionist at the desk, which a lot of people tend to do, I wouldnt be here today, she says.

Illustration / Courtney Jones; and Adobe Stock

Women are more undertreated

Losin and her colleagues conducted their 2021 study with laypeople, not doctors. But other studies have found that health care providers and trainees are similarly more likely to recommend that female pain patients be given antidepressants or psychological treatment.

And while some research has shown little or no disparity between the amount of pain medication men and women receive in certain circumstances, a number of studies have found that doctors are less likely to give women higher strength analgesia  or any analgesia  in a range of situations: in the emergency room, at a cancer pain clinic, during emergency medical care for extremity injuries before they arrive at the hospital.

When women who go to the emergency room for help do get analgesia, they also generally wait longer than men before receiving it, according to multiple studies.

Unlike those settings, gynecology offers little ground for comparison between male and female patients. But there, too, womens pain is often underestimated and ineffectually treated.

Studies have found that doctors significantly misjudge their patients pain during gynecological procedures such as hysteroscopies and IUD insertions. Both have regularly been performed with little or no pain medication at all, though theyre severely painful for a number of women. Some describe having an IUD placed as one of the most painful experiences of their life.

Amid public outcry, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the first time urged doctors last month to counsel patients about pain management prior to IUD insertions.

Pain researchers stress that treatment is inadequate across the board. Both sexes are undertreated for pain, says Diane Hoffmann, the director of the law and health care program at the University of Maryland Law School.

But, she added, women are more undertreated.

Hoffmann dug into research on sex and gender disparities in pain treatment two decades ago for the widely cited 2001 study The Girl Who Cried Pain: A Bias Against Women in the Treatment of Pain; in 2023, she co-authored another paper examining what  if anything  had changed in the intervening years.

A number of studies she looked at for the latter paper stripped away other variables and demonstrated that theres not another good explanation for differences in treatment other than some sort of bias related to sex, she says. Studies are showing that healthcare providers are still making different choices in treatment, even when everything else is the same except for sex.

She posits that the different sources of patients pain may also play a role in the disparities. The types of pain most prevalent in men are more clearly attributable to a known cause with a known pain accompaniment, such as injuries, she notes, in contrast with many of the chronic pain conditions that disproportionately affect women.

These conditions have historically been underfunded and understudied, contributing to a lack of understanding and effective treatments. Endometriosis, which affects roughly 11 percent of reproductive-age girls and women in the U.S., is among that group. So are migraines, which afflict more than 17 percent, and fibromyalgia, which is estimated to occur in about 7.7 percent of women but was long dismissed by many doctors as hysteria and not real.

Many of those conditions are hard to diagnose. Theres not a clear test for them. Theres not a clear understanding of the mechanism, Hoffmann says. So physicians really do have to believe the patient, but also  when physicians cant find a clear biological or physiological basis for the pain, they are much more reluctant to prescribe medication for it.

Diagnoses and treatments for a wide array of conditions are also primarily based on male biology and experiences, because female research subjects have historically been underrepresented in both preclinical and clinical studies  even in areas of health research that disproportionately affect women.

One of those areas is pain itself.

Illustration / Courtney Jones; and Adobe Stock

We continue to ignore female pain biology

Though research has for decades indicated that women experience pain both more than and differently from men, pain researchers have overwhelmingly worked with men, male animals and male cell lines up until very recently.

Roughly 80 percent of rodent studies published in Pain, the leading journal in the field, in 2015 used only male research subjects, according to an analysis by McGill University psychology professor Jeffrey Mogil. That proportion marked little difference from the period between 1996 and 2005, he observed.

Mogil, who has been studying sex differences in pain since the early 1990s, posits that the historic exclusion of female research subjects was in part a result of pure inertia, combined with an expectation by many researchers that female rodents would show more variability due to their fluctuating hormone levels. (That expectation was perfectly reasonable, he says  though it turns out to be empirically false and if anything, its the males that have more variability.)

Roger Fillingim, the director of the University of Floridas Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, suggests another explanation.

A bunch of old white men like me are responsible for creating the culture of biomedical research, and historically we only care about other white men, says Fillingim, who has been studying sex and gender disparities in pain for decades. I dont know that people consciously think that way, but I think it creates this sort of not-so-benign ignorance and apathy where people dont even think of that as a topic.

Whether the long-standing focus on male research subjects has impacted pain treatments  and if so, to what degree  is not wholly clear.

Some research indicates that opioids are slightly more effective in women, but also that women experience more side effects when using them, Fillingim says.

Other treatments have not been studied as systematically in terms of sex differences, he adds. And we, frankly, dont have good evidence that any other specific treatments are more or less helpful for women versus men.

Theres a paper or two or three that youll find, Mogil notes. But in general, he says, it looks like there are no major sex differences in existing drugs.

He stresses, however, that considering such differences will be critical in developing new and better chronic pain medication.

Were not managing chronic pain effectively at all. We need new drugs, he says. And those new drugs, if sex differences are ignored, are either not going to be developed at all, or theyre going to fail.

The percentage of studies including female research subjects has surged in the past decade due in large part to requirements from the National Institutes of Health and its Canadian counterpart that preclinical studies consider sex as a variable. Mogil found that by 2019, the share of male-only studies in Pain had dropped to 50 percent.

The amount of research specifically looking into sex and gender differences in pain has ballooned in the same period, offering growing insight into variations in everything from genes to hormones to brain structures to coping mechanisms.

We had a long way to go, but were getting there, Mogil says. He notes, however, that male bias is far from gone.

A full 50 percent of studies are still using only male subjects, he points out. That number should be essentially zero. And even studies that do include female research subjects often compound the fields male focus, he says.

Because of the preexisting data only on males, we make hypotheses that then end up only being true in males, he explains, and those hypotheses beget new hypotheses that end up only being true in males. And what we do is we get further and further along studying male pain biology while we continue to ignore female pain biology. Thats the sort of hole that we have to dig ourselves out of.

Hoffmann, meanwhile, points to another persistent disparity: one that exists not within research, but rather between what researchers are finding and how pain is being treated.

I think some of the more distressing things have to do with the education of health care providers, particularly medical students: that they are not getting the message that there are differences in how men and women experience pain, such that women need to be believed and maybe even more aggressively treated than men, she says.

In the two decades since she co-authored the Girl Who Cried Pain study in 2001, progress has been made in understanding the differences and that there are differences, she says.

But, she adds, it hasnt done anything, I dont think, to change treatment.

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American Red Cross seeks Connecticut donors to help critical need for blood

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  As fall begins, the American Red Cross urges Connecticut residents to donate to help relieve the ongoing critical need. Donors may receive a gift card.

The organization said donors of all types, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets, are needed.

With the blood supply still at critical levels, every single donation is key to making sure all patients relying on lifesaving transfusion, the organization said.

Those who wish to donate blood or platelets can make an appointment by visiting the American Red Cross website, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or using the Red Cross Donor app.

The Red Cross said those who donate by Sept. 30 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.

Those who donate between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.

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

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Brooke Cheuvront went missing during a solo hike on the mountain on Saturday, Sept. 21

Getty Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

An American student has reportedly been found dead on South Africas iconic Table Mountain after going missing during a hike.

SANParks, who manage South Africas National Parks, confirmed a female hiker had been found dead and her body had been recovered in a press release shared on Monday, Sept 23.

She was reported missing on Saturday, Sept. 21 after leaving her accommodation at around 12:00 p.m. local time to go up the mountain. Her friends did not hear from her since she left, and the tracking app never updated since she left her residence, the release read in part.

According to the Associated Press, CBS News and local media outlets News24 and TimesLIVE, the missing woman was identified as 20-year-old student Brook Cheuvront.

Her body was found after the City of Cape Towns piloted aircraft joined the search, which began on Sept. 21, and located her on the slopes of the mountain.

Getty Table Mountain

We can confirm the body of the missing hiker was found by a search party at about 2 p.m. on Sunday in an area which is part of Devil's Peak and was retrieved by EMS helicopter, police spokesperson Lt-Col Malcolm Pojie told TimesLIVE and News24.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the possible cause of death, he added.

According to CBS affiliate WNCN, Cheuvront  a Morehead-Cain scholar at the University of North Carolina  was in Cape Town doing an internship at the citys university.

Following her death, Brooks father Steve Cheuvront shared a post Facebook asking for any posts that referenced her as missing to be taken down.

Please take down all posts looking for Brook. She was recovered. We are devastated, he wrote.



In a previous post shared on Sept. 22, Steve shared his hopes that his daughter would be found.

Please please. Let her be found. It will be daylight there in 90 min. Search and rescue. The US Ambassador is aware. All resources will be sent. I may be flying over tomorrow, he added.

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Per WNCN, Brook was a track runner and the 2022 valedictorian at Avery County High School in North Carolina.

In a post shared on Facebook on Sept. 22, the school wrote, One of our teachers tragically lost a loved one today. Out of respect for the family, the sporting events for tomorrow have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. The UNC Charlotte college tour for tomorrow is cancelled.

We will have counselors and pastors present tomorrow at school for students who may need support, the post continued. If students feel led to, please wear blue in support of the Cheuvront family.

An individual named April Cheuvront is listed as a science teacher on the schools staff directory on its website.

The circumstances around the hikers death are still being investigated and further details about this incident will be provided as and when necessary, the release from SANParks added.

SANParks extends its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time. We also express our sincere gratitude to our stakeholders and staff involved in this operation.

PEOPLE has reached out to SANParks and the Cape Town Metropolitan Police Department for additional information.



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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-26 academic year wont be fully available, in large part, until Dec. 1  two months later than the forms usual debut, the U.S. Department of Education announced in September. (Getty Images)

With Hoosier students set to face another year of financial aid application delays, Indiana higher education officials are ramping up efforts to highlight  and encourage  post-secondary options for high school graduates.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-26 academic year wont be fully available, in large part, until Dec. 1  two months later than the forms usual debut, the U.S. Department of Education announced last month.

Agency officials said theyve postponed this years release to avoid potential technical issues. Its the second year in a row that FAFSA has been delayed.

Thousands of Hoosier students qualify for aid each year, but historically, fewer than half end up submitting their FAFSA. That leaves tens of millions of unclaimed federal aid dollars.

State lawmakers, in tandem with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), have spearheaded multiple efforts in recent years to reverse that trend, including a FAFSA completion mandate for high schoolers, as well as coordinated mailing of pre-admission thousands of letters to Hoosier students from Indianas higher education intuitions.

This week, 30 Hoosier colleges are additionally participating in Indianas College Application Week, during which students can apply to all participating schools for free. State officials said the annual effort provides students a greater chance of receiving institutionally-awarded financial aid, on top of whatever they might qualify for federally.

Ongoing FAFSA delays

The latest FAFSA delay comes after last years fraught financial aid cycle; for the 2024-25 academic year, applications were not available until late December due to multiple rounds of technical glitches with the website and electronic FAFSA form.

Federal education officials didnt start sending applicant data to colleges until March  significantly reducing the time colleges had to compile aid packages. That data is usually available shortly after the FAFSA opens on Oct. 1.

Students also couldnt submit corrections to their FAFSA forms until April, and wait times for helpline assistance reportedly stretched for hours.

A 2020 law directed the Education Department to simplify the FAFSA form, which had been criticized for being time-consuming and difficult to complete, especially for families without college experience. With that work to update FAFSA still ongoing, agency officials maintain the second delayed FAFSA rollout will help to avoid future problems in the next aid cycle.

Following a challenging 2024-25 FAFSA cycle, the Department listened carefully to the input of students, families, and higher education institutions, made substantial changes to leadership and operations at Federal Student Aid, and is taking a new approach this year that will significantly improve the FAFSA experience, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

Nationwide, the number of 2024 high school seniors who completed the FAFSA dropped more than 7% compared to the year prior, according to the National College Attainment Network.

Roughly 38% of Indianas graduated 2024 high school seniors submitted the FAFSA by the states mid-April priority deadline, NCAN data shows. By mid-summer, the application rate ticked up to 47%. Students can still file after April 15, but state financial aid will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

That fell below CHEs goal of having 60% of high school seniors submit their FAFSA by the priority deadline. Even so, Indiana fared slightly better than the rest of the country. The state saw the smallest change year-over-year in its completion rate compared to the rest of the country  possibly thanks to Indianas new universal FAFSA completion policy.

The new law, passed in 2023, made Indiana the eighth state to have some type of FAFSA filing mandate for high schoolers. There are no penalties if a student fails to submit the application, however.

Its still unclear how much the FAFSA complications will impact the number of students attending college. Higher education officials have cautioned that aid delays force some students to pick a school with limited information about their financial picture.

State enrollment data

The latest enrollment data from Indianas colleges and universities, at least, appears mostly positive.

Enrollment is up at Indiana University campuses across the state this fall, the school announced earlier this month. IU Bloomington, specifically, set a record this fall with 48,424 students enrolled. Applications for the Bloomington campus were also up 25% from last year, which the university said has led to the campuss second largest beginning class ever at 9,600.

Purdue University additionally boasted record enrollment numbers for the Fall 2024 semester. Applicant numbers set a record at 78,526 students, while the schools admission rate dropped to a record low at 49.8%.

The University of Southern Indiana, Vincennes University, Rose-Hulman, Trine University, Hanover College and Notre Dame all reported record-high  or near-high  fall enrollment, too.

Similar to many institutions, Ball State pushed back the traditional student commitment deadline for the 2024 freshmen class from May 1 to June 1 because of the FAFSA issues. The school has not yet released detailed enrollment information for the current academic year.

At Indiana State University, however, fall enrollment dropped to 7,895 students  a 4.9% decline from last year, and 36% drop compared to 2018, according to figures released by the school.

Indiana continues push for more college enrollment

Indianas Commission for Higher Education has created and built out multiple new programs to appeal directly to younger students.

The state recently expanded its 21st Century Scholars Program, which provides need-based financial aid to Indiana students attending state and some private colleges. The scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition costs for students who typically earn free and reduced lunch.

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In the 2027 cohort, 19,000 students self-enrolled before the new law took effect, according to CHE. After switching to automatic enrollment, that number grew to nearly 46,000. Currently, the 2028 cohort has over 50,000 enrolled.

Also continuing this fall is Indianas Pre-Admissions program that matches students to colleges based on standardized test performance and GPA.

Through a partnership with 39 of Indianas higher education institutions  16 public and 23 private campuses  the commission will ensure students gain pre-admission letters from at least three schools.

CHE officials said this month that about 67,000 high school seniors should receive information this fall on which Indiana colleges they qualify for  up from roughly 56,000 students in 2023.

The average student matched to 24 colleges and universities.

As for FAFSA, federal education officials said a test of the new form will go live Oct. 1 for a limited number of students and institutions. The phased approach is aimed at ensuring complete functionality when the form fully launches, officials said in a news release.

Its not yet certain how many Hoosier students will be able to participate in beta testing; the education department is still recruiting high schools and colleges that are interested in early FAFSA trials.

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The parents of a woman who alleged earlier this year that International House of Prayer-Kansas City founder Mike Bickle sexually abused her starting in the 1980s when she was 14 have issued a warning to staffers.

Do not sign a non-disclosure agreement with the 24/7 global prayer ministry.

To do so, say Gary and Jerilyn Woods, you will be legally silencing your own voice, forfeiting your right to free speech.

News that IHOPKC is asking staffers sign a non-disclosure agreement spread quickly last week after a leaked copy that former staffers say the organization has been giving some workers to sign began circulating on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter. The news, which came as a third-party investigation gets underway into sexual misconduct allegations against Bickle and others in the organization, raised concerns that the NDA could undermine the investigation.

The Woodses posted their warning Sept. 16 on social media. Their daughter, Tammy Woods, came forward in February with shocking allegations about the grooming and sexual abuse she said began when she was a babysitter for Bickles small children at the time he led a church in St. Louis before founding IHOPKC.

Alerting all IHOP Members: You have been asked by the IHOPKC leaders to sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), the Woods note began, saying they should think before acting on it.

Workers may be in denial about the allegations of rape, sexual grooming and other serious issues that have been raised dating back to 1999 in connection with IHOPKC, the note said, but that doesnt make them any less true.

Jesus said, You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

The truth needs to come out, the Woods note said, and the victims damaged by these heinous acts deserve to be heard and upheld by fellow believers.

So, please do not sign this document that silences your voice. If you have doubts about what were saying, ask an attorney to read the document. If Mike Bickle isnt stopped, his next victim could be your own son, daughter, or grandchild.

A non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, is a legally binding contract between parties that is designed to keep sensitive information confidential. Under an NDA, the parties agree not to disclose matters such as proprietary information or trade secrets with a third party.

The leaked IHOPKC non-disclosure agreement prohibits staff and volunteers from talking about all information they gain access to, either directly or indirectly, in connection with IHOPKC and says a person who breaches the agreement may have to pay IHOPKCs court costs and attorney fees that arise from the breach. Critics say the NDA is punitive and intimidating and could undermine the new investigation.

IHOPKC leaders, who declined repeated attempts by former leaders to get them to join in on a mutually agreed-upon independent investigation, did not respond to requests for comment.

Last month, they issued a statement saying IHOPKC had hired Telios Law, a Colorado firm, to investigate how leadership responded to allegations years ago that a man who was a former youth group leader and musician engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with teenage boys. The law firm also is training staff on how to identify individuals with predation in mind and how to safeguard vulnerable children, IHOPKC said.

Terms of agreement last indefinitely

The IHOPKC non-disclosure agreement says that staffers or volunteers may have access to or may come across information that is confidential in nature and that ALL information I receive or gain access to regarding any of IHOPKCs staff members, employees, prospective employees, volunteers, and business-related information shall be kept in the strictest confidence.

Once workers leave IHOPKC, the agreement says, they must abide by the confidentiality terms indefinitely.

A breach of the agreement, it says, will cause IHOPKC irreparable harm, and IHOPKC has the right to seek a court-ordered injunction and any other equitable relief in court to prevent further breach of this Agreement.

It goes on to say that the staff member or volunteer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless IHOPKC from all fines, levies, suits, proceedings, claims, actions or causes of actions of any kind whatsoever including, but not limited to, all costs, court costs, litigation expenses and attorney fees arising from, growing out of, in connection with or incidental to my breach of confidentiality.

And in the event of legal action, it says, the signee agrees to pay all of IHOPKCs costs, court costs, litigation expenses, costs and expenses of appeal, and reasonable attorneys fees.

Its unclear exactly when IHOPKC started using the non-disclosure agreements. Some former leaders who left in recent years said theyd never heard of them. But a 2016 email provided to The Star indicated that they were being given at that time to staff in the human resources, accounting and IT departments.

While its not uncommon for religious organizations to require NDAs, the practice isnt fully embraced.

In January 2022, the National Council of Evangelicals reported that over recommending non-disclosure agreements for staff of churches or other Christian organizations. Fifty-four percent of the leaders responding said it depends when asked if formal agreements should be implemented, 21% said yes and 25% said no.

NDAs are tools that can be helpful to maintain confidential information, but they can also be inappropriately used to conceal information that should be shared, particularly but not limited to cases of abuse, said NAE President Walter Kim. Evangelical leaders understand this tension. While there may not be consensus on the use of non-disclosure agreements, they agree that transparency and accountability are essential within churches and Christian organizations.

Could NDA impact new investigation?

Former staff and others following the scandal fear IHOPKCs non-disclosure agreement could prevent employees and volunteers from speaking out or participating in the new outside investigation.

To me, it shows a lack of concern for their staff and volunteers, wrote Jennifer Verdery on X, formerly Twitter. I was in full-time ministry for almost a decade, NEVER have I signed anything like this. How can we trust them to protect the vulnerable if they are having volunteers sign this?

Earlier this month, Tikkun Global, a network of Messianic Jewish congregations and ministries, announced it had hired Firefly Investigations, a company with law enforcement expertise, to conduct the outside investigation into the troubling allegations involving IHOPKC.

The move was endorsed by former IHOPKC leaders, known as the Advocate Group, who had been calling for an independent investigation ever since the scandal broke last fall. Bickle is accused of using prophecies to groom, sexually abuse and manipulate women over multiple decades. The allegations led IHOPKC to immediately, formally and permanently separate from Bickle in December.

Tikkun Global will oversee the investigation, the Advocate Group said, to ensure independence.

IHOPKCs current leaders acknowledged in an email to staff and supporters that theyd been working with the Advocate Group and more recently with Tikkun Global to engage an outside party to conduct an investigation.

But those leaders said that while we are excited that this is finally happening, we have some deep concerns.

They said the choice of the investigator wasnt totally independent, because Tikkun had chosen Firefly based on recommendations from the Advocate Group. And they complained that the scope of the investigation was too wide. They said they had agreed to investigate allegations against Bickle and other leaders accused of sexual abuse as well as anyone who knew about sexual abuse but covered it up. But Tikkun revised its language of the scope statement to include all IHOPKC staff and volunteers, they said.

While we will not discourage or criticize any of our current staff or community members who choose to voluntarily participate in the investigation, we also will not allow or condone any attempts to extract information from those who choose not to participate, the IHOPKC leaders said.

The current problems, they said, reflect a culture that no longer exists here.

The leaders responsible for those failures are no longer with IHOPKC, they said. Our current leadership is fully focused on creating a culture of transparency, accountability, and care.

Its almost coercion

John Ferrell, a Silicon Valley patent attorney with a popular YouTube channel on intellectual property, said IHOPKCs non-disclosure agreement raises several concerns.

The document is very broad and its vague as to whats covered, he said. This feels a little desperate to me, honestly. It makes people suspicious, it makes people uncomfortable. It makes people feel like somebodys going to turn you in for speaking something that shouldnt have been spoken.

He noted what he called a snitch clause that requires workers to report others within IHOPKC who violate the agreement.

That just seems like a bridge too far for me, Ferrell said. This bothers me a lot, that somebody is making me sign an agreement like this, where I can lose my job if I dont snitch on someone whos maybe giving information about something like child sex abuse.

Another troubling issue, Ferrell said, is that if employees want to keep their jobs, it appears they must sign the NDA.

Its almost coercion, he said. Its almost like holding a gun to somebody. These are contracts that you dont really have much of a choice to sign or not to sign. And I think in many jurisdictions, these kinds of contracts would be really frowned upon, and they also may be in violation of state law with respect to employment.

But even if the agreement is found to be unenforceable, Ferrell said, it still would have an impact.

It would chill speech in the workplace, he said.

Gregory Germain, a law professor at Syracuse University College of Law and an expert on NDAs, said all states have laws recognizing a clergy penitent privilege that renders conversations between ministers and those they counsel inadmissible in court. The purpose, he said, is to allow pastors to provide spiritual guidance without being afraid theyll be summoned to testify against the penitent.

One example is the confidentiality of confession, which has been subject to special confidentiality and legal protection for centuries, Germain said.

The law, and these confidentiality traditions, are to protect the member and the free flow of information and advice between the clergy and the member, and not to cover up wrongdoing by the church administration, he said. There is, of course, a big difference between protecting confidential communications with members and covering up abuse or other crimes committed by the clergy or administration.

Pushing the boundaries

Germain said the language in IHOPKCs non-disclosure agreement that focuses on keeping member information confidential is consistent with the clergy penitent privilege. But the language that claims any other information that an employee or volunteer might learn, including information about other employees, he said, seems overly broad and vague, and I suspect would be hard to enforce.

NDAs that would prohibit workers from complying with the law, disclosing information about criminal acts to authorities, or answering questions about wrongdoing in legal proceedings, Germain said, would likely be invalidated on public policy grounds.

So I dont think they will be able to use this NDA to prevent a criminal investigation into wrongdoing or to cover up criminal acts if thats what they are trying to do, he said of IHOPKC. However, it might be effective in preventing employees and volunteers from talking to the press even if the provisions were unenforceable on public policy grounds.

In late 2022, Congress passed  and President Joe Biden signed into law  the Speak Out Act, which restricts the enforcement of NDA clauses when workers report sexual misconduct. That means employers are prohibited from using NDAs to prevent victims of sexual harassment and assault from speaking out. Legal experts, however, say that employees who sign NDAs often arent aware that such protection exists.

Mark Schloegel, an attorney with the Popham Law Firm in Kansas City who specializes in injury, employment and sexual assault cases, said IHOPKCs non-disclosure agreement is pushing the boundaries.

NDAs are used to protect information such as private financial or personal data and business trade secrets, Schloegel said. But such agreements, he said, should only be used when its crucial to protect truly confidential information.

Covering up sexual abuse or church secrets is not legitimate confidential information worthy of protection, he said. And, I would argue, any information related to sexual abuse or church secrets is (not or) should not be covered by an overly broad and generic NDA.

In Missouri, Schloegel said, public policy supports, and in fact, certain folks have a duty, to report suspected child abuse.

I dont think a Court would be persuaded by an NDA attempting to protect sexual abuse or church secrets, he said.
(Bloomberg) -- President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is leaving his successor in Mexico a volatile currency, tepid economic growth and the widest budget deficit since the 1980s. But the most urgent challenge Claudia Sheinbaum will face is calming investor fears over the outgoing leaders overhaul of the judiciary.

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The plan, which will see Mexico elect thousands of judges and magistrates nationwide, was approved this month amid outcry from the opposition, investors and business leaders who fear it will remove checks and balances on the ruling Morena party and erode the rule of law.

Sheinbaum, who takes office Oct. 1, signaled continuity a day after the vote, confirming that most of the existing Finance Ministry team will remain in their posts. But given the current presidents record of clashing with private business while giving handouts to the heavily indebted state oil company, its unclear how reassuring that will be to investors.

In addition to riling two of Mexicos biggest trading partners  the US and Canada  and raising questions about judicial independence, the overhaul has sparked concern about how far Morena will go to pass other radical reforms proposed by AMLO, as the outgoing nationalist leader is known. The list includes eliminating independent regulators in the energy and telecom sectors in favor of ministerial oversight.

Sheinbaum will bear a heavy political cost for the approval of the judicial reform, said Amrit Singh, executive director of the Rule of Law Impact Lab at Stanford Law School in California. The president-elect will have trouble convincing Mexicans that she genuinely intends to place their interests above political calculations that require her to continue AMLOs legacy.

The way in which Morena engineered its legislative victory in the final month of Lopez Obradors six-year term, by flipping one opposition senator amid allegations of coercion, only added to fears that the party will stop at nothing in its pursuit for power.

The senator who cast the decisive vote  at the last minute, after a prolonged absence  called the reversal of his earlier position against the reform the hardest decision of his life. Another opposition lawmaker never made it to the floor, amid allegations that his father was detained and his house surrounded by police officers.

The change in the senators vote came after a top-ranking Morena member, former Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez, allegedly promised that the government would shelve corruption investigations against him and his family, according to political columnists in Mexico. And the opposition lawmaker who never made it to the session was threatened with his fathers arrest if he left the city of Campeche and followed through on his pledge to vote against the plan, according to his Movimiento Ciudadano party. An El Pais investigation suggested that his absence was agreed to beforehand.

AMLO acknowledged at his Sept. 11 daily press briefing that Lopez might have spoken with the senator who changed his vote, but denied that the congressman had been paid or threatened. In politics, it is always necessary to choose between disadvantages and to seek a balance between efficiency and principles, the president said about the strategy to get the missing vote.

Even Mexican pundits who previously defended the Morena leadership were shocked that the president and his allies took such flagrant measures to get the contentious reform approved. So now its up to Sheinbaum to repair the partys image and to show that her legislators will get in line behind someone other than AMLO, whose son was named to a top Morena leadership post on Sunday.

He is imposing on her a scenario that is highly conflictive and disruptive by promoting an enormous reform  the most important in decades  just before she starts her government, said Ricardo Becerra, president of the Institute of Studies for a Democratic Transition, a think tank in Mexicos capital.

Despite the challenge, Sheinbaum has sought to develop her own plans over the past months. Speaking to reporters last week, she denied that Lopez Obrador will continue to have a commanding voice during her administration, noting that hes repeatedly said hes retiring to write a book.

However, the president-elect said she will continue implementing AMLOs vision for Mexico, including judicial reform. Our adversaries want there to be a rupture, but there cannot be a rupture if we have been building this project together, Sheinbaum said. Her office didnt respond to a request for comment on this story.

Beyond political fallout from the overhaul, the new president also has to address economic setbacks left behind by Lopez Obrador.

As of Friday, the Mexican peso had fallen about 14% since the June election and was one of the worst-performing major currencies as lawmakers discussed AMLOs plan to elect judges. The central bank recently cut its growth forecast for this year to 1.5% from 2.4% previously, and lowered its estimate for 2025 to a 1.2% economic expansion.

State oil giant Petroleos Mexicanos, meanwhile, has nearly $100 billion in debt thats required frequent government support to pare down. AMLO said Friday he expects Sheinbaum to continue injecting cash because she agrees with what we have established and that our economic policy will continue.

Pemexs needs will be a major factor when the president-elect presents a final budget in November, though shes aiming to narrow the deficit to under 3.5% of gross domestic product from a bulging 5.9% currently.

Then theres managing the relationship with Mexicos neighbors after both the US and Canadian ambassadors spoke out against the judicial overhaul. Washington could seek changes during the 2026 review of the North American free-trade agreement, opening up avenues for international arbitration instead of limiting companies to resolutions in Mexican courts, according to Andy Shoyer, a partner at Sidley Austin LLP who was previously a legal adviser in the Office of the US Trade Representative.

After winning the election in a landslide with nearly 60% of the vote, the former mayor of Mexico City has broad domestic maneuvering room. But worries around judicial reform and the legislative arm-twisting required to pass it raise questions about whether international investors might turn away from Mexico.

Sheinbaums inaugural speech after taking office will be a key signal to markets, according to Gabriela Soni, head of investment strategy at UBS Mexico, who is hoping to hear a conciliatory message after AMLOs clashes with big business. They have very little fiscal room, Soni said, so they have to open up to the private sector in order to achieve their ambitious agenda.

--With assistance from Scott Squires.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
By Farah Master

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's move to raise retirement ages is a starting point to plug gaping pension deficits and bolster a shrinking workforce but more pain lies ahead as the economy slows, making further reforms urgent, say economists and demographers.

Aging populations are a global phenomenon, but the issue is particularly stark in China due to the legacy of its one-child-policy, which was in place for three decades and has exacerbated its demographic challenges.

Chinas number of births dropped to 9 million last year and the United Nations forecasts China's working age population will decline by nearly 40% by 2050 from 2010 if fertility rates remain at current levels.

Both older and younger workers have expressed worries about the changes as policymakers grapple with widespread discrepancies between rural and urban pensions, maintaining public stability and high youth unemployment.

"They need to solve the pension problem now because this is when they still have some growth to finance the deficit," said Alicia Garcia Herrero, Natixis' chief economist for Asia Pacific.

China's economic growth rate has slowed from around 8% in the early 2000s to around 5% now and could be as low as 1% after 2035, she said.

Wary of public concerns, Chinese lawmakers fast-tracked the policy without public consultation in September, changing retirement ages that had been set in the 1950s.

Life expectancy in China has risen to 78 years as of 2021 from about 44 in 1960 and projected to exceed 80 by 2050.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the reform is a "significant move" to improve China's social security system and "better safeguard and improve people's livelihoods," according to the Xinhua official news agency.

Still, China's state-led basic pension system is under significant financial pressure.

About one-third of China's provincial-level jurisdictions are running pension deficits. Chinas Academy of Social Sciences has estimated the pension system will run out of money by 2035 without reforms.

Monthly urban pensions range from roughly 3,000 yuan ($425) in less-developed provinces to about 6,000 yuan in Beijing and Shanghai. Rural pensions, introduced nationwide in 2009, are meagre.

VOLUNTARY

China's cohort of those aged 60 and older is expected to rise at least 40% to more than 400 million by 2035, equal to the populations of Britain and the United States combined.

Migrant workers, who typically receive poor pensions, continue to work into their older years versus state-sector employees with relatively generous government pensions who have less incentives to opt into the higher retirement ages.

The contribution period needed to receive a pension in China will rise to 20 years from 15, starting in 2030.

Expanding the contribution time frame further "especially in the context of the current state of the gig and informal economy could make it harder for many blue-collar workers to be eligible to receive their pension," said Stuart Gietel-Basten, professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

The initial fiscal impact from the raising retirement ages will likely be muted because the increases are largely voluntary, said Ernan Cui, China consumer analyst at Gavekal Dragonomics.

"Raising the retirement age may entail only a limited fiscal gain for now...The coming increase will effectively be optional for many workers, though the increase in the minimum contribution period to obtain a pension will not," she said.

John Wang, an analyst at Moody's Ratings, said the new legislation could pose a social risk due to China's demographic challenges and income inequalities.

"Successful implementation of Chinas retirement age reforms will depend on managing risks...such as the skill set of the elderly population, the available jobs and their adaptability to developments in technology and innovation."

($1 = 7.0465 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
By Tom Balmforth

KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy travels to the United States to set out a "victory plan" to his closest ally this week, in an urgent attempt to influence White House policy on Ukraine's war with Russia no matter who wins the U.S. elections in November.

The Ukrainian leader has said he wants to present the plan to President Joe Biden and his two potential successors, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, during the trip, which will see Zelenskiy addressing the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.

Zelenskiy has said that if the plan is backed by the West, it will have a broad impact on Moscow, including a psychological one that could help compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war diplomatically.

"The Victory Plan envisages quick and concrete steps by our strategic partners - from now until the end of December," Zelenskiy told reporters on Friday.

He added that the plan would act as a "bridge" to a second Ukraine-led summit on peace that Kyiv wants to hold and invite Russia to later this year.

There is no alternative to peace, Zelenskiy has said, "no freezing of the war or any other manipulations that would simply postpone Russian aggression to another stage".

Yet the two sides remain far apart.

Zelenskiy wants Ukraine inside NATO and the European Union and Russia driven from all Ukrainian territory, though he says the latter aim can be achieved diplomatically. Putin says peace talks can only begin if Kyiv abandons swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine to Russia and drops its NATO membership plan.

Zelenskiy's trip comes at a perilous juncture for Ukraine. A Trump victory in the Nov. 5 presidential election could prompt a reset of Washington's policy on Ukraine, which relies heavily on U.S. military and financial support.

During a TV debate, Trump refused to say if he wanted Ukraine to defeat Russia and said he would try to end the war before taking office if he wins. Harris accused Trump of seeking Kyiv's swift and unconditional capitulation.

As the election nears, Kyiv has put on a show of strength, rapidly seizing land in a high-risk Aug. 6 incursion into Russia's Kursk region, touting new weapons including a "drone missile" and ballistic weapon and launching major drone strikes.

One attack caused a massive blast at an ammo dump in Russia's Tver region last Wednesday.

Russia has ramped up drone and missile attacks, taken receipt of Iranian ballistic missiles, according to the West, ordered an increase in the size of its army, moved to change its nuclear doctrine and stepped up its eastern offensive.

'BIDEN'S DECISION'

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said Biden is eager to discuss Zelenskiy's "comprehensive strategy for success in this war" against Russia.

Zelenskiy said his plan consists of a small number of points and that "all these points depend on Biden's decision, not Putin's".

On Friday, the leader said the steps involved establishing Ukraine's place in the world's "security architecture", battlefield decisions including the Kursk operation, bolstering Ukraine's armoury and supporting the economy.

Oleksandr Kovalenko, a Ukrainian military analyst, said Zelenskiy might press for longer-term assurances of aid into 2025 and seek some kind of declaration of post-Biden continuity in support.

"This will be a very important moment. Perhaps in some ways, in a political and military-political sense, it will be a pivotal moment," he said.

Zelenskiy is almost certain to repeat his call on Biden to authorise long-range strikes into Russia, a move Moscow has said would make NATO members direct participants in the war and elicit a response.

Ukraine wants to strike military installations up to 300 km (186 miles) inside Russia, such as airfields that host attack helicopters and warplanes used to fire glide bombs. Washington has said it does not see the easing of those restrictions as a battlefield game-changer.

Russia, which occupies 18% of Ukrainian territory, has been on the offensive since last October and in August chalked up its fastest sustained recent month of advances.

Ukraine's toehold in Russia's Kursk region could serve as a bargaining chip at talks or as an insurance policy against any outside push to freeze the war along current lines. But Kyiv would have to hold the territory amid serious manpower challenges against a much larger foe.

Meanwhile, Russia has been making progress towards the transport hub of Pokrovsk. Its capture could wreak havoc with Ukrainian logistics and open up new lines of attack.

Kovalenko said Russia likely wanted to capture Pokrovsk by the year-end.

"That would allow them... to strengthen pressure on the information front to catalyse thoughts of peace negotiations, naturally on their terms," he said.

CHALLENGES

Ukraine hopes to advance a blueprint for peace at a second international summit later this year and says Russia will be invited at the request of other participants. The first one in Switzerland pointedly shunned Moscow in June and was skipped by China and chunks of the Global South.

Zelenskiy says his summit initiative is the only viable peace format and this month slammed as "destructive" a Chinese-Brazilian proposal that calls for "de-escalating the situation" and the resumption of direct dialogue without requiring Russia to pull back.

Ukraine faces its toughest winter of the 2-1/2 year war yet after Russian strikes damaged a huge chunk of energy producing capacity.

The government also faces mounting economic challenges, and plans its first wartime tax hikes to cover a funding gap of about $12.2 billion for its army this year.

Opinion polls paint a mixed picture.

Some 32% of Ukrainians were open, as of May 2024, to certain territorial concessions to end the war, up from 10% in May 2022, said Anton Hrushetskyi, executive director of Kyiv-based pollster KIIS. But most of them envisioned an arrangement that would postpone the liberation of territory rather than abandon it for good, he added.

The key demand for any peace deal is the need for firm security guarantees such as NATO membership, he said.

"Despite negative trends, Ukrainians are still optimistic enough and believe for a better future - and hope this future will be in the European Union and with finally adequate security guarantees."

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth; additional reporting by Olena Harmash in Kyiv; editing by Mike Collett-White and Gareth Jones)
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Prince Georges County Executive and Senate race candidate Angela Alsobrooks allegedly saved thousands of dollars in taxes on two properties she owned in Maryland and D.C. by taking advantage of tax breaks she did not qualify for, according to a CNN report released Sunday.

The CNN review of her property records and tax bills reportedly showed that for both properties, Alsobrooks claimed a homestead tax exemption intended to apply only to someones primary residence, violating state and local tax relief requirements.

She also allegedly improperly claimed a senior citizens tax break on her D.C. property, which her grandparents used to own.

According to the review, Alsobrooks saved nearly $14,000 in taxes between 2005 and 2017 on the D.C. property by using tax exemptions meant for primary residents, lower-income residents and senior citizens, despite not living in the District.

Analysis: DC News Now polls shows Alsobrooks leads Hogan in Maryland U.S. Senate seat

In response to the accusations, senior adviser for Angela Alsobrooks said:

Many Marylanders know how difficult and complex it is when a family member needs to leave their home. When this situation happened to Angelas grandmother, Angela stepped up and took it over for her family and paid the mortgage until the property was sold in 2018. She was unaware of any tax credits attached to that property and has reached out to the District of Columbia to resolve the issue and make any necessary payment. Senior adviser for Angela Alsobrooks, Connor Lounsbury

The CNN review also noted that Alsobrooks purchased a Prince Georges County townhouse in 2005 and received a homestead exemption for it in 2008. However, according to CNN, she continued to take the exemption even after she began renting out the property.

When Angela bought her new property, the homestead tax credit from her previous home was not transferred. This resulted in no financial gain for Angela. In fact, she ended up paying more in taxes than she would have had the credit transferred over. Nevertheless, Angela is working to repay any credits received on the old property, said Lounsbury, regarding the report.

Alsobrooks and her Republican opponent, Larry Hogan, are set to face off in their race for the U.S. Senate seat on Nov. 5.

According to a new Emerson College/DC News Now/The Hill poll, Alsobrooks leads the former governor by 7%.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
HEFEI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 World Manufacturing Convention concluded Monday with a showcase of cutting-edge technologies and pivotal agreements that are set to drive the evolution of future industries.

The convention, which brought together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across the globe, highlighted the critical role of innovation in shaping the next generation of manufacturing.

Throughout the four-day convention held in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, a total of 718 investment projects worth 369.2 billion yuan (about 52 billion U.S. dollars) have been signed, underscoring strong collaboration in fields such as artificial intelligence, green technology and advanced manufacturing.

Among the most notable was a partnership agreement between Hefei and Chinese drone maker EHang, which focused on the operations and sales of the company's passenger-carrying autonomous aerial vehicles in east China.

In addition, a cooperation agreement on the production of high efficiency cadmium telluride thin film solar cells was also inked at the convention.

This type of cell has a much lower production cost compared to crystalline silicon and other solar cells. Additionally, their spectrum is the most consistent with sunlight, allowing them to absorb some 95 percent of sunlight.

A highlight of the event was the display of several groundbreaking products and technologies that are poised to reshape the manufacturing landscape. Humanoid robots that can mimic human movements with remarkable precision were prominently featured.

One of the standout presentations came from the Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Humanoid Robots, which introduced the Qijiang-2 humanoid robot capable of performing delicate tasks such as folding clothes, opening bottles, wiping dishes and navigating uneven terrain.

"In the future, these humanoid robots will be able to adapt to both industrial production and elderly care scenarios, serving as robot workers and caregivers," said Liu Houde, director of the laboratory.

The convention not only served as a platform for technological advancements but also offered an immersive experience.

At the convention's outdoor exhibition area, visitors were enthralled by an unmanned sightseeing bus equipped with Shine Auto's self-developed autonomous driving technology.

They can either scan a QR code to board or reserve a ride through a WeChat mini program, with the option to disembark at multiple sightseeing stops.

"The future of automobiles will undoubtedly enter the era of autonomous driving. Cars are no longer just a means of transportation, they have also become intelligent mobile terminals, transforming into mobile spaces that make life better," said Zhou Ji, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. 
BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH)  A fire damaged multiple offices and businesses in a commercial building Saturday, according to Berlin fire officials.

Fire crews were dispatched around 4:44 p.m. to 369 New Britain Rd. for report of smoke from the second floor of the commercial building there.

Hartford council to help fire victims with housing

One scene, crews found the fire in a second-floor business of the structure had burned through the roof and was burning the rubber roofing material.

The remainder of the building was damaged by water and smoke.

Two animals in the buildings Animal Hospital of Berlin were removed and are safe, fire officials. said.

Animals saved from fire in Berlin commercial building on Sept. 21, 2024.

Animals saved from fire in Berlin commercial building on Sept. 21, 2024.

Animals saved from fire in Berlin commercial building on Sept. 21, 2024.

On Sunday, owners said the animal hospital wasnt touched by the fire, but sustained smoke and water damage. They plan to be closed for cleaning, painting and inspections for this week. Customers can communicate with them on Facebook, as their phones and computer system is down.

Man injured after car jumps sidewalk in Hartford

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Berlin Fire Marshals 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 WTNH.com.
With what Hollywoods animation union calls significant gaps remaining between labor and management proposals, major studios are set to continue negotiations with guild leadership over a new three-year deal this week.

The Animation Guild stated in a Friday update that while the two sides were making progress on reaching an agreement, the differences between the parties would require more days at the negotiating table. The union is currently preparing a response to the latest management proposal, a representative told The Hollywood Reporter. In the meantime, the unions contract  which originally expired on July 31  has been extended until Nov. 1 to give labor and management more time to come to a deal.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

The Negotiations Committee worked consistently and tirelessly to push the animation studios to recognize and address the priorities our members stated are in need of change, the unions business representative Steve Kaplan said in a statement. While measured, and definitely slower than we wanted, progress has been made. I look forward to continuing to work with the committee and push the studios to make the moves necessary to reach an agreement for the next three years.

THR has reached out to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents management in union negotiations, for comment. The AMPTP will be juggling both ongoing negotiations with casting directors, which are scheduled to continue on Monday and Tuesday, and animation workers this week.

As the first Animation Guild deal to tackle generative AI, the upcoming union contract will be a significant one for animation workers: The union, indeed, has framed this years negotiations as an existential battle over the future of animation. In a study commissioned by the union and released at the beginning of the year, an economics consulting firm surveyed media leaders and found that 29 percent of animation jobs were potentially at risk of being disrupted by AI in the next three years. The Animation Guilds AI task force found in a subsequent report that entry-level jobs were perhaps most poised to be disrupted or displaced.

According to the union, in the second week of talks the sides discussed AI proposals as well as those related to subcontracting, craft-specific concerns, the contracts streaming sideletter and wages and benefits.

The union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers began negotiations on Aug. 12 and paused talks on Aug. 16 before returning to the discussions last week. The union is hosting a general membership meeting on Tuesday to brief members on the state of the negotiations.

As we continue these negotiations, its crucial that we keep our focus on what matters most: protecting the livelihoods of our members and ensuring the animation industry thrives, guild president Jeanette Moreno King said in a statement. By addressing these priorities  such as job security, fair wages, and the responsible use of AI  we are not only standing up for our present needs but also safeguarding the future of animation for generations to come.

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Another member of Money Chasin Forever Crips gang accused of several crimes in Abilene

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Another member of the Money Chasin Forever Crips gang is accused of committing several crimes in Abilene.

Ceasar Adams was taken into custody last week on new charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon, Manufacture/Delivery of Cocaine, Unlawful Carry of Weapon, Federal, as well as previous warrants for Robbery, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Aggravated Assault, and Evading arrest.

The context of the new charges against Adams has not been disclosed, but court documents reveal additional information on the old allegations.

A document filed on the Evading Arrest incident claims officers attempted to pull Adams over in Abilene September 4 because they knew he did not have a drivers license, but instead of stopping, Adams fled the scene. He hit a curb and almost struck another vehicle, so officers stopped the pursuit, according to the documents, which claimed Adams is a confirmed member of the Money Chasin forever gang. . . [which is] a local gang branching from the Crips gang in Los Angeles.

Adams is also accused of holding a gun to his ex-girlfriends head and threatening to shoot her in June 2024, according to the documents.

Back in 2020, the documents state Adams was seen making deposits of four forged checks for at least $1,000 each.

Finally, the documents implicate Adams in a robbery at BZ Mart in July 2020 where he is accused of pointing a gun at a clerk and robbing him as well as the store with the help of another suspect.

Five other suspects who are part of the Money Chasin Forever Crips Gang were previously sentenced in connection to a separate organized crime involving THC and drug dealing in Abilene.

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FILE -Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake waves as he leaves from the election commission office after winning Sri Lankan presidential election, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh, File)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  Marxist politician Anura Dissanayake won Sri Lankas presidential election over the weekend, dealing a blow to a political old guard that has been widely blamed for the unprecedented economic crisis that hit the South Asian island nation two years ago.

Dissanayake, whose pro-working class populist campaign won him youth support, secured victory over opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, the runner up; and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took over the country two years ago after its economy hit bottom.

Dissanayake is the leader of National Peoples Power alliance, and of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, or Peoples Liberation Front, a Marxist political party that waged two unsuccessful armed insurrections in 1970s and 1980s to capture power through socialist revolution.

Early interest in politics

Born on Nov. 24, 1968 into an ordinary family in a paddy-growing central part of Sri Lanka, Dissanayake was politically active from his school days, taking part in student demonstrations against an agreement with India to grant a degree of self rule to Sri Lanka's Tamil minority in an effort to resolve the demands for autonomy that later erupted into a decades-long civil war.

Dissanayake political involvement was further sharpened when he entered university to read for his science degree and joined the Socialist Students Union, the student wing of the JVP, which had already staged one armed insurrection in 1971 before giving up arms and entering politics.

In 1987, the JVP started its second armed insurrection after the government banned the movement, aiming at overturning the deal with India and overthrowing the government. Dissanayake went underground as the government stepped in to violently crush the insurrection, killing the group's leader Rohana Wijeweera and nearly all of its top members.

Several thousands were killed by the JVP and government forces and their agents in the course of the insurgency and its suppression.

Parliamentary politics

Dissanayake entered public politics in 1993, working to rebuild the party under a new leader-in-exile, Somawansa Amarasinghe. The party won its first seat in Parliament in 1994, signalling its re-entry into democratic politics.

Dissanayake became national organiser of the Socialist Students Union in 1997 and the same year, he was added to to the Central Committee of the JVP. One year later, he joined the party's politburo.

Dissanayake was elected to Parliament in 2000, and when the JVP entered an alliance with President Chandrika Kumaratunga, he briefly served as agriculture and irrigation minister.

That alliance was formed to oppose a cease-fire agreement signed between then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the now-defeated Tamil Tiger rebels to resolve the separatist conflict that had blown into a full scale civil war.

Later, Dissanayake and the JVP backed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to militarily defeat the rebels in 2009.

He was elected JVP leader in 2014, after a party schism in which a radical left wing broke off to form a new party.

A new coalition

Having realised that it was not possible to come to power through his party alone, Dissanayake formed the NPP in 2019, bringing together 21 groups including political parties, youth groups, womens groups, trade unions and other civil society groups.

Since the formation of the coalition, Dissanayake has moved away from his far leftist stance. Although he remains head of a Marxist party, he now says that he supports a free market economy.

He ran for president as the head of the NPP for the first time in 2019, losing to Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was forced to flee two years later because of protests driven by the country's economic crisis.

Vows to end austerity and corruption

Dissanayake enters office with a raft of promises to improve standards of living and clean up government.

His main campaign theme was accountability, promising that politicians and officials will be held responsible for their actions. He's also promised to end corruption and privileges for politicians and retired presidents.

But supporters are also counting on him to ease up on the punishing austerity imposed by the country's deal with the IMF. He's promised to keep the deal alive with changes, given its importance to the ongoing economic recovery. He's also pledged to encourage local businesses instead of relying solely on foreign investments.

For the country's Tamil minority, Dissanayake's election offers little hope. During the campaign, he rejected devolving more power to the north and east, where most Tamils live, and investigating incidents during the civil war that U.N. investigators said could amount to war crimes. Tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were killed during the final months before the Tamil Tiger rebels' defeat.
The Tell Al-Abqain excavation site in northwest Egypt yielded a new military fort discovery that including stashed weapons, religious tributes, and military barracks.

The mudbrick structure features two identical sections, part of it used for daily rations storage as soldiers protected the land from Sea Peoples incursions.

The team discovered a bronze sword decorated with a carved inscription of Ramesses II.

The Egyptian military had a defense against the invading Sea Peoples during the New Kingdom Era. And it included a long bronze sword with inscriptions of Ramesses II.

The latest information comes as, in a recent statement, Egypts Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the find of a military barracks and weapons storage complex in northwest Egypt.

The Tell Al-Abqain fort, located in the center of the Housh Issa area of the Beheria Governorate, features mudbrick architectural structures used to house everything from military personnel to the weapons and food they needed for survival. A key base during the New Kingdom Era of 1550 to 1070 BC on the Western War Road, according to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the Supreme Council for Archaeology, the fort was designed to provide protection for the northwest border from attacks by Libyan tribes and Sea Peoples, a collection of tribes that waged war in the Eastern Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Age.

The newly discovered fort had two nearly identically designed structures separated by a small corridor. Evidenced by large pottery remnants that included fish and animal bones, Ayman Ashmawi, head of the Egyptian Archaeological Sector of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, confirmed the use of some of the areas as storage units for food for the soldiers, including large individual granaries. The researchers also found cylindrical pot ovens that cooked their last meal centuries ago. The experts point out how the architectural design shows off how the Egyptians adapted their building designs and practices to meet the practical needs of the user while working within the landscape.

But the excavation of the fort did not just shed light on the forts food supplies; the discovery also delivered a history of war and hunting. The archaeological team discovered a long bronze sword decorated with the engravings of Ramesses II, one of Egypts more notable pharaohs from the 1200s BC, along with additional weapons, tools for hunting, and a host of personal items, whether ornamental or for hygiene, such as ivory tinsel, beads, and agate jars.

All the discoveries were apt finds for a fort housing the army for an indefinite time, stocked to attend to daily needs and keep them equipped to ward off intruders, such as the feared Sea Peoples, considered a confederacy of naval raiders, common between 1276 and 1178 BC.

The excavation also unearthed a series of religious or spiritual finds. The team discovered the burial of a cow, a symbol of power, abundance, and prosperity, as well as two blocks of limestone, one with a hieroglyphic inscription of King Ramesses II, the other of an official named Bay. Other discoveries included a scarab engraved with the inscription: AmunLord of the Sky, additional scarabs celebrating deities and flowers, such as the lotus, half a bronze ring inscribed with Amun Horakhty, necklaces made of faience, and carnelian shaped like pomegranate blossoms.

Given that the fort still had plenty of materials to find, one might guess that the stationed soldiers were successful in their protective mission. But, for one reason or another, the complex was abandoned and then lost to timeuntil now, when experts can begin to dig into its past.

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CHICAGO - A man was shot during an argument early Monday in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

The 32-year-old was arguing with someone on the sidewalk around 12:30 a.m. when they pulled out a gun and shot him several times in the 3300 block of West 63rd Street, police said.

The victim was taken to Holy Cross Hospital where he was listed in fair condition.

A handgun was recovered and Area One detectives are questioning a person of interest in the shooting.

No further information was provided.
Photo via Getty Images

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has provided guidance to the states county recorders on how to handle a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that changed the states voter registration law just 10 weeks before the election.

The nations high court on Aug. 22 ruled that Arizona can enforce part of a voter registration law that is being challenged in federal court, effectively allowing the state to bar some legal voters from registering to vote.

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Arizona voters in 2004 approved a law that requires people to show proof of citizenship to register to vote. However, the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 requires states to accept federal voter registration forms, which do not have that requirement. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Arizona cannot reject those forms.

That created a dual system where voters who prove their citizenship can vote in every race on the ballot, while those who attest to being citizens under penalty of perjury but fail to provide documentation can only vote in federal contests. Arizona has approximately 32,000 federal only voters, many of whom are or were students.

The U.S. Supreme Court last month reinstated a portion of the contested 2022 law that had been blocked by a lower court judge, allowing the state to stop accepting state-created voter registration forms from Arizona residents unless they provide documented proof of citizenship.

Mayes, at the request of Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, on Sept. 23 issued a legal opinion to guide county recorders through how to handle the changes to voter registration law ahead of the rapidly-approaching election.

In the opinion, Mayes instructed county recorders to check the Motor Vehicle Division database for documented proof of citizenship if a state voter registration form is submitted without proof of citizenship. If a registrant is otherwise eligible to register to vote and their citizenship is proven through the check with the MVD  the state requires drivers to prove citizenship or legal immigration status  then the county recorder must register the applicant as a full ballot voter because that individual has complied with all statutory registration requirements, Mayes wrote.

Mayes also cleared up a discrepancy between Arizona law and a federal consent decree regarding the deadline for voter registration applicants to supply proof of citizenship. The attorney general advised county recorders to go with the states deadline of 7 p.m. on Election Day, instead of 5 p.m. on the Thursday prior, as outlined in the consent decree.

She also clarified that, if a county recorder notifies a person that their voter registration application is missing proof of citizenship, and proof is supplied prior to 7 p.m. on Election Day, the applicant should be considered registered on the date the registration was received.

This is important because the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 7.

In the Supreme Courts split decision last month, the court handed a win to the Republican National Committee and Arizona legislative leaders Ben Toma, the speaker of the state House of Representatives, and Warren Petersen, the state Senate president, who challenged a lower courts decision to block the law.

The high court declined a request by the Republican National Committee to reinstate a portion of the law that would bar Arizonans who had not provided proof of citizenship from voting by mail in presidential elections.

An analysis by Votebeat found that the Arizona law, approved by a Republican-controlled legislature and signed into law by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, was likely to disproportionately affect younger voters who live on college campuses and often register to vote without proper documents.

The portion of the law being contested that can now be enforced is aimed at stopping non-citizens from voting in the state by requiring citizenship checks on the federal voter forms.

Republicans have been falsely claiming that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him and cite noncitizens voting as a widespread problem across the country. There is no evidence to support that claim and studies have shown that noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare.

Last week, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer alerted Fontes that around 97,000 Arizonans were improperly registered to vote. The voters, mostly Republicans who had been issued drivers licenses prior to 1996, had failed to provide documented proof of citizenship because of a MVD computer glitch. Many Republicans, including the Arizona GOP and state legislative leaders, argued that their registration status should not be impacted so close to the election. The Arizona Supreme Court agreed with them in a Sept. 20 ruling in which the justices said no law authorizes county recorders to change those voters registration status.

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A 12-year-old girl in Arizona has been arrested on felony charges including making a "terroristic threat" to a South Milwaukee school more than 1,800 miles away, according to a statement from an Arizona police department.

Daniel Bader, a spokesperson with the School District of South Milwaukee, said the "non-credible" threat was made on social media and reported by a parent. The post included the initials "SMMS," Bader told the Journal Sentinel on Monday.

Bader said school officials believe the threat was being made against South Milwaukee Middle School.

"Anytime a student threatens violence, school districts and police departments have to take it seriously. We encourage parents to talk to their children about being very careful with their words and what they post online because they can have very real consequences," South Milwaukee Superintendent Deidre Roemer said in a statement.

Buckeye police were "contacted by the Milwaukee Police Department" early Sunday morning about an investigation into a school threat, according to a statement posted later that day by the Buckeye Police Department on Facebook,

Milwaukee police contacted the Buckeye department after discovering the IP address under investigation was linked to a home in Buckeye, a suburb of Phoenix, according to the Buckeye Police statement.

Buckeye police officers went to the home, interviewed the girl and recovered evidence, according to the statement. No threats were made against Buckeye schools.

Milwaukee and South Milwaukee police departments declined to comment on the incident.

South Milwaukee Middle School sent out an email to families that stated there had been "two non-credible threats to safety at the middle school in the last several days."

The other incident was a comment a student made to another student that was reported by a teacher, the email said. Both incidents were investigated by police and found to be "non-credible."

School threats have been a problem throughout the U.S. as students return for the new school year this month. In the weeks since a teenager opened fire at a rural Georgia high school and killed two teachers and two classmates on Sept. 4, "dozens" of school threat incidents have caused schools throughout the country to close, lockdown or increase police presence, USA TODAY reports. Multiple teenagers have been arrested for making threats.

On Wednesday, Nathan Hale High School in West Allis was evacuated after the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District notified the West Allis Police Department about a student wearing a suspicious article of clothing who allegedly made a statement that threatened the school.

Journal Sentinel reporter Alec Johnson contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Arizona girl, 12, arrested after threatening South Milwaukee school
Arizona state parks are hosting stargazing parties. Here's how to go

Arizona State Parks and Trails unveiled a list of "star parties" scheduled across Arizona state parks over the fall and winter months.

The events involve looking at various celestial objects that can include stars, planets and nebulas through telescopes and can often include a guest presenter who shares facts about the countless bodies that make up the galaxy.

"These events are supported by Arizona astronomy clubs and individuals who invite the public to come see Arizona's amazing night skies," the agency stated on its website.

Star parties are scheduled as follows:

Two of the parks, Oracle State Park and Kartchner Caverns State Park, are designated as "Dark Sky Parks" by the International Dark Sky Association.

Parks with the designation are "exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment" according to the organization.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona state parks are hosting stargazing parties. Here's how to go
Sam Dubke, communications director for Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. (Courtesy of Sam Dubke)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced her former deputy communications director will become her top communications director on Monday, more than a month after the role was vacated.

In addition to being Sanders former deputy communications director, Sam Dubke also served as her speechwriter since February 2023.

Sam is an efficient and effective communicator who has been alongside me since I first entered office, Sanders said in a press release. He brings political and public sector experience and, in his new role, hell lead a talented team and continue to help me communicate my bold, conservative agenda to Arkansans across the state.

Dubke is a Georgetown University graduate.

Before joining Sanders team, Dubke previously worked as a speechwriter for Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, according to a press release. He also worked on the communications teams for former President Donald Trumps 2020 campaign as well as the campaign for Virginias Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

According to the Arkansas Transparency website, which lists the salaries of state employees, Dubke earns $101.969.92 annually.

Dubke will replace Alexa Henning as Sanders top spokesperson.

Henning announced her departure for a Washington D.C.-based public affairs firm in August. She worked alongside Sanders for nearly two years in Arkansas, though their work relationship began when they were both involved in the Trump administration.

While Sanders served as Trumps press secretary, Henning was the director of broadcast media.

Henning previously earned a salary of $132,360, according to the Arkansas Transparency website. She is no longer listed as a state employee.

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PHNOM PENH, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Young people play a crucial role in fostering and advancing Cambodia-China relations and cooperation, Cambodian officials and experts said here on Monday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Cambodian and Chinese youth dialogue, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Civil Service Minister Hun Many said youth-to-youth exchanges would inject fresh vitality into the development of Cambodia-China friendship and cooperation.

"Youths are the backbone of a nation's development and play a very important role in advancing the historical relations and iron-clad friendship between Cambodia and China," he said.

He added that youth-to-youth exchanges have created networks, trust, and better communication, laying a strong foundation for the development of Cambodia-China relations in the future.

Many also highlighted the excellent Cambodia-China relations, which were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2010 and then evolved into an iron-clad friendship and diamond cooperation.

"Our cooperation in all areas has a common goal of building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era," he said.

"The relationship between Cambodia and China is a role model of international relations, providing tangible benefits to the people of both countries, particularly in the areas of trade, infrastructure, education, culture, and tourism," he added.

The dialogue was one of joint activities to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China, and the Cambodia-China people-to-people exchange year 2024.

Sok Touch, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said China and Cambodia are good friends and brothers, and young people of both countries have played an important role in fostering and developing Cambodia-China friendship.

"Close relations and cooperation between Cambodian and Chinese youths will inject stronger momentum into the socio-economic development of the two countries in a joint journey towards building a Cambodia-China community with a shared future," he said.

"Friendship between the young people of both countries is the future of the enduring Cambodia-China relationship."

Sok Piseth, vice president and secretary general of the Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship, said young people will be the successors and builders of the enduring Cambodia-China relationship.

"The dialogue is a bridge connecting the young people of Cambodia and China," he said. "It is a platform for exchanges and an opportunity for mutual learning and building mutual trust between the young people of both countries."

Piseth said young people have played an important role in promoting culture and sharing knowledge and experience, as they have new, innovative and energetic ideas with the spirit of cooperation.

He said Chinese-educated Cambodians have become a key driving force in Cambodia's socio-economic development.

"They are also messengers of friendship, cooperation and culture between the two countries," he said.

Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said China is the most trusted friend of Cambodia and that ties between the two countries are rock-solid.

"Interactions between Cambodian and Chinese youths are essential to promoting mutual learning and cultural understanding, to building mutual trust, and to fostering long-term cooperation," he said.

"The future of Cambodia-China relations relies on continued investment in youth development and fostering collaboration in major areas such as digital technology, entrepreneurship, culture, education, and green development," Phea added.

Sovann Monika, a first-year student at the ACLEDA University of Business in Phnom Penh, said the dialogue was an important platform for young people from both countries to discuss ways to contribute further to the development of Cambodia-China ties.

"As a Cambodian youth, I have aspirations to share Cambodian culture, not only with China, but also with the rest of the world, and to fulfill my desire, I will try to study both English and Chinese languages," she told Xinhua.

"Cambodia and China have maintained close relations, particularly in socio-economic development," she said. "I expect that the Cambodia-China relations will grow stronger in the future, as China is a country that can help Cambodia to develop further."

Cheng Boramey, a second-year student at the ACLEDA University of Business, said the current Cambodia-China ties are very close, as China has provided a great deal of assistance to Cambodia for socio-economic development.

"Currently, I am studying the Chinese language, as it will not only increase my knowledge, but also enable me to communicate with foreigners because a lot of Chinese people have run businesses and invested in Cambodia," she said. 
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A new analysis of dozens of arrowheads is helping researchers piece together a clearer portrait of the warriors who clashed on Europes oldest known battlefield 3,250 years ago.

The bronze and flint arrowheads were recovered from the Tollense Valley in northeast Germany. Researchers first uncovered the site in 1996 when an amateur archaeologist spotted a bone sticking out of a bank of the Tollense River.

Since then, excavations have unearthed 300 metal finds and 12,500 bones belonging to about 150 individuals who fell in battle at the site in 1250 BC. Recovered weaponry has included swords, wooden clubs and the array of arrowheads  including some found still embedded in the bones of the fallen.



No direct evidence of an earlier battle of this scale has ever been discovered, which is why Tollense Valley is considered the site of Europes oldest battle, according to researchers who have studied the area since 2007.

Studies of the bones have yielded some insights into the men  all young, strong and able-bodied warriors, some with healed wounds from previous skirmishes. But details on who was involved in the violent conflict, and why they fought in such a bloody battle, has long eluded researchers.

There are no written accounts describing the battle, so as teams of archaeologists have unearthed more finds from the valley, they have used the well-preserved remains and weapons to try to piece together the story behind the ancient battle scene.

Now, a team of researchers studying arrowheads used in the battle has discovered evidence that it included local groups as well as an army from the south. These findings, published Sunday in the journal Antiquity, suggest the clash was the earliest example of interregional conflict in Europe  and raise questions about the state of organized, armed violence thousands of years ago.

The arrowheads are a kind of smoking gun, said lead study author Leif Inselmann, researcher at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies within the Free University of Berlin, in a statement. Just like the murder weapon in a mystery, they give us a clue about the culprit, the fighters of the Tollense Valley battle and where they came from.

An ancient skull recovered from the Tollense Valley site was found perforated with a bronze arrowhead. - Volker Minkus/Minkusimages

Evidence of invasion

Previous discoveries of foreign artifacts, such as a Bohemian bronze ax and a sword from southeastern Central Europe, and analyses of the remains have suggested that outsiders fought in the Tollense Valley battle. But the researchers of the new study were curious to see what clues the arrowheads would yield.

When Inselmann and his colleagues analyzed the arrowheads, they realized that no two were identical  not exactly shocking before the days of mass production. But the archaeologists could pick out key differences in the shapes and features that signified some of the arrowheads were not made within Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a state in northeast Germany thats home to the Tollense Valley.

Inselmann collected literature, data and examples of more than 4,700 Bronze Age arrowheads from Central Europe and mapped out where they came from to compare them with the Tollense Valley arrowheads.

Many matched the style of arrowheads from other sites in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, suggesting they were locally made and carried by men who called the region home, according to the study.

Lead study author Leif Inselmann holds one of the arrowheads recovered from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a state in northeast Germany thats home to the Tollense Valley. - Leif Inselmann

But other arrowheads with straight or rhombus-shaped bases and side spurs and barbs matched those from a southern region that now includes modern Bavaria and Moravia, Inselmann said.

This suggests that at least a part of the fighters or even a complete battle faction involved in Tollense Valley derive from a very distant region, Inselmann wrote in an email.

Inselmann and his colleagues suspect it unlikely that the arrowheads were imported from another region to be used by local fighters. Otherwise, they would expect to find evidence of arrowheads within ceremonial burials in the region that were practiced during the Bronze Age.

Researchers uncovered a variety of bronze and flint arrowheads at the Tollense Valley site. - Leif Inselmann

The spark of war

A causeway that crossed the Tollense River, constructed about 500 years before the battle, is thought to have been the starting point of the conflict, said study coauthor Thomas Terberger.

Terberger, a professor in the department of prehistoric and historical archaeology at Germanys University of Gottingen, has studied the site, a 1.8-mile (3-kilometer) stretch of the river, since 2007.

The causeway was probably part of an important trade route, he said. Control of this bottleneck situation could well have been an important reason for the conflict.

However, the fact that researchers havent found any clear evidence in the area of sources of wealth, such as mines for metal or places to extract salt, makes the trade route theory less likely, said Barry Molloy, an associate professor in the school of archaeology at University College Dublin. Molloy was not involved in the study.

The causes of warfare were many, but it is likely in my view that this was about a group seeking to impose political control over another  an age old thing  in order to extract wealth systematically over time, not simply as plunder, Molloy said in an email.

The exact scale and cause of the battle remain unknown, but the remains and weaponry found so far suggest more than 2,000 people were involved, according to the study. And researchers believe that more human bones are preserved in the valley, which could represent hundreds of victims.

The 13th century BC was a time of increased trade and cultural exchange, but the discovery of bronze arrowheads across Germany has suggested it was also when armed conflict arose.

This new information has considerably changed the image of the Bronze Age, which was not as peaceful as believed before, Terberger said. The 13th century BC saw changes of burial rites, symbols and material culture. I consider the conflict as a sign that this major transformation process of Bronze Age society was accompanied by violent conflicts. Tollense is probably only the tip of the iceberg.

The new study also points to the placement of arrow injuries found on remains buried at the battle site, which suggests that shields may have protected warriors from the front, while their backs were left exposed.

The research drives home the importance of archery on the battlefield, which has often been underestimated in previous studies of Bronze Age warfare, Molloy said.

This is a really convincing study that uses routine archaeological methods to great effect to provide insight into the nature of this key prehistoric battle site, with regard to aspects of battlefield actions and the participants involved, he said. The authors make a robust case that there were at least two competing forces and that they were from distinct societies, with one group having travelled hundreds of kilometers. That is a crucial insight into the logistics behind the armies involved at Tollense.

Researchers cataloged the types of injuries inflicted on remains recovered in the Tollense Valley to understand how the conflict played out. - Ute Brinker

The scale of conflict

The large scale of battle has researchers rethinking what social organization and warfare were like during the Bronze Age.

Were the Bronze Age warriors (organized) as a tribal coalition, the retinue or mercenaries of a charismatic leader  a kind of warlord  or even the army of an early kingdom? Inselmann said.

For a long time, researchers argued that Bronze Age violence was a small-scale affair involving tens of individuals from local communities, but Tollense blows that theory wide open, Molloy said.

We have many sites where we find evidence of mass killing and even slaughter of whole communities, Molloy said, but this is the first time that the demographics of the dead are those we can reasonably argue were warriors and not, for example, whole families migrating.

Bronze Age societies built fortified settlements and smiths to forge weapons, but Tollense shows that both were more than just displays of power, he said.

Tollense shows us that they were also created for very real military purposes including full scale battles that involved armies on the march, moving into hostile lands and waging war, Molloy said.

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We asked again for Mahaneys file after his leave. North Myrtle Beach sent this instead

The City of North Myrtle Beach is again violating open records laws and denying public documents.

After their city manger Mike Mahaney was placed on paid administrative leave during a special city council meeting, The Sun News reached out to multiple city officials to ask for a copy of his personnel file, which had previously been denied.

Mahaneys file was the only one that was not given to The Sun News after reporters submitted FOIA requests to the City of Myrtle Beach, Town of Surfside Beach and City of Conway asking for their top employees files.

Information in Surfside Beachs town administrator Gerry Vincents file shows that he may have lied on his job application for the towns top role.

In response to the request, North Myrtle Beachs Public Information Officer Lauren Jessie sent an email with a copy of Mahaneys contract from 2010, along with the date his contract began and his current salary.

All other documents that could be in Mahaneys file Jessie did not send, including the reason for council placing him on administrative leave last week.

The information requested is exempt from disclosure pursuant to section 30-4-40(a)(2) of the Code of Laws of South Carolina because the information is of a personal nature where the public disclosure thereof would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy, her email said.

Mahaneys original employment contract said his starting salary in 2010 was $130,000 annually with a $600 a month car allowance.

Now, hes paid $253,000 a year with a $1,000 a month car allowance, according to a copy of his resume that he distributed during an impromptu press conference while council was in executive session at Thursdays special meeting.

Section 9 of the contract states that if Mahaney is terminated by City Council, he will be paid six months salary along with payout of all accrued vacation, sick and holiday time. Subsection B said the City of North Myrtle Beach will also continue to pay for all of Mahaneys health, life and dental benefits for six months after his termination, unless he acquires new employment before then.

As of Friday afternoon, Mahaney had not yet placed a written notice requesting a public hearing about his removal, Jessie confirmed.

According to South Carolina law, he has until the end of the day on Tuesday to do so.

Attempts to reach Mahaney since the Thursday meeting have been unsuccessful.

Mayor Marilyn Hatley did not return The Sun Newss request for comment on Monday morning, and City Attorney Chris Noury did not respond to requests for comment on Friday. Hatleys email address is mayorhatley@nmb.us.

To contact the rest of city council, their email addresses and phone numbers can be found here.
An asthmatic teen boy in one of Kentuckys juvenile detention centers was unjustifiably pepper sprayed twice in the face on June 12 as he passively stood with his hands at his sides, refusing to enter his cell, according to documents obtained by the Herald-Leader under the Kentucky Open Records Act.

The facilitys staff explained later they had no clear understanding of when to use pepper spray, a last-resort defensive measure that Gov. Andy Beshear authorized for the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice in January 2023.

Recurring misuse of pepper spray is one of several problems currently being investigated at the states juvenile detention centers by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. In some cases, as a form of punishment, staff have fired pepper spray onto youths through door slots while they were trapped inside their cells.

The June 12 pepper spraying at the Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center, in Bowling Green, triggered an hour-long asthma attack that left the boy in pain and coughing and gasping for breath in his hot, steamy cell, according to an internal investigation conducted by the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.

State records reviewed by the Herald-Leader did not reveal the teens name or age.

The Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Bowling Green, Ky., photographed Sept. 6, 2021.

The facilitys air conditioning did not work properly, employees told the internal investigators. Nearby youths called for medical aid on the boys behalf to a guard who kept walking by on her nighttime rounds.

Also, employees couldnt adequately wash the burning chemicals off the boy because the facilitys faulty plumbing only had scalding hot water, including at the eyewash stations and in the showers, they said.

Multiple interviewees voiced their concerns about the temperature of the facilitys water, investigators wrote in their report a month after the incident. The water at times was so hot that the heat could be felt radiating from the toilets.

A hasty attempt to shower the boy only sluiced the chemicals down his body, worsening his torment, employees said. He could be heard yelling about his buttocks and genitals burning from the chemicals, they said.

When someone is already burning from pepper spray and theyre in agony, the last thing you want to do is douse their skin with hot water, nurse Sara Dobbins, who treated the boy after the spraying, told the Herald-Leader in a recent phone interview.

Unable to rely on the shower, Dobbins said, she tried whatever solutions she could find to neutralize the pepper spray, including Blue Magic hair grease, the drinking water in pitchers left over from handing out prescription pills and a saline flush intended for medical use.

I was like, What else would you have me do? I did everything that I could do, Dobbins said.

That was one of my worst nights being a nurse at the Department of Juvenile Justice, she said. And I really loved being there and helping those kids. But I just left feeling so defeated.

Dobbins said she was terminated from her job as a private contract nurse at the facility on Aug. 29. That was six days after she wrote a detailed narrative about the chaos that followed the pepper spraying, which she sent up the chain of command at the department.

Dobbins said she wasnt given a reason for her firing.

I was just told that my services were no longer needed, she said.

Fired, suspended, demoted

Morgan Hall is spokeswoman for the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, which oversees the Department of Juvenile Justice. Hall said Dobbins and a correctional officer, Candice France, were fired after the June 12 incident. Correctional Lt. Steven Hollifield, who used the pepper spray, was suspended for five days.

In disciplinary records, state officials faulted Dobbins for not properly decontaminating the boy after the pepper spraying. France was faulted for not checking on his well-being later as she made her rounds and he struggled for breath in his cell.

Hollifield was faulted for excessive use of force with the pepper spray.

Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice policy on use of chemical agents

Warren Facility Manager Kevin Foster was demoted last month to the job of youth service program supervisor at the same juvenile detention center, with a cut in salary from $98,110 to $89,190, after repeated performance failures, his supervisors told him in a disciplinary letter on Aug. 9.

Foster failed to report significant problems that occurred in the facility up the chain of command, and he failed to hold his staff accountable for policy violations, his supervisors said.

However, Hall disputed the accuracy of employees complaints about hot air and water temperatures inside the building, at least in the months following the incident.

The air conditioning is working but the temperature cant be adjusted, so air is blowing out at 74 to 77 degrees, Hall said. Industrial floor fans and evaporated chillers were distributed throughout the building to bring the temperatures down to more comfortable levels, she said.

In August and September, temperature readings in different parts of the building ranged from the upper 60s to mid 70s, according to a maintenance chart the Justice Cabinet provided to the Herald-Leader.

As for the water, Hall said, the Department of Juvenile Justice received complaints about hot water at the facility and sent a maintenance worker to inspect the place on July 11, a month after the pepper spray incident.

He reported water no hotter than 110 degrees, with cold water temperatures in some rooms as low as 73 degrees, according to his report, provided to the Herald-Leader.

No guidance on pepper spray

Hollifield, the lieutenant who wielded the pepper spray on June 12, failed to mention the boys subsequent asthma attack in his official incident report, internal investigators wrote in their own report on the episode a month later.

Dobbins disclosed the asthma attack in her medical paperwork, investigators wrote.

The boys asthma diagnosis was noted on a form during the intake process as he arrived at the facility, but staff said they were unaware of it, investigators wrote. Had they known, the staff would not have pepper sprayed him, one of the correctional officers told investigators.

Also a concern, investigators wrote: Staff said they were not provided with clear guidance on when they should and shouldnt use pepper spray on youths in custody.

None of them were able to recall when (pepper spray) was permitted to be used according to Department of Juvenile Justice policy, internal investigators wrote.

According to department policy, pepper spray, derived from the resin of chili peppers, only should be used as a defensive measure to prevent loss of life, injuries, significant property damage or a riot.

Speaking with the Herald-Leader recently, Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White said he has asked his senior staff to review video of all uses of force across the eight juvenile detention centers and provide more pepper spray training to employees so they understand its proper use.

White started running the agency April 1, just months after he retired from the Department of Corrections as deputy commissioner of adult institutions.

Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White

Ive spoken to our training director, and Ive said, Tell me exactly what and how are you training (with pepper spray), White said.

He said, Were training to use pepper spray if there is an imminent threat to safety. And I said, Well, it looks we have some misconceptions at that particular facility, and I want you to immediately conduct supplemental training. I want you to find out why there are misconceptions  identify that  and I want you to offer fresh training to the staff members there. So thats currently in the process.

Very hot to the touch

According to a review of security video and interviews with employees who were present, the boy was pepper sprayed after he refused a verbal command from Hollifield to enter his cell following the evenings med pass, or distribution of prescription medicines.

The boy stood passively, investigators said. His shoulders were slumped and his arms hung at his sides with his hands relaxed, investigators wrote.

He displayed no body language suggesting active aggression or an imminent attack, investigators wrote.

Hollifield pepper sprayed the boy in the face at 9:59 p.m., they wrote.

The boy pulled up his shirt in an effort to shield his face, and Hollifield stepped closer and sprayed him again, they wrote. After that, the boy was escorted into his cell, falling down as he entered, they wrote.

Speaking with investigators, Hollifield said he felt ill that day, like he was going to go down, because of the heat, humidity and poor ventilation inside the building. Due to feeling physically weak, once the boy refused his order, he decided the best response was to subdue him with pepper spray, Hollifield told investigators.

In her interview with the Herald-Leader, Dobbins confirmed that Hollifield and another employee needed medical attention in the infirmary earlier that day because they suffered from heat-related illness due to the buildings poor climate control.

The air conditioning system hadnt worked properly at the facility in a very long time, Dobbins said.

Thats not a safe situation, Dobbins said.

Officers are pouring sweat from just walking around, from just standing there. The youth are complaining of headaches. Theyre all feeling pretty ill. The water theyre supposed to drink is hot water. Who wants to drink hot water? You keep this up long enough and bad things are going to happen.

After failed attempts to decontaminate the boy, he was placed alone in his cell for 58 minutes as he coughed and noisily struggled for breath.

Other youths yelled for medical aid for the boy, investigators wrote. During this period, France was passing through the unit to conduct visual bed checks, they wrote.

At 11:30 p.m., the boy told France he couldnt breathe, investigators wrote. France tried to ask him more questions, but the boy could not answer.

Finally, at 11:35 p.m., Dobbins told France, He needs to get out of that cell, according to a transcript of the security video.

Dobbins asked the boy if he had asthma. He told her he did.

Correctional Sgt. Daniel Layne entered the boys cell to escort him to another room for medical aid.

The boys cell was very hot, Layne told investigators. The boy felt very hot to the touch.

He was dead weight and could not be lifted into the facilitys dayroom without assistance from other staff, Layne said.

Once he was removed from his cell, the boy was provided with an inhaler and a large fan to circulate the air around him, and he slowly began to recover, according to the investigators report.

Federal officials: We may be investigating KYs juvenile lockups for a year or more

Body slams, pepper spray and other recent abuses inside KY juvenile detention centers
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  D51 introduced a new smartphone policy for the 2024-25 school year that limits students access to phones during the school day. Attorney General Phil Weiser was at Grand Junction High School on Friday to talk with D51 principals, students, teachers and parents about the policy. He says his office is pledging millions to help school districts around Colorado with the smartphone challenge.

If you can look at how smartphones are interfering with learning and come up with policies like here at D51, you can get up to $50,000 from our office to help kids who are really struggling, in part due to social media. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser

Throughout the roundtable discussion, there was very positive feedback about the policy and how everyone is working together to implement it. Attorney General Weiser tells WesternSlopeNow D51 is leading the charge in changing the way class is conducted, and says his office will be hosting a conference in Denver in 2025 with all the districts in the state to discuss how everyone can implement a policy like the one D51 has.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Attorneys for former Marion police chief file motion to dismiss charges in raid

Attorneys for former Marion police chief file motion to dismiss charges in raid

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Attorneys for former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody argue the case should be dismissed.

Cody was charged last month with interfering with the judicial process after the raid on the Marion County Record in August 2023.

In court filings, Codys attorneys say the complaint lacks adequate factual notice supporting the crime as charged.

Two shot in front of Wichita elementary school after domestic dispute

MN-2024-CR-000083-Motion-to-DismissDownload

Pending a judges ruling, Codys first court appearance is set for Oct. 7.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
What is austerity  and why is Rachel Reeves accused of bringing it back?

Rachel Reeves has promised that there will be no return to austerity at the Labour conference in Brighton, responding to critics who have compared her to previous Conservative governments.

Speaking at the partys first conference in power for 14 years, Ms Reeves said: Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services  and for investment and growth too.

We must deal with the Tory legacy and that means tough decisions. But we wont let that dim our ambition for Britain.

Last week, critics inside Labour reportedly accused the chancellor of reheated 2010 tactics, with one union insider telling The i that a return to austerity would not be welcomed.

Rachel Reeves says there will be no return to austerity at the Labour conference, September 23, 2024 (Getty)

Much of the criticism comes in response to the governments decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, even in the face of fierce opposition.

Ms Reeves latest speech could be seen as a direct response to the critics, but it is unlikely to put a stop to the comparisons. Heres everything you need to know about austerity and the criticisms Labour faces:

What is austerity?

After their election victory in 2010, the Conservative government embarked on a series of severe spending cuts and tax increases. Introduced by prime minister David Cameron and his chancellor George Osbourne, ministers would cuts expenditure on welfare, the NHS, schools, and other public services to the bone over the course of the next decade.

The strict economic programme began after Mr Cameron told Conservative members shortly before his election victory that the age of irresponsibility is giving way to the age of austerity. This would become the word used to define his governments approach to public expenditure.

David Cameron and George Osbourne in 2010 as they ushered in the age of austerity (Getty Images)

The Tory government at the time justified these austerity measures by saying they were necessary to reduce the national debt accumulated by Labour under short-serving prime minister Gordon Brown. Experts point out that the 2008 economic crash  not caused by the Labour government  shared far more of the blame.

In 2019, then-Conservative chancellor Sajid Javid declared the end of austerity, as he announced that spending would increase across all government departments.

A decade of cuts are not undone overnight, however. The respected Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) thinktank wrote at the time that public spending would still be 3 per cent below its level a decade ago, and more than 9 per cent lower per person. The human cost was also high, with food bank usage increasing from 41,000 in 2009/10 to 3.1 million in 2023/24 .

Five years on, in 2024, public spending has returned to 44.5 per cent, two percent lower than in 2009 during the previous Labour governments last year. This was largely sparked by a drastic increase from 39.6 to 53.1 per cent due to the Covid pandemic, and is forecasted by the OBR to gradually fall over the next few years.

Is Rachel Reeves bringing back austerity?

Labour has ruled out a return to the austerity seen in the 2010s, and still felt long after. However, critics inside the party continue to accuse Ms Reeves of just that, arguing that her rhetoric and policies bear an all-too-similar resemblance.

Its not hard to understand the case. Using her first speech in Commons at the end of July to reveal the 22bn black hole in public spending, Ms Reeves pinned the blame for the cuts this will necessitate on the previous government.

Mr Speaker, the scale of this overspend is not sustainable, she said, not to act is simply not an option.

The similarity to Mr Osbournes inaugural speech, in which he blamed the thirteen years of fiscal irresponsiblity on the swingeing cuts to come, was obvious.

And since coming into power, Labours messaging has only become gloomier. Speaking in August, Sir Keir Starmer said the partys first budget was going to be painful but necessary to fix the rot left by the Tories.

The prime minister and the chancellor at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton (Getty)

The measures announced in the event will come after several already much-criticised moves. These include the controversial cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners, refusing to scrap the two-child benefit cap, and a multi-department spending review which aims to save 5.5bn.

However, Ms Reeves and her team point to several key differences from the austerity measures of 2010 onwards. Speaking to The New Statesman, they highlighted several measures of increased public expenditure which have already been committed to.

Included in this is the public sector pay rise of 9.4bn in real terms, alongside promised increases in NHS and school spending, funded by their policies on non-doms and private schools.

Crucially, they say the austerity measures of the 2010s were pursued for more reasons than just balancing the books. The Conservative government was interested in creating a small state, where more power was handed to business and entrepreneurs through measures such as lower corporation tax and increased private sector involvement in public service delivery.

While Labour has committed to working effectively with business leaders on government projects, it has also reaffirmed its desire for state-led projects. This includes the publicly-owned Great British Energy company, as well as the ambitious plan to re-nationalise the railways.

Truly, it would be too simplistic to brand Labours economic approach as austerity 2.0, and far too early into their premiership. However, as the party pushes its message of more pain to come when it was promising change just a few months ago, many voters are likely left wondering if they havent been as short-changed today as they were in 2010.
Austin police officers may soon get largest pay raise in decades if council, union OK deal

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Austin police officers could receive a 28% raise over the next five years after the city and police union shook hands Monday on a tentative contract after months of bargaining.

The contract is expected to cost $217.8 million throughout the life of the contract, according to a press release sent by the city.

The contract, which still needs the approval of the Austin City Council and association members, would keep Austin police officers among the highest-paid compared with the other eight largest cities in Texas, according to a wage study conducted by the city.

Getting a contract has been touted by some city officials as the best way to improve morale, recruitment and retention in the Austin Police Department, which has struggled with all three in the past few years. The department has about 350 vacancies.

The city and the Austin Police Association have been without a full-time contract for nearly a year and a half.

Lowell Denton, lead negotiator for the city, said the six-month bargaining process has been "frustrating and fascinating and rewarding" and expressed hope that this will be a "new era" for the Police Department.

The tentative agreement comes at a time with a lot of turnover among city leadership, starting with the hiring of City Manager T.C. Broadnax, who has brought on Lisa Davis to be the chief of police and Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia to be an assistant city manager overseeing the public safety departments.

Broadnax previously said reaching a long-term contract with the union was one of his top priorities when he started in April. Mayor Kirk Watson also said at the start of the year that he was ready to reach a long-term contract.

Watson said in a statement that this tentative deal is a "new chapter" for public safety in Austin and that the city has been stuck in a "contentious stalemate" for too long about policing. For the first time in five years, the Police Department is on track to end the year with more officers than it started with, he said.

"This agreement ensures strong community oversight," Watson said in the statement. "It also assures officers the long-term protections and assurances needed to address our staffing challenges and help them afford to live in the city they serve."

The deal would give most sworn officers an 8% raise in year one, a 6% increase in year two, a 5% raise in years three and four, and then a 4% increase in year five. Additionally, all officers would receive a one-time $2,000 bonus at the start of the contract.

For the first time, seasoned patrol officers would receive a patrol stipend that's set to increase over time as they stay on patrol. The union tried to get this added in 2018, but it was taken out of the deal.

This is the largest pay increase package in the city's meet-and-confer history since the late 1990s, although most previous contracts lasted four years instead of five. Regardless, the year one pay increase of 8% is the largest single-year pay raise in the city's labor negotiation history.

Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association, said he hopes that if approved, this contract will create an environment to help the city compete on a national level in trying to recruit more officers.

No contract is perfect, but I think overall, this is a better spot than where we've been, Bullock said. Hopefully we're really going to be able to turn the tide on retaining and recruiting new people.

Getting to this stage has not been an easy fight in light of the voter-approved Austin Police Oversight Act, also known as Proposition A. Some of the terms of the oversight act required negotiations between the city and the association.

A big point of contention became the release of confidential police personnel files known as "G-files," which, among other things, hold misconduct allegations and discipline investigations that did not result in any action taken. Voters elected to get rid of the file when they approved the oversight act.

Activists have said releasing this information could help increase transparency in the department, while the union has held steadfast that it could harm officers.

At one time during bargaining, both sides had agreed to language with a grandfather clause that said any G-file material held before the signing of the contract would not be released to the public.

However, a recent court ruling threw that agreement up in the air, leading the city to get rid of the clause and the union to walk away from the table. The city later agreed to go back to its original language, meaning there would be a grandfather clause.

Kathy Mitchell, who works for the advocacy organization that got the act on the ballot, said she believes the grandfather clause is a violation of the oversight act. Mitchell, senior adviser for Equity Action, said she's also concerned about how the city will pay for the contract in light of budget deficit concerns over the next five years.

"This is a huge step backwards for democracy at an enormous cost," Mitchell said.

City negotiators regularly said at the table that they believe the contract complies with the oversight act, based on conversations with the city attorney.

It's not entirely clear all of what was agreed to on Monday because, unlike in previous years, the city did not release or show draft versions of the contract to the public on the association's request to comply with state law.

However, the city said it would release a draft after the two sides had reached a deal, but it's uncertain when that will happen.

City negotiators on Monday said they intend to get all the language finalized by Thursday as they hope to have it on the City Council's agenda for Oct. 10.

Generally, members of the Austin Police Association would vote on a contract before the City Council, but that won't be the case this time.

Cleo Petricek, co-founder of the Save Austin Now political action committee, said she hopes the council will unanimously pass the contract.

"City Council members owe it to the city to go move swiftly on this, because we've waited long enough and we can't go through another month of uncertainty," Petricek said. "We deserve to have police officers feel supported, to boost morale, and this is a step in the right direction."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin police may soon get a 28% raise over 5 years if deal approved
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  An Austintown man who pleaded guilty to attempted sexual conduct with a minor and importuning charges has passed away.

Read next: Police offer $5K reward for information on 93 cold case

Christopher Skarp, 36, died on September 11, one day before his sentencing hearing, according to court records. The court filing does not state the cause of Skarps death.

The charges were part of an investigation into child sex abuse material that started with a tip to the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on Oct. 12, 2023. Investigators were looking into a report that an Austintown resident uploaded a file showing a child being sexually abused.

Police arrested Skarp on Nov. 28, 2023, at Libbee Field in Austintown.

Chelsea Simeon contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Austria's far right woos anti-vaxxers with fund for vaccine 'victims'

Martin Rutter is one of Austria's most prominent anti-vaxxers (JOE KLAMAR) (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/AFP)

Anti-vaxxer Martin Rutter is delighted he has been able to apply for public funds for "vaccination victims" from his far-right allies who run the province around Vienna.

The controversial project, pushed through by the Freedom Party (FPOe) -- which looks set to win this week's Austrian elections -- has raised the ire of other parties but has drawn thousands of applications.

"I have an association that takes care of vaccination victims," said Rutter, who is known for spreading conspiracy theories online.

The 41-year-old helped organise massive demonstrations against the conservative-led government's Covid measures, which were also attended by the FPOe's leader Herbert Kickl.

The far right is tapping into still seething voter anger about restrictions during the Covid pandemic, which it hopes will propel them to power on Sunday.

"The FPOe was the only party that did not support these measures," Rutter told AFP, describing them as an "orgy" of restrictions.

- Cash for jab refuseniks -

Rutter -- who peddles conspiracy narratives online, including recommending fruits to cure cancer -- has applied for money from a 31.3-million-euro ($34.8-million) fund set up by the Lower Austria region, which the FPOe co-governs, for "information events" he organises.

The fund was set up last year to "repair" the "poor crisis management" of the pandemic, according to Maximilian Fender-Tarczaly, who works for the FPOe state councillor in charge of the project.

The project is meant to support "victims... who are suffering from the various consequences of the disease, the measures and the vaccination", he said in a written reply to AFP.

"The spectrum is broad... mental health problems, isolation, vaccination impairments, fines for non-compliance with health measures," he wrote.

Some 5,700 applications had been approved and 3.7 million euros paid out by July, but "until now no money has been paid" to Rutter, Fender-Tarczaly said then.

The FPOe is keen to roll out the project nationally, railing in its election manifesto against the government's "unprecedented indoctrination and brainwashing" during the pandemic.

- 'Irresponsible' -

Health Minister Johannes Rauch of the Greens party described the project as "irresponsible", arguing that out of 20 million vaccinations, just 200 people have suffered side effects.

"Vaccination has saved millions of lives, and if the willingness to be vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella also decreases, this jeopardises the lives of children," he said in May.

The opposition Social Democrats have accused the FPOe of "losing all moral sense" by offering a "bonus" to those who "attack elected officials", while the opposition liberal NEOS party has slammed the far right for pandering to its base.

The pandemic -- and in particular the government's move to make vaccination mandatory, which was later scrapped -- have led to lasting "polarisation" in the Alpine nation of nine million people, according to Julia Partheymueller, a political scientist from Vienna University.

The vaccinations "victims" project was a means to criticise "the government's mistakes" and has come from a "desire for revenge" rather than reconciliation," she argued.

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  The autopsy report for the East Tennessee judge, who was struck and killed on August 25, has been released.

Okie Duane Slone, 61, was walking east on E Highway 25/70 towards Mountain Vista Trail around 1:20 a.m. when he was struck by a car. The autopsy report lists Slones cause of death as multiple blunt trauma, adding the circumstances of his death were consistent with a manner classification of Accident.

White Pine Police: One person shot in road rage incident

The Jefferson County Sheriff said Slone had a flat tire, which was why he was walking along the highway.

A toxicology report included in the report showed Slone had a blood alcohol concentration(BAC) of 0.256 and Amphetamine in his system. In Tennessee, the legal BAC limit is 0.08. Amphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant used in the treatment of narcolepsy, obesity and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

A narrative included in the autopsy report said there were no concerns for drug abuse or foul play in Slones death.

Slone was first elected to the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court in 1998 and co-founded his judicial districts Drug Recovery Court in 2009. He was known for his work helping people overcome addiction. The Fourth Judicial Circuit has jurisdiction in Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier counties.

Driver charged with DUI after pedestrian killed in Knox County crash

Several of those who went through drug recovery court with Slone remembered him fondly for his help in their recovery process. Charlotte Booker told 6 News he was just a one-of-a-kind man.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
People attend a funeral of those who were killed in pager explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tears welled in Elias Jradi's eyes as the surgeon stepped out of an operating room at Ragheb Harb Hospital in Lebanon's southern city of Nabatieh. Inside the operating room were dozens of citizens with eye injuries sustained from the explosions of pagers and wireless communication devices a few days ago.

"We went through difficult and critical hours inside the operating rooms, as we saw the injured protruding eyes, severed limbs, and shattered faces," Jradi said.

The pagers and wireless devices widely used by members of Lebanon's Hezbollah group exploded earlier in the week, resulting in 37 fatalities and 2,931 injuries.

In a choked, low voice, Jradi, also a parliamentarian, told Xinhua that it was a terrifying scene never seen in the history of wars, with hundreds of people injured in their eyes and arms crammed into emergency rooms.

"We had to prioritize the most severely injured and perform critical surgeries on them," Jradi said. "At the same time, we had to treat severed limbs through specialized surgeons and bleeding eyes, as a large percentage of them lost their sight."

This photo taken on Sept. 18, 2024 shows motorcycles damaged in explosions of communication devices in Baalbek, Lebanon. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

For Laila Abdallah, a nurse at the governmental hospital in Nabatieh, the days of the explosions still rattle her to the core.

"We did not know what was happening outside, as ambulance sirens were blaring everywhere, with rescue crews transporting numerous injured people covered in blood to the emergency department," she said.

"The horror of the scene shook my body and caused my vision to blur for moments before I was able to find strength again to continue helping the injured," the nurse recalled, adding, "The blood-stained bodies have not left my mind."

Hassan Hamdan, a 50-year-old citizen, said the scene resembled "a horror movie I've never seen in my life, as large numbers of people were falling on the ground, in shops, or inside cars, with most of their injuries being in faces, eyes, and hands."

"I found no way to help the dozens of injured around me in the streets of Nabatieh, so I called the Red Cross, from where ambulances were distributed in every direction, picking up the injured and rushing to hospitals," Hamdan said.

People wait to donate blood for those wounded in pager explosions at a hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Kawthar Fahs, another Lebanese citizen, told Xinhua she was accompanied by her little child at a fruit shop in the center of the southern city of Tyre when a device exploded on a young man in his thirties a few meters away.

"My child seemed anxious and confused and started screaming when he heard the explosion and saw citizens running to help," she said.

Despite the large amount of casualties, local hospitals had prepared to accommodate more injured individuals, as Israel had previously indicated it would intensify military operations in Lebanon.

"We were ready thanks to the intensive training offered to the medical and nursing staff and other hospital workers since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip," Moueness Kalakesh, director of Marjeyoun Governmental Hospital, told Xinhua.

People wait to donate blood for those wounded in pager explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

While the physical wounds of the victims are being treated, the emotional scars left by the explosions may linger for a long time. Psychiatrist Claude Nasr told Xinhua that "the bloody explosions inside homes, on the streets and in many public places will negatively affect the psychological health of individuals and society in general."

"It is tough for children and adults to forget these terrifying scenes," she said, adding a large percentage of people suffer from depression, anxiety, and nightmares, and they need "periodic psychological health consultations for several months."

The explosions, which Hezbollah blamed on Israel, add a new layer to the ongoing 11-month clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel, although making no comments yet about the two incidents, has previously announced a shift in military focus from Gaza to northern Israel, vowing a continuous offensive against Hezbollah until the safe home return of its northern residents.
Fall has arrived: Heres what to know about the autumnal equinox

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The autumnal equinox is considered the first day of fall, but its so much more than that.

The word equinox comes from two Latin words: aequus, meaning equal, and nox, meaning night, the National Weather Service explains on its website.

According to Britannica, the fall equinox is one of two moments in the year when the sun is exactly above the equator. The celestial event happens annually around Sept. 22 or Sept. 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and on March 19 or March 20 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Days will continue to shorten until the winter solstice in December, but during the equinox, day and night are roughly equal. According to the Famers Almanac, the full moon closest to the equinox is called the Harvest Moon because it provides farmers with enough light to complete their harvests before the first hard frosts arrive.

Why are some cornfields left to dry out?

Daylight and photosynthesis cause leaves to develop the bright, warm colors of fall. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that as the days get shorter, chemical changes happen that cause the green chlorophyll to break down and fade. This allows other colors  such as reds, yellows, and oranges  to show through.

(Getty Images)

Fun fact: the type of chemicals present in the leaves cause which colors they become, according to the U.S. Park Service. Carotenoids produce yellow and orange hues, while anthocyanins create leaves with deep red and purple tones.

Many civilizations have celebrated the harvest season around the autumnal equinox. Oktoberfest is rooted in the tradition, which the Bavarians began in the 1700s on the last week of September. Feasting and celebrating were often combined with giving thanks.

You can find equinox celebrations in cultures across the world. Buddhists in Japan celebrate Higan during the week of the fall and spring equinoxes as a time of reflection.

Map: These 20 states could see vibrant fall colors this year

The pagan community celebrates the autumnal equinox with a Mabon festival. Mabon, named for the Welsh God and son of the Earth Mother, is a popular time to pick apples. The apples symbolize the harvest and may be set upon an altar with squash, pumpkins, and other seasonal items. Of course, friends and families also celebrate with a feast. The druids had a similar celebration known as Alban Elfed.

People surround the Kukulcan Pyramid at the Mayan archaeological site of Chichen Itza in Yucatan State, Mexico, during the celebration of the spring equinox on March 21, 2019. (Hugo Borges/AFP via Getty Images)

On the equinoxes, the sunlight and shadow create the illusion of a serpents body snaking along the Mayan Pyramid of Kukulkan.

Other ancient structures built to mark the autumnal equinox include:

Chaco Canyon in New Mexico

Karnak Temple in Egypt

Stonehenge in England

Towers of Chankillo, Peru

Intihuatana Stone in Peru

Knowth Cairn in Ireland

Prehistoric Woodhenge in Illinois

Mnajdra temples of Malta

Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Hovenweep Castle on the Colorado-Utah border

All of these places can be visited and offer a stunning view during the equinox.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
MELBOURNE  As the Australian Army reconfigures itself to incorporate unmanned ground vehicles, vendor BAE Systems senses an opening for its new ATLAS 8x8 vehicle.

The name is short for Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System, and company executives unveiled a collaborative combat version of the vehicle at the Land Forces 2024 exhibition here earlier this month.

The show ride was armed with a Bushmaster 25mm cannon, but other possibilities include larger-caliber weapons, mortars, antitank guided missiles, loitering munition launchers and surveillance sensors, according to the firm

To evaluate new technologies such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), drones, robotics and counter-drone systems, the Australian Army is converting the Adelaide-based 1st Armoured Regiment into a test and experimental unit.

Lt. Col. Jake Penley, its commanding officer, told Defense News that the unit will hand in its M1A1 Abrams tanks later this year, before achieving an initial operational capability in the experimentation mission on Feb. 1, 2025.

Penley said of his units new role: The ability to get high-end emerging technology in the hands of soldiers sooner in an experimentation role means we can verify and validate those platforms quickly and get them out to combat units.

The unit is already evaluating optionally manned M113 tracked vehicles, after BAE Systems Australia converted 20 vehicles. Theyre really beneficial, Penley said, and the regiments armor expertise means they know how to maintain them.

BAE Systems is currently talking to the Army about upgrading these optionally manned M113s with more advanced sensors and software from the ATLAS project.

The 10-ton-class combat ATLAS  slightly smaller than LAV-25 8x8 armored vehicles used by the Australian Army and U.S. Marine Corps  can perform advanced reconnaissance, armored overwatch, flank protection and convoy escort missions.

Paul Finch, Project Manager Land Autonomy at BAE Systems Australia, told Defense News that the ATLAS employs a Supacat HMT Extenda chassis and drive module, plus a Vantage unmanned turret from Slovenian company Valhalla Turrets.

With a residual 6-ton payload capacity, it can fit inside a 20-foot standard shipping container. This opens up numerous transportation options by road, train and ship, while six ATLAS vehicles fit inside a C-17 aircraft.

Finch said the prototype was completed in July following a contract award to Supacat in June 2023. He said the vehicle is around 90% complete, with work still to be done to qualify subsystems and to train its software.

The ATLAS is competing against mostly tracked platforms in this medium-sized UGV category, but its wheeled configuration brings advantages in terms of road mobility.
Battleground Georgia: Donald Trump coming back to the Peach State for Savannah rally Tuesday

Former President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Savannah on Tuesday, while Vice President Kamala Harris visited Cobb County this past Friday.

With about six weeks remaining until Election Day, Georgia is receiving numerous visits from top candidates, indicating its importance in the election campaign.

Harris visited on Friday, and Trump will be in Savannah on Tuesday, continuing their efforts to win over undecided voters.

Forty-six days to go in probably the most consequential election of our lifetimes, Harris said during her visit, highlighting the urgency of the upcoming election.

Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, focused on attracting women voters in north metro suburbs during her visit to Cobb County.

She emphasized the abortion issue, which Democrats believe could be a winning topic for them.

One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that government should not be telling her what to do, Harris said.

While Democrats focus on abortion, Republicans believe the economy is their strongest issue.

RELATED STORIES:

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, rallied in downtown Atlanta last month and will be in Savannah on Tuesday to discuss economic issues and tax breaks for businesses.

During his Atlanta rally, Trump deviated from his topic to attack Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, although it backfired among some Republicans.

Trump has reportedly smoothed over relations, and Kemp has given his full endorsement to him.

At that rally, Channel 2s Richard Elliot exclusively with the Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance, who also plans to visit Georgia soon, emphasizing economic issues.

So as people understand, whatever your views on the personality, if we elect Kamala Harris, your life is going to get worse. If we elect Donald Trump, hes going to make your life better, Vance said.

Trumps rally will be in the afternoon on Tuesday.

RELATED NEWS:
The Cole County Courthouse is hosting a trial challenging the state's restrictions on gender-affirming care, bringing in a judge from Wright County to oversee the bench trial (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

A case that will determine whether Missouri can continue restricting adolescents access to gender-affirming care began Monday in Cole County Circuit Court.

The plaintiffs  which include transgender minors, gender-affirming care providers and loved ones  will argue that medical treatments for gender dysphoria are safe and effective, attorney Omar Gonzalez Pagan said in opening arguments.

The state will defend the 2023 law restricting gender-affirming care by looking into the risks of the treatment and highlighting those who have regretted medical transitions.

These kids need compassionate, evidence-based medicine. But what theyve been doing for the past 15 years isnt evidence-based, Solicitor General Joshua Divine said in his opening statement.

Defendants include Gov. Mike Parson, who signed the bill into law, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is responsible for enforcing the law.

Both parties plan to call a host of expert and fact witnesses, and attorneys have requested a week for each side to present evidence.

On the first day of the trial, which will be heard by Circuit Judge Craig Carter without a jury, attorneys argued over which experts were most qualified to speak on the efficacy and risks of gender-affirming care.

(Plaintiffs experts) are the type of people that are qualified to testify as to this type of care, Gonzalez Pagan said. The states experts, with one exception, do not have this sort of experience.

Divine said that plaintiffs experts benefit financially from gender-affirming care, so they have their financial reputations at stake. He defended his witnesses qualifications, calling one a victim of cancel culture when a journal article was retracted.

The first expert called to testify was Dr. Aron Janssen, vice chair of clinical affairs at the Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago. A majority of the patients in his psychiatry practice are transgender or gender-nonconforming children and adolescents, he said, and he has published approximately 24 articles in academic journals.

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Jason Orr, an attorney for the plaintiffs, asked him about the states claims.

One claim is that gender dysphoria is a self-diagnosed condition because the symptoms are self-reported. Janssen said physicians base a diagnosis on questions to patients and loved ones, like other psychiatric conditions he treats.

If that was a standard to base diagnosis, we wouldnt have depression, anxiety, migraines, he said.

The state will bring detransitioners, or people who began transitioning to a gender other than their sex as assigned at birth and later stopped. One received gender-affirming care in Missouri as an adult, but none received the care as a minor in Missouri, attorneys discussed in a virtual hearing last Friday.

Orr asked Janssen if theres any scientific literature about those who stop their transition.

The majority of patients who detransition do so because of external pressures but not because of internal pressures or regret, Janssen said. For some, transition is a wonderful experience For others, it means you are kicked out of your family, lose your job.

Patrick Sullivan, with the attorney generals office, used several documents to challenge Janssen during cross-examination. Some were not on the list of items the defense plans to submit as evidence, but Carter allowed the exhibits for questions only.

Some of the documents were studies, including the over 400-page Cass Review published earlier this year. The report was a systematic review commissioned in England that concluded that there was weak evidence to support cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers for transgender youth.

Sullivan presented Janssen a document called an evidence pyramid, with systematic reviews at the top as the best form of scientific literature.

Janssen said the Cass Review had a key flaw: the authors are not experienced in gender-affirming care and wouldnt know the best factors to look at.

When we look at what is involved in creating a good systematic review, having experience in the field is important, he said. When none of the authors work in the area, we have to take what theyre saying with a grain of salt.

Sullivan interrupted him as Janssen explained the reviews flaws.

Hes answering your question, Carter said.

Sullivans questioning lasted around two hours, with multiple objections from plaintiffs as new exhibits came into the courtroom. The exhibits were largely studies out of Europe and articles from The New York Times and The Free Press.

Sullivan used an opinion article to question plaintiffs second expert, a clinical child psychologist.

The other witness to take the stand during the trials premiere day was a transgender man who transitioned at a young age in Missouri.

Arguments are scheduled to conclude Oct. 4.
KSNF/KODE  A Branson resort is the focus of the Better Business Bureaus latest warning.

BBB officials recently gave Foxborough Resort an F rating, due to unanswered and unresolved complaints.

The bureau says the resort offers timeshare exit services and vacation club memberships.

However, consumers have told BBB the resort hosted high-pressure or misleading presentations and failed to cancel contracts.

Consumers have also reported getting signed up for a credit card they didnt authorize and even charges to the card.

Second brother charged in deadly Missouri crime spree

Do your research before you go. BBB is a great place to start. You can go to BBB.org to see their BBB business profile, check their rating, and see what other consumers say. Make sure you know what youre getting into, said Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director.

BBB also recommends taking time to read through the contract, step away to review it, and understand fully what youre signing up for.

They also recommend checking with the timeshare resort youre trying to leave to see if it offers a deed buyback program.

Timeshares are some of the most difficult contracts to get out of.

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Sir Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, denied to the inquiry that he lacked curiosity about the claims - Afghanistan Inquiry/PA

Sir Ben Wallace knew that allegations about the killings of Afghan civilians by SAS forces were broadly accurate four years before ordering a public inquiry, a hearing was told.

The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan is investigating claims that up to 80 civilians were killed in suspicious circumstances by members of the special forces on night raids between 2010 and 2013.

The hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday was told that Sir Ben received a letter in October 2019 warning him that BBC Panorama was set to broadcast the allegations.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) letter described the allegations as broadly accurate, it was heard. The former defence secretary ordered the inquiry to examine the claims four years later.

The inquiry is also exploring whether a special forces unit, known to the probe as UKSF1, had a policy of executing men of fighting age who posed no threat in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

Afghan families have accused the SAS of conducting a campaign of murder against civilians, while senior officers and personnel at the MoD sought to prevent adequate investigation.

Appearing before the court, Sir Ben was questioned by Oliver Glasgow KC, counsel to the inquiry, about the claims.

Mr Glasgow asked: Is that the sort of submission that one needs to pay attention to, Sir Ben?

The former defence secretary replied: I did pay attention to it  we are sitting in a public inquiry to get to the bottom of it.

The inquiry is examining allegations that up to 80 Afghan civilians were killed in suspicious circumstances between 2010 and 2013 - Jason P. Howe

Asked whether he was worried that the allegations had been judged to be broadly accurate, Sir Ben said: Ive said, Ive never strayed from my belief that there may be more evidence out there.

However, asked if alarm bells rang in his mind when he was told allegations being made by Panorama were broadly accurate, Sir Ben insisted: Some of the allegations were spurious.

However, he added: It would always be wrong to say every single thing was vexatious and spurious.

Meanwhile, Sir Ben was forced to reject accusations by Johnny Mercer, the former veterans minister, that he lacked curiosity when responding to allegations of a cover-up.

Mr Mercer wrote to Sir Ben in August 2020 shortly after emails surfaced in The Sunday Times which showed that senior special forces officers had expressed serious concerns about the killings of 33 people in 11 night raids in 2011.

The former veterans minister previously told the inquiry he was angry with Sir Ben, as well as the director of the special forces and the chief of the general staff, because they had not done their job that was incumbent upon them with their rank and privileges in those organisations.

Johnny Mercer, the former veterans minister, gave evidence to the inquiry earlier this year - UNPIXS

Hitting back at Mr Mercers claims, Sir Ben said it was highly inaccurate that he lacked curiosity, and added: I was absolutely inquisitive.

Sir Ben said: Not only did I seek to dig deeper, I also even sought to dig internationally whether or not the assurances Id been given were truthful.

Secondly, I established this inquiry  so I was absolutely inquisitive.

I held the department to account if I felt that they were not producing what we had asked for.

But I also had to reiterate that we had to act on the evidence before us and that I also have a duty to the men and women of the armed forces to make sure that their reputation is not dragged through the mud or indeed libelled or besmirched without evidence.

Two Royal Military Police investigations, codenamed Operation Northmoor and Operation Cestro, are also being scrutinised by the inquiry.

No charges were brought under Operation Northmoor  a 10 million investigation that was set up in 2014 to examine allegations of executions by special forces, including those of children.

Operation Cestro saw three soldiers referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority, but none of them were prosecuted.

The inquiry continues.

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A Benson, Vermont man is due in court in Rutland Monday afternoon after being arrested in a reported assault while he was allegedly armed with a deadly weapon.

Vermont State Police accuse Robert Curavoo, 46, of threatening another person on State Road in Benson shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Troopers didnt indicate what type of deadly weapon they accuse him of having, nor did they say anything about the role the reported weapon may have played in the incident.

Burlington man arrested for attempted murder after reported stabbing

Curavoo is charged with first-degree aggravated domestic assault. He was taken to Marble Valley Regional Correctional in Rutland, but hes since been released on $1,000 bail.

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Palestinian paramedic Maha Wafi, 43, walks with her son Ahmed, six, into a tent in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip (Bashar TALEB) (Bashar TALEB/AFP/AFP)

In a year of war between Israel and Hamas, the people of Gaza have lost nearly everything: their loved ones, their homes, their careers and their dreams.

AFP spoke to a student, a paramedic and a former civil servant in Gaza, to hear how the conflict has destroyed their lives.

Here are their stories:

- The student stopped in his tracks -

Fares al-Farra, 19, was as brilliant at school as he was ambitious.

Two months before October 7 last year, he graduated with top marks and enrolled in Gaza's University College of Applied Sciences to study artificial intelligence and data science.

"I had many ambitions and goals, and I was always confident that one day I would achieve them," he said.

Days after Hamas's attack sparked the Gaza war, the Israeli military bombed part of the university.

Farra and his family fled their home in the southern city of Khan Yunis as it became a battleground, forcing them to shelter for months in a makeshift camp.

They returned home when Israeli troops withdrew from the area, only for it to then be bombed, demolishing the walls, breaking Farra's arm and killing his close friend Abu Hassan.

"He always took care of me," Farra said of his friend, who experienced with him forced displacement. "He was a good person."

The hardship of war has chipped away at Farra's optimism and his hopes for an education.

"It feels like all paths are closed," he said.

He fears his dreams will no longer be a priority once the war ends.

"There will be more basic needs" to fulfil, he said.

Still, he said he longs for an end to the conflict, and that he can "achieve (his) dreams and goals".

- Paramedic and mother -

Maha Wafi, 43, said she "really, really loves" her job as a paramedic in Khan Yunis, because she finds meaning in being able to help others.

"We go to the people to tell them: 'we hear you'," she said.

She also loved her life with Anis, her husband of 24 years, their five children and their beautiful house.

But the war forced her family to flee their home and seek shelter in a camp, just as the flow of wounded and sick increased due to the relentless bombardment, piling pressure on Gaza's poorly equipped medical workers.

Then, in early December, Wafi's husband was arrested. She has not seen him since.

She worries for her partner, but she must face the hardships of war alone. She takes care of their five children while continuing to work as a paramedic.

"You're living in a tent... you have to bring water, fetch gas, light a fire and deal with the hardships of everything," she said.

"All of this is psychological pressure on a working woman," Wafi said, sitting by her ambulance, before scrubbing blood from its floor.

During the war, she has seen people killed and maimed. She narrowly escaped death when a strike hit a vehicle right next to her ambulance.

All she longs for now, she said, is for her husband to be released, and for life to go back to the way it was before the war.

"I don't want anything more than how it was before October 7," she said.

- The civil servant turned beggar -

Until October 7, Maher Zino, 39, lived a life of "beautiful routine" as a government employee earning what he described as a decent wage.

Together with his wife Fatima, they were raising their three children in Gaza City.

A year on, they have been displaced "so many times that it's hard for me to count", he said from his shelter in an olive grove in central Gaza.

Moving from Gaza City to Khan Yunis in the south, to Rafah by the Egyptian border, and then back to central Gaza, the family had to start from scratch each time.

"Set up a tent, build a bathroom, buy basic furniture, and find clothes because you've left everything behind," he said.

Sometimes, they were able to find cover before nightfall.

Others, they've had to sleep on the street, said Zino, who said he'd "never needed anyone" before the war.

In the shelter they now live in, Zino and his wife have managed to create a semblance of domestic life with a place to sleep, a water tank and a makeshift toilet.

He, too, said he wished things could go back to the way they were before.

"I became a beggar," he said, pleading for blankets to keep his family warm and searching "for charity kitchens to give me a plate of food just to feed my children".

"That's what the war did to us," he said.

str-lba/jd/dcp/ser/fox
Fancy hotels in Beverly Hills are trying to put a freeze on high energy costs and help save the planet in the process.

The Waldorf Astoria and Beverly Hilton are using a new system that uses ice to cut cooling costs150,000 pounds of frozen water, to be exact.

Through daytime you have great clean electricity  [but] when the sunset comes the electricity becomes very dirty, explained Yaron Ben Nun, CTO of Nostromo, a startup thats helping commercial building reduce their energy use and carbon footprint through a novel thermal energy solution.

It uses a modular bank of ice packs to store energy during the day and slowly release it in the afternoon as it melts. The system helps keep buildings cool even when electricity is at its peak.

Thermal energy cooling or thermal energy storage is not new but what drew us to Nostromo was the fact that they developed a new way to do it, explained David Alagem, who runs technology at Alagem Capital Group. They are the real estate investment firm that helped re-develop both hotels.

You come into a building and you dont have a space to put something big but theyve developed something where you come in in pieces so whether its in a basement on the roof of a high-rise, you can come in bring in their pieces build it you know scale it to your building and then allow yourself to have a thermal energy storage solution when maybe you couldnt do that before, explained Alagem.

Ben Nun showed me a computer screen with a graph displaying the hotels energy consumption. You can see a dramatic drop in their energy usage as Nostromos system kicks in in the afternoon hours.

He considers the system safer than alternatives like giant lithium-ion batteries that store energy and more convenient than solar panels, which might not be able to go on every rooftop.

Being a part of bringing solutions to humanity, this is a great privilege, said Ben Nun.

Nostromos system at the Beverly Hills property serves as a proof of concept, encouraging other businesses to do the same. The company recently secured a $189 million loan from the government to help expand its system to more than 100 California buildings.

We want to be a model. You know, were not required to do these things but we want to show other developers you should be doing these things because we all need to do our part, concluded Alagem.

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(Bloomberg) -- The Biden administration is proposing a rule to block the sale and import of Chinese- and Russian-made hardware and software for connected vehicles, potentially bolstering US security against a hacking threat that the Commerce Department describes as very real.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The proposed ban aims to secure vehicles which can communicate externally through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular or satellite systems, a feature thats increasingly commonplace with new vehicles. Officials said these systems are at risk for foreign interference, which could lead to disruption and sabotage.

This is not about trade or economic advantage. This is a strictly national security action, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a call to reporters. We are focused on the national security threat, very real threat, that connected vehicles pose to our country and the American people.

US and European officials allege that that the Chinese government and local automakers are unfairly subsidizing the industry, saying that it could lead to a flood of cheap imports that distort the market. Thats prompted both the US and EU to raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. China has denied its systems pose a security threat and has said the tariffs are an attempt to stifle competition.

Connected vehicles are specifically a threat because theyre deeply embedded in US infrastructure, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said, including charging stations, storage systems and power generation.

Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking and other technologies connected to the internet. It doesnt take much imagination to understand how a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the privacy of US citizens, Raimondo said in a statement.

Bloomberg reported on Saturday that the Biden administration planned to put the rule in place. The plan was first reported by Reuters.

The proposal comes as a result of an investigation into whether Chinese-made vehicles threatened national security. The Commerce Department started the probe in February, citing the large influx of personal data that cars take in through their sensors and cameras.

A software ban would go into effect for vehicles modeled in 2027, while the hardware rule would take effect for vehicles modeled in 2030. Units without a model year would be under the rule starting Jan. 1, 2029.

Senior administration officials said this is because most US market vehicles dont have any Chinese- or Russian-made software, making that aspect of the rule a largely preventative measure. It may take longer to pivot away from Chinese-made hardware, however.

Its unclear how many vehicles currently have Chinese-made hardware or how the US auto industrys supply chain will need to adapt to accommodate the potential rule.

Once a rule is proposed, the Commerce Department invites public comments for 30 days after publication.

Separately, the White House announced a series of commitments for small and medium-sized automakers on Monday, with a $9.1 million grant to launch an electric vehicle supply chain transition program in Michigan.

As part of the US actions, Monroe Capital committed to raise up to $1 billion for small automakers to grow and diversify their business.

--With assistance from Mackenzie Hawkins and David Welch.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
This photo shows vehicles from southern Lebanon heading for Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 23, 2024. Israeli airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday have killed 274 people and injured over 1,024 as Israel says 800 sites targeted in its most widespread attacks in the country since the onset of the conflict.

The death toll included 21 children and 39 women, with many other victims having not been identified yet, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad announced in a press conference, noting that the wounded were transferred to over 27 hospitals across the region. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday have killed 274 people and injured over 1,024 as Israel says 800 sites targeted in its most widespread attacks in the country since the onset of the conflict.

The death toll included 21 children and 39 women, with many other victims having not been identified yet, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad announced in a press conference, noting that the wounded were transferred to over 27 hospitals across the region.

"The attacks resulted in the displacement of thousands of families from the targeted areas," the minister said, adding the Israeli raids targeted hospitals, medical centers, and ambulances.

According to sources from the Lebanese Internal Security Forces, the cities of Tyre, Nabatieh, and Iqlim al-Tuffah have witnessed a massive displacement of residents towards Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The main roads linking these areas to Beirut were crowded with hundreds of civilian cars.

In this context, the Disaster Unit in the Union of Municipalities of Tyre District demanded that public and high schools be opened to accommodate the displaced.

The Israeli attacks also prompted the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon to ask all its civilian employees to leave with their families to safe areas north of the Litani River, according to Elnashra news website.

Lebanese military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes on Monday carried out more than 300 air raids on large areas in eastern and southern Lebanon, targeting around 60 towns in southern and eastern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a statement, "In response to the enemy's attacks that targeted areas in the south and the Bekaa Valley, the Islamic Resistance fighters bombed the reserve headquarters of the Israeli army's northern corps, Galilee Division Reserve Base, and its stores of logistics at Ami'ad Base as well as Rafael's military-industrial complexes in Zevulun area, north of Haifa with dozens of missiles."

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said the strikes targeted civilian buildings where Hezbollah allegedly hides rockets, missiles, launchers, drones, and other military infrastructure.

Israel's military issued a warning on Monday afternoon that it was about to attack sites in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah is allegedly storing strategic weapons, urging civilians to evacuate.

"Distance yourself from houses where weapons are located, for your own protection," Hagari said during a press briefing in the afternoon, adding that the attack would begin shortly without providing further details.

This marked the second warning from Hagari on Monday, following an earlier message in the morning for residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, as Israel planned airstrikes targeting homes allegedly storing Hezbollah's cruise missiles.

Since Monday morning, Hezbollah has launched more than 100 rockets into northern Israel, including near Haifa, one of Israel's largest cities, the military said in a statement.

At least five missiles were launched toward the northern Israeli-occupied West Bank, an area approximately 100 km from Lebanon, which has not been targeted before during the ongoing conflict.

The military said its aerial defense systems intercepted some of the projectiles, while others fell within Israeli territory, causing fires. Five people were injured by shrapnel, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service.

In the recent escalation, following a week of deadly Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Israel called on residents to evacuate ahead of large-scale airstrikes.

"We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a video statement. "The actions will continue until we achieve our goal of returning northern residents safely to their homes," he added.

Gallant urged the Israeli public to remain calm in the face of potential escalated attacks by Hezbollah in the coming days. "These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure," he noted.

Also on Monday, Lebanese media reported that the death toll from Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday rose to 54, with around five citizens still missing.

Elnashra news website quoted the civil defense team as saying that search and rescue efforts are still underway at the site of the collapsed building in the Jamous area in southern Beirut, where Ibrahim Akil, acting commander of the elite Radwan force, and 14 other Hezbollah commanders were killed.

While addressing the cabinet in a meeting on Monday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the continuous Israeli "aggression" on Lebanon is "a war of extermination," according to a statement released by the Council of Ministers.

Mikati called on the United Nations and the international community to "stand up and deter aggression."

"We renew our commitment to Resolution 1701, and we work as a government to stop the new Israeli war and avoid falling into the unknown as much as possible," he said. 

A man carries a mattress for displaced people in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 23, 2024. Israeli airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday have killed 274 people and injured over 1,024 as Israel says 800 sites targeted in its most widespread attacks in the country since the onset of the conflict.

The death toll included 21 children and 39 women, with many other victims having not been identified yet, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad announced in a press conference, noting that the wounded were transferred to over 27 hospitals across the region. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
The Biden administration on Monday proposed a new rule that would ban the sale or import of technology-connected vehicles and components from China or Russia in the United States. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Biden administration on Monday announced a proposed rule change to prevent technology-connected vehicles and components from China or Russia from being brought to the United States.

If finalized, the rule changes proposed by the Department of Commerce would prohibit the import or sale of "of certain connected vehicle systems designed, developed, manufactured or supplied by entities with a sufficient nexus to the PRC or Russia," which the White House identified as "countries of concern."

The rules will target vehicle connectivity systems, of VCS, such as Bluetooth, cellular satellite and Wi-Fi modules in addition to automated driving systems.

"Connected vehicles provide many benefits -- from promoting vehicle safety to assisting drivers with navigation -- but they also pose new and growing threats," the White House said. "These technologies include computer systems that control vehicle movement and collect sensitive driver and passenger data as well as cameras and sensors that enable automated driving systems and record detailed data information about America's infrastructure."

The rule will also include exemptions, such as small producers of vehicles, "to minimize unanticipated and unnecessary disruption to industry."

The bans on software would take effect for the Model Year 2027, while hardware bans would go into effect for Model Year 2030 or Jan. 1, 2029, units that do not have a model year.
In one of his final moments on the global stage, President Joe Biden this week will aim to burnish his legacy and bolster Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign  but his top foreign policy goal may be slipping away.

Biden will this week make his last appearance at the United Nations General Assembly  a body of world leaders nervously watching this Novembers U.S. elections  but his valedictory speech may be overshadowed by the rising violence in the Middle East. And as Israels fight with Hezbollahs across Lebanons borders has fueled growing fears of a wider, regional war, it also endangers what three administration officials say has become Bidens top priority for his remaining time in office: a Gaza cease-fire deal. All were granted anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly about private discussions.

Negotiations over a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war had already stalled before hundreds of pagers and walkie talkies detonated across Lebanon and Syria last week, killing more than 20 people and injuring more than 3,000 in a moment of audacious tradecraft targeting Hezbollah militants. That triggered an exchange of rockets between Israel and Lebanon and increased fears of an expanded conflict.

President Biden has done everything he could to prevent a regional war in the Middle East. He has stood firm by Israel and his deterrence has helped prevent an escalation, said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee and has perhaps the closest relationship with Biden of any senator. But the dynamics between Israel and Hezbollah have gotten harder and harder, and Im concerned.



No one has worked harder for a hostage and cease-fire deal than Joe Biden and his senior aides, Coons continued. But Im not optimistic were going to see a deal anytime soon.

Biden plans to use his time in New York to forcefully make the case that, over the past three-and-a-half years, he fulfilled his promise of a renewed American commitment overseas after President Donald Trumps tumultuous and confrontational time in office. But the spiking risk of war in the Middle East, combined with the ongoing war in Ukraine and lingering questions about the U.S. pullout in Afghanistan, threatens to tarnish his record and help Trump make the case that the world has become more chaotic since he left the White House in 2021.

The centerpiece of Bidens time at the United Nations will be his Tuesday speech, in which he is expected to underscore the needs for alliances, urge the protection of democracy and call for peace in the worlds hot spots. He will also meet with a series of world leaders.

Biden began his presidency with the most foreign policy experience of any president in decades and, by many measures, his internationalist view of the world was rewarded with a series of victories. Vowing that America was back, Biden repaired the United States alliances; he helped rally nations to defy Russias Vladimir Putin; and he and his national security team have managed to reopen key communications channels with the globes rising superpower, China.

Fast-moving global events have revealed the limits of Bidens power. And while foreign policy traditionally ranks low on voters concerns, the White House  and Harris campaign  now must manage their fallout in the heat of a competitive campaign.

That is especially true in the Middle East.

Even as tens of thousands of Israelis have surged into the streets to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the war, the Israeli leader has continually signaled that he is prioritizing security  and the elimination of Hamas  over bringing the remaining hostages home. The operation against Hezbollah only added to the tumult.

Biden was right to back Israel's right of self-defense after Oct. 7, but 11 months of U.S. persuasion and entreaties have little to show for it, said Richard Haass, former president of the Council on Foreign Relations. The war continues, the hostages remain hostage, and there is no plan for what comes after in Gaza. Biden has been unwilling to take this Israeli government on to the extent necessary and to pivot to a more independent U.S. policy.

Biden has told his national security team that reaching a cease-fire deal is his top priority for the rest of his time in office, according to the three officials. He believes it will bolster his legacy in two ways: first, that he would get credit as a peacemaker; and second, that it could ease Harris path to victory.

Two major issues are preventing the U.S. from moving the deal forward, according to one of the officials. Israel is demanding that it keep a limited number of soldiers along the Philadelphi Corridor, a demilitarized zone along the Egyptian border. Hamas has rejected that proposal, saying Israel must pull all of its forces out of that area. There are also significant disagreements between Israel and Hamas over the number and timing of the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for hostages.

Bidens most trusted aides  CIA Director William Burns, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan  have made a deal their top focus. The president recently convened a meeting in the Situation Room with his national security officials and urged them to ignore recent setbacks and continue to work with both sides and third-party negotiators to find an agreement.

Keep fucking trying, is how Biden recently ended a meeting with the officials, according to one of the participants.

Biden administration officials plan to continue talks for a Gaza cease-fire this week  but there are few expectations that an agreement could be reached soon, according to the three officials. There is great skepticism that either Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar or Netanayhu is anxious to make a deal, and the Israeli leaders latest demands have again raised suspicions within the White House that he wants to prolong the war to keep his own grip on power  and potentially help Trump.

Harris is not expected to attend the meetings in New York this week, although she may meet with some world leaders in Washington. Still, the global landscape she may inherit will be affected by this and other Biden administration efforts in the closing three months of his term.

The challenges Harris inherits as Democratic standard bearer will test her national security credentials just as the campaigns homestretch begins. And for the vice president  who, to this point, has stood firm with Biden on policy but created some distance with her rhetoric  the lack of progress has created a political dilemma.



Harris has repeatedly affirmed her belief in Israels right to defend itself and has not suggested curtailing arms shipments to Jerusalem. But her team is mindful of anger in the Democrats base about the humanitarian crisis and worry that it could depress turnout among young voters, progressives and Arab American voters, particularly in a battleground state like Michigan.

She has wanted to amplify the suffering of the Palestinians and has privately pushed the administration to ratchet up the pressure on Netanyahu to take a deal, according to two of the officials. But aides acknowledged she risks disappointing activists who want her to explicitly change course and stop sending weapons to Israel that have been used to kill Palestinian civilians.

No longer running for reelection, Biden will be increasingly focused on foreign affairs in the months ahead. His team is eyeing a few foreign trips before his time in office ends, including the G20 summit in Brazil and a long-awaited stop in Africa.

The Russian invasion into Ukraine will be a key focus at the United Nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet separately with both Biden and Harris in Washington later in the week and is expected to present them with a plan for victory. In a speech in Kyiv last week, he expressed frustration that he has not gotten approval from the U.S. and the United Kingdom to use long-range weapons, a topic he is certain to raise to the president and vice president.

Bidens success at building a coalition to help Kyiv is seen by his advisers as his greatest foreign policy achievement. But a Trump victory could quickly unravel that triumph.

Trump has said repeatedly that he would end the conflict in one day, and mark a radical shift in U.S. policy. While he has not offered specifics, the White House believes Trump would threaten to stop helping Kyiv and demand that Zelenskyy accept the current battlefield lines  which would give Putin control of a significant swath of Ukraine.

The fact that Ukraine has not fallen to Russia after all this time constitutes a success, though of course the future remains uncertain, said Julian Zelizer, a presidential historian at Princeton University. By all indications, Harris would continue with the same policy, [and] a defeat of Trump would be a blow to the non-interventionist movement of the GOP.

The Biden administration continues to map out how to spend all $60 billion of aid authorized in the last congressional supplemental and has not ruled out making another request for cash after the election, according to the three officials. Additionally, the president may use his drawdown powers to free up more supplies if needed, and another trip to Europe to deliver a speech about the need to stand with Ukraine is being considered, the officials said.

Biden also made another public push to forge alliances amid an increasingly aggressive China this weekend when he hosted the other Quad leaders  India, Japan, Australia  at his Delaware home and announced policies to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific.

President Bidens foreign policy has been driven by convictions, said Mark Hannah, senior fellow at the Institute for Global Affairs. Some of the convictions bucked conventional wisdom within the Beltway, and took real political courage to turn into policy.

But some other convictions appear outmoded, Hannah said, vestiges of the geopolitical environment in which the president spent most of his political career.

Erin Banco contributed to this report.
US President Joe Biden shakes hands with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan during a meeting in the White House Oval Office on September 23, 2024 (Brendan SMIALOWSKI) (Brendan SMIALOWSKI/AFP/AFP)

US President Joe Biden met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday for talks on conflicts in the Middle East and Sudan -- despite concerns over the Gulf power's own role in the Sudan conflict.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris also met the Emirati leader at the White House, the first ever visit in Washington by a president of the oil-rich monarchy.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Biden and Sheikh Mohamed said they "shared concern about the risk of imminent atrocities" as fighting continues in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region.

The two leaders also called for an "immediate" ceasefire in the brutal civil war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and a return to the political process.

But their statement made no reference to the fact that Sudan has repeatedly accused the UAE itself of backing the RSF, which the United States accuses of carrying out crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in Darfur.

Instead the statement said that "all parties to the conflict (in Sudan) must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law."

Their meeting came before the UN General Assembly in New York was due to debate the 17-month conflict this week, especially the fighting in the devastated city of El-Fasher.

Harris, who met the UAE president separately, "raised her deep concerns about the conflict in Sudan," her office said.

Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza after the October 7 attacks was also a key topic, with the UAE expected to be a key contributor to the Gaza Strip's eventual post-war reconstruction.

Biden, 81, who is in his final months as president, said after shaking hands with Sheikh Mohamed that they were going to "discuss our efforts to end the war in Gaza and a number of issues."

He said he had been briefed on developments in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds had killed 356 people, and that he was "working to de-escalate" the situation.

Biden also hailed relations with the UAE, describing it as a "nation of trailblazers, always looking to the future, always making big bets" and saying it was about to become a "major defense partner" of the United States.

For its part, the UAE has put a different spin on the visit, saying it is aimed at highlighting economic and technological cooperation, particularly on AI, as it seeks to pivot its economy from oil.

Presidential advisor Anwar Gargash said the Emiratis were thinking "economy first" in their "strategic relationship" with the United States.

Gargash said last week that the UAE's ties with the United States were "our most important strategic relationship," even as "sometimes people like to talk about some tensions in the relationship."

The UAE also has close ties with Russia and refused to condemn the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

dk/bfm
Joe Biden has previously said it was Chinas policy to flood our market with its vehicles - DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images

Joe Biden is preparing a ban on Chinese self-driving car technology amid fears vehicles could be piloted or disabled remotely on US roads.

A proposed block by the US Department of Commerce on the import and sale of cars that rely on Chinese software is expected to take effect on new models from 2027. A further ban on Chinese hardware will come into force from 2030.

The ban, which will affect Russian and Chinese technology, will block sales of cars including hardware or software designed to connect cars to the internet, including microchips used to receive and transmit information such as location or traffic data or to update self-driving technology.

It comes amid increased fears that technology could be used by foreign adversaries for spying to gain access to sensitive US information.

In comments reported by the Washington Post, Gina Raimondo, the US commerce secretary, said: Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking and other technologies connected to the internet.

It doesnt take much imagination to understand how a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the privacy of US citizens.

In an extreme situation, foreign adversaries could shut down or take control of all their vehicles operating in the United States at the same time.

Chinese-made vehicles will face more restrictions in the US from 2030 - REUTERS/Bobby Yip/File Photo/File Photo

All cars are increasingly connected to the internet and process huge amounts of data about the road and world around them using cameras and sensors, as well as tracking the movements and behaviour of their drivers.

Some cars also have advanced driver assistance systems and self-driving technology that can be remotely altered over the internet.

The restrictions will affect car software on new models from 2027 and car hardware from 2030. The proposed ban could also include cars that use Chinese technology for keyless unlocking, Reuters reported.

In February, the US ordered an investigation into connected cars, claiming they could be used to collect large amounts of sensitive data on their drivers and passengers and that they regularly use their cameras and sensors to record detailed information on US infrastructure.

The government added at the time the cars could be piloted or disabled remotely. President Biden said it was Chinas policy to flood our market with its vehicles, posing risks to our national security.

But carmakers have warned swapping out Chinese-made software and parts would be challenging. It is also likely to prompt fears of retaliatory action from Beijing.

It is part of a wider spat with China, with the White House last week imposing 100pc tariffs on Chinese electric car imports as well as hikes on batteries and critical materials.

There are currently relatively few popular Chinese car brands that export to the US, although carmakers such as BYD are targeting dramatic expansion in Europe.

However, around a dozen Chinese companies hold a licence to test autonomous vehicle software in the US and have racked up tens of thousands of miles driving on Californias roads.

Connected vehicles have already been manipulated during periods of conflict.

In 2022, John Deere, the US agriculture giant, reportedly remotely locked millions of dollars worth of tractors and combine harvesters that had been stolen by Russian troops following the invasion of Ukraine.

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Biden says US is doing everything we can to prevent wider war in the Middle East

President Biden said the U.S. is doing everything we can to prevent wider war in the Middle East on Sunday.

Were going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out, the president said, according to a White House pool report, responding to a question about the regions rising tensions.

Bidens words follow the recent exchange of fire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. More than 30 people were killed in an airstrike by Israel aimed at Hezbollah in Beirut, a Lebanese health official said Saturday.

Health Minister Firass Abiad said in a news conference that the strike resulted in 31 deaths, including seven women and three children. A minimum of 68 people were also injured, and 15 were still recovering in the hospital, according to Abiad.

The strike occurred Friday and killed the head of Hezbollahs operations unit and the commander of the elite special forces unit, the Radwan Force, per the Israeli military. The Israel Defense Forces also said that other senior Radwan commanders were killed.

The Israelis Friday strike followed Hezbollah launching about 140 rockets toward Israel, but most of them were downed via Israels Iron Dome missile defense system, according to the Israeli military.

Pager and handheld radio attacks in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday also killed 37 people and wounded thousands.

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Biden-Zelensky talks: Ukrainian soldiers want firepower to win but question if US wants Russia defeated

As President Volodymyr Zelensky kicked off a visit to the U.S. this week in a bid to secure more firepower for his army, Ukrainian soldiers on the ground monitored the news with half-hearted hope, questioning whether Kyivs top Western ally would provide enough to help them defeat Russia.

In a historic trip more than two years into Russias full-scale invasion, Zelensky is set to present what he describes as Ukraine's victory plan to his American counterpart, Joe Biden. He hopes that if backed by the outgoing U.S. president, it will include the weaponry needed and the lifting of restrictions on deep strikes into Russia using Western missiles.

The Ukrainian leader began the U.S. visit in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden's hometown, at an ammunition factory arming Ukraine's artillery units with shells. Zelensky is due to travel on to the UN General Assembly in New York and later Washington, D.C.

Thousands of kilometers away on the hottest spots of the front line in Russia's war against Ukraine, multiple soldiers told the Kyiv Independent that they dont anticipate notable progress from Zelenskys efforts to win over Biden but agreed on the importance of pressing Western allies for permission to use their long-range weapons on Russian territory.

The trip comes as Ukrainian forces hold on to a patch of Russias Kursk Oblast weeks after conducting a surprise incursion and as Russian troops carried on with a grinding advance in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast, primarily toward the logistic hub of Pokrovsk, the fall of which would loosen Kyivs grip on its last controlled cities in the war-torn industrial region.

I have no optimistic hopes for Zelensky's visit to the U.S., said infantryman Artem with a battalion fighting in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast, another hotspot along the more than 1,000-kilometer front line in Ukraine that lies south of Kursk Oblast and north of Donetsk Oblast. Artem and other soldiers who spoke to the Kyiv Independent aren't identified by their full name because they didn't have authorization from their commanders to speak to the press.

Maybe we will get a few more shells and missiles, and that's it, Artem said.

In general, I have the impression that the U.S. does not really want us to defeat Russia. We won't lose, but we won't be able to win for a long time, Artem added.

He quipped that it may be beneficial for the U.S. to exhaust and weaken Russia for several years rather than give Ukraine what it needs to win the war. He warned that this largely static war could continue for several more years as neither side would have the means to achieve a significant breakthrough on the battlefield.

To compete against a foe with much more troops and heavy weaponry, Ukraine has so far relied on homemade drones to strike Russian military targetsfrom ammo depots to airfieldsdeep inside Russia. Hoping to boost the firepower and range of such strikes, Zelensky, with his visit, is set to be the latest European leader in the Western alliance backing Kyiv to nudge Washington into a major decision that would allow Ukrainian troops to aim at Russian targets using precise NATO military alliance missiles.

Read also: Zelensky comes to US in attempt to boost firepower, pitch victory

Ukraine lacks sufficient manpower and resources to change the tide in the eastern Donbas battlefields, where Russian troops have been in a grinding offensive since October 2023 gradually gaining ground. However, Ukrainian soldiers emphasized that weakening Russia by striking targets in the rears would help Ukraine have a chance at a breakthrough in the war.

If we strike at Russia's rear, then the enemy's logistics would be depleted, and fewer shells, missiles, equipment, and fuel would be sent to the front from their side, said infantryman Artem, defending the Kupiansk front. This would then affect the strength of Russian units on the contact line.

And over time, we could turn this in our favor and launch counteroffensive operations, he added.

A Ukrainian soldier of the Khartia Brigade, a military unit of the Ukrainian National Guard, fires the D-20 artillery toward the direction of Kupiansk at his position in Donetsk Oblast on May 5, 2024. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In a nightly video address on Sept. 21, after a series of long-range drone strikes on Russian weapons depots, Zelensky stressed that the answer to the question of when this war will end lies in the question of when our partners' determination will keep pace with what we can do for our defense, for our independence, for our victory.

U.S. President Joe Biden is not ruling out lifting restrictions on Ukraines use of long-range weapons to strike Russian territory, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Sky News in a September interview.

Though Kyivs victory plan has not been revealed yet, Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said last week that Zelensky would soon publicly present the proposal that will strengthen Ukraine, Ukrainian warriors, and Ukrainian people.

The plan should encompass the complete withdrawal of Moscows troops from the Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, which account for nearly 20% of state turf, and compensation for the damage they caused during the war, said infantryman Serhii with the 79th Separate Assault Brigade in Donetsk Oblast.

Ukrainian soldiers stressed that they critically needed more ammunition shells, drones, air defense missiles, and even basic transport vehicles. Soldier Artem said that a ramped-up supply of first-person-view (FPV) drones would be critical, as it would help Ukraine compensate for its manpower disadvantage.

As the situation on the eastern front line deteriorates daily, Zelensky is due to meet outgoing U.S. president Biden on Sept. 26 at the White House. Zelensky will also hold separate meetings with 2024 presidential candidates Kamala Harris, Bidens vice president and the Democratic party nominee, and hopes to meet Republican candidate Donald Trump, who seeks re-election.

The President and Vice President (Harris) will emphasize their unshakeable commitment to stand with Ukraine until it prevails in this war, Biden's Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a Sept. 19 statement.

Trump, in a recent debate with Harris, refused multiple times to confirm whether he sought Ukraine to defeat Russia in its invasion, insisting that under his watch, the war would never have occurred and that knowing both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, he could swiftly negotiate a settlement.

U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during an event in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S. on Aug. 15, 2024. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Zelenskys visit comes days after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Biden urging permission for Ukraine to conduct strikes deep into Russia using Western missiles, including the British-supplied Storm Shadows, which have U.S. components. The Kremlin warned that a decision to lift the restriction would make the West a participant in the conflict.

Before departing for the U.S., Zelensky said at a press conference during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to Kyiv on Sept. 20 that he hoped for a quick decision from all Western allies to support his victory plan. He stressed the importance of the U.S. leadership role in providing Kyiv with the support it needs to win the war, which diplomats have told the Kyiv Independent recently has not been felt strongly.

The permission to use Western weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia is an important component of future victory, said Oleh, a Ukrainian drone operator deployed in Russias Kursk Oblast.

Oleh said that this is a war of technology, as it is impossible to compete against Russia with just the manpower in World War I-style trench warfare.

For every one of ours, eight Russians must be killed to equalize the mobilization reserve, he added.

Stressing that technology will ultimately give Ukraine the upper hand on the battlefield, Oleh said he was optimistic that Zelensky would return home with results.

I hope that Zelensky will reach an agreement (with the U.S.), and we will be given more weapons and be allowed to use them as we need, not as they allow us (now), Oleh said.

Read also: They attack with quantity: With Ukrainian soldiers desperately defending Pokrovsk

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BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  In this weeks episode of Big Country Politics, Dr. Blake Harris, Director of Veterans Mental Health at the Texas Veterans Commission, discussed the high suicide rates among Veterans and stressed the importance of community engagement, training, and connecting Veterans to resources.

Nearly 50,000 veterans used emergency suicide prevention program in its first year, VA says

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and engage in reducing the number of suicides. Harris stated that statistics indicate Veterans have higher suicide rates than civilians, which is a national concern.

Here in Texas, we know that over 580 Veterans die annually by suicide, and that is something that is preventable. We really want to engage folks and work with other state agencies and community partners to provide training and technical assistance and get Veterans and their families connected directly to resources, Harris said. So with the Texas Veterans Commission, were not the federal VA that people are used to going to for services. We work very closely with them, but we also work with Community Partners, other state agencies, and everyone, particularly in rural areas or areas where there may not be a lot of mental health services. We really engage those communities of faith, Veteran-serving organizations, and any opportunity to connect Veterans to the services and connect them to other Veterans as well.

Harris stated that finding a way to integrate Veterans into civilian life is crucial to addressing this dilemma.

Mental health issues are common for all, so not just Veterans. We know that experiences that folks may go through during their military service can expose them to trauma at higher rates than other folks, which can lead to post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, Harris explained. Folks that are connected, whether theyve been in the military for four years or they served an entire career that transitioned from a service member to a Veteran in the community is a very significant life transition, and its a loss for a lot of folks, a loss of identity and a loss of connectedness and purpose. So, helping folks navigate that and find connective opportunities to find purpose is a key factor in offsetting the risks of suicide.

You deserve to be healed: Exploring veteran psychedelic healing with founder of No Fallen Heroes Foundation

Many Veterans often try to handle their mental health issues alone, instead focusing on others around them, a stigma Harris wants to break.

Service before self. So you have folks who are always thinking of others and often thinking of tasks and missions that they need to accomplish, and theyre putting themselves in the backseat. Some of that is a result of that training. Theyre focused on the person next to them, or theyre focused on their battle buddy and their friends and those they care about in their family, and they often put themselves in the backseat. Thats something that we really want to raise awareness of. Its okay to ask for help, and folks should because there is some stigma in terms of reaching out for mental health services, Harris shared.

Harris suggests that addressing potentially deteriorating mental health begins with one simple question.

When folks are struggling, they often become more introverted, pull back from community engagements, and stop engaging in hobbies and activities they like doing. So whenever you see a significant shift in someones behavior, thats a great opportunity to ask and check in on them, which is certainly why weve just launched our Texans Ask campaign at the Texas Veterans convention, Harris said. We want to use that as an opportunity, along with other initiatives like Buddy Check Day, which is the 11th of every month, to say, hey, check in on folks ask. One of the key takeaways that we can all walk away with is that we can ask how someones doing, and thats great. We can ask straight up if someone is struggling with suicidal ideation. If someones thinking about it, were not going to put the idea in their head by asking, but what we are doing is were showing that we recognize that someones struggling, we recognize that theyre hurting, and we can from there put them in touch with resources, or get them connected. That is the first step in saving lives.

Harri mentioned that the Texas Veterans Commission collaborates with state agencies such as the Texas Workforce Commission, Health and Human Services, and local mental health authorities throughout the state. They also work with the Texas Legislature to create opportunities and advocate for laws that support Veterans.

We also work very closely to provide a lot of training and community engagement and a lot of outreach. We work directly with Veterans as needed and make sure that they get connected with services. Some of our main focus areas are working with Veterans who are at risk for homelessness or those who may be justice-involved because we know that those are our Veterans who are at higher risk for struggling with mental health issues, which puts them at advanced risk for suicide risk as well, Harris explained. I would say the linchpin of all of our programming is also our military veteran peer network. Those are folks who are embedded in the local communities, are certified by our department and our Texas Veterans Commission, and provide individual and group peer support. They are connecting folks to the federal VA for services, and they are also connecting them to community resources, whether they cant reach the VA or if they cant find mental health services. These are excellent problem solvers, and they are Veterans themselves, so theyre able to share their life experiences with others and build a great volunteer base that is a great support network for Veterans.

Absolutely Abilene: Embrace the Ruck creates a support system for veterans at a local ranch

The Texas Veterans Commission offers a program for justice-involved Veterans. The program covers multiple aspects of the criminal justice system, including training officers on how to deal with Veterans affected by trauma. It also provides individual support to Veterans to help them achieve the best possible outcomes.

We provide a lot of community, military, and cultural competency to officers. We also work with all of the sheriffs offices across the state that operate the jails to help identify Veterans when theyre taken in so we can connect them to those services that they may need, including our military Veteran peer network and all the other services offered by TDC, to include claims, benefits and education and employment, awareness and connection as well. We also support all of the Veteran treatment courts across Texas, so we provide a report on them at the end of each year to the state legislature, explained Harris. We help provide the peer services and make sure that, as best we can, they get the technical assistance and the support, bringing in other key stakeholders to offer Veterans a chance at diversion. We also work closely with our Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the programming for Veterans who are incarcerated in the reentry so that when they come back into the community, they can help rebuild their lives and get back to finding their sense of purpose and getting back on track.

Harris added that one of the best things about the Texas Veterans Commission is that their services are free of charge.

One of the greatest things that were most proud of is across all of our programming. Within the Veterans Mental Health Department, TVC, and the Texas Veterans Commission, we take the broadest definition of Veteran. We take the broadest definition of family members. We can work with anyone, regardless of their discharge, regardless of how long or what type of service they had, and all of our services are provided at free cost, Harris said.

Harris wants people to know that we can all save lives, but it starts with asking.

If youre worried about someone and think that they may be struggling with mental health issues or maybe experiencing some suicidal thoughts and ideation, the first thing you can do and the most impactful thing you can do is ask about how someones doing. That opens a door for all the other service connections. One of the other great resources is the 988, so anyone who can pull out their phone and call 988 and press one can be automatically connected to the Veterans Crisis Line. Those are folks who are trained to work with Veterans, assess them for risk, hear them out, work with them, and get them connected to services. That is a fantastic opportunity. And then certainly, you know, folks can get educated. Anyone can be a gatekeeper, and anyone can take training. We offer it as well as other folks do on suicide prevention so that folks can be educated on what to look for in terms of risk factors and how to intervene. So I think the one takeaway is that we can all save lives, but it all starts with asking.

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Rep. Jared Golden speaks at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. (Courtesy of Rep. Jared Golden's office)

A billionaire-funded Illinois super PAC has spent more than $2 million on ads opposing the Democratic incumbent for Maines 2nd Congressional District.

According to July filings with the Federal Election Commission, the Restoration PAC spent $2.3 million on mailers and digital advertisements opposing Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, who is running for a fourth term. The ads claim Golden, a veteran who served with the U.S. Marines, supported policies that raise costs for Mainers and threaten Second Amendment rights.

The money spent by the Restoration PAC is another example of how the race for Maines 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives has drawn national attention as Republicans aim to flip the seat. During a visit to Maine earlier this summer, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the matchup between Golden and state Rep. Austin Theriault is one of the top five races in the country.

The spending from Restoration PAC is the bulk of the $3 million in outside independent expenditures opposing Golden, per FEC filings. It also outpaces the nearly $1.3 million in donations not coordinating with a campaign to oppose Theriault. As for support, each candidate has seen less than $400,000 in outside independent expenditures.

Two of the Restoration PAC ads that started running mid-August claim that Golden changed during his time in Washington. Specifically, the ads claim that Golden stands with the Biden-Harris administration in ways that raised costs for Mainers. According to the Google Ads Transparency Center, Restoration PAC spent between $75,000 and $90,000 total on the ads, which cumulatively have been viewed more than 4 million times.

Golden frequently takes votes that buck that majority of the party, including in 2019 opposing one of two articles of impeachment levied at former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee who has twice won Maines 2nd District. As of January 2023, Golden voted in line with President Joe Biden 88.2% of time, which was the lowest of any Democratic member of the U.S. House.

Unlike other Maine Democrats, Golden has not backed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and instead has doubled-down on his refusal to endorse any candidate.

Another Restoration PAC ad claims Golden wont protect Second Amendment rights and mentioned the F rating the congressman received from Gun Owners of Maine, a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting gun rights.

After the mass shooting in Lewiston last October, Golden called on Congress to ban assault weapons, marking a reversal of his previous stance on the issue. Though Golden has received low ratings from gun rights groups such as Gun Owners of Maine and the National Rifle Association because of the switch, his campaign has touted the support of nearly 100 Maine gun owners and outdoorsmen. During a press event earlier this month, the heads of that coalition called Goldens policy change an act of leadership.

In response to a question about the PAC, a spokesperson for Goldens campaign said the billionaire extremists behind Restoration PAC know Austin will be a loyal foot soldier to their harmful agenda, which they said included a national abortion ban, gutting workers rights and reversing marriage equality.

They know Mainers would be repulsed by their well-documented goals, so theyre hiding it behind millions of dollars in bogus political smears on Jared, the spokesperson said.

Theriaults campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

What is the Restoration PAC?

An arm of the conservative advocacy group Restoration of America, based in a suburb of Chicago, the Restoration PAC website said the group supports truly conservative candidates, and opposes Leftists and the woke agenda.

The group is largely funded by Republican megadonor Richard Uihlein, who founded the Wisconsin-based shipping and packaging materials distribution company Uline. Between January 2023 and June 2024, Uihlein contributed nearly $21 million to Restoration PAC, per FEC filings.

In 2018, Uihlein and his wife Elizabeth were the subject of a New York Times article calling them The Most Powerful Conservative Couple Youve Never Heard Of, citing their financial backing of candidates who generally supported broad access to assault weapons and attacked transgender rights.

The couple also contributed more than $4 million to a group who participated in the rally before the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, according to reporting from the Wisconsin Examiner.

And last summer, the Uihleins spent millions of dollars to hinder abortion access in Ohio, as reported by CBS News.This election cycle, the organization is investing heavily in congressional races in Maine and beyond. FEC filings show Restoration PAC has also spent more than $3 million to oppose U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Wisconsin.

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BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH)  A Binghamton man has been sentenced to six years in a New York State prison after being found guilty of a weapons charge in Broome County Court, District Attorney Paul Battisti announced Monday.

46-year-old Rondell Wright was found guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree in May 2024 for an incident that occurred one year prior in the City of Binghamton. On April 27, 2023, Wright was found with a loaded .380 caliber handgun during a traffic stop by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit due to his car having stolen license plates attached.

Wright was sentenced to six years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

This case was investigated by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit and by the

Binghamton Police Community Response. District Attorney Battisti prosecuted this case for

the District Attorneys Office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
Officials have announced up to $100,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrests of the gunmen behind a mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama.

Multiple shooters are wanted for killing four people and injuring 17 others outside a lounge in the Five Points South Entertainment District on Saturday night.

Five of the injured victims remain in the hospital on Monday, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said at a news conference.

PHOTO: The lounge where a mass shooting unfolded in Birmingham, Ala. (ABC News)

MORE: 'I feel terrified': Inventor of 'Glock switch' technology says he regrets creation

Investigators have received a "significant number" of tips but are asking for more, the chief said.

The FBI is offering a reward up to $50,000 for information leading to the gunmen's arrests and convictions, FBI Birmingham Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples announced at Monday's news conference.

"If you, or you know someone, who has information about those involved in Saturday's mass shooting, know that you can remain anonymous," Peeples said.

PHOTO: Victims lie on the ground as police respond to a deadly mass shooting where many were also wounded outside a nightclub in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S., September 21, 2024 in this picture obtained from social media. (Drew Hawkins, Gulf States/Reuters)

Frank Barefield, chairman of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama, also announced a $50,000 reward -- the group's biggest reward ever.

"You can receive up to $100,000 if you have credible information that leads to, one, an arrest, and another, an actual conviction," Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said. "It's your time to step up. And we need you."

"We cannot give safe harbor or shelter to people who want to just simply kill people. We cannot give them cover," the mayor said. "They should not feel safe in our community -- they should not feel safe anywhere."

The chief said to the unknown gunmen, "We're gonna hunt you down and we're gonna arrest you."

PHOTO: Victims lie on the ground as police respond to a deadly mass shooting where many were also wounded outside a nightclub in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S., September 21, 2024 in this picture obtained from social media. (Drew Hawkins/Reuters)

MORE: Birmingham shooting results in 'multiple' casualties, police say

At least one person at the shooting scene was believed to have been targeted, police said.

Investigators believe the guns used were "converted to fully automatic," Thurmond told ABC News on Sunday.

Fully automatic weapons "do not belong on the streets," the chief said Monday.

Gabriel Eslami, who was shot and injured, said he was in a long line outside the lounge when he heard the gunshots.

"Theres bodies on the sidewalk. There's smoke from the guns," he told ABC News, describing the scene as like a "horror movie."

MORE: Kentucky judge shot and killed in chambers, sheriff charged with murder: Officials

Eslami said his friend rushed him to the hospital.

"I get there, I'm screaming, 'Help! Help! I've been shot, I've been shot,'" he said.

"I'm so lucky," he added.

The names of three of the four people killed have been released by police: 21-year-old Anitra Holloman, 27-year-old Tahj Booker and 27-year-old Carlos McCain.

ABC News' Stephanie Ramos contributed to this report.

Birmingham mass shooting: $100,000 reward announced as police hunt for gunmen originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
BAGHDAD, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, on Sunday evening claimed responsibility for a drone attack on an Israeli target in the Jordan Valley, which forms Jordan's western border with Israel and the West Bank.

The group said in a statement that the attack, the fifth of its kind on Sunday, was carried out "in solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip," pledging to continue targeting "the enemy's strongholds."

It did not specify the affected sites or report any casualties.

Earlier in the day, the group claimed responsibility for multiple drone and missile attacks on Israeli targets, including a drone attack on sites in southern Israel at dawn, attacks with upgraded al-Arqab cruise missiles at several sites in the north, and a drone attack on an Israeli military base in the Jordan Valley in the morning.

Since the onset of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has conducted multiple attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in the region in support of Palestinians in Gaza. 
(NewsNation)  Birmingham, Alabama, Mayor Randall Woodfin said, while four people were killed in a shooting incident early Sunday, the 17 who were injured woke up to a new normal that, unfortunately, includes physical and emotional trauma.

The majority of these people who were shot were innocent and not the target, Woodfin told NewsNation Now.

Late Sunday, Birmingham police identified three of the people killed in the shooting: Anitra Holloman, 21, of Bessemer, Alabama; Tahj Booker, 27, of Birmingham; and Carlos McCain, 27, also of Birmingham, Alabama. All there were pronounced dead at the scene of the shootings.

The fourth victim, a man who died at a nearby hospital, has not been identified.

Kentucky shooting: Letcher County official shares what he knows

He said the priority of police is to find the people who opened fire on the crowd in what authorities believe was a targeted hit on one of the four who was killed.

We are laser-like focused on finding these shooters, he said.

Woodfin also noted that the weapons used appeared to have been retrofitted with a Glock switch, a small device that converts the semi-automatic pistols to fully automatic.

Goon Squad in Mississippi sheriffs office under DOJ probe

Its the reason why so many people were actually shot, he said. Glock switches and automatic weapons dont belong on our domestic streets.

We need common-sense reform and allow the police to be empowered to take these types of guns off the streets before theyre used. Not after the fact, but before, he added.

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Blood drives coming to the Southern Tier in October

SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WETM)  The American Red Cross will host more blood drives in the Southern Tier this October to keep the blood supply stable as the need for donations remains critical.

According to the Red Cross, donors of all types are encouraged to come and donate blood now through October. Type O blood and platelet donors are especially needed at this time. To schedule an appointment to donate, visit redcrossblood.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS or download the Blood Donor app.

Chemung County holding special Adopt-A-Highway ceremony

Those who come to donate now through Sept. 30 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. Those who donate through October will receive a $10 Amazon gift card and be entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.

A list of blood drives coming up this October can be found below:

Chemung County

Big Flats

Big Flats American Legion Oct. 15 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 45 Olcott Rd.



Elmira

North Presbyterian Church Oct. 3 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 921 College Ave

Arnot Ogden Medical Center Oct. 4 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 600 Roe Ave

Seventh Day Adventist Oct. 10 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 813 Maple Ave

Clarion Inn Elmira Oct. 15 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.



Schuyler County

Watkins Glen

KOA Watkins Glen Oct. 10 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 1710 NY-414



Steuben County

Arkport

American Legion Post 1248 Oct. 2 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 1 Carter St.



Cohocton

St. Paul Lutheran Church Oct. 1 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 97 Maple Ave



Corning

USW Local 1000 Oct. 4 from noon to 5 p.m. 100 Nasser Civic Center Plaza

Caton United Methodist Church Oct. 7 from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 11189 Hendy Hollow Rd.

Corning Community YMCA Oct. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 127 Center Way

Guthrie Corning Hospital Auxiliary Oct. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 1 Guthrie Dr.



Hammondsport

The Barn Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 8336 Pleasant Valley Rd.



Hornell

Hornell VFW Post 2250 Oct. 10 from 1:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. 245 Canisteo St.



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Bloomington-Normal NAACP rallying for more people to vote

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  Community members packed inside the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington for Hear Our Voices  A Rally For Democracy.

The Bloomington-Normal chapter of the NAACP hosted the event to encourage Black people to vote.

Bloomington-Normal NAACP calling Sonya Masseys death gruesome

Guests heard from speakers like Brian Peterson with Omega Psi Phi, and other leaders in the Black community to get out the vote.

Carla Campbell-Jackson with NAACP said it doesnt matter who you vote for as long as you get out and cast your ballot.

Voting is so critically important because it impacts every iota of our lives, from health care to environmental and climate justice issues to education. So voting definitely impacts everything that impacts us as citizens, said Campbell-Jackson.

Early voting in Illinois starts Thursday, and the general election is Nov 5.

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Emergency services work on the roof next to a residential building which collapsed after a gas explosion near the southern Italian city of Naples. -/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa

The body of an 80-year-old grandmother was recovered from the rubble of a residential building which collapsed after a gas explosion near the southern Italian city of Naples.

The woman from the small town of Saviano was found dead during the night, the fire brigade said in the early hours of Monday.

The body of a 41-year-old woman and two of her children, aged 4 and 6, had been recovered on Sunday following the explosion.

The woman's 40-year-old husband and another child, aged 2, were taken to hospital with serious injuries on Sunday.

The couple and their three children lived on the first floor of the building. The grandmother lived one floor up.

According to local authorities, the explosion occurred around 7 am (0500 GMT). Initially, a gas cylinder in the grandmother's flat was believed to be the cause of the blast, though the exact circumstances of the incident were initially unclear.

Saviano is located in the hinterland of Naples, around 30 kilometres from the centre of the city.

Emergency services work at the scene of a residential building which collapsed after a gas explosion near the southern Italian city of Naples. -/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa
By Monica Machicao

LA PAZ (Reuters) - Wildfires in Bolivia are now running on a track to set an all-time record, latest satellite data show, with fire hot-spots to-date overtaking the rate in the same period during major blazes in 2010 as the wider South American region burns.

Satellite data from Brazil's space research agency Inpe showed that Bolivia had 70,628 fire hot-spots up until Sept. 22, putting it ahead of the number in Jan-Sept 2010. That year finished with a record 83,119 hot-spots.

Over the weekend, aid from the European Union, including an Electra Tanker 481 water bomber and Airbus BK117 D3 helicopter arrived in Bolivia's central region of Santa Cruz, one of the areas hardest-hit by wildfires ravaging the Andean country.

Scientists say that while most fires are set by humans, recent hot and dry conditions being driven by fossil-fuel driven climate change are helping the fires spread more quickly. South America has been hit by a series of heat waves since last year.

"It's a global challenge in the fight against climate change. We must get together in this fight," said Helene Roos, the French ambassador to Bolivia. Along with the EU, Canada, Brazil and Venezuela have sent support to Bolivia.

Bolivia's fires have been exacerbated by drought and land clearances linked to booming cattle and grain production.

Meanwhile, fires have raged in Argentina, Peru, Paraguay and giant neighbor Brazil, where firefighters doused straw-roofed houses in the Xingu indigenous communities to try to stop them from burning at the end of last week.

"After years of work as firefighters, we've noticed the effects of climate change as it has made our job much more difficult," said state firefighter supervisor Guilherme Camargo.

Megaron Txucarramae, a prominent indigenous leader, said the fires around Brazil and the region sent a warning signal more widely: "We're worried and it's not only us, but the whole world."

(Reporting by Monica Machicao and Sebastian Rocandio; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  While the list of banned books in schools across the country is growing, The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County has a display featuring many forbidden titles as part of Banned Books Week.

This years Banned Books Week spans Sept. 22-28 with the theme Freed Between the Lines. It puts an emphasis on the importance of intellectual freedom that is challenged when books are banned.

Read Next: These are the most banned books, topics last year

Banning books generally is a way of controlling access to information, which is basically the opposite of what libraries are all about, said Aimee Fifarek, director and CEO of PLYMC. We believe that more information and engaging with that information allows you to develop critical thinking skills, understanding of other people and world events, and allows you to make an informed decision  whatever that may be.

The type of books that are banned evolves with the times.

Early on, there was a lot of information being targeted on magic, wizardry, witchcraft  Harry Potter came into that quite actively, Fifarek said. Recently, weve had a lot of attention focused on LGBTQ narratives and other information surrounding sex education. So 10 years from now, therell be an entirely different topic. Its whatever people are most concerned or uneasy about.

She says while people believe restricting that type of material will help overall, it actually just complicates the situation. Even when a book is flooded with controversy, that negative attention still highlights the existence of the material and brings it to the fore.

I think the important thing to keep in mind is that the library is here for everyone in the community, Fifarek said. We do our best to be responsive and welcome to everyone, regardless of what their particular identity, background, or interests happen to be.

While Fifarek said the library cannot collect each of the millions of books in the world, it does take requests for materials. She said about 92% of those requests are able to be fulfilled.

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Boss of Titan sub firm said: 'No-one is dying under my watch'

A transcript from a key meeting at the firm behind the ill-fated Titan submersible has revealed the CEO said in 2018: No-one is dying under my watch - period.

It captures a heated exchange between OceanGate chief Stockton Rush and his former director of marine operations, David Lochridge, plus three other staff.

The log shows Mr Lochridge raised safety concerns, to which Rush responded: I have no desire to die... I think this is one of the safest things I will ever do.

The document was released by the US Coast Guard as part of its inquiry into the June 2023 disaster when the sub imploded while journeying to the Titanic shipwreck. All five passengers were killed, including Rush.

OceanGate suspended all exploration and commercial operations following the incident, which led to questions about the submersible's safety and design.

During two weeks of hearings, investigators are seeking to uncover what led to the tragedy, and to make recommendations to avoid repeat incidents.

The transcript was uploaded to the inquiry website on Friday, but sections of the document were redacted.

The US Coast Guard has now confirmed to BBC News who was speaking in this key exchange during the two-hour meeting.

Mr Lochridge - who gave evidence at the public inquiry last week as a former OceanGate employee - was called to the meeting on 19 January 2018.

He had compiled a quality inspection report, which raised serious problems with the subs design.

These included concerns about the poor quality of the subs hull, which was made of carbon fibre, and issues with the way Titan was being constructed and tested.

He told the inquiry last week: "That meeting turned out to be a two-hour, 10-minute discussion on my termination and how my disagreements with the organisation, with regards to safety, didn't matter."

The 2018 meeting was recorded, and the transcript captures Mr Lochridge saying: "I am addressing what I view as safety concerns, concerns I have mentioned verbally which have been dismissed by everybody."

Stockton Rush was recorded replying: "I've listened to them, and I have given you my response to them, and you think my response is inadequate."

Rush went on to say: Everything I've done on this project is people telling me it won't work - you can't do that.

After telling the meeting attendees that he had no desire to die and that he believed his sub was safe, Rush continued by saying: "I've got a nice granddaughter. I am going to be around. I understand this kind of risk, and I'm going into it with eyes open and I think this is one of the safest things I will ever do.

He then added: I can come up with 50 reasons why we have to call it off and we fail as a company. I'm not dying. No one is dying under my watch - period.

Mr Lochridge was fired after the meeting and then took his concerns to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Osha).

But he said the US government agency was slow and failed to act. After increasing pressure from OceanGates lawyers, he dropped the case and signed a non-disclosure agreement.

At the end of his evidence to the Titan inquiry last week, he said that if the authorities had properly investigated OceanGate, the tragedy would have been averted.

In other developments related to the case, the US Coast Guard has also released an image of Titan showing how its dome fell off as the submersible was lifted out of the sea following a dive in 2021.

A paying passenger who was on that particular Titan mission described the incident during his own testimony on Friday.

Fred Hagen said: The force of the platform hitting the deck it basically sheared off several bolts and they shot off like bullets. And the titanium dome fell off."

This was one of 118 technical incidents listed by the US Coast Guard with Titan dives to the Titanic that took place before the 2023 disaster.

The public hearings continue this week.

Monday's evidence comes from OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein, the company's former engineering director Phil Brooks and Roy Thomas from the American Bureau of Shipping.
CHICAGO - An 11-year-old boy was struck by a car Sunday night in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.

The boy ran onto the street around 11:15 p.m. when he was hit by a silver sedan heading eastbound in the 700 block of West 76th Street, according to police.

The 11-year-old suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken by paramedics to the University of Chicago Hospital where he was listed in good condition.

Police said the collision did not happen on a crosswalk and the driver of the sedan stayed at the scene.

No citations have been issued. CPD's Major Accident detectives are investigating.
A 6-year-old California boy who was kidnapped from an Oakland park by a woman offering to buy him candy has been found more than 70 years later.

Luis Armando Albino, who was abducted on Feb. 21, 1951, is now a retired grandfather and Vietnam veteran. He was reunited with his family in June thanks to the persistence of his now 63-year-old niece Alida Alequinwho found her uncle on the East Coast after using an online DNA test, old newspaper records, and family photos, The Mercury News reported.

Child Kidnapped From Washington Mall as 4-Year-Old Found in Mexico 4 Years Later

Alequins first tip was the result of the online DNA test in 2020, which revealed her uncle as a 22 percent matchnot enough to be sure, but enough to investigate. Her initial attempts to contact him did not receive a reply.

Four years later, in February 2024, she and her daughters found several photos of the adult Albino online and compared them with pictures of him as a child that they dug up in microfilm archives of the Oakland Tribune newspaper.

The similarity was striking enough that, when she brought her findings to Oakland police, a new missing persons case was opened and the FBI and Department of Justice were looped in. Police reached out to Albino and asked him if hed be willing to take a DNA test.

Luis Armando Albino, a boy kidnapped at the age of 6 in 1951, has been found alive over 70 years later. YouTube/KTVU

After the results proved a match, the FBI helped bring Albino to Oakland, along with members of his family, to meet his niece Alequin, her mother, and other relatives unknown to him. He was also able to meet his brother, Roger, who was 10 when he was abductedRoger died in August, but not before Albino made a second visit to see him and other family members in July.

Albinos mother, who died at the age of 92 in 2005 and kept a vigil of hope for her son, reportedly never stopped visiting the missing persons office of the police every year, believing he was alive somewhere.

I always knew I had an uncle, Alequin said. We spoke of him a lot. My grandmother carried the original article in her wallet, and she always talked about him. A picture of him was always hung at the family home.

The woman who kidnapped Albino in 1951when he still could not speak English after his family moved from Puerto Rico a year earlierreportedly flew him to the East Coast, where he was eventually raised by a couple who raised him as their own son, The Mercury News reported.

Oakland police now consider the missing persons case closed, but along with the FBI have kept the kidnapping investigation open.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson discusses the Bedford Park gas explosion that displaced dozens of residents and the shooting that left a 15-year-old injured in Morrisania on PIX11 Morning News.

Watch the video player for the full interview.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
LANZHOU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's Dunhuang Academy, a comprehensive national institution for the conservation, management and research of the world-famous grottoes in Gansu Province, held a meeting on Monday to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding.

The meeting reviewed the history of the Dunhuang Academy over the past eight decades and called for the future high-quality development of the academy.

While delivering remarks, Xie Bing, deputy head of China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), praised the academy's contributions to cultural heritage protection, academic studies and education.

Xie also urged efforts to promote the innovative transformation and development of Dunhuang's cultural sector, as well as efforts to foster more talent capable of providing intellectual support to this high-quality development.

Attendees at the meeting included representatives of the NCHA, relevant government departments in Gansu, and higher education and cultural heritage institutions. 
Brothel selling sex across from two NYC elementary schools near infamous Market of Sweethearts, furious locals say

Brothel selling sex across from two NYC elementary schools near infamous Market of Sweethearts, furious locals say

A sleazy Queens brothel is selling sex across the street from two public elementary schools near the notorious migrant Market of Sweethearts, say fed-up locals, who are mounting a campaign to shut it down.

The illegal sex shop is the latest example of criminal activity around the infamous strip in Jackson Heights, an area that law enforcement sources suspect could be affiliated with the cutthroat Tren de Aragua gang.

A woman sits near a suspected brothel in Queens. NYPJ

No good, neighborhood mom Maria Gonzales told The Post of the brothel Sunday. The school is just there. Cmon, no good. My husband go and say to them, Not here. Too close, the ninos [children]. They say, OK, OK, OK.

Crazy, she said. We need police. Everyone calls, but no police coming.

The situation is publicly surfacing just days after the NYPD raided a 24-hour prostitution operation on nearby Roosevelt Avenue, where the so-called Market of Sweethearts hooker strip is located.

But locals near the latest uncovered brothel say the situation is even worse because the sex shop is across the street from PS 19 and PS 307.

As a mother, we always worry about the safety and welfare of our children, Ileana Martinez, whose two children attend the schools, said in a statement. But what we see near Roosevelt Avenue now is terrifying. Hopefully someone will respond to the CEC resolution, referring to Community Education Council 24.

Locals and sources say prostitution and other illegal migrant activities are thriving along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. NYPJ

There are two city public elementary schools across the street from a Queens brothel, locals say. NYPJ

The resolution, which is due to be submitted to CEC 24 at its meeting Tuesday, calls for city schools officials, police and Mayor Eric Adams to team up to shut down the brothel and crack down on other criminal activity in the neighborhood.

This request aligns with the NYC [Department of Educations] commitment to ensuring that all students are provided a safe and supportive environment, crucial for fostering their academic success and social-emotional growth, the resolution reads.

Images from the brothel scene show that a wooden panel and a wooden door have been built at the rear of the business, where apparent prostitutes sit nearby, hoping to lure in johns.

Its been there for a while, said a local resident who would only identify himself as Luis, 67.

It used to just be just a bodega and the part where they sell the girls now, they used to sell the flowers, he said. Some groceries inside now but not like before. Before it was a big store with everything. The hot food, the groceries. Now they closed it off to half the size.

They dont have many things. They needed room for the beds maybe.

The Post has published several reports about the illegal migrant open-air market along Roosevelt Avenue, where stolen goods are sold on the sidewalk and women walk the street peddling themselves.

PS 19 is one of two elementary schools across the street from the brothel, residents say. NYPJ

Prostitution has been on the rise along Roosevelt Avenue, part of a lawless stretch of migrant crime that has plagued the neighborhood. NYPJ

The unruly strip comes as tens of thousands of migrants have flooded into the Big Apple since 2022, with hordes resorting to shoplifting and prostitution to make ends meet or pay off their debt to human smugglers.

Queens Democratic district leader Hiram Monserrate has been among those blowing the whistle on the seedy goings-on in his borough  and has raised concerns about the newly exposed brothel.

Our community is crying out for help, Monserrate said. Rescue Roosevelt Avenue. Protect our children. We do not need backpack giveaways, we dont need political rhetoric. We need more cops, counselors and a massive intervention for this community.

The NYPD needs to shut this brothel down now, he added in a statement. The Roosevelt Avenue Corridor remains lawless and unsafe.

The NYPD did not immediately respond to a Post request for comment Sunday.
BROWN COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Brown County has developed a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to help reduce and mitigate wildfire risk.

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan provides strategies and guidance for addressing structural ignitability and prioritizing fuel reduction efforts.

Emergency sirens to be installed in Brown County communities

This plan will give Brown County residents an opportunity to be a part of reducing the risk of devastating wildfires throughout the county, said Darrell Johnston, Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator. The plan also opens the door to grant opportunities to help fund the reduction of wildfire risks threatening the populated areas.

The Texas A&M Forest Service has announced that this is the 26th countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan to be completed in the state. It was developed with input from county officials, local fire department representatives, the Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District, and Texas A&M Forest Service.

Writing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan was an important first step, and I want to express my gratitude to all of the stakeholders that contributed to this plan, said Cy Tongate, Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District Project Coordinator. We are now aiming to get funding and implement the priority projects we outlined.

Over the past five years, Brown County has experienced 540 wildfires, including the 3,456-acre Ramsey Fire in March 2022, which posed a threat to the town of Blanket.

The Big Countrys critically dry conditions ahead elevate risk for fire danger

The impact of these wildfires displayed to the county and its emergency responders just how critical it is to be proactive in wildfire preparedness and risk reduction, said Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service Interim Fire Chief. The Brown County plan is a crucial step toward creating a more resilient community, reducing both the likelihood and impact of wildfires.

The Brown County Community Wildfire Protection Plan was approved by the Brown County Commissioners Court, local city officials, fire chiefs, Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District, and Texas A&M Forest Service. The plan was signed into effect on September 23, 2024.

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BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV)Business and growth are booming in our region, especially Bryan County.

Thats why the Bryan County Chairman of the Republican Party said that local Republicans are excited to see Former President Donald Trump make a campaign stop in Savannah on Tuesday.

I think Trump is going to address some of that tomorrow and ways that hes going to bolster the economy moving forward when hes elected in November, Chairman Jordan Given said.

Bryan County is now known to be the fastest-growing county in the state of Georgia and is the sixth fastest-growing county in the nation.

Donald Trump to visit Savannah: What to know

Chairman Given and his fellow Republicans are interested to see if Trump addresses the growth in the area with developments like the Hyundai Plant.

Georgia has been the number one state to do business for the last five years. Were going to continue to be the number one state to do business, Given said. When the Trump-Vance ticket is elected in November, were going to see spending get back under control. Were going to see American values come back, and thats whats most important right now  is just getting America back on track.

The campaign stop comes just one month after Vice President Kamala Harriss visit. Given said that hes happy to see these politicians recognize this area.

The last month and a half have been very exciting because now weve had both presidential candidates visit this area, Given said, which really goes back to showing that Georgia is a swing state. And not only that, but they are also recognizing the importance of rural South Georgia in that our votes and our voices matter just as much as metro Atlanta, Georgia does.

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Police are seeking felony charges against a 12-year-old Buckeye girl who was arrested related to a school threat, police said on Sept. 22.

Early Sunday morning, the Buckeye Police Department was contacted by the Milwaukee Police Department about a school threat investigation in the area. The IP address of the threat was linked to a home in Buckeye, police said.

More: Buckeye police arrest 2 teens in connection with school threats

After interviewing the 12-year-old girl and recovering evidence, she was arrested and booked on felony charges, including making a terroristic threat.

None of the threats were made toward Buckeye schools and the community is not in danger, police said.

More: Phoenix-area schools roiled by shooting threats; no evidence posts are credible

It's been a challenging month for Buckeye and other metro Phoenix police departments. After the Sept. 5 shooting at a Georgia high school, schools across the Valley saw a surge in violent threats.

Earlier this month, Buckeye police arrested two teens for posting threats against Buckeye-area schools and making false reports of a student in possession of a gun, police said. Neither threat was credible.

Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @AlexandraHardle.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Buckeye police arrest girl after Wisconsin school threat investigation
A Burlington man is being held without bail at Northwest State Correctional in St. Albans Town until arraignment on a charge of second-degree attempted murder.

The Burlington Police Department was called to Battery Park shortly after 1:00 p.m. on a report of a man covered in blood. Officers gave the unnamed man first aid before he was taken to University of Vermont Medical Center. His current condition is unknown.

No suspects, few details following Rutland shooting

The responding officers also found Damber Chhetri, 33, and took him into custody. Hes accused of pulling out a knife during a fight with the alleged victim and stabbing the other man. Chhetris arraignment date and time werent available over the weekend.

Investigators are still looking into what happened. They ask anyone who may have more information to call them at (802) 658-2704.

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California has long served as a beacon of hope and opportunity. Now we are known for our historic problems - declining affordability, homelessness, and rising crime - that leave many wondering if the California Dream is still alive.

Its not just us Republicans who see these problems. Long-time observers of state politics are increasingly pointing out that Democrat lawmakers have a direct responsibility for California trending toward a state of few haves and lots of have nots.

Despite decades of decline, we believe there is hope to turn things around. But our leaders must put aside polarizing politics and instead advance real solutions that put people over party. Thats where Republican lawmakers are focusing our efforts.

Attack affordability from the political middle

Affordability simply doesnt exist in this state today. In one of Californias most notorious cities, San Francisco, an adult with one child and a minimum wage job would have to work 22 hours a day, seven days a week, to afford just basic living expenses in an average paying job. Californias poverty and homelessness are the highest in the nation and current policies fail to offer lasting solutions.

Opinion

The responsibility for todays affordability crisis lies with one party. Democrat officials occupy all statewide elected posts and control both houses of the legislature. Meanwhile, the so-called progressives that have taken over the California Democrat Party largely abandoned any desire to collaboratively implement solutions to our shared issues.

Theyve instead spent the last few decades eroding and undoing laws that protect public safety, stimulate economic growth, and ensure public services reach those in need. Theyve imposed taxes and fees that drive up the price of everything from gas at the pump to coffee in the pot, theyve spent public funds on failed social experiments, and theyve put party platforms ahead of the public good.

If Democrats were willing to reach across the aisle to find common-ground solutions, rather than cater to their radical far left, we could make collaborative progress to make California once again an affordable place to live.

Make crime illegal again

On crime, Republicans warned that the progressive Proposition 47 would devastate our small businesses by essentially decriminalizing smash-and-grab robberies and organized theft rings. The proposition made it a misdemeanor to steal less than $950 of merchandise each and every day.

Since its passing, were facing a crime wave unseen since the 1980s. Seeing the error of their ways, some Democrats have joined forces to support a new ballot measure to roll back Prop. 47s failed policies and make crime illegal again.

If California elected officials can make crime illegal again and pass measures that punish felons when they smash main street windows or peddle fentanyl in our schools. If we can come together for the common sense goal of fixing the homeless crisis. If we can stop driving employers from the state, leaving workers hungry for jobs that no longer exist.

If Californias leaders can do these things, there is not just a glimmer of hope, but an absolute certainty of a future rich with opportunities for everyone to achieve the California Dream.

Homelessness: Democrats now borrow our strategy

Recently, as Democrat experiments continue to crumble under the weight of social and economic realities, some of the common sense alternatives weve proposed have gotten a second look.

For years Republicans advocated to compassionately clear encampments, deliver services, and lift homeless Californians off our streets. Instead, Governor Newsom opted for ill-conceived approaches leading to $27 billion in wasted tax dollars.

Recently, however, Newsom has shifted course and issued an executive order to compassionately clear homeless encampments on state property. Hes even gone so far as to use the same verbiage that Republicans advanced all along and its not because hes our biggest fan, its because it simply makes sense.

Of course, Democrat politicians arent saying out loud that these ideas are ripped straight from the pages of Republican policy proposals, but thats just fine with us  we dont need credit or headlines. We just want results for Californians.

We aim to help Californians fulfill their ambitions, achieve their goals, and enjoy the fruits of a California Dream that may have soured in recent years, but that still promises the same sweet sustenance it has throughout our history. With reasonable solutions and policies, we can fix California and return our state to glory.

Senator Brian W. Jones serves as the California Senate Minority Leader and represents the 40th Senate District which includes portions of the City and County of San Diego. Assemblyman James Gallagher serves as the California Assembly Republican Leader and represents the 3rd Assembly District which includes all or parts of Butte, Glenn, Placer, Sutter, Tehama, and Yuba counties.
The University of Californias faculty associations describe a campaign of intimidation by UC leaders against faculty including illegal surveillance of professors and use of law enforcement to quash peaceful dissent in a sweeping state labor complaint filed last week.

UC Davis faculty association joined faculty associations across the UC system accusing University of California campuses of unfair labor practices during pro-Palestine protests earlier this year.

They describe a campaign of intimidation against faculty that created the climate for the UCs systemic chilling of academic freedom in the voluminous 581-page complaint to the states Public Employment Relations Board.

The Council of UC Faculty Associations led the complaint, with faculty at UC San Diego, Irvine, Berkeley, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and UCLA, the site of some of the most violent actions on campus encampments, in accusing UC campuses of numerous violations against faculty members.

The complaint focuses on the response of UC leaders after graduate workers walked off their jobs in May to protest the treatment of faculty and student Gaza War protesters.

The strike ended June 7 and with it came new, overbroad restrictions barring faculty from discussing the strike or other union activities. It signaled the start of what faculty allege was a relentless campaign against faculty members who spoke out against the war.

Campuses across the country were embroiled in protests over the ongoing war launched after Palestinian militants attacked Israel Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 captive, including 45 Americans. More than 100 hostages remain held, a third of whom are believed dead, according to the Associated Press. Four American hostages are believed to remain held. Since the attack, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels campaign to root out Hamas.

Throughout nearly the entire period of the Gaza war, the university has engaged in a relentless campaign to chill facultys exercise of their academic freedom and to deter them from teaching about the war in a way that does not align with the universitys own position, the complaint reads in part.

They cited vague and threatening communications by campus administrators to faculty warning discipline for teaching outside the scope of course materials and for purportedly indoctrinating students.

Faculty members at a number of the campuses in the complaint say they were surveilled and intimidated by university officials while participating in the protests.

In the context of the repressive atmosphere UC has created, these threatening communications can only be read as a warning to faculty that they must not exercise their academic freedom to teach about issues related to Israel and Palestine in a way that the university does not approve of, the complaint reads.

UCLA was the site of violent attacks by counterprotesters against the encampments and an aggressive crackdown on the camps by law enforcement.

Counterprotesters routed the UCLA encampments, bloodied students and injured faculty members at the encampments in a late-night attack April 30 into the early hours of May 1. Faculty members in the complaint likened the scene to a war zone, and alleged UC officials did little, waiting hours before calling in law enforcement to quell the chaos. Law enforcement evicted protesters and tore down the encampments on May 2.

UC Davis was one of three campuses  UC Berkeley and UC Riverside being the others  that arrived at a peaceful resolution with its encampment, which had grown to as many as 200 students. More than a month of negotiations between UC Davis Chancellor Gary May and the student group Popular University for the Liberation of Palestine concluded in June.

Campus leaders in May had thanked students for keeping the encampments safe and noted Mays remarks at the beginning of the protests that students would not be disciplined for speech protected by the First Amendment.

The sides agreed to improve academic offerings related to Palestine and Arab-American studies; and a proposal regarding improved accountability related to UC investments, according to the complaint, but the faculty groups say the UC Davis deal was short-lived.

The agreement was summarily rejected in its totality by the UC Board of Regents, who then barred May from engaging in further talks and disallowed the agreements related to academic studies, the faculty associations allege.

UC Davis student protesters took down their encampment June 20.
Californias Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) is on track to surpass its total enforcement metrics from 2023 following heightened property crime arrests and stolen merchandise recoveries in August.

Governor Gavin Newsom last week announced that the ORCTF, led by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), facilitated 171 arrests and reclaimed 26,415 items worth about $547,000 from thieves. Last month saw the task forces total number of annual investigations grow to 573, surpassing the number seen throughout the whole of 2023.

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Month after month, the CHPs tireless efforts to crack down on organized crime continue to yield results, Newsom said in a statement. The state has no plans on letting up soon, and will continue its progress in protecting Californias businesses and communities while holding criminals to account.

Since the beginning of the year, ORCTF has been responsible for a total of 1,055 arrests and the recovery of $7.8 million worth of stolen property. Launched in 2019, the statewide law enforcement initiative has been involved in almost 3,000 investigations that have resulted in the collaring of over 3,100 suspects and the unearthing of over 878,000 stolen goods worth about $46 million.

Since that time, Newsom has funneled $1.1 billion into funding the development of localized retail crime task forces, which have hired more officers and invested in technology, training and prosecution. The governors Real Public Safety Plan has also seen CHP deployed en masse to retail crime hot spots like Oakland, Bakersfield, San Francisco and Los Angeles, resulting in a 310-percent increase in proactive operations targeting retail crime as well as special operations related to public safety.

And last fall, Newsom announced a historic, $267-million investment into 55 local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of developing such capabilities. During the first six months of the grant cycle, agencies across the Golden State reported over 6,900 arrests for retail theft, motor vehicle theft and cargo theft offenses.

Augusts favorable retail crime data coincided with the historic signing of a 10-bill bundle of retail theft legislation that included new penalties for stealing with the intent to resell, regulations for online marketplaces, aggregated charges across jurisdictions and retailers, higher penalties for repeat offenders and an elimination of the statute of limitations for prosecuting organized retail theft.

At the time, Newsom said the bills would strengthen and enhance existing laws with provisions that go beyond the scope of the controversial Prop. 47, which was passed by voters in 2014 as a means of addressing mass incarceration. The ballot initiative reclassified certain drug- and property-related crimes as misdemeanors instead of felonies and set the felony threshold for theft at $950.

But the states new and unprecedented retail theft package, however robust, may not be enough to save Prop. 47 from being targeted in November.

Prop. 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, would roll back certain provisions of Prop. 47 and up jail time for certain crimes like selling drugs and shoplifting. A number of California lawmakers, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed, support the voter-led proposal.

More importantly, Prop. 36 appears to have the support of a majority of Californians. A Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) poll released last week showed that a whopping 71 percent of voters plan to cast their ballots in favor of Prop. 36, while 26 percent said they would vote against it.

According to PPIC research, the initiative has broad bipartisan support, with 85 percent of Republicans, 73 percent of independents and 63 percent of Democrats on board with the measure. Whats more, it has diverse regional appeal, with counties and regions across California from the Inland Empire (79 percent), Orange County and San Diego (74 percent), the Central Valley (73 percent), Los Angeles (71 percent) and the San Francisco Bay Area (64 percent) all showing a majority approval rating.

In fact, over one-quarter of voters polled by PPIC said Prop. 36 is the ballot measure theyre most interested in voting on this fall.

Proposition 36 on crime sentences currently leads in support, interest, and importance among the ten state propositions, PPIC Statewide Survey director and Miller Chair in Public Policy Mark Baldassare said upon the release of the data. Seventy-one percent would vote yes, and 41 percent think the outcome is very important.
Lawmakers and animal welfare advocates say California must address "disturbing" findings in a Los Angeles Times investigation into the state's lucrative underground puppy resale market, and called on state officials to end the practice of destroying crucial pet import records.

Those veterinary records show where dogs entering California were imported from and their destination and affirm they are sufficiently healthy to travel.

By obtaining those records from other states, The Times was able to detail how some unscrupulous California resellers buy puppies in bulk from mass breeders in the Midwest and rebrand them as locally bred. As a result, some consumers are duped into buying puppies from a commercial dog trade they may not support, and new pets have ended up sick and with costly veterinary bills, The Times' investigation found.

Read more: Inside California's brutal underground market for puppies: Neglected dogs, deceived owners, big profits

State Senate Judiciary Chair Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Orange) said he was "appalled" by what the investigation exposed about California's puppy trade.

"We clearly need to enact legislation that closes this huge loophole," Umberg said.

Umberg, who is a rescue dog owner, said the California Department of Food and Agriculture must stop purging import records that could help trace dogs back to puppy mills. The former prosecutor added that this is the first thing the state needs to do to ensure consumers and animals are protected.

A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom said California will take a hard look at the puppy resale market.

"The Los Angeles Times investigation raises serious alarms about the inhumane treatment of pets," Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said. "Gov. Newsom has long been a champion of animal welfare and the administration is committed to exploring further efforts to close loopholes and address this issue in partnership with legislators, advocates and local authorities."

Gardon declined to say whether the governor's office would instruct agriculture officials to stop destroying the veterinary records. The documents, called certificates of veterinary inspection, are required by most states when dogs enter for travel or sale. The Times requested those documents from all 50 states and received responses accounting for nearly 88,000 dogs imported into California since 2018.

California began mandating the records in 2014 to protect consumers from buying sick puppies and to track disease outbreaks. Importers are supposed to send the certificates to county health departments but rarely do so.

County officials seem unaware they are supposed to collect them, and most counties aren't doing so, The Times' investigation found.

Meanwhile, California's agriculture agency acknowledged routinely receiving the records from other states  and immediately destroying them with no review because the "sale and movement of household pets are outside of CDFAs jurisdiction."

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross and State Veterinarian Annette Jones declined to be interviewed.

In a statement, the department said it "is reviewing its procedures when certificates of veterinary health are sent to the agency in error and is committed to exercising the entirety of its legal authority to hold the sickening and morally-reprehensible perpetrators of underground puppy mills accountable."

The agency acknowledged that the current system "is confusing" since the state oversees health certificates for livestock and poultry imports but counties are supposed to receive the same paperwork for dogs.

The agency said it notifies other states that the records should go to counties, but that it does not have dedicated staff to forward up to 50 health certificates it receives each day.

"We are taking a close look at any additional actions within our staff resources and legal authority," the statement said.

The agency did not say whether the records continue to be deleted.

Veterinarian Jennifer Scarlett, who runs the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said efforts to crack down on the underground puppy market exposed by The Times are hamstrung by the state's failure to keep the records.

"We can't prove illegal activity if we can't even look at the documents," she said.

Assemblyman Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego), who authored the law requiring health certificates, told The Times that the state and counties need to work together to ensure each record goes to the correct agency.

"Let's face it, the state [agriculture] department should not just be deleting the records," he said, adding that doing so ensures that importers who violate the law aren't detected. "It gives protection to the sellers."

Maienschein authored a bill this year that would have required refundable deposits to be offered for any dog sold to a person in California and, in cases that involve a broker, would have mandated that the name of the dog's breeder be disclosed to the buyer. Despite sailing through the state Legislature unanimously, it died last month in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill was sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Maienschein said he was given no reason why the bill was killed. Umberg said he's looking into whether he will take it up now that Maienschein is termed out and leaving the Legislature.

Brittany Benesi, a senior director for state legislation at the ASPCA, said in a statement a similar bill is needed next year to "better protect consumers from these deceptive tactics that disguise the source of their animals."

California became the first state in the nation to ban pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs beginning in 2019, a move intended to thwart shipments from puppy mills into the state. Lawmakers later strengthened the law to forbid all retail dog sales after finding that dubious rescues began selling purebred and designer puppies to pet stores. But in the years since, state and local agencies responsible for monitoring animals coming into California have failed to do so, allowing middlemen to import hundreds of puppies with little oversight.

Gary Weitzman, head of the San Diego Humane Society, said it makes no sense that California's law puts the onus on importers, some engaged in deceptive practices, to submit records showing how many dogs they bring into the state.

"The state has to come in and demand that counties track these, that these records are actually audited, that they're actually being used to prosecute, and that the importers aren't driving the bus, basically, which they literally are," said Weitzman, who called the findings from The Times' investigation "disturbing."

Read more: Pets for profit: An in-depth investigation

The state requires that importers submit the records to county health departments regardless of whether they import one dog or hundreds.

That requirement surprised Assemblyman Heath Flora (R-Ripon), who bought a cavapoo through a website in 2020. The Times found Flora's name on a veterinary record from Missouri for the puppy, prompting the lawmaker to say he had no idea he was required to share the document he had been given with San Joaquin County.

"I don't think the law is bad," Flora said. "We want animals imported to be disease-free. With that said, when laws are passed and constituents don't know, how do we hold them accountable?"

Reality television star Evelyn Lozada said more must be done to ensure consumers are protected when buying a puppy. Lozada publicly accused a Southern California family of selling her a sick puppy in 2018 that she said had been dyed a chocolate brown so the dog could fetch a higher price.

Lozada was upset to learn that one of the people she said sold her the puppy, Trina Kenney, was listed on veterinary records reviewed by The Times as having imported 29 puppies from Michigan last year. The records were signed by a veterinarian in the weeks before and after a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge found that the Kenney family participated in a heinous scheme to sell sick puppies and barred them from selling dogs.

An attorney for the Kenneys told The Times the family has been complying with the order not to sell dogs and questioned the authenticity of the travel certificates. The attorney could not be reached for comment on Lozada's allegations.

Lozada's puppy, which she named Biscuit, was not found among the thousands of dogs in The Times' records. Lozada said after Biscuit was treated for parasites, he was healthy until recently.

She said she had to put him down a few weeks ago due to his declining health. He was 6 years old.

People really trust when theyre purchasing a dog, she said. I wish there were stricter laws and that something would be done.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A new campaign manager, incendiary comments: What we know about Mark Robinson scandal

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

Embroiled in a national scandal, North Carolina's Republican nominee for governor, Mark Robinson, could soon have a new campaign manager after CNN investigation alleged he made racist and lewd comments on a pornographic website message board.

In its report, CNN connected the candidate to an account on the pornographic website Nude Africa through similar demographic information and writing style shared there and on his prominent social media profiles. The long list of comments from 2008 through 2012 includes the user condoning slavery and describing themselves as a "black NAZI!"

The report also alleged Robinson, who publicly said transgender people should be arrested for using the bathroom of their choice, said he enjoyed transgender pornography and recounted a story of him "peeping" into a women's gym shower when he was a teenager.

In a Facebook video and statement to USA TODAY, his campaign denied that the postings were from Robinson and claimed, without evidence, that the story came from his Democratic opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

Robinson staying in the race

Despite heavy backlash, Robinson vowed not to drop out of the governor's race.

"Let me reassure you, the things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson," he said in the Facebook video posted Thursday. "We are staying in this race. We are in it to win it."

In a statement to USA TODAY, Stein's campaign said "Josh remains focused on winning this campaign so that together we can build a safer, stronger North Carolina for everyone."

Before the CNN report dropped, polls showed Stein already had a lead over Robinson. After it was published, The politics site Elections Daily shifted its prediction for the North Carolina governor's race from "leans Democratic" to "safe Democratic."

Controversy bleeds into presidential race

Aside from shaking up his own race, The Tar Heel State's lieutenant governor's alleged comments added a new angle of attack for the Kamala Harris campaign in its presidential contest against Donald Trump who endorsed Robinson in March.

The Harris campaign was quick to react to the CNN report, posting a video to social media that mockingly painted Trump and Robinson as "best friends" and highlighting Trump's past comments calling the lieutenant governor "Martin Luther King on steroids."

Trump avoided saying Robinson's name and did not acknowledge the governor's race at all during a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina Saturday, two days after CNN broke the story.

The Harris campaign confirmed the Democratic party will run billboard and television ads tying the former president to Robinson, hoping to chip away at Trump's support in North Carolina which has the potential to help sway the presidential election.

Robinson campaign turnover

Multiple Robinson campaign staff members have resigned over the scandal.

On Sunday, the Robinson campaign confirmed its campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk, finance director Heather Whillier, and top adviser Conrad Pogorzelski had all stepped down.

"I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors. I look forward to announcing new staff roles in the coming days," Robinson said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.

Later that evening, Jack Burkman announced he would be taking over as the campaign manager, but in an email sent to USA TODAY on Tuesday, Robinson's campaign said that was false.

Robinson wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that his campaign "looks forward to announcing additional staff roles soon."

Kinsey Crowley contributed to this story. Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @rachelbarber_

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark Robinson scandal: Inside NC lieutenant governor's campaign chaos
China celebrated its 7th farmers' harvest festival on Sunday. The country is on course for another bumper grain harvest this year, as various measures have been implemented to improve grain output. #GLOBALink




Fiona Gilmore is from Offshore4sure and has spoken up about the pylon scheme [BBC]

A campaign group opposed to the building of electricity substations in Suffolk is calling on the government to pause the scheme and rethink the strategy.

In a document launched at the Labour Party conference, Offshore4sure argued a pause of a few months would lead to more appropriate sites being chosen and greater use of offshore cabling.

National Grid said by delaying the projects, greener energy and greater energy security would also be delayed.

The LionLink and Sea Link offshore wind projects are due to see a converter station built on the outskirts of Saxmundham and a substation built at the village of Friston.

Energy is one of the big topics at this year's conference in Liverpool, with everyone agreeing that more renewable power needed to be delivered quickly.

Fiona Gilmore, from Offshore4sure, told a fringe meeting that the current proposals at Saxmundham and Friston were "piecemeal, fragmented and don't make sense".

She said the creation of GB Energy, which will oversee how power is delivered, was an ideal moment to rethink the strategy.

Offshore4sure campaigners have been at the Labour conference in Liverpool [BBC]

"What we need to do is take a pause, think strategically and then find the right brownfield sites closer to London and demand," Ms Gilmore said.

"We can then start to build subsea cables and looking at offshore platforms to take our wind energy and keep it offshore for as long as possible."

Ms Gilmore said technology had changed since the proposals were first made and that offshore technology was now much cheaper.

She said the energy industry was "entrenched in old thinking" and not prepared to seriously consider alternatives.

"Until the government changes the incentive schemes and changes the investment schemes for developers, they will not be motivated to switch to an offshore grid. It needs government action to change that," she added.

It comes days after Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described opponents of energy infrastructure as "blockers, disrupters and obstructionists".

The spokesperson for National Grid said: "There are no suitable brownfield sites in East Suffolk to build the converter stations needed for LionLink and Sea Link. We are working to minimise the disruption for local communities by proposing to co-locate the converter stations for each project on the same site.

"Delaying these projects would delay a boost to energy security, and crucially, a delay to homes and businesses across East Anglia and beyond accessing greener and more affordable sources of energy.

"If there were cheaper and faster ways of delivering these projects, we would be proposing them."

Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.

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Orange County Public Schools tested a walk-through weapons detection system last school year but decided against installing the devices at all its high schools because operating them was too expensive.

The recent arrests of students at three Central Florida high schools  Boone, Lake Brantley and Ocoee  for bringing guns or gun parts onto their campuses, along with the arrest of students in Apopka and Sanford for posting online threats, has some parents pushing for a reconsideration.

In Seminole County, an online petition urging metal detectors at Lake Brantley has gained 2,675 signatures as of Friday, prompted by the arrest of a student last week who brought an unloaded handgun onto campus.

Were talking about peoples lives here. No cost should ever outweigh saving lives, no one should ever have to say this could have been prevented if we had metal detectors, said Diane Lorber, a parent of Boone alumni and former chair of Boones school advisory council, who wants to see the system installed. Think how that would weigh on administrators that canceled the program due to budget. Let the people at the top take a budget cut if thats what it takes.

Lorber recognizes the weapons-detection system is not easy to implement and says the district could consider requiring clear backpacks and bags as a first, and cheaper, step.

Orange County School Board member Alicia Farrant, whose district includes Boone, wants the board to reconsider the countywide weapons-detection program and intends to discuss it at its next meeting Tuesday.

After todays incident and similar incidents weve seen across the nation in the last few weeks, I think the school board needs to reconsider our ability to have metal detectors in schools across the county, she wrote in a text last week, after a Boone student was founded with a loaded gun in her backpack. As a mother of 5 children, the safety of our students and staff is a top priority.

Superintendent Maria Vazquez told WFTV the school board likely would vote to implement the program if the district had the necessary funding and personnel. She also noted the program hadnt found any guns before it was shut down.

Brevard Public Schools announced last Friday, the same day as the Boone incident, that it would be using metal detectors at all its high schools.

The Broward County school district implemented a walk-through, weapons-detection system, similar to the one Orange rejected, at its high schools in August. The systems debut led to long lines of frustrated students during the first week of classes, though the problems have since eased. The Osceola County school district is trying out the system Orange tested at one high school.

In addition to the incidents of guns found on campuses, school districts in Central Florida and across the state and nation have grappled with threats about school shootings since the shooting deaths of four people at a Georgia high school on Sept. 4.

An Apopka High School student was arrested Friday for posting an online threat against the school, and police last week investigated a social media threat against Maitland Middle School, one of many theyve had to look into in recent weeks.

OCPS sent out a message to families Wednesday telling parents to instruct their children to not spread any rumors of shooting threats they see online and to instead report what theyve read.

Boone was one of the schools where the walk-through weapons system was tested. Judi Hayes, another Boone parent and current chair of its school advisory council, said the trial run was chaotic and that she doesnt want the program reinstated unless the district can make it more efficient and effective.

We didnt have enough staff, she said. And it was just a lot, and the kids were late to school every day, she added. I think ideally, we would have something that was a little less intrusive and was easier to cycle the kids through in a timely fashion.

Hayes, the education lead for the Central Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action, a pro-gun control group, says she doesnt have the answers to such a complex issue, but thinks all threats should be taken seriously in the hopes of avoiding a Boy Who Cried Wolf situation. She also advocates better mental health and social resources for students.

Tracy Losch, president of Boones PTSO, said the PTSO has requested that Farrant host a safety and security town hall meeting on campus with police and district security officials because parents are not only concerned but afraid.

This way all concerns can be addressed and our families can hear about the safety procedures and protocols that are already in place, she said.

The school district spent $475,000 on the weapons-detection devices last year and announced a pilot to test it at seven high schools during the 2023-24 school year, planning that they would be on all campuses in August.

But soon after the systems debuted at Wekiva and then Boone high schools problems cropped up, including lines that kept students from getting to first-period class on time. The district cut the pilot short, trying out the devices at only four high schools.

The biggest problem, Vazquez said at a late January school board meeting, was that screening all students every morning took more employees than expected. Officials later said each high school would need 10 more employees to run the system, and that was too costly.

The devices the district purchases are still being used, along with hand-held scanners, for random security screenings and during large events, the district said.
OTTAWA (Reuters) -A Canadian man detained by China for more than 1,000 days said he was put into solitary confinement for months and interrogated for up to nine hours every day, treatment he said amounted to psychological torture.

Michael Kovrig, speaking to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp in an interview released on Monday, also said he had missed the birth of his daughter and only met her for the first time when she was two-and-a half years old.

Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor were taken into custody in December 2018 shortly after Canadian police detained Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei, on a U.S. warrant. Both men were accused of spying.

"I still carry a lot of pain around with me and that can be heavy at times," Kovrig said in his first substantial comments since he and Spavor were released in September 2021.

Kovrig noted that U.N. guidelines say prisoners should not be put into solitary confinement for more than 15 days in a row.

"More than that is considered psychological torture. I was there for nearly six months," said Kovrig, a former diplomat who had been working as an adviser with a think-tank when arrested.

Kovrig said there was no daylight in the solitary cell, where the fluorescent lights were kept on 24 hours a day. At one point, his food ration was cut to three bowls of rice a day.

"It was psychologically absolutely, the most grueling, painful thing I've ever been through," he said.

"It's a combination of solitary confinement, total isolation, and relentless interrogation for six to nine hours every day," he said. "They are trying to bully and torment and terrorize and coerce you ... into accepting their false version of reality."

Kovrig and Spavor were released on the same day the U.S. Justice Department dropped its extradition request for Meng and she returned to China.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa, responding to Kovrig's interview, said he and Spavor had been suspected of engaging in activities endangering China's national security.

Chinese judicial authorities handled the cases in strict accordance with the law, it said in a statement.

Bilateral ties are chilly. China this month opened a one-year anti-dumping investigation into imports of rapeseed from Canada, just weeks after Ottawa announced 100% tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

Kovrig's partner was six months pregnant at the time of his arrest. She played their daughter recordings of his voice and showed pictures of her father so she would recognize him when they finally met.

"I'll never forget that sense of wonder, of everything being new and wonderful again and pushing my daughter on a swing that had her saying to her mother 'Mummy, I'm so happy'," he said.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa was not immediately available for comment.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Stephen Coates)
CANISTEO, N.Y. (WETM)  Community members and local businesses donate items to raise money at the Canisteo American Legion for flood victims of the Canisteo Valley.

The benefit featured more than eighty raffle baskets including toys, gift certificates, and home decor. Homemade baked goods such as cookies, cupcakes, pies, and other desserts were donated, including stuff from the bakery NDulge in the town of Alfred.

Northern Tier historical societies receive state grants

Hornell resident Ted Watson said, Its a nice benefit for how much money they can get because Jasper, Woodhull, got hit pretty hard as well as South Canisteo.

Another attendee Tammie Meehan added, We had a lot of local businesses and community members work very hard to get all this stuff to donate to the victims.

In addition, local musicians volunteered their time to perform concerts at the benefit.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  Capitol police said a man was captured after he escaped while being transported to the Hinds County Detention Center.

Bailey Martin, press secretary for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), said the incident occurred at an intersection on Highway 18 on Monday, September 23. When the officer approached the intersection, Martin said Michael Fields, 32, managed to escape the vehicle.

Jackson woman found stabbed to death inside her home

Additional officers responded to the scene, and Fields was taken back into custody.

Fields is being charged with loss of a stolen firearm, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, foreign warrants from the Clinton Police Department and the Hinds County Sheriffs Office, and escape.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A car crashed into an occupied Gresham apartment Saturday morning, authorities said.

According to the Gresham Police Department, officers responded to reports of the crash and arrived to find a Toyota Prius crashed into an apartment bedroom.

The driver claimed he was using his phone and eating while driving which led to the crash and officials said they showed signs of alcohol and drug impairment.

Gresham gunfire wounds at least 1, hits gas line

No one in the apartment was injured, but authorities said it could have been much worse.

The driver was arrested 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 KOIN.com.
Cornelius Smith Jr., Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington speak to the press after an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

The cast of the political thriller Scandal reunited on a weekend stop in Michigan during a cross country bus tour urging volunteers for Kamala Harris campaign to ensure reproductive freedom is protected by electing the vice president to the White House in November.

Castmates Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and others pressed the Harris-Walz campaign points Sunday that another Donald Trump presidency would only continue the erosion of womens rights to abortion and other autonomy over their own bodies.

Goldwyn, who played the fictional President Fitzgerald Grant in Scandal, reminded the crowd that Trump, the Republican nominee, appointed three of the U.S. Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. If Republicans win the presidency, he said, the nations top court could lean even harder to the right.

In a lot of ways, the nightmare that we all feared when Donald Trump was elected in 2016, its come true, Goldwyn said. And with the possibility of an additional two or possibly three Supreme Court seats coming up in the next four years, we are talking about the threat of cementing MAGA conservatism in America for a generation.

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) joined the actors to say that the fight for reproductive freedom extends beyond abortion. While Trump has said he supports in vitro fertilization, Stabenow challenged him to take action to prove it.

We had a bill that was voted down by the Republicans in the Senate, and we brought it back a week ago, Stabenow said. Hey, this is great, Donald Trump supports IVF. Im sure hes going to want to get on the phone and tell every Republican senator to vote for it.

Washington, who played crisis manager Olivia Pope in Scandal, said that while people may take comfort in watching series like Scandal, it is ultimately up to them to take action in the real world.

Throughout my career, whenever something unfolds that is shady, problematic, terrifying in politics, suddenly I see that my name starts trending on social media, because people say, Olivia Pope, you have to handle this, Washington said. But the reality is, we know that although we had the distinct honor of playing gladiators on television for seven seasons, when it comes to handling it, we dont have the power. Our characters are not real people. Olivia Pope cant vote. She cant register people. She cant knock on doors. Olivia Pope cant donate to a campaign. Olivia Pope cant make phone calls. Because Olivia Pope is not a real human being, and Olivia Pope does not live in one of the most important states in the nation.

Cornelius Smith Jr., a Michigan native who played Marcus Walker, highlighted the Great Lakes States history fighting for individual rights.

We have a history of stepping up when the time is right, and in the most difficult times of our nation, Smith said. At the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Detroiters, courageous activists, laid the foundation for decades of progress, demanding equality for housing, education, employment and criminal justice.

So to me, its certainly no surprise that Michigan is on the front lines of one of the most important elections of our lifetime.

The Scandal actors are the latest celebrities to campaign for Harris. Oprah Winfrey visited Farmington Hills on Thursday for a live streamed event with the vice president and Parks and Recreation actor Adam Scott campaigned in Ann Arbor on Monday.

But Washington said the cast visited Michigan not  because we think we must listen to actors, but rather to point a spotlight on the volunteers she called the real heroes in this moment, the real fixers, the real Gladiators.  references to what her character called her staff in the show.

I think there might be a danger in having the campaign seem out of touch if the campaign was out of touch. The campaign is incredibly in touch with the people, and were just here to support that effort, Washington said. Every moment that were here, were shining a light on people who are doing the work on the grassroots level.

Actress Kerry Washington and the cast of "Scandal" speak to the press after an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Tony Goldwyn talks to the College Democrats of Michigan after an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, speaks at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., speaks at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Katie Lowes, right, takes the stage at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Bellamy Young takes the stage at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Cornelius Smith Jr. greets voters at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Bellamy Young speaks at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Kerry Washington speaks at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Guillermo Diaz, center, takes the stage at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Oakland County Executive David Coulter speaks at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., speaks at an event kicking off the Harris-Walz Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour with the cast of "Scandal" in Madison Heights, Mich., on Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
A Chinese woman said she was harassed by the couple seated behind her on a flight after reclining her seat [Getty Images]

Cathay Pacific has banned a Hong Kong couple from its flights after their row with a mainland Chinese traveller over her reclining seat.

The Chinese woman had complained on social media that she was harassed by the couple seated behind her on a Cathay flight after reclining her seat.

The Hong Kong flag carrier said on Sunday that it had added the couple to its no-fly list, saying it has "a strict zero-tolerance policy" towards behaviours that disrespect fellow passengers.

The Chinese woman's post on social media platform Xiaohongshu, which captured part of the confrontation, had garnered 194,000 likes as of Monday morning and drawn mixed reactions online.

The incident took place on a flight from Hong Kong to London on 17 September.

In her post, the Chinese woman recalled how the middle-aged couple - a husband and wife - had accused her of obstructing their view of the in-flight television and asked her to straighten her seat.

When she refused, the wife stretched her legs and put them on the armrests of her seat, then started scolding her in Cantonese and slapping her arm, the woman said.

"When she realised I couldn't speak Cantonese, she started calling me 'mainland girl' in a derogatory tone," she said.

The husband, who was seated directly behind her, "frantically pushed" the back of her seat, the woman said. Her video showed the seat vibrating.

Another scene showed the wife raising her middle finger at the woman.

The woman then sought help from a flight attendant, who suggested that she straighten her seat.

"I was shocked because it was not meal time, yet the flight attendant wanted me to compromise," the woman said. "I rejected the suggestion."

Several passengers who witnessed the incident criticised the Hong Kong couple's behaviour.

"Don't call yourself a Hong Konger, you bully," one passenger said.

Another said, "This is too much. How old are you? Why are you bullying a young girl?"

The woman's post on Xiaohongshu sparked similar outrage.

"If they want more space, they should have paid for first-class seats," one person wrote.

Several commenters were quick to defend Hong Kong's reputation, with one saying "Most people in Hong Kong are kind, this couple is an exception."

It has also triggered a debate on whether reclining one's aeroplane seat is an acceptable practice.

Several users said that it should be acceptable, given that the ability to recline is a built-in function of the seats.

Others said it can get uncomfortable when passengers in front recline their seats too far back.
A Central Kentucky defense attorney has been banned from several local jails across the commonwealth after officials say she was having inappropriate interactions with detainees, records show.

Stefanie Mundhenk is on differing levels of restricted access in the Boyle, Bullitt, Oldham, and Nelson County jails due to inappropriate relationships with her clients in custody, documents obtained through the Kentucky Open Records Act revealed.

When contacted by the Herald-Leader, Mundhenk said she was not in a position to respond.

Mundhenk worked originally as a law clerk, but was hired by the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy in October 2020 and placed in the Danville trial office, located in Boyle County, where she now practices privately, according to the Kentucky Bar Association website.

However, Mundhenk is banned from entering the local detention center to speak with her clients, records show. She was first reprimanded for her behavior with inmates at the facility while she worked as a public defender.

Conversations non-legal, personal banter

In April 2022, Mundhenks supervisor was provided with text conversations between herself and a client  identified in court documents as D.C.  that occurred on a personal account under the name Stef Elaine, and through her state-appointed cell phone, according to personnel documents.

Not only did this result in action from the Department of Public Advocacy, but also the jail, who banned Mundhenk from being admitted to the secure side of the jail, and required meetings with facility clients to be through security glass.

Records show Mundhenk communicated with her client to plan personal meetings and put money on his jail account. Mundhenk has also alleged to have compromised case strategy discussions.

Text message transcripts show Mundhenk was communicating with D.C. about her personal gym workouts, case strategy, music suggestions, and religion.

If God is anything like a prosecutor or judge then I dont wanna go to heaven anyway lmao. My ass will be just fine in jail, Mundhenk wrote.

When confronted by an investigator, Mundhenk admitted the conversations were unprofessional, but also that she had inappropriate, sexual conversations with another client, identified as D.H., according to personnel records.

In a May 2022 letter from the state public advocate, Damon Preston, Mundhenk was made aware she would be suspended for two-days without pay, and would be transferred to another office due to her lack of good behavior and unsatisfactory performance of duties.

Your behavior demonstrates a concerning lack of boundaries and communications that disregarded your ethical responsibilities to these clients, Preston wrote.

As a result Mundhenk was transferred to the Bullitt County trial office  where she also has restricted access as a result of inappropriate communication with inmates whom she represents, documents show.

In a second letter of reprimand addressed to Mundhenk dated Sept. 13, 2022, Preston informed her she would now be suspended for three days without pay. A month before, Mundhenks supervisor received text conversations between her and another client, B.R.

According to personnel documents, Mundhenk exchanged nearly 1,000 text messages with the inmate between July 8 and Aug. 16, 2022, with some taking place outside business hours and on weekends.

Preston described the texts content as nonlegal, personal banter which contained a number of statements that discussed the strategies of B.R.s case and could potentially be used by the state against her client, as the jail texts are non-confidential.

Because of the nature and volume of the twos text exchange, the Bullitt County Detention Center restricted Mundhenks in-person access to clients.

...Meaning that your future clients will not have the same ability to have private unobstructed confidential meetings with their attorney that clients of other attorneys will have, Preston wrote in the reprimand letter.

She resigned from her position with the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) in August 2023, personnel records show.

Other than verifying employment, Preston said he had no further comment relating to her performance with the agency.

However, Preston did elaborate on the innumerable amount of challenges public defenders face in serving clients and the public; that attorneys must have open and confidential access to clients to provide effective representation.

(Department of Public Advocacy) seeks to work with jails and prisons to meet the security interests of the facilities while still ensuring that defenders can do their job, Preston told the Herald-Leader.

If DPA employees comply by the rules of a facility, they should be able to communicate with clients privately without unreasonable limitations. On the other hand, employees who violate facility rules may lose visiting privileges. Because criminal defense attorneys must be able to meet with clients in jails or prisons, losing access means that defenders would no longer be able to perform the requirements of their position.

Nelson County texts show sexual relationship with client

In Nelson County, Mundhenk is not allowed to visit inmates in-person, but only through Zoom, after her interactions became sexual in nature with her client, E.L., records show.

Mundhenk was discovered by jail staff to be interacting with E.L. inside the facility using burner phones and attempting to shield their conversations, which were sexually explicit, from being recorded.

Nearly 2,000 messages sent through the jails Chirp system were discovered by Nelson County Corrections Center Jailer, Justin Hall, in February 2024. Hall contacted Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms about his concerns and sought advice on next steps.

While their messages contained graphic sexual depictions, they also referenced the two being married. Mundhenk allegedly deposited $305 into the inmates account, which, Hall noted, was unheard of during his time in corrections.

In one message to Mundhenk, E.L. wrote: I think you would look good in my shirt. It would look even better on the floor where it will probably end up.

In many texts sent to Mundhenk, her client would outline the things he would like to do with her. In another instance, he asked her the type of perfume she was wearing during their meeting so he could buy it to spray on his pillow.

I dont think they sell that in commissary, she responded.

Outside of their sexual conversations, Mundhenk would share with E.L. when she won or lost cases in court, and speak to him about how she felt about the justice system overall.

It is apparent that (the inmate) and Attorney Mundhenk have more than a professional relationship, Hall wrote.

Hall said he was made aware of a similar investigation conducted by the Oldham County Detention Center concerning Mundhenk and alleged inappropriate behavior with another inmate, resulting in her removal from another clients case.

Actions self-reported to KY Bar Association

Simms ordered Mundhenk to appear before his court to argue why she should not be removed from E.L.s Nelson County case, court documents show.

The judges order claims Mundhenk violated rules of the Kentucky Supreme Court by providing financial assistance to the client, as well as allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with him. Mundhenk denied violating the rules, but did agree with a potential conflict of interest.

On March 4, Mundhenk self-reported the matter to the Kentucky Bar Association by forwarding to the Kentucky Bar Associations Office of Bar Council a copy of Simms motion, court documents show. She withdrew from the case in March.

She has not received any public discipline from the KBA as of Sept. 19.
A Mercer County man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in starting the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Stephen Chase Randolph, 34, of Harrodsburg, was sentenced Friday, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C.

Evidence at trial showed Randolph was one of a group of five men who participated in the first breach of the restricted Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021, and led the initial attack on United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers, according to the release. Their attack paved the way for thousands of rioters to storm the Capitol grounds.

On the afternoon of Jan. 6, the U.S. Attorneys Office says the Capitol grounds were barricaded off with bike racks linked together. One of the men sentenced Thursday opened a section in one row of racks, and the rioters, including Randolph, walked past them and on toward the Capitol.

Capitol police were standing behind a second row of barricades, and when the group came to them, Randolph began to forcibly push and pull on the fence directly across from USCP officers, the release states.

Then several of the other men joined him and together they lifted the barrier up and drove the metal bike rack barricade into a line of USCP officers.

A female officer was hit in the face in the process and thrown backward. She hit her head against a metal handrail and the steps, which caused her to lose consciousness and suffer a concussion.

The bike racks were labeled with signs that read Area Closed By Order of the United States Capitol Police Board and were reinforced with snow fencing and zip ties, according to the release.

After the five defendants pushed the metal bike rack barricade into the USCP officers, Randolph jumped over the barricade and grabbed an officer, the news release states. By this point, the barricades were down, and the officers outmanned. The defendants and the rest of the rioters quickly overwhelmed the police line, and the USCP officers retreated backward toward the Capitol building. The rioters, including the five defendants, then walked to the Capitol building.

All the men, including Randolph, stayed on the Capitol grounds for hours, the release states. Randolph climbed onto the Upper West Terrace, where he observed law enforcement engaged in a struggle with rioters inside and outside the inaugural archway, also known as the Tunnel, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Randolph was convicted of civil disorder, as well as two charges related to assaulting an officer, all felonies.

In addition to prison time, he was sentenced to 36 months of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.
BAGHDAD, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Monday on the observatory base of the Israeli Golani Brigade "in the occupied territories."

The group said in a statement that the attack was executed "in solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip" and pledged to continue targeting "the enemy's strongholds."

The statement did not provide further details on the attacked site or report any casualties.

On Sunday, the group fired multiple drone and missile attacks on Israeli targets as tensions between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah were rising sharply.

Since the onset of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has conducted many attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in the region to support Palestinians in Gaza. 
Channel 11 sits down with family of man killed in Dormont hit-and-run: This is extremely hard

Days after a hit-and-run crash took the life of a young musician, Channel 11 is sitting down with the victims family.

Christian Sluka, 23, was riding his motorcycle when he was killed in the crash.

Were walking down the street, he comes by with his helmet on and big gloves, and waves at us, and down the street he went, Noah Goisse told Channel 11.

This past Saturday, Noah Goisse had no idea it would be the last time he would see his cousin, and best friend, Christian, as he took his motorcycle out for one final ride.

He was so bubbly, so generous there arent enough words that I could say that could truly encapsulate who he really was, he added.

Two days after Christian was killed in a deadly hit and run, Channel 11 sat down with his family as they shared memories of his time as a musician, the jokes he would tell, and the kindness he showed others.

His 11-year-old brother looked up to him as a father figure.

This is extremely hard. Its probably the hardest time Ive ever had. We did everything together. We went out to eat, got pizza all the time, Christians little brother, Jayden Anker told Channel 11.

Surveillance video from inside the nearby BP shows Christian on his motorcycle at the traffic light on West Liberty and Pioneer.

Moments later, you see a red Taurus speed down the street. Channel 11 is not airing when the driver crashes into Christian.

Police say, the man driving the car was Saul Ravira-Ramirez, and his wife and two young children were in the car.

According to investigators, Ravira-Ramirez and his wife picked up the children and walked away from the scene.

Ravira Ramirez turned himself in the next day, and Channel 11 has uncovered that he is an undocumented immigrant.

They walked away and looked at him, and they just left, Christians other brother, Jonah Sluka told Channel 11.

Christians mother is still in disbelief that her son is gone.

He had so much more life to live, and Im just remembering him as a baby, as a toddler, a little boy, she said.

Rivera Ramirez is being held in the Allegheny County Jail, and ICE has a detainer for him.

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Suspect in deadly hit-and-run crash in Dormont is undocumented immigrant, police say Thank you for finding me: Man abducted as child found 70 years later New sober game room opens next weekend in Sharpsburg VIDEO: Co-owners of pub damaged during fire in Brownsville react to community support DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Cheektowaga woman was sentenced Monday morning to 3 1/3 years to 10 years in prison, as well as an indefinite license revocation, for causing a crash that killed a local teacher earlier this year, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced.

According to officials, 51-year-old Jennifer Hylkema of Lockport was driving on the 6300 block of Transit Road on Feb. 26 when she was struck. She later died at the hospital. Her son, who was also in the vehicle, was taken to ECMC to be treated and released.

Hylkema spent 25 years teaching at Stanley G. Falk Schools.

25-year-old Alondra Ramirez-Santiago was driving southbound on Transit when she caused the crash. Police responded to the collision between Cloverleaf Drive and Rehm Road in Cheektowaga around 9 p.m. Officials said Ramirez-Santiago was under the influence of alcohol and was driving recklessly without her headlights on when the crash occurred.

Ramirez-Santiago pleaded guilty to all counts in the indictment against her in July.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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Several dozen Haitians and allies gathered on Federal Plaza with an umbrella in one hand and Haitian flags in the other Sunday afternoon. The gloomy sky and near-constant downpour did not dampen their admonishment of former President Donald Trumps unfounded accusations that Haitians were stealing and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, and the onslaught of racist attacks that have followed.

I watched his debate and, initially when I heard (Trumps comments), I didnt know he was talking about us, said Rebecca Brutus, 13. I dont know people who (eat pets) who are Haitian or arent Haitian.

She and her sister Sarah, 15, grew up in the Chatham neighborhood to a Haitian-born mother and a first-generation Haitian American father, Patrick Brutus, who was one of the rally organizers. The girls found out Trump was talking about Haitians on the internet.

I was appalled, said the other Brutus sister. I feel like weve been pretty quiet. We havent been doing anything to have this comment made against us.

The rally, organized by the Coalition of Haitian American Organizations in the Chicagoland Area, was as much a denouncement of Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric as it was a celebration of the contributions Haitians have made to Chicago and the nation. Haitian American trader Jean Baptiste Point DuSable founded Chicago after all, several speakers reminded the crowd.

If it wasnt for Haiti, there would be no Chicago, said Ald. William Hall, 6th. He was one of several City Council members who spoke at the rally in solidarity with Chicagos Haitian community, which is approximately 40,000 strong today, according to the General Consulate of Haiti in Chicago.

Political instability, widespread economic insecurity and natural disasters in the island nation have caused many Haitians to seek asylum in Chicago and the United States at large for decades. Most recently, intensifying gang violence since the 2021 assassination of Haitis president has driven many to leave the country.

Citing the recent uptick in violence, in June, the Biden administration extended temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants through early 2026. The status allows citizens of nations with unsafe conditions to reside in the United States legally, and Haiti first received it after a devastating 2010 earthquake.

While in the White House, Trump attempted to terminate the status for several nations, including Haiti.

Now, rally organizer Cydnee Newman said his comments at the Sept. 8 presidential debate have heightened derogatory comments and false assumptions about Haitians.

The Chicago-born daughter of Haitian immigrants recalls her classmates telling her she was one of the boat people or had AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s.

Stop Haitian hate is ultimately the message we want to deliver. And we want people to understand were part of this community. Were here to stay, she told the Tribune.

As the rallys lineup of speakers came to an end, the rain dwindled to a drizzle and a small ensemble of musicians playing traditional Haitian music marched into Federal Plaza. Rallygoers put their umbrellas away but kept their Haitian flags high in the air.

____
BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  A Chicago man was arrested for allegedly stealing a truck on the PA turnpike after his vehicle was towed over the weekend.

Sergio A. Calderon Martinez, 35 (Bedford County Prison)

Sergio A. Calderon Martinez, 35, was charged with theft and receiving stolen property after he showed up to a tow lot driving a truck with New Enterprise written on the side, something the tow employees said was suspicious, according to court documents.

Troopers were dispatched to Interstate Towing in Bedford around 1:44 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 after they had towed a vehicle from the turnpike. According to the criminal complaint, tow employees said the owner of the vehicle, Calderon Martinez, showed up at the lot in a red New Enterprise pick-up truck. They believed it was stolen off the turnpike, prompting them to contact 911.

After arriving, troopers said they spoke with Calderon Martinez. He alleged that his vehicle broke down on the turnpike and he began walking to find gas. According to the complaint, Calderon Martinez later admitted to taking the New Enterprise truck from a construction area on the turnpike so he could retrieve his car. He claimed the keys were left in the ignition and the doors were unlocked.

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Calderon Martinez was arraigned and placed in Bedford County Prison with bail set at $50,000 straight.

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Chicago Teen Accused of Shooting His Own Mother to Death, the 'Why' Will Frustrate You

Chicago police say a teen boy is facing serious charges in the fatal shooting of his own mother. The most peculiar part of this incident is that authorities claim the shooting was seemingly at random.



Chicago Police Department authorities said before things went haywire, 17-year-old Davion Pryor was riding back to his South Shore home with his father and 7-year-old brother last Thursday afternoon after picking up the child from school.

The teens father told the police before they arrived home, Davion made a call to his mother, 43-year-old Tatanisha Jackson, to discuss someone drinking alcohol on the back porch.

The father told police they pulled in, Jackson unlocked the front door of the home and all hell broke loose.

Read more from ABC7 Chicago:

The teens father and brother, who witnessed the attack, told police it was as Tatanisha unlocked the homes front door when Pryor opened the door and then pointed a gun at his mother and opened fire at nearly point-blank range. She was shot in the head four times. Prosecutors said the father picked up his younger son and ran to safety ,where he called 911. They said they then heard five more gunshots from inside the home.

Authorities said after the shooting, the teen fled through the back door of the apartment. Security footage caught him running along Stoney Island. Police were able to track his location by his phone. Though, later that day, he turned himself in at the 3rd District police station.

Police confiscated the 9 mm firearm he used. Twelve bullet casings were recovered from the scene of the shooting. Authorities said the teen was on house arrest during the incident on previous aggravated battery charges from a July carjacking incident. Now, hes being charged as an adult with first-degree murder in his mothers killing, ABCs report says.

This week he is due back in court for a mental evaluation. A Cook County judge denied his bond, citing the lack of motive in the shooting.

This is very sad and tragic to this court, said Judge David Kelly via ABC7 The unprovoked shooting and killing of your mother in front of your father and brother.

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(Bloomberg) -- Senior Japanese officials told their Chinese counterparts to provide a full explanation of the recent stabbing death of a Japanese boy in southern China and deal with untruthful and malicious internet posts targeting Japan, as Tokyo stepped up pressure on Beijing to respond to the incident.

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In a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York on Monday, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said China must take steps to protect Japanese nationals within its borders, according to a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Kamikawa also requested that China thoroughly deal with social media posts including those referring to Japanese schools in China. The meeting followed a similar exchange between Japanese State Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshifumi Tsuge and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Beijing.

During the meeting of foreign ministers, Wang urged Japan to view the stabbing of schoolboy in Shenzhen calmly and rationally, according to a statement from Chinas Foreign Ministry

Last week, a 10-year-old boy died after being stabbed while on his way to school in the southern city of Shenzhen. So far, the Chinese authorities havent offered any explanation of the motives of the attacker, who was arrested at the scene.

The diplomatic exchanges laid bare the divisions between the neighbors amid concerns in Japan that Chinas history of anti-Japan rhetoric has prompted attacks on Japanese people.

Ties between the neighbors were already tense due to historical resentments, a territorial dispute and other issues including Japans release of wastewater from a destroyed nuclear power plant. The attack came on the anniversary of the start of Japans invasion of Manchuria in 1931  a day China remembers by blaring sirens in cities across the nation.

The incident added to a series of assaults on foreigners in China in recent months, and was at least the second to target Japanese nationals. In June, a Japanese woman and her child were attacked with a knife in the eastern city of Suzhou. A Chinese bus attendant was killed in that incident.

On Monday afternoon, the Chinese foreign ministry said the country doesnt teach its people to hate Japan.

There is no so-called Japan-hating education in China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing in Beijing. We advocate learning from history, not to perpetuate hatred, but to prevent the tragedy of war from happening again.

The Japanese government formally protested the attack and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his condolences over the boys death and repeated the request that China provide more information. Lin avoided commenting on the attackers motive on Monday, saying police were still investigating.

Lin also said that in the meeting between Sun and Tsuge, both sides agreed to handle the childs killing properly and calmly, and agreed to maintain communication to avoid occasional incidents that may affect bilateral relations.

--With assistance from Charlie Zhu, Li Liu and Philip Glamann.

(Updates with meeting between foreign ministers in New York and Chinese statement)

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China Spring, Tx (FOX 44)  36-year-old Richard Tanner Ozment was arrested for murdering a 38-year-old woman in the 1500 block of Old China Spring Road on Saturday.

Ozment has a criminal history and is a registered sex offender. He is currently sitting in the McLennan County jail on a one-million-dollar bond.

This is a developing story. We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., took a swipe at his Republican colleagues for "wasting precious time" after his GOP counterpart unveiled a plan to avoid a government shutdown.

The bipartisan plan was announced by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., earlier on Sunday. The tentative agreement maintains government funding until Dec. 20, with the House likely to vote on the bill as early as Wednesday.

The agreement  which still needs to be voted on in order to be implemented  comes after weeks of uncertainty about whether a government shutdown could be avoided before the current fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. The hypothetical government shutdown would begin on Oct. 1.

In a statement released by Schumer on Sunday evening, the New York Democrat accused Johnson of "follow[ing] the MAGA way."

HARRIS-TRUMP SHOWDOWN: WHICH CANDIDATE HOLDS THE EDGE ON THIS CRUCIAL ISSUE

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., leaves at a news conference on Capitol Hill.

"Over the past 4 days, bipartisan, bicameral negotiations have been underway to reach an agreement that maintains current funding through December 20 and avoids a government shutdown a month before the election," Schumer's statement read.

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"While I am pleased bipartisan negotiations quickly led to a government funding agreement free of cuts and poison pills, this same agreement could have been done two weeks ago."

Schumer referred to Johnson's attempt to try passing a more Republican-friendly continuing resolution (CR) that would have extended funding for another six months, despite the awareness that many Republicans would not support it. The CR failed by a narrow 202-220 vote last week.

WHAT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLL SHOWS IN THE HARRIS-TRUMP 2024 SHOWDOWN

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 12: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol after the last votes of the week on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

"Instead, Speaker Johnson chose to follow the MAGA way and wasted precious time," Schumer said in his statement. "As I have said throughout this process, there is only one way to get things done, with bipartisan, bicameral support."

Johnson also attempted to pass the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a Republican-backed bill that would require proof of citizenship in the voter registration process.

The Republican leader's funding agreement, which is closer in line with what the Senate Democrats wanted, is expected to anger the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., hand medals to family members during the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the fallen service members killed in the 2021 terrorist attack at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

The bill also includes $231 million for the U.S. Secret Service with conditions that the agency cooperates with congressional investigations. The bipartisan deal made on Sunday excludes any agreement to pass the SAVE Act.

Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.





Original article source: Chuck Schumer calls out Republicans for 'wasting time' as tentative funding deal is announced
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Ballet Hispanico, the largest Latino cultural organization in the United States, started in New York City.

As Ballet Hispanico rehearsed for Club Havana, a Cuban dance extravaganza, the artistic director pointed out that the dancers represent many countries including Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, El Salvador, Italy, Cuba and the U.S.

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I want the world to know Ballet Hispanico is their entry into getting to know the diversity and the depth of all the countries that make up the Latinx, the Latino and Latina world, Eduardo Vilaro, the artistic director and CEO of Ballet Hispanico, told PIX11 News.

Vilaro is only the second artistic director of Ballet Hispanico, which was founded in 1970 by trailblazer Tina Ramirez.

Vilaro was born in Cuba but raised in the Bronx and was a graduate of Saint Margaret Mary, Fordham Prep and Adelphi. He discovered his love of dance as a teenager.

I started taking Capoeira classes with Dance Brazil, which is a combination of martial arts and dance and was very lethal, which was good for me in the Bronx, Vilaro told PIX11 News. And then I would take a ballet class. I have my own little Billy Elliot story, Vilaro added.

Vilaro began his journey in Ballet Hispanico as a dancer in 1985. Now, as CEO and artistic director, he oversees the school on West 89th Street that teaches everyone from age 2 to 82.

We get to share all of our different cultures and backgrounds, Omar Rivera, a Mexican-American member of the company, told PIX11 News. Every dancer in the studio is from somewhere, he added.

Amanda del Valle, a Cuban-American dancer, also talked about what it means to her to dance with Ballet Hispanico. It means a representation of who I am and where my family comes from, she said.

I love to say for Ballet Hispanico, we dont only make dancers. What we do is help make citizens of the world. Ultimately what you learn in an art form is to go beyond yourself and learn how to be very open in your perspective, Vilaro said.

Ballet Hispanico is about to embark on its fall tour across the country, but the dancers will be back in New York City at City Center performing their take of Carmen in the Spring.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The City of San Angelo will partner with the Alcohol & Drug Awareness Center for the Concho Valley on Sept. 30 to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new playground at Mountainview Park.

According to the City, the ceremony will start at 4 p.m. at the park, located at 3031 Freeland Ave.

The ADACCV was given a grant from Texas Health and Human Services to fund the project, totaling $94,000. The City stated that the grant money was awarded to reduce anxiety and stressors in our community caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to the generous support of ADACCV and approval by the City Council, the park now has a new playground, the City said.

The new playground is designed for children aged 2-12 with a focus on ages 5-12.

Mountainview Park was initially developed in 1977. It became home to the Citys first accessible playground in 1994, which was located on the same grounds that the new playground occupies.

An image of the new playground installed at Mountainview Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the playground will be held on Sept. 30, 2024.

An image of the new playground installed at Mountainview Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the playground will be held on Sept. 30, 2024.

An image of the new playground installed at Mountainview Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the playground will be held on Sept. 30, 2024.

An image of the new playground installed at Mountainview Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the playground will be held on Sept. 30, 2024.

An image of the new playground installed at Mountainview Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the playground will be held on Sept. 30, 2024.

An image of the new playground installed at Mountainview Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the playground will be held on Sept. 30, 2024.

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JERUSALEM, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel was destroying "thousands" of rockets and missiles aimed at Israeli cities as Israeli warplanes bombed Lebanon, killing at least 182 people.

Speaking at the beginning of a security assessment meeting at the Air Force Command Center in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said the strikes were "shifting the balance of power" between Israel and Hezbollah.

Since early Monday, Israel unleashed three waves of airstrikes, targeting more than 300 locations in Lebanon. The military also called residents to flee their homes, saying the large-scale airstrikes are targeting civilian buildings where Hezbollah allegedly hides missiles.

"We are destroying thousands of missiles and rockets aimed at Israel's cities and citizens," Netanyahu said. "I want to clarify Israel's policy -- we do not wait for a threat; we preempt it. Everywhere, in every arena, at any time. We eliminate senior figures, eliminate terrorists, eliminate missiles -- and we are far from done."

"Whoever tries to harm us, we will strike them with even greater force," he added.

Netanyahu said Israel is "facing complex days ahead," referring to potential further Hezbollah retaliation.

Also on Monday afternoon, Hezbollah retaliated with rockets fired toward areas near Haifa and the Jezreel Valley, targeting for a second consecutive day areas in northern Israel.

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service reported no injuries in the latest attack, but earlier in the morning, five people were injured by rocket shrapnel. No fatalities have been reported on the Israeli side. 
DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH)  The city of Dublin has the highest life expectancy in central Ohio, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control.

I wasnt surprised. We pride ourselves on providing a healthy and safe community, said Mollie Steiner, Recreation Administrator for the city of Dublin.

The CDC said in 2021, the average life expectancy was 87.6 years in Dublin. Meanwhile, Ohio, as a whole, has the 12th lowest average in the country averaging 74.5 years.

WATCH: What factors put Dublin No. 1 in CDC report

Life expectancy can vary a lot city by city. The lowest in the state is on the west side of Columbus with an average of 60 years. Steiner said its important to recognize the many factors that go into life expectancy averages like socioeconomic status, access to healthcare and environmental conditions.

What the ongoing worker shortage looks like in Ohio

She said Dublin is doing well in all of these areas plus the city tries to provide many chances to stay active. Weve invested a lot of money in our infrastructure. We have over 150 miles of shared-use paths so people can be running, walking and biking. We have over 65 parks and green spaces, said Steiner.

She said they also pride themselves in making sure to listen to the community. We do a lot of surveying, master planning, research, listening to public input and feedback from our residents from focus groups to stakeholder interviews so we gather a lot of data and discussion points from our residents which allows us in turn to deliver on what they are asking for, said Steiner.

For example, the community has been working on a Community Health Assessment to look for what residents need to stay healthy. Steiner also said the city is focused on helping people grow old in Dublin with strategies like Aging in Place. Its objectives are divided into three categories: Health, Wellness and Social Services, Civic Engagement and Employment, and Daily Living.

Its their mission to prioritize the best quality of life for our residents, she said. Dublin has the 4th highest life expectancy in the state. The highest is in Stow, averaging 89.2 years.

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City of Ogdensburg looking to honor communitys veterans

OGDENSBURG, N.Y. (WWTI)  The City of Ogdensburg is hoping to give a salute to its communitys veteran population.

Ogdensburg officials are putting out the call to the public to honor its towns veterans. The Ogdensburg Pride and Beautification Commission is looking for submissions for the Hometown Hero banner project.

Lowville honoring veterans with banners throughout town

The project displays the names and faces of veterans that have served in respective communities. Other north country towns like Lowville and Copenhagen in Lewis County have similar programs.

For more information, contact Mary Anne Narenkivicius at 315-322-2700 or Barb Barlow at 315-854-1106.

The deadline to submit applications for 2025 Banners is January 3, 2025.

Banners will be displayed along Ford Street beginning Memorial Day in May through early November.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Clark County officials are looking for information regarding damage done to a cornfield.

In a post on Facebook, the Clark County Sheriffs Department released a photo of a damaged cornfield. The field is located at the intersection of 171st Street and 420th Avenue.

Damaged corn, Clark County

A significant amount of corn appeared to have been damaged when a motorist left the road and entered the cornfield and continued to drive. Damage was also done to the fence on the border of the field.

South Dakotas fallen heroes bridge dedications

If you have information regarding this incident, you are asked to contact the Clark County Sheriffs Office at 605-532-3822.

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CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  A Berkshire County marine who was killed in action in World War II was laid to rest on Tuesday, 82 years after he died serving our country.

A funeral service for Private First Class Erwin King was held at 11 a.m. in North Adams. King was a native of neighboring Clarksburg.

Governor Maura Healey has ordered all U.S. American and Massachusetts flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor Private First Class Erwin King, who died in the 1942 Allied forces assault on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. King served in the United States Marines, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division during World War II.

PFC Kings remains were identified in May 2024, 82 years after he was killed. A plane carrying his remains arrived at Bradley International Airport Friday afternoon. A procession was held through Clarksburg until the arrival at the funeral home in North Adams.

WWII soldier identified to be buried in Agawam

The order called for the flags to be lowered to half-staff on all state buildings from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, the date of interment.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  On Monday teachers within Clay Community Schools took a day to learn the latest in their profession.

Not only how best to reach their students, but how new technology is changing their classrooms. Its Technology Instructional Specialist Dianna Knox said this topic is becoming crucial.

This morning, we have breakout sessions that talk about the science of reading, universal design for learning, along with some other district initiatives, said Knox. We will then bring everybody back right before lunch to discuss artificial intelligence because that is everywhere and something that we have to start thinking about.

Knox said teachers are busy every school day and this time helps them evaluate and prepare for the future.

A local fall family ranch opened up for the season over the weekend

Teachers are really hungry for this time together and professional learning with no subs, they cant leave the classroom, and we cant pull them out, said Knox. To have a day where we can bring them in and talk about things that are relevant to them is really important.

Knox said this helps all teachers come together to learn the best ways to teach.

By having this opportunity today, we are going to give them some of those times together and validate what they are doing, said Knox. The other side of this is that we want to empower them and lift them up and make them feel appreciated for what they are doing as well.

Knox added that they plan to do another one of these this summer so these teachers can be motivated going into next school year.

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A Glasgow car parts manufacturer is to close, placing about 100 jobs at risk.

Albion Automotive will shut on 4 October, after parent company American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) decided it could not continue due to "long-term business with its largest customer not being extended".

In recent years the company had cut back on staff to try and save costs as it struggled with pricing pressures across the automotive industry.

The Scotstoun works has been part of the city since 1903, when it was set up by the fledging Albion Motor Car Company Ltd and made trucks and buses.

The company later changed its name to Albion Motors, before being taken over by Leyland Motors.

By 1980 the site was no longer making vehicles but axles, with the the automotive components part of the business transferred to the new Albion Automotives company after Leyland DAF entered receivership in 1993.

AAM Europe purchased the company in 1998.

Matt Kuta, Managing Director of AAM Europe, said: "We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the loyalty and commitment to AAM from all the associates in Glasgow over the last 26 years."
Coastal Georgia is the beneficiary of a fifth round of grants through Gov. Brian Kemps Rural Workforce Housing Initiative.

Brunswick and Chatham County will receive more than $4.8 million for infrastructure supporting 129 housing units, Kemp announced late last week.

The governor launched the program early last year during his annual State of the State address to the General Assembly. The grants are overseen by the OneGeorgia Authority.

We have made supporting communities in developing the infrastructure they need to meet the demand of historic economic growth a top priority, Kemp said. We look forward to these projects supporting the hardworking Georgians who deserve to be able to live in the same areas where they work.

The city of Brunswick will get $2.5 million to build water, sewer, road and drainage improvements for the Reynolds Street Cottages development, enabling the construction of 46 new homes. The city and the nonprofit revitalization group Forward Brunswick will contribute nearly $1.4 million to the project.

Chatham Countys grant of $2.3 million will go toward infrastructure projects for an 18-acre development containing 83 new single-family detached homes and multi-family housing units. The city of Port Wentworth and Chatham County will contribute more than $3.7 million toward the project cost.

The demand for workforce housing is growing throughout Georgia, said Christopher Nunn, commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs. The OneGeorgia Authority is pleased to support local communities pursuing deliberate workforce housing strategies.
It's officially the fall season, according to the calendar and the cool air Oklahoma woke up to Monday.

After a late-summer heat wave scorched the state, the weather has finally turned the corner and will keep temperatures below 80 degrees for most of the week with more chances of rain in the southeastern part of Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma City, nighttime temperatures are expected to fall below 60 degrees for at least the next few days.

Flooding in Cleveland County

A cold front that pushed through Oklahoma on Sunday brought rain to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

A lot of that rain fell on Cleveland County, prompting flood warnings in Moore and Norman. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, about 4.7 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours.

Video posted on social media showed Norman streets covered with water.

Well Norman did it again. The flooding here is crazy.  Posted by Garrett Tarver on Sunday, September 22, 2024

Tropical storm could bring more rain

Meteorologists are currently watching a weather system forming in the Gulf of Mexico, which is expected to reach the Gulf Coast later this week.

If it forms into a stronger storm, it likely won't directly impact Oklahoma, according to State Climatologist Gary McManus. However, the path of the potential tropical storm isn't clear yet and will depend on how it interacts with another weather system developing this week over the central United States.

McManus wrote in his weekly Mesonet Ticker newsletter that the two weather systems have a chance of bringing more rain to southeastern parts of the state.

"That counter-clockwise rotation between the two cyclonic circulations is known as the 'Fujiwhara effect,' made somewhat famous in 'Twisters,' and also it's believed to have occurred in some recent tornadoes in Oklahoma. It happens when two cyclones (like hurricanes or tropical storms) get close to each other," McManus wrote.

"Instead of just moving independently, they start to interact and spin around a common center, almost like a dance. If they get really close, one storm might absorb the other, making the combined storm stronger. But if they stay at a moderate distance, theyll keep rotating around each other before eventually going their separate ways."

More: Study: Tribal lands in Oklahoma are 5 times more likely to flood than rest of state

The National Weather Service in Norman said that uncertainty about the forecast increases after Thursday because of the two weather systems colliding.

"The big question is which way will this spinning top wobble," the NWS said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Weather: Oklahoma cool front pushes out heat wave, more rain possible
It seems hard to believe that its less than a week since Hezbollahs communication devices started exploding all across Lebanon.

The days since have represented a series of catastrophic setbacks for the formidable, Iranian-backed Shia militia.

With its networks disrupted, its fighting men mutilated, its leadership assassinated and its military infrastructure under constant bombardment, Hezbollah is facing its worst crisis in four decades.

Now Israels defence minister says the campaign is deepening.

But its a high-risk strategy, in which Hezbollahs ability to respond cannot be ignored.

With alerts constantly sounding across northern Israel, Yoav Gallant has told Israelis to show composure, discipline and full obedience to the directives of Home Front Command.

We found all on display in equal measure when we visited the small community of Givat Avni, a short distance west of Tiberias.

David Yitzhak showed us where a 120mm rocket tore through the roof of his family home at lunchtime on Monday.

With sirens blaring, David bundled his wife and six-year-old daughter into the houses safe room, seconds before the explosion.

Its a metre from life to death, David said, indicating the short distance between the safe room and the hole in his daughters bedroom.

He said he feels no animosity towards the people of Lebanon, but says Hezbollah started the war for no reason.

So now we are giving back. And it will be OK.

David Yitzhak's house in Givat Avni was damaged in a strike [BBC]

But Givat Avni is 20 miles (30km) from the Lebanese border, far from the evacuation zone established by the authorities almost a year ago.

An hour later, as we arrived at nearby Kibbutz Lavi, home for the past year to families evacuated from further north, sirens sounded once more.

Rockets appeared in the sky overhead and as we were ushered into an underground shelter full of children and their artwork, we heard a series of deep resonant booms.

An hour later, more alerts, another safe room and more distant explosions.

Hezbollah had been firing rockets further into Israel, even before the latest escalation. But now an even larger swathe of northern Israel is in the firing line.

All of this is adding a sense of urgency to the governments actions.

Speaking after a meeting with defence chiefs, the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel was changing the balance of power in the north.

We are facing complex days, he warned.

We do not wait for a threat, he said. We anticipate it. Anywhere, in any arena, at any time. We eliminate senior officials, eliminate terrorists, eliminate missiles.

Having seized the initiative, Israels military seems determined to keep Hezbollah on the back foot, in the hope of realising the governments aim of returning civilians to homes evacuated along the northern border.

On Monday morning, it stepped up another gear, telling Lebanese villagers to leave places where they believe Hezbollah is concealing its bigger weapons.

Military officials showed journalists a video of an air strike in which Israel says it destroyed a modified Russian cruise missile, hidden inside a house.

In another illustration, we were shown a skeletal 3D mock-up of a village in southern Lebanon, full of concealed weapons and equipment.

The mock-up, and the instructions to civilians to leave, all carried echoes of Israels efforts to explain its actions in Gaza.

But military officials insist that, unlike Gaza, the warnings do not mean that the army is poised to move in on the ground in southern Lebanon.

We are currently focusing on Israels aerial campaign only, a senior official said on Monday.

It seems that for now, Israel will see what it can achieve from the air. A former commander, speaking on Israels Channel 12, said that so far, the air force had shown only a fraction of its capabilities.

But theres only so much Israel can achieve from the air, even if, as seems possible, jets are about to lay waste to entire villages.

At some point, a ground invasion  however limited  seems unavoidable.

But would it be wise?

Thats exactly what Hezbollah wants, Dr Jacques Neria, a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Centre for Security and Foreign Affairs, told i24 News.

The residents of southern Lebanon are Hezbollah soldiers, he said. And therefore we will have to fight against a mass that we do not know, under unfamiliar conditions.

In his defiant speech last week, Hezbollahs leader Hassan Nasrallah dared Israel to attempt to create a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, something the head of Israels Northern Command is said to be pushing for.

Such an effort, he said, would have dire consequences for Israel.

At the moment, theres no sign of a diplomatic off-ramp. US-led efforts to defuse the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah have run into the sand, along with negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.

Cold military logic  strike and counter-strike  appears to have taken over.

This is not a battle of equals. Israel knows it can beat Hezbollah.

Theres a complete asymmetry in the level of destruction and suffering that each side can inflict on the other.

But where the conflict is heading, and how much worse it will get before it ends, is anyones guess.
The incident took place during an "informal social gathering at an on-campus residence" at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, the school's president said

AP Photo/Matt Rourke A photo of the Gettysburg College sign

At least two students have reportedly been suspended from a Pennsylvania college swim team amid claims that "a racial slur" had been "scratched" onto another student's body.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, Gettysburg College President Robert Iuliano released a message about the incident on the school's website.

"By now, some of you have heard about a student conduct report that recently was filed with the College arising from an incident where a racial slur was scratched onto a student by another student at an informal social gathering at an on-campus residence," the post stated.

"I should note that it was the upperclass students from the swim team who first reported the incident, and we thank them for bringing this to the Colleges attention," it added.

Per the Associated Press, at least two students have been suspended from the swim team amid the investigation. Iuliano didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE to confirm this.

At this point, the students involved are not participating in swim team activities," the college said, per the outlet.

John Greim/Shutterstock A photo taken on the Gettysburg College campus

According to WGAL, another statement from the school read: "The College has received a deeply concerning report of a racial slur being scratched onto a student using a plastic or ceramic tool."

Iuliano insisted in his own message, "No matter the relationship, and no matter the motivation, there is no place on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade, or marginalize based on ones identity and history."

He confirmed it was an "ongoing investigation where witnesses are being interviewed and key information is still being understood."

"Beyond that, we are constrained in discussing a student-related matter governed by federal privacy laws. I recognize that the lack of details regarding this incident might be frustrating and we ask for your forbearance," Iuliano's message continued.

Per WGAL, Gettysburg Chief of Police Robert Glenny Jr. said the victim chose to handle the incident "through the college's internal investigatory process," despite the school reportedly urging the student to take the matter to the police.

Glenny didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.

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Iuliano told students in his message to "focus on our collective responsibility to foster a truly inclusive environment and to uphold our mission statement that underscores who we are: a dynamic educational environment starts with an unwavering commitment to the 'worth and dignity of all people.' "

"We realize the fullest potential in ourselves and in each other only if we honor each others common humanity in all of our interactions," he concluded, adding links to campus resources for anyone who might need support amid the incident.



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DAMASCUS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced in a presidential decree the formation of a new government on Monday, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Monday.

The reshuffle included key ministries, namely the ministries of information, foreign affairs, economy, finance, industry, health, and electricity.

Bassam al-Sabbagh, former deputy foreign minister, replaced Faisal Mekdad to be the foreign minister. In another decree, Mekdad was appointed as vice president, tasked with implementing foreign and media policy under the president's directives.

Ziad Ghossoun, former director general of the Al-Wahda Printing and Publishing Organization, one of the largest print media publishers in Syria, was named the new information minister.

The new government formation follows a decree issued by al-Assad on Saturday, in which he named former Communications Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali as the new prime minister and tasked him with forming the government after July's parliamentary elections.

Jalali, 55, has been under the European Union's sanctions since October 2014. 
Colombia's Inirida flower has been chosen as the emblem of a UN biodiversity conference to be held in Cali from October 21 to November 1 (Luis ACOSTA) (Luis ACOSTA/AFP/AFP)

When Ruben Dario Carianil began cultivating the unusual, pointy Inirida flower in the Colombian Amazon ten years ago, his relatives made fun of him for growing "weeds."

Today, the 63-year-old Carianil, of the Curripako tribe, grows tons of the curious blooms on a plot outside Inirida -- the jungle city of 30,000 people from which the flower took its name.

Carianil exports Inirida cuttings to the United States, Europe and Asia, and soon even more foreigners will be introduced to the rare blossom as the emblem of a UN biodiversity conference to be held in Cali from October 21 to November 1.

"I'm very happy," Carianil told AFP of his success, which he sees as helping, not harming, the environment.

"For us, Nature, the forest, is life. We Indigenous people respect it and we live in harmony with Nature without damaging it."

Inirida flowers once grew abundantly in the wild in the region. Over-picking led to a dramatic reduction and the government in 1989 prohibited harvesting.

The ban remained in place until 2005, when the door was opened for Inirida's commercial cultivation as long as wild populations remained untouched.

So far, only Carianil's farm has managed to grow, and get a licence to market, the red flowers with their hard, spikey, finger-like petals.

He was helped in the domestication process by biologist Mateo Fernandez.

At first, Carianil's blooms sold at the local airport, then in the Colombian capital Bogota some 700 kilometers (about 430 miles) away, then further afield.

In 2022, the first box of Inirida blooms was delivered to China from Colombia, one of the world's top flower growers and exporters.

- 'Eternal flowers' -

Carianil runs the business with his wife Martha Toledo and their children.

On a plot of some 20 hectares (49 acres), the Inirida crops share space with a variety of native shrubs and even a patch of undisturbed forest.

From the air, the farm looks very different from the flower plantations abundant in Colombia's Andean regions with their rows upon rows of monoculture, often in plastic greenhouses.

Fertilizers and pesticides are banned on Carianil's farm, and only Indigenous farming methods used.

"When you buy a flower from Inirida, you take a piece of the jungle home with you," said Toledo.

They call the enterprise "Liwi: Eternal flowers" as the buds retain their shape years after being cut, even when dried.

It is this longevity that inspired the choice of the Inirida as the logo for the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

"This is a flower that never dies, its petals never fall apart. We hope that the COP16 in Colombia can help the world to make peace with Nature, so that we can sustain and maintain life on the planet forever," says Environment Minister Susana Muhamad.

The flower is native to Colombia's eastern Guainia department, of which Inirida is the capital, and a part of the neighboring Venezuelan Amazon.

jss/lv/das/mlr/fb/st
[Getty Images]

A gunman who shot and killed 10 people at a Colorado grocery store in 2021 has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A jury found Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 25, guilty on 10 counts of first-degree murder and 45 other charges earlier on Monday.

Alissa - who broadcast the rampage on YouTube - never denied he was the shooter, but had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Jurors determined, though, he was legally sane at the time of the attack.

Justice has finally been done, Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty, whose office prosecuted the case, said.

Alissa's sentencing came after a series of emotional victim impact statements from family members who lost loved ones in the attack.

Hes given us a life sentence, robbing us of family. Why should he get any less? asked Olivia MacKenzie, the daughter of victim Lynn Murray.

Margie Whittington, who lost her daughter, Teri Leiker, said, We want the shooter to know this murder has changed us.

Alissa killed the victims, who ranged in age from 20 to 65 and who included one police officer, during an hours-long stand-off at a branch of the popular Colorado grocery chain, King Soopers.

Shoppers and employers at the store had to dive for cover or run for safety after the shooting began.

He was held without bail and had been granted a mental health hearing requested by his defence lawyer.

His attorneys said he was suffering from mental illness on the day of the shooting and unable to tell right from wrong during the attack.

The Associated Press reported he was diagnosed with schizophrenia after the shooting.

His lawyers also said he had heard voices instructing him to carry out the attack, according to the Denver Post.

But for Alissa to be found not guilty by insanity, he had to prove he did not understand he was doing something wrong at the time of the shooting.

Prosecutors argued that purchasing the gun and bullets, researching locations, and then deciding to chase some victims were all proof that Alissa was aware of what he was doing.

Over the course of 10 days, witnesses at the store as well as police officers who responded to the shooting testified before the court.

Jurors found Alissa, a Syrian-born US citizen, guilty on all 10 counts as well as 38 charges of attempted murder, one count of assault and six counts of possessing large-capacity magazines.

The attack at the grocery store, located in the city of Boulder, about 30 miles (50km) from the state's capital of Denver, took place less than one week after another mass shooting in Atlanta that left eight dead.
UPDATE: Jason English has been located and is safe, according to Columbus police.

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  Columbus police are looking for a teenage boy that was reported missing on Monday, Sept. 23.

Police say Jason English, 17, was last seen around 5:45 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23 in the 3000 block of Grenada Drive.

English stands at 5-foot-3-inches and weighs about 130 pounds. He is described as having black hair and brown eyes. Columbus police say he was last seen wearing a red shirt with black sleeves, denim jeans and white sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call the CPD Special Victims Unit at 706-225-3449, Cpl. Emily Stice at 706-225-4366 or dial 911.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Column: Trump wants to turn the federal bureaucracy into an 'army of suck-ups.' Here's how that would be a disaster

Trump would certainly stock the top levels of the government with loyalists. But he also intends to enforce his will by making it possible to dismiss civil servants for their political views. "We will pass critical reforms making every executive branch employee fireable by the president," he said. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

If former President Trump wins the November election, he says one of his actions on "Day One," right after he begins deporting millions of undocumented migrants, will be enacting a radical plan to force the federal bureaucracy to bow to his demands.

Like any president, Trump would undoubtedly stock the top levels of the government with loyal appointees. But he also intends to enforce his will by making it possible to fire lower-ranking federal employees for their political views.

We will pass critical reforms making every executive branch employee fireable by the president," Trump said early in his campaign. The deep state must and will be brought to heel."

The effects would be far-reaching.

If Trump gets his way, Justice Department prosecutors would immediately launch criminal investigations of President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Obama and others who have incurred Trump's wrath.

New appointees at the Internal Revenue Service would likely be ordered to audit prominent Democrats' tax returns, an action Trump demanded during his first term.

Trump's newest political ally, anti-vaccine crusader Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said last week that the nominee has asked him to oversee changes at the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and other public health agencies.

Read more: Column: How can millions of voters still be undecided between Trump and Harris? Here are their reasons

At the Pentagon, Trump has promised to fire senior military officers he considers "woke." And he has vowed to purge the CIA and the FBI, accusing both agencies of "persecuting" conservatives and Christians in addition to investigating his 2016 presidential campaign.

Those jarring scenarios don't spring from the imaginations of Trump's critics. Trump has proposed them himself.

Underlying most of them is his promise to end civil service protections, a sweeping idea that has escaped public scrutiny because it is so wonky.

Trump said last year that he wants the authority to remove at will anyone he considers to be a "rogue bureaucrat." "I will wield that power very aggressively," he added.

Read more: Harris hasnt sealed the deal. Focus groups with young voters show why

Cabinet officials, agency chiefs and other political appointees are named to their jobs by the president and can already be fired at will.

But civil servants  officially nonpartisan officials who work under presidents of both parties  can be fired only for good cause, and they can appeal terminations to an independent review board.

The federal government's civilian workforce of some 2.1 million includes only about 4,000 presidential appointees. Most of the others are civil servants, including FBI agents, NIH scientists, National Park rangers and IRS auditors  all of whom would be affected by the changes Trump has proposed.

'An army of suck-ups'

Experts in federal administration say Trump's proposal, known as "Schedule F" for the job category it would expand, is a bad idea.

"It would turn much of the civil service into an army of suck-ups," said Robert Shea, a self-described conservative Republican who was a top official in the White House Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush.

Shea said he found civil servants' untrammeled advice useful when he was a presidential appointee. "They told me when what I wanted to do was stupid. They advised me on whether it was legal or not," he said. "But they also bent over backward to help me find better ways to do what we wanted to accomplish."

The changes Trump has proposed, Shea said, "would mean that if you told your boss that what he or she was proposing was illegal, impractical [or] unwise, they could brand you as disloyal and terminate you.

Read more: Trump calls Harris a Marxist, a communist, even a fascist. Why his wild punches don't land

Donald F. Kettl, a retired professor of public administration at the University of Maryland, noted that if a new Trump administration fired just a few employees in each agency, the rest would quickly get the message.

"You could get transformation by intimidation," he said.

Making civil servants fireable at will might sound at first as if it could make the bureaucracy more efficient. But in practice, it would open the way to more politically motivated decisions and abuses of power.

An IRS for auditing enemies

"The IRS is a perfectly good example," Shea said. "If a political appointee asks someone to launch an audit without apparent cause, a civil servant could push back. But if Schedule F were in place, the civil servant could be fired."

Retired Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, who served as Trump's White House chief of staff in 2017 and 2018, said after Trump left office that the then-president had demanded that the IRS investigate several of his perceived enemies, including former FBI Director James B. Comey and Deputy Director Andrew G. McCabe.

Read more: Trump's vow to fire thousands of 'crooked' federal workers prompts alarm

The IRS, which was then headed by a Trump appointee, opened audits of both men's tax returns after Kelly left the White House. A later investigation by the Treasury Department found no evidence that the audits were in response to Trump's order.

Kelly told the New York Times in 2022 that Trump also wanted the IRS and the Justice Department to investigate former Secretary of State (and 2016 election rival) Hillary Clinton, former CIA Director John O. Brennan, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and other people he saw as enemies.

"In a second term, there would no longer be a buffer of principled appointees who would stop him," said Donald Moynihan, a University of Michigan professor.

Kettl noted that Project 2025, a policy blueprint prepared largely by former Trump aides, proposes making the IRS deputy commissioner in charge of enforcement, now a civil servant, into a presidential appointee. Trump has claimed he knows nothing about the report, although its lead author says he briefed the former president on its contents.

An anti-vax agenda at the FDA?

Even specialized agencies like the Food and Drug Administration would be vulnerable to the pressures created by Schedule F, Kettl warned.

What happens to scientists and policymakers at the FDA and other health agencies if Trump installs Kennedy and the anti-vaccine crusader pushes his lifelong agenda?

"Anyone who touches policy, or whose behavior seems to conflict with RFK [Jr.]s policy positions, could be replaced. That certainly would apply to FDAs role in approving vaccines," Kettl said. "The potential for a massive shift is enormous. Will I be able to get a flu shot?"

Kennedy has said he'd like to change the focus of NIH, the world's largest public funder of medical research, toward his favorite cause of chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. "Were going to give infectious disease a break for about eight years," he said last year.

Justice Department

The Justice Department's prosecutors have long prized a high degree of independence from political pressures. But Trump has said he wants the department to be "completely overhauled" and purged of anyone who participated in investigations of his past conduct.

"Since the Nixon administration, the department has made a commitment to pursue justice in a fair and evenhanded way, without political interference," said Donald B. Ayer, who was the department's second-ranking official under President George H.W. Bush. "But that commitment is a norm, not a law."

Read more: Trump threatens to jail adversaries in escalating rhetoric ahead of pivotal debate

"If you have a bad actor who wants to violate the rules, he can violate the rules," he said.

Stripping career lawyers of civil service protections, he added, "could have a chilling effect on their willingness to give candid legal advice." If those lawyers resign or are fired, he added, there may be no one left to object to Trump's campaign of legal retribution. "Who's going to stop him?" Ayer asked.

In Trump's previous term, several of his top aides believed it was their duty to slow the president down when he proposed actions they considered illegal or unwise  such as his demand that the IRS audit his enemies, his suggestion that Army troops shoot unarmed demonstrators, or his frequent demands to pull the United States out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Trump later denounced those aides as "RINOs," Republicans in name only, and promised to appoint true loyalists in a second term. There will be no moderating influences this time.

Combine that with Trump's plan to end civil service protections, making internal dissent a firing offense, and you have a recipe for unrestrained one-man rule.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Andrew Elson said he "totally lost my independence for around two months" [HSE]

A manufacturing company has been fined 28,000 after an employee broke his arm while operating machinery.

Andrew Elson from Rugby suffered six fractures in his right arm and hand which required surgery, while working at Screening Consultancy and Supplies Ltd on 25 November 2022.

The 54-year-old had been clearing debris off the bed of a radial arm drill at the firms site on Somers Road in Rugby, when his right hand became entangled in the machine.

Mr Elson said: "I totally lost my independence for around two months and my wife had to do everything.

I don't know what the future holds. I work a manual job with my hands, I don't know how long I can continue to do this for.

I still have trouble using my hands and fingers, and sometimes I wake up and they are stiff, numb, and achy.

The drill which caused Mr Elson's injuries [HSE]

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Screening Consultancy and Supplies Ltd had failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk associated with this work activity, and subsequently failed to implement a safe system of work.

Screening Consultancy and Supplies Ltd, of Somers Road, Rugby, Warwickshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Mr Elson sustained six fractures to the ulna and radius bones in his right arm, which required surgery [HSE]

The company was fined 28,000 and ordered to pay costs of 3,616 at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Thursday.

HSE inspector Charlie Rowe said: "This prosecution highlights how employers should adequately assess the risks and then ensure they have a safe system of work in place for the operation of all machinery."

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Concern grows over brothel near two schools in Queens

Concern grows over brothel near two schools in Queens

Editors note: The video aired on September 10.

CORONA, Queens (PIX11)  Officials and community members are voicing concerns over an alleged 24-hour brothel across from two schools in Queens.

The brothel operates behind a bodega across from PS 19 and PS 307, according to former New York City Councilman Hiram Monserrate.

More Local News

As a mother, we always worry about the safety and welfare of our children but what we see near Roosevelt Avenue now is terrifying, said Ileana Martinez, a parent of two elementary school students.

Our community is crying out for help! Rescue Roosevelt Avenue! Protect our Children! We do not need backpack giveaways, we dont need political rhetoric, we need more cops, counselors and a massive intervention for this community. The NYPD needs to shut this brothel down now. The Roosevelt Avenue Corridor remains lawless and unsafe, said Monserrate.

Local law enforcement has been active in trying to crack down on prostitution. However, illegal activity continues in broad daylight.

On Wednesday, the NYPD raided a storefront on Case Street off Roosevelt Avenue, allegedly being used as a brothel. A small door was cut out of the roll-down gate to allow quick access into the building. Three people were arrested on prostitution charges.

Texas man lured teens to be prostitutes in NYC, branded them Blue Cheese: DA

Monserrate said occasional raids will not stop the illegal activity. Shes requesting more action from multiple law enforcement agencies.

It requires an increased and sustained police presence coupled with a multi-prong/multi agency response led by the NYPD. Make our community safer and cleaner, protect our children, basic mandates, lets get it done!

City Councilman Francisco Moya is pushing legislation that would mandate business licensing to address spas being used as fronts for prostitution. This would make spas subject to NYC Health and Safety inspections, inevitably shutting down illegitimate spas that are fronts for prostitution.

This bill is going to secure the public safety for one, prevent human trafficking, two, and three, and its going to help regulate an industry that has not been regulated for years, Moya said.

The bill still needs to accumulate enough sponsors and go through the hearing process.

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.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (RLa.) the West Front plaza of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. | Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom

In theory, Congress is supposed to pass 12 appropriations bills by the end of each fiscal year to fund discretionary spending on defense, as well as non-defense programs like veterans' benefits, education, transportation, and health. In practice, that hasn't happened in more than a quarter century. This year will be no different.

Despite repeated promises to return to a more orderly annual budget process, funding the federal government for three months with a stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution (C.R.), is the best that Congress can muster.

Over the weekend, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (RLa.) introduced a C.R. that would avert a government shutdown by "continu[ing] current funding levels through Dec. 20," reports Roll Call. Johnson described the 12-week plan as "a very narrow, bare-bones CR including only the extensions that are absolutely necessary."

The three-month C.R. is a bipartisan compromise on the six-month C.R. that died on the House floor in a 202-220 vote on Wednesday. The C.R. presently under consideration excludes $10 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $1.95 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program, as sought by Democrats and Republicans respectively, but retains "$231 million in new appropriations for the Secret Service to provide protection for presidential candidates," per Roll Call.

It's a resounding yet predictable failure of one of Congress' most basic constitutional responsibilities: "to lay and collect taxesto pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States," as described in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

When Johnson became Speaker of the House, he promised a return to "regular order"the annual budget process established by the 1974 Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act.

But it has been 27 years since Congress has fully funded the federal government by October 1, reports Axios. In fact, not even half of the federal government has been funded on time since 1997.

It's pretty much guaranteed that Congress won't pass a single appropriations bill by October 1. Such a failure would not be an aberration but the "sixth year in a row" that Congress has done so, the Committee for a Responsible Budget (CFRB) laments.

According to the CFRB, Congress hasn't "had a real budget"one conferenced by the House and Senate togethersince the 114th Congress passed House Concurrent Resolution 27 for fiscal year 2016. The resolution provided a 10-year-long framework for federal spending, including a "point of order against increasing long-term deficits or direct spending"; subsequent reconciliation bills have included no such long-term plans and merely funded the short-term operations of the federal government.

Fully funding the government on time has long since stopped being the goal; that "has only happened four times in the 50 years of the current budgeting system," notes Axios. Instead, passing stopgap bills to avert a complete government shutdown is the norm.

With only a week left in the 2024 fiscal year, the House has passed exactly zero of the 12 appropriations bills. Legislators haven't even managed to pass the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, which pays the salaries of congressional offices and funds the security and maintenance of the Capitol, never mind the rest of the federal government.

So much for an annual budget process.

The House GOP's budget headaches aren't new; lower chamber Republicans have struggled with the budget process for well over a decade. But they are telling.

Fundamentally, budgeting is a process of prioritization. There are no solutions; only trade-offs. The recurring failure to pass a budget shows that no one in Congressand few in Washington, D.C.seem to have any desire to make hard decisions.

The post Congress Fails the Budget Test, Again appeared first on Reason.com.
Attorney Mat Staver speaking to reporters outside the Florida Supreme Court on Feb. 7, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

A conservative legal organization is coming to the defense of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida and efforts by the DeSantis administration to defeat Amendment 4.

Liberty Counsel and its allied Liberty Counsel Action on Monday weighed in on a request by a Palm Beach County lawyer to block AHCA from maintaining a website that contends the abortion access measure threatens the safety of women. The agency has also put up television and radio ads urging people to visit the website.

Liberty filed an amicus brief with the Florida Supreme Court, which is handling the case, arguing that Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials including Attorney General Ashley Moody enjoy a First Amendment right to speak out on matters of public concern.

Floridas abortion amendment could have a devastating effect on the states residents if passed, said Mat Staver, founder and chair of Liberty Counsel. Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moodys participation in the public debate over Amendment 4 is not only permissible but it is essential. They cannot ignore their obligation to educate the public about this deceptive and extreme abortion amendment.

If passed by 60% of voters, Amendment 4 would undo Floridas existing ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which took effect earlier this year, through the viability, or around 14 weeks gestation.

Opponents of the abortion ban mobilized last year and gathered enough signatures to get on the November ballot. But DeSantis and other Republicans have mounted a political campaign against the measure and have in recent weeks used government resources to urge voters to vote no.

The legal tussle at the Supreme Court is one of two lawsuits actively challenging AHCAs actions. Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group sponsoring the initiative, has filed its own lawsuit with the help of attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.

A trial court judge in Tallahassee has scheduled an emergency hearing on Wednesday to consider a temporary injunction against AHCA. The injunction request maintains that AHCA is grossly misrepresenting Amendment 4.

DeSantis, who has been blasting the abortion access amendment for weeks and criticized the state Supreme Court for allowing the amendment on the ballot, has defended the actions of his agency.
New York Times columnist David French, a consistent critic of former U.S. President Donald Trump and religious freedom scholar, will speak at a BYU forum on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.

PROVO, Utah  Conservative New York Times columnist David French, who worked on Mitt Romneys campaigns for president in 2008 and 2012 and briefly considered a run himself in 2016, will speak Tuesday at a Brigham Young University forum in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.

While some Republicans who initially confronted former President Donald Trump before his election or during his first term have changed their minds, French is an unwavering Trump critic who considers his position a principled stand for conservatism. He left the Republican Party in 2018 to become an independent.

Last week, French wrote a withering condemnation of Trumps refusal to say he wants Ukraine to beat Russia.

His negative attitude toward Ukraine isnt rooted in a grand strategic vision, French wrote. It is rooted in his personal pique over Ukraines nonexistent participation in a fictional conspiracy. It was an astonishing display of corruption and unfitness.

French was invited to speak at BYU because of his work as a First Amendment attorney on behalf of religious freedom and freedom of speech. He is the author of the 2002 book A Season for Justice: Defending the Rights of the Christian Church, Home, and School.

He graduated from Harvard Law School, earned the Bronze Star while serving in the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was a staff writer for the conservative National Review. He latest book is Divided We Fall: Americas Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation.

French joined The New York Times opinion page as a conservative columnist in 2023. He has written on a wide range of topics in that role. The 2024 presidential election has been a consistent topic this summer.

Has David French said whether he will vote for Trump or Harris?

In August, French wrote a column saying he will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris over Trump in November.

I have never seen a human being lie with the intensity and sheer volume of Donald Trump, he wrote, saying that he remains a conservative and contending that the Republican nominee has displayed a cruelty that has embedded itself among conservative evangelicals.

There are many churches and Christian leaders who are now more culturally Trumpian than culturally Christian. Trump is changing the church, the columnist wrote.

Frenchs own Christian congregation recently canceled him this summer.

I said no to Donald Trump, French said in a piece about that experience. I ultimately said no to the Republican Party. I didnt say no to being a conservative, but said no to being a Republican. And when we made that decision, we knew there would be blowback. We knew that. We had no idea at all what was really in store for us when we made that decision.

What French has written about Trump and Christianity

The fallout came around the time French wrote a column in July in which he encouraged people to criticize Trump, but dont demonize him. He said American evangelicals were being torn apart by a conflict over theology. He argued that orthodoxy (which he defined as right belief) and orthopraxy (right conduct) shouldnt be as distinct as he sees them becoming among evangelicals who support Trump.

Lets make this less abstract, he wrote. In 1998, the Southern Baptist Convention issued a bold statement of belief  it passed a resolution on the moral character of public officials that clearly stated, in no uncertain terms, Tolerance of serious wrong by leaders sears the conscience of the culture, spawns unrestrained immorality and lawlessness in the society and surely results in Gods judgment.

Yet in 2016 and 2020, Southern Baptists were a key part of the evangelical coalition that overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump, one of the lowest-character men ever to run for president. Theyre expected to do so again in 2024. In this case, the denomination declared an orthodoxy, but utterly failed at orthopraxy, and its compromised conduct is now, sadly, far more relevant to American life than its lofty ideal.

French concluded that the church that truly influences a nation will be one that focuses on doing good more than on being right.

How politically conservative is the BYU community?

BYU long has been considered a conservative Republican bastion, but researchers have noted that the precincts around campus where students live were increasingly blue in the past two presidential elections. Half of the precincts surrounding BYU voted for Biden/Harris in 2020, BYU professor Jacob Rugh reported.

The reality is that BYU is much more representative of the U.S. as a whole than most American campuses, which often resemble balkanized liberal states within regions that are far more purple politically, two other researchers wrote last year. Maybe, then, its time to begin questioning the tired stereotypes of Brigham Young University as a stodgy conservative institution  and begin to consider the distinctive benefits of political diversity like we observe there.

Frenchs forum topic is unknown, but he has written recently about his work defending religious freedom in the context of this years election. In one piece, he said he defended both secular and religious organizations whether they agreed with him, and that it had been a value of the Republican Party.

Along comes the age of Trump and the party takes this very authoritarian turn, which contradicted all of my previous legal work, quite frankly, he wrote. But at the same time, that move, that G.O.P. move, vindicated a lot of critiques of the G.O.P. that I had previously dismissed. And it made me realize that I had not been seeing my own community as clearly as I needed to.

In his column saying he would vote for Harris, French said that he cannot vote for Trump precisely because I am conservative. I loathe sex abuse, pornography and adultery. Trump has brought those vices into the mainstream of the Republican Party. I want to cultivate a culture that values human life from conception through natural death. Yet America became more brutal and violent during Trumps term.

Tuesdays forum address will begin at 11:05 a.m. and is scheduled to be broadcast on BYUtv.org. Forum assemblies are free and open to the public.
(Bloomberg) -- To meet the surging demand for electricity to run artificial intelligence, the US should emulate China, according to the head of the power company that just inked a deal with Microsoft Corp. to reopen the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear plant.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Big technology companies are proposing data centers so massive that they could only function if theyre built alongside power plants, Joe Dominguez, Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Energy Corp., said Monday in an interview with Bloomberg News. China is already taking that approach in the AI projects its planning, Dominguez said.

Thats a significant shift from the current models that rely on miles and miles of long-distance transmission lines to carry electricity. But theres a shortage of wires in the US and utilities say it can take years to connect facilities to the grid. The delays are a hurdle for data center operators that need power as soon as possible  and AIs importance to national security is compounding the urgency, Dominguez said.

Constellation has been part of discussions with customers that are looking at multi-gigawatt data centers, Dominguez said in an interview Monday at Bloomberg News headquarters in New York. It could only be done at the location the power is produced.

Across the US, energy companies are racing to meet a jump in electricity demand from power-hungry AI data centers, manufacturing facilities and electric vehicles. As recently as a few years ago, experts thought that solar and wind output would be sufficient to meet additional power needs. Now coal plants are being kept online longer, utilities are planning record amounts of new natural gas generation and nuclear reactors are popular again.

Constellation announced last week that it would restart a reactor at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania and deliver the power to Microsoft. And Amazon.com Inc. agreed in March to spend $650 million to acquire a data center campus connected to another nuclear plant in the state. Given the enormous power needs, nuclear plants that run around the clock are the best options for delivering energy to outsized US data centers, Dominguez said.

AI is here to stay, he said Monday during an interview on Bloomberg Television. And the country has to be successful on AI from a geopolitical security perspective as well as an economic perspective.

--With assistance from Josh Saul, Mark Chediak and Katie Greifeld.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
TOKYO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Unprecedented rainfall has left six people dead in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture, with 10 remaining unaccounted for, local media reported.

Two people, one in Noto Town and one in Suzu City, were swept away by a river and their whereabouts remained unknown, according to public broadcaster NHK, citing information from local police.

There are eight others whose safety is unconfirmed, bringing the number of people unaccounted for to 10, the report added.

Japan's weather agency on Sunday morning downgraded its heavy rain emergency warning for parts of Ishikawa Prefecture to a warning, but authorities called for continued vigilance against possible floods and landslides. 
Control of US House, Senate is up for grabs. What could down-ballot elections mean for Ukraine support?

The entire U.S. House and some members of the Senate are up for reelection in November  including some of Ukraines staunchest backers in Congress, which could have an impact on future support for Kyiv in its fight against Russia.

All 435 members of the House will face re-election on Nov. 5. Voter turnout is expected to be higher than normal given the face-off between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, likely increasing turnout for all congressional district races.

While Congressional races arent typically the focus of international concern, this Novembers elections could alter the political makeup of key committees and districts that have been reliable in their support of Ukraine.

In some races, incumbent Democrats could be unseated by Trump-backed Republicans who oppose Americas support for Ukraine.

Republicans are slightly favored to retain leadership in the House, according to Inside Elections, an independent political analysis organization, but Democrats are benefitting from momentum and a surge in down-ballot financing following the rallying around Kamala Harris. In some states, early in-person voting is already underway.

Democrats are also facing what Rep. Jim Costa of California said are strong concerns about efforts from the Kremlin to benefit Trump in the election.

The constant effort of Russia today, not just RT, but their various means to infiltrate our election process, to disrupt and favor Trump, is well known and substantial, Rep. Costa said, referencing the state-owned news outlet in Russia that recently had two employees indicted for funding a pro-Russian network in Tennessee.

Russia is also trying to impact elections down ballot where they can.

"The constant effort of Russia today, not just RT, but their various means to infiltrate our election process, to disrupt and favor Trump, is well known and substantia."

For House Republicans, who currently have the majority, 112 representatives who voted no on the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine that was passed in April are up for re-election. Among those are 12 Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Its chairman, on the other hand, Rep. Michael McCaul, is among the more supportive Republicans of Ukraine, having voted yes on the April aid package.

House Democrats in support of Ukraine could gain another vote should Foreign Affairs Committee member and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Scott Perry, lose this November.

Perry, who has voted against all significant Ukraine packages lately and is known for his connection to Donald Trumps 2020 election denial, is facing a challenger who has expressed support for Ukraine.

"If (Putin is) successful in Ukraine, how much further will he take it?," the challenger, Janelle Stelson, told a Pennsylvania television station in April.

"Will he then start eking into our NATO allies? We don't know what's in his mind. But when I see Scott Perry vote against Ukraine and vote for Russia, that's a real problem for me."

Chair of the House Freedom Caucus Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) speaks during a news conference with members of the House Freedom Caucus at the U.S. Capitol in in Washington, DC, U.S. on Nov.29, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Democratic candidate for the 10th congressional district Janelle Stelson campaigns in York, Pa., US, April 10, 2024. (Joe Lamberti for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican who visited Kyiv on Sept. 13 and serves on the Armed Services Committee, is one of the most adamant Ukraine-supporting conservatives who could lose in November. Rep. Bacon defeated an anti-Ukraine opponent from his right wing in the Republican primary and now must face a general election Democrat in a district won by President Biden in 2020.

"If (Putin is) successful in Ukraine, how much further will he take it?"

Nearly two-thirds of Americans support Ukraine in Rep. Bacons estimates, which is why he said discussing his support of Ukraine is a winning issue in his divided district.

In April, 44% of Americans said they were extremely concerned about the possibility of Ukraine being defeated and taken over by Russia.

If I happen to lose in November it wont be because of Ukraine, Rep. Bacon told the Kyiv Independent. I think I would be in a worse spot if I didnt support Ukraine.

In northern Ohio, one of the largest Ukrainian communities in the country, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, the Democratic co-chair of the bipartisan Ukraine Caucus, has faced growing support from the Republican opposition whove challenged her in previous races.

Kaptur, who recently led a bipartisan letter calling for the Biden administration to lift its restrictions on Kyivs use of American weapons to strike inside Russia, won her last race by 13% but used to be re-elected more handily with a margin near 30%.

Knowing that the economy is the number one driver on most voters minds, the reliable advocate for Ukraine hopes that the number of veterans in Ohio who know the realities of war abroad and aid workers whove helped Ukrainians in Ohio will show up on election day with foreign policy in mind.



U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) speaks with Ukrainian refugees during a press conference by the Congressional Ukraine Caucus outside of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Jan.31, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

A lot of Ohioans have come to see  they didnt even know where Ukraine was  now theyre seeing this creeping threat across NATO, Kaptur told the Kyiv Independent.

The campaign for Republican Derek Merrin who is facing Kaptur did not respond to requests for comment.

Opposition to Ukraine support on the ballot

When it comes to adamantly vocal opposition to support of Ukraine, Congresss distinct Republicans are Marjorie Taylor Greene in the House and JD Vance in the Senate, Trumps running mate.

Greene, the current two-term fringe Georgia representative blamed for spreading Russian propaganda, is among the incumbents that would make Ukraine lobbying easier should she lose in November. The campaign website of her opponent, Shawn Harris, says that America should use all the tools available to manage Russias threat, including civilian and military aid.

However, if Greenes 2022 re-election where she won handily with over 65% of the vote is any indicator, Harriss odds of overthrowing the conspiracy theorist wont be easy.

Congresss only Ukraine-born representative, Indiana Republican Victoria Spartz, is one of the incumbent Republicans who voted no on aid to Ukraine in April and could be unseated by a Democrat in November. Deborah Pickett, the Democrat challenging Spartz, said she supports continued aid to Ukraine, according to local reporting in Indiana.

Rep. Spartz defeated her Democratic challenger in 2022 by over 50,000 votes, but in 2020 defeated the Democratic opposition by about 17,000 votes. Spartz, who did not respond to requests for comment, was backed by Trump in her successful 2020 primary, representing a sect of the Republican party that many view as voting on policy packages depending on the former presidents views.

I actually think theres a lot of Republican support on the Hill for Ukraine and to stand up to Russia, a Senate aide who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity told the Kyiv Independent. But some of these folks are caught in the Trump vice of their own making.

(L-R) J.D. Vance waits backstage as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks during a campaign rally at The Trout Club in Newark, Ohio, U.S. on April 30, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

In the Senate, where Republicans only need to flip two seats to guarantee control of the chamber, Democrats are likely to see their narrow majority fall to at least a 50-50 split due to the retirement of independent Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. The states Republican Governor who is expected to win the Senate seat, Jim Justice, has supported previous American aid to Ukraine.

However, one of Republicans best chances to win a Senate seat is in Montana, where Democratic Sen. Jon Testers incumbency is threatened in a state fond of Trump. Testers Republican challenger, Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, has called for an end to American involvement in Ukraine, saying the U.S. should focus on its economy.

Its time for the United States to end our involvement in this war, Sheehy said in a July 2023 statement. We must now demand a settlement which ends the killing of innocent people and the unlimited supply of arms from the United States.

In Ohio, which has become a reliably red state for Trump since 2016, Senate Republicans have another shot at unseating a Democrat with a Trump-backed Ukraine skeptic. Democratic incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown, who has consistently endorsed U.S. aid to Ukraine, faces a well-financed Republican, Bernie Moreno, who told a local news station that the U.S. should not be funding another endless war.

There are a number of Republican candidates up for re-election or vying to join the House who align with Trump and thus pose questionable policies for Ukraine, Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, who isnt up for re-election until 2029 but has increasingly been in the public eye after being shortlisted for Harriss running mater said.

(At the) same time, I expect that the Democrats win back the House, so after January I think (Democrats) will be in a better position, which means Ukraine will be in a better position, Sen. Kelly said.

Read also: We asked 5 prominent Ukrainians about Trumps debate comments on Ukraine

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The Wenatchee, seen here approaching Seattle in 2011, is expected to be out of service until summer 2025 for a hybrid-electric conversion project. (Keith Anderson/Washington State Department of Transportation)

When Washington State Ferries took its Jumbo Mark II vessel, the Wenatchee, out of service last September to convert it from diesel to hybrid-electric power, the plan was for the boat to be back in action sometime around late summer this year.

The agency now says it anticipates the project will take until summer 2025 to complete.

There are no issues with the technology itself, but as is common with major vessel retrofits, we have faced some challenges in working this new technology into the existing vessel, Matt von Ruden, administrator for Ferries electrification program, said in a statement last week.

He added that the agency and the shipbuilder completing the project, Vigor, have largely tackled the issues that created difficulties.

There will be a higher cost, Suanne Pelley, a spokesperson for the agency told the Standard on Friday. Just time alone equals money, she said, adding that Washington State Ferries is still evaluating what those costs will be with Vigor. Its definitely a back-and-forth conversation.

The agency and Vigor agreed to a $100 million contract to convert the Wenatchee and another vessel, the Tacoma, to hybrid-electric power. Theres also an option to proceed with another $50 million conversion of a third boat, the Puyallup.

The three ferries were built in the late 1990s, each is about 460 feet long and can carry 202 cars and 2,499 people. Jumbo Mark II vessels are the largest vessels that Washington State Ferries operates.

Conversion work on the Tacoma isnt expected to start until the Wenatchee is back in service, Pelley said.

Washington State Ferries has 21 vessels and is running 15-boat service currently, with the Wenatchee out and another five vessels moving in and out of routes to accommodate scheduled maintenance or other work, or as needed for emergencies.

The agency is planning to receive bids in early 2025 on five new hybrid-electric boats.
Mexican media reported at least 10 new deaths this weekend  including corpses found wearing sombreros or with pizza slices pegged onto them with knives  in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, where rival cartel factions have been in open conflict with each other and authorities in recent days.

The uptick in violence comes after the surprise arrest on U.S. soil of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in late July, which is believed to have unleashed an internal power struggle within the group.

Around 70 people have been killed in the state since September 9, mostly in the capital city Culiacan, according to official and press tallies.

Three incidents occurred on Saturday in the central Tres Rios area of Culiacan.

The first was a shootout between police and alleged hitmen, after which unknown individuals blockaded a road with cars and motorcycles about 650 feet from the prosecutor's office.

Separately, security agents were attacked by gunmen who then fled into an apartment building. An ensuing shootout left three alleged criminals dead, one arrested and two soldiers injured, Governor Ruben Rocha Moya wrote on social media.

"The security forces managed to evacuate six adults and a minor from the property where the aggressors were taking refuge," said Rocha, who traveled on Saturday to Mexico City to meet with president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum.

The federal government also sent 600 soldiers on Saturday to reinforce security in Sinaloa.

Local media also reported seven other deaths. The bodies of five people were left in the street, half-naked and wearing hats, in what is presumed to be a message of intimidation between the warring factions.

Bodies have appeared across the city, often left slung out on the streets or in cars with either sombreros on their heads or pizza slices or boxes pegged onto them with knives. The pizzas and sombreros have become informal symbols for the warring cartel factions, underscoring the brutality of their warfare.

Soldiers of the Mexican Army patrol the streets of Culiacan, Sinaloa State, Mexico, on September 21, 2024. / Credit: IVAN MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images

Zambada, 76, was arrested on July 25 after flying across the US border. He claims he was kidnapped in Mexico and delivered into US custody against his will.

He was detained along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison in Colorado after being convicted in 2019 on charges including drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons-related offenses. Last year, El Chapo sent an "SOS" message to Mexico's president, alleging that he has been subjected to "psychological torment" in prison.

The wave of violence is believed to pit gang members loyal to El Chapo and his sons against others aligned with Zambada.

Zambada pleaded not guilty last week in New York in a drug trafficking case that accuses him of engaging in murder plots and ordering torture.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who leaves office at the end of the month, has placed partial blame on the United States, saying it unilaterally planned Zambada's capture.

The claim was rejected by U.S. ambassador Ken Salazar on Saturday.

"It is incomprehensible how the United States can be responsible for the massacres we see in different places," Salazar said in a news conference in Chihuahua on Saturday. "What is being seen in Sinaloa is not the fault of the United States."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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FALL RIVER  St. Annes Shrine is not only moving ahead with ongoing renovations; they want the historic Roman Catholic monument, whose twin spires punctuate Fall Rivers skyline, to be lauded as an international tourist destination.

Bob Gauvin, president of St. Annes Shrine Preservation Society, went before the Community Preservation Committee on Sept. 16 to secure $100,000 in funding, which would go toward the last $300,000 needed to help restore its exterior. Members of the board digressed adoringly about the building, comparing the shrine at 818 Middle St., at the intersection with South Main Street, to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.

Its the largest church in the area. Its a stunning space that has one of the largest pipe organs in New England, Gauvin said.

Historic diner: Fall River's Nite Owl soars to next round for preservation funding. Here's where it stands.

Scaffolding is erected at St. Anne's Church in Fall River on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.

The last phase of restoration is underway

In a productive meeting with CPC members, St. Annes Shrine Preservation Society secured funding to restore and repoint the shrines original Vermont marble exterior walls, and to renew mortar joints.

Work on the south side and roof, including the gutters, has been completed.

Were in the process of restoring the north side, Gauvin said, which is adjacent to the former Dominican Academy on Park Street. That side, he informed the board, is being paid for by somebody who left us half of their estate.

Restoration of the building's north side should wrap up by late November or early December.

I've never restored a $100 million building, Gauvin said, citing the significance of this makeover and the legacy of the structure. It's in really good shape, he said, commending his team of inspectors and the craftsmanship dating back to the early 20th century.

A statue of the Virgin Mary watches as scaffolding covers the Middle Street side of St. Anne's Church in Fall River on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. The church has undergone roof repairs.

Gauvin added that the upper church space and towers are in perfect condition, and have been since 1906, when the shrine atop the hill  then, a parish  opened for worship.

Once sealant is reapplied to the exterior to prevent weathering that could threaten the building's structural integrity, the shrine will be protected for another 50 to 75 years, Gauvin estimated.

Saving historic buildings: Two groups will figure out a plan for Fall River's Bank Street Armory

This shows a commitment on your part, that youre putting it to use, said John Brandt, conservation commissioner of the CPC, referring to previous funding the restoration project had garnered from the CPC. The community gets to see that.

Private funding will pay for additional costs. To supplement expenses, the shrine sells $6,000 worth of candles each month. The Rev. Kenneth Sicard, Providence Colleges president and a Westport native, funded the restoration of the lower-level chapel.

St. Anne's Shrine is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and noon until 4 p.m. on weekends.

In a photo taken on Feb, 4, 2015, Fall River's Catholic school students and staff fill every pew in the soaring sanctuary of St. Anne's Church during a Mass celebrated in honor of Catholic Schools Week.

The news is getting out and tourists may soon be pouring in

Commenting on widespread notoriety of the updates, plus the shrines longstanding history and significance to the French Canadian community over the past century, Michael Farias, appointed member of the CPC for the Planning Board, nudged discussion toward the prospect of international tourism during the meeting.

The aim to beautify the shrine coincides with the effort to create a sustainable working business model. Farias mentioned the success and prestige of Notre-Dame Basilicas musical performances and light shows, hoping St. Annes Shrine could host similar attractions. The Notre-Dame Basilica is exemplar of a public-private partnership with the diocese that St. Annes Shrine is vying for.

'Source of strength': Fall River Diocese turns 120 years old, serving its people

The diocese ran the church as a parish. Its now described as a shrine. This has made big difference, according to Gauvin  St. Annes Shrine is on its way to becoming a destination for local and international tourism.

Were on the trolley stop, Gauvin said. For the first time in decades, we had a pilgrimage. A busload of people from Quebec. So, the news is getting out.

He said the upper church is believed to be able to seat 2,000 people.

If theres ever a big event, thats the place to have it, Gauvin said.

The next meeting for projects eligible to receive funding is set for Jan. 8 and 9, with CPCs deliberations concluding by Jan. 14.

In 100 years from now, we would like to see that building still going strong, said Brandt, echoing the sentiments of many who are keen for a glimpse once the upper church is open.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: St. Anne's Shrine committee has a vision for tourism in Fall River
From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch

Happy Monday! Election Day is 43 days away. Have you purchased your President Donald J. Trump First Edition Silver Medallion yet?

Up to Speed

Fallout continued over the weekend from a CNN report tying Republican North Carolina gubernatorial nominee Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson to an account on a pornographic website that made antisemitic, pro-slavery, and sexually explicit comments. Resignations rocked Robinsons campaign, which publicly announced the departure of its campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, senior adviser, and finance director Sunday. A local media outlet reported the same day that the campaign had only three people working on ittwo spokesmen and a bodyguard.

Former President Donald Trumps team has avoided commenting directly on the Robinson scandal but, asked about the controversy Saturday, vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance tried to separate the campaign from it. I dont not believe him. I dont believe him, Vance told NBC News of Robinsons denial that the comments are his. I just think that you have to let these things sometimes play out in the court of public opinion. Hes going to make whatever arguments he wants to make. Im sure the news media and others are going to investigate these comments further. I just think that fundamentally its Mark Robinson and the people of North Carolina that get to decide whether hes their governor, and thats what were going to focus on.

Vance did not rule out campaigning with Robinson but said there were no plans to do so. Trump held a rally Saturday in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Robinson was neither there nor mentioned by Trump. The former president previously endorsed Robinson in the states primary and has spoken highly of him.

Georgias evangelical voters are undeterred by the Republican presidential campaigns recent moderation on issues pertaining to human life, according to Ralph Reed, the founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition. Reed told reporters on a call Friday that his organization was not seeing much concern over where Trump is likely to stand on court appointments and defunding Planned Parenthood, and he defended the Republican Party platform adopted this summer that some pro-lifers criticized. The platform that was passed in Milwaukee isnt the one that we would have passed, but its more than sufficiently pro-life, he said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee took in $9.7 million in August, less than half the $22.3 million its Democratic counterpart raised the same month, Punchbowl News reported Friday. That haul brings House Republicans campaign arm to a little under $71 million on hand, about $16 million behind the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The news adds to the GOPs woes about its congressional candidates not matching the money their Democratic opponents have put up.

Gaming Out Electoral College Votes in Nebraska and Maine

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen appears at the Fiserv Forum on the last night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, on July 18, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Nebraska Republicans last week resurrected a push to give the state a winner-take-all system of allocating its five electoral votes, a move that could give Donald Trump one more vote in a tight election.

First, some background: Most states award all their votes in the Electoral College to the winner of the statewide popular vote. But by state law, Nebraska and Maine give two electoral votes to the statewide winner and allocate the rest based on a candidates performance in each of the states congressional districts. In 2020, the system resulted in Trump winning one vote from Maine (from the rural 2nd District) and Joe Biden winning the other three electoral votes despite winning the states popular vote. Meanwhile, Biden won one vote from Nebraska (from the urban district around Omaha) while losing statewide, giving Trump four of Nebraskas five electoral votes.

Polling indicates a similar split could result in November between Trump and Kamala Harris.

But a change to Nebraskas rules giving all five of its electoral votes to the statewide winner could be decisive in the election. If Harris wins the blue wall swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania while Trump takes the other four Sun Belt swing states, that single electoral vote in Nebraska would give Harris an outright victory. Without it, she and Trump would tie in that Electoral College scenario, sending the election to the House of Representatives. Given the expected breakdown of the House delegations, Trump would likely win that contingent election.

So its no surprise Trump and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a Republican, had both urged the legislature to pass a law allocating the states electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis back in April. Republicans in the GOP-controlled body (which is officially nonpartisan) put a measure on the floor soon after, only to see it fail. Had the effort been successful, Maines Democratic governor and legislature could have counteracted it by converting their state to a similar system. But because Maine laws take 90 days to go into effect and the December 17 meeting of the Electoral College is now 85 days away, it is unlikely that the state could negate a change from Nebraska.

At this point, Pillen would need to call a special session of the legislature to make the change happen, as the unicameral body is not scheduled to meet until January. However, in a September 13 statement, he said he would do so only if he received clear and public indication that 33 senators are willing to vote in such a session to restore winner-take-all, referencing the number needed to overcome a filibuster. As it stands, there are only about 30 or 31 votes in favor at the moment, state Sen. Tom Brewer, who chairs the legislative committee that handles election law, told the Nebraska Examiner.

Republicans tried to firm up the votes they need by sending South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham to meet with legislators and lobby for the change last Wednesday. Although Graham told ABC News he spoke about the state of the play in the world and the consequences of the next election on a foreign policy front, Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska told reporters he had asked his colleague to talk about winner-take-all, calling Graham a great spokesperson for the cause.

They could both be telling the truth. Those things are not mutually exclusive. His focus was on foreign policy, like, what is the difference of what happens on the world stage depending on whos in the chair, a Republican operative with knowledge of the states politics, speaking of Grahams visit, told Dispatch Politics.

In their messaging, Democrats in the state are pushing back against the external pressure to amend the system. Nebraskans dont need out-of-state interests to come in and tell us to change the way weve been doing things for decades, the Nebraska Democratic Party said in a statement to Dispatch Politics. We are proud of the state senators who have been consistent and steadfast in standing up for Nebraskans having a voice in our electoral process and will continue to do so.

But on top of Grahams visit, all five members of Nebraskas congressional delegation (all Republicans) signed a letter last week encouraging Pillen and state Sen. John Arch, the speaker of the legislature, to make the change to winner-take-all.

We need a President that will represent all of us, from Omaha to Scottsbluff and everywhere in-between, the delegation wrote last Wednesday. Senators and Governors are elected by the state as a whole because they represent all of the people of Nebraska equally, and the state should speak with a united voice in presidential elections as well. After all, we are Nebraskans first, not members of Nebraskas three congressional districts. Our identity as Nebraskans is what unites us in a common bond.

It is unclear exactly what the deadline would be for Republicans to make the change. Deputy Secretary of State Cindi Allen told ABC News that the change would be adoptedbarring any legal challengesso long as the legislature passes it before the election. Meanwhile, Kate Heltzel, a spokeswoman for the legislature, told the outlet that, while some argue that officials would need to make the change before early voting starts (October 7 this year), others say they have until the December meeting of the Electoral College.

To my knowledge, the attorney general has not officially weighed in on the issues, so I dont have a definitive answer, she said.

Haley Voters for Harris Proceeds Despite Protests from Haley

Texas voters listen to Republican Nikki Haley during a rally at Sawyer Park Icehouse in Spring, Texas, on March 4, 2024. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

A small group with a modest budget is hopeful that invoking a big name can help generate a decisive number of Republican votes for Vice President Kamala Harris in key battleground states.

Haley Voters for Harris aims to turn the millions of Republican primary voters who backed Nikki Haley over Donald Trump in this years GOP nominating contestsalong with other like-minded center-right votersinto supporters of the Democratic nominee. The super PAC has only, roughly, $2 million to spend at present. But the group expects additional seven-figure donations and is making plans to expand its highly targeted operation beyond Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Haley Voters for Harris plans to invest in digital advertisements targeting disaffected Republicans, many of whom, the groups data shows, are open to being persuaded to back the vice president. The spots are to run on YouTube, Google search, and other platforms. Complementary direct-mail advertising could follow if resources are available. In the battleground states where Haley Voters for Harris is active, organizers have enlisted local supporters and strategists to lead its effort.

Our plans are to be active in all seven of the swing states, Robert Schwartz, senior advisor to Haley Voters for Harris, told Dispatch Politics. He acknowledged that some who voted for Haley in the primary are now backing Trump, emphasizing that were targeting people who, based on testing, are swayable.

All told, Haley won nearly 4.4 million votes this year, or almost 20 percent of the GOP primary electorate, despite winning nominating contests only in Vermont and Washington, D.C.

Consider: In 2020, Biden defeated Trump in Arizona by 10,457 votes. Haleys vote total in the Arizona primary? 110,948. Biden beat Trump in Michigan by 154,188 votes. Her vote total in the Michigan primary? 296,328. Biden outpaced Trump in Pennsylvania by 81,660 votes. Haleys vote total in the Pennsylvania primary? 158,178. Biden edged Trump in Wisconsin by 20,682 votes. Her vote total in the Wisconsin primary? 76,752.

Haley Voters for Harris began as a super PAC dedicated to persuading voters who backed the Republican Partys 2024 primary runner-up to throw their support to President Joe Biden, hence the previous name: Haley Voters for Biden. Before that, the organization was known as Primary Pivot; its original purpose to drive opposition to Trump in GOP primaries. Why has Haley Voters for Harris fixated on the former South Carolina governor and ex-U.S ambassador to the United Nations, branding itself with her surname?

Its easy; despite losing handily to Trump in nearly every primary, Haley won a sizable bloc of votes from people who identify as traditionally conservative Ronald Reagan Republicans, are unhappy with the former presidents leadership, or are influenced by a mixture of both sentiments. Even after Haley suspended her campaign in March, she kept earning votes in subsequent GOP primaries in which she did not compete other than the fact that her name was on the ballot.

That this bloc has come to be known as Haley voters is branding and name identification virtually any politician with White House ambitions would kill for, so to speak.

But the South Carolinian, who has endorsed Trump and spoke on his behalf at the Republican National Convention, wants Haley Voters for Harris to stop using her name. She made her demands known via attorneys, telling Fox News this month in a statement: Kamala Harris and I are total opposites on every issue. Any attempt to use my name to support her or her agenda is deceptive and wrong. I support Donald Trump because he understands we need to make America strong, safe, and prosperous.

The impact of Haleys public grumbling has been mixed. Dawn Roberts, who served as co-chairwoman of the former ambassadors Republican primary campaign in Iowa, has decided to endorse Harris. She outlined why in a Des Moines Register op-ed published Friday. But Alissa Baker, a member of Haleys leadership team in Virginia, decided to disassociate with the Haley Voters Working Group, a separate entity but offshoot of Haley Voters for Harris.

Baker said Haleys dissatisfaction with the group, and her endorsement of Trump and speech at the GOP convention in Milwaukee, were factors in her decision. So, is she now prepared to vote for Trump? Every time I get close to that decision, something else crazy happens. [With] the nature of this election cycleIm waiting for the October surprise at this point, Baker said.

A spokesperson for Haley acknowledged Dispatch Politics request for comment but had not responded at publication time. On Friday, the Trump campaign issued an email fundraising appeal signed by Haley, the first instance of her campaigning publicly for the former president since the GOP convention.

Sunday Show Rewind

On NBCs Meet the Press, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called the allegations about Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson beyond unnerving and said that if they are true, that Robinson is unfit to serve for office. Graham said the North Carolina Republican should be allowed to defend himself but told anchor Kristen Welker that he is a political zombie if he doesnt offer a credible defense.

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas said on CNNs State of the Union that Robinson owes the people of North Carolina more answers about the scandal but quickly changed topics to the presidential race. Were talking about the presidential race here that matters to everyone, not just the people in one state. Kamala Harris owes the American people a lot more answerslike, for instance, what she would do about the wars in the Middle East, he said.

Cotton had a difficult time defending a comment from former President Donald Trump, who said Thursday that, if he did not prevail in November, then the Jewish people would have a lot to do with the loss. Cotton characterized Vice President Kamala Harris as acting like an assistant principal whos constantly scolding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pointed out that Trump made his comments at an event focused on fighting antisemitism in America. Donald Trump has been saying for months that anyone who cares about Israel, anyone who cares about the fate of the U.S.-Israel alliance should vote for him. They shouldnt vote for Kamala Harris, Cotton said. He then asked when the last time Harris had appeared at such an event. Her husband is Jewish and is in charge of a group about combating antisemitism in the United States, anchor Jake Tapper retorted.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis appeared on Face the Nation on CBS and addressed the Trump campaigns focus on Aurora, a Denver suburb, as a hotbed of gang activity as a result of illegal immigrationdespite a lack of evidence that a viral video of armed men in a dilapidated apartment complex actually showed members of the Venezuelan gang supposedly running rampant in the city. Polis, a Democrat, noted that Aurora is Colorados third-largest city and that while gang activity is an ongoing problem in many large cities, that violent crime is down there. Pressed by anchor Margaret Brennan on whether Harris needs to speak up about immigration more, Polis noted the failed border-security bill sunk by Republicans in Congress. We need better border security. Kamala Harris will deliver on that, because its not a simple proposition. It requires investment, high-tech investment, fencing, scanning, more Border Patrol agents, which the bill would have funded more Border Patrol agents, he said.

Eyes on the Trail

Donald Trump will be in Savannah, Georgia, on Tuesday to deliver remarks on taxes and manufacturing. This is the Republican nominees first trip to the Peach State since August 3, when he and his running mate, J.D. Vance, held a rally in Atlanta.

Vance will headline a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, early this evening. After that, the Republican vice presidential nominee will address a gathering of the Believers and Ballots Coalition, also in Charlotte. The Trump campaign launched the coalition to get out the vote among churchgoers.

The Trump campaign is kicking off a three-day bus tour across Wisconsin, beginning today with stops in Hudson, Altoona, and Kronenwetter. The events are being hosted by various Republicans who are supporting the former president, including Reps. Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin and Troy Nehls of Texas, plus Wisconsin GOP Chairman Brian Schimming and various local and state grassroots conservatives.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, is scheduled to speak at a series of campaign receptions, likely Harris campaign fundraisers, this afternoon in New York City.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Harris husband, will campaign for Texas Democrats and deliver remarks today at a Harris campaign reception, which is usually code for a fundraiser, in San Antonio.

Notable and Quotable

Mark Robinson is absolutely unfit to be the governor of North Carolina, and that was true before your story broke last Thursday. The story has only served to underline and put an exclamation point on that fact.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democratic candidate for governor, commenting on his Republican opponents scandal in an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper, September 22, 2024

Read more at The Dispatch

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DIAMOND HEAD, Hawaii (KHON2)  Three weeks ago, Courtney Raymond-Arakaki, 34, was killed after a neighbor reportedly rammed a front-loader into the home she and others were at, and began shooting.

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The incident happened during a party where family members were in the carport. Raymond-Arakaki, Cherell Keamo and Jessyca Amasiu were killed.

Police said Hiram Silva got off the front loader and killed the three women with an unregistered firearm before Rishard Keamo-Carnate stopped him with his registered handgun. Prosecutors said they will not charge Keamo-Carnate and said it is a case of self-defense or defense of others.

4 dead in Waianae Valley front loader rampage, shooting

On Sunday, hundreds of people wore Arakakis favorite color as they said goodbye to a life gone too soon.

She lived such a full life, and she had so much more life to live and thats what we mourn, said her aunt Renee Arakaki.

Loved ones said Raymond-Arakaki and Wyman Keamo were together for six years.

Alala: A journey into Hawaiis future through its past

The Sunday before the incident was their six-year anniversary, explained family friend George Akana. She was everything to Wyman, she was his soul mate, she was everything he worked so hard for.

I really miss her a lot, she is one of a kind, you cannot find that kind of person like her, shes our heart, said Wymans sister Zillah Keamo-Salsido.

I hope her life, and the role she played in this will have some kind of positive outcome for not just her family and the Keamos but also the greater community, and bring some kind of awareness or some kind of action, Renee Arakaki added.

Patti Kahanamoku Teruya is the former Waianae-Nanakuli neighborhood board chair and said she has received many complaints about activities at the neighboring Silva property.

Man who shot neighbor driving front loader into Waianae home not charged

This could have been prevented, she said. A lot of things in Waianae can be prevented, if it was taken seriously with the numerous complaints of what was going on with the illegal structure, the illegal parties in 2021 during Covid, we wouldnt be here today, we could have saved lives.

She said the Keamo family is concerned because the structure at the neighboring home is still there.

It is an illegal structure on agricultural land, so it should be taken down immediately and not be used, she added.

Many community members and leaders helped with the funeral and celebration of life; whether it was donating food, time, parking or support.

This whole situation could have been avoided had the government done their job appropriately and listened to the complaints that were filed and followed through with them, said Rep. Diamond Garcia (R) Varona Village, Ewa and Kapolei.

Im hoping from this situation that city and state officials will actually enforce the law, and hold lessees accountable, if youre on ag land you should be doing ag, and not turning a profit for yourself on state land, he added.

After the incident, police chief Joe Logan said the previous incidents at the property were under review.

Many people said they wanted to show how peaceful the celebration of life was on Sunday, and how easy it is to go through the proper channels, get the proper permits, permission and insurance to host a safe event.

This wasnt a Waianae thing, this was a result of having guns in the wrong hands, Akana added. We know both families and if the warning signs were there, they probably should have addressed it sooner.

Today starts the healing process, this is how we do it responsibly, and it can be done. I never want to see this happen again, he concluded.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Council of Europe to play key role in holding Russia accountable for aggression crimes  Secretary General

The Council of Europe will play a key role in holding Russia accountable for the crime of aggression.

Source: Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, at the Summit of the Future, held as part of the high-level events of the UN General Assembly, as reported by European Pravda with reference to Ukrinform

Details: Berset said the Council of Europe shares a strong commitment to the UN's pursuit of peace and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals. "But the Council of Europe also has its own goals," he emphasised. "Our current priority is to support Ukraine, which is one of our member states."

He noted that the Register of Damage, which collects contributions for losses and damage caused by the Russian Federation due to its aggressive war, became fully operational earlier in 2024. "This is a first tool, but it is absolutely necessary as a step toward an international mechanism for compensation."

Berset highlighted that the Council of Europe would play "a central, a key role when it comes to any tribunal aiming to judge the crime of aggression".

Quote: "We are going to work together to implement a plan of action for resilience, recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine."

Berset emphasised that the European Court of Human Rights "is the only international jurisdiction that, as of now, has ruled on human rights violations in the context of the war."

Background:

Alain Berset, a Swiss politician and former president of Switzerland, was elected as the new Secretary General of the Council of Europe by its Parliamentary Assembly on 25 June.

His predecessor, former Croatian Foreign Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric, decided not to run for a second term.

Immediately after being elected, Berset said that supporting Ukraine would be his priority while in office.

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Court filings: Former Portage mayor argues no need for new trial while feds ask for one

Court filings: Former Portage mayor argues no need for new trial while feds ask for one

Former Portage Mayor James Snyder and federal prosecutors agree on one point  in light of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning his bribery conviction involving the purchase of garbage trucks, his case should be remanded back to U.S. District Court in Hammond, where a jury convicted him during two separate trials.

From there, not surprisingly, the two sides diverge. Per his filing, Snyder rejects the governments argument that he could have been convicted of either bribery or soliciting a gratuity and said theres no legal basis for a retrial without a re-indictment. Federal prosecutors argue a new trial is the next step since a jury already convicted him.

Both sides filed their case Friday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Chicago.

After multiple twists, turns and delays since Snyder was indicted on Nov. 17, 2016, in district court on two bribery counts and one for obstructing the IRS, a jury found Snyder not guilty on a bribery count involving a towing contract and guilty on the other two counts.

The second bribery conviction, over allegations surrounding a $13,000 payment involving around $1 million in contracts for garbage trucks, stood after two trials, only to get overturned when a majority of the Supreme Court determined that the payment was a gratuity, not a bribe, and criminalizing the payment put even routine campaign contributions at the risk of the federal governments wrath.

Overturning Snyders conviction had a ripple effect on countless other cases, most notably prominent cases in Illinois, including the trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan and the case of the ComEd Four who were convicted of a scheme to bribe him.

The Supreme Court decision, released on June 26, determined, among other matters, that the payment to Snyder from the Buha brothers, owners of Great Lakes Peterbilt, was a gratuity because Snyder received the money, reportedly for consulting work, after the business got the garbage truck contracts and not before.

Snyders attorneys argue its too late to re-indict Snyder.

Since the statute of limitations has run, re-indictment at this late date is no longer possible and other only appropriate response to the Supreme Courts decision is to remand the case to the District Court for dismissal of the charge against him, the filing states.

Federal prosecutors disagree and note in their filing that at trial, the governments evidence proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Snyder accepted a bribe, the government made that argument to the jury and the jury convicted Snyder.

While the government also argued that Snyder was guilty of accepting a gratuity  the point upon which the Supreme Court chose to overturn his case, in distinguishing between a bribe and a gratuity  moving forward with a new trial is the just result, the government argued, and Snyders arguments to the contrary are entirely without merit.

It is a bedrock principle of federal criminal law that, where the government presents sufficient evidence to prove a charged offense, a successful appeal on any other ground poses no bar to further prosecution of that same charge on remand, federal attorneys wrote.

Snyders attorneys, meanwhile, argue that the Supreme Courts 6-3 decision to overturn his conviction for accepting $13,000 for consulting work after the city accepted bids for garbage trucks from Great Lakes Peterbilt did not leave open the possibility that Mr. Snyder was charged with or could have been convicted of having accepted a bribe.

Snyder, according to the filing by his attorneys, does not agree that the Supreme Courts decision left open any possibility of a retrial that would allow the government a third bite at the apple.'

This was not the case of instructional error, but error in the charge itself, the filing notes.

Additionally, Snyders attorneys argue that he has been twice prosecuted and convicted under a law now found to be inapplicable to the conduct alleged.

Federal prosecutors describe Snyder in their filing as a thoroughly corrupt public official, twice convicted by a jury of his peers for receiving a $13,000 payoff, and note there is no sound legal basis for a windfall dismissal because of an omission from jury instructions.

Snyder, a Republican, was first elected mayor in 2011 and reelected in 2015, a term cut short by his federal conviction in February 2019.

Snyder received a sentence of 21 months in prison for the bribery and IRS convictions and a year on supervised release from U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kennelly.

Snyder successfully argued that the start of his sentence should be postponed until his bid to have the Supreme Court hear his case was complete.

Regardless of the outcome of Snyders request before the appellate court, his sentence will remain in flux until the case reaches its conclusion.

alavalley@chicagotribune.com
Court system in Kentucky county to remain closed a week in wake of judges homicide

The court system in a Kentucky county shaken by the shooting of a district judge will remain closed until next week, according to the circuit clerk.

Mike Watts, circuit clerk in Letcher County, made the announcement in a Facebook post Monday morning.

Watts said state Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter had notified him of the decision.

Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins was shot to death in his courthouse office on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.

Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines is charged with killing District Judge Kevin Mullins in Mullins office in the county courthouse on Sept. 19.

Police said there was a short personal argument between the two before Stines, 43, allegedly shot Mullins, 54, multiple times.

Police have not released information on the subject of the argument.

Stines surrendered immediately after the shooting.

Watts said court appearances scheduled this week will be rescheduled.

Please PRAY for the families and friends affected. Also PLEASE PRAY for healing for our county, Watts said in his post.

Shawn Mickey Stines was being held in the Leslie County Detention Center in Hyden.
Marcellus Williams, photographed in prison. (Submitted)

Missouri plans to execute Marcellus Williams on Sept. 24.

If that occurs, hed be the 100th person executed in our state since 1989, a shameful milestone, and another instance of executing a possibly innocent person.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, since 1973 at least 200 people sentenced to death in the United States have been found to have been wrongly convicted. No one knows how many innocent people were among the 1,595 people executed since then, but it is highly likely some of them were innocent.

Williams has always professed his innocence in the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle Picus.

The prosecutions case against him was based solely on notoriously unreliable, incentivized informant testimony and circumstantial evidence. No physical evidence nor eyewitnesses implicated him. The current St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, Wesley Bell, tried to have the conviction overturned, but did not convince Judge Bruce Hinton following a hearing that there was sufficient evidence to overturn the conviction.

However, there is plenty of evidence that the original prosecution was flawed and unfair.

In a statement following Judge Hiltons ruling, Tricia Rojo Bushnell, executive director of the Midwest Innocence Project, emphasized Bells office sought to vacate the conviction because there is overwhelming evidence (his) trial was unconstitutionally unfair.

Retired St. Louis County Assistant Prosecutor Keith Larner, who oversaw the initial 2001 prosecution of Williams, testified at the Aug. 28 hearing that on at least five occasions he handled without gloves the knife used to murder Gayle Picus. Testing conducted in mid-August found the DNA of both Larner and Ed MaGee, an investigator with the prosecution on the knife handle.

Attorneys for Williams and Bell argued this mishandling contaminated the weapon, potentially obscuring DNA evidence of the assailant and shutting a key evidentiary door which could have helped exonerate Williams.

Besides mishandling evidence, Williams attorneys contended Larners testimony helped prove he struck six of seven African-Americans from the original jury pool due to their race (leaving one Black member on an otherwise all-white jury), thus denying Williams a chance to be tried before a jury of his peers.

Race has always had a sordid history in the implementation of the death penalty in this country. Black people are disproportionally executed (38 of 99 in Missouri, over three times the statewide population), and while African-Americans have been about 60% of murder victims in our state over the past five decades, 78 of the 99 (78%) people executed were convicted of murdering white victims.

All murder is reprehensible, and Gayle Picuss death was particularly gruesome as the assailant stabbed her more than 40 times. Police investigators found an abundance of physical evidence at the crime scene: fingerprints, bloodied shoe prints and hairs. But none of it implicated Williams. Ultimately, prosecutors also unethically destroyed evidence, including lifted fingerprints, before his trial attorneys had the chance to have them tested independently.

St. Louis County police had no leads for 10 months following the murder until Daniel Picus offered a $10,000 reward for evidence leading to the conviction of his wifes murderer. Thats when Henry Cole called the police, claiming Williams confessed to the killing while the two were in jail together.

A few months later, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported, Laura Asaro was arrested for sex work. She told officers she had information about Gayle Picuss murder. But when detectives tried questioning her, she refused, admitting she was just trying to get out of the arrest. Upon learning of the reward though, Asaro then implicated Williams.

Williams attorneys contend the two witnesses stories changed throughout the investigation, often contradicting their earlier statement and the facts of the crime. Both died several years ago. Their relatives have provided statements under oath reporting the two, both with extensive prior convictions and a history of drug use, were known for providing police false information to benefit themselves.

Wrongful convictions can harm not just people inaccurately imprisoned but the general public too, as the actual perpetrator of such crimes may remain free to harm others. Almost a month before Gayle Picuss murder, Debra McClain was stabbed over 20 times in her home in Pagedale, another St. Louis County suburb about three miles away from the Gayle Picus residence.

Mary Case, then the St. Louis County Medical Examiner, believed the murders were connected. Williams, who had a prior extensive criminal record of burglaries and robberies, was in jail when McClain was murdered, the same jail where he allegedly later confessed to Cole. No one has been charged in McClains killing.

Regardless of whether Judge Hinton could be convinced that there was enough evidence to conclusively prove Williams innocent, there is so much evidence pointing away from him and towards prosecutorial misconduct that Missouri executing him runs a huge risk of executing an innocent man.

Moreover, Daniel Picus, the husband of the victim, has opposed the execution.

If courts fail to intervene, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson must halt the execution a man quite likely wrongly convicted.

Missouri Independent, a States Newsroom affiliate, produced this story.

David Mehr is a professor emeritus of family and community medicine at the University of Missouri and a community activist. 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.
WELLINGTON, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- New research will enable authorities to quickly assess the damage from volcanic ashfall during and after an eruption to better respond to the needs of each community.

"A volcanic eruption could affect thousands of buildings around the North Island, and we need a New Zealand model that provides us with a quick assessment of the scale of the damage," Josh Hayes, GNS Natural Hazard and Risk scientist who led this research, said on Monday.

The research project funded by the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) aims to fill a gap between the existing internationally developed models and local New Zealand post-eruption data collection, according to the research authors.

Hundreds of thousands of North Island homes could be covered in ashfall following a volcanic eruption, and assessing the damage could take months, Hayes said, adding that the understanding of the ashfall effects is highly informed by overseas experiences.

Physically assessing ashfall damage is time-consuming, particularly widespread ashfall events, so creating a damage forecasting model is hugely beneficial for authorities and communities to concentrate resources, said the GNS scientist.

The NHC has funded projects over the past years that have provided valuable insights into how New Zealand homes stand up to different amounts of ash on their roof, as well as predicting where the ash will travel by using weather forecasting, said NHC Head of Research Natalie Balfour.

The two-year project is expected to complete the new modeling tool by the end of 2025 by scientists from GNS, the University of Canterbury, and Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, who are currently creating scenarios and developing the modeling approach. 
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  One of Rhode Islands top internet providers sued the McKee administration on Monday, accusing state officials of mismanaging the rollout of a $108 million plan for broadband expansion and relying on flawed data.

Company officials at Cox Communications, which filed the lawsuit in R.I. Superior Court, are asking a judge to block the R.I. Commerce Corp. from proceeding with the plan. They argue Rhode Island will otherwise waste the federal money  awarded by former Gov. Gina Raimondos U.S. Commerce Department  by building redundant broadband infrastructure.

Coxs attorneys said in court documents that Commerce officials are also refusing to make public their underlying data, which they say would result in the state building taxpayer-subsidized and duplicative high-speed broadband internet in affluent areas of Rhode Island like the Breakers Mansion in Newport and affluent areas of Westerly.

Rather than using taxpayer funds to ensure high-speed access to all Rhode Islanders  including low-income Rhode Islanders in need  the Commerce Corporation has devised a program that will benefit wealthy parts of the state already with high-speed internet, the attorneys wrote in the complaint.

It does so while keeping secret its own data, and refusing to consider Coxs speed data showing the opposite, they added.

Commerce spokesperson Matthew Touchette said the agency has not read the complaint, as we have not yet been served.

However, if youd like Rhode Island Commerces position on issues previously raised by Cox Communications, please read our response to a request for a declaratory order, he added.

Speaking with reporters Monday, Cox officials said theyve been trying to work with the state on the plan for more than a year. But they said state officials arent listening to their concerns, and not giving them a realistic opportunity to challenge the process they said is wrong.

Their plan is flawed, said Stephanie Federico, Cox vice president of public and government affairs. What we dont want to see is their taxpayer dollars wasted to build out to mansions and high-value homes that already have potentially multiple service providers.

Cox officials point to federal data that shows 99.3% of Rhode Island has access to high-speed broadband, which they said gives the state among the best access across the country.

But the state came out with their own mapping data earlier this year, showing far more unserved or underserved areas throughout the state. Cox officials said theyre challenging 30,000 locations the state said are underserved.

Cox officials said they know the states data is wrong because some of the locations are their own customers and theyve done individual testing that shows high-speed connections there.

When the company asked the state to provide its underlying data, Cox officials were told to file a formal request under the states Access to Public Records Act, they said.

After filing a request, the state demanded Cox to pay $52,000 in exchange for the data, saying thats what it would cost for them to redact information they argued is exempt under the law, according to the lawsuit.

Cox officials characterized their interactions with state officials as extremely frustrating, saying they feel like theyve been shut down whenever they raise concerns. Theyve ultimately decided to take the issue to court since talks have broken down, they said.

Its been a very difficult process, Federico said.

Company attorneys also said the state has adopted an overly burdensome and irrational scheme for the company to try and challenge the veracity of the states broadband data. The lawyers said it would require Cox to repeatedly send technicians to thousands of homes to test internet connections between the evening hours of 7 to 11 p.m.

Even if Cox dedicated every one of its technicians across the country at exorbitant expense to come to Rhode Island, it could not satisfy the Commerce Corporations arbitrary and irrational testing challenge scheme, they wrote.

Cox is being represented by attorneys at Whelan Corrente & Flanders LLP. The company has also hired veteran communications strategist Bill Fischer.

We dont understand their motivation because they refuse to release the data to support their maps, Fischer said.

The $108 million was awarded to the state through the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, also known as BEAD, which was created by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. None of it has been spent on projects yet, as the state will have to submit a plan to federal regulators for approval.

But Cox officials said they dont want that plan going to the feds with faulty data, saying that will ultimately result in unnecessary infrastructure projects down the road when the money starts flowing out.

This program may not have gotten a lot of attention, but mayors and elected officials in urban core communities should be concerned because their constituents are getting left behind, Federico said.

Federico said the state should focus instead on spending the money to expand access to the 0.3% of customers who they said dont currently have high-speed internet.

She said the rest should go toward subsidizing internet services for Rhode Island customers, citing the recently expired federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided subsidies to customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

It would be an amazing opportunity to become the first state in the nation to have 100% access, Federico said.

Its difficult to understand why the state of Rhode Island is attempting to build an internet highway on top of what were currently building while families who need support to access the internet are left behind, she added.

FOLLOW-UP: RI officials lambaste Cox Communications for filing suit

Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook.

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A lawsuit by Cox Communications alleges that state dollars are being spent to expand broadband access in wealthy communities that already have high-speed internet while needier areas are being "left behind."

PROVIDENCE  A tug-of-war over the McKee administration's proposed use of $108 million in federal "internet for all" dollars has evolved into a lawsuit by Cox Communications against the state.

Cox is seeking to stop the R.I. Commerce Corporation from using a "flawed mapping and challenge process to build redundant broadband internet infrastructure in some of Rhode Islands wealthiest communities ... while ignoring residents truly in need of better broadband service and financial assistance to pay for it."

Put another way: Cox alleges that Commerce plans to spend "millions of dollars building internet infrastructure in ... [areas] where residents already have access to high-speed internet."

More: 'Breach.' 'Irregular activity.' What's wrong with the Providence schools' computer network?

That includes "homes in Barrington on Rumstick Road and Nayatt Point and mansions along Ocean Drive in Newport ... at the expense of Central Falls, Woonsocket and Providence, according to Cox VP Stephanie Federico.

In the lawsuit filed in Superior Court on Monday, Cox asserts Commerce is using "inaccurate and manipulated broadband maps and data to support their plan," and seeking to charge the company $52,000 for a "public-access" to its data.

The legal battle  which has been brewing for some time  centers on the state economic development agency's plans for R.I.'s $108-million share of money from a federal "Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program'' that was created to "extend high-speed internet where it does not currently exist'' and help those who cannot currently afford it.

The battle follows the June 1 expiration of a federal subsidy program to help those who cannot afford internet access. Cox contends that is where the greater need lies.

The pandemic-era "Affordable Connectivity Program" was a federal program that offered eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands. Eligible households could also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 toward the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating internet companies.

Its difficult to understand why the State of Rhode Island is attempting to build an internet highway on top of what were currently building while families who need support to access the internet are left behind, Federico said.

Cox recently announced a $120-million investment in Rhode Island, with $20 million dedicated towards fiber-to-the-home projects in Newport, Portsmouth, Middletown, and Jamestown.

The state's response

The McKee administration  including Commerce Secretary Elizabeth Tanner  have not yet responded directly to the newly filed lawsuit, which also alleges the state tried to charge the company $52,000 for data it sought through an Access-to-Public Records request after the state agency ignored its requests.

Spokesman Matt Touchette told The Journal: "Rhode Island Commerce has not read the complaint, as we have not yet been served." But he said the agency's position on issues previously raised by Cox Communications is spelled out in a September 11 denial of Cox's July request for waivers from what it characterized as "exorbitantly" time-consuming and expensive Commerce-imposed testing requirements in order to make its case.

But the issues are not new.

In a commentary published in The Journal on Aug. 18, Tim Wilkerson, president of the New England Connectivity and Telecommunications Association  whose members include Cox  wrote: "This one-time infusion of funding is a once in a generation opportunity, but how its spent will determine whether cities and towns are treated equitably ... Unfortunately, were off to a bad start.

More: RIC's cybersecurity institute plans to grow with AI courses and new 'cyber range'

"The current plan  driven by Rhode Islands Secretary of Commerce Elizabeth Tanner  redirects funds to some of Rhode Islands wealthiest communities while leaving the rest of the state and economically challenged families behind,'' he wrote.

"The fact is the Ocean State is one of, if not the best states in the nation for internet infrastructure and service,'' he wrote.

"This didnt happen by accident  it is the result of years of work and billions of dollars of investment by private internet service providers  including most recently Coxs three-year broadband investment of over $120 million,'' he said.

Days later, Tanner submitted her own commentary. She acknowledged that Jamestown, Newport, and Westerly were selected as the first project areas. She said the selection was based, in part, on "hundreds of thousands of speed tests to best understand the capacity of networks and the speeds experienced by residents and businesses across the state.

"While it is true that those communities have some affluent neighborhoods, they also have significant broadband deficits that must be addressed."

Eventually, she said: "All municipalities with unserved or underserved locations will see investments to help close the digital divide and keep the state competitive."

Competition?

The word "competitive" seems to be at the heart of the dispute.

Citing the Broadband Availability Map published by the Federal Communications Commission, Cox says, 99.3% of Rhode Islanders have access to high-speed internet.

For purposes of the BEAD program, an unserved household is defined as having less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds (25/3) and underserved as having less than 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds (100/20).

Cox alleges that Commerces flawed mapping process "reclassified 30,000 homes as underserved,'' including homes in wealthy areas, and it is challenging those determinations.

"We know their analysis is flawed because Cox provides high-speed internet access to the very locations and areas they say are underserved, said Cox's Federico.

Cox said it repeatedly asked Commerce for the data it relied on to support their reclassification process.

This is the company's account of what happened: Initially, Commerce ignored the request; "then, when Cox filed an APRA request in an attempt to gain access to what should be readily available public information, Cox was asked to produce a check for more than $52,000 and informed it would take thousands of hours to fulfill the request."

"Not only are they withholding the very data they are relying upon to support their plan, but theyve also created bureaucratic hurdles that make challenges to their mapping impossible," the company said.

"Under Commerces challenge scheme, Cox would have to conduct approximately 60,000 Cox-technician field visits across Rhode Island in a 30-day window between the hours of 7 p.m. to 11 p.m."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Cox says RI's 'internet for all' plan flawed in lawsuit
Crimean Bridge must come down, Ukraine says at Permanent Court of Arbitration

Ukraine has said the Crimean Bridge "must come down" as it accused Russia of flouting maritime laws at the Permanent Court of Arbitration on Sept. 23.

Speaking at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Anton Korynevych, said Russia "wants to take the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait for itself."

"So it has built a great gate at their entrance, to keep international shipping out while allowing small Russian river vessels in," he said, adding: "The bridge is unlawful, and it must come down."

Ukraine began proceedings at the court in 2016 when Russia began construction of the Crimean Bridge to link the occupied peninsula with the Russian mainland.

Kyiv says it was built deliberately low to the water in order to keep out international shipping.

The structure became a critical supply route for Russian forces after the launch of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The bridge was heavily damaged by Ukrainian strikes in October 2022 and July 2023, prompting Russia to take steps to further defend the structure.

"Russia now views the Kerch Strait, the Sea of Azov, and perhaps even parts of the Black Sea, as its proprietary waters," Korynevych said.

Read also: Russian troops aim to encircle Vuhledar, Ukraines last fortress in southern Donbas

"Russia wants these waters to be viewed as part of its 21st century empire. And while you will hear Russias experts say the Sea of Azov is similar to a lake or a river, Ukraine does not accept this, and neither should this Tribunal," he added.

Russia's representative at the court, Gennady Kuzmin, said the claims are "simply wrong."

International arbitration cases can take years to resolve, and a judgment in the case is not expected anytime soon.

Last month Kyiv's Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov said Ukraine is working on a "complex solution" that could destroy the bridge in the coming months.

Speaking to national TV, he said "work is ongoing" to take out the structure which connects the Russian mainland with the peninsula, and has been a crucial supply route for the Russian military in Ukraine.

"Everyone is working on long-range strikes and (the destruction of the Crimean bridge),"he said in comments reported by Ukrinform.

"All this requires, let's say, a complex solution."

Ukraine's Navy said in June that destroying the Kerch Bridge in occupied Crimea would not have the same effect now because Russia barely uses it for military purposes anymore.

Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), did not rule out that Russia may try to use the structure for weapons supplies again after it is fully restored.

Read also: Biden-Zelensky talks: Ukrainian soldiers want firepower to win but question if US wants Russia defeated

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
If capacity allows, patients could cross the border for treatment [Getty Images]

Dental patients from Wales could receive NHS treatment in England, and vice-versa, under the UK and Welsh governments' joint plan to bring down waiting lists.

Welsh NHS dentistry will also be used as an example for how to run the service in England, despite previous warnings from the British Dental Association (BDA) that the service could disappear in Wales.

An offer from the Conservative UK government to help with waiting lists in August 2023 was dismissed as a "naked political hit" by Wales' current First Minister Eluned Morgan, who was health secretary at the time.

The Tories said Labour had so far "sunk" plans to treat patients on either side of the border.

How will it work?

The Welsh government controls the NHS in Wales as part of the devolution settlement, with UK ministers responsible for the health service in England.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said health boards in Wales and trusts in England could work together to deliver "additional surgical procedures".

She warned the plans were not a "panacea" for either nation.

"We can work together cross border to deliver earlier surgical operations for people on waiting lists," she said.

Labours general election manifesto included a pledge to work with the Welsh Government to bring down waiting times.

It led to questions for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over whether he was overstepping a line in terms of devolution.

In a statement released on Sunday, Labour said there would be more opportunities to explore cross-border collaboration.

What are the issues?

Dentists in Wales have been involved in a long-running row with the Welsh government over the availability of NHS appointments.

The BDA said changes to contracts to increase the number of appointments prioritised new patients to the detriment of existing ones.

Last year the BDA warned NHS dentistry in Wales could disappear as a result of Welsh government plans to make 112,000 appointments for new patients.

Only 44.8% of people in Wales received treatment through an NHS dentist between January and December 2023, official figures show.

In the past week, families have spoken to BBC Wales about their difficulties in getting NHS dental care.

The number of dental practices open in Wales has risen gradually over the past three years to 1,434.

But that is lower than the 1,506 in 2019, before the Covid pandemic.

English NHS dentistry has also had big problems.

Back in December, the think-tank the Nuffield Trust warned the traditional model of NHS dentistry was gone for good.

Earlier this year the former Conservative UK Government offered 20,000 incentives to dentists to set up in areas with poor NHS cover.

As part of the collaboration to bring down waiting lists, Wales will benefit from best practice shared by England, where there are plans to deliver 40,000 extra NHS appointments a week.

The extra appointments were promised by Labour in May at a cost of 1.1bn for extra out-of-hours shifts worked by staff.

The Welsh Government would be in line for consequential funding, because of the extra cash being spent across the border.

Last week NHS waiting times in Wales hit a new record high.

As health minister, Eluned Morgan had dismissed a previous cross-border plan [Getty Images]

In August 2023, Conservative health secretary in England, Steve Barclay, invited the Welsh and Scottish governments for talks.

An exchange of letters after this summers general election, and seen by BBC Wales, show that talks did take place last October between ministers.

But there were no further discussions.

In July this year, the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Lord Davies of Gower wrote to the English health secretary Wes Streeting to ask what steps were being taken to "progress this arrangement".

Mr Streeting confirmed the October meeting had taken place.

His reply also struck a similar tone to Eluned Morgans comments at the time, saying that "this government is not interested in gesture politics".

As Wales first minister, Morgan said: "We dont have a monopoly on good ideas and theres lots we can learn from our closest neighbours.

"And we have lots we can share with our colleagues in NHS England, where we have already made changes to our NHS.

"We are ready to harness the power of two Labour governments."

Lord Davies said: "The most effective way to cut long waiting lists in Wales is to grant a cross-border NHS waiting list initiative between NHS Wales and NHS England.

"Welsh patients could obtain treatment in England where there is spare capacity.

"Conservatives wanted this to happen but, so far, Labour has sunk it. Their short-sighted refusal must change."

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru's spokesperson for health and social care, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, said the Welsh NHS needed "more than cosmetic collaboration with Westminster  it needs fundamental, systemic reform, and proper resourcing".

Related internet links
CuMo mine exploration would have no major environmental effects, U.S. Forest Service finds

An aerial photo over the Idaho communities that surround the CuMo Exploration Project, nestled between mountains outside Boise.

The CuMo Exploration Project aims to search for minerals that could lead to a mine years later in mountains outside Boise. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)

A proposed mine exploration project in mountains outside Boise is advancing toward possible approval.

A 45-day objection period to the 2023 CuMo Exploration Project is open until Nov. 4. Thats after the Boise National Forest on Friday issued a decision notice and review document, finding that the CuMo project would have no significant environmental impact.

Proposed by the Idaho Copper Corporation, the CuMo exploration project would be a four-year test drill, slated in an area 14 miles north of Idaho City, a small town about northeast of Boise.

An analysis found the project area could have deposits of silver and critical minerals used in renewable energy, national defense and last-ditch efforts to expand drinking water availability.

The decision notice isnt approval of the project plan, Boise National Forest Forest Supervisor Brant Peterson wrote in the notice. Whether the project plan is approved relies on the company accepting measures to mitigate the projects impacts on surface resources and the posting of financial assurance to ensure reclamation for project-related disturbance, he wrote.

The U.S. Forest Service anticipates making a decision on the project by Jan. 1.

Boise National Forest review finds no significant environmental impacts, following environmental advocate concerns

Environmental advocates are still worried the test project could taint headwaters that feed into the Boise River, and they have been skeptical that regulators have fully identified possible impacts, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.

But Peterson, in a decision notice posted Friday with other review documents, found that the project with mitigation measures will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment, adding that an environmental impact statement wont be prepared.

Conservation organizations announced in a news release Monday that they plan to file an objection, saying that the U.S. Forest Service must address public concerns about impacts to the Boise River watershed, fish, and wildlife before the project proceeds.



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More than 99% of public comments that the U.S. Forest Service received on the CuMo project were opposed to the project, Idaho Conservation League Public Lands and Wildlife Director John Robison said in the release.

We are disappointed that, in spite of all these concerns, the Forest Services draft decision doesnt make any significant changes to this controversial project, Robison said.

Idaho Copper Corporation CEO and COO Andrew Brodkey previously told the Sun that the test project wouldnt harm the Boise River. And he stressed a possible, actual mine would be years away  depending on the economic prospects  and involve more environmental analysis beforehand.

In an interview Monday, Brodkey said the Boise National Forest underwent incredibly intense, comprehensive studies to reach its conclusion.

We consider this to be exactly what the agency needed to do, was designed to do and carried out to reach the conclusion that our exploration activities are not going to have an impact on the environment, Brodkey told the Sun.

How to submit objections on the CuMo Exploration Project

Objections  which can be submitted online  must demonstrate a connection to previous comments on the project, the Boise National Forests website says. Unless objections are based on new information that arose after public comment was open, issues raised in objections must be based on previously rewritten comments regarding the proposed project, the Boise National Forests website says.

The objection period for the project began Sept. 20, and lasts until Nov. 4.

What mitigation measures are there for the CuMo exploration project?

The Boise National Forests decision includes project design features the agencys proposed mitigation measures to protect public health and safety, such as using non-toxic drilling fluids and biodegradable synthetic polymer and bentonite. Thats along with a spill avoidance and control plan, restricting access to the project area and safety measures in fuel transportation.

All applicable state and federal laws, policies, and regulations will be followed. Adherence to these protection measures will ensure potential effects to public health and safety are minimized, the Boise National Forests decision notice said.

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In its review, Boise National Forest officials wrote that the proposed operation will not threaten or endanger fish or wildlife resources.

If the company pumps water from Grimes Creek, Boise National Forest officials wrote in a project operations plan review that a screen to be placed near the water intake will prevent fish from entering the pump.

The effects on the human environment for the (project with mitigation measures) are reasonably expected to be similar to other exploratory drilling projects, the decision notice said, adding that previous U.S. Forest Service reviews found that the project with mitigation measures will not involve any highly uncertain or unknown risks.

I am confident that we understand the effects of these activities on the human environment, Peterson wrote. No unique or unusual characteristics about the area or the (project with mitigation measures) will lead to an unknown risk to the human environment.

What is the CuMo Exploration Project?

The four-year test drill project also involves two years of post-drill clean up work, formally called reclamation.

The planned project area is 2,917 acres. The companys proposed test drill project would affect only 72 acres, Brodkey previously said.

The test would feature 122 drill pads and construction of 8.9 miles of temporary roads. Within two years after the project is completed, all drill pads and temporary roads created would be removed and restored.

Afterward, the company plans to close off and cap up to 250 drill holes, so that there cant be any contamination, Brodkey previously told the Sun.

The Idaho Copper Corporation is advancing the CuMo Project toward feasibility and its goal is to establish itself as one of the worlds largest and lowest-cost primary producers of molybdenum, the company said on its website.

The annual operation season for the CuMo exploration project would be from April 15 to Dec. 15, as weather allows, according to the Boise National Forests decision notice. That would allow up to 32 months of drilling over four years.

Sixteen months of post-drilling reclamation work could occur over another two years, according to the decision notice.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The City of Arkansas City reported a cybersecurity issue involving its water treatment plant early Sunday.

The city manager says the water supply remains safe and not disrupted.

Out of caution, the Water Treatment Facility has switched to manual operations while the situation is being resolved. Residents can rest assured that their drinking water is safe, and the city is operating under full control during this period, City Manager Randy Frazer said in a news release.

Textron Aviation workers go on strike

Everythings been running smoothly on the outside world; its just on the inside world. We have a little issue, but were just trying to figure it out, Ark City Communications Director Shana Adkisson told KSN.

She said the affected systems did not have customer information, so private data is not at risk.

Cybersecurity experts and government authorities are working to resolve the issue and return the facility to normal operations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Cyprus hopes to join the European power grid by 2028, or at the latest 2030, following an interstate agreement signed with Greece on Saturday.

Following months of negotiations and finalised by Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides during a visit to Athens earlier this week, the deal was signed by Cypriot and Greek energy ministers this weekend.

Cyprus energy lines will be joined to Crete and then pass through the Mediterranean to mainland Greece and the rest of Europe.

Nicosia and Athens hailed the development as one that will allow the project to kickstart over the next few days.

Reaching the agreement proved a challenge amidst delays and disagreements between both parties. Points of contention included final shared costs, due diligence and cost-benefit considerations.

However, rapid progress was made over the past few weeks in bridging the gap and working out a deal.

The leaders of Cyprus, France and Greece will meet in New York next week to discuss the project.

In a statement, a government spokesman said Christodoulides had discussed the power grid project with his French counterpart President Emmanuel Macron over the phone and its importance in implementing the European Unions energy strategy.

The cable will link networks from Europe and Cyprus in a project costing 1.9 billion euros and later stretch to Israel.

The European Union will fund it with the sum of 657 million euros.

On completion, project promoters say it would be the worlds longest such high-voltage cable at 1,240 km as well as the deepest at 3,000m.

The goal of the project will be contributing towards lifting the energy isolation of Cyprus as well as promoting the Greek strategic goal of becoming a clean energy transit hub.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  A new agreement between the University of Illinois and Parkland College may make it easier for Parkland students to transfer to the U of I System.

When applying to Parkland, students will be able to declare an interest in transferring to the systems universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago or Springfield after finishing at the community college.

U of I building, food service workers begin strike

According to Parkland College President Pamela Lau, this agreement could help community college students transition to a four-year university by helping potential transfer students with academic planning, credit evaluation and transfer requirements.

This agreement strengthens the network for support for Parkland College students who are on a transfer pathway to University of Illinois System institutions, Lau said. Starting at a community college offers students the benefits of affordability and proximity to home while aiming toward bachelors degree attainment. By working in partnership, we can increase the likelihood of transfer success and ensure students are prepared both academically and socially for the breadth of academic and career opportunities that await them at the U of I Systems three campuses.

Champaign Mayor elected IML president

U of I Systems executive vice president and vice president for academic affairs, Nick Jones, said that identifying transfer students earlier will help the universities pinpoint academic or logistical issues prospective transfer students may face during the transfer process  before it even becomes a problem. This could improve retention and graduation rates, according to Jones.

Providing clear access to transfer students is a vital component of our mission of serving residents from communities throughout the state of Illinois, and this agreement formalizes our existing commitment to do so, Jones said. Increasing awareness of the resources available from four-year institutions should encourage more transfer students to tap into them sooner to support their journey. This is particularly important for students from underserved populations.

This agreement will soon be offered to community colleges throughout the state of Illinois.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
County prosecutors and defense lawyers both claim that mishandled evidence and racial bias tainted the murder case. Marcellus Williams is slated for execution Sept. 24

Marcellus Williams' Legal Team Marcellus Williams.

Since January, county prosecutors have tried to get Marcellus Williams  a man they believe is likely innocent of a crime they convicted him of decades ago  off Missouris death row.

In a 73-page joint brief filed this weekend  the latest effort to half his execution by lethal injection slated tomorrow, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. CT  the county prosecutors and defense lawyers agree there is no forensic evidence tying Williams to the 1998 stabbing death of Felicia Gayle.

The bloody footprints tracked inside Gayles home do not match his.

The hairs found near her body do not belong to him.

And the kitchen knife does not bear his fingerprints.

Missouri Department of Corrections via AP; Missouri Department of Corrections Marcellus Williams in mugshots taken in 2014 and 2023 during his more than 20-year incarceration.

Related: Despite Prosecutors' 'Concerns' About Conviction, Marcellus Williams Still on Death Row After Judge's Ruling

Earlier this month, Circuit Judge Bruce F. Hilton denied Williamss motion to vacate his murder conviction, saying there was "no basis for a court to find that Williams is innocent."

In the joint brief, county prosecutors and defense lawyers say the judges decision was erred.

Oral arguments were slated in Missouri Supreme Court Monday, Sept. 23, the same day the Innocence Project, which represents Williams, appealed the case to the United States Supreme Court, citing racial bias in jury selection and asking for a stay to his execution. (In the joint brief, county prosecutors admitted the office applied such racial bias in the case of at least one potential juror.)

The last-ditch effort to halt Williamss execution is the latest in a years-long effort that has been opposed on multiple occasions by state officials.

Potentially exonerating evidence first came to light seven years ago, but in 2023 Governor Mike Parson dissolved the Board of Inquiry created to review that evidence before they released any report or recommendation.

After additional DNA evidence on the murder weapon came back this August, matching that of the assistant prosecuting attorney and one of the investigators  both of whom ultimately admitted in affidavits that they had handled the knife without gloves ahead of Williams 2001 trial, per the joint filing  county prosecutors and defense counsel entered an agreement Aug. 21 designed to take Williams off death row.

But later that day, Attorney General Andrew Bailey blocked the agreement.

It is in the interest of every Missourian that the rule of law is fought for and upheld  every time, without fail, Bailey said in a statement following his filing, adding: "All the evidence the jury relied on to convict the defendant remains intact. The victims personal items were found in Williamss car after the murder. A witness testified that Williams had sold the victims laptop to him. Williams confessed to his girlfriend and an inmate in the St. Louis City Jail, and Williams girlfriend saw him dispose of the bloody clothes worn during the murder. All of the evidence in question was available at trial."



County prosecutors said in a motion to vacate in January that that witness testimony was "undermined" and that the duo were "known unreliable witnesses who would lie to help themselves." County prosecutors further allege that "the only physical evidence corroborating" the girlfriend's testimony was the laptop, which at the time of pawning Williams said his girlfriend had given him to sell.

AP Photo/David A. Lieb Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (left) with Gov. Mike Parson (right) at a press conference regarding unregulated psychoactive cannabis products at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Aug. 1, 2024.

Related: Evidence of Marcellus Williamss Potential Innocence Came to Light in 2017. He is Slated for Execution in 26 Days

Neither the offices for the governor nor the attorney general responded to PEOPLE for comment in time for publication.

Johnathan Shiflett of the governors office said in a Sept. 13 email to PEOPLE that the governor was following standard practice in the death row case, adding: "Mr. Williams has a right to due process and Governor Parson respects that. Governor Parson has not said Mr. Williams should or should not be executed  the Courts, in following state law, decide that."

In the new filing, both parties call for a comprehensive hearing to prove that Williamss constitutional rights were allegedly violated in past proceedings despite evidence of the destruction of potentially favorable evidence in bad faith and despite clear and convincing new evidence that allegedly showed the prosecution struck at least one potential juror for racially discriminatory reasons.

At trial, a jury of 11 White people and 1 Black person convicted Williams of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, armed criminal action and robbery.

The prosecution used six of their nine peremptory strikes to keep Black jurors off the case, per the joint filing.

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.



Explaining those decisions in court last month, the prosecutor at the time, Keith Larner testified, per the filing, that he struck one such juror because he thought the man resembled Williams, who is also Black, saying they looked like brothers  in part because they were both young Black men with glasses  and that the potential juror had the same piercing eyes as Williams.

In his Sept. 12 judgment, Hilton found that Larner had a good faith basis and reasons for handling the knife without gloves and cited the prosecutors own testimony excusing his decision to strike Black jurors.

Williams is one of eight executions scheduled across the country in the next month, according to calculations by Amnesty International USA.

Williams, who writes poetry and serves as the imam for Muslim prisoners at Potosi Correctional Center in Washington County, Mo., has not spoken publicly about his time on death row but released a set of poems to PEOPLE through his attorneys.

In a poem entitled Exoneration Over Mitigation, the 55-year-old writes: add my case to the shameless growing rate, / how can those be stopped who use and abuse criminal justice as a tool to oppress a race- /and a multitude of undesirables like a system of caste? / yes, yes the subject is touchy and delicate, / sensitive but necessary for the awake, / is it possible for the lost to be found before it's too late?



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On This Day, Sept. 23: Lewis and Clark Expedition concludes in St. Louis

Worker Vlad Zhiromirsky of MW Weber Architects, lines up the Lewis and Clark statue as it is lowered into place on Lenore K. Sullivan Street near the Gateway Arch in St. Louis on April 1, 2016. On September 23, 1806, U.S. explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned to St. Louis on their historic journey from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast and back. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1806, U.S. explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned to St. Louis on their historic journey from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast and back. The duo received translation and diplomatic help from Shoshone woman Sacagawea on the more-than-two-year journey.

In 1846, German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle discovered the planet Neptune at the Berlin Observatory. Neptune generally is the eighth planet from the sun.

In 1909, Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera was published.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber takes part in curtain call ceremonies on January 9, 2006, at New York's Majestic Theatre to mark that "Phantom of the Opera" has become the longest running musical show in Broadway history with it's 7,486th performance. File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI

On September 23, 1950, the U.S. Congress adopted the Internal Security Act, which provided for the registration of communists. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 1950, the U.S. Congress adopted the Internal Security Act, which provided for the registration of communists. Leaders of the Communist Party vowed never to register, and it was later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

In 1959, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev visited the corn fields of Iowa to find out what made the American farmer tick and urged that the earth "be furrowed by plows, not rockets and tanks."

Hurricane Rita evacuees move away from the Texas Gulf on Interstate 10 outside of Houston early on September 23, 2005. Later that day, a fire killed 23 people on a bus carrying Texas nursing home evacuees inland. File Photo by Chris Carson/UPI

In 1966, a Rolling Stones' concert at England's Royal Albert concert hall was halted temporarily when screaming girls attacked Mick Jagger onstage. The riotous enthusiasm of the fans resulted in a ban of pop concerts at the hall.

File Photo by David Yee/UPI

This false color photograph of Neptune was made from Voyager 2 images taken in January 1996. On September 23, 1846, German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle discovered the planet Neptune at the Berlin Observatory. Neptune generally is the eighth planet from the sun. File Photo courtesy of NASA

In 1973, Juan Peron was again elected president of Argentina after 18 years in exile. His second wife, Isabel, who became vice president, succeeded him after he died 10 months later.

In 1991, 44 U.N. inspectors were detained in Baghdad after attempting to remove secret Iraqi plans for building nuclear weapons. They were freed five days later.

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev shouts "This is my America" at a New York cabbie from his window at the Russian U.N. delegation's headquarters during the 1960 United Nations General Assembly. On September 23, 1959, Khrushchev visited the corn fields of Iowa to find out what made the American farmer tick and urged that the earth "be furrowed by plows, not rockets and tanks." File Photo by Gary Haynes/UPI

In 2005, a fire killed 23 people on a bus carrying Texas nursing home evacuees from Hurricane Rita.

In 2008, a 22-year-old student killed 11 adult students and himself at a vocational college in Finland 205 miles north of Helsinki.

In 2020, a grand jury indicted one of three police officers involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor in her Louisville, Ky., apartment -- none on charges related to her actual killing. The decision led to protests.

File Photo by Kyle Grillot/EPA-EFE
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivers a speech at the opening reception of New Zealand Chinese Language Week in Wellington, New Zealand, Sept. 23, 2024. The event, running from Sunday to Saturday across New Zealand, includes a variety of activities such as Chinese poetry recitation, Chinese folk music and dance, Chinese film, Chinese food tasting, and Chinese calligraphy workshops. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The opening reception of New Zealand Chinese Language Week was held on Monday evening at the Beehive, the executive wing of New Zealand's parliamentary complex, in Wellington.

The event, running from Sunday to Saturday across New Zealand, includes a variety of activities such as Chinese poetry recitation, Chinese folk music and dance, Chinese film, Chinese food tasting, and Chinese calligraphy workshops.

Calling Chinese a "fantastic language," New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon encouraged young New Zealanders to learn Chinese and visit China to take a closer look at this "incredibly dynamic" country.

The prime minister also acknowledged the important role played by Chinese immigrants in New Zealand, saying their profound contribution has made New Zealand a much better, richer, and more diverse place.

Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said the Chinese Language Week has helped to build bridges between the people of the two countries.

The ambassador emphasized that China will continue to expand global people-to-people exchanges, and warmly welcomes friends from all over the world, including New Zealand, to visit China, learn the Chinese language, meet Chinese friends, experience Chinese culture, tour scenic mountains and rivers, and get a firsthand look at China on the ground.

The Chinese Language Week, first launched in 2014, is another language week event held in New Zealand following the Maori Language Week and the Pacific Island Language Week. 

A representative of local outstanding Chinese enthusiasts delivers a speech at the opening reception of New Zealand Chinese Language Week in Wellington, New Zealand, Sept. 23, 2024. The event, running from Sunday to Saturday across New Zealand, includes a variety of activities such as Chinese poetry recitation, Chinese folk music and dance, Chinese film, Chinese food tasting, and Chinese calligraphy workshops. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A Dayton resident working in the basement of their home had to call first responders after finding a suspicious item.

Dayton Police Major Jason Hall told 2 NEWS that first responders and the Dayton Bomb Squad was called Monday afternoon to the 100 block of N. Cherrywood Avenue in Dayton.

According to Hall, the homeowner was in their basement removing ceiling tiles. The person reportedly found a cylinder container, which was labeled as being a hazardous device.

When the Dayton Bomb Squad arrived and inspected the item, they transported the object for eventual disposal.

If you happen to come across a suspicious device in or around your home, you are urged 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 WDTN.com.
At least 492 people have been killed in intense and wide-ranging Israeli air strikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, the countrys health ministry says, in the deadliest day of conflict there in almost 20 years.

Thousands of families have also fled their homes as the Israeli military said it hit 1,300 Hezbollah targets in an operation to destroy infrastructure that the armed group had built up since the 2006 war.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, launched more than 200 rockets into northern Israel, according to the military. Paramedics said two people were injured by shrapnel.

World powers have been urging restraint as both sides appear to be spiralling closer towards all-out war.

Lebanon's health ministry said 35 children and 58 women were among the dead, while 1,645 others had been wounded.

It did not report how many of the casualties were civilians or combatants.

Health Minister Firass Abiad said thousands of families had also been displaced by the strikes.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed alarm at the escalating situation and said he did not want Lebanon to become another Gaza.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said the "escalation is extremely dangerous and worrying" ahead of a gathering of world leaders at the UN in New York, adding "we are almost in a full-fledged war".

President Joe Biden said the US was working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely, while the Pentagon announced it was sending a small number of additional troops to the Middle East "out of an abundance of caution".

Nearly a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah sparked by the war in Gaza has killed hundreds of people, most of them Hezbollah fighters, and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the frontier.

Hezbollah has said it is acting in support of Hamas and will not stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Both groups are backed by Iran and proscribed as terrorist organisations by Israel, the UK and other countries.

The Pentagon said it was sending a small number of additional US troops to the Middle East amid the growing crisis.

"In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region," said Pentagon spokesman Maj Gen Pat Ryder in a briefing with reporters.

He would not answer any follow-up questions on the specifics.

Lebanese media said the first wave of Israeli air strikes began at around 06:30 local time (03:30 GMT) on Monday.

It was horrifying, the missiles flew over our heads. We woke up to the sound of bombings, we didnt expect this, one woman said.

Dozens of towns, villages and open areas were targeted throughout the day in the districts of Sidon, Marjayoun, Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil, Tyre, Jezzine and Zahrani in southern Lebanon, as well as the Zahle, Baalbek and Hermel districts in the eastern Bekaa Valley, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

In the evening, it reported that a building in the Bir al-Abed area of the southern suburbs of the capital, Beirut, was hit by several missiles.

Lebanese security sources said the strike targeted Hezbollahs top commander in southern Lebanon, Ali Karaki, but that it was not clear whether he was killed. Hezbollahs media office said Karaki was fine and had moved to a safe place.

From the south to Beirut, roads were congested as people desperately tried to leave amid the bombardment and after receiving audio and text messages from the Israeli military warning them to move away immediately from buildings where Hezbollah was storing weapons.

A family of four riding on a motorbike spoke to the BBC in Beirut during a brief stop on their way to the northern city of Tripoli. "What do you want us to say? We just had to flee," the father said anxiously.

Information Minister Ziad Makary said his ministry had received an Israeli phone call urging it to evacuate its building in Beirut. However, he insisted that it would not comply with what he called a psychological war.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati, meanwhile, told a cabinet meeting: The continued Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word.

We are working as a government to stop this new Israeli war and to avoid descending into the unknown, he added.

Roads in southern Lebanon are gridlocked as people seek safety further north [EPA]

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Monday evening that its aircraft had carried out strikes on approximately 1,300 Hezbollah "terror targets" in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley where it claimed that rockets, missiles, launchers, and drones were hidden.

Essentially, we are targeting combat infrastructure that Hezbollah has been building for the past 20 years. This is very significant, the IDFs Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, told commanders in Tel Aviv.

Ultimately, everything is focused on creating the conditions to return the residents of the north to their homes.

IDF spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said videos from southern Lebanon showed "significant secondary explosions caused by Hezbollahs weapons that were being stored inside the buildings".

"It is likely that some of the casualties are from these secondary explosions," he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the people of Lebanon to get out of harm's way now.

For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage, he said. To defend our people against Hezbollah strikes, we must take out these weapons.

A senior Israeli military official insisted that the IDF was currently focusing on Israels aerial campaign only after being asked by reporters if a ground invasion of southern Lebanon was imminent to create a buffer zone.

The official said Israel had three aims - to degrade Hezbollah's ability to fire rockets and missiles over the Lebanon-Israel border, to push its fighters back from the frontier, and to destroy the infrastructure built by Hezbollahs elite Radwan Force which could be used to attack Israeli communities.

Hezbollah did not comment on the Israeli claims that it had hidden weapons in houses, and its media office had announced the death of only one fighter by Monday evening.

But in a sign that it is unlikely to back down, it said it had responded to the Israeli enemys attacks by firing barrages of rockets at several Israeli military bases in northern Israel, as well as a weapons manufacturing facility in the coastal Zvulun area, north of the city of Haifa.

The IDF said 210 projectiles had crossed from Lebanon by the evening, and that an unspecified number had landed in the Lower Galilee and Upper Galilee regions, in Haifa and the nearby areas of Carmel, HaAmakim and Hamifratz areas, and in the occupied Golan Heights.

The roof of a house in northern Israel was destroyed by a rocket fired from Lebanon [Reuters]

One house was badly damaged by a rocket in Givat Avni, in the Lower Galilee.

Resident David Yitzhak told the BBC that he, his wife and six-year-old daughter were unharmed because they had managed to get behind the solid door of the house's safe room seconds earlier, when a warning siren sounded.

Its a metre from life to death, he said.

Israels ambulance service said it treated two people with shrapnel wounds in the Lower and Upper Galilee regions, and that another person was injured as they rushed to a shelter.

On Sunday, Hezbollah launched more than 150 rockets and drones across the border, while Israeli jets struck hundreds of targets across southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah remains a powerful force, despite being weakened by what Israels defence minister described as the most difficult week for the group since its establishment.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, 39 people were killed and thousands were wounded after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah exploded. And on Friday, Hezbollah said at least 16 members, including top commanders of its elite Radwan Force, were among 45 people killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Beirut.

Speaking at a funeral on Sunday, Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem said the group would not be deterred.

"We have entered a new phase, he said, the title of which is the open-ended battle of reckoning."

On the streets of Beirut, one young man told the BBC that he was "very scared of the war escalating" because it would  cause a lot of disaster, it will stop students going to university".

But another man was defiant, saying: "We're not scared, we have to stand tall, we have to defend ourselves."
State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) takes questions from reporters following the 2024 State of the State Address. | Kyle Davidson

In 1998 Michigan lawmakers approved the Clean Michigan Initiative, a $675 million bonding effort aimed at supporting environmental, health and natural resource protection programs across the state. While the programs funds were nearly depleted by 2018, State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) has introduced two bills in a bid to revive the program.

The initial program allowed the state to issue bonds borrowing up to $675 million to support efforts like environmental cleanup and remediation. However, Farhats effort  House Bills 5934 and 5935  would allow the state to borrow up to $10 billion for updates to water and sewer infrastructure, air pollution reduction and the redevelopment of contaminated sites among other efforts.

Theres different areas of our state that we need to modernize, right? And not just modernize, that we need to enhance for the quality of life of Michiganders, right? And so thats what were trying to accomplish with this legislation, is looking at these different tranches, these different specific areas that we can make big investments in thatll last for the long run, Farhat told Michigan Advance.

According to an August, 2017 factsheet from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), now the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), $385 million from the initiative went into environmental cleanup and redeveloping brownfields, properties that are contaminated or could have been contaminated by hazardous substances.

Additionally, $165 million of the bond was used for water quality, $20 million went toward pollution prevention, $100 million was used in support of state and local parks and $5 million was used for lead remediation.

EGLE Communications Manager Hugh McDiarmid Jr. told the Advance the department is aware of an estimated 26,000 contaminated sites in the state, with about half of these sites identified as orphan sites, where a responsible party cannot be identified to fund the cleanup.

Farhat said cleaning up contaminated brownfields is a big focus for him and Michigans environmental community. Other members of the Legislature have also taken action to encourage redevelopment of brownfield sites, with members of the state Senate successfully passing laws to support housing development through the states brownfield development program, and State Reps. Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) and Curt VanDerwall (R-Ludington) crafting laws to create a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes system for solar energy projects, with smaller incentives for development on brownfields and state-owned lands.

We can offer aggressive tax incentives. We can offer, you know, abatements and things of that nature. But theres a lot of orphan sites, sites that have been abandoned, that are actively contaminated, that are damaging our states ecosystem and environment, that are causing quality of life issues, Farhat said.

In a lot of ways, you know, it falls onto us and to the state, it falls onto us to make sure were doing the right thing. And if we cant hold the polluters accountable, then making sure that at least were cleaning up these sites and mitigating the damage thats being done, Farhat said.

By opening up funding for various initiatives including water infrastructure, Great Lakes preservation, small business grants and more, Farhat expects the program will create thousands of jobs, including in communities that have had to bear the brunt of pollution or have been historically disinvested in.

Therell be thousands of new opportunities for people to get involved. Therell be new brownfield sites that are revitalized and that people can invest in now, start a business and generate economic activity that way. Therell be renewed hope in neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked, because of the high penetration costs, or the high cost to penetrate that market, Farhat said.

What were saying as a state is not only is it a moral good to clean up these sites that are contaminated, leaching into the water table, damaging quality of life for neighborhoods, theres also a business good there, Farhat said. Now these sites can be turned around and used and repurposed and made fit for purpose, right? That now neighborhoods can rely on clean water and in turn attract entrepreneurs that want to invest in that area.

While the bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation, Farhat said his focus is making sure the policy is ready for when it comes up for a vote, and that it is able to touch every corner of the state.

[Whether] you are in the urban area that has a contaminated site, or youre in rural Michigan that wants to see your natural resources, our great natural resources, our lakes preserved, this is a piece of legislation for you, Farhat said.
WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  The Waco Independent School District celebrated one of its newest schools on Monday.

Students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate Tennyson Middle School. Family, friends, and supporters gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate its new beginnings.

The original Tennyson Middle School was built in 1961 as Tennyson Junior High to relieve overcrowding at Lake Air Junior High.

It was the first junior high in Waco to have central heating and air conditioning. Approximately one-third of the 950 students used portable buildings due to the small size of the original school

The district celebrated the schools groundbreaking last year, with people stepping into the new building on August 14.

The school is 184,000 square feet with a capacity of 1,060 students and a construction budget of $77.6 million.

Theres always been this build up, this anticipation of what the school would be like on the inside. And so, weve taken tours throughout the time of it being built but right now, being in it, its just been an amazing feeling, says Principal Bradford McMillan.

Student Council President Christian Aguilar is an eighth grader who was shocked to see this is where his final year at Tennyson will be.

Its very special because they did this just for us. Not just for us, but the the middle school is here, and it feels like were more important and we can boost our education, says Aguilar.

Tennyson Middle is the newest school in the district after Waco ISD jurisdiction passed the $355 million in bonds in 2021 for several schools in the district such as Tennyson Middle School, Kendrick Elementary School, and G.W. Carver Middle School. The bond passage also allows for extensive renovations at South Waco Elementary School.

Sketches that started on paper are now a building for students to have a better learning environment.

The patches of green, hallway names, and abstract designs in the building are inspired by the Brazos River and Cameron Park  adding creative elements to the school.

The old building, that was originally a 1960s building, and today a modern 21st century learning environment. Its a really great opportunity, again, that focus on students and teachers and making an impact for them day in, day out, says architect Jarrod Sterzinger.

Joy and laughter filled the building as the future of Tennyson was celebrated. The track and field is still undergoing construction, but classrooms are fully up and running.

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A New Hampshire high school is mourning the untimely deaths of a current and former student who lost their lives in separate crashes in recent days, educators announced Sunday.

Student support counselors and social workers were made available Monday at ConVal Regional High School in Peterborough following the deaths, according to Interim Superintendent Dr. Ann Forrest and Principal Heather McKillop. A team of therapy dogs was also called to the school.

The loss of a friend or classmate can be deeply traumatic, and we recognize that students may return to school on Monday carrying a range of emotions, questions, and concerns, McKillop said in a statement.

Forrest added, Supporting our students, staff, and families during this difficult time is our top priority right now.

The high school confirmed that a current student was killed in a crash on Friday that also left two other students hospitalized. Police in the nearby town of Dublin identified the victim as a 17-year-old boy from Antrim.

While speed appears to be a contributing factor, the crash remains under investigation, Dublin police said of the crash.

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy, Forrest said. This is a profound moment for our school community, and its essential that we come together to support one another in the days ahead.

A former ConVal student, 18-year-old James Barna, lost his life in a separate car wreck in New Ipswich early Saturday morning, his family said in a report. Another person was also killed in the crash and a third suffered serious injuries, police said.

Forrest and McKillop thanked everyone who reached out to offer support in the wake of the student deaths.

Both crashes remain under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Deere tractor driver airlifted after being hit by 18-wheeler on I-85

MACON COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL)  A John Deere tractor driver mowing along Interstate 85 was airlifted to the hospital Monday morning after being struck by an 18-wheeler in Macon County. The crash happened around 7:04 a.m. near the 30-mile marker. Fortunately, the driver has since been released from the hospital and is expected to recover.

The collision temporarily shut down the southbound lanes as wrecker crews worked to clear the scene. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) responded to assist with traffic control and investigate the incident.

Authorities remind drivers to exercise caution and be mindful of roadside workers.

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Delcambre school honored with National Blue Ribbon from U.S. Dept. of Education

DELCAMBRE, La. (KLFY)  A school in Iberia Parish has been recognized with a national award by the U.S. Department of Education.

Delcambre Elementary School is one of seven schools in Louisiana to receive a National Blue Ribbon.

According to the Education Department website, the National Blue Ribbon Program recognizes outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.

Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is a remarkable achievement that exemplifies a commitment to academic achievement, said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley. I applaud the students, educators, and families of these schools for setting a high bar of excellence.

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In the schools profile on the USDoE website, the department said the honor reflects on the entire town of Delcambre, which was devastated by Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008.

The success of Delcambre Elementary, a Title 1 school that educates 488 students in pre-K through 5th grade, gave the residents of the town a strong reason to stay, the profile reads. The schools commitment to ensuring that each student reaches their fullest potential, continuing deep rooted traditions, and fostering a love for the town helped the community sustain its population. The success of Delcambre Elementary has a direct correlation to the growth and sustainability of the town of Delcambre and this is a driving force for the schools continued success.

The other Louisiana schools so honored in 2024 were:

Baton Rouge  Mayfair Laboratory School, East Baton Rouge Parish Schools

Baton Rouge  Saint Aloysius School, Diocese of Baton Rouge

Lake Charles  T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School, Calcasieu Parish Schools

Mandeville  Woodlake Elementary School, St. Tammany Parish Public Schools

Sterlington  Sterlington Elementary School, Ouachita Parish Schools

Woodworth  Caroline Dorman Junior High School, Rapides Parish Schools

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DELPHI, Ind.  Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen's attorneys asked Special Judge Frances Gull to allow jurors in next month's trial to see the crime scenes in person, according to a motion filed Monday.

The motion asks that jurors walk from the Freedom Bridge, a restored steel girder bridge spanning Indiana 25, to the Monon High Bridge, an abandoned wooden railroad trestle over the Deer Creek.

Delphi teenagers Libby German and Abby Williams were abducted from that bridge on Feb. 13, 2017, led to a spot about a quarter of a mile east of the bridge on the north side of the creek, where they were killed, according to prosecutors.

Deer Creek flows under the Monon High Bridge on Feb. 7, 2020, in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were killed while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Allen's motion also asked that jurors be allowed to see the scene where the girls' bodies were found Feb. 14, 2017. Jurors also should see the old Child Protective Services building where prosecutors allege Allen parked between 1:30 and 4 p.m. the day of the killings.

"The view would be requested as it would greatly aid a jury's understanding of evidence presented at trial, including observing and feeling the unique topography of the land; something that cannot be understood from photographs and video," the motion states.

"These locations are less than two miles from the courthouse," the motion states. "Juror transport and viewing could easily be completed in under 90 minutes."

The motion notes that Allen and his attorneys, as well as the prosecutors, could accompany jurors under whatever guidelines the court sets. The motion said that Allen does not have to attend if the court is concerned about security.

Allen, who lived in Delphi for years, was arrested Oct. 26, 2022, after nearly six years of investigation. Until recently, he's been in pretrial incarcerated at Indiana maximum security prisons' solitary confinement cells.

More: Delphi murders investigation timeline: Review the case through 5 years of reporting

More: 'Hiding in plain sight': Libby German's grandparents react to murder charges

Allen's trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 14 and run through Nov. 15. He is charged with two counts of murder in the commission of kidnapping and two counts of murder. Both charges carry the same penalty, and he can only be sentenced on two of the four counts, if he's convicted.

If convicted, he faces between 45 and 65 years in prison on each of the convictions, meaning a sentencing range of between 90 and 130 years.

Jury selection will be in Fort Wayne. After the jurors are empaneled and sequestered, the trial moves to Delphi, where opening statements, evidence, and closing arguments will be conducted. Jurors will deliberate in Delphi, and the verdict will be announced there.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen asks for jurors to see crime scenes
Democratic super PACs are taking an unusual approach in this years presidential race: Theyre not focusing on former President Donald Trump.

A significant majority of this cycles spending by pro-Democratic outside groups  which typically function as attack dogs  is going to ads aiming to drive positive perceptions of Vice President Kamala Harris. Its a particularly striking shift after a majority of similar groups spending in both 2016 and 2020 was focused on driving up Trumps negatives, a POLITICO analysis of ad spending found.

That stark contrast reflects a challenging reality: Harris began her abbreviated campaign comparatively unknown to many voters, setting off a frenzy to define her in the final weeks of the election. Thats particularly pronounced because this is Trumps third presidential run in a row  and even after his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and his four indictments and conviction earlier this year, voters views of him are largely set.



There may be little Democrats can do to persuade most voters about Trump. Instead, since Harris elevation, Democrats have bet that their dollars are better spent reintroducing voters to the vice president, from the basics of her biography to playing defense on immigration and attempting to lay out her vision for the economy.

Republican super PACs, meanwhile, are sticking to the conventional playbook, going all-in on criticizing Harris, with few mentions of Trump.

The result is that voters in key swing states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, are being bombarded with far more content about Harris, both positive and negative, than about Trump.

Voters have nothing, no information they need to collect, to inform their decision on Donald Trump, said Evan Roth Smith, lead pollster for the Democratic firm Blueprint, which has run testing on the efficacy of various presidential ads. All the information that voters need, for the voters who have yet to make up their minds in this election, is about Kamala Harris.

Take Philadelphia, the media market that has attracted the most presidential ad spending over the past three weeks. The most-aired ad in the metro area over that period is from the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again Inc. and goes after Harris on the issue of immigration  while making no mention of Trump. By contrast, the most-aired ad from a Democratic outside group is from FF PAC, the pro-Harris juggernaut, and features Harris talking about the middle class and includes just one line going after Trump on taxes.



Since Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, about 80 percent of Democratic-aligned groups outside spending has been supportive of her candidacy, rather than attacking Trump, according to the POLITICO analysis of Federal Election Commission records. (Federal law requires all outside groups to report their campaign activity to the FEC in nearly real time when attempting to influence an election, and they must classify spending as either supporting or opposing a specific candidate.)

Thats a big difference compared to past election cycles: Over the same period in 2020, about 60 percent of Democratic outside spending went toward opposing Trump. And in 2016, 87 percent of Democratic outside spending in the late summer and early fall was to push negative content about Trump.

Its also in sharp contrast to the approach of GOP outside groups, which have stuck with the traditional super PAC attack role and devoted nearly 90 percent of their independent expenditure dollars to attacking Harris since she replaced Biden.

The anti-Trump content has far from vanished: Harris campaign has run with ads seeking to tie the former president to Project 2025, the unpopular Heritage Foundation policy framework from which Trump has tried to distance himself, and it released an ad last week featuring a survivor of childhood sexual abuse talking about the importance of abortion rights and blaming Trump for state bans.

But the overall Democratic message flooding the airwaves isnt that kind of attack. The share of anti-Trump content is notably lower than even a few months ago, when Biden was at the top of the Democratic ticket, and both candidates were well-established in the public eye.



American Bridge 21st Century, which oversees the second-largest, pro-Democratic super PAC operating in the presidential election this cycle, ran primarily negative ads for most of the year, with its first contrast ads  part of a strategy targeting lower-propensity female voters on the issue of abortion  launching earlier this month.

The anti-Trump ads, which included a veteran talking about Trump and the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, were part of a strategy aiming to reach voters who pay less attention to politics. The goal was to remind them of Trumps negative qualities, said Pat Dennis, president of American Bridge. The strategy complemented positive ads about Harris from her campaign and other groups, he said, in part because most voters did not need to learn more about Trump.

Anybody who turns on CNN once a week or opens a newspaper engaged in political reporting, generally speaking, we find they have quite a good memory of why they don't like Donald Trump, Dennis said.
Volodymyr Zelensky signs a missile on a tour of the Scranton Army Ammunition Plan on Sunday - COMMONWEALTH MEDIA SERVICES/Handout via REUTERS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday began a US visit by going to a factory in Pennsylvania that produces badly needed 155mm artillery shells.

I began my visit to the United States by expressing my gratitude to all the employees at the plant, Mr Zelensky said Sunday in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The post included photos of him shaking hands with workers at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, where he said production had been ramped up.

It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail, he wrote.

Scranton, Pennsylvania. I visited a plant that manufactures 155 mm artillery shells. Now, for our warriors who are defending not only our country, not only Ukraine, the plant will be ramping up production.



I began my visit to the United States by expressing my gratitude to all pic.twitter.com/OXnvqHclkM  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 22, 2024

He will next travel to New York and Washington.

Mr Zelensky arrived in the United States for a crucial visit to present Kyivs plan to end two and a half years of war with Russia.

He will present his proposals  which he calls a victory plan  to President Joe Biden, as well as presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Agence France-Presse reported.

President Joe Biden meets President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office in September last year - Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

The visit comes after a summer of intense fighting, with Moscow advancing fast in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv holding on to swaths of Russias Kursk region.

It also comes as Kyiv has for weeks pressed the West to allow it to use long-range weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia  so far to no avail.

When they meet at the White House on Thursday, Mr Zelensky is expected to try to convince Mr Biden to change his mind.

Mr Zelensky said the coming weeks would decide how more than 30 months of fighting that has killed thousands would end.

It is now being determined what the legacy of the current generation of states leaders will be. Those in the highest offices, he said.

US Major General John T. Reim Jr, joint program executive officer armaments and ammunition, greets President Zelensky at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on Sunday - Curt Loter/US Army/AFP via Getty Images

In comments before his trip, Mr Zelensky said the United States and UK have not given Ukraine permission to use the long-range weapons as they fear escalation, but hinted he had not given up hope.

We have had some decisions in the history of our relationship with Biden - very interesting and difficult dialogues, Mr Zelensky said earlier this week, adding: He later changed his point of view.

Moscow has said it considers such a go-ahead as Nato countries being at war with Russia.

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SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export slightly fell in the first 20 days of this month due to less business days, customs office data showed Monday.

Outbound shipment shrank 1.1 percent from a year earlier to 35.58 billion U.S. dollars in the September 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service.

The downturn came as the Chuseok holiday, or an autumn harvest celebration, slashed the number of working days by 2.5 days in the cited period.

The daily average export spiked 18.0 percent in the 20-day period. The monthly export maintained an upward trend for the 11th consecutive month through August.

Import decreased 4.5 percent to 34.78 billion dollars in the September 20-day period, sending the trade surplus to 799 million dollars.

Semiconductor export soared 26.2 percent to 7.48 billion dollars in the cited period, but automotive shipment shed 8.8 percent to 2.98 billion dollars.

Shipment for oil products, steel and mobile devices diminished in single figures, while those for auto parts, precision machinery and home appliances retreated in double digits.

Import for crude oil, machinery, oil products, coal and cars lost ground in the 20-day period. 
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and the rest of the Ohio Ballot Board approve the language of a proposed anti-gerrymandering amendment that is likely to appear on the ballot next year. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Democratic lawmakers are introducing a bill that would reform Ohios Ballot Board.

State Reps. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, and Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, wrote the bill that would re-shape who is on the ballot board with the hope of fostering more bipartisan cooperation.

It is clear that our current system and makeup of the Ohio Ballot Board is broken and fails to meet the high standards that Ohio voters deserve during crucial elections, Piccolantonio said Friday during a press conference.

Upchurch is a member of the current ballot board, which is chaired by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. Also on the board are state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green; Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, D-Toledo; and William Morgan. Other than the Secretary of State, members of the boards terms expire in February.

The Republican-controlled ballot board has been scrutinized by Democrats recently over Issue 1 ballot language, the words voters see when they are in the voting booth.

The reason that we need to take action is because of failed leadership of the Republican-led ballot board, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, said during the press conference. A handful of power hungry politicians have used this ballot board as a political tool for years to write dishonest language with the goal of deceiving, misleading and defrauding voters.  Voters are tired of the ballot boards partisan actions, its lies, its mismanagement and its leadership failures. The system, though, is not too broken. It can be fixed.

There was controversy over ballot language last year, first with the failed Issue 1 in the August special election that would have made it harder to amend the states constitution and again with the successful reproductive rights constitutional amendment during the November election.

Rather than fairly and accurately conduct the business of designing and improving ballot language that properly identify the substance of the proposals to be voted on, they did their best to rig the system with false and misleading language, hoping to trick voters at the ballot box, Piccolantonio said. But Ohio voters are too smart for these games despite what Republicans think of them.

This new bill would limit who can serve on the ballot board by banning the appointments of lobbyists and politicians, she said.

Two of the appointees would be appointed by the Speaker of the House and the Minority of the House and the other two members would be appointed by the Senate President and Minority Leader of the Senate.

No more than two of the appointed members would be from the same political party.

This piece of legislation would also restructure the ballot board slightly. There would be co-chairs of opposite parties, including the secretary of state.

The ballot board is meant to work for all of us and with these changes, we can ensure that it does, Piccolantonio said.

She plans to find Republican lawmakers who will work with her and understand it is our job to be serving the citizens and not serving our political parties.

I dont think it should be a partisan issue whether or not our issues that are on the ballot accurately reflect the intent of the people who put them there, she said.

This bill protects Republicans as well, Russo said.

The reality is they will not forever hold the secretary of state position, so as we move into the future, this reform ensures that no matter who holds that role, Republican or Democrat, the ballot board functions in a nonpartisan way that it is intended to function as it is set forth in the constitution, she said.

Russo acknowledged that even though the chances of passing the bill before the end of the General Assembly are slim, this opens the door to conversation about the ballot board. The legislature will come back the week after the election and the current General Assembly ends this year.

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Demolition in downtown Beloit will pave way for riverwalk, future development

BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO)  Crews have begun to demolish a vacant building on East Grand Avenue which will usher in future development.

According to the City, contractors began working to remove rooftop units on the building at 80-100 E. Grand, on the Rock River, on Monday ahead of a demolition and riverwalk construction project which is expected to be completed by summer 2025.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources required the existing 11,380 square foot structure be removed by 2042, due to extensive damage to the underwater structure.

The City said interior work was completed over the summer.

The City of Beloit is funding $500,000 for the riverwalk extension.

East Grand Development, LLC., a company overseen by billionaire and Beloit native Diane Hendricks, intends to build a 4-story, 48,000-square-foot building that could include a restaurant, commercial uses, office and residential use.

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The Danish government has allocated 130 million Danish kroner ($19.5 million) to restore Ukraine's energy infrastructure after Russia's mass attacks, according to the Sept. 23 Denmark Energy Ministry's statement.

Russia launched nine coordinated attacks against Ukraine's electricity infrastructure between March and August, striking facilities in 20 oblasts.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) report, Ukraine's electricity shortage could reach 6 gigawatts this winter, which is about one-third of the expected peak demand. This summer, the power shortage was 2.5 GW when Kyiv was already experiencing long blackouts.

Danish Energy Minister Lars Aagaard announced new financial assistance for Ukraine on Sept. 23 in New York during a meeting within the G7 working group on Ukraine's energy security, which also involved U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the statement read.

Denmark's new contribution to support Ukraine's energy system is one of the largest ever made by the country. The funds will be used to implement emergency measures, as well as to purchase equipment and spare parts to restore the security of the energy supply, the ministry said.

"Russia is violating the rules of war with its massive attacks on Ukraine's electricity and heat supply system. As winter approaches, many Ukrainian homes will be left without heat and electricity," Aagaard said.

"In addition, ordinary workers in the energy sector, who are doing their jobs against all odds, are being targeted. We must do everything possible to make the Ukrainian energy system as strong as possible," he added.

In April, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko and Aagaard signed a memorandum on cooperation in bioenergy. The same month, Denmark provided Ukraine with $5.8 million for energy infrastructure.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Danish companies have transferred energy equipment to Ukraine four times through the Danish Energy Agency.

According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), which tracks international aid for Ukraine, Denmark has provided almost $9.5 billion to Ukraine, making it the second largest financial backer as a percentage of GDP.

Read also: Ukrainian drones are burning Russias oil refineries, but not its economy

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(Bloomberg) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said shes extremely proud of the countrys corporate champions, and rejected concerns that any downturn at pharma giant Novo Nordisk A/S would destabilize the economy.

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The success of Novos weight-loss treatments has transformed the drugmaker into Europes most valuable company and made it a key driver of domestic economic growth.

Thats triggered worries about the small nations reliance on the company, and that Denmark  if the drugmaker were to face serious challenges  could suffer like Finland did when Nokia Oyj slumped in the early part of the 2000s.

But Frederiksen rejected the notion of a so-called Nokia risk in relation to Novo, whose market value of about $570 billion is more than Denmarks annual GDP. Instead, in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Copenhagen, she said that the economy has been strong for quite a long time thanks to skilled workers and a broad range of successful businesses.

I am extremely proud that we have big, now global, companies coming from Denmark. I dont see a lot of risks with even the size of some of the companies, because we have a very strong economy also in other sectors, she said. But we have of course to watch it.

Novo Nordisk was for years a stalwart at home, but blockbuster diabetes treatment Ozempic and weight-loss substance Wegovy turbocharged its growth. The company is now undertaking several multi-billion-dollar factory expansions in Denmark, France and the US.

That success is reflected in the Danish economy; last year, the pharmaceutical industry dominated by Novo drove about half of economic growth.

Still, the Danish economy is more than Novo and pharma. In 2023, the drug sector made up 6.7% of GDP, while financial services accounted for 5.4% and construction 5.1%, according to the national statistics office.

Earlier this month, freight forwarder DSV A/S took a major step toward becoming one of the worlds biggest logistics firms when it bought a unit of Deutsche Bahn AG in a 14.3 billion ($16 billion) deal. Denmark is also home to brewer Carlsberg A/S, shipping company AP Moller-Maersk A/S, wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems A/S and toy maker Lego.

A good thing is that our export portfolio is spread across several areas that are less sensitive to the business cycle than in other places, Frederiksen said.

Our country is not going to get any bigger in physical size, she added. But we should still want our companies to do that.

--With assistance from Carla Canivete.

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The Danish government will provide 130 million crowns (over 16 million) for the restoration of Ukraines energy system, which is constantly attacked by the Russians.

Source: statement by Lars Aagaard, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Denmarks new contribution to the support of the Ukrainian power system is one its largest ones. It was announced during the meeting within the G7 workgroup for Ukraines energy security.

"Putins army does not only violate Ukrainian borders, Russia violates the rules of war by launching its large-scale attacks on the Ukrainian electric and heat supply systems," Aagaard said.

The Danish assistance is funded within the programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and will, among other things, facilitate the implementation of emergency measures and procurement of equipment and spare parts to support the restoration of a secure supply of energy.

In April 2024 Ukraine and Denmark signed a memorandum for over 400 million of support for rebuilding Ukraines power infrastructure.

Copenhagen also announced 5 million for the restoration of the Ukrainian power system after Russian large-scale attacks on the infrastructure.

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BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN)  Authorities were not horsing around when they showed up to livestock roaming around.

Deputies from the Butler County Sheriffs Office responded to a home during the evening of Sept. 11. When they arrived, they were told two animals were seen walking around.

Sheriff Jones offering meet and greet, trick-or-treating, giveaways on Halloween

Officials drove back into the property with authorization to find two livestock animals.

Butler County Sheriffs Office

Butler County Sheriffs Office

It is undetermined whether one of the animals was a donkey or horse.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DeSantis declares state of emergency for 41 counties ahead of possible Hurricane Helene

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 41 of Floridas 67 counties Monday afternoon as the state braces for a potential Thursday landfall of a Category 2 or Category 3 Hurricane Helene.

The declaration includes Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.

DeSantis based his decision on atmospheric and oceanic data that shows highly conducive environmental conditions are forecast to organize and develop Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine into a tropical depression or tropical storm during the next day or two over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and southeastern Gulf of Mexico, where further development and strengthening is expected, according to a release from DeSantiss administration.

Tropical Cyclone Nine updates: Hurricane, tropical storm watches issued for Florida ahead of possible Category 3 hurricane

Emergency powers: DeSantis declares state of emergency for possible Hurricane Helene. What does that do?

Invest 97L developed into Tropical Cyclone Nine Monday morning, and its expected to strengthen further into a tropical depression later Monday evening.

Tropical Cyclone Nine is expected to make landfall as a Category 2 or Category 3 hurricane Thursday evening, according to the latest information from AccuWeather. Florida Panhandle and Big Bend residents should already be preparing for the storm as it is expected to rapidly intensify.

Its impacts will likely extend well beyond its center, along the northeast Gulf Coast, said DeSantis in the release. There is a significant threat of storm surge, coastal flooding and erosion, heavy rainfall and flash flooding, and damaging winds to the Florida Gulf Coast, he continued.

Right now, Tropical Cyclone Nine is 130 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman and about 350 miles south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba. The tropical cyclone is moving north at 6 mph.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida declares state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene
The front page of the Deseret News on Sept. 24, 1952, wrapping up the televised speech Richard Nixon gave ahead of the presidential election.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

How much better off would we all be if we brought our pets to work?

Pets provide a sounding board, are good object lessons, and generally are loyal to a fault  and who doesnt love a good family pet story?

On Sept. 23, 1952, Sen. Richard M. Nixon, R-Calif., salvaged his vice presidential nomination by appearing on television from Los Angeles to refute allegations of improper campaign fundraising in what became known as the Checkers speech for its reference to his familys Cocker Spaniel.

The speech was consequential and precedent-setting. It kept Nixons political career alive, first as Dwight D. Eisenhowers vice president that year, but also as a two-term president himself, but also because it showed the power of television.

The story: Nixons spot on the Republican presidential ticket was in peril. He had been accused of having a secret fund for his own personal use, but he felt he couldnt respond effectively at each stop on the campaign trail.

So he flew back to Los Angeles to answer the charges via television. During a nationwide broadcast, Nixon opted to give a complete release of all of he and Mrs. Nixons personal finances.

The details: His own biographers share that Nixon almost backed out of the speech, unnerved by the thought of providing personal information. But his wife Pat encouraged him to go through with it. He would later credit her for giving him the strength to complete the speech.

The Cocker Spaniel: As part of his remarks, Nixon talked about a Cocker Spaniel his daughters received as a gift:

You know, the kids, like all kids, loved the dog, he said, and I just want to say this, right now, that regardless of what they say about it, were going to keep it.

The personal anecdote  in the face of attacks from opponents  proved powerfully touching to the 60 millions of Americans watching, the largest television audience of the time.

The resounding success was also felt by Eisenhower, who affirmed his support for Nixon. Youre my boy! Ike grinned; the two would go on to win the election handedly.

It set a precedent, too, for politicians and public figures in how they communicate to the public, now able to leap over the heads of the media and directly into Americans living rooms.

A couple of weeks later, Nixon visited Utah to continue his campaigning:

Richard Nixon campaigned in Utah 50 years ago today

Here are stories from Deseret News archives about Nixons national televised speech as well as his political career:

Opinion: Richard Nixons times and triumphs, 50 years later

Nixons Nixon offers poignant glimpse

Nixon was a tragic figure who had deep flaws

Associated Press

Clinton strategy could use Nixons checkered past

Nixon is back  as elder statesman

Here is a link to the full 1952 speech.

The front page of the Deseret News on Sept. 23, 1952.
The fungus that causes white nose syndrome appears to have killed more than 1,000 bats within the last year in the large colony that spends summers at the Hanford site in Eastern Washington.

It is one of two known mass mortality events caused by white nose syndrome in Washington state since the fungus was first found in the state in 2016, said Abby Tobin, bat species lead for Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The other die off area was in King County.

Two large underground structures at Hanford were left intact as environmental cleanup was being done on obsolete structures along the Columbia River near the F and D Reactors, which were once used to produce plutonium for the Nations nuclear weapons program at the Hanford site.

In 2006, a colony of bats was found roosting in the F Reactor clearwell, an underground concrete structure once used to store purified Columbia River water for the reactor before it was decommissioned in 1965, prompting officials to save the structure as bat habitat.

A few years later bats also were found in buildings near D Reactor, and the clearwell there was left in place. A maternity colony of bats quickly took up residence.

As the fungus spread from the Seattle area east across Washington state, it was detected in one of the clearwells last year, making it the first detection in Benton County and the farthest east in the state.

But no sick bats were found until the late winter of 2024. Then Hanford workers began finding dead bats in buildings near the sealed-up D Reactor.

It was not something we looked forward to seeing, said Justin Wilde, a biologist for Hanford Mission Integration Solutions. We knew it was probably going to get here. We had kept it away for a long time but it seemed somewhere along the line a few of the bats got into the fungus that turned into white nose syndrome.

Half as many Hanford bats

The dead bats appeared to have starved and had wing damage, both indications of white nose syndrome. Testing by Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed they had the disease.

In a summer 2023 survey of the clearwells, about 2,500 bats were found in the D Reactor clearwell and about 1,000 in the F Reactor site.

The fungus that causes white nose syndrome was first found in Benton County last year in a Hanford site structure where Yuma myotis bats raise their young.

But this past summer only about half as many bats were found living in the clearwells.

Its a pretty devastating wildlife disease, said Cole Lindsey, a biologist for Department of Energy contractor Hanford Mission Integration Solutions at Hanford.

Hanford biologists will continue long-term monitoring of the Hanford bat colony to see how the population fares. The disease has been documented to wipe out 90% of the population of some bat colonies.

The two Hanford clearwells are maternity roosts where females spend the spring and summer roosting while each raises a single pup.

It is a unique roosting site in an area where large colonies are pretty rare or unknown, Lindsey said.

When the weather gets too cool for bats to find the insects they need, the colony disperses.

Yuma myotis bat caught in a net at Hanford.

Not much is known about where the colony goes to hibernate. Some do remain in the Hanford area just north of Richland, Wash., as shown by bat detectors that detect bat calls which are at too high frequency for the human ear.

But large numbers of bats have not been found on the Hanford site in the winter, and it is not documented where they go to hibernate, Wilde said.

Biologists suspect they migrate regionally, flying to a higher elevation with consistent cold temperatures through the winter, Lindsey said.

Infected bats may starve

Bats with white nose syndrome emerge early from hibernation and return to their summer roost, where they have found water and food in the past, Tobin said.

About 30 emaciated, dead bats were found this year in buildings near the former D Reactor, which was enough to declare a mass mortality event.

Yuma myotis bats cling to concrete in an underground Hanford structure once used as part of the water system for F Reactor.

The fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which causes white nose syndrome, attacks the skin of hibernating bats and damages their wings, making it difficult for them to fly. Infected bats often leave hibernation too early, which causes them to deplete their fat reserves and become dehydrated or starve to death, according to the Fish and Wildlife Department.

The bats that use the clearwells are Yuma myotis, one of four Washington state bat species with confirmed cases.

They have furry brown bodies and black wings and are smaller than the silver-hared bat that is more commonly seen roosting in attics in the Tri-Cities.

Each Yuma myotis weighs about 6 to 8 grams  less than two nickels  and has a body smaller than a mouse. But they look bigger in flight because of a wing span that stretches 6 to 8 inches.

In one night they might eat their weight in small insects such as the mosquitoes and midges that are plentiful along the nearby Columbia River.

When biologists do monitoring near the river mosquitoes start bothering them at sunset, but when bats emerge from the clearwells all of a sudden the mosquitoes are not as pesky for you anymore, Wilde said.

Value of bats

Bats are valuable members of the ecosystem, with a single colony of bats able to consume tons of insects, according to the Fish and Wildlife Department. It says bats save U.S. farmers more than $3 billion a year in pest control costs.

Benton County is one of nine counties in Washington with confirmed cases of white nose syndrome and the farthest east. The fungus that cause the disease has been found in 13 additional counties.

Hanford was used to produce plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program during World War II and the Cold War. Environmental cleanup is underway now.

It is spread from bat to bat, or a bat may contaminate a roosting area to allow the fungus to spread to other bats. People also can carry the fungal spores on their clothing, shoes or recreational equipment.

The fungus that causes the bat disease does not affect people, livestock or other wildlife.

The Hanford colony of Yuma myotis is the only one known in Benton County, but the Department of Fish and Wildlife would like to hear from you if you know of any other colonies of the species in the county.

You can report bat colonies at wdfw.wa.gov/bats at the link under How You can Help.
A new system in the Gulf of Mexico could develop into a tropical storm and then a hurricane before moving into the Southeast in the coming days, weather experts say.

The storm, which would be named Helene once it reached tropical strength, is producing showers and thunderstorms that have started showing signs of organization with a broad area of low pressure, according to a morning advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

A map showing the location of a weather disturbance developing in the Gulf that could potentially become a tropical storm and hurricane in the coming days.

Currently dubbed Invest 97L, the system could become a tropical storm by Monday or Tuesday  and a hurricane by late Tuesday, the latest Weather Channel forecast shows. The storm is expected to enter the southern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday as a hurricane and generate some high surf and outer rainbands along parts of Floridas coast.

While there is still some uncertainty, the storm is predicted to make landfall as a hurricane in the Florida Panhandle on Thursday, the Weather Channel states.

How will the storm impact SC?

Chris Landolfi, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in West Columbia, said the agency was keeping a close eye on the system and expected it to impact South Carolina.

There is a pretty good consensus that the storm will develop somewhere in the Gulf and move north toward the Panhandle of Florida then slowly move inland afterward. Its not going to be a direct landfall into South Carolina, Landolfi said. We could have impact later this week, mainly with a potential for possible heavier rain and some strong winds.

Landolfi added that the heavy rains had the potential to generate some flash flooding in parts of South Carolina.

The NWS plans to issue more detailed briefings on the potential impact of the storm in South Carolina in the coming days.
Staff of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited check on MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Staff of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited work on the production line of MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A staff member of the National Intelligent Voice Innovation Center debugs an industrial AI quality detection system at the China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Staff of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited check on MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A staff member of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited works on the production line of MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A staff member of the National Intelligent Voice Innovation Center tests on an intelligent speaker at the China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A staff member of the National Intelligent Voice Innovation Center demonstrates an acoustics imager to detect equipment breakdown at the China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A staff member demonstrates a mouse with speech recognition input function at the exhibition hall of China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Staff of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited work on the production line of MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A staff member demonstrates a smart medical treatment pruduct at the experience center of China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Staff of Reacool Medical Technology Co., Ltd. demonstrate a pain-relieving rehabilitation training application in the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua)

A staff member presents an intelligent welding robot at the exhibition hall of the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 12, 2024 shows sensors displayed at the exhibition hall of China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, east China's Anhui Province. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A staff member of Reacool Medical Technology Co., Ltd. demonstrates a digital surgery aided platform at a simulated operating room in the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province.

In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua)
How did suspended cop steal gun he used to kill his KC family? Lax security at the VA

Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com.

Federal investigators concluded lax security allowed a suspended Veterans Affairs police officer to access a secured area and steal the gun he used to kill his wife, 12-year-old son and himself at their home in Kansas Citys Northland earlier this year, according to a newly-released investigative report.

Even after police took Jerel McGeachy Sr.s law enforcement credentials away because of a court order that barred him from having a gun, he retained access to an arms room where his gun was stored at a Leavenworth VA site, investigators concluded. Just before the April 1 shooting, he slipped into the arms room, retrieved the gun and went to his familys home to commit the crime, the report said.

Domonique McGeachy, 38, Jerel McGeachy Jr., 12, and Jerel McGeachy Sr., 38, were found dead in their home in the 8300 block of Northwest 90th Street a few hours later in an apparent murder-suicide.

Domonique McGeachy, whose obituary described her as passionate about the issue of domestic violence and who wanted for herself and others to be whole and healthy, was remembered as an Army veteran and a loving mother. Even at a young age, her son Jerel Jr. was an accomplished public speaker known for commanding a room during dramatic recitations of Martin Luther King Jr. speeches.

Domonique McGeachy and her son Jerel McGeachy Jr., as seen in a screenshot of a photo posted on Facebook in January 2023.

New details from the VAs investigation into the incident were released this month through a Freedom of Information Act request from The Star.

The report criticized police with the VAs Eastern Kansas Healthcare System, which has campuses in Leavenworth and Topeka, for their response to a pair of protection orders against McGeachy Sr. in the days leading up to the fatal shooting, and faulted them for allowing him access to his gun. The report said even after police learned of the first protection order, they failed to look into previous abuse allegations from the familys time in North Carolina, and relied on personal experiences with the officer to assess the situation.

The incident was significant enough to prompt armory access and firearms removal training for VA police nationwide in June. Investigators in the firearm probe highlighted a series of security issues locally they said created a climate of risk surrounding weapons, and a slide deck for the national training released by the department under The Stars FOIA request went further, saying it was designed to address systemic gaps in the security of VA firearms. Investigators even questioned McGeachy Sr.s hiring after they learned hed been fired from a previous law enforcement job in North Carolina.

The report said prosecutors declined to file charges in the aftermath of the incident, and nearly six months after the shooting that left an entire family dead, it remains unclear what discipline anyone will face.

In a statement provided to The Star, Terrence Hayes, a VA press secretary, said the department suspended credentials, arrest authority and firearms access for the regions police chief, deputy chief and the local officer overseeing the armory in the wake of the shooting. All three remain employed.

Each have been detailed away from law enforcement responsibilities, Hayes said. While the disciplinary process is ongoing, VA cannot comment further  but we will take all appropriate action in this case.

A view of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leavenworth on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.

Court orders

About three weeks before the shooting, on March 12, police officials learned McGeachy Sr. was the subject of a Platte County court order that protected his wife and son, investigators wrote in their report. The protection order directed him not to contact or threaten them.

That day, McGeachy Sr. was seen at the VAs Leavenworth campus, near where his wife worked as a nurse practitioner, with flowers and a drink for her. Police stopped him, and he met with department officials to discuss the order.

Documents released by the VA include a copy of the March 11 petition for a protection order filed by Domonique McGeachy against her husband. While details supporting the petition are redacted, one portion of the form asking the petitioner for a description of immediate and present danger included a brief summary: Our (redacted) recent report of (McGeachy Sr.) beating him and weapons in the home.

Talking with police at the VA campus, McGeachy Sr. told them that the strife was caused by (redacted) mother (redacted) and that a similar situation had happened when they lived in North Carolina, the report said.

McGeachy Sr. said SWAT officers had entered the familys home after similar allegations of abuse and said that the Department of Child and Family Services was involved with the family in the days leading up to March 12, according to the report.

At that point, McGeachy Sr.s arrest and weapons authority were not suspended, and while department officials considered moving him to work at the Topeka campus, they elected to have him continue work in Leavenworth and shift his work schedule to nights, opposite his wifes schedule.

When police involved in the situation were interviewed, they pointed to the fact that the order didnt prohibit the officer from possessing a firearm as a major factor in the decision not to suspend his arrest and weapons authority, investigators wrote. They also found no effort was taken to investigate McGeachy Sr.s reference to previous abuse allegations from the familys time in North Carolina.

Investigators concluded police relied on their personal experiences with McGeachy Sr. to assess that the risk did not warrant moving him to Topeka or suspending his arrest and weapons authority.

On March 29, three days before the shooting, McGeachy Sr. was served with a second court order, a juvenile protection order, that prohibited him from possessing firearms, according to the report. He was reassigned to administrative work answering phones and working as an observer and his badge was confiscated.

A Platte County sheriffs deputy served McGeachy Sr. with the order that day at the Leavenworth site, and investigators wrote the deputy reported McGeachy Sr. failed to appear at a hearing, which resulted in the full protection order prohibiting him from having a firearm.

Court documents released by the VA include a finding by a Platte County judge on March 25 that McGeachy Sr. represents a credible threat to the safety of the protected child. He was prohibited from having firearms through the end of the order in March 2025.

Someone in the department took his badge and credential set and placed them in a lock box in an arms room, behind a door that required a card, code and key for entry, the report said. But McGeachy Sr. was given his key ring back, which included his gun lock box key, and kept his access card, with no one having changed its permissions, investigators wrote.

McGeachy Sr. worked a shift doing administrative duties the night of March 30 into the early-morning hours of the next day. According to the report, he returned that evening and left at 4 a.m. April 1, after using his card, code and key to enter the arms room with a bag. He took his gun, investigators wrote, and then presumably drove to the McGeachy residence, where he allegedly fatally shot his wife and son and then himself.

Domonique McGeachy, 38, Jerel McGeachy Jr., 12, and Jerel McGeachy Sr., 38, were found dead in their home in the 8300 block of Northwest 90th Street in a murder-suicide April 1.

This fact... proved catastrophic

Prosecutors reviewed the incident and declined to file charges, according to the VAs report. The documents describe the involvement of one person, whose identity is redacted, as being limited to failing to adhere to established policies and not as being criminal, as determined by state and federal prosecutors.

Investigators faulted police for not keeping McGeachy Sr. from accessing his gun by failing to take his keys and revoke his card access. They also concluded he would have had access to long guns in an operations area and in patrol vehicles, as well as weapons and ammunition stored in an evidence room.

They also found the arms room did not meet security standards. A key for a police administration room also opened the arms room, which went against a policy that states arms rooms must have special keys. Because McGeachy Sr. was assigned to the administration area, he kept his key.

This fact, coupled with (redacted)s failure to revoke arms room access on McGeachy Sr.s PIV card and take McGeachy Sr.s gun box key proved catastrophic, investigators wrote.

They also found that a key that opened the administration area could be used by someone to override the card reader for the arms room and enter the room with only a key. Under policy, that act should set off an alarm, and investigators found it didnt.

They also found that a computer in the administration area used to assign access levels to cards was always logged in, which could have allowed anyone to change access levels.

Investigators also faulted department officials for not investigating the North Carolina allegations against McGeachy Sr., and not considering the proximity of the area where he worked to his spouses work area. They said officials focused on the terms of the initial order, which did not prohibit McGeachy Sr. from having firearms, and didnt pursue information regarding the allegations against him.

Although the order did not prohibit firearm access, the state court does not determine VA policy matters, or the obligation to act in agency interests, the report said. Investigators recognize that personal experience with McGeachy Sr., described as an excellent employee factored in the decision-making of (Eastern Kansas Healthcare System) police leadership.

McGeachy Sr. had been a police officer with the district since January 2023. Investigators probing the gun theft questioned his hiring, as they determined he had been fired from a previous law enforcement job in North Carolina in 2017. That department also indicated he had been previously investigated on a domestic violence matter in 2017, but the allegations were deemed unfounded.

Investigators wrote an internal affairs investigation found he had lied in two incidents, which led to his firing there, and the report said he was potentially a Giglio-impaired individual unsuitable for a VA Police position, referring to law enforcement officers whose credibility can be called into question.

They said he had supplied a retired supervisor as a reference during his application process for the VA job, and investigators concluded he did so to conceal a suitability issue, knowing the reference would speak favorably about him.

Federal investigators concluded lax security allowed a suspended Veterans Affairs police officer to access a secured area at the departments Leavenworth campus earlier this year and steal the gun he used to kill his wife, 12-year-old son and himself.

Devastated by this tragedy

In his statement, Hayes, the VA spokesperson, emphasized the investigative findings that police did not follow existing policies and procedures for gun security and said the department responded through training, additional oversight and enhanced pre-employment screenings for VA police to ensure that something like this does not happen again.

The officer should not have been able to retrieve his firearm while suspended, and we deeply apologize, he said. We have immediately taken action to make sure that this does not happen again  in Kansas and at VA facilities across America.

We at VA are devastated by this tragedy, and our hearts go out to the impacted family members, friends, and co-workers, he added.

The firearms security training for VA police nationwide happened from June 10-14.

Topics emphasized included internal steps for making sure only authorized people could have access to firearms and steps to take when an officers weapons and arrest authority were suspended for any reason, Hayes said.

The slides released by the department said the VA was conducting a safety standdown to address systemic gaps in the security of VA firearms and long guns. VHA Police leaders and staff at all levels will discuss, explore, and identify concerns, barriers, and commitment to improving the culture of safety.

The slides include a number of questions designed to prompt discussion. Among the final queries: Are we too lax with weapons security?
Diddys lawyers arent asking judge to move him out of notorious Brooklyn jail  for now

NEW YORK  Defense lawyers for Sean Diddy Combs arent asking the judge in the rap stars sex trafficking case to step in and have him moved from the notorious MDC Brooklyn jail.

Just days after Manhattan Federal Court Judge Andrew Carter denied Combs request to be released on $50 million bail, his lawyers, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos wrote Monday that they wont request the judge try to relocate the rapper.

Following the Sept. 18, 2024, court appearance, the court ordered a status update from counsel concerning any request related to the location of Mr. Combs detention, the defense team wrote to Carter. At this point, there is no request from counsel that the court take any action. Thank you.

Agnifilo told the Daily News Monday that Combs legal team is working closely with the dedicated professionals at the MDC, who have been responsive and helpful.

Last week Agnifilo told reporters he was asking to get Combs moved to a jail facility in Essex County, N.J., which has been used to house federal detainees, describing the Jersey jail as a little less difficult and noting that MDC historically has had tremendous problems, and those problems arent resolved.

Agnifilo has said he plans to appeal Carters Wednesday bail ruling.

Judges have described the Sunset Park jail as barbaric and dreadful, and The News has reported on a string of violent incidents, including two stabbing murders this year, multiple instances of medical mistreatment, poor conditions and inedible food.

Recently, staff at the jail largely ignored one inmates 17 separate calls for medical help as a cancerous tumor grew in his leg, The News reported. A nurse practitioner saw him three times between January and August but never noticed his worsening condition, according to defense lawyers.

Its the second time in a year the jail medical staff ignored signs an inmate was developing cancer.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan accuse Combs of flying sex workers across state lines and forcing women he dated to have sex with male prostitutes during drug-fueled sex parties he called Freak Offs.

If they didnt want to take part, hed harass and physically abuse and harass them, then use incriminating recordings of them as collateral, federal prosecutors allege.

_____
The airline said a full investigation had started into the incident involving Andy Allen [Pacemaker Press]

A Northern Ireland politician, who is a wheelchair user, was left frustrated after his plane took off without him, because there was no lift ready to assist him onto the aircraft in Birmingham Airport.

Andy Allen, an Ulster Unionist Party MLA, told BBC News NI he was due to get on an Aer Lingus flight to Belfast City Airport on Sunday but could not board.

Allen, a former soldier, was 19 when he was injured by a bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2008.

He said that he sat on the tarmac ready to depart, and was later informed that there was a request for his luggage to be taken off the plane and that the plane was leaving without him.

He was brought back into the terminal.

The airport provided a hotel for the night and he has been put on a flight on Monday.

The airport apologised for the inconvenience and said the issue was due to "technical issues" and the matter would be fully investigated.

Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Emerald Airlines apologised to Allen and said it was "committed to doing all we can to assist all customers who require additional support".

The airline said a full investigation has been launched.

'Things need to be improved for disabled people'

However, Allen said that accessibility for disabled customers must be improved.

He explained that the issue was not that he missed his flight but that he did so because he was a wheelchair user.

"In society as a whole there are things that need to be improved for disabled people, to ensure disabled people can play a full part I society and we arent prevented from being able to do so - whether that is accessing a building, going up in a lift or evacuating a building in a safe way," he told BBC News NI.

"Its devastating," he said.

"How many other people have experienced it that havent felt theyve been able to speak, thats why I felt it was important to call it out," he added.

He said there was an issue with special assistance at the airport.

"Im not asking for special treatment, just a level playing field," he added.

Allen was due to ask the first question to First Minister Michelle O'Neill during question time in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

His question was withdrawn as he was not able to attend due to not being back in time.

O'Neill acknowledged that the question had been withdrawn, and said: "The member that was due to ask the question was stranded last night in an airport in England due to not having accessible services for him.

"Im sure everyone would want to send their best wishes to our colleague and to say that airlines and every other service needs to do better to support those people with additional needs."

Former UUP leader Doug Beattie said it was "appalling".

Allen, a former Royal Irish Regiment soldier, was co-opted to replace Michael Copeland as the Ulster Unionist MLA for East Belfast in 2015.

'Technical issues'

A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport apologised for what happened [Getty Images]

A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said that the airport works "closely with our assisted travel provider, Mitie, to deliver the highest possible customer service to all our passengers".

"Unfortunately, on this occasion due to technical issues, Mr Allen experienced a delay. We will fully investigate this matter. Mr Allen has been rebooked on a flight for tomorrow and a hotel is being arranged for him and his travel companion for this evening.

"We apologise to Mr Allen for any inconvenience.

'Challenges faced by customers with disabilities'

Aer Lingus says it is committed to assisting customers with disabilities [Getty Images]

A spokeswoman for Aer Lingus said: "We sincerely apologise to this customer for the experience they had while travelling with Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Emerald Airlines.

"Aer Lingus recognises the challenges faced by customers with disabilities and we are committed to doing all we can to assist all customers who require additional support.

"Emerald Airlines have reached out to the customer directly to offer a heartfelt apology for this incident."
In a new plan that Superintendent Jason Wysong called aggressive and exciting, the School District of Manatee County plans to build five schools by 2027.

By opening several new campuses over the next three years, district leaders say the goal is to relieve overcrowded schools and keep up with rapid development in the eastern part of the county.

At a School Board workshop, district officials shared their plan to open a K-8 and a middle school in August 2025, two elementary schools in August 2026 and a high school in August 2027.

Manatee plans to build first K-8 from ground up

The school district plans to build its first K-8 school from the ground up.

Wysong said K-8 schools are popular among families who want to have more of their children on the same campus and who want to make the transition from elementary to middle school easier.

The new school, which does not have a name yet, will sit east of Uihlein Road near State Road 64.

We have two campuses that are overcrowded, but families want to be there because the culture at both Gullett and Harvey is so strong, Wysong said.

The K-8 campus will have a two-story elementary school, a one-story middle school and enough space for 1,620 students. District officials said the new school will help lower enrollment at Gullett Elementary.

The district plans to open the elementary school in August 2025 and the middle school in August 2026.

Priority will go to students who attend Gullett Elementary, who were reassigned to Freedom, McNeal or Braden River or who live near the new school.

The district picked Gullett Elementary principal Todd Richardson to lead the K-8 school. Richardson pointed out that Gullett Elementary grew from 800 students to 1,400 over the last eight years.

This school is going to be unique in that when these kids come in at age 4, Ill be able to work with them and our staff until theyre 14, Richardson said. Thats a tremendous opportunity for us to make a great impact for kids and their families.

Manatee plans to turn elementary into K-8

The district plans to create another K-8 campus by expanding Harvey Elementary.

The new school, which will keep the Harvey name, will sit west of Fort Hamer Road near Moccasin Wallow Road.

The K-8 school will have a pre-K to 3rd grade campus, a 4th grade to 8th grade campus and enough space for 1,268 students. District officials said the new school will help lower enrollment at Harvey Elementary and Buffalo Creek Middle.

The district plans to open the 4-8 campus in August 2025. The new school will start with fourth, fifth and sixth grades and add seventh and eighth grades a year later.

Hayley Rio, Harvey Elementarys principal, will continue to lead the expanded K-8 campus, district officials say. Rio said she wanted to expand Harvey Elementary because it was less disruptive to students. District officials first kicked around an idea to move fourth and fifth graders to another campus.

It was initially this big disturbance to the community and now this new concept has really turned it into a unique blessing for us and an exciting adventure, Rio said.

Manatee plans to draw new school boundaries

The district also plans to change school boundaries for the 2026-27 school year.

School Board member Mary Foreman said it is important for families who want their children to go to the new schools to know what to expect.

Moving kids from school to school is not easy, Foreman said. Its hard on the family. Its very hard on the child.

School Board member Cindy Spray said the districts plan should solve the problem of overcrowded schools.

I think that the whole region needs to understand that were trying to keep up with the pace of whats being developed out that way, Spray said.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories for Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 on Monday.

The system is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday as it enters the Gulf of Mexico, according to the NHCs 11 p.m. update.

A tropical storm watch and a storm surge watch have been issued for parts of Southwest Florida from Bonita Beach to Flamingo, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The system is located about 100 miles southwest of Grand Cayman. It has sustained winds of 35 mph, according to the NHC.

Forecasters expect the storm to intensify into a major hurricane before it makes landfall somewhere along the northeastern Gulf coast on Thursday.

Hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings have also been issued for parts of Mexico and Cuba. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the Dry Tortugas and the Lower Florida Keys south of Seven Mile Bridge.

Over the next several days, heavy rainfall is expected in portions of Central America. Northwestern Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and western Cuba should closely monitor the system, according to the NHC.

Elsewhere in the tropics, a tropical wave located between western Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands is producing rainfall and thunderstorms as it moves west.

Conditions are favorable for the development of this system, a tropical depression is likely to form within the next couple of days, according to the NHC.

Formation chance in the next two days is 20%, with a 70% chance in the next seven days.

Watch Tracking the Tropics on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT.

Be prepared with the 2024 Hurricane Guide and stay ahead of tropical development with the Tracking the Tropics newsletter.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
It didnt take long for ZeroMils to realize the talent and skills Navy wife Trish Bautista brought to their mission. Just two months into her three-month Defense Department-funded fellowship program for military spouses, she accepted the consulting companys offer for a full-time job as associate director of partnerships.

She began the fellowship in April 2023, a few months after the DOD launched the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot, or MSCAP, program, where spouses are matched with participating companies and DOD pays the salaries of the spouses during the 12 weeks.

The hope is that companies will hire them full-time as a result of the fellowship, but theres no guarantee. This program is one of a number of DOD initiatives to tackle the issue of military spouse unemployment, exacerbated by a lifestyle that involves frequent moves. The military spouse unemployment rate has remained persistently above 20% for over a decade.

Bautista is one of 703 spouses who have completed fellowships under the pilot program. Of those, about 600 have received employment offers from their host employer, more than five times the number from a year ago.

The program first started accepting applications in December 2022.

Defense officials are pleased with the outcomes of the career accelerator program, said DOD spokeswoman Jade Fulce. However, she said, we need to continue to grow the employer host pool.

The employment offer rate is proof in the value that military spouses bring to an organization, and can be a key recruiting tool for employers across industries, Fulce said.

Employers can find information here.

The pool of employers hosting spouse fellows has nearly tripled over the last year, from 129 to 370. But the number of spouses who have completed applications has also tripled, going from 1,000 to over 3,000. Of those, 807 have been placed into fellowships.

The pilot is slated to continue through 2026, so officials encourage military spouses to continue to apply, Fulce said. MSCAP is open to spouses of currently serving members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, to include active, reserve and National Guard components.

MSCAP was expanded earlier this year to include skills-based fellowships with more entry-level positions, and 68 spouses have been placed into those fellowships. Spouses are identified as candidates for skills-based fellowships based on their education and experience, Fulce said. When MSCAP began, it was open to career-ready spouses.

To date, 643 spouses have completed their traditional fellowships, and 560 of them, or 87%, received employment offers from their employer hosts, Fulce said. Of the 60 spouses who have completed skills-based fellowships, 40 have received employment offers. The average annual salary offered to the traditional fellows is $68,000, and for skills-based fellows, $48,000.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundations Hiring Our Heroes, through a contract with DOD, pairs applicants with fellowships that match their location, work experience and other factors. The number of fellowships available depends on what employers offer.

DOD pays spouse fellows salaries through the Chamber.

Applications are accepted throughout the year. Congress has appropriated $10 million for the MSCAP program to date, with the vast majority of funding going to the compensation for spouse fellows, Fulce said.

Spouses are in fellowships across multiple industries, such as information technology, project management, administration, human resources, and many other sectors, Fulce said. While 60% of the fellowship opportunities have been for remote work, spouses shouldnt count on just remote work, she said. Spouses are participating in the program from more than 27 states.

Bautista is associate director of partnerships for ZeroMils, a social impact consulting firm, where she does strategic planning for fundraising for nonprofits, among other things.

She had been out of the work force for about two years when she started her fellowship, taking some time to adjust after her first permanent change of station move as a spouse, and to finish her masters degree. As she was finishing, she began looking for remote positions in the nonprofit world. Over the course of four or five months, she said, I had a couple of interviews throughout the process, but nothing really stuck.

Then her husband, a Navy corpsman, read about the launch of the career accelerator program. Once she applied in February or March, 2023, she said, The process was pretty quick.

When ZeroMils hired Bautista, eight weeks into her fellowship, they paid her a signing bonus. It amounted to the difference between what she was being paid by DOD during the fellowship and what she could have been making at full salary during that time, said ZeroMils co-founder and CEO Kevin Schmiegel.

Shes been with us ever since, he said. The small but growing company has hired two spouses under the program, and theyre looking at hiring a third. Hiring military spouses is not about whats the right thing to do. Honestly this is so right for your business, Schmiegel said.

One of the biggest benefits of the program was the networking opportunities it offers, Bautista said.

I took that for granted, she said. I undervalued connections and networking in this space, and realized really quickly while I was going through the fellowship that that was going to be key, not just for my current fellowship and my potential employment with ZeroMils, but in the future.

She said she appreciated getting to know other spouse fellows, and hearing about their experiences.

Having all those connections and realizing were all in this together, and were probably in this together for a long time, is super valuable, Bautista said.

Im still connected with them.
Does Californias law cracking down on election deepfakes run afoul of the First Amendment?

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

CALIFORNIA LAW AGAINST DECEPTIVE DEEPFAKES DRAW CRITICISM FROM FREE SPEECH GROUP

Via William Melhado...

A new law requiring campaigns to disclose if a political ad is AI-generated, also called a deepfake, drew criticism from a free speech group, which alleges California lawmakers threatened satire, parody, and other First Amendment-protected speech with the legislation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2839 last week in an effort to crack down on deceptive political content. The governor initially signaled support for the legislation after social media company X owner Elon Musk reposted a video that included what appeared to be a fake voiceover of Vice President Kamala Harris.

The law allows candidates and election officials to take civil action against people who disseminate deepfakes.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression opposed the new law on the grounds that it poses risk to individuals First Amendment rights. The group said that even people sharing AI-generated content for the purpose of criticizing it could be ensnared by the new law.

The law also requires satire and parody to be labeled, like requiring a comedian to preface every joke with an announcement hes making a joke. Thats not funny  its scary, said Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy with the free speech group.

AB 2839 was one of several that came out of the most recent legislative session attempting to add some guardrails to the rapidly growing, and largely unregulated, industry. Several others signed by Newsom last week created protections for artists to prevent their digital likeness from being cloned without their consent.

Whatever concerns exist about AI-generated expression, violating the First Amendment isnt the way to address them, Terr said of AB 2839.

VIOLENT ACCELERATIONISTS REMAIN SMALL IN NUMBER, SURVEY SAYS

These are polarizing times, but the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program has some good news on that front: The number of people who believe that a second American civil war is both coming and needed remains incredibly small.

In 2023, 5.7% of those surveyed said a civil war was coming and 3.8% said it was needed. In 2024, 6.5% said civil war was inevitable and 3.6% said it was necessary. In other words, the numbers largely held steady.

A little more alarmingly, 8% of those surveyed said they would support a right wing insurgency, while 6.7% said theyd do so for a left wing insurgency.

Should a large-scale conflict break out, 3.7% of respondents said that they would participate as a combatant. Of that 3.7%, nearly half (44.5%) said they could be talked out of it by family, while 30.5% said theyd do so if a religious leader asked them not to. A quarter said theyd not do so if a friend asked them.

These findings are generally good news. The expectation that civil war was coming, the belief that it was necessary, support for an insurgency, and willingness to participate as a combatant were all uncommon. Widespread public awareness of these findings could itself help prevent political violence from occurring, said Dr. Garen Wintemute, the Baker-Teret Chair in Violence Prevention at UC Davis.

Wintemute said this survey, which polled 8,185 respondents between May 23 and June 14, shows that intervention would likely prove useful for preventing violence.

The large majority of Americans who reject political violence need to make their opposition clear to family members, friends, and others in their social networks, with the expectation that this will change minds and help prevent political violence. Elected officials, community leaders, and the media should join in this effort, he wrote.

He added that Americans must also commit to non-retaliation, so that an isolated spark of political violence does not ignite a conflagration.

CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT GROWS SLIGHTLY

Via David Lightman...

Californias unemployment rate ticked up slightly last month and remains among the nations highest rates.

After three straight months at 5.2%, Californias rate went to 5.3% in August, the state Employment Development Department reported.

The overall August California unemployment rate trailed only Nevada, at 5.5%, and is tied with Illinois. The national rate last month was 4.2%.

EDD emphasized positive aspects. The state gained 6,800 payroll jobs last month. Year over year growth was 1.6%, slightly above the nations 1.5%. It noted that five of the states 11 industry sectors gained jobs last month, led by leisure and hospitality.

The other six sectors recorded job losses. State government jobs were down. So were information sector jobs, partly because of job losses in the motor picture and video industry.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

If you think the best oppo was dropped 50 days before the election just wait until all the denials and statements of GOP support are in. Theres more coming

- California GOP consultant Mike Madrid, via Threads.

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What does consolidation of diversity resources mean for the University of Kansas?

Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com.

The University of Kansas is quietly diminishing its diversity and inclusion efforts in the face of political pressure from Republican state lawmakers.

KU is consolidating three campus resource centers with a combined 150-year history of serving minority students into one new center for student engagement, the university informed students in a Sept. 9 email.

At the same time, KU has shrunk the footprint of its Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and assigned its leader new job responsibilities. Faculty and staff found out about the diversity office changes in a memo from the provost over the summer, but students have not been given any official notice from the university.

Save Our Centers KU, a student organization protesting the merger of campus resource centers, is calling on the university to immediately rescind its consolidation plans and commit to no future diversity reorganization projects without democratic deliberation.

At the moment everyone has stated that no one will lose their jobs, but we have already seen programs and some resources are going to be sunsetted and we fear for the complete cessation of multiple programs and resources, the group said in a statement.

Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod has not addressed why the university is pursuing DEI consolidation. A KU spokesperson said school officials were unavailable for interviews about the reorganization.

Conservative backlash has prompted new restrictions on diversity initiatives in higher education across the country. Texas, Florida and Utah enacted outright bans on diversity offices at state institutions, and other Republican-controlled states have established their restrictions.

In June, KU officials said they were rethinking the universitys approach to diversity and inclusion in response to a new state law that threatens colleges and universities with $10,000 fines if they link diversity considerations to enrollment or hiring. In August, those plans were laid out in a memo to faculty and staff.

Kansas Republican lawmakers successfully passed legislation that prohibits public universities from requiring prospective students or hires to make any statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Anything candidates volunteer on those topics must be disregarded.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a similar policy last year that was included in the states budget, arguing that DEI facilitates open dialogue to challenge students thinking. This year, she allowed the policy to become law without her signature despite her concerns about the legislation.

The move by the KU administration falls in line with actions taken by universities across the country to eliminate DEI programs and policies after their states threatened to withhold funding from schools that maintain support for diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

Earlier this summer, the University of Missouri eliminated its Division of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity. System President Mun Choi said the decision to do so was a proactive way to get in front of legislation that could hinder the universitys diversity efforts and possibly trigger layoffs, The Star previously reported.

Were seeing the actions that have been taken in other states, Choi said in July. There were divisions that were eliminated, the DEI divisions, and it resulted in larger staff layoffs. And in our case, we wanted to be proactive because those staff members serve an important role in ensuring the success of our students.

Consolidating resources

Under the KU plan, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, both of which formed out of social unrest movements on campus in the 1970s, will be merged with the Emily Taylor Center for Women and Gender Equity.

The university maintains the changes are in line with best practices put forward by national student affairs groups.

In a letter to the KU administration, the faculty of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department said Merging the centers without warning the community was insulting. They wrote that it erases history of many of the centers that fought to be at the University and makes it more difficult for students from diverse backgrounds to have their own spaces.

Last week, students with Save Our Centers KU, hoisted signs, shouted chants and marched in protest at Ascher Plaza against the universitys decision to merge the three campus resource centers.

Travis Meredith holds up a protest sign reading HONK TO SAVE OUR CENTERS at the Save Our Centers KU rally on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024.

Save Our Centers KU told The Star in a statement that they are frustrated with the over-compliance of KUs reaction to anti-DEI legislation.

Not everyone agrees. Student body president DaNae Estabine said she and other students shes spoken to are not concerned about the reorganization and consolidation of diversity resources.

The office of Student Affairs has publicly shared with students some of the changes that are going to be made, which seem like theyll be super beneficial to students, Estabine said in an email.

Responding to anti-DEI legislation

Like many public universities, KU has a long and complicated history with race relations. The first Black students were admitted in 1876  earlier than many surrounding institutions. The first Black faculty member wasnt hired until 1959.

The universitys Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging was established to address the unique needs of students and staff who belong to minority groups that have been historically underserved.

We strive for a campus where greater fairness, care, and belonging are integrated into our learning and workplace practices and all have opportunities to meet their academic and professional goals, read a quote on the diversity offices website, which was taken offline last month.

Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer wrote in an Aug. 16 message to faculty and staff that most diversity office employees will now report to Associate Vice Chancellor Lauren Jones McKown, who oversees Civil Rights and Title IX.

Under Laurens leadership in the Chancellors office, DEIB staff members will continue to serve the KU community offering campus programming and support that bolsters our ability to work with one another and to ensure that rights are protected and barriers to success are dismantled, Bichelmeyer said.

In the past, the diversity office has held informational sessions and trainings on a variety of topics including mental health, microaggressions, equitable hiring and solidarity in practice. Its website previously included a portal for staff and faculty to request funding for professional development opportunities.

The landing page for its website now reroutes to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, the division responsible for investigating claims of harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence.

That caught the attention of Joe Eubanks, a 2022 KU graduate who was hired to oversee the diversity office at Wenatchee Valley College in Washington state. He often visited the KU diversity offices website in search of ideas for events and programs he could implement.

Eubanks said he was disappointed with the decision to eliminate the universitys diversity office.

Does the KU community know that this office still is willing to support faculty, staff, students and community members? What does that look like? he said. What is the charge of the DEIB office now? It seems like to me that theyre pretty much going and retreating from social justice there.

KU is also establishing a new Office of Community Impact, headed by Nicole Hodges Persley, who until recently served as vice provost of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Nicoles approach has been holistic, data-driven and qualitative using insights from climate surveys and diversity metrics to inform policies and practices, Bichelmeyer said in a memo. She also has played a key role in crisis response and conflict resolution, ensuring that the universitys response to DEIB-related issues is proactive and effective.

KU officials declined to share any additional information about the charge of the Community Impact office or its personnel.

The future of DEI

The University of Kansas isnt alone in reorganizing its diversity outreach in the aftermath of the new state law. Wichita State Universitys diversity and inclusion office was merged into a new one that oversees student engagement over the summer.

Fort Hays State Universitys diversity resources and diversity student organizations web pages are both listed as under construction.

Steven Howe, the Salina Republican who chairs the House Higher Education Budget Committee and introduced the legislation barring diversity considerations in enrollment and hiring, said its likely there could be further efforts to restrict those initiatives at public institutions next session.

Theres this increasing competition for students, and so universities are going to be scrutinized, generally speaking, and DEI might be a part of that scrutiny, Howe said.

Kansas colleges and universities are anticipating an enrollment cliff after 2026 when the number of eligible high school graduates is expected to peak before going into decline, he said.

Its in each institutions financial interest to make their campuses welcoming to students and families and people, Howe said. . . .But I think what were seeing today is an increase in bureaucratic systems at universities that are maybe trying to accomplish some of those things. But it does come with a little bit more of a political correctness, a woke agenda, and some things that are very concerning.

Last year, Howe asked the nonpartisan audit arm of the Kansas Legislature to investigate how much each state university spends on DEI activities.

The audit struggled to define those activities, noting that each university has its definition. It ultimately found that KU spent the most on DEI activities during the 2022-23 school year  $18.1 million  only $2.6 million of which came from state funding.

Mike Amyx, a Lawrence Democrat on the same budget committee as Howe, said pursuing further DEI restrictions on colleges and universities would only harm their recruitment and retention efforts.

I hope this is as far as this is going to go, Amyx said. Obviously, I was against the bill and Im not going to change my opinion.
Violent crime is one of the key issues in the US election, with research suggesting that many Americans believe it is on the rise.

But the latest FBI crime data shows it fell last year.

The much-anticipated report, released on Monday, shows declines across several serious crimes including rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

The number of murders saw the largest drop in 20 years, according to the FBI.

What does new FBI data show?

Violent crime - as recorded by the FBI - includes homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault reported to and recorded by police forces.

Its latest report shows that violent crime fell by an estimated 3% between 2022 and 2023.

Murder and non-negligent manslaughter reduced by 12%, the largest drop in the last 20 years.

The report also shows falls in:

Rape by 9%

Robbery by 0.3%

Aggravated assault by 3%

In 2023, the FBI recorded a rate of 363.8 violent crimes per 100,000 people, down from the 2022 rate of 377.1 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

Reported violent crime has fallen year-on-year since 2020.

But while violent crime is down, some non-violent crimes are up. In 2023, motor vehicle theft rose by 13%.

Submitting data to the FBI is voluntary and in recent years some police forces have not done this.

In 2021, the participation rate was around two thirds because many agencies - including in New York and Los Angeles - did not submit data to a new FBI system.

Donald Trump regularly criticises the FBI data and his website says it is missing nearly a third of the nation's law enforcement agencies  including from many of the most violent cities, such as Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and New Orleans.

But participation has steadily improved and in 2023 more than 85% of agencies enrolled in the FBI's data collection system submitted figures.

The FBI says every city agency covering a population of one million or more residents contributed a full 12 months of data in 2023.

Daniel Flannery, a professor specialising in violence prevention research, says that generally it is the smaller agencies that do not submit data.

Many of them dont have their own data people. Suburban and and rural communities tend to be the ones not submitting the data because they lack resources, he says.

Are there other measures of violent crime?

The other way of tracking US violent crime is through a nationwide survey of about a quarter of a million people.

The National Crime Victimization Survey asks them whether they have been victims of crime and whether they reported these offences to the police (in 2023, only around half of them did).

Violent crime, as recorded by the survey, includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. It does not count murder.

Donald Trump regularly highlights this survey as proof that violent crime nationwide is up 40% since 2020.

This figure is right, according to the latest crime survey statistics.

They show that the rate of violent crime per 1,000 of the population did increase by this much between 2020 and 2023.

However, Trump is making a comparison with a year when violent crime - as measured by the survey - was significantly lower.

Prof Flannery says picking a year during Covid that may represent the lowest crime rates then comparing to a more 'return to normal year' cherry picks two points in time. Comparing 2023 to a pre-Covid year may be more appropriate.

The survey says that while the 2023 rate was higher than those in 2020 and 2021, it was not statistically different from five years ago, in 2019.

What do longer term crime trends show?

Both of the main data sources show violent crime has fallen in the past three decades.

FBI data shows a 49% reduction in the rate of violent crime between 1993 and 2022, with large decreases in the rates of robbery (down 74%) and murder (down 34%), according to analysis by the Pew Research Center.

Likewise, the victims survey from the Bureau of Justice Statistics shows a 71% decline over the same period.

On the reduction in violent crime, Prof Flannery says its partly because were getting better at understanding what drives violent crime, which tends to be a small number of people in a community committing repeat offences. Its also about targeted policing strategy and intervention.

Marc Levin, Chief Policy Counsel at the Council on Criminal Justice, says that other factors may be influential in bringing crime levels down.

We dont know all the reasons crime fluctuates but some of it is obviously demographic. Were an aging society which generally speaking should lead to less crime.

There are also environmental factors like streetlighting which help with crime prevention. Evidence suggests it makes the potential perpetrators of crimes like robbery and auto-theft believe theyre going to be caught, he argues.

[BBC]

What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
Opponents to the Sapowet Cove oyster farm have asked state regulators to reject the project application, citing a new state law limiting area development. (Jocelyn Jackson/Rhode Island Current)

Not even the state lawmakers who sponsored 2024 legislation limiting development along the Sakonnet River are confident that the now-law bans an oyster farm proposed for the area.

The question is now left to state regulators, who will consider, and potentially decide, on whether the law applies to the pending project application Monday.

Its set to be just as contentious  and confusing  as the last four-and-a-half years of hearings, letters and organized protests over the Sapowet Cove oyster farm.

The one-acre lease application submitted in 2020 by John and Patrick Bowen, if approved, would be one of the smallest commercial oyster farms in the state. Yet it has drawn a mountain of opposition from waterfront residents, fishermen and even the state aquaculture association who insist the wade-in cages will get in the way of fishing, boating and recreation along the shoreline.

The latest twist came in a July 25 joint motion by a group of waterfront property owners, who asked state regulators to end the public review and reject the proposal. The memo specifically cites the law passed on the final day of the legislative session which prevents a section of the Sakonnet River  including where the oyster cages would go  from being used for anything other than passive outdoor recreation.

Rep. Jay Edwards, the Tiverton Democrat who sponsored the House version of the bill, insisted during legislative hearings that the policy was not about the oyster farm. Instead, Edwards, and Sen. Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat and bill cosponsor, stressed the need to preserve the sensitive waters directly adjacent to the federally recognized Sapowet Marsh Management Area.

The bill passed overwhelmingly in both chambers, becoming law on June 29, sans Gov. Dan McKees signature. This was despite objections by the Bowens, and by Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council Executive Director Jeffrey Willis, who warned lawmakers the policy would usurp the regulatory agencys authority and muddy its review.

Willis reiterated the sentiment in an interview Friday.

The agency still feels we need to move forward on this [review], he said.

Waterfront homeowners, through their attorneys, dont share Willis concerns.

This language could not be more clear, the July 25 motion reads. A commercial aquaculture lease located in Sapowet Cove would be a direct violation of the statutes prohibition of commercial development. The CRMC is now statutorily prohibited from granting an assent to a commercial aquaculture lease in Sapowet Cove.

DiPalma also said in an interview Friday that he assumed the law would block the oyster farm, though he had not consulted with the Assemblys legal staff.

Protecting the freedom to fish

John and Patrick Bowen argued just the opposite. In an Aug. 5 response, they wrote that regulators must consider their application based on policies in place at the time of the 2020 application. The response also contends that the new law violates state constitutional protections for the right to fish, and incorporates provisions under the 1663 Rhode Island Royal Charter.

Under the heading Freedom to fish the New England Coast, the Rhode Island Royal Charter declares: that these presents, shall not, in any manner, hinder any of our loving subjects, whatsoever, from using and exercising the trade of fishing upon the coast of New England, in America, the complaint states.

Objectors in the motion asked the council through its hearing officer to end the review and dismiss the application with a condition preventing the applicants from refiling.

But Patrick Bowen alleged their underlying motivation is to continue to drag out the debate, in the hopes of wearing him and his brother down.

The reason this has taken so long is because objectors have hired attorneys to delay this, Bowen said in an interview on Friday. If they want to hire lawyers, let them spend their money. We are not going away.

Bowen also accused the objectors of dipping into their pockets to sway lawmakers. Campaign finance records show that one of the leading objectors, Kenny and Elizabeth Mendez, donated $150 apiece to DiPalma in May. Another objector, Donald Libbey, donated $250 to DiPalma that same month.

DiPalma denied Bowens accusations.

I dont do something because somebody gave me a dollar, $1,000, or 50 cents, he said. This law was seeking to codify federal grants received decades ago that are meant to protect this area.

DiPalma instead faulted state coastal regulators for allowing a proposal to build an oyster farm in such an ecologically sensitive area, forcing lawmakers to introduce new policies.

The CRMC is not listening, he said. We felt legislation was the only thing that was going to help them see what needs to happen.

Willis declined to comment on DiPalmas statement.

Libbey, and Marisa Desautel, the attorney representing the Mendezes, also did not return inquiries for comment. Attorney Dean Wagner, who is representing a group of other area property owners included in the joint motion, said he could not comment without his clients permission.

A Sept. 16 update on the opposition-created website, Save Sapowet for All, provides some additional commentary on the common sense argument to reject the application.

A continuation of the administrative process being run by the CRMC is a waste of the states administrative and legal resources in addition to the legal costs incurred by private citizens to enforce a new state law, the post, which does not list an author, reads. Our community has been waiting over four years for the CRMC to dismiss this application because of the significant conflict the proposed location would create with recreational use of those waters among many other issues.

The CRMC meets at 4 p.m. Monday at the William E. Powers building in Providence. The meeting will also be streamed over Zoom.

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JERUSALEM, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military issued a warning on Monday that it was about to attack sites in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah is allegedly storing strategic weapons, urging civilians to evacuate.

"Distance yourself from houses where weapons are located, for your own protection," Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said during a press briefing in the afternoon, adding that the attack would begin within the next two hours without providing further details.

This marked the second warning from Hagari on Monday, following an earlier message in the morning for residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, as Israel planned airstrikes targeting homes allegedly storing Hezbollah's cruise missiles.

So far, Israel has struck about 300 homes where Hezbollah allegedly hide missiles, Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adraee said in a statement.

Israel has launched on Monday a third wave of airstrikes on Lebanon, the IDF said in a statement, resuming an assault that has killed over 100 people since early the day, according to Lebanese health officials. 
Dont panic! Tooele Army Depot is planning for another round of detonations

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Just days after dozens of booms reverberated throughout the Wasatch Front, the Tooele Army Depot is planning for more detonations.

On Monday morning, Sept. 23, the Tooele Army Depot warned residents through a social media post that its South Area was a go for open detonation. These detonations are expected to take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

All weather conditions have been reviewed and detonations will be executed within permit limits, the Tooele Army Depot said in their statement.

One person shared the post to social media commenting, Ok, lets not all trip out this time.

RELATED: How the weather amplified the loud booms heard across the Salt Lake Valley

Late last week, the open detonations from the Tooele Army Depot sparked a wave of confusion throughout the Wasatch Front as the blasts were heard and felt from Kaysville in Davis County to Orem in Utah County.

The blasts came with no warning from the Tooele Army Depot, which usually alerts residents of their operations beforehand. Wade Williams, Tooele Army Depot public affairs officer told ABC4 the depot was having issues with their social media accounts, leading to widespread confusion and concern.

A few hours after the initial blasts last week, the Tooele Army Depot said, We are sorry that we didnt post anything. We will do a better job in the future.

The Tooele Army Depot, located on more than 44,000 acres in Utahs west desert, originally opened during World War II as a storage depot for war supplies, ammunition, and combat vehicles. They continue that work today, managing munitions for the U.S. military. During these detonations, the Tooele Army Depot is disposting unusable and expired munition stocks to free up storage.

The Tooele Army Depot is cleared for these detonations between April and October from 11 a.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 ABC4 Utah.
There are six weeks to go now, and as we enter the home stretch of this election year, I think its crucial for all of us to remember something. Liberals tend to ascribe to conservatives the quality of an evil genius. It plays into a lot of stereotypes. In one of my all-time favorite Simpsons episodes, the head of the Springfield Republican Committee was, of course, Mr. Burns. Dracula was also a member.

In real life, Karl Rove probably has a lot to do with this posture. The media elevated him to genius stature quite early on in George W. Bushs campaign. In fact, Rove was wrong about a lot of stuff. His candidate didnt win the popular vote, lucked out in Florida because a bunch of Jewish voters in Palm Beach County accidentally voted for Pat Buchanan, and ended up being elected by an unprincipled Supreme Court. Later, the Republican realignment that Rove confidently predicted never materialized, instead crashing hard on the rocks of a dishonest and costly war and a deregulatory scheme that nearly destroyed the world economy. But the media, forever on the hunt for a Great Man of History, venerated him, and as a result he got in liberals heads.

My message to you today is on the importance of not getting psyched out in these next six weeks. Our tendency, at times like these, is to see catastrophe lurking everywhere. Remember the waning days of the 2008 campaign? Remember the stories in those closing weeks that surely meant the death of the Obama candidacy? The Obama aunt who was living in the United States illegally? The young John McCain volunteer who went to the police claiming that a Black man attacked her and carved a B (for Barack) on her face with a knife? I remember people saying, Oh my God, thats it, were cooked. Obama won handily.

Republicans arent evil geniuses. That is especially true of the Republican now running for president. He may be evil. But hes no genius. Hes a buffoon. And while he may of course still winhe is a buffoon who is unfortunately optimized for the vicissitudes of the Electoral Collegemy little sniff of the zeitgeist suggests to me that he and his campaign are making blunder after blunder, and theyre hurting him.

Take this Springfield jag theyve been on. Trump, J.D. Vance, and their aides argue that it doesnt matter that theyre lying about Calico a la King and Schnauzer Scallopine; every day that immigration is dominating the headlines is a good day for them.

This is exactly the kind of thing worry-minded liberals are always inclined to concede. But is it true? I say its nonsense. I dont think this story has helped them at all. Trump still has an overall advantage on immigration in polls, but at least one poll came out last week showing Kamala Harris within five points of him on that issue (and two points on the economy). And anyway, as the Springfield storys legs continued to sprint into days three, four, five, and six, was the story really immigration? Or did it morph into more crazy shit these crazy bastards say?

I contend the latter. And its pretty clear that if the Trump-Vance ticket loses, cat and dog eating is going to be a late-night TV punchline for years to come.

The headline of the Politico Playbook email to subscribers Sunday morning summed it up: New polls boost Harris as Trump hits turbulence. The good-news poll, from NBC, had Harris up five points nationally. The Trumpy turbulence referred to a Washington Post story that described the free-for-all that the Trump campaign has become. One aide told the paper: The through-line is his campaign is 96 percent him. Its not even Let Trump be Trump. Its Let Trump be unsupervised at all times. They just feel like, We cant control him, so lets hope he wins anyways.

This does not bode well for MAGA world. I suspect that, slowly, the polls are going to get a little worse for him. It will start to look, or maybe already does look, like Harris has distinct advantages in Michigan and Wisconsin; some recent polls are even suggesting that Pennsylvania is tilting in that direction. Mark Robinsons web-surfing history has probably made Harris the slight favorite now in North Carolina. Florida is down to four points, and Texas, the perpetual white whale of Democratic dreams, is actually looking a little beige, at six. I wouldnt bet today on Harris winning either of those, but the point here is that if they become part of the media narrative, that Florida and Texas are in any way up for grabs, its going to drive Trump nuts. Nutsier.

Look: Trump could obviously still win. We shouldnt kid ourselves. His deportation plan is pretty popular. There are still things I think Harris needs to do. The vibes phase of the campaign was awesome, but its over (although the Oprah event was pretty vibey and seemed a success). She does need to do some media interviews, and then interviews with TikTokers and YouTubers and such, who are more important now than the media.

I think she should also give a couple big policy speeches, of the sort candidates usually do early in the processyou know, laying out their foreign policy vision at Georgetown, that sort of thing. Her abbreviated campaign skipped that whole part. I think she needs a couple high-profile events like thatan economic vision speech at Michigan State University, a foreign policy vision speech at Duke. She has a ton of sizzle but still needs a little more steak.

But shes running a disciplined campaign. Trump is starting to flail. If he gets much further behind, hes going to start getting scary and dangerousbut thats a future column. Right now, hes sitting down there at Mar-a-Lago beginning to come to grips with the reality that he might lose to a Black woman, who royally thumped his ass the one time they shared a stage and who so far is surviving the attacks that Im sure Trump thought would be pure gold, about her being a Marxist radical and not having borne children (thats yet another column!). Its got to be driving him bonkers.

So, take the last weeks of this campaign seriously enough to not get complacentbut do not impute to Trump or his Republican Party any manner of genius. Theyre fools. Theyre out of touch with middle America, compared to Harris and especially Tim Walz. Trumps actand thats all its ever been, an actis getting old to the voters who dont worship him but who took a flyer on him in 2016. Harris was right: Trump supporters bailing early on his rallies are becoming a familiar sight.

Come to think of it, that Simpsons episode included a few other recurring characters as members of the local GOP, and they were all clowns, one of them literally: Dr. Hibbert, Superintendent Chalmers, and Krusty. Thats mostly who were up against. So dont spend the next six weeks panicking at the smallest setback. The one who should be panicking is the guy whos behind in every poll and is scheduled to be sentenced three weeks after Election Day.

FOOTNOTE: At the time, I loved the McCain volunteer story. It was so, as the kids say, cray-cray. The young woman was named Ashley Todd. Eventually, she confessed that she fabricated the story. The local police were aided in their investigation by the fact that the carved B on her face was backwardshed clearly slashed herself while looking in a mirror! But it had some Obama backers in a panic for a minute.
The battle for North Carolinas electoral votes is heating up with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump making numerous stops in the Tar Heel State this year.

Just days after Trump visited Wilmington, his campaign announced that hell be coming to Mint Hill on Wednesday. Trump will speak at a manufacturing plant, and hes expected to talk about American production.

Harris was just in Charlotte in mid-September, bringing a crowd at Bojangles Coliseum before attending another rally in Greensboro. Trump also held a rally with Republican supporters at Bojangles Coliseum this summer.

SPECIAL SECTION >> The Political Beat

The doors open at 10 a.m. for Wednesdays event in Mint Hill. Trump is expected to speak at 1 p.m. You can register for tickets at this link.

Expect traffic impacts and detours when Trump arrives in Charlotte. Roads will be closed while his motorcade makes its way to the event.

(VIDEO: Trump speaks at Fraternal Order of Police conference in Charlotte)
Some conservatives, including Donald Trump Jr., are boosting an unsubstantiated claim that Vice President Kamala Harris used a teleprompter during her interview with Oprah Winfrey to support their assertion that she is a fraud.

On Thursday, Harris sat down with Winfrey for a live event - called Unite for America - that brought together a coalition of more than 100 online groups and celebrities who have endorsed her. The vice president spoke about her campaigns top issues and answered questions from Americans.

But, over the weekend, conservatives capitalized on a three-second video that captured the interview from a different perspective, showing a teleprompter and camera positioned in front of Winfrey  and seemingly in front of Harris.

WOW! Apparently Kamala Harris had a freaking TELEPROMPTER during her interview with Oprah, Nick Sortor, an internet personality, said on X. Scamala Harris is a fraud!

WOW! Apparently Kamala Harris had a freaking TELEPROMPTER during her interview with Oprah



Scamala Harris is a fraud! pic.twitter.com/BZ7RGahJXs  Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 22, 2024

Trump Jr., LibsOfTikTok, and other conservatives re-posted the video, amplifying the claim that Harriss interview was stagged.

That claim echoes Harriss opponents running theory that the vice president is dodging public appearances and unable to conduct off-the-cuff interviews.

However, several individuals pointed out that the teleprompter was positioned behind Harriss head because it was meant for Winfrey.

One snippet of the clip shows the teleprompter rolling a script that Winfrey later said, nearly verbatim.

The teleprompter reads: The fight for us, for the America we desire and deserve to live in. To find out more about how you

Winfrey ended her interview with the vice president by thanking Harris for her work, saying: We hope you keep fighting for us and the country we deserve to have.

To find out more about how you can register or where you can vote go to IWillVote.com.

Hey genius.



30 year broadcast vet here.



The Teleprompter is for Oprah, which is why its directly in front of her and behind Kamala Harris, who cant possibly read it.



Youre welcome. https://t.co/Msb8hEc9SD  Lisa Guerrero (@4lisaguerrero) September 22, 2024

The Harris campaign has not publicly addressed the accusations.

Many of Harriss answers and statements during her interview with Winfrey indicated she was not given a script or questions ahead of time.

At one point, Winfrey confronted Harris about gun ownership after the vice president revealed during the presidential debate that she owns a firearm.

If somebody breaks into my house theyre getting shot, Harris told Winfrey. She added: I probably should not have said that...My staff will deal with that later.
That Will Be It: Donald Trump Says He Wont Run In 2028 If He Loses In 2024

Donald Trump said that he wont run for president if he loses to Kamala Harris this cycle.

No I dont, Trump told Full Measure host Sharyl Attkisson, who asked him whether he would wage another White House bid if he is not successful.

More from Deadline

That will be it. I dont see that at all. Hopefully we are going to be successful, Trump said.

At 78, Trump is the oldest major party nominee to seek the White House after President Joe Biden, who is 81, ended his presidential bid. If he were to run, Trump would be 82 on Election Day in 2028.

Trump was the oldest person elected to the White House in 2016, a record that was broken four years later when Biden, then 77, defeated him.

Trump already has won the Republican nomination for three successive cycles. The last politician to win a party nomination three times was Richard Nixon, who was the Republican nominee in 1960, 1968 and 1972.

Trump is seeking to become the first person since Grover Cleveland to win a non-consecutive term. If he is victorious, Trump will be barred from running again in 2028.

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  The American Red Cross is urging Virginians to give the gift of life by donating blood.

According to the Red Cross, only three out of 100 Americans donate blood. The organization seeks donors of all blood types, but the need for type O blood is most critical.

Those who give blood by Sept. 30 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, those donate between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Additionally, they will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.

Perspective donors can make an appointment to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor 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 WAVY.com.
I used to be a Republican. Right out of college, I worked for the legislature, then governor, of a conservative state. Governor Robert Orr, R-Ind., was disciplined and kind and his ethics were beyond reproach. Fast forward three decades and time spent among different cultures. After seeing trickle-down up close, and how it benefits wealthy donors but few others, my perspective changed. When I ran for Congress in 2020, it was as a Democrat.

Theres a wide chasm between policy disagreements and hate, and although my viewpoint evolved over the years, I never hated conservatives. Indiana Republicans, back then, saw political disagreements as healthy conduits to better outcomes. I never heard Orr, or other Republican officials, express hatred for their opponents. They sometimes disparaged them, especially over plans that would leach money from their own pockets, but I never once heard the word "hate," even behind closed doors.

Enter Donald Trump and JD Vance, who package and sell hatred as a national commodity.

Hatred hurts its host most of all

Trumps belief that he can foment hatred and infect half the country with it without falling victim himselfreflects a lack of emotional intelligence.

From the beginning, Trumps hate-filled rhetoric has been spiked with violence. Reciting a list is like shoveling the walk while its still snowing, but last weeks second Trump assassination attempt in as many months sparks a flashback. Trump offered to pay the legal bills of anyone who assaulted his hecklers; suggested peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square be shot; mused that Second Amendment people could take out Hillary Clinton; encouraged a violent mob who sought to hang Mike Pence, now calls them patriots and hostages; and laughed about the vicious hammer attack on Speaker Nancy Pelosis elderly husband. Now we have bomb threats in hospitals and elementary schools in Springfield, Ohio after he and Vance falsely claimed that lawful immigrants there are eating their neighbors pets.

From "stand back and stand by" to complimenting "very fine people on both sides" of a Nazi demonstration, Trumps coded vitriol against judges, prosecutors, poll workers, critics, democrats and his own former staff has led to multiple death threats, and yet he persists.

Trump habitually projects his own criminal impulses onto his opponents, so its not a leap that hes now blaming Democrats rhetoric for the assassination attempts. It is apparently irrelevant that both would-be assassins were Republicans with mental health problems: Crooks was a registered Republican; Routh voted for Trump in 2016 then supported Ramaswamy in the last primary. Both had guns, while Trump himself revoked mental health checks for gun owners.

Vance, who is young, has said that Republicans are hating the right people, as if hatred is a finite and targeted commodity. How old will he be when he learns that once hatred takes hold, it cant be contained, directed or controlled?

Hatred triggers the addiction center of the brain

Hatred becomes a powerful addiction, and Trumps followers are hooked. Hatred affects dopamine receptor binding such that addiction to hatred is as strong as an addiction to cocaine, except its more destructive. A shared addiction to hatred forms a strong social bond because listening to someone spew hatred triggers the same gratifying chemical hit, whereas watching someone else snort cocaine does not.

Extreme hatred also creates motivational bias, which means adherents can only see evidence that supports their beliefs. At the addictive stage, they are blind to any information that challenges their narrative. Thats why reasoning with a hate-infected person wont work.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

When it comes to juicing neurochemical hits in the brain, the target of hatred doesnt matter. Its hatred itself thats addictive, as our brain pays more attention to negative than positive thoughts as an evolutionary, flight or fight response. Hatred operates in the same parts of the brain, the cortex and subcortex, that manage aggression; the path between political hatred and political violence is obvious. When wielded as a political tool, hatred of other has re-shaped continents.

In encouraging hatred for legal immigrants, trans people, racial minorities, gays, women and anyone else they can other, Trump and Vance know exactly what they are doing. When asked about the bomb threats in Springfield Ohio, Trump doubled down. I dont know what happened with the bomb threats. I know that its been taken over by illegal migrants and thats a terrible thing  now theyre going through hell. He left off that he and Vance created that hell.

Drawing from Zen Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle teaches that angry and violent people are addicted to their thoughts. They hear them on repeat, over and over, and cant shut them off. Hatred and negativity are so consuming, they look for others to infect. Hatred, like all untreated addictions, consumes its host in the end. Until then, the addicted part of the country will keep marching toward rock bottom, from where, eventually, they will begin the ascent back toward sanity.
Despite a widespread internet outage that upended the start of a normal work week, most businesses in downtown Beaufort pushed through the chaos. In the still-bustling business district of Bay Street, employees posted cash only signs on front doors, customers juggled coins and dollar bills to make payments  and almost everyone kept their phones close, anxiously awaiting the end of the extended outage.

Unintentional damage to a fiber cable caused the disruption around 11 a.m. Monday for customers of Sparklight, formerly known as Hargray. As of 5 p.m., the issue had not been resolved for the thousands of affected customers.

Technicians are working diligently to get services restored as quickly and safely as possible, the internet provider said on Facebook Monday afternoon. As the multi-hour outage pressed on, shop owners on Hilton Head Island said the event could be crippling for local businesses.

A sign warns customers of YoYos Ice Cream in Beaufort that the store was only accepting cash Monday morning due to a widespread internet outage that shuttered its payment processing system. A damaged fiber cable caused the disruption for customers of Sparklight, the internet service provider formerly known as Hargray.

At Lowcountry Stitch, a custom embroidery shop on Bay Street, owner Amber Godowins said the business was still able to accept credit cards through Clover, its payment processing program. The system will run the transaction once connectivity returns  so if a customers payment doesnt go through, the business takes the loss, she said.

Moreover, Lowcountry Stitch stores its dozens of designs online, Godowins said, so the outage forced the days embroideries to a halt.

Across the street, a group of moms scrounged up change to pay for their childrens ice-cold treats at YoYos Ice Cream.

Hope and pray, one said as she counted up quarters. The three women exchanged dollar bills among themselves to make the full payment, which operator Jessica Eddy recorded in a large three-ring binder.

Weve been having to do everything by the book  literally, Eddy said, pointing to the list of the days transactions written in pen inside the binder.

Customers at YoYos Ice Cream in downtown Beaufort counted dollar bills and quarters as they paid for their frozen treats Monday afternoon, when widespread internet and cell service outages across the Lowcountry shut down the payment processing systems of local businesses.

The store had turned away only a few customers due to the system outage, according to Eddy. Luckily, most patrons happened to have at least a few bucks to pay for their frozen treats. The cash only sign on the front door helped avoid disappointment at the counter.

Like many other local businesses, the phones were out at The Rustic Pup, a pet supply store on Bay Street. The stores cell provider is T-Mobile, which also reported widespread outages beginning Monday morning, according to statistics from Downdetector.com.

I put the sign up on the door, and I remind customers when they come up, employee Susan McDowell said of the boutiques temporarily cash-only requirement. And theyve been very understanding; theyve been super nice. Its just an inconvenience, because I know I dont carry a lot of cash.

McDowell added that ATMs in the area were down, meaning that customers without cash would have to visit their local bank to withdraw money if they wanted to shop that afternoon.

You dont even realize how much it affects you until youre in the middle of it, she said.

Even Starbucks, usually a work-from-home haven on account of its public internet, wasnt safe from the outage. With no working WiFi, the location on Boundary Street was still full of laptops and remote workers, most relying on their cellphones personal hotspots to get the job done.

But the strange shared circumstances created a warm, cooperative atmosphere at the coffee shop: Several customers offered their hotspots to others whose cell service was out. With that help, they submitted school assignments or made quick calls to loved ones, always thanking the good Samaritan for the few minutes of shared reception.

Many customers commiserated about how the extended outage had disrupted their workday or school schedule, laughing over their respective wild goose chases for WiFi. Although they came to the Starbucks searching for internet, they came out with a different kind of connection.
Downtown Miami residents mobilized Saturday against a tax increase on homeowners and businesses in the urban core, citing quality of life issues and advocating to instead give owners relief to help pay for condo fee increases.

The conversation at a public meeting triggered an analysis that could lead to a tweaked proposal this week.

Miamis Downtown Development Authority, a quasi-independent city agency funded by a special tax levy, has proposed a tax rate that would collectively cost current taxpayers some $640,000 more, adjusted for inflation. The Downtown Neighbors Alliance, a group advocating against the tax hike, says thats that the tax burden would have an unwanted impact on 75,000 residents in the district in downtown Miami, Brickell, and Edgewater. The new rate would take effect Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Each households payment would vary depending on property values. According to the DDAs estimates using data from the property appraiser, for properties in the DDA district ranging from $500,000 to $999,999, the average increase per property for the year would be $2. For properties ranging from $1 million to just under $2 million, the average increase per property for the year would be $6.

The DNA, led by previous political candidate James Torres, attended a public sunshine meeting in the DDA office to share residents concern against the tax increase. While the DDA is proposing a lower tax rate, increased property values lead to a higher tax bill than the previous year.

About 60 attendees crowded the room for Saturdays meeting, where elected officials could hear public comments and discuss the issue but no vote could be taken. Several downtown residents agreed with Torres as he urged Miami commissioners and the DDA to abandon the proposal.

Residents pushed back on the tax proposal for three key reasons  quality of life concerns, inflation and rising condo assessment fees. Residents said their quality of life has deteriorated due to poorly cleaned streets and abandoned storefronts down Flagler, litter, dog feces, and challenges with the homeless population.

The cost of living has skyrocketed for many, Torres said, due to inflation and rising condo assessment fees. In Miami-Dade County, condo assessment fees increased 59% between 2019 and 2024, to a median monthly fee of $900 up from $567.

You have several components in the condo crisis that comes into play on the daily life cycle for someone who lives here in downtown. The quality of life should come first. If its $1, youre being taxed a dollar more, Torres said. Just because you live in downtown, doesnt mean youre rich. We all have our daily struggles.

READ MORE: As a taxpaying downtown Miami resident, Im outraged | Opinion

James Torres, president of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, talks during a Sunshine Meeting to argue against a tax increase on condo owners and businesses in Edgewater, Brickell, and downtown Miami.

Some of the street-level issues concerning residents are areas of focus for the DDAs programs, and agency leaders say demand for services will only increase as the community grows.

The increase, which would total $640,000 in tax revenue, would go towards padding the DDA budget for future spending and services, said Christina Crespi, CEO and executive director of the DDA.





You need to look ahead in the future, Crespi said. We have 90 cranes up in downtown Miami. Thats new construction. Thats going to cease eventually. We are not going to have that growth. Property values, as economists say, will go down. Thats less revenue were going to be collecting later. The services were providing now could be affected later. Its important to budget for those moments in the future.

Miami commissioners will vote Thursday on the final annual budget for the agency, including whether to increase taxes. Commissioner Manolo Reyes serves as chairman of the DDA board. Before that, on Wednesday, the Brickell Homeowners Association plans to host a sunshine meeting. Residents are expected to voice their own concerns to city commissioners regarding the tax.

Christina Crespi , CEO and executive director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority, talks during a Sunshine Meeting at the DDAs office in downtown Miami. About 60 business owners, residents, and leaders gathered Saturday to discuss improvements made in the urban core and lingering concerns.

Commissioners open to revising budget

Commissioners Reyes, Damian Pardo, and Joe Carollo attended the meeting and listened to multiple residents raise concerns about the tax proposal. Reyes agreed to revisit the budget.

If we see in our analysis the quality of services will suffer, then we wont change our plan, Reyes said. But if we see we can maintain the quality of services without them deteriorating or suffering, then we will make the changes and adjustments.

Some downtown Miami residents shared similar concerns as commissioners. Maintaining quality services should be the top concern, regardless of the tax increase.

A budget is a budget. I am on the condo board in my building and I understand that there are things that can be tapered down, but, said Cristina Palomo, who added that shed be willing to pay higher taxes for the guys I see every morning at Bayfront Park, greeting us, making us feel safer when I walk my dog at night.

READ MORE: Manolo Reyes: Downtown Miami is the economic driver for the city  we need to keep it that way | Opinion

(L) David Restrepo, business owner and resident , talks to (R) Manolo Reyes Commissioner District 4 during a Sunshine Meeting on Saturday.

But most vocal attendees said they want higher quality of living and more money in their pocket. David Restrepo, a downtown Miami resident, said, If you dont have a dollar in your pocket, it makes a difference, Restrepo said. Everything helps.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  This month is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month  something the Make a Wish Illinois Organization is passionate about. But they want to help kids who are battling more diseases than cancer. For one 6-year-old girl in Champaign, shes fighting a rare genetic condition with serious heart complications.

CU mentor program resumes Teen Lunch Connections

Six years ago, Laquisha Burries learned that her unborn baby girl was going to have a lifetime of operating rooms and doctors appointments.

I was an older student in college, Burries said. I had two other kids and I was super scared. I was nervous.

Her daughter, Lauren, was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called DiGeorge Syndrome. Lauren was born three months early and had her first procedure at just six months old. Now six years old, Lauren has had about 12 surgeries and six open heart procedures.

Shes a fighter and shes fought through every single procedure, Burries said. Everything theyve thrown at her shes come back stronger.

Stronger just like her favorite princess, Moana. Earlier this year, Make a Wish Illinois gave Lauren the chance to meet her hero.

(Moana) loved on Lauren, took pictures with Lauren  dream come true, Burries said. Something out of a magazine, something that they tell in a movie. It was real life for us and when tell you were so grateful. It impacted our life, it changed our life.

It was the familys first vacation. Every expense was paid for, every need was met.

We got to breathe and say wow were here, we get to take a breath, Burries said. We get to have fun as a family, and she gets to actually enjoy her life.

Since that trip, Lauren has battled through more procedures, more medications and just started first grade. Her mom said it hasnt been easy watching her little girl go through even more hardships.

Right now, shes in heart failure, Burries said. But they are trying to continue to do cath procedures before they open her up After the medical side, now we have to deal with the special needs side like her autism and her sensory issues, speech and her developmental delays.

Through it all, Lauren continues to fight.

Shes supposed to be here and she has a greater purpose, Burries said. This little girl is a miracle and Im blessed to have her. Im blessed that she fought this hard. It was scary. Sometimes I just didnt believe her body. I was tired, but she kept fighting. I know that shes meant to do some great things.

Burries said she cannot thank Make a Wish enough for what theyve done for her family. She encourages anyone to donate to make more wishes come true for kids like Lauren.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with a delegation led by Olah Lajos, deputy speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly and vice chairman of the Hungary-China Friendship Group of Parliamentarians, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with a delegation led by Olah Lajos, deputy speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly and vice chairman of the Hungary-China Friendship Group of Parliamentarians, in Beijing on Monday.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, noted that China-Hungary relations were in May upgraded to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era. China is willing to work with Hungary to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen their traditional friendship and political mutual trust, and expand exchange and cooperation in various fields, he said.

China's NPC is willing to strengthen exchange and cooperation with the Hungarian Parliament, and continuously enrich the connotations of bilateral ties, Li added.

Olah said that Hungary and China enjoy a profound traditional friendship, and noted that Hungary attaches great importance to its relations with China. He also expressed Hungary's willingness to enhance the level of cooperation between the two countries, and to work with China to weather global challenges. 
VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Law enforcement is searching for the driver they say fled the scene of a crash early Sunday morning, Visalia Police say.

Around 3 a.m., the department says it received an iPhone-detected traffic collision alert in the 2400 block of North Akers Street, north of Ferguson Avenue.





Officers say they arrived to find a white Mustang that had crashed into a telephone pole, severing it at the base.

As a result, several homes in the area were left without power.

Investigators say the vehicles driver was nowhere to be found and believe the person left prior to their arrival.

Anyone with information on this crash, or the drivers whereabouts, is asked to contact Visalia police at 559-734-8116.

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The inspection report found there had been an increase in drug use by prisoners [Getty Images]

Drones used to deliver drugs and other illicit items to prisoners have become a "major problem" at a prison in Kent.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons also found that rates of self-harm and violence had increased at HMP Swaleside since a previous inspection in 2023, and that serious assaults, particularly on staff, were a "continuing cause for concern".

However, inspectors found "reasonable progress" had been made in three areas of concern, despite "insufficient progress" in another three.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the government had inherited a "justice system in crisis" and had a "zero tolerance approach to drugs".

HMP Swaleside is a category B training prison located on the Isle of Sheppey.

At the time of the latest inspection in August it held 939 prisoners, most serving over four years and a significant proportion serving life sentences.

"Over the last year drones delivering drugs and other illicit items had become a major problem that clearly impacted almost all the concerns reviewed at this visit," the report said.

In June, the random positive drug testing rate peaked to over 56%, with an average of 32%, the report found.

The inspectors said the impact of drug use "clearly limited the degree of progress made in almost all the concerns we reviewed at this visit".

Fourteen prisoners had died at Swaleside in the previous two years, including seven whose deaths were self-inflicted, according to the report.

Ongoing weaknesses included "inconsistent support for prisoners at risk, a failure by some night staff to carry anti-ligature knives, slow responses to cell bells and inadequate reviews of Coroners and PPO recommendations".

'Good support'

The report also found the constant supervision cell on G wing was "unsuitable for anybody in crisis", with a damaged bed, torn flooring, graffiti and a "filthy toilet".

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: "There was compelling evidence that staff did not always complete the required checks on prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm and we were not confident that records we examined were accurate."

However, the report said officer recruitment had been "effective" since the last inspection in 2023 and leaders had put in place "good support" for officers, although many "lacked the confidence and skill" to manage prisoners' behaviour robustly.

They also noted the "decent range of therapeutic approaches" to drug use and the increase in number of probation officers.

A MoJ spokesperson said: We have a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and our security measures, such as X-ray body scanners and anti-drone no-fly zones, stop drugs and mobile phones from entering our prisons.

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A convicted felon who played a role in the sale of a deadly dose of fentanyl-laced heroin to transgender activist Cecilia Gentili took a plea deal Monday and faces the prospect of decades in federal prison.

Michael Kuilan, 45, pleaded guilty to federal drug distribution and gun possession charges in Brooklyn Federal Court for his role in the Feb. 6 death of the 52-year-old advocate, author and actor.

Kuilan, of Brooklyn supplied the deadly drugs to dealer Antonio Venti, 52, who in turn sold it to Gentili the day before her death. Venti took a plea deal on July 18, and is set to be sentenced in October.

The perpetrators of the tragic poisoning of Cecilia Gentili, a prominent leader of the New York transgender community, have now both admitted their guilt in selling the lethal drugs that have caused this heartbreaking death, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said Monday.

As part of their deals, both men admitted that their product caused Gentilis death, prosecutors said Monday. Kuilan, who served time for drug-related felonies in 2002 and 2005, also pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

I was in possession of a controlled substance and also of a firearm, which was in my residence, where I lived, Kuilan told Brooklyn Federal Judge Brian Cogan on Monday. And also, I sold the actual drugs to someone.

Kuilan could face a maximum 35 years behind bars when hes sentenced Jan. 22, but based on federal sentencing guidelines hes more likely to get between 22 and 27 years.

He declined to comment as he left the courtroom Monday.

As an activist, Gentili lobbied for the passage of the New York State Gender Expression and Discrimination Act, which became law in 2019. She was also an actress on the critically acclaimed television show Pose.

Gentili founded Trans Equity Consulting, a New York City-based firm that offers guidance to the LGBTQ community and has a clinic at Callen-Lorde, a center for LGBTQ health care. Previously, she was director of policy at Gay Mens Health Crisis.

Her Feb. 15 funeral was held at Manhattans venerable St. Patricks Cathedral, but the ceremony drew backlash and was denounced by Timothy Cardinal Dolan, who decried the the irreverence and the disrespect of the mourners and requested a rare Mass of Reparation to pray for forgiveness.

Gentilis family called the churchs reaction sanctimonious and said the funeral brought precious life and radical joy to the cathedral in historic defiance of the churchs hypocrisy and anti-trans hatred.
BERLIN  A Russian startup drone manufacturer has cashed in on the exploding demand for unmanned aerial vehicles spurred by the war in Ukraine, selling over 1,000 drones while working to avoid Western sanctions, according to documents reviewed by Defense News.

Integrated Robotics Technologies, located in southeastern Russias Bashkortostan Republic, is an example of how Russian companies have switched to a wartime economy orchestrated by Moscow to prosecute the invasion of Ukraine.

IRT is not named in sanctions by Western governments despite touting its lineup of surveillance and attack drones in its advertising materials, a marked switch from a marketing strategy previously aimed at the agricultural and energy markets. A presentation by the Bashkirian government, seen by Defense News, shows that in 2023 alone, IRT produced more than 1,000 UAVs.

The companys portfolio includes several types of so-called kamikaze drones, cheap and disposable aircraft fitted with an explosive warhead that have become the hallmark of Ukraine war tactics. An operator can plunge them into vulnerable targets from afar with deadly precision. The vendor also markets a set of larger, more complex drones that it claims can stay in the air for 20 hours and cover up to 1,600 kilometers while producing high-quality aerial imagery  useful for energy pipeline inspections but also for surveilling the battlefield from afar.

It is likely that countless companies like IRT exist scattered across Russia. The case underscores the governments concerted efforts to mitigate the effectiveness of Western sanctions imposed after attacking Ukraine. The campaign, still labeled a special military operation in Kremlin verbiage, has been burning through weapon stocks new and old at an unprecedented pace.

Ukraines fire-dropping drones can find, shock Russian troops: experts

With the war in Ukraine in its third year, Russian businesses like IRT have come into the spotlight of Western authorities as they try to restrict the flow of components that could aid Russian President Vladimir Putins efforts. In turn, Russia has been finding new ways to sustain its access to vital products, turning to China and setting up front companies in third countries like the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and in Central Asia, UN trade records and government information show.

IRTs website does not explicitly mention a military dimension to its business, billing its drones instead as civilian tools. However, the company has participated in defense-oriented trade fairs since the war in Ukraine began in 2022.

As they like to say now, it is dual-use, quipped a press release by a regional trade show (archived here) covering IRTs appearance at the event, referring to the companys ostensibly agricultural tack.

The company did not return an email seeking comment on its defense-related activities.

A technology is dual-use when it was originally developed for civilian purposes but has significant warfare-related applications, says Robert Shaw, the program director for export control and nonproliferation at the California-based James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, a think tank that studies arms control and sanctions.

IRTs UAVs seem to fit this definition very well, he said, and especially kamikaze drones very clearly have military applications.

Founded in September 2021, IRT describes itself in public appearances as an innovative company that hopes to advance Russian domestic drone-making abilities. It has hosted aerospace engineering events for local youth and counts around 20 employees, according to public records.

While a private company, Integrated Robotics Technologies has received money and contracts from Russian government entities. Public records show that the regional government of the Republic of Bashkortostan paid IRT eight times for consulting services in early 2022. Governmental support has since expanded through programs to boost domestic UAV production, including plans to build drone-related research centers, launch platforms and factories, all outlined in regional government meetings in 2023 and 2024

The plans are worth tens of billions of rubles (hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars), according to Republic of Bashkortostan government documents.

Eager to tout a local drone champion, officials have kept tabs on the companys fortunes: IRT had produced 1,049 drones of six different types in 2023 alone, according to a presentation from Jan. 15 of this year. Of these, 332 were of the Scout or Dark Wing varieties, marketed as suicide drones in the companys product catalog. The company also built 14 long-range surveillance drones of the IRT-5 variety and hundreds of quad- and hexacopters.

Its unclear to what extent an individual company like IRT would be affected by Western sanctions. On a national scale, though, there are indications that Moscow has struggled with supplanting some parts of its supply chains with local vendors, most notably in advanced semiconductors and similarly specialized components and tools.

Russian customs data seen by Defense News shows a handful of occasions in which Integrated Robotics Technologies has imported drone components and parts for a 3D printer from China.

Companies linked to IRT may also be involved in procuring components on its behalf, making it difficult to gauge the extent to which the company relies on foreign components. For example, the company appears to have close ties to a medium-sized chemical- and laboratory-equipment manufacturer.

Russian defense-related procurement efforts are using a wide range of third countries to circumvent sanctions, Shaw told Defense News. He said the procurement of 3D printing components is a notable detail. Our research suggests that additive manufacturing is a particular area to watch, especially when it comes to UAV and missile production, he said. Being linked to a chemical company might allow for producing specialized materials for drone-building or polymers for 3D printing, Shaw said.
A DUI suspect was arrested and a passenger was injured after the driver crashed multiple times during the early morning hours Sunday in Simi Valley.

The incident was reported just after 12:30 a.m. by a caller who told police they were following a possible DUI driver, the Simi Valley Police Department posted on its Instagram page.

As the caller provided details, the driver of the suspect vehicle crashed into a fire hydrant in the area of Los Angeles Ave. & Sycamore Dr., the post read.

The driver continued southbound on Sycamore Drive and crashed again, this time into a power pole, before police could catch up to the vehicle.

Police respond to a suspected DUI crash in Simi Valley on Sept. 22, 2024. (Simi Valley Police Department)

Police respond to a suspected DUI crash in Simi Valley on Sept. 22, 2024. (Simi Valley Police Department)

Police respond to a suspected DUI crash in Simi Valley on Sept. 22, 2024. (Simi Valley Police Department)

Officers found one person still trapped inside the vehicle, who was later extricated by Ventura County Fire Department personnel.

Further investigation revealed the driver, a Simi Valley resident, was driving under the influence of alcohol and caused his passenger to be injured as a result of the crash, police said.

The unidentified suspect was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence with a BAC over .08% and causing injury to another.

The Police Department reminded motorists that the consequences of DUI are severe and urged people to consider using ride-share services or designating a driver.

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Dunlap Middle School was one of 18 schools across the state  and the only one in the Tri-County area  to be named a National Blue Ribbon school.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona named the 18 schools, a mix of elementary, middle and high schools based upon their overall academic performance or progress in narrowing achievement gaps between student subgroups.

National Blue Ribbon Schools of 2023 named: Did yours make the list?

Tony Sanders, the state superintendent of education, said the designation is one of the highest honors a school can receive.

These schools reflect a statewide commitment to educational equity and excellence, he said. Thank you to the educators, administrators, families, and community members who work hard to make these schools centers of growth and achievement for each and every one of their students.

According to the state and the Education Department, the program was found in 1982 and celebrates schools that attain the highest levels of academic excellence in the United States.

They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success, according to a statement released by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Dunlap Middle School Principal Antonio Johnson says the recognition proves that teachers, staff and students really put in the hard work.

Its a great honor to to be named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. That just kind of really confirms the hard work of our staff, our teachers, our support staff, but also really confirms the hard work of our students and then also the partnership that we have with families in our community, Johnson said.

Blue Ribbon Schools are committed to empowering educators, centering equity, and collaborating with community and family members to ensure student success, the board said in a statement. Schools, both public and nonpublic, may be nominated for the award only once within a five-year period.

The other schools so honored were:

Arlington Heights  John Hersey High School, Township HSD 214

Arlington Heights  St. Viator High School, Archdiocese of Chicago

Chicago  Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy, Chicago Public Schools District 299

Chicago  St. Josaphat School, Archdiocese of Chicago

Elmhurst  Jefferson Elementary School, Elmhurst SD 205

Frankfort  Hickory Creek Middle School, Frankfort CCSD 157C

Geneva  Heartland Elementary School, Geneva CUSD 304

Green Oaks  Oak Grove School, Oak Grove SD 68

Hawthorn Woods  Lake Zurich Middle School  North Campus, Lake Zurich CUSD 95

Hickory Hills  H. H. Conrady Junior High School, North Palos SD 117

Lake Zurich  Lake Zurich High School, Lake Zurich CUSD 95

Maryville  Maryville Elementary School, Collinsville CUSD 10

Mascoutah  Mascoutah Elementary School, Mascoutah CUD 19

Naperville  Naperville Central High School, Naperville CUSD 203

Naperville  Neuqua Valley High School, Indian Prairie CUSD 204

Naperville  Scott Elementary School, Naperville CUSD 203

Palos Heights  Palos East Elementary School, Palos CCSD 118

Johnson says while Dunlap is a small community, the support is huge. Dunlap is a very small community when you look at it on the map. But we are we have a large footprint and everyone throughout our school community works really, really hard together, he said. So when you talk about the partnership, I think that is what makes this very, very special because we all partner together to help our students succeed.

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Dunlap Middle School received one of the country's most prestigious recognitions for schools Monday when it was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

Dunlap was one of 18 schools in the state of Illinois to receive this high honor, given to schools that have shown strong academic performance and those who narrow the achievement gap between student groups. It was one of only three schools outside of the Chicago area to be honored, with Maryville and Mascoutah elementary schools in the Metro East suburbs of St. Louis also receiving recognition.

In its final application to the Department of Education, the school describes itself as "academically rigorous," with 77% of students meeting or exceeding state standards in language arts, 61% meeting or exceeding in math and 85% meeting or exceeding in science.

More: This Illinois college ranks just behind the Ivy League at No. 11 in the nation

The school also described its Panther Pride intervention time given to all students each day, along with efforts to promote inclusion and unity in the student body, such as themed days and weeks like Friendship Week and Mix-it-Up Day.

The school also made a major point of its efforts to support the community through their Panthers with a Purpose Service Day, where students and staff volunteer at various non-profits throughout Peoria County.

The school said that it put a primary focus on doing the mundane exceptionally well, saying it tries not to focus on chasing trends, but on building strong core practices throughout the building.

"Elevating our everyday practices has not been about making radical changes each year," the school said. "Making manageable improvements to our daily routines will remain our focus. By focusing on doing everyday things exceptionally well, we have been fortunate enough to see the positive impacts on both students and staff at Dunlap Middle School."

It is the first time Dunlap Middle School has received a Blue Ribbon School honor and the fourth time overall that a Dunlap district school has been honored in this matter by the federal government. Banner Elementary School was honored in 2019 as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School, while Hickory Grove and Ridgeview elementary schools each were honored as Exemplary High Performing Schools in 2022.

Dunlap Middle School received both Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing in its 2024 recognition. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said that schools like Dunlap are setting new standards in education, while also serving as models for their communities.

"The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools," Cardona said. "As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child."

More: Peoria restaurant space revived with beloved local pizza on the menu

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Dunlap Middle School receives Blue Ribbon honor
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Local pizza shop, Eastside Pizza House, is shutting its doors just two and a half years after opening. The owner said it wasnt an easy decision.

While Jabee Williams, the owner of Eastside Pizza House, is sad to see an end to the shop, hes hopeful for the future.

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To serve this community has been has been amazing. You know, its been so much fun and weve had so many cool things happening here, said Jabee Williams, owner of Eastside Pizza House.

Williams said it was too hard to keep up over time.

We just got to the point to where we just werent generating enough traffic to, you know, just keep it going, keep the lights on, said Williams.

Eastside Pizza House could have looked a lot different.

Williams said his first idea was to create a sushi concept or burger shop, but a connection to a high school job is what sealed the deal.

What I realized was, you know, the only food experience I had was when I was in high school; I worked at a pizza hut, and so I just did pizza, said Williams.

Famous for their black pizza crust and unique concoctions, the doors to the shop may be closing, but the dreams are not.

I look at it like everything we wanted to do, we did, you know, everything we said we would do, we did, said Williams.

Now with one week left in business, Williams hopes its a celebration to remember the memories made on 23rd Street.

LOCAL NEWS: Cleveland Co. Sheriff requests OSBI investigation into K-9 death

We did it, you know? I mean, and Im happy i got to be a part of it, said Williams.

Williams said the dreams arent ending yet and hes working on other plans to keep the brand going with catering or pop-up events.

Eastside Pizza House will stay open until September 30.

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Former US President Donald Trump speaking at the Israeli-American Council (IAC) National Summit held at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

A Donald Trump victory in the US presidential elections in November will hit German exports, the Munich-based ifo economic institute predicted on Monday.

German exports to the United States could fall by almost 15% if Trump implemented higher import tariffs, economists from ifo and Econpol Europe predicted in a joint scenario.

The automotive and pharmaceutical sectors would be worst hit, suffering declines of around a third. Knock-on effects would also impact exports to China, which could fall by almost 10%, the analysts predicted.

During his campaign, Trump has announced tariffs of 60% on US imports from China and 20% on imports from the rest of the world. The 20% tariff would make German products considerably more expensive in the US.

And the much higher tariffs on Chinese goods would have the knock-on effect that demand from China's industrial sector would fall, the ifo and Econpol economists said.

"If Trump is elected again, and a new trade war starts with China, Germany as an exporting nation would suffer greatly as a result," ifo trade expert Lisandra Flach said.

Flach and her co-authors based their calculations on the direct effects of increases in US tariffs, not taking into account expected countermeasures taken by China and other countries. If these were included, the impact on Germany would be even greater, they said.
(Bloomberg) -- Rolling blackouts initially planned for overnight hours in Ecuador this week were moved ahead into daytime amid a record drought.

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Electricity went off in wide parts of the Andean nation early Monday as officials grapple with the driest conditions in more than 60 years.

Faced with the radicalization of climate changes in the most recent days, it is necessary to redistribute the suspension of electrical services that was planned for the next days, Ecuadors energy ministry said in a statement late Sunday.

The blackouts are scheduled to continue through Sunday, Sept. 29. And water is now being rationed in Quito, the capital.

Last week, an emergency committee led by Environment Minister Ines Manzano issued a red alert for much of the nation as drought hinders the generation of hydroelectricity. Its also threatening crops amid increasing forest fires.

The government had issued a curfew for crime-hit areas for the first overnight blackout that went ahead on Sept. 18. It plans to add emergency electrical capacity by hiring additional shipboard power generation to help offset the loss of supply, as well as seed clouds in an attempt to boost rainfall.

Mondays shutdowns mark the third period of blackouts in Ecuador since the end of last year. The electricity crisis is likely to become a campaign issue ahead of the presidential election in February.

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China has set an example to the rest of the world for its united and continuous efforts to achieve impressive economic growth and inspiring technological development in a short period, said the CEO of the Polish Information Agency in a recent interview with Xinhua. #GLOBALink




U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty speaking at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville on July 26, 2024, at which former President Donald Trump also spoke. (Photo: John Partipilo)

U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty speaking at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville on July 26, 2024, at which former President Donald Trump also spoke. (Photo: John Partipilo)

What in the world has happened to Bill Hagerty?

Tennessees junior senator has a distinguished background, going back to his days as an Eagle Scout. He earned both a bachelors degree and a law degree from Vanderbilt University, served as a White House fellow in the administration of President George W. Bush and earned bipartisan respect for his tenure as commissioner of Tennessees Department of Economic and Community Development under Gov. Bill Haslam.

His politics were conservative, but he appeared to be a business-minded, Chamber of Commerce-type Republican: he was a national finance chair for Mitt Romneys 2008 presidential campaign and a delegate for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in 2016, before Bush dropped out of the Tennessee presidential primary.

Then, Hagerty entered former President Donald Trumps orbit, and now hes on a national news network validating baseless and racist claims amplified by Trump that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are killing and eating family pets.

On Sept. 10, the day after the presidential debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Hagerty joined CNNs Kaitlan Collins to unpack the event.

During one exchange, Collins questioned Hagerty about whether Trump had a responsibility to question alleged policy flip-flops by Harris.

He certainly attempted to do that last night but he was doing that in the face of moderators who were fact-checking him right, left and center, and never fact-checking her, said Hagerty.

Collins raised the absurd allegation about Haitian migrants that Trump aired during the debate, making for one of the stranger moments in the history of presidential debates: Might it have been worth the moderators fact-checking Trump given the clearly ludicrous claims? She asked Hagerty directly about the wisdom of Trump wading into the ridiculous fray since Springfield leaders have repeatedly said no domestic animals are being taken and eaten.

Well, youre talking about evidence. Ive heard conflicting reports. Theres conflicting evidence. Theres a lot of information on the internet that this is happening, said Hagerty.

Once upon a time at Vanderbilt: a young Bill Hagerty in his 1981 Vanderbilt yearbook.

Hagerty didnt make Phi Beta Kappa  Americas oldest and most prestigious academic honor society  at Vandy by being the sort of guy who believes any sort of random nonsense on the internet, nor did he make it through Vandy Law without being able to sort through conflicting evidence.

But he also didnt become so successful in business without the savvy analytical skills to know where his bread is buttered, and Trump has been buttering Hagertys bread for years.

Hagertys hits

That Hagerty has been a Trump devotee isnt new. He served as Ambassador to Japan in Trumps administration before resigning to run for Senate. His yard signs for his 2020 campaign said simply: Hagerty. U.S. Senate. Endorsed by Trump.

Even before he was sworn into office, Hagerty questioned the results of the 2020 election, posting a statement on his campaign website that The lack of transparency and irregularities that weve seen are a cause of great concern.

Never mind that at the time of Hagertys statement, Trump-appointed judges had already denied Trumps accusations of a stolen election.

On Jan. 2, 2021, Hagerty announced in a joint press release with senior Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn the pair would vote against certifying the election results. And as it turned out, both were on the call list for Trump consigliere Rudy Giuliani on Jan. 6, 2021, the day of the lawless riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Following the insurrection attempt, both senators flipped and voted to certify the election, with no explanation for the change  but no matter, the tone was set for our Hagerty expectations.

Since taking office, Hagerty has voted against health care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during Middle East deployments. After the 2022 raid of Trumps Florida home that turned up a cache of classified documents, Hagerty opined that former President Bill Clinton  impeached for lying under oath in a sexual harassment investigation  received preferential treatment compared to that Trump got.

In August, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported Hagerty defended comments by Trump denigrating recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor awarded in the U.S.

Even after four years of watching Hagerty debase himself at Trumps feet, several of his Vanderbilt classmates scratch their heads as they tell me they dont understand the version of Hagerty they see on TV.

If one believes Tennessees political chattering class, Hagerty is holding out for an appointment as secretary of state under a second Trump administration, which could explain his rock-solid backing of Trump.

If true, its clear ambition and the weird lure of Trump got to Hagerty as they have for so many others, including those who once worked against Trump like GOP vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance  purveyor of the accusations that Haitian immigrants were eating pets. In 2016, Vance compared Trump to Adolf Hitler.

It remains to be seen if Hagerty will evolve his image again in the event of a Trump loss. In the meantime, the answer to the question of what got into him seems simple: the power of Trump can turn a reasonable, conservative Tennessee businessman into a toady repeating patently wild and spurious claims.

Bill Hagerty, we hardly knew ye.

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They say you cant fight City Hall. But Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez is doing just that, refusing to bow to Mayor Brandon Johnsons desire to replace him with a new boss of the citys troubled school system.

A simmering battle between Martinez and Johnson over whether CPS should take on hundreds of millions in new high-rate loans to fund some of the Chicago Teachers Unions contract demands burst into the open last week. Martinez openly defied Johnsons widely reported request last week that Martinez resign his post.

We now await Thursdays scheduled meeting of Johnsons hand-picked Chicago Board of Education to learn Martinezs fate. Johnson cant fire Martinez directly; his board must do the dirty work. But the board to date has supported Martinez in his opposition to the fiscal recklessness called for by Johnson and CTU. Board members are said now to have turned on Martinez. Such reports have cited anonymous aides to the mayor; thus far, the board members have said nothing, including to Martinez himself as of late last week, were given to understand.

Everything about this stand-off is remarkable  from a mayor who is supposed to be representing taxpayers instead of effectively acting as a party to a union demanding an unaffordable contract to the spectacle of the mayors own appointed CPS CEO and board members openly defying him. This is not how the publics business should be conducted.

But whereas we ordinarily would support the idea that a mayor ought to be able to hire  and fire  senior leaders in city government, we make an exception in this case. This mayor is so beholden to a union whose tactics in a contract dispute verge on sabotage that we urge the Board of Education to back Martinez on Thursday and for the remainder of the boards term.

Firing this CPS CEO in the middle of a contract negotiation could only be interpreted as handing control of the schools to the union. A quick refresher on what CTU is demanding: annual wage increases of 9%, librarians in every school, money for housing for families of students that are housing-insecure and thousands more CTU members employed by a system that has shrunk 20% in terms of enrollment over a decade. That agenda isnt remotely affordable for a district already facing a deficit exceeding $700 million less than a year from now.

Johnson has demanded that CPS  already the nations largest junk-bond issuer, paying more than $800 million annually just to service its mountain of ongoing debt  add another $300 million in high-cost debt to cover teacher raises and to make a $175 million pension payment whose responsibility has ping-ponged in recent years between the city government and CPS. A new schools boss hired specifically to strike a deal with a militant and unreasonable union presumably would need to add far more than $300 million to the maxed-out CPS credit card in order to buy labor peace.

The strategy pursued by the unholy alliance of Johnson and CTU is becoming clearer by the day. Gov. JB Pritzker and state legislative leaders, all Democrats and supporters of organized labor, have refused the Johnson-CTU demands for hundreds of millions more in state funds to finance CTUs membership growth. Theyve done so despite CTU president Stacy Davis Gates racially charged attacks on them when she didnt get what she wanted from Springfield.

So now Johnson and Davis Gates seeming gambit is to deliberately sink CPS into insolvency so that the state has no choice but to bail out Chicagos schools, nearly 40% of which are enrolled with half or fewer of the students they were designed to serve. Thats unconscionable, and is why this school board has a fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers to continue to display the courage its shown so far. A new CEO piling more debt on CPS only will make the inevitable job of right-sizing this district all the more painful.

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Its clear that Martinez enjoys support from hundreds of past and present CPS principals, the business community and, we daresay, ordinary taxpayers paying attention to the disaster-in-the-making at CPS now that the issues are so front and center. CPS performance in terms of student achievement remains far below where it should be, but the system under Martinez has made some gains in terms of reading and math scores since the pandemic.

Martinez also holds unusually strong cards in this face-off if hes willing to continue to tolerate the awkwardness of running the schools against the mayors wishes. His employment contract provides for six months notice, and a severance of 20 weeks pay, if the board moves to fire him without cause.

Martinez has no financial incentive to make this easy on the mayor  or the board, if they indeed now are in Johnsons corner. Any effort to force him out immediately, whether by terming his removal a firing for cause or some other means, likely would be met with a lawsuit that would cost taxpayers another pretty penny on top of CTUs demands.

Chicago is set to hold its first-ever school board elections in November. The current board members will give way in a few months to a new 21-member board, 11 of whom will be mayoral appointees and 10 of whom will be newly elected. This board would be sowing chaos with a new school year well underway and with the publics voice on the future of Chicagos schools yet to be registered at the polls.

Martinez likes his job, its clear, and thinks hes doing good work. But this clash really isnt about one mans career and livelihood. Its about the urgent cause of resisting a radical agenda with the power to badly damage a city already facing a financial crisis.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
(Bloomberg) -- Egypt will sell a stake in state-owned United Bank via a local initial public offering, as the North African nation presses on with efforts to attract a fresh wave of foreign investment through the sale of public assets.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The IPO will take place before the end of the first quarter of 2025, the central bank said Sunday in a statement, without specifying the size of the stake. The sale would be subject to market conditions and the timely receipt of the relevant regulatory approvals, it said.

The plan is the latest sign that Egypt, which is emerging from an economic crisis after clinching a $57 billion global bailout, is finally moving forward with a state-divestment program thats being keenly watched by the International Monetary Fund.

Al-Mal, a Cairo-based newspaper, reported before the announcement that authorities are considering offering between 30%-40% of United Bank, half through public subscription and the rest via private placement. It cited people informed of the plans that it didnt identify.

The government last year unveiled an initial list of 32 assets it planned to offer to investors, in sectors ranging from banking to energy and real estate. But uptake has been limited, and Egypt has yet to agree on a major sale since sharply devaluing its pound in March.

That may change soon. Egypt is in advanced talks to sell its remaining 20% stake in Alex Bank, another local lender, to Italys Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Bloomberg reported last week, citing people familiar with the matter.

Authorities in the Middle Easts most populous nation have been looking for years at ways to offload United Bank, which is almost entirely owned by the central bank. Talks with Saudi Arabia over a potential purchase stalled in early 2023 amid a disagreement over how to value the transaction.

United Bank had total assets of 106 billion pounds ($2.18 billion) in June 2024, according to Sundays statement.

(Updates with local newspaper report on possible size of stake.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Somali Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur shared this picture on social media praising the alliance with Egypt [Somali Defence Minister]

An Egyptian ship has delivered a significant consignment of military equipment to Somalia, security officials in the capital, Mogadishu, are quoted as saying.

Somali Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur thanked Egypt in a social media post without specifically mentioning the weapons.

This is the second such delivery from Egypt in a month as relations deteriorate between Somalia and its neighbour and former close ally Ethiopia.

Egypt, a long-time rival of Ethiopia, has taken the opportunity to move closer to Somalia, stoking concerns about rising tensions in the Horn of Africa.

The military cargo, carried on a warship that arrived on Sunday, included anti-aircraft guns and artillery, the Reuters news agency reports citing security and port officials.

A BBC reporter in Mogadishu himself saw weapons being transported through the streets of the city.

In his post on X, Mr Nur is pictured with his back to the camera looking at a docked naval vessel.

"Somalia has passed the stage where they were dictated to and awaited the affirmation of others on who it will engage with," he wrote.

"We know our own interests, and we will choose between our allies and our enemies. Thank you Egypt."

This sentiment is a result of shifting alliances in the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia has for years been a staunch backer of the government in Mogadishu in its fight against al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabab.

But Somalia is furious that landlocked Ethiopia signed a preliminary deal at the beginning of this year with the self-declared republic of Somaliland to lease a section of its coastline. Somalia sees Somaliland as part of its territory.

Meanwhile, Addis Ababa and Cairo have been at loggerheads for more than a decade over Ethiopia's construction of a vast hydroelectric dam on the River Nile. Egypt sees this as a possible threat to the volume of water flowing down the river, which it relies on.

Ethiopia has expressed its concern at the arrival of the weapons in Mogadishu, saying it could exacerbate the security situation in Somalia.

Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Ethiopias Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selasie said they could fall into the hands of militants.

Somaliland, which is not recognised internationally, had a similar message on Monday saying it was "deeply alarmed" by the shipment.

"The unchecked proliferation of arms in an already fragile environment heightens the risk of an arms race, with various factions likely seeking to acquire their own stockpiles in order to safeguard their interests," Somaliland's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

At the weekend, in a further sign of the strains in the region, Egypt called on its citizens living in Somaliland to leave for security reasons.

This is not the first time weapons have arrived in Somalia from Egypt. In August, two Egyptian military planes delivered arms and ammunition to Mogadishu.

That delivery came after a deal signed earlier in August during a state visit to Cairo by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Ethiopia said at the time that it could not stand idle while other actors take measures to destabilise the region.

Somalias defence minister hit back, saying Ethiopia should stop wailing as everyone will reap what they sowed - a reference to their worsening diplomatic relations.

Ethiopia currently has 3,000 troops in Somalia as part of an African Union force supporting the government. There is now a plan for up to 5,000 Egyptian soldiers to join a new-look AU force at the end of the year, with another 5,000 reportedly to be deployed separately.

Ethiopia also currently has between 5,000 and 7,000 soldiers stationed in several regions under separate bilateral agreements. Somalia's prime minister has warned Ethiopia that they would have to withdraw unless it pulled out from the port deal with Somaliland.

Additional reporting by Teklemariam Bekit in Nairobi and Hanna Temuari in Addis Ababa

[BBC]

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Security helicopters hover above the Mogadishu Sea Port after an Egyptian warship docked to deliver a second major cache of weaponry in Mogadishu

Security helicopters hover above the Mogadishu Sea Port after an Egyptian warship docked to deliver a second major cache of weaponry in Mogadishu

By Abdi Sheikh

MOGADISHU (Reuters) -An Egyptian warship has delivered a second major cache of weaponry to Somalia including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, port and military officials said on Monday, in a move likely to stoke further friction between the two countries and Ethiopia.

Ties between Egypt and Somalia have grown this year over their shared mistrust of Ethiopia, prompting Cairo to send several plane loads of arms to Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, after the countries signed a joint security pact in August.

Ethiopia angered Mogadishu by agreeing a preliminary deal in January with the breakaway region of Somaliland to lease land for a port in exchange for possible recognition of its independence from Somalia.

Egypt, at odds with Ethiopia for years over Addis Ababa's construction of a vast hydro dam on the headwaters of the Nile River, has condemned the Somaliland deal.

The Egyptian warship began unloading the weapons on Sunday, one diplomat said. Security forces blocked off the quayside and surrounding roads on Sunday and Monday as convoys carried the weapons to a defence ministry building and nearby military bases, two port workers and two military officials told Reuters.

Nasra Bashir Ali, an official at Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's office, posted a photo on her X account of Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur watching as the ship was being unloaded.

Somaliland was concerned the weapons could land in the wrong hands, including the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group, its foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

"A shipment of Egyptian military aid has arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu to support and build the capabilities of the Somali army," Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The shipment "reaffirms Egypt's ongoing central role in supporting Somali efforts to develop the national capabilities necessary to fulfil the aspirations of the Somali people for security, stability, and development," the statement added.

Egyptian media reported on Sunday that Egypt's embassy in Mogadishu had warned its citizens not to travel to Somaliland, due to the security situation in the region.

Ethiopia has at least 3,000 soldiers stationed in Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission (ATMIS) fighting Islamist insurgents, while an estimated 5,000-7,000 troops are deployed in other regions under a bilateral agreement.

Somalia has called the Somaliland deal an assault on its sovereignty and says it wants all Ethiopia's troops to leave at the end of the year unless Addis Ababa scraps the agreement.

Egypt has, meanwhile, offered to contribute troops to a new peacekeeping mission in Somalia, the African Union said in July, though Cairo has not commented on the matter publicly.

Ethiopia's government did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment, but has in the past said it cannot stand idle while "other actors" are taking measures to destabilise the region.

(Reporting by Abdi Sheikh in Mogadishu; Additional reporting by Aidan Lewis and Adam Makary in Cairo; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Ammu Kannampilly, Ed Osmond and Timothy Heritage)
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Eight Virginia schools, including two in Hampton Roads, were recognized as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education on Monday.

The U.S. Department of Education determines which schools to acknowledge based on student performance data, including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are honored in one or both of the two performance categories below:

Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.

The Virginia schools featured in the performance category of Exemplary High Performing Schools were:

Virginia Beach  Green Run Collegiate, Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Langley AFB  Bethel Manor Elementary School, York County Public Schools

Clifton  St. Andrew The Apostle School, Arlington Diocese

McLean  Spring Hill Elementary School, Fairfax County Public Schools

The Virginia schools featured in the performance category of Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools were:

Fincastle  Central Academy Middle School, Botetourt County Public Schools

Gate City  Gate City Middle School, Scott County Public Schools

Nokesville  T. Clay Wood Elementary School, Prince William County Public Schools

Saltville  Saltville Elementary School, Smyth County Public Schools

These schools demonstrate a strong commitment to the success of all students and should be recognized for their achievement, said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. We congratulate the entire school staff, students, families, and communities, and look forward to sharing their great work and example to help raise up other schools performance.

The National Blue Ribbon (NBRS) programs purpose is to shine a spotlight on the best schools in the United States with the intent of sharing the best practices of outstanding schools across the country.

To learn more about the National Blue Ribbon Schools, 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 WAVY.com.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  In honor of its 130th anniversary, the El Paso Public Libraries will host a series of free open houses at all branch libraries to showcase services, resources and programs that are available to the community, the City of El Paso announced in a news release.

During the open house events, visitors will have the opportunity to meet with librarians and library staff to learn about free services and programs while getting to know their neighborhood library, according to the City.

The City said there will be library tours, free refreshments, swag, giveaways and pictures with the Public Libraries mascot, Lea.

The first open house will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Westside Branch Library, 125 Belvidere.

Additional open house events in October include:

Jose Cisneros Cielo Vista Branch at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Irving Schwartz Branch at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 25.

You can find a complete list of open house locations, dates and times here.

The Public Libraries has 14 branch libraries, including a branch at the EPCC Transmountain Campus and a bookmobile.

Libraries offer free services including historical research archives, passport services, public meeting spaces, a free high school program for adults, story times and developmental programs for children as well as downloadable resources, according to 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 KTSM 9 News.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  First News sat down with Mahoning County Prosecutors candidate Gina DeGenova to discuss the race.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

DeGenova is running as a Democrat to retain her position. She is running against Lynn Maro. You can watch Maros interview here.

DeGenova said she has 20 years of experience as a prosecutor and said she has shown that she is successful in the position. She said she has maintained a 98.6% conviction rate in her first year as the prosecutor, and her case dismissal rate is down 5% from two years prior.

She also talked about implementing crime prevention programs.

What people want to know is that their voices are heard and that they have someone in the office that they can trust. I believe I am that person, she said.

DeGenova also discussed the challenges she faced in the office, and she said one of the biggest challenges was proving herself as a leader to her staff. She said she credits her success to her coworkers who she said have been supportive.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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)  WKBN sat down with Mahoning County Prosecutors candidate Lynn Maro to discuss the race.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

Maro is running as a Republican to challenge current prosecutor Gina DeGenova for the position. You can watch DeGenovas interview here.

Maro said she has been practicing law in the community for 33 years, and she said she has seen things that she feels can be improved.

Maro grew up on the East Side of Youngstown and talked about her experiences in the service industry. She then attended Youngstown State University and the University of Akron School of Law and went on to focus on civil work at a law firm and at the Mahoning County Prosecutors Office. She also prosecuted some criminal cases while at the Prosecutors Office.

Maro said through her own law office, she has handled many types of cases, as well as administrative work.

In the past four years, 15% of our murder cases have been dismissed or not guilty. Columbiana County is 0%. Trumbull County is 0%. We need to do better, and I think my 33 years practicing law and being in the trenches, seeing where things can be improved, will help reduce that amount, she said. In the past three years, weve averaged 8% dismissal rates across the board on felonies. Every county around us is 3% or below. Those things can be eliminated or reduced by working more closely with law enforcement to make sure the evidence is gathered and turned over before we bring charges so that we know that when charges are issued, we can prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt and get those convictions.

Maro added that she would like to coordinate with law enforcement to set up databases so that they can better track cases.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Pagers and radios exploded in Lebanon last week, giving Hezbollah a dramatic lesson in how consumer technology can be turned into a lethal weapon. But the carnage could usefully give the rest of us a wake-up call too.

The attack shed light on the dark corners of Asia supply chains, wrote Reuters, with an audacious operation that relied on the terrorists failing to perform due diligence on their shady supplier, and hoping none of their members prised open the pager and peeked inside. Remarkably, none did.

But were hardly more curious: we dont care how the sausage is made, and thanks to globalisation, its harder than ever to find out whats in it. Nowhere is the supply chain as complex, and security as challenging, as in the automotive industry.

Just look at the scale of car theft. Relay theft, or carless key theft, contributed to 132,489 vehicles being stolen last year in England and Wales, with some high-end brands becoming virtually uninsurable.

Land Rovers were being stolen at three times the rate of any other model, with one owner quoted a 48,000 annual insurance premium for a car worth 45,000. Three in four thefts go unsolved.

The company has worked hard on fixes, with new models more secure and hopes that premiums now coming down. But the scale of attacks has forced the industry to cooperate more closely.

Shoving the latest high tech gadgetry into a car doesnt always help. Mercedes thought it had found the answer to theft by putting fingerprint sensors on vehicles control panels. Until one day a Malaysian accountant found that thieves had not only robbed him of his S class Merc, but of his index finger, too. Wisely, manufacturers have not returned to this method.

Today, automotive supply chains are very long, very deep, and fiendishly complex. A decade ago, academics calculated that Ford used 1,400 companies across 4,400 locations in its Tier 1 suppliers alone.

There are more in Tier 2  and thats two out of ten tiers of suppliers. Nor is it easy to define what a car company actually does in 2024  its like trying to capture fog with a fishing net.

Strip it down to the basics, and the core business involves maintaining the brand, marketing, after-sales support and the final integration. And maybe some manufacturing, but often not.

So much has been outsourced, sceptics say theres more financial engineering here than there is real engineering.

Car companies use shared car platforms, with the same underlying technology badged up differently. For example, Volkswagens MQB platform pops up under the Skoda, Audi, and SEAT badges.

Chinas Geely is a sprawl of fully-owned IP, investments and joint ventures, spanning Volvo, Polestar, and Aston Martin amongst several others.

And can we say with any confidence where a vehicle has originated? At the highest level, Jaguar Land Rover Group (JLR) is Indian, while Geely is Chinese, and emphatically so.

But as sanctions are imposed on cheap electric vehicles (EVs), the country of origin is turning out to be quite malleable: China is confident that EVs finished in the European Union will evade EU tariffs expected to be imposed this week.

Its a real challenge to make it all work together safely and reliably, says auto security expert Ken Tindell, chief technology officer of Canis Automotive Labs and the founder of a new microchip startup.

If you are supplying a software component and have no idea how its being integrated, you cant accept liability for how things could go wrong.

He brought a hack that allowed Toyota cars to be stolen to wide attention last year, and describes a cat and mouse game between hackers and motor companies.

The industry buzz phrase today is software defined cars. But Volkswagens much touted Cariad software division has run over budget and has been hit by delays. Egos there were bruised when it made a $5bn deal with EV company Rivian.

Tindell, an adviser to industry and government, fears that the skill set required to make a car operate reliably  hard electrical engineering skills  is getting rarer.

IT guys who are coming in with a background working in data centres can live with a key exchange that takes two seconds. But if youre in a vehicle like a steer-by-wire Tesla Cybertruck, you cant wait for two seconds for the system to recover after a watchdog reset. It would mean you cant steer the car for two seconds.

Connecting a car or truck to the internet also opens up new attack vectors. The Pentagon acknowledged in 2019 that within weeks of the US Armys Stryker Dragoon armoured vehicles arriving in Afghanistan, they had been hacked. Why would we expect our cars to be any more secure than a military vehicle?

Connectivity has its uses. Imagine, as a driver, being warned of black ice before you reach it, for example. But any private electronic interface that is open to the world via a network becomes a target. Security vulnerabilities are demonstrated at events like Pwn2Own, where white hat hackers compete for big money prizes. Tesla is a top target.

A cyberattack on our trucking fleet would quickly bring the UK economy to a halt. Once a lorry has been compromised, the attacker could choose when and where to disable it. With our road haulage disabled, supermarket shelves would quickly empty and fuel stations rapidly run out of supplies.

The consequences dont bear thinking about.

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SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's global population ranking was expected to fall by 30 notches for the next five decades to 59th place in 2072, statistical office data showed Monday.

The country's population was estimated to drop 30.8 percent to 36 million in 2072 compared to 52 million in 2024, while the world population was projected to jump 25.2 percent from 8.16 billion to 10.22 billion in the cited period, according to Statistics Korea.

South Korea's population ranking was forecast to tumble from this year's 29th place to 59th in 2072 in the world.

The gloomy demographic outlook was attributable to the country's chronically low birth rate and the rapidly aging population amid the widespread social trend, in which the younger generation delays or gives up on getting married and having babies.

The proportion of those aged 65 and older to the total population was forecast to surge from 19.2 percent in 2024 to 47.7 percent in 2072 in South Korea, while the corresponding figure for the entire world was expected to increase from 10.2 percent to 20.3 percent in the same period.

The proportion of the working-age population, or those aged 15-64, was predicted to plunge from this year's 70.2 percent to 45.8 percent in 2072 in South Korea, while the world's corresponding proportion was estimated to slide from 65.1 percent to 61.5 percent in the cited period. 
A recently filed lawsuit in the Sacramento Superior Court alleges that an Elk Grove Unified School District paraeducator inappropriately restrained and then slapped a special needs student.

The plaintiff is suing on behalf of his son who was 11 years old at the time of the incident. The complaint describes an altercation at Foulks Ranch Elementary School in Elk Grove between the student and his instructional aide, Shannon Bungato.

The complaint alleges the following events: in September 2023, the student broke his pencil out of frustration following a discussion with other students. When he walked to the front of the classroom to tape the pencil back together, Bungato restrained the student. After the student verbally protested the method of restraint, Bungato slapped the student across the face.

Following the incident, the complaint alleges that the parents were not notified of the incident and that the student was denied immediate medical attention.

The student is a special education student whose Individualized Education Plan guarantees him a one-to-one instructional aide to assist him at all times throughout the school day because of his attention deficit disorder and speech delay.

The complaint does not provide detail on the type of restraint used by the paraeducator, but improper restraint of special education students has resulted in injury or death. In 2018, 13-year-old Max Benson died after three employees at an El Dorado County private school placed him in a face-down prone position for two hours. Teachers and instructional aides are given training on how and when to use restraint techniques to avoid injury and trauma to children.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages exceeding $25,000 for physical injury and emotional distress.

In addition to damages related to the incident, the plaintiffs are also seeking judgments against the school district and the Sacramento County Office of Education for failing to act on an insurance claim within 45 days, resulting in rejection.

The district did not immediately respond to inquiry about Bungatos employment status. . She was an employee at the district since at least 2012, according to Open Payroll salary records.

Neither Bungato nor the plaintiffs family have returned a request for comment.
The News

LAGOS  Starlinks satellite internet rollout across Africa is sparking complaints of unfair competition from telecommunications companies and internet service providers that have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in building local networks.

In a leaked memo to Kenyas communications regulator, the countrys largest telco Safaricom called for stricter regulations on satellite internet providers like Elon Musk-owned Starlink to level the playing field. Safaricom argued that satellite internet providers should be required to partner with local mobile network operators, rather than being granted independent licenses.

The telco, which is partly government owned, noted that these providers often operate without a physical presence in the country, relying on third parties and resellers to distribute their hardware, which makes it difficult for regulators to ensure accountability and compliance.

And its not just in Kenya. ISPs and telcos in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Cameroon have also raised concerns about Starlinks free rein, lax regulatory requirements, and their inability to compete fairly with its services and pricing. These companies have thousands of employees across the region while Starlink has next to no local presence on the continent.

But the upside for consumers is that some of these companies have improved their existing offering to compete. Safaricom, in response to the growing presence of Starlink in Kenyas broadband market, has doubled the speed of its fiber internet packages. Similar moves have been seen by ISPs in Zimbabwe.

Know More

Starlinks entry to the Kenyan market in July 2023 boosted satellite internet subscriber numbers more than tenfold in the nine months to Mar. 31 this year. The numbers were still relatively small, at fewer than 5,000 users in that period, but it was perhaps a warning sign for the traditional providers. The rapid uptake of Starlink has been fueled by aggressive marketing partnerships, cheaper monthly plans and a hardware rental option.

At the beginning of September, Zimbabwe became the 16th nation in Africa to get access to Starlinks services. Starlink is required to offer its service exclusively through its local partner, IMC Communications and can only operate through approved agents, dealers, and ISPs.

But since May, when its license was approved by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, telcos and ISPs have been bracing for its launch, with TelOne, a state-owned provider, partnering with Eutelsats OneWeb to also offer satellite internet, while ISPs, including Liquid Home, the countrys largest fixed ISP slashed prices.

Theres long been an expectation that Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet providers like Starlink, OneWeb, and Telesat will capture market share from traditional telecom companies if priced appropriately. But it could possibly also mean a loss of tax revenue for the government as these firms operate without physical offices on the continent and provide plug-and-play connectivity.

While Safaricoms concerns will naturally be seen as an attempt to protect its market position and revenue, industry experts note that major telcos across Africa have made substantial investments in licenses and building out infrastructure to enable mobile internet communication networks on the continent.

Sultans view

Within two years of Starlinks launch in Nigeria, the communications regulator Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reported that the company has become Nigerias third-largest dedicated internet provider. Now, the company has started building new ground stations in three Nigerian states. However, Starlink is only a threat to the standalone ISP market (as against mobile network-based internet), which collectively serves 262,000 customers as of the last quarter of 2023. In the same period, the four mobile network operators, MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile had 163.8 million active internet subscriptions.

Starlinks success will depend on its ability to expand services to more people in remote areas. The company is making progress in this regard by providing satellite backhaul to more than 100 of Africa Mobile Networks rural base stations in Nigeria.

Starlink is likely to face significant challenges in scaling its operations, particularly in countries that prioritize protecting their domestic or government-owned telecommunications providers.

Starlinks advanced technology and premium brand image will likely continue to gain approval from African governments. Starlink has created a brand aura that is projecting fear of missing out and a kind of peer pressure that I suspect will continue to get it licensed in Africa at a very low cost, Bright Simons, a Ghanaian social entrepreneur, told Semafor Africa.

The View From South Africa

Musk is in talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa to introduce the service in South Africa, the country of Musks birth. A few weeks earlier, Communications Minister Solly Malatsi expressed interest in welcoming Starlink into the South African market to bridge the countrys digital divide. They can fill in the gap that the mobile network operators are unable to currently fill through the limitations of their broadband infrastructure, he told Semafor Africa this week. We will then be able to steer South Africa towards 100% connectivity.

Room for Disagreement

Not everyone thinks Starlink will win in their market.

The ISP business in Nigeria is effectively non-existent, with very few providers and even fewer customers, said Diseye Isoun, CEO of Content Oasis, an ISP based in Abuja, Nigeria. Broadband access is primarily provided by telecom companies that enable customers to use their mobile phones, without any additional hardware, and purchase data plans they can afford.

There is a lot more investment being made in South Africa in fiber and wireless backhaul (infrastructure), said Paul Muller, founding partner at business development consultancy Five Rings Consortium. The focus on Starlink raises questions over its ability to provide a long-term solution to South Africas broadband challenges, because satellite provides a means to link the main internet to small towns, thats the principle behind using satellite; but it is a temporary solution.

Larry Press, professor of Information Systems at California State University, explains that in Kenya, despite Starlink cutting down hardware prices, introducing a monthly plan that rivals market leaders Safaricom and Airtel, and offering a rental plan, it still faces competition from other internet service providers (ISPs) like Mawingu and Poa Internet. These other ISPs also operate in areas that have traditionally lacked reliable internet access and attract a significant number of customers with their unlimited home internet offerings and competitive pricing.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  It was an emotional day at Naval Station Norfolk, as USS Harry S. Truman set out to sea.

Loved ones gathered pierside to say their goodbyes Monday to those aboard the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier. About 6,500 Sailors will deploy with the Truman carrier strike group through Wednesday.

In a press conference, Navy officials said the strike group will visit U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Africa and the U.S. Six Fleet Area of Operations. Commanding officers explain the warship will deter threats of aggression overseas.

In 2022, the USS Harry S. Truman deployed to the Mediterranean and Sea in response to Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, where the carrier strike group served as a visible deterrent to potential threats, promoted stability and reassured our NATO allies in the region and around the world, said USS Truman Commanding Officer Cpt. Dave Snowden. Today, nearly two years later, we are ready to deploy once again, prepared to provide prompt and sustained combat operations if and when called upon to do so. Our crew has undergone months of rigorous training to ensure we are ready to face any threat during this deployment.

US is sending more troops to the Middle East as violence rises between Israel and Hezbollah

Nicole Titsworth , a Navy wife, was with her one-year-old Astrid at her side to say goodbye to their loved one as he headed off for his first deployment, at 20 years old. The young military spouse said she is mostly concerned about a possible extension and the current world conflicts.

I know right now they say that they are going somewhere on the safer side, but anything can happen and not knowing is the scariest thing, said Titsworth.

Many families are most concerned about the conflict in the Red Sea. With so much unsettled in the Middle East right now, the next few months could be a test for many of our men and women in uniform.

Snowden said the crew is ready to answer any call. My pledge to our Sailors, and more importantly their families, is to bring every crew member back that we leave with. And these Sailors, young men and women, are incredibly well trained to perform in any environment, any day of the week, over the next, the better part of a year.

Parents Beth and Donny Feely were at Naval Station Norfolk Monday to see their 22-year-old daughter off on her second deployment.

Its a different time of the year with everything thats going on in the world, said Beth.

Her husband, Donny adds, Im proud, but Im scared [Im] just happy for her that shes doing something with her life. Shes seen more of the world than I ever had at 22.

The couple is already planning for her homecoming in several months, after not being able to attend her return from her first deployment.

To help Sailors on the flagship while they are away, the Navy recently installed a commercial Wi-Fi system on some parts of the ship.

It is strictly for crew morale for sailors in certain spots of the ship. They can use their wireless devices to stay connected to their family. The bandwidth, surprisingly, is actually good enough for them to text, Internet call, or sometimes even face time video chat with their families, said Snowden.

The United Service Organization (USO) funded four new lounge areas for sailors to relax when possible.

That allow(s) our sailors the opportunity to unplug and decompress from shipboard life on a day to day basis and kind of gives a sense of not really being on an operating warship at sea, said Capt. Snowden. This will be my first Christmas missed in almost 29 years of service. So a little concern for my family, even as much as it is for our young sailors whove not done this one day yet of being on deployment.

WAVY News 10 will continue to provide updates as the days of deployments continue this week. Other ships with the Carrier Strike Group will leave on Tuesday and Wednesday.

To our spouses, partners, families and friends who serve on the home front while we are gone. I extend my deep appreciation for your love and support. Your support is invaluable to us. We leave today as a highly trained, combat ready war fighting team following a robust work cycle, said Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, USS Harry S. Truman Commander.

The carrier strike group consists of the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 with nine embarked aviation squadrons; staffs from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, CVW-1, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).

The squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 embarked aboard Harry S. Truman include:

The Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11

The Pukin Dogs of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143

The Sunliners of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81

The Knighthawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136

The Main Battery of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 144

The Seahawks of Control Squadron (VAW) 126

The Proud Warriors of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72

The Dragonslayers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11

A detachment from the Rawhides of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40

The USS Harry S. Truman carrier, commissioned in 1998 and saved from a possible early retirement in 2019, returned home from its last deployment in 2022. Earlier this year, Huntington Ingalls Industries was awarded a contract for a complex overhaul and refuel overhaul of the Truman at its Newport News shipyard.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Iowa Workforce Development manages unemployment claims filed on behalf of Iowans. (Photo by Getty Images, logo courtesy the State of Iowa)

An Iowa judge has ruled against a company that fired a restaurant worker for using profanity in violation of a corporate policy entitled Dont act like an hole.

State records show that Bridget Mays of Waterloo worked as a dishwasher for Thrive Together, a corporation that manages a variety of restaurants nationally, including Applebees Grill & Bar. Mays worked at the Applebees in Waterloo from October 2021 through July of this year, when she was fired.

Thrive Together alleged Mays had reacted angrily and used a profane word when she arrived for work one day and found dirty dishes stacked in the kitchen, including some that were left on the floor. Mays was fired a few days later, with the company claiming she had violated a formal, written policy entitled, Dont act like an hole, with the descriptive word written in full.

The policy itself used the word 11 times to describe prohibited workplace behavior, according to state records.

Mays subsequently filed a claim for unemployment benefits, which was challenged by Thrive Together. That led to a hearing before Administrative Law Judge David Steen, who ruled in Mays favor, citing the companys own language in its policy.

The employer discharged (Mays) for her tone and use of profanity, Steen noted. The employers own work rules, including one of those cited as potentially violated in this situation, contain numerous instances of a word generally considered profane in the English language. This administrative law judge does not find credible the employers testimony that the claimants tone and language caused a hostile environment for her co-workers.

Other Iowans whose unemployment cases were recently decided by a judge include:

 Angela Schumacher, who worked for Webster County as a full-time home health care aide until she was fired in June for charting that she had provided home care to a client who was actually hospitalized at the time. An administrative law judge ruled Schumacher was entitled to benefits, having experienced an isolated incident of poor judgment. More recently, the states Employment Appeal Board reversed that decision and said that had the county not caught the falsification of records it could have been exposed to allegations of fraud.

 Emilio Buhr, who worked briefly at Dan Deery Motors of Waterloo from June 10 until he resigned on June 29, citing harassment. According to the findings of the judge in his unemployment case, the employers computers contained lewd and inappropriate content, including informational tabs given suggestive names such as, Sex Time, Seven Day Orgy, Flexible Penis, and other specific terms of a much more graphic nature. The informational tabs were used to segregate tasks or data that workers accessed routinely to clock in, schedule work hours or order parts. In addition, workers were allowed to upload to the time-clock program personal photos, and some employees had uploaded pornographic or lewd images  including one depicting what Buhr described as Jesus performing a simulated sex act.

Buhrs decision to sever his employment relationship due to a work environment infected with sexual harassment is undoubtedly a good-cause reason to quit, Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth Johnson ruled, adding that management was aware of the content on the work computer, aware that Buhr found it objectionable, and did nothing to did nothing to correct the situation.

 Malorie Hallock, who worked for Youth and Shelter Services as a full-time administrative specialist until she was fired in July after her conviction on a charge of felony first-degree theft in an embezzlement case tied to her past employment at Studio 65 Tattoos in Clear Lake, where she was accused of stealing $123,665 in cash over a period of 10 months. The judge in Hallocks unemployment case ruled in her favor, noting that when Youth and Shelter Services hired her it knew of the then-pending criminal charge and that she might later be convicted. Hallock was awarded unemployment benefits, with the judge stating that the shelter could have chosen not to hire her, and that Hallock had committed no acts of misconduct while working for the shelter.
End of an era: Last full-size Kmart store in US set to close next month

The last surviving full-size Kmart store in the mainland United States will finally close this fall following decades of bankruptcy and decline.

Store employees in Bridgehampton, New York, part of the Long Island area known as the Hamptons, confirmed to local broadcaster WJAR and to CNN that the branch will permanently shut down on October 20, 2024.

That will leave a convenience-store-style mini-Kmart in Miami and some full-size branches in Guam and the US Virgin Isles as only remnants of a once-iconic big-box brand.

Kmart was once one of America's leading budget department stores, with more than 2,000 branches across the US and Canada at its peak.

Founded in Detroit in 1899 as the SS Kresge Company by a hardware salesman named Sebastian Kresge, it began expanding rapidly in the Sixties and end enjoyed its heyday in the Seventies and Eighties.

The chain was famous for its "Blue Light Specials", in which managers would flash a blue light and announce "attention Kmart shoppers!" to signal a sudden 15-minute deep discount on specific items.

"Kmart was part of America," the Baltimore journalist and retail historian Michael Lisicky told the Associated Press in 2022. Everybody went to Kmart, whether you liked it or not. They had everything."

But in time Kmart was displaced by other big-box stores such as Walmart, eventually declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2002 and closing hundreds of stores.

In 2005 it was bought out by Sears, but that company too went bankrupt in 2018, leading Kmarts 202 remaining stores as well as the dregs of Sears to be bought by the hedge fund ESL Investments.
WINCHESTER, Tenn. (WKRN)  Its been close to a decade since anyone has reported seeing a teenage girl who seemingly vanished out of Winchester.

Eva Alejandra Lopez was just 15 years old at the time of her disappearance. According to detectives with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the last place anyone saw her was at her home in Winchester.

6 unsolved AMBER Alerts in Tennessee

When the TBI first issued an Endangered Child Alert for Lopez on Sept. 22, 2015, she was labeled as a runaway. Authorities believe she may have been with a wanted fugitive when she left her home that day.

The man  Avaro Gamez Martinez  was reportedly wanted on six counts of aggravated statutory rape. At the time, investigators said he was 25 years old.

Eva Alejandra Lopez (Courtesy: TBI)

Eva Alejandra Lopez (Courtesy: NamUs)

It remains unclear where Lopez and Martinez may have been heading, but some reports indicate they could have traveled to Mexico, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

FBI offering $50K reward for info leading to missing Tennessee teen Sebastian Rogers

Little other information is available in the case, with details like Lopezs clothing unknown.

Although Lopez would now be 24 years old, the TBIs alert is still active. As of Sept. 2024, there were still nine active alerts for teens and children missing across the state. Those alerts include both AMBER Alerts and Endangered Child or Endangered Young Adult Alerts.

Some of those cases include that of 4-month-old Zaylee Grace Fryer, who disappeared from Memphis in 2011, and 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers, who was reported missing from his home in Hendersonville nearly seven months ago.

UNSOLVED TENNESSEE: Find more of the states cold cases, missing persons, and other mysteries 

According to the TBI, these investigations stay open until the childrens whereabouts are discovered. Officials said Lopez, who is of Hispanic descent, is about 5-feet 4-inches tall, weighs around 150 pounds and has brown hair.

Anyone who has any information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. To view the TBIs list of active alerts, click here.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Enraged COVID victims families call for charges against ex-Gov. Cuomo after claims he edited nursing home report

Enraged COVID victims families call for charges against ex-Gov. Cuomo after claims he edited nursing home report

Enraged families of COVID-19 victims are calling for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to face charges after recently surfaced emails contradicted what he told a congressional panel about nursing home deaths.

Peter Arbeeny, Vivian Zayas, and Janice Dean are asking the US Department of Justice to probe Cuomo, arguing he lied to congressional investigators about a state report that lowballed deaths in nursing homes at the height of the pandemic.

Cuomo had initially claimed he had not seen the report, but a bombshell new report appeared to show that he not only knew about the report but had edited it himself.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was grilled on Capitol Hill earlier this month over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Getty Images

We call on the Department of Justice to launch a full and fair investigation into Andrew Cuomos statements to Congress, his coordination with other witnesses and his role in covering up the nursing home death toll, the trio wrote in a statement, obtained by The Post

If it is found that he knowingly misled Congress and the American people or interfered with the congressional inquiry, he must be held accountable under the law, the statement went on. The families who lost loved ones deserve the truth, and the public deserves to know that no one is above the law, especially those entrusted with public office.

In June, Cuomo had downplayed any involvement in a state Department of Health report released in July 2020 that undercounted the number of nursing home deaths when questioned by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

But uncovered emails in a New York Times report showed that Cuomo had been suggesting edits to the report prior to its release, inserting language that blamed nursing home staff and visiting families for spreading the virus and contributing to the deaths.

The former governors spokesperson blasted attempts to purposefully distort and politically weaponize this pandemic. Josh Christenson / NY Post

A Cuomo spokesperson said the latest criticism was politicizing the pandemic. He also asserted that Cuomo had later told House investigators during the same interview that he did not recall the details of the surrounding editing the report.

We are long past the point of absurd, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told The Post in a statement Sunday.

Azzopardi emphasized that Cuomos has been cooperative with the House investigation.

We sympathize with every one of the 1 million-plus families who lost loved ones, but the continued attempts to purposefully distort and politically weaponize this pandemic are both transparent and sad.

Janice Dean was present as Cuomo testified before the Houses COVID-19 Select Committee this month. AP

Cuomo hadnt been sworn in under oath for his testimony, but officials told him he could be prosecuted if he knowingly made false statements, according to a transcript of the closed-doors session.

Democratic politicians also called on Cuomo to face more accountability.

Ive stood with the families of nursing homes and will continue to stand with them to hold the former governor accountable, said Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Queens) an outspoken Cuomo critic.

In June, Cuomo had downplayed any involvement in a state Department of Health report released in July 2020 that undercounted the number of nursing home deaths. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Andrew Cuomo has consistently lied and gaslit the public in pursuit of his book deal and political ambitions, Kim added. Now, we must hold him accountable and seize this opportunity to fix our broken long-term care system.

City Councilman Lincoln Restler wrote in a statement said it was clear Cuomos testimony before the House was misleading and inaccurate.

Time and again, he reveals himself to be someone New Yorkers cannot trust and who does not belong in public office, Restler said.
ENTERPRISE, Ala (WDHN)  Enterprise Police are searching for a missing and possibly endangered woman.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, 59-year-old Maria Elizabeth Sneddon was last seen on Harrison Street in Enterprise on Sunday, September 22.

Troopers say she may be living with a condition that impairs her judgment.

Anyone with any information on Sneddons whereabouts is asked to contact the Enterprise Police Department at (334) 347-2222 or 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 WDHN - wdhn.com.
Three candidates are running for the Modesto City Schools Board of Education position in Trustee Area 2. This central Modesto area encompasses schools including Davis and Downey high schools and Elliott Alternative Education Center. The school board candidates are incumbent and current board president John Ervin III and challengers Emma Sperling and Roman Messick.

The Modesto Bee asked all candidates to fill out a questionnaire, but only Ervin and Sperling responded.

John Ervin III

Ervin was born in Los Angeles. He is married to Lezzette Ervin and is a father of four. Ervin has volunteered with many organizations in Modesto for over 25 years and is a mentor for Project UPLIFT, a community and after-school mentoring and education program for at-risk youth.

Ervin has been endorsed by the Modesto Teachers Association.

No members of his immediate family work for the school district.

Q: What will be your most important priority if elected?

A: The most important priority for me is to address educational equity. Many urban districts often face significant disparities in funding, access to quality teachers and staff, and resources, particularly affecting marginalized communities. By prioritizing equity, as a board, we can help ensure that all students  regardless of their socioeconomic background, race, or neighborhood  receive the highest-quality education.

This can involve advocating for better resource allocation, improving support for underperforming schools and addressing barriers like overcrowded classrooms, outdated facilities, inadequate access to technology or parent engagement. This, I feel, will help us provide a great educational experience and open doors and change lives, as I have seen in my own life.

Q: With the district preparing for its fourth bond measure in the last six years, do you believe facilities at Modesto City Schools are a big issue? Why or why not?

A: Yes, I believe its a big issue. Its an issue that the current leadership of the board has decided to address when we hired our current superintendent. As a former employee of Modesto City Schools for 14.5 years, I saw firsthand the rapidly deteriorating conditions of our facilities. Although our maintenance team worked tirelessly to maintain and constantly repair our facilities, we were falling way behind due to the aging and inadequate and outdated infrastructure. Our facilities were more and more sick as they aged and this sickness has had an impact on teaching and learning.

A healthy building/classroom is a very productive one. We are now bringing our facilities into the 21st century with environmentally conscious, safe and innovative technology, with a purpose! The results will be amazing: increased academic achievement, positive working environment for teachers and staff, increased parent engagement and satisfaction and less impact on our environment.

Q: Many parents of Black and LGBTQ students have said that bullying has been a major issue in their childs lives and education. What are steps or plans you have to make sure schools are fostering an open and welcoming environment?

A: First and foremost, I would bring back Challenge Day. When I was employed with the district as the director of community affairs, I got the opportunity to participate in a Challenge Day. It was one of the most moving and internally beneficial programs that still resonates with me today. I conducted Challenge Days at various high schools and junior highs over a three-year period. Based on personal conversations I had with participating students and teachers, it was a life-changing experience for them, for the better.

The surveys that Challenge Day conducted reinforced that sentiment. Provide intervention and support, which includes counseling and support for victims and bullies, get parents involved in anti-bullying by working with school leadership and other parents to resolve bullying incidents and creating a positive school culture and promote more activities through the performing arts that address bullying and its harmful impact. We need to also continue and strengthen our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.

Q: Modesto City Schools has had a long history with Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State. What are some plans you have to strengthen these relationships to help promote more students pursuing higher education?

A: Our current partnership with Modesto Junior College with dual enrollment has made some great results. Enrollment in Early College courses has resulted in significant increases in college credits completed. Students in Early College dual enrollment in 2024 completed 1,963 college credits in 2024, with a 72% and 89.9% credit rate respectively. We will continue to expand college course offerings in the dual enrollment and Early College programs and increase recruitment efforts to enroll more students. This is a win-win opportunity for our college-bound students. My daughter transferred 16 college credits to San Francisco State University by way of the dual enrollment program at Davis High School.

Our partnership with Stan State is to increase the number of teachers due to current and future teacher shortages. I suggested a couple years ago we should explore the possibility of developing CTE-type programs to train potential future teachers. This would be similar to our firefighter and law enforcement and nursing CTE programs currently. This partnership has led to the development of the Educators Rising at the high school level and the Aspiring Educators at the university level to mentor the high school club as well. This project is our teacher pipeline and will be further developed and strengthened over the coming years. Ongoing communication and active partnerships will be the key to increasing the college opportunities for our students, which benefits our MJC and Stan State partners as well.

Emma Sperling

Sperling was born in Philadelphia. She is married to Jeffrey. She is a mother of two children who both attend Modesto City Schools.

No members of her immediate family work for the school district.

Q: What will be your most important priority if elected?

A: Representing students interests. This would involve facilitating effective communication between the district, the school site, and families to make sure we are consistently making choices and compromises with an eye towards what will have the least negative impact on the classroom.

Q: With the district preparing for its fourth bond measure in the last six years, do you believe facilities at Modesto City Schools are a big issue? Why or why not?

A: Yes. I cannot speak to how effectively previous bond money was spent, or if the amount being asked for is appropriate or will be used for the upgrades actually needed most (the flyer online is quite general). However, I can speak from personal experience that our schools desperately need facilities upgrades. Some of our schools have been renovated and are in great shape, and many are not. My childs elementary school, for example, has increased enrollment this year, which is great and very exciting. However, we dont have enough classrooms and the new portables are still weeks out and we couldnt fit everybody into the multipurpose room to begin with. We definitely need more space and I am positive other schools are facing pressing concerns as well.

I generally approve of spending money on school infrastructure, but I would like to see what sort of maintenance plans and funding are included in any proposal. Poor maintenance of facilities results in decreased longevity and the need for earlier (expensive) replacements. I would also want to make sure that any contractors selected were not just fairly priced but were going to do an efficient and thorough job. Extended periods of construction on campuses are extremely disruptive, and corner cutting can combine with poor maintenance to decrease the lifespan of any upgrades. Additionally, I would want to make sure that any general fund money or other funding sources that could be moved to facilities had been explored in order to (responsibly, where appropriate) reduce the amount we needed to borrow.

Q: Many parents of Black and LGBTQ students have said that bullying has been a major issue in their childs lives and education. What are steps or plans you have to make sure schools are fostering an open and welcoming environment?

A: Culture starts at the top, and publicly standing against intolerance is incredibly important. All of our children deserve to receive an education in a safe and welcoming environment. My first action item would be to speak with our current equity and intervention specialist to get a sense of what could be done at the board level to be of assistance, and then try to do that. Significantly, though, bullying doesnt look exactly the same from campus to campus. I think it is important to physically visit individual schools, meet with the people who actually work and attend school there, and take a temperature on the campus culture.

I would want to know what the board could do to support improving individual campus cultures to make them more open and welcoming, and less hospitable to bullying. And, perhaps most importantly, I would want to know what needs to be done at the board level to strengthen the campus enforcement of our districts existing zero-tolerance policies regarding bullying, and then make sure that follow-through is effective, efficient and consistent districtwide.

Q: Modesto City Schools has had a long history with Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State. What are some plans you have to strengthen these relationships to help promote more students pursuing higher education?

A: I would continue the districts work with YCCD (Yosemite Community College District) to strengthen our existing K-14 relationship. I would also want to reach out and make sure that more students are aware of their ability to take MJC classes in high school (Everybody can! You dont have to be in Middle College) and graduate with college-level credits in addition to their high school diplomas. I would also like to stress that any and all students who wish to move on to college should be prepared and encouraged to do so. But, there also needs to be training and opportunities for those students who do not wish to go to college so that they, too, can hit the ground running after graduation. This could involve partnerships with trade schools and local businesses to provide supplemental training and education, or internships. The children who are students today are going to be leading our community in the not-too-distant future. I think it is vital that we do everything in our power to arm them with the knowledge, skills, critical thinking and reasoning, and empathy to continue moving Modesto forward.

Roman Messick

Messick did not respond to the candidate profile the Modesto Bee sent out.

On his candidate website, he states that he is concerned with standardized test scores at the district, the change of sex education curriculum, and would advocate for parental inclusion in their childrens education, empower local control of our public education system.

He also would like to make training for the trades more readily accessible to high school students.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  The Escambia County Sheriffs Office is investigating after a violent weekend resulted in four people dead and another injured.

UPDATE: 1 death confirmed in Moffett Road crash, Public Safety Alert issued

Fight between two brothers

The violence began on Saturday when deputies reportedly responded to a fight between two men on the 6800 block of Cornelius Lane.

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Deputies located a man with multiple stab wounds, according to an ECSO press release. The victims brother, 40-year-old Edward Jermaine Pettway of Pensacola, was located and arrested.

Tracking Potential Tropical Cyclone NINE, Forecast to become HELENE

Edward Pettway. (Escambia County Jail View)

Pettway is charged with attempted murder and is being held without bond.

Two homicides under investigation

In addition, the sheriffs office began investigating two homicides on Sunday.

A deputy responded to the 8700 block of Rebel Acres Lane on Sunday, in which the deputy found a 40-year-old man dead due to a gunshot wound, according to an ECSO news release.

Mobile police speak out on gun incident after alleged smoke shop theft: Never do this

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ECSO identified the victims roommate, 33-year-old Dennis Saul Herrera Canales of Cantonment, as the suspect, News 5 has learned.

Dennis Herrera. (Escambia County Sheriffs Office)

Okaloosa County deputies searching for missing scuba diver

Herrera was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

The sheriffs office is still working to identify the victim, who is from Honduras.

In a separate incident, an Escambia County deputy responded to the 500 block of Citrus Street on Saturday and discovered a female with a deep and fatal head wound, according to an ECSO Facebook post.

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Community activists and families respond to shooting left 9-year-old girl injured

The post said investigators learned an acquaintance was in the area with a hatchet before fleeing the scene.

Deputies located and placed the suspect, 34-year-old Terre Robert Weathers, who is also known as Knowledge and is homeless, under arrest on drug-related charges while his murder warrant is prepared.

Terre Weathers, also known as Knowledge. (Escambia County Jail View)

Murder-suicide under investigation

In an unrelated incident, the ECSO began investigating an apparent murder-suicide on Monday.

Alabama teen returns to school after losing leg, hand in shark attack

An Escambia County deputy responded to the 2000 block of North B Street for a welfare check on Monday.

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When the deputy arrived, they found a dead woman lying in bed with a fatal gunshot wound next to her dead 10-year-old daughter, who was also lying in bed with a fatal gunshot wound.

$100K reward offered for information on weekend mass shooting in Birmingham

An investigation revealed the woman killed her daughter before turning the gun on herself, News 5 has learned.

ECSO is continuing 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 WKRG News 5.
KHARTOUM, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were killed and 61 others injured in an artillery attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a crowded civilian market in Omdurman city, north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Khartoum State's Health Ministry announced on Monday. 
EU calls on World Trade Organization in dairy spat with China

A general view of the EU Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels. Sierakowski Frederic/EU Council/dpa

The European Union called on Monday on the World Trade Organization (WTO) to start dispute settlement proceedings in a spat with China over dairy products.

China started an investigation into the EU's agriculture subsidies for certain dairy products last month.

Brussels however says these subsidies "are fully in line with international rules" and do not harm the Chinese dairy industry, a press release said.

"The Chinese investigation on EU dairy is based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence, therefore we will continue to challenge it vigorously in all available venues, while calling on China to bring it immediately to an end," said EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.

The consultation request to challenge China's investigation is the first step in the WTO dispute settlement proceedings, the commission said.

The EU and China have been at odds over alleged state subsidies.

Brussels launched an investigation into subsidies for electric vehicles produced in China last year and has since come up with plans to impose controversial long-term import tariffs.

Beijing accuses the EU of protectionism and has already responded with, for example, investigations into pork and dairy imports from the EU.

A meeting between Dombrovskis and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao last week ended without a breakthrough in that matter.

A general view of the EU Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels. Sierakowski Frederic/EU Council/dpa
China announced a probe into EU dairy products in August after the bloc unveiled a plan to hit Chinese electric vehicles with hefty tariffs (Fabrice COFFRINI) (Fabrice COFFRINI/AFP/AFP)

The EU on Monday launched a WTO challenge against a Chinese anti-subsidy investigation into imports of European dairy product, in the latest move in a trade spat between Beijing and Brussels.

"Today, the (European) Commission launched a consultation request at the World Trade Organization, challenging China's initiation of an anti-subsidy investigation against imports of certain dairy products from the EU," the EU's executive arm said.

"The EU's action was prompted by an emerging pattern of China initiating trade defence measures, based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence, within a short period of time," it said.

China announced its probe in August after the EU unveiled a plan to hit Chinese electric vehicles with hefty tariffs.

The Chinese investigation covers a range of items from fresh cheese and curd to blue cheese, including some milk and cream.

The Chinese probe takes aim at subsidies provided to the EU's 27 member states under the Common Agricultural Policy, but also national subsidy plans in Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Croatia, Finland, Romania and the Czech Republic.

The European Commission in July announced plans to levy import duties on electric vehicles imported from China after an anti-subsidy investigation started last year found they were unfairly undermining European rivals.

The EU wants to protect its automobile industry, a jewel in Europe's industrial crown providing jobs to around 14 million people.

The commission is in charge of trade policy for the 27-country bloc.

The tariffs are currently provisional and will only become definitive for five years after a vote by member states that should take place before the end of October.

China has angrily responded to the EU's plans, warning it would unleash a trade war. Last month China also filed an appeal with the WTO over the tariffs.

Beijing has already also launched investigations into European brandy and pork products imported into China -- as well as the dairy probe.

The EU's trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis said he had held "constructive" talks with China's commerce minister Wang Wentao on Thursday as Beijing seeks a deal with Brussels to avoid steep tariffs on imported EVs.

The commission said its WTO move was the first step in the body's dispute settlement proceedings.

"If they do not lead to a satisfactory solution, the EU could request a panel to be set by the WTO to decide on this investigation," it said.

del/lth
BOONVILLE, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  An Evans Mills man faces domestic abuse charges after a Sunday incident at the Adirondack High School, according to Oneida County Sheriffs.

Deputies reported to the high school on Route 294 in the town of Boonville on Sunday, September 22. Upon further investigation, sheriffs determined that the suspect  38-year-old Michael Scales of Evans Mills  was meeting the victim for a custodial exchange of three children.

Sheriffs found that during the exchange, Scales grabbed the victims hair and threw her on the ground. Sheriffs also determined that the incident happened in front of the three children.

The victim was evaluated on the scene by Boonville Ambulance. She was subsequently transported to Rome Memorial Hospital for evaluation. Sheriffs say that her injuries are non-life threatening.

Scales was arrested on the scene and transported to the Oneida County Sheriffs Office for processing. He is currently being held at the Oneida County Jail in Oriskany pending arraignment.

Scales is currently being charged with:

first-degree Criminal Contempt, a Class E Felony,

second-degree Harassment, a Violation, and

three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Oneida County Sheriffs were also assisted on the scene by the New York State Police.

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Former Harrods chief executive James McArthur witnessed "abhorrent" behaviour from Mohamed Al Fayed, but not sexual abuse, he has told the BBC.

The late Harrods owner has been accused of sexual assault and rape by more than 20 women who spoke to the BBC for a documentary broadcast last week.

Mr McArthur was chief executive at Harrods for 10 months in 2008, a time when the Metropolitan Police investigated an alleged assault on a 15-year-old girl in a Harrods boardroom.

He says he was unaware of the investigation, even though it was covered in the media at the time, which he says he does not recall.

In a written statement, he told the BBC: I was indeed CEO of Harrods for a short, and most unpleasant, 10 months during 2008 under Fayed.

"While Fayeds behaviour was often abhorrent in many ways, and professional relationships with him were largely dysfunctional, I was not aware of any sexual abuse by him  if I had been, I would have taken action," he said.

The "abhorrent" behaviour included Fayed's inappropriate sense of humour, and lack of professional conduct, he said.

Ten months is a very short stint for a chief executive, and turnover of chief executives and other directors was high at Harrods under Fayed's ownership.

Mr McArthur added: "I was also not aware of a Met Police investigation into Fayeds conduct during 2008. Fayed would, I imagine, have tried to keep anything like that closely under his control within the secure precinct of the chairmans office."

The initial accusation in 2008 and the subsequent investigation were covered in a number of newspaper articles. Questioned about this, Mr McArthur said: "I do not recall that at all."

A file was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, who decided there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction.

Mr McArthur added: "I am absolutely horrified by the details of the allegations bravely brought to light through the BBC. My heart goes out to Fayeds victims, and I do hope very much that they will get the justice and closure that they are seeking."

After leaving Harrods, Mr McArthur was chief executive of handbag maker Anya Hindmarch for four years, then held a number of roles including chairman of Lulu Guinness, according to his LinkedIn profile. He now lists his occupation as "investor/director/adviser".

The BBC has contacted a number of former Harrods directors from the time of Fayed's ownership.

It emerged this week that Harrods is investigating whether current staff were involved in any of the allegations against Fayed, who died last year aged 94.

The store says there is an ongoing internal review which includes "looking at whether any current staff were involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly".

On Monday the chief executive of the department store Selfridges, Andre Maeder, who was a director at Harrods for six years between 1996 and 2002, told the BBC he was "horrified" to learn about the alleged rapes and sexual assaults detailed in the documentary, but said he "never saw or heard anything about this "abhorrent" behaviour.

Richard Simonin, chief executive from 2003 to 2005, declined to comment when contacted on the social networking site LinkedIn.

Maria Mulla, from the barrister team Justice for Harrods Survivors, told the BBC that she feels the investigation Harrods has launched is neither impartial nor independent.

"The way they looked into those allegations was to undermine them," she said, citing "extensive correspondence" between the Harrods lawyers and the people she is representing.

She added the scale of the allegations could be "absolutely massive".

"Last week we represented 37 women, since then we've had more than 100 further inquiries through to our team, many women raising serious allegations, from all over the world, and people contacting us wanting to help with documents and evidence."

Dame Vera Baird, the former victim's commissioner for England and Wales, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that investigations into the allegations "should have and could have" been done by the police at a much earlier stage.

"One just looks at these young women who had to report against a man with royal connections, clearly a hard-nosed individual, they must have been absolutely terrified, they were humiliated , abused, ravished - dealt with worse than animals."

"Somewhere along the lines there was an atmosphere of 'goodness me it's Al Fayed' when it should have been 'look how terrifying it is what they have to face - what have they got to gain if isn't true, lets get some real evidence'."

Harrods was bought by the Gulf state of Qatar in 2010. The new owner has admitted that victims were failed, and said it would settle legal claims.

[BBC]

Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods

A BBC investigation into allegations of rape and attempted rape by Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods. Did the luxury store protect a billionaire predator?

Watch Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods on BBC iPlayer now

[BBC]

[BBC]

Listen to World of Secrets, Season 4: Al Fayed, Predator at Harrods on BBC Sounds. If youre outside the UK, you can listen wherever you get your podcasts, external.
An Indian national flag flies next to an immigration check post on the India-Myanmar border in Zokhawthar village

By Wa Lone and Devjyot Ghoshal

(Reuters) -India has invited political and military opponents of Myanmar's ruling junta to attend a seminar in New Delhi, sources said, a significant move by the South Asian power that has maintained ties with the top generals shunned by Western nations.

A civil war in Myanmar since its military unseated an elected civilian government in a February 2021 coup now risks destabilising India's 1,650-km (1,025-mile) border with Myanmar, and some of its key infrastructure projects there.

A leader of an armed group and two sources with direct knowledge of the issue said the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic minority rebels from the states of Chin, Rakhine and Kachin bordering India had been invited to a seminar in mid-November.

The event would be hosted by the government-funded Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), whose council includes India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, said two other sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the matter was confidential.

It was not immediately clear if Myanmar's military government would also be invited to the event, which the sources said would be on the topic of "Constitutionalism and Federalism". They gave no further details.

Widespread protest in Myanmar over the 2021 coup turned into a nationwide rebellion, with an armed resistance movement combining with some established ethnic armies to seize control of wide swathes of territory from the military.

The junta has refused to enter into dialogue with the rebels, whom it describes as "terrorists".

Speaking of the seminar, Sui Khar, vice chairman of one the ethnic rebel groups, the Chin National Front, said, "We are going to send representatives."

"This will be the first time, I think, formally, that India will engage with the non-state actors. This is a good, positive approach."

A spokesperson for Myanmar's military did not answer telephone calls to seek comment. The Indian government and the ICWA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The other armed groups invited include the Arakan Army, which controls significant reaches of territory in Rakhine bordering Bangladesh, and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of Myanmar's most powerful rebel forces, the sources added.

A spokesperson for the president of the shadow NUG government declined to comment on the seminar. The Arakan Army and KIA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

MOTIVE UNCLEAR

Although the junta has been condemned by Western powers, with most of them having imposed sanctions, India has kept up engagement with the generals through visits to the capital, Naypyitaw, by its government and defence officials.

India has been reluctant to openly criticise the junta, which could push the generals closer to rival China. New Delhi has had no formal engagement with the junta's opponents.

It was not immediately clear what the seminar would seek to achieve or why India has made the move.

In June, Foreign Minister Jaishankar voiced concern about border instability and the security risks to India's projects in Myanmar. India was "open to engaging all stakeholders in addressing this situation," he told his Myanmar counterpart.

India is involved in developing the $400-million Kaladan port and highway project in Myanmar's west, as well as providing about $250 million for another road project to link its landlocked northeastern states with Thailand, via Myanmar.

The seminar plan comes amid a peace effort by the ASEAN grouping of Southeast Asian nations that has made scant progress since its unveiling in April 2021, as some ASEAN nations have been vexed by the junta's refusal of talks.

Last year, former ASEAN chair Indonesia said it had received positive signals about preliminary dialogue from major parties in the conflict, but there have been no signs advancement yet.

The November meeting would represent New Delhi's most serious effort to approach Myanmar's "pro-democracy side" since the 2021 coup, said Angshuman Choudhury, a Singapore-based researcher who closely tracks India-Myanmar affairs.

"We also need to see ... whether it is meant to achieve specific foreign policy outcomes or simply relay a signal to the Myanmar military to step back," he said.

"India remains concerned about the security and stability of its borders."

(Reporting by Wa Lone and Devjyot Ghoshal; Additional reporting by Krishn Kaushik in New Delhi; Editing by Martin Petty and Clarence Fernandez)
Zelenskyy says Ukraine's war with Russia is 'closer to the end' as he appeals for more help: GMA exclusive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he believes the war with Russia is "closer to an end" than many believe and called on allies to strengthen Ukraine's army.

"The plan of victory is strengthening of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said during a sit-down interview with "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts. "That's why we're asking our friends, our allies, to strengthen us. It's very important."

Watch "Good Morning America" Tuesday at 7 a.m. ET to see more of Robin Roberts' exclusive interview with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska.

"I think that we are closer to the peace than we think," he continued. "We are closer to the end of the war. We just have to be very strong, very strong."

PHOTO: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska speak with Robin Roberts of ABC News in New York City, Sept. 23, 2024. (ABC News)

Zelenskyy spoke with Roberts as he visited New York Monday for the United Nations General Assembly this week as part of a trip to the U.S. where he has promised to present what he calls his Victory Plan to President Joe Biden as well as other key American political leaders.

MORE: Zelenskyy to ABC: How Russia-Ukraine war could end, thoughts on US politics and Putin's weakness

Zelenskyy has repeatedly appealed to the United States and United Kingdom to drop their restrictions on the long-range missiles they have provided to Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has warned that the use of Western weapons to strike Russian targets would be seen as a serious escalation in the war and a direct challenge by NATO nations.

Zelenskyy's request comes amid heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine, as well as weeks into Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region. Ukraine said it seized hundreds of square miles and dozens of villages inside the Kursk region in the early days of its surprise offensive.

Zelenskyy told Roberts that Putin is "afraid" of the Kursk operation.

"It's true. He's afraid very much," he said. "Why? Because his people saw that he can't defend -- that he can't defend all his territory."

MORE: Russia appears to have launched initial major counterattack against Ukraine in Kursk

The Ukrainian leader said that only from a "strong position" can Ukraine "push Putin to stop the war."

Zelenskyy was joined by his wife, first lady Olena Zelenska, for the interview. Later this week, Zelenskyy is expected to travel to Washington to meet with Biden as well as presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine's war with Russia is 'closer to the end' as he appeals for more help: GMA exclusive originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Extreme heat poses a major threat to people around the world, especially in urban areas where the pavement and rooftops heat up more than green spaces do. Now, experts have cautioned that heat is particularly dangerous to people who are isolated, the Guardian reported.

What's happening?

People are vulnerable to heat stroke, which can be life-threatening, when the temperature is high, especially with high humidity. Even heat stress can worsen pre-existing physical ailments.

That makes it even more alarming that the world is heating up so much. Thanks to air pollution that traps heat in the atmosphere, the world is setting records for high temperatures  with a terrifying death toll to match.

In particular, experts are noticing higher death rates among people who live alone and are socially isolated, the Guardian revealed.

Why does it matter if the isolated are most affected?

If social isolation is a risk factor during heat waves, it's essential to that communities stay connected. As New York University sociologist Eric Klinenberg put it in a tweet, quoted in the Guardian: "Heat waves are deadly. Cold societies make them far more lethal."

In his 2002 book "Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago," Klinenberg elaborated. "Hundreds died alone behind locked doors and sealed windows that entombed them in suffocating private spaces where visitors came infrequently and the air was heavy and still," he wrote, per the Guardian.

The data backs these conclusions, as reported by the Guardian, and people without anyone to check on them are more likely to die in high temperatures.

That's partly because it can be difficult to tell on your own when you're experiencing heat-related illness symptoms, not just feeling discomfort from the heat.

However, knowing these facts, it's possible to get ahead of the problem.

What's being done about isolated people in heat waves?

So far, several cities have implemented programs to keep people living alone safe in higher temperatures, the Guardian detailed.

New York City's health department started the Be a Buddy program in 2020, where volunteers in low-income neighborhoods pair up with elderly and at-risk neighbors to check on them when it's hot.

Philadelphia has a similar program, where "block captains" check on neighbors. One study showed that, combined with heat alerts and public messaging about a health hotline, the city avoids about 45 deaths per year, the Guardian noted.

During "code red" temperatures, Baltimore reaches out to its population using text, email, and phone messages (and other methods for people without devices). The Guardian detailed how the city also collaborates with local nonprofits, religious organizations, and other groups to give water and other necessities to citizens so they can stay healthy and beat the heat.

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.
Experts reveal the surprising reason California's power grid held up during the recent heat wave: 'It's definitely been a game changer'

California, the sun-soaked state, has used batteries to help power through its recent heat waves.

During the summer months, California's temperatures reached 110 degrees or higher in some regions. While these temperatures have proved problematic for the state in the past, California had a new addition to its power grid this year: battery packs.

According to Tech Xplore, California has been building battery storage in various deserts around the state, including areas around Palm Springs.

In just five years, battery storage has increased seven times. One of the newest facilities with Tesla batteries can store enough electricity to power around 136,000 homes.

These battery packs are key to solving the renewable energy problem. The issue with energy created by the wind and the sun is that these sources are not always consistent  sometimes, there is no wind, and the sun doesn't shine all day.

However, with the battery packs, energy captured by solar farms during times of sunshine or wind farms on blustery days can be stored for use when conditions are less favorable.

This significantly helps the city because it allows the power grid to keep up with demand, especially during heat waves when energy consumption is higher than normal. The battery packs did so well this year that the state did not have any power shortages, disruptions, or flex alerts asking people to reduce their power consumption.

"It's definitely been a game changer in improving reliability," Elliott Mainzer, president and CEO of California Independent System Operator  an agency that manages the state's power grid  told Tech Xplore.

With the success of California's battery packs on the grid, experts are excited to see the adoption in more states.

"Only a couple of years ago, nobody was talking about batteries on the grid. California really demonstrated for the first time how beneficial they can be," said Mark Jacobson, a professor of environmental engineering at Stanford University.

Not only does the battery pack lead to more reliable energy, it also helps reduce reliance on dirty energy that causes excess pollution  which warms the planet. Overall, as more technology develops, the goal is to be 100% reliant on clean energy to power our lives.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance will make two stops in Charlotte on Monday to talk with voters.

The visit comes just days after a CNN report linked North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson to racist and sexual comments on a pornographic website. Political experts said it could affect the Trump campaign.

Theyre not going to write it off but its going to be something that takes the focus off Trump and thats exactly what Trump does not want to happen, said Dr. Susan Roberts, a political science professor at Davidson College.

With fewer than 45 days until the election, all eyes are on North Carolina and the allegations surrounding the Republican candidate for governor Robinson.

This may be the factor in North Carolina, the Robinson factor, that delivers Trump a loss in North Carolina, said Roberts.

A CNN report claimed the lieutenant governor made lewd comments on a website called Nude Africa, including referring to himself as a black nazi.

Robinson has dismissed the accusations. Since then, our sister station CBS17 reports that Robinsons campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, senior advisor and finance director have all resigned.

At former President Donald Trumps rally in Wilmington over the weekend, Robinson was nowhere to be found.

The word is distancing, said Roberts. I dont think youre going to see that he denounces it.

Trump didnt acknowledge Robinson.

Were going to win North Carolina, he said. Were going to defeat Kamala Harris and were going to make America great again.

Instead, the former president focused on the economy.

Meanwhile, Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz was in a different battleground state on Saturday  Pennsylvania.

We got folks running as Republicans for governor that are proud to refer to themselves as Nazis, said Governor Walz.

Political experts said the allegations may not bode well for Trump, who needs to win North Carolina if he wants a shot at the White House.

The Republicans may have to say lets just scratch this one, lets not worry about the gubernatorial race, said Roberts. Lets just minimize the fallout, do some damage control. But I dont think theres much you can do. The unaffiliated voters are people that sometimes have to be prodded to vote and maybe this is one of the things that will prod unaffiliated voters 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 Queen City News.
Extensive sand loss: Some NC beaches hit by erosion during recent storm

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  The impacts from a storm that hit the North Carolina coast last week are still felt at several beaches.

After extensive sand loss and erosion at Emerald Isle, town leaders have banned beach driving, officials said Monday.

The Emerald Isle erosion left several shelves that are more than two feet high, which makes driving on the beach dangerous, according to the town of Emerald Isle.

Other areas impacted by erosion from the storm last Monday are North Topsail Beach and Wrightsville Beach.

Photo by town of Emerald Isle

At North Topsail Beach, photos showed sandbags with no beachfront in some areas.

One vacationer said she was told to watch out for high tide along the beach this past weekend. But, she said Monday about the area where she rented a condo: So far from the truth  there is no beach.

Emerald Isle officials first banned beach driving last week after potential tropical cyclone 8 hit parts of the North Carolina coast.

On Monday, officials said beach driving was off-limits again.

Photo by town of Emerald Isle

Beach driving in Emerald Isle remains closed due to extensive sand loss and continued high tides, town officials said. Conditions are not safe for vehicles at this time at The Point, Black Skimmer, or the Dog Leg.

At Wrightsville Beach, photos on social media showed severe erosion after last weeks storm.

But the United States Army Corps of Engineers told Port City Daily on Monday that recently renourished sand only had minor impacts from the storm.

Port City Daily reported most beach damage at Wrightsville Beach was north of the renourished areas.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SYDNEY, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Australian researchers have found the largest-known population of a critically endangered native parrot in a desert in the country's northwest, according to a study published on Monday.

Researchers led by a team of Indigenous rangers found a stronghold of at least 50 night parrots living in an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in Western Australia (WA).

The night parrot is a small parrot that is endemic to Australia. There were no confirmed sightings of the bird between 1912 and 1979, leading to speculation that it was extinct. The species is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

For the new study, researchers used acoustic recorders to survey the presence of night parrots at 31 sites in the Ngururrpa IPA, a 29,000 square kilometer area in the Great Sandy Desert in remote northern WA, between 2020 and 2023.

They found evidence of night parrots at 17 of the 31 sites and estimated that at least 50 individuals live in the IPA, making it the largest-known population.

At sites where parrots were detected, researchers deployed camera traps to survey predators and analyzed 40 years of satellite images to assess the threat of fires to roosting habitats.

They concluded that fires that occur in the surrounding sandpan country every six to 10 years are a key threat to the night parrot habitat.

Dingoes, wild dogs native to Australia, were common in the habitat, but the research found that they protected the night parrots by deterring predatory feral cats from the area.

The research was led by Ngururrpa Rangers in collaboration with the University of Queensland, the Indigenous Desert Alliance and the Parna Ngururrpa Aboriginal Corporation. 
The men who killed Jamal Uddin opposed the form of exorcism known as Ruqyah [GMP]

Two Islamic State extremists who planned the murder of an imam referred to him as "Voldemort" who was engaging in "black magic", a public inquiry has heard.

The inquiry aims to establish whether intelligence failures contributed to the death of Jamal Uddin, 71, in February 2016.

Mohammed Kadir, then 24, is believed by detectives to have fatally struck father-of-seven Mr Uddin with a hammer.

The inquiry at Liverpool Crown Court heard Kadir, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, had been flagged by police as a "person of high risk" after he made extremist posts on social media six months before the attack.

Kadir, who fled the UK after the killing, was said to have a planned the killing with former Manchester United steward Mohammed Syeedy, who was convicted of murder and jailed for life.

Syeedy, then 21, drove Kadir to and from the scene of the attack, while a third man, Sayadul Hussain, was convicted of helping Kadir flee the country.

The three men were supporters of the Islamic State (IS) militant group, the inquiry heard.

Form of exorcism

The men were opposed to Mr Uddins practice of Ruqyah, a form of exorcism which is regarded by some as black magic, said Jason Beer KC, counsel to the inquiry.

Mr Beer said sometimes this involved the use of amulets known as taweez, which can contain written verses of the Koran and can be worn around the neck.

This was of a "high degree of significance" in understanding the murder, he added.

The men sometimes referred to Mr Uddin as Voldemort, a reference to the villain in the Harry Potter novels, he said.

The inquiry heard that in August 2015, six months before the murder, police became aware of extremist posts on Facebook by a user later identified as Kadir.

Mr Uddin was attacked in a play area in Rochdale [PA Media]

In September 2015, associates of Kadir and Syeedy stole items linked to Mr Uddins practise of Ruqyah from the Jalalia Mosque in Rochdale.

There were further Facebook exchanges by Kadir and others expressing antipathy to Ruqyah.

Kadir and Syeedy also planned to report Mr Uddin to the Border Force, the inquiry heard, as he was in the UK illegally.

But the inquiry heard on 23 December, 2015, Mr Uddin was photographed with Simon Danczuk, the then-MP for Rochdale, at the door of Jalalia Mosque.

A phone exchange between the two plotters and others, stated: "Oh dear. Voldemort is never going to be busted by the immigration service now."

Risk to society

By October 2015 Mohammed Kadir was assessed as a person who was of high risk and significant concern, and later as someone who posed a risk of acting on his extremist Islamist views.

Mr Beer said a judge involved in earlier inquiry proceedings ruled background facts gave rise to a credible suggestion Mohammed Kadir was a risk to society and authorities knew or ought to have known of the risk and acted to avoid it.

Inquiry chairman Judge Thomas Teague KC said some of the evidence would be heard in closed session because of the need to protect national security.

But he said he was astute to the need to expose as much of the evidence as we can to the public gaze.

The inquiry was set to last three days and its report was expected to be published next summer.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

More on this story
Fact check: Union membership has increased under Biden, but still not at pre-2020 level

Acting Labor Sec. Julie Su speaks in Milwaukee after the Biden administration labeled the city as a "workforce hub."

President Joe Biden has touted his administration as being pro-organized labor and Acting Labor Sec. Julie Su has backed up her boss on that statement.

Su was in Milwaukee in August to recognize the Biden administrations designating the city a workforce hub allowing officials to work with federal agencies to remove lead pipes. While here, Su also talked about the need to boost training opportunities for the building trades.

During a press conference she said:

Four-hundred thousand workers are now in a union that were not in a union when (Biden) became president.

That sounds like a lot of new union members, but is that accurate?

Really? 400,000 new union workers?

After the visit, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reached out to Sus office to get more evidence for the claim and they responded with information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Based on the BLS information, the number of workers (age 16 and older) who are members of a union went from 14,012,000 in 2021, when Biden took office, to 14,424,000 in 2023.

This years data has not been released, but comparing those numbers, it shows union membership increased by about 412,000.

So the figure Su cited is correct.

But wait, theres more (context)

This is a claim in which context is important.

Su and the Biden administration are trying to show that workers and unions are benefiting  and growing  as a result of current policies.

But the increase of union workers follows more of an industry recovery pattern from the 2020 coronavirus pandemic which impacted workforces across all sectors. Industries, such as tourism, have been recovering steadily during these last four years.

The same data set from BLS shows that union membership is not back at pre-pandemic levels.

In 2019, during the Donald Trump administration, there were 14,574,000 union members. Roughly 162,000 more than the most recent data.

During the last 10 years, union membership was at its highest in 2017 at 14,744,00  some 300,000 union members more than now.

Since 2013, the lowest number of union members were in 2020 and 2021  in the midst of the pandemic  at 14,012,000 and 14,285,000 respectively.

PolitiFact Truth-o-meter: Mostly true

Our ruling

Su said 400,000 workers are now in a union that were not in a union when (Biden) became president.

That figure is correct however it does not mention that the increase is more indicative of unions -- and the entire workforce -- recovering from the pandemic than to any specific policy.

Our definition of Mostly True is, the statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information. That fits here.

Sources

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee receives new 'workforce hub' status that will speed lead pipe removal efforts, Aug. 15, 2024

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Labor force statistics (click total members of unions), last checked Aug. 29, 3024

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Four years after pandemic, employment in tourism industry has bounced back to 2019 levels, May 29, 2024

Wisconsin Policy Forum, An uneven Recovery for Wisconsin Jobs, July 2022

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Union Members  2022, January 19, 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Union Members  2023, January 23, 2024

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fact check: Union membership increased under Biden, not at pre-2020 level
Fact finding is easy  and essential  for the 2024 November election. Here is where you can turn.

Voters cast their ballot for the Idaho primary election on May 21, 2024, at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls

Voters cast their ballot for the Idaho primary election on May 21, 2024, at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Misrepresentations, half-truths and outright lies are common in any political season. But this year, the numbers have exploded beyond anything ever experienced.

Add in new evidence of election interference from Russia through RT  the Kremlins media arm  plus absolute lies about immigrants eating pets, one must ask: How can anyone know what is true or not?

Part of the problem is that so many people now live in an echo chamber of their own opinions thanks to social media. New websites looking like journalism, but are not, are cropping up and can fool some people into believing lies or misinformation.

What can an ethical person do to get real information?

The answer is easy, take a few minutes to check facts before repeating anything found on social media/online or stories/information from friends and family. There are two excellent websites where anyone can check a story with a few clicks.

One is PolitiFact (politifact.com), a division of the Poynter Institute, a nonprofit media institute. At PolitiFact, stories/rumors/statements are fact checked as true, false, mostly true, mostly false or a pants on fire lie.

For example, a recent Instagram post saying California dropped the voter ID requirement at polls was reported as mostly false because it lacks context of the states voting laws. An example of a pants on fire label is a claim the Biden administration was manipulating the job statistics.

Another quality resource is Snopes (snopes.com), the 30- year-old fact-checking site that investigates stories/statements/rumors and labels them as correct, fake or a mixture. Like PolitiFact, Snopes is a nonprofit that checks all sides equally. In addition, both groups belong to the International Fact Checking Network.

A recent Snopes debunk was the AI-generated image of Vice President Kamala Harris in a communist dictators uniform. Snopes researchers named Elon Musks X as the origin, most likely generated by Midjourney AI. A recent true determination was on a story that former President Donald Trump invited the Taliban to Camp David for a meeting, although the meeting was later cancelled.

Like any responsible fact-checking group, both PolitiFact and Snopes give the names of the staff who did the fact-checking on each article.

There are also other resources people can use. Anyone can do a quick search in a search engine, or sites such as Google News, Apple News or SmartNews for the information. The following recommendations are from the News Literacy Projects SmartNews:

Look for standards, such as the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics

Check for transparency  news sources should be transparent. Look at their about link for ownership and funding, is the advertising clearly labeled and you tell who is writing and producing content. Dont be fooled by a sleek page design, look for the information.

Check how errors are handled. Credible news sources hold themselves accountable for mistakes and correct them. Does your source correct their errors?

Assess the reporting. Is it obvious the reporting is original, is it straight news reporting (the facts) or opinion? Are there grammatical or spelling errors? Are there bylines giving the reporters names?

SmartNews also cautions people against what they call the trust busters: information that is false or untrue without correcting it, using click bait tactics of false or misleading headlines, a lack of balance in the stories, misleading photos or videos, and state-run propaganda. They do caution against dangerous, malicious and offensive content that includes discriminatory language, unverified pseudoscience or content that promotes violence/panders to lurid curiosity.

As someone who worked on revising the SPJ Code of Ethics in 1995 (the code was again updated in 2015), I understand the knee-jerk want by some people to spread a rumor in favor of one candidate or another; but I also understand the need for all facts to be checked for accuracy. Unfortunately, some people do not want accuracy, they would rather spread rumors and innuendo.

Thanks to the internet, such fact checking is easy. It is incumbent on all of us  especially those who consider themselves to be ethical people  to check the facts and help stop the spread of untruths and rumors. Our democracy depends on it.

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VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis cancelled his appointments on Monday because of what the Vatican described as light flu symptoms.

Below are details of some of the health problems the 87-year-old pontiff has faced.

LUNG AND RESPIRATORY TRACT

When he was 21, the then Jorge Bergoglio developed pleurisy and had part of one of his lungs removed in Argentina.

He has suffered from influenza and related problems a number of times since the start of 2023. But he was able to undertake a demanding, 12-day, four-country journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania earlier in September.

On Feb 28 this year, he had a check-up in hospital after suffering from a bout of flu and returned to the Vatican promptly the same day.

In March 2023, the pope was taken to hospital after complaining that he had difficulty breathing. He recovered swiftly after receiving antibiotics for bronchitis.

In late November 2023, he was forced to cancel a planned trip to the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai because of the effects of influenza and lung inflammation.

COLON AND ABDOMEN

The pope spent nine days in hospital in June, 2023 when he had surgery to repair an abdominal hernia.

His medical team had decided that surgery was required because the condition was causing painful intestinal occlusions.

In July 2021, the pope had 33 cm (13 inches) of his colon removed in a six-hour operation that was aimed at addressing a painful bowel condition called diverticulitis. He said in 2023 that the condition had returned.

In an interview with Reuters in 2022, he dismissed as "court gossip" rumours that cancer had been found during the 2021 surgery. The surgeon who had operated on him in 2021 confirmed last year that there was no cancer.

BACK AND KNEE

The pope has long suffered from sciatica, a chronic nerve condition that causes back, hip and leg pain. A flare-up of the ailment caused the pope to miss New Year's Eve and New Year's Day services in December 2020, the first time health problems had caused him to miss major religious events.

He also developed a separate, painful knee problem, but told Reuters in July 2022 he opted against surgery because he did not want a repeat of long-term negative side effects from anaesthesia that he suffered from the 2021 colon operation. Instead, he has looked to overcome the problem with laser and magnet therapy.

In 2022, he was forced to cancel trips to Lebanon, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan because of his walking problems. He rescheduled the Africa trip and went to both countries in 2023.

The pope now uses a wheelchair or a cane and his waistline has noticeably increased due to a more sedentary lifestyle in the Vatican.

MENTAL HEALTH

Pope Francis said in 2021 he saw a psychiatrist in his native Argentina when he was a young priest who helped him deal with anxiety during the time of the military dictatorship. He said he had learnt to deal with the problem through various mechanisms, including listening to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee and Crispian Balmer and Keith Weir; editing by Philip Pullella, Janet Lawrence and Andrew Heavens)
By Nellie Peyton

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Thirty years after the end of apartheid, South Africa's economy remains deeply divided by race, spurring political debate on the extent to which its flagship Black economic empowerment law has worked.

Here are some facts about South Africa's racial divide.

UNEMPLOYMENT

South Africa has struggled for years with low economic growth and high unemployment. The official unemployment rate was 33.5% in April-June of this year.

During that period, the unemployment rate was 37.6% among Black South Africans and 7.9% among white South Africans, according to the statistics agency. It was 23.3% among South Africans of mixed race.

The unemployment rate among Black people has consistently been higher than the national average over the past decade, and has risen more than nine percentage points since 2014, Statistics South Africa said.

MANAGEMENT CONTROL

In the private sector, white people occupied 65.9% of top management level posts while Black people occupied 13.8% in 2022, according to South Africa's Commission for Employment Equity.

South Africa's population of 64 million is about 8% white, official data shows.

The statistics show that the percentage of Black people increases as the job level goes down to senior, professional, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled.

At the unskilled labour level, white people occupied 0.9% of jobs in the private sector and Black people 82.8% in 2022.

OWNERSHIP

Average Black ownership of companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange was almost 30% in 2022, according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission, which includes other minority groups such as mixed race and Asian people in its count.

However, the report is based on a small sample size of firms that submitted their information. One economist calculated that actual Black ownership among listed companies was about 1%.

Board membership on listed companies was around 47% Black in 2022, the Commission said in its latest report, adding that this showed potential progress but that limited data meant it did not necessarily represent industry performance.

"No entity registered 100% Black-owned within the JSE listed companies," it said.

(Reporting by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Faculty across the state have accused the University of California system of carrying out a sweeping campaign to suppress pro-Palestinian speech and protests in violation of state labor law.

The Council of University of California Faculty Associations said UC administrators have threatened faculty for teaching about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and launched disciplinary proceedings against faculty for supporting on-campus student encampments as well as backing a strike by student academic workers this spring.

The faculty group made the allegations in a 581-page complaint filed Thursday with Californias Public Employment Relations Board, which oversees labor-management interaction for public employees in the state. The unfair labor practice charge was co-signed by faculty associations at seven UC campuses, including Los Angeles, Irvine, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Berkeley, Davis and San Francisco.

Faculty members gathered at UCLA midday Thursday to announce the charge. At the news conference, Constance Penley, president of the Council of UC Faculty Associations, described the university's actions as a "relentless campaign to chill faculty's exercise of their academic freedom and to deter them from teaching about the war in a way that does not align with the university's position."

Faculty have also been investigated for pro-Palestinian social media posts, arrested for exercising their free speech rights and were surveilled and intimidated by university representatives, the filing alleged.

The push from faculty highlights how, months after police cleared pro-Palestinian encampments at universities, the fallout has continued on various campuses, with university officials implementing new protest rules and students grappling with ongoing suspensions and holds on their records.

The faculty claims build on an earlier charge filed by the UCLA Faculty Assn. in the aftermath of attacks and mass arrests faced by students and faculty participating in an on-campus encampment in April and May. And they parallel similar allegations made by unions representing UC employees, including United Auto Workers Local 481, which represents student academic workers and the University Council-American Federation of Teachers, which represents 6,500 librarians and teaching faculty across the university system.

The various charges, filed earlier this year with the state labor board allege essentially that the university had failed to maintain safe working conditions, disregarded the free speech rights of its employees, and unlawfully made changes to working conditions in response to campus protests.

The university defends its course of action. In response to a request for comment, UC spokesperson Heather Hansen pointed to a university statement previously filed with the state labor board in response to the UCLA Faculty Assn.'s charge.

The university stated that while it "supports free speech and lawful protests," it must also "ensure that all of its community members can safely continue to study, work, and exercise their rights, which is why it has in place policies that regulate the time, place, and manner for protest activities on its campuses."

"The University has allowed  and continues to allow  lawful protesting activities surrounding the conflict in the Middle East. But when protests violate University policy or threaten the safety and security of others, the University has taken lawful action to end impermissible and unlawful behavior," the university said.

The filing details instances of the university allegedly investigating and disciplining faculty.

Soon after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, and the start of Israel's bombing siege of Gaza, the university began sending emails to faculty threatening that they could be investigated and disciplined for teaching content outside the scope of their courses. In November, UC San Diego investigated two lecturers for teaching about the history of the Palestinian territories, the filing said. A UC Irvine faculty member was sent a "letter of warning" by the administration for holding a vote on whether to conduct class at the on-campus encampment, with optional attendance.

In another example cited, a medical school lecturer at UC San Francisco who delivered a talk in April about trauma-informed care at a health equity conference was barred from participating in future educational activities after she devoted some six minutes of a 50-minute course to discussing the topic as it related to Palestinians' health challenges. A campus administrator informed the lecturer they had received complaints that her talk was "biased and antisemitic," and took down an online video of the talk. The ban was eventually lifted, but the video remains offline.

The complaint says the university's "harsh crackdown against professors for expressing pro-Palestinian viewpoints stands in stark contrast to its treatment of vocal pro-Israeli faculty."

The university refused to initiate a formal disciplinary investigation into a pro-Israel faculty member at UC Irvine accused of harassing and physically intimidating an undergraduate student, although video footage was provided of the faculty member "cornering, physically intimidating, and interrogating a visibly scared student," the filing said.

After an unfair labor practice charge is filed, the Public Employee Relations Board will review and evaluate the case, and decide whether to dismiss the charge or proceed with having parties negotiate a settlement. If no settlement is reached, the case would be scheduled for a formal hearing before an administrative law judge.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A member of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang was arrested in a tiny Wisconsin community for allegedly sexually assaulting a mother and abusing her daughter after he had been arrested and released earlier this year in Minneapolis.

Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, whose grandchildren live less than a mile away from the Prairie du Chien home where the mother and daughter were held against their will and repeatedly victimized, told Fox News Digital that it was only a matter of time before tragedy would strike the community amid the White House's open-border policies and sanctuary city initiatives.

Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, 26, assaulted the woman and child "under particularly brutal circumstances," and attacked his victims "over the course of a period of time," Prairie du Chien Police Chief Kyle Teynor said at a September 9 press conference following Coronel Zarate's arrest.

Coronel Zarate was charged with sexual assault, battery, strangulation, suffocation, false imprisonment, child abuse and disorderly conduct in Crawford County Court on Wednesday, WXOW reported. He remains in Crawford County Jail on $10,000 cash bond.

Venezuelan Gang Tren De Aragua Take Over Texas Hotel, County Officials Work To Shut Down Business

The mother later told police that Coronel Zarate had also assaulted her on September 4, according to a criminal complaint. During that incident, she told police, Coronel Zarate allegedly told her, "I get away with it. I'm a criminal."

Read On The Fox News App

Teynor said that Coronel Zarate had tattoos associating him with Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang, which originated in the country's prisons and has since grown a foothold in several areas across the United States.

Members are accused of a series of high-profile crimes across the U.S., including the murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley and the shooting of two NYPD officers during an arrest in June.

"I dont care what your political affiliation is. This is not a Democrat issue. Its not an independent or Libertarian issue. This is a human-rights issue," Van Orden said at the Sept. 9 press conference. "American citizens human rights are being violated. Theyre being kidnapped, raped and murdered by criminal illegal aliens, and its just got to stop."

Van Orden told Fox News Digital that he stands behind his earlier comments despite the pushback he has since received.

The town of Prairie du Chien, pictured, has about 5,500 residents.

"They're calling us racists for putting out the fact that a man with organized crime tattoos was let into the country by the Harris border czar  he happens to be Venezuelan," Van Orden said.

Van Orden clarified that he was not opposed to legal immigrants, or immigrants who come to the country on temporary agricultural worker visas, noting that Wisconsin's farming industries rely on migrants.

"If we don't have immigrant labor, our dairies, our farms will go out of business. Our dairies will close if we don't have immigrant labor. I absolutely 100% welcome immigrant labor if they want to come here and work and send remittances back," he said. "But letting someone into the country with tattoos associated with known immigrant gangs is not OK. We do not welcome criminal illegal immigrants to come here."

Prairie du Chien police confirmed that Zarate had entered the country in September 2023 at or near the El Paso, Texas point of entry.

Texas Gov. Abbott Designates Venezuelan Gang, Tren De Aragua, As A Foreign Terrorist Organization

"I've been to the border three times. They let a guy in the country with gang tattoos, and you get a medical screening before you come over the border. They give them a medical exam, because they don't want people coming over with tuberculosis," Van Orden said incredulously.

The former Navy SEAL said the attack had shaken his small community, but said it was only a matter of time until migrant crime would strike there.

"Why should a town of 5,500 people . . . be afraid of letting their kids play in their front yard?" Van Orden said. "It wasn't like this three years ago."

The gang member's Prairie du Chien arrest was not his first run-in with police. In November 2023, he was detained for allegedly receiving stolen property but was subsequently released.

"Zarate got rolled up for property crimes in Minneapolis and Minnesota that are controlled by [Governor] Tim Walz," Van Orden said. "They let him go because of the sanctuary city policies."

Suspected Tren De Aragua Gang Members In Aurora, Colorado, Released On $1,000 Bond

These images from a Customs and Border Protection intelligence bulletin show tattoos and identifiers for Tren De Aragua.

A warrant was issued for his arrest in Wisconsin's Dane County on Dec. 1 for strangulation/suffocation, false imprisonment, battery and disorderly conduct. In addition to federal policies, Van Orden blamed Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, a Democrat, for the incident earlier this month.

"Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett bears a tremendous amount of responsibility personally, and that's just a fact," Van Orden told Fox News Digital. "What [he] cannot deny is that they issued a warrant for Mr. Zarate for strangulation, false imprisonment, battery and disorderly conduct. That warrant came out of his office  if he spent more time fighting crime as opposed to complaining about a Republican on his Facebook page, he would have been detained, and a mother and daughter wouldn't have spent several days being sexually assaulted."

Van Orden and Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany penned a letter to Barrett earlier this month demanding answers regarding the warrant for Coronel Zarate.

"Given that Dane County was classified as non-cooperative with federal immigration authorities as recently as June of this year by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Reps. Tiffany and Van Orden wrote to ask for additional information regarding Dane County law enforcements interaction with Mr. Coronel Zarate," read a release from the two Congress members.

Barrett told Fox News Digital that the Republicans' accusations were merely "an unsubstantiated and distasteful attempt to gather votes in a battleground state for the upcoming presidential election," and that the statement about being uncooperative was false.

"As sheriff, I will not stand for another disrespectful attack on our law enforcement profession by actors looking to politically persuade voters. This inquiry is an insult to the brave men and women of our Sheriffs Office who courageously put their lives on the line in service to their community," Barrett wrote in an email.

"To the authors of this inquiry, please aim your political theatrics in a different direction as you try to recover from the thorough, factual and strategic dismantling of your presidential candidate by VP Kamala Harris," Barrett said. "To save any follow-up inquiries, we have not taken reports of people eating cats or dogs."





Original article source: Families in swing state afraid to let kids play outside after Venezuelan migrant attacks mom, child: lawmaker
The North Idaho parents to one of the four University of Idaho students who were fatally stabbed is seeking public donations to pay for their travel to Boise for the murder trial of their daughters alleged killer.

A GoFundMe page has been established on behalf of the family of 21-year-old victim Kaylee Goncalves. It includes a fundraising goal of $50,000 after a venue change was approved out of Moscow to Ada County for defendant Bryan Kohberger.

I would like everyone to know that if we did not need this help, we would NEVER ask for it, Kaylee Goncalves mother, Kristi Goncalves, wrote in a post from a dedicated family page on Facebook. Going seven hours away for trial is going to be very costly for us  pretty much not even possible if we cant get some help. If you cant help, we totally understand. If you can share it for us, we would be more than grateful.

The Goncalveses live in the city of Rathdrum in Kootenai County, about 100 miles north of Moscow. The familys home is located more than 400 miles north of the Ada County Courthouse in Boise.

Before the venue change was granted, they had been vocal about their preference for Kohbergers trial to remain in Latah County  or go to the neighboring county where they reside if a judge decided it needed to be moved. The Goncalveses have said they plan to show up for nearly every court hearing for Kohberger and were consistent attendees during the pretrial phase at the Latah County Courthouse.

While we still believe a fair trial could have been possible in Latah, we are confident the physical location of a trial will make no difference in the end, the Goncalveses said in a prior statement through the familys attorney to the Idaho Statesman. We know Ada County is more than capable and more experienced to help us achieve justice.

The other three victims in the November 2022 attack at an off-campus home in Moscow were U of I students Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.

From left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were killed in a November 2022 attack at an off-campus house on King Road in Moscow near the University of Idaho.

Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. If a jury returns a conviction, prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty for Kohberger. His attorneys aim to remove a death sentence as a possible punishment for their client.

Kohberger was transferred from Moscow to the Ada County Jail earlier this month. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Boise with newly assigned Judge Steven Hippler on Thursday afternoon.

Since the Goncalves family fundraiser posted Sunday, it had already reached more than half of its goal. It stood at almost $30,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
Family of man killed by off-duty APD officer outside bar want more charges filed

The family of a man shot and killed by an off-duty Atlanta police officer is speaking out at an Atlanta City Council meeting on Monday.

They want the officers badge taken away and homicide charges filed against him.

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Devon Anderson, 38, was shot and killed by Officer Melvin Potter in the parking lot of a shopping plaza on Old National Highway in August.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the off-duty officer got into an argument with a group of people while escorting a South Fulton officer to her car at a birthday party.

A witness told Channel 2 Action News that Anderson was trying to de-escalate the argument when Potter shot him.

Potter was arrested and booked only on a misdemeanor obstruction charge after refusing to provide police with a sample for a blood alcohol test.

We believe that they did that because Mr. Potter was a police officer, Community advocate Devin Barrington-Ward said at a news conference. We dont feel that Mr. Potters status as a police officer makes him above the law.

Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes said that Atlanta City Council members seemed to genuinely feel bad for the family, but ultimately told the family that they have no power to charge anyone with a crime, especially outside of Atlanta.

They also said they have no power to fire police officers.

South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows told Fernandes that Potter was charged with obstruction for refusing to take the breathalyzer test.

The department even took out a warrant to draw his blood, but Meadows said Grady Memorial Hospital wouldnt honor the warrant, and neither would the jail.

Andersons family wants the GBI to recommend murder charges for Potter.

Now that we know that the GBI has turned over evidence to DA Willis office, we want the district attorney to update this family, Barrington-Ward said. It is a shame that we have not heard from the GBI. That this family has not heard from any representative from the DAs office, that they have not heard from anyone from the City of South Fulton.

Channel 2 Action News received the following statement about Potters job status.

Potter was relieved from duty upon our learning of the incident. Relieved of Duty basically means an officer is not to report to their assignment and the employees department-issued firearms, identification and badges are secured by the department. The employee is to make themselves available during business hours if called upon, specifically by our Office of Professional Standards.

Coweta County deputies had to take out a warrant to draw Potters blood when he was pulled over for driving under the influence about two years ago.

He ended up being convicted of that DUI.

Andersons family feels that the Atlanta Police Department should have fired him then because of that.

A spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Department told Fernandes that Potter was punished for the DUI.

He got a 21-day suspension without pay.

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IN OTHER NEWS
Fatal crash in Tattnall Co. leaves one dead, one in custody

TATTNALL COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV)  One person is dead, and another has been arrested after a fatal crash in Tattnall County overnight.

The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) says 50-year-old Jenifer Bejay Dasher of Glennville was killed in the crash.

According to the GSP, the crash happened around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday after 21-year-old Ethan Trey Deloach of Baxley was traveling west on Hencart Rd. and failed to stop at a stop sign at State Route 23 and State Route 144.

A second vehicle was approaching the same intersection traveling south with the right of way.

A third vehicle was stopped at the intersection on State Route 144.

The GSP says Deloachs vehicle collided with the front bumper area of the second vehicle.

After impact, the Deloaches vehicle traveled into an Enmarket parking lot and then came to an uncontrolled final rest.

Ethan Trey Deloach (Tattnall County Sheriffs Office)

After impact, the second vehicle rotated and traveled west, striking the third vehicle.

The second and third vehicles came to an uncontrolled final rest against each other on State Route 144.

The GSP said Deloach, is charged with DUI, Homicide by Vehicle, Serious Injury by Vehicle, and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign. He was transported to the Tattnall County Jail.

SPD searching for missing man

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people, including six school children, died and one was injured when lightning struck them amid rains in India's central state of Chhattisgarh on Monday, confirmed a local police official.

The incident took place in the afternoon when children were returning from school in Joratarai village of the state's Rajnandgaon district, added the cop.

Chhattisgarh is one of the states in India that is particularly susceptible to lightning-related fatalities. Earlier this month, seven men had died and three were injured in a similar incident in the state's Balodabazar-Bhatapara district. 
Murder dropped by more than 11% from 2022 to 2023, the largest single-year decline in two decades, according to FBI data released on Monday.

Meanwhile, the broader category of violent crime nationwide decreased about 3%, said the data, which is audited and confirms earlier reporting from unaudited statistics.

Mondays release of audited data contradicts a talking point that Donald Trump has made on the campaign trail as the Republican presidential nominee seeks a return to the White House during the 5 November election: that crime has been rampant and out of control without him in power.

In its annual Crime in the Nation summary, the FBI said rape decreased by an estimated 9.4%, property crime dropped 2.4% and burglary fell by an estimated 7.6%.

Car theft, however, was up by an estimated 12.6%  and shoplifting had returned to levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic, from 999,394 reported cases in 2022 to 1.15m in 2023.

The crime agency notes that its 2023 estimates include full-year numbers from every city agency covering a population of 1,000,000 or more inhabitants, undermining frequent Republican claims that the numbers look better than they are because they exclude statistics from many major cities.

Mondays data collection pulls from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and covers more than 315 million people  or 94.3% of the US.

Related: Homicides in major US cities falling at one of fastest rates ever  report

The latest audited figures broadly correspond to data released in June that showed evidence of a decline in violent crime across the country had carried into 2024. Nonetheless, that data will not be released in its audited form until about this time in 2025.

The FBI said 16,009 participating law enforcement agencies submitted incident reports involving 11,862 criminal incidents and 13,829 related offenses as being motivated by bias towards race, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity.

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), said: Hate crimes are uniquely harmful, traumatizing both the individual and their community, describing a rise in antisemitism.

Greenblatt said that while it was encouraging to see more law enforcement agencies participating in reporting hate crimes data in 2023, we still have a long way to go toward ensuring comprehensive data collection that provides a more accurate picture of the lived experience of targeted communities across the country.

Data drives policy, and without having a complete understanding of the problem, we cannot effectively address this significant surge in hate violence, he added.

Separately, Joe Bidens presidential administration on Monday touted its efforts to reduce gun violence with the release of its first annual report since the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

The US president said he had spent countless hours listening to families impacted by gun violence and responded by accelerating his administrations efforts to introduce gun control measures following up on congressional legislation that in 2022 expanded background checks for the youngest gun buyers while funding mental health as well as violence intervention programs.

The White House noted that addressing gun crime was essential to addressing violence in the US because firearms are used in about 80% of the countrys murders.

Our administration has improved and expanded background checks, announced the single largest investment in youth mental health in history, and been an unprecedented resource to states, cities, and local communities, said Kamala Harris, who is running to succeed Biden in the White House.

The vice-president and Democratic presidential nominee added that she was committed to continuing this urgent work to ensure that every person in our nation has the freedom to live safe from gun violence.
FBI finds violent crime declined in 2023. Heres what to know about the report.

Violent crime in the U.S. dropped in 2023, according to FBI statistics that show a continued trend downward after a coronavirus pandemic-era crime spike.

Overall violent crime declined an estimated 3% in 2023 from the year before, according to the FBI report Monday. Murders and non-negligent manslaughter dropped nearly 12%.

Violent crime has become a focal point in the 2024 presidential race, with former President Donald Trump recently claiming that crime is through the roof under President Joe Bidens administration. Even with the 2020 pandemic surge, violent crime is down dramatically from the 1990s.

Heres what to know about the FBIs report and the state of crime in the U.S.:

The numbers

Crime surged during the coronavirus pandemic, with homicides increasing nearly 30% in 2020 over the previous year  the largest one-year jump since the FBI began keeping records. The rise defied easy explanation, though experts said possible contributors included the massive disruption of the pandemic, gun violence, worries about the economy and intense stress.

Violent crime across the U.S. dipped to near pre-pandemic levels in 2022, according to the FBIs data. It continued to tick down last year, with the rate falling from about 377 violent crimes per 100,000 people to in 2022 to about 364 per 100,000 people in 2023. Thats just slightly higher than the 2019 rate, according to Deputy Assistant Director Brian Griffith of the FBIs Criminal Justice Information Services Division.

Are we looking at crime rates at a return to pre-pandemic levels? I think a reasonable person would look at that and say, Yes, thats what has happened, Griffith said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Law enforcement agencies in the biggest municipalities in the U.S.  communities with at least 1,000,000 people  showed the biggest drop in violent crime last year  nearly 7%. Agencies in communities between 250,000 and 499,999 people reported a slight increase  0.3% between 2022 and 2023.

Rapes decreased more than 9% while aggravated assault decreased nearly 3%. Overall property crime decreased more than 2%, but motor vehicle theft shot up nearly 13%. The motor vehicle theft rate  nearly 319 per 100,000 people  was the highest last year since 2007.

The limitations of the FBIs data

The FBI collects data through its Uniform Crime Reporting Program, and not all law enforcement agencies in the U.S. participate. The 2023 report is based on data from more than 16,000 agencies, or more than 85 percent of those agencies in the FBIs program. The agencies included in the report protect nearly 316 million people across the U.S. And every agency with at least 1 million people in its jurisdiction provided a full year of data to the FBI, according to the report.

What youre not seeing in that number are a lot of very small agencies, Griffith said.

Other crime reports

The FBIs report is in line with the findings of the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice, which earlier this year analyzed crimes rates across 39 U.S cities, and found that most violent crimes are at or below 2019 levels. That group found there were 13 percent fewer homicides across 29 cities that provided data during the first half of 2024 compared the same period the year before.

On the campaign trail, Trump has cited another recent Justice Department survey to suggest the crime is out of control under the Biden administration.

That National Crime Victimization Survey, released earlier this month, shows that the violent crime victimization rate rose from about 16 per 1,000 people in 2020 to 22.5 in 2023. But the report notes that the rate last year was not statistically different from the rate in 2019  when Trump was president. And the rate has declined dramatically overall since the 1990s.

The FBIs report and the National Crime Victimization Survey use different methodologies and capture different things.

The victimization survey is conducted every year through interviews with about 240,000 people to determine whether they were victims of crimes. While the FBIs data only includes crimes reported to police, the victimization survey also aims to capture crimes that were not.

Because its done through interviews with victims, the victimization survey doesnt include data on murders. And it only captures crimes against people ages 12 and over.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Violent crime across the country, including in Nevada, dropped from 2022 to 2023, the FBI announced Monday.

Across the country, violent crimes decreased by 3%, according to new statistics released on Monday. Murder dropped by nearly 12%  the largest single-year decline, the FBI said.

Violent crime peaked in Nevada in 2015 with nearly 20,000 incidents reported that year to the FBI, statistics showed. In 2023, the number of violent crimes reported in Nevada was 14,284  a 28% decrease from the 2015 high.

A preliminary FBI report showed crime continued declining in the first months of 2024.

[E]very city agency covering a population of 1,000,000 or more inhabitants contributed a full 12 months of data, the FBI said, as departments switch to a new-FBI-required crime-reporting system.

Las Vegas Metro police, southern Nevadas largest jurisdiction, reported a nearly 20% decrease in murders from September 2024 to September 2023, documents said. All person crime, what the department classifies as violent crimes on another person, were down more than 4%.

Metro police report crime statistics on a rolling basis and report numbers to the FBI. The FBI does not release crime statistics as often as Metro police.

Last year, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a bill increasing salaries for state police. President Joe Bidens American Rescue Plan helped police avoid layoffs and covered pandemic-era deficits, then-Sheriff Joe Lombardo said after its 2021 passage.

Former President Donald Trump has inaccurately said crime has increased in recent years - though data shows while crime spiked during the pandemic, incidents have declined. Homicides surged 30% in 2020, the first year of the pandemic.

While visiting Las Vegas in 2022 to campaign for Lombardos gubernatorial campaign, Trump called Las Vegas a cesspool of crime.

Were not stopping now, Biden said in a news release Monday. The only way to continue this progress is by investing in what works. Thats why I will continue to urge Congress to fund 100,000 additional police officers and a strong ATF, invest in community violence intervention programs, and make commonsense gun safety reforms, including a ban on assault weapons.

Todays new data submitted to the FBI confirms that our dedicated efforts and collaborative partnerships with law enforcement are working; Americans are safer now than when we took office, Vice President Kamala Harris said in a news release.

Trump had not released a statement about the data as of Monday morning.

Regarding other crimes: Rapes declined more than 9% and burglary by 7.6%. While non-violent crimes, including motor vehicle theft and shoplifting increased nationally from 2022 to 2023, Metro reported a decrease in those crimes from 2023 to 2024.

The national data includes roughly 95% of police departments across the country, the FBI said.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Violent crime dropped about 3% in 2023, according to the FBIs latest data. The national report finds murder down nearly 12% from the year before.

We saw the largest ever one-year decline in homicides all across the country, Stefanie Feldman said.

Stefanie Feldman with the White Houses National Gun Violence Prevention Office says the report is good news. It also showed a 9% drop in rapes and a 3% drop in aggravated assaults.

This shows you that the comprehensive strategy that President Biden and Vice President Harris are taking to reduce crime and make our communities safer is working, Feldman said.

The data include crimes reported to more than 16,000 participating law enforcement agencies that protect more than 300 million people in the U.S.

However, Zack Smith with the Heritage Foundation says national data paint too broad a picture.

Because crime is a hyper-localized phenomenon, Smith said.

Smith says local crime data is more reflective of what people actually experience.

For many people, unfortunately, on the South Side of Chicago, to say that the crime rate nationally overall has dropped, thats not the reality they are living in their day to day lives, Smith said.

Smith also points to different data that recently came out from the DOJs 2023 national survey of crime victims.

It consistently shows that there is an underreporting of both property crime and violent crime happening today, Smith said.

Later this week, Feldman says the president will announce new actions aimed at fighting gun violence in America.

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The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will host a public meeting on Wednesday to discuss the Basin Management Action Plans for DeLeon Springs, Gemini Springs and the Volusia Blue Spring.

The meeting will be at 10 a.m. at the Lyonia Environmental Center at 2150 Eustace Ave. in Deltona.

Basin management action plans focus on reducing pollutants and improving water quality.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County springs water quality to be in focus at FDEP meeting
A federal judge has denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit accusing Florida of violating the Endangered Species Act due to sewage discharges into the Indian River Lagoon, which have contributed to manatee deaths.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

In a 30-page ruling this week, U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza rejected the Florida Department of Environmental Protections (DEP) attempt to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the environmental group Bear Warriors United in 2022. The group argues that the DEP has failed to adequately regulate sewage treatment plants and septic systems, leading to the destruction of seagrass, a critical food source for manatees, in the northern Indian River Lagoon. Manatees have suffered from starvation in recent years as a result.

Judge Mendoza stated that the groups lawsuit sought steps to curb manatee deaths and concluded that a favorable ruling could reduce harm to the protected species.

FDEP (the department) is responsible for regulating, permitting, and revoking (septic systems) and wastewater treatment facilities, Mendoza wrote. He added that the lawsuit alleges that FDEPs failure to regulate sewage effectively has led to the ongoing harm of manatees, which constitutes an unlawful act under the Endangered Species Act.

The ruling does not resolve the case but allows it to move forward. Both Bear Warriors United and the DEP have filed competing motions for summary judgment, which could lead to a resolution without the need for a trial.

Bear Warriors United contends that the DEP has long been aware of the nitrogen discharges from septic tanks and wastewater plants, which contribute to algae blooms and the destruction of seagrass in the lagoon.

DEP thus authorizes the destruction of the lagoons ability to sustain seagrass and other macroalgae which are essential food sources for the manatees survival, the groups attorneys wrote.

The DEP, however, disputes these claims, stating in its summary judgment motion that it has taken steps to reduce discharges and restore water quality in the lagoon. The record shows that DEP has not authorized or entitled any party to cause a violation of water quality standards, the state argued.

The lawsuit focuses on a stretch of the Indian River Lagoon from the Melbourne Causeway in Brevard County to Turnbull Creek in southern Volusia County, an area heavily impacted by manatee deaths.

Florida recorded a historic 1,100 manatee deaths in 2021, with 358 of those in Brevard County alone. The number of deaths dropped to 555 in 2023, but concerns over the manatee population remain high.

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A federal judge has blocked a portion of a new Tennessee law passed earlier this year that makes it a felony to recruit or transport a minor for an illegal abortion without parental consent, following wide First Amendment concerns over the phrasing of the law.

The new law criminalizes adults who, without parental consent, transport a minor for an abortion considered illegal under Tennessee law, even if the abortion is performed in a location where the procedure is legal.

The federal lawsuit  filed by state Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and Nashville attorney Rachel Welty  took particular aim at a portion of the law criminalizing anyone who "recruits" a minor for an abortion, a term not defined in state code that opponents of the bill could prove problematic for free speech issues.

More: Concerns over free speech grow as abortion travel ban heads to Tennessee governor's desk

U.S. District Court Judge Aleta Trauger on Friday temporarily blocked enforcement of that recruitment provision.

Rep. Aftyn Behn, D- Nashville, looks to Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, while he defends SB 1971 during a House session at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Following the passage of the law, Behn and Welty, along with a number of free speech advocates, expressed concern that the law could potentially criminalize protected speech, including speaking to a pregnant minor about health care options.

Trauger appeared to agree.

No one associated with (the law) seems to have a particularly clear picture of what the provision is supposed to prohibit  not the prosecutors who will be called on to enforce it; not the state attorneys called on to defend the statute in court; and, it seems, not even the individuals who drafted the provision itself, Trauger wrote in her ruling.

Trauger said the law creates criminal exposure for statements encouraging abortion, but not for nearly identical statements discouraging abortion, and delivers a hearty defense of free speech rights.

The freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment is not simply a special protection that the Constitution grants to a few, high-profile speakers so that those speakers can hear themselves talk; it is a protection available to everyone, for the interconnected benefit of everyone, because messages do not gain their fullest power by being uttered, but by being spread, Trauger said. Welty and Behn do not just have a right to speak their message; they have a right to live in a state where that message can be repeated by all who find it valuable to all who wish to hear it. Otherwise, there would be no actual freedom of speech  just freedom of a few speakers to address a silenced populace.

Bill controversial from the start

The lawsuit and ruling follow months of tensions surrounding the law since its debut on the House floor.

As the bill, sponsored by Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, made its way through the General Assembly this spring, Democrats pressed Republicans on how the recruiting portion of the law could be applied, and whether an adult who mentions an out-of-state abortion option or other discussions of reproductive health care could be found liable under the law.

Rep. Jason Zachary R-Knoxville, presents SB 1971 during a House session at Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Earlier this year, Behn held signs in protest of the law on Lower Broadway, and said on social media she would take a younger person out of state for an abortion even if "it lands me in jail," a statement that led to a heated argument on the House floor during an April debate over the bill.

The legislation doesn't explicitly refer to out-of-state abortions, only transporting a minor without parental permission. But due to Tennessee's near-total abortion ban, transporting a minor to receive the procedure would almost certainly involve traveling out of state.

Behn praised Fridays ruling as a win against state overreach.

Our extreme GOP legislature will keep attacking our First Amendment rights, even as they claim to oppose big government, she said. This lawsuit was a test case to see how far they could push the boundaries, and its clear theyll stop at nothing to restrict our freedoms. This ruling isnt just a win for those defending access to abortion information, but for anyone who cares about protecting our constitutional rights from state overreach.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Zachary emphasized that the travel ban was an issue of "parental rights," and expressed optimism that the law would be upheld upon the conclusion of the lawsuit.

"Abortion is a settled issue in Tennessee," he said. "We have prohibited the elective killing of a baby in the womb. We do have an exception for the life of the mother. The law in question is about parental rights, period. The language prohibits an adult who is not the parent/guardian of a minor from facilitating an abortion for that minor without the parents consent. This is common sense. Unfortunately, the radical lefts obsession with aborting babies led to this legal challenge. Im confident our Attorney General will successfully defend the law, securing parents rights to make decisions for their child."

Opinion: Democrats think abortion is a winning election issue. Not a chance in pro-life Tennessee.

Friday's ruling joins the ranks of similar lawsuits across the country as laws against traveling for abortion pass in conservative states. A nearly identical law in Idaho, lobbied for by the National Right to Life Committee, whose state chapter was instrumental in Tennessee's law, was temporarily paused for similar concerns.

Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, defending the law on behalf of the state, has not yet responded to a request for comment.

The USA TODAY Network - Tennessee's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 931-623-9485, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's abortion trafficking law: Judge blocks part of travel ban
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked Tennessee from enforcing a law banning adults from helping minors get an abortion without parental permission.

In a 49-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger argued that the Republican-controlled state cannot make it a crime to communicate freely about legal abortion options even in a state where abortion is banned at all stages of pregnancy except for a handful of situations. Traugers decision means that the law will be placed on hold as the case makes its way through court.

The Tennessee General Assembly apparently determined that, when the topic at hand is abortion trafficking, the best interests of the pregnant child are not merely a secondary consideration, but unworthy of particularized consideration at all, Trauger wrote.

Earlier this year, Tennessees Republican lawmakers and GOP Gov. Bill Lee signed off on a proposal making it illegal for an adult who intentionally recruits, harbors, or transports a pregnant child or teen within the state to get an abortion without consent from the minors parents or guardians. Those convicted of breaking the law risked being charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which requires a nearly one-year jail sentence.

Autopsy report released after East TN judge hit and killed by car

The law, which went into effect July 1, did not contain exemptions for minors who may have been raped by their parents or guardians. Instead, the statute dictated that biological fathers who cause the pregnancy of their daughters, if minors, couldnt pursue legal actions.

The Tennessee law mimicked the so-called  abortion trafficking  law enacted in Idaho last year, the first state to ever enact such a statute. However, a federal judge has since temporarily blocked Idahos version as the case moves through court.

Just before the law was poised to go into effect, Democratic Rep. Aftyn Behn and Nashville attorney Rachel Welty filed a lawsuit on the second anniversary of the Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion.

Behn called the Tennessee ruling a monumental victory for free speech and the fight for abortion rights.

This ruling doesnt just protect Tennesseans  it safeguards the freedom to discuss abortion care across state lines, ensuring that we can continue to offer support, share accurate information, and stand up for the rights of those seeking essential health care everywhere, she said.

A spokesperson for the Attorney Generals office, who was fighting to get the case dismissed, did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on Fridays ruling.

Traugers decision sided with Welty and Behns argument that the Tennessee law was unconstitutionally vague, specifically stressing that the word recruits is undefined in the statute.

Trauger also raised several First Amendment concerns in her explanation that her ruling would apply across the state, not just to Welty and Behn.

The freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment is not simply a special protection that the Constitution grants to a few, high-profile speakers so that those speakers can hear themselves talk; it is a protection available to everyone, for the interconnected benefit of everyone, because messages do not gain their fullest power by being uttered, but by being spread, Trauger wrote.

Severe weather causes closures in East Tennessee

Tennessee bans abortions at all stages of pregnancy, but there are exemptions in cases of molar pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, and to remove a miscarriage or to save the life of the mother. Notably, doctors must use their reasonable medical judgment  a term that some say is too vague and can be challenged by fellow medical officials  in deciding whether providing the procedure can save the life of the pregnant patient or prevent major injury.

A group of women is currently suing in a separate case to clarify the states abortion ban. A court decision is expected soon on whether the lawsuit can continue or if Tennessees abortion ban can be placed on hold as the legal battle continues.

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

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A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit brought by former Sheriff Alex Villanueva against Los Angeles County over a do not rehire notation that was placed in his personnel file after an oversight panel said he discriminated against and harassed two county employees.

The federal lawsuit filed in June had, among other things, accused the county of defaming Villanueva and violating his due process rights when officials secretly investigated him without giving him a chance to respond to the accusations.

Lawyers for the county said in court filings that Villanueva had been told of the investigations and refused to be interviewed for them unless he was given the questions in advance.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson granted the countys request to dismiss the case, saying Villanueva hadnt shown how the do not rehire designation had actually harmed him, as he hadnt provided any evidence hed been denied a job because of it.

Still, Villanuevas attorney framed the decision as a win, pointing out that the judge addressed only some of the former sheriffs claims and left open the possibility that Villanuevas legal team could refile the case  which he said they planned to do.

We are pleased with and fully respect Judge Wilsons order from yesterday, attorney Carney Shegerian wrote in an email to The Times. Our client, former Sheriff Villanueva, is on the side of right and we are confident the law will provide remedies for the wrongs defendants committed against him.

Jason Tokoro, a partner at the Miller Barondess law firm acting as outside counsel for the county, also framed the decision as a win.

We appreciate the Courts ruling and that it agreed with our arguments across the board in rejecting the allegations former Sheriff Villanueva made in his lawsuit, Tokoro said in an emailed statement. Although he accused the County of putting him on the Do Not Rehire list unfairly, the facts showed otherwise, and it was for these reasons the Court dismissed the case.

The allegations at the center of the suit date from early 2022, when Inspector General Max Huntsman accused Villanueva, who was still sheriff at the time, of making a racially based attack and dog whistling to the extremists he caters to when he repeatedly referred to the inspector general by his foreign-sounding birth name, Max-Gustaf. Not long after that, Villanueva also accused Huntsman of being a Holocaust denier . He did not provide any evidence for that claim, and Huntsman denied it.

Around the same time that Huntsman filed his complaint, Esther Lim  then a justice deputy for county Supervisor Hilda Solis  filed a complaint accusing Villanueva of targeting and harassing women of color.

Pointing to comments the former sheriff made on Facebook livestreams, Lim alleged a pattern of age discrimination and harassment of Asian women.

According to the county, Villanueva was notified in June 2022 that he was the subject of an investigation by the departments Internal Affairs Bureau. A few weeks later, an investigator interviewed Huntsman and Lim.

After that, Villanueva alleged in court filings, the case was shelved because the Internal Affairs Bureau determined he hadnt violated any policies. He said the inquiry wasnt reopened until late 2023, after hed been voted out of office as sheriff and announced his candidacy for county supervisor.

On Sunday, a lawyer for the county said the assertion that the case had been shelved was untrue. The countys court filings describe a case that was still active in early 2023, when Villanueva emailed an investigator in response to certified letters she'd sent, trying to reach him.

I will ask you to submit your question in writing, after providing a brief description of what the allegations are, he wrote, according to copies of the emails attached to court filings . When the investigator told him that was not the standard practice, Villanueva questioned the optics of investigating a former sheriff, said he was not concerned about standard practice and noted that he was more than happy to cooperate but only on his own terms.

The two went back and forth by email for several weeks before Villanueva sent the investigator a final email asserting that she had no jurisdiction to interview him and calling her terms unethical and unacceptable.

The department went on to complete its investigation and sent it to the County Equity Oversight Panel, which met in October of last year and sustained some of the complaints in both cases, ultimately recommending the former sheriff be deemed ineligible for rehire.

Then, Villanueva said, he heard nothing further from the county about the complaints or their outcome until The Times published an article about it early this year. Afterward, according to his court filings, he reached out to a former Sheriffs Department chief who allegedly told him the case had been shelved and later reopened.

In May, he filed a claim letter notifying the county he planned to sue for $25 million and asking officials to rescind the do not rehire designation. When he filed suit in June, the complaint accused the county of defamation, intentionally causing him emotional distress and violating his free speech and due process rights.

According to Fridays decision, Villanueva and his legal team have two weeks to refile their case.

Though Lim did not offer comment on the outcome, Huntsman said the case showed the need for robust oversight of the Sheriff's Department.

The court opinion speaks for itself," he told The Times. "The fact that Villanueva was able to suppress any response to his conduct while sheriff demonstrates that LASD will always need strong external investigations to prevent corruption."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In this photo released by the U.S. Attorney's Office Connecticut, seized counterfeit pills are displayed Sept. 5, 2024, in East Have, Ct. ( U.S. Attorney's Office Connecticut via AP)

In a nondescript garage in Connecticut, a New Haven man manufactured hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine, a powerful opioid and other illicit drugs that he shipped around the U.S. and gave to local dealers to sell on the streets, new federal grand jury indictments allege.

Federal law enforcement officials announced the criminal indictments against the man and six other people on Monday, calling the case one of the largest counterfeit pill busts ever in New England.

Kelldon Hinton, 45, is accused of running the operation from a rented garage he called his lab in East Haven, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from downtown New Haven, using drugs and pill presses he bought from sellers in China and other countries, federal authorities said.

Officials said Hinton shipped more than 1,300 packages through the U.S. mail to people who bought the pills on the dark web from February 2023 to February 2024. He also gave pills to associates in Connecticut who sold them to their customers, the indictments allege.

The six other people who were indicted are also from Connecticut.

Hinton sold counterfeit oxycodone, Xanax and Adderall pills that contained methamphetamine and protonitazene, a synthetic opioid that is three time more powerful than fentanyl, federal officials said. The tablets also contained dimethylpentylone  a designer party drug known to be mislabeled as ecstasy  and xylazine, a tranquilizer often called tranq.

Hinton and four others were arrested on Sept. 5, the same day authorities with search warrants raided the East Haven garage and other locations. Officials say they seized several hundred thousand pills, two pill presses and pill manufacturing equipment. One of the pill presses can churn out 100,000 pills an hour, authorities said.

A federal public defender for Hinton did not immediately return an email seeking comment Monday.

Federal, state and local authorities were involved in the investigation, including the Connecticut U.S. Attorney's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and state and local police.

This investigation reveals the constant challenges that we in law enforcement face in battling the proliferation of synthetic opioids in America, Connecticut U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said in a statement.

Fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and other powerful opioids are contributing to high numbers of overdoses across the country, said Stephen Belleau, acting special agent in charge of the DEA's New England field division.

DEA will aggressively pursue drug trafficking organizations and individuals who distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy peoples lives, he said in a statement.

Authorities said they were tipped off about Hinton by an unnamed source in June 2023. Law enforcement officials said they later began searching and seizing parcels sent to and from Hinton and set up surveillance that showed him dropping off parcels at a post office. Investigators also said they ordered bogus pills from Hinton's operation on the dark web.

Hinton has a criminal record dating to 1997 that includes convictions for assault, larceny and drug sales, federal authorities said in a search warrant application.

About 107,500 people died of overdoses in the U.S. last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats down 3% from 2022, when there were an estimated 111,000 such deaths, the agency said.

The country's overdose epidemic has killed more than 1 million people since 1999.
The Chinese women's team defeated Japan in the final of the 2024 Asian Sevens Series Hangzhou leg on Sunday, claiming their second victory in the series following their triumph in the South Korea leg earlier this month.

As the highest-level rugby sevens competition in Asia, the Hangzhou leg gathered 16 top teams from across the continent. Over two days, the Chinese women's team beat Singapore, Kazakhstan, Thailand, China's Hong Kong, and Japan, securing the title with a perfect record of 5-0.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Just a little over a week on the job and federal authorities raided the homes of NYPD interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon.

Donlon had been pulled out of retirement from his federal law enforcement career to be the citys temporary top cop after Chief Edward Caban resigned following an FBI raid at his own home.

More Local News

In a brief statement late Saturday night, Donlon wrote: On Friday, September 20, federal authorities executed search warrants at my residences. They took materials that came into my possession approximately 20 years ago and are unrelated to my work with the New York City Police Department.

This is not a department matter, and the department will not be commenting.

Just last week, Phil Walzak, a former mayoral advisor who also worked for the NYPD and many other top politicians was singing Donlons praises but now there is caution.

Investigators reportedly may be looking into whether Donlon took classified documents while he was with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.

So a temporary police commissioner who was supposed to bring stability to the department may be doing just the opposite, according to political consultant Hank Sheinkopf.

The mayor has no choice but to hold onto this interim commissioner for the time being. It cant just throw them off the side because he does look like things are completely out of control. get the command of the police department upfront. Have them run the agency on a daily basis and make it appear that way. Conferences with the guys with the white shirts with big badges and say look what were doing to make sure New York is safe, said Sheinkopf.

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FEMA issues checklist for CT as inspections approach following deadly floods. What to know

Home inspections from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are underway after last months historic and deadly flooding in Litchfield, Fairfield and New Haven Counties, according to the agency.

The damage was sustained from massive and deadly flooding on Aug. 18 that dumped as much as 16 inches of rain in mere hours on Oxford. Southbury and Seymour are among the other towns that sustained as much as $100 million in damages for roads, businesses, and homes.

President Joe Biden Friday approved Connecticuts request for a major disaster declaration due to the historic rainfall and extreme flooding.

By approving this declaration, President Biden is making federal funding available to affected individuals in Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster, Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday.

Last month in Seymour, a liquor store, nail salon, coin shop, UPS store, Hallmark Cards, and the Route 67 Family Diner in the shopping plaza were completely flooded.

Show Caption1 of 14

The driveway at 1370 Jeremy Swamp Road in Southbury was washed away from flooding on Monday, August 19, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)

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Several shops had at least 6 feet of water inside, and the package store had an estimated $500,000 to $750,000 worth of liquor bottles that were either floating, smashed or covered with thick mud. The water went as high as the roof at the liquor store, where the owners wore white hazmat suits during the extensive clean up. The flooding impacted numerous other towns and two women died after being swept away by the raging water.

Top state and local officials have visited the plaza since the flooding as Lamont announced in mid-August that the state would quickly provide grants up to $25,000 for as many as 200 small businesses that were damaged in Seymour, Oxford, Southbury, and elsewhere. The shop owners vowed to rebuild.

CT towns suffered millions in storm damage. Whats being done to help local businesses?

The FEMA application site is here. (https://www.disasterassistance.gov/) Or call 800-621-FEMA (3362).

What to expect:

Residents should expect a call, likely from an out-of-state number, from FEMA to set up an appointment. FEMA will ask for personal identifiable information to confirm your identity.

FEMA asks for the resident to write down the inspectors name, phone number and date of the call and appointment.

FEMA will try to get in touch with the resident over with a phone call, text message or email. If unable to reach comment, a letter will be sent to the address from the application.

If you are contacted, but havent applied, just ask for your application to be withdrawn through the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

On the date of the inspection, applicants and co-applicants set aside up to 45 minutes for a meeting with FEMA and will need to provide a photo ID.

If a sign language interpreter or other accommodations are needed send an email to FEMA-Reasonable-Accommodation@fema.dhs.gov or call 1-833-285-7448, press 2 for Spanish.

If the applicant(s) are unable to meet, a third-party has to be pre-authorized before the appointment.

The inspector will confirm the applicants name, address, contact information, insurance coverage and ownership status and will never ask for an inspection fee or for bank information.

FEMA suggests, if the resident doesnt think the inspector isnt who they say they are, ask them to leave and call the police.

The inspector will walk through the home and note disaster caused structural damage and take inventory of damaged property such as appliances and furniture.

The applicant will be asked about medical, moving and storage expenses due to the disaster. Also, any uniforms, supplies, tools purchased for school or employment.

The inspector will take photos inside and outside the home. The FEMA representative will not climb the roof or climb into crawl spaces. Applicants will find out about assistance eligibility through a letter from FEMA.

Information gathered during the inspection is only one of several criteria used by FEMA to determine eligibility for assistance, FEMA said in a statement.

For updates and notifications, applicants are encouraged to create an online disasterAssistance.gov account after applying for FEMA assistance.

This historic weather event caused significant damage to homes and businesses in western Connecticut, and the approval of this major disaster declaration means that individuals will be able to access federal funding to support their recovery efforts, particularly when it comes to the rebuilding of uninsured infrastructure, Lamont has said. I appreciate President Biden for approving this declaration, which will be a major benefit for the people who were impacted by this storm. I also thank FEMA and the Small Business Administration for working with my administration to make this declaration possible.

For more information, call FEMAs helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  The 15th annual Festival of Joy transformed the downtown Bloomington area into a mini India.

Many wore colorful Indian clothes, got henna tattoos, and face dot face paintings. The Indian cuisine featured plant-based foods.

A parade with many people walked down the street singing Hare Krishna. You could also dance, do yoga, or even meditate at the fest.

The festival is also known as the Festival of Chariots and date back 3,000 years ago to a city in India which lays claim to the longest running street festival, according to the groups website.

The website states:

This re-enactment of the famous Ratha Yatra parade, also celebrated as the Festival of Chariots, is rooted in ancient Indias bhakti or devotional tradition. It has been observed annually for more than 3,000 years in the holy city of Jagannatha Puri in Orissa, India, making it the worlds longest-running street festival. Festival of Joy website.

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Debbie Mucarsel-Powell was 24 years old when she got the news that would change her life. It was 1995, and she was living in California, studying to get her masters degree in international political economy, when an urgent phone call from her sister pulled her out of class. My father had been killed by a criminal with a gun in our home country of Ecuador, Mucarsel-Powell, now 53 years old, says. That was so devastating, and so traumatic.

Almost 30 years later, the pain in her voice is still palpable. When he died, Mucarsel-Powell had been living with her mom and sister in the United States for 10 years. They came, like so many immigrant families do, in search of opportunity and safety. She pauses as she recounts what that time of grief was like. Those gunshot wounds You see that in the person that you love, that youre burying. Its such a violent way to lose a loved one, she says. I truly believe that that changed my trajectory and everything I decided to do with my life. I knew that I wanted to fight for justice.

That passion led Mucarsel-Powell across the country, all the way to Florida. After receiving her masters degree, she worked her way up to become the associate dean at Florida International Universitys Colleges of Health and Medicine in 2008. During her tenure there, she oversaw a program to expand affordable health care to Floridians. But in 2017, when the U.S. House of Representativesand specifically, her member of Congress voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a landmark piece of legislation that aims to make health insurance more accessible, Mucarsel-Powell decided to switch gears. She ran against her representative, and in November 2018, she successfully flipped the seat from red to blue, becoming the first immigrant from South America to serve in the esteemed body.

If you look at my story and the things that I was able to achieveonly in this country that happens, she said in a CNN interview just after being sworn in. Only in the United States of America, does an immigrant like myself get that chance.

Getty Images

During her two years in Congress, Mucarsel-Powell served as vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. She fought for gun control legislation, wrote a bill to expand Medicare coverage, and led on climate issues , specifically securing $200 million to help restore the Florida Everglades and introducing bipartisan legislation to protect coral reefs .

But, after just one term, the seat flipped back; she lost to Miami-Dade Countys then-mayor, Carlos Gimenez, by less than four percentage points.

Now, shes found herself quite literally called back into politics. In 2023, Democratic leaders launched an unofficial campaign to draft her into Floridas U.S. Senate race, urging her to run against Republican Sen. Rick Scott this November. When she officially announced her candidacy, she decided to draw attention to a different attack on Floridas health care: access to abortion.

Ever since the Supreme Court ruled in June 2022 that there is no constitutional right to abortion, the fight for reproductive rights has proven to be a winning electoral issue in the U.S. And with Vice President Kamala Harris newly leading the Democratic ticket, theres been a burst of enthusiasm across the country, including in Florida .

Still, Mucarsel-Powell has her work cut out for her.

Florida used to be seen as the countrys main electoral swing state , but in recent elections, its lost that status as Republicans have expanded, and seemingly cemented, their state control. Former President Trump won the statewhich he now calls home in 2016 , and then again by an even larger margin in 2020 . Currently, all statewide offices are held by Republicans.

Its the state that served as a springboard for Gov. Ron DeSantiss rise to national prominence; a state he turned into a laboratory for ultra-conservative legislation like the infamous Dont Say Gay laws. But Mucarsel-Powell doesnt see it as a lost cause for Democrats.

Unfortunately, extremists like our current governor and the former president hijacked this state, Mucarsel-Powell says. They started using voter suppression tactics and gerrymandering maps all to grab on to power. That doesnt mean it represents the values of who we are. Not only does Mucarsel-Powell believe she can change the losing streak for Florida Democrats, she sees herself as being uniquely positioned for the task.

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In Florida, the horrific mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland catalyzed the youth-led March for Our Lives movement. Mucarsel-Powell empathizes with the pain caused by gun violence, and shes spent the last few years working with the Giffords organization, a gun safety group.

In a state where 21 percent of people are immigrants , she moved to the U.S. as a 14-year-old. In a state that is 30 percent Latino , she is the first Latina to be the Democratic Senate candidate. Can you believe that? she says. How is that possible? If elected, she will become the first Latina to represent Florida in the Senate and the second Latina U.S. senator in history.

In terms of polling for the race, to date, Scott is always in the leadbut several recent polls have Mucarsel-Powell within three percentage points, and an early September Emerson College poll had her down by only one point. She thinks the conditions are perfect for an upset, and she believes the same issue that has helped Democrats over-perform in elections across the country will also provide a boost in Florida: abortion.

This May, a DeSantis-approved six-week abortion ban went into effect, threatening access for nearly all Floridians and those across the Southeast for whom Florida served as a safe haven. Scott has waffled on what iteration of an abortion ban he supports. In 2023, he said of the six-week ban: If I was still governor, I would sign this bill. Then this April, he said hed actually prefer a 15-week ban .

Mucarsel-Powell views both of those options as unacceptable government interference. Its so central to the health care of a woman, Mucarsel-Powell says. I just spoke to somebody today that said, You know, Floridas a pro-choice state. We have seen that [sentiment] in the polling.

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Its also what shes seen in her conversations with constituents. I talked to this older gentleman in his 70s, and I asked him, What is your top issue? He said, Abortion. She continues, He told me that his aunt, before Roe v. Wade, died because she couldnt have access to this reproductive health care. It destroyed his family for decades.

The current Florida law makes it nearly impossible to access abortion care, as most people dont know theyre pregnant until after six weeks; rape and incest survivors in Florida must also supply documentation of the assaults before being given an exception to the rule. You are putting women through such trauma, Mucarsel-Powell adds. We know that this is going to disproportionately affect low-income earners, women of color, Latina women, and Black women. And you know Rick Scott and these other extreme politicians, they just do not care.

The good news for pro-choice Floridians is that, come November, theyll have the opportunity to vote on a ballot measure that would restore abortion access in the state up to around 24 weeks of pregnancy. In fact, since Roe was overturned, Americans from Kansas to Ohio to Kentucky have turned out to protect abortion access via similar measures.

This fall, people in Arizona, Maryland, Nevada, New York, South Dakota, Missouri, Colorado, Montana, and Nebraska will also have the chance to vote on ballot measures that would protect abortion rights in their states. In Florida, the measure has more support than Harris or Mucarsel-Powell. But one theory is that the ballot measure could be what gets voters to come out on Election Day; from there, might they vote up-ticket for Democratic candidates?

[She could be] riding the wave of a very important ballot measure that absolutely can turn out younger voters and women voters, in particular, where we already do pretty well, says Jim Margolis, a political consultant who worked on Barack Obama and Hillary Clintons presidential campaigns and is part of Mucarsel-Powells team this cycle.

If the Florida ballot measure passes, it would have a significant impact. Mucarsel-Powell points to one abortion clinic that says it had to turn away 75 percent of its patients in the first 20 days after the states ban went into effect. In the two months after the ban was enacted, there was reportedly a 575 percent increase in Floridians calling the National Abortion Federation hotline, needing support to travel out of state for abortion services.

There are some really difficult stories Ive been hearing, Mucarsel-Powell says. There was this woman who didnt know there was a six-week ban. She was told, Youre going to need to go to Virginia, and this woman says, I cant take time off from work. Thats an 11-hour drive. Whos going to take care of my kids here while I do that? And why cant I get health care in my own state? That was exactly what she said: How is it possible that I cant get health care in my own state?

Its a reality Mucarsel-Powell has had to explain to her own kids. With two daughters and a son all under the age of 24, shes had to have tough conversations about how unplanned pregnancies alter lives.

For my daughters, I worry about their safety, because we have seen the data that when you have these bans on abortion, theres a higher rate of violence against women. Its one of the reasons why in Latin America they actually made it legal to access abortion in Colombia, in Argentina, very conservative countries. For my daughters to be now living in a state where if anything were to happen, there is no direct access to this health care she says, trailing off. That freedom of choice has been taken away from them.

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She hopes Floridians will not only approve the ballot measure, but also vote for Democrats across the board, so that abortion will be protected longterm: One of the things that Ive been telling people is that it will mean nothing if we pass this abortion measure and enshrine it into our state constitution, and then Rick Scott gets reelected and does whatever he can to push for a national abortion ban.

But even with reproductive rights on the line, Mucarsel-Powell knows this is a challenging race. No matter what happens, she hopes her candidacy inspires others to jump into difficult fights: So many of us [women] have gone to school, studied, and given back to our communities, she says. We take care of our parents, our children, we are volunteering, and were making sure we help our neighbors. Yet, so many of us are told, Its not your time yet, and Youre not prepared. But we are.

The possibility of progress is what keeps her going, though the stakes can feel high and the odds stacked.

Im a South American immigrant who went from working a minimum-wage service job to getting to represent my community in Congress, she says. I have hope, because Ive experienced the possibilities of America firsthandand when I travel across Florida, Im meeting so many people who believe in those possibilities too. Ive met Floridians young and old, of different political leanings and of different backgrounds, who are all united in the desire to build a better future.

Yes, this is a tough race, but I know Im not fighting alone, she continues. And that gives me all the joy I need.

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Finnish President Alexander Stubb believes that Western powers, including the United States, should lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes on Russian territory.

Source: European Pravda; Stubb in an interview with The New York Times

Details: Stubb urged allies in the global West, including the US, "to allow Ukraine to fight without one hand tied behind its back" and lift restrictions on long-range strikes.

"We need to continue to support Ukraine, starting with finance, starting with ammunition, starting with vehicles, and also with allowing Ukraine to use weapons as it pleases, as long as its in self-defence and within the framework of international rules," he added.

The Finnish president emphasised that Russia is an imperial power that "has expansion in its DNA".

"So what we need to do is to convince Putin that theres no point for him to continue this war, and I think Putin needs to lose both the war and the peace, because the only thing that he understands is power. The key is to allow Ukraine to fight this war without any kind of restrictions, and everything after that is secondary," Stubb said.

The Finnish president added that greater freedom of action for Ukraine would bring peace talks closer.

Background:

Earlier, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also said Ukraine's allies should stop dithering when it comes to helping Kyiv fight and authorise the use of the weapons they supplied to strike Russia.

The Times has reported that the US and the UK are preparing to authorise Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles for strikes on Russian territory, although the deal will remain private to preserve the element of surprise for Russia.

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(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Peterson Space Force Base said that from Monday, Sept. 23, to Tuesday, Sept. 24, fire training exercises will occur at Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station from 9 a.m. to noon.

During the exercises, Peterson Space Force Base said those living nearby may see increased activity on the installation, including visible smoke, fire, and the presence of emergency vehicles. Peterson Space Force Base said these are controlled exercises and there is no cause for alarm, as significant safety controls are in place.

Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station may have temporary disruptions with traffic and Peterson recommends drivers plan accordingly.

Another fire exercise is planned for Friday, Oct. 4.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A fireman is about to close the door to a firetruck while sitting in the driver's seat.

Firefighters must frequently use PFAS-containing turnout gear to ensure protection from fire incidents. (Getty Images)

Firefighters employ rigorous preventive measures to limit contact with hazardous substances during fire emergencies. Yet, avoiding toxic exposure becomes nearly impossible when the equipment to keep them safe contains potentially carcinogenic compounds. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds whose toxicity is an emerging public health concern due to widespread use in firefighting gears and foams. Despite their risks, PFAS physical properties make them difficult to replace.

PFAS persistent perils

These forever chemicals comprise over 14,700 carbon-fluorine compounds with a stable molecular makeup. They can withstand high temperatures, are water and oil-repellent, non-stick, and can act as surfactants. PFAS has been used in commercial products and industrial applications since the 1950s. PFOA and PFOS were the active ingredients of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which gained fame between the 1960s and 1970s. As asbestos carcinogenic effects became apparent, PFAS types like PTFE were considered safe substitutes for firefighting gear.

Companies that produce and sell PFAS, like 3M and DuPont de Nemours, must be transparent about the compounds potential health effects. They disingenuously withheld vital information from federal authorities and the public for decades. Several independent research studies found that PFAS are persistent environmental contaminants that accumulate in human tissues and blood. Prolonged exposure is associated with multiple health conditions, including increased testicular and kidney cancer risks, cholesterol and liver enzyme shifts, decreased vaccine effectiveness in children, low birth weight, and hypertension in pregnant women.

Forever chemicals in firefighters protective equipment

Firefighters are exposed to a range of occupational hazards, which can lead to higher cancer rates and deaths. Researchers evaluated firefighters PFAS exposure risks considering the compounds potential association with oncological afflictions. One of the most concerning findings was the presence of PFAS in personal protective equipment. PFAS have been used in the layers of turnout gear since 1976. Recently, studies have found that firefighting textiles contain PFAS. It represents another PFAS exposure pathway, primarily through dermal exposure. As PFAS layers in turnout gear wear down, these compounds infiltrate from external layers to the thermal barrier closest to the skin.

A National Institute of Standards and Technology study analyzed 20 firefighter fabrics. They identified 26 types of PFAS in all protective layers, mainly in the outer shells and the moisture barriers treated with water-repellent PFAS coatings. Firefighters PFAS blood levels are higher than the general population due to their cumulative exposure to AFFF, residual PFAS particulate matter from emergency sites, and hazardous protective equipment.

PFAS exposure risks in West Virginias firefighters

The West Virginia State Fire Marshals Office, Fire Department Services Division, oversees the states fire departments. It manages fire and non-fire data collected from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), fire department training and evaluation, and issuance of emergency vehicle permits. Currently, 401 fire departments are registered with the National Fire Department Registry. Firefighters comprise 90.7% volunteers and 3.3% career firefighters. Right now, 8.2% account for fires from the total fire department responses, which is 2.1 times higher than the national average.

Firefighters have increased exposure to AFFF and must frequently use PFAS-containing turnout gear to ensure protection from fire incidents. House Bill 3189 amends the 1931 Code of West Virginia, adding a specific clause for identifying PFAS sources. The act acknowledges that defense equipment is also a PFAS source. While already in effect, the state will also receive $18.9 million in federal funding over two years to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS. The removal of PFAS efforts is mainly focused on detection and environmental cleanup, and it is evident that firefighters turnout gear needs safer alternatives.

The PFAS alternatives act: A legislative effort to replace PFAS

According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, every turnout gear available on the market contains PFAS, with only one durable, water-resistant coating being independently verified as fluorine-free. Although independent research for replacements is underway, a recent proposed legislation aims to innovate and develop safer alternatives.

The PFAS Alternatives Act provides funding to expedite research, development, and testing of PFAS-free materials for next-generation firefighting equipment and other purposes. It addresses broader issues, including better protection against primary and secondary exposure to combustion byproducts and particulate, reduced maintenance and ease of cleaning, visual indicators of toxic contamination alerting firefighters, and body composition in protective equipment design.

Furthermore, the bill would also fund best practices training to help firefighters mitigate exposure risks and handle next-gen gear. Eligible grant applicants must involve experts in the firefighting industry and fire service professionals, leveraging their hands-on experience for valuable guidance.

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Firefighters continue to tackle 18 fires in seven oblasts in Ukraines north and east  Poltava, Chernihiv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Rivne and Sumy.

Source: Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, spokesperson for Ukraines State Emergency Service (SES), at a briefing on 23 September, quoted by Ukrinform

Quote: "A total of 18 large-scale fires are currently being extinguished in Ukraine. In particular, these are fires in ecosystems, including open areas, dry grass, shrubs, dead wood, and peat fires, which are very difficult and time-consuming to extinguish, and forest fires, mostly forest litter. An area of over 1,300 hectares is ablaze. These large-scale fires have been recorded in seven of Ukraines oblasts."

Details: Khorunzhyi noted that over 1,300 firefighters and more than 300 appliances are being deployed to extinguish the fires in these oblasts.

Asked about the factors that make the process of extinguishing these fires so challenging for firefighters, the SES representative explained that one factor is waterless areas.

Quote: "There has been no heavy rainfall for a very long time, and where the SES often works, it is often necessary to transport water over long distances or supply it through powerful fire pumping stations. The second factor is mines, especially in frontline areas or liberated territories. The third is attacks on our firefighters," the spokesman said.

Details: More than 46,000 fires have been recorded in Ukraine's ecosystems since the beginning of 2024.

Khorunzhyi said that 4,800 of the fires in ecosystems recorded this year were caused by the hostilities.

The spokesman urged people to follow fire safety rules and never to burn dry grass in such weather conditions.

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Several firefighters responded to a large fire at a family-owned dairy farm in Ohio Sunday night.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Firefighters responded to Comp Dairy Farm in Ashtabula County on initial reports of a fire, according to CBS affiliate WOIO.

Ohio Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur wrote on social media that the Comp Dairy Farm has been in operation since 1885 and is home to nearly 2,000 dairy cows.

TRENDING STORIES:

She said the community is coming together to help.

Not only did 15+ fire departments fight the blaze and the ASHTABULA COUNTY sheriffs deputies direct traffic and water access, KINGS towing distributed bottled water, and FARMERS from all over have been and are sitting in line, waiting and ready to trailer the cows to farms that have the capacity to care for them.

This is after many of them had already put in a full days work! If something this catastrophic had to happen, these men and women are the community to have to back you!

THANK YOU to all going without needed sleep and sharing your time, resources, and compassion so selflessly!

Family members started moving cows off the property to be moved elsewhere and some cows did not make it, WOIO reports.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Emigrant Peak Trail in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest (Photo by Jacob W. Frank of the National Park Service).

Theres a boiling controversy right now over the future of hundreds of thousands of acres of Forest Service lands abutting Yellowstone National Park and comprising the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. These lands are primarily in the Gallatin and Madison Ranges which are facing increasing pressures from a variety of development and recreational pressures.

The majority of the area is protected by the Wilderness Study Areas in Senator Lee Metcalfs Wilderness Study Act of 1977 which mandates that they be managed under the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964 until Congress decides to either designate them as Big W Wilderness Areas or release them for multiple abuse.

By law, that means no mechanized access or use is allowed there any more than its allowed in Montanas other much-prized wilderness areas such as the Bob Marshall, Great Bear, Selway-Bitterroot, Absarokee-Beartooth and Lee Metcalf Wilderness.

Additionally, more than 20 years after Metcalfs visionary law, President Bill Clinton authorized the Roadless Rule which addresses the roadless lands outside the Wilderness Study Areas. The goal was to preserve those quickly vanishing areas of federal public lands that had not yet felt the degradation of the bulldozers blade.

Taken together, it comes to a very significant 240,000 acres of virtually pristine lands with incredible value as intact forest ecosystems for wildlife, protected headwaters for fish, our best and cheapest way to pull greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere, and clean drinking water for Montanans. Those lands run from the Park all the way to Bozeman and Livingston and are the headwaters for the famed Yellowstone, Gallatin and Madison Rivers.

The source of the controversy is the Gallatin Conservation and Recreation Act being promoted by three big money groups: The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, The Wilderness Society, and the Montana Wilderness Association (now doing business as Wild Montana). Ironically, they use the name, but theyve changed their game, and under their proposal these lands would be chopped up and opened for motorized, mechanical, and industrial wreckcreation and even more logging by the rapacious timber industry.

They claim that commercial logging will be prohibited in much of the area, but they neglect to tell the public that their loophole is big enough to drive a logging truck through and allows the Forest Service to bulldoze logging roads if the Forest Service claims it has to log for forest health. The dirty little secret is that now almost every Forest Service logging proposal is for forest health or as retired Forest Service Gardiner District Ranger Hank Rate called it: No tree left behind.

The proposal is facing significant opposition not only from long-time wilderness advocates but the former Superintendent of Yellowstone Park and a number of former staffers and board members of the groups. Since the proposal has no sponsor and has not been introduced in Congress, act is perhaps the most pertinent word in the title since they act like theyre protecting wilderness, but are actually throwing wilderness quality lands open to degradation from any number of uses and abuses.

The simplest, most sensible, and least controversial way forward is to first designate the existing Wilderness Study Areas as full-on Wilderness since, by law, theyre already being managed as wilderness. If they really want to protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, they would likewise support wilderness designation for all the remaining roadless lands as does the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, S. 1531, which is a bill before Congress. NREPA has 12 sponsors in the Senate and protects the vital biological corridors connecting the ecosystems in this region and ensures the continued existence of threatened animals such as wolverines, lynx and grizzly bears for future generations.

Mike Garrity is the Executive Director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Civil Service Minister Hun Many (2nd L) and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin (2nd R) attend the opening ceremony of the Cambodian and Chinese youth dialogue in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 23, 2024. Dozens of Cambodian and Chinese youths met here in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Monday for a dialogue on cultural and people-to-people exchanges as well as digital economy. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Cambodian and Chinese youths met here in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Monday for a dialogue on cultural and people-to-people exchanges as well as digital economy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the dialogue, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Civil Service Minister Hun Many said the dialogue would inject fresh vitality into the development of Cambodia-China friendship and cooperation.

"Youths are the backbone of a nation's development and play a very important role in advancing the historical relations and iron-clad friendship between Cambodia and China," he said.

He added that youth-to-youth exchanges have created networks, trust, and better communication, laying a strong foundation for the development of Cambodia-China relations in the future.

"This dialogue provides an opportunity for youths from both countries to exchange ideas, knowledge, and experiences and to promote mutual learning," he said.

Hun Many also highlighted the excellent Cambodia-China relations, which were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2010 and then evolved into an iron-clad friendship and diamond cooperation.

"Our cooperation in all areas has a common goal of building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era," he said.

"The relationship between Cambodia and China is a role model of international relations, providing tangible benefits to the people of both countries, particularly in the areas of trade, infrastructure, education, culture, and tourism," he added.

The dialogue was one of joint activities to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China, and the Cambodia-China people-to-people exchange year 2024.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin said youths have an obligation to foster China-Cambodia relations, adding that their contributions are essential to building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

"Youth is the future pillar of the nation," he said. "When youth is strong, the nation is strong."

"China and Cambodia are iron-clad friends, who have always provided mutual support," Wang said. "Our iron-clad friendship is unbreakable." 

Delegates from Cambodia and China attend the Cambodian and Chinese youth dialogue in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 23, 2024. Dozens of Cambodian and Chinese youths met here in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Monday for a dialogue on cultural and people-to-people exchanges as well as digital economy. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)
Flooding was causing traffic and travel delays across the south east [BBC]

Floods hit properties, closed an M25 slip road and caused travel delays across the south east of England after a night of heavy rain.

Flood warnings were issued for parts of East Sussex and Kent, with flooding expected until Friday morning.

At least 45 properties have flooded across Kent, the Home Counties, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, according to the Environment Agency.

Meanwhile, there have been train delays due to the "severe weather" affecting Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink services, Southern Railway said.

Drivers were asked to find alternative routes into London after National Highways said on X that the northbound entry slip road from the M25 at junction 10 (Guildford) was closed due to flooding.

Traffic monitoring site Inrix reported at 11:00 BST that the slip road had reopened.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for rain from 05:00 until 23:59 on Monday across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

A yellow warning for rain means some communities may be cut off by flooded roads, with possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses, it said.

Flooding on the Hayes line was causing disruption to Southeastern passengers [Network Rail]

Flood warnings have been in place on Monday for the River Medway between Forest Row and Penshurst, along with the Rivers Eden and Eden Brook from Crowhurst to Penshurst.

There have been flood alerts for the River Rother and its tributaries from Turks Bridge to the Royal Military Canal, the lower and middle River Medway and around the River Bourne, from Hadlow to East Peckham in Kent.

Flood alerts were also issued for the Upper Ouse and River Adur in Sussex, plus the area around Gatwick Airport from 08:00, covering surrounding towns and villages including Charlwood, Hookwood, Crawley and Horley.

An airport spokesperson said there were no issues at Gatwick on Monday morning.

Heavy rain fell across the south east, including in Maidstone [BBC WEATHER WATCHERS/STORMCHASERLIAM]

Surrey's River Mole and its tributaries from Kinnersley Manor to South Hersham were also subject to flood alerts.

Network Rail Kent and Sussex apologised to passengers for disruption to trains after flooding on the Hayes and Hastings lines.

In a post on X, Network Rail said: "At Wadhurst, the flooding has impacted signalling kit - the railways traffic lights - and weve got a flooded transformer which needs replacing.

At about 17:00, Southeastern said repairs had been "unsuccessful" and that a reduced service would run between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings until the end of the evening.

Issues with flooding at Lower Sydenham on the Hayes line have been cleared, Southeastern Railway said, and the line was running normally.

National Rail said there was earlier disruption on Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink services, while South Western Railway said lines had reopened following flooding at Walton-On-Thames.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, and on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

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TALLAHASSEE, Florida  Floridas Republican attorney general wont fight a challenge to the states ban on openly carrying firearms, sidestepping a court fight in the nations third largest state.

Ashley Moody, who was first elected in 2018, has routinely sued President Joe Bidens administration and publicly complained about authorities who refuse to follow the law. But her office turned down requests to represent a state prosecutor and a county sheriff who were the named defendants in a federal lawsuit brought by a gun rights organization that argues the ban violates the 2nd and 14th Amendment.

This means that Moody, a rumored candidate for governor in 2026, is skipping a potentially game-changing lawsuit that could result in guns being carried publicly in the tourist-dependent state.

The state attorney being sued in the lawsuit asked Buddy Jacobs  who has been a long-time lobbyist for the association that represents prosecutors  to represent him in the case after Moodys office turned down a request to represent the prosecutor. Jacobs told POLITICO that Moodys office also declined a request by the St. Lucie County sheriff to get involved in the case.



Kylie Mason, a spokesperson for Moody, would not say why the attorney general had declined to defend Floridas open carry law. Mason only said in an email that our office may become involved at a later stage.

One of the jobs of the state attorney general is to help defend the constitutionality of Florida laws, and Moody has defended laws limiting guns in the past. Moody, for example, is currently helping defend the Florida law that legislators passed after the Parkland shooting that raised the age limit to purchase a rifle from 18 to 21. Thats despite her opposing raising the age limit on the campaign trail in 2018.

Moody has intervened in other, lower profile cases recently. Earlier this year she stepped into a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a recently-enacted law regarding Gainesville city utilities. In 2022, Moody intervened in a federal lawsuit that the American Civil Liberties Union filed against the Leon County court clerk that included a challenge to the states bail bonds law.

Moody has taken on a prominent role challenging the Biden administration and has sharply criticized Democratic politicians who she said fail to enforce the law. At a recent press conference in August, Moody took aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other politicians that she said were letting there be chaos in the streets due to their unwillingness to enforce laws they did not agree with.

Laws are nothing if they are not enforced, Moody said at the time.

The office of Thomas Bakkedahl, the state attorney who represents several counties in Floridas Treasure Coast region and is being sued, directed questions to Jacobs. A spokesperson for the St. Lucie County sheriff did not immediately return a request for comment.

I was surprised when I heard the attorney general would not defend the state but I wont speculate as to reasons, said State Attorney Dave Aronberg, a Democrat from Palm Beach County who is not part of the litigation.

But he added that: Theres not a lot of support for open carry in Florida which is why the plaintiffs are seeking to have the courts do it rather than the Legislature.

The state Supreme Court has previously upheld the law banning open carry, but the split ruling came seven years ago  before the courts makeup was changed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis and Moody are considered allies, but the two are elected independently of each other. The governor, who is term-limited, has not overtly gotten involved in the race to replace him.

Gun rights activists did push to scrap Floridas long-standing open carry law when legislators eliminated permit requirements for concealed weapons. DeSantis said he was willing to consider allowing open carry, but certain legislative leaders  including outgoing state Senate President Kathleen Passidomo  opposed the move. Passidomo cited opposition from Floridas sheriffs as one of the reasons she did not support open carry.

Gun Owners of America, along with a Palm Beach County gun owner, filed a lawsuit in early August calling the states ban on open carry a blatant infringement of the Second Amendment rights of Floridians and a violation of equal protection rights.

The gun lawsuit is still in the early stages, although initially those challenging the law nearly got a default judgment because there was no initial response by the defendants.

Last week, Jacobs filed a motion asking the judge to toss out the lawsuit on multiple grounds including that the dispute should be handled in state court. The motion also contends that Floridas open carry restriction is constitutional and is consistent with the historical tradition of firearm regulation. But the motion also argues that the case should be at least put on hold until a federal appeals court decides the ongoing challenge against the Parkland law.

Luis Valdes, Florida state director for Gun Owners of America, said that only Moody could answer why she has not gotten involved in the lawsuit.

But he said that the organization brought the lawsuit in federal court because the GOP supermajority in the Legislature may claim to be pro-gun but their decision to block open carry legislation reflects their lack of support for the Second Amendment. Valdes also criticized DeSantis for failing to get legislators to act.

Florida is the only conservative state in the country to ban open carry and so called pro-gun officials have failed to repeal this gun control, Valdes said.
FILE - Materials for teens and parents on pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections provided by Teen Health Mississippi are displayed, Sept. 26, 2023, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Some Florida school districts are rolling back a more comprehensive approach to sex education in favor of abstinence-focused lessons under pressure from state officials who have labeled certain instruction on contraception, anatomy and consent as inappropriate for students.

Officials from the Florida Department of Education, led by an appointee of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, have been directing some of the state's largest school districts to scale back their lesson plans not only on sexual activity, but on contraceptives, human development, abuse and domestic violence, as first reported by the Orlando Sentinel.

The shift reflects a nationwide push in conservative states to restrict what kids can learn about themselves and their bodies. Advocates are concerned that young people won't reliably be taught about adolescence, safe sex or relationship violence at a time when sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise and access to abortion is being increasingly restricted.

Under recent changes to state law, its now up to the Florida Department of Education to sign off on school districts curriculum on reproductive health and disease education if they use teaching materials other than the states designated textbook.

About a dozen districts across Florida have been told by state officials to restrict their sex ed instruction plans, said Elissa Barr, a professor of public health at the University of North Florida and the chair of the Florida Healthy Youth Alliance, which advises school districts on developing and implementing comprehensive sex education programs.

Barr says comprehensive sex ed isn't just about reducing teen pregnancy and protecting young people against HIV, at a time when Florida is reporting more HIV diagnoses than almost any other state, according to health policy research nonprofit KFF.

Sex ed is sexual abuse prevention. Its dating violence prevention. And it just helps young people develop healthier relationships and actually delay sexual initiation, Barr told The Associated Press. We still have 1 in 4 teens pregnant at least once before age 20. So for us to cut contraceptive information and education is really doing young people a disservice. Its very harmful.

Research has shown that comprehensive sex ed is associated with teens waiting longer to have sex for the first time, as well as reduced rates of teen pregnancy and STIs and the prevention of sexual abuse.

A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Education defended the state's approach, highlighting the importance of abstinence and recent changes to state law that require schools to teach that reproductive roles are binary, stable, and unchangeable.

Florida law requires schools to emphasize the benefits of sexual abstinence as the expected standard and the consequences of teenage pregnancy, department communications director Sydney Booker said. "A state government should not be emphasizing or encouraging sexual activity among children or minors and is therefore right to emphasize abstinence."

In Broward County Public Schools, which includes Fort Lauderdale and is the nation's sixth largest school district, state officials told the district that pictures of reproductive anatomy and demonstrations on how to use contraceptives should not be included in any grade level," according to a staff memo that was shared with the AP.

Florida Department of Education officials also told the district to remove the words abuse, consent, and domestic violence from a proposed lesson for first graders and replace it with language that's considered more age-appropriate, such as talking to a trusted adult when they feel uncomfortable.

Barr said the concerns expressed about curriculum were inconsistent from district to district and were communicated verbally, not over email.

A representative for Orange County Public Schools, which includes Orlando, said the district revised its teaching plans in response to verbal feedback from the department.

FDOE strongly recommended the district utilize the state adopted text, district spokesperson Michael Ollendorff said.

Under Florida law, schools don't have to teach sex ed. If they do offer lessons, they must emphasize abstinence as the expected standard." Florida parents have the right to opt their students out of that instruction, though surveys show the general public overwhelmingly supports schools teaching sex ed.

Take politics out of it, take religion out of it and really focus on the science and what works for young people," Barr said. We have the answer, and its comprehensive sex ed.

___

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.
This story was updated to add new information.

For Southwest Floridians  especially islanders  the bulletins have an all-too familiar ring as the second anniversary of Hurricane Ian nears:

"Sanibel Residents and Businesses Encouraged to Monitor Weather Conditions in the Tropics;"

"Town of Fort Myers Beach Emergency Management continues to monitor the Tropical System formed in the Northwestern Caribbean;"

"Lee County Emergency Management urges residents to take action to prepare as tropical activity increases"

"The City of Bonita Springs is Monitoring Tropical Activity"

And from Governor Ron DeSantis, a state of emergency declaration: Executive Order 24-208 (Emergency Management  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine

You could almost hear a collective 'Here we go again' shudder as the region learned the National Hurricane Center is watching a Gulf of Mexico situation that might become a tropical storm named Helene by mid-week.

Battle-tested Sanibel Island isn't quite in the hunkering stage yet, but is definitely keeping an eye on things. "Normal preparations for the City right now, and we're reminding residents and businesses to do the same," Sanibel spokesman Eric Jackson wrote in an email.

Mead Johnson, one of the owners of Baileys General Store on Sanibel looks at destroyed shelves on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 after it was flooded by Hurricane Ian. The plan is to tear down the existing building and re-open in a rebuilt space that will be raised.

The weather system, currently called Invest (for investigation) 97L is producing showers and thunderstorms that "are beginning to show signs of organization with a broad area of low pressure" over the northwestern Caribbean Sea, USA Today reported earlier. The NHC said conditions seem favorable for further development, and a "tropical depression or storm is likely to form over the next couple of days" as the system moves northward across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

What Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Lee County officials are saying

Fort Myers Beach is urging residents to "Stay vigilant and prepared. Town Hall has sand and bags available for residents at 2731 Oak St. Those that live in the areas prone to flooding, please be aware that the Town's stormwater system will not alleviate water breaching the seawalls from the back bay ... most of the Tier One project is still in progress, meaning drains may hold water for some time during significant rain events." Online resources: The town's Facebook page and its website. Also available: CodeRed: Community Notification Enrollment, which sends users to phone, text and/or email alerts.

Sanibel is pointing residents to the National Hurricane Center and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. ""The key to weathering whatever Mother Nature sends our way is to have a plan and be prepared," wrote Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson. " Please pay close attention to weather updates from our local meteorologists and follow the guidance of public authorities if a threatening storm heads this way."

Bonita Springs is sharing information online at www.cityofbonitasprings.org and on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CityBonitaSprings/ Tune in to Bonita TV by streaming live on the city website or the following cable distribution systems:- Comcast, channel 98.- Hotwire, channel 398.- Summit broadband, channel 96.

And Lee County has plenty of advice:

Monitor local media outlets, the National Weather Service-Tampa, and the National Hurricane Center.

Sign up for AlertLee, an emergency notification system that keeps you informed through phone, text, and/or email.

Download the LeePrepares app from Google Play or the App Store.

Follow Lee County Government and Lee County Public Safety on social media.

Bookmark www.leegov.com. If a storm is approaching, Lee County Government will continuously update the website with relevant information.

Have a plan:

Review your Evacuation Zone and Flood Zone. Review the All Hazards Guide.

Double check your Family Emergency Plan and an Emergency Supply Kit. Find tips at www.leegov.com/hurricane. Your Family Emergency Plan should include where you would evacuate  like a family members or friends home or a community outside the area. Your Family Emergency Plan should include a list of steps, such as securing loose items in your yard and ensuring your shutters are up. Review this list now and ensure you have what you need on hand as you continue to monitor the tropics. If you or your family member is in need use of a Special Needs Shelter during a severe weather event visit the Special Needs Shelter website to learn more about the program and to register: www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/shelters/specialneedsprogram



The county also says that Lee County Natural Resources and the Lee County Department of Transportation work year-round to be prepared for excessive rain events, particularly during the traditional hurricane season. In the event of heavy rain, it will take the infrastructure time to drain. Please use caution and dont drive through flooded roads. If the roadway is covered with water, take another route.

The county asks the public to report blocked ditches, swales, canals and areas of local flooding:

First, to find out if your road is maintained by Lee County DOT, by visiting http://leegis.leegov.com/RoadLookup/. If it is not maintained by Lee County, find your municipal contact by visiting www.leegov.com/dcd/flood.

Second, put in a Request for Action (RFA) to improve surface water drainage along your county-maintained road by contacting Request for Action Hotline at www.leegov.com/dot/requestforaction.

People can use the same website to also report blocked creeks and streams (example: downed trees, collected debris). The reported information will be directed to Lee County Natural Resources.

As tropical storm activity intensifies, Lee County Solid Waste urges residents to follow these important guidelines:

Refrain from cutting trees, doing major yard work, or placing large amounts of bulk waste at the curb, as excess debris strains collection services.

Secure loose items that could become projectiles before any approaching storm.

Collection schedules may change as storms approach; for updates and more information, visit www.leegov.com/solidwaste.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.

 This is a developing story. Come back to news-press.com for updates.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Storm alerts beginning for Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita, Lee County
Much-needed rainfall fell in Iowa Saturday through this morning, with northern Iowa unfortunately missing out on most of it.

Much cooler air has moved into Iowa as a cold front moved across the state last night. Temperatures have been around 20 degrees cooler than yesterday.

Highs in the 70s will be with us this week, with tiny rain chances coming our way the next two days.

Parts of Iowa will fall into the 40s overnight before rebounding to highs in the low 70s in most areas Monday.

A disturbance crossing southeast Iowa Monday afternoon could kick off a few light showers there, while another system dropping into the state from the northwest will bring a slight shower chance Tuesday morning before dissipating.

Highs for the next six days can be found in the gallery below:

The 6-to-10 and 8-to-14-day outlooks keep us in a warm and dry regime into the beginning of October.

A tropical system moving into the Gulf late-week could move north and bring shower chances to Iowa on Saturday and Sunday. Well continue to monitor.

Your WHO 13 7-day forecast:

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
An early look at a potential timeline for Invest 97L.

As peak hurricane season approaches, meteorologists are asking residents of the Florida Gulf Coast to prepare for a potential Category 4 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine in the Caribbean Sea as models show the formation potentially hitting the Panhandle.

"The main takeaway is that it's going to be a pretty big storm," said Caitlin Baldwin, National Weather Service in Mobile meteorologist. "We'll likely see impacts extending outside of that cone. We'll start to see heavy rainfall, wind and storm surge impacts."

Live coverage: Tropical Cyclone Nine forms, could become Hurricane Helene. Florida residents should prepare

Baldwin said its slightly too early to tell how the storm will affect Pensacola as it could move closer to or further away from the area. However, she did say that Pensacola could begin to see inclement weather as early as Thursday.

The NHC says the formation could form into a tropical depression or tropical storm either Tuesday or Wednesday as it moves northward into the Gulf of Mexico.

"The big thing right now is we'll probably be looking at heavy rain, wind and storm surge by late this week," Baldwin said. "We'll see some high surf and deadly rip currents that will begin Wednesday evening."

AccuWeather forecasters are predicting the system could become a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall, possibly on Florida's Panhandle. Because rapid intensification is a strong possibility, residents were advised to prepare for a Category 4 storm.

Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts, said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva, adding the system has the potential to become the strongest hurricane landfall in the U.S. so far this season.

AccuWeather expert meteorologists expect this to be a highly impactful storm, said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. This could be the storm that the 2024 hurricane season is remembered for.

Escambia County Emergency Management urges residents to be prepared for hurricanes, planning what you will need in the event you cannot leave your home or if you need to evacuate.

Your hurricane strategy should include evacuation plans, routes, supplies necessary to stay or leave and to make sure all supplies last at least one week.

The next named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is Helene.

Cheryl McCloud of the USA Today Network - Florida contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola hurricane: What to know about Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine
As forecasters watch potential Hurricane Helene, what to expect in South Florida this week

South Florida will likely be out of the cone of concern for a tropical system that could morph into Hurricane Helene by the latter part of the week, but forecasters say people can expect the regions rainy season to be even wetter starting Wednesday as the system makes its way north through the Gulf of Mexico.

What forecasters are now calling potential tropical cyclone 9 is expected to make a northeast turn Wednesday morning as it passes in between Cuba and Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula, possibly hitting Floridas Panhandle and Big Bend region as a category 2 hurricane, according to the National Weather Service.

READ MORE: Floridas Gulf Coast could see a Cat 2 hurricane this week. Helene close to forming

A National Weather Service graphic shows possible tropical storm force winds from what forecasters say could form into Hurricane Helene by the middle of the week.

Forecasters on Monday said they expect the center of the storm to remain far enough away off Floridas Gulf Coast from South Florida to keep major hurricane conditions from impacting the region.

The southeast coast is definitely looking like the best place to be, National Weather Service Meteorologist George Rizzuto said Monday.

That said, heavier-than-normal rains, winds and thunderstorms from the system should be anticipated from Broward County down through the Florida Keys, Rizzuto said.

Between Wednesday and Saturday morning, total rainfall is expected to range from 3 to 5 inches, with possible isolated tornadoes, Rizzuto said. Rain accumulation could be higher in specific local areas, he added.

The main story here is going to be the rainfall, said Rizzuto.

And although the Keys are also expected to be out of the direct path of the system for now, Gov. Ron DeSantis did include Monroe County among the 41 counties included in the state of emergency that he declared Monday.

Jonathan Rizzo, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service Key West, said that it is too early to discuss the specific level of potential impacts in the Florida Keys until a well-defined center of circulation forms.

He added the Keys could see high winds, including possibly damaging gusts in thundery squalls, as well as saltwater and rainfall flooding.

These impacts are most likely to occur over the late Tuesday night through Friday morning time frame, with the greatest potential for impacts late Wednesday through Thursday, Rizzo said.
Former Columbus Zoo executive gets 2 months in jail for grand theft, fraud case

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH)  One of five former Columbus Zoo and Aquarium executives learned his fate, after facing a slew of charges adjacent to a $2.3 million theft investigation.

Tracy Murnane, 65, was a purchasing agent for the zoo, according to the Ohio Attorney Generals Office. Some of his charges pertained to aiding former CEO Tom Stalf in using the organizations funds to buy personal property. On Monday, a Delaware County Common Pleas Court judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail, as well as three years of community control.

Watch: Former Columbus zoo executive sentences in grand theft, fraud case

The Westerville resident previously pleaded guilty July 8 to six felonies and two misdemeanors, including:

A grand theft charge that combines several actions worth between $7,500 and $150,000: selling cars to the zoo with a straw seller, using the zoo barter system for personal purchases and attending events at Nationwide Arena and the Schottenstein Center with tickets the zoo paid for

While working as a zoo purchaser, selling services from his familys business to the zoo

Aiding another defendant, Stalf, in using $45,000 in zoo funds to buy a car for Stalfs personal use

Purchasing vehicles without obtaining a certificate of title, including four Corvettes, years 2001, 2000, 1996 and 1968, along with a 1965 Ford and a 2009 Chevrolet PT.

Filing tax returns for 2019 without accounting for his fraudulent gains.

Murnane is now the third zoo executive to receive a sentencing as of Monday. Greg Bell, the former chief financial officer, received three years in prison on Aug. 19 after pleading guilty to 14 charges. Grant Bell, the fifth employee charged, received two years of community control and orders to pay back $8,000 after pleading guilty to a single charge.

Former marketing director Pete Fingerhut was set for a Monday sentencing on 16 felony charges as well, but court records confirmed his hearing was rescheduled to Oct. 28. He joins Stalf, who is awaiting an Oct. 14 sentencing on 15 felony charges he admitted to.

A 2021 investigation by the law firm Porter Wright alleged that the former executives for the Columbus Zoo misused zoo funds to attend sporting events, allow family members to live in zoo-owned houses, award a no-bid contract for construction at The Wilds, and make other personal purchases.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Former Horseheads pastor sentenced to prison for having child sex abuse material

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WETM)  A pastor in Oneida County with ties to Horseheads was sentenced to years in federal prison after he admitted to having sexual images of children in 2022.

According to a release from the United States Attorneys Office Northern District of New York, 59-year-old James H. Swanson of Rome, was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 20, to three years in federal prison for possessing child sex abuse material.

The documents said that during a guilty plea, Swanson admitted that between March 25, 2022, and March 28, 2022, he uploaded several videos of child sex abuse material to a cloud storage account under his control.

Horseheads woman sentenced for stealing from employer

Swanson said in the plea that he was doing this kind of conduct for years, but would delete his collection before accessing, viewing, and downloading more.

Court documents revealed that Swanson had worked as a pastor for decades, with his most recent job serving as the pastor of the Rome Wesleyan Church.

According to property records, Swanson lived by and worked at the Community Wesleyan Church in Horseheads as a pastor for some time. County tax records revealed that the house across the street from the church that Swanson was living in was owned by the church as a parsonage.

Documents state that after Swansons time in prison, he will serve 15 years of probation as well as register as a sex offender.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A former hotel worker at the Marriott in Uptown Charlotte claims she was fired in part for retaliation after one guest said he woke up to a stranger sexually assaulting him.

Man sues Marriott for $160M, says he woke up to stranger sexually assaulting him

Channel 9 first reported in March that the guest sued the hotel.

Now, the former worker is also suing Marriott. She told Channel 9 she was fired the same day that the first lawsuit came out.

The worker spoke to Channel 9s Hunter Saenz on Monday and said she was terminated because Marriott was worried she would testify in the sexual assault case.

The earlier lawsuit stems from a 2022 incident where police said Jermaine Lamont Peay sexually assaulted a Mississippi man who was staying at the hotel. The victim said he went to his room for the night but did not know the self-closing and self-locking door [to his room] was not functioning properly, and the door did not properly latch or lock.

He told the police that he woke up to Peay performing a sex act on him and he howled in terror and lashed out to punch Peay who ran off.

In the new court filing, a former employee of Marriott says despite seeking help to remove the individual from the property [that night]... the assault occurred later that evening due to the absence of management and security... and that she believes her termination was in part to discredit her as a potential witness.

In the new court document, Marriott admits the suspect was seen entering the victims room at 4 a.m. and that he was never questioned or stopped by hotel staff before that.

Saenz reached out to Marriott to get a response to the initial lawsuit and the wrongful termination allegation but he hasnt heard back.




This photo taken on Sept. 22, 2024 from the footage of Iran's state-run IRIB TV shows a scene near the site of a mine explosion in Iran's South Khorasan Province. The death toll from a mine explosion in Iran's South Khorasan Province has reached 38, with 14 people still trapped, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (IRNA) reported Monday.

A blast struck the coal mine in Tabas, about 540 km southeast of the capital Tehran on Saturday night. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a mine explosion in Iran's South Khorasan Province has reached 38, with 14 people still trapped, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (IRNA) reported Monday.

A blast struck the coal mine in Tabas, about 540 km southeast of the capital Tehran on Saturday night.

A total of 47 workers were trapped in the B area of the mine. Thirty people have died and 17 others were injured. A total of 22 workers were trapped in the C area, among which eight have died and 14 others remain trapped, South Khorasan Province Governor Javad Ghenaat told reporters Monday.

Rescue efforts are still underway but the high gas density in the tunnel in C area has slowed down the work, said the official.

An expert group will be formed to organize technical personnel to investigate the cause, he said.

South Khorasan Province announced a three-day mourning period on Sunday. 
EDITORS NOTE: This article has been corrected to say Mark Johnson was not sentenced to time in prison

DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  A former Houston County prosecutor convicted of abusing his position for sexual favors has been sentenced to 2 and a half years in community corrections.

Barbour County Judge Burt Smithhart sentenced Mark Johnson to 10 years in prison, but ordered him to only serve 30 months in a lockdown facility, which will allow him to leave and work during the day.

The Alabama Attorney Generals Office, whose prosecutors worked the case, originally requested Johnson receive four years followed by an additional five years of probation. Johsons defense requested he receive probation and community corrections.

The former prosecutor with the Houston County District Attorneys Office was found guilty in August of six ethics violations, alleging that he solicited pictures and messages to women with criminal cases for sexual contact as a public official.

During the nearly week-long trial, multiple women took the stand, claiming Johnson messaged them, and those conversations turned flirtatious, including the women sending him pictures of themselves in risque positions.

The jury found Johnson guilty after around three hours of deliberation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A former member of the elite wing of the Irish Army Rangers has been killed in battles against Russian forces in Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing The Irish Times

Details: Robert Deegan, a 29-year-old from Newbridge in County Kildare was fatally wounded while fighting for Ukraine last Thursday, though news of his death in battle only surfaced on Sunday.

It remains unclear whether his remains have been recovered by his Ukrainian brothers-in-arms, although several sources in Ireland indicated that they believe recovery efforts are still ongoing.

Although Robert Deegan seemingly had no ties to Ukraine before Russia's invasion in February 2022, he was deeply convinced that the Russians must be defeated.

Sources describe him as a highly principled person, determined to play his part in Ukraine's struggle and always intent on returning to the war, even after sustaining an injury there two years ago.

In October 2022, while driving on duty, he hit an improvised explosive device. Deegan suffered serious injuries, including facial wounds, and lost an eye as a result.

He was evacuated back to Ireland, where he underwent treatment and rehabilitation, then returned to Ukraine earlier this year. In Ukraine, he served with the Stuhna special unit, which takes part in complex and dangerous missions.

He was fatally wounded while covering his team's retreat from the area during battles with Russian forces.

Robert Deegan joined the Irish Defence Forces 11 years ago and earned a coveted spot in the Army Ranger Wing in 2017. His father is a former member of the Defence Forces who also served in the Army Ranger Wing, while his brother is an active serviceman. Sources describe them as a highly respected military family.

Speaking yesterday at the UN Summit of the Future in New York, Irish President Michael D. Higgins expressed condolences to the family of the former Irish soldier, calling his death "a terrible tragedy".

Background: Last December, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the death of one of its citizens in Ukraine who was fighting against Russia's full-scale invasion.

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Former Japanese premier was not pictured 'bowing to South Korea's ex-president'

An image of former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi bowing his head at the Yasukuni shrine to Japan's war dead has been manipulated to make it appear that he was kowtowing to ex-South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun. It circulated repeatedly in misleading Facebook posts criticising ministers appointed by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for being "pro-Japanese".

"Roh was real cool," read part of the caption in a Facebook post on September 12.

"He stands there with his hands in his pocket, legs apart, not even directly looking at the Japanese leader."

It continued, "It is as if he is treating [Koizumi] like a servant."

The image shows Roh, the late president who led South Korea from 2003 to 2008, standing with his hands in his pockets on steps above Koizumi, who served as Japan's prime minister from 2001 to 2006 (archived links here and here).

The text below the image read, "Look and learn you pro-Japanese new right morons."

The "New Right" refers to a movement led by conservative figures that aim to paint South Korea's authoritarian past and the legacy of Japanese colonialism in a more positive light.

Yoon appointed figures associated with the New Right to key positions including deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo and minister for unification Kim Yung-ho (archived link).

Screenshot of the false post, captured on September 19

The same altered image was shared alongside a similar claim on Facebook here, here and here.

Comments indicated some users appeared to believe the image was genuine.

"This is how a real leader acts, I miss Roh so much," one user wrote.

"Yoon Suk Yeol should look at this and reflect on his behaviour," another wrote.

However, a watermark in the image's bottom left-hand corner -- "UhmyNews - News I want to believe -- suggested it was created as satire.

UhmyNews is a play on words based on the name of the South Korean news organisation OhmyNews, whose website yielded no results of such an image (archived link).

Unrelated photo

A keyword search on Google found the original photo of Roh published on Hello Archive, an online platform from Yonhap news agency, on December 21, 2006 (archived links here and here).

The photo's caption read, "President Roh Moo-hyun, during a speech at the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council's standing committee session at the Walker Hill Hotel on the afternoon of the 21st, put his hands in his pockets to gesture that he is not ignoring issues related to national security and unification."

Below is a screenshot comparison between the doctored image (left) and the original photo taken by Yonhap News (right):

Screenshot comparison between the doctored image (left) and the original photo published by Yonhap news (right)

Roh was reported to have expressed frustration repeatedly during the speech and was panned by several prominent newspapers at the time for his negative demeanour.

The same photo was published in reports from the Dong-A Ilbo and Pressian, and made the front page of several other newspapers in 2006, including the Chosun Ilbo and JoongAng Ilbo (archived links here, here, here and here).

Shrine image

A subsequent reverse image search on Google found this photo of Koizumi bowing at the Yasukuni shrine on August 15, 2006 (archived link). Credited to South Korean news agency Newsis, it was published by local newspaper Jeju Today.

Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine honours 2.5 million mostly Japanese killed in wars since the late 19th century, including convicted war criminals (archived link).

Since taking office in 2001, it was the first time Koizumi visited the shrine on August 15 -- the anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender (archived link).

It provoked demonstrations and official protests from South Korea and China, Japan's Asian neighbours and former victims of its imperialism.

Below is a screenshot comparison between the doctored image flipped horizontally (left) and the photo published by Jeju Today (right):

Screenshot comparison between the doctored image flipped horizontally (left) and the photo published by Jeju Today (right)

Koizumi's shrine visit was widely photographed at the time, including by AFP (archived link).
PALISADES PARK  The former borough clerk has filed a lawsuit against the mayor, the current clerk and the facilities manager, alleging they sexually harassed, intimidated and retaliated against her until she was forced to leave the job she had held for 15 years.

Gina Kim resigned from her post in April, at which time she wrote in her resignation letter that it was due to the "egregious conduct" of borough leaders that went ignored by officials and attorneys in the borough.

The lawsuit names Mayor Chong "Paul" Kim, the borough's facilities manager, Paul Lee, and Sophia Jang, the current borough clerk, who was deputy clerk under Kim. It also names John Does from 1 through 10.

Palisades Park Borough Hall.

Gina Kim filed the seven-count lawsuit, which includes allegations of a hostile work environment, gender discrimination and retaliation, in state Superior Court.

"Ms. Kim served the borough of Palisades Park for 15 years, acting as the boroughs clerk since 2015. In return for that service and during the early stages of her pregnancy, she was sexually harassed and subjected to a hostile work environment by Mayor Paul Kim and his minions," said Kim's attorney, Richard Malagiere. "Ms. Kims pleas for help and intervention to the powers that be in the borough were ignored, and instead she was retaliated against for speaking out against Mayor Paul Kim."

Gina Kim was "forced" to leave her job, taking a 50% pay cut, to be "free from a hostile work environment and retaliation." She is seeking damages for lost pay, pain and suffering and punitive damages.

Borough Attorney Allen Roth said he was not aware of any summons or complaint served to the borough regarding Gina Kim and couldn't provide further comment.

Palisades Park Mayor Chong "Paul" Kim

Gina Kim's claims against the mayor date to 2018, when he was first elected as a councilman. The lawsuit says the mayor and Lee knew Gina Kim was raised in a traditional Korean American household and that they used her cultural values and respect for authority against her as a "weapon to intimidate and harass."

Several examples documented in the lawsuit date to 2018. The suit says the mayor subjected Gina Kim to sexually harassing behavior that was "severe and pervasive, aptly described as grotesque."

One example included in the lawsuit says the mayor once discussed his prostate with Gina Kim and said it was uncomfortable and in need of a "prostate massage." The lawsuit also details an alleged incident in which the mayor told Gina Kim's co-workers, in front of her, that she had been mistaken for a prostitute at a past League of Municipalities event.

After Paul Kim became mayor, he regularly had "inappropriate sexual conversations" in front of her and attempted to get her to participate, the lawsuit says. The mayor's behavior became so severe that Gina Kim was afraid to be left alone with him and documented the times she was, the suit says.

The lawsuit also says Lee, the facilities manager, began "spying" on her and frequently went to her office to use the printer and see if she was working, despite having his own printer on a separate floor in Borough Hall.

Besides filing earlier grievances and reports to other borough attorneys, Gina Kim reported 11 complaints or grievances between Sept. 15 and Dec. 12, 2023, to the borough's labor counsel. The lawsuit says they were ignored.

"In a desperate attempt to protect herself from Defendant Lees harassment, the Plaintiff was left with no choice other than to vacate her work area whenever Defendant Lee entered the same workspace," the lawsuit says.

Gina Kim reported more harassment and intimidation examples to the new borough attorney in 2024 that also were ignored, the suit says.

"Notwithstanding the Plaintiffs most recent request for help from yet another Borough lawyer, the harassment continued unabated as the defendants Mayor Paul Kim and Defendant Lee persisted in their harassment and retaliation against the Plaintiff," the lawsuit says.

After she took a new job in Oakland as an assistant to the borough administrator, for a 50% reduction in salary, the alleged harassment continued.

The Palisades Park police director called the Oakland administrator to request certain passwords that he said Gina Kim took with her when she left.

"The Borough police director had no authority or legitimate purpose to make this request of the Plaintiffs new employer and as such the request was an attempt to further retaliate against the Plaintiff and undermine her employment with the Borough of Oakland," the lawsuit says.

The people named in the lawsuit have not responded to requests for comment.

Besides damages for lost pay, Kim is seeking compensatory damages for severe emotional distress, physical pain and suffering; for the damage to her reputation and standing in her community; and "for public disgrace, embarrassment and humiliation, compensatory and punitive damages for the willful, discriminatory and malicious conduct of all of the Defendants," in amounts to be determined at trial, as well as an award of reasonable attorneys fees.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Former Palisades Park NJ clerk sues mayor, manager
Two years after Fort Mill finally got its first hospital, a new facility is set to open that will bridge the gap between hospital and home care.

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Mill opens this week. The 39-bed facility at 2260 Vista Road adds to Encompass Healths 50-bed rehab hospital in Rock Hill. With 165 hospitals in nearly 40 states, Encompass Health is the largest rehab hospital operator in the country.

The new facility will have private patient rooms, a therapy gym and dining room along with in-house dialysis and pharmacy services. Physical therapy, doctor visits and 24-hour nursing care will be provided for patients no longer in need of a traditional hospital, but who arent quite ready to be on their own.

A lot of our patients have gone through some traumatic event that has resulted in possibly a loss of balance or strength, or even speech, swallowing, said Encompass Health area CEO Scott Butler. It could be they suffered a stroke. They had a traumatic car accident.

Or it could be hip replacement surgery where recovery took longer than expected, he said, like for someone with stairs or a large dog and home who may not want to go straight there from a traditional hospital.

We span that gap, for usually about a period of two weeks or so, and rebuild the strength and anything else they need to be safe and secure at home, Butler said.

The rehab hospital takes patients as young as 16, but tends to serve many seniors. Butler doesnt expect a hard time filling the new beds, given the companys experience in Rock Hill and his time living in Fort Mill.

The population is booming, he said. Charlotte is booming, and people are looking to get out of the city. I think theyre realizing that York County, Fort Mill in particular, is a great place to raise a family.

People can be nervous about healthcare, Butler said, particularly if they arent familiar with a facility or services. Some question why they might have to move from a traditional hospital to a rehab one. Butler encourages people to look up Encompass Health, which serves one of every three rehabilitation patients across the country.

We have become experts at that, he said. We get tremendous results from that.

Healthcare options continue to expand

More than a decade of legal challenges among competing hospital companies vying for a Fort Mill site led to the opening of Piedmont Medical Center  Fort Mill two years ago. In those waiting years, Fort Mill grew rapidly. Population soared at rates often higher than any other town Fort Mills size in the region, or country.

Healthcare options followed. Piedmont opened a new freestanding emergency room on Gold Hill Road. Indian Land has several new medical sites that will serve another planned hospital, this one by the Medical University of South Carolina.

That group intends to open a medical office building late next year and a hospital off Charlotte Highway in 2027, officials told The Herald this spring.

Numerous other doctor offices and specialty care facilities have opened in the past few years. Encompass Health began the town approval process for its facility soon after Piedmont got the final go ahead to build its hospital, and two years before the Piedmont hospital opened.
Foster Family Who Took in Several Turpin Children After 'House of Horrors' Plead Guilty to Abusing Them

What happened to the Turpin children at their foster family's house "was in many ways worse than what happened to them in their own home," attorney Elan Zektser previously told PEOPLE

KCAL News/YouTube Marcelino Olguin and daughter Lennys Olguin in court

Three members of a California foster family pleaded guilty to abusing children in their care, including three of the Turpin siblings after their harrowing escape from their parents' House of Horrors, authorities said.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, Marcelino Olguin, 65, of Perris, entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to four counts of lewd acts on a child 14 or 15 years old, with the defendant being at least 10 years older; three counts of lewd acts on a child younger than 14; one count of false imprisonment; and one count of injuring a child, the Riverside County District Attorneys Office confirmed to PEOPLE in an email.

His wife, Rosa Olguin, 60, and their daughter Lennys Olguin, 39, both of Perris, also entered into plea agreements with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to three counts of willful child cruelty and one count each of false imprisonment and intimidating a witness, the DA's Office said. Rosa also pleaded guilty to grand theft.

Related: House of Horrors: Video Shows Allegedly Captive Siblings Being Rescued After Parents' Arrests

What happened to them at the Olguin house was in many ways worse than what happened to them in their own home, Elan Zektser, the attorney for siblings Jordan, and James, told PEOPLE previously.

Sandy Huffaker/Getty The Turpins' house in Perris, Calif.

The Olguins "were allowed to tell them over and over again that they're nobodies, that they're disgusting  meanwhile touching them sexually, torturing them in a number of different ways, being physical with some of them, Zektser told PEOPLE.

Related: Turpin Children's Lawyer Says Foster Care Was 'Worse' Than House of Horrors: 'Brought Their Confidence to a New Low'

In 2018, the 13 Turpin siblings were rescued from their parents so-called House of Horrors in Perris, Calif., when Jordan, then 17, managed to escape and tell authorities about the years of captivity and abuse she and her siblings endured.

Soon after, the world learned the truth about their brutal existence: that for years, their parents, David and Louise Turpin, kept them hidden inside their house where they were beaten and starved.

The siblings, whose ages ranged from 2 to 29 at the time of the rescue, were at times chained to their beds and held in cages.

In 2019, David and Louise were convicted on 14 felony counts including cruelty to an adult dependent, child cruelty, torture and false imprisonment and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Related: California House of Horrors Parents Plead Guilty to Imprisoning and Torturing Their Kids

After the childrens rescue, the six youngest siblings were sent to live with the Olguins.

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.

Arrested in 2021, the Olguins pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.



Related: How House of Horrors Siblings Are Enjoying Life After Alleged Captivity and 'Just Want to Move On'

Their sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18.

Marcelino is expected to be sentenced to seven years in state prison, the DA's Office said.

Related: House of Horrors Siblings Saw 'Star Wars', Use iPads and Enjoy Country Music While in Treatment

Explaining why Marcelino admitted to the charges, his attorney, Paul Grech, told The Press-Enterprise, He just wanted to bring closure to his family, and this was the best way to do that.

Rosa and Lennys will each be sentenced to four years of probation and a four-year suspended sentence.

Lennys Olguin will also be sentenced to 150 days in the sheriffs work-release program; Rosa Olguin will be sentenced to 120 days in the work-release program.

Their attorneys and ChildNet did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Read the original article on People.
'My job wasn't all puppies and kittens... I found an alligator in a car boot'

Mike Flynn took the rescued alligator from Scotland to a new home on Spain [Scottish SPCA]

From finding an alligator in a car boot to being called out to an ostrich loose on the street in the middle of the night, the Scottish SPCA's Mike Flynn MBE has seen it all.

After 37 years with the organisation, the chief superintendent retires on Monday as he turns 65. He was a zoo elephant keeper before joining the animal charity.

"Everyone always thinks the Scottish SPCA is all puppies and kittens, but its far from it," he told BBC Scotland News of his varied animal encounters over the years.

As for his proudest work-related moment, he said that was the ban on the use of snares and glue traps being introduced earlier this year.

Mike Flynn joined the animal charity back in 1987 [Scottish SPCA]

The alligator incident happened back in 2004 in Edinburgh, after the Scottish SPCA initially spotted an advert.

A man was trying to sell the 4ft (1.2m) reptile, after buying it over the internet. He had realised he could not care for it.

Posing as potential buyers, officers and plain-clothes police met him in a car park. The boot of the Vauxhall Cavalier was opened and they were confronted by the unrestrained and unmuzzled creature.

"He was keeping it in a bath on the fifth floor of a tenement in Leith," Mr Flynn said.

"He advertised it. We got in touch pretending to be buyers and he turned up at a car park with this alligator in the back of the car. We caught him red-handed.

"So I ended up with my colleague getting the enviable task of taking this alligator to Torremolinos in Spain.

"It was transported in a purpose-built crate, it was flown from Edinburgh to London, then London to Madrid. It was then transported in the rear of a hire car by myself and a colleague from Madrid to Torremolinos.

"And hes still there today - Jimmy the alligator from Leith in Edinburgh.

'Fair enough stint'

Mr Flynn started with the Scottish SPCA back in 1987.

Prior to that I worked seven years at Edinburgh Zoo as an elephant keeper," he said. "So Ive always enjoyed the animal background.

"I joined the society with the intention of being here until I dropped. But 65 is beckoning and I think thats a fair enough stint - 37 years is long enough for anybody.

"Working with animals has always been a passion, but to be honest being an inspector isnt always about working with animals. Thats a tiny part of it.

"Every animal you deal with, youve got to deal with a person. So for every animal we help, were helping a member of the public or other organisations. Youve got to have an empathy with animals, but youve got to have a lot of people skills too."

Mike Flynn has taken a lead role with the Scottish SPCA for many years [Scottish SPCA]

Mr Flynn still "vividly" remembers his first day at the animal charity.

"The chief inspector at the time, the first thing he did was take you into this old cupboard to give you second hand uniform," he recalled.

"So first day on the street, I think I had a jacket that fitted somebody about six sizes bigger than me.

"In my day you had to carry about a pocket full of two pences if you had to phone back to the office - you had to find a phone box - to find out if there were any other jobs coming. Back in those days, trying to find a phone box in Edinburgh that worked was a bit of a miracle anyway.

'Ostrich walking down street'

He described another memorable incident.

"Weve had wild boar, ostriches - I remember getting a phone call one Sunday morning from someone I actually thought was drunk," Mr Flynn said.

"He said that he had seen an ostrich on Leith Walk in Edinburgh, but he said it was limping.

"And lo and behold, I got there and the police are pointing at this ostrich which is walking down the street.

"It was a farmed ostrich which had fallen off the back of a lorry. The guy wasnt that drunk after all.

Mike Flynn said he is now going to take things slightly more quietly [Scottish SCPA]

He spoke out about many high-profile criminal cases over the years, including what was believed to be Scotland's biggest puppy farm, in the north east of Scotland.

More than 100 dogs, puppies, rabbits and ferrets were seized when Scottish SPCA officers and police raided the farm, near Fyvie, in November 2017.

In 2006 he was awarded an MBE in the Queens 80th birthday honours list for services to animal welfare in Scotland.

That was fantastic," he said. "It was surreal. It was a real privilege.

"It came totally out of the blue. I got the MBE, but that was for the work of the Scottish SPCA.

"Everyone in our organisation deserves that recognition."

'Goodwill of Scottish public'

Work-wise I think the biggest achievement - and its taken at least 15 years to get there - is getting snaring banned.

"That was first raised way back in 2010 and weve constantly been at that and its finally been passed by the Scottish Parliament that snaring of all forms will be banned.

"Thats been a personal passion of mine because Ive pulled too many animals out of legal and illegal snares that have just suffered immensely."

He added: Ive achieved all the things I wanted to achieve over the last 20 years that I was aiming for. And with the 65th birthday coming up, I thought well lets go out on a high and enjoy what youve done.

"And honestly Ive never had a bad day with the society. And thats all down to the goodwill of the Scottish public because its all donations from the public and I just hope they will continue to support us because they do make a change.

And as for the prospect of retired life?

It will be strange," he admitted. "Ill be checking the phone isnt broken because it wont be ringing as much.

"Im going to take it quietly. Ive got a couple of projects Im going to be helping other people with. Ill still be on the Scottish governments animal welfare commission.

"Im not disappearing completely off the scene and Ill still be in contact with my old colleagues."

The lifelong animal lover added: It will take a while to sink in. Its been 37 glorious years. I cant complain. I can honestly say that I havent had one bad day in all that time. Ive loved it.

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TYLER, Texas (KETK)  Last Tuesday, the UT Tyler Dean of the School of Medicine stepped down from his role.

Henderson ISD warns families after student contracts bacterial meningitis

Dr. Brigham Willis was the founding dean of the school. He announced his decision to step down on Tuesday and said it was in order to spend more time with his family.

Dr. Sue Cox, a leader in medical education that has been with the school of medicine since before it was founded, took over for him as Interim Dean.

Photo of Sue Cox, courtesy of UT Tyler

IN FOCUS: How the UT Tyler School of Medicine is addressing local healthcare shortages

She previously served as planning dean. She also serves as the executive vice dean of academics and chair of the Department of Medical Education at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.

The medical students are thriving, and the future of the School of Medicine is incredibly bright, according to a statement from UT Tyler.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
(COLORADO)  The U.S. Department of Education announced its 2024 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Award Schools with four Colorado schools selected out of 356 schools across the country.

Colorados 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools are:

DSST Cedar High School in Denver Public Schools.

Zach Elementary School in Poudre School District.

Mesa View Elementary in Mesa County Vallet School District 51.

Skyview Middle School in Pueblo County School District 70.

DSST Cedar High School and Zach Elementary School were recognized as high-performing schools, meaning they are amongst the top performers in their state as measured by nationally normed tests and state assessments.

Mesa View Elementary and Sky View Middle were recognized as exemplary achievement gap-closing schools  which means they are excelling in narrowing achievement gaps between student groups and student body.

We are incredibly proud of the diligent work of the educators and staff at each of these schools to improve academic outcomes for all students, said Board Chair Rebecca McClellan on behalf of the State Board of Education. The Blue Ribbon designation is well-deserved recognition of those efforts.

All four schools will receive National Blue Ribbon banners designating them as national models for excellence in teaching and learning.

Skyview Middle School Principal Wendy James said they are incredibly honored to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award.

This recognition belongs to our entire school community, including our dedicated staff, hardworking students, and supportive families, said James. Together, we have created an environment where every student can succeed.

These awards are national examples and emphasize Colorados focus on ensuring all students get a high-quality education.

This is a high honor  Colorado is a leader in providing a high-quality education that helps students succeed and learn the skills needed to thrive, Governor Jared Polis said. I am thrilled that four Colorado schools have been recognized with this prestigious award for performance and I look forward to celebrating this achievement, sharing the magic of what works, and helping even more Colorado schools excel.

The Colorado schools will join other awardees at the National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony later this year, where they will receive their official award and be celebrated for their contributions to 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 FOX21 News Colorado.
Labour could unlock 150,000 hectares of land for development, roughly 10pc of the total green belt

As many as 4m homes could be built on the green belt under Angela Rayners planning revolution, analysis shows.

The Housing Secretarys radical definition of so-called grey belt land could unlock sites for nearly 800,000 new homes across London and the South East alone, according to property data company LandTech.

Hotspots in Londons commuter belt include the Tory constituencies of East Surrey and Orpington, which have potential grey belt sites for up to 115,000 and 89,000 homes respectively.

Ms Rayner is driving a massive shake-up of the planning system in order to achieve Labours promise to build 1.5m homes over the next five years.

This includes releasing grey belt land  which Labour previously suggested would be made up of disused car parks, dreary wasteland  for development in the green belt.

But her proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) may go far further in unlocking green belt development than anyone had expected.

Based on an assumption that grey belt land would be limited to so-called brownfield sites where there had been past development, LandTech had previously identified space for 316,000 green belt homes.

But Harry Quartermain, LandTechs head of research, said the actual figure could in fact be more than 10 times this based on the actual definition of grey belt land published by Labour in the draft NPPF, which is under consultation.

Mr Quartermain said Labours new definition of grey belt land could unlock 150,000 hectares of land for development, roughly 10pc of the total green belt, with scope to build between 2.5m and 4m homes.

Mr Quartermain said: Its radical because they have made it clear that there are circumstances in which development on the green belt is no longer inappropriate.

The draft NPPF states that grey belt land will be not only previously developed land but also land that makes a limited contribution to the five green belt purposes, which are primarily to stop urban sprawl.

The draft NPPF also states that building on the green belt should not be considered inappropriate if it can be done sustainably on grey belt land.

Building on the green belt can also be considered if local authorities are unable to demonstrate that they have a pipeline of sites for development in line with their targets.

Based on this definition, LandTech found the North West is the region with the largest amount of potential grey belt land, with the capacity for up to 801,000 new green belt homes, while 275,000 and 523,000 could be built on green belt land in London and the South East respectively.

The Labour constituency of Hexham in Northumberland has capacity for up to 156,000 new green belt homes, the largest of any in the country.

To identify potential sites, LandTech looked at all green belt land and discounted sites that are affected by other constraints, such as flood zones and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Within the remaining areas, LandTech then found the sites that are within 100-metres of an existing built-up area and would therefore be considered sustainable places to build.

LandTech also ranked these sites by a series of metrics including transport links and affordability, and found there are 14,000 hectares that would be particularly optimal for development, with scope for up to 400,000 homes.

The property industry has warned that Labours target of building 1.5m homes over five years will be impossible to achieve, but Ms Rayners grey belt reforms are designed to unlock land for development for many years beyond this parliament.

Simon Coop, senior director at Lichfield planning consultants, said: It is the next and subsequent parliamentary terms that are of particular interest. Certainly what we are seeing is the foundations being laid for long-term growth. The housing crisis will not be fixed in five years, it needs a long-term strategy.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: We do not recognise these figures. We remain committed to the protection of the Green Belt, and while we must build homes to deal with the housing crisis, development on the Green Belt will only be allowed where there is a real need and will not come at the expense of the environment.

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.
MANILA, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Jeepney drivers in the Philippines started a two-day nationwide transport strike on Monday to protest against the government's plan to remove decades-old jeepneys off the streets.

Piston, one of the two transport groups that have organized the strike, posted photos on social media early Monday, showing "stranded" passengers in the Philippine capital.

Transportation Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega refuted the group's claim, saying no stranded passengers existed. "We are maintaining and continuing our program of zero stranded passengers today," he told a press conference.

The government ordered schools nationwide to conduct online classes to avoid commuting and also deployed vehicles to help commuters, especially workers.

Around 90,000 operators and drivers belonging to Manibela and Piston continue to reject the government's Public Transport Modernization Program and urge it to be scrapped.

The protesters launched similar transport strikes in the past months.

"The call of Piston and Manibela to scrap the program is non-negotiable," Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a news conference. "These two groups cannot derail the program."

Jeepneys remain the main mode of transport for millions of Filipinos across the archipelago. Government data showed that around 160,000 transitional jeepneys are running across the country.

The government has moved ahead with its plan to update the decades-old jeepneys, stirring debates on the fate of the iconic vehicles that have been chugging along the roads since the 1950s.

Jeepneys have been blamed for increasing road accidents, partly because of their wild drivers' notoriously reckless operation on streets. 
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Four Mississippi schools have been named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

The prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

The four Mississippi schools were:

Exemplary High Performing Schools

Magnolia Park Elementary School, Oceans Springs School District

Mannsdale Upper Elementary, Madison County School District

USM receives $200,000 grant for special education

Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools

Ripley High School, South Tippah School District

Stone Elementary School, Stone County School District

Congratulations to the educators, students, families and communities of all four schools for earning this national recognition of achievement, said Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education. The Mississippi Department of Education applauds their hard work and intentional focus on best practices for academic and professional success to become a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School.

Officials said a National Blue Ribbon School award flag displayed in a schools entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
Four more arrests after murder of teenager

Ben Procter died on 16 September after he was found collapsed with a serious head injury [Cambridgeshire Police]

Detectives investigating the murder of a 19-year-old have arrested four more people.

Ben Procter was found collapsed with a serious head injury in Wellington Street, Peterborough, on 15 September. He died a day later.

A 23-year-old man from Peterborough was arrested on suspicion of murder and for possessing a bladed article.

Cambridge Police also confirmed three men - aged 28 from Margate, Kent, 35 from Netherton, Dudley, and 36 of no fixed abode but from the West Midlands - were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All four men are currently held in custody in Staffordshire.

Last week, Ako Mohammad, 33, of Lincoln Road, Peterborough, was charged with Procter's murder. He was remanded and due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on 18 October.

A post-mortem examination was carried out and returned inconclusive pending further tests.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and have asked people with dashcam and CCTV footage in the Wellington Street, Star Road, Boongate and First Drove areas from 22:00 BST on 15 September to come forward.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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Rockford Police Department officers arrested four Auburn High School students Friday after fights broke out in the school, forcing administration to place the building on lockdown.

Police say they responded to a large fight about 11:45 a.m. and the building was placed on lockdown while the fight was broken up. A second altercation took place shortly afterward when arrests were made of 14, 15, 16, and 17-year-old boys, all for resisting arrest. The 16 year old was additionally charged with aggravated battery to a police officer.

All of the students who were taken into custody were later released to their parents or guardians.

More: Fights lead to lockdown at Rockford Auburn High School

In a letter sent to parents Sunday night, Auburn High School officials said no weapons were involved in the incident and seemed to suggest that the incident stemmed from something that started outside of school.

"Many situations that occur at school are often known about or deeply rooted in happenings outside of the school environment," the statement said. "Its now more critical than ever to remind students and families that if they 'see something, say something.' Students are encouraged to report information to administration or a trusted member of staff when they know of escalating events."

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford police arrested four students Friday at Auburn High School
France's new government meets for the first time to discuss budget and migrant issues

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier boards a car after the first weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

PARIS (AP)  Frances new government dominated by conservatives and centrists gathered for the first time Monday as Prime Minister Michel Barnier set budget and migrant issues as top priorities.

Barnier convened a meeting early morning with newly appointed ministers ahead of a brief Cabinet session in the afternoon with centrist President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee presidential palace.

The long-awaited list of government members was unveiled Saturday, more than two months after elections that produced a hung parliament and deepened political divisions as France grapples with growing financial and diplomatic challenges.

Macron told government members Monday a new era was starting as the political situation is unprecedented in the country and called on them to stay on the path to compromise, according to participants in the Cabinet meeting.

Speaking on television on Sunday evening, Barnier acknowledged a key challenge for his government will be the 2025 budget bill to be debated at parliament starting next month.

Barnier called on France 2 television for a national effort required to redress the situation" after France was placed earlier this year by the European Union's executive arm under a formal procedure for running up excessive debt.

Im not going to further increase the tax burden on all French people, Barnier promised, yet suggesting that the wealthiest contribute to this national effort.

In June, the EU Commission recommended to seven nations, including France, that they start a so-called excessive deficit procedure, the first step in a long process before any member state can be hemmed in and moved to take corrective action.

Barnier also vowed to control and limit immigration" in Sunday's interview. He said the number of migrants coming to France has become unbearable.

He referred to measures taken by neighboring countries like Germany, which this month ordered temporary controls at all land borders.

Barnier was appointed at the beginning of the month. His first major political test will come on Oct. 1, when he is set to deliver his general policy speech to the National Assembly, Frances powerful lower house of parliament.

A left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, secured the most seats in the June-July parliamentary elections but failed to win a majority.

The New Popular Front was not given a chance to form a minority government, and refused to make concessions and join a more left-leaning government alliance.

Barnier argued that the deal made by his conservative allies and Macron's centrists would allow them to have a bigger support at the National Assembly.

Barnier, a 73-year-old political veteran known for his role as the EUs Brexit negotiator, is no stranger to complex political tasks.

Well make compromises, he said. Thats how I managed to unite the European Unions 27 countries during the Brexit negotiations."

Barnier also insisted there will be no controversy between him and Macron despite both coming from a different political background, because "thats the interest of the country.

Macron is to head Tuesday to New York for the U.N. General Assembly, before a two-day visit to Canada.

In France, the president holds a dominant role in strategic matters of defense and foreign policy while the prime minister leads the government and usually focuses more on domestic issues.

Left-wing voters and other critics have denounced the appointment of a government they say rejects people's will.

Incoming ministers include staunch conservative Bruno Retailleau, in charge of the interior portfolio. Retailleau, known for his hardline views on immigration, vowed Monday to restore order" in the streets and at the borders.

Jean-Noel Barrot, a centrist politician known for his work in digital transformation and European affairs, is the new foreign minister.
(Bloomberg) -- Frances new energy, environment and climate minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher pledged to pursue the transition away from fossil fuels, even as the government grapples with a growing budget deficit.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The four pillars of the nations transition strategy remain energy efficiency and savings, nuclear power and renewables, and will be implemented by junior energy minister Olga Givernet. Supporting the adoption of cleaner cars and facilitating home renovations are key to reducing both pollution and energy bills, Pannier-Runacher said in a speech in Paris on Monday, as she took over from her predecessor.

The new French government must curb a ballooning budget deficit, while driving an increasingly costly transition away from fossil fuels. Billions of euros of state subsidies will be required to help fund everything from nuclear power stations and offshore wind farms to synthetic fuel plants and initiatives to cut industrial emissions.

Pannier-Runacher, who was the minister in charge of the energy transition from mid-2022 until last January, has pushed laws to cut red tape in the planning and permitting of wind, solar and nuclear projects. However, the outgoing government fell short of publishing the decrees needed to enshrine the countrys new 10-year energy roadmap and its long-term National Low Carbon Strategy.

Snap legislative elections have produced a hung Parliament, leaving Pannier-Runacher to navigate between large ranks of anti-nuclear and anti-renewable lawmakers at either end of the political spectrum.

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Thats raised alarm bells among renewable energy lobbies, which are urging the new prime minister to take measures to underpin green investment in transport, manufacturing, energy storage, power grids and renewables.

Pannier-Runacher said she will meet lawmakers and local representatives from all sides to establish the main lines of the countrys energy and climate strategy, and its adaptation plan to global warming. She also pledged to keep pushing for nuclear power among willing members of the European Union, as France prepares its biggest industrial program in half a century.

In July, Electricite de France SA Chief Executive Officer Luc Remont urged the government to complete talks with the state-owned utility over the financing of six new atomic reactors before the end of the year. That would allow a final investment decision for the estimated at 67.4 billion of projects toward the end of 2025.

The French atomic industry, which has launched a plan to hire 100,000 employees over 10 years, is also seeking confirmation that it will get government backing for more investment in nuclear-fuel facilities. And about a dozen startups working on small innovative reactors are waiting for President Emmanuel Macron to pick the recipients of state subsidies.

Large-scale projects to produce clean hydrogen and synthetic fuels to decarbonize everything from steelmaking and refining to maritime transport also await a clear regulatory framework, France Hydrogene said in July. The construction of electrolyzers to produce hydrogen without emitting carbon dioxide also requires the confirmation of government financial support, the business lobby said.

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By Elizabeth Pineau and Michel Rose

PARIS (Reuters) -France's new Prime Minister Michel Barnier, gathering his cabinet for the first time on Monday, told ministers to focus on action rather than stunts as he sought to change voters' perceptions that previous governments had been too arrogant.

The cabinet, appointed two and a half months after an inconclusive snap election, will not have an easy task in getting reforms or the 2025 budget approved by a very divided parliament.

"Focus on action rather than talk," his office quoted Barnier as telling the ministers ahead of a cabinet meeting. "No theatrics."

Barnier said they must show respect for all their compatriots and political parties, listen to everyone and be humble.

Opinion polls and elections have for years shown that voters are unhappy with Macron's top-down style - and Macron himself on Monday urged ministers to be humble and listen to voters who did not vote for them.

While an alliance of left-wing parties came first in the July election and the far-right National Rally (RN) was the single party with the most votes, no grouping had an absolute majority.

Macron's centrists eventually struck a deal with conservatives to form a minority government, even though both groups suffered substantial losses in the election.

How stable the new government will be, and whether it will manage to get reforms passed by parliament, remains to be seen.

The RN is in a kingmaker position after it gave tacit support to Barnier's premiership but reserved the right to withdraw it if its concerns over immigration, security and other issues were not met.

"We will be the ones deciding whether this government has a future or not," RN lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy told France Inter radio. He said the party would wait to see what Barnier will announce in a speech to parliament scheduled for Oct. 1.

SECURITY

Barnier's ministers, including those in charge of finance and budget portfolios, are mostly little known to the French public and many have little political clout.

One exception is new Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, 63, a veteran from The Republicans (LR) conservative party, and a driving force behind the party's rightward shift.

"The French people want more order - order in the streets, order at the borders," Retailleau said as he took office.

He said he would be hard on those who attack or disrespect police, and would also take a tough stance on antisemitism. He told Le Figaro he would not hesitate to close Islamist mosques or expel radical imams - something previous governments have also done.

Retailleau has long advocated getting tougher on immigration but on Monday did not spell out what his policies on that front would be.

Even as 10 conservative politicians joined the cabinet, Macron kept a number of outgoing ministers in key posts. Only one left-wing politician made Barnier's team, Didier Migaud as justice minister.

(Writing by Ingrid Melander; Reporting by Makini Brice, Michel Rose, Elizabeth Pineau, Tassilo Hummel, Blandine Henault and Michal Aleksandrowicz; Editing by Alex Richardson, Angus MacSwan and Tomasz Janowski)
OLNEY, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)  UPDATE: On Sunday The Olney Police Department got information that a man known as Goerge T. Grove, 46, was possibly in a home located at 318 West Butler Street in Olney, Illinois. Grove had an outstanding warrant for escape due to not returning from a medical furlough after original charges of contributing to the delinquency of a child, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of a controlled substance. Grove was said to be considered armed and dangerous.

At around 3:46 p.m. officers attempted to make contact with Grove but the situation quickly turned into a barracaded situation. The area was then secured but after exhausting all options ILEAS SWAT Team made entry into the home and took Grove into custody without any incidents. Richland County Sheriffs Department, ILEAS SWAT Team, Illinois State Police Crisis Negotiations, and other local law enforcement agencies assisted with the arrest.

Were working to learn more about a police presence outside a home in Olney, Illinois, Sunday night.

According to a media release from the Richland County Sheriffs Office, the Olney Police Department was handling a situation involving a wanted fugitive who was held up inside a residence near the Olney Public Library.

As of 8:18 p.m., the release stated that at the time there were no reported injuries due to the incident.

New clinic location in Paris

The Olney Police Department was assisted by Illinois State Police Crisis Negotiations and the ILEAS SWAT Team, among other local agencies.

Barricades were placed to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the area and residents were urged to avoid the area while the incident was being handled.

Richland County Dispatch confirmed Monday morning that the road and blocked-off area has since reopened.

WTWO will update this developing story as more information becomes available.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
Bedfordshire University said the organ donation campaign would be led by students [University of Bedfordshire]

A university has secured funding for a community organ donation campaign to start conversations in minority ethnic communities.

The University of Bedfordshire said the campaign, led by students, would draw on past research.

NHS Blood and Transplant has given the university 15,500 over two years.

Prof Gurch Randhawa said conversations were needed to tackle the lower rates of organ donation among minority ethnic communities.

The university said students, transplant recipients and donors from different ethnic and faith communities would be part of the campaign.

The university is joining forces with Luton Council, Hospital Art Studio and the Mandip Mudhar Memorial Foundation to mark Organ Donation Week which runs from Monday to Sunday.

Research at the university previously found that tailored messaging and trusted messengers were "essential to champion organ donation conversations".

Prof Randhawa, director of the Institute for Health Research, said: Its a privilege to be implementing our research, connecting organ donor families, communities, religions and tackling the global problem of not enough organ donors from all communities.

"We need to increase organ donation conversations via university student community ambassadors and using art to promote dialogue, specifically to tackle the lower rates of organ donation among minority ethnic communities.

Alongside this project, the university will be work with Hospital Art Studio to create the UKs first community-led artwork, which will be based in Luton, dedicated to celebrating organ donation.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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JENKINS, Ky. (FOX 56)  Visitation and funeral services were held on Sunday in honor of the late District Judge Kevin Mullins, who died in a shooting on Thursday.

According to Hall & Jones Funeral Home, a visitation was held at Jenkins Independent High School, with funeral services to follow.

Monticello man accused of shooting mother and grandmother

Mullins was appointed to District Court Judge in 2009 by former Gov. Steve Beshear.

Sheriff Shawn Stines was charged on Thursday with attempted murder in connection with the shooting investigation. He allegedly surrendered to Kentucky State Police troopers without incident after the shooting at the Letcher County District Courhouse.

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For more details on funeral services for Mullins visit the funeral home 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 56 News.
GA has seen 2 mass shootings so far this year. Heres a list of the other 29 across the country

Students are returning to Apalachee High School this week, with an open house on Monday.

The open house comes less than three weeks after a shooting rampage inside the school. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a student, Colt Gray, 14, hid a gun in his backpack and used it to shoot teachers and students on Sept. 4.

The GBI said bullets hit 11 people. Four of them died. A total of nine people were hospitalized.

Students will be returning to a temporary building that they are calling Chee East.

So far this year, Georgia has seen two mass shootings. The other happened in August in Dalton.

The mass shooting in Birmingham over the weekend marked the 31st for the country.

Here is a list of all of them so far this year:

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA: Sept. 21

Occurred on the sidewalk and street outside Hush, a lounge in the Five Points South district. Police Chief Scott Thurmond said authorities believe the shooting targeted one of the people who was killed, possibly in a murder-for-hire. A vehicle pulled up and multiple shooters got out and began firing, then fled, he said. Investigators were trying to determine whether anyone fired back, creating crossfire.

WINDER, GEORGIA: Sept. 4

Two students and two teachers were killed at Apalachee High School northeast of Atlanta, and another teacher and eight other students were injured. A 14-year-old student has been charged as an adult with murder. Authorities also charged his father with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder and cruelty to children, saying he gave his son access to the rifle used in the shootings.

FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS: Sept. 2

Four people sleeping on a Chicago-area train were fatally shot on Labor Day morning. Police were called to a Chicago Transit Authority station just outside the city. A 30-year-old man was arrested. The victims were a woman and three men. A motive wasnt immediately disclosed.

IRONDEQUOIT, NEW YORK.: Aug. 31

Four people were found dead after firefighters extinguished multiple blazes at a home in upstate New York, though authorities said they likely were killed by something else. Firefighters found the bodies of two adults, a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl.

SYOSSET, NEW YORK: Aug. 25

Police said a man distraught that he was being forced to move from his late mothers home shot and killed four family members before taking his own life. The shooting occurred three days after his mothers funeral.

DALTON, GEORGIA: Aug. 24

Four males, ages 17 to 21, were shot to death at a park. A teenager was charged with murder in what police said was a robbery that turned violent. Multiple weapons were involved.

PLANT CITY, FLORIDA: July 31

Police said an intentional fire killed four people near Tampa. A 25-year-old man who lived in the house was charged with murder while engaged in arson. Three dogs also died.

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NEW YORK CITY: July 19

A grandmother, a mother and her two children, ages 5 and 4, were fatally stabbed at an apartment in Brooklyn. A 24-year-old man who knew the four was arrested.

WEST BLOCTON, ALABAMA: July 18

A man was charged with killing his wife and four children, ages 2 to 9, in a rural community in Bibb County. The man didnt say anything about a motive when taken into custody. Even seasoned officers told me it is the worst thing theyve ever seen, Sheriff Jody Wade said.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA: July 13

The victims were shot at a nightclub. One man died on a sidewalk while two women were killed inside the club. Another man was pronounced dead at a hospital. Investigators believed some shots were fired from outside the club.

ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA: July 10

Police arrested a man in the shootings of his wife, two children and his wifes parents in the San Francisco Bay area. The mans father-in-law went to a neighbor for help and spoke to police before he died.

FLORENCE, KENTUCKY: July 6

A birthday party turned deadly in the wee hours when four people were shot. The 21-year-old suspected gunman crashed his car in a ditch during a police chase and was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot.

NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: June 24

A 48-year-old man barred from possessing guns because of a criminal record killed himself after fatally shooting five people, police said. The violence began after the man had an argument with a former girlfriend. The victims at the apartment complex included a neighbor who tried to help and the neighbors mother and grandmother.

FORDYCE, ARKANSAS: June 21

A 44-year-old man shot people in the parking lot before shooting more inside the Mad Butcher grocery store, killing four. Police said he did not appear to have a connection to the victims. The shooting occurred in the middle of the day in Fordyce, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) south of Little Rock.

HUDSON, FLORIDA: June 12

A landlord was accused of killing a family of four and burning their bodies. The two children were ages 6 and 5. The family was reported missing by relatives. Police say a backyard fire pit was smoldering when they searched the property in Pasco County.

MARION, IOWA: June 5

Police said a metal pipe was used to kill four people in an outbuilding of a rural home near Cedar Rapids.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: April 29

Four officers were shot in the deadliest attack on U.S. law enforcement since 2016. They were killed when a task force of officers from different agencies tried to capture a 39-year-old man for illegally possessing a firearm and fleeing to elude in a different county.

YUKON, OKLAHOMA: April 22

A 10-year-old boy awoke to find his parents and three brothers dead in their home near Oklahoma City, all fatally shot by his father, police said. Authorities believe the 42-year-old man killed his wife and three sons  ages 18, 14 and 12  then turned the gun on himself. Police said they did not immediately know why the fourth child was spared or have a motive for the shootings.

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS: March 27

A frenzied stabbing and beating rampage left four people dead in a matter of minutes and at least seven people injured. Authorities said a 22-year-old man was charged. Police didnt immediately know his motive. Rockfords mayor said the victims were 63, 23, 49 and 15.

IRELAND, WEST VIRGINIA: March 11

The bodies of four people, ages 3 months to 90 years, were found inside the remains of a burning home. A fifth person with an apparent gunshot wound was discovered dead behind a chicken coop nearby, authorities said. A 45-year-old male suspect was found dead by suicide about 110 miles (180 kilometers) away, parked in a vehicle outside his relatives home. Authorities did not immediately share details about a motive.

HONOLULU, HAWAII: March 10

Authorities said a woman and three children ages 10, 12 and 17 were fatally stabbed in a Manoa home. The womans husband was also found dead. Police said a preliminary investigation shows the husband fatally stabbed his wife and children. Authorities did not immediately share a motive. Police said the five deaths mark the states worst mass killing since 1999. They said there was no history of domestic calls to the residence.

KING CITY, CALIFORNIA: March 3

Police said three men with dark masks got out of a silver Kia and opened fire at an outdoor party in central California, killing three men and a woman and wounding seven others. The shooting happened on a street with modest homes facing a commercial district in King City, close to Pinnacles National Park.

FERGUSON, MISSOURI: Feb. 19

Authorities said a 39-year-old woman intentionally set a fire at home to kill herself and her four children, ages 2, 5, 9 and 9. Investigators believe the mother set fire to a mattress, and left a note saying she intended to kill herself and her children, police said. Responding firefighters found the home engulfed in flames. Neighbors tried to save the family, but the fire was too intense.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA: Feb. 16

Officials said four men were killed in a drive-by shooting. Dozens of shots were fired outside a Birmingham home, police said. People were standing outside a house as they got their cars washed when someone drove by and opened fire. No arrests were immediately reported.

HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFORNIA: Feb. 11

Shootings over several hours left four people dead: a man in Bell, a man in a Los Angeles shopping center parking lot, a 14-year-old boy in Cudahy, and a homeless man in Huntington Park, authorities said. At least one other juvenile was wounded. Two suspected gang members were arrested in connection with the shootings, authorities said.

EAST LANSDOWNE, PENNSYLVANIA: Feb. 7

Six sets of human remains were recovered from the ashes of a fire that destroyed a home near Philadelphia, according to the county district attorneys office. Authorities suspect those who died  including three children  were killed by a 43-year-old male relative who also died after shooting and wounding two police officers, the office said. A motive was not immediately identified.

EL MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA: Jan. 23

Authorities found the bodies of six men in the Mojave Desert outside the sparsely populated community of El Mirage after someone called 911 and said he had been shot, according to sheriffs officials. The men were likely shot to death in a dispute over marijuana, authorities said. The bodies were found about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles in an area known for illegal cannabis operations. Five men were arrested and charged with murder.

JOLIET, ILLINOIS: Jan. 21

Authorities said a 23-year-old man shot eight people  including seven of his relatives  and injuring a ninth person in a Chicago suburb. He fatally shot himself later during a confrontation with law enforcement in Texas. Authorities believe he was trying to reach Mexico. Police said the victims included his mother, siblings, aunt, uncle and two men he might not have known. They were found in two homes, outside an apartment building and on a residential street.

TINLEY PARK, ILLINOIS: Jan. 21

A 63-year-old man in suburban Chicago killed his wife and three adult daughters a domestic-related shooting, police said. The man allegedly shot the four family members  ages 53, 24 and two 25-year-old twins  after an argument at their home. He was charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

RICHMOND, TEXAS: Jan. 13

A 46-year-old man fatally shot his estranged wife and three other relatives, including his 8-year-old niece, at a home in suburban Houston before killing himself, authorities said. Authorities said the man had told his estranged wife that he wanted to reunite but she refused. In addition to killing his niece and estranged wife, he also killed her brother and sister, ages 43 and 46.

REEDLEY, CALIFORNIA: Jan. 6

A 17-year-old boy was charged with killing four members of a neighboring family in central California. He lived next door to the victims  ages 81, 61, 44 and 43  in Reedley, a small town near Fresno. Three bodies were found in their backyard, including one buried in a shallow grave, while another was found in the detached garage of the teenagers home, police said.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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China's manufacturing industry delivers new momentum

Xinhua) 08:04, September 23, 2024

HEFEI, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- With a human build and sleek appearance, the 1.8-meter-tall Qijiang-2 is captivating visitors in the exhibition hall of the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention as it can mimic human movements with remarkable precision.

The humanoid robot, developed by Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Humanoid Robots, is certainly hogging the spotlight at the convention, which opened on Friday and will continue until Monday in Hefei, the capital of east China's Anhui Province.

Equipped with advanced sensors and intricate inertial measurement units, Qijiang-2 can perform delicate tasks such as folding clothes, opening bottles, wiping dishes and navigating uneven terrain.

Qijiang-2 humanoid robot hands an orange to a visitor at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

But it's more than just a mechanical marvel. Beyond its physical capabilities, the robot also has decision-making features, including intelligent user recognition and secure access for authorized users.

"In the future, these humanoid robots will be able to adapt to both industrial production and elderly care scenarios, serving as robot workers and robot caregivers," said Liu Houde, director of the laboratory.

Qijiang-2 and other cutting-edge exhibits like the Jiuzhou Yunjian Longyun rocket engine and the Origin Wukong superconducting quantum computer are demonstrating China's breakthroughs in frontier technologies at the event, as well as its potential in the field of high-tech manufacturing.

The gathering of leading global enterprises and industry experts has also reflected China's commitment to advancing international cooperation and working with other countries to address the challenges and opportunities in global manufacturing development.

"After 30 years of development in China, Continental AG values not only China's market volume but also advanced technologies," said Enno Tang, president and CEO of Continental China.

With comprehensive industrial categories and a well-rounded manufacturing system, China has attracted global firms to strengthen their investment in the country.

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 20, 2023 shows a view of Volkswagen (Anhui) Automotive Company Limited in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

Volkswagen Group in April announced an investment of 2.5 billion euros (about 2.8 billion U.S. dollars) in expanding its production and innovation hub in Hefei to increase its pace of innovation in China.

The company also vowed to accelerate the production of two Volkswagen-brand smart electric vehicles (EVs), which are currently under joint development with Chinese manufacturer Xpeng.

A deal reached in 2023 between the two companies gave Volkswagen access to Xpeng's technologies, including its advanced driving assistance system, as the German carmaker made efforts to tap into China's fast-growing EV market.

The landmark cooperation agreement between Xpeng and Volkswagen testified to the willingness of China's auto industry to share its technologies with the world, according to Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng.

As the world's economic landscape evolves, China is stepping up efforts to collaborate with international enterprises, aiming to inject fresh momentum into the global manufacturing sector and accelerate the shift toward high-quality growth.

This photo taken on Nov. 9, 2023 shows the booth of Schneider Electric at the 6th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

In the city of Xiamen in east China's Fujian Province, construction on the Schneider Electric Xiamen Industrial Park began in April.

China is Schneider Electric's second-largest market globally, one of its most important supply chain bases, and one of its four global R&D hubs.

After its completion, the park will be the French multinational's biggest manufacturing facility for medium voltage equipment anywhere in the world, and some of its products will be supplied to overseas markets.

The park will be a major R&D center, manufacturing center and supply hub through which the company will serve the global medium voltage market, according to Vincent Bruneau, vice president of Schneider Electric's Global Supply Chain China.

Through a combination of innovation-driven policies, open market access and strategic partnerships, China continues to strengthen its position as a key player in global manufacturing.

"China has been advancing its manufacturing sector by focusing on high-end, intelligent, green development while increasing its efforts in technological innovation to unlock broader markets," said Wan Hongxian, a professor at the Anhui University of Finance and Economics.

"China's manufacturing sector provides a highly promising market for global high-end equipment. Moreover, its advanced production capabilities and responsiveness to market demand enable the development of more high-quality products, delivering tangible benefits to consumers worldwide," Wan added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Poe on Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers signing

The new law gives a mantle of protection urgently needed by Filipinos braving the difficult and perilous life at sea.

It sends a clear message to shipping companies and operators to at all times treat our seafarers fairly and responsibly in terms of providing wages and ensuring safety and welfare standards.

The right to self-organization and collective bargaining is also a key feature of the Magna Carta that our seafarers should enhance to improve their working conditions.

Filipino seafarers face increasingly challenging environments which should be addressed as they play a vital pillar in the world's maritime industry.
This photo taken on Sept. 23, 2024 shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Marjeyoun, Lebanon, Sept. 23, 2024. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes carried out over 120 airstrikes on Monday morning on sites of Hezbollah and in southern and eastern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources said.

The Lebanese military sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes had carried out the airstrikes in about half an hour.

Since Thursday, the Israeli army has intensified its raids on Hezbollah targets after a wave of bombings that targeted pagers and wireless communication devices on Tuesday and Wednesday in several areas of Lebanon, killing at least 37 people and wounding about 3,000, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said.

The Israeli army and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since Oct. 8, 2023, raising fears that the nearly one-year-long confrontations could escalate into a full-scale war. 

This photo taken on Sept. 23, 2024 shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Marjeyoun, Lebanon, Sept. 23, 2024. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 23, 2024 shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Marjeyoun, Lebanon, Sept. 23, 2024. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)
GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH)  SuperChefs, a breakfast spot originally launched by a Food Network chef who was arrested earlier this year on an assault charge, is closing its Gahanna location after nearly 10 years of business.

The restaurant at 1376 Cherry Bottom Road is welcoming customers for the last time on Saturday, owner Ryan Bryson announced on social media. Bryson opened the Gahanna location in October 2014 after inventing the brand in 2013 with Darnell Ferguson, a celebrity chef who hosted Food Networks SuperChef Grudge Match.

Old Spaghetti Warehouse building needs to be taken down, plans submitted to city say

While I debated back and forth, should I renew my lease for five more years, ultimately, I decided to go out on top rather than struggle through food cost uncertainties, labor woes, whos going to be our next president, and ultimately a sector that may become obsolete within the next 10 years, the social media post states.

Brysons post also thanks Ferguson, who was arrested in Kentucky earlier this year for allegedly strangling his wife and has been charged with first-degree burglary, fourth-degree assault and first-degree strangulation. The former Food Network star has pleaded not guilty and is set to face a jury trial beginning in February.

Darnell Ferguson pictured on Nov. 17, 2022. (Photo by Nathan Congleton/Getty Images)

However, since his arrest, Fergusons wife, Tatahda Ferguson, has spoken out and said her words were twisted by certain law enforcement officials who are looking to make a name for themselves at the expense of my husbands celebrity status.

Darnell and I have had our issues and we made every effort not to let it impact our family and loved ones, particularly our children, Ferguson said an April news release. I reacted in the heat of the moment after we had an intense argument, and called the police for a matter that really didnt warrant their involvement.

Bryson and Ferguson dreamed up SuperChefs while working together at a gyro shop, the post states. The pair opened their first location in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2012. Bryson then expanded the brand with restaurants in Ohio.

Former Bed, Bath and Beyond eyed for indoor slide parks first Ohio location

This idea  which was only supposed to be a temporary pop-up shop took us around the world, kid, said Bryson in the post, referring to Ferguson. No matter where we stand in life, no one can erase the foundation we laid when it comes to gourmet breakfast.

The Gahanna restaurant temporarily closed for about six months in 2022 to swap locations with neighboring Mexican restaurant Los Guachos. The switch was a downsize for SuperChefs, which moved from a 2,800-square-foot space to a 1,500-square-foot eatery.

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

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CATO Institute; GayHoopla

Following allegations that parental rights activist Corey DeAngelis has appeared in gay adult films, the right-wing school choice organization American Federation for Children (AFC) has placed DeAngelis on leave, the organization confirms to Them.

DeAngelis was listed as a senior fellow at the AFC as recently as September 18, according to the Wayback Machine. As of early this week, however, the page displays a This can't be found error. When reached for comment about the apparent deletion of DeAngelis from the website, an AFC spokesperson told Them via email that the employee had been placed on leave as they look into this matter further, but declined further comment.

The blog Str8 Up Gay Porn  note: this link is NSFW  first drew the potential connection in a post on September 20. The website claimed that DeAngelis had appeared under the name Seth Rose in multiple scenes on the website GayHoopla. Roses page on the website describes him as a hot otter and an otter jock, and lists three pieces of media in which he appears: a solo video dated March 17, 2014, a video titled Jerk-Off Race dated with just the month and year (March 13) but showing comments from 10 years ago, and another, Super Star Cumpilation! How Many Strokes Til You Cum?! (Them has reached out to GayHooplas parent company Blurred Media to request comment on Seth Roses identity.)

This all would be unremarkable were it not for the fact that DeAngelis is a regular contributor to Fox News, where he once claimed that schools were focusing more on the LGBTs than the ABCs. His 2024 book, The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools, received an endorsement from former president Donald Trump, who called it a great guide to help moms and dads take back control of their childrens education from the radical Marxists ruining our schools. On Friday, DeAngelis shared a graphic on X outlining a satirical vision of the radical lefts 2024 weekly lesson plan, including mandatory pronoun recognition, drag queen story hour, and boys participating in girls sports.

School choice defeats the woke mind virus, DeAngelis wrote.

Content creator Matt Bernstein, who uses he and they pronouns, brought greater awareness to DeAngelis alleged past in a now-viral post to X on Friday. He quoted DeAngelis September 16 woke mind virus post and added two promotional images from GayHoopla that appear to show DeAngelis, along with the caption, just learned this anti-lgbtq school reform guy does gay porn.

DeAngelis has not acknowledged the allegations or posted to social media since September 19. When reached for comment via DeAngelis Stanford email, Them received the automatic response: I am out on paternity leave and will get back to you soon. Them has also reached out to the Educational Freedom Institute, a school choice think tank that lists DeAngelis as executive director, for comment.

Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here.

Originally Appeared on them.
Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza's largest medical facility, has been the target of two major Israeli military raids (Omar AL-QATTAA) (Omar AL-QATTAA/AFP/AFP)

Once the pride of Gaza's medical community, the Palestinian territory's main Al-Shifa hospital has become a stark symbol of the utter devastation wrought by the Israel-Hamas war.

Until the war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, patients received for years the best care Gazan doctors and nurses could offer, but earlier this year, they had to cease all operations.

Al-Shifa was all but destroyed in two Israeli military operations -- one in November 2023, the other in March 2024.

Israeli troops detained the director of Al-Shifa, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, for more than seven months. He claimed he was "tortured" during that time.

An emergency department has since reopened, though the rest of the sprawling complex lies in ruins, charred by the flames of war.

To revive the ward, staff had to "pull dialysis machines from under the rubble", Abu Jaafar, a doctor there, told AFP.

When Israeli tanks stormed the complex on the night of November 15, at least 2,300 people were in the hospital complex, according to the United Nations.

Many of those on the site were Gazans who had sought shelter in what they had hoped would be a safe place.

Gunfire and explosions terrified patients, staff and others seeking refuge from the war, said one AFP correspondent who was among the displaced.

On March 19, Israeli forces launched a second assault, again using tanks. For 11 days, soldiers then combed through the premises.

When they finally withdrew, Israel's military said they had killed "200 terrorists", and that they had found many weapons.

Gaza's civil defence agency, which carries out rescue work across the Palestinian coastal enclave, said at least 300 bodies were found.

- Command centre or health facility? -

Israel's military said it raided Al-Shifa, accusing Hamas and other Palestinian militants of using it as a command centre to conduct operations.

To defend its claim, it held press events and aired videos it said proved that troops had found tunnels beneath the site, though some specialists have questioned the veracity of the footage.

Israeli authorities have also said that several of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7 have been held in hospitals.

Hostages released during a brief truce in November reported being held in hospitals or places that resembled them.

The military has also said that the bodies of at least two hostages, Noa Marciano and Yehudit Weiss, were found close to Al-Shifa.

Hamas has consistently denied using hospitals as command centres, while human rights organisations have criticised Israel over its conduct of the war.

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people on the Israeli side, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 41,431 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to data provided by the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The United Nations has described these figures as reliable.

Ninety-seven hostages are still being held captive in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.

- 'Pursuit of life' -

Established in 1946, two years before the founding of Israel, Al-Shifa evolved from a "rather almost colonial and basic" health facility into Gaza's largest health care centre, said Palestinian-American Yara Asi, an academic at the University of Central Florida who specialises in access to healthcare in war zones.

"It wasn't just a hospital itself, but it was a representation of the Palestinian pursuit of life and willingness to live on the land in many ways," Asi said.

Al-Shifa became one of Gaza's best-known institutions, said Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a Palestinian-British surgeon who spent the first 43 days of the war treating the wounded.

"With each war, this hospital became more important," said Abu-Sittah, referring to the previous four wars in Gaza in 2008-9, 2012, 2014 and 2021.

"After the fall of Al-Shifa, people felt there was nothing left in the north (of the Gaza Strip) that could help them," he said.

Beyond Al-Shifa, the Palestinian territory's health system has largely collapsed, with the World Health Organization estimating that just a handful of clinics remain operational.

The wounded, who number in the dozens every day, must seek treatment in field hospitals run by international aid organisations.

Al-Shifa "was the nerve centre of the health care system, and the raids broke it," Abu-Sittah said.

bur-crb/bfi/jd/rcb/srm/ser
With Israel now focussing military efforts on Lebanon, the war in Gaza looks set to be remembered as the final nail in the coffin for Joe Bidens foreign policy legacy.

The US presidents decision to step down from his bid for re-election in July has solidified a new reality for the White House and the broader Biden administration: the Democratic president will not be remembered for his stewardship of the Middle East in a positive light. With only four years in the presidency, Joe Biden will leave office this year having overseen a bloody withdrawal from Afghanistan that included the fall of Kabuls democratic government and a return to Taliban rule. More than a dozen Americans died in the pullout and a reprisal US strike killed civilians.

It was an ugly moment early on in Bidens presidency. Progressives vocally defended him, glad that America had finally ended its longest-running war, even without a perfect exit. Conservatives, including anti-Trumpers who joined the Democratic coalition, were furious at Biden for continuing the withdrawal his predecessor had begun. And everyone, regardless of political affiliation, was horrified by the images of terrified Afghan citizens plunging to their deaths while attempting to cling to departing US planes.

Hell also leave the presidency without a definitive end in sight for the war in Ukraine. Still essentially a steep uphill battle for Ukraine, despite its pushes into Russian territory, Moscows assault hasnt halted after two and a half years of intense fighting.

But Gaza is another issue entirely. Nearly a year into the conflict, the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories is a new type of conundrum for the Biden administration: one that has painted the president and his leadership at the State Department as utterly helpless and passive in the face of an operation against Hamas that is quickly spiraling into a greater regional war.

Last week, the Biden administrations outlook looked more bleak than it had at any point before. A report in The Wall Street Journal quoted an unnamed senior Biden administration official who doubted that a ceasefire deal was possible this year, if at all, and National Security Council spokesman John Kirby seemingly confirmed that on Sunday when he said in an interview that no progress had been made in peace talks over the past two weeks.

Joe Biden has spent months trying to keep Israels war from spreading around the wider Middle East. On Monday, that goal looked to be on the verge of being pushed out of reach by Israeli strikes in Lebanon. (Getty Images)

As Monday dawned, it looked more likely than ever that the Gaza conflict was on the verge of spreading to Lebanon. A fresh round of Israeli strikes, occurring after pager and other communication devices were detonated across the country in what appeared to be another Israeli attack, killed scores over Sunday into Monday, including 24 children, according to Lebanons health ministry. Israel has claimed it is targeting Hezbollah militants responsible for firing rocket attacks into northern Israel.

The move was particularly disheartening given that the State Department and White House have said repeatedly over the past several months that the US opposes the conflict escalating further outside of Gaza. It appears the USs efforts to prevent that outcome have failed, as have the administrations efforts to broker the return of the remaining Hamas-held hostages or see a ceasefire reached with the militant group. Meanwhile, the death toll climbs ever higher: more than 40,000 Palestinians, the majority thought to have been civilians, are reported dead.

On Gaza, Biden runs the risk of being depicted as ineffective and parley to the worst of statements made by Israels leaders, even as his aides denounce them. Thats a problem: not one that a Republican would face, but among the base of the Democratic Party the Trump-loving Benjamin Netanyahu is persona non grata among all but the partys most conservative pro-Israel hangers-on, and statements denying the humanity or rights of Palestinians will earn condemnations, not praise.

For his vice president, the issue of Israel and its assault on Gaza presents a box. Kamala Harris, by virtue of her position, is largely unable to articulate a significantly different strategy for the Middle East or US-Israel relations without being seen as undermining her boss or disrespecting him (if she even supports a change in strategy at all). At the same time, her candidacy could increasingly find itself weighed down by declining enthusiasm among her base, especially younger Democrats, should the conflict escalate further or the US becomes directly involved.

It could especially be a problem in Michigan, home to a large number of Arab-American voters and one of the key battleground states on Harriss path to victory. Most polls show Harris with a thin lead in the state, whereas Biden had been trailing Trump in the state the 46th president had won back from Republicans in 2020.

The writing may already be on the wall for Joe Bidens management of US foreign affairs, and the story of his presidency. No one thought it would end like this, least of all Biden himself. But what remains to be seen is how much it will affect Harris  and how much a new generation of leadership will really shake up Americas global presence.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Genesee Community College student was arrested Sunday and charged with criminal possession of a weapon following a report to campus safety regarding an alleged social media post, the Genesee County Sheriffs Office announced.

According to officials, the post allegedly depicted 19-year-old Anthony Parks of New York, NY with what appeared to be a handgun.

An investigation found that Parks allegedly possessed an unregistered loaded pistol with a high capacity magazine while at College Village Student Housing. No threats by Parks of using the handgun were found during the investigation.

Parks was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon as well as criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds.

He was arraigned and remanded to the Genesee County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash or $5,000 dollars bond.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  An Ohio-based nonprofit organization is holding a meeting at the start of next month to discuss public transportation.

From 7-8 p.m. on Oct. 1, All Aboard Ohio, a group seeking expanded passenger rail and improved public transportation in the Midwest, is traveling to conference room A at the Southeast Branch Library, located at 21 Watervliet Ave. in Dayton.

Lenny Zaleski, spokesperson for All Aboard Ohio, told WDTN.com that the nonprofit is excited to come to Dayton to listen and speak to individuals who currently and would consider utilizing public transit on their thoughts towards transportation.

To be able to engage people, you know, in person and kind of hear their concerns and be an advocate for those people here is something that we think is going to be of great value to people in Dayton, as well as our organization as a whole, to kind of reach a new market that we havent been engaging in person before, said Zaleski.

One of the topics set to be discussed includes the potential of 3C+D, a proposed Amtrak route that would connect Dayton to Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus through passenger rail.

All Aboard Ohio Executive Director John Esterly believes that the proposed route could be beneficial to the Dayton area, if implemented.

The Dayton area will be critical to advocacy as Ohio moves forward with passenger rail development, said John Esterly, executive director at All Aboard Ohio. As the fourth largest population center, including them in the connection between Cincinnati and Columbus will provide genuine opportunities for workforce mobility that weve never seen before.

Attendees are asked to RSVP prior to the event. If you plan to attend, click here.

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GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Bond was denied Monday for a man accused of killing a 16-year-old at a Georgetown County convenience store.

Daemon Hykeim Sanders, 20, was arrested in connection with the deadly Sunday afternoon shooting at Plantersville Store on North Frasier Street.

Nataya Brown, 16, of Charlotte, was later identified as the victim.

The Georgetown County Sheriffs Office said Sanders was denied bond during a hearing by a Georgetown County magistrate.

He remains at the Georgetown County Detention Center on charges including murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and unlawful carry of a firearm until he is due for a Circuit Court hearing on Nov. 7.

Georgetown County Sheriffs Office is aware of and monitoring various defense claims within the Plantersville and social media communities. To date, the investigation has not uncovered any defense claims nor has it determined motive for the senseless murder of Nataya Brown.

An investigation is ongoing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WBTW)  A Georgetown man remained in custody Monday afternoon after a deadly shooting Sunday afternoon at the Plantersville General Store, the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office said.

Daemon Hykem Sanders, 20, was arrested shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday and accused of killing 16-year-old Natiya Brown of Georgetown at the store on North Fraser Street. He was charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and unlawful carrying of a firearm.

Sanders appeared before a Georgetown County magistrate on Monday and will remain in the countys detention center pending a Nov. 7 bond hearing in circuit court.

Deputies responded at about 2:30 p.m. to the store in the Town North section of the county and began performing life saving measures on Brown. She died on the scene after being shot twice in the chest, according to the Georgetown County Coroners Office.

Georgetown County Sheriffs Office is aware of and monitoring various defense claims within the Plantersville and social media communities, Sheriff Carter Weaver said in an email late Monday afternoon. To date, the investigation has not uncovered any defense claims nor has it determined [a] motive for the senseless murder of Nataya Brown.

Deputies have not released any details about Sanders arrest or any other information about the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriffs office at 843-546-5102.

* * *

Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

* * *

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.

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(Bloomberg) -- German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said the three parties in the ruling coalition in Berlin will look to overcome their differences and seek ways to help stabilize the countrys struggling carmakers.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Habeck, a member of the Greens who is also the vice chancellor, hosted a video conference Monday with auto executives and labor officials in a fresh bid to address the problems weighing on the countrys most important industry.

What was interesting for me was that the really consistent message in the discussion was that we need clear, reliable signals for the market, Habeck told reporters. What we dont need are short circuits and flashes in the pan.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner had earlier signaled hes unlikely to back a proposal from Chancellor Olaf Scholzs SPD party to reintroduce a scrappage bonus worth 6,000 ($6,666) for drivers who swap their combustion car for an electric vehicle.

I dont want to focus on the proposals of other parties right now, Lindner, a fiscal hawk who is the chairman of the Free Democrats, said at a news conference in Berlin. It was the latest evidence of discord within the unwieldy governing alliance, which has been squabbling publicly over limited funds in recent months.

I regret that there is no internal debate about what can now be done to strengthen the framework conditions for the car industry, but that individual proposals are now being made public, Lindner added.

Europes auto industry has been jolted by a drop in demand for EVs after governments including Germany scaled back financial incentives. Manufacturers have also been particularly hard hit by waning demand from China, a key market for Volkswagen AG, Mercedes-Benz AG and BMW AG.

On Friday, Habeck dangled the prospect of additional support for the industry. During a visit to a VW facility in northwestern Germany, he told workers that while automakers must take some of the blame for their current woes, he feels an obligation to do something to get the market going again.

BMW issued a statement Monday addressing what it called the demands circulating around todays autos summit.

The German automotive industry does not need short-term, market-distorting flashes in the pan, the company said by email. Instead, the focus should be on sustainable framework conditions that make it easier for customers to decide in favor of electric vehicles.

EV deliveries in Germany  the regions biggest car market  fell 69% in August, fueling a 36% drop across the region, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association said last week.

Germanys automotive giants have faced a barrage of bad news. Mercedes-Benz last week joined BMW in cutting its full-year outlook, citing weak demand for cars in China.

Chief Executive Officer Ola Kallenius pledged hell do whatever it takes to bolster returns, which may signal additional efforts to cut costs.

VW, the continents biggest automaker, is considering closing factories in Germany for the first time due to lagging demand.

--With assistance from Wilfried Eckl-Dorna and Joshua Gallu.

(Updates with Habeck comments starting in first paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Friedrich Merz, Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU), laughs during a CDU press conference following the state election in Brandenburg. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

The leadership of Germany's centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) on Monday unanimously confirmed party leader Friedrich Merz as their candidate for chancellor in next year's national election.

The CDU's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), gave its support for Merz's candidacy last week, but the selection still had to be approved by the governing bodies of both parties.

The CDU/CSU aims to oust Germany's current coalition government, made up of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), in the federal election on September 28, 2025.

Merz said he was preparing for a "very tough election campaign," including personal attacks. "We will respond with substantive issues and try to get this country back on track. That's what it will be about," he said.

The CDU is currently polling far ahead of all other parties, with between 32-35.5% of voters saying they intend to vote for it.

Meanwhile, current polls show the three coalition parties together are set to receive only 29-30% of the votes.

The FDP, currently polling at 4% nationwide, is even at risk of not obtaining the 5% of votes required to enter the national parliament, or Bundestag.

According to participants in the committee meetings, Merz received a standing ovation lasting several minutes after Monday's confirmation of his candidacy.

Friedrich Merz (L), Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU), stands next to Carsten Linnemann, CDU Secretary General, during a CDU press conference following the state election in Brandenburg. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
Participants attend a handover ceremony for China-aided solar-powered streetlights in Yangon, Myanmar, Sept. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Guangtao)

YANGON, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A handover ceremony for China-aided solar-powered streetlights was held in Yangon on Sunday.

A total of 40 sets of solar-powered streetlights were officially handed over to relevant Myanmar departments. The project was sponsored by China's Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and implemented by Yunnan Commercial Representative Office in Myanmar. It was launched on Feb. 21 this year and has now been completed.

The project installed solar streetlights in Thaketa Township, Yangon, to improve nighttime lighting conditions in local public places, reduce safety risks, and promote green development in the community.

Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries implemented 24 donation projects in Myanmar since 2022. The projects were conducted to optimize infrastructure, develop manufacturing industry and agricultural technology, and facilitate natural disaster relief. 
Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats are struggling to hold back the far-Right AfD in regional elections - Maja Hitij/Getty Images Europe

Germany risks a sharp economic downturn if Donald Trump is elected US president and follows through with high tariffs on international goods, analysts have warned.

Mr Trumps pledges to levy a tax of 60pc on all imports from China and 20pc on those from other nations would hammer Germanys car and pharmaceutical industries, according to the Ifo Institute.

Exports of cars to the US would crash 32pc, the Ifo said, while pharma sales would fall 35pc. The scale of the crunch would deliver a permanent blow to the GDP of a nation which has already struggled to grow at all since the pandemic.

German exports to the US would drop by more than 33bn (27bn) per year, the Ifo added.

The warning contributes to the sense of crisis in Germany, where the central bank has warned the economy could stagnate or decline again this quarter.

The statistical office has not published full data on industries including retail since the spring, and Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats are struggling to hold back the far-Right AfD in regional elections.

Overall, German exports to the US  which totalled 220bn (184bn) last year, or more than one-tenth of all German exports  would drop by almost 15pc.

At the same time Mr Trumps tariffs would have a knock-on effect for German exports to China, which would fall by almost 10pc, the Ifo predicted.

Lisandra Flach, of the Ifo, said: If Trump is re-elected and starts a new trade war with China, Germany, as an exporting nation, would suffer greatly.

The situation would be even worse if China retaliated with its own protectionist measures against the US, the Ifo said.

The one saving grace would be that American protectionism would push some German sales to Mexico and Canada, as well as making US goods and services less competitive on the global stage, it added. As a result overall exports would drop by an estimated 2pc.

Prof Flach said the long-term impact of Mr Trumps proposed tariffs would be larger than the effects we have calculated for Brexit, with a permanent decrease in real GDP by 0.25pc.

She added: The reason is not only lower exports to the US, but also lower exports of intermediate and final goods to China, as the Chinese economy would suffer large losses from the 60pc tariffs as announced by Trump in his campaign.

Since the US and China are the main markets for German exporters outside the EU, Germany is hit by losses in both markets.

It comes on top of an already dire economic performance since Covid. GDP in the eurozones largest economy has barely grown at all since the pandemic, with Germanys mighty industrial centres hamstrung by the loss of cheap Russian energy and weak demand from key customers in China.

The slump in Germanys manufacturing sector deepened in September, with output falling from 42.8 in August to a 12-month low of 40.5, according to S&P Globals HCOB Flash Germany purchasing managers index (PMI).

An index score of below 50 indicates that business activity is shrinking, so the further fall signifies a deepening slump among German factories.

Manufacturing firms shed staff at the fastest pace in 15 years, excluding the pandemic, after new orders collapsed.

The figures followed the news that car manufacturer Volkswagen will close some of its German factories for the first time in history.

Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, said: Optimism is something of the past. Manufacturers are downright depressed about their future activity, with expectations for the coming year plummeting.

The slump in manufacturing is beginning to spill over into Germanys otherwise resilient services sector  A technical recession seems to be baked in.

Overall, Germanys private sector economy shrank from 48.4 to 47.2, according to the composite PMI.

German GDP will shrink by 0.2pc this quarter, after falling by 0.1pc between April and June, Hamburg Commercial Bank predicted.

In France, the end of the Olympics triggered a massive slump in activity, with the composite PMI plunging to 47.4 in September, down from 53.1 a month earlier.

Tariq Kamal Chaudhry, economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, said: This confirms the suspicion that the service sector surge in August was an Olympics-related anomaly, which has now dissipated.

France is also grappling with a major manufacturing downturn, which Mr Chaudhry warned would be worsened by the countrys political deadlock.

Politically, the situation remains unstable following the snap elections and the appointment of Michel Barnier as prime minister, with no clear parliamentary majority in place to push through the significant economic reforms that could revive the industry, he said.

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Getting up to par with First Tee West Texas through volunteering

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  Fore! Heads up because we are getting into the swing of things with First Tee West Texas.

Program director of First Tee West Texas, Angelo Jackson joins us in studio as we chat about how this non-profit organization located in Midland is helping create a better future for the next generation.

If you would like to learn more about the organization or volunteer/sponsor visit their website.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
Traffic at the border crossing between Gibraltar and Spain was halted for around an hour on Monday evening after a suspicious package was discovered at Gibraltar Airport.

The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) force said that its bomb disposal unit had carried out two controlled explosions to neutralise any possible threat from the suspicious object, but as of Monday night there was no official confirmation whether it had in fact contained explosives.

At just after 6.30pm local time, the RGP announced that the border had been closed due to the discovery of the package at the airport, which is situated very close to the frontier with Spain.

Kingsway Tunnel, which opened last year to take traffic to and from the airport, was also closed as a precaution, as was the pedestrian crossing of the runway.

The closures led to a build-up of traffic along Gibraltars exit roads heading towards the border.

An hour after the initial warning message, RGP posted a message on social media to say that the roads and runway had been reopened after two controlled explosions on [the] suspect package by bomb disposal.

Talks on frictionless movement

Every day, around 10,000 Spanish residents enter the British territory to work, while many Gibraltarians have properties over the border or travel into Spain to shop or for leisure purposes.

The status of the border between Spain and Gibraltar is the object of ongoing post-Brexit negotiations between the European Union and the UK in a bid to maintain frictionless movement of people and goods.

With no treaty yet agreed, November is set to see the introduction of new EU border rules that will mean Gibraltarians who are non-EU citizens will have to provide fingerprints, share their passport details and take a picture even for short stays in Spain.

Spain is installing e-gates and automated systems to process biometric data and Gibraltar has said it will respond in kind, something the Rock admits will have a significant effect on border traffic.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued multiple recalls last week, including notices for nearly 450,000 General Motors vehicles, including some new-model Escalades and Tahoes, due to an inoperative low brake fluid warning.

Are you looking to see if any recalls were issued on your vehicle? If the car isn't listed below, owners can check USA TODAYs automotive recall database or search NHTSAs database for new recalls. The NHTSA website allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number or VIN.

Here is what you need to know about the vehicle recalls published by NHTSA from Sept. 15 to Sept. 21.

Ford recalls: Over 144,000 Mavericks for rearview camera freeze

Kia recalls EV9 for remote smart parking assist failure

Kia recalls EV9 for remote smart parking assist failure.

Kia is recalling 12,400 of its 2024 EV9 vehicles. In the NHTSA report the automobile manufacturer said that a software error may cause the remote smart parking assist feature, which allows the operator to remotely move the vehicle, to miscalculate stopping distances. As a result, a remote smart parking assist feature that miscalculates stopping distances may increase the risk of a crash, the report said.

To fix the issue, dealers will update the integrated electronic brake software for free. Recall notification letters are expected to be delivered by Oct. 18. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC324.

Recalled vehicles:

2024 Kia EV9

Daimler Truck recall for brake lights that fail to illuminate

Daimler Truck recalls Freightliners for brake lights that fail to illuminate.

Daimler Truck is recalling 16,889 of its vehicles that may be "upfitted with a body lighting interface controller and replacement brake lights," the NHTSA report said. The heavy-duty truck manufacturing company said that the brake lights may not illuminate when the brakes are automatically applied during an active brake assist event. Brake lights that fail to illuminate will not properly indicate to drivers that the vehicle is slowing down or stopping. This will increase the risk of a crash, the report said.

To fix the issue, dealers will update the active brake assist software for free. Recall notification letters are expected to be delivered by Nov. 9. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1009.

Recalled vehicles:

2024-2025 Freightliner 108SD

2022- 2025 Freightliner 114SD

2025 Freightliner eM2

2022-2025 Freightliner Business class M2

2021-2025 Western Star 47X

2020-2025 Western Star 49X

2022-2025 Western Star 57X

Ford recalls

Mavericks for rearview camera freeze

Ford is recalling 144,516 of its 2022-2024 Ford Maverick vehicles for a rearview camera freeze.

Ford is recalling 144,516 of its 2022-2024 Ford Maverick vehicles that are equipped with a Connected Touch Radio, the NHTSA report issued on Thursday said. The motor company said the rearview camera image may freeze when the vehicle is in reverse. When a rearview camera does not operate properly, it can reduce the drivers visibility and increase the risk of a crash, the report said.

To fix the issue, dealers will update the Connected Touch Radios software for free. Recall notification letters are expected to be delivered by Sept. 30. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S59.

Recalled vehicles:

2022-2024 Ford Maverick

F-150 for parking lights that may flicker

Ford is recalling 16,543 of its 2022 F-150 for parking lights that may flicker.

Ford announced that it is also recalling 16,543 of its 2022 F-150 vehicles.

The NHTSA report said, "the vehicle's parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated. The report also stated that if a vehicles parking lights flicker, it may reduce a drivers visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

The NHTSA said that the F-150 fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.

As a remedy, Ford dealers will replace the LED Driver module. This service will be completed for free. Recall notification letters are expected to be sent on Oct. 7. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C30. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under 22V-686 and will need to have the new remedy performed.

Recalled vehicles:

2022 Ford F-150

General Motors recalls

Canyon vehicles for headlights that may flicker

General Motors is recalling 13,241 of its 2024 GMC Canyon vehicles, the NHTSA report said. The automobile manufacturer said, the headlights may flicker while driving and while the vehicle is in park. The report states that when headlights flicker, it can reduce a drivers visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

The NHTSA said that the GMC Canyon fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

For free, dealers will replace a module in the headlight.Recall notification letters are expected to be sent on Oct. 28. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N242468880.

Recalled vehicles:

2024 GMC Canyon

Escalades and Tahoes due to an inoperative low brake fluid warning

General Motors is recalling 449,671 vehicles, including some new-model Escalades and Tahoes, due to an inoperative low brake fluid warning, which poses a safety issue.

In a recall issued last week by the NHTSA, GM said electronic brake control module software on impacted SUVs and pickup trucks may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs.

Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, the NHTSA reported, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

The "Electronic Brake Control Module" software will be updated through an over-the-air update or by a dealer, free of charge.

Notification letters for owners are expected to be mailed by Oct. 28, the NHTSA reported.

Affected owners are asked to contact their local dealership for more information.

Recalled vehicles:

2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2023 GMC Sierra 1500

2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe

2023-2024 Suburban

2023-2024 GMC Yukon

2023-2024 Yukon XL

2023-2024 Cadillac Escalade

2023-2024 Escalade ESV

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY.

Ahjane Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjane covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery, and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads, and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Check car recalls: GM, Ford, Kia among 653,000 recalled
New GOP-backed bill would ban aid to Afghanistan to avoid giving US dollars to the Taliban

New GOP-backed bill would ban aid to Afghanistan to avoid giving US dollars to the Taliban

FIRST ON FOX: A group of Republican lawmakers is introducing a new bill that would cease all aid dollars to Afghanistan over concerns of interception by the Taliban.

"The Biden-Harris administrations disastrous withdrawal has plunged the country back under Taliban rule, and now it turns out that our taxpayer dollars are being used to the benefit of the Taliban," Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., sponsor of the legislation, told Fox News Digital.

"This legislation is needed so we can ensure that no more of our tax dollars are being irresponsibly used in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan."

The House bill is co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Nick Langworthy of New York, Barry Moore of Alabama, Erlic Burlison of Missouri, Matt Rosendale of Montana and Randy Feenstra of Iowa.

The U.S. is the largest donor to Afghanistan. It spent a total of $21 billion on the nation and Afghan refugees who have been evacuated since the withdrawal. However, critics say much of that aid ends up in lining the pockets of the Taliban, who they say have taken control of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the country.

House Gop Releases Scathing Report On Afghanistan

Read On The Fox News App

The United Nations (U.N.), meanwhile, has flown in some $2.9 billion in U.S. currency cash to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized control, the bulk of that being from funds allocated by the U.S., and at least some of which ends up in the Taliban-controlled central bank, according to the SIGAR report from July.

The Taliban "taxes" this cash at multiple points of distribution.

The bill would prohibit federal agencies from giving any direct cash assistance to Afghanistan and prohibit any taxpayer dollars from going to the U.N. for the purpose of assisting Afghanistan. It also prohibits Federal Reserve Banks from selling U.S. currency to the U.N. for the purpose of direct cash assistance to Afghanistan.

In a briefing to the U.N. Security Council on March 6, Roza Otunbayeva, the U.N.s special representative for Afghanistan, did not mention the money going to Da Afghanistan central bank but said it was necessary to get medical care and food for Afghans.

The shipments have "injected liquidity to the local economy that has in large part allowed the private sector to continue to function and averted a fiscal crisis," Otunbayeva told the council.

In a letter provided in response to the SIGAR report, the State Department said the U.N. was in charge of managing the cash transfer program.

"We remain committed to providing critical, life-saving humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. We will continue to monitor assistance programs and seek to mitigate the risk that U.S. assistance could indirectly benefit the Taliban or could be diverted to unintended recipients," the letter said.

Members of the Taliban sit on a military vehicle during a Taliban military parade in Kabul, Afghanistan, in November 2021.

Afghan General Says His Country Has Once Again Become Crucible Of Terrorism

For 20 years prior to the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan received some $8 billion in foreign assistance per year, representing 40% of its gross domestic product and financing three quarters of the governments public expenditures. When the U.S. and other foreign entities stopped supplying aid, the country fell into an economic crisis  and aid dollars began flowing once again.

In June, the House passed a bill that would force the State Department to investigate which countries give aid to the Taliban  and also get U.S. assistance themselves.

It would also force the secretary of state to weigh if those countries should keep getting U.S. dollars and develop a strategy to discourage them from continuing aid to the Taliban. However, that bill did not cease all aid to Afghanistan.





Original article source: New GOP-backed bill would ban aid to Afghanistan to avoid giving US dollars to the Taliban
Donald Trump appears to be furious Monday after a Republican lawmaker killed off any chance that Nebraskas five electoral votes will become winner-take-all in the Electoral College this November.

State Sen. Mike McDonnell, described by The Washington Post as a key holdout to the Trump-backed push to change the states electoral college rules, said that 43 days from Election Day is not the moment to change how Nebraska votes.

Some Republicans have fought to pass an amendment that would see all of the states electoral votes go to whichever candidate won Nebraskas popular vote, as it is in every other state besides Maine. The change would have broken decades of tradition in the cornhusker state, which has split its electoral vote allotment by congressional districtsin addition to awarding two electoral votes to the states outright winnersince 1992.

Trump took issue with McDonnells decision, calling him a Democrat turned Republican(?) in a post on his Truth Social platform.

I would like to thank Governor Jim Pillen of Nebraska for trying to help the Republican Party simplify the complexity of the States Electoral Map. It would have been better, and far less expensive, for everyone! Unfortunately, a Democrat turned Republican(?) State Senator named Mike McDonnell decided, for no reason whatsoever, to get in the way of a great Republican, common sense, victory, he wrote. Just another Grandstander! Who knows, perhaps one of the others two Republicans that were a NO Vote will change their minds.

Nebraska awards electoral votes for the winner of its three congressional districts, plus an additional two electoral votes to the states outright winner. District 2, which is highlighted in blue and includes Omaha, was won by Joe Biden in 2020s presidential election. Nebraska Legislature

Polls suggest that Trump will likely win the states overall popular vote. Under the current system, however, Harris is favored to win a single electoral vote from Nebraskas 2nd Congressional district, which was won by Joe Biden and includes Omaha and its suburbs.

McDonnell, a 58-year-old ex-Democrat, had been described as being a de facto tie-breaker on the issue for the 2024 election, The New York Times reported this weekend. His decision is squarely against Trumps wishes and that of his Republican governor, Jim Pillen, who said hed call a special legislative session to vote on the issue if he knew he had enough votes to pass it through. However, because of McDonnell and those under his influence, Pillenand by extension Trumpsimply doesnt have the votes.

There was a meeting held Wednesday on the matter in Lincoln, the Times reported. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) made the trip to attend in person while Trump reportedly called in to the meeting to express his desire for the change.

McDonnell said Monday that he personally wrote Pillen to make his position clear: I will not change my long-held position and will oppose any attempted changes to our electoral college system before the 2024 election.

The statement shared by Mike McDonnell on Monday. State Sen. Mike McDonnell

The local lawmaker added that he believes any changes in how Nebraska allots its electoral votes should be decided by the voters themselvesnot a surprise amendment at the 11th hour in a presidential election year.

Trump did not immediately react to McDonnells decision on Monday afternoon. However, the leader of Nebraska Democratic Party, Jane Kleeb, thanked McDonnell for standing strong.

Nebraska has a long and proud tradition of independence, and our electoral system reflects that by ensuring that the outcome of our elections truly represents the will of the people without interference, she said.

Election map showing a not-so-impossible Electoral College tie that could have taken place if Nebraska switched to a winner-take-all system that was won by Donald Trump. 270 To Win

While a single electoral vote may seem insignificant on the surface, theres a not-so-impossible scenario where Nebraskas 2nd Congressional district could determine whether Harris narrowly wins the election or finishes tied with Trump at 269.

That scenario, laid out by the Times, would come into play if Harris carries the so-called blue wall of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, but loses the western and southern swing states of Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina.

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A shelf displaying Stanley cups is nearly bare at the Target in Metairie on Sept. 14, 2024, (Greg LaRose/Louisiana)

The Republican Partys persistent call for legislation to ban noncitizen voting is just as inexplicable as the raging popularity of those massive Stanley drinking cups.

Do you really need it? Dont we already have something available that takes care of that need? If you must, could you end up hurting yourself or others unintentionally?

Despite noncitizen voting already being against the law, GOP forces at the state and federal level are rabid in their support for measures that are obvious attempts to create obstacles for legitimate voting.

In late August, Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order that calls for noncitizens to be monitored to ensure they arent offered opportunities to register to vote. He and other Republicans around the country have raised unfounded concerns that noncitizens will attempt to influence the November presidential election. Meanwhile, actual foreign interference in the nations democratic process happens with the help of the far right.

Everytime an illegal alien votes, it cancels out the vote of a citizen. Thats a disenfranchisement of American citizens, Landry said at an Aug. 27 press conference.

The governors order has no power to prevent state agencies from offering voter registration forms to the public, as dictated by federal law. But what it does do is require the state to include notice with those forms that it is illegal for noncitizens to vote.

Going back to the Stanley cup analogy, Landrys order is like placing a warning label on the cups saying that if the user pours molten hot liquids into it, theres a good chance their taste buds will be burned to the point of uselessness.

Sounds pretty pointless, right?

Yet the governor goes a step farther with his edict, directing the state Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) to compile a list of people issued a temporary, 180-day Louisiana drivers license or identification card. That list will be turned over to Secretary of State Nancy Landry, a Republican who is not related to the governor, so she can cross-check it against voter rolls.

According to Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill, who joined the governor at the order signing ceremony, the OMV has issued more than 40,000 temporary IDs, without providing a timeframe for that number. Those ID and license applicants could have received voter forms, Murrill added, and some might have unintentionally registered.

But Nancy Landry, who has helped run the state elections system well before being elected Secretary of State, said her voter roll checks since 2022 have resulted in just 48 noncitizens being removed from rolls. While she should be applauded for her scrutiny  and this weeks emphasis on voter registration  that number is not quite the panic-inducing figure the governor and other GOP standard bearers would have you believe it is.

Keep that in mind as Republicans continue their campaign in Congress this month to require voter IDs in federal elections for the false flag purpose of keeping noncitizens out of this falls election. In reality, its a blatant attempt at voter suppression.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, pulled his first attempt at a temporary spending bill with that requirement, but he intends to include it in a revised draft. GOP U.S. senators have their own version, which Democratic President Joe Biden intends to veto if it somehow advances to his desk.

Like when the last drop gets sucked out of a Stanley cup, the far-rights arguments for noncitizen voting keep coming up empty.

Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com. Follow Louisiana Illuminator on Facebook and X.
California school districts will be required to limit or prohibit the use of smartphones in public schools following Gov. Gavin Newsoms signature of a new bill into law Monday.

AB 3216, authored by Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover of Folsom, requires school districts to adopt a policy to limit or ban phones on school campuses by July 1, 2026.

Under current law, districts or county offices of education have the option to ban or limit cell phone use during school hours. The new law makes it mandatory beginning in the 2026 academic year.

We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues  but we have the power to intervene, Newsom said in a statement Monday. This new law will help students focus on academics, social development, and the world in front of them, not their screens, when theyre in school.

The bill received some opposition from lawmakers this summer  including from state Sen. Angelique Ashby, D-Sacramento  over concerns that kids would not have access to their phone during a school shooting or other emergency.

The new law grants an exception during an emergency or perceived threat. It also would allow students to use phones when a teacher grants permission or when a device is part of a pupils individualized learning plan.

Hoover, the bills author, thanked Newsom for signing the measure, calling it a major victory for students mental health and academics.

Research continues to demonstrate the potential harms of smartphone use among children. The growing use of these devices in a childs everyday life can contribute to lower test scores, anxiety, depression, and even suicide, Hoover said. I am proud our state is taking action to limit the use of smartphones during the school day and protect kids from these harms.

Newsom signaled earlier this year he would sign the legislation after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for a warning label on social media platforms, like those on cigarette containers, citing negative effects on youth mental health.

Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms, and the average daily use in this age group, as of the summer of 2023, was 4.8 hours, Murthy wrote in a June New York Times op-ed. A surgeon generals warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe.
Gov. Whitmer balks at questions about Michigan AG Dana Nessel and Rashida Tlaib feud: 'Not getting in middle'

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer refused to take a side in the feud between Attorney General Dana Nessel and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich who accused Nessel of bringing charges against anti-Israel campus protesters at the University of Michigan because she is Jewish.

In an interview on CNNs "State of the Union" Sunday, Jake Tapper asked the Democratic governor whether she agrees with Nessel, a Democrat, that Tlaib's accusation about her charging anti-Israel campus demonstrators because of her personal religious bias was rooted in antisemitism.

"Do you think that Tlaib's suggestion that Nessels office is biased was antisemitic?" Tapper asked.

U.S. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Hillary Clinton Condemns Anti-israel Campus Protests, Says Outside Groups Influenced Students: Nasty

"All I can say is that I know that our Jewish community is in pain, as is our Palestinian and Muslim and Arab communities in Michigan," Whitmer said. "I know that seeing the incredible toll that this war has taken on both communities has been really, really challenging and difficult, and my heart breaks for so many. But as governor, my job is to make sure that both these communities are protected and respected under the law in Michigan, and thats exactly what Im going to stay focused on."

Tapper pressed her again, "Do you think Attorney General Nessel is not doing her job?"

Read On The Fox News App

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer looks on at the United Center, on Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 20, 2024.

"Because Congresswoman Tlaib is suggesting that she shouldnt be prosecuting these individuals that Nessel says broke the law, and that shes only doing it because shes Jewish, and the protesters are not," he continued. "Thats quite an accusation. Do you think its true?"

Whitmer continued to dodge questions on the issue.

"Like I said, Jake, Im not going to get in the middle of this argument that theyre having," she said. "I can just say this: We do want to make sure that students are safe on our campuses, and we recognize that every person has the right to make their statement about how they feel about an issue, a right to speak out. And Im going to use every lever of mine to ensure that both are true."

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) poses for selfies with anti-Israel demonstrators outside her office in the Rayburn House Office Building as they rallied on Capitol Hill.

Nessel, Michigan's first Jewish attorney general, charged nine university students for refusing to leave the anti-Israel encampments in May after police ordered them to vacate, the Detroit Metro Times reported. They are being charged with trespassing and resisting or obstructing a police officer, according to the outlet. Two additional people were charged with attempted ethnic intimidation and malicious destruction of personal property at a separate anti-Israel protest.

Jewish Teen's Assault In Michigan Under Investigation As Possible Antisemitic Hate Crime:police

Tlaib, a Squad member and vocal critic of Israel, slammed the charges from Nessel as "shameful," telling the Detroit Metro Times in an interview, "it seems that the Attorney General decided if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently, and that alone speaks volumes about possible biases within the agency she runs.

Nessel responded on X, "Rashida Tlaib should not use my religion to imply I cannot perform my job fairly as Attorney General. Its anti-Semitic and wrong.'"

Whitmer's hesitation to defend Nessel caught the attention of Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, who scolded the governor for failing to support her attorney general.

"@GovWhitmer, when your attorney general prosecutes people for violating the law, harassing Jews, and attacking police officers, its in the interest of public safety. When a congresswoman accuses the attorney general of prosecuting protestors simply because shes Jewish, its bias."

"Saying you want to make sure that students are safe on our campuses is just words if you are not willing to use your bully pulpit to speak out unequivocally on antisemitism and support holding people accountable for violating the law when it affects Jews."





Original article source: Gov. Whitmer balks at questions about Michigan AG Dana Nessel and Rashida Tlaib feud: 'Not getting in middle'
SCRANTON, Pa. - Governor Josh Shapiro and his administration welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Keystone State during a visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP) in Lackawanna County Sunday.

During the visit, President Zelenskyy spoke with workers at SCAAP and thanked them for their efforts.

According to Shapiros office, SCAAP builds 155-millimeter howitzer rounds, some of the most vital equipment for Ukraines defense against Russia.

"Pennsylvania is the birthplace of American freedom  and our Commonwealth proudly stands with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom against naked aggression," said Governor Shapiro. "Im proud to welcome President Zelenskyy and his delegation to Scranton  to visit with the women and men who are fueling his countrys fight for freedom  and sign an agreement with Zaporizhzhia that will strengthen both states and foster collaboration for years to come. Pennsylvania looks forward to building a close relationship with Zaporizhzhia as we continue to stand on the side of freedom."

Governor Shapiro also signed an agreement with the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Military Administration, to leverage the strengths of both regions and support the Southeast Ukraine provinces efforts to rebuild after the war while still providing Pennsylvania businesses with an opportunity to participate in the reconstruction through its Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED).

Due to the agreement, Pennsylvania will work with economic leaders in Zaporizhzhia sharing best practices within multiple industries, including energy, agriculture, digital technologies, workforce development, and defense.

"Today is an exciting day for Zaporizhzhia and Pennsylvania," said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. "This agreement will help support the future economic revitalization of Ukraine, while boosting our economy and creating jobs for Pennsylvanians. Five of the sectors included in the agreement mirror those in our Economic Development Strategy, and we look forward to building a strong partnership with Zaporizhzhia in industries such as energy, agriculture, life sciences, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and more."

Shapiros office says defense cooperation for Ukraine is still essential.

The office reports that just this month, more than 150 soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guards (PANG) 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team deployed to Germany to support the Joint Multinational Training Group  Ukraine.

The national guards Task Force Independence is currently training Ukrainian forces in combined arms and maneuver training for battalion-sized units.

Back in December 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense announced it was expanding U.S.-led training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF).

Therefore, the U.S. program will train up to one Ukrainian battalion per month and will help develop the skills of Ukrainian units in specialized equipment.

"Training is key to Ukraines continued success on the battlefield," said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). "Our Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers are in Germany, away from their families and loved ones in support of this mission. They, along with more than a thousand other PANG members are currently serving overseas in support of our nation and its responsibility to operations around the globe. We are proud of their commitment and thankful for their service."
HONG KONG, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Hongkong Post announced on Monday that a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products will be released on Oct. 9 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Universal Postal Union (UPU).

The year 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the UPU. Hongkong Post, as a member of the China delegation, will issue a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products with the theme of "The 150th Anniversary of Universal Postal Union" to commemorate this occasion.

The stamp sheetlet features a carrier pigeon, composed of various triangular shapes, delivering mail around the world. This represents the UPU's efforts to strengthen connections, communication and cooperation among postal administrations worldwide.

The UPU was founded in 1874 and later became a specialized agency of the United Nations, with its headquarters in Bern, Switzerland. The UPU currently has 192 members. 
Gretchen Whitmer labels Trump deranged after his comments on women and abortion

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is accusing Donald Trump of being deranged for his stances on abortion and women.

The comments came in reaction to a Saturday speech where the former president claimed womens lives had been improved by the end of the constitutional right to an abortion.

Thats just ludicrous, Whitmer told CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. This guy just doesnt understand what the average woman is confronting in her life in this country. How could he? Hes not lived a normal life.

Hes just deranged, Whitmer added.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer labeled former president Donald Trump deranged after his comments about abortion (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment.

At a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, Trump claimed the 2022 Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade was cause for celebration.

At long last this national nightmare that were going through will be over, Trump said. Women will be happy, healthy, confident and free. You will no longer be thinking about abortion because it is now where it always had to be, with the states.

"He's just deranged" -- Gretchen Whitmer on Trump's weird new rants over the weekend about women pic.twitter.com/r3FFtwmW1k  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 22, 2024

The Harris campaign has underscored how Trump-appointed justices were key to the ruling ending Roe and the wave of abortion bans that followed in states around the country.

Women are being denied care during miscarriages, some only being treated once they develop sepsis, Harris said this week, pointing to an example of a Georgia woman who died from the condition after her care was delayed.

Trump: Women will be happy, healthy, confident and free. You will no longer be thinking about abortion.. pic.twitter.com/7X6B0tUcfq  Acyn (@Acyn) September 21, 2024

And we know that women have died because of Trump abortion bans. I was with a mother and the two sisters of a woman who died because of Trump abortion bans just last night, she added.

JD Vance said in August that Trump would not sign a national abortion ban into law and would veto any such effort.

He said that explicitly that he would, Vance said. Donald Trump has been as clear about that as possible.

After the demise of Roe, 14 states banned abortion with few exceptions.
A growing number of Republican national security figures are endorsing Vice President Harris in the 2024 contest, firing off a series of letters warning of the risks of reelecting former President Trump.

More than 100 former national security officials last week gave a full-throated endorsement of Harris, penning a letter that called Trump unfit to serve.

The week before, Alberto Gonzales, who served as attorney general in the George W. Bush administration, drafted an op-ed calling Trump perhaps the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generation.

And just a few days before that, 10 former military officials called Harris the bestand onlypresidential candidate in this race who is fit to serve as our commander-in-chief.

While cross-party endorsements arent unheard of, theyve ratcheted up in the age of Trump, particularly in this election.

Its a dynamic Harris has actively courted, even launching a Republicans for Harris effort in August.

For every voter who cares about America and understands the fundamental threat Donald Trump poses to our democracy and our Constitution, this campaign has a home for you. Vice President Harris will be a president for all Americans  whether Republican, Democrat, independent, or none of the above  and she will keep working to earn the support of every American, said Austin Weatherford, the campaigns director of Republican outreach, when the effort launched.

Mainstream GOP voices have cast doubt that the endorsements will make much difference in the race.

Nonetheless, at least 150 Republican officials with ties to the national security world have backed Harris.

Its a figure that does not include nearly 200 Republicans and independents who on Sunday signed on to a bipartisan letter from more than 700 national security officials endorsing the vice president.

The letters come from those in all corners of the national security community, who say Trump cannot be trusted to lead the military, uphold the rule of law, or run point on foreign affairs.

Gonzales noted Trumps recent conviction and ongoing court cases, saying the Supreme Courts recent decision granting former presidents broad immunity from prosecution heightens the need to elect someone with integrity.

The missive from the largest group of GOP officials wrote that Trump was unfit to serve again as President.

Donald Trumps susceptibility to flattery and manipulation by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, unusual affinity for other authoritarian leaders, contempt for the norms of decent, ethical and lawful behavior, and chaotic national security decision-making are dangerous qualities, the letter states.

All noted his praise for authoritarian regimes and accused him of having a self-serving nature that would jeopardize U.S. interests.

Traditionally, national security has been the third leg of the Republican Party. You have value voters, you have free market voters, and you had defense hawks. And of those three, Trump, I think, struggles the most with defense hawks given his positions on Ukraine and his statements about Putin, said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist and former spokesman for George W. Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), adding these concerns reflect the strains Trumps positions have put on many Republicans.

Conant and others, however, are skeptical the string of endorsements will make much difference in the broader scheme of the campaign.

I dont think Harris sending out a press release with a bunch of Republicans that have endorsed her moves a single voter, Conant said.

Matt Gorman, a Republican strategist and former adviser to Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), put it more bluntly.

Im dying to meet the person in Bucks County, Pa., who was really waiting for the deputy assistant National Security Advisor for a Republican administration 40 years ago who finally, finally convinced them of who to vote for, he quipped.

Im not gonna pretend it has some kind of outsize influence because its just not the case.

Those doubts notwithstanding, its clear the Harris campaign and their GOP endorsers believe the calls can make a difference.

The August Democratic National Convention featured multiple GOP speakers, and the Harris team has spent millions targeting anti-Trump Republicans. Outside groups have similarly launched ad campaigns.

And many of the endorsements have been flagged by the campaign, praising new allies for putting country over party, while Gonzales went on CNN to discuss his rationale for backing Harris.

There are some positive polling signs for Harris. While polling between Trump and Harris remains close, shes pulled ahead in a few key swing states.

John Conway, director of strategy for Republican Voters Against Trump, sees it as valuable both to average voters as well as other leading figures within the Republican Party.

When Republican elites are coming out to endorse Kamala Harris, theyre not only signaling to Republican voters that they should do the same thing, but theyre also signaling to other Republican elites that they should come out and support Kamala Harris too, Conway said.

Everybody knows that there are so many Republican officials, so many former Trump administration officials, who privately disdain Donald Trump and think hes a danger to our democracy who have yet to speak up publicly. And I think when those Republican elites also see folks like Liz Cheney and the folks who have signed this letter come out publicly, it shows that they can too, he added, calling it a nudge.

Its also a sign of a broader trend in terms of GOP figures endorsing Harris.

In addition to the Cheneys, a group of 200 former staffers for John McCain, Mitt Romney, and both Bush presidents have also endorsed Harris, as have former Trump officials like Olivia Troye and Stephanie Grisham.

Harris is trying to change the permission structure, strategists said, essentially creating a sense among Republicans that its OK to cross party lines on this ticket.

I think Harris is trying to create the permission structure for rank-and-file Republicans to vote for her and having endorsements from people like Dick Cheney and former Republican senators helps. It helps accomplish that, Conant told The Hill.

I do think its evidence that there are a significant number of Republicans who arent going to vote for Trump this fall, Conant 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.
Gun violence in Philadelphia plummeted in 2024  researchers arent sure why, but here are 3 factors at play

Philadelphia experienced a surge in shootings and homicides during the COVID-19 years that disproportionately affected young Black and Latino men in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods with drug markets.

In 2020, Philadelphia had 499 homicides  nearly 150 more than the previous year. Gun violence worsened in 2021  with 562 homicides that year  and then dropped slightly in 2022.

Fortunately, recent data shows a notable decline in these crimes over the past two years. As of late September 2024, homicides are down 40% for the year to date compared with 2023. And the number of shooting victims has decreased similarly  from 1,236 in the first eight months of 2023 to 758 for the same period in 2024.

As professors of criminal justice who live in Greater Philadelphia, we know that there is no single explanation for the drop in gun violence. Rather, many factors at both the local and national levels could be playing a role.

Police and justice system return to (sort of) normalcy

A shortage of police  driven by pandemic-era resignations, retirements and injuries  significantly affected cities like Philadelphia.

Additionally, the Philadelphia Police Departments number of traffic and pedestrian stops dropped drastically. This was due to both the need to adhere to social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and a widespread reluctance among officers to engage with citizens after massive protests in response to the murder of George Floyd. In fact, the number of documented stops plummeted by 83% from 2019 to 2020 alone.

Philadelphia police staffing remains nearly 20% lower than before the pandemic. Spencer Platt/Getty Images News via Getty Images

As the year progressed, the department struggled with officers abuse of the Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act. This statewide disability program allows police and firefighters injured on the job to collect their full salaries.

By September 2021, 14% of Philadelphia patrol officers were out of work on no duty disability leave, according to investigations by both The Philadelphia Inquirer and the city controller.

Though up-to-date data is unavailable, there was a 31% drop in injury claims by December 2022, 10 months after the Inquirer investigation was published.

More recently, the Philadelphia Police Department has attempted to increase its ranks through intensified recruitment efforts. It also lowered physical requirements and eliminated certain residency restrictions.

Despite these efforts, staffing remains nearly 20% lower than in 2019. This places considerable strain on the existing workforce.

Of course, the COVID-19 years considerably affected the entire criminal justice system and beyond in Philadelphia. Courts operated in a limited capacity, cases backlogged, probation and parole officers were less able to supervise individuals in the community, and the jail population was reduced. The citys array of community- and hospital-based violence intervention programs were also disrupted.

The post-pandemic resumption of court operations, improved violence intervention programs, police recruitment efforts and reduced disability claims may help explain the recent drop in shootings.

New leadership and crime-fighting strategies

Reducing gun violence was a top campaign issue during Philadelphias 2023 mayoral race.

Mayor Cherelle Parker, elected on a law-and-order platform, declared a public safety emergency on her first day in office.

She also appointed Kevin Bethel as police commissioner in charge of the more than 6,000-member force. Bethel, second in command under former Commissioner Charles Ramsey, quickly released a 100-day plan that focused on crime reduction in high-crime districts, shutting down open-air drug markets in Kensington and reinforcing federal partnerships to tackle violent crime.

Philadelphia has also adopted new policing strategies and technologies.

In early 2022, before Parker and Bethels tenure, the Philadelphia Police Department under former Commissioner Danielle Outlaw designated a new unit to investigate nonfatal shootings. In 2021, only 17% of nonfatal shootings led to arrests, a failure that can fuel retaliatory violence, legal cynicism  which refers to a drop in trust of the legal system  and communities resorting to self-policing.

While its not yet clear what effect the new unit has had in Philadelphia, research shows such units that prioritize resources to solving nonfatal shootings in places such as Boston and Denver have reduced gun violence.

More recently, the city began deploying mobile surge teams on weekends to flood high-crime areas with officers to deter potential criminal activity.

Meanwhile, Temple University attributes the reduction in crime within its patrol areas to the implementation of safety measures, including new equipment for officers such as firearms and radios, upgraded security cameras and advanced technology such as license plate readers, which help identify stolen vehicles or those linked to criminal behavior.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel has prioritized reducing gun violence in high-crime neighborhoods. Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images

National crime trends

While local initiatives have likely contributed to Philadelphias drop in violent crime, these improvements also fit into national crime trends as cities across the U.S. experienced similar declines.

Economics and public safety expert John Roman, for example, attributes both the rise and fall of violence to pandemic-related losses in government staffing and functionality, which he argues returned to prepandemic levels in late 2023.

Roman shows how 1.3 million government jobs were lost nationally at the outset of COVID-19, with 75% of the losses coming at the local level. These local government employees, such as social and outreach workers, often connect people in marginalized communities that bear the brunt of gun violence to crucial services such as trauma counseling, victim advocacy and legal assistance.

In Philadelphia, approximately 3,000 local government jobs were lost between 2019 and 2022. The reopening of social services and increase in those jobs and community-based interventions post-pandemic may have helped stabilize Philadelphias neighborhoods.

Crime trends tend to ebb and flow. This current drop appears to align with a national de-escalation in violent crime. These factors, alongside the statistical phenomenon of regression to the mean  where crime rates normalize after extreme spikes  apply to both national and local crime rates.

Some researchers, including Roman, have also considered the possibility that the recent 2020-2022 homicide peak killed a portion of the most violent offenders who drive shootings in their neighborhood. Its based on the concept of the victim-offender overlap that those at the highest risk of violence are often offenders themselves.

But crediting Philadelphias decline in homicides and violent crime to any single cause oversimplifies a much more intricate picture. While the exact causes of these shifts are complex, understanding the interplay of local and national forces is essential to sustaining this positive trajectory.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Carla Lewandowski, Rowan University and John A. Shjarback, Rowan University

Read more:



John A. Shjarback receives funding from: the South Jersey Institute for Population Health; the NJ Gun Violence Research Center; and a few local/county governments including Cumberland County, NJ, Atlantic City, NJ, and Suffolk County, NY.

Carla Lewandowski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, who killed 10 people during a March 22, 2021, massacre at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, was sentenced Monday to life without parole, hours after a jury rejected his insanity claim and found him guilty of first-degree murder.

The sentence followed several hours in which families of the victims delivered impact statements inside the courtroom.

In addition to the 10 counts of murder, Alissa, 25, was convicted of 45 other felony counts, including attempted murder, assault and using a prohibited large-capacity magazine during the commission of a crime. The jury deliberated for a little more than five and a half hours over two days.

He was sentenced to 10 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole  one for each victim  as well as an additional 1,334 years in state prison.

Justice has finally been done, said Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty after the sentencing.

Alissas attorneys didnt deny he committed the shooting. To determine whether he was legally insane at the time of the shooting, jurors needed to weigh whether they believed he was able to form intent or distinguish right from wrong.

Speaking ahead of the sentencing Monday afternoon, Nikolina Stanisic, whose 23-year-old brother, Neven, was killed in the shooting, described her sibling as a caring, kind and selfless person.

He was their parents first joy, their first happiness, and their first sadness and heartbreak, she said.

Our life without Neven is not a complete whole life, she went on. Theres someone who is always missing.

Over the past few weeks, jurors at Boulder County District Court heard 10 days of testimony, during which the prosecution argued that despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia after the shooting, Alissa was legally sane when he carried out the attack.

The shooter was found incompetent to stand trial in 2021 but then deemed competent in 2023 after undergoing treatment in a state hospital.

The evidence in this case is straightforward. What happened on March 22 of 2021 is not a mystery; it was on video, Assistant District Attorney Ken Kupfner said in his closing argument, before ticking through every felony count Alissa is facing and pointing to the actions that prosecutors say prove beyond a reasonable doubt he acted after deliberation, and with intent.

Alissa is not somebody who is insane.  Somebody who thinks a mass shooting is fun, theyre sick. We agree hes mentally ill. He has schizophrenia, but hes not insane, Kupfner said.

Alissas defense attorney Kathryn Herold told the jury in her closing argument that this tragedy was borne out of disease, not choice.

Mr. Alissa committed these crimes because he was psychotic and delusional on March 22 of 2021, Herold said. We also know that but for the psychosis he was suffering, this tragedy would never have happened.

Hes given us a life sentence, robbing us of family

Many of the victims family members appeared in court and became emotional and tearful as the verdict was read. Ahead of Alissas sentencing, several family members shared wrenching tributes to their loved ones and described the pain they have suffered since the shooting.

The images of my sons brains and blood splattered on a grocery store floor will be with me forever, said Shay Talley. His son, Eric Talley, a Boulder police officer, was gunned down in the shooting. But I still choose to forgive. Eric would want us to forgive. He was a very forgiving person.

Margie Whittington, whose daughter, Teri Leiker, was killed, said, We want the shooter to know this murder has changed us.

She added, We will never be the same. We will never get over losing her, especially in such a horrible way.  Life after Teri has been devastating, but we are not devastated.

Olivia MacKenzie, who lost her mother, Lynn Murray, called for a life sentence for Alissa.

Hes given us a life sentence, robbing us of family, she said. Why should he get any less?

I felt like, and do still feel like, the luckiest daughter on Earth to have been so lucky to have been her kid, she said of her mother.

Erika Mahoney, whose father, Kevin Mahoney, was killed, said she hoped for an apology from Alissas side.

If weve never been denying he did it, then wheres an apology? she asked. An iota of remorse from them or his family would have gone a long way. The door is still open.

Addressing Alissa directly, she said, Im sorry for your suffering  past, present and future. As I said earlier, I wish you would have gotten more love.

An older brother of Alissa, who didnt give his name, spoke to CNN affiliate KUSA after the verdict was read. He described his brother as calm if at times antisocial and said the family didnt know he had schizophrenia. They would never in a lifetime think that he was, you know, able to do something like this.

From the bottom of my heart, we are so sorry, as his family, we are so sorry, he said. I wish we can rewind time, but there is no way that we can rewind time.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Andi Babineau reported from Boulder and Zoe Sottile wrote and reported from New York. CNNs Alisha Ebrahimji, Jennifer Henderson, and Cheri Mossburg contributed to this report.

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Gunman who killed 10 at Colorado supermarket in 2021 convicted of murder

By Keith Coffman

DENVER (Reuters) -The man who killed 10 people in a mass shooting at a Colorado grocery store in 2021 was convicted on Monday of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 25, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury instead found the Syria-born man guilty in Boulder District Court on 10 counts of first-degree murder. Jurors also found him guilty on dozens of counts of attempted murder and weapons offenses.

After relatives of the victims addressed the court, Judge Ingrid Bakke formally gave Alissa the mandatory sentence under Colorado law of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a statement that "though I know this guilty verdict won't heal the pain so many of us feel, or bring back those who were killed, I hope that it can provide some peace."

It was never in dispute that Alissa carried out the rampage. The case focused on his mental state at the time of the shootings. Under Colorado law, a person must be found to be unable to distinguish between right and wrong for an insanity defense to prevail.

Authorities said Alissa was armed with a legally purchased Ruger AR-556 pistol, which resembles an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, when he entered the King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, about 30 miles (50 km) northwest of Denver, on March 22, 2021.

Alissa shot dead two people in the parking lot before entering the store and killing eight others, including a police officer who responded to the shooting.

"He is methodical and he is brutal," District Attorney Michael Dougherty told jurors in closing arguments on Friday.

The psychologists and psychiatrists who testified during the trial that began last month agreed that Alissa was diagnosed as a schizophrenic who was profoundly mentally ill. But that diagnosis alone does not render a person legally insane.

"This tragedy was born out of disease, not choice," defense attorney Kathryn Herold told the jury.

Eyewitnesses described Alissa as focused as he opened fire, shooting dead at least two victims at point-blank range after wounding them in the opening salvo.

Sarah Chen, a pharmacist working that day, testified during the trial that she heard Alissa shriek with delight as he fired his weapon as she and other workers crouched behind a counter.

"He said, 'This is fun, this is so much fun,'" Chen testified.

Alissa did not testify in his own defense.

Erika Mahoney, whose father Kevin was killed in the shooting, told the court during victim impact statements on Monday that shortly after learning of her father's murder she envisioned standing in court and facing the gunman.

"I wish the young man behind the gun had received more love in his life, because then maybe none of this would have happened," Mahoney said.

She recounted other high-profile shootings that have plagued the United States in recent decades, and told the court ahead of Alissa's sentencing: "To me, justice is putting an end to mass shootings in America."

(Reporting by Keith Coffman, Brad Brooks and Daniel Trotta. Editing by Donna Bryson, Will Dunham and Jamie Freed)
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Gwen Walz, the wife of Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will be in Lansing Tuesday according to the Harris campaign.

Her visit is part of the Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour according to the campaign.

Exact details of where Walz will campaign have not been made public at this time, but she will be accompanied by sexual assault survivor and reproductive rights advocate Hadley Duvall, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes.

Also this week Republican candidates Donald Trump and JD Vance will be campaigning in Michigan.

Former President Trump will be in Walker on Friday around noon and then that night will be in Warren at Macomb Community College to host a town hall to discuss the auto industry, the campaign said.

Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance is scheduled to campaign in Traverse City Wednesday.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi has been arraigned in court for operating under the influence.

Horses evacuated during minor barn fire at The Big E

Hampden County Sheriffs Office Spokesman Rob Rizzuto confirmed to 22News that Sheriff Cocchi was at MGM Springfield Saturday night when he was arrested for operating under the influence. Rizzuto says the sheriff was released on his own recognizance following the incident.

In a statement to 22News, Sheriff Cocchi said Im sorry for not living up to the high standards Ive set for myself, my staff, and the justice-involved population. I take complete responsibility for my actions.

Sheriff Cocchi was first elected sheriff in 2016 and was re-elected to a second six-year term in 2022. He is a former correctional officer with the Hampden County Sheriffs Office.

The sheriffs department oversees corrections in Hampden County, running the Hampden County Jail in Ludlow and the Western Massachusetts Regional Womens Correctional Center in Chicopee. The office also runs treatment and recovery facilities and supports offenders re-entry as they transition back into society.

Cocchi was arraigned on Monday in Springfield District Court on a single charge of OUI, first offense. According to the Hampden County Sheriffs Office Spokesperson Rob Rizzuto, the judge recused himself from the case, which means he withdrew due to a potential conflict of interest of lack of impartiality. Cocchi entered a plea of admission to sufficient facts, which led the court to continue the case without a finding. His drivers license will be temporarily suspended.

Im sorry for not living up to the high standards Ive set for myself, my staff, and the justice-involved population. I take full responsibility for what happened this past Saturday. Raised by parents who taught me kindness, compassion, and accountability, Ive always strived to be the best version of myself. Many point fingers in todays political climate, but I wasnt raised that way. In both my personal and professional life, I stand by my actions. I look forward to moving forward with the Sheriffs Office and continuing the great work my team does for our community daily.

Cocchi made a statement to the media outside the courthouse stating he is taking full responsibility for what happened.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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The mayor of the city with the highest percentage of immigrants in Michigan and an all-Muslim city council has endorsed Donald Trump for president.

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, the first Arab American and first Muslim to lead the city, announced late Sunday afternoon he will support the former president. Ghalib's post on Facebook supporting the Republican presidential nominee was then posted by Trump on his social media site, Truth Social.

Ghalib confirmed Monday morning to the Free Press by text that he endorsed Trump, referring to his statement.

"Trump and I may not agree on everything, but I know he is a man of principles," Ghalib posted. "I believe he is the right choice for this critical time. Ill not regret my decision no matter what the outcome would be, and Im ready to face the consequences."

Ghalib added: "Now, let the Caravan begin its journey. This is just the starting point."

Former President Donald Trump met with Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib in Michigan on Sept. 17, 2024, before Trump's town hall in Flint, Michigan. Ghalib met last year in Hamtramck with Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

The endorsement came after Ghalib met with Trump in a private meeting last week in Flint that lasted about 20 minutes, Ghalib told the Free Press earlier.

Trump said in an interview with Breitbart that Ghalib endorsed him because "there were no wars" when he was president. The former president added that he was "very impressed" with Ghalib, who had hosted a town hall last year in Hamtramck with Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Many Arab Americans in Michigan are upset with President Joe Biden over his policies in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen. Biden lost to the "Uncommitted" vote in Hamtramck, Dearborn and Dearborn Heights in the February presidential primary.

Hamtramck mayor Amer Ghalib speaks during a ceremony for the renaming of Holbrook Street in Hamtramck to Palestine Avenue on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the corner of Holbrook Street and Gallagher Avenue. The city council voted in December to approve the change. It is the first time in Michigan history a street has been renamed in support of Palestinians.

Ghalib's endorsement appeared to generate positive response from Arab Americans in Hamtramck, where 39% of the residents are of Middle Eastern descent, most of them of Yemeni descent, according to the 2020 census. An additional 29% of the city is Asian American, a majority of them Bangladeshi. Ghalib, an immigrant from Yemen who is Muslim, leads a city that is believed to be roughly half Muslim. Yemeni Americans are the largest ethnic group in the city, followed by Bangladeshi Americans, according to census data. All of the members of the city's 6-member city council are Muslim of either Yemeni or Bangladeshi descent. More than 42% of the city are immigrants, the highest percentage among all municipalities in Michigan.

Trump has been accused of being anti-immigrant, with plans to deport many undocumented immigrants and using inflammatory rhetoric, such as against legal Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. When he was president, Trump issued what was called a "Muslim travel ban" that Biden rescinded in 2021. But that hasn't stopped some Arab immigrants in Michigan from praising Trump.

"Today is a good day in America: An Arab American mayor endorses Donald Trump," Hassan Aoun, a Republican immigrant of Arab descent from Dearborn, told the Free Press.

More: Former President Donald Trump set to campaign in Michigan on Friday

Trump spoke to Breitbart News about Ghalib's endorsement:

I was very impressed with him and he was a very big fan of the Trump administration because he saw no wars  outside of defeating ISIS, but I inherited that  but there were no wars," Trump said. "There was no Oct. 7. There was no Russian attack on Ukraine. He sees that and he told me  he saw a world that was at peace. Now, we have a world thats going to end up in World War 3 and I can stop that. Im the only one thats going to stop that.

Ghalib's endorsement could turn Hamtramck, which has historically voted for Democrats, including Biden in 2020, into a base of support for Trump. Ghalib invited Trump to his city during their meeting, which Trump told Breitbart he was interested in visiting. Hamtramck Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri told the Free Press he has spoken with Trump campaign officials about logistics and security for a possible Trump rally in Hamtramck.

The endorsement is the latest blow for Democrats trying to win over the Middle Eastern vote in Michigan, which has the highest percentage of Arab Americans among all states. Last week, the Uncommitted movement of Democrats, which started in Dearborn, announced they will not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. Some Muslim leaders are also upset with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat who backs Harris, for charging 11 pro-Palestinian protesters. Nessel on Friday accused U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, in a post on X, of making an antisemitic attack against her, but did not specify what she was referring to.

"Thank you for changing the perception that all Muslim Americans are default ticket to Democratic Party," Khalil Othman, of Dearborn, said in response to Ghalib's endorsement of Trump. Othman became Republican after his concern about LGBTQ+ books in Dearborn public schools, which he saw as sexually explicit. The backlash against the books led to Republicans making gains in heavily-Muslim areas of Dearborn in November 2022.

Also this month, Trump attorney Alina Habba, who's of Iraqi descent, and Vivek Ramaswamy met with Iraqi American Chaldeans on a visit to metro Detroit to rally for Trump, speaking at the largest Chaldean country club in Michigan, Shenandoah in West Bloomfield.

In Michigan, in particular with the Chaldean community, my community, we can flip this state, Habba said.

Ghalib is an outspoken supporter of Palestinians, Yemen and other causes in the Arab world.

Hamtramck can not stand neutral during moral conflict," Ghalib said in March during the unveiling of street signs to rename part of a major street as "Palestine Avenue" to express solidarity with Palestinians. "We stand with ceasefire against genocide." Ghalib also supported in May a city resolution to divest from Israel.

"The city will do its best to refrain from buying, investing or contracting with companies that support the Israeli genocide," Ghalib said of the resolution that was passed.

In recent months, Trump has used the word "Palestinian" as a slur when referring to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, who is Jewish, accusing him and other Democrats of not supporting Israel.

Ghalib has also drawn attention over the past couple of years for supporting the city's ban on political and cultural flags on city property, including LGBTQ+ flags.

Democrats and some progressive activists have criticized Ghalib and the council for banning the flags, but supporters note that the city of Livonia, which is predominantly white and Christian, passed a similar resolution in 2022. The Livonia City Council moved to ban the flying of LGBTQ+ pride flags and other flags after Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan raised the pride flag last year at City Hall, which drew criticism from some conservatives.

Ghalib won election in November 2021, defeating Mayor Karen Majewski. Ghalib is the first non-Polish mayor to lead Hamtramck, which used to be a Polish-majority city but is now only 5% Polish, according to census data.

Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib endorses Donald Trump for president
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  After announcing that its current location will be closing near the end of the month, Hardline Coffee Co. announced it is moving a few blocks down the street.

Hardline Coffee Co. will be moving to 1004 4th St., the former location of the Francis Canteen, the coffee shop announced on its Facebook page.

The post doesnt say when the new location will open but that it plans to open as soon as possible.

We are thrilled to embark on a new journey as we grow into this space and bring you exciting new drinks, events, and comfy places to hang, the post said. We plan to be open as soon as possible, so watch out for updates on our Grand Opening party!

Siouxland Paralympic gold medalist archer demonstrates technique

The coffee shop announced on Sep. 15 that its spot at 515 4th St. will close on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.

At the time, the coffee shop said that it would soon make an announcement about exciting changes.

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Vice President Kamala Harris is planning to visit the US-Mexico border while in Arizona on Friday, according to a source familiar with the discussions, as Harris tries to close the gap with former President Donald Trump on the issue of immigration.

Details of the visit  which CNN first reported Monday that campaign officials were weighing  are still being sorted.

Harris previously visited the border in her capacity as vice president and has cited her work as a US senator and state attorney general representing a border state  California.

Immigration has featured prominently in the 2024 presidential election. Democrats, grappling with years of border crises, have tried to flip the script on Republicans after the GOP blocked a bipartisan border measure earlier this year.

Some Harris campaign officials remain concerned about the gap in polling, which shows Trump holding a lead on the issue, but also see an opportunity to narrow a gap they believe is closing and try to shut down GOP attacks over her not visiting the border enough, according to one of the sources.

CNN reached out to the Harris campaign for comment.

Fridays visit to Arizona also comes at a time when border crossings are the lowest theyve been since 2020  and comes on the heels of new polling that shows Trump leading in the battleground state.

US officials have touted back-to-back months of low border crossings, citing recent executive action curbing asylum access at the US southern border, even as Trump levies campaign attacks over the Biden administrations handling of border security.

Republicans have falsely claimed that Harris is the border czar, casting her as solely responsible for the management of the US-Mexico border. Its a title that Harris team has been trying to shake off since the moment President Joe Biden assigned her to tackle the root causes of migration in 2021.

Harris campaign officials think she has a case on immigration: Using the failed bipartisan border measure to cast Trump as unserious on the border and citing her time as California attorney general when she tackled transnational criminal gangs.

Last week, Harris slammed Trump over his immigration proposals, citing his controversial policies to draw a stark contrast with her Republican rival.

While we fight to move our nation forward to a brighter future, Donald Trump and his extremist allies will keep trying to pull us backward. We all remember what they did to tear families apart, and now they have pledged to carry out the largest deportation, a mass deportation in American history, she said.

Imagine what that would look like and what that would be. Hows that going to happen? Massive raids, massive detention camps. What are they talking about? she added.

This story and headline have been updated with additional information.

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BEIJING/KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar paid his first state visit to China from Sept. 19 to 22.

During talks with King Sultan Ibrahim, Xi said that the two sides should deepen mutual learning between the Chinese and Islamic civilizations, strengthen cooperation in higher education, joint scientific research and other fields, and enhance mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples.

Xi also pledged to work with Malaysia to bring the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to a new level.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic ties, the two countries will build on past achievements to jointly usher in a new era in bilateral cooperation.

EVER-LASTING FRIENDSHIP

China and Malaysia are neighbors with a millennium-old friendship, friends connected by heart, and partners for win-win cooperation, with vibrant cultural exchanges serving as a bridge between the two nations.

On Sunday in the presence of hundreds of guests from both countries in Beijing, the Malaysian King participated in a ceremony renaming Malay Studies Chair of the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) to the Sultan lbrahim Chair of Malay Studies.

The renaming of the Chair by the King highlights the importance both countries place on educational exchanges and cooperation, said Su Yingying, dean of the School of Asian Studies at BFSU.

"We all hope to promote in-depth collaboration between China and Malaysia in various fields, including culture and trade, through the cultivation of professional language skills and research talent," Su said.

This year marks the Year of China-Malaysia Friendship. Earlier this year, Xi exchanged congratulatory messages with King Sultan Ibrahim on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Xi recalled that he recently received a jointly-signed letter from Malaysian students studying at Tianjin University in China, who have made it their goal to disseminate and promote China-Malaysia friendship and look forward to using their knowledge to serve the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future. Xi said he is pleased to see that the cause of friendship between the two countries will be carried on over generations.

Xi's remarks have greatly inspired those Malaysian students in China.

One of the authors of the joint letter, Tan Pei Wei, a senior at the School of Life Science at Tianjin University, expressed her hope that the closer high-level exchanges between the two countries would create more opportunities for their economic cooperation and more development opportunities for young people.

Cheok Xuan Yu, a Malaysian student and also one of the authors of the joint letter, said, "I want to do my best to be a grassroots ambassador for exchanges between China and Malaysia and hope to contribute to the economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries in the future."

"I aspire to be a promoter and advocate of China-Malaysia friendship," said Foong Yan Lin, another Malaysian student in China.

STRATEGIC COOPERATION FOR MODERNIZATION

Near Kuantan in Pahang state, Malaysia, a newly laid railway track runs along the coast into the distance. On the hillside, two prominent lines in Chinese and Malay read, "Extensive Consultation, Joint Contribution and Shared Benefits for a Better Future."

Local residents expressed their hope that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will accelerate local development.

The Malaysian mega rail project is being built by China Communications Construction Company. The rail link is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country by linking its less-developed region on the east coast to the economic heartland on the west coast.

"I'm confident that the ECRL project will be completed on schedule, and I'm also confident about my future," 25-year-old Azril Hakim told Xinhua.

After graduating with a degree in civil engineering from Universiti Malaysia Pahang in 2022, Azril joined the ECRL project through the China-Malaysia railway talent training cooperation program, which aims to train 5,000 skilled railway construction and operation professionals in Malaysia.

With the help and guidance of his Chinese colleagues, the Malaysian young man has grown rapidly and received the Best Employee Award for the project in 2023. "This project has not only helped me learn and grow but has also allowed me to contribute to my country's infrastructure development," he said.

The ECRL is one of the flagship projects of China-Malaysia high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Located in Kuantan city, the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) is also a key Belt and Road cooperation project.

The MCKIP, together with the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park situated in China, has set an innovative example of bilateral economic cooperation under the model of "Two Countries, Twin Parks."

In 2014, Xi called for the two countries to build the two industrial parks as flagship projects for China-Malaysia cooperation and models for China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) cooperation.

To achieve this goal, China and Malaysia have been deepening and solidifying industrial cooperation.

Qinzhou Port and Kuantan Port have fostered a sister port relationship, providing mutual support for logistics and transportation between the two countries. The MCKIP, covering a total area of 12 square km, has completed land development of approximately 10 square km, with 13 projects still underway.

Under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, economic and trade cooperation has achieved fruitful results.

China and Malaysia should deepen strategic cooperation in each other's modernization process and push the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to a new level, Xi said during talks with King Sultan Ibrahim in Beijing on Friday.

For his part, the King said Malaysia is committed to developing a strong partnership with China.

NEXT GLORIOUS 50 YEARS

Volunteers from China State Construction Engineering Corporation have lately teamed up with a Malaysian non-governmental organization to install a solar lighting system for an indigenous village in Perak state.

The remote village is a five-hour drive away from Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur through muddy and winding mountain roads. The village chief, Najib Arang, told Xinhua that due to a lack of lighting facilities, the village was shrouded in darkness as night fell.

Now the "Light Up the Mountains" campaign brings light and hope. When the first light brought by the solar power system illuminated the village's night, the villagers were laughing with excited cheers, bringing out prepared sweets to gather together and enjoy their evening leisure time.

"With electricity, our lives will improve significantly, and our village will become more beautiful," Najib said with a beaming smile.

Traveling further north from Perak, in Kuala Ketil, a small town in southern Kedah state, stands a 260-acre photovoltaic power station, with tens of thousands of photovoltaic panels installed.

Operated by Edra Power Holdings, a subsidiary of China General Nuclear Power Corporation, the power plant began commercial operation in 2019 and provides clean energy for local economic development and improves people's well-being.

From the small solar lighting facilities in an indigenous village to the large-scale modern photovoltaic power station, these initiatives represent a microcosm of the Sino-Malaysian cooperation in green energy to promote sustainable development.

Seizing the opportunities presented by new quality productive forces, China and Malaysia have been strengthening their cooperation in emerging fields such as green development, new energy and digital economy.

In recent years, Chinese automotive manufacturers such as Geely, BYD, Chery, and Great Wall Motor have entered Malaysia's new energy vehicle market, bringing new driving experiences to Malaysian people and creating jobs.

Chinese telecom giants like Huawei and ZTE have engaged in deep cooperation with local firms, helping Malaysia become a digital economy hub in Southeast Asia.

"The bilateral relationship between Malaysia and China is currently at its best," Dato' Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association and former Malaysian ambassador to China, told Xinhua.

He also voiced confidence that under the guidance of their leaders, the two countries will step up the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to achieve new results and jointly create the "next glorious 50 years" in their relationship. 
Harris needs to do more interviews to win over undecided swing state voters, urges CNN commentator

CNN political commentator S.E. Cupp urged on Monday that Vice President Kamala Harris needed to do more interviews if she wanted to win over undecided voters because they "still have questions" about the vice president.

"Kamala Harris still has to introduce herself to people. Were hearing that over and over again from swing state voters, they dont know her enough, so they should both want another debate," Cupp said, noting Trump needed to change the momentum in the race. "They still have questions about Kamala Harris."

Harris has sat for a few interviews since emerging as the Democratic nominee but has yet to hold a formal press conference.

"So they might stay home. They might vote third party but, they are wanting to hear more from Kamala Harris," Cupp said, referring to undecided voters. "She has identified the correct problems, they say they dont have enough specifics on the solutions. Both politically and practically. What would she do to solve X problem, inflation, for example? And how would she get Congress to go along with it? These are two things that American voters  theyre not stupid  they see as real political realities and problems and they want to know more."

Harris Dodges Question On Lowering Prices By Describing Middle-class Roots: Neighbors Proud Of Their Lawn

CNN political commentator S.E. Cupp said Monday that VP Harris needed to do more interviews if she wanted to win over undecided voters.

CNN's John Berman noted that Harris would be speaking to voters in Georgia about the economy and wondered if it would be heard nationally.

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"Nationally, no they wont, which is why she needs more interviews. This is not just S.E. Cupp or journalism asking for more interviews, right? This is because voters are telling us they still have questions. And that media interaction could come in the form of a town hall. It could be podcasts and other kinds of unconventional media, but shes got to do more," Cupp warned.

Harris sat for an interview with CNN's Dana Bash, alongside her running mate Gov. Tim Walz, following over a month of pressure and questions surrounding her first sit-down. She has since done a couple of local radio interviews, as well as a solo sit-down with a Philadelphia TV station.

Harris also recently did interviews with the National Association of Black Journalists and with Oprah Winfrey, who endorsed Harris, at a campaign event.

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Vice President Kamala Harris joins Oprah Winfrey at a "Unite for America" livestreaming rally in Farmington Hills, Michigan, on Sept. 19, 2024.

The vice president has been criticized for lacking specific answers and dodging questions during the interviews she has done.

"This week she couldnt or wouldnt answer a single question straight, and people could see it. She is an artless dodger," The Wall Street Journal's Peggy Noonan wrote, suggesting voters have a choice between "awful and empty."

"She owes us these answers. It is wrong that she cant or wont address them. It is disrespectful to the electorate," Noonan wrote, arguing that avoiding questions on illegal immigration was "political malpractice."





Original article source: Harris needs to do more interviews to win over undecided swing state voters, urges CNN commentator
(Bloomberg) -- An influx of Wall Street and Silicon Valley donor support for Kamala Harris is translating into a distinct campaign advantage to the tune of nearly $5 million a day, allowing her to go on offense against Republican Donald Trump.

Most Read from Bloomberg

As the presidential campaign enters the most expensive stretch, Harris and the Democratic National Committee are outspending Trump and the Republican Party each day by a margin of three-to-one, according to the latest federal filings. The Harris campaign spent an average of $7.5 million a day in August, compared to a $2.6 million daily average for Trump.

The rapid inflow of checks from deep-pocketed donors to Harris campaign since she replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket two months ago has solidified her status as the financial frontrunner. Thats a title the Democrats lost for several months this spring and summer as Trump pulled ahead in the money race while Bidens campaign faltered.

Harris has continued to ramp up spending this month. Shes spending $152 million on advertising in September, according to AdImpact, a 21% increase compared to August and more than double the $63 million Trump is spending.

Polls show that Harris has cut into the lead Trump amassed over Biden and she has a slight advantage in some swing states. However, the race remains close.

Harris has won over support from a deep bench of well-heeled donors, including Oaktree Capital Management LLCs Bruce Karsh, legendary oil trader Andy Hall, Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, technology venture capitalist Matt Cohler and actress Scarlett Johansson.

The clear money advantage allows Harris to blanket the airwaves and experiment with strategy, spending millions in states like North Carolina and Nevada where just weeks ago Trump allies were feeling confident about their chances of victory. Harris began September with $404 million in the bank, compared to $295 million for Trump, according to the latest disclosures to the Federal Election Commission.

Trumps operation has already been forced into a defensive crouch, spending $32 million more than it raised in August, as they ratcheted up advertising to compete with Harris. Trumps political operation has signaled it will have sufficient funding to run a winning effort.

President Trump continues to build a historic unified political movement powered by everyday Americans from all 50 states, Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns national press secretary, wrote in an email.

The money disparity extends to the super political action committees aligned with each campaign. Harris and the outside groups backing her are set to spend $559 million on advertising from Labor Day through the election compared with $306 million for the groups supporting Trump. The Democrats have a spending advantage in all seven swing states.

Trump has several deep-pocketed donors underwriting super PACs to supplement his media buys including Preserve America, funded by billionaire casino owner Miriam Adelson, and Make America Great Again Inc., which has gotten $125 million from investor Timothy Mellon. But their support, which totaled $83 million in September, falls short of the $112 million that Democratic groups, led by super PAC Future Forward, are shelling out.

Harris biggest line item from August was for paid media, which accounted for $140 million of the $225 million that her campaign and the DNC spent. Trump and the GOP spent $48 million on advertising, the filing shows.

Ground Game

Democrats are also investing heavily in get-out-the-vote and door-knocking efforts. The DNC spent $10 million on canvassing, employing nine different firms to knock on doors and interact with voters in August. That figure doesnt include paid staffers also working on reaching out to voters or organizing such efforts. Combined, the campaign and party spent $10.2 million on payroll, more than four times as much as Trump and the Republican National Committee.

Harris campaign has boasted of having more than 333 campaign offices and more than 2,200 staff across battleground states, giving it the ability to reach large numbers of voters quickly. It also relies on volunteers for canvassing and phone banking.

Trumps campaign is outsourcing its ground game to outside groups including America PAC, which Tesla Inc. and SpaceX chief executive officer Elon Musk created. The group spent $15.5 million on canvassing and field operations for Trump in August, FEC fillings show, and $25.8 million since Harris became a presidential candidate.

Earlier: Musk Pours Money Into New York Races Critical to House GOP Win

Theres one area where Trump is vastly outspending Democrats: direct mail. His campaign spent $11.6 million on mailers in August, roughly three times the amount that Democrats spent. He also spent $3.3 million on postage.

Harris August spending totals dont include the $24.5 million shes sending to House, Senate and state party committees to aid Democrats in down-ballot races, a sign that her campaign is bullish on their fundraising prospects.

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By Gabriella Borter and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden recognized the United Arab Emirates as a major defense partner of the United States on Monday after talks with its president on topics that included the war in Gaza and growing Middle East instability.

The U.S. designation - India is the only other country to have been designated as such - allows for close military cooperation through joint training, exercises and other collaborative efforts.

Biden and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for "urgent, unhindered" humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and shared their commitment to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in a statement after their meeting.

At the start of the meeting, Biden said he had been briefed on the latest developments between Israel and Lebanon, where Lebanese officials said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 492 people on Monday.

"My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and we're working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return to their home safely," he said.

Their joint statement touched on the Gulf state's involvement in the Sudan conflict, with both stressing that there was no military solution to the war, which has triggered the world's largest displacement crisis.

They also underscored plans to deepen cooperation on space exploration, clean energy and artificial intelligence, where the UAE has launched ambitious plans drawing interest from U.S. geopolitical rival China.

Vice President Kamala Harris met separately with the UAE leader, but the talks were closed to press.

"The vice president raised her deep concerns about the conflict in Sudan," the White House said. "She expressed alarm at the millions of individuals who have been displaced by the war and the atrocities committed by the belligerents against the civilian population."

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Howard Goller)
The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, speaks during an event Friday at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Vice President Kamala Harris is chiding GOP nominee Donald Trump for not agreeing to another presidential debate before voting ends Nov. 5, though he doesnt appear inclined to change his mind.

Lets have another debate, Harris, the Democratic candidate, said Sunday. Theres more to talk about and the voters of America deserve to hear the conversations that I think we should be having on substance, on issues, on policies.

Harris and Trump debated for the first time on Sept. 10, but so far the two campaigns havent reached agreement with another news organization to set up a second debate. Two days after their only debate so far, Trump declared he wouldnt agree to another.

Harris-Walz Campaign Chair Jen OMalley Dillon released a written statement this weekend announcing that Harris agreed to a CNN debate on Oct. 23 and pressing Trump to do so as well.

Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate, Dillon wrote. It is the same format and setup as the CNN debate he attended and said he won in June, when he praised CNNs moderators, rules, and ratings.

Trump brushed that aside during a rally on Saturday in North Carolina, saying that its just too late since early and mail-in voting has already begun in some states.

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Trump and then-Democratic nominee Joe Biden held their final debate on Oct. 22.

Four years before that, when Trump and Hillary Clinton were vying for the Oval Office, they debated on Sept. 26, Oct. 9 and Oct. 19.

In an attempt to nudge Trump toward debating, the Democratic National Committee has paid for mobile billboards calling him a chicken and showing him dressed up in a yellow chicken costume. Those billboards, as well as a second one trying to link him to Project 2025, will be in Pennsylvania on Monday evening ahead of a campaign stop.

DNC Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman wrote in a statement about the chicken billboards that Trump had previously said hed debate anytime, anyplace.

The American people deserve another opportunity to hear Vice President Harris and Donald Trump lay out their starkly different visions for our country side-by-side before Election Day, Rahman wrote. Instead, Trump is busy hiding from the American people because he knows theyll reject his Project 2025 agenda to hike taxes on the middle class, ban abortion nationwide, and use the federal government to assert virtually unchecked power over our daily lives.

Harris and Trump, however, are both in talks with the CBS show 60 minutes for detailed interviews that would air back-to-back on Oct. 7.

The vice presidential candidates are scheduled to debate on Oct. 1 in New York City, hosted by CBS. That will be the last debate of this cycle unless Trump changes his mind.

Trump, Harris, running mates in swing states

Campaign travel will continue to be a central focus for both Republicans and Democrats this week, with just over six weeks until voting wraps up.

Harris is expected to rally supporters in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Arizona on Friday and Nevada on Sunday.

Trump will be in Savannah, Georgia on Tuesday to talk about his tax plans before heading to Mint Hill, North Carolina on Wednesday. He then has two stops scheduled in Michigan on Friday; the first in Walker and the second in Warren.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz is expected to hold a campaign reception Tuesday in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, wont be on Capitol Hill for the final in-session week before the election, but will be out on the campaign trail.

Vance is scheduled to be in Traverse City, Michigan on Wednesday before holding two stops in Georgia on Thursday and heading to Newton, Pennsylvania on Saturday.

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The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, speaks during an event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Sept. 20, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Vice President Kamala Harris is chiding GOP nominee Donald Trump for not agreeing to another presidential debate before voting ends Nov. 5, though he doesnt appear inclined to change his mind.

Lets have another debate, Harris, the Democratic candidate, said Sunday. Theres more to talk about and the voters of America deserve to hear the conversations that I think we should be having on substance, on issues, on policies.

Harris and Trump debated for the first time on Sept. 10, but so far the two campaigns havent reached agreement with another news organization to set up a second debate. Two days after their only debate so far, Trump declared he wouldnt agree to another.

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Harris-Walz Campaign Chair Jen OMalley Dillon released a written statement this weekend announcing that Harris agreed to a CNN debate on Oct. 23 and pressing Trump to do so as well.

Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate, Dillon wrote. It is the same format and setup as the CNN debate he attended and said he won in June, when he praised CNNs moderators, rules, and ratings.

Trump brushed that aside during a rally on Saturday in North Carolina, saying that its just too late since early and mail-in voting has already begun in some states.

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Trump and then-Democratic nominee Joe Biden held their final debate on Oct. 22.

Four years before that, when Trump and Hillary Clinton were vying for the Oval Office, they debated on Sept. 26, Oct. 9 and Oct. 19.

In an attempt to nudge Trump toward debating, the Democratic National Committee has paid for mobile billboards calling him a chicken and showing him dressed up in a yellow chicken costume. Those billboards, as well as a second one trying to link him to Project 2025, will be in Pennsylvania on Monday evening ahead of a campaign stop.

DNC Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman wrote in a statement about the chicken billboards that Trump had previously said hed debate anytime, anyplace.

The American people deserve another opportunity to hear Vice President Harris and Donald Trump lay out their starkly different visions for our country side-by-side before Election Day, Rahman wrote. Instead, Trump is busy hiding from the American people because he knows theyll reject his Project 2025 agenda to hike taxes on the middle class, ban abortion nationwide, and use the federal government to assert virtually unchecked power over our daily lives.

Harris and Trump, however, are both in talks with the CBS show 60 minutes for detailed interviews that would air back-to-back on Oct. 7.

The vice presidential candidates are scheduled to debate on Oct. 1 in New York City, hosted by CBS. That will be the last debate of this cycle unless Trump changes his mind.

Trump, Harris, running mates in swing states

Campaign travel will continue to be a central focus for both Republicans and Democrats this week, with just over six weeks until voting wraps up.

Harris is expected to rally supporters in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Arizona on Friday and Nevada on Sunday.

Trump will be in Savannah, Georgia on Tuesday to talk about his tax plans before heading to Mint Hill, North Carolina on Wednesday. He then has two stops scheduled in Michigan on Friday; the first in Walker and the second in Warren.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz is expected to hold a campaign reception Tuesday in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, wont be on Capitol Hill for the final in-session week before the election, but will be out on the campaign trail.

Vance is scheduled to be in Traverse City, Michigan on Wednesday before holding two stops in Georgia on Thursday and heading to Newton, Pennsylvania on Saturday.

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Vice President Harris will not attend the annual Al Smith dinner in New York City next month, while former President Trump said Monday that he will be there.

The New York Catholic Charities fundraiser, which is scheduled for Oct. 17, traditionally includes presidential candidates. Trump attended in 2016, along with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, and Trump and President Biden joined the dinner virtually in 2020.

Harriss team told event organizers that she will be campaigning in a battleground state on the day of the dinner and is unable to attend, a campaign official told The Hill. She wants to maximize her time in the battlegrounds this close to the election, but her team told organizers that she would like to attend the event as president, if elected.

Trump said on Truth Social it will be an honor to attend the dinner in New York.

It was a virtual event in 2020, and I was delighted to speak to our Catholic friends that day and, of course, it was a HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL evening in 2016 when we were there in person with Crooked Hillary Clinton, he said.

The event is the 79th annual dinner of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation and is hosted by New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Trump, on social media Monday, also called out Harris for not agreeing to attend the traditional dinner.

Its sad, but not surprising, that Kamala has decided not to attend. I dont know what she has against our Catholic friends, but it must be a lot, because she certainly hasnt been very nice to them, in fact, Catholics are literally being persecuted by this Administration. Any Catholic that votes for Comrade Kamala Harris should have their head examined, Trump said.

President Biden is the second Catholic president in U.S. history, following President Kennedy.

The Harris campaign held a Catholics for Harris-Walz national organizing call last week, which included former Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), who was ambassador to the Holy See, among other dignitaries.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  Forty-three days before the election, neither presidential campaign is making an earnest effort to compete for historically red Texas, but both are returning once again to tap into Texas bottomless well of campaign cash.

Republican candidate for vice president J.D. Vance began his fundraising swing Sunday night in Austin alongside Gov. Greg Abbott with a dinner at the home of Joe Lonsdale, the founder of Palantir Technologies. He will continue on to two events in Fort Worth and a high-dollar dinner in Dallas on Tuesday.

Travis County Republican Party Chairman Matt Mackowiak was at Lonsdales event. He told Nexstar it attracted more than 100 people and raised more than a million dollars for the Trump campaign.

Everyone was quite impressed with how sharp he was, the command he has of substance and policy, his clarity and his, I think, very impressive communication style, Mackowiak said.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff is headlining a star-studded Freedom to Vote rally at San Antonio College on Monday afternoon alongside San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Joaquin and Julian Castro, and Democratic candidates for the state House. The event is organized by Texas Offense, the Texas Democratic Partys coordinated campaign with Senate candidate Colin Allred.

Were all excited to hear from our Second Gentleman, and just the idea that he is here in Bexar County, and theyre making their presence known As we know, they always have to hit the swing states, but you know what? Texas is starting to look like were turning really purple., Bexar County Democratic Party Chair Monica Ramirez Alcantara told Nexstar.

Ramirez Alcantara hopes Emhoffs visit will drive not just fundraising, but turnout, and will hopefully balloon some lower ballot candidates in key races for state House pickups. She pointed specifically to the races for House Districts 118 and 121, as well as Susan Korbels race for Bexar County Commissioner

Were working really hard to get our president, and we know itll be Madame President, all the way down to the bottom (of the ballot), she said.

Emhoff will then travel to Austin on Tuesday and Houston on Wednesday.

The trips are just the latest attempts for each campaign to attract Texas donors. Last month, Vance was in San Antonio for a fundraiser hosted by the International Bank of Commerce CEO Dennis Nixon. Tim Walz has also raised money in Dallas, and Harris made multiple stops to Texas big, blue cities in the first weeks of her campaign.

Texas is used to being an ATM for both parties in presidential election years. It hasnt been in play, probably since 1980, at the presidential level. So candidates come here to raise money and they dont do much else, and thats not that unusual, Mackowiak said.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
FIRST ON FOX - A nonpartisan police leadership organization that notes that it is the only national law enforcement advocacy group to endorse political candidates is weighing in on the 2024 White House race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

The Police Leaders for Community Safety said Monday that it is endorsing Harris, in an announcement shared first with Fox News.

The organization - which says it is led by a diverse group of prominent police professionals who have been at the helm of numerous major national law enforcement leadership groups - highlights that its mission is to champion "policies to make communities and the people in them safer, improve and evolve policing, and safeguard the rule of law."

The group's backing gives Harris support from a major law enforcement group following the endorsement earlier this month of Trump by the National Fraternal Order of Police, the countrys largest police union.

And earlier this year, Trump also landed the endorsement of another major law enforcement union - the International Union of Police Associations.

Nation's Largest And Oldest Police Union Makes An Endorsement In The 2024 Presidential Race

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Former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris

"This endorsement reflects Vice President Harris track record and unwavering commitment to public safety and the rule of law," Sue Riseling, chair of Police Leaders for Community Safety, said.

Police Leaders for Community Safety board member David Mahoney, a former Dane County, Wisconsin, sheriff and past president of the National Sheriffs Association, said that Harris "spent her prosecutorial career protecting people, supporting victims and holding accountable those who have harmed others and betrayed the public trust. As a lawmaker, she has fought hard for the critical law enforcement-backed policies needed to fight crime and protect the public."

Cash Dash: This Presidential Candidate Holds A Substantial Fundraising Lead

Additionally, Board Vice Chair Rick Myers, a former police chief in eight communities in multiple states, said that "too many politicians call themselves tough on crime and say they support law enforcement but then dont have the courage to do what is right to keep us safeWe need a leader who will protect both the 2nd Amendment and our nation from the scourge of gun violence, and that leader is Kamala Harris."

Regardless of downward trends in many crime categories nationally, crime remains a leading issue on the minds of American voters.

Trump has argued that Harris, a former prosecutor, San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general, is soft on crime and anti-police and has blamed her for persistent crime issues in San Francisco.

What The Latest Fox News Poll Shows In The Harris-trump 2024 Showdown

The former president and GOP nominee has called for more aggressive policing, less oversight by the federal government, and more military equipment for local police departments.

Harris has spotlighted Trump's legal controversies - he made history earlier this year as the first former or current president convicted of a felony - and argues he has been hostile to law enforcement that has investigated him.

The vice president and Democratic Party nominee spotlights the Biden-Harris administration's record on law enforcement funding through pandemic relief funds. She advocates for stronger federal oversight and less military equipment for local police departments.

Harris campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, in a statement following the endorsement, noted that "as a prosecutor who has stood with law enforcement throughout her entire career, Vice President Harris took a tough and smart approach on crime: increasing conviction rates, holding violent criminals accountable, and keeping communities safe. She also worked tirelessly to make the criminal justice system more fair  especially for communities of color."

She argued that "this November, Americans will choose between someone who spent her career enforcing the rule of law and someone who has been convicted of breaking them."

The Harris campaign notes that the latest endorsement follows the backing of the vice president by 100 law enforcement officials, including officers who protected the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack by Trump supporters, and over 700 national security officials.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.





Original article source: Harris-Trump showdown: Leading law enforcement group takes sides in presidential election
Hate setting up camo netting? Try this new soldier-built invention.

Despite the pricey, high-tech advances of todays Army, an old-school field task  assembling camouflage netting and poles to hide vehicles  remains part of the drudgery of a soldiers life.

But a new invention that can be built with parts from a hardware store makes the task easier, faster and mobile, saving soldiers time and energy when they need it most.

The Vehicle-Integrated Camouflage System was invented by Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Lopez, a former sniper and the non-commissioned officer-in-charge at the Marne Innovation Center at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The system allows two soldiers to conceal a large combat vehicle in less than 15 minutes, a job that traditionally required four well-practiced soldiers and 30 minutes of work.

It consists of five pieces of metal welded together to form a bolt-on bracket that attaches to existing holes in an Army vehicle. The bracket features a cylindrical device used as an insert to attach camo netting poles for better concealment.

Currently, most camo nets are set up by stretching the netting with a series of poles placed at angles around the vehicle and into the ground, much like tent stakes.

The Army's got a mold problem, these soldiers have an answer

That means that every time soldiers set it up, they must tear all the equipment down and pack it up to move the vehicle and then set it up again.

But with this device, the netting can remain on the vehicle if it must be moved, further saving time and energy.

Its a solution that directly impacts how soldiers do their jobs, and Lopez said he suspects that more such innovations are waiting in the ranks.

Soldiers across the formation are currently developing answers, its just a matter of how we tap into that, Lopez told Army Times.

For his and his teams efforts, Lopez won the annual XVIII Airborne Corps Dragons Lair innovation competition earlier this month.

The Dragons Lair event is a Shark Tank style competition where participants pitch their problem-solving ideas to a board of military and science experts who then select the best submission. For winning the competition, Lopez received a Meritorious Service Medal and will attend an Army training school of his choosing. In Lopezs case, he chose Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape, or SERE, training.

Past winners have included a 3D-printed device that uses sensors to detect mold conditions and can share its data in real time, and a helicopter pilot flight training tool that gives students immediate performance feedback.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Lopez presents his vehicle camo invention to judge's at U.S. European Command's

Other offerings in this years competition included a software application to record and process meetings, a machine-learning tool that uses databases and dashboards to conduct risk assessments and an automated ammunition request builder for platoon and company leaders, according to the Army.

Lopez won the 10th iteration of the competition, held this year in Stuttgart, Germany, with his Vehicle-Integrated Camouflage System.

Concealing Army vehicles was prevalent during the Cold War, when the U.S. military trained to prepare for a war with the Soviet Union.

But during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, such concealment was not required.

Today, as the U.S. military prepares for war with China or another conventional adversary, the Army is once again preaching the gospel of concealment and moving on a battlefield where they will need to regularly cloak their gear.

The explosion of drone warfare in Ukraine has further reinforced the need for troops to be able to conceal their vehicles fast.

Lopezs team chose the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle as their platform, in part because it was one of the more difficult vehicles to conceal, he said.

After some refinements, Lopez represented his team at unit-level competitions to ultimately compete in the Dragons Lair, which includes all the subordinate units of the XVIII Airborne Corps.

Presenting was not as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be, Lopez said.

The next steps will likely involve sharing the device with the Armys Combat Capabilities Development Command, which oversees much of the services technology adoption, Lopez said.

If the device can pass the necessary tests and be fitted to multiple types of vehicles, theres potential for it to be distributed across the Army.

The war in Ukraine has showcased the need for fast innovation, something that by its nature comes from the rank-and-file, XVIII Airborne Corps deputy commanding general Brig. Gen. John Cogbill said in a statement.

Innovation is too important to be left to generals and sergeants major, he said. I think the best ideas come from the bottom. Theyre the people closest to the problems.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Theres still time to participate in the Hawaiian Humane Societys flash adoption special.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Even though the shelter recently celebrated its Clear the Shelters Month, the momentous achievement was quickly overshadowed.

During the Clear the Shelters Month initiative, more than 800 families adopted a new four-legged friend for their ohana.

Clear the shelters at the Hawaiian Humane Society

At the same time, 1,199 pets also came into its care meaning each kennel opened filled immediately and then some.

This is really important because when were feeling our resources being stretched as much as they are, it limits our community and our ability to help the vulnerable pets who need us most, explained Brandy Shimabukuro, Manager of Communications.

These moms are taking over Kahala Mall. Find out why

To combat its critical capacity, the Humane Society waived adoption fees for all dogs and cats through the end of September at the Moiliili Campus, Kosasa Family Campus at Hoopili, Pounce Hawaii and select PETCOs around Oahu.

Hawaiis own Kimee Balmilero is upping the ante on homegrown comedy

If I could make a plea to anybody, its if you love animals and youve been thinking about adding a pet to your family, consider adoption first because it makes a life-saving impact for animals in need, Shimabukuro added.

Head over to the Hawaiian Humane Society to take advantage of this special. For more information, visit the Hawaiian Humane Societys 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 KHON2.
NANCHANG, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 12 migratory bean geese were spotted at Poyang Lake on Sunday, marking the arrival of this year's first overwintering birds at the country's largest freshwater lake, reserve authorities have said.

Their arrival came two days earlier than last year, according to an official of the lake's national reserve protection bureau in east China's Jiangxi Province.

With its well-preserved ecosystem, Poyang Lake is a key wintering site for waterfowl in Asia. The peak migration period for birds traveling to the lake typically starts in mid-December and continues through early January.

Local authorities have launched routine patrols and other operations to combat illegal activities that could harm the wetlands, ensuring the safe wintering of the birds. 
Kent Smith represents the 21st State Senate District in Cuyahoga County and serves as the ranking Democrat on the Ohio Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

This story was updated to add new information.

A recent report indicated that Ohio ranked third among states with the most customers affected by power outages per capita.

However, it was not due to excessive demand on the system, because Ohio ranked 24th for total electric consumption. If outages are occurring without unusually high demand, then we have a problem in the system.

It is a problem that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, our states utility watchdog agency, should have caught. But maybe they were not trying to catch problems before they happened. Because maybe the master they were serving was the utility, not the customer.

So, if you were one of the many Ohioans left without power after the August 6 storms, you might be wondering why it took so long to get your power back.

Part of the answer to that question is Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.

DeWine and Husted appointed feckless and corrupt commissioners to the PUCO who failed to do their job and hold FirstEnergy accountable  and everyday Ohioans are still paying the price.

Between 2017 and 2019, FirstEnergy charged a PUCO-approved grid maintenance fee of $456 million that was taken from every customers wallet. An investigation later found that FirstEnergy did ZERO upgrades to their electrical infrastructure  they just kept the money.

Do you think if FirstEnergy had invested $456 million in inspecting their lines, replacing aging equipment, hiring more utility workers and trimming the trees the impacts of the August 6 storms would have been so severe?

FirstEnergy did none of that work because their hand-picked head of the PUCO, Sam Randazzo, had accepted their $4.3 million bribe.

Randazzo was not looking out for everyday Ohioans who need steady, reliable, affordable electric service. He was looking out for FirstEnergy shareholders and executives.

FirstEnergy saw Sam Randazzo as one of their best assets.

Lets remember how FirstEnergy leadership celebrated the signing of House Bill 6  which bailed out their inefficient nuclear plants. After the legislation was signed by Gov. DeWine, the CEO of FirstEnergy sent a doctored mock-up of Mount Rushmore to the then chairman of the PUCO.

The faces of the four presidents had been swapped out for FirstEnergy allies including the head of the watchdog agency, the chairman of the PUCO. Underneath the revised Mount Rushmore was a caption that said F*** Anybody Who Ain't Us.

Well, the people who were screwed were the hundreds of thousands of households that did not have power for days because they get their electricity from an inept and corrupt investor-owned utility.

Now you may be asking, what does that have to do with DeWine and Husted?

Just over three years ago, FirstEnergy leadership signed a deferred prosecution agreement with the Ohio U.S. Attorneys Office, which details the entire corrupt scheme.

On page 37 of that agreement, while discussing the plot to install Randazzo as the head of PUCO, the two indicted former FirstEnergy executives communicate by text message. In late December 2018, one sent a text to the other which read, Four people in DeWine world, you, Sam and I know about this.

Who are the four people, Gov. DeWine?

Ladies and gentlemen of Ohio, that text is the smoking gun.

It appears to put DeWine and Husted at the scene of the crime before it took place. It seems DeWine and Husted knew of the corrupt scheme before it happened, and when they appointed Randazzo, they became co-conspirators.

They are compromised leaders who share responsibility for FirstEnergys slow recovery from the storm.

Kent Smith

If the four people in DeWine world were staff members who misled the governor and lieutenant governor concerning the Randazzo appointment, they would have been fired. But nobody has been identified by Gov. DeWine as being responsible. Which means it is on him. Or more likely, it means it was him.

What Ohio deserves to know from DeWine and Husted is who the four people in "DeWine world" are. If those four are still on the state payroll, they must go now  even if two of the four are the current governor and lieutenant governor.

The August 6 storm was the harvest of corruption from seeds that were planted in early 2019. Ohio cannot handle another harvest like this. So, governor, who are the four?

Ohio deserves answers before the next storm.

Kent Smith represents the 21st State Senate District in Cuyahoga County and serves as the ranking Democrat on the Ohio Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OPINION: HB 6, First Energy a part of the scandal. DeWine must answer
A pharmacist retrieves a a medication. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images.)

The owner of one of the three largest pharmacy middlemen in the United States last week filed suit to quash an attempt by the Federal Trade Commission to investigate industry practices. However, the suit relies on research that the health conglomerate helped pay for and was conducted by an economist whos become wealthy arguing in support of huge mergers.

The FTC in July issued a scathing interim report saying that Cigna/Express Scripts, CVS Health and UnitedHealth Group appeared to be using their pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, to inflate the price of drugs and consequently make patients sicker. In response, Cigna/Express Scripts sued, declaring that the FTCs findings were false and defamatory.

The company is demanding that the U.S. District Court for Eastern Missouri declare that the FTCs interim report is not in the public interest, that the report be vacated, and it demands FTC Chair Lina M. Khans recusal from all Commission actions pertaining to Express Scripts.

Meanwhile, at the end of last week the FTC announced it is taking legal action against the three pharmacy benefit managers accusing them of inflating insulin prices and steering patients toward higher-cost insulin products to increase their profits. The complaint which is not yet public seeks to prohibit the PBMs from favoring medicines because they make them more money.

In its suit, Cigna/Express Scripts  the 16th-largest company by revenue in the United States  argued that it and the other big PBMs actually bring down drug costs. As evidence, it pointed to research by an economist who has been paid more than an estimated $100 million in a career of arguing in favor of mega-mergers.

The PBMs owned by the health care giants  CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx  control about 80% of their marketplace. They represent insurers in pharmacy transactions by determining which drugs are covered. They create pharmacy networks. And they use a secretive system to determine how much to reimburse pharmacies for the drugs they dispense.

For years their critics have accused them of having an inherent conflict of interest.

Each PBM owns a mail-order pharmacy and CVS Caremarks parent owns the largest brick-and-mortar retailer. So theyre using secret price lists to decide how much to reimburse their own pharmacies for drugs  and those of their competitors.

As an example of the apparent arbitrariness of the PBMs pricing, a recent analysis of Medicare data showed that plans owned by CVS paid 501 different prices for the same drug.

Also controversial are the big PBMs practices concerning brand-name drugs, which tend to be under patent and considerably more expensive than generics. Because the middlemen control access to so many patients, makers of such drugs have powerful incentives to pay big rebates to PBMs in exchange for getting their products of lists of covered drugs, or formularies, and for their drugs to have the lowest copayments.

Academic research has concluded that increases in often-secretive rebates correlate with even bigger increases in the list prices of drugs. There are also concerns that because the conglomerates increasingly own middlemen, pharmacies, health insurers and providers such as doctors offices, theyre using such vertical integration to unfairly advantage their various business units at the expense of their competitors.

The FTCs interim report that is the object of the Express Scripts lawsuit said it appears that the health conglomerates are using both their size and their breadth to harm consumers.

In its suit, Express Scripts claimed that it and the other large PBMs were actually helping consumers by using their heft to squeeze discounts out of drugmakers. They have saved plan sponsors and their members tens of billions of dollars in drug costs over the past decade alone, the suit asserts.

As evidence, it points to a 17-page report titled An Economic Analysis of Criticisms Levied against Pharmacy Benefit Managers.

The report disputes that rebates and other PBM practices are raising drug costs as critics say. Tellingly, though, it says the research is funded by the very people the FTC is investigating  Cigna/Express Scripts, United Group/OptumRx, and CVS/Caremark.

And it was done by an outfit, Compass Lexecon, that pays huge dollars to academics who have repeatedly written papers in favor of mega-mergers, a ProPublica investigation concluded in 2016.

In arguing that such mergers create efficiencies that benefit consumers, the authors have a conflict of interest, the investigation shows. The academics reshaped their field through scholarly work showing that mergers create efficiencies of scale that benefit consumers, the investigation said. But they reap their most lucrative paydays by lending their academic authority to mergers their corporate clients propose.

In the case of the study cited in the lawsuit filed against the FTC, the author was University of Chicago economist Dennis W. Carlton. The ProPublica investigation uncovered evidence that he charged at least $1,350 an hour for such work, and estimated that hed earned more than $100 million in his career of supporting mergers. And that was as of eight years ago.

Meanwhile, the poor and disabled are finding it more difficult to find a pharmacy to go to.

Amidst increasing vertical integration and concentration, these powerful middlemen may be profiting by inflating drug costs and squeezing Main Street pharmacies, an executive summary of the FTC report Express Scripts is suing to quash said.

Independent and small-chain pharmacies have been closing for years, with many citing the big PBMs practices as the reason. That created fears that pharmacy deserts could multiply, making it hard or impossible for people without transportation to see a medical professional and discuss their med and chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Those fears were amplified with this years announcement that Rite Aid and Walgreens are planning to close thousands of pharmacies  including hundreds in Ohio and Michigan. Dave Burke, executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists Association, said the announcement of the Walgreens closures especially made him concerned that PBMs practices are making the business of pharmacy untenable.

This story is republished from the Ohio Capital Journal, a sister publication to the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network.

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Whether its allergies, a sinus infection or runny nose many people turn to nasal sprays for quick relief.

And now, theres growing interest in other nasal spray products such as vaccines and even life-saving medications.

For years nasal sprays have helped people with allergies. Recently, treating migraines, depression and opioid overdoses joined the list. Theres even an intranasal option for the flu vaccine.

Now, doctors and researchers are working on other vaccines that would be beneficial in nasal spray form.

Mucosal immunization gives you superior immunity in the airways, which is of a special utility for respiratory diseases, like COVID, said David T. Curiel, MD, PhD, a radiation oncologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Dr. Curiel said vaccines in nasal form target the airway, where a respiratory virus enters the body.

A systemic injection, like MRNA, will augment antibodies in the blood, not so much in the lung. Airway vaccination, and nasal vaccination, augment antibodies in the nose and airways. And thats a better defense, he explained.

And people who suffer from severe allergic reactions could also soon have a new defense. According to the allergy and asthma network, ARS Pharmaceuticals has completed a clinical study for a nasal spray version of epinephrine, called Neffy and they just got FDA approval.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Hearings on merits of Russia's violation of UN Sea Convention begin in The Hague

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague is starting hearings on the merits of Ukraine's 2016 lawsuit accusing Russia of violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait.

Source: European Pravda with reference to a statement by the PCA

Details: Ukraine's opening statement will be delivered at 10:20 on Monday, 23 September 2024.

The Russian Federation will deliver its opening statement at 10:40 on Monday, 23 September 2024.

Ukraine will deliver its public closing statement at 17:40 on Thursday, 3 October 2024, and the Russian Federation will deliver its public closing statement at 17:40 on Saturday, 5 October 2024.

Background:

Ukraine initiated arbitration proceedings against Russia in September 2016 "to protect its rights as a coastal state in the waters adjacent to Crimea in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait".

In August 2018, the court in The Hague decided to consider Russia's objections, postponing the consideration of the merits.

Russia's main objection was that Ukraine's claims did not actually relate to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, but were an attempt to obtain a decision confirming Ukraine's sovereignty over the Crimean peninsula.

In February 2020, the arbitral tribunal in The Hague confirmed its jurisdiction to hear Ukraine's claim, but only in relation to the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait and the theft of Ukraines natural resources.

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EDITORS NOTE: Due to severe weather, the training exercise has been canceled.

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WATE)  Law enforcement in Hamblen County will be at Morristown-Hamblen West High School for a joint training exercise on Friday, September 27.

The Morristown Police Department is warning the public to not be alarmed by the heavy law enforcement presence at the school Friday morning. The training will begin at 7 a.m. and run through noon.

White Pine Police: One person shot in road rage incident

The school will not be in session on Friday, however, MPD is warning the public to be aware of delays around the area. Training signs, message boards and officers will be around the area to help with any traffic issues.

Several law enforcement personnel from MPD, the Hamblen County Sheriffs Office, and other response vehicles will be onsite for the duration of the training.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
OLNEY, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)  The Richland County Sheriffs Office is handling an unknown situation with a wanted fugitive inside a home near the Olney Public Library.

At this time, there are no reported injuries as a result of the incident.

The Olney Police Department, Illinois State Police Crisis Negotiations and the ILEAS SWAT team are all agencies on scene.

Barricades have been placed to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the area.

All residents are urged to avoid the area until the incident is resolved.

This is all the information we know at this time. WTWO will continue to provide updates as we receive 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 MyWabashValley.com.
Helene to become major hurricane aimed at Floridas Gulf coast; governor declares state of emergency

Forecasters warned residents along Floridas Gulf coast of potential Hurricane Helene, which is expected to form in the next 48 hours and track toward an area somewhere between Tampa and Pensacola late in the week.

The National Hurricane Center said in their 5 p.m. update Monday that the system is expected to intensify into a major hurricane with winds up to 115 mph before it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday.

Because of the storm threat, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday afternoon issued a state of emergency in 41 Florida counties.

The storm is developing south of Cuba and should travel north into the Gulf of Mexico as it strengthens, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters expect the storm will become a hurricane by Wednesday morning as it passes between Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula. It will then track to the northeast toward Floridas panhandle.

There are now tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches issued for parts of Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the Dry Tortugas and the Lower Florida Keys south of the Seven Mile Bridge.

Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch areas by early Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning areas beginning on Tuesday, said the NHC.

The system is currently located 105 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman, moving north-northwest at 7 mph with maximum sustained wind speeds of 35 mph.

Various computer forecasting models  also known as spaghetti models  show Tampa to Pensacola, including Tallahassee, should be vigilant.

By Thursday, as the system approaches Floridas panhandle, wind speeds could reach 110 mph, said the NHC. That would put the storm on the upper end of a Category 2 hurricane.

High water temperatures, which fuel hurricane formation, are present along the projected path of the storm, said University of Miami meteorologist Brian McNoldy on X. The ocean heat content in the Gulf is *extremely* high, particularly inside the Loop Current, which future-Helene will pass over, he wrote.

The NHCs cone of probability currently includes Tampa and reaches into the western panhandle near Pensacola.

Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts, said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva, adding that the setup has the potential to become the strongest hurricane landfall in the U.S. so far this season.

The storm is expected to drop 4 to 8 inches of rain upon western Cuba and the Cayman Islands, with isolated totals around 12 inches. The eastern Yucatan Peninsula should expect 2 to 4 inches of rain with isolated area with more than 6 inches.

Starting Wednesday, the Southeastern U.S. will receive heavy rainfall that should last through Friday.

Meanwhile, a tropical wave in the far eastern Atlantic could become a tropical depression, forecasters said. Gradual development of this system is possible as it moves west toward the central Atlantic.

As of 11 a.m. Monday, the disturbance has a 70% chance of developing in the next seven days, up from 30% on Saturday.

Experts at Colorado State University issued an updated two-week forecast Tuesday, calling for a normal of hurricane activity. The forecast says it is very unlikely there will be an above-normal amount of activity through the next two weeks.

Hurricane season runs from June 1-Nov. 30, but the height of storm production runs from mid-August into October.

_____
I Asked Immigrants To Share If They're Supporting Kamala Harris Or Donald Trump, And Some Of The Responses Were Shocking

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

Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, have overtaken the news cycle lately as they've both made controversial (and unsubstantiated) comments about Haitian migrants that could impact immigrant voters heading into November.

During the last presidential debate, Trump spewed a false rumor about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, saying: "...They're eating the dogs, they're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there." Win McNamee / Getty Images

Similarly, in a recent interview on CNN, Vance doubled down on the false rumor, saying, "If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that's what I'm going to do..."

CNN

So, with all of this controversy, we asked members of the BuzzFeed Community who are immigrants to share which candidate they plan to support in November and what issues matter most to them.

Our poll found that 63% of responders expressed support for Kamala Harris.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

While 32% expressed support for Donald Trump.

Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

Whether you agree with their political opinions or not, here's what 15 immigrants had to say anonymously.

All photos are AI-generated for anonymity.

1."I was born in China, grew up in Hong Kong until high school, then immigrated to Arizona with my entire family. In this election, the character of the candidates is what matters the most to me. I'm voting for Kamala because she is well-educated and will serve US interests. Trump is a con man, a liar, and only looks out for his own interests."

Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

2."Im originally from Venezuela, and my top issues this election are the protection of rights of all minorities (immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, etc.). Im supporting Kamala Harris for two reasons. One: Shes a brilliant woman who I believe truly has what it takes to drive the country out of its spiral into chaos."

"Two: Donald Trump hates me (well, people like me). Hes extremely racist and can only blame immigrants for the countrys problems. Not only that, when hes bored, he just decides to spew harmful lies about immigrants. The way I see it, its a choice between order and progress or chaos and hate. My choice is order and progress, and it always will be." Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

3."I currently live on the East Coast, and my parents and I moved here over 20 years ago from Asia when I was in Pre-K. My top issues this election are the economy and immigration. I see merits and faults on both sides, but looking at my top issue(s), supporting Trump just makes the most sense. I don't need to support someone as a person to support their work, and this is very much one of those cases."

"For people who wonder why immigrants may be leaning toward what they see as the 'wrong' side, please keep in mind that we know/have experienced firsthand the struggle of getting to and making a life in the USA, and while we may understand the aspirations that some people who cross the border may hold, we just can't condone the subverting of a legal process." Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

4.I'm currently going through the green card process so can't vote  but if I could, it would firmly be for Harris. I've been in the US on visas for six years now, which is a position of immense privilege, but it has been difficult (even more so during the Trump years). The Trump administration actively tried to significantly curb or outright get rid of the visas that have allowed me to be here."

"Anti-immigration people will say, Oh, immigrants should just come in legally, without understanding that even with an MA, a specialized job, and a team of corporate lawyers (as in my case), visa life is still stressful, and there are forces in this country that want to take it away entirely. He might get the most airtime for his grotesque lies about Haitian immigrants, but don't forget that he'll wind up using that same rhetoric to make life harder for us all. An immigrant vote for Trump is the ultimate hypocrisy, IMHO." Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

5."I am an immigrant but have been a citizen for five years. Four years ago, I voted for Biden, and this year, I am voting for Harris. The way Trump talks about immigrants is only one of the many reasons why I would never vote for him. Besides, I like what the Democratic Party is fighting for; my beliefs align with them."

Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

6."I earned my citizenship in 2018. As I took my naturalization oath, nine months pregnant, little did I know my daughter was the Schrodinger cat for Liberty. How could I consciously vote against the freedoms of other Americans to make choices on their own bodies? As a grateful immigrant, I vote for freedom and Harris/Walz. I didnt earn freedom so that I could vote away freedom."

Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

7."I'm originally from Russia, but I currently live in Michigan. I plan to vote for Donald Trump because the economy is my top issue. While the economy certainly wasn't perfect under Donald Trump, many of the factors that directly impact day-to-day life for most Americans were in a much better place (i.e., gasoline and grocery prices)."

"Although I believe that Kamala Harris is a genuine and well-spoken candidate, I do not fully agree with her position on several social issues that are particularly important to me. Furthermore, Harris's proposed plans have lacked a sufficient level of specificity for me to feel comfortable voting for her." Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

8."I'm voting for Harris because my green card was stuck for four years under Trump. Under Biden, I got my green card renewal and citizenship within a year. A three-year process took seven years because Trump was president for four years."

Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

9."I was born in England, and I currently live in Connecticut. No little orange man will tell me what I can or cannot do with my body. I will not be voting for a racist convicted felon who cannot vote himself, thinks I eat cats and dogs, believes I am getting a sex change operation in prison in my spare time, or who has seemingly claimed that if he wins this election, it will be the last election America has."

"He is a wannabe dictator. I believe in women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and human rights. Kamala is for all people and has brought hope back to this country." Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

10."I immigrated from Honduras to Florida. I'm worried about the economy, so I'm voting for Trump because he already has been president. We know what to expect from him. Despite everything that's been in the news, I don't know enough about Kamala to support her."

Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

11.I am an immigrant from Kenya, and freedom (reproductive rights, voting rights, and democracy in general) are important to me in this election. Ms. Harris is positive, intelligent, and experienced. She has a good temperament, is a uniter, and seems trustworthy.

Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

12."I'm from the United Kingdom, and maintaining our democracy (and reproductive rights) are my top priorities. I believe a vote for Donald Trump is a vote to take away my own rights."

"I spend a lot of time abroad, and it's embarrassing to be associated with Trump and his madness. I also can't deal with the risk to our federal systems, climate, and tax code. America will not survive another Trump presidency, so I'm voting for Kamala Harris." Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

13."I'm from Germany, and the economy and spending are my top priorities in this election. I'm voting for Trump because he has better ideas for strengthening the economy and getting the US away from wars."

Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

14."I immigrated here from Montserrat, and my top issues include having competent, qualified individuals in the White House and Congress, less division, and more cooperation to bring us all back on track."

"Without that, nothing else matters. I'm voting for Kamala because she is competent, smart, and cares about the people above herself. She is the most qualified of any president I've ever had the privilege of voting for since I became a citizen in the '70s." Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

And finally...

15."Im voting for Jill Stein. I think Kamala's hardline of sending more money and weapons abroad is alienating to myself and many Muslim voters who would otherwise be voting Blue. I fear that this stance is what's going to cause her to lose Muslims in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota and ultimately lose those swing states as a result."

"Do I (or most Muslims) want Trump to win? Absolutely not. But do I want to continue to support the Dems when they continue to demonize my people and boldly let us know that we don't matter or count as humans? No. And the only way my community can communicate this to our leaders is with our vote." Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to vote!
Here's what to know about getting, returning an absentee ballot in Wisconsin

(This story was updated to add new information.)

If you're a Wisconsin voter looking to request an absentee ballot for the Nov. 5 election, you can do so online at myvote.wi.gov.

You can also fill out a form requesting an absentee ballot and mail or email it to your local clerk. You can check your local clerk's website for additional details.

Voters can request an absentee ballot for any reason in Wisconsin. Since it's after Sept. 19, if you make a request, clerks must fulfill it within 24 to 48 business hours. You can also track the status of your absentee ballot online.

The last day for most voters to request an absentee ballot, however, isOct. 31 at 5 p.m. Your clerk must receive your request by that time.

The deadline for indefinitely confined, military and hospitalized voters to make an absentee ballot request is slightly longer. More information is available here for those voters.

Do you need a voter ID to request an absentee ballot?

Yes. If you're filling out a request for an absentee ballot, including online at myvote.wi.gov, you'll be asked to provide or upload a copy of your photo ID. That could mean taking a photo of your driver's license, for example. In Wisconsin, acceptable photo IDs include:

A Wisconsin driver's license

A state ID card

A military ID card

A U.S. passport

Tribal ID

A college-issued ID card, if it has the date it was issued, signature of student, and expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. Some campuses issue separate ID cards that qualify.

What is a witness for absentee ballots?

While you're filling out your ballot, you'll need to be in the presence of a witness who can verify that you filled out your own ballot. Your witness must be a U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old, and not a candidate on the ballot. It can be a friend, spouse or neighbor, for example.

Make sure both you and your witness fill out required sections on the return envelope, including both of your signatures and the witness' address.

More: Elections leaders approve redesign of absentee ballot envelopes aimed at making them easier to read and complete

What's the last day to return an absentee ballot in Wisconsin?

Clerks must receive your absentee ballot by election day, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m., which is when polls close in Wisconsin. However, the U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing back your absentee ballot at least a week before Election Day, or Oct. 29, so it gets to your clerk in time.

There are other options for returning your absentee ballot instead of mailing it, but those also differ by municipality. Some communities, like Milwaukee, will offer absentee ballot drop boxes after the state Supreme Court reversed a past decision that banned them.

Other options for returning your absentee ballot include bringing it to your clerk's office, your assigned polling place or a central count location. You can check with your clerk to see which options are available in your community.

When is early voting in Wisconsin?

State law allows for early voting to take place no earlier than 14 days before Election Day  in this case, Oct. 22  and no later than the Sunday before the election, or Nov. 3. There is no in-person absentee voting on the Monday before the election, Nov 4.

Each city, town or village decides how many days, times and locations they want to offer early voting. You can check whether early voting is available in your community by entering your address here, or by contacting your local clerk.

When and how can I register to vote in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, so you can register to vote at the polls Nov. 5. Make sure to bring a proof of residence document, like a driver's license with your current address, a utility bill or a bank statement.

However, if you want to register to vote online or via mail, the deadline to do so is Oct. 16. You can register to vote online at myvote.wi.gov. Registering by mail involves filling out and printing a registration form and mailing it to your clerk.

More: Everything you need to know to register to vote in Wisconsin for the Nov. 5 election

You can also register in-person at your local clerk's office during their business hours. The deadline for that option is the Friday before Election Day, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Absentee ballots in Wisconsin: What to know about 2024 voting
Here's what to know about getting, returning an absentee ballot in Wisconsin

Voters in Wisconsin can request an absentee ballot be mailed to them at myvote.wi.gov.

Voters can request an absentee ballot for any reason. Since it's after Sept. 19, if you make a request, clerks must fulfill it within 24 to 48 business hours.

The last day for most voters to request an absentee ballot, however, isOct. 31 at 5 p.m. Your clerk must receive your request by that time.

The deadline for indefinitely confined, military and hospitalized voters to make an absentee ballot request is slightly longer. More information is available here for those voters.

What's the last day to return an absentee ballot in Wisconsin?

Clerks must receive your absentee ballot by election day, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m., which is when polls close in Wisconsin. However, the U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing back your absentee ballot at least a week before Election Day, or Oct. 29, so it gets to your clerk in time.

There are other options for returning your absentee ballot instead of mailing it, but those also differ by municipality. Some communities, like Milwaukee, will offer absentee ballot drop boxes after the state Supreme Court reversed a past decision that banned them.

Other options for returning your absentee ballot include bringing it to your clerk's office, your assigned polling place or a central count location. You can check with your clerk to see which options are available in your community.

When is early voting in Wisconsin?

State law allows for early voting to take place no earlier than 14 days before Election Day  in this case, Oct. 22  and no later than the Sunday before the election, or Nov. 3. There is no in-person absentee voting on the Monday before the election, Nov 4.

Each city, town or village decides how many days, times and locations they want to offer early voting. You can check whether early voting is available in your community by entering your address here, or by contacting your local clerk.

When and how can I register to vote in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, so you can register to vote at the polls Nov. 5. Make sure to bring a proof of residence document, like a driver's license with your current address, a utility bill or a bank statement.

However, if you want to register to vote online or via mail, the deadline to do so is Oct. 16. You can register to vote online at myvote.wi.gov. Registering by mail involves filling out and printing a registration form and mailing it to your clerk.

More: Everything you need to know to register to vote in Wisconsin for the Nov. 5 election

You can also register in-person at your local clerk's office during their business hours. The deadline for that option is the Friday before Election Day, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Absentee ballots in Wisconsin: What to know about 2024 voting
TOKYO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Unprecedented rainfall has left seven people dead in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture as of Monday afternoon, with several others remaining unaccounted for as rescue work continued, local media reported.

Among the victims, two men were discovered dead on Sunday near a tunnel where landslides had trapped workers. Another two elderly women were found dead on Saturday, buried under mud and debris, according to public broadcaster NHK, citing information from local police.

A man rescued near the downstream area of a river was confirmed dead and one more fatality was reported as a home was engulfed by a landslide.

Authorities are still searching for two people, one in Noto town and one in Suzu city, who were swept away by a river, the NHK reported.

The safety of five others is unconfirmed, the report showed.

Torrential rain pounded Ishikawa from Saturday, a region still reeling from a major earthquake at the start of the year.

Japan's weather agency on Sunday morning downgraded its heavy rain emergency warning for parts of Ishikawa Prefecture to a warning, but authorities called for continued vigilance against possible floods and landslides.

As of 3:00 p.m. local time Monday, 56 locations across Wajima city, Suzu city, and Noto town remained isolated due to landslides and flooding. In Wajima city alone, 40 areas across eight districts were affected.

Over 5,000 households were experiencing water shortages due to power outages and water pipe damage, according to the report. 
Hezbollah now appears to be using converted Soviet-era jet-powered reconnaissance drones as cruise missiles. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday released a video it claimed showed an airstrike several weeks ago on a home in south Lebanon containing what it calls a DR-3 cruise missile about to be launched. The DR-3 is another name for the Soviet-era Russian-made Tu-143 Reys jet-powered reconnaissance drone. Ukraine pioneered the conversion of Tu-143s into long-range strike weapons fairly quickly after Russias all-out invasion.

While Hezbollah has a massive cache of missiles and rockets, this marks the first emergence of a converted Tu-143 into a quasi-land attack cruise missile in its arsenal. You can read more about Hezbollahs weapons cache in our deep dive here.

The IDF used a photo of a Tu-143 Reys jet-powered drone to illustrate what it says was a Hezbollah cruise missile it destroyed before launch. (IDF)

The IDF also used a Tu-143 in its illustration of how it claims Hezbollah uses civilian structures to launch weapons. (IDF screencap)

You can see a retired Ukrainian Tu-143 in the image below.

A retired Ukrainian Tu-143 Reys displayed in Kyiv. The drone is 26 feet 5 inches long with a wingspan of 7 feet 4 inches. (VargaA/Wikimedia Commons)

Whats also of great interest is the video of the strike shows how the missile was hidden inside a home. The Tu-143 is runway independent and uses rocket assistance for launching from a rail on a trailer or launch vehicle. For recovery, it uses a parachute system, although that would not be necessary for a cruise missile conversion.

Tu-143 launching from its mobile container launcher. (uncredited)

Here we are exposing Hezbollahs method of hiding a cruise missile inside a home, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari explained. The terrorists create a designated opening for the missile launch. Here you can see how we identified the terrorists making an opening in the building that exposed the missile. In a precise strike, the IDF eliminated the terrorists and this missile launching infrastructure, shortly before the launch.

Israel used a weapon with man-in-the-loop control to strike the Tu-143, of which it has many varieties, from shorter-ranged Spike missiles to Spice guided bombs to Delilah cruise missiles. In this case it looks like the observation platform was the same as the weapon used in the attack, which would point to Harop loitering munition or similar.

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari issues a message to Lebanese civilians in border villages, warning them against Hezbollah's use of their homes to store weaponry.



"To all the residents of the villages in Lebanon, in the near future we will strike terror targets in Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/7JtCnvXe3C  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) September 23, 2024

Israel claimed it destroyed other weapons inside homes and other structures in Lebanon.

         ,   ,       -1,000 ,   ,       ' 107'>> pic.twitter.com/YoM9OfXmXj     (@idfonline) September 23, 2024

In the full video, Hagari highlights what he claims is the extent Hezbollah uses civilian structures to hide and launch weapons like cruise missiles, rockets, and drones.

IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari exposing Hezbollahs way of firing missiles from civilian homes, and how the IDF plans on dismantling it: pic.twitter.com/smkfjv6VDh  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024

Hezbollah, for its part, claims it has an extensive network of underground facilities it can use to fire weapons, including multiple launch rocket systems. You can read more about that here. The following video was used by Hezbollah to back up that claim, though it remains unclear where or when it was taken.

Imad 4: Hezbollah reveals its underground capabilities.



Huge tunnels inside mountaintops, dozens of rocket launchers. pic.twitter.com/NKP0Ydl57E  Clash Report (@clashreport) August 16, 2024

The IDF did not say how many of these improvised cruise missiles may exist, whether they have already been used or from where they were procured. Russia had previously provided some to the Assad regime in Syria, which is also backed by Hezbollah benefactor Iran. Moreover, Tehran has supplied Moscow with ballistic missiles and drones as part of a burgeoning military relationship between the two nations.

The Tu-143 would give Hezbollah an additional capability to hit targets as far south as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The IDF said it has a range of 124 miles, which corresponds with our previous reporting, and can deliver a 600-pound warhead. That means it can reach further and hit harder than much of Hezbollahs cache of at least 150,000 rockets. However, as we previously noted, there are some limitations to this conversion, not least of which is relatively poor accuracy, unless more significant upgrades have been made to their guidance systems.

As we have reported several times, Ukraine has converted the drone into a strike weapon and has used them to attack targets inside Russia and Crimea. The Tu-143 was first seen in its converted form in June 2022, when one, believed to be Ukrainian, was shot down in western Russia, according to a local official. You can see images purporting to be Tu-143 wreckage in Russia in the following Tweet, which misidentified it as the similar Tu-141 Strizh.

The governor of the Kursk Oblast has shared photos of what he claims is a downed Ukrainian Tu-141 Strizh.https://t.co/mMv756n2LS https://t.co/W2tGRHCKsF pic.twitter.com/EoNwXnUw58  Benjamin Pittet (@COUPSURE) June 29, 2022

Ukraine pioneered these conversions with another very similar converted jet-powered Soviet-era reconnaissance drone, the larger Tu-141 to attack Russian airfields. The Tu-141 has a reported range of more than 650 miles.

That Ukraine was converting these drones into strike weapons was first discovered when a Tu-141 crashed in Croatia in March in 2022. It was a bizarre and still-unexplained incident that we reported on here. The Tu-141 in Croatia reportedly carried an explosive warhead.

The strike on the DF-3 was part of an increasing campaign to degrade Hezbollahs capabilities, the IDF said on Telegram Monday.

Shortly, the IDF will engage in extensive, precise strikes, against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon, Hagari said. We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harms way for their own safety.

Lebanese officials claim more than 350 were killed and more than 1,240 were wounded in these attacks.

Lebanese Ministry of Health: 356 killed and 1246 wounded as a result of Israeli raids on Lebanon today.



Iranian Foreign Minister: Tehran will fully defend and support Lebanon.  Clash Report (@clashreport) September 23, 2024

Israel has been heavily bombarding Lebanon for days ahead of what some analysts have suggested might be a limited invasion designed to create a buffer zone, allowing thousands of residents of northern Israel to move back to their homes.

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike hit the Tyre, in southern Lebanon on September 19, 2024. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu

There is growing concern that what began as a surprise Hamas attack on Israel Oc. 7, 2023 could spin into a larger, regional conflict. Hezbollah began its latest campaign of missile, rocket, and drone attacks on Israel the following day and the two sides have been trading volleys on an almost daily basis since.

Adding to recent tensions, last week Israel apparently orchestrated two days of coordinated explosions targeting thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah in Lebanon. You can read our reporting of the first wave of explosions here, and the second wave here. Hezbollah leaders have vowed revenge.

Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollahs leader, threatened Israel with tough retribution and just punishment and that this would happen where it expects it and where it does not.

A photo taken on September 18, 2024, in Beiruts southern suburbs, shows the remains of exploded pagers on display at an undisclosed location. Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on Sept. 17, killing at least nine people and wounding around 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel. (Photo by AFP) 

As a result of the increasing violence, The U.S. is sending more troops to the region in response, the Pentagon said Monday.

The Pentagons top spokesman, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, provided no details on how many additional forces or what they would be tasked to do, The Associated Press reported. The U.S. currently has about 40,000 troops in the region, according to the wire service.

In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region, Ryder said. But for operational security reasons, Im not going to comment on or provide specifics.

On Monday, the aircraft carrier USS Truman, two destroyers, and a cruiser set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, headed to the Mediterranean on a regularly scheduled deployment, opening the possibility that the U.S. could keep both the Truman and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Gulf of Oman, nearby in case further violence breaks out, the AP explained.

The extent of Hezbollahs converted jet drone arsenal remains unknown as does whether it has used these weapons. Unlike in Ukraine, no wreckage has yet been found. If anything else, this is another sign that some of the improvised long-range strike practices from Ukraine and proliferating elsewhere. If these Tu-143s came from Syria, for instance, it would make sense for Hezbollah to want to attempt to adapt them just as Ukraine did.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
What is Hezbollah? War with Israel in Lebanon and differences with Hamas

Hezbollah fighters attend the funeral of two commanders who died in the Israeli strike - WAEL HAMZEH/Shutterstock

Israel is suspected of a major attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon on Sept 17, which involved exploding pagers that 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.

Why is Israel at war with Hezbollah?

Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in response to the ground invasion of Gaza in October 2023.

Israel evacuated people living near the Lebanon-Israel border early on in the war, and has traded cross-border fire with Hezbollah ever since.

Tensions have recently spiralled due to the pager attacks and Israels killing of leading Hezbollah chiefs in an air strike on southern Beirut.

What is Hezbollah?

Hezbollah is a radical Shia Islamist paramilitary group based in Lebanon.

Backed by Iran, it is considered to be the most powerful and heavily-armed non-state actor in the world.

Its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has claimed that the group could field more than 100,000 trained fighters, although independent observers believe that this is more likely to be 20,000 to 50,000.

Hezbollah is stronger than the cash-strapped Lebanese military, which has been reduced to selling tourist rides in its ageing fleet of 1960s helicopters. Lebanese soldiers also often take on second jobs to supplement their meagre $100 a month salary.

The terror group boasts a fearsome long-range armoury, which ranges from cheap Katyusha rocket artillery to high-tech Fateh 110 precision-guided ballistic missiles.

Where did Hezbollah come from?

After Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982, forcing its long-term enemy the Palestine Liberation Organization to flee to Tunisia, it kept troops stationed in a southern buffer zone.

Disparate Islamist militias that continued to fight Israeli troops subsequently consolidated under an Iran-backed initiative that was to become Hezbollah.

The group pioneered modern terrorist tactics, such as suicide bombings and kidnappings, and fought against peacekeepers and international actors.

In 1983, it bombed the US embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people.

In 1985, it published a manifesto in which it pledged the destruction of Israel.

Hezbollah continued to fight against Israeli troops stationed in Lebanon until Israeli forces withdrew on May 25, 2000  a day that is now a Lebanese public holiday.

Who was behind the pager attacks?

Israel has rejected claims that it was behind the clandestine operation to plant explosives in Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies, but experts believe that Mossad, Israels national intelligence agency, is responsible.

Israel is already strongly suspected of being behind the 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.

What happens next?

Israel could launch a full-scale invasion of Lebanon to remove Hezbollah from its strongholds in the south, the southern suburbs of Beirut and the northeastern Bekaa Valley.

It could also launch a limited invasion with the intent to create a buffer zone. Senior Israeli military figures have suggested occupying the area between the Lebanon-Israel border and the Litani River.

Tensions could also de-escalate. Although cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has been vicious, Hezbollah has yet to use its most devastating missiles, which suggests that Iran could be restraining the group.

What are the differences between Hezbollah and Hamas?

Hamas and Hezbollah are both Islamist groups committed to the destruction of Israel, but there are key differences and between them.

Hamas, a Palestinian organisation, is a Sunni offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. It has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007 after it defeated rival group Fatah in an election and subsequent violent clashes.

Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia group that was formed by Iran during the Lebanese Civil War to fight Israel.

During the Syrian Civil War, Hezbollah supported the government of Bashar al-Assad while Hamas supported Sunni Islamist rebels.

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TechCrunch

Actress Emma Watson has made a previously undisclosed investment into the womens health company Hertility, bringing its total funding to more than $14 million, the company told TechCrunch in an interview on Monday. Dr. Helen ONeill, the CEO and co-founder of Hertility, said she met Watson through one of her investors who felt that the actress' stance on womens rights would make her a natural fit as an investor. Hertility was founded by women and focuses on womens health  an area that historically hasn't received enough attention or funding, ONeill told TechCrunch.
Suspect kills himself after shooting at cops during high-speed chase in Mansfield: police

A man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he led police on a high-speed chase during which he fired multiple shots at officers, according to Mansfield police. No officers were injured.

The chase ended near the intersection of East Broad Street and Texas 360 in Mansfield on Monday afternoon.

The suspect crashed into another vehicle and then shot himself as officers approached him on foot, according to Mansfield police. Officers returned fire during the pursuit but not at the scene of the crash, police said.

A Fort Worth police helicopter and Texas state troopers also participated in the pursuit, according to scanner reports.

The car authorities were pursuing stopped shortly after 1 p.m. near the East Broad Street overpass at Highway 360, where the vehicle wrecked. The intersection was blocked while police and an ambulance responded.

The Mansfield Police Department said in a Facebook post that it was handling a Critical Incident on the overpass at the intersection of the 3400 block of E Broad St and N SH 360., and officers have completely blocked the overpass.

All traffic is being diverted to the frontage roads, and drivers should seek seek alternate routes through the city.

The chase wove through several highways and roads including Interstate 35W, and at one point went into Burleson.

This is a developing story. For the latest updates, sign up for breaking news alerts.

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The library on the former grounds of the Highlander Folk Center, in which Rev. Martin Luther King once lectured, is one of few buildings remaining on the Grundy County site closed by the state in 1961. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

This much is not in dispute: In 1961, the state of Tennessee took 200 acres of land from Highlander Folk School on Monteagle Mountain in Grundy County. Took, as in confiscated on bogus charges of alcohol sales without a license.

But the real reason for the confiscation stemmed from fears of civil rights and union activism after two decades of training now-icons such as Rosa Parks and Diane Nash at Highlander.

This much is also not in dispute: Five plots of that now subdivided land are owned by a nonprofit called the Tennessee Preservation Trust (TPT). The sale of those plots to Todd Mayo, the for-profit owner of The Caverns, a rural concert venue, is pending. And the current Highlander administration, which had its offer to buy the land rejected, is furious.

Everything else  what happened to TPT, whether they ever had plans to sell the land back to Highlander, what might happen to those plots now and the land next to them that TPT doesnt own  well, the answers vary depending on whom you ask.

On the one hand, TPT preserved some historic buildings that might very well have been lost. On the other hand, the original (and some would say, still rightful) owner of those buildings has been shut out from determining what happens to them.

Still others question whether a group of white men are the right ones to tell the story of the storied civil rights training ground.

Its hard to understand what the motive would be for the Trust not to turn the land over to Highlander, says Denis Marlowe, a longtime neighbor whose mother worked at Highlander before the state raid. I can see it only one or two ways. Either youre getting a chance to make some money in this situation, or you dont agree with what Highlander might do with it.

Backed by Eleanor Roosevelt, training civil rights leaders

Over three decades, the tiny Highlander Folk School had a huge, outsized impact on both Tennessee and American history. In 1932, Myles Horton, Don West and James Dombrowski launched the Highlander Folk School on land donated by Lillian Wyckoff Johnson, a progressive educator. Johnson had built and run a model rural school and community center named Kindred Company (KinCo) since 1915 and wanted others to continue her work after retirement.

Attempts to organize local workers quickly drew the ire of businessmen, both in Grundy County and across Tennessee. Although then-First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt had endorsed the school, by 1941 the FBI had launched its first investigation into Highlander for alleged communist activities, surveillance that would continue for over two decades.

By the 1950s, Highlander had pivoted from labor to civil rights and became an instrumental part of the movement to fight segregation. Workshops led by activists Septima Clark, Esau Jenkins and Bernice Robinson taught Black citizens their rights, while other workshops taught white and Black adults together strategies to desegregate schools and businesses. (Parks famously attended a Highlander workshop four months before refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus.)

Martin Luther King Jr. visited in 1957, speaking in the library. Hortons wife Zliphia taught We Shall Overcome to Pete Seeger during a visit, who made it part of his repertoire, leading to its adoption as the unofficial civil rights anthem.

A story that hasnt been told

In 2013, in a splashy story in The Tennessean, historian David Currey announced big plans: The Tennessee Preservation Trust (TPT), of which he was then board chair, planned to buy 13.5 acres of the original 200-acre Highlander site with a $1 million national campaign.

Trying to get our hands on this piece of property allows us to tell that story again in the context of this rural setting, Currey told the paper at the time. This place has the potential to tell a story that hasnt been told.

A national campaign never really happened, but local donors stepped up and helped TPT buy three parcels on Old Highlander Road in May 2014. One parcel included what was left of the historic one-room library. In 2015, TPT purchased another parcel, followed by a fifth parcel in 2019  ultimately around 8.5 acres of land with three houses in addition to the library.

Two of the houses have been rentals for the past 10 years. The third house, a historic home used by Highlander, has been left empty. It has visible mold and other exterior damage  rotting floorboards on the porch, a gutter dangling, overgrown shrubbery trying to force its way inside.

Despite some renovations, the one-room library sits empty, too, paint already peeling off the cement blocks. Thats why the organization needs to sell now, says Phil Thomason, TPT board chair, who says the organization never intended to keep the property.

Our intent when we purchased it in 2014 was to restore the building back to its original design listed in the National Register of Historic Places and then sell it to a person, a benefactor, or an entity that we felt would be a really good steward of the property, says Thomason.

That steward, however, wont just be Todd Mayo. It will also be Currey, via a separate nonprofit called Kindred Cooperative in a nod to the original land owner. Last summer, months before Mayo put an offer on the land, Curreys TPT entered into a 99-year lease of the Highlander property with Kindred for a nominal annual rent. (Thomason says its something like $1 per year.)

Mayo says he was intrigued by the project when Currey approached him.

David communicated to me that he borrowed money to save this [property] and put it in a trust through TPT, but that  it needed to be sold and put into his nonprofit to carry on doing things there, Mayo says. I said, Man, Id love to help.

The TPT board voted to approve the sale for $600,000 in December 2023. Highlander put forth a competing offer of $800,000 cash in June, but the board voted against it.

The relationship that we had with Highlander was severed a couple of years ago by them  and they disparaged and had unkind words for my organization, Thomason says. [Before 2024] we always had the door open to them for an offer, but we never received anything in writing . [This summer] as we looked at the offer that Highlander presented, the timeline and other considerations just made it imperative that we move forward with Todds offer.

Per state law, the Tennessee attorney generals office must approve any sale by a nonprofit of substantially all its assets to another entity. That review is currently underway, and if the AGs office approves the sale, which Thomason seems confident will happen, Mayo will own the land by the end of the year.

The role of race in historic preservation

Ted Debro, a Black Birmingham businessman, worked with Currey to create an experience room in the basement of the 16th Street Baptist Church, examining the aftermath of the 1963 bombings that killed four Black girls.

We were very pleased with the work that he did, and I found him to be a very open and caring individual and one who really understood the story and how to pull that together, Debro says. I didnt find him to have a prejudice or a racist thought in his body.

But several people, including Highlanders current co-executive director, Rev. Allyn Maxfield-Steele, raised questions about whether an older white man is the right person to tell Highlanders story, given its storied history in the Civil Rights Movement.

Thats what [Highlander staff] use when they dont get what they want  if you dont agree with them, then everybodys a racist.  David Currey

As another white person, Ive grown to understand that were all in recovery from the deepest, entrenched pools of white supremacy that we grew up in, said Maxfield-Steele. But the deals that hes been willing to seemingly make without our consent and without our blessing and without transparency  thats the issue. And some people do call that white supremacist business practice.

This attitude is what enrages Currey.

Thats what [Highlander staff] use when they dont get what they want  if you dont agree with them, then everybodys a racist, Currey says. Thats not the case. I do a lot of work with a lot of African American communities around the South. Do you think if I was a racist they would want to do business with me?

A simmering fight for years

This anger  of Currey and Thomason toward Highlander, of Highlander toward the TPT  first came to a head in 2022, but it had been simmering for years.

Highlander didnt stop training activists when the center was forced off Monteagle. Now called the Highlander Research and Education Center, its been located in New Market, Tennessee, since 1971, after 10 years in Knoxville. The organization has continued to train grassroots organizers and work for social and economic justice, and if it ever ended up with the original land, they say that goal wouldnt change. But Highlander now has resources they didnt have in the 1950s  over 50 employees and an annual operating budget of around $9 million.

According to Maxfield-Steele, Highlander has been interested in reacquiring the site and has talked to Currey and TPT members multiple times over the past decade about making it happen.

In 2014, what we said was that we cant afford this now, but we believe this project is valuable, and our story is one that should be told by us, says Maxfield-Steele, explaining that Highlander was in the middle of a capital campaign at the time and couldnt afford any additional cost outlays. That was not something that it seemed that they were interested in pursuing.

Between 2014 and 2019, Highlander had occasional discussions with Currey about the sites direction but never received any offers in writing. In 2019, Howell E. Adams Jr., a donor who helped TPT purchase the parcels, told Highlander about the Kindred proposal. Maxfield-Steele thought parts of it were ludicrous  both historic Highlander and the current iteration of the nonprofit have long worked to help rural people  but he agreed to work on a plan.

You dont want (Highlander) there, so we slap a padlock on it in the 1960s. You dont want them back at the site now because they called you out for some nonsense, so we dont wanna sell it to you no matter how much money you got.  Learotha Williams, Tennessee State University

But after emails back and forth, Maxfield-Steele says they couldnt get a commitment from Currey about what would happen with the land. The pandemic hit, and things quieted down until 2022, when TPT submitted an application to place the library building on the National Register of Historic Places without notifying Highlander.

There were citations that were wrong, Maxfield-Steele says. And we had never given any legal permission to TPT to submit anything.

The dispute made the news, but behind the scenes, Highlander made an offer to buy the land.

We said, we could cut you a check today, Maxfield-Steele says. And we offered to compensate [Currey] for his time in 2022.

Thomason says TPT never received an offer.

The fact that they objected to [the Register nomination] just told my board that they were not serious and would never provide an offer, Thomason says. Were there some minor inaccuracies? Thats correct. And those were corrected.

Since then, the two parties have not talked until Highlander learned this spring that Mayo had made an offer for the land. Staff drafted a counter-proposal and attached letters of support from prominent historians, activists and Grundy County neighbors, including Tennessee State Historian Carroll Van West. They also included information about partnering with MASS Design Group, the architectural firm that designed the National Memorial for Peace and Justice honoring victims of lynching in Montgomery, Alabama.

Highlander provided financial documents demonstrating that paying $800,000 cash for the site  again, $200,000 more than Mayo and much more than TPT originally paid for the land  was feasible. The board still voted against the plan.

On paper, it looks weird that they would turn down a significantly higher dollar amount, but it also looks bad that they would reject an 87-page document that included Septima Clarks family, MASS Design, Brent Leggs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Black Tennessee historians, and reputable folks from the region and outside the region, Maxfield-Steele says.

Learotha Williams, a Tennessee State University professor and historian, was one of the supporters who submitted a letter, and he sees racism at play, whether intentional or not.

The preservation space that we work in is largely dominated by white males who have access to all of the properties, all of the mechanisms for preserving stuff, determining what was going to be preserved, how it was going to be preserved  in other words, who could tell the stories, Dr. Williams says. I can see the shock and anger emerging out of [the Register dispute], but nonetheless, this act is an act to punish Highlander, the same way that the sheriff said, Were going to punish Highlander by not allowing them into this site.

I dont see much difference between the two, Williams says. You dont want them there, so we slap a padlock on it in the 1960s. You dont want them back at the site now because they called you out for some nonsense, so we dont wanna sell it to you no matter how much money you got.

Tempers are unlikely to calm anytime soon. Currey expressed repeated outrage over being perceived as elitist and not knowing whats best for the land. Meanwhile, Highlander did not know that TPT had entered into the 99-year lease months prior to Mayos offer until told by this reporter, and now feels even more betrayed.

That TPT invited us to make an offer without disclosing a century-long lease which essentially voids ownership is deeply deceptive and only confirms what we feared all along  this was never a genuine invitation, says Evelyn Lynn, special projects organizer at Highlander.

Thomason, Currey and one member who spoke on background were the only TPT board members who agreed to talk. None of the other eight current members, nor several past members, returned calls or messages.

Potential problems with Kindred and the appearance of a sweetheart deal

There are multiple problems with Kindred potentially running the site, at least as the nonprofit currently exists. The first appears to be a conflict of interest: Not only has Currey been an off-and-on member of the TPT board since 2010, but he also partners with Thomason professionally via his historic preservation firm, Thomason & Associates. The firms website states that Curreys company, Encore Interpretive Design, has provided planning and interpretation services for multiple projects.

And Currey is still intimately involved in TPT. Since the 2017 reporting year, he has filed every annual report with the Tennessee Secretary of States Office and since the 2018 reporting year, his home address has been listed as TPTs mailing and principal office address.

It is [my address] because I filed their annual report for them, because I used to be on the board, Currey says.

Curreys home address is also listed on all of Kindreds annual reports.

Both federal and state law say conflicts of interest should be avoided, but they are not technically prohibited.

When an organization makes a decision that is clouded by conflict, theres a reasonable concern that that decision was not made in the best interest of the general public, says Eric Franklin Amarante, a professor and expert in nonprofit law at the University of Tennessee Knoxville who has consulted with Highlander. If someone is still somewhat involved or maybe even intimately involved in the organization, but they dont maintain the title, thats still a concern.

Then, there are questions about the nonprofit status of TPT and Kindred. Currey says he created Kindred to raise funds because TPT lost its nonprofit status during the COVID era.

(TPT) didnt file some tax returns, and their board chair passed away from cancer  I was not on the board at that time  so we created Kindred so that we could finish the [library renovation], says Currey.

But his timeline is a little off. TPT did have its 501(c)(3) status revoked by the IRS in 2020 for failure to file an annual report for three years in a row, and it has not regained it. However, Currey filed to incorporate Kindred in 2017, and in July 2019, he announced that TPT planned to turn the site over to Kindred to manage.

In 2021, the IRS granted Kindred tax exempt status, but the nonprofit appears to have not been in compliance with state or federal law since 2017. According to the IRS, Kindred has yet to file the required Form 990 annual report for any year, possibly bringing it to the verge of also possibly having that status revoked. It also has not had a board of three people in place, as required both by state law and its own charter.

In annual reports filed with the state, Currey is listed as both the president and secretary of Kindred for 2017 and 2018. From 2019 through 2023, Nashville architect Brian Tibbs is listed as the board secretary. In a phone call, Currey said Tibbs is still on the board. Tibbs, however, says, I havent had any involvement with Kindred.

Thomason said he was unaware of Curreys lapses and blamed it on his lack of time.

However, Amarante says none of this looks good.

If I were counseling the client, I would say, This is a big transaction, basically all of your assets. And I would want to make sure that the entire transaction was clean of any self-interest, Amarante says. Ive seen conflict-of-interest policies where the relationship described would not be technically considered a conflict, but if I were working at the IRS or state AGs office and I were reviewing it, Id be like, This just looks like a sweetheart deal.

The form required by the AGs office to approve the sale requires a nonprofit to provide sufficient documents to identify any possible conflict of interest, self-interest, or self-dealing of any board member, officer, or director in connection with the Transaction.

The future of Highlander

Whether Kindred, Mayo or Highlander end up controlling the lots, one thing seems sure: It will likely take significantly more money and additional land purchases to create a destination landmark that draws tourists from outside the state.

Mayo says his current vision isnt to change much: Have elementary school children occasionally come by for a field trip, but otherwise keep it a quiet residential street where everyone minds their own business. The sale includes a preservation easement, which limits what can be built on the property.

I havent spent a lot of time thinking about that, Mayo says when asked if additional purchases could follow in the years to come. Youd have to look at it relative to the cost and the benefits.  I plan on keeping everything the way it is for right now.

Mayo says that he would like to restore the dilapidated home if its financially feasible. He may look into buying the house just south of the library, which will likely be on the market next year. He also plans to let the tenants in the other houses stay, at least for now.

Although he hopes Highlander ultimately gets their land back, Marlowe has a pragmatic take.

This whole thing has been almost like a fantasy, as far as having the property saved and preserved, Marlowe says. If weve learned anything in the last 70 years of fighting these fights its just the fact that youre there fighting doesnt necessarily mean that the earths going to be shook up and changed any time soon. Whats important is to not lose sight that they were fighting.

Lynn puts it more succinctly.David Currey wont be here in 99 years, Lynn says. But the Highlander Center will.

This story is republished from the Tennessee Lookout, a sister publication to the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network.

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Hillsborough County Public Schools new software system has left teachers, students, and administrators scrambling to manage a range of technical issues that could have far-reaching consequences.

TAMPA, FL (BLOOM)  Hillsborough County Public Schools is facing widespread frustration over the rollout of its $8.5 million Synergy software system.

The system, meant to replace an outdated 30-year-old platform, has so far failed to deliver on its promise to streamline the districts operations, leaving teachers and staff overwhelmed, and students at risk of long-term impacts.

The district purchased Synergy in 2019, intending to create a more efficient way to handle student records, class schedules, and attendance. However, according to Hillsborough County Schools Chief of Communications, Tanya Arja, the systems implementation was delayed several times due to the COVID pandemic and because the systems and processes were not ready. Initially set to launch in 2022, and again in 2023, the transition was ultimately pushed to the summer of 2024.

LIST: These new Florida laws go into effect October 1

A student information system can only be implemented during a small window where there is little to no student activity, typically during the summer when classes are not in session, Arja explained. But despite these careful timing considerations, the systems launch has been plagued with issues, and the district is still struggling to adapt to the changes.

This is a holy mess, a sh show said school board member Karen Perez during a recent meeting.

Technical Failures Ripple Through the System

From the very beginning, teachers and administrators have reported glitches and inaccuracies that make Synergy difficult  if not impossible  to use effectively. Teachers are reverting to paper-based attendance, a practice that could lead to inaccurate student counts and negatively affect state funding tied to enrollment numbers.

Even more troubling, seniors  students on the verge of applying to collegesare finding that their transcripts are riddled with errors. Some students report that their transcripts falsely indicate they arent on track to graduate, while others are missing key course completions that are critical for college admissions.

One senior, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern about how these errors might affect her future.

Im applying for scholarships and early decision to colleges, but my transcript says I didnt finish a class I took last year, she said. Its stressful because deadlines are coming up, and I dont know if the school will have this fixed in time.

The implications extend beyond college applications. Many seniors are applying for internships and scholarships, and the inaccurate records could harm their chances of securing these crucial opportunities. In a time when students should be focused on preparing for their futures, many are instead worried about fixing bureaucratic errors.

When we go school to school, the staff, the teachers, and the principals have lost the energy to do their day-to-day teaching and run a school. They are drained, board member Lynn Gray said. We know this particular program was bought under Superintendent Eakins, and we know also we needed at least a year to train teachers and administrators.

Implications for State Funding and Compliance

Beyond the classroom, Hillsborough Countys state funding is directly tied to student attendance numbers, and without accurate attendance records, the district could face financial penalties. School board members have also raised concerns about whether the district is remaining compliant with federal requirements, especially regarding the services required for students with special needs.

At the recent board meeting, members expressed concern over the burden these issues are placing on staff, as errors in scheduling and attendance systems continue to create inefficiencies. These foundational problems could lead to further disruptions and even legal trouble if not addressed promptly.

They are begging us to drop this system, begging us, board member Patti Rendon said. As soon as we walk through the doors, they are begging us. At the end of the day, these systems are not working.

A Struggle to Train Staff and Manage Expectations

Compounding the problem, many district employees have not received adequate training on how to use the Synergy system, leaving teachers to figure out the software on their own or revert to older, manual methods. Tanya Arja acknowledged that processes may seem tedious or inefficient, but attributes part of the problem to the districts lack of experience with the new system. When the school year began, we had various issues with the rollout that you would expect when 23,000 users switch to a new system, she explained.

Edupoint, the developer of Synergy, has been working with the district to manage these challenges. According to Arja, Edupoint has visited schools to meet with staff who are working with the system, and they are currently optimizing the software to meet the districts processing requirements.

Additional training is also being provided to help staff navigate the system more efficiently. However, she added, the district is not satisfied with the current state of the product and is currently assessing its options.

What is Synergy?

Synergy Student Information System (SIS), developed by Edupoint, is a comprehensive platform designed to manage student data for K-12 schools. It integrates various administrative tasks, including student records, class schedules, attendance, and transcripts, with the goal of streamlining operations and improving educational outcomes.

While the system offers a range of features, including automated grading and advanced reporting, the districts request for numerous customizations to meet its specific needs has led to many of the issues it is now facing. These modifications, combined with a lack of adequate training for staff, have undermined the systems effectiveness, leaving the district struggling to adapt.

Are Other Local Districts Struggling?

While Hillsborough County is one of only two districts in Florida using Edupoints Synergy systemClay County being the othermany other major districts have turned to Focus School Software, a St. Petersburg-based provider. Counties such as Palm Beach, Pinellas, Manatee, Pasco, Lake, Charlotte, Polk, Duval, Escambia, Bay, Volusia, Lee, Collier, Osceola, and Miami-Dade all use Focus without the widespread issues Hillsborough is experiencing.

Whats Next for Hillsborough?

As frustration grows, the district is now reassessing its options. At a recent board meeting, members voted down a $120,000 request for consulting services that could help the district review its overall technology plan and consider replacements for aging hardware.

The district is under pressure to resolve the Synergy crisis before it creates further disruptions. The board is expected to discuss a plan to address these challenges at its next meeting on Sept. 24.

For now, the districts teachers, students, and parents can only hope that a solution comes soon.

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Gov. Katie Hobbs at an Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry event on Jan. 5, 2024. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

Gov. Katie Hobbs is asking the U.S. Forest Service to conduct a new environmental review of the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon, a request the Havasupai Tribe has made for years.

As Governor of Arizona, I take seriously the concerns of Indigenous community members who feel the safety of their communities and the integrity of their sacred sites are threatened by this mine, Hobbs wrote in a letter to the federal agency.

The Pinyon Plain uranium mine is located on U.S. Forest Service land in the Kaibab National Forest in northern Arizona. It is on the ancestral land of numerous tribes, including the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and the Havasupai Tribe.

Members of these communities continue to endure significant, heart-breaking harm from uranium mining in our recent past, Hobbs wrote.

The final Environmental Impact Statement for the project was issued in 1986, and the Plan of Operations was issued in 1984. No updated impact statement or plan of operations has been issued since. Hobbs is now joining the Havasupai in asking for both to be conducted again.

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I am committed to being a partner with Tribal nations and to ensuring that their concerns are respected and heard, and I hope and trust that the U.S. Forest Service shares the same commitment, the governor wrote.

For decades, the Havasupai Tribe has opposed the operation of the Pinyon Plain Mine, which is located about 10 miles south of the Grand Canyon.

The tribe, which lives at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, says the mine threatens its drinking water, natural wonders, and sacred cultural sites.

The Havasupai Tribe and several conservation groups have long tried to stop the mine, and were involved in a lengthy, but ultimately unsuccessful, legal battle that sought to close the mine.

The tribe has argued that the mine also damages Havasupai cultural sites and poses a contamination threat to Havasu Creek, the sole water source for the Supai village.

Hobbs said that, during a visit with the Havasupai Tribe, she learned that many Havasupai people no longer visit the area surrounding the mine out of fear of contamination from mining activities at the site.

Red Butte Mountain, situated only four miles from the mine, is a site sacred to many Indigenous people, including the Havasupai, and is a federally recognized Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), the governor said.

In her letter, Hobbs pointed out that even though the agency conducted a review of the mines plan of operations in 2012 and acknowledged Red Buttes NRHP designation as a TCP, it did not sufficiently examine and consider the impacts the mine will have on the property.

Now that the mine is operating, examining its impacts on the integrity of this religious and culturally significant site with the Havasupai Tribe is appropriate and necessary, Hobbs said.

The 17-acre mine is owned and operated by Energy Fuels Resources, Inc. (EFRI), one of the leading uranium producers in the United States.

After years of dormancy, the Pinyon Plain Mine resumed operations over the last year, including extracting uranium ore from the mine for the first time in January.

EFRI transported two truckloads of uranium ore from the mine near the Grand Canyon to the White Mesa Mill in Blanding, Utah, on July 30.

The approved transportation routes to move the uranium from the Pinyon Plain Mine pass through several tribal communities, including the lands of the Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai, and Ute Mountain Ute.

The Havasupai Tribe, the Navajo Nation, tribal members and environmental groups condemned the transportation of the uranium ore because EFRI transported uranium ore across tribal lands without making prior arrangements with the tribe or notifying it in advance to make safety arrangements.

We remain steadfast in our fight against the Pinyon Plain Mine and are grateful for the support of Arizonas top elected officials who stand beside us to request the U.S. Forest Service complete the supplemental EIS for the Pinyon Plain Mine, Havasupai Tribal Chairwoman Bernadine Jones said in a statement. Its time for the U.S. Forest Service to stand up and fulfill its duty and obligations to protect the environment.

The Havasupai Tribe said the governors letter demonstrates her ongoing support and commitment to the tribes fight against uranium mining at the Pinyon Plain Mine.

The Havasupai Tribe remains committed to protecting the sacred aquifers because Havasupai tribal members have the right to access clean and safe drinking water, Jones said in her written statement. The Tribe will continue to pursue its fight against uranium mining until the Pinyon Plain Mine is permanently closed.

Havasupai Councilwoman Dianna Sue Uqualla said when Hobbs visited the tribe in August, its members were able to share their concerns over the ongoing danger that the mine poses to the tribes water and people.

The tribe applauds Governor Hobbs request to the U.S. Forest Service, as she agrees that reliance on outdated science and incorrect historical reports is unacceptable, Uqualla said in a statement. We thank Governor Hobbs for her leadership and determination to protect the land and water that is so sacred and precious not only to the Havasupai Tribe but to all Arizona citizens and visitors of the state.

Hobbs is one of many state officials who have requested an updated environmental impact statement from the U.S. Forest Service.

In August, Attorney General Kris Mayes sent a letter to the federal agency, outlining how the most recent environmental impact study was done nearly four decades ago and relied on outdated data.

With scientific advancements in the 21st century and new insights into aquifer connectivity, it is critical that the U.S. Forest Service conduct a supplemental study for the Pinyon Plain Mine, Mayes said. The risks are too great to ignore, and the consequences of inaction could be devastating for this regions people, wildlife, and cultural heritage.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Art lovers around Oahu are invited to experience Honolulu Hales newest art gallery, featuring pieces painted by kupuna at the Makua Alii Senior Center.

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The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreations colorful exhibit will feature 100 original oil paintings from 22 artists at Honolulu Hales Courtyard.

Community invited to create pool art around the State Capitol

Twenty-two artists from the Original Oil Painting Pals and New Beginnings Artists art clubs will be featured, with each artist ranging between 64 and 89 years old.

This years exhibit will be the 11th time the group has featured their vibrant artwork within Honolulu Hale.

Attendees were even able to meet the artists on Wednesday to talk story and learn more about their work.

The public is invited to enjoy the free exhibit through Oct. 17 every weekday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit the DPRs Senior Clubss website or call (808) 768-3030.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

The DPRs Senior Club represents more than 3,000 kupuna to participate in activities such as business meetings, speakers, excursions, luncheons and more.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum will host the annual Honolulu Intertribal Powwow on its Great Lawn this weekend, Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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The event, organized in partnership with the Hoopili Tribal Council, celebrates Native American cultures through music, dance, and food.

A Native American powwow is a gathering to celebrate cultural traditions, said Lisa Kaanoi, president of the Hoopili Tribal Council. Its a reunion and a spiritual healing, connecting us to our ancestors.

Now in its 48th year, the powwow aims to promote Indigenous traditions and community building while showcasing the diversity of Native American heritage.

The event is expected to draw hundreds of participants from across the country.

Royal Hawaiian Center hosts free butterfly release event

Featured participants include Head Man Dancer Baac Garcia from the Tohono Oodham Nation, Head Woman Dancer Kat Warren from the Dine Nation, and Emcee Randy Medicine Bear from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

Event highlights include traditional and contemporary dancing, drumming, and singing; food options like Navajo frybread and local Hawaiian cuisine; childrens activities; and vendors selling Native crafts.

Admission is $5 per person per day, with free entry for Bishop Museum members who pre-register. Admission includes access to the Museums galleries and exhibitions.

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More information is available at the Bishop Museums website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Human traffickers drugging kids crossing southern border: Officials

(NewsNation)  A U.S. Border Patrol chief is calling the discovery of a child dosed with sleep aids by a human trafficker in El Centro, California, criminal actions so horrendous they defy human decency.

The traffickers allegedly drugged the child to prevent them from talking to agents at the border, just one instance of the dangerous tactics being used to exploit children at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Sometimes we encounter criminal actions so horrendous they defy human decency.



The #PremierSector rescued this child from a trafficker who heavily dosed him w/ sleep aids to prevent him from talking to agents. Scarier still is the trafficker had birth certificates for more kids. pic.twitter.com/coQHTYBEiB  USBP Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino (@USBPChiefELC) September 20, 2024

According to federal fact sheets, traffickers often target unaccompanied minors and vulnerable families, knowing that the children have no way to protect themselves. And authorities believe this tactic of sedating children is a way of making sure the children are seen, but not heard, by border authorities.

Rival Sinaloa cartel factions fighting after US arrests leaders

Multiple reports of these druggings have come to light in recent weeks.

In Arizona, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the San Luis Port of Entry intercepted a woman attempting to smuggle two children across the border on Aug. 29.

The children, aged 8 and 11, had also been sedated. The woman, an American citizen, presented birth certificates that didnt belong to the children. The suspect was arrested and the children were turned over to authorities.

And in Laredo, Texas, a 23-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to smuggling a toddler across the border, sedating her with melatonin gummies and using a fraudulent birth certificate just days ago. That suspect was part of a child smuggling operation that targeted young children under 5 years old.

Members of the smuggling ring pretended to be related to the children when crossing the border, a common tactic.

Denver, Chicago change migrant plans citing fewer border encounters

A recent House Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs report said that as many as three in 10 children had no familial relationship whatsoever to the adults that claimed them.

During the Trump administration, DNA testing was used to verify familial relationships at the border, in an effort to crack down on smugglers posing as family members.

While the DNA testing program ended during the Biden administration, some tests are still being conducted for specific age groups of migrants during their appointments with CBP 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 NewsNation.
This aerial photo shows a view of flood-hit Beledweyne, central Somalia, Nov. 20, 2023. (Photo by Abdullah Boyow/Xinhua)

Conflict, insecurity, and climate change have displaced more than 342,000 people within Somalia in the first eight months of 2024, according to the UNHCR.

MOGADISHU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Conflict, insecurity, and climate change have displaced more than 342,000 people within Somalia in the first eight months of 2024, a United Nations refugee agency said Sunday.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)-led Protection and Monitoring Returns Network said some 23,000 internal displacements occurred in August alone, with 43 percent attributed to conflict, insecurity, flooding, or drought.

"Food, shelter, livelihood, water, and health were the top needs of the newly displaced families. Bari, Bay, Middle Juba, Gedo, and Lower Juba regions reported the greatest number of IDP (internally displaced people) arrivals, accounting for 66 percent of the total displacements," the UNHCR said in its latest operational update released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

According to the UNHCR, women and children, who face heightened protection risk, make up 80 percent of the displaced population.

A father and his sons are seen outside the Internally Displaced Camps in Baidoa, South West State of Somalia, on Nov. 17, 2023. (Photo by Abdi/Xinhua)

It said key factors contributing to insecurity across Somalia were armed conflict between the Somali security forces and al-Shabab, clan conflicts, and indiscriminate attacks by the militants. It said the overall political and security situation in Somalia remained uncertain and in flux.

The African Union (AU) approved the AU Support and Stabilization Mission, which will replace the African Transition Mission in Somalia in 2025. "This transition is critical for ongoing peacebuilding efforts and security operations in the region," the UNHCR said.

Somalia also hosts 40,200 refugees and asylum seekers, of whom 66 percent are women and children, 30 percent are school-age children (6 years to 17 years of age), and 26 percent are women and girls of reproductive age (13 years to 49 years of age), said the UNHCR.

According to the report, Ethiopians make up the majority of refugees and asylum seekers (65 percent), with Yemen coming in second (30 percent), Syria coming in third (4 percent), and other nations coming in last (1 percent).

The UNHCR said 139,260 former refugees have returned to Somalia from their countries of asylum since December 2014, with Kenya and Yemen coming in second and third, respectively. It has directly assisted 95,206 individuals from the total number of refugee returnees, primarily through the Voluntary Repatriation Program from Kenya and the Assisted Spontaneous Returns Program from Yemen. 
In the desert of southern Peru, a mystery has been unfolding over decades.

Hundreds of years ago, the people who lived nearby carved the ground with giant lines to create pictures and symbols that can only be fully appreciated from the sky. These are the Nazca glyphs, mysterious designs whose purpose has baffled archaeologists ever since.

Since their first discovery in the 1940s, around 430 glyphs have been discovered on the arid plateau known as the Nazca Pampa.

Now, using drones and AI, a team led by archaeologist and anthropologist Masato Sakai of Yamagata University in Japan has discovered a jaw-dropping 303 more in just six months  nearly doubling the known number.

With the discovery comes new insight regarding the function of the mysterious symbols.

Some of the glyphs, interpreted as humanoid, or humans wearing headdresses. (Sakai et al., PNAS, 2024)

"The reason why the purpose of the geoglyphs' creation remained unknown for so long is that previous researchers lacked basic information about the distribution and types of geoglyphs," Sakai told ScienceAlert.

"However, in this paper, thanks to field surveys utilizing AI and remote sensing, the distribution of the geoglyphs has been clarified. As a result, we were able to shed light on the purpose behind their creation."

This purpose, the researchers believe, is sacred  designed as part of a pilgrimage to Cahuachi, the ceremonial center of the Nazca culture, which overlooks some of the glyphs from high perches atop mounds.

The glyphs have been difficult to uncover for several reasons. One of those is that they were first carved into the plateau between 500 BCE and 500 CE, and weathering over hundreds of years has greatly reduced their detectability.

Another obstacle is that the sheer size of the Nazca Pampa prohibits fieldwork on the ground. It's simply too huge a job.

Orcas with knives. (Sakai et al., PNAS, 2024)

"Because the Nazca Pampa is so vast, at 400 square kilometers (154 square miles), it takes a long time to conduct research using conventional archaeological methods," Sakai explained.

Since 2004, Sakai has been using remote sensing to explore the Nazca Pampa, and, prior to this new research, he and his colleagues over the years had discovered 318 of the 430 previously known glyphs.

Humans are therefore pretty good at spotting the telltale signs that reveal the faded, weathered symbols, but the researchers thought that AI might be able to identify signs of the Nazca that previous observations had missed.

So Sakai and his colleagues teamed up with the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center to develop an algorithm for identifying faint glyphs amid the rubble on the Nazca Pampa from drone images.

Of the 303 new glyphs, 178  more than half  were suggested by the AI, revealing the power of this tool to assist in human-led research efforts.

A glyph of a human and an animal interacting. As you may notice, the glyph is hard to discern. (Sakai et al., PNAS, 2024)

These new glyphs belong to the category known as relief-type geoglyphs. They are smaller and harder to identify than the larger, line-type geoglyphs, which makes the new haul especially intriguing. The previously discovered 430 glyphs consisted of 380 relief-type glyphs, and 50 line-type glyphs.

Both types of glyphs depict different things. The relief-type glyphs mostly depict humans and domesticated animals, while the line-type glyphs mostly depict wild animals. But their size, placement, and distribution also reveal what they may have been used for, the researchers say.

"In the case of relief-type geoglyphs, you can see them if you walk along the trails. Therefore, I believe that the trails were created so that people could see the relief-type geoglyphs while walking along them," Sakai explained.

"On the other hand, in the case of line-type geoglyphs, they are concentrated around the starting and ending points of the network of linear geoglyphs. This network is connected to ceremonial centers Cahuachi and sacred places, so I believe that people walked along the network."

Cahuachi is known to be a site to which humans undertook pilgrimages, traveling to the adobe architectural complex, possibly for gatherings and ceremonies, although the exact ways in which the site was used, and why it was special, are poorly understood.

But there might be clues in the geoglyphs. Now, with more than 700 revealed to us, there may be some more concrete answers to be discovered. That is the big question Sakai hopes to tackle next.

"In the ancient Andean civilization, socially important information was sometimes conveyed through combinations and arrangements of pictures. I believe that information was inscribed on the Nazca Pampa through the arrangement and combination of geoglyphs," Sakai told ScienceAlert.

"I want to decipher the information embedded in the geoglyphs."

The research has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Related News
Will a hurricane hit Florida this week? It's possible. Here's what you should know

(This story will be updated to add new information.)

A system in the Caribbean is beginning to show signs of organization and forecasters are warning of trouble ahead for residents along the Gulf of Mexico, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

A tropical depression or storm is likely to form over the next day or two as it moves into the Gulf, where additional strengthening is possible, the National Hurricane Center said.

 Spaghetti models for Invest 97L

 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts, said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva, adding the system has the potential to become the strongest hurricane landfall in the U.S. so far this season.

AccuWeather expert meteorologists expect this to be a highly impactful storm, said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. This could be the storm that the 2024 hurricane season is remembered for.

The next named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is Helene.

Invest 97L: What you need to know

Showers and thunderstorms are gradually becoming better organized in association with a broad area of low pressure located over the northwestern Caribbean Sea.

Environmental conditions appear favorable for further development of this system.

A tropical depression or storm is likely to form within the next day or two as the system moves northward across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, where additional development is expected.

 Track all active storms

Regardless of development, this system is expected to produce heavy rains over portions of Central America during the next several days.

Interests in the northwestern Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and western Cuba should closely monitor the progress of this system, as watches or warnings will likely be required later this morning for portions of these areas.

Later this week, the system is forecast to move generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and interests along the northern and northeastern Gulf Coast should also closely monitor the progress of this system.

Formation chance through 48 hours: high, 80 percent.

Formation chance through 7 days: high, 90 percent.

Will a hurricane hit Florida?

"People along the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend region and much of the eastern Gulf coast need to complete preparations for hurricane impacts by Wednesday night before hazardous conditions arrive on Thursday," AccuWeather said.

AccuWeather said there are two possible scenarios for the storm currently organizing:

A track farther inland across the Southeast states.

A storm advancing eastward along the Atlantic Southeast coast.

"Residents along the entire Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Key West, Florida, including the Tampa Bay metropolitan areas, should closely monitor the progress of the potential storm," AccuWeather said.

"This developing tropical threat is currently forecast to impact similar areas that were hit hard by Hurricane Idalia in August 2023."

What tropical impacts are possible in Florida from Invest 97L this week?

Wind. AccuWeather is predicting Invest 97L could become a Category 2 hurricane before landfall later this week, and has the potential of strengthening into a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Powerful wind gusts of 100-120 miles per hour are expected where the storm makes landfall on Thursday. The AccuWeather Local StormMax is 140 mph.

Rain. AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting a widespread 4-8 inches of rainfall across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend Region through Saturday, with a zone of 8-12 inches of rain possible near the landfall zone. The AccuWeather Local StormMax is 24 inches of rainfall.

Rounds of rain will arrive as early as Tuesday late afternoon or early evening starting over the Keys and moving northward, according to the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network.

 Excessive rainfall forecast

Storm surge. The Tampa Bay region is extremely vulnerable to storm surge. If this storm tracks any farther west, we could end up dealing with a serious storm surge and flooding problems in Tampa, DaSilva said.

Tornadoes. "On Thursday, there is also the risk of spin-up tornadoes across much of the Florida peninsula and parts of the Panhandle, as well as southern Georgia and southeast Alabama."

Power outages. "A risk of widespread power outages is also a concern where this storm makes landfall, and across the Tallahassee region," AccuWeather said. "Regional and localized power outages are expected across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region, as well as across much of Georgia, Alabama, southern Tennessee and pockets of far western South Carolina and North Carolina."

Prepare now.

Now is the time to start preparing for a hurricane landfall along the Gulf Coast. Dont wait for this storm to be officially named, Porter said.

This has the potential to rapidly intensify into a powerful hurricane. Dont let your friends and family along the Gulf Coast be caught off guard. Give them a call or send them a text message and let them know to get ready for a hurricane.

"There is the potential that this storm could further strengthen into a major hurricane, which is a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale with maximum sustained winds of 111-129 miles per hour.

"This could be the storm that the 2024 hurricane season is remembered for, Porter said.

Watches, warnings issued across Florida

It's too early for any watches or warnings associated with the developing system but experts advise residents to watch Invest 97L closely and make preparations now.

Spaghetti models for Invest 97L

Special note about spaghetti models: 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.

 Spaghetti models for Invest 97L

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Invest 97L

Later this week, the system is forecast to move generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Residents along the northern and northeastern Gulf Coast should closely monitor the progress of this system. A tropical depression or storm is likely to form over the next couple of days. As the system moves into the Gulf of Mexico, additional development is possible.

Watch for Hurricane Center's new 'cone of concern'

The National Hurricane Center launched its new "cone of concern" for Hurricane Ernesto on Aug. 14.

Ernesto stayed well away from Florida and the U.S., so residents didn't see many differences between the original and new cone. One of the biggest differences between the two is that the new cone will show wind warnings issued for interior counties, not just those on the coast.

Both cones will be visible on the Hurricane Center's website. Find the new cone by going to the graphics page for the storm, then click on "New Experimental Cone," which will be highlighted in red.

Differences you'll see:

Watches and warnings for inland counties, not just coastal areas.

White transparent shading for the entire five-day forecast, instead of white stippling (dots) for the four- and five-day forecast.

Interactive map: What tropical storms, hurricanes have impacted your area in the past?

What do the watches and warnings from NHC mean?

What is storm surge? Graphics explain the deadly weather event

Hurricane warning: A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

Hurricane watch: A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Tropical storm warning: A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

Tropical storm watch: An announcement that sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the specified area within 48 hours in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone.

Storm surge warning: A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

Storm surge watch: A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tropical update: Gulf Coast preparations encouraged. Potential storm
Key takeaways:

Helene is poised to make landfall near the city of St. Mark in Florida's Big Bend area as a Category 4 hurricane Thursday night.

Widespread extreme damage will occur where the eye wall moves ashore.

Life-threatening, damaging and disruptive impacts will occur hundreds of miles inland due to Helene's large size and quick forward speed.

Follow AccuWeather's LIVE BLOG for the latest updates on Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene is nearing landfall, which is forecast to occur close to the cities of St. Marks and Perry in northern Florida Thursday night around 11:00 p.m. ET with life-threatening conditions and the potential for catastrophic property damage.

Helene intensified into a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph at 6:30 p.m. EDT. By 9:00 p.m., winds were up to 140 mph and could still increase a bit more, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. Depending on the integrity of the eye wall, Helene should maintain at least Category 4 intensity up to the time of landfall.

Hurricane warnings were in effect for the Florida Big Bend area to just north of Tampa, while tropical storm warnings were in effect for much of the rest of the Florida coastline, except for the western part of the Florida Panhandle. Tropical storm warnings were also in effect for the Georgia and South Carolina coasts.

A satellite image of Hurricane Helene just before sunset on Sept. 26, 2024, around the time that it was upgraded to a category 4 storm. (NOAA/GOES-EAST)

"A landfall Thursday night near the city of St. Mark is anticipated. St. Mark is in the Big Bend area of the Florida Gulf Coast, which is the zone from the eastern part of the Florida Panhandle to the northwestern part of the Florida Peninsula," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said, "At the time of landfall, Helene is expected to be a dangerous Category 4 hurricane."

There is still some risk the storm may drift a bit to the west or east, but steering breezes are more deliberate with this storm over the Gulf of Mexico compared to some in the past that have shifted their tracks considerably in the final hours before landfall. A landfall along the shores of Apalachee Bay is a certainty at this point.

At landfall Thursday evening - between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. EDT - Helene will have maximum sustained winds of 130-135 mph, with much stronger gusts to at least 150 mph and an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 160 mph.

The StormMax gust is a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale of at least 157 mph. At this intensity, many trees will be uprooted, roofs will be removed and some structures may totally fail.

The impacts of a hurricane go well beyond its potentially destructive winds. The AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes incorporates storm surge, flooding, rainfall, population density and economic impacts in addition to maximum winds. Due to complications from torrential rainfall, these impacts occur not only along the coast but hundreds of miles inland.

The AccuWeather RealImpact for Helene is a 4.

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By far, the most dangerous part of a hurricane, as it approaches the coast and makes landfall, is the storm surge. This potentially life-threatening aspect of a hurricane is the height of the water "above" astronomical tides. In a matter of minutes, water can surge with depth and force and lead to drowning.

Because of the shape of the coast around Apalachee Bay, Florida, which can trap excess water, and the forecast intensity and track of Helene, AccuWeather meteorologists anticipate a storm surge up to the height of a two-story building, or 15-20 feet, Thursday night. At this height, some single-story buildings along the coast may be completely underwater. In the most extreme surge locations, water levels may reach 22 or 23 feet.

A significant and dangerous storm surge will extend well to the south and east of where the eye comes ashore. For example, a storm surge of 6 to perhaps 10 feet can occur Thursday evening in portions of Tampa Bay, when winds flip to the west and cause the water to pile up on the eastern parts of the bay.

Because of strong easterly winds off the Atlantic Ocean, a significant storm surge and coastal flooding are expected from northeastern Florida to Georgia and South Carolina. Portions of Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, could be inundated from Thursday night to Friday.

A tremendous amount of rain will fall in northern Florida, with rain heavy enough to cause travel problems and lead to minor flooding in southern and eastern Florida and the potential for catastrophic flooding in northern Florida, especially the eastern part of the panhandle, with a general 8-12 inches of rain forecast.

The AccuWeather Local StormMax rainfall for Helene is 36 inches, but is likely to occur hundreds of miles inland of the Gulf coast and centered on the southern Appalachians, where catastrophic flooding can occur in some communities.

Many hurricanes that make landfall release energy that can trigger severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and waterspouts. Every hurricane is different, but Helene has the potential to spawn multiple tornadoes, especially to the east of its track.

Conditions may cause considerable risk to lives and property even as the storm travels well inland from strong winds and flooding rain in portions of Georgia, South Carolina, western North Carolina, the Virginia Panhandle, eastern Tennessee and perhaps parts of Kentucky and West Virginia.

The dangers range from rapid urban flooding, flash flooding along small streams, significant rises on the rivers and mudslides in the mountainous terrain.

The combination of pouring rain, increasingly wet soil and strong winds will lead to the risk of falling trees, broken tree limbs and widespread power outages.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Isaac formed late Wednesday evening over the north-central Atlantic and poses no immediate threat to land.

Another feature was on the verge of becoming a tropical depression over the south-central Atlantic.

This also poses no threat to immediate threat to land. A new feature in the western Caribbean could slowly brew over the next week and could become a threat should it develop fully.

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.
The National Hurricane Center warned that the storm surge could reach as high as 20 feet in some areas.

Hurricane Helene  now a Category 4 storm  is forecast to make landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast on Thursday evening, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm is expected to bring "catastrophic" winds and a "deadly storm surge" to a large portion of Florida and the Southeast, meteorologists warned. The storm surge could reach as high as 20 feet in some areas.

The governors of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina declared states of emergency ahead of Helene's arrival.

Multiple counties in Florida issued mandatory evacuation orders for people in low-lying areas. Residents in the storm's potential path have been told to prepare for up to a week without electricity.

"This is a very large storm," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press briefing Thursday. "It will cause a lot of damage."

Where is the storm and what is its path?

National Hurricane Center

According to the NHC's latest update, Helene  with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph  was located about 145 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Fla., and was moving north-northeast at 21 mph.

The storm is expected to rapidly intensify and come ashore in Florida's Big Bend region with winds exceeding 130 mph, forecasters said.

In addition to high winds, the storm will threaten millions of residents along the Gulf Coast with heavy rainfall, as well as the possibility of tornadoes. Before it heads up into the Gulf of Mexico, Helene will bring heavy rain to portions of the western Caribbean, potentially mudslides and flooding across western Cuba. The system will also pose the threat of inland flooding across several U.S. states.

9/26 3:40 AM EDT: Several tornadoes appear likely later today into tonight in association with Hurricane Helene. The greatest threat is expected from parts of Florida into southeast Georgia, the Midlands and Low Country of South Carolina, and southern North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/n2ci885KsN  NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) September 26, 2024

"Considerable flash and urban flooding is expected across portions of Florida, the Southeast, southern Appalachians, and the Tennessee Valley Wednesday through Friday," the National Hurricane Center said.

There is the potential for life-threatening storm surge along the entire Florida peninsula, the weather service warned.

A peak storm surge of up to 20 feet is possible along portions of Florida's Gulf Coast.

A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level, along with destructive waves.



There is also a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the remainder of the west pic.twitter.com/jizu9K9HNp  National Weather Service (@NWS) September 26, 2024

How is Florida preparing?

People fill sandbags in Pinellas Park, Fla., on Wednesday ahead of Helene. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

DeSantis expanded a state of emergency on Tuesday to 61 counties ahead of the storm.

The declaration allows the state to execute its Comprehensive Emergency Management plan, allowing the use of resources for any logistical, rescue or evacuation operations.

Helene is expected to make landfall near the Big Bend region of the Florida panhandle, which was pummeled by Hurricane Debby earlier this season.

Now is the time to make an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone, and be as prepared as possible for the storm, DeSantis said in a post on X.

Evacuation zones

(Know Your Zone)

Officials urged people in low-lying areas to consult a website outlining evacuation zones, and to heed evacuation orders. Mandatory evacuations were issued in 14 counties, including Pinellas and Hillsborough, as of midday Wednesday.

The University of Tampa, which is in one of the zones under mandatory evacuation orders in Hillsborough County, said Wednesday that it was working evacuate all residential buildings on its campus.

The Tampa Bay Bay Times reported that many grocery stores in the Tampa area sold out of water Tuesday as hurricane shoppers stocked up on supplies.

A satellite image of Helene as it makes its way toward Florida. (NOAA)

Watches and warnings

As of 2 p.m. ET Thursday, a hurricane warning was in effect for:

Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida

A "hurricane warning" means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. It is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated arrival of tropical-storm-force winds.

A hurricane watch was in effect for:

Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

A "hurricane watch" means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch areas. It is usually issued 48 hours before the hurricane is anticipated to hit.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for:

Dry Tortugas

All of the Florida Keys

The west coast of Florida from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

West of Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line

Lake Okeechobee

A "tropical storm warning" means that tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning areas within the next 36 hours.

A storm surge watch was in effect for:

West of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach

Tampa Bay

Charlotte Harbor

A "storm surge watch" indicates the possibility of life-threatening flooding, such as rising water moving inland from the coast.
NAMPA, Idaho (ABC4)  A car chase in Idaho Saturday evening led to the death of a K9 officer, a police officer injured, and the arrest of two suspects, according to the Nampa Police Department.

The incident led to the arrests of Tanner Lucas Howe, 27, and Stephanie Ann Kettermann, 33. Howe was arrested on a parole agent warrant, and Kettermann was arrested on seven different charges.

According to Nampa PD, Kettermann was arrested for battery on law enforcement, a felony; eluding, a felony; trafficking meth, a felony; possession of schedule 2 controlled substance, a felony; possession of psilocybin mushrooms, a misdemeanor; possession of schedule 4 controlled substance, a misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Utah parents arrested for allegedly stalking, kidnapping adult children after decade of abuse

Police said the suspects led officers on a chase, causing a crash that led to a Nampa police officer being transported to an area hospital for treatment. That officer was later released, but both Nampa PD and Idaho State Police mourned the loss of K9 Riddick, who did not survive the rollover crash and died at the scene.

This brave partner served with unwavering loyalty and played an essential role in safeguarding the community, ISP said in a social media post on Sunday.

Police said Nampa Dispatch was informed that Howe was reportedly on his way to a commercial location to sell drugs around 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Officers were able to identify the vehicle Howe was in and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect vehicle did not yield, which led to the chase, according to officials. Officers then saw the vehicle was being driven by a woman  later identified as Kettermann.

Nampa PD said that, when officers attempted a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT Maneuver), the suspect vehicle turned and rammed into the police vehicle, which caused both cars to roll, leave the road, and land in a cornfield.

Kettermann was taken to an area hospital for treatment after the crash and was later released to police custody.

She confirmed Howe was in the vehicle during the chase, but officers did not find him after setting a perimeter and searching the cornfield. Howe was later arrested at a convenience store after police received information about his location.

K9 Riddicks body will be held in a local veterinary hospital in Nampa until his memorial service, police said.

Howe and Kettermann were both taken to the Canyon County Jail after their arrest.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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IKEA announces impressive change targeting 100% of nation's delivery fleet  and it could set new industry standard

IKEA recently made an exciting announcement that will impact its delivery fleet in India and move toward its sustainability goals. According to an article published in Outlook Planet, IKEA plans to make all its delivery vehicles in India electric by 2025.

In 2019, IKEA first introduced electric vehicles to its delivery fleet in India. Since then, the Swedish company has added about 100 EVs. As a result of this transition, 88% of IKEA's current deliveries in India are now made by electric vehicles.

In some cities, such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune, the company has already achieved 100% zero-emission deliveries thanks to its EV fleet.

"At the country level, these sets of EVs have helped us reach more than 90% of zero-emission customer home deliveries as of July 2024," Saiba Suri, country customer fulfillment manager, Ikea India, told Business Standard.

To expand its EV delivery fleet further, IKEA has partnered with automotive manufacturers that have capabilities to scale EV infrastructure, such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and EKA.

Moving forward, IKEA plans to increase its EV fleet by 40%. Right now, the company is piloting same-day deliveries in Hyderabad, and within the coming year, it plans to bring this service to other cities as well.

IKEA's EV fleet in India not only optimizes deliveries for customers but also has a positive impact on the environment. This corporate move will reduce IKEA's environmental impact by significantly decreasing the total amount of pollutants entering the atmosphere.

While electric vehicles have zero tailpipe pollution, gas-powered vehicles release harmful pollutants that contribute to the globe's rising temperatures, according to reports by the EPA. When large corporations, such as IKEA, transition away from gas-powered delivery fleets, they help create a cleaner, more sustainable future for their customers.

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.
Illegal sleeping? These new Florida laws go into effect Oct. 1

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  More than 30 Florida laws will be enacted on Oct. 1.

While many of the bills from the last legislative session that were signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis went into effect in July, dozens will go into effect on Oct. 1. Notable bills are listed below, with a full list at the bottom.

No sleeping in public (HB 1365)

The most controversial law of the bunch is one that effectively bans homeless people from sleeping in public. The law also promises more resources for those who are homeless, but critics are skeptical.

Counties will be allowed to designate certain areas for camping when shelters fill up, but only with approval from the Department of Children and Families, and for one year.

Supporters of the bill say it will be easier to provide services to the homeless if theyre all in one place, but critics say the bill does nothing but gather up the homeless and move them out of public sight.

This bill does not and it will not address the more pressing and root cause of homelessness, said Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones during a debate this year. We are literally reshuffling the visibility of unhoused individuals with no exit strategy for people who are experiencing homelessness.

Boy abducted from California at age 6 found alive more than 70 years later

DeSantis, however, said the new law is a unique approach to pledging to provide the services that homeless people often need.

This is going to require that the services are there to help people get back on their feet, the governor said. I think its important that we maintain the quality of life for the citizens of Florida.

The ban does not apply to people sleeping in vehicles that are legally parked.

The law is allowed to take effect after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that governments can implement public sleeping bans.

Designation of a Diagnosis on Motor Vehicle Registrations (HB 341)

This law allows a vehicle registration applicant  or parent or guardian of a child  who has a disability or condition diagnosed by a licensed physician to voluntarily disclose that on their motor vehicle record.

The department of motor vehicle record must designate SAFE (Safeguarding American Families Everywhere) and may not include personal identifying information or information on the specific diagnosis.

The law provides law enforcement and first responders with an advanced notice that the person theyre going to interact with has a disability or condition in hopes of reducing unnecessary adverse actions, improving communication, and getting the person-specific care thats needed.

Interacting with law enforcement officers or first responders in an emergency, such as a motor vehicle crash or other crisis situation, can be more complex for persons with special needs, as language, physical, cognitive, learning, or mental disabilities may create barriers to receiving immediate and appropriate assistance, the bill reads.

Some of the conditions include autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Alzheimers, PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, diabetes, deafness, blindness, or another mentally or physically limiting disorder, according to the bills text.

Applicants can update the record at any time to add or remove the designation.

Increased penalties for retail theft (HB 549)

HB 549 increases penalties for retail theft and porch pirates. The law makes it a third-degree felony to commit retail theft with more than five people. It also makes it a second-degree felony to commit retail theft with five or more people and use social media to encourage others to participate.

The law also allows for a person to be charged with a felony for retail theft if they commit multiple thefts in a 120-day period, which is an increase from the 30-day period.

Florida is taking another step to distinguish ourselves from lawless jurisdictions and keep our residents and businesses safe, DeSantis said in a statement upon signing the bill in April. If you steal in Florida, we will catch you and we will prosecute you.

Penalties for porch pirates also increase under HB 549.

Exposing first responders to fentanyl (SB 718)

This law adds penalties for those whose behavior recklessly exposes first responders to fentanyl, leading to an overdose or other injury.

Woman rescued from Porsche dangling from South Florida parking garage

Anyone over 18 who causes a first responder to overdose or be injured due to fentanyl exposure will be committing a second-degree felony.

Flood disclosures (HB 1049)

This law requires the seller of a property to complete and provide a flood disclosure to the purchaser at or before the contract is executed.

The disclosure will specify whether or not the seller has filed an insurance claim related to flood damage for that property or has ever received federal assistance for flood damage. It also includes an encouragement for the buyer to consider whether they need to purchase flood insurance.

Increased penalties for defrauding certain groups (HB 1171)

This law increases penalties for anyone who commits a scheme to defraud a person if the victim is over the age of 65, a minor, or has a mental or physical disability.

The law also includes the ability for a person to file a civil action if their name, image, or likeness is used in a scheme to defraud without their consent.

All 31 laws going into effect Oct. 1

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO)  On Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker announced an award of $305.5 million in federal funding to the Illinois Department of Transportation, to invest in Interstate 290 (the Eisenhower Expressway) and Chicagos 75th Street corridor.

Building on our progress with Rebuild Illinois, were working tirelessly in Illinois to fight for every federal infrastructure dollar so we can better serve people in every corner of our state, said Pritzker. These federal MEGA Grants for the Illinois Department of Transportation will no doubt advance our mission to restore aging infrastructure and improve rail safety and efficiency for all.

The funds come from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts National Infrastructure Project Assistance program.

A total of $209.9 million will be used to rebuild track infrastructure, add tracks, fix or replace 14 aging bridges, and implement mobility improvements on local surface streets.

An additional $95.6 million will reconstruct portions of I-290, which will include upgrades to the First Avenue interchange.

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Illinois new state-funded, court-based rental assistance program for tenants struggling to pay rent and their landlords opened Friday, according to the state.

The new program follows a federally funded, statewide program that assisted tenants who were facing financial hardship tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and at risk of eviction. The federally funded program  which began in October 2022 and was funded through the 2021 federal American Rescue Plan Act  helped more than 10,500 landlords and renters in Illinois and stopped accepting applications in May as the funds were nearly exhausted.

Rental assistance programs became widespread during the pandemic to aid the millions of renters who were struggling to pay their rent on time across the country after many lost their jobs and got sick.

Illinois allocated $75 million in state funding to continue to provide rental assistance to renters and their landlords for fiscal year 2025, which began July 1. Unlike many other states and municipalities, Illinois made a significant allocation of dollars to continue the program.

The rental assistance program is one aspect of the states eviction diversion program, known formally as the Early Resolution Program. Landlords and tenants also receive legal aid to help settle eviction cases before they go to court.

Tenants, landlords and their attorneys have spoken with the Tribune about the benefits of rental assistance, and attorneys say they are excited to see the program back up and running.

Michelle Gilbert, legal and policy director at the Law Center for Better Housing  one of the legal aid groups that is a part of the eviction diversion program  had been routinely refreshing the website of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the agency that administers the program, to see when the assistance would be available again for her clients.

On Friday, when her page refresh finally produced the results she had been looking for  the program was accepting applications again  she said emailed her clients, colleagues and other tenant and landlord attorneys to share the news.

While some of her clients had likely already been evicted, Gilbert said other clients whose landlords have been patient enough to wait until the new funds were available could receive the assistance.

It is better to get assistance than to get an eviction order for both landlords and tenants, Gilbert said.

In June and July, the first two months when no rental assistance was available, more than 4,500 evictions were filed, according to the most recently available data from the Circuit Court of Cook County. The number of eviction filings for the same time last year was around 230 filings higher.

Michael Zink, a real estate attorney who mostly represents small landlords, said he thinks that the rental assistance program has, by and large, been successful for both landlords and tenants.

While the rental assistance program was on hold, some landlords remained patient knowing more money was going to be available, while others simply couldnt wait anymore because they werent able to pay a lot of their bills, Zink said.

He hopes the state considers funding the rental assistance program every year.

It benefits everybody, Zink said. It keeps people in their homes and helps people pay their bills who own these properties.

For tenants who applied for rental assistance prior to the May application closure and were denied aid due to funding being exhausted, the Illinois Housing Development Authority will be reaching out and encouraging them to reapply, according to Andrew Field, an agency spokesperson.

While the program was paused, IHDA continued working with the court system and legal aid organizations to halt evictions when possible, Field said in a statement. These efforts were to prevent displacement of the tenants and provide reassurance to the landlords the opportunity to recoup past due rent payments.

Under the new state-funded rental assistance program, households facing eviction can receive up to $15,000 in rental assistance, which can pay past-due rent, up to $500 in court costs and up to two months of future rent, according to the state housing authority.

Eligible tenants have to make 80% or less of the area median income and do not have to be facing a COVID-19-related hardship. For a household of four, the area median income in Chicago is $89,700, according to the Chicago Department of Housing. Renters do not have to prove their citizenship status and must have an active eviction case due to nonpayment of rent to qualify, according to the state housing authority. Housing providers will not be allowed to evict tenants during the grants coverage period.

And for tenants whose landlords are unwilling to participate in the program, the state will offer up to two months of future rent payments to help them find a new place to live, the state said. Renters in Chicago and Cook County will maintain the right to stay in their homes if they pay their debts in full to their landlord at any time before an official eviction order is filed.

The housing authoritys goal is to assist 8,900 households through the new program. As of Monday morning, 260 rental assistance applications had been submitted with the state, according to Field.

Cook County program touted as one of the top eviction prevention innovations has drawn praise, pushback

While most of the requirements are the same as when rental assistance was funded by federal dollars, at its height, the federally-funded program provided up to $25,000 in rental assistance to cover up to 15 months of past-due rent and up to three months of future rent. In March, the maximum grant amount decreased to $10,000 and up to two months of future rent in an attempt to prolong the program, according to the state housing authority. Gilbert said she thinks the new limit will cover the vast majority of people in need of assistance.

Renters who received the maximum amount of federal aid allowed under the program will be eligible for the new state funds, but will not be able to apply for a second round of assistance if they dont reach the limit of $15,000, Field said.

Bob Glaves, executive director of the Chicago Bar Foundation, which manages the Early Resolution Program, said he is really happy to see the program back in action.

Rental assistance continues to  fairly and effectively resolve eviction cases for both landlords and tenants and the court, Glaves said.

To apply for the Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program, go to https://www.illinoishousinghelp.org/cbrap.

ekane@chicagotribune.com
ISTANBUL, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- One police officer was shot dead and three people, including the attacker, were injured in a gunfire exchange here on Monday, local media reported.

The incident occurred in the Umraniye district of Istanbul when a suspect, caught by the police for motorcycle theft, opened fire, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported.

While being apprehended, the suspect seized one of the police officer's weapons and began shooting, said the report.

Following the exchange of fire, a female police officer was killed, while another police officer, the suspect, and a civilian were injured, it said.

The 19-year-old attacker had 26 criminal records for various offenses, according to TRT. 
With a dramatic scoop of an excavator, water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta surged onto a 3,400-acre stretch of land this week for the the first time in a century.

This ceremonial levee breach at Lookout Slough, north of Rio Vista, on Wednesday was attended by nearly 200 spectators who cheered the completion of the largest tidal habitat restoration project in the Delta region.

The project led by the Department of Water Resources is an example of legally mandated habitat restoration to alleviate negative environmental impacts of the State Water Project, the sprawling concrete system supplying water to most of the states population.

It aims to revive habitat for the beleaguered Delta smelt, a native fish species teetering on the brink of extinction, and additional flood protection in the Yolo Bypass. The endangered fish is considered functionally extinct by many experts.

After more than six years, $130 million, dozens of land use permits and the transport of six million cubic yards of dirt, the agency celebrated the projects completion alongside a partner organization with a catered event in the remote area.

Department of Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said big projects are needed to address both environmental and water supply challenges in the Delta.

In the past, our processes simply have been too slow to confront the challenges that we face. We have to move further and faster to address these challenges, whether its environment or water supply, he said. We cannot play small ball... This project thinks big and proves we can work at a landscape scale.

California Natural Resource Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot takes video during the Lookout Slough levee breaching ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. An excavator breached the eastern levee allowing tidal water onto the site for the first time in 100 years.

The Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project was done in partnership with Ecosystem Investment Partners, a land restoration organization that helped purchase ranch land from private landowners, some of whom were given property elsewhere.

They also constructed a new 3-mile long setback levee along the northern site of the project area. By allowing the zone to flood with Delta water at nine different breach sites, DWR and EIP expect to see the land quickly return to vital habitat for Delta smelt and other species.

Beyond ecological benefits, the project offers additional flood safety to the Sacramento region by allowing more water storage at the southern end of the Yolo Bypass. Pieces of the slough land will be open to the public for fishing and other recreation.

Several other much smaller state-sponsored projects that restore Delta tidal habitat on land used for agriculture for decades are waiting in the wings. Those include restoration work on Decker Island, Prospect Island and Winter Island.

DWRs largest, most controversial priority in the Delta is pushing forward with Delta Conveyance, the planned $20 billion tunnel project that would transport water from the Sacramento River beneath the estuary and into the aqueducts of the State Water Project.

Its unclear what impact this new habitat will have on the Delta smelt, perhaps Californias most infamous fish. The species faces a steep uphill battle for survival after large-scale pumping for California farms and cities all but decimated its habitat over the course of a century.

The fish endemic to the freshwater-saltwater Delta estuary was listed as federally endangered in 1993. Efforts to preserve the species by way of pumping regulations have historically placed the fish at the center of the states water wars.

The fish has also become a political punching bag for former President Donald Trump, who took aim at the smelt last week in Los Angeles as he promised California voters he would curb environmental protections and give you more water than almost anybody has.

Between long term population decline and acute death spikes, the State Water Project has long drawn the ire of environmentalists for killing native fish that support California ecosystems, the fishing economy and native cultures.

California Natural Resource Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot, left, and Save California Salmons Jacob Katz, right, share a moment during a levee breaching ceremony at Lookout Slough on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

Its not difficult for environmentalists to distrust a single projects ability to make a positive impact. But Jacob Katz, a senior scientist with California Trout, said he is optimistic that smelt could someday make a home in the Lookout Slough.

As far as a mitigation project for the State Water Project goes, this is the biggest by far. Its big enough to actually make a difference, said Jacob Katz. You have to get to a landscape scale to make a population level and difference... you have to go big.
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP)  An increase in police are at Holyoke Public Schools after an alleged social media threat over the weekend.

Pittsfield police locate suspects involved in possible school threats

According to Holyoke Public Schools, a social media threat is being investigated at Holyoke Public Schools and other districts in Massachusetts. There was a specific threat which named Sullivan School, however school officials say that there are two middle schools in Massachusetts with the name Sullivan: Sullivan Middle School in Holyoke and Sullivan Middle School in Worcester.

On Monday all students at Sullivan Middle School located at Jarvis Avenue in Holyoke were scanned with a metal detector and bags were searched before being allowed into the school.

As the investigation continues, school officials say that the police will continue their presence at all public schools in Holyoke. Parents are asked to talk with their children to speak with a trusted adult if they hear or see anything that could potentially be dangerous.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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GREENE COUNTY, Mo.  A man from Independence, Missouri has been charged with domestic assault in connection to an alleged stabbing in Bois DArc on Wednesday, September 18.

Friday morning, the Greene County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged 55-year-old Edward Storms with first-degree domestic assault  serious physical injury and armed criminal action.

Man dies following overnight shooting in Nichols Park

According to the Greene County Sheriffs Office (GCSO), at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, deputies were dispatched to the 11000 block of West Farm Road 128 in Bois DArc, where they found a male victim with a stab wound in his neck. The victim was given medical care before being taken by helicopter to a local hospital.

GCSO says the suspect fled the scene before deputies arrived. After obtaining information from witnesses and identifying Storms as a suspect, GCSO was able to locate him the next morning and arrest him.

Storms was taken to Greene County Jail to be held without bond.

Online court documents note that the victim and the suspect are related.

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Annastasia Williams, manager of The Bottom in Knoxville, was seven when she first encountered banned books. She didnt know at the time that The Giver by Lois Lowry, the book that helped her understand why pain makes the world more beautiful, was on banned lists across the country. Reading the book with her mother sparked such rich conversation, she says; now, Williams worries that children will lose access to these life-changing narratives, creating obstacles to self-discovery.

In recent years, book bans and challenges have reached unprecedented levels, intensifying the battle for freedom of expression. This years Banned Books Week theme, chosen by the American Library Association, is Freed Between the Lines, and aims to highlight the crucial role literature plays in preserving rights and resisting censorship.

The American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom reported a staggering 65% increase in targeted titles from 2022 to 2023, with 4,240 unique book titles challenged last year alone. Nearly half of these titles represent the experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals, further complicating efforts for readers to connect with these essential and diverse narratives.

Protecting literature isnt just about preserving books; its about safeguarding the freedom to explore diverse perspectives. The continuous surge in censorship stifles the rich tapestry of lived experiences and insights these stories offer. Through Banned Books Week, readers and advocates reaffirm their commitment to preserving fundamental freedoms.

To understand how independent bookstores are protecting banned and challenged titles, Teen Vogue spoke with independent bookstore founders, owners, and employees. Each highlighted their efforts to combat censorship and educate their communities  and shared their favorite banned books that everyone should read.

Enkeshi El-Amin and Annastasia Williams, The Bottom in Knoxville, TN

The Bottoms Banned Book Recs: The Rabbits Wedding by Garth Williams, The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson, New Kid by Jerry Craft, The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson, The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, Krik? Krak! by Edwidge Danticat

Enkeshi El-Amin, a 2019 PhD graduate and sociology lecturer, poses for a portrait in her new space (The Bottom) connecting creatives in Knoxville's Black community Photo by Steven Bridges/University of Tennessee, Courtesy of Enkeshi El-Amin

Courtesy of Annastasia Williams

The Bottom, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, is both a Black-affirming bookstore and a nonprofit community hub dedicated to nurturing the creativity of Knoxvilles Black community.

The Bottom was designed to respond to [book bans], says founding director Enkeshi El-Amin, whose introduction to banned books came when she was in graduate school, studying with Dr. Joan Bryant, who specialized in Black book history. Annastasia Williams, the stores manager, and El-Amin say book bans and challenges undermine individuals access to the language and narratives essential for self-discovery and understanding the world.

It greatly impacts  our young people, who are in our school systems and using literature to learn or find their way through the world, Williams says. And when we remove access from that group, it greatly impacts how they see themselves, how they see the world. It removes agency.

El-Amin adds, I think that finding language to understand ourselves and to understand our world is such a powerful experience, and so to deny people that access  and this is an experience that I know from my own life  that power, that agency, that understanding of self, and society, I think it's really an unjust thing to do.

Now, as a teacher herself, El-Amin hopes to bring this same awareness of banned books to her own students. We looked at books and literature as a way to open certain conversations, she says. These conversations extend beyond just book selling. The Bottom hosts panels and discussions about literature censorship, traveling to industry conferences and nearby festivals like Bonnaroo. I think education is always going to be at the forefront because it never fails that there's always someone that says, I didn't know, Williams says. The Bottom also makes books available monthly to kids in their community, promoting agency and self-discovery.

The Bottom, in many ways, was a way to create space for black folks to take up space, El-Amin says. Williams notes that Black literature is about 5-6% of the publishing industry. So, black literature makes up about 5-6% of the publishing industry. In our bookstore, we are Black affirming, and 99% of the titles that you see in our space are by Black authors, Williams adds. I think of myself as kind of a champion for Black literature, especially for banned books because they're so important.

Charley Rejsek, CEO of Book People in Austin, Texas

Book Peoples Banned Books Recs: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole, All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson, This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson

Courtesy of Charley Rejsek

Book People, Texas' largest independent bookstore, doubles as a beacon of resistance against censorship. Situated in one of the most restricted states, which saw 1,470 challenged titles in 2023, the store and its employees champion the freedom to read and access to diverse narratives. For Charley Rejsek, banned books means: lack of access for all.

What history tells us is that once books are attacked or banned, that's the beginning of other restrictions to information, Rejsek says. I think it's very important that we highlight what banned books are so that people can understand what is happening in the world right now and that their access to educational materials is under attack. Banned Books Week is the time to explain to people that you have access now, but you may not have access tomorrow if you don't pay attention to what's happening today.

Rejsek doesnt just engage with banned books as a seller but now as a political advocate, too. I'm a bookseller, and I never thought I'd get into the politics game because that's not really what booksellers do, right? she says. But when Texas introduced House Bill 900, requiring all book vendors to read and rate books that were previously sold to public school districts for sexual content, she felt she had no other choice. Without rating every title for sexual content, which Rejsek says is not possible because she stocks over 100,000 books in her store, shed have to accept the states rating or be banned from selling to public schools. I'm not going to take your rating because my rating will probably disagree with yours. And that means that you're compelling speech on a business. And that's against the First Amendment, she says.

I reached out to my trade organization. They put together a coalition. I became a plaintiff, and we sued the state of Texas, says Rejsek, who ensures her customers are well informed about the lawsuit through the stores website and mailing list. I look at it as I'm serving the community by fighting this for them. To combat attempts of censorship, Rejsek recommends people sign up for their local bookstores newsletter, engage with local library organizations, and understand how to navigate and advocate to your state capitol.

"I literally cannot imagine running a bookstore that cannot work with public schools, because that's what happens if I don't take their ratings on board state censorship, she says. We are banned from working with public schools."

Raquel Espasande, Book Buyer and Part Owner of Bluestockings Cooperative in New York City

Bluestockings Banned Book Recs: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource by and for Transgender Communities by Laura Erickson-Schroth, How to Be Ace: A Memoir of Growing Up Asexual by Rebecca Burgess, Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent by Jessica Ralli and Megan Madison, We Do This Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice by Mariame Kaba, Books through Bars: Stories from the Prison Books Movement by Dave Mac Marquis and Moira Marquis

Courtesy of Raquel Espasande

Bluestockings Cooperative, located in New York City, is an activist center, community space, and bookstore that offers literature and resources centered around oppression, intersectionality, community organizing, and activism. For Raquel Espasande, banned books highlight an obvious power structure in which schools control what children can read and city council boards control what library visitors can read.

The people who are in power who are interested in banning books are generally interested in banning books that threaten their power, Espasande says. Especially when those books seem mundane, you should read them to find out what they find so threatening about them. At the core of banning books, it's about disempowering people. So empower yourself.

As a book buyer, Espasande curates the stores selection, which allows them to promote literature for self-discovery. I am happiest when a customer comes in and comes up to me and marvels about how many books they've never heard of before that they see in the shop, especially if there are books that they relate to, Espasande says. I've had people come up and be like, I didn't even know there were this many books about being trans. There are so many people I've talked to who didn't realize what being non-binary is or the fact that it was an option and then upon hearing about it, were like, oh, that's what I am.

Bluestockings carries titles in categories that often dont exist in other bookstores and libraries: police abolition, sex work, trans studies, queer fiction, Diaspora fiction.

It really does play a role in what people think is possible in the world, Espasande, who aims to provide a breadth of information to customers, says. There's sort of an idea that we all have access to the same amounts of information and the same sources. But that's not true. Minors have a lot filtered through their family and very few opportunities outside of that. And now those few safe opportunities in school libraries and public libraries are being targeted.

Alsace Walentine, Founder and Co-Owner of Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, Florida

Tombolo Books Banned Book Recs: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Photo by Lisa Wilson and courtesy of Alsace Walentine

Tombolo Books, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, is at the heart of the state that saw the most intense pushback against literature in 2023, with 2,672 titles challenged. For founder Alsace Walentine, book bans are a tool for those in power to control the circulation of ideas and narratives, reflecting their fears of change and mass empowerment.

Why would this book be banned? Why are any books being banned in the United States? Walentine hopes customers will ask. Shes set out to create a bookstore community where curiosity thrives and questions about free speech are met without judgment. Our role is being a place where people can safely come and say, I don't understand this, or even I think book banning is a good idea, why don't you? she says. It's a place to have a conversation. It's a place to get education. And we try to be very, very welcoming at our store so that people feel comfortable being a little vulnerable and saying, I don't understand this.

Supplying books in the state with the most challenged titles has made Walentine all too familiar with mass censorship efforts. People just email these long lists to the school board, and then the books get pulled to be reviewed, books they [often] havent read, she says. We [Floridas schools] have people with masters degrees very carefully picking out what belongs in a certain age group. It makes no sense for people who are not educated at all about child development to decide what others should be reading, and to decide that these librarians and teachers who have been educated don't count, and that their careers don't have a purpose, and that they can just come in and say, take all these off the shelf.

Amidst these threats to literary freedom in Florida, Walentine remains a champion for banned books. It's important to read banned books to keep the banned books in circulation, she says. It's important to read banned books because there are ideas within that someone feels threatened about you knowing.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

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The News

Though many foreign leaders are tensely watching the US presidential election, one country is confident its ties to Washington are on the upswing regardless of who wins: India.

US politicians across party lines have prized improved ties to New Delhi, and India has fitfully grown closer to Washington as its relations with China have worsened. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US President Joe Biden over the weekend and is expected to meet with ex-President Donald Trump this week. We are pretty agnostic, Indias former top diplomat told the Asia Societys podcast, referring to the outcome of Novembers election.

On Sunday, Modi spoke at a rally for Indian Americans in New York, emphasizing their influence ahead of the US presidential election, while officials announced a new US-India semiconductor plant.

SIGNALS

Indian-Americans represent key voter demographic ahead of election

Source: Pew Research Center

Vice President Kamala Harris, whose mother was Indian, has made a concerted effort to connect with Asian American voters, who constitute the US fastest-growing voting group, according to the Pew Research Center. Harris campaign recently released an ad spotlighting her mothers immigration story that seemed aimed specifically at Asian American voters in key battleground states like Nevada, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Asian Americans have historically voted Democrat, but a 2021 analysis showed that the GOP has recently improved their favorability with Asian American voters in some battleground states.

Semiconductor project underscores Indias supply chain importance

Source: Bloomberg

After Indias Modi met with US President Joe Biden in Delaware Saturday, the US and India announced a semiconductor manufacturing partnership that will see the latter country produce crucial parts for chips. The initiative underscores Indias strategic importance in the global supply chain, positioning it as an alternative to China, Bloomberg noted. At the same time, Modi has long sought to bolster Indias manufacturing sector, and in particular, positioning India as a hub for producing international consumer technology, with companies like Apple moving some of its manufacturing out of China to India.

Modi walks a diplomatic tightrope

Sources: BBC, The Indian Express

Modis recent trip to Ukraine, just weeks after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and his ongoing visit to the US spotlights the Indian prime ministers careful balancing act between the West and its antagonists. Part of Modis long standing aim of cementing Indias strategic autonomy, the country has maintained its trade-heavy relationship with Russia while also strengthening ties with Central and Eastern Europe. His recent visit to Poland, the first by an Indian prime minister in 45 years, demonstrates Indias strategy of diversifying its diplomatic partners, an analyst wrote in the Indian Express: Modis visit to Warsaw and Kyiv is about recognizing that momentous change at the heart of Europe and deepening bilateral political, economic, and security ties with Central European states.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Wabash Township government transformed over the last four years from turbulent meetings and an Indiana State Police investigation to a drama-free township and a fully staffed professional/volunteer fire department.

For leading the metamorphosis, Angel Valentin, the township trustee since 2022, caught the attention of the Indiana Township Association.

The Indiana Township Association presented this rising-star award to Wabash Township Trustee Angel Valentin on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Valentin was unable to attend the award dinner, so the township staff surprised him with the award on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

The state's township association presented its rising star award Tuesday to Valentin as a "notable leader." But Valentin wasn't able to attend, so township staff at the meeting sneaked the award, a slide show and refreshments into the township fire department's training room on Friday for a surprise celebration.

"It's been a lot of work to get to where we're at," Valentin said, thanking the township staff, fire department administration and firefighters for turning around the once-troubled township.

"It's been a really good opportunity to see what township government can be when it's doing a really good job," Valentin said. "The work's not done yet."

The Indiana Township Association presented this rising-star award to Wabash Township Trustee Angel Valentin on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Valentin was unable to attend the award dinner, so the township staff surprised him with the award on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Association presents Wabash Township trustee with award
The population of India's one-horned Asian rhinos has almost tripled after decades of conservation and anti-poaching efforts (Biju BORO) (Biju BORO/AFP/AFP)

India's one-horned Asian rhino population has almost tripled in the past four decades thanks to conservation and anti-poaching efforts, according to government figures.

Data released on Sunday -- World Rhino Day -- said the number of the animals, known for their single horn and thick, armour-like skin, had surged from 1,500 four decades ago to more than 4,000 now.

There were just 600 left in India in the 1960s.

"This conservation success story is the result of relentless efforts by the forest department and local communities," a government statement said.

An adult Indian rhino, the largest of the three Asian species, can weigh up to 2,800 kilograms (6,170 pounds) and live for about 50 years.

They are found in grasslands, swamps and riverine forests in India's east and neighbouring Nepal.

Kaziranga conservation park in Assam state in India's remote northeast is home to an estimated 80 percent of the world's one-horned rhinos.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature categorises the Indian rhino as "vulnerable".

Rhino species face a precarious future globally, with populations dwindling drastically from 500,000 in the early 20th century to around 28,000 today, according to the International Rhino Foundation.

"The greater one-horned rhino in India has made a remarkable comeback," the government statement said.

Despite the success of conservation efforts, rhinos remain threatened by poaching, with their horns used in traditional medicine and prized particularly in China and Vietnam.

pzb/rma/pbt
Inspector General providing new details on incident that led to 3 officers shooting and killing a man in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  The Connecticut Office of the Inspector General gave an update on a Sept. 19 shooting in which three officers shot and killed a New Haven man.

Suspect dead after officers open fire in West Haven

The inspector generals office said that the man, 36-year-old Jebrell Conley, had an outstanding arrest warrant on robbery and firearm charges. The police department was told that Conley was at the Splash Car Wash on Boston Post Road in West Haven.

Once police arrived at the car wash, they allegedly tried to block Conleys Hyundai Tucson with their patrol vehicles. As officers moved in in attempts to arrest him, the report said that Conley fired one round that shattered the front driver side window of his car.

Three officers: Connecticut State Police Sgt. Colin Richter, New Haven Police Sgt. Francisco Sanchez and New Haven Police Officer Michael Valente, shot at Conley, according to the report, striking him multiple times until he fell out of the car and onto the parking lot.

Body camera footage shows the moments that shots were fired from both Conley and police.

Conley was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers said that they recovered a handgun with a high capacity magazine from the Hyundai Tucson that Conley was driving, which appeared to be jammed.

New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson said based on the body camera video and initial investigation, he believes his officers used appropriate force to protect themselves and the public.

Were lucky were not burying officers, Jacobson said.

I had to see my father get murdered in front of my eyes, Jebrell Conleys daughter said, outside of the New Haven police station on Monday night.

The Conley family is planning a burial and on Monday night his sister, children, along with dozens of family and friends took their questions directly to Jacobson.

Show me the footage where you see hes shooting the gun at the cops, Jebrell Conleys sister, who did not want to share her name publicly, said.

Thats what my dad was doing, he was growing. He was still making mistakes but he was growing, Conleys daughter, who did not want to share her name publicly, said.

Do you sleep at night after that because I know I wont and I only watched about ten seconds of it, Barbara Fair, Conleys cousin, said.

This investigation is still ongoing. The Inspector Generals full report typically takes several, several months.

Jacobson said the two New Haven Officers that shot Conley have been placed on paid administrative leave.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- South African officials have commended China's achievements over the decades and extended warm congratulations to the upcoming 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which falls on Oct. 1.

"China has witnessed profound changes over the decades," MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, premier of the Free State Province, said at the reception held on Friday by the Chinese Consulate-General in Johannesburg, South Africa, to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC.

The achievements China has made in infrastructure, technology, and education are testaments to the hard work and resourcefulness of the Chinese people, said Letsoha-Mathae, adding that China's commitment to social development, poverty alleviation, and environmental sustainability continues to inspire not only the citizens of China but also the world.

Speaking of the ties between South Africa and China, Letsoha-Mathae said the two countries have forged a partnership grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to development.

Through platforms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the BRICS summit, China and South Africa have continued to work together to tackle global challenges, from economic development and poverty eradication to fighting pandemics and promoting peace and security.

Morakane Mosupyoe, speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, said Gauteng's collaborations with Chinese businesses and investors not only contribute to economic growth but also foster greater cultural understanding and people-to-people exchanges.

"I am deeply grateful to the Chinese community for their generosity in supporting us and our community initiatives, particularly in providing school uniforms and dignity packs to disadvantaged learners," said Mosupyoe.

The story of China's development is an inspiration to all nations striving for progress, independence, and dignity, and China's continued rise will undoubtedly contribute to a more just and equitable global order, according to Mosupyoe.

The reception was attended by approximately 300 guests, including various government officials, diplomats, and representatives of Chinese businesses. 
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  As the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel draws closer, a group of leaders from the Jewish, Islam, and Christian communities of Columbus are coming together to call for peace.

Leaders from many different faiths gathered at First Congregational Church on Sunday to show solidarity between different religions to show that people who believe different things can work together to pray for peace.

Watch: An interfaith gathering in Columbus calls for peace

Senior Minister Rev. Tim Ahrens said the gathering of different religions comes at a time of division, both politically and religiously.

Its been his goal to bring the different faiths together for an interfaith service to try to begin healing between groups who have been pitted against each other with the war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza.

I think weve all reached the point of exhaustion with the distress and the war that has gone in the Middle East, but also just the raging wars in Ukraine and beyond, so I think this was the moment and Im glad we were able to come together, Ahrens said.

When we have interfaith dialogue and opportunities for prayer services like this for more peace prayers, it brings everybody together and it rectifies the misunderstanding and misconceptions that oftentimes people develop in their own silos, interfaith leader Imran Malik said.

The latest FBI crime data from 2022 shows more than 2,000 violent incidents based on religion, with more than half of those directed toward people of the Jewish faith.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Invest 97L has millions from Louisiana to Florida bracing for likely-Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene

UPDATE: Invest 97L became Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on Monday, Sept. 23. Continue to follow updates on this system here.

----

Millions of people living on the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida are being urged to prepare as Invest 97L continues to become better organized and will likely become Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene as the system enters the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days.

The term "invest" is simply a naming convention that allows the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to run specialized computer models to help forecasters obtain additional information on tropical disturbances being monitored for development.

What Is An Invest During Hurricane Season?

The development chances for Invest 97L have been steadily increasing. As of Monday, the system has a high chance of strengthening into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next 48 hours.

"Regardless of development, this system is expected to produce heavy rains over portions of Central America during the next several days," NHC forecasters wrote in their discussion. "Interests in the northwestern Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and western Cuba should closely monitor the progress of this system."

According to the NHC, watches and warnings may need to be issued for those areas sometime Monday.

The NHC said Invest 97L is expected to strengthen as it spins northward across the Gulf of Mexico later this week. Impacts such as storm surge, heavy rain and strong winds are expected for portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast, including the Florida Panhandle and portions of Florida's west coast.

"Although it's too soon to specify the exact location and magnitude of these impacts, residents in these areas should monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure they have their hurricane plan in place," NHC forecasters wrote in their discussion.

Officials in Leon County, which is home to Florida state capital Tallahassee, announced that sandbags would be made available to residents starting on Monday afternoon in anticipation of heavy precipitation and potential flooding from the storm.

How To Watch Fox Weather

There are several factors at play when determining where whatever develops from Invest 97L will ultimately go and its strength.

"How strong the storm will be and exactly where the most intense effects will occur is an open question," FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross wrote. "There is a general consensus in the various computer forecasts on how the steering pattern will evolve, but it's the details that make a difference in whether a storm hits one location or another location hundreds of miles away."

Bryan Norcross: Late-week Impacts On Northern Us Gulf Coast Becoming More Likely

Norcross said Hurricane Watches could then be issued for portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast, and we could be tracking Tropical Storm Helene by the middle of the week.

On Thursday or Thursday night, the storm, whether it's a tropical storm or Hurricane Helene, could make landfall somewhere between Louisiana and Florida.

Download The Free Fox Weather App

"Residents on or near the coast between Louisiana and Florida should stay well informed," Norcross wrote. "This will be a fast-developing situation, so now is the time to think through what you would do in the potentially affected areas if a significant storm comes your way late in the week."

By Friday, the storm will likely begin to weaken as it moves inland across the Southeast . However, it will continue to produce heavy rain and gusty winds along its path.





Original article source: Invest 97L has millions from Louisiana to Florida bracing for likely-Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene
Investigation ongoing into who fired shots at local police cruiser Saturday

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Police said Monday an investigation is continuing into who fired a shot Saturday at a city police cruiser.

Chief of Detectives Capt. Jason Simon said the city is coordinating with multiple agencies and has collected some evidence from the shooting, which took place a little place after 7 p.m. on Falls Avenue near Market Street.

No one was injured.

Officers blocked off several nearby streets and searched with a drone but made no arrests.

It is not clear if the officer driving the cruiser was answering a call at the time or was on routine patrol.

This is the second time this year someone has taken a shot at a city police car.

In February, someone fired shots at a car carrying officers from the departments Neighborhood Response Unit on West Ravenwood Avenue. An officer was treated for injuries from flying glass.

No arrests have been made in that 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 WKBN.com.
The investigation: The AP investigation uncovered cases of kidnapped or missing children being sent abroad, fabricated identities and parents falsely told their children had died. The demand for South Korean children surged after the 1950-53 Korean War, particularly from Western families facing domestic shortages of adoptable children. Scandinavian countries, including Sweden and Denmark, exerted diplomatic pressure on South Korea to continue adoptions despite concerns about the ethics of the practice. In the U.S., Harry Holt, an evangelical Christian, pioneered the adoption system, flying children to American families in large numbers, often without sufficient safeguards to ensure the children were true orphans.
Heres what the IOC leader whos coming to Utah this week just told the United Nations about the Olympics

IOC President Thomas Bach addresses the audience during the 2024 Summer Olympics closing ceremony at the Stade de France, Aug. 11, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. Bach, who is scheduled to be in Utah Friday and Saturday to tour 2034 Winter Games venues as part of his visit to the United States, spoke Sunday after U.N. members adopted a controversial plan for taking on challenges ranging from climate change to escalating conflicts. | Ashley Landis

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach held up the 2024 Summer Games in Paris as an example of sports contributions to the United Nations mission of advancing peace and prosperity during a speech at the agencys New York City headquarters.

Bach, who is scheduled to be in Utah Friday and Saturday to tour 2034 Winter Games venues as part of his visit to the United States, spoke Sunday after U.N. members adopted a blueprint for taking on a long list of global challenges, including climate change, escalating conflicts, AI and responding to complex shocks such as pandemics, according to The Associated Press.

The IOC leader, whose final term as president ends next year, praised the U.N. General Assemblys support for the Pact for the Future that contained several references to sport, including a commitment to invest in accessible, safe, inclusive and equitable quality education for all, including physical education and sport.

Bach focused on peace as the most fundamental goal, saying the IOC was proud of being able to bring together athletes from 206 countries with national Olympic committees as well as the largest-ever refugee team to compete in Paris. Athletes from Russia and Belarus, however, had to compete under a neutral status due to the ongoing attack against Ukraine.

Despite fierce competition during the Summer Games, Bach said the athletes live peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village and respected each other, with no incident or discrimination whatsoever  even if their countries are at war, modeling what he called a culture of peace.

Other Paris 2024 highlights cited in the IOC presidents speech:

It was the first Games with full gender parity.

Carbon emissions were reduced by half compared to previous Olympics.

IOC Refugee Olympic team competed with 37 athletes from 11 nations including Afghanistan and won its first-ever medal.

From New York City, Bach is scheduled to make a stop at the Colorado Springs headquarters of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Hell head Friday to Salt Lake City, where hell tour venues from the 2002 Winter Games that are set to be used again and meet with local and state leaders, including the donors who funded Utahs bid.

Once a site has been selected for a future Games, the IOC president regularly visits the host soon after, according to a spokesman. IOC members voted to award the 2034 Winter Games to Utah in Paris on July 24. This will be Bachs first trip to the state since the 2002 Winter Games. He is also expected to spend time in Los Angeles, site of the 2028 Summer Games, before leaving the U.S.
Conferences for Iowa Environmental Education Week will be at Drake University. (Photo courtesy of Drake University)

Iowa Environmental Council has partnered with the Harkin Institute to create a week of environmental education events.

According to a press release from the council, Sept. 22 through Sept. 26 is the first Iowa Environmental Education Week. The goal is to foster dialog, education, and awareness of the environmental health issues facing Iowa communities.

The events begin Monday with a tour of Des Moines Water Works.

Tuesday, Iowa Environmental Council has its annual conference at Drake University. Attendees can choose between sessions on environmental justice, health and the environment, legal engagement and more. Benjamin Pauli of Kettering University in Flint, Michigan will give a keynote address about environmental justice and democracy in the Flint water crisis.

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Wednesday and Thursday, the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement will host a conference on industrial animal production and public health, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future.

The conference, also held at Drake University, is a book launch for Industrial Farm Animal Production, the Environment, and Public Health, published by Johns Hopkins University Press. Sessions at the conference will detail the history, structure and trends of factory farming, and its implications with health, water, air and rural prosperity.

The sessions will be available via livestream, and the conference is free to Drake University students.

The educational week concludes with cocktails and appetizers at the councils 11th annual Pro H2O event, celebrating its work towards clean water in the state. Discounts for the event, held at Iowa State Historical Building in Des Moines, are available to folks who participated in the conferences throughout the week.

Saturday is also the statewide volunteer day for Iowa state parks and forests. Folks interested can join staff to help clean and maintain the parks in their communities. Details and RSVP information can be found at Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

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The iPhone may be designed in California and assembled in China, but its brains are built in Taiwan.

For a decade, Apples A-series microchips, which are among the worlds most advanced processors, have been manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), whose technological prowess has made it Asias most valuable company.

Apple is TSMCs biggest customer and its chips are made exclusively in Taiwan, where the companys most cutting-edge megafactories are located.

Until now. This week, reports emerged that TSMC is making Apple processors in the USA for the first time. Tim Culpan, a well-connected independent journalist based in Taipei, revealed that TSMCs new plant in Arizona was churning out Apples A16 chips.

Neither Apple nor TSMC would confirm the report, and the chip in question is not Apples most powerful. It is a couple of years old, and when it makes it into products, they are likely to be cheaper entry-level iPads or iPhones.

But the news was still a big deal, or in Culpans words, a BFD.

The fact that they went for the most-advanced chip they could manage on US soil, in terms of both technology and volume, shows Apple and TSMC want to start big, he wrote.

The success of Apple chip production in America is a major achievement of Joe Bidens $53bn (40bn) Chips and Science Act, a mammoth piece of industrial policy designed to encourage advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the US.

The act provides billions in subsidies and loans to companies such as TSMC. The Biden administration hopes it will reverse what is seen as a precarious drift of advanced chip manufacturing towards Asia and particularly Taiwan. The island is democratically governed but coveted by Xi Jinping, and the most likely epicentre of any conflict between the US and China. This makes it a precarious source of the semiconductors that sit in phones, computers and data centres.

The US invented the microchip, but no longer makes the most advanced ones. In recent decades, Japan, then South Korea, and more recently Taiwan surpassed the US in high-volume production. TSMC, set up in 1986 with huge support from a rapidly-democratising government, pioneered the foundry business model, in which the company does not design its own chips but makes them for customers in hugely-expensive factories.

Until now, TSMCs Apple chips were made exclusively in Taiwan, in the companys most cutting-edge megafactories - STR/AFP

The model has come to rule the industry as the transistors from which semiconductors are made have become physics-bendingly small (TSMC recently started initial production of 2 nanometre transistors, 50bn of which would fit on a fingernail).

This has led to TSMC, and Taiwan, dominating advanced chip production. The US share of global chip manufacturing has fallen from 37pc in 1990 to 12pc in 2021. Europes share has fallen even more dramatically, from 44pc to 9pc. Taiwan has gone from practically nothing to more than 60pc  and 92pc of the most advanced chips.

For decades, politicians largely ignored this, while companies were happy to outsource manufacturing to save money. Intel, the last remaining integrated manufacturer in the US, failed to invest in expensive hardware to remain at the cutting edge.

But the rise of an increasingly-assertive China, along with supply shortages during the pandemic, has forced Western governments to pay attention. Xi has told the Peoples Liberation Army to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. One possible reason why he has not done so to date is the havoc it would cause on technological supply chains, which are crucial to Chinas manufacturing sector.

Taiwanese politicians have often referred to the countrys manufacturing sector as a silicon shield, securing the island against invasion. TSMC itself has been labelled the sacred mountain of protection.

Not everyone is so comfortable with this situation, though. The US and the rest of the world is in this precarious situation where it relies on Taiwan for advanced chip manufacturing, but it really has no other choice, says Jimmy Goodrich, a senior technology adviser to the Rand Corporation.

In case of a crisis over Taiwan or even another pandemic, [the US] needs to have some onshore sources of microelectronics. Its just too strategically important to not have it.

The billions of funds handed to TSMC, Intel and others to make chips in America therefore puts the US and Taiwan at odds. America wishes to reduce its reliance on Taiwan in case China invades; Taiwan needs to maintain that reliance to stay geopolitically relevant.

Chris Miller, a US historian and author of Chip War, a book about the geopolitics of the semiconductor industry, says that Apple chips being made in the US is a meaningful step one.

I dont think we should overstate the ways in which this might change the calculus around Taiwan in the short run. Its meaningful, but on its own, not an immediate, drastic, overnight change. Theres still immense reliance on production in Taiwan.

Miller adds that the effect of the silicon shield may be overstated, since US economic reliance on Taiwan could in fact give China leverage in a blockade scenario.

The US subsidies have, nonetheless, been contentious in Taiwan. The Semiconductor Industry Association, a US industry body, predicts that the islands control over production of the most advanced semiconductors will fall to 47pc by 2032. The US will go from nothing to 28pc.

The prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House presents another possible complication. In July, Trump claimed Taiwan took almost 100pc of our chip industry adding we should have never let that happen.

Goodrich says that Apples move makes little difference in the short term. [The industry] was built over four decades with hundreds of billions of dollars of investment. Not even tens of billions of dollars of investment can change that immediately and overnight. TSMC itself has said it is fully committed to its home country, calling Taiwan its first, second and third priority.

But America becoming more self-reliant can only make it less exposed to the island off Chinas coast. If there are more cases like Apple, Taiwans silicon shield might start to crack.

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UNITED NATIONS  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday emphasized his openness to a new international agreement over his countrys nuclear program  a subject that has fueled global tensions for years, risking potentially catastrophic warfare between Iran and the U.S.

Pezeshkian slammed Washington for supporting Israels ongoing military offensive in Gaza and attacks elsewhere in the Middle East, including in Lebanon and Iran itself. But he also repeatedly arguedTehran does not want regional conflict and hinted he is attuned to outsiders concerns about Iranian activity, from the countrys transparency about its nuclear development to its role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In what language do we need to tell the world we do not seek instability? Pezeshkian asked several times.

The Iranian president made his remarks at a briefing with a select group of journalists amid the annual high-level gathering of world leaders at the United Nations in New York.

The comments came amid growing anxiety over a sweeping regional conflagration that could occur if full-scale war breaks out between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which have been striking each other since the Israel-Hamas war began. On Monday, Israeli strikes killed close to 300 Lebanese people, local authorities said.

And the setting  Pezeshkians first major interaction with foreign press, during his first trip to the U.S. since his election in July  sent its own signals about Irans desire to engage. The president was flankedby Javad Zarif and Abbas Araghchi, two Iranian officials who helped craft the landmark 2015 deal limiting Irans nuclear development in exchange for relief from international sanctions. Pezeshkian has appointed both to high-ranking positions. The Iranians initially said the session would be off-the-record, then seemingly relented in response to pressure from American reporters, first saying the presidents introductory remarks could be quoted and then allowing all his comments to be shared.

The Iran nuclear deal has largely crumbled since former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from it in 2018, making it difficult for world powers to provide Iran the benefits it was promised because of American sanctions. Iran has steadily expanded its nuclear capacity since then. The U.S. assesses Iran now needs less time than ever to be able to produce enough material for a nuclear weapon: just one to two weeks.

But national security officials and arms control experts believe its past time for a new settlement to sustain and expand visibility into Irans nuclear capabilities through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and prevent escalation.

October 2025 is the expiration date for a vital component of the old nuclear deal, the so-called snapback mechanism for restoring U.N. sanctions on Iran if the country breaches its commitments. Analysts say the U.N. Security Council is extremely unlikely to restore the framework given tensions between Western nations and Russia and China, which have veto power on the council.

Asked about restoring nuclear negotiations, Pezeshkian said through a translator: I do hope we can ... reach an agreement.

We did not leave the nuclear deal, the president said earlier in the session, casting blame on Trump for doing so and imposing illegal, unfair, unjust sanctions.

He did not directly address multiple queries about whether he believes talks are realistic during the remainder of President Joe Bidens time in office or if electing Trump to the White House again would be a barrier to negotiations.

Instead, Pezeshkian argued that American officials broadly need to restore faith in their word.

He said Iran upheld its end of the nuclear deal unlike the U.S.  an assessment most outside experts share, though there are some long-standing concerns about Iranian compliance  and pointed to American diplomats saying time and again that a cease-fire deal in Gaza that can boost stability across the Middle East is just a week away.

The lack of trust specifically affects the calculus of Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he continued, in a tacit acknowledgment that the unelected Khamenei has the final say on Irans policies.

His Eminence says, They say one thing, do another, Pezeshkian said. The president promoted engagement with the outside world as he sought votes from Iranians, noting that easing sanctions could boost the economy amid popular unrest in the country, and in August, Khamenei gave him a cautious green light to bargain with the U.S. Another power center in the country  the elite Revolutionary Guard  is extremely leery of such talks.

Always extremely sensitive, nuclear diplomacy will be even more complicated given the open question of Israels response to the gruesome Oct. 7 attack inside its territory last year by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is close to Iran.

Pezeshkian said Israel is laying traps to spark a major war. He repeatedly referenced the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Irans capital shortly after Haniyeh attended Pezeskhians inauguration; news reports blame the killing on Israel, though the nation has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

Iran will retaliate and has shown through its April attack on Israel that it can target heavily populated civilian centers, though it does not want to do so, Pezeshkian said. We will give our answer at the appropriate time in the appropriate place, he added.

We have been victims of Israeli terrorism, Irans president continued, criticizing the U.S. and its allies for permitting atrocities by Israel daily.

He highlighted alleged Israeli abuses in Gaza when asked about Irans targeting of dissidents like jailed activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi.

A torchlight procession in honor of jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi in December after she received the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. Sergei Gapon/Anadolu via Getty Images

If you are so heartbroken because of human rights  why are you not screaming at the top of your lungs over whats been happening for almost a year in Gaza? Pezeshkian said, arguing Iran acknowledges it has problems and mentioning his inclusion of women and minorities in his administration.

Rights watchdogs have for months warned the U.S. and its allies are losing credibility and influence in advocating for global human rights standards and progress in countries like Iran because of their support for Israels Gaza campaign.

Pezeshkian downplayed the impression Iran is focused on organizing global opposition to Washington and its partners  an idea some foreign policy hawks cite to discourage diplomacy with the country.

Western officials have been alarmed over Irans yearlong military support for Russias attacks in Ukraine.

We have never approved Russian aggression there, Pezeskhian said. He even asserted, in contradiction to what U.S. officials say, that Iran has not sent missiles to resupply Russia since he took office.

And in contrast to some Iranian and Iran-aligned figures and many of Irans critics, he did not cast moves by regional forces to challenge Israel as coordinated.

Commenting on the Houthi militia in Yemen, which has targeted shipping in what it describes as a pressure campaign to end the Israel-Hamas war, Pezeshkian said their actions were rooted in their own ideology. Its not that the Yemenis are sitting waiting for us to tell them, Do this or dont do this, he added.

He repeated Irans statements that it did not have prior knowledge of Hamas Oct. 7 assault and said of its Lebanese ally: Hezbollah or any other group that wishes to defend their rights, we defend them.

He did not address the question of Iranian weapons shipments to Hezbollah, however, and inaccurately claimed they did not begin the tit-for-tat fighting with Israel.

Hopes of diplomacy with Iran have been inching up since Pezeshkian took over after the sudden death in May of hard-line former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Speaking with HuffPost last week, analyst Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy think tank said: There is this need for a deal between the U.S. and Iran if they want to avoid a broader regional war that I think strategically benefits neither country.

He identified low-hanging fruit like securing greater Iranian cooperation with the IAEA and noted the Biden administration had moved toward allowing Iran to access some frozen funds before the Oct. 7 attack scrambled the situation in the Middle East.

Following the U.S. election in November, after political concerns over an American adversary abate, officials could seek a less for less deal rather than a sweeping overall agreement, Toossi said. My hope is all different sides decide to dial back.
Pezeshkian (C), inaugurated in July as a reformist within the cleric-run state, was making his UN debut (ATTA KENARE) (ATTA KENARE/AFP/AFP)

Iran's new president on Monday accused Israel of seeking regional war, as he attempted to cast Tehran as restrained and appealed to the West for talks on flashpoint issues.

President Masoud Pezeshkian, inaugurated in late July as a reformist within the cleric-run state, was visiting the United Nations as Israel steps up strikes in Lebanon on the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah, following a wave of explosions on handheld communication devices.

"We know more than anyone else that if a larger war were to erupt in the Middle East, it will not benefit anyone throughout the world. It is Israel that seeks to create this wider conflict," Pezeshkian told a roundtable with journalists in New York.

Pezeshkian -- whose hardline predecessor died in a helicopter crash -- took office with calls for a better relationship with the West.

But tensions immediately soared as the visiting political chief of Hamas, the Palestinian militants who attacked Israel on October 7 last year, was assassinated in an operation in Tehran widely attributed to Israel.

Pezeshkian alluded to appeals from the West for Iran not to retaliate so as not to jeopardize US efforts for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

"We tried to not respond. They kept telling us we are within reach of peace, perhaps in a week or so," he said.

"But we never reached that elusive peace. Every day Israel is committing more atrocities and killing more and more people -- old, young, men, women, children, hospitals, other facilities," he said.

He did not reply directly when asked if Iran would now respond more directly to Israel.

"We always keep hearing, well, Hezbollah fired a rocket. If Hezbollah didn't even do that minimum, who would defend them?" he said.

"Curiously enough, we keep being labeled as the perpetrator of insecurity. But look at the situation for where it is."

- Russia, nuclear talks offer -

Iran openly backs Hamas, whose October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,455 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The UN has described the figures as reliable.

Pezeshkian accused Western powers of double standards by saying that violence "by one side is legitimate self-defense but it's terrorism and murder by the other."

Israel has scoffed at talk of reformists within the Iranian system and US officials, while willing to speak with Tehran indirectly, have played down Pezeshkian's influence, saying that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ultimately makes key decisions.

Pezeshkian called for talks with the West on Russia after US intelligence said that Iran was supplying ballistic missiles to Moscow for its war in Ukraine.

"We are willing to sit down with the Europeans and the Americans to have a dialogue and negotiations. We have never approved of Russian aggression against Ukrainian territory," Pezeshkian said, again denying the missile shipments.

Ukraine, which enjoys sympathy from much of the Iranian public, has threatened to sever relations with Tehran over the missiles issue.

Western powers have hit Iran with a new round of sanctions, including targeting air agreements, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying the missiles contradict Pezeshkian's calls for better relations.

Pezeshkian also made a new appeal Monday for the restoration of a 2015 nuclear deal which was scrapped by former US president Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden took office saying he would restore the agreement but talks failed, due in part to disagreement over the extent on sanctions relief.

Any high-level US diplomacy with Pezeshkian is highly unlikely ahead of the US presidential election in November, with Iran toxic in US politics and Tehran unwilling to make concessions before knowing the next administration's policies.

sct/gw/dw
By Don Durfee and Parisa Hafezi

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Israel wants to drag the Middle East into a full-blown war by provoking Iran to join the nearly year-old conflict between Israel and Tehran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran's president said on Monday, warning of its "irreversible" consequences.

Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking to a group of journalists after his arrival in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, said: "We do not wish to be the cause of instability in the Middle East as its consequences would be irreversible"

"We want to live in peace, we don't want war," he added. "It is Israel that seeks to create this all-out conflict."

Pezeshkian, a relatively moderate politician who was elected in July promising a pragmatic foreign policy, accused the international community of silence in the face of what he called "Israel's genocide" in Gaza.

Pezeshkian's call to resolve the Middle East conflict through dialogue came after Israel unleashed an intense wave of air strikes against Hezbollah on Monday, making it the deadliest day in Lebanon in nearly a year of conflict between Israel and Tehran-backed group.

"We will defend any group that is defending its rights and itself," Pezeshkian said, when asked whether Iran will enter the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. He did not elaborate.

The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, also in New York, described the situation as nearly a full-fledged war. He urged world leaders to do all they could to stop it, adding: "Here in New York is the moment to do that."

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 Hezbollah. Israel has said it prefers a diplomatic solution that would have 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.

Iran's regional policy is set by the elite Revolutionary Guards, who answer only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's top authority.

Pezeshkian has repeatedly affirmed Iran's anti-Israel stance and its support for resistance movements across the region since taking office last month.

Asked if Iran would retaliate for the assassination of Palestinian militant group Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh on its soil in late July, Pezeshkian said "We will respond at the appropriate time and place, in an appropriate manner".

Haniyeh's killing, which both Tehran and Hamas have blamed on Israel, has aroused fears of direct conflict between Tehran and its arch-foe Israel in a region shaken by Israel's war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon.

Iran's powerful Guards and Khamenei have vowed "severe" revenge for Haniyeh's killing, which happened while he visited Tehran. So far, Tehran has held back from direct retaliation against Israel, which has neither confirmed or denied its involvement.

Three senior Iranian officials told Reuters in August Tehran has been involved in intense dialogue with Western countries and the United States to calibrate retaliation against Israel for Haniyeh's assassination.

Pezeshkian said "we were told that within a week there will be a ceasefire agreement" between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas, "but that week has never come and instead Israel has kept expanding its attacks."

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Howard Goller)
YANGON, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,002.71 tons of reserved rice was being distributed through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve program to flood-affected areas in Myanmar, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation on Monday.

A total of 250 tons of reserved rice was allocated to Yangon region, 250 tons to Bago region and 250 tons to Ayeyarwady region, while 252.71 tons of rice was allocated to Mandalay region, U Hla Tun, deputy permanent secretary of the ministry, told Xinhua.

There are two distribution plans: the 7-day plan benefits over 200,000 people, and the 14-day plan helps over 100,000 people, he added.

"Our country is at high risk for disasters, so this program is particularly beneficial," he said. 
Iran ready for nuclear talks at UN 'if other parties willing', foreign minister says

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran is ready to start nuclear negotiations on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York if "other parties are willing", Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday in a video published on his Telegram channel.

The U.S., under then-President Donald Trump, withdrew in 2018 from a nuclear accord signed in 2015 by Iran and six world powers under which Tehran curbed its disputed nuclear programme in return for a lifting of international sanctions.

Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran to revive the deal have stalled. Iran is still formally part of the deal but has scaled back commitments to honour it due to U.S. sanctions reimposed on the Islamic Republic.

"I will stay in New York for a few more days than the [Iranian] president and will have more meetings with various foreign ministers. We will focus our efforts on starting a new round of talks regarding the nuclear pact," Araqchi said.

He added that messages have been exchanged via Switzerland and a "general declaration of readiness" issued, but cautioned that "current international conditions make the resumption of talks more complicated and difficult than before".

Araqchi said he would not meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken: "I do not believe it would be expedient to hold such a dialogue. There were such meetings before but there is currently no suitable ground for that. We are still a long way from holding direct talks."

Since the renewal of U.S. sanctions during the Trump administration, Tehran has refused to directly negotiate with Washington and worked mainly through European or Arab intermediaries.

Iranian leaders want to see an easing of U.S. sanctions that have significantly harmed its economy. But Iran's relations with the West have worsened since the Iranian-backed Palestinian Hamas militant group attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, and as Tehran has increased its support for Russia's war in Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has said the United States is not ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; editing by Alex Richardson, Christina Fincher and Mark Heinrich)
The News

Iran wants all parties to abide by the terms of the now-scuttled 2015 nuclear accord with the US and other major powers before discussing any new agreement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday.

We are still ready to live up to the same framework, he told a roundtable of journalists in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and signed by Iran, the US, China, France, Russia, the UK, the EU and Germany, was intended to keep Tehrans nuclear ambitions in check. Then-US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the agreement in 2018, an action Pezeshkian described as illegal, unfair, and unjust.

We lived up to every commitment that we had under that agreement, he said. Lets go back to step one. Lets make sure you live up to your commitments.

He did not address whether or how Iran would reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium to comply with the terms of the deal, which restricts Tehran to enriching uranium only up to 3.67%. Iran announced in 2020 that it would no longer be bound by the deals terms; the International Atomic Energy Agency said earlier this year that Tehran has an estimated 165 kg (360 lb) of 60% pure uranium and that it was not cooperating with inspectors.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is also in New York, said in a video posted to Telegram earlier on Monday that the country was focused on initiating a new round of nuclear negotiations during this trip in the US.

Pezeshkian on Monday blamed Israel for stoking tensions in the region and declared we dont want war, when asked about escalating attacks between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese political party and paramilitary group.

We know more than anyone else that if a larger war were to erupt in the Middle East, it will not benefit anyone throughout the world. It is Israel that seeks to create this wider conflict, he said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed on Sept. 23 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York that his country had never supported Russia's invasion of Ukraine and denied supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, the Guardian reported.

Washington confirmed on Sept. 10 earlier media reports that Russia had received shipments of Iranian Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles. A day prior, Iran denied it had delivered ballistic missiles to Russia, claiming the ongoing reports were "psychological warfare."

"We are willing to sit down with the Europeans and the Americans to have a dialogue and negotiations. We have never approved of Russian aggression against Ukrainian territory," Pezeshkian claimed in New York.

Read also: Russian troops aim to encircle Vuhledar, Ukraines last fortress in southern Donbas

Pezeshkian became the country's president on Aug. 30, 2024. During his first press conference after taking office he also denied supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.

"There may have been such deliveries in the past. But I can assure you that there have been no such deliveries to Russia since I took office," Pezeshkian said.

Ukraine, the E.U., and the U.S. introduced more sanctions against Iran in the wake of the confirmation of the missile delivery to Russia.

The confirmation of the deliveries marked a "further escalation of Iran's military support to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," the U.K., France, and Germany said in their Sept. 10 joint statement.

Russia and Iran have deepened their military and political cooperation since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Tehran has provided Moscow with thousands of Shahed kamikaze drones used in attacks against Ukraine.

Read also: Russia now has Irans Fath-360 ballistic missile  heres what it means for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Iranian President says he "seeks negotiations with West" regarding war in Ukraine

Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, has stated that he seeks negotiations with Western countries regarding the Russian war in Ukraine and has allegedly never approved of Russian aggression.

Source: The Guardian

Details: Pezeshkian called Russian war against Ukraine "aggression" and denied the claims that his country has been supplying Russia with ballistic missiles since the moment of his entry into office in July 2024. He also promised not to do it in the future, even though he didnt mention the drones Iran provides for Russia.

Pezeshkian said that Iran was "willing to sit down with the Europeans and the Americans to have a dialogue and negotiations" amid allegations that Iran supplies Russia with missiles.

Updated: European Council President Charles Michel met with Pezeshkian in New York and during the meeting expressed concerns about Irans arms sales to Russia, the destabilisation of the region through proxies, detained EU citizens, the nuclear programme and the human rights situation to the president.

Laurence Norman, a correspondent of The Wall Street Journal, learned from a source that Michel told Pezeshkian that relations between Iran and Europe were at an all-time low.

He pressed the Iranian president on issues of human rights, the nuclear programme, regional destabilisation, missile deliveries and European prisoners in Iran.

Previously: Pezeshkian became the President of Iran after his predecessor Ebrahim Raisi died in a plane crash.

Background:

Western media reported that Iran has supplied Russia with short-range ballistic missiles. Some sources reported the number of over 200 missiles.

Reuters, which was the first agency to report about the preparation of a ballistic missile delivery from Iran to Russia, stated that this may be about the Fath-360  a system which launches ballistic missiles with a maximum range of 120 km and with a warhead which weighs over 150 kg.

The National Security Council of the White House stated that if Iran has supplied or will ever supply Russia with ballistic missiles, it would be a "dramatic escalation".

Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament, admitted that Iran had supplied Russia with Iran-made ballistic missiles it needed for attacks on Ukraine.

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The News

Irans Revolutionary Guard ordered its members to stop using pagers and other personal communication devices amid fears that recent explosions targeting Hezbollah members pagers and walkie talkies may be part of a larger operation aimed at Tehran and its proxies in the Middle East.

The precision and scale of the attacks in Lebanon last week underscore the vulnerabilities of personal communication devices, a security expert wrote in a New York Times essay  ranging from cyberattacks to law enforcement and government actors making compromised devices distributed to unknowing targets, as Hezbollah has accused Israel of doing.

SIGNALS

Attacks underscore risks of insecure communications in conflict zones

Sources: The New York Times, Business Insider, Foreign Policy

The concern that phones pose a risk for their owners is not exclusive to Hezbollah: In 1996 and 2000, Israel placed bombs inside cell phones to target Hamas and another Palestinian activist, a security expert noted in a New York Times column. In Ukraine, the countrys military has repeatedly targeted Russian positions using data gleaned from its soldiers phones, suggesting its military lacks secure means of communicating, Business Insider noted. The cellphone is the new cigarette in the foxhole, a US major general told Foreign Policy, adding that army trainers are increasingly warning soldiers about how dangerous phones could be during military operations.

Targeted attacks on personal devices may represent the future of warfare

Source: Lowy Institute

The pager attacks demonstrate that Israel, which has not taken responsibility for the attack, may be able to strike in a more discriminate and imaginative way than through typical means, like rockets, a retired Australian army official wrote for the Lowy Institute think tank. It implies Israels capacity to wage a kind of personal warfare similar to the use of armed drones targeting individual soldiers in Russia and Ukraine. These types of strikes can occur far from a battlefield, the official noted, if groups can access the personal devices of government officials or politicians.

Law enforcement increasingly targeting encrypted devices to curb crime

Sources: Inc., CNN

International intelligence services and militaries have long targeted adversaries encrypted communications in methods that are being increasingly adopted by domestic law enforcement agencies. In a 2021 FBI operation dubbed Trojan Shield, the agency ran an encrypted smartphone company that compromised more than 10,000 organized crime members. And earlier this year, Australian police infiltrated an encrypted messaging app popular with criminals, leading to arrests in Sweden, Ireland, and Canada.
Smoke from heavy Israeli air raids billows from the southern Lebanese Marjayoun Terrain. The death toll has risen to 182 people with 727 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Monday. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, called on Monday for an end to the Israel's "brutal" attacks on Lebanon and the protection of the Lebanese people.

In a rare political statement, al-Sistani called for "every possible effort to stop this ongoing barbaric aggression."

He also urged "believers to contribute towards alleviating the suffering [of the Lebanese people] and securing their humanitarian needs."

The 94-year-old cleric expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people as "they are increasingly facing the brutal Israeli aggression," including the recent coordinated blasts involving walkie-talkies and pagers and strikes on southern villages.

In August, al-Sistani also called for an end to "the genocidal war" in Gaza.
Michael D Higgins made the comments at the United Nations in New York on Sunday [Reuters]

The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has accused the Israeli Embassy in Dublin of circulating a letter he wrote to the President of Iran.

The Israeli Embassy in Dublin has labelled Higgins' comments as "baseless", "highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous".

The Irish president was criticised last month when the letter to Masoud Pezeshkian became public, following Pezeshkian's appointment as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Speaking at the United Nations (UN) in New York on Sunday, Higgins said he believed that his letter had been circulated by Israeli officials.

Masoud Pezeshkian became president of Iran in July [Reuters]

"You should ask where the criticism came from and how the letter was circulated and by whom and for what purpose," Higgins said.

Pressed by journalists as to where he believed the letter came from, Higgins said he believed "it was circulated from the Israeli embassy" in Dublin.

Higgins said he wrote to congratulate a new head of state and that there had been some interest in re-starting nuclear talks with Iran.

He told Pezeshkian that Iran had a "crucial role" in peace in the Middle East following the death of his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter crash in May.

"I regret of course the circumstances that brought about the election, and take the opportunity to repeat the condolences of the people of Ireland for the deaths of your predecessor President Raisi," the letter read.

The letter appeared in the Jewish Chronicle and prompted criticism in both the UK and Ireland.

The Israeli embassy in Dublin said the accusations were highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous [Getty Images]

In a statement, the Israeli embassy said: "Unfortunately in Ireland, since the October 7 invasion by Hamas and massacre in Israel, which triggered this awful war, Israel has been subjected to a high level of malicious statements and accusations that have often manifested as incitement to hatred.

"This baseless accusation is highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous, and the embassy rejects it completely."

The statement added that it is the "burden of the author to defend its content, which did not mention the threat Iran poses in the region".

The spokesperson referenced the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on concert goers in Israel when about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has said more than 40,000 people have been killed in the territory because of Israel's response.

'Standard diplomatic practice'

A spokesperson for the Irish president's office said: "The exchange of letters upon the coming to office of a new head of state is standard diplomatic practice for countries which share diplomatic relations.

"As is usual practice, the letter in question was drafted based on material supplied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and issued via standard diplomatic channels. Such letters have been sent to incoming presidents of Iran for a number of decades.

"In response to questions, the president indicated his view that this standard diplomatic letter had been circulated over the summer and presented as being something out of the ordinary.

"The president made no accusations of a leak, he solely referred to the letter being circulated. In this context, the question of reporting does not arise."

The Taoiseach Simon Harris has defended Higgins' comments [PA Media]

The Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris, also at the UN in New York, has defended the Irish president, stating his concerns was the loss of life in Gaza.

Harris said that Israel "is continuing to allow a horrific humanitarian situation continue".

"I think the Israeli embassy should be focusing on things other than amplifying, circulating or referencing a letter that does really conform with normal diplomatic protocol between heads of state," Harris said.

"Certainly, my focus here in New York is not on an exchange of letters, but is on the fact that there is still a horrific, bloody humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the middle east.

"I have no interest whatsoever in getting into any sort of tit-for-tat or back-or-forth with the Israeli embassy or the government of a country that is continuing to allow this horrific humanitarian situation continue," Harris added.
The collapse of construction giant ISG is "devastating" for the sector and could lead to other firms going under, the boss of an industry trade body has said.

The chief executive of Build UK, Suzannah Nichol, told the BBCs Today programme that many smaller firms in the supply chain would not now receive money, putting their future at risk.

Workers and suppliers have told the BBC they are "shocked" and "demoralised" by the news of ISG's collapse.

The company, which holds more than 1bn worth of government contracts, fell into administration last week and 2,200 workers were made redundant with immediate effect.

Liam Byrne, chair of the Business Committee, said he was "deeply concerned" at what had happened.

ISG, owned by the US firm Cathexis, is the sixth largest construction firm in the UK by turnover, according to the Construction Index, with revenues of about 2.2bn.

In the past it has built the velodrome for the 2012 London Olympics.

The company had been struggling financially for some months but attempts to secure a rescue deal failed.

'I'm gutted'

Neil Hallsworth from Nottingham has been on ISGs books as a project manager for more than 15 years.

Although he is confident he will find a new role elsewhere, he says he is gutted and feels very raw after learning he is among those to lose his job.

He says there were rumours on Thursday last week that ISG was in trouble, but it wasn't until 4pm on Friday that "we were told, no jobs, no money".

Its absolutely demoralising. I feel extremely let down," he says.

Some of the contractors are owed a fortune.

Paul Margan, from Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire, runs a small family business that has just completed an order valued at more than 20,000 for ISG, but he is now worried his firm will not be paid.

He said he was "shocked" at the news of ISG's administration and finds the situation "really disappointing and demoralising".

He thinks the government should step in to tighten up the rules on when firms can continue to trade.

Mr Margan says his firm will be OK, but thinks there is "no doubt a lot of companies will go under".

Another supplier to ISG, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC they were owed hundreds of thousands of pounds and the collapse "would really hurt us".

"I know of other contractors who are owed over 1m and I suspect some of them will go to the wall," they said.

The supplier said the shockwaves would be felt throughout the industry, but added that "given the big shortages in labour and skills in the sector, I'd expect most [ISG] employees to be OK".

Construction 'undervalued'

In an email to staff last week, ISG chief executive Zoe Price said the current situation had arisen due to "legacy issues" relating to "large loss-making contracts" secured between 2018 and 2020.

According to data analysts Barbour ABI, ISG was involved in 69 government projects including work on prison refurbishment for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

It was working on 22 projects for the MoJ, including a 300m contract to extend Grendon Springhill 2 prison and a 155m deal to expand three prison sites.

An MoJ spokesperson said the ministry had "robust contingency plans in place" to mitigate the impact of ISG's collapse.

"We will work with administrators and will find alternative ways to deliver these projects where necessary.

The company was also involved in 16 projects each for both the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, according to Barbour ABI.

The last time we saw a Tier 1 main contractor go under (Carillion in 2018), schemes such as the Royal Liverpool and Midland Metropolitan Hospitals were delayed by up to seven years and the extra cost of delays needs to be factored in, said Barbour ABI analyst, Ed Grifiths.

ISG's collapse is the most high-profile in the UK's construction sector since Carillion fell into adminstration in 2018.

Industry watchers say its demise is symptomatic of problems across the industry, with profit margins running at about 2%.

Speaking to the Today programme, Ms Nichol said: "Construction remains undervalued, and people underestimate the cost of construction.

"Whilst there have been changes since Carillion six years ago, there clearly has not been enough change.

"We know construction runs on very thin margins. You only need one project to go wrong and get delayed and you start to have cashflow issues," she added.

"ISG had two major contracts which they started, mobilised and then were stopped by the client and that happens time and time again in construction."

Liam Byrne voiced his concern at the news of ISG's collapse, which he said could now "imperil thousands of jobs".

"Its why weve got to transform the quality of UK accounting so it once again provides the early warning system that investors, workers and suppliers deserve."

Additional reporting by James Kelly
A man watches rescuers sift through the rubble as they search for people still missing at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

MARJAYOUN, Lebanon (AP)  Israeli strikes Monday on Lebanon killed more than 490 people, including more than 90 women and children, Lebanese authorities said, in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of its widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since 2006.

Lebanon's health ministry said the strikes killed 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, and wounded 1,645 people  a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

In a recorded message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to heed Israeli calls to evacuate, saying take this warning seriously.

Please get out of harms way now, Netanyahu said. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.

Israel's military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the army will do whatever is necessary to push Hezbollah from Lebanons border with Israel.

Hagari claimed Mondays widespread airstrikes had inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah. But he would not give a timeline for the operation and said Israel was prepared to launch a ground invasion of Lebanon if needed.

We are not looking for wars. We are looking to take down the threats, he said. We will do whatever is necessary to do to achieve this mission."

Hagari said Hezbollah has launched some 9,000 rockets and drones into Israel since last October, including 250 on Monday alone.

The military said Israeli warplanes struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets Monday, destroying cruise missiles, long- and short-range rockets and attack drones. The spokesman said many were hidden in residential areas, showing photos of what he said were weapons concealed in private homes.

Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone, he told a news conference.

Israel estimates Hezbollah has some 150,000 rockets and missiles, including guided missiles and long-range projectiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.

Earlier Monday evening, the Israeli military said it had carried out a targeted strike in Beirut. It did not give details. Lebanons state-run National News Agency reported three missiles hit southern Beirut's Beir al-Abed neighborhood. Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV said six people were wounded.

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said the earlier strikes hit hospitals, medical centers and ambulances. The government ordered schools and universities to close across most of the country and began preparing shelters for the displaced.

Some strikes hit residential areas in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley. One hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos, more than 80 miles (130 kilometers) from the border north of Beirut.

Israel said it was expanding the airstrikes to include areas of the valley along Lebanons eastern border with Syria. Hezbollah has long had an established presence in the valley, where the group was founded in 1982 with the help of Irans Revolutionary Guards in the wake of Israels invasion and occupation of Lebanon.

Israels military chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said Israel was preparing its next phases of operations against Hezbollah, and that its airstrikes were proactive, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure built over the past 20 years.

Halevi said the goal was to allow displaced Israelis to return to their homes in northern Israel.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it fired dozens of rockets toward Israel, including at military bases. It also targeted for a second day the facilities of the Rafael defense firm, headquartered in Haifa.

The evacuation warnings were the first of their kind in nearly a year of steadily escalating conflict and came after a particularly heavy exchange of fire Sunday. Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed a top commander and dozens of fighters.

The increasing strikes and counterstrikes have raised fears of all-out war, even as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza and tries to negotiate the release of scores of hostages taken in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Hezbollah has vowed to continue its strikes in solidarity with Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed militant group.

A spokeswoman for President Joe Biden said the administration was concerned about whats happening between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and insisted that getting a cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza was key to easing tensions in the region.

Its in everyones interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters traveling with Biden to New York, where he is to deliver his final address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.

A State Department official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the private diplomatic efforts, said the U.S. and numerous other countries were keen to present an off-ramp for both Israel and Hezbollah to reduce tensions and prevent an all-out war.

The U.S. has concrete ideas for restoring calm that it will present to allies and partners at this week's U.N. General Assembly, the official said. He wouldn't detail what the concrete ideas were because he said they had yet to be presented to allies and partners for what he termed a stress test for their likelihood of success.

U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border, meanwhile, have stopped their patrols and are staying in their bases given the volume of exchange of fire, a U.N. spokesman said. Stephane Dujarric told reporters that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was alarmed at the escalating violence and large number of civilian casualties reported in Lebanon.

Monday's death toll far surpassed that of Beiruts devastating port explosion in 2020, when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse detonated, killing at least 218 people and wounding more than 6,000.

The Lebanese Health Ministry asked hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley to postpone non-urgent surgeries to treat people wounded by Israels expanding aggression on Lebanon.

On Monday, residents received text messages reading: If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, Lebanese media reported.

Lebanon's information minister, Ziad Makary, said his office in Beirut had received a recorded message telling people to leave the building.

This comes in the framework of the psychological war implemented by the enemy, Makary said, and urged people not to give the matter more attention than it deserves.

Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure. That could lead the Israeli military to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

An Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb on Friday killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen fighters, as well as dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000, many of them civilians. Lebanon blamed Israel, but Israel did not confirm or deny responsibility.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel a day after the Oct. 7 attack in what it said was an attempt to pin down Israeli forces to help Palestinian fighters in Gaza. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes, and the conflict has steadily intensified.

Hezbollah has said it will keep up attacks until there is a cease-fire in Gaza, but that appears increasingly elusive as the war nears its anniversary.

Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 captives are still held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November.

Israel's offensive has killed over 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and fighters. It says women and children make up a little over half of those killed. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

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Lidman reported from Jerusalem, and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut; Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani in New York; and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

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Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Emergency workers use excavators to clear the rubble at the site of Friday's Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday, killing 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, as the Israeli military called on residents to immediately evacuate places where it claimed the Hezbollah militant group stores weapons.

Thousands of people fled southern Lebanon, jamming the main highway to Beirut in the biggest exodus since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. More than 1,645 people were wounded in the strikes, the Health Ministry said, a staggering one-day toll for the country.

The Israeli military said it hit more than 1,600 targets Monday linked to Hezbollah weapons sites. It said it was expanding the operation to include areas of the Bekaa Valley, along Lebanons eastern border.

Residents of different villages in southern Lebanon posted photos on social media that they said showed their towns that were being struck.

The wave of airstrikes came after a day after Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets into northern Israel, with some landing near the city of Haifa.

Hezbollahs rockets were in response to an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb on Friday that killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen members, along with civilians including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communications devices, used mainly by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000. Lebanon blamed the attacks on Israel, but Israel did not confirm or deny its responsibility.

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Heres the latest:

Israeli warplanes struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israels army says Israeli warplanes have now struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets, up from 1,300 a couple of hours ago. In a statement, it says hundreds of aircraft took part in the attacks.

Israeli Defense Forces continue to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as part of Operation Northern Arrows, it said.

Targets hit include launchers, command posts and infrastructure in numerous areas in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

UN peacekeepers have stopped patrols in south Lebanon near the Israeli border

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border have stopped their patrols and are staying in their bases given the volume of exchange of fire, the U.N. spokesman said.

Stephane Dujarric told reporters Monday that the level of firing across the U.N.-drawn Blue Line boundary between Israel and Lebanon puts them at greater risk.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is alarmed at the escalating violence, and the reports of a large number of civilian casualties reported in Lebanon, he said.

The U.N. chief is gravely concerned for the safety of civilians both in southern Lebanon and northern Israel as well as for U.N. staff, the U.N. spokesman said.

The message to the parties that are firing at each other across the Blue Line, to all the parties involved in this conflict, is step back from the brink, Dujarric said. Stop the escalation.

U.S. will present concrete ideas for restoring calm along the Israel-Lebanon border at UN General Assembly

NEW YORK - The U.S. has concrete ideas for restoring calm along the Israel-Lebanon border that it will present to allies and partners this week during the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders, a senior State Department official said Monday.

The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the private diplomatic efforts, said the U.S. and numerous other countries were keen to present an off-ramp for both Israel and Hezbollah to reduce tensions and prevent an all-out war.

The official would not detail what the concrete ideas are because he said they had yet to be presented to allies and partners for what he termed a stress test for their likelihood of success.

The situation along Israels northern border, as well as so-far unsuccessful efforts to forge a cease-fire and hostage release deal in Gaza, will be on the agenda during Secretary of State Antony Blinkens dinner meeting later Monday with his counterparts from the Group of Seven industrialized democracies.

By MATTHEW LEE

U.S. Treasury expresses concerns about threats by Israel's finance minister to sever banking relations between Israeli and Palestinian banks

WASHINGTON  Treasurys Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo spoke with Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron, on Monday. He shared U.S. government concerns about Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrichs threats to sever correspondent banking relationships between Israeli and Palestinian banks and insisted that these should be extended for at least a year, according to a Treasury news release.

Adeyemo also stressed that the extension is critical to preventing an economic crisis in the West Bank, and to strengthening Israels security by countering financial flows funding terror groups, Treasury said.

White House says a cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza is key to easing tensions in the region

NEW YORK  Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said Monday that the Biden administration is concerned about whats happening between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon but insisted that getting a cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza is key to help ease tensions in the region.

Jean-Pierre said the latest conflict has gone on for too long.

Its in everyones interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically. And thats where weve been. Thats where we continue to say we need to see a diplomatic resolution, Jean-Pierre told reporters traveling with President Joe Biden to New York, where Biden is set to deliver his final address as president to the U.N. General Assembly session on Tuesday.

Jean-Pierre said securing freedom for Israelis and Americans who continue to be held by Hamas, increasing humanitarian aid into Gaza and ending the war will help ease tensions.

Thats what were going to continue to work towards, she said.

Lebanon's health ministry updates the death toll from Israeli strikes to 492 in the deadliest day of conflict there since 2006

MARJAYOUN, Lebanon  Lebanons health ministry said the strikes killed 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, and wounded 1,645 people  a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

The death toll far surpassed that of Beiruts devastating port explosion in 2020, when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse detonated, killing at least 218 people and wounding more than 6,000.

250 Iraqi fighters from Iran-backed militias land in Lebanon to support Hezbollah

BAGHDAD  About 250 Iraqi fighters from four Iran-backed militias landed in Lebanon Monday to support Hezbollah in its ongoing conflict with Israel, two Iraqi militia officials said. The militants, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, did not give details, though they said those militiamen fought alongside Hezbollah in Syria and have experience in urban warfare.

As Hezbollah started attacking Israel last October to support its allies Hamas in the Gaza Strip, an umbrella group calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq started claiming attacks on U.S. bases there and sometimes on Israel, as part of a so-called support front for Gaza.

Iraqi militias have been backed by Hezbollah, and officials have vowed to support the Lebanese group should the conflict escalate in the tiny Mediterranean country. They also fought alongside Hezbollah to support the Syrian government in thwarting opposition rebels from overthrowing President Bashar Assad from rule.

A travel agent told the AP that all flights from Baghdad to Beirut on the contrarys flagship airline are booked until October.

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA

Israel's military will do whatever is necessary to push Hezbollah from Lebanon's border with Israel, spokesman says

TEL AVIV, Israel  Israels military spokesman says the army will do whatever is necessary to push Hezbollah away from Lebanons border with Israel.

Speaking to foreign reporters, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari claimed Mondays widespread airstrikes had inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah. But he would not give a timeline for the ongoing operation and said Israel was prepared to launch a ground invasion of Lebanon if needed.

We are not looking for wars. We are looking to take down the threats, he said. We will do whatever is necessary to do to achieve this mission. We hope to do it as shortly as we can.

Hagari said Hezbollah has launched some 9,000 rockets and drones into Israel since last October, including 700 in the past week alone. He says Israel will fight until Hezbollah moves its forces far from the border, and tens of thousands of displaced Israelis can return to their homes near Lebanon.

Lebanese authorities reported over 350 dead in Mondays airstrikes, including more than 60 women and children.

Hagari accused Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields by hiding weapons in Lebanese villages and displayed videos of what he said were secondary explosions caused by Hezbollah weapons hidden in homes.

He said it was likely that some of the deaths Monday came from secondary explosions, but gave no other evidence.

Hezbollah denies reports that its senior commander was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Beirut

Hezbollah in a statement Monday denied reports that its senior commander Ali Karaki was killed in an apparent Israeli drone strike in a southern Beirut suburb.

Ali Karaki is fine and God willing is in full health and wellnesses. He has been transported to a safe area, the statement from the Iran-backed group said.

Death toll from Israeli strikes in Lebanon increases to 356, including 24 children, Lebanon's health ministry says

MARJAYOUN, Lebanon  Lebanons health ministry says the death toll from Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Monday has increased to 356, including 24 children and 42 women.

The barrage is the deadliest since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war as the Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of a widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since 2006. More than 1,240 people were wounded in the strikes, the health ministry said  a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

The death toll surpassed that of Beiruts devastating port explosion in 2020, when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse detonated, killing at least 218 people and wounding more than 6,000.

Israeli warplanes struck 1,300 Hezbollah targets

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israels military spokesman says Israeli warplanes struck 1,300 Hezbollah targets on Monday.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the strikes destroyed Hezbollah cruise missiles, rockets laden with heavy explosives, long and short-range rockets and attack drones. He said many were hidden in residential areas, showing photos of what he said were weapons hidden in private homes.

Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone, he told a news conference.

Egypt condemns Israel's attack on Lebanon, warning it will aggravate the crisis

CAIRO  Egypt on Monday condemned Israels attacks on Lebanon, warning that its military escalation will only aggravate the crisis.

In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry urged international powers and the U.N. Security Council to intervene to stop Israels escalation in the region.

President Biden to discuss efforts to end war in Gaza during meeting with the president of United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden says he planned to discuss efforts to end the war in Gaza during a Monday Oval Office meeting with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Biden told his UAE counterpart that hes been briefed on the latest developments regarding Israel and Lebanon and that his team is working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return to their homes safely.

Israel's offensive in Lebanon destroyed tens of thousands of Hezbollah's rockets

TEL AVIV, Israel  Israels defense minister says the Israeli offensive in Lebanon has destroyed tens of thousands of rockets in Hezbollahs formidable arsenal.

Yoav Gallant said during an assessment with military commanders Monday that the results of the Israeli air campaign are extremely impressive.

Today is a significant peak, Gallant said. On this day we have taken out of order tens of thousands of rockets and precise munition. What Hezbollah has built over a period of 20 years  is in fact being destroyed.

Israel estimates that Hezbollah has some 150,000 rockets and missiles, including guided missiles and long-range projectiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.

Israel urges the UN Security Council to implement a resolution for Hezbollah to move its forces far from the Israeli border

JERUSALEM  Israels foreign minister has urged the U.N. Security Council to implement a 2006 resolution calling on Hezbollah to move its forces far from the Israeli border.

Resolution 1701 ended a monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution required Hezbollah to move some 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, but it has refused, accusing Israel of failing to carry out provisions.

In a letter to the council, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the council must act to bring about a full implementation of the resolution. He warned that Israel would not tolerate the ongoing war of attrition with Hezbollah.

Israel is not interested in a full-scale war, he wrote. However, we will take all necessary measures to protect ourselves and our citizens in accordance with international law as part of the ongoing armed conflict against Hezbollah.

He also called for international sanctions against Iran, saying the Tehran government is the mastermind behind Hezbollahs attacks.

Israel prepares for next phases of operations against Hezbollah

JERUSALEM  Israels military chief says Israel is preparing its next phases of operations against Hezbollah.

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi told soldiers Monday that Israels airstrikes were proactive and targeting Hezbollah infrastructure built over the past 20 years.

We are striking targets and preparing for the next phases, he said, promising to release details in the near future.

He says the goal of the offensive is to allow tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to return to their homes in northern Israel.

Israeli military carries out targeted strike in Beirut

BEIRUT  Lebanons state-run National News Agency is reporting an Israeli strike on a southern Beirut suburb with three missiles.

Al-Manar TV of Lebanons Hezbollah group said six people were wounded in the strike on the Beir al-Abed neighborhood adding that they were rushed to hospital.

A Hezbollah official confirmed the airstrike without giving further details.

The area was cordoned and journalists were not allowed to get close to the building that was hit.

Netanyahu urges Lebanese to evacuate their homes

JERUSALEM  Israels prime minister urged Lebanese civilians to heed Israeli calls to evacuate their homes, saying take this warning seriously.

Benjamin Netanyahu issued the warning Monday in a videotaped message his office said was aimed at Lebanese civilians. He spoke as Israeli warplanes continued to strike alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

Earlier Monday, Israel ordered residents in the targeted areas to leave ahead of the airstrikes. Israeli officials say Hezbollah uses civilian areas to hide weapons.

Please get out of harms way now, Netanyahu said. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.

Death toll climbs in Israeli airstrikes to 274 with 1,000 injured

BEIRUT  Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad says 274 people have been killed in ongoing Israeli strikes Monday, and more than 1,000 injured.

At a press conference in Beirut, Abiad said thousands of families have been displaced by the attacks. He also said Israeli strikes have hit hospitals, medical centers and ambulances.

The Israeli military announced that it hit some 800 targets Monday, claiming it was going after Hezbollah weapons.

Hezbollah launches over 100 missiles toward Israel

JERUSALEM  Hezbollah launched more than 100 projectiles toward Israel on Monday, the military said, reaching deep into Israel including around the northern city of Haifa and parts of the occupied West Bank.

Most of the missiles were intercepted but two people were lightly injured from falling shrapnel in northern Israel. A number of homes suffered direct hits.

School was canceled in northern Israel on Sunday and Monday and Israelis were instructed to stay close to protected areas.

The Israeli military said they had struck more than 800 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and were enlarging the operation to include eastern Lebanons Bekaa Valley as well.

According to Lebanons Health Ministry, more than 180 people were killed and 700 injured, the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon expresses grave concern for civilians

BEIRUT  The U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon expressed grave concern" for the safety of civilians in the south following the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since hostilities erupted in October.

Any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences, not only for those living on both sides of the Blue Line (the border between Lebanon and Israel) but also for the broader region, it said in a statement.

It added that attacks on civilians are not only violations of international law but may amount to war crimes.

Lebanese health officials said more than 180 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes Monday. It was not immediately clear how many of them were civilians.

The U.N. force, known as UNIFIL, said its commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro had contacted Lebanese and Israeli officials to urge de-escalation.

Lebanese Health Ministry says 182 killed and 727 wounded in Israeli airstrikes

BEIRUT  The death toll in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon has risen to 182 with 727 others wounded, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.

The Lebanese Red Cross told The Associated Press that all ambulance stations across the country have been mobilized, supporting paramedics in southern Lebanon.

Hospitals in the south are struggling with capacity and other units from the Red Cross are helping relocate wounded people to hospitals farther north, officials said.

Gaza hospitals report 24 dead and 60 wounded in last 24 hours

GAZA CITY  Israeli strikes in Gaza left 24 dead and 60 wounded in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry in the Palestinian territory said Monday.

The fresh fatalities brought the overall death toll in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7 to 41,455, and 95,878 wounded, said the ministry, which doesnt differentiate between combatants and civilians.

Israel launched its campaign vowing to destroy Hamas after the militants launched an attack on southern Israel in which they killed some 1,200 people and abducted 250 others.

Israel widens aerial offensive in Lebanon

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military says it is widening an aerial offensive against what it says are Hezbollah weapons sites in southern and eastern Lebanon.

The military said Monday that it was expanding its airstrikes to include areas of the Bekaa Valley, along Lebanons eastern border, after targeting more than 300 sites in southern Lebanon.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said residents of the Bekaa Valley must immediately evacuate areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons.

Thousands flee southern Lebanon

BEIRUT  Thousands of people are leaving south Lebanon and heading north after Israel intensified airstrikes on Monday, leaving 100 people dead and hundreds wounded.

In the southern port city of Sidon, the main north-south highway was packed with cars heading north in the direction of the capital Beirut.

Following a Cabinet meeting in Beirut Monday, Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin told reporters that some schools are being prepared in Mount Lebanon to receive those fleeing.

It was the biggest wave of displacement since the summer 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, when hundreds of thousands fled their homes in the south.

Death toll in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon rises to 100

BEIRUT  Lebanese authorities say 100 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in what would be the deadliest day in Lebanon in nearly a year of fighting against the Hezbollah militant group.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said more than 400 others were wounded in the strikes in southern Lebanon on Monday.

It said among them were women, children, and paramedics.

At least 50 killed and over 300 wounded in Israeli airstrikes, Lebanon says

BEIRUT  Lebanons Health Ministry says a wave of Israeli airstrikes on Monday has killed at least 50 and wounded more than 300 people.

The ministry said that the toll was preliminary as airstrikes intensified around noon and women and children were among the dead.

The airstrikes hit wide areas in southern and northeastern Lebanon. Israels military said it struck 300 targets across Lebanon linked to the militant group Hezbollah.

Lebanon's prime minister calls on UN to deter the aggression

BEIRUT  Lebanons caretaker prime minister on Monday called Israels wave of airstrikes a genocide in every sense of the word.

Najib Mikati made the comments at the start of a Cabinet meeting in Beirut in which he said that Israels airstrikes aim to destroy Lebanons towns and villages.

Mikati said that the Lebanese government is calling on the United Nations, the U.N. Security Council and world nations to deter the aggression.

Israeli strikes kill 1 and wound others in Lebanon, report says

BEIRUT  Lebanon's state-run National News Agency says Israeli airstrikes on different parts of Lebanon on Monday killed at least one person and wounded others.

The airstrikes hit the heights of the central province of Byblos for the first time since exchanges along the Lebanon-Israel border began in early October, NNA said. A security official confirmed the airstrike in the village of Almat.

Also targeted by the early morning airstrikes were the northeastern Baalbek and Hermel regions where a shepherd was killed and two members of his family were wounded in the fields of the village of Bodai, NNA said. It added that four other people were also wounded in Bodai and were all taken to hospitals in the area.

NNA also said that 11 people were wounded in the southern village of Aitaroun, including 1 in serious condition.

China urges its citizens in Lebanon and Israel to leave as soon as possible or move to safe areas

BEIJING  China is urging its citizens in Lebanon and Israel to evacuate or move to safe areas as the conflict between Israel and Lebanons Hezbollah is escalating.

Chinese citizens in Lebanon should take commercial flights to return to China or otherwise leave Lebanon as soon as possible for their own safety, the Consular Department of Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on social media platform WeChat on Monday.

Those who need to continue to stay in Lebanon should remain highly vigilant, effectively strengthen their security precautions and emergency preparedness and avoid going to high-risk areas and sensitive areas in the south, the statement read.

On Sunday, the Chinese Embassy in Israel cautioned its citizens in the country to be prepared for any potential attacks including by missiles, rockets and drones. It added that Chinese people were advised against traveling to Israel and entering high-risk areas in the countrys north.

Israel calls on Lebanese to leave homes where Hezbollah stores arms

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military has called on people in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate homes and other buildings where Hezbollah stores weapons and says it is carrying out extensive strikes against the militant group.

Monday's announcement was the first warning of its kind in nearly a year of low-level conflict along the border.

Lebanese media reported that residents received text messages urging them to move away from any building where Hezbollah stores arms until further notice.

If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice, the Arabic message reads, according to Lebanese media.

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the Israeli orders. Communities on both sides of the border have largely emptied out because of the near-daily exchanges of fire.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of transforming entire communities in the south into militant bases, with hidden rocket launchers and other infrastructure. That could lead it to wage an especially heavy bombing campaign, even if no ground forces move in.

Israel carried out dozens of airstrikes on southern Lebanon early Monday.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Strip kill 8 Palestinians, including 5 children

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  Palestinian medical officials say Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed eight Palestinians, including five children.

A girl and her parents were killed in a strike on a school sheltering displaced people in central Gaza early Monday. The girls two siblings were wounded.

Israel has struck several such schools-turned-shelters, saying militants hide out in them.

Another strike hit a home near the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah, killing a mother and her four children, aged 4 to 8.

The casualties from both strikes were described in hospital records, and an Associated Press reporter saw the bodies.

Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians but rarely comments on individual strikes.

Gazas Health Ministry says over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. It does not say how many were fighters. It says a little over half were women and children.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Around 100 of the captives are still being held in Gaza, and a third of them are believed to be dead.

Australia announces more aid for Gaza

CANBERRA, Australia  Australia has announced it will provide an additional 10 million Australian dollars ($6.8 million) in aid to Gaza, bringing the total since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7 last year to AU$82.5 million ($56.2 million).

A government statement said on Monday the new money would focus on women and children. It would be provided through the United Nations Population Fund, a sexual and reproductive health agency, and the U.N. agency responsible for aiding children, UNICEF.

Australia continues to push for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance to people in desperate need, and for all aid workers to be protected, the statement said.

A new crisis for displaced Palestinians: flooding

MUWASI, Gaza Strip  As the first rain of the cool season starts to fall in the Gaza Strip, displaced Palestinians living in the sprawling Muwasi tent camp are struggling to cope with flooding that is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Some children are entertained by the novelty of walking barefoot in the ankle-deep water, but their parents are less amused. The adults try to save what they can from their family's tents. One mother tries to dry her temporary home with a mop.

We woke up in the morning to find the tents with rainwater pouring on us, and water from the streets entering on us, said Rana Gozat, a displaced person from Gaza City. This is the beginning of winter. What will happen in the coming days?

Suhail Al-Barawi, a displaced person from Beit Lahiya, was helping to build sand barriers to prevent more flooding in the camp.

People wish for rain," he said, "and we say, Oh God, do not give us rain.

The nearly yearlong war between Israel and Hamas has displaced 90% of Palestinians in Gaza, according to the United Nations.

Israel defense minister praises air strikes in Beirut

Israels defense minister says recent attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon are a step toward facilitating the return of displaced Israelis to their homes in the north of the country.

Speaking Sunday evening after visiting the militarys Northern Command headquarters, Yoav Gallant described the recent air strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut as significant, important and powerful.

He says Israel will take all necessary measures to ensure the safe return of Israels northern communities to their homes.

Israeli attacks since Friday have killed dozens in Lebanon, including a veteran Hezbollah commander. Hezbollah responded with more than 100 missile attacks in northern Israel early Sunday, sending hundreds of thousands of Israelis into air raid shelters.

Gallant says: The past week has been the most difficult in the history of Hezbollahs existence especially over the past day.
Press Release

September 23, 2024 Explanation of Vote: SBN 2804 New Development Bank of the Philippines Act Senator Joel Villanueva Mr. President, dear colleagues, we wholeheartedly support the approval on Third Reading of Senate Bill No. 2804 or the New Development Bank of the Philippines Act. We would like to thank and congratulate the sponsor of the measure, Sen. Mark Villar, for pushing for this very important piece of legislation. Since its establishment, the DBP has served the medium- and long-term financial needs of various sectors, particularly agricultural and industrial enterprises in the countryside. This bill is a response to the changing times that require us to provide our people with more resources to fund developmental projects and ventures and promote financial inclusion. This is a commitment to revitalizing our economy and addressing the pressing needs of various sectors by augmenting the bank's capacity to support infrastructure, agriculture, and small businesses - which are all vital to achieve sustainable growth. We thank the sponsor for accepting all our amendments in order to strengthen the safeguards in the measure and ensure that with the expansion of its developmental mandate, the bank can meet its operational demands and maintain service quality. In closing, we are hopeful that the new charter of the DBP will ultimately contribute to the provision of more jobs to the Filipino people, foster innovation, and drive inclusive growth. Again, we vote YES to this measure. Thank you and may God bless us all.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Cambodia's National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's National People's Congress (NPC) and Cambodia's National Assembly on Monday signed a cooperation agreement to raise bilateral cooperation to new heights.

The agreement was signed by Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, and Cambodia's National Assembly President Khuon Sudary after the pair held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Zhao said that the construction of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future has, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, entered a new high-quality, high-level and high-standard era.

China is willing to work with Cambodia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enrich the connotations of the Diamond Hexagon cooperation framework, and deepen and make solid progress in the construction of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

Noting that China has always placed Cambodia in a special, important position in its neighborhood diplomacy, Zhao said China is willing to maintain high-level strategic communication and work with Cambodia to support each other firmly on issues concerning the two countries' core interests.

China is ready to accelerate development strategy synergy with Cambodia and comprehensively advance cooperation on politics, production capacities, agriculture, energy, security and people-to-people exchange, Zhao said. China is also willing to practice genuine multilateralism and work with Cambodia to safeguard the hard-won peace and stability of the region, he added.

He said that China's NPC stands ready to make joint efforts with the Cambodian legislature to give full play to the role of the counterpart exchange mechanism, coordinate various forms of cooperation, strengthen the exchange of experience in legislation and supervision, and provide a legal guarantee for pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

Zhao also called on both sides to maintain close coordination and cooperation within multilateral parliamentary organizations to safeguard the interests of developing countries, and noted that the legislatures of China and Cambodia can strengthen exchange and mutual learning in developing democracy and improving the rule of law.

Khuon Sudary said that Cambodia upholds the one-China principle firmly and actively supports the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the three major global initiatives that have been put forward by China.

The Cambodian National Assembly is willing to strengthen friendly exchange with China's NPC and make positive contributions to the development of bilateral relations, the consolidation of their traditional friendship, and the promotion of practical cooperation in such fields as the economy, trade and culture, she added. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Cambodia's National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
TEL AVIV, IsraelAcross Lebanon last week, Israeli intelligence dealt three decisive blows to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist group launching near-daily attacks on northern Israel.

On Tuesday, thousands of pager devices used by Hezbollah members (and, unbeknown to them, produced and outfitted with explosives by Israels foreign intelligence service Mossad) detonated across Lebanon.

The following day, at the funerals of those slain in the first wave of blasts, Hezbollah walkie-talkies exploded in the crowds. In all, the precision attacks killed 37 people and injured thousands more, the large majority of whom belonged to the group. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah described the strikes as an unprecedented blow to his terrorist army in a speech Thursday night.

But there was still more to come. Acting on pinpoint intelligence, the Israeli air force conducted a rare daytime air strike in Beirut on Friday, killing multiple top commanders of Hezbollahs Radwan forcesan elite unit trained to launch ground attacks into Israeli territory. And indeed, the groupwhich included the head of Hezbollahs military operations, Ibrahim Aqilwas purportedly meeting Friday to plan just such an attack.

All of these leaders were meeting to launch the same horrific, horrendous attack that we had on October 7 by Hamas, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Sunday. A Hezbollah source disclosed to Al-Monitor that the group had in fact been weighing a cross-border assault on the north in retaliation for the walkie-talkie and pager explosions.

Disrupting such an attack is one of Israels many intelligence feats in a war that began with perhaps its largest intelligence failure to date, Hamas invasion and massacre in southern Israel. But the state, which has not claimed responsibility for the electronics attacks, boasts a long tradition of covert operations, dating back to before its 1948 founding. It stems from the fact that Israel has been under an existential threat from its birth, Assaf Orion, a defense analyst at the Washington Institute and retired Israeli brigadier general, told The Dispatch. When youre in a long war, this kind of warfare is part of the war itself.

The founding of what became Israels current clandestine services can be traced back to the British Mandate period. After the United Kingdom began to renege on its promise to support the establishment of an independent Jewish state, Jewish leadership started conducting operations in 1940 through a unit called Shai, which collected information about the British and deployed operatives to surrounding countries.

In the years after 1948, the fledgling Israeli state relied heavily on human intelligence, drawing manpower from Arabic-speaking Jews who were expelled from Middle Eastern countries. Perhaps the best-known of these spies was Egyptian-born Eli Cohen, who penetrated deep behind enemy lines in Syria for years before his eventual arrest and public execution by Damascus in 1965. Posing as a Syrian businessman, Cohen collected intelligence on Syrian military positions that contributed to Israels success during the Six-Day War two years after his discovery.

Adolf Eichmann, in a bullet-proof booth, puts on earphones to hear the accusations against him in a court in Jerusalem on December 17, 1961. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

Following the Mossads successful 1960 operation in which its agents captured Nazi Adolf Eichmann and smuggled him out of Argentina to face trial, Israel also tried its hand at remote operations that were not unlike the pager attack. In the early 1960s, Israeli intelligence services developed letter bombs using thin sheets of explosive material to target ex-Nazis recruited to help Egypt with its missile program. Jerusalem also used its clandestine agencies to inform key military decisions, such as its decision to carry out a sweeping preemptive attack against a coalition of Arab states in 1967, concluding that those nations planned to launch a joint invasion.

After the murder of 11 Israelis at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, the Mossad initiated a program to track down and kill the leaders of the Palestinian terrorist group responsible. Over the course of two decades, Israeli agents assassinated Black September members in operations across multiple countries. This ethos of requital and perseverance remains today. In a press conference on Saturday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari announced that the military had killed the two Hamas terrorists who murdered six Israeli hostages in tunnels under Rafah last month, tracing them through DNA left at the underground site.

The idea is that a small force can create big effect using focused, pinpoint strikes behind enemy lines, Iftah Burman, an Israeli analyst and founder of the Middle East Learning Academy, said of Israels covert operations. Over the last decade, Israel has increasingly turned to planting technology and using that technology to collect the information and also to do the killing, if necessary, as we saw with that pager operation that Israel is presumably behind.

It wouldnt be the first time that Israel has successfully weaponized communications devices. In 1996, the Israeli Shin Bet used an exploding cellphone to kill Hamas bombmaker Yahya Ayyash.

Israel has adopted equally inventive tactics to tackle the threat posed by Iran, including operations to combat its nuclear program and proxies in the region.

Stuxneta cyberweapon developed jointly by the U.S. and Israelsilently disabled Irans nuclear centrifuges for years before its discovery in 2010. Israeli agencies have also targeted the personnel driving Irans illicit nuclear proliferation, including Tehrans top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, in a 2020 attack using a remotely operated machine gun. The Mossad reportedly affixed the weapon to a robotic apparatus before stationing it on a pickup truck on the side of a road down which Fakhrizadeh was traveling.

Israel understood that it cannot fight directly with its adversaries, such as Iran and its proxies in the region. Therefore Israel defined a strategy called the war between wars, the campaign between campaigns, Eyal Pinko, a former senior official with Israels intelligence services who is now at Bar Ilan Universitys Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, told The Dispatch. And this strategy is based on short and small operations that enable Israel to decrease or shut down Hezbollah, Iran, and others capabilities.

Public confidence in Israels intelligence community shattered on October 7 with Hamas murder of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 into the Gaza Strip. Israeli agencies have since devoted resources to targeting the Iranian-backed terrorist groups leadership in Gaza and in exile.

Last month, an explosion targeting a heavily guarded building in Tehran killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an alleged Israeli assassination. In July, an Israeli air strike in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis killed Hamas top commander, Mohammed Deif. The whereabouts of Hamas leader and October 7 planner Yahya Sinwar remain unknown, though the IDF has reportedly been minutes from closing in on his location in an underground compound.

But Israel, which long viewed Hezbollah as the greater strategic threat, has spent years collecting intelligence on and penetrating the ranks of its northern neighbor. Understanding that this is going to be a very bad war, Israel prepares for it with most of its tools of national power including clandestine activities, Orion said.

Indeed, that war may finally be on the verge of erupting, after Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets into Israel early Sunday in its deepest barrage yet. Though largely intercepted by Israels air defenses, the aerial attacks fired indiscriminately toward civilian areas injured four people and left a teenager dead after he wrecked his car as air raid sirens blared.

Israels latest maneuvers could be laying the ground for that broader war, Orion added, but they could also be employed within the context of trying to move from an endless war of attrition, which Hezbollah recommits to continuing as long as theres fighting in Gaza, to something more escalatory in order to de-escalate.

The pager explosions may also have been green-lighted to prevent a planned escalation by Hezbollah itself. According to Israeli sources, some of the devices were distributed to Hezbollah members just hours before their detonation, indicating that the terror group may have been preparing for an imminent operation. Regardless of timing, the tactical feat of last weeks attacks is one for the history books.

Something like this hasnt been done by Israel beforesomething like this hasnt been done in the world before. There is no comparison, Burman told The Dispatch. This is going to be studied in clandestine services all across the world from now on.

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Smoke from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district is visible Monday from the southern town of Marjayoun, Lebanon. (Hussein Malla / Associated Press)

Amid the threat of a wider Middle East war, Israeli warplanes pounded towns and villages in Lebanon on Monday, conducting airstrikes on what the Israeli military said were more than 1,100 Hezbollah targets.

The strikes killed 492 people and wounded 1,645 others, including 58 women and 35 children, Lebanese Health Ministry officials said.

Hezbollah responded by lobbing dozens of rockets into Israel, some reaching as far as Haifa. The group said it was targeting military bases and a weapons manufacturing company.

Late Monday, an evening airstrike hit a building in a Hezbollah-dominated neighborhood of Beirut, targeting what the Israeli military said was a senior military commander. Israeli media identified the target as Ali Karaki, head of Hezbollah's southern forces. Hezbollah officials said he survived the strike.

Mondays barrage was a sharp escalation in the yearlong fight between Israel and Hezbollah, and the deadliest day for the Lebanese since the 2006 war, when Hezbollah and Israel last faced off in a major conflict.

It comes as Israeli leaders announced a new stage in their fight against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite paramilitary faction and political party. Israel says its aim is to push Hezbollah forces away from the border to allow the return of Israeli residents to the country's north.

The Biden administration has for months urged Israel, Hezbollah and other parties to avoid a wider conflict in the region, where fighting between Israel and Hamas has already convulsed the Gaza Strip. War with Hezbollah could be even more devastating because the militant group is far better armed than Hamas.

The Pentagon said Monday that it is sending additional troops to the Middle East in response to the recent violence.

Read more: Death toll in Beirut strike rises to 37 as Israel-Hezbollah trade barrages near Lebanon border

Ahead of the Israeli strikes, residents across Lebanon reported receiving phone calls on landlines and SMS messages with warnings from the Israeli military to stay away from buildings or areas where Hezbollah was hiding or deploying weapons. Those who received phone calls in Beirut said they heard a prerecorded message with someone speaking with an Egyptian accent. Ogero, the countrys state-owned landline operator, said its systems detected some 80,000 attempted calls that were suspected to be Israeli.

Others reported the same message broadcast on Lebanese radio.

One recipient of a phone warning was the office of Lebanese Minister of Information Ziad Makari, who dismissed the warnings as part of Israels psychological war.

The Lebanese Health Ministry suspended all non-urgent surgeries so as to make space for treatment of the wounded. Abbas Halabi, Lebanons caretaker education minister, ordered all schools closed for Monday and Tuesday in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah has a dominant presence. Later, Health Minister Firas Abiad issued a statement ordering all nurseries in Lebanon to close Tuesday.

Read more: Hundreds of pagers mysteriously explode in Lebanon; Hezbollah blames Israel

Meanwhile, an exodus began from the countrys south, with motorists reporting extensive traffic jams on the main coastal highway toward Beirut. Social media were deluged with people trying to find or rent accommodation in Lebanons north.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement issued by his office that Monday's campaign was "crushing what was built by Hezbollah for 20 years," adding that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, "remains alone at the helm" after having lost "entire units" of the group's elite special forces.

Speaking in a video address Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press ahead unless Hezbollah backs down.

"I would like to clarify Israel's policy to whoever does not yet understand: We are not waiting for the threat, we are preempting it  everywhere, in every sector, constantly," he said. "We are eliminating senior figures, terrorists and missiles  and our arm is still extended. Whoever tries to harm us, we will harm them all the more forcefully."

In another later statement directed to "the people of Lebanon," he accused Hezbollah of using them as "human shields."

"It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage," Netanyahu said. "To defend our people against Hezbollah strikes, we must take out those weapons."

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III conferred with his Israeli counterpart late Sunday for the second time in less than a week to offer support for Israel's defense but also urge a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

"The secretary expressed his support for Israel's right to defend itself as Hezbollah extends its attacks deeper into Israel, and stressed the importance of finding a path to a diplomatic solution that will allow residents on both sides of the border to return to their homes as quickly and safely as possible," Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement Monday.

The air campaign comes after a bruising week for Hezbollah. In a two-day period beginning Sept. 17, the group suffered a double wave of attacks that saw thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies explode, leaving 39 dead and thousands of Hezbollah fighters, officials and administrators maimed and incapacitated.

The attacks were widely attributed to Israel, which did not claim responsibility.

On Friday an Israeli airstrike hit a residential compound in Beiruts southern suburbs, killing a top Hezbollah commander and 15 of its special forces leadership, along with more than double that number in civilians. Nine people remain missing, according to Lebanons civil defense.

Israel is gambling that the escalation will force Hezbollah to suspend its rocket campaign, which the group started on Oct. 8, one day after Hamas assault on southern Israel and the fierce Israeli bombardment on Gaza that followed. Hezbollah said it attacked Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Since then, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in a near-daily exchange of fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border. The fighting has displaced around 110,000 people in Lebanon, and about 60,000 in northern Israel, leaving both sides of the border depopulated.

Shortly before 3 p.m., the Israeli militarys Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee posted a message on the social platform X informing residents in the Bekaa Valley who live inside or near a house containing Hezbollah weaponry that they had two hours to move 1,000 yards outside their village or head to a central school close to you, and not return until further notice.

Hezbollah officials say they have no intention of stopping until a cease-fire is forged in Gaza. On Sunday, deputy leader Naim Qassem said that the group was now in an open-ended battle of reckoning with Israel and that the group was ready for all military possibilities.

The support front will continue no matter how long it takes until the war on Gaza stops, Qassem said.

Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Traces of Israeli warplanes are seen in the sky over southern Beirut. The Israeli armed forces have launched a fresh strike on a target in the Beirut Lebanese capital Beirut, the IDF said on Monday. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The Israeli armed forces have launched a fresh strike on a target in the Beirut Lebanese capital Beirut, the IDF said on Monday.

In a statement, the military spoke of a "targeted strike," without giving further details.

Rescue workers rushed to an area in southern Beirut, a stronghold of the Shiite movement Hezbollah. Ibrahim Aqil, a high-ranking military commander of the militia, was killed in the area on Friday.

Hezbollah subsequently announced the deaths of a total of 15 of its members
Heavy smoke of Israeli air raids billows from suspected Hezbollah position in the southern Lebanese village of Mahmoudieh. Israeli warplanes carried more than 50 raids on several villages one day after a deadly attack on Beirut southern suburb killing 31 people among them Hezbollah commanders of the elite al-Radwan Brigade. Marwan Naamani/dpa

The Israeli army said on Monday it had attacked more than 300 targets linked to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

The military chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, gave authorization for the attacks during consultations at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv, the army said.

The military accuses Hezbollah of deliberately hiding weapons in residential buildings, especially in the south of the country.

According to Lebanese reports, about 60 villages have been fired upon. The army had previously issued warnings to the civilian population, telling them to evacuate.

Heavy smoke of Israeli air raids billows from suspected Hezbollah position in the southern Lebanese village of Mahmoudieh. Israeli warplanes carried more than 50 raids on several villages one day after a deadly attack on Beirut southern suburb killing 31 people among them Hezbollah commanders of the elite al-Radwan Brigade. Marwan Naamani/dpa
The Israeli military expanded its Lebanon campaign with hundreds of airstrikes on Monday, as the long-simmering border conflict with Hezbollah threatened to explode into a larger war.

Dozens of Israeli warplanes struck more than 1,300 targets in southern Lebanon on Monday morning, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

At least 492 people were killed and more than 1,600 wounded in the ongoing strikes, among them women, children and medical personnel, the Lebanon Ministry of Public Health said. Of those killed, 35 were children and 58 were women, the ministry said.

PHOTO: Rockets are launched from Lebanon towards Israel amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel as seen from northern Israel, Sept. 23, 2024. (Gil Eliyahu/Reuters)

Israel also said it launched a targeted strike in Beirut. At least six people were injured in that airstrike on a residential building in Bir al-Abd, a southern suburb of Beirut, according to Lebanese state media.

Hezbollah officials said senior commander Ali Karaki -- who Israeli sources confirmed was the target of the Beirut strike -- survived the attack.

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Netanyahu considering plan to force civilians out of northern Gaza

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel was changing "the security balance, the balance of power in the North."

"For those who have not yet understood, I want to clarify Israel's policy -- we do not wait for a threat, we anticipate it," Netanyahu said. "Everywhere, in every arena, at any time. We eliminate senior officials, eliminate terrorists, eliminate missiles -- and our hands are bent."

"Whoever tries to hurt us, we hurt him even more," he added.

PHOTO: Cars sit in traffic in the southern city of Sidon, as they flee the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes, Sept. 23, 2024. (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

PHOTO: First responders and Israeli security forces gather amid debris and charred vehicles in Kiryat Bialik in the Haifa district of Israel, following a reported strike by Lebanon's Hezbollah, Sept. 22, 2024. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)

The attacks coincided with a warning by from IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari of more planned Israeli strikes against Hezbollah "terrorist infrastructure" in the border region and elsewhere.

Hagari said civilians in Lebanese villages used by Hezbollah for military purposes should "immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety."

Video and photos showed bumper-to-bumper traffic as people tried to flee southern cities.

Following the intense strikes in the south of the country on Monday morning, Hagari said the IDF would soon start hitting targets in the eastern Bekaa Valley -- another Hezbollah stronghold. Hagari claimed that every house by Israeli munitions contained "rockets, missiles, UAVs that are intended to kill Israeli civilians."

PHOTO: Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun, Lebanon, Sept. 23, 2024. (Hussein Malla/AP)

PHOTO: An Israeli jet is pictured from northern Israel on Sept. 23, 2024 amid cross-border hostilities with Hezbollah. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)

Hezbollah returned fire across the border with dozens of projectiles, the IDF said, with alarms sounding across the region. Some munitions were intercepted and some fell in open areas, the force wrote on social media.

There were about 250 launches from Lebanon into Israel on Monday, according to Israeli Emergency Officials. Hagari said there had been about 700 launches in the last week.

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service reported at least one man injured by shrapnel in the Lower Galilee area and another lightly hurt while making his way to a shelter.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a social media post that Israel "will act with full force" to change the current situation in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Katz said, "has taken the people of Lebanon hostage, placing missiles and weapons in their homes and villages to threaten Israel's civilians."

"This is a clear war crime," Katz said. "We will not accept this reality."

MORE: Israel and Hezbollah trade fresh border barrages as region braces for war

"The people of Lebanon must evacuate any home turned into a Hezbollah outpost to avoid harm," Katz continued. "We will not stop until the threat is removed from Israel's citizens and the residents of the north return safely to their homes."

Thousands of Lebanese cell phone users received a text message from the IDF on Monday, warning: "If you are in a building where Hezbollah weapons are located, stay away from the village until further notice." Similar messages were issued over Lebanese radio.

The fresh Israeli warnings come after a weekend of intense cross-border fire, with rockets, missiles and drones launched into Israel by Hezbollah met by Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon.

Fighting between the IDF and Hezbollah has been constant since Oct. 8, when the Iranian-backed militant group began attacks into Israel in protest of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip targeting Hamas. Hezbollah has said it will continue its attacks until Israeli forces withdraw from the Palestinian territory.

Tens of thousands of Israelis fled border regions under Hezbollah fire since the fighting began. Their return is a priority for Netanyahu and his government.

"We will take whatever action is necessary to restore security and to bring our people safe back to their homes," Netanyahu said on Sunday.

PHOTO: Fighters of the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah attend the funeral of top military commander Ibrahim Aqil in Beirut's southern suburbs on Sept. 22, 2024. (-/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli leaders are also demanding that Hezbollah withdraw beyond the Litani River -- some 18 miles north of the Israeli border -- as stipulated in a 2006 United Nations Security Council resolution that sought to end the last major cross-border war.

"If the world does not withdraw Hezbollah north of Litani in accordance with Resolution 1701 -- Israel will do so," Katz said on Sunday.

The conflict intensified last week with Israel's detonation of Hezbollah communication devices in Lebanon and Syria, which Nasrallah described as an "unprecedented blow" for the group.

Two consecutive days of explosions -- which killed at least 37 people and wounded 2,931, according to Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad -- were followed by the killing of Hezbollah operations chief Ibrahim Aqil and 14 other members in a Beirut airstrike.

MORE: What we know about the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria

The bombing in the Hezbollah-aligned Dahiya suburb killed at least 45 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The dead included at least three children -- aged 4, 6 and 10 -- and seven women, the ministry said. Dozens more people were wounded.

Hezbollah leaders said they would continue their operations despite last week's setbacks.

Deputy Secretary General Naim Qasem spoke at Aqil's funeral in Beirut on Sunday, telling hundreds of mourners that the conflict has now entered "a new phase" which he called an "open-ended battle of reckoning".

"Threats won't stop us, and we don't fear the most dangerous possibilities," he continued. "We are ready to face all military scenarios."

Israeli communities in the north of the country are braced for further escalation. The IDF issued new security guidance on Sunday closing schools and beaches in the region, while the Rambam Hospital in Haifa transferred patients to an underground facility.

PHOTO: Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities with Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre in southern Lebanon on September 23, 2024. (Aziz Taher/Reuters)

This weekend, the State Department reissued its level 4 "do not travel" warning for Lebanon, noting "recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut."

The Department's July warning for American citizens to "depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available" is unchanged. "At this time, commercial flights are available, but at reduced capacity," the advisory said.

"If the security situation worsens, commercial options to depart may become unavailable."

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Israel's right to defend itself and stressed the importance of achieving a diplomatic solution to return citizens to their homes in the north" in a Sunday phone call with Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, per a Pentagon readout.

Austin also "emphasized his concern for the safety and security of U.S. citizens in the region," the Pentagon said.

ABC News' Dana Savir, Ghazi Balkiz, Joe Simonetti and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.

Israel hits 1,300 targets in expanded Lebanon strike campaign against Hezbollah originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Israel has shut down a foreign news outlet in the contested West Bank region for the first time.

As fighting with Hezbollah worsens, reports said that Israel yesterday raided Al Jazeera in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and ordered the satellite office to be shut for 45 days.

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According to the Associated Press, the Israeli military has acknowledged conducting the raid, alleging without providing evidence that the newsroom is being used to incite terror, to support terrorist activities and that the channels broadcasts endanger  security and public order.

Al Jazeera says it has continued operating in the West Bank and also in the Gaza strip while broadcasting live from nearby Jordan. In a statement, the Qatar-backed news outlet said it will not be intimidated or deterred by efforts to silence its coverage.

The move is the latest media crackdown as the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel approaches. In May, Israeli police raided Al Jazeeras broadcast position in East Jerusalem, seizing equipment, preventing broadcasts and blocking websites.

Fighting against Lebanon has ramped up in recent days since covert blasts on pagers and walkie-talkies killed a number of people and injured thousands. Israel has not taken responsibility but is being blamed by Hezbollah. The pair have been exchanging rocket fire over the weekend after Hezbollah vowed retaliation. Simultaneously, prospects for a Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas appear to have dimmed.

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(Bloomberg) -- Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon killed 274 people on Monday, local authorities said, as escalating hostilities between the two sides stoke international concern about the eruption of a full-on war.

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The attacks injured more than 1,000 people, including women and children, according to Lebanons health ministry. Israeli medics said eight people were wounded in northern Israel as a result of Hezbollahs own assaults.

Israel targeted dozens of southern towns including Tyre and Bint Jbeil, Lebanese media said, while Jbeil in the north  some 170 kilometers (106 miles) from the border  reported its first missile hit. The Israeli military said it struck a total of about 800 targets in south Lebanon and the eastern region of Bekaa, including buildings where Iran-backed Hezbollah hid rockets and other military infrastructure.

The Israel Defense Forces said it conducted a targeted strike in Beiruts southern suburbs, without immediately providing further detail. Hezbollah is known to have a presence in the area.

The two sides have been exchanging cross-border rocket fire almost daily since Israels war with Hamas erupted last October, but the conflict has stepped up in the past week. The US is urging restraint and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has spoken to Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant several times in recent days, stressing the importance of achieving a diplomatic solution, the Pentagon said.

The US will send a small number of additional troops to the Middle East, according to Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder.

Israel is looking to degrade Hezbollahs military capabilities and is focusing on an aerial campaign for now, an Israeli military official said, indicating a ground invasion isnt imminent.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would prefer using diplomacy to stop Hezbollahs attacks, but such efforts are failing. His cabinet made the return of tens of thousands of displaced civilians from the north a primary war objective last week, while Gallant has said the militarys focus should shift from Gaza and Hamas to the northern front and Hezbollah.

Both Hezbollah and Hamas are sponsored by Iran and considered terrorist organizations by the US.

I want to clarify Israels policy: we do not wait for the threat, we are ahead of it, Netanyahu said on Monday, predicting complicated days ahead.

In a video message to the Lebanese people, he added: The IDF has warned you to get out of harms way. I urge you  take this warning seriously.

Netanyahu is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly at its summit in New York on Thursday, though his travel itinerary hasnt yet been finalized. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is due to speak at the same summit on Tuesday.

Bomb Shelters

In northern Israel, hundreds of thousands of people rushed to bomb shelters after 150 projectiles were fired early on Monday. Hezbollah has access to a new type of rocket that can reach as far as 100 kilometers and carry 170 kilograms of explosives in its warhead, the group said on its Telegram channel over the weekend.

Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli army sites north of Haifa as sirens sounded, including in civilian areas. Israeli police reported a house being hit and rockets falling in several locations in the Lower Galilee.

Until last week, Israel and Hezbollah largely focused their strikes on military targets and those near the border area. Yet Israel has grown increasingly frustrated with its inability to stop Hezbollahs missile and drone attacks, or enable its displaced civilians from the north to return home.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Hezbollah and Lebanon blamed Israel for blowing up thousands of pagers and walkie talkies mostly used by members of the group. The two-day operation in Lebanon killed at least 39 people, including civilians and children, and injured thousands. Israel didnt confirm or deny responsibility.

Lebanons Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the UN and world powers to act quickly to stop Israel and Hezbollah falling into the unknown.

Hezbollah is a Shiite militant group that, like Hamas, Iran has trained and funded. It is considered the most powerful non-state actor in the Middle East, with tens of thousands of missiles and fighters at its disposal. Its also a political party with substantial support in Lebanon.

The latest flare-up has helped push up oil prices, with traders concerned an all-out war between Hezbollah and Israel would force Iran and the US to get involved directly to support their allies.

Sinwar Whereabouts

Also on Monday, an Israeli military spokesperson said its possible Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar has been wounded or killed in air strikes on Gaza, after local media reported he has recently been incommunicado.

Regarding what has surfaced over the last day about Sinwar, I do not rule it out nor do I confirm it, Daniel Hagari said.

The Israeli government says Sinwar masterminded the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Last month, he was promoted to succeed the groups political head, Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran, and is now the point-man for long-deadlocked truce talks mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt.

The US has said that a cease-fire in Gaza will help calm regional tensions. Israels government says it cannot wait for a truce in the Palestinian territory before neutering the threat of Hezbollah.

Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostage with its attack on Oct. 7. Israels subsequent air and ground offensive has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there.

--With assistance from Galit Altstein, Dan Williams and Omar Tamo.

(Updates with more detail. An earlier version corrected the location of Hamas attack in the final paragraph.)

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(Bloomberg) -- Israel launched airstrikes on targets across southern Lebanon, killing nearly 500 people in one of the deadliest days of fighting in nearly two decades and fanning fears of all-out war.

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Some 1,650 people were wounded in the strikes and about 100 women and children were among the dead, the Lebanese health ministry said. Israeli officials said many of those killed were members of the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, and argued that the group had placed rocket launchers in private homes.

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The strikes were a major escalation just days after an attack in which pagers and walkie-talkies owned by Hezbollah members exploded. Israel didnt take credit for that campaign but the group blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government.

I want to clarify Israels policy: we do not wait for the threat, we are ahead of it, Netanyahu said Monday. He predicted complicated days ahead.

One Israeli military official said the country is focused on an aerial campaign to degrade Hezbollahs military capabilities, suggesting a major ground invasion was not imminent.

But a senior US official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said its important to take seriously Israels preparations for an invasion and that the US is focused on breaking the escalatory cycle.

In any event, it was the deadliest day of strikes since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The strikes occurred as world leaders including Netanyahu were descending upon New York for the annual high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, where Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip was set to be a focus.

The US is urging restraint and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has spoken to Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant several times in recent days, stressing the need for a diplomatic solution.

The two sides have been exchanging cross-border rocket fire almost daily since Israels war with Hamas erupted last October, but the conflict has stepped up in the past week.

The US will send a small number of additional troops to the Middle East, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said without elaborating. NBC News reported the military personnel may be ready to help Americans evacuate from Lebanon, adding the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier group could be sent to the region to augment the American military presence.

The State Department warned Americans in an updated advisory dated Sept. 21 against traveling to Lebanon and said its embassy may not be able to assist US citizens who choose to remain. The department also urged US citizens to depart Lebanon via commercial options while they are still available.

Netanyahu has said he would prefer using diplomacy to stop Hezbollahs attacks, but such efforts are failing. His cabinet made the return of tens of thousands of civilians displaced from Israels north by the threat of attacks a primary war objective last week, while Gallant has said the militarys focus should shift from Gaza and Hamas to the northern front and Hezbollah.

Both Hezbollah and Hamas are sponsored by Iran and considered terrorist organizations by the US.

In a video message to the Lebanese people, Netanyahu added: The IDF has warned you to get out of harms way. I urge you  take this warning seriously.

In northern Israel, hundreds of thousands of people rushed to bomb shelters after 250 projectiles were fired early Monday. Hezbollah has access to a new type of rocket that can reach as far as 100 kilometers (62 miles) and carry 170 kilograms of explosives in its warhead, the organization said on its Telegram channel over the weekend.

Hezbollah said it had targeted Israeli army sites north of Haifa as sirens sounded, including in civilian areas. Israeli medics said eight people were wounded in northern Israel as a result of the Hezbollah assault. Israeli police reported a house being hit and rockets falling in several places in the Lower Galilee.

In New York, Danny Danon, Israels UN ambassador, said in an interview that Hezbollah has placed rocket launchers in private homes and other civilian facilities and Israel had urged those nearby to move away from those locations.

Netanyahu is scheduled to address the General Assembly this week, though his travel itinerary hasnt yet been finalized.

Danon said Netanyahu was scheduled to land in the US on Thursday morning, speak at the UN on Friday morning and to head back to Israel Saturday night. Now, it can change, because we will follow the events in Israel.

Until last week, Israel and Hezbollah largely focused their strikes on areas near the border. Yet Israel has grown increasingly frustrated with its inability to stop Hezbollahs missile and drone attacks.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Hezbollah and Lebanon blamed Israel for blowing up thousands of pagers and walkie talkies mostly used by members of the group. The two-day operation in Lebanon killed at least 39 people, including civilians and children, and injured thousands.

Lebanons Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the UN and world powers to act quickly to stop Israel and Hezbollah falling into the unknown.

Hezbollah is a Shiite militant organization that, like Hamas, Iran has trained and funded. It is considered the most powerful non-state force in the Middle East, with tens of thousands of missiles and fighters at its disposal. Its also a political party with substantial support in Lebanon.

Sinwars Whereabouts

Also on Monday, an Israeli military spokesperson said its possible Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar has been wounded or killed in air strikes on Gaza, after local media reported he has been incommunicado.

Regarding what has surfaced over the last day about Sinwar, I do not rule it out nor do I confirm it, added the spokesperson, Daniel Hagari.

The Israeli government says Sinwar masterminded the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza. Last month, he was promoted to succeed the groups political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran, and is now the point-man for long-deadlocked talks mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt.

The US has said that a cease-fire in Gaza will help calm regional tensions. Israels government says it cannot wait for a truce in the Palestinian territory before neutering the threat of Hezbollah.

Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostage with its assault last Oct. 7. Israels subsequent air and ground offensive has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which doesnt differentiate between combatants and civilians.

--With assistance from Sherif Tarek, Bill Faries, Jon Herskovitz, Nurin Sofia and Philip Glamann.

(Updates with NBC report on troop movement and State Department advisory from paragraph 10.)

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Israel targets new Hezbollah second in command in devastating wave of bombings

A second Israeli air strike on the Shia suburbs of southern Beirut in just four days was aimed at killing Ali Karaki, the movements military chief in southern Lebanon and one of Hezbollahs last remaining battlefield commanders on Monday.

It was unclear if he was killed. Hezbollah claimed that he had survived and been moved to a safe house.

The possible death of Karaki would remove yet another of Hezbollahs most seasoned and senior military leaders, dealing the Iran-backed group another significant blow as it struggles with Israels increasingly ferocious offensive to destroy its missile-firing capabilities.

With its positions under attack across southern Lebanon and its strongholds in the Bekaa Valley in the east, Hezbollah fired 165 rockets and other munitions across the border, including a barrage aimed at Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Most of the rockets were intercepted.

With no anti-missile capacity of its own, Hezbollah undoubtedly had the worst of Mondays exchanges, with Israeli hitting more than 1,300 targets in by far the most intense day of the 11-month confrontation between the two sides.

Lebanons health minister said at least 356 people, including 24 children, had been killed and over 1,200 wounded in the strikes.

The movements capacity has been severely degraded over the past week. Synchronised attacks on its pagers and walkie-talkie radios incapacitated thousands of its rank-and-file members and severely disrupted its ability to communicate.

An air strike on Friday killed several senior commanders, including Ibrahim Akil, Hezbollahs special forces chief  a strike that would have badly hampered the groups ability to plan an effective response to the Israeli offensive.

After the attacks, Israel signalled that it was embarking on a new phase in its conflict with the group.

With the Israeli militarys firepower increasingly being concentrated on its second, northern front, that new phase is clearly under way.

Despite the series of successful blows struck against its enemy, it is far from clear whether an air offensive alone will be enough to silence Hezbollahs rocket fire and allow 60,000 Israeli residents to return to their homes in the north of the country.

So far at least, Hezbollah shows little sign of backing down, despite the admission from its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, last week that the attacks had damaged the group.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, warned his people of complicated days ahead but said that the new strategy would allow Israel to regain the initiative against Hezbollah.

Hezbollah fired 165 rockets towards Israel in retaliation - Gil Eliyahu/REUTERS

I promised that we would change the security balance, the balance of power in the north, he said. That is exactly what we are doing.

While the military effectiveness of Israels escalation remains to be seen, for the moment it is Lebanese civilians who are paying the price.

Israel said it had attempted to contact at least 80,000 people to warn them to evacuate villages where it claimed Hezbollah had hidden rockets, replicating a tactic used in Gaza since the onset of hostilities there last October.

Israeli text messages and voice recordings warned residents to leave villages used by Hezbollah and stay 1,000m away until they received a new message telling them it was safe to return.

In a televised adress Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, warned all residents to get out of harms way

Residents in Beirut were also warned by text message to evacuate - JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

It was followed later by a video message from Mr Netanyahu urging all Lebanese civilians to get out of harms way.

Having lived through the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah which laid waste to swathes of southern Lebanon, many did not have to be told twice although some of those fleeing also pointed out that they had little idea where Hezbollah hid its weapons.

We have lived through this before, said one woman, who identified herself only as Najat, after she fled the southern city of Tyre with her family.

We fled in 2006 and we are refugees again  but this time the situation was worse. Tyre was hit more times today than in the whole of that war.

Until now both Israel and Hezbollah have sought to avoid being drawn into a repeat of the 34-day war of 2006 in which the two sides fought each other to a bloody and inconclusive standstill in the mountains of southern Lebanon.

So far, although a full air offensive seems to be underway, Israel has not yet shown any appetite for a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. Such a move would be risky for an exhausted army stretched thin by continuing war in Gaza and operations in the occupied West Bank.

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This photo taken on Sept. 22, 2024 shows a scene during the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 in Macao, south China. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

MACAO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- As lights dimmed and anticipation filled the air, the curtain was raised at the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024. On Sunday night, in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), the audience enjoyed a feast of music and a dazzling stage.

The annual event, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, conveys Chinese traditions as well as cutting-edge art design. Since its inception in 2021, the concert has become a cultural nexus in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, fostering deeper connections among the dynamic communities.

"We combined Western music, traditional Chinese music, classical music, martial arts, and lion dance to complete the opening act," said Zhao Wei, executive director of the show. It is a comprehensive artistic expression, embodying the spirit of harmony and collaboration as everyone worked together to create this performance, he added.

Swedish musician Emilia Rydberg brought her hit song "Big Big World," which resonated with lots of her fans in China. She told Xinhua that she was honored to perform in China and that the stage was "amazing."

Rydberg noted that she has a mixed background and has traveled extensively, so she enjoys cross-cultural cooperation. "It would be a dream come true to collaborate with Chinese artists," she said.

The concert was not only a party for musicians and filmmakers but also a reuniting opportunity for Olympic stars. China's gold medalists at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Fan Zhendong and Quan Hongchan, athlete representatives from Macao, and others, performed the song "I Love You China" and extended their best wishes for the upcoming 15th National Games, which will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao next year.

Performing "Right Here Waiting," U.S. artist Richard Marx said the pace of the show was fast and he was willing to come to Macao again in the future.

"This concert has showcased Macao's image as the 'City of Performing Arts' to audiences at home and abroad," said Macao resident Ieong Chi Mei. She added that the best memory for her was seeing the Olympic athletes share the stage with the artists.

The concert was hosted by the China Movie Channel Program Center, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Bauhinia Culture Group, and Phoenix Television, with support from the Galaxy Arena in Macao, and co-organized by Guangdong Radio and Television Station. 

Singers perform during the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 in Macao, south China, Sept. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

Jackie Chan performs during the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 in Macao, south China, Sept. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

This photo taken on Sept. 22, 2024 shows a scene during the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 in Macao, south China. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

China's gold medalists at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Quan Hongchan (L), Fan Zhendong (R) and singer Wang Feng perform during the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 in Macao, south China, Sept. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

China's gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Quan Hongchan (R) and bronze medalist Liu Qingyi perform during the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 in Macao, south China, Sept. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

This photo taken on Sept. 22, 2024 shows a scene during the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 in Macao, south China. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

This photo taken on Sept. 22, 2024 shows a scene during the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 in Macao, south China. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Heavy smoke of Israeli air raids billows from suspected Hezbollah position in the southern Lebanese village of Mahmoudieh. Israeli warplanes carried more than 50 raids on several villages one day after a deadly attack on Beirut southern suburb killing 31 people among them Hezbollah commanders of the elite al-Radwan Brigade. Marwan Naamani/dpa

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have warned residents of southern Lebanon who live near sites used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia to move away from those areas ahead of "extensive, precise strikes, against terror targets."

"Shortly, the IDF will engage in extensive, precise strikes, against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon," the army said in a Telegram post.

"We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety."

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that "Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a battlefield." In doing so, the militia has put "you and your families in danger," the spokesman said addressing residents in southern Lebanon.

Hagari said the warning affected dozens of villages in a zone up to 80 kilometres north of the Israeli border.

Hagari said that the strikes on targets in Lebanon come after the IDF identified Hezbollah preparations to launch rockets at Israel, adding the strikes would continue to "remove the threats."

In response to a journalist's question as to whether Israel was planning a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, Hagari repeated Israel's stance that it would do all it could to allow residents to return to their homes in northern Israel.
The News

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon intensified Monday, as Israels military continues to target Hezbollah. At least 100 people have been killed and more than 400 wounded, the highest death toll in the region since clashes between the Iran-backed group and Israel began last year.

The Israeli military had earlier advised civilians to evacuate from areas used by Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and paramilitary group.

The latest exchange follows a wave of explosions of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies last week attributed on Israel  and a deadly airstrike in Beirut Friday.

The intensifying cross-border exchanges have raised international leaders concerns that the region is heading toward an all-out war, with the European Union and UK calling for an urgent ceasefire.

SIGNALS

Israel is giving Hezbollah an implied ultimatum

Sources: The Irish Times, The Wall Street Journal

Israels escalating attacks are an attempt to break Hezbollah, The Irish Times noted. The strikes targeting the Iran-back group in Lebanon come as Israels war in Gaza against Hamas, with whom Hezbollah is aligned, has stagnated, The Wall Street Journal noted, giving Israel an opportunity to press north. In that shift and display of its strength, Israel is giving Hezbollah an implied ultimatum: make a deal to pull back from Israels northern border, or go to war, the Journal wrote.

Increasing international concern over wider regional conflict

Sources: Euronews, AFP, BBC

As Israel and Hezbollah traded fire over the weekend, several international leaders called for an immediate ceasefire. European Union Vice President Josep Borrell warned that civilians on both sides are paying an enormous price, US President Joe Biden said his administration was pushing hard to prevent a regional war, with the White House maintaining a diplomatic solution remains possible. However, Irans leadership  which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas  has accused Israel of seeking a wider conflict, AFP reported. The risk of a regional escalation looms large, the BBC wrote, as escalating attacks on Hezbollah may trigger responses from Iran or other aligned groups in Syria, Iraq, or Yemen: Should that happen, Israel is likely to strike at those forces wherever they are based.




WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  As Israel launched an aerial assault against rebel group Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Pentagon announced it is sending more U.S. troops to the Middle East.

The Pentagon would not confirm exactly how many troops its deploying only referring to them as a small amount.

The deployment only raises concerns about a broader war in the Middle East.

Right now, Israeli leaders are threatening more aggressive strikes in Lebanon if Hezbollah does not surrender.

Take this warning seriously, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

After launching its most deadly attack inside Lebanon in nearly two decades, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging civilians to flee areas where they say Hezbollah is storing weapons.

Israeli air strikes killed more than 300 people in Lebanon Monday morning in response to Hezbollah launching hundreds of rockets into Israel, most intercepted by Israels iron dome defense.

Were going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out, said President Joe Biden.

While meeting with the United Arab Emirates president at the White House President Joe Biden said his administration is pushing hard to de-escalate tensions and end the war.

That allows people return to their homes safely, said Biden.

President Biden admits hes concerned as fighting picks up.

Republicans, meanwhile, are blaming the president for the chaos spreading abroad.

We dont have strong leadership right now, said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa.).

The Trump campaign insists if the former president was in office none of this would be happening.

White House advisor John Kirby said recent strikes in Lebanon are not the best way to get a hostage deal but insists Hamas is the biggest obstacle.

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

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Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant holds a briefing on the various possible developments in the campaign against Hezbollah on Israels northern border. Shira Keinan/GPO/dpa

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday that the steadfastness of the Israeli civilian population was key to the successful continuation of the fight against the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia.

"We are intensifying our attacks in Lebanon," Gallant said during a consultation regarding the further escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah.

He stated that this would continue until Israel achieved the goal of ensuring the safe return to their homes of the residents of its northern section.

"We have days ahead where the public must show composure, discipline and full compliance with the instructions of the home front," said Gallant.

He added that lives were saved during attacks from Lebanon because people in Israel had moved into shelters.
Paramedics assist medical staff at Rambam Hospital in transporting patients from the upper floors to an underground parking area following an attack by the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

The Israeli government declared a state of emergency throughout the country on Monday following the dramatic intensification of fighting between the Israeli military and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Israeli media said the declaration will last until September 30 and means, among other things, that the size of gatherings can be restricted. So far, however, the army has not yet released any new instructions.

People hang a giant Israeli flag from the roof of a damaged building in Kiryat Bialik, following a reported strike by the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
By Maayan Lubell, Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT (Reuters) -Israel's military said it launched airstrikes against Hezbollah sites in Lebanon on Monday, which Lebanese authorities said had killed 492 people and sent tens of thousands fleeing for safety in the country's deadliest day in decades.

After some of the heaviest cross-border exchanges of fire since hostilities flared in October, Israel warned people in Lebanon to evacuate areas where it said the armed movement was storing weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a short video statement addressed to the Lebanese people.

"Israel's war is not with you, it's with Hezbollah. For too long Hezbollah has been using you as human shields," he said.

Families from south Lebanon loaded cars, vans and trucks with belongings and people, sometimes multiple generations in one vehicle. As bombs rained down, children crammed onto parents' laps and suitcases were tied to car roofs.

Highways north were gridlocked. "I grabbed all the important papers and we got out. Strikes all around us. It was terrifying," said Abed Afou, who was with his family, including three sons aged 6 to 13 and several other relatives. They sat in traffic as it crawled north.

They did not know where they would stay, he said, but just wanted to reach Beirut.

Nasser Yassin, the Lebanese minister coordinating the crisis response, told Reuters 89 temporary shelters in schools and other facilities had been activated, with capacity for more than 26,000 people as civilians fled "Israeli atrocities".

After almost a year of war against Hamas in Gaza on its southern border, Israel is shifting its focus to the northern frontier, where Iran-backed Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, also backed by Iran.

Israel's military said it struck Hezbollah in Lebanon's south, east and north, including "launchers, command posts and terrorist infrastructure." The Israeli Air Force struck about 1,600 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, it said.

Lebanon's health ministry said at least 492 people had been killed, including 35 children, and 1,645 wounded. One Lebanese official said it was Lebanon's highest daily death toll from violence since the 1975-1990 civil war.

The fighting has raised fears that the U.S., Israel's close ally, and Iran will be sucked into a wider war.

Saudi Arabia expressed deep concern on Monday and urged all parties to exercise restraint, state news agency SPA reported.

A senior U.S. State Department official said the United States did not support a cross-border escalation between Israel and Hezbollah and that Washington was going to discuss "concrete ideas" with allies and partners to prevent the war from broadening.

Israeli officials have said the recent uptick in airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon is designed to force the Iran-aligned group to agree to a diplomatic solution.

The U.S. official, briefing reporters in New York on condition of anonymity, pushed back on the Israeli position, saying the Biden administration was focused on "reducing tensions ... and breaking the cycle of strike-counterstrike."

Also in New York, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel wanted to drag the Middle East into a full-blown war by provoking Iran to join the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

"It is Israel that seeks to create this all-out conflict," he told journalists after his arrival to attend the U.N. General Assembly, saying the consequences of such instability would be irreversible.

CONFLICT 'PEAK'

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday marked a "significant peak" in the nearly year-long conflict.

"On this day we have taken out of order tens of thousands of rockets and precise munition. What Hezbollah has built over a period of 20 years since the second Lebanon War is in fact being destroyed by the IDF," he said in a statement, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

On Monday evening Israel launched a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs aimed at senior Hezbollah leader Ali Karaki, the head of the southern front. Hezbollah later said he was safe and had moved to a secure location.

But Hamas' armed wing said its field commander in southern Lebanon, Mahmoud al Nader, was killed in an Israeli air strike.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement that Israeli strikes had hit long-range cruise missiles, heavyweight rockets, short-range rockets and explosive drones.

In response, Hezbollah said it launched dozens of missiles at a military base in northern Israel.

Sirens warning of Hezbollah rocket fire sounded across northern Israel, including in the port city of Haifa, and in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, the military said.

About 60,000 people have been evacuated from northern Israel because of the cross-border fighting. Gallant said the campaign would continue until the residents had returned to their homes. Hezbollah for its part has vowed to fight until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.

Hagari said Hezbollah put weaponry "inside Lebanese villages and civilian homes, and intended to fire them toward civilians in Israel while endangering the Lebanese civilian population."

Hezbollah has not commented on the assertion that it has hidden weapons in houses, which Reuters could not independently verify, but it has said it does not place military infrastructure near civilians.

The strikes have redoubled the pressure on the group, which last week suffered heavy losses when thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by its members exploded. The operation was widely attributed to Israel, which has not confirmed nor denied responsibility.

The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major democracies warned that the Middle East risked being dragged into a broader conflict that no country would gain from, according to a statement released after meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, Tom Perry, Maya Gebeily, Abdelaziz Boumzar, Timour Azhari, Laila Bassam and Emilie Madi in Beirut, Jaidaa Taha, Adam Makary and Enas Alashry in Cairo and Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis in New York; Writing by Michael Georgy, Cynthia Osterman, Daphne Psaledakis and Stephen Coates; Editing by William Maclean, Ros Russell and Rosalba O'Brien)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a Sunday interview that his country is absolutely not looking to escalate tensions with Hezbollah into a full-blown war but that it was committed to ensuring the safe return for the tens of thousands of Israelis displaced from their homes near the northern border with Lebanon.

In an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation, Herzog said Israel did not want the war and added, But if its waged against us, we go all the way.

Absolutely not. We did not want this war. Were not seeking war, Herzog told anchor Margaret Brennan when asked whether Israel was trying to escalate the conflict into a broader war in light of its latest operation against thousands of Hezbollah fighters and recent strike killing commanders.

This war was waged upon us by the proxies of the empire of evil of Iran, on October 7 by Hamas, and on October 8 by Hezbollah. And ever since, from Lebanon in the north, and, of course, from Hamas in the south and all over the Middle East, the proxies of Iran are attacking and attacking now, he continued.

Herzog noted that, even as Israeli forces have prioritized operations in Gaza, Hezbollah has not ceased to fire missiles into northern Israel, which has displaced what Herzog said amounted to 100,000 Israelis from their homes.

While the war in Gaza is not yet over, Hamas has been degraded and no longer poses the threat it once did, freeing up Israeli resources. Israel this past week moved an elite paratrooper and combat unit, the 98th Division, to the north, according to The Associated Press. That unit played a key role in Gaza operations.

The Israeli government updated its official goals in its ongoing war in Gaza to include an additional goal of allowing residents in northern Israel to return home safely after being displaced by Hezbollah, The Times of Israel reported.

Herzog doubled down on this commitment in the interview.

Life has been shattered in our northern border. I dont think any American would have accepted it as a kind of a status quo situation in the United States. And at the end, there are things that must be done, he said.

The duty of a government or a nation is to take care of its citizens and bring them back home, he said, adding that its been nearly one year since the Israeli hostages were taken by Hamas on Oct. 7. We have 101 hostages in the dungeons in Gaza already waiting and waiting, and we are pleading for them.

Herzog praised the United States and the Biden administration for its efforts in negotiating toward a diplomatic solution, but he expressed skepticism that that prospect was within reach.

We never said that we dont want a diplomatic agreement. On the contrary, there is a very able American envoy, Amos Hochstein, the presidents adviser, whos trying to go back and forth between us and the Lebanese, he said.

But truly, lets understand the situation. When youre dealing with terror organizations, they dont really give a damn about international affairs. They take hostages, or they fire as much as they want, he said.

Now we agree, time and again, to go into rounds of talks. We support and welcome the efforts by the United States of America and the administration. Truly. We respect it tremendously, he added. But at the end of it, OK, Mr. Hochstein leaves Israel, and they keep on firing and firing, and that cannot go on forever, because our citizens must go back home.

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(Bloomberg) -- Italian government officials are growing frustrated at Germanys opposition to a potential takeover of Commerzbank AG by Milan-based UniCredit Spa, threatening to disrupt the delicate diplomatic relations between Berlin and Rome.

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Officials in Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis administration have privately criticized the fact that Berlin advocates for more European integration, and then comes out against a possible takeover of Frankfurt-based Commerzbank, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

Some in Rome have also expressed frustration at UniCredit Chief Executive Officer Andrea Orcel for being overly aggressive in his bid for the German bank, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. They are worried that it could affect relations between the two countries.

A spokesperson from UniCredit declined to comment.

UniCredit has rapidly built up a big holding in Commerzbank, which is partly owned by the German government and serves as an important source of funding for the countrys economy. The Italian lender first unveiled a stake of 9% on September 11 and then disclosed on Monday it has entered into derivatives allowing it to control 21%, effectively making it Commerzbanks largest investor before Germany.

Both moves stunned Berlin, which had already indicated on Friday that it opposes an acquisition of Commerzbank by UniCredit. Chancellor Olaf Scholz stepped up the rhetoric on Monday after the disclosure from the Italian lender that it had expanded its holding.

Unfriendly attacks, hostile takeovers are not a good thing for banks, which is why the German government has taken a clear position here, Scholz said in New York. We do not consider this to be an appropriate course of action, he said, referring to the way Orcel had acquired the Commerzbank stake.

Speaking from New York a little later in the day, Italys Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani defended UniCredit and suggested the opposition to its move on Commerzbank displayed a double standard.

In Europe, there is a free market, Tajani said. I dont understand why when someone comes to buy in Italy, they say that we are in a European system  then if an Italian buys, it is no longer a single market.

The fomenting dispute between the two countries comes just two weeks after former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi called for greater integration of the European Unions capital markets, warning that the bloc must genuinely fear for our self-preservation.

Still, the deal appears to have at least some backing from lawmakers in Germany. Frank Schaeffler, a member of the finance and budget committee in the German parliament, said in a statement to Bloomberg that it was crucial that Berlin reduce its holdings in Commerzbank to allow for a sale.

If a European bank wants to increase its presence in Germany, then that is a good thing, Schaeffler said.

--With assistance from Kamil Kowalcze, Michael Nienaber and Sonia Sirletti.

(Updates with Italian ministers quote from eighth paragraph.)

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Italy holds a trial into the killing of a woman that sparked debate over femicide

FILE - Gino Cecchettin, hugging his daughter Elena, attends a torchlit procession in Vigonovo, near Venice, northern Italy, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, after the police found the body of his other daughter Giulia. (Lucrezia Granzetti/LaPresse via AP)

ROME (AP)  The trial into the brutal killing of a 22-year-old woman started in Italy on Monday, in a case that shocked the country and fueled debate over the cultural roots of surging gender-based violence.

Authorities say Giulia Cecchettins ex-boyfriend, Filippo Turetta, also 22, has confessed to fatally stabbing her in Fosso, near Venice, on Nov. 11, 2023, just days before she was due to graduate with a biomedical engineering degree.

He now faces charges including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated by premeditation and kidnapping, and risks life imprisonment. A verdict is expected in early December, local media reported.

Prosecutors say Turetta couldn't handle it when Cecchettin broke up with him, and that he lured Cecchettin to take one last shopping trip with him and eat together before killing her.

The womans body, with more than 20 stab wounds, was found at the bottom of a ditch. Turetta fled to Germany, was caught and is now in prison awaiting for the Venice courts verdict.

Cecchettins case has grabbed headlines in Italy and worldwide, shedding a new light over the problem of femicide, which has become worryingly common across the Italian peninsula.

In 2023 alone, 120 women were killed in Italy and more than half of them died at the hands of their partners or former partners.

Cecchettins murder sparked outrage across the nation because of the brutality of the killing and the age of both the alleged killer and the victim.

Turetta wasnt present at Mondays hearing, but his lawyer Giovanni Caruso told reporters that he would likely make court appearances in the future.

Several of Cecchettins relatives have requested to be admitted as civil plaintiffs in the trial and her family has claimed about 1 million euros ($1.1 million) in damages.

Cecchettins father, Gino, said on Monday that he wasn't seeking any revenge and was fully confident in the court's decision.

At his daughter's funeral last December, he had called for men to be agents of change in a culture that undervalues the lives of women, urging them not to turn away in front of signs of violence, even the slightest.

Giulias sister, Elena, has repeatedly pointed at a cultural factor in her killing and other femicide cases in Italy, blaming a patriarchal society in which male violence and control has long been accepted.
ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM)  An Ithaca man is facing charges for allegedly performing sexually explicit acts outside young womens windows earlier this month.

Floyd G. Slater Jr., 32, was arrested after police searched his home. According to the Ithaca Police Department, IPD officers and New York State Troopers executed a search warrant on Slaters Slaterville Road home on Sept. 19 following a joint investigation into two incidents that reportedly occurred in Ithaca two weeks prior.

Authorities say Slater allegedly performed lewd acts outside two college-aged womens windows on University Avenue and Delaware Avenue on Sept. 5. The women, who didnt know each other or Slater, made similar complaints at about 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. that night.

Ithaca Police look for man who performed lewd acts outside windows

The Ithaca Police Department arrested and charged Slater with second-degree attempted burglary and exposure of a person. After he was processed at the Ithaca Police Department, Slater, who was on New York State Parole, was turned over to the New York State Police Department.

The New York State Police processed Slater on the charges of first-degree attempted sex abuse, third-degree menacing, and public lewdness. Slater was then arraigned in Tompkins County CAP Court and held without bail.

The Cornell University Police Department and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision assisted the Ithaca Police Department and the New York State Police Department with this investigation.

According to the Ithaca Police Department, law enforcement officials believe there may be other victims who havent reported similar crimes. Due to the nature of the crimes, and in the interest of community safety, police released a picture of Slater:

(Courtesy: Ithaca Police Department) Floyd G. Slater Jr.

Anyone who has additional information about the incidents that occurred earlier this month or who wants to report a crime can do so by contacting the Ithaca Police Department using one of the methods listed below:

Police Dispatch: (607)272-3245

Police Administration: (607)272-9973

Police Tip line: (607)330-0000

Anonymous Tip Submission: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips

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CONAKRY, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- A decree was issued on Saturday in Guinea banning the manufacturing, import, sale, and use of single-use plastic packaging and products across the country.

The decree, issued by Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya, aims to promote public health, promote biodegradable packaging, and tackle pollution and environmental hazards.

The ban, which covers plastic bags, oxo-degradable plastics, and other plastic-containing items, applies to all producers, importers, and individuals or businesses involved in using single-use plastic in commercial, industrial, artisanal, or professional activities.

The decree also prohibits the disposal of plastic packaging in streets, public areas, bodies of water, or natural environments, both in urban and rural areas.

However, exceptions are made for plastics used in medical, agricultural, and military operations, as well as garbage collection and packaging for water and other liquids.

Violators could face penalties such as business closure, product seizure, and fines. 
ANDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A firearms manufacturing plant headed by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) US, Inc. is coming to Anderson County, according to documents filed with county officials.

IWI US, Inc. is based out of Pennsylvania and manufactures innovative and cutting edge rifles & handguns. Discover the Carmel, Tavor, Galil Ace, Zion AR-15, Uzi, Jericho and more, according to its website. It began operations in 2013, while its parent company originally began overseas in Israel.

Experts say mosquitoes could stick around in Tennessee through fall

An Anderson County Board of Zoning Appeals application, which was filed in August, shared some details of the applicants request for the plant to be located on Mountain Road. The application was requesting a special exception for the manufacturing, production, assembly, storage and distribution of tritium and testing of firearms.

Andy Wallace, president of Anderson County Economic Development Agency, said IWI plans to invest $20 million in the project and create about 80 jobs.

This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates.

Morgan Wallen sets new Neyland Stadium attendance record

The property parcel is owned by MLilly USA, according to the Anderson County Board of Zoning Appeals. The board unanimously approved the application at its meeting on Sept. 10.

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(NEXSTAR)  What makes a city good or bad for women? There are several factors to consider when moving to any new city but for women, theres even more to consider.

Recently, WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities across 15 metrics to find the best and worst cities for women. Cities received scores out of 100 based on metrics like median earnings for women, unemployment rates, abortion policies and access, and prevalence of rape victimization among women, among others.

Unfortunately, Jackson, Mississippi comes in dead last in the ranking.

While the citys score for womens health care and safety isnt the lowest among the pack, its only a few points off. Meanwhile, Jackson does rank last nationally in terms of womens economic and social well-being.

The city received an overall score of 23.41 out of 100.

Overall rank City Total score (out of 100) Economic/social well-being rank Womens health care/safety rank 182. Jackson, MS 23.41 182 178 181. Gulfport, MS 25.04 181 174 180. Brownsville, Texas 26.19 178 182 179. Augusta, Georgia 27.82 177 181 178. Shreveport, LA 29.33 179 169

Meanwhile, another Mississippi city didnt fare too well in the rankings, either.

Gulfport ranked second-to-last, at no. 181, with an overall score of 25.04.

When it comes to the best city for women nationwide, WalletHub found Columbia, Maryland, to be the best place, with an overall score of 76.31 out of 100. Analyst Chip Lupo explains that Columbia has the highest median annual wages for women after adjusting for the cost of living, at $59,230.

The citys ranking is helped by its relatively low unemployment rate for women and the fact that around 24% of businesses in Columbia are women-owned.

Living in the right city can significantly improve a womans economic status, health, and safety, said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. The best cities for women offer job security and high pay, enabling women to achieve greater financial independence. They also prioritize safety, provide easily accessible medical care, and have high-quality hospitals, contributing to the best possible physical and mental health for women.

To view the full ranking, visit WalletHub.

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WASHINGTON  Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) joined former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh on Monday to promote a no dictators declaration in response to the prospect of a second Donald Trump presidency.

The symbolic pledge is an election season ploy to highlight Trumps authoritarian tendencies without explicitly mentioning the former president.

This declaration is about protecting the freedoms of the people by closing statutory loopholes that could allow a president to exploit the executive power to trample constitutional freedom and liberty, Raskin said Monday outside the White House.

Walshs presence at Mondays press conference, organized by the American Civil Liberties Union, State Democracy Defenders and Principles First, highlighted the bipartisan opposition to Trump. Several prominent Republicans, including Trumps own former vice president, have spoken out against his bid for a second term.

Were at a point where the American people need to be protected against a president who would be a king, who would be a dictator, said Walsh, a former tea party Republican from Illinois known for his past inflammatory rhetoric.

As for his fellow Republicans, who mostly back Trump, Walsh said, Its easier to get them to come out and speak against the notion of a dictatorship.

The five-point no dictators declaration says Congress should curtail presidential power to declare emergencies, to deploy the military on U.S. soil, to require loyalty pledges from civil servants and to wield law enforcement against political opponents. It also saysthat former presidents should be able to be prosecuted.

To reduce the threat of dictatorship, Congress should ensure that presidents who abuse their powers to commit crimes can be prosecuted like all other people, the pledge says.

The Supreme Court said in July that the government cant prosecute a former president for any official acts undertaken while in office. The ruling mostly embraced Trumps legal argument that hes immune from prosecution for his various efforts to undo his loss in the 2020 election, which included pressuring state officials to undo the results, trying to install a lackey in the Justice Department and inciting a riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Prosecutors have pressed forward with a narrower version of their case against Trump, but the ruling was a major setback that also delayed the proceedings, and the case stands little chance of a resolution before Novembers election. If Trump wins, he is widely expected to instruct the Justice Department to drop the matter.

In response to the case, President Joe Biden called for a constitutional amendment stating that former presidents arent immune from prosecution. Such an amendment would need approval not only from Congress but also three-fourths of state legislatures.

Raskin said a constitutional amendment wouldnt address all the authoritarian problems presented by Trump, pointing to his possible use of emergency powers to bypass Congress. During his first term, Trump used an emergency declaration to divert military funds to pay for wall construction along the southern U.S. border, an action later declared unlawful.

Weve got to respond to each of the different problems that were dealing with right now, and thats why its a declaration of principles that we dont want to have dictators and Congress must rein in a runaway presidency, Raskin said.

Related...
Japan, China foreign ministers to meet in New York

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa will meet her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in New York on Monday, the foreign ministry said.

Kamikawa will request that security be enforced following the stabbing of a Japanese schoolboy in China, public broadcaster NHK reported.

A child enrolled in a Japanese school died after being stabbed last week in Shenzhen, in southern China, the second such attack near Japanese educational centres in the country in recent months.

Some Japanese companies in China have offered to send their staff and families home following the incident, Reuters has reported, with such safety concerns coming as ties are strained between the countries.

(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Kim Coghill and Jamie Freed)
Japan fires flares against Russian military aircraft incursion for the first time

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Japans Self Defense Force dispatched jets and fired flares at a Russian military aircraft that breached Japanese airspace Monday.

The incident marks the first time that Japans Self Defense Force has used flares to respond to a violation of its airspace, a government spokesperson said, with the flares fired on the Russian patrol planes third violation after it seemingly ignored multiple radio warnings.

Japans defense minister said the incidents suggested Russia and China are taking part in previously announced joint military exercises, The Associated Press noted.

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The incursion comes a month after Tokyo accused Chinese military planes of violating Japanese airspace for the first time and a day after Russian and Chinese warships were noted sailing near the countrys northern coasts.

Japanese lawmakers have expressed grave concerns over Beijings further strengthening cooperation with Russia, The Diplomat wrote. In July, Tokyo warned Japan was facing its most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II, adding that there is increasing possibility of a similar escalation to Russias Ukraine invasion occurring in East Asia.
Japan warns off Russian military plane, uses flares for first time

Japan scrambled fighter jets and used flares to warn off a Russian military plane that breached Japanese airspace on Sept. 23, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said.

The airspace violation could be related to the joint military exercises Russia and China planned to participate in during September.

A Russian Il-38 reconnaissance aircraft entered Japanese airspace over Rebun Island, off Japan's northern coast, Kihara told reporters. The plane breached Japan's airspace three times, for up to a minute in each instance, over the course of a five-hour flight in the region.

In response, Japan scrambled F-15 and F-35 fighter jets, which used flares after the Russian plane ignored earlier warnings.

The incident marks the first time Japanese aircraft used flares to warn off a Russian military plane.

"The airspace violation was extremely regrettable," Kihara said. He also said Japan has lodged a protest with Moscow via diplomatic channels.

"We will carry out our warning and surveillance operations as we pay close attention to their military activities," Kihara said.

The Russian plane was not engaged in particularly dangerous activities at the time it entered Japanese airspace, he said.

Earlier in September, Russian Il-38 and other military aircraft were detected and tracked in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in North America, though the planes stopped short of violating U.S. or Canadian airspace.

In July 2024, the U.S. and Canada scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian and Chinese military planes in the ADIZ.

Read also: Japanese PM Kishida to meet Zelensky in US, media report

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Palestinian flags flank the red carpet at the San Sebastian Film Festival. As the city celebrates Spains most prestigious film fest, demonstrators have taken to the streets protesting the 40,000-plus men, women and children who have been killed in Gaza since the war with Israel began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Among those taking a pro-Gaza stance during the film event on the Spanish coast is Spanish national treasure Javier Bardem, who received the fests Donostia Award.

At the press conference, he took the opportunity to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and denounce the actions of the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu, who have continued air strikes in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, where over 1,200 people Israelis were murdered.

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I welcome [the award] with great joy but I am not in the mood for celebrations, a translation of Bardems statement in the Spanish press said. What has happened in Gaza is unacceptable, dehumanizing.

Bardem said he believes the Israeli government is the most radical government the country has ever seen and has committed war crimes in Gaza. The atrocious and reprehensible attacks by Hamas in October do not justify the massive global punishment that the Palestinian population is suffering, he continued. I believe that the impunity with which the Israeli government enjoys its actions in Gaza and the West Bank has to change, he added, imploring the U.S. and U.K. in particular to reconsider their unconditional support for Benjamin Netanyahu.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators on La Concha yesterday as the #SanSebastianFilmFestival continues pic.twitter.com/PXngmcnULT  Lily Ford (@lilyfordtweets) September 23, 2024

On San Sebastians most famous beach, La Concha, protestors wrote pro-Gaza messages in the sand for all on the promenade to read over the weekend.

Bardem accepted his Donostia Award Friday night, gushing over his wife Penelope Cruz. The actor, who has had starring roles in Dune: Part Two, No Country for Old Men  which bagged him an Academy Award  and Skyfall, among myriad celebrated Spanish projects like Huevos de Oro and El detective y la muerte, accepted the award from his siblings, Monica and Carlos Bardem.

The 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival runs through Sept. 28.

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Murder boards, a full mock debate, and regular sessions over the last month: Sen. JD Vance is attacking his debate preparations with an approach that sits in contrast to Donald Trumps preferred methods.

Vance, alongside a small group of his longtime advisors, his wife, and Trump advisor Jason Miller, has been holding various in-person and Zoom meetings for over a month in an effort to prepare for the Oct. 1 debate against Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, two people directly involved in the preparations told Semafor. Some of these meetings have been murder board sessions, designed to shore up anticipated weak spots and prepare for counterattacks. The goal is to acquaint Vance with Walzs debate style, provide him with relevant research on policy positions, and work at some of the tougher potential questions.

Tom Emmer, a Republican congressman from Minnesota, will be playing the role of Walz during an upcoming formal mock debate. One person directly involved in the debate preparations told Semafor that Emmer has been preparing for his role by studying old debate and interview footage of Walz, going over his record, and diving into the Trump campaigns own opposition research on Vance. That said, theres been less emphasis on probing Vances vulnerabilities overall  theres an expectation that his robust media schedule, which has included by far the most interviews and press events of any of the candidates on either ticket, has given him a feel for tougher topics.

Shelbys view

While he was picked for his shared MAGA credentials with Trump, Vances style is very different and his debate preparations reflect that. The Ohio senator is more comfortable discussing policy details (perhaps too comfortable, some allies worry) and seems to be taking the kind of disciplined, research-based approach to debate prep youd expect from a Yale Law graduate.

Trump, by contrast, has always been uncomfortable with traditional debate practices and seems to resent the idea hed arrive to his matchups with overly canned answers. While he brought in allies like Tulsi Gabbard ahead of last months debate for policy time conversations, there was no talk of mock debate sessions with Gabbard or others playing the role of Harris. Nor did he have anyone play the role of President Joe Biden of their June debate, opting again for informal meetings where advisors discussed topics and potential questions.

That style of preparation didnt pan out during his debate with Harris: Although Trump publicly insists he won, some close to him privately admitted the event didnt go well, and that the former president ended up falling for bait about things like crowd sizes and his family inheritance. Those are indeed the kinds of things that live mock debates can help candidates prepare for  a good stand-in for an opponent wont be shy about bringing up nastier lines of attack and making sure they dont catch them off guard.

Notable

Kamala Harriss campaign said shes accepted an invitation by CNN to debate again on Oct. 23, but Donald Trump said over the weekend that its too late to host another one.




New Jersey woman rescues six dogs from kill shelter in Alabama

New Jersey woman rescues six dogs from kill shelter in Alabama

NEW JERSEY (PIX11)  A New Jersey woman drove to Alabama and back to rescue six dogs from a kill shelter.

Siobhan Abato has been fostering dogs for the past ten years and recently began fostering through JKRC Rescue, which has a relationship with the Athens Limestone Animal Hospital in Alabama.

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The hospital, a kill shelter, would routinely send dogs to JKRC Rescue to be fostered, but because the hospital is closing at the end of the month, Abato had to transport the dogs herself.

When we found out that they were closing, I wanted to get as many as I could out of there, said Abato.

She rented a cargo van and drove for 15 and a half hours to Alabama.

We had them all in crates in the back of the van and I brought my dog with me in the front as a passenger, said Abato.

Some of the dogs have already been adopted. Others wait patiently for their forever homes.

To foster or adopt one of the dogs, visit JKRC.

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MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Jewish students in New York told Mayor Adams they do not necessarily feel safe as they return to school this year.

Mayor Eric Adams, the NYPD, and other local leaders including Congressman Ritchie Torres of the Bronx got the feedback from those students while holding an intimate roundtable discussion.

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The big concern communicated by Jewish students is essentially pro-Palestinian protests that cross the line into harassment and intimidation.

One story from early September took up a good portion of the meeting. Pro-Palestinian protesters made it difficult for new Jewish students of Baruch College to enjoy a meal together had a kosher restaurant by blocking the entryway and banging on the windows.

These students and organizations feel more emboldened and do their protest this year and to intimidate students because of the fact action was not taken last year, Aidan Herzlinger, a Baruch sophomore said.

If youre following students to a kosher restaurant and blocking the door, and slamming on the doors, and hurling insults at the Jewish students, that is harassment, Torres said.

There should be zero tolerance for this action, Adams said of the harassment of Jewish students.

As Columbia resumes classes, student activists vow to carry on with protests against Israel

Adams said his team has had words with college presidents heading into this school year imploring them to request the NYPD get involved sooner with protests. Colleges must explicitly invite the NYPD to help with protests unless there is an imminent threat.

Adams was also frank with the students saying he had to balance free speech with ensuring their absolute right to a safe education.

When people are able to say they are Hamas, we may hate that, but thats protected speech in this country, Adams said. We have to find the balance, and make sure we raise our voices to counter the hate that we are seeing.

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JERUSALEM, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces "are carefully planning the coming days" and their attacks against Hezbollah will intensify, Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi said Sunday.

Israeli forces have killed over 600 militants, "including dozens of Hezbollah's top military leaders," since the onset of the Gaza conflict last year, and have struck "hundreds" of targets in Lebanon recently, weakening Hezbollah's launch and combat capabilities, Halevi said in a televised speech from the Tel Nof Airbase, a principal airbase of the Israeli Air Force.

"The price Hezbollah is paying is increasing, and our strikes will intensify," Halevi said.

"We have many more capabilities yet to deploy, and we are in a very high state of readiness, both offensively and defensively," he said.

Meanwhile, Halevi claimed that the Israeli airstrike on a building in Beirut's southern suburb on Friday has "eliminated" Hezbollah's chain of command.

The building was bombed by Israeli warplanes when Hezbollah commanders were planning in it an attack on northern Israel aimed at killing civilians and kidnapping soldiers, he claimed.

"We will ensure the safety of those (displaced Israelis) returning (to their home along the border), and if Hezbollah hasn't understood this yet, they will continue to face blow after blow until they do," he said.

Tension along the Israel-Lebanon border has escalated sharply following communication device explosions across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday that killed 37 people and injured 2,931, as well as an Israeli airstrike on Friday targeting a building in the Jamous area in the southern suburbs of Beirut that killed 45 and injured dozens more.

The Israeli army and Hezbollah, which has deep ties to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, have been exchanging fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since Oct. 8, 2023, raising fears that the nearly one-year-long confrontations could escalate into a full-scale war. 
US First Lady Jill Biden speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York City (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS) (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/AFP)

US First Lady Jill Biden on Monday announced the Pentagon will spend $500 million annually to advance women's health research, as part of a broader White House push.

"The Department of Defense has now committed half a billion dollars to women's health, to women in the service, which then transcends to all women," said Biden at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting.

"This money is going to study arthritis and chronic fatigue and cardiovascular health -- it's a big deal, and it's about time," added the 73-year-old, who spoke alongside Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former president Bill Clinton.

In a statement, the Department of Defense said the investment was vital to meeting the critical needs of women under its care -- including 230,000 on active duty, two million women military retirees, and their family members.

"Compared to men, this population experiences more than twice the rate of conditions in hematological, genitourinary, endocrine, nutrition, and immunity-related disorder categories," it said.

The move comes after President Joe Biden in March signed an order aimed at closing gender gaps in clinical trials and care and directing $200 million in the fiscal year 2025 towards a new Fund on Women's Health.

Medical research has long overlooked the specific needs of women, and it wasn't until 1993 that Congress passed a law mandating female participation in government-sponsored clinical trials.

ia/st
John Oliver had an Emmy-winning excuse for not having anything to say about this months presidential debate before now, taking last Sunday off as he and Last Week Tonight won two more Emmys (for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series).

But Oliver still felt it necessary to catch his audience up on the wild, unhinged events since, including laying the blame on JD Vance for creating all of the chaos surrounding Springfield, Ohio, out of thin air.

Far from just repeating claims hes heard, Vance has actually helped create much of the chaos hes now trying to exploit, Oliver said.

Thereve been plenty of cat-eating jokes since the Sept. 10 debate, Oliver said. But I still want to talk about this, both because the chaos Trump stirred up in Springfield is ongoing, and because it feels emblematic of his campaign.

Schools and hospitals have shuttered temporarily and repeatedly due to bomb threats. The towns Haitian residents are living in fear. And Trump has said he wants to visit Springfield, despite the towns Republican mayor suggesting he stay away.

Oliver said the panic is all Vances fault, starting with a July letter the Springfield city manager sent to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, on which Vance sits. The letter asked for federal funding to support local programs intended to combat a significant housing crisis as well as the need for additional services for the Haitians who have moved to Springfield in recent years.

As Oliverand others priorpointed out, Springfield employers recruited many of those Haitian migrants specifically to hire job vacancies that locals werent filling. But, Oliver continued, Vance chose to read only part of the letter in a Senate hearing the day after receiving it, focusing on the problems and leaving out the solution, and then posted a release misclassifying the city managers letter as a migrant crisis instead of a housing one.

Springfield, Ohio Native John Legend: Nobodys Eating Cats

I guess we now know it is a mistake to expect precise wording from Vance when it comes to anything Haita (sic) related, Oliver quipped, referring to a clip in which the junior Ohio senator mispronounced the name of the island nation.

Nevertheless, Vances public misrepresentation of Springfields request in July sparked Fox News coverage, which then spread to other media outlets, then to X and Elon Musk posts, and then to a neo-Nazi group marching through Springfield in August hoisting swastika banners, with one of the groups leaders addressing the city council.

Then, in late July, a photo circulated supposedly showing a Springfield man walking with a goose in his hand, but as TMZ of all outlets reported, it was a man in Columbus with two geese injured from a car accident. Social media took the photo and instead ran with rumors of duck-napping and duck-eating, and then a woman on Facebook posted claims of abused cats and morethough she later recanted and deleted the post, the damage was done. Vance added fuel to the fire Sept. 5 when he posted footage of his July speech linking the pet-eating rumors to Haitians.

Shameless JD Vance Doubles Down on Bonkers Cat-Eating Migrants Conspiracy

This pet-eating panic was built on nothing, Oliver said. Even worse, Oliver said, quoting a Wall Street Journal article from Sept. 18, Vance knew it. It turns out not long after his first post about Haitians eating pets, his campaign actually called the Springfield city manager, who remembers Vances staff asked point-blank: Are the rumors true of pets being taken and eaten? and he said: I told him no.

Oliver added: So Vance knew it was a lie this whole time. But instead of just admitting that. he and his campaign have been scrambling to dig up new bulls--t evidenceall of which either bears no resemblance to the claims hes made, or falls apart at the slightest scrutiny.

And to literally add insult to injury, Vance also spread rumors that Haitians were spreading communicable diseases such as TB and HIV, and insinuating that an 11-year-old Springfield boy who died in a school bus accident had actually been murdered by a Haitian. The boys parents have pleaded for their sons death not to be exploited, even addressing the city council the night of the presidential debate.

The last thing we need is to have the worst day of our lives violently and constantly shoved in our faces, Aidens father said on Sept. 10, chastising Vance and Trump for making it seem as though their son would encourage hatred toward their neighbors.

That man didnt need any of this bullshit. and neither did Springfield, Oliver said. They didnt ask for attention. they asked for help. Vance is the one who wanted attention.

Oliver said that while Vance is not good at lots of things, it turns out hes pretty good at parroting racist lies like the spineless dips--t that he is.

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John Oliver on 'Last Week Tonight.' - Credit: Courtesy of HBO

America has had some time to reflect on the insane comments made by presidential hopeful Donald Trump during the recent debate where he claimed that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, OH, are abducting and eating cats and dogs. But John Oliver still has some thoughts on the matter.

On a new episode of Last Week Tonight, Oliver played a clip of the debate, calling it an exceptional moment in American oratory. In the clip, Trump asserts, In Springfield, theyre eating the dogs, the people that came in, theyre eating the cats, theyre eating the pets of the people that live there.

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Yeah, that was Donald Trump accusing Haitian immigrants of killing and eating peoples pets, Oliver replied. And can you even remember a time when something like that would have been disqualifying? Because I cant anymore. Republicans have now nominated Trump three times. Democrats have so far lost to him half the time. And the election is still inexplicably close because unfortunately, some Americans watched that and thought, I dont like how Kamala laughed when he called immigrants dog eaters. That wasnt very presidential.

He added that while plenty of cat-eating jokes have been made, I still want to talk about this both because the chaos Trump stirred up in Springfield is ongoing and because it feels emblematic of his campaign. Oliver then criticized Trumps running mate, JD Vance, who doubled down on the claims, joking that Vances tweet makes it sound like eating pets is a right reserved for natural-born Americans.

Oliver played a clip of Vance saying, The media has tried to say now for days that Ive made up this story. I havent made up anything. Ive just listened to people who are telling me these things. To which the late-night host replied, Wait  if enough people say it, I repeat it? It is not ideal when an aspiring vice presidents guiding philosophy is indistinguishable from a fucking parrot.

He then mocked the way Vance pronounces Haiti. First, there is only one Haiti-related mispronunciation we recognize in this house, Oliver said, and its Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, delivering the iconic line: And so if the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party with the Haiteeans.'

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An impassioned John Oliver is calling out Sen. JD Vance's false claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio eating pets.

The conspiracy has been repeated numerous times, picking up steam after the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. However, following Trump touting the claims on television to 67 million viewers across the U.S., Oliver shared his findings on Sunday evening's episode of "Last Week Tonight" that Vance helped orchestrate some of the hysteria around the pet-eating lies.

Thereve been plenty of cat-eating jokes since. But I still want to talk about this, both because the chaos Trump stirred up in Springfield is ongoing, and because it feels emblematic of his campaign, Oliver said.

The host reiterated that Springfield city officials have stated there is no evidence to back the claims that Trump and Vance have made about Haitian immigrants. But that hasn't stopped schools and hospitals from being shut down because of bomb threats. Springfield's Haitian population has also stated they are now living with fear due to the national attention on them. Even Trump has said he plans to visit the town despite the mayor insisting he keep his distance.

Oliver explained that this xenophobic rhetoric existed long before Vance's time, but that the senator is exaggerating the already glaring social constraints that have arisen after Haitians have immigrated to his state.

Far from just repeating claims hes heard, Vance has actually helped create much of the chaos hes now trying to exploit, Oliver said.

Oliver pointed out that issues arose when Springfield city officials sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. This committee just happened to be one that Vance sits on. The letter asked for federal funding to support local programs to alleviate a significant housing crisis and additional services for the Haitians who had moved to Springfield.

However, many have stated that businesses in Springfield have recruited many Haitian migrants to hire them in jobs that locals werent filling. That didn't stop people like Vance from spreading misinformation about the letter, painting the city official's claims as an unmanageable migrant crisis, instead of a housing one.

Oliver then played a clip of Vance mispronouncing Haiti as he fanned the flame of an ongoing migrant crisis in Ohio.

I guess we now know it is a mistake to expect precise wording from Vance when it comes to anything Haitia-related," Oliver joked, using Vance's pronunciation flub. First, there is only one Haiti-related mispronunciation we recognize in this house, and its Alicia Silverstone in 'Clueless,' delivering the iconic line: And so if the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party with the Haiteeans.'

By July, the damage had been done with Vance's spread of misinformation and the claims spread to Fox News and X, with even Elon Musk tweeting about Springfield. It even led to a neo-Nazi group marching through the town with swastika banners.

To add insult to injury, a photo went viral of a Springfield man walking with a goose in his hand, which people twisted into a false narrative. According to TMZ, the man was actually from Columbus and was holding two geese injured by a car. The photo was reposted to Facebook and more false claims about missing ducks and cats were circulated online without any evidence.

This pet-eating panic was built on nothing, Oliver said. But Oliver found that Vance had verified the veracity of the claims. "Here's the thing. He did check. It turns out that not long after his first post about Haitians eating pets, his campaign actually called the Springfield city manager, who remembers Vances staff asked point-blank: Are the rumors true of pets being taken and eaten? and he said: I told him no.

So Vance knew it was a lie this whole time. But instead of just admitting that, he and his campaign have been scrambling to dig up new bulls**t evidence. All of which either bears no resemblance to the claims hes made or falls apart at the slightest scrutiny.

While also insinuating that Haitians were spreading diseases like TB and HIV, Vance also claimed that a Haitian murdered a Springfield boy who was accidentally killed in a school bus accident. The boy's parents asked for people not to use their son's death to spread more hatred towards immigrants.

That man didnt need any of this bulls**t and neither did Springfield. They didnt ask for attention. they asked for help. Vance is the one who wanted attention," Oliver said.

"It turns out hes pretty good at parroting racist lies like the spineless dips**t that he is, the host concluded.
JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  The Johnson City Fire Department is receiving some crucial upgrades thanks to funding allocated by Senator Lea Webb.

Webb announced on Monday that she secured $200,000 in state funding for essential infrastructure upgrades to the Johnson City Fire Departments Station 1 at 270 Floral Avenue. The repairs will address structural issues while ensuring the building remains a safe space for firefighters as well as the community they serve.

The necessary improvements include structural repairs to the basement, which has been prone to water damage during rain or storm events. The project will include waterproofing and reinforcing the top surface of the station, along with exterior repairs to prevent further deterioration.

I am thrilled to have allocated this funding to help the Johnson City Fire Department, said Webb. This fire station is a vital resource for the Village, and it is crucial that it remains structurally sound and equipped to meet the demands of our community. By investing in these critical repairs, we are not only protecting the firefighters and their equipment but also ensuring they can continue to provide rapid and reliable emergency services for years to come. I am committed to investing in and supporting our public safety departments so that they have the resources they need to protect us.

We are grateful to Senator Webb for securing this much-needed funding for Station 1, said Mayor Martin Meaney. These critical upgrades will ensure our firefighters have a safe, reliable facility to operate from, allowing them to continue serving our community effectively. The safety of our residents depends on having a strong, well-supported fire department, and this investment reinforces our shared commitment to public safety in Johnson City. These much-needed funds secured by Senator Webb saved the Johnson City tax payers hundreds of thousands of dollars. The partnerships between State and Local Governments are essential for the continued success of Local government. We thank Senator Webb for being a great partner!

The Johnson City Fire Department was established in 1889. Since its inception, it has provided around-the-clock fire protection, search and rescue, pre-hospital care, and other critical public safety services to residents and visitors of the Village of Johnson City. Today, the station has 29 dedicated members. The department responds to over 2,000 emergencies annually and works to prevent incidents through fire safety education and disaster preparedness training.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-La.) move to bring a clean, short-term government funding stopgap  his plan B after his first gambit failed  is upsetting conservative House Republicans, who will be key in deciding the top lawmakers fate as GOP leader next year.

The disappointment has, thus far, not bubbled up into a revolt, with hard-liners recognizing the difficult position Johnson is in balancing his razor-thin GOP majority, desire to avert a shutdown and goal of retaining an edge in the lower chamber this November.

But the members of the right flank are not shying away from voicing their discontent.

Its disappointing, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) said. But unfortunately the surrender caucus came together to make sure we keep the status-quo plays going.

When asked about repercussions on the postelection leadership races, however, Davidson held his fire, opting to wait and see how the ongoing funding fight and November elections pan out.

Well see how it goes, the Ohio Republican said. Were focused on making sure we grow our majority, and I wish we had a better way to keep the government functioning where we could get some sort of win, but we couldnt get that play across the finish line.

The lack of anger among hard-line conservatives could, in part, be attributed to the fact that Johnsons current play call  a clean stopgap to Dec. 20  was how the overwhelming number of House Republicans saw the current funding battle ending, whether they supported it or not.

In a letter to colleagues Sunday, Johnson said the alternative plan was required because we fell a bit short of the goal line.

Johnsons opening salvo in the spending discussion paired a six-month stopgap with a bill to require proof of citizenship to vote  titled the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act  a package that could not clear the House due to opposition from Democrats and some Republicans.

The idea was to avoid an end-of-year omnibus while Democrats control the White House while also highlighting election security concerns  something former President Trump has pushed. But Republicans knew Democrats in the Senate and the White House would never accept their bill, and they were skeptical that, even if it did squeak through the House, subsequent negotiations would lead to any conservative wins.

Ultimately, opposition from Republicans  including hard-liners opposed to the funding levels and defense hawks concerned about the timelines impact at the Pentagon  tanked the gambit.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) dubbed it failure theater.

Thats what we were always going to get, he said of the narrow three-month stopgap. Its hard to be disappointed, I mean, if you had no expectations.  Its just how this works.

He was never going to fight on anything, Massie continued. He wasnt going to fight on [the SAVE Act]. They were going to drop that at the first sign of trouble.  I would say what hes done is par for the course.

Now, House Republicans are set to face the deadline that hard-liners wanted to avoid, jammed up against the Christmas holiday at the end of the 118th Congress. House GOP leadership aides, though, said the December stopgap date does not necessarily mean we will be doing an omnibus in December, forecasting another funding battle.

Johnson in his Sunday letter said the short-term stopgap is necessary to prevent the Senate from jamming us with a bill loaded with billions in new spending and unrelated provisions.

Despite the disappointment, it is unclear how much Johnsons handling of this particular funding fight will weigh on the conservatives when Republicans set their leadership slate for the next Congress.

I havent shied away from calling out Speaker Johnson when I think he needs to be called out. But I also try to remember hes just a reflection of the conference, said Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Hes got a lot of people that want a lot of things, a lot of goodies to take home to the district, you know, a lot of passion projects that you know theyre interested in. And I know hes trying to wrangle the group as much as possible.

He knows Im disappointed, Crane added.

Many Republicans, however, recognize that Johnson has been backed into a corner on funding measures, in part by the same hard-liners who refused to support his initial funding play.

Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.), another Freedom Caucus member, said hes willing to listen to Johnsons funding plan, and lauded the Speakers efforts amid his difficult circumstances.

I think the Republican conference recognizes that Speaker Johnson is doing a good job given the narrow margin and the challenges [of] the election, maintaining the House, Cline said. The Speakers very well-liked, very popular within the conference.

Rep. Don Bacon, a centrist Republican from Nebraska, meanwhile, said he supported the Speaker.

Its the right thing; its all hes got. Hes got to do it. Hes got no choice, he said.

Johnson already survived an unsuccessful attempt to oust him from the Speakership earlier this year by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Massie, who were angry about how he handled spending issues, including funding for Ukraine.

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was removed from the top job almost a year ago following a similar situation: After House Republicans tanked their own partisan stopgap that included a GOP border bill, he relied on Democrats to avert a shutdown.

Johnson, to be sure, is not at risk of meeting the same fate. Members are eager to focus on campaigning in the lead-up to November and recognize that leadership races for the next Congress will occur shortly after the election.

Entirely different situation, said Rep. Nancy Mace (S.C.), one of the eight House Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy from the Speakership.

Still, even if Johnson is safe in the short term, his long-term prospects of remaining atop the House GOP conference are unclear.

Much of his future will be determined by whether Republicans keep control of the House. Johnson in his letter to colleagues Sunday stressed the importance of the election.

From now until election day, I will continue with my tireless efforts and singular focus of growing our majority for the 119th Congress. It is my great honor to serve with you all in these historic days, Johnson wrote. The future of our exceptional nation directly depends upon our success, and I am confident that together we will prevail!

A relatively in-the-weeds procedural dynamic could affect how the continuing resolution passes, serving as a signal from hard-liners to leadership.

The stopgap is set to come up under a regular rule, which sets parameters for debate on legislation, rather than under a fast-track process that requires bipartisan buy-in.

Moving measures under a rule is the preferred legislative procedure for conservatives who harp about regular order in the House, but it requires a procedural rule vote that is normally along party lines  a process that could pose problems for Johnson and his leadership team.

Conservatives in this Congress have often tanked procedural rule votes  preventing the House from debating legislation  as a form of protest against various measures. Keeping Republicans together on the procedural vote would be a welcome sign for Johnson.

But if there are enough Republican defections on the rule vote, Johnson could seek help from Democrats on the procedural vote  a rare occurrence, and one that would likely anger the hard-liners.

Another option Johnson has if Republicans cannot pass the rule is to fast-track the legislation under the suspension of the rules process, which needs two-thirds support for passage, requiring assistance from Democrats. But that, too, risks angering the conservatives.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, predicted that top Republicans would opt to bring the bill to the floor under suspension of the rules. The decision, however, will ultimately be up to House GOP leadership.

As the funding fight drags on and chatter begins to crop up about the looming leadership races, Republicans are urging their conference to remain focused on the current task at hand: averting a government shutdown and winning elections in November.

As I sometimes say, one dumpster fire at a time, right? Lets figure out what we got to do to fund government, said Rep. Dusty Johnson (S.D.), chair of the solutions-oriented Republican Main Street Caucus. Lets go win the November elections. We can worry about that leadership stuff after.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
All eyes are on North Carolina's governor's race after a CNN report resurfaced racist and lewd comments made on an online porn forum by Republican candidate and the state's Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.

In a state that is known for electing Democratic governors and Republican presidents, the Tar Heel state's gubernatorial election is garnering attention for the impact it could have on the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Before the allegations torpedoed Robinson's campaign Thursday, he was already polling behind his Democratic opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, in a battle to fill current Gov. Roy Cooper's seat.

Stein, who has a lengthy political career in North Carolina, would be the state's first Jewish governor if elected. Here's what to know about him.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein speaks on stage, on the day U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris visits the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence in Raleigh, North Carolina on August 16, 2024.

Who is Josh Stein?

Before becoming North Carolina's attorney general, Stein spent years serving in political office in the state where his family has deep roots in progressive activism.

Born in Washington D.C., Stein moved to North Carolina at a young age, where he lived in Charlotte and Chapel Hill. His father and civil rights attorney, Adam Stein, went on to co-found the state's first integrated law firm. Stein graduated from Dartmouth College in 1988 where he majored in history and went on to teach English and economics in Zimbabwe. He later earned law and public policy degrees from Harvard.

After completing his education, Stein worked with the Self-Help Credit Union where he helped to transform abandoned drug houses into affordable single-family homes. He later served as senior deputy attorney general for consumer protection at the North Carolina Department of Justice and represented District 16 in the state senate from 2009 to 2016.

What are Stein's stances on issues?

Since announcing his candidacy for governor, Stein has campaigned on a range of issues, including investing in public education and protecting reproductive rights in North Carolina.

Stein has been a vocal supporter of reproductive rights and access to contraction and IVF. As attorney general, he criticized North Carolina's 12-week abortion ban passed in 2023, calling parts of it unconstitutional.

The North Carolina attorney general has also advocated for public education, and, if elected, aims to address teacher and staffing shortages in schools. He also supports allocating funds to public schools before private schools.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Josh Stein? Democrat shakes up governor race in North Carolina
One of the event organizers speaks with counter-protestors, including Ryan Martinez (left) who has now been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of an attendee during a peaceful protest in Espanola on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source NM)

A man accused of attempted murder wants help from a former police officer to convince a jury he was acting in self-defense when he shot someone at a protest of a statue in northern New Mexico.

State prosecutors handling the case argue the testimony would confuse the jury, and an independent expert told Source New Mexico its uncommon for someone whose expertise is in police use of force to be testifying as an expert in a case about civilian use of force.

Ryan Martinez, 24, has been held in the Tierra Amarilla jail for nearly a year awaiting trial, which begins Oct. 7.

Last September, he was recorded on video carrying a concealed 9 mm handgun, repeatedly trying to rush into an area outside the county commission chambers in Espanola where around 50 people were peacefully celebrating county officials decision to postpone resurrecting a statue of genocidal Spanish conquistador Juan de Onate.

Martinez shot Jacob Johns, a Hopi, Akimel Oodham activist from Washington, once in the chest. Martinez then allegedly turned the gun on Malaya Peixinho. The gun jammed, and he fled the scene.

The final round of litigation before the trial begins is scheduled for a Sept. 26 hearing before First Judicial District Court Judge Jason Lidyard.

Martinezs lawyers are also asking the judge to prohibit Johns and Peixinho from testifying about their injuries from the shooting. Another issue Lidyard is expected to resolve is whether to allow former Albuquerque Police Department officer Damon Fay to testify.

Martinezs attorneys in May notified the court they intend to call Fay as an expert witness.

They said hes an expert in use of force, including self-defense, and they want him to testify about that along with handling of firearms.

State prosecutors in August asked the court to either limit Fays testimony or entirely exclude him from the trial, because the case doesnt involve police use of force, the defendant is not a police officer, and the legal standards between how officers and non-officers use force are different.

First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies wrote in a court briefing that Fays testimony would undoubtedly confuse the jury by testifying to a police officers use of force when the Defendant is a private civilian.

A strict line falls between the use of force by law enforcement officers and private civilians: civilians are not authorized to use force, Santa Fes top prosecutor wrote. The standards of evaluation between the two are very separate and distinct.

In response, Martinezs attorneys Nicole Moss and Marshall Ray wrote Fay is certified to train both police and private citizens in the use of force in self-defense.

Hes qualified by knowledge, skill, and training to help the jury understand the appropriate response to use of force by any human on another human, they wrote.

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The rules are different

Seth Stoughton is a former police officer turned law professor who regularly testifies as an expert witness in cases about police use of force. He is the faculty director at the Excellence in Policing & Public Safety Program at the University of South Carolina.

In an interview on Sept. 19, Stoughton said he refuses to take on civilian self-defense cases and security guard cases, because the rules are different.

Of course the prosecutor is going to say, It doesnt matter what the police principles are here, or what a police officer would do, this is not a police use-of-force case, and I think thats probably right, he said.

Experts can testify about relevant aspects of civilian self-defense cases, he said. A psychologist, for example, could talk about why someone experienced a particular type of fear. Other experts could talk about the effects of fear on the human body, perception and cognitive processing, he said.

There really isnt  and there really should not be  a civilian use of force expert field, Stoughton said.

The rules governing self-defense basically come down to how a reasonable person on the street would perceive and react to the situation, he said, and not what a trained police professional would do.

By contrast, police use of force is evaluated according to written guidance and training, Stoughton said.

The Rio Grande SUN reported that two days before the shooting when Martinez learned Rio Arriba County officials had postponed the statue ceremony, he wrote an email to County Manager Jeremy Maestas, Has the ceremony really been cancelled (sic) tomorrow morning??My statue wont return?

The statue did not belong to Martinez. Stoughton said its worth noting theres no self-defense claim for property. You cant use deadly force to defend your own property, let alone a publicly owned monument that isnt yours, he said.

Part of what frustrates Stoughton about violence around monuments is that while he recognizes and applauds the fundamental right to protest and counter-protest, he said physically fighting over whats ultimately a political decision one disagrees with is fundamentally anti-democratic and un-American.

You are showing, when you do that, a massive disregard and disrespect for democratic processes, he said. If you wanted that monument, vote for the people who support the monument. Thats how we handle issues of public dispute in a democracy.

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Judge gives man 2 life sentences for murder of 20-year-old in Silver Spring on Easter

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  A 21-year-old Baltimore man will spend his life in prison for shooting and killing 20-year-old Carlos Rashard Carter while he was sleeping in his Silver Spring home on Easter Sunday in 2023.

On Friday, Sept. 20, a judge sentenced Kaleab Berhanu, 21, of Baltimore, to two consecutive life sentences plus 20 years for the death of Carter.

According to the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office, Berhanu broke into Carters family home in the 11800 block of Old Columbia Pike in the early morning of April 9, 2023.

After entering, Berhanu shot Carter multiple times.

Apartment fire displaces several in Rockville, causes about $100k in damages

Carter tried to escape and fell at the feet of his mother and siblings, according to States Attorney John McCarthy.

Responding officers provided life-saving measures to Carter and took him to the hospital, where he died.

Following an investigation, in March of 2024, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County found Berhanu guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, home invasion and other related charges.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Rio Grande water released from Caballo Dam on June 1, 2022. The water travels downstream for several days to reach the riverbed running through El Paso, Texas. Releases used to come in March or April, but with less water flowing downstream, managers now wait until nearly the middle of the growing season. (Photo by Diana Cervantes for Source NM)

The new special master for the Rio Grande water fight between Texas and New Mexico is asking for an update from all the parties in a scheduled Oct. 23 hearing in Denver.

The U.S. Supreme Court appointed a new judge to supervise the case in July, following the high courts June ruling that dismissed a potential deal to end a decade of litigation between New Mexico and Texas.

Special masters act as a trial judge in cases. They decide issues and write reports to inform the U.S. Supreme Courts ultimate opinions in a case.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Judge D. Brooks Smith, appointed by the Bush administration, ordered the parties on Sept. 9 to present the history of the case and suggest the next steps in the resolution.

Whether the case goes to trial or back to the negotiation table remains to be seen.

The case is officially called Original No. 141 Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado. Colorado is tangential to the lawsuit. The dispute is primarily between Texas and New Mexico.

In a 2013 complaint, Texas alleged that years of pumping in New Mexico below Elephant Butte Reservoir took Rio Grande owed to Texas.

That would violate the 85-year-old document  a compact from 1939  that governs how Rio Grande water is split between Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The Rio Grande Compact also covers treaty obligations to Mexico, and agreements to provide water to regional irrigation districts.

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the federal government to join the case. Justices unanimously accepted the federal governments arguments that New Mexico groundwater pumping threatened the treaty and irrigation water deliveries.

After one half of a trial and nearly a year of negotiations, the states  Colorado, Texas and New Mexico  put forward an eleventh-hour deal to end the lawsuit, which included adding a river gage at the Texas-New Mexico border. Attorneys for the federal government and the regional irrigation districts objected to the deal, arguing it added unfair requirements and was void without their agreement.

A previous special master recommended the U.S. Supreme Court accept the states deal over the federal governments objections.

But in June, the high court narrowly sided with the federal government rejecting the deal, ruling in a 5-4 opinion that the case should continue.
ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Monday pledged its support for Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah in its ongoing conflict with Israel.

"We reaffirm that Yemen stands with Lebanon and its valiant Islamic resistance," Mohamed Abdul-Salam, the spokesman for the Houthis, stated through the group's al-Masirah TV, condemning the Israeli "aggression" against Lebanon.

The Houthi spokesman also called for broader regional involvement, urging other nations in the region to take a more active role in the condemnation of the Israeli attacks. "We call on Arab and Islamic countries to break the silence," he said.

On Friday, Yemen's Houthi Defense Minister Mohammed Nasser al-Atifi stated in a televised address that the Houthi group will continue its attacks against Israel, saying, "We will not stop until the aggression on Gaza stops."

The Houthi group, which controls large swathes of northern Yemen, has been attacking international shipping near the country's coastline since November 2023, allegedly in support of Palestinians in the Gaza conflict. 
Julie Chrisley resentencing: This is how much time her attorney says she should get

The attorney for Julie Chrisley has filed his sentencing statement ahead of her resentencing hearing this week and is asking the judge in the case to give her no more than 60 months in prison.

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An appeals court judge vacated Julies sentence in June over her 2022 fraud conviction with her husband Todd, whose 12-year sentence was upheld.

Last week, the government filed its sentencing recommendation, saying Julie should be resentenced for the same amount of time as her initial sentence  seven years.

Chrisleys attorney said that in the 20 months she has been in prison, Mrs. Chrisley has been a model inmate.

The parties agree that Mrs. Chrisley is entitled to a zero-point offender reduction, a new Guidelines provision that gives a defendant a two-level reduction if they have zero criminal history points. As a result, the parties agree that the adjusted Guideline range is 78 to 97 months, the document said.

It also said that the amount of money that she should owe in restitution should be lowered to $4.7 million.

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, the government said in their filing.

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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.

During their federal trial in 2022, prosecutors said the Chrisleys took out $30 million in fraudulent bank loans to fund their lavish lifestyle and extravagant spending even before they became reality television stars.

They used a film production company they controlled to hide income to keep the IRS from collecting unpaid taxes owed by Todd Chrisley, prosecutors said.

Todd and Julie were charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax fraud.

Julie Chrisley was also charged with wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

The Chrisleys were initially indicted in August 2019. Prosecutors said the couple submitted fake documents to banks when applying for loans.

Julie Chrisley sent a fake credit report and bank statements showing far more money than they had in their accounts to a California property owner in July 2014 while trying to rent a home.

A few months after they began using the home, in October 2014, they refused to pay rent, causing the owner to have to threaten them with eviction.

The money the Chrisleys received from their television show went to a company they controlled called 7Cs Productions, but they didnt declare it as income on federal tax returns, prosecutors said.

The couple failed to file or pay their federal income taxes on time for multiple years.

The family had moved to Tennessee by the time the indictment was filed but the criminal charges stem from when they lived in Atlantas northern suburbs.

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.

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Jury finds man guilty of murder in shooting during fight at west Fort Worth bar

A Tarrant County jury found a man guilty of murder in a 2022 shooting at a west Fort Worth bar.

At the conclusion of his trial last week, Francis Sparks, 25, was sentenced on Friday to 25 years in prison.

Sparks, who was a documented gang member, fired 14 rounds during a fight at the Westside Saloon, at 3137 Alta Mere Drive, on Aug. 4, 2022, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office.

One round struck the victim, 28-year-old Tommy Freney III, in the head.

Freney was found dead in a parking lot outside the bar, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office. Fort Worth police investigated the killing.

Tommy Freney III, 28, was killed in a shooting in west Fort Worth in 2022.

In a GoFundMe campaign in 2022, Carla Ray Cooks, Freneys mother, wrote that her son was born in Wichita Falls and raised in south Fort Worth.

He was 6-foot-4, amazing, loving, caring, kind, giving father to 2 boys and 2 girls with another girl on the way, Cooks wrote. Tommy was a brother to 6 sisters from both mom and dads side of the family. Tommy was a high spirit who loved to travel, from California to Atlanta, Houston etche was a giver, an amazing supporter. He knew how to lighten a dark room, he was your best friend, a protector.

 More top stories from our newsroom:

 Fort Worth ISD remains a C-rated district after TEA review

 Armed guard fired after leaving gun in school bathroom

 Drunk driver slams semi into cars stopped on freeway, killing woman

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Jury finds only one of six Trump supporters sued in civil case liable for harassing Biden campaign bus in 2020

A federal jury on Monday found only one of six Trump supporters sued in a civil case liable for harassing a Biden-Harris campaign bus nearly four years ago on a Texas highway. The civil case has tested a law that victims of political intimidation can use to try to hold others accountable.

The trial, in the Austin, Texas, US District Court, throughout this month recreated for the jury the events around an October 2020 Trump Train  a caravan of cars and trucks driven by Trump supporters that slowed the Biden-Harris campaign bus to crawl. The jury awarded the bus driver $10,000, according to the final verdict form.

The Trump Train activity also left a Biden campaign staffers SUV damaged after one of the Trump supporters side-swiped it, according to the court record. That Trump supporter, Eliazar Cisneros, was found to be liable for a federal civil rights conspiracy violation. The jury fined him $30,000 as punishment.

In addition to his actions in Texas, Cisneros testified that he helped to bring batons and bear mace to the January 6 Capitol riot in Washington to allegedly protect against leftist groups Antifa and Black Lives Matter. In a deposition, he also admitted he drove his truck into a crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters in September 2020 in San Antonio, just to make a statement, according to the court record.

The jury didnt find any of the other five defendants from the Trump Train liable. None of the six face any criminal charges.

The plaintiffs in the case include the bus driver, a campaign state director and Wendy Davis, a former Texas state senator who was on the Biden-Harris bus as a political surrogate and testified about the trauma of the incident.

In a statement following the verdict, the bus driver, Tim Holloway, said he was relieved to put the case behind him.

I can appreciate that people have strong opinions, but we have to be able to express our views peacefully. Todays verdict is a very good outcome. I hope this case discourages people from doing things in the name of politics that endanger lives, and Im glad that there are legal consequences for perpetrators of threats and intimidation, Holloway said.

The plaintiffs attorneys showed jurors flyers the group disseminated and conversations they had about blocking the Biden bus before their trucks boxed it in while waiving Trump flags. The jury also heard 911 calls from bystanders who were fearful of car crashes that could result from the caravan.

The case marks one of the few times Trump supporters conduct has gone to civil trial under a post-Civil War law commonly called the Ku Klux Klan Act, which is intended to protect people engaged in politics from harassment or even outright assault.

The case, from in-depth rulings by the judge to the jurys verdict, and even with its mixed result, could be used as a road map for courts in the future weighing KKK Act claims, especially in challenges seeking to punish Trump supporters, people familiar with the Texas case say.

The jury was focused on the facts of the case, and a federal judge earlier decided that the allegations of the Trump Train harassment were able to be considered serious political intimidation under the federal law.

Although the methods of political intimidation may change over time and require adapting the Klan Act to new contexts, the conduct alleged here requires no such adaption; the Defendants alleged conduct is similar to a type of political violence that the Klan engaged in at the time of the Acts enactment, Judge Robert Pitman of the US District Court in Western Texas wrote in August.

The defendants argued that they never intended to intimidate or threaten the Biden-Harris campaign, and that they were taking part in their own peaceful protest for Trump that was protected speech.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  Former Warren police officer Michael Edwards, Jr. has been convicted of 15 of the 23 charges he was facing.

Read next: Austintown man convicted of sex charges dies before sentencing

The jury deliberated for almost two full days before finding Edwards guilty Monday of two counts of rape, four counts of gross sexual imposition, two counts of extortion, three counts of sexual battery, two counts of theft in office, and two counts of dereliction of duty.

Prosecutors had accused Edwards of sexually assaulting six women while he was on the job working as a police officer. He was convicted of assaulting four of them.

Our theory of the case was pretty simple. It was that he chose these women specifically because some of them had long-standing issues including mental health issues and drug addiction issues, Wildman said. Today was a good day. Mike Edwards was convicted of sexually assaulting four different women while on duty as a Warren police officer, and I think justice was served today.



Edwards was found not guilty on six counts of rape, one count of gross sexual imposition and one count of menacing by stalking

He disgraced the Warren Police Department. His actions do not reflect that agency. Those officers are good officers. They do hard work. Theyre there to protect people, and thats the opposite of what he did so his actions shouldnt be attributed to the whole agency, Wildman said.

Edwards Attorney David Betras says his defense team respects the jurys decision but they will be filing an appeal.



Edwards sentencing is set for September 26 at 1 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 WKBN.com.
This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  The Duchesne County Sheriffs Office has arrested a juvenile male in connection to the shooting death of another juvenile on Sunday, Sept. 22, according to a press release.

The case is being investigated as a homicide, according to the sheriffs office.

Officials said deputies were dispatched to a report of a family fight that involved a firearm being used. When they arrived at the scene, officials found the dead juvenile inside the home with a gunshot wound in his upper body.

Idaho car chase leads to rollover crash, death of K9 officer

The arrested juvenile was taken to the Duchesne County Sheriffs Office for questioning before he was taken to the Split Mountain Youth Detention Center in Vernal. The sheriffs office said it began an investigation into what led to the other juveniles death.

No other family members were in the home at the time of the incident, but officials did not disclose the nature of the relationship between the victim and the arrested suspect.

Due to the sensitive nature of the incident, and out of respect for the family the Duchesne County Sheriffs Office will not be releasing the names of the suspect or the decedent at this time, DCSO said in a press release.

There is no further information at this time.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
A juvenile was injured in a reported stabbing in an Ohio neighborhood.

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Columbus Division of Police Officers were called to Springdale Boulevard and Bathgate Street around 7:20 a.m. on reports of a stabbing, our news partners WBNS-10 TV reported.

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The juvenile was taken to Nationwide Childrens Hospital in stable condition, according to Police.

Officers are looking for the suspect, but additional information was not provided.

Several elementary schools in the area where the stabbing took place are closed because of police activity, according to the Hilliard City School District.

All buildings are on a level one lockdown as a precaution.

We will continue to follow this story.

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Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on stage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, will campaign in Pennsylvania on Wednesday as part of a barnstorm through key swing states that will include stops in Arizona and Nevada.

The Harris campaign did not release details about Wednesdays visit, but Reuters reported Sunday that she is expected to unveil new economic policies this week at an event in Pittsburgh.

The vice presidents itinerary includes Rust Belt and Sun Belt states that represent one of her campaigns possible paths to victory in November. Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes is essentially a must-win for both Harris and her GOP opponent, former President Donald Trump.

Harris campaigned last week in two areas of Pennsylvania that have trended red in the most recent presidential contests. On Sept. 13, she visited small businesses in Johnstown and held a rally in Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, which Trump carried in 2020 by 15 points, and won in 2016 by nearly 20 points.

A Democratic presidential candidate has not won Cambria County, where Johnstown is located, since 2008, when Barack Obama edged out John McCain. Mitt Romney beat Obama there in 2012, and Trump won Cambria County in 2016 and 2020.

But the approach is in keeping with the Harris campaigns focus on wooing Republicans who may be disinclined to vote for Trump again. She has garnered endorsements from high-profile GOP names, including former Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Since Harris launched her campaign in July, volunteers and organizers for the campaign have knocked on some 600,000 doors in the three swing states shell visit this week,. and made more than 13.5 million phone calls, according to the campaign

Trump will be in Pennsylvania on Monday, appearing at a an event in Smithton hosted by the Protecting America Initiative, and at an evening rally at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The vice presidential candidates, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) both campaigned in eastern Pennsylvania on Saturday.

The most recent polling shows Harris with a narrow lead over Trump in Pennsylvania.

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Kamala Harris still has time to change direction on U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a way that could secure her the presidency, reduce further damage to Washingtons standing internationally, stop what manyincluding many Jews, Israelis, and Holocaust scholarshave called a genocide in Gaza, and prevent a regional war. At the risk of oversimplification, all she has to do is apply U.S. law, something very on-brand for a former prosecutor.

Eleven months of financial, political, and military support for Israels war on Gaza and the West Bank, triggered by the killing on Oct. 7, 2023 by Hamas of around 1,200 people, has dug a deep policy and credibility hole for the U.S. Washington has given Israel more than $14 billion in military aid since then, including 10,000 catastrophic 2,000-pound bombs, and thousands of Hellfire missiles. On Aug. 20, the Biden Administration added another $20 billion for Israel, including 50 F-15 fighter jets, and much more.

So far, Israel has used U.S. intelligence and weapons to free some of the 117 hostages. It has also killed over 40,000 Gazans, a majority of whom were women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, figures the U.S. and U.N. deem credible. Schools, hospitals, aid convoys, foreign aid workers, and journalists have been targeted. And recent Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank have expanded the destruction there. Israel has also launched airstrikes against Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, and Syria, increasing the risk of regional war. Just this week, in a move many see as evidence that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants all-out war, Israel targeted Lebanon in shocking beeper and walkie talkie attacks. All of this has forced otherwise amenable Middle Eastern governments, such as Saudi Arabia, to step back from normalization talks for fear of their own popular uprisings.

Regardless of ones opinion on Israeli actions and U.S. support for the country, it has come with major consequences. Domestically, a growing number of U.S. officials have resigned in protest, including the State Department official responsible for supervising arms sales to Israel. Hundreds more have protested. Nationwide campus demonstrations have, at very least, manifested a deep rift within the Democratic Party. President Joe Biden has been branded Genocide Joe and the backlash against his avowed Zionism contributed to his inability to contest the presidential election because states with large Arab and Muslim populations, like Michigan, were potentially out of reach. Both Biden personally and the U.S. are facing lawsuits for genocide. Terrorism concerns have also spiked, according to the U.S. intelligence community. And, predictably, hate crimes have also spiked against Muslims, Arabs, and Jews. The fatal stabbing of a six-year-old Palestinian American boy near Chicago by his familys landlord was one of the most horrific examples.

Meanwhile, the U.S. feeble efforts to keep Netanyahu in check and negotiate a ceasefire has left it looking weak and clueless, and, to much of the world, on the wrong side of history. This plays out most visibly in international fora. At the April 18, 2024 U.N. Security Council vote to recognize the State of Palestine, the U.S. alone voted no, with the justification that it believes in the two-state solution. The vast majority of U.N. member states have recognized Palestine.

Read More: The West Is Losing the Global South Over Gaza

The U.S. blind support of Israel is also damaging other priorities. For example, refusing to hold Israel to international norms is making it harder to leverage those same norms against Russia. U.S. support for the International Criminal Courts (ICC) indictments of Russian leadership for atrocities in Ukraine is utterly inconsistent with its refusal to acknowledge the Courts jurisdiction when it comes to possible arrest warrants of Israeli leaders over atrocities in Gaza. This has drawn accusations of hypocrisy and emboldens countries the U.S. is at odds with, such as Russia and China. China, for one, has in recent years become involved in Middle East peace initiatives, which some analysts see as evidence of eroding U.S. dominance in the region.

Into this tragic mess walks Kamala Harris. But there is still time for her to forge a better path, atop the cresting wave of Democratic enthusiasm for her candidacy. And she can do this without picking a side, without either abandoning Israel or supporting its conduct in Gaza. The solution is simple: All candidate Harris or a future President Harris has to do is apply existing U.S. laws and policies to Israel instead of continuing to carve out exceptions.

Without speculating on her social justice views or personal convictions as a multi-racial American woman married to a Jewish American lawyer, it is clear that Harris is campaigning on her record as a prosecutor and lawmaker. She has consistently presented herself and her values as both humane and pro law-and-order. She is also explicit that she wants to be positive about the future and unshackled by the past, including, presumably, Bidens record on various issues. Taking a more balanced approach to Israel only requires adhering to these same goals and principles.

There has been extensive analysis of the many ways the U.S. bypasses its own laws on Israel. All Harris needs do is stop this. For example, the Leahy Law, named after former Senator Patrick Leahy, prohibits the State and Defense departments from funding or training foreign military units or individuals if there is credible information (not proof) that they have committed gross human rights violations. There is abundant evidence of Israeli military violations. The Biden Administration has even acknowledged that Israel likely used U.S.-supplied weapons to violate international law. This has given rise to a sense of impunity in Tel Aviv, according to former U.S. officials. Senator Leahy himself has decried the problem: The law has not been applied consistently, and what we have seen in the West Bank and Gaza is a stark example of that.

Similarly, various U.S. laws prohibit the sale and transfer of some weapons to foreign governments for various national security and human rights reasons. The Arms Export Control Act requires that countries getting U.S. military aid use it only for legitimate self-defense and internal security. The Foreign Assistance Act prohibits aid to any government that engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. The Genocide Convention Implementation Act codifies U.S. criminal sanctions for anyone who commits or incites genocide as defined by the international Genocide Convention, which the U.S. is a party to and which formed the basis of the ICJs interim judgment that the claim that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza was plausible. And the U.S. War Crimes Act prohibits serious human rights and international law violations. Inspectors General at the Pentagon and the State Department are investigating whether the White Houses weapons transfers to Israel violated these and other laws.

Yet the U.S. continues to expedite weapons transfers to Israel, violating its own waiting periods, review requirements, and notification procedures in addition to its absolute legal prohibitions. This is the legal justification behind the increasing number of legal challenges to the U.S. for backing Israel. The U.S. should apply these laws just as it does for other countries. By comparison, on Sept. 2, the U.K. suspended some weapons transfers to Israel because of gross human rights abuses. Germany has also stopped approving arms exports to Israel. A future President Harris could also do this while still helping Israel maintain its qualitative military edge, as required under U.S. law since 2008. Upholding U.S. law doesnt mean abandoning Israel.

International law provides another low-hanging opportunity for Harris. The number and breadth of Israeli violations in Gaza and the West Bank are too numerous to list, though the ICJ tried in its July Advisory Opinion. Many U.S. lawyers have analyzed these, as have Israeli experts. A President Harris would have a number of options to bring the U.S.s Israel policy in line with international law without much, if any, policy downside. For example, if the U.S. is committed to a two-state solution, and simply acknowledging the boundaries as determined by international legal decisions and U.N. Security Council resolutions is an easy start.

President Harris could do any of this without picking a side. But as the fallout from her campaigns decision to block a Palestinian American from speaking at the Democratic National Convention last month shows, she is still vulnerable to losing key states in which Muslims and Arabs are angry and organized. Harris would be in a stronger electoral position if she made her willingness to apply U.S. and international law when it comes to Israel clear.

Politics aside, the U.S. has made a strategic misstep on its strong support for Israel, and the effectiveness of a future Harris Administration on the world stage may well depend on rebuilding U.S. credibility. And both policy and politics aside, stopping the killing could define her legacy. It is simply the right thing to do.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Vice President Kamala Harris tried to block Kimberly Guilfoylethe former prosecutor turned Fox News host turned MAGA beau to Donald Trump Jr.from getting a job in the San Francisco district attorneys office over 20 years ago, even going so far as to falsely pose as a member of the hiring committee, according to allegations in a New York Times report.

While Harris says she never suggested Guilfoyle couldnt have a job, former District Attorney Terence Hallinan, their boss at the time, largely backed Guilfoyles version of events, the newspaper reported. Hallinan died in 2020.

The contested incident between the two happened around 2000, the Times said. Harris phoned up Guilfoylethen a lawyer at the Los Angeles district attorneys office who was in talks to come back to San Francisco, where she used to workand, Guilfoyle alleges, told her there was no job for her.

Kimberly Guilfoyle Channels Jeb Bush While Bombing at GOP Event

She pretended to be a member of the hiring committee, which didnt exist, Guilfoyle told the Times. She was threatened. Most things in life make sensejealousy, envy.

The Times reported that Hallinan, the DA, said Harris forbade him from hiring Guilfoyle despite the fact that he was her boss. He didnt listen to her and hired Guilfoyle anyway, writing Timing is everything! in a note to an aide explaining her return.

Gavin Newsom holds a Thanksgiving meal while volunteering at Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004 with his then-wife Kimbery Guilfoyle (r) and Kamala Harris. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

If she ever did do that, she was smart, Stanlee Gatti, a close friend of Harris and the best man at Guilfoyles 2001 wedding to now California Gov. Gavin Newsom, told the Times.

While Harris is now the Democratic standard-bearer in this years presidential election and Guilfoyle is a MAGA zealot crisscrossing the country as one of former President Donald Trumps most vociferous surrogates thanks to her engagement to Don Jr., the Times reported that those around the two in 2000 didnt see their clash back then as political.

Rather, it seemed like there was some kind of personal conflict in their social circles, according to the Times. (She wasnt supportive about lifting women up, Guilfoyle claimed, speaking to the newspaper).

They didnt work together for long, but briefly they formed two parts of a triumvirate that was seen as the future of Democratic politics in California. Harris left the DAs office by the end of the year and eventually mounted a successful campaign to unseat Hallinan in 2003.

Newsom, Guilfoyles spouse at the time, was the third member of the trio, winning the San Francisco mayors office that same year. Forget Kennedyesque. I think we need a new wordNewsomly, wrote Rob Morse of the San Francisco Chronicle in 2001. And Julia Roberts only wishes she was played by Kimberly in a wedding flick.

Kamala Harris (l) pictured accepting the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention and Kimberly Guilfoyle speaking at the Republican National Convention in 2024. (Reuters) Reuters

Guilfoyle, meanwhile, became a television fixture because of her media-savvy as a prosecutor, in particular drawing attention for a sensational case where a woman was killed by a dog whose owner had ties to the Aryan Brotherhood.

She apparently wore a bulletproof vest under her evening gowns when it was reported that a hit had been put out on her, the Times reported. Network executives noticed and she became an anchor on Court TV in 2004, the start of a burgeoning career.

However, before she got the TV gig, Guilfoyle also lashed out at Harris in the Chronicle over her alleged attempt to keep her out of a job, just before she and Newsom were set to take office in 2003. Talented women should support other talented women, she told the newspaper.

Newsom and Guilfoyle divorced in 2006. As California governor, he is now campaigning for Harris, albeit in a scaled-back role compared to his star status on the Biden campaign. Guilfoyle, meanwhile, is a de-facto member of the Trump clan.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Nicole Revenaugh does membership outreach for Kansas Women Attorneys for Freedom

Nicole Revenaugh does membership outreach for Kansas Women Attorneys for Freedom at the Kansas Bar Association's annual meeting in June 2023. (Kansas Women Attorneys for Freedom photo)

TOPEKA  Kansans right to an abortion is not enshrined in the state constitution, which leaves the door open for state politicians to restrict their access to the procedure. That means abortion remains on the ballot, despite voters 2022 rejection of the Value Them Both amendment.

Right now, the right to abortion in Kansas is protected by the right to privacy in Kansas, said Adina Morse, an attorney based in Lawrence. We need a constitutional amendment that says all people, men and women, can control their own bodies, and that includes access to appropriate health care, to whatever reproductive health care is necessary.

Morse and Nicole Revenaugh are both part of Kansas Women Attorneys for Freedom, a group that formed around the 2022 amendment but which continues to fight for abortion access today. Revenaugh says that Kansans are still in defeatist mode because the right to an abortion is not entirely protected.

Enshrining the right would make it explicitly and officially protected. Lawmakers have introduced, and in some cases passed, legislation that affects a Kansans right to abortion. One required medical providers to tell people who got an abortion they could take a pill to reverse it if they changed their mind  which is misinformation. Enforcement of that law was indefinitely delayed.

Its a tremendous waste of financial resources, Revenaugh said. Theyre wasting resources on issues that really, Kansans dont care about, or weve already spoken on in large numbers.

An abortion survey law currently being challenged requires abortion providers to ask abortion seekers a series of invasive questions  including why theyre seeking an abortion.

Theyre humiliating, and degrading. And they risk womens lives, Morse said. I want to reiterate: We are not safe. Abortion is not safe in Kansas because of what the Legislature keeps doing. And make no mistake, they intend to keep doing it.

The abortion survey bill was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly, but the House and Senate overrode her. Republicans have a supermajority at the Statehouse, meaning that even if the Democratic governor vetoes a bill it can forced into law.

One of the most important ways we can dissuade that behavior is getting rid of the supermajority, Revenaugh said. Which is only flipping a few seats, and its not flipping Republican to Democrats, its moderates.

Revenaugh and Morse both believe that ending the supermajority would force GOP lawmakers to take a different approach. They say it would force them to see that bills on the fringe would not eventually become law, which would refocus the session.

In 2022, the Kansas Women Attorneys for Freedom drained its bank account with donations toward defeating the Value Them Both amendment. Members did door-to-door canvassing, the nitty gritty work that gets things done, Revenaugh said. Their 2024 efforts are focused on educating their members on talking to undecided voters.

I know its exhausting for folks to hear that this is the most important election. No, now this is the most important election. No, you have to participate or else, Revenaugh said. The or else is getting more and more dire and dangerous.

Kansans have until Oct. 15 to register to vote in the November election.
JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the largest Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon since the onset of the Israel-Palestine conflict has risen to 492, with injuries reported at 1,645, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Monday night.

The death toll from the Israeli airstrikes included 35 children and 58 women, with many victims still unidentified, according to Lebanese health officials.

Israel's sweeping airstrikes across Lebanon have raised the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah to a new peak. This latest surge in hostilities comes on the heels of last week's explosions targeting pagers and walkie-talkies throughout Lebanon, which left dozens dead and a nation on edge.

The rapid succession of events has catapulted the long-simmering tensions to unprecedented levels, raising fears of a broader regional conflagration.

Herzi Halevi, Israel's military chief, announced on Monday evening that the country was preparing for "the next phases" of its military operation, as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted approximately 1,100 sites in southern and eastern Lebanon.

"This morning, the IDF launched a proactive offensive operation," Halevi said during a situational assessment at the IDF Headquarters Underground Operations Center in Tel Aviv.

"We are targeting combat infrastructure that Hezbollah has been building for the past 20 years," Halevi noted, adding, "We are striking targets and preparing for the next phases."

Also on Monday, Israeli airstrikes in Beirut targeted Ali Karki, a senior Hezbollah commander, who was called by Israeli media the "last deputy" of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah later said he was "in full health and has moved to a safe place."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was acting to change the "security balance" in the north. He also issued a stark warning to Nasrallah during a security assessment meeting on Monday, stating that "everyone is in the crosshairs."

The strikes have caused widespread destruction and displacement in Lebanon, with residents fleeing from cities such as Tyre, Nabatieh, and Iqlim al-Tuffah towards Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

Syrian media reported a significant movement of people fleeing from Lebanon into Syria at the Syrian-Lebanese border. Jordan's Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission announced that it has suspended flights of Jordanian airlines to Beirut until further notice, citing increasing regional tensions and the need to ensure safety and security in civil aviation.

In response to the Israeli attacks, Hezbollah fired over 180 rockets toward northern Israel throughout Monday, the Israeli military reported. Israel's aerial defense systems intercepted some projectiles, while others fell within Israeli territory, causing fires. The Magen David Adom rescue service reported that five people were injured by shrapnel.

Hezbollah said in a statement that it had bombed several Israeli military targets, including the reserve headquarters of the Israeli army's northern corps and Rafael's military-industrial complexes north of Haifa, "with dozens of missiles."

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urged the public to remain calm in anticipation of potential escalated attacks by Hezbollah in the coming days. "These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure," he noted in a video statement.

The Israeli Defense Ministry also announced a "special" security situation across the entire country on Monday night, amid concerns that Hezbollah might broaden the range of its retaliatory attacks.

The attacks have prompted condemnations from both regional and international communities.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli attacks, describing them as "a war of extermination" during a cabinet meeting. He called on the United Nations and the international community to "stand up and deter aggression."

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the Israeli attacks, describing them as a "flagrant violation of international law" and a threat to regional stability driven by the "far-right goals of the Israeli government."

Egypt on Monday condemned Israel's attacks on Lebanon, warning that its military escalation will only aggravate the crisis.

In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry urged international powers and the UN Security Council to intervene to stop Israel's escalation in the region.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani warned of the serious consequences of Israel's "bids to expand the conflict in the entire West Asia region," while the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that the attacks "mark a new phase in Israel's efforts to drag the entire region into chaos."

The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Monday issued a strong condemnation of Israel's ongoing military actions in Lebanon. It said the Israeli actions "would not be possible without the protection and complicity provided by the United States, which shields Israel from accountability under international law."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed "grave alarm" over the escalating tensions in the region and voiced serious concern for the safety of civilians, including UN personnel. He urged immediate de-escalation and a diplomatic solution to the crisis. 
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan.  A Cherokee County man is arrested for reportedly firing shots in frustration over a delivery driver.



Corey Rogers, 42, is being held in the Cherokee County Jail on a $10,000 bond on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

FOUR STATES CRIME

Authorities say yesterday afternoon an Amazon delivery driver pulled into an incorrect driveway. Thats when deputies say Rogers followed the driver to the correct location, and got out of his vehicle, firing several shots from a .45 handgun.

Officer say Rogers expressed frustration with the way the delivery man was driving.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Four Kansas schools have been named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Education recognizes schools across the country based on their academic performance or their successful efforts to bridge achievement gaps between different groups of students. This year, 356 schools were recognized, four of them in Kansas.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools, says U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a news release. The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nations students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.

The Kansas recipients are:

Plane carrying 130 passengers makes emergency landing in Salina

This is the second time Garfield Elementary in Augusta has received the recognition. It was also named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2006. Augustas Robinson Elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2009.

USD 475 Geary County has had multiple National Blue Ribbon Schools. Sheridan, Eisenhower, and Franklin Elementary in Junction City, as well as Morris Hill, Keith L. Ware, and Jefferson Elementary schools in Ft. Riley.

This is the second time Herrington has received the award. They were named at National Blue Ribbon School in 2007.

This year is the first time a Paola school has been recognized.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson wrote the majority opinion reversing a Saline County District Court judge's decision that police coerced a confession by violating a suspect's constitutional rights with misleading information about the unproven 100% accuracy of a law-enforcement administered voice stress test in determining the truth of answers from people undergoing interrogation. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal)

TOPEKA  The Kansas Supreme Court reversed a Saline County judges decision to suppress a confession despite exaggerated claims by detectives that a computer voice stress test was 100% accurate and proved a defendant lied about his innocence in an alleged sexual abuse case.

A split state Supreme Court affirmed the 2022 conclusion of the Kansas Court of Appeals that an earlier decision by Saline County Judge Jared Johnson incorrectly ruled Phillip Jason Garretts confession was coerced by Salina Police Department detectives in violation of 5th and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Garrett was told by officers at police headquarters that he had failed the voice test prior to the decision by Garrett to implicate himself during an interrogation in 2018. Garrett has yet to stand trial for rape and other offenses due to the appeals.

The legal dispute led both state appellate courts to reconsider finer points of how law enforcement officers could tactically lie when questioning people and when those deceptive practices infringed on constitutional rights by coercing involuntary statements.

Originally, Judge Johnson denied Garretts motion to toss his confession. About 18 months later, however, the judge shifted course because he decided the officers statements concerning efficacy of voice stress tests  a common law enforcement exam despite conflicting opinions of its value  adversely influenced the voluntariness of Garretts confession.

Then-Attorney General Derek Schmidt turned to the state Court of Appeals to challenge Johnsons ruling. The state Court of Appeals reversal of the county judge was appealed by a public defender on Garretts behalf to the state Supreme Court.

Justice Evelyn Wilson, an appointee of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly writing for the majority, said the Salina officers misrepresentation of the accuracy of the voice stress test was deceptive, but not sufficiently problematic to compromise the confession.

Under the totality of the circumstances we conclude that law enforcements actions did not go so far as to constitute misconduct in violation of due process, Wilson said. Since the tactics here were not misconduct, Garretts resulting confession is not rendered inadmissible.

Wilson wrote the presence of inappropriate conduct by police in association with a confession wasnt enough to require suppression. The misconduct must cause the defendants free will to be overcome to an extent the resulting confession was involuntary, she said.

Like a coin flip?

Justice Eric Rosen said in a dissent that he would affirm the district courts suppression of Garretts statements. He wrote that high courts majority was sanctioning law enforcement interrogation tactics that the district court described as akin to a psychological rubber hose.'

He said Salina police officers began the questioning of Garrett by minimizing the importance of the Miranda advisement of the right to remain silent.

Rosen said officers eventually wrenched a confession out of Garrett after claiming the voice stress test was a reliable tool used by the military that was 100% accurate. The officers implication, Rosen said, was that refusal of Garrett to take the voice test would demonstrate he was lying about his innocence. Salina police officers also told Garrett taking the test could result in better treatment by prosecutors.

Rosen said the reality of Salinas voice stress exam was that it was at best no more reliable than a coin flip in determining truth value of a persons statements.

While the majority may be unbothered, I believe that the deceptive tactics here went too far and functioned to defeat Garretts free will, said Rosen, who was placed on the court by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Looking more broadly at the issue, Rosen wrote, the majoritys rubber-stamping of deceptive practices could pave the way for an onslaught of more elaborate trickery during police interrogations.

I fear it will not be long before law enforcement tests the limits of creating fabricated images of a detainee at the scene of the crime or artificially create other evidence in order to convince a suspect to forego their right to remain silent or cooperate with an investigation, Rosen said.

Divide and conquer

Justice K.J. Wall, named to the court by Kelly, joined Rosens dissent and argued separately the Supreme Courts majority faltered by not evaluating whether Garretts statement was voluntary under the totality of the circumstances.

Instead, the majority uses a clever analytical device  divide and conquer, Wall wrote. It isolates each circumstance that contributed to the environment of coercion. Then, it points to caselaw suggesting each circumstance falls short of coercion on its own. The problem with this approach is that the constitution requires us to consider the forest, not each tree. And when we do, the states overreaching is apparent.

In the majority opinion by Wilson, she argued Walls claim about a divide-and-conquer assessment was misplaced and that closer examination of each circumstance provided greater understanding of the outcomes.

Wall said Garrett was sleep-deprived when summoned to police headquarters. From the start, Garrett expressed confusion with the Miranda warning. He was repeatedly told computer technology discerns truth from falsehood with 100% accuracy. The testing consent form signed by Garrett said results could be used against him in court.

All the while, police knew the testing was junk science, the results could not be used in court and that Garretts 5th Amendment rights were not hoops to jump through, Wall wrote. This conduct put Garrett in an untenable situation. He could assert his constitutional rights or roll the dice and submit to testing. If he chose the former, this would have been viewed as an admission of guilt by silence given law enforcements 31 misrepresentations about the tests accuracy. So, Garrett chose his only path to exoneration and submitted to testing.
This is an adapted excerpt from the Sept. 21 episode of "The Katie Phang Show."

When people  and political parties  show you who they are, believe them  each and every time.

Last week, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on antisemitism and Islamophobia, Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana accused Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, of supporting Hamas and Hezbollah.

After Berry, the only Muslim witness in the hearing, repeatedly denied Kennedys accusations  and pointed out how insulting they were  the senator went on a tirade that ended with him telling Berry to hide [her] head in a bag.

It was a disgusting scene and it was the latest example of something that has become part of the DNA of the GOP: what I now call Republican rage rhetoric.

We saw a similar display last week from the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, who vowed to restore his anti-Muslim travel ban, during an event in Washington, D.C.:

We will get them out of our country. I will ban refugee resettlement from terror infested areas like the Gaza Strip. And then well seal our border and bring back the travel ban. Remember the famous travel ban? We didnt take people from certain areas of the world because I didnt want to have people ripping down and burning our shopping centers and killing people. But were not taking them from infested countries.

The old saying is true, The fish rots from the head.

But the incredible thing is that this racist and xenophobic rhetoric is used as a tool and a scare tactic to convince people to vote. Trump told attendees at a rally in New York last week that immigrants from Africa, the Middle East and Asia were destroying the fabric of life in our country.

"We are not going to take it any longer and youve got to get rid of these people. Give me a shot. You will have a safe New York within three months, he said.

"Give me a shot. Its like that line out of The Temptations song Ball of Confusion: Vote for me and Ill set you free. Free to do what? To be racist? To be anti-immigrant?

We owe so much to immigrants who helped build the foundation of this country. But for Republicans, this outrageous messaging is just dangerous red meat for their base. They dont care if its even true.

Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance, admitted to CNN that he was fine with creating stories to get the media to pay attention. After Republicans created insulting stories about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, officials say the city has faced dozens of bomb threats, schools and city buildings have been shuttered, and the Haitian community is living in terror.

Vance, one of Ohios two U.S. senators, still justifies perpetuating those baseless stories because the media wasnt focusing on their campaign enough.

These are not the men you want running the nation. These are not the men you want representing us on an international stage.

But on Thursday, Trump took things a step even further, using remarks that were supposed to focus on combating antisemitism to question his lack of support from Jewish voters and call his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, the enemy.

If I dont win this election  and the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens, because, at 40%, that means 60% of the people are voting for the enemy  Israel, in my opinion, will cease to exist within two years, Trump said.

Harris has been a prosecutor, an attorney general, a senator and now the vice president of the United States but, in this climate of political violence, Trump has reduced her to the enemy.

Look, I cant tell you how to vote but I can show you who youre voting for.

Some members of the Republican Party dont embrace the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Instead, Trump says that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. Trump says migrants are "animals." Trump says that immigrants are wrecking our country.

Theyre saying the quiet part loud. But the real question here is: Are you listening? Theyll take your vote but once they have it theyll cast you aside, if not cast you out of the country. Come November, you must vote like your future depends on it  because it does.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the federal government over its decision to add the dunes sagebrush lizard, which lives in the state's biggest oil and gas region, to the endangered species list. Credit: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Monday that his office is suing the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Biden administration officials for declaring a rare lizard endangered earlier this year.

The dunes sagebrush lizard burrows in the sand dunes in the Mescalero-Monahans ecosystem 30 miles west of Odessa  the same West Texas land that supports the states biggest oil and gas fields.

For four decades, biologists warned federal regulators about the existential threat that oil and gas exploration and development poses for the reptiles habitat, while industry representatives fought against the designation, saying it would scare off companies interested in drilling in the nations most lucrative oil and natural gas basin.

In May, federal regulators ruled that the industrys expansion posed a grave threat to the lizards survival when listing it as endangered.

Now, the states top lawyer is suing.

The Biden-Harris Administrations unlawful misuse of environmental law is a backdoor attempt to undermine Texass oil and gas industries which help keep the lights on for America, Paxton said. I warned that we would sue over this illegal move, and now we will see them in court.

Paxtons statement said the listing of the lizard was a violation of the Endangered Species Act, adding that the Fish and Wildlife Service failed to rely on the best scientific and commercial data when declaring the lizard endangered and did not take into account conservation efforts already in place to protect the lizard.

The 2.5-inch-long lizard only lives in about 4% of the 86,000-square-mile Permian Basin, which spans Texas and New Mexico, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. In Texas, the lizard has been found in Andrews, Crane, Gaines, Ward and Winkler counties.

According to a 2023 analysis by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the lizard is functionally extinct across 47% of its range.

The listing requires oil and gas companies to avoid operating in areas the lizard inhabits, but the Fish and Wildlife Service has yet to determine where those areas are because it is still gathering information. Oil and gas companies could incur fines up to $50,000 and prison time, depending on the violation, if they operate in those areas.

Paxton's office said that because the Fish and Wildlife Service has not specified those areas, it has left operators and landowners uncertain about what they can do with their own land.
A fire in April 2023 at Natural Bridge State Park closed trails. (Photo by Middlefork Fire/Rescue, Facebook)

State environmental officials have declared a drought across all counties in Kentucky as the state has seen significantly less rainfall than usual in recent weeks.

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, coordinating with a drought monitoring team representing various agencies, declared Monday a Level 1 drought impacting vegetation health and soil moisture with the biggest impacts in Central and Western Kentucky. More than two dozen counties in the state have burn bans in place according to state officials.

A cabinet release Monday states the drought in some areas has increased agricultural water needs and increased wildfire risk. A Level 1 drought can be declared if certain conditions  such as low rainfall, streamflows in waterways and drier soil  are met. Three levels of drought can be declared by state officials. The U.S. Drought Monitor, a group of governmental weather experts tracking drought, has much of Kentucky in either moderate or severe drought conditions.

Matthew Dixon, a senior meteorologist with the University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center, in a statement said the state has had over 1.5 inches of rain less than whats normal over the past 30 days.

Despite severe dryness that began in mid-June, most rivers are flowing at the lower end of a normal range for this time of year. In some rivers and their tributaries, however, moderate hydrologic drought is developing, including the lower Green, lower Kentucky and Licking River basins, Dixon said. Most drinking water supplies across Kentucky have held up well, however in areas with moderate to severe drought, there is an increasing likelihood of water shortages developing in rivers and small water supply lakes.

Jerry Brotzge, the state climatologist and director of the Kentucky Mesonet and Kentucky Climate Center, in a statement said drought conditions are likely to continue into the near future. Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman is encouraging Kentuckians to conserve water through small practices at home.
Kernza could make agriculture more sustainable. It just needs a market to take off.

Three different types of seeds used at the Blue Jay Brewing Co. in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, are displayed

Three different types of seeds used at the Blue Jay Brewing Co. in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, are displayed on Aug. 27, 2024. The left two are barley varieties. On the right is Kernza. *Sophie Proe/St. Louis Public Radio)

ST. LOUIS, Missouri  On a recent weekday afternoon, dozens of people filled the cozy taproom at Blue Jay Brewing Co. Scattered among the tables and bar were glasses filled with the lagers that are a specialty of this St. Louis brewery.

Also on tap that day was a fresh creation called New Roots. The American Lager was a hit, with many of the patrons going back to the bar for another glass.

I love it  nice earthiness. Still nice and crushable though, said Bryan Schubert, who owns a brewery in Illinois. That is, in reality, a good measure of beer. You want somebody to be in your taproom and be able to enjoy a few of them within reason.

It was good enough that regulars like Greg Campbell were giving it a try in addition to what they usually order.

Its hard for me to leave my favorite German beer. I did try some [New Roots] and said, Man, thats spot on, he said. Its full bodied, very balanced and [has a] good flavor.

Blue Jays owner and brewer, Jason Thompson, was also pleased with the result of this experimental beer, which he described as earthy, almost nutty, with a lingering honey-like sweetness to it.

Those flavors came from his choice to use a novel grain called Kernza for 25% of the 600 pounds of grain needed for the whole brew, he said.

Any grain I havent used before, I find interesting and challenging, Thompson said. The Kernza kernel is much smaller than a barley or wheat kernel, he added, kind of elongated and skinny. Almost flat.

Those differences did pose a few challenges. Thompson explained the Kernza slipped right through his mill when he tried to crush the kernels to expose the starch thats necessary for brewing.

In the end, Thompson adjusted to a different brewing technique that used a mix of milled and unmilled Kernza and the experiment worked. That was good news for Thomson but also for Kernza advocates who want the grain to succeed and see in its small seeds potentially huge changes to modern agriculture.

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Grains of the future

Many agricultural staples today, like corn, soy, wheat, barley and others, are planted into the ground each growing season. After harvest, the soil is left bare or farmers plant cover crops in those fields over the winter. Kernza, by contrast, stays in the ground for several years, and can produce multiple harvests in that time.

It has a very deep, persistent root system that stays in the ground for multiple yearsthe life of the plant, said Allison Miller, an evolutionary biologist who studies Kernza at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. It holds soil in place, helps build new soil, absorbs water, takes up nutrients, hosts a hugely diverse microbiome, and it also sequesters carbon.

This kind of plant becomes particularly appealing when searching for potential crops that can both feed people and mitigate the negative effects of farming on the planet, she added.

There are thousands of perennial plant species that could be developed for agriculture. Plant researchers recently found that a perennial rice maintained better soil quality, required less labor and delivered comparable yield compared to an annual rice variety.

Jason Thompson holds a beer while posing for a portrait at Blue Jay Brewing Co. in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, on Aug. 27, 2024. (Sophie Proe/St. Louis Public Radio)

The hope is Kernza could perform similarly. But it and other potential perennial crops face an evolutionary challenge, Miller said. Kernza comes from Intermediate wheatgrass, a perennial grass native to Central Asia that was first introduced in the United States in the 1930s. It was primarily used as a forage grass and crop researchers only began breeding it as a food source for people in the 1980s.

Kernza is essentially at a 10,000-year disadvantage relative to other major crops, Miller said. We dont really think we have 10,000 years to develop the future of agriculture. We really want that happening within the next century. And hopefully earlier than that.

Millers research seeks to bridge that gap by studying the ways perennial plants grow and allocate resources to different parts of the plant body. Understanding that could help scientists more quickly breed a plant that could produce larger seed yields and still develop the root system thats essential for the environmental benefits, she said. Still, she acknowledged her research is a long term project.

This is not something that we could go this fall and say, You know next year Id really like to shift this soybean field to Kernza, she said. Thats going to be a challenge at the scale of contemporary agriculture.

But the kind of experimentation happening at Blue Jay Brewing Company is an important step in the development of alternative grains to wheat, barley and other annual crops, said Miller.

Making a market

Kernza, which first hit the market in 2018, occupied 2,405 acres of U.S. farmland in 2023 out of the hundreds of millions acres planted across the country. Some farmers want to access the environmental benefits from growing Kernza but the consumer market for it isnt quite there, said Tessa Peters, director of crop stewardship at The Land Institute, which develops perennial crops including Kernza.

There also arent many entities in the middle of the supply chain set up to mill or process the grain, making it all the more difficult for individuals or food and beverage companies of any size to use Kernza, Peters said.

The market is soft and unpredictable because its so early, she said. And its worth saying the price has been a barrier. The yields are lower than wheatwere working on that.

Environmental arguments likely arent going to push many people to buy or consume the product, Peters added.

Consumers dont really purchase based on environmental messaging, she said. Thats where I think Kernza really has an edge because it actually tastes great and makes delicious products.

She argued that if a large food conglomerate, like General Mills or Nestle, committed to using a tiny amount of Kernza in a few of their most popular products, the grains fortunes could quickly change.

A few big companies who put 1% to 5% of Kernza in their best selling products could translate to tens or hundreds of thousands of acres, she said. Those big players have a lot of sway with the supply chain.

But small brewers, like Blue Jay and others that are experimenting with using Kernza still have a critical role to play, she said. They are entities that have a close connection with their consumers and can help introduce the story behind Kernza.

These companies have the opportunity to be the shepherds that bring bigger companies in and say, [Using Kernza] can be done effectively and at a price point that makes sense, she said.

Gregory Campbell, left, and his wife Cheryl Sachtlebn enjoy their beer during the release party of the Kernza Beer at the Bluejay Brewing in downtown St. Louis on Sept. 4, 2024. (Sophie Proe/ St. Louis Public Radio)

Nick Colombo, an owner at Switchgrass Spirits in St. Louis, which makes bourbons, whiskeys and other spirits, agreed. Like Blue Jay Brewing, his small distillery is just beginning to experiment with Kernza.

We can do something fun and exciting, he said. Big corporate whiskey is never going to do that because they have to maximize profits for their shareholders.

So while Switchgrass wont sway the market through their purchasing power, he said, I could see [Kernza use] growing if the name gets out there, if the demand is there, if we create a customer base.

But that is still years away.

Were working with these other craft beverage manufacturers to figure out how to convert Kernza to alcohol and what it tastes like, he said. Weve honestly just never had access to Kernza, its hard to buy.

Its a dilemma Thompson also faced. He tapped into special connections to get the hundreds of pounds of Kernza he needed for the recent batch of New Roots. But Thompson was clear that hed brew with the grain again.

I would like to, it depends on the availability of Kernza, Thompson said.

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This story is a product of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri in partnership with Report for America, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The Land Institute is also funded by Walton.
The Scandal cast came out for reproductive rights on Sunday, and they captured their Michigan reunion event with a social media blitz.

Kerry Washington  who starred on Shonda Rhimes hit ABC political drama as Washington, D.C. fixer Olivia Pope  was joined by her former castmates Tony Goldwyn, Guillermo Diaz, Bellamy Young, Katie Lowes, Dan Bucatinsky, Scott Foley, Portia de Rossi, George Newbern, Jeff Perry and Cornelius Smith Jr. The ensemble came together  five years after their show went off the air in 2018  to boost the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaigns Fighting for Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour that is traveling the country, with many of them sharing the days events on their Instagram Stories.

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Since kicking off in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 3, the bus tour has been making stops in key states, targeting both blue and red communities, to campaign for the Vice President and her running mate in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The Scandal crew arrived at a canvass launch in Madison Heights for the first stop of the Michigan bus tour on Sunday.

Why are we here? Why is the cast of Scandal in Michigan? Washington asked a crowd of about 130 people at the Plumbers Local Union 98 headquarters, according to the Detroit News. The actress, producer and activist shared some of her speech on her Instagram, while the full speech was captured on TikTok by her production house, Simpson Street Impact, on their account.

The reason were here is because we know that Michigan is where its at. We know that, although we get told on a regular basis  because we were so blessed to be a part of a really special show  that we need to fix stuff, that we need to handle it, [that we need] to come in and take care of a crisis, she said, borrowing the familiar catchphrases from her character Olivia Pope, the reality is that you are the real gladiators. (On Scandal, Olivia and her team of skilled fixers were known as the Gladiators.)

Smith Jr., a Detroit native, added, We see you. We feel you, and we are with you. This is our time. We have to claim it with our time and our energy.

Washington also warned, according to the Detroit News, that voters can either choose Harris as president or we can wake up to the nightmare of having a president that weve had before, who we know is coming after our rights. [A man] who has consistently attacked reproductive rights in the courts, and who has made it terrifyingly difficult for women to get lifesaving medical treatment.

When taking the stage, Goldwyn, who played Republican President Fitzgerald Fitz Grant on Scandal, told the crowd, Im here not just as your former president, to big laughs, Im here as the husband of a woman who fought her entire life for equality and for equal footing with the men in her life, particularly the men in her workplace. Im standing here as the father of two daughters who are less free and who have fewer rights than the generation before them. Im standing here today as an American man who is outraged by the fact that one third American women of reproductive age live under a Trump abortion ban.

In 2015, Scandal aired a groundbreaking abortion episode that changed the narrative around the topic for broadcast TV. The episode took on legislation looking to defund Planned Parenthood and featured Olivia (Washington) having an abortion, the baby more than likely belonging to Fitz (Goldwyn).

Washington recently told The Hollywood Reporter of her involvement in the 2024 election, This isnt just about candidates and election cycles. Its about building a future where everyone understands their voice and their power within our democracy.

On Monday when the Reproductive Freedom Bus tour continues, Severance star Adam Scott will appear in Ann Arbor to address supporters and volunteers on the University of Michigan campus.

The Scandal reunion, meanwhile, follows Washington and Goldwyn recently reuniting at the Democratic National Convention, where they were among the nightly Hollywood hosts and surprised with an onstage appearance together. Goldwyn hosted opening night; Washington hosted the final night when Harris officially accepted the partys nomination.

This is the latest example of Hollywood coming out for Harris-Walz. Next up, the cast of HBOs Veep will reunite for a virtual table read event on Sept. 29, organized by Wisconsin Democrats, of an episode that went viral when President Biden dropped his re-election bid and endorsed Harris. Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus previously hosted a panel during the week of the DNC with the countrys eight Democratic governors.

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Republicans have been dealt a major blow in their efforts to overhaul Nebraskas Electoral College system, a move that could have ultimately cost Vice President Harris a critical vote in November.

State Sen. Mike McDonnell (R), seen as the key figure in determining whether Republicans would have enough support to move forward, came out against the effort in a statement Monday, all but dashing his partys hopes of switching to a winner-takes-all system in the Cornhusker State.

In recent weeks, a conversation around whether to change how we allocate our electoral college votes has returned to the forefront, McDonnell said in a statement. I respect the desire of some of my colleagues to have this discussion, and I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.

Republicans for weeks had been pushing for the change, which almost certainly would have added an electoral vote to former President Trumps tally. That single vote could have been critical, since one plausible path in the presidential contest would see Harris landing on exactly 270 electoral votes.

That scenario revolves around Harris carrying all of the states President Biden won in 2020, with the exceptions of Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. That would leave Harris with 269 electoral votes and Trump with 268. Harris would get to 270, enough to win the White House, if she, like Biden, carries Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District.

Depriving Harris of that path would have paid dividends for the GOP. Trump and his allies reportedly courted key GOP votes in Nebraska to try to convince lawmakers to vote in favor of the change.

Gov. Jim Pillen (R) held a meeting with state senators and Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen (R) last week, according to the Nebraska Examiner. Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also attended the meeting and has voiced his support for the effort.

But McDonnell on Monday said he had told Pillen he would not change my long-held position and will oppose any attempted changes to our Electoral College system before the 2024 election.

He added that he would encourage his colleagues in the Legislature next year to pass a constitutional amendment to alter the rule, which would then go before voters.

I want to thank the voters who reached out to me for engaging in democracy and for showing America who Nebraskans are  fiercely independent, filled with pride about our great city of Omaha, and deeply devoted to the promise of American democracy, McDonnell said.

Nebraska is unusual in that it splits its five electoral votes, handing out three based on the performance of each candidate in the states three congressional districts. Another two votes are awarded to whichever candidate outright wins the state. Maine is the other state that awards its electoral votes this way, doling out a total of four votes.

Efforts to pass an overhaul of the system already failed earlier this year. But the renewed focus on switching to a winner-takes-all system comes as Harris appears to be heading into November with a slight advantage over Trump. Preventing Democrats from securing that single electoral vote in Nebraska could ultimately swing the race for the former president.

A tie vote in the Electoral College would swing the contest to a House vote based on the majority of each state delegation. Republicans are almost certain to hold a majority in that contest.

There is a mathematical universe in the upcoming 2024 presidential election where one electoral vote could be meaningful, said Kevin Smith, a political science professor at the University of NebraskaLincoln.

Polling in Nebraskas 2nd District has been limited, but the Harris campaign is almost certainly counting on winning that delegate, said Drew McCoy, president of Decision Desk HQ.

Hours after McDonnell released his statement, Trump issued a statement of his own on his Truth Social platform, singling out the Nebraska lawmaker and suggesting he was a grandstander.

I would like to thank Governor Jim Pillen of Nebraska for trying to help the Republican Party simplify the complexity of the States Electoral Map. It would have been better, and far less expensive, for everyone! Trump wrote.

Unfortunately, a Democrat turned Republican(?) State Senator named Mike McDonnell decided, for no reason whatsoever, to get in the way of a great Republican, common sense, victory.

Meanwhile, Democrats expressed relief at the news.

Republicans were playing with fire and using the Constitution as kindling, said Democratic strategist Jim Kessler. Sen. McDonnell threw cold water on that idea.

Even before McDonnells statement, Democrats in the state were skeptical that the change would happen.

Vince Powers, a Lincoln-based attorney and former Democratic state party chair, said he cannot imagine an Omaha-area lawmaker would vote to get rid of the split vote as Democrats rally support in the so-called blue dot.

He also noted skepticism that the race will ultimately hinge on the 2nd District.

Every four years, theres a scenario where people get out the map and say, Look, this could be vote number 270, and its not going to happen, Powers said.

Other Democrats saw the move as an act of desperation.

I personally think that the 11th-hour awakening of trying to resurrect this shows that the right is worried about this electoral vote; they wouldnt be bringing so much attention to it if they felt safe and secure about getting it, said Nebraska-based consultant Brent Comstock, who works primarily with Democrats in the state, before McDonnell came out publicly against it.

Nebraska was not the only state where changes were being mulled. Last week, three Trump-aligned members of the Georgia State Election Board voted to require ballots to be hand-counted in the critical swing state, despite concerns raised by state officials and election workers over the legality of such a move and logistical challenges weeks before an election to enact it.

The Trump Republican Party is like a petulant little kid who wants their way no matter what and will keep trying no matter what, said Democratic strategist Mike Lux.

Updated at 6:46 p.m. EDT

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Nebraska Republican state lawmaker said Monday that he remains opposed to switching how the state allocates its electoral votes, effectively blocking a bid by President Donald Trump and his allies to change the system in search of an extra electoral vote this fall.

Trump allies have pushed for a special legislative session intended for the Republican-controlled Legislature to change Nebraska's system to winner-take-all instead of awarding electoral votes by congressional district.

"After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change," state Sen. Mike McDonnell wrote in a letter obtained by NBC News.

GOP state Sen. Loren Lippincott, who sponsored the bill to move to winner-take-all, indicated Monday that McDonnell's position means a special session to move the legislation isn't expected this fall.

In response to questions about McDonnells statement, Lippincott emailed a draft of his weekly op-ed in local newspapers, which reads: Governor [Jim] Pillen did not want to call a special session unless he had assurances from 33 senators they would vote yes on the bill. That effort did not bear fruit. There will be no special session to address Winner Take All. I will be carrying this bill, again, next legislative session.

Lippincott clarified by email that he hasn't heard directly from Pillen but that he expects him to weigh in later this week.

The time is clicking, and I dont see a road forward for this, just based on what the governor said, said state Sen. Merv Riepe, a Republican who discussed the effort with Trump and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., last week.

Riepe told NBC News he initially had concerns himself about changing the law so close to the election but said he wouldn't stand in the way of fellow Republicans' making the change.

Riepe said Nebraskas Electoral College system was initially changed in 1992 in hope of having more media exposure and money spent on presidential races in Omaha. Ive heard some senators say, Well, lets just wait and do it next year, he said. And youre kind of like, Are you nuts? It will mean nothing, because then youre talking about waiting until 28. So its fundamentally get it done now or dont worry about it so much.

McDonnell represents an Omaha-area state Senate district and is reportedly weighing a run for mayor of Omaha. A former Democrat, he switched parties in April, becoming a Republican, after state Democrats censured him.

Trump slammed McDonnell on Truth Social.

It would have been better, and far less expensive, for everyone! Trump wrote in part of his post. Unfortunately, a Democrat turned Republican(?) State Senator named Mike McDonnell decided, for no reason whatsoever, to get in the way of a great Republican, common sense, victory. Just another Grandstander!

The developments appear to cap months of deliberations over whether Nebraska lawmakers could change how the state apportions its electoral votes in a way that would benefit Trump.

Nebraska allocates its electoral votes by congressional district, and the swing district around Omaha has twice gone to Democrats in recent years, giving them one electoral vote from an otherwise ruby-red state.

But if lawmakers changed to a winner-take-all model, Trump would be all but certain to win all of Nebraska's electoral votes.

And there's a plausible scenario in which that could determine who becomes the next president.

For example, if Vice President Kamala Harris were to win Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin but lose every other swing state, she and Trump would be tied at 269 electoral votes under a winner-take-all setup in Nebraska with Trump winning the state.

In that scenario, the race would be thrown to the U.S. House, where each state delegation would get one vote for president. Republicans hold a majority of delegations and are favored to retain it, even though the House majority could change hands after the November election.

However, if Nebraska didn't change its apportionment mode and if Harris were to win Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin but lose every other swing state, she would win the presidential election with 270 electoral votes.

Nebraska Democrats lauded McDonnell's announcement.

Nebraska has a long and proud tradition of independence, and our electoral system reflects that by ensuring that the outcome of our elections truly represents the will of the people without interference," Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb said.

"Senator McDonnell is standing strong against tremendous pressure from out-of-state interests to protect Nebraskans voice in our democracy. In this election and those to come, Nebraskans will continue to lead the way by electing leaders at every level who stand up for the people and respect our spirit of independence," Kleeb added.

Last week, Graham, a Trump ally, met with Pillen and about two dozen Republican legislators to discuss how the state allocates its electoral votes, according to a source with direct knowledge of the trip.

Graham, acting on behalf of the Trump campaign, was working to encourage Pillen to call a special legislative session at which lawmakers could consider changing the states apportionment of electoral votes, the source said.

Proponents of the winner-take-all model would need 33 votes in the state Senate to overcome a filibuster to move forward with the change. While the state's unicameral Legislature is technically nonpartisan, Republicans do have a 33-seat majority thanks to McDonnell's recent party flip. But that narrow margin means Republicans can't move forward without him.

Pillen has said he hasn't yet received the concrete and public indication that 33 senators would vote for the winner-take-all system.

State lawmakers told the Nebraska Examiner last week that they estimated that the change had the support of 30 or 31 state senators, meaning they remained two to three votes short. McDonnell had been one of them. Sen. Merv Riepe had been thought to be another. The Washington Post reported last week that Riepe now supports the change to a winner-take-all system.

The newfound interest in Nebraska's Electoral College votes comes months after Republicans tried, and failed, to make the change in the spring. Back then, a pressure campaign backed by Pillen, Trump and pro-Trump influencer Charlie Kirk fell short on procedural grounds, as it lacked support from enough senators to overcome a filibuster.

Ever since the state changed how it allocated its Electoral College votes more than 30 years ago, lawmakers have repeatedly tried to change back to awarding all of Nebraska's votes to the statewide winner. An effort to do so passed in 1995, but the governor vetoed it. Another effort fell just one vote short in 2016.

Maine is the only other state that doesn't have a winner-take-all system. But while Maine Democrats have discussed switching their system in response if Nebraska made a change, they appear to have run out of time to make a countermove for November.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in New York, on Sept. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York, during which Wang expressed China's willingness to continuously promote bilateral relations to new levels.

Conveying Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to Muizzu at the start of the meeting, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted the fact that China and the Maldives are friendly neighbors across the Indian Ocean, recalling the successful state visit by Muizzu to China in January.

During the state visit, the heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and the two countries will work together to build a community with a shared future, Wang said.

Thanks to the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and the Maldives have conducted close exchanges at all levels and promoted practical cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the Maldivian people, Wang said.

China and the Maldives have always understood, trusted and supported each other despite the many uncertainties in the region and around the world, and the development of bilateral ties have remained steady and healthy, Wang said.

China, Wang told Muizzu, is willing to work with the Maldivian side to thoroughly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and continuously promote the China-Maldives relations to new levels.

China's development will enhance the force for peace in the world and augment the strength of developing countries, and will hence bring new opportunities for developing countries like the Maldives, Wang said.

China-Maldives relations have become an example of countries large and small treating each other equally, helping and supporting each other, and striving for mutual benefits and win-win results, Wang said, adding that it is the wish of China to carry forward its traditional friendship with the Maldives and march alongside the Maldives at the forefront of the endeavor to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

China will always support the Maldives' effort to protect its sovereignty independence, territorial integrity and national dignity, and support the Maldives' search for a development path that suits the country's reality, Wang said.

Wang mentioned in particular the development of small island countries, saying that China is willing to lend a helping hand through the Chinese proposal known as the Global Development Initiative, meanwhile coping with challenges such as climate change together with small island countries.

Muizzu, for his part, asked Wang to convey his best regards to President Xi, expressing his warm congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the founding the People's Republic of China.

Muizzu said his historic state visit to China in January was not only a total success that injected vigor into the development of Maldives-China relations, but also a personal honor for himself, as he was the first foreign head of state invited to China by President Xi this year.

The Maldives, Muizzu stressed, firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports a series of prominent international cooperation initiatives proposed by the Chinese president.

Noting the visits by multiple Maldivian ministers to China since the start of this year and the smooth cooperation between the two countries, Muizzu said the Maldivian government and people wholeheartedly thank China for its selfless assistance in the economic and social development of the Maldives.

The Maldives looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in the fields of finance, housing, agriculture, infrastructure and tourism, and promoting greater development of bilateral relations. 
Key staffers exit Mark Robinson campaign for NC governor in wake of report about online posts

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN/AP)  Just days after a CNN report outlining evidence that North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson made disturbing posts on a pornography websites message board more than a decade ago, several key people in the Republicans campaign for governor stepped down, his campaign announced Sunday afternoon.

Conrad Pogorzelski III, general consultant and senior advisor; Chris Rodriguez, campaign manager; Heather Whillier, finance director; and Jason Rizk, deputy campaign manager have stepped down from their roles with the campaign, a news release said just after 5 p.m.

In his first public appearance since Thursdays CNN report, Robinson spent several minutes Saturday evening speaking and leading a prayer at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway. He didnt mention the CNN report or answer questions from reporters on hand.

NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks to supporters in Fayetteville amid major controversy

The Sunday campaign announcement did not elaborate on the departure of the senior staffers. In Sundays announcement, the campaign said new staffing would be released soon.

Robinson also included comments in the news release Sunday.

I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors. I look forward to announcing new staff roles in the coming days, the news release said.

Pogorzelski, who helped Robinson become lieutenant governor in 2020 in his first bid for elected office and later became his chief of staff, said separately on Sunday that additional staffers also left the campaign, including the deputy finance director, two political directors and the director of operations.

Pogorzelski, in a text, said that he along with others from the campaign have left of our own accord.

Sunday evening, a member of the Democratic Party leadership released a statement about the staffing change.

These Robinson senior staffers didnt quit when he mocked school shooting survivors and rape victims, or when he called LGBTQ+ people filth and fantasized about returning to a time when women couldnt vote. They knew who he was. Theyre resigning now because everyone knows who he is, Zach Finley, president of the Young Democrats of North Carolina, wrote in a statement to CBS 17.

On Saturday night, Robinson spoke to an apparently supportive crowd at the speedway just south of Fayetteville in Cumberland County.

Were going to focus on the issues that you are concerned with, Robinson said. While everybody else wants to focus on the garbage, and the trash that tries to besmirch people, were out here telling people about what we want to do, how we want to partner with you to make this state better and help North Carolina be better.

Robinson earlier denied writing the posts, which include lewd and racist comments, saying Thursday that he wouldnt be forced out of the race by salacious tabloid lies.

He directed his focus to other issues on Saturday.

Were going to work our butts off to make sure that we build an economy in this state that works for everybody, Robinson 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.
Dan Isett, Oklahoma State Department of Education spokesperson, at left, asks KFOR reporter Dylan Brown and photographer Kevin Josefy to stay out of the a room where a news conference with state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters was about to take place following a State Board of Education meeting on Aug. 22.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Oklahoma City television station KFOR has sued state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and his press secretary, Dan Isett, who the station says have prevented its journalists from being in the State Board of Education meeting room while public meetings and news conferences are being held.

KFOR and three of its journalists  reporter Dylan Brown and photojournalists Kevin Josefy and Gage Shaw  filed the federal lawsuit on Monday in Oklahoma City. They are represented by attorneys from the Institute of Free Speech and local attorney Bob Nelon. KFOR is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which owns nearly 200 television stations in the United States.

Central to the lawsuit is the allegation state officials are engaging in unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination by arbitrarily deciding which media outlets can attend public events. The lawsuit seeks to prevent state officials from denying press access based on perceived legitimacy or viewpoint and to strike down any unwritten policies limiting media attendance.

The lawsuit seeks an immediate restraining order against further blocking of the stations journalists to ensure equal access for all credentialed media and to prevent future viewpoint-based exclusions. The next State Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Bernard Jones.

The First Amendment prohibits government officials from selectively excluding journalists and media outlets, said Charles Chip Miller, the senior attorney for the Institute for Free Speech. The official responsible for leading the education of Oklahoma's children is acting as a 'superintendent of censorship' instead of setting an example that teaches the importance of free speech.

On at least three occasions, representatives from numerous other Oklahoma media outlets have watched as Isett has prevented journalists from KFOR  sometimes physically  access to the room in which monthly meetings of the State Board of Education are held, as well as news conferences conducted by Walters after those meetings. KFOR journalists have been directed to a so-called overflow room instead.

Thats despite the fact KFOR journalists hold press credentials issued by the Legislative Service Bureau, which is the credentialing agency for the state Capitol complex, on which sits the Oliver Hodge Building, where the state board meetings are held. Those credentials are renewed annually and accepted by every other state agency for access to government proceedings.

On Twitter, Isett has said, KFOR is the TMZ of Oklahoma, but without the commitment to the truth. Isett also has said KFOR, which began broadcasting in 1949, is not a legitimate news outlet.

Isett again criticized KFOR when he responded to the lawsuit on Monday.

It is of no surprise that the liberal media refuses to be held accountable, Isett said. Their organization has shown a reckless disregard for the truth, including a false report about a nonexistent federal investigation into OSDE and at least one instance where KFOR staff followed people into the agencys bathrooms. This does not serve the public interest, as is their mandate as a broadcaster.

At no time has KFOR ever been disallowed any access to the agency given to any member of the general public, and this lawsuit has no more credibility than some of its news stories.

Isett did not provide evidence of the allegations he made in his statement.

Brown, one of the reporters whos repeatedly been denied access to the meeting room, called whats been done a shocking assault on the freedom of the press.

He said the situation isn't just about our station losing its ability to inform the public  it's about ensuring open access to government proceedings for all journalists.

Every day that KFOR-TV is denied access to the OSDE board meetings and Walters press conferences is another day that the KFOR-TV audience is being deprived of the ability to be informed and receive comprehensive news coverage.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: KFOR sues Ryan Walters and his spokesman over access to meetings
Monday, September 23 doesn't merely mark the first workday of the autumn season. It's also the start of Banned Books Week.

Introduced by the American Library Association in 1982 in response to an influx of efforts to censor books in libraries, bookstores and schools, Banned Books Week "highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community . . . in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas," per the movement's website.

It's almost #BannedBooksWeek! Lets stand together to champion our right to read and be #FreedBetweenTheLines September 22-28. Find data, activities, and graphics about frequently challenged books and the freedom to read  https://t.co/KbCyHErHEs #UniteAgainstBookBans pic.twitter.com/1bJ23ghYUi  UniteAgainstBookBans (@UABookBans) September 9, 2024

This year, Banned Books Week will run from September 22-28 with the theme "Freed Between the Lines." Per the effort's customary tradition, ALA has compiled a list of ten titles from the previous year designated as the most challenged books submitted by teachers and librarians and as reported by media outlets. The majority of those titles  typically flagged by conservative legislators in red states and far-right organizations, such as "Moms for Liberty"  for containing LGBTQ+ content, representations of BIPOC voices and experiences, alleged sexual explicitness, rape, drugs, profanity and more. In 2023 alone, the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 1,247 efforts to censor books in schools and libraries, a sharp increase of 65% from 2022. Florida and Texas saw the most banned books in 2023, with a combined total of more than 4,000 titles, per The IndyStar.

According to the ALA, the top 10 most challenged books of 2023 are as follows:

"Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe

"All Boys Aren't Blue" by George M. Johnson

"This Book is Gay" by Juno Dawson

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

"Flamer" by Michael Curato

"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

"Tricks" by Ellen Hopkins (tied)

"Me Early and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews (tied)

"Let's Talk About It" by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan

"Sold" by Patrica McCormick

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who directed "When They See Us" and "13th," will helm this year's Banned Books Week as the honorary chair.

"I believe that censorship is the enemy of freedom," DuVernay said in a statement posted to the ALA's website. "By banning books, we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from the past and to envision a braver future. Books have the power to open minds and build bridges. This is why certain forces do not want the masses to engage with books. They fear progress and growth in new, bold directions."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

"For this reason," DuVernay's message continued, "Banned Books Week is vitally important. It is a celebration of our right to access varied voices and to engage with ideas that challenge and champion us. I am honored to be selected as honorary chair of Banned Book Week for this election year, and I stand with my fellow readers, fellow writers and fellow advocates around the world who refuse to let voices be silenced."

Compared to 2023, however, 2024 has seen a notable drop in challenges to banned books, per two reports published on Monday. As noted by The Associated Press, the ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom tallied 414 challenges over the first eight months of 2024, involving 1,128 different titles; this comes in contrast to the previous year's 695 challenges for 1,915 books. Still, though, the ALA's reliance on media accounts and reports from librarians remains a confounding variable in the numerical accuracies, as the body has previously noted. Reports from Iowa are still coming in, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, who directs the office, of paused legislation currently set to resume in the state. And we expect that to continue through the end of the year.

In a recent survey, the nonprofit PEN America conversely found more than 10,000 instances of book bans in the 2023-2024 school year, nearly triple the number from the previous school year. The organization determined that Florida and Iowa alone saw approximately 8,000 bans. However, as The AP observed, each nonprofit's definition of "ban" varies significantly, attributing to the discrepancies in their reports  for the ALA, the permanent removal of a book from a library's collection qualifies as a ban, whereas for PEN America, withdrawals of any length of time constitute a ban.

If access to a book is restricted, even for a short period of time, that is a restriction of free speech and free expression, said Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America's Freedom to Read program.

Regardless of statistical differences, however, the organizations are aligned on the premise of Banned Books Week.

We observe Banned Books Week, but we dont celebrate, Caldwell-Stone said. Banned books are the opposite of the freedoms promised by the First Amendment.
Up to $100,000 in rewards offered for tips to solve Birmingham shooting that left 4 people dead

Authorities in Birmingham, Alabama, are offering a combined reward of up to $100,000 dollars for information to help identify multiple people who opened fire in a bustling entertainment district Saturday night as part of what they called a targeted hit that left 4 dead and 17 injured  including many bystanders caught in the barrage of bullets.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting in Five Points South in Birmingham after 11 p.m. to find three unresponsive people who were later declared dead, according to Birmingham police officer Truman Fitzgerald. A fourth victim, a man, was pronounced deceased at an area hospital, according to hospital staff.

Police identified the four people killed as Anitra Holloman, 21; Tahj Booker, 27; Carlos McCain, 27; and Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., 26.

Tahj Booker is seen in an undated photo. - Courtesy Sheila Everson

Tahj Booker was attending an alumni celebration event with his cousin when the shooting occurred, Sheila Everson, Bookers aunt, told CNN Monday.

Booker worked for a local construction company and loved to play video games, Everson said.

He was not the type of kid who would go out to nightclubs, Everson said. Tahj was adorable. He was just like a teddy bear, the sweetest person ever. He wouldnt harm anybody. He was a no-drama type of guy. He was always helping people.

Everson said she is praying for others who have lost loved ones in the incident.

Seventeen other people were injured, according to Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond. At least four victims have life-threatening injuries, Fitzgerald said. Twelve of the injured victims have been released and five remain in the hospital, Fitzgerald said at a Monday news conference.

With no suspects in custody, the Birmingham Police Department is partnering with the FBI and other agencies to investigate, urging anyone with information to come forward.

Authorities have received more than 50 tips on the case, according to Frank Barefield Jr., chair of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.

Carlton Peeples, special agent in charge at the FBIs Birmingham Field Office, said the FBI is providing additional resources to local authorities to aid in the investigation.

Our federal partners have been a tremendous help so far in working through a lot of the information and evidence that we have recovered, Fitzgerald said, noting police are looking at surveillance video from the area of the shooting.

Heres what we know about the mass shooting:

Targeted attack

Police believe the shooters were carrying out a hit on one person and the other victims were caught in the crossfire.

Someone was willing to pay money to have that person killed, Thurmond said Sunday.

Detectives are still working to determine who may have been the intended target of the shooting. Police are not discussing whether the shooting was tied to gang activity and would not confirm if the intended target was among those killed.

More than 100 shell casings were recovered from the scene, Thurmond added.

The city is committed to finding the shooters involved, Randall Woodfin, Birminghams mayor, told CNN. Our focus and our priority is literally the shooter or shooters who committed this heinous crime  to make sure we can take them off the street, he said.

Five Points South is a busy area known for its restaurants, nightclubs, pubs and live music venues near the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus and downtown.

The neighborhood is very diverse, with people coming from all over the world to visit clubs and cafes, a manager of a nearby restaurant who asked not to be identified told CNN.

Although employees of the restaurant have not expressed fears about coming to work following the shooting, the manager explained they all are aware the city has its dangers.

Birmingham has a dark vibe over it. Its not safe. If you are from the city, you know its not safe. Its one of those types of cities. Southside is a nice place and nice area, but at night you dont know who is going to come out.

Like a horror movie

Gabriel Eslami, 24, was standing in line outside Hush, a hookah bar, about 11 p.m. when gunfire broke out.

All of a sudden it was just gunshots, gunshots, gunshots, Eslami told CNN. I started running for my life. Less than three seconds later, Eslami said he wasnt able to feel his leg and fell to the ground.

What he saw next, Eslami described as a horror movie.

There are bodies laid out all over the sidewalk, gun smoke in the air. There are shoes. People ran out of their shoes trying to escape. I saw people hiding behind cars, laying under cars, he said.

Eslami was taken to hospital to be treated for his gunshot wound caused by a bullet that passed millimeters from his artery, he said doctors told him. I dont even know the words to describe how I feel knowing that I was blessed enough to make it out with minimal injuries and some people didnt go home that night, he said.

Dajon Singleton told CNN affiliate WBMA he had been out for the night with plans to barhop when he heard grieving-type screaming.

Thats when I instantly knew someone had lost a loved one, he said.

When Singleton first arrived at the shooting scene, there were people everywhere. People crying, screaming, I seen people running, so, it was very busy, he told WBMA. Singleton also witnessed five or six people on a stretcher.

Authorities say four people, including the person they believe was the target of the attack, died and 17 people were injured in the shooting. - WBMA

Gun violence is at an epidemic level in Birmingham, mayor says

Woodfin has said gun violence is at an epidemic level in Birmingham and called for stricter legislation to fight the problem.

I want to work with the state to solve this problem, he said.

While crime rates are trending down nationally, Birmingham saw a spike earlier this year.

FBI data show murder rates dropped by more than 26% nationally in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. As of March 4, Birmingham police reported 17 murders this year, compared to 12 during the same period last year, a 41.7% increase.

A shooting at a nightclub in July left four people dead and 10 others injured, according to CNN affiliate WVRC, and four men were shot and killed outside a public library in February, CNN affiliate WVTM reported.

Republican Senator Katie Britt of Alabama said in a statement Monday that government alone cant solve this problem, adding it is time to address the root causes of a growing culture of violence.

Police believe the shooters Saturday used illegal gun conversion devices, the department said in its Sunday news release. These devices can be used to override the trigger mechanism on a gun, so it functions as a machine gun.

Conversion devices can convert semi-automatic pistols and rifles into fully automatic weapons in less than 60 seconds, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The federal government considers the small devices themselves to be illegal machine guns. Even without an accompanying firearm, they are illegal to own.

The US Attorneys office in Birmingham announced an initiative cracking down on the devices, commonly known as switches, in July.

Glock switches are the number one public safety issue in our city and State, Woodfin said in a Facebook post.

While the devices are illegal to own on the federal level, there are no state laws in Alabama banning the devices, Woodfin wrote.

We need our legislators to pass laws that save lives and give local authorities the tools (laws) to arrest those who just drive around and walk around with these weapons, Woodfin posted in a comment on Facebook.

A bill aimed at outlawing Glock switches in Alabama has been introduced in the state House for the 2025 legislative session. A similar bill passed the state House during the 2024 legislative session but didnt get a vote in the state Senate before the session ended.

Fitzgerald, the Birmingham officer, said mass shootings have more to do with culture than they do criminality, adding, Were seeing far too many arguments being settled by bullets.

You will receive justice for your loss

The mayor has said his focus is on supporting the victims families.

Right now, my mind is on the families who are experiencing a sudden, giant void in their lives. The innocent people currently under medical care fighting for their lives, Woodfin said in a statement posted to Facebook. The children who are experiencing loss and grief far, far too soon.

I hope the perpetrators of this crime know how deep this trauma goes. There are families and children in immeasurable pain, Woodfin added. For every person touched by last nights violence, know that your city weeps with you, he said.

You will receive justice for your loss.

Woodfin, who also spoke at Mondays news conference, said the community cannot give safe harbor or shelter to people who want to just simply kill people.

We cant give them cover. They should not feel safe in our community. They should not feel safe anywhere, he said.

Authorities have set up a QR code for those looking to share information about the mass shooting.

CNNs Zoe Sottile and Raja Razek contributed to this report.

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What to know about Upbring, the Austin nonprofit that will run Head Start in Nueces County

Upbring, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Austin that provides foster care, adoption and education services, will operate the Head Start Preschool program in Nueces County after a local agency that offered Head Start services in the area since 1965 was denied new federal funding.

The Nueces County Community Action Agency will run the Birth-to-Five Head Start program, designed to foster the development of young children from low-income families, through the end of the year.

Earlier this year, the agency was investigated by the federal Administration for Children and Families, which oversees the Office of Head Start, for reports of children being left unsupervised at its child care centers. However, Linda Carrillo, CEO of the Nueces County agency, denied a connection between the investigation and the agencys being denied a grant.

Upbring declined to answer the Caller-Times' questions regarding the reason for the transition of Head Start services from NCCAA to Upbring.

The new grant, funded by the Office of Head Start, will enable Upbring to serve an additional 785 children, bringing the total number of children served by Upbring Head Start and Early Head Start Preschool to almost 2,250 statewide, the nonprofit said in a news release this month.

Children in the Head Start program, staff members and, at top left, H. Darrell Cox, education executive director for the foster care and adoption nonprofit organization Upbring, attend an event in Cleburne, south of Fort Worth, on Feb. 20. Upbring will expand its Head Start Preschool program to Nueces County starting in 2025 after the Nueces County Community Action Agency did not receive federal funding to continue its Birth-to-Five Head Start program.

A total of 925 children are enrolled in the NCCAA Birth-to-Five Head Start Program, according to the agencys website, with Head Start and Early Head Start programs offered at 15 centers across the county.

Many residents have been left wondering about the future of the program now that it will be overseen by another organization.

In a statement to the Caller-Times on Friday, Valerie Villarreal, a spokesperson for Upbring, said that the nonprofit is fully committed to ensuring a smooth process that meets the communitys needs.

We extend our gratitude to the Nueces County Community Action Agency for connecting Upbring with the community organizations they have partnered with in the past, she said. This collaboration enables us to continue providing vital support to the children and families of Nueces County.

To share details about the Upbring program and employment opportunities, Upbring will meet with current Head Start staff on Sept. 27. In addition, the group will hold a parent town hall on the night of Oct. 7 to provide updates and answer questions, Villarreal said.

Upbring is working closely with the Nueces County Community Action Agency to obtain contact information and will begin sharing updates through the Remind email and texting program, she added.

Rest assured, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of safety and care, Villarreal said. Our focus is on creating a nurturing, high-quality learning environment for the children and families of Nueces County, and we are excited about the opportunity to continue providing these essential services to the community.

With the expansion into Corpus Christi and the surrounding area, the organization will welcome up to 225 new Head Start Warriors  staff members who provide trauma-informed education and care to the children and families in its programs.

What to know about Upbring

Upbrings Head Start Preschool Program currently operates at 26 locations throughout South and Southeast Texas counties, including Bee, Bexar, Goliad, Live Oak and Refugio, as well as the northern part of the state near Fort Worth and Dallas, giving children from low-income families, many of whom live in foster care or who qualify as homeless, a place to learn fundamental skills to prepare them for kindergarten.

The program is free to eligible families.

Upbring received two grant awards from the Office of Head Start  one for $3.85 million and another for about $4 million  that will go toward Head Start and Early Head Start programs, according to open government data on the USA Spending website.

Both grants are in progress and are set to expire in 2029.

The organization, originally known as Lutheran Social Services of the South, was designated by the federal government in 2015 to provide childhood development programs in four Southeast Texas centers  Wharton, El Campo, Palacios and Bay City.

Upbring won a Head Start award in 2015, and the program has since expanded from those four locations to different regions of Texas.

In addition to Head Start, Upbring also offers opportunities for foster care, community services, help for unaccompanied minors and residential treatment at childrens centers.

More: Nueces County nonprofit's future unclear without Head Start funding in 2025

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Austin nonprofit will oversee Nueces County Head Start program in 2025
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The Knoxville Police Department is reminding people to never get into a vehicle with an unknown individual after a reported assault in the Fort Sanders neighborhood.

Around 4:20 a.m. on Sunday, September 22, KPD officers met with a 22-year-old woman who said she was assaulted by a man in the Fort Sanders area. The victim told police she was walking back to her apartment when a man pulled up, said he was an Uber driver just getting off work and offered her a free ride.

Autopsy report released after East TN judge hit and killed by car

She went on to say that once inside the car, the man assaulted her, pushed her out of the vehicle, and left. KPD shared that based on the victims description the man was possibly of Middle Eastern descent with a heavier build and driving a white SUV of unknown make.

The Knoxville Police Department strongly encourages residents and visitors to never get in a vehicle with an unknown individual for any reason. If you have requested a rideshare, always verify the driver information before getting in the car. Knoxville Police Department

This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates.

Boy abducted from California at age 6 found alive more than 70 years later

KPDs Special Crimes Unit is investigating and asking anyone with information to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Anyone with a similar experience is urged to contact the Special Crimes Unit at 865-215-6810.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Monday it would study what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has billed as his "victory plan" to end the war with Russia as and when official information on it was released.

Zelenskiy is due to present the plan to U.S. President Joe Biden this week and his two potential successors, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, during a trip to the United States which will see Zelenskiy address the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.

The plan, details of which Zelenskiy has so far publicly held back, appears to be a big push from Zelenskiy to try to persuade Washington and other allies to provide further and deeper aid to his country in an effort to force Moscow to end the conflict on terms acceptable to Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials have suggested that Russia could eventually be invited to a summit to discuss a resolution to the conflict under the new plan.

Asked about Zelenskiy's initiative, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters:

"We believe that one should not analyse media reports. If information about it appears in official sources we will of course scrutinise it. There is a lot of contradictory and unreliable information on it out there, so we are very cautious about this."

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Kremlin says they will comment on Zelenskyy's Victory Plan after receiving information from official sources

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Vladimir Putin, said the Kremlin will comment on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plan, which he plans to share with the US president, based on information "from official sources".

Source: Russian news agency Interfax

Quote: "If and when information arrives from official sources, we will, of course, thoroughly investigate it."

Details: Peskov claimed that the Kremlin does not feel it is possible to assess Zelensky's plan based on media reports: "So far, there is a lot of conflicting and false information. We're quite cautious about this."

Background:

On 22 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on the start of his visit to the US, where he intends to present Ukraines Victory Plan to US President Joe Biden and other leaders of Ukraines partner states.

Zelenskyy is expected to visit the US and present his Victory Plan to President Joe Biden during a meeting in Washington DC on 26 September. Zelenskyy also hopes to explain the plan to presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy will deliver his Victory Plan, which includes getting security guarantees, modern weapons and financial support for the country, during his visit to the US.

Zelenskyy further noted that the Victory Plan outlines decisions that are expected to be made between October and December 2024.

Zelenskyy said the thought that US President Joe Biden might not back the Victory Plan put forward by Ukraine was "horrible" because it would lead to a very long war with a huge number of casualties.

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KS prosecutors let murder case against DAs nephew sit, then say its too old to try

Deleisha Kelleys entire family had already taken off work for the murder trial that was supposed to start last Monday. You know, the one in which Billy Dupree, nephew of Wyandotte County DA Mark Dupree, was to have gone on trial for strangling 16-year-old Kelley to death in 2014.

It was only the Friday before the trial was to have started, Kelleys mother told me, that the family was informed that there would be no trial. Kellie Blewitt, Kelleys mother, said she learned only the day when everybody found out that Billy Dupree had been offered and had accepted a gold-plated plea deal taking the charge of first-degree murder down to involuntary manslaughter.

Dupree, a registered sex offender who had just gotten out of prison six months before he ended Kelleys life, is already in prison now, for another violent crime. He will receive a sentence of only 15 years in this plea deal.

And the cherry on this caca sundae is that this new sentence will run concurrently with the one hes already serving, so that hell end up serving only 4 or 5 more additional years for strangling a 16-year-old very much on purpose, according to testimony in the pretrial hearing.

Given that police had a 2015 DNA semen hit, cell phone tower information that said shed spent the entire last day in within .1 mile of Duprees apartment, and that she placed her last, aborted call to 911 from there, too, this looks like a complete cave.

Her body was dumped on the Missouri side of the state line, where a homeless man looking for cans found her covered with branches, tires and trash in an abandoned garage on East 24th Street. Carpet fibers found on the blanket she was wrapped in matched samples taken from Duprees apartment, also according to pretrial testimony.

Duprees next door neighbor testified at the September 2023 pretrial hearing that Dupree had knocked on his door on the morning of Dec. 18, 2014. He woke him up, asked if he was a REAL n***a, and asked for help dumping her body. He said he had a underage little girl over there and he had to kill her, choke her out, the neighbor testified.

Why? Prosecutors said at the pretrial hearing that Dupree had just found out she was 16, and did not want to go back to prison if someone had found out he had had sex with yet another underage girl.

Nothing prosecutor Jessica Domme said to Kelleys family in explanation  again, a very last-minute explanation  made any sense, said the victims mother. For instance, according to Blewitt, Domme and others in the AGs office said that they had a strong case they no doubt they could win. But then, they also said that the choice left to the family came down to taking something instead of nothing. I was not told it was a lack of evidence, Blewitt said.

Prosecutors also told the family that the case was awfully old. Oh, this is old, so you cant guarantee a conviction at trial, Blewitt says she was told. But she would rather have seen the case go to trial, as painful as that would have been.

My daughter did not have a chance to get old, she said. And sure the case was old, after authorities let it sit for nearly a decade.

The case was not old when it was sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the AGs office in 2016. So why, under AGs Derek Schmidt and then Kris Kobach, was it allowed to gather dust? Not that anything important has changed since then, as far as Kelleys family knows.

As the pretrial hearing showed, the case had already been solved in early 2015, by the KCMO detectives who first handled the case.

Later, though, because the crime occurred in KCK, authorities there took over, and if there was any further progress on the case, its not reflected in any public records.

In August of 2016, Mark Dupree was elected Wyandotte County district attorney, and the defeated incumbent, Jerome Gorman, turned the case over to the Kansas AGs office. Under the circumstances, that had to happen.

But then, year after year after year went by with no charges filed.

Everyone who thinks that four or five extra years for killing a teenager in cold blood is not a just outcome might want to ask former Kansas AG Derek Schmitt or current AG Kris Kobach about why the family waited so long for so little.

Dupree has two previous convictions involving sex with minors. Hes 39 now, and when he gets out of prison, Blewitt says, he wont be too old to prey on other peoples kids.

I take it Jessica Domme, lead prosecutor on the case for the AGs office, is not very happy about what Ive written about the case already.

I say that because Kansas defense attorney Carl Cornwell got in touch with me on Friday, unbidden, to say that he had talked to Domme about the case, though she hadnt gotten into any details. He said he wanted me to know that he trusted that she must have had a good reason for doing what she did. Jessica Domme is a hard prosecutor; shes not going to cave. There must have been a legitimate reason.

Thats possible, sure. But if she did have one, the family should have been given that reason, in detail and at length, instead of being told that there was a last-minute plea hearing that they could tune into via Zoom, because there wouldnt even be time for them to get to the WyCo courthouse.

The only legit reason for a reduction of this magnitude, said former WyCo assistant DA and former Kansas federal prosecutor Mike Warner, who is running as a Republican for Douglas County District Attorney, would be if the prosecution couldnt meet the burden of proof. But youd explain that to the family.

One thing I will say for Domme, though, is that ultimately, this fiasco lands at her boss Kris Kobachs feet.

And at those of Kobachs predecessor, Derek Schmitt, who is now running for Congress. Lets bring common sense back to Kansas, his campaign website says. Not like this, please.

Charges were not even filed against Billy Dupree until January of 2023, soon after Kobach was elected.

On Schmitts last day in office, January 8, 2023, his office put out a press release about the case. In August 22, it said, the Kansas Attorney Generals Office requested the KBI join the investigation when the KCMOPD determined the murder had taken place in KCKS and not in their jurisdiction.

Thats simply not true: Court records show that the KCPD knew soon after the murder, by early 2015, where the crime had occurred. Schmitt did not answer a detailed phone message seeking a comment. If he ever does respond, I will update this column.

Kobachs spokeswoman, Danedri Herbert, told me what prosecutors have said the deal of a lifetime is not about: Any suggestion that the judge or the Attorney Generals Office was influenced in any way by Mr. Duprees family connections is false.

Heres the complete statement from Herbert: In determining whether to enter into a plea agreement, ethical prosecutors must consider a host of factors, including the interests of the victim, the likelihood of obtaining a conviction at trial, the desirability of prompt and certain disposition of the case, the probable sentence or other consequences if the defendant is convicted, the probable effect on witnesses, and the expense of trial and appeal.

In this case, after consultation with the victims family, prosecutors determined that it was in the interests of justice to enter a plea agreement that guaranteed Mr. Dupree would serve many years in prison. It should be noted that, in exchange for his plea, Mr. Dupree has agreed to a sentence that is more severe than what the Kansas sentencing guidelines would ordinarily require.

Lets take all of those points in order.

First, again, the interests of the victim were not served, according to her family. If there was some late-breaking problem with getting a conviction, they should have been brought onboard, which according to them did not happen.

A prompt disposition of the case? That boat sailed and sank a while ago.

Re: the expense of a trial and appeal, please dont talk to me about what an unaffordable luxury justice for a 16-year-old is.

The reference to consultation to the victims family is wildly misleading in their view. I would never be fine with going from a charge of first-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter, Blewitt told me. I was advised of it. She was asked her opinion, she said, and then that opinion was ignored. Knowledge is not agreement, and yes, my feelings are hurt.

Four or five years tacked onto Duprees current sentence is not many years in prison. And while Dupree has agreed to a sentence thats longer than in other involuntary manslaughter cases, its shorter than for other premeditated, cold-blooded homicides.

Billy Duprees defense attorney, Antwone Floyd, who used to work for Mark Dupree, did not return my message asking him what happened.

This is Billy Duprees third violation as a registered sex offender, and the Kansas Sentencing Commission should take a look at this, though both Jessica Domme and Mark Dupree are on that 17-member commission.

This Friday, the AGs spokeswoman called to offer me an interview with prosecutor Jessica Domme after the formal sentencing hearing on Nov. 22.

I said sure, Id love to sit down with her, but would be writing a lot sooner, as in right away. The interview offer was conditional, she said, on what I might write between then and now. Shell give the interview to someone, Herbert said.

If in that interview, which my spidey sense tells me I will not be getting, Domme reveals a perfectly reasonable explanation, then Ill take it all back.

But until then, every time I hear Derek Schmitt talk about common sense and Kris Kobach talk about how much he cares about victims, my thought bubble will contain just two words: Deleisha Kelley.

They ripped off the scabs for nothing, her mother told me. The system has failed. The system is people, and yes, they did.
A Scottish Labour MP has said donations made to the party were an attempt to "level the playing field" between Labour and opposition parties.

Trade minister Douglas Alexander said the stories about free gifts for Labour figures were "not the headlines we would have chosen" as the party holds its first conference since returning to government.

Sir Keir Starmer and senior Labour figures have been criticised for accepting gifts including clothing from Labour donor Lord Waheed Alli.

SNP MP Dave Doogan said the prime minister's actions were "totally indefensible".

It emerged last week that media mogul Lord Alli, a long-time Labour supporter who was made a life peer by Tony Blair in 1998, had gifted clothing to the prime minister and his wife.

It has also emerged that, after Labour came to power, Lord Alli had been given a temporary Downing Street security pass despite having no formal government role.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves also accepted donations from donor Juliet Rosenfeld, which were used to pay for clothing.

It has been announced that senior figures including Ms Reeves, Sir Keir and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will no longer accept such donations.

Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Alexander said he welcomed the fact Lord Alli had donated to the Labour Party.

"There is absolutely no suggestion that he is looking for something in return other than what he has dedicated many years of his life to achieving, which is to get a Labour government," he said.

He added that Lord Alli had made the donations "to try and level the playing field in circumstances" between Labour and other parties.

The Lothian East MP continued: "We exist to try and improve peoples lives and opportunities and if that means accepting support from donors who have been longstanding Labour supporters for many, many years, then actually I make no apology for the fact that Keir Starmer has made the Labour party competitive again."

Mr Alexander added that Lord Alli had donated to his former constitiuency party in Paisley South but he has not received any money from him "personally or politically in recent years".

SNP MP Dave Doogan said people would be "aghast at the naivety of UK Government ministers leaving themselves open to whatever the donors of these gifts expect in return".

"People wanted change, they wanted rid of this kind of sleazy behaviour within the Westminster bubble, but within Labour theyve found it's been turbocharged," he told Good Morning Scotland.

He added: "Let's be really clear, Angela Rayner in particular, and Keir Starmer especially - these are not poor people.

"If Keir Starmer wanted 2,500 worth of glasses, he could have easily bought them.

"But he didn't. He took it off somebody who was offering it to him, and that's not the world that the rest of us walk in."

The fallout continues to dominate headlines as the party holds its first conference since being forming a government in July.

Alexander said his party will use the event to move the agenda on.

"In the short-term these headlines matter, and they're not the headlines we would have chosen, I'm not going to pretend that," he said.

"In the longer term, the trend lines matter much more.

"Do we re-establish stability in the economy and in the public finances? Can we raise living standards?"

Speaking from the conference in Liverpool, he added: "The fact is we are going to, this week, hopefully move beyond some of the teething problems we've seen in recent days."
Prime Minister of the State of Palestine Mohammad Mustafa (on rostrum), also Palestine's minister of foreign affairs, addresses the UN Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2024. Mustafa on Monday condemned Israel's "genocidal war" in Gaza at a meeting of the United Nations (UN), pleading for urgent action by the international community to stop the aggression. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The prime minister of the State of Palestine on Monday condemned Israel's "genocidal war" in Gaza at a meeting of the United Nations (UN), pleading for urgent action by the international community to stop the aggression.

"As I speak before you, our people in Gaza are enduring one of the darkest chapters in modern history," Mohammad Mustafa, also Palestine's minister of foreign affairs, said when addressing the UN Summit of the Future.

"For nearly a year now, Israel's genocidal war has caused unprecedented loss and suffering and humanitarian catastrophe," Mustafa said, referring to Israel's war effort in the Gaza Strip in the wake of the attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

"All of this, perpetrated in breach of the Charter and international law, threatens the future of the Palestinian people," Mustafa said, adding that "the international community must act urgently to stop this Israeli aggression on our people and bring an end to its illegal occupation, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions."

Mustafa went on to praise the people of war-torn Palestine for their "remarkable resilience" shown in the face of ongoing atrocities, which the Health Ministry in Gaza said resulted in the loss of at least 41,455 lives as of Monday.

"As proven in the past, Palestine can achieve economic growth and sustainable development," Mustafa said, calling on UN member states to "remain faithful to the principles" of the Summit of the Future "by restoring hope to future generations, including the Palestinian people who must not be left behind." 

Prime Minister of the State of Palestine Mohammad Mustafa, also Palestine's minister of foreign affairs, addresses the UN Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2024.

Mustafa on Monday condemned Israel's "genocidal war" in Gaza at a meeting of the United Nations (UN), pleading for urgent action by the international community to stop the aggression. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
As announced by the FDA, HP Hood LLC, maker of Lactaid milk products, enacted a voluntary recall of five varieties due to potential almond contamination. This ingredient is not listed on the labels of affected Lactaid products, which puts people with tree nut allergies at significant risk. States affected by the recall include Ohio, Nebraska, Alabama, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, Kentucky, Colorado, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Georgia, Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Maryland, Oklahoma, Virginia, Kansas, Iowa, Texas, Missouri, and Indiana. Affected products where shipped to retailers between September 5 and September 18, 2024.

Consumers are urged to inspect any Lactaid products currently in their homes to determine whether or not they're included in the recall. The product comes in 96-ounce containers and features code 51-4109 P2 at the top center of the packaging. Recalled products include Lactaid Whole Milk (code 0 41383 09073 8), Lactaid 2% Milk (code 0 41383 09072 1), Lactaid 1% Milk (code 0 41383 09071 4), Lactaid Fat Free Milk (code 0 41383 09070 7), and Lactaid 2% Calcium Enriched Milk (code 0 41383 15567 3). Expiration dates range from November to December 2024 (see the FDA announcement for the complete list). Lactaid, which came in at number five in our ranking of popular milk brands, does not contain lactose, which is a type of sugar that can be difficult for some people to digest.

Read more: 7 Nuts You Should Be Eating And 7 You Shouldn't

Steps To Take If You Have Recalled Lactaid In Your Fridge

Pouring milk into glass - Krisanapong Detraphiphat/Getty Images

While almond milk is a popular alternative to dairy milks, the tree nut can cause serious health issues in people who are allergic or have sensitivities. As a result, the ingredient must be disclosed by product manufacturers on labeling to ensure those with allergies can avoid it. According to the FDA, HP Hood LLC discovered the presence of almonds during maintenance, which resulted in the voluntary recall. While only trace amounts of almonds were detected, these could be enough to cause a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

HP Hood LLC encourages consumers to return any affected products to the point of purchase for an exchange or full refund. You can also contact the company directly by calling 800-242-2423. A representative will be there to assist you Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern. CBS News reports that no illnesses have yet been announced, and we can only hope that the voluntary recall occurred in time to prevent anyone from falling seriously ill. Due to the number of states affected, this Lactaid recall might just be included in the biggest food recalls of 2024 (so far).

Read the original article on Mashed.
Starting in 2025, the Kentucky Supreme Court will be lead by a woman chief justice for the first time, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Debra Hembree Lambert, who currently serves as deputy chief justice, was announced as the next chief justice of the commonwealth on Monday. She was voted into the four-year term which will begin on January 6, 2025.

Lambert has served as a judge or justice for 17 years working as a family court circuit judge, court of appeals justice and with the Supreme Court. She is the head of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health.

The chief justice-elect previously served four years with the court of appeals, and was a circuit judge of the family court division of the 28th Judicial Circuit, including Lincoln, Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. She was appointed to that seat in 1999 by then-governor Paul E. Patton.

While a family court judge, she created the first drug court in the area and was recognized for her efforts in 2002 when the National Association of Drug Court Professionals inducted her into the Stanley M. Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame, according to the court system.

Lambert volunteers as a certified suicide prevention trainer, training others on how to properly intervene to prevent suicide.

In this new role, she will succeed the states current chief justice, Laurance VanMeter, who described her as hard-working, dedicated, and experienced in the Kentucky justice system.

VanMeter was elected to the position in November 2022, and announced in 2023 he would not seek re-election to the supreme court.

I am confident that Chief Justice-elect Lambert will lead the Judicial Branch with integrity and ensure the efficient and fair administration of justice for this great commonwealth, VanMeter said in a statement.

Lambert is a native of Bell County, and earned a bachelors degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a law degree at the University of Kentucky. She and her husband, Joseph Sharpe, reside on Lake Cumberland in Burnside in Pulaski County. She is the mother of two sons, Joseph Patrick Lambert and John Ryan Lambert, and two stepdaughters, Jessica Sharpe Guffey and Chelsea Sharpe Woolums.

While she is the first woman to hold the position, Lambert said she is most proud to be a small-town kid from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.

I am both humbled and honored to have been elected by my colleagues to serve as the chief justice for the next four years, she said. I know it is certainly no small task to lead the Judicial Branch of government. Our judges, clerks and administrative employees handle large dockets and special programs with great efficiency.
Students leave the classroom to work in the computer lab at Mata Intermediate School. Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune

A legal effort to block Texas from releasing school performance ratings has created a divide between district leaders who worry the scores are an inaccurate representation of their work and others who say parents need that information to make choices about their kids schooling.

A coalition of about 30 school districts recently sued the Texas Education Agency over the introduction of a computer system to grade the states standardized tests, which are used to calculate part of Texas schools performance rating. The year before, school districts filed a similar lawsuit arguing that the agency had raised too fast a benchmark that also goes into their score. Judges out of Travis County have sided with the school districts in both cases, ordering temporary injunctions that have kept the TEA from releasing the ratings for two consecutive school years.

The latest lawsuit has been met with wariness from some school leaders, a marked shift from when more than a 100 districts saddled up for the first suit to create a unified front against the TEA.

While the states hands have been tied from releasing ratings this year, some school districts in Bexar, Dallas, El Paso and Harris counties have voluntarily released their own campuses forecast scores. One board trustee out of Midlands school district unsuccessfully filed a petition with the court to intervene in the lawsuit, saying time and money were wasted on standardized testing if the public could not access school performance ratings.

If I'm going to put billboards up and I'm going to put up a fancy website promoting our academic programs or early college high school programs, I believe I owe it to that same community, those same parents, [to] put out scores, said Xavier de la Torre, the superintendent of the Ysleta school district in El Paso.

The TEA grades every public and charter school in the state on an A-F scale. A failing grade can trigger state sanctions and it can lead the TEA to take over a district in the worst cases. Poor scores can also push families to leave the district and, since schools get money from the state based on enrollment, could lead to less funds.

Some school leaders criticized the automated computer system used to grade the statewide standardized test this year, saying a third party should have reviewed the tool before it was rolled out. They believe statewide drops in reading scores were due to errors with the system and would result in an unfair school rating.

School leaders also said they didnt get enough notice when TEA introduced stricter expectations for how schools show theyre preparing students for life after graduation. High schools can now only get an A rating if 88% of their seniors enrolled in college, pursued a non-college career or entered the military, up from 60%.

Bobby Ott, the superintendent of Temples school district, said he never saw the changes to the career readiness benchmarks coming.

It wasn't even a target we could prepare for, and that was just completely uncalled for, he said. In no real-time situation do you measure progress improvement by doing a ready, fire, aim approach. There's no system built like that  There's no chance to build to that goal.

But critics question if back-to-back lawsuits are the best means to raise concerns about the changes. Families have now gone five years without a full picture of how their schools are doing. Texas did not release school ratings in 2020 or 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic; in 2022, Texas lawmakers ordered the state to only release A-C ratings.

Ott agreed a legal fight wasnt the ideal way to settle disputes with the changes but he said lawmakers left districts no choice because they havent addressed their concerns.

The Dallas Independent School District was among the districts that joined in on the first lawsuit. A year later, it was one of the first to voluntarily release their own ratings.

We're all being held to that same calculation. So the fact that [the states rating system] is imperfect does not mean that we shouldn't measure it at all, said Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde. I feel like I owe it to our community, and, frankly, to the state of Texas to say, here is where we are.

Elizalde said her district joined the first lawsuit because she wanted one more year to understand the new college and career readiness benchmarks before they went into effect. Now that that year had come and passed, Elizalde said her district needed to be transparent about its rating so her team could set performance goals  even if she does share some of the same computer scoring concerns listed in the latest lawsuit.

If I dont talk about where we are now, how can I explain how were improving? she said.

Dallas ISD expects to get a C rating this year, a drop from the B it earned in the 2021-22 school year.

Parents lean on A-F scores to understand how their local schools are performing and, if they have the resources, they can use that information to make decisions about where to send their kids to school.

In the El Paso area, school districts in that region are open enrollment, which means families can apply to enroll their child in any school within the district regardless of where they live. The Ysleta, Socorro and El Paso school districts all released their ratings so parents could make informed decisions.

Charter schools leaders say they also benefit from having that information out in the open since many parents find them after assessing local public schools and removing their kids when they are dissatisfied.

If parents and communities don't understand the levels of performance of the schools in their neighborhoods  across a state standardized metric, then parents are left in the dark, said Jeff Cottrill, the superintendent of IDEA Public Schools, Texas largest charter school.

The fissures forming between district leaders over the A-F accountability system come as next years legislative session looms near. Lawmakers are expected to propose new school voucher legislation, which would let families use taxpayer dollars to pay for their childrens private schooling. Districts are also expected to ask for a raise in the base amount of dollars they get per student after five years of no increases.

Elizalde in Dallas worries that withholding information about public schools performance might weaken their ask.

"We know we're going to be asking for funding for schools. Am I really in the position to say our schools need funding, but I don't want to tell you how we're doing? It didn't sit right with me."

When asked about how he expects the lawsuit to impact superintendents legislative requests, Ott said he hopes the lawsuit will be a catalyst for overhauling the A-F system altogether.

Families in his district have lost trust in the standardized testing system, Ott said. Instead, they want school ratings to measure if schools are safe as well as the experience and tenure of teachers, he added.

There should be accountability and transparency, he said. But they have to be good, solid systems that people can trust and have credibility. And that's the problem right now. It's an antiquated system.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.

Disclosure: IDEA Public Schools has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM)  A Chemung County legislative committee will vote on a new law aimed at shutting down unlicensed cannabis shops. If approved by the county Multi-Services Committee on Monday night, the law will go to a full vote by the County Legislature next month.

The Chemung County Unlicensed Cannabis Regulation Law says it applies to any person selling cannabis, cannabis products or any product marketed or labeled as such in a place of business, without obtaining the appropriate registration, license or permit therefor, or engaging in an indirect retail sale in a place of business.

Licensed cannabis dispensaries coming to the Southern Tier

In April, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced new efforts to shut down unlicensed marijuana shops. They included giving local authorities the power to immediately padlock stores caught selling illicit cannabis.

The governor, in her last budget, approved local municipalities to enforce illegal marijuana sales, said Chemung County Executive Chris Moss. Basically, theyve been called sticker shops in the area. All throughout upstate New York, and I believe throughout the entire state, theyve been a problem. So, this is going to allow us to the authority to padlock the businesses, fine the businesses, hold hearings and so forth, Moss said.

The county attorney drafted a local law. I believe its been reviewed by the legislative attorney as well. We hope it makes it through multi-services tonight and goes to the full legislature.

The Chemung County Sheriffs Office will be the lead agency in charge of closing down illegal cannabis storefronts. The Sheriffs Office, along with the Chemung County Public health Director and the County Code Officer will have the authority to:

Issue a notice of violation and order to cease unlicensed activity, seize any cannabis, cannabis product or any product marketed or labeled as such, issue an order to seal the building or premises engaged in unlicensed activity, and seek injunction relief against any person in conduct in violation of this section.

The resolution says the punishment for breaking the law will be a civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than ten thousand dollars each day during which such violation continues, with a maximum penalty of $25,000.

Do you expect it to pass? asked 18 News reporter Nick Dubina.

You know what, I have no idea. Obviously, I hope it passes, Moss said. Im not a fan of marijuana, legal or otherwise. Obviously, the state enacted legal marijuana sales to get their share of the profits and taxes and so forth. But at the end of the day, we cant have illegal shops selling it and competing with shops who have gone through the process of becoming registered and legal to sell through the state.

Executive Moss said there are probably a dozen or more sticker shops still open across the county.

They come and they go so quick, they change locations and so forth. I know we have received calls of especially pertaining to what areas of the county theyre setting up in. Often, theyre set up in low-income areas, which is a concern.

The resolution also says, should the city of Elmira adopt its own law regulating the selling of unlicensed cannabis, this law shall no longer be applicable within the boundaries of the City of Elmira.

Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell told 18 News the city is still working on drafting its own version of the law to allow Elmira Police and the Elmira Code Dept. to shut down sticker shops. Mayor Mandell said he hopes the citys law will be ready for a vote at the next City Council meeting on October 7th.

How do you see the licensed side of it, is it a boon for the county?

Its a revenue we could do without, Moss replied. I mean, its not going to be that big amount of revenue. Plus, its got to be shared with the municipality where the shop is located, so its extra work for the treasurers office to figure that out.

But at the end of the day, were going to have folks that are driving after theyve been smoking weed. I mean, I dont think its a good idea, not a fan of it, but its state law, so well work on, you know, closing down the illegal shops. As far as the legal shops go, theyll have to pay their taxes to the state, and then the municipality in which the shop is located will get their cut at some point.

According to a new map from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, at least 11 applications for licensed dispensaries have been pre-approved in the Southern Tier.

You can watch the full interview with Chemung County Executive Chris Moss below:

You can read the full proposed law below:

Local-Law-Chemung-County-Unlicensed-CannabisDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
A former employee was directed to use expired ingredients to make salsa while working at the Topeka facility for Reser's Fine Foods, Inc., he said in a federal lawsuit filed Sept. 12.

Randall James, who is Black and Muslim, also alleges he was wrongfully terminated and discriminated against because of his religion and race, according to the complaint for the 12-count federal lawsuit filed by Kansas City, Missouri, attorney Joshua P. Wunderlich.

A Reser's spokeswoman didn't respond to telephone and email messages left by The Capital-Journal last week seeking the company's response.

The lawsuit's complaint doesn't give a specific amount being demanded. It asks that a jury trial be held in Kansas City, Kansas.

The suit alleges three counts of retaliation, two counts each of racial discrimination involving termination and racial discrimination involving a hostile work environment and one count each of religious discrimination involving a hostile work environment, religious discrimination involving termination, wrongful termination in violation of Kansas public policy, disability discrimination involving failure to accommodate and disability discrimination involving termination.

A former employee was directed to use expired ingredients to make salsa while working at the Topeka facility for Beaverton, Oregon-based Reser's Fine Foods, Inc., he said in a federal lawsuit filed last week.

What does the complaint say about expired ingredients?

The lawsuit said James was employed as a "mixer" from October 2022 to July 2023 at the Topeka facility for Reser's, which is based in Beaverton, Oregon.

It said James was treated in a discriminatory manner by a Hispanic co-worker described only as "M.T.," who held the position of "mix lead" and is not Black.

M.T. was not James' supervisor but had the authority to assign job duties to James and other mixers, the complaint said.

It said James at one point reported he had seen stickers indicating they were expired on ingredients he had been assigned to use to make salsa.

James later saw those stickers had been removed, after which M.T. and another mix lead told James to continue using those ingredients, the complaint said.

Nevertheless, James refused to mix the salsa, it said.

More: Topeka bike lanes plan takes step closer to reality with a Kansas funding award

"Additionally, Plaintiff regularly found plastic wrapping, plastic ice scoopers and other foreign objects in components of the products he was supposed to mix," the lawsuit complaint said.

On every occasion that he found contaminated ingredients, James refused to mix the contaminated products and notified management, it said.

"When Plaintiff refused to mix final products with contaminated components, M.T. would become angry and make derogatory comments," the complaint said.

James was terminated after white co-worker said he'd been threatened

The lawsuit complaint also alleges that:

M.T. discriminated against James on the basis of both his race and religion.

M.T. on Oct. 15, 2022, called James "stupid."

M.T. directed James' co-workers to interfere with his job functions and sabotage the machinery on which he would work.

A human resources representative told James to keep working or be fired after he suffered substantial pain in June 2023 when a co-worker "hit him and knocked him over with a cart loaded with a large number of potatoes."

James in July 2023 asked a new, white employee to leave him alone after that employee made racially discriminatory comments, asked James for drugs, asked how he could get out of working, inappropriately played with the food they were supposed to be making and took bathroom breaks lasting as long as an hour.

"In response to Plaintiff's admonition, the co-worker alleged to Reser's that Plaintiff had threatened him," the complaint said. "Reser's terminated Plaintiff's employment on or about July 12, 2023."

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka Reser's ex-employee alleges discrimination in lawsuit
At least 492 killed in Lebanon after Israeli airstrikes, officials say

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 492 people and wounded more than 1,000 others Monday, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The ministry said in a post on Facebook that children, women and medical workers are among the dead and wounded in the strikes on southern Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a post on the social platform X that forces struck 300 targets of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The strikes follow an escalating exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel that began last week and continued over the weekend as the conflict threatens to ignite into an all-out war.

Israel dealt a massive blow to Hezbollah last week after detonating pagers and walkie-talkies that killed at least 37 people and wounded thousands. Israel on Friday also carried out targeted strikes in Beirut that killed top Hezbollah commanders.

After cross-border fighting for nearly a year with Hezbollah, Israeli officials said last week that forces were shifting to a new phase in the north. Israel has also set a war goal of returning its some 60,000 displaced residents from the northern border with Lebanon.

Its unclear if Israel is laying the groundwork for a major operation in Lebanon such as a ground invasion or is working to degrade Hezbollah assets through strikes and covert attacks, but there are fears the war could escalate into an all-out conflict.

Hezbollah, which has vowed to continue its fight against Israel so long as the Gaza war keeps raging, has continued to fire rockets across the border, including a retaliatory move over the weekend.

Updated at 4:56 p.m. EDT

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Israel attacked over 800 targets across Lebanon on Monday - Reuters

The US is sending additional troops to the Middle East amid Israels deadliest barrage on Lebanon since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

Israeli airstrikes killed more than 490 people, including more than 90 women and children on Monday, the Lebanese health minister said.

Israels military claimed to have hit 1,300 Hezbollah targets in what it called the start of a proactive offensive operation against the Iran-backed militia.

The Pentagon said it was sending a small number of added troops to the region after thousands were deployed earlier alongside warships, fighter jets and air defence systems.

Joe Biden, whose country is Israels main ally and weapons supplier, said Washington was working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely.

Irans president, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Monday accused Israel of laying traps to lead his country into war. They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go, he warned.

It comes after Benjamin Netanyahu urged all Lebanese civilians to get out of harms way in an evening video message, telling them Israels fight is with Hezbollah, not Lebanon.

An Israeli strike also hit southern Beirut targeting one of Hezbollahs last battlefield commanders. The fate of Ali Karaki, the head of the southern front, is still unclear.

09:17 PM BST

Todays live coverage has ended

Todays live coverage has ended. Heres a roundup of the days events:

Israels air strikes on Lebanon killed a large number of Hezbollah militants, the Israel Defence Forces said.

The US said it would deploy additional troops to the Middle East.

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon killed more than 350 people, including 24 children, the Lebanese health minister said.

Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanese citizens to get out of harms way after Israels military pounded over 1,300 targets across the country.

Hezbollah denied claims that one of its top commanders was killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut.

09:01 PM BST

Pictured: The aftermath of an Israeli air strike on Beirut

A damaged vehicle is seen in a southern suburb of Beirut after an Israeli military strike - WAEL HAMZEH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock

Security forces arrive at the scene after the Israeli military carried out an airstrike on the Dahieh district of Beirut - Anadolu/Anadolu

08:54 PM BST

Israel says large number of Hezbollah militants killed

Israels military said a large number of Hezbollah militants were killed in strikes targeting the group in Lebanon on Monday, after Lebanons health ministry gave an overall death toll of more than 350.

Among those killed were a large number of Hezbollah terrorists who were next to the weapons that we targeted, military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a press briefing.

He added that secondary explosions of weapons stores were responsible for some of the casualties. He did not provide a figure.

08:50 PM BST

Watch: Get out of the way! Netanyahu warns in video message to all of Lebanon

Benjamin Netanyahu has warned all Lebanese civilians to get out of harms way in an evening video message.

I have a message for the people of Lebanon, Israels war is not with you its with Hezbollah, he said after Israels military pounded over 1,300 targets in the countrys north and south.

Dont let Hezbollah endanger Lebanon. Please get out of harms way now, he said, telling civilians they can return to their homes once our operation has finished.

08:40 PM BST

Hezbollah says top commander was not killed in Israeli strike

Hezbollah has denied claims that one of its top commanders was killed in an Israeli strike on Monday.

In response to the zionist enemys claims of assassinating our brother, the fighter Ali Karaki, we confirm that our dear brother, the fighter leader, Hajj Ali Karaki, is fine and, God willing, in full health and wellness and has moved to a safe place, the terror group said.

Israeli media had earlier reported that Karaki was the target of an Israeli air strike on the Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs of Beirut.

Karaki is the head of the Hezbollah unit responsible for the groups activity in southern Lebanon. He also a member of the Jihad Council, the body responsible for directing Hezbollahs military activities.

07:23 PM BST

350 killed, including 24 children, Lebanon says

Lebanon said more than 350 people including 24 children had been killed in Israeli strikes on the countrys east and south Monday - the deadliest day in nearly a year of cross-border clashes.

Israeli enemy strikes on towns and villages in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa and Baalbek in the east, killed 356 people, including 24 children and 42 women, and injured 1,246 others, the health ministry said in a statement.

07:15 PM BST

IDF says its airstrikes hit 1,300 targets in 24 hours

The Israeli military said late Monday that air strikes in Lebanon hit more than 1,300 targets of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in the previous 24 hours.

The strikes hit over 1,300 targets, army spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing.

An earlier statement from the Israeli army specified that the targets included buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure where rockets, missiles, launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles posed a threat.

07:13 PM BST

Pictured: Israel intercepts Hezbollah rockets

Rockets are launched from Lebanon towards Israel amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel - Reuters

Israels Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts incoming rockets - Reuters

Explosions are seen in the air as the rockets are hit by interceptor missiles - Reuters

Rocket debris falls over northern Israel following fresh attacks by Hezbollah - AFP

07:07 PM BST

Irans president: Israel is laying traps to lead us into war

Irans president accused Israel on Monday of seeking a wider war in the Middle East and laying traps to lead his country into a wider conflict.

Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran doesnt want to see the current war in Gaza and airstrikes across the Israeli-Lebanon border expanded.

He said while Israel insists it doesnt want a wider war, it is taking actions that show otherwise.

They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go...There is no winner in warfare, he said. We are only fooling ourselves if we believe that.

07:03 PM BST

Other countries react to the escalation in violence

Egypt has urged the UN Security Council to intervene after what it called a dangerous Israeli escalation in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Turkey said Israels strikes on Lebanon threaten to drag entire region into chaos.

Iraqs prime minister, Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, is seeking an urgent Arab meeting at UN General Assembly over the escalation in fighting.

06:46 PM BST

Biggest blow to Hezbollah since 2006 war - analysis

Israel attacked more than 1,100 Hezbollah targets in the past 24 hours, marking the biggest blow to the terror group since the 2006 war.

In TV studios the conflict is now being referred to as a full-fledged war by some pundits for a number of reasons; the scale of todays attacks, the mass evacuation of Lebanese civilians and finally the long-range rockets fired at the West Bank, likely aimed at central Israel.

Some still dont consider it a full-scale war as Israel hasnt launched a ground invasion yet.

But Israel is now attacking Beirut on a regular basis, taking out top Hezbollah commanders and destroying its missile depots across the country, clearly marking a vastly different level of the conflict from the past 11 months.

06:41 PM BST

In pictures: Inside Israels war rooms

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (second from left) approves plans for strikes in Lebanon, alongside other top military officials

Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, meets with IDF leaders at the Kirya military headquarters

06:26 PM BST

Israel struck over 1,100 Hezbollah targets in single day - IDF

06:23 PM BST

Fate of senior Hezbollah commander targeted in strike unclear

An Israeli strike on Monday evening on the southern suburbs of Lebanons capital targeted senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki, the head of the southern front, a Lebanese security source told Reuters.

Karakis fate is unclear, the source added.

An IDF infographic shows Hezbollahs chain of command with those it has eliminated - there is no picture of Ali Karaki

06:07 PM BST

Pictured: Aftermath of Israeli strike on Beirut

Emergency responders gather at the site of an Israeli strike on Beiruts southern suburbs said to have targeted a senior Hezbollah commander

06:05 PM BST

Israel army chief: We are preparing for next phase

Herzi Halevi, Israels army chief, said that this morning was the start of a proactive offensive operation to target Hezbollah weapon sites in Lebanon.

Essentially, we are targeting combat infrastructure that Hezbollah has been building for the past 20 years. This is very significant. We are striking targets and preparing for the next phases, which I will elaborate on shortly, he said.

Ultimately, everything is focused on creating the conditions to return the residents of the north to their homes.

05:59 PM BST

Fresh rocket sirens in Haifa

Israelis are running for cover in the northern coastal city of Haifa and nearby towns as fresh rockets sirens sound, according to witnesses.

It is the first time since war broke out in October that a Hezbollah rocket attack has set off sirens inside the city and not its suburbs, which were hit on Sunday.

Israels Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept rockets launched from Lebanon at Haifa, northern Israel - AP

05:55 PM BST

Biden says working to de-escalate in Lebanon

President Joe Biden said on Monday that the US was trying to calm the situation in Lebanon after Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds killed at least 274 people, including children.

Ive been briefed on the latest developments in Israel and Lebanon. My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and were working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely, Biden said as he held talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president, at the White House.

05:53 PM BST

Watch: Israel strikes hundreds of Hezbollah targets across Lebanon

05:49 PM BST

US sends more troops to Middle east

The US is sending additional troops to the Middle East in response to a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, would provide no details on how many additional forces or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. currently has about 40,000 troops in the region.

In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region. But for operational security reasons, Im not going to comment on or provide specifics.

03:00 PM BST

Netanyahu: we are changing security balance in north

Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces are changing the security balance in the north of the country, near the border with Lebanon.

Mr Netanyahu vowed last week to facilitate the return of thousands of displaced Israelis to their homes in the north after they were evacuated due to rocket attacks from Hezbollah.

Speaking after 182 people were killed in strikes on Monday, the Israeli prime minister said his forces do not wait for threat but preempt it.

02:50 PM BST

Schools in Lebanon to be used as shelters

Schools in Lebanon will be turned into temporary shelters for residents evacuating the southern border.

Buildings in Beirut, Tripoli, eastern and southern Lebanon will open for displaced people, according to Lebanese media reports.

02:40 PM BST

Watch: Israel destroys Hezbollah weapons

The IDF has posted footage showing Hezbollah weapons being destroyed in an air strike in Lebanon on Monday.

The Israeli military said it was targeting homes in southern Lebanon where the weapons are stored by the Lebanese terror group.

02:14 PM BST

Iran warns Israel of dangerous consequences

Iran has warned Israel of dangerous consequences after it carried out deadly strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.

Nasser Kanani, Irans foreign ministry spokesperson, said the strikes were insane and warned Israel against its new adventure.

Mr Kanani said the strikes represented a clear example of a serious threat to regional and international peace.

Some 182 people were killed and 727 injured in Mondays strikes, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

02:02 PM BST

Israels patience is not inexhaustible

Israels patience is not inexhaustible, a government spokesperson has said, after being asked about escalating clashes between Hezbollah and the IDF.

David Mencer said Hezbollah havent stopped, not for a single day attacking us, not for a single day.

No country can accept the wanton rocketing of its cities, Mr Mencer added.

Asked if Israel had declared war on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Mr Mencer said: Israel has a responsibility to defend its northern border. That is precisely what we are doing.

Israel attacked more than 300 targets across Lebanon on Monday, focusing primarily on the south of the country - REUTERS

01:55 PM BST

Death toll rises to 182 - health ministry

The death toll from Israels air strikes in Lebanon on Monday has risen to 182, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

At least 727 more were injured, including women, children, and medics, the ministry added.

01:38 PM BST

IDF orders more evacuations ahead of new strikes

The IDF has ordered more evacuations in the Beqaa Valley - around 30km east of Beirut - as it prepares to carry out another round of air strikes.

Daniel Hagari, the IDFs spokesperson, insisted in a statement on Monday afternoon that all strikes had hit Hezbollah weapons.

Every house that we strike contains weaponsrockets, missiles, UAVs that are intended to kill Israeli civilians, the IDF said in a statement.

01:20 PM BST

IDF: Lebanon strikes target Hezbollah weapons

The IDF has said that all air strikes targeted homes in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah is known to have stored missiles, drones, and rockets, causing secondary explosions.

Daniel Hagari also warned civilians in the Beeqa Valley to stay away from areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons as the IDF prepares to launch more air strikes.

12:48 PM BST

Israel attempts to call 80,000 Lebanese residents

Israel attempted to contact at least 80,000 Lebanese residents to warn them to evacuate their local areas ahead of a new wave of air strikes.

Imad Kreidieh, head of local telecoms operator Orego, told Reuters Israel was engaging in psychological warfare to make havoc and chaos.

12:25 PM BST

Death toll rises to 100 - health ministry

The death toll from Israels strikes on Lebanon on Monday has risen from 50 to 100, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

At least 400 more were injured, the ministry added.

The figures do not differentiate between civilians and Hezbollah fighters.

12:02 PM BST

In pictures: Israeli air strikes hit Lebanon villages

Lebanese civilians watch on as Israeli air strikes hit villages in southern Lebanon - REUTERS

Israel said it launched at least 300 attacks on Hezbollah targets on Monday - AFP

11:51 AM BST

Fifty killed and 300 injured in Israeli strikes

At least 50 people were killed and 300 injured in Israels latest round of air strikes on Lebanon, the countrys health ministry has said.

The Lebanese health ministry said this included women, children, and medics, in strikes which largely focused on southern Lebanon.

The IDF confirmed earlier on Monday that it had attacked 300 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.

11:30 AM BST

Hezbollah strikes back at Israel

Hezbollah said it launched three strikes at Israel after the IDF carried out 300 attacks across Lebanon on Monday.

According to the IDF, 35 rockets were fired by Hezbollah at Israel.

A statement read: Following the sirens that sounded at 12:24 in the areas of Amiad and Safed, approximately 25 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted a number of projectiles. Numerous falls were identified in open areas and adjacent to the area of Amiad. Following the sirens that sounded at 12:43 in the Lower Galilee area, approximately 10 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

Numerous falls were identified. Following the sirens that sounded at 12:19 in the area of Alkosh, the details are under review.

11:12 AM BST

Lebanese hospitals scrap non-urgent procedures

The Lebanese health ministry has told hospitals in the south and east to suspend all non-urgent surgeries in order to treat those wounded in Israeli air strikes.

10:49 AM BST

Lebanon PM denounces Israels destructive plan

The Lebanese prime minister denounced Israels destructive plan as the IDF carried out a fresh wave of air strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday.

The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns, Najib Mikati told a cabinet meeting.

Mr Mikati urged the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries... to deter the (Israeli) aggression.

Israel said it attacked hundreds of targets in Lebanon on Monday morning - REUTERS

10:24 AM BST

Israel launches 300 strikes on Hezbollah targets

The Israeli military said it launched around 300 strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday.

It came after Lebanese residents were told to evacuated their homes ahead of extensive, precise air strikes.

09:58 AM BST

Sirens heard in northern Israel

As the IDF confirmed it had launched a fresh wave of air strikes against Hezbollah, air sirens were heard ringing out in communities in northern Israel, close to the border with Lebanon.

09:39 AM BST

IDF begins new wave of strikes against Hezbollah

The Israeli military has launched a new wave of attacks against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The IDF (Israel Defence forces) is currently conducting strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon, the military just said in a statement.

09:21 AM BST

IDF tells Lebanese civilians: strikes are imminent

The IDF has posted a message in Arabic telling Lebanese citizens that strikes on homes used to store Hezbollah weapons are imminent.

Hezbollah is lying to you and sacrificing you, Avichay Adraee said. Its missiles and drones are more valuable and important to it than you are.

It comes after Lebanese citizens were warned to evacuate areas near sites where Hezbollah weapons are stored. Residents have reported receiving text messages and calls warning them to leave.

This includes residents in the capital city of Beirut ahead of an anticipated large-scale attack by Israel.

09:00 AM BST

We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon

Israel is deepening its attacks against Hezbollah, Israels defence minister said, as he urged the public to show composure in the coming days.

Speaking on Monday, Yoav Gallant said he expected intensified fire from across the border this week.

We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon, the actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes, Mr Gallant said.

These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure.

Yoav Gallant, Israeli defence minister, said he expects more attacks from Lebanon in the coming days - Anadolu

08:44 AM BST

IDF lays out goals in Lebanon

An IDF official has said the military will only carry out an aerial bombardment campaign after being asked if a ground invasion of Lebanon was imminent.

The Israeli military wants to degrade Hezbollahs ability to fire rockets over the border at communities in northern Israel and push its fighters back from the border.

The third aim is to destroy the terror infrastructure built by the Radwan forces, Hezbollahs elite infantry force, which the official said would be used to attack Israeli citizens.

The Israeli military will only focus on an aerial campaign, according to an IDF official - AFP

08:18 AM BST

Analysis: Why Hezbollah wont fire its most advanced missiles  yet

It might be foolhardy to poke the Russian bear, but poking the Lebanese one seems to be a different matter.

Hezbollah is almost unquestionably the worlds most formidable non-state fighting force. Its military capability exceeds that of the armies of many Middle Eastern states, Lebanon among them. Its vast arsenal includes guided missiles that could hit any Israeli city.

Yet the groups response to days of provocation has been pretty tepid so far.

Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, had repeatedly warned Israel that any airstrikes on its strongholds in southern Beirut would be met with a salvo of rocket strikes on Tel Aviv.

In the past two months, Israel has twice bombed the Lebanese capital, killing some of Nasrallahs most experienced battlefield commanders. Last week, thousands of Hezbollahs rank-and-file were incapacitated in synchronised attacks on the groups pagers and walkie-talkie radios.

Hezbollahs response has not quite been to bend over and ask for more.

Read the full story here.

08:01 AM BST

In pictures: Israel launches extensive air strikes

Israel launched a fresh wave of extensive, precise air strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday.

Below we can see the aftermath of those strikes, with smoke billowing through the sky as civilians walk along a nearby beach.

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon after Israel launched a fresh wave of extensive air strikes - REUTERS

People walk along a beach as smoke billows over southern Lebanon following a new wave of Israeli air strikes - REUTERS

07:50 AM BST

Israel briefed US on Hezbollah strikes

Israels defence minister said on Monday that he spoke with his Washington counterpart about the militarys latest strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Provided the Secretary with a situation assessment of Hezbollah threats and briefed him on IDF (Israel Defense Forces) operations to degrade Hezbollahs ability to launch attacks against Israeli civilians, Yoav Gallant said.

We also discussed the wider regional situation and the threats posed by Iran and its proxies, he added.

07:43 AM BST

IDF tells civilians to evacuate Lebanese villages

The Israeli army is calling on civilians in Lebanese villages to evacuate from areas where Hezbollah is storing cruise missiles, rockets and drones in civilian buildings.

We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harms way for their own safety, Daniel Harari, the IDFs spokesperson, said.

The IDF also released drone and 3D illustrations allegedly showing how Hezbollah is storing large cruise missiles in civilian homes throughout southern Lebanon.

A military official said in a briefing to foreign journalists that this marks the first time since Oct 8 that the army is issuing this type of advanced warning in Lebanon, after Israel detected a 300kg Russian-made cruise missile about to be launched at Israel from a civilian home.

We are using all available media platforms to communicate this warning in Arabic, a military official said.

The official said that the Russian-made cruise missile was likely smuggled from Syria into Lebanon, adding that Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a battlefield by embedding its military capabilities into civilian homes.

07:36 AM BST

Middle East headlines

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

Were bringing you the latest from the Middle East as Israel and Hezbollah continue to fire rockets at one another amid escalating tensions.

Heres the latest headlines:

The Israeli military has called on Lebanese civilians to immediately evacuate any buildings where Hezbollah is storing arms.

It comes after the IDF said it was preparing to launch extensive, precise strikes on Hezbollah targets.

The senior Hezbollah leaders killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday were meeting to discuss plans to invade Israel in an October-7 style attack, Israels president said.

Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem said his group was in a new phase in its battle against Israel which he described as an open-ended battle of reckoning.

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Councillors Shakeel Hussain and Sufi Mubeen are protesting about the presence of sex workers in the area [LDRS]

People have been urged not to take matters into their own hands, following local protests against sex workers.

Stockton Borough councillor Shakeel Hussain led a protest in the Ropner ward area earlier this month, which saw protesters bearing placards stating: 'No to sex workers on our streets'.

Fellow councillor, Sufi Mubeen, said the protest was not directed against the sex workers themselves, but claimed local people had become afraid to go out.

Stockton Neighbouring Policing Team (SNPT) said it would prefer the community worked with the police and other partners to "tackle these issues", rather than stage independent protests.

Mubeen said people are being "stopped and harassed by sex workers", and people were scared to report it to the police, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"We know that sex workers are victims," he said, adding: "We're looking for a safe exit for them as well."

One local resident, Thomas Millen, said neighbours had found used needles and condoms on the floor.

"It's scary," said Mr Millen.

Councillor Norma Stephenson acknowledged it was a "very complex situation", and said the local authority had been working with its partners on a "long-term solution".

Its important to consider that women who are sex working are often extremely vulnerable and victims of wider exploitation  and we owe them an equal duty of care," she said.

SNPT Ch Insp Dan Heron said officers and council colleagues patrol the area and engage with women involved in sex work "to try to safeguard" the most vulnerable.

"We are working hard to improve the Ropner ward for all [who are] living and working there," he said.

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A Lebanese man in Beirut checks a message on his mobile phone calling on people to evacuate areas where Hezbollah operates (JOSEPH EID) (JOSEPH EID/AFP/AFP)

Lebanese official media said Monday people were receiving Israeli phone warnings telling them to evacuate, and Information Minister Ziad Makary's office told AFP it had received one of the messages.

The reports came after the Israeli military told people in Lebanon to move away from Hezbollah targets and vowed to carry out more "extensive and precise" strikes against the Iran-backed group.

It was the Israeli military's first official warning issued to Lebanese people since the war in Gaza erupted nearly a year ago.

Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) said that "citizens in Beirut and a number of areas are receiving landline telephone warning messages whose source is the Israeli enemy, asking them to quickly evacuate where they are".

It called the phone warnings "part of the psychological war that the enemy has adopted".

Minister Makary's office, located in Beirut near several other ministries, said it received a landline call and when staff responded, a "recorded message" told them to evacuate the building in order to avoid strikes.

Others in Lebanon reported receiving mobile phone text messages with similar warnings from a sender whose number was not displayed.

Beirut resident Khaled, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said he "received a text message that said: "If you are in a building where there are Hezbollah weapons, distance yourself from the village until further notice."

Imad Kreidieh, head of state telecommunications provider Ogero, said "the landline network system in Lebanon blocks all communications from Israel".

But Israel "circumvents the communications systems by using the international phone code of a friendly country", he told AFP.

Israel and Lebanon are technically at war, and Lebanon forbids communications with Israel.

lar-at/lg/srm
Smoke from heavy Israeli air raids billows from the southern Lebanese village of Arab Salim. The death toll has risen to 182 people with 727 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Monday. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday evening that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes has risen to 356 people, including 24 children, with another 1,246 wounded.

These are the deadliest Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the last major war between Israel and the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia in 2006.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the Israeli Air Force has "destroyed tens of thousands of missiles that threatened Israeli citizens" in the massive attacks against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire almost daily for about a year. About 150,000 people on both sides of the border have been forced to flee their homes.

The conflict intensified again last week after thousands of communication devices were detonated in Lebanon, killing more than 50 people, including civilians - plus an Israeli attack on the Hezbollah leadership near Beirut.

Smoke from heavy Israeli air raids billows from the southern Lebanese village of Taibeh. The death toll has risen to 182 people with 727 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Monday. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
This photo shows the smoke from Israeli airstrikes in Bint Jbeil, Lebanon, on Sept. 23, 2024. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterates the urgent need for an immediate de-escalation and that all efforts be devoted to a diplomatic solution, and his call for all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and ensure they are not put in harm's way, the statement said.

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is gravely alarmed by the escalating situation along the Blue Line -- a buffer zone separating Israel and Lebanon -- and the large number of civilian casualties, including children and women, being reported by the Lebanese authorities, his spokesman said on Monday.

The UN chief is also deeply alarmed by the thousands of displaced persons, amid the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

Noting that the secretary-general is also gravely alarmed by the continued strikes by Hezbollah into Israel, the statement said the UN chief expresses grave concern for the safety of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line, including UN personnel, and strongly condemns the loss of lives.

Guterres reiterates the urgent need for an immediate de-escalation and that all efforts be devoted to a diplomatic solution, and his call for all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and ensure they are not put in harm's way, the statement said.

"He also reminds all actors of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of all UN personnel and assets," and "urges the parties to recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and immediately return to a cessation of hostilities to restore stability," the statement said.

Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday resulted in 356 deaths, including 24 children and 42 women, with 1,246 others injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said on Monday that Israel was preparing for "the next phases" after launching large-scale airstrikes in Lebanon earlier in the day. 
The coffin of pro-Iranian top military leader Ibrahim Akil, who was killed in a deadly Israeli-air strike attack on Beirut southern suburb, is carried by supporters during his funeral procession. At Least 45 people were killed in the strike among them 16 Hezbollah commanders of elite al-Radwan brigade. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

At least 50 people have been killed and more than 300 injured - including women and children - in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Monday.

The ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre issued a statement saying that Israeli's prolonged raids on southern Lebanese towns and villages had led to what it described as "an initial toll," meaning the numbers were expected to rise.

Among the dead and wounded were children, women and paramedics, the statement said.

The Israeli army said on Monday it had attacked more than 300 targets linked to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

Pro-Iranian Hezbollah supporters carry the coffin of one of three party commander of elite al-Radwan brigade, who were killed in an Israeli air raid attack on Beirut southern suburb, during the funeral procession. At least 37 people were killed among them 16 Hezbollah commanders of the elite al-Radwan brigade. Marwan Naamani/dpa
Traces of Israeli warplanes are seen in the sky over southern Beirut. The Israeli armed forces have launched a fresh strike on a target in the Beirut Lebanese capital Beirut, the IDF said on Monday. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Almost 500 people have been killed and more than 1,600 injured across southern and eastern Lebanon, the Health Ministry said in Beirut on Monday, as Israel launched its deadliest wave of airstrikes at the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia in decades.

As the war in Gaza approaches its first anniversary, the long-feared escalation of the Middle Eastern conflict appeared to have arrived, with Lebanese authorities reporting at least 492 people dead, including 35 children, and another 1,645 wounded.

Israel said it had carried out more than 1,300 attacks on targets in Lebanon, including one in the capital Beirut, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a pre-emptive strike aimed at eliminating Hezbollah's weaponry.

Netanyahu said that Hezbollah had concealed its rockets directed at Israeli cities in private living rooms. "To defend our people against Hezbollah strikes, we must take out these weapons," he said.

"I have a message for the people of Lebanon: Israel's war is not with you. It's with Hezbollah," he added. "For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields."

In response, the Shiite group said it had launched dozens of rockets at bases in the north of Israel, targeting Israeli armaments facilities near the key port of Haifa and a military base in Galilee. There were no initial reports of injury or damage in Israel.

The Lebanese government accused Israel of "a war of annihilation" in view of the attacks. "We as a government are working to stop this new war by Israel and prevent a descent into the unknown," said Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Israel claims thousands of rockets eliminated

The simmering dispute between Israel and Hezbollah - a firm backer of the Palestinian militant group Hamas - intensified again last week after thousands of communication devices were detonated in Lebanon, killing more than 50 people, before an Israeli strike on the Hezbollah leadership near Beirut.

The latest attacks, however, represent a significant escalation, in the most severe episode of fighting in Lebanon since the war of 2006.

Israel insists it is pursuing the goal of ensuring the evacuated residents of its northern regions can safely return to their homes.

To that end, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the country's air force had destroyed tens of thousands of missiles threatening the lives of Israeli citizens.

"In these hours, we are destroying capabilities that Hezbollah has built up over 20 years," he stated.

Israels military chief, Herzi Halevi, announced that the code name of the military operation is "Northern Arrows."

The military was also continuing to target senior Hezbollah commanders, days after the strike in a Beirut suburb that killed the high-ranking Ibrahim Aqil and 15 others.

Israeli media reported that the latest attack in Beirut was aimed at senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki. But Hezbollah said in a statement late Monday that Karaki was in "full health" and had been taken to a "safe place."

UN mission in Lebanon expresses concern

As the death toll from the Israeli strikes continued to rise on Monday, the United Nations mission in Lebanon called for de-escalation and for civilian lives to be protected.

In a statement, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed "grave concern for the safety of civilians in southern Lebanon amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October."

"Attacks on civilians are not only violations of international law but may amount to war crimes," it added.

The statement said Aroldo Lazaro, the UNIFIL head of mission, was in contact with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities in an effort to halt the shelling.

"Any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences," UNIFIL warned.

A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, said he was "gravely alarmed" by the "large number of civilian casualties, including children and women."

The dramatic escalation in the Middle East is likely to overshadow the largest diplomatic meeting in the world - the high-level week of the UN General Assembly in New York, which begins on Tuesday.

Path forward unclear

So far, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have avoided answering the question of whether Monday's airstrikes could be followed by a ground offensive in Lebanon - a move that could draw in Hezbollah's allies in the region, or even Iran itself.

Amid the rising tensions, the United States said it was sending "a small number of additional US military personnel" to reinforce its bases in the region.

There about 40,000 US military personnel already stationed in the Middle East, with Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder saying the move was "out of an abundance of caution."

Also on Monday, the Israeli government declared a state of emergency throughout the country.

Israeli media said the declaration will last until September 30 and means, among other things, that the size of gatherings can be restricted. So far, however, the army has not yet released any new instructions.

Smoke from heavy Israeli air raids billows from the southern Lebanese village of Taibeh. The death toll has risen to 182 people with 727 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Monday. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Heavy smoke of Israeli air raids billows from suspected Hezbollah position in the southern Lebanese village of Mahmoudieh. Israeli warplanes carried more than 50 raids on several villages one day after a deadly attack on Beirut southern suburb killing 31 people among them Hezbollah commanders of the elite al-Radwan Brigade. Marwan Naamani/dpa
A legal fight in Texas could lead to more school book bans in Florida. Heres how: | Opinion

This week, as we celebrate national Banned Books Week, we are painfully mindful that the unprecedented war on free expression in public education waged by local school boards and state legislatures is still going strong.

As we all know, Florida is on forefront of this issue.

Not since McCarthyism in the 1950s have we witnessed as pernicious a campaign of state censorship and ideological control over public education.

Book banning and educational gag orders have been on the rise since 2021, and during the 2023-2024 school year, PEN America recorded over 10,000 book bans nationwide.

Now, a lawsuit in Texas may determine whether or not state governments are allowed to impose ideological control over public education.

Should these states prevail, students will suffer as they are denied books and classroom topics they deserve.

We feel this is the stuff of tyranny, not democracy.

Little v. Llano County, Texas, a lawsuit about Texas book bans in public libraries, is currently under review in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals after a lower court ordered books returned to the shelves.

The Fifth Circuit will hear oral arguments on Sept. 24, including by the Solicitor General of Florida on behalf of 17 amici states that also support book banning.

Florida leads the charge for these 17 amici states, all filing briefs to support Texas insistence that its banning of books is not unconstitutional government overreach suppressing disfavored viewpoints, but instead protected government speech.

If adopted, this position could make state censorship in schools immune from First Amendment scrutiny an alarming prospect.

Americans should be paying close attention to this case and others in which state governments have the same goal  to bend the First Amendment to a breaking point to allow for discriminatory and censorial policies. Among these 17 states are some of the biggest book ban culprits, including Utah, Missouri, Iowa and Florida.

The Fifth Circuits ruling depends in large measure on its interpretation of the government speech doctrine, which holds that while the government cannot restrict private speech, it is not limited by the First Amendment when it speaks for itself.

Without the government speech doctrine the government would be bound by viewpoint neutrality and unable to express basic views, whether its a governor speaking in favor of their own policy or officials lowering the American flag out of respect.

Yet a contorted version of this doctrine has become the darling of state governments seeking to suppress certain viewpoints and ideas.

In and of itself, the doctrine is not harmful but rather a common-sense caveat that allows the government to function properly without being bound by the First Amendments requirement of viewpoint  and content-neutrality.

By trying to extend this doctrine to public education contrary to Supreme Court precedent, the government could freely exert ideological control over public schools by banning books or prohibiting curricular topics or discussions that it disfavors.

In Pernell v. Lamb, a critical case in Florida involving the issue of government speech, the state was asked by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals if the government speech doctrine would allow for a state university to forbid speech critical of the government.

The state said yes, noting this is the genius of federalism, your honor. Yet this blatant intent to suppress ideas is why the courts have urged caution with the government speech doctrine.

The dystopian consequences of censorship by many of the 17 states are already a reality. Florida boasts the largest number of book bans in the country of books dealing with discussions of gender and sexual identity, sexism and racism.The adoption of this interpretation of the government speech doctrine by federal courts could lead to even stronger state control of ideas and education.

The future of education and democracy depends not only on courts rejecting this dangerous bid for ideological control  it also rests with Americans making their voices heard.

Katie Blankenship and Elly Brinkley are legal experts for PEN America, a nonprofit that stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide.






Letters to the Editor: The problem with U.S. civics education? It isn't basic and rigorous enough

To the editor: California high school graduation requirements include a semester of U.S. government and civics, and a semester of economics. This has been the case for many years. ("Do you know the 3 branches of U.S. government? Many don't, leading to a push for civics education," Sept. 16)

When I taught those subjects, I always started the course telling the students that I did not want to see any of them be the butt of jokes on late-night television man-on-the-street interviews. So, they had to memorize the basics. I also gave them whatever was the citizenship test at the time.

The problem is not that the requirements are missing from the curriculum; the problem is there is little accountability for either students or teachers. So, current events or philosophy often soak up classroom time.

Every teacher has heard, "Is this going to be on the test?" The answer should be yes.

Alexa Smith Maxwell, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: Freshmen at the University of Missouri, Columbia, were required to take a U.S. government course when I attended in the mid-1960s. For me, it was superfluous, as my high school social studies class in Golden, Colo.  taught by a member of what we now call the Greatest Generation  provided me with a thorough grounding in the American system.

Far more valuable to me that freshman year in college was a class in recent European history, which covered the genesis of the two world wars.

The professor advised students on the first day of class that the Missouri Legislature was investigating him because he was a socialist and might taint instruction with his "un-American" opinions. He said students should consider dropping the class for another elective. To my knowledge, no one did.

I strongly believe that all U.S.-born citizens should know the fundamentals of the American system. At least they should be able to pass the test given to immigrants applying for citizenship.

Just as importantly, they should study other governments and philosophies to understand why  as I believe  that Western democracies, whether parliamentary or American-style systems, are the best forms of government.

Bill Spaniel, Santa Clarita

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Respect for A.G. officials

Chaos erupts at SLO County city council meeting (sanluisobispo.com, Aug. 29)

I have been following some recent news in The Tribune with dismay and disgust.

I worked for the city of Arroyo Grande for 33 years. I know how hard city staff and the City Council work and how dedicated they are to the residents of Arroyo Grande.

When I retired 12 years ago, the City Council suffered through comments from a few well-intentioned old gadflies and a despicable reporter from a local online paper.

Of course, people have the right to address the council during community comments and suggestions, and during public hearings. However, now the council must deal with people who believe that it is their constitutional right to be obnoxious, inflammatory, disrespectful, disruptive, profane and hateful at the meetings.

I cant think of any challenge that would be more of a disincentive to serving as an elected official. I want all of the council members and city staff to know how much I respect and appreciate their service to the city and its residents. They have an important but sometimes thankless job, and deserve everyones respect and gratitude. Please know that most people appreciate what you do. Keep up the good work.

Doug Perrin

San Luis Obispo

Expand the Child Tax Credit

New Census poverty data confirms it: We need to expand the Child Tax Credit!

In new data on poverty in 2023, the U.S. Census reports that the child poverty rate increased last year by 1.3%  to 13.7% overall. This translates to millions of children living in poverty. The data also shows that if the Child Tax Credit was not in place, 2.4 million more people (most of them kids) would have experienced living in poverty.

However, this is still less than half the people helped when the expanded CTC was in place in 2021. Years of data show that the CTC is one of our most effective means to reduce child poverty. And politicians know it. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. JD Vance have called for expanding the CTC.

I urge all candidates running this year to make expanding the Child Tax Credit priority number one when the new Congress and administration take office in January.

Bob Leppo

Pismo Beach

Support Sharon Roden for Paso council

I am proud to support Sharon Rodens campaign for the Paso Robles City Council. As the CEO of 2B Farming, Inc., I have had the pleasure of working alongside Sharon in various capacities. As someone who has directly witnessed her capabilities, I can confidently say that Sharon is the type of leader Paso Robles needs.

Sharons ability to bring people together, even in the face of difficult circumstances, is unmatched. I had the pleasure of serving on the executive board of the American Pistachio Growers (APG) when Sharon was chairperson. APG is dedicated to promoting and advocating for the local agricultural industry, and Sharon led with transparency and an unwavering work ethic. She showed strong leadership and an ability to work on both sides of the aisle that allowed our organization to come together and succeed with unity. She was able to accomplish this through honesty and hard work. Sharon speaks her mind and is always honest but open-minded. These are rare but needed traits in leadership nowadays.

In a time where strong, honest, and open-minded leadership is more important than ever, Sharon stands out as someone who can deliver results while representing the best interests of our community. Her dedication to Paso Robles, along with her experience and proven leadership, makes her the right choice for City Council.

I urge the residents of Paso Robles to join me in supporting Sharon Roden for Paso Robles City Council. Together, we can continue building a stronger and more united community.

Jeremy Blackwell

Paso Robles

Mainstream media blew it again

Our vaunted national mainstream media has Trumped even the Germans.

On Nov 9-10, 1938, (Kristallnacht), the German people ransacked Jewish synagogues and businesses. This worried the German government because many of the damaged buildings were insured by German companies, and it would be catastrophic if Germans had to foot the bill.

The government held a meeting to decide a course of action. Someone got the bright idea that the insurance companies didnt have to pay because the Jews being Jews were to blame for the destruction of their buildings. Go figure.

Fast forward to 2024. The mainstream media has decided that Trump being Trump is to blame for the assassination attempts on his life. Go figure some more. As George Santayana was reported to have said: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

In the mainstream medias eyes, their words dont deserve ridicule and condemnation; their words deserve praise  because after all, it would be catastrophic to elect Trump.

Reed Coray

Los Osos
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Levo Credit Union has purchased land to build a branch in Fargo, North Dakota.

In a press release from Levo Credit Union, the new branch will be located near Veterans Boulevard. The credit union is expected to open in early 2026.

We feel we can fill a need in the Fargo area, says Fran Sommerfeld, President/CEO of Levo in a press release. We bring a lot to our communities, from member service to community service.

South Dakotas fallen heroes bridge dedications

Levo has six branches in Sioux Falls and more than 34,000 members. Levo is also looking to purchase land for a branch in Sioux City, Iowa.

Over the years, we have received so many requests from members and non-members to expand the area we serve, says Sommerfeld. Levo means to lift up, and we are excited to lift up an even larger group of people with our great services, products, rates, and resources.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) were in Congress together from 2019 until 2023. Getty Images

Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said You cant trust Ted Cruz as she explained why shes endorsing his opponent in the U.S. Senate race in Texas, Democratic Rep. Colin Allred.

The choice for the people of Texas is just a very clear one, Cheney, who officially endorsed Allred earlier this month, said in an interview alongside Allred with Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA last week.

Cheney, who was in Congress from 2017 until 2023, said she hasnt made any other endorsements for Senate this year. She worked with Allred after he joined Congress in 2019, and said shes known Cruz for over 20 years.

She said that America needs serious people in office.

I know [Cruz] will say anything if it serves his own political purpose, Cheney told WFAA.

Cheney, who helped lead the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 coup attempt, said the more important conservative value is upholding the Constitution. She pointed out that Cruz had schemed to assist former President Donald Trump in overturning the 2020 election results.

Its just dangerous, Cheney said. These jobs really matter, and in this race, I want to do everything I can to help ensure that the people of Texas elect Colin Allred.

Cheney said that even though she and Allred were on different sides of many issues, she knows he has the interest of the people of Texas first and foremost.

He will be the kind of public servant that the people of Texas deserve and the whole country needs in the United States Senate, she said.

Cheney also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president earlier this month.

Cruz has been a Texas senator since 2013. Other Democrats have tried to beat him, like former Rep. Beto ORourke, who lost to Cruz in 2018 by a slim margin.

Related...
The Emergency Department at Newport Hospital is shown. The hospital's president is among the Lifespan executives whose positions were cut in a restructuring announced Sept. 20, 2024. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)

Rhode Islands largest employer and health care provider has cut 20% of its executive suite in a maneuver the not-for-profit hopes will save millions in its upcoming fiscal year.

Crista Durand, who led Newport Hospital since August 2014, appears to be one of the executives let go. Her LinkedIn lists her as no longer working as president of the hospital.

Lifespan implemented a strategic restructure focused on creating a one-system, one-team approach, designed to reduce executive overhead and streamline operations, Lifespan Corporation CEO John Fernandez said in a Sept. 20 statement. Starting from the top like this, allows us to allocate more resources directly to patient care and support areas.

Fernandez stated the elimination of 20% of executive positions would result in an estimated $6 million in savings. Jessica Wharton, a Lifespan spokesperson, did not confirm the number of layoffs or provide further detail on affected personnel.

We have no further comment on the restructuring at this time, Wharton said in an email Monday.

A spokesperson for Newport Hospital did not return a request for comment Monday, but Beckers Hospital Review reported Friday morning that Lifespan had confirmed Durand was let go.

Durands total compensation for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022, was $678,894, according to the hospitals Form 990 submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

Thirteen executives, including Fernandez, comprise Lifespans leadership, according to its website. But the corporations hospitals and outpatient providers have their own c-suites  some of which overlap with Lifespans corporate leadership, but not all.

A total of 35 executive positions across Lifespans major properties include:

Eight executives at Rhode Island Hospital , the biggest hospital in the system. That includes Fernandez.

Six executives, including Fernandez, at Hasbro Childrens Hospital in Providence, which is adjacent to Rhode Island Hospital.

Four executives at Bradley Hospital , the youth psychiatric hospital in East Providence.

Six executives at Newport Hospital , which serves Aquidneck Island and parts of the East Bay.

Six executives at The Miriam Hospital in Providence and another six at Gateway Health Care .

Five executives at Lifespan Physician Group and three at Coastal Medical.

The layoffs arrive amid a season of changes for the health care provider: In August, Lifespan announced it would buy two struggling hospitals in Massachusetts owned by the Dallas-based Steward Health Care. On Sept. 5, a federal bankruptcy judge in Houston approved the $175 million deal, bringing the two hospitals  St. Annes in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton  closer to Lifespans control. Federal and state regulators still need to finalize the transfer.

In June, Fernandez and Brown University President Christina Paxson made a joint announcement that sometime in 2024, Lifespan will change its name, logo and branding to Brown University Health. The rebrand comes with a $150 million investment from Brown, paid over multiple years, after which Lifespan will invest in Browns Warren Alpert Medical School. (The school and corporation will continue to have their own distinct governing bodies, however.)

The health corporation also added an executive as recently as June 3, when Sarah Frost joined the Lifespan c-suite as chief of hospital operations.

At a health care summit in May, Fernandez lamented the lack of public funding for his hospital and suggested that Medicaid and charity care were taking too big a bite from Lifespans profits.

Our Medicaid operating margin is negative $139 million, Fernandez told a room full of lawmakers, doctors and other health care notables. You throw in some charity care at $32 million, that adds up to $170 million, just in those two populations. We shouldnt have to lose money taking care of people.

According to Lifespans 2023 annual report, the company employs over 17,000 people, and counts 1,165 beds among its properties. Lifespan providers accounted for 1.4 million outpatient visits, 229,950 emergency department visits and over 24,000 outpatient surgeries that year.

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Lithuania signs memorandum with one of world's leading arms manufacturers on medium-caliber ammunition

Lithuania has signed a memorandum with American Northrop Grumman Corporation, one of the leading global aerospace and defense technology companies, to produce and supply medium-caliber ammunition, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said on Sept. 23.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, the EU states have been making efforts to ramp up their weaponry production to backfill Ukraine's needs on the battlefield and strengthen their own arsenals due to a potential Russian threat.

The memorandum was signed by Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas, Lithuanian Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste, and Northrop Grumman Corporation's Vice President Steve O'Bryan, according to the statement.

The Lithuanian authorities said they expect the ammunition production project with Northrop Grumman could bring "significant" U.S. investment to the country.

"This project will be another important step forward in developing Lithuania's defense industry. We hope that the cooperation with our American allies will strengthen the country's security and preparedness while also benefiting the wider region, including Ukraine," Skaiste said.

Lithuania remains the largest purchaser of U.S. arms among the Baltic States. The average value of the Lithuanian Defense Ministry's arms purchases from the U.S. amounts to nearly 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) over the medium term. This represents one-fifth of all planned defense acquisitions, the statement read.

Lithuania signed a deal with another arms company, Germany's Rheinmetall, in June to build a domestic ammunition plant. The project's investment is more than 180 million euros (around $195 million).

Apart from strengthening the Lithuanian defense sector, the new plant is expected to create at least 150 jobs, according to Lithuanian Economy and Innovation Minister Ausrine Armonaite.

Previously, Rheinmetall said it would also build an artillery factory in Ukraine, along with facilities dedicated to the production of military vehicles, gunpowder, and anti-aircraft weapons.

During the Munich Security Conference in February, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger signed a memorandum of intent with then-Ukraine's Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin to produce artillery shells in another joint plant based in Ukraine.

Read also: Inside the Swedish ammunition plant at the forefront of Europes push to ramp up shell production

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories for Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 on Monday.

The system is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday as it enters the Gulf of Mexico, according to the NHCs 11 p.m. update.

A tropical storm watch and a storm surge watch have been issued for parts of Southwest Florida from Bonita Beach to Flamingo, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The system is located about 100 miles southwest of Grand Cayman. It has sustained winds of 35 mph, according to the NHC.

Forecasters expect the storm to intensify into a major hurricane before it makes landfall somewhere along the northeastern Gulf coast on Thursday.

Hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings have also been issued for parts of Mexico and Cuba. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the Dry Tortugas and the Lower Florida Keys south of Seven Mile Bridge.

Over the next several days, heavy rainfall is expected in portions of Central America. Northwestern Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and western Cuba should closely monitor the system, according to the NHC.

Elsewhere in the tropics, a tropical wave located between western Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands is producing rainfall and thunderstorms as it moves west.

Conditions are favorable for the development of this system, a tropical depression is likely to form within the next couple of days, according to the NHC.

Formation chance in the next two days is 20%, with a 70% chance in the next seven days.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
HEFEI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong on Monday said that learning from and applying the experience gained through the Green Rural Revival Program will give full play to the main role of farmers and improve work efficiency in the nation's efforts to promote comprehensive rural revitalization.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting held in Hefei, the capital of east China's Anhui Province, on the experience gained from the Green Rural Revival Program.

Liu said that the program has involved many innovations in theory, mechanisms and practice, and that applying the experience gained through the program will bring tangible benefits to farmers.

He also called for more efforts to upgrade entire rural industry chains, carry out rural planning and construction according to local conditions, promote the integrated development of urban and rural areas in counties, and improve the level of governance in rural regions. 
Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance faced questions Monday about the Trump campaigns past support for North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson during a campaign stop in Charlotte.

The Ohio senator addressed supporters at Central Piedmont Community Colleges Dale F. Halton Theater and a Believers and Ballots event at Freedom House Church. He also made an unannounced stop at the Billy Graham Library.

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed North Carolinas Republican candidate for governor but didnt mention him or a recent scandal Saturday during a rally in Wilmington.

But Monday, Vance was asked about CNNs recent report on alleged comments made by Robinson a decade ago on a pornographic websites message board.

What (Robinson) said or didnt say is ultimately between him and the people of North Carolina, Vance told a reporter at CPCC.

Asked by another reporter if he would continue to support Robinsons campaign, Vance said he would continue to support the people of North Carolina.

When a third reporter questioned whether that meant the Trump campaign would rescind its Robinson endorsement, the crowd booed loudly and Vance gave a similar answer.

Vance addresses inflation

During his address at the theater, Vance pledged to increase domestic oil production and crack down on drug trafficking if elected. He laid the blame for inflation on the Biden-Harris administration and claimed undocumented immigrants are contributing to a housing shortage in the U.S.

The senator said it would be easy to reduce inflation with common sense economic policies, but he did not elaborate on what those policies would be.

Vance also spoke at Freedom House Church, which has encountered its share of controversy. There, he shared stories about his experience with religion and how former Trump offered him the VP slot. He also called the 2024 election a referendum on religious liberty.

He said Christians in other countries are persecuted for their beliefs and practices. The same could happen in the U.S. if opponents of religious freedom are elected, Vance claimed.

Dont believe that it cant happen here, he said.

Both major party campaigns remain focused on North Carolina in the elections home stretch.

Vance held a rally in Raleigh last week, and Trump will visit Mint Hill this week. Vice President Kamala Harris held two rallies in North Carolina earlier this month to kick off a nationwide tour after her first presidential debate.

North Carolina is becoming a second home to me, Vance joked at CPCC.

Trumps lead in the state is down to less than half a percentage point, according to RealClearPolitics average.

Below are live updates from Vances visit to Charlotte, with the most recent at the top:

Vance leaves Charlotte

GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance boards his plane to leave Charlotte after events at Central Piedmont Community College and Freedom House Church on Monday.

Vance boarded his campaign plane to depart Charlotte just before 8 p.m.

Vance ends speech at Freedom House Church

7:31 p.m. Vance concluded his event with a call for attendees to vote and encourage family and friends to do so too.

Our God is a God of hope, he said.

Vance addresses assassination attempts

7:17 p.m. Vance said he was shaken up this month when Trump called to tell him police arrested a person for what law enforcement call an attempted assassination.

A man from Greensboro, Ryan Wesley Routh, traveled to south Florida and set up a snipers nest along the fence of Trumps golf club, the Miami Herald reported Monday. Secret Service spotted the muzzle of a rifle sticking out of the tree line before firing in Rouths direction.

The incident happened two months after Trump was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Pennsylvania.

I believe that Donald Trump is here by the grace of God, Vance said.

Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential nominee, speaks to supporters during a rally at Freedom House Church in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Vance: Election will determine the course of religious liberty

7:09 p.m. Vance said the 2024 election will determine the course of religious liberty in the United States.

He said Christians in other countries are persecuted for their beliefs and practices. The same could happen in the U.S. if opponents of religious freedom are elected, Vance claimed.

Dont believe that it cant happen here, he said.

Vance also accused Harris of letting progressives take over public schools and weaponizing the federal government against parents.

Vance said he got VP nomination call just before deadline

7:02 p.m. Vance said Trump didnt call him until the Monday afternoon of the Republican National Convention to offer him the vice presidential slot  the deadline to do so.

Vance said he didnt answer Trumps first call, with Trump calling back after a campaign staffer texted Vance to tell him to answer the phone. The former president teased that he might need to pick someone else because of the missed first call, Vance said.

Supporters listen as Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential candidate, speaks during a rally at Freedom House Church in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Vance describes religious upbringing

6:57 p.m. Speaking about his faith, Vance said his grandmother was a pivotal figure in his upbringing.

He recalled that she didnt attend church services frequently but enjoyed watching Billy Graham revivals. Vance said he sometimes called himself an atheist as a young adult, which he attributed to arrogance.

One of the things that really led me back to the Lord was the idea that I didnt know everything, he said.

Vance said marriage and fatherhood further drew him back into Christianity, noting he was baptized in 2019.

I found the answers in the Christian faith of my grandmother, he said.

Vance offers prayers for injured CMPD officer

6:52 p.m. Vance began his comments with a moment of silence for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer shot and wounded Sunday night. A suspect was also shot, according to police.

The incident occurred Sunday night when police responded to a report about an assault with a deadly weapon in southwest Charlotte.

We will always back the blue in this county, he said.

Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential candidate, speaks to supporters during a rally at Freedom House Church in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Elect religious candidates to school boards, RNC chair says

6:50 p.m. Vance took the stage at Freedom House Church for the Believers and Ballots event courting religious voters. He was introduced by Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, the former chair of the North Carolina Republican Party.

Whatley said the country is facing a serious time and compared the election to President Ronald Reagans first race for the White House.

Whatley pledged to keep the Republican Party the party of faith.

I choose this path because Im a Christian ... I believe that we need more, not less, men and women of faith in office, he said, adding he believes its especially important to elect religious candidates to school boards.

Vance takes questions, including on Robinson scandal

5:45 p.m. Asked about CNNs report on GOP gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinsons comments on a pornographic websites message board, Vance said what (Robinson) said or didnt say is ultimately between him and the people of North Carolina

Vance called the news media broken for not focusing on economic issues and drug overdoses.

A sex scandal in North Carolina is between the lieutenant governor and the people of North Carolina, he said.

Asked by another reporter if he would continue to support Robinsons campaign, Vance said he would continue to support the people of North Carolina. When a third reporter questioned whether that meant the Trump campaign is rescinding its Robinson endorsement, the crowd booed loudly and Vance gave a similar answer.

Asked whether he would change anything about his false claims of immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, Vance said his responsibility is to listen to the people that I serve, not the biased media.

Vance claimed that immigrants are putting a strain on local governments and school systems.

The event at Central Piedmont Community College ended just before 6 p.m.

Vance: Drill, baby, drill

Republican VP nominee JD Vance speaks speaks at Dale F. Halton Theater in Charlotte on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024

5:38 p.m. In comments similar to those Trump made earlier this summer during a campaign stop in Asheville, Vance said hes in favor of increasing domestic oil production. It will help decrease energy costs, Vance said.

Drill, baby, drill, Vance said.

Vance said Republicans want clean air and clean water, but hes concerned some policies meant to protect the environment hurt the economy.

Vance calls for more action on fentanyl overdoses

5:30 p.m. Vance pledged that a second Trump administration would crack down on the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. and reduce drug overdoses.

We need a president thats going to go to war with the Mexican drug cartels, he said.

Vance shared the story of his mother, who is now sober but dealt with drug addiction for years. The senator first rose to prominence with his memoir about the experience, Hillbilly Elegy.

Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential candidate, speaks to supporters during a rally at Dale F. Halton Theater on the campus of CPCC in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Vance blames housing costs on undocumented immigrants

5:20 p.m. Vance told the crowd at Halton Theater undocumented immigrants are to blame for scarcity in the housing market and rising housing costs.

This border invasion has made home ownership unaffordable for the majority of American families, he said.

Vances comments sparked chants of USA from the crowd.

The senator said it would be easy to reduce inflation with common sense economic policies, but he did not elaborate on what those policies would be.

Vance: NC is one of our most important states

5:15 p.m. Vance said North Carolina is one of our most important states in the upcoming presidential election.

North Carolina is becoming a second home to me, he said.

The candidate accused Harris of being afraid of the media and not having specific plans to combat economic issues, such as inflation. Both are frequent criticisms from Republicans.

Dan Bishop speaks at Vance event

5:05 p.m. Rep. Dan Bishop, the Republican nominee for state attorney general, was among those who spoke ahead of Vance at his event at Halton Theater.

Appearing to allude to CNNs report, Bishop accused Democrats and allies of a meticulously timed and coordinated character assassination. Democrats immediately sent mailings, ads, broadcasts and posts smearing all Republicans by association while claiming the high ground, Bishop said.

Vance took the stage shortly thereafter, to chants of JD.

Vance visits Billy Graham Library

GOP vice president nominee J.D. Vance visits the Billy Graham library and the grave of Graham and his wife.

4:17 p.m. Vance made an unannounced visit to the Billy Graham Library on the way to his speeches.

The senator visited the grave of Graham and his wife before entering the library for a tour of its exhibits, including a replica of one of Grahams revival tents.

Grahams son, Franklin Graham, spoke at this years Republican National Convention.

Vance and his wife, Usha, were joined by Grahams granddaughter, Cissie Graham Lynch. They could be heard discussing Grahams work and the NFL career of Graham Lynchs husband, Corey Lynch.

Vance arrives in Charlotte

Vance arrived in Charlotte shortly before 4 p.m.

He was greeted on the tarmac by North Carolina Republic Party Chairman Jason Simmons and Michael Whatley, Republican National Committee chairman.

Charlotte Dems tie Republican ticket to Mark Robinson

Ahead of Vances visit, Charlotte-area Democrats tried to tie the top of the Republican ticket to Lt. Gov. Robinson.

Robinsons run for governor was upended last week when CNN published a story alleging he made a series of sexually explicit and racist comments on the message board of an adult website. Robinson has denied he made the posts.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles on Monday called Robinson Trumps hand-picked candidate.

Trump continues to stand by Robinson because they share the same extreme Project 2025 agenda to rip away our freedoms, raise costs on families and hurt the middle class, she said.

Nicole Sidman, the Democrat running to unseat controversial state Rep. Tricia Cotham, also spoke at Mondays preemptive rebuttal, calling out Republicans for restricting access to abortion in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

For North Carolina women and their loved ones, the choice is clear. We have to stop Donald Trump, Mark Robinson, and Tricia Cotham and MAGA Republicans in the legislature at the ballot box, she said.

Supporters pull out their cell phones at the urging of Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential candidate, as he encourages them to send a photo from the event to ten friends and tell them to vote on election day, during a rally at Freedom House Church in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential nominee, speaks to supporters during a rally at Dale F. Halton Theater on the campus of CPCC in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Supporters pull out their cell phones at the urging of Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential candidate, as he encourages them to send a photo from the event to ten friends and tell them to vote on election day, during a rally at Freedom House Church in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential nominee, speaks to supporters during a rally at Dale F. Halton Theater on the campus of CPCC in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Supporters pull out their cell phones at the urging of Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential candidate, as he encourages them to send a photo from the event to ten friends and tell them to vote on elevtion day, during a rally at Freedom House Church in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential nominee, and his wife, Usha, walk on the stage before Vance speaks to supporters during a rally at Dale F. Halton Theater on the campus of CPCC in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 23, 2024.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (WFLA)  A woman was rescued after a crash left her Porsche SUV dangling from a parking garage in Coral Gables on Monday, NBC affiliate WTVJ reports.

The incident was reported on the third floor of a garage at San Remo Avenue just south of the University of Miami.

Coral Gables Fire Rescue told WTVJ the crash sent the SUV through a concrete barrier.

Aerial footage from WTVJ showed the white SUV hanging over the edge of the garage and against a tree at least a floor above the ground.

Officials used ropes to bring the woman to safety and she was taken to a nearby hospital.

This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Labour-run Liverpool has called for a tourist tax on visitors to tackle deprivation among residents.

Council leader, Liam Robinson, said the port city was crying out for a European-style levy on visitors during an event at the Labour party conference being held there.

It comes after Manchester implemented a 1.40 nightly tax last year to reinvest in the citys tourist infrastructure.

European countries such as Spain and Italy currently operate taxes of as much as 5 (4.20) per day in some cities for both domestic and foreign guests.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Cllr Robinson told the conference event: This city is crying out for a tourist tax. Lets be honest, it makes sense.

It wont solve all of our financial problems of course but it will certainly help. We need funding based on needs and deprivation and we need to look further at fiscal devolution.

Liverpool has recently witnessed a modest rise in tourist footfall and the number of staying visitors rose from 5.8 million in 2022 to an estimated 6 million this year, independent research commissioned by the citys tourism authority shows.

Liverpool is known for its connections to the Beatles and historic port. It benefited from 2.4bn in tourist spending during the same period, the research said.

It was controversially stripped of its UNESCO World Heritage status in 2021 due to concerns over developments to its port that were believed to threaten Liverpools maritime heritage.

As well as being a hub for international tourists, Liverpools residents are among the poorest in England with 63pc living in areas ranked as the most deprived in the country according to the most recent official figures.

English councils do not have the power to impose tourist taxes, however, Manchester has been able to implement a 1.40 nightly fee at some hotels using a business improvement district scheme.

Manchesters tax, the first of its kind in the UK, raised approximately 2.8m by the end of the last financial year in April after it was introduced in 2023. The proceeds were spent on street cleaning and marketing campaigns for the city.

Tourist taxes have proved to be lucrative in European cities like Rome and Barcelona, where they have generated hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue.

Rome charges tourists between 1 and 5 per night, but authorities are currently considering raising the fee to as much as 25 for guests at the most expensive hotels.

Disagreements between European officials and the tourism industry over how the proceeds of the taxes should be spent have broken out in recent years, with some arguing that the money should be invested in services for locals as opposed to improving tourist infrastructure.

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Local father walking from Los Angeles to San Diego to raise awareness of rare disease

Eric Borstein is known as The Walking Man, and for good reason.

He has Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, a rare incurable disease that causes high blood pressure in the lungs. According to the American Lung Association, the cause of the progressive disorder is usually unknown, and only 500 to 1,000 people are diagnosed each year in the U.S.

After collapsing at his home from massive right heart failure in 2020, Borstein was taken to a hospital where he remained in the intensive care unit for 16 days, and as he put it bluntly, [The doctors] didnt think I was going to leave.

He was eventually discharged and subsequently put on what he called very difficult medications with side effects he found could be mitigated by walking.

Thus, The Walking Man was born.

A mile turned into two which turned into three around the neighborhoodwalking has become part of my life, Borstein told KTLA photojournalist Phil Ige. I now average 15 miles a day.

Los Angeles couple asks for community help after Rover sitter loses dog

Borstein is putting that 15 mile a day regimen to the test with his latest effort to raise awareness for the terminal illness that many have not heard of: by walking from L.A. to San Diego.

Only, instead of 15 miles, hell be covering 28 to 30 miles each day.

The 170-mile journey  which was conceived by Borstein and his daughter and began in Santa Monica on Sunday  will take about a week. It includes stops in Huntington Beach, San Clemente, Oceanside and Camp Pendleton; the Marines gave Borstein clearance to walk through the base on his trek, and theyll even be escorting him through the grounds.

Despite the daunting challenges hes faced and will continue to face, Borstein remains incredibly positive about his epic quest that started simply by mustering the courage to put one foot in front of the other.

The minute I took that first step, I was on the path to where I am today, he said. Living with a terminal disease, the future is uncertain, but as long as I can do this, I am going to keep doing it.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs plastic grocery bag ban

And if you think that Borstein will be exhausted after the 170-mile journey, well, youre right.

I just hope someone gives me a ride back, because I will be tired, he quipped.

The trek started four years to the day after Borstein was diagnosed. The starting event, which included a 5K walk, was well attended.

You can help raise money for Erics walk for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension by visiting www.whereiseb.com

More information on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown is opening its doors, inviting the community in to learn more about their culture.

The society holds an open house once a year at the mosque on the citys South Side where visitors can sample traditional food and visit vendors selling Islamic merchandise and goods.

The ISGY says this is a great event that they look forward to every year, giving the community a chance to meet their muslim neighbors and learn about Islam.

This is a very exciting time for us every year. Were happy to discuss Islam with our neighbors, to meet our neighbors. To show them how Islam weaves itself into the tapestry of religions in the area. People normally enjoy it and we get great feedback from everyone involved, said Dr. Ramsey Ahmed, PIO of the Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown.

The event is set for Sunday, Oct. 6 from noon to 3 p.m. on Homewood Avenue. Its a free open house and there will be tours scheduled every half hour.

We tend to always have it every October because Its important for us to meet everyone in our community and have them meet us and help demystify the religion of Islam. It also helps them learn about us as Muslims but also their neighbors in the community, Ahmed said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diego residents and business owners gathered downtown Monday to call on important stakeholders to improve public safety.

Civic leaders, including Mayor Todd Gloria, are backing a new plan put forth by a nonprofit group to have cleaner and safer streets.

The Downtown San Diego partnership held a news conference on the issues. The group has been collecting data from residents and business owners for the past couple of years. Its also been working with civic leaders on new solutions.

Have you been? Americas highest-rated state park is in California

Now, theres a detailed plan that calls on important stakeholders and state lawmakers to take action to help reduce crime.

The San Diego Police Department is also doing its part with plans to deploy additional units  bike units  during the day that will address some critical areas of concern in the downtown area.

Were seeing crimes against person go up, crimes against property jumped into double digits, said SDPD Capt. Ryan Hallahan. On the weekends, our bike teams are rushing from fight to fight. Theyre getting spit on, hit, swore at and its an unacceptable behavior.

Nonetheless, the patrols will continue.

Over the next few weeks, youre going to see us conduct proactive enforcement on a consistent basis in downtown. Just this week, I created the daytime bike team that we call the downtown response team  made up of a sergeant and six officers, Capt. Hallahan continued. The neighborhood police division has created two proactive teams, one for Gaslamp and one for East Village, to handle homeless issues. We are going to make an impact, but we do need help.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  With classes kicking back up a little over a month ago for local schools, there have been numerous threats or rumors of threats to schools across the region.

The York County School Division as well as Gloucester County Public Schools have both released statements on Friday.

Gloucester County Public Schools said that social media threats and postings were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated.

Its important for everyone to understand that we investigate every alleged threat, no matter how small, Dr. Anthony Vladu, District Superintendent states. However, the spread of old, false rumors has not only fueled fear but has also caused significant disruptions and drain valuable resources. The messages reported have been identified as spam and do not represent any credible threats to our safety.

The schools are asking for parents to talk to their children about posting or spreading misinformation can be harmful to the community.



We also want to remind students of the importance of turning off their cell phones and keeping them off during school hours, Vladu said. Spreading misinformation via the cell phone highlights why they should be turned off and set aside throughout the entire school day. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

The York County School Division released a statement of their own after investigating similar threats.

These threats, primarily spread through social media and text messages, have caused understandable concern in our community, the release states. During this review, we assessed our response efforts, evaluated the effectiveness of our procedures, and discussed ways to further enhance the safety of our students and staff.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- The Kentucky State Police honored 55 troopers and officers during the 2023 Sworn Awards, including two troopers from the Post 16 area.

Arson attempt thwarted by a neighbor in Evansville

Detective Joshua Turner was named Post 16 Detective of the year, and Trooper Clayton Jones was named the Post 16 Trooper of the year. During the ceremony, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. commented on the agencys troopers and officers for going above and beyond saying, We recognize the dedication, bravery and extraordinary efforts of our troopers and officers. Whether it was a heroic act in the face of danger, an exceptional investigation that led to justice or a moment of compassion that made a lasting impact, each of your have demonstrated what it means to serve with honor.

In 2023, KSP responded to over 400,000 requests for assistance throughout the Commonwealth and has more than 1,000 sworn personnel wearing the badge of honor, which is the highest number of troopers the agency has employed since 2017. To see the full list of award recipients, visit the KSP website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  A beloved community member and veteran has died.

James Putney Jr. passed away on Sunday at the age of 70.

He served as a chaplain on the Chatham County Veterans Council and held the position of commander for Post 500, the first African American Legion in Georgia.

In 2023, he was selected as the grand marshal for Savannahs Veterans Day parade.

MORE: Meet Savannahs 2023 Veterans Day Parade grand marshal

Putneys life in service started at age 17 when he went through basic training. He spent two decades specializing in information technology.

After retiring from the military, he went to work for Chatham County.

Ive been in the community for a while. Im not into politics, Im just into people, Putney told News 3 in a 2023 interview.

He suffered stage 4 emphysema in his later years.

The challenges are real, Putney said in 2023. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. If Im going to be true to anybody, Im going to be true to me.

Putneys funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
BABYLON, N.Y. (PIX11)  A Long Island man was killed in a crash on the Southern State Parkway after his SUV was hit by a car driving at a high speed Sunday night, police said.

The crash happened on the Southern State Parkway near exit 39S in the Town of Babylon in Suffolk County around 10:30 p.m., according to New York State Police.

More Local News

A Honda Civic traveling at a high speed hit a Honda CRV driven by 49-year-old West Babylon resident Reynaldo Collado, police said. The crash caused both vehicles to leave the road and come to a stop in the tree line, according to police.

Collado died at the scene. The driver of the Honda Civic and four passengers in the Honda CRV were all hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The crash remains under investigation. New York State Police is asking for any witnesses or anyone with information to call 631-756-3300.

A separate crash in West Babylon over the weekend killed a teenager and left another on life support.

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.

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Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang will attend and address the opening ceremony of the 21st China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, Guangxi on September 24.

Malaysias Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will deliver a video address. Foreign leaders and senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia Vongsey Vissoth, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Viet Nam Ho Duc Phoc, and Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn will attend the opening ceremony.

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission Chen Wenqing will attend the first meeting of China-Uzbekistan law enforcement and security cooperation mechanism in Uzbekistan and visit Uzbekistan and Tajikistan upon invitation from September 23 to 28.

CCTV: On September 22, Sri Lankas Election Commission announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake, candidate of National Peoples Power, won the 2024 presidential election and become Sri Lankas new president. Whats Chinas comment? Whats Chinas expectation for its relations with Sri Lanka?

Lin Jian: Sri Lankas presidential election was held smoothly on September 21. China expresses heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Dissanayake who was elected as Sri Lankas new president and was sworn into office. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to President Dissanayake.

China and Sri Lanka are traditional friends and close neighbors. We stand ready to work with President Dissanayake and his new administration to uphold the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, forge greater synergy between our development strategies, deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and strive for new progress in our strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship.

NHK: Whats the Foreign Ministrys expectation of the upcoming meeting between Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers in New York? What topics will be on the table? Will the two sides discuss Chinas resumption of the imports of Japans aquatic products and the incident related to the death of the boy from the Shenzhen Japanese School?



Lin Jian: On the meeting between the Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, as far as I know, the two sides are in communication. If there is anything to share, we will release it in due course.

China Daily: It is learned that the 57th session of the Human Rights Council held an Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan recently. Some representatives at the meeting expressed concerns over womens rights and interests in Afghanistan. The Chinese representative called for encouraging, in the spirit of equality and respect, the governing authorities of Afghanistan to gradually improve and strengthen protection of women and childrens rights. What is your comment?

Lin Jian: The Chinese government attaches importance to the protection of womens rights and interests. We noted that the governing authorities of Afghanistan have underlined multiple times the need to respect and protect womens rights and interests. We hope Afghanistan will deliver on these policy commitments, look at the legitimate concerns of the international community, and work with relevant parties to resolve the issue through friendly consultation.

That said, womens rights and interests are not the entirety of the Afghan issue, nor the core or root cause of the issue. As a report of the UN Secretary-General pointed out, 23.7 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance in 2024, and 12.4 million Afghans are currently experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. The international community needs to focus on the most pressing difficulties Afghanistan faces, promote the rebuilding and development in Afghanistan, improve Afghan peoples wellbeing, truly protect the human rights of the Afghan people, and at the same time encourage, in the spirit of equality and respect, the governing authorities of Afghanistan to improve and strengthen protection of women and childrens rights. As Afghanistans neighbor and a responsible country, China stands ready to work with the rest of the world to continue providing assistance to Afghanistan and playing a positive role in the peaceful reconstruction and protection of human rights in Afghanistan.

Bloomberg: At the Quad summit in the US over the weekend, US President Biden made some remarks on China. He said that China continues to act aggressively and is testing the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. Whats the Foreign Ministrys comment?



Lin Jian: Quad is identified as the premier regional grouping that plays a leading role in the USs Indo-Pacific strategy. It is a tool the US uses to contain China and perpetuate US hegemony. The Indo-Pacific strategy attempts to patch up forces to exclude and contain China by peddling the China threat narrative, and Quad tries to muster military and security cooperation under the pretext of maritime issuessame intention, same tactics. Though the US claims that it does not target China, the first topic of the summit is about China and China was made an issue throughout the event. The US is lying through its teeth and even the US media does not believe it.

China believes that cooperation between countries should not target any third party or even harm their interests. Any regional initiative should follow the overwhelming trend of the region and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Ganging up to form exclusive groupings undermines the mutual trust and cooperation between regional countries, runs counter to the overwhelming trend of pursuing peace, development, cooperation, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and is bound to fail.

The US needs to get rid of its obsession with perpetuating its supremacy and containing China, stop using regional countries as its tool, stop glossing over the strategic intention behind all kinds of exclusive groupings, and act on its word that the revitalization of its alliances is not targeted at China, instead of seeking selfish gains at the expense of other countries strategic security interests and the wellbeing of the people in the Asia-Pacific.

CCTV: Whats Chinas expectations for the 21st China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit?



Lin Jian: ASEAN is a priority in Chinas neighborhood diplomacy and a key region for Belt and Road cooperation. Since the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021, China-ASEAN relations have maintained sound momentum, with robust growth in cooperation across the board and solid progress in building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. Since 2009, China has been ASEANs biggest trading partner, and the two sides have been each others top trading partner for four years running. In the first seven months of this year, two-way trade reached US$ 552 billion, up by 7.7 percent year on year. Chinas industry-wide direct investment in ASEAN topped US$ 12.96 billion and ASEANs direct investment in China stood at US$ 7.3 billion, up by 15.3 percent and 14.1 percent year on year respectively.

China-ASEAN Expo is an important platform to deepen China-ASEAN cooperation and promote economic integration in the region. The theme of this years expo is Upholding amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness for common development, creating a diamond crown new futurepromoting development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and high-quality growth in the region. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to leverage the role of the China-ASEAN Expo, take the upgrade of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area as an opportunity, further expand trade and two-way investment, strengthen the connectivity of industrial and supply chains in the region, and unleash the potential of practical cooperation across the board to achieve higher-standard win-win cooperation and build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Beijing Daily: Its reported that the Chinese National Emergency Medical Team traveled to Bangladesh on September 22 to provide medical treatment to those who were injured during the recent incident in the country. Whats your comment?



Lin Jian: Relevant information has been released by competent Chinese authorities. At the invitation of Bangladeshs interim government, the Chinese National Emergency Medical Team traveled to Bangladesh to provide help. During their stay there, the medical team will make full use of its expertise and do its best to provide humanitarian medical treatment.

Let me stress that China and Bangladesh are friendly neighbors and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners. China stays committed to the policy of good neighborliness and friendship with all people of Bangladesh, and will work with Bangladesh to strengthen exchange and cooperation in various fields and further deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

AFP: Sri Lankas new president was sworn into office today. Is China confident that Sri Lanka will continue to honor its commitments to repay Chinas loans?



Lin Jian: As Sri Lankas friendly neighbor, China hopes to see stability and development of Sri Lanka. China is ready to play a constructive role in Sri Lankas steady economic and social development under the principle of non-interference in Sri Lankas internal affairs and with respect for Sri Lankas will.

China News Service: Its reported that on the evening of September 22 Beijing time, the Global Digital Compact was officially adopted at the UN Summit of the Future. Whats Chinas comment?



Lin Jian: China welcomes the adoption of the Global Digital Compact at the UN. The compact underlines development as a priority, universal benefit and inclusiveness, innovation-driven development, and preservation of cultural diversity in the digital space, and it aims to foster an open, fair, inclusive and non-discriminatory digital environment. These principles have much in common with the visions of Chinas Global Development Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative. The compact proposes to adopt common standards for global data security and hold a Global Dialogue on AI Governance and intergovernmental negotiations. These measures are consistent with what needs to be done to deliver on Chinas Global Initiative for AI Governance and Global Initiative on Data Security.

The compact follows the prevailing trend of promoting digital development and cooperation in the world, reflects the urgent call of all countries, especially Global South countries, for efforts to close the digital divide and wipe out governance deficits, and demonstrates the common aspiration of the international community to respond to digital opportunities and challenges, and build an inclusive, open, fair and secure digital space through joint effort and cooperation. The compact shows international support for multilateralism and digital solidarity and cooperation, and provides fresh impetus for global digital governance.

China is committed to promoting global digital governance with the UN as the main channel. We have constructively participated in the whole-process negotiation of the compact, and played an important role in its adoption. Going forward, China will, as always, uphold the principle of planning together, building together, and benefiting together, and work with the international community to promote global digital governance, implement the Global Digital Compact, and build a community with a shared future in the digital world.

Bloomberg: Weve learned that Japans State Minister for Foreign Affairs traveled to Beijing last night to have communication with the Chinese side over the death of the boy from Shenzhen Japanese School. Can you share information on the meeting? Will China release more information about the incident, including the motives of the assailant?



Lin Jian: Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong met with Japans State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuge Yoshifumi this morning and the two sides exchanged views on China-Japan relations and issues of mutual interest. The two sides reiterated their stance of valuing and growing China-Japan relations and agreed to work together to deliver on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, and comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit. Concerning the death of the boy from the Shenzhen Japanese School, the two sides recognized each others effort to properly and calmly handle the tragic incident, and agreed to maintain communication to prevent negative impact of individual case on the bilateral ties.

Weve learned that the case is still under investigation. The Shenzhen authorities released information on the progress made in the investigation. China will continue to provide as much facilitation and assistance as possible to the boys family in handling related matters.

Anadolu Agency: Its been reported by Israeli media that Chinese Embassy in Israel has asked its citizens to leave the country and return to China in a Sunday night statement. The embassy added that Chinese citizens should not travel to Israel for the time being. Whats the reason for the travel advice and the leave advice?



Lin Jian: We indeed released relevant consular notice. It is our unshirkable duty to protect the safety of overseas Chinese nationals.

Phoenix TV: Many people, mostly local Chinese, laid flowers outside Shenzhen Japanese School last week to mourn the death of the Japanese child. According to the school, as of September 20, it has received over 1,000 bouquets of flowers that were offered to express condolences over the death of the boy and sympathies to his family. Whats your comment?



Lin Jian: I read about this too. The attack was a regretful and saddening tragic incident. The fact that Chinese people are expressing their condolences of their own accord reflects their simplest sentiments of grief and their respect for life. The Chinese culture values kindness, credibility, justice and togetherness. It is a culture for peace and tolerance. Our tradition of welcoming all foreign friends with every sincerity and treating them as our equals will not change. And we will do everything possible to protect the safety and property of foreign nationals in China.

AFP: Quad leaders said in the joint statement that they are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas, which apparently refers to China. Has China protested to relevant countries?

Lin Jian: The situation in the East and South China Seas is generally stable. Some country outside the region keeps cobbling together small groupings and tries every means to meddle in maritime issues at Chinas doorstep in order to incite bloc confrontation, escalate the situation, and undermine regional peace and stability. Let me stress that no interference from any force will weaken Chinas determination in defending its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with law and keeping the region peaceful and stable.

We will lodge serious protests over any act that undermines Chinas sovereignty and security interests.

PTI: Further to what you spoke about the Quad summit in the US. The summit also for the first time approved a joint coast guard cooperation at sea. And also they have rather agreed to strengthen cooperation in the Indian Ocean region and recognized Indias leadership in finalizing the IORA Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and expressed support for that. Do you have any comment on this?



Lin Jian: Cooperation between countries should be conducive to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, rather than focusing on forming exclusive groupings that undermine trust and cooperation among regional countries.

China is open to normal cooperation between relevant countries at sea, but the cooperation should not target other countries or undermine regional peace and stability under any pretext.

AFP: Its reported that the US Department of Commerce is planning to propose a ban today on the use of Chinese software and hardware on US connected cars and self-driving cars out of national security concerns. Did China communicate with the US on this issue?



Lin Jian: On your specific question, Id refer you to competent authorities. Let me say more broadly that China opposes the US overstretching the concept of national security and taking discriminatory measures against relevant Chinese companies and products. We urge the US to respect the principles of market economy and provide an open, fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies. China will firmly defend its lawful rights and interests.

PTI: You said that China will protest to anyone in violation to security interests. So can we presume that you have lodged a protest to all the Quad countries regarding the comments on the South China Sea and the East China Sea?



Lin Jian: As I said just now, China will protest over any move that harms Chinas sovereignty and security interests.

Reuters: Sri Lankas new president has said before that he wanted to renegotiate all of the debts with IMF, bondholders, et cetera. I thought the bondholders drafted a deal published on Thursday. The Sri Lanka government said it had finalized with China Development Bank on key financial terms of restructuring the debt. Is there any scope to revisit that with Sri Lanka now that the country has a new president?



Lin Jian: As Sri Lankas friendly neighbor, China and Sri Lanka have all along treated each other with mutual respect and support. We hope that Sri Lanka will continue to enjoy national stability and development. We stand ready to play a constructive role for Sri Lankas steady economic and social development under the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and with respect for Sri Lankas will.

NHK: A follow-up question on the meeting between the Japanese and Chinese vice foreign ministers. According to Japans readout, the Japanese side requested regulation on anti-Japan comments on the social media. Has the Chinese side prepared to take more measures?



Lin Jian: On what you referred to as anti-Japan comments, let me just say that China does not teach its people to hate Japan. After the attack near the Shenzhen Japanese School, many Chinese laid flowers outside the school to mourn the boy. They expressed opposition to violence and called for ever-lasting friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people.

We believe that to learn from history is not for perpetuating hatred but for avoiding the tragedy of war from repeating itself, cherishing the hard-won peace and creating a bright future. We stand ready to work with Japan to abide by the four China-Japan political documents, comprehensively promote a strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era.
KHARTOUM, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were killed and 61 others injured in an artillery attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a crowded civilian market in Omdurman city, north of the capital Khartoum, Khartoum State's Health Ministry announced on Monday.

He said that the injured had been transferred to Al-Nao and Sawaed hospitals, Mohamed Ibrahim, spokesman of the ministry, noting that the death toll could be higher as the rescue team could not reach and identify some victims.

The RSF has not yet commented on the attack.

Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, resulting in at least 16,650 deaths and the displacement of millions of people, according to UN estimates. 
Looking to get your flu shot? Madison Co. Health Department has you covered

Looking to get your flu shot? Madison Co. Health Department has you covered

MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Madison County Health Department has released its 2024 flu shot schedule.

The health department said there are no out-of-pocket costs but participants are asked to bring their insurance cards.

Below is the 2024 flu shot schedule:

Sept. 25  District 6 Harrison Wellness Center 6156 Pulaski Pike Huntsville AL (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Sept. 27  District 1 County Shed located at 9457 Moores Mill Rd New Market (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Oct. 2  District 4 Monrovia Community Center located at 254 Allen Drake Road (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Oct. 7  District 2 Madison City Hall located at 100 Hughes Road Madison AL 35758 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Oct. 9  Madison County Health Department 301 Max Luther Drive (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Oct. 16  District 5 South Huntsville Library 7901 L Bailey Cove Road Huntsville AL 35802 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

The health department said free flu vaccines are available Monday through Friday at the Madison County Health Department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 201 Max Luther Drive Huntsville, AL 35811.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TOMS RIVER - A Louisiana man has been sentenced to prison after having sexual contact with a 14-year-old last year, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Spencer Caudle, 36, of Prairieville, Louisiana, was sentenced to seven years in New Jersey State Prison following his guilty plea to sexual assault in connection with a Toms River incident on May 27, 2023, Billhimer said. Caudle will also be subject to the terms of Megans Law, Nicoles Law, which permanently prohibits him from having any contact with his victim, and parole supervision for life.

An investigation found that on May 27, 2023, Caudle traveled from Louisiana to the Toms River area and had sexual contact with a 14-year-old victim, according to the prosecutor. Caudle had been communicating with the victim through the Whisper messenger application.

Further investigation showed that Caudle planned on returning to the area to have sexual contact with the victim again, Billhimer said. On June 16, 2023, Caudle flew from Louisiana to Newark Liberty International Airport, where he was arrested by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Special Victims Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department.

Caudle was then taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been held since June 16, Billhimer said.

Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Mara Brater who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commended the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutors Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Freehold Township Police Department, United States Department of Homeland Security, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, and United States Air Marshals Service, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Caudles guilty plea and prison sentence.

Jenna Calderon covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: La. man sentenced for sexual contact with minor in Toms River
Louisiana is no stranger to hurricanes. With each new storm comes a flurry of preparations, which, while familiar, are still a stark reminder of residents' vulnerability to the wind and water.

What happened?

In mid-September, the state's Gulf Coast faced off against Hurricane Francine. The storm grew to a Category 2 hurricane as it made landfall, smashing towns with heavy rains and fierce winds over 100 miles per hour, the Washington Post reported.

Experts had warned that the storm would wreak havoc on low-lying populations closer to the coast, but it would still have plenty of momentum by the time it got to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Entergy, the state's largest utility provider, warned that customers hit by the storm could be without power for a week or more.

Many communities were ordered to shelter in place or evacuate, depending on their position in the storm's path. States of emergency were declared across many regions as well.

The Post quoted Gov. Jeff Landry, who asked everyone to remain on high alert. "We don't want to downplay this event, but we also do not want people to panic," he said.

Why are hurricanes so devastating?

Hurricanes have massive ripple effects. As they move, they draw in moisture from the ocean, prompting torrential rain and the threat of flash floods. The hot, fast-moving air can also spawn tornadoes.

In the case of Francine, one of the biggest concerns was storm surge. This happens when heavy rains trigger a swell in both sea and groundwater, prompting water to suddenly flood communities from all sides. According to the Post, Francine made landfall in an area that had already seen about 6 inches of sea level rise in just 14 years.

Furthermore, these storm systems are exacerbated by the effects of human-caused atmospheric warming. Hotter temperatures lead to more intense storms, and the ripple effects are then made stronger.

If the atmosphere continues to warm, we can expect worse storms not just in the Gulf Coast, but worldwide.

What's being done to protect residents?

State and federal agencies have been working to reinforce protections for vulnerable communities. In parts of Louisiana that were hit by Francine, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has already been building dozens of miles of strengthened levees to protect from storm surge.

Despite ongoing storm tracking and mitigation technology, it often comes down to local officials to ensure residents are informed and safe.

Sheriff Becket Breaux, in Louisiana's rural St. Martin Parish, told the Post that he was prepared to protect his community: "I've got my deputies all staged out here. It's not a big community, but every life matters."

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Lt. Gov. Robinson coming after CNN full throttle after mass exodus of campaign staffers in wake of report

WILKESBORO, N.C. (WNCN)  Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson (R) said that he plans on coming after CNN during a campaign stop in Wilkesboro Monday.

These comments come after key staffers exit Robinsons campaign and after several allegations in a report published by CNN on Thursday where Robinson referred to himself as a Black Nazi on an online forum.

We are going after them. We are going to go after them for what theyve done. But, we have five weeks left in this race, folks. Make no mistake about it. We are not going to let CNN throw us off of our mission. Robinson said.

Robinson has denied the allegations against him, which include lewd and racist comments on the online forum. In a video uploaded to X (formally Twitter) Thursday, he said that he wouldnt be forced out of the gubernatorial race by salacious tabloid lies.

When asked by CBS 17 if the Republican Governors Association plans to continue their support or advertise Robinson, they said in a statement Monday: We dont comment on internal strategy or investment decisions, but we can confirm whats public  our current media buy in North Carolina expires tomorrow, and no further placements have been made. RGA remains committed to electing Republican Governors all across the country.

Robinson said that he has no interest in looking back except to correct the political mistakes so as not to repeat them. He also said that he would not let CNN or these allegations distract him from that.

You better understand I am coming after CNN full throttle because we have got to put the people first, Robinson added.

This campaign visit is also following Robinson making a stop at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway this past 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 Queen City News.
Macon schools awarded over $25 million in grants to help students. How theyll be used

The Bibb County School District has been awarded over $25 million in federal and state funds to support Macon students and boost college readiness.

Most of the money comes from a seven-year Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs partnership grant, often referred to as GEAR UP, which aims to boost the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in higher education.

The Bibb County School District is one of just three districts nationwide to receive the funding from the US.. Department of Education. Several school officials described the grant as a significant investment in our students future at Thursdays board meeting.

The grant will support various initiatives focused on improving post-secondary readiness and academic achievement, including expanding tutoring services, introducing new college and career readiness programs, and offering additional resources and support for students and their families, Lori Ward Rodgers, BCSD assistant superintendent for district effectiveness and federal programs, said in a news release.

BCSD will receive more than $2.6 million in GEAR UP grants per year over a seven-year period, totaling more than $18.5 million.

Given Macons high rates of student homelessness and poverty, the award will also provide college scholarships to low-income students, giving them a better chance of graduating high school and obtaining a decent-paying job, said Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr.

Uplifting our students and setting them on a path to success will raise all tides and strengthen the economy for all, Bishop said in a press release.

In partnership with Central Georgia Technical College, Mentors Project of Bibb County, MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union, and United Way of Central Georgia, the grant will provide support for students graduating in 2020 and 2031, school officials said.

21st Century Community Learning Center Grant

The Georgia Department of Education awarded the Bibb County School District nearly $4 million through a competitive grant process, school officials said.

The 21st Century Community Learning Center program provides supplementary academic help and enrichment opportunities to children in 82% of the districts schools.

It will also support 11 new and 17 existing 21st programs at 28 of the districts 34 schools.

YouthBuild Grant

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the Bibb County School District three YouthBuild Grants totaling $4.1 million.

YouthBuild is a pre-apprenticeship model that provides at-risk youth with education and occupational skill development to obtain employment in construction and other in-demand industries.

The program is for youth ages 16-24 who left school without a secondary diploma, and it gives them a second chance at education.

The YouthBuild grant was renewed for its third cycle in 2024.
Maddow Blog | Harris pushes for another debate, Trump relitigates the last one

The morning after former President Donald Trumps debate failure against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrats campaign wasted little time in issuing a fresh challenge: She wanted to debate him again. The Republican made little effort to hide his reluctance to the idea.

In fact, just two days after Harris beat Trump in their first debate, the GOP nominee announced  in an all-caps online message  that there would be no rematch.

So, that settled that? Not exactly. One day later, NBC News reported that the Republican left open the possibility of another debate with Harris, saying it might happen if he were in the right mood.

With this in mind, Harris isnt giving up on sharing the stage with Trump again. In fact, as NBC News reported, the Democratic nominee has already accepted an invitation to appear in another such event.

Vice President Kamala Harris campaign on Saturday said it would accept an invitation to participate in a second debate with former President Donald Trump. The potential debate would take place on Oct. 23 and be hosted by CNN, Harris campaign chair Jennifer OMalley Dillon said in a statement.

I wont pretend to know whether Trump will change his mind, or how many times he might reverse course over the next month. But over the weekend, the former president seemed to rule out the possibility.

The problem with another debate is that its just too late, the Republican said. Voting has already started.

Trump: They would like to do another debate.. The problem with another debate is its just too late.. Voting has already started. pic.twitter.com/JgNITnEt7Z  Acyn (@Acyn) September 21, 2024

It was an odd response. For one thing, Trump was happy to participate in a 2020 debate that was held on Oct. 22. The proposed CNN debate would be held on Oct. 23.

For another, what difference does it make if early voting has begun in some states? If Trump is going to keep airing ads and holding rallies, theres nothing stopping him from similarly sharing his message by way of a televised debate.

As it turns out, however, Trump isnt just balking at the idea of another debate, hes also still relitigating the last one. In his latest Fox News interview, the former president once again endorsed an investigation into ABC News, suggesting the networks broadcast license should be in jeopardy.

This is, alas, a go-to move for the Republican nominee.

Complicating matters, Trump isnt alone in targeting ABC for hosting a debate he lost. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., appears to have launched his own freelance investigation, demanding that the network turn over communications with the Harris campaign, while Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., recently endorsed congressional hearings into an ABC whistleblower who does not appear to exist in reality.

So, what happens now? Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Former House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney caused quite a stir earlier this month when the former Wyoming congresswoman, whos never voted for a Democrat in her life, announced, Because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris.

Soon after, Cheney also threw her support behind Rep. Colin Allreds Democratic Senate campaign against Texas Ted Cruz, making clear that shes focused not only on defeating Trump, but also those whove helped enable the former presidents assault on democracy.

As the election season progresses, however, the former House GOP leader continues to reflect publicly on Republican politics and its future in increasingly provocative ways. The New York Times reported:

Former Representative Liz Cheney, who has emerged as perhaps the most vocal and visible conservative critic of former President Donald J. Trump, suggested on Friday night that a new political party might need to be created to replace the Republican Party if he is defeated.

Whether its organizing a new party  look, its hard for me to see how the Republican Party, given what it has done, can make the argument convincingly or credibly that people ought to vote for Republican candidates until it really recognizes what its done, Cheney said at an event in Wisconsin.

There is certainly going to be a big shift, I think, in how our politics work, she continued. I dont know exactly what that will look like. I dont think it will just simply be, well, the Republican Party is going to put up a new slate of candidates and off to the races. I think far too much has happened thats too damaging.

As a historical matter, American political parties tend to change when voters tell them they must. Or put another way, after a party suffers serious and sustained electoral setbacks, its leaders tend to pause, take stock, overhaul their vision, and move forward with a reformed entity, assuring voters that its both new and responsive to the electorates criticisms.

What Cheney appeared to describe late last week was a qualitatively different approach: The former Wyoming congresswoman seemed to suggest that the Republican Party is so fundamentally broken, and is so corrupt at its core, that reforming the contemporary GOP might not be sufficient.

Perhaps, the argument goes, she and her like-minded allies need to consider an altogether new entity.

If this rhetoric seems at all familiar, its because chatter like this does pop up from time to time.

The month after Trumps 2020 defeat, for example, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, a lifelong Republican who served in the Clinton administration, told CNN, Maybe its time for a new party. One that abides by the rule of law, abides by balanced budget opportunities, fiscal responsibility, but also faithful to the people of this country who vote to elect them.

A couple of months later, Reuters reported that dozens of former Republican officials, who view the party as unwilling to stand up to former President Donald Trump and his attempts to undermine U.S. democracy, began some preliminary discussions about creating a new center-right party.

As we discussed at the time, the talks reportedly included former officials from Republican administrations, party strategists, and even some former GOP elected officials, including former Rep. Charlie Dent, whos made little effort to express his discomfort with the direction of his party.

Co-hosting the discussion was Evan McMullin, the former chief policy director for the House Republican Conference, perhaps best known for running an independent presidential campaign in 2016. (McMullin received about 0.5% of the popular vote nationwide, though he topped 20% in his native Utah.)

Large portions of the Republican Party are radicalizing and threatening American democracy, McMullin told Reuters. The party needs to recommit to truth, reason and founding ideals or there clearly needs to be something new.

Reuters report quoted one unnamed Republican, interested in creating a new center-right party, acknowledging that the landscape is littered with the remains of previous failed attempts at national third parties, but there is a far greater hunger for a new political party out there than I have ever experienced in my lifetime.

That, however, was in February 2021. Theres been little follow-through since.

I'm not unsympathetic to the scope of the challenges. Plenty of new political parties have tried to get off the ground over the generations, and some have managed to get some candidates elected. But successful and enduring ventures require an enormous amount of money, organizing strength, a compelling vision, and most importantly, electoral demand.

After Trumps 2020 loss, there were some meaningful conversations  among sincere people with credible backgrounds  along these lines, though little appears to have come from those discussions.

If, however, Trump loses again in the fall, I wouldnt be surprised if that conversation begins anew, and this time, Liz Cheney will likely be a participant.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Theres plenty to chew on in the latest national NBC News poll, but one of the questions that stood out for me related to favorability ratings.

Respondents were asked to give their feelings about a variety of prominent public figures and institutions, and only three people had higher favorable ratings than unfavorable ratings:

Tim Walz: 40% positive, 33% negative

Taylor Swift: 33% positive, 27% negative

Kamala Harris: 48% positive, 45% negative

To be sure, those numbers dont total 100%, because some people either didnt have an opinion either way, or because they were unfamiliar with the person referenced in the survey. Whats more, the Democratic vice presidents favorable numbers were notable, in part because theyve improved significantly as voters have started to see and hear her more.

But I also found myself marveling at Walzs level of support.

After the Minnesota governor joined his partys national ticket early last month, his Republican detractors did exactly what everyone expected them to do: The GOP tried to smear Walz in ugly ways. In one especially egregious example, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer appeared on Fox News and suggested that its very possible that China has been grooming the Democrat for decades.

That was absurd, but it wasnt an isolated incident. As regular readers might recall, the smear of Walz military service was ugly and wrong; the Somali flag story was idiotic; the tampons story was worse; and practically every other line of attack the GOP came up with proved to be false or exaggerated.

But the evidence also suggests that these attacks simply havent worked. Theres still a slice of the population thats unfamiliar with Walz, but among those who know the Minnesotan, hes faring quite well.

The same cannot be said about his Republican counterpart.

Sen. JD Vance, who joined his partys national ticket a few weeks before Harris tapped Walz, has struggled over the last several weeks with weak poll numbers, and the NBC News poll was no better: 32% gave the Ohioan a positive rating, while 45% gave him a negative rating.

Among all of the people included in the survey, no one finished below Vance.

Of course, it couldve been even worse for the senator: The NBC News poll also asked about Project 2025, and it was at the very bottom of the results: 4% positive, 57% negative.

(Click the link for information on the surveys methodology. Its margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.)

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
One of the great ironies of the last few years is that Donald Trump and his party have repeatedly accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the Justice Department and federal law enforcement. To date, there is literally no evidence to support the claims  and unambiguous evidence pointing in the opposite direction  but Republicans have eagerly replaced reality with their preferred counternarrative.

Indeed, as weve discussed, Republicans dont just want their conspiracy theory to be true; they need it to be true. This simple, ridiculous idea is at the center of the partys Trump criminal defense, fundraising, stump speeches, cable news segments, and even legislative campaigns on Capitol Hill.

In 2024, assertions about a two-tiered justice system are foundational to Republican politics. Theyre also routinely discredited by real-world events.

If, however, GOP voices are looking for a president who actually tried to weaponize law enforcement to target his perceived political foes, I have some good news for them: They dont have to look very hard.

Though Republicans tend to forget, it was in October 2020 when Trump publicly called on federal prosecutors to charge Joe Biden, accusing him of undefined crimes. That said week, Politico published an especially memorable headline: Where are all of the arrests?: Trump demands Barr lock up his foes.

The next day, the then-Republican incumbent spoke with Fox Business and called on the Justice Department to indict his perceived Democratic foes  including the presidential candidate who proceeded to defeat him a month later.

But while Trumps lobbying for prosecutions against his opponents was dramatic and scandalous in public, his efforts in private were apparently even worse. The New York Times reported over the weekend:

It was the spring of 2018 and President Donald J. Trump, faced with an accelerating inquiry into his campaigns ties to Russia, was furious that the Justice Department was reluctant to strike back at those he saw as his enemies. In an Oval Office meeting, Mr. Trump told startled aides that if Attorney General Jeff Sessions would not order the department to go after Hillary Clinton and James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, Mr. Trump would prosecute them himself.

Trump, of course, has spent the last several months boasting that he, in a demonstration of endless benevolence, went to extraordinary lengths to protect Clinton and shield her from prosecution. In reality, he was reportedly prepared to prosecute her on his own, as far back as the spring of 2018, unless the Justice Department agreed to indict his 2016 rival.

We now know, of course, that Trump did not succeed on this front, but the Times report, which has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, didnt just shine a light on the Republicans efforts to abuse the levers of power during his term, it also noted the consequences of those attempts. [A] look back at the cases of 10 individuals brings a pattern into clearer focus: After Mr. Trump made repeated public or private demands for them to be targeted by the government, they faced federal pressure of one kind or another, the article explained.

Imagine that.

Making matters worse, these tactics reportedly became a staple of the former presidents term. Mr. Trumps efforts were so sustained and troubling to top West Wing aides that at least two of them took from the White House notes they had written that memorialized how he said he wanted to use the powers of the federal government against his rivals, the Times added.

Those were notes, its worth emphasizing for context, that werent supposed to exist  because Trump gave repeated instructions not to take notes, which suggests that the Republican was aware, at least on some level, that he was engaged in improper conduct.

The Times report went on to note that at least two White House officials not only documented Trumps demands about targeting his perceived enemies, they took their notes from the White House as well to ensure there was documentation.

In other words, if the reporting is accurate, were dealing with a dynamic in which a sitting president tried to weaponize federal prosecutions, told his team not to take notes, and put White House officials in a position in which they believed it was necessary to smuggle memo drafts out of the West Wing so they could help prove what Trump did.

When the Times asked about Trumps use of threats against his perceived foes, a spokesperson for his campaign called the accounts propaganda" before claiming that it's Democrats who are "carrying out illegal, weaponized lawfare against their political opponents.

Or put another way, in response to evidence of Trump's apparent abuses, his campaign team stuck to its discredited counternarrative, apparently hoping the public won't know the difference between fact and fiction.

In a normal and healthy political environment, this would be the defining scandal of the era. In our political environment, Republicans not only pretend the scandal isn't real, they also falsely accuse Democrats of doing precisely what Trump was caught doing.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Maddow Blog | Why the circumstances surrounding Trumps new flip-flop seem familiar

When it came to matters of public health, Donald Trumps presidency featured few highlights, though part of the Republicans record stands out as unusual: his approach to vaping.

In 2019, the year before his re-election bid, Trump announced that his administration would ban flavored vapes, and while he ultimately scaled back his position for political reasons, the then-president ultimately signed a measure to raise the minimum age to purchase e-cigarette and other tobacco products. Soon after, the Republican administration also approved a limited ban on mint and fruit-flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes.

Evidently, however, Trumps position is evolving. The Washington Post reported:

Former President Donald Trump offered enthusiastic support for vaping on Friday, promising to protect the industry following a private meeting earlier in the day with a leading vaping lobbyist. Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform, that he saved Flavored Vaping in 2019 and would save Vaping again!

The article noted that the GOP candidates online boast represented a revisionist account of his administrations approach to vaping, the heating of nicotine to make an inhaled aerosol.

But of particular interest was the process through which Trump changed his mind. While in office, the Republican briefly endorsed a ban on flavored vaping. As he eyes a return to the White House, the former president now wants to be seen as a vaping champion.

What changed? According to the Posts reporting, Trumps new position is consistent with the recent financial support he has received from the tobacco industry. It also came just after a meeting with the head of the Vapor Technology Association, which describes itself as the leading vaping trade association, representing more than 100 members of the industry.

A few months ago, Politico published a report with a memorable headline: Trump keeps flip-flopping his policy positions after meeting with rich people.

The relevance of the headline lingers for a reason.

For example, Trump supported banning TikTok, only to reverse course after chatting with Jeff Yass, a billionaire hedge fund manager  and prospective campaign donor  who has a multibillion-dollar stake in ByteDance, TikToks parent corporation. Something similar appears to have happened with the cryptocurrency industry.

Trump also started hedging on some of his immigration policies around the time he met with wealthy corporate executives at a Business Roundtable meeting.

A few months earlier, Trump publicly suggested that conservatives should give up their opposition to Anheuser-Busch shortly before he attended a fundraiser hosted by an Anheuser-Busch lobbyist.

Perhaps most importantly, Trump abandoned his long-time skepticism about cryptocurrencies after having some chats with prospective donors at Mar-a-Lago.

Its tempting to see this as corruption, but its worth being more specific about whats happened. Trump isnt saying, Ill change my position in exchange for money, hes instead effectively saying, Since I dont care about governing or public policy anyway, Ill just align my beliefs with the preferences of wealthy people and prospective donors who have my ear behind closed doors.

If recent history is any guide, its only a matter of time before this list grows.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
RABAT, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan authorities seized 8.1 tons of cannabis resin during an operation in the western port city of Safi on Saturday, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) announced on Sunday.

Local police and security authorities apprehended 199 bales of cannabis resin hidden in a Morocco-registered freight truck, which were intended for international shipment via sea, DGSN said in a statement.

Authorities arrested 21 individuals, aged between 24 and 48, for their suspected involvement in the drug trafficking network.

The operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance after law enforcement uncovered evidence of a criminal network planning a large-scale drug trafficking operation. The arrested individuals are now under judicial investigation to unravel the full extent of the network's activities, state news agency MAP reported.

The seizure is part of Morocco's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking, especially cannabis resin, which is primarily produced in the country for distribution in Europe and the Middle East. 
The sheriffs department in Portage County, Ohio has been stripped of its election security duties after its MAGA sheriff said people displaying Kamala Harris signs in their yards should have their addresses recorded so illegal immigrants can be sent to their homes.

Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski, a Donald Trump-supporting Republican seeking re-election, likened migrants to human locusts and called Harris a Flip-Flopping, Laughing Hyena on his personal and campaign Facebook accounts earlier this month.

Bruce Zuchowski/Facebook

I say ... write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards! wrote Zuchowski, adding the suggestion that migrants in need of housing should be sent to their New families ... who supported their arrival!

That led the local elections board in Portage County, in a 3-1 Friday vote, to remove the sheriffs office from providing security during in-person absentee voting.

Flat Out Illegal: MAGA Sheriff Is Keeping Note of Homes With Harris Yard Signs

The Ohio Secretary of States Office determined last week that Zuchowksi's post didnt break state election laws, but local citizens expressed their discomfort with having an immigrant-hating MAGA sheriff in charge of protecting the vote.

Over 100 people attended an emergency meeting called by the local NAACP chapter, the Ravenna Record-Courier reported. Frank Hairson, the communications chair of the NAACP chapter said people told him: Theyre afraid to vote. Theyre afraid to put signs in their yard.

While it is not my responsibility to weigh in on the sheriffs comments directly, I feel strongly it is in my responsibility to make sure I do what is in my authority to make sure every voter in Portage County feels safe casting their ballot for any candidate they choose, said Randi Clites, the county board of elections chair and a Democrat, in a statement posted on Facebook. I believe walking into a voting location where a sheriff deputy can be seen may discourage voters from entering.

Zuchowski followed up to his own Facebook post last week, saying his comments may have been a little misinterpreted??

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Ohio sheriff who likened migrants to human locusts and threatened local supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris is reaping the consequences of his own actions.

In a 31 vote on Friday, the Portage County elections board agreed to strip Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski of his election security duties, formally removing the sheriffs office from providing security during in-person voting, reported The Daily Beast.

Earlier this month, the Ohio sheriff willingly threw himself into electoral politics in a Facebook post that referred to Harris as a Flip-Flopping, Laughing Hyena, inviting his constituents to send him the personal addresses of locals with Harriss campaign signs in their yards.

He then proceeded to double down on the dangerous rhetoric after a county commissioner from the local Republican committee resigned over the comments.

I believe that those who vote for individuals with liberal policies have to accept responsibility for their actions! Zuchowski wrote.

The Ohio secretary of states office decided Tuesday that Zuchowskis divisive statements didnt break state election laws.

Our office has reviewed the comments and determined they dont violate election laws, Dan Lusheck, deputy communications director for the Ohio secretary of state, told the Akron Beacon Journal. The sheriff can speak and answer for himself about the substance of his remarks. Were focused on running an election that begins with military and overseas ballots going out this Friday.

The areas local NAACP chapter responded to Zuchowskis statements by holding an emergency meeting, which drew more than 100 attendees.

Theyre afraid to vote. Theyre afraid to put signs in their yard, Frank Hairson, the communications chair of the NAACP chapter, told the Ravenna Record-Courier.

Zuchowskis posts were seemingly made in reference to a virulent conspiracy theory spread by top Republicans, including Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, about Haitian immigrants eating other residents pets in Springfield, Ohioroughly 200 miles away from the sheriffs district.

Since Vance and Trump began elevating the myth around the time of the second presidential debate, Springfield has received at least 33 bomb threats, forcing it to evacuate and temporarily shutter several of its schools, colleges, festivals, and a significant portion of its government facilities, including City Hall, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Ohio License Bureau, the Springfield Academy of Excellence, and Fulton Elementary School.

Multiple city officials, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, and even Vance himself have stated in no uncertain terms that the conspiracy is false.
The New York Times Maggie Haberman dismissed former President Donald Trumps claim that his tangent-filled ramblings are actually part of a genius tactic that hes dubbed The Weave.

Trump recently told a 2024 campaign rally in Pennsylvania:

You know, I do the weave. You know what the weave is? Ill talk about like nine different things, and they all come back brilliantly together and its like, and friends of mine that are, like, English professors, they say, Its the most brilliant thing Ive ever seen. But the fake news, you know what they say? He rambled.

NPRs Dave Davies played audio of those Trump comments to Haberman on the Fresh Air show last week. Haberman deadpanned in response, I dont think he has friends who are English professors.

I dont think that this is some intentional strategy, she continued. I think that he is aware that theres a lot of questions about whether his speaking patterns have deteriorated, and he is just doing PR on that. I dont think these various threads all weave together brilliantly toward the end.

Haberman was very struck, she said, by how meandering Trump was during a recent rally. It was never not meandering, but he is going off on a lot of tangents these days. And I just think hes trying to combat negative headlines by saying that.

Listen to the full episode here:

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Child welfare systems fail all over the country. But what is happening in Maine may be the saddest story of all.

Over less than a quarter century Maine child welfare went from national scandal to national model to national disgrace. For a few years, Maine was one of the very few places getting child welfare right. But then, thanks to a few demagogic politicians and a case of collective amnesia, Maine threw it all away.

The cycle begain with one horrific tragedy. In 2001, Logan Marr, a five-year-old foster child taken because her mothers poverty was confused with neglect, was killed by her foster mother, a former child protection caseworker. The Maine system faced harsh national scrutiny, including a PBS Frontline documentary, The Taking of Logan Marr.

The documentary made clear that Logan never should have been taken from her mother. And the data made clear Maine was doing it over and over, placing children in foster care at a rate well above the national average.

Everyone from activists to advocates to politicians stepped up. When John Baldacci became governor, he listened. The result was a reformed system rebuilt around safe proven alternatives to taking away children. Entries into foster care dropped, with no compromise of safety. Maines success was singled out by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and by Harvards Kennedy School of Government which made Maines child welfare reform a finalist for one an Innovations in American Government Awards.

But the next governor, Paul LePage exploited child abuse deaths to demand that the state adopt what amounted to a take-the-child-and-run approach. One might expect nothing else from LePage, but Gov. Janet Mills administration has been little better.

The result was a cycle of failure: Children known-to-the-system die. Theres a foster-care panic, a sharp sudden spike in removals of children from their homes. Each time were told this is necessary to stop child abuse deaths. But the deaths dont stop and the cycle repeats.

The result: all Maine children become less safe.

Children suffer the enormous inherent emotional trauma of needless removal.

Children are put at high risk of abuse in foster care itself, where independent studies find the rate of abuse is vastly higher than states report in official figures.

And all the false allegations, trivial cases and cases in which family poverty is confused with neglect  like the case of Logan Marr  steal time from finding those few children in real danger.

And so, in 2022 the number of children trapped in foster care reached a record high. So did the number torn from their homes over the course of a year  higher even than before Logan Marr died. Maine took children at a rate more than double the national average, even when rates of child poverty are factored in. Maine comes down especially hard on Hispanic children. More than one in four will be forced into foster care at some point.

It doesnt have to stay this way. Maine fixed child welfare once; it can do it again. But only if state leaders defy the fearmongers and embrace what really works to keep children safe. That means more than bland boilerplate about gee, we should have more prevention. It means concrete financial help for impoverished families  even small amounts of aid significantly reduce child maltreatment.

But instead, the legislatures Government Oversight Committee proposes to use scarce funds to give even more money to largely middle-class foster parents. They already get at least $800 per month per child, tax-free. The childrens health insurance is covered. And if a child is taken due to lack of supervision because a parent couldnt work, Maine will subsidize child care for that same child  if the child is in foster care, so the foster parents dont have to pay for it.

No wonder decades ago, a leader of the reform movement, author and foster parent Mary Callahan, pointed out that almost all the children she cared for could have remained safely in their own homes had their own parents got the money she got as a foster parent.

Families need something else as well: To guarantee they get the help they need to stay together safely, there has to be high-quality family defense counsel for every family, from the moment DHHS shows up at the door. Such programs have been shown to significantly reduce foster care with no compromise of safety.

Anything else is, at best, largely useless and at worst profanes the memory of Logan Marr.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Today we broke our record for high temperature when we hit 95 in Tampa. We also hit 95 in Ruskin, breaking that high temperature record for the day.

Tuesday will be mainly dry and quite hot again. There is a 20% chance for a few stray showers pushing across the state towards our coastline during the afternoon.

By Wednesday, some downpours arrive mainly south of I-4 as a tropical system arrives in the Gulf of Mexico.

The system will strengthen and move quickly to the north Wednesday and Thursday. While the exact location of landfall is uncertainly, whoever gets hit wont have much time to prepare once the system reaches the Gulf of Mexico.

Many of the computer models are taking it into the eastern Florida Panhandle, but until a defined center of circulation forms, we may see those tracks shift east or west. Stay tuned.

Expect tropical downpours throughout the day on Thursday, but even as the system heads north through the Southeastern U.S., a trail of tropical moisture spreads across the state. Rain chances remain elevated through the weekend.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Newtown Battlefield State Park near Elmira, which commemorates one of the key battles of the American Revolution, will undergo a major expansion with the help of a federal grant.

U.S. Rep. Nicholas Langworthy, R-23rd District, announced Monday the Town of Ashland has been awarded a $860,278 Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant by the National Park Service for the acquisition of about 322 acres adjacent to the existing 2,112-acre state park.

The town will use the money to purchase two properties and will then transfer the land to the state, which will incorporate it into the existing state park, located on a hilltop just off Interstate 86.

The two parcels include the actual battle site, which has been privately owned with the state park on a hilltop overlooking the battlefield.

"The Newtown Battlefield is a treasured and historic gem in Chemung County, Langworthy said. This investment will allow the Town of Ashland to preserve this important part of our nation's history for future generations while promoting local tourism and education."

British soldiers fire upon the advancing Americans during the reenactment of the Battle of Newtown on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004.

Preserving historic battlefields also honors the sacrifice of those who gave their lives and ensures that their heroism is never forgotten, Langworthy said.

The Battle of Newtown took place in August 1779, at the height of the American Revolution. It was an early skirmish in the Sullivan-Clinton campaign, an effort by the Continental Army to punish several tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy that sided with the British during the war.

While marching up through the Chemung Valley from what is now Athens, Pennsylvania, the troops encountered and defeated a contingent of British regulars, Loyalist rangers and 1,000 Iroquois warriors in the Lowman area southeast of Elmira.

The Sullivan-Clinton forces went on to sweep through western New York, destroying numerous native villages along the way and significantly weakening the alliance between the Iroquois Confederacy and the British.

Local Feeling nostalgic? Take home this piece of history from Elmira's Steele Memorial Library

In August every other year, a local organization known as the Chemung County Living History Center presents reenactments of the Battle of Newtown at the state park.

The American Battlefield Protection Program aims to invest in the long-term safeguarding of significant battlefields across the country, according to the National Park Service.

By investing in these preservation efforts, the program ensures that historic sites are protected from development and remain accessible for public education and commemoration, the Park Service said.

Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Grant funding expansion of Newtown Battlefield State Park near Elmira
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Reports said a man accused of driving away with a running SUV has been charged with robbery and theft.

Angel Martinez, 46, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail Friday on the charges. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in municipal court.

Reports said police were called about 11:10 a.m. Friday to the 3300 block of Freeman Avenue, where a man said he was washing his windows and had the SUV running when a man later identified as Martinez jumped in and drove away.

The mans grandson also said he saw him get in the SUV and drive away, reports said.

Police were out on another call on Canfield Road when they saw a man who resembled the description of the person who took the car run into the woods. He was later spotted in the parking lot of St. Christines School and taken into custody.

Reports said he had a cellphone on him that belonged to someone who recently had reported it was taken, reports said. The SUV was found at a parking lot at Canfield and South Meridan roads, reports said.

Reports said the owner of the SUV and his grandson were both able to identify Martinez as the person who took the vehicle.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A 26-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing another man back in August in Rochester, was arrested Monday in Vermont.

Aug. 31, 52-year-old Kevin Henry was stabbed inside his home on Bartlett Street. Officers said they found him when he ran outside. Henry was rushed to the hospital where he later died.

According to RPD, investigators later identified the suspect as James Fredrick, a Rochester resident. Police said Fredrick and Henry were known to each other and the stabbing is believed to have been the result of an argument between the two.

Police said shortly after the stabbing, Fredrick fled to Vermont. The Stowe Police Department officially arrested him during a traffic stop Monday.

Fredrick was charged with second-degree murder. He remains in custody in Vermont. RPD said efforts are underway for Fredrick to be brought back to Rochester for his arraignment, which is expected to take several weeks.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  A man has been charged after an alleged years-long sexual abuse of a minor in Monongalia County.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Monongalia County detachment of the West Virginia State Police, from the start of 2020 and October 2023, a man performed sexual acts on a female juvenile near the Marion and Monongalia line.

William Bencic

During those times, William Bencic, 34, of Rivesville, would perform specific sexual acts on the victim approximately 10 times or more, troopers said. The complaint said that in one of the incidents, Bencic sexually assaulted the victim with a metal hand tool from the garage.

Man wanted in 2 different 2023 Fairmont shootings apprehended

A juvenile witness also stated that the victim was locked in [a] bedroom and screaming, according to the complaint.

The complaint said that the victim was less than 16 years old.

Bencic has been charged with sexual assault by person of trust and 13 counts of third degree sexual abuse. He is being held in North Central Regional Jail on $150,000 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 WBOY.com.
Man arrested for aggravated assault and kidnapping

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A 32-year-old man is behind bars, accused of aggravated assault and kidnapping.

Officers were called to the area of 12th and Cleveland around 5:30 Sunday night.

Police believe the incident started with a disagreement between Robin Swallow and the victim.

Name released in fatal Haakon Co. 2-semi crash

Swallow allegedly punched and kicked the victim, leaving them with life threatening injuries.

Police say Swallow also stole some clothing that belonged to the victim.

He is scheduled to be in court Monday afternoon.

Police says the kidnapping charge came from Swallow taking a wheelchair bound witness away from the scene 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 KELOLAND.com.
KHARTOUM, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim announced on Sunday the launch of a one-month campaign to address the cholera epidemic.

The decision to launch the campaign was made during an urgent meeting of the higher committee for health and humanitarian emergencies in Kassala, the capital city of Kassala State in eastern Sudan, the minister said in a statement.

He said the campaign aims to combat cholera, enhance response to the disease in the states, unify the efforts, utilize available capabilities, and maximize the role of the community, with a focus on environmental sanitation.

The campaign's programs include vaccination, vector control, environmental health interventions, food control, and water purification, besides raising awareness about the dangers of cholera and health promotion activities, he noted.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese health minister said 12,896 cholera cases, including 388 deaths, have been recorded across the country so far.

According to the minister, nine states have been affected by the cholera outbreak, including Kassala, Gedaref, the Red Sea, the River Nile, the Northern state, Khartoum, Gezira, the White Nile and Sinnar.

On Aug. 17, the Sudanese health minister officially declared a cholera outbreak. The health ministry attributed the spread of cholera to deteriorating environmental conditions caused by the war and the use of unclean water.

Since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, epidemics such as cholera, malaria, measles, and dengue fever have spread, leading to hundreds of deaths.

The conflict has resulted in at least 16,650 deaths and displaced millions of people, according to UN estimates. 
Deputies arrested Albert Gregory Young after a pursuit on Sunday, the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office stated Monday in a news release.

Driver leads police chase through Charlotte, scrapes by another car at airport

Deputies clocked Young going 90 mph in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 85 near Mallard Creek Church Road at about 9:50 p.m.

A deputy tried to pull Young over but he sped off.

The deputy turned off his lights and stopped the pursuit for safety reasons, the sheriffs office said.

Young got off the interstate, wrecked into a pole on WT Harris Boulevard and ran into the woods.

Young was caught and charged with fleeing/eluding arrest and resisting a public officer. He was also cited for speeding.

Incidents like this serve as a reminder of the critical role our deputies play in ensuring the safety of our roadways, said Sheriff Garry McFadden. While we are relieved that no lives were lost, the reckless behavior shown by Mr. Young could have resulted in a far more tragic outcome. Our commitment to public safety remains unchanged, and we will continue to conduct enforcement campaigns aimed at keeping our community safe.

Young, his two passengers, and the driver in another car were treated at a hospital.
Man arrested in deadly shooting of teen at Plantersville Store

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Georgetown County deputies arrested Sunday a 20-year-old man accused in the deadly shooting of a Charlotte teen.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon at the Plantersville Country Store. Details about the shooting are limited; however, Georgetown County Coroner Chase Ridgeway said a 16-year-old from Charlotte died at the scene.

After the shooting, deputies warned residents that the suspect, identified as Daemon Hykeim Sanders, was considered armed and dangerous and posed a threat to the community.

He was arrested shortly after 7 p.m. on a murder charge.

Sanders is being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center.

The teenage victim is expected to undergo an autopsy at the Medical University of South Carolina on Wednesday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The man arrested in connection with an Arkansas State Police incident on Interstate 49 in July has pleaded guilty, according to Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson.

Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26, pleaded guilty during a court appearance on Monday to one count of driving while intoxicated and one count of reckless driving.

Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26 (Courtesy: Benton County Detention Center)

Charges of battery, resisting arrest, failure to yield, speeding and driving without a license that Zapet-Alvarado was originally arrested for were not included.

Zapet-Alvarado was sentenced to the 58 days he already served in prison and ordered to complete the Drug and Alcohol Safety Education program, Robinson said.

Robinson released a statement saying:

DWIs can look any number of ways, but what happened after the traffic stop is not typical. When it came to a charging decision, I underwent the same analysis for the Defendant as I did for Trooper Duncan. I looked at whether I had sufficient evidence to support the charges and whether I believed there was a reasonable likelihood of conviction, if so. In the end, I charged the Defendant with the crimes of which I was confident a jury would convict him. Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson

Springdale police: Woman arrested in Friday morning hit-and-run incident

He is being held in the Benton County Detention Center for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to his booking.

ASP said around 7:43 p.m. on July 27, a trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Zapet-Alvarado on I-49 southbound after he passed a marked patrol unit at 114 miles per hour near mile marker 83.

The release said Zapet-Alvarado did not initially stop even after the trooper activated her siren and emergency lights.

After he stopped, the trooper told Zapet-Alvarado to get out of the vehicle.

A probable cause affidavit said Zapet-Alvarado refused to get out of his vehicle after the trooper told him he was under arrest.

Fayetteville behavioral treatment center employee accused of inappropriate relationship with minor pleads not guilty

The release said the trooper saw Zapet-Alvarado had his hand on the gearshift and took his keys to stop him from driving away.

The trooper grabbed her taser after Zapet-Alvarado allegedly refused to comply but the man wrestled the taser away and threw it into traffic. Zapet-Alvarado reportedly kicked the trooper in the head multiple times.

According to the release, a motorist witnessed the incident and tried to help the trooper. The trooper fired one round at Zapet-Alvarado and wounded him in the right temple.

The release said Zapet-Alvarado continued to resist arrest and refused the troopers instructions.

Zapet-Alvarado was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released to law enforcement. Toxicology reports showed Zapet-Alvarados blood alcohol content was .16 and that cannabinoids were present.

The trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries from the incident.

Robinson previously announced the trooper would not be charged with a crime concerning the incident.

Zapet-Alvarados lawyer, Aaron Cash with the Herrera Law Group, released statement saying:

Mr. Zapet pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor offenses today and was sentenced to time served and fines. The prosecutor did not pursue the felonies and other charges alleged by the trooper. In my opinion, the troopers false statements to investigators and the excessive force she used contributed to the more serious charges being dropped. The trooper claimed that Mr. Zapet had put the car in drive and that she had to place it back in park during the incident. This was later proven false through further investigation. Testing of the vehicle showed that the reverse lights flicker any time the car is placed into drive, which never happened in this case. Regarding excessive force, the trooper tased him over 10 times, choked him, punched him in the face, and shot him in the head with her handgun. Typically, a law enforcement officer will approach a traffic stop and ask for ID, insurance, and registration. Mr. Zapet is pleased to close this case and move forward with his life, alongside his wife and newborn. We are actively exploring all available options to seek further justice on behalf of Mr. Zapet. Aaron Cash, attorney for Angel Zapet-Alvarado

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Man arrested after K9 detects narcotics during Preble County traffic stop

A man was arrested after a K9 detected narcotics during a Preble County traffic stop last week.

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Officers conducted a short-term drug trafficking investigation during a traffic stop on Sept. 17, according to a social media post.

During the stop, K9 Rossi gave a positive alert to an odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle.

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Eaton Police posted a picture of both the narcotics seized and the man arrested on social media.

Christopher Fulton, 45, is in Preble County Jail on a felony count each of drug possession and trafficking, online jail records indicate.

Bond has been set for at least $100,000.

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KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44)  UPDATE: The victim in Killeens 17th murder of 2024 has been identified.

Detectives with the Killeen Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division have identified the victim as 22-year-old Dirkshawn Bryan, Jr.

Officers originally responded to a call of shots fired in the 2200 block of Wheeler Avenue at approximately 12:39 a.m. Sunday. When officers arrived, they found Bryan suffering from gunshot wounds in the roadway. Officers started to perform life-saving measures until paramedics arrived. However, Bryan succumbed to his injuries.

Bryan was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Nicola James at 12:48 a.m. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

SEE ALSO: Suspect in Killeens 16th murder of 2024 arrested

Police say there is no threat to the community related to this incident.

This is a developing story. FOX 44 News will have more information as it becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
Man found dead, another seriously injured on the Upper East Side: NYPD

Man found dead, another seriously injured on the Upper East Side: NYPD

UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11)  A man was found dead on the Upper East Side Sunday afternoon, according to the NYPD.

Police responded to a 911 call for an assault at 232 East 95th St. at around 1:30 p.m.

More Local News

The man was found with trauma to the chest and neck, police said. Responding EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.

Another man was present at the scene and had sustained multiple lacerations, police said. The 27-year-old was taken to New York Cornell Hospital in serious but stable condition.

The NYPD recovered two knives at the scene. Investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made.

Woman arrested in connection to fatal stabbing in the Bronx: NYPD

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner will determine the victims cause of death.

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.

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Man injured after dirt bike crash in Richmond

RICHMOND, R.I. (WPRI)  A man was taken to the hospital after a dirt bike crash in Richmond on Sunday.

Police said the incident happened around 3:45 p.m. at a dirt bike track on Buttonwoods Rd.

The dirt bike rider, a 39-year-old Connecticut man, went over a jump and lost control while landing, according to police.

Police said a nurse who was there also helped the man.

He was brought to Rhode Island Hospital for serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

NEXT: Police investigating shooting in Pawtucket

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HICKSVILLE, N.Y. (PIX11)  A man was killed in a fiery crash when his car was hit by an accused drunk driver on Long Island on Saturday, according to the Nassau County Police Department.

The 30-year-old victim, driving a 2014 Subaru, was traveling eastbound along Prospect Avenue in Hicksville around 11:20 p.m. when he planned to turn onto Cantiague Rock Road, police said. Thats when the Subaru crashed into a 2005 Honda, driven by 42-year-old Miguel Nolasco, traveling westbound on Prospect Avenue.

More Local News

The Subaru burst into flames, trapping the victim inside, according to authorities. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nolasco was taken to a local hospital for his injuries. A police investigation determined Nolasco, of Roosevelt, was intoxicated at the time of the crash, police said.

More Long Island News

Nolasco was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, manslaughter and DWI.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Police have identified the man who was shot and killed near the Largo Town Center on Friday afternoon.

According to the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD), on Sept. 20, just after 1 p.m., officers responded to the 1000 block of Largo Center Drive for the report of a shooting.

Once on the scene, officers found Craig Rogers II, 27, of Bowie, in the roadway with gunshot wounds.

He died at the scene.

Angela Alsobrooks improperly claimed tax deductions on properties, according to CNN review

Detectives are working to determine a motive and identify any suspects. They do not believe the shooting was random.

Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.

Anyone with information who would like to speak to a homicide detective can call 301-516-2512. Tips can be submitted online through Prince Georges County Crime Solvers or the P3 Tips app.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A man has pleaded guilty to murdering his girlfriend and dumping her body beside a Grand Rapids freeway in March.

On Monday, 25-year-old Brandon Ortiz-Vite, who officials say was in the U.S. illegally, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder, one count of carjacking, one count of carrying a concealed weapon and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony for the March 22 murder of 25-year-old Ruby Garcia. Her body was found shortly before midnight on southbound US-131 near Leonard Street.

He faces at least 30 to 37 years in prison plus a mandatory two-year sentence on the felony firearm charge.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said that Garcias family wanted the plea deal instead of going to trial.

Theres always the (possible) pitfalls of what may happen at trial. Although we have a very good case, and I wasnt worried about losing it, but things happen. Things could be overturned. It could be a mistrial, he said. So this was done in consultation with the family and this was their wishes. Theres much more certainty with a plea than if you take it to trial.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 31. Becker said that once Ortiz-Vite serves his time, federal immigration authorities would take over.

Family: Woman found dead on highway loved to make people laugh

An undated image of Ruby Garcia. (March 25, 2024)

Ortiz-Vite was arrested on March 24 after he called Allegan County 911 from Ganges United Methodist Church.

In the recording of the 911 call, Ortiz-Vite can be heard saying, Im calling cause I wanna turn myself in for a murder I committed two nights ago.

Man admitted to shooting woman, leaving body beside freeway, records show

In the recording, Ortiz-Vite can be heard explaining that he was in the back of the church and that a service was going on. He also admitted he was armed.

Below, listen to the full 16-minute call:

Ortiz-Vite had spent the night at the church, the pastor previously told Target 8. The pastor said he identified himself as Brian and was clearly upset, though he didnt tell her what he had done. She said he accepted her invitation to their 10 a.m. Palm Sunday service and sat at the back. She noticed he was gone sometime during her sermon. He had gone to the bathroom to call 911.

Hearing delayed for man who confessed to killing on US-131

In a May hearing, a state police detective sergeant testified that Ortiz-Vite told him he hadnt planned to kill Garcia that day. The detective said Ortiz-Vite had been drinking and using cocaine. Ortiz-Vite told police he was upset because Garcia wanted to break up with him after about a year together. Garcias sister told News 8 that the pair had known each other for about a year but were not boyfriend and girlfriend.

She was driving him home when she pulled over on US-131 and told him to get out, leading to a fight, the detective testified. Ortiz-Vite refused to leave the car.

During that altercation, he remembered that he had his handgun with him, the detective said. I believe he said it was instinct that he then reached for the gun and shot her multiple times inside the vehicle.

Detective: US-131 murder suspect saw woman move, shot her again

Ortiz-Vite first entered the U.S. illegally as a child. He was later approved to stay under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, more commonly known as DACA.

DACA was created in 2012 by an executive order signed by then-President Barack Obama. It allowed so-called Dreamers brought to the U.S. illegally as children to get work permits and remain in the country as long as they were living constructive lives. They were allowed to seek renewals every two years.

Suspect in highway killing first came to U.S. as a child

ICE told Target 8 that Ortiz-Vites DACA status expired in May 2019. By that time, he had already served 30 days in jail after he broke into his ex-girlfriends home and stood over her bed in the city of Wyoming in 2018, records show. Its not clear why he wasnt deported then. In September 2020, he was deported following a drunken driving arrest in Grand Rapids, then returned to the U.S. illegally, immigration officials have said. Its not known when he came back.

Family of woman found dead on highway angered by Trumps speech

The slaying led former President Trump to Grand Rapids, where he blamed President Joe Bidens border policy.

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NAIROBI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Airways said on Monday that it has rolled out a campaign to attract more Chinese travelers to visit the East African country.

Julius Thairu, chief commercial and customer officer of Kenya Airways, said the campaign involves raising awareness among the Chinese public about Kenya's tourist attractions, such as wildlife parks.

"We are partnering with Chinese travel agents and airlines in order to increase Chinese inbound tourists into Kenya," Thairu said in an interview with Xinhua in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

According to statistics from the Kenya Tourism Board, the government's marketing arm, about 52,000 Chinese nationals visited Kenya in 2023.

He noted that Kenya Airways currently flies five times a week between Nairobi and Guangzhou, the capital of south China's Guangdong Province.

Thairu added that the Kenyan carrier is seeking to expand its aircraft fleet and start flights to Beijing to tap into the growing Chinese tourism sector.

Kenya Airways has already entered into code-sharing agreements with China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines in order to expand its footprint in the Chinese travel market. 
Man pleads no contest in drug case stemming from South Side traffic stop

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Boardman man Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court pleaded no contest in a drug case stemming from a traffic stop on the South Side.

Ryan Brown, 29, was found guilty by Judge John Durkin after he entered his plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a third-degree felony.

Sentencing will be at a later date. Brown faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

He was originally charged with aggravated possession of drugs, a second-degree felony, but the charge was amended in exchange for his plea.

Brown was charged after his arrest on May 10, 2023, when a car he was driving was pulled over by an Ohio State Highway trooper on East Philadelphia Avenue for an improper turn.

Reports said Brown appeared very nervous when speaking to the trooper and he also had an expired drivers license.

The trooper searched the car and found methamphetamine that was in a shoe box in the trunk, reports said, as well as $1,816 cash.

Brown is free on bond and Judge Durkin continued his bond pending sentencing.

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Man sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for 2020 rape in Mecklenburg County: DA

Man sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for 2020 rape in Mecklenburg County: DA

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A man has been sentenced to roughly 12-24 years in prison for rape in 2020, according to the District Attorneys Office.

On Sept. 9, 2024, Rene Velez Villavicencio, 28, was tried for second-degree rape, second-degree forcible rape, second-degree sex offense, and first-degree kidnapping. The jury found him guilty and a judge sentenced him to 146 months to 296 months in prison.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 15, 2020, the victim was at a birthday party for a friend, according to authorities. At trial, she said she was intoxicated and fell asleep because it wasnt safe for her to drive home. A few hours later, she woke up and an unknown person, Villavicencio, was lying next to her. The DAs office says she was sexually assaulted before the suspect left.

Officer, suspect hurt in shooting during traffic stop in south Charlotte: CMPD

Officials said the victim eventually gathered herself and was going to drive home, but first went to use a bathroom on the way out. Thats when the same person, Villavicencio, walked in behind her and raped her.

The victim went to the hospital the next day to get a sexual assault exam. CMPD detectives got DNA samples from potential suspects who attended the party and, in April 2022, the results of that test found the suspects DNA matched the DNA found during the victims exam.

The DAs office said once Villavicencio is released from prison, he must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Man shot in South Linden dies after two days

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A man shot Thursday night in South Linden has died.

On Sunday, Columbus police identified the man as Rayshawn Rogers, 33, who died Saturday at the hospital.

According to police, Rogers was shot on the 1100 block of East 12th Avenue Thursday night at approximately 9:26 p.m.

Watch: Man shot in South Linden dies two days later

Police are continuing to investigate the shooting and have not released any further information.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730.

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SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, Mich. (FOX 2) - An officer-involved shooting is under investigation on Saturday in Washtenaw County.

Just after 8:00 p.m., Washtenaw Metro Dispatch received an emergency alert stemming from an iPhone activation indicating a serious crash near Geddes Road and Woodlands Drive in Superior Township. As deputies and emergency responders rushed to the scene, additional 911 calls revealed the passenger of the vehicle involved in the crash had stabbed the driver and attempted to attack witnesses on-site.

Upon arrival, deputies encountered a 22-year-old male suspect from Ypsilanti, who was armed with a knife. Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect posed an immediate threat, prompting deputies to use force. After subduing the suspect, deputies provided life-saving medical assistance until paramedics arrived to transport him to a local hospital.

The 53-year-old female driver, who had sustained multiple stab wounds, was also transported to a local hospital for treatment. Her condition is currently unknown.
A large porcelain sculpture by the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei was left shattered Friday after a man smashed the artwork on display at a museum in Bologna, Italy.

Ai shared security footage of the act of vandalism on his piece, titled Porcelain Cube, and video of the suspects arrest outside the Palazzo Fava museum on his Instagram with a message to people who destroy art.

You are literally ruining the things that make this world beautiful and cultured. Instead of destroying things in museums, how about you go destroy things actually hurting our planet and societies? wrote Ai, a vocal critic of the Chinese government whos been essentially exiled from his country.

Piss on the front doors of the rich, sabotage industry that harms us all, he continued. Stop destroying our shared history and fight the people actually oppressing you.

The security footage shows a man smashing Ais blue-and-white porcelain sculpture, then raising the shards above his head before being tackled by museum security personnel. His motive remains unknown.

Ai told The New York Times he was shocked someone managed to destroy such a large sculpture .

When I learned that it was my large porcelain artwork that had been destroyed, I was astonished, he said. I never imagined that a piece nearly 100 kilos in weight could be damaged so easily.

Local news outlets and art publications identified the attacker as Vaclav Pisvejc, a Czech-born artist known for pulling similar stunts. In 2018, Art Review noted, he attacked renowned artist Marina Abramovic at a book signing by hitting her over the head with a canvas portrait of herself, saying, I had to do it for my art.

Arturo Galansino, the curator of the Ai exhibition in Bologna, told the Times he was saddened by the lost art and dismissed the vandal as someone seeking recognition.

Hes a person that likes to gain attention disturbing exhibitions and being in contact with worldwide artists, he said.

This isnt the first time some of Ais art has been destroyed. In 2014, a visitor to Miamis Perez Art Museum picked up one of Ais vases on display and threw it to the ground, shattering it in an apparent act of protest.

Ai, too, has destroyed artifacts in the name of art. In 1995, he photographed himself dropping and shattering a 2,000-year-old Han dynasty urn. In response to the outrage, Ai said: Chairman Mao used to tell us that we can only build a new world if we destroy the old one.

Related...
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill.  A West Frankford, Illinois, man is in Williamson County Jail Monday after he was arrested for stealing a police officers vehicle and attempting to run over the deputy.

According to the Williamson County Sheriffs Office on Facebook, David R. Burke was at a Hucks convenience store in Carterville, Illinois, around 3 a.m. when he stole the patrol car.

The sheriffs office said the deputy was at a fuel pump at the convenience store when a Hucks clerk asked for the deputys assistance as Burke became aggressive outside of the store.

As the deputy approached Burke, the sheriffs office said he acted erratic, removed his shirt, and showed signs of debilitation.

Despite protests, calls for clemency, Missouri executes Marcellus Williams

The clerk reportedly said Burke had damaged a parked vehicle at the store by throwing an object at it. Burke was detained and arrested for the damage and the deputy placed him inside the patrol car.

While the deputy was inspecting the damage and speaking to witnesses, the sheriffs office said Burke forced his way through the patrol vehicles transport cage and gained access to the drivers seat.

Burke reportedly drove the police vehicle directly at the deputy in an attempt to escape. The deputy fired a single round from their weapon at Burke, the sheriffs office said. The bullet struck the drivers door post between the windshield and door, just an inch away from Burke.

Burke fled in the patrol car. The officer was not injured.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were called to assist in the pursuit, which reached up to 100 miles per hour, according to the sheriffs office. Burke avoided multiple tire-deflation devices deployed to stop him.

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After going through multiple counties, the sheriffs office said Burke drove off the roadway and came to a stop in a wooded area in rural Perry County. He was taken into custody without further incident and without any injuries.

Burke was cited with 18 charges, with additional charges anticipated including criminal damage to property, theft of a motor vehicle, escape, resisting a peace officer, aggravated assault and more.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation should contact the Williamson County Sheriffs Office.

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Man throwing objects at traffic on southbound I-17 is fatally hit by vehicle

A man throwing objects at passing vehicles on southbound Interstate 17 in Phoenix was struck by a vehicle and died early Monday, according to authorities.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety received reports around 12:30 a.m. of a man throwing objects at passing vehicles on southbound I-17 near the Durango Curve. Authorities said the man was struck by a vehicle and died at the scene.

The driver who struck the man stayed at the scene and was not impaired, according to DPS. The crash caused significant delays, with backups stretching from the Durango Curve to the Stack interchange. The freeway was temporarily closed and reopened just before 5 a.m., shortly before the morning rush hour.

No additional details were available. The incident is under investigation, and authorities are asking anyone with additional information to come forward.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man throwing objects at Interstate 17 traffic is hit, killed by car
QUAY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  Quay County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in locating a man wanted for attempted murder.

According to Crime Stoppers, Alex Joe Patrick Gutierrez is wanted out of Tucumcari and is facing several charges. New Mexico State Police said Gutierrez and another man knocked on a door Friday afternoon and held the resident at gunpoint, demanding a backpack.

Gutierrez is then accused of shooting the resident twice in the stomach. NMSP said he and the other man held a driver at gunpoint, forcing them to drive the two to another location before fleeing the area.

Officials claimed he has ties to Tucumcari and Albuquerque. Guttierez is also believed to be armed and dangerous. The public is advised to not approach him, and instead, call the police (at 575-382-2500, option 1) or contact Crime Stoppers.

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Hip and knee pain can significantly impact daily life for millions of people. Whether its the result of age, injury, or conditions like arthritis, managing this pain is crucial for maintaining mobility and overall quality of life.

Dr. Adam Driesman, medical director and orthopedic surgeon at St. Vincents Medical Center, discusses the most common causes of hip and knee pain. He also discusses medical advancements in recent years in the way joint replacements and the best form of non-invasive treatment.

Learn more at an in-person discussion with Driesman on Oct. 1, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Stonebridge Restaurant, 50 Daniel St., Milford.

Registration is required: HartfordHealthCare.org/events

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(WHTM)  The U.S. Navy has named many ships after states, cities, towns, and places in the United States, including Pennsylvania. (In fact, there have been several named U.S.S. Pennsylvania.) This includes waterways such as the Susquehanna River, after which the Navy has named three vessels. Of these, the first had the longest and most spectacular career, including a major event in American foreign relations.

The very first U.S.S. Susquehanna was a side-wheel Steamship launched on April 5, 1850, and commissioned on December 24, 1850. In 1851 she sailed to the Pacific to join the East India Squadron.

U.S.S. Susquehanna (Naval History and Heritage Command)

Susquehanna served as the flagship of Commodore Matthew Perry when, on July 8, 1853, he sailed his squadron into Tokyo Bay to negotiate a treaty opening diplomatic relations with Japan.

1856 saw the Susquehanna serving as the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron. After being laid up in 1858, she was reactivated in 1860 and returned to the Mediterranean. When the Civil War broke out she sailed back to the United States.

The ship was assigned to blockade duty, part of the Union Anaconda Strategy to prevent the Confederacy from importing supplies. Susquehanna served along the East Coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico, capturing a number of blockade runners. After the war Susquehanna patrolled the Atlantic coast of South America until returning home for decommissioning on 30 June 30, 1866.

Her decommissioned status didnt last long; She was recommissioned on November 2, 1866, to serve as flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron, and in the West Indies Squadron. (On November 18, 1867, the ship rode out a tsunami from a 7.5 magnitude earthquake while anchored in the harbor of St. Thomas without damage.) Decommissioned for the last time on January 24, 1868, Susquehanna was laid up until sold for scrapping on September 27, 1883.

U.S.S. Susquehanna (Naval History and Heritage Command)

The second U.S.S. Susquehanna started out as a passenger steamship, the Rhein, operated by the North German Lloyd Lines. When World War I broke out, she sought refuge in the port of Baltimore. She was still there when the United States entered the war.

The Rhein was formally seized, fitted out as a transport, and commissioned as U.S.S. Susquehanna on September 5, 1917, and attached to the Cruiser and Transport Force. Susquehanna made eight round trips to Europe transporting 18,348 troops before the Armistice. Following the Armistice, she made seven more voyages and returned 15,537 passengers to the United States.

Susquehanna was placed out of commission on August 27, 1919 and turned over to the United States Shipping Board for disposition.

U.S.S. Susquehann AOG-5 (National Archives)

The third U.S.S. Susquehanna (AOG-5) was launched on September 9, 1942, and commissioned on November 23, 1943. The AOG designation means she was a gasoline tanker. (The Navys designations for different types of tankers in World War II all started with AO.)

The Susquehanna served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, supplying gas and cargo to fleet units and servicing PT Boats. Even though she was a supply vehicle, Susquehanna saw combat on January 2-4, 1945, when the convoy she was sailing with was attacked by air. Her crew shot down a plane on the 3rd.

With the war over, on August 15, 1946, she was transferred to the U.S. Army and struck from the Navy list. Then in 1950 she was reacquired by the Navy, redesigned T-AOG-5, and sailed with the Military Sea Transportation Service. She spent the next nine years sailing between Japan and Korea, before returning to the United States in March 1959, where she was struck from the Navy list.

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Li Xueyong (L), president of JETOUR Auto, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sept. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)

JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese automakers are accelerating their global expansion, with a particular focus on increasing their presence in African countries. On Friday, JETOUR Auto, a Chinese automobile brand, unveiled two new right-hand drive (RHD) models, DASHING and X70PLUS, in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking another step forward in its global growth.

In 2023, China exported 4.91 million vehicles, achieving a year-on-year growth of 57.9 percent, making it the world's largest automobile exporter for the first time. The massive growth was propelled by a surge in the exports of new energy vehicles (NEVs), which soared 77.6 percent to more than 1.2 million units last year.

"The global expansion trend offers great opportunities for Chinese auto companies," Li Xueyong, president of JETOUR Auto, told Xinhua in a recent interview, adding that the company has established more than 600 sales and service networks in over 50 countries.

As an economic powerhouse on the African continent, South Africa boasts a mature car market. Since Chinese automakers entered the South African market more than a decade ago, over 10 Chinese brands have established a presence and achieved strong sales.

"We have placed great importance on the South African market, which is highly competitive and mature, and we have made thorough preparations to enter it," said Ke Chuandeng, vice president of JETOUR Auto. He added that the company aims to establish 40 sales networks in the country by the end of this year and sell 30,000 vehicles over the next three years.

As one of Africa's largest car producers, with a history of more than 100 years, South Africa's car market is relatively saturated, making it challenging for new entrants to gain a foothold. However, as more African countries turn to NEVs, Chinese automakers are finding new opportunities on the continent.

According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, NEV sales in South Africa surged from 896 units in 2021 to 7,746 units in 2023. Last year, the country released a white paper on electric vehicle development, aiming to increase NEV market share from 1.45 percent in 2023 to 20 percent by the end of 2025.

For JETOUR, the African continent holds significant potential for NEV development.

"African countries have abundant metal mineral resources such as lithium and nickel, providing ample raw materials for batteries. South Africa's auto production and assembly began in the early 20th century, laying a solid foundation for its car industry," said Ke.

For Chinese automakers, the development and introduction of NEV models is key to standing out among international competitors. "JETOUR is actively introducing NEVs to the global market and has a comprehensive technological and product layout for hybrid, battery-electric, and other vehicles," Ke added.

To meet the diverse demands of consumers, JETOUR has launched the "Travel+" strategy, which integrates people, vehicles, and the environment through the ecological layout of the entire travel industry chain, said Li.

"As a Chinese company, we are still adapting to the local market. Today's launch of the DASHING and X70PLUS models is just the beginning, and we plan to introduce more off-road and hybrid models, led by the T2, for African customers in the future," Li said.

Beyond promoting its products, Chinese automakers are also committed to fulfilling their social responsibilities in the global market. In addition to the new model launches, JETOUR announced a strategic partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) for wildlife conservation on Friday.

"JETOUR will collaborate with the Discovery Channel to produce a documentary on cheetah conservation to raise public awareness and encourage involvement in protecting cheetahs. We will also support the CCF by adopting cheetahs and donating vehicles for official use to contribute to wildlife protection," said Li.

Since its inception in 2018, JETOUR has adhered to its unique "Travel+" strategy. With cumulative global sales exceeding 1.22 million units, the company set a new record with over 50,000 units sold in August this year.

Looking ahead, Li expressed full confidence and ambitious plans for the African market. "With the launch of new products in South Africa, JETOUR's presence in RHD markets is gaining momentum. In the future, we will also explore the European Union and other markets," Li said. 

Ke Chuandeng (R), vice president of JETOUR Auto, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sept. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Advocates from all over the country, including the Midwest Innocence Project, are still campaigning for Marcellus Williams pardon with less than 48 hours before his execution by the state.

On Monday, the Missouri Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Williams case. Attorneys have also filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Protestors and activists will be in Jefferson City on Monday.

Killing people does not work; it does not fix anything. And also, its worse the fact that we kill and have killed innocent people, Michelle Smith, co-director of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, said.

At present, Williams is housed at the Potosi Correctional Center in Mineral Point, according to the Missouri Department of Corrections website. Soon, Williams will be relocated to the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre to await execution by lethal injection on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Williams, 55, was convicted of first-degree murder in the August 1998 stabbing death of Lisha Gayle during a robbery of her suburban St. Louis home. He has long maintained his innocence.

This past August, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and Williams attorneys had reached a deal in which Williams would plead guilty to the murder under an Alford plea.

Williams lawyers said that by accepting the Alford pleaan admission that prosecutors have enough evidence to obtain a guilty verdictthey would have more time to prove their clients innocence.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey got the state supreme court to overrule the agreement and block the Alford plea, allowing the execution to proceed as scheduled.

Members of Gayles family have signed a clemency petition pleading with Governor Mike Parson to spare Williams and let him serve a life sentence without parole. Members of the jury are reportedly quoted in the petition, stating they might have reconsidered their verdict and sentenced had they known then what they now know.

But Parson, a former county sheriff, has not granted clemency for capital punishment during his entire tenure as governor.

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Investigators claimed that Williams broke a windowpane to get inside 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. Gayle was a social worker who previously worked as a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Prosecutors at the time had alleged that Williams confessed to his girlfriend in the days following the murder and to a cellmate in 1999 while he was jailed in an unrelated case. Williams attorneys said the girlfriend and cellmate were only out for reward money.

He was hours away from execution in August 2017 when he was given a reprieve. Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens halted the process, saying that testing, unavailable at the time of the killing, showed that Williams DNA was not on the murder weapon, leading some to argue that Williams was not the killer.

Greitens formed a board of inquiry to examine the case. However, his successor, Parson, dissolved the board of inquiry in June 2023 before it could reach any conclusion regarding Williams innocence.

Prosecutor Bell filed a motion last winter to vacate Williams murder conviction. Bell cited that new DNA evidence when filing the motion and said he believed Williams was not involved in Gayles death.

A Missouri law that took effect in 2021 allows prosecuting attorneys like Bell to file a motion to vacate a conviction if they believe an inmate could be innocent or was otherwise erroneously convicted.

There were concerns that the original members of the prosecution team had mishandled and contaminated the DNA evidence.

Defense attorneys have maintained there is no physical evidence linking Williams to Gayles murder.

Missouri has executed two people thus far in 2024: Brian Dorsey and David Hosier.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Maricopa County is the fourth biggest county in the U.S. by population, and real estate is a huge industry in metro Phoenix.

Republican Eddie Cook is currently the Maricopa County assessor and is campaigning for the job that has a four-year term. Democrat Greg Freeman is running against him this November.

The assessor's primary function is to locate and appraise properties at market value, and those parcels are then taxed based on that value. The state agency tracks more than 1.8 million property parcels valued at over $1 trillion.

Cook, elected in 2020, was on the Gilbert Town Council from 2011-20. He worked in the tech industry before becoming the county assessor.

Freeman has worked in the real estate industry for more than a decade as an escrow officer, notary, leasing agent and construction manager. He is also on the North Mountain and Deer Valley zoning commissions.

The Arizona Republic asked both candidates to answer three questions on county issues and their priorities as Maricopa County's assessor. Here's what they had to say, in alphabetical order. Answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness.

Why do you want this job?

Eddie Cook: I desire to continue to focus and lead the office to be an advocate for the property owner. I want the Assessor's Office to continue to provide best-in-class, business-friendly customer service that is caring and respectful and provides clear communications and education.

Under my leadership, I will continue to set the standard for my office to do the "right thing" on behalf of the property owner. Arizona's property tax statutes are some of the most complex in the country. I want to continue fighting for the property owner at the Legislature.

My office has run six legislative bills that have become Arizona property tax law to help simply provide clarity, improve disability exemptions for senior citizens and veterans, and flexibility for businesses. My plan is to run additional legislative bills in the upcoming legislative session to continue our efforts to fight against title fraud, increase the number of senior citizens qualifying for personal exemptions and provide stronger statutory property tax definitions to eliminate frivolous property tax lawsuits.

If reelected, I will be able to provide continuing education to our Legislature, city and town councils and governing school boards about Arizona property tax statutes. My priority is that the Assessor's Office serves everyone fairly and equitably without politics. I'm in the business of building a positive community that supports families and businesses.

Greg Freeman: I believe that the housing situation in the greater Phoenix area is one of the greatest issues before us today and is a large factor in the severe uptick in homelessness that we have seen. I want to do everything possible to address the tremendous shortfall in housing that we face.

I have worked on this issue at the local level in the nonprofit space and by serving on two local zoning committees near my home in Phoenix. The county assessor plays an integral role in solving this issue for everyone in Maricopa County, and the occupant of this office will help shape the county that we live in for decades to come.

I want to be a part of building the houses, roads, schools and infrastructure we need for our growing county. I want to see our public schools properly funded so that all our children in Maricopa County can receive the same great education.

What is the biggest challenge facing the Maricopa County assessor?

Cook: The Maricopa County Assessor's Office is a multi-million-dollar business that requires the assessor to have executive leadership experience. I have 300 full-time team members that have various levels of expertise and critical skills who provide a best-in-class customer service experience by providing a fair and equitable valuation of all taxable property in Maricopa County without favor or partiality.

When I became the assessor, I began the transformation of the office by implementing a "one team" culture that recognizes the gifts and talents of each team member, promotes integrity, character and civility, fosters a sense of purpose, builds trust and respect, creates transparency, improves communications, leading to more innovation, while developing effective and efficient processes.

Another significant challenge I have faced was the modernization of our business software system. I inherited a customized software solution that was over 10 years in the making at the cost of $20 million. With my professional technical expertise knowing how to get the project back on track, we successfully migrated decades of data from the old system onto the new world-class flagship software. The Maricopa County Assessor's Office is now known as the technology industry leader.

Freeman: The number one problem facing the Maricopa County Assessor's Office right now is a lack of communication and trust. The role of the Assessor's Office is to correctly assess the taxes that fund the financial foundation of our schools, rural fire departments, Sheriff's Office, community colleges and many other important services. Many assessments were not correctly performed, which has resulted in a sudden and dramatic $330,000,000 bill being given to those same institutions that relied on this office for their funding.

It is the job of the county assessor to assess things correctly and immediately communicate what happened to those affected by its mistakes.

I will be the Maricopa County assessor who proactively reaches out to the community, and I will ensure that the staff of the Assessor's Office does the same.

What principles would guide the actions of the Assessor's Office under your leadership?

Cook: The Assessor's Office suffered tremendous turmoil due to the previous assessor's criminal indictment. I've successfully restored and returned honor and public trust to the office. The core principles guiding the actions of the office under my leadership include courage, character, integrity, honesty, compassion, excellence and fairness. I lead my office to always do what is right, be honest, accurate and transparent with property owners, the public, and our team about our work and how it is performed.

I guide my team to ensure fair and equitable property valuations to support the collection of property taxes that are essential funding for valuable community resources. I continually challenge my team to work collaboratively with civility, respect and compassion, and be hard-working, dedicated, and best-in-class public servants while conducting all business to the highest quality and providing a superior customer experience. Together, we will continue to implement practical and effective solutions that improve our workflow, processes and the lives of our team members and the public we serve.

I've made it my mission to ensure that fairness, equity, and respect are present in every aspect of our business to secure best-in-class customer service. I've successfully accomplished this by continuing to innovate and anticipate the community's changing needs and embracing the latest technology while creating a workplace that inspires and empowers our team to perform at the highest level. I truly am grateful that the public has trusted me to hold this very important elected office now and into the future.

Freeman: My administration will be primarily guided by the principles of accountability, service and integrity. The Maricopa County assessor has the responsibility to correctly assess more than $5.5 billion of taxable value every year and to make that information easily accessible to the people who need it.

The Assessor's Office is accountable for correctly assessing property owners and accurately funding the governmental agencies that depend on it. I will make sure that the Assessor's Office properly serves the people of Maricopa County so the people get what they need in the way that they need it.

The assessor deals with issues that are central to all of us: our money and our homes. I will make sure that the work entrusted to the office is performed to the highest standards. It is of vital importance that it is done with integrity and with the trust of the public.

Reach the reporter at catherine.reagor@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County assessor election: Why Cook, Freeman want the job
GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the conspiracy-peddling congresswoman from Georgia, slammed Vice President Kamala Harris as a liar for linking a womans death to the states current abortion rules that all but outlaw the abortion.

Kamala Harris is lying to women in GA right now! Greene posted to X as Harris spoke to supporters in Atlanta last Friday. She claims Amber Nicole Thurman died from an abortion ban in GA. The TRUTH is Amber tragically died from taking abortion pills! And there is NO Trump abortion ban. The Supreme Court gave states the right to make their own decisions.

When the Trump-aligned conservative-majority Supreme Court in June 2022 overturned the federal law guaranteeing a womans right to an abortion, the decision-making power was given to individual states. Today, nearly one-third of US states have in place near-total abortion bans, with Georgia among the most severe. Last Friday, Harris pointed out to the Atlanta crowd that doctors in the Peachtree State face up to a decade in prison for providing abortion care outside of an extremely narrow set of exceptions.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris waves to supporters at a campaign event on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP)

Greene was referring to one of at least two Georgia women who died after receiving delayed abortion-related medical care, as nonprofit investigative news outlet ProPublica reported September 16. Four days after the report came out, Harris, while addressing attendees at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, brought up Thurman in order to highlight the very real dangers of the post-Roe v. Wade era.

She was going to nursing school, raising her six-year-old son, Harris said of the late 28-year-old. ... She had her plan, what she wanted to do for her son, for herself, for their future. And so, when she discovered that she was pregnant, she decided she wanted to have an abortion, but because of the Trump abortion ban here in Georgia, she was forced to travel out of state to receive the health care that she needed.

In July 2022, the month after Roe was overturned, Thurman discovered she was pregnant. However, she had just passed the six-week mark, the point at which Georgia now bans abortions, according to ProPublica. So Thurman went to North Carolina, where the procedure at that stage remained legal, but her appointment at the clinic was given away when she was late due to traffic. Instead, the outlet reported, a clinic staffer gave Thurman two abortion pills to take upon her return home to Georgia, which would induce a miscarriage. But when Thurmans body failed to clear all of the fetal tissue, she went to a local hospital to have it removed via dilation and curettage, a routine procedure known as a D&C.

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 Georgia after the Supreme Court ended nationwide access to abortion (Facebook)

Performing a D&C in Georgia  with only the strictest of exceptions, such as to save the life of the mother  is now constituted a felony in Georgia. Thurman ultimately waited 20 hours before doctors took her into surgery, and her heart stopped on the operating table, according to ProPublica.

Amber waited 20 hours  20 hours, excruciating hours  until finally she was in enough physical distress that her doctors thought they would be okay to treat her, Harris said in Atlanta. But it was too late. She died of sepsis. And her last words to her mother  which her mother, as you know, tears up and cries every time she speaks it  last words to her mother, Promise me youll take care of my son.

Thurmans death was preventable, a state committee concluded, which was echoed by Harris last week.

Ambers mother, Shanette, told me that the word preventable is over and over again in her head when she learned about how her child died  the word preventable, Harris said. She cannot  she cant stop thinking about the word that they spoke to her. It was preventable.

A spokesman for Greene did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is going after Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she is lying to women about the death of a Georgia woman who died after complications from an abortion.

ProPublica reported last week that Amber Thurman died because she wasnt able to get timely medical care when she had complications after taking abortion pills and blamed the states Heartbeat Abortion Law for that delay.

The TRUTH is Amber tragically died from taking abortion pills! Greene said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Kamala Harris is lying to women in GA right now!

Kamala Harris is lying to women in GA right now!



She claims Amber Nicole Thurman died from an abortion ban in GA.



The TRUTH is Amber tragically died from taking abortion pills!



And there is NO Trump abortion ban.



The Supreme Court gave states the right to make their own  Marjorie Taylor Greene  (@mtgreenee) September 20, 2024

Greenes comments came on the same day that Harris was in Atlanta speaking about abortion rights.

One in three women in America lives with a Trump abortion ban. This includes Georgia and every state in the South except Virginia, Harris said.

Harris believes that focusing on abortion and reproductive rights can influence key women voters, particularly in the north metro area, including East Cobb, North Fulton, and Gwinnett counties.

She stated that abortion is a non-partisan issue.

One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that government should not be telling her what to do, Harris said.

Thurman died over two years ago, shortly after Georgias abortion law took effect.

A recent report from Georgias Maternal Mortality Review Committee ruled that her death was preventable.

However, it wasnt until a journalist connected the dots that Ambers family was notified.

Every state has a committee that reviews maternal deaths, but those committees are about two years behind, not just in Georgia but across the United States, so they are just beginning to look at cases that happened after Roe was overturned, said Pro-Publica writer Kavitha Surana.

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Surana explained that the committee put together a report about what happened to Thurman in the final hours of her life at Piedmont Henry Hospital, but her name wasnt listed in the report.

[The report] explained the timeline and kind of what happened inside the hospital, but on the other side of that, we at ProPublica have been reviewing death records and looking for signs that a case couldve been impacted by abortion, so thats how we were able to connect the dots, Surana said.

By using death records, they were able to link the report to Thurmans family.

Thurman died in 2022 after using an abortion pill but didnt completely expel all of the fetal tissue.

She went to Piedmont Henry, but it took 20 hours before she could get the surgery she needed, and she didnt survive.

The reports from the maternal mortality review committee are not public; they dont share their findings with families or hospitals, so this wouldnt have come to light without our journalism, Surana said. Ambers family wasnt aware that this death was found preventable by the maternal mortality review committee until ProPublicas reporting.

Surana believes there are other families like Ambers out there.

Georgia Right to Life responded, in part, stating: The Life Act in no way prohibits a D&C for a miscarriage. This situation is being used to create massive confusion and fear.

RELATED NEWS:
Its a four-alarm fire at GOP headquarters in North Carolina, but nobodys bringing any water.

With the election a little more than a month out, Republicans in the Tar Heel state are facing an unimaginable crisis: a nominee for the highest elected office on the ballot this year (with the exception of the presidential ticket) who is, to put it mildly, a disaster. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor, is undergoing a full-scale campaign collapse triggered by a CNN investigation into his past.

The details of the investigation were made public last Thursday: Robinson, an anti-transgender, anti-gay conservative culture warrior was linked through an email address and screenname to posts on a porn site called Nude Africa in which he allegedly described shocking and graphic sexual acts while referring to himself as a Black Nazi.

Robinson denied making the comments in a video message. Meanwhile, conservative operatives working in the state say the allegations were floating around as rumors for weeks if not months before being made public  with receipts.

Over the weekend, Robinsons campaign imploded. A statement from the Robinson campaign on Sunday confirmed the resignation of virtually all senior staff, while a report from WUNC subsequently revealed that just three paid staffers remained on the Robinson campaign as of that evening. The states sitting lieutenant governor, endorsed for office by Donald Trump and the states Republican Party, was heading into this week without a campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, or virtually anyone else beyond a spokesman.

Things got even weirder Sunday evening as serial fraudster Jack Burkman tweeted that he was taking over Robinsons campaign. Reporters quickly demanded proof, wary of Burkmans history of spreading lies, and were quickly rewarded: Robinson himself tweeted that the hire was just a rumor, while Burkman responded to The Bulwarks Sam Stein with a quote from a made-up person.

If Robinson was hoping for some backup, its not coming. Trump was in the state on Saturday for a rally in Wilmington. Robinson wasnt there; wasnt even mentioned. On Monday, things got worse: the Republican Governors Association (RGA), responsible for funding GOP gubernatorial candidates around the country, indicated it was holding off on future ad buys.

All of this is to say: North Carolinas importance may have just shot up to the top of the rankings. Its a state Trump won over Joe Biden by less than two percentage points in 2020, and where he is leading Harris by a similar margin according to polling of 2024. And it may be fertile ground for Democrats to renew those weird attacks aimed at Trump and his running mate JD Vance  surely there are some independents at least open to considering that message, given the past weeks news.

Josh Stein, Robinsons opponent, is eating it up. The NC attorney general was on CNNs State of the Union this weekend mocking his opponents denial, and is set to coast in to the governors mansion after November if polling is any indication. The question for him going forward: Will that path to Election Day include further appearances alongside Kamala Harris, his partys new standard-bearer? Steins embrace of Harris could boost her in the state, and he has already made one appearance at a rally with the vice president earlier this month. A more public partnership with the Harris campaign  a la Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania  could be the strategic move here.

Some of that will be for Stein to decide. It will also be a question for Harris, who needs to choose whether shell devote time into the state as a winnable prospect going forward, or whether shell focus instead solely on the states she and Biden won in 2020: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Georgia. She certainly has the money to open up a new front against the Trump campaign in the Carolinas; a Friday announcement from the Trump campaign revealed it had raised just a fraction of Harriss total in August.
Mark Robinson, North Carolinas embattled Republican gubernatorial candidate, rejected offers from tech experts to investigate the CNN report detailing his alleged history of posting racist and bizarre comments to an online pornography forum, according to a new report published Monday.

The revelation comes on the same day the sitting lieutenant governor threatened legal action against the cable network.

On Monday, local station WRAL reported that Robinson initially rejected multiple offers from information technology experts to investigate the online posts. Sources familiar with the campaign told the Raleigh news station that Robinsons refusal sowed doubt among his campaigns ranks and likely played a role in a number of top staffers recent decisions to quit.

Robinson is dealing with the fallout after several campaign aides resigned on Sundayincluding campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk, finance director Heather Whillier, and general consultant Conrad Pogorzelski III.

The mass exodus has left Robinson with just two campaign spokespeople and a bodyguard on his staff, according to public radio station WUNC.

I am in the process of retaining aggressive legal counsel to investigate who did this and how; we will leave no stone unturned, and will use every legal means to hold CNN accountable for perpetrating these lies.



I am not backing down, the future of North Carolina depends on it. pic.twitter.com/Lb9xuvF5Au  Mark Robinson (@markrobinsonNC) September 23, 2024

A spokesperson for the Robinson campaign told WRAL that the account was totally false, and said the lieutenant governor was in the process of retaining aggressive legal counsel to investigate who did this and how, echoing Robinsons earlier statement.

Asked Monday by a reporter at a campaign stop in Wilkesboro if he was taking steps to disprove the report, Robinson replied, We absolutely are. We absolutely are.

Mark Robinson and his wife, Yolanda Hill Robinson, attend a Trump campaign event in Asheville, North Carolina. Tom Brenner/Getty Images

Were in talks right now, everything up to legal counsel to take CNN to task for what they have done to us, he went on. We are going after them, OK? We are going to go after them for what theyve done.

Robinson posted a clip of his own remarksironically, from CNNs newsfeedto X shortly after. I am in the process of retaining aggressive legal counsel to investigate who did this and how; we will leave no stone unturned, and will use every legal means to hold CNN accountable for perpetrating these lies, he wrote in a caption above the video.

I am not backing down, Robinson added, the future of North Carolina depends on it.

Leaked Memo Lays Out Harris Strategy to Tie Trump to Mark Robinson

He did not specify in his tweet or his remarks what kind of legal action he planned to take. As of Monday evening, Robinson had not filed a lawsuit against the network.

At the campaign stop, after hed finished vowing revenge, the Republican candidate turned to the subject of the final election sprint.

We have five weeks left in this race, folks, and make no mistake about itwe are not going to let CNN throw us off of our mission, he said, to a few half-hearted whoops from the crowd. Our mission is to win this race.

Minutes before the CNN reports publication on Thursday, Robinson had posted a video statement in which he fiercely denied the forthcoming allegationsamong them that he enjoyed watching transgender pornography, had typed out a sexual fantasy involving his wifes sister, and called himself a black NAZI. Robinson dismissed the claims as salacious tabloid trash.

Reached by the Daily Beast on Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for CNN had no comment.

Donald Trump Called Black Nazi Perv Mark Robinson Better Than MLK

Hours later, Politico reported that user data collected by the Southern Poverty Law Center showed that the porn forum account in question was tied to an IP location not far from Robinsons home in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Donald Trump had not publicly addressed the scandal as of Monday. At a weekend campaign event in North Carolina, he did not mention the lieutenant governor, whom he once hailed as Martin Luther King on steroids.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Mark Robinson

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson during his appearance at the Republican National Convention in July. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said Monday he was going to go after CNN after the network published an investigation last week about his history of disturbing online comments.

The Republican nominee for governor has decried the story as salacious tabloid trash, insisting that those are not the words of Mark Robinson, while staff exit the campaign. And in comments to reporters in Wilkesboro on Monday morning, Robinson said he was in talks up to legal counsel to take CNN to task.

We are going after them, okay? Robinson said. We are going to go after them for what theyve done.

9.23.24 1120 am ET CNN Anchor Pamela Brown @PamelaBrownCNN (WELCOME, Pam ) w/ @KFILE s Andy kaczynski reporting about NC Lt Governor Mark Robinsons rantings about going after CNN FULL THROTTLE for the K File release last week A must watch pic.twitter.com/WMeO8fa2ZI  Jeff Storobinsky (@jeffstorobinsky) September 23, 2024





He added that with five weeks left in the campaign, we are not going to let CNN throw us off of our mission. And he blasted the press for focusing on the controversy enveloping his candidacy rather than policy issues like the economy.

Youre not focused on those things, he said. I am. Im going to remain focused on those things. And youd better understand, I am coming after CNN full throttle.

Robinson has continued to hit the trail in the wake of the report, as some North Carolina Republicans distance themselves from him and the GOP presidential ticket ignores him at events in the battleground state.

A number of prominent staffers, including the campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, political director and more, have all left the campaign. After far-right conspiracy theorist Jack Burkman claimed on social media Sunday that he had assumed the role of acting campaign manager, campaign spokesperson Mike Lonergan said that was completely false.

Robinsons opponent, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, has called Robinson unfit to serve as governor.
Mark Robinson has seen several of his campaign staff leave after a CNN report about his alleged posting on a porn site (C-Span)

Embattled North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson is reportedly down to just a single-digit number of paid campaign staffers after the bulk of his team abandoned his bid for the governors office in the wake of a damaging CNN investigation.

Robinson was the focus of an investigation by the networks KFile unit on Thursday. A report published by CNN revealed an extensive history of comments made on a porn site called Nude Africa under an email address and username both known to be linked to him.

The comments, which touched on a wide range of topics, were outrageous and shocking  in one, he apparently referred to himself as a Black Nazi.

Though Robinson posted a video message on Thursday denying making the comments, he has faced calls from his fellow Republicans to prove that CNN defamed him with false information or drop out of the race.

And over the weekend, his problems multiplied. A statement from the Robinson campaign Sunday afternoon indicated that his entire senior staff had resigned.

WUNC further reported that the resignations were much deeper than the statement admitted. According to the news outlet, just three paid staffers remain employed by the Robinson campaign as of Sunday evening.

Mark Robinson has seen several of his campaign staff leave after a CNN report about his alleged posting on a porn site (C-Span)

Robinson has denied that he would drop out of the race and accused Democrats of manufacturing the allegations.

But conservative operatives tuned into the race reacted to the news not with surprise but with resignation this past week as many seemed to indicate that the lions share of the accusations had been circulating in private for months.

He has long been toast, Doug Heye, a longtime Republican operative from North Carolina, told The Independent on Thursday via text message. He noted how the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps campaign, was very nervous about how [the story] impacts him.

The extent of Robinsons reported comments was shocking by itself. Aside from his comments about racial demographics, which are reportedly quite extensive in their own right, the North Carolina Republican opined about loving porn involving transgender Americans, despite publicly being an opponent of transgender rights and same-sex marriage.

There were also comments made by the Robinson-linked account describing the posters own sexual tendencies and even claiming a sexual relationship with his wifes sister. Beyond that, the poster alleged to have spied on women and girls changing in a locker room without their knowledge or consent.

Publication of CNNs investigation was a nightmare scenario for Robinson, who was already trailing his opponent Josh Stein in the North Carolina gubernatorial race by the high single digits, according to most polling.

Now, Trumps campaign (which had endorsed him) is publicly backing away from him at the worst possible time; Trump himself did not invite Robinson to a rally in the state on Saturday, with reports indicating that his campaign knew the story was coming.

North Carolina is a key battleground state in the presidential race as well that Trump won by less than two percentage points in 2020. Kamala Harris, who took over the top of the Democratic ticket in July, has shrunk her opponents lead to a similar margin in available polling since entering the race.
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said hell take legal action against CNN for salacious lies alleging he made racist and sexually explicit comments on a pornography websites message board.

Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor, spoke to a crowd of around 30 at a campaign stop outside Vernons Cake Carousel in Wilkesboro. He defended himself against the CNN report and vowed to move forward with his campaign  albeit thinly staffed after several campaign staff members resigned over the weekend. A campaign statement about the resignations didnt mention the reporting about online comments on the website Nude Africa  where he allegedly called himself a Black Nazi, a perv and admitted to secretly watching women shower when he was 14.

We are going to go after them for what theyve done. But we have five weeks left in this race, folks, and make no mistake about it, we are not going to let CNN throw us off of our mission, Robinson said Monday. You better understand I am coming after (CNN) full throttle.

Robinson didnt specify what kind of legal action he planned to take.

Republicans and Democrats alike have raised questions about the validity of Robinsons campaign moving forward. Staff members who resigned included his senior advisor, his campaign manager, his finance director and his director of operations. WUNC reported Robinson only has two campaign spokespeople and a bodyguard left on his staff.

Still, Robinson said he can win.

We have full confidence that we can go on. Were getting resumes from all over. Were getting offers from all over, people are jumping in to help us, he said. Were right in the process right now of forming a team that we know can still lead us to victory.

What possibly happened 15 years ago

Robinson began both of his two short speeches to attendees by condemning the press and denying the CNN report. He said voters focus should be on todays problems rather than 15 or 20 year old salacious, false, lies. He said his focus is on the economy, public safety, education, health care and housing.

They dont want to talk about whats going on right now. They want to talk about what possibly happened 15 years ago, Robinson said about the press. Lets talk about right now.

A group of seven protesters stood across the road from Vernons Cake Carousel while Robinson spoke, holding signs that said Nazis do not deserve a sweet treat, and pervs are not welcome here.

Kathyrn Charles, chair of the Wilkes County Democratic Party, called Robinson racist and misogynist and criticized him for the comments made on Nude Africa, including one that defended slavery.

Robinson is just dangerous, she said. We already knew that he was extreme, but this just goes to prove it. I mean, he wants to bring slavery back, and he wants to buy a few, thats one of the things he said.

Jimmy Young, a 62-year old Wilkes County resident, said he supports Robinson because he does not like his Democratic opponent Josh Stein. What Robinson may have said on a chat board a decade ago doesnt matter, he said.

Well, as a 14 year old myself, at one time, I probably peeked in the girls locker room once or twice myself, so Im alright with that one, Young said. Even if he did that, hes still better than Josh Stein.
Multiple people leading Republican Mark Robinsons gubernatorial campaign staff have resigned following a CNN report about vulgar and racist posts made years ago on a pornography website.

Robinson, North Carolinas lieutenant governor, denies the allegations. His campaign announced the departures in a news release Sunday evening.

Those leaving include:

 Conrad Pogorzelski III, who was Robinsons general consultant and senior advisor. He has been known as the main person behind Robinsons campaign.

 Chris Rodriguez, Robinsons campaign manager,

 Heather Whillier, Robinsons finance director,

 Jason Rizk, deputy campaign manager.

In a statement, Robinson said he appreciated the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors. I look forward to announcing new staff roles in the coming days.

Robinson did not address the scandal in the statement.

The N&O has learned that Patrick Riley, Robinsons director of operations, also resigned.

WUNC also reported Rileys departure, as well as political directors John Kontoulas and Jackson Lohrer, saying that leaves just two campaign spokespeople and a bodyguard.

Campaign spokesperson Mike Lonergan confirmed to The N&O Sunday night that he is still on staff, and did not respond to a question about who else left beyond those listed in the news release.

Fallout from CNN report

Robinson easily won the Republican gubernatorial primary and faces Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein in the general election.

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Robinson and publicly supported him at events, plus invited him to visit his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida in December.

But the fallout from Thursdays CNN story was almost immediate, with fellow Republicans calling for Robinson to offer evidence that the allegations werent true, with others calling for him to end his campaign.

Robinson didnt attend former President Donald Trumps campaign rally in Wilmington on Saturday, and Trump didnt mention him during the event, The News & Observer previously reported.

Robinson also has been endorsed by top Republicans in North Carolina, including Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore.

Republicans have been distancing themselves from Robinson since the CNN report, which showed a series of comments allegedly made by Robinson several years ago before he entered public office. They include Robinson describing himself as a Black Nazi, sexuality explicit comments, racial slurs about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and saying that slavery was not bad and he would buy enslaved people if they brought it back.

Republican candidate for president Donald Trump greets N.C. Republican candidate for governor Mark Robinson at the start of former President Trumps speech in Asheboro, N.C., Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Robinson continues to deny that he wrote the posts.

Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Budd told The N&O on Thursday that the comments reported in the article are disgusting. Mark Robinson says they are not from him. He needs to prove that to the voters.

Robinsons campaign continues

Robinsons statement on Sunday said that his campaign will continue to focus on the substantive issues at stake in this election: building an economy that grows from Murphy to Manteo; cutting taxes and eliminating unnecessary red-tape; removing politics out of our classrooms; and cracking down on violent crime and dangerous drugs.

Robinson made a campaign appearance at a race in Fayetteville on Saturday night, hours after the Trump rally.

He has two campaign events on Monday, in Wilkesboro and Boone.

The campaign says that new staff will be hired, however Election Day is Nov. 5  just over six weeks away.

Polls have consistently underestimated Republican support in North Carolina for several cycles now and with a large portion of the electorate still undecided as we continue to ramp up our efforts across the state, I am confident our campaign remains in a strong position to make our case to the voters and win on Nov. 5, Robinson said.

Speaking to the crowd at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Robinson said hell focus on the issues that you are concerned with while everybody else wants to focus on the garbage and the trash.

He had been down in several polls against Stein before the scandal broke. Robinson has long been known for controversial, insulting statements including about women, teachers and LGBTQ+ people. He has changed his stance on abortion multiple times, and wants it more restrictive than the Republican-written current abortion law, though he and his now-wife had an abortion 30 years ago.

Republican NC governor candidate, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson greets the crowd before remarks by Republican candidate for President Donald Trump in Asheboro, N.C., Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Republican State Treasurer Dale Folwell told The N&O on Thursday that the CNN report about Robinson was not a shock to him.

Folwell, a longtime elected official who lost to Robinson in the primary, said that it seems like anyone whos ever come in contact with him has been fleeced. And this is just the latest example of the taxpayers and the donors getting fleeced.

His consultants, who have made hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars off him, are laughing all the way to the bank, Folwell said.

DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia contributed.
BAMAKO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Mali's president Assimi Goita pledged on Sunday to intensify the fight against terrorism, reaffirming his determination to pursue peace, security, and development in the country.

Goita made the remarks after a military parade marking the 64th anniversary of the country's independence.

"We will pursue these armed groups day and night until our country is completely free from this threat," he said.

While praising the commitment of the Malian people who, "despite the challenges," continue to actively support the Malian Armed Forces in their mission to defend the nation, Goita emphasized the need for a "sacred union" around the Defense and Security Forces, noting that victory in this fight requires constant support from citizens and partners.

"We are open to all our partners in a spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation," he said, adding that Mali, together with its partners in the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States, will make every effort to eradicate the terrorist threat. 
North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson is no stranger to backlash. Still, in the wake of a damming CNN report exposing a virulent history of racism and misogyny on pornographic forums, his campaign for the states governorship is in dire straits.

On Sunday afternoon, Robinsons campaign announced in a statement that four of its highest-level staffers  Campaign Manager Chris Rodriguez, Deputy Campaign Manager Jason Rizk, Finance Director Heather Whillier, and Senior Advisor Conrad Pogorzelski III  would be stepping down from their roles.

I wish them well in their future endeavors. I look forward to announcing new staff roles

in the coming days, Robinson said in a statement. My campaign will continue to focus on the

substantive issues at stake in this election.

https://twitter.com/MichaelWNCN/status/1837963085648482309?

The wave of resignations comes after a bombshell CNN report that revealed Robinsons active participation on a message board for the porn site Nude Africa. In his digital musings  which took place between 2008 and 2012  Robinson referred to himself as a black NAZI, described Martin Luther King Jr. as worse than a maggot, and declared his belief that Slavery is not bad. Some people need to be slaves. I wish they would bring it (slavery) back. I would certainly buy a few.

In addition to cold racism, Robinson  who as a politician and candidate has slung all manner of abuse against members of the LGBTQ community  wrote that he likes like watching t****y on girl porn! Thats f*cking hot! It takes the man out while leaving the man in! Another post saw Robinson brag about spying on women in locker room shoes as a teenager.

Robinson has denied the authenticity of the posts and maintained that he will not abandon his campaign  which has been heavily bolstered by former President Donald Trump. Trump has referred to Robinson as Martin Luther King on steroids, and lavished praise on the lieutenant governor as part of his efforts to win the battleground state of North Carolina.

But while the posts were apparently enough to send members of his own campaign running for the hills, national figures in the GOP are refusing to disavow the lieutenant governor. On Saturday, Vice Presidential Candidate J.D. Vance told NBC News that while he didnt believe Robinsons denial, he wouldnt be calling for his exit from the race. You have to let these things sometimes play out in the court of public opinion, Vance said.

During a Sunday rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Saturday, Trump broke with his past lauding of Robinson during public appearances in the state  heaping praise on a slew of Republican candidates, but leaving his hand-picked gubernatorial candidate out of the mix.

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Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning politician and leader of the Peoples Liberation Front  JVP or Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna  has been sworn in as Sri Lankas new president after winning the election with 42.31 per cent of the vote.

On Monday morning, he pledged to address the countrys complex challenges, restore public confidence in politics, and tackle corruption. Mr Dissanayake, 55, led the Marxist-leaning National Peoples Power coalition and secured victory over opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and 36 other candidates in Saturdays election.

He garnered 5,740,179 votes, while Mr Premadasa received 4,530,902 votes, and has pledged to work with other parties to turn around Sri Lankas severe economic troubles. We have deeply understood that we are going to get a challenging country, he said in a brief speech after assuming office on Monday. We dont believe that a government, a single party or an individual would be able to resolve this deep crisis.

His victory follows a period of both political and fiscal turmoil that led to former president Gotabaya Rajapaksas resignation amid mass protests in 2022. Mr Rajapaksa fled the country and was replaced by his prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also ran in Saturdays election but finished a distant third.

Mr Dissanayakes meteoric rise from securing only 3 per cent of the vote in 2019 elevates his half-century-old leftist JVP party to an unprecedented role in the political landscape of Sri Lanka, which has been completely reshaped by grassroots protests over the past two years.

He was first elected to the parliament in 2000 and briefly served as the agriculture and irrigation minister under the then president Chandrika Kumaratunga. He ran for president for the first time in 2019 but lost to Mr Rajapaksa.

The people have placed their trust in me and my political movement, Mr Dissanayake said on Sunday evening after he was officially declared the winner by the countrys election commission. Everyone  those who voted and didnt vote for me  we have a responsibility to take this country forward.

I will do my best to fully restore the peoples confidence in politicians, President Dissanayake said after taking his oath (Anadolu/Getty)

This election marked the first time in Sri Lankas history that a presidential race required a second round of counting, as none of the candidates achieved the necessary 50 per cent of votes.

In Sri Lankas ranked-choice election system, voters can either select one candidate or list up to three candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives 50 per cent or more of the votes, a second round of counting takes into account the preferences of voters whose first choice did not make it to the top two.

In his victory speech, Mr Dissanayake called for unity among all Sri Lankans, including the Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslim communities, stating that a new renaissance will rise from this shared strength and vision.

The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. This achievement is not the result of any single persons work but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful. This victory belongs to all of us, he said in a post on X.

Dissanayake positioned his National Peoples Power coalition, led by his JVP party, as the best choice to address public demands for reforming Sri Lankas political patronage and corruption (Anadolu/Getty)

I will do my best to fully restore the peoples confidence in politicians, Mr Dissanayake said after taking his oath.

I am not a conjurer, I am not a magician, he added. There are things I know and things I dont know, but I will seek the best advice and do my best. For that, I need the support of everyone.

Alan Keenan of International Crisis Group told Al Jazeera that Mr Dissanayake  a charismatic campaigner and speaker  tapped into the concerns of Sri Lankan voters with his anti-corruption and pro-working-class campaign.

He is fighting for a system change. Thats a very high bar, [there are] high expectations from a lot of supporters, he said.

Experts said Mr Dissanayakes presidency will need to address two key voids in Sri Lankas politics  the loss of faith in the Rajapaksa family, which dominated the leadership for about 15 years, and the gap in centre-left politics left by the Rajapaksas shift toward the right.

This morning (23rd), I took oath as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the presence of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat.



I promise to fulfill your responsibility to usher in a new era of Renaissance pic.twitter.com/TFJuyh9SbC  Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) September 23, 2024

Mr Dissanayake has previously said he considers Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara one of his heroes. He positioned his National Peoples Power coalition, led by JVP, as the best choice to address public demands for reforming Sri Lankas political patronage and corruption. He introduced new leaders, emphasised outreach to women affected by the economic crisis, and moderated his partys previously radical Marxist messaging.

His messaging appears to have resonated with voters. Im voting for the Compass this time, Saman Ratnasiri, 49, an auto-rickshaw driver in Colombo told The New York Times, referring to the election symbol of Mr Dissanayakes coalition. He said he had never voted for Mr Dissanayake before but wanted to give him a chance. If we dont get it right this time also, then I might as well forget about this country.

In the early 1990s, while at university, Mr Dissanyake became politically active and joined the JVP party  known for its armed uprisings in 1971 and 1987-89. The JVP, which represented the oppressed rural Sinhalese youth, sought to overthrow what it saw as exploitative and feudalistic political and economic systems through a hardline Marxist ideology.

Perhaps the first item in Mr Dissanayakes in-tray will be what to do with the countrys bailout deal. He has criticised policies of austerity under Mr Wickremesinghe and has said he is committed to ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), vowing to pursue changes that will benefit the country while upholding existing financial agreements. It is unclear how he will marry the two  and the next instalment of the countrys $3bn IMF loan depends on Sri Lankas continued compliance with its terms.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  Maryland's Democratic Senate candidate improperly claimed property tax credits for two homes, something her campaign says she was unaware of and plans to repay.

Angela Alsobrooks, who is the county executive of Prince George's County, claimed homestead and senior property tax credits for a home in Washington, D.C., and homestead credits on another one in Prince George's County, according to a story first reported by CNN. Her campaign confirmed the credits on Monday.

Alsobrooks owns two homes in Prince George's. She received a homestead exemption for the first home in May 2008. A homestead tax break credit is for homes that are an owner's primary residence. When Alsobrooks moved into a new home and started renting the Upper Marlboro townhouse, she did not transfer the homestead tax credit to her new home.

This resulted in no financial gain for Angela, said Connor Lounsbury, a senior advisor to her campaign. "In fact, she ended up paying more in taxes than she would have had the credit transferred over. Nevertheless, Angela is working to repay any credits received on the old property.

Alsobrooks also owned a home in Washington after she took over the mortgage when her grandmother moved out in 2005.

Many Marylanders know how difficult and complex it is when a family member needs to leave their home," Lounsbury said. "When this situation happened to Angelas grandmother, Angela stepped up and took it over for her family and paid the mortgage until the property was sold in 2018. She was unaware of any tax credits attached to that property and has reached out to the District of Columbia to resolve the issue and make any necessary payment.

Alsobrooks is running in an unusually competitive Maryland Senate race against Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan. The race could determine control of the Senate.

Hogan's campaign criticized Alsobrooks over the tax credits.

She claims to be unaware of tax laws it was her job to enforce, said Hogan campaign spokesperson Blake Kernen. Governor Hogan has always stood up for taxpayers and in the Senate, he will continue to fight for fairness and fiscal responsibility.
A school in Fairhaven remained closed on Monday after a fire in a classroom over the weekend, school and fire officials said.

East Fairhaven School will be closed to all students and staff on Monday to assess next steps and to ensure a thorough cleaning of any smoke damage, Superintendent of Schools Tara Kohler said in a statement on Monday.

Firefighters responded to the school at 2 New Boston Road after receiving a box alarm notification around 7:25 p.m. Sunday, fire officials said in a statement.

When firefighters arrived, they found smoke and heat detectors going off on the second floor, in rooms 232 and 240.

Firefighters found a fire on the exterior wall of room 232 and were able to extinguish it with a water extinguisher. The sprinkler system did not activate, and the area of origin did not require any additional overhaul, fire officials said.

The box had been struck for a working fire; however, no additional resources were requested to the scene.

A preliminary investigation found that the fire was likely caused by a dual blade window fan that had been plugged into an outlet on that exterior wall, officials said. The towns Electrical Inspector responded to ensure electricity to the outlet was off and no further electrical hazards were present.

Firefighters remained on scene Sunday due to the smoke condition on the second floor requiring prolonged ventilation, officials said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Amer Ghalib, the mayor of a Michigan city that became the first in the U.S. to elect an all-Muslim city council, endorsed former President Donald Trump on Sunday, calling him the right choice for this critical time.

President Trump and I may not agree on everything, but I know he is a man of principles, Ghalib, the Democratic mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, wrote in a post on Facebook. Though its looking good, he may or may not win the election and be the 47th president of the United States, but I believe he is the right choice for this critical time.

Ill not regret my decision no matter what the outcome would be, and Im ready to face the consequences.

Trump held a campaign event in Flint, Michigan, last week. Scott Olson via Getty Images

Hamtramck, a city of 28,000 people surrounded by Detroit, became the first city in the country with a Muslim-majority city council in 2015. Voters elected an all-Muslim city council in 2021. Ghalib, who is originally from Yemen, became the first Muslim mayor of Hamtramck in 2022.

Ghalib and Trump met in Flint, Michigan, last week as the former president seeks to court voters in the state and appeal to Muslim- and Arab-Americans.

Trump told Breitbart on Sunday night he was very impressed after meeting the mayor. The former president added that he would try and hold a rally in the city if the opportunity presents itself.

The Trump administration enacted harsh policies against immigrants during his time in the White House. He has pledged to reimpose his widely criticized ban on travel from some Muslim-majority nations and promised to enact the largest deportation in U.S. history if he is reelected.

Related...
The mayor of a Muslim-majority city in Michigan says he is endorsing Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, calling the former commander-in-chief, "the right choice for this critical time."

Amer Ghalib, mayor of the Detroit-area suburb Hamtramck, announced his endorsement of Trump in a Facebook post Sunday. While admitting he and Trump didnt "agree on everything," he said he regarded the former commander-in-chief as "a man of principles."

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, 43, in his City Hall office in Michigan.

"Though its looking good, he may or may not win the election and be the 47th president of the United States, but I believe he is the right choice for this critical time," Ghalib wrote in Arabic on his Facebook page. "Ill not regret my decision no matter what the outcome would be, and Im ready to face the consequences. For this, and for many other reasons, I announce my support and endorsement for the former, and hopefully, the next president of the United States, Donald Trump."

He added: "Now, let the Caravan begin its journey. This is just the starting point."

Trump Vows Tough Approach To Sanctuary Policies

Trump reposted Ghalibs message on his Truth Social account.

Read On The Fox News App

Ghalibs endorsement of Trump comes after the two met in Flint earlier this week for a private 20-minute conversation.

Ghalib told The Detroit News that Trump "knew a lot about me before the meeting."

"We talked about various topics including the debates, the polls updates, the statistics of votes in Michigan and Wayne County, the Arab American concerns and the Yemeni Americans in particular. We also talked about the situation in Yemen," Ghalib said.

Hamtramck is the only U.S. city governed entirely by Muslims, with more than 40% of the citys population foreign-born.





Original article source: Mayor of Muslim-majority Michigan city endorses Trump: Right choice for this critical time
The site of the former Maze prison could be "a huge catalyst for economic development and growth," according to the first minister.

Michelle O'Neill was speaking in the assembly, in response to a question from the Ulster Unionist Party assembly member (MLA) Lord Elliott.

BBC News NI recently revealed that the body in charge of Northern Ireland museums had been in talks about the future of the derelict jail.

The first minister said those talks had been about how National Museums NI could "contribute, based on their experience in working with historic and listed buildings."

O'Neill told MLAs that she and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly had toured the site during the summer and met with the board of the Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation (MLKDC) - the body set up in 2012 to redevelop the site.

"We must build on the common ground that I think we all share in terms of realising the potential of the site for the benefit of all," she said.

The first minister said she visited the site over the summer [PA Media]

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Education Minister Paul Givan recently said there would "never be a shrine" at the site of the former prison on the outskirts of Lisburn in County Antrim.

In 2013 the DUP leader at the time, Peter Robinson, blocked plans to build a peace centre at the Maze over claims the site would become a "shrine to terrorism."

The high-security jail held paramilitary prisoners during the decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles.

It was the site of the republican hunger strikes in 1981 during which 10 inmates starved themselves to death.

The annual Balmoral Show has since taken place on the Maze site for more than a decade.

The Ulster Aviation Society also uses wartime hangars at the Maze to house a collection of historic aircraft.

The site is now home to the Balmoral Show, the biggest agricultural event in Northern Ireland [BBC]

O'Neill told MLAs that the Ulster Aviation Society's hangar at the Maze attracted about 7,000 visitors during the European Heritage Open Days in mid-September.

"We can find a way to unleash the potential of the site being sensitive to the listed buildings and making sure that we develop it as best as we possibly can," she said.

"We're absolutely committed to working with the corporation to achieve what we think is the huge potential on the site."

The first minister did not put a time-scale on any development at the Maze.

"It's quite a large infrastructure and quite a large project," she said.

"I don't think it's something that we turn over overnight, but certainly there's a political will in which to work together to develop the site."

'Benefit everybody'

In response to a further question from the Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan, O'Neill said while "the scale of the investment is going to be so huge, but the cost of doing nothing would be much greater."

DUP MLA Trevor Clarke asked the first minister how any options for the Maze site would include the whole of the community.

"What we're talking about is how can we benefit everybody," O'Neill replied.

"How can everybody in our local economy benefit from what could be a potential catalyst for investment and economic growth, for job creation, for everything that whole site could open up."

"But we need to have a political agreement in terms of how we progress that."

She said the executive did not have a detailed plan "at this stage," as that was for the MLKDC to develop.

"But suffice to say there's a political will and a commitment in which to try to find a way that we can benefit everybody, and that we actually can realise the full potential of the site for everybody," she said.
A settlement agreement has been reached between McLaren Health Care Corporation and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan to resolve an investigation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The federal office opened a civil rights investigation after receiving complaints at multiple facilities about auxiliary aids and services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, according to a release Monday.

The agreement requires McLaren to provide free auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication with patients and their companions. McLaren also will provide a combined $220,000 in monetary relief to 14 affected people, according to the release from the federal prosecutor's office.

The front of McLaren Macomb Hospital on Harrington Road in Mount Clemens on July 21, 2021.

More: McLaren Health Care systems restored after weeks of disruption from ransomware attack

More: Michigan AG Nessel: Details 'scarce' about what data was leaked in McLaren cyberattack

It states McLaren also will review its policies and revise them, as necessary, to be consistent with ADA requirements regarding effective communication and the terms of the settlement agreement. Revisions must be provided to the government within 30 days of the effective date of the settlement agreement for review.

McLaren also will enhance existing notices within its facilities to clearly alert patients and their companions of the availability of American Sign Language interpreters or other auxiliary aids and services that are free, per the release.

In addition, McLaren will contract with additional vendors to provide virtual and in-person interpretive services as needed, train staff on updated policies, and report any future complaints from people who have disabilities to the U.S. Attorney's Office, according to the release.

The settlement agreement details everything McLaren will do, including providing the government with a written report of compliance every 120 days for the duration of the agreement, which is two years from the effective date.

The health care system owns and operates hospitals and outpatient centers throughout Michigan, including through its subsidiary the Karmanos Cancer Institute, per the release. McLaren fully cooperated during the investigation. The 12-page settlement agreement that was signed this month lists 13 hospitals and provider-based outpatient facilities for McLaren.

McLaren Health Care issued a statement Monday that it is "committed to providing high quality care to all patients, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing."

"At all times, we have provided our patients with either virtual or in-person interpreters when necessary to effectively communicate with our staff of dedicated health care professionals. And even prior to becoming aware of the government's investigation, we instituted enhanced procedures related to interpreter services that ensure interpreters are available in the remote areas we cover and that have led to the record high patient satisfaction across our system."

U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison stated in her office's release: "It is critical that patients who are deaf or hard of hearing have the ability to communicate effectively with their health care providers. McLaren and its staff provide medical services to individuals throughout Michigan, including many rural areas with limited access to care. Therefore, I am especially proud of this resolution and what it means for equal access to health care."

The government was alerted to potential issues with the provision of auxiliary aids and services at McLaren facilities in 2022 and started an investigation and compliance review, per the settlement agreement.

It states the government concluded McLaren violated the act by failing to provide certain deaf individuals with appropriate auxiliary aids and services as required, with violations at: McLaren Lapeer Region, McLaren Greater Lansing-McLaren Orthopedic Hospital, McLaren Macomb, McLaren Northern Michigan, McLaren Flint, Karmanos Cancer Institute and McLaren Port Huron.

"McLaren expressly denies that it has violated Title III of the ADA, and does not admit any liability or responsibility for the facts uncovered and conduct alleged as part of the United States' investigation. The parties agree that it is in their best interests, and the United States believes that it is in the public interest, to resolve this investigation on mutually agreeable terms. This Agreement may not be construed as an admission of liability, wrongdoing, or any violation of the law by McLaren," according to the settlement agreement.

The investigation was led by assistant U.S. attorneys in the Civil Rights Unit.

Anyone who believes they have been subjected to discrimination or experienced a civil rights violation can submit a complaint to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan via email at usamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov or at 313-226-9151. Complaints also may be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division through its complaint portal.

For more information about the ADA, call the department's toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or go to www.ada.gov.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: U.S. Attorney: McLaren Health to provide aids, services for deaf patients
McLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44)  UPDATE: McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara is addressing the public about the homicide in China Spring last weekend.

FOX 44 News previously reported that 36-year-old Richard Tanner Ozment is charged with murdering a 38-year-old woman in the 15000 block of Old China Spring Road at approximately 9 a.m. Saturday. Ozment has a criminal history and is a registered sex offender. He is currently sitting in the McLennan County Jail on a $1 million bond.

PREVIOUS STORY: China Spring Man Charged with Murder

Richard Tanner Ozment.

On Monday, Sheriff McNamara identified the victim as Michaela Brooker.

Ozments arrest comes after an extensive manhunt. Law enforcement agencies involved in the operation included the McLennan County Sheriffs Offices SWAT Team, the Waco Police Departments k9 unit and drone support, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens and Texas Department of Criminal Justice Tracking K9.

The Sheriffs Office says Ozment was apprehended in a wooded area. He was hiding in a stock pond within the perimeter established during the search.







The preliminary investigation indicates the fatal incident happened during a domestic argument, during which Ozment assaulted Brooker. She sustained severe injuries, and was transported by Careflite Paramedics to the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, where she succumbed to her injuries.

This is a developing story. FOX 44 News will have more 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 KWKT - FOX 44.
Meet the two candidates for UH President at a public forum near you

HONOLULU (KHON2)  The public will have the opportunity to meet the two finalists for UH President on Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Oahu starting Monday, Sept. 23.

Check out whats going on around the nation on our National News page

Public events for Wendy Hensel are scheduled on Monday through Wednesday, while public events for Dr. Julian Heilig will run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

University of Hawaii announces finalists for next President

Both finalists are scheduled to attend an open house and a moderated public forum in each county. Each forum will be live-streamed for those watching from home and will be posted online.

Those who would like to submit a question can do so in person or through Zoom.

We are asking all members of the UH ohana and other stakeholders, along with the general public, to participate in the public events and provide feedback on our finalists. That input will be critical as the regents deliberate and select the next UH President. Gabriel Lee, UH Board of Regents Chair

Below is the public events schedule for UH Presidential candidate Wendy Hensel:

Maui & Kauai  Sept. 23

Open House  UH Maui College, Pilina Events Center from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Campus Forum (Zoom available)  Pilina Events Center from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Open House  Kauai Community College, Fine Arts Auditorium from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Campus Forum (Zoom available)  Fine Arts Auditorium from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Big Island & Oahu  Sept. 24

Open House  UH Hilo University Classroom Building Room 127 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Campus Forum (Zoom available)  UH Hilo Performing Arts Center from 9:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

Oahu Campuses Forum (Zoom available)  UH Manoa Art Auditorium from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Oahu  Sept. 25

Oahu Campuses Open House  UH Manoa Bachman Hall from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Below is the public events schedule for UH Presidential candidate Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig:

Maui & Kauai  Sept. 30

Open House  UH Maui College, Pilina Events Center from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Campus Forum (Zoom available)  Pilina Events Center from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Open House  Kauai Community College, Fine Arts Auditorium from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Campus Forum (Zoom available)  Fine Arts Auditorium from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Big Island & Oahu  Sept. 30

Open House  UH Hilo University Classroom Building Room 127 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Campus Forum (Zoom available)  UH Hilo Performing Arts Center from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Oahu Campuses Forum (Zoom available)  UH Manoa Art Auditorium from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Oahu  Oct. 2

Oahu Campuses Open House  UH Manoa Bachman Hall from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

For more information on both Hensel and Vasquez Heilig, visit UH News and the UH President Search websites.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
TUNIS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 13 people, including 11 Italian tourists, were injured on Monday after a tour bus veered off the road in the southern suburbs of Tunis, the private radio station Mosaique FM reported.

"The accident occurred this morning when a tourism bus, carrying 11 Italian tourists, in addition to the driver and the tour guide, veered off the road in Bouficha town coming from Sousse province in east-central Tunisia," the radio station quoted Moez Triaa, spokesman for the Civil Protection Department as saying.

According to Triaa, the driver lost control of the bus near Bouficha as the road became slippery after rain.

Triaa said the injured have been transferred to hospitals for necessary treatments, adding that no serious injuries were reported. 
Former First Lady Melania Trump will sit for her first TV interview in two years on Thursday, appearing on Fox & Friends less than two weeks since she suggested there is more to the story of the assassination attempts on her husband.

Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt will conduct the interview, in which Trump will discuss her new book, the Trump campaign strategy, and the now two assassination attempts on her husband. An extended version will be available on Fox Nation.

Earlier this month, Melania Trump suggested there is more to the story of the Pennsylvania assassination attempt in a cryptic video posted to X.

The attempt to end my husbands life was a horrible distressing experience, she says, addressing the camera directly. Now, the silence around it feels heavy. I cant help but wonder: Why didnt law enforcement officials arrest the shooter before the speech? There is definitely more to this story. And we need to uncover the truth.

Local police assisting the Secret Service during the July 13 shooting in Butler, Pa., reported seeing Thomas Matthew Crooks in the area and up on a rooftop before his bullet grazed the former presidents ear. Crooks was shot and killed, but not before his hail of gunfire killed 50-year-old spectator Corey Comperatore and bloodied its intended target.

Earhardt has previously interviewed President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

The post Melania Trump to Give First TV Interview Since More to the Story Comments on Assassination Attempts appeared first on TheWrap.
A local professor was honored for her involvement in the community. The Benedictine Sisters of Erie awarded Dr. Alice Edwards with the 2024 Prophet of Peace Award on Sunday night

According to the Benedictine Sisters, this award goes to someone who actively addresses issues such as climate change and womens rights and who embodies aspects of their corporate commitment,

Community members walk for suicide prevention at Erie Out of the Darkness Walk

Dr. Edwards, a Spanish professor at Mercyhurst University was recognized for her involvement in several community organizations as well as her missionary work in Mexico

Fellow Mercyhurst professor Dr. Mary Hembrow Snyder spoke on why she nominated Edwards for this award.

Race of Champions weekend wraps up at Lake Erie Speedway

She is a woman whose heart is dedicated to peace and justice and she truly embodies what the Benedictins are all about in terms of care for the poor, the climate. You name the social justice issue, she is wholeheartedly involved, said Dr. Hembrow Snyder said.

Those in attendance at Sunday nights event celebrated with songs and a special blessing

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Could nuclear explosions help protect Earth from destructive asteroids? That is what physicist Nathan Moore and a team of scientists are researching at the Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque.

To most people, the danger from asteroids seems remote, Moore said in a news release. But our planet is hit by BB-sized asteroids every day. We call them shooting stars. We dont want to wait for a large asteroid to show up and then scramble for the right method to deflect it.

What would happen if a meteorite hit New Mexico?

Moore and scientists created experiments using Sandias Z machine to monitor the deflection of synthetic asteroids subjected to powerful X-ray pulses generated by the machine. They said the goal of the research is to track the reactions of asteroids of varying compositions to deflection attempts, which would help those who respond to asteroid threats in the future.

The trick is to use just enough force to redirect the flying rock without splitting it into several equally deadly subsections advancing toward Earth, Moore explained.

According to NASAs 2023 Planetary Defense Strategy and Action Plan, there are an estimated 25,000 objects larger than 140 meters in size that are capable of causing regional devastation if they hit Earth, and less than 50 percent have been detected and tracked.

Even though its very rare, the potential catastrophe is enormous. We consider it a form of natural disaster worth preparing for, said Moore.

Could God of Chaos asteroid hit Earth in 2029?

The space agency also estimated that there are 230,000 or more objects that are equal to or larger than 50 meters that could destroy a concentrated urban area. The agency said that fewer than eight percent of these have been detected.

One recent notable event of destruction included the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor in Russia that NASA Planetary Defense Officer Lindley Johnson said was a cosmic wake-up call.

The house-sized asteroid entered the atmosphere and blew apart 14 miles above the ground, an explosion that NASA said was equivalent to a blast involving 440,000 tons of TNT.

The explosion was so powerful that it generated a shock wave that blew out windows and damaged buildings over 200 square miles away. It also left more than 1,600 people injured, mostly due to broken glass.

That is why Moore and his team are working proactively to help protect Earth. The day after, there would be no re-dos, Moore said in the news release.

Another experiment to divert asteroids was conducted for the first time in 2022 when NASA launched a spacecraft into an asteroid known as Dimorphos. To learn more about the mission, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
After U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, accused Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel of potential bias in bringing charges against pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Michigan, Nessel shot back last week to condemn Tlaib's criticism as anti-Semitic.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declined to take sides when asked about the spat in a CNN interview Sunday. Whitmer's comments, in turn, prompted conflicting reactions praising and condemning her for staying out of the fight between the pair of prominent Michigan politicians.

Earlier this month, Tlaib  the first Palestinian American woman to serve in Congress  blasted the criminal charges Nessel filed against the protesters, calling them "frivolous" and a "shameful attack on students' rights" in a social media post on X. One University of Michigan alumnus was charged with attempted ethnic intimidation, according to a news release from Nessel's office announcing the charges that did not elaborate further on the allegation.

Tlaib accused Nessel of singling out pro-Palestinian protesters in bringing the charges in an interview with the Detroit Metro Times. "We've had the right to dissent, the right to protest," Tlaib told the alternative weekly. "We've done it for climate, the immigrant rights movement, for Black lives, and even around issues of injustice among water shutoffs. But it seems that the attorney general decided if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently, and that alone speaks volumes about possible biases within the agency she runs." The piece did not quote Tlaib as referencing Nessel's Jewish identity.

Last week, Tlaib found herself depicted in a cartoon drawing depicting her as a target of the deadly explosions that killed and injured civilians and Hezbollah fighters last week for which the Lebanese militant group blamed Israel, according to reporting from USA TODAY. In the cartoon, a pager is shown smoking on Tlaib's desk. "Odd, my pager just exploded," Tlaib's thought bubble in the cartoon reads.

Nessel joined other Democrats who decried the depiction as bigoted. "Rashida's religion should not be used in a cartoon to imply that she's a terrorist. It's Islamophobic and wrong," Nessel wrote in a social media post on X last Friday.

But Nessel also weighed in with her own response to Tlaib's condemnation of the attorney general's leadership. "Just as Rashida should not use my religion to imply I cannot perform my job fairly as Attorney General. It's anti-Semitic and wrong," Nessel wrote.

Tlaib reposted another social media user's comment this past Sunday on Nessel's accusation of anti-Semitism. The social media comment said the attorney general was spreading misinformation about Tlaib's claim of biased prosecution leveled against Nessel. Detroit Metro Times reporter Steve Neavling, who published Tlaib's comments about Nessel, wrote a follow-up piece Monday saying Tlaib never said Nessel brought the charges against pro-Palestinian protesters because the attorney general is Jewish.

Whitmer was asked in a CNN interview whether she agrees with Nessel that Tlaib's suggestion of bias in the attorney general's office is anti-Semitic. "I can just say this, you know, we do want to make sure that students are safe on our campuses and we recognize that every person has the right to make their statement about how they feel about an issue, a right to speak out, and I'm going to use every lever of mine to ensure that both are true," Whitmer said.

Campus protests: Michigan AG charges 11 pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Michigan

The executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Michigan chapter, Dawud Walid, celebrated Whitmer's comments. "We welcome Governor Whitmer declining to support the stifling of freedom of speech through prosecutions, and her verbal support that all people including anti-genocide student protesters have the right to feel safe at the University of Michigan," he said in a statement in a news release Monday.

Meanwhile, CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League Jonathan Greenblatt criticized Whitmer's comments. "Saying you want to 'make sure that students are safe on our campuses' is just words if you are not willing to use your bully pulpit to speak out unequivocally on antisemitism and support holding people accountable for violating the law when it affects Jews," he said in a social media post on X on Sunday.

Editor's note: A sentence in this story has been updated for clarity.

Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan AG Nessel calls Rep. Tlaib's accusation of bias anti-Semitic
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A new partnership between the Michigan Lottery and Michigan State Police hopes to share Amber Alerts across the state more effectively.

Now, when Amber Alerts are issued by law enforcement agencies across Michigan, terminal messages with the information will be immediately sent out and displayed across the 10,000 Michigan Lottery retailers in the state. That includes convenience and grocery stores. The alerts will also be posted on in-store display monitors, including self-service equipment, until they are no longer in effect.

How Amber Alerts work

The opportunity to leverage resources and partner with a sister agency to help keep kids safe is something that people are happy to do, Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli told News 8. Its a perfect example of state resources kind of coming together to further our mission.

Before becoming the commissioner of the Michigan Lottery, Shkreli spent time as a prosecutor. She said her history of working on criminal cases, including ones involving Amber Alerts, showed her why this partnership is so vital.

I spent much of my career in the child welfare space from having been a prosecutor, prosecuting crimes against children. These are sex crimes against kids, physical abuse, crimes against kids. And so I can tell you, just being in the courtroom, dedicating so many years of my life to that work and then to come in this position and to fulfill that type of service is something that is near and dear to my heart. And Im so happy to to be able to partner this way to help push forward Michigan State Polices mission of helping keep kids safe, she said.

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She said putting the alert in front of more people in more places can be the difference in saving a childs life.

Its also intended to disseminate information as quickly as possible because we know, and I can tell you from personal experience, that when a child is missing, the seconds matter. And so if were able to expand our reach and get this message and information out where a child could be, what they look like, what car theyre in, we can help save a life. And that is the most important thing we can do anywhere, Shkreli said.

The partnership is now active, so the next time an Amber Alert is issued in the state, the messages will be broadcasted on all Michigan Lottery screens at retailers.

While Amber Alerts are sent to peoples phones if users have enabled the function.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Lights on a police cruiser are seen in a file image. (Credit: FOX Television Stations)

MILWAUKEE - A 12-year-old girl in Arizona was arrested in connection to a recent school threat investigation in the Milwaukee area.

The Buckeye Police Department said earlier Sunday, Sept. 22, they were contacted by the Milwaukee Police Department regarding a school threat investigation in the area. MPD had found an IP address that was linked to a home in Buckeye, Ariz.

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Buckeye police officers went to the home where they interviewed the 12-year-old and recovered evidence. The BPD said she was arrested on felony charges including making a terroristic threat.

The BPD said no threats were made against Buckeye schools and there was no threat to their city.

It is currently unclear which local school was the subject of a threat, as well as the girls connection to the school.

FOX6 News has reached out to MPD and Milwaukee Public Schools.
SPACE (KXAN)  Earth is picking up a new moon later this week. This mini-moon is about 33 feet across, the size of a small school bus, and will orbit the Earth from Sept. 29 to Nov. 25.

We dont know how often (this mini-moon orbits the Earth), because this guy is pretty faint, and then similar ones would be pretty faint, said Anita Cochran, senior research scientist with the University of Texas McDonald Observatory.

The mini-moon, nicknamed 2024 PT5, will orbit the Earth in a horseshoe pattern before the gravity of other objects in our solar system pull it off. It will return to orbit the Earth again in 2055.

Its a tug of war, and the tug of war is won by the Earth for a short period of time, in this case, but not for a very long period of time, Cochran said about our brief time with the mini-moon.

This animation shows a rough outline of the orbital path of the mini moon. Graphic not to scale. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN News)

What is a mini-moon?

While quite small, the rock gains the classification of a mini-moon once it orbits the Earth. Likely originating from the asteroid belt, we know little else about the rock.

The mini moon, spotted by the ATLAS project in South America, circled in green. COURTESY: Kacper Wierzchos | @WierzchosKacper

Planets gain moons in a couple of ways. A planets gravity can capture a rock passing by it in space. If the rock is big enough and close enough, it can gain a semi-permanent orbit around the planet.

If it gets captured in orbit, there was nothing else to change it, it would stay in order around the Earth. But the problem is, as far as this is concerned, is that there is other things to attract it, Cochran said.

The other way a planet gains a moon is through a collision. Our moon was created when a planet the size of Mars collided with the Earth about four billion years ago.

Spotting the mini-moon

Unfortunately, we wont be able to easily spot the mini-moon due to its size. At just 33 feet across, it is already hard to see in the vast expanse of space.

Its orbit will be pretty far away too. It will orbit the Earth at a distance five times that of the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

The NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) spotted the rock as it hurtled toward the Earth. ATLAS checks the sky daily for large rocks that could possibly impact the Earth. This mini-moon wont hit us.

Cochran said spotting mini-moons, even with advanced technology, is challenging.

They dont really get very close to the Earth. And therefore, unless youre looking at the right spot, you dont pick them up, Cochran said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Smoke from heavy Israeli air raids billows from the southern Lebanese village of Taibeh. The death toll has risen to 182 people with 727 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Monday. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Lebanon's health minister said the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on the south of the country on Monday has risen to 274 people, including 21 children, with another 1,024 wounded.

These are the deadliest Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the last major war between Israel and the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia in 2006.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Monday he was trying to "change the security balance" in the north of his country.

"I would like to clarify Israel's policy to whoever does not yet understand," he said at a security assessment at the Air Force operations centre.

"We are not waiting for the threat, we are pre-empting it  everywhere, in every sector, constantly. We are eliminating senior figures, terrorists and missiles  and our arm is still extended."

The Israeli army said it had attacked more than 300 targets linked to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.
A Torah buried underground for 20 years to protect it from Nazi occupiers was again saved from a fire that destroyed the Chabad of Greater Orlando headquarters Sunday.

Firefighters said the flames erupted from the buildings roof around 11:30 a.m. While the initial response team attacked the inferno, a secondary team of first responders entered andfollowing the directions of the rabbisgrabbed all the Torahs, including the historic one.

You see this miracle come out of the smoke, Jeff Berger, who raced over to the synagogue and witnessed the rescue, said. You cant describe the emotion that that that is, and its everything all at once. Its joy and despair and gratitude.

A Torah was rescued from a synagogue fire in Seminole County on September 22, 2024. This Torah and others have smoke and water damage. Rabbis said the texts will be inspected and repaired.

As with any religious building fire, the ATF and the Fire Marshal are investigating, but the fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical issue.

Read: 9 ways to celebrate fall in Central Florida

The synagogue had just been used for a morning program and was empty at the time of the fire, rabbis said. A childrens group was occupying the building next door. Another group was expected to hold an event in the building a few hours after the fire began.

Rabbis said a security guard noticed the flames as he checked to make sure the building was secure.

We have no clue whats going to be on from here, Dovid Dubov said. We know that we have a community, and theyre going to support us, and theyre going to help us rebuild our building and our organization. So we look forward to good days coming ahead.

Read: Brick-or-Treat kicks off at LEGOLAND Florida

The fire happened just days before the start of Rosh Hashana, which is the Jewish New Year.

The loss of the building will cause some logistical problems for worshippers who are not supposed to drive during parts of the holiday.

You can visit Chabads website for information about how to help the recovery effort.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Missing 10-Year-Old Girl Found Safe in Her Pajamas After Sleepwalking Into the Woods

Other than some mosquito bites, she was perfect. It's truly a miracle that she was unharmed, a local official said

Webster Parish Sheriff's Office/Facebook Bienville Parish Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Gros with 10-year-old Peyton Saintignan

A 10-year-old girl was found curled up on the ground in the woods, 1.5 miles away from her home, after going missing for more than 24 hours.

On Sunday, Sept. 15, Peyton Saintignan of Louisiana was reported missing after having last been seen the night before while preparing to go to bed, according to a Facebook post from the Webster Parish Sheriffs Office.

The girl was found in the woods that day around 11 p.m. with help from thermal imaging-equipped drones provided by Drone Management Services, which crossed state lines from Arkansas to assist in the rescue.

"She was in dense woods roughly 300 yards from where a trail camera had recorded her earlier Sunday morning," Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said. "She was asleep when we found her. Weve had her checked by EMS and she is fine, back at home and hungry."

When she went missing, she was reported to have been wearing blue Frozen pajamas and no shoes, per the sheriffs office. At the time, Parker warned volunteers of searching the wooded area for the young girl, saying that it may affect the "thermal imaging on the helicopter" that they were using in their rescue to "pick up any indication of body heat."

Webster Parish Sheriff's Office/Facebook Bienville Parish Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Gros and Peyton Saintignan

PEOPLE reached out to the Webster Parish Sheriffs Office for more information but did not hear immediately hear back.

Law enforcement agencies and "hundreds of volunteers" aided in the search, including surrounding police and fire departments, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, state police and the Webster Parish School Board.

Parker praised the drone team for their work, saying, "We had the DeSoto Parish helicopter in the air and couldnt put drones up at the time, but when it was possible, Josh Klober, Matt Ramos and Micah Carter brought their equipment and successfully located the young girl."

The sheriff added: "I cant tell you how thrilled we all are to have a happy ending to this. A lot of prayers were answered today."

Parker also offered some words of gratitude to the large amount of people who offered their help during the search, calling it "truly a cooperative effort."

Webster Parish Sheriff's Office/Facebook Drone equipment used to locate Peyton Saintignan

In an interview with Good Morning America that was aired on Monday, Sept. 23, Parker explained that Saintignan had sleepwalked into the woods near her home. The family said that she had sleepwalked before  but never to such an extreme.

Klober, co-owner of the drone company, recalled locating the child, saying, "We staged up and got everything set up, set the generator up. We had a big, flat-screen TV." Eventually, he spotted Saintignan curled up on the ground while only wearing one shoe. She was roughly 1.5 miles from her home upon discovery.

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"We saw the purple and white pajamas that she had been wearing. She was laying there. She wasn't moving and everybody was just kind of holding their breath," he said.

The girl did not suffer any serious injuries.

"Other than some mosquito bites, she was perfect, Parker said. It's truly a miracle that she was unharmed."

While speaking with the Louisiana Radio Network, the officer stated that earlier in the search a person had found a photo of the girl on their trail cam, which revealed her to be "without any water, food, backpack, anything like that."

The latest report stated that Saintignan is "safe and back at home."

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Read the original article on People.
ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese-built Ethiopia-Djibouti railway on Monday began transporting livestock from central Ethiopia to ports in Djibouti, according to the Ethio-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway Share Company (EDR).

Takele Uma, chief executive officer of the EDR, in a statement issued Monday, lauded the move, emphasizing that it will further diversify and maximize the 752-km railway's transportation services between the two countries.

He said the newly launched livestock transportation service will enhance the railway's role in facilitating Ethiopia's exports to the international market, in addition to its significant contribution to the shipment of imported goods to central Ethiopia through the Red Sea nation of Djibouti.

"This approach will maximize the use of our open wagons, which were previously used only for imports. It will also boost the exported meat quality by minimizing transport stress on animals, showcasing Ethiopia's commitment to efficient and sustainable trade," the EDR chief said.

Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation after Nigeria with about 120 million people, boasts the largest livestock population in Africa, with an estimated 70.3 million cattle, 95.4 million sheep and goats, and 8.1 million camels, according to recent data from the World Bank.

In recent years, the East African country has been working to address the major constraints in the livestock sector and enhance its contribution to the country's economy.

In May, the Chinese management contractors of the Ethiopia-Djibouti standard gauge railway officially handed over the railway's management and operation to Ethiopia and Djibouti after six years of successful operation.

Official data reveal that the railway had transported 680,000 passengers and 9.5 million metric tons of cargo by May 2024, with an average annual transportation revenue increase of 39 percent over the past six years. Since 2018, the railway has developed its freight market and expanded its service offerings, including cold-chain transportation, commuter trains for villagers, and special trains for automobile transport. 
A 20-year-old American student from North Carolina has been found dead after vanishing during a hike on Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, officials say.

The body of Brook Cheuvront  a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill  was recovered on Sunday. Cheuvront was reported missing on Saturday after a tracking app she was using stopped updating and friends could not reach her, SANParks spokesman JP Louw told The Associated Press.

"She was recovered, we are devastated. God help me and us," Steve Cheuvront, identified by WCNC as her father, wrote in a Facebook post.

The cause of Cheuvronts death is unclear. The sophomore was interning at University of Cape Town, and in addition to being a Morehead-Cain scholar was the 2022 valedictorian at Avery County High School, where her mother teaches, according to WNCN.

Texas Hiker Says Grand Canyon Flash Flood Rescue Was Craziest Day

Brook Cheuvront has been found dead after going on a hike in Cape Town, South Africa.

"One of our teachers tragically lost a loved one today," the high school's principal, Jennifer O'Briant, wrote on Facebook. "We will have counselors and pastors present tomorrow at school for students who may need support. If students feel led to, please wear blue in support of the Cheuvront family."

Read On The Fox News App

An initial search was conducted by rangers, wilderness search and rescue members, and trail runners until late Saturday evening when it was no longer practical to continue, Louw told The Associated Press.

North Carolina Hiker Dies At Grand Canyon National Park During Solo Trek

Brook Cheuvront, of Newland, North Carolina, was the valedictorian of her high school, media reports say.

An aircraft joined the search the next day and helped to locate the body.

South African authorities have urged people to avoid hiking on their own, suggesting it be done in groups of at least four people.

Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, in July 2023.

The management of SANParks, which manages Table Mountain and other national parks, said an investigation into Cheuvronts death is ongoing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Missing North Carolina student Brook Cheuvront, 20, found dead in South Africa
UPDATE: The New York State Police have located the missing teen safely. They thank the public for their assistance in this matter.

THERESA, N.Y. (WWTI)  The New York State Police are asking for the publics help in locating a 15-year-old Jefferson County teen.

State Police officials are ask for assistance in locating Christopher Pierce from Theresa.

Woman hit by car on Syracuses southside left with life-threatening injuries

Pierece was reported as a missing vulnerable child last night by his family members.

Troopers will be in the area of Jefferson County searching for the teenager.

Pierce is described as 5-feet, 10-inches tall, approximately 140 pounds, with brown colored shaggy hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a long sleeve orange shirt, black pants, black and white converse, and a maroon Jansport backpack.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts are asked to call the New York State Police at 315-366-6000. Reference case number NY2400699714.

(Courtesy of New York State Police)

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A missing person who was abducted at the age of six from a California playground has been found 73 years later alive and living on the East Coast, The Associated Press reported.

Luis Armando Albino disappeared from a playground in Oakland on February 21, 1951 as he played alongside his brother, Roger. A woman wearing a bandana apparently lured Albino away with the promise of purchasing him some candy. Instead, she took him to the East Coast where and gave him to a couple who raised the young boy as if he were their biological son.

Seven decades after he disappeared without a trace, Albinos biological niece, 63-year-old Lydia Alequin, tracked her uncle down with the help of old photographs, newspaper articles, and ancestry tests. The search began in 2020, when on a whim Alequin decided to take a genealogy test just for fun. It showed a 22 percent match with Albino, but he didnt respond to inquiries at the time.

Earlier this year, Alequin and her daughters resumed the search. They were able to convince investigators to reopen the case. On June 20, they received a knock on their door from two officials who informed them that Albino was indeed their uncle. By June 24, Alequin, her mother, and other relatives took Albino to his brothers home for a long-awaited reunion. Sadly, Albinos mother died in 2005, but she always held out hope that he was alive.

They grabbed each other and had a really tight, long hug, Alequin said of the brothers. They sat down and just talked, she said, discussing the day of the kidnapping, their military service, and more.

Albino left a few days later, but returned to California in July for a three-week stay. It was the last time he would see Roger, who died in August shortly after his brother went back home.

The Oakland police acknowledged that Alequins detective work played an integral role in finding her uncle. The outcome of this story is what we strive for, the department added. Alequin reported that when she and Albino first met, he hugged me and said, Thank you for finding me, and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

Though her uncle has no desire to speak with the media or reveal his exact location on the East Coast, Alequin felt compelled to share her familys story if it might give hope to others in a similar situation. I was always determined to find him, she said, and who knows, with my story out there, it could help other families going through the same thing. I would say, dont give up.
Editors note: Changes to this article reflect new information from the Webster Police Department.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Webster police announced that the man reported missing Sunday, Sept. 22 has been found.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 found two days after getting lost in woods

LEAKE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  A man was found safe after he got lost in a wooded area in Leake County.

Officials with the Leake County Sheriffs Office said deputies were dispatched to the 100 block of Ott Jones Road on Friday, September 20.

Memorial ride held for Brandon teen killed in motorcycle crash

When deputies arrived at the scene, they were notified that Shirley Ferguson had made her way out of the woods. Investigators said Doyle and Shirley Ferguson went into the woods near their home around noon on Thursday, September 19 and spent the night after they got lost.

Shirley Ferguson said she left her husband by a tree to get him water and to find help. However, she could not make her way back to him.

A man was found safe after he got lost in a wooded area in Leake County. (Courtesy: Leake Co. Sheriffs Office)

A man was found safe after he got lost in a wooded area in Leake County. (Courtesy: Leake Co. Sheriffs Office)

A man was found safe after he got lost in a wooded area in Leake County. (Courtesy: Leake Co. Sheriffs Office)

A man was found safe after he got lost in a wooded area in Leake County. (Courtesy: Leake Co. Sheriffs Office)

A man was found safe after he got lost in a wooded area in Leake County. (Courtesy: Leake Co. Sheriffs Office)

A man was found safe after he got lost in a wooded area in Leake County. (Courtesy: Leake Co. Sheriffs Office)

A man was found safe after he got lost in a wooded area in Leake County. (Courtesy: Leake Co. Sheriffs Office)

Authorities were able to use drones to aid in the search for Doyle Ferguson. He was located in the early afternoon of Saturday, September 21. Doyle Ferguson was transported to the Leake Baptist Emergency Department for medical treatment.

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

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Missouri prepares to execute Marcellus Williams despite prosecutors saying he is "actually innocent"

Just one day before a Missouri death row inmate is scheduled to be executed, the Missouri Supreme Court will hear his case and decide whether to delay his execution for a third time.

Marcellus Williams was convicted of first-degree murder in 2001 and sentenced to death in 2003 for the killing of 42-year-old Felicia Gayle in her home just outside of St. Louis. In January, St. Louis Countys top prosecutor, Wesley Bell, filed a motion to vacate Williams' conviction, stating that "new evidence suggests that Mr. Williams is actually innocent." The Missouri Supreme Court will hear the case on Monday, just 24 hours before Williams scheduled execution on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. CT.

Williams has long professed his innocence and argues that his due process rights were denied throughout his legal battle.

Following Gayles murder in 1998, two witnesses named Williams as the culprit. Despite no forensic evidence tying him to the crime, a jury convicted Williams of murder and burglary. His attorneys argued that both witnesses  who have since died benefitted from cooperating with prosecutors.

Williams was twice before set to be executed, in January 2015 and August 2017, but both times the killing was delayed to conduct further DNA testing. His second execution was halted indefinitely for further investigation by former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, just hours before the execution was scheduled to take place.

But when Gov. Michael Parsons took office in 2017, the Republican abruptly terminated the process, just putting the 55-year-old back on death row. Williams attorneys argue that the governors decision violates Williams constitutional rights.

Taking the life of Marcellus Williams would be an unequivocal statement that when a White woman is killed, a Black man must die. And any Black man will do, NAACP president Derrick Johnson wrote in an open letter to Parsons.

"Governor Parson, you have the power to prove that Missouri is better than its ugly history of racism and unspeakable treatment of its Black residents. The NAACP urges you to do the right thing  stop the execution of Marcellus Williams, the letter reads.

Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., has also sent a letter to Parson asking him to grant Williams clemency. "You have it in your power to save a life today by granting clemency to a man who has already unjustly served 24 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. I am urging you to use it, she writes in the letter.

Parson, who is also a former sheriff, has been in office for 11 executions and has never granted clemency.
The Missouri Supreme Court building in Jefferson City on April 4, 2024 (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).

The execution of Marcellus Williams will proceed Tuesday, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled in a decision rejecting efforts to show a potential juror in his murder trial was excluded based on race.

After hearing arguments Monday morning in an expedited appeal, the court unanimously ruled that St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell had not proven Williams innocence or that there was a violation of his constitutional right to a fair trial.

Williams is scheduled to be put to death Tuesday for the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle in St. Louis County. On Sept. 12, Circuit Judge Bruce Hilton rejected claims that DNA evidence had been destroyed and the exclusion of Black jurors raised doubts about the integrity of his 2001 conviction.

The decision written by Judge Zel Fischer noted that Bell was no longer claiming innocence for Williams based on the DNA evidence. His arguments that Black people were stricken from the jury pool for racial reasons have been argued in past appeals, Fischer wrote, and the case argued Monday presents nothing new except mischaracterizations of statements made during the Aug. 28 hearing conducted by Hilton.

Bell failed to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence Williams actual innocence or constitutional error at the original criminal trial that undermines the confidence in the judgment of the original criminal trial, Fischer wrote.

With its decision, the court rejected the effort by Williams attorneys to obtain a stay of execution. Gov. Mike Parson issued a statement that he would not intervene in the case.

Capital punishment cases are some of the hardest issues we have to address in the Governors Office, but when it comes down to it, I follow the law and trust the integrity of our judicial system, Parson said. Mr. Williams has exhausted due process and every judicial avenue, including over 15 hearings attempting to argue his innocence and overturn his conviction. No jury nor court, including at the trial, appellate, and Supreme Court levels, have ever found merit in Mr. Williams innocence claims.

Bell promised to continue efforts to prevent Tuesdays execution.

Even for those who disagree on the death penalty, when there is a shadow of a doubt of any defendants guilt, the irreversible punishment of execution should not be an option, Bell said. As the St. Louis County prosecutor, our office has questions about Mr. Williams guilt, but also about the integrity of his conviction. For those reasons we will continue to do everything in our power to save his life.

If Williams is put to death Tuesday, he will be the 100th person executed in Missouri since 1989.

During the hearing Monday morning, attorney Jonathan Potts asked the judges to find that testimony from the trial prosecutor, Keith Larner, proved that race played a role in removing potential jurors.

He said the quiet part out loud, Potts said. He admitted there was a racial component and that is unconstitutional.

The court should uphold Hiltons decision and allow Williams execution to proceed, Michael Spillane, an assistant attorney general, argued Monday. Larners statement about his reason for excluding a juror  that he looked like he could be a brother of Williams  was not a sufficient reason because he also testified that race played no role in his decisions.

He did not admit he struck a Black juror simply because he was Black, Spillane said.

In the opinion, Fischer wrote that the statement wasnt the clear-cut admission of a constitutional error, as Potts portrayed it.

Instead, Fischer wrote, the argument cherry-picks the record, ignores the circuit courts factual findings, and offers no persuasive justifications for reversing this Courts previous merits determination of this claim.

Spillane also asked the court to reject the appeal because it lacks jurisdiction. The Sept. 12 decision wont be appealable for 30 days under procedural rules, he noted.

This is a judgment that is not yet final, he said.

Gayle, a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, was stabbed more than 40 times. Police investigators found an abundance of physical evidence at the crime scene including fingerprints, bloodied shoe prints and hairs.

None of it, however, was tied to Williams by investigators. He was arrested based on the testimony of a jailhouse informant, who said Williams confessed the murder.

During testimony at his murder trial, Williams then-girlfriend also said he confessed to the killing. Williams picked her up the day of Gayles slaying wearing a jacket over a bloody shirt and with scratches on his neck. She saw a laptop in his car  later shown to have been stolen from Gayles apartment  and a purse in the trunk, with Gayles identification card.

The execution set for Tuesday is the third time the Missouri Supreme Court has set a date for Williams to die.

In 2015, the Court stayed Williamss execution and appointed a special master to review DNA testing of potentially exculpatory evidence. Two years later, without conducting a hearing, the court rescheduled Williams execution.

Later that year, however, former Gov. Eric Greitens issued the second stay and appointed a board of inquiry to look into the case. Parson lifted the stay and dissolved the board in June 2023, and the state Supreme Court issued the execution warrant last month, setting a Sept. 24 execution date.

The current appeal is the first time a 2021 state law allowing prosecutors to bring new evidence to the courts has been used in a death penalty case. Bell filed the case in January, arguing there was clear and convincing evidence that potential jurors had been excluded based on race.

The 2021 law has been used to free Lamar Johnnson, who was in prison for almost 30 years on a murder conviction before he was freed in February 2023, and Christpher Dunn, who was held for 34 years for a murder before he was released in August.

One argument raised by Bell in the January filing was that new DNA analysis of the murder weapon excluded Williams. But Hilton ruled that at the Aug. 28 hearing, testimony showed the DNA found on the knife  of Larner and a detective who handled the knife without gloves after initial tests were done  did not support the conclusion they deliberately destroyed evidence.

During arguments Monday, Spillane said Larners testimony showed he wasnt aware of the potential risk of contamination before the 2001 trial and didnt learn that skin cells that remain on a surface could be tested until 2015.

He wasnt trying to contaminate anything, Spillane said.

Under questioning from the judges, Potts said Hiltons decision should be overturned or the case should be sent back to his court for more fact-finding.

The last-minute nature of the case should not be an impediment to finding the truth, Potts said. The questions raised about racial exclusion of jurors during the Aug. 28 hearing needs to be fully examined, he said.

Just because we are hearing about it a month before an execution date doesnt mean it is too late, he said.

Fischer, in the introduction to the opinion, notes that there has been nearly 25 years of court battles over Williams guilt.

Despite nearly a quarter century of litigation in both state and federal courts, Fischer wrote, there is no credible evidence of actual innocence or any showing of a constitutional error undermining confidence in the original judgment.

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The Missouri Supreme Court on Monday weighed whether to halt the execution of Marcellus Williams, who was convicted in the death of a local journalist, as prosecutors argued there was a lack of evidence against him and he received an unfair trial. Photo courtesy Marcelus Williams' legal team/Innocence Project

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Missouri Supreme Court on Monday denied a request to halt Tuesday's pending execution of Marcellus Williams as prosecutors filed to vacate his conviction for the 1998 murder of a local news reporter.

Monday's denial by Missouri's high court and the governor's refusal to act all but ensures Williams execution by lethal injection will proceed despite the last-ditch effort to get a death sentence reversed to a life sentence with no parole as clemency.

In six years so far as the state's chief executive, Gov. Mike Parson has not granted clemency to someone facing execution. Eleven people have been executed in Missouri during that time.

"Mr. Williams has exhausted due process and every judicial avenue, including over 15 hearings attempting to argue his innocence and overturn his conviction," Parson, a Republican, said Monday afternoon in a release obtained by KOMU in Missouri.

"No jury nor court, including at the trial, appellate and Supreme Court levels, have ever found merit in Mr. Williams' innocence claims. At the end of the day, his guilty verdict and sentence of capital punishment were upheld. Nothing from the real facts of this case have led me to believe in Mr. Williams' innocence."

On Friday, Rep. Cori Bush (seen in Dec. 2023), a Missouri Democrat, called on Gov. Mike Parson to exonerate Williams for a crime he didnt commit, she said. Calling the death penalty racist, flawed, inhumane, Bush, claimed Parson and the courts are allowing the execution to be carried out despite credible evidence of Williams innocence and mass scrutiny over the fairness of his trial. File Photo by Julia Nikhinson/UPI

Tricia Rojo Bushnell, an attorney for Williams, described Missouri in a statement Monday as being poised to execute an innocent man, "an outcome that calls into question the legitimacy of the entire criminal justice system."

"Given everything we know about Marcellus Williams' case -- including the new revelations that the trial prosecutor removed at least one Black juror because of his race, and opposition to this execution from the victim's family and the sitting prosecuting attorney, the courts must step in to prevent this irreparable injustice," Bushnell said.

On Monday, Missouris Supreme Court is set to hear Marcellus Williams case. So unless the states Republican Gov. Mike Parson (seen in April 2022) or high court does intervenes, Williams will see what will be his third scheduled execution date at 6 p.m. Tuesday night. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

The court took up the case Monday morning ahead of Williams' scheduled execution on Tuesday night

Williams, 55, was convicted of killing St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Felicia "Lisha" Gayle, 42, who was stabbed to death 42 times with a butcher's knife from her kitchen during an attempted burglary in her University City gated community.

However, St. Louis County's top prosecutor filed a motion to have his conviction vacated in January, citing a lack of forensics linking him to the crime and "overwhelming evidence" of an unfair trial.

The January motion to vacate was initially approved by a county trial judge but was reversed on Sept. 12 after Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey contested it.

The case came before Missouri's Supreme Court after prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and attorneys representing Williams' filed a joint brief asking the court to send the case back to a lower court for a "more comprehensive hearing."

No forensic evidence had been able to tie Williams to the alleged crime nearly 30 years ago.

Yet despite this, Williams, a Black man, was convicted by an almost all-White jury in 2001 of Gayle's 1998 killing, according to Amnesty International, which is among the organizations that has called for Williams to receive leniency by Parson.

In the January motion, the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, which handled the 2001 trial against Williams, said DNA testing from the murder weapon could potentially exclude Williams as a suspect in Gayle's killing but it was later revealed the weapon had been mishandled, throwing a wrench in that case.

The effort to reverse the fortunes of Williams has pitted the local prosecutor against Missouri's Republican state Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is up for re-election.

Bailey last month rejected a deal with prosecutors and Gayle's family to reverse Williams' sentence to first-degree murder and a resentencing to life in prison, instead appealing to the conservative Missouri Supreme Court comprised of five Republicans and two Democrats.

With so little time until #MarcellusWilliams is set to be executed tomorrow, Sept. 24th at 6 p.m., our best tool is our voice. We must make as much noise as possible in these final hours, as public pressure can make all the difference in the moments leading up to an execution.... pic.twitter.com/faF8uG91T5 Innocence Project (@innocence) September 23, 2024

Other organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Council on American-Islamic Relations, joined Amnesty in calls for Parson to stop Williams' planned Tuesday execution.

The NAACP said executing Williams would "violate international law."

"Furthermore, a U.S. District Court in 2010 ordered that Marcellus Williams receive a new sentencing hearing, having found that his trial lawyer had failed to present any mitigating evidence of Marcellus Williams's violently abusive childhood," Amnesty wrote in a letter to Parson.

Gayle was in the shower on the morning of Aug. 11, 1998, when Williams allegedly broke into the gated community. Court documents said Gayle left her second-floor bathroom and was walking downstairs when she encountered her alleged killer on the landing. Her husband, Daniel Picus, found her body and called 911.

Among the evidence were bloody shoeprints and fingerprints, a knife sheath and hair from the suspected murderer that was collected from Gayle's shirt, hands and on the floor.

Four Missouri death row inmates in 40 years have been exonerated and since 1973, at least 200 American citizens have been spared from death row, a Missouri congresswoman cited the Death Penalty Information Center.

On Friday, Rep. Cori Bush, D-Miss., called on the governor to exonerate Williams "for a crime he didn't commit," she said.

Calling the death penalty "racist, flawed, inhumane," Bush, a co-sponsor of the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act, claimed Parson and the courts are allowing the execution to be carried out "despite credible evidence of Williams' innocence and mass scrutiny over the fairness of his trial."

U.S. executions in 2023 were largely concentrated in the South. Texas and Florida accounted for more than half of last year's more than executions across the United States.

The Death Penalty Information Center called 2022 "the year of the botched execution" in a year in which questions over human practice of the death penalty became a renewed national focus.

Records say that Williams had a troubled youth that involved death, sexual and physical abuse, drugs and stints in jail and was described by an attorney as "a caring and loving father" during the penalty phase of his murder trial.

His most recent stay of execution was ordered by then-Gov. Eric Greiten who had appointed a board of inquiry to look into the case until that decision was later reversed last year by Parson.

By doing so, Parson's actions "have violated Williams' constitutional rights and created an exceptionally urgent need for the Court's attention," Williams attorney had argued.

"St. Louis and I rise today to say that state-sanctioned violence has no place in a humane society," Bush added, "I am urging Governor Parson not to let another innocent man be murdered at the hands of the state. He must heed our call."

He originally had been sentenced to death for January 2015 and then August 2017. Both lethal injections were halted to conduct further DNA testing.

Williams had just started serving a 20-year prison sentence for robbing a downtown St. Louis donut shop at the time of his murder conviction.

A murder suspect was not immediately named by police and in May 1999 Gayle's family announced a $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. Williams became the main suspect after a girlfriend, Lara Asaro, and an inmate named Henry Cole claimed Williams was the culprit.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has denied clemency to a man facing execution Tuesday who has maintained he is innocent.

Marcellus Khaliifah Williams will die by lethal injection unless a court steps in.

The 55-year-olds legal team requested clemency, saying evidence was marred by trial prosecutors and emphasizing that the victims family does not want to see the death penalty carried out.

Williams planned execution has garnered wide opposition. No forensic evidence links him to the crime. He was convicted primarily on the word of two witnesses who later received reward money for their testimony.

The governors decision was not surprising. Parson has denied every clemency application in a death penalty case that has come across his desk since he became governor in June 2018.

Last year, he lifted a stay of execution for Williams that former Gov. Eric Greitens had put in place, setting off several legal actions in state and federal courts, some of which remain pending at the 11th hour.

Two cases remain before the U.S. Supreme Court. One of them asks if a prospective Black juror was improperly struck from the pool. The second questions Parsons decision to dissolve the board of inquiry Greitens launched to look into Williams case.

Williams was convicted in the 1998 stabbing death of Felicia Gayle in St. Louis County.

In January, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell filed a motion in an attempt to overturn Williams conviction. A statute unique to Missouri allowed Bell to intervene on Williams behalf.

That effort culminated in an evidentiary hearing last month.

On Sept. 12, St. Louis County Circuit Judge Bruce Hilton upheld Williams conviction. Bell appealed that decision, and arguments were heard before the Missouri Supreme Court on Monday. A decision has not yet been issued.

Attorneys for Williams said if his execution proceeds, it will be the first time in Missouri that an execution has been opposed by the prosecutor and the victims family.
Modi was on a three-day visit to the US [Getty Images]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged top tech companies in the US to explore India as a destination for manufacturing and innovation.

He met CEOs of tech companies in New York a day after attending the annual meeting of Quad countries, which also includes the US, Australia and Japan.

India has been positioning itself as an alternative to China to attract global firms looking at diversifying their supply chains.

The country has been particularly focusing on manufacturing of semiconductors in the past few years but it still lags far behind major suppliers like China and Taiwan.

Modis meeting with the tech leaders on Monday was attended by 15 top CEOs, including Googles Sundar Pichai, Adobes Shantanu Narayen, IBMs Arvind Krishna and NVIDIAs Jensen Huang.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said, they can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world".

Indias foreign ministry said in a statement that the roundtable meeting touched upon technologys use in innovations, which have the potential to revolutionise the global economy and human development.

Modi also addressed a rally of Indian-Americans whom he called brand ambassadors of the country and told the crowd of 15,000 in New York that India was key to global development, global peace, global climate action, global innovations, global supply chains.

On Saturday, Modi met US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Quad summit and the two countries signed several agreements.

The India-US semiconductor pact  which they have described as a watershed arrangement  aims to establish a fabrication plant which will produce chips for national security, next-generation telecommunications and green energy applications, said a joint release.

This is Indias first such project with the US in which the country will provide chips to the US armed forces, allied militaries and Indian military.

Previous attempts at building homegrown semiconductor manufacturing industry in India have not seen desired results. But as the US aims to build resilience against Chinas semiconductor industry  vital for modern technology  the deal gives a renewed fillip to India.

The Indian Express newspaper reported that the plant will focus on three essential pillars for modern war fighting: advanced sensing, advanced communications and high voltage power electronics.

The two leaders or the joint statement didnt make any mention of the ongoing tensions over the targeting of Sikh leaders in the US and Canada. Sikh separatist leaders, who have been demanding a separate homeland to be carved out of India for decades, say they have faced threats and assassination attempts by groups backed by India. India denies the allegations.

Modi met US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Quad summit [Getty Images]

No Trump meeting

This was Modi's first US visit since he won his third term in June and it came weeks before the US presidential elections, where the Democrats are vying for re-election against former President Donald Trump of the Republican party.

Last week, Trump had announced that Modi was a fantastic man and he was going to meet him. But Indian diplomats were quiet about this meeting and it hasnt happened so far.

On Saturday, the Quad leaders issued a joint communique which focused largely on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.

We strongly oppose any destabilising or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercionWe seek a region where no country dominates and no country is dominated - one where all countries are free from coercion, and can exercise their agency to determine their futures, the statement read.

Analysts say the statement didnt name China but a large part of the message was aimed at the country. They also noticed that the language appeared to be much stronger.

The language in the joint statement on provocations in the South China Sea, while not directly referring to China, is stronger than it's ever been before. And thats because all four Quad states are increasingly concerned about the escalation in Chinese activities there, said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Centre think-tank in Washington.

The Quad partners also announced the expansion of maritime surveillance, a pilot logistics network for natural disasters and a project to combat cervical cancer.
COLOMBO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has resigned, according to his post on the social media platform "X" (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

Gunawardena said that as the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka has been elected in the presidential election held on Sept. 21, he will resign from his position in accordance with Article 47 (2) of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 
Mom Of Suspected Georgia School Shooter Accused Of Taping Her Mother To Chair For 24 Hours

The mother of the Georgia teen accused of killing four people in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School was indicted by a grand jury last week for allegedly taping her then-73-year-old mother to a chair and leaving her alone for nearly 24 hours last year, according to a news report.

Marcee Gray, 43, is accused of exploitation and intimidation of a disabled adult or elderly person, false imprisonment, criminal damage to property in the second degree, and theft, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported.

Grays 14-year-old son, Colt, has been charged as an adult with four counts of felony murder for the Sept. 4 killings of two students and two math teachers at his Winder, Georgia, school.

His father, Colin Gray, 54, with whom the teens mother is estranged, has been charged with second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and second-degree cruelty to children after authorities said he knowingly allowed his son to possess a gun.

A memorial is seen at Apalachee High School after a school shooting in which four people were killed, on Sept. 7, 2024. Mike Stewart via AP

According to a police incident report cited by the Journal-Constitution, Marcee Gray bound her mother, Deborah Polhamus, to an armchair, took her iPhone and broke a mirror and her mothers back door around 5 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2023.

A family friend found Polhamus on Nov. 4, investigators said in the report, after Polhamus other daughter in Florida contacted the friend when her mother didnt answer her phone.

Marcee Gray told the newspaper that she was experiencing a methamphetamine-induced psychosis when she asked her mother to accompany her to Colin Grays home 200 miles away so she could see her children.

She said when her mother refused, she taped her to the chair so Polhamus couldnt call the police. Polhamus wrist was injured and she had bruises on her arms and legs from the restraints, according to the police report cited by the news outlet.

What I put my mother through is inexcusable and horrifying, Marcee Gray told the Journal-Constitution. I will have to face the fallout of my actions for the rest of my life.

Days after the Apalachee High School shooting, Marcee Gray wrote an open letter to the victims families apologizing for her sons alleged actions, CNN reported.

We are all in a living nightmare right now, and I will personally never forgive myself for what has happened, she wrote.

In an interview with Atlanta ABC affiliate WSBT, Marcee Gray said she had contacted her sons school the day of the shooting, urging them to check on the teen after she received a cryptic text message from him saying, Im sorry.

Authorities and school officials declined to comment when The Washington Post followed up on her claims.

Two days after her mother was found trapped in November, Marcee Gray was arrested in Barrow County, where Colin Gray lived with their children, on suspicion of drug possession and damaging her ex-husbands car, and served a brief stint in jail. She was ordered to serve five years probation after originally being sentenced to five years in prison, the Journal-Constitution reported.

Marcee Gray and Crisp County District Attorney Brad Rigby, whose office handles cases in the county where Gray and her mother live, did not immediately reply to HuffPosts request for comment.

The most serious charge in the recent grand jury indictment against Marcee Gray, felony elder exploitation, carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, the Journal-Constitution reported.

Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.

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The Potential Tropical Cyclone: Tuesday, Sep 24 update from the NHC on latest developments

Article first published: Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024, 5 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024, 8 a.m. ET

The National Hurricane Center's 8 am Tuesday advisory reported that the potential tropical cyclone is 150 miles west of Grand Cayman and 205 miles south-southeast of the Western Tip of Cuba, with maximum sustained wind of 35 mph. Its moving 9 mph to the northwest.

"... the center of the system is forecast to move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea through tonight, and then over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday." forecasters noted. "Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and the system is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday and continue strengthening on Thursday as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico."

YESTERDAY (Monday):

Yesterday (Monday) at 11 am, the National Hurricane Center published the first advisory for a potential tropical cyclone. A storm surge watch and a tropical storm watch have been issued by forecasters for a portion of southwest Florida.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

- Indian Pass southward to Flamingo

- Tampa Bay

- Charlotte Harbor

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

- Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico

- Cuban province of Pinar del Rio

- Englewood to Indian Pass

- Tampa Bay

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

- Grand Cayman

- Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico

- Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

- Dry Tortugas

- Lower Florida Keys west of the Seven Mile Bridge

- Flamingo to south of Englewood

- West of Indian Pass to Walton Bay County line A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 24 to 36 hours.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Wind and storm surge warnings will likely be required today.

For storm information specific to your area in the United States,

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

RAINFALL: Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over western Cuba and the Cayman Islands with isolated totals around 12 inches. Over the eastern Yucatan Peninsula, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals over 6 inches. This rainfall brings a risk of considerable flooding.

Over the Southeastern U.S., Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with isolated totals around 10 inches. This rainfall will likely result in areas of locally considerable flash and urban flooding, with minor to isolated moderate river flooding also possible.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? Rainqpf and the Flash Flood Risk graphic at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? Ero.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Ochlockonee River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL...10-15 ft Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL...6-10 ft Indian Pass, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL...5-10 ft Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL...5-8 ft Tampa Bay...5-8 ft Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL...4-7 ft Englewood, FL to Bonita Beach, FL...3-5 ft Charlotte Harbor...3-5 ft

For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? PeakSurge.

Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds along the southern coast of Pinar del Rio, Cuba, including the Isle of Youth.

Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above ground level in areas of onshore winds within the warning area along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch areas in Cuba and Mexico by early Wednesday. Hurricane conditions are possible within the U.S. watch areas late Wednesday and early Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning areas in Cuba and Mexico beginning later today. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area beginning on Wednesday in southern Florida and the Keys, and Thursday in the Florida Panhandle.

SURF: Swells generated by the system will affect the southern coast of Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico during the next couple of days. Swells will spread northward toward the west coast of Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast on Wednesday and Thursday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center

This article was generated by the Sun Herald Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes information from the National Hurricane Center and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. We are experimenting with this and other new ways of providing more useful content to our readers and subscribers. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com. Full hurricane coverage at sunherald.com/news/weather-news/
Pro-Iranian Hezbollah militants carry the coffin of one of three party commander of elite al-Radwan brigade, who were killed in an Israeli air raid attack on Beirut southern suburb, during the funeral procession. At least 37 people were killed among them 16 Hezbollah commanders of the elite al-Radwan brigade. Marwan Naamani/dpa

A war monitor reported on Monday that Hezbollah was withdrawing its fighters from parts of Syria as the Lebanese militia comes under fierce attack from Israel.

Hezbollah and Iran are key allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and have been fighting along his side since civil war erupted in 2011.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that militias loyal to Iran are flocking to the central Syrian city of Palmyra and desert areas to replace departing Hezbollah fighters.

The observatory said Hezbollah evacuated its headquarters in Palmyra and pulled out of surrounding areas. The headquarters was said to have been handed over to members of the Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigade. Other militias took over weapons depots in the region.

Hezbollah units in Syria have been decamping for the Syrian-Lebanese border region over the past several days, the monitor said, following an escalation in Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Last week, thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by members of Hezbollah exploded. Israel strikes also hit a Beirut suburb as part of a military campaign targeting senior members of the movement.

On Monday, Israel launched a massive barrage of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. At least 356 people have been killed and more than 1,200 others injured, Lebanons Health Ministry said on Monday evening.
Monitoring the Tropics: Named system likely in the coming days

A tropical depression or tropical storm is likely to form during the next few days while the system moves northward across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Northwestern Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico

* Formation chance through 48 hoursmedium50 percent.

* Formation chance through 7 dayshigh80 percent.

From the National Hurricane Center:

Disorganized showers and thunderstorms located over the northwestern

Caribbean Sea and portions of Central America are associated with a

broad area of low pressure. Environmental conditions appear

conducive for development of this disturbance, and a tropical

depression or tropical storm is likely to form during the next few

days while the system moves northward across the northwestern

Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.



* * * * * *



Regardless of development, this disturbance is expected to produce heavy rains over portions of Central America during the next several days. Interests in the northwestern Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and western Cuba should closely monitor the progress of this feature. Later this week, the system is forecast to move generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and interests along the northern and northeastern Gulf Coast should also monitor the

progress of this system.



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Montgomery is trying to do something about guns that the state hasnt

City hall in Montomery, Alabama on Sept. 20, 2024. Montgomery city officials earlier this month approved an ordinance requiring those carrying concealed firearms to have photo identification. The attorney general's office said the move violates state law. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Back in July, I wrote about a prefiled bill that would allow the governor and attorney general to appoint interim police chiefs for cities, effectively allowing the state to take over their police departments.

The bill from Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, doesnt name Montgomery explicitly. But lawmakers have signaled thats who they have in mind.

At the time, I thought this meant state officials would take ownership of all the issues of crime and law enforcement staffing that many cities are struggling with, a responsibility they may not want.

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I still think that. But as was pointed out to me after the column ran, a greater danger is that two white officials  one from Wilcox County (roughly 75 miles from Montgomery) and one from Marshall County (164 miles away)  could measure progress simply by ramping up the volume of arrests in a majority-Black city, without any sense of whether those arrests are actually warranted or effective.

The people of Montgomery would not only get their voices cut out of local governance. They could have a public safety policy less focused on safety in the city and more on posturing for GOP primary voters with no connections to Montgomery.

This should raise alarms among state officials, considering that young Black men are more likely to be killed by the police than any other group.

Will it? I have my doubts.

The Legislature has effectively unlimited power over the cities in this state. Theyve shown in the past that they will move to nullify the actions of elected local officials if they dont like them.

And its hard to ignore that these actions from our majority-white Legislature tend to target majority-Black communities, whether its stopping Birmingham from setting a minimum wage or making it very hard for Black officials around the state to remove monuments to white supremacy.

Its an imperious, arrogant attitude that refuses to allow Black communities to govern themselves as majority-white communities do. And Montgomery could see it happen again.

The Montgomery City Council approved an ordinance earlier this month allowing police officers to confiscate concealed weapons from people who lack a valid photo ID. A person who lost a firearm in this manner could retrieve their gun within 30 days by presenting proper identification, proof of ownership and paying a $150 fine.

It would be a weaker version of how law enforcement used to enforce the states concealed carry permit requirements. Without an ordinance in place, police could detain someone they suspected of planning harm. This proposal would allow police only to confiscate the weapon.

Montgomery is trying to find ways to cut its violent crimes. In June alone, Montgomery saw a triple homicide at a Hispanic grocery store and a mass shooting at a party.

The Montgomery Advertiser says the city is trying to address the problem by boosting police pay and funding violence reduction programs. But the ordinance does acknowledge one of the forces driving the violence we see: the ease of obtaining firearms in Alabama.

It needs to be shouted from the mountain tops and before every commercial during the Iron Bowl that Alabama has one of the nations leading death rates from firearms. Much of that is suicide. In 2021, firearms accounted for 76% of suicide deaths in the state. But dont overlook the states homicide rate, the fourth-highest in the country. Its gone from 8.1 per 100,000 in 2014 to 14.9 in 2022. Alabamas firearm death rate has been in the top five of all states throughout that period. Thats up, too: from 16.9 in 2014 to 25.5 in 2022.

This should be a five-alarm fire for the people who make our laws. But it isnt. In 2022, they did away with the concealed carry permit requirement over the objections of state sheriffs. Theyve slow-walked a bill from Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, on gun storage, a proven way to cut firearm deaths.

City leaders seem to understand something about the danger of firearms that state officials cant or wont. Montgomery City Council President C.C. Calhoun pointed out that the Alabama Legislatures decision to end concealed carry permit requirements in 2022 took away an important tool for our officers.

The state is very likely to challenge the citys action. The Alabama Attorney Generals Office said the ordinance violates state law.

The Code of Alabama plainly states that the Legislature is the sole regulator of firearms and related matters, the office said the day city officials signed the measure.

If the Alabama attorney general doesnt try to intervene, the odds are someone in the Legislature will introduce a bill to stop Montgomery from doing this.

That might be defensible if lawmakers were trying to treat gun violence seriously. Some are. Besides Drummond, Democratic Reps. Phillip Ensler and Kenyatte Hassell, both D-Montgomery, have both introduced legislation to control what ought to be noncontroversial items, like assault weapons and devices that turn guns into automatic firearms.

But it feels safe to say those bills will struggle in the Legislature, even after Saturdays horrific shooting in Birmingham. Most lawmakers have shown no concern about widespread access to firearms.

And it will be telling if they see the real problem as a majority-Black city trying to do something about it.

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Heavy smoke of Israeli air raids billows from suspected Hezbollah position in the southern Lebanese village of Mahmoudieh. Israeli warplanes carried more than 50 raids on several villages one day after a deadly attack on Beirut southern suburb killing 31 people among them Hezbollah commanders of the elite al-Radwan Brigade. Marwan Naamani/dpa

More than 350 people have been killed and over 1,000 injured across southern and eastern Lebanon, the Health Ministry said in Beirut on Monday, as Israel launched its deadliest wave of airstrikes at the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia in decades.

As the war in Gaza approaches its first anniversary, the long-feared escalation of the Middle Eastern conflict appeared to have arrived, with Lebanese authorities reporting at least 356 people dead, including 24 children, and another 1,246 wounded.

Israel said it had carried out more than 1,300 attacks on targets in Lebanon, including one in the capital Beirut, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a pre-emptive strike aimed at eliminating Hezbollah's weaponry.

Netanyahu said that Hezbollah had concealed its rockets directed at Israeli cities in private living rooms. "To defend our people against Hezbollah strikes, we must take out these weapons," he said.

"I have a message for the people of Lebanon: Israel's war is not with you. It's with Hezbollah," he added. "For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields."

In response, the Shiite group said it had launched dozens of rockets at bases in the north of Israel, targeting Israeli armaments facilities near the key port of Haifa and a military base in Galilee. There were no initial reports of injury or damage in Israel.

The Lebanese government accused Israel of "a war of annihilation" in view of the attacks. "We as a government are working to stop this new war by Israel and prevent a descent into the unknown," said Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Israel claims thousands of rockets eliminated

The simmering dispute between Israel and Hezbollah - a firm backer of the Palestinian militant group Hamas - intensified again last week after thousands of communication devices were detonated in Lebanon, killing more than 50 people, before an Israeli strike on the Hezbollah leadership near Beirut.

The latest attacks, however, represent a significant escalation, in the most severe episode of fighting in Lebanon since the war of 2006.

Israel insists it is pursuing the goal of ensuring the evacuated residents of its northern regions can safely return to their homes.

To that end, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the country's air force had destroyed tens of thousands of missiles threatening the lives of Israeli citizens.

"In these hours, we are destroying capabilities that Hezbollah has built up over 20 years," he stated.

The military was also continuing to target senior Hezbollah commanders, days after the strike in a Beirut suburb that killed the high-ranking Ibrahim Aqil and 15 others.

Israeli media reported that the latest attack in Beirut was aimed at senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki. But Hezbollah said in a statement late Monday that Karaki was in "full health" and had been taken to a "safe place."

UN mission in Lebanon expresses concern

As the death toll from the Israeli strikes continued to rise on Monday, the United Nations mission in Lebanon called for de-escalation and for civilian lives to be protected.

In a statement, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed "grave concern for the safety of civilians in southern Lebanon amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October."

"Attacks on civilians are not only violations of international law but may amount to war crimes," it added.

The statement said Aroldo Lazaro, the UNIFIL head of mission, was in contact with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities in an effort to halt the shelling.

"Any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences," UNIFIL warned.

A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, said he was "gravely alarmed" by the "large number of civilian casualties, including children and women."

The dramatic escalation in the Middle East is likely to overshadow the largest diplomatic meeting in the world - the high-level week of the UN General Assembly in New York, which begins on Tuesday.

Path forward unclear

So far, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have avoided answering the question of whether Monday's airstrikes could be followed by a ground offensive in Lebanon - a move that could draw in Hezbollah's allies in the region, or even Iran itself.

Amid the rising tensions, the United States said it was sending "a small number of additional US military personnel" to reinforce its bases in the region.

There about 40,000 US military personnel already stationed in the Middle East, with Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder saying the move was "out of an abundance of caution."

Also on Monday, the Israeli government declared a state of emergency throughout the country.

Israeli media said the declaration will last until September 30 and means, among other things, that the size of gatherings can be restricted. So far, however, the army has not yet released any new instructions.

Smoke from heavy Israeli air raids billows from the southern Lebanese village of Taibeh. The death toll has risen to 182 people with 727 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Monday. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
The Georgia State Election Board meeting became contentious on Monday as two members of the Republican-controlled board defended their reasons for approving a controversial new election rule requiring county election officials to hand-count the number of ballots cast on Election Day.

Fridays vote was 3-2, with three Donald Trump allies supporting the move, and a Democratic and independent GOP-appointed member of the board strongly opposing it, calling it an added step that could delay the results of the presidential election in the battleground state.

Trump last month praised the three GOP members for their efforts.

Monday, one of those Republicans, Dr. Janice Johnson, decried what she said were media inaccuracies and partisan attacks.

The so-called news is delivered as a scary fairy tale or perhaps an end-of-the-world apocalypse tale. Johnson said. Everyone should take a deep breath and calm down all because of attention to the mundane unexciting chain of custody processes.

Mondays meeting was a continuation of Fridays agenda and was expected to be routine until board members started to bicker.

Johnsons speech was followed by a contentious back-and-forth between Republican Janelle King, a media personality who is the boards newest member, and Sara Tindall Ghazal, the boards lone sitting Democrat. King took issue with Ghazals appearance on MSNBC, where she questioned her colleagues agendas.

You are creating a conspiracy based off an assumption  you are alluding to the fact that we are doing something that is somehow dishonest, just because you disagree, King said.

I am expressing concern about the fact that this board is acting in a way that the attorney general has stated is unlawful, Ghazal replied.

Well, Im concerned about the fact that you are going on national TV and making an assumption that we are working on some agenda thats been constructed around from the media because I havent spoken to the Trump campaign, King said. I have nothing to do with the Trump campaign.

Johnson followed up by using sharp rhetoric to push back on what she claims has been an overwhelmingly unfair reaction to her work.

As I reflected upon this weekend, I thought, yes, character assassination. Yes, media murder. Yes. And lawfare lynching. And thats, thats where this is all headed and I, I really dont appreciate it, Johnson said.

Throughout the bickering at the beginning of Mondays all-day meeting, John Fervier, the boards volunteer, nonpartisan chairman who was appointed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, unsuccessfully tried to call the board to order, pounding his mallet frequently while calling the discussion  inappropriate.

It bothers me a lot when there is public sniping on the board, Fervier told CNN Monday, adding that he preferred these matters are addressed in private.

The office of Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican, told the election board Thursday in a letter obtained by CNN that several of its proposed rules very likely go beyond the boards legal authority and conflict with existing state election laws. The letter warned the board that their changes could easily be challenged and determined to be invalid.

A lawyer for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, also sent a blistering two-page letter to the State Election Board last week warning that the new rules are impossible since many poll workers have already completed their required training.

The reshaping of the election board in one of the most critical battleground states of 2024 highlights how some Republicans who cast doubt on the 2020 presidential election results have now taken on prominent roles driving election rules and, in some areas, overseeing elections.

The five-person election board was once led by Georgias secretary of state. But after 2020, Trump fought to overturn his loss in the Peach State, pressuring Raffensperger to find the thousands of votes Trump needed to win. Raffensperger refused, and in the aftermath, the GOP-led state legislature removed the secretary as a member of the board.

CNNs Mounira Elsamra contributed to this report.

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The U.S. is sending additional troops to the Middle East in response to a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder would provide no details on how many additional forces or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. currently has about 40,000 troops in the region.

On Monday, the aircraft carrier USS Truman, two destroyers and a cruiser set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, headed to the Mediterranean on a regularly scheduled deployment, opening the possibility that the U.S. could keep both the Truman and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Gulf of Oman, nearby in case further violence breaks out.

In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region. But for operational security reasons, Im not going to comment on or provide specifics.

The new deployments come after significant strikes by Israeli forces against targets inside Lebanon that have killed hundreds and as Israel is preparing to conduct further operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned Lebanese civilians in a videotaped message to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign. He spoke as Israeli warplanes continued to strike alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

The State Department is warning Americans to leave Lebanon as the risk of a regional war increases.

Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available, the State Department cautioned Saturday. Ryder would not say if those additional forces might support the evacuation of those citizens if needed.

Wave of exploding pagers kills at least 9, wounds thousands in Lebanon and Syria

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held back-to-back calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend as he pressed for a cease-fire and a reduction of tensions in the region, Ryder said.

Given the tensions, given the escalation, as I highlighted, there is the potential for a wider regional conflict. I dont think were there yet, but its a dangerous situation, Ryder said.

The U.S. presence in the Middle East is designed both to help defend Israel and protect U.S. and allied personnel and assets. Navy warships are scattered across the region, from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Oman, and both Air Force and Navy fighter jets are strategically based at several locations to be better prepared to respond to any attacks.

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These are the most banned books, topics last year: PEN America

(WKBN)  Banned Books Week kicked off Sunday across the nation, uniting authors, librarians and book lovers to take part in the effort to combat what some data shows as a rise in censorship.

The American Library Association (ALA) reported a substantial drop so far this year in complaints about books stocked in public, school and academic libraries, and in the number of books receiving objections. However, the ALA relies on media accounts and reports from librarians and has long acknowledged that many challenges may not be included.

Meanwhile, PEN America is documenting an explosion in books being removed from school shelves in 2023-24, tripling to more than 10,000 over the previous year. More than 8,000 were pulled just in Florida and Iowa, where laws restricting the content of books have been passed.

PEN America reports that the most frequently banned titles are largely young adult novels featuring female, queer, and/or nonbinary protagonists.

Of those banned, PEN America reports that 48% depict themes or instances of violence, 42% focus on topics of health and wellbeing, and 33% include sexual experiences between characters. The organization notes numerous books tracked in the index fit into multiple categories simultaneously.

Data courtesy of PEN America.

As for the most banned books of the 2022-2023 school year by district, Tricks took the top spot with 33 bans, followed by The Bluest Eye with 29 bans, and Looking for Alaska and A Court of Mist and Fury both with 27, according to PEN America.

Courtesy of PEN America.

PEN Americas Index of School Book Bans lists instances where students access to books in school libraries and classrooms in the United States is restricted or diminished for either limited or indefinite periods of time. PEN America also tracks the banning of unique titles. If the same book is banned in 10 school districts, that would count as 10 bans, but one unique title.

PEN America states its numbers differ from other groups because it is the only organization to track book bans in schools across the country. The American Library Associations research focuses on challenges filed against books in libraries, including school libraries. PEN America does not track public library bans and does not track challenges to books unless those challenges lead to a restriction or ban.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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(KRON)  An El Cerrito resident was sentenced to 50 years to life on Monday after pleading guilty to the first-degree murder of his co-worker in 2019, according to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins office.

Hakim Oden, 25, and the victim worked at the San Francisco Conservation Corps (SFCC). According to the district attorneys office, Oden was sent to SFCC after committing a robbery on a victim leaving a federal building in 2016.

March 25, 2019, which was the victims 19th birthday, was also his first day on the job at SFCC.

Oden was in his car outside the SFCC site when he noticed the victim speaking to a woman he was romantically interested in. The district attorneys office said Oden appeared to be motivated by jealousy.

VTA employee arrested in fatal San Jose shooting of coworker: sheriff

According to Jenkins office, Oden subsequently followed the victim into the building with his hood up and his hand in his hoodie pocket. Assistant District Attorney Charly Weissenbach said the victim was waiting for an elevator when Oden then shot the victim execution-style in the back of the head.

Oden fled to his car and then sped off. California Highway Patrol in Riverside County later apprehended him.

No mother, sister, aunt, cousin, family member or friend deserves to learn that their loved one was murdered on their 19th birthday, especially in a cowardly execution from behind while simply waiting for an elevator, Weissenbach continued, I can only hope this resolution is able to bring some closure and healing to the family that misses him daily.

Oden has been sentenced to 50 years to life after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and admitting the firearm enhancement. Both charges have a consequence of 25 years to life in prison. Oden also was sentenced to three years in state prison to run concurrently with his 50-to-life prison sentence after pleading guilty to the 2016 robbery.

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Anura Kumara Dissanayake comes out of his party office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sept. 22, 2024. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, candidate of National People's Power, emerged as the winner in the presidential election in Sri Lanka held on Saturday, the Election Commission confirmed Sunday. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Anura Kumara Dissanayake, candidate of National People's Power, emerged as the winner in the presidential election in Sri Lanka held on Saturday, the Election Commission confirmed Sunday.

Given that no candidate secured more than 50 percent of the votes, the Election Commission counted the second and third preferences of the two leading candidates, the first time in history of Sri Lankan presidential election.

Dissanayake obtained 5,634,915 votes in the first count and 105,264 preferential votes during the second count.

His main opponent, candidate of opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sajith Premadasa, obtained 4,363,035 votes in the first count and 167,867 preferential votes in the second count.

In a post on social media platform "X" (formerly Twitter) after the release of election results, Dissanayake said, "The millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history."

"This dream can only be realized with a fresh start. The unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of this new beginning. The New Renaissance we seek will rise from this shared strength and vision," he posted.

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe failed with a total of 2,299,767 votes.

According to the President's Media Division, Wickremesinghe delivered a special address after the results came out.

He said that the people of the country have made their decision at this presidential election, and they must respect their decision and act according to that mandate to ensure the functioning of the country.

"I was eventually able to carry the dear child called Sri Lanka along a long distance safely on the dangerous rope bridge. Close to the very end of the rope bridge, people have decided to hand over the dear child called Sri Lanka to President Anura Dissanayake," he said.

"I wish that you will be able to carry this child away from the bridge to the other bank, even safer than the way I carried the child," said Wickremesinghe. 
Motorcyclist dead after crashing into wall, police in east Las Vegas valley: police

UPDATE: The Clark County Coroners office identified the motorcyclist as 41-year-old Juan Quintanar of Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A motorcyclist is dead after crashing into a wall and a pole in the east Las Vegas valley, according to Metro police.

On Sunday around 5:40 p.m., police responded to a report of a crash involving a motorcycle on East Sahara Avenue west of Walnut Road near Lamb Boulevard.

Evidence at the scene and witness statements showed that a Kawasaki EX250-J failed to negotiate a curve and drove off the road hitting a brick retaining wall and a wooden utility pole, police said.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. This death marks the 111th traffic-related fatality in LVMPDs jurisdiction for 2024.

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SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Spartanburg Sunday afternoon.

According to Spartanburg County Highway Patrol, a 2019 Ford pickup was traveling north on Parris Bridge Road, approximately three miles north of Boiling Springs, around 5:50 p.m.

A motorcyclist on a 2014 Kawasaki was traveling west on Fish Camp Road and attempted to enter the roadway on Parris Bridge Road when they were struck by the pickup. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Spartanburg County Coroners Office identified the victim as 26-year-old James Robert Cole Mattison of Chesnee.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Police say a man shot at another mans apartment after the two got into an argument in the pool area.

At 6:14 p.m., officers responded to a shots fired call in the 200 block of S Front St.

They were told that the suspect, a bald 58 man wearing a brown shirt and black shorts, was still in the area.

When officers arrived, the complainant told them that the suspect was located in the first-level hallway on the northeast corner of one of the apartment buildings.

They found the suspect without incident. In his right pocket, the suspect had a Ruger LCP with a .380 auto live rounds.

Officers managed to detain the suspect and secure the firearm.

The suspect admitted to officers that he was the one who fired shots in the apartment complex and later told officers that some individuals in the pool attacked him. He added that that made him feel threatened and led him to fire the shots.

He claimed that someone else had fired shots at him.

He also said that he was tired of being disrespected by the white people and had gotten into a physical altercation with a man with dreads.

Officers noticed the suspect had a scratch on his left elbow but no other injuries.

Downtowners duck for cover as shots fired on Front Street

A witness showed officers a video of the suspect yelling while at the pool but it did not show any specific individuals being involved.

While on the scene officers spoke with multiple residents and at no time did anyone claim to see anyone else other than the suspect fire shots in the complex.

Officers then spoke with a witness who said that while she was walking her dog, she heard a disturbance in the pool area.

She said that she came to the pool area and saw the suspect agitated and yelling. She said that she tried to calm him down.

She told officers that she saw the suspect pull a gun from his waistband, point the weapon toward one of the apartments and fire three shots.

The witness said she left the scene once the shooting started.

.Officers spoke with another witness who claimed to be friends with the suspect.

He told them that he had heard the disturbance and the first three shots and went to the pool area to check out what had happened.

He said he located the suspect and saw him agitated and upset about the people who were staying in the Airbnb.

He said the suspect then pulled out a gun and fired a single shot into the apartment that had previously been shot.

The witness said at that point he panicked and fled the pool area.

Man dead after overnight shooting

Officers then spoke with another witness, the man who was pointed out by the suspect as the one who had dreads.

He told them that he, his girlfriend and her son lived in the apartment that was shot at. He said that approximately one hour before the shooting he had a verbal altercation with the suspect.

He claimed that the suspect was in the pool area yelling profanities and creating a disturbance.

He said that he told the suspect to stop causing the disturbance and that they had a child in their apartment. He denied having a physical altercation with the suspect but instead left with his girlfriend and son to go to Beale Street.

He said he was not in the apartment during the shooting.

Other residents told officers that their apartments were struck by bullets, including one woman who claimed it caused $500 worth of damage to her apartment window and walls.

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MS Coast authorities are investigating two shootings in Gulfport. What we know

A shooting suspect turned himself in on Tuesday after he allegedly fired multiple times at a person and struck a nearby building during an argument on Monday, Gulfport Police said.

The shooting was the first of two reported Monday in Gulfport.

Police were first called at 9:05 a.m. to the 10500 block of Three Rivers Road, Gulfport police said in a news release.

During an argument, police say 18-year-old Caden Mikael Minner-Hall allegedly went inside a home, got a rifle and fired multiple times at a victim.

No one was injured in the shooting, police Lt. Jason DuCre said Monday. One bullet struck a nearby building with employees inside, police said. It was not immediately clear what the argument was about or what business the bullet struck.

Hall faces one count of aggravated assault and one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling.

Shooting at convenience store on Dedeaux Road

Police also responded Monday afternoon to a shooting on Dedeaux Road.

Police were called at 3:56 p.m. to the 13000 block of Dedeaux Road near a Big Boy convenience store, DuCre said.

No injuries were reported.

By 6 p.m., it was still unclear what caused the shooting, DuCre said. He said bullets struck a car and nearby buildings, and authorities found over 20 shell casings at the scene.

Police were looking for suspects and trying to interview witnesses Monday evening, DuCre said.

Authorities responded in June to the same area after four suspects exchanged gunfire in the parking lot of the Big Boy store, police said. Detectives in the area witnessed part of that shooting, police said, and the gunfire also hit an unmarked detectives vehicle. Police charged four juveniles in the drive-by shooting case.

Police ask anyone with information on either Monday shooting to contact the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.
Multi-vehicle crash causes significant delays on I-81 in Lebanon County

LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A multi-vehicle crash is causing significant delays on I-81 in Lebanon County on Monday, according to PennDOT.

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PennDOT said the crash occurred at 12:31 p.m. on I-81 southbound just 1.3 miles south of Exit 85 to Annville and Indiantown Gap. A lane restriction is in place.

Images from 511PA show Bordnersville to Fort Indiantown Gap. Its unclear when the roadway will fully reopen.

No injuries have been reported.

Drivers should take note of the accident when traveling.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Muscogee County Sheriffs Office to host firearm class for the community

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Muscogee County Sheriffs Office is holding a Civilian Firearms course for people in the community to learn how to protect themselves.

According to Capt. Anthony Humphries, the Civilian Firearms course will include firearm safety, the fundamentals of firearms and a half day of shooting at the offices firing range.

The classes will be on Oct. 22 and Oct. 26.

Those interested can visit the training tab on the Muscogee County Sheriffs Office website 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 WRBL.
Well, this one probably wasnt on your election bingo card.

Amer Ghalibthe Muslim mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, which since 2021 has also been governed by a city council made up of exclusively Muslim officialson Sunday announced his endorsement of Donald Trump.

President Trump and I may not agree on everything, but I know he is a man of principles. Though its looking good, he may or may not win the election and be the 47th president of the United States, but I believe he is the right choice for this critical time, Ghalib wrote in a Facebook post. Ill not regret my decision no matter what the outcome would be, and Im ready to face the consequences.

Laura Loomer Denies Claims of Affair With Trump (Again) in Toxic Tirade Against Kamala Harris

Trump has since reposted Ghalibs endorsement on his Truth Social platform, incidentally just hours after another post in which he thanked the emir and prime minister of Qatar for attending a meeting at Mar-a-Lago.

Neither the Qatari officials nor the mayor of Hamtramck appear to have been deterred by the Republican candidates long history of Islamophobic remarks and actions.

Trump Launches Cryptic Islamophobic Attack on Biden

By way of a quick recap, Trumps anti-Muslim sentiment featured prominently in his promotion of the Birther conspiracy theory about the racial, national, and religious heritage of former President Barack Obama.

In the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, Trump variously floated the possibility of creating a national database of all Muslims in the U.S. and closing the nations mosques, as well as claiming to have seen thousands of Muslims cheering as the World Trade Center came down on Sept. 11, 2001.

Hate Crimes Spiked After Trumps Anti-Muslim Tweets, Study Finds

As president, he also advocated for the indiscriminate execution of extremist Islamist terrorists relatives and issued a short-lived travel ban for citizens of six Muslim-majority countries.

Trump also hosted neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes for a private dinner at the White House in November 2022, defended violent 2017 Unite the Right protesters in Charlottesville as very fine people, and invited self-professed white supremacist Laura Loomer to travel on his private plane this month.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The News

Myanmars bloody civil war is obstructing Beijings plans for a major trade route, the BBC reported, obstructing construction efforts and putting the key economic project at risk.

The Chinese-Myanmar Economic Corridor was intended to give Myanmar access to global markets via the Indian Ocean, uplifting the impoverished nation as well as supporting Chinas investments in energy and the mining of lucrative rare earth minerals.

But in the three years since a 2021 coup removed Myanmars elected leader, the ruling military junta has lost control of much of the country putting the multibillion-dollar project at risk.





SIGNALS

Chinas policy of hedging its bets is proving a strategic headache

Sources: War on the Rocks, BBC, Fulcrum

Chinas backing of both sides in Myanmar is nothing new, China analyst Lucas Myers argued for War on the Rocks. Beijings policy on Myanmar has long been a hedging strategy since the civil war broke out in 2021, Myers wrote, allowing China to ensure that whatever happens it comes out on top. However, with fighting in Myanmar boiling over, and an ongoing scandal of Burmese cyber scammers trafficking hundreds of thousands of Chinese nationals across the border, Beijing is facing a strategic headache in managing  and arming  both the junta and the opposition rebels. Such vested interest in Myanmars stability could make China the most likely external force to negotiate peace, Fulcrum, a research site focused on Southeast Asia argued, but potentially exploitative interests may not deliver the most beneficial resolution for Myanmar itself.





Beijing fears for its energy supply chains

Sources: Italian Institute for International Political Studies, Wilson Center, Chatham House

Chinas development of economic corridors in the region forms part of Beijings goal to influence the power dynamics in South Asia and beyond, according to the Italian Institute for International Political Studies. In particular, China is concerned about its energy supply chains, which are reliant on the 800km Malacca Strait located between Malaysia and Indonesia. Ninety percent of Chinas trade came by sea in 2022, and Chinas dependency on foreign oil is predicted to reach 80% by 2030, meaning that Beijing is set to move heaven and earth to mitigate the Malacca Straits and its potential chokepoint, analyst Myers wrote for The Wilson Center, a DC think tank, in 2021. The China-Myanmar trade route would, if completed, allow China to import vast quantities of oil and gas overland from the resource-rich nation, and in turn develop an expanded, interdependent market for China, adding to its economic and political power, Chatham House, a UK think tank, wrote.
The necklace, which is composed of three rows of diamonds finished with a diamond tassel at each end, will make its first public appearance in 50 years (HENRY NICHOLLS) (HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP/AFP)

A mysterious 18th century necklace made from around 500 diamonds, some of which are believed to have been taken from a piece that contributed to Marie Antoinette's demise, will go on sale in November, Sotheby's said on Monday.

The piece, from a private Asian collection, will go under the hammer in Geneva on November 11, with online bidding opening on the auction house's website on October 25.

The necklace, which is composed of three rows of diamonds finished with a diamond tassel at each end, will make its first public appearance in 50 years on Monday, and is expected to fetch between $1.8 and $2.8 million.

"It's a wonderful find because, normally, jewellery in the 18th century was broken up in order to be repurposed... so to have an intact piece of the Georgian period of this importance, this amount of carats... is absolutely fabulous," Andres White Correal, chairman of the Sotheby's jewelry department, told AFP.

"The jewel has passed from families to families. We can start at the early 20th century when it was part of the collection of the Marquesses of Anglesey," he added.

Members of this aristocratic family are believed to have worn the jewel twice in public: once at the 1937 coronation of King George VI and once at his daughter Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953.

Beyond that, little is known of the necklace, including who designed it and for whom it was commissioned, although the auction house believes that such an impressive antique jewel could only have been created for a royal family.

It probably would have been made during the decade preceding the French Revolution, it added.

It is thought that some of the diamonds may have come from the famous necklace linked to what became the scandal of the "Affair of the Necklace", which contributed to the advent of the French Revolution and eventually Marie-Antoinette's death, said Sotheby's.

The auction house said the diamonds are likely to have been sourced "from the legendary Golconda mines in India".

The diamonds from Golconda are still considered to be the purest and most dazzling ever mined.

The necklace will be on public display in London until Wednesday before beginning a tour that will take it to Hong Kong, New York and Taiwan.

jwp/bc
Melania Trump was paid $237,500 to speak at a fundraiser for the LGBTQ+ conservative group Log Cabin Republicans this year, but the source of the six-figure paycheck is a mystery.

According to Donald Trumps latest financial disclosure form, the former first lady, who has been notably absent from her husbands presidential campaign efforts, was paid to participate in a speaking engagement for the conservative LGBTQ group at Mar-a-Lago in April.

The disclosure listed the Log Cabin Republicans as the moneys source. But Charles Moran, the organizations president, claimed otherwise, telling CNN that the group did not cut Melanias check.

The former first has a history of being paid in political events, having received $155,000 from a Trump-aligned super PAC for a speech she gave in 2021. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The former first lady hosted a second Log Cabin Republicans event in July at her New York City penthouse, but it is unknown if she was financially compensated for her participation. The Trump campaign has not yet released the financial disclosure for that period, although, a source familiar with the situation said a similar request for payment was made to a donor ahead of the fundraiser.

The same source said Ric Grenell, former ambassador to Germany and Trump ally, allegedly operated on Melanias behalf in the business deal.

Grenell posted on X in July about the Log Cabin Republicans event, writing that the former first lady opened her NYC Penthouse tonight to raise money for the group.

Its the first campaign event ever held at the Trump residence, he continued. And we raised $1.4 million in one night. Our goal is to get 50% of the gay vote for Donald Trump.

. @MELANIATRUMP opened her NYC Penthouse tonight to raise money for @LogCabinGOP.



Its the first campaign event ever held at the Trump residence.



And we raised $1.4 million in one night.



Our goal is to get 50% of the gay vote for Donald Trump.  Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) July 9, 2024

Melania has a history of being paid to participate in political events, having received $155,000 from a Trump-aligned super PAC, Make America Great Again, Again, for a 2021 speech she gave in Palm Beach, Florida prior to her husbands third presidential campaign announcement.

Her ties to Log Cabin Republican events began in 2021 when she was the guest of honor at the groups annual Spirit of Lincoln Gala. The following year, Melania received $250,000 for an event put on by the group after the former president announced his re-election bid. That event was one of three in 2022 for which she received at least a quarter million dollars to attend, the other two being an engagement in Florida and an evening for a California group, Fix California, founded by Grenell.

Sources also allege that Grenell has assisted the former first lady with other business ventures.

In 2022, Melania Trump was paid upwards of $250,000 dollars to attend and event for Fix California, a group founded by Ric Grenell. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

While former government officials having speaking and appearance fees for events aside from political fundraisers is unprecedented, spokespeople for Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Bill Clinton say they were not paid for any fundraising appearances during a political campaign.

As for Melanias motives, Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump White House press secretary and top aide to former first lady turned Trump critic, said, Shes been so disconnected with this campaign and so absent that I could see her saying, If Im going to put my time in, I will get paid for this.

Even when we were in the White House, she was always so concerned about people making money off of her because she felt it was money she should be earning, Grisham added.

Who Gives a F*** About Christmas? Melania Trump Does Now

The former first lady has her hands in a multitude of side hustles, the most recent being Christmas ornaments, jewelry, and a memoir. Over the past year, Melania earned more than $330,000 through a licensing agreement connected to digital trading cards, also known as NFTs.

She will reportedly sit for her first interview in more than two years to promote her upcoming tell-all book, slated for release on Oct. 8, with Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt on Thursday.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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By Leyla Tarverdiyeva, Day.az





The past week has been eventful. Including on the transport and logistics track.

The international conference "Black Sea-Caspian Logistics Forum 2024: Corridors, cargo, infrastructure" was held in Baku, and the creation of the International Association "Eurasian Transport Route" was discussed. They talked about the possibilities of developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (MTM, Middle Corridor), the potential of Azerbaijan as a transit hub, maritime transportation, and so on.





Important points: Ukraine, after the restoration of ferry service with Georgia, wants to become part of the Middle Corridor; Azerbaijan and China are discussing the possibility of increasing the number of railway routes to Europe; the Silk Road Railway is emerging; the Czech Republic is interested in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars joint venture; a new wave of development of the Middle Corridor is expected in 2025; MAERSK has focused on the development of transit route through the Middle Corridor; Austria has declared its readiness to contribute to the Middle Corridor .





The International Association "Eurasian Transport Route" will be established soon on the initiative of Azerbaijan. The principles of operation and the charter of the structure were discussed in Baku at the end of last week. The participants of the meetings spoke about the role of Azerbaijan as the main link between Europe and Asia and welcomed its initiative as very timely. Because transportation between China and Europe is growing, and transit countries must respond promptly to these trends. Freight transportation in the world is growing by 5 percent annually, and the global rail transportation market is estimated at $300 billion. By 2025, global cargo turnover is expected to reach 12 trillion tonne-kilometers, and by 2050 - 28 trillion tonne-kilometers. So a seamless Eurasian railway is exactly what the region needs today.





On September 20, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor for the China-Europe railway express was launched in a solemn ceremony in the Chinese city of Xi'an. The train of 55 40-foot containers will pass through TMTM, following the route Xi'an-Altynkol-Aktau-Baku-Poti-Burgas-Belgrade-Hamburg and the final point will be Budapest.





The noticeable activation of China in the Middle Corridor since the beginning of the year is noteworthy. In 2024, China significantly increased its contribution to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. This can be judged by the latest data published by the Kazakh media. It is reported that in early September, the 200th container train from Chinese Xi'an arrived at the port of Aktau and was reloaded to Azerbaijan since the beginning of the year. For comparison, 11 container trains passed through TMTM last year. That is, today we can already talk about a record.





As Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (AZD), said after the meeting of the heads of railway administrations of 7 countries in Baku on Friday, up to 1,000 container trains per year can depart from China along the Middle Corridor. According to him, in 8 months of this year, more than two hundred block trains have already passed through the Middle Corridor from China, which is equivalent to 420 thousand tons of cargo. The first container train from the port of Xi'an followed this route in March. The head of the AZHD noted that on average trains go from China to Azerbaijan within 8-10 days, and they reach the ports of Georgia in 12 days. It is expected that 300 container trains from China will pass through TMTM by the end of the year.





The increased activity of China is beneficial to all participating countries of the project. China is one of the largest economies in the world, accounting for more than 18 percent of global GDP. Despite everything, China remains one of the largest trading partners of the European Union. For the EU, this route is also relevant in the light of the increased interest of European countries in the resources of Central Asia. This factor allows us to expect that even in the case of serious problems between the West and China, the Middle Corridor will be in demand. But these are only probabilities, because the trade turnover between Europe and China is growing, to the delight of transit countries as well. China is betting on TMTM, which means that the route will work.





China is interested in increasing the flow of goods through the Eurasian region and joining the Eurasian Transport Route Association. This was stated by the head of the Chinese Railway Container Transportation Corporation Yang Bing during consultations in Baku. He noted that 40 Chinese cities are connected to 225 European cities through various transport routes, among which the Middle Corridor has become the most important.





During the SCO summit in Astana in July, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev launched the shipment of goods along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. A block train and a cargo truck that left China at the end of June arrived at the Kazakh ports of Aktau and Kuryk, from where they were ferried to Azerbaijan, and from there they delivered goods to Europe through Georgia and Turkiye. The Chinese Railway Group announced that it has identified 87 routes for trains traveling from China to Europe, and has also stepped up efforts to organize the movement of China-Europe and China-Asia trains by TMTM. In addition, the China-Europe train timetable has been expanded.

In August of this year, a Memorandum of Understanding was approved between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route for the China-Europe railway express. Recently, a similar document was also signed between China and Georgia.





According to the estimates of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), by 2040 up to 470 thousand containers will be transported along the Trans-Caspian International transport route, and up to 800 thousand, taking into account the logistics capabilities of Central Asian countries. In the first half of 2024, container shipments have already increased by more than 70 percent compared to the same period last year. The increase in the volume of container traffic through TMTM became possible, including thanks to the agreement between Kazakhstan and China on the development of the route, signed in October last year. As part of the agreement, it is planned to increase cargo traffic to 10 million tons by 2027, and increase the total speed of cargo passage from China to Europe to 12-13 days.





For its part, Azerbaijan continues to create conditions for trade routes passing through its territory to be profitable and efficient and remain interesting for such a power as China.





As President Ilham Aliyev noted earlier, one of the priorities facing us is the expansion of the East-West transport corridor. Due to additional investments by Azerbaijan, the annual capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which is an integral part of the Middle Corridor, has been increased from 1 million to 5 million tons. Azerbaijan, which owns more than 50 merchant ships in the Caspian Sea, provides important transit services to the Turkic states. Taking into account the growth in cargo transportation, six more vessels are currently being built at the Baku Shipyard. The capacity of the international commercial port of Alat will be expanded from 15 million to 25 million tons.





By the way, about the courts. Recently, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan agreed to jointly build ferries. In addition, the parties will jointly build a warehouse infrastructure and create a joint venture for the development of TMTM transportation.

TMTM is also supported by the West, which makes the prospects of the route even clearer.





On September 17, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who arrived in the region, met with the heads of Central Asian states in Astana. During the meeting, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that further development of the Middle Corridor, including in terms of modernization and digitalization of ports of the Caspian Sea, construction of cargo terminals, opens up wide investment opportunities. According to him, further integration of the transport and logistics systems of Central Asia and Europe remains an urgent task. From this point of view, Kazakhstan welcomes the decision of the European partners to allocate 10 billion euros within the framework of the Global Gateway program for the development of the Middle Corridor. Kazakhstan is counting on Germany's assistance in linking this route with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and the Global Gateway strategy.




CANBERRA, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has announced additional humanitarian support for Gaza.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy on Monday said Australia will provide an additional 10 million Australian dollars (6.8 million U.S. dollars) in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

They said in a joint statement that the funding will be directed to UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and will provide lifesaving assistance -- including nutrition support and hygiene and dignity kits -- with a focus on women and girls.

"Australia's support will help address the dire humanitarian situation with the delivery of nutrition and essential hygiene and health products," Wong said.

"Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must reach civilians, and aid workers must be protected to enable their lifesaving work.

"We continue to press for a ceasefire, the protection of civilians and the release of hostages."

It takes the total amount of funding committed by Australia to provide humanitarian assistance in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack to 82.5 million AUD (56.2 million USD).

Conroy described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic and said civilians should not be made to pay the price for the acts of others. 
A Black man is scheduled to be lynched tomorrow. But he is innocent. DNA evidence proves it.

Governor Mike Parson can stop this execution before it is too late.

In 1998, Mr. Marcellus Williams was wrongfully accused of killing Felicia Gayle. And he has spent 24 years in prison despite not committing this crime.

According to the prosecuting attorney of the county of St. Louis, none of this physical evidence tied Mr. Williams to Ms. Gayles murder. He even filed a motion to reverse the conviction. So why is Mr. Williams scheduled to be executed tomorrow?

Killing Mr. Williams, a Black man who was wrongfully convicted of killing a White woman, would amount to a horrible miscarriage of justice and a perpetuation of the worst of Missouris past. Taking the life of Marcellus Williams would be an unequivocal statement that when a White woman is killed, a Black man must die. And any Black man will do.

Weve seen this before in the darkest moments of American history.

As noted by the Death Penalty Information Center: Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, at least 60 Black Missourians were killed in lynchings, making it the state with the second highest number of racial terror lynchings outside of the South.

In 1909, the NAACP was founded in response to the lynchings that took place across our country  the baseless killings of Black people for no reason other than being Black. That was in 1909. We are now in 2024, and we still have to fight against the barbaric killing of Black people.

According to the University of Birmingham, at least one in 10 people who are executed have been proven innocent. Mr. Williams will be one of those wrongfully killed unless Governor Mike Parson steps in.

In 2017, Republican Governor Eric Greitens granted a stay for Mr. Williams after reviewing the DNA evidence, which found no trace of Williams DNA on the knife used to kill Gayle. Does this DNA evidence suddenly not matter anymore?

Everybody agrees  the prosecutors, the victims family, the jurors, Williams attorneys  that he is innocent. The facts prove it. No one wants him to die. There is no just reason for him to be scheduled for execution tomorrow.

This is not an issue of ideology. Nor is it a conservative issue or a progressive issue. Its about right versus wrong. Its about the innocent life that will be snuffed out without due cause.

Governor Parson, you have both the capability and the responsibility to halt Mr. Williams execution and ensure Missouri isnt complicit in our countrys dark past of lynching. Let us turn away and rebuke the times when Black men were killed for no reason.

Governor Parson, please give me a phone call. Lets discuss this case before you consign an innocent man to death. Governor Parson, your legacy is on the line here. Will you be remembered as the leader who stands against injustice? Or will your governorship be forever tainted by the blood of an innocent man?

Do the right thing.

Whichever you decide, America is watching. Missouri is watching. And we will never forget which decision you make.

Derrick Johnson is the President and CEO of the NAACP, Americas oldest and largest civil rights organization. Johnson is a resident of Jackson, Mississippi.
Erez Regev at his farm in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights (Jalaa MAREY) (Jalaa MAREY/AFP/AFP)

On October 7, Hamas militants stormed across the Gaza border to carry out the deadliest attack on Israel in its history, traumatising the nation and sparking a devastating war.

Ahead of the attack's first anniversary, AFP spoke to three Israelis to find out how their lives have been impacted.

Here are their stories:

- The reservist colonel -

Reservist Colonel Erez Regev headed to Gaza to fight in the first days of the war, leaving his farm, vegetable shop and restaurant in his wife Yael's care.

"For the first four months we didn't even go home," the father-of-five said.

His large date and mango plantations and his greenhouse in the northern region of the Golan, captured from Syria in 1967, need constant supervision.

These dozens of acres of agricultural land, an investment of "hundreds of thousands of shekels", occupy his mind.

At the same time, Regev is "intensely busy with the military campaign and the fighting. Everything there is dramatic and fateful, with lives at stake."

And when he does go home on leave, he says he "can't sleep because my guys are fighting".

"You live in two worlds that are completely different. There are major significant things that affect you in both," he said, adding that it was the same for other reservists in his unit, be they farmers, bankers or teachers.

"In the end, I just want to return to the tomato greenhouses, and take my child in the morning to pick mangoes," he said.

Regev believes the war against Hamas is the only way to bring back the stability he needs.

"The war is already very long... but in the end we want security," he said.

He wants to know "that I can plant tomatoes and that I'll be here in two months to pick them".

- The music festival survivor -

Nitsan Peeri was at the Nova music festival in southern Israel when Hamas gunmen attacked it in a brutal rampage.

"I haven't fully processed it yet, and I'm still disconnected," the 33-year-old said.

She and two friends sped away in their car when rockets fell on the festival grounds at 6:29 am on October 7, not realising that Palestinian militants were also moving towards them.

At least 370 people were killed at the festival, official Israeli figures show.

It took Peeri 12 hours to get home that day, sometimes driving off-road to avoid danger.

She has since struggled with "loneliness, grief, loss and nightmares".

She and her partner were engaged and living together, but after October 7, they broke up.

Peeri shuttered her hairdressing business for months, unable to bring herself to work.

She said she dealt with "episodes of crisis and feeling on edge... being irritable and sad" -- mood swings that many trauma survivors experience.

Desperate to heal, Peeri tries to keep busy.

She goes surfing twice a week and hopes that eventually she will find peace and professional fulfilment, "and experience that entire package of life".

- The activist -

"Nothing has changed. Things just became worse," said the activist Kalanit Sharon of how she views Israeli politics.

"So it just became more important to do what we do," added the 33-year-old artist and founder of the Pink Front, a collective of Israeli activists that has opposed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government since 2020.

In the impasse over the fate of scores of Israeli hostages that militants are still holding in Gaza, the activists see a symptom of Israeli government corruption.

Despite the pain, Sharon says that her collective aims to inspire hope.

The artists she works with have regularly attended large protests demanding that the government accept a ceasefire deal in exchange for the hostages' release.

They wear pink outfits, wave pink flags and beat pink drums to stand out from the crowd and symbolise hopes for a brighter future.

In the immediate aftermath of October 7, her group helped provide food and shelter to some of those forced by the attack to flee their homes in southern Israel.

"People just came to us because it made them feel better," she said.

Sharon said she has no plan to stop her activism.

"We think we have to do it until this government goes," she said.

burs-lba/jd/srm/ser
A national dining event from the James Beard Foundation (JBF) is heading to Detroit for the first time. The foundations Taste America event brings together and celebrates local, independent restaurants and talented chefs amid an evening of specially curated food and drink.

Chef Omar Anani owner of Saffron de Twah, a modern halal Moroccan bistro, is teaming up with chef Kiki Louya, executive director of the Detroit Food Academy for the upcoming event. Both chefs are well-known in the community, Anani for his charitable initiative, Saffron Community Kitchen, and Louya for her work inspiring young Detroiters through culinary arts and food entrepreneurship.

Omar Anani is the owner of Saffron de Twah in Detroit and hosting James Beard Foundation's Taste of America Dinner on Oct. 9.

"We are thrilled to host Taste America in Detroit and celebrate the citys distinct and vibrant local food culture through the work of our phenomenal TasteTwenty chef, Omar Anani from Saffron De Twah, said Siobhan Flaherty Haber, vice president of events at the James beard foundation, in a news release.

More: Takoi in Detroit celebrates 10 years with tasting menu, special events, tour

More: Takoi chef and owner's journey marked by many changes since food truck humble beginnings

The dinner, known as the TasteTwenty, takes place Oct. 9 at Saffron de Twah  a past Detroit Free Press Best New Restaurant  at 7636 Gratiot Ave., Detroit.

The one-of-kind, multi-course dinner will have 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. seatings. In addition, there will be wine pairings and cocktails.

Kiki Louya of Detroit Food Academy is collaborating on a James Beard Foundation dinner at Saffron de Twah.

Heres the menu Anani and Louya have curated for the event:

First course Lamb Shishbarak: Palestinian lamb dumplings with garlic yogurt sauce and fresh mint

Second courseRaw collard green salad with tonnato, lemon breadcrumbs, and radish

Third courseSamak Bi Tahini with Sayadiya: tahini-glazed roasted wild-caught salmon with pomegranate-walnut salsa and fish stock rice pilaf

DessertApple cider puff doughnuts with labneh mousse and fennel sugar

Across the 20 U.S. restaurants selected for this years event, they share a mission of Good Food For Good. At the chef dinners, there are walk-around tastings with the chefs showcasing their culinary creativity and diverse communities.Anani is part of the JBF 2024-2025 TasteTwenty class. Those selected for the annual class are considered ones to watch and recognized for exceptional culinary talent and leadership in the industry.

An award-winning chef, Ananis accolades include being a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef Great Lakes region for two consecutive years to a win on the Food Networks Chopped: All American Showdown."

For his efforts in helping feed metro Detroiters in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anani was named a Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Food Fighter. In 2020, Saffron De Twah landed as the No. 3 Best New Restaurant by the Detroit Free Press and Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers.

Louya is the former chef/owner of Corktowns Folk & the Farmers Hand and was a Top Chef season 18 contestant. She also was recognized as one of 16 Black Chefs Changing Food in America by the New York Times. Louya is also a JBF bootcamp alum.

Tickets for the Taste America Detroit dinner are $150 per person and are available at jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Local Detroit chefs showcase talents for national dining event
Nine high-ranking former national security and military officials who signed a letter Sunday endorsing Vice President Harris run for the Oval Office also signed a letter nearly four years ago dismissing Hunter Bidens infamous laptop as Russian disinformation ahead of the 2020 election, Fox News Digital found.

A group called the National Security Leaders for America, which bills itself as a bipartisan group of former senior military and national security leaders, published a letter Sunday endorsing Harris for the White House. A total of 741 former high-ranking national security officials signed the letter.

Fox News Digital pored through the list of signatories and found nine of the former national security chiefs who endorsed Harris also signed a letter in 2020 discounting Hunter Bidens laptop as Russian disinformation  before media outlets authenticated the laptop after the 2020 election and the FBI ultimately cited the laptop as legitimate in Hunter Bidens criminal trial earlier this year.

The signatories who signed both the 2020 letter and the endorsement of Harris include: former Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper; former CIA Director Michael V. Hayden; former CIA Director Leon E. Panetta; former CIA Director John Brennan; former Acting CIA Director John E. McLaughlin; former CIA chief of staff Laurence M. Pfeiffer; former Department of Defense chief of staff Jeremy Bash; CIA chief of station John Sipher; and former National Intelligence Council Chair Gregory Frye Treverton.

TRUMP CIA CHIEF KNEW ABOUT INFAMOUS LETTER DISMISSING BIDEN LAPTOP AS PROPAGANDA BEFORE PUBLICATION: REPORT

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper

Ahead of the 2020 election, the New York Post published a bombshell report on the contents of Hunter Bidens laptop.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP RE-EMERGES AS MEDIA EMBARRASSMENT AS IT BECOMES KEY EVIDENCE AT GUN TRIAL

Fifty-one former intelligence officials, however, soon after released a statement on Oct. 19, 2020, discounting the laptop as having "all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation" in a bid to discredit the New York Posts report at the time.

The laptop came into public view after the first son left it at a Delaware repair shop ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

The former military chiefs' 2020 letter played a key role in many media outlets turning their backs on reporting on the laptop as legitimate, as well as providing President Biden with political ammunition to downplay the laptop during his debate against former President Trump during the last election cycle.

Liberal media outlets, however, changed their tune in 2022 after newspapers such as the Washington Post and New York Times authenticated thousands of his emails on the laptop. The laptop also re-emerged this year when the first son faced a criminal trial in Delaware over his purchase of a firearm in 2018 while he was reeling from a crack cocaine addiction. The trial, which found Hunter guilty on all counts, formally entered the laptop into evidence and was confirmed by the FBI as legitimate.

FLASHBACK: MSNBC, CNN, CBS TOLD VIEWERS HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY WAS RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION

Former CIA Director John Brennan

VIDEO GOES VIRAL OF DEMOCRATS, MEDIA MEMBERS DOUBTING HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP

The former chiefs' 2020 letter made headlines again this year when a joint report released by three House panels alleged that active CIA contractors "coordinated" with the 2020 Biden campaign just weeks ahead of that years election "to discredit serious allegations about Biden family influence peddling" connected to Hunters laptop when the 51 former intelligence officials released a statement dismissing the laptop.

President Biden and Vice President Harris

Fast-forward to Sunday and the 2024 election, the letter endorsing Harris and signed by hundreds of former national security leaders, including nine from the 2020 letter, lauded her as "prepared and strategic" while slamming Trump as "impulsive and ill-informed."

5 TAKES ON THE HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP THAT HAVE AGED POORLY

"We are former public servants who swore an oath to the Constitution. Many of us risked our lives for it. We are retired generals, admirals, senior noncommissioned officers, ambassadors, and senior civilian national security leaders. We are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. We are loyal to the ideals of our nationlike freedom, democracy, and the rule of lawnot to any one individual or party," the letter published Sunday endorsing Harris reads.

Vice President Harris, Hunter Biden and President Biden

"We do not agree on everything, but we all adhere to two fundamental principles. First, we believe Americas national security requires a serious and capable Commander-in-Chief. Second, we believe American democracy is invaluable. Each generation has a responsibility to defend it. That is why we, the undersigned, proudly endorse Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States," it added.

National Security Leaders for America president Rear Admiral Michael Smith, USN (Ret.) defended the nine signatories in comment to Fox Digital on Sunday evening, arguing the 2020 letter was "well-reasoned but ultimately incorrect."

"One well-reasoned but ultimately incorrect assessment does not undermine a lifetime's worth of public service. Their assertion that former President Trump is uncommitted to democracy and unprepared to be Commander-in-Chief is well-founded, as is their assessment of Vice President Harris as a strategic and knowledgeable leader."





Original article source: National security chiefs on letter backing Kamala Harris include many who signed infamous Hunter Biden doc
One section of the Wolf's Lair museum is dedicated to the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, in which Poland rose up against the German occupation. Over 200,000 Poles paid for this with their lives. Joachim Hauck/dpa

I get goosebumps and my stomach sinks when I stand at the entrance to the Wolf's Lair, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's war headquarters.

Here the Fuhrer lived from 1940 to 1944, directing the Nazis in World War II and the Holocaust that led to the deaths of some 6 million European Jews.

Overall, World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history, killing some 7085 million people.

Here at the entrance to Hitler's headquarters, my father stood guard, some 80 years ago.

He told me about it, once I was old enough.

He was a sergeant in the Greater Germany Guard Regiment. His job involved greeting incoming and outgoing Nazi celebrities briskly, while strictly controlling less famous visitors.

I did not know much more about my father's years during the war, until that day in the Wolf's Lair.

Then I became curious about what he thought about that time, and how he survived.

Like many from his generation, he seldom spoke about the Nazi dictatorship.

It wasn't until years later, while watching a TV documentary on the Stauffenberg assassination, that he casually mentioned, "I experienced that myself back then. You can't imagine what was going on with us guards."

Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg was a key figure in a conspiracy to kill Hitler in July 1944.

He placed the explosive charge that was to rid Germany of the Fuhrer, but the plot failed. All involved were jailed, tortured and executed after show trials.

My father never said anything more than those two dry sentences about one of the most important events in Germany's recent history.

Place of remembrance and commemoration

Hitler's headquarters in Poland were known as the Wolf's Lair, a name that speaks volumes about this military situation centre for the German Wehrmacht, as the armed forces were known at the time.

For decades, the huge bunker complex hidden in the dense forest of Ketrzyn, in north-eastern Poland, lay abandoned and forgotten. However, it has since become a place of remembrance.

Think of places where we remember the victims of the war, such as the former concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald; or where we remember the perpetrators, at the Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg.

A place like the Wolf's Lair symbolizes both victims and perpetrators.

"A lot of emphasis has been placed here on a proper reappraisal of this period," says teacher Agnieszka Zduniak, who guides me through the complex.

The barracks' map room, where von Stauffenberg carried out the assassination attempt on Hitler, has been meticulously reconstructed by the Polish administration of the Wolf's Lair.

A life-size figure of Hitler stands in front of a heavy oak table where Stauffenberg placed his briefcase containing explosives before leaving the map room, on a pretext.

Tragically, though the bomb exploded, the large table mostly shielded Hitler who only suffered minor injuries.

Four officers who took part in the briefing were killed. Von Stauffenberg and three of his co-conspirators were arrested and executed in Berlin just hours after the failed assassination attempt.

Concrete wasteland shows megalomania

The Wolf's Lair was long virtually the second capital of the Third Reich, alongside Berlin.

Soon after the Wehrmacht invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, Hitler had his command centre set up in Masuria, in what was then East Prussia.

The headquarters was made up of 50 bunkers, 70 barracks for accommodation for the guards and Hitler's entourage, two airfields, a railway station and various positions for anti-aircraft guns.

Hitler spent more than 900 days here, directing the campaign of annihilation against the Soviet Union and brutal suppression of the Warsaw Uprising.

When Russian troops advanced into East Prussia in 1945, the dictator gave the order to raze the complex to the ground.

To this day, a vast concrete wasteland bears witness to the megalomania and contempt for humanity of the Nazi dictatorship.

The concrete walls and ceilings of the Fuhrerbunker were up to 9 metres thick to protect leading figures of the Nazi movement like Hermann Goring and foreign state guests such as the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and the Romanian leader Ion Antonescu.

The stories told by Zduniak and her colleague Iwona Krzyskowska make life in the bunker a little more tangible, sharing anecdotes that are not only part of contemporary history, but also a piece of my family history.

Their tales speak volumes. Because Hitler suffered from insomnia, his closest associates often had to listen to his endless monologues until dawn.

Whatever he said was written down by a small army of stenographers because Hitler believed he had to record it for posterity. Most of the notes were burnt, however, and only 1% survived and are stored in the German Federal Archives.

"Hitler didn't like living in the bunker even though he could live in 80 square metres of wood-panelled rooms with painted window and door simulations," Zduniak says.

He himself described his living conditions as "modest" and boasted that he lived "like his soldiers," overlooking the fact that they were fighting for their lives, not protected by such a massive concrete bunker.

My father and his comrades from the guard team would not have stood a chance in an air raid as their quarters were far outside the bunker area, I realize as I walk around the grounds.

Those who had to protect Hitler were never protected themselves.

Hitler's dog mattered most

Hitler was especially fond of his shepherd dog Blondie, which he trained in a meadow in front of his bunker and walked for hours on end.

"He once said that his dog was more important to him than all the people around him," says Agnieszka - a sentence that says everything about a dictator who was responsible for the deaths of so many millions of people.

The Wolf's Lair attracts 340,000 visitors every year, with many from Germany.

Most visitors are driven by genuine historical interest and curiosity.

However, amid the recent rise in far-right sentiment across Europe, there are concerns that some may be newly affiliated or former Nazis, though the exact numbers remain unclear.

Many tourists are drawn to the restored barracks that served as Adolf Hitler's wartime headquarters in north-eastern Poland. Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg was a key figure in a conspiracy to kill Hitler in July 1944 at this location. Joachim Hauck/dpa

The barracks' map room, where Claus Schenck Graf von Stauffenberg carried out a failed assassination attempt on Hitler, has been meticulously reconstructed. A life-size figure of Hitler stands in front of a heavy oak table where Stauffenberg placed his briefcase containing explosives before leaving the map room. Joachim Hauck/dpa
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  A North Carolina man has been ordered to more than $22 million in restitution following his conviction in what prosecutors are calling an attorney collection scheme.

In Sept. 2023, 49-year-old Omoyoma Christopher Okoro was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution, mail fraud affecting a financial institution, and bank fraud. In addition, he was also charged with two counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, one count of mail fraud affecting a financial institution, and one count of bank fraud.

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The United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Okoro has now been sentenced to 100 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $22.57 million in restitution.

Okoro, a naturalized U.S. citizen of Nigerian origin, resided in Nigeria before moving to the United States around 2013. Between 2006 and 2010, Okoro conspired with others to defraud attorneys located in the U.S. through what became known as the attorney collection scheme.

Through this scheme, attorneys in the United States were contacted by a prospective client in a foreign country who purported to be in need in legal representation. The client would typically claim to be owed money from someone in the U.S. resulting from a business transaction, settlement from a dispute, or an accident.

If an attorney responded to the initial inquiry, the attorney would then be told by the scammers that the other party had agreed to settle the matter and was prepared to make a payment. The attorney would receive a counterfeit check with instructions to deposit the check into their law firm escrow account. Attorneys would be told to keep a portion of the funds as payment for services and wire the balance to a foreign bank account, typically located in an East Asian country.

Woman charged with filing fraudulent deed on Raleigh dentists multi-million home

Once funds reached the foreign bank account, they were immediately withdrawn by a member of the conspiracy, generally before the attorney victim realize the check was counterfeit. The attorney and the attorneys bank would then be left responsible for the loss.

The evidence at trial showed Okoro communicating with numerous other members of the conspiracy. Prosecutors said Okoro was either the sender or recipient of emails confirming an attorney victim had wired funds to a foreign bank account. In addition, evidence at trial showed funds flowing back to Okoro from coconspirators located in the area of Toronto, where several key members of the conspiracy resided.

In total, it is believed that more than $23 million in fraudulent proceeds were actually obtained through the attorney collection scheme and more than $80 million in attempted fraud occurred.

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

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The North Carolina Museum of Art closed to the public Saturday because of a threat received through social media.

According to its website, the museum on Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh. will reopen Wednesday. It is normally closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

This is an ongoing criminal investigation, Lizzie Newton, a spokesperson, said Sunday.

State Capitol Police released a statement saying: State Capitol Police, with the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigation, is investigating a threat regarding the North Carolina Museum of Art that was communicated on Saturday afternoon. The museum and surrounding park were evacuated, so that law enforcement could search the area. Out of an abundance of caution, the museum remains closed after officials determined there was no immediate danger.

George Moore drove up from Emerald Isle to meet with his son in Raleigh and couldnt go to the art museum because of the closure.

We used to live here, he said. Its a great place and love coming here. Shouldve looked at the website and read the news obviously.

Moores wife Lori said the family thought the museum would be a great place to meet to spend time together because their son lives in San Francisco.

Totally unfair that our life was affected this way but you adapt and overcome, said George. Were going to the Raleigh flea market before they close for the state fair.
NC voting by mail begins for most this week. What to know if you cast an absentee ballot

As North Carolina election workers begin sending out absentee ballots to all voters whove requested them, the State Board of Elections is reminding voters about key deadlines, changes to election law and more to ensure that their ballots are counted.

Absentee voting has begun

The first absentee ballots were sent out on Friday to military and overseas voters.

More than 100 of those ballots have been returned, meaning the first votes of the 2024 election have already been cast, Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, told reporters on Monday.

Absentee ballots will begin going out to all other voters whove requested them on Tuesday. According to the State Board of Elections, over 207,000 voters have already requested absentee ballots as of Monday.

When were absentee ballots supposed to go out?

Absentee ballots were supposed to go out on Sept. 6, but the vote-by-mail period was delayed in North Carolina due to a lawsuit involving third-party presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

After spending months attempting to get on the states presidential ballot, Kennedy suspended his campaign in North Carolina last month and launched an effort to have his name removed from the ballot.

The issue went all the way to the state Supreme Court, which ruled in a 4-3 decision that his name must be removed, delaying absentee voting by two weeks and costing counties hundreds of thousands of dollars in reprinting expenses.

The state board complied and was able to send out military and overseas absentee ballots one day before the federal deadline, which is Sept. 21.

I really cannot sing the praises enough for the state board staff and for the county boards of elections who have worked extra hours through the weekends, late into the night, to make sure that we could reach the federal deadline, Brinson Bell said.

Can I still request an absentee ballot?

Yes. Voters can request an absentee ballot until Tuesday, Oct. 29.

These can be requested online using the state boards absentee ballot portal or by filling out a paper request form (also available on the state boards website) and bringing it to the local county board of elections.

The State Board of Elections encourages voters to make their request as soon as possible to ensure they have enough time to fill out their ballot and return it.

Can anyone request an absentee ballot?

Anyone who is a registered voter who has not already voted using a different method can request an absentee ballot.

The deadline to register to vote in this election is Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. Prospective voters can register online, in person at the DMV or by mail.

How do I fill out my absentee ballot?

Voters choose their preferred candidates on an absentee ballot in the same way they would on a ballot in person.

However, they must fill it out in the presence of two witnesses or a notary public, who must sign the ballot envelope.

Also, North Carolinas voter ID law still applies for absentee voting.

Voters will have to include a photocopy of an acceptable form of voter ID alongside their ballot. Voters without an ID can fill out an ID exception form and return that with their ballot.

When do absentee ballots have to be returned by?

Absentee ballots must be returned to a voters county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5.

This is different than previous elections.

North Carolina law used to instruct election officials to count any absentee ballots that came in within three days of Election Day, so long as they were postmarked by Election Day.

This is no longer the case, and any absentee ballots that come in after 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 will not be counted.

Brinson Bell encouraged anyone voting by mail to put their completed ballot in the mail at least a week before Election Day to ensure it arrives in time.

Voters or their near relative can also hand-deliver absentee ballots to an early voting site or to their county board of elections office.

Absentee voters can track their ballot using an online service called BallotTrax.

What if I decide I want to vote in person instead?

If a voter requests an absentee ballot, but then decides to vote in person instead, they are allowed to do so.

If a voter chooses to do this, they must destroy or discard their absentee ballot.

Are absentee ballots safe?

Several layers of safeguards are in place to prevent fraud or voter suppression when using absentee ballots.

As previously mentioned, voters using an absentee ballot must have two witnesses or a notary public in addition to a form of voter ID.

Also, absentee ballots will only be sent to registered voters who have requested them. The absentee request form requires voters to provide identifying information that is validated before a ballot is sent out.

When ballots are received by county boards of elections  which have members from both major political parties  they will be reviewed to ensure the voter complied with all legal requirements. After having their absentee ballot accepted, a voter will not be able to vote in person.

Put simply, absentee voting is safe and secure in North Carolina and many laws and processes work together to ensure security in the absentee voting process, Brinson Bell said.

Under the Dome

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Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before arriving in the Charlotte area this week, National Hurricane Center officials said Tuesday night. But its unclear how intense it will be when it arrives here.

The storm could spawn tornadoes and knock out power, according to an alert by the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina.

Helene should arrive in the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia Thursday night and Friday, bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall to the area, according to an alert by the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina.

Helenes predicted path shifted west of Charlotte overnight to the extreme western Carolinas mountains, Tennessee, Kentucky and, eventually, Indiana and a sliver of Ohio, according to National Hurricane Center maps of the storm at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Charlotte region should still expect rains and winds from the storm, NWS forecasters said in an alert.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, confidence continues to increase with regard to the potential impacts of Helene, the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina, said on X, the former Twitter.

The flood threat will become significant Thursday night into Friday, according to the NWS. This has the potential to be an extremely rare event.

Showers are forecast to arrive in Charlotte late Thursday and continue until 11 a.m. Friday, with bouts of heavy rain throughout the night and morning, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Helene is expected to become a major hurricane near the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday, bringing life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds to the Florida Panhandle and Florida west coasts, National Hurricane Center officials said in a 5 p.m. update Tuesday.

Residents should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, center officials said, referring to Floridians.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Helenes winds strengthened to 55 mph, with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Helene is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday and strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico into a major hurricane on Thursday, center officials said.

Storm surge watches were in effect Tuesday night for parts of the Florida Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Helene was about 155 miles southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

This is a developing story that will be updated.

[As of 6:00 PM EDT Tues 9/24] Confidence continues to increase with regard to the potential impacts of Helene. The flood threat will become significant Thursday night into Friday. This has the potential to be an extremely rare event. #scwx #ncwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/6lHBoiqAnW  NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) September 24, 2024

A tropical disturbance over the Caribbean remains unnamed, but is still expected to develop quickly into a Hurricane by the end of Wednesday before bringing widespread heavy rainfall, flooding, and possibly strong wind gusts to our area Thursday night and Friday. pic.twitter.com/EsdIwNUbbh  NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) September 24, 2024
Nearly 100 years later, Cudahy is buying the same fire engine. Find out why.

Cudahy purchased a Pirsch fire truck in 1927. Now, the city is purchasing the same truck again for $10,000 following Common Council approval on Sept. 17.

Cudahy, 1927: The citys fire department purchases a new Pirsch fire truck.

Cudahy, 2024: The citys fire department is purchasing the same Pirsch fire truck again.

For $10,000.

I just want to be clear, this is not a frontline apparatus, Fire Chief Jeff Bloor told Cudahys Common Council with a laugh on Sept. 17. Its a significant piece of history.

The council approved the purchase  along with some city funds  to bring the historical truck home to the city's new fire station set to be dedicated Oct. 5.

In a Sept. 9 letter to Mayor Tom Pavlic and the council, Bloor said a Cudahy resident brought a sales ad to the fire station in July featuring the fire truck which had a bill of sale reading: to the Cudahy Fire Department, January 1927.

Bloor said firefighters started digging into documentation, It was a 50th anniversary booklet the city put out in 1952 that helped them confirm Cudahy did purchase that truck in 1927.

The truck today could be used for any public relations event where the presence of the vehicle can be an avenue for fire safety discussions, parades, McDonalds safety days, etc, Bloor wrote.

Traveling to see the condition of the truck

Bloor and Alderman Ken Jankowski traveled just over the Illinois border to check out the truck in person.

The nearly 100-year-old fire engine appears to have been restored, Bloor told the council. In his letter, Bloor got into more detail, noting no rust on the truck with the paint and body well cared for.

It has had some modern updates such as an electric starter and fuel pump, he wrote. Overall, it is in very good condition.

The truck will need maintenance such as a wheel seal and wiring of lighting. It also needs some wood work done which Bloor hopes can be done by the Cudahy High School woodworking students.

The high school wood shop already created a table for the new fire station. Bloor said he was told that project really invigorated the students, and he hopes to foster the same relationship for some basic woodwork on the truck  the hose bed, for example, is currently just plywood. The bed of the truck also needs some work and refinishing, he said.

Bloor also hopes to connect with the high school's auto shop for some basic maintenance work.

Cudahy purchased a Pirsch fire truck in 1927 as seen in this historical photo provided by the city. Now, the city is purchasing the same truck again for $10,000 following council approval on Sept. 17.

Fundraising for the purchase and ongoing maintenance

The owner is asking $10,000 and agreed to hold the truck while the city figured out funding.

I believe we have enough to purchase the truck, Bloor told the council.

Following some preliminary discussions with community members, civic groups and local businesses, Bloor said he has tentative handshake commitments for over half the purchase cost.

Ewald Venus Ford has expressed support, Jankowski said.

Additionally, the Cudahy Lions Club support the purchase, Bloor said.

Jankowski, his father Ken Jankowski Sr., and Bloor are also putting some of their own money toward the truck purchase, Jankowski said.

The council approved the purchase of the truck on Sept. 17. It also voted to allow the fire department to solicit donations toward the purchase and to create a designated fund for the acquisition and maintenance of the truck  with up to $4,000 of city funds going toward the purchase price.

Bloor said the department might accept donations down the line to go toward routine upkeep of the truck.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Full circle: 97 years later, Cudahy is buying the same fire truck
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- A policeman was killed and three others were injured while escorting a group of diplomats traveling from Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province to the capital Islamabad on Sunday, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

An advance scout police vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Swat district of KP, which resulted in casualty of the police, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The group of diplomats has returned safely to Islamabad, the statement added.

"Our sympathies are with the families of the demised policeman and three injured in the incident," the foreign office said, adding that such terrorist acts will not deter Pakistan from its commitment to the fight against terrorism.

Police sources told Xinhua that the diplomats' delegation included ambassadors, attaches, and their families, accompanied by representatives of a local commerce chamber.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The area had been cordoned off for further investigations. 
Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Aug. 5, 2020. Graham and other Republicans are pressuring the state to change the way it awards Electoral College votes to winner-takes-all in order to help Donald Trump and hurt Kamala Harris' chances of winning the White House. | Erin Schaff

Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are calculating which states they need to win in order to become the next president.

In one formulation, Harris wins only if she picks up one Electoral College vote in Nebraska. The state has five votes, but it apportions some out based on who wins each congressional district, and Harris has a chance of winning the district around Omaha.

Some Republican lawmakers want the state to change to a winner-takes-all model, which is how 48 other states award electoral votes. Only Nebraska and Maine divvy up their votes in presidential elections.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen released a statement that said he wants to join 48 other states by awarding all five of our Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the majority of Nebraskans votes.

But, the Republican governor said, he wont convene the states legislature to take up the issue unless 33 state senators say they will support the change.

And that looked less likely on Monday when a key state lawmaker said he would not vote for the change.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was in the state last week, trying to convince Republican lawmakers to get on board.

On Meet the Press on Sunday, Graham put the chances of the change happening at 50-50, saying it was down to two people. Graham said its something that Nebraska has been talking about for years.

The entire federal delegation of Nebraska House members and two senators want this change. To my friends in Nebraska: That one electoral vote could be the difference between Harris being president or not, and shes a disaster for Nebraska and the world, he said.

One of the Republican state senators resisting the change is Sen. Mike McDonnell, who is from Omaha. At a press conference on Monday, McDonnell said he would not vote for the change so close to the election, and suggested instead that lawmakers ask voters to weigh in through a constitutional amendment.

McDonnell was once a Nebraska Democrat, but he switched his party affiliation to Republican in April after he was censured by Democrats in March for voting for socially conservative bills on abortion and transgender treatments for minors, the Times reported.

The Nebraska Democratic Party opposes the change to winner-takes-all, saying in a statement, Nebraskans rights and fundamental freedoms are on the line this November, and we arent taking a single vote for granted to build a broad coalition of Democrats, independents and Republicans to win NE-02 again this November, according to KETV Omaha.

The states Republican Party says changing to a winner-takes-all approach is essential for ensuring that our states electoral influence is maximized.

It is too late for Maine to change its electoral allotment rules because laws in Maine take 90 days to go into effect unless they are supported by a supermajority of both chambers. Democrats in Maine hold only a simple majority in the state House.

This story has been updated.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Omaha is the capital of Nebraska. The capital is Lincoln.
Netanyahu to Lebanese: 'Israel's war is with Hezbollah, not you'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a direct appeal to the people of Lebanon not to allow Hezbollah to endanger their country following massive air attacks by Israeli forces.

"I have a message for the people of Lebanon: Israel's war is not with you. It's with Hezbollah," he said, according to his office. "For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields," he said.

Netanyahu said that Hezbollah had concealed its rockets directed at Israeli cities in private living rooms. "To defend our people against Hezbollah strikes, we must take out these weapons," the prime minister said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had called on Lebanese people to seek safety, he said. Netanyahu appealed to the Lebanese people to take these warnings seriously.

"Don't let Hezbollah endanger your lives and the lives of your loved ones. Don't let Hezbollah endanger Lebanon. Please, get out of harm's way now," he said. Once the IDF operation was over, residents could return to their homes, he said.

More than 270 people were killed and over 1,000 injured by Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Monday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
Netherlands plans to supply Ukraine with three Patriot systems "very soon"

The Netherlands has already supplied Ukraine with a radar system for the Patriot air defence system and will soon supply three launchers.

Source: Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans in an interview with Delfi, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "I can only talk about what we have delivered. We have delivered a radar system and will deliver three launchers very soon. We are also trying to find other elements that are needed to complete the system."

Details: It is worth noting that this is the so-called Patriot puzzle, which was initiated by Brekelmans' predecessor, Kajsa Ollongren. According to the plan, the Netherlands and other countries will provide various components of the Patriot system so that Ukraine can get a complete system.

Brekelmans said that there are several countries that are also keen to help Ukraine with air defence and are doing their best.

Quote: "But they have encountered some problems that make it impossible to assemble this system. And it depends on other countries whether they want to be open about this.

The reason why we are not always transparent is that we do not want to inform Russia. And if I tell you all the operational details, we will make Russia wiser than it already is. And I don't think we should inform Russia."

Background:

In late summer, the then Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, noted that some of the Patriot systems promised to Ukraine had been delayed and called on partners to speed up the process.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the military believed that a total of 25 Patriot air defence systems were needed to fully cover Ukrainian skies.

On 11 July, the US announced a military aid package that included one Patriot air defence system.

On 21 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the Patriot air defence system from Germany had arrived in Ukraine.

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The Netherlands is still looking for partner countries to provide components for a Patriot air defense system pledged to Ukraine, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in an interview with the Delfi media outlet published on Sept. 23.

In June, the Netherlands announced that it would provide radar and launch components, and that it had found another unnamed country to provide the additional necessary parts to make up a complete system.

But earlier this month it was reported the unnamed country had backed out of the agreement.

In the interview with Delfi, Brekelmans said the Netherlands was "trying to find other elements that are necessary to complete the system."

"And there are several countries that are also very eager to help Ukraine," he said, adding: "They are doing everything they can. But they have encountered some problems that make it impossible to assemble this system."

Brekelmans confirmed that the Netherlands provided Kyiv with a radar system and that three launchers would be delivered "very soon."

Kyiv has been calling on its partners to provide additional air defense assets as Russia intensifies its strikes against cities and energy infrastructure.

Ukraine has received at least three Patriot systems from Germany and one from the U.S. Other countries, like the Netherlands and Spain, delivered individual launchers or missiles.

The U.S. and the Netherlands also pledged in June to deliver one additional system each. Romania will transfer a Patriot to Ukraine too after the donation was finally approved in early September.

Read also: Ukraine awaits Mirage 2000 jets, in talks about Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Metro police arrested a Nevada State Police lieutenant for allegedly driving impaired and at speeds upwards of 80 miles per hour on neighborhood roads, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

On Friday, Sept. 20, a Las Vegas Metro police officer spotted a minivan traveling above the speed limit on Fort Apache Road in the far southwest valley, documents said. The officer noted the driver, later identified as Nevada State Police Lt. Jacob Fisher, was driving on the bot dots or striping in the road and traveling at more than 80 mph in the 35-mph zone.

[The officer] also claimed that the vehicle was going so fast that dirt and dust was flying in the air from the roadway, documents said.

The officer followed the car onto Cactus Avenue and into a gated neighborhood, finding it parked in a driveway, documents said.

As [the officer] approached the vehicle, he activated his emergency lights and siren, documents said. [The officer] said that a white male adult exited the [drivers] seat of the vehicle, looked over [the officer] and walked into the garage of the residence.

Fisher then allegedly ignored the officers commands and went into his house. About a minute later, Fisher came outside to speak with the officer, documents said.

Another officer then arrived at the call, noticing Fisher smelled of alcohol, documents said. Fisher told the officers he did not drink alcohol and said he was driving home from dinner. Before starting a standardized field sobriety test, Fisher told police he was absolutely speeding and driving 20 miles above the limit, documents said.

Fisher later told an officer he drank an [expletive-ton] two days ago, documents said. Police said Fisher failed the test and took him into custody. Records show prosecutors charged him with DUI.

The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol is aware of the incident involving a division employee who has been placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation is conducted, a department spokesperson said Monday.

A test of Fishers blood was pending as of Monday. There was no hearing regarding Fishers custody status and he was released on his own recognizance. He was not scheduled to appear in court until January.

Metro police no longer releases booking photos, citing a circuit court ruling.

In 2019, then a trooper, Fisher was credited for saving the life of a driver who crashed into a wall near the Airport Connector.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Next few months will be 'decisive,' Zelensky says during speech in US, urges allies to act faster

The next few months will be "decisive" in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 23, as he begins his nearly week-long trip to the U.S.

Speaking at the American Academy of Achievement award ceremony in Washington D.C., Zelensky urged Ukraine's allies to act faster and "define what the outcome (of the war) will be."

"We don't have much time," he said, adding: "The next few months will be decisive. Ahead of us in this war  Russia's war against Ukraine, and all of you because this is Russia's war against freedom itself  we are short of time to define what the outcome will be.

"And we must define it. Not Russia, not their bloody allies. We need to be faster. We need not to lose the next few months in war, so that we don't lose the next decades."

Zelensky's remarks came as he began his trip to the U.S. where he will present his "victory plan" to U.S. President Joe Biden, as well as to presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and members of Congress.

He will also attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York and meet other world leaders.

The American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award has been presented for 60 years in recognition of contributions to human development. For the ingenuity that can only be realized in freedom.



In today's world, we cannot afford to lose a single battle when, on one side, pic.twitter.com/E5SNV8kGG7  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 23, 2024

Zelensky will present his "victory plan" as Ukraine holds territories in Russia's Kursk Oblast, though Moscow keeps on pushing on multiple fronts in the country's east.

Ukraine said it is open to suggestions from Washington to strengthen the plan. U.S. officials said they had been acquainted with elements of Zelensky's strategy and voiced belief "that (it) can work."

Zelensky said the plan was designed to end the war with the backing of international partners without relying on Russia's cooperation. However, he did not specify how it would achieve this.

"This must be our shared achievement  victory for freedom, with no compromises at freedom's expense," the president said.

At the American Academy of Achievement award ceremony, Zelensky received the Golden Plate Award in recognition of contributions to human development.

Read also: Zelensky comes to US in attempt to boost firepower, pitch victory

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North Alabama woman shares her battle with a rare form of cancer in hopes of spreading awareness

North Alabama woman shares her battle with a rare form of cancer in hopes of spreading awareness

HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT)  A cancer diagnosis can turn someones life upside down, and for this North Alabama woman, its no different.

Yet, shes bravely sharing her current battle with a very rare form of cancer in hopes to bring awareness and help someone who may be fighting as well.

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I thought, they have to have this wrong, said Stacy Bell. They must have been reading somebody elses test, because this just cant be, Im only 50. I just turned 50. I have so much else I want to do.

Three words no one ever wants to hear: you have cancer.

He said, you have, squamous cell carcinoma on your tongue, which is basically skin cancer in your tongue, she said.

A type of cancer that is so rare, it makes up less than one percent of annual diagnoses in the U.S., according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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All I thought was a canker sore wouldnt go away, she said. It was very stubborn, and I finally reached out when I swelled up on the right side.

Herr ear nose and throat doctor originally said cancer wasnt even in the conversation.

He said, you know, you cant have cancer because you dont smoke, you dont drink, havent traveled to a foreign country, dont lay out in the sun, you have no risk factors.

Although for Stacy Bell, her case, was unfortunately the exception.

It took forever for it to register, because this has been going on a couple of months now, and its just totally turned my familys life and mine upside down, she said.

After processing, she took to the internet to do some research, quickly learning of the rare, yet invasive type of treatment her cancer requires.

They are going to remove a quarter of my tongue on the right side, she said. Theyre going to rebuild it with this forearm because they believe instead of using the thigh, which they could do, the tissue is more malleable its softer. Its able to shrink down to the size of the other side of the tongue, and then six weeks of radiation, which really comes up to 30 days.

This is all in addition to re-learning how to speak, eat, drink, and swallow.

Bell said her life has flipped upside down. She now has to move back in with her parents, all while her 72-year-old mother is looking for a second job to help pay for treatment.

Its just affected us in so many ways emotionally, physically, financially.

Despite the cards shes been dealt, shes choosing to stay positive.

She even started a YouTube channel to share her journey and help spread awareness for this rare form of cancer.

At first I thought, this is terrifying, but more and more, I am trying to get on board with whats about to happen.

If you would like to watch her journey, you can find her page on Youtube.

If you would like to help her, she has a GoFundMe as well.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Project 2025, a radical playbook created by the Heritage Foundation and many former members of the Trump administration, lays out a blueprint on how to strip government from the hands of the people and put it into the hands of the next elected Republican president. The playbook contains many unpopular items, including a national abortion ban, but one of the most extreme is abolishing the Department of Public Education that serves 80% of American children. Project 2025 is so extreme that Donald Trump has tried, unsuccessfully, to publicly distance himself from it.

As a parent whos happy to have my kids in North Carolina public schools, I must ring the alarm. Regardless of what occurs nationally, with the wrong elected candidates here, parents of nearly 80% of North Carolina children kids are at risk of our own Project 2025.

Between the governors race with private school voucher advocate Mark Robinson versus public school supporting Josh Stein and the less-discussed Superintendent for Public Instruction race between former award-winning Guilford County Superintendent Mo Green and public school loathing Michelle Morrow, drastic consequences for public schools are at stake.

For years, North Carolina was known as a beacon for public education, a model not only in the south but in many ways nationally. The legislative branch of government was Democratic-led and we had the ultimate education governor in Democrat Jim Hunt for four terms. But we also had two terms of Republican Gov. Jim Martin who governed as a moderate and worked across the aisle to increase funding in public schools throughout North Carolina. Both governors grew this state and its economy on the backs of education.

As someone who attended NC public K-12, undergraduate, and graduate schools and have a mother who taught for more than 30 years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, I saw all the best that this state had to offer in the space of public education. As a current parent, I have watched our state government and its Republican supermajority override Gov. Roy Cooper to hoard a budget surplus, unnecessarily freeze the salaries of teachers in the prime of their career, create a talent drain and sabotage our schools to the point that we lose teachers to South Carolina, something unimaginable when I grew up.

Whats concerning is that we have two candidates in Mark Robinson and Michelle Morrow who display outright disdain for public education. Morrow, who has scrubbed her social media to hide her ties to January 6 and called for a public execution of former President Obama, is running to lead the education department solely to destroy it. Robinson, who also has called public school teachers wicked, simply seeks to continue stealing money from public schools (the opposite of what Martin did) and direct it towards private schools that lack oversight and do not have to serve all children.

I respect peoples right to home school like Morrow and send their kids to the private schools that Robinson wants to fund. What I dont respect is using the peoples money to subsidize the wealthy while actively continuing the North Carolina GOPs quest to destroy public schools. Instead, I am supporting drastically improving our 49th out of 50 education funding ranking and increasing graduation rates, test scores, closing achievement gaps, and forming successful public/private partnerships.

NC cant afford the next wave of HB2-esque extremism. Citizens, businesses, and parents, your project 2024 is to prevent NC from experiencing a Project 2025.

Justin Perry is a contributing columnist.
The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, part of the Catholic Diocese of Bismarck, sits on Raymond Street on Sept. 18, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

The Catholic Diocese of Bismarck and a Catholic employers association are suing the federal government over regulations that protect employees who seek abortion or fertility treatments and shield LGBTQ workers from discrimination.

In an August complaint filed in federal court, the diocese and association call the regulations abuses of power that violate the rights of employers opposed to abortion, fertilization treatments and LGBTQ accommodations on religious grounds.

The lawsuit concerns two documents published by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in April: a rule implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and updated guidance on workplace harassment.

Attorneys representing the Catholic Diocese of Bismarck and the Catholic Benefits Association have asked U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor to temporarily suspend enforcement of the regulations as the lawsuit plays out.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022, is meant to protect pregnant and postpartum mothers against workplace discrimination. It requires employers to provide pregnant workers accommodations including food, water and bathroom breaks, reduced physical labor and medical leave.

But when the EEOC adopted its nearly 125-page rule executing the act, it also included protections for employees seeking abortions and fertility treatments.

The Bismarck diocese and Catholic Benefits Association argue that this goes against the original intent of the law, and therefore is a violation of federal statute.

The plaintiffs also claim the rule is an unconstitutional infringement upon their religious freedoms because abortion and in-vitro fertilization are against the Catholic Churchs teachings.

The rule will force the plaintiffs to either accommodate practices they consider immoral or face charges of workplace discrimination, Andrew Nussbaum, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said at a hearing last week in U.S. District Court in Bismarck.

Were living in fear that well go through thousands of enforcement actions, Nussbaum said during the hearing.

The EEOC in the rule says its inclusion of abortion protections is consistent with the commissions and courts longstanding interpretation of the same phrase in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlaws workplace discrimination.

The agency makes similar arguments in defense of its decision to include fertility, writing that several courts have found that it protects against discrimination for those undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or infertility treatments related to becoming pregnant because these actions are related to the capacity to become pregnant.

Attorneys for the EEOC said last week that the agency still allows employers to request religious exemptions from the rule, and that such requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

That means that the EEOC only weighs whether to grant an employer an exemption when that employer is already facing a discrimination complaint.

This is a departure from how the EEOC handles religious exemptions under Title VII, Nussbaum argued.

Title VII includes a provision allowing religious employers to refuse to hire someone of a different faith. Its meant to shield employers from having to make employment decisions that conflict with their religious views.

The plaintiffs say they like how the Title VII exemption is worded, and dont understand why the EEOCs Pregnant Workers Fairness Act rule doesnt incorporate similar language.

Laura Bakst, an attorney representing the EEOC, said the rule allows the federal agency to decide cases with full context the nature of the employer and nature of the issue.

The diocese and association also take issue with the EEOCs April guidance on workplace harassment.

The guidance, while non-binding, interprets sex-based discrimination under Title VII to also include harassment based on reproductive decisions  like abortion, fertility treatment and contraception  as well as gender identity.

The Diocese of Bismarck and Catholic Benefits Association claim that this goes against the original intent of Title VII, and infringes on their religious freedoms.

They complain that both the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act rule and the guidance could leave religious employers vulnerable to workplace harassment claims for so much as expressing opposition to abortion or LGBTQ rights for religious reasons.

The diocese and Catholic Benefits Association ultimately want Traynor to rule that the EEOC cannot require them to observe workplace protections for abortion, IVF and for LGBTQ people that conflict with their faith.

They also want the judge to vacate the part of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that references abortion and IVF, and to require the EEOC add an exemption for religious employers to the rule similar to the language in Title VII.

Both the rule and Title VII apply only to employers with 15 or more workers.

The EEOC in legal filings has argued the Catholic Benefits Association doesnt have standing to bring the lawsuit because it hasnt sufficiently demonstrated that the rules would be enforced against its individual members.

The EEOC wrote that the diocese and association have not adequately established that the harms they allege come specifically from the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act rule or the guidance, as opposed to the protections established in Title VII itself. The agency said the plaintiffs have not proven the remedies they seek from the courts would protect them from discrimination claims, either.

It also claims that neither the rule or the guidance would endanger religious speech.

The judge said he would take the motion under advisement.

Traynor was appointed to the bench by former President Donald Trump in 2020. He served as a board member for the North Dakota Catholic Conference from 1999-2001, according to a questionnaire for judicial nominees.

During the hearing, he stated repeatedly that he suspects the rule enables the EEOC to judge the legitimacy of employers religious beliefs, and that businesses are at a significant disadvantage if they can only claim a religious exemption after a complaint is filed.

The EEOC can use the rule as a way to bludgeon and dirty up religious employers, and hold them up to criticism in the public square until they submit to the requirements, Traynor said.

Bakst said this was not the EEOCs intent, and that this incorrectly assumes that the EEOC wouldnt take religious beliefs seriously when processing discrimination complaints.

A federal court in June already halted enforcement of the EEOC rule in Louisiana and Mississippi.

North Dakota courts have recently ruled in favor of religious organizations in similar religious freedom cases.

Earlier this year, Traynor ruled that the EEOC cannot force the Christian Employers Alliance, another religious employers association, or its members to provide insurance coverage for gender-affirming care.

North Dakota U.S. District Court Judge Peter Welte in 2021 likewise ordered that a group of Catholic employers, including the Catholic Benefits Association, could not be required by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the EEOC to pay for or help their workers obtain gender-affirming care. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit upheld Weltes ruling, though it found that Weltes order did not apply to the Catholic Benefits Association because the group had not established it has standing to sue on behalf of its unidentified members. The Catholic Benefits Association has since filed a new case in Weltes court asking for the same protections.

Catholic Benefits Association v. Burrows

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Sir Keir Starmer will doom the North to Armageddon unless he completes an extension of HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester, Andy Burnham has said.

Mr Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, said that a decision by the previous government to terminate the new high-speed rail link in Birmingham would force many northern trains to run even more slowly than they do at present.

He urged the Prime Minister to reverse the Tories decision to scrap the plan entirely and instead commit to a cheaper version of the original proposal.

Speaking on the fringes of the Labour Party Conference, Mr Burnham said: The danger is doing nothing. Because if HS2 trains start rolling north through Birmingham and on to the West Coast Main Line we are looking at Armageddon.

The system is simply not set up to deal with those trains. Its hard to believe, but we would end up with a worse train service than weve currently got. We would have fewer seats and they would go at lower speeds than the Pendolinos.

This is not acceptable.

HS2 was originally meant to link London to Manchester but was scaled back by Rishi Sunak in 2023 to save 36bn. The decision triggered outrage in the North after a years-long campaign to improve regional transport links.

HS2 trains will run in formations of two sets of carriages on the new scaled-back line. However, they will be reduced to a single set when running on the West Coast Main Line from Birmingham onwards, where stations are unable to accommodate the double-length trains.

Unlike the tilting Pendolinos, the HS2 trains will also be unable to negotiate the main lines curves at high speed, slowing them down once they leave their dedicated tracks.

Mr Burnham said: This is not about being unrealistic and its not about reviving HS2. But if we leave things as they are then this is an anti-growth strategy.

The West Coast Main Line is pretty much full and the M6 motorway is definitely full. We have to have a 21st-century rail network.

HS2 trains will be slower than the tilting Pendolinos because theyre unable to negotiate the West Coast Main Lines curves at speed - Marc Scruton/iStock Editorial

Otherwise, Mr Burnham said, Britain will be sleepwalking toward a transport nightmare.

Mr Burnham is pushing for Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to approve a blueprint for what he says will be a lower-cost alternative to the northern leg of HS2 resulting from work he commissioned with former West Midlands mayor Andy Street.

The proposal for a 50-mile Midlands-Northwest Rail Link, running from the northern end of HS2 near Lichfield, north of Birmingham, to High Legh, near Warrington, was unveiled this month.

The plan would rely on investment from the private sector and would connect the regions at a fraction of the costs of HS2, its backers say.

Mr Burnham said: We have to join these dots. Weve got a new line that the last government was committed to across the North, and weve got HS2 to Birmingham. That missing piece of the jigsaw has to be put in.

You cant have the UKs second and third cities divided like this.

He said he is encouraged by comments from Sir Keir last week, when the Prime Minister said that the Government would look at the new plan and hinted that it could be taken forward to a feasibility study.

Mr Burnham said that the Department for Transport also appeared to have concluded that the WCML would be full by the mid-2030s.

Mr Burnhams warning comes after the National Audit Office said in July that scrapping of the northern leg of HS2 raised capacity issues that the Government needed to address.

Otherwise, it said, passengers would have to be put off from travelling by train once HS2 opens, most likely by raising ticket prices at peak times.

A report from former Siemens UK boss Juergen Maier commissioned by Labour has also called for much of the HS2 network that was controversially abandoned by Mr Sunak last October to be revived.

The report said that without a new rail route from Birmingham to Manchester the existing infrastructure would face collapse.

Mr Burnham said that upgrading the WCML was not an option as it would be highly disruptive and, unlike a new line, fail to create capacity for more freight trains and take trucks off the roads.

He added that he also favoured extending HS2 from an initial London terminus at Old Oak Common into Euston Station, and that people in the North of England should be able to get into the heart of our capital city.

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- India has reported one case of mpox (monkeypox) clade 1b strain in Kerala, multiple local media reports said Monday.

The clade 1b strain was detected in a 38-year-old man from Malappuram district of Kerala.

The man recently returned from the United Arab Emirates and is currently in stable condition.

This is the second case of mpox in India. On Aug. 14, the World Health Organization declared mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern following the surge of cases in several parts of Africa. 
A North Texas man who was part of a group passing out antisemitic flyers in Fort Worth in 2023 has been charged with threatening to lynch a district attorney in Tennessee.

David Bloyed of Frost allegedly threatened to lynch Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee, District Attorney David Funk in a series of posts on the social media platform Telegram, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Bloyeds threats came after a July 14 protest in downtown Nashville organized by the neo-Nazi group the Goyim Defense League. This same group passed out flyers outside Dickies Arena, Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum and the Waxahachie Civic Center in 2023.

A member of the Goyim Defense League got into a fight with an employee of a Nashville bar and was arrested, according to a press release from the Justice Department.

The unnamed group member allegedly hit the bar employee repeatedly with a metal flagpole that had a swastika flag attached, the press release said.

An account associated with the Goyim Defense League posted a picture of District Attorney Funk with the caption, Getting the rope, according to the press release.

The account also allegedly said the bar employee would be put on the rope list, according to a criminal complaint filed in Tennessee Middle District Criminal Court.

FBI agents found a separate account on the social media platform Gab with identical posts to those on the Telegram platform, according to the criminal complaint.

A screenshot of a post on the social media platform Gab threatening to kill Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk from an account believed to be connected to Frost, Texas resident David Bloyed.

Agents later identified the account as Bloyeds after subpoenaing Gab user information and discovering the account was registered to an email connected to the North Texas resident, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint also alleges the IP address used to set up the Gab account was connected to a property in Frost owned by Bloyed. Frost is 20 miles northeast of Hillsboro in Navarro County.

In a functioning democracy, we simply cannot tolerate threats of violence against elected officials, said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis in the press release, adding that the charges illustrated the Justice Departments commitment to protecting public servants and upholding the rule of law.

Bloyed did not immediately respond to a phone call from the Star-Telegram requesting comment.

If convicted, he could spend five years in federal prison.

Bloyed was part of a group that passed out antisemitic flyers outside Dickies Arena in August 2023 and Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum in October of the same year.

Fort Worth Police issued trespass warnings to Bloyed and three others.

Speaking under a fake name, he later spoke at an Aug. 15, 2023, Fort Worth City Council meeting to argue that posting flyers was protected under the First Amendment.

Bloyed had an encounter with Waxahachie police in November 2023 when authorities were called to the Civic Center after receiving reports of a man passing out antisemitic flyers outside a gun show.

Police Lt. Joshua Oliver, who responded to the call, told the Star-Telegram in November 2023 that the man later identified as Bloyed was not physically combative, but was described as belligerent.

Bloyed later placed a call to the Waxahachie Police Department to complain about Oliver, who is Black.

Bloyed then took to Gab to complain about the incident and wrote that Oliver was half way to the rope before referring to him using a racial slur.

Staff writer Emily Brindley contributed to this report.
Now in full control of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan wants to make it a green Silicon Valley

Now in full control of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan wants to make it a green Silicon Valley

Azerbaijan, a petrostate on the southeastern edge of Europe, has been propelled into the limelight as the location of COP29. This follows an agreement with its arch-rival Armenia to begin a peace process after decades of war.

Hosting the UN climate conference brings a new level of scrutiny to the country - and pressure for it to speed up its own green energy transition which it previously announced as a top national goal.

Much of those efforts centre on the region of Nagorno-Karabakh - over which Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought a decades-long bloody war which led to many thousands of casualties and displacements on both sides.

In 2021, Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev designated Nagorno-Karabakh a green energy zone and announced investments into predominantly hydro, but also wind and solar power plants.

After its victory in the war with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan opened new hydropower plants in what it called a reconstruction effort.

As of today, four brand new plants have been built and more than ten sites reconstructed after the damage they suffered during the war. In total, around 40 new hydropower plants of various sizes are planned.

Related

Azerbaijan plans to make Nagorno-Karabakh its Green Silicon Valley

Between 2021 and 2023, Azerbaijan assigned over $2.3 billion (2.1 bn) to a programme providing infrastructure for the resettlement of about one million Azeris in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In 2022, at least three per cent of the funds went to Azerenergy, the state-owned electricity producer, for hydropower development in the region.

Speaking last September in the recently contested East Zangazur region, Aliyev said that the hydropower potential would stand at 270 megawatts by the end of 2024, substantially supporting our green agenda.

In total, he added, the East Zangazur and Karabakh area has the potential of 10 thousand megawatts of green energy - hydro, solar, and wind.

Azerbaijans key foreign partner in developing hydropower plants is the Japanese company Tokyo Electric Power Services. British fossil fuel giant BP and Saudi private energy supplier ACWA Power are collaborating with the Azeri government in developing solar and wind power in Nagorno-Karabakh. Swiss company sa_partners has developed master plans for green urban development.

Karabakh will be the new Silicon Valley, says Nargiz Hajiyeva, political scientist at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics. But in a green way.

The biggest focus is on hydropower, mainly because of the good conditions in the mountainous region and because many power plants have already existed there.

Before the 2020 offensive, Nagorno-Karabakh was self-sufficient, even a net exporter of electricity to Armenia, because of 36 functioning hydropower plants.

According to Garabet Kazanjian, a water expert at the American University of Armenia, building hydropower plants was a statement to showcase that [Karabakh Armenians] were serious about staying in those lands. These plants arent cheap, its a proper investment.

Now, Azerbaijan was extremely quick in moving in and starting projects of their own. Three months after the ceasefire in 2020, Aliyev was there opening a hydropower plant. This surely comes from the need, but its also a very strong political message to show strength and victory.

Related

How is Azerbaijan preparing for COP29?

Much like the United Arab Emirates before it hosted COP28 last year, Azerbaijan is busy greening its image ahead of the summit in November.

The country declared 2024 the 'Year of Solidarity for the Green World'. It wants to increase its share of renewables - firstly to 30 per cent of its total energy mix by 2030.

Eventually, Azerbaijan aims to become an exporter of green energy.

Developments in Nagorno-Karabakh serve both to push the green agenda forward and to legitimise the regions status in the international arena.

An Armenian family drives a truck loaded with a small house along a highway as they leave their home village in Nagorno-Karabakh, 18 November 2020. - AP Photo/Sergei Grits

In April 2024, Baku hosted a conference entitled COP29 and Green Vision for Azerbaijan in Lachin, a so-called land corridor that used to connect Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia.

Lachin became the scene of an international dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia over supplies access to Armenians living in the disputed territory after the 2020 Azeri offensive. In 2023, international organisations including the UN condemned what they described as the Azeri blockade.

Hydroproblems in Azerbaijan

Hydropower plants are often very closely related to nation-building and national identity, says Jenniver Sehring, associate professor of water governance and diplomacy at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands.

Its something modern - huge infrastructure, where the government can show that theyre doing something for development.

But developing hydropower without proper assessments can be damaging to mountain ecosystems.

At the beginning of 2020, prior to the Azeri offensive, Nagorno-Karabakh resident Alexander Kananyan went on a hunger strike to protest the development of new hydropower plants in the region. He argued that the main rivers and their tributaries are getting completely destroyed.

The then-unrecognised Karabakh Armenian administration halted the construction of new plants and established a commission to determine the plants environmental impact. The Azeri offensive stopped this project.

The current hydropower boom reposes the question of whether environmental risks have been properly assessed.

The NGO Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) has warned that the speed of Azeri developments in Nagorno-Karabakh could have negative impacts on the environment.

A 2021 CEOBS investigation centred on deforestation for highway construction, but one of the report authors, Eoghan Darbyshire, says that the hydropower developments may also be happening too fast.

We find no evidence of environmental impact assessments being undertaken, he says. In the case of hydropower plants, this may be especially risky for longer-term water supply and biodiversity.

Related

The EU is strengthening its energy ties with Azerbaijan

Bakus plans to boost renewable energy are also made with the European Unions energy needs in mind.

After Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the bloc signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Azerbaijan in July 2022 to strengthen energy ties.

Imports of Azeri fossil gas have been rising steadily. Currently, Azerbaijan supplies 4.3 per cent of the EUs energy imports. The EU refers to Azeri gas as stable and reliable and expects the imports to double by 2027.

The MoU also mentions ambitions to boost Azeri renewable energy capacity so that it can be transmitted to the EU.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament has called for energy sanctions on Azerbaijan and for suspending the MoU.

In a resolution from February 2024, the Parliament condemned what it called the policies of aggression, including the pre-planned military attack of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh and organised starvation and isolation of the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh through the blockade of the Lachin corridor.

In response, a spokesperson for Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that resolutions and motions by the European Parliament against Azerbaijan, being one-sided and biased, have long become a usual business for the EP.

Such resolutions, sponsored by several groups in the European Parliament that are influenced by Armenia and the Armenian Lobby, are an integral part of the smear campaign against Azerbaijan, in which every fact is falsified.

They add that appeals to introducing sanctions against Azerbaijan, do nothing but complicate Azerbaijan-EU relations.

Related

COP29 and diplomacy

Hosting COP has been an important diplomatic tool in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations.

Armenia agreed not to veto the Azeri bid to host COP29 as part of the conflict resolution. Several political scientists in Azerbaijan expressed the hope that the climate conference will bring a breakthrough in bilateral relations. Yet the office of Nikol Pashinyan, Armenias PM, stated that he has no plans to attend the summit in Baku.

Protests against Pashinyan take place on 26 May 2024, after Armenia agreed to hand over control of several border villages to Azerbaijan. - Zuza Nazaruk

While the prospect of peace is closer than its been in decades, many unresolved issues continue to threaten the fragile stability.

Last year, Azerbaijan sued Armenia in the Permanent Court of Arbitration for what it considers to be historic illegal use of renewable energy resources, particularly hydropower, in Nagorno-Karabakh. The case is ongoing.

The new border drawing procedure between the two countries is another major source of contention. In May 2024, tens of thousands os people protested in Yerevan over Pashinyans decision to hand over four border villages to Azerbaijan. Armenia states that Azerbaijan is occupying around 150 square kilometres of its sovereign territory.

It may take more than a climate conference to get the two nations to secure a lasting peace.
New graves of Russian soldiers killed in the war against Ukraine are increasingly appearing in the Abdal cemetery in the occupied city of Simferopol, Crimea.

Source: Radio Liberty, citing a Simferopol resident who cannot be named for security reasons

Details: Radio Liberty notes that as of mid-September 2024, there are now 60 graves of dead Russian troops on a separate military path in sector 127 of the Abdal-1 cemetery in Simferopol. A local resident says that 10 days ago there were only 56 graves; a year ago, there were just 20.

Quote: "Some of the deceased soldiers who were originally from the Crimean capital are buried alongside their relatives in the same Abdal-1 cemetery, and some in Abdal-2 (the new Abdal cemetery)."

Details: The Russian occupation authorities do not give out any information regarding the deceased, such as the circumstances and place of their death.

Background:

At least 1,312 Russian soldiers killed in the war against Ukraine have been buried in Crimea, with 762 of them likely to have been Ukrainian citizens, the Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea has reported.

According to Krym.Realii (Crimea Realities), a Radio Liberty project, the number of confirmed deaths among Crimeans serving in the Russian Armed Forces during the war against Ukraine has surpassed 840, with 40 of those deaths reported in August 2024.

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NYC Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan will step down from his Adams administration post in early January, he announced Monday.

Vasan, in submitting his resignation, cited personal family reasons as the reason for his departure.

Vasan became the citys top doctor in March 2022, leading the citys recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The doctor, public health professor and practicing primary care doctor at Columbia University was previously the president and CEO of Fountain House, a national mental health nonprofit.

His resignation is the latest profile departure at City Hall and comes in the midst of a flurry of federal investigations around the Adams administration  although sources said Vasans departure was not related to the various probes.

Vasans departure comes on the heels of the resignations of Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban this month, both due to the unfolding probes into the administration. Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, the first woman to lead the FDNY, stepped down this past summer after about two years on the job. Sylvia Hinds-Radix resigned as corporation counsel this past spring.

From day one, I have made focus, ambition, and integrity a key part of my leadership, Vasan wrote in a statement. The state of the department and of our public health system is strong. Im deeply confident that we have put in place critical initiatives to benefit New Yorkers, and we have the right team to continue this important work and keep us safe and healthy for years and generations to come.

Citing a list of accomplishments, Vasan called his time as commissioner the honor of my lifetime, but wrote that he made the decision to support his wife and three children.

I want to thank Dr. Vasan for his service to New York City since the start of our administration, Mayor Adams said in a statement. His expertise as a mental health expert, coupled with his training as a public health professional, have proven indispensable to our city over the past two-and-a-half years as weve handled rising COVID rates, Mpox outbreaks, and a mental health crisis both on our streets and in our schools.

During his time at the department, Vasan launched the HealthyNYC initiative  a plan to raise the average life expectancy of New Yorkers to 83 years of age by 2030, among other measures.

We are a healthier city for his tenure and thank him and his family for their service to the city. I look forward to working with Dr. Vasan through the end of the year for a smooth transition, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom said in a statement.
NYC is hiring for hundreds of jobs in technology and data

NYC is hiring for hundreds of jobs in technology and data

NEW YORK (PIX11)  Several city departments in New York City are currently hiring for hundreds of open jobs in technology, data, and innovation.

The jobs are listed online on JobsNYC, the official careers website for the City of New York.

More Local News

The JobsNYC website allows people to search for a variety of jobs at different governmental departments and agencies in New York City.

Most of the jobs are full-time and are described as experienced roles, but there are some part-time and entry-level positions available.

Departments with the most job openings in tech, data, and innovation are the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Social Services.

NYC hiring for jobs with no education requirements

Find more information about the jobs and how to apply on the JobsNYC website, click here.

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.
NYC jobs for college students looking to start their career

NYC jobs for college students looking to start their career

NEW YORK (PIX11)  If youre a college student looking to kick off your career in New York City, there are dozens of positions available on the JobsNYC website.

Salaries for college students working for the city, including intern positions, range from around $15.50 to up to about $23 per hour. Many of the available jobs are part-time, allowing students to attend classes while also working.

More Local News

The Department of Youth and Community Development is hiring an applications support college aide. Youll qualify for the role if you have a strong commitment to customer service, are able to work in a fast-paced environment and have knowledge of development methodologies, Microsoft Windows and IIS.

NYCHA is also hiring a compliance intern. As a compliance intern, youll work under the Procedures Unit, which is responsible for NYCHAs standard operating procedures.

NYC hiring for jobs with no education requirements

Responsibilities of the role include updating Excel spreadsheet reports, reviewing files and assisting with the management of the Procedures Unit database.

Here are some other roles available exclusively to college students in New York City:

To see more New York City jobs for college students, click here and select student under the experience level drop-down menu.

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.
NYPD too often looks the other way on stop-and-frisk abuses: report

The NYPD doesnt adequately punish cops who conduct unconstitutional street stops, a practice that goes back years, according to a scathing 503-page report released Monday.

The report was prepared by James Yates, a retired state judge asked to take a hard look at the NYPDs stop-and-frisk policies by Manhattan Federal Judge Analisa Torres, who is overseeing court-ordered reforms that came out of the landmark 2013 NYPD stop-and-frisk case.

Discipline for illegal stops-and-frisks, even when substantiated by the [Civilian Complaint Review Board], is not pursued with the same vigor and resolve as for other misconduct, the report says.

Penalties for wrongdoing involving stops, questions, frisks or searches of persons  even when repeated, are rare. And, various police commissioners, over time, have demonstrated an inordinate willingness to excuse illegal stops, frisks and searches in the name of good faith or lack of mal-intention, relegating constitutional adherence to a lesser rung of discipline.

The NYPD has for years denied allegations it engages in racial profiling. The report is the latest fallout from the 2013 federal case in which Manhattan Federal Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled that the nations largest police force violated the rights of minorities in the way it carried out stop-and-frisks.

Particularly troubling, Yates says in the report, is that NYPD officers can again and again escape punishment in a culture where commissioners too often lessen or dismiss the recommended penalty because the officer was acting in good faith.

A citizenry plagued with Fourth Amendment violations, Yates wrote, is not made whole when told that the officer did not mean to act illegally.

The federal court is accepting public comments on the report, with a deadline of Dec. 25.

We will review the report and provide comments consistent with the courts order, an NYPD spokesman said.

Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said the report is completely at odds with the disciplinary system as its experienced by police officers.

Police officers are still too often second-guessed and penalized for doing the job we were sent out to do, Hendry said. This never-ending monitorship has had over a decade to address the departments policies and procedures in this area, but the answer always seems to come back to hammering the cops on the streets. This is yet another factor driving talented cops away from this job.

Saman Sisay, a staff lawyer with the Center for Constitutional Rights, said its obvious the NYPD is failing to address unconstitutional conduct by officers.

New Yorkers, especially Black and Brown New Yorkers, continue to bear the burden of these failures, Sisay said. It is perfectly clear that there is a need for real transparency and accountability because the police should not be trusted to police themselves.

Stops in the city reached a high of 686,000 in 2011 and fell more than 90% by the time Mayor Bill de Blasio was in office.

They have increased during Mayor Adams administration during a parallel increase in enforcement of quality-of-life offenses, moves that have sparked criticism from defense and civil rights lawyers and advocates.

In June, the Daily News reported a federal monitorship of the NYPD shows no sign of ending, in part because officers in specialized units, such as the Neighborhood Safety Teams, had reasonable suspicion in only 69% of the stops analyzed by the monitor in 2023.

Civil rights lawyer Joel Berger said that as comprehensive as the new report is, nothing will change unless the final decision for all misconduct cases is in the hands of a truly independent Civilian Complaint Review Board, not the police commissioner.

Legislation to this effect has been stalled in the [state] Legislature for many years, Berger said. In light of this report, it must be passed now.

Yates report is based on 224 substantiated stop-and-frisk misconduct allegations that were prosecuted by the Civilian Complaint Review Board or by the NYPD itself. The allegations involved 91 officers in incidents between early 2021 and March 2022.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Mondays hearing will begin with testimony from OceanGates Argentinian Co-Founder, Guillermo Sohnlein, who left the exploration company in 2013.

MORE ON THE TITAN SUBMERSIBLE

Following Sohnlein, the Coast Guard panel will hear from Roy Thomas, senior engineer for the American Bureau of Shipping, which classes and certifies submersibles. The Titan was not classed when it imploded on its way to the Titanic.

Closing out the day, former OceanGate Engineering Director Phil Brooks will testify about his time with the company. Brooks became engineering director after Tony Nissen, whom the panel heard from on the first day of the public hearing.

On the latest day of the hearing, a former OceanGate contractor explained how she felt when raising safety concerns. She told the panel about one instance where she was taken off the navigation team after notifying superiors of an issue with the navigation system.

Former OceanGate Marine Operations Director David Lochridge, who turned whistleblower, detailed numerous issues he fought to correct with former OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush during his testimony. He concluded by saying that if OSHA had investigated his complaint further, the Titans implosion may have been avoided.

LIVE UPDATES:

4:36 p.m.

Hearing adjourned.

4:34 p.m.

Brooks leaves on closing statement:

4:26 p.m.

Brooks said there was concern on his part regarding the drop weight motors that was not addressed.

4:23 p.m.

Brooks believed he emailed other OceanGate employees regarding safety issues and concerns.

His final conversation when he left the company was a phone call.

3:50 p.m.

Brooks said Stocktons explanation of the loud bang sounded plausible and the previous engineering director also agreed with Stocktons assessment.

3:49 p.m.

There was no discussion on dive 80 about reaching out to a third-party to investigate after the loud bang.

3:48 p.m.

Brooks said he did have concerns that OceanGate did not have an independent team to review the data. He said on some level it really just required him to research everything about strain data and do the best he could.

3:47 p.m.

Brooks tasks were to prepare the data from the real time monitoring system and disseminate to other members of the OceanGate team, he testified.

3:37 p.m.

In 2021 and 2022 there was constant maintenance on the sub, Brooks said.

In addition to technical reasons, the company also asked employees to forgo paychecks for a period of time and felt safety was being overlooked, Brooks said. He did not think the company should be diving the Titan to the Titanic in 2023.

Brooks explains the full reason why he left OceanGate below:

3:36 p.m.

There was no maintenance completed on the Titan hull between 2022 and 2023 expeditions, he testified. Brooks left in February 2023.

3:35 p.m.

Going back to a previous topic, Brooks said other than the one bang on dive 80 he does not remember another time where a bang occurred during dives.

3:22 p.m.

Stockton thought the loud bang came from the frame as it came back up and adjusted back to its original shape on dive 80. On dives 81, 82 and 83, Brooks said there were no other instances of abnormal data and that is why the team continued on, he testified.

3:12 p.m.

Brooks said following dive 80, he decided to leave around this time due to issues he was having with Stocktons judgement calls at the time including the additional tests needed.

Brooks wanted to take the Titan back to Everett and pull it apart after dive 80, but Stockton said no because the company could not afford that.

3:11 p.m.

There was no discussion on whether to do unmanned test dives following the incident on dive 80, Brooks said.

3:09 p.m.

Brooks says he does not think he is qualified to determine what a shift in real time monitoring system strain data meant. This question comes after Brooks explains the loud bang showed a shift in strain data during dive 80.

3:06 p.m.

Stockton made the decision to resume dives after the loud bang.

3:03 p.m.

When the loud band occurred on dive 80 the team inspected the hull and looked at the strain data from the real time monitoring system, according to Brooks

3:01 p.m.

When the loud band occurred on one of Titans test dives, there was an acoustic anomaly on the real time data, Brooks said.

2:59 p.m.

The team used ping tests to determine whether sensors on the real time monitoring system were working, according to Brooks.

If a sensor was not working during a dive there would not be a display for the pilot.

2:40 p.m.

Brooks describes tests performed on the final carbon fiber Titan hull. This is the hull the Titan had when it imploded.

2:35 p.m.

Brooks describes downloading data from the real time monitoring system:

2:01 p.m.

Stockton was the primary person who determined the color procedure on the real time monitoring system which was green, yellow and red, however he did listen to engineering team suggestions.

1:59 p.m.

If the real time monitoring hit a red color, which was the alarm, the sub would then resurface, Brooks said.

He explained there were a few times where the system went yellow and red, but they were toward the end of dives.

1:55 p.m. -1:56 p.m.

The point of the real time monitoring system is so the submersible pilot can access the health of the hull as the submersible drops and if need be, resurface.

The real time monitoring was the main way to check that the submersible was running smoothly during a dive.

There were no audible alarms on the system because Stockton was against them, Brooks said.

Everyone aboard the submersible could see the monitoring systems and the visual alarms that would pop up if something was wrong.

1:50 p.m.

Brooks breaks down real time monitoring system on the Titan while he was with OceanGate and how it worked:

1:44 p.m.

Brooks says Titan data for the real time monitoring system from the Bahamas test dives in 2019 was not being acquired correctly. The team was grabbing only the peaks from the data and had no time tracking or depth data which made it impossible to analyze.

In the fall of 2019, Brooks began redoing the software so it could be collected properly and analyzed, he testified.

1:43 p.m.

Brooks said his focus was mostly software and mechanical engineering when it came to working on the Titan submersible at OceanGate.

Brooks does not have a background in materials engineering.

Brooks started at OceanGate in 2019 and left in 2023.

1:38 p.m.

Brooks details professional and educational background.

1:35 p.m.

Phil Brooks called to the witness stand.

12:37 p.m.

Recess called until 1:35 p.m.

12:33 p.m.

Thomas leaves on closing statements giving update suggestions regarding submersibles:

12:31 p.m.

At one point the Titan was left outside to weather the elements for an extended period of time. Thomas testifies this can cause degradation of materials and ABS has rules on how to store materials in a controlled environment.

12:28 p.m.

Thomas explains whether companies have attempted to class submersibles with carbon fiber hulls. No submersibles with carbon fiber hulls have ever been successfully classed.

12:26 p.m.

Thomas said deciding what would be the best coating on a carbon fiber hull is still under testing.

12:19 p.m.

Life support systems are critical during the ABS process including testing life support systems in test dives, Thomas said.

Ballast systems are also critical in ABS testing.

12:15 p.m.

ABS has not been involved in non-standard submersible design, Thomas said.

If ABS had been involved when the forward dome fell off the Titan during testing and when a loud bang occurred upon resurfacing in a separate Titan incident, ABS would have had to been surveyed and an investigation would have to be complete, according to Thomas.

He said in these situations ABS should be contacted immediately.

12:13 p.m.

A submersible is not a diving system according to ABS, Thomas said.

12:11 p.m.

Thomas reads ABS submersible passenger definition:

11:23 a.m.

Thomas covers key questions regarding carbon fiber pressure hulls:





















11:22 a.m.

Carbon fiber materials are not listed as ABS approved materials for a submersible pressure hulls, according to Thomas presentation.

11:18 a.m.

Brief history of Antipodes which was the first submersible owned by OceanGate for a period of time.

11:10 a.m.

Thomas explains pressure hull requirements for passenger submersibles through a presentation. The full presentation is below:

11:09 a.m.

The ABS did not perform any services for the Titan submersible and OceanGate did not have any contact with ABS regarding it.

11:02 a.m.

Thomas details professional background.

11:00 a.m.

Roy Thomas called to testify.

10:47 a.m.

Sohnlein leaves on closing statements:

10:43 a.m.

If anything happens, I want it to only impact me, Stockton allegedly told Sohnlein before the first manned dive in the Titan.

Stockton was first and only person to go down in the Titan during the first dive.

10:42 a.m.

Sohnlein never went on dives or expeditions down in the Titan. He got into the business because he never had a desire and wanted to make room for people on the sub who wanted to go.

10:39 a.m.

Sohnlein does not know whether mission specialists were ever paid.

10:37 a.m.

It did not make sense for the pilot to have a 100 ton license to pilot the Antipodes based off its measurements and build, according to Sohnlein.

10:33 a.m.

Sohnlein says he doesnt remember if mission specialists were on any of the Antipodes dives while he was there or if anyone paid to go on them.

10:32 a.m.

Crew members spent months learning how to dive the sub doing training dives in Miami, according to Sohnlein.

10:31 a.m.

Antipodes operated in Puget Sound, Monterey, Catalina Island and Miami while Sohnlein was there.

10:28 a.m.

Sohnlein said no one from NTSB reached out to him regarding safety concerns on the submersibles owned by OceanGate. Passengers were not limited strictly to scientists on the subs while Sohnlein was there.

10:26 a.m.

Antipodes was created from a larger underwater vehicle, Sohnlein said.

10:23 a.m.

Sohnlein said the entire time he was at OceanGate the company only operated in US waters.

10:18 a.m.

OceanGate bought the Lula 500 which later turned into the Cyclops 1.

10:17 a.m.

Sohnlein said he did register Antipodes with the state of Washington during his time with OceanGate.

10:15 a.m.

Marketing people helped craft the definition a mission specialist, but regulatory people did not. He does not remember whether Antipodes was insured.

10:12 a.m.

Sohnlein testifies that there was a former Coast Guard admiral on the OceanGate board, but he never met him. He only knew Stockton thought highly of him.

10:09 a.m.

The board was there to prepare the company for the future growth phase, according to Sohnlein during his time.

10:08 a.m.

Sohnlein was a member of the Marine Technology Society. He did later learn about the letter of concern drafted by MTS, but he was no longer apart of the organization. He has never seen the letter.

10:06 a.m.  10:07 a.m.

Sohnlein said the company moved operation to Miami for less than a year in 2012. He also still has shares in OceanGate.

10:01 a.m.  10:04 a.m.

Sohnlein left OceanGate in January 2013 and the CEO title was transferred to Stockton in August 2012. He said it made sense for Stockton to take over as the company was transitioning into the engineering phase.

He said Stockton wanted him to stay, but he decided to leave because the company was not going to be operating as a business but building the sub and he wanted avoid internal conflict so he left.

As a shareholder, Sohnlein said the company paying his salary when his operations role would not really be utilized was a waste.

10:00 a.m.

OceanGate did have a board of directors while Sohnlein was there which was about 4 or 5 members with Stockton Rush as board chair. Sohnlein said he didnt pay much attention to board dynamics.

No one on the board was responsible for regulations and compliance, he testified.

9:59 a.m.

Submersible operations were paid for by OceanGate Inc.s budget which came from investor money during the time Sohnlein was there.

9:56 a.m.

The purpose of the OceanGate Foundation was to pay for research grants for researchers and to raise awareness dealing with education and science. One example of a way it would help was when pilots would go speak to kids at schools about ocean exploration, according to Sohnlein.

9:52 a.m.

Coast Guard documents from Aug. 2012 say the passenger for hire plan from OceanGate was denied in Miami. Sohnlein said these documents come from when he was turning the company over to Rush and OceanGate was shutting down Miami operations.

9:50 a.m.

Sohnlein said the company did not take Antipodes to Miami until they had Coast Guard approval after OceanGate shared there plans for what they were going to do there.

Sohnlein said they would not have brought the sub to Miami otherwise.

9:46 a.m.

Sohnlein questioned on specific statements made to media before beginning Miami OceanGate operations and touches on OceanGate Foundation role:

9:43 a.m.

OceanGate subs were never going to be passenger vessels. Sohnlein said all of the 6 missions he performed with Antipodes, the company sat down Coast Guard sector commanders beforehand.

9:39 a.m.

After buying the Antipodes, OceanGate brought in the man who created it and had him helped with everything involving the sub. Sohnlein also got involved in a society made for subs and regulatory compliance regarding the sub.

9:38 a.m.

Rush spearheaded the fundraising and Sohnlein was not heavily involved, he testified.

9:26 a.m.

Later in 2009 to 2010, the company explored building their own sub with a carbon-fiber hull, Sohnlein said.

9:25 a.m.

It costs millions and millions to go diving in a sub. The model for OceanGate was to make diving more accessible for people and make it to where people could pay to go on instead of having to buy the sub, the support vehicle, and maintenance, etc.

9:19 a.m.  9:23 a.m.

Sohnlein said developing subs was not in the original plans for OceanGate. Stockton was supposed to fund the company and Sohnlein was going to develop.

The company bought the Antipodes to learn the inner workings of subs. The business plan was to charter deep-diving subs not building them, according to Sohnlein.

9:15 a.m.

Sohnlein describes the original mission for OceanGate in depth and the costs and effort it takes to have working deep diving submersibles as well as the relationship between a sub and its support vessel:

9:13 a.m.

The vision of OceanGate was to create 4 or 5 deep diving submersibles that could carry 5 people and would be available for charter, Sohnlein said.

9:12 a.m.

OceanGate LLC was founded around October 2009 in Everett, Washington, according to Sohnlein.

9:08 a.m.

Sohnlein said he was first introduced to submersible in 2008. He and Stockton Rush met in the summer of 2009.

9:03 a.m.

Sohnlein details his professional background.

9:00 a.m.

Sohnlein called to the witness stand.

8:35 a.m.

Recess called until 9 a.m.

8:34 a.m.

The Coast Guard reviewed former OceanGate contractor Antonella Wilbys NDA and determined it did not prevent her from sharing safety concerns.

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.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Mondays hearing will begin with testimony from OceanGates Argentinian Co-Founder, Guillermo Sohnlein, who left the exploration company in 2013.

Following Sohnlein, the Coast Guard panel will hear from Roy Thomas, senior engineer for the American Bureau of Shipping, which classes and certifies submersibles. The Titan was not classed when it imploded on its way to the Titanic.

Closing out the day, former OceanGate Engineering Director Phil Brooks will testify about his time with the company. Brooks became engineering director after Tony Nissen, whom the panel heard from on the first day of the public hearing.

On the latest day of the hearing, a former OceanGate contractor explained how she felt when raising safety concerns. She told the panel about one instance where she was taken off the navigation team after notifying superiors of an issue with the navigation system.

Former OceanGate Marine Operations Director David Lochridge, who turned whistleblower, detailed numerous issues he fought to correct with former OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush during his testimony. He concluded by saying that if OSHA had investigated his complaint further, the Titans implosion may have been avoided.

LIVE UPDATES:

4:36 p.m.

Hearing adjourned.

4:34 p.m.

Brooks leaves on closing statement:

4:26 p.m.

Brooks said there was concern on his part regarding the drop weight motors that was not addressed.

4:23 p.m.

Brooks believed he emailed other OceanGate employees regarding safety issues and concerns.

His final conversation when he left the company was a phone call.

3:50 p.m.

Brooks said Stocktons explanation of the loud bang sounded plausible and the previous engineering director also agreed with Stocktons assessment.

3:49 p.m.

There was no discussion on dive 80 about reaching out to a third-party to investigate after the loud bang.

3:48 p.m.

Brooks said he did have concerns that OceanGate did not have an independent team to review the data. He said on some level it really just required him to research everything about strain data and do the best he could.

3:47 p.m.

Brooks tasks were to prepare the data from the real time monitoring system and disseminate to other members of the OceanGate team, he testified.

3:37 p.m.

In 2021 and 2022 there was constant maintenance on the sub, Brooks said.

In addition to technical reasons, the company also asked employees to forgo paychecks for a period of time and felt safety was being overlooked, Brooks said. He did not think the company should be diving the Titan to the Titanic in 2023.

Brooks explains the full reason why he left OceanGate below:

3:36 p.m.

There was no maintenance completed on the Titan hull between 2022 and 2023 expeditions, he testified. Brooks left in February 2023.

3:35 p.m.

Going back to a previous topic, Brooks said other than the one bang on dive 80 he does not remember another time where a bang occurred during dives.

3:22 p.m.

Stockton thought the loud bang came from the frame as it came back up and adjusted back to its original shape on dive 80. On dives 81, 82 and 83, Brooks said there were no other instances of abnormal data and that is why the team continued on, he testified.

3:12 p.m.

Brooks said following dive 80, he decided to leave around this time due to issues he was having with Stocktons judgement calls at the time including the additional tests needed.

Brooks wanted to take the Titan back to Everett and pull it apart after dive 80, but Stockton said no because the company could not afford that.

3:11 p.m.

There was no discussion on whether to do unmanned test dives following the incident on dive 80, Brooks said.

3:09 p.m.

Brooks says he does not think he is qualified to determine what a shift in real time monitoring system strain data meant. This question comes after Brooks explains the loud bang showed a shift in strain data during dive 80.

3:06 p.m.

Stockton made the decision to resume dives after the loud bang.

3:03 p.m.

When the loud band occurred on dive 80 the team inspected the hull and looked at the strain data from the real time monitoring system, according to Brooks

3:01 p.m.

When the loud band occurred on one of Titans test dives, there was an acoustic anomaly on the real time data, Brooks said.

2:59 p.m.

The team used ping tests to determine whether sensors on the real time monitoring system were working, according to Brooks.

If a sensor was not working during a dive there would not be a display for the pilot.

2:40 p.m.

Brooks describes tests performed on the final carbon fiber Titan hull. This is the hull the Titan had when it imploded.

2:35 p.m.

Brooks describes downloading data from the real time monitoring system:

2:01 p.m.

Stockton was the primary person who determined the color procedure on the real time monitoring system which was green, yellow and red, however he did listen to engineering team suggestions.

1:59 p.m.

If the real time monitoring hit a red color, which was the alarm, the sub would then resurface, Brooks said.

He explained there were a few times where the system went yellow and red, but they were toward the end of dives.

1:55 p.m. -1:56 p.m.

The point of the real time monitoring system is so the submersible pilot can access the health of the hull as the submersible drops and if need be, resurface.

The real time monitoring was the main way to check that the submersible was running smoothly during a dive.

There were no audible alarms on the system because Stockton was against them, Brooks said.

Everyone aboard the submersible could see the monitoring systems and the visual alarms that would pop up if something was wrong.

1:50 p.m.

Brooks breaks down real time monitoring system on the Titan while he was with OceanGate and how it worked:

1:44 p.m.

Brooks says Titan data for the real time monitoring system from the Bahamas test dives in 2019 was not being acquired correctly. The team was grabbing only the peaks from the data and had no time tracking or depth data which made it impossible to analyze.

In the fall of 2019, Brooks began redoing the software so it could be collected properly and analyzed, he testified.

1:43 p.m.

Brooks said his focus was mostly software and mechanical engineering when it came to working on the Titan submersible at OceanGate.

Brooks does not have a background in materials engineering.

Brooks started at OceanGate in 2019 and left in 2023.

1:38 p.m.

Brooks details professional and educational background.

1:35 p.m.

Phil Brooks called to the witness stand.

12:37 p.m.

Recess called until 1:35 p.m.

12:33 p.m.

Thomas leaves on closing statements giving update suggestions regarding submersibles:

12:31 p.m.

At one point the Titan was left outside to weather the elements for an extended period of time. Thomas testifies this can cause degradation of materials and ABS has rules on how to store materials in a controlled environment.

12:28 p.m.

Thomas explains whether companies have attempted to class submersibles with carbon fiber hulls. No submersibles with carbon fiber hulls have ever been successfully classed.

12:26 p.m.

Thomas said deciding what would be the best coating on a carbon fiber hull is still under testing.

12:19 p.m.

Life support systems are critical during the ABS process including testing life support systems in test dives, Thomas said.

Ballast systems are also critical in ABS testing.

12:15 p.m.

ABS has not been involved in non-standard submersible design, Thomas said.

If ABS had been involved when the forward dome fell off the Titan during testing and when a loud bang occurred upon resurfacing in a separate Titan incident, ABS would have had to been surveyed and an investigation would have to be complete, according to Thomas.

He said in these situations ABS should be contacted immediately.

12:13 p.m.

A submersible is not a diving system according to ABS, Thomas said.

12:11 p.m.

Thomas reads ABS submersible passenger definition:

11:23 a.m.

Thomas covers key questions regarding carbon fiber pressure hulls:





















11:22 a.m.

Carbon fiber materials are not listed as ABS approved materials for a submersible pressure hulls, according to Thomas presentation.

11:18 a.m.

Brief history of Antipodes which was the first submersible owned by OceanGate for a period of time.

11:10 a.m.

Thomas explains pressure hull requirements for passenger submersibles through a presentation. The full presentation is below:

11:09 a.m.

The ABS did not perform any services for the Titan submersible and OceanGate did not have any contact with ABS regarding it.

11:02 a.m.

Thomas details professional background.

11:00 a.m.

Roy Thomas called to testify.

10:47 a.m.

Sohnlein leaves on closing statements:

10:43 a.m.

If anything happens, I want it to only impact me, Stockton allegedly told Sohnlein before the first manned dive in the Titan.

Stockton was first and only person to go down in the Titan during the first dive.

10:42 a.m.

Sohnlein never went on dives or expeditions down in the Titan. He got into the business because he never had a desire and wanted to make room for people on the sub who wanted to go.

10:39 a.m.

Sohnlein does not know whether mission specialists were ever paid.

10:37 a.m.

It did not make sense for the pilot to have a 100 ton license to pilot the Antipodes based off its measurements and build, according to Sohnlein.

10:33 a.m.

Sohnlein says he doesnt remember if mission specialists were on any of the Antipodes dives while he was there or if anyone paid to go on them.

10:32 a.m.

Crew members spent months learning how to dive the sub doing training dives in Miami, according to Sohnlein.

10:31 a.m.

Antipodes operated in Puget Sound, Monterey, Catalina Island and Miami while Sohnlein was there.

10:28 a.m.

Sohnlein said no one from NTSB reached out to him regarding safety concerns on the submersibles owned by OceanGate. Passengers were not limited strictly to scientists on the subs while Sohnlein was there.

10:26 a.m.

Antipodes was created from a larger underwater vehicle, Sohnlein said.

10:23 a.m.

Sohnlein said the entire time he was at OceanGate the company only operated in US waters.

10:18 a.m.

OceanGate bought the Lula 500 which later turned into the Cyclops 1.

10:17 a.m.

Sohnlein said he did register Antipodes with the state of Washington during his time with OceanGate.

10:15 a.m.

Marketing people helped craft the definition a mission specialist, but regulatory people did not. He does not remember whether Antipodes was insured.

10:12 a.m.

Sohnlein testifies that there was a former Coast Guard admiral on the OceanGate board, but he never met him. He only knew Stockton thought highly of him.

10:09 a.m.

The board was there to prepare the company for the future growth phase, according to Sohnlein during his time.

10:08 a.m.

Sohnlein was a member of the Marine Technology Society. He did later learn about the letter of concern drafted by MTS, but he was no longer apart of the organization. He has never seen the letter.

10:06 a.m.  10:07 a.m.

Sohnlein said the company moved operation to Miami for less than a year in 2012. He also still has shares in OceanGate.

10:01 a.m.  10:04 a.m.

Sohnlein left OceanGate in January 2013 and the CEO title was transferred to Stockton in August 2012. He said it made sense for Stockton to take over as the company was transitioning into the engineering phase.

He said Stockton wanted him to stay, but he decided to leave because the company was not going to be operating as a business but building the sub and he wanted avoid internal conflict so he left.

As a shareholder, Sohnlein said the company paying his salary when his operations role would not really be utilized was a waste.

10:00 a.m.

OceanGate did have a board of directors while Sohnlein was there which was about 4 or 5 members with Stockton Rush as board chair. Sohnlein said he didnt pay much attention to board dynamics.

No one on the board was responsible for regulations and compliance, he testified.

9:59 a.m.

Submersible operations were paid for by OceanGate Inc.s budget which came from investor money during the time Sohnlein was there.

9:56 a.m.

The purpose of the OceanGate Foundation was to pay for research grants for researchers and to raise awareness dealing with education and science. One example of a way it would help was when pilots would go speak to kids at schools about ocean exploration, according to Sohnlein.

9:52 a.m.

Coast Guard documents from Aug. 2012 say the passenger for hire plan from OceanGate was denied in Miami. Sohnlein said these documents come from when he was turning the company over to Rush and OceanGate was shutting down Miami operations.

9:50 a.m.

Sohnlein said the company did not take Antipodes to Miami until they had Coast Guard approval after OceanGate shared there plans for what they were going to do there.

Sohnlein said they would not have brought the sub to Miami otherwise.

9:46 a.m.

Sohnlein questioned on specific statements made to media before beginning Miami OceanGate operations and touches on OceanGate Foundation role:

9:43 a.m.

OceanGate subs were never going to be passenger vessels. Sohnlein said all of the 6 missions he performed with Antipodes, the company sat down Coast Guard sector commanders beforehand.

9:39 a.m.

After buying the Antipodes, OceanGate brought in the man who created it and had him helped with everything involving the sub. Sohnlein also got involved in a society made for subs and regulatory compliance regarding the sub.

9:38 a.m.

Rush spearheaded the fundraising and Sohnlein was not heavily involved, he testified.

9:26 a.m.

Later in 2009 to 2010, the company explored building their own sub with a carbon-fiber hull, Sohnlein said.

9:25 a.m.

It costs millions and millions to go diving in a sub. The model for OceanGate was to make diving more accessible for people and make it to where people could pay to go on instead of having to buy the sub, the support vehicle, and maintenance, etc.

9:19 a.m.  9:23 a.m.

Sohnlein said developing subs was not in the original plans for OceanGate. Stockton was supposed to fund the company and Sohnlein was going to develop.

The company bought the Antipodes to learn the inner workings of subs. The business plan was to charter deep-diving subs not building them, according to Sohnlein.

9:15 a.m.

Sohnlein describes the original mission for OceanGate in depth and the costs and effort it takes to have working deep diving submersibles as well as the relationship between a sub and its support vessel:

9:13 a.m.

The vision of OceanGate was to create 4 or 5 deep diving submersibles that could carry 5 people and would be available for charter, Sohnlein said.

9:12 a.m.

OceanGate LLC was founded around October 2009 in Everett, Washington, according to Sohnlein.

9:08 a.m.

Sohnlein said he was first introduced to submersible in 2008. He and Stockton Rush met in the summer of 2009.

9:03 a.m.

Sohnlein details his professional background.

9:00 a.m.

Sohnlein called to the witness stand.

8:35 a.m.

Recess called until 9 a.m.

8:34 a.m.

The Coast Guard reviewed former OceanGate contractor Antonella Wilbys NDA and determined it did not prevent her from sharing safety concerns.

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

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AMES, Iowa  The 53rd annual Octagon Art Festival took place in Ames on Sunday. Artists gathered to showcase their work, and a veteran spoke on the impact art has on people.

The Octagon Center for the Arts hosts this annual event to help promote local artists and bring the community together in appreciation. Over 85 artists from across the Midwest gathered to share their work.

The center provides a place for artists in every stage of their artistic journey. This event is a way to present and support emerging artists. Five of the participates in Sundays event are rising artists who are just starting out.

Its just a great way to also promote emerging artists that are affiliated with either the College of Design (Iowa State University) or are just budding and wanting to get their name out and started in a creative career, said Heather Johnson, Executive Director of the Octagon Center for the Arts.

The festival features a variety of artistic mediums and styles. Wearable, functional, and decorative items were all available to explore. Johnson hopes the festival gives people a chance to learn about different art styles. One person might see a pile of junk and just toss it out, while another might take that same pile and make a beautiful sculpture.

Were hoping that people see art through a different point of view when they come to see all the different things that the artists has made. Reused jewelry pieces, yard art, we just want them to come out and interact with the artist, Johnson said.

Banned Wagon brings banned books to the metro

However, the festival wasnt only a place to explore art. It was also a place to learn about how art can help people.

Ron Kobeluch works with American Legion Post #37 in Ames and runs a table every Saturday during the farmers market. Kobeluch hopes to spread awareness to the community and state about suicide prevention and awareness. A musician himself, Ron reached out to the Octagon Center and set up a table to help spread the message and to discuss the positive affects music and art can have in peoples lives.

The whole idea of having the suicide awareness program out here was just to let people know that there are all different kinds of ways to do things to help live. Art, music, theyre all very good to keep you going. In art its how you visualize things, in music its sometimes words fail, music speaks. So, Im here helping those who sometimes cant get enough help themselves, Kobeluch said.

Kobeluch hopes that people will look around and connect themselves with programs that can help them and that others will look around and help those who need it. Everyone can use help, but Kobeluch wants to make sure veterans who often suffer more than others, get help thats been scarcely available to 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 who13.com.
ATHENS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-six Chinese and Greek musicians came together Sunday evening to perform classical and contemporary music in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, creating a new bridge of communication between the two countries.

"The Moon" was the theme of the event featuring musical pieces by composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, alongside works by 20th-century Greek composer Manos Hatzidakis.

The event was co-organized by the Athens Conservatoire and the Athens State Orchestra.

This was not the first time the Athens State Orchestra has collaborated with Chinese artists in recent years. However, each occasion brings additional steps toward deepening bilateral understanding through art, members of the orchestra told Xinhua.

This time, the Athens State Orchestra was conducted by Chinese maestro Qian Junping. The audience was captivated by their surprise performance of the traditional Chinese song "Green Willow" at the closing.

"We had a wonderful collaboration, and we hope to meet again. I also hope the Chinese audience appreciated our effort to perform the Chinese song," said Manos Gouvelis, who played the viola.

"We had limited time to practice together, but we all gave our best, and I believe the outcome was positive," said violinist Faidon Miliadis.

"The audience responded very positively, and I enjoyed it immensely," conductor Qian Junping told Xinhua. This marked his third visit to Greece since 2016 to perform and collaborate with Greek musicians.

For Chinese violinist Weng Qingzhu, this was his first visit to Greece. He performed the "Polonaise in D Major" by Henryk Wieniawski, accompanied by Chinese pianist Yu Hanwen.

"It was a wonderful atmosphere. The audience was very welcoming, and I felt that they enjoyed the piece, which features Chinese elements," Weng said. 
Rockets fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system on October 7, 2023 (MOHAMMED ABED) (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/AFP)

Hamas's multipronged attack on southern Israel on October 7 was unprecedented in scale. The panic and confusion it caused made many details of what was happening difficult to establish immediately.

Nearly one year later, the confirmed death toll, which includes hostages killed in captivity, now stands at 1,205.

Here is a blow-by-blow timeline of Israel's deadliest day.

- Caught by surprise -

At 6:29 am (0329 GMT), the Israeli army detected thousands of rockets being fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli border communities.

Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza, said it had launched some 5,000 projectiles in an offensive dubbed "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood", a reference to the mosque in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem that is Islam's third-holiest site.

Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system kicked in but was quickly overwhelmed by the amount of incoming fire.

At the same time, Hamas fighters -- the group would later say they numbered 1,200 -- stormed across the border on motorbikes, in pickup trucks and even in motorised paragliders.

They used explosives and bulldozers to break through the fence separating Gaza from Israel and attacked nearly 50 different sites, including kibbutzim communities, army bases and a music festival.

Militants killed festival-goers en masse and went door-to-door in farming communities, shooting residents dead in their homes.

In March, a United Nations report acknowledged there were "reasonable grounds to believe" that rapes were committed during the attack. It also found "clear and convincing information" that some hostages taken on that day had been raped.

- Slow army response -

By 8:30 am, the militants had stormed six military bases: Erez at the northern end of the Gaza Strip, Nahal Oz opposite Gaza City, two others near the Beeri kibbutz, one in Reim near central Gaza and two in the south close to the Egyptian border.

Residents of kibbutzim near Gaza were forced to fight the attackers on their own for hours, as the military was slow to come to their aid.

They would later describe cowering in safe rooms as militants tried to break down the doors, or taking whatever arms they had and rushing out to try to repel the assault.

At the Nova music festival, where nearly 3,000 people had gathered in fields and woods a few kilometres (miles) from central Gaza, militants went on an hour-long rampage that killed at least 370 people.

In kibbutz Beeri, one of the worst-hit communities, the first individual Israeli reinforcements came to help "from 13:30 onwards", an army report later said.

A full army division arrived at 4:15 pm to organise a coordinated evacuation of survivors and retake control of the kibbutz.

The military announced at around 6:00 pm that both soldiers and civilians had been seized by Hamas attackers and taken into Gaza.

- Taken as hostages -

A total of 251 people in Israel were taken hostage on October 7, including 44 from the Nova festival and at least 74 from kibbutz Nir Oz.

Some, including soldiers, were already dead and their bodies were taken into Gaza, the army has said.

Some hostages may have fallen to friendly fire, including in kibbutz Beeri, where witnesses told Israeli media a tank fired at a house in which 14 people were being held by Hamas.

The order may have been an instance of the "Hannibal Directive", which Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported was applied at least three times that day.

This measure allows for the use of force to prevent soldiers from being captured.

- 'We are at war' -

At 11:34 am, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an almost unprecedented televised address on the rest day of Shabbat, declaring: "We are at war."

In the afternoon, the military called up 360,000 reservists to bolster an army that otherwise boasts 170,000 personnel, a mix of those performing mandatory service and career soldiers.

Israel quickly began a relentless bombardment of Gaza, the tiny Palestinian coastal territory home to 2.4 million people that has been ruled by Hamas since 2007.

An AFP journalist reported the first strike in Gaza at 10:39 am that day. Since then, the territory has been devastated by relentless air strikes.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive since October 7 has killed at least 41,431 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to data provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations has called the figures reliable.

As night fell on October 7, the search continued for any gunmen still inside Israel, with terrified civilians locked inside their homes and many streets deserted.

On October 10, the military said it had taken back control of all territory attacked by the militants.

lba/rcb/jd/srm
An octopus patrols a shallow reef, searching for foodand its not alone. A flurry of fish move alongside it, in a group hunting phenomenon observed in multiple marine locations around the world. Scientists have known that octopuses are smart; but social? Not so much. The eight-limbed cephalopods are generally considered solitary, going through life without other octopus interaction except for their brief (usually one-time) mating encounters. But new research is upending the idea that an octopus cant also be a social butterfly. It just so happens their most interesting relationships may occur across species lines.

Octopuses have been observed hunting alongside fish for decades. Generally, scientists have assumed these interactions were simple cases of fish mooching off an octopus flexible appendages and predatory success, stealing a nibble where they could. Or, at the very least, that octopuses led the charge, dictating the actions of fishy followers. Yet the truth appears to be much more nuanced and complex, according to a study published September 23 in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

Fish and octopuses hunt in packs wherein members of different species take on particular social roles. Sometimes the octopus leads and sometimes the intelligent invertebrates follow cues from members of their surrounding scaly squad, per the new analysis. Specific types of fish seem to play recurring parts, and in certain instances, fish even initiate bouts of hunting, recruiting octopuses from their dens.

Previously the sophistication of these relationships was not understood, says study co-author Iain Couzin, an evolutionary biologist and director of the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany. Nobody really knew that octopus have this sophisticated social lifenot with other octopus, but with other species, he tells Popular Science. Whats really novel here is that you have very different animals forming these heterogeneous groups with different types of individuals playing different roles. Thats something that we really havent studied broadly in animal behavior before, he adds.

Video: Typical movement during multispecific group hunting, featuring the three major featured species in the paper (octopus, blacktip grouper, and blue goatfish). Credit: Simon Gingins

Other animals have been documented interacting and coordinating across species. Take, for instance, the badger and coyote duos observed hunting ground squirrels together. Or groupers and eels cooperating to flush prey out of coral crevices. The octopus-fish dynamic takes things up a notch, with aspects of collaboration, exploitation, and shared leadership all adding up to animal intrigue.

Over the course of 120 hours spent diving and recording video on a specially designed wide-angle camera rig in the Red Sea, researchers captured 13 separate instances of mixed-species hunting. It took a lot of effort to collect those observations, says Eduardo Sampaio, lead study author and an animal behaviorist at the Max Planck Institute. Sampaio managed the camera rig with his colleagues in multiple daily dives, searching for camouflaged octopuses on the ocean floor, hoping in each instance to time things just right and stumble upon the sea creatures at mealtime.

In total, all that work yielded just a few hours of relevant footage, he says. Hunting bouts can last as long as 90 minutes but their footage only encompasses snippets. The diving scientists would submerge to find a posse already on the prowl, accidentally disrupt and disperse an ongoing hunt, or run out of air and have to stop recording in the middle.

Video: Examples of octopuses punching fish, thus displacing them. Credit: Simon Gingins

Some observations were apparent during the dives, in real time. For instance Sampaio remembers the first time he witnessed an octopus punching one of the fish as it fell out of lineissuing a quick, forceful jab. The first time I saw this, I was filming and we couldnt actually use that footage because I started laughing and didnt [keep the camera straight]. It was so unexpected, he says. That behavior was notable enough that Sampaio and a few of his colleagues reported it in another paper published in 2020.

However, many of the more subtle social patterns hidden beneath the surface required extra time and attention to unravel. The scientists conducted in-depth video analysis, tracking the animals movement, angles, distance from one another, trajectory, and other variables. They found that octopuses tend to be in the center of the hunting packs and often decide whether or not to move to a new location. When the octopus moves, most of the fish follow. And octopuses use their arms to force prey out of hiding.

An octopus cyanea hunting with a blue goatfish, while a blacktip grouper lies in wait. The snout of a cornetfish is also visible on the top of the picture. Credit: Eduardo Sampaio and Simon Gingins

Blue goatfish, a species of active reef predator, also takes on a leadership position by frequently choosing where the group will head. Blue goatfish scout locations and conduct exploration out in front. They work as a radar for the octopus, Sampaio tells Popular Science. The octopus doesnt need to move around and do this speculative hunting. It can just look at the goatfish, and once it stops somewhere, the octopus knows theres something interesting.

Another species with a notable role are blacktip groupers. These fish are often the most common recipient of octopus punches, and seemingly act only out of self-interest, seeking to steal prey from others, Sampaio explains. Yet even the blacktips werent always an annoyance. Upon review of the video, the researchers noted that these fish tend to be anchors, holding the gang in one place and offering a signal that a zone might be worth a second look. Blacktip groupers are ambush predators. Their patience and drive to wait for prey to emerge offers valuable information to the whole crew. And if a blacktip does opt to move, then it prompts the rest of the fish and the octopus to do so as well. It is a very strong signal, he says.

In nature, we tend to think about leadership in very simple terms, Sampaio says. But the reality might be more akin to a human task force than a dictatorship. Theres hierarchy, but also flexibility and specialization.

Based on their findings so far, Sampaio believes the other recurring group members also have designated roles. But he and his collaborators need more data to prove it. The problem here was sample size, he says. Thirteen instances was only enough to determine the strongest influencers and biggest outliers. Its easier to look at these extreme examples and see what a species presence or absence does to the group, he addssmaller players will take an even bigger data collection effort to suss out. Already, Couzin notes theyre trying to find ways to scale up and automate aspects of their filming process.

The scientists also couldnt readily tell individuals apart from one another. Understanding if roles are dictated at the species or individual level could reveal a whole additional layer of social complexity. Next, theyre aiming to figure out how well the animals recognize each other. As Sampaio puts it, Does this octopus like to hunt with blue goatfish generally, or does it really want to hunt with Martha, who is a good hunter, and not Steve, who is lazy?

Finally, the researchers are hoping to better understand how and if all the group participants benefit from the teamwork. So far, its been difficult to assess who is eating what and how prey gets divided. When hunting alongside fish, octopuses do appear to put less effort and time into prospecting, and instead spend more time actually eating, based on the timing and duration of web-overswhere an octopus expands itself out over a part of the reef, Sampaio explains. But its not yet known if every fish also wins out. We still need to nail that down, says Couzin. But Id be astonished if we didnt find good evidence when we look in more detail.

Ultimately, looking more closely at this one system could open our eyes to all sorts of undiscovered animal dynamics. Complex social collaboration and communication between species could be very common, Couzin, tells Popular Science. Bird flocks are often multi-species aggregations, and some research already indicates this diversity carries benefits. Ungulates on the savannah might be passing hints about resources or predators between herds, Couzin speculates. I just find it fascinating and beautiful, and I hope that the public does too.
An Octopus cyanea hunts with a blacktip grouper on one side and a blue goatfish on the other.

Octopuses dont always hunt alone  but their partners arent who youd expect.

A new study shows that some members of the species Octopus cyanea maraud around the seafloor in hunting groups with fish, which sometimes include several fish species at once.

The research, published in the journal Nature on Monday, even suggests that the famously intelligent animals organized the hunting groups decisions, including what they should prey upon.

Whats more, the researchers witnessed the cephalopod species  often called the big blue or day octopus  punching companion fish, apparently to keep them on task and contributing to the collective effort.

Octopuses have often been thought to avoid other members of their species and prowl solo using camouflage. But the study suggests that some octopuses have surprisingly rich social lives  a finding that opens a new window into the marvels of undersea life. Its an indication that at least one octopus species has characteristics and markers of intelligence that scientists once considered common only in vertebrates.

I think sociality, or at least attention to social information, is way more deep-rooted in the evolutionary tree than we might think, said Eduardo Sampaio, a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the lead author of the research.

We are very similar to these animals, he added. In terms of sentience, they are at a very close level or closer than we think toward us.

To understand the inner details of octopus lives, researchers dived for about a month at a reef off the coast of Eilat, Israel, and tracked 13 octopuses for a total of 120 hours using several cameras. The team followed the octopuses for 13 hunts, during which they observed groups of between two and 10 fish working with each octopus.

These hunting groups typically included several species of reef fish, such as grouper and goatfish. The octopuses did not appear to lead the groups, but they did punch at fish to enforce social order  most often at blacktip groupers.

The ones that get more punched are the main exploiters of the group. These are the ambush predators, the ones that dont move, dont look for prey, Sampaio said.

An Octopus cyanea hunts with a blue goatfish while a blacktip grouper lies in wait.

Octopuses would also punch fish to keep the group moving.

If the group is very still and everyone is around the octopus, it starts punching, but if the group is moving along the habitat, this means that theyre looking for prey, so the octopus is happy. It doesnt punch anyone, Sampaio said.

The researchers think fish benefit from such hunting groups because an octopus can reach into crevices where prey hides and root out lunch. The octopus benefits, they believe, because it can simply follow the fish to food, rather than perform what the researchers call speculative hunting.

For the octopus, its also an advantage because it doesnt need to sample or go around the environment, Sampaio said. You can just look at the fish.

After shooting their video, the researchers fed all of their hunting scenes into software that creates a three-dimensional representation, then used another program to track each animal and log its position in relation to others. The data allowed the researcher to measure how close the creatures remained to one another and which creatures anchored or pulled the group in one direction or another.

The data showed that a particular fish species, the blue goatfish, would roam off and lead the hunting groups in that direction, but the group of fish would linger if the octopus didnt immediately follow.

The goatfish are the ones exploring the environment and finding prey, Sampaio explained. The octopus is the decider of the group.

An Octopus cyanea hunts with a blue goatfish while a blacktip grouper lies in wait. The snout of a cornetfish is also visible at the top of the frame.

The researchers did not see evidence that the creatures shared prey. All the species involved are generalists that eat crustaceans, fish and mollusks, but whoever was able to catch the prey got a meal.

Questions remain, however, including whether certain octopuses recognize or prefer to hunt with a favorite fish companion.

Is there a recognition of the individual? Sampaio said. Do I want to follow the blue goatfish or do I want to follow Martha because Ive hunted with Martha before?

Its also not clear if this social hunting behavior is something octopuses learn or if its innate.

In my intuition, I think its something they learn, because the smaller octopuses seem to have a higher difficulty to collaborate with fish than the large ones, Sampaio said.

Jonathan Birch, a professor of philosophy at the London School of Economics who studies animal sentience but was not involved in the new research, said he was impressed by the hours of video evidence the scientists collected and their careful coding of the video to quantify the relationships between the creatures.

Its an important step beyond what you get in nature documentaries, where individual behavior will get filmed, Birch said.

He also appreciated that the studys observations were made outside a laboratory setting, where a lot of animal cognition research takes place. Octopuses can be difficult to study outside their natural setting. They just seem to be so much more expressive in the wild and be capable of so much more, he said.

An Octopus cyanea performs a web-over (an extension of its arms and white interbrachial web) between a blacktip grouper and a blue goatfish.

Some scientists subscribe to a theory of evolution called the social brain hypothesis, which says that primates and other animals evolved large brains to process social information and collaborate with others.

Octopuses were seen as a problem case because they are intelligent and yet solitary, it was assumed, so researchers puzzled for a long time about whats going on there, Birch said.

That left two possibilities: Either octopuses indicated that there were paths to intelligence outside of social information, or scientists were missing a hidden piece of octopus lifestyles that fit the social intelligence theory.

This study seems to shift the balance a bit towards that second theory, Birch said. For at least one species of octopus, there is quite a rich social life of a kind.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Starting in October, the state department of corrections will have body cameras on all their officers in prison facilities across Oklahoma.

Adding body cams to our correctional officers just adds another layer of transparency to help protect the inmates and our staff, ODOC Chief of Public Relations Kay Thompson said.

LOCAL NEWS: OU astrophysicist has breakthrough research of mapping distant galaxy

They got over a thousand of them to be on the uniforms of corrections officers across 22 facilities.

We did training with wardens, deputy wardens and chiefs of security this last week to learn how to operate the platform and how to pull down the videos, Thompson said.

The agency also did a pilot program for them at two of their facilities. One at a minimum security and another at a maximum security prison.

During the program, we actually saw a 40 percent reduction in serious incidents and a 60% reduction in PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) allegations, Thompson said.

The cameras come following a state lawmakers call for change within Oklahoma prisons early this year. Rep. J.J. Humphrey accused the ODOC of failing inmates during a Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee meeting back in March. He brought up rape and deaths reported to him by department of corrections staff at the time.

LOCAL NEWS: Police investigating after man allegedly punches woman at dollar store

We need to call a state of emergency. We need to investigate. Something should be done, Humphrey said to KFOR at the time.

Thompson said they think this is key to fixing those issues moving forward.

It just adds a lot of safety and security, she said. For instance, use of force is will be lowered. PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) allegations are also lowered by use of the body cameras.

The approximate cost is $1 million per year. Currently, we are using appropriated funds for the cameras. The pilot ran officially for 90 days, but those facilities have had the cameras this entire time. Thompson added.

As of right now, Thompson said they plan to take over operations of the Lawton Correctional Facility next summer. They will add body cameras there when thats done.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  The Dubois County Sheriffs Office and Indiana State Police aided in the arrest of an out-of-state murder suspect Monday morning.

According to a release from Indiana State Police, state troopers were informed of homicide suspect, Alejandro Angulo, traveling out of Ohio in a beige 2004 Toyota Corolla on Interstate 64 early Monday morning.

It is said around 6:30 a.m., a DCSO deputy located the vehicle at a gas station in Ferdinand. Authorities say they waited for Angulo to exit the gas station before making contact to confirm his identity.

Angulo was arrested and transported to the Dubois County Jail where he will await extradition back to Ohio.

Alejandro Angulo (Courtesy: Dubois County Jail)

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Ohio has no statewide standard for cybersecurity, but it's here to help when cities are hit

Recent ransomware attacks have crippled Ohio's cities, compromising residents' personal information and slowing down basic services.

However, Ohio does not have a statewide requirement for how municipalities handle cybersecurity or a mandate that cities seek the state's help after an attack.

That's because Ohio municipalities are empowered to govern themselves, a concept called home rule. Ohio lawmakers have routinely tested the bounds of home rule by banning everything from firearm restrictions to flavored tobacco limits and plastic bag bans statewide. But they haven't tackled cybersecurity.

"We have home rule in this state," said Kirk Herath, Ohio's cybersecurity strategic advisor. "I dont have authority over any of these folks. They dont have to do anything uniformly."

The result: Little is uniform when cybercriminals seize control of computers and demand payments for stolen personal identifying information.

For example, when a Russian-affiliated ransomware group struck Cleveland in June, city officials quickly asked the Ohio Cyber Reserve to deploy its volunteer cybersecurity experts to help. When foreign cybercriminals hit Columbus a month later, city officials took three weeks to respond to Ohio's offer to help, Herath said.

"It was night and day difference in what they (Cleveland) asked us to do and the timing of it," Herath said.

Columbus used RSM Security instead, because the cybersecurity incident response company was already familiar with the city, Columbus spokeswoman Melanie Crabill said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also assisted with the investigation.

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther gives an update on the cybersecurity event that has been impacting the City of Columbus since July.

Huber Heights, a suburb of Dayton, didn't ask for Ohio Cyber Reserve help when it fell victim to a cyberattack last November, Herath said. The attack compromised the personal information of nearly 6,000 people, according to the Dayton Daily News.

The cost of being proactive

While the Ohio Cyber Reserve is reactive, the state is fighting cybercrime proactively, too. Ohio cybersecurity experts offer county-level training and risk assessments. They started with six of the state's smaller counties and have 39 more signed up for the optional, free service, Herath said.

"Our ability to help today is dramatically improved from even two or three years ago," Herath said.

Ohio is also shoring up its own cybersecurity risks  no small task for an operation with dozens of agencies and departments. The state faces thousands of attacks, big and small, each day, said Herath, who likened it to Captain America fending off attacks with his shield.

For example, cybercriminals attacked the Ohio Lottery on Christmas Eve 2023, stealing patrons' full names and Social Security numbers. "We effectively rebuilt the lottery's entire network in a couple of weeks," Herath said.

Gov. Mike DeWine's administration plans to ask lawmakers for money in the next budget to buy a better tool than its current Microsoft Office. The state hasn't finalized how much that might cost, DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said.

The cost of better cybersecurity programs can be a problem for local governments, especially those struggling to provide basic services like police and fire. "This comes down to a resource issue," said Keary McCarthy, executive director of the Ohio Mayors Alliance.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said cities need help to shore up their defenses. "As foreign cyberattacks become more frequent and sophisticated, it's clear that we need a renewed federal effort to provide cities with additional resources to defend against these rapidly evolving and increasingly complex threats to our residents," Ginther said in a statement.

Herath, who previously served as Nationwide's chief privacy officer, understands that the cost can deter small cities and big businesses alike. But there's a cost to doing nothing, too. The average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.88 million, according to IBM.

"You pay it now or you pay a lot more later if there is an incident," he said.

What to do if your personal information is compromised

Herath offered several tips for Ohioans concerned about compromised personal identifying information.

Use multi-factor authentication on your important accounts. Many financial institutions and email accounts might already require this, or you can use authenticators from Google, Microsoft or Cisco Duo.

Put a credit freeze, or security freeze, on your credit reports. This stops any new accounts from being opened in your name.

Report identity theft with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov.

Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How is Ohio tackling cybersecurity amid ransomware attacks on cities?
The Gavel outside the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.)

The Ohio chapter of a national social workers group jumped in on a case that asks the Ohio Supreme Court to look at the states parentage laws from the perspective of same-sex couples.

The case involves a former couple, Priya Shahani and Carmen Edmonds, who had three children during the course of their 11-year relationship, all of whom were carried by Shahani, with the use of a sperm donor chosen based on his similarity to Edmonds nationality.

Their relationship pre-dated the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the Ohio case where the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Ultimately, the couple decided not to marry because they knew their marriage would not be recognized in Ohio, court documents stated.

But the children all carried hyphenated names for both mothers, even after the two entered into a legal agreement to dissolve their marriage-like relationship. That legal agreement included a schedule for parenting time.

Later on, Shahani changed the childrens last names to remove Edmonds and filed legal motions to terminate their shared-custody agreement and visitation. Edmonds responded with requests for custody and parentage rights.

Shahani claimed after the relationship ended she continued to make the major child-related decisions, covered all expenses and handled medical needs, and the children generally stayed with Ms. Edmonds sporadically.

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Ohio law causes issues in the case, because the couple was never married and Edmonds cant be legally recognized as a parent under Ohio law, which requires biological connection or legal adoption. Adoption was not an option because marriage is required for a second-parent adoption under Ohio law.

Ohios parentage laws, in conjunction with the U.S. Supreme Courts holding in Obergefell v. Hodges, do, however provide a pathway for Ms. Edmonds and other non-biological, non-adoptive, same-sex parents who were unable to have their marriages legally recognized in the state of Ohio during the course of their relationship to establish legal parentage and confer the accompanying rights and responsibilities of parenthood, the ACLU of Ohio said in the brief to the Ohio Supreme Court, along with the National Association of Social Workers, including its Ohio chapter.

A trial court ruled against terminating the shared custody agreement, awarding Edmonds companionship time with the children, but also would not issue a parentage decree to Edmonds, leading them both to appeal to the First District Court of Appeals.

On appeal, Edmonds argued that because Obergefell was now in effect, the court could apply statutes for parental rights used with regard to married couples, since the couple would have been married if it had been allowed in their state.

The appellate court ruled that the trial court needed to hold a hearing to determine if the former couple would have been married if Obergefell had forced Ohio to allow same-sex marriage.

In appealing to the Ohio Supreme Court, attorneys for Shahani said a state court does not have the authority to disregard Ohios statute banning common-law marriage and order a person into an unlicensed and manufactured marriage, nor can a court backdate that marriage to rewrite history.

With the case in the hands of the state supreme court, the NASW and the ACLU of Ohio see a way forward where relationships and impacts on children can be fully explored with regard to Ohio law.

The groups said the Ohio Supreme Court now has the opportunity to advance the best interest of the children of same-sex parents in Ohio whose relationship pre-dated Obergefell, thus protecting their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Ohios own parentage statutes recognize the preference for two parents, and courts routinely acknowledge that a childs best interest is served through the involvement and support of two loving parents, the ACLU wrote in the brief.

The brief also cites scientific evidence confirming that children develop significant emotional and psychological attachment bonds due to parental-figure-and-child interactions, without regard for biological connection or legal status.

Evidence present in the case before it arrived at the states highest court also show the fact that Edmonds had no biological connection to the children has made no difference in her ability to form attachment bonds and connect with the children in the same way as Ms. Shahani, the court brief stated.

The NASW said potentially devastating harm could be done with the separation of the children from a parental figure, and argued courts should take special care when discussing these types of decisions.

In short, giving non-biological, same-sex partners legal parental status with respect to the children they have helped bring into the world and raise represents an important step toward fostering the stability and health of such children, and gives these children a better chance of growing up emotionally health and strong, the group said in its brief.

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Oklahomas attorney general is asking a federal appeals court to allow the state to enforce a controversial new immigration law, House Bill 4156.

In a brief filed Friday, Attorney General Gentner Drummond asked the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to reverse a lower courts preliminary injunction issued in June, which put the law on hold. The measure creates a crime of impermissible occupation and allows law enforcement officers to arrest and jail people living in the U.S. without legal permission.

Drummond pushed for the legislation, which lawmakers passed earlier this year, saying it would help authorities target illegal marijuana grows. Critics argued the measure could violate federal law, and a U.S. district court judge initially agreed.

Drummonds office argued in its new court filing that the state measure does not undermine federal law.

Oklahoma Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, for a profile about his first year in office on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.

Rather, HB 4156 mirrors federal law by design, the attorney generals office said in a brief. Without a valid cause of action, the United States relied on speculation about how HB 4156 would be implemented, spurious conclusions about the laws underpinnings, and fundamental misconceptions about a states sovereign rights and duties in a federalist system of government.

Immigration policy is typically addressed on the federal level. Drummond argued that an influx of undocumented immigration has negatively impacted the state and strained state and local government agencies.

Oklahoma immigration law: What does HB 4156 say? Does it promote racial profiling?

The border crisis has swamped Oklahoma with an unprecedented onslaught of criminal activity, the attorney general's office said in its recent court filing.

In a statement announcing the filing, Drummond said he would continue to push back against the federal courts injunction, including taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Oklahoma has a constitutional right to protect our citizens, he said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: AG asks appeals court to allow Oklahoma's controversial immigration law
The removal of more than 453,000 inactive or ineligible Oklahoma voter registrations has prompted concerns over citizen disillusionment and calls for state residents to make sure they can vote in nearing elections.

State officials said the deletions have taken place since Jan. 1, 2021, and are part of routine maintenance that ensures voter rolls are up-to-date. Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the removals recently, saying they are part of a necessary process to ensure secure elections.

Some community leaders, though, responded to the announcement by urging the state to do more to register new voters and to better support Oklahomans who feel left out of the political process.

More than 2.38 million residents of the state are registered to vote, according to Oklahoma State Election Board data.

More: Oklahoma voters will decide 12 state Senate races in November

A person votes Aug. 27 at The Shoppes at Northpark in Oklahoma City.

The state could engage more voters by automatically registering Oklahomans when they turn 18, become U.S. citizens or when they interact with a state agency, said Andy Moore, the CEO of Lets Fix This, a local organization focused on boosting civic participation.

I think our main position is the way that Oklahoma audits and maintains their voter list is good, Moore said. There are a lot of opportunities the state could take to try to register new voters, and they dont do that. I think thats where the imbalance occurs.

Oklahomans should confirm their voter registration before the next election, update it when they move to a new address and show up to vote, Moore said.

Voters must register by Oct. 11 to participate in the Nov. 5 general election. Oklahoma has had some of the lowest rates of voter turnout in the past four presidential general elections, U.S. Census Bureau data shows.

If voting is important to you, dont take it for granted, Moore said.

Inactive voters make up largest share of those removed from voter rolls

Over the past three years, Oklahoma election officials removed 143,682 voters who moved out of state, 97,065 who died, 14,993 duplicate registrations and 5,607 people who were convicted of a felony, according to the governors office.

Inactive voters made up the largest share of the removals with 194,962. These are voters who havent participated in any election throughout four consecutive general election cycles, generally spanning eight years. They also would not have responded when the state Election Board sent them an address verification letter.

Voting is our most sacred duty as Americans  and every Oklahoman wants to know their vote is securely cast and properly counted, Stitt said in a statement. The State Election Board and the Secretary of States office continue to go above and beyond in their responsibility to ensure only eligible Oklahomans can vote in our elections. Their progress reassures me we will continue to lead the nation in election integrity efforts.

More: Oklahoma voters will decide four Congressional races this fall

Rep. Mauree Turner is pictured at a September 2022 event at the Oklahoma Capitol.

Rep. Mauree Turner, D-Oklahoma City, said the removal numbers are alarming and shouldnt be celebrated by state leaders. Deleting registrations excludes more voters and doesnt solve any of the states most pressing issues, said Turner, who uses they/them pronouns.

Meeting Oklahomans need for a strong public education system, better health care, living wages and inclusive policies would enable residents to be more active voters, they said.

My first thought is how many people are in there that have been purged and dont know that theyve been purged, Turner said. All this is going to do is discourage people who are already less inclined to show up to the polls anyway in a deeply red state. And I think thats just deeply unfortunate.

Oklahomans might see fewer reasons to show up at the polls if they are part of marginalized groups that feel ignored or harmed by elected leaders, said Turner, who didnt seek reelection after four years in the state Legislature. They said others might be busy with child care or working multiple jobs.

Turner encouraged these voters to participate in elections, even if they feel excluded from the political system, and to engage in community organizing and run for office. They said Oklahoma needs more candidates who had to live on the other side of the policies that the Legislature has created.

I think its time that we start engaging and leaning into folks like that, Turner said. Those types of candidates dont look like establishment politicians. They dont look like the folks who are elected in the Oklahoma Legislature. So, I think those are the types of folks that need to be elected.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma removes 453,000 inactive, ineligible voters from rolls
Old clip shows Gaza high-rise building struck by Israel, not 'bombing of Japanese embassy'

Footage of an Israeli airstrike on a building in Gaza has been shared in Chinese-language social media posts that falsely claimed it showed the Japanese embassy in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv being "bombed". There have been no official reports of the Japanese embassy in Israel being attacked, and similar clips of the Gaza high-rise being destroyed in an Israeli air raid have circulated since May 2021.

"The Embassy of Japan in Israel bombed," read simplified-Chinese sticker text on a TikTok video shared on August 20, 2024.

The 15-second clip shows an explosion and the collapse of a tower block.

Screenshot of the false TikTok video, captured on September 20, 2024

The same footage was also shared repeatedly on Douyin, China's version of TikTok.

Screenshots of false videos shared on Douyin, captured on September 20, 2024

China and Japan are perennial rivals in East Asia whose ties are freighted with the baggage of Japan's imperial past and China's more recent rise to superpower status (archived link).

The claim also surfaced 10 months into the war in Gaza (archived link).

The unprecedented Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,431 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations has acknowledged the figures as reliable.

But the video circulating online does not show the Japanese embassy and there have been no official reports of an attack on the embassy.

Israeli airstrikes

A reverse image search on Google using keyframes from the video and subsequent keyword searches led to a similar video of the same building published by Al Jazeera on May 13, 2021 (archived link).

When compared to the Al Jazeera footage, the falsely shared video appears to have been flipped horizontally.

The Al Jazeera video is titled "Israel destroys third Gaza tower" and its caption states it shows "the moment the 14-storey al-Shorouq tower, housing media offices in Gaza City, was completely destroyed by multiple Israeli air raids" on May 12, 2021.

According to Human Rights Watch, the building -- among the oldest tower blocks in Gaza and a landmark in the city -- was one of four high-rises destroyed in Israeli air strikes between May 10 and May 21 when a ceasefire came into force (archived link).

Within those 11 days, Israeli air strikes killed 243 people including 66 children in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The Israeli army said more than 4,300 rockets were fired towards the Jewish state by Hamas and Islamic Jihad (archived link).

Below is a screenshot comparison of the falsely shared video (left) and the one published by Al Jazeera (right), with similarities highlighted by AFP:

Screenshot comparison of the video falsely shared online (left) and the one published by Al Jazeera (right)

The Embassy of Japan in Israel is located in the Museum Tower in Tel Aviv (archived links here and here).

Google Street View imagery shows a building with a mainly glass facade, different from the one seen in the falsely shared video.

Screenshot comparison of the building shown in the falsely shared video and the Museum Tower in Tel Aviv that houses the Japanese embassy

AFP has debunked other false claims around the Israel-Gaza war here.
Representatives from media of BRICS countries jointly launch the "UPanda Cinema" in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 22, 2024. The annual launch of "UPanda Cinema" and the BRICS film and cultural exchange event kicked off here on Sunday with the participation of over 900 representatives from media organizations, film institutions, and youth groups of BRICS countries. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The annual launch of "UPanda Cinema" and the BRICS film and cultural exchange event kicked off here on Sunday with the participation of over 900 representatives from media organizations, film institutions, and youth groups of BRICS countries.

Organizers of the event said that cooperation in the film and television sector is an essential part of cultural exchanges and mutual learning, expressing hope that this event will allow people in BRICS countries to better understand China's development in the new era.

They affirmed their commitment to carrying forward the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, fostering cultural exchanges and cooperation, and painting a picture of shared friendship.

Andrey Denisov, first deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation, said that thanks to the joint efforts of the Russian and Chinese media, "UPanda Cinema" was successfully launched in Russia, with Chinese programs welcomed by Russian viewers and praised by Russian critics.

Galina Kulikova, first deputy chairperson of the Russia-China Friendship Association and recipient of China's Friendship Medal, said that the event will provide more Russian audiences with opportunities to learn about China.

The event will not only bring exciting television programs to Russian audiences but also convey the friendship and warmth of the Chinese people to them, she said, expressing hope that through this "BRICS Broadcasting Season," cultural exchanges and cooperation among BRICS countries will become closer and more cohesive. 

Young Chinese and Russians perform on stage in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 22, 2024. The annual launch of "UPanda Cinema" and the BRICS film and cultural exchange event kicked off here on Sunday with the participation of over 900 representatives from media organizations, film institutions, and youth groups of BRICS countries. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Young Chinese and Russians perform on stage in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 22, 2024. The annual launch of "UPanda Cinema" and the BRICS film and cultural exchange event kicked off here on Sunday with the participation of over 900 representatives from media organizations, film institutions, and youth groups of BRICS countries. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

This photo taken on Sept. 22, 2024 shows a scene of the launch of "UPanda Cinema" and the BRICS film and cultural exchange event held in Moscow, Russia. The annual launch of "UPanda Cinema" and the BRICS film and cultural exchange event kicked off here on Sunday with the participation of over 900 representatives from media organizations, film institutions, and youth groups of BRICS countries. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Young Chinese and Russians perform on stage in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 22, 2024. The annual launch of "UPanda Cinema" and the BRICS film and cultural exchange event kicked off here on Sunday with the participation of over 900 representatives from media organizations, film institutions, and youth groups of BRICS countries. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Visitors try extended reality (XR) helmets during an XR experience exhibition in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 22, 2024. The annual launch of "UPanda Cinema" and the BRICS film and cultural exchange event kicked off here on Sunday with the participation of over 900 representatives from media organizations, film institutions, and youth groups of BRICS countries. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Young Chinese and Russians perform on stage in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 22, 2024. The annual launch of "UPanda Cinema" and the BRICS film and cultural exchange event kicked off here on Sunday with the participation of over 900 representatives from media organizations, film institutions, and youth groups of BRICS countries. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)
Old Spaghetti Warehouse building needs to be taken down, plans submitted to city say

Old Spaghetti Warehouse building needs to be taken down, plans submitted to city say

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A proposal that would see the former Spaghetti Warehouse building in Franklinton demolished may be moving forward.

The Robert Weiler Company submitted plans in January for a 500-unit building and a 500-space parking garage on the site. Those plans, which would require the existing building at 397 W. Broad St. to be demolished, are going before the Downtown Commission on Tuesday after some changes.

The old Spaghetti Warehouse building would be demolished as part of plans being presented to the Downtown Commission. (Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Auditors Office)

In a letter to the commission, three companies described their plans to redevelop the site. The project, called 397 West Broad, LLC, is a venture owned by Robert Weiler of the Robert Weiler Company, Pat Kelley of Kelley Companies, and Doug Pak, owner of Spaghetti Warehouse.

The building has been the subject of multiple unsafe notices and violations from the City of Columbus since its roof collapsed in 2022, according to the letter. In June, it was also included on the nonprofit Preservation Ohios list of historic Columbus sites that are endangered. Spaghetti Warehouse has since opened a new storefront Downtown on South High Street.

Whitehall police chief addresses lingering allegations of a poor work environment

This building is simply too old and unsafe and needs to be taken down, the letter said.

As for what could be built there, details are sparse. Despite previous indications that a 534-unit building and 577-space parking garage would be built in its place, the letter to the commission made no such commitment. It said the three groups in partnership intend to redevelop this property with a mixed-use building but there are no concrete plans to share at the moment.

Weiler told NBC4 he would like it to be a five-story apartment building with around 250 apartments and two levels of parking. He said for the plan to go forward, it would need to be approved by the Downtown Commission, but that it likely wont happen at the upcoming meeting. More detailed plans are expected to be submitted to the commission before the new year.

We plan to present our redevelopment options and renderings before year end, the letter 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
One dead in NE Oklahoma City shooting, police say

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahoma City Police are investigating after one person was shot and killed on Friday, September 20.

According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers responded to a parking lot near the 3300 block of N. Kelley Ave. around 8:30 p.m. regarding gunshots.

LOCAL NEWS: Give people false hope: Stillwater apartment complex rebranding after complaints

Upon arrival, they found 20-year-old DaShawn Davis who had been struck by gunfire. Officials say Davis was pronounced dead at the scene.

No arrests have been made as the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover funeral expenses for Davis. You can donate using the link 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Donald Trumps attempt to grab another electoral vote and complicate Kamala Harriss efforts to win the presidential election may have just hit a wall.

A conservative effort to change how Nebraska awards its Electoral College votes was shot down Monday by Republican state Senator Mike McDonnell, who said he wont support any changes to the states unique system. In a statement, McDonnell said, After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.

Nebraska is one of two states (the other is Maine) that award one Electoral College vote to the winner in each congressional district and two more votes to the winner of the states popular vote. Republicans sought to make Nebraskas Electoral College votes a winner-take-all system, in an effort spearheaded by Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Last week, Graham met with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and more than a dozen Republican state lawmakers, including McDonnell, to push a bill that would change the states vote allocation system in the Electoral College. Much of Nebraska leans Republican, with the exception of its 2nd congressional district, which includes the Democratic-leaning city of Omaha, represented by McDonnell.

It appears that McDonnells opposition will doom the effort, which would have taken away a critical Electoral College vote for Harris and the Democrats. Nebraskas legislature has 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats, and one progressive, registered nonpartisan. So far, 17 legislators have pledged to vote no on changes to the electoral law, including McDonnell, according to the Nebraska Democratic Party. In Nebraska, 33 votes are required to overcome a filibuster.

If Nebraska wouldve changed its electoral vote allocation, it would have pushed Maine to try and do the same to make up for the loss, since it delivered one vote to Donald Trump and three to Joe Biden in 2020. But Maines laws prevent any such changes so close to Election Day. It seems that yet another of Trumps election schemes has been foiled.
One-way flights from JFK to Germany less than $150 on European airline

One-way flights from JFK to Germany less than $150 on European airline

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)  A European airline is offering deals on flights from New York to Germany.

Norway-based Norse Atlantic Airlines has one-way trips from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Berlin Brandenburg Airport for as low as $137 before taxes and fees throughout the month of October.

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The cost includes one carry-on and one personal bag that fits beneath the seat.

Germanys biggest celebration, Oktoberfest, is currently being held in Munich, which is several hours from Berlin by train. The festivities run through Oct. 6.

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.
WASHINGTON  North Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson lashed out Monday against the false lies about him in a CNN investigative report Thursday that uncovered years of disturbing comments he made in a forum on a porn website.

Except then, in the same breath, he suggested maybe those comments were really by him.

During a campaign event, his first since the CNN report triggered a mass exodus of staff on his campaign, Robinson, the states lieutenant governor, vowed to take legal action against CNN over its story. Among other things, the report said Robinson referred to himself as a black Nazi, described being sexually aroused by secretly watching women in public showers and called himself a perv who likes pornography with transgender people in it  a sharp contrast to his present-day transphobic rhetoric.

Youd better understand I am coming after CNN full-throttle, a visibly angry Robinson told reporters about taking legal action against the news network.

Were not here to talk about 15- or 20-year-old salacious, false lies, he continued in a rant.

But then, amid his shouting, he suggested those past comments may be real after all: They want to talk about what possibly happened 15 years ago.

You can watch a video clip of Robinson hedging here.

I like watching tranny on girl porn! Thats f*cking hot! It takes the man out while leaving the man in! And yeah Im a perv too! Mark Robinson wrote in a forum on a porn site, according to the CNN report. Grant Baldwin via Getty Images

Robinson began denying the details of the CNN report before it even came out. On Thursday, he preemptively recorded a video to say he wasnt dropping out of his race over CNNs salacious, tabloid trash. But hes had a hard time convincing fellow Republicans that the report is nonsense, given how thoroughly CNNs reporters researched who was behind this username making vile comments on the porn site Nude Africa. Reporters linked the username directly to many of Robinsons biographical details and his shared email addresses.

Since the report came out, eight of Robinsons campaign staff, including his campaign manager, have resigned. A news outlet in Raleigh, WRAL News, reported Monday that staff may have finally called it quits with Robinson  who is already known for making sexist, racist, Islamophobic, homophobic and otherwise vile comments  because he refused multiple offers from supporters to connect him with tech specialists to look into who was using his username on the porn site. Seeing Robinson rebuff these offers of help appeared to sow doubt among his staff that he was telling the truth about the posts.

Beyond his staff quitting en masse, the Republican Governors Association said it wont be spending more money on ad buys for him in the state. GOP elected officials in North Carolina are distancing themselves from Robinson for fear of being associated with him in the final weeks before the November election. The Cook Political Report promptly shifted its forecast for North Carolinas gubernatorial race from leans Democrat to likely Democrat. Robinson is running against the states Democratic attorney general, Josh Stein.

Even Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who enthusiastically endorsed Robinson in March and has hailed him as Martin Luther King on steroids, is staying away from him. Trump was stumping in North Carolina over the weekend, and Robinson was nowhere in sight. Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Trumps running mate, is holding events in the state on Monday and has no plans to appear with Robinson either.

Over the weekend, some Republican senators squirmed when asked about Robinsons next steps.

In a Sunday interview on NBCs Meet the Press, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the CNN reports findings are beyond unnerving and if theyre not true, Robinson has a great lawsuit to file for libel.

But if they are true, hes unfit to serve for office, Graham said.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who has never been a fan of Robinson, similarly said the GOP gubernatorial nominee should take legal action if the reporting is false.

I am waiting for Mr. Robinson to make a statement one way or the other, Tillis told reporters on Monday. It is either having acknowledged that he did something wrong, and he should step away, or acknowledge that CNN didnt do their work and sue them.

The senator said he would be focusing on electing Trump and down-ballot Republican candidates in his state come November.

I wont be campaigning for Robinson, he added.

Sen. Ted Budd, the junior senator from North Carolina, meanwhile, called the allegations against Robinson very disturbing but emphasized that he should be allowed a chance to defend himself. He also dodged a question about whether he would vote for Robinson in November. Im going to always vote for Republicans, the senator said, citing policy differences with the Democrats.

Only retiring Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) made an unqualified case for Robinson to leave the race on Monday, citing his outrageous, disgusting, [and] vile comments online.

Suggesting that somehow AI put this together, its just not credible, Romney said of Robinson. For the good of his state, his party, and Republican prospects in the state, he has to step aside.

Related...
Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, recently declared he will defeat the Taliban no matter the odds.

For Massoud to mount a military threat to the Taliban, he would need the cooperation of the Central Asian republics, Iran or Pakistan (among others) to do the job. However, Afghanistans neighbors have no interest in another civil war in Afghanistan, as the violence and refugees would spill over their borders and cause economic dislocation and unrest all the way to Europe.

After two decades of U.S.-sponsored mayhem in the Hindu Kush, all the region wants is to recoup the missed opportunities of the lost decades of 2001-2021.

None of Afghanistans neighbors prefer the Taliban to any other group, and they object to the regimes unrepresentative government and policies toward women. That said, their leaders must solve todays problems despite their distaste for the Talibans retrograde ways.

The republics approach to Kabul has long been neighbors forever  or, for the pessimists, captives of geography. Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from its terrorist list in December 2023; Uzbekistan never declared the Taliban an extremist group, and in 2018 it publicly encouraged the Taliban to start negotiations with the Islamic Republic. Turkmenistan was mum on the topic of the Taliban in line with its policy of permanent neutrality. In September 2024, the chief of Tajikistans security service visited Kabul for talks that were described as productive, and the same month the Kyrgyz Republic removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations.

Afghanistan and its Central Asian neighbors are collaborating to ease trade and transport; renovate Afghanistans roads and railroads; help Afghanistan improve irrigation projects; ship natural gas from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India; build a railroad from Uzbekistan to Pakistans seaports; and build a multi-modal transport corridor from Kazakhstan to Pakistan, terminating in the United Arab Emirates.

Economic growth depends on an adequate supply of water; Afghanistans Hindu Kush mountains form the headwaters of the regions basins.

In March 2022, the Taliban launched construction of the 285-km Qosh Tepa canal, which will divert 10 billion cubic meters of water annually from the Amu Darya River, relied on by water-starved Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. They will suffer a 15 percent cut in the current supply. The project will cost $684 million, but it will irrigate 2100 square miles and create 250,000 jobs. Kabul feels it is critical to ensure food security for the emirate.

Tashkent and Ashgabat are unhappy with the project, but the Uzbeks offered technical assistance to Afghanistan to ensure the construction is in accordance with international norms. Now is a good time to consider inviting Afghanistan to join Central Asias regional water management organization, the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia.

Afghanistan also has unresolved water issues with Iran and Pakistan; those projects would be endangered, or further delayed, by a civil war.

According to the United Nations, there are now 7.6 million Afghans in Iran and Pakistan, most of them refugees. In 2023, Pakistan expelled over 540,000 Afghan refugees, and the next phase of the plan may see 800,000 more Afghans deported. Increased violence will likely reverse these flows and burden Iran and Pakistan, who cannot afford to support the refugees they have now.

China recently warned Pakistan it must get control of the violence that is endangering the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor . More violence north of the Durand Line will further delay the corridor, which may be seen as a strategic win in Washington but will hurt Central and South Asia.

In April 2022, the Taliban banned poppy cultivation and methamphetamine production. This benefits Iran, which has the highest rate of opium abusers in the world, according to the World Health Organization. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, More than 3,700 national law enforcement officials have been killed and over 12,000 have been maimed in counter-narcotics operations over the last three decades.

Thats good news, but if Afghanistan must fund a war against groups like the National Resistance Front (and its foreign confederates), the ban on drugs may go by the wayside.

In fact, if the Taliban suspect a foreign hand in an attack, will it encourage al-Qaeda and the Islamic State to strike foreign targets? Sure, that will violate the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan, where the Taliban agreed Afghan soil will not be used against the security of the United States and its allies, but the Taliban will note the Americans pledged, The United States and its allies will refrain from the threat or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Afghanistan or intervening in its domestic affairs.

Is the Taliban isolated? No, Seventeen countries, including every country that borders Afghanistan plus the European Union, maintain a diplomatic presence in Kabul. Aaron Zelin reports between August 2021 and February 22, 2024 the Taliban has publicly announced 1,382 diplomatic meetings with at least eighty countries. China and the United Arab Emirates have accepted the credentials from Taliban ambassador to their capitals.

Pragmatism may be winning, regardless what governments or their citizens think of Taliban policies.

After Shohna ba Shohna (Shoulder to Shoulder) proved weak, it is time for the locals to lead, though Washington and Brussels can help by facilitating diplomatic and economic support of beneficial projects. The Americans, in particular, will need a broad aperture to understand the needs and opportunities of the region instead of obsessing about what might have been.

The defeat of the U.S. and NATO may have seen the end of the era of empires in Central Asia and Afghanistan, after the Russian Empire (1713-1917), the British interventions (1839-1919), the Soviet empire (1917-1991), and the American empire (2001-2021).

Some questionable characters will make a few bucks along the way, but thats the price of repairing the damage caused by the crusade to reform Afghan culture as part of Washingtons post 9/11 war on terror, the first grand global experiment of the twenty first century.

James Durso is a regular commentator on foreign policy and national security matters. He served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and has worked in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

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

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On Nov. 21, 2024, we will memorialize the third anniversary of the Waukesha Christmas parade attack. The Waukesha community continues to heal from the violence unleashed that day, but this community is resilient and continues to persevere. While we must take time to remember those lost, we should also turn an eye toward preventing a similar attack from ever happening again. That starts with fixing the radical left-wing bail policies that put dangerous offenders back on the streets where they may commit further crimes.

As we all know now, the perpetrator of the Waukesha Christmas parade attack had a lengthy violent criminal record stretching all the way back to 1999. In the year preceding the Christmas parade attack alone, hed been charged with shooting at a relative and a relatives friend during an argument; contempt of court and violation of court orders in a child support case; domestic violence in Georgia; and less than three weeks before the attack in Waukesha, he was arrested for punching a woman and running her over with a vehicle.

For that last crime, he was released after posting only $1,000 bail. A figure which Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm, who was responsible for the bail recommendation, later admitted was inappropriately low.

Unfortunately, the radical left-wing approach to prosecution and bail have had deadly consequences elsewhere in the country, too. Groups like the Bail Project and Minnesota Freedom Fund aggressively crowdsource funds to pay bail with little regard to the criminal histories of those theyre putting back out on the streets. The Minnesota Freedom Fund paid the bail for notable offenders, including George Howard, a man charged with domestic abuse. Two weeks after having his bail paid, Howard was charged with second-degree murder in a road rage incident. Another Minnesota Freedom Fund beneficiary was Shawn Michael Tillman, who got bailed out after he was held following an indecent exposure arrest. Three weeks later, Tillman murdered a man at a light rail station, for which he was convicted and is now serving a life sentence.

A 2023 analysis by CNN found that at least 65 defendants who were bailed out by the Minnesota Freedom Fund were awaiting trial on felony charges involving violence, physical threats, or sex crimes. All were convicted. So it should come as no surprise that in 2020, the then-interim executive director of that organization bluntly and profanely admitted that his organization does not check the charges against the individuals it bails out.

Making matters even worse, these organizations are blindly supported by liberal politicians. Then-Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), for example, tweeted a fundraising appeal to her supporters specifically to benefit the Minnesota Freedom Fund. With that kind of high-level support in government, its no wonder that theres little transparency and oversight into the funds themselves.

These bail funds operate in the shadows, without any federal or state regulation in many areas. However, some states like Indiana, Georgia and Texas, have taken steps either to regulate or ban bail funds, bringing accountability and greater protection for the public. The state regulations are a first step, but more must be done to address the conduct of bail funds.

Thats why Ive introduced the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act, which will protect our communities by defining bail bonds as insurance products. This simple change will make entities that post bail liable under federal insurance fraud laws and subject to the same background check requirements as those in the Comprehensive Crime Control Act. Additionally, this reform brings charitable bail funds under state insurance regulation. This would introduce a much-needed layer of scrutiny, ensuring that the people these organizations bail out arent violent criminals who pose a threat to the community.

It also ensures the source of funds is legitimate. States like New York have long been skeptical of crowdsourcing anonymized donations for bail, disguising the true source of the money. As one scholar describes, the use of crowdsourcing creates an easy way to legitimize money, which would have otherwise been rejected by the court due to its likely being the proceeds of criminal activity.

The Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act is the safeguard our communities desperately need, ensuring that our legal system prioritizes safety and accountability over dangerous ideological experiments. We need policies that protect the vulnerable, not empower the violent. Through this bill, and other commonsense reforms to our cash bail system, we can restore balance, protect our communities and ensure that justice serves its true purpose.

Scott Fitzgerald represents Wisconsins 5th Congressional District and is a member of the Judiciary Committee.

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China and the Philippines are sending vessels to Sabina Shoal to secure their competing territorial claims to the feature. Manila withdrew the Teresa Magbanua, a coast guard vessel that had left that strategic spot in the South China Sea, on Sept. 14.

China will undoubtedly block the Philippine attempt to reoccupy the shoal. The probability of an incident  and war  is high.

The U.S., a party to a 1951 mutual defense treaty with Manila, is bound to be involved in any conflict.

The 318-foot Teresa Magbanua had been anchored at Sabina for more than 150 days to, among other things, protect the Philippines territorial claims.

Both China (which calls it Xianbin Jiao Lagoon) and the Philippines claim Sabina as sovereign territory. Manilas formal name for the contested feature is Escoda Shoal.

Beijing claims as blue national soil all the shoals, reefs, islands, islets and other features, as well as all the waters inside its infamous cows tongue, defined by 10 dashes on official maps, which encloses about 85 percent of the South China Sea.

A Hague tribunal, adjudicating between the Philippines and China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, invalidated Beijings expansive sovereignty claims to Philippine features in that body of water in 2016. China, with virtually no legal support, has consistently maintained that the decision is illegal, null and void.

Chinas forces have continually committed provocations in Philippine waters  especially since the middle of June  at Sabina, Second Thomas Shoal, and other features close to islands universally recognized as part of the Philippines. Journalists featured on a Sept. 16 episode of 60 Minutes reported the Chinese rammed a Philippine craft in the South China Sea while they were on board.

Sabina is about 76 nautical miles from Palawan, a main Philippine island, and therefore within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines. Sabina, by contrast, is 648 nautical miles from Chinas Hainan Island. An Exclusive Economic Zone is a band of water between 12 to 200 nautical miles from the shoreline where the coastal state has certain economic and other rights against others.

The Teresa Magbanuawas monitoring suspected Chinese reclamation activities. China had seized from the Philippines nearby Mischief, Subi and Fiery Cross Reefs and turned them into sprawling military bases. Beijing is threatening to do the same thing to Scarborough Shoal, which it grabbed in 2012.

There is a crisis in the making, as China has already been using, in the words of CBSs Jacqueline Williams, tactics just short of war.

This time, they may use extreme force to prevent the Philippine ship from getting close to Sabina Shoal, says James Fanell of the Geneva Center for Security Policy and co-author of Embracing Communist China: Americas Greatest Strategic Failure. The risk of China trying to sink the ship is real.

Neither side can afford to back down, David Day of the Global Risk Mitigation Foundation, a Honolulu-based non-profit focused on Southeast Asia, told me.

The Chinese know they must prevent the return of a Philippine vessel to Sabina because, should it anchor there, its presence will undercut what Day correctly calls their bogus sovereignty claims.

The Philippines will not back down either. Manila cannot afford to let China take away another island, reef, shoal or rock, because the Philippines is nothing more than a collection of rocks, shoals, reefs and islands.

Fanell, a former U.S. Navy captain who served as director of Intelligence and Information Operations at the U.S. Pacific Fleet, believes the U.S. Navy must begin escorting Philippine craft when they begin the journey back to Sabina.

America must enforce its words about a free and open Indo-Pacific, he said. If we do not, that phrase will become more hollow than it is today.

China, in fact, sees Americas words as hollow as Beijing has been ignoring a series of pronouncements from Washington.

The Biden State Department, for instance, has issued a dozen written warnings  the last one on Aug. 31  that the U.S. was willing to use force against China to discharge its obligations pursuant to Article IV of the mutual defense pact. President Biden has orally issued similar warnings, for instance on Oct. 25 of last year and April 11.

Despite these warnings, China has increased the tempo of provocative acts and its belligerence. At the moment, Beijing wants the world to see how aggressive Chinese forces are. Chinas officials had to know there was a 60 Minutes crew on board the Philippine Coast Guard vessel they rammed.

In recent years, Xi Jinping has sponsored what has become known as Wolf Warrior diplomacy, and now he is going to even greater lengths to show off the ugly side of Chinese nationalism.

Chinese leaders are now looking for a fight. Xi has obviously decided to risk war with an American treaty ally, which means he is prepared to wage war against America.

Soon, there will be a confrontation in the South China Sea.

Says Day, The real clash is just beginning.

Gordon G. Chang is the author of The Coming Collapse of China and the upcoming Plan Red: Chinas Project to Destroy America. Follow him on X @GordonGChang .

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Opinion: Donald Trump might have Taylor Swift-kicked his chance to win Arizona

This column has been updated to fix a typo.

Not long after Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, Donald Trump went online and  channeling his fifth grade self (which is essentially no different than his 78-year-old self)  posted, I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT.

Swift, an actual grown-up who possesses actual class, did not respond with something like, Im rubber and youre glue  . She didnt need to, since her endorsement led to 405,999 visits to the national voter registration site Vote.gov.

Trump and the members of his MAGA cult then derisively dismissed all things Taylor Swift.

Last week, however, USA Today reported that the data company Resonate, which uses an AI modeling system that, it says, analyzes trillions of online interactions, said that 2.3 million Americans in battleground states are among those who are more likely to be swayed by celebrity endorsements.

Among them, it said, were 161,000 Arizonans.

Taylor Swift has a larger following than Trump

If true, it means Trump and his childish response might have delivered a Taylor Swift-kick to his chances of carrying Arizona in November.

Not that he shouldnt have known that already.

In the days after Swifts endorsement, polls showed that Republicans had a much higher negative reaction to Swift than they had before.

But this is a woman who has more than 550 million followers on different social media platforms.

An analysis of Google Trends data for 2023 found that Swift dominated Google searches more than anyone, including Trump.

Even Republicans think endorsement helps Harris

According to a YouGov poll conducted this month, more than 53% of Americans  including 31% of Republicans  think Swifts endorsement will help Harris.

Before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, the pollster and analyst Frank Luntz asked voters who would have the most influence on their vote. Trump was first at 38%. Biden second at 34%. In third was Swift at 25%.

MAGA attacks on Swift: Could cost Trump the election

Luntz was asked about Swifts impact after Biden dropped out and Swift endorsed Harris.

He said, This election will be decided by a few thousand votes in three or four key states, so everything matters. Will this be the deciding factor? Probably not. But will it have an impact? Most definitely.

Former Republican and political strategist Rick Wilson, who co-founded the anti-Trump Lincoln Project Super PAC, said, Taylor Swift represents a different category of celebrity than almost anyone under the sun. Shes sui generis (a fancy way of saying unique) in terms of the reach she has and her impact on young women, not to mention their fathers and mothers.

If the Resonate analysis is correct, there may be as many as 161,000 such people in Arizona.

In a state where Biden beat Trump by only 10,000 votes, well  you do the math.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Opinion: Trump hates Taylor Swift, and it could cost him Arizona
Former President Donald Trump is no stranger to trying to strong-arm his fellow Republicans into changing the rules to benefit him. Nebraska has become the focal point of his latest attempt to game the system ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Looking to prevent a case where Vice President Kamala Harris ekes out a win because of the states quirky way of divvying up its electoral votes, Republicans loyal to Trump are running a last-second effort to snatch that victory out of reach.

Forty-eight states assign their electoral votes via a winner-takes-all system, doling them all out to whoever wins the popular vote statewide. But Nebraskas hybrid system has two of the states five electoral votes go to the popular vote winner, while the remaining three are awarded to the winner of each congressional district. (The only other state to use a similar hybrid model is Maine.)

The GOPs push is attempting to prevent what at first glance appears to be an unlikely scenario: Harris winning the blue wall swing states  Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  and Trump winning Arizona, Georgia and Nevada, three Sun Belt states he lost in 2020. In such a scenario, Harris could win 270 Electoral College votes and the presidency with the single electoral vote from Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District, which President Joe Biden won in 2020.

But if Nebraska gets rid of its way of appropriating Electoral College votes, then the two campaigns would have a 269-269 tie. The Electoral College hasnt seen a candidate fail to get a majority of votes since the election of 1824. Per the Constitution, the House of Representatives then chooses the president, and the Senate chooses the vice president. The House would then vote by delegation in a contingent election, with Republicans likely controlling a majority of seats in enough states to give the win to Trump.

Trump and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a Republican, have been calling on state lawmakers to switch to a winner-takes-all system since at least April. The Legislature didnt make the swap during its regular session, but the states congressional delegation thinks Pillen should call an emergency session to force through the change.

If Republicans in Nebraska did change the states law, it would happen too late for Democrats in Maine to act as a counterbalance to such obvious shenanigans. As NBC News reported last week, it takes 90 days for legislation to go into effect in Maine after it is enacted, and Thursday marked 89 days until the Electoral College is scheduled to meet on Dec. 17, meaning its already too late for the Maine Legislature to change to a winner-take-all system under normal rules. Immediate emergency legislation would require a supermajority that Democrats lack, leaving their split system  which is likely to award one of the states four electoral votes to Trump  on the books.

Trump himself reportedly called on at least one state senator in Nebraska to press the issue, according to The Washington Post, but we still may not see this latest pressure campaign bear fruit. State Sen. Loren Lippincot, a Republican who led the effort to change to winner-takes-all system last year, told the Omaha World-Herald last week that the proposal remains two or three votes shy of overcoming a filibuster to pass, just as it was at the end of this years legislative session. And on Monday, one of those GOP no votes made perfectly clear that he wasnt going to be swayed to back any last-minute change to the current system.

Despite the wheels seemingly coming off, the campaign to alter the rules in Nebraska puts three things on display. First, we have before us yet another example of the GOPs ongoing projection issues. In messaging thats endorsed by the Republican Party, Trump is constantly lying about his political adversaries unfairly attacking him, claiming that his plans to strike out against them if hes elected again are counterpunches. Likewise, Trump and Republicans made it a point to accuse Democrats in blue states of cheating in 2020 by making it easier for voters of all political persuasions to cast absentee ballots during a global pandemic. And, yet, these same Republicans talk about this naked attempt to weigh the dice in Trumps favor in Nebraska as if its only fair.

Second, the demand to change Nebraskas rules also shows how attempts to reform the Electoral College can backfire. Maine switched away from a winner-take-all system in 1969, and Nebraska did so in 1991. As of 2008, neither had had an election in which the electoral votes were split between candidates. Since then, its happened twice in both states: in Maine in 2016 and 2020, and in Nebraska in 2008 and 2020. Both states made changes that seem eminently reasonable at first glance  but it's not the fix that many would have assumed at the time.

In theory, splitting up a states electoral votes may be more democratic and encourage candidates to compete in states that might otherwise be deemed safe for one and unwinnable for the other. In Omaha, the biggest city in the blue dot of Nebraska, Harris and Trump are spending resources they probably wouldnt if Nebraska were still a winner-take-all state. But in a world where gerrymandering exists, what is intended to be a pro-democratic reform has the potential to be used anti-democratically instead if it became more widespread, watering down the will of the voters instead of enhancing it.

And, finally, the fact that we have to even consider any of this is patently ridiculous. The Electoral College is an elitist, antidemocratic mess thats resulted in almost all this centurys presidential elections coming down to a handful of voters in a handful of states. Forget tinkering around the edges. We need to get rid of the Electoral College system completely. This outdated relic leaves the U.S. open to the kind of shenanigans that Trump and his allies are trying to pull in Nebraska when what we need is a system that lets candidates focus on winning the most votes nationwide.

CORRECTION (Sept. 26, 2024, 12:25 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the results of the 2016 presidential election in Nevada. Hilary Clinton won the state, not Donald Trump.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In the last week, the Indian market has stayed flat, but over the past 12 months, it has risen by an impressive 44%. With earnings expected to grow by 17% per annum over the next few years, identifying dividend stocks that offer both stability and attractive yields is crucial for investors looking to capitalize on this growth.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In India

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Castrol India (BSE:500870) 3.20%  Balmer Lawrie Investments (BSE:532485) 4.27%  D. B (NSEI:DBCORP) 5.07%  Indian Oil (NSEI:IOC) 8.38%  Balmer Lawrie (BSE:523319) 3.20%  VST Industries (BSE:509966) 3.03%  Redington (NSEI:REDINGTON) 3.27%  Canara Bank (NSEI:CANBK) 3.07%  PTC India (NSEI:PTC) 3.68%  Bank of Baroda (NSEI:BANKBARODA) 3.23% 

Click here to see the full list of 18 stocks from our Top Indian Dividend Stocks screener.

Underneath we present a selection of stocks filtered out by our screen.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: D. B. Corp Limited operates in newspaper printing and publishing, radio broadcasting, and digital news platforms for news and event management businesses in India and internationally, with a market cap of 59.74 billion.

Operations: D. B. Corp Limited generates revenue primarily from its Printing/Publishing and Allied Business segment (22.77 billion) and Radio segment (1.62 billion).

Dividend Yield: 5.1%

D. B. Corp's dividend payments have been volatile and unreliable over the past decade, though they currently offer a high yield in the top 25% of Indian market payers. The dividend is covered by earnings (65.2%) and cash flows (57%), suggesting sustainability despite past instability. Recent earnings show significant growth, with net income rising to 1.18 billion for Q1 2024 from 787.59 million a year ago, supporting its current dividend payout capabilities.

NSEI:DBCORP Dividend History as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Redington Limited provides supply chain solutions in India and internationally, with a market cap of 148.10 billion.

Operations: Redington Limited's revenue segments include supply chain solutions in India and internationally.

Dividend Yield: 3.3%

Redington's dividend yield is in the top 25% of Indian market payers, with a payout ratio of 39.8% and cash payout ratio of 50.6%, indicating sustainability. However, its dividend track record has been volatile over the past decade. Recent earnings for Q1 2024 showed stable revenue at 213.35 billion and net income at 2.46 billion, slightly down from last year, but still supporting current dividend payments despite recent decreases to 6.20 per share approved in July 2024.

Story continues

NSEI:REDINGTON Dividend History as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited provides various banking and financial services in India and has a market cap of 82.92 billion.

Operations: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited generates revenue from three primary segments: Treasury (7.58 billion), Retail Banking (58.71 billion), and Wholesale Banking (1.44 billion).

Dividend Yield: 3.5%

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank's dividend yield is among the top 25% in India, with a low payout ratio of 22.6%, indicating strong coverage by earnings. However, its dividend history has been volatile over the past two years, and payments have not increased since inception. Despite this, analysts forecast continued earnings growth and sustainable future dividends with a projected payout ratio of 16.2% in three years. Recent Q1 earnings reported net income at 3 billion, supporting current payouts.

NSEI:UJJIVANSFB Dividend History as at Sep 2024

Taking Advantage

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include NSEI:DBCORP NSEI:REDINGTON and NSEI:UJJIVANSFB.

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Israels remote detonation of thousands of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies has set off a series of escalations leading to the deadliest day of Israeli airstrikes against Lebanon in nearly two decades.

But while many Western politicians, analysts and media outlets were fixated on the novelty of an attack that seemed to be pulled from the pages of a spy thriller  expressing amazement at Israeli intelligences success in planting the explosive devices among militia members  they largely ignored the sheer terror thousands of Lebanese civilians experienced during the explosions that shook crowded neighborhoods over two days last week. Lebanon is a country that has suffered through decades of war and trauma, including an ongoing economic collapse and the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

The booby-trapped pagers and handheld radios, which had apparently been rigged with explosives before being shipped to Lebanon, killed at least 37 people and injured more than 3,000. The blasts were followed by a dramatic escalation on Thursday, when Israeli forces carried out the most intense airstrikes on southern Lebanon in nearly a year. The next day, an Israeli airstrike leveled two buildings in southern Beirut, killing at least 45  including three children  and injuring dozens. The attack killed two senior Hezbollah commanders and 12 other militia members who were apparently meeting underneath one of the buildings.

Read more: Opinion: Hezbollah's deadly rockets aren't the most serious threat to Israel's northern border

On Saturday, Hezbollah responded by firing dozens of rockets into northern Israel, and Israel carried out nearly 300 airstrikes in southern Lebanon said to be targeting Hezbollah rocket launchers. The group fired more than 100 rockets into Israel early Sunday , striking deeper into Israeli territory than it had since October. And on Monday, Israel escalated yet again with airstrikes that killed more than 350 and injured more than 1,200, according to Lebanese officials, the heaviest toll inflicted by Israeli forces there since 2006.

Each attack and counterattack increases the risk that Israels war on Gaza could devolve into a wider conflict that engulfs Lebanon and other countries in the Middle East. A full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah would dwarf their conflict in the summer of 2006. It could precipitate regional hostilities pitting Israel and the United States on one side against Iran and its network of allied militias in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen on the other.

Since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, President Biden and his top aides have insisted that their goal is to prevent Israels subsequent invasion of Gaza from growing into such a regional conflagration. Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones into northern Israel on Oct. 8 in what the groups leaders described as an act of solidarity with Palestinians intended to divert Israeli resources from Gaza.

Read more: Opinion: This is Biden's chance to end the war in Gaza. Just threaten to cut off weapons for Israel

But Biden has repeatedly failed to follow through on the most likely path to preventing a regional war: pressing for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, particularly by using U.S. leverage to withhold billions of dollars in weapons shipments to Israel. All of Irans allies, especially Hezbollah , have indicated that they would stop their attacks on Israel once the fighting in Gaza ends.

Over the past 11 months, Hezbollah and Israeli forces exchanged fire almost daily across the Israel-Lebanon border, but until Israels attacks last week, Hezbollah had avoided the kind of large-scale response that would precipitate an all-out war. Israels retaliatory airstrikes, artillery shelling and targeted assassinations, meanwhile, killed hundreds of the group's fighters. More than 100,000 civilians have been forced out of their homes on both sides of the border.

Israels exploding pagers and handheld radios escalated the conflict with a particularly insidious and reckless attack that likely constituted a war crime . As Human Rights Watch and other groups noted, international humanitarian law forbids the use of booby traps, especially with objects that are commonly used by civilians.

The attack detonated thousands of bombs across a country roughly the size of Connecticut  in grocery stores, hospitals, sidewalk cafes and barber shops and at funerals. Children, medical workers and innocent bystanders were killed and maimed. In a statement after the first wave of explosions, Hezbollah noted that it had issued pagers to employees of various units and institutions, hinting that the devices were distributed not only to its fighters but also to civilian workers. The group is not only Lebanons most dominant military force but also its most powerful political party, and it runs an extensive social-service network including schools, hospitals, supermarkets and credit unions.

Over those two days, I made a round of phone calls to check on family and friends across Beirut, southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, a densely populated, Shiite-dominated suburb of Beirut. During many of these calls, I could hear ambulance sirens wailing in the background. Hospitals were overwhelmed by an influx of thousands of trauma victims, many with life-changing injuries to eyes and limbs. One ophthalmologist told the BBC that in 25 years of practice, he had never removed as many eyes as he was forced to in one day last week.

Those who were not injured were left in shock and overwhelming paranoia about the most basic aspects of daily life. One of my cousins who lives in Dahiyeh had disconnected the solar-powered lithium batteries that provided electricity to his apartment for fear that they could detonate. He and his family were sitting in the dark. What can we do? my cousin asked. We dont know what to believe anymore.

The road to de-escalation and calm in the region must begin with a cease-fire in Gaza. As long as the Biden administration refuses to acknowledge and act on that reality, Lebanon and the Middle East will be overwhelmed by more bloodshed, fear and chaos.

Mohamad Bazzi is the director of the Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies and a journalism professor at New York University.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
When Donald Trump stammered at the recent presidential debate that he had concepts of a plan for Americans health care, he came across like a child who had forgotten his homework. But thanks to his campaign and his running mate JD Vance, we know now the Republican ticket really does have some concepts. Those concepts are bringing health care into the election  and presenting a tremendous opportunity to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Last Sunday, Vance raised the eyebrows of anyone familiar with health care policy when he told NBCs Kristen Welker about Trumps deregulatory agenda. A young American doesnt have the same health care needs as a 65-year-old American, he told Welker. We want to make sure everybody is covered. But the best way to do that is to actually promote some more choice in our health care system and not have a one size fits all approach that puts a lot of people into the same insurance pools, into the same risk pools, that actually makes it harder for people to make the right choices for their families.

It wasnt clear in the moment whether Vances views matched Trumps. As is often the case, the former president didnt mention any specifics in his nonanswer at the debate, and Vance has run ahead of Trump before. When asked at the debate about Vances claim that Trump would veto a national abortion ban, the latter responded, Well, I didnt discuss it with JD.But it soon became clear that Trump and Vance are singing from the same hymnal. In a story from Semafor published Wednesday, a Trump spokesman refused to provide specific details but did tell Semafor that the president and Vance were broadly aligned on health care policy. That afternoon at a campaign stop in North Carolina, Vance reiterated the proposed overhaul. If you only go to the doctor once a year, youre going to need a different health care plan than somebody who goes to the doctor 14 times a year, he argued, because theyve got chronic pain, or theyve got some other chronic condition. Thats the biggest and most important thing that we have to change.

In other words, Vance confirmed that Trump wants to revive one of the worst aspects of American health care before the Affordable Care Act.

Unlike the U.S., other developed countries health care systems run the gamut from government-run single-payer programs to private, heavily regulated insurers. As journalist Jonathan Cohn notes in his book chronicling the ACAs conception and passage, these varied systems share several features: Most importantly, everybody pays into these systems, and everybody gets coverage from them, so that money from the young and healthy effectively covers bills for the old and sick.

The American system developed differently. Beginning in the 1930s, employers offered their workers insurance plans, which allowed some pooling of risk. But for individuals who had to buy coverage directly, insurers could charge them based on so-called pre-existing medical conditions and risk factors like their age, where they worked and their family history. By the late 1950s, in large swaths of the country, Cohn writes, people at high risk of medical expenses had no realistic way to get comprehensive insurance. When Democrats, notably President Harry Truman, sought to establish a national insurance program, it was blocked by an alliance of Republicans, conservative Southern Democrats and business lobbies.Lyndon Johnsons presidency chipped away at this state of affairs via the establishment of Medicaid and Medicare. (To oppose the latter program, the American Medical Association enlisted actor Ronald Reagan, who predicted that Medicares passage would herald the end of an America when men were free.) But by the time Barack Obama became president, millions of Americans again could not afford insurance. Millions more were stuck with plans that were either incredibly expensive or provided little actual coverage  or both.

The ACA addressed these issues by prohibiting discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. It required all plans to offer certain essential benefits and limited premium increases based on age.

The Trump-Vance proposal would undo all of this. If youre old or sick, youd pay more, likely much more. If youre young and healthy, youd pay less in the short term  until you inevitably become old and/or sick. The only way to keep the high-risk pools from falling apart would be massive government subsidies, which Republicans oppose.Few voters want to return to the pre-ACA system. More than 60% of Americans now hold a favorable view of the law. The protections for pre-existing conditions are its most popular aspect, with majority support even among Republicans. No wonder then that for nearly a decade, Trump has promised to replace the Affordable Care Act with something terrific  without having articulated a single program in all that time.

The Harris campaign had already scheduled a week of events focused on Trumps debate comments and past record on health care before Vances comments, reports The Washington Post. So this proposal to go back to the days before the ACA is a gift to the vice president, who has made not going back a mantra of her campaign. Obamacare is more popular than ever, voters trust Harris more on health care, and most voters still remember the many deficiencies of the pre-ACA system. She can even point out its echoes of a Project 2025 proposal, which would separate the subsidized ACA exchange market from the nonsubsidized insurance market.

And health cares salience as an issue goes beyond the electioneering of the campaigns final six weeks. Health care may not be voters top concern anymore, but the cost of living is. The ACA, for all its positives, did not change the fact that Americans still pay more than citizens of peer nations for health care, only to have worse outcomes to show for it. Harris herself knows much remains to be done, having proposed a universal coverage plan when she ran for president in 2020.

The groundwork for the next great, overdue reform of American health care starts now.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In a truly unprecedented presidential election, one of the most-discussed phenomena has been the immense, and rapid outpouring of support that followed Vice President Kamala Harriss elevation to the top of the ticket following President Bidens withdrawal.

As we wrote in early August, almost immediately after Harris secured the nomination, polls began reflecting a Harris surge.

However, the caveat we noted was that, while there was genuine enthusiasm for Harriss candidacy, particularly among key Democratic constituencies, it was just as likely that what polls were showing was a honeymoon period, as opposed to a genuine, sustainable surge.

Now that Harris has been the Democratic nominee for two months  and with less than 50 days until Americans cast their vote  it is legitimate to ask whether or not the Harris surge will last.

There are two principal reasons for these questions. First, Harriss support in the polls has plateaued over the last two months, with no real shift in the race. This despite an impressive debate performance and more time to introduce herself to voters.

Second, although Harris has undoubtedly driven support and enthusiasm among Democrats, it is a lot less clear that she has made inroads with independents or swing voters. Virtually all of Harriss polling gains are due to Democrats. This leaves the possibility that polls are simply reflecting the support of voters who would, in all likelihood, have voted for a Democrat regardless.

This is not to take anything away from Harris, who stepped into an unprecedented role, made up all of the ground Biden had lost to Trump  even overtaking Trump in some polls  and has generated excitement among the base that was non-existent when Biden was the nominee.

Rather, it is to point out that the race has effectively deadlocked despite a number of things working in Harriss favor  her undeniable debate win, Trumps insistence on running a divisive (instead of issues-based) campaign, and a slew of high-profile endorsements.

Put another way, even though virtually everything has gone right for Harris on the campaign trail, the election remains a toss-up, and Harris has not been able to separate herself from Trump.

Indeed, as the New York Times wrote, while two-thirds (67 percent) of likely voters believed Harris performed well versus just 40 percent saying the same of Trump, the presidential race remained deadlocked, with both candidates at 47 percent in the latest New York Times-Siena poll.

Harriss struggle to expand her polling lead is reflected across all polls aggregated by RealClearPolitics. From immediately before the date through Sept. 20, the RealClearPolitics average has shown Harris lead growing by less than one percentage point. She now leads 49 percent to 47 percent.

Importantly, Harriss 49 percent also underperforms Bidens from four years ago, when he won 51 percent of the popular vote yet barely scraped by in the Electoral College based on less than 50,000 votes in key states.

Moreover, national polls, which are more likely to show Harris with a lead, are inconsistent with data from the swing states that will ultimately decide this election.

Think specifically of polls like the one from Morning Consult showing Harris leading Trump by 6 points (51 percent to 45 percent). Such outlier polls (as that one appears to be) make for highly clickable news headlines and contribute to the narrative of a Harris surge, even if data from the swing states show something drastically different.

While Harris leads in the must-win blue wall states  Michigan (+2), Pennsylvania (+1), and Wisconsin (+1)  Trump has similar leads in Georgia and Arizona (+2 each), with North Carolina a tie, per the RealClearPolitics averages.

Notably, neither candidates lead in any state is outside of the margin of error.

Taken together, the polls suggest that although Harris has clearly helped Democrats eliminate the enthusiasm gap  there has been a 26 percent increase in enthusiasm among Democrats per ABC-Ipsos polling  this has not translated across the wider electorate.

Further, there are other reasons to question whether the momentum Harris has actually gained will last.

As Alexander Bolton wrote in this publication, Behind the public jubilation over Vice President Harriss swift riseDemocratic lawmakers are privately anxious about her prospect of defeating former President Trump.

In that same vein, Amie Parnes quoted a Democratic strategist who pointed out that while Harris was successful in uniting the base while questioning whether the vice president can appeal to the voters Democrats have always needed to put us over the top.

It is true that in what is figured to be a close election, every vote counts, and if Harris can drive high turnout, she has a better chance to win.

However, as a polling analysis in the Washington Post suggests, Harris is mainly benefitting from increased support among traditionally Democratic voters, not attracting new swing voters. This is not inherently bad, although it does indicate that far from a genuine Harris surge, the polls are simply reflecting Democrats coming back into the fold.

Ultimately, the drastic increase in joy and positive vibes among Democrats ever since Harris nomination has been impressive. It could very well push her over the finish line, particularly in such a close election.

And yet, based on the data, it appears that declarations that Harris has a truly strong position vis-a-vis Trump are premature. Whether or not Harris can win by bringing in swing voters and moderates, or if she has only reinvigorated her base, remains to be seen.

Douglas E. Schoen and Carly Cooperman are pollsters and partners with the public opinion company Schoen Cooperman Research based in New York. They are co-authors of the book, America: Unite or Die.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
OPINION: New law will require Google, Meta and Tik Tok to be accountable to Tennesseans

Every time we go online, technology companies collect a staggering amount of our personal information. This can include our purchases, location data, contact details, search and browsing histories, usage data, diagnostic information and financial information.

While you may be aware that some of this data is being collected about you, it might come as a surprise that this information is not always kept private.

A 2021 pCloud study called "Invasive apps" found that 52% of apps share your personal data with third parties. Social media and food delivery apps sold the most personal information. Instagram topped the list, sharing 79% of user data with other companies. Facebook and Instagram also both used the most information for targeted advertising to users on their respective platforms.

New legislation offers more consumer protection

I believe that Tennesseans deserve to know exactly how much of their personal information is being shared online as well as have more control over how that data is used. That is why I introduced the Tennessee Information Protection Act last year.

Data from every day online use is collected in hidden ways.

Beginning in 2025, large technology companies like Google, Instagram and TikTok will be required to fully disclose to users what information is being collected about them and how it will be used. Consumers will also be able to opt out of the selling of their personal data to third parties without discrimination.

Additionally, this new law includes important safeguards for biometric data like fingerprints, retinal scans and facial recognition. It also ensures that if a company misuses or fails to protect consumer data it will be held accountable and could face civil penalties as a result.

While it is important to keep our private information safe online, we must be equally aware of the negative impacts social media can have on young people as well.

More: Blackburn leads bipartisan Senate effort to pass major online protections for kids

Technology companies must keep our personal information safe

A warning from the U.S. surgeon general last year cited social media as a main contributor to depression, anxiety and other problems among teenagers nationwide. This is especially concerning knowing that more than 80% of teens and young adults between the ages of 14 and 22 have said they visit networking websites on a daily basis, according to a Common Sense Media report called "Coping with COVID-19: How Young People Use Digital Media to Manage their Mental Health."

Thankfully, Tennessees own U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn reintroduced the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act last year to increase protections for minors on social media. This legislation, which was recently approved overwhelming by the Senate, would also require the companies to prioritize the well-being of children on their platforms.

Not only would this law provide minors with options to protect their information on social media platforms, but it would give parents new controls to help support their children and identify unhealthy behaviors as well. Annual independent audits of the companies would also be required to assess the risks to minors and whether meaningful steps are being taken to prevent harm from occurring.

It is essential that technology companies keep our personal information safe and they prioritize the mental well-being of children and young adults as well. Tennessee is at the forefront of consumer protection initiatives like these and I look forward to ensuring that continues.

Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville

State Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, serves as majority whip for the Tennessee House Republican Caucus. He represents District 45, which includes Goodlettsville, Millersville and parts of Hendersonville and White House in Sumner County.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: OPINION: Tennessee law will require accountability from tech companies
Opinion - Leland Vitterts War Notes: Can Harris-Walz Run Out the Clock?

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:

43 days to the election

Decision Desk HQ average : Kamala Harris +3.6, as of around noon ET today. Click here to see the latest numbers. PredictIt betting odds: 57 to 45 in favor of Harris.



43 Days

Time is not treating Vice President Kamala Harris campaign well 

Assassination attempt 2.0: A letter from Donald Trumps would-be assassin in Florida admits to the crime and tries to encourage others to finish the job.

The bothsidesing of political violence isnt working well for Democrats  they made it an issue after Jan. 6, and it is blowing up in their face.

Trumps polling is improving, with The New York Times showing him winning Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina  its not the presidency, but it shows hes stopped (if not reversed) Harris momentum.

Have we reached peak Harris? writes Chris Cillizza.

Bill OReilly reports Trump is finally listening to him and everyone else by mellowing his message.

Thought bubble : I have seen this play before. How does OReilly explain Trump promising to blame Jews if he loses? How does OReilly explain Trump saying women dont have to worry about abortion if he wins? Does this sound like a mellow Trump?



Later this week, Harris promises a big economic speech  if its like her last one where she unveiled price controls, buckle up

Watch tonight : Trish Regan will discuss both Trump and Harris economic plans, which are equally dumb and unworkable  yet no one will tell you that because almost all media are just cheerleaders for their own side. Bonus thought : Trumps litany of free and promises of a 10% cap on credit card interest hurts him. Because: One, it sounds like Elizabeth Warren. Two, it makes the Comrade Kamala hit ring hollow.



Foreign policy isnt moving in her direction. Biden speaks tomorrow at the United Nations, more on that below, but in a dangerous world, is there anybody who thinks Harris will be better than the disaster after disaster brought by Team Biden?

What about the Dreamers? Harris faces growing questions about her flip-flops, like this Axios piece on giving the Dreamers a pathway to citizenship.

Look back : Dreamers are adults now who were brought to the United States illegally as minors, making them the poster child for pro-amnesty folks.

Where does Harris stand now?  Who knows. More videos of past unpopular stances keep coming out, like this 2018 clip where she says, Down, down with deportation.

Trump has said since 2015 criminals are coming across the southern border. Both The New York Times and New York Post have big stories about the Venezuelan gangs making themselves at home in the United States.

The gaffes: Harris and Governor Tim Walz having near-perfect teleprompter and message discipline means they make news in all the wrong ways when they go off.

Stephanie Ruhle explains on MSNBC the logic for the lack of aggressive Harris coverage

Watch this  she actually tells the truth.

President Joe Biden meets with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the Oval Office at the White House on September 23, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Biden goes to the U.N.

President Biden addresses the United Nations General Assembly tomorrow against the worst foreign policy backdrop since 1945 

The New York Times takes us around a frightening world.

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board headlines, How Freedom Has Faded on Bidens Watch in their print edition today.

Bidens whole Middle East policy focused on deeseclation, which both Israel and Iran fully ignored  now, he says hes worried about escalation.

Fair question : So for the past year, your foreign policy has centered on deescalation. And now you are worried about escalation. Does that mean your foreign policy hasnt worked?

Better question : Where in the world is America in a stronger, safer position than when you took office? Middle East: No Russia: No China: No Overall military strength, readiness and lethality vs. our peers: No NATO: On paper, it is stronger because it has to be after Putin invaded Ukraine



Which country in the world is going to be more scared of a President Harris than they are of Biden?

Adults in D.C.: One year ago, Jake Sullivan was getting ready for his famous Middle East assessment.

He told the world, The Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades.

One week later (Oct. 7), Hamas attacked Israel.

Watch tonight: George Will will discuss the foreign policy legacy of the Biden administration that either Harris or Trump will inherit.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
When I arrived at Dhakas international airport before dawn on July 30, I feared for the worst. I had traveled against the advice of virtually everyone I knew, two weeks after violent student-led protests and the harsh government response had led to scores of deaths and hundreds of injuries. As a well-known mentee, collaborator and friend of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus  who had been vilified by the government led by Sheikh Hasina and was threatened with more than 170 lawsuits  I wondered if I would be pulled aside at immigration for extensive questioning. When that did not happen, I figured that once again, Bengali hospitality had overruled politics in my favor.

I began asking local friends as well as strangers what they made of the tension between the student movement  many of whose leaders, if not dead, were in the hospital or prison  and the government. I spoke nearly fluent Bengali from the time when I had lived in the country for six years in the 1990s. I heard anger at the regime but also wariness about speaking out.

In the meantime, I feared for Yunus, who was visiting Paris at the time and has also been a frequent visitor to Utah over the years. Virtually everyone I spoke to expected him to be arrested upon returning home in early August due to a bold statement calling for international intervention that he had made from Dubai, which was termed treasonous by the government. I wondered if I would ever again see him alive.

And then something shocking happened. The protests resumed, but this time the students expanded their demand for the reform of civil service recruitment quotas with nine more. When their rallies were brutally suppressed by the police and paramilitaries, they further rallied around a single demand: that the prime minister resign. When the army reportedly declined Hasinas request to massacre the protesters on Aug. 5, she fled the country.

The military then consulted with student leaders, who in turn tracked down Yunus in Paris and asked him if he would serve as interim prime minister. Initially reluctant, he agreed, saying, How can I say no to you students who have sacrificed so much? He was sworn in on Aug. 8 after Yunus gave a brief but highly resonant address to the nation from the airport, which has been translated into English.

One sensitive issue quickly arose. Charges of revenge killings against Hindus began circulating, mostly from two fronts: Hasina sympathizers and critics in India. The loaded terms genocide and Islamist regime was increasingly heard. I was skeptical of these accusations. Bangladeshis, in my experience, are God-fearing but not fundamentalist. Hindus, Christians and Buddhists have lived in relative harmony with the Muslim majority for almost all of its history.

A respected Indian journalist I met for breakfast during this period shared my skepticism. In the end, he and other reporters could document no more than five Hindu killings in the entire country, most of which seemed to be politically motivated rather than based on ethnic and religious hatred.

With my three-week visit to Bangladesh coming to an end, I decided to get outside the capital bubble and visit the village where I did the bulk of the field research for my book Small Loans, Big Dreams: Grameen Bank and the Microfinance Revolution in Bangladesh, America, and Beyond. The village had developed since the 1990s, due to the good work of civil society groups such as Grameen Bank and BRAC, local entrepreneurship and positive government initiatives.

While there, I asked local Muslims and Hindus (who have always constituted a substantial minority in the village) whether there had been violence, threats or even tension between them. They literally laughed. They told me that relations remained harmonious; people had little time for ethnic hatred when there was rice to be harvested, fish to be caught and children to be educated.

I feel a sense of tentative optimism for the future of Bangladesh. Yes, there are all sorts of problems stemming from 15 years of misrule. But the Bangladeshi people seem to be rallying around Yunus. His Aug. 25 address to the nation was well received. Next week, he will address the United Nations as a head of state; his folksy style will doubtlessly contrast with the stilted orations of other leaders.

Bangladesh is the worlds eighth most populous country, standing at the crossroads between India and China and sheltering more than 1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. The international community has much at stake in the success of its second independence achieved last month.

Alex Counts is the founder of Grameen Foundation and a consultant, author and educator who teaches at School for Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He wrote Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind: Leadership Lessons from Three Decades of Social Entrepreneurship, Revised Edition.
Excellent progress has been made on reducing the number of illegal crossings between ports of entry on the southern border. Apprehensions dropped from 117,905 in May to 85,536 in June and to 56,399 in July; they rose slightly to 58,038 in August.

White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez attributes the decrease in illegal crossings to the Biden-Harris administrations June 4 proclamation on securing the border and an accompanying Interim Final Rule that bars most illegal crossers from seeking asylum when they are apprehended.

But is Hernandez right that the administrations actions caused the reduction? The U.S. worked on the reduction with the Mexican government; perhaps credit should go to the Mexican government instead.

How serious could this administration possibly be in stopping illegal crossings? During its first three and a half years, it released more than 5.4 million migrants into the country who didnt have visas or other valid entry documents, including at least 99 who were on the terrorist watchlist.

Frankly, I am not impressed with the administrations proclamation, which suspends the entry of migrants who cross the southern border illegally. The suspension will be discontinued 14 calendar days after the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security determines that encounters with illegal crossers have averaged less than 1,500 per day for seven consecutive calendar days.

The discontinued suspension will then be reinstated if the secretary determines there has been an average of 2,500 or more encounters with illegal crossers for seven consecutive days.

In addition, suspensions dont necessarily apply to every illegal crosser. The proclamation gives Border Patrol officers discretion to ignore the suspension when they think it is warranted by the totality of the circumstances or operational considerations.

These conditions are so vague that it will be easy for Border Patrol to justify ignoring the suspension whenever they choose to do so.

The administration simultaneously promulgated an interim final rule providing that migrants who make an illegal crossing during a suspension are ineligible for asylum unless they show by a preponderance of the evidence that exceptionally compelling circumstances exist, or they fall within one of the exceptions to the suspension.

Also, illegal crossers who are apprehended during a suspension wont get a credible fear interview to determine whether they should have an asylum hearing unless they affirmatively manifest a fear of returning to their own counties or request asylum.

What did the administrations actions accomplish?

They established new asylum restrictions on illegal crossers, but as immigration expert Aaron Reichlin-Melnick points out, this is not a new development. Under the May 2023 administrations Circumvention of Lawful Pathways regulation, illegal border crossers were presumed to be ineligible for asylum unless they qualified for specified exceptions.

Reichlin-Melnick says that the main change is that Border Patrol officers who take illegal crossers into custody are no longer required to ask them whether they fear persecution. He thinks this has made it easier for the officers to ignore migrants who want to apply for asylum.

If he is right, then Customs and Border Protection needs to take corrective action. But I am more concerned about the likelihood that word will get out about this trap and illegal crossers will bypass it by asking for asylum as soon as they are apprehended, repeating the request until it is acknowledged.

Moreover, the executive actions were announced on June 4. How could migrants around the world find out about the announcement quickly enough to cause the steep drop in illegal crossings that occurred that same month?

Mexico increased its efforts to reduce illegal crossings at its border with the U.S. after a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in December of last year, but illegal crossings remained well above 100,000 a month, ranging from a low of 117,905 to a high of 249,741.

Federation for American Immigration Reform Media Director Ira Mehlman claims that record-breaking numbers of illegal crossings became a political liability in the face of the upcoming elections. But it wasnt feasible politically for the administration to do what was necessary to make a substantial reduction in illegal crossings, so it had to persuade the Mexican government to do it.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrado was receptive, but he wanted compensation for Mexicos assistance. He said during a 60 Minutes interview in March that he would fix the root causes of the increase in illegal crossings if the U.S. agreed to commit $20 billion a year to poor countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, lift sanctions on Venezuela, end the Cuban embargo and legalize millions of law-abiding Mexicans living in the U.S.

I dont know the extent to which the administration acceded to these demands or whether additional demands were made during negotiations, but the Mexican government is helping. It is making it harder for migrants traveling through Mexico to reach the American border, which accounts for the precipitous drop in illegal crossings.

Washington Post correspondent Mary Beth Sheridan says that the Mexican government stops migrants crossing Mexico on their way to the United States border at highway checkpoints and removes them from buses and trains, in a massive dragnet that Mexico set up under pressure from the U.S.

The Mexican government cant afford to deport them, so it just returns them to the southern end of Mexico. When they are released, many of them turn around and head back to the American border. This situation is being called a merry-go-round.

Even senior U.S. officials and immigration advocates acknowledge that this is a major factor in the sudden drop in illegal border crossings.

It seems apparent, therefore, that most of the credit for reducing illegal crossings should go to Mexico.

My main concern, however, is that illegal crossings will be allowed to go back up to previous levels when the elections are over. This seems especially likely if the election results put Kamala Harris in the White House next year.

Nolan Rappaport was detailed to the House Judiciary Committee as an Executive Branch Immigration Law Expert for three years. He subsequently served as an immigration counsel for the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims for four years. Prior to working on the Judiciary Committee, he wrote decisions for the Board of Immigration Appeals for 20 years.

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As Nov. 5 approaches, all eyes are on the presidential contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. This date will also see elections for the U.S. House and Senate, state governors and legislatures, and several referenda.

Perhaps understandably, the upcoming vote in Puerto Rico is flying under the radar. Nonetheless, it deserves our attention.

This fall, Puerto Ricans will vote for not only who forms its government, but also what exactly its government is. Along with contests for the islands governor, resident commissioner, Senate, House, and mayoral seats, Puerto Rico will hold a referendum, with voters choosing between independence, U.S. statehood or a new form of self-government. The result will help determine what Puerto Rico is in relation to the U.S., but also what the United States is in relation to Puerto Rico  a colonial power or a leading democracy.

Many Americans are only vaguely aware of Puerto Ricos status. For many, it remains a colony, often dubbed the oldest colony in the world. Puerto Rico formally became part of New Spain in 1521, with Madrids imperial rule replaced by Washingtons in 1898.

Puerto Rico is typically seen as less than a state. Its residents are unable to vote in presidential elections, casting no ballots and sending no electors through the Electoral College, and its elected resident commissioner is limited to a non-voting role in the U.S. House. In 2016, financial woes led to the creation of an oversight board to restructure the islands economy. And in 2017, the island once again felt neglected by a limited federal response to the effects of Hurricane Maria.

However, Puerto Rico can also be seen as enjoying territorial autonomy, with special self-government catering to this minority nation. Puerto Rico has its own political parties, Spanish-language education and governance, distinctive weights and measures, a separate National Guard, and membership in international organizations. Puerto Rico competes separately in the Olympics and other sporting events. It has elements of being a country, but also some advantages of being in the United States related to security and labor migration.

Puerto Rican leaders have framed this as the best of both worlds. Although the degree of its self-government has declined since 2016, Puerto Rico remains an important case of territorial autonomy, akin to Quebec in Canada, Scotland in the United Kingdom or Catalonia in Spain.

Within Puerto Rico, the islands political status forms a primary political fault line: while the New Progressive Party (Partido Nuevo Progresista) focuses on Puerto Rico becoming a U.S. state, the Popular Democratic Party (Partido Popular Democratico) prefers the current commonwealth system. A third pro-independence party has little electoral support. Those wanting Puerto Rico to become a state frame it in terms of voting rights and economic benefits. Critics worry that becoming the 51st state would dilute the islands unique identity, making it just one more state in an English-speaking union.

The 2024 referendum will feature three options: free association, statehood or independence. As in any referendum, the wording will matter a great deal. Clearly, Puerto Ricans do not currently support independence, as polls and previous referenda demonstrate. It is also clear that Puerto Ricans are dissatisfied with the status quo, especially since 2016. The party supportive of statehood has been mired in scandals, seen as promoting the referendum to increase turnout and divert attention from its expected losses in November.

Much depends on whether free association will be understood by voters as the status quo or some form of enhanced, more meaningful self-government. The details on what a revamped free association would mean remain unclear, to be negotiated later if the vote is successful. However, as voters have shown in other autonomous regions such as Scotland in the United Kingdom or South Tyrol in Italy, greater self-government is typically the more popular option compared to either incorporation or independence.

This is the latest in a series of votes on Puerto Ricos political status. It follows from a non-binding 2020 referendum that saw 52.52 percent of ballots support becoming a U.S. state, while 47.48 percent voted against. However, the Trump administration did not approve the referendum, and Congress, which holds the power to provide statehood, did not act on it. This year will be different, since the Biden administration supports Puerto Ricos ability to choose, and if the Democrats are victorious in the presidential and legislative elections, it is possible that the U.S. government will finally listen to Puerto Rican voters.

While the referendum is again non-binding, it is hardly inconsequential. A strong response in favor of redefining what Puerto Rico is  either becoming a U.S. state or else crafting enhanced powers as a special entity  will matter for Puerto Rico. The option of a new form of free association has the potential to overcome old debates of statehood, the status quo, or independence.

The result will also matter for the United States. Ignoring the referendum results will strengthen the sense that the U.S. represents a colonial power, indifferent towards the island and its people. When Puerto Ricans make their voices heard this fall, Congress should act in kind to affirm its status as a leading democracy, regardless of who is president come 2025.

Shane Barter is professor of Comparative Politics at Soka University of America. His current book project analyzes the many forms and contested nature of territorial autonomy.

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Opinion - Trump is at 48 percent. How could this be possible but for widespread racism?

Opinion - Trump is at 48 percent. How could this be possible but for widespread racism?

At this point, the racism is obvious. How else does it make sense that 48 percent of registered voters in last weeks Fox News poll say they have no problem putting Donald Trump back in the White House?

Who are these people who look the other way when their candidate tells a bold lie about Black immigrants eating a mostly white Ohio towns cats and dogs?

How can it be that not a soul among the 48 percent cares that Trumps vice-presidential pick, JD Vance, says it is okay to create racist lies about immigrants eating pets so the American media actually pays attention?

How can 48 percent of voters back a candidate who says immigrants coming from infested places are poisoning the blood of our country?

Is it just snowflakes who notice when one of Trumps close allies says, The White House will smell like curry if Vice President Kamala Harris, the daughter of an Indian immigrant, wins the presidency?

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R- Ga.), no snowflake, condemned the comment as appalling, racist and hateful.

Do these voters also prefer to sail past Trump once calling a Black woman and former aide a dog? And he called Alvin Bragg, the Black Manhattan district attorney who successfully prosecuted him for business fraud, an animal.

Maybe Trumps 48 percent dont excuse his racism so much as get the message. They are inside a Republican Party that is 82 percent white. Most of those white Republicans are in small towns and rural areas.

Beginning in the early 2010s  and accelerating during the presidency of Donald J. Trump The New York Times noted earlier this year, white voters without a degree, increasingly moved toward the Republican Party. Nearly two-thirds of all white, non-college voters identify as Republicans or lean toward the Republican Party.

This is the heart of Trump supporters who told YouGov pollsters they believe Trump is telling the truth about Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pet dogs and cats.

The YouGov polls also found that 80 percent of Trump supporters also buy his lie that Venezuela is deliberately sending people from prisons and mental institutions into the U.S. I wrote a 2018 book about Trumps history of racism. Vice President Harris echoed the books research in talking last week of Trumps racist past. She pointed back to his participation in the birther lie, the incendiary claim that the first Black president, President Obama, had not been born in the U.S.

Harris said Trump cant be trusted to serve as president after engaging inhateful rhetoric that, as usual, is designed to divide us as a countryto have people pointing fingers at each other.

In this years campaign, one of Trumps regular dog-whistles at his rallies is his false claim that big cities, full of racial minorities and immigrants, are scary places full of crime and failure. Last week he flatly lied at a rally when he said a parent who leaves a child alone on the New York subway has about a 75 percent chance that [theyll] never see [their] child again. What the hell has happened here?

Trumps use of racism to stir up his white supporters was called out by writer Fran Lebowitz back in 2018. Trump, she wrote, has allowed people to express their racism and bigotry in a way that they havent been able to in quite a while and they really love him for thatIts a shocking thing to realize people love their hatred more than they care about their own actual lives.

There are real consequences to all these racist lies. Last week, a Trump-supporting sheriff in Ohio encouraged people to report their neighbors who displayed Harris-Walz lawn signs. This incident called to mind parallels with police in Nazi Germany.

Widening the racial and political divide leads to alarm over possible violence. USA Today recently reported that more than one-third of Republicans who have a favorable view of Trump say political violence is acceptable.

According to a new Deseret News-HarrisX poll, 77 percent of U.S. voters say they are very or somewhat concerned about political violence before Election Day, including 80 percent of Republicans and 82 percent of Democrats.

We are seeing an unprecedented and extremely disturbing level of threats of violence and violence against public officials, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said last week in a speech.

The 48 percent backing Trump try to move away from his racism by talking about the need for a better economy. But Trumps main economic plan is to impose tariffs that will drive up prices. He has no plan to improve health care or provide more affordable housing.

It was less than 30 years ago when Bob Dole, the 1996 Republican presidential nominee, stared down racism in the GOP. If theres anyone who has mistakenly attached themselves to our party in the belief that we are not open to citizens of every race and religion, Dole said at the 1996 convention, the exits, which are clearly marked, are for you to walk out of as I stand this ground without compromise.

Where are those Republicans now?

Juan Williams is an author and a political analyst for Fox News Channel.

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At least in public, Usha Vance is taking the "stand by your man" approach no matter how hateful the rhetoric from her husband, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio). (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

I cant get over how much I have in common with Usha Vance, wife of the Republican vice presidential candidate. We both grew up in Southern California with immigrant Indian parents who came to America in the 70s. She could have easily been the kid sister of my best friend, an Indian American woman who grew up in an upper-middle-class suburb of San Diego, minutes away from Usha Vances childhood home.

Usha is a name shared by two of my beloved aunts. One a professor, like Usha Vances parents, whose name I would marvel to see on the spines of books. Another who didnt get to finish college, who served love through her special pressed triangle sandwiches brimming with a delicious shaak of curried vegetables.

Read more: Calmes: JD Vance to Springfield, Ohio: 'You're expendable'

I can easily conjure a picture of Usha Vances childhood, back when she was named Usha Bala Chilukuri. Growing up in a predominantly white suburb, with highly educated Indian immigrant parents, an expectation of academic excellence, her parents passing on their Telugu language, culture and Hindu values through a close-knit Indian community.

Though Usha seems like an easy name for American tongues, Im sure kids at school found ways to poke fun anyway. It wouldnt surprise me to learn that she, like me, was told many times growing up, by well-meaning adults, how good her English was.

Read more: Opinion: J.D. Vance's book 'Hillbilly Elegy' was a con job. Don't let it slide

I can close my eyes and imagine so many details of her upbringing, and all of that takes me even further from understanding why she would stand by her husband as he and his running mate propagate such vile racism. I dont know what Usha Vance might say to her husband in private, but publicly, she has been silent on his bigotry, which in my opinion makes her complicit. Im completely confounded by it.

When she walked on stage at the Republican National Convention, I instantly wanted to root for her, knowing she would be judged for how she looked, a brown-skinned woman in that arena. She broke the make-up-caked, filler-stretched, balloon-lipped, Botox-tightened blond mold that is the more typical fare of that particular convention stage. She wore flats, she sported a natural look, and the vibe was substance over style in a way that felt authentic.

Read more: Abcarian: The role of the post-menopausal female in society? JD Vance has some thoughts

Her presence at the convention predictably elicited some racist responses , and I expected a robust defense from her husband, who instead was tepid at best : Obviously, shes not a white person, and weve been accused, attacked by some white supremacists over that  but I just, I love Usha. It harked back to the simpering, kiss-the-ring spinelessness of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz after Donald Trump called his wife ugly.

I cant help but wonder about Usha Vances reaction each time her husbands campaign churns out a fresh wave of racism. How did she react after Trumps grotesque comment about Kamala Harris only recently deciding she was Black ? Did she think of her own three biracial children? Did it give her pause at all about who she was standing with and what she was standing by? I alternate between thinking of her as a victim and as an accomplice.

Sen. JD Vance of Ohio joined Trump at a memorial event this month, and one of the former presidents invited guests was the loathsome 9/11 conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who recently stated that if Harris wins, The White House will smell like curry. This was so blatant that even Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called it extremely racist. How did the senator respond when asked about it on the Sunday morning talk circuit? He hedged and meandered with a I make a mean chicken curry until when pressed, he finally said, I dont like those comments.

As an Indian American woman, I can only imagine that Usha Vance doesnt like those comments either.

I once applied for housing at that most liberal of enclaves, Berkeley, and the landlord asked me, as I toured the apartment: Do you cook with curry? Because I dont want the place to smell like curry. I didnt get the apartment.

It wasnt a one-off.

I have an early memory from my childhood of being terrified, though I lived 3,000 miles away, of a racist gang in New Jersey who called themselves the Dot b usters  dot like the bindi that many of our mothers, aunts and grandmothers wear every day of their married lives. These racists had an open agenda of ridding Jersey City of its Indian population, and they began a campaign of terror in our communities with random attacks and brutal beatings that sent our people to the ICU, sent them to their deaths. This was during the same period Indian kids all over America would get taunted on the playground after the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom with the question: Do you eat monkey brains?

Its a racist tale as old as time, time-tested and time-worn  the political manipulation of people using the narrative that there are too many of one type of immigrant in one particular place.

Trump has perfected this technique; he who uses the word Palestinian as a slur, he who popularized terms like China virus and kung flu, he who, as president, reportedly asked, Why do we need more Haitians, take them out, in the very meeting where he called Haiti and other countries shithole countries.

That is the ticket JD Vance joined. I cant imagine that his wife wants to be part of that. If her life experiences have been anything like mine, she knows better.

Dont get me wrong  I get that theres a pipeline for second-generation immigrants: from elite private schools to becoming a multimillionaire to conservative politics. Proximity to wealth and power is enticing, strong enough to distort and misshape long-held values and beliefs. And we do have some sense of what her beliefs once were. Usha Vance is a daughter of Democrats, who herself voted in the Democratic primary in 2014. Her politics might have started shifting before her law clerkships with the likes of conservatives John G. Roberts Jr. and Brett M. Kavanaugh. When she married her husband, maybe her deepest values hadnt changed that much; back then he might have been the version of himself who said : Trump makes people I care about afraid. Immigrants, Muslims, etc. Because of this I find him reprehensible.

But that is not the version of the man whom Usha Vance is remaining publicly loyal to today. Today, he is the one demonizing immigrants, including legal Haitian residents of his own state, whom he baselessly accuses of eating pets, spreading disease and sucking up resources  constituents whom he turns into targets for other bigots.

Today, it is also JD Vance, not just Trump, who makes people I care about afraid. Because of this I find him reprehensible.

Dipti S. Barot is a primary care doctor and educator in the San

Francisco Bay Area. @diptisbarot

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
kate_sept2004 / Getty Images

Personal finance expert George Kamel has a few suggestions for boosting your financial IQ. If youre unfamiliar with the term, it simply refers to your money smarts and how well you manage your finances. Getting smarter with money often requires no more than developing some new habits.

If youd like to raise your financial IQ by a few points, here are three ways to do it so you can make great financial decisions and reach your money goals faster, according to Kamel.

Find Out: How Much Money Do Americans Have in Their Bank Accounts in 2024?

Learn More: 7 Reasons a Financial Advisor Can Grow Your Wealth in 2024

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

1. Be Intentional With Your Spending

Most unplanned  unintentional  spending is considered impulse spending, two-thirds of which Kamel says happens in bed on your smartphone.

Capital One Shopping estimates the average consumer will spend $3,381 on impulse buys this year, or about $281.75 monthly. If youre an average shopper, you make 9.75 impulse buys each month, spending $28.90 per purchase.

To get control of impulse spending and possibly save a few hundred dollars a month, Kamel suggests using the 24-hour rule. Heres how it works: If you see something you want to buy, wait 24 hours. If you still want the item at the end of the wait period, make the purchase.

Implementing a waiting period is especially effective if youre an emotional shopper, as it can allow time for the mood driving your purchase to change. Here are some other tips that can help you be more intentional with your spending and avoid impulse buys:

Shop with a list and dont buy anything not on it

Set a budget for each shopping trip

Never click online ads

Avoid These: Im a Financial Advisor: 5 Things the Middle Class Wastes Money On

2. Invest for the Long Term

Kamel advises long-term investing and riding out stock market drops, even significant ones. He points out that the 40% of investors who pulled out of the market in 2022 when the S&P 500 dropped over 30% missed out on the growth when the market recovered.

Even missing out on only a few high-performing days can cost you. According to Franklin Templeton research, a $10,000 investment  that remained fully vested  in an S&P 500 index fund from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2022, had a price-only performance of $62,755. Missing the top 10 performing days dropped that figure to $28,750, a difference of $34,055.

Buy and hold is a passive long-term investing strategy recommended by many financial experts. You ignore day-to-day market fluctuations and hold on to your investments for a specific period regardless of what the market does. Passive investors often earn higher returns than investors who try to time the market and frequently buy and sell.

Story continues

Long-term investing allows you to use compound growth to build wealth, earning you returns on your initial investments and all prior returns as long as you reinvest them.

3. Automate Your Finances

Kamel recommends automating your finances in two ways. First, set up automatic transfers from your paycheck to your retirement accounts. That way, as Kamel says, its out of sight and mind. Second, put as many bills as possible on autopay so you never miss a payment.

While taking the out of sight, out of mind approach with your savings can be effective, you may want to use caution regarding automatic bill pay, depending on your financial situation.

If you typically only keep enough in your checking account to cover bills, you could end up with an overdraft if you dont closely monitor your account balance. Also, always check to ensure billers withdraw the correct amounts from your account and credit you for the proper amount. Automation doesnt eliminate bank and billing errors. So, keeping a close eye on your accounts is another habit that may increase your financial IQ.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 3 Ways To Increase Your Financial IQ, According to George Kamel
The New Hampshire law takes effect Nov. 11 and will not affect people voting in the Nov. 5 general election. (Will Steinfeld | For the New Hampshire Bulletin)

When Kansas passed a law requiring all voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, the effects were swift.

Three years after the law took effect, 31,089 voter registration applicants  12 percent of all applications  were denied because they lacked hard proof when they applied. One analysis of individual-level data suggested that the majority were eligible citizens who simply did not have the documents in time to vote.

In 2020, the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the intentions of that law  to prevent fraudulent voting  failed to overcome its negative effects: the 31,000 people who were denied the ability to vote. The Kansas law was struck down, and the U.S. Supreme Court denied a further appeal.

Opponents of a similar law signed by New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu this month are hoping New England courts will rule similarly.

House Bill 1569 requires that people seeking to register to vote for the first time in the state provide hard documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in the form of a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, or other document.

It also requires all voters to produce hard proof of their identity when voting, or be turned away.

The law takes effect Nov. 11 and will not affect people voting in the Nov. 5 general election.

Already, one progressive group, the New Hampshire Youth Movement, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire, arguing that the citizenship documentation requirement is an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote. And the outcome in Kansas has become a roadmap.

The 10th Circuits decision over Kansas law does not have direct bearing on New Hampshire, which follows decisions of the 1st Circuit in Boston. And the circumstances in Kansas are not exactly the same as those in New Hampshire.

But opponents say New Hampshires law is more restrictive than the Kansas law was, and argue that creates a higher chance that the Granite States law will also be struck down in federal courts.

Supporters of the law are hoping the Supreme Court steps in this time to uphold it.

Differences in Kansas and NH

The New Hampshire and Kansas laws are broadly similar, but they do have differences.

Kansas law, enacted in 2013, required applicants to submit documentary proof of citizenship as part of their voter registration applications. That proof could include a drivers license, a birth certificate, naturalization documents, documents issued by the federal government under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, a bureau of Indian Affairs card number, a consular report of birth abroad of a U.S. citizen, a certificate of citizenship, a certificate aid report of birth by the U.S. State Department, an American Indian card, a U.S. military service record, or a hospital record of birth.

New Hampshires new law does not allow a drivers license as proof of citizenship, and it does not enumerate as many examples. But it leaves open the possibility of other forms of proof.

The Kansas law allowed an applicant who did not have any of those documents to attest to that fact under penalty of perjury and present alternative evidence of citizenship to a panel consisting of the secretary of state, the attorney general, and the lieutenant governor. In the three years the law was implemented, five citizens did so successfully.

New Hampshires HB 1569 does not allow this possibility.

Kansas status as a motor voter state also distinguishes it from New Hampshire. In Kansas, visitors to Division of Vehicles branches applying for a drivers license may register to vote at the same visit. In New Hampshire, which received an exemption from the 1993 National Voter Registration Act by allowing Election Day voter registration, there is no option to register to vote at the Division of Motor Vehicles.

The effect: Residents in Kansas are more likely to register  or attempt to register  to vote at all times of the year, depending on when they seek to obtain or renew their licenses. Residents in New Hampshire are more likely to register to vote at their polling places on Election Day.

To some analysts, that difference is one reason Kansas law might have imposed less of a burden than New Hampshires; Kansas residents could potentially find out earlier in the year if they needed more documents to register and take steps to acquire them, whereas some New Hampshire voters might find out about the the documentary requirements on Election Day, when it could be too late.

The Kansas law, in many ways, presents more ways for election officials to help voters out in the way that the New Hampshire law just doesnt allow for, said Alex Tischenko, senior policy adviser for the Institute for Responsive Government, and a former attorney for the U.S. Justice Department.

Tischenko added that the fact that 12 percent of applications were still rejected in Kansas suggests that even with a somewhat less stringent law, the effects were still significant.

A lawsuit in New Hampshire

Unlike with the Kansas lawsuit, the plaintiffs in New Hampshire are not waiting years for HB 1569 to take effect. Attorneys will not have troves of data on hand to back up the claims that the law is disenfranchising voters. And they wont have voters who were denied their right to vote to use as plaintiffs.

Instead, the New Hampshire Youth Movements lawsuit, brought by lawyers from McLane Middleton in New Hampshire and Elias Law Group in Washington, D.C., seeks to prove that the youth organization itself will be affected by the law.

The lawsuit claims the confusion caused by the implementation of HB 1569, as well as the impetus to educate new registrants about the need to find or obtain their citizenship documents, will create new burdens for the New Hampshire Youth Movement and distract them from their usual advocacy work.

But even without voter plaintiffs, outside observers say the lawsuit will likely come down to one test: the Anderson-Burdick doctrine.

The doctrine is a balancing test. It holds that whenever a court is reviewing a voting law, it must first determine how much of a burden the law imposes on electoral participation. Then, it must compare that burden against the benefits of the law to the state.

If the burdens overpower the benefits, the law could violate the 14th Amendment, the doctrine states.

The test has sometimes been used to uphold stricter voting laws; in the 2008 Supreme Court opinion of Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, the court held 6-3 that an Indiana law requiring photo ID was constitutional, ruling in part that the states asserted interests in the law is unquestionably relevant to its interest in upholding reliable elections.

But in Kansas, the 10th Circuit used the test to invalidate the voter registration law, using the number of people denied as an argument the law failed the test.

There was almost no evidence he attempted noncitizen registrations at all, let alone noncitizen voting, Tischenko said.

Lawyers suing to stop New Hampshires law will not have a similar list of plaintiffs. But Henry Klementowicz, deputy legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire  which is not involved in the New Hampshire Youth Movement lawsuit  pointed to state figures that indicate more than 1,400 voters used the affidavits to register to vote in the 2020 presidential election and more than 700 voters did so in the 2022 midterms. Those voters would have been turned away had the law been in effect.

In New Hampshire, we know thousands of people use these affidavits and could potentially be disenfranchised, Klementowicz said. And on the other hand, voter fraud is vanishingly rare in New Hampshire, and most of the cases that I see of voter fraud are people double voting. I dont see how, for example, requiring documentary proof of citizenship would do anything to address that type of voter fraud.

The Kansas decision questioned

Not all see the Kansas circuit court decision as convincing. Rep. Bob Lynn, the former chief justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court and the author of HB 1569, said he disagrees with the courts conclusions.

Even though 31,000 Kansans were not allowed to vote, and even after expert testimony from statisticians suggested many of them should have been able to vote, the court made its ruling without verifying that assumption, Lynn argued.

The thing that the court never says is that theres some reason to believe that those people are citizens, he said in an interview about the decision in May. How do we know that those people are not all illegal aliens?

And Lynn said the court had not adequately explored how difficult it would have been for the plaintiffs to obtain a birth certificate or other documentation.

The court said, Well, he doesnt have to show that there was some difficulty with him getting his birth certificate, he just doesnt have to do it, said Lynn, speaking about one plaintiff.

The Supreme Court denied certiorari in the Kansas case, meaning they decided not to review it and the 10th Circuit Courts decision stood. But analysts on both sides of the debate cautioned not to read too much into that decision when it comes to New Hampshires case.

There could be a number of reasons why the court didnt grant certiorari, Lynn said. If this was like one of the first cases, they often will not take one of them. Theyll wait and see what a lot of other circuit courts do.

He added: My sense would be that if this actually got to the Supreme Court, that the Supreme Court would find the bills constitutional. But can I say that definitively? Obviously not.
Robert Harms speaks during the Greater North Dakota Chamber Policy Summit on Sept. 10, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Proponents of a ballot measure to change the requirements for future ballot measures say change is needed to protect North Dakotas constitution from fraud and out-of-state influence.

But opponents say Measure 2, which voters will decide this November, will handcuff citizens and take power away from the people.

The North Dakota Legislature voted in 2023 in favor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 4013, which places the measure on the ballot. The main changes are:

Future ballot measures would be limited to a single subject.

The signature requirement would increase from 4% to 5% of the North Dakota population.

Ballot measures would need to be approved by voters twice  first during a statewide primary and again in the following general election.

Sponsors of the measure and petition circulators would need to be eligible to vote in North Dakota. Those who sign petitions need to provide complete residential addresses.

State Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, was a primary sponsor of the legislative resolution. Myrdal said during a recent podcast discussion on Measure 2 that she is worried about out-of-state interests funding changes to North Dakota laws.

In the process now with the constitutional initiated measure, it doesnt come from the grassroots. I wish it did, but it doesnt, Myrdal said during the podcast with Forum Communications columnist Rob Port. I think it just comes from deep-pocketed people.

Robert Harms, a former state Republican Party chair, spoke out against the measure during a recent Greater North Dakota Chamber event.

Harms said he agrees that out-of-state interests have funded previous ballot measures with bad policies for North Dakota, but he doesnt think Measure 2 addresses that issue.

It handcuffs citizens, it handcuffs people to address constitutional changes that they want to make by the 5% mechanism and having two campaigns to go through, Harms said. But if Im a big money interest organization from California, I can pay for signature gatherers. I can go through two campaigns to get the constitutional changes that Im looking for.

Harms also said he thinks its un-American to force voters to vote twice to get the policy they support.

Myrdal said requiring two votes provides more opportunity for debate about the measures.

A supermajority of lawmakers advanced the resolution to reform ballot measures on the heels of a measure approved by voters in November 2022 to limit legislative term limits. The measure, which limits state lawmakers to serving eight years in each chamber, was mired in fraud allegations related to the signature gathering. A county prosecutor declined to file charges.

Myrdal said the ballot measure process lacks transparency and many times residents are confused on what they are actually voting for.

I havent met one constituent yet in my district that didnt think they were voting for term limits for Congress, Myrdal said.

Dustin Gawrylow, managing director for North Dakota Watchdog Network, said he finds it hypocritical that the ballot measure contains several provisions but it would limit future ballot measures to a single subject.

Lawyers can fight all day and all night over what a single subject is, Gawrylow said during an event at the North Dakota Kennedy Center last week.

Gawrylow cited South Dakotas recent ballot initiative that was successfully challenged in state court by Gov. Kristi Noem that would have legalized recreational marijuana, medical marijuana and hemp as a violation of the states single subject rule.

They were able to manage and manipulate their laws, which have the single subject rule in them, to get the will of the people overturned after the fact, he said.

Myrdal said Measure 2 doesnt violate the single subject rule because the changes would be made to the constitutional initiated ballot measures process, which is a single subject.

One attendee of the Measure 2 event, Brad Carroll of Bismarck, said he believes the people would lose power if the ballot measure were to pass this fall.

You are going to have some you agree with and some that you dont agree with, Carroll said. But the process needs to remain solid, needs to remain steady without all of the back and forth, and what that does is just confuse people more.

Another attendee, Kent Rath of Sterling, said the debate over ballot measures is the result of not holding state lawmakers accountable at the ballot box. He doesnt think voting on the same measure twice is necessary.

One person, one vote, Rath said.

How they voted

The North Dakota Senate voted 44-3 and the House voted 73-18 on the resolution that advanced Measure 2. Heres how they voted:

Yes

Sens. Axtman, Barta, Beard, Bekkedahl, Boehm, Braunberger, Burckhard, Cleary, Clemens, Conley, Davison, Dever, Dwyer, Elkin, Erbele, Estenson, Hogan, Hogue, Kannianen, Kessel, Klein, Krebsbach, Kreun, Larsen, Larson, Lee, Lemm, Luick, Meyer, Myrdal, Patten, Paulson, Piepkorn, K. Roers, J. Roers, Rummel, Rust, Schaible, Sickler, Sorvaag, Wanzek, Weber, Weston, Wobbema

Reps. B. Anderson, K. Anderson, D. Anderson, Beltz, Bosch, Brandenburg, Christensen, Christy, Cory, Dakane, Dockter, Dyk, Fegley, Fisher, Frelich, Grueneich, Hagert, Hatlestad, Hauck, Headland, Heilman, Heinert, Holle, Hoverson, J. Johnson, D. Johnson, Jonas, Karls, Kasper, Kempenich, Kiefert, Klemin, Koppelman, Kreidt, Lefor, Longmuir, Louser, Marschall, Martinson, McLeod, Meier, Monson, Murphy, Nathe, Nelson, Novak, OBrien, J. Olson, S. Olson, Ostlie, Porter, Prichard, Pyle, Richter, Roers Jones, Rohr, D. Ruby, Sanford, Satrom, Schatz, Schauer, Schreiber-Beck, Steiner, Stemen, Strinden, Swiontek, Thomas, Tveit, VanWinkle, Vigesaa, Wagner, Warrey, Weisz

No

Sens. Magrum, Mathern

Reps. Bellew, Boschee, Davis, Dobervich, Finley-DeVille, Hager, Hanson, Henderson, Ista, Mitskog, Mock, Rios, M. Ruby, Schneider, Schobinger, Timmons, Toman, Vetter

Absent or excused and not voting

Sen. Vedaa

Reps. Bahl, Conmy, Motschenbacher
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The City and County of Honolulu is calling all military spouses on Oahu who want to further their personal goals and careers.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced the partnership with the Military Spouse Professional Network to provide a free career development event at the WorkHawaii Division office.

Check out these new educational experiences at the Battleship Missouri Memorial

The Resume Writing and Resource Empowerment Session can help spouses work on their resumes, look for a job and explore career development programs, internships and more.

Additionally, WorkHawaii also provides GED preparation and work experience for youth and adults and vocational training for tuition assistance.

WorkHawaii is dedicated to supporting military spouses who bring valuable skills like adaptability, leadership, and resilience to the workforce. Together, well empower you to turn those strengths into exciting career opportunities! Leinaala Nakamura, WorkHawaii Administrator

Those who will be in attendance can park in the Costco parking lot for up to two hours.

The workshop will be held in the Dole Cannery Office Building on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

Spouses are advised to register for the event by Tuesday. Call WorkHawaii at (808) 768-5701 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.
Nuclear waste tanks are constructed early in Hanford's development. (U.S. Department of Energy)

A federal proposal to move radioactive nuclear waste from Washington through Oregon and onward to Utah and Texas via truck and rail has raised major concerns among Oregon officials and environmentalists.

The radioactive waste comes from the Hanford Site, near the Columbia River north of Richland, Washington, where 56 million gallons of radioactive sludge  a byproduct of World War II-era plutonium production  still sits 80 years later in 177 underground tanks, some of which are leaking.

To clean up the site and to remove the sludge, federal agencies and the Washington Department of Ecology could decide by the end of the year to move ahead with a proposal, negotiated mostly in private, to cart at least 2,000 gallons of sludge via rail or truck through Oregon to facilities in Utah and Texas that can process it into a grout cement and dispose of it. The proposal doesnt yet detail a route, but critics have said it would most likely end up on major interstate highways through Oregon, or on a rail line through central Oregon along the Deschutes River, passing near areas like Bend and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation.

The possibility of thousands of gallons of the waste moving through the state as a liquid, rather than in a solid form outlined in previous plans, are among the parts of the proposal that most alarm Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Janine Benner, director of the Oregon Department of Energy.

Both, in recent months, have written to officials at the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, asking that they shelve the proposal until three critical issues are resolved. Namely, Kotek and Benner want an explanation for why the liquid wont be solidified before transit, a federal environmental assessment that scrutinizes all the possible impacts a leak or spill could have in transit and greater involvement and outreach with potentially impacted communities.

The ongoing process for receiving and accounting for input from the state of Oregon, tribal governments and the public on substantive issues relating to the solidification and transport of liquid tank waste is insufficient, Kotek wrote, and risks undercutting support for the accelerated reduction of radioactive waste at the Hanford site that is in everyones interest.

Benner, of the Oregon Department of Energy, doubled down on Koteks concerns.

The lack of clarity on these key areas, coupled with a not-yet-conducted process for engagement along potential transportation corridors, is a significant concern, she wrote.

In response, Candice Trummell Robertson, a senior environmental management advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy, wrote to Kotek to say officials had not yet decided on a route for the waste, and that the agency would seek public comment once they defined a path in the fall. She said the agency was determining if an environmental impact analysis would be needed to move waste, but noted it had been done safely before.

With respect to the means of transport of treated waste, the department has a long history of safely transporting radioactive materials, including significant quantities of liquid waste, Trummell Robertson wrote.

Change of plans

For nearly three decades, the plan for cleaning up the Hanford Site was to build an onsite glass plant where radioactive waste could be blended into glass, trapping the dangerous substances in a solid form. But such a plant has not been completed, and in 2023, the Department of Energy learned it could more cheaply mix some of the waste into grout cement at existing facilities in other states. Utah and Texas also offer disposal sites with little potential for groundwater contamination.

Since plutonium production began at Hanford nearly 80 years ago, about one-third of the 177 tanks have leaked, according to the nonprofit Hanford worker and environmental safety group Hanford Challenge. The leaks have sent at least a million gallons of radioactive waste into the groundwater aquifer and onto the Columbia River over the years.

Dan Serres, advocacy director for the Portland and Hood River-based nonprofit conservation group Columbia Riverkeeper, said such leaks are not only devastating for the rivers health but are a violation of the federal governments 1855 treaty with the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs and Yakama tribes. The tribes ceded millions of acres of their land to the U.S. government in return for hunting and fishing rights at traditional sites in perpetuity.

The bigger context is that toxic and radioactive pollution reaches the river from the U.S. Department of Energys actions at Hanford, and now the area is too polluted for tribes to exercise their treaty rights, which is unacceptable, Serres said via email. The cleanup is ongoing  and it has accomplished major reductions in harm to people downstream and downwind  but its very challenging and incomplete.

Serres agrees with Koteks concerns related to transporting liquid rather than solid nuclear waste, and that the proposed plan lacks input from, and transparency with, potentially impacted communities along the route.

If there is to be a true holistic agreement about Hanford, then it should be the product of holistic understanding and engagement in the communities who are harmed by Hanfords toxic and radioactive waste, he said.

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Nuclear waste tanks are constructed early in Hanfords development. (U.S. Department of Energy)

A federal proposal to move radioactive nuclear waste from Washington through Oregon and onward to Utah and Texas via truck and rail has raised major concerns among Oregon officials and environmentalists.

The radioactive waste comes from the Hanford Site, near the Columbia River north of Richland, Washington, where 56 million gallons of radioactive sludge  a byproduct of World War II-era plutonium production  still sits 80 years later in 177 underground tanks, some of which are leaking.

To clean up the site and to remove the sludge, federal agencies and the Washington Department of Ecology could decide by the end of the year to move ahead with a proposal, negotiated mostly in private, to cart at least 2,000 gallons of sludge via rail or truck through Oregon to facilities in Utah and Texas that can process it into a grout cement and dispose of it. The proposal doesnt yet detail a route, but critics have said it would most likely end up on major interstate highways through Oregon, or on a rail line through central Oregon along the Deschutes River, passing near areas like Bend and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation.

The possibility of thousands of gallons of the waste moving through the state as a liquid, rather than in a solid form outlined in previous plans, are among the parts of the proposal that most alarm Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Janine Benner, director of the Oregon Department of Energy.

Both, in recent months, have written to officials at the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, asking that they shelve the proposal until three critical issues are resolved. Namely, Kotek and Benner want an explanation for why the liquid wont be solidified before transit, a federal environmental assessment that scrutinizes all the possible impacts a leak or spill could have in transit and greater involvement and outreach with potentially impacted communities.

The ongoing process for receiving and accounting for input from the state of Oregon, tribal governments and the public on substantive issues relating to the solidification and transport of liquid tank waste is insufficient, Kotek wrote, and risks undercutting support for the accelerated reduction of radioactive waste at the Hanford site that is in everyones interest.

Benner, of the Oregon Department of Energy, doubled down on Koteks concerns.

The lack of clarity on these key areas, coupled with a not-yet-conducted process for engagement along potential transportation corridors, is a significant concern, she wrote.

In response, Candice Trummell Robertson, a senior environmental management advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy, wrote to Kotek to say officials had not yet decided on a route for the waste, and that the agency would seek public comment once they defined a path in the fall. She said the agency was determining if an environmental impact analysis would be needed to move waste, but noted it had been done safely before.

With respect to the means of transport of treated waste, the department has a long history of safely transporting radioactive materials, including significant quantities of liquid waste, Trummell Robertson wrote.

Change of plans

For nearly three decades, the plan for cleaning up the Hanford Site was to build an onsite glass plant where radioactive waste could be blended into glass, trapping the dangerous substances in a solid form. But such a plant has not been completed, and in 2023, the Department of Energy learned it could more cheaply mix some of the waste into grout cement at existing facilities in other states. Utah and Texas also offer disposal sites with little potential for groundwater contamination.

Since plutonium production began at Hanford nearly 80 years ago, about one-third of the 177 tanks have leaked, according to the nonprofit Hanford worker and environmental safety group Hanford Challenge. The leaks have sent at least a million gallons of radioactive waste into the groundwater aquifer and onto the Columbia River over the years.

Dan Serres, advocacy director for the Portland and Hood River-based nonprofit conservation group Columbia Riverkeeper, said such leaks are not only devastating for the rivers health but are a violation of the federal governments 1855 treaty with the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs and Yakama tribes. The tribes ceded millions of acres of their land to the U.S. government in return for hunting and fishing rights at traditional sites in perpetuity.

The bigger context is that toxic and radioactive pollution reaches the river from the U.S. Department of Energys actions at Hanford, and now the area is too polluted for tribes to exercise their treaty rights, which is unacceptable, Serres said via email. The cleanup is ongoing  and it has accomplished major reductions in harm to people downstream and downwind  but its very challenging and incomplete.

Serres agrees with Koteks concerns related to transporting liquid rather than solid nuclear waste, and that the proposed plan lacks input from, and transparency with, potentially impacted communities along the route.

If there is to be a true holistic agreement about Hanford, then it should be the product of holistic understanding and engagement in the communities who are harmed by Hanfords toxic and radioactive waste, he said.

Oregon 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. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X.
The electricity provider for Orlando, Florida, and its customers could use relationship therapy as they venture together into an era of sunshine powering homes, cars and most everything else.

What the municipally owned Orlando Utilities Commission aims to do is swift, consequential and risk-taking in a region of the nation only now going full throttle to green energy. Within 16 years, OUC plans to jettison more than 90% of its tried-and-true ability to make electricity with generation plants that burn fossil fuels, mainly coal and natural gas, and will have erected solar panels on more than 10,000 acres, an expanse larger than Winter Park.

In that time, the utilitys batteries for providing nighttime power will grow in capacity to as much as that in 35,000 electric cars.

Its difficult to overstate the enormity of the transformation, which is intended to help shrink fossil fuel carbon pollution that drives global warming, rising sea levels, desertification, supercharged wildfires and storms, spreading pathogens, species extinctions and more.

Already, however, Orlandos utility is struggling to enlist its customers in moves it insists are necessary to chart this new course.

OUC wants to adjust rates so that using electricity during high-demand times of the day is more costly than during low-demand periods, a change it says will promote more efficient use of power. Critics say that many renters and low-income homeowners  in part because they cant afford modern, programmable appliances  have little or no ability to change when they consume electricity.

But an even more boisterous outcry has arisen over an issue that affects just a fraction of customers: A proposal to pay rooftop solar users less than current rates for the surplus electricity they send into OUCs power lines. Opposition led by influential city council member  and rooftop solar maven  Patty Sheehan has stalled the utility from moving forward with any modernizing rate changes, and has revealed a distrustful relationship at a time when the utility is about to take momentous steps toward a very different energy future.

Right now, clearly, customers dont agree with OUC, said veteran state Rep. Anna Eskamani of Orlando, who is active with solar and climate issues in the legislature and more recently with her city.

Eskamani strongly supports OUCs larger commitment to ending its carbon pollution. But she said the utility, as it is publicly owned, needs to slow down and regain the confidence of its climate-concerned customers. Its really important that you have the support of those you serve, she said.

OUCs chief executive officer, Clint Bullock, said in a recent meeting that the utility will take the appropriate amount of time to reach out to stakeholders, listen to what theyre saying, understand some of the studies and information that theyre sharing with us and work through some of the misunderstandings and misconceptions.

While struggling with how it will charge customers in the future, the century-old OUC is moving forward with less controversy toward a monumental goal: reinventing how it makes and supplies power.

Most electric utilities traditionally prioritize one practice: burning carbon-based fuels to run electricity generators. Their prime objective decade after decade has been to tweak incremental gains in fuel efficiency.

What OUC is about to do  far outpacing any other municipal power provider in Florida  is pioneer a frontier devoid of carbon-based fuels.

Theres no doubt that the disruption to the utility industry as we transition to a carbon-free, clean energy future is unlike anything that theyve seen, said Chris Castro, senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Energys Office of State and Community Energy Programs and previously the sustainability officer for the city of Orlando.

Later this year, OUC will start up a pair of large solar plants  Harmony II and Storey Bend in Osceola County  able to provide for about 28,000 homes or roughly 10% of residential customers. For the first time, the sun will be a major source of the utilitys electricity. That will take some getting used to for system operators because of solars intermittency as conditions shift from clear skies to clouds to nighttime.

Next year, OUC will mothball one of its two flagship generators that tower in the east Orange County skyline. They consume mountains of coal and generate tons of planet-heating pollution, although they remain in solid enough financial and mechanical shape as middle-aged plants to potentially run for many more decades.

OUCs plan for the other coal plant is to convert it to run on natural gas by 2027.

After that, the journey to a new era of energy begins to take on increasing uncertainty. Unknowns are: where to build solar plants, what revolutionary innovations or inventions may occur  including with hydrogen, nuclear, wind, and batteries  and what it all means for OUCs rates, its ability to keep the lights on and its continuation of approximately $100 million in annual cash contributions to city halls operating expenses.

The utility industry is being asked to transform extremely rapidly, far faster than anything weve done in our past with technologies that arent as robust as we would like them to be, said Justin Kramer, OUCs director of emerging technology.

I have to balance that with people who struggle to afford power, and I have to balance equity and clean and reliable energy with technologies that havent been around for more than five or 10 years. That keeps me up at night, Kramer said.

If it goes well, OUC intends by 2050 to have zeroed out its net contribution to carbon pollution causing climate change.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who has a permanent OUC board seat and is an original and leading proponent of reining in the citys carbon pollution, warns that the path could be bumpy.

Its not a slam dunk, Dyer said. Its going to take a lot of wisdom and planning and being adaptable to the changing technology.

Stephen Smith, executive director of the environmental group Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, urges utilities to lean aggressively toward transformations that are bold and rapid. His group, emphasizing analysis, holds credibility with OUC.

There is nothing more serious in the world than what were dealing with: climate disruption and destabilizing the atmosphere, Smith said. The science is overwhelming that the manifestation of the effects is much more pronounced than a lot of scientists even thought it would be at this point, and its intensifying.

He said the controversy over OUCs proposal to reduce how much it pays for surplus electricity from rooftop solar panels is not uncommon among utilities and is distracting.

Rooftop solar is a piece of the puzzle but its a smaller piece of the puzzle, Smith said. The most important thing we need to be deploying faster than anything else is utility solar. You dont want to get into so much of a big fight over rooftop solar that you lose perspective on what weve got to do to deploy as much as possible.

Just how much electricity OUC will have to harness from the sun is daunting.

Of the utilitys nearly 250,000 residential electric customers, about 10,000 have solar panels on their rooftops. Those panels plus those of commercial customers have a combined capacity to generate 104 megawatts, or nearly 5% of OUCs capacity  a squirt of energy into the citys torrent of power.

The overall demand for OUC electricity is nearly 1,600 megawatts, with the vast majority of that coming today from burning fossil fuel. About a dozen generators typically provide that power, with many more on standby.

To ensure theres enough electricity at any given time  and get it where it needs to be  OUC operates what it calls an energy management center, a spacious bunker in east Orlando equipped with secure, isolated computers that direct millions of watts flowing across nearly 3,000 miles of the utilitys transmission and distribution power lines.

The centers arrays of video screens lend to a sense of an intensive care unit, where the patient is breathing not oxygen but electricity. One of the simpler screen graphics depicts the minute-by-minute demand for OUC electricity.

Consumption dips to a low at about 4 a.m., just before the early birds showers and coffee makers start and the graphics line begins to steadily increase.

At sunrise, street lights flicker out and the line dips briefly. The need for power then rises until about 4 p.m., though the timing of the daily peak can be dramatically altered by thunderstorms and their cooling effects.

Every day has an operational plan, written beginning a week earlier and accounting for which generators will cost the least to operate and what to do if one of them fails catastrophically.

The overall impression is of deep institutional experience and nothing left unaccounted for  except for the solar energy on the scale thats coming.

The rise of solar energy will bring challenges never seen before, including how to respond to thunderstorm shadows galloping across millions of solar panels and causing their power outputs to plunge, and whether batteries will compensate sufficiently. That will call for new ways of daily planning.

Engineers study solar exhaustively and look to the experiences of others. OUC has set up two dozen weather stations to watch for and project the shading over solar panels from storms.

But no two utilities are alike, they note, and the sun doesnt shine as relentlessly in the Sunshine State as it does in the Southwest and West.

Hopefully, there is not going to be a big learning curve, said Keith Mutters, system planning and reliability director.

Nearly three years ago, OUC bought what amounts to insurance in case of a problematic implementation of solar energy.

That would be the Osceola Generating Station, a peaker power plant nestled in remote pinelands of Osceola County. Not many people even know we are out here, said Milliard Long, who is in charge of OUCs generators fueled with natural gas.

About 20 years old and last operated by a private company seeking profit in the electricity market, the station cost $100 million to buy and upgrade.

Groups such as the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Sierra think the investment should have gone to solar. OUC regards the 510 megawatt plant  which is more output than from either coal plant  as an ace up its sleeve.

As we move forward with our clean energy transition, ensuring operational flexibility is essential, said Bullock, OUCs leader, at the time of the acquisition.

OUCs mainline generators are efficient but ponderous, taking much of a day to start up and put into service.

The Osceola Generating Station, by contrast, fires up with the click of a mouse to make electricity in 15 minutes and reach full output in 29 minutes and can power off just as quickly.

Doing the work are three jet engines strapped to generators, devouring natural gas, with a three-day supply of backup diesel fuel on site.

In the worst case of extended cloudy weather coupled with a broken natural gas pipeline, the station will keep Orlandos lights on.

But the station is a hot rod and not an econo-machine  just one of the jet-engine generators will suck down 215 gallons of diesel fuel every minute  and running it can be pricey.

Solar energy, meanwhile, is a rising bargain, with no charge for the suns rays, which is another justification for projects ahead.

By 2032, according to OUC reporting to the states Public Service Commission, OUC anticipates constructing a dozen large solar plants, each covering between 500 and 800 acres, containing approximately 300,000 panels. The cost of the plants, about $75 million each today, is expected to continue to decline.

The batteries needed to store some of this solar power during the day  then provide it when the sun doesnt shine  come in 4 megawatt units the size of a shipping container and weighing 75 tons. Batteries are likely to be dispersed widely, plugged in next to solar plants, substations and perhaps big commercial customers.

The Southern Alliance For Clean Energy measures utility solar performance by the number of solar watts per customer.

By that metric, Orlando Utilities Commission now ranks first in the Southeast for projected solar growth from 2023 to 2027, besting the giant, stockholder-owned Florida Power and Light Co. and Duke Energy.

Its great that we are building more solar, but the real truth is we are not building anywhere near enough, said Jim Fenton, director of the Florida Solar Energy Center at the University of Central Florida. That includes rooftop solar.

But on that matter, OUC, customers and the city remain mired in animus, and it is still to be determined whether that is reconcilable.

Honestly, I do not trust OUC, city council member Sheehan said. They look at us as competition.

OUC had planned by now to adopt its rooftop solar, time-of-day and other rate changes  calling them essential to a new way of providing electricity  until headed off by rare dissension on its board coming from the citys leading green-energy booster.

If we were voting today, Dyer said at a board meeting this summer, I would vote no on that.

_____
It was a heros welcome this weekend here in Orlando, where 58 veterans returned home from an honor flight.

The group left Saturday morning and headed to the nations capital.

Two World War II veterans were on the plane. One of those was John Hatch. At 101, he made his first honor flight.

The first lieutenant from WWII, still fly fishes, jet skis, and legend has it beats everyone in corn hole. He told us he was going because I would like to see my co-companions in Washington.

Read: 9 Investigates helps woman with Down Syndrome get Social Security benefits restored

Every day, memories of World War II are disappearing from living history. The men and women who fought and won this great conflict are now in their 90s, and some are over 100!

According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, only 100,000 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are alive.

Thats why flights like these are so important.

This year, Channel 9 Shannon Butler was asked to go along as a guardian on this one-day trip.

Channel 9 left Saturday morning to see the war memorials and the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Read: Group says Seminole County Animal Services are not transparent about low intake numbers

It was an honor to go along.

It was a day some of them had been waiting years for.

Jay Mack, a veteran and retired OPD officer, got to see someone he recognized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall.

Mack told us that Charles Epperson was a hero, saying, His brother Jimmy and I worked together for like 20 years! I got to witness the special moments, like Mack and his companions salute Epperson and others who died in the war.

Read: Woman faces issues with Social Security benefits after vocal cord surgery

I was lucky enough to get to escort an 82-year-old beauty.

Sondra Doebler, who waited three years to take this flight to Washington, D.C.

She and other women were honored with plaques for their service, paving the way for so many others after them.

But for her the greatest gift was the community who rallied around them. Doebler told us, Its so nice to get kudos from people, they stop you, you know they do so much, and they cant be more thankful to us.

Since 2005, the honor flight network has flown over 295,000 veterans and currently operates from 44 states and 124 regional hubs.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Over 8,000 without power in Davis County  When power will be restored

CENTERVILLE, Utah (ABC4)  A power outage early Monday morning, Sept. 23, has left 8,162 Rocky Mountain Power customers without electricity.

The outage struck just before 8 a.m. on Monday affecting businesses, houses, and street lights in Centerville, Woods Cross, West Bountiful, and the surrounding areas. Power has since been restored.

A power outage impacted over 8,000 Rocky Mountain Power customers early Monday morning, Sept. 23. (Courtesy: Rocky Mountain Power)

Rocky Mountain Power confirmed it dispatched crews and is working on making repairs. Power was originally expected to be fully restored by 11 a.m. However, crews were able to restore power before that time.

Jona Whitesides, a spokesperson with Rocky Mountain Power, told ABC4 the outage was caused by an equipment malfunction at a substation near Parrish Lane and Legacy Parkway in Centerville.

How does Rocky Mountain Power restore power?

Power may be restored earlier or later, depending on the cause of the outage, according to Rocky Mountain Power. The initial estimated restoration time is set about three hours from the time of the first outage report. Rocky Mountain Power said this number is based on average restoration times which is refined as crews investigate the damage.

Restoration begins by using outage reports to help pinpoint where the damage is causing the outage. Crews will then be dispatched and assess the conditions for public and crew safety and develop a restoration plan.

If necessary, crews will also patrol lines and check substations, clearing any downed power lines for public safety. Should you come across any downed power lines, Rocky Mountain Power says to treat them as though they are live and keep your distance.

Rocky Mountain Power crews will work first on restoring power to the greatest number of people as quickly as possible. Afterward, crews will use distribution and tap lines to restore power in concentrated areas before finally working to restore power to individual homes and businesses.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL)  Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park concluded a weekend-long Overmountain Victory Trail Celebration and Militia Muster on Sunday, where re-enactors dove into the year 1780 and brought the Revolutionary War to life.

For 50 years, the park has celebrated the more than 400 men who embarked on the trail from Abingdon, Virginia to Kings Mountain, South Carolina. Re-enactors and history enthusiasts follow the same route and timetable as the militiamen.

Matthew Simerly, a volunteer with the celebration, said it is important to remember the frontiersmen who crossed the Watauga River to fight British Major Patrick Ferguson, who threatened to destroy their homes. Simerly said the trek is one that historians often overlook but called it the only reverse draft in history.

When something needs to be done, we gather up, and we do it, he said. And it tells a lot about the about the frontiersman spirit of America. These are people who moved out here, passed the frontier line, risked everything just to have a better chance at life, and they were willing to fight and die to defend that chance for that.

Simerly said the Overmountain Victory Trail Association (OVTA) travels to different schools to teach students about the Revolutionary War and the regions heritage. He believes the reenactment conveys a good sense of identity.

[We] tell them what their ancestors did, said Simerly. It is a lot. Oftentimes, we here in Appalachia get a negative stereotype [and] people tend to peg us as lazy, unwilling to do anything.

Simerly said the celebration would not have been possible without the help of volunteers who distributed fliers before the event and organized the weekend. He also recognized that a family living on the property was the first to build a home in the park.

To learn more about the OVTA, visit its official 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
(NewsNation)  If current policies remain in place, the Earths ozone layer could be be fully healed in some points by 2040, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization predicts.

The ozone layer, a protective layer of gas in our planets stratosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet-B radiation from the sun, is slowly but surely healing, according to the organization.

The newest scientific assessment says the layer is expected to recover to 1980 values (before the appearance of the ozone hole) by around 2066 over the Antarctic, by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2040 for the rest of the world.

Trees hold their breath to avoid wildfire smoke

WMO thanks the Montreal Protocol  and its Kigali Amendment  for the progress. Its an international agreement that brought the production of damaging ozone-depleting substances to an end.

The Protocols Kigali Amendment, which focuses on phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)  powerful climate-warming gases  can contribute to advancing climate mitigation efforts, protecting people and planet, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. And that is needed more than ever, as temperature records continue to shatter.

Fall has arrived: Heres what to know about the autumnal equinox

Fueled by a sweltering summer, 2024 could be Earths hottest year on record, according to European climate service Copernicus.

And if this sounds familiar, thats because the records the globe shattered were set just last year as human-caused climate change, with a temporary boost from an El Nino, keeps dialing up temperatures and extreme weather, scientists said.

Its really not surprising that we see this, this heat wave, that we see these temperature extremes, Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo told AP. We are bound to see more.

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 NewsNation.
U.S. energy explorer APA Corporations APA stock has dropped by nearly a third since the beginning of 2024, significantly underperforming the sector. The company has also fared worse than its peers like Ovintiv OVV and Chord Energy CHRD. This decline, puzzling in light of the strong production outlook and balance sheet stability, primarily reflects APAs exposure to fluctuating oil and gas prices.

YTD Price Comparison

Zacks Investment Research

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

This article will dive into the reasons behind this plunge and whether it presents an opportunity for investors.

APAs Vulnerability to Oil Price Volatility

APA faces significant risk from fluctuating oil prices, which directly impact its cash flow and profitability. With Brent crude recently dipping below $70 compared to the $82.89 used in the companys production guidance, earnings are at risk if prices remain suppressed. Additionally, Chinas ongoing economic struggles could further weaken global oil demand, putting downward pressure on prices. Sustained volatility, combined with potential OPEC+ production increases, threatens to strain APA's revenues and margins in the coming quarters, creating a challenging outlook for the company.

Analysts Take a Bearish Stance on APAs Earnings Outlook

The Houston, TX-based upstream player has lately been on the receiving end of negative earnings estimate revisions. Looking at the current quarter, analysts have slashed estimates by 17.5% in the past 60 days. The Q3 Zacks Consensus Estimate is now $1.04 per share, reflecting negative growth of 21.8% relative to the prior year. In addition, the company is in the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, which is currently ranked in the bottom 15% of all Zacks industries.



While the current market conditions cannot be ignored, APA has strong long-term potential.

Suriname Project: Growth Catalyst for APA

APAs Suriname portfolio is particularly exciting, where it continues to achieve significant drilling success. The company has partnered with TotalEnergies TTE in this region, which lies off the north coast of South America. Over time, Suriname is expected to become one of APAs major assets with significant cash flow potential. With TotalEnergies covering a significant portion of capital expenditures, APAs financial burden is limited to 37.5% of future costs after initial investments. This advantageous arrangement supports APAs development efforts in Block 58, with the first oil projected for 2028.

APAs Strategic Divestments to Reduce Debt

APA has divested two non-core assets in the Permian Basin, expected to generate $1.65 billion in gross proceeds. This will reduce the companys net debt to $5 billion, strengthening its balance sheet. The combined production loss from these sales amounts to less than 10%, while the company can redirect resources to more profitable ventures while optimizing its balance sheet. This provides APA with the capital to navigate oil price volatility and pursue higher-margin opportunities.

Story continues

Callon Acquisition Expands APAs Production Capacity

The recent buyout of Callon Petroleum, a smaller rival, further enhances APA Corporation's scale, particularly in the Permian Basin. APA reported a robust second quarter, with U.S. oil production reaching 139,500 barrels per day, a 67% increase from the first quarter of 2024, driven by the successful integration of Callon. APA has also enhanced cost efficiency through the Callon acquisition. The company now anticipates $250 million in annual cost synergies, up from the initial estimate of $225 million.

Final Thoughts: Hold APA Stock for Now

While caution is needed, given its volatility and rapid price swings, a long-term vision could reward APA investors. The company appears to be treading in the middle of the road, and investors could be better off if they trade with caution. Agreed, this might not be the ideal time to invest in the upstream operator despite the recent dip in share prices, but those who already own this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock may stay invested.



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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WKBN)  The Pennsylvania Department of Education is working to help teachers, parents and students recognize accurate information from bias and misinformation.

A literary toolkit was launched for Pennsylvanias next generation of news consumers with the goal of developing literacy skills to help discern fact from fiction online.

Governor Josh Shapiro said in a news release Monday that children are being fed half-truths, prejudices and propaganda online.

Ive heard from teachers across our Commonwealth about how kids find misinformation online and bring it into the classroom, where our educators are forced to confront it. We need to address that  and the first step is giving teachers and parents more tools in their toolbox to help teach our kids how to think critically about what they find online, Shapiro said.

The toolkit offers resources on how to recognize bias, distinguish between credible information and misinformation, and create and share content responsibly. For instance, there is a section on fact-checking from Common Sense Media and on thinking critically. It also has a section on how to spot false news.

The toolkit is available to the public online.

The initiative is part of the 2024-2025 budget for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

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ROCHESTER N.Y. (WROC)  The Rochester Police Accountability Board (PAB) publicized a handful of its reports into alleged police misconduct Sunday. It immediately drew backlash from Rochester city leaders, who had written a letter to the board Friday with legal insight claiming the board does not have the authority to do so.

The categories of misconduct in which the PAB looked into for the reports included Failure to Act, Use of Force, Discourtesy, Abuse of Authority, Discrimination, Search/Seizure, Falsification and Wrongful Arrest.

A total of 31 detailed reports are now on the PABs website. The City of Rochester followed up Sunday with an official statement on the matter, condemning the publication of these reports, writing that It remains the Citys legal position that the Police Accountability Board, per its charter, does not have the authority to publish internal investigative reports, and that publication of such reports, redacted or otherwise, violates local law, the automatic stay of the Fourth Departments decision in the NYCLU matter, and the Citys own Code of Ethics.

In all of the reports listed on its website, PAB investigators redacted identifying pieces of information, specifically blocking out officer and civilian names and other apparent sensitive information.

According to Rochester city leaders, the publication of these reports can be damaging to the lives of the officers involved. City leaders continued their statement Sunday by writing The public release of allegations of wrongdoing that may be or have already been determined to be inaccurate is dangerous. Any attributions of an employees name to a report  whether that attribution is correct or incorrect  can have lasting impacts on that employees personal and professional lives.

PAB leadership on the other hand said its necessary the public learns of this information promptly to protect transparency.

Our goal is for the public to understand the level of detail and expertise involved in producing these reports, announced Executive Director Dr. Lesli Myers-Small Sunday afternoon. The investigation team works diligently to gather witness statements, review extensive body-camera footage, and obtain officer testimony and evidence for each case. This thorough process enables board members to engage in informed discussions and reach well-supported conclusions. We are eager to share these findings with the community.

In the investigators reporting, they include recommendations for how these officers should be punished, if at all, and whether the officers involved did anything wrong.

Court rules PAB may not discipline RPD officers after appeal

Since its start in 2019, there has been confusion over what the PAB is allowed to do, and what it cannot do. According to the Citys statement Sunday, the core of the issue here is that The PABs charter clearly defines its ability to publish data on the receipt and disposition of complaints, and aggregated quarterly and annual reports setting forth that information. The information released on Sunday is neither of those things.

In a statement from the PAB Sunday announcing these reports, leaders wrote The Board agrees that the law is clear. Rochester residents have been left wondering for too long, about what happens after someone reports an allegation of officer misconduct. Now, they can see the results of a thorough investigation, and the consequences, if any, that officers could face. By publicizing this information we are seeing the accountability Rochester called for in 2019 realized.

The Rochester Police Locust Club tweeted a response, saying they will take any necessary steps to protect their memories:

The Locust Club concurs with Corporation Counsels well-reasoned legal analysis of todays unauthorized release of records re: investigations by PAB. As always, we will take any necessary steps to protect our members rights. More to come as developments warrant.

PAB leadership has also criticized the city and RPD in the past for denying access to information which the board said was necessary to its investigations. City leaders at the time said it boiled down to legal issues. The newly released reports include notes stating when pieces of evidence were not given to the board.

The PAB said it plans to publish investigative reports on its website monthly. Additionally, board members plan to hold a press conference on the matter Monday at 9 a.m. at Daniel Prude Square on Rochesters Court Street.

Note: you can read all of the boards reports by clicking the word publicized in the first paragraph of this article.

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Carl Martin was arrested after speaking online to an undercover police officer [South Wales Police]

A paedophile has been jailed for trying to arrange a meeting with a mother who he believed was offering her two children, including a 10-month-old baby, for sexual activity.

Carl Martin, 36, of Cilmaengwyn Road, Pontardawe, Neath Port Talbot, spoke online to an undercover police officer who was posing as the mother, Swansea Crown Court heard.

Martin was given a three-year sentence and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

Judge Geraint Walters said Martin was a "danger to children" for trying to organise the meeting, which also involved a seven-year-old.

The court heard Martin had created a profile on a social network site under a false name, as well as using other techniques to enable him to search the internet anonymously.

He used it to initiate contact with an undercover officer who he believed to be the mother of two young children.

The court heard Martin was asked specifically during the conversations what he wanted to do with the children, to which he responded that he wanted to engage in sexual activity.

During the trial, he denied wanting to meet children for sexual activity, claiming he wanted to help the woman he was speaking because she was a single mother.

A jury sitting at Swansea Crown Court found Martin guilty of two offences of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence on 1 August.

Judge Walters said the account he gave to the jury was "fanciful" and "plainly untruthful" and the fact that one of the children was "disturbingly young" was an aggravating factor.

Addressing Martin as he sat in the dock, Judge Walters said: You didnt by chance come across this individual, it was what you were looking for.

You kept seeking to arrange a meeting and wanted the mother to give you an idea of how far she would permit you to go."

Judge Walters concluded it was his view Martin would have been prepared to go as far as that mother would allow you to.

Martin was sentenced on both counts to three years in prison, to run concurrently.
Melania Trump got a big check to speak at a political eventbut whoever paid it isnt known to the public.

CNN reported Monday that the former first lady received $237,500 to speak at an April event for the Log Cabin Republicans, a conservative LGBTQ group, according to her husband Donald Trumps latest financial disclosure form. But the president of the group, Charles Moran, told the network that the Log Cabin Republicans didnt pay her.

Melania Trump has rarely appeared publicly during her husbands 2024 presidential campaign, but has spoken at two political fundraisers held by the Log Cabin Republicans. The other fundraiser was held in July, and an unnamed source told CNN that a request was made to a political donor about another payment. Its not clear if Trump was paid for that appearance, and the former president has not released a financial disclosure covering that time frame.

Former ambassador to Germany and Trump ally Ric Grenell reportedly made the request on behalf of the former first lady, and has helped her with other business ventures in the past. This kind of payment to a presidential candidates spouse to appear at political events is not normal and ethically questionable. If the money came from somewhere other than where the disclosure form states, the former president may be in legal trouble.

The former first lady was paid $250,000 by the Log Cabin Republicans for an event in December 2022, one of three such payments she received that month for speaking appearances. Donald Trumps disclosure forms show that she made $330,000 in the past year for a licensing agreement for NFT trading cards, and her book, Melania, is due to be released next month.

It seems that Melania isnt missing any opportunities to make money, similar to her husband. The former president has also sold NFT trading cards, as well as his own branded Bibles and assassination-themed sneakers, and engaged in a cryptocurrency scam. Maybe the first lady wants to make sure shes financially covered regardless of whether her husband returns to the White House. The question is how ethically questionable the source of her latest benefactor must be for it to be kept a secret.


Parents reflect on grief four months after daughter and son-in-law killed in Haiti

NEOSHO, Mo.  Its now been four months since the tragic loss of Davy and Natalie Lloyd  local missionaries who were killed in Haiti.

PREVIOUS: MO State Rep. Ben Baker loses daughter, son-in-law to gang violence in Haiti

Its never going to be normal again or the same, said Ben Baker, Natalies dad.

But Ben and Naomi Baker are trying to adjust to the new normal.

That included a trip to Haiti for Ben this summer.

I think some of that was for selfish reasons, you know, just to maybe find my own closure and try to grapple with those questions of why and maybe understand it better as an analytical thinker, said Ben.

Authorities arrested one person after the deadly attack by a Haitian gang.

But the Bakers are frustrated, saying those in charge of the gang are still free.

Us, you know how many were involved and, and we even know some of the gang leaders that were involved. We know that this guy is not who planned this and perpetrated and we know its not him, said Ben.

PREVIOUS: Parents of U.S. missionaries killed in Haiti seek justice and support

They have seen an outpouring of support  both from the Neosho community but also from around the world.

We had our mailboxes full of cards from people around the world that we never met, missionaries and just people who heard about it and it touched their lives, said Ben & Naomi Baker, Natalies parents.

Ben and Naomi want to honor Davy and Natalies legacy through prayer, and financial support of Missions in Haiti Incorporated.

My heart wants it to be bigger and better and help more children than before, because I cant stand the thought of Missions in Haiti not going on, because then that would mean that violence won and our kids died for nothing, said Naomi Baker, Natalies mom.

They add there are still good days and bad days, but whats most important is to never forget.

People keep, you know, theyre like, I dont know what to say to you. Im like, say whatever, you know, just talk about them like theyre still here. Thats, thats what I like. We love talking about it. We may cry through it, said Ben & Naomi Baker, Natalies parents.

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Parts of the Sahara Desert are turning green amid an influx of heavy rainfall

One of the driest regions on earth is shifting green, as an influx of heavy rainfall causes vegetation to grow in the typically barren landscape.

Satellite images released by NASA show pockets of plant life popping up all over the Sahara Desert after an extratropical cyclone drenched a large swath of northwestern Africa on Sept. 7 and Sept. 8.

Treeless landscapes in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya -- areas that rarely receive rain -- are now seeing traces of green sprouting up, according to the NASA Earth Observatory.

PHOTO: The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASAs Terra satellite captured this false-color image (right) of the resulting runoff and floodwater on September 10, 2024. The image on the left shows the same area on August 14. (NASA)

The plants include shrubs and trees in low-lying areas, like riverbeds, Sylwia Trzaska, a climate variability researcher at the Columbia Climate School, told ABC News.

It is not wholly unusual for the plant life to sprout in the Sahara when a deluge of rain pours in, past research has shown. When parched regions in this part of Africa get heavy rainfall, the flora responds almost readily, Peter de Menocal, president and director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, told ABC News.

"When you get these really exceptional rainfall events, the dunes become these just incredibly verdant and flowered fields where the plants will just instantly grow for a short period of time to take advantage of," he said.

MORE: Why the Atlantic Basin has been unusually quiet as peak hurricane season nears

The region was once permanently home to lush greenery. Between 11,000 and 5,000 years ago, the Sahara was covered with vegetation and lakes, according to a 2012 paper authored by De Menocal.

"It looks like a desert, and then when the rain comes, then everything starts greening very quickly," Trzaska said.

PHOTO: Extensive flooding in the Diffa region in Niger. (Giles Clarke/Getty Images)

In addition, lakes that are typically empty are filling up due to the most recent event, Moshe Armon, a senior lecturer at the Institute of Earth Sciences and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said in a statement released by NASA.

Between 2000 and 2021, Sebkha el Melah, a salt flat in central Algeria, has only filled six times in the past, according to research conducted by Armon and his colleagues.

Preliminary satellite analysis shows rainfall accumulations topping half a foot in the areas affected, according to NASA. Some areas of the Sahara receive just a few inches of rain per year.

MORE: Arctic fossils indicate ice shelf is not as stable as previously thought, scientists say

While some degree of rainfall every summer is normal due to the West African Monsoon season, it is unusual for the Intertropical Convergence Zone -- or the tropical rain belt -- to reach as far north as the Sahara, De Menocal said.

PHOTO: A view of Africa from NASA. (NASA)

The northward displacement of the storm track helped a developing system dump a year's worth of rainfall in some areas in just a matter of days, according to NASA. The system formed over the Atlantic Ocean and extended far southward, pulling moisture from equatorial Africa into the northern Sahara, according to NASA.

An extratropical cyclone over the Sahara Desert drenched parts of Morocco and Algeria  bringing up to a years worth of rain to some areas.  @nasas Terra satellite captured floodwaters and some Saharan lakes, usually dry, filled with water. https://t.co/cuS1c73RoA pic.twitter.com/m8Ga8G0FgO  NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) September 17, 2024

Since mid-July, the Intertropical Convergence Zone has been sending storms into the southern Sahara, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.

These images, captured by #VIIRS onboard the #NOAA21 satellite on Aug. 30 and Sept. 9, 2024, use enhanced color to highlight rain accumulation in the Sahara Desert. Clouds are shown in light cyan, while water is dark blue to indicate moisture content. Credit: @NOAA/@CIRA_CSU pic.twitter.com/SkFsuUPfJb  Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) (@JPSSProgram) September 13, 2024

While much of the torrential rain fell in sparsely populated areas, more than 1,000 people have died from flooding in parts of West and Central Africa, including Chad, Nigeria, Mali and Niger, The Associated Press reported.

About 4 million people across 14 African countries have been impacted by flooding, according to the World Food Programme.

MORE: Prolonged ice-free periods putting Hudson Bay polar bear population at risk of extinction: Study

Record-high ocean temperatures in the northern Atlantic ocean is contributing to the shift in the rain belt, bringing heavy rainfall typical of regions in the equator farther north, De Menocal said.

The transition from El Nino to La Nina likely affected how far north the Intertropical Convergence Zone moved, Trzaska said.

PHOTO: Flash flooding in Merzouga, a small Moroccan town in the Sahara Desert, near the Algerian border. (Majority World/ Universal Images/Getty Images)

Climate change could cause the rain belt to shift farther northward in the future, according to a study published in Nature earlier this year. But as the ocean temperatures elsewhere in the world catch up to the Atlantic the rain belt will likely shift back down, even south of the equator, De Menocal said.

"Decades from now, when the larger oceans have warmed more uniformly, we expect the rain belt to actually go back to its original position, and it can even shift into the other hemisphere," he said.

MORE: What to know about Saharan dust affecting the US and how it can affect health

The northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone across West Africa has also likely contributed to a lull in tropical activity in the Atlantic Basin, according to experts.

Disturbances moving across this region are then entering the Atlantic over relatively cooler waters, Dan Harnos, a meteorologist at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, told ABC News last month. With greater exposure to dry air from the mid-latitudes, the chances of a storm developing are hindered.

Parts of the Sahara Desert are turning green amid an influx of heavy rainfall originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
When Hurricane Ian struck two years ago, Jean Brower, 76, and her husband James, 88, slept in a hotel for over two weeks after their Kissimmee Village mobile home park flooded.

The water was six inches from my home and that would have devastated us completely, she said. We had to pay for the hotels ourselves, which is why we slept in the car sometimes, and finally we snuck back in [to the home] and stayed the last five days without water or anything.

They and other residents are back in the Good Samaritan Societys park. But now theyre engaged in a much longer wait for relief, as 25 lawsuits move through the courts alleging negligence by the park owner for failing to protect against flood damage, and seeking $5,000 to $10,000 in compensation.

John Martino, director of litigation for Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida and the attorney for most of the cases, said that amounts sought are small compared to the trauma endured.

These are not cases that have crazy-high dollar amounts  but we want to do everything we can to help these individuals get compensated for the personal property they lost, Martino said.

Aimee Middleton, chief operating officer at Good Samaritan Society, said by email the organization is committed to helping residents but she wouldnt answer questions about lawsuits.

We cannot discuss ongoing litigation at the Good Samaritan Society  Kissimmee Village, Middleton said.

The Good Samaritan community was devastated when Ian made landfall Sept. 28, 2022, near Fort Myers as a strong Category 4 with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. It dumped 18 inches of rain that engulfed the community and displaced 523 residents.

On the second anniversary of Ian the impacts are still visible  empty lots sit where mobile homes and apartments once were  and failed attempts at legislation to protect renters from flood damage have diminished residents spirits.

Mary, who didnt want her last name used over fears of retribution by Good Samaritan, has lived in the community for over eight years. In 2017, Hurricane Irmas power winds ripped off her front awning  but damage was significantly worse during Ian.

Flooding damaged the air-conditioning unit beneath her mobile home and a leak in the roof ruined portions of her carpeted floor.

There were tree branches in the air conditioner and all the piping underneath had to be replaced, she said. The roof started to leak and my laptop was right under it so, of course, I lost my laptop as well.

There are currently 24 state lawsuits and one federal from current and former residents against the communitys parent company, Sanford Health, with the first filed in early 2023 and the latest in July. Lawyers for the litigants said their clients are still in vulnerable positions and did not want to speak. The Browers and Mary are not part of the lawsuits.

The state lawsuits by mostly former residents are still in the discovery stage and claim negligence and failure to disclose the communitys risk of flooding.

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The community flooded for the first time during Irma. The lawsuits claim the senior care organization lied about flooding risks and took no significant mitigation efforts to prevent future flood damage.

Were hoping that by bringing these cases and trying to hold these particular corporations responsible for what transpired in 2022, that other housing developments can warn their residents of flooding before they move them in, Martino said. Had Good Samaritan employees given adequate warnings to residents, we probably would not be here today.

The federal suit by a former resident claims Sanford Health violated a section of the federal Fair Housing Act that specifically relates to individuals with limited English proficiency. The suit seeks punitive and compensatory damages similar to the others.

According to court documents, Good Samaritan housed many survivors of 2017s Hurricane Maria who fled Puerto Rico in search of affordable housing but couldnt speak English. Records said that when information about flood conditions were sent to residents in English, those who werent proficient suffered.

Particularly in Florida, and an area like Osceola County and the city of Kissimmee, we do have a lot of Hispanic residents, said Morgan Cardinal, who represents the client in the federal case.

Cardinal said she hopes the suit motivates more housing providers to provide information to residents in Spanish  a common language in the state  so everyone can make informed decisions on how much risk theyre willing to assume.

Residents hope for some relief from future flooding because of a county-initiated study about the Shingle Creek Basin area  the Everglades headwater that runs along Good Samaritan and contributes to flooding. The study aims to assess stormwater improvement needs and identify five capital improvement projects and up to 10 small maintenance projects to help address flood mitigation.

Tom Alexander, spokesman for Osceola County, said by email that the portion of the study that analyzed the basins existing conditions is done but work is just starting to look at prioritizing proposed projects.

Those who filed lawsuits have faced other challenges, as well.

Many fled the community and have had difficulty finding affordable housing in Central Florida, Martino said. Some are still looking for places to live.

There are scars, not just financial ones from what took place, but emotional and mental, he said. You know this is the place that they expected to live the rest of their lives.

A stroke in January 2023 that Brower said was caused by stress of the hurricane has left her using a wheelchair. She worries about her and her husband evacuating in time if theres another hurricane.

Despite everything, they still hope to live the rest of their lives at Good Samaritan.

Were at the age where we cannot move again and we dont have the funds to do it or the health to do it, she said. Were trying as residents to work together to rebuild a good community back to where it was.

Mary said the community just isnt the same since Ian.

I have seen turtles laying eggs in places that used to be apartments, she said. Its a sad place now. People are really grumpy and grouchy and our activities department has slowly taken away everything.
Connie Brushbreaker, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, says she has been denied or waitlisted for funding to help pay for appointments outside of her local Indian Health Service hospital at least 14 times since 2018. (Photo by Matt Gade for KFF Health News)

When the Indian Health Service cant provide medical care to Native Americans, the federal agency can refer them elsewhere. But each year, it rejects tens of thousands of requests to fund those appointments, forcing patients to go without treatment or pay daunting medical bills out of their own pockets.

In theory, Native Americans are entitled to free health care when the Indian Health Service foots the bill at its facilities or sites managed by tribes. In reality, the agency is chronically underfunded and understaffed, leading to limited medical services and leaving vast swaths of the country without easy access to care.

Its Purchased/Referred Care program aims to fill gaps by paying outside providers for services patients might be unable to get through an agency-funded clinic or hospital, such as cancer treatment or pregnancy care. But resource shortages, complex rules, and administrative fumbles severely impede access to the referral program, according to patients, elected officials, and people who work with the agency.

The Indian Health Service, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, serves about 2.6 million Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

Native Americans qualify for the referred-care program if they live on tribal land  only 13% do  or within their nations delivery area, which usually includes surrounding counties. Those who live in another tribes delivery area are eligible in limited cases, while Native Americans who live beyond such borders are excluded.

Eligible patients arent guaranteed funding or timely help, however. Some of the Indian Health Services 170 service units exhaust their annual pool of money or reserve it for the most serious medical concerns.

Referred-care programs denied or deferred nearly $552 million in spending for about 120,000 requests from eligible patients in fiscal year 2022.

As a result, Native Americans might forgo care, increasing the risk of death or serious illness for people with preventable or treatable medical conditions.

The problem isnt new. Federal watchdog agencies have reported concerns with the program for decades.

Connie Brushbreaker, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, has been denied or waitlisted for funding at least 14 times since 2018. She said it doesnt make sense that the agency sometimes refuses to pay for treatment that will later be approved once a health problem becomes more serious and expensive.

We try to do this preventative stuff before something gets to the point where you need surgery, said Brushbreaker, who lives on her tribes reservation in South Dakota.

Many Native Americans say the U.S. government is violating its treaties with tribal nations, which often promised to provide for the health and welfare of tribes in return for their land.

I keep having my elders here saying, Theres treaty rights that say theyre supposed to be able to provide these services to us, said Lyle Rutherford, a council member for the Blackfeet Nation in northwestern Montana who said he also worked at the Indian Health Service for 11 years.

Native Americans have high rates of diseases compared with the general population, and a median age of death thats 14 years younger than that of white people. Researchers who have studied the issue say many problems stem from colonization and government policies such as forcing Indigenous people into boarding schools and isolated reservations and making them give up healthy traditions, including bison hunting and religious ceremonies. They also cite an ongoing lack of health funding.

Congress budgeted nearly $7 billion for the Indian Health Service this year, of which roughly $1 billion is set aside for the referred-care program. A committee of tribal health and government leaders has long made funding recommendations that far exceed the agencys budget. Its latest report says the Indian Health Service needs $63 billion to cover patients needs for fiscal year 2026, including $10 billion for referred care.

Brendan White, an agency spokesperson, said improving the referred-care program is a top goal of the Indian Health Service. He said about 83% of the health units it manages have been able to approve all eligible funding requests this year.

White said the agency recently improved how referred-care programs prioritize such requests and it is tackling staff shortages that can slow down the process. An estimated third of positions within the referred-care program were unfilled as of June, he said.

The Indian Health Service also recently expanded some delivery areas to include more people and is studying whether it can afford to create statewide eligibility in the Dakotas.

Jonni Kroll of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana doesnt qualify for the referred-care program because she lives in Deer Park, Washington, nearly 400 miles from her tribes headquarters.

She said tying eligibility to tribal lands echoes old government policies meant to keep Indigenous people in one place, even if it means less access to jobs, education, and health care.

Kroll, 58, said she sometimes worries about the medical costs of aging. Moving to qualify for the program is unrealistic.

We have people that live all across the nation, she said. What do we do? Sell our homes, leave our families and our jobs?

People applying for funding face a system so complicated that the Indian Health Service created flowcharts outlining the process.

Misty and Adam Heiden, of Mandan, North Dakota, experienced that firsthand. Their nearest Indian Health Service hospital no longer offers birthing services. So, late last year, Misty Heiden asked the referred-care program to pay for the delivery of their baby at an outside facility.

Heiden, 40, is a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, a South Dakota-based tribe, but lives within the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes delivery area. Native Americans who live in another tribes area, as she does, are eligible if they have close ties. Even though she is married to a Standing Rock tribal member, Heiden was deemed ineligible by hospital staff.

Now, the family has had to cut into its grocery budget to help pay off more than $1,000 in medical debt.

It was kind of a slap in the face, Adam Heiden said.

White, the Indian Health Service spokesperson, said many providers offer educational materials to help patients understand eligibility. But the Standing Rock rules, for example, arent fully explained in its brochure.

When patients are eligible, their needs are ranked using a medical priority list.

Connie Brushbreakers doctor at the Indian Health Service hospital in Rosebud, South Dakota, said she needed to see an orthopedic surgeon. But hospital staffers said the unit covers only patients at imminent risk of dying.

She said that, at one point, a worker at the referred-care program told her she could handle her pain, which was so intense she had to limit work duties and rely on her husband to put her hair in a ponytail.

I feel like I am being tossed aside, like I do not matter, Brushbreaker wrote in an appeal letter. I am begging you to reconsider.

The 55-year-old was eventually approved for funding and had surgery this July, two years after injuring her shoulder and four months after her referral.

Patients said they sometimes have trouble reaching referred-care departments due to staffing problems.

Patti Conica, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, needed emergency care after developing a serious infection in June 2023. She said she applied for funding to cover the cost but has yet to receive a decision on her case despite repeated phone calls to referred-care staffers and in-person visits.

Ive been given the runaround, said Conica, 58, who lives in Fort Yates, North Dakota, her tribes headquarters.

She now faces more than $1,500 in medical bills, some of which have been turned over to a collection agency.

Tyler Tordsen, a Republican state lawmaker and member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate in South Dakota, says the referred-care program needs more funding but officials could also do a better job managing their finances.

Some service units have large amounts of leftover funding. But its unclear how much of this money is unspent dollars versus earmarked for approved cases going through billing.

Meanwhile, more tribes are managing their health care facilities  an arrangement that still uses agency money  to try new ways to improve services.

Many also try to help patients receive outside care in other ways. That can include offering free transportation to appointments, arranging for specialists to visit reservations, or creating tribal health insurance programs.

For Brushbreaker, begging for funding felt like I had to sell my soul to the IHS gods.

Im just tired of fighting the system, she said.

Have you had an experience navigating the Indian Health Services Purchased/Referred Care program that youd like to share with KFF Health News for our reporting? Tell us here.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Patricia Heaton leads fightback campaign against antisemitism on college campuses: 'Have to stand up'

Actress Patricia Heaton couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Hamas body camera footage, flaunting the terror group's attacks against Israel on social media last October 7.

After students across U.S. college campuses erupted in protest, Heaton decided to take matters into her own hands to fight back.

"I couldn't believe it, and I was outraged," the "Everybody Loves Raymond" star told Fox News on Monday.

"I looked around for everyone else who was going to be outraged and it was very silent, so my partner and I created the October 7th Coalition or O7C to help Christians activate, to be as visibly and vocally supportive of Israel, the Jewish people, and fight antisemitism"

Actress Patricia Heaton Rallies Christian Community To Fight Antisemitism: Its Up To Us' To Do Something

Jewish Americans have been subjected to antisemitism in various ways, with incidents of Jewish-owned businesses being vandalized with Nazi symbols, protesters blocking some Jewish students from entering class and now even some Jewish students seeing their mezuzah  a piece of parchment containing a prayer that is commonly fixed to a door frame  disappear from their dorms.

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Harvard student Sarah Silverman described her experience in an op-ed published in The Harvard Crimson earlier this month, writing in part, "I bounded out of my Thayer dorm, toothbrush and toothpaste in hand, when I noticed something was missing. In the place where my mezuzah  a Jewish ritual object traditionally placed on doorposts  had been so tightly secured, only a bit of sticky adhesive I had used to hang it remained."

The mezuzah was later discovered across the hallway, two doors down from Silverman, and tucked into a wall.

Patricia Heaton Defends Chiefs Kicker Following Graduation Speech Backlash: Hes Not A Monster'

"I am left to speculate whether this was a targeted act. Worst of all, Im left wondering whether someone on my floor  or even someone I had just met  hated my identity so much that they felt compelled to frighten me," she continued later in the piece.

Stories like Silverman's inspired Heaton and O7C to raise awareness with the #Myzuzah/Yourzuzah campaign, which encourages participants to record and post a video of themselves putting up a mezuzah and using the hashtag #myzuzahyourzuzah.

"We have to stand up for the Jewish people so that's what we've been working on," she said.





Original article source: Patricia Heaton leads fightback campaign against antisemitism on college campuses: 'Have to stand up'
PECOS COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Election day is right around the corner, and on November 5th voters can head to the polls and cast their votes.

This year, election ballots for Pecos County will include federal, state, and local elections. Local elections for Pecos County will include County Attorney, Sheriff, County Tax-Assessor-Collector, County Commissioner for Precinct No. 1 and No. 3, Constable for Precinct No. 1, Precinct No. 3, and Precinct No. 6, as well as one proposal for Fort Stockton ISD and the Buena Vista school board trustee election.

Heres a look at what will be listed on your local Pecos County ballot:

County Attorney  Unopposed

Frank Lacy

Sheriff

T.J Perkins

County Tax Assessor-Collector- Unopposed

Veronica Bernal

County Commissioner, Precinct No. 1

Francisco (Pancho) Ramirez

Tom Chapman

County Commissioner, Precinct No. 3- Unopposed

Mickey Jack Perry

Constable, Precinct No. 1- Unopposed

Salvador Rangel

Constable, Precinct No. 3  Unopposed

Jess Malone

Constable, Precinct No. 6  Unopposed

Don W. Jackson

Also: Need to register to vote or check your voter registration status? Heres how:

Buena Vista Independent School District Election: School Board Trustee

Voters can vote for none, one, two, three, or four of the following candidates:

Jacob Heritage

Beto Mandujano

Eric Fierro

Jessie Martinez

Cody Alford

Fort Stockton Independent School District Proposition

Voters will choose either For or Against

Proposition A: Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.04877 per $100 valuation in the Fort Stockton Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 6.05418 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the District for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $1,006,252.

Related: Registered to vote? Here are some important dates you should know

For more information on registering to vote, checking voter registration status and local elections, visit the Vote 2024 page on our website, or 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 Yourbasin.
By David Stanway

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - More than 40% of major companies, cities and regions have still not set any targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to an annual "stocktake" released on Monday to gauge global progress in the fight against catastrophic climate change.

While more governments and enterprises have issued net-zero pledges since last year, their attention has been further diverted by wars, elections and economic challenges, leaving a significant "commitment gap", said Net Zero Tracker, a coalition of research groups at the University of Oxford.

As countries prepare to submit new 2035 climate targets to the United Nations, policymakers and company boardrooms are struggling to translate long-term goals into concrete action, with transition plans still lacking robustness and detail, the researchers said.

"A common theme throughout this report is the persistent lack of integrity across the board," said John Lang, who heads Net Zero Tracker's Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit.

The report looked at net-zero commitments and action plans from 198 countries, 706 sub-national regions, 1,186 cities and nearly 2,000 publicly-listed companies.

They found that while 1,750 entities out of more than 4,000 had made formal net-zero pledges, nearly 1,700 hadn't set targets of any kind.

Among the listed firms, just under 60% had set net-zero targets, up 23% since last year's report, with a significant rise in pledges from Asia.

The total number of companies with no emissions targets dropped to 495, from 734 last year. They include electric vehicle makers Tesla and BYD, Nintendo and Berkshire Hathaway, Net Zero Tracker said.

The report cited Costa Rica, Volvo and Google owner Alphabet as examples of "good practice" when it comes to implementing net-zero pledges.

However, only 5% of regions, cities and companies met all of Net Zero Tracker's criteria for "robustness" - which include having detailed plans to phase out fossil fuels, it said.

Around half of the regions, cities and companies have failed to set targets for non-CO2 greenhouse gases like methane, and many firms also failed to account for emissions across their entire value chains or clarify how much they will rely on offsets to meet targets.

As many as 148 states covering 88% of the world's total population have net-zero commitments, with Mexico, Iran and Azerbaijan, host of the COP29 climate talks in November, among the exceptions, the report said.

Technologies exist to triple the current levels of climate ambition, and the next round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted to the U.N. need to provide more details about how targets will be implemented, it concluded.

Story continues

"There's been some good progress, but we need a lot more," said Catherine McKenna, a former Canadian environment minister who chairs a U.N. expert group on net-zero commitments.

(Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by Paul Simao)
PELLSTON  Pellston Elementary School was named a National Blue Ribbon School, the district announced on Monday, Sept. 23.

Pellston Elementary School was one of 12 schools in Michigan awarded the prestigious honor. A total of 356 schools were recognized throughout the United States.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon School recognition is based on the "overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments." Pellston Elementary School was one of 57 schools nationwide to be recognized in the "Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools" category.

A part of the category is based on closing performance gaps between different subgroups of the student population.

This could include gaps between economically disadvantaged students versus not economically disadvantaged students, which make up 65.2% and 34.8% of the Pellston student body, respectively, according to MI School Data.

Pellston Elementary School students gather for a book vending machine unveiling in February 2024.

More: New book vending machine unveiled at Pellston Public Schools

Superintendent Stephen Seelye said the award was granted to Pellston Elementary School based on test scores from the 2022-23 academic year. The school was nominated by the state, and then the application process included essay writing and document submissions to win the award.

"Our tenants that drive our school are three simple rules: To love kids, work hard and be positive, and that rubs off on students," Seelye told the News-Review.

He added that these tenants make students want to be at school, and he has heard from parents that their kids don't want snow days or summer vacations because they'd rather be in class.

"When you have kids that want to be at school and want to learn, you've already conquered 80% of the battle," Seelye said. "Kids are kids, and getting them to be engaged and be intentional learners can be difficult, but building a loving, trusting relationship brings the best out in them."

Mrs. Welch poses with her first grade class during the first day of the 2024-25 school year at Pellston Elementary School.

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The school was selected based on their M-STEP scores in English/Language Arts and math for grades 3-5.

In a letter sent to the Pellston Public Schools community, Seelye said the award "is a testament to the exemplary teaching and learning that takes place at our school and is the highest honor a school can achieve."

"We are incredibly proud of our students and educators and deeply appreciative of the support and partnership from our parents, families and the community," he wrote. "Pellston Elementary School is one of only (12) schools in Michigan to receive this distinguished honor, and we are truly honored to be among them."

Pellston Elementary School is shown.

In November, a team from the school will visit Washington, D.C. to receive the award from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools, Cardona said in a press release. The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nations students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.

Seelye said the award feels special because of the high level of academic success schools need in order to be considered for the award.

"They don't just give out the awards to give out the awards," he said. "There's a very high level of criteria of academic success that a school has to achieve to be able to win the award. There's lots of awards that are left on the table every year, so this is definitely a hard and earned award."

 Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Pellston Elementary School named 2024 National Blue Ribbon School
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro speaks in Wisconsin Sept. 21, 2024 (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

Two-term U.S Sen. Tammy Baldwin got a boost Saturday from a fellow Democrat, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, in her tight reelection race against Republican challenger Eric Hovde. The incumbent senator from Wisconsin and the governor  who attracted national media attention when he was recently considered as a possible vice presidential candidate  toured rural Richland and Lafayette counties, meeting with farmers and small town residents in sparsely populated areas of the state.

In both counties, most voters chose former President Donald Trump in the last two presidential elections. But they also voted for Baldwin by more than 10-point margins in 2018.

The night before embarking on the rural Wisconsin tour, Baldwin spoke from the same stage as Democratic nominee Kamala Harris to a cheering crowd of 10,000 people who packed the Dane County Coliseum, a frequent venue for rock concerts in deep-blue Madison.

Since both population growth and voter turnout are sky-high in Dane County, Democrats are focusing heavily on the area as key to winning elections in this closely-divided swing state. But Baldwin, like Shapiro, who made inroads with rural voters in Pennsylvania, makes a point of campaigning in rural and suburban areas that lean Republican.

Appealing to voters in areas where other Democrats dont often show up is a big part of both politicians formula for success. In their joint, rural campaign stops in Wisconsin they modeled an approach to politics that refuses to take the urban-rural political divide for granted, and that reconnects with voters the rest of their party has often overlooked. That approach dovetails with the Harris campaigns effort to appeal to disaffected Republicans and to present the Democratic party as a big tent.

Lafayette is among the most rural counties in Wisconsin, and one of only two counties in the state that doesnt have a traffic light, according to U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat, who represents the area in Congress. Voters there chose Trump by 9 percentage points in 2016 and by 13.7 points in 2020  but Baldwin won the county by 10.6 points in 2018.

It really does feel like home, Shapiro told the Examiner, standing outside a big, red barn at the Iowa and Lafayette County Democrats picnic. Theres a sensibility, and theres a desire from the people Ive met to just have elected officials work together to get stuff done, he said.

Getting stuff done  Shapiros trademark phrase  was the theme of his speech endorsing Baldwins 2024 reelection bid. He touted her work to bring agriculture innovation grants as well as her work on rural broadband and expanding health care access.

In her own speech at the county picnic, Baldwin also focused on specific accomplishments. She told a story about meeting with executives of a handful of medical device companies and shaming them into agreeing to set a cap of $35 per month on the price of inhalers, after hearing from constituents who were struggling to pay hundreds of dollars per month to treat their asthma.

While Shapiro and Baldwin described themselves as pragmatists, they also espoused progressive values, denouncing Republican extremism and threats to democracy and vowing to work to claw back abortion rights after the demise of Roe v. Wade.

Baldwin warned that the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, which held that there is no fundamental constitutional right to privacy, poses a threat to other precedents besides Roe, including protections for access to contraception as well as interracial and same-sex marriage. She described the skepticism she encountered from journalists who did not believe she would be able to get enough Republican votes to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages.

I said, Just you watch,  she told the audience of rural Democrats, adding she was sure at least 10 of her Republican colleagues had a loved one who would be hurt if same-sex marriage was overturned. In the end she found 12 Republicans to join all 50 Democrats in the Senate to pass the bill.

Baldwin added that she is proud to be the lead author of the Womens Health Protection Act, which would restore Roe, make it a part of our national laws, and tell states like Wisconsin and Texas and Florida and Idaho that you cant pass a whole bunch of laws at the state level that interfere with those rights and freedoms.

I dont have 60 votes yet, but I do have a plan, she told her rural constituents. That plan involves all of you working super hard to get me reelected to the United States Senate.

Democrats are working harder than ever in Lafayette County, said Democratic Party Chair Nancy Fisker, who added that the group has doubled its membership in the last year and a half after opening a new office, with help from the state party. The chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Ben Wikler, also gave an impassioned speech at the picnic. A prolific fundraiser, he has helped to open new Democratic Party offices all over the state.

Still, county residents are often afraid to put up yard signs or otherwise publicly identify themselves as Democrats, Fisker said. We have to be aware of it, and we have to not push our agenda at people who dont want to hear it, she said. We dont just take a bunch of Democrats to a restaurant in Darlington to have a meeting unless we talk to the owner first, or theyll throw us out on our ear. Its serious.

This year, after pushing for a long time, county volunteers are putting up more yard signs. And, after opening the new party office, We started to have some successes, Fisker said. Lafayette County voted for liberal state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz, whose victory over conservative former Justice Dan Kelly changed the ideological balance on the court. Most voters in the county also rejected a pair of constitutional amendments drafted by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have taken away the governors power to give out federal emergency relief funds. Fisker attributes both results to her groups stepped-up voter education effort.

Fisker said she meets a lot of split-ticket voters. I have a couple of friends who just said, Oh, well, you know, Im going to vote for Baldwin, but I dont know about that Harris person. So then theres lots of conversations, and its your neighbors.

We care about reproductive rights. We care about the environment. We care about ensuring that our rights are not taken away. But you have to come to us in the way that we want to engage with you, said Lafayette County Democrat irene kendall (she spells her name in all lower-case letters), who helped organize the event. She credited Baldwin and Pocan with coming to the area frequently and listening to people.

They understand what happens in the rural communities, because theyre out there, right? And so we know we matter to them. So showing up is a huge part of it, I think. She has relatives, she said, who split their tickets, voting Republican in most races, but making and exception for Baldwin.

Steve Pickett, now retired, described himself as the first Democratic county clerk elected in Lafayette County since Reconstruction. He agreed that Democrats could do a lot better just by showing up.

In rural Wisconsin, probably more so than in the cities, people want to know who the candidate is, he said. Its hard for people to say, Well, yeah I want to vote for someone I dont even know.

The working theory for a long time has been that you have to be a Republican to win in Lafayette County, he said. Now thats starting to change. You can be a Democrat and win, but you have to work at it, he added.

It isnt that its so Republican, he said of the area. Its that we havent given people a reason to vote for the Democrats. Baldwin and Pocan gave you reasons in their speeches, he added.

We have to get the party to understand, Pickett said, that these are the races that are going to make them, as opposed to spending money in the really safe districts.

Shapiro and Baldwin both seem to understand that point  and not just on the state level.

Shapiro told the rural Democrats in Wisconsin the same thing he said he tells voters in Pennsylvania: Because of the way national elections are structured, as swing state voters they have enormous power. Youve got the power to shape the future, he said, not just of this state, but of this entire country.

Wisconsin Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Ruth Conniff for questions: info@wisconsinexaminer.com. Follow Wisconsin Examiner on Facebook and X.
The Pennsylvania Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Capital-Star file photo)

The fourth annual anti-abortion March for Life will happen in Harrisburg on Monday, with thousands of attendees expected in the capital.

Various pro-life advocacy groups and religious organizations have announced support for the rally and are organizing transit from around the state to attend the events.

The Pennsylvania Family Institute estimated that 6,000 people attended last years march. And this years will be the first held during a presidential election year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned of Roe v. Wade in 2022 with the Dobbs decision

The Pennsylvania March for Life is the largest gathering of pro-life advocates in the state, said Alexandra Bedner, a spokesperson for March for Life. We encourage Pennsylvanians to peacefully march and be a voice for the voiceless while advocating for pro-life protections for both women and the unborn. Our presence shows that the pro-life movement is strong, and Pennsylvanians are pro-life.

Abortions are still legal in Pennsylvania up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. After that, abortions are available if the pregnancy would risk the life or health of the mother.

There are, however, some limitations. Patients seeking abortions must receive counseling 24 hours before the procedure. And minors must receive parental consent for abortions in unless they receive a judicial waiver.

92% of Pennsylvanians want abortion to be legal and accessible, and Planned Parenthood PA Advocates will always fight for them, said Signe Espinoza, the executive director of Planned Parenthood PA. While abortion is legal in PA, its not accessible and PPPA is working alongside the vast majority, partners, and allies to ensure sexual and reproductive health care freedom is a reality for all.

Espinoza was citing a recent Franklin & Marshall College poll that found that 38% of Pennsylvanians believe abortion should be legal under any circumstances and that 54% believe it should be legal under some circumstances. It did not, however, break down how restrictive respondents in the latter category thought an abortion policy should be.

But other recent surveys also suggest that a majority of Pennsylvanians, and Americans more broadly, support access to abortion generally.

The issue has been front-and-center in the presidential race, with Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, campaigning on reproductive freedoms and blaming former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee, for more than a dozen states restrictive abortion laws.

Trump appointed three of the Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe, which he has boasted about, but said during the Sept. 10 debate with Harris that he favored exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. Trump has repeatedly hedged his position on abortion during this campaign and said he believes the issue should be left with individual states.

Bedner said March for Life does not endorse candidates for public office, but added, the stakes have never been higher for life than during this general election year. We look forward to pro-life Pennsylvanians uniting just two months before the election to show the strength of the pro-life movement as we peacefully advocate for protections for both women and the unborn.

Speakers will include anti-abortion activist Mark Houck, who lost a Republican primary earlier this year to represent Pennsylvanias 1st Congressional district.

President of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, Michael Geer, will also speak. The Independence Law Center, a law firm associated with the Pennsylvania Family Institute, has recently made headlines after it was hired by multiple Pennsylvania school districts. The group drafts and advises school boards on policies related to students gender expression, what books are appropriate and protecting so-called religious freedom in schools. It has been accused by critics of anti-LGBTQ bigotry.

The Pennsylvania Family Institute did not respond to a request for comment.

State lawmakers, Rep. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) and Sen. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson) are also listed speakers.

Multiple events will be held around the Capital on Monday, with a concert at 10 a.m., a rally at 11 a.m. and the march itself beginning at noon.

The march will circle the Capitol complex, with the main stage near 3rd and Liberty street, according to the Marchs website.

Registration to attend is not required, though it is encouraged by rally organizers.
The U.S. is sending a small number of ground troops to the Middle East as a larger war between Israel and Hezbollah threatens to break out, the Pentagon announced Monday.

Defense Department press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters the new detachment was being sent in light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution.

We are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel to augment our forces that are already in the region, Ryder said, declining to offer specifics about the new contingent, though he referred to them as ground troops.

The U.S. already has an array of forces positioned in the Middle East, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and the ballistic missile submarine USS Georgia, along with an additional squadron of F-22 fighter jets. In the eastern Mediterranean Sea, there are six U.S. warships, including the USS Wasp amphibious assault ship.

Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah are teetering toward full-scale war amid a deadly exchange of fire across the border in the past week.

Israeli forces targeted some 300 Hezbollah sites and killed at least 245 people in Lebanon on Monday, according to Lebanese health authorities, as well as wounding around 1,000 more, marking one of the deadliest days of fighting in the country in recent history.

Ahead of the strikes, Israeli officials had warned Lebanese civilians living near Hezbollah sites to evacuate.

Hezbollah fired some 130 rockets at the Israeli city of Haifa on Monday, claiming to have struck or targeted Israeli military warehouses and defense contractor sites.

The Israeli military said Monday that more than 1 million civilians were heading to bomb shelters in Haifa.

The escalation comes after intense Israeli strikes last week that killed top Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon.

Israel is also accused of detonating pager and handheld radio devices in Lebanon last week, killing at least 37 people and wounding thousands.

Israel has shifted its strategy toward the north as the Gaza war against Palestinian militant group Hamas has quieted in recent months, making it a war objective last week to return its some 60,000 displaced residents to the border with Lebanon.

Israel Katz, the Israeli foreign minister, said Monday that his country will not stop until the threat is removed from Israels citizens and the residents of the north return safely to their homes.

We will not accept this reality and will act with full force to change it, he wrote on the social platform X.

The U.S. has pushed for a diplomatic solution to the 11-month conflict but has struggled to de-escalate tensions and reach a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the Gaza war that the Israel and Hezbollah fight is tied to.

Ryder said Monday that tensions in the Middle East remain high, pushing for a diplomatic deal to resolve the crisis.

It has escalated this week, clearly, and thats concerning, he said. Theres the potential for these tit-for-tat operations between Israel and [Hezbollah] to escalate and to potentially spiral out of control into a wider regional war.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
First lady Jill Biden announced Monday that the Pentagon intends to commit $500 million to womens health research as part of a broader White House push to increase funding for the study of womens health.

Jill Biden attended a Clinton Global Initiative event alongside Chelsea Clinton to announce the new investment. The Defense Department money will fund research on conditions such as ovarian cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and musculoskeletal injuries and how they impact women differently.

Since launching the White House Initiative on Womens Health Research last November, the First Lady has put the spotlight on the urgent need to close the gap in how we fund and approach womens health research, Vanessa Valdivia, press secretary for the first lady, said in a statement.

The Biden-Harris Administration has quickly mobilized to make progress in less than year, and in the months ahead the First Lady will continue to push the work of this initiative forward, and build on the incredible momentum and enthusiasm weve seen across the public and private sectors, Valdivia added.

President Biden signed an executive order in March directing agencies to strengthen research and data standards on womens health with the purpose of better leveraging federal funding. It also directed agencies to prioritize funding for womens health research and encourage innovation.

The same order directed the National Institutes of Health to spend $200 million on womens health research, and it directed the Office of Management and Budget and the Gender Policy Council to assess gaps in federal funding for womens health and identify potential changes.

Jill Biden joined a Cabinet meeting last week to speak about the progress agencies were making on addressing womens health research.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Most New Hampshire casinos have historic horse racing machines because they generate significantly more revenue than table games like poker and blackjack. (Annmarie Timmins | New Hampshire Bulletin)

A judge has again given Andy Sanborn at least 50 more days to sell Concord Casino, a significant win, saying the additional time would cause little harm to the state and undoubtedly benefit public education and the charities that rely on casino revenue.

Had Administrative Law Judge Gregory Albert decided otherwise and Sanborn failed to sell by the states Sept. 30 deadline, the casino would have lost its gaming license, its only asset, for two years and been virtually worthless. Nearly 30 charities shared about $170,000 last year in revenue from Concord Casino before the state shut it down in December.

The ruling does not mention and does not impact the states criminal investigation into Sanborn and the casino for alleged pandemic fraud, which led to the casinos forced closure and sale. No charges have been filed.

In his order Sunday, Albert rejected the states argument that giving Sanborn more time to sell would unjustly reward him.

That Mr. Sanborn would also receive proceeds from the sale does not change the scenario (that the state and charities benefit from casino revenue), Albert wrote, noting that the casinos charity partners provide scholarships and support valuable projects. (Sanborn) owned the business, and if the business is sold, he is owed money from the sale. His possible profit does not change the positive impact that having a casino in that location with a license would have for New Hampshire.

While Sanborn won a reprieve with Alberts order, its not the one his lawyers, Zachary Hafer and Adam Katz of Cooley in Boston, had sought.

Albert denied their request for an extension of the Sept. 30 deadline, concluding that while he thinks one is warranted, he does not have the authority to grant it.

Instead, Albert stayed, or paused, his order denying the extension, until one of two options: 30 calendar days after the window to seek rehearing has expired or, if a motion for rehearing is filed by either party, 30 calendar days after a decision on rehearing is issued, which is another route to additional time.

Either party requests a rehearing before Albert within the next 15 business days.

In an email, Maura Sullivan, spokesperson for the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, did not comment specifically on whether it would seek a rehearing. While we are still reviewing the decision, we thank Judge Albert for his diligence and the pace of his efforts in reviewing this matter.

Sanborns attorneys responded similarly when reached Monday and said they are grateful for the opportunity to close the sale.

We are thankful for Judge Alberts close attention to this case and gratified that Judge Albert agreed that this sale is clearly in the publics interest, Hafer said. We look forward to closing this transaction as quickly as possible.

Sanborns attorneys have not named the buyer publicly. The buyer has told Sanborn he will finalize a deal as soon as the New Hampshire Lottery Commission completes its background investigation and deems him suitable to hold a gaming license in New Hampshire. It must also grant the buyer a facilities license to reopen Concord Casino.

Lottery officials have told the buyer they may be able to complete their suitability review by Sept. 30 but could not guarantee it.

If the buyer is approved for a license by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and closes a deal with Sanborn by next Monday, Alberts order is moot. So far, a sale has proven difficult, in part because potential buyers have been leery about inheriting the casinos legal problems.

If Sanbon fails to close a deal by Sept. 30, there are a few other possible outcomes.

If either party requests a rehearing before Albert within the next 15 business days and he declines to change his order, the case would go to the state Supreme Court, during which Alberts stay of 30 calendar days would remain in place.

The 15-day window to seek a rehearing, which equates to 19 calendar days and Alberts 30-calendar day stay, would give Sanborn and his buyer an additional 50 days to get through the suitability review, and close a deal.

If neither side appeals, Alberts 30-day stay begins Oct. 14, meaning Sanborn would have until mid-November to sell.

That would be nearly a year since a prior administrative law judge upheld the New Hampshire Lottery Commission finding that Sanborn had misappropriated the pandemic loans and was not fit to be associated with gaming in New Hampshire.

That judge, Michael King, declined the states request to revoke Sanborns license, however, and instead ordered him to close Concord Casino by the end of last year and sell by June 30. King ruled that if Sanborn hadnt sold by then but had a deal pending in place, he could get a three-month extension to sell, until Sept. 30.

Albert, who took over the case in June, granted Sanborn that three-month extension in early July. His new order essentially pushes Sanborns deadline to sell out to late November.

Sanborns attorneys have said that if their client sells, he would use some of the sale proceeds to pay off the $844,000 in pandemic loans the state alleges he used to enrich himself. The Attorney Generals Office alleges Sanborn spent nearly $182,000 of the money on two Porsches and a Ferrari, the latter as a present for his wife, Rep. Laurie Sanborn, a Bedford Republican.
Phoenix's scorching summer isn't over: Here's what you should know

As we transition into fall, many Phoenix residents might be hoping for a break from the triple-digit heat. But recent analysis from the National Weather Service suggests summer isn't ready to move on just yet.

Last week's brief respite with cooler temperatures was simply short-lived. An excessive heat warning is in effect for the Phoenix area from Wednesday morning through Saturday evening, bringing back those triple-digit afternoon temperatures, according to a weather service forecast.

A building area of high pressure is settling over the region, which will lead to above-normal temperatures, according to the weather service. This pattern typically brings clear skies and dry conditions, with little wind and no chance of rain  elements that typically lead to prolonged heat. Afternoon temperatures in the Phoenix metro are forecasted to be 108 to 110 degrees during those days.

On Monday afternoon, the high temperature is expected to hit 102 degrees, climbing to 104 agrees on Tuesday before jumping to 108 degrees on Wednesday, the weather service reported. Overnight lows will be in the mid- to upper 70s.

Pinpointing exactly when the Phoenix area might see a consistent drop in temperatures can be challenging, according to the weather service. Residents can generally anticipate a gradual cooling as we move into October, which is when temperatures dip below 100 degrees more often.

Residents are urged to be more vigilant about safety as the summer heat lingers. Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, stay hydrated, and opt for light-colored clothing to reflect sunlight.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Summer temps linger in Phoenix: Here's the forecast for the week
Photo essay: Hurricane Ian two years later. 'We've never seen a flood event like this.'

Let's not call this a walk down Memory Lane.

When we think about Hurricane Ian and the devastation the powerful Category 4 storm caused on Sept. 28, 2022, there's really nothing memorable other than the death and destruction it caused here. Ian was historic in terms of the number of people who died and the cost of the damage.

These are 28 of the most iconic images for Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida  before, during and after the storm  that will forever be remembered for its unprecedented storm surge, and that only days before was forecast to make landfall much further north in Florida.

Our archives are filled with hundreds of Hurricane Ian photos. There are so many more images that capture what happened and where and to who. These 28 photos represent stories of survival, of anticipation, and of things that "were there one day and gone the next."

Before Hurricane Ian

No matter if it is the threat of a tropical storm or a hurricane, a last-minute run to gas stations can look like an Olympic sport. With the quick shift of Ian's path, there was less time to prepare for many residents.

Alva resident Franceil Williams fills gas containers at BJOs Wholesale Club in Fort Myers off of Six Mile Cypress neat Colonial Boulevard on Saturday Sept. 24, 2022. She was filling up for her generator in anticipation of Hurricane Ian.

Bulking up on all kinds of supplies is at the top of the list before a hurricane.

Lehigh Acres residents, Rashel Carcamo and her mother, Waleska fill their vehicle with hurricane supplies from the LoweOs in Fort Myers off of Six Mile Cypress neat Colonial Boulevard on Saturday Sept. 24, 2022.. They were preparing in anticipation of a possible Hurricane Ian.

Many communities, like Fort Myers Beach, were offering residents sand to put in bags to help fend off flooding.

Fort Myers Beach resident, Pedro Gomez fills sand bags at Fort Myers Beach town hall on Fort Myers Beach in anticipation of Hurricane Ian on Saturday Sept. 24, 2022.

This photo was taken by our sister site in Augusta, Georgia in advance of Hurricane Ian. It represents what store shelves were looking like in Southwest Florida and elsewhere when it was determined those places were in the path of the storm.

Augusta grocery store shelves are dwindling as shoppers prepare for Hurricane Ian.

There weren't nearly as many people taking advantage of shelters in Southwest Florida as there were for Hurricane Irma in 2017. Same with evacuations. A lot of people stayed.

From left, Adrian Mraz and his wife Kimber Mraz arrive with their three children to the hurricane shelter at Island Coast High School Tuesday, September 27, 2022. Mandatory evacuations in areas of the city were implemented due to possible impact from Hurricane Ian. Cape Coral residents arrive at Island Coast High School on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 27, 2022 after mandatory evacuations in areas of the city were implemented due to possible impact from Hurricane Ian.

A very eerie site. The Dairy Queen on Fort Myers Beach shortly before Hurricane Ian came ashore. Those sandbags in front of the door didn't matter.

Scenes from Fort Myers Beach as Hurricane Ian approaches Southwest Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022.

Some people braved the weather from Hurricane Ian as the outer bands of the storm reached land on the morning of Sept. 28, 2022.

Scenes from Fort Myers Beach as Hurricane Ian approaches Southwest Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022.

During Ian

A picture is worth 1,000 words.

Radar of Hurricane Ian's eye approaching the coast.

These next two photos taken by photo journalist Andrew West are most likely some of the last images taken of the Fort Myers Beach pier before it was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

More: Meteorologist on Hurricane Ian: Updates from a Category 4 landfall in Florida

Scenes from Fort Myers Beach as Hurricane Ian approaches Southwest Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022.

Scenes from Fort Myers Beach as Hurricane Ian approaches Southwest Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022.

This palm tree blowing in Hurricane Ian's winds in advance of the storm making landfall was another sign of what was to come.

Scenes from Fort Myers Beach as Hurricane Ian approaches Southwest Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022.

After Hurricane Ian

Remarkably, despite the catastrophic damage throughout Southwest Florida after Ian, the Naples Daily News was delivered and that headline said it all.

Military helicopters swooped into the region as soon as the day after the storm for search and rescue operations and delivering supplies.

A Florida National Guard Chinook helicopter hauls a container of equipment onto Pine Island after the roads were destroyed by Hurricane Ian, as pictured on Monday. Oct. 3, 2022.

The shrimp boat fleet on Fort Myers Beach took one of the hardest hits from Hurricane Ian.

Ron Winegardner, a resident of Gulf Cove Mobile Home Park on San Carlos Island on Fort Myers Beach tries to reach his boat on Sunday, October 3, 2022 that was swept away by Hurricane Ian. His home was completely destroyed in the storm.

No one will forget the endless piles of debris that started to take shape in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ian. It would be months and in some cases almost a year before these reminders of the damage were hauled away.

Piles of debris and discarded household materials is seen in a pile on a driveway of a home on Regal Drive in the Bonita Shores neighborhood on Thursday, October 13, 2022, in Bonita Springs, FL. Almost two weeks after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Lee and Collier counties, residents in the region are still recovering from the damage caused by the category 4 hurricane.

Hurricanes like Ian mean difficult times for residents.

President Joe Biden came to Fort Myers one week after Hurricane Ian made landfall. He toured the hardest hit areas, including Fort Myers Beach.

Wednesday, October 5, 2022; Fort Myers Beach, Florida; President Joe Biden visits Fisherman's Wharf in Fort Myers Beach, FL on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 to survey the damage cause by Hurricane Ian. Mandatory Credit: Saul Young/Knoxville News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Some of the images of Hurricane Ian can only be described as surreal.

A marooned pontoon boat is seen along Imperial Shores Boulevard in the Bonita Shores neighborhood on Thursday, October 13, 2022, in Bonita Springs, FL. Almost two weeks after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Lee and Collier counties, residents in the region are still recovering from the damage caused by the category 4 hurricane.

Entire homes were destroyed by Hurricane Ian's historic storm surge. In some places on Fort Myers Beach the water rose as high a 15 feet. Residents lost not only the entire contents of their homes, but also their actual homes were unlivable because of water damage and mold.

Volunteers clean up houses in Royal Park Villas in Naples, FL, on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. The homes were flooded by the storm surge from Hurricane Ian.

It seemed like just about everything was upside down after Hurricane Ian.

Debris including cars and boats lines and fills the waterway adjacent to Bonita Beach on Nov. 13. Area waterways are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Ian, with missing navigational markers and hidden underwater hazards.

Another front page tells the story. This time is is The News-Press with a focus on the death toll from Hurricane Ian. More than 100 people died during the storm.

These are newspaper front pages from around Florida telling the story of Hurricane Ian since it slammed the Southwest Florida coast on Sept. 28, 2022.

Green swimming pools and blue tarps. Two things you can always count on after a devastating hurricane like Ian.

The community pool at the Royal Bay Villas in Naples was flooded and damaged during Hurricane Ian. They are one of the HOAs which lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to alleged fraud by American Property Management Services.

So many iconic structures in Southwest Florida, like the Naples Pier, were damaged. Among the other were the Fort Myers Beach pier, the Sanibel Lighthouse, the Sanibel Causeway, numerous bridges, tourist attractions like the Edison and Ford Estates and the Shell Factory. The world-famous Cape Romano Dome Homes were completely obliterated.

People walk by the heavily-damaged Naples Pier on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Naples on the day after Hurricane Ian.

Many homeowners in Southwest Florida had the painful and urgent task of ripping up the inside of their homes in an attempt to save the structure from mold and other water damage caused by Hurricane Ian.

Mike Zukley, right, rips out drywall in a home damaged by floor waters caused by Hurricane Ian. Helping is his brother Ron Zukley, left, in Naples, FL, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

It would be weeks, and in some cases almost a month, until power was restored in some neighborhoods in Southwest Florida. The power companies, with support from outside organizations, did the best they could to keep up with all of the repairs.

Lineman work to restore power along San Carlos Boulevard on the way to Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. Hurricane Ian knocked out power to most of Southwest Florida.

Times Square, a hustling and bustling stretch of Fort Myers Beach, was reduced to rubble and a big bare spot thanks to Hurricane Ian. It was hard for many people to fathom what occurred.

The Times Square area on Fort Myers Beach was virtually wiped off the face of the map when Hurricane Ian hit. Photographed on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

A makeshift memorial on this chain-linked fence appeared in downtown Fort Myers days after Ian as people who were missing after the storm were confirmed dead.

More: LCSO: Last missing Hurricane Ian victim identified

Photographs of Hurricane Ian victims cover a wall of flowers that make up the Hurricane Ian memorial at Centennial Park on Sunday, October 9, 2022 in Fort Myers, Fla. The memorial was started by Leo Soto and the crosses, bearing the victim's names, were added by Roberto Marquez.

Just over a week after Hurricane Ian wrecked so many lives forever here in Southwest Florida, there was this reminder in this stunning sunset photo taken by photo journalist Andrew West that there is always hope for a better tomorrow no matter what.

The sun sets over Hurricane Pass on San Carlos Island on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. The area sustained heavy damage and significant flooding from Hurricane Ian.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Historic Hurricane Ian photos tell story of the devastation in Florida
Pierce County credit union expands to 100K members, $2.3B in assets with latest merger

Lakewood-based Harborstone Credit Union has announced its latest move in mergers/acquisitions.

Harborstone on Monday said it plans to merge with DuPont-based Community 1st Credit Union, subject to regulators and a vote by Community 1st Credit Union members.

The new combined entity would operate under the Harborstone banner, led by Harborstone president and CEO Geoff Bullock.

According to Mondays release, the credit unions would boost their presence with five added branches in DuPont, Lynnwood, Olympia, Tacoma and Tukwila.

Post-merger the two would serve more than 100,000 members at 21 branches.

In the past year, Harborstone has been active in expansion efforts. Its acquisition of Seattle-based First Sound Bank was completed in May, and in March it announced a purchase and assumption agreement with Mount Vernon-based SaviBank and its parent holding company, Savi Financial Corporation, Inc.

The SaviBank deal is set to be completed early next year.

Community 1st was founded in 1925 and serves 12,000 members with approximately $200 million in assets. It first launched to serve U.S. Postal Service employees in King County, according to its website, and touts its history as the longest operating credit union in the state.

In 2012, it launched a nationwide solar energy lending program, ezSolarLoan. The program offers financing for homeowners and solar-industry companies.

Harborstone, in Mondays release, stated it plans to expand products and services, including innovative green lending programs.

Were stronger together and better positioned to help more individuals and families in Washington state with their unique financial goals, Bullock said in a statement.

Dan LeFree, president and CEO of Community 1st, said, This announcement marks the beginning of an exciting development for the current and future members of both Community 1st and Harborstone. The proposed merger will bring together dedicated employees, convenient locations and valuable financial products and services ... .

LeFree, in a video accompanying the announcement, noted its solar-loan program had attracted almost half of its current clientele.

Harborstone started in 1955 as McChord Federal Credit Union, serving airmen at then-McChord Air Force Base (now Joint Base -LewisMcChord). It has more than 91,000 members and approximately $2.1 billion in assets. Its current 16 branches are in King, Pierce and Thurston counties.
Pilot killed in mid-air collision with other small plane near Los Angeles

A pilot was killed, and another person was injured Sunday afternoon in a mid-air collision near Los Angeles, California, police said.

Officials confirmed that a Yakovlev Yak 52 collided with a Nanchang CJ-6A near Lancaster, about an hour and a half north of Los Angeles, around noon.

Two small planes collided in mid-air near Los Angeles over the weekend.

Fbi Agents Have Boarded Vessel Managed By Company Whose Other Cargo Ship Collapsed Baltimore Bridge

The Los Angeles Sheriffs Department (LASD) confirmed to Fox News Digital that the collision resulted in one fatality. The LASD did not confirm if there were other occupants on board.

Lancaster is about an hour and a half drive north of Los Angeles.

One of the aircraft landed in the area of 47th Street East and Avenue F; the other landed in the area of 60th Street East and Avenue G, FOX 11 reported, citing Sheila Kelliher of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The sun sets behind Joshua Trees in Lancaster, California.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board were expected to arrive on the scene Monday to gather information. Lancaster deputies were on scene to assist with traffic and street closures.

Read On The Fox News App





Original article source: Pilot killed in mid-air collision with other small plane near Los Angeles
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New York, New York, its a heckuva state! But as we enter the mid-2020s, several New York housing markets are showing signs of potential decline.

Read Next: Housing Market 2024: Home Prices Are Plummeting in 10 Formerly Overpriced Housing Markets

Learn More: How To Get Rich in Real Estate Starting With Just $1,000

GOBankingRates spoke to experts to get their thoughts on the areas of the great state thatll see the most of a downward shift. Here are five New York housing markets that will plummet in value by the end of 2025.

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Binghamton

Dave Flanders from HomeVisors Collective pointed out a troubling trend in Binghamton.

Binghamton has been losing jobs and people over the years which could cause home prices to drop in the near future, he said. With fewer jobs available its harder for people to buy homes and that makes home values go down.

This combination of job losses and population decline creates a perfect storm for falling home prices. As employment opportunities dwindle, fewer people can afford to purchase homes, leading to decreased demand and, as a result, lower property values.

Check Out: 5 Types of Homes That Will Plummet in Value in 2024

Utica

Utica is another city facing potential housing market challenges.

Uticas economy isnt growing much and the population is getting smaller which means home prices could fall as there are fewer people looking to buy, Flanders shared. When fewer people want to live in an area houses take longer to sell which lowers their value.

The stagnant economy coupled with a shrinking population is a recipe for declining home values. As the pool of potential buyers decreases, homes remain on the market longer, forcing sellers to lower their prices to attract buyers.

Watertown

Watertowns housing market faces a unique challenge due to its dependence on military jobs.

Watertown depends on military jobs from nearby bases so if there are cuts in defense spending home prices could drop, Flanders said. Fewer military personnel means fewer homebuyers which can make home values go down.

This reliance on a single sector makes Watertowns housing market potentially vulnerable. Any large cut could mean the demand for housing will plummet, and property values will decline quickly.

Elmira

Elmiras economic struggles are putting pressure on its housing market.

According to Flanders, Elmira has a weak economy and high unemployment which makes it hard for people to afford homes and that causes prices to drop. Without enough jobs, fewer people are able to buy houses which pushes home values lower.

Story continues

The potential double whammy of a weak economy and high unemployment rates creates a difficult environment for the housing market, to put it lightly. As fewer residents can afford to purchase homes, demand decreases, leading to potential price plummets.

New York Citys Luxury Condominium Market

The luxury condominium market in New York City, particularly in Manhattan, is showing signs of potential decline. Thomas J. Brock, CFA, CPA for RetireGuide, provided insight into this niche market.

A particularly vulnerable New York housing market that could experience unfavorable conditions in 2025 is New York Citys luxury condominium market. Manhattan has experienced notable oversupply in recent years, and it has grown more apparent since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brock further explained the shift in market dynamics: Foreign buyers once drove seemingly unrelenting demand, but this has dried up, largely due to stricter U.S. immigration and tax policies and the global economic slowdown. Now, luxury condo developers and banks are sitting on a costly glut. This could result in a dramatic price correction in 2025.

When you take into consideration decreased foreign investment and changing global economic conditions, this oversupply could lead to a significant drop in luxury condo prices in Manhattan by 2025.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 New York Housing Markets That Will Plummet in Value by the End of 2025
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  Keep the rain gear handy; wet and unsettled weather is anticipated for the week across Southwest and Central Virginia.

A cloudy Monday is in the works as scattered showers and storms push in from the west during the day. Not everyone will see rain, but pockets of heavy rainfall are possible. There is a slightly higher chance for showers and storms west of the Blue Ridge. Afternoon temperatures will reach the 70s under mostly cloudy skies.

The unsettled pattern will continue into Tuesday and Wednesday as a slow-moving cold front approaches from the west. Theres a daily chance for scattered showers and storms. Locally heavy rainfall could lead to minor flooding concerns. A few storms could produce gusty winds and hail.

Otherwise, it will be cloudy with little warming in the forecast. Morning temperatures will start in the 60s before warming up into the 70s each afternoon.

Isolated showers and storms are possible on Thursday with variably cloudy skies overhead. Temperatures will be slightly warmer with highs in the 70s and lower 80s.

TRACKING THE TROPICS

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine has been identified over the Caribbean Sea. This disturbance has a high probability of becoming a tropical depression or storm in the next few days.

The system is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday and continue strengthening as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Impacts along the Florida Gulf Coast are anticipated.

A tropical wave between the Cabo Verde Islands and western Africa will move into favorable atmospheric conditions over the next few days. It could become a tropical depression by the middle of the 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 WFXRtv.
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  Tonight will be cloudy with a chance of lingering showers and storms. This is the beginning of a run of wet days into next week.

Our Futurecast shows the on-and-off nature of the storms. Even though they will come and go, periods of heavy rainfall resulting in water ponding on roads and in low-lying areas are possible.

There is a chance Tuesday of isolated severe storms along and west of the Blue Ridge. This marginal risk is the lowest from the Storm Prediction Center. Still, there is a risk of damaging wind and hail.

Rainfall this week will be showers and storms through Wednesday and then mostly showers for the rest of the week. Precipitation will be slightly above normal for the rest of the month.







Tuesdays temperatures will fall within a narrow range from above normal in the morning to below normal in the afternoon.





Afternoon temperatures this week will remain at or below normal.

The rainfall forecast may be augmented by moisture from a tropical system likely to form in the Caribbean and move into the Gulf of Mexico. From there, it could make a Gulf Coast landfall with remnant moisture moving north. Timing and storm characteristics are still fluid.

Breaking news, weather, and sports on your smartphone with the WFXR News 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 WFXRtv.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  The Pittsfield Police Department has issued a warning to residents regarding recent reports of individuals using aggressive tactics while going door-to-door, primarily attempting to sell solar products.

Public meeting to discuss Bel Air Dam project

According to witnesses, these solicitors have been persistent, refusing to take no for an answer. The police remind the public that anyone conducting door-to-door sales within city limits must possess a state-issued Hawkers and Peddlers license and a permit for Soliciting and Canvassing issued by the Pittsfield Police Department.

The individuals must visibly display these permits. Those found operating without the proper permits may face fines or revoke their permits.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Pittsfield Police Departments non-emergency number at 413-448-9700 if they encounter any suspicious or unlicensed solicitors. Police ask that complaints be reported as soon as possible to help authorities investigate and take action promptly.

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.
SALINA, Kan. (KSNW)  A JetBlue flight headed to California from New York was diverted to Kansas on Saturday.

JetBlue Airways Flight 1189 departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York just before 4 p.m. ET.

According to JetBlue, during the flight, pilots received an alert that there may be smoke in the cargo hold area. The captain declared an in-air emergency and rapidly diverted to Salina Regional Airport.

The Salina Airport Authority (SAA) ARFF personnel and the Salina Fire Department were notified at 6:20 p.m.

The plane landed safely and without incident at Salina Regional Airport around 6:30 p.m. CT.

Once safely on the ground, an initial reconnaissance of the aircraft by Salina Airport Authority ARFF and Salina Fire Department personnel indicated no immediate emergency with no indication of an active fire, the Salina Fire Department told KSN.

SFD conducted a thorough investigation of the plane.

All passengers exited the aircraft safely, Salina Airport Authority ARFF and Salina Fire Department personnel performed an in-depth investigation of the cargo area, as well as removed and inspected all luggage, no evidence of smoke or fire was found. There were no injuries to any passengers or emergency personnel, the SFD said.

Upon inspection, we determined the smoke indication presented to our pilots was a false indication, JetBlue told KSN.

JetBlue does not service Salina Regional Airport, so passengers had to wait for another plane to arrive so they could continue their flight. The plane departed just after 3 a.m. CT Sunday and landed just after 3:45 a.m. PT at San Diego International Airport.

While awaiting a replacement flight, JetBlue passengers were provided food, water, and other necessary amenities, said the Salina Airport Authority on Monday.

Passengers boarding JetBlue rescue flight from SLN to SAN (Courtesy: Salina Airport Authority)

According to the SAA, 146 passengers and crew were on board, and no one was injured. The SAA initially told KSN on Saturday that there were about 130 passengers on board.

The FAA said that they are investigating.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Less than two years after a firebombing destroyed a Planned Parenthood clinic in Peoria, the center is now offering expanded abortion services.

According to a news release from the state chapter, the clinic, located at 2709 N. Knoxville Ave., will now offer procedural abortion care in addition to medication abortion care.

The Peoria Health Center reopened earlier this year and can gradually added services since then. Planned Parenthood said the new addition will increase access to abortion care by 11% in the region.

We are continually striving to ensure our patients have access to the care they need and deserve, said Dr. Amy Whitaker, the chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of Illinois. When we renovated Peoria after it was attacked, we purposefully designed it with flexibility in mind so we can expand our care options as needed.

Planned Parenthood to reopen Knoxville clinic a year after arson destroyed building

Since PPIL continues to see a flood of patients needing care in central Illinois we are proud to now offer the full spectrum of abortion care in Peoria, she added.

The center was heavily damaged after a man threw a firebomb into the building. The nearly 4,300-square-foot facility suffered smoke and fire damage and Planned Parenthood said it used the chance to restructure the inside to maximize patient care.

The man who threw a Molotov cocktail into the clinic on Jan. 15, 2023, has since pleaded guilty in Peorias federal court to the single count of malicious use of fire and an explosive to damage and attempt to damage the Planned Parenthood Peoria Health Center.

He was sentenced last summer to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $1.45 million in fines.

In addition to offering the full spectrum of abortion care, the center offers gender-affirming care, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, HIV testing, birth control, and medication abortion care.

For more information or to make an appointment visit www.ppil.org or call (877) 200-7745.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PnB Rock performs at University of Miami on August 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. - Credit: Thaddaeus McAdams/FilmMagic

The Los Angeles man convicted of sending his 17-year-old son into a restaurant for an armed robbery that claimed the life of celebrated rapper PnB Rock was sentenced Monday to 31 years to life in prison.

Freddie Trone, 42, appeared in a courtroom in Compton, California, to receive his punishment after a jury convicted him of felony murder, two counts of robbery and one count of conspiracy following a nine-day trial last month. The jurors deliberated less than four hours before unanimously deciding that Trone planned the brazen robbery of the rapper, whose legal name was Rakim Allen, at Roscoes Chicken & Waffles and acted as his sons getaway driver after the deadly shooting that took place on September 12, 2022.

More from Rolling Stone

During Mondays hearing, Trone started chatting with his lawyer and refused to look at the rappers mother Deannea Allen as she was called up to deliver her victim impact statement. The devastated mother tells Rolling Stone that she flew out from Pennsylvania to confront Trone, and his seeming indifference while his lawyer stood with his back to her felt like a slap in the face. Their actions are part of my trauma now, she says.

I want to address you Mr. Trone, even though youre talking [to your lawyer], Deannea said in court, refusing to be silenced. As a parent, I do not understand  and Ive been trying these two whole years  I do not understand how a parent could directly put their child in danger. I just cant comprehend it. That one action had a ripple effect, and it has ruined many lives.

Deannea said the rappers 10-year-old daughter, Milan, had asked to attend the sentencing with her but suffered a horrible anxiety attack and couldnt get on the plane. This is what were dealing with. Shes suffering, Deannea said. Rakim was the shining light in our family. He was a star to us. We are devastated. We are trying to live with this, but its very hard.

She said her hope is that one day, Trone will take responsibility for what happened. I hope that you can feel my pain, as a parent. Ive watched your sons life unfold. He has had a horrible life. I shouldnt feel sorry for this young man, but I do. He has two parents, but he was in foster care. He had a rough go of it. And I shouldnt feel bad for him, but I do. Just as a parent. I just want you to put yourself in my shoes and our familys shoes, she said.

During the trial, jurors heard that the alleged teen shooter, charged separately in juvenile court, stalked into the restaurant wearing a ski mask and a Fruity Pebbles T-shirt and then opened fire on Allen and his fiancee Stephanie Sibounheuang only seconds after shouting, If you dont give me the jewelry, Im going to blow her head off.

Sibounheuang recounted the terrifying attack on the witness stand, saying Allen threw her under the table when the gunfire erupted. A medical examiner testified Allen was shot once in the chest and twice in the back.

Trones co-defendant Tremont Jones, 46, was convicted Aug. 7 as well. He was found guilty of two counts of robbery and one count of conspiracy. Prosecutors alleged Jones was the one who tipped Trone off to the rapper walking into the Roscoes with both Sibounheuang and a half-million dollars worth of jewelry. He was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison.

Reached by phone, Sibounheuang said last month that she was thankful for the verdict. Im grateful we could get justice so soon, she said. I dont have to be concerned about who did it. I dont have to worry about where it came from. I know exactly where it came from, and I know that justice is served.

Trones defense lawyer, Winston McKesson, had argued during the trial that the dad was at the Roscoes minutes before the shooting not to plan the robbery, as prosecutors alleged, but to drum up business for his beauty supply shop and buy marijuana from Jones. He said Trones son swiped the keys to their vehicle minutes later and then traveled to the Roscoes for the deadly shooting without the dads knowledge.

That short six-minute timespan between when Trone left the Roscoes parking lot at 1:14 p.m. that day and when his Enclave was seen on surveillance returning to the scene was a major focus of the trial. Deputy District Attorney Timothy Richardson argued that during that six minutes, Trone armed his son with the semi-automatic gun and the robbery plot.

In his final words to the jury, Richardson said the six critical minutes simply werent enough time for Trones version of events. He argued that the surveillance video of Trones Buick Enclave from the neighborhood showed the vehicles path, and a round trip to Trones shop several more blocks away was impossible.

In six minutes, the defense want you to believe that [the teen shooter] rounded up his boys, got a strap, hopped in his dads car, and drove back to the Roscoes, Richardson argued. Coincidence? No. Coordinated acts? Yes.

Edwin Lovo served as the jury foreman during the trial and exclusively told Rolling Stone that the panel focused their attention on surveillance video of the Buick Enclave as it left the scene of the shooting. Trone testified in his own defense that he was not in the car at that point, claiming he later found his son in a nearby parking lot with three other young men. Lovo said the jury zoomed in on video of the fleeing vehicle and identified Trone in the drivers seat based on his clothing.

We could clearly see it was him, Lovo said. There was somebody with a white shirt and frayed pants in the car. It was the dad driving the car. He was an accomplice. So that led us to follow the verdict form and check off all those points. Lovo said it was an overhead camera on a nearby church that captured the birds eye view into the vehicle from the passenger side. He said the jurors could see the drivers thigh and make out the distinctive clothing that Trone was spotted wearing in different surveillance footage from earlier that day.

As Rolling Stone first reported, prosecutors used more surveillance video to piece together a botched cover-up of the deadly shooting. They said Trone set the Enclave on fire a few blocks from his wifes residence after the shooting. His wife told police that Trone had burns on his forearm and legs consistent with arson, so she took him for medical care.

For his part, Jones said he played no role in the alleged father-son robbery plot. His defense lawyer, David Haas, argued Jones was well-known at the Roscoes, so the theory that he handed Trone a gun in the parking lot with cameras rolling made no sense. What if Mr. Jones is simply a weed dealer? he asked the jury in his closing.

Allens stunning murder two years ago sent shockwaves through the hip-hop industry. The Philadelphia-bred artist became a breakout star in 2016 with his triple-platinum single Selfish. That same year, Rolling Stone named him a New Artist You Need to Know. He went on to reach crossover fame with collaborations such as his 2019 feature on Ed Sheerans Cross Me.

After the slaying, Allens fiancee faced a barrage of accusations that her Instagram post about her meal at the Roscoes that day led the shooter to their location. When Sibounheuang testified, her since-deleted post was shown to the jury. It didnt specify which Roscoes location she was at and only showed food. Meanwhile, Richardson said during the trial that Allen and Sibounheuang received their food at 1:12 p.m.. That meant the Instagram post either coincided with, or come after, Trones meeting with Jones in the restaurants parking lot. Richardson argued that it was Jones seeing the diamond-encrusted rings, chains and watches on the rap artist during their fist-bump at 12:31 p.m. that set the robbery plot in motion, not the post. The jury agreed.

We considered the Instagram post, but in terms of timing, it just wasnt plausible. Also, the picture was only the plate of food. There was nothing of Rakim, nothing of Stephanie, no jewelry in the pictures, so the evidence from that specific post didnt cause enough reasonable doubt, Lovo, the jury foreman, said.

In her harrowing testimony, Sibounheuang gave her firsthand account of how the hip-hop star pushed her out of the way to save her life. Hes a hero. [Other men] would never, she told Rolling Stone.

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In his podcast, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz reveals his unfiltered side as he strives to expand his base  and his influence

Midway through his stump speech at a recent campaign rally, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz did something unusual: He asked the audience to take out their cell phones and text an automated number that would respond with a link to download his thrice-weekly podcast, Verdict with Ted Cruz.

Cruz had recorded his latest episode at midnight, several hours before the Friday morning rally, after Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a speech accepting her partys presidential nomination. Cruz proudly recited the episode title for the crowd: Kamalas Speech: Vapid, Radical, Disconnected from Reality and Dangerous as Hell.

Now, why do I do the podcast? I do the podcast to equip and arm you, to give you the information you need, Cruz told the hundreds of rallygoers packed into a bar in downtown Georgetown. It does not cost a penny, but when you subscribe, it'll magically appear on your phone about 5 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It takes about a half hour to listen to, and it's designed to give you the information, the facts.

The campaign trail plug was only the latest reminder of how Cruzs popular podcast has become an integral part of the Texas junior Republican senators life  and a tool in his effort to win reelection this fall. The show has helped Cruz reach new audiences and solidify his status as a leading conservative voice on national issues, allowing him to quickly fire off takes on the political news of the day, unfiltered by mainstream media, to thousands of listeners.

The podcast has also attracted legal scrutiny: Democrats and watchdog groups have filed multiple formal complaints accusing Cruz of violating campaign finance law via a financial arrangement through which the company that syndicates his podcast has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to a pro-Cruz super PAC.

The 30- to 45-minute episodes offer Cruz the time and space, in a casual setting with a friendly co-host, to reveal his personality in a way that is uncommon for high-profile politicians. Though Cruz spends much of the show bashing top Democratic politicians and the corporate media, he offers up a healthy dose of asides and anecdotes marked by self-deprecating humor.

"You and I have talked about the fact that my wife, Heidi, listens regularly to this podcast," Cruz told his co-host, conservative commentator Ben Ferguson, in a recent episode. "Now, I've been married now 23 years. It's not easy to get your wife to listen to anything you do. But you know why Heidi says she listens to it? She says she learns things. It's actually useful and helpful to her on a topic."

Cruz also routinely deploys his deep knowledge of constitutional law, honed through a legal career that included a clerkship with William Rehnquist, the former conservative Supreme Court chief justice, and a stint as Texas Solicitor General during which he argued cases before the high court. He often underscores his points by drawing on decades-old examples from the annals of American politics or invoking detailed polling data  demonstrating what Cruzs allies say is the political savvy that fueled his upstart 2012 Senate win and deep run in the 2016 presidential primary.

The podcast also showcases Cruzs seemingly photographic recall of obscure political happenings. On another recent episode, as he was ridiculing Harris proposed federal ban on grocery price-gouging, Cruz recalled a gaffe that then-candidate Barack Obama made at an Iowa rally in 2007, when Obama commented on the inflated cost of arugula at Whole Foods, drawing charges of elitism. That showed a fairly amazing level of disconnectedness, Cruz said, comparing Obama and Harris.

Amid his meteoric political rise, Cruz has battled the perception that he is not likable. Former President George W. Bush reportedly once said of Cruz, I just dont like the guy, and former Democratic Sen. Al Franken famously quipped, I like Ted Cruz more than most of my other colleagues like Ted Cruz. And I hate Ted Cruz. Cruz also faced widespread backlash for traveling to Cancun in 2021 as Texas was lashed by a historic winter storm that crashed the state power grid.

Matt Mackowiak, a Texas Republican strategist who has known Cruz for more than a decade, said the podcast helps Cruz combat the chatter about his so-called likeability.

There is more depth to his personality than what may come across in a Senate floor speech or on a Fox News hit, Mackowiak said. He does have, actually, a quite good sense of humor, he is self-deprecating, and he also is, I think, much more culturally current than people might think. I think it does give him a chance to show a different side of himself.

Providing an unvarnished message

The podcast venture, unique for a sitting senator, began in January 2020 as a way for Cruz to air his daily musings about then-President Donald Trumps impeachment trial. He recorded the first episode at 2:42 a.m., following the first day of the trial, and continued to pump out new episodes each night after.

The podcast vaulted to the top of the charts, besting the usual leaders like The Joe Rogan Experience and The Daily. When the show was near its peak, Cruz claimed it received more than a million unique monthly listeners.

After more than 500 episodes, Verdict no longer enjoys the same chart-topping status: it is the 46th most popular show in Apple Podcasts politics category, and 104th in the news category, according to the podcast analytics site Chartable. The reviews are filled with listeners who say they like Cruz and his commentary but think the show has become overly saturated with ads since iHeartMedia  the radio distribution and marketing giant that syndicates Verdict picked up the show in 2022.

Still, the podcast remains a popular and potent way for Cruz to promote his brand. The episodes are also available on the popular iHeart app and on YouTube, where Cruz routinely attracts tens of thousands of viewers.

This is one of only a few podcasts I regularly listen to, one reviewer wrote recently on Apple Podcasts. While I agree with others that the ads are starting to get out of hand, I thoroughly enjoy the Senators explanation of procedure, internal politics, and the general sausage making in Washington. Hes a good storyteller that makes dull and boring things interesting.

Mackowiak said he thinks the podcast can help Cruzs reelection bid, serving as a highly efficient way of communicating his message that is unavailable to his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. It has also helped Cruz build up a base of followers, which has immense value in multitudes of ways, Mackowiak said.

That's a base of people that can become small dollar donors in the future, people for whom you can collect email addresses, people that you can mobilize for different things, he said. It's a clever use of a very modern tool.

Hoping to expand his appeal at the polls this fall, Cruz has cast himself as a lawmaker who looks for opportunities to reach across the aisle. In his podcast, though, that side takes a clear backseat to the part of Cruz that fueled his rise: his status as a partisan bomb-thrower and conservative stalwart who revels in contentious debate.

On the show, Cruz has expressed hope that Trumps legal team could flip the results of the 2020 election and derided the judge overseeing Trumps Manhattan criminal trial as a rabid partisan." He has also floated a number of unsubstantiated claims, asserting that Obama was secretly running the Biden administration and suggesting that efforts to diversify the Secret Service  what Cruz termed an obsessive focus on bean counting, on quotas, on DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] at the expense of the mission  played a role in the Trump assassination attempt in July.

That same month, after Biden dropped his reelection bid, Cruz and Ferguson delighted in replaying a clip of Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary-turned-MSNBC host, painfully reading Bidens withdrawal statement on air.

I'd encourage you, go to YouTube and watch it on video, because to watch Jen Psaki's face, you cannot fully appreciate the agony without watching it, as she's reading these words, and as we're watching the Democrat Party light itself on fire, Cruz said.

Jon Taylor, a political science professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said that a major part of the podcast platforms appeal for Cruz is that it allows him to provide an unvarnished message, one that actually he can control.

He said Cruz is known as an effective communicator, and its no surprise that he is using the podcast largely to throw red meat to his core supporters.

He's kind of had this meteoric rise as a spokesperson for, let's be honest, the hard right of the Republican Party  which plays well in Texas with the Republican base, Taylor said.

Donations to PAC spark campaign finance complaints

Cruzs podcast has also opened him to criticism from Allred and other detractors who say he spends too much time podcasting, to the point that it detracts from his ability to legislate. Allred has cast Cruzs prolificness behind the mic, along with the senators maligned Cancun trip, as evidence that Cruz is overly focused on self-promotion and his own interests.

We have a senator in Ted Cruz whos not been doing the job, whos not interested in you, whos only focused on himself, Allred said earlier this year. Thats why hes podcasting three to five times a week. Thats why he can abandon us when 30 million Texans are freezing in the dark.

The podcast has also sparked ethics complaints from campaign finance watchdog groups, who have questioned the legality of an arrangement in which iHeartMedia, the podcast's syndicator, has donated nearly $1 million to a super PAC backing Cruzs reelection bid.

A formal complaint filed earlier this year by two groups, End Citizens United and the Campaign Legal Center, asserts that Cruz could have violated campaign finance laws if he played any role in iHeartMedias contributions to the super PAC. Under federal law, candidates can only direct or solicit up to $5,000 in donations to super PACs, which can otherwise raise unlimited sums to support candidates.

A spokesperson for an iHeartMedia subsidiary has said the payments to the pro-Cruz super PAC, Truth and Courage PAC, are associated with the revenue it receives from selling ads on Cruzs podcast, for which Cruz himself is not paid. Though such an arrangement does not appear to violate campaign finance law by itself, the watchdog groups argued in their complaint that the most reasonable and logical inference to be drawn from these circumstances is that Cruz requested or directed iHeartMedia to donate to the super PAC either directly or through his agents.

A Cruz campaign spokesperson declined comment. A spokesperson for the senators campaign previously cast off the complaints as lazy attacks during an election year.

Senator Cruz appears on Verdict three times a week for free, Cruzs campaign said in a statement, according to the Houston Chronicle. He does this to pull back the veil on the corrupt inner workings of Washington  none of which ever get fairly covered. How convenient that the mainstream media and the cogs in the machine of the Biden-Pelosi Democrat Party want this to stop.

Taylor said the contributions could be considered examples of an honorarium, which the Senate rules define as a payment for any appearance, speech, or article. Senators are banned from accepting honoraria.

However, Taylor noted, the novelty of Cruzs podcast arrangement poses a unique challenge because the Senate rules do not explicitly address whether such cases are above board.

This is one of these examples where technology  what we have now on the internet and everything else  tends to outpace the ability of law and regulatory mechanisms to keep up with it, Taylor said.

Cruz has rejected the idea that he spends too much time podcasting, saying it is integral to my job as senator, as it helps get his message to constituents.

He has also said it helps him reach a broader audience  including younger listeners  who are unlikely to catch his TV hits or even online ads.

If Im walking through an airport and a woman in her 70s comes up and says, Hey I loved you on TV, you know many of the demographic that are watching TV interviews are of an older generation, Cruz told The Hill. On the other hand, if Ive got another guy with a ponytail and tattoos comes up and says, Hey, I love what youre doing, I know what the next words hes going to say. Hes going to mention the podcast.

Disclosure: Apple and the University of Texas at San Antonio have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Russia is carrying out an information and psychological operation in Poland, exploiting the flood in the country's southwest to stir fear and helplessness among the population.

Source: European Pravda, citing Poland Cyber Security Department on Twitter (X)

Details: The Poland Cyber Security Department reported that the floods in the southwest of the country have triggered an information and psychological operation by Russia, aimed at provoking "emotions of fear and helplessness" among the population.

Quote: "The influence apparatus is using selective information techniques in cyberspace, seeking to instil fear and helplessness in the recipients. One element of the operation is an attempt to undermine trust in the country's security structures," they stated in Poland.

The Poland Cyber Security Department urged citizens not to succumb to emotions and to verify sources of information.

Quote: "In particular, be wary of content designed to provoke strong emotional reactions through images of suffering and destruction," they emphasised.

Background:

Central and Eastern Europe is suffering from floods that have already claimed the lives of at least 23 people. The severe weather has also reached northern Italy.

It was previously reported that over 23,000 soldiers have been deployed to assist in flood relief efforts in Poland, with an additional 3,000 on standby.

For the first time, the Polish government declared a state of natural disaster in the southwestern regions.

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Palm Springs police made at least 23 arrests this weekend as over 1,000 members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club visited the city.

The outlaw motorcycle gang visited Palm Springs for a gathering of its various chapters, which it has done several times since 2013. As a result, there was increased law enforcement presence, including members of California Highway Patrol, monitoring the group. The exact number of club members who attended is not known, and they stayed at two local hotels, according to police (one of which appears to have been the Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs, as observed by several Desert Sun staff members who live in the area).

When asked if any Mongols were arrested over the weekend and if so, how many, police spokesperson Lt. Gustavo Araiza said the Palm Springs Police Department made 23 different arrests as of Sunday afternoon. Six of the arrests were due to weapons violations, five were due to controlled substance violations, 10 were due to people having warrants, one was due to a parole violation and one was due to a post-release community supervision violation, he said.

He added that Palm Springs patrol staff are still monitoring the situation but most club members had left Palm Springs as of Sunday afternoon.

Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 23 arrests of Mongols made during motorcycle club event in Palm Springs
Police chase turned into one vehicle crash in Clearfield

CLEARFIELD, Pa. (WTAJ)  After speeding away from a traffic stop, a Clearfield man crashed his car Saturday night.

Clearfield Regional police were called at around 9:22 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 for a report of harassment involving 41-year-old Edward Ogden, 41. While responding, officers said they spotted Ogden and conducted a traffic stop on Reighard Street.

When asked to get out of the vehicle, police said Ogden declined and sped away. During the pursuit, Ogden hit a guide rail on Bigler Avenue in the area of Siegel Engraving, promptly ending the chase.

Police said Ogden was taken into custody without further incident and he walked away from the crash uninjured.

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.

Ogden was placed in Clearfield County Jail on charges of fleeing and eluding, DUI and related traffic offenses, the police report shows.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Mehdi Ahmadzade, Day.az





The truth expressed by British Foreign Minister David Lemmy about the Karabakh conflict seems to be pricking the eyes of Armenians and those who supported her false narratives about the fabulous "Artsakh" for a long time. For years, the Armenian propaganda has been working hard to misinform the world community as much as possible through the purchased experts that Karabakh is allegedly not a native Azerbaijani land. Armenian Narnia somehow tried to exist for almost 30 years, then Azerbaijan liberated its territory, as Lemmy correctly noted, from the occupiers and justice was restored. However, Armenians still cannot lag behind their myths. For almost a week, all sorts of bought henchmen sympathizing with them have been trying to prove that the British foreign Office has "disgraced itself." Since when telling the truth is a shame, not courage, it is unclear, but now British journalist Dominic Lawson has taken up Lemmy, who managed to ruin the reputation of The Times newspaper - one of the oldest in the world.



What did Lawson write?

In fact, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK Elin Suleymanov took up this task, who replied to Dominic Lawson, stressing that in his criticism the British journalist did not mention that the holding of COP29 in Azerbaijan was a direct result of the peace process with neighboring Armenia, despite the fact that it had kept a fifth of our country under occupation for decades.



According to him, the recent article by the British Foreign Minister, where it was noted that "Azerbaijan liberated Karabakh from occupation", is a disgusting joke and support for "ethnic cleansing". And earlier, Lawson blurted out that the so-called "government" of the collapsed "Artsakh" is being "illegally" held in Baku, calling the war of 2020 and the anti-terrorist measures of 2023, attention, an "invasion". They say that is why COP29 cannot be held in Azerbaijan, especially since the country is oil-producing.



The pro-Armenian journalist shares this idiotic opinion in the section "Letter to the editor". It is idiotic, firstly, because the invasion cannot be in itself. Secondly, this is not a "government" at all, but the leaders of the criminal junta, who are being tried legally for all crimes against the Azerbaijani people and the state. All of them have been charged with terrorism, financing terrorism, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law. Thirdly, Lawson did not say anything new either: everything is an unfounded hysteria, which all the Armenians write according to the same template. And the fact that the Armenians left Karabakh voluntarily, despite calls from Baku to stay, seems to have forgotten everything.

"As a gesture of goodwill, Armenia withdrew its candidacy for the COP in order to support Azerbaijan's bid, while Baku supported Yerevan's candidacy for the COP Bureau of Eastern European States. In addition, the leaders of both countries recently confirmed that most of the terms of the peace agreement have now been agreed. Instead, Lawson advocates the release of Armenian warlords who tried to reproduce the pattern of illegal ethnic separatism in Karabakh, a region internationally recognized as the territory of Azerbaijan. Even the Armenian government now recognizes that Karabakh is a sovereign territory of Azerbaijan in accordance with international law," Suleymanov told Lawson.



The British journalist simply exposed himself in an extremely ridiculous light, and his tantrum, like all other tantrums against Azerbaijan, turned out to be useless. Lawson is extremely biased and biased, and these, we recall, are features that are far from real journalism, but perfectly serve the interests of those who are ready to write custom-made nonsense.



He proved that his work is more like propaganda than real journalism. There is no place for objectivity and unbiased analysis in his articles, which undermines the credibility of his opinion. Such publications, full of bias and unfounded accusations, not only cast a shadow on his reputation, but also discredit the publication in which they are published. In today's world, where access to truthful information is vital, such antics harm not only individual countries, but also readers who deserve honest and balanced coverage of events.






(Reuters) -Alaska Airlines said on Monday that it experienced an IT outage that caused significant disruption to its operations, including delayed flights.

Alaska issued a ground stop in Seattle, it said in a statement to Reuters, adding that the issue has been resolved but it expects some residual impact to operations.

The ground stop was for arrivals in Seattle and lasted for about 2 hours, the airlines said.

On Sunday night, the airline on its X account confirmed there had been an outage as multiple users complained they were facing issues accessing its website and app.

"This was not a cyber attack or any kind of unauthorised activity. It was a certificate issue that impacted multiple systems," it added.

In April, Alaska Airlines had to halt all its flights due to an issue while performing an upgrade to the system that calculates the weight and balance of its planes.

(Reporting by Maria Ponnezhath and Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; editing by David Goodman and Jason Neely)
Alistair Wilson with his son Andrew, who has critical of the forces handling of the case

Police Scotlands chief constable has no plans to meet with the family of the victim of an unsolved murder after they said they have no confidence in the force to solve the crime.

Jo Farrell said that she was absolutely committed to delivering justice for the loved ones of Alistair Wilson, who was gunned down at his home in Nairn almost 20 years ago, but suggested it was not her role to speak with the family personally.

Mr Wilson, a father of two, was shot on his doorstep in November 2004, in a case that has baffled detectives.

Alistair Wilson was shot on his doorstep three times in November 2004 - ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA

His killer reportedly arrived at his home on the evening of Nov 28 and asked his wife Veronica for him by name. The 30 year-old was then handed an empty blue envelope with the word Paul written on it by his assailant, went back inside briefly, before returning to the door where he was shot three times.

The Lord Advocate, Scotlands top law officer, said last week that she had ordered a complete re-investigation of the assassination.

But Mr Wilsons family issued a scathing statement at the weekend, criticising Ms Farrell for refusing their request for a meeting and branding the force incompetent.

Jo Farrell insisted that although she had no plans to meet with the family, family liaison officers would - ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA

Ms Farrell said on Monday that she had no immediate plans to meet the family but it was important that a newly-appointed senior investigating officer and family liaison officers did so.

Were absolutely committed to trying to solve and get justice for the family of Alistair Wilson, she said.

This has been, over a number of years, a very, very extensive investigation.

We will now work further to try and bring justice for the family. We are absolutely committed to try and get justice and find the person whos responsible for that crime.

Last week, Andrew Wilson, Mr Wilsons eldest son, was critical of the forces handling of the case.

The 24 year-old said: I cannot understand why... Jo Farrell wont rethink our request for a meeting, it brings into question her position too.

What we have suffered is nothing short of incompetent police leadership and, if it continues, it risks getting in the way of catching my dads killer and getting the justice we as a family deserve.

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 video above may be disturbing to some viewers.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma City Police Department has released footage of an officer-involved shooting from September 2.

According to OKCPD, officers responded to a home near SE 41st St. after getting calls about a man shooting at another person.

ORIGINAL STORY: Suspect shot by police after standoff in SE Oklahoma City

Upon arrival, the suspect went back into the house and would not come out. Officers on scene spent three hours trying to get the suspect to surrender, but were unsuccessful.

Standoff, officer-involved shooting in SE OKC.

Police say the tactical unit was called to the scene to help. After trying to negotiate for several more hours, OKCPD drone footage shows the suspect entering the attic of the home and shooting a firearm out of a wall towards officers.

After multiple shots were fired at officers, a less-lethal 40 millimeter round was fired by police, hitting the suspect. He started shooting at officer again shortly after.

LOCAL NEWS: One dead in NE Oklahoma City shooting, police say

Standoff, officer-involved shooting in SE OKC.

Officials say at least one officer was hit by shrapnel during the gunfire. After shooting at officers, the suspect jumped from attic to the ground and walked to the back of the house, where he was met with tactical unit officers.

Officers commanded the suspect to drop his weapon again, and when he refused, he was shot by law enforcement. He was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to be okay.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Police identify man accused of hitting teenager with car in Youngstown, driving away

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Police identified a 46-year-old man as the person they say hit a 16-year-old boy Friday with a vehicle he was driving on an East Side street and drove away.

Herman Posey, 46, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on a charge of hit skip, a fourth-degree felony, and driving under suspension, a misdemeanor.

He is expected to be arraigned Monday in municipal court.

Reports said Posey was driving a vehicle about 9:10 a.m. northbound on Bennington Avenue when he hit the teen at the intersection with Parker Street and then drove away.

The teen was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center to be treated for his injuries. His injuries are considered serious but not life-threatening.

Police found the vehicle a short time later by using surveillance video from nearby East High School and from school speed cameras to help track it down.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Police said two people were taken to the hospital after they were shot in Southeast D.C. early Monday morning.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the call came in around 1:18 a.m. for a shooting in the 2000 block of Savannah Terrace.

MCPD: Man dies after police officer shoots him in Wheaton

Once on the scene, officers found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds.

DC Fire and EMS took both victims to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

MPD said there was no indication that the suspect and victims knew each other.

The shooting remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Milwaukee police are investigating "possible human remains" recovered from the Milwaukee River on Saturday.

The remains were found at about 5:09 p.m. in the 200 block of West Highland Avenue, the Milwaukee Police Department said in an email. Authorities described them as "possible human remains" and that no further information was available, due to being an ongoing investigation.

Police said the remains are not believed to be those of Sade Robinson, a slain Milwaukee teen who was killed and dismembered in April.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed it was involved with the investigation.

Police are asking anyone with any information to contact them at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips.

David Clarey can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police investigate 'possible human remains' found in river
A search for a suspect ended in a fiery shootout in South Carolina that left a law enforcement officer wounded and a police K-9 dead.

K-9 Mikka was killed during a standoff in Lee County on Friday afternoon, following a chaotic standoff with a suspect wanted in the shooting of a McBee Police Department officer on Thursday night.

Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) responded to Lee County as part of a multi-agency search for an armed and dangerous subject, identified as Altson Modlin, 27, according to the Horry County Police Department.

McBee Police Chief Tim Knight said Molidin fired at the officer "more than 60 times," WPDE reported.

Missouri Police Officer Charged In Death Of K-9 Officer Left In Hot Car

Police K-9 Mikka was killed after a Lee County, South Carolina, patrol car caught fire while being struck by bullets during a standoff with the suspect in the shooting of a McBee Police Department officer late Thursday night.

Following the shooting in Chesterfield County, a search spanning multiple counties occurred and Modlin was located around 10 a.m., when a deadly shootout ensued, officials said.

Read On The Fox News App

Lee County Sheriff Daniel Simon said law enforcement officers were following Modlin's car when they ran into live fire from him from an assault-style rifle, News19 confirmed.

Simon confirmed to WPDE that one of his deputies was grazed by a bullet by shots fired at officers on the scene of the standoff.

Simon said a patrol car burned after it was struck by bullets.

Hero South Carolina Police K-9 Dies Saving Human Teammates In Shootout With Fugitive Suspect, Authorities Say

Law enforcement across the state of South Carolina searched for Alston Modlin, 27, after a McBee police officer was shot during a traffic stop late Thursday night.

"Shots that actually hit the vehicle. The vehicle ignited and caught fire, and, you know, she obviously couldn't get out of the vehicle," Simon explained to News19. "The officers couldn't get to the vehicle to open the door, because they, like I said, they were under duress. They couldn't get to the vehicle."

Tragically, the officer couldn't get to K-9 Mikka inside the car due to all the shots fired, and the dog died in the fire, Simon told WPDE.

"We are a smaller agency, and we have to wear several different hats here. We are greatly saddened by the loss of K-9 Mikka, who was as much a member of our team as my Chief Deputy who was injured," Simon said in a statement.

The shooting led to a shelter-in-place order and a countywide school lockdown, according to News19.

Las Vegas Police K-9 Undergoes Surgery After Being Stabbed Multiple Times By Suspect

The Horry County Police Department in South Carolina is continuing to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Lee County that wounded an officer and left a K-9 officer dead.

Authorities said nearly 200 law enforcement officers and 10 agencies were in Lee County to assist with the standoff.

"This is a senseless, cowardly act that actually took place today. And you know, I'm getting to the point I'm fed up with this. This is my eighth officer involved shooting since I've been here, since 2010. This is too much," Simon said.

Simon added that his team is grateful for the support they feel from the community and fellow law enforcement:

Nearly 200 law enforcement officers and 10 agencies were in Lee County to assist with the standoff.

"I want to thank Horry County for taking the lead in investigating this incident, and all of our partners for their support and assistance, including South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR), my Sheriffs Office and Police Department counterparts across the state and region, and the ATF. Theres been so much community support from near and far, and each person and agency that has reached out to check on us and offered their prayers is appreciated."

The Lee County Coroners Office has confirmed Modlin is deceased and that an autopsy will be performed Tuesday.

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The Horry County Police Department said this remains an active investigation and that it will continue to investigate the shooting in Lee County at the request of agencies involved.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Lee County Sheriff's Office and SLED for comment.





Original article source: Police K-9 dies in line of duty during fiery South Carolina shootout
The family of Robert Wade gave permission for Guernsey Police to identify him after the incident [BBC]

A 66-year-old man who died in a car crash in Alderney has been named as Robert Wade by police.

Mr Wade, also known as Sandy, who lived in the UK, died following a single-vehicle collision at Fort Clonque at about 18:40 BST on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Guernsey Police said: "Investigating officers have been working directly with Mr Wades family, and with family liaison officers in the UK, since the incident, and they have agreed that Guernsey Police should publish his identity."

They added that an inquest would take place in due course and that the force wished to "express its condolences to the family".

Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.

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NEW CASTLE, Pa. (WKBN) The New Castle Barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the unsolved 1993 death of a woman who never returned from a shopping trip.

Read next: 2 dead after Saturday morning fatal crash

Investigators are seeking information on the death of Julie Rae Conway. She was 35 years old when she disappeared Aug. 28, 1993, after she went shopping at the Lawrence Village Plaza in New Castle.

A news release said Conway bought something at a hardware store, and that is the last trace investigators have of her until her body was found Sept. 6, 1993, in a limestone quarry in Shenango Township. Conways Pontiac was still parked at the plaza when she went missing, the release said.

Her death was ruled a homicide because of a fatal gunshot wound.

Anyone with information can contact the state police tip line at 724-598-2211 or you can contact PSP Tips if you have information on this crime, any serious crime, or a wanted person. You can call PSP Tips Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS(8477) or online.

This story is part of a series of cold cases that WKBN is examining.

Do you have a cold case that youd like us to look into further? Submit a cold case to WKBN.

All callers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH REWARD.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Police seize more than 15 lbs of weed during traffic stop, Lufkin man arrested

LIVINGSTON, Texas (KETK)  A 23-year-old was arrested on Saturday after police found more than 15 pounds of marijuana and $9,000 during a traffic stop, the Livingston Police Department said.

SHERIFF: 2 Trinity County residents arrested after passerby sees weed plants

According to the police department, officers stopped a car travelling on Highway 59 in Livingston for a vehicle violation.

Courtesy of the Livingston Police Department

Mugshot of Christian Ramos, courtesy of the Polk County Jail.

During the traffic stop, probable cause was established to search the vehicle, Livingston PD said.

Officers searched the vehicle and found more than 15 pounds of weed and more than $9,100, the police department said.

UPDATE: 62-year-old missing woman found dead near Canton

The police department said the driver, identified as 23-year-old Christian Ramos, of Lufkin, was taken into custody at the scene without incident.

Ramos was charged for possession of marijuana and is being held at the Polk County Jail under a $15,000 bond.

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

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Polish Foreign Minister believes that Zelenskyy must be given means to change Putin's calculations

Polish Foreign Minister Radosav Sikorski is convinced that the West must continue to support Kyiv in order for Ukraine to win the war.

Source: Sikorski in an interview with MSNBC, quoted by the Polish news agency PAP, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Asked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Victory Plan, which he is expected to present this week at meetings with President Joe Biden and presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Sikorski said he did not want to speculate on what the plan contains.

But he said the key to victory is to provide Kyiv with more financial assistance to support its own defence industry.

"We have to give President Zelenskyy the means to change Putin's calculations, and the means to do that are financial. Ukraine has its own defence industry, which lacks resources, which has some spare capacity, and a few billion dollars could help them a lot to make Putin understand that he cannot win," Sikorski said.

He added that the solution to the war would be for the both countries to withdraw their troops beyond their internationally recognised borders.

Sikorski also said that the war will only end when Putin decides that the invasion was a mistake and that he will not achieve his goals at an acceptable cost.

"He hasn't come to that point yet, but his economy and his ability to send hundreds of thousands of Russians to their deaths are not unlimited... If we don't stop there, this war can be ended by restoring international law and restoring international borders," the minister said.

Background:

Earlier, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the US side had already seen Zelenskyy's Victory Plan; the State Department was familiarised with the plan as well.

Bloomberg reported that the Victory Plan includes an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO and a commitment from the United States to provide constant supplies of modern weapons.

The Ukrainian president further noted that the Victory Plan is designed for decisions to be made between October and December 2024.

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Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. Having said that, unprofitable companies are risky because they could potentially burn through all their cash and become distressed.

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether Archer Materials (ASX:AXE) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn.

Check out our latest analysis for Archer Materials

How Long Is Archer Materials' Cash Runway?

You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. In June 2024, Archer Materials had AU$19m in cash, and was debt-free. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through AU$5.0m. That means it had a cash runway of about 3.8 years as of June 2024. There's no doubt that this is a reassuringly long runway. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is Archer Materials' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Although Archer Materials reported revenue of AU$2.1m last year, it didn't actually have any revenue from operations. That means we consider it a pre-revenue business, and we will focus our growth analysis on cash burn, for now. During the last twelve months, its cash burn actually ramped up 55%. While this spending increase is no doubt intended to drive growth, if the trend continues the company's cash runway will shrink very quickly. Archer Materials makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth.

Can Archer Materials Raise More Cash Easily?

Given its cash burn trajectory, Archer Materials shareholders may wish to consider how easily it could raise more cash, despite its solid cash runway. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations.

Archer Materials' cash burn of AU$5.0m is about 9.1% of its AU$55m market capitalisation. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money.

So, Should We Worry About Archer Materials' Cash Burn?

It may already be apparent to you that we're relatively comfortable with the way Archer Materials is burning through its cash. In particular, we think its cash runway stands out as evidence that the company is well on top of its spending. Although its increasing cash burn does give us reason for pause, the other metrics we discussed in this article form a positive picture overall. Looking at all the measures in this article, together, we're not worried about its rate of cash burn; the company seems well on top of its medium-term spending needs. On another note, we conducted an in-depth investigation of the company, and identified 3 warning signs for Archer Materials (1 can't be ignored!) that you should be aware of before investing here.

If you would prefer to check out another company with better fundamentals, then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt or this list of stocks which are all forecast to grow.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Pope will press on with Belgium, Luxembourg trip despite flu, Vatican says

Pope Francis leads Angelus prayer from his window at the Vatican

By Joshua McElwee

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis will press ahead with plans to travel to Luxembourg and Belgium later this week, despite cancelling his meetings for Monday due to a mild flu, the Vatican said.

The tour, his 46th foreign visit as pope, will comes less than two weeks after he returned from a demanding 12-day, four-country excursion around Southeast Asia and Oceania.

The Vatican had said earlier on Monday morning that the 87-year-old pontiff made the decision to cancel his schedule for the day as a precautionary measure in view of the upcoming trip.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni later told journalists the rest of the week would continue "as planned".

Francis now regularly uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain. He has also suffered bouts of ill health in recent years. Earlier this year, he cancelled several appointments over what the Vatican variously described as a cold, bronchitis and influenza.

The pope appeared in good form throughout his Sept. 2-13 trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. He maintained a packed schedule, headlining more than 40 events, and clocked up a total of nearly 33,000 km (20,500 miles).

His trip to Luxembourg and Belgium, which is due to start on Thursday, is expected to highlight the needs of migrants in Europe and to include a meeting with survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy.

Francis' agenda in Luxembourg and Belgium will be lighter than that of the Southeast Asia and Oceania trip, with the pope scheduled to take part in about a dozen events over four days.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee and Cristina Carlevaro, Editing by Giulia Segreti, Gareth Jones and Andrew Heavens)
Pope Francis gestures during his weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square at the Varican. Evandro Inetti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Pope Francis has cancelled all appointments for Monday due to an illness, with the Vatican explaining that the 87-year-old pontiff is suffering from a "mild flu."

He will also use the time to rest before an upcoming foreign trip, which will take him to Luxembourg on Thursday and then on to Belgium.

Pope Francis has had to cancel appointments multiple times in recent months due to his health. However, he successfully completed a 12-day trip to Asia and the Pacific in the first half of September.

Due to knee pain and a hip ailment, the Argentinian-born pope usually sits in a wheelchair during public appearances.

In December, Pope Francis turns 88. He is the oldest pope in more than a century.
The free exhibition of 3,000-year-old artefacts has attracted the museum's biggest visitor numbers for eight years [Martin Rowe/Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery]

An exhibition of 3,000-year-old artefacts discovered at a site dubbed "Britain's Pompeii" has proved so popular with visitors it will extend its run by a fortnight.

The finds have been on display at their new permanent home at Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery since April.

More than 30,000 visitors from all over the UK have seen the free Must Farm exhibition and heritage manager Sarah Wilson said she was "delighted that it has been well received".

It was due to close on 28 September but will now run until 12 October, supported by Historic England.

The display tells the story of how rapidly a fire took hold of the settlement, which archaeologists said was less than a year old [Martin Rowe/Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery]

The exhibition, which gives a remarkable insight into the way people lived in the Bronze Age, has attracted the museum's highest visitor numbers for eight years.

The artefacts were unearthed at a Bronze Age settlement of wooden roundhouses built over a river channel at Must Farm at Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire.

Domestic items were deposited into the river silt after the settlement caught fire, where they remained until they were excavated eight years ago.

Fleeing villagers left behind the largest collection of Bronze Age artefacts ever discovered in the UK, including 200 wooden objects, more than 150 fibre and textile items, 128 pottery vessels and about 90 pieces of metalwork.

The excavation's discoveries are of national importance, yet its finds are staying local, about eight miles (12km) from where they were found.

Those fleeing the fire left behind artefacts including striking glass beads in blue, green and turquoise [Martin Rowe/Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery]

Exhibits include Bronze Age pottery fragments painstakingly recreated to reveal cooking ware and fine cups and bowls and a pot with a preserved, freshly cooked meal inside.

Tony Callandine, Historic England's east regional director, said the organisation was delighted it could support an extended run of the exhibition.

"Seeing objects that were used for cooking and everyday home life so long ago stirs the imagination and brings communities from the past closer to us today," he said.

Replicas, such as the eel trap (above), are displayed alongside everyday work tools and fish and animal bones [Martin Rowe/Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery]

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story

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Popular Massachusetts beach to remain closed to swimming through end of month due to sharks

Popular Massachusetts beach to remain closed to swimming through end of month due to sharks

A popular Massachusetts beach will remain closed to swimming through the end of September due to the presence of great white sharks in the water near the shoreline.

Crane Beach in the North Shore town of Ipswich will be off-limits to swimmers until at least Oct. 1 amid confirmed sightings and continued reports of sharks spotted in the area, Christopher Moore, property director for Crane Beach and Castle Hill, announced Monday.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancys Sharktivity app showed six shark sightings off the beach in the last week.

Visitor safety is our top priority. We will continue to reassess and will reopen for swimming as soon as shark activity in the area dissipates enough to be deemed safe, Moore said in a statement shared with Boston 25.

Moore said the decision to extend the closure was made after consulting with the Ipswich Harbormaster and Greg Skomal, a shark expert with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

Crane Beach does remain open for visitors who want to walk on the beach, hike on the dune trails, or simply enjoy the beauty of the beach, Moore noted.

The beach also opens for dog walking on Oct. 1 when shorebird season ends.

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Porch collapses at New Orleans bar during Saints game

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  A bar in New Orleans is closed on Sunday, Sept. 22, after part of its porch collapsed during a Saints game.

New Orleans police, EMS and fire crews responded to the collapsed patio around 1:37 p.m. at Wrong Iron.

Crews respond to building collapse in Central City

WGNO spoke with the owner, who said a number of Saints fans were watching the game when it started to rain, and people began to gather underneath the bars covered patio area.

Thats when the porch reportedly gave out.

(WGNO/Jeff Kent)

(WGNO/Jeff Kent)

(WGNO/Jeff Kent)

A post on the Wrong Iron Facebook page reads, During todays rainstorm, our courtyard guests moved to the porch for cover, which led to unexpected porch sinkage of an estimated 1.5 feet.

The post also stated that a full investigation into the cause of the collapse and an evaluation of the building plans will be conducted.

High chance of tropical development, Gulf storm likely next week

The bar will be closed for the rest of the day.

The New Orleans Police Department reported that a man was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, and four people were treated at the scene.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Portsmouth Parks and Recreation won Best New Special Event at the 71st Annual Conference of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society.

With over 400 delegates, exhibitors, speakers and volunteers present, Portsmouth Parks and Recreation was recognized for their event, Holiday Nights at the Park.

The Virginia Recreation and Park Society honors individuals, departments and organizations throughout Virginia who have demonstrated excellence in any of several areas during the previous year.

Held in Norfolk, the conference is a learning exchange and provides an opportunity for recreation and park professionals to discuss areas of common interest.

The mission of the state-wide program is to unite all professionals, students and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information on the Society, contact the state office at 804-730-9447 or visit the website at www.vrps.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 WAVY.com.
Mr Ismail claims he has been targeted by Post Office management for asking difficult questions

A Post Office director appointed to champion victims of the Horizon IT scandal has stepped back from the organisations board amid an investigation into alleged misconduct.

Saf Ismail, a critic of Post Office management, said that he had temporarily given up his non-executive director duties at the scandal-hit service.

The investigation emerged as Mr Ismail described a culture of fear in the organisation and claimed he had separately been targeted by managers for asking difficult questions.

The inquiry heard that the ongoing investigation is not related to issues with the Post Offices faulty Horizon IT system, which led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of subpostmasters for fraud.

It comes as the Post Office inquiry enters its final stage, which will examine practice and procedures at the organisation plus executive pay.

Mr Ismail and Elliot Jacobs became the first subpostmasters to join the companys board in 2021 after being voted in by thousands of fellow branch operators.

They were elected to represent subpostmasters in the wake of the Horizon scandal in a move that Nick Read, chief executive of the Post Office, said would put postmasters firmly at the heart of our business.

The appointment was part of the Post Offices efforts to demonstrate that it has learned from past mistakes and to reset its relationship with postmasters following the scandal.

However, in a witness statement submitted to the inquiry on Monday, Mr Ismail criticised Mr Read for being very reactive and tactical, short-term and not sufficiently focused on the long-term sustainability of the Post Office or its postmasters.

Mr Ismail criticised Post Office chief Nick Read for being not sufficiently focused on the long-term sustainability of the company or its postmasters - House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA

Mr Ismail  a subpostmaster who oversees seven branches across Lancashire and Greater Manchester  instead accused the Post Offices senior leaders of having an unhealthy and unjustified obsession with bonuses and remuneration, despite postmasters not having a payrise in real terms since 2015.

He pointed to the number of collateral bonus deals for Post Office executives, including one bonus linked to the closure of the Post Offices Belfast data centres which he claimed cost the taxpayer 35m.

Mr Ismail said: My considered opinion is that the executive tried to deliver this project at any cost to release bonuses. These arrangements reinforce loyalty to the bonus culture, rather than driving performance or positive behaviours.

He also claimed that Mr Read and other senior executives thought it was a mistake to bring subpostmasters on to the companys board. He claimed that senior figures felt the move should be reversed because the subpostmasters are too challenging and ask awkward questions.

Mr Ismail said: This contradicts the Post Office public position that postmaster non-executive director roles were created to bring operational rigour and to allow difficult conversations to be had at board level.

The Post Office had banned him from having direct contact with postmasters on social media, he claimed, for reasons of brand and board confidentiality.

He also claimed that most board directors were not invited to key meetings that would benefit the business, such as those attended by Post Office suppliers or stakeholders.

The inquiry heard that Mr Ismail was not allowed to stand for reelection once his current term ended in June 2025, which he claimed was because he was too challenging, inquisitive and ask too many awkward questions.

Mr Ismails witness statement went on to describe a culture of fear at the Post Office and express concerns that his testimony may be held against him by those in power.

He said: There remains a culture of fear in the organisation. I have become concerned myself upon being asked to provide evidence to this Inquiry and to the parliamentary select committee, having previously been declined applications to operate Post Office branches at several locations.

He also claimed that the Post Offices excessively lenient home working culture has led to poor morale as many staff refuse to come into the organisations new office which allegedly lacks adequate meeting rooms and because of the inconvenience of booking lockers and desks daily.

The submissions echo claims made in leaked memos seen by The Sunday Times earlier this year, where non-executive director Mr Jacobs wrote that he and Mr Ismail continue to be ignored and seen by many as an annoyance.

Mr Jacobs, who runs several post offices in London and Hertfordshire, also wrote of how the culture that PMs [postmasters] are guilty and on the take is embedded in this company.

Mr Read last week announced his resignation from the Post Office and will step down in March. Interim chief operating officer Neil Brocklehurst will take over as acting chief executive while the Post Office searches for a permanent replacement.

Mr Read, who was appointed as chief executive in 2019, oversaw the 58m settlement to a group of 555 subpostmasters led by Sir Alan Bates.

However, claimants were said to have been left with only 20,000 each after paying lawyers and the litigation funders.

Saf Ismail was contacted for comment.

A Post Office spokesman said: We never discuss individuals. We take allegations of misconduct seriously and these are thoroughly investigated through fair and established processes.

Former subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates says the Post Offices Horizon IT system is still not fit for purpose - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

It emerged earlier this year that Mr Read faced an internal investigation over bullying allegations. He was later cleared of all misconduct claims in April.

Meanwhile, a new YouGov survey of 16,000 subpostmasters published on Monday found that issues with the Horizon IT system were still causing financial shortfalls on branch accounts.

The survey, commissioned by the Horizon inquiry, found that almost seven in 10 of subpostmasters had encountered unexplained discrepancies on the system since January 2020.

The research also highlighted that nearly half of surveyed applicants who applied to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) were still waiting for a compensation offer.

Former subpostmaster Sir Alan told The Telegraph: I think the survey clearly shows that Horizon is still not fit for purpose, and as we have always said, it has never been fit for purpose.

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.
Posters of VP Kamala Harris, glass of Metro bus stop vandalized in Northwest DC

WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said posters of Kamala Harris and a Metro bus stop in Northwest were vandalized on Saturday morning.

Police said that at about 8:20 a.m., the suspect vandalized items and spray-painted offensive language in the 1100 block of P St.

According to the police report, the suspect went to a bar at the location and spray-painted over posters of Vice President Kamala Harris. They also wrote Trump > Hitler and Harris = Hitler on the glass of a Metro Bus stop near the establishment.

Angela Alsobrooks improperly claimed tax deductions on properties, according to CNN review

MPD is investigating this offense as a potential hate or bias crime. Police said this can change as they investigate and gather more information.

A photograph of the suspect, who was captured by surveillance cameras. (Courtesy: The Metropolitan Police Department)

Anyone with information should call the police at (202) 727-9099 or text the Departments TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.

According to MPD, a designation as a hate crime does not mean that prosecutors will prosecute it as such.

The Special Liaison Branch is helping with 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
A British man was jailed after he admitted publishing Facebook posts that encouraged people to attack a hotel housing asylum seekers and refugees. Social media posts that shared an incomplete video of the verdict, however, misleadingly claimed Jordan Parlour was convicted for making "sarcastic comments" about immigrants.

"A UK man has been jailed for 20 months for making sarcastic comments about immigrants on social media," read a post in simplified Chinese shared on Weibo on August 10, 2024.

It mockingly added that British people "no longer have the right to look down on North Korea".

The post included a short clip showing a judge handing a guilty verdict. He could be heard saying in part: "The sentence is 20 months imprisonment. You will serve up to one-half of your sentence in custody before you are released on licence."

The video has been viewed more than 28,000 times.

Screenshot of the misleading Weibo post, captured on September 19, 2024

The claim was shared the day after a judge in Leeds, northern England, jailed 28-year-old Jordan Parlour for posts encouraging people to attack a hotel in the city housing asylum seekers and refugees.

It was the first case of its kind linked to far-right riots sparked by a July 29 knife attack in which three children were killed, AFP reported.

Officials said false information spread on social media about the suspected perpetrator fuelled the disorder, which saw mosques and migrant-related facilities attacked alongside police and other targets.

Similar claims misrepresenting Parlour's conviction were also shared in Chinese posts on social media platform X, Weibo and Douyin. It also surfaced online in English.

Edited court footage

A reverse search of keyframes, followed by keyword searches, found the clip corresponded to live footage of the court session published by the British newspaper The Times on August 9, 2024 (archived link).

It was taken from the 17:31 mark to the 21:38 mark of the footage published by The Times -- but the judge's explanation of the sentence was omitted in the misleading posts.

In the longer footage, Judge Guy Kearl KC could be heard saying Parlour's Facebook posts met the criminal threshold for stirring racial hatred.

"You were encouraging others to attack a hotel which you knew was occupied by refugees and asylum seekers. The overall effect of your post was to incite violence towards the building and therefore towards those in the hotel," the judge said.

"It was not only the refugees and asylum seekers who were likely to be affected by your post but also the hotel managers, the night porters and those who worked within the hotel."

Below is a screenshot comparison of the clip circulated in misleading posts (left) and a corresponding frame from the longer footage (right):

Screenshot comparison of the video misleadingly shared online (left) and the one published on YouTube by The Times (right)

The transcript of Parlour's sentencing hearing was also published by the UK's Courts and Tribunals Service (archived link).

The Crown Prosecution Service separately said in a statement on August 9 that Parlour was jailed for posting comments "advocating an attack" on the hotel (archived link).
The Duke of Sussex said he believes the phrase mental health should be replaced with mental fitness as he made his debut on stage in New York.

Prince Harry, 40, joined Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award, for a panel discussion about the global mental health crisis.

Dressed in a dark blue suit and matching tie, he appeared nervous as he walked onto the stage at the Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan to rapturous applause.

There was standing room only at the Concordia Annual Summit event and attendees quickly pulled out their phones to capture the royals arrival.

The Duke watched intently as Dr Ojo delivered her opening remarks, stating that she was very grateful for the Dukes presence and describing him as a passionate advocate for mental health.

He actually said to me, as we came in, that actually, we should no longer talk about mental health, we should talk about mental fitness, she said. His dedication to this cause strengthens our mission.

The Duke of Sussex listens on at the Diana Awards - Getty/John Nacion

Prince Harry said mental health was a very, very important subject that affects every single one of us from top to bottom, from the youngest to the oldest.

He hailed the way young winners of the Diana Award were using their voices to bring about change, stating that his late mother would have been immensely proud of them.

The Duke also called upon governments to involve young people in their decision making processes, noting that solutions do exist.

He appeared nervous throughout the 30-minute appearance, repeatedly fiddling with his tie and jacket and shifting in his chair.

The Duke and Dr Ojo were joined on stage by two winners of the Diana Legacy Award, Christina Williams from Jamaica and Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang from Indonesia, taking turns to ask them a series of questions about their work and their hopes for the future.

Surely one of the solutions here is for governments to implement, or at least find people - young people like yourselves - and bring them into decision making, policy-making situations, before the problems exist, Prince Harry said.

Were very good at creating problems for ourselves to try and solve, but surely by bringing young people in at the early stages surely that is where the difference is going to be made.

Why is that not happening?

The Duke also thanked the two award winners for leading the charge in hopefully being able to break down the stigma about mental health.

So many people are looking for solutions, he said. And the fact of the matter is, there are solutions to all of these issues.

I applaud you, certainly at your age, to be on this stage, to have the confidence that you do and to be able to speak as clearly and as passionately as you do.

He added: I know that my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys the way that you do it, your activism, your compassion, those two things are so true to how my mum led her life and what she believed in. And the way that you do it is incredible, so thank you.

The Duke said that the courage shown by the younger generation gave him hope.

Every single one of us needs courage in order to really move the dial and create positive change in todays world, probably more so now than ever, he added.

Now we need to listen, constantly listen, and then act on the advice and the vision that you have because otherwise its your future thats being stolen from you and that is unacceptable.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry have long supported the Diana Award, a charity set up to reflect the late Princesss belief that young people can change the world and the only one to bear her name.

The event was the first of several for Prince Harry, who has travelled to New York without his wife, Meghan, for a series of high profile appearances covering a range of his key interests from conservation to sustainable travel and landmines on the sidelines of the UN General Assemblys high level week.

He later spoke on behalf of the Halo Trust, the charity for which his late mother famously issued a clarion call for action by walking through an Angolan minefield in 1997.

During the event, which was held in partnership with the Angolan government, the Duke described how he walked in my mothers footsteps through the former minefield in Huambo, in 2019.

Where she first walked in 1997, I found a bustling, vibrant town, he said.

Addressing the room, the royal added: Much has changed in my life and the world since 2019 when I first visited Huambo.

In those five years, Ive become a father for the second time, and while you dont need children to have a stake in the future of our planet, I do know that my mother would have been horrified that anyones children or grandchildren live in a world still invested with mines.

Harry also spoke of his resolve to finish the work his mother had started for the charity almost three decades ago.

Carrying on her legacy is a responsibility incredibly seriously, he said, adding: and I think we all know how much shed want us to finish this particular job.

As he ended his remarks, the Duke made a touching tribute to his late mother, suggesting that once the charitys work is complete, she would be able to rest knowing the mission she championed was finished.

Lets renew our commitments and lets finish the job for all our sakes, so we too can look back in awe and relief, and so those who started this recovery and regeneration many years ago can rest knowing that we really did finish the job.

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By Allison Lampert and David Shepardson

(Reuters) -Boeing made a "best and final" pay offer to thousands of striking workers on Monday, but its largest union declined to put it to a vote, saying the planemaker had refused to bargain over the proposal that fell short of members' demands.

The U.S. planemaker offered to reinstate a performance bonus, improve retirement benefits and double a ratification bonus to $6,000 if the workers accept the offer by Friday, according to a letter sent to International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers officials by the company.

Boeing is under intensifying pressure to end the strike that could cost it several billion dollars, fraying the company's already-strained finances and threatening a downgrade of its credit rating.

But IAM District 751 said it would not hold a new vote on the offer, which is contingent on being approved by Friday and was not negotiated with the union.

"Logistically we don't have the ability to set up a vote for 33,000 people in a few days like that anyway. Plus, it missed the mark on many of the things our members said were important to them," said Jon Holden, the president of IAM District 751 who is the lead negotiator on the Boeing contract.

He said the union planned to survey members on Monday evening to get their views on the latest Boeing proposal.

"We are not obligated to vote (on) their offer," Holden said in an interview with Reuters. "We may, down the road. But our hope is that we can get into some discussion so we can actually address the need of our members."

He said the Boeing proposal did not fully address priorities around retirement, wages and other issues.

Boeing said in a statement that its latest offer, which came after unsuccessful federal mediation last week, made significant improvements and addressed feedback from the union and employees.

"We first presented the offer to the union and then transparently shared the details with employees," the company said.

More than 32,000 Boeing workers in Portland and the Seattle area walked off the job on Sept. 13 in the union's first strike since 2008. The workers, who have sought 40% higher pay as well as the restoration of a performance bonus, rejected a previous offer by the company.

The union represents the workers who build Boeing's best-selling 737 MAX and other jets.

Boeing's commercial planes chief Stephanie Pope had told workers before the strike that the company had held nothing back and that its offer at that time was the best deal they would get.

Story continues

"Employees knew Boeing executives could do better, and this shows the workers were right all along," IAM President Brian Bryant said in a statement.

The strike is the latest event in a tumultuous year for the company that began with a January incident in which a door panel detached from a new 737 MAX jet mid-air.

An earlier tentative deal between Boeing and the union that offered a 25% raise over four years and a commitment that a new plane would be manufactured in the Seattle area if it were launched during the four-year agreement was voted down by more than 90% of workers this month.

Boeing has frozen hiring and started furloughs for thousands of U.S. employees to reduce costs amid the strike. Boeing has planned for workers to take one week of furlough every four weeks on a rolling basis for the duration of the strike.

The extensive furloughs show that new CEO Kelly Ortberg is preparing Boeing to weather a prolonged strike that may not be easily resolved given the anger among rank-and-file workers.

North American unions have capitalized on tight labor markets to win hefty contracts at the bargaining table, with mainline pilots, auto workers and others scoring big raises in 2023.

The IAM said that 5,000 of its members in Wichita, Kansas went on strike against Cessna business jet maker Textron starting on Monday.

(Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru, Allison Lampert in Montreal and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Will Dunham and Jamie Freed)
Aaron Wood, 54, has absconded from HMP North Sea Camp in Lincolnshire [Lincolnshire Police]

A police hunt is under way after a man absconded from an open prison in Lincolnshire.

Officers urged the public not to approach Aaron Wood, 54, who is on the run from HMP North Sea Camp in Boston.

He was reported missing from the jail shortly before 08:00 BST on Monday, Lincolnshire Police said.

People have been asked to call 999 if they spot Wood, who is believed to still be in the Boston area but may have connections in the Grimsby area.

He is described as about 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build with brown hair and blue eyes. He has a distinctive scar on his forehead and a tattoo with the words AC/DC on his right forearm.

Police did not provide details of Wood's offending or sentence.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

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Photo by Jim Small | Arizona Mirror

A coalition of Arizona progressive groups are calling on Congress to take swift action on proposed structural reforms they say will provide greater accountability and balance to a broken U.S. Supreme Court that has been captured by dangerous right-wing interests.

In a letter to Arizonas congressional delegation, the 15 progressive groups urged support for the court reforms that President Joe Biden proposed in July. Biden wants Congress to pass 18-year term limits for justices, with a president appointing a new justice every two years, and to approve enforceable conduct and ethics rules that would require disclosure of gifts, bar public political activity and ensure recusal from cases where a justice or their spouse has a financial or political stake.

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The presidents proposal comes as public trust in the high court flags after recent ethics scandals and the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 that bucked popular opinion on abortion. GOP leaders have said Bidens proposal is dead on arrival.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, panned Bidens announcement as a radical overhaul and logical conclusion to the Biden-Harris Administration and Congressional Democrats ongoing efforts to delegitimize the Supreme Court.

It is telling that Democrats want to change the system that has guided our nation since its founding simply because they disagree with some of the Courts recent decisions, he said in a statement shortly after Bidens plan was unveiled.

The Arizona progressive groups said the Supreme Courts recent action allowing a restrictive voter registration law to go into effect in the Grand Canyon State just weeks before the election amounts to a last-ditch effort to suppress the vote that has led to chaos and confusion.

This case is the culmination of a 50-year project on the right to capture the courts with partisans who will rule not based on the law, but based on political affiliation, the groups wrote.

And that followed a ruling earlier in the summer granting broad immunity protections to former President Donald Trump, who is facing a swath of state and federal criminal charges for his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election he lost to Biden and the subsequent failed insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trumps supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to block Congress from certifying Bidens victory.

The justices dropped their facade of nonpartisanship, and what we have known for too long became irrefutable: The U.S. Supreme Court has been captured by dangerous right-wing interests and those intent on brandishing the law as a political weapon to advance their dangerous agenda over the will of the people, the groups wrote.

Arizonans cannot afford to see their rights eroded and their basic liberties thrown into chaos because of repeated unchecked judicial overreach from the nations highest court, said Stasha Rhodes, the campaign director of United for Democracy, a nationwide coalition of grassroots organizations, labor unions, and advocates for progressive causes that organized the Arizona letter.

The groups that signed the letter are: Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Advocates; Arizona Faith Network; Arizona Jobs With Justice; Arizona NAACP State Conference; Civic Engagement Beyond Voting; Common Defense; Empowering Arizona, Inc; Fuerte Arts Movement; Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA); National Council of Jewish Women Arizona; Progress Arizona; Promise Arizona; Reproductive Freedom For All Arizona; Supermajority; and Worker Power.

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The Labour government said it had become clear the last governments New Hospital Programme had become undeliverable and unaffordable [Richard Whitehouse/LDRS]

A project to build a new Women's and Children's Hospital in Cornwall is in doubt, after the government announced a review.

The planned building was expected to cost 291m and was scheduled for completion by 2028 as part of the New Hospital Programme announced by the Conservative government in 2019.

The scheme at the Royal Cornwall Hospital (RCH) in Truro is one of 25 planned new hospitals now in doubt following an announcement by Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

He said the hospital building programme had become "undeliverable" and "unaffordable".

The project was due to combine maternity, neonatal, paediatric and obstetric and gynaecology services into one building, serving as the new main entrance for the RCH.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cornwalls six MPs, including its four Labour members, are said to be "shocked and disappointed" by the news.

Other south west hospitals with schemes facing review include Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple and Torbay Hospital.

'Urgent internal review'

In a letter to MPs, Streeting said the new government is "fully committed to an NHS estate that is fit for the future".

"However, from our first weeks in office, it was clear that the New Hospital Programme (NHP) was undeliverable, unaffordable, and estimated costs had risen by billions."

He added: "We must reset the NHP to put it on a sustainable footing. For this reason, I requested an urgent internal review of all hospitals in the NHP."

A spokesperson for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Building the new Women and Childrens Hospital is a top priority for us as our population deserves to have high quality healthcare provided in equally high quality, safe and modern facilities.

"Whilst we are disappointed plans for our project are among those to be reviewed by Government, we are hopeful the progress made so far will put us in a strong position to ensure we are prioritised to proceed with our scheme as soon as possible."

Andrew George MP has written to the health secretary [BBC]

The trust added it welcomed the support of the local MPs.

Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, has written to Mr Streeting saying "how alarmed" he and his colleagues are at the news.

"As well as being extremely unwelcome to the six of us, your letter will cause dismay not only amongst our NHS colleagues, but also the wider community, whose hopes had been cruelly raised by the promises of the previous government.

"The news is both shocking and disappointing."

Mr George added in his letter: "You imply that youd be willing to meet us.

"On behalf of Cornwalls six MPs, Id like to lodge a request to meet as soon as possible to ensure your department and you are aware just how critical this project is for our population."

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Plans for the latest development sites for offshore wind have been published [BBC]

Proposals to expand planned wind farm sites off the Devon and Cornwall coast could devastate the fishing industry, fishermen have warned.

It comes after the Crown Estate, which owns the sea bed, published its latest map of potential development zones.

It includes thousands of square miles off Land's End and the Isles of Scilly, currently prime fishing grounds, and an expanded zone off north Devon.

The Crown Estate said it would be seeking views "from across industry and marine stakeholders" during the initial process and it had already "engaged directly" with fisheries.

The Crown Estate published its latest map of potential development sites for offshore wind farms [Seafish]

Dave Stevens, who has fished off Newlyn for 30 years, said new offshore wind development would not be good for the industry.

"It would be a devastating blow if that went ahead," he said.

"Everyone would be wanting to get out.

"I don't think the industry has been this challenged ever."

Chris Ranford, chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, added: "We aren't anti-offshore renewable energy, we're not anti-marine protected area. We're pro having some sense and balance."

Steve Jermy, chief executive of Celtic Sea Power, who has been involved in the project since the start, cautioned it was still "very early days".

He said: "What I'd like to do is reassure people... the danger is we get into an 'us' and 'them'.

"It really would be such a mistake. I'd much rather think about it as one and all."

'Countless new opportunities'

The Crown Estate said "offshore wind has a critical role to play in supporting the UK's energy transition".

It said the sector created "countless new opportunities within communities for skills and jobs, both onshore and at sea".

"The seabed is subject to a wide range of competing and complementary demands, which is why we have set out our initial thinking on how, and where, the future deployment of offshore wind might be possible, taking into account the needs of different sectors  including fishing  and the natural environment."

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said it would "continue to work with colleagues across government and the Crown Estate to manage the demands on sea" by "releasing nature's recovery, supporting our fishers and renewables sectors".

Follow BBC Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.

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Providence middle school teacher held without bail on sex assault, pornography charges

PROVIDENCE  A Providence middle school teacher was ordered held without bail following his arraignment Monday on sexual assault and pornography charges in District Court, Providence, according to court records.

Joseph Gannon, 50, was arrested at about noon Friday at Nathanael Greene Middle School, according to Josh Estrella, a spokesman for Brett Smiley.

Gannon entered no plea Monday during his arraignment on charges of first-degree sexual assault and producing child pornography, according to court records.

Judge Stephen M. Isherwood also imposed a no-contact order and scheduled a status conference for Sept. 30.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence teacher charged with sex assault, child pornography
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Twenty-two people have been arrested in connection with an illegal drug ring in Providence.

Col. Oscar Perez and Mayor Brett Smiley said the suspects, ranging in age from 18 to 64, are facing charges including unlawful delivery of cocaine and conspiracy.

Since taking office I have prioritized investments and strategies that elevate public safety, improve behavioral health supports and promote nonviolence throughout Downtown and across our city, Smiley said.

During the months-long investigation, police say the drugs were distributed in the Kennedy Plaza area.

According to police, 14 were previously charged with a felony or for violent crimes, and 10 were probation violators. Douglas Nalls, 31, was also arrested in last years drug bust, police added.

The illegal possession and distribution of narcotics in Providence is not tolerated and this milestone investigation should send a clear message to our community that individuals who engage in unlawful activity will be held accountable, Perez said.

Smiley added that the city is committed to helping those with addiction.

ALSO READ: 25 facing charges in Kennedy Plaza drug sweep

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  A Providence middle school teacher appeared in court Monday morning on charges of first-degree sexual assault and producing child pornography.

Joseph Gannon, 50, of Warwick, is a certified general science teacher for grades 7-12 at Nathanael Greene Middle School, according to the R.I. Department of Educations public educator verification portal.

Target 12 confirmed that Gannon was arrested Friday at the school in response to allegations of criminal misconduct, per a letter from Providence Public Schools.

A booking photo of Joseph Gannnon.

The letter said that Gannon was placed on administrative leave, and the district filed a suspected child abuse or neglect report with the R.I. Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

MORE: Police arrest Providence teacher for child porn, sexual assault

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez told 12 News the victim came into their station and made a complaint, prompting an investigation that resulted in Gannons arrest. Perez said the incident happened six years ago and the victim is now an adult.

While the complaint does not specify the date of the alleged offenses, the accusations were reported on Sept. 19 of this year.

At Gannons arraignment, he waived the reading of the facts of the case and no plea was entered on either charge.

The judge ordered Gannon held without bail and issued a no-contact order between him and the victim. Gannon is due back in court on Sept. 30 for a bail hearing.

Watch: Providence police chief comments on teachers arrest

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The headquarters of History Nebraska (formerly called the Nebraska State Historical Society) is just north of downtown Lincoln. The agency changed its name to History Nebraska in 2018. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Beginning Oct. 7, the public will have more opportunity to peruse the files of the Nebraska State Historical Society for research purposes.

Visiting hours at the James E. Potter Research Room are being expanded, with the room to open on weekdays, except Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Previously, the room had been open only one morning a week in a controversial move by former Historical Society Director Trevor Jones.

Restoring more access to the research room is among the stated goals of the recently named interim director, Cindy Drake.

In a press release, Drake said that while many of the societys history and genealogy materials are online, a very large portion is only available in person.

These new hours better serve researchers, students, and the public as a whole, she said.

Books, maps and newspapers, as well as the Nebraska State Archives, which include unpublished manuscripts, photographs, film/audio and public records, are available at the research room. Trained staffers are available to direct researchers to materials.

For more information, visit https://history.nebraska.gov.

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(Getty Images)

Opportunity in education. Effective education options for every child. Stimulating educational environments. This is what we want for every North Dakota student.

And thats what our elected leaders want, too.

But restructuring North Dakotas K-12 public education system to a school choice model, as the Legislatures interim Education Committee and a separate school choice task force have been discussing, is a bad idea.

In communities across the country, private school advocates have been pushing school choice models, such as voucher systems where the state helps pay for a students private education, as a cure-all for any deficiencies in our public education system. They claim that this model is a way to empower parents to get the best educational opportunities for their children.

But school choice is a catch-all phrase that covers a variety of efforts to effectively privatize public education by diverting public education funds to private sources  and its not the universal remedy to improve our public education system that proponents claim it to be. And privatizing public education in this way has serious consequences for students, civil rights, equality and religious liberty.

As an initial matter, decades of studies show that vouchers generally do not improve educational outcomes. For example, an evaluation of the D.C. Scholarship Opportunity Program found a statistically significant negative impact on math achievement for voucher students overall. Likewise, kindergarten through fifth grade students, who comprise the majority of the students in the program, were hampered by statistically significant negative impacts in both reading and math. Meanwhile, participation in the voucher program had no statistically significant effect on student or parent satisfaction or students perception of safety.

Additionally, a Wall Street Journal analysis of a program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, found that vouchers worked best when enrollment from voucher students was kept low. However, [a]s the percentage of voucher students rises, the returns diminish until the point when there is little difference between the performance of public and private institutions. And [t]he vast majority of private schools participating in the program today have high percentages of publicly funded students. In other words, to be even mildly successful, voucher programs will not be able to assist all students. They cannot be the cure-all that proponents promise because the more voucher students a school takes on, the greater the negative impact on students academic performance.

Academics aside, however, civil rights protections are also undermined by school choice voucher programs. Private voucher schools do not have the same obligations as public schools under federal law to protect students from harassment and discrimination. Unlike public schools, private voucher schools can discriminate against students based on their religion, LGBTQ+ status, disability, academic achievement and disciplinary history. Students in voucher schools also lose key First Amendment rights, due process rights, and other rights protected by the U.S. Constitution in public schools.

Many voucher schools, moreover, are religious. Schools not only discriminate against students and employees based on religion and other grounds, but they also do not have to meet the same curricular requirements that public schools do. Many religious schools, for example, teach creationism in science class. They also incorporate religious worship into the curriculum in the form of chapel, daily prayer or daily scriptural readings and infringe upon basic principles of religious liberty by providing public funds for sectarian proselytizing.

While we applaud the interim Education Committee for doing its due diligence and studying the issue, North Dakotas public schools need more support, not less. Our shared public dollars should support North Dakota public school students, not private institutions. True educational opportunity does not come from a program that takes public money to support schools that can discriminate and indoctrinate.
Puget Sound Honor Flight connects Washington veterans to the memorials that honor them

From Seattle to Washington D.C., western Washington veterans flew to the nations capital as an honor for their service and sacrifice to our country.

Since 2013, Puget Sound Honor Flight has been making the trip possible for so many veterans in western Washington.

Recently, the Director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) had the opportunity to experience the deep emotions of our states veterans as they experience the various memorials built in their honor.

Witnessing the emotions and reflections of our veterans as they visited these sacred sites was truly humbling, wrote David Puente, director at WDVA. Their stories of courage and resilience are a testament to the strength and spirit of our nation.

Veterans from World War II, Korea and the Vietnam War have traveled with guardians and volunteers to the various veteran memorials around D.C. as a thank-you for their sacrifice.

Puget Sound Honor Flights made their third trip this year with the support of businesses, veteran organizations and community volunteers.

A heartfelt thank you to Puget Sound Honor Flight for making this trip possible and for our communitys unwavering support of the PSHF to assist in honoring our heroes, Puentes said. Together, we continue to celebrate and remember the incredible contributions of our veterans.

To date, 1,542 veterans have taken the flight since 2023, with 454 currently waiting for the opportunity.

One more flight is scheduled for October 2024.




Boeing announced Monday that it had made a best and final offer to striking union machinists, proposing larger raises and bonuses in an effort to end a strike that began on September 13.

The revised offer includes a 30% pay raise over four years, an increase from the 25% raise in the previously rejected proposal.

Boeings latest offer highlights the companys urgency in resolving the strike involving about 33,000 machinists who assemble some of Boeings best-selling planes.

The new proposal also doubles the size of ratification bonuses to $6,000 and maintains annual productivity bonuses.

However, the offer does not restore a traditional pension plan, a significant point of contention that led 94.6% of union members to reject the earlier contract.

The companys latest offer is contingent on members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voting to ratify the contract by Friday night, as the strike will then be over two weeks old.

Boeing has been feeling the financial impact of the strike, introducing rolling furloughs for nonunion employees and freezing hiring to cut costs.

Meanwhile, striking workers are also under financial pressure, as they received their final paychecks last week and will lose company-provided health insurance by the end of the month.

The company reiterated a commitment to build its next new airliner in the Seattle area, a key provision for union leaders.

Boeings production of 737s, 777s, and 767s has halted due to the strike, though work on the 787 continues in South Carolina with nonunion employees.

In response to Boeings offer, IAM President Brian Bryant released the following statement:

Right now, the latest proposal from the company is being reviewed. Some of the top priorities to achieve a settlement remain and always have been ensuring respect and fair pay, recognition of the sacrifices these workers have made, along with progress on retirement security and other key issues. Boeing executives have always known they could do better and this proposal shows the company can do better. This news validates every step that hardworking Boeing employees have taken on the picket line thus far. Employees knew Boeing executives could do better, and this shows the workers were right all along. The proposal will be analyzed to see if its up to the task of helping workers gain adequate ground on prior sacrifices.

Source: Associated Press
Severe damp in classrooms, crumbling brickwork, mould on childrens toys, holes in the ceilings, and mice infestations.

These are just some of the issues with the 135 year old building occupied by Holy Family Primary in Magherafelt.

It currently caters for 580 pupils from over 20 nationalities, but its principal says its ageing infrastructure is now becoming a health and safety issue.

The school has been lobbying for government funding for a new building for years, but it is currently not on the list of schools approved for new builds.

Several of the classrooms are covered in damp and mould [BBC]

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: The minister is acutely aware of the need for enhanced capital investment across the school estate and will continue to make the case for additional capital funding for Education."

New figures obtained by BBC News NI show that there are more than 80 schools across Northern Ireland that have had new builds approved, but work is yet to be completed.

Almost 40% are only in the design stages, and a further 25% are currently on hold.

Education Minister Paul Givan says a big part of the problem is a lack of budget.

Speaking to BBC News NI during a visit at Holy Family Primary School last week, he said: Holy Family is like many schools; it needs investment, and I am currently making the case with my executive colleagues for that additional funding.

I would love for the next time I visit Holy Family; I could say there is a new process available where they can apply and be considered, but at the moment, were not in that position, but I do want to change that.

Givan said he recently met the finance minister to ask for greater investment in the school estate.

Many of the school toys are covered in mould after being kept in stores that are covered in damp [BBC]

Mice problem

Principal John McCormack emphasised the importance of the ministers visit and the urgent need for new facilities.

He said: We really just feel sorry for our kids who have to try and learn in these conditions, breathing in the smell of damp and water coming through the ceilings, and it was important to show the minister what were dealing with.

Also we have a number of mobiles that are falling apart and have holes in them, and during the winter we have a problem with mice in them; thats just the reality of the situation were in.

Holy Family School Principal John McCormack examining a leak in the school roof [BBC]

Mary McDermott is a teacher in the school; her classroom ceiling is covered in mould and damp.

The smell hits you as soon as you enter the classroom, and the toys we have in the storeroom are now completely covered in mould," she said.

My classroom assistant actually puts on a mask now before shell go into the storeroom; thats how bad the mould smell is.

Staff say holes in the schools mobiles allow mice to get in [BBC]

Holy Family Primary School first opened 135 years ago, and parts of the original building are still used by the school.

In recent years the school has seen an increase in newcomer pupils.

The term refers to a pupil who is often originally from outside the UK and does not initially speak the same language as their class teacher as a result.

'We need a new school'

Khalid Helal came to Northern Ireland from Syria in 2017 with this wife and three children.

His children are now in secondary school, but initially attended Holy Family.

Khalid now works at the school, helping and assisting some of the newcomer pupils.

He said: This school is a part of the Magherafelt history, but its very old; we need to think of the future of it.

It always needs fixing and maintenance, and its continuing to grow, so the problem will only get worse."

Khalid and Violeta both work in the school [BBC]

Violeta Samsurina from Lithuania also works in the school and her son is a past pupil.

She said: We just need a new building, I actually think its dangerous with all the mould and damp, because we have children who have asthma.

The children are our priority and they deserve to be educated in a safe environment.

The school ceiling has holes caused by damp [BBC]

A spokesperson for the Department of Finance said its minister has consistently called out the underfunding of public services and they have made the case to the new British Government, to prioritise investment in public services including capital investment.

The Department of Education said: In regard to Holy Family PS, any significant health and safety risks will be prioritised and addressed by Education Authority (EA) Maintenance Service.

The department will commission condition and structural reports on the mobiles to enable decision making on whether they are structurally sound and fit for purpose.
An investigation is underway after three juveniles crashed a stolen car into the Kingston Fire Department during an attempt to evade police early Monday morning, authorities said.

A Kingston resident called 911 just after 1 a.m. and reported that three masked individuals, possibly armed with knives and firearms, had threatened to assault them and were heading to another home on Nottingham Drive to assault someone else, according to the Kingston Police Department.

Officers responding to the home in question spotted the individuals changing their clothes in a vehicle near the callers home. When an officer attempted a motor vehicle stop, police said the vehicle fled.

A subsequent pursuit that lasted two minutes and spanned two miles ended when the vehicle veered off the side of Route 27 and careened into Station One of the fire department at 105 Pembroke Street, causing extensive damage, according to police.

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In a statement, the police department said, The vehicle struck the fire station in such a way that it severely damaged the generator and portions of the building. Power was temporarily lost in the area and powerlines overhead caught fire.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver was unlicensed and had stolen a white Mercedes sedan from a family member. They were taken into custody and hospitalized for the treatment of minor injuries.

Police arent releasing the names of those involved in the pursuit and crash because the operator of the vehicle and two other suspects are all juveniles. They are expected to face various motor vehicle and assault charges.

The road was closed for hours after the crash and Eversource was called to the scene to ensure the area was safe. Full operations at the fire department have since been restored.

There were no serious injuries reported.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The Kremlin has started realising that the West is not succumbing to nuclear threats and Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been seeking new ways to enforce his red lines.

Source: The Washington Post

Details: At the beginning of September, Putin warned that if the West approved Ukraine's strikes deep into Russia, it would mean Moscow was at war with NATO. Therefore, Russian propagandists began threatening the use of nuclear weapons again.

However, within the Kremlin, there is a growing understanding that the repeated use of nuclear threats is starting to lose its effectiveness, as Moscow's red lines are continuously being crossed. Analysts and officials close to Russian diplomats indicate that instead, Putin is seeking a more measured and limited response from the West if it allows Ukraine to use longer-range missiles to strike Russia.

"There has been an overflow of nuclear threats," said a Russian official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic. "There is already immunity to such statements, and they dont frighten anyone."

A Russian academic with close ties to senior Russian diplomats concurred, calling the nuclear option "the least possible" scenario, "because it really would lead to dissatisfaction among Russias partners in the Global South and also because clearly, from a military point of view, it is not very effective".

"All this discussion of the nuclear threshold overexaggerates the threat of such a type of escalation and underestimates the possibility of alternative options," the academic added. "Since the West has a global military infrastructure a lot of vulnerable points can be found."

Tatiana Stanovaya, the founder of France-based political consultancy R-Politik, believes that Putin is exploring various options to curb Western support for Ukraine and to try to ensure that his red lines are respected. "There are options he doesnt want to deploy, and there are options he is ready to review today," she said, noting that he views nuclear weapons as the "worst option for everyone including for himself".

Nuclear measures or a direct attack on NATO territory would only be considered if "Putin feels there is a threat to the existence of Russia in its current form, when he considers there is no other way out," she stated. "For such a situation, the West should go a lot further than what it is discussing now."

Russian officials already seem somewhat reassured by the apparent hesitation of the US regarding lifting restrictions on Ukraine's strikes against military targets deep within Russia using Western missiles. Analysts and officials said there was an increasing expectation that if permission is granted, it will be "very limited".

However, Putin is still under pressure to respond in some way and to prevent the ongoing crossing of his red lines.

"There is an understanding that the red lines drawn by Moscow are being ignored by the West, and there should be weightier and more significant steps from Moscow to demonstrate the seriousness of its intentions," the academic said.

Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College in London, supposed that Moscow could respond with sabotage operations against military facilities or other infrastructure in the West, where Russia's involvement would be hard to prove. It might also turn to proxy groups already fighting against Western interests, such as the Houthi militia in Yemen, which attacks vessels in the Red Sea.

"He doesnt want to turn into anything dramatic or drastic, in the sense of nuclear, or direct fighting between our troops and his troops, but [that] doesnt mean to say that theres not something serious going on," Freedman stated.

Kremlin-affiliated political scientist Sergei Markov said that, among the upper echelons of the Russian military, there is a growing awareness that "Russia has spoiled the West, and that we have spoken a lot about red lines but we havent done anything. At some point we will have to escalate."

Markov suggested that possible responses could include closing the UK embassy in Moscow and striking air bases in Poland and Romania, where F-16 fighters deployed by Ukraine are based. "Since Russia is sure that at some point strikes on Moscow will definitely happen, then we need to hit first," he said.

Markov added that Putin might try to ramp up threatening rhetoric and play the "golden card", escalating tensions ahead of the elections. "If Putin escalates, then the US will fear nuclear war and Trump will win."

Freedman also noted that Putin's nuclear threats are deliberately ambiguous to heighten the sense of danger. "It sounds menacing, but he never actually is very specific about what hes going to do. He allows us to make our own interpretations, and people interpret the worst."

Stanovaya pointed out that as the effectiveness of this approach diminishes, Putin has yet to come up with a replacement and uncertainty is increasing as "no one understands" what response Putin will ultimately choose for each specific action. "I think Putin doesnt understand either," she emphasised.

Background:

On 22 September, the member states of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the United States, Australia, India and Japan) expressed their strong disapproval of Russia's possible use or mere threat of use of nuclear weapons.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who is stepping down at the end of September, is sceptical about Putin's warning amid discussions about allowing Ukraine to launch long-range strikes against Russia.

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The Moray West offshore wind off Scotland is comprised of 60 wind turbines that will generate a total capacity of 882 megawatts when completed in 2025. (Courtesy of Ocean Winds)

A proposal to run underwater power lines from a Massachusetts offshore wind farm through Rhode Island waters is back before state regulators, following a 14-month pause.

The Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board voted unanimously Monday to resume consideration of SouthCoast Wind Energy LLCs application to run transmission lines from its wind farm 30 miles south of Marthas Vineyard up the Sakonnet River, over Portsmouth and out Mount Hope Bay to reach land in Somerset.

The 149-turbine array proposed for federal waters 60 miles south of the Rhode Island coastline is governed largely by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. But Rhode Island agencies also have a say over the portion of underwater transmission lines in state waters.

The initial, 1,200 megawatt SouthCoast Wind Farm would have supplied all of its power to Massachusetts under agreements inked in 2019. But in June 2023, the developer walked away from those agreements, citing rising project costs and the need for a more favorable deal. In turn, the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board opted to halt its review of the transmission line component.

The boards July 2023 decision to set aside the application required the Spanish developer to submit new documents proving it had new, tentative agreements in place for its project. Which is exactly what was turned in on Sept. 11, following results of a regional competitive solicitation in which SouthCoast won bids in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The project itself remains largely the same: up to 147 turbines providing up to 1,287 megawatts of wind-generated electricity. The bulk of the power  1,087 megawatts  would be funneled to Massachusetts, while Rhode Island has agreed to buy the remaining 200 megawatts, under tentative agreements announced by both states on Sept. 6. The project again relies on 2-mile-long, high-voltage cables to transfer the wind energy along Aquidneck Island before making landfall at Massachusetts Brayton Point.

New project pricing has not been made public, but is expected to be revealed when, and if, contracts are finalized and details submitted to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, likely at the end of the year.

In the meantime, various state and local agencies have four months to submit advisory opinions to the Energy Facility Siting Board regarding the transmission line component. The prior proposal drew criticism from area fishermen over potential disruption to key fishing grounds. The towns of Portsmouth, Middletown and Little Compton also cited potential concerns over the safety, noise and traffic created during construction, though Portsmouths Town Council in January signed an agreement giving the developer access to its land in exchange for $23 million over the next 33 years.

A separate regulatory body, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, also approved the transmission line component of the project, imposing a set of conditions aimed at minimizing environmental harm and impacts to fishermen as part of its December 2023 decision. A separate permit application with the same agency remains under review by the CRMC.

Advisory agencies typically have six months to make their recommendations to the Energy Facility Siting Board. The four-month deadline approved by the board was based on the developers request for a speedier review.

Ronald Gerwatowski, chairman of the Energy Facility Siting Board, acknowledged the need to pick up the pace after a more than yearlong delay.

I think its sending the signal that this project is important, he said.

Jennifer Flood, head of permitting for Ocean Winds North America, the Spanish company behind the project, said in a statement Monday afternoon that the developer looks forward to resuming the review process.

The SouthCoast Wind project is vital to Rhode Islands and Massachusetts goals of increasing grid reliability, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, prioritizing the development of clean energy resources, and creating economic growth, Flood said.

The company expects to begin construction on its project in late 2025, pending federal, state and local permits, with a 2030 completion date.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A lecture series coming to a Kent County library will examine the political radical middle.

Bridging Political Divides: Exploring the Radical Middle is a three-part series put on by the Kent District Library and the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The two organizations have partnered up to host free lecture series for almost 10 years, with past topics including Indigenous rights, water safety and urban planning.

We just thought this would be a really good time  the month of October leading into the election  to have a series on the radical middle,' Hennie Vaandrager, programming and outreach manager at Kent District Library, said. The majority of people are not resonating with the extreme left or the extreme right, but find themselves in the middle.

Survey: 1 in 3 voters wont trust election results unless their candidate wins

According to KDL, almost 85% of Americans are dissatisfied with todays politics and government.

A 2023 Pew Research Center survey that polled around 8,400 people last July found a growing number of people dislike both the Democratic and Republican parties. It found that 28% of the public has an unfavorable opinion of both parties. In 1994, that share of Americans was only at 6%. The study also found that 86% believe both parties are focused more on fighting the other side than they are on solving issues.

Erica Kubik, the director of programming at the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, said the series will look at the history of the political sphere in the U.S. over the last four decades.

Were not just saying, Oh, well, this is just something that came out in the last few election cycles,' she said. Theres a long history in which we are seeing these trends of people becoming more and more divided.

New poll shows presidential race in Michigan still close

Kubik noted that polarization is happening in Western democracies worldwide, and it can lead to issues like potential government shutdowns.

Nobody wants a shutdown right before an election, or really any time. And yet we see, to score political points, things like that happening, she said. When we start to see this polarization, we lose trust in our government and our government doesnt work for us in the ways that we have expected it to in the past.

She said the title for the series came from a longtime volunteer at her organization.

(She) was talking about how its hard for her to engage with her dad on political issues because sometimes theyre talking from two different spaces, Kubik said. She just says, We need to bring back the radical middle so we can all just have conversations again.'

The series will look at everything from the frustrated majority and the impact of misinformation online to how voters can make sure elections are fair and accessible. It will take place on Tuesdays starting Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kentwood KDL branch. The event is free and registration is not required.

Write Michigan: Statewide short story contest accepting entries

On Oct. 1, hear from Calvin University Professor Emeritus and Senior Research Fellow Doug Koopman, Ph.D., on some of the ways to evaluate candidates, along with strategies that could be used to improve the trust in and function of the government.

Paul M. Barrett, the deputy director and senior research scholar for New York Universitys Stern School of Business Center for Business and Human Rights, will talk about how misinformation can be combated online on Oct. 8.

To wrap up the series on Oct. 15, Republican Tonya Schuitmaker and Democrat Christine Greig with Michiganders for Civic Resilience will discuss restoring civil discourse, mitigating political violence and assuring accountability, especially in elections. Attendees will also hear practical strategies for political engagement.

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The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), the quarter-century old law that compensates Americans sickened by U.S. nuclear testing, expired this summer, but two Native American women are keeping up the fight, even if they have to fund the effort themselves.

Loretta Anderson of the Pueblo of Laguna and Maggie Billiman of the Sawmill Chapter of the Navajo Nation have raised funds to travel back to Washington from the Southwest on Tuesday and lobby Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to bring a reauthorization bill that already passed the Senate to the House floor.

Anderson told The Hill recently she was first introduced to the RECA issue while working with retired uranium miners through a home health care business. Many of the miners, she said, had been working after 1971, the cutoff for benefits under the original RECA.

There was nothing available for them, Anderson said.

The original law, passed in 1990, offered benefits of $50,000 to Americans downwind of the Nevada nuclear testing ground, $100,000 for uranium miners and $75,000 to nuclear weapons testing workers.

But advocates say several categories of people affected by testing and its aftereffects fell through the cracks. In addition to post-1971 uranium miners, RECA also did not offer benefits to those downwind of the 1945 Trinity atomic bomb test, or to those affected by the contamination by wartime uranium refinement of Coldwater Creek in St. Louis, an issue that led current Missouri Sens. Josh Hawley (R) and Eric Schmitt (R) to join the efforts.

Based on these conversations, Anderson said, I decided to get a meeting going.  It started out pretty small, [but] soon we had 50 people.

Its been a challenge and a wonderful adventure, she said. I think everything from being a supervisor to different organizations, being a part of them, it brought me to where I am, working good and hard.

Billiman, meanwhile, is the daughter of a World War II-era Navajo Code Talker who died of stomach cancer she attributes to the aftereffects of nuclear fallout from testing in the area. Being motivated by the loss, she said, is why I had this fight in me.

The aftereffects of Cold War and World War II nuclear testing and weapons development have been particularly harmful for Native American communities in the American Southwest.

In addition to wartime testing, the Navajo Nation still suffers from the effect of the Church Rock incident from when Billiman was a teenager, a 1979 accident in which a dam that included a reservoir for uranium waste disposal broke, releasing nearly 100 million gallons of radioactive wastewater that largely ended up in the Navajo Nation.

A bipartisan bill to reauthorize RECA and expand its coverage to several more states passed the Senate by a 2-to-1 ratio in March. However, Johnson has yet to bring the bill to the House floor, with sources familiar with his thinking saying he has concerns about the cost and whether the legislation  which passed with less than half of the Senate Republican caucus  would have the votes in the GOP-controlled House.

A separate measure, introduced by Utah Sens. Mike Lee (R) and Mitt Romney (R), would have extended the law but with no expansion of its coverage. Both Lee and Romney voted against the broader Senate-passed bill.

Johnson scheduled a House vote on the Lee-Romney legislation but pulled it from the schedule amid bipartisan and bicameral opposition. In the meantime, RECAs authorization expired in June.

Billiman told The Hill the law sunsetting has done nothing to blunt their drive.

Its a positive thing right now, [the motivation] to revive it, she said. Were not going to let this die; were not going to let it go. Its expired, and we need to get this bill passed. It needs to be done.

Weve come together to organize this, Anderson said. We have come together with a dream that, maybe lets protest instead of just sitting back and allowing this to disappear and nothing happen. We need to do something.

Billiman and Anderson are set to join other activists in a lobbying blitz on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that will include an attempt to get another meeting with Johnson.

Many of our people have testified; weve had hundreds and hundreds of stories of our people who are sick and dying and suffering, Anderson said.

Billiman said the continual struggle to get RECA expanded has echoes in their warrior heritage as Native American people.

Were called warriors, [and] theres a reason behind that. Its not fistfights or cussing out somebody, but rather a broader refusal to back down or take no for an answer on an issue this important, she said.

If I had to tell Mike Johnson, I would tell him if it wasnt for my dad, we wouldnt even be here.

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

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Are you heading to The Banks on Monday to watch the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Washington Commanders? Rain is entering the forecast Monday night but the chance of precipitation is low at game time. The temperature is expected to peak in the mid-80s and be in the 70s at game time.

According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, there is a chance of rain on Monday as a cold front slowly presses south through the region. However, much of the coverage area will likely remain dry. Highs will range from the mid-70s in the northwest to the mid-80s in the south.

Showers and thunderstorms will move into the Ohio Valley region late Monday night into Tuesday. The main threat will be damaging winds.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will taper off Tuesday night. A low probability of precipitation will remain in the forecast through Thursday.

Temperatures this week will be fairly seasonable with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s.

We will see a return to more seasonable temperatures this week. Highs today will be in the mid 70s to lower 80s. pic.twitter.com/q2n4zhvkZg  NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) September 23, 2024

Detailed 7-day Cincinnati weather forecast

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Monday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 66. Calm wind. The chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 81. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 63. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Light southwest wind. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 63. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: A chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Source: National Weather Service, Wilmington.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati weather: Check forecast for Bengals vs. Commanders game
QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

Today: Clouds skies, high 80

Tonight: Rain showers, low 65

Tuesday: Chance of t-storms, high 78 (64)

Wednesday: Few showers, high 79 (63)

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high 80 (65)

Friday: Late showers, high 82 (66)

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

We saw some much needed rain yesterday and last night. Now we are feeling much cooler temperatures across central Ohio. Conditions will stay fairly seasonable, and more rain showers are on their way soon.

Thanks to the cold front that moved though last night, it is noticeably cooler. Today temperatures are only expected to reach the low 80s. This is still a bit above average for this time of year. Skies are expected to stay mostly cloudy thought the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Tonight our next round of rain showers are expected to arrive in central Ohio. These showers will be on and off and will bring a rumble of thunder or two. Lows will only fall to the mid 60s and it will still feel muggy outside.

More rain showers will fall between tomorrow and Wednesday. There is a marginal risk for severe weather with isolated areas seeing strong wind gusts. Some areas of central Ohio may see another 0.25-0.50 inches of rain.

There will be a few other opportunities for showers during the second half of the week by way of the tropics. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which expected to be named Helene soon, will try and bring additional rain showers on Friday. All of this rain will only put a minor dent into our precipitation deficits, but it is still more than welcomed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Rape victim sues trendy NYC club whose promoter attacked the then-college student on first day of work

A college student who was brutally raped by a club promoter on her first day of work at a swanky Midtown bar is suing him and the business, saying it failed to protect her from the sicko predator.

The woman  a former dance major who filed her suit anonymously in Queens Supreme Court last week  says trendy Blue Midtown and the company Dream Hospitality is legally liable for her rape by since-two-time-convicted rapist and club manager and promoter Christopher Macias in September 2021.

Just two weeks before the plaintiff was attacked, Macias raped another college student, a freshman, inside his car, her suit notes.

A woman is suing Manhattan bar Blue Midtown and company Dream Hospitality, after she was raped by promoter Christopher Macias in September 2021. Steven Hirsch

I showed up as an employee, ready to work, bright eyed, full of hope, and I left scarred, traumatized and victimized by him, said the plaintiff, a college senior at the time, to The Post. And thats at fault of these clubs and of these people that are hiring him and allowing him into a place of position.

In the nightlife industry in New York City, its all too common, she said of such horrific situations.

The woman and her lawyer said the nightlife world needs to do a better job of protecting its workers.

We hope this lawsuit will send a clear message to employers that they have a responsibility to protect their employees from sexual harassment and assault, said the victims lawyer, Mark Shirian. No one should have to endure the trauma and pain that our client has suffered.

The woman added that she wants all employees to be more aware of how people in power can take advantage of others.

Chris Macias was convicted in January of raping the plaintiff and another college student in a separate attack two weeks earlier and is now serving an 18 years-to-life sentence in state prison.

She recalled for The Post how her first  and only  day at the club began with Macias showing off his rolodex of industry players as he showed her around.

He knew what my goals were, she said. He knew what I wanted to achieve. And he kind of used that in a way to make me trust him and make me feel like I had to, you know, stick with him if I wanted to be successful.

She said that in retrospect, he knew exactly what he needed to do in order to make me, you know, trust him.

The plaintiffs first day working at Midtown Blue ended with her supervisor raping her. bluemidtown/Instagram

According to the victims lawyer, the lawsuits aims to send a message to the nightclub industry that it has a responsibility to protect employees. bacallsnyc/Instagram

At the end of her shift after 4 a.m., Macias offered her a ride home, she said. On the way, he pulled off onto a quiet West Village street, where he raped her twice, the woman said. She fought back, and Macias got so violent that witnesses heard her screaming and called the police, she said.

Macias was convicted of raping her and the other college student in January and is now serving an 18 years-to-life sentence in state prison.

While the young woman and her lawyer applauded the prosecutions work putting the fiend away, they said the nightlife industry needs to do a much better job at trying to weed out such predators, suggesting a background check could have helped signal Macias was prone to disturbing behavior. In 2012, he was accused of shoving a police officer down the stairs in his hometown of Hoboken, NJ.

Macias at his sentencing on Jan. 28, 2024. Steven Hirsch

Either way, employers are liable for the actions of supervisors in the work place when it comes to sex harrasment and other job issues, according to New Yorks various human-rights laws, Shirian said.

So whether they knew or should have known, they are on the hook for the actions of their supervisors, Shirian said of the club.

His client, who no longer lives in New York City, said she wants this lawsuit to make sure people are being held accountable.

The club did not respond to a Post request for comment.
Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member of Congress, was attacked Monday for supposedly claiming that Michigans attorney general is going after pro-Palestinian protesters solely because shes Jewish. The only problem is, Tlaib never said anything of the sort.

Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, posted on X Monday addressing Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer while alleging that Tlaib had made an antisemitic statement about Attorney General Dana Nessel. Nessel is pursuing charges against pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Michigan, alleging some had assaulted police officers and engaged in ethnic intimidation.

Greenblatt wrote, When your attorney general prosecutes people for violating the law, harassing Jews, and attacking police officers, its in the interest of public safety. When a congresswoman accuses the attorney general of prosecuting protestors simply because shes Jewish, its bias.

In his post, Greenblatt linked an article published by Jewish Insider Sunday, which discussed an interview of Whitmer earlier that day on CNN. Host Jake Tapper had asked Whitmer to respond to Tlaibs so-called argument that Nessel was only doing it because shes Jewish. Its unclear what Tappers source was for such a claim.

Whitmer declined to respond, saying, Im not going to get in the middle of this argument that theyre having.

The Jewish Insider article stated that Tlaib has also claimed that Nessel is only charging the protesters because shes Jewish. As evidence, that article repeatedly linked to yet another article, this one from the Detroit MetroTimeswhich included no quote from Tlaib referring to Nessels Jewishness at all.

Nessels religious background was only mentioned as part of the description from the articles author, who wrote, Tlaib also criticized Nessel, who is the first Jewish person elected Attorney General of Michigan, for what she believes is a biased approach to the protest.

A closer look reveals that Tlaibs statement was not about Nessel being Jewish but about systemic anti-Palestinian bigotry.

Weve had the right to dissent, the right to protest, Tlaib said, according to the MetroTimes. Weve done it for climate, the immigrant rights movement, for Black lives, and even around issues of injustice among water shutoffs. But it seems that the attorney general decided if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently, and that alone speaks volumes about possible biases within the agency she runs.

It should surprise no one that Greenblatt is attempting to blur the lines here. The ADL has reportedly held that all pro-Palestinian demonstrating is equivalent to antisemitism, even though it is often carried out by Jewish protesters and usually serves as a condemnation of the policy decisions of Israel, rather than the personhood of its Jewish citizens.
Bank of America (BAC) said Monday it will open 165 branches by the end of 2026, the latest big US lender to announce more brick-and-mortar locations following a decade of industry retrenchment.

Rival JPMorgan Chase (JPM), which currently has the largest US bank branch network in the country, earlier this year pledged to open 500 new locations by 2027.

Large regional bank PNC Financial Services Group (PNC) also has announced plans to open 100 new locations while renovating more than 1,000 locations. Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank (FITB) is another regional lender expanding its footprint.

A Bank of America branch in New York City. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) (Gary Hershorn via Getty Images)

The reason some banks are making new bets on physical branches is that they now view the locations as ways to grab new wealth management and small-business customers without making acquisitions of rivals that might not pass muster with antitrust regulators, according to some industry observers.

The goal is to remake branches into places where customers go to get financial advice instead of just cashing checks.

Read more: Online banking vs. traditional banking: Which one is right for you?

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan told investors at a Barclays conference earlier this month that its branch investments are just one part of "cementing" customer relationships across its massive franchises.

"It's one of the reasons why our fundamental growth rate outstrips the industry," Moynihan said.

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz (REUTERS / Reuters)

The new expansion for Bank of America is notable because of how dramatically it downsized its branch network following the 2007-2009 financial crisis, which forced the lender to cut costs around the country.

It has closed more than 1,000 branches since 2014, according to the company. Many of those were outside of the major US metropolitan areas, as Bank of America focused on bigger population centers.

In June of last year, Bank of America said it was planning to expand into nine new markets. These included Louisville, Ky., Birmingham, Ala., New Orleans, Boise, Idaho, Milwaukee, Wisc., and Omaha, Neb.

It's on track to open 40 new locations this year. On Monday, the bank opened its branch in Louisville.

We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in the Bluegrass state, said Felicia Lewis, an executive in Bank of Americas southeast division.

Since 2014, Bank of America has also invested $5 billion in its brick-and-mortar network partly to renovate and redesign more than 3,000 locations with the goal of making more space for customer meetings with financial advisers and other specialists.

Bank of America said 95% of its interactions with customers currently take place online but that customers have still placed nearly 10 million appointments at one of its financial centers, and 20% of those appointments have focused on consulting with a financial adviser about investing.

Story continues

Rise and fall of the bank branch

There was a time when branch expansion was a key strategy for all banks with ambitions to operate beyond their hometowns.

The number of brick-and-mortar bank branches in the US steadily rose for seven decades starting in the 1940s, according to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation data, as regulators began allowing banks to build across state borders and reach for coast-to-coast networks.

A JPMorgan Chase bank branch stands in lower Manhattan. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt via Getty Images)

Then the industry made a dramatic U-turn following the 2008 financial crisis, a retrenchment aided by the rise of online banking and widespread use of devices like Apples iPhone that allowed customers to deposit checks remotely.

Banks invested heavily in the technology needed to make the online banking experience easier as they pulled back on branches.

The utility of branches experienced another blow during the pandemic as lockdowns forced people to do all of their banking online.

More than 2,400 branches closed in 2021, the most since the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

But in 2023, US banks added more net new branches for the first time in a decade with 94 locations, according to FDIC data.

Banks still have a long way to go to make up for all the locations they shuttered in the last decade and a half. The number of US branches was 69,684 at the end of 2023, down from 82,461 in 2012.

David Hollerith is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance covering banking, crypto, and other areas in finance.

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A best-selling novel about a woman's friendship with a giant Pacific octopus has been named the 2024 Read Together Palm Beach County book.

The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County announced the selection of "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt, published in 2022, during the group's annual Mayors' Literacy Initiative Luncheon on Thursday at the West Palm Beach Marriott.

More than 2 million copies of the novel have been sold, and it spent a total of more than a year on the New York Times Hardcover Bestseller list. In the two years since its debut, "Remarkably Bright Creatures" has had 30 reprintings, and the novel received the 2023 McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize. It also was a "Read with Jenna" pick for the Today Show's book club.

"Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt is this year's Read Together Palm Beach County book.

The novel tells the story of a 70-year-old widow who cleans the aquarium where the octopus, Marcellus, lives. "Remarkably Bright Creatures" earned the nickname of "that octopus book," so much so that the U.K. edition of the novel features that tagline across the top of its cover.

This marks the coalition's 14th Read Together campaign, a "one-book, one-community" event that aims to bring together adults throughout Palm Beach County to read the same book at the same time, the Literacy Coalition said. Past books in the biennial campaign include "The Story of Arthur Truluv" by Elizabeth Berg in 2022 and "The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead in 2020.

"Read Together brings our community together," said Kristin Calder, the Literacy Coalition's chief executive officer. "As we discuss themes and the story of a book, we make connections over shared experiences while also learning different perspectives. The book this year is about love, loss, family, second chances, and theres even a little mystery to be solved. Its a heartwarming, easy read that is surprisingly narrated in parts by an octopus."

As part of the Read Together campaign, the Palm Beach County Library System and the coalition's community partners will host book discussions and events throughout November.

Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County CEO Kristin Calder (from left), Literacy AmeriCorps member Ayanna Hendricks and Laurie Gildan, Read Together book selection chair, listen while Sharon Hill, Read Together campaign chair, announces that "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt is the Read Together 2024 book at the annual Mayors' Literacy Initiative Luncheon on Sept. 19 in West Palm Beach.

Van Pelt will attend and speak at the Read Together Finale on Nov. 18 at Palm Beach State College's Duncan Theatre in Lake Worth Beach.

It was announced in August that the novel is being adapted into a film, with actor Sally Field reported to be on board as the lead.

"Remarkably Bright Creatures" is available in hardcover and audio at local libraries and bookstores. Copies of the hardcover book are available from the Literacy Coalition for a $20 donation.

The Literacy Coalition on Thursday also announced that the 19th annual Read for the Record book this year is "Piper Chen Sings" by Phillipa Soo. The event, scheduled this year for Oct. 24, brings together leaders, businesses and volunteers who distribute hundreds of books to Palm Beach County schools and child care centers and then read to tens of thousands of local students.

Municipalities throughout Palm Beach County also engage in a friendly competition to see which can read to the most students on the day of the Read for the Record. Last year's winners were Wellington in the large municipality category, Palm Springs as the mid-size municipality and Lantana as the small municipality.

For more information, go to literacypbc.org.

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' is 2024 Read Together book
YORK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY)  An official process is now underway to try to recall a controversial school board member in York County.

The push to oust Lynda Fairman, who was previously removed as the boards chair in a board vote back in May, is a natural next step, per Alan Kennedy, a local professor whos been helping with the effort. The petitioners have planned an official public announcement during Monday nights school board meeting at 7 p.m.

Petition-for-Removal_Lynda-J-FairmanDownload

Kennedy says there has been a clear pattern of misconduct and abuse of power by Mrs. Fairman since she took office earlier this year.

Theres a pattern of acting without legal authority, Kennedy added. We saw that with Mrs. Fairman signing a contract with the right-wing [School Board Member Alliance] without board approval, thats really disconcerting. And then doubling down by conspiring with SBMA to threaten [now Board Chair Kimberly Goodwin] to keep Mrs. Fairman as the chair.

More coverage: Teachers are fearful: York County teacher accused of harassment by school board member speaks out

More coverage: Trainwreck: New school board leadership in York County accused of militia ties, could face legal issues

The document also lists several other reasons petitioners believe Fairman should be removed or resign from the position, including that Fairmans actions toward Superintendent Victor Shandor violated state law and the boards code, in addition to creating a hostile work environment.

Heres the full list of reasons cited in the petition:

1. Lynda J. Fairman improperly threatened to fire the superintendent, without cause, after being fired from her position as a substitute teacher, creating a hostile work environment. 2. Lynda J. Fairman improperly removed the superintendent, without cause, from the dais, at Fairmans first meeting as a school board member, creating a hostile work environment. 3. Lynda J. Fairman improperly told the superintendent to record/report a school family life meeting, despite clear lack of authority to do so, in violation of state law and board policy. After being rebuffed, Fairman encouraged militia supporters to tape the family life meeting. 4. Lynda J. Fairman improperly ordered the school board attorney not to speak with the news media, despite clear lack of authority and in violation of state law and board policy. 5. Lynda J. Fairman improperly ordered the school board clerk on Mar. 20, 2024 to remove an agenda item requested by 2 members, without authority and in violation of board policy. 6. Lynda J. Fairman improperly shared information from a closed school board session with the public, despite clear lack of authority and in violation of state law and board policy. 7. Lynda J. Fairman improperly required official, sectarian prayers at board meetings. After litigation warnings, other school board members rescinded the unconstitutional practice. 8. Lynda J. Fairman improperly threatened to have the sheriff remove citizens for standing and applauding. After litigation warnings, the sheriff disavowed the unconstitutional order. 9. Lynda J. Fairman improperly signed a contract with the partisan SBMA organization on Apr. 30, 2024, despite clear lack of authority and in violation of state law and board policy. 10. Lynda J. Fairman improperly colluded with the partisan SBMA organization to threaten fellow school board member Kimberly S. Goodwin that if she did not vote the way that the SBMA wanted her to, and support Fairman [in the upcoming vote to remove her as chair], that Goodwin would no longer receive support from the SBMA, in violation of York County policies and laws prohibiting SBMA from threatening members regarding their public votes. Via the petition seeking to remove Lynda Fairman from the York County School Board

Fairman was previously the head of a new 3-2 school board majority in York County. The contingent (Fairman, new Chair Kimberly Goodwin and board member Zoran Pajevic) were all elected in 2023 after running on a right-wing platform in line with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins parents rights movement.

The new majoritys actions under Fairman quickly led to a tsunami of discontent from the school district and greater community, including concerns about alleged ties to a local militia and potential legal jeopardy. The turmoil eventually culminated with Fairman being removed from her position as chair in late May.

Meanwhile, unlike a previous effort back in April that called for the resignation of Fairman, Goodwin and Pajevic, Kennedy emphasized that this is a legal document that could force Fairmans removal from the board.

The petitioners will need signatures from 285 registered voters in Yorks District 5, 10% of the 2,847 votes Fairman received in the 2023 election, to send the matter to court. A judge would then hear the case and decide whether to remove Fairman from office based on the evidence presented.

I think that the charges speak for themselves, Kennedy said about the chances that a judge might rule against Fairman.

WAVY reached out to Fairman ahead of Mondays meeting, but she did not immediately respond. Well update this story with any comments.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH)  Delaware is temporarily banning recreational marijuana businesses from operating within the city.

City council voted 5-2 on Sept. 9 to immediately enact a moratorium prohibiting adult-use cannabis operators from operating within city limits for six months. Councilmembers stressed the temporary ban will give Delaware officials time to evaluate how they want to regulate marijuana businesses, given voters in Ohio approved Issue 2 last November to legalize recreational cannabis.

In case there is any misunderstanding from the public, were not prohibiting [adult-use cannabis]. Were not trying to stop this. We understand the vote by the people, said councilmember Kevin Rider, who voted against the moratorium, during the meeting. Were not trying to go against state law in any regard. Were trying to apply it with the best consideration for our residents.

Final language approved for Issue 1 redistricting ballot question

The moratorium emphasizes that it only affects businesses, and will not impact adult users consuming in their homes. While council could repeal the moratorium any time before the six-month expiration date, some members were hesitant.

I personally dont find it necessary for us to establish some kind of additional stipulation, said councilmember Cory Hoffman, who ended up voting in favor. I dont think we need any moratorium at this point. The state of Ohio is granting licenses, so OK, come do business in Delaware. Thats the way I feel.

However, Vice Mayor Kent Shafer disagreed and reiterated that the moratorium will provide the city time to debate how recreational marijuana businesses should appropriately operate in Delaware.

There are some community standards at stake that we need to consider, Shafer said. Certainly, were not talking about prohibiting these, but to decide if we want to have additional limits. I, at least, think thats a discussion worth having.

Ohio Statehouse leaders address unfounded Springfield claims

The moratoriums approval comes ahead of a public hearing this week on a separate ordinance that would prohibit Delaware establishments whose business is the sale of tobacco or related products, vapor or vapor products, or cannabis from being located within 500 feet of a school, church, library, playground or park.

The measure would also ban two or more of these businesses from being located within a mile of each other if they are of the same use, meaning a vape shop could not be within a mile of another a vape shop, but a cannabis dispensary could be near a vape shop. The proposal originally limited businesses from being located within two miles of each other, but the commission amended the proposal out of concern it would be too restrictive.

The resolution would also set restrictions for signage, like banning temporary signage of any kind, like a banner, yard sign or pennant, from being displayed on the business property. Animated or flashing signs would be prohibited as well, while illuminated window signs would be limited to no more than two per business.

Ohioans push to end sub-minimum wage for some workers

At least 56 other Ohio municipalities or townships passed moratoriums prohibiting adult-use cannabis businesses. Like a majority of other states that have legalized recreational cannabis, Ohio allows local jurisdictions to enact ordinances to prohibit or limit the sale of marijuana within their boundaries.

Like in Delaware, a large number of the bans are set to be enacted for a period, rather than indefinitely. They commonly cite the need for time to review current ordinances and identify conflicting laws. Multiple municipalities indicated an intent to study current law and create recommendations once the final state rules for the recreational industry are adopted.

Ohio dispensaries got the green light to start selling recreational marijuana in August, with the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control tracking non-medical cannabis sales on a weekly basis. As of last week, the state had more than $44 million in recreational marijuana sales.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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)  The American Red Cross is offering a $15 gift card to those who donate blood this week due to a critical blood and platelet shortage.

According to the American Red Cross, the need for blood and platelets, especially type O blood, is critical, as only three out of 100 Americans donate blood. With blood supply levels at a critical low, donations are crucial to providing patients in need with life-saving transfusions.

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Individuals who donate between Oct. 1 and 31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email and be entered to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.

Those interested in donating blood can schedule an appointment on the Red Cross website, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or use the Blood Donor 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 ABC27.
(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves was interrupted by pro-Palestine protesters during her keynote speech on the UK governments economic plans at the Labour Partys annual conference in Liverpool.

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In an echo of 12 months ago, when Keir Starmer was covered in glitter during his leaders speech to Labour delegates, a man brandishing a banner called for an end to arms sales to Israel loudly interrupted before being wrestled out of the hall by security. There was some further shouting after Reeves resumed.

Labour is still grappling with the political fallout from the Israel-Hamas conflict, which cost the party votes during the July general election amid criticism  especially on the left of politics  that Starmer was not putting the squeeze on Israel to end the war. Now in government, the demands are for the prime minister to order a ban on exporting weapons to the country.

But Starmer has resisted a full ban, arguing that Israel needs the capacity to defend itself. And in her speech on Monday, Reeves adopted a similar line to Starmer when a protester calling for electoral reform interrupted him a year ago.

This is a changed Labour Party, a Labour Party that represents working people, not a party of protest, Reeves said.

Listen to the Bloomberg UK Politics podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

Starmers government did suspend about 30 of the UKs 350-odd export licenses to Israel, covering components used in F-16 fighter aircraft, helicopters, drones and naval systems, and items that facilitate ground targeting.

But the decision opened the UK up to criticism both by supporters of Israel, who said Britain is pulling support from a key ally of the West and a bastion of democracy in the Middle East  and by critics of Israels military action in Gaza, who said the suspension of about 10% of licenses doesnt go far enough.

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(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves hinted at plans that could unlock billions of pounds of investment in the climate transition and other government priorities as she promised to deliver a UK budget showing real ambition.

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This budget will be a budget for economic growth; it will be a budget for investment, Reeves said Monday at the Labour Partys annual conference in Liverpool on Monday. It is time that the Treasury moved on from just counting the costs of investments, to recognizing the benefits too.

While Reeves didnt elaborate on how that will work in practice, a person familiar with the matter said the chancellor is considering plans to move Labours new institutions, the National Wealth Fund and GB Energy, off the governments books  a change in accounting treatment that Andy King, a former senior official at the Office for Budget Responsibility, has said could give her 15 billion ($20 billion) more headroom for borrowing.

Reeves  who was interrupted during her speech by a heckler  is trying to get to grips with the 22 billion fiscal hole she says the previous Tory administration left her, while also delivering the investment-led growth promised by Labour in this years election campaign. Speaking a day before Prime Minister Keir Starmer is due to address the conference, she used her intervention to project a more positive vision for Britain after spending most of her 11 weeks in office warning of the dire state of the public finances.

The extra borrowing potential freed up by changing the treatment of investments could come on top of the estimated 16 billion of additional fiscal space Reeves would get by switching the current measure of debt within her rules, a proposal the Treasury is not ruling out. The combined 31 billion of potential additional borrowing would be part of a new fiscal framework designed to meet Labours manifesto promise of providing financial stability and growth investment.

In an effort to find more cash to fund Labours priorities, the chancellor is widely expected to announce tax increases in her budget on Oct. 30. On Monday morning, she ruled out a wealth tax in a BBC radio interview, and also promised she wouldnt squeeze public spending as the Tories did.

There will be no return to austerity, she said in her speech, after earlier telling the BBC that there will be real terms increases to government spending in this Parliament. She said budgets for individual departments will be negotiated  suggesting some areas may lose out.

Reeves needs every penny she can find to be able to increase spending on Britains ailing public services, generate growth and cover about 9 billion of public sector pay rises she awarded after following the recommendations of independent pay review bodies. She is currently constrained by her rule that says debt must be falling as a share of GDP in five years time.

Labour has created GB Energy and the NWF to crowd in private capital for investment in green infrastructure and technology, but the Treasurys current accounting rules place even private debt raised independently by the corporations on the governments balance sheet.

Listen to the Bloomberg UK Politics podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

That means the government must compete with public corporations. Both France and Germany exclude their state-owned investment and development banks from the debt metric. As a result, France and Germany are able to borrow and invest more.

A different debt measure, public sector net financial liabilities, is being looked at as an alternative to the current public sector net debt fiscal rule. PSNFL counts both the assets and the liabilities created by the policy banks, which effectively removes them from the books. The International Monetary Fund also uses a broader definition of net debt that captures the assets.

The governments robust fiscal rules were set out in the manifesto and more detail will be provided at the budget, a Treasury spokesperson said.

In a policy-light speech, Reeves promised to set out plans for a new industrial strategy alongside Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds next month. She also said she will appoint a Covid commissioner to investigate 674 million of pandemic-era contracts that are in dispute.

That money belongs in our police, it belongs in our health service, and it belongs in our schools, Reeves said. We want that money back.

In a setback for the chancellor, just as she spoke about the meaningful, real terms pay rise shed awarded workers, the Royal College of Nursing said nurses had voted to reject their deal.

Reeves speech was also interrupted by pro-Palestine protesters. One activist stood up, unveiled a banner and shouted that Britain should stop arming Israel, before being bundled out by security guards. Reeves retorted this is a changed Labour Party, a Labour Party that represents working people, not a party of protest.

Reeves has also faced resistance from some business leaders over the prospect of tax hikes. They say that would hamper the economic growth Reeves says she wants to encourage. The finance minister argues that fixing the public finances is a precondition for encouraging investment.

Nevertheless, Britains major business groups broadly welcomed her speech. Stephen Phipson, chief executive of manufacturing lobby group Make UK, said the promise of a new industrial strategy was a vital piece in the jigsaw of future economic growth and would pull the levers of both domestic and international investment.

Confederation of British Industry Chief Executive Officer Rain Newton-Smith said Reeves hit the right notes and had an optimistic pitch to investors about the strengths of the UK economy. The British Chambers of Commerce also said the Chancellors speech was encouraging, but cautioned that businesses still want to know where any increases in the tax burden might fall.

The chancellor is also trying to regain the initiative after a backlash against her decision to remove winter fuel payments from about 10 million pensioners, and as the wider Labour administration battles negative headlines over accepting freebies and in-fighting among Starmers top team.

I know that not everyone in this hall or the country will agree with every decision I make, but I will not duck those decisions, Reeves said. We must have no complacency, a relentless focus on the priorities of the British people, an iron discipline.

--With assistance from Alex Wickham.

(Updates with Starmer speech in fourth paragraph. A previous version of this story was corrected to change the spelling of Office for Budget Responsibility in the third paragraph.)

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From the Marshall Court to the Warren Court, the role of the Supreme Court in determining the course of American political life has been widely acknowledged. It is harder to see how the Burger Court plays that role today. It appears to be adrift, but that impression is false. There is a vision that informs its work and shapes our politics. The source of that vision, however, is not Warren Burger. It is William Rehnquist.

Justice Rehnquists leadership results from neither accident nor usurpation. He and Chief Justice Burger were appointed by the same President and have voted together to an astonishing degreelast term in 79.9 percent of all cases in which full opinions were issued. When he is in the majority, the Chief Justice has the privilege of deciding who speaks for the Court, and Burger has consistently chosen Rehnquist. In recent terms Rehnquist has written the opinion for the Court in almost all the important cases in which he was in the majority. Even his dissents set the terms of the debate among the Justices and often determine the evolution of future doctrine. It is not unusual for a Rehnquist dissent to become the majority opinion within a relatively short time.

If the pattern of decisions and the number of times he speaks for the Court are any indication, Rehnquist has considerable influence with the other Justices. Yet he does not have a secure majority. He is struggling for control: he is the leader, but the Court is divided, as is revealed by the striking increase in the number of cases in which no single opinion attains a majority of five. Justices William Brennan and Thurgood Marshall, principal forces on the Warren Court, usually oppose him. Justices John Paul Stevens and Harry Blackmun have increasingly become nonaligned, pulling away from both so-called liberal or conservative blocs, and often writing separate opinions.

Justice Rehnquist can usually count on the votes of Chief Justice Burger, Justice Lewis Powell, and, to a slightly lesser extent, Justice Byron R. White. When Potter Stewart was on the Court, he tended to be part of the same bloc. The appointment of Sandra Day OConnor as his replacement is not likely to change the alignments. OConnor has strong ties to Rehnquist. They were classmates at Stanford; and both she and Rehnquist spent almost all their adult lives in Phoenix, where they were members of the same social circles. Rehnquist has described OConnor as a close personal friend. Shortly before her nomination, she published a law review article in which she revealed her admiration for Justice Rehnquist, her identification with his general philosophy, and the likelihood that she would move within his orbit of influence.

That orbit is likely to expand, given Rehnquists energy, his youth (he is only 57), the clarity of his vision, and the likely pattern of future appointments. Under Reagan, Rehnquists base of power will grow, since his constitutional program bears a remarkable similarity to President Reagans new federalism. Five Justices, including Marshall and Brennan, are now in their mid-seventies and Reagan appears ready to use his appointment power to further his political views.

Rehnquists intellectual and ideological qualifications for his leadership role have never been much in doubt. In 1952 he graduated first in his class from Stanford Law School. He then served as law clerk to Justice Robert Jackson before returning to practice in Phoenix in 1954. He spent the next fifteen years in a successful private practice before joining the Justice Department as an assistant attorney general in 1969. Two years later, President Nixon nominated him for the Supreme Court.

Long before he joined the Court, Rehnquist ardently and aggressively fought against the liberal ideas that were to find their deepest expression in the Warren Court. While still a clerk to Justice Jackson, he wrote a memorandum in defense of the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896, which constitutionally legitimated Jim Crow laws. He wrote,

To those who would argue that personal rights are more sacrosanct than property rights, the short answer is that the Constitution makes no such distinction. To the argument made by Thurgood, not John Marshall that a majority may not deprive a minority of its constitutional right, the answer must be made that while this is sound in theory, in the long run it is the majority who will determine what the constitutional rights of the minority are.

He continued in this vein in 1958, when he published a sweeping attack upon a series of decisions of the Warren Court that sought to curb the excesses of the McCarthy era. He began his article in a bar association publication this way; Communists, former communists, and others of like political philosophy scored significant victories during the October, 1956, Term of the Supreme Court of the United States, culminating in the historic decisions of June 17, 1957. (Included among the so-called historic decisions was Yates v. United States, which set aside the convictions of American Communist leaders and thus sought to protect advocacy of belief. The Yates opinion was written by Justice John Harlan, a true conservative and a great judge, whom Rehnquist succeeded and whose name he often invokes to support his positions.) In 1964 Rehnquist stepped forward to register his opposition to a Phoenix ordinance designed to prevent discrimination in public accommodations. The issue, as he saw it, was whether the freedom of the property owner ought to be sacrificed in order to give to these minorities a chance to have access to integrated eating places at all. Later, Rehnquist actively opposed a proposal by the Phoenix superintendent of schools for a voluntary exchange of students to reduce segregation. [W]e are no more dedicated to an integrated society, he wrote, than we are to a segregated society. That was in 1967.

Two years later, he joined John Mitchells Justice Department. He did not just work as a quiet drone in the Attorney Generals office, Joseph L. Rauh later remarked. He went out on the hustings as the Administration spokesman. Rehnquist publicly defended the nomination of G. Harrold Carswell to the Supreme Court, the mass arrest of antiwar demonstrators on May Day (as part of a qualified martial lawhis term), the use of the military to conduct surveillance of American citizens in the years following the Detroit riots, and the Administrations program to impose restrictions on the rights of government employees to criticize government policies. In 1971 President Nixon rewarded him with an appointment to the Supreme Court.

On the Court, Rehnquists opinions have been clear, lucid, brief, and mercifully free of bureaucratese. He gets to the point quickly and does not decorate his opinions with authorities he has neither read nor understood. On the other hand, his opinions fall radically short of the ideals of the profession. He repudiates precedents frequently and openly, and if that is impossible (because the precedent represents a tradition that neither the Court nor society is prepared to abandon), then he distorts them. For example, we are told by Rehnquist that the Debs case, involving one of the great strikes in American history, was simply an armed conspiracy that threatened the interstate transportation of the mails. He creates his own precedents out of asides: he places apparently inconsequential statements unobtrusively in one opinion, only to use them several opinions laterwhen he makes them seem of central importance to the earlier case and decisive to the case at hand. He manipulates trial records, as when he tried to discredit the findings of a trial court, affirmed by a court of appeals, that a pattern of police harassment of minorities had occurred in Philadelphia. Rehnquist saw only isolated incidents. He will also occasionally substitute slogans for analysis, as when he dismissed a grievance against overcrowded jails on the grounds that the Constitution does not guarantee one man, one cell.

These failings of craft have attracted much attention, especially from the bar, preoccupied as it often is with process rather than substance. But the real problem with Rehnquist is substance. Rehnquist has a constitutional program for the nation: he wants to free the states from the restrictions of the national Constitution, particularly those emanating from the Civil War Amendments and the Bill of Rights. His ideal is state autonomyand for a decade he has been working methodically to make it a reality.





Before the Civil War, it was established doctrine that the Bill of Rights limited only the national government, not the states. The Civil War Amendments radically changed that. The Fourteenth Amendment, in particular, placed far-reaching restrictions on the states. It forbade states to abridge the privileges and immunities of citizens of the United States, to deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, or to deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. These generalities have been construed as incorporating almost all of the more specific protections of the Bill of Rights, thus making them applicable to the states. This process of incorporation began at the turn of the century, with the protection against confiscation of property, and reached its fullest expression during the Warren Court.

Rehnquist has denounced the incorporation doctrine. He has, for example, advocated wider latitude for the states than for the federal government in regulating speech. He acknowledges, of course, that states are bound by the generalities of the Fourteenth Amendment, but he insists that the Bill of Rights is not to be used as the measure of compliance. The states are to be held to an indeterminate lesser standard.

In defending this position, Rehnquist often cites Justice Harlan, who also rejected the incorporation doctrine. But though Harlan held the states to a lesser standard, he held the federal government to a very high standard indeed, as evidenced by his objection to federal obscenity prosecutions. Rehnquist has yet to follow Harlans lead of vigorously applying the Bill of Rights against the federal government. His rejection of incorporation works in only one directionin favor of state autonomy.

With the possible exception of Powell, no Justice on the present Court has so far shown a willingness to follow Rehnquist in his rejection of the incorporation doctrine. But Rehnquist has marshaled a majority of the Court for another strategy to serve his as yet too radical view of state autonomy: imposing strict limits on the powers of the federal courts and Congress.

The decisive turn against the courts came in 1976 in Rizzo v. Goode, the suit charging a pattern of police abuse of minorities in Philadelphia and seeking structural reform, including an internal disciplinary system, to reduce the likelihood of such abuses. The suit was modeled on the standard school desegregation case, which has almost always been brought in federal courts. Rehnquist dismissed Rizzo because the remedy required a federal institution (a federal court) to oversee the operation of a state agency. In this conclusion, he departed radically from the principle, implicit in Brown v. Board of Education and subsequent cases in the 1960s, that the federal courts are the primary guardians of federal constitutional rights.

The Rizzo plaintiffs could still seek redress in the state courts. On the surface, Rizzo did no more than shift power from one set of judges to another, both applying the same law. But the consequence of such a reallocation of power is likely to be great. It would be the equivalent of entrusting the implementation of Brown to the state courts. By and large, state judges, unlike federal judges, lack the independence that comes with life tenure; they are more subject to the shifting tides of politics. Transferring power to the state courts will reduce the level of enforcement and make more uneven the implementation of Fourteenth Amendment protections.

Rehnquist is not alone in attacking the federal courts for undertaking structural reform of state agencies of the type contemplated in Rizzo or Brown. But what most critics oppose is judicial activism. They think it inconsistent with our democratic ethos for courts to usurp the power of elected officials and do their work. Rehnquist, on the other hand, is a judicial activist. In his devotion to state autonomy he does not flinch from using the power of the judiciary to restrict the powers of the elected branches, and particularly of Congress.





A major assault on Congressional power occurred just last term in Pennhurst State School v. Halderman. The Court had before it a 1975 Congressional statute that had two objectives: to give money to the states for the mentally retarded and to codify the rights of the institutionalized mentally retarded. In the second aspect, Congress had, in effect, enacted a bill of rights (it was called just that) for the mentally retarded. Writing for the majority, Rehnquist ruled that those rights have no legal force; they are only advice to the states. The talk of rights for him was only precatory.

Congresss power to impose on the states a bill of rights for the mentally retarded could easily be derived from Section Five of the Fourteenth Amendment, which allows Congress to enforce by legislation the rights guaranteed in the amendment. (Congress has used Section Five and comparable provisions in the other Civil War Amendments to justify important civil rights legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.) The legislative record makes it clear that the portion of the 1975 statute guaranteeing the rights of the mentally retarded was understood as an exercise of Section Five power.

That was not good enough for Rehnquist. He held that in order for legislation even to be considered an exercise of Section Five power, Congress must specifically invoke that power, something it had failed to do in enacting the 1975 law. The stated reason for Rehnquists rule was, once again, state autonomy; since all Congressional actions under Section Five constrain the power of the states, they necessarily threaten state autonomy and, for that reason, should be disfavored. Rehnquist thus implicitly repudiated the time-honored rule, based on the respect for Congress as a coordinate branch of government, that whenever Congress acts it is assumed to exercise all of its powers under the Constitution.





Having limited one source of Congressional power, Rehnquist then turned in Pennhurst to the task of protecting state autonomy from another: Congresss spending power. The 1975 statute could reasonably be understood as an exercise of that power (even if it were not considered an exercise of Section Five power). The Department of Justice argued that because the states were using federal funds in their programs for the mentally retarded, Congress could impose on the states obligations regarding the rights of the mentally retarded, and had in fact done so in the 1975 act. Rehnquist refused to accept that argument. He reduced Congresss power under the Spending Clause to a power to offer the states a contract. For him, the legitimacy of Congresss power . . . rests on whether the State voluntarily and knowingly accepts the terms of the contract. Applying the principles of private contract law, he insisted that Congress specify the conditions of this contract with the same degree of clarity one would require of a bargain between two farmers over the sale of a cow. Since the provisions in the 1975 legislation protecting the rights of the mentally retarded did not have the requisite clarity, he refused to give them legal effect.

This ruling, like the one disfavoring the use of Section Five, is not an absolute restriction on Congressional power. It is more in the nature of a procedural limitation. Congressional action is still possible, but more difficult. The clarity that Rehnquist demands is an ideal that is largely unrealizable, and probably always variable. Even if Congress can overcome these barriers. Justice Rehnquist will doubtless find others. This suspicion arises from statements in his opinion in the Pennhurst caseonce again, virtual asidesthat reserve his options if, by chance, Congress is able to overcome procedural barriers. It also arises from his willingness to impose more substantive restrictions on Congress in other domains, such as the regulation of commerce.

Though Section Five of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Spending Clause are important contemporary sources of national legislative power, most of the growth of Congressional power in the twentieth century has been under the Commerce Clause. This grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, and it has been construed as a broad grant of authority, subject to little more than the prohibitions of the Bill of Rights. The results have sometimes been momentous. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, for example, was viewed as a proper exercise of the commerce power because it prohibited racial discrimination in public accommodations using goods that moved in interstate commerce.

Rehnquist has refused to accept the accretion of Congressional power that has occurred under the Commerce Clause. Against it he has elevated state autonomy to a constitutional value of the first rank, using it to limit Congressional action as the Warren Court might have used freedom of speech or other values from the Bill of Rights. In National League of Cities v. Usery, Rehnquist used state autonomy to invalidate a federal statute prescribing minimum wages and maximum hours for employees of states and localities. If Congress may withdraw from the States the authority to make those fundamental employment decisions upon which their systems for performance of these functions must rest, he wrote, we think there would be little left of the States separate and independent existence.

The doctrine of Usery, like the Pennhurst rule reducing Congressional legislation to contract, resurrects the notion of state sovereignty, which sees the states as almost coequal to the nation, and as tied together only by formal compact for limited ends. The reach of this doctrine is considerable. As Archibald Cox once said of equality in the Warren era, the idea of state sovereignty, once loosed, is not easily cabined. In Usery it was used to curtail the power of Congress to regulate relations between the states and their employees. It may eventually be used to curtail all exercises of Congressional power affecting the states.





Rehnquists championing of state autonomy may make him a hero to conservatives, but that acclaim would be ill-deserved. He is no conservative, as that term is ordinarily understood in the law, but rather a revisionist of a particular ideological bent. He repudiates precedents; he shows no deference to the legislative branch; and he is unable to ground state autonomy in any textual provision of the Constitution. On occasion, he invokes the Tenth Amendment, but it cannot carry the full weight of his program. Accordingly, he eschews what he calls literalism and speaks instead of the implicit ordering of relationships within the federal system and the tacit postulates yielded by that ordering.

There is a special irony to Rehnquists repudiation of strict constructionism given the rhetoric of the President who appointed him, just as there is irony in his willingness to use the judicial power to invalidate the work of Congress and thus engage in his own brand of judicial activism. But irony is not tantamount to error. After all, the Marshall Court (in its affirmation of nationalism) and the Warren Court (in its affirmation of equality) also repudiated strict constructionism and practiced judicial activism. Both would agree with Rehnquist when he argues that the tacit postulates . . . are as much engraved in the fabric of the document as its express provisions, because without them the Constitution is denied force and often meaning. They would also agree with him that the task of the judiciary is to give expression to the values embodied in the Constitution, even if that means enforcing those values against the elected branches. The difference among these various Courts lies in the domain of substance. Rehnquists goal is the affirmation of state autonomy, and the legitimacy of his enterprise will ultimately turn on his capacity to ground that value in the Constitution.





When Rehnquist speaks of being guided by the tacit postulates of the Constitution, he is referring neither to the needs of contemporary society nor to prevailing social moralitywhich he disparaging calls the living Constitution. He is talking about the historical Constitution: historical imperatives derived from the understanding at Philadelphia. For Rehnquist the task of the Court is to look back to 1787 and to reconstruct the intent of the drafters of the Constitution. The epistemological and evidentiary problems of such an undertaking are staggering. But those problems do not disqualify Rehnquists position. He can assert that the duty of the Supreme Court is to interpret the text and that the most authoritative source for such an interpretation, apart from the words on the parchment, is the original intent of the framers.

Admittedly, Rehnquists historicism seems to operate in a peculiar way, in that he wishes to honor the Constitutional Convention of 1787 but not the judicial precedents that have been set since then. This use of history is at odds with the common law conception of the judicial craft, with its emphasis on precedent. But once again it is not idiosyncratic. The Marshall Court did not have the burden of precedent; the Warren Court often rejected it. The most plausible interpretation of Brown is that it simply repudiated Plessy, in an attempt to reflect a truer understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment. For the Warren Court, as for Rehnquist, precedent had less force than the framers original understanding of the text they wrote.

But Rehnquist takes his devotion to history one step further. He is so determined to justify state autonomy that, besides giving a questionable historical reading of 1787 (he seems to confuse the Constitution with the Articles of Confederation), he ignores what has happened sincethe Civil War, for example. And for good reason. The Civil War decided the issue of state autonomy. It denied the states what might be regarded as the one essential attribute of sovereigntythe right to withdraw from the Union. It affirmed the organic relationship between the states and the nation; it denied that the states have a separate and independent existence; it repudiated the doctrine of dual sovereignty, and located sovereignty in the nation. The Civil War Amendments were a codification of these understandings. They were not merely technical modifications to what Rehnquist claims to be the understanding at Philadelphia, corrections that assured all persons formal equality before the law. Rather, these amendments represent a second starting point, a basic change in the postulates of our constitutional system. Any appeal to history which ignores that is a sham.





There is, however, another way of understanding the idea of state autonomy, which may be the true source of its appeal. It arises from the romance with Jeffersonianism and the view that state autonomy is not an end in itself, but part of a larger system to protect liberty. (President Reagan also defends the transfer of power to the states, his new federalism, in the name of a higher valuedemocracy. The slogan is returning power to government that is closest to the people.) If Rehnquists ideal of state autonomy is indeed in the service of liberty, we might be inclined to accept his revisionist reading of history. But is it?

The argument that it is rests on an identification of liberty with limited government: that which governs best, governs least. State government is assumed to be the best because it is the weakest and most limited. Those threatened by a state, so the argument must continue, always have the option of moving from one state to another. But this assumes that persons or groups threatened by one state can move to another; that other states will not be swept by similar urges of absolutism; and that the idea of the nation can persist in the face of diversity on the fundamental rights of citizens. One would have thought that this country had already learned the dangers of a house divided.

The argument from liberty also ignores the fact that today the states, and not the federal government, pose the greatest danger to liberty. If, as Rehnquist insists, the agencies of the central government, including Congress and the federal courts, are denied the power to protect basic rights and liberties (such as free speech, the right to be secure in our homes and persons, and the rights involved in Pennhurst and Rizzo) against threats by the states, then liberty is diminished, not enhanced.





State autonomy occasionally produces surprising results. In one case, for example, Justice Rehnquist permitted the California State Supreme Court, acting under the state constitution, to require a shopping center owner to subordinate his property rights and allow leafleting on his property. This decision was an important victory for free speech (if you live in California), and is a credit to the consistency of Rehnquists commitment to state autonomy. A liberal should be grateful for the result, but careful not to generalize from it. The more likely consequences of state autonomy can be seen in Rehnquists willingness to sustain state censorship of allegedly obscene material and his refusal to set any limits on the process or substance of the criminal law administered by the states. For example, Rehnquist is not the least troubled by a Texas law that imposed a life sentence on an individual for obtaining $120.75 under false pretenses. (He accepted payment for repairing an air conditioner and never did the job.) True, the individual had been convicted twice before, for frauds of $80 and $28.36. But from the perspective of state autonomy, it is hard to see why these details matter. As Rehnquist noted with icy serenity: Absent a constitutionally imposed uniformity inimical to traditional notions of federalism, some State will always bear the distinction of treating particular offenders more severely than any other State.

Such cases suggest that with respect to liberty, the value of state autonomy is neither neutrally chosen nor neutral in its likely outcome. On the whole, liberty will not be enhancedunless liberty is reduced to property. Rehnquist prefers state autonomy because it is more consonant with classical laissez-faire theory which reduces the function of government to protecting private exchanges and the aim of the Constitution to protecting the rights and expectations of property holders. Laissez-faire is predicated on the sharp distinction between private and government actions. And Rehnquist insists in making this distinction, particularly to protect state action from the constraints of the Fourteenth Amendment. He refused to apply the Fourteenth Amendment to a utility company upon which Pennsylvania had conferred a local monopolyon the theory that the company is not the State. He also refused to apply the amendment when Pennsylvania denied blacks equal protection by conferring a liquor license on a club that excludes blacks. Mere support for private sector discrimination is not enough for Rehnquist; the state must discriminate directly.

Another threat to laissez-faire in Rehnquists view is the federal regulatory agencies. He has, for example, sought to impede the capacity of Congress to regulate business activities by objecting to its practice of delegating powers to administrative agencies (thus drawing on the expertise those agencies possess). Invoking a doctrine once used to stymie the New Deal, Rehnquist has argued that federal safety legislation is invalid because Congress gave the Secretary of Labor too much discretion. The statute directed the Secretary to make the work place as safe as feasible, and Rehnquist sees the use of that wordcommonplace in all regulatory measuresas excessive delegation.

Rehnquist seeks to transfer power from the federal government to the states because the states are principally concerned with preserving property and public order. But where the states threaten property, Rehnquist sometimes is prepared to sacrifice state autonomy, once again revealing his underlying ideology. He voted to invalidate a Minnesota statute requiring firms leaving the state to contribute to a pension fund for their former employees; he voted to invalidate a New Jersey statute allowing the Port Authority to use funds for purposes other than securing bonds; and he voted against a New York City law requiring that Grand Central Station be maintained as a landmark. The first two he saw as impairing the obligations of contract and the third as breaching the constitutional duty of the state not to take property (from the owners of Grand Central) without just compensation.





Rehnquist thus uses state autonomy less to promote liberty than to promote property. He also uses it to repudiate the central value promoted by the Warren Courtequality. The Warren Courts belief in equality led it to take a critical view of the status quo and of existing distinctions of power and privilege. It saw government power not as a necessary evil to be tolerated, but as an important instrument for fully realizing the values embodied in the Constitution. State autonomy was not itself an ideal, but only a technique of administration. The function of government was not to be a night watchman, controlling disruptions of the status quo, but to guarantee the very conditions of freedom, to abolish caste, and to provide equal protection for all citizens.

That vision is receding, most obviously in President Reagans attempt to dismantle federal institutions and to leave the dispensation of rights and privileges in the hands of the states. Reagans new federalism will meet stiff opposition, and possibly ultimate defeat, in Congress. But while that epic battle is fought on page one, a somewhat quieter, steadier, and more lasting erosion of federal power and the values it serves is taking place on the Supreme Court. Reagan may be running out of time and prestige to carry out his antebellum vision of federalism. Rehnquist appears to have plenty of both.
Relations with Russia should be reconsidered after war in Ukraine, Macron says

Relations with Russia should be reconsidered after Moscows full-scale war against Ukraine is over, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sept. 22.

Speaking at an event in Paris, the French president urged people to imagine "tomorrow's peace" in Europe in a new form, and in a new reality.

"We will have to think about a new form of organization of Europe and rethink our relations with Russia after the war in Ukraine," Macron said.

In the early months of Russia's full-scale invasion, Macron was criticized over his calls to avoid "the humiliation" of Russia, but later he hardened his stance.

Paris has since delivered to Ukraine a number of long-range SCALP missiles, and Macron announced in February a coalition to supply Kyiv with "medium- and long-range missiles and bombs."

Another of Macron's initiatives, sending military instructors to Ukraine, has reportedly been supported by some countries but so far seen no development.

The French president said that building a new international order is "the biggest challenge" and that today it is "incomplete and unfair."

"We need an order where some countries cannot block others, and where countries are represented with dignity, and therefore this should be done in much fairer bodies, such as the U.N., the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund," Macron added.

As Russia has become more isolated since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, and has increasingly depleted its preexisting supplies of military equipment, it has deepened its ties with China, Iran and North Korea.

Yet, some Western countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia, suggested that they should be prepared for normalization of relations with Moscow.

Read also: Opinion: The harsh truth behind Ukraines peace prospects

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While many approach the subject of fossil fuels through the lens of finance, science and politics, Roishetta Ozane, a Black single mother with six children, spoke with restrained emotion when discussing the extraction of liquid natural gas (LNG). Ozane has a much more personal and painful connection to the multi-billion dollar industry.

"I gave birth to seven children, but one of my children was born into heaven because I had him prematurely and he did not survive," Ozane said. Two of her other children have asthma, and she believes that is also a factor. "I know that the premature births is linked to the industrial pollution that we're bringing in every day in our community."

In the face of her tragedy, Ozane became the founder, director and CEO of the Vessel Project of Louisiana, a small mutual aid and environmental justice organization. Most recently, she contributed to a new report by the grassroots environmental group Stand.Earth that details how four LNG facilities are linked to $1.6 billion in Citibank funding and allegedly caused "over $36 million in health costs, two deaths, and more than 1,600 incidences of asthma symptoms per year" in both Louisiana and Texas. The banks financed emissions related to these facilities is equivalent to over 6 coal plants or 6 million gasoline cars annually.

"From an ethical standpoint, banks and investment firms should no longer be financing new fossil fuel infrastructure," University of Pennsylvania climatologist Dr. Michael E. Mann, who was not involved in the report, told Salon. "No less than the rather conservative IEA [International Energy Agency] has, in essence, said as much."

Mann added, "This is also a matter of ethics. It is those with the least wealth and resources  who contributed least to the problem  that are suffering the worst consequences of fossil fuel extraction and burning and the resulting climate impacts."

A Citi spokesperson strongly disputed the findings, accusing Stand.Earth of a report that "misrepresents and distorts our financing, exhibiting a disregard for the facts." Citi claimed to have met with the activists several times and been unable to engage in a productive conversation "based on factual understanding of financial products."

"Our position on our work to address climate change through our financing is clear," the spokesperson added. "Citi supports the transition to a low-carbon economy through our net zero commitments and our $1 trillion sustainable finance goal. Our approach reflects the need to transition while also continuing to meet global energy needs  these activities are not mutually exclusive."

Although Citi declined to comment on the LNG facilities in question, the spokesperson claimed that the bank "engages with our clients according to our Environmental and Social Risk Management Policy, which outlines our expectations for clients and requires enhanced due diligence around activities with elevated risks related to human rights and environmental issues."

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Surprisingly, Dr. Kevin Trenberth  one of the world's foremost authorities on climate change who has published more than 600 articles on climatology  sided with Citi on the issue and described the report to Salon as "poor quality."

"There are really two issues: LNG and LPG [liquefied petroleum gas] terminals and the use of [liquefied natural gas], and the funding of them," Trenberth said. "The article blames the entire thing on Citi. But that is not entirely fair. The issue is really use of fossil fuels and its export and the growth in that area. It is really a separate issue on who funds those efforts and that is perhaps all Americans  or as the story says, they are complicit."

He added, "The funding is or should be separate from the activity or industry."

Hannah Saggau, the senior climate finance campaigner at Stand.Earth, countered this criticism by pointing out that "this report is offering new data to back up what Gulf Coast communities already know, which is that fossil fuels are killing them and making them sick, and financiers like Citi are complicit." According to Saggau, "we're showing that Citi is complicit in environmental racism through both quantitative analysis as well as community stories, to offer examples of the real health and climate impacts of city's financing."

Saggau described Citi's response as blatant hypocrisy, saying the company is "publicly touting its contributions to racial equity and climate chaos, and at the same time refusing to address the impacts of its fossil fuel financing on communities of color." Saggau added, "Citi wants to have it both ways and not actually address the real harms that its fossil fuel funding is causing in Texas and Louisiana in particular."

Ozane said she would welcome the leaders at Citi to her community so they can directly experience the results of their investments.

"Living here in this community and being a mom, all I've asked Citi is to sit down and meet with me in person," Ozane said. "Come to my community and see what we're dealing with. Smell what we smell every day. Breathe in this air. Drink the water. Meet with us. And Citi has refused to have those sit-down meetings with community members. We continue to get virtual meetings or get pushed to the side, as if we're not important. We're not a sacrifice zone. We are real people, living in this community where they've decided to dump all of this pollution for profit."

Ozane concluded, "Enough is enough. They can no longer put a profit before people."
An equal justice statue stands outside the doors of the Minnehaha County Courthouse in Sioux Falls. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

An equal justice statue stands outside the doors of the Minnehaha County Courthouse in Sioux Falls. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

A just-released report on South Dakotas public defense system identified many of the same structural deficiencies outlined in a similar report 47 years ago.

The nonprofit Sixth Amendment Center released its state-funded study Monday. The report was released just under a week after the state announced its hiring of the Unified Judicial Systems first statewide public defender, Christopher Miles. He will run the first state-level public defense office and lead a team of attorneys who will handle appeals to the state Supreme Court by indigent defendants  those who cant afford an attorney. Counties will remain responsible for providing lawyers for those defendants prior to their appeals.

The states longstanding practice of delegating the management and funding of public defense to counties hamstrings the states ability to provide effective representation to those who cant afford it, the report says.

Tying public defense to counties results in counties funding indigent defense systems at levels they can afford instead of at levels that meet the counties indigent defense needs.

The report also suggests that counties stop sending bills to people who use public defenders, set standards for public defenders and adopt a uniform advisement of rights for defendants, and that state lawmakers should fund the Commission on Indigent Services well enough to allow it to enforce state standards.

The last major review of the states public defense system, undertaken in 1977, concluded that while it is not impossible, it is difficult to be an effective yet aggressive defender lawyer in South Dakota.

The 2024 report says, Based on our evaluation, we believe this remains an apt description of indigent defense in South Dakota.

The report was undertaken at the behest of the Commission on Indigent Defense. That group was created in 2023 at the urging of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen, and a comprehensive review of indigent defense practices was among its initial recommendations. Lawmakers also signed off on creating the state office of public defense a year later based on the commissions findings, setting a $1.5 million budget for the seven-person office.

This report includes a thorough, and sometimes candid, look at some of the current challenges the state faces as it seeks to fulfill the constitutional obligation to ensure the right to counsel for indigent people who are facing the prospect of jail or prison, Chief Justice Jensen said in a press release on the report.

South Dakota early adopter of public defense

The Dakota Territory established a right to counsel for those who couldnt afford it in 1868, 95 years before the right was extended nationwide by the 1963 Supreme Court decision in the case of Gideon vs. Wainwright.

In 1879, pre-statehood lawmakers ordered counties to pay reasonable and just compensation. South Dakota became a state ten years later.

Current U.S. Supreme Court case law directs states to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring legal defense. South Dakota delegates public defense costs to counties, which creates difficulties and disparities from place to place, the report says. Paying public defenders through local property tax dollars, particularly for smaller, rural counties, has been a burden since the state last looked at the issue.

Because the state did not make changes to the structure of the indigent defense system in response to the 1977 report, the right to counsel issues that existed nearly 50 years ago have been passed down, institutionalized, and inherited to present day, the report says.

Costs have risen in recent years, as well. The total cost for indigent defense statewide jumped from $18.2 million in 2018 to $21.5 million in 2022.

Its not just the overall cost that impacts counties, the report says, but the unpredictability of costs. One or a handful of major felony cases with high defense lawyer costs are enough to throw county budgets, it says. In Hughes County, the number of cases with court-appointed attorneys fell 7.6% over the reports six-year study period, but the cost increased 27.4%. County revenue grew 3.6% in that time frame.

Fall River County had to dip into its contingency fund to pay the state-set hourly rates for public defense.

Part of the cost increase is tied to a shortage of rural lawyers. Nearly 70% of the states attorneys live in Minnehaha, Pennington or Hughes counties, meaning lawyers willing to take contract cases in counties without dedicated public defenders offices  every county save Minnehaha, Pennington and Lawrence  often need to travel from their home cities to visit clients and appear in court.

When lawmakers passed the bill creating the statewide public defenders office, they also allocated $3 million to reimburse counties for public defense costs. The amounts disbursed to each county were announced last week. Theyre based on counties public defense costs and range from $310 for the county with the lowest costs (Harding) to $915,000 for the county with the highest costs (Minnehaha).

Suggestions: Set state standards, consider ditching cost reimbursement

The report does not recommend that the state switch to a state-funded system for public defense, however.

Instead, it trains its recommendations on smaller adjustments that could improve the delivery of legal services to indigent defendants.

The report found inconsistencies in how judges explain the right to an attorney, for example. For counties with public defenders offices, an attorney represents people at their initial appearances and bond appearances. In most other counties, those appearances tend to be the venues where a person is advised of their right to an attorney.

Despite giving the defendant the opportunity to request an attorney, in most magistrate courts no attorney is present and available to accept court appointments at initial appearance, the report says.

There is no standard advisement of rights at the state level. The report recommends adopting one, as there are some inconsistencies in what defendants hear from judges in the early stages of a case. There are also inconsistencies in determining whos eligible for a public defender, as there is no state standard for what financial factors make a person eligible.

As a result, a judge in one county may find a person indigent and provide counsel, but a judge in a different county may find that same person not indigent and deny them counsel, the report says.

State law allows counties to charge indigent clients for attorney services after a case has ended, but judges vary in how they explain that to defendants. No judges advised defendants of the state-set hourly rate for attorney fees theyd be expected to pay back after the case during courtroom visits by Sixth Amendment Center researchers.

Defendants typically arent aware of the total cost of their representation at the time of their sentencing, even though liens can be placed on their property to pay them.

The report recommends that the state consider ending the practice of fee reimbursement. Tying representation to costs changes the dynamic between clients and their attorneys in ways that could impact their rights.

During this evaluation, appointed attorneys across the state reported that recoupment impacted their ability to adequately represent their clients because the cost of representation dictated the attorney-client relationship and decisions on the case, the report says.

Stop pretrial negotiations with defendants who have no lawyer

There are also counties where a magistrate judge  the kind of judge who sets pretrial bond conditions in both felony and misdemeanor cases  allows prosecutors to meet defendants and negotiate a plea before the defendant has a chance to request a court-appointed attorney.

Sometimes referred to as a preconference, this meeting occurs off the record and without defense counsel. There is no state law or court rule that governs this practice, the report says.

One researcher with the Sixth Amendment Center observed a defendant tell a judge he had a head injury and could not remember much after the judge explained his rights to him and others in a group message at the start of a hearing. Even so, he took a plea deal that day on two misdemeanor charges, with no defense attorney present, even after he repeated that he had no memory of the incident.

The report recommends ending the practice of negotiation between prosecutors and clients whove not yet had the chance to request a lawyer.

The Commission on Indigent Defense, the report says, should be funded by the Legislature at a level high enough to allow it to do oversight, and the commission should work to set statewide standards for effective public defense.

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We recently compiled a list of the 10 Worst Artificial Intelligence Stocks Under $50 According to Short Sellers. In this article, we are going to take a look at where C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) stands against the other AI stocks under $50.

The US artificial intelligence (Al) market size was pegged at US$123.07 billion in 2023, which should be able to compound at ~19.3% over 2024 to 2034 to touch US$851.46 billion, according to Precedence Research. While North America held over ~36.90% of the market share in 2023, the Asia Pacific market is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR of ~19.8% between 2024 and 2034.

The increased demand for automated and technologically advanced hardware and software products throughout end-use verticals, along with favorable government policies, continues to encourage the industries in North America to adopt Al. Over the past few years, significant investments by the tech giants in R&D fuelled technological advancements in various industries. Rapid penetration of digital technologies and the internet continue to contribute to the strong outlook for the global artificial intelligence market.

Latest Trends and Themes About Al

The 2 most important trends that stood out in 2023 were generative Al and electrification and renewables. As per McKinsey, the former saw a spike of ~700% in Google searches from 2022 to 2023, together with a strong increase in job postings and investments. This highlights the pace of technological innovation. Between 2023 and 2024, the size of the prompts that large language models (LLMs) can process, also known as "context windows," rose from 100,000 to 2 million tokens. Electrification and renewables were another trend that saw the highest investment and interest scores.

Even though several trends saw lower investment and hiring in 2023, experts believe that the long-term outlook remains strong. The continued focus on innovation by the enterprises and elevated interest in harnessing such technologies continue to demonstrate strong future growth prospects.

Innovation has widely been accepted in 3 trends, that form part of the "Al revolution" group. These include generative Al, Applied Al, and Industrializing machine learning. While Gen Al helps in creating new content from unstructured data (like text and images), applied Al helps in leveraging ML models for analytical and predictive tasks. Finally, industrializing machine learning ramps up and derisks the development of machine learning solutions. McKinsey reported that Applied Al and industrializing machine learning, aided by strong interest in gen Al, saw significant uptick in innovation. This was reflected in the surge in publications and patents between 2022 to 2023.

Story continues

At the same time, electrification and renewable energy technologies are capturing strong interest, demonstrated by the news mentions and web searches. Their popularity stems from a surge in global renewable capacity, critical roles in global decarbonization efforts, and heightened requirements of energy security amid geopolitical tensions and energy crises.

Potential for Artificial Intelligence- Applied Al, Industrializing Machine Learning, and More

The impact of analytical Al technologies, such as applications of machine learning (ML), computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP), has been growing throughout sectors. McKinsey research believes that Al applications have the potential to unlock an economic value of $11 trillion - $18 trillion annually.

The Regulators and policymakers continue to take note of Al's increasing impact. For example, the European Parliament passed the unified EU Artificial Intelligence Act. Regarding real-life uses, Saudi Aramco was able to develop an Al hub to efficiently analyze over 5 billion data points per day from wellheads in the oil and gas fields.

Industrializing machine learning (ML), widely known as machine learning operations (MLOps), refers to the process of scaling and maintaining ML applications within enterprises. MLOps remain critical in developing, deploying, and maintaining gen Al solutions. This will enable ML algorithms to be dispatched quickly and effectively. Some sectors which are adopting industrialized ML practices are energy and materials and technology, media, and telecommunications.

Our methodology

To list the 10 Worst Artificial Intelligence Stocks Under $50 According to Short Sellers, we added 20 AI tickers to the Finviz screener and sorted them by short interest. Next, we narrowed our list of stocks by selecting the ones having high short interest and share prices below $50. Finally, the stocks were ranked in ascending order of their short interest.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

A computer engineer debugging a complex AI application on a powerful workstation.

Share Price as of September 20: $23.25

Short % of Float (As of August 30): 28.69%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18

C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) carries out operations as an enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) software company in North America, and internationally.

Short sellers believe C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) has concerns about its ability to accelerate growth. The key area of concern remains the slowdown in subscription revenue growth. It saw a growth of only 20% YoY in 1Q 2025 to $73.5 million compared to a ~41% jump in the previous quarter. This deceleration weighed over the companys stock performance, mainly in the context of tightening corporate budgets for IT and software amid macroeconomic concerns. This also highlights the risks and challenges in expanding the customer base and converting its pilot programs to long-term contracts.

C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI)s optimistic outlook has not been translated into consistent and scalable revenue. C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) expects short-term pressure on gross margins as a result of the increased cost of pilot programs. Moreover, the investments to scale the business might impact its operating margins in the near term.

On the other hand, Wall Street analysts continue to remain optimistic about the companys growth prospects. They believe that the deceleration in the subscription revenue growth appears to be temporary and that the focus should be on revenue growth. In 1Q 2025, its total revenue came in at $87.2 million, exhibiting an increase of 21% compared to $72.4 million a year ago. This marks 6th consecutive quarter of accelerating revenue growth, pointing to the growing adoption of its enterprise AI offerings.

C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) has made significant strides when it comes to expanding its footprint throughout the public sector. The company signed 25 agreements with the state and local governments. Its federal business continues to do well, as the segment represented more than 30% of its bookings. The company made a new and expanded deal with the US military. The launch of C3 Generative AI for government programs demonstrates the likelihood of strong growth.

Northland Securities upped the shares of C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) from a Market-perform rating to an Outperform rating, giving a price target of $35.00 on 30th May. The company was held by 18 hedge funds, as per Insider Monkeys 2Q 2024 data.

Investment management company, Bireme Capital, recently released its fourth-quarter 2023 investor letter. Here is what the fund said:

Our final new short position is in a company called C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI). Originally named C3 Energy, C3.ai has changed its name multiple times based on whatever hot new trend they were supposedly capitalizing on. The energy theme was about smart grid and cap-and-trade. Then the firm changed its name to C3 IoT to attempt to capitalize on the Internet of Things buzz. After that trend fizzled out, the moniker was altered once more, with the company capturing the AI ticker in December 2020  a savvy move if it wants to sell stock to credulous investors, but irrelevant to its business prospects. As Kerrisdale put it, the company is a minor, cash burning consulting and services business masquerading as a software company.

Overall AI ranks 1st on our list of the worst AI stocks to buy under $50. While we acknowledge the potential of AI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued AI stock that is more promising than AI but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  A lot of the money the state put aside for hospitals in New Mexico is going unspenthundreds of millions of dollars worth. State lawmakers heard a report about how public tax dollars are being used to fund hospitals Monday morning, and the data revealed information that shocked lawmakers.

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I think it would be worth our while to maybe pass legislation that says, if you dont provide us data, financial data that we need, we dont give you any more money, said Rep. Elizabeth Thomson (D-Albuquerque).

State lawmakers expressed frustration over a new report from the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) concerning taxpayer money being poured into hospitals across New Mexico. The report had four main findings: first, that hospitals became less profitable between 2022 and 2023. However, While net income may have declined, hospitals are still making a significant amount of money in revenue, said Allegra Hernandez, senior fiscal analyst for the LFC.

Analysts said the money is going elsewhere: The hospital cost reports indicate that non-cash investments increased greatly during this period. This means that hospitals are creating changes to bad debt, corporate overhead allocations, and depreciation; and this explains the gap between increasing revenue and declining net income, Hernandez said. Hernandez explained to lawmakers that non-cash investments or adjustments meant these hospitals were sending money back to their parent company, using it for capital outlay, or write-off purposes.

Second, the reports show the state invested hundreds of millions into hospitals and rural providers for start-up services, but to date, the money hasnt been touched.

In FY25, the legislature investment $121 million of nonrecurring appropriations into hospitals, yet hospitals were not dispersed any funds as of September, Hernandez said.

Third: The Healthcare Quality, Delivery, and Access Act performance measures do no include metrics measuring healthcare outcomes and access, which is included in the name of the act over the next five years, Hernandez said.

Lastly, the report raised concerns over private-equity firm-owned hospitals in the state. New Mexico has the highest proportion of hospitals owned by private equity in the country, with 38 percent or 17 out of 43 hospitals owned by private equity firms, Hernandez said, National peer-reviewed research demonstrates that quality of care, and number of patients treated decline when hospitals are owned by private equity firms.

These hospitals are likely to charge more per inpatient day, experience higher cost-to-charge ratios for emergency departments, and total cost to charge ratios, Hernandez said.

The presentation made lawmakers ask: why havent hospitals spent the money?

Is there so much red tape involved in accessing money that thats why were having such a hard time expending the money? asked Rep. Harlan Vincent (R-Ruidoso Downs).

They asked where the money is going, and why it was so difficult to get data and information from these hospitals, especially after it came to light that the LFC had to make an official request for the documentation.

Its ridiculous that the overseeing body, the legislature, has to IPRA to get information [and] then theyre asking us for hundreds of millions of dollars and we cant know whos doing what or where the money is going, Thomson said.

The report also shows medical malpractice in hospitals in the report has risen only slightly compared to what lawmakers expected.

The report did not name any hospital owned by a private-equity firm and did not outline how they spent their money. Analysts did say most hospitals in the report were still profitable.

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Immigrant farm workers harvest broccoli on March 16, 2006 near the border town of near San Luis, south of Yuma, Arizona.

Immigrant farm workers harvest broccoli on March 16, 2006 near the border town of near San Luis, south of Yuma, Arizona. (David McNew/Getty Images)

In 2022, undocumented immigrants paid $71.9 million in Idaho state and local taxes, a recent study found.

That means undocumented immigrants  in Idaho, and 39 other states  paid higher state and local tax rates than the top 1% of households living in those states, according to a report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

The study shines a light on how undocumented immigrants pay higher tax rates than the top 1 percent in Idaho, May Roberts, policy analyst at the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, said in a news release Thursday. This information is important for lawmakers to consider when making policies that affect our tax structure and undocumented folks living in Idaho.

The study found undocumented workers current tax rate in Idaho was 7.2%, compared to 6.4% for the top 1% of all taxpayers.

How do undocumented immigrants pay taxes?

Undocumented immigrants pay a mix of taxes, including sales and excise taxes on purchases, property taxes, and personal and business income taxes, the study said.

About 44% of undocumented immigrants tax contributions in Idaho, including local and state taxes, are through sales and excise taxes, while 28% come from property taxes and 27% from income taxes, either personal or business, the news release said.

This study is the most comprehensive look at how much undocumented immigrants pay in taxes. And what it shows is that they pay quite a lot, to the tune of nearly $100 billion a year, Marco Guzman, study co-author and senior policy analyst at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said in the release. The bottom line here is that regardless of immigration status, we all contribute by paying our taxes.

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How much would undocumented immigrant taxes raise with work authorizations?

In total, the study found undocumented immigrants in 2022 paid over $96 billion in taxes  including federal, state and local taxes. Most taxes, about $59 billion, were paid to the federal government, while over $37 billion went to states and localities, according to the study.

On average, undocumented immigrants that year paid $8,889 in taxes.

But if every undocumented immigrant was granted work authorization, the study projected their tax contributions would increase by $40.2 billion each year  with the federal government set to receive around $33 billion, while states and localities would receive $7 billion.

Idahos yearly contributions, under that scenario, would rise from almost $72 million to around $89.9 million.

The study said Idahos undocumented population, estimated at 30,000 people, earned an aggregate income of around $1 billion.

The study didnt attempt to measure broader impacts from the increased economic activity created by these individuals, according to a news release. If those are taken into account, that would likely show undocumented immigrants have an even larger significance to public revenues, the release said.

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ODESSA, Texas(KMID/KPEJ)-Meet Gigi and Lucy! They are 4-week-old Australian Shepherd mix puppies looking for forever homes.

Due to how young they are, they have not yet received their full vaccinations. However, upon full vaccination, they are available for adoption and fostering.

Fix West Texas offers low-cost spay and neuter, vaccinations as well as surrenders for families who can no longer care for their furry friend. Fix West Texas has relocated to a newer and bigger 10,000-square-foot building.

The new address is 9507 West County Road 77, conveniently located in the middle of Midland and Odessa.

If you are interested in fostering, adopting, or vaccination you can find out more at Fix West Texas.

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Aerial still of Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming, on a clear day in the fall.

Rescuers in Yellowstone National Park searched the area of Eagle Peak on Sunday in an effort to find a park concession worker who failed to check in at the end of a personal trip, authorities said.

Austin King, 22, missed that check-in, at which he was to be picked up by a boat at Yellowstone Lakes Southeast Arm on Friday following a weeklong trek on and around Eagle Peak, the National Park Service said in a statement.

On Sunday, more than 20 searchers on the ground were aided by two helicopter-based crews, drones and a canine search team in the so-far unsuccessful effort to find the missing man on and around Eagle Peak, the park service said.

On Sept. 16, King spoke to a backcountry ranger at a location not on the route of his planned trek, telling the park official he planned to climb Eagle Peak the next day, which he did, according to a park service missing person flier.

At about 7 p.m. Tuesday, King told a relative about the challenging conditions on Eagle Peak's summit, according to the flier. The mountain rises 11,358 feet above sea level and is Yellowstone National Park's highest location, according to the service.

"While on the summit, King described fog, rain, sleet, hail and windy conditions," it said in the news release.

The Tuesday phone call was the last anyone heard from King, the park service said. Its not clear what happened between his summit on that day and his failure to show up for a boat on Friday.

Rescuers launched the effort to find King on Saturday, the park service said.

That day, search crews found an encampment and personal items belonging to King in the upper Howell Creek area, according to the service. It's not clear what became of a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup with Minnesota plates that the park service said is associated with King.

Crews from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, as well as from Park and Teton counties in Wyoming, have participated in the search, the park service said.

The park service said aerial and ground searches have focused on the Yellowstone Lake area, as well as Eagle Peak  both popular sites in the 2.2 million-acre park.

King embarked on his trek on Sept. 14 after he was dropped off by a boat at Terrace Point on Yellowstone Lake, the park service said in its missing person flier.

The lake is home to a shuttle boat service that provides backcountry access to select sites on Yellowstone Lake for overnight hiking and camping, according to Yellowstone National Park Lodges, which manages lodging in the park.

In the last three days, temperatures in Yellowstone National Park have bottomed out in the high 20s and struggled to break the 60-degree mark, according to National Weather Service data.

The park service said King is 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, has hazel eyes and was wearing glasses, a black sweatshirt and gray pants.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts was asked to contact the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at 307-344-2643.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A new robot dog developed by scientists is sniffing out invasive fire ants using artificial intelligence, according to a writeup by the Society of Chemical Industry in TechXplore.

The research team, spread across Brazil and China, trained the cyberpup to identify red imported fire ants, which are wreaking havoc in environments across the globe. The robot dogs are pretty good at their job, too. According to researchers, they identify three times more nests with greater precision compared to human inspectors.

The red imported fire ant is native to central South America, but it has established itself in the United States and Australia, and it has been reported in other parts of the world, like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Trinidad and Tobago, per the University of Florida.

As invasive organisms, they have caused extensive environmental and economic damage, according to the Tech Xplore post. In the U.S. alone, the species is responsible for an estimated $6 billion in economic losses annually through impacts like reduced crop yields and damage to farm equipment, as reported in an article in the journal Ecosphere.

Red imported fire ants also expand their range rapidly, displacing local flora and fauna, as Eduardo Fox  one of the robot dog scientists  explained in TechXplore. For instance, in China, they have been a problem since at least 2003, decreasing the abundance of native ant species.

However, the new ant-identifying robots can help to more effectively scout for nests so that the trouble-making ants can be eradicated, thereby reducing their impacts on people and the environment.

This is one of many attempts by scientists to control troublesome invasive species. For instance, an aggressive "stomp them" stance by state governments regarding spotted lanternflies seems to be yielding successful results in eradicating the pests, according to one study.

Animals and bugs aren't the only type of invasives, though. Plants can also outcompete native greenery for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Park officials and volunteers in California are fighting back against an invasive succulent known as the ice plant by scouring the coast and picking it on sight.

You, too, can make a difference when it comes to invasive plants by rewilding your yard with native species. This is not just better for the environment, but it can also help save you money and time on maintenance, lowering your monthly water bills, all while creating a healthier ecosystem for pollinators, which support our food supply.

As for the robo-dogs, corresponding author Zheng Yan said in TechXplore that the new technology also has potential to help support education surrounding the issue.

"Fire ants pose a serious threat in China, yet most people remain unaware of the dangers of invasive fire ant nests in public areas," he said. "Therefore, sightings of robots tracking fire ant nests are likely to captivate the public and raise awareness about the presence of fire ants."

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.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren (left) shakes hands with Navajo Nation Council Delegate Casey Allen Johnson (right) after signing the amendments to the Radioactive and Related Substances, Equipment, Vehicles, Persons and Materials Transportation Act of 2012 into law on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy of Navajo Nation Council)

After uranium ore was transferred across the Navajo Nation in July with little warning, tribal leaders started looking for ways to address the issue that would best benefit their people and community. The solution: strengthen tribal law.

The purpose of this legislation is to provide for the protection, health, and safety of the Navajo people, their guests and visitors, and the Navajo Nation environment, including its water resources, the legislation states.

In a special session held in late August, the Navajo Nation Council unanimously passed emergency legislation amending the Radioactive and Related Substances, Equipment, Vehicles, Persons and Materials Transportation Act of 2012 to strengthen the Navajo Nations regulatory authority over the transportation of uranium and other radioactive materials across their tribal lands.

Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency Executive Director Stephen Etsitty said the most significant change to the act requires advance notification from any company that plans to transport radioactive materials across the Navajo Nation.

Other changes to the law include implementing regulations requiring any person or entity seeking to transport uranium ore, yellowcake, radioactive waste or other radioactive products on or across Navajo Nation lands would need to first enter into an agreement with the Navajo Nation.

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That agreement must provide the terms and conditions for such transport, including routes, emergency plans, financial assurances, curfews and other travel restrictions, containment requirements and fees.

And now companies only had to notify the Navajo Nation seven days before transportation instead of four.

It doesnt seem like its a big change, but its an important thing, he said. We didnt get advanced notification for the first hauling action that occurred.

The amendment comes after Energy Fuels Resources, Inc. (EFRI) transported uranium ore across the Navajo Nation without making prior arrangements with the tribe or notifying it in advance to make safety arrangements.

EFRI, the owner of Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon, started transporting uranium ore from the mine to the White Mesa Mill in Blanding, Utah, on July 30.

The transportation routes to move the uranium from the Pinyon Plain Mine pass through several tribal communities, including the lands of the Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai and Ute Mountain Ute.

Amendments to the tribal law include interim regulations that will serve as the initial framework for the Navajo Nation when negotiating with companies involved in uranium transport.

They will be in effect for a year until the regulations are further developed through a comprehensive rulemaking process, ensuring that the Navajo Nation has the necessary tools to effectively manage and oversee the transport of radioactive materials.

Etsitty helped draft the new law, and said the old law did not have transport regulations because there was no active uranium mining near the Navajo Nation  until January.

This legislation provides the Navajo Nation with the statutory strength and regulatory framework needed to protect our lands and people from the hazards associated with uranium transport, Etsitty said. We will continue to engage with all stakeholders to ensure that our regulations are enforced and our communities are safeguarded.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed the amendments to the Radioactive and Related Substances, Equipment, Vehicles, Persons and Materials Transportation Act of 2012 into law on Aug. 29.

Respect tribal sovereignty and work with us, Nygren said, adding that having discussions with corporations to work with the Navajo Nation will benefit Arizona and the United States.

We are able to speak in English in this day and time, he added. Weve got our own attorneys, our own lawyers, and they are more than capable to come up with deals and solutions.

Negotiations started in August between the Navajo Nation and Energy Fuels Resources, Inc., about transporting uranium ore through Navajo lands to a processing facility in Utah.

As of Sept. 19, negotiations are ongoing between the Navajo Nation EPA, the tribes Department of Justice and EFRI, according to Geroge Hardeen, a spokesman for Nygren.

They havent reached the agreement they wanted to reach, which is how do you transport this material safely across the Navajo Nation, Hardeen said.

EFRIs actions resulted in several tribal members, environmental groups and leaders calling on the state and the mining company to respect tribal sovereignty because the Navajo Nation banned the transportation of radioactive material on tribal land over a decade ago.

The National Congress of American Indians describes tribal sovereignty as a tribal nations ability to govern, protect and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens within its tribal territory. This includes the ability to create and pass laws.

Tribal sovereignty ensures that any decisions about the tribes with regard to their property and citizens are made with their participation and consent, the Bureau of Indian Affairs states on its website.

The Navajo Nation became a sovereign nation when it signed the Treaty of 1868 with the United States, establishing it as a federally recognized tribe in the U.S., acknowledging its sovereignty and the federal governments responsibilities to the tribe.

The Navajo Nation officially established the Navajo Nation Council as the tribes governing body in 1923 in response to managing the extraction of natural resources on the tribes lands.

The discovery of oil on Navajoland in the early 1920s promoted the need for a more systematic form of government, according to historical information on the tribes official website. A tribal government was established to help meet the increasing desires of American oil companies to lease Navajoland for exploration.

The legacy of uranium mining has harmed the Navajo Nation for decades, from abandoned mines to contaminated waste disposal.

From 1944 to 1986, nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore were extracted from Navajo lands, according to the federal government, and hundreds of Navajo people worked in the mines, often living and raising families near the mines and mills.

The adverse impacts of radiation and uranium toxicity on the Navajo people and the environment are well known and must be guarded against by strict regulations to prevent exposures due to the transportation of uranium ore across the Navajo Nation, the legislation reads.

During the Navajo Nation Councils emergency session, many delegates voiced their concerns about the renewed interest in uranium mining, noting how it means that transportation of uranium ore across the Navajo Nation is imminent.

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Casey Allen Johnson, who represents the Cameron Chapter, sponsored the legislation. He said the amendments strengthen Navajo law to ensure Navajo people are protected from exposure to radioactive materials.

Johnson said that he lost his father to stomach cancer in August, and he attributed his fathers illness to uranium exposure. His mother passed away from the same disease 25 years earlier.

This is something that is dear to my heart, this legislation, all these uranium legislations, Johnson said. This legislation is my tears and arrows.

The legislation strengthened the Navajo Nations regulatory authority over transportation of uranium and other radioactive materials across its lands.

This legislation was a necessary step to ensure that our sovereignty is respected and that our people are protected from the potential dangers of uranium transport, said Navajo Nation Council Delegate Danny Simpson, a cosponsor of the bill. The events of July 30th were a clear violation of our laws.

Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and X.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A Fresno County judge is facing sexual assault allegations following an incident earlier this year, according to the DAs office.

Officials announced Monday that a grand jury indictment was unsealed against a retired Fresno County Superior Court Judge Adolfo Corona. The DA says the unsealing took place in Department 72 of the Fresno County Superior Court in front of the Honorable Joseph Kalashian (Ret.) of Tulare County.

The felony indictment filed in Fresno County Superior Court alleges that on March 14, 2024, Adolfo Corona committed the following:

 One count of sexual penetration by force, fear, or duress

 One count of sexual battery

If convicted of all charges, the DA says Corona faces a maximum of eight years in state prison and would be required to register as a sex offender.

Corona was notified of the charges and arraigned and entered a not-guilty plea.

Coronas bail is set at $70,000. Corona has been ordered to post his bail by 5 p.m. on Monday  or turn himself into the Fresno County Jail.

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BAY COUNTY, FL. (WMBB)  A 20-year tradition that has caught the eye of many tourists and Panama City locals. Little American flags have been decorating sand castles around the beach and many have begun to wonder where they came from.

Joe Cocco, a retired Panama City Beach firefighter and patriot began running miles down the shoreline leaving a small piece of patriotism and a big smile.

Well, I guess it was just like a patriotic gesture, I guess. You know, really being a proud father of my son wanted to join one of the toughest military groups there is in the United States. You know, being a marine, thats a pretty proud thing, Joe Cocco said.

A tradition beginning over 20 years ago to honor his son has become something bigger and more meaningful than he could have ever imagined.

Locals cleaned the Emerald Coast during International Coastal Cleanup Day

Its really nice for me when a child reacts to me giving them a flag and then they kind of want to run back and tell their parents about. Its kind of like I almost feel like the ice cream man in the sense that Im the ice cream man. You know, its kind of they get really excited about getting the flag and they want to kind of tell their parents about it, Cocco said.

Frequent beachgoers have noticed his consistency throughout the years and were curious about who he was and why he does it.

I just enjoy helping people. Im a member of the Optimus Club. We have a great bunch of gentlemen that do a lot of things for the youth here in Panama City Beach. So really, I enjoy doing service-oriented kind of things here in Panama City, Cocco said.

His kindness and mystery gave him the name flag man and a Facebook page of his fans began deciphering who he was and when he was making his rounds, just hoping to get their hands on one of these flags.

The kids make them sandcastles or a group of kids together or I see a veteran with like a veterans hat on from a past war. I try to give them to the vets, Cocco added.

Next time youre at the beach in Bay County keep an eye out for those flags and you may just see the flag man himself.

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The MV Caledonian Isles has been out of service since February [PA Media]

A CalMac ferry due to return to active service in the west of Scotland has been hit by a further delay.

The ferry operator said routine checks on the MV Caledonian Isles following berthing trials on 22 September had discovered an "unexpected problem" with the vessel's port gearbox.

The vessel sails between Ardrossan and Arran but has been out of service since February, when an annual service at a shipyard on the Mersey revealed a number of repairs were needed.

Sailings for part of Tuesday and Wednesday cancelled as a result.

Calmac said investigations had begun "immediately after the problem was identified" and were continuing.

A statement said: "We know this unexpected further problem will be concerning and frustrating - our teams continue to work hard to return MV Caledonian Isles to service as soon as possible."

Initially the ferry had expected to be out of service from February until June.

'Bitter blow'

According to the latest update, MV Isle of Arran will continue operating the timetabled Ardrossan - Brodick service up to and including the 13.55 Brodick to Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, sailing on Tuesday, but sailings for the remainder of Tuesday and Wednesday will be cancelled.

Calmac conceded some bookings up to this point would be affected, however, and said teams would be contacting passengers whose trips have been affected.

Jamie Greene, the Scottish Conservative MSP for West Scotland, called the news a "bitter blow" for people living on Arran,

He said: "Just days after they hoped this service might finally be back up and running again, it has been hit with more technical problems.

"Sadly, they will not be surprised given that Arran has long had to try and rely on some of the oldest ferries in CalMac's fleet."

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "We recognise the impact that delays and disruption have regrettably had on our island communities - including Arran - and are committed to investing in our ferry services.

"Delivering six new major vessels to serve Scotland's ferry network by 2026 is a priority for this government."
Revealing the long-lost secrets of the real First World War  more than 3,000 years ago

Revealing the long-lost secrets of the real First World War  more than 3,000 years ago

Archaeologists are revealing the long-lost secrets of the real First World War  a series of conflicts that unfolded across much of Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East some 32 centuries ago.

New research published on Monday reveals how two substantial armies from two different parts of Europe fought to the death in a major battle just south of the Baltic Sea. The two armies appear to have come from at least 400 miles apart  a southern one from Bavaria (or from what is now the Czech Republic) and a northern one from what is now north-east Germany.

But the battle, involving up to 2,000 warriors, seems to have been part of a series of conflicts and crises which caused chaos across a large swathe of the world from Scandinavia to the Sahara and from Western Europe to what is now Iraq.

This aerial view shows northern Germanys Tollense Valley and the archaeological excavations that have been unearthing the secrets of Bronze Age warfare (S. Sauer)

The battle, just south of the Baltic, was fought in the valley of the River Tollense in around 1250BC.

It appears to have been just the tip of a conflict iceberg which spread turmoil across vast areas in the mid-to-late 13th and early-to-mid 12th centuries BC, said one of the worlds leading authority on the period, Professor Barry Molloy of University College Dublin.

Germanys Tollense Valley was the site of a major inter-regional battle (Botaurus-stellaris, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

It was a time of huge political and economic instability, which saw the fall of the first great Greek civilisation (the Mycenaeans) from around 1230BC, the collapse of the Middle Easts Hittite empire in the 1190s BC, the weakening of ancient Egypt from around 1180BC, and the decline of Babylon by 1155BC.

It also seems to have seen the final 13th century BC collapse of the Indus valley civilisation, the 12th century decline of major political centres in Romania, Hungary and northern Serbia and the construction, in the 13th century BC, of defensive ramparts (ie, probable evidence of conflict) in Bavaria, Austria, Bohemia, and as far west as Ireland.

At roughly the same time there was even major economic and social disruption in North East China and a very pronounced rise in the portrayal of military violence in Scandinavia.

Crucial new research, on the collapse of the Hittite empire, was published by American scientists only last year  and key new evidence has been discovered by French and other archaeologists over recent years, revealing how the Late Bronze Age Collapse impacted Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The battle in north Germany in around 1250BC is not only the earliest known major battle in Europe  but was also much bigger than previously thought. So far, archaeologists have unearthed the remains of 160 warriors  but they have only excavated a tiny fraction of the battlefield, so its likely that the bones of many more Bronze Age warriors will be discovered.

Mycenaean soldiers, painted on 12th century BC pottery hint at the widespread insecurity of the Late Bronze Age Collapse (Wikimedia Commons)

They have so far also found 54 bronze arrowheads  but its believed that most arrows and other weapons were retrieved by the victors so that they could be reused.

An examination of the warriors injuries has revealed that arrows were probably the main cause of death  but wooden clubs, spears and bronze swords were also deployed with lethal effect.

But its a detailed study of the bronze arrowheads which has yielded the most remarkable revelation  namely that they were of two totally different designs: one from north-east Germany, the other from southern Germany or from Bohemia or Moravia in what is now the Czech Republic.

Thats the key information that suggests that the two armies came from very different parts of central Europe, at least 400 miles apart. The crucial new evidence is being published today by the prestigious UK-based academic journal, Antiquity.

The archaeologist who carried out the research on the arrowheads, Leif Inselmann at Gottingen University in Germany, says that the findings suggest that European Bronze Age fighting forces were far more mobile than previously thought.

This dramatic 12th century image portrays a battle between Egyptian troops and warriors who arrived by sea, probably from the islands of Mediterranean Europe (Wikimedia Commons)

Part of the battle was fought around a strategically and economically important bridge across the Tollense river. Indeed it may well have been a conflict over control of a vital trade route. Thats because the well-constructed Bronze Age road over the bridge was part of an important long-distance route connecting southern Europe with the Baltic (and its known that trade between the Mediterranean and Scandinavia involved valuable commodities like Mediterranean glass beads and copper and Baltic amber).

Our study of this battlefield completely changes our understanding of Bronze Age society, said the prehistorian, Professor Thomas Terberger of the University of Gottingen, a co-author of todays Antiquity paper.

Our investigations have been revealing the unexpected scale and level of military and political organisation in that period, he added.

The battle in the Tollense Valley is the earliest direct archaeological evidence ever found for fighting between substantial armies in Europe, said University College Dublins Professor Molloy.

Interestingly, the battle in the Tollense Valley (and many of the other Late Bronze Age instability events elsewhere in Europe and the Middle East) took place at around the same time as iconic stories described in the Bible and in Greek epic literature  including the Israelite Exodus from Egypt and the Trojan War.

Scandinavian warriors on a rock engraving near Tanumshede in Sweden (Wikicommons)

Taken as a whole, the instability, economic decline and widespread violence of the mid-to-late 13th and early-to-mid 12th centuries BC is known as the Late Bronze Age Collapse.

It is increasingly being seen as not only a very major transformative episode in world history, but also one of its most complex and enigmatic. Although substantial amounts of research are currently underway, its not yet known what caused the collapse.

Climatic factors were almost certainly involved, but earthquakes and disease pandemics are likely to have also played their part.

What's more, another factor was almost certainly involved  a factor which has profound implications for our own 21st century AD world, threatened as it is by climate change and other phenomena.

The inside of a Bronze Age warriors skull, showing how it had been penetrated by a lethal enemy bronze arrowhead (MINKUSIMAGES/Antiquity Journal)

The pre-collapse Bronze Age civilizations were, in many ways, extremely complex, especially in organisational, political and economic terms  and they therefore appear to have exceeded their ability to reassemble themselves after a major environmental, economic or military shock. Its a phenomenon which historians call overshoot.

Whats more, its not yet fully understood how the different conflicts in different parts of the Bronze Age European, Middle Eastern and North African worlds were or were not connected. However, because of societal and economic complexity, especially trade links and technological interdependence, it is likely that, like falling dominoes, many of the conflicts and crises of the Late Bronze Age Collapse triggered other conflicts and crises in other areas that had not yet been affected.

At the battle site currently being studied in northern Germanys Tollense Valley, its also not yet clear who won that particular battle, although some evidence points towards an at least temporary victory for the local north German population.
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Hair Care Stocks To Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) stands against the other hair care stocks.

According to Fortune Business Insights, in 2023, the hair care industry was estimated to be worth $99.52 billion globally. Between 2024 and 2032, the market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 10.4% from $106.91 billion to $213.47 billion. In 2023, Europe held a 36.43% market share, leading the hair care industry.

The demand for hair care products has increased as a result of the growing acceptance of longer hairstyles by males and the growing popularity of hair coloring. According to a survey conducted in 2020 by Garnier, 42% of 2,000 Americans discovered new techniques for dyeing their gray hair. Secondly, an increasing number of consumers are dealing with hair problems such as dandruff, graying hair, and hair loss, which will likely lead to a rise in the use of hairdressing products. According to survey results released in January 2022 by the Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery Institute (DCSI), over two-thirds of Americans over the age of 35 experience issues with hair thinning and loss. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) released estimates showing that 30% of Japanese people were over 60 in 2020. Thirdly, there is an increasing emphasis on the development of organic and natural products to meet rising product demand. For example, Australian scalp care brand Straand made its UK debut in November 2023. To create product distinctiveness in the very competitive market, the company concentrates on creating cruelty-free and microbiome-centric products.

Specifically, as we have mentioned in our article, 20 Cheap Alternatives to Aveda Shampoo," the global luxury hair care market was dominated by the luxury shampoo segment, which held a revenue share of approximately 30.5% in 2023.

According to a Cirana report, sales of hair products in the prestige market rose by 10% YoY in the first half of 2024, based on dollars, with styling and treatments showing the fastest rate of growth within the category. The trend of premiumization is still driving growth; three times as many hair products as lower-priced items have been added in the last three years, and these products now make up 25% of the category's unit sales, compared with 15% just three years ago. Being the only beauty category where the bulk of sales takes place online, the premium hair market also makes for an intriguing channel tale. In fact, with double-digit growth in sales, the e-commerce channel is not slowing down at all.

Story continues

One hair care product that is gaining popularity is dry shampoo. As we have stated in our article, 11 Dry Shampoo Alternatives for Every Hair Color and Type, the dry shampoo market is expected to grow from $5.35 billion in 2023 to a valuation of $9.18 billion in 2030.

As we look ahead, Frost & Sullivans report reveals that the hair care market is changing due to disruptive technology like artificial intelligence, customized solutions, and innovative ingredients. The "skinification" movement places a strong emphasis on scalp health, which is driving businesses to use regenerative medicine and useful components like biotin and peptides. Personalized care is improved via IoT-enabled grooming products and AI-powered scalp analysis technologies. Companies are adopting waterless products, recyclable packaging, and a reduction in toxic chemicals as a significant priority in sustainability. Companies that want to satisfy changing customer preferences and lessen their environmental effect must promote scalp health and integrate next-generation technologies. These developments spur expansion and help brands maintain their competitiveness in a market that is changing quickly.

Benoit Butruille, Growth Expert and Principal Consultant, TechVision at Frost & Sullivan, stated:

Hair and scalp care is booming, and it is of great interest to understand the innovations and strategies driving this growth. Technologies such as AI are being used to develop smart hair care devices. Additionally, sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important as more customers seek products made with ethically sourced, eco-friendly ingredients.

Methodology:

We sifted through holdings of hair care ETFs and online rankings to form an initial list of 20 hair care stocks. Then we selected the 10 stocks that were the most popular among institutional investors. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q2 2024.

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 newsletter's strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here)

5 Best Products For Acne-Prone Skin in 2024

A close-up of a woman's face wearing a beauty product, highlighting the company's range of luxury items.

Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 23

Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) licenses luxury and high-end brands including Gucci, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Davidoff, and Calvin Klein for its fragrance division; its consumer cosmetics business is focused on acquired mass brands like Rimmel, CoverGirl, Max Factor, Sally Hansen, and Bourjois. Most importantly, the company sells haircare products under Philosophy and other brands.

Europe accounts for over 44% of the cosmetics company's revenue, followed by the Americas (42%), Asia-Pacific (14%), and other regions. A German investment company called JAB owns a majority 53% share.

Sue Nabi, who joined Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) as CEO in 2020, has improved the company's performance since taking over by keeping costs under control, reviving brand advertising, and focusing the company's attention on innovation because of her 20 years of experience in the beauty industry. In light of this, following the pandemic lows, sales growth and profitability both grew. Since the COVID-19, sales have increased by 32.14%.

Strong financial performance in Q4 2024, particularly in the luxury fragrance industry, and strategic execution across high-growth markets were the reasons given by Bank of America analyst Anna Lizzul for maintaining a Buy rating on the beauty company. Their $14 price estimate supports a premium valuation by taking into account Coty's better growth profile, margin expansion, and leverage reduction initiatives.

Reiterating an Overweight rating with a $13 price target, Piper Sandler believes that Coty's continuous execution and realistic expectations are essential to the company's optimistic future. Despite negative sentiment from peers, the firm underlines robust margins and optimism for the global beauty industry.

Steve Cohen's Point72 Asset Management is the largest shareholder in the company, with 5,582,064 shares worth $55.93 million.

Overall COTY ranks 10th on our list of the best hair care stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of COTY 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 COTY 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.
RFK Jr. asks Supreme Court to keep his name on New York ballot despite Trump endorsement

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked the Supreme Court on Monday to keep his name on New Yorks presidential ballot, even though he suspended his campaign in August and backed former President Donald Trump.

In an emergency appeal, Kennedy argued that New York voters who signed petitions supporting him have a constitutional right to have Kennedy placed on the ballot  and to vote for him, whether he is campaigning for their vote or not.

In August, Kennedy suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump, pledging to remove his name from the ballot in a handful of battleground states yet encouraging supporters in non-competitive states traditionally won by Republicans or Democrats to vote for him.

But in the weeks since he dropped out of the race, Kennedy has made more direct appeals to his supporters to back Trump regardless of where they live, while also withdrawing his name from the ballot in some deeply Republican states.

A lot of people are asking me, if they live in a red state or a blue state, should they still vote for me? What about swing states?, Kennedy wrote in a fundraising email earlier this month. The answer is easy. No matter what state you live in, I urge you to vote for Donald Trump. The reason is that is the only way we can get me and everything I stand for into Washington DC and fulfill the mission that motivated my campaign.

Kennedy was removed from the ballot in New York because, election officials said, he included an invalid address on his nominating petition. Lower courts, including the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, have rejected his efforts to challenge that decision.

Its the second presidential ballot access appeal to reach the Supreme Court in recent weeks, underscoring the spoiler role third party and independent candidates can play in tight elections. On Friday, the Supreme Court denied an emergency request from the Green Party to ensure presidential candidate Jill Stein could appear on the ballot in the battleground state of Nevada.

Kennedys request was filed with Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who handles emergency appeals from the 2nd Circuit. Sotomayor requested a response from New York election officials by Wednesday afternoon.

CNNs Aaron Pelilsh contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Roanoke area included for $2.1 million in grants to assist 7 trail projects across state

Roanoke area included for $2.1 million in grants to assist 7 trail projects across state

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Federal Highway Administration have awarded grants to seven trail projects in Virginia, including three in the Southwest and Central regions.

The grants for the trail projects have been made available through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which is a federal reimbursement program to construct and restore recreational trails and trail facilities.

Photo Credit: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The Roanoke River Blueway will soon have a new accessible launch site at Memorial Bridge in the City of Roanoke through the Recreational Trails Program.

The project in 2024 is to develop and attract diverse trail use to the commonwealth. A total of 29 applications were submitted by the end of May.

$2M Pedlar River Watershed Restoration Project to improve resources in Lynchburg

Anyone was eligable to compete for the funding including towns, cities, counties, park and rec authorities, tribal governments, state and federal agencies, and non-profit organizations.

Those selected for the project include the following:

Roanoke River Blueway: Memorial Bridge Access Point, City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department, $331,652.64 Sunset Park Natural Surface Trails, City of Waynesboro, $241,463.10 Wolf Creek Greenway Accessible Restroom Facility, Town of Vinton, $177,217.78 Pollocks Branch Trail Bridge, City of Charlottesville, $307,639.69 Creeper Trail Bridge Rehabilitation, Town of Abingdon, $236,630.54 Lehigh Portland Park Motorized Trail System, Family Off-Road Riders of Prince William County, $637,887.58 Little Fork Episcopal Church Interpretive & Recreational Trail, Little Fork Episcopal Church, $168,780

For more information on future RTP grants visit, www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/grants

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Robinson returns to campaign trail as senior staffers resign, GOP pols distance themselves

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson addresses attendees September 21st at the at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway. (Screengrab from Robinson's campaign account on X.)

Mark Robinson addresses attendees September 21st at the at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway. (Screengrab from Robinson's campaign account on X.)

Lt. Governor Mark Robinson returns to the campaign trail Monday with the hopes of refocusing his faltering gubernatorial campaign on the issues.

The Republican nominee has spent the past four days denying a CNN report about lewd and offensive online posts, and by Sunday some top members of his campaign had resigned.

Last Thursday, CNN aired an investigative report that unearthed several online accounts and comments in which Robinson allegedly said, slavery is not bad and referred to himself as a black NAZI and a perv.

The more graphic and lewd posts dated back years before Robinson entered politics, but fellow Republicans have been quick since the CNN report to distance themselves from the NCGOPs nominee for governor.

Robinson emphatically denied the story last week. But he notably did not share the stage with former President Donald Trump on Saturday in Wilmington. Trump who has previously called the lieutenant governor better than Martin Luther King, Jr. did not mention him once at the crowded rally.

The Robinson campaign arranged instead for him to attend a meet-and-greet at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway coinciding with the Carlton Lamm Memorial Race.

The Fayetteville Observer reported that Robinson spoke for about two minutes and offered a prayer before the race.

Were going to focus on the issues that you are concerned with while everybody else wants to focus on the garbage and the trash.

Most in attendance on Saturday evening were there to watch auto racing on a dirt track not talk politics  an apt venue for a candidate working out their own end-of-race strategy.

Republicans leave Robinson to make the case by himself, staffers resign

Ninety-three miles to the south in Wilmington on Saturday, U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) avoided any mention of Robinson, instead focusing on the closeness of the races in a battleground state.

In the last election, 19% of Republicans didnt even vote, Budd told the Trump audience. Thats not going to happen again. Make a plan to vote and take 10 friends with you.

U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop, who is vying to become the states first Republican attorney general since 1896, used his time in the national spotlight to blame Democrats and a complicit media for abusing their investigative and prosecutorial power.

Rep. Erin Pare

They think by demoralizing us, theyll defeat us just like 1898. We will not let this happen, pledged Bishop. Perhaps they will stop one of usbut they will not stop all of us.

State Rep. Erin Pare (R-Wake) spent the weekend canvassing in her own district. She called the allegations regarding Robinson completely abhorrent and indefensible.

Mark has told the public these allegations are false, and it is his responsibility to prove that to North Carolina voters, said Pare in a social media post.

Former Republican governor Pat McCrory offered his own prediction.

I think whats going to happen as people are deserting him, people that used to beg him to be on the same podium as him, are now just going to walk away, McCrory told CNNs Boris Sanchez.

By Sunday evening, those walking away were trusted staff members. Departing Robinsons campaign are senior campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk, senior adviser Conrad Pogorzelski III, and Heather Whillier, the campaign finance director.

Both WUNC and CNN reported that additional employees on the Robinson campaign have also stepped away.

An announcement on new staff will be forthcoming from the campaign soon, according to a Sunday press release.

Top of the ticket has no plans to appear with Robinson

The matter has become such a distraction for the party, Republican vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance was asked about the Robinson allegations in an interview with NBC Philadelphia.

I dont not believe him, I dont believe him, said Vance. I just think that you have to let these things sometimes play out in the court of public opinion.

Vance, who returns to North Carolina on Monday, said the ticket has no plans to appear with Robinson in the battleground state.

While Vance will be in Charlotte to deliver remarks on the economy, Lt. Gov. Robinson has scheduled a 9:00 am appearance at Vernons Cake Carousel in Wilkesboro followed by a 2:30 pm meet-and-greet at the Blue Ridge Diner in Watauga County.
The alleged triggerman in an August shooting in a parking lot across the street from Winthrop University turned himself in Sunday, police said.

Jerrique Tavrone Markez Dunham, 19, of Rock Hill, surrendered Sunday. Thats almost a month after the 18-year-old victim was shot in the head in the parking lot of a McDonalds restaurant, the Rock Hill Police Department said in a statement.

The shooting happened across Cherry Road from the Winthrop campus, south of Oakland Avenue. Classes for the fall semester had started days earlier in August.

Dunham is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Law enforcement had sought Durham since shortly after the shooting. Rock Hill police Lt. Michael Chavis said. Police said previously in court the shooting happened during a gun sale. The victim was talking to people inside an SUV when he was shot, police said.

The victims name has not been released. His current condition was not available Monday, but he previously was hospitalized in stable condition, Chavis said.

Dunham also is charged with two counts of shooting into a dwelling from a previous incident, police said. No details about the other shooting Dunham is charged with have been released.

Officers previously arrested Durhams brother, Jameson Larone Dunham, 20, of Chester, on an accessory after the fact charge from the McDonalds lot incident.

Both suspects remain in the York County jail, according to the sheriffs office website.
RSPCA trustee David Mawson (L) has pleaded not guilty at Inner London Crown Court - TONY PALMER

An RSPCA trustee funded his lavish lifestyle by swindling the animal charity out of more than 100,000 during a five-year expenses scam for hotel stays and taxis, a court heard on Monday.

David Mawson, 50, is accused of exploiting the charitys bank accounts to enjoy hundreds of nights in hotels he was not entitled to, as well as free journeys.

This case is about fraud, we say, Mr Mawson committed over a five-year period between 2012 and 2017, Andrew Hallworth, the prosecutor, told the Inner London Crown Court jury.

It was a fraud committed by Mr Mawson when he was a trustee of the RSPCA, so this was a serious breach of trust by him.

It was a fraud that was committed on a regular basis and involved Mr Mawson fraudulently using the charitys bank card to fund his own lavish lifestyle to obtain free hotels and free taxi rides.

Mr Mawson enjoyed a total of 436 nights at various Premier Inns - TONY PALMER

The prosecution said Mr Mawson defrauded the charity of approximately 91,300 in hotel stays and approximately 10,000 in taxi fares.

He had no right or permission to do what he did, despite anything he may say to the contrary and as such he acted dishonestly throughout.

The court heard that it is the local voluntary trustees who make the day-to-day decisions regarding charity shops and local animal welfare projects.

Trustees are allowed to bill for reasonable and necessary costs, but the jury were told the money should not be for personal benefit.

Mr Mawson, of Staines Road, Twickenham, has pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between Jan 1, 2012 and Dec 21, 2017, namely while occupying the position of trustee, which he dishonestly abused regarding hotel and taxi expenses intending to make financial gain.

The South East London Branch (SELB) of the RSPCA has three charity shops in West Norwood, Grove Park and Sydenham. Mr Mawson was the SELB secretary since 2009.

He exercised control over the SELBs bank accounts and was, we say, more active in the daily running than others, anyway more busy than he would admit.

Mr Mawson typically booked Premier Inn rooms and spent over 18,000 on the SELB Barclaycard; over 43,000 on a Co-op debit card and over 29,000 on a CAF Bank corporate account, the trial heard.

436 nights at Premier Inn

Between 2013 and 2017, Mr Mawson enjoyed a total of 436 nights at various Premier Inns paid for by the RSPCAs accounts.

However, the true number is likely to be much larger as individual payments through the bank statements may represent more than one nights stay, explained Mr Hallworth.

There was no charity business going on that would justify these hotel stays or taxi journeys.

10,000 on taxis

Taxi firm Addison Lee received over 10,000 from RSPCA accounts for journeys booked by Mr Mawson.

Eventually the police were alerted by Gerda Glage, the SELB chairman, and her husband Ivan House, and a forensic audit was carried out on their accounts between 2012 and 2018.

Mr Mawson was removed from his RSPCA post in September, 2018 and later questioned by police officers.

He claimed that it was no secret that he was using charity funds for hotel and taxi expenses and that he submitted relevant claims.

The prosecution also produced a map of unnecessary taxi journeys billed by Mr Mawson.

Dodgy neighbour

Mr Mawson said a dodgy neighbour who had at least one spell in prison resulted in Premier Inn allowing him to stay for additional nights.

However, Mr Mawson never called the police about any issues with the neighbour, said the prosecutor.

Even assuming that the charity was aware of this, which is not accepted, and endorsed his use of the charitys bank accounts for that purpose, which is also not accepted, there were in fact 84 occasions when the charity paid for Premier Inn bookings when his dodgy neighbour cannot have been an issue to him, because he was in prison.

So even if you were to give him the benefit of the doubt about some of the expenses it is difficult to see any defence to those bookings where no charity business was taking place or when his dodgy neighbour was in prison.

The trial is expected to last seven days.

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Russia and its 'accomplices' want to disrupt global unity, Zelensky tells UN

Russia and its "accomplices" are actively trying to prevent global unity, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the United Nations' Summit of the Future on Sept. 23.

Zelensky arrived in the U.S. on Sept. 22, ahead of the 79th U.N. General Assembly and a series of meetings with world leaders devoted to presenting Ukraine's "victory plan." The Summit of the Future 2024, held at U.N. headquarters in New York City, covers a broad range of global themes, including peace and security.

"You all can see who always not only stands against (the U.N. charter), but also actively works to undermine global unity," Zelensky said in his address during the plenary session of the summit.

"The same small group of seven accomplices, led by Russia, has once again acted destructively, always opposing any global initiatives that strengthen the effectiveness of the U.N. charter."

Zelensky did not list Russia's "accomplices" by name, but said this group has "always behaved this way," seeking to undermine U.N. efforts and rule of law.

Zelensky urged world leaders to join Ukraine's efforts "to overcome the destructiveness of Russia and its accomplices," calling on nations to participate in the next global peace summit for Ukraine.

"Putin has stolen much already, but he will never steal the world's future," he said.

Ukraine's goals for peace, including the president's much-anticipated victory plan, are the focus of Zelensky's U.S. tour. Zelensky is expected to present the details of the plan to U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Sept. 26.

The five-point plan reportedly includes Ukraine's fast-tracked accession to the NATO alliance.

Read also: Russia must feel its going to lose  Zelenskys victory plan, explained

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Russia deploys sailors from its only aircraft carrier to war zone in Ukraine due to personnel shortages  Forbes

Sailors who served on the Russian Navy's sole aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, have likely been deployed to the war zone in Ukraine.

Source: Forbes, citing data from analysts from the OSINT project Moklasen

Details: Forbes reports that the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, which has remained out of service for eight years, may never return to combat duty.

The magazine notes that the warship's crew is being sent to the battlefield in Ukraine, another indication of the crisis in the Russian Armed Forces.

A Moklasen analyst observed that a portion of the Admiral Kuznetsov's 1,500-strong crew has been reassigned to the ground forces, forming a "frigate" battalion now engaged in combat operations as part of the 1st Guards Tank Army.

Forbes says this unit initially fought in Kharkiv Oblast and was later redeployed to the Pokrovsk front. At least one of the sailors from this battalion has gone missing in action.

Quote: "That the Russians are apparently pulling people from Kuznetsov isnt surprising. The Kremlin is taking extreme measures to mobilise the 30,000 fresh troops it needs every month just to replace battlefield losses  killed, wounded and captured  in Ukraine."

For reference: The Admiral Kuznetsov is the only aircraft carrier in the Russian Navy, serving as the flagship of both the Navy and the Northern Fleet. During its last operation off the Syrian coast in 2016, the carrier lost several aircraft due to runway accidents. In 2018, it sustained damage when its repair dock flooded, and in 2019, the vessel caught fire while undergoing repairs.

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Russia is expanding its intelligence operations in Mexico to spy on the United States, increase propaganda and undermine support for Ukraine.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW); NBC News

Details: NBC News, citing unnamed US officials and former intelligence officers, reported that Russian intelligence services have been increasing their presence in Mexico over the past few years to spy on the United States and to increase propaganda aimed at undermining the United States and Ukraine.

US officials have expressed concern that Russia has increased the number of staff at its embassy in Mexico City by dozens despite the lack of strong trade relations with Mexico and have interpreted the increase as a return to Cold War tactics aimed at bolstering intelligence operations in Mexico.

The ISW noted that William Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, recently indicated that the increase was the result of the expulsion of Russian spies from Europe.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 22 September:

Ukraine's 18 September strike against a Russian missile and ammunition storage facility near Toropets, Tver Oblast reportedly destroyed enough Russian munitions to affect Russian operations in the coming months.

The Kremlin is reportedly reconsidering the effectiveness of nuclear sabre-rattling as part of its efforts to influence the ongoing Western policy debate about supporting Ukraine and specifically permitting Ukraine to use Western-provided weapons against military facilities in Russia.

Satellite imagery of damage at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk Oblast captured on 21 September suggests that the Russian military recently conducted an unsuccessful RS-28 Sarmat nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov stated on 21 September that Ukraine will increase its production of drones by "several times" in 2025 in order to maintain Ukraine's quantitative superiority over Russian drone production.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced on 22 September that Russia will not participate in Ukraine's second peace summit later in 2024 or in any "such summits".

Russia is reportedly expanding intelligence operations in Mexico to undermine the United States and support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Svatove.

Russian forces recently marginally advanced near Toretsk and Pokrovsk, southwest of the city of Donetsk, and in the Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia Oblast border area.

A Ukrainian officer in a drone crew stated on 22 September that the Russian military command is forcing soldiers to dig trenches at Russian positions in unspecified areas of Ukraine without weapons and sometimes without armour, helmets, or military uniforms.

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Russia has no right to rewrite the law of the sea  Ukraine's representative in The Hague

Anton Korynevych, Agent of Ukraine and Ambassador-at-Large of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, has articulated Kyiv's position during oral hearings at the Hague Arbitration Tribunal regarding Ukraine's rights in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

Source: press service for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Noting that Ukraine is presenting evidence of numerous violations of maritime law by Russia, Korynevych underscored that "Russia has no right to rewrite the law of the sea".

He noted that Russia claims that all 37,600 sq. km of the Sea of Azov are internal waters, which are not covered by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

However, Ukraine is insisting that the tribunal should not rule in a way that departs from the text of UNCLOS. Not should it recognise the Sea of Azov as the internal waters of multiple states.

"Such a ruling would imperil the rights of Ukraine, and also of the flag States of the many vessels that have historically transported millions of tonnes of grain, steel and other commodities to and from Mariupol and Berdiansk," Korynevych said.

He also highlighted the unlawful nature of the Kerch Bridge and stressed that it "must come down".

"The Kerch Strait should be returned to its status before this illegal threat to navigation began," Korynevych said.

He noted that Ukraine is asking the tribunal to apply the Convention on the Law of the Sea as it is written.

"Exercise the mandatory jurisdiction that UNCLOS confers on you. And for the small but important slice of Russias conduct that is before you  its violations of the law of the sea  hold Russia accountable," the agent of Ukraine declared.

Background:

Ukraine initiated arbitration proceedings against Russia in September 2016 "in order to protect its rights as a coastal state in the waters adjacent to Crimea in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait".

In August 2018, the court in The Hague decided to consider Russia's objections, postponing the hearing on the merits.

Russia's main objection was that Ukraine's claims did not actually relate to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea but were an attempt to obtain a ruling confirming Ukraine's sovereignty over the Crimean peninsula.

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Russia will not be invited to 80th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp

The representatives of Russia will not be invited to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp which will be celebrated on 27 January 2025.

Source: statement by the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Piotr Cywinski, the director of the museum, stressed that the memory of the camps victims will be honoured at the anniversary celebration but this is also the "anniversary of liberation".

Quote: "It is hard to imagine the presence of Russia, which clearly does not understand the value of freedom. Such presence would be cynical. I would like it to be possible again someday, but let's be serious  it certainly won't be in the next four months."

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, located in the southern Polish city of Oswiecim, decided not to invite Russian representatives for the third time since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Before that Russia always participated in the ceremony dedicated to the liberation of Auschwitz, held every year on 27 January. On the day of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine the museum condemned the Russian offensive as a "barbaric act".

In June 2022 the museum reported that it became an object of Russian propaganda which was trying to use it to prove an alleged Russophobia in the West.

Nazi Germany built the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp after invading Poland during WW2. The German Nazis killed about 1.1 million people in Auschwitz, mostly Jews, as well as Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and people of other nationalities.

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(Bloomberg) -- Chinas housing rescue package offers the best path for putting the country on track to expand around 5%, in the view of most economists, assuming its deployed to maximum effect in the face of a real estate crisis expected to last as long as five more years.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Among the policy options considered by 15 analysts in a Bloomberg survey, a more forceful implementation of the government-led plan was the top choice of a majority of respondents. The poll followed the release of data for August that deepened doubts over whether the economy will meet Beijings annual growth goal.

A complete change in mindset is required to break the deflationary spiral, said Raymond Yeung, chief economist for Greater China at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. A massive easing is needed to avoid a contractionary nominal GDP.

The years-long real estate slump thats wiped out an estimated $18 trillion in wealth from households has been the single biggest challenge faced by the Chinese economy. Its cost millions of jobs, ravaged consumer confidence and brought down demand for products like steel.

Yet four months after China unveiled its most far-reaching attempt to revive the property market, progress has been slow on plans that include a program to provide 300 billion yuan ($42.5 billion) of central bank funding to help government-backed firms buy unsold homes from developers. Unemployment has worsened in the meantime, with the youth jobless rate rising for the second straight month in August to its highest level this year.

Designed to reduce the inventory glut, the package of measures is far short of the 1 trillion to 5 trillion yuan that some analysts said was needed to deliver a more decisive fix. And given the unattractive economics of the plan for local authorities, only 29 cities are heeding the call to help absorb an excess of housing, a fraction of more than 200 urged to participate by the central government.

China has dismissed as risky and overly expensive a proposal  with a price tag of almost $1 trillion  made by the International Monetary Fund to use central government funds to complete unfinished housing on a large scale.

Authorities have been unwilling to extend more support to the housing sector, in part, because of Beijings resolve to shift the economys growth driver away from property to technology and manufacturing. The government has urged banks to lend to developers and stalled housing projects, while stopping short of providing direct funding.

Story continues

Fiscal policy has been a drag on economic growth this year  a broad measure of government spending fell an annual 2.9% in the first eight months of 2024, accelerating from a 2% drop in the seven months through July, according to the latest government data. A plunge in revenue from land sales has been a particular drain on budgets, with the earnings slumping a record 41.8% in the January-August period.

Target Undershoot

Without a stimulus blitz, the Chinese economy is expected to expand 4.8% this year in real terms, according to the median forecast of economists in the survey, falling roughly at the lower end of the governments target range. But nominal growth, which factors in the impact of declining prices, will likely come far lower at 4.25%, they estimate.

Measures other than housing support will likely prove less effective in giving the economy a push, the survey showed. Four of the economists favor encouraging local governments to use their bond quotas, two voted for rate cuts, and one chose a budget revision to unleash more public spending.

Meanwhile, Chinas property gloom is projected to last another two to five years by eight economists in the survey.

What Bloomberg Economics Says...drag

The extended decline in housing activity indicates the rescue package announced in mid-May has failed to get much traction. A sharper drop in housing prices suggest developers and homeowners are offering discounts to try to offload homes in the weak market. More policy support in the form of faster implementation is needed  especially on budged spending and property measures.

 Chang Shu, chief Asia economist, and Eric Zhu, economist. For full analysis, click here

Chinese authorities are considering various ways to shore up the real estate market. That includes letting local governments buy unsold homes with funds raised from special bond issuance, reducing rates on outstanding mortgages, and removing some of the remaining home purchase restrictions for consumers.

Local officials have been cautious because property prices are expected to slide further despite previous plunges, while estimated returns from turning inventory into affordable rental housing are below the cost of funding.

In a sign the slow roll-out of the rescue plan has failed to put a floor under the downturn, new-home prices in China fell 0.73% last month from July, the biggest decline since 2014.

Property investment continued to decrease at a double-digit rate, while consumption weakened more than expected and a deceleration in production notched its longest slowing streak since 2021.

Policymakers have so far chosen to stay the course and roll out steady drips of policy support. said Erica Tay, an economist with Maybank Investment Banking Group. The time has come for a forceful, front-loaded fiscal boost.

(Updates with detail, background.)

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Russia produced most AI content to sway presidential vote, US intelligence official says

By Jonathan Landay and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Russia has generated more AI content to influence the U.S. presidential election than any other foreign power as part of its broader effort to boost Republican candidate Donald Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris, a U.S. intelligence official said on Monday.

The official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), speaking on condition of anonymity, made the comment in a briefing to reporters on the alleged use of AI by Russia and other countries to influence the Nov. 5 vote.

AI content produced by Moscow is "consistent with Russia's broader efforts to boost the former president's (Trump) candidacy and denigrate the vice president (Harris) and the Democratic Party, including through conspiratorial narratives," he said.

The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Russia previously has denied interfering in the U.S. election.

Like other forms of artificial intelligence, generative AI learns from past data how to take actions. Using that training, it creates new content like text, pictures and videos that appears to have been produced by humans.

The ODNI official said Russia is generating more AI content to influence the November election than any other country, but did not provide a volume of that AI content.

He said Russia was a much more sophisticated actor and had a better understanding of how U.S. elections work and appropriate targets.

Asked how Russia was disseminating AI content, the official pointed to a July 9 Justice Department announcement of the disruption of an alleged Moscow-backed operation that used AI-enhanced social media accounts to spread pro-Kremlin messages in the U.S. and elsewhere.

The official said "Russian influence actors" staged a widely reported video in which a woman claimed she was a victim of a hit-and-run car accident by Harris. The video, however, was staged rather than produced through AI, he said. Microsoft said last week its research showed that video was the work of a covert Russian disinformation operation.

China has been using AI content in an attempt to influence how it is perceived worldwide, but not to sway the outcome of the U.S. election, the official said.

"China is using AI in broader influence operations seeking to shape global views of China and amplify divisive U.S. political issues," the official said. "We are not yet seeing China use AI for any specific operations targeting U.S. election outcomes."

Iranian influence actors have used AI to help generate posts for social media and "write inauthentic news articles for websites that claim to be real news sites," the official said.

The content created by the Iranian actors is in English and Spanish. It has targeted American voters "across the political spectrum on polarizing issues" such as Israel and the conflict in Gaza, and on the presidential candidates, the official said.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Iran has previously denied interfering in the U.S. vote.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Stephen Coates and David Gregorio)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will not test a nuclear weapon as long as the United States refrains from testing, President Vladimir Putin's point man for arms control said on Monday after speculation that the Kremlin might abandon its post-Soviet nuclear test moratorium.

As the United States and its European allies consider giving Ukraine permission to strike deep into Russia with Western missiles, there has been increasing talk that Russia could resume nuclear testing.

Russian state-run newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta last week published an interview with Andrei Sinitsyn, head of Russia's nuclear test site at Novaya Zemlya, saying the site is ready for resumption of full-scale testing.

Putin, the ultimate decision-maker for the world's biggest nuclear power, has linked any resumption of Russian nuclear testing to similar such moves by the United States, and has said he has no need to use such weapons to win the war in Ukraine.

"Nothing has changed," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who is in charge of Russian arms control policy, told Russian news agencies about the speculation that a nuclear test could be Russia's answer to missile strikes deep into Russia.

"As defined and formulated by the president of the Russian Federation, we can conduct such tests, but we will not conduct them if the United States refrains from such steps."

Ryabkov said preparations at Russia's Novaya Zemlya nuclear test site to make it "fully ready" were undertaken in response to actions by the United States which he said had improved its own testing infrastructure.

Russia, the United States and China have all built new facilities and dug new tunnels at their nuclear test sites in recent years, CNN reported in 2023.

Post-Soviet Russia has not carried out a nuclear test. The Soviet Union last tested in 1990, and the United States in 1992. No country except North Korea has conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion in this century.

Ryabkov said Moscow was alarmed at reports that the United States had no immediate plans to withdraw a mid-range missile system deployed in the Philippines. Russia, he said, was considering its response - including in the military sphere.

NUCLEAR TEST?

The 2-1/2-year-old Ukraine war has caused the worst confrontation between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis - which is considered to be the time when the two Cold War superpowers came closest to intentional nuclear war.

After the Cuban crisis, then-U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev explored the idea of a ban on nuclear testing.

In 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin formally revoked Russia's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), bringing Russia into line with the United States.

The resumption of testing would usher in a new and precarious nuclear era just as Russia, the United States and China race to modernise their nuclear weapons.

Washington casts Russia and China as its biggest nation-state threats. Beijing and Moscow, which have deepened their partnership during the Ukraine war, casts the United States as a declining superpower that has sown chaos across the world.

The Soviet Union shocked the West by testing its first nuclear bomb in 1949 in Kazakhstan. The U.S. opened the nuclear era in July 1945 by testing a 20-kiloton nuclear bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico, then dropped atom bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki a month later to end World War Two.

For many scientists and campaigners, the extent of nuclear bomb testing during the Cold War indicated the folly of nuclear brinkmanship, which could ultimately destroy humanity and contaminate the planet for hundreds of thousands of years.

(Writing by Maxim Rodionov and Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Mark Heinrich)
The court is a world away from the battlefields of Ukraine (Nick Gammon) (Nick Gammon/AFP/AFP)

Bitter enemies Russia and Ukraine clashed at the world's oldest arbitration court on Monday over a long-running case about access to coastal waters around the annexed Crimea peninsula.

Far from the battlefields of eastern Ukraine and Kursk, diplomats fired legal broadsides at each other in the rarefied Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) housed in the Peace Palace in The Hague.

Anton Korynevych, Ukraine's main representative, accused Russia of thinking it was above international law and could "play by its own rules."

"Ukraine is here to prove Russia's many violations of the laws of the sea and to demonstrate that Russia is not free to rewrite the laws of the sea," added Korynevych.

He said the Kerch Bridge Moscow had built to connect Crimea to the Russian mainland impeded international shipping, which he said was also hampered by excessive Russian checks.

"Russia now views the Kerch Strait, the Sea of Azov, and perhaps even parts of the Black Sea as its proprietary waters," Korynevych told the court.

"Russia wants these waters to be viewed as part of its 21st century empire."

Responding for Russia, Gennady Kuzmin said Kyiv's case was "completely groundless and hopeless."

After the annexation of Crimea, the seas in dispute were internal waters and therefore fell outside the scope of international shipping laws, said Kuzmin.

He said the Kerch Bridge was built to relieve what he termed a Ukrainian "blockage" of Crimea and denied it inhibited shipping.

"All of Ukraine's claims are baseless, fall outside of the scope of your jurisdiction, and should be dismissed in their entirety," said Kuzmin.

The case dates all the way back to September 2016, when Kyiv dragged Moscow to the PCA to "vindicate its rights as the coastal state".

Ukraine asked the court to order Russia to "cease its internationally wrongful actions in the relevant waters."

Russia launched an objection in 2019, claiming the court lacked jurisdiction. Moscow said Ukraine sought to have the PCA rule on the sovereignty of Crimea, which was beyond its scope.

The court ruled in 2020 that Russia had a point and asked Ukraine to refile its case accordingly.

Set up in 1899, the PCA is the world's oldest arbitral tribunal.

It resolves disputes between countries and private parties over contracts, special agreements and various treaties, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Hearings last until October 5. The court often takes months if not years to reach a decision.

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At least 22 people, including two children, were injured in a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia overnight on Sept. 23, the local State Emergency Service reported.

Among the victims are seven men and 13 women. Two women remain in hospital in moderate condition, the State Emergency Service's statement read.

The strike resulted in a partial destruction of an apartment building, according to Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov.

Monitoring groups reported that a guided aerial bomb was used in an attack in Zaporizhzhia on the same night, claiming this was the first time a guided aerial bomb reached Zaporizhzhia. The Kyiv Independent can not immediately verify the claims.



According to Fedorov's Telegram channel, the percussive blast and resulting debris damaged nearby buildings and a fire broke out. Fedorov also reported that emergency services have responded to the scene of the attack and the injured are receiving medical attention.



Zaporizhzhia's Police Department has reported that there were six strikes on the city.



Guided aerial bombs are precision-guided munitions that have a shorter range than missiles, but are far cheaper to produce. The weapons are launched from aircraft within Russian territory, outside the range of Ukrainian air defense.

Read also: Update: Zelensky confirms Ukraine used domestically produced weapons to strike Russian arms depots

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Woman killed, another injured in Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast  photos

Aftermath of the Russian attack on Kupiansk on 22 September. Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

The Russians attacked the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast on 23 September, killing an 82-year-old woman and leaving a 59-year-old woman injured.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast State Administration; Ukraine's Air Force; Ukraine's National Police in Kharkiv Oblast; Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Quote from Syniehubov: "The occupiers launched another strike on Kupiansk at around 09:00. Unfortunately, an 82-year-old civilian woman was killed."

Aftermath of the Russian attack on Kupiansk on 22 September

Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: Syniehubov said that law enforcement and emergency services were working at the scene. Earlier, the Air Force reported a missile threat in Kharkiv Oblast.

Update: Later, the Kharkiv Oblast police noted that the Russians had also attacked the village of Osynovo.

Aftermath of the Russian attack on Kupiansk on 22 September

Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

"A 59-year-old owner of a house has been injured in an enemy bombardment. She has been taken to hospital with blast injuries," the police stated.

In addition, the Russians damaged a house and a car.

Background: On 22 September, the Russian army attacked Kupiansk, damaging houses and outbuildings and causing forest litter to catch fire. The Russians also struck the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, injuring a 64-year-old woman.

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Russian attacks against Ukraine killed three people and injured 38 over the past day, regional authorities said on Sept. 23.

Ukrainian forces downed three out of four Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. One more drone and two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles "failed to reach their targets" due to electronic warfare.

A Russian overnight attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia injured at least 17 people, including a 15-year-old boy, the Interior Ministry said.

Russia launched at least seven guided aerial bombs, which resulted in a partial destruction of an apartment building, according to Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov.

A Russian first-person-view (FPV) drone hit a bus in the Myropillia community in Sumy Oblast in the morning of Sept. 23. Two people were hospitalized with injuries, local authorities reported.

In Kharkiv Oblast, an attack injured a 76-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman in the village of Shyikivka, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

Two women aged 64 and 68 suffered shock in the Kupiansk district after Moscow troops attacked the village of Kupiansk Vuzlovyi, the governor said.

One person was killed in the village of Novoukrainka near Vuhledar and two others in the town of Myrnohrad in the Pokrovsk district, Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.

Russian attacks on the towns of Mykolaivka, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk damaged three high-rise buildings and 76 houses, according to the governor. Ten people were injured in the region over the past day.

In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 16 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. One person was killed, and seven were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

Read also: Opinion: Peace in Ukraine will come through Putins fall, not a battlefield breakthrough

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A satellite overview of a launch site after the launch failure of a Russian RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, according to arms experts, at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome

A satellite overview of a launch site after the launch failure of a Russian RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, according to arms experts, at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome

By Mark Trevelyan

LONDON (Reuters) -Russia appears to have suffered a "catastrophic failure" in a test of its Sarmat missile, a key weapon in the modernisation of its nuclear arsenal, according to arms experts who have analysed satellite images of the launch site.

The images captured by Maxar on Sept. 21 show a crater about 60 metres (200 feet) wide at the launch silo at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. They reveal extensive damage that was not visible in pictures taken earlier in the month.

The RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is designed to deliver nuclear warheads to strike targets thousands of miles away in the United States or Europe, but its development has been dogged by delays and testing setbacks.

"By all indications, it was a failed test. It's a big hole in the ground," said Pavel Podvig, an analyst based in Geneva, who runs the Russian Nuclear Forces project. "There was a serious incident with the missile and the silo."

Timothy Wright, research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, said the destruction of the area immediately surrounding the missile silo was suggestive of a failure soon after ignition.

"One possible cause is that the first stage (booster) either failed to ignite properly or suffered from a catastrophic mechanical failure, causing the missile to fall back into or land closely adjacent to the silo and explode," he told Reuters.

James Acton, nuclear specialist at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, posted on X that the before-and-after satellite images were "very persuasive that there was a big explosion" and said he was convinced that a Sarmat test had failed.

The Kremlin referred questions on Sarmat to the defence ministry. The ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment and has made no announcements about planned Sarmat tests in recent days.

The U.S. and its allies are closely watching Russia's development of its nuclear arsenal at a time when the war in Ukraine has pushed tensions between Moscow and the West to the most dangerous point for more than 60 years.

Since the start of the conflict, President Vladimir Putin has said repeatedly that Russia has the biggest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world, and warned the West not to cross a threshold that could lead to nuclear war.

REPEATED SETBACKS

The 35-metre-long RS-28 Sarmat, known in the West as Satan II, has a range of 18,000 km (11,000 miles) and a launch weight of over 208 tonnes. Russian media say it can carry up to 16 independently targetable nuclear warheads as well as Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles, a new system that Putin has said is unmatched by Russia's enemies.

Russia had at one point said the Sarmat would be ready by 2018, replacing the Soviet-era SS-18, but the date for deployment has been repeatedly pushed back.

Putin said in October 2023 that Russia had almost completed work on the missile. His defence minister at the time, Sergei Shoigu, said it was set to form "the basis of Russia's ground-based strategic nuclear forces".

IISS analyst Wright said a test failure did not necessarily mean that the Sarmat programme was in jeopardy.

"However, this is the fourth successive test failure of Sarmat which at the very least will push back its already delayed introduction into service even further and at most might raise questions about the programmes viability," he said.

Wright said the damage at Plesetsk - a test site surrounded by forest in the Arkhangelsk region, some 800 km (500 miles) north of Moscow - would also impact the Sarmat programme.

The delays would put pressure on the serviceability and readiness of the ageing SS-18s the Sarmat is meant to replace, as they will have to remain in service for longer than expected, Wright said.

Nikolai Sokov, a former Russian and Soviet arms control official, said he expected Moscow to persist with the Sarmat, a product of the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau.

He said the Russian military had shown itself keen to preserve competition between rival designers and would therefore be reluctant to depend on Makeyev's rival, the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, as the single source of all missiles.

(Additional reporting by Monica Naime in Mexico City; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Angus MacSwan)
Russian nighttime attack on Zaporizhzhia: nine people injured and houses damaged  photos

Aftermath of the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia. Photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

Russian forces attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia with six aerial bombs late in the evening of 22 September. This attack has left nine people injured, including a child.

Source: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

Details: Fedorov also wrote that the strike partially destroyed buildings. The blast wave and debris damaged nearby houses.

Aftermath of the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia.

Photo: Ivan Fedorov

Fires broke out. Rescue workers and firefighters are working at the scenes

:  

Aftermath of the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia.

Photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reported that the Russians had carried out six strikes, presumably using guided aerial bombs.

Parked cars caught fire and residential buildings were damaged as a result of the strikes.

Police officers, bomb disposal experts, police paramedics, rescue workers and other relevant services of the city are working at the scenes of the strikes.

At 00:57, Fedorov wrote that the number of those who sustained injuries had increased to six, and they were being provided with medical assistance.

All the emergency services are working together to deal with the aftermath of the attack and help the civilians who were injured.

Tents have been set up at two locations where people can seek support.

An invincibility centre is open around the clock near the scene of the strike [invincibility centres are heated premises stocked with food and power banks to assist residents facing hardships due to power cuts  ed.].

At 01:59, the State Emergency Service reported that the number of people who had been injured had increased to nine, including one child.

Rescue workers evacuated residents from the damaged apartment blocks. One woman was rescued from her own apartment.

Firefighters extinguished a fire in a car and on the balcony of one of the apartments, which covered a total area of 10 square metres. Emergency work was carried out to clear the rubble from the destroyed entrance to the apartments.

In total, 47 rescue workers and 10 fire appliances were employed by the State Emergency Service.

Police officers, bomb disposal experts, volunteers from the Rapid Response Unit of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and other emergency services of the city were also working at the scene.

Background: Explosions occurred in Zaporizhzhia on the evening of 22 September. At 22:41, the Air Force of Ukraine reported that Russian troops had launched aerial bombs in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and that this was a threat to Zaporizhzhia itself.

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A "combat group" operating under Russian orders has been neutralized while preparing "a violent seizure of power in Odesa," Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) said on Sept. 23.

In a post on Telegram, the SBU said the group had originally planned to seize administrative buildings and state institutions in the city at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It said that once Moscow's invasion faltered, the group was instead instructed by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) to lie low and await further instructions.

It was then reactivated over the summer but was exposed by the SBU shortly after.

A picture released by the SBU on Sept. 23 showing some of the equipment seized during the operation (SBU/Telegram)

The SBU said the leader of the group  a 49-year-old man who previously lived in Crimea and moved to Odesa after Russia's illegal annexation of the peninsula in 2014  and his "right-hand man" had been detained.

It said during the operation it had discovered "70 firearms with optical sights and ammunition, as well as body armor, helmets, ballistic goggles and other tactical equipment."

According to the SBU, the leader of the group had managed to recruit "more than two dozen" people.

"Currently, all of them are under investigation, and comprehensive measures are underway to bring them to justice for crimes against Ukraine," the SBU added.

If found guilty they face up to 10 years in prison.

Read also: Ukraines 79th brigade releases video of massive Russian attack being repelled near Kurakhove

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A Russian spy plane violated Japan's airspace 3 times, driving it to scramble its fighters and fire flares

A Russian spy plane violated Japan's airspace 3 times, driving it to scramble its fighters and fire flares

Japan said a Russian surveillance plane violated its airspace three times on Monday.

The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighters and fired flares in response.

A Chinese military plane violated Japan's airspace last month.

A Russian military spy plane violated Japan's airspace multiple times on Monday, prompting it to scramble fighters and fire flares in response.

The incident comes a month after another incident last month in which a Chinese military surveillance plane directly violated Japanese airspace for the first known time.

The Japanese defense ministry reported Monday's violation of its airspace, confirming that a Russian military IL-38 patrol aircraft flew into Japanese airspace off Rebun Island and northwest of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island.

The spy plane entered the airspace three times, Japan noted, for periods of one minute, 30 seconds, and one minute, respectively.

In response to this incursion, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force scrambled its F-35 and F-15 fighter jets and fired flares to warn off the Russian aircraft. Tokyo also said it strongly protested the incident via diplomatic channels with Moscow.

A map published by the Japanese Defense Ministry showed the IL-38's flight path. Monday's incident marks the first known violation by a Russian military aircraft since 2019.

The Russian IL-35's flight path included three separate incursions in the airspace. Japanese Defense Ministry

The incursion comes on the heels of a Chinese military Y-9 spy plane violating Japanese airspace near the Danjo Islands, located to the southeast of Nagasaki, late last month. The Chinese military Y-9 was in Japanese airspace for three minutes, Japan's defense ministry reported.

At the time, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fighters were scrambled but didn't fire off flares.

There were actually multiple incidents involving Chinese military assets. Beijing insisted they were not linked. Japanese Defense Ministry

China regularly operates military aircraft in international airspace in accordance with international law. It also flies into contested airspace, often to assert its position. But the incident last month was the first known time one of Beijing's military planes had directly violated Japanese airspace.

Days later, a Chinese navy vessel violated Japan's territorial waters west of Kuchinoerabu Island, which is located in the Tokara Strait southwest of the country's four biggest islands.

The Chinese Schuppan-class survey ship remained in the area before sailing southwest of Yakushima Island.

China asserted neither of the incidents were linked, with Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning arguing that the passage of the Tokara Strait was "fully lawful and legitimate."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to lend 100m ($111.62m) to SG Equipment Leasing Polska (SGEF Poland) to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Poland.

The move is set to unlock a total of 200m in new loans, with a significant portion earmarked for climate action and sustainable development.

At least 20% of the funds provided by the EIB will be dedicated to environmental initiatives, including those aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The financing will facilitate investments in eco-friendly vehicles, industry and agricultural machinery, as well as renewable energy projects.

This agreement stipulates that 90% of the loan to SGEF Poland will finance SME projects, with the remainder supporting public sector initiatives.

EIB vice-president Teresa Czerwinska said: SMEs are the cornerstone of our economies and supporting them is one of the EIBs key tasks.

Another priority is to help fill the investment gap towards achieving EU climate objectives that, in Polands case, often take the form of energy transition and reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. This agreement, sealed under our long-standing, proven partnership with SGEF Poland, responds to both these needs.

Last year, the EIB Group allocated more than half of its 5.1bn financing in Poland to climate-friendly projects. Over 630m of this funding supported SMEs, aiding nearly 47,700 companies and maintaining close to 450,000 jobs.

Following the strategy of its parent company Societe Generale, SGEF Poland is committed to financing sustainable and energy transition investments.

SGEF Poland CEO Olivier Rambert said: Our long-lasting cooperation with EIB demonstrates our commitment to support the real economy. Our core business is to finance small and medium-sized enterprises.

The alignment between EIB's mission and SGEF Poland's vision is demonstrated once again with this new funding.

"EIB provides $111m to boost Polish SMEs and green initiatives" 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.
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russia attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia the night of Sept. 23, killing one man and injuring seven other civilians, including a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, city authorities reported.

The strike targeted a critical infrastructure facility and a residential neighborhood, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov reported via his official Telegram channel.

The attack in the residential area killed one man and injured five others, among them a 13-year-old girl, City Council Secretary Regina Kharchenko said. Some of the victims were hospitalized.

At least two houses were also destroyed, Fedorov said.

The attack on the critical infrastructure facility caused a fire, but no casualties, Fedorov said. The fire has since been extinguished.

Emergency workers are on site and the full extent of the damage is currently being investigated.

Attacks against Zaporizhzhia the previous night injured 22 people, including two children. Monitoring groups reported that the night's attacks marked the first time a guided aerial bomb was used to target Zaporizhzhia.

Fedorov warned residents on Sept. 23 at about 9:51 p.m. local time that there was threat of guided aerial bombs over the city.

The city of Zaporizhzhia is located less than 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the front lines.

Russia has continued to strike civilian targets across Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which is partially occupied by Russian forces.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv hits over 200 military targets in Russia using drones within a year

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There have been power outages in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts because of combat actions and Russian attacks over the past 24 hours.

Source: press service for the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine

Details: A fire broke out at a substation as a result of a UAV attack in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast which led to a power outage at substations and for household consumers. In addition, a grass fire caused by attacks disconnected an overhead line, which led to a voltage drop and disruption of train traffic.

An overhead line was disconnected due to a broken cable caused by attacks in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Moreover, an overhead line was disconnected in the central part of Ukraine due to technological disruptions, which led to a voltage drop and power outages. The power supply has been restored.

In the western part of Ukraine, an overhead line was disconnected due to a technological failure, which resulted in a power outage at one of the substations. Consumers were not cut off. The line is back in operation.

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The chess teams of Russia and Belarus are to remain banned from international competitions, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) ruled on Sept. 22.

Both countries were excluded from the federation in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

FIDE barred Russian and Belarusian flags from its events, but allowed players from Russia and Belarus to participate under the neutral FIDE flag.

During a meeting of the FIDE general assembly in Budapest on Sept. 22, 66 countries voted to support a last-minute proposal to consult the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow some Russian and Belarusian disabled and junior teams to participate in international chess events.

The delegates of 41 countries voted not to admit players at all, 21 voted to lift the ban entirely, and 27 abstained or were absent.

Those in support of the ban point to the fact Russia's chess federation is closely intertwined with its government and military  ex-Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov are both board members.

The FIDE Council now has the final say on a decision but is not expected to overturn the result.

Speaking to the BBC the head of the English Chess Federation Malcolm Pein described the vote as a "crushing defeat" for Russia.

The Ukrainian Chess Federation's Viktor Kapustin said the result was a "victory for Ukraine."

"Russia is an aggressor and invader, and the aggressor must be punished in all spheres of their life, including sport. It's important to keep the sanctions, or even strengthen them. For them to recognise their crimes," he added.

Read also: Zelensky latest to nudge Biden toward boosting Ukraines firepower during US trip

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(FOX40.COM)  If youre traveling out of or picking someone up at Sacramento International Airport Terminal B, heads up, the closest parking lot to that terminal is closing starting in October.

The reason? Thats where the airports newest parking garage will be built.

The hourly lot is just west of the airline booths for Terminal B and has 673 spaces, and is meant to be used for short stays.

Terminal B services the following airlines: Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines, Frontier, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and Volaris.

The lots closure will make way for a new parking garage with more than 5,500 spaces. Its part of a $1.3 billion renovation project at the airport.

Terminals, gates and airlines: A guide to travelers heading to the Sacramento International Airport

The increase in garage space has been cited as the number one opportunity to improve guest experiences at the airport, county officials have said.

On a recent day, the airport had all but one lot full, leaving drivers wishing to park with a far-away parking lot.

According to Sacramento County, the garages cost will be almost $400 million and will include the possibility of having EV charging stations and solar panels.

Part of the funding for the new garage will be directed towards art projects, adding to the art that is already on display at the airport.

Frontier Airlines offering two new non-stop flights from Sacramento

During construction of the garage, anyone wishing to park close to Terminal B will have to park in the garage or daily lot by Terminal A, although these will involve quite a walk. Heres a map of the airports parking lots and garages.

The East or West Economy Parking Lots are farther away, but frequent shuttles can take people to the terminals.

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'Saddened and outraged': Union releases statement on Wells Fargo employee who died at desk

The union representing Wells Fargo employees released a statement Monday after a Wells Fargo employee died at her desk this summer and was found days after she clocked in.

"We are saddened and outraged by the devastating tragedy and loss of our coworker, Denise Prudhomme, who worked as a Business Execution Consultant in Corporate Banking in Tempe, Arizona," read a statement by Wells Fargo Workers United.

Prudhomme, 60, was found dead at her desk on Tuesday Aug. 20, four days after clocking in at her Tempe office.

Tempe police reported that no foul play was suspected.

"Wells Fargo monitors our every move and keystroke using remote, electronic technologies - purportedly to evaluate our productivity - and will fire us if we are caught not making enough keystrokes on our computers; however, Denise went unnoticed at her desk for four days. The contradictory nature of electronic surveillance versus an unnoticed death sheds light on the reality of what it means to be a worker at Wells Fargo," the statement continued.

During the four days that Prudhomme was in the office, her key card showed no record of her leaving the building. No missing persons reports were initiated during that time, according to police.

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Sources that spoke with The Arizona Republic said that Prudhomme worked in a part of the building where people typically worked from home and the area was unpopulated.

"Denise was the only person on her team in Tempe. This may be one of the reasons why her desk was located in an underpopulated area in the building and nobody checked on her for four days," the union's statement read.

Security rarely checked between cubicles during their patrols, one source told The Republic.

The union detailed that Wells Fargo had been implementing mandatory return-to-office policies even though their teams or supervisors worked in other states forcing some employees to move to "hub cities."

Wells Fargo released a statement reiterating its commitment to supporting employees and their families during difficult times.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, Denise Prudhomme. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we have been in touch to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time," the statement read.

The union made four demands, citing a lack of communicating about Prudhommes death to employees and calling for improved transparency.

Wells Fargo policy required notifying the family before communicating the death to employees, and it took the police some time to complete the next-of-kin notification, according to the bank.

The death of Prudhomme also prompted a call for enhanced safety precautions that would alleviate stress for employees.

"The solution is not more monitoring, but ensuring that we are all connected to a supportive work environment instead of warehoused away in a back office," the statement read.

The union also demanded that Wells Fargo reevaluate its arbitrary hub city relocation plan and its return to office policy.

"These plans and policies have only further damaged employee morale," the statement read.

In Arizona, Wells Fargo has more than 13,00 employees and the company said being together in person is key to its success and building community.

"For any employees with specific concerns, we encourage them to continually share their feedback, as this helps us build a stronger company," a company statement read.

This story was updated to add new information.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Union gives statement on death of Wells Fargo worker Denise Prudhomme
SALEM, Va. (WFXR)  Salem Fire and EMS Chief announced his retirement on Monday, September 22.

John Prillaman has served as Fire and EMS Chief for the last 10 years, as well as serving the Salem community in numerous other roles for over 27 years.

Before he worked in Salem, he was a Volunteer Firefighter for 11 years allowing him to rank as Fire Chief of Back Creek Fire & Rescue.

Prillamans retirement will be in effect on January 1, 2025. He joined Salem Fire and EMS in 1998 and 2001 was promoted to Senior Firefighter. He received the rank of Lieutenant and Training Officer in 2005 and was named Captain in 2005.

In 2006, Prillaman assumed the role of Deputy Fire Cheif in May 20010.

Salem appoints Derek Weeks as Chief of Police

Prillaman said, It has been an incredible honor to work for the City of Salem and serve with a group of professionals who are dedicated to serving our citizens I have been proud to be called a firefighter for more than 35 years and have been privileged to serve with the very best at every level.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Salem Fire and EMS Chief also served the community as the citys Emergency Management Coordinator, which was crucial in floods, storms, and other crisis events.

He said, I was never prouder of our Salem Fire & EMS Department personnel or the City of Salem than I was during the height of the pandemic. We worked long hours treating and transporting patients, setting up testing sites, and eventually helping oversee mass immunization sites. This would not have been possible without a great team and great partners.

In addition to his career, from 1991-1995 he was a Fire Protection Specialist for the United States Airforce. He received numerous medals and commendations during his time of service.

Chris Dorsey, Salem City Manager said, In the short time I have known Chief Prillaman I have observed not only his love of the city but his strong desire to maintain a well-qualified and reliable workforce. It is clear that he wants his co-workers to value Salem as much as he does, and his leadership will be missed.

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Prillaman has been a native of the Roanoke County area since he graduated from Cave Springs High School in 1990, and after he returned from the Airforce he began working back in the area.

I have been very lucky to have some great mentors throughout my fire service career and my time in Salem, said Prillaman. It would be impossible to properly thank everyone, but I will forever be grateful to my predecessors Chief Dan Hall, who made the decision to hire me in 1998, and Chief Pat Counts, who gave me the opportunity to become the leader that I am today.

During his time in the city, he received his bachelors degree in Fire Administration and graduated with honors at Hampton University. He then furthered his degree with a masters in Public Administration from Virginia Tech.

I would also like to thank our retired City Manager, Forest Jones, who made a huge impression on me as a young lieutenant and taught me about the Salem Way of treating co-workers and the public in general, Prillaman said. I hope I was able to live up to the standards all these gentlemen set for me, and I trust that the next leader will take the department to even greater heights.

During his tenure, he was a key asset in the research, design, and construction of the Roanoke Valley Regional Fire Training Tower on Kessler Mill Road. He also helped with installing the 9/11 memorial which is at the front of Fire Station 1 in Downtown Salem.

Prillamans service as Chief allowed him to change the department rank structure, upgrade ratio equipment, and the department logo, replace the front line apparatus, establish a PEER support system and chaplain program, upgrade software applications, and lastly implement a new standardized Incident Command System.

Prillaman added saying,  None of these things would have been possible without a great team.

Dorsey will begin hiring Salems next Fire & Chief as soon as possible.

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(BCN)  Candidates vying for two open seats on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors are sharing their plans for the regions top issues: homelessness and housing.

Nonprofits PATH and Destination: Home hosted a candidate forum Wednesday moderated by those with lived experience. The candidates in Districts 2 and 5 discussed a number of topics including the financial limitations of affordable housing, policies that could help make living in the county more affordable and different models of temporary housing that included safe parking and sleeping sites.

Two candidates are running for the District 2 seat to replace Supervisor Cindy Chavez, who is terming out in December  Betty Duong, a first-time candidate for office and chief of staff for Chavez and former San Jose Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen. Two candidates are also vying for the District 5 seat, with Supervisor Joe Simitian terming in out at the end of the year  Mountain View Councilmember and former Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga and Sally Lieber, chair of the State Board of Equalization. She was also a former Mountain View mayor and state assemblymember.

Housing is a very pervasive issue, Brenda Brown, one of the moderators, told San Jose Spotlight. It is something that is uppermost on a lot of peoples minds. To be able to have a house, to be with their family and to commune with them in peace is an American dream. There is no reason why anyone should be denied that.

Funding Affordable Housing

With funding for affordable housing drying up, moderators asked candidates how they intend to seek new revenue streams.

The candidates talked about the need to put together another bond measure and find more dollars through partnerships with private donors to fund affordable housing, after a $20 billion regional affordable housing measure was pulled from the ballot.

Duong, who was the campaign manager on Measure A  a $950 million countywide affordable housing initiative that voters passed in 2016  wants to build on that success. She also stressed the importance of including supportive services in affordable housing developments.

When you ask about my approach to homelessness and to providing services and care, its the same approach I take with everything Ive done in life coming from that background, being a county client for most of my childhood, Duong said.

District 5 candidate Abe-Koga said Proposition 5 needs to pass this November, which would lower the voting threshold for affordable housing measures to pass from 66.7% to 55%.

Lets help that campaign to pass and that will help us to be able to pass the other measure down the road, Abe-Koga said.

Temporary Housing

All candidates are in favor of temporary housing for homeless residents, from tiny home sites to sanctioned encampments and want to ensure quality standards are met at all locations.

Lets utilize every single tool we have at our discretion,District 2 candidate Nguyen said. No matter what option we choose, we need to make sure people are safe, that they have (hygiene), that they can do laundry. Lets not treat them like they are not a part of our community.

District 5 candidate Lieber said there have been grave failures when it comes to building tiny home sites quickly and that shelter facilities lack proper management.

We dont have an overabundance of providers present in Santa Clara County, particularly shelter providers, Lieber said. There have been some massive failures and theyre mostly around safety, communicable diseases  that leave people to really prefer to stay in their car or an encampment rather than in a shelter.

Santa Clara County only has a handful of nonprofit organizations it partners with for homeless services. The county-owned Sunnyvale shelter managed by Bill Wilson Center has had multiple residents who showed symptoms of scabies. Nonprofit Homefirst has been accused of racial discrimination and a toxic work culture.

Lieber suggested the county could create its own homeless service providers to ensure a greater level of accountability.

We could incubate it, Lieber told San Jose Spotlight.

Policies On Affordability

Each candidate presented differing ideas for how to create more affordability and help families stay in their homes.

As a former assemblywoman, Lieber authored laws that increased Californias minimum wage. She stressed her support for rent control measures.

Abe-Koga talked about how she led efforts to increase the minimum wage in Mountain View to $18.75, the highest in the county. She also introduced a pilot guaranteed basic income program, which gave $500 a month to 166 low-income families in the city.

Duong talked about expanding prevention and intervention measures, stressing that its easier to help someone keep their home than house someone after theyve lost their home.

Nguyen said the county could partner with corporations to provide job training and employee programs, and partner with schools to provide vocational training.

If were living in a place like Santa Clara County (and Silicon Valley) and we dont utilize the partnerships that we have with these corporations, I think thats just a lost cause, Nguyen said. Its something that we need to step up.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

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These before-and-after satellite images capture how Ukraine has been wiping out Russian ammo depots

Ukraine has carried out a string of attacks on Russian ammunition depots over the past week.

Newly released satellite images taken before and after the attacks reveal extensive damage at three sites.

The photos show scorched earth, destroyed buildings, and huge blast craters.

Newly published satellite imagery shows extensive damage at three large ammunition depots inside Russia in the aftermath of multiple Ukrainian attacks over the past week.

Ukraine said it struck three arsenals  one last week and two over the weekend  that housed Russian weaponry, including ballistic missiles, glide bombs, and artillery ammunition.

The recent attacks, which targeted two facilities in western Russia and a third in the south of the country, mark Ukraine's latest long-range strikes in what has been a devastating campaign against key sites supporting Moscow's war machine.

Before-and-after satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies highlight the significant damage at the three ammo depots, including buildings that have been obliterated, huge blast craters, knocked-down trees, scorched earth, and destroyed rail cars.

Ukraine's first in the recent string of attacks occurred overnight on September 17 and targeted a facility in Toropets in Russia's western Tver region with long-range drones.

Ammunition storage buildings and a rail line in Toropets on September 7. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

A large crater, downed trees, and destroyed rail cars on September 22 after the Toropets attack. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

A source in the Security Service of Ukraine told Business Insider that a large warehouse in Toropets where Russian munitions were stored was "literally wiped off the face of the earth" in the attack. The source spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive operations.

Britain's defense ministry said the strikes triggered an explosion that was equivalent in strength to a mild earthquake, registering 2.7 on the Richter scale. It said Russia did a poor job storing its munitions and left them vulnerable to attacks, causing successive detonations and massive ordnance losses.

A crane offloading material from rail cars in Toropets on September 7. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

Destroyed ammunition and damaged rail cars in Toropets on September 22. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

Toropets is located over 300 miles from the Ukrainian border, underscoring the depth of the strikes.

A few days after that attack, on Saturday, the Ukrainian military said it hit another arsenal in the Tver region  this one at Oktyabrsky.

Ammunition storage buildings at Oktyabrsky on September 18. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

Destroyed ammunition storage buildings at Oktyabrsky on September 22. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

A close-up view of ammunition storage at Oktyabrsky on September 18. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

A close-up view of destroyed buildings and downed trees at Oktyabrsky on September 22. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

In its September 21 announcement, the Ukrainian military also said it targeted an arsenal in Tikhoretsk, a town in the southern Krasnodar Krai region. Kyiv described the site as one of Russia's largest ammunition storage facilities.

A close-up view of Tikhoretsk on September 14. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

A close-up view of Tikhoretsk on September 22. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy referenced the recent attacks in an address to the nation late on Saturday. While he did not name the arsenals, he described one as "significant" for Russia.

"These were depots of Russian tactical missiles and guided aerial bombs  all the things that Russia uses to terrorize our cities, our positions," Zelenskyy said.

A close-up view of Tikhoretsk on September 14. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

A close-up view of Tikhoretsk on September 22. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies.

The recent devastating attacks appear to be Ukraine's latest demonstration of its long-range strike capabilities. Kyiv is prohibited from using its Western-provided missiles to strike military targets inside Russia, so it has instead relied on domestically produced drones to wage this campaign.

For months, Kyiv has managed to hit military and energy facilities deep within Russia  some hundreds of miles away from the international border and the front lines. Britain's defense ministry wrote in a Saturday intelligence update that Russian air defenses continue to struggle with "Ukrainian deep strike operations."

"I want to emphasize that we are doing this thanks to our capabilities, our weapons  without the means that can be provided by our partners and that can significantly accelerate the end of this war by destroying Russia's offensive potential," Zelenskyy said on Saturday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
New satellite images reveal failed launch of Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile used by Putin for intimidation

OSINT analyst George Barros has released new satellite imagery from space technology company Maxar that shows a failed test of the Sarmat super-heavy intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russia.

Source: Barros on X (Twitter)

Details: The OSINT analyst noted that a large crater, approximately 62 m wide, along with significant damage on and around the launch pad at the launch silo site, suggests the missile exploded shortly after ignition or launch.

Satellite imagery revealing the unsuccessful launch

Photo: George Barros

Satellite imagery revealing the unsuccessful launch.

Photo: George Barros

For reference: Sarmat is a Russian strategic missile system featuring an intercontinental ballistic missile. The Russians claim that its capabilities allow it to bypass all modern missile defence systems and it is believed to be the weapon with the longest range in the world.

According to official Russian data, the Sarmat missile has a range of over 11,000 km and can carry a warhead weighing 100 tonnes.

Satellite imagery revealing the unsuccessful launch

Photo: George Barros

Satellite imagery revealing the unsuccessful launch

Photo: George Barros

Previously: Prior to that, the MeNMyRC OSINT project released satellite images showing that a Sarmat ICBM had exploded during a test in Plesetsk, Russia.

Background:

In June 2023, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, boasting of the latest weapons in the Russian Armed Forces during a meeting with military graduates, once again resorted to threats of putting new Sarmat launchers with a new super-heavy intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on combat duty. He also stated that plans to improve the capabilities of all components of the Russian Armed Forces would be fully implemented.

Western media have reported five failed Sarmat launches.

CNBC, an American business news channel, reported that the Sarmat's longest test flight lasted just over two minutes. The missile flew just over 35 km before losing control and crashing.

The only successful launch of the missile supposedly took place on 20 April 2022.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin ordered the Sarmat to be put on combat duty in 2022, which was done in September 2023.

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Satellite images show destruction of 58 arsenal buildings, railway and train in Russia's Tver Oblast

New satellite images have emerged of the 23rd arsenal belonging to the Main Artillery Directorate of Russia's Defence Ministry, located near the village of Oktyabrsky in Tver Oblast, showing that over 58 storage buildings, several open areas with ammunition, the railway and trains loaded with ammunition had been destroyed.

Source: US OSINT researcher MT_Anderson on Twitter (X) with reference to satellite data

Details: Following the Ukrainian drone attack on 21 September on the ammunition arsenal in Oktyabrsky, a fire and detonation of explosives occurred, leading to a federal motorway being closed to traffic and the evacuation of a nearby railway station in Tver Oblast.

The satellite images reveal significant damage to the northern part of the depot.

Photo: MT Anderson

Photo: MT Anderson

Over 58 storage buildings and several open areas had been reduced to ashes or heavily damaged.

Photo: MT Anderson

The areas used for loading ammunition onto trains had also been affected.

Photo: MT Anderson

OSINT analysts believe that trains loaded with ammunition were stationed there during the strike.

Photo: MT Anderson

Background:

Over the past week, there have been two strikes on ammunition depots in Russia's Tver Oblast.

A fire and detonation of explosives occurred in the town of Toropets in Russias Tver Oblast following a drone attack on the night of 17-18 September. Igor Rudenya, the governor of Tver Oblast, ordered a partial evacuation of the population.

Later, it was reported that drones from the Security Service of Ukraine, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the Special Operations Forces had successfully attacked a large warehouse belonging to the Russian Ministry of Defence's Main Missile and Artillery Directorate in the Russian town of Toropets in Tver Oblast.

The source reported that the warehouse stored missiles intended for Iskander tactical missile systems, Tochka-U tactical missile systems, guided aerial bombs and artillery ammunition.

On 21 September, drones attacked another ammunition depot in the village of Oktyabrsky in Tver Oblast.

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The European Union (EU) introduced its Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in 2017. Set forth as an update to the Medical Devices Directive (MDD) of 1992, the EU said at the time that the revised regulation was intended to amend problems with divergences in the interpretation and application of the previous regulation.

The MDR was also intended to bolster protections for public health and patient safety and to close gaps in the previous regulation to account for technological progress and incidents involving the malfunctioning of medical devices  a matter driven in large part by the Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) silicone implant scandal, which came to light in 2010.

A staggered timeline currently exists for MDR compliance: the end of 2027 for high-risk devices and the end of 2028 for lower-risk devices and legacy medical devices while manufacturers had to fall into compliance with the MDR as of 26 May 2024.

Past research determined that the MDR would be effective in the EUs goal of strengthening the internal market because it would centralise competencies at the EU level and therefore harmonise regulation, and that it would be unlikely to substantially interfere with innovation.

However, the undertakings involved in meeting the requirements of the MDR, reflect a less optimistic reality for contract research organisations (CROs) and the clients enlisting their services to navigate the regulation. While the MDRs rationale is well-intentioned, challenges around adherence are resulting in problems for market participants and negative outcomes for the medtech space in Europe, due in part to a perceived lack of clarity around some of the requirements the regulation mandates.

Challenges also exist around a limited number of notified bodies designated by EU Member States to assess the conformity of medical devices that need to conform to the MDR. According to the European Commission (EC), there are around 500,000 medical devices on the EU market. This reality has resulted in a bottleneck in processing compliance applications.

What has changed?

The changes the EU MDR bring versus the MDD impact some steps from a regulatory perspective around the lifecycle of a medical device brought to market in the EU.

Under the MDD, device data requirements centred around safety data -- a case of showing the EU safety data in the context of a devices anticipated use to receive its CE mark within the MDD framework.

Registering a new device under the MDR is more complicated as much more data is needed, says Mark Mayhew from Treehill Partners, a healthcare advisory that works with CROs.

Story continues

There's now a focus on generating more efficacy data, and that requires more complex clinical studies, and CROs need to be on top of what requirements there are which were not previously in place.

The MDR also encompasses operational elements, including packaging design changes, the addition of unique device identifiers (UDI), and companies registering themselves in the European database for medical devices (EUDAMED).

Mayhew continues: Finally, there are changes to the actual supply, and the contracts to be generated with manufacturing suppliers, which need to be reflective of MDR requirements.

Regarding transitioning products under the MDD to the MDR, Mayhew describes the process as having proven mind-bogglingly complex.

In an area like ophthalmology, for example, companies may have hundreds of little devices that are sold in the marketplace; and they now not only have to change aspects including CE marks, the supply agreements for each of those contracts but also provide new data, he says.

The new data requirements mean that companies need to generate certain datasets annually that must be made available to the regulator to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of their device.

All of this put together has created a nightmare.

Increased regulatory burden plus uncertainty

Beyond offering advisory services, Treehill also has experience in taking on operational roles within companies.

In this capacity, a key issue for the company has surrounded the MDRs clarity over the transitioning of existing products.

Treehill CEO Ali Pashazadeh says that in its operational role, Treehill appointed a range of counsel, and when looking at the manufacturing, data, and labelling requirements of MDR, it was unclear what the regulatory ask was.

The actual implementation of what was regulation required for transitioning an existing product to be compliant with the MDR was difficult for us as principles of an asset to navigate, and recently we have not been advising CROs on how to make that transition because every time we pointed them to a different lawyer or regulatory advisor in medtech, I think they were getting different advice, says Pashazadeh.

CROs are at the front end in terms of developing and bringing medical devices to patients in the clinical evaluation context. Contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs) have regulations to follow on the front end in terms of testing, but they also have regulations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that they need to follow. Under the MDR, CDMOs now also need to prepare all of their material for the updated regulations and CROs and CDMOs need to work together more closely than before, and Pashazadeh says the closeness and coordination of this relationship is more important than ever, particularly as certain regulatory requirements have not yet solidified.

To be able to press for accountability, Treehill enlisted a regulatory lawyer when entering a contract with a CDMO to have peace of mind over agreements and interpretation over dictates surrounding compliance under MDR.

If we get it wrong tomorrow, we have a written piece of paper from a regulatory lawyer that says, this contract you're entering into will be compliant, to the best of their knowledge, in 12 or 24 months, says Pashazadeh.

You shouldn't need to go into that level of paranoia for a simple supply or manufacturing agreement.

Day to day, people need to understand what companies live through in order to remain compliant. And the question isn't whether people should be compliant or not; rather, it is, do people know what they are being asked to be compliant with?

A lack of notified bodies

Research by the notified body industry group Team-NB has found that there were 42 designated bodies in 2023 to handle the workload of the MDR in recertifying existing medical devices and processing any new applications for CE marking.

Companies are not just dropping products because the return on the investments that they have to make, from a regulatory maintenance point of view, is not worth it, they are also losing the commercial value of their devices because it's taking an extra year or more to come to market, based on the backlog of work at the notified body, says Mayhew.

The other thing is that notified bodies have the discretion to interpret MDR in their own way, and it seems that not all the notified bodies may interpret the regulations in exactly the same way, which leaves a high potential for extra confusion.

The impact of the MDR on Europes medtech space

Weve been seeing very little client demand for the EU MDR route, says Meri Beckwith, co-founder of CRO Lindus Health.

Describing the MDR as a disaster, Beckwith says that as a CRO, Lindus Health aims to make running clinical studies to help companies gain marketing authorisation for medical devices extremely fast and simple.

You would think that we would be pro-regulation, but I have to say, in the case of the MDR, the requirements are so onerous and opaque that it's essentially killed the market opportunity in Europe for a lot of companies.

Overwhelmingly, every kind of medical device company I know of is now banking on a US route to market, whether that be through the US Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) 510(k) or de novo pathways.

Beckwith also points out that as the MDR is a big step up from the MDD in terms of stringency, level of clinical evidence and post-market surveillance required, the difference and impact are biggest on lower-risk devices, presenting a considerable barrier for smaller companies who are more likely to develop the most innovative devices.

These factors simply make the EU a very unattractive place to develop and commercialise a medical device product. EU consumers and patients above all lose out, as many device companies reasonably focus on the US and other markets, Beckwith concludes.

Treehills Mark Mayhew adds that CE marking under the MDD was relatively straightforward and meant that a lot of medical devices were coming to market in Europe first.

Europe has historically been innovative in terms of welcoming new devices, whereas the US was always stricter in that sense. Taking the ophthalmic space as an example, Europe was where all the innovative intraocular lenses came first, and there are far more approved in Europe than in the US. But that's going to change, he says.

Due to the MDR, I think we're going to find that Europe is no longer an innovation frontrunner in devices. It's now going to be running at the same, or perhaps even a bit slower a pace, than the US.

From Beckwiths perspective, the unintended consequence of the MDR has hurt patients and the overall healthcare industry in Europe.

European companies with innovations are not running as many trials in Europe and may not make their products available to European patients for a long time, says Beckwith.

I'm sure the MDR had good intentions, but the outcome has been undeniably bad for everyone, and I think it's been a classic case of regulatory overreach.

At worst, the compliance requirements of the EU MDR are deterring some companies from bringing their medical devices to market in Europe. At best, with a lack of clarity around some of the regulations requirements, some organisations, and even their CROs, are faced with doubts over whether the regulatory bar for each of the MDRs requirements has been adequately cleared.

"The EU MDR: an unalloyed disaster?" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.







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Savannahians from all different nationalities showed off all their cultures have to offer at the Hispanic Heritage Month Festival Saturday.

Were celebrating what we love the most, music food, comradery and just fun, said Alfonso Ribot, President and CEO for the Metropolitan-Savannah Hispanic Chamber of commerce, the organizer of the event.

We have a responsibility to represent our country, said Camilo Gaboa who was attending the festival. As Hispanics, we are from Colombia, so we are always looking for places to share our heritage so its good to have these opportunities with the community.

This city belongs to you too, so this is a way for us to remember and to celebrate, and for us to be able to celebrate you, said Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.



The event observes Hispanic Heritage Month in the Hostess City. Ribot says its about celebrating our differences and sharing a little piece of home.



We fit right in because thats what we do, said Ribot. All of our countries thats what characterizes Hispanics, we come with open arms and we embrace everybody.

The Hispanic Chamber puts on events this year round. Theyre expecting another large crowd for their Dia de los Muertos celebration.

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SC inmate is executed by lethal injection, 2 days after the witness changed his story

About 50 people gathered outside the Department of Corrections main prison campus in Columbia about one hour before the scheduled execution of Freddie Owens on Friday. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  Freddie Owens was executed Friday evening by lethal injection, after his attorneys last-chance appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court failed to stop it.

Owens was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m., making him the first inmate executed in South Carolina in nearly 14 years.

He made no final statement. When the execution began, Owens looked at his attorney. She smiled at him, and he appeared to smile back, said Associated Press reporter Jeffrey Collins. He and other media witnesses who spoke to reporters afterward agreed that Owens showed no outward signs of suffering.

The execution, which was scheduled for 6 p.m., was delayed by 35 minutes as officials waited on a ruling from the nations high court.

Owens attorneys asked justices Friday to put his sentence on hold pending the outcome of a challenge they filed a week ago in federal court seeking more information on the drug to kill him, saying they needed the details to ensure his execution would be painless and effective.

In a three-sentence order, the U.S. Supreme Court  like the lower courts before it  refused, while noting that Justice Sonia Sotomayor disagreed.

The ruling capped weeks of failed legal attempts for a reprieve in state and federal courts. Owens last hope to stay alive fell to Gov. Henry McMaster, who said no.

I have declined to grant any form of executive clemency in this matter, McMaster wrote in a letter confirming in writing what he told Corrections Director Bryan Stirling by phone.

Owens, 46, died 25 years after he was convicted of killing gas station clerk Irene Graves, a 41-year-old single mother of three, during a string of robberies on Halloween night 1997. A single shot to the head killed her because she couldnt open the safe.

Witnesses included Graves oldest son and son-in-law.

The curtain to the death chamber parted at 6:35 p.m. to reveal Owens in a green jumpsuit, a white blanket pulled up to the middle of his chest. He was strapped to a medical table with his arms out to either side. Three prison officials stood in the room with Owens, media witnesses said.

Owens turned his head to look at the witnesses, his gaze settling on his attorney Emily Paavola, who was the one to decide he would die by lethal injection. He smiled and mouthed some words to her that witnesses could not hear behind the pane of glass separating the chamber from the witness room.

At one point, he appeared to mouth, Bye, Justin Dougherty from Fox Carolina News, another media witness, told reporters.

A minute later, the drug began to flow through an IV inserted in Owens left arm. His eyes closed, and he started breathing heavily. After four or five minutes, his face began to twitch, and his breathing became shallow.

At 6:42 p.m., his motion stopped. A doctor entered the room at 6:54 p.m. to pronounce Owens time of death. Owens kept his head tilted toward Paavola throughout, media witnesses said.

Graves family members watched the execution intently, staring directly at Owens the entire time. Otherwise, they did not react, Collins said.

Collins, who witnessed six executions by lethal injection before Owens, said that aside from the wait at the beginning, the execution proceeded in the same way as previous ones. The only difference was that it appeared to take Owens longer to stop breathing from the time the drug began flowing. That took about six minutes, compared to two or three minutes at previous executions, Collins said.

It was the first time the state used a single dose of the sedative pentobarbital instead of its previous three-drug cocktail, which expired after the last execution in 2011.

Who Owens saw leading up to his death is unknown. Corrections policy is not to release information on what death row inmates do or who they see in their last days.

His last meal was two cheeseburgers, French fries, a well-done ribeye steak, six wings, two strawberry sodas and a slice of apple pie, all from the prison kitchen, said Department of Corrections spokeswoman Chrysti Shain.

Legal and personal pleas

Two days before his execution, the only witness to the shooting  who was convicted as Owens accomplice  signed a statement saying he falsely identified and testified against Owens, newly claiming that Owens wasnt even with him that night.

Hours before Owens scheduled end, Owens mother made a public plea to McMaster to spare her sons life.

Freddie is more than his conviction. He is a human being, a son, a brother, and a friend, his mother, Dora Mason, said in a statement released by the Greenville nonprofit Fighting Injustice Together. He deserves compassion, understanding, and a fair chance at justice. Instead, the system has failed him and the victim at every turn.

Mason expressed sympathy for Graves family while asking the people of South Carolina to consider whether the state should execute Owens, who legally changed his name in 2015 to Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah.

To the governor, the Legislature, and the people of South Carolina, I ask: Is this truly justice? Is this truly what we call compassion and mercy?

Mason, who still lives in Greenville, pointed to the same arguments that Owens attorneys have made over the last several weeks as they sought unsuccessfully to stop the execution and get a new trial.

In the month since Owens was scheduled for execution, his attorneys have claimed that Steven Golden, Owens convicted accomplice, had a secret deal with a prosecutor in exchange for testifying against his friend.

On Wednesday, Golden recanted what he told law enforcement and jurists about that night, alleging the real shooter was someone else entirely who Golden still doesnt want to name out of fear of retaliation. He came forward, he said, to have a clear conscience.

The state Supreme Court dismissed those arguments, noting Golden admitted at trial he was testifying to avoid the death penalty. Justices also indicated they didnt believe Goldens new story, calling it squarely inconsistent with what hes said since his 1997 arrest.

The first rejection on the federal challenge seeking details on the states drug supply came Wednesday. That was the decision appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Death penalty protesters

An hour ahead of the scheduled execution, about 50 people gathered outside the prison campus gates to protest the death penalty. Some chanted stop the killing, while others gathered in prayer.

Mersedes Mejia, of Columbia, was on her way home Friday when a feeling came over her that she should take a different route. She had heard about the pending execution on the news but the gathering of demonstrators outside Broad River Correctional Center took her by surprise. She turned around and joined the group hoping and praying in the final hour the execution would be stopped.

As the clock ticked to 6 p.m., the crowd started to quiet.

Lulu Torres, of Batesburg, dropped to her knees and made a silent prayer. She came to Columbia with other members of St. John the Cross Catholic Church to demonstrate her belief that life is valuable.

It should ultimately be Gods decision when our last day will be, she said. Someone else made that decision for Mr. Owens, and that is heartbreaking.

As the minutes passed, much of the group pressed up against the fence waiting for news.

A little after 7 p.m., demonstrators formed a circle holding hands and comforting those who were crying as Ron Kaz, of Charleston, changed the number on a sign counting the number of death row executions in the U.S. since 1977 to include that of Owens.

We are not here to make excuses for the harm Khalil did cause during his life, said Rev. Hillary Taylor, executive director of South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

But there is also no justice for young Khalil, a child who experienced physical harm in his household and physical and sexual harm in juvenile prison facilities here in South Carolina, she said. More often than not, those on death row are the victims of someone elses violence long before they commit violence themselves. This is why we stand against all executions. At its core, the death penalty is a declaration that some victims of violence matter more than others.

Owens life and crimes

Owens was born prematurely into a family life his attorneys have described as violent and chaotic. Both his biological parents and his stepfather used and dealt drugs, and all three abused Owens and his three siblings. His father and stepfather were in and out of prison throughout his childhood, according to court filings.

Owens went into foster care at 5 years old after social workers found him and his siblings alone in a house with no food or electricity.

He dropped out of school in 9th grade after repeating several grades and often getting into trouble for fighting with other students. As a teen, he spent time in the states juvenile justice system, where the other teenagers abused him physically and sexually, his attorneys have said.

At some point, which doctors cant pinpoint, Owens suffered damage to his frontal lobe, the part of the brain that controls a persons impulses and emotions. He experienced violent outbursts, anxiety, depression, paranoia and seizures at different points in his life, according to court filings.

Owens was 19 years old when Graves was shot in the head as two masked men robbed the Speedway convenience store where she worked one of her three jobs. The youngest of the three children she left behind was 8 years old.

The Speedway was the third place that Owens and three friends  according to Golden and others  robbed as Halloween turned into the early morning of Nov. 1, 1997.

Golden testified  both in 1999 and 2003  that it was Owens who shot Graves because she couldnt open the stores safe. The pair of robbers left with $37.29 from the cash register.

Owens told friends and family that he had killed Graves, bragging about it in some cases. Beyond Golden, those testifying against Owens at his 1999 trial included his girlfriend and another friend on the robbery spree. Owens attorneys have since disputed the reliability of what they said.

In February 1999, a jury convicted Owens of killing Graves. That night, between his conviction and sentencing hearing the next day, Owens killed a fellow inmate at the Greenville County jail, 28-year-old Christopher Lee.

Lee was serving a 90-day sentence for traffic violations. Owens confessed to the crime, then described in detail how he had killed Lee by choking him, slamming his head into the floor and shoving a pen up one nostril, according to court documents.

That case never went to trial. Prosecutors dropped the charges in 2019, soon after Owens exhausted his appeals for killing Graves, with the stipulation that they could bring them back if needed.

Twice, the state Supreme Court sent Owens death sentence back to a jury for resentencing. Both times, the jury again recommended sentencing Owens to death.

But Owens has changed during his 25 years in prison, one of his lawyers, Rob Lee, said during a Thursday night vigil at Washington Street United Methodist Church in Columbia.

Rather than wallow in the severe isolation of death row, he began to read, Lee said. Then, he began to study.

Owens took an interest in history, particularly African history. He suggested his niece write a paper on Nubian Queen Amanirenas, who resisted Roman rule in the ancient Kingdom of Kush. He regaled his attorneys with facts about the University of Timbuktu, bonobo apes, and the history of cartoon character Betty Boop, Lee said.

He learned to read and write in Arabic to strengthen his Islamic faith. He called his mother every day to check on her.

Owens wrote thoughts and poems and essays, creating a new recorded history of his life, Lee said.

Vigils ahead of the execution

During the Thursday vigil, a dozen activists made a final call for clemency. They peacefully walked the street outside the Governors Mansion, holding signs reading end the death penalty and stop state killing.

Kaz, a board member of South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, has driven from Charleston to Columbia to sit vigil for all but one of the executions carried out in the state since 1985, he said. Friday night made his 43rd vigil outside the razor wire of the prison gates.

For me, it gets harder every time, Kaz said.

In the time between a persons crime and execution, a lot can change, he said.

The people that are getting executed are not the same people who were sentenced to death, Kaz said.

Paul Palmer, a protestor from Columbia, said he disagreed with the idea that executions bring justice for the relatives of the victims. After his nephew was killed while working a shift at a video poker parlor in the 1980s, the prosecutor asked Palmers family whether they wanted to seek the death penalty.

Palmer knew that sentence would not bring the family the peace they were looking for. He pushed instead for a life sentence, which the perpetrators ultimately received, he said.

I dont want that kind of justice, he told his brother-in-law and sister at the time, he said.

Activists pointed out the uneven ways in which the death penalty is often applied. Black people, like Owens, are disproportionately sentenced to death, civil rights leaders have argued.

Of the 282 people executed in South Carolina since 1912, 74% were Black and 26% were white, according to Department of Corrections data.

Of the 32 men on the states death row, 15 are Black and 17 are white. People with disabilities, such as Owens brain damage, are also more likely to face execution, said Taylor, director of anti-death penalty group.

The death penalty is not justice, Taylor said. It doesnt stop violence from happening. It only creates more victims.

It is likely activists will be back in Columbia over the course of the next six months as the state Supreme Court schedules five more men who have exhausted their appeals for execution, Taylor said.

Unfortunately, there may be many future vigils, Taylor said.

After his execution, Owens attorneys maintained he was killed for a crime he did not commit.

Freddie Owens did not kill Ms. Graves. His death tonight is a tragedy, attorney Gerald Bo King said in a statement late Friday. Mr. Owenss childhood was marked by suffering on a scale that is hard to comprehend. He spent his adulthood in prison for a crime that he did not commit. The legal errors, hidden deals, and false evidence that made tonight possible should shame us all.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) shakes hands with Volodymyr Zelensky (R), President of Ukraine, at a bilateral meeting before the start of the 79th General Debate of the UN General Assembly. More than 130 heads of state and government are expected to attend the largest diplomatic meeting of the year at the United Nations headquarters in New York for almost a week. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Chancellor Olaf Scholz insisted on Monday that he will not loosen the rules for the use of German weapons in Ukraine's defensive fight against Russia, despite the pleas from Kiev.

The government had made "a few decisions" regarding military support for Ukraine "that are very clear to me," Scholz said in New York, just before he was to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He specified that this included restrictions that prevent Ukraine from firing missiles deep into Russian territory.

"That is not compatible with my personal stance ... We will not do that. And we have good reasons for it," said Scholz, who is in the United States for the high-level week of the UN General Assembly.

Zelensky has been persistent in his appeals to Western allies to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to hit targets far beyond the war's front line, including Russian logistics hubs and military bases.

The most far-reaching weapon delivered by Germany is the MARS II rocket launcher, which can hit targets 84 kilometres away.

Berlin has permitted Kiev to use the rocket launcher for a limited area of Russian territory near the embattled Ukrainian border city of Kharkiv. The powerful Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzer, which has a range of 56 kilometres, can also be deployed to defend Kharkiv.

Scholz has repeatedly ruled out the delivery of long-range precision weapons to Ukraine, regardless of decisions taken by fellow NATO allies.

He refuses to deliver Germany's Taurus cruise missiles, which have a range of about 500 kilometres, arguing that it "would bring a great risk of escalation."

A majority of Germans also oppose sending the missiles, surveys have shown.

The United States, Britain and France have delivered cruise missiles with ranges up to 300 kilometres to Kiev. A discussion is currently ongoing in those countries about whether the use of these weapons against targets on Russian territory should be generally permitted.

It is expected that Zelensky will discuss this issue with US President Joe Biden during his visit to Washington this week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he would consider the use of long-range Western precision weapons against targets deep within Russian territory as NATO's direct entry into the war.

Three die in Ukrainian attack on Russia's Belgorod

Three civilians, including a minor, were killed by Ukrainian shelling in the western Russian region of Belgorod, official said on Monday.

In addition, four people were injured in the attack on the border village of Arkhangelskoye, the region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said on Telegram.

"An 11-year-old girl has been taken to hospital, and the child's mother has had both feet amputated," Gladkov wrote.

Since the beginning of the war of conquest ordered by Putin, Russia has been bombing civilian targets across Ukraine with devastating consequences.

Kharkiv, which was the second largest city in Ukraine before the war, has been repeatedly hit by drones, missiles and bombs.

Russian bombs hit Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya

Sixteen people were injured in a Russian airstrike on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya, the local authorities said.

It was the first time that the city had been targeted with so-called glide bombs, according to Ukrainian media reports.

The overnight attack damaged 13 residential buildings, two kindergartens, and several cars, the Ukrainian police confirmed.

The city is located about 60 kilometres from the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is occupied by the Russian military.
Scholz meets Zelensky, says Germany will not let Kyiv use its weapons on Russian soil

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sept. 23 on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

Shortly before the meeting, Scholz reaffirmed Berlin's refusal to allow Ukraine to use German weapons to strike targets within Russia.

"Germany will not lift any restrictions," Scholz said in response to queries from reporters regarding long-range strikes in Russia.

"This does not depend on my personal attitude. We will not do that, and we have good reasons for that."

While the U.S. and U.K. face increasing pressure to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles in Russia, Germany still refuses to supply Kyiv with long-range Taurus missiles.

Scholz said his position would not change even if the U.S. lifts restrictions, and said that Germany aims to "focus on what really helps and what is needed" in terms of supporting Ukraine.

Following Scholz's remarks, Zelensky met with the German chancellor to discusseUkraine's roadmap to peace and plans for a second global peace summit.

"We talked about how to bring a just peace closer. The main thing is to maintain unity," Zelensky said.

The next peace summit will be "a real platform to guarantee the full restoration of security for Ukraine and the whole of Europe," he said.

Zelensky arrived in the U.S. on Sept. 22, kicking off a nearly week-long visit focused on presenting the president's "victory plan" to Ukraine's allies, including U.S. President Joe Biden. Zelensky and Biden will meet at the White House on Sept. 26.

Read also: Its personal  Why Germany still refuses to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine

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Scholz opposes long-range strikes against Russia: It is not in line with my personal position

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has confirmed that he does not support easing restrictions on Ukraine's use of German weapons to strike Russian territory.

Source: Scholz before a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York on 23 September, European Pravda reports citing DPA

Details: Scholz said that the German government had made several decisions regarding military support for Ukraine, which he considers very sensible. These include the fact that Germany will not lift the range restrictions.

"This [long-range strikes against Russia  ed.] is not in line with my personal position... We will not do this. And we have good reasons for that," he added.

Background:

The German Chancellor also emphasised that Berlin will not supply Ukraine with long-range precision weapons in the future, regardless of the decisions taken by NATO partners.

The longest-range weapon currently supplied by Germany is the Mars II missile system, which can hit targets at a distance of 84 kilometres. Berlin allows this and the Panzerhaubitze 2000 with a range of 56 kilometres to be used against targets on Russian territory near Kharkiv Oblast.

The Times reports that the United States and the United Kingdom are allegedly preparing to give Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory, but that the announcement will not be made public to preserve the element of surprise for Russia.

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Hundreds of staff from 35 schools across Birmingham are expected to take part [Getty Images]

Hundreds of support staff from 35 schools in Birmingham are taking part in fresh strikes in an ongoing dispute over equal pay claims.

Up to 800 GMB Union members, including cleaners, teaching assistants, and receptionists, are meeting at the city's Victoria Square.

They have accused Birmingham City Council of delaying the settlement of equal pay claims made by women workers.

The council said it wanted to work with unions to explore solutions and remained "committed to resolving historic equal pay issues".

'Dedicated staff'

The dispute relates to claims staff in female-dominated roles have historically been underpaid when compared to men.

Alice Reynolds, from the GMB Union, said the staff did not want to be taking industrial action.

"It's not every day you see people walk out of schools, especially support staff, they love their school communities and their dedication is huge," she said.

"So I think the council appreciates that this is something that doesnt happen very often and therefore they know they need to do something about the equal pay crisis."

The action follows similar walk-outs in May, and Ms Reynolds added further action could take place, after 15 further schools were balloted over the issue.

"Unless we see real progress, there isn't another alternative, really," she said.

Birmingham City Council said: "A new approach to job evaluation to settle Birminghams equal pay issues once and for all was agreed with the Trades Unions in October 2023.

"The council is keen to work together with our recognised unions to explore solutions, as it remains committed to resolving historic equal pay issues and settling all legitimate claims from our employees."

The Birmingham schools where GMB members have gone on strike are:

Arden Primary School

Beeches Junior School

Benson Community School

Boldmere Infants & Nursery School

Bordesley Green East Nursery School

Bordesley Green Primary School

Chad Vale Primary School

Cherry Orchard Primary School

Chilcote Primary School

Clifton Primary School

Colmore Infant & Nursery School

Colmore Junior School

Elms Farm Primary School

Forestdale Primary School

George Dixon Primary School

Gunter Primary School

Harborne Primary School

Hodge Hill Girls School

Jakeman Nursery School

James Watt Primary

Kings Heath Primary School

Lozells Junior & Infant School

Marsh Hill Nursery

Minworth J & I School

Nelson Mandela School

Newtown Nursery School

Redhill Primary School

St. Benedicts Infants

St. James C E Primary School Handsworth

Stanville Primary School

Wheelers Lane Primary

Worlds End Junior School

Yardley Primary School

Yardley Wood Community Primary School

Yorkmead Junior & Infants School

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Fourteen-year-old student Jose Ortiz accepts an embrace from chaplain Ronald Clark at a makeshift memorial on Sept. 5, one day after a deadly school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Threats against schools are increasing following a shooting at a high school in Barrow County, Ga. It is a recurring phenomenon that follows many tragic events.

Four people were killed in the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia on Sept. 4, including 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo and teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie. A 14-year-old boy was taken into custody after allegedly bringing an AR-15-style rifle to the school and opening fire.

School shootings like the one in Georgia can spark copycats, leading to a rise in threats against schools, Amanda Klinger, Educator's School Safety Network director of operations.

"We saw this after Parkland and after Uvalde. We see an uptick both from outside actors and also a percentage of those threats come from students," Klinger said.

An alarming rash of threats has been reported across the United States since the Georgia shooting. Between Sept. 4 and 17, 98 juveniles were detained in the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice on charges of terrorist threats and school disruption, according to Glenn Allen, communications director. Fifty of them have since been released. The juveniles came from 56 of Georgia's 159 counties.

People walk near the scene of a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Sept. 4. At least four people died and nine were injured after a shooting at the school, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced on social media platform X. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE

Students as well as people outside of the school system see the chaos and disruption caused by mass shootings. While they may not intend to go through with a similar act or have the means to do so, making a threat can give them a sense of excitement, Klinger said.

"To the adolescent brain that is more exciting than a typical Tuesday," she said. "The motivation may not be to actually do violence but to cause chaos, anxiety and disruption."

Protestors join thousands across the country in a March for Our Lives rally against gun violence at City Hall in Los Angeles on June 11, 2022. The protest comes in the wake of the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers, and other mass shootings, such as the racially motivated shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, N.Y., that killed 10 people. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

Nationally there were more than 1,900 threats against schools during the 2023-2024 school year, according to a report from Educator's School Safety Network. Threats trended downward from 2018 through the COVID-19 pandemic but have begun to slightly trend upward in the last two years. Violent incidents have increased by 83% since what the study refers to as "pre-pandemic school years."

Threats are most frequently made through social media, increasing steadily since 2015. Snapchat is one of the channels that has commonly been used in these instances. Schools in Massachusetts, Oklahoma and New York responded to threats made on Snapchat last week.

West Virginia recorded more than 130 threats to 69 schools across the state as of Monday. Schools went into lockdown and were later dismissed in the Memphis, Tenn., area on Wednesday due to multiple threats.

Matt Anderson, head of the Iowa Governor's School Safety Bureau, told UPI more threats have been reported in his state this school year than at this point in previous school years. More than 10 arrests have been made in Iowa, more than all of last year.

These reports to the Iowa school safety bureau come from other agencies, such as local law enforcement and sometimes agencies outside of the state. For instance, law enforcement in New Jersey, Louisiana and Florida have investigated threats before discovering they were targeted at communities in Iowa that bear the same names.

Anderson said incidents like the shooting in Georgia draw the attention of students, teachers and parents nationally. With these incidents in mind, people become more vigilant about reporting potential threats.

"Our society and country as a whole has had enough," Anderson said.

Even in the cases that the threats are deemed not credible, the community and the school system are still affected. School staff and law enforcement must treat every threat as though it is legitimate, Anderson said.

"The duty to provide a safe facility is high," he said. "When it comes to something like that, the superintendent, principal, counselor, school therapists, it's going to be touching all their hands. Overall the impact of the school community itself is quite large. That's not addressing the internal fears for teachers and as the community finds out they have to deal with this issue, every parent gets anxiety. The shockwaves on the school system and the community itself are big."

Determining the legitimacy of a threat is not a clear-cut process, Anderson said. Each case carries its own nuances. Officials will determine if the person who made the threat has access to weapons. They must also determine the context of the threat.

Some investigations, Anderson recalls, found that the threat amounted to a comment that was taken out of context. In one instance, a student was responding to another in a message about how they could feel safe at school. They responded that they would need a "backpack full of guns" to feel safe at school.

"The totality of the circumstance can help us to decide if this is a credible threat, typically resulting in charges," Anderson said.

A major deterrent to making threats like these is not only punishment but making that punishment transparent. When a hoax happens, Anderson and other officials around the country emphasize getting the news out that the perpetrators were punished.

Making threats against schools or other public places is a federal crime, whether it is issued through social media, text or email. Doing so can result in up to five years in federal prison. There may also be state or local laws broken resulting in further penalties.

"The FBI takes potential hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. We work closely with our law enforcement partners to determine their credibility, share information, and take appropriate investigative action," the FBI said in a statement to UPI. "As always, we encourage members of the public to remain vigilant and immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement."

Klinger encourages schools, local and state governments and law enforcement officers to remain vigilant about threats against schools and seek interventions. She acknowledges that oftentimes an event like the shooting in Georgia sets lawmakers and other officials into action. After some time passes, the intention to follow through eases.

"I don't like that it takes tragedies to make people think about this," Klinger said. "The biggest thing is to implore educators and parents to advocate for thoughtful, intentional, strategic improvements."

Along with reporting threats or anything of concern to law enforcement, Anderson encourages parents to be closely involved with their children and check in on them about what they are doing and seeing on their social media accounts.

"The biggest thing right now is to be aware," Anderson said. "If you see something, report it and be willing to be involved with your kids and talk with them ahead of time. That is the best way to get in front of it."
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Several schools have been forced to close across Oxfordshire after heavy rain caused flooding.

The sites have shut after buildings were deluged with water and some found manholes were open or broken.

A night and morning of persistent heavy rain has also caused drains to back up.

An amber weather warning has been issued for central and southern England, including Oxfordshire, by the Met Office.

Nicky Vernede from Wheatley woke up to find part of the ground floor of her house and patio were flooded [BBC]

Schools closed:

Bladon Church of England Primary School, Woodstock

Barley Hill Primary School, Thame

Warriner School, Bloxham

St Joseph's Catholic Primary, Thame

Lord Williams's School, Thame

Frank Wise School, Banbury

Greyfriars Catholic School, Oxford

Cheney School, Headington

Shellingford Church of England School, Faringdon

St James Church of England Primary School, Hanney, Wantage

John Watson School, Wheatley

Stockham Primary School in Wantage, The Blake Church of England Primary School in Witney and Langford Village Community Primary School in Bicester have said they are partially closed

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Nicky Vernede, from Wheatley, woke up to find the ground floor of her house and patio flooded.

She said the High Street was a "huge river with a massive current which you cant even walk safely across".

"The neighbours have all been helping each other walk across the road so they dont get swept away," she added.

"Other neighbours have been bringing in thermos flasks of tea and coffee, and offers of dinner... and even popping to the loo and a bit of warm space because obviously weve got no heating and were all getting a little bit wet now.

"It brings the best out in people at the worst times, thats one positive thing we can make from this."

Motorists across Oxford struggled with the floodwater [BBC]

Some routes were left completely submerged as rain continued into the evening [BBC]

A flood warning is in place for Mill Brook from the Hagbourne Mill area to Winterbrook, and for Chalgrove Brook at Chalgrove and Stadhampton.

This means flooding of properties is expected.

Residents are advised to move possessions and valuables off the ground or to safety and use any flood protection in place at their property.

There is a warning for rain in place until 21:00 BST.

Affected areas could see more than a month's worth of rain falling on Monday.

A flood alert is in place for areas along the River Thame and the River Thames and its tributaries as river levels have risen.

The flooded schools said pupils had been set remote learning and urged parents and carers to check their websites for updates.

Barley Hill Primary School in Thame closed at about 11:30 after the rain continued, classrooms and grounds flooded and the electricity supply was lost to part of the school building.

Lord Williams School in Thame said a geography trip to Birmingham had also been cancelled.

In Banbury, Frank Wise School said it was "working to try and reopen" and hoped to contact staff and families later on Monday to advise whether the closure would continue into Tuesday.

Woodstock GP surgery has also been closed due to flooding.

Posting online, the practice said it has been forced to shut after fire crews advised the building was unsafe for patients and damage cause by the water needed to be assessed.

The surgery advised patients who need urgent medical advice to contact NHS 111 or 999 if they have a life threatening emergency.

Oxford Bus Company has also been forced to divert buses on some routes due to the "increasingly difficult weather conditions".

The bus operator said many services were also experiencing delays in excess of an hour.

In Horspath, a burst manhole cover in the road was causing issues for drivers [BBC Weather Watcher MartinAnderson]

Elsewhere in Summertown, resident Tessa Goddard said the drains in her street had backed up and there was "nowhere for heavy rain to go".

She told the BBC she had Airbnb guests in her basement flat who reported water pouring in through the door.

Ms Goddard explained: "It was literally pouring in, but the lovely builders across the road made up some sandbags for me.

"The water is now receding, the guests have moved upstairs to my home. I dont think the leaves have helped all down the side of the road, but surely the drains should be regularly cleaned to avoid this situation."

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

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Map Attack

In a new analysis, scientists have found evidence of water basically all over the Moon.

Researchers from the Planetary Science Institute arrived at this fascinating new finding by taking a fresh look at lunar mineralogy maps, which they say show that water molecules are far more widespread than previously thought on our planet's natural satellite.

These mineral maps, which were taken from both the near and far sides of the Moon by India's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft between 2008 and 2009, show that even the sunniest parts of our planet's orbiter seem to contain water that wasn't expected to be there.

"Future astronauts may be able to find water even near the equator by exploiting these water-rich areas," Roger Clark, the institute's senior scientist and the lead author of a new paper about the findings published in the Planetary Science Journal, said in a press release. "Previously, it was thought that only the polar region, and in particular, the deeply shadowed craters at the poles were where water could be found in abundance."

Color Theory

As the Planetary Science Institute's press release notes, Chandrayaan-1's imaging spectrometer essentially searched for color signatures of water and hydroxyl  or OH, which contains one oxygen and one hydrogen, as opposed to the two found in H2O  in sunlight reflected from the lunar surface.

While regular cameras can only see three colors  red, blue, and green  spectrometers like the one on the groundbreaking Indian orbiter launched 16 years ago can see 85, which include both the visible spectrum and infrared.

Ultimately, the researchers found colors consistent with water and hydroxyl pretty much everywhere they looked, though there was far less found in maps from the lunar mares, or volcanic impact basins that mark the youngest parts of the Moon.

Cratergate

Even more interestingly, the PSI also found that rocks excavated from meteors that hit the Moon were richest in water  but the craters they left tended to have more hydroxyl than H2O, suggesting that once exposed, sub-surface lunar water might evaporate and leave a patina of OH behind.

"We see a lunar surface with complex geology with significant water in the sub-surface and a surface layer of hydroxyl," Clark said. "Both cratering and volcanic activity can bring water-rich materials to the surface, and both are observed in the lunar data."

These findings could even have implications for future lunar colonists, who may be able to heat up Moon rocks to get water.

"Knowing where water is located not only helps to understand lunar geologic history," the senior scientist said, "but also where astronauts may find water in the future."

More on the Moon: Earth Gaining a Temporary New Moon, Scientists Say
The undated photo, which was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, shows three orcas swimming next to a sea rescue boat. Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda/dpa

One Spanish family was enjoying a boat trip in the Mediterranean until a group of orcas suddenly attacked, tearing off a large chunk of the 2-metre rudder.

"I don't know if these whales really just wanted to play or what, but when you're attacked by an 8-metre, several-ton beast that can sink its teeth into aluminium, you get scared," the boat owner recently told El Mundo newspaper.

The sudden attack spelled the end of the holiday for the family - but the orcas are still going strong, with the last major incident in July.

When orcas attacked the Bonhomme William off the coast of Tarifa in the Strait of Gibraltar, the skipper sent out a distress signal right away.

But the boat was already sinking rapidly by the time the Spanish emergency services arrived. Luckily for the three occupants - two Britons and an Italian, they made it ashore safe and sound, the Spanish sea rescue service said in a social media post.

Scientists describe the attacks as interactions and say the orcas, also known as killer whales, are not acting aggressively.

But those affected are often angry and afraid, as videos show. Reports of the incidents first emerged in 2020 and when people filmed the interactions, boat crews can be heard in the background, shouting "Wow, what a beast!" or "You scumbag!" and "He got us!"

The largest species in the dolphin family, orcas can grow to be 10 metres long and can weigh more than 5 tons. They eat tuna, herring, seals, penguins and seabirds and also attack sharks, dolphins and other whales.

The Spanish authorities are trying to prevent the attacks, banning smaller boats from certain sea zones and using GPS trackers to locate orcas and warning ships' captains. But the measures have not succeeded so far and the numbers of clashes are rising.

GT Atlantic Orca (GTAO) reported 84 interactions off the coasts of Spain and Portugal this year up to June, with six boats so badly damaged that they had to be towed away.

That figure is slightly more than the average for the same period for 2021 to 2023.

"Most encounters continue to be recorded in the Strait of Gibraltar or nearby," GTAO biologist Alfredo Lopez told dpa. The area between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic is popular with Iberian orcas thanks to the abundance of tuna.

Fear is growing particularly among owners of luxury yachts who are opting increasingly to stay in marinas rather than venture out into the open waters, according to Spanish media reports.

Sailors and fishermen meanwhile want the authorities to take action and if possible, compensate them for lost income.

Scientists are puzzling over the trend. While orcas live all over the world, so far, this behaviour has only been reported in the Iberian region.

And if the GTOA's findings are correct, only 16 of the 34 individuals registered there interact with boats - almost always as a group.

The group is made up of three females and 13 juveniles, says Lopez.

That leaves researchers wondering, why only these 16 orcas? Why are they only active in the Strait of Gibraltar and western Mediterranean, off the coast of Portugal and off northern Spain and western France?

Lopez has two theories: Either the highly intelligent animals have simply invented something new, like the orcas who balanced dead salmon on their heads in the North Pacific in the 1980s. "They then imitate each other in the group," he says.

Or they react to a negative experience, such as getting caught in a fishing net or a collision with a boat.

He wonders whether boredom could also be at play.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has suggested orcas attack boats because there is plenty of tuna due to fishing bans. With less time having to be spent foraging, they may have more free time to play with ships, it says.

Environmentalists, sailors, the authorities, the media and researchers are all grappling with the question, as the profusion of studies and campaigns shows.

In July, Spain's Ecologistas en Accion set off for a month-long observation trip to try and find answers, with some 60 activists and researchers taking turns to plumb the depths of the mystery.

Their worry though is the health and welfare of the orcas, who are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

The orcas are threatened by climate change, water pollution, increasing shipping traffic and noise, particularly in the Strait of Gibraltar, they say.

Despite these struggles, hostility to orcas is growing also online, partly through media reports with alarmist headlines such as "Orca uprising."

That is not an accurate reflection of the situation, says Lopez, dismayed by the online hostility. Videos show boat crews shooting at orcas using distress rockets, for example.

To avoid an escalation, he says boat captains should find out about the situation and choose alternative routes, avoid travelling at night and not stray too far from the coast.

He hopes the problem will resolve itself. "Compared to 2023, the number of interactions is declining this year," Lopez says.

An orca in the sea off the Spanish island of Lanzarote. The largest species in the dolphin family, orcas can grow to be 10 metres long and can weigh more than 5 tons. They eat tuna, herring, seals, penguins and seabirds and also attack sharks, dolphins and other whales. SECAC/Monica Perez/epa efe/dpa
In recent years, trade and economic relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan have significantly advanced. Last year, key progress was made in the energy and tourism sectors, with new agreements on preferential trade and transit corridors further strengthening ties. The Azerbaijan-Pakistan business forum held on September 16 in Baku underscored the potential for deepening economic collaboration. But what drives this growth, and what steps are essential to enhance it? Moreover, how can the establishment of Chambers of Commerce between the two nations foster stronger business connections and long-term economic cooperation?

On his exclusive commentary Pakistani political analyst Imran Khalid shared his insights to Azernews. The analyst notes that the recent expansion in trade and economic connections between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is driven by several crucial factors. Their close partnerships, involving aid diplomacy and cultural exchanges, have bolstered their bonds, Khalid noted. Collaboration agreements in the realm of economics within the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) have also been facilitating and nurturing trade since 1995. Azerbaijans substantial energy resources in oil and gas position it as a critical trading ally for Pakistan, which relies heavily on oil imports. Additionally, Azerbaijan has shown an interest in Pakistans textile industry and agricultural goods. To further enhance this partnership, Khalid emphasized the importance of expanding trade agreements, investing in infrastructure, diversifying trade sectors, and encouraging joint ventures.

The establishment of Chambers of Commerce between Azerbaijan and Pakistan would significantly boost business relations and encourage sustainable economic cooperation. These chambers can simplify trade procedures and lower hurdles while offering companies guidance and aid to access each others markets, Khalid explained. Such initiatives could lead to increased trade activities and reciprocal investments. The Chambers of Commerce can host business gatherings, such as forums and trade expos, where entrepreneurs and companies from both nations can collaborate and explore partnership opportunities. They offer resources like market studies and economic information to help businesses understand market trends and customer preferences, Khalid added. Additionally, these chambers would represent businesses in discussions with government bodies, supporting policies that enhance trade relationships and promote investments. This could create a more favorable environment for businesses and remove obstacles to trade growth. The chambers might also provide training sessions and workshops to help companies improve their expertise and competitiveness, which is especially beneficial for enterprises looking to expand their reach. By fostering connections among businesses, the Chambers of Commerce can encourage exchange and understanding, potentially strengthening bilateral relationships and collaboration.
By Aditya Kalra and Krishn Kaushik

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India is investigating the business practices of U.S. streaming giant Netflix's local operations, including allegations of visa violations and racial discrimination, according to a government email sent to a former executive.

The details of India's investigation were included in a July 20 email, reviewed by Reuters, which was written by a home ministry official to Netflix's former director of business and legal affairs for India, Nandini Mehta, who left the company in 2020.

"This is regarding visa and tax violations concerns regarding the business practices of Netflix in India," wrote Indian official Deepak Yadav from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of the home ministry in New Delhi.

"We have received certain details in this regard w.r.t (with respect to) the stated company's conduct, visa violation, illegal structures, tax evasion and other malpractices including incidents of racial discrimination that company has been engaged in while conducting its business in India," he added.

In an emailed statement, Mehta said she is pursuing a lawsuit in U.S. against Netflix for alleged wrongful termination as well as racial and gender discrimination - charges the company denies.

Mehta said she welcomed the Indian investigation and hopes the authorities make their findings public, but did not elaborate on the allegations made by the government.

Yadav declined to comment, saying he was not authorized to speak to media. The FRRO and India's home ministry did not respond to Reuters queries.

A Netflix spokesperson said the company was "unaware of an investigation by the Indian government."

The Indian official's email shows growing scrutiny of Netflix in India, where it has roughly 10 million users and which it considers a growth market where companies target affluent people in the nation of 1.4 billion people.

Over the years, the U.S. streaming giant has developed more local content featuring Bollywood actors.

It has also often faced heat in India over its content deemed insensitive by some users. This month, it was forced to add new disclaimers to an Indian series about a plane hijack after social media outrage and government anger over what they said was Muslim hijackers being shown as Hindus.

SEEKING DOCUMENTS, U.S. LAWSUIT

While it is known that Netflix has since 2023 faced an Indian tax demand - which it is challenging - the existence of a broader investigation into allegations including visa compliance and racial discrimination has not been previously reported.

Story continues

The Indian government's email did not elaborate which agencies are looking at issues concerning Netflix. The FRRO works closely with home ministry's Intelligence Bureau, the domestic intelligence agency, and is the main agency looking into foreigners' visa compliance and permissions to visit so-called "sensitive" regions.

Last year, India accused Chinese smartphone player Vivo and its Indian affiliates for breaching visa rules by visiting certain "sensitive" regions without permission. India classifies parts of certain states such as Jammu & Kashmir in north and Sikkim in east as restricted areas.

The FRRO also acts as a liaison in matters related to foreigners with other government offices.

Mehta worked at the company's Los Angeles and Mumbai offices from April 2018 to April 2020, her LinkedIn profile shows.

The Indian government email asked her to provide "details/documents" as she was a former legal executive of the company.

In 2021, Mehta sued Netflix in Los Angeles County Superior Court in California for alleged wrongful termination and racial and gender discrimination, among other things, U.S. court filings show.

Netflix has in U.S. court denied "each and every allegation" and said in its statement that Mehta was fired for repeatedly using her corporate credit card for tens of thousands of dollars in personal expenses.

Mehta said she will "continue to fight for justice." Her case is set for a status hearing on Monday in Los Angeles.

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Krishn Kaushik; Additional reporting by Mike Scarcella in Washington; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Police should be routinely armed with Tasers, Scotlands most senior officer has said, as she also backed the rollout of face-scanning technology.

Jo Farrell, Police Scotlands Chief Constable, said a large increase in the number of officers carrying the weapons was right and proper, as it would allow them to protect themselves and the public when faced with violent criminals.

Setting out her new policing plan she insisted was vital to modernise the force, Ms Farrell insisted it would be an abdication not to explore use of live facial recognition software, which scans faces of members of the public to identify suspects.

Currently, about 1,700 of more than 16,000 Scottish officers are trained to carry Tasers, a figure she said was disproportionately low.

The Police Scotland chief said I want to see a greater proportion of people carrying Tasers - Ken Jack/Corbis/Getty Images

Ms Farrells plan, which she set out just over a year after taking on the job, calls for a rollout of the devices across the operational frontline.

On any one response team [of two officers], I would certainly want to see a greater proportion of people carrying Tasers, should they wish to, Ms Farrell said.

The feedback Ive had first-hand is that it has a deterrent effect. People know its this big yellow thing attached to your body armour. A person with a weapon is thinking youre armed with a Taser.

I want to, over the next two to three years, see us having an increased number of officers trained and equipped with Tasers.

I think thats the right and proper thing to do, both to protect the public and our officers, who we ask to do very difficult jobs.

Ms Farrell insisted it would be an abdication not to explore use of live facial recognition software - Grafissimo/iStockphoto

Currently, Police Scotland does not use facial recognition technology, which is popular with authoritarian regimes and has also been deployed in the UK, including by the Metropolitan Police.

However, privacy campaigners have raised concerns over its use, with cameras used to scan large crowds of people with faces matched to a police watchlist using artificial intelligence.

A Holyrood committee has also raised concerns that it discriminates against women and ethnic minority groups.

Ms Farrell rejected criticisms of artificial intelligence in policing, questioning why the technology was not controversial in healthcare, where it has been used to detect cancer.

If within the NHS we all get told AI will help detect cancer quicker, we say that sounds like a good thing, she said.

If I say AI will help us take violent perpetrators off the streets and keep your children safe, then somehow I need to convince you Im doing that in an ethical, appropriate way.

I think it would be an abdication if we dont explain, explore and keep pushing along this route so people say, Im confident they are using the technology appropriately, without bias, for the greatest good of keeping people safe.

Ms Farrell, previously chief constable of Durham Constabulary, drew up her three-year plan after deciding that Police Scotland had confusing and cluttered priorities, in a veiled criticism of her predecessor, Sir Iain Livingstone.

She is set to push ahead with plans to close large numbers of local police stations, admitting many were not fit for purpose, and is to hand civilians including staff investigators a more prominent role in crime fighting.

She insisted the plans, as well as her policy of no longer investigating all crimes, would free up officers to spend more time in communities.

She revealed that the force has begun early discussions around borrowing cash to fund improvements, with public finances at Holyrood under major strain.

Police Scotland pledged that every community in Scotland would have identifiable local officers but it is understood the overall number of officers working across the force will not increase.

The use of Tasers has been backed by the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank-and-file officers. A survey the SPF carried out in 2021 found 84 per cent of officers wanted the option of carrying a Taser.

Ms Farrells plan specifies over 130 milestones to be met by March 2027. She claimed the latest changes were vital so that the force can evolve to meet existing and new challenges.

Russell Findlay, justice spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: People across Scotland will welcome the Chief Constables ambition for a visible police presence in their communities, but that can only happen if SNP ministers stop inflicting extreme cuts to police budgets.

This pledge also does not address the fact that Police Scotland is forecast to lose officers faster than they can be replaced.

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Search Continues for Missing 22-Year-Old Yellowstone Employee After Going Hiking in Bad Weather

Concession worker Austin King has been missing since Sept. 17, after embarking on a backpacking trip to summit Eagle Peak

Yellowstone National Park/Facebook Austin King

A search is being carried out for a missing man in Wyoming.

Austin King, a 22-year-old concession worker, has been missing since Sept. 17, after he didnt show up to his boat pickup following a 7-day backcountry trip to summit Eagle Peak, Yellowstone National Park stated in a news release on Facebook.

The park said of the missing employee, [King] was reported overdue to the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center when he failed to arrive for his boat pickup near Yellowstone Lakes Southeast Arm on Friday afternoon, Sept. 20, after his planned [trip]."

According to the release, King was last heard from on Tuesday, Sept. 17 when he called friends and family from the summit of Eagle Peak in the parks remote southeast corner.

He is described to be 6 tall, weighing 160 lbs., with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing glasses, a black sweatshirt and gray pants.

Getty Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming

Related: Hiker Found 'Alive, but Not Well' After Month-Long Disappearance: 'May Have Only Had Another Day Left'

At 7:00 p.m. local time on Sept. 17, King shared of his trip that there was fog, rain, sleet, hail and windy conditions, NBC News reported, citing the release.

A missing persons flyer obtained by East Idaho News, noted that King was dropped off by boat at the start of his trip on Sept. 14. He then spoke to a backcountry ranger outside of his planned route at Howell Cr. cabin on Sept. 16, before embarking on his summit to Eagle Peak the next day.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park authorities, Park County authorities and local rescue teams began the search for King on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 21 with aerial and ground search assistance. His camp and personal belongings were found in the upper Howell Creek area that evening.

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.

Related: Missing Woman, 24, Found Severely Dehydrated and Emaciated After Surviving Nearly 2 Weeks in Wilderness

The search for the 22-year-old is continuing in the Eagle Peak area, Eagle Pass Mountain Creek Trail and Eagle Creek Trailhead in Shoshone National Forest, per the release.

Today, more than 20 ground searchers, two helicopters, unmanned air systems, and a search dog team are focusing efforts near Eagle Peak, the park said.

Public assistance is also being urged in the search for King at this time.

Anyone traveling in the backcountry near Eagle Peak since Sept.14 may have seen King, the park said in its release.

The park asked anyone with information on Kings whereabouts to contact the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at 307-344-2643.



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Read the original article on People.
A body was pulled out of the Atlantic Ocean between 13th and 14th streets Monday night at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, a fire department spokesperson said.

Around 7:30 p.m., crews were dispatched after a report of a body floating in the water near 14th Street, spokesperson Barbara Morrison wrote in an email.

Rescue swimmers pulled the body ashore around 8:07 p.m.

Morrison said the body has been turned over to the police department.

Police on Saturday received a report of three men struggling to make it to shore while swimming off of 16th Street shortly before 8:30 p.m.

One of the men was found unconscious in the water about 10 minutes after the initial report came in and was close enough to shore to be pulled in by police and EMS, a police spokesperson said. Its unclear how the men knew each other.

A wide search had been underway since Saturday night, looking for two swimmers. They were identified as Sergio Olcot Ajbal and Sergio Xinico, both 22 years old and from Chesapeake.

The man who was found Saturday was hospitalized in critical condition as of Saturday night. A police spokesperson was unable to provide an update on the mans status Monday.

Virginia Beach police and fire departments each had one marine unit in the water conducting the search Monday. Police also had two officers on ATVs searching from Rudee Inlet to Fort Story.

Red flag conditions remained Monday, and Virginia Beach lifeguards were warning visitors of the dangers of swimming. The search area extended from Rudee Inlet to the North End, which police determined based on history, experience and the current weather conditions including tide cycles, a spokesperson said.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
Second weekend of the Big E comes to a close

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A very busy second weekend of The Big E came to a close this Sunday evening, but not without breaking attendance records! 22News took a closer look at the sights and sounds of a very busy Sunday.

The Big E breaks all-time single day attendance record on Vermont Day

Sunday is the first day of fall, which for many fairgoers made going to the Big E a little more special. Another weekend of the Big E is in the books! And the Autumn season, falling on a Sunday made the Big E fairgrounds this weekend the place to be!

Fabulous its this been the biggest day weve had of all, you know its been big, said Rita Maheny of West Springfield.

Traditionally, the middle weekend of the Big E fair is by far the busiest. Breaking records, in fact, this past Saturday, during Vermont Day, the fairgrounds welcomed in just over 178,000 fairgoers

This broke the previous record set in 2022, which was over 177,000 visitors.

It was a huge day, it was certainly bigger than weve expected especially given the fact we had so much sunny weather since weve opened where last year we had a lot of rain, said Eastern States Exposition, President and CEO, Gene Cassidy.

But this time around, the sunshine was here all weekend long! And people across the region took advantage of it to enjoy all that the Big E has to offer, especially on Grange Day, a time to learn about New England and its agriculture.

Without people patronizing the Eastern States exposition we cannot capitalize our agricultural program that is so important not just to the agriculturalists here in this region but the agriculturalists across the United States of America, explained Cassidy.

And the Big E isnt over yet, more excitement is ahead this coming week with more fall-like weather in store!

And Sunday closed out with 148,297 fairgoers, which is a daily attendance record.

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.
See Green Day return to Northern California town where band went to school, music was made

Green Day band members returned to the Bay Area town of Pinole on Sunday, where in the 1980s they often gathered at the 7-11 on their way to and from Pinole Valley High School.

While lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong is originally from nearby Rodeo, California, Pinole is where much of Green Days music was shaped. Bassist Mike Dirnt, who was also grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and drummer Tre Cool joined Armstrong at the gathering.

Weve come full circle, and were back here in Pinole and my family still lives around here in West Contra Costa County, Billie Joe Armstrong said in a KTVU-Fox article.

Fans from all over the world waited for hours to get their memorabilia autographed, the news station reported.

Green Day is widely recognized as one of the most influential and successful punk rock bands ever.
See which North Jersey voters will be asked to vote on referendums in November

A handful of North Jersey municipalities will ask residents to vote on referendum questions in the Nov. 5 general election. The questions will range in topics, from asking voters to approve stipends for a local mayor and council members to asking for approval to borrow money to make repairs to schools, and others.

Below are the referendum questions in North Jersey broken down by county.

Bergen County November ballot questions

CLOSTER: Residents will vote on a binding question to determine if a stipend for the mayor and council positions, originally adopted in June 2023, should remain in place.

The maximum annual stipend for Closter's mayor is currently $7,000 and for a council member, it is $5,000.

The question reads: "Should the Ordinance establishing a $7,000 Stipend for the Office of Mayor and $5,000 Stipend for the Office of Councilperson remain in effect: yes or no?"

WOODCLIFF LAKE: Voters will be asked to decide whether the Woodcliff Lake Board of Education may exceed the tax levy limits.

This question asks voters to authorize or reject the action to appropriate $180,000 to fund special law enforcement officers (also known as SLEOs) at Dorchester Elementary School and Woodcliff Middle School, starting with the 2024-25 school year. The Board of Education anticipates the costs of wages and taxes for the special law enforcement officers will total $150,424.20, and the remaining $29,575.80 will be spent on equipment, training and other related fees. A yes vote authorizes the school board to raise the additional taxes to pay for the expense.

The question reads: "In addition to the regular budget, shall the Woodcliff Lake Board of Education raise an additional $180,000 in school taxes for the 2024-2025 school year? These taxes will be used towards the hiring, equipping, and training special law enforcement officers at Dorchester Elementary School and Woodcliff Middle School. Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase to the school tax levy."

A welcome to Teaneck sign shown on June 18, 2019.

TEANECK: Voters will be asked if they want to continue to fund the Open Space Trust Fund.

The program is dedicated to acquiring open space, developing recreation areas, preserving historical land and farmland, and protecting floodplains.

The binding referendum will continue the township's open space trust fund for four years. This fund will collect a tax levy through property taxes, the proceeds of which would be used for recreation, conservation or historic preservation purposes and payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by Teaneck for any of the foregoing purposes, as permitted by law.

The question reads: "Shall the Township of Teaneck continue to allocate the Open Space Trust Fund, which will be funded in the following manner for the following purposes:

A. The Open Space Trust Fund shall be funded through the collection of local property taxes in an amount of one cent ($.01) per one hundred ($100.00) dollars of assessed value per year for a period not to exceed four (4) years, unless a proposition extending the same is approved by the voters.

B. These funds shall be designated for acquisition (no less than 50%) and development (no more than 50%) of recreation, conservation or historic preservation purposes, and payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by the Township of Teaneck for any of the foregoing purposes as may be permitted by law, to be determined following a public hearing."

Passaic County November ballot questions

NORTH HALEDON: The North Haledon Board of Education is looking to increase the budget by an additional $525,000 to maintain the school security systems.

These funds will be used exclusively to provide, enhance and maintain school district security systems, equipment, and personnel. With the increase in funds, the school board would be able to maintain security staff such as school resource officers at each of the school buildings.

Approval of the collection of the additional tax will result in a permanent increase in the district's tax levy. These proposed additional expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the New Jersey Learning Standards.

Morris County November ballot questions

FLORHAM PARK BOROUGH: Residents will vote yes or no on a question to increase school taxes by 2.15% or $459,548 for salaries and benefits for mathematical instruction.

Separate Proposal #1 is to raise an additional $459,548 for the general fund in the same school year of 2024/25 for the purposes of creating additional positions for Basic-Skills instruction and to create a Supervisor of Mathematics Instruction position for the Florham Park School District. Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase to the tax base. These proposed additional expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achievethe New Jersey Student learning standards.

ROCKAWAY BOROUGH: The borough is looking to increase the contribution to volunteer firefighters from $800 per firefighter to $2,023 or a total of $70,805 annual cost.

Shall the Borough of Rockaway be authorized to amend the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) of annual contributions of deferred income account for its volunteer firefighter and rescue squad members who meet Borough-adopted eligibility criteria increase the maximum annual LOSAP contribution for firefighters to two thousand twenty-three dollars ($2,023.00), along with automatic annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments thereafter?

Sussex County November ballot questions

STANHOPE BOROUGH: The residents will vote on a non-binding referendum asking if the borough should amend the cannabis ordinance to allow cannabis retail. A non-binding referendum is just seeking input and is not a final decision.

A yes vote on the referendum question will mean voters desire that cannabis retail businesses be permitted with the Borough of Stanhope.

"Shall the Stanhope Borough Council adopt an ordinance revising the Stanhope Borough Code, to allow cannabis retail business within the Borough of Stanhope?"

HOPATCONG SCHOOL DISTRICT: A bond referendum for the school district asks voters to approve borrowing $9.897 million, 34% of which will be reimbursed by state aid.

If approved, the project will cover a roof replacement at the high school and at Tulsa Trail, remove and replace an underground oil tank at the middle school and at Durban Avenue. State aid will cover $3.728 million of the project and taxpayers will be responsible for $6.5 million. The approval will increase property taxes by $27 a month or $324 a year for the next five years.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: See which North Jersey voters will vote on referendums in November
Andre Maeder was on the board of Harrods from 1996 to 2002 [Getty Images]

Andre Maeder, the chief executive of Selfridges, has denied knowing about Mohamed Al Fayeds alleged sexual assaults and rapes during the six years he worked at Harrods.

He said he was horrified to watch the documentary about Fayed broadcast by the BBC last week, but never saw or heard anything about this "abhorrent" behaviour.

The Swiss national joined Harrods in 1995 and was appointed to the board as chief retail and merchandising officer in 1996. He left in 2002.

He is one of a number of former directors of Harrods under Fayed who have senior roles in business today.

The BBC has heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-employees of Harrods who say the billionaire, who died last year aged 94, sexually assaulted or raped them. Dozens more women have been in touch since the programme aired.

Mr Maeder said in a statement: I was horrified watching the recent BBC documentary, and am truly shocked by the very serious and appalling allegations.

He said he "never saw or heard anything which suggested this abhorrent behaviour was going on. My thoughts are very much with the victims.

The Selfridges Group, best known for its famous store on London's Oxford Street, also owns two shops in Manchester, one in Birmingham, and chains of stores in the Netherlands and Ireland.

It is owned by the Bangkok-based Central Group, which acquired it in 2021 in a deal worth 4bn.

Mr Maeder is also president of the world department store trade association, the IDSG. Before joining Selfridges he was chief executive of the German department store chain KaDeWe, which is now also owned by Central Group.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Traffic was slowed on Interstate 680 South in Youngstown on Monday morning after a semi-truck crashed.

The truck was jackknifed and blocked both lanes near the Connecticut Avenue exit. There was also a fuel spill.

Traffic was being diverted to the Madison Avenue Expressway, but the crash has since been cleaned up.

Brian Oehlbeck 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.
Vice President Kamala Harris participates in a ceremonial swearing-in of Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, with his wife, Sharon Lee, in the Old Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. | Jacquelyn Martin

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee said Vice President Kamala Harris presents a threat to people of faith because of her past efforts to reform religious freedom laws.

Lee, who served alongside Harris during her brief tenure in the Senate from 2017 to 2021, posted a thread to X on Saturday drawing attention to Harris support of the Do No Harm Act.

A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote against any religious institution, including schools, universities, hospitals, and charities, Lee, R-Utah, said. This is the truth: Kamala Harris doesnt believe that religious institutions should be able to live according to their faith. Rather, they must bend the knee to the popular social justice movement of the day.

Harris reintroduced the Do No Harm Act in 2019. The bill would have overhauled Americas most notable religious freedom law outside of the Constitution, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, limiting its scope and removing legal avenues for faith groups seeking faith-based exemptions to civil rights laws.

The bill would have also excluded various rules controlling health care coverage and government contracts and grants from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Supporters of the Do No Harm bill say it was meant to prevent discrimination by religious institutions on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation. Critics said it would strip the heart out of religious freedom law in the United States.

Lee called Harris a severe threat to religious liberty  including for Latter-day Saints, and questioned why members of his faith would vote for Harris in the 2024 presidential election in light of her efforts to gut the Religious Freedom Restoration Act(.)

What is Kamala Harris stance on religious freedom?

Harris has a religiously diverse background. She learned about Hinduism from her Indian mother and Christianity from her Jamaican father. Harris belongs to the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, and is married to a Jewish man, second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

But Harris has been vocal about her support of legislation that makes religious freedom advocates nervous.

In addition to sponsoring the Do No Harm Act, which would limit the application of federal religious freedom protections, Harris co-sponsored the Equality Act, which would create new federal protections for gay and transgender people while also preventing people of faith from using the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to defend themselves against discrimination claims.

That First Amendment guarantee (of religious freedom) should never be used to undermine other Americans civil rights or subject them to discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, Harris said in a 2019 statement about the Do No Harm Act, according to NBC News.

Harris has also been accused by Catholic activist groups of applying a religious test to Catholic judicial nominees.

Both Harris and former President Donald Trump have made efforts to reach out to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Harris recently hired Rev. Jen Butler, Presbyterian minister, to direct faith outreach for the Harris-Walz campaign.

Butler told Religious News Service she thinks Harris will appeal to people of faith because her campaign theme of Freedom.

At the Democratic National Convention in August, Harris allies focused on interfaith relations and religious freedom, making the case that laws that bring Christian faith into the public square are more of a threat to religious liberty in America.

On Monday, Lee continued to condemn what he said was Harris efforts to gut religious freedom, in a post on X.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lafayette County Democratic volunteer irene kendall. Shapiro campaigned in rural Wisconsin for Sen. Tammy Baldwin's reelection Saturday. | Wisconsin Examiner photo

Two-term U.S Sen. Tammy Baldwin got a boost Saturday from a fellow Democrat, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, in her tight reelection race against Republican challenger Eric Hovde. The incumbent senator from Wisconsin and the governor  who attracted national media attention when he was recently considered as a possible vice presidential candidate  toured rural Richland and Lafayette counties, meeting with farmers and small town residents in sparsely populated areas of the state. In both counties, most voters chose former President Donald Trump in the last two presidential elections. But they also voted for Baldwin by more than 10-point margins in 2018.

The night before embarking on the rural Wisconsin tour, Baldwin spoke from the same stage as Democratic nominee Kamala Harris to a cheering crowd of 10,000 people who packed the Dane County Coliseum, a frequent venue for rock concerts in deep-blue Madison.

Tammy Baldwin

Since both population growth and voter turnout are sky-high in Dane County, Democrats are focusing heavily on the area as key to winning elections in this closely-divided swing state. But Baldwin, like Shapiro, who made inroads with rural voters in Pennsylvania, makes a point of campaigning in rural and suburban areas that lean Republican.

Appealing to voters in areas where other Democrats dont often show up is a big part of both politicians formula for success. In their joint, rural campaign stops in Wisconsin they modeled an approach to politics that refuses to take the urban-rural political divide for granted, and that reconnects with voters the rest of their party has often overlooked. That approach dovetails with the Harris campaigns effort to appeal to disaffected Republicans and to present the Democratic party as a big tent.

Lafayette is among the most rural counties in Wisconsin, and one of only two counties in the state that doesnt have a traffic light, according to U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat, who represents the area in Congress. Voters there chose Trump by 9 percentage points in 2016 and by 13.7 points in 2020  but Baldwin won the county by 10.6 points in 2018.

It really does feel like home, Shapiro told the Examiner, standing outside a big, red barn at the Iowa and Lafayette County Democrats picnic. Theres a sensibility, and theres a desire from the people Ive met to just have elected officials work together to get stuff done, he said.

Getting stuff done  Shapiros trademark phrase  was the theme of his speech endorsing Baldwins 2024 reelection bid. He touted her work to bring agriculture innovation grants as well as her work on rural broadband and expanding health care access.

In her own speech at the county picnic, Baldwin also focused on specific accomplishments. She told a story about meeting with executives of a handful of medical device companies and shaming them into agreeing to set a cap of $35 per month on the price of inhalers, after hearing from constituents who were struggling to pay hundreds of dollars per month to treat their asthma.

While Shapiro and Baldwin described themselves as pragmatists, they also espoused progressive values, denouncing Republican extremism and threats to democracy and vowing to work to claw back abortion rights after the demise of Roe v. Wade.

Baldwin warned that the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, which held that there is no fundamental constitutional right to privacy, poses a threat to other precedents besides Roe, including protections for access to contraception as well as interracial and same-sex marriage. She described the skepticism she encountered from journalists who did not believe she would be able to get enough Republican votes to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages.

I said, Just you watch,  she told the audience of rural Democrats, adding she was sure at least 10 of her Republican colleagues had a loved one who would be hurt if same-sex marriage was overturned. In the end she found 12 Republicans to join all 50 Democrats in the Senate to pass the bill.

Baldwin added that she is proud to be the lead author of the Womens Health Protection Act, which would restore Roe, make it a part of our national laws, and tell states like Wisconsin and Texas and Florida and Idaho that you cant pass a whole bunch of laws at the state level that interfere with those rights and freedoms.

I dont have 60 votes yet, but I do have a plan, she told her rural constituents. That plan involves all of you working super hard to get me reelected to the United States Senate.

Democrats are working harder than ever in Lafayette County, said Democratic Party Chair Nancy Fisker, who added that the group has doubled its membership in the last year and a half after opening a new office, with help from the state party. The chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Ben Wikler, also gave an impassioned speech at the picnic. A prolific fundraiser, he has helped to open new Democratic Party offices all over the state.

Still, county residents are often afraid to put up yard signs or otherwise publicly identify themselves as Democrats, Fisker said. We have to be aware of it, and we have to not push our agenda at people who dont want to hear it, she said. We dont just take a bunch of Democrats to a restaurant in Darlington to have a meeting unless we talk to the owner first, or theyll throw us out on our ear. Its serious.

This year, after pushing for a long time, county volunteers are putting up more yard signs. And, after opening the new party office, We started to have some successes, Fisker said. Lafayette County voted for liberal state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz, whose victory over conservative former Justice Dan Kelly changed the ideological balance on the court. Most voters in the county also rejected a pair of constitutional amendments drafted by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have taken away the governors power to give out federal emergency relief funds. Fisker attributes both results to her groups stepped-up voter education effort.

Fisker said she meets a lot of split-ticket voters. I have a couple of friends who just said, Oh, well, you know, Im going to vote for Baldwin, but I dont know about that Harris person. So then theres lots of conversations, and its your neighbors.

We care about reproductive rights. We care about the environment. We care about ensuring that our rights are not taken away. But you have to come to us in the way that we want to engage with you, said Lafayette County Democrat irene kendall (she spells her name in all lower-case letters), who helped organize the event. She credited Baldwin and Pocan with coming to the area frequently and listening to people. They understand what happens in the rural communities, because theyre out there, right? And so we know we matter to them. So showing up is a huge part of it, I think. She has relatives, she said, who split their tickets, voting Republican in most races, but making and exception for Baldwin.

Steve Pickett, now retired, described himself as the first Democratic county clerk elected in Lafayette County since Reconstruction. He agreed that Democrats could do a lot better just by showing up.

In rural Wisconsin, probably more so than in the cities, people want to know who the candidate is, he said. Its hard for people to say, Well, yeah I want to vote for someone I dont even know.

The working theory for a long time has been that you have to be a Republican to win in Lafayette County, he said. Now thats starting to change. You can be a Democrat and win, but you have to work at it, he added.

It isnt that its so Republican, he said of the area. Its that we havent given people a reason to vote for the Democrats. Baldwin and Pocan gave you reasons in their speeches, he added.

We have to get the party to understand, Pickett said, that these are the races that are going to make them, as opposed to spending money in the really safe districts.

Shapiro and Baldwin both seem to understand that point  and not just on the state level.

Shapiro told the rural Democrats in Wisconsin the same thing he said he tells voters in Pennsylvania: Because of the way national elections are structured, as swing state voters they have enormous power. Youve got the power to shape the future, he said, not just of this state, but of this entire country.

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Florida woman, 91, fights for her home after signing a real estate contract she claims she didn't understand

Fidela Rodriguez, a 91-year-old woman in Lakeland, Florida, worries shes about to lose her home.

The Puerto Rican native heard a commercial on the radio about a company that buys houses and helps residents relocate. Rodriguez wants to move to Buffalo, New York, where she lived 18 years ago before her husband died and she still has friends who can help her.

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"I don't have nobody here to help me, Rodriguez told ABC Action News.

She called the number from the ad and reached Problem Property Pals, which is called PPP in court documents obtained by Action News. Rodriguez says a salesman showed up at her door, and she signed a contract Sept. 2, 2022, to sell her property for $100,000, with a closing date two months later.

They came to her house [and said] just sign here, sign here, sign here. Poly Agbara, Rodriguezs pharmacist and friend, told Action News. She didnt know what she was getting into. She didnt know shes signing away her property.

Rodriguez says she struggles with reading and understanding English, which was the language the contract was written in.

Lawsuit filed

Rodriguez says she believed the company would arrange to move her belongings and get her to Buffalo. Court documents show PPP scheduled movers to come to the house Oct. 28, days before the closing date, according to Action News, and Rodriguez says she was told she needed to be out of her home that day.

I said, No, that's not the agreement. You told me that you were going to take me to Buffalo, she recounted. One thing before that, you [didn't] pay me for the house.

Court documents show an agent from PPP purchased a one-way ticket to Buffalo for Oct. 31, but Rodriguez said, he didnt tell me nothing about flying, and that nobody offered to take her to the airport, which is about a one hour drive from her home. She also hadnt arranged for a new place to live.

But Rodriguez was never able to make it to Buffalo. She was hospitalized the week of the closing with chest pain and high blood pressure, according to Action News. The following month, she was sued for breach of contract in an apparent attempt to force the sale of her home.

Story continues

The local broadcaster says it tried to visit addresses listed for PPP, but was either told the company had moved out of the space, or journalists were met with a locked door and no sign. Contact was made with Joseph Peck, described by Action News as PPPs registered agent, who stated he no longer works for the company. Attempts were also made to contact George Beatty, whose photo was featured on documents held by Rodriguez, but he did not immediately respond.

Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market  here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead

Rodriguez hired an attorney who filed a countersuit alleging she was exploited because she does not understand or read English very well and lacks the capacity to understand the transaction nature, Action News reports. Another lawyer filed a complaint on her behalf with the Florida Attorney General's Office, claiming a realtor valued her home at $220,000 when she signed the contract. That complaint had yet to be resolved.

A trial is set for Oct. 17, however, Rodriguez does not feel optimistic about her chances, and said her lawyer informed her, if you go to court, probably you lose the house.

How to protect yourself

The situation appears dire for Rodriguez, but her friends at the pharmacy vowed to stand by her.

If she loses the house by any chance, shes not going to end up on the street. I'm going to be with her. She can stay at my house until we find a place for her, pharmacy technician Waleska George told Action News.

There are steps you can take to protect yourself or loved ones from predatory real estate companies. Never sign a document you don't fully understand. If you cant read the language of a document, consult with an attorney before you sign.

If you want to sell your home, consider hiring an appraiser or talk to a real estate agent to determine its value. Online listing sites such Zillow or Redfin can also give you a ballpark estimate of what homes in your neighborhood are worth.

If you have an elderly friend or family member, talk to them about predatory business practices and scams so they know to be cautious when approached by salespeople. If you're worried about cognitive decline, consider establishing a power of attorney so you or another trusted person can oversee contracts and transactions.

Several government agencies, such as state fraud hotlines, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, may also be able to offer assistance regarding cases of predatory business practices.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
WASHINGTON (WHTM)  In September 1862, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Then in January of 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Wait, what?

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One of the details that sometimes gets lost in discussions of the Emancipation Proclamation is that there were actually two of them. The Proclamation of January 1, 1863, gets most of the attention, but it was the Proclamation of September 22, 1862, that laid much of the legal foundation on which the later Proclamation stood.

The first two years of the Civil War did not go well for the North. Though the anaconda strategy of blockading and slowly strangling the South was starting to gather steam, it waswell, slow, and didnt get much attention. In the Western theater the North was making some gains (there was this guy named Grant who was showing some promise) but most eyes, both in the United State and Europe, were on the Eastern Theater. There Confederate forces, particularly the Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee, were clobbering Union forces on an embarrassingly regular basis.

May 3, 1861: Winfield Scott and the Anaconda Plan

Lincoln and his cabinet not only had to worry about losing support in the North, but they also had concerns about the major powers of Europe, Britain, and France, coming in on the side of the Confederacy. (They needed cotton for their textile mills, and the South was a major supplier.)

Lincoln wanted to declare the slaves in the South to be free, not only because it would galvanize support in the North, and make the European powers reluctant to step in on the side of the south, but because he personally loathed the peculiar institution. He had preliminary drafts of the Emancipation Proclamation in his hand and was discussing it with his cabinet. But the timing was important; if he issued it without some sort of victory in the East to back it up, it would look to many like a desperation move.

Then on September 17, 1862, In the hills of western Maryland, Lincoln got what he needed. The Battle of Antietam, or Sharpsburg, was the single bloodiest day of the Civil War, with an estimated 23,000 casualties overall, and about 3,650 dead. While technically the whole affair was a bloody draw, in the end, the Confederates returned to Virginia, which was all the victory Lincoln needed.

Army War College students study history where it happened

On September 22, 1862, Lincoln signed the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which hit the front pages of newspapers on the 23rd. Its sort of a one last chance before I lower the boom document. He formally alerted the Confederacy that if they did not return to the Union he would declare all slaves within the rebellious states to be free.

The Confederacy, not surprisingly, continued in rebellion, and on January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the final Emancipation Proclamation.

The two proclamations are both martial law documents; Lincoln issued them under his authority as President of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy thereof. The first proclamation lists a series of Congressional acts buttressing his authority to make this proclamation and the second quotes paragraphs from the first. (The September proclamation is actually longer than the January one. )

Juneteenth celebrates just one of the United States 20 emancipation days

As martial law documents, they impose limits on Lincolns authority. The January proclamation declares the slaves free in the states in rebellion, except for various counties and parishes in those states. The reason? Those areas were already under Union authority, having either been occupied by Union troops or having voted not to leave the Union in the first place. Therefore, they would not have been under martial law. Any slaves therestayed slaves. And of course, the South wasnt going to free slaves for Mr. Lincoln. So if the proclamation was for all intents and purposes unenforceable, why issue it in the first place?

On this date: Congress passes the 13th Amendment

Well, the Proclamations worked where they were supposed to work. In the North, the war became not only a struggle to save the Union but to free slaves. (A cause which admittedly was embraced with varying degrees of enthusiasm.) More importantly, the Proclamation pretty much guaranteed Britain and France would stay out of things-politicians in neither country wanted to be seen as supporting slavery. (Besides, they had found alternate sources of cotton, and didnt need the South to keep their textile factories running anymore.)

To read the September 22, 1862, Proclamation, click here.



To read the January 1 1863 Proclamation, click here.



And so in the end, two proclamations that in the short term would seem to free none of the slaves, in the long term would help free all of 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 ABC27.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (left) and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey look on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 (Commonwealth Media Services photo)

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Pennsylvania on Sunday to visit a military facility in Lackawanna County that builds some of the equipment used in the weaponry his country is using in its war with Russia.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-8th District) and other local officials were on hand for Zelenskyys tour of the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP), which builds 155-millimeter howitzer rounds for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Pennsylvania is the birthplace of American freedom and our Commonwealth proudly stands with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom against naked aggression, Shapiro said in a statement.

Zelenskyy toured the 500,000 square-foot facility in President Joe Bidens hometown, and thanked the workers there, signing some of the shells. During the visit, Shapiro also signed an agreement with the governor of the southeastern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia, that will strengthen both states and foster collaboration for years to come, he said. Pennsylvania looks forward to building a close relationship with Zaporizhzhia as we continue to stand on the side of freedom.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to speak at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday. He plans to present a victory plan which includes a request to use long-range missiles on targets in Russia when he meets with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday in Washington, D.C., While in the U.S., Zelenskyy may also meet with former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for president.

Ukraine is not one of the 32 North American Treaty Organization (NATO) member nations, but is in discussions to join. NATO countries have sided with Ukraine in its war with Russia.

I began my visit to the United States by expressing my gratitude to all the employees at the plant and by reaching agreements to expand cooperation between Pennsylvania and our Zaporizhzhia, Zelenskyy said. It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail. Thanks to people like thesein Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countrieswho work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected.
She was accused of murder after losing her pregnancy. Shes now telling her story.

Amari Marsh of Orangeburg, South Carolina, was charged with murder/homicide by child abuse three months after losing her pregnancy in 2023.

Amari Marsh of Orangeburg, South Carolina, was charged with murder/homicide by child abuse three months after losing her pregnancy in 2023. A grand jury cleared her of that charge in August. (Sam Wolfe for KFF Health News)

ORANGEBURG, S.C.  Amari Marsh had just finished her junior year at South Carolina State University in May 2023 when she received a text message from a law enforcement officer.

Sorry it has taken this long for paperwork to come back, the officer wrote. But I finally have the final report, and wanted to see if you and your boyfriend could meet me Wednesday afternoon for a follow up?

Marsh understood that the report was related to a pregnancy loss shed experienced that March, she said. During her second trimester, Marsh said, she unexpectedly gave birth in the middle of the night while on a toilet in her off-campus apartment. She remembered screaming and panicking and said the bathroom was covered in blood.

I couldnt breathe, said Marsh, now 23.

The next day, when Marsh woke up in the hospital, she said, a law enforcement officer asked her questions. Then, a few weeks later, she said, she received a call saying she could collect her daughters ashes.

At that point, she said, she didnt know she was being criminally investigated. Yet three months after her loss, Marsh was charged with murder/homicide by child abuse, law enforcement records show. She spent 22 days at the Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Detention Center, where she was initially held without bond, facing 20 years to life in prison.

This August, 13 months after she was released from jail to house arrest with an ankle monitor, Marsh was cleared by a grand jury. Her case will not proceed to trial.

Her story raises questions about the state of reproductive rights in this country, disparities in health care, and pregnancy criminalization, especially for Black women like Marsh. More than two years after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision, which allowed states to outlaw abortion, the climate around these topics remains highly charged.

Marshs case also highlights whats at stake in November. Sixty-one percent of voters want Congress to pass a federal law restoring a nationwide right to abortion, according to a recent poll by KFF, the health policy research, polling, and news organization that includes KFF Health News. These issues could shape who wins the White House and controls Congress, and will come to a head for voters in the 10 states where ballot initiatives about abortion will be decided.

This case shows how pregnancy loss is being criminalized around the country, said U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, a Democrat and graduate of South Carolina State University whose congressional district includes Orangeburg.

This is not a slogan when we talk about this being an election about the restoration of our freedoms, Clyburn said.

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I was scared

When Marsh took an at-home pregnancy test in November 2022, the positive result scared her. I didnt know what to do. I didnt want to let my parents down, she said. I was in a state of shock.

She didnt seek prenatal care, she said, because she kept having her period. She thought the pregnancy test might have been wrong.

An incident report filed by the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office on the day she lost the pregnancy stated that in January 2023 Marsh made an appointment at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Columbia to take the Plan-C pill which would possibly cause an abortion to occur. The report doesnt specify whether she took  or even obtained  the drug.

During an interview at her parents house, Marsh denied going to Planned Parenthood or taking medicine to induce abortion.

Ive never been in trouble. Ive never been pulled over. Ive never been arrested, Marsh said. I never even got written up in school.

Zipporah Sumpter, Amari Marsh, Herman Marsh, and Regina Marsh at the Marshes home.(Sam Wolfe for KFF Health News)

She played clarinet as section leader in the marching band and once performed at Carnegie Hall. In college, she was majoring in biology and planned to become a doctor.

South Carolina state Rep. Seth Rose, a Democrat in Columbia and one of Marshs attorneys, called it a really tragic case. Its our position that she lost a child through natural causes, he said.

On Feb. 28, 2023, Marsh said, she experienced abdominal pain that was way worse than regular menstrual cramps. She went to the emergency room, investigation records show, but left after several hours without being treated. Back at home, she said, the pain grew worse. She returned to the hospital, this time by ambulance.

Hospital staffers crowded around her, she said, and none of them explained what was happening to her. Bright lights shone in her face. I was scared, she said.

According to the sheriffs department report, hospital staffers told Marsh that she was pregnant and that a fetal heartbeat could be detected. Freaked out and confused, she chose to leave the hospital a second time, she said, and her pain had subsided.

In the middle of the night, she said, the pain started again. She woke up, she recalled, feeling an intense urge to use the bathroom. And when I did, the child came, she said. I screamed because I was scared, because I didnt know what was going on.

Her boyfriend at the time called 911. The emergency dispatcher kept telling me to take the baby out of the toilet, she recalled. I couldnt because I couldnt even keep myself together.

First medical responders detected signs of life and tried to perform lifesaving measures as they headed to Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, the incident report said. But at the hospital, Marsh learned that her infant, a girl, had not survived.

I kept asking to see the baby, she said. They wouldnt let me.

The following day, a sheriffs deputy told Marsh in her hospital room that the incident was under investigation but said that Marsh was currently not in any trouble, according to the report. Marsh responded that she did not feel as though she did anything wrong.

More than 10 weeks later, nothing about the text messages she received from an officer in mid-May implied that the follow-up meeting about the final report was urgent.

Oh it doesnt have to be Wednesday, it can be next week or another week, the officer wrote in an exchange that Marsh shared with KFF Health News. I just have to meet with yall in person before I can close the case out. I am so sorry

No problem I understand, Marsh wrote back.

She didnt tell her parents or consider hiring a lawyer. I didnt think I needed one, she said.

Marsh arranged to meet the officer on June 2, 2023. During that meeting, she was arrested. Her boyfriend was not charged.

Her father, Herman Marsh, the band director at a local public school in Orangeburg, thought it was a bad joke until reality set in. I told my wife, I said, We need to get an attorney now.

While Herman and Regina Marshs daughter Amari was cleared of charges in August, the family is still processing the ordeal.(Sam Wolfe for KFF Health News)

Pregnancy criminalization

When Marsh lost her pregnancy on March 1, 2023, women in South Carolina could still obtain an abortion until 20 weeks beyond fertilization, or the gestational age of 22 weeks.

Later that spring, South Carolinas Republican-controlled legislature passed a ban that prohibits providers from performing abortions after fetal cardiac activity can be detected, with some exceptions made for cases of rape, incest, or when the mothers life is in jeopardy. That law does not allow criminal penalties for women who seek or obtain abortions.

Solicitor David Pascoe, a Democrat elected to South Carolinas 1st Judicial Circuit whose office handled Marshs prosecution, said the issues of abortion and reproductive rights werent relevant to this case.

It had nothing to do with that, he told KFF Health News.

The arrest warrant alleges that not moving the infant from the toilet at the urging of the dispatcher was ultimately a proximate cause of her daughters death. The warrant also cites as the cause of death respiratory complications due to a premature delivery stemming from a maternal chlamydia infection. Marsh said she was unaware of the infection until after the pregnancy loss.

Pascoe said the question raised by investigators was whether Marsh failed to render aid to the infant before emergency responders arrived at the apartment, he said. Ultimately, the grand jury decided there wasnt probable cause to proceed with a criminal trial, he said. I respect the grand jurys opinion.

Marshs case is a prime example of how pregnancy loss can become a criminal investigation very quickly, said Dana Sussman, senior vice president of Pregnancy Justice, a nonprofit that tracks such cases. While similar cases predate the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, she said, they seem to be increasing.

The Dobbs decision unleashed and empowered prosecutors to look at pregnant people as a suspect class and at pregnancy loss as a suspicious event, she said.

Local and national anti-abortion groups seized on Marshs story when her name and mug shot were published online by The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg. Holly Gatling, executive director of South Carolina Citizens for Life, wrote a blog post about Marsh titled, in part, Orangeburg Newborn Dies in Toilet that was published by National Right to Life. Gatling and National Right to Life did not respond to interview requests.

Marsh said she made the mistake of googling herself when she was released from jail.

It was heartbreaking to see all those things, she said. I cried so many times.

Some physicians are also afraid of being painted as criminals. The nonprofit Physicians for Human Rights published a report on Sept. 17 about Floridas six-week abortion ban that included input from two dozen doctors, many of whom expressed fear about the criminal penalties imposed by the law.

The health care systems are afraid, said Michele Heisler, medical director for the nonprofit. Theres all these gray areas. So everyone is just trying to be extra careful. Unfortunately, as a result, patients are suffering.

Chelsea Daniels, a family medicine doctor who works for Planned Parenthood in Miami and performs abortions, said that in early September she saw a patient who had a miscarriage during the first trimester of her pregnancy. The patient had been to four hospitals and brought in the ultrasound scans performed at each facility.

No one would touch her, Daniels said. Each ultrasound scan she brought in represents, on the other side, a really terrified doctor who is doing their best to interpret the really murky legal language around abortion care and miscarriage management, which are the same things, essentially.

Florida is one of the 10 states with a ballot measure related to abortion in November, although it is the only Southern state with one. Others are Montana, Missouri, and Maryland.

I found my strength

Zipporah Sumpter, one of Marshs lawyers, said the law enforcement system treated her client as a criminal instead of a grieving mother. This is not a criminal matter, Sumpter said.

It was not just the fraught climate around pregnancy that caused Marsh to suffer; race definitely played a factor, said Sumpter, who does not believe Marsh received compassionate care when she went to the hospital the first or second time.

Zipporah Sumpter, Marshs attorney, says law enforcement treated her client as a criminal instead of a grieving mother. (Sam Wolfe for KFF Health News)

The management of Regional Medical Center, where Marsh was treated, changed shortly after her hospitalization. The hospital is now managed by the Medical University of South Carolina, and its spokesperson declined to comment on Marshs case.

Historically, birth outcomes for Black women in Orangeburg County, where Marsh lost her pregnancy, have ranked among the worst in South Carolina. From 2020 through 2022, the average mortality rate for Black infants born in Orangeburg County was more than three times as high as the average rate for white infants statewide.

Today, Marsh is still trying to process all that happened. She moved back in with her parents and is seeing a therapist. She is taking classes at a local community college and hopes to reenroll at South Carolina State University to earn a four-year degree. She still wants to become a doctor. She keeps her daughters ashes on a bookshelf in her bedroom.

Through all of this, I found my strength. I found my voice. I want to help other young women that are in my position now and will be in the future, she said. I always had faith that God was going to be on my side, but I didnt know how it was going to go with the justice system we have today.

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KFF Health News Florida correspondent Daniel Chang contributed to this article.

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.
She Killed Her Mom and Invited Friend to See the Body. Here's What a Psychiatrist Said Carly Gregg Was Thinking

Carly Gregg was sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting her mother when she was 14 years old

Northwest Rankin High School; Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK Ashley Smylie, left, and Carly Gregg

Prior to Carly Gregg's conviction for fatally shooting her mother and attempting to kill her stepfather, a child psychiatrist testified during her trial about the then-14-year-old's state of mind at the time of the killing.

Appearing Tuesday, Sept. 18, as an expert witness on behalf of the defense in the murder trial, Dr. Andrew Clark spoke how now-15-year-old Gregg dealt with symptoms of depression and was previously prescribed medication that made her feel numb, the The Clarion-Ledger reported. Clark also testified that Gregg heard voices, which were getting worse prior to the shooting, and that she had a history of self-harm.

Prosecutors said Gregg used her mother's own gun in March to shoot her dead inside the familys Brandon, Miss., home before calling her friend to the house, according to The Clarion Ledger, WLBT, and WJTV. Later, the teenager lied in wait in an apparent ambush designed to shoot and kill her stepdad, Heath Smylie, when he arrived home, prosecutors said, per the outlets. Gregg then allegedly fled but was later arrested near the home.

Related: Carly Gregg Gets Life in Prison After Conviction for Murdering Mom, Then Inviting Friend Over to See Body

On the day of the shooting, Clark said Gregg was grumpy and irritable and couldnt focus in class at Northwest Rankin High School, where her mother, Ashley Smylie, was a math teacher, according to The Clarion-Ledger. Clark said the teenager claimed her memory went blank that day after she let out her dog in the backyard.

Northwest Rankin High School; Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK Ashley Smylie, left, and Carly Gregg

After returning home with her mother, prosecutors said Gregg went straight into her parents bedroom to retrieve a .357 Magnum pistol from beneath their mattress, according to video from the courtroom shared by Court TV. Hiding the gun behind her back, Gregg then went to her own bedroom and confronted her mother, fatally shooting her three times, Mississippi state prosecutor Kathryn White Newman said, according to The Clarion Ledger, WLBT, and WJTV.

According to Newman, moments later, Gregg invited her friend over. When Gregg answered the door, she asked the friend, Are you squeamish around dead bodies? before leading the friend to her bedroom, where Gregg's mother was dead on the floor from three gunshots, CourtTV and WAPT reported.

Newman told the courtroom that moments before she was killed, Gregg's mother was searching her daughter's bedroom for vape pens, WLBT also reported.

Related: Prosecutors Say Teen Killed Mom and Showed Friend Corpse: 'Are You Squeamish Around Dead Bodies?'

And then, her mother finds out she's smoking marijuana," Clark, the psychiatrist, said in court, per WAPT. "For Carly, in particular, she so cared about her mother's approval, so for her, this was a crisis."

He added that the teenager had a "close, yet complicated relationship" with her mother, and a close relationship with her stepfather, WAPT reports. Meanwhile, Clark described Greggs relationship with her biological father as problematic, adding to the factors that may have contributed to her mental state.

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Clark further testified that Gregg was worried about her mental health, citing her journal and sketchbook entries, per The Clarion-Ledger.

On Friday, Sept. 20, a Rankin County, Miss., jury found her guilty on all counts including first-degree murder, attempted murder and tampering with evidence, according to The Clarion-Ledger, WAPT, and WLBT. Gregg, who was sentenced to life in prison, was visibly emotional when the verdict was read, WAPT reported.



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TRINITY COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  A passerbys glance of a man taking out what looked like marijuana plants incited a search where methamphetamine was also found at the residence, the Trinity County Sheriffs Office said.

East Texas State Fair brings fun festivities to new Tyler location

According to Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace, two residents received felony charges on Wednesday after a passerby saw the man taking his marijuana plants out for some sunshine.

Courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office

The sheriffs office said, when deputies arrived they had enough probable cause for a search warrant.

Authorities said a search of the residence led to the seizure of meth and the discovery that the house was also occupied by small children.

Courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office

Courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office

The Trinity County residents arrested are now facing two felony charges for possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment, Wallace 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com.
How sheriffs define law and order for their counties depends a lot on their views  and most are white Republican men

Many Americans will find on their November 2024 ballot a space to vote for an important office: local sheriff. While there are exceptions, sheriffs have a long history of using their power to maintain a particular, unequal balance of power in society, often along racial and class lines.

A recent example of this arose on Sept. 13, 2024, when Bruce Zuchowski, sheriff of Portage County, Ohio, posted a message on a Facebook page headed by a graphic that included his official portrait and which was labeled with his official title. Zuchowski called for the public to write down the addresses of people who have campaign signs supporting Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in their yards.

That way, he said, when immigrants arrive and need housing, Well already have the addresses of the  families  who supported their arrival.

The post, which Zuchowski later claimed appeared on his personal Facebook page, used derogatory terms for immigrants and for Harris. It also included screenshots of two Fox News stories about migrants in Aurora, Colorado, and Springfield, Ohio, which are both places that former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, and his running mate JD Vance have falsely claimed to be sites of dangerous activity by immigrants.

The header of a page Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski claimed is a personal Facebook page shows him in uniform and carries his full title. Screenshot of a Facebook page

An Ohio sheriff posted an anti-immigrant message on Facebook. Screenshot of a Facebook post

Sheriffs in the U.S. dont often get national news attention, but Zuchowskis request was covered in The Washington Post, NBC News and The Guardian, among others.

There are more than 3,000 sheriffs elected at the county level in the United States, each of whom has authority and autonomy to both set and enforce law enforcement policy. For example, sheriffs in many states can decide whether their deputies will wear body cameras and what happens to the footage recorded during routine stops.

In our book, The Power of the Badge: Sheriffs and Inequality in the United States, we provide a comprehensive look at this office and detail the history of sheriffs enforcing inequality both by using formal powers of their office, such as cooperating with federal immigration officers, and with informal powers, such as communicating about who belongs in their community.

Zuchowskis post, which vilifies immigrants and targets people who support immigrant rights, is just part of that long history of sheriffs using their power as a tool of social control, as we document in our book.

Various sheriffs have participated in social control throughout American history. For instance, in the 18th century, an Alabama sheriff ran slave auctions and Georgia sheriffs played a central role in enforcing slave codes. In the 19th century, a Pennsylvania sheriff quashed union efforts to protect workers rights against exploitative businesses. In the 20th century, Southern sheriffs roles in voter suppression during the Civil Rights Movement are well documented. In the 21st century, racial profiling has been a problem in the enforcement of traffic laws by sheriffs in Arizona and California, among other states. Zuchowski is just one 21st-century sheriff entering the debate over immigration policy and immigrants rights.

Personal views affect public service

In the wake of Zuchowskis post, The Portager, a news website in his community, reported residents saying the sheriffs post constituted voter intimidation. Some residents have called for investigations of the sheriffs office by local, state and national agencies, including the Department of Justices civil rights division.

So far, the Ohio Secretary of States Office says the sheriff has broken no laws.

In both our book and previous work, we document through two national surveys how variations in sheriffs views on race and ethnicity may shape their offices policies and practices.

Zuchowskis comments about immigrants, including calling them Illegal human Locust, denies their humanity by comparing immigrants to animals.

In our research, we have found that sheriffs negative attitudes toward immigrants are statistically correlated to their offices anti-immigrant policies. For instance, sheriffs with more negative attitudes are more likely to have an official policy to check the immigration status of crime victims and witnesses. That relationship held even after we controlled potential influence of other factors such as political partisanship and the share of the native-born population in a sheriffs county.

Similarly, as we show in our book, sheriffs with racist views were less likely to report to us their deputies have been trained to reduce racial and ethnic bias in traffic enforcement. That issue is a problem in Portage County, according to the local NAACP, which in 2023 released a report claiming the sheriffs office unfairly targets Black drivers.

Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski posted a defense of his earlier post. Screenshot of a Facebook post

Politics plays a role

Since his initial post, Zuchowski has defended himself on social media, writing:

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 Country  then that is their prerogative. With elections, there are consequences. That being said  I believe that those who vote for individuals with liberal policies have to accept responsibility for their actions! I am a Law Man  Not a Politician!

Despite Zuchowskis claims, he is indeed a politician. Like other sheriffs in the United States, he was elected by voters. He was the Republican nominee in 2020 and is running for reelection in 2024.

Like sheriffs across the country, Zuchowski had extensive law enforcement experience, including working in the Portage County Sheriffs Office prior to running to head the office. We found that more than 85% of sheriffs worked for the previous sheriff before seeking election. And like most other sheriffs, Zuchowski is a white Republican man. We and others find that more than 90% of sheriffs are white and over 98% are men.

Across the United States, sheriffs will ask voters for their support this fall to remain in office. In most counties, these elections are uncompetitive: Sheriffs usually run either unopposed or against weak candidates.

In this way, Portage County is an exception. Zuchowskis first election was a competitive race for an open seat, and he faces a challenger to his reelection bid in the 2024 election. His Democratic opponent, Jon Barber, is similarly a white man with a law enforcement background.

But Barbers campaign website highlights another common challenge for voters: how to pick a good sheriff. His site focuses on transparency, accountability and community policing, with no discussion of immigration. Voters dont get a clear message about any substantive differences that might exist between the two candidates.

Will Zuchowskis comments matter for voters? Elsewhere around the country, voters have reelected sheriffs who have made anti-immigrant and racist comments.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Mirya Holman, University of Houston and Emily Farris, Texas Christian University

Read more:



Mirya Holman receives funding from Arnold Ventures

Emily Farris received funding from Arnold Ventures.
A shooting that happened next to a south Wichita elementary school Monday morning stemmed from a domestic dispute between a husband and wife who were dropping off their children for class, authorities say.

A Lyft driver brought the family to Cessna Elementary School, 2101 W. 45th St. South, at some point before the husband allegedly pulled a gun and shot his wife in the chest. A Sedgwick County Sheriffs deputy who arrived at the school within minutes allegedly saw the husband with the gun pointed at his wifes head and shot him after he stepped away, Sheriff Jeff Easter said.

The couples children had already gone into the school when the shooting unfolded shortly before 9:15 a.m.

Classes at Cessna start at 9 a.m.

Easter said school staff noticed the initial argument between the husband and wife taking place in the street and hurried a few other students into the building. The school was immediately placed on lockdown and police were quick to announce that there was no active shooter inside.

A shooting near Cessna Elementary School in Wichita led the school being put on lockdown Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.

No students or staff members were harmed. But afternoon prekindergarten classes were canceled Monday and parents had the option to pick up their child, school district and law enforcement officials said.

What happened in the shooting outside Wichita school?

The husband and wife were taken to the hospital with critical injuries. The husbands condition was considered code blue, Easter said, meaning he was unresponsive or in cardiac arrest.

Easter said, according to witnesses, the man allegedly shot his wife while they were in the street, on Clarence immediately east of the school. On Monday morning, yellow crime scene tape cordoned off a section of the road dotted with several evidence markers.

She then ran towards the school for help. He chased her, Easter said.

At the point our deputy arrived, he had the gun pointing at her head.  The deputy took cover, and then when the suspect (husband) stepped a little bit away from our victim (wife), the deputy shot the suspect, he said.

The area where the deputy shot the husband is near an east-side main entrance to the school. That portion of campus was also cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape Monday.

The deputy and the suspect scuffled briefly after the deputy approached to take him into custody, Easter said.

Easter said Monday morning he did not know the name of the husband or wife or whether they had been involved in any other disputes reported to police.

He wasnt sure how many rounds the husband allegedly fired at his wife. The deputy fired twice, he said.

Easter reiterated that there was no school shooting of any type and that no children are hurt or in danger.

This is a DV-related (domestic violence) shooting that happened outside the school. There was no school shooting whatsoever, he said. Unfortunately, sometimes these things manifest around neighborhoods where there are schools. ... I know for parents it can be scary. But the fact of the matter is law enforcement showed up within two minutes of the shooting coming out, and it never got into the school itself where the kids were in danger.

It wasnt immediately clear exactly what happened or was said between the couple before the shooting.

Easter said authorities are interviewing the Lyft driver.

Parents, caregivers wait on sidewalk for children

The school is located on 45th Street South between Seneca and Meridian. About 365 students were enrolled there last year, according to the Kansas Department of Education.

Anxious parents and caregivers lined the sidewalks around the school, waiting to take their children home, as police were still investigating the crime scene Monday morning. At least a dozen police and Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office vehicles circled the campus and blocked off part of Clarence while a law enforcement drone buzzed overhead.

Parents interviewed by The Eagle said the neighborhood was typically a quiet one and the shooting worried them. One father said his son rode his bicycle to school and he was nervous about the violence.

Amanda Meyers, executive director of the Wichita Family Crisis Center, said Monday that domestic violence often precedes other violent episodes and frequently involves many innocent bystanders, often children. More than two-thirds of mass shootings, for example, are tied to domestic violence or are carried out by someone with a history of domestic violence, she said.

There are many factors that cause a situation such as the one that took place this morning. This is a community-wide issue and will continue to occur until we find a community-based solution.

Parents pick up their kids from Cessna Elementary School on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 after a nearby shooting put the school on lockdown.

All students are safe at school

Parents and guardians can pick up their children from Cessna Elementary School, if they choose. A district spokeswoman, Wendy Johnson, said students will remain inside of the school building and go to lunch as scheduled but will not have any outdoor activities Monday. Johnson said the school notified parents of the shooting and provided pick-up instructions.

Pick up is optional and all students are safe at school, and may remain at Cessna, through the end of the day, the school posted on its website. District counseling staff is on site to provide support to students and staff members.

Wichita police spokesman Andrew Ford asked parents who want to take their child home to park along 45th Street South and follow directions from officers at the scene. Parents should go to Door 6, which is on the north side of the school. Parents must show identification to school officials to pick up their child.

A shooting near Cessna Elementary School in Wichita led the school being put on lockdown Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee man is charged with second-degree reckless homicide for a Sept. 9 shooting on the city's south side.

Prosecutors accuse 29-year-old Jayson Rivera-Montalvo in the death of his girlfriend.

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Shooting scene

It happened near 24th and National, just south of Mitchell Park. Police said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, with a gunshot wound to her head and a gun next to her, on a bed. The medical examiner's office identified her as 39-year-old Natalie Ramos-Rodriguez.

Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)

The gun had no round in the chamber and no magazine inside it. A detective later found a magazine near the bedroom door. A single bullet casing was found on top of a dresser in the bedroom, and a preliminary forensic examination found it was fired from the gun that was found next to the victim.

Prosecutors said a 20-year-old man and two 15-year-old girls were also at the house at the time. One of them said they heard a "loud bang" before hearing Rivera-Montalvo say "it was an accident." A witness said Rivera-Montalvo's face was pale as he ran out of the house.

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The 20-year-old ran after Rivera-Montalvo, per the complaint, but said he eventually stopped following Rivera-Montalvo and went back to the house. The 20-year-old then found the victim and called police.

Rivera-Montalvo had purchased the gun off the street a few days before the shooting, according to the complaint. Witnesses told police he had been "handling the gun irresponsibly" and "playing around with it" since he got it.

In custody

Prosecutors said Rivera-Montalvo told detectives he was making the bed  shaking out the blankets  when the gun fell off the bed, hit the floor and went off. He said he "panicked and ran away" when he saw the victim had been shot.

According to the complaint, detectives found it "improbable" that the gun went off when it hit the floor as Rivera-Montalvo described. Police said, when that type of gun is fired, the magazine automatically and immediately feeds another round into the chamber. Instead, they concluded, Rivera-Montalvo removed the magazine before firing the gun and "likely believed there was not a live round chambered" when he pulled the trigger with the weapon pointed at the victim's head.

Court records show Rivera-Montalvo is being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on $75,000 cash bond.
A shooting on the University of Arizona campus, near the Arizona-Sonora dormitories, left one person dead late Sunday night.

Authorities responded to a reported shooting around 11 p.m. near Park Avenue and Fourth Street where they found a college-age man lying next to a car. Witnesses brought the man, a Pima Community College student, to the car in the parking lot near the dorms to take him to the hospital but then waited for emergency personnel, according to authorities.

University of Arizona police and medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, but the man died at the location.

A preliminary investigation by police suggested the student was shot during a fight involving several individuals at the volleyball courts, close to the Arizona-Sonora residence halls. No other injuries were reported.

The shooter ran from the scene and is still at large, as of Monday morning. Authorities described the suspect as a 6-foot-tall man between 19 and 25 years old with dark skin, facial hair and dark, curly, collar-length hair. He was last seen wearing a white short-sleeve shirt and tan shorts.

Witnesses told police he might be of Middle Eastern or Hispanic descent and was carrying a small black handgun.

Authorities cleared the area but conducted extra patrols as they searched for the shooter. The investigation is ongoing.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fatal shooting at UA campus leaves Pima Community College student dead
Shreveport Republican Thomas Pressly was hours away from qualifying for reelection to the Louisiana House just over a year ago when former state Sen. Barry Milligan shook up the northwestern Louisiana delegation in a surprise announcement that he wouldn't seek reelection.

That left Pressly with only hours during the three-day qualifying period to make a quick decision - stay in the House as one of 105 members or seek election to the state Senate as one of 39.

"I had planned to stay in the House," Pressly said in an interview with USA Today Network. "But I felt like this was an unexpected opportunity to expand my voice and advocacy for my region that I was compelled to pursue.

"We (Shreveport-Bossier) had just lost a Senate seat that diluted our voice, which was already an issue for us. I believed then and believe now that I have an obligation to fight for our priorities on the biggest platform possible."

Thirteen months later after winning election to the Senate, Pressly's profile skyrocketed, not just in northwestern Louisiana but on a state and national stage, where he was ultimately thrust into the 2024 presidential campaign between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump.

During his first year in the state Senate Pressly continued to press for parochial priorities like increased funding for LSU-Shreveport, the LSU Health Sciences Center and the Jimmie Davis Bridge. "Those issues and many others illustrate the disparity we face in funding compared to South Louisiana," he said.

But he also found himself in the center of statewide issues like opposing the proposed sale of Blue Cross, the proliferation of THC in hemp ("Basically legalized marijuana," he said) and testifying against a new majority Black congressional district that stretches from Shreveport to Baton Rouge ("There are no commonalities in that map," he said).

Still, nothing could match the firestorm created when Pressly's Senate Bill 276 became law and Louisiana became the first state to classify the abortion pills misoprostol and mifepristone as controlled dangerous substances.

Pressly's original bill had secured unanimous support in the Senate as a means to create "coerced abortion by means of fraud" as a crime after his sister Catherine Pressly Herring's husband tried to secretly abort their baby by spiking her drinks with the abortion-inducing pills.

But when the bill moved to the House, Pressly amended the legislation at the urging of Louisiana Right to Life to change the classification of the abortion pills.

Under the new law that goes into effect Oct. 1, misoprostol and mifepristone can still be used to treat conditions other than abortion, which is already illegal in Louisiana, but as controlled dangerous substances they would have to be prescribed.

Harris, who supports abortion rights, attacked the law both before she entered the presidential race and then during the campaign as a candidate, saying similar legislation would sweep the country under Trump.

The Harris campaign sent an email to supporters saying the Louisiana law creates "new barriers to access for patients in dire need," echoing some concerns that the drugs won't be quickly accessible if needed to treat emergency non-abortion conditions like postpartum hemorrhaging.

"Lets be clear: Donald Trump is the reason Louisiana women who are suffering from miscarriages or bleeding out after birth can no longer receive the critical care they would have received before Trump overturned Roe," the email said. "Because of Trump, doctors are scrambling to find solutions to save their patients and are left at the whims of politicians who think they know better. Trump is proud of what hes done. He brags about it. And if he wins, he will threaten to bring the crisis he created for Louisiana women to all 50 states."

Trump didn't make abortion illegal himself as president, but Harris said his appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court tipped the scales that overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to make their own decisions about abortion.

Abortion is already illegal in Louisiana, as are the use of the pills to induce an abortion.

Pressly's new law went viral on social media and he even appeared on "The Today Show" to discuss it.

"I brought the legislation because my sister was a victim of an awful domestic violence attack," he said. "I didn't want women to be attacked by having these drugs in the hands of bad actors. I wanted the law to be strict enough for people to be held accountable, to make sure women in Louisiana were protected."

Pressly said he didn't initially expect such a firestorm over his law, though in hindsight he understands as abortion has become a national political flashpoint.

But Pressly said he stands by his legislation and its intent, dismissing concerns about limited emergency access to the drugs.

"Controlled substances are prescribed and taken daily by Louisiana patients for legitimate healthcare purposes," Pressly said. "This law continues to allow the drugs to be prescribed and administered by healthcare professionals for appropriate treatments while adding a layer of protection to keep them out of the hands of someone who would do harm."

More: Will Supreme Court abortion pill decision change access to mifepristone in Louisiana?

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: How abortion law thrust Shreveport senator into presidential campaign
FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad (KLSE:FM) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next three days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date, which is the cut-off date for shareholders to be present on the company's books to be eligible for a dividend payment. The ex-dividend date is an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. Therefore, if you purchase FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad's shares on or after the 27th of September, you won't be eligible to receive the dividend, when it is paid on the 18th of October.

The company's upcoming dividend is RM00.03 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of RM0.04 per share to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad stock has a trailing yield of around 6.4% on the current share price of RM00.625. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing.

See our latest analysis for FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad paid out more than half (72%) of its earnings last year, which is a regular payout ratio for most companies. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. Over the last year, it paid out dividends equivalent to 202% of what it generated in free cash flow, a disturbingly high percentage. Unless there were something in the business we're not grasping, this could signal a risk that the dividend may have to be cut in the future.

FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad paid out less in dividends than it reported in profits, but unfortunately it didn't generate enough cash to cover the dividend. Were this to happen repeatedly, this would be a risk to FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad's ability to maintain its dividend.

Click here to see how much of its profit FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad paid out over the last 12 months.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Stocks in companies that generate sustainable earnings growth often make the best dividend prospects, as it is easier to lift the dividend when earnings are rising. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. For this reason, we're glad to see FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad's earnings per share have risen 18% per annum over the last five years. Earnings have been growing at a decent rate, but we're concerned dividend payments consumed most of the company's cash flow over the past year.

Many investors will assess a company's dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. Since the start of our data, 10 years ago, FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad has lifted its dividend by approximately 10% a year on average. It's great to see earnings per share growing rapidly over several years, and dividends per share growing right along with it.

To Sum It Up

Should investors buy FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad for the upcoming dividend? Earnings per share growth is a positive, and the company's payout ratio looks normal. However, we note FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad paid out a much higher percentage of its free cash flow, which makes us uncomfortable. All things considered, we are not particularly enthused about FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad from a dividend perspective.

With that being said, if dividends aren't your biggest concern with FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad, you should know about the other risks facing this business. For example, we've found 2 warning signs for FM Global Logistics Holdings Berhad that we recommend you consider before investing in the business.

A common investing mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a full list of high-yield dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
In January 2022, Baltimore County spent $2 million to buy a 12-acre property near Towsons Loch Raven neighborhood to serve as park space and as a headquarters for the Department of Recreation and Parks.

The 1301 Cheverly Road property, which had served as a Baptist church and as a preschool in the past, has sat vacant for more than two years.

Now, the county expects to tear down the property and spend an additional $7.5 million to rehabilitate a downtown Towson office building it bought for $5.8 million last year from a Pennsylvania broker. Two members of the Baltimore County Council accused County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.s administration of keeping them in the dark, despite the council discussing the purchase at two meetings and unanimously approving it in May 2023.

The six-story building in downtown Towson appears to be one of the countys most expensive recent acquisitions for its size, according to purchasing records. Demand for office space has also plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic, saddling the county with an expensive building it likely wont be able to sell or lease anytime soon.

At the same time, Baltimore County anticipates a budget shortfall, calling into question why it is planning to spend up to $15 million on two buildings, according to David Williams, the president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, a fiscal watchdog group.

The [downtown Towson building] acquisition wasnt in the capital budget, but completed as a year-end expenditure, Council Chair Izzy Patoka said in an interview with The Baltimore Sun last week. It adds a shroud of mystery. It seems odd to me we didnt know we had a need for a new building.

In his budget message in May, Patoka, a Pikesville Democrat, criticized the administration for its secrecy surrounding the sale of 305 Washington Ave. in Towson, complaining that the county had kept the council on a need-to-know basis.

The council discussed the building sale at its April 25, 2023, meeting. Two county officials told them the property was move-in ready and agencies could relocate there by the end of summer 2023, citing a need to immediately house new staff hired during the pandemic.

County property management chief Debra Shindle said the building would provide much-needed meeting and office space for agencies including Recreation and Parks, the Office of Law, police department, Department of Corrections, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the Department of Economic and Workforce Development. She said the building was move-in ready and that renovation costs would be minimal due to the excellent condition of the property, according to fiscal notes and video of the meeting.

Former County Administrative Officer Stacy Rodgers, who retired in April, said the county would terminate the sale if it found any structural issues or costly maintenance during a 60-day feasibility study in response to a question from Republican Councilman Wade Kach about whether the county would assess the buildings condition before closing on the deal.

If there were things that we found that were problematic, that could incur huge expenses, Rodgers told Kach. Then no, we would not go forward with the completion of the sale.

Despite the hefty price tag for its size compared with other recent county building purchases, the council unanimously voted to approve the sale a week later, on May 1, 2023. Then-Council Chair Julian Jones, a Woodstock Democrat, thanked Rodgers and Shindle after the vote for answering the councils questions and following up with supporting documents to address their concerns.

The county did a full building and site inspection and completed the sale last October, according to county spokesperson Erica Palmisano.

Councilman Mike Ertel, a Towson Democrat, said in an interview Wednesday that the escalating renovation costs alarmed him.

We didnt just buy a $5.8 million building. We bought a $13 million building, he said. Its one thing to level with us, but we werent given full information. Its disappointing in the sense that ultimately were supposed to be a check and balance but also a partner [with the administration]. But if were given half information, or information left out, it doesnt feel like the way we should be operating.

In an email, Recreation and Parks spokesperson Gregory Wallace said the department decided to move to 305 Washington Ave. after it was found to be the most suitable and most efficient use of taxpayer funds, and that top agency leaders had since relocated to that building, with more to follow as work is completed.

Williams said the building sale was questionable considering the plummeting demand for office space since the pandemic. He also questioned whether the county had done its due diligence in proceeding with the sale despite the swelling repair costs.

Someone along the way didnt tell the truth or they didnt do their job, he said. The bigger question is, do they understand the market? Its a government contract. Why not look at all options available, and go with the most competitive bid?

Olszewski said the county was still finalizing the total cost of repairs and defended the purchase.

Baltimore County has been transparent with council members throughout this process and continues to communicate with all stakeholders as plans develop, he said in a statement.

According to a capital improvement plan, Baltimore County intended to spend $3 million in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 on moving Recreation and Parks to the Cheverly Road location. The council approved the countys purchase of the property for $2 million in November 2021, according to meeting minutes and state property records. The county bought it on Jan. 5, 2022, with assistance from Program Open Space, a Maryland Department of Natural Resources fund that helps local jurisdictions acquire and maintain green space.

Patoka, who became council chair last January, said he did not recall voting to approve the Cheverly Road sale until a Sun reporter contacted him last week.

We [the council] are going to need clarity on it. Its puzzling to me why weve invested so much in this property, he said.

In a June 28, 2024, letter to the Department of Natural Resources, Patrick McDougall, the Program Open Space county coordinator, signaled a change of plan and said Baltimore County anticipated developing a park at the Cheverly Road location, with an assumption that the large site structure will be razed, referring to the 21,000-square-foot building there.

Patoka, who is eyeing a run for Olszewskis job in 2026, said he expects the council to reexamine the countys real estate acquisitions.

Weve got to get tighter on our capital program, he said. Why spend this much? These are all questions weve been asking.
Side-by-side images from the James Webb and Hubble space telescopes show why NASA spent 25 years and $10 billion on the Webb

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is by far the most powerful observatory ever launched into space.

Even Webb's very first images show why NASA spent 25 years and $10 billion.

The Hubble Space Telescope captured the same sights, but JWST revealed details that were invisible.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope floored astronomers and spectators across the globe when it released its first full-color images.

Even the scientists who worked on the telescope were taken aback when they saw those first snapshots in the summer of 2022, telling reporters that they sobbed, fell speechless, or dropped their jaws so far that they "nearly broke."

The telescope  called Webb or JWST for short  has continued to wow the world with new discoveries and mesmerizing portraits of the universe.

It has investigated distant planets that could be habitable, spotted the oldest black hole ever, and peered into the universe's ancient dark ages, giving astronomers answers in some cases and raising new mysteries in others.

Webb has even spotted a pair of galaxies that look like a question mark. NASA, ESA, CSA. Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)

JWST has snagged so many feats that it's easy to forget what a scientific marvel each image is. To grasp how far Webb has taken us, we can revisit its first images.

Even those preliminary snapshots revealed countless stars, galaxies, and fine details that hadn't been seen before. They painted the births and deaths of stars in sharp, new colors and peered further into the distance than any infrared telescope ever had.

Before Webb, images like these only came from the Hubble Space Telescope, which rocketed into Earth's orbit in 1990. But the JWST pictures reveal the rewards of the 25 years and $10 billion NASA spent on the observatory  all in a new, wide-ranging spectrum of infrared light.

A side-by-side collage of the same area taken by Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope in its very first image. NASA/STScI; NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI

"We're making discoveries, and we really haven't even started trying yet," Eric Smith, the chief scientist of NASA's astrophysics division, said in a 2022 briefing where the Webb team revealed its first images.

Indeed, these pictures were only warm-ups for the years of science ahead. Here's what they revealed.

JWST clearly showed two stars at the center of this nebula, where Hubble only saw one

Hubble's image of the Southern Ring Nebula, left, has just one light at its center, while JWST, right, clearly shows two stars. The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA/NASA); NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

The Southern Ring Nebula is a dying star that has imploded and is slowly expelling the layers of its atmosphere in successive waves, creating ever-expanding bubbles of colorful gas. Scientists knew there were two stars at its center, but couldn't see them in images.

The new JWST picture showed the dying star, which glows red because it's surrounded by dust, right next to its white companion star.

With other wavelengths of infrared light, JWST saw different details in the same nebula

The Southern Ring Nebula, captured by JWST in near-infrared light. NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

This image, captured in near-infrared wavelengths of light, shows the structure of the nebula. The blue bubble at the center is hot, ionized gas that the leftover core of the star has superheated. In the foamy orange outer regions made of newly formed hydrogen, rays of the starlight beam through holes in the inner bubble.

A cluster of five galaxies was much sharper through JWST's lens

The galaxy cluster Stephan's Quintet, as imaged by Hubble (left) and JWST (right). Hubble SM4 ERO Team/NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI

Four of the galaxies in this image are about 300,000 light-years away, locked in a cosmic dance as each galaxy's gravity influences the others.

In the JWST image, you can see galaxies in the background that were invisible to Hubble

A few galaxies that are clearly visible in the JWST image, but not the Hubble image. Hubble SM4 ERO Team/NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI

Webb is 100 times stronger than Hubble, capturing far more galaxies than its predecessor could.

The JWST image also revealed the stellar nurseries created as galaxies merge

The JWST image shows a region of gas compressed between merging galaxies. Hubble SM4 ERO Team/NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI

"We now see gas and dust, which is being heated up in the collision between those galaxies," Mark McCaughrean, the senior advisor for science and exploration at the European Space Agency  which is collaborating with NASA on the telescope  said when the images were released in 2022.

As gas and dust get compressed and heated, they collapse into new stars. That means the cloud between galaxies in the JWST image is a nursery for the birth of new stars.

"We're actually seeing the process of creation of new stars in this region," McCaughrean said.

This is Hubble's image of a star nursery in the Carina Nebula

The star-forming region NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula, captured by Hubble. NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

And this is JWST's image of the same region

The star-forming region NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula, captured in infrared by JWST. NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

"When I see an image like this, I can't help but think about scale," Amber Straughn, a NASA astrophysicist on the JWST team, said in 2022. "Every dot of light we see here is an individual star, not unlike our sun, and many of these likely also have planets. And it just reminds me that our sun and our planet, and ultimately us, were formed out of the same kind of stuff that we see here."

The JWST image revealed hundreds of stars that weren't visible before

A portion of the Carina Nebula, imaged by Hubble (left) and JWST (right). NASA/ESA/The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)/CSA

"This is going to be revolutionary," Jane Rigby, a NASA scientist overseeing JWST operations, said in the briefing. "These are incredible capabilities that we've never had before."

Indeed, Webb has been revolutionary in the two years since. There are still more discoveries to come.

This story was originally published on July 12, 2022, and most recently updated on September 23, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider
VILLAGE OF SIDNEY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  An arrest has been made in accordance with social media threats made towards the Sidney and Walton Central School Districts last week.

On Thursday, the Sidney Police Department announced the arrest of a 14-year-old girl. She is being accused of making social media posts that threated several specific Sidney students. The same threat was also directed to several specific Walton students.

According to students, the following message had been circulating on social media:

Watch out Walton and Sidney we are coming for you. 1:10 (p.m.) is coming faster than you think.

Several students were tagged in the post.

Sidney Schools receive social media threats, after school activities cancelled

The 14-year-old girl, whose name has not been identified due to her age, was charged with one count of making a terroristic threat and four counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree.

She was issued a juvenile appearance ticket to appear at the Delaware County Probation Department and released.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
An undated photo from the 1980s, of two teenagers stepping on rocks and wooden planks on Coldwater Creek. The photo is from a scrapbook kept by Sandy Delcoure, who lived on Willow Creek in Florissant and donated the scrapbook to the Kay Drey Mallinckrodt Collection (State Historical Society of Missouri, Kay Drey Mallinckrodt Collection, 1943-2006).

Federal officials plan to post warning signs along a contaminated suburban St. Louis creek where generations of children were exposed to radioactive material.

Coldwater Creek, which winds between homes and parks in St. Louis County for 14 miles before meeting the Missouri River, is plagued with nuclear waste left over from World War II. For decades, families had no idea the danger it posed to the children who played along its banks and swam in its waters.

More than six years ago, a federal study found residents who live near the creek or regularly came in contact with its waters faced a higher risk of certain cancers.

Still, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is cleaning up the creek, did not post signs warning visitors of its danger.

But this fall, the Corps plans to post signs along Coldwater Creek, warning of the low-level radioactive materials present. In a Facebook post, the Corps St. Louis branch said the first of the signs will be placed in mid or late November.

The signs, marked with an eye-catching cautionary yellow border, instruct readers not to dig near the creek but say the waste doesnt pose a health threat as long as the ground is left undisturbed. Corps officials had previously released a draft of a warning sign with a blue banner that said there may be radioactive materials near.

Dawn Chapman, who co-founded Just Moms STL to advocate for St. Louis-area families harmed by radioactive waste, said the group was happy with the new signs and thinks theyll save lives.

But also, were so sad because we know people that are hurt that probably wouldnt have been if they were up a long time ago, Chapman said.

The Missouri Coalition for the Environment, which has advocated for signs along Coldwater Creek for more than 25 years, said in a press release that the signs mark a step in the right direction, but dont fully acknowledge the danger present along the creek.

The sign doesnt acknowledge areas where contamination may be at the surface, doesnt use the universal symbol for radioactive material and may confuse visitors by referring to the material as low-level, the Missouri Coalition for the Environment said.

St. Louis has struggled with radioactive contamination since World War II. Uranium used in the development of the atomic bomb was refined in downtown St. Louis. After the war, the waste was dumped at the airport and, later, a nearby property  both along Coldwater Creek. The waste was further refined to extract valuable metals and the remaining material illegally dumped in the West Lake Landfill, where it remains today.

The Corps is leading the cleanup of Coldwater Creek and the Environmental Protection Agency is overseeing work at the West Lake Landfill.

Last summer, The Independent, MuckRock and The Associated Press found that, for decades, federal officials and companies handling the waste downplayed or failed to investigate the true danger of the material. Since the revelation, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley and members of Congress from Missouri  along with southwestern states affected by nuclear weapons testing  have been fighting for compensation for victims of radioactive waste exposure.

To do so, Hawley and U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, a Democrat from New Mexico, proposed expanding the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, originally passed in 1990 to compensate uranium miners and those who were exposed to atomic bomb testing in parts of Nevada, Utah and Arizona.

Hawley and Lujans bill would expand the program to remaining parts of Arizona, Nevada and Utah and provide coverage for the first time in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Guam, where residents were exposed to radiation from weapons tests. It would also expand coverage to those exposed in Missouri, Tennessee, Alaska and Kentucky.

The legislation twice passed the Senate, but was never heard on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. When the House failed to pass a RECA expansion or extension in June, the legislation expired.

Hawley said on the U.S. Senate floor last week that the legislation is being attacked and exposure victims labeled as greedy and unthankful and ungrateful and undeserving of any help or recognition or thanks from this country.

Hawley called on members of Congress to stand up and be counted and support the legislation.

We will not stop fighting, he said. We will not stop working until every nuclear radiation victim who has given their life and health for the support of this nation is thanked and compensated.

Chapman said RECA advocates are returning to Washington, D.C., next week to advocate for the expansion. She said she believes Congress will act on RECA sometime in the coming months.

I feel very close, Chapman said. We feel like this could be it for us next week.

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Sleepy driver with no license slams into an ambulance head-on in Kennewick

A 38-year-old driver apparently fell asleep Monday morning and slammed into an ambulance near a busy Kennewick intersection.

The woman was driving a Hyundai sedan south on Steptoe Street near Tucannon Avenue when she nodded off about 5:45 a.m., Officer Sebastian Castilleja told the Tri-City Herald.

She crossed the center line and rammed into the front of a American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance that was headed north toward Gage Boulevard.

The woman, whose drivers license was previously suspended, told police she was headed home when she fell asleep. There was no sign of drugs or alcohol involved, Castilleja said.

American Medical Response is a private ambulance service that provides transportation between hospitals in the Tri-Cities area.

Information about where the ambulance was going to or coming from was not immediately available, but no patient was on board. The paramedic and emergency medical technician on board were taken to the hospital to be checked.

The other driver was taken to a local hospital for an injury to her foot. She was cited for negligent driving and driving without a license, Castilleja said. Her name was not released.
Several airlines have put in large orders for the Airbus A330neo after its appearance at this years Farnborough Air Show

Pride of place at Britains Farnborough Air Show usually goes to the biggest airlines with the biggest jets. But at this years jamboree in July, Virgin Atlantic, a David to British Airways Goliath, stole the show with one of its new midsize Airbus A330neos parked next to the runway.

Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantics CEO, emerged from the front door to announce an order for another seven A330neos, taking the total number in Virgins fleet to 19 and making Virgin a majority Airbus carrier. Thats quite a turnaround. Sir Richard Bransons carrier has mainly flown Boeing planes, notably its iconic 747 whose upper deck inspired Branson to call Virgins business-class offering Upper Class.

Virgin is not alone in its embrace of the A330neo. Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, American giant Delta, Germanys Condor, Malaysia Airlines and Portugals flag carrier TAP have all recently also announced large orders for the plane. Cathay has ordered 30 with rights for another 30.

Overall, in the four weeks after the Farnborough show, Airbus received 57 new firm orders for the A330neo and 60 options, overtaking other models as the most-ordered wide-body aircraft during that period. Overall, Airbus now has firm orders for 326 A330neos, 139 of which have been delivered.

Virgin Atlantics CEO Shai Weiss, pictured here at Farnborough International Airshow, has announced an order for another seven A330neos - Hollie Adams/Bloomberg

It is a dramatic reversal of fortune for the twin-engine jet which first took to the skies in 2018. Until recently most airlines preferred Boeings 787 Dreamliner or Airbuss larger A350 because both those aircraft are newer. The A330neo is the latest model based on the A330 family which first took to the skies in 1992.

Whats behind the new-found popularity of the A330neo, and what does it mean for passengers?

Many airlines are starting to favour it over the 787 because it burns less fuel. Fuel is an airlines single biggest operating cost. Airbus says the A330neos new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines burn 25 per cent less fuel per seat than the Boeing 777-200 and 14 per cent less fuel per seat than earlier A330 models. Overall, the A330neo has a seven per cent lower cost per seat than the 787. Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantics chief customer and operating officer, points out that the A330neos carbon emissions are 11 per cent lower than older models of the jet.

He adds that it is also the quietest wide-body jet in the sky  not just for passengers but also for people on the ground. Airbus says the cabin is three decibels quieter than the 787 and the engines are half as noisy on take-off and landing as those on earlier models of the A330.

The A330neos new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines are more fuel efficient than the Boeing 777-200 models - Gary Marshall/Rolls-Royce plc

Airline CEOs are also beginning to favour the A330neo because it can be cheaper than alternative jets. Privately, aviation analysts say that with discounts, the A330neos tend to be nearly 50 per cent cheaper to buy than the A350 which will be a big reason why airliners are going for them, as one puts it.

CEOs also think the A330neo may be quicker to get hold of than the 787. Concerns over manufacturing standards at Boeing, following two fatal crashes of the 737 Max 8 and safety warnings about the 737 Max 9 and the 787, have slowed production at Boeing factories. To make matters worse, Boeings factory workers have just voted to go on strike.

The size of the cabin of the A330neo  260 seats, compared with more than 320 for the A350  enables airlines to hit what many regard as just the right number of seats in a three-class configuration and introduce some new innovations, which is good news for passengers.

On Virgins A330neo the 184 economy class seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 formation, not the standard 3-3-3 on most long-haul jets, which means that four passengers have direct aisle access and the other four only ever need to ask one person to move when they want to get up.

In economy class seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 formation

Virgin has installed 28 extra legroom seats, somewhat optimistically called Economy Delight, which have a 34-inch pitch, the most generous legroom of any carrier in economy. All are window and aisle pairs, which makes them more appealing, especially to couples travelling together.

What about premium, the class between economy and business which Virgin pioneered and originally called premium economy? The 46 seats in this cabin are arranged 2-3-2, which gives direct aisle access to most passengers. There is enough space to create a larder with snacks for passengers to raid.

In Upper Class the 32 all-new suites, which convert into a bed up to 6ft 7.5 inches long, are forward facing, not angled towards the windows as in the past on Virgins jets. Weiss has also used the plane to debut its new Retreat Suite in the front row, which features two large seats with sliding doors for privacy and enough room on either side of the vast dining table for two people to sit comfortably and eat facing one another.

Upper class suites are forward facing and convert into beds up to 6ft 7.5 inches long

Because the A330neo is smaller than the A350 and the larger variants of the 787 it makes it easier for airlines to fill, which offers carriers greater flexibility. It can be used to increase capacity on both short- and long-haul routes when demand spikes.

Lavinia Lau, chief customer and commercial officer at Cathay, says the A330neos will be mainly deployed on 3-4 hour-long flights to destinations in Asia  but she points out that the aircraft can fly for up to eight hours, which gives Cathay the option of flying them from its Hong Kong hub to parts of Australia or India.

Whatever reasons are uppermost in airline CEOs minds, expect to board an A330neo any day now.

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Smartmatic will not be able to collect punitive damages in its upcoming defamation trial against Newsmax should a jury rule in its favor, a Delaware judge ruled today.

The ruling could greatly impact the amount that Smartmatic, an election systems company, will be able to recover in a ruling in its favor. A trial is scheduled to start next week.

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Judge Eric M. Davis wrote that the court will not allow the jury to consider the issue of punitive damages in the trial.

Davis wrote that Florida law, which is the governing standard in the case, requires that plaintiffs show that defendants engaged in express malice, or a specific intent to harm, in order to collect punitive damages.

Earlier this month, Davis rejected Smartmatics contention that Newsmax was guilty of express malice. Davis found that there is no evidence that Newsmax acted with evil intent towards Smartmatic or that Newsmax proceeded with the intention to hurt Smartmatic. The record is devoid of facts showing that Newsmax harbored any evil or a motive arising from spite or ill as to Smartmatic.

The judge left it up to the jury to decide if Newsmax was guilty of actual malice, whereby the news outlet is found to have recklessly disregarded the truth.

Smartmatic sued Newsmax in November, 2021, claiming that as the network sought a larger audience, it published dozens of reports indicating that Smartmatic was in a criminal conspiracy to rig the results of the election, and that its technology and software were used to switch votes from former President Trump to now President Biden.

In fact, Smartmatic did not provide any election machine software outside of Los Angeles during the cycle, the judge noted in his ruling earlier this month.

Smartmatic also contended that because the term express malice is unclear, it could still recover punitive damages for less egregious conduct.

But the judge wrote that he found that argument unconvincing.

In a statement, Newsmax said, Todays ruling means that to recover any damages Smartmatic will have to prove to a jury that Newsmaxs coverage caused Smartmatics actual losses. Newsmaxs reporting did not cause Smartmatic damages and after extensive discovery Smartmatic has offered no evidence of such claimed damages.

Smartmatic said in a statement, Todays ruling will not deter us from asking a jury to find that Newsmax should be held liable for its reckless defamation and pay significant damages. Newsmax lied about the 2020 election and must be held accountable. We are looking forward to presenting our case, questioning Newsmax about their coverage, and asking the jury to hold them accountable using whatever remedies are allowed by the court.

In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Smartmatic and another election systems company, Dominion Voting Systems, filed lawsuits against Newsmax, One America News Network and Fox News. The outlets all featured guests and personalities who amplified claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump.

Earlier this month, Davis also ruled that the statements regarding Smartmatic software or voting machines altering the results of the Election are factually false. The reports and investigations conducted by multiple state and federal agencies since the Election universally come to the same result.

The jury, the judge wrote, would have to determine if Newsmax was doing what media organizations typically doinform the public of newsworthy events or if the media outlet did purposely avoid the truth and defame Smartmatic.

Newsmax has argued that Smartmatics reputation already had suffered because of its ties in the past to the Venezuelan government in the 2004 election. Davis noted that Venezuelan government financing agencies invested over $200,000 into a smaller company owned by some of the same owners as Smartmatic. Scholarly studies conducted by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology found the Venezuelan election was compromised. Smartmatic later closed its offices and ceased operations in the country.

In August, a federal grand jury in Florida indicted Smartmatic executives on allegations related to a bribery scheme in the Philippines. Smartmatic said that the employees indicted were placed on leave. No voter fraud has been alleged and Smartmatic is not indicted, the company said.

Davis also presided over Dominions defamation lawsuit against Fox News. Just as the case was about to go to trial, the network settled the litigation for $787.5 million.

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(Bloomberg) -- The formation of South Africas business-friendly coalition government has triggered a wave of investment announcements and positive sentiment not seen in years, spurring hope that Africas biggest economy may finally be finding its footing after a lost decade and a half.

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Within days of the coalition agreement in early July, ArcelorMittal SA reversed a decision to shutter two steel plants that support 80,000 jobs. Soon after, Qatar Airways bought a stake in South African airline SA Airlink Pty Ltd. A $70 million auto-parts facility to supply Toyota Motor Corp., which just three years ago said it might leave the country, has since opened and Anglo American Plc announced a $625 million iron-ore investment.

This has been a difficult 10 to 15 years, but theres a much more positive outlook, Kobus Verster, chief executive officer of the steelmakers local unit, said in an interview at Vanderbijlpark Works, Africas biggest steel mill that opened in 1952 south of Johannesburg. Weve got a great shot at this to make it sustainable, he said of the construction steel facilities in Vereeniging and Newcastle.

Since the 2008 financial crisis, rampant corruption, erratic lawmaking and hostile relations between business and the state deterred investors  and in the May election helped cost the African National Congress its majority for the first time since the end of Whites-only rule in 1994. Economic expansion averaged less than 1% over the past decade, outpaced by population growth. Sign up for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter for the latest business and economic news from the continent.

Now, the new government, the sudden end to years of crippling power outages and a decision to allow private participation in the countrys electricity, freight rail and ports are seen as a chance to reignite growth in Africas most-industrialized economy. A backlog in work permit applications has been halved; key climate and energy legislation has been passed.

We are in a significantly better space, said Cumesh Moodliar, CEO of Investec South Africa. The country has a chance to become more economically inclusive and potentially better placed to seize some of the opportunities, he said.

Still, while the mass power outages that have plagued the country since 2008 ceased more than five months ago, rail tonnages remain a third lower than in 2018, limiting exports. Crime is rampant and there have been few prosecutions of politicians involved in corruption.

The country has a full house of junk credit ratings and is on a dirty-money list. Government debt that the Treasury expects to stabilize at 75.3% of gross domestic product in 2026 is unsustainable, the economy grew just 0.7% last year and a third of the workforce is unemployed.

When President Cyril Ramaphosa took office in 2018, he rode a wave of investor enthusiasm dubbed Ramaphoria. But he moved too slowly on economic reforms and tackling corruption  growth stagnated, businesses limited investment, crime worsened and infrastructure deteriorated.

Business leaders expect the coalition government  stocked with opposition members in the cabinet  to perform better because of increased competition and as a chastened ANC will need successes to bolster waning support.

The fear of failure is going to be an important asset for us as South Africans, because we are going to benefit from politicians who want to get things done so they can go back and say, we made the right decisions, you can trust us, said Khulekani Mathe, the incoming CEO of Business Unity South Africa, the countrys biggest business-lobby group. Its providing this enormous opportunity for the country to really pull itself up.

Markets have reacted positively. The rand has rallied since the governments formation, the benchmark stock index hit a record, government bonds are offering world-beating returns and the premium investors demand for holding South African debt instead of US Treasuries dropped to a five-year low in early September.

Theres rising optimism, said Simone Pohl, CEO of the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which represents 600 German companies operating in South Africa employing 100,000 people.

Pohl is receiving more inquiries from companies seeking to invest, but the economy still needs to deliver, we need stronger GDP growth, she said.

A big part of ArcelorMittals decision  which saved 3,500 steel jobs and bolstered employment security at the companys 2,500 suppliers and 550 customers  is the newly stable power situation. This year, the company has been asked maybe twice to reduce its electricity consumption by the state power utility, compared with as many as 60 times annually in recent years, Verster said. Rail service, to bring ore to plants and take products to market, has also improved.

Thats because relations between the government and business have improved, said Mpumi Zikalala, the CEO of Anglo unit Kumba Iron Ore Ltd. Last year, the company fired workers because the state rail company couldnt keep pace with its production. It ran out of space to store 8 million tons of ore stranded 535 miles from a port.

Everybody acknowledges the challenges, she said of talks with the government, which is negotiating allowing Kumba and other companies to contract their own trains on its rail. What I do like is that all parties understand that we need to do this together.

The company is tripling the quantity of high-quality iron ore it can produce with a project due for completion in 2028.

In an Aug. 28 speech in Johannesburg to Business Unity South Africa, Ramaphosa praised the deeper relationship between business and government and said it was far too important to fail.

It could have been very different.

Following the collapse of the ANCs vote share, it considered teaming up with populist parties advocating nationalization. Instead, it formed a broader coalition in which its biggest partner is the market-oriented Democratic Alliance.

We would have immediately seen the rand weaken quite significantly, foreigners would have dumped our bonds, our debt repayments would have rocketed, Jeremy Gardiner, a director at Ninety One Ltd., the countrys largest private investment firm, told clients last month. Investment would have collapsed, jobs would have been lost.

The rosy relations between business and the state and the privatization pledges need to be translated into action if the positive sentiment is to last.

Its really pleasing, the sense of urgency, priority in turning things around, but concrete results are now needed, said Kuseni Dlamini, chairman of Walmart Inc.s local unit and the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa, which says its members account for 10% of national economic output. We are in a competitive race with other nations to attract and retain the investment needed for the economy.

--With assistance from Michael Cohen.

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EDITORS NOTE: The story has been updated to correct the location of Lunada Bay.

Its been years since beachgoers have been able to catch some waves at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates without fear of being harassed. Now, the city is trying to take its beach back.

Lunada Bay was infamously taken over by a local gang, the Bay Boys, who engaged in a turf war to ensure that only gang members could surf at the beach. Tactics included the construction of a stone fort, which stood for years, where members allegedly launched rocks from in the direction of innocent surfers.

While that fort was torn down in 2016, harassment persisted. Local surfers have long accused the city of Palos Verdes Estates of avoiding the issue, but officials say thats all about to change.

This week the city announced the settlement of a long-standing lawsuit brought against the city for the alleged lack of action against the Bay Boys. The settlement, which doesnt affirm any claims made by plaintiffs, is eight years in the making.

Lunada Bay

The lawsuit was initially filed in 2016 by Cory Spencer and Diana Miernik, according to the Los Angeles Times. The two surfers said the Bay Boys slashed car tires and started fistfights with beachgoers.

In settling the lawsuit, the city agreed to do the following:

Add stone benches at key points along the Lunada Bay bluffs, similar to benches in other coastal areas of the city.

Improve the existing pathway along the Lunada Bay bluffs.

Add simple signage to assist with navigation and to ensure the public is aware that the beach access at Lunada Bay is available to everyone.

This settlement resolves the matter with the addition of modest amenities, which will be designed to maintain the natural feel of the blufftop, and a promise that the City will continue to vigorously enforce the laws protecting coastal access, said The citys legal counsel, Christopher Pisano with Best Best and Krieger, LLP. This is a win for the City given the structure of the beach access laws and the uncertainty of the legal outcome.

The city will also pay the plaintiffs legal fees, of which the amount will be decided by a judge at a later date.

There is no doubt residents who have been tracking this matter for years will either be relieved or frustrated by this outcome, said Palos Verdes Estates Mayor Dawn Murdock. The City has been through a rollercoaster of rulings on this lawsuit, and as we looked into the future, we simply saw nothing but more legal fees and uncertainty. Our focus needs to be on resident priorities and its good to no longer have this matter consuming valuable resources.

According to the Times, the lawsuit also listed 12 Bay Boys members as defendants. They each settled separately.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Video above: Tail end of shark week celebrated at Shark Con

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Researchers have confirmed the existence of a new species of shark in South America.

The shovellbill shark, Sphyrna alleni, was hiding in plain sight due to its resemblance to the bonnethead shark, named Sphyrna tiburo.

Researchers, led by Mote Marine Laboratory Director and co-lead of the Global FinPrint shark survey Demian Chapman, worked with local fishermen to document the species. They learned it differs from the bonnethead shark because of its head shape, number of vertebrae and its DNA profile.

These fishers are deeply knowledgeable and inquisitive about marine-life, so it was a joy to work alongside them, said Cindy Gonzalez, Florida International University researcher and native Colombian marine ecologist.

(MOTE Marine Laboratory)

(MOTE Marine Laboratory)

(MOTE Marine Laboratory)

Gonzalez turned her apartment into a makeshift laboratory when the COVID-19 pandemic restricted international travel.

It is imperative to study and protect small hammerhead shark species as they are unique to the American continent and have been extirpated, overfished, and misidentified in fisheries, Gonzalez said. At the same time, these sharks have played a critical role in shaping the culture and economy of many local communities in many Latin American countries, so it is important to work hand-to-hand with the fishermen on conservation efforts.

The new species was named after philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft Paul G. Allen, whose foundation funded the initiative. He funded several shark conservation initiatives, such as listing threatened species under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species.

It is tragic that we have only just recognized that this species exists, and we are already running against the clock to prevent its extinction, Chapman said. Fortunately, Belize has taken proactive steps for shark conservation that may help this species, such as collaborating closely with shark fishing communities to manage shark catches, establishing protected areas, and implementing a nationwide gillnet ban.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
shapecharge / iStock.com

Gen X is known for a lot of things. From great music across all genres to flannel chic, pioneering artists and game-changing leaders, Gen X has contributed a lot to the world. Unfortunately, this generation often feels somewhat lost in the cultural discourse, which tends to focus on the divide between millennials and boomers.

Read Next: These 5 Cities Are Becoming Unpopular With Baby Boomers: Heres Why

Find Out: 7 Reasons a Financial Advisor Can Grow Your Wealth in 2024

Dubbed the forgotten generation, Gen X is facing a lot of very present issues, especially when it comes to their personal finances. In a recent report about Gen X and retirement, US News & World Report shared findings from Fidelity, which revealed that the average retirement account balance for Gen X clients is roughly $178,500  a troublingly low amount, all things considered (though the results dont include balances held in areas like 401k accounts with other firms).

In a quote to US News & World Report, Michael Collins, a chartered financial analyst and CEO at WinCap Financial, said, It would seem that members of Gen X are behind on their retirement savings compared to previous generations.

Its important to understand the factors that have contributed to this gap with other generations. Their impact will be especially felt in the quality of life Gen Xers experience in retirement, assuming theyre even able to retire at all. Keep reading for a closer look at some of the causes behind the lag.

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Gen Xers Have Experienced a Lot of Crises

Its a grim joke across many social media platforms: Let me live in more precedented times. But for Gen Xers, its a reality. When Jamie Ebersole, founder and CEO of Ebersole Financial, listed off the unprecedented events Gen X has lived through, its hard not to feel a bit gut punched.

His Gen X clients came of age during a recession in the 1990s and experienced a crisis about every ten years or so afterward, including the dot.com bubble bursting, the horror of 9/11, the global financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.

While the markets have been able to weather these storms, many Xers were hit with unemployment, underemployment and huge market swings during their peak earnings years, said Ebersole.

Instead of saving as much as they could, many Xers were simply overwhelmed and not well positioned to weather the emotional and financial storms of those years, leaving them to play catch up now.

Learn More: 7 Things Youll Regret Downsizing in Retirement

Gen Xers Are Taking Care of Their Elderly Parents

Gen X and X-adjacent, older millennials are sometimes referred to as the sandwich generation since theyre tasked with caring for their own children along with their elderly parents who could be struggling with their own health needs. This is a trend that Ebersole has seen as well.

Story continues

As we all are growing older for longer, Xers are being asked to take on a bigger share of the burden in terms of care for their elderly parents, he said. While the Boomers have a lot of wealth collectively, skyrocketing healthcare costs have drained reserves and increasing time commitments have stretched Xers to their limit.

Gen X Dont Have the Same Pensions Their Parents Did

For many Americans, pensions were a bedrock of retirement planning, but as decades pass, the number of people with pensions are dwindling. According to Joe F. Schmitz Jr., the founder of Peak Retirement Planning Inc., this change is having an impact on Gen Xers ability to retire securely.

Pensions have mostly gone away, said Schmitz. Earlier generations relied on pensions to retire, now less than 20% of Americans have a pension, causing people to rely heavier on savings and investments.

Gen X Is Dealing With Student Loan Debt

Another reason Gen Xers are stretched so thin financially is the fact that many of them are shouldering significant student loan debt.

In fact, a report from the Education Initiative revealed that Gen Xers have the highest balance of all generations, averaging to roughly $44,290 per borrower. That same study showed that Gen X held most of the national student loan debt  more than half of it, to be exact.

This information, or the fact that student loan debt puts a serious strain on Gen Xers abilities to save for retirement, isnt a surprise to Patricia Roberts, chief operating officer at Gift of College, Inc.

Not only does she encounter this issue at work, but shes also intimately familiar with the process of paying off student loans while trying to save for retirement and ensure her own kid doesnt have to take on educational debt. If you ask her, its not an easy task.

Fortunately, Roberts has some advice for people in a similar situation  see if your employer offers any form of student loan assistance. If not, you can ask if theyd be willing to add that kind of benefit in the future.

Employers can offer various forms of student loan support, and this type of benefit can [not only] improve your chances of being better prepared for retirement [but also] help your employer to [both] attract top talent and reduce the cost of turnover. Its a win/win, and you wont know unless you ask, she said.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Gen X Is Approaching Retirement Age Why What They Have In Savings Wont Be Enough
A metro Atlanta teen speeding to school crashed into a couple, killing a woman on Friday morning.

The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office said that around 10 a.m. on Friday, Forsyth County officials received calls about a crash involving two people who were walking on the sidewalk.

Deputies said Steve Olsen, and his fiance Leslie Schwendiman were walking on the sidewalk near the intersection of Majors Road and Ronald Reagan Boulevard when a speeding teen tried to turn, and instead went up on the sidewalk and hit them with his car from behind.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Schwendiman died from her injuries after being taken to the hospital. Olsen is expected to recover, according to deputies.

The couple, from Utah, was visiting Georgia for a wedding.

The 17-year-old has not been identified.

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SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Three days after purchasing a lottery ticket, a Springdale man became $1 million richer.

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery said the man purchased the winning ticket for the September 16 Powerball drawing at Caseys General Store on W. Don Tyson Park in Springdale.

The winning numbers were 8, 9, 11, 27, and 31. The Powerball number was 17, and the Power Play multiplier was 5.

Can Powerball, Mega Millions jackpot winners stay anonymous in Arkansas?

ASL said the man bought the Quick Pick ticket during a routine gas stop after deciding to try his luck with spare change.

I said, Yeah, give me a Powerball ticket, the man shared with lottery officials.

He discovered his win the morning after the drawing and went to another convenience store to scan his ticket.

The man told ASL that he is unsure of what he will do with his winnings.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Philomene Philostin in her recording studio at Creations Market in Springfield, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Resources are flowing into Springfield, Ohio, after weeks of negative attention fueled by Donald Trumps presidential campaign and right-wing social media influencers.

Ohio state troopers are posted at schools, state health officials are opening clinics to assist over-stretched local providers, and civic organizations are raising money.

Springfields Haitian community, the subject of repeated smears, is exhausted and ready for the countrys attention to move somewhere else. But while theyre frustrated, they say they see the furor for what it is  manufactured, fanciful, political.

Community reaction

At the Haitian restaurant Rose Goute Creole, the line was long and the tables were packed. Many of the customers had made the trip from outlying cities like Columbus, looking to show support for the community in whatever small way they could.

Over a plate of spaghetti with chicken and hard-boiled eggs, Daniel Geffrard spoke with pride about his heritage.

We know who we are. Haiti is the first Black republic. It is the second independent country (in the Americas) after USA, he said. We know that we are a great people, and the world knows who we are.

Geffrard has been living in Springfield for three years. He works with Amazon and drives for Lyft as well. Geffrard stressed that he and others like him arent there to be a burden  they just want to work.

We know, he said again, jamming a finger into his chest for emphasis, We know who we are, and we know why they say what they say.

A couple miles away on the north side of town Philomene Philostin runs Creations Market. The shelves are packed with big sacks of rice and beans, dried jute leaves called lalo and bottled fruit juice or malt drinks.

I heard a lot of people said theyre gonna leave, she said.

Philostin described one customer whose husband has been living in the city since 2017.

She have all those memories, Philostin said, but their place in town suddenly feels tenuous.

She have kids in school here, she have a newborn gonna be coming soon, and she want to leave Springfield, she said.

If people feel threatened or endangered enough to want to leave, Philostin said she cant blame them.

But she was clear-eyed about the purpose of the rhetoric and argued it will disappear once the election has passed. Donald Trump recently floated the idea of holding a rally in Springfield  Philostin said go ahead.

Hes a former president, she said, He have right to come in whatever he want to come, whatever state he want to visit, because he have his people here. Who knows, I may be his people, too.

Rinaldi Dessalines speaks four languages and works in Springfield as a translator.

Its because Ive been in different places, he explained.

Growing up in Haiti, he spoke French and Haitian Creole. He picked up Spanish after living in the Dominican Republic, and English here in the United States.

He said life was pretty nice in Springfield before it became the subject of baseless rumors.

Everything was okay for me, he said. I can say my experience was amazing.

But since then, its like an earthquake, not only for the Haitian community, its for everybody.

The experience has been rattling, and now residents are second-guessing the world around them as if questioning the ground beneath their feet. Dessalines said hes frustrated at having his culture tarred for political gain.

When you attack a culture of someone, its normal youre gonna feel this kind of thing, you know, frustration when someone accused of something that you dont do in your culture, he said. Its not only about Haitian. Its about everybody.

Dessalines hasnt been personally targeted, but hes spoken to others who feel scared. He described how being forced into the national spotlight is strange and a bit eerie. Between bomb threats and reporters crawling all over the place, theres a kind of nebulous threat hanging in the air.

So when, in the atmosphere, even (if) the person doesnt feel attacked or striked or targeted, its like this is a sign something not good is going on in your environment, he said.

Ohio's Republican Gov. Mike DeWine defends Haitian immigrants in Springfield from false claims that they are eating neighbors' pets. This is a piece of garbage that was simply not true. Theres no evidence of this at all. https://t.co/M2kszhCdbY pic.twitter.com/8aRrahDpJb  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 15, 2024

State support

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has forcefully rejected former President Trump and U.S. Sen. J.D. Vances false assertions about Haitian migrants eating domestic animals. He has dismissed the claims as garbage, and in a New York Times op-ed he insisted that rhetoric hurts the city and its people.

At the same time, DeWine finds himself walking a familiar tightrope  for all his frustration with what the former president says, hes been reticent to make a break with the candidate himself.

Even as he criticized Trump and Vances repeated, baseless claims, DeWines op-ed reiterated his support for the GOP presidential ticket. He argued frustration with the Biden administrations immigration policy is justified, but that anger is misplaced when its directed at the Haitian community.

While the governor attempts to thread the needle politically, hes been far more direct when it comes to support.

Following more than 30 bomb threats that shuttered schools, hospitals and city hall, the governor dispatched the Ohio Highway Patrol. DeWine said theyd be present and visible for as long as necessary. Friday, a trooper was posted in the shade out front of Perrin Woods Elementary on Springfields south side.

As claims about eating pets have been debunked, Vance has reached for other negative impacts including rising rates of HIV and tuberculosis.

According to the Clark County Health Department, cases have gone up  but the numbers arent dramatic. In 2018, there were 10 new HIV diagnoses, in 2022, there were 13. Clark County has more recent data for tuberculosis. Between 2013 and 2019, the county reported one case or none each year. In 2023, there were four cases.

CNN just confronted @JDVance on the migrant pet-eating controversy. They were not prepared for his response pic.twitter.com/waszq3wMJJ  Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) September 11, 2024

Still, the local health system is struggling to manage an increasing population, and to help meet those needs, state and county officials are setting up a mobile clinic this week.

In a press release, DeWine explained, Our goal is to reduce wait times and to be able to provide the necessary health care services for everyone  whether youve lived in this community your whole life or youve just come into the community recently.

The plan is to eventually transition that mobile clinic to a permanent site, but the location and timeline for that effort is still up in the air. According to the governor, the clinic will deliver primary care, vaccinations, lab testing and maternal and infant health services. DeWines administration has also committed to direct $2.5 million to expand access to primary healthcare in the city.

State Rep. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, pinned the blame for stretched local resources on the Biden administration.

There was no communication from the federal government that they were going to start sending migrants to Springfield and there also has been no support, he said in a statement. Springfield has been left on its own to figure out these problems.

The federal government has not sent migrants to Springfield. By and large, the Haitian people living in Springfield have whats known as Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. The program gives people whose home country is facing armed conflict or a natural disaster the right to remain in the U.S. and work temporarily. With that status they are free to find a home in the country where they like.

Willis added the greatest challenge presented by the arrival of Haitian residents is the language barrier.

This is creating challenges for educators, law enforcement, health care professionals, and other service providers, he said. Translators are needed at public service departments and these additional costs are straining already stretched resources.

The DeWine administration is working with federal officials to secure additional support. A spokesman noted part of the problem is federal resources follow people with different immigration statuses, like refugees, but not those on TPS.

Meanwhile the United Way of Clark, Champaign and Madison Counties has set up a fund for people who want to support the community.

The Springfield Unity Fund will allow people across the nation to quickly and effectively provide targeted support to our Haitian families as we work together to ensure our neighbors feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to thrive, executive director Kerry Lee Pedraza said.

The organization is putting donations toward services like early childhood education, English courses and driving instruction as well as employment and health care assistance.

Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on Twitter.

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Philomene Philostin in her recording studio at Creations Market in Springfield, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Evans | Ohio Capital Journal.)

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio Resources are flowing into Springfield, Ohio, after weeks of negative attention fueled by Donald Trumps presidential campaign and right-wing social media influencers.

Ohio state troopers are posted at schools, state health officials are opening clinics to assist over-stretched local providers, and civic organizations are raising money.

Springfields Haitian community, the subject of repeated smears, is exhausted and ready for the countrys attention to move somewhere else. But while theyre frustrated, they say they see the furor for what it is  manufactured, fanciful, political.

Community reaction

At the Haitian restaurant Rose Goute Creole, the line was long and the tables were packed. Many of the customers had made the trip from outlying cities like Columbus, looking to show support for the community in whatever small way they could.

Over a plate of spaghetti with chicken and hard-boiled eggs, Daniel Geffrard spoke with pride about his heritage.

We know who we are. Haiti is the first Black republic. It is the second independent country (in the Americas) after USA, he said. We know that we are a great people, and the world knows who we are.

Geffrard has been living in Springfield for three years. He works with Amazon and drives for Lyft as well. Geffrard stressed that he and others like him arent there to be a burden  they just want to work.

We know, he said again, jamming a finger into his chest for emphasis, We know who we are, and we know why they say what they say.

A couple miles away on the north side of town Philomene Philostin runs Creations Market. The shelves are packed with big sacks of rice and beans, dried jute leaves called lalo and bottled fruit juice or malt drinks.

I heard a lot of people said theyre gonna leave, she said.

Philostin described one customer whose husband has been living in the city since 2017.

She have all those memories, Philostin said, but their place in town suddenly feels tenuous.

She have kids in school here, she have a newborn gonna be coming soon, and she want to leave Springfield, she said.

If people feel threatened or endangered enough to want to leave, Philostin said she cant blame them.

But she was clear-eyed about the purpose of the rhetoric and argued it will disappear once the election has passed. Donald Trump recently floated the idea of holding a rally in Springfield  Philostin said go ahead.

Hes a former president, she said, He have right to come in whatever he want to come, whatever state he want to visit, because he have his people here. Who knows, I may be his people, too.

Rinaldi Dessalines speaks four languages and works in Springfield as a translator.

Its because Ive been in different places, he explained.

Growing up in Haiti, he spoke French and Haitian Creole. He picked up Spanish after living in the Dominican Republic, and English here in the United States.

He said life was pretty nice in Springfield before it became the subject of baseless rumors.

Everything was OK for me, he said. I can say my experience was amazing.

But since then, its like an earthquake, not only for the Haitian community, its for everybody.

The experience has been rattling, and now residents are second-guessing the world around them as if questioning the ground beneath their feet. Dessalines said hes frustrated at having his culture tarred for political gain.

When you attack a culture of someone, its normal youre gonna feel this kind of thing, you know, frustration when someone accused of something that you dont do in your culture, he said. Its not only about Haitian. Its about everybody.

Dessalines hasnt been personally targeted, but hes spoken to others who feel scared. He described how being forced into the national spotlight is strange and a bit eerie. Between bomb threats and reporters crawling all over the place, theres a kind of nebulous threat hanging in the air.

So when, in the atmosphere, even (if) the person doesnt feel attacked or striked or targeted, its like this is a sign something not good is going on in your environment, he said.

Ohios Republican Gov. Mike DeWine defends Haitian immigrants in Springfield from false claims that they are eating neighbors pets. This is a piece of garbage that was simply not true. Theres no evidence of this at all. https://t.co/M2kszhCdbY pic.twitter.com/8aRrahDpJb  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 15, 2024

State support

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has forcefully rejected former President Trump and U.S. Sen. J.D. Vances false assertions about Haitian migrants eating domestic animals. He has dismissed the claims as garbage, and in a New York Times op-ed he insisted that rhetoric hurts the city and its people.

At the same time, DeWine finds himself walking a familiar tightrope  for all his frustration with what the former president says, hes been reticent to make a break with the candidate himself.

Even as he criticized Trump and Vances repeated, baseless claims, DeWines op-ed reiterated his support for the GOP presidential ticket. He argued frustration with the Biden administrations immigration policy is justified, but that anger is misplaced when its directed at the Haitian community.

While the governor attempts to thread the needle politically, hes been far more direct when it comes to support.

Following more than 30 bomb threats that shuttered schools, hospitals and city hall, the governor dispatched the Ohio Highway Patrol. DeWine said theyd be present and visible for as long as necessary. Friday, a trooper was posted in the shade out front of Perrin Woods Elementary on Springfields south side.

As claims about eating pets have been debunked, Vance has reached for other negative impacts including rising rates of HIV and tuberculosis.

According to the Clark County Health Department, cases have gone up  but the numbers arent dramatic. In 2018, there were 10 new HIV diagnoses, in 2022, there were 13. Clark County has more recent data for tuberculosis. Between 2013 and 2019, the county reported one case or none each year. In 2023, there were four cases.

CNN just confronted @JDVance on the migrant pet-eating controversy. They were not prepared for his response pic.twitter.com/waszq3wMJJ  Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) September 11, 2024

Still, the local health system is struggling to manage an increasing population, and to help meet those needs, state and county officials are setting up a mobile clinic this week.

In a press release, DeWine explained, Our goal is to reduce wait times and to be able to provide the necessary health care services for everyone  whether youve lived in this community your whole life or youve just come into the community recently.

The plan is to eventually transition that mobile clinic to a permanent site, but the location and timeline for that effort is still up in the air. According to the governor, the clinic will deliver primary care, vaccinations, lab testing and maternal and infant health services. DeWines administration has also committed to direct $2.5 million to expand access to primary healthcare in the city.

State Rep. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, pinned the blame for stretched local resources on the Biden administration.

There was no communication from the federal government that they were going to start sending migrants to Springfield and there also has been no support, he said in a statement. Springfield has been left on its own to figure out these problems.

The federal government has not sent migrants to Springfield. By and large, the Haitian people living in Springfield have whats known as Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. The program gives people whose home country is facing armed conflict or a natural disaster the right to remain in the U.S. and work temporarily. With that status they are free to find a home in the country where they like.

Willis added the greatest challenge presented by the arrival of Haitian residents is the language barrier.

This is creating challenges for educators, law enforcement, health care professionals, and other service providers, he said. Translators are needed at public service departments and these additional costs are straining already stretched resources.

The DeWine administration is working with federal officials to secure additional support. A spokesman noted part of the problem is federal resources follow people with different immigration statuses, like refugees, but not those on TPS.

Meanwhile the United Way of Clark, Champaign and Madison Counties has set up a fund for people who want to support the community.

The Springfield Unity Fund will allow people across the nation to quickly and effectively provide targeted support to our Haitian families as we work together to ensure our neighbors feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to thrive, executive director Kerry Lee Pedraza said.

The organization is putting donations toward services like early childhood education, English courses and driving instruction as well as employment and health care assistance.

This story was originally produced by the Ohio Capital Journal which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  After weeks of unrest in Springfield, the community came together Sunday for a prayer vigil at Greater Grace Temple.

Speakers and participants came from across the Miami Valley to show support for the Haitian immigrant community, remaining at the church despite the rain that arrived during the vigil.

The migrants had been thrust into the national spotlight after former President Donald Trump repeated unfounded stories targeting the migrants during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Its wrong to lie on anybody, said William J. Barber II, but its especially wrong to lie on people who have suffered so much.

Other speakers offered messages of acceptance and love for all.

Because we are those that believe in love Help us to love boldly our neighbors, said Leslie Jones, a pastor from Cincinnati. Both immigrants and born citizens.

Attendees and speakers alike wanted to see action and positive change in their community.

Unity is everything in that we need to understand when we stand in solidarity, we stand in solidarity with immigrants and everyone, said Tara Campbell, executive director of Dayton United Human Rights. We are an entire nation of people who should be standing to protect one another.

Residents of Springfield said theyll continue to welcome the immigrant community and dispel the hateful rhetoric that the community has been facing.

We understand that humanity is the asset, said Alexandra Williams with Dayton United Human Rights. Not politicians. Not whether youre a Democrat or a Republican. Not where you live.

Just being human is valuable.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sri Lanka's first leftist president was sworn into office Monday vowing to restore public faith in politics after anger over the island nation's unprecedented economic crisis propelled him to a landslide poll win.

Self-avowed Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayaka of the People's Liberation Front (JVP) took his oath at the colonial-era Presidential Secretariat in Colombo after trouncing his nearest rivals in Saturday's vote.

The previously fringe politician -- whose party led two failed uprisings that left tens of thousands dead -- saw a surge of support after the country's 2022 economic meltdown forced painful hardships on ordinary Sri Lankans.

Dissanayaka, 55, was sworn in by the chief justice in a ceremony attended by lawmakers, members of the Buddhist clergy and the military who sang the national anthem after the ceremony.

"I will do my best to fully restore the people's confidence in politicians," Dissanayaka said after taking the oath.

"I am not a conjurer, I am not a magician," he added. "There are things I know and things I don't know, but I will seek the best advice and do my best. For that, I need the support of everyone."

Dissanayaka succeeds outgoing president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took office at the peak of the financial crisis following the government's first-ever foreign debt default and months of punishing food, fuel and medicine shortages.

Wickremesinghe, 75, imposed steep tax hikes and other austerity measures per the terms of an International Monetary Fund bailout.

His policies ended the shortages and returned the economy to growth but left millions struggling to make ends meet.

"I can confidently say that I did my best to stabilise the country during one of its darkest periods," he said in a statement after placing a distant third in Saturday's poll.

Shortly before the ceremony, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena resigned, clearing the way for Dissanayaka to appoint his own cabinet.

Dissanayaka's party has said he wants to have his own cabinet until a fresh parliament is elected later this year. His JVP party has only three members in the 225-member parliament.

He has vowed to press ahead with the IMF rescue package negotiated by his predecessor last year but modify its terms in order to deliver tax cuts.

"It is a binding document, but there is a provision to renegotiate," Bimal Ratnayake, a senior member of Dissanayaka's party, told AFP.

- Legacy of violence -

Dissanayaka's party led two rebellions in the 1970s and 1980s that left more than 80,000 people dead before renouncing violence.

It had been a peripheral player in Sri Lankan politics in the decades since, winning less than four percent of the vote during the most recent parliamentary elections in 2020.

But Sri Lanka's crisis proved an opportunity for Dissanayaka, who saw his popularity rise after pledging to change the island's "corrupt" political culture.

The 55-year-old labourer's son was a JVP student leader during the second insurrection and has described how one of his teachers sheltered him to save him from government-backed death squads that killed party activists.

He counts famous Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara among his heroes.

Since his rise to popularity, he has softened some policies, saying he believes in an open economy and is not totally opposed to privatisation.

aj/rma/gle/mtp
Police on the scene of a fatal shooting near University Avenue in St. Paul.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A Minneapolis man is facing murder charges for a deadly shooting in St. Paul last week in which police say an Iowa man was "targeted and executed" by two gunmen.

Background

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 12:20 a.m., St. Paul police responded to reports of a shooting in the parking lot behind the Twelve22 Apartments along University Avenue West, near North Griggs Street.

Officers discovered the victim, later identified as Lul Dak Chak, a 32-year-old man from Ames, Iowa, lying on the ground. Despite emergency efforts, Chak was pronounced dead at the scene.

New details

On Friday, charges were filed against Kueth Chuol Ngut, 22, of Minneapolis, in connection with Chak's death. Ngut faces two counts of murder, including one under Minnesota's drive-by shooting statute.

According to the criminal complaint, on the night of the murder, police had attempted to stop a Subaru that had run a red light near Hamline Avenue North and St. Anthony Avenue, approximately two blocks from the shooting scene. However, the driver fled the scene, racing away from police on city streets.

Moments later, the 911 calls reporting the shooting behind the Twelve22 Apartments came in. Investigators would later determine that the Subaru was connected to the shooting.

Witness statements

A witness at the scene told police that a gunman had exited the passenger seat of a vehicle and fired several shots at Chak and his friends outside the building. Chak was hit nine times in the upper body, neck, and face.

Another witness said the victim had been attempting to buy drugs when the shooting occurred. That witness, who was Chak's cousin, also said Chak had jumped in front of her to protect her from the gunfire.

Surveillance footage also captured the shooting, showing two men exiting the Subaru  both the driver and the passenger. Both suspects opened fire, with the driver walking up to Chaks body and firing shots while the victim lay on the ground. After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene in the Subaru.

According to St. Paul police, the video evidence suggests that Chak was "targeted and executed".

Tracking the suspect

Police were able to obtain the Subaru's license plate number from the attempted traffic stop, which led them to the vehicles registered owner: Nguts girlfriend. She told investigators that Ngut had been driving the vehicle on the night of the shooting.

On that same night, Ngut had sent her a text message claiming the Subaru had gone missing, but it later showed up on a towed truck, missing a license plate. Ngut claimed he had eventually found the vehicle but couldn't get it to run, so he had it towed.

When officers searched Nguts apartment, they discovered a handgun loaded with ammunition that matched the casings found at the scene of Chak's murder. Police also recovered a bloodstained white towel from the apartment buildings trash.

On surveillance video from the night of the shooting, officers saw the Subaru being towed back to the apartment building and Ngut taking items out of the car, including throwing away a white towel.

Ngut was reportedly hostile when questioned by officers and refused to speak with police.

What's next?

Ngut is currently being held in Ramsey County Jail. He made his first court appearance on Friday and is expected to return for another hearing next month.

It's unclear if police have been able to identify the other person who was allegedly in the Subaru with Ngut.

Police say Ngut has a criminal record, including previous convictions for aggravated robbery and weapons charges.
Multiple staffers on North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's gubernatorial campaign have stepped down after a CNN report embroiled the Republican governor nominee in a scandal.

Robinson was the focus of a CNN investigation published Thursday that detailed inflammatory comments he reportedly made on a pornography website message board more than a decade ago. The reported comments were salacious, as he called himself a "black NAZI," a "perv" and condoned slavery. Robinson denied writing the comments in an interview with CNN.

On Sunday, the campaign announced that top adviser Conrad Pogorzelski, campaign manager Chris Rodriguez, finance director Heather Whillier and deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk have stepped down.

Their departure, along with others, leaves the campaign with a small staff consisting of just two spokespeople and a bodyguard, North Carolina public radio station WUNC reported.

"I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors. I look forward to announcing new staff roles in the coming days," Robinson said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.

Mark Robinson: NC gubernatorial candidate attends Fayetteville Motor Speedway, first appearance since CNN report

Robinson scandal bleeds into 2024 presidential campaign

The deadline for Robinson to be taken off the ballot has passed, and he insists he is poised to win, despite polls showing he trailed Democratic opponent Josh Stein before the CNN investigation.

On Friday, Democrats launched ads that highlighted Trump's ties to Robinson. Trump has endorsed the candidate in the past.

Since the scandal broke, Trump has dodged questions about Robinson, saying in a statement that the campaign is focused on winning the state. It left Robinson entirely out of the programming at a campaign rally over the weekend.

North Carolina is a key battleground state in the 2024 election. A Democrat hasn't won the state since 2008, but Trump beat Joe Biden just 50.1%-48.7% in 2020. Though presidential races can typically mobilize voters to sway down-ballot races, some have wondered whether the Robinson scandal could hurt Trump's chances in the state.

Contributing: David Jackson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Staffers quit Mark Robinson's campaign for NC governor amid scandal
Starbucks has served coffee at this SLO spot for 30 years. Now its moving

The first Starbucks to ever open in San Luis Obispo County is officially closing its doors for good  but dont worry, you wont have to go far for a cup of joe from the iconic chain.

Starbucks representatives on Thursday confirmed to The Tribune that the 885 Higuera St. location in the Downtown Centre will relocate to an under-construction new location at 1075 Court St.

Choosing a site for a new Starbucks location is a key element in providing customers with the Starbucks Experience, and we carefully consider many factors when opening a new store, the company said in a statement.

In April, the coffee chain confirmed plans to open at the Court Street location, which previously housed a Teazer World Market, but at that time did not disclose what would happen to the shop located across from Barnes and Noble and above Downtown Centre Cinemas just a few blocks over.

What is that in SLO County?

Ever wonder what that construction is in your town or what happened to that local business? Were finding out the answers. Send us your questions and tips by emailing reporter Kaytlyn Leslie at kleslie@thetribunenews.com.

  

Read More

 SLO County winery opens Hawaiian restaurant, complete with poke bowls and spam musubi

 Whats being built on the hill overlooking vineyards in SLOs Edna Valley?

The new Court Street shop is expected to open in the fall, according to the company statement.

A request for comment on when the Downtown Centre Starbucks would close and if all workers were being transferred to the new location was not returned as of Friday afternoon.

The Starbucks at 885 Higuera St. in downtown San Luis Obispo will relocate to an under-construction new location at 1075 Court St. in fall 2024.

Downtown SLO Starbucks was first in county

The Downtown Centre shopping plaza has been home to a Starbucks essentially since its construction in the early 1990s.

The countys first Starbucks opened there in November 1994 during the start of the companys national  and then later international  expansion.

At the time, then-manager Mary Truchot told the Telegram-Tribune a lot of the shops mission was educational.

We do a lot of educating about coffee in general, she said in a Nov. 24, 1994, article. I think it helps all the coffee stores when everyone becomes aware of good coffee.

Starbucks looking to open another new SLO location  at a former pizza restaurant

Since then, the shop has added more than a dozen other locations throughout the county.

In San Luis Obispo itself, as of Friday there were four standalone Starbucks, as well as spots in Target, Vons and Cal Polys Campus Market, plus plans to add new locations in the Irish Hills Plaza off Los Osos Valley Road and in the former Village Host Pizza & Grill at 2138 Broad St.

The Starbucks at 885 Higuera St. in downtown San Luis Obispo will relocate to an under-construction new location at 1075 Court St. in fall 2024. Pictured above is the new location on Court Street.

What will happen to vacancies in downtown SLO shopping plaza?

The departure from the Downtown Centre shopping plaza will leave the major shopping thoroughfare with another notable vacancy.

Nearby, the California Pizza Kitchen space at 876 Marsh St. has remained vacant since it closed in September 2020.

Meanwhile, the former Tortilla Town space at 890 Marsh St. appears to have been leased after the business closed in December 2023, though no information has been released on what tenant is expected to fill the space.

A new Starbucks is opening in downtown SLO  less than a block from an existing one

The long-vacant 881 Higuera St. space next to Athleta also appears to have a new tenant, though what exactly that might be has also not been revealed.

When reached for comment, Jamestown representative Therese Cron said she could not release the names of the tenants in the two spaces until the brands were ready.

The Starbucks at 885 Higuera St. in downtown San Luis Obispo will relocate to an under-construction new location at 1075 Court St. in fall 2024.
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of silencing the voices of pensioners by blocking a vote on the governments decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

The prime minister is facing a furious backlash from unions after kicking a key vote on the plans to Wednesday - the last day of conference known as the graveyard slot. Unite, Labours biggest union backer, said the party was blocking debate on the cuts and descending into austerity mark 2.

When this becomes widely known there will be real anger among everyday people. Real Anger, general secretary Sharon Graham added.

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are facing a backlash over plans to scrap winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners (Getty)

The furious union chief added: Right now it is fair to say that the Labour leaders have tried to silence the voice of pensioners, workers and communities at party conference in this blatant manoeuvre to block debate on winter fuel cuts and the departure towards Austerity Mark 2.

Rachel Reeves announced plans to means test winter fuel payments, previously worth up to 300 for all pensioners, effectively scrapping it for around 10 million people.

She has said the move will save the Treasury 1.5bn and is an essential part of her plans to plug a 22bn black hole left in the public purse by the Conservatives.

But Labour MPs and unions have condemned the plans, with some left-wingers going as far as to claim pensioners will die as a result of the change.

Delegates at Labours annual conference in Liverpool were set to condemn the change on Monday in a vote forced by Unite and the Communications Workers Union (CWU).

But Unite accused Labour of attempting to block the vote, before eventually managing to force it back into the graveyard slot.

Earlier on Monday Labour officials faced boos and jeers after unions complained about moves to delay a conference debate on winter fuel payment cuts.

CWU's senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns questioned why the motion was not scheduled and why it has been briefed that "it's unlikely to be scheduled for debate this week".

Ms Reeves has said tough choices are needed (Getty Images)

Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled and booed by some delegates as she said: "This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and I'm going to take this back straight to CAC and I'll come back to you with an answer asap."

Wendy Nichols, who was chairing the morning session of conference, said people should not be booed at the event.

She said: "We've all got different points of view but surely we should show respect to each other and let's not continue the way it is today."

Ms Nichols added: "Shouting from the back at somebody like me doesn't work.

"This conference is being looked at all over the country, so let's show a little bit of respect for each other and stop all the shouting and booing and everything else, it does us no favours."

Labour was asked to comment.
BOGOTA, Colombia, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 30,000 attendees and 300 speakers, mentors, investors, and corporates, the Bogota Chamber of Commerce successfully hosted Gofest 2024 between August 28th and August 30th, solidifying its position as one of Latin America's premier entrepreneurship events.

Bogota Chamber of Commerce hosted Gofest 2024.

The impressive line-up featured renowned figures such as Hernan Kazah, co-founder of Mercado Libre and Kaszek Ventures; Tomas Bercovich, CEO and founder of Global 66; Regina Zurutuza and Rene Lomeli, partners at 500 Global Latam; Enzo Cavalie, CEO of Startupeable; Sebastian Noguera, co-founder and CEO of HABI; Silvina Moschini, co-founder and CEO of Unicorns Inc.; and Karen Scarpetta, CEO of WeWork Spanish America. Venture capital giants like Softbank and Riverwood Capital also participated, inspiring attendees with insights on AI, innovation, venture capital, and technology.

Ovidio Claros, Executive President of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, remarked: "This edition of Gofest doubled last year's attendance, demonstrating our commitment to positioning Bogota as a regional hub for entrepreneurship. Gofest continues to evolve as an inclusive event, welcoming everyone."

Speaker Highlights

Hernan Kazah, co-founder of Kaszek Ventures and Mercado Libre: "To create and scale a startup, you need a bit of craziness, a deep commitment, and the conviction that this is what you want to dedicate yourself to for the next 15 years."

Maite Muniz, Truora: "Building a diverse team is crucial. It allows us to understand different perspectives, integrating people of all genders and ages. For this effort to succeed, it must be embedded in the organization's DNA."

Camilo Sanchez, CEO of Laika: "Efficiency comes from understanding why our clients need pet supplies and identifying the type of customers we want. This enables us to segment and prioritize areas where we can excel effectively."

Camila Salamanca, MD, Endeavor Colombia: Bogota's Chamber of Commerce "Gofest" is a crucial platform for driving entrepreneurship in Colombia, uniting top experts and key players to share valuable insights. For Endeavor, participating is about more than just presenceit's about empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, access capital, and transform industries. We are committed to fostering bold, high-impact ventures that are vital to the country's economic growth, and Gofest allows us to amplify this mission."

Award-Winning Startups

During the festival, the Entrepreneurs Organization awarded Artwear, a startup developing portable devices to alleviate symptoms of diseases like Parkinson's and body tremors, a prize of $10,000 USD, mentorship, acceleration sessions, and a business trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Story continues

At Demo Day, Glya, Dreembio, and Carbon Box emerged as winners, earning a full immersion program with the Mana Tech accelerator in Miami. Meanwhile, Meagroup, Xperience, Ingenios, and Innova Solutions were recognized as top performers in the Open Innovation Bootcamp 3DE.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gofest-2024-breaks-attendance-records-with-over-30-000-participants-302254865.html

SOURCE Bogota Chamber of Commerce
State Police Sgt. disciplined for failing to punish Proctor for behavior in Karen Read case

A Massachusetts State Police sergeant has to forfeit accrued vacation days after failing to reprimand embattled trooper Michael Proctor for text messages sent about the Karen Read case.

Sergeant Yuriy Bukhenik was ordered to forfeit 5 days of accrued leave following an internal affairs investigation where he failed to properly supervise and/or counsel a subordinate for sending inappropriate correspondence regarding an ongoing investigation, and failed to properly document the inefficiencies of a subordinate according to the Departments EES manual, according to the disciplinary order.

DA: Release of Trooper Proctors full phone history could compromise other cases, public privacy

The discipline stems from Trooper Michael Proctors testimony in the Karen Read murder trial, where he sent a series of disparaging texts about Read that he sent to friends, family, and supervisors. Those texts were read aloud in court during her July trial, which ultimately ended in a mistrial.

Proctor was the lead investigator in the murder investigation and Bukhenik was his direct supervisor.

Michael Proctor

Lead investigator reads his unprofessional & regrettable texts on stand in Karen Read murder trial

Read is accused of killing her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe, by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm in Canton in 2022.

Her lawyers contend Read is the victim of a coverup, saying that OKeefe was actually killed inside the home he was found in front of and then dragged outside and left for dead.

Her retrial is tentatively scheduled for January 2025.

The full disciplinary action can be read here:

State Police Sgt. disciplined for failing to punish Proctor for behavior in Karen Read case by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd

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State Sen. Mike McDonnell announces leaving the Democratic Party after he was censured by the state and Douglas County Democrats. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  The Republican push to change how Nebraska awards its Electoral College votes and boost former President Donald Trump ran into political reality Monday as a key lawmaker, State Sen. Mike McDonnell, announced he wont support the change.

McDonnell, of Omaha, said he had heard from people passionate about the issue who live in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. But he said he did not hear enough to move him off his original position against the switch.

Elections should be an opportunity for all voters to be heard, no matter who they are, where they live, or what party they support, McDonnell said in a statement. I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.

McDonnell said he told Gov. Jim Pillen his stance and suggested that the Legislature put winner-take-all to a vote of the people, as a proposed constitutional amendment, so people can decide the issue once and for all.

Nebraska and Maine are the only states that award a single Electoral College vote to the winner in each congressional district, plus two votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote. Nebraska has split off votes twice in four presidential elections.

President Joe Biden won the 2nd District in 2020. Trump won all five of the states electoral votes in 2016. Mitt Romney did the same in 2012. The 2nd District got its national name as the blue dot in 2008, when former President Barack Obama won it.

2nd District split

Nebraska Republicans have argued for years that Nebraska should award all five of its electoral votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote, a process many call winner-take-all.

Republicans hold a 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Democrats statewide, but the 2nd District cuts much more evenly between Republicans, Democrats and registered nonpartisans, a split that makes the 2nd District competitive in national elections.

Pillen had pledged to call a special session if he could secure the 33 votes needed to overcome a filibuster to change to winner-take-all. All five of Nebraskas GOP congressional delegates wrote a letter urging state lawmakers to pass such a move.

The Nebraska Legislature has 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats and one progressive who is a registered nonpartisan. People whipping votes for Pillen and the Trump campaign have told others they expected the remaining GOP holdouts to join the push for the change if McDonnell did.

Pillens office had no immediate comment Monday, nor did the Trump or Harris campaigns.

Trump weighed in Monday on Truth Social, his social media site thanking Pillen for trying. Trump lashed out at McDonnell as a Democrat turned Republican(?), saying McDonnell stood in the way of a great, Republican common sense victory.

I LOVE OMAHA, and won it in 2016. Looks like Ill have to do it again!!!

McDonnells no on winner-take-all leaves Republicans in Nebraskas officially nonpartisan Legislature with no path to overcoming a promised filibuster unless a Democrat or nonpartisan senator defects. Thus far, none has opposed the status quo. Nebraska Democrats tweeted the list of 17 pledged no votes, including McDonnell.

Part of the GOP urgency is wrapped in national polling that shows a close race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Some political observers have argued the 2nd District could break a 269-269 Electoral College tie.

Few Democrats were surprised that the fate of winner-take-all largely swung on McDonnell, a former Omaha fire union president who switched to the GOP this spring after facing political pushback from Democrats for backing abortion restrictions and legislation restricting some health care for minors who are transgender.

Several said the abortion debate should have shown Republicans that McDonnell is largely immovable once he has made a controversial position clear. McDonnell said when he switched parties that he would not support winner-take-all. Others said he did what helped him most politically.

McDonnells stance softened in recent weeks under pressure from local, state and national Republicans, including some with ties to the Trump campaign. He was one of two dozen GOP state senators who met Sept. 18 with Pillen and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Both sides heard from

People in the room said McDonnell told GOP colleagues last week he was looking for a way to get to yes. McDonnell told the Examiner on Thursday, not long after the meeting discussion became public, that he remained a no on winner-take-all, as of today.

He kept meeting and talking with people on both sides of the issue, including people tied to Trump, after that statement. He also heard from national and local Democrats tied to Harris.

But on Monday, McDonnell seemed to want to put the issue to rest. And with it, he may have secured one more election where a small slice of Nebraska will matter to both presidential campaigns.

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., said he was incredibly disappointed by Senator McDonnells opposition to winner-take-all. Ricketts said Nebraskans should speak as one in the Electoral College and elect a president for all Nebraskans.

State Sen. Rob Dover, a Republican representing the Norfolk area, also expressed disappointment in McDonnells decision.

There is too much at stake in this election for Nebraskans to spare an electoral vote, Dover said in a statement. We should speak as a unified voice.

State Sen. Loren Lippincott, a Republican from Central City, said he has spoken with the Governors Office and they are now doubtful they would call a special session this year on winner-take-all. McDonnells vote was key, he said.

That kind of closes the casket, Lippincott said of his fellow senators announcement. With Mike McDonnell being an absolute no, that kind of closes the lid. Were going to have to reintroduce this bill in the next session.

Both Trump and Harris have campaign staff in Nebraska, and both have sent surrogates to campaign here. Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Nebraska native, held a rally here. Trumps running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, came to Nebraska to fundraise and meet with local Republicans.

For McDonnell, the calculus could be partly political. He has openly flirted with running for mayor of Omaha as early as 2025. His likely opponent, Republican incumbent Jean Stothert, has said she supports the switch to winner-take-all.

Statewide support leans toward winner-take-all, but polling over several years indicates broad, bipartisan support in the 2nd District for keeping the states unusual system, which brings attention and money to the Omaha area.

McDonnells statement acknowledged the impact on the district.

For Omaha  it brings tremendous national attention, is impactful on our local economy and forces Presidential candidates to make their case to all Nebraskans, instead of just flying over and disregarding us, he said.

Praised for standing strong

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, praised McDonnell for standing strong against tremendous pressure from out-of-state interests to protect Nebraskans voice in our democracy.

Nebraska has a long and proud tradition of independence, and our electoral system reflects that by ensuring that the outcome of our elections truly represents the will of the people without interference, Kleeb said.

Kleeb also said the party would support leaders who stand up for the people, which some interpreted as a hint that the door might be cracked open for McDonnell to return or to secure some form of support from the party if he runs for office in the future.

The Nebraska Republican Party had no immediate comment.

McDonnell WTA Statement

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
A state senator has thwarted a GOP effort to lock down all of Nebraska's electoral votes for Trump

FILE - Nebraska State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha is shown in the Legislative Chamber in Lincoln, Neb., March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

A Republican effort to lock down all of Nebraska's electoral votes for former President Donald Trump appeared doomed Monday when a state lawmaker denied backers his crucial support for the move.

GOP Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha said in a statement that he opposes awarding Nebraska's five electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis, like 48 other states do. Nebraska and Maine give two electoral votes to the candidate who wins statewide and one vote to the winner in each congressional district.

McDonnell's position means Republicans don't have the two-thirds majority they'd need in Nebraska's unique, one-chamber Legislature to pull off a change ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

Here's a look at why Trump's allies were pushing for the change, what it would have taken to succeed and why a single state lawmaker is in the national spotlight.

Why one of Nebraska's electoral votes matters this year

Nebraska is one of nine states that Republican candidates have carried in every presidential election since 1964, but it hasnt had a winner-take-all rule since 1991. And most times since 1991, Republican candidates still have captured all of the state's votes.

But in 2020, Democrat Joe Biden captured the vote for the 2nd Congressional District in the Omaha area. President Barack Obama also did it in 2008.

A presidential candidate needs 270 of 538 electoral votes to win. One scenario is that Democrat Kamala Harris, the vice president, wins the battlegrounds of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, while Trump wins the other four  North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. Harris would have 269 electoral votes to Trump's 268, which would include four from Nebraska.

In that scenario, a Trump victory in Nebraska's 2nd District would create a 269-269 tie and throw the final decision to the U.S. House of Representatives, where each state would have one vote, a situation that would favor Trump. If Harris carried the district, she'd be president.

In the 2nd District, Republicans have only a small voter registration advantage and 25% of its voters are unaffiliated with any party.

What the Nebraska lawmaker says

McDonnell said he has told Republican Gov. Jim Pillen that he won't back a change in the Nebraska law for allocating its electoral votes ahead of this year's election. That's consistent with what he's said previously.

Lawmakers are out of session and not scheduled to reconvene until January, so Pillen would have had to call them into a special session. He has said he wouldn't do that without a clear indication that a measure could reach his desk.

After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change," McDonnell said.

McDonnell is term-limited and will leave office in early January. He said he is encouraging Pillen and the Legislature to propose an amendment to the state constitution next year on how Nebraska awards its electoral votes, so that voters have the final say.

Nebraska voters, not politicians of either party, should have the final say on how we pick a President, McDonnell said.

Republicans in Nebraska have wanted to return to a winner-take-all rule for years but have been unable to get to a legislative supermajority.

Why the focus fell on a single state senator

Officially, the Nebraska Legislature is nonpartisan. However, self-identified Republicans hold 33 of 49 seats, exactly a two-thirds majority.

The GOP reached that margin in April, when McDonnell switched parties, citing the Democratic Partys censure of him last year for supporting abortion restrictions.

The switch had Trump loyalists in the Nebraska GOP buzzing about going back to a winner-take-all system. Recently, Trumps allies and even the former president himself have been pressuring Republican officials to try.

But in McDonnell's 5th Legislative District, almost 45% of the voters are registered Democrats, and their party strongly opposes going back to winner take all. Fewer than 26% of the district's voters are Republicans.

Why supporters needed a two-thirds majority

Under the Nebraska Constitution, new laws dont take effect until three months after lawmakers adjourn  too late for the proposal to affect the Nov. 5 election.

The state constitution does allow the Legislature to add an emergency clause to have a law take effect immediately, but a bill with an emergency clause must pass with a two-thirds majority.

The Legislatures rules also require the same two-thirds majority to end a filibuster blocking a measure.

How Nebraska became an outlier

Backers of dropping the winner-take-all rule in 1991 argued that it would better reflect voters' views and attract candidates to a state that otherwise would be ignored.

The change narrowly passed the Legislature during then-Democratic Gov. Ben Nelson's first year in office. Nelson was the last Democrat to win a governor's race, when voters reelected him in 1994.

___

Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas.
Guernsey deputies are being urged to speed up measures towards achieving climate goals by setting a timeline for the introduction of UK-style energy performance certificates (EPC).

The certification measures and grades the efficiency of buildings by looking at how well they are insulated, glazed, or how alternative measures could be used to reduce energy use.

Representatives from the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce said making it a legal requirement to assess the energy efficiency of properties would be key to meeting the island's goal of being carbon neutral by 2025.

The BBC has contacted the States for comment.

Rollo de Saumarez, the co-leader of the chamber's Sustainable Business Initiative, said clear guidance was needed from the States about what business should be doing on the "route to net-zero".

He said chamber members had stressed frustration over the speed of the transition.

"Other jurisdictions have a road map and we understand Guernsey will have theirs soon, but it shouldn't just be one person's job at the States," he said.

"It needs to be built in to the decision-making process."

Simon Cottell from DLM Architects wants to see energy assessments for Guernsey properties [BBC]

Simon Cottell from DLM Architects was among those supporting the introduction of mandatory EPCs.

"It will be interesting to see how it is brought about and whether they try to follow the UK in how it works," he said.

"For instance, if you are selling a house or renting a property, it has to meet a minimum standard because it means the lower performance buildings will have to be upgraded."

Guernsey's housing plan says work is "ongoing towards the implementation of Energy Performance Certificates".

Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.

More on this story

Related internet links
What would a statewide hand-count election look like in Alaska?

Brian Jackson, election program manager for the Alaska Division of Elections, demonstrates on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, how a hand-count process would work for Alaska's presidential election. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Brian Jackson, election program manager for the Alaska Division of Elections, demonstrates on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, how a hand-count process would work for Alaska's presidential election. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

On Friday, officials in Georgia voted to require local elections officials to partially hand-count the results of the Nov. 5 general election.

Since 2020, when Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump falsely claimed that his loss was due to false counts from voting machines, some states and municipalities have begun counting ballots manually, instead of by machine.

The idea has occasionally come up in Alaska as well. In 2023, when state lawmakers considered a bill that would require the state to use open-source voting machines and software, testifiers urged lawmakers to eliminate machines altogether. Thus far, the idea hasnt received serious consideration.

If Alaska were to mandate a hand count, it likely would result in slower election results but could be cheaper, according to an informal experiment conducted by the Alaska Division of Elections and the experience of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, which hand-counts local elections.

In response to a question from the Alaska Beacon, state elections program manager Brian Jackson printed 51 sample 2024 election ballots and walked a reporter through a hand-sorting process for the presidential election.

More than a quarter of Alaskas 402 voting precincts already use hand counts to tally first-choice Election Day results. Those precincts are generally in rural locations with low turnout.

Urban precincts use optical-scan machines that tally Election Day results quickly. The division randomly selects some precincts for a hand-count double-check.

This years presidential vote includes eight candidates. Sorting and counting the 51 first-choice votes for each of those eight candidates  plus blank ballots, overvoted ones and those with stray pen marks  took about 13 minutes.

In 2020, the last presidential election, Anchorage precincts generally saw at least 500 voters, with some seeing 1,000 or more.

A thousand-ballot precinct could take more than 200 person-hours to count, based on the experiment.

In addition, this informal experiment examined only one race, and there will be many on this years ballot  state House, state Senate, U.S. House, president, plus judicial retention votes and two ballot measures.

Multiply Jacksons experiment by 21  the number of races in some parts of the state  then multiply it again by turnout, and the result is a long time counting.

Election Day results are typically available in the early hours of the following day, but hand-counting might mean theyre unavailable for a day or more.

Jackson said its also important to think of the people involved. Right now, state hand counts are conducted by the people who also ran the polls on Election Day. The state would need to let those people sleep and eat, he noted.

In 2022, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough banned the use of voting machines for borough elections. Last year was its first hand-count election, and the borough clerks office delivered final results in 14 days, on par with its performance each year since 2019, when the borough started holding its local elections in November.

Election night results came surprisingly quickly, said Borough Clerk Lonnie McKechnie. With no state election to drive turnout and only a handful of races on the ballot, the first hand-count results came within a few hours, she said.

The Mat-Su gets around the issue of worker exhaustion by hiring two groups of workers  one for when the polls are open, and the second to count the ballots once the polls close.

Speaking Friday by phone, she said that this years election includes more races and coincides with the presidential election, which will drive up turnout. It remains to be seen how that experience will affect the hand count.

When it comes to cost, she said she thinks theres a little bit of savings when compared to a machine count, but she didnt have figures immediately at hand.

The Mat-Sus experience doesnt map perfectly to what the state of Alaska would have to do. Many of the states precincts are off the road system, and the Mat-Su doesnt use ranked choice voting.

State laws and regulations pertaining to election procedures would likely have to change to accommodate a regular hand count.

In addition, the state hasnt drafted an organized procedure for conducting a full ranked choice election by hand, something that Jackson said that would require the state to comingle absentee, questioned, early and Election Day ballots.

Currently, those ballots are kept separate to maintain an unbroken chain of custody and identify problems more easily.

Even without ranked choice voting, the state has limited recent experience with hand counts, and that experience tends to confirm the effectiveness of machine counting.

Four years ago, then-Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer ordered a hand-count audit of all votes cast for and against Ballot Measure 2, which installed ranked choice voting and an open primary.

After the election was certified, elections workers spent days reviewing 361,400 ballots cast in the election, and the hand count was just 24 votes different from the machine count, confirming both the accuracy of the machines and the passage of Ballot Measure 2.

A subsequent records request by the Associated Press found that the audit cost more than $55,000 and that the lieutenant governors office had actually received few emails questioning the original result.

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Still avoiding the Robinson scandal, Trump plans to return to North Carolina this week

Former President Donald Trump dodged addressing the scandal over porn-website comments tied to Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson when he visited Wilmington on Saturday, but the Robinson drama isnt stopping Trump from returning to the state Wednesday.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff plans to visit Wilmington Wednesday.

Trump will visit Mint Hill the same day. A news release from the Trump campaign did not specify what Trump plans to speak on, but the body of the announcement largely focused on the economy and his Made in America vision, a consistent theme among Trump and his pick for vice president, Sen. JD Vance, when they visit.

The news release also attacked Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, for supporting foreign companies, including those in China.

Unlike the weak leadership of the Harris-Biden administration, President Trumps unwavering commitment to putting America first is exactly what this country needs to restore our economy and protect hardworking Americans, the news release stated.

Mark Robinson

Trumps visit comes just four days after he visited Wilmington, and two days after Vance comes to Charlotte.

It also comes on the heels of the majority of Robinsons campaign staff quitting Sunday evening. Robinsons campaign said it plans to announce new hires soon.

Trump has largely tied himself to Robinson, not just in this campaign season, but throughout Robinsons short political career.

Robinson rose to prominence in 2018 after he went viral on social media for lecturing the Greensboro City Council on gun rights. By 2021, the former factory worker had been sworn in as North Carolinas lieutenant governor.

And the Harris campaign is focusing on Trumps relationship with Robinson, reminding voters that Trump has called him better than Martin Luther King Jr. and said things like hes a very good man.

On Saturday, Vance said: The allegations are pretty far out there, of course, but I know that allegations arent necessarily reality, NBC reported.

I dont not believe him, I dont believe him  I just think that you have to let these things sometimes play out in the court of public opinion, Vance said.

Trumps campaign had largely ignored North Carolina, a battleground state, through the crux of the campaign.

It was only after Harris took over President Joe Bidens campaign that the Trump campaign began to refocus on the Tar Heel State and send frequent visitors.

Trump had largely led polls of North Carolina while Biden campaigned, despite Biden sending surrogates to North Carolina on a near weekly basis.

But after Harris announced her candidacy, she started to lead in polls and Trump redirected his focus on the state. The two are running neck-and-neck right now.

The Biden campaign has not yet disclosed when and where Emhoff plans to speak Wednesday, but the focus of his visit will be on Harris vision for the future and her plans to create an opportunity economy that gives everyone the chance to succeed with hard work and ambition.

Wednesday marks Trumps sixth visit to the state since Harris launched her campaign.

Trump plans to speak at 1 p.m. at the Mosack Group on Allen Station Drive.

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'Still suffering': Residents in Florida's new hurricane alley brace for Helene impact

Everyone is gun shy in Taylor County.

That's what Jody Roberts, a lifelong resident of Perry, "Tree Capital of the South," said about the probable hurricane that might hit an already battered Nature Coast.

After Hurricane Idalia, then Hurricane Debby, Florida residents aren't taking any chances, he said.

Jody Roberts, a landowner in the timber industry for 50 years, stands in front of a burning pile of pine trees on his 100 acres of land in Taylor County on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. His land was decimated by Hurricane Idalia, a category 3 storm that slammed into Florida's Nature Coast.

"We're getting tired of this," Roberts told the USA TODAY Network - Florida.

Tropical Cyclone Nine in the Gulf of Mexico, soon-to-be Helene, shows Florida's Big Bend as a likely destination for a Thursday landfall of a possible Category 3 hurricane, according to forecasters and models.

The system will strengthen over the next day or two as it moves into the Gulf, where rapid intensification is possible, the National Hurricane Center said.

It's still too early to pinpoint the exact location of landfall, but the storm could land in Taylor County again  making it the third time the area has been hit by a hurricane in a little over a year.

It could also veer west and follow the trajectory of Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 hurricane in 2018 that snapped trees like twigs and left a path of destruction across Florida's northern coast.

Joe Worster, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, said the hurricane was expected to strengthen into a high-end Category 2 storm, on the cusp of a Category 3, as it approaches the Gulf Coast on Thursday morning.

"I don't have any words of wisdom right now, just have to take it day by day and see what happens," Roberts said.

In Perry, 'we're still suffering'

Michelle Curtis has worked in the forestry industry for more than 50 years, and said the region is still reeling from the one  two punch Idalia and Debby delivered.

Were still suffering," said Curtis.

Idalia, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm, littered U.S. 98 with tree limbs, branches and broken power poles. More than 300,000 homes across Northeast Florida lost electrical power.

The two storms created about a combined $500 million in agricultural losses, according to a University of Florida IFAS analysis based on producer surveys.

There was so much damage in Perry that locals joked their slogan had become Blue Tarp City.

Those blue tarps were still on roofs in neighborhoods across town when Hurricane Debby, a Category 1, hit the county in August.

"They didnt have insurance to repair them, Curtis said.

Curtis, who has a tree farm, said Debby laid flat 70 acres of year-and-half old pine she was growing.

Hurricanes have these wind patterns  it could have been tornadoes Debbie spun," Curtis sighed.

"But they were beautiful, she said of the trees.

'When Jim Cantore shows up in your town, youre screwed'

Residents of Cedar Key, a small coastal community southwest of Gainesville, are just getting over a large fire that damaged four businesses on Dock Street on Thursday.

If a hurricane comes in, that debris is going to go everywhere, said Debbie McDonald, the general manager of the Cedar Inn Motel. Thats going to be a mess all in itself.

When Idalia hit Cedar Key last year, the water seeped in through the first floor of the motel and ruined the tile, McDonald said.

She said she knew they were in trouble when The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore came to stay at her property.

When Jim Cantore shows up in your town, youre screwed," she said.

She hopes he doesn't come back this time around.

Jackson County farmers, hit badly by Michael, prepping for latest threat

The storm threatened to make landfall just two weeks shy of the six-year anniversary of Hurricane Michael, which took a heavy toll on Panhandle farms, wiping out timber and other crops.

Jeff Pittman, a fourth-generation peanut and cotton farmer in Jackson County, watched the forecast with trepidation. Michael damaged his peanut crop, destroyed his cotton crop, killed livestock and wrecked barns, fences and irrigation systems.

His JG Farm, located just north of Two Egg, was prepping for the latest storms arrival. Just 10 days into peanut harvesting season, he said they stopped the inverters that dig up the crop. He was also making sure generators were in place to supply water to his and his neighbors cows.

Were taking all precautions, everything we can think to do, Pittman said. Were taking this very seriously. It looks like it could be a very serious situation come Thursday.

Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network  Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com. James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com and is on X as @CallTallahassee.

Jeff Burlew is the investigative reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Email him at jburlew@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 'Tired' Florida towns brace for a Hurricane Helene after Idalia, Debby
We need to stop discussing Russian "red lines" and lift ban on use of weapons  Danish PM

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen believes that Ukraine's allies should cease being hesitant to help the country in its fight and let the weapons provided be used against Russia.

Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Frederiksen believes that it is time to stop the discussion about "red lines".

Quote: "It has been a mistake during this war to have a public discussion about red lines," as that is "simply giving the Russians too good a card in their hands."

She recalled that there are ongoing discussions around the question "are we allowed to give this?"

"It would be really good to stop the delays there have been. And I think that the restrictions on the use of weapons should be lifted," Frederiksen said.

The minister also does not believe that lifting the ban on strikes on Russian Federation territory will make the allies participants in the war, resulting in escalation at the front.

"My suggestion is, let us end the discussion about red lines. The most important red line has been crossed already. And that was when the Russians entered Ukraine. So I will not accept this premise, and I will never allow anyone from Russia to decide what is the right thing to do in NATO, in Europe or in Ukraine," she asserted.



Background:



On 20 September, Ukraines Ministry of Defence received the first 40.7 million from a Danish aid package aimed at supporting Ukrainian weapons production.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is sceptical of Russian leader Vladimir Putin's threats, which come amid discussions about allowing Ukraine to launch long-range missiles deep into Russia.

The Times reported that the United States and the United Kingdom are likely to give Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory, but this decision may remain a secret to preserve the factor of surprise for the Russian side.

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The Sinn Fein leader was speaking at a fringe event at the Labour Party conference [BBC ]

Mary Lou McDonald has called for the UK government to stop "dodging" a timeline on Irish unification.

The Sinn Fein leader was speaking at a fringe event in Liverpool at the Labour Party conference.

At a separate event on Sunday, the Northern Ireland secretary said the restoration of the Stormont institutions created "a moment of opportunity" that needed to be seized upon.

The Sinn Fein president reconfirmed the party's commitment to have a border poll called in the next six years.

'No more dodging'

She said history would not reflect kindly on a Labour prime minister who would not grasp this opportunity.

"The moment will come to name the date but first the British government must make clear its intention to trigger a referendum as per the Good Friday Agreement and set out the threshold for the referendum as they see it.

"No more dodging clear honest conversations," she added.

She also set out the steps a Sinn Fein government would take towards Irish unity.

They included appointing a minister to oversee the process, setting up a citizen assembly and giving speaking rights in the Dail (lower house of Irish parliament) to MPs from Northern Ireland.

'Hard earned'

The Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said political stability was "hard earned and it must be maintained".

Benn added that he was aware of the pressures the Windsor framework was creating - Northern Ireland's post-Brexit trade arrangements - but hoped with "pragmatism and proportionality" that "there is a prize at the end of this process".

Speaking at a Retail NI reception at the Labour party conference, Benn added"in order to get a veterinary agreement in the future, we have to honour the agreements we've signed in the past for reasons that will be obvious to every single person in the room".

Benn is to deliver his keynote address to the Labour Party conference on Monday.
(Bloomberg) -- Gold rose to fresh all-time high as traders digested data and remarks from policymakers while awaiting a slew of key economic readings that may offer clues on the scope of further easing by the Federal Reserve.

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A handful of Federal Reserve officials on Monday left open the door to additional interest-rate cuts, noting that current rates still weigh heavily on the US economy.

Over the next 12 months, we have a long way to come down to get the interest rate to something like neutral to try to hold the conditions where they are, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said in a moderated Q&A event. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari meanwhile said he expects to lower interest rates by smaller, quarter-point moves at each of the central banks two remaining meetings this year.

Earlier Monday, data showed US business activity expanded at a slightly slower pace in early September, while expectations deteriorated and a gauge of prices received climbed to a six-month high.

Bullion rose as much as 0.5% to a record $2,634.90 an ounce, beating the previous all-time high posted on Friday. Gold has advanced since the Fed lowered its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point last week, building on what was already a record-setting year for the precious metal.

After scrutinizing the comments from Mondays Fed speakers, traders will turn their attention to US personal consumption data and jobless claims later in the week. Those could inform the central banks thinking on future rate cuts, which are often seen as positive for non-interest bearing gold.

The market looks increasingly in need of consolidation, but at this point, a deep one is needed to rattle hedge funds holding the largest bet on higher prices since 2020, according to a report from Saxo Bank A/S.

Bullions 27% rally this year has also been supported by robust purchasing by central banks and haven demand amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

For Michael Cuggino, president at Permanent Portfolio Family of Funds, these bullish factors will help gold continue to trend higher over the long term despite some choppiness in prices in the near term. The firms Permanent Portfolio fund is currently above a target weighting of 20% and the company is not changing our allocation at this time.

Spot gold was up 0.2% at $2,626.99 an ounce by 2:54 p.m. in New York. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed, while the US 10-year Treasury yield edged lower. Palladium, platinum and silver all fell.

Story continues

--With assistance from Sybilla Gross.

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Pro-government supporters and security forces in Bolivia have clashed with protesters loyal to the former President Evo Morales on Sunday.

Rival groups hurled firecrackers, homemade explosives and stones at each other while police fired tear gas in the city of El Alto. Morales - who was president from 2006 to 2019 - has been leading thousands of supporters in a week-long march to the capital La Paz.

He wants to run as the candidate for the ruling Mas party in the country's 2025 presidential elections. But the current president, Luis Arce, also intends to run. Arce's supporters took to the streets to protest against Morales and his followers.

Morales was declared the winner of the 2019 election, but resigned weeks later after protests triggered by reports of irregularities in the vote count, and went into exile.
Student removed from metro Atlanta school after making threats to shoot another student

School threats continue as a metro Atlanta middle school say they removed a student from campus after he threatened to shoot another student.

On Friday, East Coweta Middle School Principal Chad Kollert sent a letter to parents informing them of the removal of a student.

According to Kollert, just after 11 a.m. Friday morning, a student made a verbal threat to shoot another student, in the midst of a conversation with the student in class.

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A weapon was not involved in the threat, nor did a physical altercation occur, the principal said.

School administrators and the schools SRO responded immediately and appropriate disciplinary and legal action is being taken in this matter, the letter said.

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As for the student, they were removed from campus. The letter did not specify if the removal was indefinite.

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PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  An outside groups report says there are many problems in South Dakotas current system where county commissions must bear the costs for lawyers to defend people accused of crimes who cant afford to hire their own legal counsel.

The Sixth Amendment Center conducted the analysis at the request of the state court administrator for the South Dakota Unified Judicial System. The 79-page report comes in the wake of the Legislature establishing a state Commission on Indigent Legal Services and establishing a state Office of Indigent Legal Services earlier this year.

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The new commission recently announced the hiring of Chris Miles from the Minnehaha County Public Defenders Office as the states first chief defender and the distribution of $3 million appropriated by the Legislature to counties to assist with indigent-defense expenses.

Those moves followed the Legislatures decision a year ago to create a task force on indigent legal defense. The legislative steps came in response to requests from South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen. In his 2024 State of the Judiciary message, the chief justice told lawmakers about the study and outlined the need.

Judges in South Dakota continue to have difficulty finding attorneys able to provide indigent representation, particularly in rural areas, Jensen stated. Some counties struggle to pay indigent defense contracts and lack experienced attorneys who can handle serious felony cases. There are six counties in South Dakota that have no attorneys and 23 counties that have three or fewer lawyers. The lack of structure, oversight, and inefficiencies in our current indigent defense system has created legal deserts across the state.

The centers analysis found that South Dakotas locally funded, decentralized county-based public defense system results in the denial of counsel and erodes the adversarial system of justice and described South Dakota as one of four states in the nation to delegate all its trial-level right to counsel obligations to county governments, with no state oversight.

The report calls for a significant overhaul of South Dakotas approach and makes five recommendations:

The new commission should promulgate standards necessary to ensure the effective assistance of counsel.

The commission should be funded through state annual appropriations at the level necessary

to enforce standards statewide.

South Dakota should consider ending its recoupment practice. Indigent defendants currently are responsible for repaying all of their legal-defense costs.

South Dakota should prevent prosecutors from speaking with unrepresented defendants who face the possibility of incarceration and have not waived the right to counsel. This now often occurs at the earliest stage of proceedings.

The state court system should adopt a uniform statewide advisement of rights. The study found substantial differences from judge to judge in what defendants were told.

The report noted that South Dakota undertook a somewhat similar study of indigent criminal defense nearly 50 years ago, with the assistance of then-director Randolph Seiler of the state Division of Law Enforcement Assistance. Seiler would later join the federal Department of Justice as an assistant U.S. attorney in 1995 and was confirmed in 2016 as the U.S. attorney for the district of South Dakota. He passed away on April 17, 2023.

Regarding the earlier study, the new reports authors noted, Because the state did not make changes to the structure of the indigent defense system in response to the 1977 report, the right to counsel issues that existed nearly 50 years ago have been passed down, institutionalized, and inherited to present day.

No single person today can, or should, be blamed for the right to counsel deficiencies detailed in this report  they predate any of todays system actors, the current report continued. South Dakotas right to counsel deficiencies are structural (not individual) and can only be remedied at the state-level, by the state.

A news conference will be held Wednesday regarding the new report. Said Chief Justice Jensen, We will continue to study the report in the months to come and work with the other branches of state government to ensure the right to counsel for eligible people no matter where they are in South Dakota.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Have you been feeling stressed out about your finances lately? If so, youre not alone. But according to a recent study, the state you live in does play a role in your financial security or insecurity.

Take Texans for example. On average, people from the Lone Star state experience 27 micro-stresses per week because of money. And two-thirds of Texans report that micro-stresses are affecting their sleep.

In Louisiana, the average resident experiences 18 financial micro-stresses a week. Mississippians only experience 15 a week, which is one of the lowest numbers in the nation.

Arkansans stress out about their finances an average of 24 times a week.

If you live in South Dakota, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, or Vermont youre more statistically likely to have fewer micro-stressors every week.

The study was conducted by www.badcredit.org and looks into the reasons that people feel financial stress. The reasons people stress about money were examined in the study and include:

Issues with direct deposits

Unexpected fees or charges

Missing a bill payment

Dropping credit score

Difficulty tracking spending

Overdrafting bank account

Declined credit card transactions

Tips to have an affordable vacation this summer

Thirty-one percent of those polled in the United States said financial concerns were impacting their mental well-being. Such stress can lead to health issues such as:

heart problems

chronic anxiety

high blood pressure

difficulty sleeping

The study found that more than half of Americans would not discuss their financial problems with family members or very close friends.

Consumer Finance Expert Erica Sandberg said that although financial micro-stressors are minor compared to extreme negative financial events like foreclosures, being hit with a late fee, or watching your credit score dive can still take a toll on your well-being.

This is especially true when they happen often. Unfortuntely, the average American experiences 22 such small financial stressors every week, said Sandberg.

She also mentioned that not talking about your financial stressors with people who understand and can help makes matters worse.

Theres no reason for shame! said Sandberg. Everyone makes money and credit mistakes sometimes. You would certainly not be the first person to forget about a credit card bill.

Sandberg recommends that you just take the steps to rectify the situation so you can undo some of the damage and prevent it from happening again.

Here is the complete list of how many micro-stressors residents of each state experience each week:

STATE FINANCIAL MICRO-STRESSORS PER WEEK Alabama 21 Alaska 22 Arizona 23 Arkansas 24 California 26 Colorado 25 Connecticut 48 Delaware 20 Florida 20 Georgia 16 Hawaii 32 Idaho 13 Illinois 19 Indiana 19 lowa 16 Kansas 14 Kentucky 23 Louisiana 18 Maine 25 Maryland 18 Massachusetts 18 Michigan 24 Minnesota 19 Mississippi 15 Missouri 20 Montana 15 Nebraska 19 Nevada 29 New Hampshire 29 New Jersey 23 New Mexico 18 New York 26 North Carolina 22 North Dakota 22 Ohio 18 Oklahoma 23 Oregon 26 Pennsylvania 21 Rhode Island 35 South Carolina 33 South Dakota 11 Tennessee 20 Texas 27 Utah 23 Vermont 15 Virginia 20 Washington 38 West Virginia 32 Wisconsin 21 Wyoming 22

Experts at www.badcredit.org, who conducted the study, want to help you overcome financial stress using these seven tips for managing financial stress. After all, life is too short to be stressed out about money.

Seven tips for managing financial stress:

Make a debt spreadsheet to see exactly what and whom you owe, when payments are do, and how much interest youre paying.

Create a budget that includes daily and monthly expenses and helps you begin saving.

Automate payments so you can lose the stress of having to manually pay your bills.

Ask for help if you cant figure out how to manage your money and save.

Set realistic goals that are small and achievable.

Focus on the areas of your finances that you can control. cut expenses, get a better-paying job, or search for lower-interest loans or higher-interest savings accounts.

Educate yourself until you begin to feel like you have your finances under control again.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
A solicitor said the convictions ruined the lives of sub-postmasters [Reuters]

Three former sub-postmasters from Northern Ireland caught up in the Horizon IT scandal have received letters confirming their wrongful convictions have been quashed.

They include a woman who served an 18-month suspended sentence for offences linked to the Post Office Horizon scandal.

A law quashing convictions from the Horizon IT scandal was approved by Parliament in May.

All three received their letters from the Department of Justice last week.

In total, 26 former sub-postmasters from Northern Ireland were charged with offences after the defective Horizon computer software made it look like money had gone missing.

'Ruined their lives'

Lee Williamson, from Castlederg, was exonerated earlier this month [BBC]

Lee Williamson, from Castlederg, was exonerated earlier this month after the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) ended any opposition to the legal battle to clear his name.

Solicitor Michael Madden said his clients were delighted with the development and wished to remain unnamed at this stage.

"Whenever I broke the news to them by telephone, it was quite emotional for them to take in the news," he said.

"For them to come forward to get legal advice in the first place was a huge step for them," he added.

He said they were apprehensive to come forward and start the process.

"So to get the news that they were hoping for was huge for them really to take in," he said.

Mr Madden said the convictions had "ruined the lives" of his clients, "including that of a woman who served an 18-month suspended custodial sentence".

"Any postmaster who had convictions as a result of the Horizon scandal would have had their reputations destroyed."

He added: "We look forward to applying for immediate redress under the new Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme on behalf of our clients."

Mr Madden said he has other clients who are still awaiting confirmation that their convictions have been quashed by the new legislation.

"We continue to work with the DOJ in respect of more clients who are still waiting for the DOJ to complete their process of identifying convictions that have been quashed by the new Act."

A public inquiry into the Horizon scandal is ongoing and is due to resume hearings in London this week.
CHICAGO  A federal indictment alleges that a northwest suburban schemed to defraud elderly victims through false claims that law enforcement agencies were seeking to keep their money safe.

The indictment accuses Abdul Mohammed, 31, of Des Plaines, of several charges related to wire fraud after he and others allegedly participated in a scheme mainly targeting elderly victims amid claims of being government agents.

Cheerleaders attacked during high school football game in Oak Lawn: superintendent

There is an active arrest warrant for Mohammed, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Prosecutors said that victims learned, albeit falsely, that their information had been compromised and needed to provide money to federal law enforcement for safekeeping. In some instances, the fraudsters instructed victims to convert their savings and retirement accounts to cash or gold bars and to provide those funds to law enforcement for protection.

According to prosecutors, in one incident, conspirators allegedly informed a male victim that he was implicated in a drug crime and instructed the victim to withdraw $80,000 from their accounts or the money would be frozen by the IRS. That same victim, prosecutors say, later encountered Mohammed in an additional attempt to collect $45,000.

The complaint added that schemers used an alias, Agent Roy, to solicit money from the victims.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Authorities ask anyone with information on Mohammeds whereabouts to call their office at (317) 595-4000 or FBI.gov/tips.

The United States Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Indiana announced the charges. If convicted, Mohammed faces up to 60 years in federal prison.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
The Arkansas Supreme Court building in Little Rock. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas lawmakers sent a report Monday to the governor, legislative leaders and the Arkansas Supreme Court recommending a variety of changes to how the states court system is funded.

The Joint Judiciary Committee approved the report with no discussion, but two weeks ago members agreed that next years legislative session should include a proposal to eliminate the $10 monthly fee that comes with paying off court-ordered fines and fees, such as traffic tickets, on an installment plan.

Sen. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock

The fee results in lower-income people paying a higher cumulative amount than people who can afford to pay up front, and lawmakers of both parties have said this is unfair.

The most offensive part of it is that we use the installment fee to fund aspects of the judicial branch, like courtroom technology, that we as a legislative body ought to be funding, Sen. Clarke Tucker, a Little Rock Democrat on the committee, said in an interview Monday.

One-fourth of the fee revenue supports local district courts automated record-keeping system, one-fourth supports the same thing at the states Administrative Office of the Courts and the remaining half goes into the states Administration of Justice (AOJ) fund, the report states.

Exhibit C - Financial Matters Related to Court System Legislative Study Final Report

The report proposes the Legislature find alternative funding sources for all of the above. It also recommends a study of the AOJ fund, which was created in 1995 and now funds 21 programs or entities. Some of them only have vague connections to the state court system, according to the report.

[The AOJ fund] was meant to collect data on what a statewide system with uniform fees and costs would cost to maintain, the report states. However, in the past 30 years, instead of using the data from that fund to make policy decisions about how to fund the justice system, the fund has been used simply to fund the justice system The [Judiciary] Committees should consider eliminating unnecessary and unrelated entities and programs from the State Administration of Justice Fund.

The report also recommends that lawmakers eliminate the cost-sharing requirement of state district judge salaries with cities and counties.

Cities and counties currently pay about $4 million of district judges salaries, since the state cannot support them entirely, Rep. Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana, and Arkansas Association of Counties chief legal counsel Mark Whitmore said on Sept. 9.

Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch

Getting the state to pay these salaries [is] a big deal because a lot of these counties are struggling, said Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, who co-chairs the joint committee with Dalby.

Other recommendations include creating a digital platform to automatically notify people of their upcoming court dates and requiring cities and counties to retain 50% of district court revenue and send the other half to the state.

The joint committee finalized the report in accordance with Act 38 of 2023, which authorized a legislative study of financial matters related to the court system and the required notification of state officials by Oct. 1.

The 2025 legislative session will begin in January, and lawmakers will be allowed to start filing bills in November.

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On her drive to work, Mayolita Gaines pulls up on her phone a playlist of music thats dominated by one artist. Songs by rapper Rod Wave pour out of her cars speakers, including Come See Me, the one thats most meaningful to the mom of seven.

Gaines daughter, Harmony Rose Washington, died by suicide in Waukegan seven months ago, just days after her 10th birthday. The girl was a huge fan of Wave, so much so that she forced her siblings to memorize his lyrics prior to attending his Chicago concert last November.

Before the concert started, Harmony wasnt in the best mood, but when he performed Come See Me, Gaines said her daughter jumped out of her seat and started singing along. Its the song Gaines said she returns to when she wants to remember happy moments.

The way I recorded her was like a scene from a movie, where she was so excited, Gaines, 36, recalled. When he started singing the song, she just screamed. You can hear the love and happiness coming out of her screams when he walked out on stage.

After losing her daughter, Gaines said shes felt sadness, grief and, at times, guilt. Gaines isnt alone in her experience. Suicide among young people is a challenging and prevalent problem, with Black and LGBTQ+ kids, who are at disproportionate risk nationally and in Chicago, according to Dr. Aron Janssen, a vice chair at the psychiatry and behavioral health department at Lurie Childrens Hospital.

In Illinois, Janssen said suicide is the second-leading cause of death among kids aged 10 to 14, and the third-leading cause of death for young people aged 10 to 24. In the past decade, Janssen said the number of suicide attempts and deaths by suicide have increased among young kids. What was once a very rare event historically, is becoming more common, he added.

We dont really have a great understanding of why that is, Janssen said. I think partially its that a lot of the interventions and processes that we have in place to screen for suicide have historically been built for older adolescents and adults, and that we need more funding, more research and more infrastructure to support the mental health needs of kids at an earlier age.

Well never know

Harmony died at night on Feb. 20, which Gaines said started like any other day. She got home from work in the afternoon, telling Harmony she was planning her birthday party for the upcoming weekend. Later in the evening, Gaines said she scolded Harmony for making disrespectful comments to her uncle, and she thought her daughter went upstairs to her bedroom.

Gaines said she was on the phone with Harmonys dad around 9:20 p.m., when she told her other kids to get ready for school the next day. They found Harmony hanging from a tree outside the home.

Theyre screaming. The way that they scream  it was one of those like somebody was getting killed when they called out my name, she said. My oldest came inside, and theyre just screaming Mommy, mommy, mommy. You can hear the pain. You can hear the hurt. You can just hear everything in mommy.

Much of the rest that happened is a blur to Gaines, but she said she remembers someone bringing Harmonys limp body into the house. Harmonys family, including her sister and aunt, attempted to perform CPR, Gaines said. Gaines also called 911.

I followed behind the ambulance, but I knew she was gone, Gaines said.

Steve Newton, the chief deputy coroner at Lake County, said Harmony was found in the front of her residence in the 5000 block of Country Place around 9:40 p.m. The girl was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead about an hour later. Her death was declared a suicide, caused from asphyxia due to hanging, he said.

Leading up to her daughters death, Gaines said there werent any warning signs, leaving her to guess about possible motives. Maybe she wanted attention, maybe she was inspired by something she saw on social media or maybe it was her way of coping with her fathers incarceration, Gaines wonders. She found out later that her daughter faced some bullying in school, or maybe it was that she reached a breaking point during the fight they had the night she died.

It could be so many things Ive thought about, but well never know, Gaines said. As parents, we dont know that were doing anything wrong. We think that everything is OK.  I learn now that I try to not yell as much, because I know it may be a trigger to them.

Often kids dont send any clear signals that theyre thinking of suicide, said Janssen, the doctor at Lurie Childrens Hospital. Only about 10% of young people who die from suicide disclose their plans within a month of their death, and only about 20% are perceived to be depressed at the time of their death, he said.

People may know theyre struggling, but dont necessarily know the depths to which they are struggling, he said.

If you see something, say something

Janssen said he recommends parents frequently ask their children how theyre doing, and seek support services if necessary. Some risk factors include stressful life events, a previous history of suicide attempts or mental health treatment, a family history of suicide, abuse or neglect and access to lethal means, he said. He recommended locking up firearms and medication at home, and following the adage, If you see something, say something.

For a lot of kids, what we see is that suicide is an impulsive act. Its not something that many of these kids are thinking about and planning out in a structured way, he said. Its something was overwhelming in the moment, and you have access to means that are lethal.

Recent research has also shown racial disparities within suicide rates. Black youths have the fastest growing suicide rate compared with their peers of other racial and ethnic groups, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This trend is mirrored in Chicago, Janelle Goodwill, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago, found in a study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

The study, which examined suicide deaths in the city from 2015-21, found that suicide rates among Black men and women, Asian women and Latino men increased in that time. Black and Latino residents also died at an earlier age than those in white and Asian communities, the study found. Harmony was Black and Hispanic.

We are living in I think completely different worlds. Everything in this city  access to health care to mental health treatment to education, even to equitable food, safe housing  all of those things are racialized experiences, Goodwill said. Just the environmental stressors that someone is facing, depending on their race and where they live, is going to have serious impacts on their mental health.

Goodwill said she supports boosting access to affordable mental health care through reopening city-run mental health centers. Mayor Brandon Johnson has promised to reopen three sites, more than a decade after former Mayor Rahm Emanuel closed six clinics.

Its not just conversations about stigma, Goodwill added. There are structural forces at play that are preventing people from receiving the treatment and support that they need.

Janssen also said navigating the mental health system in Illinois can be a challenge  there arent enough providers, insurance is confusing and internet resources can be misleading. In Illinois, he said schools are actually the primary provider of mental health care. Because almost every child is there on a regular basis, its a prime opportunity to screen, teach and identify risk, he said.

Elyssas Mission, a nonprofit based in Northbrook and founded by the mother of a Northfield teenager who died by suicide in 2004, reaches kids at schools. The group provides evidenced-based training to middle- and high-school students and staff members, which involves education on suicide prevention and a screening for adolescent depression.

Usually, about 15% of students screened for suicide risk through the program are referred for a follow-up, Segal said, with 8% ultimately referred for a mental health service. The nonprofit has worked with about 300 schools in 20 counties, and also runs a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program at 20 schools called Hope Squad.

We want to get students identified early, get them linked to treatment and services before theyre at a point of crisis, Segal said.

Coping with her daughters death

Gaines remembers her daughter as friendly and bubbly, saying she had lots of friends at school, many of whom she didnt know until they attended her funeral. Harmony was in fourth grade at Prairie Trails Elementary, where her favorite subject was math. She loved swimming and the beach, basically anything involving water, Gaines said, adding that Harmony would never turn down rice, beans and flour tortillas.

Harmony spoke whatever was on her mind, Gaines laughed. If she tell you you did not look nice in an outfit, please take her suggestion and go change, because shes telling you the truth. She didnt care who you were  she wouldnt hurt your feelings in a bad way  shell just tell you No, that doesnt look right, or You need to find something else.

Seven months after her death, Gaines describes how shes feeling like coloring in a coloring book. Sometimes the shades  her sadness  are darker, and sometimes its lighter, she said. Gaines deals with depression and anxiety, as do some of her other children, she said. Coping has been especially difficult for Harmonys father, who isnt able to grieve with the rest of the family because hes incarcerated, Gaines added.

Gaines spends some of her time looking at her daughters old school clothes and taking care of the puppy Harmony named Brownie. The family originally wasnt supposed to keep the dog, but the mother couldnt bear to part with something that had a connection to her daughter. Gaines also shares her story to help relate to her patients at her job as a mental health technician.

On holidays, Gaines visits and decorates Harmonys gravesite. For the Fourth of July, she bought red, white and blue spin wheels and flowers.

Ive had maybe three occasions where I just laid there and cried, or a couple of times where I just sat there quiet, not even saying anything, she said.
Former CIA Director Leon Panetta called Israels pager attack in Lebanon terrorism.

Last week, pagers, walkie-talkies, and solar panels exploded across Lebanon, as well as Syria, in a series of deadly attacks reportedly carried out by Israel. On Tuesday, a wave of attacks, supposedly targeting pagers held by members of Hezbollah, killed at least 12 people including two young children and injured thousands more. A second wave of detonations on Wednesday killed another 20 people and injured more than 450 people, according to Lebanons Health Ministry.

During an interview with CBS News on Sunday, Panetta warned that Israel was conducting a war of terror.

The ability to be able to place an explosive in technology that is very prevalent these days, and turn it into a war of terror, really, a war of terrorthis is something new, Panetta said.

When asked whether Israels attack constituted terrorism, Panetta was unequivocal. I dont think theres any question that its a form of terrorism, he said.

Panetta served as the secretary of defense from 2011 to 2013 and director of the CIA from 2009 to 2011, both under President Barack Obama.

Panetta was then asked if he believed members of the international community, including the United States, should condemn Israels actions.

I think its going to be very important for the nations of the world to have a serious discussion about whether or not this is an area that everybody has to focus on, because if they dont try to deal with it now. Mark my word, it is the battlefield of the future, he replied.

Israels deadly tactics in Lebanon have been condemned by Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, for violating international law by weaponizing ordinary devices. Turk explained that international law prohibits the use of booby-trapped items used in daily life, and it is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians.

Israel has continued to target Lebanon with impunity, firing off a series of airstrikes Monday that have killed more than 274 people and wounded more than 1,000 more. Israels illegal attacks are a blatant attempt to broaden a regional war and draw U.S. forces into a fight against Iran.
FARNHAMVILLE, Iowa  An investigation into the death of a 17-year-old girl is underway in the small Calhoun County town of Farnhamville Monday and officials say a suspect is in custody in connection with the case.

Don Schnitker, Assistant Director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Field Operation Bureau, told WHO 13 that the DCI is assisting the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office in the investigation.

A news release from the CCSO says they were dispatched to Farnhamville Sunday on a report of a missing juvenile female and during the initial response a male suspect was detained.

During further investigation on Monday morning, the deceased body of the missing juvenile was located. No details about the cause of death of been released.

Officials have not released the name of the victim or the suspect.

According to the CCSO, charges are pending in the case

More information about the case is expected to be released later Monday.

This is a developing story. Check back to www.WHO13.com for updates.

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The government of Guinea has taken a decisive step to curb plastic pollution by issuing a decree that bans the manufacturing, import, sale and use of single-use plastic packaging and products throughout the country.

The decree was issued by the countrys President Mamady Doumbouya on Saturday (21 September), Xinhua reported.

The decision aims to enhance public health, encourage the use of biodegradable packaging alternatives and address pollution and environmental hazards.

The new regulation applies to a wide range of domestic stakeholders, including producers, importers and businesses of all sizes engaged in activities involving single-use plastics.

The banned items include plastic bags, oxodegradable plastics and other plastic-based products.

The decree extends to the prohibition of these plastics in settings across both urban and rural Guinea.

This measure is expected to significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste in the country.

There are, however, specified exemptions to the ban.

Single-use plastics will still be permitted for essential applications in the medical, agricultural and military sectors.

Additionally, their use is allowed for waste collection and the packaging of water and other liquids.

Reportedly, enforcement of the decree will be stringent, with violators facing severe consequences.

Penalties for noncompliance include the closure of businesses, seizure of products and monetary fines.

In January this year, the government of the Nigerian state of Lagos implemented an immediate ban on the use and distribution of polystyrene and other single-use plastics, citing significant environmental concerns.

"Guinea enacts ban on single-use plastics " was originally created and published by Energy Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
ST. LOUIS  Charges have been filed against a man accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a St. Louis police officer over the weekend.

Officer David Lee was killed Sunday morning after responding to a one-vehicle crash on eastbound Interstate 70 near Grand Boulevard around 8:30 a.m., according to St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy.

The chief said an off-duty Ferguson firefighter, who was on her way home, was the driver of the vehicle that crashed. Officer Lee was behind his police vehicle and retrieving traffic cones from his trunk when another driver lost control of their 2019 Kia Sorrento, spun out, and struck Lee.

Lee was pinned between the Sorrento and his own vehicle and then thrown several feet. Tracy said the off-duty firefighter risked her own life by getting out of her vehicle and rushed to Lees aid. She took his walkie-talkie and radioed for help.

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According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments probable cause statement, the driver of the Sorrento, identified as Ramon A. Chavez-Rodriguez, 24, was driving at least 71 miles per hour five seconds before the crash. The posted speed limit at that location is 55 miles per hour.

Officer David Lee

St. Louis firefighters arrived a short time later and took Officer Lee to St. Louis University Hospital. Lee died while in surgery. He was 44.

Chavez-Rodriguez remained at the scene and was taken into custody. During a Sunday afternoon news conference, Chief Tracy said the driver showed signs of impairment and lived locally. A blood test revealed Chavez-Rodriguez had a BAC of .10 approximately two hours after the crash.

Court documents show Chavez-Rodriguez has a St. Peters address. The probable cause statement indicates he does not have legal status in the United States and was driving without a valid license.

Police said that federal investigators are checking the suspects immigration status. A hearing on that was previously scheduled for October.

While the immigration status does not impact the criminal charges, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said, It does have an impact on our assessment as to whether or not hes a flight risk or poses a danger to the community, whether or not hes someone who should receive bond.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Chavez-Rodriguez with DWIdeath of law enforcement or emergency personnel, exceeding posted speed limit, and operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license. Chavez-Rodriguez remains jailed without bond. He had been on probation for a second-degree domestic assault charge in St. Charles County in 2020.

St. Charles County Prosecutor Joe McCulloch said they had already alerted federal authorities.

Homeland security was notified that he was arrested, that he was charged, and he was in this country illegally. Their answer is theyre not going to issue a detainerand a detainer is something that would tell us to hold him until they could get himbut they werent going to do that, because hed already been in the system back in 2020 when this incident occurred.

Chief Tracy said Officer Lee was the 167th police officer to die in the line of duty. He worked out of the SLMPDs North Patrol and had served in the Traffic Division for the past four years. Lee is survived by his wife and their children.

We want this individual held accountable, Tracy said. We want to make sure hes brought to justice.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
In this image taken from police body camera video and released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriffs Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Routh, the man suspected in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. | Martin County Sheriffs Office via Associated Press

Court documents released Monday reveal a letter written by the suspect accused in the second assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on Sept. 15.

A Secret Service agent shot at suspect Ryan Wesley Routh, whose rifle was poking out of a tree line. This is the second instance of politically charged violence aimed at the former president. Two months ago, a bullet grazed Trumps ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, while a man was killed and two others were seriously injured at the rally.

Routh, 58, who has been charged and detained, appeared in court Monday for a three-hour hearing. The federal judge ordered that Routh be detained without bond.

So far, Routh has been charged with possession of a firearm despite being a convicted felon and possession of a weapon with an obliterated serial number. According to USA Today, prosecutors are hoping to include attempted assassination in the charges.

The detention memo filed by prosecutors prior to the hearing laid out evidence of Rouths travels to Trumps residence, letters he wrote that detailed his plans, and his 2023 book.

Letter from suspect before apparent assassination

Routh traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida, on Aug. 14. He went to the Trump International Hotel and the former presidents residence at Mar-a-Lago multiple times between Aug. 18 and Sept. 15, the filing, obtained by CNN, stated.

The detention memo on Routh states that a witness told law enforcement that Routh had dropped off a box at his residences months before the incident.

Following Rouths arrest, the witness opened the box and found several items: ammunition, a metal pipe, miscellaneous building materials, tools, four phones, and various letters, per the filing.

One such letter, addressed to The World, stated, This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.

He ended relations with Iran like a child and now the Middle East has unraveled, Routh wrote in the letter.

What the FBI found in the suspects book?

The filing said that FBI agents reviewed Rouths 2023 book, Ukraines Unwinnable War: The Fatal Flaw of Democracy, World Abandonment and the Global Citizen-Taiwan, Afghanistan, North Korea, WWII and the End of Humanity.

In this book, Routh said he must hold himself accountable for getting Trump elected.

You are free to assassinate Trump as well as me for that error in judgment and the dismantling of the deal, he wrote, adding that American voters dont have the stomach to put natural selection to work or even unnatural selection.

Trump releases statement after court hearing

Trump issued a statement on social media after Mondays court hearing saying the charges are a slap on the wrist. He alleged the Department of Justice and the FBI have a conflict of interest for going after the former president on numerous occasions.

Florida charges would be much more serious than the ones the FBI has announced, Trump added.
DES MOINES, Iowa  The Metro STAR Tactical Unit and Crimes Against Persons detectives responded to the King Irving Neighborhood Saturday to arrest a kidnapping suspect.

The Des Moines Police Department say the investigation began Saturday morning around 12:28 a.m. when first watch patrol officers were called to the 800 block of East Washington Avenue on reports of a fight.

When officers arrived on scene they were told a man, identified as 33-year-old Troy Lee Mure Jr., had entered into his ex-girlfriends house armed with a handgun. According to witnesses, Mure struck his ex-girlfriend in the head and face with the handgun, physically forced her into a vehicle, and then drove away with her.

The vehicle was later located unoccupied in the 1300 block of East 12th Street. A DMPD K9 was deployed but Mure was not found. Crimes Against Persons Section detectives were contacted to assist in investigating the incident. According to police it was eventually uncovered that Mure was at a residence in the 1500 block of Washington Avenue. Warrants were obtained and the Metro STAR Tactical Unit was called in due to violent nature of the crimes commuted, police say.

The tactical unit and detectives arrived at the residence just before 5:00 p.m. and announced their presence through the loudspeaker and provided Mure with information on surrendering. According to police, they then took Mure, without incident, outside the residence.

Mure has been charged with kidnapping 1st degree, burglary 1st degree, going armed with intent, felon in possession of a firearm, domestic abuse assault with a weapon, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, and interference with official acts.

Mure is currently being held at the Polk County Jail. Detectives say the handgun believed to have been used has been recovered.

The investigation remains underway, and information will be shared as it becomes available.

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

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DUBAI (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree forming a new government under Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, the Syrian state news agency (SANA) reported on Monday.

The new cabinet sees new appointments in the ministries of foreign affairs, finance and electricity among others, and replaces an outgoing administration which has been serving in a caretaker role since parliamentary elections in mid-July.

Another decree appointed ex-foreign minister Faisal Mekdad as Syria's Vice President.

Al-Jalali served as communications minister from 2014-2016. He has been subject to EU sanctions since 2014 for what the bloc called his "responsibility for the regime's violent repression of the civilian population".

According to U.N. figures, at least 350,000 people have been killed in Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011 from an uprising against Assad's rule.

(Reporting by Clauda Tanios and Enas Alashray, Editing by William Maclean)
A new book investigates a secretive Catholic sect that appears to have an outsized influence on U.S. courts and the law. While many associate Opus Dei with The Da Vinci Code and warmed-over conspiracy theories, British financial journalist Gareth Gore has shown that the group remains active and prominent. Gores new book, Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy Inside the Catholic Church, traces the group from its origins in Francos Spain to its rising influence in Washington, D.C., where it has focused on capturing the federal judiciary and shifting it far to the right. On this weeks Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discuss a key player in this battle, Federalist Society co-chairman Leonard Leo; his efforts to silence critics who point out the authoritarian scope of his vision; and the real-world impact of his assault on personal freedoms.

Dahlia Lithwick: Mark, you and I both read the New York magazine piece about Leonard Leo, his deep connections to Opus Dei, and his interventions in commandeering the levers of democracy. Perhaps we should start with a quote from Leonard Leo, speaking in 2022, as he accepted the John Paul II New Evangelization Award at an event held by the Catholic Information Center in Washington, D.C.:

Current-day bigots, the progressive Ku Klux Klan, spread false and slanderous rhetoric about Catholic apostolates, and institutions like the one represented here tonight. They mock our practices and devotions. They repeat the KKK canard that Catholics want this country dominated and controlled by a theocracy, which no well-informed Catholics should ever support. And if you happen to be a particularly prominent Christian, they intimidate and harass you outside your home and in restaurants and stores with the express purpose of driving you into social and professional exile.

These barbarians, secularists, and bigots have been growing more numerous over the past few years. They control and use many levers of power. Yet even so, we cannot lose hope in the ultimate success of the new evangelization. With God, all things are possible. He has equipped us to carry out this mission no matter how impossible it may seem. As we prepare for this hard yet necessary task ahead, I urge us to remember three things. First, the threats to the new evangelization are not of flesh and blood. This is spiritual warfare. Our opponents are not just uninformed or unchurched. They are often deeply wounded people whom the devil can easily take advantage of. He has hardened their hearts and closed their minds, which means reason alone will not win this struggle.

What are your topline thoughts about Leonard Leowho is, according to new reporting, sitting on bigger pots of money than both partiesand what do you think about his characterization of what we do?

Mark Joseph Stern: I want to reiterate that fact: Leonard Leo controls more money than both political parties right now in the United States! Hes one of the most powerful people in the country, arguably in the history of the country, when it comes to influencing the judiciary, and increasingly, political races. And yet anytime anybody criticizes him or his vast dark-money network, he claims the mantle of victimhood. He waves the flag of victimhood and alleges that anybody who would dare to say a cross word about him or his operation is in fact an anti-Catholic bigot. He used the word bigot. He also referred to his opponents as the modern Ku Klux Klan, which is a deeply offensive comparison. He suggests that his critics are wounded people who have been taken advantage of by the devil, by Satan himself, in order to stop his noble work to restore traditional values to America.

I want to be clear. His values are not necessarily the values that you, or I, or many, many others would associate as American values. He is promoting conservative Catholic values that frequently infringe upon the freedom of others. These are values that prohibit women from obtaining an abortion, even in the case of rape, even if it is necessary to preserve her health or even spare her from death. He has made it clear he believes that same-sex relationships should be unlawful, same-sex marriages should be nullified, abolished. He believes that much of modern secular society is under the control of the devil. So he uses his authority, and specifically his money, to try to restrict other peoples rights and to try to impose these reactionary values. But he also insists his work, his values, are above all criticismthat vigorous public debate and allowing for vigorous public criticism of this work is off the table because he claims its anti-Catholic bigotry.

Im tired of the knee-jerk response from Leo and his defenders that anyone who would criticize this network must be an anti-Catholic bigot. Leo has used his connections within the Catholic Church, the Catholic Information Center, and his own religious networksincluding Opus Deito further his cause. All of that is objective fact. We should be able to talk about it and criticize it without ourselves being subjected to malignant slander that were somehow against Catholicism or against all Catholics. This is one of the best-funded projects to change American life and restrict American freedoms that weve ever seen in this country, and if we cant talk about it, then they just win automatically. I guess thats the point. But I refuse to play ball.

Leos speech at the Catholic Information Center is worth listening to in its entirety, but I was particularly struck by the line about nonbelievers: the unchurched and how they cant be reasoned with. Its really fascinating in terms of the law, which is a field where the only thing that matters should be reason. The very notion that were using the architecture of the legal system to master people who cant be reasoned with is very chilling.

Another quote that appears in the New York magazine piece is from Father Arne Panula, the vicar of Opus Dei, who was based in New York from 1998 to 2002, and who became director of the CIC until his death in 2017. Heres one of his observations, delivered from hospice and published in a book: What we call feminism is the attempt to flee both of the punishments handed to Eve: the pain of procreation and the pain of turning to men for approval and self-esteem.

I cant help but recoil at every single part of that, especially following last weeks ProPublica reporting on the deaths of two women in Georgia who died as a direct result of the Dobbs decision. I think we need to call Dobbs and the work of Leonard Leo what it is. Its an attempt, completely rooted in theological dogma, to return women, not just to the pain of procreation, but apparently the death of it.

One of the women profiled by ProPublica, Amber Nicole Thurman, died after she tried to terminate her pregnancy, but failed to do so completely, and was denied the necessary follow-up care at the hospital. Theres a startling lack of empathy in conservative media in response to this story, an obsessive focus on the fact that Thurman obtained medication abortion because she could not handle having twinsas if she deserved her fate. It reminds me of the quote you just read: Thurman tried to escape the pain of procreation, and I suppose, in this twisted view, she deserved the agony that was inflicted on her after. That being denied proper follow-up care is just what she deserved for breaking the rulesnot legal rules, but reactionary religious rules that folks like Leo want to foist upon all of us.
(Bloomberg) -- Tanzania police arrested leaders of the main opposition party after they asked supporters to join banned street protests to demand an end to political abductions and murders.

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Those arrested on Monday include Chadema Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu, a fiery critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassans government, Chairman Freeman Mbowe and former member of parliament Godless Lema.

We have arrested 14 suspects who defied the police ban on the demonstrations, Dar es Salaam police chief Muliro Jumanne told journalists.

Before his arrest, Lissu posted on X that armed police had surrounded his house and that he would be taken to a police station.

The three men were expected to lead unauthorized street demonstrations on Monday. Anti-riot police have been patrolling the streets of Dar es Salaam and elsewhere across the country for the past three days to deter the protests.

Police plan more arrests of opposition leaders for allegedly inciting the public to participate in the banned march, Muliro said.

Opposition leaders have accused Hassan of rowing back on promised political reforms and cracking down on democracy ahead of elections in November and next year. Police denied involvement in political abductions and murders and have pledged a thorough investigation.

(Updates with police comment in third paragraph.)

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GRAFTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  Just days after Ritchie County banned all outdoor burning, another West Virginia county is following suit.

In a Facebook post, the Grafton Fire Department announced the Taylor County Commission has placed an outdoor burn ban to go into effect immediately.

All outdoor burning is prohibited in Taylor County until further notice of the Taylor County Commission, the post states.

Fire ban in effect in Dolly Sods Wilderness

North central West Virginia counties arent the only ones putting burn bans into effect. Multiple southern counties, Calhoun, Jackson, Lincoln, Mason and Kanawha, have also implemented bans, according to WBOYs sister station WOWK 13 News.

Questions about the Taylor County burn ban can be directed to Taylor County Emergency Management at 304-265-9081.

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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed Monday that human remains found Sept. 12 at a property on Burnt House Road in Wilson County belong to a missing Antioch woman, Metro Nashville Police said.

Blanca Guadalupe Berrios Orellana, 23, was reported missing in Nashville on Aug. 21.

The TBI was called in to investigate after the remains were found inside the Wilson County home earlier this month. The agency confirmed that the remains were human almost immediately, but stopped short of providing an ID until this week.

TBI confirmed Monday that it was investigating Orellana's case as a homicide.

Blanca Guadalupe Berrios Orellana

Orellana was reportedly last seen at her apartment on Old Hickory Boulevard on Aug. 18. She said she was going to Murfreesboro to visit a family member, Nashville Police said.

An investigation into Orellana's death is being led by the TBI with assistance from Nashville police and authorities in Wilson and Rutherford counties, officials said.

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: Missing Nashville woman found in Wilson County, case is homicide: TBI
We are now in the home stretch for the 2024 election and the marquee race in Texas is the US Senate showdown between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Colin Allred.

As both campaigns careen into the stretch run, FOX 26's Greg Groogan sat down with Cruz and FOX 4's Steven Dial interviewed Colin Allred about the issues facing Texans.

Ted Cruz

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 6: Senator Ted Cruz speaks to supporters as he hosted a law enforcement and public safety rally with law enforcement leaders at King's Bierhaus on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Houston. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

On Allred

Ted Cruz: "My record and Colin Allred's record could not be more different. I have spent 12 years leading the fight for jobs in the US Senate for 30 million Texans, leading the fight for freedom and leading the fight for security. Colin Allred's record has been hard left. His first four years in the House he voted 100% with Nancy Pelosi. Literally, did not deviate on a single vote. He's voted repeatedly for open borders, he's voted repeatedly for trillions in new spending, for new taxes. He voted repeatedly against law enforcement, for defunding the police and he voted repeatedly against oil and gas and energy."

Border Security

Cruz: "Colin Allred has voted against our border wall not once, not twice, three separate times. And, in fact, here's what he's says about the border wall: if you think securing the border is important, Colin Allred says that you're a racist. He calls the border wall 'that racist border wall' and he has pledged to personally tear down that racist border wall. Now Greg, you know what Colin Allred is doing right now. He's spending millions of dollars running TV ads with him in front of 'that racist border wall.'"

Cruz says a border bill that was on the table earlier this year would not have been what's best for Texans.

Cruz: "This bill normalized 5,000 illegal immigrants a day. That's 1.8 million illegal immigrants a year, every year, forever, in perpetuity."

Oil and Gas

Cruz: "We are an energy superpower and Texas is the energy superpower within the United States. When Joe Biden and Kamala Harris came into office, they have waged a war against oil and gas and energy in the State of Texas and Colin Allred over and over and over again has voted against oil and gas jobs in Texas."

Colin Allred

AUSTIN, TEXAS - AUGUST 29: Democratic Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) speaks to constituents during a roundtable discussion on August 29, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Allred gathered with industry leaders, workers and local business leaders to rally support and discuss the bipartisan CHIPS Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure law, which he is advocating for. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has opposed both pieces of legislation. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

On Ted Cruz's Border Attacks

Allred: "I have no patience for Ted Cruz having had forever in the United States Senate, to try and do something to help us secure the border, but instead what he's done is, every time there's been a bipartisan effort to reform the immigration system or to just have border security he's helped take it down. Whether that's in 2013 when Barack Obama and the gang of eight had a bipartisan effort to try and reform our entire immigration system, had billions of dollars for border security in that package, he took that one down or earlier this year when we had $20 billion specifically slated for border security that no state would have benefited more from than Texas, and he took that down."

Ted Cruz Ad with Jocelyn Nungaray's Mother

In recent days, Cruz has begun running ads with the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray. The 12-year-old was raped and killed by two people in the country illegally.

READ MORE: Mother of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray featured in Ted Cruz ad

Allred: "I am a parent. I've got a three and five-year-old. All I can hope, personally, is that if we suffered a tragedy and lost one of our children, that we would try and turn that into action. I take offense at what Ted Cruz is doing, which is using a tragedy for his political gain when he has been a part of stopping us from solving this problem, and I can't stress this enough, that he's had forever to work on this. Where's the Cruz bill? Where's the Cruz bill over the more than decade plus that he's been in the United States Senate? Why has he not been a part of the efforts to secure the border? Why does he always take it down whenever there is an effort? And he says it didn't go far enough or whatever, no, listen, that's not good enough. We have to act and when you have a crisis, which we've had, you have to respond to it."

Tightening Polls

In recent weeks, polls have shown Allred closing the gap on Cruz to different extents.

The better numbers for Allred has come since Kamala Harris took the spot at the top of the ticket.

Allred: "This is a very different race because it's different stakes for us here in Texas, and so as much as that energy is important, there's a separate decision for Texans to make, which would be who is best position to be our senator for the next six years, and I think that we've seen that Ted Cruz's you know failed and divisive and extreme record is not what most folks want and that's why he's in the position that he's in."

You can watch Texas: The Issue Is every Sunday night on TV and anytime on FOX LOCAL.
A teenage girl killed her mom and invited friend to see the corpse. She will spend rest of her life behind bars

Carly Gregg, 15, is accused of fatally shooting her mother Ashley Smylie before trying to kill her stepdad (Court TV/Northwest Rankin High School)

Have you ever seen a dead body?

Its the chilling question then 14-year-old Carly Gregg asked her friend after she shot and killed her mother, high school teacher Ashley Smylie, inside their Mississippi home earlier this year.

Carly told the friend to come over, claiming there was an emergency before revealing the horrifying situation, telling the friend: My mom is in there.

During the week-long murder trial, jurors heard how the teenager shot Smylie, 40, to death with a .357 magnum on March 19 when they got home from Carlys school, Northwest Rankin High School, where her mom was a math teacher.

Prosecutors told the court that the shooting was carried out because Smylie had discovered her daughters secret life with drugs. They painted Carly as a dangerous killer who had burner phones, hidden vape pens containing marijuana, and a history of cheating at school and self-harm.

Carly Gregg sobbed in court on Friday as a jury finds her guilty of killing her mother (Court TV)

Carly then lured her stepfather Heath Smylie home by texting him pretending to be her mother, writing: When will you be home honey?

When Heath later arrived at the house, Carly shot him in the shoulder before he overpowered her and she was arrested a short time later.

The teens defense team argued she was experiencing significant mental health issues and that while she was having a state of psychosis in an episode of acute stress on March 19, she lost herself in what was the perfect storm.

Harrowing video footage was played in court that appeared to show the teen hiding something behind her back just moments before walking to a back bedroom where the sounds of three apparent gunshots and her mother screaming could be heard.

Now, after just four days of testimony, a jury deliberated for two hours on Friday before finding the teen guilty of killing her mother, guilty of attempting to kill her stepfather and guilty of tampering with evidence.

At just 15 years old, she will spend the rest of her life in prison without parole.

A Deadly Secret

Prosecutors say Carly killed her mother after the teens friend revealed Carlys secret life with drugs on the day of the shooting.

From the testimony of a friend, he was so worried about Carlys use of smoking marijuana, so worried about her being high, and so worried about her having these burner phones, that [Carlys] mom didnt know about, that he felt compelled to tell Miss Ashley Smylie that day, Rankin County Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Newman said Monday during opening statements.

Ashley Smylie searched Carlys room and discovered vape pens just moments before she was shot and killed, according to WLBT.

Prosecutors say Carly killed her mother Ashley Smylie after the teens friend revealed Carlys secret life with drugs on the day of the shooting (Northwest Rankin High School)

Psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Clark testified during the trial that the teen was facing a mental health crisis that day and that her significant mood swings were made worse by her medications as she was hearing voices and having dissociative problems.

And then, her mother finds out shes smoking marijuana, Clark said. For Carly, in particular, she so cared about her mothers approval, so for her, this was a crisis.

She was having mood issues, eating disorder issues, cutting herself, hearing voices and sleeping difficulty all leading up to January of 2024, Clark added.

On March 12, just days before the shooting, she had been put on new medication, which she said made her symptoms worse.

Prosecutors also presented a journal to the jury in which Carly kept a written list of five beliefs, including there is no God, its okay to be evil, and you dont need family.

The journal was evaluated by a forensic psychiatrist, who called the entries highly concerning.

Her defense team argued that the journals paint a picture of a mentally unwell child who had repeatedly detailed just how much she was struggling.

Harrowing new video shows moments before and after killing

Carly was captured on home surveillance footage walking around the house before allegedly firing three shots at Smylie, who died from a gunshot wound to the face.

Wearing a Nirvana t-shirt, the teen is seen wandering around the house and appears to be holding something behind her back, later identified as a .357 Magnum handgun, as she positions herself facing the camera and then slides out of the room.

After Carly disappears from view, three apparent gunshots and a womans screams are heard.

The teen returns to the kitchen seconds after the shooting, hiding the weapon behind her back as she slides onto a stool at the counter and grabs her mothers phone as her two dogs hovered near her.

Prosecutors alleged during the trial that this is when Carly used her mothers phone to text her stepfather and lure him to the house.

She also texted one of her friends, BW, to come over claiming that there was an emergency.

Once the friend arrived, Carly allegedly asked her if she had ever seen a dead body before before leading her to her mothers body and saying her stepfather was next.

Nearly an hour later, video from the garage showed Carly running away after she allegedly shot her stepfather and struggled with him over the gun.

Carly broke down in tears when bodycam footage was shown in court of deputies arriving to find her crying stepfather saying his wife was dead.

She killed her mom! Heath is heard telling the authorities: She tried to shoot me!

When Carlys stepfather Heath took the stand this week, he said the teen had no recollection of the shooting.

I never seen anybody like that, even in movies, she was not herself and I do not believe she even recognized me, Heath said.

He said he remembered Carly as a sweet little girl, but that day it looked as if she had seen a demon or something.

Carly was captured on home surveillance footage walking around the house before allegedly firing three shots at Smylie, who died from a gunshot wound to the face (Court TV)

Heath also recalled the horror of finding his wife dead.

She was laying on her back with her arms over here and a towel covering her face, he testified. I knew that she had been shot, there was blood around, Im not sure exactly where, on the right side of her face.

When I opened the door to the kitchen, the gun went off in my face before the door was three or four inches wide open, he said. The gun flashed in my face. It went off two more times, but my hand was on the gun after the first shot, and I twisted it from Carly.

Despite this, Heath said he and Carly still talk daily and their relationship is good.

In closing on Friday, State Attorney Michael Smith said Carly knew the difference between right and wrong.

Theres no doubt that Carly Madison Gregg is the one who killed her mom, Ashley Smylie, he told the court. Theres no doubt that she attempted to kill Heath Smylie when she aimed the gun right at his head and shot and hit him in the shoulder. And theres no doubt that shes the one who hid the camera, thus tampering with evidence.

We would ask that you go back there and find her guilty of all three because she was not insane at the time that this happened. She knew exactly what she was doing, and she knew the difference between right and wrong.

However, the defense urged the jury to find her not guilty by reason of insanity.

This was not a bad kid. This was not a kid who was enraged. This is not a kid who had hatred in her heart for her mother or her stepfather, in fact, it was the exact opposite. This was a kid who was experiencing significant mental health issues, defense attorney Bridget Todd told the court. The same mental health issues that ran in her family that we know are hereditary.

This is a kid who was compliant with the medication she was put on, however, that medication without them being able to tell beforehand, caused her symptoms to worsen, she continued. And while she was having a state of psychosis in an episode of acute stress on March 19, she lost herself in what was the perfect storm.

Experts testified on Thursday and deemed Carly competent to stand trial and that she doesnt meet the states standard for insanity. However, this contradicted the testimony given Wednesday from a psychiatrist who said Carly didnt remember shooting her mother.

Whats next for Carly?

Prior to the trial, the teen was offered a plea deal of 40 years in prison, but turned it down. Instead, her team pursued an insanity defense. But it wasnt enough.

Carly sobbed in court on Friday when the jury found her guilty on all three counts.

After just an hour more of deliberation, the jury sentenced the 15-year-old to prison.

She will spend the rest of her life behind bars, without parole.
India and Brazil, in a joint statement, have revealed plans to bolster cooperation in the energy sector, with a focus on biofuels and SAF.

The collaboration aims to share regulatory and policy experiences to foster investment in SAF production.

The partnership was highlighted during the official visit of India's Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Hardeep Puri, to Brazil from 19 to 21 September, at the invitation of Brazil's Minister of Mines & Energy, Alexandre Silveira.

Puri, accompanied by representatives from Indian oil and gas companies, discussed the ongoing energy sector collaboration with Brazilian counterparts.

This includes Indian upstream investments, a mutually beneficial trade relationship and cooperation in sustainable fuels, specifically biofuels.

As per the announcement, the oil and gas sector has seen significant Indian investment in Brazil, making it one of the largest destinations for Indian oil and gas companies globally.

The two nations aim to increase the presence of Indian companies in Brazil, including exploring new investment opportunities in producing assets.

They are also seeking mechanisms to enhance bilateral trade.

As founding members of the Global Biofuels Alliance, India and Brazil view the Alliance's role in promoting biofuels as a vital element of the global energy transition, contributing to environmental sustainability and socioeconomic growth.

The collaboration extends to deep and ultra-deep explorations in Indian offshore acreages.

India and Brazil, both leading biofuel producers, are poised to collaborate on the production and use of SAF.

They plan to leverage their existing ethanol and biodiesel production infrastructure, growing aviation markets and vast feedstock potential, including agricultural resources.

The discussion acknowledged that while SAF is currently the most mature and viable option for decarbonising the aviation sector, it only accounts for 0.3% of current aviation fuel use.

Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company signed an LNG supply deal with IndianOil.

"India and Brazil to enhance cooperation in energy sector " was originally created and published by Offshore 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.
Teen's body lay in flat for eight days, say police

Police investigating the suspected murder of a man in a flat said his body was believed to have been there for eight days.

Norfolk Police said the body found in Norwich was that of a 19-year-old man from London.

Officers were called to the ground floor flat on Lefroy Road in the Mile Cross area of the city at 22:40 BST on Saturday following concerns a man had been attacked.

On Sunday, detectives said they did not believe there was a risk to the wider public.

The flats remain cordoned off with a police tent outside [Andy Trigg/BBC]

A Home Office post-mortem examination carried out on Monday confirmed the man died following a single stab wound to the chest.

Police have urged anyone with information about the stabbing to contact them.

Det Insp Dave McCormack said: "This is a complex investigation, and we are working our way methodically through the evidence.

"The man's body was in the flat for approximately eight days before police were alerted so we need to follow several lines of inquiry."

He said no arrests had been made.

"Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious or has information about the incident," he added.

A police cordon remains in place, house-to-house inquiries will continue and CCTV footage will be reviewed.

The force said it was working with counterparts in the Metropolitan Police.

Police were seen conducting house-to-house inquiries [Andy Trigg/BBC]

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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Telegram to disclose to authorities phone numbers, IP addresses of those who violate messenger's rules

The Telegram messenger app will disclose to the authorities the phone numbers and IP addresses of those who violate its terms of use and privacy policy, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said on Sept. 23, introducing the latest updates.

Personal information will be provided to the authorities by "valid legal requests," Durov added.

The Telegram update comes after Durov's detention and subsequent arrest in France in late August.

Durov is charged with numerous offenses related to his social network, including allowing terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and child abuse content on the app. The founder of the messaging app faces up to 20 years in prison.

Read also: Is Telegram, Ukraines most popular messenger app, a Russian Trojan horse?

Public channels and bots can be found on Telegram, but this feature is abused by people who sell illegal goods. Therefore, in the messenger app, a "special team of moderators, using artificial intelligence," made all the "problematic content" in the search inaccessible, Durov said.

"Telegram search is designed to find friends and news, not to promote illegal products. We won't allow malicious actors to jeopardize the integrity of our platform for nearly a billion users," the statement read.

The 39-year-old Telegram CEO and co-founder was detained at Le Bourget airport in France on Aug. 24. Durov was later charged and released under judicial control but without the right to leave the country.

Following Durov's arrest and release on bail worth five million euros ($5.5 million), Telegram began cooperating with the country's investigative authorities, French media Liberation reported on Sept. 10.

Durov, whose net worth is estimated at $15.5 billion, left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition channels on the Russian social media platform VK, which he subsequently sold.

Durov has claimed he is a pariah and has been effectively exiled from Russia, but on Aug. 27, it was reported he had visited Russia over 60 times since leaving the country, according to Kremlingram, a Ukrainian group that campaigns against the use of Telegram in Ukraine.

Telegram remains one of the most popular social media platforms among Ukrainians. A September 2023 poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicated that 44% of Ukrainians use Telegram to receive information and news.

Ukraine's National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity on Sept. 20 restricted the use of the Telegram messenger app for government agencies, military, and critical infrastructure facilities.

Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, earlier called the messenger app "harmful" and a "threat to our national security."

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Telegram will now provide some user data to authorities

The messaging app Telegram has said it will hand over users' IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities who have search warrants or other valid legal requests.

The change to its terms of service and privacy policy "should discourage criminals", CEO Pavel Durov said in a Telegram post on Monday.

While 99.999% of Telegram users have nothing to do with crime, the 0.001% involved in illicit activities create a bad image for the entire platform, putting the interests of our almost billion users at risk, he continued.

The announcement marks a significant reversal for Mr Durov, the platforms Russian-born co-founder who was detained by French authorities last month at an airport just north of Paris.

Days later, prosecutors there charged him with enabling criminal activity on the platform. Allegations against him include complicity in spreading child abuse images and trafficking of drugs. He was also charged with failing to comply with law enforcement.

Mr Durov, who has denied the charges, lashed out at authorities shortly after his arrest, saying that holding him responsible for crimes committed by third parties on the platform was both "surprising" and "misguided."

Critics say Telegram has become a hotbed of misinformation, child pornography, and terror-related content partly because of a feature that allows groups to have up to 200,000 members.

Meta-owned WhatsApp, by contrast, limits the size of groups to 1,000.

Telegram was scrutinised last month for hosting far-right channels that contributed to violence in English cities.

Earlier this week, Ukraine banned the app on state-issued devices in a bid to minimise threats posed by Russia.

The arrest of the 39-year old chief executive has sparked debate about the future of free-speech protections on the internet.

After Mr Durov's detention, many people began to question whether Telegram was actually a safe place for political dissidents, according to John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab.

He says this latest policy change is already being greeted with even more alarm in many communities.

"Telegrams marketing as a platform that would resist government demands attracted people that wanted to feel safe sharing their political views in places like Russia, Belarus, and the Middle East," Mr Scott-Railton said.

"Many are now scrutinizing Telegram's announcement with a basic question in mind: does this mean the platform will start cooperating with authorities in repressive regimes?"

Telegram has not given much clarity on how the company will handle the demands from leaders of such regimes in the future, he added.

Cybersecurity experts say that while Telegram has removed some groups in the past, it has a far weaker system of moderating extremist and illegal content than competing social media companies and messenger apps.

Before the recent policy expansion, Telegram would only supply information on terror suspects, according to 404 Media.

On Monday Mr Durov said the app was now using a dedicated team of moderators" who were leveraging artificial intelligence to conceal problematic content in search results.

But making that type of material harder to find likely wont be enough to fulfill requirements under French or European law, according to Daphne Keller at Stanford Universitys Center for Internet and Society.

Anything that Telegram employees look at and can recognize with reasonable certainty is illegal, they should be removing entirely, Ms Keller said.

In some countries, they also need to notify authorities about particular kinds of seriously illegal content such as child sexual abuse material, she added.

Ms Keller questioned whether the company's changes would be enough to satisfy authorities seeking information about targets of investigations, including who they are communicating with and the content of those messages.

"It sounds like a commitment that is likely less than what law enforcement wants," Ms Keller said.
Telegram will pass personal data of users engaged in illegal activities on to authorities

The Russian messaging app Telegram will provide the IP addresses and phone numbers of those involved in illegal activities to the relevant authorities.

Source: Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov

Details: Pavel Durov says Telegram's search function is being abused by people selling illegal goods and violating the platform's terms and conditions.

To deter criminals from misusing Telegram search, the messaging app's moderation team has updated its terms of use and privacy policy to ensure consistency worldwide.

Quote from Durov: "We have made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules may be disclosed to the relevant authorities in response to legitimate requests."

Durov says these measures should deter criminals.

Quote from Durov: "Telegram search is designed to help you find friends and news, not to promote illegal goods."

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The News

Telegram will now provide authorities with user data, including individuals phone numbers and IP addresses, in response to valid legal requests, CEO Pavel Durov said Monday.

The major shift in the apps terms of service comes as Durov faces charges in France for refusing to cooperate with law enforcement investigating criminal activity on the messaging platform. Writing on Telegram, Durov said the changes should discourage criminals from abusing the app, adding that the app will begin using artificial intelligence and human moderators to prevent problematic content from appearing in its search results.

Know More

Authorities worldwide have accused Telegram of being a hotbed of criminal activity, with allegations of tacitly enabling drug and human trafficking operations, and the exploitation of child sexual content. The app had become notorious for being non-responsive to official requests to take down content or provide user data for law enforcement purposes.

Notably, after the Russian-born Durov was arrested in August in France, many cybercriminals began ditching the app in anticipation that it might change its content moderation policies, 404 Media reported.
Pavel Durov was arrested in France in August (Steve Jennings) (Steve Jennings/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)

Telegram founder and chief executive Pavel Durov said Monday that the messaging platform had removed more "problematic content", weeks after his arrest in France on charges of failing to act against criminals using the app.

Telegram's search feature "has been abused by people who violated our terms of service to sell illegal goods", Durov told the 13 million subscribers of his personal messaging channel.

"Over the past few weeks" staff had combed through Telegram using artificial intelligence to ensure "all the problematic content we identified in Search is no longer accessible", he said.

Durov added that the platform had updated its terms of service and privacy policy to make clear that it would share infringers' details with authorities -- including internet IP addresses and phone numbers -- "in response to valid legal requests".

"We won't let bad actors jeopardise the integrity of our platform for almost a billion users," he said.

Durov was arrested on August 24 as he arrived at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on a private jet.

After days of questioning, he was charged with several counts of failing to curb extremist and terrorist content and released on a five-million-euro ($5.6 million) bail.

During the investigation he must remain in France and report to police twice a week.

Durov -- who holds Russian, French and United Arab Emirates passports -- initially criticised his arrest, but he has since announced steps appearing to bow to Paris's demands.

On September 6, he said Telegram would alter its "people nearby" feature to present users with "legitimate businesses" rather than "bots and scammers".

"This year we are committed to turn moderation on Telegram from an area of criticism into one of praise," he said at the time.

Durov, an enigmatic figure who rarely speaks in public, has a fortune estimated at $15.5 billion by Forbes magazine, but touts the virtues of an ascetic life that includes ice baths and not drinking alcohol or coffee.

bur-tgb/js
NASHVILLE  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pulled his support for embattled North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's race for governor after reports that Robinson made racist and salacious remarks on pornographic websites prior to his political career.

"Gov. Lee is no longer supporting Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's gubernatorial bid," Lee spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, in an email on Monday.

Jul 16, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers remarks during the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The second day of the RNC focused on crime and border policies. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

Lee had been scheduled to travel to North Carolina this week for a Robinson fundraiser, but Lee's office confirmed Friday that the $500 per ticket event was canceled.

Lee's decision is a U-turnfrom an endorsement he made as chair of the Republican Governor's Association in March, shortly after Robinson won the North Carolina primary.

"North Carolina families want someone whose conservative policies will deliver results by expanding opportunity, security and freedom. From investing in safe neighborhoods to driving economic prosperity, Mark Robinson will put the people of North Carolina first," Lee said in a statement at the time.

More: A new campaign manager, incendiary comments: What we know about Mark Robinson scandal

The RGA's current ad buy in North Carolina will expire Tuesday, and no further placements have been made, a spokesperson said Monday, according to multiple media reports.

An explosive CNN report last week detailed numerous inflammatory remarks Robinson made on social media and pornographic websites before becoming involved in politics. According to CNNs reporting, Robinson years ago declared himself a black NAZI!, made comments supporting slavery, sharing that I would certainly buy a few, and shared graphic sexual fantasies and stories in comments made on the pornographic website Nude Africa between 2008 and 2012.

More: Staffers resign from Mark Robinson's campaign for North Carolina governor amid scandal

Robinson has denied ever having made the comments, denouncing them as salacious tabloid trash leaked by his Democratic opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. He has vowed not to drop out of the race.

You know my words, you know my character, and you know that I have been completely transparent in this race and before, Robinson said in a video Thursday.

An email address belonging to Robinson was also previously registered with Ashley Madison, a website for married people seeking affairs, Politico reported Thursday. Robinsons campaign denies that he ever created or used the account.

Several top staffers for Robinson's campaign resigned over the weekend, Politico reported.

The Republican Governor's Association did not respond to The Tennessean's request for comment on the matter.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X @Vivian_E_Jones.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pulls endorsement for Mark Robinson in NC
Tennessee woman attempted to hire hitman to kill wife of man she met on dating website: 'Needs to seem random'

Tennessee woman attempted to hire hitman to kill wife of man she met on dating website: 'Needs to seem random'

A Tennessee woman attempted to hire an online hitman for close to $10,000 to kill the wife of a man she met on the dating website Match.com, according to prosecutors.

Melody Sasser, 48, used a dark website known as "Online Killers Market" to hire a hitman for a "job" last year, according to court documents.

That website allegedly offers hitman-for-hire services, hacking, kidnapping, extortion, disfigurement by acid attack and sexual assault, WVLT reported.

Sasser, using the username "cattree," messaged the website administrator about hiring a hitman. She paid $9,750 in Bitcoin to do the "job" and emphasized that it needed to appear like an accident to avoid suspicion of criminal activity.

Tennessee Murder Suspect On The Run For Months Found After Falling Through Ceiling During Home Search

"It needs to seem random or accident, or plant drugs, do not want a long investigation. She recently moved in with her new husband," Sasser wrote to the administrator.

Read On The Fox News App

The woman she wanted dead, identified only as JW, lives in Prattville, Alabama, with her husband, identified as DW, who met Sasser on Match.com prior to his marriage.

DW said Sasser helped him with a hike along the Appalachian Trail before he moved to Alabama and married his now-wife.

Sasser had left threatening voicemails on JW's phone using technology to disguise her voice, court documents allege.

Court documents say Sasser talked with the "Online Killers Market" administrator over the course of two months over frustrations about the "job" not being completed.

Melody Sasser used a dark website known as "Online Killers Market" to hire a hitman.

"I have waited for 2 months and 11 days and the job is not completed," she wrote to the administrator. "2 weeks ago you said it was been worked on and would be done in a week. the job is still not done. does it need to be assigned to someone else? will it be done? what is the delay? when will it be done, [SIC]."

During her communications with the website, Sasser provided photographs and location information of JW, according to court documents.

Sasser was allegedly able to track the couple's whereabouts by using an app called Strava, which connects to Garmin watches to share fitness data.

At one point, she notified the "Online Killers Market" administrator when JW had left her home for a two-mile walk.

Tennessee Man Allegedly Killed Woman Before Lighting Church Ablaze, Said He Was 'Going To Get God's Water'

Court documents say Melody Sasser spoke with the "Online Killers Market" administrator over two months amid frustrations about the "job" not being finished.

But the plot ended up unsuccessful, and it led to Sasser's arrest and her home being searched.

Law enforcement found during the search of her home a journal listing several other hitman websites, a handwritten account of communications with the "Online Killers Market" and a stack of cash underneath a sticky note with a Bitcoin address.

A federal grand jury indicted Sasser in June of last year for the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.

Sasser entered a plea deal on Wednesday, and she was sentenced to 100 months in prison and must pay more than $5,300 in restitution to the victim.





Original article source: Tennessee woman attempted to hire hitman to kill wife of man she met on dating website: 'Needs to seem random'
A terminally ill Missouri woman is planning to go to Switzerland to end her own life in a physician-assisted death while she is still physically capable of making the trip.

Gayle Hendrix, a 79-year-old mother of two from Cape Girardeau, was diagnosed with lupus and interstitial lung disease four years ago and says her lung capacity continues to worsen.

"Ive had a great life, and I want to have some dignity when Im going to the next phase," she told 12 Kfvs.

After her diagnosis, she says her shortness of breath continued to become worse and was breathing heavily even on flat surfaces.

Physically Healthy Dutch Woman Dies By Assisted Suicide At Age 29

"My friends will say, 'But you dont look or sound or act like somebody who is near death.' But I am dying, and that's what I want to control," she said.

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"I don't want to get to the point of, 'This is existing, not living,'" Hendrix continued.

Hendrix must use an oxygen machine and can only walk short distances.

She had lived an active lifestyle before her diagnosis, which included traveling a lot for work, hiking and riding a bicycle.

"She was always busy, always  She always either had three jobs or she was going somewhere, like to concerts or festivals," her daughter, Charlene Foeste, told the news station.

Hendrix, who is originally from North Carolina, is now a retiree after having had a career in human resources. She also lived in other locations during her career before returning to Missouri.

"I would love to say I was a poet, a painter and a musician ... I have nothing in that arena," Hendrix said with a laugh. "So, I think that's why I took up walking because I can walk. I was an avid walker, anywhere from three to five miles a day ... every day up until about three years ago."

Following her retirement, Hendrix grew bored and went back to work during the pandemic as a contact tracer. She recently retired again, as she prepares for her next chapter.

"It is going to be hard, but I know that, and I know sort of what to expect and what the end result is going to be for sure," Foeste said.

Hendrix and Foeste will board an airplane this week for a flight to Switzerland where Hendrix will end her life on Sept. 26 through assisted suicide.

"When I started seeing more and more decline, like monthly, I can tell this is not as good as it was last month. I knew then if I wanted to do it when Im still able to walk in and still make the trip, then I need to do it soon," Hendrix said.

Physician-assisted death is legal in the U.S. in ten states and Washington, D.C. All but two of these places have residency requirements, with the exceptions being Vermont and Oregon.

But Hendrix is choosing to end her life in another country because, among other rules and regulations, a patient must have six months or less to live to undergo assisted suicide where it is legal in the U.S.

"I don't want to wait that long," Hendrix said. "I don't want to get that sick."

Even before her diagnosis, Hendrix had spent decades advocating for the right to assisted suicide, including by becoming involved with groups like Compassion and Choices, a nonprofit that works to increase access to so-called death with dignity.

She filled out the paperwork for her assisted death this past spring and was planning to make the trip to Switzerland in August, but she had to push her timeline back due to a lack of open spots for the procedure during that time.

"They put an IV in your arm and the first medicine that goes through puts you to sleep and the second one stops all body functions," Hendrix said. "They have some kind of button on the IV, you have to be able to push that button and that starts the fluid. In five minutes its done."

When her life ends, she will be cremated and her remains will be shipped back to Missouri in a couple of weeks.

Hendrix said she is not nervous about the trip, but acknowledges the impact her death will have on her family.

"It's a huge loss, a huge loss for us," Foeste said. "It's not going to be the same. Its just not."

Hendrix said she has had tough conversations with friends and family who do not support her decision to end her life through assisted suicide, including some who believe what she is doing is morally wrong.

"Some of them are religious, and, you know, have some views, but I think because I've been open about it for so long around people, they weren't shocked," Hendrix said.

Her daughter is among the people who do not support her decision to end her life.

California Senator Pushes 'Death On Demand' Assisted Suicide Measure

Campaigners from the Dignity in Dying organization rally in support of the right of assisted dying as Members of Parliament debate in Commons proposals to change the law on assisted dying in London, United Kingdom on April 29, 2024.

"I can't say I agree with her decision, I don't," Foeste said. "But, it's not my choice. I do love her and support her and there's no way on the planet my mom is going to do this alone, no way."

"I love her and support her 100%, no matter what," Foeste added. "She knows that, my kids know that, and I just wish more people were like that."

Hendrix said she is aware she could potentially miss out on more quality living, but does not want to run the risk of ending up in a hospital bed.

"I just am peaceful about my decision, and its the right thing for me and my body," Hendrix said.





Original article source: Terminally ill Missouri woman, 79, taking trip to Switzerland for assisted suicide
The Austrian shipyard OSWAG has successfully completed tests on the Kapitan Antypov, an upgraded cargo ship belonging to the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company which is now ready to return to the Ukrainian port of Izmail.

Source: Dmytro Moskalenko, CEO of the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company (UDSC), on Facebook, as reported by Ukrinform

Quote: "Successfully completed running tests on the Kapitan Antypov. The upgraded ship is being made ready to be sent from Linz in Austria to Izmail."

Moskalenko said this is UDSC's first major upgrade; previously, the enterprise had only repaired Soviet-era vessels.

Following the upgrade, the ship now has two new Mitsubishi main engines that meet Euro-5 environmental standards, a new launch system, and two new Volvo Penta diesel generators.

The Kapitan Antypov has also received a new engine cooling system, an automated oil level control system, an exhaust gas aftertreatment system, and more.

"The Kapitan Antypov can be considered a state-of-the-art ship because it meets ES-TRIN, the most modern European standard. Many European companies vessels that were built or upgraded 5-10 years ago do not comply with ES-TRIN," Moskalenko added.

UDSCs management intends to demonstrate the benefits of the upgrade to international donors in order to secure long-term funding on preferential terms. The company is currently awaiting a decision on the feasibility of a deal from Ukraine's Ministry of Communities and Territories Development.

Background: The Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company (UDSC) has assets valued at more than 154 million.

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By Neha Arora

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's finished steel imports from China hit a seven-year high during the first five months of the 2024/25 financial year, provisional government data reviewed by Reuters showed.

India's overall finished steel imports also reached a six-year high at 3.7 million metric tons in the April-August period of this year, and the country was a net importer.

The world's second-biggest crude steel producer has been consuming the alloy at a faster pace with robust demand from the infrastructure and automotive sectors.

India shipped 1.1 million tons of the alloy from China in the April-August period, up 31.7% year-on-year, the data showed.

China was the largest exporter of finished steel to India during this period, followed by South Korea and Japan, primarily shipping stainless steel, hot-rolled coil steel, galvanised sheets, and plates.

India's federal steel ministry is discussing various trade measures against imports in response to calls from Indian mills.

India's imports of finished steel from Russia during the April-August period also hit a six-year high, the data showed.

Russia, whose exports of finished steel at around 54,000 tons, more than doubled from a year ago, was also the fifth-largest exporter of finished steel to India during the period.

Domestic steel prices fell in August, India's steel ministry noted in its report.

"Indian domestic rebar prices fell during the month under review reflecting the ongoing challenges in the market which included supply-demand mismatch and falling offers," it said.

However, for April-August, domestic demand was robust, as finished steel consumption touched a seven-year high at 60.3 million metric tons, up 13.8% from a year ago.

But, overseas markets were subdued and finished steel exports fell to a seven-year low during the period.

India's overall finished steel exports were 1.9 million tons in April-August, down 39.6% from a year ago.

Italy, the top export destination for India's finished steel exports, imported around 360,000 tons, down 48.3% year-on-year.

India's crude steel production was at 60.9 million tons during the period, up 4.2% from a year ago, the data showed.

(Reporting by Neha Arora; Editing by Alexander Smith)
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  A coalition of leaders in the greater Austin and San Antonio metros are elevating calls for expanded rail funding ahead of the next legislative sessions kickoff in January.

Months ago, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai said they first began conversations for improved connectivity as a means of easier access to San Antonio and Austin sporting events. That conversation later evolved into collaborations with rail experts, community members and other elected leaders on the economic and mobility enhancements better rail offerings could provide along the Interstate 35 corridor.

Since those initial conversations, the two have launched the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (TPRAC). At a press conference Monday morning, Brown said the committee is drafting a letter to send to the Texas Legislature as a means of advocating for those advanced funding allocations toward more robust passenger and freight rail services.

The timing comes amid what Brown called a once in a generation opportunity courtesy the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included $66 billion to advance rail projects nationally. Brown stressed the critical nature of state investments in securing federal dollars, saying local funding supplying 20% of the costs can help secure the federal governments willingness to cover the outstanding 80% of funds.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: How much will each phase of Austins $4.5B I-35 expansion cost?

Today, Amtraks Texas Eagle Train only has two trains operating each day, with one traveling north and the other south. As both the San Antonio and Austin metro populations continue to boom, so, too are congestion levels, Sakai said.

If we dont do anything, if we stay status quo, itll be gridlock, he said.

Those population increases are coupled with growing demand for commerce and trade navigation throughout the region. Emmanuel Loo, deputy secretary of economic development in Nuevo Leon in Mexico, said Monday 25,000 people leave Monterrey every day to travel through Texas carrying goods; those levels will continue to rise, he said, amplifying the need for new alternatives for cargo.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments Monday on two issues pursued by death row prisoner Rodney Reed, including Texas interpretation of post-conviction DNA testing and Reeds claims of prosecutorial misconduct and exclusion of vital evidence in his case, according to Reeds attorneys.

Read more about Reeds pending proceedings here

A Bastrop jury sentenced Reed to death in the 1996 rape and murder of 19-year-old Stacey Stites. She was found strangled and partially clothed beside a rural road north of Bastrop. Reed has maintained his innocence. He is represented by the Innocence Project and has challenged the case numerous times at essentially every level of the state and federal court systems.

DNA testing and exculpatory evidence

Reeds defense team has been fighting for years to get additional DNA testing of crime scene evidence, such as the belt police said Stites was strangled with.

In that effort, they filed a lawsuit challenging Texas post-conviction DNA testing statutes. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April 2023 the lawsuit was filed in time and remanded the case back for proceedings in the Fifth Circuit. If successful, the lawsuit could pave the way for Reed to access more DNA testing.

The Fifth Circuit will also consider Reeds claims that the state misrepresented facts, suppressed and failed to produce exculpatory evidence, and used false evidence at trial. Exculpatory evidence is evidence that could help a defendant, and prosecutors are required to disclose it.

Prosecutors oppose Rodney Reeds petition seeking US Supreme Court review of DNA testing claim

The state has fought Reeds claims and attempts to get a new trial practically every step of the way.

The Fifth Circuits ruling could be months away. In the meantime, Reeds execution remains paused. It is not clear when the state might reset his execution.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Heavy smoke of Israeli air raids billows from suspected Hezbollah position in the southern Lebanese village of Mahmoudieh. Israeli warplanes carried more than 50 raids on several villages one day after a deadly attack on Beirut southern suburb killing 31 people among them Hezbollah commanders of the elite al-Radwan Brigade. Marwan Naamani/dpa

Thousands of families fled southern Lebanon for areas in the capital Beirut and Mount Lebanon on Monday, following Isareli airstrikes that have so far killed 182 people and wounded 727 others.

Lines of cars filled roads linking the southern port city of Tyre with Beirut.

Cars filled with women and children and some belongings were seen on the main Khaldeh Highway at the southern entrance to Beirut.

"The strikes were everywhere. The sound was massive," one women in a car told dpa.

"We do not know where to go but better to come to the capital," said another man in the same vehicle.

Israel said it carried out more than 300 airstrikes on Hezbollah targets and infrastructure.

"Israel is trying to create a displacement crisis for Lebanon to add pressure on Hezbollah," said a government source, who requested anonymity.

As Lebanon faces its worst economic crisis ever, it is feared that it cannot handle such a displacement of people.

Some empty schools near the capital were already being prepared to receive the refugees from southern Lebanon.

Education Minister Abbas al-Halabi said in a statement that some schools in Mount Lebanon and areas on the outskirts of the capital had opened their doors to the refugees.

Andrea Tenenti, spokesman for the United Nations Interim Forces in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) told dpa that non-essential staff have been advised to move outside UNIFIL's area of operations.

"Our military peacekeepers and a number of civilians will remain present and continue the missions essential work," he said.

Fleeing refugees - who looked shocked, panicked and in tears - stressed that the war on southern Lebanon has already been started by Israel.

"This is a real war, and we fear we will not go back to our houses," said one fleeing lady.
Some of the 600 prisoners released from Democratic Republic of the Congo's capital Kinshasa's Makala Central Prison react Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Samy Ntumba Shambuyi)

KINSHASA, Congo (AP)  Nearly 1,700 ill inmates were released Monday from Congos largest prison, the minister of justice said, as part of an effort to thin out the country's overcrowded prisons.

The operation took place at Makala Central Prison in the capital Kinshasa on Monday afternoon. Severely ill prisoners received immediate medical care, while others were sent home on buses provided by the ministry of justice and a state-owned company, Minister of Justice Constant Mutamba said.

Makala prison, Congos largest penitentiary with a capacity for 1,500 people, holds more than 12,000 inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial, Amnesty International said in its latest country report.

Earlier this month, an attempted jailbreak at the prison left 129 people dead, including some who were shot by guards and soldiers and others who died in a stampede at the overcrowded facility, according to authorities. Emmanuel Adu Cole, a prominent prison rights activist in Congo and president of the local Bill Clinton Peace Foundation, put the death toll at more than 200.

Inmates had increasingly grown frustrated with the poor conditions in the facility, including inadequate beds, poor feeding and poor sanitation. However, authorities failed to act despite warnings, said Cole, whose foundation has visited the prison in the past.

Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, a prominent Congolese journalist who was recently detained in the prison for months, spoke of its deplorable and inhumane conditions and how inmates constantly lack food, water and medical care. Nearly 700 women, and hundreds of minors who are treated in the same way as adults, are among the inmates, he said.

Last week, Minister of Justice Mutamba announced the release of 600 inmates, including around 10 minors, and ordered prison authorities to examine the cases of all minors to organize more releases. There are around 300 minors at Makala prison, according to the prisons deputy director.

Mutamba said there are plans for the construction of a new prison in Kinshasa, without giving more details.
HOLLAND, Mass. (WWLP)  The Holland Police Department is warning residents of a scheme that is threatening the release of embarrassing videos.

How to avoid job schemes

According to the Holland Police Department, several residents have received emails threatening the release of videos. There are several different versions of the scheme, but one email alleged that a residents computer had been hacked and an embarrassing video recording had been made of them.

The schemers have been asking for payment using Bitcoin to not release the video to the victims contacts and it might include the victims name, address, and a photo of their neighborhood.

If you receive an email like this, the Federal Trade Commission says to not pay anything and to delete the message. If you, or someone you know, get a message like this, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.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.
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH)  An elementary school in New Britain was placed in lockdown Monday morning following a threatening phone call to the main office, according to New Britain Public Schools Superintendent Tony Gasper.

The superintendent said the New Britain Police Department investigated and found no threat of any kind to Vance Elementary School.

Juvenile arrested after allegedly making threats against Bridgeport Public Schools

Events like todays cause deep concerns for our entire school community, Gasper said. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and I want to express my gratitude to our security team and the New Britain Police Department for their swift and professional response. They continue to take these situations with the utmost seriousness.

Related video below: New Britain Public Schools Superintendent Tony Gasper discusses Mondays lockdown at Vance Elementary School

However, we must acknowledge the toll that these repeated incidents are having on our students, staff, and families, Gasper continued. The disruption of learning, coupled with the heightened anxiety caused by these incidents and lockdowns, is unacceptable. Our children deserve to feel safe and secure at school, and these incidents simply must stop.

Out of an abundance of caution, there will be increased police presence at Consolidated School District of New Britain schools on Tuesday, according to Gasper. There will also be extra mental health staff at Vance Elementary School.





So much was going through my mind, I didnt know what to think, especially with everything going on, said Imagine De La Rosa, a parent. Im glad shes here.

464 students attend the school. Gasper estimates that about 250 were picked up early.

Schools are supposed to be a place to learn, where children are happy, said Gasper. Schools are supposed to be a place where adults love interacting with their kids under their charge. Things such as this today obviously is going to be a dent into that, its going to put harm in that relationship for a long time to come.

The incident follows dozens of school threats across the state just this month. American Bernhardt is the director of the Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation at Western Connecticut State University. He said that threats impact the mental health of school staff and students.

When youre a student or a teacher and you were just thinking that somebody was trying to kill you and now, all of a sudden its over, and it was non-credible, Bernhardt said. However, its very difficult to go back to your day. Its very difficult to all of a sudden start learning or teaching again when you were just in fear for your 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 WTNH.com.
China's sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, arrives in Hong Kong waters on July 7, 2017, less than a week after a high-profile visit by president Xi Jinping. - China's national defence ministry had said the Liaoning, named after a northeastern Chinese province, was part of a flotilla on a "routine training mission" and would make a port of call in the former British colony.

In the latest expression of Chinas rapidly growing and modernizing naval power, the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) recently, and for the first time, put three aircraft carriers to sea simultaneously. Of the three carriers involved in these activities, the Liaoning and the Shandong are by now well established with the Chinese fleet, while the Fujian, the countrys first domestically produced carrier, is still preparing for operational service. Ultimately, its expected to lead to more Chinese-made flattops as the PLAN continues to expand its naval aviation capabilities.

Publicly available data, collated below by journalist Ian Ellis, indicates that, as of last week, the Liaoning and its carrier group were operating in the Philippine Sea, with the Shandong and its carrier group just off Hainan Island. Meanwhile, the Fujian had already left Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai for another round of sea trials, with satellite imagery confirming that the three carriers were all sailing as of September 18. The carrier groups for the first two flattops each include at least four destroyers as well as a combat support vessel or frigate, very likely also accompanied by a hunter-killer submarine.

A monumental milestone  for the first time in its 97-year history, three PLA Navy aircraft carriers were underway at the same time



China has deployed both operational carriers to the Western Pacific this summer (three times in three months)



Heres everything you need to know: pic.twitter.com/3gTKgnU2s5  Ian Ellis (@ianellisjones) September 23, 2024

Since returning from its 2nd WESTPAC deployment in August, Shandong has been in & out of port a few times. Sentinel 2 satellite imagery (via @OSINTNW) shows Shandong underway on 18 September, confirming for the first time that all 3 were operating simultaneously. pic.twitter.com/dLkP1C8x1V  Ian Ellis (@ianellisjones) September 23, 2024

At the same time, another PLAN surface action group, with two destroyers, one frigate, and a replenishment vessel, was underway in the Sea of Japan.

As of today, the Fujian  Chinas first carrier to be fully locally designed and also the first intended to launch aircraft via catapults rather than by a ski jump takeoff ramp  was apparently back in port in Shanghai, having completed its fourth at-sea trial.

The PLANS-18 "Fujian" back on its pier after its fourth sea trial.



(Image via @MK6 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/VSzUXzY5wc  @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 23, 2024

Overall, and even accounting for the fact that the Fujian has yet to be commissioned, these deployments provide a powerful indication of the PLANs growing presence and capabilities, especially regarding its carrier force. It should also be noted that Chinas two operational aircraft carriers have been at sea simultaneously before, but this is now becoming much more routine  with three such dual-carrier deployments over three months this summer.

Other aircraft carriers are also currently underway in the Indo-Pacific region, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in the South China Sea as of late last week, having completed a deployment in the Middle East, as well as the Italian Navy aircraft carrier Cavour, a warship that you can read much more about here, and which recently conducted maneuvers with the U.S. and Australian armed forces.

The Italian Navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour during multinational task group activities in the Indo-Pacific region. Australian Department of Defense LSIS Daniel Goodman

Beijing claims almost all of the highly strategic South China Sea, resulting in numerous disputes and standoffs. Recently, there have been multiple confrontations there involving China and the Philippines, including reports of Chinese Coast Guard vessels firing water cannons, blocking, and ramming Philippine vessels. Having the Liaoning and its carrier group here sends a powerful message to all the countries with stakes in this contested area.

Last week, the Liaoning and accompanying ships were also noted sailing in waters off the east coast of Taiwan, that countrys defense ministry confirmed. The same carrier then passed through a narrow waterway between the Yonaguni and Iriomote islands in Japans Okinawa Prefecture, for the first time, according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

:#BreakingNews

China's Navy aircraft carrier temporarily enters Japan's contiguous waters.

"In the early hours on Wednesday, aircraft carrier Liaoning sailed between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture,temporarily entering Japan's contiguous waters." pic.twitter.com/TxBpkrRYvQ  OSINT Expert (@OsintExperts) September 19, 2024

The ability to deploy carriers east of Taiwan gives the PLA another option for persistently striking at the island from that vector while also occupying a blocking position against U.S. or other foreign military forces heading west. Chinese naval and air activity has increasingly focused on the less heavily defended eastern side of Taiwan in recent years.

Since the summer and the election of a new Taiwanese president, the PLAN has been ramping up its activities around Taiwan, with yet another spike in Chinese naval activities around the island, which Beijing views as a breakaway province.

Other Taiwan-related drills earlier this month have included an amphibious landing exercise on Chinas southeast coast opposite the island, which was said to be the largest of its kind so far.

Notably, Taiwan has recently warned that Chinas intense military activity makes it much harder to assess whether or not the Peoples Liberation Army is about to launch a military campaign  for example, if it were about to attempt an invasion of Taiwan or encircle it, something that the Chinese military has repeatedly practiced, as you can read about here.

Taiwanese soldiers stage an attack during an annual drill at a military base in the eastern city of Hualien. Photo by Mandy CHENG / AFP MANDY CHENG

Taiwans Minister of Defense Wellington Koo last week pointed to Chinas military activity getting larger and larger with the effect that the island would have less time to respond were Beijing to actually go on the offensive, something that U.S. and other officials have suggested could happen around 2027.

Koo said Taiwan needed to improve its ability to respond to a potential sudden contingency and that the islands reaction time cannot be as long as we would have imagined in the past.

We have to think about how we differentiate between peacetime and wartime, Koo told reporters. The scale of [Chinas military] activity is getting larger and larger, and so it is harder to discern when they might be shifting from training to a large exercise, and from an exercise to war.

Transitioning from a large-scale exercise to a military operation is hardly a new proposition, but theres no doubt that Chinas armed forces are expanding the scope and the complexity of their maneuvers, with the maritime component being very much at the forefront. The PLANs growing carrier force is becoming an increasingly important tool for a wide range of possible contingencies.

In the Sea of Japan, meanwhile, where a PLAN surface action group is currently underway, recent incidents have included the reported violation of Japanese airspace by a Chinese surveillance aircraft, in what Tokyo said was a first-of-its-kind incident. The reported incursion took place late last month and you can read about it here. The PLAN has also recently been involved in large-scale military exercises with the Russian Navy.

Four China PLA Navy warships and four Russian Navy Pacific Fleet warships sailed in formation as they transited La Perouse Strait (Soya Strait) eastward from Sea of Japan to Sea of Okhotsk on Sept. 22-23.https://t.co/5t81gbR2FI pic.twitter.com/TvpOjkMEUX  Ryan Chan  (@ryankakiuchan) September 23, 2024

Looking specifically at the PLANs recent carrier activity underscores the efforts China is taking to expand the scale and scope of routine operations using the flattops it has now and its still growing carrier ambitions overall.

The carrier activities further reinforce the already clear indications that the PLAN views its growing carrier force as a broader tool for projecting power further and further beyond Chinas borders. This includes the critical First Island Chain, the boundary that is defined by archipelagos opposite mainland East Asia extending from the southern end of the Japanese home islands all the way to the South China Sea, and the Second Island Chain, which includes Guam and other U.S. island territories in the Marianas, extending further out into the Western Pacific.

The PLANs carrier operations are now one of the most visible indicators of how the force is continuing to develop from a regional force that was primarily focused on operations in the First Island Chain to one that can also conduct operations out into the Second Island Chain and also more globally.

As well as the carriers themselves, China is busy working on new and more capable aircraft from which to operate from them. These include the navalized version of the FC-31/J-35 stealth fighter, the KJ-600 airborne early warning and control plane, various drones, like the GJ-11 Sharp Sword unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), plus helicopters.

One of the first prototypes of the carrier-based J-35 stealth fighter. via Chinese internet The navalized J-35  this time not a mockup. Chinese internet

Ultimately, these aircraft and others are expected to be assigned to even more advanced carrier designs, the next of which is generally referred to as the Type 004. There have been persistent reports that this vessel could be nuclear-powered, which would give it effectively unlimited range and help meet the power-generation demands of ever-improving sensors, other mission systems, and possibly directed-energy weapons.

An artists concept of a future Chinese aircraft carrier. Chinese internet via @HenriKenhmann

Already, China has demonstrated it can have two operational carriers at sea simultaneously, but once the Fujian is commissioned, dual-carrier operations should become much more routine, with the option to have two flattops deployed and another in post-deployment maintenance or refit, for example. More realistically, during peacetime, it will provide for one at sea, one working up for a deployment, and another undergoing maintenance or refit.

Reports from state-run Chinese media have suggested that the Fujian could be commissioned into service in 2025, but more sober analysis suggests this will likely not happen until 2026.

While not strictly aircraft carriers, its worth recalling that China is also scheduled to receive a number of very large big-deck amphibious assault ships, referred to as the Type 076. Each will feature at least one electromagnetic catapult that is expected to be primarily used to launch drones, as you can read more about here.

While the PLANs carrier force, even including the Fujian, is still clearly outmatched by the U.S. Navys fleet of 11 active nuclear-powered supercarriers, China is already benefiting from having multiple carriers to draw on, and this advantage is set to become more pronounced in the years to come.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Three more lions rescued from war-torn Ukraine

The three lionesses have been transported from Ukraine to Belgium [Big Cat Sanctuary]

The last three of five lions in a shelter in war-torn Ukraine have been rescued by a Kent-based animal sanctuary.

The three lionesses have been transported 1,300 miles (2,090 km) across three countries to temporary safety in Belgium.

Three-year-old Yuna, who has shell shock, arrived at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden on 17 August.

Rori, a male lion who is also in Belgium, will join her when a specially-built enclosure is completed in November.

The three lionesses were all collected from the shelter in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Vanda, about one year old, was "kept as a pet in a flat with no access to sunlight, or outside area and was severely malnourished", according to a sanctuary spokesperson.

The sisters Amani and Lira, who were rescued together, were "assumed to have been illegally bred for photo exploitation purposes", they said.

Lioness Yuna arrived at the Kent sanctuary in August [Big Cat Sanctuary]

All three will remain in Belgium, with Rori, until their permanent home in Kent is completed.

A spokesperson for the Big Cat Sanctuary said: "We are continuing to appeal for public support to reach our 500,000 fundraising goal to ensure the lions receive the care and home they deserve."

The sanctuary said it had already received 400,000 in donations.

Cam Whitnall, the project lead, said: "Now that theyre safe, our focus is on completing the lion rescue centre and bringing them all to their forever home at the sanctuary very soon."

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Birmingham police have confirmed the identity of the fourth victim killed in the mass shooting Saturday night.

According to the Birmingham Police Department, Anitra Holloman, Tahj Booker and Carlos McCain were pronounced dead on the scene. The fourth fatal victim, 26-year-old Roderick Lynn Patterson, was pronounced dead after being transported to UAB Hospital.

Woodfin calls on lawmakers to take action following mass shooting in Birmingham

The 17 other wounded victims, which includes men and women, sustained injuries varying from not life-threatening to life-threatening. BPD detectives think the shooting was not random and believe victims were caught in the crossfire. Detectives are trying to figure out who the intended targets were. There are no suspects in custody.

We believe the individual that was targeted was among the deceased, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said. We believe that there was a hit, if you will, on that particular person as far as someone was willing to pay money to have that person killed.

Thurmond said over 100 shell cases were collected at the scene. He said police believe there was a fully automatic weapon used in the shooting. Thurmond said the shooters were in a vehicle, departed the vehicle, the shooting occurred, and the shooters fled the scene.

The ATF and FBI are helping the BPD in the investigation. Those with information on the case are urged to call the BPD at 205-254-1764 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Crime Stoppers could award tipsters up to $5,000.

BPD will hold a press conference on Monday, Sept. 23 at 9:15 a.m. at BPD Headquarters.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Vishal Jaiswal has been flying drones since he was young.

Now 27, that childhood hobby has become his profession. A recent project involved mapping part of the Sundarbans, a vast area of mangrove forests where the waters of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers spill into the Bay of Bengal.

Covering more than 4,000 sq miles (10,360 sq km) of coastal India and Bangladesh, it is the world's biggest area of mangroves.

"Its a very dense area with mix of everything, including forests with wild animals," says Mr Jaiswal.

Along with two other team members he mapped 150 sq km in three days.

A trained and skilled person is needed to fly a drone in thick mangroves area," he says.

"It was a difficult task. We mapped the area from deep inside the forest, travelling there on boats and roads.

It was one of many projects aimed at protecting the mangrove forest from the effects of climate change and human activities.

Globally, more than half of all mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse by 2050, according to a recent report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

"Mangroves are threatened by deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction, but the risk to these ecosystems is increasing due to sea-level rise and the increased frequency of severe storms associated with climate change," the report said.

In India the picture is mixed.

The mangroves of South India, Sri Lanka and Maldives are "critically endangered," according to the IUCN report.

The Sundarbans are home to India's largest population of tigers [Getty Images]

Other Indian mangroves are not on that "red list".

The Sundarbans are one of those mangroves not considered endangered by the (IUCN).

However, Dr Sahadev Sharma, a consultant scientist to the USDA Forestry Service, says there are signs of both manmade and natural stress, which he identified during his field survey beginning of this year.

"We are seeing a loss in dense mangrove cover in Sundarbans. Additionally, patches on the western coast are extremely fragmented and eroded due to shrimp farming and development," he says.

But it's hard for scientists to know exactly what's happening to the Sundarbans. There's a lack of field research, partly because it's a difficult place to work.

"It requires coordination with officers and ground staff, procuring field supplies in remote areas, and planning extensive logistics for field operations.

"The risk of saltwater crocodiles and Bengal tigers, tides and treacherous terrain make the field work even more difficult," he says.

So, scientists are turning to tech, like Mr Jaiswal's drones, to monitor the mangroves.

One key bit of information needed is the height of the mangroves in relation to the sea level.

The rivers flooding into the Sundarbans dump sediment, raising the ground level.

But if the sea level rises faster than that soil building process, then the mangroves will be threatened.

This process is monitored by installing rSETs (rod surface elevation tables) across mangrove forests.

Sahadev Sharma (holding drill) has been installing monitoring posts in the Sundarbans [Sahadev Sharma]

The first part of the process is to drive steel rods into the mud, to provide a base for the measuring equipment.

Then Lidar scanners are attached to the top of the rods. These use lasers to scan the ground up to 2m away from the central rod, taking hundreds of thousands of extremely accurate measurements.

It's a big improvement on the previous system, which involved attaching cumbersome fibreglass arms to the rods, which were extended to take height measurements.

That method would take hours to produce just 36 measurements and relied on the user placing the arms in the exact same positions as previous surveys.

"Because we are using a laser, there is minimal human error and the precision of this method is much greater than the traditional pin methods," says Mr Sharma.

But it has one drawback - it's more expensive than the old way.

Nevertheless, the project is making progress with the help of local partners.

Measuring sites are in place in the Andaman Islands, Sundarbans and Coringa and there are plans to install more in Bhitarkanika National Park, Orissa.

The research is still in its early days, they have a few data sets, but are waiting for the water level to recede before they can start measuring in the Sundarbans.

Mangroves are rich fishing grounds [Getty Images]

Many who live in the coastal regions that support mangrove forests rely on them for survival.

In Andhra Pradesh, which has a long coastline in eastern India, fisherman Laxman Anna blamed the destruction of mangroves for poor catches.

"A few years back it had become a frustrating job. Going into the creek to catch fish and coming back empty handed."

Imagine a day when I made just 60 cents for my entire day in the creek, as there were no fishes. Barely enough to sustain my family of five."

He blamed shrimp farms for upsetting the ecosystem.

But Mr Anna says communities in his area have realised the importance of preserving the mangroves.

"We are planting saplings, nurturing them back to life with help of an NGO and the forest department."

And that effort is paying off.

Things are changing I have a smile on my face when I go to fishing now. I am able to get a good catch and make around seven to eight dollars a day, which is a good catch for my survival.

More Technology of Business
We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But no-one is immune from buying too high. For example the Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad (KLSE:LCTITAN) share price dropped 64% over five years. That's not a lot of fun for true believers. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 21% in the last 90 days.

So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

View our latest analysis for Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad

Given that Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad didn't make a profit in the last twelve months, we'll focus on revenue growth to form a quick view of its business development. Shareholders of unprofitable companies usually desire strong revenue growth. As you can imagine, fast revenue growth, when maintained, often leads to fast profit growth.

In the last half decade, Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad saw its revenue increase by 0.7% per year. That's not a very high growth rate considering it doesn't make profits. It's likely this weak growth has contributed to an annualised return of 10% for the last five years. We'd want to see proof that future revenue growth is likely to be significantly stronger before getting too interested in Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad. When a stock falls hard like this, some investors like to add the company to a watchlist (in case the business recovers, longer term).

The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

Take a more thorough look at Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet.

What About The Total Shareholder Return (TSR)?

We've already covered Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad's share price action, but we should also mention its total shareholder return (TSR). Arguably the TSR is a more complete return calculation because it accounts for the value of dividends (as if they were reinvested), along with the hypothetical value of any discounted capital that have been offered to shareholders. Its history of dividend payouts mean that Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad's TSR, which was a 51% drop over the last 5 years, was not as bad as the share price return.

A Different Perspective

While the broader market gained around 17% in the last year, Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad shareholders lost 19%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 9% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks, for example - Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

Story continues

But note: Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The Scoop

Tim Miller doesnt enjoy making the MrBeast face, the wide-eyed, open-mouthed smile of a million YouTube thumbnail images. But he acknowledges that the numbers dont lie: Its what his fans want.

Why do people like to click on the crazy thumbnails? Thats a question for a psychologist, he mused.

Miller, who came up as a Republican staffer  he worked on Jon Huntsmans and Jeb Bushs campaigns and co-founded the opposition research-focused super PAC America Rising before breaking with his party over Trump  is now the floppy-haired, open-collared face of Never Trump outlet The Bulwark, one of the breakout media successes of the 2024 election.

YouTube has been central to its surging popularity: The publication, which had 50,000 YouTube subscribers last September, had 631,000 as of Saturday afternoon and counting.

Much of that growth has happened in the last two months, and video is driving it: Since President Joe Biden dropped out from the race, the publication has netted 88 million views on YouTube (for scale, total views on all of The Bulwarks YouTube videos from the prior were 64.2 million). The publication told Semafor it has been averaging 296,000 views per video since Bidens withdrawal, making it one of the most-viewed-per-video producers in all of English-language news media.

Miller appears in 15 of The Bulwarks top 20 most-viewed videos, many of them simple clips from one of The Bulwarks podcasts, produced by video director Barry Rubin. A recurring segment, Tims Takes, features the former strategist giving solo monologues straight-to-camera with instant analysis of major topics; a nine-minute-long breakdown of Kamala Harris new television ad, titled Kamalas MOST POWERFUL AD So Far! Everyone Needs to See! has gotten over 700,000 views since it was posted Thursday.

Miller, 42, who lives in New Orleans with his husband and daughter, had achieved ordinary political fame before his breakout year. He was a staple on cable news political panels, and co-hosted the final season of the canceled Showtime series in 2023. Now, he and his Bulwark colleagues are bona fide stars of political media.

During a lunch last week with this Semafor reporter in downtown D.C., a young woman stopped to ask for a selfie with Miller and Bulwark Publisher Sarah Longwell (I cant wait to send this to my mom, she remarked). Backstage at the Atlantic Festival that day, staffers for Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) posed for pictures with The Bulwark duo before they took the stage to raucous applause. Panel moderator Evan Smith, the senior adviser to Atlantic owner Emerson Collective, pointed out that The Atlantic doesnt often prefer to host other non-Atlantic media personalities at its events, but made an exception for The Bulwark crew, a sign of their influence and popularity.

Its a remarkable success story for an outlet with around 20 full-time staffers that never had ambitions to reach a mass audience, much less one primarily interested in watching its journalists on-camera.

The publication launched in 2018 out of the ashes of the Weekly Standard, founding editor Bill Kristols conservative magazine, which found itself in an ideological no mans land as one of the few right-leaning publications that failed to bow to Donald Trump. Originally, founders Kristol, Longwell, and Charlie Sykes conceived it as a conservative news aggregator, a place to share the views of Republicans in media and politics who had been alienated by Trumps rise.

For Longwell, a former Republican staffer, The Bulwark began largely as a side project to her primary gig as a survey researcher and strategist. Early after The Bulwarks launch she approached two of her political clients  Kathryn Murdoch, the wife of the Fox News owners son James, and liberal megadonor Reid Hoffman, who founded and sold LinkedIn. They were both readers and fans of the site, and she asked if theyd chip in to help cover the initial shortfalls of about $400,000 and keep the publication going.

The outlets subsequent growth happened almost by accident. After two years of running a WordPress news and opinion blog, the founders stumbled onto the business of selling newsletter subscriptions on Substack. Fans of the site had been trying to send The Bulwark money, and Longwell wanted to streamline the process and provide those fans with some extra content as a thank-you.

Four years on, The Bulwark is currently the fourth most popular news publication on Substack, behind Bari Weiss The Free Press, Heather Cox Richardsons long running left-leaning history newsletter, and Nate Silvers polling and media analysis project, the Silver Bulletin.

The surge has turned The Bulwark from an anti-Trump refuge into a promising media business. In an interview, Longwell told Semafor that subscriptions are on track to generate more than $5 million a year, which represents the main source of revenue for the publication. The publication added some original reporting, hiring seasoned journalists Marc Caputo and Sam Stein among others, which has helped drive subscriptions.

But YouTube has quickly become a large part of The Bulwarks business, surpassing podcast advertising revenue and bringing in more than $300,000 earlier this year. Longwell said if The Bulwark continues at its current pace, it will likely break even this year.

Maxs view

The Bulwark is riding two converging trends in politics and media.

The publication has capitalized on the tectonic realignment thats been happening in US politics, and serves as a kind of media escort from former Republicans on their way to support for Democratic candidates. (Weiss, in a neighboring ideological lane, offers a safe space for Democrats who cant stomach Trump but feel their party and their flagship newspaper, The New York Times, have abandoned them, especially on campus-culture issues and Israel.)

This sometimes produces surreal scenes: Last week, a room full of 400 liberal and center-left Atlantic Festival guests erupted in applause for remarks by Kristol, once best known as the most committed media promoter of George W. Bushs invasion of Iraq.

The Bulwarks YouTube explosion also offers a glimpse into what a post-cable future might look like for political news. The Bulwarks success has been driven in large part by Millers natural loose on-camera persona and the interest in some of its well-known hosts like George Conway. But its growth on YouTube mirrors that of conservatives like the Daily Wires Ben Shapiro or Megyn Kelly, the former Fox News personality, whose YouTube following rivals that of major broadcasters.

YouTube has become the largest service streamed on traditional TVs, making up 9.7% of all viewership on connected and traditional TVs in the U.S. in May. Users watch more than 1 billion hours of YouTube content on TV screens each day. And while most YouTube views are mobile, The Bulwark appears to be cutting into cable televisions audience: The Bulwark shared figures that showed over a quarter of the publications audience were watching YouTube videos and podcasts on their televisions.

(As on television, there are network effects on YouTube. Miller said he saw a spike once he started appearing across popular liberal YouTube news shows, like one hosted by Brian Tyler Cohen, a left-leaning YouTuber who has amassed 3 million subscribers and who also helped launch a political influencer firm.)

The lingering question that remains for The Bulwark: Is the ultimate aim political victory or business success?

Part of The Bulwark feels like a political project. Miller told Semafor that he and Longwell initially split time between The Bulwark and finding and running a Republican primary challenger to Trump in 2020.

That effort fizzled, but the primary focus of Longwells energies is still her survey and research business and political activities; while The Bulwark is separate from Longwells polling and consulting business, they share some staff and a small office in Washington.

Spending time with Miller and Longwell, I still got the sense that most of the work was fueled by the antipathy towards Trump and alienation from the current conservative movement. Part of The Bulwarks appeal is rooted in the passion that drives the site and the sheer volume of work it produces. Staff like Longwell and Miller are pumping out videos every day and several podcasts a week, in addition to paid columns and weekly private podcasts.

But many publishers with much more commercial aims would kill to replicate some of The Bulwarks success in subscriptions and on YouTube. Longwell said that while the outlet to this point hasnt needed additional investment, she hasnt ruled out finding investors to grow the publication, and if she was approached with a generous offer for an acquisition, shed talk it over with the other key staff members.

I asked Longwell where she sees the publication in five years.

Havent you heard? We have no idea. We keep stumbling into success after success without even trying, Miller joked.

Your question: How far does it go? As far as it goes, Longwell said.

Her plans for one year out?

Were not pursuing big investment dollars to be like, hey, help us grow massively, Longwell said. I dont think we have aspirations to challenge cable or whatever. But I do think we want to make change, were trying to persuade people. In part, its mission-driven. So were always going to be looking for how to reach more people, how to build the community. I think that the question of the business sort of sits adjacent to the political question.

Because my bigger political ambition is: How do you build a new center in the country that sort of refuses to engage in extreme sides of politics? And so I want to build as big a community as possible.
Too good to be true: That Publishers Clearing House call is likely a scam

(WTAJ)  Have you ever gotten a call about winning the million-dollar Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes? Well, were sorry to tell you its probably a scam.

A WTAJ viewer in Bedford County reached out about numerous calls and messages about winning the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, but something didnt seem right. He said he received roughly five calls in three days  all from the same number  with some being left on his answering machine.

The victim, who wished to remain anonymous since he was already concerned about scammers having his info, said the callers kept claiming he won a $2.5 million sweepstakes. While Publishers Clearing House states that its free to enter, the man said he was asked for $4,850 upfront to cover the taxes.

Of course, as they do, the alleged scammers attempted to get the victims bank account information over the phone to pay the taxes, which raised red flags.

I was forced into retirement last fall, and I dont have $4850.00 laying around, the viewer said.

A call to Publishers Clearing House from the victim revealed that he wasnt on any winners list The company says online that they never notify winners  they just show up at their front door with balloons and a check.

It became harder for the victim to add things up after he said one of the callers told him all Walmart customers receive an automatic entry into the sweepstakes. That was determined to be a lie after he reached out to Walmart headquarters.

Spotting a romance scam in Pennsylvania

The next time that same guy called back, I had some choice words for him! Then he hung up on me, the victim added.

The victim is one of thousands targeted daily across America, including in Pennsylvania. According to the FTC 14,809 fraud reports were filed in the Commonwealth in the first half of 2024. 618 of them were sweepstakes and lottery scams.

The most popular scam in Pennsylvania is the Imposter Scam, which is exactly what it sounds like. An imposter pretends to be someone else to get money or info from you. One that has gained traction over the last few years is a scam where someone claims to be law enforcement.

Likely pretending to be a county sheriff, the scammer tells you they have a warrant, or that a loved one was arrested. From there, you may be asked to have cash ready for a courier to pick up at your front door so they can take care of the warrant, or bail out your loved one. As they say, cash is king, not to mention its hard to trace.

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.

The most popular form of payment is gift cards. Unlike your bank account, debit or credit card, and money apps like Venmo, gift cards are also hard to trace back to the scammer.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Empty wood school desks in a row with blue chairs and textbooks on top of the desks.

An empty classroom. (Dan Forer/GettyImages)

With student absenteeism at record highs, more Washington districts are using a tool developed by researchers at Washington State University to help get kids back on track.

Its called WARNS  or the Washington Assessment of the Risks and Needs of Students. About half of Washingtons districts will use the tool this school year: a projected 146 of the states 295 districts, up from 90 in 2019.

The 40-question, web-based assessment for middle and high school students is meant to help figure out why individual students are missing classes and what they need to stay in school.

The idea is to try to get students interested in themselves, said Brian French, regents professor at the Washington State University College of Education. French has been working on WARNS for about a decade, since the original version of the assessment was moved from the purview of the court system to Washington State University.

Its not meant to be a diagnostic tool, French said. Its not meant to be a labeling tool. Its really a tool that says: Lets start a conversation with you.

WARNS asks kids detailed questions about their relationships with their peers, mental health issues, family environment, school engagement and more. Once a student finishes the assessment, both the student and the school receive a set of scores indicating their risk level for different outcomes.

James Wise, assistant principal at Sunnyside High School in Yakima County, has been using the system for the past seven years and said WARNS helps districts get past basic questions like: How was your day?

What the WARNS does is it has carefully crafted questions around lots of different areas of a kids life, and so were able to tease out the details without having a one-hour conversation with the kid that feels more like an interrogation, Wise said.

Overwhelming research shows a connection between chronic absenteeism and worse student outcomes, but nearly a quarter of school districts surveyed nationwide by the Rand Corporation and the Center on Reinventing Public Education said their strategies to combat the issue havent been particularly effective.

French said he cant directly link WARNS to a drop in absenteeism because there are so many other factors that can affect the issue. But one 2014 study of an eastern Washington school district, led by Paul Strand, a psychology professor at WSU who works with French on WARNS, found that when paired with truancy reduction intervention, WARNS helped increase graduation rates.

The WARNS is an excellent tool, Wise said. But theres nothing more important than having a relationship with the student and using the relationship to meet their needs.

Washington has one of the highest absenteeism rates in the country, according to a recent analysis from the Associated Press and Stanford University educational economist Thomas Dee. Thats despite a state law called the Becca Bill requiring all children between 8 and 18 to attend school regularly.

There isnt one reason why so many kids arent in school, said Strand, but he pointed to mental health, lack of affordable child care  which forces older kids to stay home and take care of their younger siblings  and access to transportation as some reasons theyve seen in their work.

Children are also more likely to have higher risk scores on the WARNS if theyre facing other barriers, Strand said, like students with disabilities.

Some districts have found the assessment so useful, theyve started using it for broader reasons, not just absenteeism. At Sunnyside, Wise said they use WARNS whenever a school social worker identifies a kid who needs additional support.

The question really is about How can we help this kid engage in school, not just attend? Wise said. And so if the kids get into fights, you want to figure out why. If the kids skipping, you want to figure out why.

If you can figure out the why, you can help them overcome the situation theyre in. It didnt make sense to only ask why when it came to attendance. It makes sense to ask why all over the place, Wise said.

The WARNS team is using feedback from districts like Wises to improve the tool. Districts are asking them to consider highlighting student strengths, for example, to help motivate students and recognize what theyre good at. Theyre also considering creating an assessment tool for the elementary level, which they say will have to involve parents.

Schools outside Washington have started using WARNS too, including in Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin. The WARNS team received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education in 2021 to help ramp up their operations.

Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to have those helpful conversations with students, French said. Im hoping our team in WARNS is making some kind of small progress on the situation in the state.
Senior staff working for Republican Mark Robinson's campaign for North Carolina governor have quit after a report revealed his alleged past postings on a porn website's message board.

Robinson's campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, finance director and senior adviser all stepped down over the weekend, the campaign confirmed in a statement to US media.

The furniture maker-turned-politician, who is running to be the states first black governor, allegedly called himself a black Nazi on a porn website more than a decade ago, according to a report by CNN.

Robinson, who identifies as an evangelical Christian, branded the report "tabloid lies". The BBC has not independently verified CNNs claims.

"Let me reassure you, the things you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson," he said in a video statement posted to X. He has subsequently avoided talking about the story.

The departure of top campaign staff came within days of the CNN expose of Robinson's online postings in which he is also reported to have said he preferred Hitler to then-President Barack Obama.

The report suggests that the alleged comments have now been removed from the adult website on which they appeared.

I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign," Robinson said in a statement.

Among those who left Robinson's team over the weekend were key adviser Conrad Pogorzelski, who helped Robinson win election as North Carolinas lieutenant governor in 2020.

Pogorzelski also told US news outlets in a personal capacity that the group had left of their "own accord".

The BBC has contacted Robinson campaign for comment.

Robinson is running for office in a critical swing state being targeted by both Republicans and Democrats ahead of November's elections.

The candidate himself has resisted pressure to quit the race from state Republicans - and reportedly also from Donald Trump's team. He was elected to be North Carolina's first black lieutenant governor in 2020.

Trump himself has not publicly acknowledged the controversy. He previously endorsed Robinson for office, calling him "Martin Luther King on steroids".

Some voters who the BBC spoke to in North Carolina afterwards were nonplussed by the story, with one woman even saying she was planning to donate more money to the Robinson campaign.

The furore is being closely watched in the context of November's presidential election.

The Tar Heel State is described as "purple", as it could go either Democratic or Republican when picking the next US leader.

That said, polls in the governor contest have indicated a lead for Robinson's rival, Democratic candidate Josh Stein, who is also the state attorney-general.

As the deadline for withdrawing from the governor contest passed on Thursday evening, Robinson remained the Republican candidate.

Even before the CNN expose was published, Robinson was under scrutiny.

He has faced backlash over 2019 comments in a Facebook video about abortion on demand, when he said women should be "responsible enough to keep your skirt down".

In 2021, he refused to apologise after triggering a backlash by saying that children should not be learning about "transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth".

[BBC]

More on US election
Sadiq Khan says he wants to "bang the drum for London" in New York [Getty Images]

The Conservatives have criticised Londons Labour mayor Sadiq Khan for going on a visit to New York City during the Labour party conference.

They say he should be lobbying for more investment in the capital after the prime minister told BBC London there was little money available for policing and housing.

Khan said he needed to "bang the drum globally as well" and to bring in more foreign investment to London.

Central to Khans bid for re-election in May was the claim that London would greatly benefit from a Labour mayor and government working together.

The Tories on the London Assembly claimed the mayor had fled to New York instead of making the case for the capital during a key gathering in the political calendar.

Their leader Neil Garratt said: Sadiq Khan has spent eight years blaming every problem on the government not giving him enough money, but last week Sir Keir Starmer told him clearly that Labour will not give him any more cash.

With nowhere to hide from his own record of failure, Mayor Khan should face the facts and get on with the job of running London. Instead, hes fled to New York. London deserves so much better.

During his time as mayor Khan has consistently used Labours conference as an opportunity to celebrate his successes in the capital, and tell activists from across the UK about his achievements.

This is the first conference in 15 years where Labour have been in government.

Khan travelled to Liverpool for the beginning of the conference at the weekend [PA Media]

But, the mayor is heading to New York to talk about environmental issues and promote the capital.

Khan told BBC London: Rather than having fun with my friends in Liverpool Im gonna bang the drum for London in New York.

During the four-day trip City Hall says Khan is due to give a speech or be a panellist at three separate conferences, two focused on climate change and one on business.

He is also scheduled to do a number of interviews with US press and broadcasters, where he may be asked about the upcoming presidential election.

In May 2019, former President Donald Trump criticised Khan and Londons violent crime rate.

Khan condemned Trumps decision to tighten immigration controls on people arriving from Muslim countries.

The mayor is visiting New York during the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, but is not thought to be attending the main event.

However aides say it is an occasion where business leaders, politicians and major organisations converge on New York to discuss global issues including delivering economic prosperity and tackling climate change.

Khan travelled to Liverpool for the beginning of the conference at the weekend.

He introduced Sir Keir on stage at a packed reception attended by hundreds of Labour members including local councillors, party activists and MPs.

The mayor was flying to New York on Monday evening with a small delegation from City Hall.

His early departure from the conference means he will miss the prime ministers speech on Tuesday.

Other regional mayors including Greater Manchesters Andy Burnham and West Yorkshires Tracy Brabin are expected to be in attendance for when Sir Keir gives his first conference speech as prime minister

In Liverpool the mayor told BBC London he had achieved more returns in 80 days under a Labour government than he had in eight years of Conservative government.

Over the last 24 hours I have spent a lot of time with the prime minster, the chancellor, the deputy prime minister and members of the cabinet," he said.

But I also need to bang the drum globally as well. I need to bring in more foreign investment to London. We need to attract more tourists and I want to host more sporting events in London.

Asked why he could not conduct much of the business online from London he said: Sometimes you can do more actions, get more returns by speaking to people face to face.

We know the difference speaking to business leaders across the globe can make.

"We have businesses thinking about going to Paris or Madrid or Barcelona or Dublin. We need to make sure they come to London.

Khan is said to be attending events in his capacity as London mayor and as co-chair of the C40 group of global cities which pool ideas on how to tackle climate change and relate problems.

Visits have also been organised to an urban development project, which City Hall says has relevance to his announcement that he is reviving plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street.

He will also visit a project demonstrating how oyster beds have helped clean up the Hudson River, with lessons for the Thames, and he is having meetings to promote London as an unparalleled destination for sporting events and tourism.

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

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A Texas couple on a Florida vacation turned to Action 9 after they dealt with what they describe as a car rental nightmare. They booked a car through Expedia.com, but ended up paying more than twice as much as the original booking after showing up at the office for Advantage Rent a Car in Orlando.

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After landing at Orlando International Airport, Dawn Austwick and her husband took a shuttle to Advantage Rent a Cars off-site location on Butler National Drive.

The Austwicks used to live in Florida and Dawn Austwick explained, We have a lot of friends in Florida.

They booked a car for three weeks through Expedia.com because at $437.09, including all taxes and fees, it seemed like a great deal.

But once they got in line at the Advantage rental office, Dawn Austwick saw some upset customers. She said, We started noticing that there were a lot of people that were angry once they got to the counter.

Read:Pretty shady business: Man paid local car dealership for warranty he never received

She also noted there were signs in the lobby with this message: Kindly be advised that respectful behavior toward our personnel is paramount.

She soon understood the frustration and suspected why those signs might be posted. According to Austwick, the employee at Advantage Rent a Car wouldnt accept their insurance card from State Farm as proof of liability. She claims the employee told them they also needed their declarations page, which Dawn Austwick didnt have with her.

The fine print on her Expedia paperwork shows please bring proof of insurance as liability insurance is the law in Florida. The Action 9 team didnt see any specific mention of a declarations page being required.

Austwick said, " I just think its wrong. Its totally wrong.

Read:You can smell it: Consumer claims flooding at storage unit ruined $45,000 worth of furniture

She thinks its wrong because she and her husband had to either pay for the supplemental insurance through Advantage or try to find another car somewhere else. Since they were miles from the airport and unsure if they would even be able to find a car from another company, the Austwicks paid the extra money. It ended up costing $953.23. Thats more than twice the original price quoted by Expedia.

Austwick said, It was clear to me that they knew that they had me over a barrel.

Action 9 headed to Advantage Rent a Car looking to get some answers.

The man who seemed to be in charge of the Orlando location didnt want to address the Austwicks specific case, but did answer Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deals question about the consumers experiences.

Deal asked, What do you say to consumers who feel deceived?

The man who seemed to be in charge answered, Nobodys deceived, sir. We dont deceive anybody. We have a clear terms and conditions on our website and everywhere.

Read:I was shell-shocked: Consumer threatened with legal action after posting negative online review

Action 9 checked and didnt see one mention of insurance in the Term and Conditions section for the Orlando location on the Advantage Rent a Car website.

There are other online reviews and complaints, including with the Better Business Bureau, from customers reporting this insurance issue.

The business currently has an F rating due to a volume of unanswered complaints, said Holly Salmons, President of the BBB.

Salmons recommends doing what the Austwicks tried to do after reading the fine print: know what you need to bring with you to the rental counter. She also stressed the importance of checking the online reviews before booking.

Salmons told Action 9, You want to make sure you do as much research and preparation before you leave home.

Dawn Austwick wishes she would have looked more carefully at the reviews for Advantage before booking, instead of just trusting a well-known site like Expedia.

No one, no one should be treated this way. No one, said Austwick.

The VP of Operations for Advantage, Elie Michaels, later called and said they are stringent on their proof of insurance because they have been provided false paperwork in the past and they want to make sure their assets are protected. He also added they would evaluate the companys terms and conditions and look at Dawn Austwicks case to see if the company can offer her a refund.

After Action 9 pointed out insurance wasnt mentioned in Advantages Terms and Conditions for the Orlando location on its website, Michaels thanked Action 9 for bringing it to their attention. Michaels noted they found inconsistencies with the way the Terms and Conditions are displayed on the company website and hes instructed the IT department to fix it.

In a follow-up email, Michaels wrote in part, we are always looking to protect our assets while providing our customers with a nice rental experience, and in many cases when a customer does damage our vehicle and realize after the fact that their insurance company does not cover rental cars, they often thank us for recommending our coverage so they are not stuck with a huge body shop bill.

After the story originally aired on television, Expedia let Action 9 know Advantage has worked this out with the Austwicks and Advantage will provide a refund for the insurance fee. Expedia also said it would be adding some OneKeyCash to their Expedia account as a credit that they can use toward a future trip.

Expedia also added the following information:

We also want to emphasize that its important to Expedia that our car partners provide clear understanding of everything a traveler will need to prepare for pick-up, including any required documentation and additional fees that may be incurred. We are working directly with Advantage Rent a Car to ensure the terms and conditions they list on Expedia to correctly outline this information for travelers.

We want our travelers to have a positive experience when they book with us, and if a partner is providing a consistently poor traveler experience, we will take action. We also recommend travelers always check the Terms and Conditions associated with their reservation as policies can vary by location.





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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  Veterans in north central West Virginia who may have been exposed to toxic chemicals during their time serving are able to get screened over the next few days courtesy of a clinic at the Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center.

The Toxic Exposure Screening Clinic began on Monday and will run until Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Those who wish to get screened are able to do so both in person and over the phone. These screenings are part of the PACT Act signed two years ago by President Biden, and officials are encouraging all veterans to participate in the five to 10-minute screening.

Officials said the screenings are the first step for veterans to know if they are receiving the care they need and what they are eligible for, depending on the kind of exposure. Only those enrolled in VA health care are eligible for screenings at this event, but officials said that those who arent enrolled can still reach out to be directed to the proper resources.

So one of the things the PACT ACT did, it defined the toxic exposures very broadly. Can be everything from asbestos to burn pits, to jet fuel, Agent Orangeits very broadly defined. Really anything that a veteran was exposed to in the service that could have a toxic or a negative impact on their health in the future is considered a toxic exposure, Mabel Wright, Chief for Composition Pension & Environmental Exposure Mabel Wright said.

Marion County elementary named National Blue Ribbon School

The schedule for the clinic is as follows:

Monday, Sept. 23 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In-person screenings can be found at the Louis A. Johnson Medical Center in the Green Hallway on the first floor. Those who wish to do their screening over the phone can call 304-623-3461 ext. 4059 or 2011, during the clinics operating hours.

To learn more about military exposures, you can visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  The 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center has upgraded PTC to Tropical Storm Helene. The storm is positioned in the Caribbean Sea with winds of 45 mph. It is moving to the northwest at 12 mph.

Helene is forecast to become a Hurricane by Wednesday morning, just off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. After that, Helene is forecast to emerge in the Gulf of Mexico where water temperatures are ideal for rapid intensification.

From there, rapid intensification could be possible with warm water and low-shear conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. There is still some spread in the models, but most hint at a U.S. landfall in the Florida Panhandle likely near Panama City or Tallahassee. Models are in decent agreement with the timing and indicate landfall late Thursday evening into early Friday morning. The uncertainty in this area is the intensity of the storm at landfall. Right now, a major hurricane is expected to hit Florida.

Models show the system then making a turn to the NNW throughout the day on Friday. It will bring us the potential for some heavy rain and breezy conditions Thursday night and through Friday.

This storm will be moving very quickly. We are likely going to be on the east side of the storm which means we will be watching for quick spin-up tornadoes late on Thursday and Friday. Rainfall estimates are 1 to 3 inches with much higher amounts to our west. Also, coastal flooding with onshore flow is possible.

Elsewhere in the tropics. A new wave off the coast of Africa has an 80% chance of developing in the next week. This could be Isaac in the next five to seven days. Models are consistently taking the wave out to sea. So we wouldnt worry about this area.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Rose Ann Abrahamson is a member of the Shoshone- Bannock Tribe at Craters of the Moon

Rose Ann Abrahamson is a member of the Shoshone- Bannock Tribe, and a familial descendent of Sacajawea. In this photo, Abrahamson tells the story of the "doe-gwo'ah pah-do-up," a tale of a reptile that created Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. (Mia Maldonado/Idaho Capital Sun)

This year marks 100 years since Craters of the Moon was first designated a national monument and preserve by the federal government. But long before that designation, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe lived and stewarded the land, and shared many tales of its origin.

At a ceremony  dedicated to a new interpretive trail honoring the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe at Craters of the Moon  with the National Park Service on Friday, Rose Ann Abrahamson, a member of the Tribe and descendant of Sacajawea, shared the Tribes oral history behind the volcanic monument.

Among the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, it was said that long ago on salmon eater lands there lived a doe-gwoah pah-do-up, a snake-like reptile that nested in southern Idaho, Abrahamson said. One day, the creature moved and curled itself around a small mountain.

During a storm one day, the creature awoke to lightning strikes near it.

His coils started to tighten around that mountain, and he started squeezing and squeezing and squeezing until molten rock came from underneath the ground and around him, she told the crowd. The old people said it caused this place that you see here today, Craters of the Moon.

The story of the doe-gwoah pah-do-up is just one of the many stories passed down through the Tribe. Now, with the new interpretive signs located at the Devils Orchard Nature Trail within the preserve, visitors can learn about the Shoshone-Bannock peoples historical connection to the volcanic landscape.

Signs are an effort to tell a more inclusive story

The National Park Service began discussion of a partnership with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe six years ago, said Wade Vagias, superintendent of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.

Wade Vagias, superintendent of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

Today, Craters of the Moon receives more than 250,000 visitors annually, and tourism to the monument brings up to $12 million of dollars to the local economy, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.

While its monument designation has benefited the Idaho economy, Vagias said he is so cognizant of the role that the designation played at displacing the Tribe. The new trail signs are an effort to tell a more inclusive story of Idahos beloved monument.

The interpretive signs highlight aspects of Shoshone-Bannock Tribal history, perspective, culture and language.

Bailey Dann, a resource and education specialist with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, said the project is a way for everybody to learn that the Tribes history extends beyond what is taught in history classes.

Our presence, our people, have always been here, and we will always be here, Dann said. I want to emphasize that, because our story is not in history books and its not from our perspective. This collaborative project with the National Park Service and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe is really a powerful way that we can reclaim our story and share it with the world in a way thats appropriate and from our perspective.

Devil's Orchard Nature Trail within Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve now features signs interpreting the preserve's meaning to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  As West Michigans Hispanic population continues to surge, Latino business owners face hurdles in growing their businesses.

For over a decade, Yeli Romero has run her marketing company, Acceso VIP, out of Grand Rapids. She has represented groups like Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and Bethany Christian Services.

But getting there wasnt easy. Spanish is her first language and she said most training for prospective business owners, like in accounting and business management, is only in English.

As a business owner, Ive struggled with learning the finances of a business, she told News 8 through a translator.

Neighbors help out during Cesar E. Chavez Ave. construction

The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is trying to break down that barrier. This year, it started hosting accounting training in Spanish inside its home on S. Division Avenue in Grand Rapids.

When youre trying to explain processes, counting, cash flow, even in your own language can be hard to understand, Guillermo Cisneros, the president and CEO of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said. Imagine if its in a different language. We want to make sure we bring this knowledge to Latino businesses in their own language.

The chamber plans on expanding its instruction in Spanish to include human resources, strategic planning and lending once it opens its nearly $10 million new headquarters. Construction on the new HQ is set to begin at the site of an old plant on Godfrey Avenue early next year. The facility is expected to open between 10 and 12 months after that. Inside will be conference rooms, classrooms, space for the chambers staff and more.

New Hispanic Chamber HQ plans aim to exemplify vibrancy of community

Romero hopes the new center and the training it will provide will be instrumental for Latinos in bringing their businesses to life.

Any business owner, the biggest impact is the fact they will know where things stand for their business, Romero said. From there, as we all say, information is power.

The chamber hosts accounting education classes on the second Tuesday of each month between January and October. The next workshop, discussing W-9s and contractors, is on Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. It will be held at the chambers headquarters at 2007 S. Division Ave. near Burton Street. The classes cost $25 for members and $40 for nonmembers.

I think this is a very good opportunity because its really helped me grow personally and professionally, Romero said.

The chamber puts on free business workshops, called Talleres Empresariales, to help local Hispanic business owners and entrepreneurs. Those sessions are at 9 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month between January and October.

The chamber also offers Conectas, free monthly networking events for business owners. Those happen at 8:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month between January and November.

More of the chambers business and talent development is available through its 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 WOODTV.com.
Azerbaijan actively participated in discussions focused on the development of the Middle Corridor during the "Meeting with Global Partners - Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Forum," organized by "China Railway Express" in Xi'an, China, Azernews reports.

The delegation, led by Vusal Aslanov, Deputy Chairman of "Azerbaijan Railways" CJSC(ADY), joined representatives from Chinese, Kazakh, and Georgian railways, as well as other permanent members of the International Association for the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

Discussions at the forum centered on three key areas: establishing stable and preferential transport rates in the Trans-Caspian Corridor, ensuring efficient customs clearance and delivery, and implementing infrastructure projects along the route. Topics also included the modernization of terminals and stations, simplification of transit code application processes, unification of documentation standards, and the creation of an integrated digital information system.

During the reporting session, Aslanov highlighted the projects underway in Azerbaijan aimed at enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of the Middle Corridor. He emphasized the significant impact of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway on the corridor's development, noting its annual carrying capacity of 5 million tons, which reshapes the logistics landscape and strengthens the connection between Europe and Asia.

Aslanov reported that 57% of the Horadiz-Aghband section of the Zangazur corridor has been completed, with construction through Iran to commence after design work is finalized. This corridor aims to diversify transit routes along the Middle Corridor, shorten delivery times for goods from China and Central Asia to Europe, and reduce reliance on multimodal transportation after crossing the Caspian Sea.

To enhance the efficiency of the Middle Corridor, ADY has introduced an optimized tariff policy and discounts, with proposals for increasing the number of container trains. Aslanov suggested that subsidies from China for cargo operations could further stimulate corridor development.

At the conclusion of the forum, a cooperation memorandum was signed for "Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd.," a joint venture established by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgian railways, aimed at developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and improving the organization of regular container trains from China. Additionally, an "Initiative on the Joint Construction of a High-Quality Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor" was signed to outline development strategies and cooperation directions.
JPMorgans CEO Jamie Dimon is not a fan of hybrid workingso much so, that hes even taking issue with the few days Washington, D.C. federal employees work from home.

While speaking on stage about the state of politics in America at The Atlantic Festival in the nation's capital, Dimon said hed make Washington, D.C. go back to work.

I can't believe, when I come down here, the empty buildings. The people who work for you not going to the office, Dimon added. "That bothers me. I don't allow that at JP[Morgan].

Well, we know what he would do on day one as president, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic responded.

Yeah, youre all going back to work, Dimon joked.

In reality, JPMorgan employees and D.C. federal workers have been subjected to similar return-to-office mandates lately.

Currently, workers at most agencies have to be in the office at least three days a week.

According to a report to Congress from the Office of Management and Budget last month, only about half of federal employees even have the option to work remotelythe other half are already working entirely in person.

Washingtons mayor, Muriel Bowser, who has repeatedly called out the government's lax RTO, has even ordered her own city workers to return to the office four days a week.

Likewise, JPMorgan workers are expected to work from the office three days a weekexcept for those in leadership roles and in certain divisions like trading, who are required to work from their cubicles full time.

Fortune has reached out to Mayor Bowser's office. JPMorgan declined to comment.

The finance industry isnt a big fan of working from home

Its hardly surprising that Dimon thinks D.C.s federal workers should be subject to stricter RTO mandates. The CEOand the finance industry, for that matterhave been among the loudest opposers of remote working.

After over a year in and out of lockdowns, JPMorgan was one of the first major employers to start ushering its employees back regularly to their desks in June 2021.

Since then, the investment bank has taken an increasingly strict stance against working from home including using badge swipe data to enforce in-office quotas.

Meanwhile, its CEO Dimon has consistently berated remote working for suppressing spontaneous idea generation and being incompatible with managing a team.

"I completely understand why someone doesn't want to commute an hour and a half every day, totally got it," he told The Economist. "Doesn't mean they have to have a job here either."

Story continues

Likewise, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon famously referred to remote working as an aberration, and has insisted employees return to in-person work full-time.

Meanwhile Citigroup, HSBC and Barclays have all ramped up their in office requirements and made it tricker for Wall Street to dial in from homepartly because of new Finra rules.

Even banking giants which promised to keep flexible working forever, including Santander and Nationwide, are backtracking and launching RTO mandates.

Dimon and D.C.s federal office have the same issue: RTO dodgers

If D.C.s federal office buildings are as empty as Dimon says, despite the governments in-office mandate, then it points to one thing: RTO dodgersand its a conundrum Dimon, the government, and many CEOs share.

In London, employers are asking staff to come in to the office for 3.1 days a week on averageemployees are actually showing up only 2.7 days.

Likewise, in New York workers are being asked to work from the office for 3.7 days of the weekbut are only showing up for 3.1 days.

The report from the think tank Centre for Cities highlighted that this pattern is followed in most major global cities, including Toronto, Singapore and Sydney.

To that end, Dimon himself has had to send out numerous exasperated reminders to JPMorgan's workforce about his own companys in-office policy, while threatening corrective action for workers who were still failing to comply with the mandate some years after it was announced.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
On a sunny day in Little Village in September, Jackson Pedron and his wife, Carolina Hidalgo, stood next to each other and prayed, as they have done thousands of times before.

They raised up their hands. Under a large white tent in a parking lot, heat radiated from the concrete. A pastor for New Life Centers stood at the front of the church gathering and reminded people in the crowd to treasure where they came from. Your culture is a gift from God, he said.

Pedron and his wife have known each other for 24 years but didnt get married until they walked to Chicago from Venezuela with their four children in the fall of last year. They had planned to for years, but never actually went through with it until they made it here safely.

Pedron lost his leg a quarter century ago in Caracas when a group of men shot him. Unable to get proper treatment, about a week later, he had to have it amputated. Without the right medical equipment and therapy, walking has been a struggle his whole life.

Hidalgo, 49, stayed with him immediately after he lost his leg, and he helped her after the government sent her death threats for taking medical leave from work  and their relationship has just become stronger.

Shes my life. My everything, Pedron, 41, said.

The ability to safely flee violence to reach the U.S. is the first step to claiming asylum, a form of protection granted to those who cant return to their home country for fear of persecution. But it is difficult  especially for someone with a disability  to make a migratory journey.

It takes bravery to move to and navigate a new country with a disability, especially for those who have experienced significant hardship like Pedron, said Mia Ives-Rublee, senior director for the Disability Justice Initiative at American Progress.

Disabled migrants traveling thousands of miles might not have access to resources, crutches or other tools that can make things more accessible, Ives-Rublee said.

1999

On Sept. 19, 1999, Pedron was walking in his neighborhood in Caracas when he was shot in the leg, which irrevocably altered his life. A group of men was trying to rob him of his shoes when they shot him, he said.

Former military officer Hugo Chavez was president at the time, and a workers strike had shut down the hospitals. The gunshot wound on his leg was made worse by the lack of available medical resources.

He met his life partner, Carolina, at a neighborhood gathering a few months later. She helped him painfully put his life back together. His dad bought him a prosthetic leg, but it was still difficult for him. He was still uncomfortable. He had trouble walking.

Pedron said Hidalgo made life easier.

She was with me through everything, he said.

They moved into his mothers house in Caracas almost immediately after they met, and had three children together. He sold candy on the street for work. She got a job as a secretary for a branch of the government under the countrys new president, Nicolas Maduro. Nearly two decades passed.

Then, in 2018, Hidalgo was carrying their fourth child and had to take several months off work because their unborn daughter had hydrocephalus. When Hidalgo notified the countrys Ministry of Labor that she had a high-risk pregnancy and needed to take leave, government officials retaliated against her.

The retaliation quickly went a step further when government officials forged Hidalgos signature on a letter of dismissal. Soon, she was out of work and caring for their newborn baby. She left her job but continued receiving threats, which is common in Venezuela after people leave governmental positions, according to global experts.

She had only taken leave, not gone into opposition to the government, but the threats continued, Pedron said.

They sent her a message that they were going to harm my children. They threatened me because of my disability, he said.

With four children and no stable income, the two worked hard to scrape together what money he could. The family decided to leave together for Colombia, where their situation remained dangerous as they continued to receive death threats.

In 2023, they left again, this time for the U.S., a journey that took months.

Being an amputee exacerbated the risks of the journey for Pedron. Many disabled people cannot access assistance during humanitarian evacuations and are left behind, according to disability experts.

But Pedron risked his life for his familys safety, praying the whole way that theyd remain by his side.

Tens of thousands displaced

Considered the largest displacement crisis in the world, 7.7 million Venezuelans have migrated and are currently living outside their country. It amounts to over 25% of the total population of Venezuela.

The border has seen a slowdown of crossings in recent months due to a June executive order by President Joe Biden.

Under the June restrictions, when southern border encounters with migrants reach an average of 2,500 per day over a week, most migrants entering between ports of entry are ineligible for asylum.

Yet a turbulent political situation in Venezuela will keep migrants like Pedron and his family moving north, predicts David Smolansky, former special envoy of the Organization of American States for the Venezuelan migration and refugee crisis.

People in Venezuela are desperate to have a democratic solution, Smolansky said in a recent interview with the Tribune.

Maduro, who has been in office since 2013, won a contested election in late July that several countries, including the U.S., decried.

Since the disputed election, there have been forced disappearances, torture, intimidation, threats and harassment from the government in Venezuela, Smolansky said. Migrants in Chicago have watched videos, sent from relatives who remain in the country, of anti-government demonstrations that have elicited strong police responses  including the use of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets.

Tens of thousands have made the difficult decision to walk over seven countries to reach the U.S., and more continue to do so every day. And Pedron did it with one leg, something many people could never fathom.

He hiked for two and a half months up from Columbia, using crutches and his old prosthetic leg, worrying about keeping himself and his kids and wife alive.

In the Darien Gap, a notoriously dangerous jungle between Colombia and Panama, he remembers barely being able to walk through the jungles scattered with human remains.

He remembers how his little girls lifted him onto La Bestia, also known as the Death Train for the lengths people take to ride the treacherous long string of cargo trains that go through remote Mexico. Many lose limbs, break bones or die. He said it felt like a horror movie, but in real life.

Along the way, Pedron, like many others, lost all of his familys belongings, swept up by the forces of nature: their identification papers, their cellphones, their money. The miles of walking left him completely exhausted physically and mentally, he said. There were days when he didnt want to continue.

Going through that is something I wouldnt wish on anyone, he said.

But last winter, after months of walking, his family crossed the border into El Paso, Texas, by turning themselves into immigration authorities. They got to Chicago in mid-December 2023 on a chartered flight from Texas paid for by a charity.

Pedron said he believed making it to the city was part of a divine plan.

A new prosthetic

Pedrons family currently lives in a shelter run by the state in Little Village. They are hoping to stay here by pleading asylum, and havent received permission to work legally yet.

Theyve received some housing benefits from the state, but Pedron worries because he and his wife dont have stable jobs. They need to find something affordable for their family of six.

He glowed when he talked about the new prosthetic leg paid for with state health benefits he got a month and a half ago. He never thought he would be able to afford one.

Hes learning how to walk with just his cane. He can hold his littlest daughters hand on the way to school, something he couldnt do as easily with his older children because he had to use crutches to support himself.

Pedron has hope. Except for sometimes, when he thinks about his older daughter sleeping on a cot in a shelter with hundreds of other people. Shes told him that she wants to sleep in a bed.

I promised (my daughter) a room, he said.

And sometimes, he said, people tell him the government is paying him for being a disabled Venezuelan. He wishes everyone would treat each other with kindness.

I dont understand why people  migrants and others  act poorly in the U.S., when so many of us come from so much suffering, he said.

A wedding

Pedron twisted a ring on his ring finger and smiled when he talked about his wife. About two months ago, more than 24 years after meeting Hidalgo in Venezuela, they went to the Cook County courthouse and officially tied the knot.

Finally, they just decided the time had come, he said. They wanted to move forward.

She wore a white dress and held a bouquet of flowers. They posed for a photo with pink balloons in front of their children.

Thousands of miles from their families, Pedron and his wife hope they will never have to fear for their lives in the same way. They hope they will find community in Chicago. They hope the years will pass without incident.

Soon, he hopes, hell grow steadier on his new prosthetic leg. He hopes theyll move out of the shelter. He hopes that as his children grow up, theyll learn some English. Theyre already doing better at school.

All the while, more people fleeing violence will likely come here from other countries. People like him, who face immeasurable risks on the journey, will also likely be forced to leave.

In that Little Village parking lot, surrounded by tables with food and flags from Ecuador, Colombia, Nicaragua and Venezuela, Pedrons 6-year-old daughter held onto his arm for comfort. Brass trumpet notes and different dialects of Spanish drifted in the air.

He stood next to his wife and they raised their hands, as they have done thousands of times before, and prayed for the future.

nsalzman@chicagotribune.com
People attend the funeral of Giulia Cecchettin, a university student killed by her ex-boyfriend (ANDREA PATTARO) (ANDREA PATTARO/AFP/AFP)

A major femicide trial opened in Italy on Monday after the brutal murder of a university student by her ex-boyfriend that triggered outrage and national soul-searching over the roots of male violence against women.

The stabbing in November of Giulia Cecchettin, 22, a biomedical engineering student at the University of Padua, cast a grim spotlight on femicide in Italy, where the vast majority of victims are killed at the hands of their current or former partners.

The accused, Filippo Turetta, 22, did not appear in the Venice courtroom on Monday.

But Turetta, who risks life in prison, has previously confessed before a judge to the murder of Cecchettin.

With the prosecution and defence deciding not to call witnesses, the court decided that the verdict should be handed down on December 3.

According to his counsel, Turetta is expected to appear in October "to answer all the questions" asked of him.

Cecchettin's family has filed a claim for damages of 1 million euros ($1.1 million).

According to official statistics, a woman is killed every three days in Italy, a majority-Catholic country where traditional gender roles still hold sway and where sexist behaviour by men is often downplayed.

- 'Turning point' -

Cecchettin, who was due to graduate just days after her death, was reported missing on November 11 after accompanying Turetta to a shopping centre and never returning home.

After video cameras near Cecchettin's home revealed images of Turetta attacking her violently before fleeing with her in his car, police launched a week-long manhunt.

Her body was found on November 18 in a gully near Lake Barcis, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Venice. Her head and neck were punctured with more than 70 stab wounds, according to media reports citing the autopsy.

Turetta was arrested a day later on the side of the road near Leipzig, Germany after his car ran out of petrol.

Marking what activists hoped would be a turning point, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Italian cities on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, calling for cultural change.

Cecchettin's sister, Elena, has denounced the "patriarchy" and "rape culture" that she says is prevalent in Italian society.

"Rape culture is what legitimises every behaviour that goes to harm the figure of the woman, starting with the things that sometimes are not even given importance such as control, possessiveness, catcalling," Elena Cecchettin wrote in the Il Corriere della Sera daily after her sister's death.

At Cecchettin's funeral in Padua, her father Gino called for his daughter's death to be a "turning point to end the terrible scourge of violence against women", imploring men to "challenge the culture that tends to minimise violence by men who appear normal".

But at the court, Turetta's lawyer, Giovanni Caruso, said that the accused "deserves a sentence, not a trial by media", adding that he "must not become the face of a cultural battle against gender violence".

"It is not femicide that is on trial but Filippo Turetta," Venice prosecutor Bruno Cherchi was quoted as saying in Italian media.

- 'I am guilty' -

As Turetta waived his right to a preliminary hearing after his confession, the proceedings are expected to be relatively brief.

He faces charges including voluntary manslaughter aggravated by premeditation and kidnapping, and others related to stalking and hiding Cecchettin's body.

Excerpts of Turetta's questioning before a judge on December 1 were broadcast last week on the television programme "Quarto Grado" in which he is seen admitting: "I am responsible, I am guilty. I am responsible for these acts, yes."

In a quiet voice, Turetta explains how Cecchettin told him she wanted to break off their relationship, prompting an argument in the car, before she fled.

Turetta describes how he grabbed a knife and stabbed her in the arm, before dragging her back in the car, from which she later escaped.

"I gave her, I don't know, about 10, 12, 13, I don't know, several blows with the knife," Turetta says in the video.

According to the interior ministry, 120 women were murdered in Italy last year, of whom 97 were killed by family members or current or former partners.

Comparisons with other European countries are difficult due to inconsistent data, but the issue has recently also risen to prominence across the continent.

Following Cecchettin's death, Italy's parliament adopted a package of bills to strengthen existing laws to protect women, but activists say cultural change requires much more, starting with compulsory education on the topic in schools.

A July 2021 report from the government's department of gender equality found that "in some regions of Italy up to 50 percent of men consider violence in relationships to be acceptable."

ams/gv/sbk/bc
Martin Winterkorn, former Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, stands between his defense lawyers in a courtroom at Braunschweig Regional Court. Hearings in the criminal trial of former Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn over his role in the diesel emissions scandal have been postponed after he was admitted to hospital following an accident at home, the court said on Monday. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa

Hearings in the criminal trial of former Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn over his role in the diesel emissions scandal have been postponed after he was admitted to hospital following an accident at home, the court said on Monday.

The Braunschweig Regional Court declined to disclose any further details about the incident or comment on Winterkorn's state of health.

It is unclear whether and when the trial will continue. A court decision is expected at a later date.

The 77-year-old is accused of commercial fraud, market manipulation and making false statements in connection with the so-called Dieselgate scandal.

The allegations date back to the 2015 discovery by US regulators that some Volkswagen diesel engines had been intentionally programmed to fake the results of emissions testing.

Once Germany's highest-paid business executive, Winterkorn stepped down in the wake of the scandal but denied any personal culpability in the scheme. His trial had been repeatedly delayed by health concerns.

The trial against Winterkorn only opened at the beginning of this month, nine years after the diesel emissions scandal at Volkswagen came to light.

"Our client firmly rejects the allegations made against him," Winterkorn's lawyer, Felix Dorr, said on his behalf on the second day of the proceedings on September 4.

Prosecutors alleged in court that Winterkorn knew details about the illegal software by May 2014 at the latest, earlier than the former executive has acknowledged.

Prosecutors said Winterkorn's failure to do anything about the illegal activity after allegedly learning about it resulted in the sale of at least 65,000 manipulated vehicles in the US.

Exact details of how Volkswagen developed the illegal software and decided to install the programmes in diesel vehicles remains unclear to this day.

The scandal cost Volkswagen more than 32 billion ($35.3 billion) in fines and settlements alone. The affair plunged VW into the worst crisis in the company's history and severely damaged its reputation.

Winterkorn was originally due to be in the dock in the first major fraud trial in Braunschweig, along with four other former VW managers and engineers.

But shortly before the start of that trial in 2021, his case was separated from the others for health reasons.

The Braunschweig Regional Court scheduled almost 90 days for the current criminal trial up until September 2025.
WORCESTER  The trial of Mathew Locke, the former Ware man accused of murdering his cousins wife and the couples three young children in West Brookfield in 2018, has been set for mid-October.

Jury selection is slated for October 16 with evidence expected to begin October 21.

Locke was initially slated to go to trial September 26, but the trial was pushed back at a hearing in Worcester Superior Court last week based on a request from Lockes lawyer.

An affidavit underlying the request was ordered impounded, but lawyers in court Thursday indicated the delay had to do with discovery information Lockes lawyer, Jeffrey S. Brown, had recently received from prosecutors.

Lawyers Thursday continued ongoing arguments about what evidence should be admitted at trial, the presentation of which will require graphic details of a crime that prosecutors say was perpetrated with extreme atrocity.

Prosecutors allege Locke, a man with a history of addiction, violence and arson, killed his cousins wife and their three children while trying to find money or drugs on a cocaine binge, and then set a fire to try to conceal evidence.

They allege Locke stabbed Sara Burmudez, a 38-year-old homemaker, and her three children  8-year-old Madison, 6-year-old James and 2-year-old Michael  inside their home at 10 Old Warren Road, March 1, 2018, while Bermudez's husband was away.

Prosecutors said Thursday that in addition to theories of premeditated murder and murder with extreme atrocity or cruelty, they intend to proceed on a theory of felony murder against Locke.

They said that one of the elements of that charge will be aggravated rape, which Locke is alleged to have committed against both Sara and Madison Bermudez.

Prosecutors have said in past hearings that Locke's alleged arson attempt did not cover his crimes; they say his DNA was recovered from the genital area of both Sara and Madison Bermudez.

Photos of 'adolescents' found on Locke's phone

Lawyers Thursday also discussed statements Locke allegedly made to another inmate in which prosecutors say he admitted committing the stabbings and posing the bodies in a certain manner.

Worcester Superior Court Judge Daniel Wrenn, while discussing photos of the victims prosecutors are looking to admit, acknowledged the particularly graphic nature of the case will make it important to pick jurors able to bear the task.

At one point Thursday, he apologized to his assistant clerk magistrate as he handed over several images that may be admitted, which he ordered impounded.

Among the pieces of evidence whose admissibility was argued Thursday are photographs from Lockes phone authorities allege link him to the murder.

Prosecutors on Thursday argued Locke posed the female victims in a way that matched separate pornographic photos of living people found on his phone.

Assistant District Attorney Ellyn Lazar argued the photos on Lockes phone accordingly should be admissible for jurors to consider; Lockes lawyer, Jeffrey S. Brown, argued the photos were not admissible by law.

Brown, in addition to contesting prosecutors legal arguments, said Lockes purported statement to a fellow inmate undercut the states narrative.

According to Brown, Locke allegedly told the inmate he posed the bodies in order to make it look like a gang, MS-13, had committed the killings.

Brown argued that statement contradicts the idea that Locke posed the bodies in line with the "idiosyncratic" personal interest prosecutors described.

The notion of gang involvement is one authorities have alleged Locke falsely created to deflect blame.

Brown Thursday said that while he reserves his legal right to argue a third party culprit defense, he has not specified any specific alternative suspect who may have committed the murders.

Past arson conviction disallowed

Prosecutors have  in addition to the DNA evidence  detailed numerous pieces of evidence against Locke, including video they say shows a distinct vehicle he was driving at points of its journey to and from the West Brookfield home, and anticipated testimony from Lockes family members about his whereabouts that night.

Prosecutors have alleged that Locke was addicted to cocaine, spending all his cash on the drug, and that family members will testify as to the lengths he would go, including deceiving them, to obtain drugs.

Prosecutors have also, noting that the bedroom in which the Bermudez family was found was set on fire, sought to introduce evidence of a 2010 arson Locke committed in Maine that they said had eerie similarities.

In that case, Locke was sentenced to several years of prison after admitting to setting fire to his ex-girlfriends property while she and her kids were inside.

Wrenn ruled September 11 that the past conviction did not meet the legal bar for admissibility. Jurors, therefore, will not hear about it.

Wrenn also on September 11 allowed prosecutors motion to include evidence of Lockes cocaine use and theft from family members, saying they had met the legal burden needed.

The following day, he approved the use of a compilation video Lockes lawyer had opposed of a vehicle authorities allege to be the one driven by Locke the night of the murder.

Prosecutors said the video contains some surveillance shots of the vehicle in which it clearly appears to be the one Locke was driving, as well as others in which the vehicle is harder to make out.

Wrenn ruled that, based on the representations prosecutors have made so far about how they intend to introduce the video, it will be admissible.

Wrenn reserved a ruling Thursday on whether to admit the photographs of women and adolescents found on Lockes cellphone.

Further pretrial arguments in the case are expected September 30. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Mathew Locke trial in West Brookfield quadruple homicide pushed back
Council leaders have paid tribute following the death of Cardiff's Lord Mayor Jane Henshaw.

Ms Henshaw "passed away peacefully, surrounded by family" at the weekend, a Cardiff council spokesperson said.

Council leader Huw Thomas said Ms Henshaw's death was "a profound loss for Cardiff", adding that she would be "deeply missed".

Flags at council buildings across the city are to fly at half-mast as a mark of respect.

'Legacy of compassion'

Ms Henshaw, who had been a Labour councillor since 2017, was described by Mr Thomas as a "tireless advocate" who was "always striving to make Cardiff a better place for everyone".

A council spokesperson said Ms Henshaw, who represented the Splott ward, was "known for her unwavering dedication and service to the community" and she left behind "a legacy of compassion and commitment to public service".

Deputy Lord Mayor, Helen Lloyd Jones, said: "Jane was a beacon of hope and kindness in our community. Her smile was contagious and lit up the lives of all who met her."

She said that Ms Henshaw's commitment to helping those in need was "truly inspiring" and she had "a unique ability to connect with people and make them feel valued".

Council chief executive, Paul Orders said Ms Henshaw's "kindness, grace and desire to help those in need left an indelible mark on all who knew her".

He said she was "a source of compassion to so many", with her empathy and support for staff "second to none".

"Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time," said Mr Orders.

Ms Henshaw leaves behind her partner Bill, four children and five grandchildren. Her daughter, Angharad Anderson, supported her as the Lady Mayoress.

A council spokesperson said that among her achievements during her time in office were initiatives to improve local infrastructure, support for community projects, and efforts to promote cultural and social inclusivity.

They added that "one of her most notable contributions was her support for the Cardiff Foodbank", which was her chosen charity during her tenure as Lord Mayor.

"She was deeply committed to addressing food insecurity and poverty in the community," the spokesperson added.

Speaking about Cardiff Foodbank when she took up her role as Lord Mayor, Ms Henshaw said: "Through my work on the council, I have seen at first-hand the great work the staff and the volunteers at the charity do, how they are changing lives in these difficult times and helping people out of poverty.

"It is a sad fact of life today that they exist at all, of course, but I am determined to help Cardiff Foodbank in any way I can this year."

Her family said they wished to thank all the staff at The University Hospital of Wales, Velindre Cancer Centre and Marie Curie Hospice for their support, care and kindness.
A brother and sister were arrested last week on suspicion of planning to kill two victims at a North Highlands residence in 2021 where one man was shot to death and another woman was injured.

Sunnerica Sinohui, 34, and her brother, David Sinohui, 31, went June 21, 2021, to an apartment complex on 4400 block of Oakhollow Drive to carry out the attack, according to a Sacramento County Sheriffs Office news release issued Monday. The Sheriffs Office said they were accompanied by the sisters boyfriend, Dominique Brown.

During the shooting, a man, later identified as Wayne Blanchard, 49, died from his wounds and another woman was shot in the head, the release said. A witness said two men drove away in a light-colored sedan.

Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a spokesman with the Sheriffs Office, said a disagreement in the family led to the shooting. He added the couple was related to Blanchard.

The injured woman, who called authorities to report the shooting, survived her injuries. She has not been identified.

Detectives, through their long and arduous investigation, arrested Sunnerica Sinohui on Friday in Sacramento and David Sinohui in Riverside County. Brown died in an unrelated incident in Washington state, the Sheriffs Office said.

David Sinohui was arrested in Victorville and faces charges of murder and conspiracy, according to Riverside County Sheriffs Office jail logs. He awaits extradition to Sacramento County and is being held without bail.

Sunnerica Sinohui was arrested on suspicion of murder and conspiracy. Shes being held without bail in Sacramento County Main Jail and is scheduled to appear for her first court appearance Tuesday.

DETECTIVES ARREST SUSPECTS FROM 2021 HOMICIDE



On June 21, 2021, Sheriffs Patrol Deputies responded to a shooting at an apartment on Oakhollow Drive in North Highlands. When Deputies arrived, they located one victim shot in the head who fortunately survived, along with her pic.twitter.com/c0Vzuv2pCD  Sacramento Sheriff (@sacsheriff) September 23, 2024
Tropical rainstorm brewing in the Caribbean may hit Georgia. Will it turn into hurricane?

A disturbance is brewing in the Caribbean, well off from the U.S. mainland, but it may have adverse affects on the Peach State.

Water sea-surface temperature are 87 degrees, ripe for what is just a tropical rainstorm to become a major hurricane over the next several days.

Despite being unnamed and undeveloped, hurricane experts are predicting the likely-to-be-named Helene will make landfall in Floridas Big Bend Thursday as a Category 2 hurricane and want people to prepare now.

Now is the time to start preparing for a hurricane landfall along the Gulf Coast. Dont wait for this storm to be officially named, warned AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter in an email Sunday evening.

Once it forms a circulation it could be off to the races, AccuWeather Hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said in a news conference Monday morning. We are very concerned about rapid intensification.

The National Hurricane Centers Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook said this storm will move northwest and has an 80% chance of forming into a hurricane in the next 48 hours, and a 90% chance of forming in the next seven days.

Da Silva said there are two likely path scenarios that all depend on a low pressure system over Arkansas.

It will go closer to the middle upper Gulf coast, New Orleans, or Biloxi area if the steering winds stall or in the second scenario it will go further to the east if the jet stream dips.

The current forecast expects the tropical system to bring rain to the Florida panhandle and Southwest Georgia. Columbus could see up to 8 inches of rain.

In either scenario, Floridas Big Bend or Panhandle can expect storm surge and up to 12 inches of rain.. The current forecast leaves western Georgia, including Columbus, in a scenario for tornado risk, heavy wind gusts of up to 60 mph, and rain. The entirety of Georgia could be affected by adverse weather too.

If the current storm path continues, Columbus could experience tornadoes.

The National Weather Service in Atlanta gave a warning on X, formerly Twitter, Monday morning. But the NWS said the path and severity are still uncertain.

That said, the details (timing and level of impact) remain uncertain. We will continue to post forecast updates, and in the meantime, be wary of unofficial, sensationalized forecasts on social media. #gawx (2/2)  NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) September 23, 2024

Why are conditions so favorable?

Hurricane season lasts until Nov. 30, and warmer waters make storms more likely.

Tropical systems only need about 80 degrees to form, DaSilva said in the press conference. The depth of the warm water is about 300-400 feet below sea surface.

Additionally there is no dry air in its path and no wind sheer, which DaSilva said is favorable for rapid intensification.

Rapid intensification is defined as wind speed increasing by 35 miles per hour in a 24 hour period, and about 80% of hurricanes undergo this phenomenon.

Lead Hurricane Expert for AccuWeather, Alex DaSilva, explains to the media during a Monday briefing the above-normal water temperatures where the tropical system is developing in the Caribbean Sea. Temperatures are three degrees above normal.

AccuWeather Senior meteorologist and climate expert Brett Anderson weighed in on how much man-made climate change has played a role in warmer ocean temperatures.

In recent years waters being more than 2 to 3 degrees above the normal mid-80s temperature is more the norm than unusual, Anderson said. Climate change is clearly playing a primary role, based on the longer term trends and the fact that the ocean heat content in the Gulf is at its warmest on record.

This is a developing story and may be updated.
Trump campaign is holding a Wisconsin bus tour and town hall this week. Here are the stops

Surrogates for former President Donald Trump's campaign will hold a three-day bus tour in Wisconsin this week, ending with a town hall event in Waukesha Wednesday night.

Trump himself is not listed to attend stops along the bus tour  his schedule early this week includes a rally in Pennsylvania and delivering remarks in Georgia. Trump was last in Wisconsin in early September for a rally in Mosinee, and Vice President Kamala Harris rallied in Madison on Friday.

The bus tour stops in Wisconsin will feature surrogates for Trump's campaign, including Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, Republican Party of Wisconsin chair Brian Schimming, former Gov. Tommy Thompson and Moms for Liberty Ozaukee County chair Scarlett Johnson.

A large crowd waited outside the Waukesha County Expo Center, where Trump held a rally in May. The line snaked through part of the parking lot.

More: Moms for Liberty, an unknown group 4 years ago, flexes its influence at the RNC

More: Trump, Harris are ramping up their travel in Wisconsin. See all the places they've been

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde will also attend the Beaver Dam stop on Tuesday. The Waukesha town hall will include former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump.

In a statement, Wisconsin Democratic Coordinated Campaign rapid response director Kristi Johnston said "Wisconsinites dont need a special tour to learn about Trumps extreme Project 2025 agenda."

Wisconsinites want leaders who will protect their freedoms, lower their costs, and put families first, and thats why we need to come together to support Vice President Harris and Governor Walz and defeat Trumps extreme Project 2025 agenda," Johnston said.

Trump has tried to distance himself from the blueprint from the conservative Heritage Foundation, while Democrats seek to tie him to it.

Here's where the Trump campaign's bus tour will stop in Wisconsin this week:

Monday

Hudson, 10 a.m.

Trump Force 47 HQ, 121 2nd Street

Tickets are available here.

Altoona, 1 p.m.

Eau Claire County GOP HQ, 3712 Spooner Avenue

Tickets are available here.

Kronenwetter, 5 p.m.

Trump Force 47 HQ, 1489 Village Way

Tickets are available here.

Tuesday

Green Bay, 10 a.m.

Trump Force 47 HQ, 1483 W Mason Street

Tickets are available here.

Appleton, 12:30 p.m.

Outagamie County GOP HQ, 2339 Wisconsin Avenue

Tickets are available here.

Beaver Dam, 4 p.m.

Dodge County GOP HQ, 1015 S Spring Street

Tickets are available here.

Wednesday

Reedsburg, 10 a.m.

Trump Force 47 HQ, 1599 E Main Street

Tickets are available here.

Watertown, 1:30 p.m.

Kathys Buffalo Bar, 814 N. Church St.

Tickets are available here.

Town hall event in Waukesha, 6 p.m.

Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road

Tickets are available here.

Attendees at the town hall include:

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy

Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump

Texas U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls

Chad Wolf, former acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson

Former New York U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin

Kash Patel, former Department of Defense chief of staff

Republican Party of Wisconsin chair Brian Schimming

Moms for Liberty Ozaukee County chair Scarlett Johnson

Wisconsin Faith and Freedom Coalition president John Pudner

More: Trump surrogates on 'Agenda 47' Milwaukee tour stop downplay talk of Project 2025

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where will the Trump campaign's bus tour stop in Wisconsin this week?
The national debt held by the public tops $27 trillion. It's bigger than the entire American economyand it's on track to grow faster and faster. In just four years, Donald Trump signed legislation that increased future debt by $7.8 trillion, more than George W. Bush and Barack Obama managed in eight years apiece. We're headed for an economic catastrophe.

So when Trump made an appearance late last week at PubKey, a bitcoin-themed bar in New York's Greenwich Village, Reason's Nick Gillespie went down to ask him about it. And he had a snappy comeback.

Less than half of Trump's new debt was related to pandemic spending. And the COVID-19 relief bill establishing the Paycheck Protection Program, which Trump signed in 2020, was so rife with corruption and waste that one federal prosecutor has called it the "biggest fraud in a generation."And get this: His new campaign proposals would add another $5.8 trillion to the debt. Trump has called himself the "king of debt." If he gets a second term, he just might become its emperor.

The post Trump Dodged My Question About the Federal Debt appeared first on Reason.com.
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.
We recently published a list of Jim Cramers Top Picks: 10 Stocks to Buy and Sell. Since AES Corp (NYSE:AES) ranks 6th on the list, it deserves a deeper look.

Commenting on the aggressive rate cut by the Federal Reserve, Jim Cramer said in a latest program on CNBC that the double rate cut was needed for the economy and it would help the housing market, industrials and companies catering to the less well-off households.

There really are two economies in this country. There is the one that needs lower interest rates because business is slowing and its harder to find a job and then there is one that says we dont really care about where the stinking rates are. Thats who we can get a double rate cut today and still going lower.

Cramer said he is currently in Silicon Valley and after talking to many companies, he feels tech companies do not care about interest rates since they are selling to businesses. Cramer said these technology companies are focused on innovation.

For this article, we picked 10 stocks Jim Cramer recently talked about during his latest programs on CNBC. With each company we have 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).

Is AES Corp (NYSE:AES) Jim Cramers Top Pick Stock to Buy and Sell?

AES Corp (NYSE:AES)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 46

Jim Cramer was recently asked about the utility and power generation company AES Corp (NYSE:AES). Here is what he said:

I think its good. At 4% yield, I am surprised it is this low. It is very inexpensive. Lets go for it.

Jefferies recently started covering AES Corp (NYSE:AES) shares with a Buy rating and a $20 price target, as the firm sees the company as a way to gain exposure to U.S. renewables with a quality improvement twist at a discounted price.

AES Corp (NYSE:AES) is selling power in 15 countries and employs about 10,000 people. As a Fortune 500 company, AES positions itself as a key player in the renewable energy sector, with plans to expand its solar power portfolio to 25-30 GW by 2027. The company expects a 10% annualized base growth rate, one of the highest in the U.S. utility sector, making it an attractive investment.

AES Corp (NYSE:AES) has a 66 GW development pipeline, with 12.7 GW in backlog and nearly 35 GW already in operation, of which 54% is renewable. So far this year, it has added over half a gigawatt and aims to add 3.6 GW by year-end. For 2024, 92% of the necessary equipment for construction is already on-site.

Story continues

Much of AES Corp (NYSE:AES) future demand will come from data centers, with major tech companiesmany of which are committed to CO2-neutral operations by 2030accounting for over 40% of its backlog. This sector is likely to fuel AESs growth.

AES Corp (NYSE:AES) talked in detail about its data center projects in its latest earnings call:

We have further expanded our partnership with Google, signing a 15-year PPA for 727 megawatts in Texas to power its datacenter growth. The agreement includes a combination of wind and solar to further Googles 24-7 carbon-free energy goals. These projects are expected to come online in 2026 and 2027. We also recently signed a retail supply agreement with Google for 310 megawatts to support their Ohio datacenters. This agreement demonstrates the strong trust and collaboration between our companies, which began with our original 2021 partnership to provide 24-7 renewable power in Virginia. We see further opportunities to add renewables to support Googles datacenter growth in Ohio. Turning to slide seven, with these major announcements today on our collaborations with hyperscalers, we have now signed a total of 8.1 gigawatts directly with technology companies, which is clearly a leading market position.

Overall, AES Corp (NYSE:AES) ranks 6th on Insider Monkeys list titled Jim Cramers Top Picks: 10 Stocks to Buy and Sell. While we acknowledge the potential of AES Corp (NYSE:AES), our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AES but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These Stocks.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Trump heads to Savannah after weeks without visiting swing state Georgia

Trump heads to Savannah after weeks without visiting swing state Georgia

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Former President Donald Trump is set to return to Georgia after weeks campaigning outside the swing state.

It's been seven weeks since Trump last visited for an early August rally in Atlanta.

RELATED: Kemp's 2024 message: 'There's no path for former President Trump ... to get to 270 without Georgia'

He's expected to talk about his plan for taxes and the economy in Savannah at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

The campaign event will be held at Johnny Mercer Theatre Civic Center on West Oglethorpe Avenue.

Doors open at 10 a.m. Tickets for the event can be reserved here.
Trump leading in three battleground Sun Belt states, according to New York Times poll

Former President Donald Trump leads Vice President Kamala Harris in three critical battleground states: Arizona, North Carolina and Georgia, according to a new poll by the New York Times and Siena College.

The poll, released on Monday and conducted from Sept. 17 to 21, surveyed 713 voters in Arizona, 682 voters in Georgia and 682 voters in North Carolina. Each state has a margin of error between four and five percentage points.

Voters in all three states expressed concerns about the economy, abortion, immigration, and the direction of the country as a whole. Both candidates were viewed unfavorably by the majority of respondents, with 50% viewing Trump and 51% viewing Harris as somewhat or very unfavorable.

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. August 20, 2024 and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S., August 15, 2024 are seen in a combination of file photographs. REUTERS/Marco Bello, Jeenah Moon/File Photo/File Photo

More: Trump and Harris duel over what it means to be a man in America

In North Carolina, a state that has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 2008, Trumps lead is a narrow 49-47 margin. But in Arizona and Georgia  two states that narrowly went to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election  Trump is now leading Harris by a slightly higher margin: 50-45 in Arizona and 49-45 in Georgia.

Both campaigns have aggressively targeted swing states following the Sept. 10 presidential debate.

Harris recently held two rallies in North Carolina and appeared in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday at an event highlighting reproductive rights in the state. She is scheduled to visit Arizona later this week, but the campaign has not yet announced which city she will visit.

Following the debate, Trump also held rallies in Tucson, Arizona, and Wilmington, North Carolina. He is set to campaign in Savannah, Georgia on Tuesday.

Maya Homan is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY who focuses on Georgia politics. She is @MayaHoman on X, formerly Twitter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Post-debate poll shows Trump leading Harris in three Sun Belt states
New polls published Monday by the New York Times and Siena College show Donald Trump has gained a lead over Kamala Harris in Arizona and remains ahead in Georgia and North Carolina, three crucial battleground states that could determine the outcome of the election.

The Times/Siena polls, which surveyed 2,077 likely voters in the Sun Belt states, were conducted from Sept. 17 to Sept. 21 and are the first since the presidential debate on Sept. 10. Times/Siena is ranked as the most reputable poll by FiveThirtyEight.

Read More: Can Kamala Harris Beat Donald Trump? Heres What Polls Show

Below is how Trump and Harris are faring in the three key states.

Arizona

The poll shows Trump leading Harris 50% to 45% among likely voters, which is outside the surveys margin of error of 4.4 percentage points for the state. The results show a big shift from August to September, when Harris led by five percentage points in the August Times/Siena poll, which was outside the margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.

Arizonas race was among the tightest state contests of the 2020 presidential election, with President Joe Biden beating Trump there by less than 10,500 votes.

Georgia

The poll shows Trump leading Harris 49% to 45% among likely voters, which is within the 4.6 percentage point margin of error for the state. Trump has consistently led Harris in Georgia in several high quality polls, including in a poll conducted by the University of Georgia last week, which showed him ahead by three percentage points, though that was just within the polls margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

In 2020, Biden narrowly beat Trump in Georgia by a margin of 0.23% and 11,779 votes.

North Carolina

The poll shows Trump leading Harris by 49% to 45% among likely voters, which is within the 4.2 percentage point margin of error for the state. The previous poll conducted in mid-August by Times/Siena showed Harris in the lead by three percentage points, which also fell within the polls margin of error of 4.2 percentage points among likely voters.

In 2020, Trump narrowly won North Carolina by less than 75,000 votes. The state has not gone blue in a presidential election since 2008.

Sun Belt and national polling averages

Polling averages carried out by the New York Times, citing polls collected by FiveThirtyEight and The Times, show Trump ahead 48% to 47% in Arizona and 49% to 47% in Georgia, with a slight lead of less than one percentage point in North Carolina.

Nationally, Harris still has a narrow lead over Trump, with a 50% to 47% lead, according to The New York Times election tracker.

According to FiveThirtyEight modeling, Harris would win 62 times out of 100 in their election simulations. However, their simulations have not taken into account the latest Times/Siena data.

The 2024 presidential election remains extremely tight. About 15% of the electorate in the Sun Belt states described themselves as undecided or not definitely decided, according to the latest Times/Siena polls. They now lean slightly toward Trump in all three states.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
After former President Donald Trump reignited a conservative push to snag one of Nebraskas electoral votes that could decide the presidential election, a key state senator whose support is needed to make it happen quashed Republican hopes Monday.

State Senator Mike McDonnell said in a statement that he would not support altering Nebraska's current system, which splits its electoral votes by congressional district. Democrat Kamala Harris, Trump's opponent in the Nov. 5 election, is slightly favored to win one electoral vote from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, which includes Omaha.

Nebraska state Sen. Mike McDonell of Omaha.

A bill to change the system would require 33 votes out of 49 seats in the legislature. Republicans control exactly 33 seats, which means they cannot afford even a single defection with Democrats united in opposition.

"I will not change my long-held position and will oppose any attempted changes to our electoral college system before the 2024 election," McDonnell said in a statement, noting that the election is only 43 days away.

In his statement, McDonnell urged Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and other state lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment during the next legislative session and put it on the ballot for Nebraskans to decide.

Jason Brown of Omaha, Neb. and others make blue dot signs in their garage.

Despite the Cornhusker State being traditionally red, its 2nd district, which surrounds Omaha, has voted for Democrats twice since it began splitting its votes in 1991. This includes former President Barack Obama in 2008 and President Joe Biden in 2020.

Often referred to as the "blue dot" by Democrats, Omaha could be crucial in the presidential election.

If Vice President Harris won the Rust Belt states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, while Trump captured the Sun Belt states of Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina, the Nebraska vote would determine whether Harris won 270-268 or whether the race ended up a 269-269 tie.

And if the Electoral College is tied, the House of Representatives selects the winner, with each state delegation getting a single vote - a scenario that would likely favor Trump.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and a staunch Trump ally, met with Nebraska lawmakers last week to discuss the proposal.

"To my friends in Nebraska, that one electoral vote could be the difference between Harris becoming president or not," Graham said in an interview on Meet the Press on Sunday.

The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment on Monday, but in a post on his Truth Social site, Trump called McDonnell a "grandstander" and vowed to win the Omaha-based electoral vote in November.

The Harris campaign referred a request for comment to the Nebraska Democratic Party, which did not respond.

Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's push to snag Nebraska electoral vote halted by state lawmaker
Donald Trump sat in a large barn in rural Pennsylvania on Monday, asking questions of farmers and offering jokes, but in a rarity for his campaign events, mostly listening.

The bombastic former president was unusually restrained at an event about Chinas influence on the U.S. economy, a roundtable at which farmers and manufacturers expressed concerns about losing their way of life. Behind Trump were large green tractors and a sign declaring Protect our food from China.

The event in Smithton, Pennsylvania, gave Trump a chance to drive his economic message against Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that imposing tariffs and boosting energy production will lower costs. He highlighted Harris reversal of a previous vow to ban fracking, a method of producing natural gas key to Pennsylvanias economy.

And he noted the tractors behind him were manufactured by John Deere, which announced in June it was moving skid steer and track loader manufacturing to Mexico and working to acquire land there for a new factory. Trump threatened the firm with a 200% tariff should he win back the presidency and it opted to export manufacturing to Mexico.

If they want to build in the United States, theres no tariff, he added.

Trump opened the event with some of his usual themes. He decried his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, and declared that in 2020, We had an election that didnt exactly work out too good. And it was a disgrace.

But he then did something usual: He let others do most of the talking.

When one farmer said recent decades had seen scores of family farms shut down, Trump asked what that meant for overall production. The response was that, thanks to larger farms now operating, total production is actually up but we are losing the small family farms.

I know that, yes, Trump responded somberly. Later, he said, I am not too worried about the people around this table supporting him on Election Day, while jokingly adding, But you never know.

In response to another participants concerns about energy production, Trump said he didnt know that farmers were so energy-dependent. Another farmer talked about Chinese-subsidized businesses, prompting Trump to respond, Thats why we need tariffs.

When the same farmer finished her comments by praising him profusely, he intoned, Amen. I agree.

Trump has embraced tariffs as he tries to appeal to working-class voters who oppose free-trade deals and the outsourcing of factories and jobs, and the event wasnt all about showing a more personable side.

Later the former president took questions from reporters and got more customarily combative when asked whether he was concerned that tariffs on manufacturers like John Deere would increase costs for farmers. He said of Harris, She is not going to be good for Pennsylvania.

Later Monday, Trump is holding a rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where he is hoping conservative, white working-class voters help him pull ahead of Harris, who herself is visiting Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

Despite all his lies and pandering, Donald Trump used the White House to give handouts to wealthy corporations and foreign companies at the expense of family farmers, drive farm bankruptcies to record levels, and sacrifice small American farmers as pawns in his failed trade war with China, Harris campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said in a statement.

Mondays farming event was hosted by the Protecting America Initiative, led by Richard Grenell, Trumps former acting director of national intelligence, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin. Grenell said, China is getting into our farmlands, and we have to be able to see China very clearly.

At the end of 2022, China held nearly 250,000 acres of U.S. land, which is slightly less than 1% of foreign-held acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By comparison, Canada was the largest foreign owner of U.S. land, accounting for 32%, or 14.2 million acres.

Still, the National Agricultural Law Center estimates that 24 states ban or limit foreigners without residency and foreign businesses or governments from owning private farmland. The issue emerged after a Chinese billionaire bought more than 130,000 acres near a U.S. Air Force base in Texas and another Chinese company sought to build a corn plant near an Air Force base in North Dakota.

Rex Murphy, from a nearby rural community who raises cattle and grows corn and hay, said farmers support Trump in this area, and said he wanted fewer taxes and more freedom.

I want him to do everything for the economy, said Murphy, 48. If he just becomes president, and he does what he does, he will do more.

__

Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Didi Tang in Washington contributed to this report.

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In the four years since his 2020 election loss, Donald Trump has continued to bolster false claims that widespread election fraud was the cause of his demise. Now, as early and mail-in voting opens up in several states that will help decide the 2024 election, the former president is ramping up his fear mongering over bogus claims of fraud and subterfuge.

Earlier this month, Trump vowed to prosecute Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials, and anyone else involved in unscrupulous behavior linked to alleged voter fraud.

This will be under the closest professional scrutiny and, WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again, he wrote in the particularly terrifying Truth Social post.

On Monday, Trump provided a window into what he considers unscrupulous behavior. The former president accused Democrats of manipulating overseas military and absentee ballots in order to cheat him out of a win in November. Its outright false, but its the latest data point in Trumps continued claims of a conspiracy to rob him of the electoral victory he feels entitled to.

To help keep track of what exactly the former president has been claiming, here are the false allegations of voter fraud Trump has made in recent weeks.

Democrats manipulating absentee and military ballots abroad

On Sep. 23, Trump railed on Truth Social that Democrats are not interested in registering voters abroad because every American should have the ability to participate in the election  but because theyre getting ready to CHEAT!

The former president claimed that Democrats are weaponizing the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)  which he described as a program that emails ballots overseas without any citizenship check or verification of identity, whatsoever  to dilute the TRUE vote of our beautiful military and their families.

Trump gears up to challenge ballots from Americans overseas, including members of the military on deployments. pic.twitter.com/hrCCu11yXL  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 23, 2024

Unsurprisingly, UOCAVA does not allow those abroad to vote without any sort of verification. International voters must both register with their state of residence in the United States, and submit a separate application to verify their eligibility before being added to the absentee voter registry. The ballot can be received electronically, or by post, and the registration often has to be renewed on a yearly basis.

More than 3 million Americans living abroad are eligible to participate in U.S. elections, and according to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, only 7.8 percent voted in the 2020 election.

Fraudulent mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania

Trump wrote on Truth Social in September that an interview by Tucker Carlson of an election expert indicates that 20% of the Mail-In Ballots in Pennsylvania are fraudulent. Here we go again!

Where is the U.S. Attorney General and FBI to INVESTIGATE? Where is the Pennsylvania Republican Party? We will WIN Pennsylvania by a lot, unless the Dems are allowed to CHEAT. THE RNC MUST ACTIVATE, NOW!!! Trump added.

It was a load of bullshit, on multiple levels. The interview in question took place between Carlson and Justin Haskins, the director of the Socialism Research Center at the right-wing Heartland Institute, in April. During the interview, Haskins claimed that at least, 1 in 5 mail-in ballots [in Pennsylvania] involved some kind of fraudulent activity.

The survey Haskins based his assertions on  which was commissioned by the Heartland Institute and conducted by Rasmussen Reports  contained a series of survey questions asking if individuals who voted by mail had sought assistance in filling out their ballots  a practice that does not in and of itself represent fraud. Voters with disabilities, or who need assistance due to advanced age or another medical condition can legally ask for help filling out their ballot, a distinction that is not clear in the polling results.

Trumps post also suggested that fraudulent voting is currently taking place in Pennsylvania, even though mail-in and absentee voting have not begun in the state.

Arizona is allowing undocumented immigrants to vote

On Sept. 9, Trump promoted a post from right-wing billionaire Elon Musk suggesting that Arizona is refusing to remove illegals from voter rolls.

This is categorically false. Arizona is one of the only states in the country that requires voters to present proof of citizenship before they can cast their ballots in state and local elections. The law requiring this was controversial and required the creation of a separate registry for voters who could legally register to vote in federal elections  but could not provide documentary proof of citizenship. The absence of a physical document proving ones naturalization status at the time of filing a voter registration does not outright indicate that the prospective voter is undocumented or voting illegally.

In July, a survey conducted by the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland found that one in 10 adults, or about 21.3 million eligible voters, do not have easy access to documents that could prove their citizenship.

Non-citizens are registering to vote en masse

Ahead of the election, Trump and Republicans are expending tremendous amounts of energy bolstering unfounded claims that undocumented migrants  or immigrants who are otherwise ineligible to vote  are illegally participating in elections.

Earlier this month, Trump demanded that House Republicans shut down the government if they failed to secure the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), a proposed law that would require all voters to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote.

If Republicans dont get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Democrats are registering Illegal Voters by the TENS OF THOUSANDS, as we speak  They will be voting in the 2024 Presidential Election, and they shouldnt be allowed to, he claimed. Only American Citizens should be voting in our Most Important Election in History, or any Election!

There is no evidence to back the former presidents assertions. Laws in all 50 states prohibit non-citizens from voting in federal elections, and only a small number of municipalities allow non-citizens to vote in local elections. Studies from reputable election monitoring organizations and research firms have consistently found that illegal registrations by non-citizens are rare and often the result of unintentional errors.

Civil rights activists have cautioned that legislation requiring proof of citizenship in order to file a voter registration would impose a significant burden on Americans, and add a superfluous layer of complication to an already secure system. The SAVE Act itself would also make it significantly more difficult for voters to cast their ballot by mail, and would allow private lawsuits against election officials accused of registering non-citizens.

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Trump to return to Pennsylvania town where he was shot exactly one month before election day

Trump to return to Pennsylvania town where he was shot exactly one month before election day

Donald Trump will return to the town where he was shot exactly one month before Election Day, according to reports.

The former president will hold another rally in Butler, Pennsylvania  where he was grazed by a would-be assassins bullet in July  on October 5.

The news was reported by NBC, who cited an anonymous campaign official briefed on the plan, which is yet to be publicly announced. Trump has long teased a return to Butler.

On July 13, Trump was rushed to the floor after 20-year-old Thomas Crooks opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle. One of the bullets struck Trump on the ear, and another killed a supporter, Corey Comperatore, who was attending the rally.

In the aftermath, an investigation was launched into the perceived failings by the Secret Service and the agencys director Kimberly Cheatle subsequently resigned.

Trump was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 (Getty Images)

The Trump campaign was subsequently advised not to hold rallies outdoors, and the former president appeared at his next event behind bullet-proof glass.

It is not clear what security arrangements will be in place should a second rally in Butler go ahead next month. The date is being viewed as significant, falling exactly one month before the Election Day on November 5.

The Independent has reached out to the Trump campaign to confirm the date of the reported return to Butler.

It comes as investigations continue into the second attempt on the former presidents life in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15.

On Monday it was revealed that Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, had sketched out his plan for an assassination in a handwritten note that offered a six-figure payout to anyone who could finish off Trump, should he fail.

Routh is facing two weapons-related charges in the alleged plot on Trumps life. He appeared in West Palm Beach federal court on Monday for a hearing which ended with US Magistrate Judge Ryon McCabe ordering the 58-year-old Hawaii resident to be held without bail.

The former president has teased a return to Butler, but it has not yet been confirmed officially (Getty Images)

Prosecutors had argued that Routh, who previously lived in North Carolina, had no ties to South Florida and had traveled there solely to kill Trump.

They said they would present evidence at a later date for a grand jury to consider upgraded charges.
Donald Trump has slammed Bill Maher for inviting MSNBCs Stephanie Ruhle and The New York Times opinion columnist Bret Stephens on to his Real Time with Bill Maher talk show.

The late-night host recently sat down with Ruhle and Stephens, where they discussed the weeks headlines, including the former presidents claim that if he loses the 2024 presidential election, the Jewish people would have a lot to do with that.

Trump made the remark last week at a campaign event held in Washington DC, which had been billed to be about tackling antisemitism.

Whenever the autocrat starts blaming the Jews, I think its a great sign because when has that ever turned out badly, Maher joked.

Stephens jumped in to add that democracy is at risk whenever antisemitism rears its head, going on to call Trump a really scary guy and antisemitic adjacent.

He confirmed that he would not be voting for Trump but also shared that he has not yet committed to Vice President Kamala Harris, explaining that hes unsure about her policies.

Kamala Harris is not running for perfect. Shes running against Trump, Ruhle responded. We have two choices. And so there are some things you might not know her answer to, and in 2024, unlike 2016 for a lot of the American people, we know exactly what Trump will do, who he is and the kind of threat he is to democracy.

Trump has since blasted the talk show host and his guests in a lengthy and irate post shared on his Truth Social media platform.

The ratings challenged Bill Maher, on his increasingly boring show on HBO, is really having a hard time coping with TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, he wrote.

Bret Stephens and Stephanie Ruhle guest star on Real Time with Bill Maher' (Max)

Describing Maher as a befuddled, mess, sloppy and tired, Trump continued: And every conversation, with B and C list guests, seems to start with, or revert back to, ME!

This week he had dumb as a rock bimbo Stephanie Ruhle, from MSDNC [sic], on the show, he said, with what appeared to be a reference to the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

The Republican nominees misogynistic comments ironically come the day after he wrote on Truth Social that he would protect women at a level never seen before.

Trump then attacked Stephens, calling him a Trump hating loser who seems totally confused and unsure of himself.

He went on to suggest that the journalist should find himself another line of work because I am driving the FAILING New York Times absolutely crazy, and it is very hard, perhaps impossible, for a writer to write well of me without suffering the wrath of the degenerate editors who, with a push from the top, have gone insane.

Donald Trump called Bill Maher a befuddled mess (Getty Images)

They apologized to their readers in 2016 for their complete and total MISS, and theyll do it again in November, Trump said. The FAILING New York Times is a badly run newspaper that has totally lost its way. Put it to sleep!

In 2016, following Trumps election victory, the NYT published a note apologizing to its readers for underestimating Trumps support among American voters.

We aim to rededicate ourselves to the fundamental mission of Times journalism, the statement read. That is to report America and the world honestly, without fear or favor, striving always to understand and reflect all political perspectives and life experiences in the stories that we bring to you.
SMITHTON, Pa. (AP)  Donald Trump sat in a large barn in rural Pennsylvania on Monday, asking questions of farmers and offering jokes but, in a rarity for his campaign events, mostly listening.

The bombastic former president was unusually restrained at an event about China's influence on the U.S. economy, a roundtable during which farmers and manufacturers expressed concerns about losing their way of life. Behind Trump were large green tractors and a sign declaring Protect our food from China."

The event in Smithton, Pennsylvania, gave Trump a chance to drive his economic message against Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that imposing tariffs and boosting energy production will lower costs. He highlighted Harris' reversal of a previous vow to ban fracking, a method of producing natural gas key to Pennsylvania's economy.

And he noted the tractors behind him were manufactured by John Deere, which announced in June it was moving skid steer and track loader manufacturing to Mexico and working to acquire land there for a new factory. Trump threatened the firm with a 200% tariff should he win back the presidency and it opted to export manufacturing to Mexico.

If they want to build in the United States, theres no tariff, he added.

Trump opened the event with some of his usual themes. He declared that in 2020: "We had an election that didnt exactly work out too good. And it was a disgrace.

But he then did something unusual: He let others do most of the talking.

When one farmer said recent decades had seen scores of family farms shut down, Trump asked what that meant for overall production. The response was that, thanks to larger farms now operating, total production is actually up but "we are losing the small family farms.

I know that, yes, Trump responded somberly. Later, he said, "I am not too worried about the people around this table supporting him on Election Day, while jokingly adding, But you never know.

In response to another participants concerns about energy production, Trump said he didnt know that farmers were so energy-dependent. Another farmer talked about Chinese-subsidized businesses, prompting Trump to respond, Thats why we need tariffs.

After the same farmer finished her comments by praising him profusely, he intoned: Amen. I agree.

Trump has embraced tariffs as he tries to appeal to working-class voters who oppose free-trade deals and the outsourcing of factories and jobs, and the event wasn't all about showing a more personable side.

Later, the former president took questions from reporters and got more customarily combative when asked whether he was concerned that tariffs on manufacturers like John Deere would increase costs for farmers. He said of Harris, She is not going to be good for Pennsylvania.

Stopping at a neighborhood market prior to an evening rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Trump bought a bag of popcorn and quipped that, if elected, he may send for more from the Oval Office. He also gave a woman paying for groceries a $100 bill, declaring that her total just went down a hundred bucks.

The change didn't last long. At his evening rally, Trump reverted to form, using an abrasive message to energize mostly conservative, white, working-class voters.

Shes a one-woman economic wrecking ball and if she gets four more years, her radical agenda will smash the economy into rubble and grind your financial situation right into the dust, Trump said of Harris. He claimed, She wants to take your guns away even as the vice president has stressed being a gun owner herself.

"Shes coming for your money. Shes coming for your pensions, and shes coming for your savings," he said.

The former president urged supporters to get out and vote but scoffed at the idea of casting early ballots, suggesting without evidence that it allowed more time to commit fraud. Citing unknown sources, he declared, They said, if we dont win this election, there may never be another election in this country.

At one point, the former president caught a glimpse of himself on the big screen and joked about a handsome man over there before concluding, Oh, its Trump.

He also got especially candid with the rally audience saying, I dont like anybody that doesnt like me, Ill be honest, before adding, sounds childish but thats the way it is ... call it a personality defect.

It was a starkly different tone from Trumps first event in Smithton, which was hosted by the Protecting America Initiative, led by Richard Grenell, Trumps former acting director of national intelligence, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin.

Grenell told the small group of attendees there, China is getting into our farmlands, and we have to be able to see China very clearly.

At the end of 2022, China held nearly 250,000 acres of U.S. land, which is slightly less than 1% of foreign-held acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By comparison, Canada was the largest foreign owner of U.S. land, accounting for 32%, or 14.2 million acres.

Still, the National Agricultural Law Center estimates that 24 states ban or limit foreigners without residency and foreign businesses or governments from owning private farmland. The issue emerged after a Chinese billionaire bought more than 130,000 acres near a U.S. Air Force base in Texas and another Chinese company sought to build a corn plant near an Air Force base in North Dakota.

Rex Murphy, from a nearby rural community who raises cattle and grows corn and hay, said farmers support Trump in this area, and said he wanted fewer taxes and more freedom.

I want him to do everything for the economy, said Murphy, 48. If he just becomes president, and he does what he does, he will do more.

Harris is visiting Pennsylvania on Wednesday. Attending a New York fundraiser on Monday, Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, told a group of about 30 donors focused on climate change that Trumps energy catchphrase of drill, baby, drill is not a solution to things, and the public knows that its a cheap, easy thing.

Walz, speaking at a midtown Manhattan hotel to an audience that included former presidential candidate Tom Steyer and Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg, called climate change an existential threat but also an incredible opportunity to grow our economy. He specifically cited farmers who use their land to generate wind energy in addition to growing crops.

Harris campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said that despite all his lies and pandering, Donald Trump used the White House to give handouts to wealthy corporations and foreign companies."

Costello said in a statement that those came "at the expense of family farmers, drive farm bankruptcies to record levels, and sacrifice small American farmers as pawns in his failed trade war with China.

__

Colvin reported from Indiana, Pennsylvania. Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Didi Tang in Washington and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.
Trump Vows to Hit John Deere With Tariffs to Keep Jobs in US

(Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump threatened to hit US farm machinery maker Deere & Co. with steep tariffs if the company moves production to Mexico during an event on American farmers and trade.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Im just notifying John Deere right now, if you do that, were putting a 200% tariff on everything that you want to sell into the United States, Trump said Monday, citing reports about the company shifting manufacturing to Mexico.

Deere earlier this year said it would lay off 503 workers in Illinois and 310 in Iowa as it faces rising operational costs and declining demand. Its also acquiring land in Mexico to shift some production previously done in the US.

Deere shares climbed as much as 1.7% in early trading in New York on Tuesday, after falling more than 2% in after-market trading Monday following Trumps comments.

The worlds top farm machinery maker, which also has operations in South America and Europe, is an iconic American firm with its green and yellow tractors. Moline, Illinois-based Deere said in a statement it is committed to US manufacturing with $2 billion invested in domestic plants since 2019.

Trumps comments came at a forum in Pennsylvania focused on threats to US growers, as he sought to rally support in the crucial battleground. In addition to warning Deere, Trump accused China of failing to honor a deal to buy $50 billion in US agricultural exports and vowed to raise the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping if the Republican returns to the White House.

My first call, Im going to call up President Xi and say you have to honor the deal you made, Trump said. You made a deal, youd buy $50 billion worth of American farm product. And I guarantee you he will buy it, 100%, he will buy it.

Trump as president reached a so-called phase one trade deal with China in early 2020 that saw the US reduce some duties in exchange for China pledging to increase its purchases of US exports, including $50 billion of agricultural goods. But actual purchases fell short of that vow, with China importing less than 60% of the promised goods and services  covering food, energy and manufactured products through December 2021, according to a study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The Republican presidential nominee on Monday assailed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris  his November election rival  saying the current administration had failed to enforce the deal.

China, the worlds second largest economy, has emerged as a top target in the presidential race between Trump and Harris as both candidates vow to take a tough stance against Beijing and its growing military and economic influence.

Mondays event was organized by the Protecting America Initiative, which describes itself as a group committed to stopping Chinese influence in the US. Its senior advisers include former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell and former US Representative Lee Zeldin, both of whom joined Trump for the discussion.

The former president heard from farmers about the challenges they face, using the opportunity to tout his pledge to hit both US allies and adversaries with tariffs if he secures a second White House term.

Trump has vowed to impose a 60% tariff on China and has threatened a 100% tariff on Chinese cars made in Mexico  part of a broader agenda that would upend global trade. As president, Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion of Chinese goods.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida in August urged the company to prioritize US workers in a letter he sent to Deere Chief Executive Officer John May.

China Focus

Harris is largely expected to hew to Bidens approach of intensive diplomacy, keeping communication with Beijing open and highlighting areas where the nations can cooperate even as the administration looks to make the US more competitive with China and restrict its access to cutting edge technologies with national security implications.

Over the weekend, Biden hosted the Quad Leaders Summit in Delaware, bringing together the prime ministers of India, Australia and Japan, part of an effort to strengthen ties with US allies in the Indo-Pacific as a counterweight to China. During a hot mic moment, Biden was heard telling other leaders that China is testing the US and its allies in the region.

Earlier: China Testing Us All, Biden Says at Indo-Pacific Summit

The Biden administration this year has taken a number of steps to tighten the screws on China, including finalizing new tariffs on Chinese goods, cracking down on de minimis exemptions for Chinese shipments of cheap products and curbing shipments of steel and aluminum from China and elsewhere through Mexico.

Donald Trump used the White House to give handouts to wealthy corporations and foreign companies at the expense of family farmers, drive farm bankruptcies to record levels, and sacrifice small American farmers as pawns in his failed trade war with China, Harris campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said in a statement Monday.

Earlier: Harris Says Trump Sold Us Out to China, Slams His Praise of Xi

--With assistance from Stephanie Lai and Michael Hirtzer.

(Updates Deere shares move in fourth paragraph.)

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Chris Oberman has lived in South Korea, China, Iraq, and the Netherlands since 2019. Chris Oberman

A millennial has lived in five cities across four countries since 2019.

He's tried to find flexible income streams and adapt to the cost of living in each country.

He shared the financial pros and cons of South Korea, China, Iraq, and the Netherlands.

Moving to a new country can come with its share of financial obstacles. Chris Oberman knows this better than most.

Since 2019, Oberman, his wife, and their two cats have lived in five cities across four countries. His wife, who preferred to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, has a government job that requires them to move every few years.

They started their journey by moving from the Netherlands  where Oberman is originally from  to Beijing, where they lived for about two years before moving to Shanghai. They lived there for almost two years before moving to Erbil, Iraq in 2022. The couple resided there until they moved to Seoul, South Korea about two months ago, where they live with their infant son.

Oberman said the financial impacts of living across the globe have been a mixed bag. While his wife's company now covers their moving expenses, they had to fund their first couple of moves themselves  among the reasons they chose to sell a lot of their belongings. Additionally, the costs of food, housing, internet, cell service, electricity, and public transportation have varied significantly by country, making budgeting challenging at times.

Moving so often has also made it difficult for Oberman to find steady employment, so he's had to adapt. Over the last few years, he said he's earned some income from DJing, producing music, and photography. He also started a travel blog that he hopes he can turn into a side hustle.

"With a creative background, I bring some flexibility to our travels," the 38-year-old told Business Insider via email, adding, "I have options to work no matter where we land."

Over the past year, Business Insider has interviewed several people who have moved away from their home countries. While some have moved for an adventure or a job, others have done so to save money on expenses like housing and healthcare.

Oberman shared the financial pros and cons of the four countries he's lived in over the past few years  and the hardest part about being away from his home country.

The financial pros and cons of South Korea, China, Iraq, and the Netherlands

Chris Oberman said full-time day care is "really cheap" in Seoul. Chris Oberman

Since moving to Seoul, Oberman said he's found groceries and housing to be "quite expensive." He and his wife expect to pay over $4,000 a month for a three-to-four-bedroom home with an outdoor space  they're living in a hotel in the meantime.

Story continues

However, they were pleasantly surprised by the cost of childcare. The couple found a full-time day care option that charges roughly $400 a month for children less than one year old, according to a document provided to Business Insider. That number declines to about $350 a month for one-year-olds and $300 for two-year-olds.

"Full-time day care is really cheap," Oberman said, noting that is the first time he and his wife have actively explored day care options.

In China, Oberman said one of the biggest financial pros was that he found plenty of DJ work.

"I performed shows, worked for a Chinese company, produced music, and even got paid to judge a DJ contest," he said. "I received job offers or other opportunities almost every month."

Oberman said one of the biggest financial challenges he faced in China was that buying things like food with his cellphone was in some ways almost too "convenient."

"Society is so consumer-oriented that it's easy to end up spending a lot and buying more than you intended," he said.

In Iraq, Oberman said much of the food was fairly affordable, and that a $20 gas tank  which the couple used to cook  lasted them five months.

"Every week, a little truck would drive around, playing an ice-cream truck-like tune, offering full gas tanks for exchange," he said. "I found this so fascinating."

Oberman said the financial downsides of Iraq were that it was hard for him to find job opportunities and that he didn't trust the quality of certain goods.

"Let's say you want to buy a car  you never really know what you are buying," he said.

Oberman said the best thing about his home country of the Netherlands is the healthcare and schools  which he said are both high quality and affordable. He said he and his wife went back to the Netherlands for a few months for the birth of their child due to the "substandard" healthcare in Iraq.

He said the Netherlands' biggest financial downsides are that rent, groceries, public transportation, and energy costs have gotten more expensive in recent years.

The adventure of traveling the world has been worthwhile

Chris Oberman said he sometimes misses friends and family, but that he loves the "adventures" that come with living internationally. Chris Oberman

More than any financial challenge, Oberman said the toughest part about living internationally has been being away from friends and family.

"Whenever I'm back home, the stories I tell don't quite resonate with them," he said. "Not being able to really share those adventures is something I didn't expect would happen."

However, he doesn't regret the path he and his wife have taken.

"We chose this life because we love to travel, and living abroad is much different than a week's holiday," Oberman said, adding, "We love a culture shock, the new possibilities, and even small things like going to the supermarket can be a new adventure."

He said they hope to keep exploring the world even as their son gets older.

"If he prefers to stay in one place or in our home country, we will definitely consider that, of course," he said. "But we hope he likes traveling just as much as we do."

Have you recently moved to a new country or state and are willing to share your story? Reach out to this reporter at jzinkula@businessinsider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former President Donald Trump and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin at a June 28, 2024, rally in Chesapeake. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

With early voting now underway in Virginia, former President Donald Trump appears to have warmed up to the practice of sending out mail-in ballots to voters for the November general election  a position contrary to his many deprecatory comments regarding mail-in voting.

In this election we must use every appropriate tool to beat the radical left Democrats, thats why I am urging every Virginia patriot to vote early, and dont wait, Trump said during a telephone rally hosted by Gov. Glenn Youngkin Sunday evening. Youve heard a lot about voting by mail, but thats what we have right now.

On the 15-minute call, Trump asked Republican voters to cast their ballots either by mail, early in person or on election day.

We have long term voting, we used to have one day, paper ballots, all the things that you know we want to do, but youre in the first group and I am asking you to get your friends, get your family, get everyone you know and make a plan to vote for Trump, the GOPs presidential nominee said.

Virginia is one of just three states  the other two being Minnesota and South Dakota  where early voting started on Friday, 45 days before the Nov. 5 election. At least 59,686 Virginians have since cast their ballots as of Sunday evening, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project.

With just 895 returned ballots, mail-in voting marked just a fraction of the total number of votes cast by that time.

Trump has consistently spoken against mail-in voting on the campaign trail while spouting conspiracy theories and falsely claiming that the 2020 presidential election that he lost to Democrat Joe Biden by more than 7 million votes had been stolen from him.

Mail-in voting is totally corrupt. Get that through your head. It has to be, Trump said at a rally in Michigan in February. And during an interview with the British GB News in March, he asserted that anytime the mail is involved, youre going to have cheating.

Trumps cautious embrace of early and mail-in voting aligns with the GOPs slow acceptance of a practice that has expanded the tent of voters nationwide in recent years and proven to be beneficial for increasing turnout on both sides of the aisle.

Both campaigns are really talking about the election in apocalyptic terms, and this is really motivating voters, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.

Early voting absolutely works for campaigns; you dont have to worry about getting voters to the polls on election day. If the ballot is locked in at election time, it gets a lot easier, and election officials can focus on voters who havent made it to the polls, Farnsworth said

During Sundays telephone rally, Trump rattled off a list of different ways for Virginians to cast their ballots early.

Every county in Virginia has at least one early voting location, so thats important to know. Most counties have early voting Monday through Friday. Any registered Virginia voter can get out and vote as early as possible, you can vote tomorrow, he said.

Trump said that he could be the first Republican presidential candidate to carry Virginia since President George W. Bush won his reelection bid in 2004.

Because if we are really going at it, we have a really good chance to win Virginia, there hasnt been one in decades by a presidential candidate, he said.

Trump still faces an uphill battle in the commonwealth, where he trails Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, by 10 percentage points, according to a Morning Consult poll conducted between Aug. 30 and Sept. 8.

But a more recent survey by the University of Mary Washington released last week found that the race has since tightened, with Harris leading Trump with just 48 to 46% in a two-way contest, within the polls margin of error.

Virginia Democrats, however, pushed back against the narrative that the presidential race in the commonwealth was competitive.

While Trump is literally phoning it in here in Virginia, Team Harris-Walz and Virginia Democrats are turning unmatched enthusiasm into action, highlighting the stark contrast between Vice President Harris new way forward and Trumps extreme Project 2025 agenda that would give him unchecked control over our daily lives, said Virginia Democratic Party chair Susan Swecker.

Harris has yet to campaign in the commonwealth as the Democratic presidential nominee. Her husband, Douglas Emhoff, is set to visit Charlottesville on Wednesday.

Also on Sundays call, Youngkin reiterated that elections in Virginia are safe and that voters can trust the process.

We have paper ballots, we have counting machines, not voting machines, lock boxes are under 24-7 security, and we have a great process to make sure that the ballots are not only kept but custody is clear. And finally, non-citizens will be prosecuted if they vote, he said.

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The campaign for former President Donald Trump said it is giving "maximum attention and resources" to its ground game in battleground states, and it's working.

In key battleground states where voters register by party, and where the margins in 2020 were razor-thin, Republicans have cut into Democrats voter registration advantage  in some cases by hundreds of thousands of registered voters.

During the 2020 election cycle in Pennsylvania, there were approximately 685,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans. But going into Election Day 2024, that gap has been cut down significantly, with approximately 343,000 more Democratic voters than Republicans, according to the Trump campaign, which said it compiled the data from secretaries of state offices in Pennsylvania, Nevada, North Carolina and Arizona.

Trump Campaign Touts 'Trump Force 47' Grassroots Recruitment Effort 100 Days Out From Election Day

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Uniondale, New York, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Similarly, in Nevada, there were 87,000 more Democratic voters in 2020 than Republicans. But going into Election Day 2024, there are just 19,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans.

North Carolina shows a similar shrinking gap for 2024, with just 126,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans, down from the 391,000 Democratic voters last cycle.

Read On The Fox News App

And in Arizona, by the end of July, there were 259,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats, doubling the GOP advantage since 2020.

"Everyone who will vote in this election has lived through both administrations, and President Trump wins the comparison easily over Kamala Harris," Trump campaign senior adviser Tim Murtaugh told Fox News Digital. "The election will be won by those who show up, and thats where the ground game comes in, which has been a combined effort of the Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee, and many Republican allies."

Murtaugh told Fox News Digital that the "Democrats massive lead in voter registration in key states is gone."

"And in states where the winner will be decided by mere percentage points, it could make all the difference," Murtaugh said.

But the Democratic National Committee is pushing back, saying "Trump and the RNC's own supporters admit they can barely run a ground game  they are more focused on suppressing voters than trying to win them over."

DNC spokesperson Alex Floyd said the DNC has been working to protect voters' rights to make sure "every eligible voter can cast their ballot while Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are talking to the American people about the issues that matter to them."

"Meanwhile, Trump and the GOP are saddled with a wildly unpopular Project 2025 agenda and giving voters more reasons every day to reject Republicans' dangerous extremism at the ballot box this November," Floyd said.

The Trump campaign has repeatedly said "he has nothing to do with Project 2025."

The Trump campaigns joint-ground game efforts are continuing to expand, but it is focusing its "Get Out the Vote" efforts on low propensity voters and encouraging voters to vote early.

Across battleground states, the Trump campaign and RNC have hundreds of paid staff, with more than 300 Trump/GOP offices.

In July, the Trump campaign launched its " Trump Force 47 " grassroots effort to recruit new voters.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Uniondale, New York, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

The program, which the campaign says is focused on mobilizing "highly-targeted voters in critical precincts across the battleground states and districts," has already engaged tens of thousands of volunteers.

Trump's New Book 'Save America' Chronicles First-term Triumphs, Outlines Blueprint For A Winning Second

Trump campaign officials told Fox News Digital they already have more than 27,000 trained Trump Force 47 captains and continue to train daily, adding thousands per week.

The efforts stretch beyond the Trump Force 47 leaders, with hundreds of thousands more volunteers for phone banking, canvassing, postcard writing, community organizing and poll watching.

The joint effort and the Trump Force 47 model are focused on spending "maximum attention and resources" on turning out infrequent or "sometimes voters," the campaign said.

"We put a high premium on personal contacts with voters that are less likely to participate in the election and are more disconnected from politics than high propensity or persistent voters," a campaign official told Fox News Digital.

Campaign officials also said they are focused on "meeting voters where they are" more than ever before.

"From traditional voter canvassing like calls, doors, post cards, mail, to TikTok, to outside groups, our efforts to reach voters have never been more modern or efficient," the official said.

Fox News Digital has learned that the Trump campaigns allied efforts will knock on approximately 15 million doors in the voting window across battleground states.

The Trump campaigns field efforts have been focused on volume, where its in-house program is focused on reaching voters that were previously missed or less politically engaged.

"We have to get our voters to do what they always do  show up at the polls and vote," the official said.

Meanwhile, specifically in Pennsylvania, Team Trump is registering voters at doors, campaign rallies, grocery stores, sporting stores, places of worship, college tailgates and more.

Officials told Fox News Digital that the team is reaching out to voters of all backgrounds through a wide variety of communities, including Hispanic voters, Jewish voters, Black voters, young voters and senior voters.

"President Trump is well positioned to win in November thanks to our robust ground efforts and vast coalition of supporters and endorsers," an official said.

New polls published by The New York Times and Siena College on Monday showed Trump has gained a lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in Arizona, putting the former president at 50 and Harris at 45. Trump is also ahead in Georgia, 49 to 45, and North Carolina, 49-45.

A RealClearPolitics Average shows Harris leading Trump by less than a point in Pennsylvania, and it shows Trump and Harris are tied in Nevada.





Original article source: Trump's ground game shrinks voter registration gap in key battlegrounds
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey will submit evidence about Israel's killing of a Turkish-American woman in the West Bank this month to the United Nations Security Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), its justice minister said on Monday.

CONTEXT

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was killed on Sept. 6 as she took part in a protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank amid the war in Gaza.

Israel has acknowledged that its troops shot the activist, but says it was an unintentional act during a demonstration that turned violent.

Israel's Western allies have been angered by surging settler assaults on Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, part of historic Palestine which Palestinians want for an independent state. The war in Gaza has also increased tensions in the region.

Turkey has opened an investigation into Eygi's killing and will request international arrest warrants, Ankara said this month, while President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would go to the ICJ over the matter.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Eygi's killing has added strain to ties between Israel and its main ally the United States, which has been angered by the surge of assaults on Palestinians in the West Bank and demanded a swift investigation into the incident.

Washington has said that Eygi's killing was unacceptable and that Israel must ensure such an event never happens again.

Israel's initial findings on the killing do not exonerate its security forces, the United States said, warning that it would consider other measures if it is not satisfied with the results of a full Israeli probe.

KEY QUOTES

"We will both bring Aysenur's reports to the United Nations Security Council's agenda, and submit our sister Aysenur's reports and evidence to the International Court of Justice, where the genocide case is continuing," Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc told reporters.

"We will also submit Aysenur's evidence to the ongoing investigation about Israeli aggressors at the International Criminal Court," he added, without giving a timeline.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Daren Butler and Ed Osmond)
Turkey wants to get rid of stray dogs. How do others deal with them?

Animal rights advocates held a demonstration in Istanbul's Yenikapi Square against the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) proposal to amend the Animal Rights Protection Law. The 17-article proposal, which paved the way for euthanasia for stray animals, was first submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly on July 12 and includes granting municipalities the authority to euthanize stray animals with rabies, contagious diseases or incurable illnesses. Tolga Ildun/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Estimates show there are around 4 million stray dogs roaming the streets of Turkey.

Now a new law allows them to be caught and in certain cases, such as aggression or illness, be euthanized. The government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan argues that people keep getting bitten by stray dogs, but activists are up in arms.

The controversial bill passed in late July requires shelters to catch and take in dogs and find new homes for them. Those deemed to be ill or aggressive or pose a "risk to human or animal health" can be euthanized.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) filed a complaint with the constitutional court against the new law in August, arguing it violates animal rights and international treaties.

The country has only 100,000 places in animal shelters for the millions of dogs that roam the streets. Pets often live in deplorable conditions and animal rights activists fear mass culling.

They want to stick to the old rules: catch, neuter, vaccinate and release back into the area of origin - if implemented consistently, this is a proven method of reducing the street animal population.

How do other countries in Europe deal with stray animals?

Germany

Germany generally has a good infrastructure of shelters that look after animals in need and therefore has no problem with stray dogs, the German Animal Welfare Association reports.

However, the facilities are overloaded and many have imposed an admission's moratorium. The situation has become particularly acute following the coronavirus pandemic.

In contrast to other countries, Germany strictly outlaws the euthanasia of animals, the animal welfare group says. Animals may only be euthanized in individual cases, for example if they are terminally ill in order to avoid further suffering. The decision must be made by an ethics committee.

Greece

A strict animal welfare law has been in force in Greece since 2021, under which owners are required to register and neuter their pets. However, despite the laws and the desperate efforts of animal welfare organizations, the number of stray animals remains high: there are said to be well over 3 million stray cats and dogs in Greece, although exact figures are not available.

There is a special problem with dogs in mountainous, uninhabited regions of the country. Surveys show there are around 70,000 stray sheepdogs roaming around that have been abandoned by shepherds. In packs, the large animals pose a danger to humans and livestock.

Healthy dogs and cats may not be killed in Greece, neither by the state nor by doctors or even private individuals. Instead, the country launched a 15 million ($16.7 million) programme last year to help municipalities neuter stray animals.

Great Britain

Euthanasia of stray dogs is generally permitted after a seven-day holding period, but in practice this is often only carried out if the animal is terminally ill or aggressive. The local authority that catches the animal tries to find the owner. If no one can be found, it is usually handed over to a shelter, where the aim is to re-home it. Whether the animal is euthanized if it is not rehomed is at the initiative of the facility. Many shelters have a "no kill" policy.

France

In France, like some other places, the fate of an animal is in the hands of shelter personnel. Stray cats and dogs are caught by animal shelters on behalf of the local authorities and become their property within eight days if no owner can be found. A vet can also order them to be euthanized due to illness, dangerousness or other reasons. According to animal welfare organizations, this happens in practice with animals that are difficult to place and display problematic behaviour.

Spain

The holiday destination is far ahead of other countries in terms of the number of dogs abandoned each year. In 2022, around 170,000 dogs were abandoned or lost. The Affinity Foundation cites unwanted offspring as the most common reason. However, stray dogs are rare and are therefore not considered a problem. Abandoned dogs are usually quickly taken to animal shelters by the relevant services, where it is hoped that they can be placed with new owners.

However, this only works to a limited extent, meaning that the 1,500 or so animal shelters across the country are often overcrowded, which is very stressful for the animals.

According to a new animal welfare law passed in September 2023, killing dogs is limited to cases in which the animal has to endure excessive suffering due to an incurable disease. However, only dogs that are companions to humans as pets fall under the protection of the law. Hunting dogs such as the Galgo, the Spanish greyhound, are excluded.

Italy

Killing street dogs has been prohibited by law in Italy since 1991. However, a system of animal camps has been established in which the conditions are catastrophic, according to animal rights activists. In the so-called dog kennels (canile), the animals are crammed into very small spaces, often in the open air, and are only given makeshift care. Operators are only out to make a profit, as they receive state support for each animal, animal welfare organizations say.

Data from the Carabinieri, a type of national police force, showed an estimated 50,000 dogs were abandoned last year - mainly in the south and centre of the country during the holiday months of July and August.

Romania

In 2013, the Constitutional Court in Romania authorized a law requiring local authorities to care for captured dogs in animal shelters for 14 days, after which they can euthanize them. As in Turkey, there are repeated reports of packs of stray dogs attacking people.

Romania is also considered a negative example of how animals are treated. Only veterinarians are authorized to carry out euthanasia. However, animal rights activists report that dogs are starved to death, hanged or beaten to death. In practice, the implementation of the law is difficult to monitor and is not standardized throughout the country. There are no figures on how many dogs have been euthanized. Despite the practices, the problem of street dogs in Romania has not been solved.

Animal rights advocates protest in Istanbul's Yenikapi Square against the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) proposal to amend the Animal Rights Protection Law. The controversial bill requires shelters to take in stray dogs and grants municipalities the authority to euthanize stray animals with rabies, contagious diseases or incurable illnesses. Tolga Ildun/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

A stray dog on a street in Istanbul. Mirjam Schmitt/dpa
Joe Echelle, executive director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, talks about solar eclipse preparations on April 2 during a press conference. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority on Monday awarded a $38.5 million contract to widen a portion of the Turner Turnpike and build a service plaza.

Becco Contractors was awarded the contract which includes 1.5 miles of six-lane widening, realignment of the westbound turnpike lanes and construction of a new Stroud service plaza, said Darian Butler, OTA director of engineering.

Becco was the low bidder, he said. The companys bid was 6.8% above the engineers estimate, he said.

This is kind of a big project for us, Butler said.

The project is part of the agencys Turner Turnpike service plaza modernization plan that started years ago, he said.

The service plaza will serve the westbound traffic of the turnpike that connects Tulsa and Oklahoma City, he said. The service plaza at Chandler serves the eastbound traffic.

The OTA, you know, we build the site, Butler said. We bring the utilities to the site. We build the truck parking, the semi parking, and then of course Loves and McDonalds, they are our vendors here, so they will come in with their own biddable set of plans and they will build the buildings within the site.

Additional diesel fuel pumps will be added because those sales are up significantly, said Joe Echelle, OTA executive director.

I think they are also putting in a tire center and trying to do some showers and things like that for the truck drivers, Echelle said. So it is a full service truck stop as well.

Eastbound access to the Stroud travel plaza ended after the new Chandler facility opened in 2020, said Lisa Shearer-Salim, an OTA spokesperson.

Officials hope to keep westbound access to the Stroud plaza open during the majority of the construction of the new facility, she said.

The new facility is expected to open in the spring of 2026, she said.

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A measles outbreak in Minnesota is continuing to grow, with 51 cases now confirmed in the Twin Cities area since May.

The latest data from the Minnesota Department of Health shows nine new cases have been confirmed this month.

A dozen people sickened with measles in Minnesota have been hospitalized since the outbreak began.

Via Minnesota Department of Health.

Where is measles spreading?

According to MDH, all of Minnesota's confirmed cases of measles have been found in the Twin Cities area.

To date, the vast majority of cases  45 in total  have been confirmed in Hennepin County.

Anoka, Ramsey and Dakota counties have also recorded at least one confirmed case.

The Sahan Journal recently reported the outbreak has spread to an elementary school in Minneapolis where over a quarter of students are not fully vaccinated, though school and health officials have declined to name the school due to privacy concerns.

Students at the school who are not vaccinated are being excluded from attendance for 21 days, the Sahan Journal reported last week.

In an email alert, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) officials urged district families to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date in their household.

"Please use this notice to ensure that you and your family are vaccinated and safe from this very contagious yet controllable disease," MPS wrote. "Please also make sure your school health office has the most up to date immunization records."

Who is getting measles?

According to health officials, the measles outbreak is primarily affecting unvaccinated children in the state's Somali community, which has been targeted with misinformation regarding vaccine safety.

However, anyone who is not up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is considered at risk.

Children between the ages of 1 and 5 have accounted for 24 of Minnesota's confirmed measles cases to date.

Via Minnesota Department of Health.

Why is measles on the rise in Minnesota?

In an interview with MPR News last week, Dr. Ruth Lynfield, the state epidemiologist, said Minnesota's total number of confirmed cases in 2024, which is 58, is as many cases as the entire United States recorded in 2023.

According to Lynfield, Minnesota previously recorded between zero and four cases of measles in a typical year. However, declining vaccination rates have driven a increase in measles outbreaks.

Because measles is so highly contagious, experts believe vaccination rates above 90% are needed to prevent large outbreaks.

If you had 10 people who were susceptible in a room and someone with measles came into that room, nine of the 10 would get infected, Lynfield explained.

The number of infections recorded in Minnesota this year represents second worst year for measles in more than the past two decades, only trailing behind the 2017 outbreak that grew to 75 confirmed cases.

Even a small drop in the immunization coverage rate means there are thousands more children who could be vulnerable to disease because they are not vaccinated, Jennifer Heath, the immunizations program director for MDH, said during the 2022 outbreak. If the coverage rate in a setting like a childcare or school is significantly less than 85 or 90 percent, thats an outbreak waiting to happen."

More information on the current outbreak and resources regarding the MMR vaccine can be found on the state's website here.
BYRAM, Miss. (WJTV)  Law enforcement agencies arrested two men after a chase ended in a crash in Byram.

Richland police said one of their detectives and a K-9 responded to the area of the Interstate 55 Frontage Road in Byram on September 19 to assist a Florence police officer, who had pursued a stolen vehicle. They said the vehicle had wrecked, and several suspects ran away from the scene.

Woman charged with killing man in Copiah County

According to Richland police, the same stolen vehicle had fled from multiple agencies recently and managed to evade arrest each time.

The K-9 was deployed to track the suspects, as well as the Clinton Police Departments UAV/drone team. Police said the suspects were found by the thermal drone, hiding in thick brush on the bank of a creek.

Xavier Washington (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.)

Isaiah Wooten (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.)

The K-9 was able to locate one of the suspects, and the second was found a few feet away. Police said the second suspect attempted to run, but the K-9 was able to catch him.

The suspects were identified as 23-year-old Xavier Washington, of Jackson, and 20-year-old Isaiah Wooten, of Jackson. Police said Washington was wanted at the time for felony fleeing and receiving stolen property.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Two schools within the Kansas City metro have been named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

William Yates Elementary School in Independence and Voy Spears Jr. Elementary School in Lees Summit both received the national recognition.

Chicken Salad Chick set to open in multiple locations in Kansas City area

They are both apart of the Blue Springs R-IV school district.

Another nearby school was also awarded. Sunflower Elementary School in Paola, Kansas was named a National Blue Ribbon School.

The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories:

Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body. Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.

Up to 420 schools can be nominated. The Department of Education recognized 356 schools with the honor.

Patrick Mahomes sets record for wins by a QB through 1st 100 starts

In total, there were eight Missouri schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools:

Clayton  Meramec Elementary School, School District of Clayton.

Clayton  Ralph M. Captain Elementary School, School District of Clayton.

Essex  Richland Elementary School, Richland R-I.

Hannibal  Oakwood Elementary School, Hannibal 60.

Independence  Williams Yates Elementary School, Blue Springs R-IV.

Lees Summit  Voy Spears, Jr. Elementary School, Blue Springs R-IV.

St Louis  Bristol Elementary School, Webster Groves School District.

St Louis  Metro Academic and Classical High School, Saint Louis Public Schools.

There were also four Kansas schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools:

Augusta  Garfield Elementary School, USD 402.

Herington  Herington Elementary School, USD 487 Herington Schools.

Junction City  Lincoln Elementary School, Geary County Schools USD 475.

Paola  Sunflower Elementary School, Paola.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Two gas megaprojects to be suspended in Russia due to sanctions  Russian media

Western sanctions against Russian gas company Novatek have worked: the company has frozen its plans to build new gas liquefaction plants.

Source: Russian media outlet Kommersant

Details: This refers to Murmansk LNG, which was supposed to become Russia's largest gas liquefaction plant (three liquefaction lines of 6.8 million tonnes each), and Obskoye LNG in the Arctic port of Sabetta (two liquefaction lines of 3 million tonnes each).

Both projects have been suspended, and no active work is underway on either of them. There is no information on when Novatek will return to the development of these projects, as the company has been focusing on completing Arctic LNG-2 and establishing shipments from this plant.

Due to the sanctions, the construction of the Obskoye Gas Chemical Complex may become a priority for Novatek. Novatek wants to produce ammonia and urea there and then export these products across the Arctic Ocean to Asia-Pacific countries. Urea exports require ice-class bulk carriers, but they are easier to build than LNG carriers.

The Murmansk and Obskoye LNG plants were to be Novatek's next projects after Arctic LNG-2. The Obskoye plant was planned to be built in conjunction with the Obskoye Gas Chemical Complex.

The first line of the Arctic LNG-2 has been built, but exports from it are hampered by Western sanctions.

Background:

Wien Energie GmbH, which supplies energy to two million people in and around the Austrian capital, has announced that it will get rid of Russian fuel for the first time in decades starting in 2025.

Russia will lose about US$6.5 billion annually at current prices when it loses gas transit capacity through Ukraine.

Russia's plans to increase gas exports will rely on a project which is subject to US sanctions to produce liquefied natural gas in the Arctic.

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It happened in the Northumberland Street area at about 21:00 BST on Sunday [PA]

Two men have been treated in hospital after a stabbing in a bar in west Belfast, the Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) have said.

It happened in the Northumberland Street area at about 21:00 BST on Sunday.

Officers said they spoke with two men who reported injuries and were taken to hospital.

Insp Hamilton said: "Thankfully, at this stage it appears that their injuries are not serious."

Officers remained in the area for a time and enquiries are ongoing.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the assault, or who may have any other information to contact them.
(Bloomberg) -- South Koreas financial watchdog is looking into Morgan Stanleys order to sell SK Hynix Inc. shares before research analysts at the bank cut their recommendation on the stock, another sign of the countrys increased scrutiny of global banks and hedge funds.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Financial Supervisory Service has asked Morgan Stanley Seoul to submit documents for an examination into whether the US firm complied with regulations around a research report dated Sept. 15 that downgraded Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynixs stock, according to an FSS spokesperson.

South Koreas capital markets laws prohibit publishers of market analysis from trading financial products subject to their analyses for 24 hours, in order to prevent insider trading based on nonpublic information, the spokesperson said.

On Sept. 13, the Seoul branch of Morgan Stanley placed an order to sell about 1.01 million shares, around three times larger than a day earlier, according to Yonhap News, a South Korean media outlet. Morgan Stanley analysts downgraded SK Hynix to underweight from overweight two days later and cut the banks price target to 120,000 won from 260,000 won, saying memory conditions are beginning to deteriorate and investors should consider moving up to quality in Samsung and value-oriented end markets.

Because local markets were shut for the Chuseok holiday, SK Hynix shares werent trading between the close on Sept. 13 and the reopen on Sept. 19. The chipmakers stock tumbled more than 11% intraday when it resumed trading and ended the day 6.1% lower. Chip stocks in Korea are often volatile after foreign brokerages issue rating reports.

A Morgan Stanley spokeswoman declined to comment.

The FSS move is not unusual, according to Sungbok Lee, senior research fellow at Korea Capital Market Institute, who used to work for the market regulator.

If a domestic securities firm or bank did the same, FSS would have taken the same approach. It is only natural for a financial authority to be obligated to find out the facts, he said.

Activities of global banks and hedge funds have been under the microscope in recent months in South Korea, as authorities boost steps to weed out naked short selling  a practice of selling shares without borrowing them first  which is illegal in the the nations $1.8 trillion stock market. Theyve also made efforts to impose tougher penalties for stock manipulation and other unfair trades.

Story continues

The FSS will start a wider probe if the examination indicates Morgan Stanley may have violated its obligations, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be named.

Korea Exchange had already begun an account analysis of Morgan Stanley over any possible irregularities in its trading of SK Hynix shares, Yonhap also reported.

SK Hynix has been an investor favorite as the company rose quickly to become the dominant supplier of high-bandwidth memory chips that work in conjunction with AI accelerators. Yet, foreign investor buying in the stock has waned recently as Samsung Electronics has been making progress in raising its HBM output.

--With assistance from Sohee Kim and Denise Wee.

(Updates with analyst comment in seventh paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Two people, one from Iowa, hurt following crash in Wisconsin

VIROQUA, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in western Wisconsin say two people, including one man from Iowa, were hurt in a crash Saturday afternoon.

According to a release from the Vernon County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded around 2:00 p.m. on September 21 to the intersection of West Smith Road and Barstad Road in Viroqua for reports of a two-vehicle crash.

At the scene, officials say a vehicle driven by 72-year-old Robert Ramsey from Iowa City was reading south on Barstad Road and did not stop at the intersection of West Smith Road leading it to crash into a vehicle heading east.

Western Wisconsin Sheriffs Office locates missing hunter after 15 hour search

Both Ramsey and the driver of the eastbound vehicle, 45-year-old Jeffrey Hahn from Virogua, were reported to have minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to a hospital.

The Vernon County Sheriffs Office says it was assisted at the scene by the Viroqua Police Department, the Viroqua Fire Department, the Viroqua Fire Department Emergency Responders, and the Tri-State Ambulance/Gundersen Ambulance.

No other information about this incident is available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  Members of SEIU Local 73 began striking Monday morning after negotiations failed between building service workers and the University of Illinois last week.

Although the strike affects food service workers, a university spokesperson clarified that all dining halls are open except the one at Lincoln Avenue and Allen Residence Halls, which is open for kosher meals. The convenience stores operated by University Housing are also open but are not serving made-to-order hot food.

WCIA reached out to both the U of I and the union for statements. The university provided the following:

We have mediation sessions scheduled with the SEIU bargaining team for today as well as for Sept. 26, 27, 30 and Oct. 1, 2 and 3. Our goal continues to be to reach an agreement as quickly as possible and in a way that is fair, and we will continue to provide essential services throughout the strike. Union members have rejected agreements reached between the university and union leadership on two separate occasions Robin Kaler, Associate Chancellor, Strategic Communications and Marketing

This is a developing story. We will provide updates as we learn more.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  After failing to reach an agreement with the University of Illinois on Friday, building service workers are planning to strike Monday morning.

PREVIOUSLY: U of I building service workers could strike this weekend as negotiations continue to fail

According to an email sent to SEIU Local 73 members, the strike will begin at 7 a.m. In that same email, the Bargaining Committee asked workers who are scheduled to come in to not come to work. For those who are already working, they ask them to clock out and head to the picket line.

Photo courtesy of Local SEIU 73 Member. The blue stars indicate where members will be picketing on Monday

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m.

In a message sent to union members and supporters, SEIU 73 asks everyone to continue to use building facilities and to line up for 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 WCIA.com.
Russian actors created a fake San Francisco news station that published a staged video this month in an attempt to generate a scandal about Vice President Kamala Harris  the latest example of Moscows attempt to denigrate the Democratic presidential nominee in her campaign against former President Donald Trump, U.S. intelligence officials said on Monday.

A website posing as a nonexistent San Francisco news outlet, called KBSF-TV, published a story on Sept. 2 claiming Harris was involved in a hit-and-run in the city while serving as Californias attorney general in 2011. The story included a video in which a woman alleged that Harris was involved in the incident, leaving her paralyzed.





The story was entirely fictitious, as was the website, registered in Iceland and created just a few weeks prior to the storys publication. But the fabrication nonetheless spread quickly across right-wing social media.

Officials with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the FBI told reporters Monday that the U.S. intelligence community assesses Russian influence actors were responsible for staging a widely reported video in which a woman claims she was a victim of a hit-and-run car accident by the vice president.

This content is also consistent with Russias broader efforts to boost the former presidents candidacy and denigrate the vice president and the Democratic Party, including through conspiratorial narratives, one ODNI official said.

The domain, kbsf-tv.com, was registered through Namecheap on Aug. 20, and the registrant used an address in Reykjavik that had been used in other online scams.

Articles on the site were posted without attribution and appeared to take text from real news outlets stories.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, community notes indicating the allegations were fabricated were appended to posts that circulated the story. The website is no longer available.

It is not the first, nor it will be the last, use of technology aiming to spread narratives about candidates. Microsoft, in its own, independent assessment published last week, also found that Russian actors had switched to a playbook of denigrating the vice president.

Russia has generated the most AI content related to the election, and has done so across all four mediums  text, images, audio and video, the ODNI official said.

While intelligence officials do not make an assessment of the impact of foreign efforts to influence or interfere with U.S. elections, the ODNI official said that the intelligence community thus far believes that AI-generated content is serving to improve and accelerate foreign influence operations. It has not yet become a revolutionary influence tool, the official said.

Actors such as the Russians are deploying AI-generated content by laundering material through prominent figures, using inauthentic social media accounts, creating websites pretending to be legitimate news outlets, or releasing supposed leaks of AI-generated content that appear sensitive or controversial, the official added.

The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

McClatchyDCs Ben Wieder contributed to this story.
U.S., Italy reassure Ukraine on its energy needs as winter nears, Russian war lingers

On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (seen in May) said how the G7 and partner nations have collectively worked to mobilize resources over the last couple of years for Ukraine, for its people, to ensure that they have the energy supplies that they need and that the country can deliver those supplies to the people who need them. Photo by NATO Presse/UPI

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- On top of ongoing U.N. discussions this weekend, the top U.S. diplomat met with counterparts from Ukraine and Italy to reaffirm ongoing commitments to the Ukrainian energy sector.

And, in doing so, they were critical of Russia's ongoing war with its independent eastern neighbor, according to new reports.

In their 5th meeting, the G7+ Ministerial Group met amid the 79th United Nations General Assembly session that is ongoing in New York City. At that meeting, the group members reaffirmed "our unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's brutal and unjust attacks on Ukraine and its energy infrastructure," a joint release by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated.

Blinken said earlier Monday that the G7 and partner nations have collectively "worked to mobilize resources over the last couple of years for Ukraine, for its people, to ensure that they have the energy supplies that they need and that the country can deliver those supplies to the people who need them."

"We reaffirm our strong commitment to the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and to focus on the key priorities needed to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on international law, including the U.N. Charter and its principles," the statement said.

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in the United States to lobby lawmakers to aid Ukraines war efforts and laid out a "plan for victory" to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee. Photo by Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/UPI

They also pledged to provide further funding and other support to address the Ukrainian energy sector's most urgent needs, which they said includes repairs of damaged power plants and district heating systems, deployment of new, distributed power generation and emergency backup power for critical services, and the "passive protection" for its energy infrastructure.

Recently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged more than $39 billion in loans for Ukraine to help repair power plants and critical civilian infrastructure as it continues to fight against Russia's invasion.

In their statement, Blinken, Tajani and Sybiha called out Russia's seizure and continued control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

"We emphasize that any use of nuclear energy and nuclear installations must be safe, secured, safe-guarded, and environmentally sound," they said, stressing that the nuclear facility "must return to the full sovereign control of Ukraine in line with IAEA principles and under its independent supervision."

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in the United States to lobby lawmakers to aid Ukraine's war efforts and laid out a "plan for victory" to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

Speaking Sunday on a visit to a munitions plant in Scranton, Pa., producing 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine, Zelensky said the plan took into consideration the contingency of the November U.S. presidential election and an imminent new occupant in the White House.

"The plan includes not only what is needed from Biden today. There will be a new president in the United States and we need to talk to each of the candidates," he said.

The United States, Italy, as well as Ukraine, "strongly condemned," their statement said, Russia's "continuous missile and drone strikes" on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and cities, which -- according to the diplomats in their release -- had escalated since March and "severely threaten Ukraine's energy security."

Also threatened, they said, is Ukrainian civilian access "to critical services including electricity, heat, and water during the cold winter months, which could be the harshest for Ukraine since at least its independence."

In February, Italy signed an agreement in Munich with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development -- or EBRD, the more than 30-year-old international financial institution -- for a more than $222 million Euro project "to restore the capacity of the main hydropower generation Ukraine company," Tajani said Monday in brief remarks.

And the Italian government had authorized a previous $55 million grant for "urgent measures" needed to repair Ukraine's energy infrastructures in its ongoing war.

Italy, Tajani said in his own remarks, has been "strongly engaged on this on the bilateral level since the start of the war." The joint statement also pointed to regional energy implications of the Russian military's ongoing military incursion in the former Soviet satellite state, such as on the neighboring small country of Moldova.

"The arrival of the winter is imminent, and we are very concerned by this situation," Italy's foreign minister said.

The three alliances nations "welcome and underscore," they said, "the significance of Ukraine's commitment to business-enabling reforms that will establish a level playing field for investment in the energy sector" while calling on international partners "to elevate their financial contributions" to Ukraine.

They also acknowledged the need for international assistance to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure from future attacks, which the statement says include strengthening the Ukrainian air defense capabilities, and reaffirm its readiness to continue providing such assistance.

Supporting the Ukrainian vision of a "more decentralized, diversified, resilient, and renewable/sustainable energy system" that is fully integrated with Europe is the goal.

"We are convinced that rebuilding Ukraine's energy system in the short and long term is in the interest of enhancing global energy security and sustainability."
Displaced Palestinians gather as they shelter in a tent camp which was flooded following rainfall, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey, among the world's sharpest critics of the Israeli military operation in Gaza, will use the U.N. General Assembly this week to highlight what it says is a genocide unfolding there and will urge international pressure on Israel.

President Tayyip Erdogan and several Turkish ministers will take part in the General Assembly in New York, which comes amid the heaviest cross-border fire between Israel and militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, alongside the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

NATO member Turkey has condemned Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which came in retaliation for Palestinian militant group Hamas' cross-border attack on Oct. 7 last year. Turkey halted all trade with Israel and applied to join a genocide case against Israel at the World Court.

Israel has repeatedly dismissed the genocide case as baseless, arguing in the court that its operations in Gaza are self-defence and target Gaza's ruling Hamas group.

Erdogan addresses the assembly on Tuesday and plans to underscore what he described as the "ongoing genocide in Gaza" and repeat his call to reform the U.N. structure to be more inclusive, a Turkish diplomatic source said.

The Turkish delegation, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, will press the Gaza issue in all of its meetings and bilateral contacts throughout the week, the source added.

Fidan on Sunday urged Muslim counterparts in New York to use their contacts this week to highlight the Gaza issue, the diplomatic source said.

Erdogan has so far met the leaders of Serbia and Albania in New York. The source said he and Fidan would also hold talks to discuss counter-terrorism, mediation, regional ties and investments.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; editing by Jonathan Spicer and Mark Heinrich)
In recent years, theres been buzz in the art world about smuggled antiquities being returned to their countries of origin. Now, a trove of artifacts from India stolen centuries ago is finally coming home.

On Saturday, 297 cultural relics dating back from 2000 BCE to 1900 CE were handed over to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with President Joe Biden in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, CNN reported. The U.S. government helped facilitate the repatriation of the trafficked artifacts, which included everything from terra-cotta sculptures to vases mostly stemming from Eastern India. Other pieces made from stone, metal, wood, and ivory are believed to have originated in different parts of the country.

More from Robb Report

Prime Minister (Modi) thanked President Biden for his support in the return of these artifacts, the Indias Ministry of External Affairs said in a press statement. According to Modi, the looted objects were not just part of Indias historical material culture but formed the inner core of its civilization and consciousness.

In a symbolic handing over, select pieces were exhibited to the prime minister and the president during their bilateral meeting. One of the artifacts on display over the weekend was a bronze statue of Jain Tirthankar from Central India from 15th or 16th century CE. A sandstone sculpture of Apsara, a celestial being in Hindu and Buddhist culture from the 10th to 11th century CE in Central India, was also showcased.

In July 2024, the U.S. and India signed a historic cultural property agreement to combat the trafficking of stolen artifacts between the two countries. In addition, the pact is meant to streamline the process of returning illegally traded relics to their rightful owners. The agreement was signed by U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan.

Since 2016, India has successfully recovered a total of 578 ancient artifacts from the United States alone. Two years ago, the U.S. handed off a whopping 370 stolen items to India, collectively valued at $4 million. According to the Manhattan District Attorneys office, the items were seized from disgraced New York art dealer Subhash Kapoor, who was illegally exporting antiquities from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Following a 15-year investigation by U.S. authorities, Kapoor was sentenced in 2022 to 10 years in prison in India.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Police are investigating after a University of Kentucky member reported being sexually assaulted over multiple days.

According to UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the UK Police Department (UKPD) received a report on Friday that law enforcement received a report of an alleged sexually assault that happened over multiple days off campus and on campus.

Monticello man accused of shooting mother and grandmother

The alleged sexual assault happened in the victims room in a residence hall, as well as other places, according to a crime bulletin from UK.

UK officials said the victim knows the person who carried out the alleged sexual assault.

The UKPD said officers are actively investigating the incident and working with individuals involved to provide resources and support.

Funeral held for judge killed in Whitesburg courthouse shooting

In a crime bulletin, school leaders said UK members can report any incident of sexual harassment or assault on or off campus to the Title IX Coordinator at (859) 257-8927, or by visiting the Office of Equal Opportunity 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 56 News.
The Russian delegation at the start of PCA Case between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in the Netherlands, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Nijhuis)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Ukraine on Monday accused Russia of seeking to illegally seize control of the strategically important Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait, as hearings opened in a high-stakes arbitration case between Kyiv and Moscow.

The hearings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration are the latest in a string of international legal cases involving Russia and Ukraine linked to Moscows 2014 annexation of Crimea and its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, even as fighting continues to rage on battlefields in Ukraine.

Russia wants to take the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait for itself, and so it has built a great gate at the entrance to keep international shipping out while allowing small Russian river vessels in, Ukrainian representative Anton Korynevych told a panel of arbitrators.

The gate he referred to is a bridge built by Russia across the Kerch Strait after the annexation of Crimea. The $3.5-billion, 19-kilometer (12-mile) bridge linking the Black and Azov seas carries road and rail traffic on separate sections and is vital to sustaining Russias military operations in southern Ukraine.

The bridge is unlawful and it must come down, Korynevych told the arbitration panel.

Ukraine filed the case in 2016, two years after Russia annexed Crimea. It accuses Moscow of subsequently breaching a United Nations maritime treaty by building the bridge, barring Ukrainian fishermen from waters they traditionally fished, damaging the environment and plundering underwater archeological sites.

Kyiv is seeking unspecified compensation.

Russia insists the arbitration court does not have jurisdiction. It says that if its five judges decide they do have jurisdiction, the court should dismiss Ukraine's claims.

Ukraines accusations in this case are, of course, completely groundless and hopeless, Russian Agent Gennady Kuzmin told the panel.

He argued that the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait constitute internal waters that are not covered by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the treaty Ukraine alleges Russia is breaching.

After Monday's two opening statements, the panel hearings will continue for days behind closed doors. A final ruling could take years.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Ukraine hits over 200 military targets in Russia using drones within a year, Umerov says

Ukraine has destroyed or damaged over 200 military facilities in Russia over the past year using "drone swarm" technology, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov wrote in an opinion piece for Forbes Ukraine published on Sept. 23.

"Today, Ukrainian drones fly over 1,000 kilometers (623 miles), reaching Murmansk and the Volga region, destroying Russian oil refineries and airfields," Umerov wrote.

Among the targets of Ukrainian forces were control centers, airfields, ships, air defense systems, and Russian military bases, the minister added.

According to the minister, Ukraine has increased its long-range military capabilities "several times" this year. Particularly, in 2024, the Defense Ministry contracted drones worth over Hr 21 billion ($507.6 million) in total and ammunition for drones worth Hr 9 billion ($217.5 million).

Recent Ukrainian drone attacks have forced Russia to relocate its aircraft to airfields 250 kilometers (156 miles) from the Ukrainian-Russian border, Umerov said.

Read also: Arms depot in Russias Tver Oblast built to withstand nuclear explosion heavily damaged by Ukrainian drones

The Ukrainian military has proven to be a pioneer in drone technology, using innovative ways to undermine Russia's ammunition and personnel advantage.

Aerial drones have been used to ram into Russian helicopters or drop molten metal on ground positions, while naval drones were a key component in upending Russia's dominance in the Black Sea.

In recent months, Ukraine has increased the number of large-scale attacks on Russian territory. Ukraine has used over 100 drones in a number of its recent strikes against Russia.

On Sept. 18, Ukrainian drones attacked one of the largest arsenals in Russia, causing a powerful detonation in the town of Toropets in Russia's Tver Oblast, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine's attack on the arms depot in Russia's Tver Oblast destroyed two to three months' worth of munitions, according to the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center.

Read also: Russian cities left defenseless as Ukraine ramps up drone attacks

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The wedding of Olha Shevchenko and Mykyta Pukhkan earlier this September was unique. It was online.

The couple was among the first to marry using a Ukrainian-developed Diia mobile application.

One day in May, my husband saw a notification about the beta version in Diia, which offered an online wedding service. It looked a little unusual... But we risked it, Shevchenko told the Kyiv Independent.

We were planning to get married. Maybe not this year, maybe not with the current situation in the country, but we did.

Dubbed "the country in the smartphone," the Diia mobile app was launched by the Digital Transformation Ministry in 2020. As of early August, it included some 130 services and is used by more than 20 million Ukrainians, according to the officials.

People can access various official documents, including their passport, driver's license, or vehicle registration. It is also allows to skip queues and register a business, or pay taxes within a few clicks.

Another service, officially marrying, was added this September after several months of testing, with Ukraine becoming the first country to have such a practice fully digitalized.

A bride and Groom kiss during their wedding in the city during the war in Kharkiv, Ukraine on May 18, 2024. (Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)

Ukrainians can apply, propose, and get married online by choosing a place and date. To do this, a couple can be in the same place or hundreds of kilometers apart.

Shevchenko and Pukhkan, both in their 20s, were sitting in a cafe in the town of Izmail in southern Odesa Oblast when they became newlyweds within a few minutes. Looking at their phone screens, they listened to the registrar conducting the ceremony via video and then put a digital signature to confirm the marriage.

The ceremony was perfect. Even though there was an air raid alert and a power outage all day, Shevchenko said.

According to the Digital Transformation Ministry, as of Sept. 20, 251 couples had gotten married in Diia, and 3,200 had applied for marriage online. Almost 830,000 proposals were recorded, with 106,000 people saying yes.

This service is unique. Some countries have tried to test similar services, and some states have implemented them in the U.S. However, such a comprehensive service, which completely closes the entire (marriage) cycle online and then generates a document, the original of which can be received at the post office, is a unique feature, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on national television.

Marriage and war

Legalizing online marriage in Ukraine came out of necessity. Since the start of the full-scale war, nearly a million people have been defending the country.

After Russia launched its full-scale invasion, the number of marriages in Ukraine hit 222,890 in 2022, outpacing the previous two years, according to the Justice Ministry. But in 2023, the number of marriages dropped to 186,051, and divorces increased.

Over the past 10 years, the number of new families in Ukraine has decreased by 1.6 times, according to the Opendatabot monitoring service.

Following the start of an all-out war, Ukraines parliament simplified the marriage procedure during martial law by allowing military personnel to marry remotely.

Through the app, soldiers can now get married to their loved ones while on the front line.

For Ukrainians, this is no time for tons of bureaucracy, Vitalii Tsariuk told the Kyiv Independent. And if at least marriages are available online, then it's even better because there are many people who are far away, who can't come here and now.

Equal rights under fire

However, as getting married is simplified for some, for others it remains an unachievable goal.

Tsariuk and his partner Viktor applied for marriage as soon as the demo version of the online proposal feature was launched in February 2023. They knew that it would not be approved, but Tsariuk saw this step as another opportunity to remind society about the need to pass legislation to legalize same-sex marriages.

Same-sex marriage is illegal in Ukraine and a bill to recognize civil partnerships as an alternative has been stuck in parliament since last year due to opposition from lawmakers.

"For Ukrainians, this is no time for tons of bureaucracy."

Allowing civil partnerships would provide the LGBTQ+ community with a number of rights that are now available only to heterosexual couples. Among them is the right to allow the partner to receive the body for burial in case of death.

With Ukrainian soldiers under fire and the countrys cities pounded by Russian missiles, such a right is the most pressing.

If people are not interested in this topic, they do not know. And if we do not tell them, they will not know. Therefore, it is not even about homophobia, it is more about making people more aware, he said.

At present, Ukrainian LGBTQ+ couples cannot apply for marriage in the state app, facing an error and a demand to be a man and a woman. But they can propose to their partners, a feature that some couples have taken to show their love to one another.

Diia is basically ready to register same-sex couples, and Diia, like all of us, is just waiting for the adoption of laws that allow same-sex couples to do so, Tsariuk joked.

Anna Donets contributed to the reporting

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Myriad Uranium holds a 75% earnable interest in the Copper Mountain Uranium Project which saw C$117m (2024$) in exploration and development expenditures by Union Pacific during the 1970s.

Union Pacific drilled approximately 2,000 boreholes, discovered 7 historical uranium deposits, and developed a 6-pit mine plan at Copper Mountain, estimating historical resources of between 15.7 and 30.1 Mlbs eU 3 O 8 and estimating the further potential of known and speculated targets within the project area to be over 65 Mlbs. All estimates are historical and not yet current under NI 43-101 - see "Historical Estimates" section below for further information.

A significant amount of historic grade interval data captured from 1970s-era cross section diagrams drafted by Rocky Mountain Energy (Union Pacific) relating to the Canning Deposit (Figure 1) has recently come to light and is reported here. The cross sections include geological and grade data and long mineralised intervals of up to 210.5 ft and grades over 0.25% eU 3 O 8 .

Grades reported at a minimum of 0.25% eU 3 O 8 may in some cases be considerably higher. This is because the cross sections did not distinguish grades above 0.250%. This is evidenced in the previously reported grade intervals from Anaconda (reported here) where in borehole MGCH-100, for example, the reported interval of 3750 ppm eU 3 O 8 from 468 feet to 480 feet contains a peak grade of 6720 ppm eU 3 O 8 over 3 feet from 471 feet to 474 feet.

The combined data has been incorporated into Myriad's 3-D modelling of Canning mineralisation and will significantly enhance targeting in Myriad's upcoming drill campaign.

Canning, which was the focus of most historical exploration hosts the largest estimated historical resource at Copper Mountain (between 8.79 - 19.0 Mlbs eU 3 O 8 ,), but there are a number of other highly prospective areas within the claim area (Midnight, Mint/Allard, Knob, Bonanza, Kermac/Day, etc.) which have all shown, through historical drilling and other past exploration work, significant potential for uranium.

Within the combined data set compiled to-date, relating to 162 boreholes in the High Grade Zone and adjacent areas of the Canning Deposit, there were 271 intervals >1000 ppm eU 3 O 8 and 862 intervals >500 ppm eU 3 O 8 (minimum 1 foot).

CEO Thomas Lamb commented: "These cross sections have enabled us to model high-grade shells (greater than 500 ppm eU 3 O 8 ) in 3-D at the northern part of Canning. We are revising our drilling to target these grade shells and where historic drilling terminated in significant mineralisation, we will drill deeper. If we are successful, some of the mineralisation we encounter may be new high grade mineralisation that was not part of Union Pacific's 1970s-era estimates which were, on their own, seen as a sufficient resource at the time to justify plans for mine development."

Story continues

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2024) - Myriad Uranium Corp. (CSE: M) (OTCQB: MYRUF) (FSE: C3Q) ("Myriad" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the recent compilation and interpretation of significant additional historic grade interval data relating to the Canning Deposit at the Copper Mountain Uranium Project (Figure 1). The data has been incorporated into the Company's 3-D modelling of grade shells at Canning, and in particular its "High Grade Zone", and will significantly enhance targeting in the Company's upcoming drill campaign.

The data was compiled from cross-sections drafted in 1977 by Rocky Mountain Energy (a subsidiary of Union Pacific) and, like historical drilling previously reported here, relates to the Canning Deposit (see Figure 1), which hosts the largest estimated historical resources at Copper Mountain (between 8.79 - 19 Mlbs eU 3 O 8 ). This grade interval data includes long intervals of up to 210.5 ft and grades over 0.25% eU 3 O 8 .

Grades reported at a minimum of 0.25% eU 3 O 8 may in some cases be considerably higher. This is evidenced in the previously reported grade intervals from Anaconda where in borehole MGCH-100, for example, the reported interval of 3750 ppm eU 3 O 8 from 468 feet to 480 feet contains a peak grade of 6720 ppm eU 3 O 8 over 3 feet from 471 feet to 474 feet. The previously-reported (here) historical drilling also included several long mineralised intervals (up to 291 feet).

Within the combined data set compiled to-date, relating to 162 boreholes in the High Grade Zone and adjacent areas of the Canning Deposit, there were 271 intervals >1000 ppm eU 3 O 8 and 862 intervals >500 ppm eU 3 O 8 (minimum 1 foot).

Thomas Lamb, Myriad's CEO, commented: "This large number of historical high grade intervals, which have recently come to light, are exciting in themselves but will greatly enhance our drill targeting which is currently being finalised. The goal of upcoming drilling is to test areas of higher grade mineralisation modelled from the compiled historic data.. With important insights drawn from review work since Union Pacific's drilling, Myriad's field program will also aim to re-assess the mineralisation associated with steeply dipping structures that are believed to run from surface or near-surface to a depth well beyond what was generally the average maximum depth of historic drilling by Union Pacific during the 1970s, which was approximately 500 feet (152 metres). These structures, and their associated fracture zones, which were relatively poorly understood at the time, are known to host higher grades of uranium and thought to continue to considerable depth. Where historical drilling terminated in significant mineralisation, we will drill deeper to confirm whether mineralisation continues." (See Figure 3)





Figure 1: Myriad claim areas and areas of interest around the Canning Deposit



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/224161_89b60c46840b7b3b_002full.jpg

Historical Grade Data Captured from Union Pacific Cross Sections

Myriad previously reported (here ) a compilation of historical grade data from cross section diagrams drafted by Anaconda Uranium in 1997, based on drilling by Union Pacific in the late 1970s. Another set of historic grades has now been compiled from cross sections drafted by Union Pacific subsidiary Rocky Mountain Energy (RME) in 1977. The intervals relate to 93 boreholes drilled across the north-western portion of the Canning deposit. Union Pacific had intended Canning to be the centre of a large mine complex that they were planning in the late 1970s. The cross sections include a significant number of high-grade intervals with some more than 0.25% eU 3 O 8 and some long-mineralised intervals (up to 210 feet).

The area of coverage of the Union Pacific cross sections is significantly larger than the area of the Anaconda cross sections reported earlier. The cross sections also include geological data (lithology, structure and alteration), whereas the Anaconda cross-sections only provided grade interval data. The positions of the boreholes and cross sections are indicated on the map below (Figure 2) and tabulated in Appendix 2. Some of the boreholes appear on both the Rocky Mountain and Anaconda cross sections.





Figure 2: Area of coverage of Union Pacific cross sections relative to the Anaconda cross sections



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/224161_89b60c46840b7b3b_003full.jpg

Grades are represented on the cross sections as interval bars at grade cut-off increments of 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15% and 0.25% eU 3 O 8 . Note that the grades represent minimums, and it is possible that grades reported at a minimum of 0.25% eU 3 O 8 may in some cases be considerably higher. Highlights of the captured intervals were selected arbitrarily with a grade-thickness (GT) of greater than 0.5 ft% (% U 3 O 8 multiplied by the thickness of the mineralisation) and are presented in Table 1 below. Note that these reported intervals have not been verified by new measurements and should serve as a guide only for assessing the grade potential of targeted mineralisation at Copper Mountain. A full listing of results from the boreholes is included as Appendix 1 to this news release.

In some instances, boreholes were terminated in significant mineralisation, as shown in Figure 3 below. This could indicate the possibility of finding additional mineralisation below the maximum average depth that Union Pacific limited its drilling to, which was around 500 feet (152 m).





Figure 3: A portion of Section H-H', showing borehole MGCH-40 ending in significant grade (circled)



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The borehole information compiled from the Anaconda and Union Pacific cross sections has been imported into Leapfrog Geo 3D software for geological and grade distribution modelling (Figure 4). The orange shells represent grade above a cut-off of 0.05% eU 3 O 8 and the planes represent the major faults. Borehole traces are shown as discrete grade intervals (% eU 3 O 8 ).





Figure 4: A 3-D view of grade intervals with grade shells over 0.05% eU 3 O 8 modeled from combined Anaconda and Union Pacific grade data



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The grade shells are representative of the high-grade zone and will form the basis of confirmation drill planning, which will help significantly with drill plan optimization. This may allow for a reduction in drilling quantity, compared to what was previously planned. The drilling plan is currently in the process of being optimized using the results of the ground magnetometer survey and the additional cross section information from Union Pacific.

Highlighted significant grade intervals are provided in Table 1 below. A full tabulation of significant intervals from the Union Pacific cross-sections using a 0.02% eU 3 O 8 cut-off is provided in Appendix 1, available here. A tabulation of borehole positions as reported in the grade intervals table of Appendix 1 is provided in Appendix 2, available here.

Table 1: Summary of highlighted significant eU 3 O 8 intervals from the Canning area

*eU 3 O 8 (%) grades indicated as 0.250% are a minimum of 0.250% and may in some cases be significantly higher. This is because the cross-sections did not distinguish grades above 0.250%

Borehole ID From (ft) To (ft) Interval (ft) eU 3 O 8 (%)

(minimums) GT (ft%) LHC-3 260 265 5 0.100 0.50 LHC-30 112 118 6 0.150 0.90 131 175 44 0.029 1.28 221 235 14 0.070 0.98 including 230 235 5 0.100 0.50 250 260 10 0.056 0.56 285 298 13 0.112 1.45 306.5 313 6.5 0.250* 1.63 388.5 402.5 14 0.046 0.65 LHC-32 200 225 25 0.058 1.45 231 237 6 0.125 0.75 258.5 283 24.5 0.056 1.38 405.4 497 91.6 0.020 1.83 LHC-35 256 276.5 20.5 0.096 1.98 including 256 272 16 0.109 1.75 LHC-45 227 260 33 0.197 6.50 including 231 237 6 0.250* 1.50 including 238 243.5 5.5 0.250* 1.38 including 252.5 256.5 4 0.250* 1.00 Borehole ID From (ft) To (ft) Interval (ft) eU 3 O 8 (%) GT (ft%) LHC-50 216 230 14 0.174 2.44 including 222 229.5 7.5 0.203 1.53 LHC-54 304 312 8 0.088 0.70 including 306 310 4 0.125 0.50 LHC-68 111 171 60 0.040 2.42 including 111 117 6 0.100 0.60 including 140 145 5 0.100 0.50 174.5 185 10.5 0.092 0.97 255 266 11 0.250* 2.75 LHC-69 392 397.5 5.5 0.123 0.68 417.5 454 36.5 0.029 1.08 LHC-177 177 315.5 138.5 0.034 4.66 including 280 293.5 13.5 0.130 1.75 LHC-179 32 122.5 90.5 0.020 1.81 192 287.5 95.5 0.029 2.77 including 219 226.5 7.5 0.100 0.75 LHC-180 334.5 365 30.5 0.020 0.61 LHC-181 390 401.5 11.5 0.050 0.58 LHC-183 295 313 18 0.088 1.58 including 298 307 9 0.125 1.13 329 375 46 0.052 2.39 LHC-184 219 321 102 0.020 2.04 LHC-190 50 70 20 0.044 0.88 110 121 11 0.066 0.73 LHC-191 142 150 8 0.088 0.70 including 143 148 5 0.110 0.55 218 265 47 0.030 1.40 289 315 26 0.023 0.61 LHC-199 318 341 23 0.028 0.65 LHC-202 327 343 16 0.032 0.52 LHC-203 339 442.5 103.5 0.033 3.42 LHC-205 391 433 42 0.033 1.39 LHC-210 327 335 8 0.100 0.80 including 329 334 5 0.130 0.65 LHC-287 225 260 35 0.020 0.70 LHC-288 209 237 28 0.020 0.56 LHC-289 174 204 30 0.020 0.60 225 235 10 0.100 1.00 LHC-290 202 204 2 0.250* 0.50 212 224 12 0.050 0.60 Borehole ID From (ft) To (ft) Interval (ft) eU 3 O 8 (%) GT (ft%) LHC-292 230 243 13 0.250* 3.25 LHC-293 205.5 416 210.5 0.053 11.08 including 205.5 258 52.5 0.117 6.13 LHC-294 194 363.5 169.5 0.040 6.78 398 410 12 0.050 0.60 412 427 15 0.050 0.75 LHC-296 126 152 26 0.050 1.30 LHC-298 244.5 319.5 75 0.020 1.50 321.5 377 55.5 0.020 1.11 LHC-301 447 473 26 0.050 1.30 LHC-303 517 577 60 0.020 1.20 MGCH-8 170 179 9 0.150 1.35 222 227 5 0.100 0.50 MGCH-20 340 443.5 103.5 0.020 2.07 MGCH-23 238.5 251 12.5 0.050 0.63 MGCH-26 305 318 13 0.152 1.98 including 309 313.5 4.5 0.250* 1.13 328.5 342 13.5 0.096 1.30 including 330 335 5 0.145 0.73 MGCH-35 285 302.5 17.5 0.043 0.75 310 325.5 15.5 0.088 1.36 including 310 323.5 13.5 0.100 1.35 354 402 48 0.090 4.32 including 357.5 366 8.5 0.150 1.28 including 368 372 4 0.150 0.60 MGCH-36 270 277 7 0.118 0.83 MGCH-42 321 330 9 0.058 0.52 MGCH-46 308.5 331 22.5 0.024 0.54 MGCH-50 289 294 5 0.100 0.50 405 422.5 17.5 0.050 0.88 MGCH-52 115 130 15 0.050 0.75 147.5 163.5 16 0.081 1.30 including 151 163.5 12.5 0.100 1.25 193 206 13 0.050 0.65 226 239 13 0.050 0.65 279.5 287 7.5 0.100 0.75 MGCH-55 333 355 22 0.074 1.63 including 342 355 13 0.100 1.30 Borehole ID From (ft) To (ft) Interval (ft) eU 3 O 8 (%) GT (ft%) MGCH-58 271 278.5 7.5 0.100 0.75 296 300 4 0.150 0.60 331 346 15 0.100 1.50

Geological Background

Uranium mineralisation at Copper Mountain occurs in two distinct geologic environments:

Fracture-controlled uranium mineralisation hosted in Archaean-aged granite, syenite, isolated occurrences along the margins of diabase dikes and in association with meta-sediment inclusions in granite; and

As disseminations in coarse-grained sandstones and coatings on cobbles and boulders in the Tertiary-aged Teepee Trail Formation at the Arrowhead (Little Mo) mine and other localities.

Uranium mineralisation is thought to have resulted through supergene and hydrothermal enrichment processes. In both cases, the source of the uranium is thought to be the granites of the Owl Creek Mountains.

Determination of eU 3 O 8 Grades

Drilling by Union Pacific was conducted using a combination of rotary percussion and core drilling (approximately 10%). Thus, most of the eU 3 O 8 grades were derived from natural gamma (NGAM) logging probes, while a limited check was done using Delayed Fission Neutron (DFN) analysis of core samples. During Union Pacific's investigations at the time, a discrepancy was identified between grades determined by the NGAM and the DFN method. The cross sections by Union Pacific (1977) pre-date the use of the DFN method and are assumed to be present NGAM eU 3 O 8 data.

Independent assessment and reporting of results for the projects have confirmed the suitability of the data collection methods. For example, an independent report by David S. Robertson and Associates (1978) concluded that Union Pacific "has utilized proper procedures in collecting and handling data from the North Canning Project". Similarly, a Golder Associates report (1979) found that the data collection methods were reliable, and a Neutron Energy Inc. report (2008) stated that there was no reason to believe that standard industry practices were not employed by Union Pacific at the time. Enwall (1980) noted that DFN assaying had proven to be one of the most interference-free, precise and accurate analytical techniques for uranium at the time. However as noted below under Historical Estimates, it was also viewed by some experts as too conservative.

Data Verification

Note that the reported intervals have not been verified by sampling or analytical methods to test the data and should serve as a guide only for assessing the grade potential of targeted mineralisation at Copper Mountain. The equivalent grades used for the reported intervals will need to be verified by re-logging the boreholes or drilling twin boreholes to obtain similar results. This is part of the planned work strategy described below. The borehole dip and azimuth are not known at this time and the intervals have not been corrected for true width, as the controls on mineralisation have not been firmly established.

Myriad is planning a drilling program to test the known areas of mineralisation and, if possible, extend these mineralisation trends. The drill plan is currently being updated based on the latest interpretation of historic data, including the grades reported in this news release and recent magnetometer survey results.

Historical Estimates

While Myriad Uranium has determined that the historical estimates described in this news release are relevant to the Copper Mountain Project area and are reasonably reliable given the authors and circumstances of their preparation, and are suitable for public disclosure, readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these historical estimates as an indicator of current mineral resources or mineral reserves at the project area. A qualified person (as defined under NI 43-101) has not done sufficient work to classify any of the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and Myriad Uranium is not treating the historical estimates as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. Also, while the Copper Mountain Project area contains all or most of each deposit referred to, some of the resources referred to may be located outside the current Copper Mountain Project area. Furthermore, the estimates are decades old and based on drilling data for which the logs are, as of yet, predominantly unavailable. The historical resource estimates, therefore, should not be unduly relied upon.

Inherent limitations of the historical estimates include that the nature of the mineralisation (fracture hosted) makes estimation from drill data less reliable than other deposit types (e.g, those that are thick and uniform). From Myriad Uranium's viewpoint, limitations include that the Company has not been able to verify the data itself and that the estimate may be optimistic relative to subsequent work which applied a "delayed fission neutron" (DFN) factor to calculate grades. On the other hand, DFN is controversial, in that the approach is viewed by some experts as too conservative. Nevertheless, it was applied in later resource estimations by Union Pacific relating to Copper Mountain.

In order to verify the historical estimates and potentially re-state them as current resources, a program of digitization of available data is required. This must be followed by re-logging and/or re-drilling to generate new data to the extent necessary that it is comparable with the original data, or new data that and can be used to establish the correlation and continuity of geology and grades between boreholes with sufficient confidence to estimate mineral resources.

Qualified Person

The scientific or technical information in this news release respecting the Company's Copper Mountain Project has been approved by George van der Walt, MSc., Pr.Sci.Nat., MGSSA, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr van der Walt is employed by The MSA Group (Pty) Ltd (MSA), a leading geological consultancy providing services to the minerals industry, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has more than 20 years industry experience and sufficient relevant experience in the type and style of mineralisation to report on exploration results.

The information and interpretations thereof are based on the Qualified Person's initial review of historical reports, which were recently obtained by the Company. The information did not include original data such as drilling records, sampling, analytical or test data underlying the information or opinions contained in the written documents. Therefore, the Qualified Person has not reviewed or otherwise verified the information and has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The Qualified Person considers the information to be relevant based on the amount and quality of work undertaken and reported historically. A more thorough review of any available original data will be undertaken and reported on in more detail in future releases.

About Myriad Uranium Corp.

Myriad Uranium Corp. is a uranium exploration company with an earnable 75% interest in the Copper Mountain Uranium Project in Wyoming, USA. Copper Mountain hosts several known uranium deposits and historic uranium mines, including the Arrowhead Mine which produced 500,000 lbs of eU3O8. Copper Mountain saw extensive drilling and development by Union Pacific, which developed a mine plan and built a leach pad for one of the deposits at Copper Mountain. Operations ceased in 1980 before mining could commence due to falling uranium prices. Approximately 2,000 boreholes have been drilled at Copper Mountain and the project area has significant exploration upside. Union Pacific is estimated to have spent C$117 million (2024 dollars) exploring and developing Copper Mountain, generating significant historical resource estimates which are detailed here. The Company's presentation can be viewed here. A recent interview with Crux Investor can be viewed here.

Myriad also has a 50% interest in the Millen Mountain Property in Nova Scotia, Canada, with the other 50% held by Probe Metals Inc., For further information, please refer to Myriad's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), contact Myriad by telephone at +1.604.418.2877, or refer to Myriad's website at www.myriaduranium.com.

Myriad Contacts:

Thomas Lamb

President and CEO

tlamb@myriaduranium.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, the Company's business, plans, outlook and business strategy. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely", "expect," "anticipate," "intend", "estimate", "plan", "forecast", "project" and "believe" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect, including with respect to the Company's business plans respecting the exploration and development of the Company's mineral properties, the proposed work program on the Company's mineral properties and the potential and economic viability of the Company's mineral properties. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in costs; litigation; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; and technological or operational difficulties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224161
Ukraine's gas transmission system is ready to operate in reverse after the contract for the transit of Russian gas to Europe is terminated at the end of this year.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine news agency, citing a source in the Ukrainian government

Details: Naftogaz, Ukraine's state-owned oil and gas company, has stressed that gas supplies to Ukrainian consumers will be maintained, even in the absence of Russian gas transit through the country.

As for potential gas supplies from Azerbaijan in 2025, the source indicated that the government has not yet received any formal proposals from European companies.

Under the Association Agreement with the EU, Ukraine is obliged to facilitate gas transit if requested by European partners. Meanwhile, Hungary and Slovakia face no sanctions preventing them from purchasing Russian pipeline gas.

An example of such cooperation is the Hungarian company MOL, which purchases Russian oil at the Belarusian border and transports it via the Ukrainian oil pipeline.

For reference: Reverse flow refers to the process of transporting gas in the opposite direction to its usual route. In Ukraines case, this means gas can be imported from European countries, such as Poland, Slovakia, or Hungary, rather than from the east (Russia). Essentially, instead of exporting Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe, Ukraine can receive gas supplies from European markets.

Background: Austrian energy company Wien Energie GmbH, which provides energy to two million people in Vienna and its suburbs, announced it would cease using Russian fuel for the first time in decades, beginning in 2025.

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Ukraine says it does not target civilians during offensive in Kursk region

Cars drive in front of the Znamensky Cathedral in Kursk

(Reuters) - Ukraine abides by international humanitarian law and does not target civilians during its current incursion into Russia's western Kursk region, Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, Russia said at least 56 civilians had been killed and 266 wounded during Ukraine's incursion.

"Given Russia's long history of false numbers and propaganda, there is simply no way of verifying their claims. If Russia wants to show the real situation on the ground it can grant such access to the UN and ICRC," Heorhiy Tykhyi, the spokesman, told Reuters, using the acronyms for the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

(Reporting by Anastasia Malenko, wriring by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Ukraine war latest: Kyiv hits over 200 military targets in Russia using drones within a year

Key developments on Sept. 23:

Ukraine hits over 200 military targets in Russia using drones within a year, Umerov says

Next few months will be 'decisive,' Zelensky says during speech in US, urges allies to act faster

Ukrainian forces break through another section of Russian border, 95th Brigade claims

Netherlands struggling to complete Patriot system pledged to Ukraine, defense minister says

Ukraine has destroyed or damaged over 200 military facilities in Russia over the past year using "drone swarm" technology, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov wrote in an opinion piece for Forbes Ukraine published on Sept. 23.

"Today, Ukrainian drones fly over 1,000 kilometers (623 miles), reaching Murmansk and the Volga region, destroying Russian oil refineries and airfields," Umerov wrote.

Among the targets of Ukrainian forces were control centers, airfields, ships, air defense systems, and Russian military bases, the minister added.

According to the minister, Ukraine has increased its long-range military capabilities "several times" this year. Particularly, in 2024, the Defense Ministry contracted drones worth over Hr 21 billion ($507.6 million) in total and ammunition for drones worth Hr 9 billion ($217.5 million).

Recent Ukrainian drone attacks have forced Russia to relocate its aircraft to airfields 250 kilometers (156 miles) from the Ukrainian-Russian border, Umerov said.

The Ukrainian military has proven to be a pioneer in drone technology, using innovative ways to undermine Russia's ammunition and personnel advantage.

Aerial drones have been used to ram into Russian helicopters or drop molten metal on ground positions, while naval drones were a key component in upending Russia's dominance in the Black Sea.

In recent months, Ukraine has increased the number of large-scale attacks on Russian territory. Ukraine has used over 100 drones in a number of its recent strikes against Russia.

On Sept. 18, Ukrainian drones attacked one of the largest arsenals in Russia, causing a powerful detonation in the town of Toropets in Russia's Tver Oblast, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine's attack on the arms depot in Russia's Tver Oblast destroyed two to three months' worth of munitions, according to the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center.

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Next few months will be 'decisive,' Zelensky says during speech in US, urges allies to act faster

The next few months will be "decisive" in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 23, as he begins his nearly week-long trip to the U.S.

Speaking at the American Academy of Achievement award ceremony in Washington D.C., Zelensky urged Ukraine's allies to act faster and "define what the outcome (of the war) will be."

"We don't have much time," he said, adding: "The next few months will be decisive. Ahead of us in this war  Russia's war against Ukraine, and all of you because this is Russia's war against freedom itself  we are short of time to define what the outcome will be.

"And we must define it. Not Russia, not their bloody allies. We need to be faster. We need not to lose the next few months in war, so that we don't lose the next decades."

Zelensky's remarks came as he began his trip to the U.S. where he will present his "victory plan" to U.S. President Joe Biden, as well as to presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and members of Congress.

He will also attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York and meet other world leaders.

Read also: Opinion: Peace in Ukraine will come through Putins fall, not a battlefield breakthrough

Zelensky will present his "victory plan" as Ukraine holds territories in Russia's Kursk Oblast, though Moscow keeps on pushing on multiple fronts in the country's east.

Ukraine said it is open to suggestions from Washington to strengthen the plan. U.S. officials said they had been acquainted with elements of Zelensky's strategy and voiced belief "that (it) can work."

Zelensky said the plan was designed to end the war with the backing of international partners without relying on Russia's cooperation. However, he did not specify how it would achieve this.

"This must be our shared achievement  victory for freedom, with no compromises at freedom's expense," the president said.

At the American Academy of Achievement award ceremony, Zelensky received the Golden Plate Award in recognition of contributions to human development.

Read also: Zelensky comes to US in attempt to boost firepower, pitch victory

Ukrainian forces break through another section of Russian border, 95th Brigade claims

Ukraine's 95th Separate Polissia Air Assault Brigade said on Sept. 23 it had broken through another section of the Russian border.

The brigade published a video purporting to show the breakthrough of engineering barriers, the crossing of airborne assault units into Russia, and the first battles near the border.

The exact location and time of the attack were not disclosed, but the brigade said it was "the second successful operation to break through the Russian border since the beginning of the operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast."

Ukraine launched its cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast on Aug. 6, seizing around 100 settlements and over 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles).

Over past weeks, Russia launched a counterattack in Kursk Oblast, which was halted on Sept. 18, according to the Ukrainian military.

One of the objectives of Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast was to force Russia to redeploy its forces from the front in Ukraine, primarily from the Pokrovsk sector. Moscow has moved about 40,000 Russian soldiers to Kursk Oblast as of Sept. 19, Zelensky said.

Read also: Russia launches counteroffensive in Kursk  can it push Ukraine off its own turf?

Netherlands struggling to complete Patriot system pledged to Ukraine, defense minister says

The Netherlands is still looking for partner countries to provide components for a Patriot air defense system pledged to Ukraine, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in an interview with the Delfi media outlet published on Sept. 23.

In June, the Netherlands announced that it would provide radar and launch components, and that it had found another unnamed country to provide the additional necessary parts to make up a complete system.

But earlier this month it was reported the unnamed country had backed out of the agreement.

In the interview with Delfi, Brekelmans said the Netherlands was "trying to find other elements that are necessary to complete the system."

"And there are several countries that are also very eager to help Ukraine," he said, adding: "They are doing everything they can. But they have encountered some problems that make it impossible to assemble this system."

Brekelmans confirmed that the Netherlands provided Kyiv with a radar system and that three launchers would be delivered "very soon."

Kyiv has been calling on its partners to provide additional air defense assets as Russia intensifies its strikes against cities and energy infrastructure.

Ukraine has received at least three Patriot systems from Germany and one from the U.S. Other countries, like the Netherlands and Spain, delivered individual launchers or missiles.

The U.S. and the Netherlands also pledged in June to deliver one additional system each. Romania will transfer a Patriot to Ukraine too after the donation was finally approved in early September.

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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky toured a Pennsylvania ammunition plant on Sunday as he began a key visit to the United States in which he is expected to present his blueprint to defeat Russia to President Joe Biden and other allies.

Zelensky will fully outline his victory plan  which includes Kyivs long-stated request to use long-range missiles on targets inside Russia  to Biden for the first time during the visit before sharing it with both presidential candidates, US lawmakers and international partners, he said.

This fall will determine the future of this war, Zelensky posted on X from his plane before landing in the US. Together with our partners, we can strengthen our positions as needed for our victory  a shared victory for a truly just peace.

Zelensky kicked off his visit at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Bidens hometown, where he thanked workers for providing Ukraine with munitions and said the facility would ramp up production of 155mm artillery shells crucial for Kyivs war effort.

It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail, he said. Thanks to people like these  in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries  who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tours the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on September 22, 2024. - Staff Sgt. Deonte Rowell/U.S. Army/AP

Zelensky has been pushing Ukraines allies to ease restrictions on weapons and although there have been signs of the US shifting its stance, he said Friday they have yet to be given permission.

We do have long-range weapons. But lets just say not the amount we need, Zelensky told reporters, adding that neither the US nor the United Kingdom gave us permission to use these weapons on the territory of Russia.

He has blamed the allies hesitation to authorize such use on escalation fears, but said he was hopeful his arguments would be heard during his visit.

Zelensky is expected to travel to New York, where he will speak at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday and meet with leaders of the Global South, the G7, Europe and international organizations.

He will then travel to Washington for talks with Biden and Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.

I want to see what she thinks about this victory plan, he said of Harris on Friday.

As I told you, the plan includes not only what is needed from Biden today. But it also includes the fact that we will have a different situation after November. That is, there will be a new president in the United States. And we need to talk to each of the candidates about their perception of this.

Harris has expressed her support for Ukraine and NATO allies, indicating she would continue Bidens policies of backing Ukraine, if she is elected president.

Zelensky also plans to meet with Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, who in a recent debate refused to say if he wanted Ukraine to win the war.

CNNs Victoria Butenko, Maria Kostenko and Chris Liakos contributed to this report.

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Russian forces attacked Ukraine with two Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles and four Shahed drones on the night of 22-23 September. Three Russian drones have been destroyed, and meanwhile the remaining aerial targets have been suppressed using electronic warfare measures.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force; Sumy Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "As a result of combat efforts, three enemy drones were downed in Sumy Oblast. The other airborne assets, a Shahed drone and two air-to-surface missiles, failed to reach their targets due to active countermeasures by the electronic warfare units of Ukraines defence forces."

Background: The Russians launched Shahed attack drones from the north on the night of 22-23 September.



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Ukraine's 95th Separate Polissia Air Assault Brigade said on Sept. 23 it had broken through another section of the Russian border.

The brigade published a video purporting to show the breakthrough of engineering barriers, the crossing of airborne assault units into Russia, and the first battles near the border.

The exact location and time of the attack were not disclosed, but the brigade said it was "the second successful operation to break through the Russian border since the beginning of the operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast."

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the reports.

Ukraine launched its cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast on Aug. 6, seizing around 100 settlements and over 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles).

Over past weeks, Russia launched a counterattack in Kursk Oblast, which was halted on Sept. 18, according to the Ukrainian military.

One of the objectives of Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast was to force Russia to redeploy its forces from the front in Ukraine, primarily from the Pokrovsk sector. Moscow has moved about 40,000 Russian soldiers to Kursk Oblast as of Sept. 19, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Read also: Ukraines 79th brigade releases video of massive Russian attack being repelled near Kurakhove

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian Reuters cameraman Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey, who was seriously injured during a Russian strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, on 24 August, has come out of a coma and been taken off the ventilator, but he has not yet regained consciousness.

Source: Lyubysh-Kirdeys wife, Mariia Semenchenko, on Facebook

Quote: "He is not in a coma, but he is not conscious either. Sadly, there is no pill or injection that can speed up the process of Ivan's return to himself and his family (as with anyone with such an injury). We have to wait and hope for the best...

Ivan is currently in intensive care. He has not yet regained consciousness. The doctors are now treating his other injuries and wounds."

Details: Mariia said Ivan had been moved from Dnipro to Kyiv. It is very difficult for her, but she believes that Ivan will regain consciousness soon. Mariia has asked friends not to visit him for now, since it is not advisable to do so as Ivan is vulnerable to infections and viruses.

Background:

On 24 August, Ukrainian Reuters cameraman Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey was seriously injured in a Russian attack on the Sapfir (Sapphire) Hotel in Kramatorsk.

Law enforcement officials reported that four Reuters journalists from Ukraine, the US, Latvia and Germany were injured in the attack.

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The 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade (Black Forest) has shown footage of its successful work in destroying a Russian long- and medium-range S-400 Triumph air defence missile system. The event itself took place in the spring, but Ukrainska Pravda is posting the video for the first time.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda article, "Eyes of the gods: how the artillery reconnaissance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine leapt forward in destroying the Russian so-called unparallelled system and S-400" (English translation to follow shortly)

Details: Kostiantyn, a platoon commander of unmanned aerial systems from the 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade (Black Forest), stated that while it was not difficult to locate the Russian S-400, it was challenging to strike it.

This is because the S-400 is typically protected by a number of less powerful air defence systems tasked with destroying all reconnaissance drones.

The commander stated that they had a general idea of where weaknesses in the Russian defences might exist. However, it was not ruled out that the Russians might have had some electronic warfare systems that they were unaware of prior to the mission. As a result, the operators' stress increased with each kilometre of drone flight.

The first drone flying to strike the S-400 system was shot down by the Russians.

Quote: "Actually, sending a second drone was a dumb move. Because if you were shot down for the first time, the enemy is operating in active mode. It's unlikely that they'd sit still and think: Ah well, this one was shot down; lets go rest. The probability of this happening is minimal, no more than a coincidence," Kostiantyn explained.

But Kostiantyn said the crew went through with this "dumb" decision, launched the second drone into the air, and it broke through the defences, leaving the drone operators impressed and pleased to see the S-400 system on the screen.

Quote: "In certain areas, there are S-300s and S-400s, which are constantly performing manoeuvres and movements. And no one touched them because they were far enough away from the front lines  and they were quite at ease [since the Russians were under the impression that Ukrainian forces would not reach them  ed.].

Usually, the Russians keep launchers, radar stations and command posts separate. But they were so brazen that they placed everything together. We saw this on the screen and said to ourselves, It can't be possible. But it was. And we had no choice but to deliver one blow to the entire division."

He added that this Russian equipment turned out to be quite good: the S-400 was even able to intercept some missiles fired at it. But the rest made it to the target and burned down the Russian so-called "unparallelled system".

Kostiantyn said that their drone was shot down on the way to the base with a Russian Pantsir air defence system.

"It is a pity that the drone was shot down. But it had accomplished its mission. This story is not the only one we have. We destroyed not only an S-400, but also an S-300 and an S-350," he concluded.

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Britain's governing Labour party sought Monday to strike a more upbeat note about the country's economic future against a backlash at proposed cuts to welfare payments and a row over top ministers receiving gifts.

In a keynote speech to the centre-left party's annual conference in Liverpool, which was often interrupted by hecklers, finance minister Rachel Reeves insisted on a need for "iron discipline" on the economy amid ballooning state debt.

Reeves, the first woman named Britain's chancellor of the Exchequer, said her first budget next month would open the way for business investment that would provide the country with "lasting growth".

She reiterated Labour's pre-election pledge that workers would not face tax increases on their salaries, while paving the way for other tax hikes, according to analysts.

Reeves also pledged "no return to austerity" as seen under Conservative rule, a mantra repeated by several Labour figures as the party held its first annual gathering in power since 2009.

Casting a shadow over the conference was a row about gifts that dominated the buildup and continued fallout over the controversial axing of a fuel benefit for millions of pensioners, which has triggered anger from unions.

The government also suffered a blow near the end of Reeves's speech as news came through that nurses had rejected the government's latest pay deal.

The announcement came after the government agreed last week on pay rises for doctors and train drivers.

"We must deal with the Tory legacy, and that means tough decisions, but I won't let that dim our ambition for Britain," Reeves told a packed hall.

She said the tax and spending plans to be announced in her budget plan next month would show "real ambition... a budget to rebuild Britain".

Reeves also confirmed the appointment of a new Covid corruption commissioner to try to claw back billions of pounds in taxpayers' money allegedly wasted on contracts signed during the pandemic.

- Gifts row -

Britain's economy is faltering, with recent official data showing government debt at the highest level in more than 60 years.

Economic growth has stalled and the annual inflation rate remains above the Bank of England's target, limiting the scope for interest rates cuts that could boost consumer spending.

The Labour conference should have been an opportunity for the party to toast its landslide election victory in July over the Conservatives after 14 years out of power.

But in recent days been Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his top team have been forced to confront accusations of hypocrisy for accepting expensive gifts even while asking voters to tighten their belts.

All of the gifts have been declared and none fall foul of parliamentary rules.

But records show that Starmer accepted more than 100,000 ($132,000) in gifts and hospitality since December 2019, more than any other lawmaker.

It also emerged that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner accepted the loan of a New York apartment for a holiday.

Since Friday, it has also emerged that Reeves, who has angered trade unions and fellow Labour MPs by announcing plans to axe a winter fuel payment for many pensioners, accepted around 7,500 worth of clothing.

Trade Minister Douglas Alexander conceded that reports about free gifts were "not the headlines we would have chosen" for its first party conference since winning power.

Reeves and the Labour party have defended the abolition of the 300 payment to 10 million pensioners to help them heat their homes, citing a need to fill a "22 billion black hole" left by the Conservatives.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite trade union, has called it "cruel", and a motion for the cut to be abandoned is to be voted on at the conference on Wednesday.

"I can't believe the first thing they've done, they hadn't really thought through," Labour party activist Neil Mallett, 70, told AFP.

Two men were ejected from the conference after heckling Reeves about pollution and arms exports to Israel.

bur-pdh/jwp/js
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), speaks at the UN Future Summit before the start of the 79th General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Michael Kappeler/dpa

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed his concern at the escalation of violence in the Middle East and the hundreds of people in Lebanon who have been killed and wounded in Israeli attacks on Monday.

"The secretary general is gravely alarmed by the escalating situation along the Blue Line and the large number of civilian casualties, including children and women, being reported by the Lebanese authorities, as well as thousands of displaced persons, amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October," a UN spokesperson said.

"The secretary general is also gravely alarmed by the continued strikes by Hezbollah into Israel. He expresses grave concern for the safety of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line, including UN personnel, and strongly condemns the loss of lives."

The Blue Line is the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon set by the UN.

Since the beginning of the Gaza war on October 7, there has been almost daily cross-border attacks between the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and the Israeli military.

Israel significantly intensified its action against the pro-Iranian militia starting last week.

The violence in the Middle East threatens to overshadow the largest diplomatic meeting in the world - the high-level week of the UN General Assembly in New York. It begins on Tuesday and will feature speeches by around 120 world leaders.
Japanese company Nippon Steel is planning to divest assets worth at least Y30bn ($211m) within this fiscal year, reported Nikkei via Reuters, citing the companys vice chairman Takahiro Mori.

The move is aimed at managing the company's debt as it anticipates the outcome of its bid to acquire US Steel.

In December 2023, Nippon Steel reached an agreement to acquire US Steel in an all-cash deal valued at $14.9bn, including debt.

The latest asset sale, which includes real estate and inventories, is part of the company's strategy to improve capital efficiency, especially in light of the ongoing takeover attempt of US Steel.

Earlier this year, Nippon Steel secured a $16bn loan agreement with three major Japanese banks to fund the acquisition.

However, the deal has encountered political resistance in the US, with the presidential elections set for 5 November adding to the uncertainty.

Last month, Nippon Steel said it was looking to invest $1.3bn (Y187.87bn) at US Steels Mon Valley Works and Gary Works facilities in the US.

These investments aim to extend the production life of key integrated assets and secure steel supply for US manufacturers.

Nippon Steel also plans to transfer technology to US Steels facilities, which aims to reduce environmental impact and enhance longevity, upon completion of the deal.

Furthermore, Nippon Steel signed an agreement to evaluate and assist with the maintenance and operations of US Steels blast furnaces.

These investments are subject to completion of the acquisition and regulatory approvals.

However, the merger received all regulatory clearances outside of the US.

"Nippon Steel plans to offload $211m of assets to manage debt" 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.
Smoke from heavy Israeli air raids billows from the southern Lebanese village of Arab Salim. The death toll has risen to 182 people with 727 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Monday. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The United Nations mission in Lebanon has called for de-escalation and the protection of civilians after Israeli airstrikes killed hundreds on Monday.

In a statement, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed "grave concern for the safety of civilians in southern Lebanon amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October."

"Attacks on civilians are not only violations of international law but may amount to war crimes," UNIFIL said, as the Lebanese health minister said that at least 274 people have been killed in the bombing campaign.

The statement said Aroldo Lazaro, the UNIFIL head of mission, is in contact with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities in an effort to halt the shelling.

"Any further escalation of this dangerous situation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences," UNIFIL warned.
A UNC-Chapel Hill student was found dead Sunday after disappearing on a hike in a South African national park, authorities said.

Brook Cheuvront, 20, of Avery County, went missing Saturday when she didnt return from a solo trip to Table Mountain National Park, according to reports from CBS News, ABC News and Cape Town Etc, a South African media outlet, citing local authorities. Friends reported Cheuvronts disappearance after her tracking app stopped updating and she didnt answer her phone, South African National Parks officials said, without naming the hiker.

Cheuvronts body was reportedly found on the slopes of Devils Peak, described by local travel blogs as a challenging 3-to-4-hour hike on exposed terrain that can turn treacherous in windy or rainy weather. Saturdays weather reports indicate potential windy conditions at the time of Cheuvronts hike.

The junior was a recipient of the Morehead-Cain scholarship, a prestigious program that fully funds undergraduate tuition, according to a UNC blog post. A graduate of Avery High School in Newland, Cheuvront was passionate about astronomy, environmental justice and creative writing, the post said.

A LinkedIn profile appearing to belong to Cheuvront lists her as a double major in English and philosophy with a minor in astronomy. The profile states Cheuvront began an internship in August at Justice Desk South Africa, a human rights nonprofit based in South Africa with operations in seven other African countries. Her work involved educating young boys from communities affected by gang violence on gender-based issues and facilitating sessions with South African high school students on topics like consent and cyber bullying.

Cheuvront was an an avid hiker, according to her social media profiles, which list her as an August 2022 graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Washington state and an experienced backpacker. Before departing for South Africa last month, she interned at two law firms in Helena, Montana, and took backpacking trips through several national and state parks, her Instagram account shows.

In a Sept. 15 post, Cheuvront wrote, This was truly a once in a lifetime weekend; I am so thankful to be here. Missing home as always; but knowing that Im carrying my family, my partner, and my friends with me everywhere I go.

The News & Observer was not able to immediately reach UNC or South African National Parks officials on Monday morning.
Under the Dome podcast: How Robinson scandal may impact Trump, presidential campaign in NC

Start your week in North Carolina politics with our latest Under the Dome podcast, for the week of Sept. 23, 2024. Dawn Vaughan here, your podcast host and The News & Observers Capitol bureau chief. On this episode, Im joined by my politics team colleague Danielle Battaglia, our Washington correspondent.

Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinsons scandal  over a CNN report alleging he made many vulgar, racist and sexually explicit comments on a pornography website  continues to have fallout. Robinson denies the CNN report that outlines all the ties between Robinsons own email and online accounts and the posts, calling it tabloid trash.

President Donald Trump was expected in Wilmington on Saturday, so as we recorded this episode on Friday afternoon, we discussed how Robinson will impact Trumps chances in North Carolina, as well as if he might drag down other Republican candidates on the ballot.

Headliner of the Week

After the break, we talk more about Robinsons impact on other Republicans. Plus what you need to know about Congress, a possible federal government shutdown and the political power play, which is part of Battaglias pick for Headliner of the Week.

My headliner is celebrating the work of my N&O colleagues at the North Carolina Press Association awards, which includes the politics team.

Listen to our latest episode below and catch up on previous episodes. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, iHeart, Pandora, Amazon Music and Stitcher.
This article was originally published in Chalkbeat Tennessee.

Jennifer Edwards was a teenager in Arizona when she first read Beloved, Toni Morrisons haunting novel about sexual violence and the brutal realities of American slavery.

It had a profound effect on me, she said, citing the empathy, historical understanding, and critical thinking skills the book imparted.

Now a mother of two sons and living in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Edwards wants teens in her community to have access to her all-time favorite book.

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But under a recently revised state law broadening the definition of what school library materials are prohibited, her local board of education is set to vote Thursday on whether to pull the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and six other books with mature themes from the shelves of Rutherford County Schools.

Banning books is not OK, Edwards told the board last month as it began reviewing the materials. Just because you dont like what the mirror shows you doesnt mean you put the mirror down.

This weeks vote comes after the district, south of Nashville, already removed 29 books from its libraries this year under a previous policy, part of a wave of purges on campuses across Tennessee and other states.

In Tennessee, that wave started under Gov. Bill Lees 2022 school library law requiring periodic reviews of catalogs to ensure materials are appropriate for the ages and maturity levels of the students who can access them. Librarians and teachers had to publish their inventories of book collections online for parents to view. Early removals included books about marginalized groups, including people who identify as LGBTQ+, and descriptions of slavery and racial discrimination throughout U.S. history.

This spring, scrutiny escalated. Republican lawmakers added a definition of whats suitable and, based on the states obscenity law, prohibited any material that in whole or in part contains descriptions or depictions of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excess violence, or sadomasochistic abuse.

In the absence of state guidance on how to interpret the changes  What constitutes excess violence, for instance? Are photographs of nude statues allowed? What about Shakespeares Romeo & Juliet?  some school boards like Rutherford Countys are putting questionable material to a vote. Educators in many other districts are quietly culling their shelves of certain books.

A recent survey of members of the Tennessee Association of School Librarians found that more than 1,100 titles have been removed under the changes, with more under review. One librarian anonymously reported pulling 300 titles at a single school since the start of the academic year. Only a sixth of the organizations members responded to the survey.

We may never truly know the level to which books have been removed from school libraries in Tennessee, the organization said in a statement, noting that large-scale removals may cause some libraries to fall under the states minimum standards for collection counts.

A literal interpretation of this law may have the unintended consequences of gutting resources that support curriculum standards for fine arts, biology, health, history, and world religions, to name a few, especially in high schools, where AP curriculum and dual enrollment courses require more critical texts, the group said.

Lindsey Kimery, one of the organizations leaders, said the laws rollout has created chaos and confusion for school librarians.

Some librarians have received guidance from their central office; some have not, she said. Some boards are updating their policies for handling book challenges to align with the laws changes. Some districts have interpreted the law to mean they should preemptively go through their collections and pull anything they think has one of the prohibited topics in it.

Its all over the map, Kimery added.

Seven books that could be banned

Seven books are under review by Rutherford County Board of Education for possible removal from the districts library shelves:

Beloved by Tony Morrison

Queen of Shadows by Sara J. Maas

Tower of Dawn by Sara J. Maas

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Skin and Bones by Sherry Shahan

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Shbosky

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire



Phantom book banning: Censorship in the shadows

The quiet censorship is being noticed by First Amendment advocates, from the ACLU of Tennessee to Julia Garnett, who graduated last spring from Hendersonville High School in Sumner County, north of Nashville.

Garnett started a free speech club at her high school during her senior year. Now a freshman at Smith College in Massachusetts, she is the youth spokesperson for the American Library Associations Banned Books Week, Sept. 22-28.

Last week, she searched her alma maters online library catalog to look for books by Sarah J. Maas and Ellen Hopkins, whose popular young adult novels are frequently challenged or banned due to their mature themes and sexual content.

None were listed.

They used to be there, but theyve disappeared, said Garnett. I call it phantom book banning, where libraries are being censored, but not in a public way. I think thats what scares me the most.

The law is vulnerable to a federal challenge on First Amendment grounds, said Kathy Sinback, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee. The statutes vagueness, a lack of compliance guidance from the state, and the uneven way the law is being applied across Tennessee are among issues that open the door to a lawsuit.

But wed love to see the legislature fix the problems next year without having to pursue litigation, Sinback said. Wed like to see it made constitutional in a way that will ensure our children have access to the literature they deserve.

Legal precedents support students First Amendment rights

The House sponsor of the laws recent revisions, Rep. Susan Lynn of Mt. Juliet, did not respond to emails asking if shed be open to revisiting the law. Some of her critics worry the goal is ultimately to take a legal challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court, where conservatives hold a majority.

The Senate sponsor, Joey Hensley of Hohenwald, said he believes the law is constitutional.

Im always open to making laws better, he said, but I dont think this interferes with peoples First Amendment rights, and Im personally not hearing about problems with it. The laws intent is simply to ensure public schools do not give children access to materials that are not appropriate for their ages.

Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom, said higher courts have consistently sided with First Amendment advocates on challenges to content in school libraries, even as efforts to ban books in public schools and libraries reached an all-time high in 2023.

The school library is supposed to be a place of voluntary inquiry  a safe space for students to explore ideas under the supervision of adults instead of alone on their cellphones.

This gets to the core of the First Amendment, she said, the idea that libraries are a marketplace of ideas, and elected officials should not be able to dictate their contents.

But its also possible that another school library case could someday reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Two book ban cases from Iowa and Texas are already making their way through the federal courts.

Current legal precedent stems from the high courts 1982 ruling involving a school board in New York state that wanted certain books removed from its middle and high school libraries. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled against the board and held that the right to receive ideas is a necessary predicate to the recipients meaningful exercise of his own rights of speech, press, and political freedom.

Justice William Brennan wrote that while local school boards have a substantial legitimate role to play in the determination of school library content, the First Amendment doesnt give government officials the power to ditch books because they dont like them or disagree with their viewpoints.

Ken Paulson, director of the Tennessee-based Free Speech Center and a former editor-in-chief of USA Today, also cites the importance of a 1969 Supreme Court ruling establishing that students have constitutional rights, too.

The case involved students in Des Moines, Iowa, who wore black armbands to their public school in silent protest of the Vietnam War. The court sided with the students.

Because someone is 12 or 14, we sometimes think they dont have constitutional rights, Paulson said. But they do, and theyre surprisingly robust. Students are not just students; they are citizens.

Middle Tennessee district is a book ban hotspot

In Murfreesboro, a college town that is home to about 50,000 students in Tennessees largest suburban K-12 district, most titles removed so far were in high school libraries. They generally were contemporary young adult novels containing sexual content and other mature themes, from child abuse and suicide to substance abuse and LGBTQ+ issues.

The books were flagged as sexually explicit material by school board member Caleb Tidwell and removed this spring without going through the districts library review committee that includes a principal, teachers, librarians, and a parent.

Xan Lasko, who recently retired as a high school librarian in Rutherford County, said the directives she received from Superintendent James Sullivan bypassed the districts usual review process for handling complaints. Instead, Tidwell cited a provision of board policy requiring the immediate removal of sexually explicit material. Sullivan concurred, according to their email exchange obtained from the district through a public records request from Nashville TV station WSMV.

Tidwell, a Republican who was reelected to the school board in August, said he made the requests on behalf of individuals who have expressed concerns but who feared retaliation from the media and individuals in the district.

In his opinion, all of the materials in question violate both the states obscenity law and local board policy. Most, he said, have education value near zero, or very low. For those that provide historical context, other books that go into those topics  but without sexually explicit language  are available.

Its a very contentious topic, said Tidwell, who has three school-age children. But if we focus on the content, most of this stuff is pretty clear. Yes, there is some subjectiveness to it, but theres also a line. We need to determine what the line is, and then hold it.

Lasko, the former librarian, said thats what librarians and educators do.

My biggest issue is that a small number of people were making the judgment to curtail what students are able to read using a vague law, said Lasko, who now chairs the intellectual freedom committee of the Tennessee Association of School Librarians.

We have masters degrees in library science. We know what were doing, she said. But a lot of times, we werent being consulted.

New library policy diminishes the role of librarians

In advance of this weeks vote on Tidwells latest request to remove more books, the board revamped its library materials policy to add language from the revised state law. It also eliminated the 11-member review committee appointed annually by the board to consider book complaints.

Instead, materials that district leaders deem to be in violation of the states obscenity law are to be immediately removed from all school libraries and then reviewed for a final decision by the board.

A second avenue for removal  through complaints filed by a student, parent, or school employee  also requires a board vote after receiving recommendations from the principal and superintendent and a review by an ad hoc committee.

Before, said the ACLUs Sinback, there was a thorough process where every person on the review committee had expertise and would read the book. Theyd look at the questionable content but also the overall quality of the material and how it could impact kids exposed to it in both a positive and negative way.

Now, she said, the decision rests completely with board members.

The changes concern school librarians like Angela Frederick, who oversees the collection at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro. He asked board members and parents to just talk to us if they have concerns about certain books.

We are educators, we are parents, we are grandparents.  We are good people, Frederick told the board on Aug. 22.

Frederick added: The titles youre considering removing are for older students approaching adulthood. It is developmentally appropriate for teenagers to mentally wrestle with difficult topics. It is also excellent preparation for higher education. Shielding them from books like these does not prepare them for anything but ignorance.

Edwards, the Rutherford County parent who also spoke to the board about the proposed removals, is upset that Beloved is on the chopping block, even though she knows its a deeply sad and painful book to read. (Morrison, who died in 2019, said she was inspired to write the novel based on the true story of an enslaved woman, Margaret Garner, who killed her own daughter in 1856 to spare her from slavery.)

I remember it took me several weeks to finish Beloved when I was 15, because I had to put it down every few days, recalls Edwards, now 42. I had to have time to process what I was reading.

But to restrict literary genius, she continued, it just doesnt make sense to me.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Authorities arrested a Mexican national who was in the country unlawfully and charged in an October 2023 child predator operation.

Severiano Marcos Maximo, 42, was arrested on October 25, 2023, on one count each of using a computer to communicate with another to commit a crime, attempted criminal sexual conduct 3 and accosting a child for immoral purposes.

A spokesman for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detroit Field Office tells 6 News in an email that Maximo had entered the country unlawfully on at least two occasions.

Severiano Marcos Maximo, 42, in a booking photo from his arrest on October 25, 2023. (Courtesy photo Eaton County Sheriff Department)

Severiano Marcos Maximo was an unlawfully present citizen of Mexico, who was removed to Mexico July 16, 2024. U.S. Border Patrol encountered Marcos Maximo near Douglas, Arizona June 5, 2004, and processed him as a voluntary return. He was returned to Mexico that same day. At an unknown date and location, he re-entered the United States without parole or inspection by an immigration official, the ICE official wrote in an email.

Maximo was arraigned October 26, 2023 in Eaton County 56-A District Court. A $10,000 cash or surety bond was ordered, but Maximo was not able to post it.

On November 7, 2023, Maximo waived his preliminary examination, and his case was sent to the Eaton County Circuit. On February 16, 2024, Maximo agreed to plead guilty to all three felony charges On March 28, 2024, he was sentenced to 300 days in jail, with credit for 155 days served, five years probation and mandatory registration on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry.

Transcripts of both the plea hearing and the sentencing hearing reveal Maximo was warned by the judge the guilty plea could impact Maximos immigration status.

However, ICE confirms the same day Maximo was arraigned, an immigration detainer was issued.

On Oct. 26, 2023, ERO Grand Rapids lodged an immigration detainer with the Eaton County Jail in Charlotte, Michigan where Marcos Maximo was being held on local charges. He was convicted in the Eaton County 56th Circuit Court March 28, 2024, on sex crime charges and sentenced to 300 days. Upon his release, ERO Grand Rapids took custody of him July 1, 2024, and issued him an order of removal. He was removed to Mexico, July 16, 2024, the official wrote in an email to 6 News.

Maximo is the second man 6 News has identified who was in the country unlawfully at the time they were arrested and charged with crimes stemming from an ongoing series of child sex predator operations conducted by a multi-agency law enforcement task force. The task force includes members from the Lansing Police Department, the Eaton County Sheriffs Department and the Michigan State Police.

The second man who was in the country unlawfully was Rafique Malik Muhammad, 51. He entered the country legally but his permission to be in the country expired in 2016, a spokesperson for the ICE Detroit Field Office tells 6 News. Muhammad was released on a personal recognizant bond from Eaton County custody November 6, 2023. He was in jail on one felony charge of accosting a child for immoral purposes. Those charges arose from a task force investigation. Federal immigration authorities immediately began removal proceedings against him.

Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd tells 6 News his office opposed the federal takeover of Muhammads case. Muhammad was removed from the country and returned to his home country of Pakistan, January 31, 2024.

Since the task force began operations in November of 2022, 46 men have been arrested in at least 10 separate online operations. One case was dismissed. Eaton County prosecutors have charged 29 men stemming from the operations, while Ingham County prosecutors have charged 17 men on charges resulting from the operations. In all, 19 men have already been adjudicated guilty and sentenced.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Unplanned stop for USPS worker from DC leads to $1M win in scratch-off game

WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  One unplanned stop for a U.S. Postal Service worker turned into a lucky strike, winning $1 million!

One U.S. Postal Service worker from Washington D.C. usually makes his way across state lines to play Maryland Lottery scratch-offs. On an unexpected trip to the 7-Eleven on Solomons Island Road in Harwood, he bought instant tickets.

The USPS worker purchased several games, including the Millionaires Club, and went home to unveil his luck.

PHOTOS: DC News Now attends H Street Festival

Thank you, Lord, he exclaimed after scratching off the $20 Millionaires Club instant ticket.

The postal worker, who remained anonymous, matched the winning number 54 for the corresponding $1 million top prize.

He told the Virginia Lottery that he worked at USPS for 30 years and that retirement might be within reach. When asked about his plans for his winnings, he said he was going to pay some of his bills.

Randolph principal named Principal of the Year by Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents

The 7-Eleven will collect a $1,000 lottery bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Virginia Lottery said the Millionaires Club instant ticket went on sale in July with five $1 million top prizes. The win leaves three remaining, along with five unclaimed $50,000 prizes, 10 $10,000 prizes and others ranging from $20 to $5,000.

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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
An upstate Democrat is launching a longshot write-in campaign to keep his job as prosecutor  bashing bail reform and other criminal justice reforms leaders of his own party pushed through in New York.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares, who has been in office since 2005, is campaigning again after losing a June party primary to rival Lee Kindlon by 10 percentage points.

The issues that Im running on are statewide issues. Ive been the sole voice of the criticisms here on bail reform. These reforms are harming our communities, Soares said on 770 WABCs the Cats Roundtable.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares is campaigning again after losing a June party primary to rival Lee Kindlon by 10 percentage points. Hans Pennink

Criminal justice reforms enacted in 2019 under then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic-led legislature eliminated cash bail for mostly non-violent felony crimes  a move activists said set up a system where people who couldnt afford bail sat in jail awaiting court dates on low-level accusations.

But critics have called the policies soft-on-crime, with backlash growing after several high-profile cases of accused criminals who committed violent crimes days after being cut loose on other charges.

We see more young men of color murdered on the streets by other young men of color, who are allowed to access the revolving door to the criminal justice system, said Soares, who is black.

Ive been here for 20 years, he went on. Ive seen the highs. Ive seen the highs. I can tell you, its never been worse  The root cause here is this irresponsible path that weve been put on by our leaders here in the state government.

Soares blamed his primary loss on his own public criticism of the cashless bail law and other reforms  including changing the age for defendants to be tried as an adult for crimes from 16 to 18.

I think that public safety has been so politicized in our community [that] if you say the wrong thing, if you call out the terrible policies that have been passed in the state capital, things are going to happen to you politically, he said. In my case, there was a primary run against me because of my criticisms over bail reform, raise the age  Therefore, now I am a write-in for district attorney here on Nov. 5.

Lee Kindlon dismissed Soares as a write-in candidate. Hans Pennink

He blamed the irresponsible bail laws that basically deprived judges of the discretion [and] deprived police officers in many instances from being able to make arrests, thus emboldening criminals.

We are living in one of the most important states in the country, and we cannot put handcuffs on people who are committing crimes  We allow for criminals to just continuously steal, Soares said, referring to serial shoplifting.

This is happening in every city in this state, Soares added. The idea that my party is the party that set us down this course is troubling  Things have to change. And by things I mean these laws that have been passed that are hurting our communities all throughout New York State.

But primary winner Kindlon dismissed Soares as a write-in candidate.

Kindlon said the public backlash over Soares using part of a state grant to provide himself a $23,000 bonus as well as his lackluster record as DA cooked his goose.

Soares was bad at his job and he stole taxpayer money, Kindlon said Sunday after hearing Soares claims. I didnt win because I was a bail reform defender. Hans Pennink

Soares was bad at his job and he stole taxpayer money, Kindlon said Sunday after hearing Soares claims. I didnt win because I was a bail reform defender.

I worry about David as much as I worry about a bug, he added.

Ralph Ambrosio is the Republican candidate in the race and the two will face off on Tuesday.

Write-in campaigns are rarely successful.

But in 2021, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown easily won a fifth term as a write-in candidate in the general election after a stunning loss to democratic socialist India Walton in the Democratic primary.

Ambrosio, the Republican, a former state trooper and assistant prosecutor, is hoping he can win with Soares and Kindlon splitting the Democratic vote.

.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A celebration was held Sunday night for a local group of nuns making their home in Youngstown.

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown have been serving in the city for 150 years. The celebration was held at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield.

In 1874, six sisters came to Youngstown to serve Catholic schools in the area. Now, the group helps with underserved communities, such as the homeless and those with health insurance needs.

Sister Mary McCormick says many of the sisters are from the community.

We have served entire lives, from the time most of us were about 17 or 18 years old, well into our 80s and 90s, and the Youngstown area has been completely supportive of us, McCormick said.

She said their most recent project is helping senior citizens for independent living and assisted living.

Wilson Corbisello 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.
The intelligence community warned Monday that foreign adversaries are using artificial intelligence (AI)to enhance ongoing disinformation efforts.

An official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said Russia is the top creator of such content, spreading false information through text, images, audio and video, most of it aimed at pushing divisive issues or creating false narratives about U.S. political figures.

This content is also consistent with Russias broader efforts to boost the former presidents candidacy and denigrate the vice president and the Democratic Party, including through conspiratorial narratives, the official said.

The warning is a shift from July, when officials said they had seen U.S. adversaries push AI-created content abroad, but not yet in the U.S.

Iran is also using AI-created content but has used the tools primarily to create fake news websites, including translating content into Spanish to spread disinformation to various U.S. populations.

One of the benefits of generative AI models is to overcome various language barriers, and so Iran can use the tools to help do that, the ODNI official said.

Iran, like Russia and China, has focused on issues like immigration, and has also pushed disinformation regarding the Israel-Hamas war.

The reason why Iran is focused on immigration is because they perceive it to be a divisive issue in the United States, and they identify themes with which they think [they] will create further discord in the United States, the official said.

The official noted that not all false content shared in recent weeks has been created using AI, noting that a fake video made with a woman claiming to have been hit by Vice President Harris in a hit-and-run was a staged video.

The official nonetheless noted the intelligence community agreed with a Microsoft assessment that Russia was behind the video and added that it has likewise created content that alters Harriss voice.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 US is planning to ban certain hardware and software made in China and Russia from cars, trucks and buses in the US due to security risks.

Officials said they were worried that the technology in question, used for autonomous driving and to connect cars to other networks, could allow enemies to "remotely manipulate cars on American roads".

There is currently minimal use of Chinese or Russia-made software in American cars.

But Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the plans were "targeted, proactive" steps to protect the US.

Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking, and other technologies connected to the internet," she said in a statement.

"It doesnt take much imagination to understand how a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the privacy of US citizens."

Chinese officials said the US was broadening "the concept of national security" to unfairly target Chinese firms.

China opposes the USs broadening of the concept of national security and the discriminatory actions taken against Chinese companies and products, said Lin Jian, spokesman for Chinas Foreign Ministry, in a statement.

We urge the US side to respect market principles and provide an open, fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.

The proposal, which will now enter a comment period, is the latest from the White House aiming to limit China's presence in the car manufacturing supply chain.

The White House has also raised tariffs on electric cars, batteries for electric vehicle and a range of other items. It has separately banned the import of Chinese-made cargo cranes, warning of cyber-security risk.

The US launched an investigation in February examining the cyber risks from so-called connected cars.

The prohibitions on software would go into effect with model year 2027, while the hardware rules would be effective three years later, giving the industry more time to re-work their supply chains.

John Bozzella, president and chief executive of Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents big car companies, said that though there was "very little technology - hardware or software in today's connected vehicle supply chain that enters the US from China" the rule would force some firms to find new suppliers.

Ive said this in other contexts, but it applies here too: you cant just flip a switch and change the worlds most complex supply chain overnight," he said.

The lead time included in the proposed rule will allow some auto manufacturers to make the required transition but may be too short for others," he said.

He said association would continue to share its perspective as the final rules are developed.
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, NX Filtration fair value estimate is 6.17

NX Filtration is estimated to be 28% undervalued based on current share price of 4.42

Analyst price target for NXFIL is 6.65, which is 7.8% above our fair value estimate

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of NX Filtration N.V. (AMS:NXFIL) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for NX Filtration

The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (, Millions) -16.7m -10.6m 4.85m 7.55m 10.5m 13.4m 16.1m 18.4m 20.3m 21.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x2 Est @ 55.69% Est @ 39.29% Est @ 27.81% Est @ 19.78% Est @ 14.15% Est @ 10.22% Est @ 7.46% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 5.3% -15.9 -9.6 4.2 6.1 8.1 9.9 11.2 12.2 12.7 13.0

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 52m

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 5.3%.

Story continues

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 22m (1 + 1.0%)  (5.3% 1.0%) = 514m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 514m ( 1 + 5.3%)10= 306m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 358m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 4.4, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 28% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at NX Filtration as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 5.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.039. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for NX Filtration

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Forecast to reduce losses next year.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Has less than 3 years of cash runway based on current free cash flow.

Not expected to become profitable over the next 3 years.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For NX Filtration, there are three pertinent factors you should further examine:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with NX Filtration (at least 1 which shouldn't be ignored) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does NXFIL's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Dutch stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
(Bloomberg) -- Congressional leaders unveiled a stopgap funding bill Sunday to temporarily keep the US governments doors open through Dec. 20, as negotiators aim to avert an Oct. 1 shutdown and set the stage for a funding showdown shortly before Christmas.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The bill would keep the federal government running at existing funding levels, with few exceptions. The US Secret Service would get extra money to protect presidential candidates after a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The measure excludes a GOP bill to require voters to show proof of citizenship, after Republicans failed to pass a previous version tied to a stopgap funding bill.

Lawmakers aim to vote by Wednesday on the measure, a House Republican leadership aide told reporters Sunday. The House Rules Committee will meet Monday to consider the bill, according to the panels website.

The measure also excludes additional money for the Navys Virginia-class submarines and for disaster aid, setting the stage for further negotiations in December.

In a letter to colleagues on Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson described the continuing resolution as a very narrow, bare-bones CR including only the extensions that are absolutely necessary.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said hes pleased that bipartisan talks led to a deal free of cuts and poison pills, while saying that Johnson and House Republicans wasted precious time earlier on.

The bill includes $231 million in additional funds for the Secret Service. It also places conditions on the funding, requiring the agency to cooperate with the House task force currently investigating the first assassination attempt of the former president.

The bill omits the SAVE Act, a partisan Republican bill to require proof of citizenship to vote. Johnson attempted to push through a six-month continuing resolution tied to the SAVE Act last week, but the bill failed on the House floor amid intra-party GOP feuding and Democratic opposition.

The bill would replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Disaster Relief Fund, while excluding an extra $10 billion in disaster aid that was tied to the original House stopgap that failed.

Also missing is funding for the Navys Virginia-class submarines, the new generation of nuclear-powered subs manufactured by General Dynamics Corp. and HII. The Navy is currently estimated to run $17 billion over its planned budget through 2030. House Republican leadership also plans to have appropriators address the shortfall in the next spending deliberations.

Republicans aim to pass the bill through the regular process, including consideration by the Rules Committee, the House GOP leadership aide said.

Representative Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, told reporters Friday its more likely that members will pass it under suspension of the rules, a faster process that requires a two-thirds supermajority in the House.

(Updates with Rules Committee meeting in third paragraph, Schumer comment in sixth.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Iraqi policemen from Nassiriyah protest outside the former presidential palace of toppled leader Saddam Hussein, headquarters to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, July 28, 2003 in Baghdad. Credit - Joseph BarrakAFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump remains obsessed with the Deep State.

He may have failed as president to execute his most ambitious plans, which involved slashing protections for civil servants  the thousands of federal government employees who serve continually under both Democratic and Republican administrations. But Trump has promised not to miss the chance again if he is re-elected. His campaign pledges to increase the Presidents power to clean out departments of faceless bureaucrats who might slow down his agenda. Project 2025, produced by the conservative Heritage Foundation, similarly proposes that many civil service positions be replaced with political appointees selected directly by the president.

These proposals claim that clearing out civil servants will produce a more effective government, one that is more responsive to election results. Such a system, however, threatens the stability and efficiency of government operations, and scholars have pointed out how Congress created the civil service in response to government corruption in the late 19th century. But there is another far more recent American experiment that illustrates the problems with what both Trump and the Heritage Foundation envision.

In 2003, a U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq and quickly toppled Saddam Husseins dictatorship. The George W. Bush Administration created the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to serve as Iraqs temporary occupation government, and it rapidly filled positions in the CPA with political loyalists. The results were disastrous, suggesting what might happen if Trump manages to replace thousands of civil servants with political appointees.

Read More: How Far Trump Would Go

In the run up to the Iraq War, George W. Bush made his priority clear: regime change. Throughout 2002, the Bush Administration dismissed warnings from within the U.S. government about potential problems that might arise after toppling Hussein  ranging from skyrocketing costs to the potential for chaos. Reflecting the administrations belligerently optimistic view that installing democracy in Iraq would be easy, high-ranking leaders in the Defense Department sidelined deeply-researched reports produced by other agencies that warned of catastrophe.

This resulted in a critical lack of post-invasion planning. Arriving on the heels of coalition troops, CPA officials landed in Iraq and realized that the invasion and fall of Husseins government had caused untold devastation and a breakdown in law and order. This prompted them to urgently request more personnel.

The administration responded by dispatching passionate but inexperienced political allies rather than professionals with relevant governing experience. The White House took advantage of workforce procedures that enabled it to staff the CPA with direct hires, circumventing the civil service. It used this discretion to prioritize ideology and loyalty, not experience. Journalist Rajiv Chandrakesan reported that the White House consistently asked one question before picking someone: did you vote for George W. Bush?

The results were stark. Initially, the US Agency for International Development sent a disaster-response health expert with a long career in government service to reconstruct Iraqs healthcare system. The Bush Administration, however, swiftly replaced him with a social worker from Michigan, who had strong ties to the Republican Party and ran a Christian adoption agency. At the appointees directive, the CPA would, for months, focus on privatizing Iraqs pharmaceutical delivery system instead of rehabilitating emergency rooms in a country decimated and plagued by instability.

The rush to fill positions with loyal Republicans meant that other novices ended up with far too much responsibility. For example, the CPA asked for 10 staffers, essentially gofers, to come to Baghdad on short notice to perform administrative tasks. When the staffers arrived in Baghdad, however, the CPA assigned six of them to manage Iraqs $13 billion budget. None had any experience in finance or budget management. But they did have one thing in common: they had sent their resumes to the Heritage Foundation.

Read More: How Disbanding the Iraqi Army Fueled ISIS

The young staffers were overwhelmed by the work, and their inexperience contributed to repeated budget difficulties in 2003 and 2004. They were enthusiastic, but simply not qualified for the role into which they had been thrust. Military personnel assigned to the CPA complained that these staffers were so inexperienced and rotated out so quickly it was difficult for them to act on anything.

With the group in charge of releasing funds for salaries, Iraqi police officers complained that they were not paid consistently, if at all. While the CPA struggled through budget and finance issues with Iraqi security forces, a growing insurgency had begun to promise thousands of dollars to new recruits willing to attack Americans.

Other similarly comical personnel decisions also contributed to 2003 becoming a lost year in the occupation. A 24-year-old with no finance background landed the job of reopening Iraqs stock exchange, thanks to White House contacts. One of his first moves was to get rid of an U.S. Army reservist with finance expertise who had been assigned to help. The stock exchange did eventually reopen, but five months behind schedule.

As senior adviser to Iraqs Ministry of the Interior, Bush tapped former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik. Kerik was well known from his role during 9/11 and had good Republican connections. However, the former commissioner, though he did plenty of media appearances, delegated away the details of international police training. That led to a chaotic three months.

Many CPA officials, including political appointees, labored diligently and faithfully in impossible circumstances. But the rush to fill the Iraqi occupation government with political loyalists meant that there were far too few with the necessary background to make the right choices to run a functional government under difficult circumstances.

The results were catastrophic. A year after Bush declared mission accomplished, Iraq was ruptured by a violent insurgency and economic chaos. The CPAs early failures played a role in the start of a bubbling conflict that by 2011, left100,000 Iraqis and 4,000 Americans dead.

While some political appointees are necessary for a president to execute his or her agenda, the 2024 Trump campaigns promise to replace federal civil servants with political loyalists threatens to repeat the historical catastrophes of Iraq, where entire agencies were heavily staffed based on who had political connections. Without civil servants who can balance political initiatives with experience, there is little to stop chaos from spiraling out of control.

Syrus Solo Jin is a PhD candidate at the University of Chicago and a national fellow for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. He researches U.S. military-building and the racial and cultural underpinnings of American global power.

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
WASHINGTON  Russia is escalating its election meddling efforts with a focus on denigrating Vice President Kamala Harris to help elect Donald Trump, U.S. intelligence officials said Monday.

The Kremlin is creating new videos and also altering existing clips, in some cases using artificial intelligence, to undermine the Democratic nominee and alienate her potential supporters as Harris is locked in a tight race with Trump just 43 days from election day, the intelligence officials said.

Exhibit A in a background briefing the officials gave on Monday: A widely distributed report from a bogus news site falsely claiming Harris left a 13-year-old girl paralyzed in a hit-and-run.

Intelligence officials monitoring overseas malign influence efforts have concluded Russia is using a variety of information operations to attack Harris and boost Trump, one official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, or ODNI, said.

More: Senate warns of unprecedented foreign interference in 2024 election

The officials also released an "Election Security Update" report to the public summarizing its most recent findings.

Many of Russia's newest efforts focus on altering videos and then boosting them across all social media platforms on divisive issues, like immigration, that it believes will cost Harris votes and help return Trump to the White House, the officials said. U.S. intelligence concluded long ago that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind similar efforts in 2016 and 2020.

The intelligence officials would not comment on specific efforts targeting Harris other than the false hit-and-run video.

The Trump and Harris campaigns did not respond to requests for comment.

More: Russia wants Trump back in White House. Iran doesn't. Let the election hacking begin.

But the ODNI official said some of the videos being altered and shared by Russian cyberwarriors are being done specifically to paint Harris in a bad light, both personally and in comparison with Trump.

That official, like several others who briefed reporters, spoke on the condition of anonymity to share the latest intelligence on what foreign adversaries like Russia, Iran and China are doing to interfere in the presidential race  and in some cases, down ballot races across the country as well.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with elected heads of the regions via a video link, in Saint Petersburg, Russia September 18, 2024. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

The other noteworthy development, the officials said, is that foreign adversaries, notably Russia, are using artificial intelligence in their disinformation efforts  but more as an accelerant of their existing efforts rather than anything that is revolutionizing campaigns that have been underway for years.

China, for the most part, has stayed out of trying to influence the presidential race one way or the other, the officials said, and Iran has continued to sway voters against Trump, in keeping with previous intelligence that the officials cited in earlier briefings.

An actor in a wheelchair

The fake video about Harris, which shows a young girl in a wheelchair claiming to be a victim of a hit and run, surfaced in early September on a bogus website masquerading as a local San Francisco news outlet.

Last week, the security team at Microsoft issued a report saying Russia was behind the fake ad. The ODNI official said Monday that the U.S. assessment was independent of Microsofts.

In its Sept. 17 report, Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center said the fake story was created by a Kremlin-aligned group, dubbed Storm-1516, as part of a synchronized shift by three Russian influence operation that are now targeting Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

A video embedded in the article featured a female paid actor discussing the non-existent hit-and-run, Microsoft said. The website was created on Aug. 20 and went offline after being debunked.

'Outlandish' stories, millions of views

The U.S. intelligence officials said they cannot gauge the reach or effectiveness of the videos.

But Microsoft suggested that they have been viewed widely.

It said Russia-affiliated influence actors, dubbed Storm-1516 and Storm-1679, initially struggled to pivot operations aimed at the Democratic campaign following President Bidens departure from the US 2024 presidential race.

But in late August, it said, they gained traction by producing content implicating Vice President Harris and Governor Walz in outlandish fake conspiracy theories.

In late August and early September, Microsoft said, Storm-1516 produced and disseminated two fake videos designed to discredit Harris and stoke controversy around her campaign.

The first video, it said, depicts an attack by alleged Harris supporters on what the videos amplifiers claim is a Trump rally attendee. Microsoft said that video received millions of views, and sought to inflame political divides by stirring racial and political tensions.

The second video, Microsoft said, was the hit-and-run video produced by Storm-1516, which then laundered the video through a website for a fake TV station it had created just days beforehand.

At the beginning of September, the other Russian influence actor cited by Microsoft, Storm-1679, also pivoted its influence operations to focus on Harris after primarily focusing its campaigns on creating divisive content around France and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

One of that group's first Harris videos advanced conspiracy theories and false claims about her policies and garnered more than 100,000 views on X in the four hours after it was first published on Telegram.

Storm-1516, adept at grabbing headlines with its outlandish fake videos and scandalous claims, and Storm-1679 will likely only escalate its targeting of the Harris-Walz campaign in the lead-up to Election Day, Microsoft said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russia amps up pro-Trump efforts, Harris attack ads, US intel says
FILE - An entrance to the U.S. Naval Academy campus in Annapolis, Md., is seen Jan. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

BALTIMORE (AP)  Attorneys for the U.S. Naval Academy say the officer training school should be allowed to continue using race as an admissions factor because prioritizing diversity in the military makes it stronger, more effective and more widely respected, according to recent court filings and testimony during an ongoing civil trial in Maryland.

The group behind this case, Students for Fair Admissions, was also behind the lawsuit challenging affirmative action that resulted in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year, when the court's conservative majority prohibited the consideration of race and ethnicity in college admissions.

That decision ended a longstanding practice meant to boost opportunities for historically marginalized groups and sent shockwaves through higher education. But it carved out a potential exemption for military academies, suggesting that national security interests could affect the legal analysis.

Students for Fair Admissions, which was founded by conservative activist Edward Blum, later sued the Annapolis-based Naval Academy challenging the exemption.

A bench trial began last week in Baltimore federal court before Judge Richard Bennett, a George W. Bush appointee who served for over 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Maryland National Guard.

Witness testimony during the first week of the trial included accounts from current and former high-ranking military officials who expressed varying opinions on how race affects the experiences of servicemembers and the organization as a whole.

Lt. Col. Dakota Wood, a retired Marine Corps officer and 1985 Naval Academy graduate, said racial and ethnic diversity are irrelevant when creating a cohesive and effective fighting force. Wood, who is white, said what matters most is that all members are held to high performance standards.

Capt. Jason Birch, a former Navy SEAL commander who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1999 and currently serves on its admissions board, said his experiences as a Black officer highlight the importance of having people who look like him in leadership  not least because it sets an example for younger generations of minority servicemembers.

He said diversity among U.S. military leaders reflects core American values, demonstrating that if you work hard and perform well, regardless of your background, regardless of what you look like, youll be put in a position of command and responsibility.

Birch recounted instances of racist behavior by white colleagues as well as overseas assignments where his racial identity seemed to garner respect from foreign leaders, including a deployment to Somalia and an international visit to China.

For decades, senior military leaders have concluded that the fighting force is stronger when it is racially and otherwise diverse at all levels, attorneys for the Naval Academy wrote in court papers. The Armed Forces learned this lesson the hard way.

The American military has dealt with internal racial strife that has risked mission readiness since its inception, they wrote, saying the organization has made significant progress but still has a way to go. They said creating an organization that roughly reflects the demographics of the country is an important step toward eliminating internal conflict.

The Naval Academys current admissions process considers many factors, including grades, extracurricular activities, life experience and socioeconomic status, according to court testimony. Race often plays no role in the process, but sometimes it comes under consideration in a limited fashion, attorneys for the academy wrote in court papers.

Candidates are evaluated with an eye towards the myriad ways in which they might contribute to the Navy or Marine Corps as future officers, they wrote.

The plaintiffs claim race should play no part in defense strategy or college admissions.

For most of its history, the Academy has evaluated midshipmen based on merit and achievement, attorneys for the group wrote. For good reasons: Americas enemies do not fight differently based on the race of the commanding officer opposing them, sailors must follow orders without regard to the skin color of those giving them, and battlefield realities apply equally to all sailors regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin.

They argue that prioritizing minority candidates is unfair to qualified white applicants and that cohesion should arise from other factors such as training and command structure.

The group also sued West Point last year, but the Naval Academy case was the first case to go to trial.

During court testimony last week, experts for the plaintiffs presented potential alternative admissions models that would focus on an applicants socioeconomic status instead of race.

Given the nations history of discrimination against racial minority groups, such a focus would yield similar results in terms of diversity, plaintiffs argued. They also said it could better identify candidates who possess the true merit that comes with overcoming adversity and could be more broadly accepted by the American public. But most of the models they presented showed that the percentage of white students would increase and minority representation would decrease under their proposed strategies.

Plaintiffs also presented data from the Naval Academy showing slightly lower graduation rates among some minority groups, including African Americans.

Attorneys for the academy, though, argued that removing race entirely from the admissions equation would put the Navy at risk of repeating past mistakes.

Beth Bailey, a history professor at the University of Kansas, described the militarys fraught history of racial tension, which on some occasions erupted into violence. She said that was especially true during the Vietnam War, when a lack of Black leadership threatened to jeopardize the American war effort.

I go as far as saying they didnt have a weapon they needed, she said.

The bench trial is expected to wrap up later this week. The outcome will almost certainly be appealed.
US to return a trove of nearly 300 history-spanning antiquities to India

The US is returning 297 history-spanning antiquities stolen or smuggled from India, many dating back centuries.

Marking the handover, President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posed for a photo in front of several of the artifacts, during a recent meeting between the two leaders.

In July, the US and India signed an agreement to protect cultural property by preventing illegal trades and streamline the process to return stolen antiquities back to India.

The relics  most of which are terracotta artifacts from Eastern India  are expected to be repatriated shortly, according to the Indian government in a statement on Saturday.

The timing coincided with Modis visit to Bidens hometown in Wilmington, Delaware, where the president held a Quad summit over the weekend, aimed at strengthening the close alliance between the US and India, Japan and Australia.

Prime Minister (Modi) thanked President Biden for his support in the return of these artifacts, the Indias Ministry of External Affairs said.

Modi also noted the relics were not just part of Indias historical material culture but formed the inner core of its civilization and consciousness, according to the statement.

The artifacts, ranging from sculptures to vases, belong to a period spanning from 2000 BCE to 1900 CE. Some are made of stone, metal, wood and ivory.

Among the exhibited objects was a sculpture of Apsara, a celestial performer in Hindu and Buddhist mythologies, made of sandstone from 10th to 11th century CE in Central India. Wearing ornamental headgear and a girdle with tassels, she strikes a posture found commonly in Indian classical dance.

A fragment of a stone sculpture carved with a turbaned man alongside two women and an elephant rider was also showcased.

India has faced an uphill battle in protecting its valuable cultural treasures from looters, though it has been making headway in recent years.

In 2022, the US returned 307 stolen treasures to India as part of a 15-year investigation into international trafficking networks. More than three-quarters of those repatriated items, which have an estimated value of over $4 million, were linked to the disgraced New York art dealer Subhash Kapoor, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Indian court over smuggling offenses.

The US has returned 578 pieces of cultural artifacts to India since 2016, repatriations which in recent years have become an important aspect of India-US cultural understanding and exchange, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

The US State Departments Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has not immediately responded to CNNs request for comment.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Schools in the U.S. remain deeply divided along racial, ethnic and economic lines, even as studies show that the K-12 public school population is becoming more diverse.

More than a third of students attend schools where 75% or more of those in attendance are of a single race or ethnicity, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office's most recent investigation into K-12 education.

Saba Bireda and Ary Amerikaner co-founded Brown's Promise, an initiative to combat racial segregation and honor the legacy of nine Arkansas students who suffered because of it.

VIDEO: The Resegregation of America's schools (ABCNews.com)

In 1954, the Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision ruled that public school segregation was unconstitutional. Three years later, the NAACP attempted to enroll nine black students at Little Rock Central High School. The ensuing chaos gripped the nation, with the media dubbing the students "Little Rock Nine."

Then-Gov. Orval Faubus prevented the students from entering the racially segregated school, using his state's National Guard for help. President Dwight D. Eisenhower intervened after weeks of failed attempts to get the students through a full day of classes safely.

Following the Brown v. Board of Education decision, students started getting bused into schools from different neighborhoods to promote integration. However, much of that has stopped in the decades since.

"Unfortunately, we have come away from our commitment to the spirit of Brown," Bireda said. "Schools have been resegregating rapidly since the 1980s."

At the start of that decade, expensive busing orders began to expire. With a history of housing discrimination leading many neighborhoods to be segregated by race, for millions of students, attending the public school closest to their home means it wouldn't be racially diverse.

Despite the billions of dollars invested in desegregating public schools over the past few decades, school segregation has returned to the same level as it was in the 1960s.

New York high school student Ava Pittman begins her daily commute by taking the public bus, just like millions of other students. However, her journey through the city's Queens borough starts long before first period -- shortly after dawn breaks.

Every morning, Pittman makes the 14-mile, hour-and-a-half journey from the Far Rockaway neighborhood to Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School in Elmhurst. She travels that far because she doesn't think the schools near her are up to par.

Schools in certain places like Far Rockaway, the resources are minimal," Pittman said. "It's just the quality of education. It's different."

Pittman's opportunities are unique to her location, but the commute takes up most of her day. To her, it's worth it because of everything she gets to do in that school.

"I co-founded an affinity group called BAM, which is 'Black at Mel's.' " Pittman said. "I'm also part of a group called 'The Education Student Advisory Council.' My speech and debate team is the most diverse in our league, [which is] the Brooklyn Queens Forensic League."

According to data collected by the Department of Education between 2022 and 2023, among 100,000 public schools across the country, about 83% of all Black public school students and 82% of all Latino students attended a majority non-white school. At the same time, 75% of all white public school students were enrolled in a majority-white school.

At a recent conference in Baltimore, Bireda and Amerikaner met with education leaders to discuss solutions.

"We talk a lot about the importance of full integration to the health of our democracy," Bireda said. "Students who continually are growing up in segregated environments or not interacting with people from different backgrounds."

Even at a young age, Pittman advocates for diversity and integration in public schools. She is a youth advocacy director at Integrate NYC, a youth-led organization dedicated to created equity in New York City schools.

According to the Civil Rights Project, New York is one of the most diverse states in the nation. Despite this, it is one of the most segregated.

In a lawsuit against the state, Integrate NYC alleges that the city's sorting and admission process forces students of color into the most overcrowded and under-resourced schools.

"We agree with plaintiffs that achieving those educational goals is made harder by the complex system of biases and inequities deeply rooted in this countrys history, culture, and institutions -- a system that we also want to change," the New York City Department of Education said in a statement sent to ABC News. "But this lawsuit is not the answer. We are prepared to defend against these claims in court."

Unless something is done to improve school integration, Pittman and thousands of other students across the country will have to keep fighting for their education and the opportunities that come with it.

US schools still struggle with segregation 70 years after Brown v. Board of Education originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Rockets are launched from Lebanon towards Israel, as seen from northern Israel

By Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. does not support the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah across the border, a senior State Department official said, adding that Washington was going to discuss "concrete ideas" with allies and partners to prevent the war from broadening.

Israel launched airstrikes against Hezbollah targets on Monday, killing 492 people and sending tens of thousands fleeing for safety in Lebanon's deadliest day in decades, according to authorities.

Israeli officials have said the recent uptick in airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon was designed to force the Iran-aligned group to agree to a diplomatic solution.

But the U.S. State Department official, briefing reporters in New York on condition of anonymity, pushed back on this Israeli position, saying President Joe Biden's administration was focused on "reducing tensions ... and breaking the cycle of strike-counterstrike."

"I can't recall, at least in recent memory, a period in which an escalation or intensification led to a fundamental de- escalation and led to profound stabilization of the situation," the official said.

Asked if that is a disagreement with the Israeli stance, the U.S. official nodded.

The spiraling conflict over Israel's northern border with Lebanon is a focus for Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly this week. Washington had "concrete ideas" to prevent a broader war and would seek an off ramp to tensions, the official said.

"It's an evolution of those discussions on which we're trying to base some practical, concrete steps that will have good chances of reducing tensions and actually getting some traction," the official said.

Asked if Washington believes Israel is preparing for an ground invasion of Lebanon, the U.S. official declined to answer definitively.

"We obviously do not believe that a ground invasion of Lebanon is going to contribute to reducing tensions in the region," he said.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Mark Porter and David Gregorio)
US is sending more troops to the Middle East as violence rises between Israel and Hezbollah

WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. is sending a small number of additional troops to the Middle East in response to a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, would not say how many more forces would be deployed or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. now has about 40,000 troops in the region.

On Monday, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, two Navy destroyers and a cruiser set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, headed to the Sixth Fleet area in Europe on a regularly scheduled deployment. The ships' departure opens up the possibility that the U.S. could keep both the Truman and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Arabian Gulf, in the region in case more violence breaks out.

In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region," Ryder said. "But for operational security reasons, Im not going to comment on or provide specifics.

The new deployments come after significant strikes by Israeli forces against targets inside Lebanon that have killed hundreds and as Israel is preparing to conduct further operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned Lebanese civilians in a videotaped message to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign. He spoke as Israeli warplanes struck alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

The U.S. has concrete ideas for restoring calm along the Israel-Lebanon border that it will present to allies and partners this week on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders, a senior State Department official said Monday.

The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the private diplomatic efforts, said the U.S. and numerous other countries were eager to present an off-ramp for both Israel and Hezbollah to reduce tensions and prevent an all-out war.

The official would not detail what the concrete ideas are because he said they had yet to be presented to allies and partners for what he termed a stress test for their likelihood of success.

The State Department is warning Americans to leave Lebanon as the risk of a regional war increases.

Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available, the State Department cautioned Saturday.

Ryder would not say if the additional forces might support the evacuation of American citizens if needed.

U.S. officials said a decision is expected soon, possibly this week, on whether the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier will stay in the Middle East or continue to the Asia-Pacific.

Having two carrier strike groups in the Middle East at the same time has been relatively rare in recent years. But as violence has spiked between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah, both Iranian-backed militant groups, the Biden administration has ordered the Navy to have the carriers and their warships overlap for several weeks on a couple occasions.

It will take the Truman aircraft carrier about two weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean and get into the Mediterranean Sea. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements.

There is already a Marine amphibious ready group in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard, which is expected to be able to assist in an evacuation if needed.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held back-to-back calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend as he pressed for a cease-fire and a reduction of tensions in the region, Ryder said.

Given the tensions, given the escalation, as I highlighted, there is the potential for a wider regional conflict. I dont think were there yet, but its a dangerous situation, Ryder said.

The American presence in the Middle East is designed both to help defend Israel and protect U.S. and allied personnel and assets. Navy warships are scattered across the region, from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Oman, and both Air Force and Navy fighter jets are strategically based at several locations to be better prepared to respond to any attacks.

___

AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed from New York.
US sending more troops to Middle East as violence rises in the region

The U.S. is sending additional troops to the Middle East in response to a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder would provide no details on how many additional forces or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. currently has about 40,000 troops in the region.

Heres where US forces are in the Middle East as war looms

On Monday, the aircraft carrier Truman, two destroyers and a cruiser set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, headed to the Mediterranean on a regularly scheduled deployment, opening the possibility that the U.S. could keep both the Truman and the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Gulf of Oman, nearby in case further violence breaks out.

In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region. But for operational security reasons, Im not going to comment on or provide specifics.

The new deployments come after significant strikes by Israeli forces against targets inside Lebanon that have killed hundreds and as Israel is preparing to conduct further operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned Lebanese civilians in a videotaped message to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign. He spoke as Israeli warplanes continued to strike alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

The State Department is warning Americans to leave Lebanon as the risk of a regional war increases.

Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available, the State Department cautioned Saturday.

Ryder would not say if those additional forces might support the evacuation of those citizens if needed.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held back-to-back calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend as he pressed for a cease-fire and a reduction of tensions in the region, Ryder said.

Given the tensions, given the escalation, as I highlighted, there is the potential for a wider regional conflict. I dont think were there yet, but its a dangerous situation, Ryder said.

The U.S. presence in the Middle East is designed both to help defend Israel and protect U.S. and allied personnel and assets. Navy warships are scattered across the region, from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Oman, and both Air Force and Navy fighter jets are strategically based at several locations to be better prepared to respond to any attacks.
The United States is sending more troops to the Middle East, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to the Lebanese people regarding the heightening conflict with Hezbollah.

"In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region. But for operational security reasons, Im not going to comment on or provide specifics," Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters during an off-camera gaggle Monday.

The U.S. already has 40,000 troops in the region. The new deployments come after significant strikes by Israeli forces against targets inside Lebanon that have killed hundreds and as Israel is preparing to conduct further operations. Netanyahu released a video statement Monday addressed to "the people of Lebanon."

"Israel's war is not with you. It's with Hezbollah. For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garages," Netanyahu said. "Those rockets and missiles are aimed directly at our cities, directly at our citizens. To defend our people against Hezbollah strikes, we must take out those weapons."

Kirby Slams Hamas Chief Sinwar As 'The Major Obstacle' To Cease-fire, Hostage Release Deal With Israel

"Now starting this morning, the IDF has warned you to get out of harm's way," Netanyahu added. "I urge you  take this warning seriously. Don't let Hezbollah endanger your lives and the lives of your loved ones. Don't let Hezbollah endanger Lebanon. Please, get out of harm's way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes."

Read On The Fox News App

He spoke as Israeli warplanes continued to strike Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

Fox News confirmed that Netanyahu's cabinet approved a "special situation"  similar to a state of emergency  on Israel's home front on Monday. According to the Israeli government, the declaration significantly expands Israel Defense Forces (IDF) powers to give public directives, permitting the military to ban gatherings, limit studies and issue "additional instructions required to save lives."

Israel Says It Conducted Retaliatory Strikes Against Hezbollah In Lebanon, Struck Hamas In Gaza

The U.S. State Department is warning Americans to leave Lebanon as the risk of a regional war increases.

"Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available," the State Department cautioned Saturday. Ryder would not say if the additional forces might support the evacuation of those citizens if needed.

Additionally on Monday, the aircraft carrier USS Truman, two destroyers and a cruiser set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, headed to the Mediterranean on a regularly scheduled deployment, opening the possibility that the U.S. could keep both the Truman and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Gulf of Oman, nearby in case further violence breaks out, according to The Associated Press.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem on Sept. 2, 2024.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held back-to-back calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend as he pressed for a cease-fire and a reduction of tensions in the region, Ryder said.

"Given the tensions, given the escalation, as I highlighted, there is the potential for a wider regional conflict. I dont think were there yet, but its a dangerous situation," Ryder said.

The U.S. presence in the Middle East is designed both to help defend Israel and protect U.S. and allied personnel and assets. Navy warships are scattered across the region, from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Oman, and both Air Force and Navy fighter jets are strategically based at several locations to be better prepared to respond to any attacks.

Fox News' Yonat Friling and the Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: US sending more troops to Middle East, Netanyahu warns Lebanese as Israel-Hezbollah conflict heightens
We recently compiled a list of the 7 Best Stocks to Invest in for Medium Term. In this article, we will look at where S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) ranks among the best stocks to invest in for the medium term.

On September 18, the Federal Reserve reduced its policy rate by 50 basis points, lowering it to 4.75%5.00% from 5.25%5.50%. Following the announcement, stocks surged, with the broader market hitting a new intra-day all-time high and closing at its 39th record of 2024, marking the first since mid-July. The index has risen over 20% since the beginning of the year. The interest rate reduction has created new opportunities for investors, signaling a shift towards a more supportive monetary policy intended to boost economic activity. Lower interest rates generally result in reduced borrowing costs, encouraging both business expansion and consumer spending. This fosters a favorable environment, making medium-term investments, typically ranging from 3 to 5 years, more appealing.

To effectively execute this strategy, investors should evaluate several key factors in the companies they select. These include the stocks performance over the past year, profitability, sales figures, debt levels, price-to-earnings ratio, and dividends. Additionally, assessing revenue growth and payout ratios can provide further insights.

Dividend stocks are often seen as good choices for medium-term investments, providing investors with passive income while they hold the stock. In addition, dividend-paying companies can be a smart investment during times of market volatility. A report by Hartford Funds showed that from 1940 to 2023, dividend income contributed an average of 34% to the total return of the broader market. The report also highlighted that in decades with total returns below 10%such as the 1940s, 1960s, and 1970sdividends made a significant impact on overall returns.

Dividend growth is the most favored approach within dividend investing, as it boosts investors income over time. Kirsten Cabacungan, an investment strategist in the Chief Investment Office for Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank, emphasized the significance of dividend growth strategies in investment planning. Here are some comments from the analyst:

Generally, its larger, more mature companies that return capital to their shareholders in the form of dividends. Companies that have consistently increased their dividends tend to be more stable, higher quality businesses, which historically have weathered downturns and are more likely to have the ability to pay dividends consistently.

A companys dividend payout ratio is a crucial measure of its ability to maintain dividend flexibility. Firms that allocate most or all of their earnings to dividends may struggle under competitive pressure, as their cash flow might not be enough to sustain operations. A report by Nuveen highlighted that, historically, stocks with the highest payout ratios havent delivered the best long-term results. Instead, companies with moderate to moderately high payout ratios have tended to outperform over the past two decades among dividend-paying stocks. With this, we will now discuss some of the best stocks to buy for medium term.

Our Methodology:

For this list, we used a Finviz screener to to find dividend stocks with an average revenue growth of over 10% over the past five years, highlighting companies with consistent sales growth. From that selection, stocks with a five-year average payout ratio of under 40% were chosen, indicating a strong cash position. The final list includes 7 companies with the highest number of hedge fund investors, based on Insider Monkeys Q2 2024 database.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).

25 Best Free Tech Newsletters to Subscribe to in 2024

S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 90

5-Year Average Annual Revenue Growth Rate: 14.83%

5-Year Average Payout Ratio: 31.7%

S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) is a New York-based capital market company that specializes in financial information and analytics. The companys performance remained strong in the second quarter of 2024, reporting $3.55 billion in revenues, up 14.5% from the same period last year. The company has raised its FY24 guidance across several key areas, particularly impressing investors with its cash flow outlook. It now anticipates generating $4.4 billion in operating cash flow, up from the previous estimate of $4.2 billion. In addition, it projects adjusted free cash flow to reach $4.7 billion, an increase from the earlier forecast of $4.5 billion. This revision is due to higher expected net income. The company also plans to maintain its commitment to shareholders, aiming to return about 85% of its adjusted free cash flow in 2024 through dividends and share buybacks.

It is clear why S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) is confident in its cash flow outlook, as the company has already demonstrated strong cash generation in the first half of the year. Its operating cash flow for the period came in at $2.5 billion, which grew significantly from $1.36 billion in the prior year period. The companys dividend history is also very strong as it has raised its payouts for 51 years in a row. With a 5-year average payout ratio of 31.7%, SPGI is one of the best stocks to buy for medium term. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.69%, as of September 19.

At the end of Q2 2024, 90 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI), compared with 97 in the previous quarter. These stakes are worth more than $10 billion in total. Among these hedge funds, TCI Fund Management was the companys leading stakeholder in Q2.

Overall, SPGI ranks 5th on our list of the best stocks to invest in for medium term. While we acknowledge the potential of SPGI 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 SPGI 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.
US sending small number of troops to Middle East as attacks ramp up

The U.S. is sending a small number" of troops to the Middle East, the Pentagon said Monday, as Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters intensify their cross-border attacks.

The troops would add to the 40,000 American forces already in the region, including over a dozen warships in the surrounding waters and thousands of Marines aboard ships in the Mediterranean Sea.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters about the moves on Monday, saying that given the tensions, given the escalation, there is the potential for a wider regional conflict. I dont think were there yet, but its a dangerous situation.

Ryder declined to describe the number of troops being sent or what their role would be.

Adding to the U.S. military response in the region, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman left port in Virginia on Monday accompanied by two destroyers and a cruiser on a previously scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean. The deployment could mean that the U.S. will again have two carriers in the Middle East if the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Gulf of Oman, stays on station.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group left the Middle East this month and headed to the Pacific after its deployment was extended in order to monitor events in the region.

Fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group has risen sharply in recent weeks as Hezbollah militants fire waves of rockets into Israel and as the Israeli government looks to weaken the Iranian-backed groups leadership cadre and ability to launch attacks into northern Israel.

Israel has launched audacious attacks against the group, including planting explosives inside pagers and walkie-talkies used by the militants, wounding thousands of its operatives this month. Hezbollah has responded with volleys of rocket fire across the border, leading to new rounds of Israeli airstrikes.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held two calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend as he pushed the Israelis to make progress toward a ceasefire with Hamas in the south. The two also spoke twice last week.

Speaking with his military commanders in Israels north on Monday, Gallant said that Israel decided to shift the center of gravity of our operations from the southern to the northern arena, indicting that operations inside Gaza may be taking a backseat to increased fighting in the north. Gallant called Mondays strikes a significant peak in operations that destroyed tens of thousands of rockets and precise munitions stored by Hezbollah, often in civilian areas.

What Hezbollah has built over a period of 20 years since the second Lebanon War, is in fact being destroyed by the IDF, he said.

On Monday, Israeli jets struck over 1,300 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, said Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Videos posted online showed the aftermath of some of those strikes with significant secondary explosions, indicating Israel had hit ammunition areas storing some of the militant groups thousands of rockets and missiles supplied by Iran.

Lebanon's health ministry said that over 350 people were killed and more than 1,200 wounded in Monday's airstrikes, but did not indicate how many were militants and how many were civilians.

Over 160 rockets fired from Hezbollah flew over the border on Monday, most of which were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, but civilian neighborhoods in northern Israel and the West Bank were also struck.

Many of the strikes in southern Lebanon are focused on Hezbollah firing positions south of the Litani river near the Israeli border, where the group continues to operate despite a 2006 United Nations Security Council resolution that directed the group to pull back north of the river.

In recent months, tens of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border have fled their homes as the strikes have continued on a daily basis.
Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, as seen from the Israeli side of Israel Lebanon border

By Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is sending a small number of additional troops to the Middle East given escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, the Pentagon said on Monday, declining to specify the precise number or mission of the deployed forces.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region," Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, told reporters.

After almost a year of war against Hamas in Gaza, Israel is shifting its focus to its northern frontier, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of its ally Hamas.

Israel's military on Monday struck Hezbollah in Lebanon's south, eastern Bekaa valley and northern region near Syria in its most widespread strikes. An Israeli strike on Monday evening on the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital targeted senior Hezbollah leader Ali Karaki, the head of the southern front, a security source told Reuters.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has been seeking to contain the conflict to Gaza and has repeatedly called for the Israel-Lebanon border crisis to be resolved through diplomacy. That call for diplomacy has been underscored by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in daily calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Experts question whether Iran would stay on the sidelines if Lebanon's Hezbollah's existence were threatened and say U.S. troops could also find themselves targeted throughout the Middle East, if a regional war breaks out.

In their call on Sunday, Austin suggested that no outside actors should intervene in the conflict.

"The Secretary made clear that the United States remains postured to protect U.S. forces and personnel and determined to deter any regional actors from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict," the Pentagon said in a statement.

Those U.S. capabilities include the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, fighter aircraft and air defenses.

"We have more capability in the region today than we did on April 14th when Iran conducted its drone and missile attack against Israel," Ryder said.

"So all of those forces combined provide us with the options to be able to protect our forces should they be attacked."

Ryder referred to Iran's attack by more than 300 missiles and drones, which caused only modest damage inside Israel thanks to air defense interceptions from the United States, Britain and other allies in the region. The April 14 strikes were Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Howard Goller)
Lebanese authorities say that Israeli bombardment has killed at least 492 people -- including 35 children -- in its territory (Nidal SOLH) (Nidal SOLH/AFP/AFP)

For nearly a year, one of US President Joe Biden's top priorities has been to prevent the Gaza war from spiraling into an all-out regional conflict.

Weeks ahead of an election -- and just as Biden begins his farewell visit to the UN General Assembly -- Israel is pounding Lebanon, killing hundreds and highlighting the powerlessness of his warnings.

Biden, meeting the leader of the United Arab Emirates on Monday, insisted that his administration was still "working to de-escalate" in coordination with counterparts.

A US official on the sidelines of the United Nations gathering said the Biden administration was presenting "concrete ideas" to provide an "off-ramp" to prevent further fighting and lead to a diplomatic solution.

But events have quickly moved out of US control. Last week, when pagers exploded across Lebanon targeting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, the United States said it had no foreknowledge of the operation widely attributed to Israel and appealed for calm.

Instead, Israel quickly stepped up its attacks, saying on Monday that it had hit 1,000 Hezbollah sites over the past 24 hours. Lebanese authorities said 492 people were killed, including 35 children.

Nearly a year after an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel that prompted its relentless assault on Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brushed aside warnings of the dangers of regional war and said his country's goal was to change the "security balance" with its northern neighbor Lebanon.

The operation came after weeks of painstaking US-led diplomacy to reach a Gaza ceasefire failed to seal a deal, with Netanyahu insisting on an Israeli troop presence on the Gaza-Egypt border, and a dispute with Hamas on the release of prisoners.

Michael Hanna, director of the US program at the International Crisis Group, said that US diplomats had based efforts for calm in Lebanon on reaching a Gaza ceasefire.

The Gaza truce effort "looks like it's at a dead end, and efforts to decouple the two -- to reach an agreement between Hezbollah and Israel while the war in Gaza continues, has also proven to be a dead end," he said.

- Political calendar -

Complicating matters is the US political calendar, with Biden's heir Kamala Harris locked in a tough race against Donald Trump for the US presidency ahead of November 5 elections.

While Biden and Harris would be eager to avoid all-out war and the impression of chaos, few believe that the US administration would take major steps against Israel, given the domestic political risks involved, so close to the election.

"It is not particularly far-fetched to imagine that the US political calendar may have played into Israeli decision-making on when to expand" into Lebanon, Hanna said.

James Jeffrey, a former US ambassador to Iraq and Turkey who takes a hard line against Iran, said that US policymakers instinctively promoted ceasefires but that Netanyahu, like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, was more concerned about his country's security.

"We are already in a regional war and have been for the past 20 years," said Jeffrey, now at the Wilson Center in Washington.

"Iran is now being pushed back and has lost one of its major proxies at least for the moment -- Hamas -- and another, Hezbollah, is under stress," he said.

Netanyahu "has prioritized restoring deterrence and regaining military superiority over anything like pleasing Washington and the international community," he said.

- US support for Israel -

Biden has repeatedly voiced concern to Netanyahu over the plight of civilians in Gaza but has mostly held off on using the ultimate US leverage -- withholding the billions of dollars in US military aid to Israel.

The Pentagon on Monday said that the United States would send additional troops to the Middle East, a move taken by Israel as a sign of US commitment to its ally if the conflict escalates further.

Also potentially emboldening Israel has been Washington's muted responses to actions attributed to Israel, including the assassination of the Hamas political chief as he visited Tehran in July.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, visiting the United Nations, accused Israel of seeking a wider conflict and said Tehran had shown restraint due to assurances that a truce could be secured in Gaza.

"They kept telling us we are within reach of peace, perhaps in a week or so," Pezeshkian, considered a reformist within the theocracy, told reporters in New York.

"But we never reached that elusive peace."

sct/gw/aha
(NewsNation)  More than 270 people were killed in Lebanon after Israeli airstrikes on Monday, making it the deadliest day for the country since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

A small number of U.S. troops have now been deployed to the Middle East in response to the violence, which has raised peoples fears of a greater regional war. The United States already has an aircraft carrier in the region, but at this time, officials have no plan to send another one.

Officials from the Biden administration as well as lawmakers have been worried for weeks now about the situation in the area escalating.

Officials wanted Ohio train derailment to go away, expert tells NewsNation

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad told a news conference in Beirut Monday that the Israeli militarys attacks hit hospitals, medical centers and ambulances. Government officials ordered schools and universities to close across most of Lebanon and began preparing shelters for people displaced from the south.

In a recorded message Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to heed calls to evacuate, saying that once the operation is finished, they could come back to their homes.

I have a message for the people of Lebanon, he said. Israels war is not with you, its with Hezbollah.

However, Lebanons information minister, Ziad Makary, said in a statement his office had received one of these messages, telling people to leave the building.

These warnings come in the framework of the psychological war implemented by the enemy, Makary said, telling people not to give the matter more attention than it deserves.

Israeli military officials, claiming they are going after Hezbollah weapons sites, announced the strikes hit 800 targets. Some of these strikes, according to the Associated Press, struck residential areas of towns in the south and the eastern Bekaa Valley. One hit a wooded area as far away as Byblos in central Lebanon, more than 80 miles from the border north of Beirut.

On Sunday, Hezbollah launched around 150 rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes last week that killed a top commander and fighters, as well as dozens of civilians including women and children. It is not clear whether there have been any deaths or injuries resulting from this attack.

Last week, thousands of communications devices such as pagers exploded in different parts of Lebanon as part of an attack widely believed to be carried out by Israel. These device explosions killed 39 people and wounded nearly 3,000.

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 NewsNation.
US urges Israel to extend banking relations with Palestinian banks for at least a year

By Andrea Shalal and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo urged Israel to extend its banking relationships with Palestinian banks for at least a year to avert an economic crisis in the West Bank, warning that Israel's own security was at stake.

Adeyemo delivered the message in a meeting with Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron in New York on Monday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly before meeting separately with Jordan's King Abdullah.

"He expressed the United States government's concern about threats by some within the Israeli government to sever correspondent banking relationships between Israeli and Palestinian banks and insisted that these should be extended for at least a year," the Treasury Department said in a statement about Adeyemo's meeting with Yaron.

Israel's U.N. mission declined to comment.

U.S. officials have been warning for months that threats by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and other Israeli officials to cut off Palestinian banks from their Israeli correspondent banks could destabilize the Palestinian Authority, which in turn could harm Israel's own security.

The banking correspondence authorization is due to expire on Oct. 31, posing risks to export and import transactions valued at nearly $10 billion, Treasury officials have said.

Adeyemo told Abdullah that any Israeli move to cut off Palestinian banks would raise the risk of regional instability and could move more Palestinian financial transactions into the shadows, both of which would harm Israeli and regional security, said a source familiar with those talks.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen raised similar concerns ahead of a Group of Seven finance ministers meeting in May, and the issue was mentioned in two G7 joint communiques.

"The viability of the Palestinian Authority is essential to stability in the West Bank, which in turn is essential to Israels own national security," said one U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The World Bank on Monday said the Palestinian territories were already "nearing economic freefall," with Gaza's gross domestic product declining 86% in the first quarter of 2024 year on year, and the Palestinian Authority facing a financing gap of $1.86 billion in 2024 and heightened risks of a "systemic failure."

Smotrich in June extended a waiver that allows cooperation between Israel's banking system and Palestinian banks in the occupied West Bank, but only for four months, not a full year as his predecessors had done.

The waiver allows Israeli banks to process shekel payments for services and salaries tied to the Palestinian Authority, without the risk of being charged with money laundering and funding terrorism. Without it, Palestinian banks would be cut off from the Israeli financial system.

U.S. officials have been tight-lipped about what would happen if Israel failed to extend the waiver, and whether they could impose sanctions similar to those slapped on Israeli settlers for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Howard Goller)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT)  The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) received a $200,0000 grant to support and protect the rights and inclusion of Mississippi K-12 students and their families through the Special Education Family Advocacy Network.

We are excited to launch this innovative program through our Institute for Disability Studies, which will create a statewide network of family advocates providing crucial peer-to-peer support for families of children with disabilities. This initiative will expand access to high-quality educational support, increase knowledge about special education services, and foster a sustainable system of family cohorts across our state, said Dr. Kelly Lucas, USM Vice President for Research.

USM receives $500,000 to support 17 projects

According to university officials, IDS aims to develop community-based networks of family advocates while also providing peer-to-peer support rooted in personal experience and extensive training in special education policies and procedures.

The projects goals focus on expanding the access of families of children with disabilities to high-quality education support and advocacy services.

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The sun was shining while Taylor Morehouse stood with her two children and her mother by the pier to watch the USS Harry S. Truman deploy to the Middle East. Around them, families said their goodbyes and had their last hugs before the ship pulled away.

Her husband, Aviation Boatswains Mate E5 Tyler Morehouse, is one of roughly 6,500 sailors now headed for the Red Sea. The Morehouses have been through four deployments over the course of their eight-year marriage.

We always do stressful, I think, Taylor Morehouse said, with a laugh. One deployment, we got married. One deployment, I had a baby, and then this deployment, we moved.

She said deployments do not typically feel real until about three months in, and this time, Truman sailors will miss all the fun stuff, like Christmas and birthdays.

Capt. Dave Snowden said sailor resiliency was a major focus over the past couple years, and for sailors aboard the Truman, significant connectivity improvements have been made to allow families at home to communicate with them. Snowden expressed that being away for the holidays will be difficult for all on board, from the young sailors on their first deployment to experienced servicemembers like Snowden, who has not missed a Christmas in his 29 years of service. However, with technology improvements, sailors should have an easier time communicating with family members in the United States.

We really stress on our team that this is a family, right? he said. We talk through things, we provide information and weve got a lot of things in the Navy to really facilitate resiliency amongst our crew. 

The Truman and Carrier Air Wing 1 will head to the Red Sea, where U.S. sailors have fought almost daily for months to down drones and missiles launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen.

The Truman rejoined the U.S. Second Fleet in December after a yearlong maintenance cycle. The carrier entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth in December 2022 for a planned incremental availability two months after returning from a nine-month deployment in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The maintenance cycle saw modernization efforts; structural repair and preservation work to the weapons elevators, the flight deck and hangar bay, the main mast and exterior of the ship; as well as general repairs to the hull, mechanical and electrical infrastructure. Other improvements focused on quality of life for sailors, such as enhanced gyms and WiFi.

The Truman has deployed 10 times since its commissioning in 1998. During its deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in 2022, Truman provided air support to Allies in response to Russians invasion of Ukraine. The carriers air wing flew missions to enforce a no-fly zone.

Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8, said threats overseas are always dynamic and changing, so sailors are prepared to switch gears in case of threats. Shortly before the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was scheduled to get underway, Hamas attack on Israel sparked what would become monthslong combat in the region. By the end of their deployment, the crew had experienced the most intense stretch of high-seas combat since World War II.

It hasnt necessarily changed how we focus our training we have done, and its given us more increased capabilities against those threats which may emerge, Bailey said.

Clouds moved over the sky as the Truman got underway by Monday afternoon. At the end of the pier, families gathered to wave goodbye, many teary-eyed and solemn. A small pod of dolphins crested in the water as the Trumans escort boats moved away from the ship.

Our crew has undergone months of rigorous training to ensure we are ready to face any threat during this deployment, Snowden said. The professionalism I see every day across the Truman and Carrier Air Wing 1 sailors will be the key to our success. We stand ready to perform at the highest level, and I couldnt be more confident in this team.

Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
The University of Texas boasted an all-time high enrollment and its second-largest freshman class in its 2024 enrollment data released Thursday.

Enrollment reached 53,864 undergraduate and graduate students as of the 12th class day, increasing for Asian, Black, multiracial, Pacific Islander, Hispanic and international students specifically from 2023 to 2024, though first-generation student enrollment dipped by 70 students.

The numbers are a notable contrast from declines in underrepresented groups seen at multiple prestigious universities nationwide after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year to end race-conscious admissions, rendering affirmative action moot. This is the first class enrolled since that decision.

More: 'The wind is at our back': Why Hartzell said UT is becoming world's highest impact school

Under state law, UT notably enrolls 75% of each class from the top 6% of all Texas high school students, representing and serving the diverse state fully. But UT President Jay Hartzell announced this week that the threshold for auto-admission will be lowered to 5% for the admissions cycle for fall 2026 due to rising competitiveness for enrollment at UT and the growing youth population in the state.

University of Texas students change classes at the Will C. Hogg Building on the first day of classes on Aug. 26. UT's enrollment reached 53,864 for this fall semester, an all-time high for the university.

UT also had improvements in graduation rates, the data showed, with a particular boost for Pell Grant-eligible students, low-income students on federal financial aid. Since 2013, four-year undergraduate graduation rates have increased by 22 percentage points to 74.8% overall and have doubled for Black students. First-year retention is also at an all-time high, the university says, with 96.7% of first-year students staying enrolled.

Despite these increases, Black, Hispanic, first-generation and Pell-eligible students still see lower graduation rates than the overall student body by at least 5.9% less. This will be the first fall the students lack the support of diversity, equity and inclusion programs geared at increasing retention and belonging for students of underrepresented backgrounds after UT's compliance with Senate Bill 17, Texas's anti-DEI law, and the university's additional measures April 2 that shuttered the Division of Campus and Community Engagement, ended multiple programs and cut 49 former-DEI staff positions.

Black students now make up 5.4% of UT's overall enrollment, or about 2,900 students. Hispanic students make up 25.5% of students enrolled at UT, and Asian students make up 22.4%.

More: Hartzell: UT to cut auto-admission threshold from 6% to 5% for 2026 admissions cycle

Pell-eligible students can access student support services such as "UT for Me," which is sponsored by Dell Scholars and Texas Advanced Commitment. Since 2020, four-year graduation rates have increased for Pell-eligible students more than any other group. First-generation students had the lowest four-year graduation rate at 65.8%, but UT-funded support is geared toward increasing retention and support.

The university also saw its second 10% application increase in a row, accounting for 72,885 applications this year, the data showed.

At his annual State of University address Wednesday, Hartzell said this year's class consisted of 800 students who were their class's valedictorian or salutatorian, and about a quarter of the class had established an organization, nonprofit or start-up before entering UT.

Hartzell also spoke Wednesday about the importance of serving all students regardless of income and improving the accessibility and affordability of the institution while recruiting top talent. Now, he said, is "a chance for us to think more deeply about what we mean by student success."

"We have made great strides in thinking about our students and positioning them to graduate on time and go out and into the world," Hartzell said. "Now we have to think more and more about what do we do to attract more and more of them, and what do we do to support them and enable them succeed when they're here."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UT's enrollment at all-time high, including for students of color
New Utah solar energy park, one of the largest in the U.S., could power 88,000 homes

Rendering of the Green River Energy Center, one of the country's largest solar and storage projects. (Courtesy of rPlus Energies)

Sunny skies and high elevations led a Utah company to build one of the countrys largest solar and storage facilities in the east-central portion of the state. The structure is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 88,000 Utah homes and to store solar power for peak hours.

The Green River Energy Center, located near Ferron in Emery County on a relatively flat site with about 300 days of sunshine, is set to generate 400 megawatts and is able to store that capacity for four hours for a total of 1,600 megawatts.

We really think that this project helps diversify Utahs energy mix and is complementary to the other generation thats already on the system. And with Utah being a growth market where the load demand is increasing, we think this is a great place to do business, and we will successfully build and deliver this project, and hope to build many others in the state of Utah, said Theresa Foxley, chief of staff at rPlus Energies, the developer of the project.

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The center contracted with PacifiCorp to manage the transmission system. A lot of the energy will be consumed locally in the state, Foxley said, but the structure will serve the whole PacifiCorp network, which encompasses six Western states.

The storage capacity will help with the roadblocks that intermittent sources, such as solar, encounter  supplying clean energy when the sun isnt shining, which, simultaneously, is often when households experience their highest energy demands.

Emery County isnt only an ideal location for these types of projects because of its geography, but because of its energy producing legacy alongside Carbon County, Foxley said. The site has access to transmission lines in addition to vendors and a workforce ready to support the project.

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While the state discusses a potential 18.1% residential rate increase for power, mostly attributed to soaring fuel and wholesale power costs, solar energy prices have declined significantly. This generation would add to PacifiCorps energy mix and could help keep prices competitive, Foxley said.

The beauty of solar is that once its installed, youre not subject to fuel volatility, as we are with other sources of energy, thermal energy in particular, she said. So theres an upfront cost, of course, to building and constructing these facilities, but the ongoing operation and maintenance costs of them are very low, and we believe that it provides a really cost-competitive and diversified form of energy for the consumer.

The project has a $1.1 billion price tag, has been in the works for about eight years and is scheduled to start commercial operations in May of 2026, Foxley said.

During the peak of its construction, rPlus Energies is expected to create 500 jobs. The company committed to hire as many local residents as possible to build the internal roads within the project and other battery installation and substation developments.

Once the project is ready, because of its low-cost nature, the ongoing headcount to support the projects is about 15 to 20 full-time employees a year, Foxley said.

We are proud to be working with those communities to continue their legacy of energy exportation through utilizing a lot of the existing infrastructure there that has has historically moved electrons that were generated by coal fired power plants and will continue to move electrons generated by coal fired power plants, but adding on this new solar and this storage capacity, which really helps provide grid stability, Foxley said.

And, though its contract with PacifiCorp will run for 20 years, the equipment has a longer lifespan. As western markets continue to attract large energy consumers, such as tech manufacturers and data centers, Foxley said, its an interesting time for energy in Utah.

We can not only have this electricity generated in Utah to help facilitate additional economic activity throughout the state and to allow our country to be more competitive economically, Foxley said. But that also has this ancillary benefit of a large capital investment project in a smaller rural community, for whom this capital investment will represent some $55 million in local tax revenue over a 20-year period.

During a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, the Emery High marching band, a rodeo queen on her horse, an archery club and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox welcomed the project to the community.

This project is being built in rural Utah, by rural Utahns, and for all of Utah. When rural Utah thrives, the entire state prospers, Cox said at the groundbreaking, according to a news release. Today, were not just breaking ground  were building a future of affordable, abundant energy in Utah.

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An electric vehicle charger plugged into a Cadillac. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

This is part three of a five-part series about Virginias transition to electric vehicles that examines the governments role in the process, the private industrys status, the development of charging infrastructure in the state, EVs impact on the electric grid, and how the commonwealths workforce may be influenced by the growing industry.

Searching for a new vehicle can be challenging, but not as complex as it is to develop the infrastructure needed to power electric and low-emission vehicles at rest stops, gas stations, homes, workplaces and public areas in Virginia.

To build its EV infrastructure, the state leaned on the federal governments nationwide plan to install charging stations across major corridors around the country.

In Virginia, those areas are found along Interstates 81, 295 and 495, to name a few. The commonwealth has received $61 million, with a future allocation of $45 million, from the federal governments Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build out charging stations along interstate highways, with one planned at least every 50 miles, and within one mile of federally identified designated alternative fuel corridors (AFCs). So far, the process has progressed slowly.

Whenever you put a large amount of new money into a system, meaning deploying EV infrastructure where none previously existed, the startup is going to be very difficult. New processes and procedures need to be established to ensure taxpayer dollars are used appropriately and we minimize the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse, said Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun, who is a strong supporter of electric vehicles and owns one.

However, homeowners, businesses, and residential and commercial developers could tap into another infrastructure layer soon  or even now, if they have access to a 240-volt outlet.

The state could incentivize Virginians to install chargers at shopping malls, homes and corporate offices through future legislation. Previous efforts have failed due to the lack of support or funding.

Reid said the state needs to build out the charging infrastructure along major highways, but theres also the potential for existing wiring to support a Level 2 EV charger, which is typical for home, the workplace and public areas such as gas stations.

Divesting from gas stations for charging stations

Virginias gas stations and convenience stores are aware of the transition to electric vehicles, but are generally prioritizing their available fossil fuel at the moment. Some, though, are seeing a new business opportunity with government funding to provide EV charging infrastructure.

As of June 30, the Department of Motor Vehicles said there were about 6.9 million vehicles registered in Virginia, with about 311,000 being electric, plug-in hybrid or traditional hybrid. That means at least 6.6 million cars need a gas station to fuel up.

Mike OConnor, president and CEO of the Virginia Petroleum and Convenience Marketers Association, acknowledged the transition to more electric vehicles is going to happen regardless of what pressures are brought to bear because there are people that are interested in these vehicles. OConnors group represents owners or suppliers for the 3,385 gas stations and convenience stores across Virginia.

But given some challenges with adopting electric vehicles, including their difficulty performing in cold weather, OConnor said for his group, the percentage of new cars sales being electric vehicles likely wont increase beyond the current 7% rate as fast as previously thought. So theyre not focusing on EV drivers.

If Im one of these businesses, Im doing a long term projection, and you say its going to increase by 100% in 10 years  which I think is optimistic given whats going on  youre going to go from 7% to 14%, OConnor said. Youre still going to have 14% EVs and 86% internal combustion engines. If Im making my efforts in planning, Im focused on the 86% in those locations where Im operating presently.

That hold-out philosophy is present in the Shenandoah Valley, where Holtzman Oil is one of the largest suppliers of gas and is keeping with its model based on conversation with retailers.

Our gut feeling is that fossil fuel has a long and bright future ahead of us, said Todd Holtzman, general manager of the companys propane division and a Republican member of the town of Mount Jacksons council. [Chargers] are very, very expensive and I think its a possibility when the public wants them. Where you see em, I think theyre heavily subsidized and theyre not heavily used.

Individual gas station owners decide if and when to install EV chargers, OConnor said, similar to the choice between selling Coke versus Pepsi. A separate group of gas stations and convenience stores, ranging from national chains to mom and pop stores that are a part of the Charge Ahead Partnership, ranging from national chains to mom and pop stores, take a fuel-agnostic stance, said Ryan McKinnon, a spokesman for the group.

If customers want charging, they want to provide it, McKinnon stated.

But with Level 3 fast chargers costing about $100,000 to install  the type which take about 15 to 20 minutes to charge a battery up to 85% for up to a 300 mile duration, typically  McKinnon said gas stations owners want certainty their investment will provide a return and not be overlooked by a charger built down the street.

That certainty, McKinnon said, can come from giving private companies a right of first refusal to prevent utilities from building, owning and profiting chargers paid for through ratepayer funds within a 12-mile radius of an existing publicly used one, which is what a 2024 bill from Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, sought to achieve. Dominion Energy, which McKinnon said has been cooperative with building charging infrastructure, argued against the bill, saying it would have hampered their ability to provide more charging stations.

This is a pretty big business opportunity, McKinnon said, adding gas stations can be well lit, attended by people and are close to highways. Were uniquely positioned.

The governments role

While it can be considered as a subsidy, the government is providing incentives to overcome the funding concerns with building EV chargers, particularly at gas stations.

In 2016, a settlement with Volkswagen for cheating emission tests led to $14 million for charger development, primarily at gas stations in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads area. More recently, the Virginia Department of Transportation began doling out National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funds from the federal government.

Erin Belt, decarbonization program manager with the Virginia Department of Transportation, said the applicants include traditional gas stations and travel centers. The list of applicants also include third party operators running the stations, and those from the tourism industry operating dining establishments, grocery stores and shopping centers.

Weve seen pretty good, and I would say better than expected, response from applicants across the state, said Chris Berg, director of sustainability at VDOT. I think we had some concern around are there some areas of the state that have lower EV penetration? where we may see less interest. But in our first round we saw multiple applications at all of our target areas.

Sullivan told the Mercury in a phone interview hes used a charging station much like what the NEVI program is working on.

Im in Western New York state right now. I drove up here in my EV, Sullivan said My wife and I stopped at a Sheetz in Bedford, Pennsylvania; took 20 minutes to charge our car while we were inside, using the restroom and buying some food for the road. And then we were on our way, not unlike an internal combustion engine vehicle stopping for a gas fill up.

EV traveling in Virginia

Industry leaders say charging stations along Virginias interstates are moving along, but have some challenges amid concerns over car batteries.

In 2022, VDOT said after it received funding for the NEVI program, it would be working through 2026 to expand the network to over 1,000 charging stations.

Berg said its the largest investment in the commonwealths history. However, VDOT is uncertain when deployment could be completed, due to factors such as whether the program will be reauthorized and what the demand will be in a couple of years.

Supply chain delays could also impact when award recipients complete the installation of charging stations, as could applicants need to ensure they understand the federal requirements and obligations.

The program does not cover infrastructure installation in areas beyond Virginias interstates, like the commonwealths rural regions.

However, some communities are applying for the Charging and Fuel Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address those areas. The application process, which closed last month, offers a $2.5 million cut for groups such as local governments and planning organizations in urban and rural communities. The funding will help to deploy EV charging and other alternative vehicle-fueling infrastructure projects in publicly accessible locations.



The idea behind the CFI funding is to essentially fill in gaps left by the NEVI program, said Anne Blair, vice president of policy for the Electrification Coalition, a nonprofit organization advocating for electric vehicles.

While NEVI dictates specific funding every 50 miles, a mile off the interstate, this is designed to really go in areas outside of that, [such as] rural communities (and neighborhoods with)multi-family housing, for instance, that also need assistance in terms of deployment of funding.

Virginias stated goal for the charging network is to create a system that facilitates convenient, reliable, and equitable access to fast charging stations throughout the commonwealth, while spurring growth in this promising industry.

Sullivan has introduced a bill three years and counting to make sure all Virginians can have access to charging, including rural areas that wont directly benefit from the NEVI program. Sullivans bill attempted to offset some infrastructure costs in less populated, lower income areas, which Republican lawmakers have said is lacking while also largely opposing the clean cars policy seeking to increase the states adoption of electric vehicles.

Those rural areas are where state parks typically are, too, said Sullivan.

We want all of our Virginia citizens to be able to charge electric vehicles. We want people coming into the states, into our beautiful tourist attractions all over the state. We want those people who own electric vehicles to feel confident that they can charge there as well.

Reid suggested that state involvement could help alleviate any inequities for people who live in places that dont have garages or dedicated spaces for charging such as apartments and condominiums.

Operating and improving EV charging in Virginia

Some consumers considering the idea of transitioning to electric are looking to businesses, legislators and local and state governments to make finding charging stations easier.

In some parts of Virginia, electric and low emission vehicle owners have already taken steps to install chargers at their homes. In some cases, a homeowner is required to have an electrical permit to install a charger. Experts say most EV charging is done at home.

In Prince William, an electrical permit is required when a circuit or feeder is added or extended to supply the vehicle charging system or if the system is hard wired. A permit is not required if the charging system is cord-and-plug connected to an existing circuit that meets the requirements of the manufacturers installation instructions.

EV and hybrid owners also use chargers at shopping malls and at workplaces as the more effective charging stations become available.

Lawmakers attempted to increase the number of charging stations and home chargers during the previous three sessions.

In 2021, the Virginia legislature passed the first EV Rebate Program providing tax incentives for consumers to purchase a new or used electric vehicle. However, the program was never funded by the legislature.

Reid said the states EV Rebate Program lost support because some interpreted it as a means to support the wealthy purchasing expensive EVs; others balked because of the cost to support the program. He said the commonwealth has a finite amount of money, and the legislature has to make some very difficult decisions about priorities, some of which have been neglected for decades, such as increasing teacher pay, disability waivers and law enforcement pay.

I dont fault anyone for that, but it was one of those unfortunate things that we were able to pass the legislation, but we had different priorities when we got to the budget, Reid said.

In 2023, legislation to give localities the option to require developers to include charging infrastructure in their proposals failed, which he said was supported by localities in Northern Virginia. A similar bill in 2024 would have convened a workgroup to evaluate the technical requirements for building EV charging infrastructure.

Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, said she supports localities having the flexibility in certain areas to require developers to include charging infrastructure in their proposals, especially multi-family dwelling unit construction proposals.

We have to keep up with the times and with the technology and giving localities another tool in the toolbox to make some decisions for themselves, knowing their communities better than anybody else, I think its a reasonable thing, Boysko said.

Blair from the coalition acknowledged that its been a fairly controversial issue for the building community, because its another thing on their list to include in their standards. But its vastly less expensive to do it when youre building a new apartment complex than to retrofit a property after its already been built, she said.

Without Boyskos bill passing, the city of Alexandria has been using Standard Conditions to encourage developers to agree to include charging infrastructure as they submit building proposals.

Virtually all development projects incorporate some degree of EV infrastructure into their project, said Amy Posner, EV planner for the city of Alexandria. We typically see at least 2% of the parking spaces on a project will have Level 2 EV chargers. The latest update to the Standard Conditions raised that to 5% of parking spaces to better align with EV adoption rates in Alexandria.

The city also wants to provide the chargers in areas like city parks and libraries, but costs are a challenge.

To get around that, the city is offering up their locations to developers who would own, operate and profit from charging stations, but ideally enter a revenue sharing agreement with the city. Grants that Alexandria receives could also go toward building chargers. Its similar to a program Virginia Beach is doing, Posner said, to really accelerate the public charging that we know we need to make it easier for folks to make the switch.

Stuart Gardner, executive director of Generation 180, which provides consumer education on switching to electric, said a way the organization is helping to spur interest is working with businesses in developing charging stations, and encouraging localities to apply for federal grants.

Last January, Henrico County became the recipient of a $1.4 million discretionary grant from the Charging Fuel Infrastructure Grant Program for developing stations at seven county facilities including at two libraries and a recreational center. The second round of applications closed last month.

Generation 180 and a coalition of partners reached out to localities across the state to say hey, lets not leave money on the table. Theyre going to award these grants, so lets make sure that money is in Virginia, Gardner said.

For Virginians unable to charge at home, businesses like Dominion are making it possible at the workplace. The company also announced last Thursday that it would provide a one stop shop for qualifying residents who want to add chargers at home by connecting them with electricians. Participants can pay $1,835.96 upfront for the charger plus required materials, permitting, installation, maintenance and support, or pay $40.27 a month for five years. Low-income participants, including a family of four making less than $88,000 a year, can also participate at no cost. The utility will provide ongoing support, including a five year warranty.

This program eliminates a significant barrier to EV ownership by simplifying the process to purchase and install a home charger, said Nathan Frost, General Manager of New Business & Customer Solutions for Dominion Energy. We are excited to help empower our customers to reduce their fuel costs and their emissions at the same time.

Editors note: This article was corrected with how Dominion Energys residential charging program works.

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Qualcomm has recently initiated discussions with Intel to explore a potential acquisition, reports Reuters citing sources.

The talks, which involve Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, are at an early stage, with no formal offer yet made for the chipmaker.

Qualcomm's interest in Intel comes at a time when the latter is facing market challenges, with its shares having lost nearly 60% of their value since the beginning of 2024.

The San Diego-based Qualcomm, which has a market value of $188bn, is reportedly examining Intel's entire portfolio, including its PC design unit.

According to a source briefed on the negotiations, Amon is personally involved in examining various options for a deal.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Qualcomm had shown interest in acquiring portions of Intel's design business.

However, the conversations have not progressed to a formal offer stage, and Intel declined to comment.

Requests for comments from Qualcomm also did not elicit a response.

A potential acquisition by Qualcomm would likely face intense scrutiny from antitrust regulators in the US, China, and Europe.

There is speculation that Qualcomm might have to divest parts of Intel to gain regulatory approvals.

If it proceeds, this bid would be the largest takeover attempt in the technology industry since the thwarted Broadcom bid for Qualcomm in 2018.

Financing the acquisition remains a question, as Qualcomm has around $13bn in cash, and it is unclear how it would manage Intel's contract manufacturing business, given that Qualcomm has no history of operating chip factories.

Intel, on the other hand, has been focusing on a turnaround strategy, including an emphasis on artificial intelligence processors and establishing a foundry business.

In a separate development, Bloomberg reported that Apollo Global Management has offered to invest up to $5bn in Intel, which could be a boost to the chipmaker's efforts to revitalise its business.

Intel is also making strategic moves such as pausing construction on factories in Poland and Germany, reducing real estate holdings, and securing a deal to produce a custom networking chip for Amazon's AWS.

"Qualcomm approaches Intel to explore potential acquisition " was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.







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Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has spent the last month engaging in intense prep sessions ahead of the debate with his Democratic counterpart, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, on October 1.

That preparation includes reviewing footage of the governors previous speeches and studying binders of research regarding his policies, a person directly involved in the debate prep told CNN.

The preparation is also expected to include a mock debate later this week with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer playing the role of Walz, while Monica Crowley  Donald Trumps former assistant secretary for public affairs at the Treasury Department  will sit in as the mock moderator, two sources familiar with the planning said.

Vances team approached Emmer, a Republican congressman from Minnesota who has known Walz for years, to aid in the Ohio senators debate preparation, the sources said. Emmer has spent the last month studying Walzs mannerisms and rhetoric to prepare for the role. The New York Times first reported Emmers involvement with Vances debate preparation.

Crowley, meanwhile, was enlisted by Vances team to give the mock debate session as real and professional of a feel as possible, the source with direct knowledge of the preparation said. Before serving in the Trump administration, Crowley was a Fox News contributor and occasionally sat in for Sean Hannity on his nightly show.

Vance has been working closely with his top political aides and with senior Trump adviser Jason Miller, who took the lead on the former presidents debate prep, to study for the October 1 showdown. The group has met in person at Vances Cincinnati home, as well as on Zoom over the last several weeks, with a focus on helping the Ohio senator better understand Walz stylistically, as well as on familiarizing Vance with Walzs record as both a Minnesota congressman and governor, the person said.

The main goal for Vance is to needle Walz on his record, specifically his handling of the Minneapolis riots in the aftermath of George Floyds murder in 2020, as well as some of his more socially progressive policies, such as a 2023 law Walz signed requiring that students of all income levels and gender identities have access to menstrual products.

Vances frequent attacks on Walz thus far, such as questioning his military service and labeling him as a liberal in a moderates clothing, will also serve as key lines of messaging next Tuesday, the source said.

The Ohio senator has spent the majority of the prep sessions studying Walz specifically and less on rebuffing potential attacks aimed at him, with Vances team arguing that his frequent media interviews and events on the trail have already prepared him to answer for his own record.

One of the benefits of doing hostile media nonstop is you become very well-versed in dealing with attacks on your record, the person with direct knowledge of the preparation told CNN. We have a lot of confidence in JD speaking about policy. The goal is to focus on Walz and his weaknesses.

Trumps top advisers, including campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, have largely left the debate preparation up to Vances direct team with the exception of Miller, the sources said.

And while Vances team has projected confidence in the Ohio senators ability to debate, they insist they view Walz as a competitive opponent.

Were taking Walz very seriously, and having studied the footage, we expect him to be an effective debater, the source said.

CNNs Kit Maher contributed to this report.

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Venezuela has issued an arrest warrant for Argentina's president over the 'theft' of a Venezuelan plane seized in Buenos Aires for alleged sanctions violations (Sebastian BORSERO) (Sebastian BORSERO/AFP/AFP)

Courts in Argentina and Venezuela issued warrants for the arrests of each other's presidents on Monday amid a showdown between "anarcho-capitalist" leader Javier Milei and socialist strongman Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela was first off the mark with its warrant for Argentina's Milei over what it called the "theft" of a Venezuelan plane seized in Buenos Aires for alleged sanctions violations.

A court in Caracas also issued warrants for Argentina's Security Minister Patricia Bullrich and Karina Milei, the president's sister and presidential advisor.

In a tit-for-tat measure hours later, an Argentine court ordered the arrest of Venezuela's Maduro and dozens of aides for crimes against humanity.

Significantly, the court also asked international police organization Interpol to issue a red notice for their capture, local media reported.

The federal court in Buenos Aires accused Venezuela's leaders of organizing the kidnap and torture of Venezuelan citizens, the reports added.

The court invoked the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows countries to prosecute certain serious crimes regardless of where they took place.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello is among those sought.

- Polar opposites -

Venezuela has repeatedly locked horns with Argentina, where Milei, a vocal critic of Maduro-style socialism, took office last December.

Argentina was among dozens of countries not to recognize Maduro's claim of reelection victory in a July 28 vote which the opposition said it can prove he stole.

Argentina -- whose embassy in Caracas is sheltering Venezuelan opposition officials -- was among seven Latin American countries with which Caracas severed ties after the election.

The arrest warrant issued by Venezuela for Milei relates to a cargo plane owned by Venezuelan company Emtrasur, which was seized after landing in Argentina in June 2022, before Milei took office.

An Argentine judge then granted a request for the United States to seize the plane on grounds that laws were broken when Iran sold it to Venezuela. Both countries are under US sanctions.

Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice on Monday accused Milei of aggravated robbery, unlawful detention and "unlawful interference with the operational safety of civil aviation."

The arrest warrant was seen as largely symbolic, however, as it is unlikely Milei will set foot in Venezuela, which is the only country where the warrant applies.

Maduro's regime has lashed out repeatedly over the past week at its critics, notably accusing the United States of plotting to overthrow late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez's handpicked successor.

burs-cb/st
Was a Venezuelan gang member arrested in Prairie du Chien? Here's what's accurate and not.

This story was updated to add new information.

Republicans in Wisconsin have often repeated the phrase every state is a border state. For evidence, theyve recently turned to Prairie du Chien, a city of about 5,500 people across the Mississippi River from Iowa.

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden and U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde  both Republicans running for Congress in Wisconsin  have appeared on Fox News in recent weeks to argue immigration is a Wisconsin issue.

They both cited a case in which Prairie du Chien police said a man affiliated with a transnational gang attacked a woman and her daughter.

U.S Representative Derrick Van Orden for the Third Congressional District speaks on a Federal Legislator panel during the 2024 Republican Party Of Wisconsin State Convention on Saturday May 18, 2024 at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center in Appleton, Wis.

We just had a Venezuelan illegal immigrant violently attack and rape a woman in a small town in Wisconsin, and attack her daughter, Hovde said in an Sept. 12, 2024 Fox News interview.

Van Orden, who lives in Prairie du Chien, also discussed the case on Fox News three days later.

(He) made his way to Minneapolis where he was arrested for property crime, then made his way down to Madison, Wisconsin, where he was arrested for a series of violent crimes, Van orden said. He was released from both of these places because theyre sanctuary cities.

Former President Donald Trump also mentioned the Prairie du Chien case at his rally in Mosinee, claiming the suspect was charged with suffocation, child abuse, sexual assault and many other things.

Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, have spread false claims about migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. Schools and hospitals in the city were evacuated or locked down due to threats.

PolitiFact Wisconsin wanted to look into the Prairie du Chien case in part because the Springfield claims attracted so much attention and were determined false.

Rather than fact-checking just one politician or one statement, we decided to lay out whats accurate, based on what we know so far, and whats not.

Heres what Prairie du Chien police say happened

In a Facebook post on Sept. 6 and in an update on Sept. 9, the Prairie du Chien Police Department laid out details of what they call an open and ongoing investigation.

Police say they responded to a physical disturbance on Sept. 5, where they learned a male suspect had been physically and sexually violent towards an adult female.

A female juvenile was also found to have been injured during the physical altercation that took place, police said. No details about the victims, including their ages, have been released.

Prairie du Chien police said the suspect is Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, who is not a U.S. citizen.

In the initial post, police said Coronel Zarate was suspected of having an affiliation with a known violent transnational criminal organization known as Tren de Aragua.

In the update, police said we are more confident now about his affiliation with the gang, based on interviews, the suspects prominently displayed tattoos and after consulting with federal law enforcement.

Police said the incident was not a random event, as one of the victims brought the suspect to Prairie du Chien from Madison, Wis., and were acquaintances.

The departments statement, signed by Chief of Police Kyle Teynor, said the victim had no expectations or knowledge of his violent tendencies and holds no responsibility for the brutal assaults.

In the update, Teynor said Coronel Zarate is the only suspect in this case and the only person we have had contact with that has shown connections to the Tren de Aragua transnational gang.

Coronel Zarate has been charged with three felonies: second-degree sexual assault, child abuse, and strangulation and suffocation, plus three misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct with domestic abuse modifiers.

He was booked into Crawford County Jail, Teynor said, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was contacted and a detainer was placed on him.

Suspect was never in custody in Dane County, sheriff pushes back

Police also said Coronel Zarate was charged and had warrants in Dane County, where Madison is located, and was arrested in Minnesota in 2023.

A search of Wisconsins courts website shows he was charged with strangulation and suffocation, false imprisonment, battery and disorderly conduct. A warrant for his arrest was issued on Dec. 1, 2023.

The Dane County Sheriffs Office told PolitiFact Wisconsin that Coronel Zarate was never in their custody, and the Madison Police Department similarly said he was never in jail in Dane County for that case.

That contradicts part of Van Ordens claim that he was arrested and then released in Madison, because he was never in custody there.

Additionally, Madison does not have an official sanctuary city policy, explained Dylan Brogan, the public information officer for the city.

He pointed to MPDs standard operating procedure on immigration laws, which explains how the department cooperates with ICE under certain circumstances, like if a suspect is arrested for a violent felony.

In the past, PolitiFact Wisconsin explained that Madison and Milwaukee County do not consider themselves sanctuary cities, which is a political term rather than a legal one. But they do have practices that fit the meaning.

On the county side, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett pushed back on a letter from Van Orden and Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany published on the conservative news website Wisconsin Right Now.

In the letter, the congressmen asked Barrett whether the county has a policy that restricts coordination with ICE, and whether Coronel Zarate was ever in custody.

Barrett responded on his campaign Facebook page, rather than an official page. He confirmed Coronel Zarate was never in his custody and said claims the department is non-cooperative with ICE are false.

After PolitiFact Wisconsin published this story, Tiffany's office pointed out a 2024 document from ICE that lists Dane County as a non-cooperative institution, meaning they do not accept detainers, which allow ICE to take over custody from a local entity. But again, Coronel Zarate was never in custody.

Barrett also painted the letter as an unsubstantiated and distasteful attempt to gather votes in a battleground state for the upcoming presidential election.

And to save any follow up inquiries, we have not taken reports of people eating cats or dogs, Barrett added, referencing the false claims in Springfield, Ohio.

A spokesperson for Van Orden sent PolitiFact Wisconsin his own response: Barrett is trying to distract from the fact that he issued warrants  and never executed them.

Whats known about Tren de Aragua

In July, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Tren de Aragua as a significant Transnational Criminal Organization, (underscoring) the escalating threat it poses to American communities.

The Treasury Department said Tren de Aragua, which originated as a prison gang in Venezuela, is known for crimes including human smuggling, gender-based violence and drug trafficking.

A statement from a National Security Council spokesperson also said the Department of Homeland Security has implemented enhanced vetting processes before people arrive at the border and enhanced screening measures at the border to identify known or suspected gang members.

Those identified as gang members are detained and referred for criminal prosecution or held pending removal.

Law enforcement agents are also working with local and state partners, the NSC said, to investigate and prosecute Tren de Aragua members and affiliates engaged in criminal activities.

Prairie du Chien police said that based on their investigation, they can confirm Coronel Zarate entered the U.S. in September 2023 at or near the El Paso, Texas port of entry.

When he was arrested, Coronel Zarate had two fictitious immigration documents, including a U.S. Social Security card, police said.

Immigrant advocates worry about fear-mongering

Prairie du Chien isnt the first small community in Wisconsin that Republicans have pointed to when making arguments about immigration.

In the past, theyve turned to Whitewater, a city of about 15,700 which for the last two years has attracted some 1,000 migrants, mainly from Nicaragua, for jobs on farms and in factories.

Residents told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel earlier this year that they were disappointed by fear mongering from politicians and noticed no uptick in crime.

City leaders said there have been obstacles, such as drivers being pulled over without licenses and unsafe living conditions, but said they want to solve those problems if given more funding.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the executive director of immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera, pointed to claims from Republicans about migrants in Whitewater.

Advocates were concerned law enforcement in Whitewater coordinated too closely with Republican members of Congress, like holding public events together.

This is all just fear-mongering and xenophobia, and the community has just responded beautifully, Neumann-Ortiz said.

PolitiFact Wisconsin has also previously debunked claims from a county Republican party that planes full of unvetted refugees are being accepted at airports in Milwaukee and Madison.

Our conclusion

Unlike debunked claims about migrants eating pets in Springfield, a new claim making the rounds about a Venezuelan gang member assaulting a mother and daughter in Wisconsin has elements that are accurate.

Prairie du Chien police say they are confident the suspect is affiliated with Tren de Aragua, adding theyve consulted with federal partners and contacted ICE.

But the details of these cases are important. Theres no evidence that the suspect was ever in custody in Dane County, nor that he was released back into the community  key things Republicans have claimed.

Additionally, police said this was not a random attack and they have not had contact with other members of the gang.

Sources

Eric Hovde, YouTube, Sept. 12, 2024.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, YouTube, Sept. 15, 2024.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Recap: Trump held campaign rally in Mosinee, speaking on various campaign promises, Sept. 7, 2024.

PolitiFact, Trump repeats baseless claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating pets, Sept. 11, 2024.

USA TODAY, Claims of immigrants eating pets have led to safety concerns in Ohio. Here's what happened., Sept. 17, 2024.

Prairie du Chien Police Department, Facebook, Sept. 6, 2024.

Prairie du Chien Police Department, Facebook, Sept. 9, 2024.

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Crawford County Case Number 2024CF000108.

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Dane County Case Number 2023CF003027.

Email exchange, Elise Schaffer, Public Information Officer for the Dane County Sheriffs Office, Sept. 17, 2024.

Email exchange, Korrie Rondorf, spokesperson for the Madison Police Department, Sept. 18, 2024.

Email exchange, Dylan Brogan, Public Information Officer for the City of Madison, Sept. 19, 2024.

City of Madison Police Department, Standard Operating Procedure Enforcement of Immigration Laws, Jan. 31, 2023.

PolitiFact, Trump claim that Madison, Milwaukee are sanctuary cities has some merit but goes too far, April 17, 2020.

Wisconsin Right Now, Derrick Van Orden, Tom Tiffany Demand Answers From Dane County Sheriff, Sept. 12, 2024.

Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, Facebook, Sept. 13, 2024.

U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, Detainer Acceptance Tracker - Limited and Non-Limited Institutions, June 21, 2024.

Email exchange, Ashley Haines, spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Sept. 19. 2024.

U.S. Department of the Treasury, Treasury Sanctions Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization, July 11, 2024.

White House, Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on U.S. Actions Against Transnational Criminal Organization Tren de Aragua, July 11, 2024.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, In Whitewater, an influx of immigrants has leaders determined to welcome newcomers, solve problems, Jan. 12, 2024.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Whitewater became the center of a political firestorm. What residents think about the influx of immigrants, Jan. 16, 2024.

Phone conversation, Christine Nuemann-Ortiz, Voces de la Frontera executive director, Sept. 17, 2024.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Ron Johnson doesn't support sending U.S. Special Forces into Mexico to confront drug cartels, Nov. 13, 2023.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Juneau County Republicans falsely claim planes full of refugees arriving in Wisconsin, July 3, 2024.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fact-check: Was a Venezuelan gang member arrested in Prairie du Chien?
By Carlos Ramirez

CARACAS (Reuters) - Bleider Leves, a 17-year-old mechanic, was heading to his Caracas home one day in late July after Venezuela's contested election when police grabbed him on the street. Officers beat, tortured and jailed him without cause, his mother said.

Nearly two months later, the teenager remains imprisoned but there have been no charges nor any sign he will be released, his mother, Adelaida Herrera, said in an interview. Rights groups alleged there have been 25 deaths and 2,400 arrests in the government's crackdown after the disputed election.

"I've asked the authorities to please give him back to me," said Herrera, wiping away tears.

The communications ministry and attorney general's office did not respond to requests for comment on Bleider's case and the number of those detained following the election.

Electoral officials and the top court declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner of the July 28 election with 52% of the vote. But the opposition says voting machine receipts show a landslide victory for their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez.

Some Western governments, including the United States, have alleged electoral fraud.

Two days after the election, Bleider was returning home after spending time with his girlfriend when police seized him, even though he did not join any anti-government protests, Herrera said.

Police beat him, kicked him in the chest and took him to a police station, the mother said, relaying the account Bleider gave her when she has visited him on several occasions.

Hours later, agents pressured him to confess falsely that the country's opposition leader paid him to protest, Herrera said Bleider told her. They put a plastic bag over his head in a tactic locally known as "the little onion," she said.

"They tortured him... to tell them Maria Corina was paying him $50 to protest," said Herrera, referring to opposition leader and former lawmaker Maria Corina Machado.

Bleider has been transferred several times, Herrera said. She last visited him on Sept. 16 at Cementerio police station in southwest Caracas.

Herrera, who was alternately calm and distraught in the interview at her simple Caracas home, said she brought him rice, vegetables, arepa corn cakes and some cookies.

A United Nations report last week alleged escalating government repression since the election, including the arrest of minors. The government has rejected the claims.

Herrera spends hours every day gazing out the window of her son's empty bedroom. "I want them to give me an answer about my son and what's going to happen because, honestly, I don't want to keep living like this," she said.

(Reporting by Carlos Ramiriez; Writing by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Deisy Buitrago and Cynthia Osterman)
The Venezuelan Supreme Court ordered on Monday the arrest of Argentinas president, Javier Milei, along with other members of his government for alleged crimes related to the seizure in 2022 of a Venezuelan cargo plane belonging to the Caracas socialist regime.

The court, an entity tightly controlled by the Nicolas Maduro regime, also ordered the arrests of Karina Milei, the sister of the president who serves as secretary general of the presidency, and of Security Minister Patricia Bullrich.

The order was issued a week after the Venezuelan regimes attorney general, Tarek William Saab, charged Milei with money laundering, unlawful deprivation of liberty and unlawful Interference in the operational safety of civil aviation, among other crimes.

The Venezuelan Supreme Court has repeatedly been accused by international organizations of acting more as an instrument of political persecution than as an independent entity dedicated to the administration of justice.

The aircraft in question, a Boeing 747-300M, was initially detained in Argentina in June 2022, with Venezuelan and Iranian crew members suspected of being involved in espionage. Weeks later the U.S. government moved to take possession of it. After months of diplomatic wrangling, the Boeing 747 was finally flown from Buenos Aires International Airport to South Florida on Feb. 12 of this year.

The aircraft was owned by the Iranian company Mahan Air and was sold to Emtrasur Cargo, a subsidiary of the Venezuelan state-owned Conviasa, companies that are under sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Mahan Air has been targeted by the U.S. government for its support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, according to U.S. officials. The force, a branch of the Iranian military, has been designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization.

A few days after the plane was seized by U.S. officials in February, Maduro flew into a rage, claiming the plane had been destroyed in Miami out of spite by Washington while insisting that his government would issue a strong response.

Last night we were informed of a vile, criminal, outrageous act at an airport in Miami, Florida. The vengeful, perverse gringo empire with all its evil proceeded to dismember the Emtrasur plane, the Conviasa plane that was hijacked from us, Maduro said at an event broadcast on national television.

While it is not clear if the plane was actually destroyed as Maduro claimed, law enforcement sources said that usually property confiscated by the U.S. government is eventually sold if it cannot be used by government agencies. They added that destroying a Boeing 747 would cost money and it would make much more sense for authorities to sell it.

After learning last week that the Venezuelan attorney general had requested an arrest order against Milei, a spokesman for the government of Argentina said the president was not concerned.

Describing the order as a pavada  nonsense  presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni added: What a dictatorial government such as the one in Venezuela says does not concern us in the least.
Jurors reached a verdict Monday afternoon in the Boulder grocery store shooting trial. The jury found Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa guilty of shooting and killing 10 people at the South Table Mesa King Soopers on March 22, 2021, in addition to guilty verdicts on dozens of other charges.

Jurors had to determine whether Alissa, the gunman who admitted to the shooting, was legally sane at the time of the attack.

In addition to the guilty verdict on 10 counts of first-degree murder, the jury also found the gunman guilty on 38 counts of attempted first-degree murder, guilty of one count of assault in the first degree and guilty on six counts of possession of a large-capacity magazine during the commission of a felony.

/ Credit: CBS Denver

Gov. Jared Polis released the following statement on the guilty verdict, "Three years ago our community felt the unbearable pain of losing ten of our fellow Coloradans in a senseless attack on the Boulder community. That day loved ones, friends, and neighbors were taken from us far too soon by an act of pure evil. Today, justice is served. Though I know this guilty verdict won't heal the pain so many of us feel, or bring back those who were killed, I hope that it can provide some peace. My thoughts are with the family members and friends of Eric Talley, Rikki Olds, Teri Leiker, Denny Stong, Suzanne Fountain, Tralona Bartkowiak, Neven Stanisic, Lynn Murray, Jody Waters, and Kevin Mahoney, as well as the entire Boulder community. We are all still Boulder Strong."

Alissa's brother talked to CBS News Colorado outside of the courthouse. He said that his brother's mental health changed gradually over time, "We know he changed since 2018 to 2021... three years of changing, it's not like overnight."

When asked how he felt about the families of the victims in the shooting, he responded, "I feel bad and sorry for the victims, of course, if I was to put myself in their shoes, I probably would want him dead."

Several family members of those killed in the shooting spoke during the victim impact statement portion of the sentencing hearing on Monday afternoon.

"I wish the young man behind the gun would have received more love in his life because then maybe none of this would have happened," said Erika Mahoney, Kevin Mahoney's daughter.

"My daughter, your sister, your auntie, your granddaughter, your niece, your cousin, was one of 10 lives lost in the Boulder massacre. She was murdered. She was gone. We will never see her again. Never hug her. Never laugh with her, never nothing. There are no words for the loss of a child or any loved one in this manner," said Star Bartkowiak, Tralona Bartkowiak's mother.

"Rikki was born with a spark, the spark of a pure heart and she was beyond kind. She would go out of her way to make anyone smile. When you met her, she changed your life," said Lori Olds, Rikki Olds' aunt.

"My mom was a strong woman and strong in a way where you sensed she carried the feeling of love in her heart with every step she took, every word she spoke. And those of us lucky enough to remember being in her presence recalled being just embodied by love and not in a gushy way. In a way that makes you feel safe, seen, heard and loved. She had no judgment. She had no ego. She was just cool," said Olivia Mackenzie, Lynn Murray's daughter.

Alissa was arrested at the scene.

Testimony for the prosecution included witnesses who were in the store at the time of the shooting and police officers who were first on scene after reports of the shooting. That witness testimony included one woman who said she heard the gunman saying, "This is fun" while shooting people inside the store.

Defense attorneys maintained that Alissa was suffering from a mental illness and didn't know right from wrong on the day of the shooting.

Opening statements in the trial began Sept. 5 after several years of delays due to the court working to determine whether the gunman was competent to stand trial.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa in a Boulder courtroom / Credit: Boulder County

Alissa pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to all of the charges including 10 counts of first-degree murder.

The judge handed down a life sentence without the possibility of parole for each of the 10 counts of first-degree murder to be served consecutively.

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Sam Swanson understands people can feel hopeless in preventing climate change. You can feel the despair, he said. No one needs to be doing the things that need to be done.

As a member of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light, he and colleagues are taking an approach to environmental advocacy they hope can provide a bit more hope  by looking at climate solutions through religious and spiritual lens.

The group is a faith-based organization group that educates religious communities on the environmental movement. It provides spiritual comfort and material, like when members held an event last fall at Burlingtons Rock Point where they reflected on the recent floods through workshops and meditations for spiritual guidance. There, organization board president Ron McGarvey said, people could share in their pain  and their hope.

Faith leaders see that sense of resolve as another way to rally people to action.

What drew me to this job is that climate change as an individual can feel overwhelming and abstract, said Chelsea Steinauer-Scudder, the organizations coordinator. This group is well equipped to look at climate change as a community.

Faith communities have a real power, she said. The climate crisis is a spiritual crisis.

The group works with close to 90 congregations and religious organizations in Vermont and funds climate change protection and education for many of them. It can help churches pay for weatherization, heat pumps and other equipment, and in 2023 the organization gave more than 200 free energy assessments statewide.

Faith communities in Vermont are respected voices, McGarvey said. They do their best to enact moral responsibility.

In 2018, the group supported the Rev. Nancy Wright, former pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington, and Richard Butz, a congregant there, to co-author a pair of watershed care manuals with a religious and spiritual lens.

A grant from the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church allowed the Care for Creation Committee of the church to roll out environmental education programs, like sending children in the Sunday school to the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain or working with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum to take boat trips.

Butz found test tubes to give to families in the church and showed them how to test water near their homes. He would then look at the water and share his findings.

All of us working with the environmental crisis are trying to phrase it as a moral and a spiritual issue, Wright said. We say were being refreshed all the time and renewed by nature and by deep spiritual practices.

Why does Wright emphasize watershed education? You can really see the influences of pollution, you can really talk about justice and its clear to people  its clearer than climate change, she said.

Randy Kritkausky is the president of Ecologia, an international nonprofit based in Middlebury that provides environmental education, spaces for discussion and initiatives for businesses, organizations and grassroot groups. He is also a member of the Potawatomi tribe. One of his biggest focuses is using Indigenous spiritual teachings to change peoples mindsets about environmentalism.

How many times does Mother Earth need to send us a message of, You cant build right next to the creek or river and not expect Mother Nature to do what Mother Nature does, which is, assert her right to flow freely, said Kritkausky.

It has driven home the message of Indigenous people that we need to look at Mother Nature as our coequal and not some thing that we can dominate, he said. It just doesnt work.

Kritkausky said he often holds a lecture called After the Floods, which looks at the Potawatomi creation story to inspire people to be more reciprocal with nature. In the story, which takes place after the Earth has been flooded, a muskrat sacrifices himself to bring a clump of dirt back to the surface for his compatriots to rebuild the planet.

Those whove come before us, other than human kin, have prepared a path, and the way we can respectfully engage is with reciprocity, Kritkausky said, explaining that people need to act selflessly to let those other species thrive.

We all need to listen more intimately with what the natural world is telling us about how it works, not imposing our own constructs and our own assumptions, he said. Its about listening, its about being respectful and about being humble before nature, which is our co-equal.

Ascension Lutheran Church, in South Burlington, has focused on faith-guided environmentalism. Photo by Liv Miller

Kritkausky points to urban wilderness interfaces, a term used by the government and scientists to describe where land populated by humans and unoccupied wilderness meet. People in those zones tend to see wildfire burnings or crossovers from bears into their backyard. Kritkausky said that as humans are negotiating with the natural world, the natural world is reoccupying it back.

They were here before we are, and they finally figured out how to cohabit that space, he said. We have not, as humans, and that is what Indigenous people have learned and lived with for millennia.

We have just for so long felt that we dominate everything that when were reminded that we dont, its a shock, he said.

Some Vermonters may want to get politically active or go to lectures to engage with the environment, but others might just want to go outside. Spirit in Nature, an interfaith sanctuary in Ripton, offers an array of paths to do just that by connecting nature with religion.

President Rob Slabaugh said Spirit in Nature looks at Christian, Quaker, Jewish, Indigenous and other spiritual beliefs and asks what they say about nature.

The group of volunteers takes quotes from religious texts, prints them on plywood boards and mounts those onto trees scattered across the paths. But the signs merely serve to guide, Slabaugh said, because its nature that does the teaching.

Humans are a part of nature. We need to start acting like that, Slabaugh said. (The path) touches people, reminds people that we are a part of nature. We feel that by touching people like that, were motivating in a way that people will be more tuned in to what we need to do as humans.

Hes felt that since the pandemic, more people have used the paths. They come out for events in the forested area, too, such as forest bathing  a type of therapy or meditation  yoga and poetry walks.

Its clear that public awareness has increased over time, Slabaugh said of climate change and the movement to combat it. I think Spirit in Nature has helped with being a supportive connection.

Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  The Vestal High School Marching Band is getting ready to host its annual home competition.

Vestal is hosting The Golden Circle of Bands on September 28 at Dick Hoover Stadium. The New York State Field Band Conference competition will begin at 5 p.m. will bands taking the field at 6.

Vestal will welcome six high school bands from Union-Endicott, Horseheads, Johnson City, Norwich, Corning-Painted Post, and Kingston. This years show theme is primary.

Vestal Marching Bands, with Drum Majors Keira DeVanier and Susie Hirst, will take the field at 6:39 p.m.

Tickets are $12 at the gate and $10 for students and senior citizens. Children under 5 can attend for free.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Native Vote 2024. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris made her fourth trip to Wisconsin, a key battleground state in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, on Friday, Sep. 20.

The Madison rally was held at the Alliant Energy Center, and according to Harris campaign officials, with over 10,500 attendees.

The capacity crowd heard from Wisconsin Democratic chair Ben Wikler, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Congressman Mark Pocan, Senator Tammy Baldwin, and Governor Tony Evers.

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In between speakers, the DJ played music that kept the crowd excited, some danced to pass the time. Attendees were given multi-colored lighted wristbands that lit up the arena. The combination of music and lights gave the rally a party atmosphere.

Before Harris took the stage, she was endorsed by Teamsters Joint Council 39 and introduced by their president, Bill Carroll. Early in the week, the Teamsters made news electing not to endorse either candidate for U.S. president. However, local Teamster councils that collectively number over one million have endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket.

Vice President Harris thanked Madisons mayor for taking her to visit her childhood home during a recent trip to Madison. Harris lived in Madison when she was 5 years old, and her parents worked at UW-Madison.

Harris spoke to her supporters about her debate performance against her opponent, former President Donald Trump. She said, it was fun.

Harris said she talked to Americans about her plan to lower the cost of groceries and drugs, supporting small businesses, and protecting reproductive freedoms, while Trump uses his old, tired playbook.

He has no plan of how he would address the needs of the American people, Harris said. Its time to turn the page. America is ready to chart a new way forward. We are tired of all the division and hate what they are pushing.

Harris emphasized the support her campaign receives from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents as she makes her case to win the White House.

The vice president tours her opportunity economy plan that would help Americans own a home, build wealth, and start a business if she is elected to office.

Her goal is to build 3 million new homes by the end of her first term as president. She has plans to support new homebuyers with $25,000 in down payment assistance, take on corporate price gouging, and increase child tax credits.

She said Trump plans to cut Social Security, increase foreign tariffs, and end the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Trumps tariffs would cost American families $4,000 per year, Harris said. He has a concept of a plan, to replace the ACA.

Harris reminded supporters of when health insurance companies could deny healthcare coverage to Americans with preexisting conditions, which ended with the passage of the ACA.

We are not going back, Harris said.

With early voting starting in a handful of states last week, Harris asked her supporters to go out to energize, organize, and mobilize Wisconsin voters.

The election is already here, she said. Remind everyone: your vote is your voice. And your voice is your power. Never let anyone take your power from you.

Since the Madison rally, Harris has challenged Trump to a CNN debate on October 23, which would be the second presidential debate between Harris and Trump. Trump has yet to agree to participate in the debate.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
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Vice President Kamala Harris is coming back to Arizona.

Harris will campaign in the battleground state on Sept. 27, according to a campaign official.

The trip will mark Harris second Arizona campaign swing since she became the Democratic nominee at the beginning of August. Harris also visited several times before taking over the top of the ticket from President Joe Biden.

The campaign did not say which city Harris would visit during her time in the state.

Harris plans to campaign across the country next week, visiting Pennsylvania Wednesday, Arizona Friday and Nevada Sunday. Its a move her campaign says reflects the different paths she could use to land 270 Electoral College votes and win the race for the White House.

Both campaigns see Arizona as an important state on the electoral map. The states 11 electoral votes are up for grabs, and polls show a razor-thin race between Harris and former President Donald Trump. Biden beat Trump here by fewer than 11,000 votes in 2020, which was the smallest margin of any state in the country that year.

Presidential race in Arizona: Follow Kamala Harris, Donald Trump

Harris has sent top campaign surrogates to Arizona this summer. Plus, she came to the state for her own rally in Glendale in August. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen Walz, have each taken solo trips to the state. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff has hit the trail for Harris here, too.

We are the underdogs in this race, Walz said during a campaign stop in Mesa earlier in September.

Since Harris launched her campaign in August, volunteers and organizers have made more than 13.5 million phone calls and knocked on 600,000 doors across Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada, according to a campaign official.

On the Republican side, Trump has been to Arizona several times in recent months. He came to Phoenix in June, held a rally in Glendale at the same venue as Harris in August and toured the southern border in Cochise County. This month, he held a rally in Tucson. Trump has also sent Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance to campaign in Arizona twice.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vice President Kamala Harris announces campaign visit to Arizona
HANOI (Reuters) -South Korea's Samsung Display Co plans to invest $1.8 billion for a factory in northern Vietnam to produce OLED displays for automobiles and technology equipment, the Southeast Asian country said on Sunday.

The new facility for the manufacture of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays will be located in Yen Phong industrial park in Bac Ninh province east of Hanoi and close to an existing Samsung Electronics plant, the government said in a statement released after the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Choi Joo Ho, the General Director of Samsung group in Vietnam.

Samsung Display is a unit of Samsung Electronics, the flagship of the Samsung group.

Bac Ninh authorities and Samsung Display also signed on Sunday a memorandum of understanding of the project, local media reported, adding the investment would raise the Samsung group's total investment in Bac Ninh to $8.3 billion from the current $6.5 billion.

The Samsung group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Vietnam has over the last decade emerged as one of the most attractive production hubs for electronics companies.

According to Choi, the Samsung group has established six manufacturing plants, one research and development centre, and one sales entity in Vietnam, with a cumulative investment of $22.4 billion.

(Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  The NAACP Virginia State Conference is calling for a strategy to tackle gun control and the mental health crisis facing todays youth following the recent school threats across the Commonwealth.

Hampton City Schools addresses false rumors impacting schools

14-year-old girl charged with making threats to shoot up school in York County

In light of the threats of violence in Gloucester County, York County and more, the Virginia NAACP is seeking a plan that will confront the previously mentioned issues, along with the harmful effects of racism that persist in educational settings.

According to a recent report by CNN, there have been 50 school shootings this year in the United States so far.

Our hearts go out to the victims, families, and communities impacted by these senseless acts and threats of violence, said Rev. Cozy Bailey, president. No student should live in fear of attending school, nor should any student be the target of racially motivated hatred. This troubling reality highlights the continued need for comprehensive solutions, including expanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, to foster safe and supportive environments for all students.

The Virginia NAACP also calls for collaboration between local governments, law enforcement, community organizations and educational institutions to ensure that schools are secure and equipped to address both mental health challenges and the ongoing issue on racial discrimination.

The mental health and safety of our children must be a top priority, said Rev. Bailey. We call on school districts, state leaders, and policymakers to prioritize expanding both mental health services and DEI initiatives in schools. These efforts are not mutually exclusive but critical to building inclusive and supportive environments where all students feel safe and valued.

To find out more about the Virginia NAACP, 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.
A Virginia elementary school photographer reportedly lost her job after being accused of making improper remarks to young students, including allegedly asking one boy, "Can I eat your soul?"

The principal of Chittum Elementary School in Chesapeake, Bridget Outlaw, said in an email to parents last week that a photographer hired to take school pictures was escorted off campus for making "inappropriate comments" to students, WTKR reported. The photographer, who was not named by school or company officials, was employed by Lifetouch, a family and school photography service owned by Shutterfly.

In an interview, parent Rachel Fjeld told WTKR that her son was sitting to have his school picture taken when the photographer allegedly asked him, "Can I steal your identity?" and "Can I eat your soul?"

"You can say all the things you want to say about good vs. evil, God vs. the devil, or demons or whatever, but at the end of the day what was said was not funny, and it wasn't OK. It was a child in an uncomfortable situation," Fjeld said. "I know people are trying to say, 'Oh she's just joking. It was just funny,' but it's not funny. That's not funny. And what that doesn't do is put any child at ease, it just scares them."

Affluent Virginia Husband And Nanny Charged With Murders In Mansion Love Triangle

"She asked him, 'Can I steal your identity?' His response was just, 'No.' Her next question was, 'Can I eat your soul?' And, you know, when he was expressing it to us he was crying, he was very upset and he said No, no," Fjeld said of the exchange between her son and the photographer.

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A Virginia mother, Rachel Fjeld, told WTKR that a photographer hired to take school pictures at Chittum Elementary in Chesapeake asked her son, "Can I steal your identity?" and "Can I eat your soul?"

"Her next question was, 'Well, then what can I eat?' He told me, he said, 'Mommy I didn't know what to say so I said the first thing that came to mind was, 'You can have noodles, you can eat noodles,' and her response was, 'Demons don't eat noodles.'"

The mother, who initially sounded the alarm about the alleged remarks in a since-privatized Facebook post, also thanked the elementary school for their swift response.

A school bus arrives at George Mason Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, on Aug. 21, 2023.

"It went to the principal, who is amazing, I will say. The school handled it  we so appreciate it. They were very quick. They immediately escorted her off the premises, they called us," Fjeld told the outlet.

Virginias In-person Early Voting Begins As Election Season Picks Up Steam

Once the comments were reported, school administration "immediately addressed the issue, and this individual was escorted off of school property," Outlaw said in an email to the school community last week, according to the local station. "Parents of students who reported the concern were notified."

"We want to commend our students for quickly reporting the incident," Outlaw said. "We are thankful that our message of 'see something, say something' was effectively used in this situation."

On Friday, a Shutterfly spokesperson told WTKR that the photographer involved in the Chittum Elementary incident was no longer employed as a photographer by Lifetouch and an internal investigation is underway.





Original article source: Virginia school picture photographer loses job after allegedly asking young students, 'Can I eat your soul?'
PHILIPPI, W.Va. (WBOY)  New Vision Village has begun phase one of its project to build 24 tiny homes for young men aging out of the foster care system. Now it needs volunteers.

The tiny homes will provide housing for young men aging out of foster care while also providing a sense of community care and support. Officials said they need volunteers to help with construction, framing, painting, siding, roofing and building walls and trusses.

Director of New Vision Village Ruston Seaman hopes the project will help to ease one of Americas biggest issues.

Hoot and Owl fundraiser held for Avian Conservation Center

Homelessness in our nation is a big problem. People want to know, where do homeless people come from? 70 percent of the homeless people in one of the villages like this I met in Missouri had been in the foster care system. When they age out now, theyve lost their family and theyre kind of on their own, Seaman said.

So, 18 to 25 is that critical window when if you can get stable, get a job, start your life working, youll do better. But if that period of time if you struggle, you might get arrested, get addicted, you might get all kinds of bad things. Then our society pays for generations.

New Vision Village has secured funds for materials for the project from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh and MVB bank of Morgantown.

The volunteers and staff of New Vision are looking into all options to let as many people of all ages contribute to the development of the New Vision Village project. Staff stated that food and materials are provided and if you have questions about the project or want to volunteer, you can call New Vision at 304-669-2191.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Vote: Which local high schooler is this week's Student of the Week?

It is officially fall. With temperatures, hopefully, dropping and leaves slowly changing, it is time to recognize our next round of accomplished local high schoolers.

Student of the Week is an initiative by the News-Leader to highlight the academic achievements of local area high school students. Local high school students who have shown outstanding academic achievement and shown their involvement in the community were nominated by leaders at school districts in the area.

Voting is open until 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Cast a vote for this round's student of the week by visiting the poll below the nominees. You can submit one vote per hour.

More: This Springfield senior was named the Ozarks' Student of the Week

The selected student will be announced Friday.

The Sept. 23 nominees are ...

Callie Terrell, Spokane High School: This junior is a three-sport athlete, participating in varsity volleyball, cheer and softball. Callie, who hopes to pursue a career in the medical field, was inducted into the National Honor Society as a sophomore and received the Academic All-State Honor in volleyball. Additionally, she is a leader in Spokane's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.

Oluwatobi (Tobi) Adepoju, Kickapoo High School: Described as a wonderful student, Tobi, who has taken more than the required weighted classes the last few years, is one of Kickapoo's valedictorians. The senior works well with students of all ages and abilities and has volunteered at multiple places. She participates in the peer mediator program, Chief mentor program and Kickapoo U program. Tobi was also selected to participate in the Missouri Scholars Academy after her sophomore year.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield-area Student of the Week: See this week's nominees
Key: Navy - D+5,000 or more, Blue - D+1,001 to D+4,999, Light Skyblue - D+1 to D+1,000. Light Salmon - R+1 to R+1,000, Red - R+1,001 to R+4,999, Maroon - R+5,000 or more. (Map by Nick Field via Daves Redistricting)

Were only about a month away now from Pennsylvanias October 21st voter registration deadline and Republicans continue to make gains statewide. Now this wont come as a surprise to anyone who follows my regular updates, since the Pennsylvania GOP has spent the last decade or so chipping away at the Democratic Partys once massive registration advantage.

Just over the past month, for instance, that edge has declined from 356,207 to 343,071. This was due not so much to Democratic erosion, as the party actually added 23,711 registrants during this time, but because Republicans outpaced them by gaining 36,847 registrants.

A glance at the map, however, will reveal that amidst that overarching story, there are many tales to tell about the trends across the commonwealth. So lets dive in.

A quick note: I explore our changing voter trends by tracking the gains one party accumulated in registrations over the other party. For example, R+500 means that the Republican Party gained a net 500 more registered voters in that county than the Democratic Party did over this period, while D+500 indicates the opposite.

Central

Blair: R+438

Bradford: R+281

Cameron: R+14

Centre : D+55

Clearfield: R+336

Clinton: R+222

Columbia: R+242

Elk: R+161

Huntingdon: R+176

Juniata: R+99

Lycoming: R+296

McKean: R+171

Mifflin: R+275

Montour: R+18

Northumberland: R+284

Potter: R+43

Snyder: R+115

Sullivan: R+38

Tioga: R+145

Union: D+11

Over the past month, the fall semester kicked off at colleges throughout the nation and we can see the effect here in the blue tint for Centre and Union Counties, home to Penn State and Bucknell universities, respectively. Outside of those campuses, though, the GOP is still racking up registrants in this rural region.

Northeast

Carbon: R+282

Lackawanna: R+494

Luzerne: R+809

Monroe: R+248

Pike: R+253

Schuylkill: R+623

Susquehanna: R+219

Wayne: R+298

Wyoming: R+123

Vice President Kamala Harris made a recent campaign stop in Wilkes-Barre, the largest city in Luzerne County and host of many Donald Trump rallies over the past nine years. The Democratic Party is trying to staunch its losses in Luzerne, a county where its May 2015 registration advantage of 45,467 has been reduced to just 233.

With Scranton Joe off of the ballot, Trump has a unique opportunity to pick up votes throughout this region, especially in Lackawanna. However, there remains a danger that the Trump/Vance teams hostility to Ukraine could hurt them in the heavily Ukrainian-American rural areas out here.

Northwest

Clarion: R+129

Crawford: R+240

Erie: R+311

Forest: R+15

Jefferson: R+157

Mercer: R+341

Venango: R+218

Warren: R+76

A recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll surveyed Erie and Northampton, and found Harris ahead by four in the northwestern corner of the state. To put this in context, Erie has supported the statewide winner in 18 of the 19 post-WWII Presidential elections (Massachusetts Gov. Mike Dukakis in 1988 was the sole exception). Id expect that this streak will continue come November.

South Central

Adams: R+247

Bedford: R+274

Cumberland: R+67

Dauphin: R+28

Franklin: R+344

Fulton: R+75

Lancaster: R+812

Lebanon: R+420

Perry: R+152

York: R+1,048

The South Central was perhaps the most encouraging region for the Trump campaign, as blue trending counties like Cumberland and Dauphin both still posted gains for the GOP. More importantly for the Trump team, though, is its performance in the populous red counties of Lancaster and York. Remember that the Harris campaign is aiming to eat into Trumps margin in Lancaster particularly  taking Josh Shapiros near-victory there in 2022 as inspiration  Harris running mate Tim Walz campaigned here earlier this month.

Southeast

Berks: R+628

Bucks: R+1,316

Chester: D+203

Delaware: D+693

Lehigh: R+456

Montgomery: D+280

Northampton: R+196

Philadelphia: D+4,747

Unsurprisingly, the largest shift of all  and the best one for the Democrats  took place in Philadelphia. Back in July, I noted that Harris will almost certainly need to match or beat Obamas record Philly margin (492,339 in 2012) to win Pennsylvanias crucial 19 electoral votes. Luckily for her, she is gaining not only in the city but also in three of the citys suburbs, where shell need massive margins as well.

Yet Bucks still jumps out as an outlier on this map. After all, Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery have all voted as a trio for the same presidential candidate for 21 straight elections now, starting back in 1940. Nevertheless, despite already becoming a GOP plurality county last summer, Republicans are still strongly growing their ranks here. My theory, as a Bucks County native, is that Lower Bucks is one of the last ancestral Democratic areas in the state. Therefore, this is a lagging indicator more than a sign of things to come, although we wont know for sure until November.

Southwest

Allegheny: D+592

Armstrong: R+320

Beaver: R+541

Butler: R+484

Cambria: R+759

Fayette: R+621

Greene: R+202

Indiana: R+246

Lawrence: R+371

Somerset: R+226

Washington: R+736

Westmoreland: R+958

The same day that Kamala Harris stumped in Wilkes-Barre, she also made a stop in Johnstown, the largest city in Cambria County. Shes fighting an uphill battle in a county where a 13,739 Democratic registration advantage became a 13,644 Republican registration lead between September 2016 and September 2024.

Trump is betting that all those efforts will be in vain and that the Southwest can once again power him to victory, like it did eight years ago. Conversely, the Harris campaign will be buoyed by those Allegheny County numbers as shell seek to top Bidens 2020 147,846 vote margin there.

So the board is nearly set now, although this last upcoming month before the registration deadline will provide us with our final clues about Pennsylvanias electorate before Election Day.

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The Washington state superintendent's office recommended in August that schools update their cellphone policies to limit use by the start of the 2025-26 school year amid a wave of research on the harmful effects of smartphones and social media. (Getty Images)

The Washington state superintendent's office recommended in August that schools update their cellphone policies to limit use by the start of the 2025-26 school year amid a wave of research on the harmful effects of smartphones and social media. (Getty Images)

When a school district in southwest Washington began a cellphone ban this year, superintendent Asha Riley said teachers and administrators saw positive results right away.

Students were talking more to each other in class, she said. One math teacher noted they were solving problems collaboratively, instead of plugging them into calculators on their phones. Woodland Public Schools staff even overheard kids telling parents to stop distracting them with texts during class.

Riley said her students are reluctant to say the policy has had positive impacts  but one student admitted to Riley that she was actually kind of glad the school banned phone use. Other students used to film people in the hallways, leading kids to hide their faces in their sweatshirt or jacket hoods. The student told Riley that now, she wont have to wear her hood up anymore.

I actually walked our campus this week, and I did notice: fewer kids have their hoods up, Riley said.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction released guidance in late August recommending that schools update their cellphone policies to limit use by the start of the 2025-26 school year amid a wave of research on the harmful effects of smartphones and social media.

But many Washington districts are already instituting cellphone policies that restrict or ban use in classrooms. Policies differ across districts, but the goal remains the same: prevent distraction, improve mental health and get kids offline.

Its not about taking the phones away, its about how to manage them and utilize them in an effective way, Riley said.

Updating policies

According to a 2022 study by Pew Research Center, 95% of teenagers have a smartphone, compared to 73% in 2014-2015. A 2024 survey by Pew found 72% of high school teachers and 33% of middle school teachers say smartphones are a major distraction in class.

But Pew also found that 82% of K-12 teachers in the United States say their school or district has a cellphone policy of some kind, and 30% of teachers found those policies very or somewhat difficult to enforce.

Many districts have sought to revamp their guidelines in recent years.

Kris Hagel, chief information officer at Peninsula School District, one of Washingtons first big districts to ban cellphones, said he gets calls all the time from districts looking to update or begin implementing a cellphone policy.

Some districts have completely different concerns from the ones Peninsula has dealt with. A district with many students from low-income households, for example, was worried about taking cellphones away from families who have worked extremely hard to afford one. Thats not as big of an issue in Hagels district, but he said his advice remains the same: Consult parents and students before and after the policy is implemented.

Districts need to figure out whats going to work in their community, said Hagel.

Its why Hagel doesnt support a statewide ban on cellphones in schools, which has passed in other states and was considered by Washington lawmakers last year. Every district is different, Hagel said, and mandating a ban at the state level would make it harder for districts to cater to their communities.

Policies differ in whether a students phone has to be away in a backpack, in silent mode, airplane mode or off entirely and when phones can be out  for example, in the hallways or at lunch. At Woodland Public Schools, phones simply have to be off and away  it doesnt matter what mode its in or whether the phones in a back pocket or backpack: If we dont see it, its not a problem, Riley said.

We want to teach them how to handle the device appropriately, Riley said. And if they cant, take the phone down to the office. In most instances, our kids can [handle it]. We just had to set the expectation.

A few districts are even considering or implementing cellphone policies for school staff. Woodland administrators, for example, are using walkie-talkies and asking teachers to keep their phones off during class.

We have the same expectations for our teachers, Riley said. Its [about] modeling good cellphone personal device management.

Theres very little research on the efficacy of different policies, but that may change soon. Researchers at the University of Washington are launching a study looking at the impacts of cellphone bans on students, teachers and parents across various schools in western Washington, including Peninsula School District.

Thats going to be our next big project for this year: Can we quantify that this is actually making a difference? Hagel said.

Handling emergencies and exceptions

Some schools that have found kids cant always follow the rules are requiring phones to be locked in sealed pouches made by a company called Yondr. The pouches cant be opened without a circular magnet, or unlocking base unit.

At Walla Wallas two middle schools, theres been a cellphone policy in place for about eight years requiring phones to be off and in backpacks. Still, kids would leave their phones on and wouldnt be able to resist checking a notification, said Kris Duncan, principal at Pioneer Middle School. While most kids were following the rules, enough werent that it became an issue, Duncan said, so this year, they started using the Yondr pouches.

Were fighting an addiction, Duncan said. They need a little extra help.

Parents have raised concerns about being able to communicate with their kids during emergencies, especially in the case of a school shooting. Districts that opted not to use Yondr pouches, like Spokane Public Schools, said that choosing not to lock phones up has helped assuage parents worries.

Duncan said school shootings and other emergencies are the chief concern she hears from parents about the Yondr pouches, and she understands where theyre coming from. But her districts superintendent spent a lot of time talking to emergency responders, who said cellphones often make their jobs more difficult.

What he heard across the board is that cellphones only add to a potentially dangerous situation, Duncan said. Students are more concerned with contacting someone or trying to figure out whats going on. Theyre not paying attention to the adults in charge.

Districts have also heard concerns that some kids need access to phones due to medical reasons, learning disabilities or other exceptions. But so far, handling that hasnt been an issue, said Adam Swinyard, superintendent of Spokane Public Schools.

Its totally appropriate and doable for kids to understand that a student next to you is using the device because they have an accommodation, Swinyard said.

Theyre all having success

Raquel Martinez, principal of Sageview High in Pasco and president of National Association of Secondary School Principals, said shes hearing from districts not just across the state, but across the country that are interested in cellphone bans.

I was just having a conversation with a group of principals across the country, Martinez said. All of them are either in year one, two or three of instituting a no cellphone policy in their schools. Theyre all having success with it.

Martinezs own district revamped its cellphone policy a few years ago and surveyed students about their cellphone use while working on the new policy.

Students were like, Yeah, my phone in my pocket will buzz five or six times in one class period. Yeah, its distracting to me, and yes, I want to take it out, Martinez said.

At Peninsula School District and Spokane Public Schools, fewer kids are taking their phones out during lunch or in other scenarios where phones are allowed, officials at those districts said. Swinyard said its partly because kids are getting fewer messages during the school day.

Districts with phone restrictions in place also report fewer instances of cyberbullying and more students showing up to class.

But Swinyard said cellphone bans alone wont be enough to address negative trends with youth mental health, chronic absenteeism and other hard-to-solve issues.

Spokane Public Schools has launched an initiative with the city of Spokane and local youth organizations called Engage In Real Life. The idea is that every kid, every day is doing something in real life after school, Swinyard said, such as a sport, performing art or a club.

There has to be an alternative, Swinyard said. It cant just be give me your device.

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Washington State Standard, like Oregon 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. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and X.
WAILUKU, Hawaii (KHON2)  Parents, students and staff at Baldwin High School should expect to see added police presence in and around the campus on Monday.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

In a press release, officials from the Maui Police Department announced the increased activity is a response to an apparent threat made towards the school.

Public assistance needed in deadly Waikapu shooting

According to MPD, officers are actively investigating the threat, working with school officials to assess the situation.

While we understand that this heightened presence may cause some concern, please be assured that we are taking all necessary precautions to address the situation swiftly and effectively, said Maui police in a press release.

The public is urged to remain vigilant and is asked to report suspicious activity or information to MPD immediately.

Maui police assured the community they are working to resolve the matter as soon as possible, while also maintaining a safe environment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Undeclared allergens are to blame.

Adobe Stock/Allrecipes

Walmart recently announced a recall affecting two of its products. The items being recalled are Bacalaitos Criollos Codfish Mix and refrigerated Lactaid Milk.

In a statement, Puerto Rico-based Avole Inc. said it is recalling 7-ounce bags of Bacalaitos Criollos Codfish Frying Mix because they may contain undeclared fish (pollock). There have been no reports of illness related to this recall.

Massachusetts-based HP Hood LLC also announced a recall, stating it is pulling five SKUs of 96 oz containers of Lactaid Milk because the product may contain trace amounts of almond, which is not listed on the label. No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall either.

Walmart Product Recall Details

Heres what you need to know about the two recalled products sold at Walmart:

Avole Inc., Bacalaitos Criollos Codfish Mix : The recall affects 7-ounce bags of Bacalaitos Criollos Codfish Frying Mix. These bags have an expiration date of June 2025 and item number 310925, with the "Best Use By" date located on the back of the bag, top right-center. According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after an inspection on Sept. 5, 2024, revealed that the product label failed to declare the common name 'fish (pollock)' in the ingredients list and 'contains' statement. The company has since updated the labeling to meet requirements.





HP Hood LLC, Select Units of 96-ounce Refrigerated Lactaid Milk: The recall includes Lactaid Whole Milk, Lactaid 2 Percent Milk, Lactaid 1 Percent Milk, Lactaid Fat-Free Milk, and Lactaid 2 Percent Calcium Enriched Milk, all in 96-ounce plastic containers. The affected products have an expiration code of 51-4109 P2 and corresponding "Best By" dates. The recalled Lactaid products were shipped nationwide to Walmart and other retailers between Sept. 5, 2024, and Sept. 18, 2024. States affected include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

If you have any of these products at home, do not consume them. Instead, return them to Walmart for a full refund.

For questions about the recall, you can contact Hood Consumer Affairs at 800-242-2423. For more information about Avole Inc., reach out to Liliana Rodriguez at Lianas Food at (787) 225-7282.

Read the original article on All Recipes.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The scheduling order for the State of Texas case against the Walmart shooter was released early Monday morning, Sept. 23 by District Judge Sam Medrano, indicating a trial may not begin until the Summer 2026.

The judges scheduling order outlines critical dates for the States case against Walmart shooter Patrick Crusius. The case is expected to be the largest capital murder trial in the history of the United States.

Jury selection, which could take several months, will start in November 2025.

The jury empaneling, which will require more than 1,000 potential jurors to appear in court for questionnaires, is scheduled for November 12-14, 2025. Following the questionnaires, the defense and prosecutors will meet individually with as many as several hundred potential jurors to determine whether they can be impartial beginning on Jan. 12, 2026.

Bury him under the jail: Walmart shooter appears in El Paso court

The voir dire process in a capital death penalty case requires additional juror scrutiny and could last as many as five months before trial can get underway.

Crusius murdered 23 people on Aug. 3, 2019, when he opened fire at the Cielo Vista Walmart store after driving across the State of Texas from his hometown of Allen, Texas, near Dallas. He wounded more than 20 other people in the attack, which he said in an online document was in response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.

He pleaded guilty to federal charges in July 2023 and was sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms.

Wrongful termination lawsuit alleges former DAs office was a colossal disaster

The States case, which is seeking the death penalty, has long been delayed under three different El Paso district attorneys.

In the most recent court appearances, defense attorneys in the case have alleged outrageous conduct by prosecutors  including intimidating potential witnesses, violating a court-imposed gag order, and withholding evidence.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Is this war? The Israeli-Hezbollah conflict is hard to define  or predict

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Israel is bombing targets across many parts of Lebanon, striking senior militants in Beirut and apparently hiding bombs in pagers and walkie-talkies. Hezbollah is firing rockets and drones deep into northern Israel, setting buildings and cars alight.

But no one is calling it a war  not yet.

Israeli officials say they are not seeking war with Hezbollah and that it can be avoided if the militant group halts its attacks and backs away from the border. Hezbollah also says it doesn't want a war but is prepared for one  and that it will keep up the strikes on Israel that it began in the wake of ally Hamas' Oct. 7 attack until there is a cease-fire in Gaza.

Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly traded fire since then  but the intensity rose to another level Monday, when Israeli airstrikes killed more than 490 people, according to Lebanese officials. That would make it the deadliest day in Lebanon since Israel and Hezbollah last went to war in 2006.

If someone had told me or most analysts in summer 2023 that Hezbollah is striking Israeli bases in Israel, and Israel is striking southern Lebanon and parts of southern Beirut, I would have said, OK, thats an all-out war," said Andreas Krieg, a military analyst at Kings College London.

The term hasn't yet been applied to the current conflict because there havent been any boots on the ground," but that might be the wrong metric," he added.

Is there any agreed definition of war?

Merriam-Webster defines war as a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations. Scholars generally expand that definition to cover large-scale violence involving insurgents, militias and extremist groups.

But any attempt at greater precision is difficult since armed conflicts run the gamut from states clashing with tanks and fighter jets to lower-level fighting.

Sometimes states officially declare war, as Israel did after Hamas' attack last year.

It has not made a similar declaration with regard to Hezbollah, but it has linked its strikes against the group to the war in Gaza, saying last week that allowing tens of thousands of residents to safely return to the north is an objective in that conflict. Israels defense minister, Yoav Gallant, also frequently talks about an ongoing war with Iran and its allies along seven fronts, including Lebanon.

States often refrain from declaring war even when they are plainly engaged in one. Russia officially refers to its invasion of Ukraine as a "special military operation and has banned public references to it as a war. The United States has not formally declared war since World War II, even as it took part in major conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Why does neither side want to call it a war?

Part of the reason neither Israel nor Hezbollah is using the word war is because they both hope to achieve their aims without setting off a more severe conflict  or being blamed for one.

Though tensions are flaring, the situation in southern Lebanon is not that of a full-scale war as both Hezbollah and Israel hope to use limited means to pressure one another, said Lina Khatib, a Middle East expert at Chatham House.

With its rocket and drone attacks, Hezbollah hopes to pressure Israel to agree to a cease-fire with Hamas  a fellow Iran-backed militant group  and to avoid being seen as bowing to Israeli pressure.

Hezbollah has said it would cease the attacks if there were a truce in Gaza, but the prospects for such a deal appear remote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to do whatever is necessary to halt the attacks so that displaced Israelis can return to their homes.

I think the Israelis are trying to either tell Hezbollah, you come to the negotiation table and well settle this through diplomacy, or well push you into a corner until you overreact," Krieg said. And that will be the all-out war.

What might a full-scale war look like?

Until recently, experts generally agreed that any future war between Israel and Hezbollah would look like the war they fought in 2006  but much, much worse.

For years, Israeli officials warned that in any future war with Hezbollah, the army would exact a punishing toll on Lebanon itself, destroying critical infrastructure and flattening Hezbollah strongholds. It came to be known as the Dahiyeh Doctrine, named for the crowded southern Beirut district where the militant group is headquartered, and that suffered heavy destruction in 2006.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, spent years expanding and improving its arsenal, and is believed to have some 150,000 rockets and missiles capable of hitting all parts of Israel.

The military build-up and threats created a situation of mutual deterrence that kept the border largely quiet from 2006 until October of last year. For most of the past year, the region has been braced for the worst, but both sides have showed restraint, and the talk of all-out war has been hypothetical.

That could change at any time.

Weve gone up a step, but we havent yet made it to the penthouse floor, said Uzi Rabi, the director of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University. At the end, I dont see theres going to be any alternative to a ground operation.

Is it definitely a war if there's a ground invasion?

Any Israeli decision to send tanks and troops into southern Lebanon would mark a major escalation and lead many to categorize the conflict as a war. But the two don't necessarily always go hand in hand.

Israel officially declared war in Gaza nearly three weeks before it sent any ground troops in. Israeli ground forces have been operating in the occupied West Bank for decades, and in recent months have routinely launched airstrikes against militants, without anyone suggesting it's a war.

A limited Israeli ground incursion might still leave room for both sides to back down.

Of course, Lebanon would likely see a ground invasion as a blatant violation of its sovereignty and an act of war. But Beirut already accuses Israel of routinely violating its airspace and of occupying disputed territory along the border.

In fact, the two countries are already officially in a state of war, and have been since 1948.

___

Associated Press writers Abby Sewell and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut, and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has organized a vibrant flash mob to commemorate the National Music Day, Azernews reports.

This special event brought together not only music enthusiasts but also distinguished guests, including Rena Suleymanova, a skilled weaver from the museum's traditional technologies department.

The celebration was further enhanced by the participation of talented students from the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, with Lazim Agayev, who thrilled the audience on the naghara, Ali Rustambayli showcasing his skill on the kamancha, and Muhammad Hidayatli enchanting everyone with his performance on the tar.

It is noteworthy that the National Music Day, celebrated on September 18, holds significant historical importance in Azerbaijan.

The occasion was officially recognized at the state level in 1995 when the renowned leader Heydar Aliyev signed a decree establishing this day as a time for national pride and cultural expression.

September 18 marks the birthday of the illustrious composer, musicologist, and teacher Uzeyir Hajibayli (1885-1948), who is celebrated as the founder of Azerbaijani professional musical art.

This day is also remembered for the birth of another musical giant, Muslim Magomayev Sr. (1885-1937), whose work has left an indelible mark on Azerbaijani music.

The lively atmosphere of the museum, infused with traditional music and skilled performances, left no one indifferent.

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum holds more than 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, the museum is beautiful inside and out.

The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet. Now, the museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences, and various exhibitions.

In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to promoting Azerbaijani carpet weaving art.

In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with a beautiful pile of carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy.

The 19th-century Guba carpet "Ugakh" was donated to the Carpet Museum, while the Garabagh carpet "Chelebi" enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch.

For four years, the Carpet Museum won the Travellers' Choice Awards. The award proves once again that the professional activity of the National Carpet Museum is highly appreciated by visitors from all over the world.
By Nora Eckert and Giulio Piovaccari

DETROIT/MILAN (Reuters) - Stellantis is searching for CEO Carlos Tavares' successor, the company said Monday, after the Chrysler parent laid out a plan to strengthen North America operations by slashing bloated inventories and cutting vehicle prices.

Stellantis said it was normal to initiate a search for Tavares' replacement in anticipation of his contract expiring in January 2026, and it remained possible Tavares will stay after that.

Tavares, who has run Stellantis since its creation in early 2021, has made it one of the most profitable groups in the industry. Still, he has been pressured recently to correct the automaker's struggling North American operations, whose record falls in sales and profit have sent its share price tumbling.

A source close to Stellantis Chair John Elkann, who is also the largest shareholder through Agnelli family holding company EXOR, said recent events did not trigger a search for a replacement. Rather, it reflected that finding a new CEO will be a long, complicated process.

EXOR declined to comment.

Bloomberg earlier reported that Stellantis was beginning the search for Tavares' replacement.

The automaker aims to cut 100,000 vehicles from its U.S. inventories by the start of next year, and has already reduced about 40,000 units in July and August, Chief Financial Officer Natalie Knight said at a BofA Securities virtual conference.

We are living in very difficult times where there are going to be winners and losers, and a lot about being the winner is being the last man standing," Knight said, adding discipline on pricing and inventory would be a core part of the automaker's strategy to weather the bumpy transition to electric vehicles.

The Jeep manufacturer is under pressure from shareholders, dealers and its unionized workforce to turn around falling sales, profits and a slumping share price.

It faces a potential strike from the United Auto Workers union in the U.S., where local Stellantis chapters have started laying the groundwork for a nationwide walkout.

When times are tough, you get friction everywhere," Knight said, adding she wanted investors to see 2024 as a transitional year, not the new normal for the Franco-Italian group.

Stellantis this year said the group's total inventories amounted to around 1.4 million vehicles at the end of the first half, when its adjusted operating profit fell 40% due to a soft performance in North America, its profit powerhouse.

Tavares visited the U.S. last month with a mission to create a plan to reverse lagging operations. The Stellantis CEO has led an aggressive cost-cutting strategy, resulting in reductions of salaried and factory workers. Knight said executives will continue to restructure the group's business over the coming years.

Story continues

The automaker will strive to source 80% of its supply from low-cost countries by 2028, Knight said, an effort she said would significantly reduce overall expenses.

It has also slashed prices on some vehicles including the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Compass, Knight said.

While Knight acknowledged the first half of the year has been difficult for the carmaker, she said conditions were expected to improve through the end of 2024. The automaker still expects sales of new models to contribute 15-20% of revenues in the second half of this year, Knight said.

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari in Milan and Nora Eckert in Detroit; Additional reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Gavin Jones, Tomasz Janowski, Nick Zieminski and David Gregorio)
Is this war? Why the Israel-Hezbollah conflict remains hard to define

This week saw a significant spike in tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging heavy fire following a wave of pager explosions in Beirut last Tuesday.

However, no one is calling the conflict a "war" just yet. Israeli officials maintain they are not seeking war with Hezbollah and are encouraging the group to halt its attacks and back away from the border.

Hezbollah, for its part, has said it does not want a war but is prepared for one  and refused to cease its attacks until there is a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Andreas Krieg, a military analyst at Kings College London, said the term hasn't yet been applied as there "havent been any boots on the ground".

What might a full-scale war look like?

Experts previously generally agreed that any future war between Israel and Hezbollah would look like the war they fought in 2006  but much, much worse.

For years, Israel's idea of a future war with Lebanon became known as the "Daniyeh Doctrine," with officials warning that the army would punish parts of Lebanon itself to flatten Hezbollah strongholds.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, spent years expanding and improving its arsenal and is believed to have some 150,000 rockets and missiles capable of hitting all parts of Israel.

The military build-up and threats created a situation of mutual deterrence that kept the border largely quiet from 2006 until October of last year. For most of the past year, the region has been braced for the worst, but both sides have shown restraint, and the talk of all-out war has been hypothetical.

Recent tensions, however, threaten to upend this situation.

Weve gone up a step, but we havent yet made it to the penthouse floor, said Uzi Rabi, the director of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University. At the end, I dont see theres going to be any alternative to a ground operation.

Municipality workers hang an Israeli flag over a damaged building that was hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon, in Kiryat Bialik, northern Israel, on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. - Ariel Schalit/AP

Would boots on the ground make it a war?

Any Israeli decision to send tanks and troops into southern Lebanon would lead many to characterise the conflict as a war. However, the two don't necessarily always go hand in hand.

Although Israel officially declared war in Gaza nearly three weeks before it sent any ground troops in, Israeli ground forces have been operating in the occupied West Bank for decades without anyone suggesting the incursion constituted a war.

In a similar vein, Russia sent its forces to illegally annex Ukraine in 2014; however, only when Moscow declared a full-scale invasion of the country in early 2022 was the conflict internationally referred to as a war.

A limited Israeli ground incursion might still leave room for both sides to back down.

Lebanon would likely see a ground invasion as a blatant violation of its sovereignty and an act of war. However, Beirut has already accused Israel of violating its airspace and occupying disputed territory along the border.

On paper, the two countries have been officially in a state of war since 1948.
Warren Mott High School canceled classes Monday due to a threat to the school after a homecoming dance this weekend ended with police sirens and false rumors of gunshots.

On Saturday evening, the Warren Police Department responded to a "high volume" of 911 calls from students who had heard balloons popping at the homecoming dance. The police investigated reports of shots fired and injuries, but found no evidence of either, according to a statement the school district made Saturday night.

By Sunday, students circulated a change.org petition requesting school be called off after Saturday's chaos, according to a letter posted Sunday by Superintendent John Bernia. In response to the petition, someone posted a threat, Bernia wrote.

From his letter:

"We have been in contact with OK2SAY, as well as the Warren Police Department, who have begun their investigation," he wrote. "While we have no reason to believe this to be a credible threat, in light of the emotional toll recent events have taken on students and staff, Warren Mott High School will be closed on Monday, September 23." "My hope is that everyone has some time to process recent events, to seek help if you need it, and to refocus on everything that makes Warren Mott an outstanding school. This time will also allow the Warren Police Department to continue their investigation. "To the students of Warren Mott - as your superintendent, your physical safety is a top priority for me.Your mental health is just as important. Please take some time on Monday to rest, reflect, to talk with your loved ones about how youre feeling, and to be a friend to your peers. When you return to school on Tuesday, we will have adults you can talk with and resources to help you."

Warren's police department first posted on Saturday night that the agency was on the scene at the high school with reports of shots fired, advising residents not to travel to the area. Later, the agency updated the post stating there was no evidence of shots fired or known victims. On Facebook, users that night were already speculating about what had gone on.

The change.org petition requested that students needed the off day due to stress caused that night.

"Its not something we can just move past like nothing happened," the petition reads. "Running for our lives, thinking we might die, isnt something anyone should brush off. Two major traumatic events in such a short time is a lot for anyone to handle."

Threats and other scares around possible shootings have disrupted the school day, frightening students and staff at schools across Michigan and the United States in recent weeks, following Sept. 4's shooting at a Georgia High School that left four people dead. For example, at Memphis Jr./Sr. High School about 50 miles north of Detroit, the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office responded to a call of possible gunshots on Sept. 16 only to find out a parent had mistaken the sound for lockers slamming shut over the phone, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard has pledged to investigate and seek charges against students who make threats.

Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: After upsetting end to homecoming, Warren high school cancels classes
Maintaining peace and international security is one of the UN's central missions (ANWAR AMRO) (ANWAR AMRO/AFP/AFP)

As wars rage worldwide, with civilian casualties a daily occurrence, critics of the United Nations say the body is failing at its most basic job, while experts warn the organization is being scapegoated for things that are beyond its control.

Maintaining peace and international security is one of the UN's central missions, but its record has been badly tarnished as bloodshed intensifies in conflicts across the world, including in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan.

The UN's detractors point to those brutal conflicts, among others, as evidence that the global organization -- hosting its centerpiece gathering of world leaders in New York this week -- has failed in its mission.

The UN's chief, however, has a different view.

"It's obvious that we are not having peace and security in the world, and it's obvious that it's not because of the UN as an institution that that doesn't happen," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told AFP.

"It's because of member states."

The Security Council, the UN body charged with securing and enforcing peace, is largely paralyzed on the issues of Gaza and Ukraine because of the vetoes wielded by Washington and Moscow.

The deep divisions between the council's permanent members -- Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States -- mean that its "legitimacy and relevance" are eroded, complained Slovenia's UN ambassador Samuel Zbogar, the rotating president of the body.

He also condemned the "poisonous mood" in the council, blaming Washington and Moscow for it.

The fractious situation at the UN Security Council is, however, nothing new.

"The UN has never been able to stop conflicts involving the major powers," said Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group, accusing countries with dominant militaries of hiding behind the UN.

"It's ultimately better to have the US and Russia arguing over Syria in the Security Council rather than fighting a hot war in Syria."

- 'A lot of hate' -

Oona Hathaway, a professor of international law at Yale University, defended the Security Council, saying many of the institution's successes were inherently invisible.

"What you don't see is the wars that don't happen," she said, calling for the rest of the UN's 193 members to do their bit for peace through the General Assembly.

Though that body's resolutions are non-binding, Hathaway said that the assembly is more powerful than it perceives itself and that it could, for example, create a tribunal to hold Russia accountable for its Ukraine war.

Academics have stressed the importance of the UN's peacekeeping operations, with 70,000 "blue helmets" deployed worldwide for the protection of civilians.

The lofty aims of the missions have not spared them from bitter opposition, however. In Mali, for instance, the peacekeeping force was forced out by the ruling junta in 2023, who said the force had failed.

"There's a lot of hate of the UN but this is actually the best multilateral system that we have," said Gissou Nia of the US-based Atlantic Council think tank.

No other organization could be built today in the UN's image, given a global geopolitical situation that is riven with deep divides, she said.

Jean-Marie Guehenno, the former head of UN peacekeeping, insisted that the institution was irreplaceable, and that while "the UN is in a rough patch, it would not be in our interest to shut up shop."

"So (countries) whine, they say the UN is useless -- but at the same time they acknowledge it's still a useful forum, and a bellwether. A bellwether that has been trampled, insulted, and left in bad shape -- but with the hope of a better future," he said.

Guterres insists the UN's humanitarian role is "more important than ever" and that the organization's agencies have "been rescuing people in dramatic circumstances."

While some observers would like to see the UN seize the initiative diplomatically more often, Guterres acknowledges that "the secretary-general of the United Nations has very limited power."

"No power and no money," he concluded.

abd-gw/aha
Watch: Eight bulls escape from Massachusetts rodeo, one still missing

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Eight bulls escaped from a rodeo event at a Massachusetts mall and all but one was safely captured, firefighters said.

The North Attleboro Fire Department said crews were summoned when the bulls fled from the rodeo at the Emerald Square Mall about 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

A witness captured video of the bulls running through a parking lot and crashing through a chain-link fence.

"The bulls then fled south from the parking lot towards the woods behind BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse," the Fire Department said.

One of the bulls was recaptured shortly after the escape, and firefighters were joined by police and rodeo personnel in searching for the remaining bovines.

Six of the bulls were found trapped behind a fence at a home on Prescott Street in Attleboro on Sunday afternoon, and they were safely loaded into a trailer.

One bull remained on the loose Monday.

"Community members should exercise extreme caution and not approach the bull if found," the fire department said.

No injuries were reported from the escape or subsequent chase. An investigation has been opened into how the animals escaped.

The incident earned a sharp rebuke from animal rights group PETA.

"We have seen it last year in Utah, this summer in Oregon, and now in Massachusetts: When bulls, who can be quite manageable and even gentle when not provoked, get the chance to escape being shocked with electric prods, wounded with sharp spurs, and slammed to the ground in rodeos, they take it as anyone else would," PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said in a statement.

"Rodeos put animal torment at center stage, and PETA urges people everywhere to stay away. Meanwhile, these bulls deserve to live," Reiman said.

Eight bulls escaped from a rodeo in Massachusetts and set off a frantic chase. pic.twitter.com/4rWXP10jss TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 23, 2024
Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Firefighters in California came to the rescue of a deer found wedged upside down in the narrow space between a house and a garage.

The Oakland Fire Department said a resident stopped by Station 6 to report seeing a stuck deer while out for a morning walk.

The crew arrived on the scene and discovered the female deer was upside down and wedged in a space only about 10 inches wide.

The Engine 6 crew called for assistance from the department's Rescue 1 team, and the firefighters, along with animal control personnel, then hatched a plan for the rescue.

The team tied ropes around the deer's legs, lifted her off the ground and turned her body so she was on her feet.

The crews were then able to safely pull the deer out of the narrow space and remove the ropes so she could be returned to the wild.

"In total, the response took about 60 minutes to complete from start to finish," the fire department said.
J.D. Vance gave a completely incoherent answer when asked about the sex scandal that has pretty much decimated North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson.

A bombshell report last week alleged that Robinson, the states current lieutenant governor, had written on a pornography websites message board about wanting to own slaves, peeping in womens locker rooms, and enjoying transgender porn. Hed also apparently called himself a Black Nazi.

During an interview Saturday with NBC Philadelphia, Vance was asked whether he believed Robinson, who had denied ever making the posts.

I dont not believe him. I dont believe him. I just think you have to let these things sometimes play out in the court of public opinion, Vance replied.

Hes going to make whatever arguments he wants to make. Im sure the news media and others are going to investigate these comments further. I just think that fundamentally its Mark Robinson and the people of North Carolina that get to decide whether hes their governor, he said.

REPORTER: Do you believe Mark Robinson that those were not his posts?



JD VANCE: I don't not believe him pic.twitter.com/YHhZLsEedI  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 22, 2024

Vance was also asked whether he was comfortable with Robinson being the Republican nominee.



The allegations are pretty far out there, of course, but I know that allegations arent necessarily reality, said Vance.

This is a distinctly new attitude for Vance, who has been quick to run with outlandish allegations in the past. The Ohio senator has spent the past two weeks elevating false claims of Haitian immigrants eating their neighbors pets, based on nothing more than scant reports that could not be verified and were ultimately debunked.

When asked whether he would take the stage with Robinson, Vance said that he and Donald Trump have no plans to appear with him again, adding that when we go to places typically we hold our own events. Robinson has appeared at events with Trump multiple times.

Last week, Trumps campaign said they were not planning to pull the former presidents endorsement of Robinson.
White Settlement police are searching for a suspect they say rammed an officers vehicle during a chase on Sunday.

Shortly before 2 p.m., the White Settlement Police Department was notified by the Fort Worth police Real Time Crime Center that a car that had been reported stolen was headed north on South Las Vegas Trail into White Settlement.

A Flock Safety license plate reader tracked the stolen vehicle, a black Jeep Liberty SUV, which pulled into a restaurant parking lot in the 8500 block of West Freeway, White Settlement police said in a news release. When two officers arrived at the restaurant, they found the Jeep unoccupied, and Fort Worth police said via radio that the male driver was fleeing on foot.

The officers drove their marked patrol units in the direction the driver was running, police said, while a female passenger ran towards a motel on the Interstate 30 service road.

The male suspect turned around, ran back to the stolen Jeep and jumped inside, police said. An officer positioned a police Tahoe behind the Jeep, and the suspect reversed and rammed the Tahoe, according to the release. The officer was not injured.

White Settlement police are searching for and trying to identify this man, who they say rammed an officers vehicle during a chase on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

Officers pursued the Jeep west on I-30 as the suspect drove at excessive speeds while passing other vehicles on the shoulder of the freeway, police said. A supervisor told officers to stop the chase because of the suspects reckless driving.

White Settlement officers met up with officers from Westworth Village and Lakeside, and they took the 33-year-old female passenger into custody at the motel. She faces a charge of methamphetamine possession.

Fort Worth police found the stolen Jeep abandoned in the 1700 block of Shade Tree St., in the Walsh Ranch neighborhood.

Investigators released a photo of the male suspect and asked anyone with information on his identity to contact police at 817-246-4973 or Tarrant County Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS. The image shows the clothing the suspect was wearing immediately prior to the police chase, including a shirt that said, Young and Reckless.

 More top stories from our newsroom:

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The reckless disregard for the rule of law was on full display Sunday when this suspect ran on foot, rammed a police officers vehicle, and endangered our community by fleeing in a stolen car, Chief of Police Christopher Cook said in the release. We are optimistic that someone will help our team identify him so he can be held accountable on multiple felony charges.
Americas favorite fiery Texan is back sticking it to right yet again. At a hearing called to lambast the Biden-Harris campaign, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) flipped the script and silenced several Republicans on the stand.

The House Oversight Committee Chair, Kentucky Congressman James Comer, began the hearing titled A Legacy of Incompetence: Consequences of the Biden-Harris Administrations Policy Failures off with pointed criticism. He called the current administration a complete failure. Everything [President] Joe Biden and [Vice President] Kamala Harris has touched has failed, Comer said.

When the Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, took the stand and said Bidens Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program is being used to pursue a climate change agenda, DEI requirements, technology biases, price controls, preferences for government-run networks, and rules that will undoubtedly lead to wasteful overbuilding, it didnt sit right with Rep. Crockett.

And boy did she let him have it. During her time, she addressed Carrs DEI concern directly. This election is the best example of why yall are so afraid of diversity, equity and inclusion, she said. Because then you cant have a simple-minded, under-qualified white man somehow end up ascending.

Obviously, the simple-minded, under-qualified white man Crockett was referring to was GOP nominee Trump, who appointed Carr to his position in 2017. Instead, you have to pay attention to the qualified Black woman on the other side, Crockett concluded.

The Texas representatives words should come as no surprise. Crockett is known for her quick-witted but professional and perfectly timed pop offs, and the Sept. 19 hearing was no different.



Today, @GOPoversight was kind enough to invite two of the authors of Project 2025 - and former members of Trump's cabinet - to answer some questions.



I asked one of them about their unsubstantiated claims about diversity, equity, and inclusion. pic.twitter.com/tzYp7EGjpD  Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) September 19, 2024

Crockett also accused Comer of wasting taxpayer dollars, calling the committee meeting an example of what waste, fraud, and abuse looks like. According to her, The only reason were having this hearing is because somebody got their feelings hurt in a debate. Most polls after the recent ABC presidential debate between Trump and Harris ruled the Democratic nominee the clear winner over her opponent.

Next time, tell your big boy to show up and be ready to handle the woman in the room who hopefully will become the next president of the United States, Crockett said to Comer.

Crockett went on to call out Carr and Project 2025, which she points out refers to Trump several times, despite the former president insisting he has no involvement with the GOP-led playbook for a future Republican presidency.

From her literally reclaiming her time on the floor to her much-needed Trump jabs, this hearing is just another reminder of why we love Crockett so much!

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
WATERFORD, CT  Caffe NV, a Waterford establishment previously named "Best New Restaurant in New London County," has closed. The Boston Post Road eatery shut its doors in part due to a declining customer base since the COVID-19 pandemic, The Day of New London reported.

Caffe NV is now listed as permanently closed on Google. A related business across the street, NV Bakery and Market, remains open. NV Bakery and Market lists daily hours on its website.



Owner Maria Longinidis told The Day that Caffe NV closed because of a decline in business combined with higher costs for ingredients and a tragic death in the family.



Read the full story in The Day.

Caffe NV opened in 2000 with an original goal of serving breakfast and lunch. Soon dinner items were added to the menu "and people started to notice something special being cooked up in this quaint Waterford restaurant," according to the restaurant's website.

The establishment served Mediterranean cuisine and received "rave reviews"; Connecticut Magazine named it the "Best New Restaurant in New London County."





Waterford Restaurant Closes Due To Decline In Business: Report originally appeared on the Waterford Patch
Four senior staffers on Republican Mark Robinsons campaign for North Carolina governor have resigned, just days after his bid was embroiled in scandal following reports alleging he wrote a series of shocking posts on a porn website.

The departures included Robinsons top campaign consultant, Conrad Pogorzelski III; campaign manager Chris Rodriguez; finance director Heather Whillier; and deputy campaign manager Jason Rizk.

I appreciate the efforts of these team members who have made the difficult choice to step away from the campaign, and I wish them well in their future endeavors, Robinson, North Carolinas lieutenant governor, said in a statement on Sunday. I look forward to announcing new staff roles in the coming days.

Pogorzelski told Axios that he and the others had left the campaign of our own accord. He also said other members of the team, including two political directors and a director of operations, had resigned.

The resignations come just days after CNN uncovered years of disturbing posts on a porn website linked to an email address Robinson used prior to his time in politics. The GOP candidate reportedly called himself a black NAZI on the site, defended slavery and called himself a perv who likes pornography featuring transgender people.

Robinson has rejected the report and claimed he was not behind the comments. He has refused to drop out of the race. CNN used biographical details and an email address to link him to the posts, and the account on the porn website listed his full name.

The Washington Post later found separate posts using the same username on the porn website that praised Adolf Hitlers book Mein Kampf.

The North Carolina Republican Party has continued its support for Robinson. However, former President Donald Trump has distanced himself from the man and Robinson was not at Trumps recent rally in the state.

Robinson said new staff members would be announced soon.

I am confident our campaign remains in a strong position to make our case to the voters on win on November 5, he wrote.

Related...
We recently compiled a list of the 7 Best Stocks to Invest in for Medium Term. In this article, we will look at where Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) ranks among the best stocks to invest in for the medium term.

On September 18, the Federal Reserve reduced its policy rate by 50 basis points, lowering it to 4.75%5.00% from 5.25%5.50%. Following the announcement, stocks surged, with the broader market hitting a new intra-day all-time high and closing at its 39th record of 2024, marking the first since mid-July. The index has risen over 20% since the beginning of the year. The interest rate reduction has created new opportunities for investors, signaling a shift towards a more supportive monetary policy intended to boost economic activity. Lower interest rates generally result in reduced borrowing costs, encouraging both business expansion and consumer spending. This fosters a favorable environment, making medium-term investments, typically ranging from 3 to 5 years, more appealing.

To effectively execute this strategy, investors should evaluate several key factors in the companies they select. These include the stocks performance over the past year, profitability, sales figures, debt levels, price-to-earnings ratio, and dividends. Additionally, assessing revenue growth and payout ratios can provide further insights.

Dividend stocks are often seen as good choices for medium-term investments, providing investors with passive income while they hold the stock. In addition, dividend-paying companies can be a smart investment during times of market volatility. A report by Hartford Funds showed that from 1940 to 2023, dividend income contributed an average of 34% to the total return of the broader market. The report also highlighted that in decades with total returns below 10%such as the 1940s, 1960s, and 1970sdividends made a significant impact on overall returns.

Dividend growth is the most favored approach within dividend investing, as it boosts investors income over time. Kirsten Cabacungan, an investment strategist in the Chief Investment Office for Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank, emphasized the significance of dividend growth strategies in investment planning. Here are some comments from the analyst:

Generally, its larger, more mature companies that return capital to their shareholders in the form of dividends. Companies that have consistently increased their dividends tend to be more stable, higher quality businesses, which historically have weathered downturns and are more likely to have the ability to pay dividends consistently.

A companys dividend payout ratio is a crucial measure of its ability to maintain dividend flexibility. Firms that allocate most or all of their earnings to dividends may struggle under competitive pressure, as their cash flow might not be enough to sustain operations. A report by Nuveen highlighted that, historically, stocks with the highest payout ratios havent delivered the best long-term results. Instead, companies with moderate to moderately high payout ratios have tended to outperform over the past two decades among dividend-paying stocks. With this, we will now discuss some of the best stocks to buy for medium term.

Our Methodology:

For this list, we used a Finviz screener to to find dividend stocks with an average revenue growth of over 10% over the past five years, highlighting companies with consistent sales growth. From that selection, stocks with a five-year average payout ratio of under 40% were chosen, indicating a strong cash position. The final list includes 7 companies with the highest number of hedge fund investors, based on Insider Monkeys Q2 2024 database.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).

13 Highest Paying Countries for Marine Biologists

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 108

5-Year Average Annual Revenue Growth Rate: 11.23%

5-Year Average Payout Ratio: 7.47%

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) ranks fourth on our list of the best stocks to buy for medium term. The American biotech and life sciences company offers a wide range of related products and services to its consumers. The stock has risen by 14% since the beginning of 2024, consistently benefiting from its acquisition strategy. Recently, it finalized its acquisition of Olink, a provider of advanced proteomic solutions. This acquisition enhances the companys capabilities and strengthens its leadership in protein research. It allows customers to significantly speed up discoveries and scientific breakthroughs while advancing the goals of precision medicine.

In the second quarter of 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) reported revenue of $10.5 billion, which showed a slight decline of 1.3% from the same period last year. However, the revenue beat analysts estimates by $23.4 million. The companys steadfast focus on research has established it as a leading entity in the eyes of analysts. Generation Investment Management also highlighted this in its Q4 2023 investor letter:

In each quarterly letter we share examples from the portfolio that bring our investment process to life. This quarter we focus on Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO), a provider of healthcare products. In recent years advances have accelerated. The large-scale use of mRNA vaccines during the COVID pandemic  the first major application of these vaccines  is just one example. Similar advances in drug development have allowed medicines to be developed for hard-to-treat diseases like Alzheimers, as well as to treat and perhaps cure diseases that previously eluded treatment. To push innovation forward, researchers need tools to ask the right questions, run experiments to test hypotheses and in turn draw insights. These tools encompass high-specification instruments, high-purity reagents, powerful software and a variety of specialised services. An ecosystem has developed of companies that specialise in providing these tools. We often think of them as providing the picks-and-shovels to researchers who are mining for the gold once obscured by nature (Click here to read the full text)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO)s balance sheet is strong and has solid cash generation. In Q2 2024, the company reported an operating cash flow of $1.96 billion, up from $1.54 billion in the prior year period. Its free cash flow also grew to $1.7 billion, from $1.26 billion in the same period last year. On July 11, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. The stocks dividend yield on September 19 came in at 0.25%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) was a part of 108 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q2 2024, compared with 110 in the previous quarter, as per Insider Monkeys database. The stakes owned by these hedge funds have a total value of over $8.56 billion. Ken Fishers Fisher Asset Management was the companys leading stakeholder in Q2.

Overall, TMO ranks 4th on our list of the best stocks to invest in for medium term. While we acknowledge the potential of TMO 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 TMO but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
A weakened Hezbollah is being goaded into all-out conflict with Israel  the consequences would be devastating for all

For almost a year, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in increasingly provocative cross-border skirmishes as onlookers warn that this escalating war of attrition could land the region in all-out conflict. The past few days have made that devastating scenario closer to a reality.

First came Israels pager and walkie-talkie attack, an unprecedented assault on Hezbollahs communications that injured thousands of the organizations operatives. It was followed by the assassination of Ibrahim Aqil, a key Hezbollah leader, who died in an airstrike that also killed other senior commanders of the militant group, as well as some civilians. Hezbollah responded by extending the geographical range of its rockets fired at Israel, targeting both military facilities and civilian neighborhoods across northern Israel. Israel then launched a fresh air assault in which more than 270 people were killed, according to Lebanese health authorities, leading also to the flight of thousands of residents from South Lebanon to the north of the country.

As a scholar of Lebanon and Israel, I have followed the dynamics of this war of attrition since Oct. 8, 2023, the day after Hamas executed an unprecedented and deadly attack on Israel, which responded by bombarding the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah then began firing rockets into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.

Despite the high rhetoric and mutual threats of destruction, until recent days neither Israel nor Hezbollah, nor the latters sponsor Iran, have shown an interest in a full-scale war. All parties surely know the likely destructive consequences of such an eventuality for themselves: Israel has the military power to devastate Beirut and other parts of Lebanon as it did in Gaza, while even a weakened Hezbollah could fire thousands of missiles at Israeli strategic sites, from the airport to central Tel Aviv, water supply lines and electricity hubs, and offshore gas rigs.

So instead, they have exchanged fire and blows along their shared boundary, with somewhat agreed-upon red lines concerning the geographical scope of attacks and efforts not to intentionally target civilians.

But Israels recent attacks in Lebanon may have turned the page of this war of attrition into a new and far more acute situation, putting the region on the brink of a full war. Such a war would wreak havoc in Lebanon and Israel, and might also drag Iran and the United States into direct confrontation. In doing so, it would also fulfill the apparent of the Hamas gunmen who murdered around 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7 in the hope that a heavy-handed Israeli response would draw in more groups across the region.

A dangerous new phase

Hezbollahs secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, has insisted throughout the near-yearlong hostilities that his organization would hold its fire only if a cease-fire agreement is reached between Israel and Hamas. In recent weeks, however, Israel has taken the conflict in the opposite direction.

The countrys defense minister, Yoav Gallant, described the coordinated attacks on Hezbolah targets as a new phase, adding that the center of gravity in the war was moving north into Lebanon. The Israeli government has added the return of the residents of the north securely to their homes as an additional war goal.

The assault on Hezbollahs communications system targeted the organizations operatives but hit many civilian bystanders, leaving Lebanese in shock, trauma, anger and desperation.

It demonstrated Israels tactical military advantage over Hezbollah. The unprecedented penetration into the heart of the organizations command and rank-and-file structures has never been seen before in any conflict or war globally. It struck Hezbollah in its most vulnerable places and even exposed its coordination with Iran  one of the injured persons from the pager explosions was the Iranian ambassador in Lebanon.

The killing of Akil two days later was another signal that the Israeli government had now decided to try to change the rules of this risky game of reprisals and counter-reprisals. It is clear that rather than the uneasy status quo that defined this war of attrition for nearly a year, Israels intent is now to pressure Hezbollah to concede.

Getting out of control

Nasrallah delivered a gloomy and defiant speech in the aftermath of the pager attack. While acknowledging that Hezbollah was severely undermined by this operation, he defined the Israeli attack as a continuation of multiple other massacres perpetrated by the enemy over decades.

By doing so, he framed it within a popular historical narrative among many Lebanese and Palestinians who regard Israel as a criminal entity that regularly carries out massacres against innocent civilians.

Nasrallah also insisted that his commitment to supporting Hamas in Gaza remains unwavering.

While stating that Israeli actions have crossed all red lines and could amount to a declaration of war, Nasrallah also reiterated a point he had made in previous peaks of this ongoing conflict: that retribution is coming, the only question being of timing and scale. By doing so, Nasrallah hinted that he may still not be interested in a full war.

Israel, on the other hand, appears less circumspect. After almost a full year of contained tension with Hezbollah, Israels leaders appear willing to risk an escalation that might get out of control.

It is hard to determine what the strategy behind Israels actions is: Since Oct. 7; as the Biden administration has noted, Israel has not displayed a coherent strategy with clear political goals.

Rather, critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest that he is mainly motivated by his own political survival and the retention of power as the head of state, tying Israels interests to his own.

Uniting the axis of resistance

So where does this leave Nasrallah as he weighs Hezbollahs response, surely in consultation with Iran? After such devastating blows to Nasrallahs organization, it is hard to think that Hezbollah would be willing to scale down, stop its cross-border attacks and retreat away from the Israeli border, or give up its commitment to support Hamas in Gaza.

Palestinian refugees listen to a speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah from a cafe at the entrance of the Sabra camp in Beirut. Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images

On the other hand, opting for a full-scale war, after spending a year avoiding it, is fraught with risk  both Nasrallah and his sponsors in Tehran know well the high costs of such a war for Hezbollah, Lebanon and potentially also for Iran.

If Hezbollah went to war now against Israel, it would embark on its most consequential move since its foundation in 1982. But it would do so with crippled communications systems and without much of its leadership  some of whom had worked for decades side by side with Nasrallah, building with him the military capacity of the organization.

In some respects, Israelis under Netanyahus leadership, and Lebanese in a country increasingly held hostage by Hezbollahs interests, face similar predicaments: Their well-being is being sacrificed for other priorities.

Netanayhus recent statements about concern for Israeli citizens in the north sound hollow after 11 months of pursuing policies that put them more in danger, as well as opposing a Gaza cease-fire deal that would also end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah has dragged the country into this war against the will of most Lebanese  a decision that has led to significant devastation in parts of a country already suffering extreme political and economic duress.

Nasrallahs speech described Hezbollahs predicament as that of all Lebanon  while sending a veiled threat that dissent would not be tolerated. Many Lebanese are undoubtedly sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and resent Israels war in Gaza. But at the same time, they may balk at the idea that their own well-being has to be sacrificed in the process.

In the meantime, Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader and mastermind behind the Oct. 7 massacre, may well be looking on at the unfolding events between Israel and Hezbollah with satisfaction. His plan was designed to trigger the unification of all fronts of the so-called axis of resistance, which includes the Houthis in Yemen as well as Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups with the hope for a regional war against Israel.

A year later, we are closer than ever to that scenario.

Editors note: This story was updated on Sept. 23, 2024 to include the latest developments in the region.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Asher Kaufman, University of Notre Dame

Read more:



Asher Kaufman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Do I need to wear a helmet for Fall Bike Week in Myrtle Beach? Heres what the law says

Reality Check is a new Sun News series holding those in power accountable, shining a light on local issues, and answering readers essential questions. Have a question or concern we can answer? Email online@thesunnews.com.

South Carolina has this one piece of legislation that separates the state from the northern neighbor, North Carolina.

And it has to do with motorcycle helmets.

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, anyone over the age of 21-years-old isnt required to wear a helmet or a face shield or goggles while riding a motorcycle.

Riders who are under 21 are mandated to wear both helmets and face shields or goggles, according to state law.

This legislation differs drastically from South Carolinas northern neighbor, North Carolina.

State statutes provided by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles said all operators of motorcycles and mopeds are required to wear helmets, with no exceptions.

The Myrtle Beach area is currently preparing for the 25th Fall Bike Week, which begins at the end of September.

The official dates for the 2024 Fall Myrtle Beach Bike Rally are from Sept. 27 to Oct. 6, the events website states.

According to a release from the events spokesman, Spider Webb, they expect this years rally to attract over 100,000 attendees to the Grand Strand.
Congress enters its final scheduled week of work before the November elections with a plan to avoid a government shutdown next month but only a few days left on the calendar to get it passed.

On Sunday, congressional leaders announced plans for a short-term budget extension to fund federal operations through Dec. 20. The money would allow for minimal disruption in federal programs and services through the fall elections and provide a chance for the newly elected White House administration to weigh in on the full federal budget later this year.

House leaders had hoped for a longer budget extension and extra provisions on voting security in their initial budget bill drafts, but those plans failed to gain enough support to move ahead.

If lawmakers dont approve the compromise plan by Oct. 1, it could trigger a partial government shutdown, delaying paychecks for military members and shuttering some nonessential Defense Department and Veterans Affairs services.

In a letter to House colleagues on Sunday, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice and urged chamber members to back the budget plan.

Heres what else is happening on Capitol Hill this week:

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Senate Foreign Relations  10 a.m.  419 Dirksen

Cyberspace Threats

Outside experts will testify on cyberspace threats and U.S. response to them.



House Foreign Affairs  10 a.m.  2172 Rayburn

Blinken Contempt of Congress

The committee will consider contempt charges against Secretary of State Antony Blinken.



House Oversight  2 p.m.  2154 Rayburn

DOD Financial Management

Pentagon officials will testify on military financial management practices.



House Veterans' Affairs  2:30 p.m.  360 Cannon

Medical Center Oversight

VA officials will testify on allegations of management problems at VA medical centers.





Wednesday, Sept. 25

Senate Homeland Security  9:30 a.m.  342 Dirksen

Pending Business

The committee will consider a series of pending bills and nominations.



Senate Foreign Relations  10 a.m.  Capitol S-116

Pending Business

The committee will consider a series of pending bills and nominations.



House Transportation  2 p.m.  2167 Rayburn

Coast Guard Operations

Service officials will testify on the pace of daily operations within the service.



House Veterans' Affairs  2:30 p.m.  360 Cannon

Caregiver Support

Veterans advocates will testify on support for caregivers in the VA system.





Thursday, Sept. 26

House Veterans' Affairs  9 a.m.  360 Cannon

VA Scheduling

VA officials will testify on issues with scheduling systems in department medical centers.



House Foreign Affairs  10 a.m.  2172 Rayburn

State Department Funding

Watchdog groups will testify on waste, fraud and abuse within the countrys foreign policy budget.



House Veterans' Affairs  1 p.m.  360 Cannon

Digital GI Bill Tools

Department officials will testify on issues with VAs online GI Bill resources.




Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-LA talks to press after his funding proposal to avoid a possible shutdown fails to pass in the House in the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Wednesday. Lawmakers reached a deal Sunday. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Washington lawmakers reached a spending plan Sunday that will keep the government operating through December, avoiding a looming shutdown.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced the "bare bones" continuing resolution that includes "only the extensions that are absolutely necessary" to keep federal agencies funded and, if passed would stave off a government stoppage on Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

This move would allow lawmakers to push a decision on future spending until after the November election.

"While this is not the solution any of us prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances," Johnson wrote in a letter to his colleagues. "As history has taught and current polling affirms, shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice."

Negotiations repeatedly fell victim to partisan politics, including the defeat of a GOP-backed plan that linked government funding to states' ability to require voters to show proof of citizenship before casting a ballot. Despite being backed by conservatives, 14 Republicans voted against it.

An immigration compromise fell victim to similar politics earlier this year when a bi-partisan plan to reshape border policy was ultimately defeated at the behest of former President and Republican party standard bearer Donald Trump who was not keen on any immigration policy agreement on immigration in an election year, fearing it would be perceived as a victory for Democrats.

Most temporary spending bills fund agencies at current levels, but this stop-gap plan also included $231 million for additional funding for the Secret Service in the wake of recent security breaches surrounding Trump, put money into a disaster relief fund and assist with the upcoming presidential transition.

Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, praised the bi-partisan deal, saying it is "free of cuts and poison pills," and predicted the measure would be adopted quickly when Johnson brings it to the floor this week.
North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson rejected multiple offers to connect him with I.T. specialists who could investigate a string of racist and disturbing messages posted on a porn website reportedly under his alias.

The rejectionwhich allegedly followed another denial for legal assistancesowed seeds of doubt among his staffers, WRAL reported Monday. The mass exodus from Robinsons campaign over the weekend, which included the exit of his campaign manager and finance director, could be related to Robinsons decision to try to cover things up.

On Thursday, a bombshell CNN report revealed that Robinson had written on a pornography websites message board about his desire to own slaves, peeping in womens locker rooms, and enjoying transgender porn.

The comments were made long before Robinson entered electoral politics. CNN connected the account to Robinson via a litany of common biographical details and a shared email address. He also used his full name on his site account.

In a meet-and-greet with voters in Wilkes County on Monday, Robinson warned that hes considered everything up to legal counsel to take CNN to task for what they have done to us.

We are going after them, he said. We are not gonna let CNN throw us off of our mission. Our mission is to win this race.

Some of the former staffers on Robinsons campaign doubted the veracity of the Hitler-quoting politicos threat, according to WRAL. But Robinsons campaign doubled down, insisting that the beleaguered North Carolinian would definitely follow through on suing the news media behemoth.

That is entirely false, Mike Lonergan, a spokesperson for the Robinson campaign, told WRAL. Lieutenant Governor Robinson is in the process of retaining aggressive legal counsel to investigate who did this and how; we will leave no stone unturned, and will use every legal means to hold CNN and whomever else is involved accountable.

On Friday, Senator Thom Tillis had urged Robinson to follow through on the legal action, fearing that political fallout over the investigative report could hurt Donald Trumps chances in the battleground state.

If the reporting on Mark Robinson is a total media fabrication, he needs to take immediate legal action, Tillis posted on X. If the reporting is true, he owes it to President Trump and every Republican to take accountability for his actions and put the future of NC & our party before himself.
What to know about Hezbollah and the current conflict with Israel, as mounting clashes on Lebanese border spark fears of wider war

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district of Lebanon, Sept. 23. (Hussein Malla/AP)

Israeli strikes killed more than 550 people on Monday, Lebanese health officials reported, making it the deadliest day in Lebanon since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Mondays strikes come after back-to-back attacks involving exploding walkie-talkies and pagers belonging to Hezbollah members in Beirut last week, which killed dozens and injured thousands, followed by retaliatory strikes on Israel over the weekend.

Thousands of people living in the south and east of Lebanon were told to evacuate Monday, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging citizens to take this warning seriously in a video message.

The Israeli military then carried out a strike in Beirut, with sources telling Israeli media that the target is senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki, the head of the groups southern command.

The culmination of the recent Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, the exploding pagers in Lebanon and Hezbollahs attacks going deeper into Israel is pushing the two sides toward what could be their first war since 2006. These latest attacks come amid stalled negotiations to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict playing out along Israels southern border, with Hamas in Gaza.

Hezbollah claims it is fighting Israel on behalf of Gaza, while Israel says its trying to protect its northern border. The rising conflicts could lead to an all-out war in the Middle East  an event multiple international leaders have warned about if the back-and-forth strikes continue to escalate.

To understand how we got here, here are some basic facts you should know about Hezbollah and the current conflict.

How did Hezbollah start?

Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Islamist militant group that the U.S. and several other countries have classified as a terrorist organization.

Hezbollah, or the Party of God, arose during Lebanons civil war in the late 1970s, when tensions between the countrys leading religious groups were at an all-time high. Israeli troops invaded parts of southern Lebanon in 1978 and 1982 to combat Palestinian guerrilla fighters on the Israel border after thousands of Palestinian refugees relocated to Lebanon following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

By the early 1980s, Israel had occupied parts of southern Lebanon. Iran, sensing tension between Lebanon and Israel, began to provide funds and training to the southern Lebanon residents, which led to the formation of Hezbollah.

Hezbollahs manifesto, written in 1985, encourages the groups members to combat Western influence in Lebanon, destroy the Israel and swear allegiance to Irans leader.

According to a U.S. State Department report from 2022, Iran continues to provide most of Hezbollahs training, weapons and funding  sending the group hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Where is Hezbollah based?

Hezbollah has tens of thousands of members and supporters all over the world, according to the U.S. State Department. In Lebanon, they are mostly found in the countrys Shiite-dominant areas, like Beirut and southern Lebanon. Beirut, Lebanons capital, is estimated to have a population of about 2 million people.

Members of Hezbollah have held political positions in the Lebanese government since 1992.

Whats the difference between Hezbollah and Hamas?

Both Hezbollah and Hamas are groups backed by Iran with the common goal of eliminating Israel. Both organizations have been designated as terrorist groups by the U.S.

Hezbollah defines itself as part of the Shia resistance movement and has not gone to war to free Palestine.

Hamas, on the other hand, is a Palestinian nationalist militant group that was originally an offshoot of a the (Sunni) Muslim Brotherhood. Because of the differences in religious doctrine, Hamass connection to Iran is less than Hezbollahs and it operates more independently. Hamas also has support from Turkey and Qatar.

Hamas, which has been the governing body in the Gaza Strip since 2006, was behind the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the deadliest attack in the countrys history. The current war in Gaza is between Israel and Hamas.

The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict

Israel and Hezbollah have clashed intermittently since the early 1990s, with their first major war taking place over the course of about a month starting in July 2006. A Human Rights Watch report from 2007 estimated that at least 1,109 Lebanese and 55 Israelis were killed in the conflict, which led to the displacement of 1 million Lebanese.

Israels latest series of clashes with Hezbollah began on Oct. 8, 2023  one day after the Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and sparked the ongoing war in Gaza, which has reportedly left more than 40,000 dead. There have been almost daily updates to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict since then, but here are some key events leading up to the current moment.

Oct. 7, 2023: Hamas launches a surprise attack on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu declares war on Hamas.

Read an Oct. 7 timeline from AFP: October 7: how Israel's deadliest day unfolded

Oct. 8, 2023: In support of Gaza, Hezbollah launches its own attack on Israel along the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Data collected by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) and the BBC found that between Oct. 8, 2023, and July 5, there have been more than 7,000 cross-border attacks, with Israel carrying out five times as many attacks as Hezbollah. This has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and fighters throughout the Middle East.

Aug. 1: Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollahs secretary general, tells the press that the groups conflict with Israel has entered a new phase following the assassination of senior commander Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah chief Fuad Shukr.

Sept. 17: Thousands of hand-held pagers belonging to Hezbollah operatives explode in Lebanon, killing at least 11 people and injuring over 2,000 others. Hezbollah said it holds Israel responsible for the attack and promises retaliation.

Read more from Yahoo News: Hezbollah leader vows to retaliate for 2 days of attacks on electronic devices in Lebanon

Sept. 23: IDF launches over 300 strikes on Lebanon, killing more than 550 people, including more than 60 women and children. IDF urges citizens near Hezbollah-controlled areas to evacuate.

Whats being said in the aftermath of Mondays attack

Following Mondays airstrikes, Netanyahu spoke to Lebanese citizens in a video message saying, Israels war is not with you, its with Hezbollah. For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields.

The Israeli military posted its own statement on social media, saying, Over a million Israeli civilians are running to bomb shelters in Haifa as Hezbollah indiscriminately fires rockets.  This is why we are operating against Hezbollah who is continuously attacking our civilians.

Hezbollah hasnt issued a statement following the strikes, but on Sunday the groups deputy leader Naim Qassem told the press that Hezbollah had entered a new phase in its conflict with Israel and that an open-ended battle of reckoning was beginning.

President Biden, who met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, president of the United Arab Emirates, on Monday morning told reporters that his team has been in communication with Israel and Lebanon. Were working to deescalate in a way that allows people to return to their home safely, he said.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced Monday that the U.S. would send additional troops to the Middle East in response to the rise in tensions and violence between Israel and Hezbollah.

It cannot be overstated enough, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the U.N.s special coordinator for Lebanon, said in a statement. There is NO military solution that will make either side safer.
What's Wisconsin's beef with Illinois? For some, it's the (many) tourists.

It's easy to mistake Lake Geneva as the Land of Lincoln based on the overwhelming number of Illinois license plates lining the streets.

Here in this city near the Illinois border, where the summers swell with tourists from Chicagoland, the love-hate relationship with Wisconsins southern neighbor is strong. Like them or loathe them, Lake Geneva needs them.

"It's so funny how the people are so divided," Lake Geneva Mayor Todd Krause said. "If you take away the lake, essentially, we're no different than any other small town Midwestern city, many of which are struggling financially. So personally, I've always embraced the tourists."

Vehicles with Illinois plates line Main Street in Lake Geneva on Thursday, August 22, 2024. The city is a popular tourist destination.

Many other Lake Geneva locals prefer to gripe. They say Illinois tourists don't know how to drive, how to park, how to back their boat into the lake. They take over the town, sometimes with a condescending or patronizing attitude. They're always in a hurry. They lack common courtesy.

FIB is the most well-known nickname for our neighbors. There are several variations; Krause offered the PG-13 version: "fartin' Illinois buggers."

Pedestrians cross Wrigley Drive in Lake Geneva on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Krause admits he sometimes turns to tourists for comedic relief.

"I'm gonna go sit on my front porch later today and I will watch people parallel park for a good hour or two," he said. "It's absolutely hysterical."

The tension with tourists began in the late 1800s when a new railway gave wealthy Chicago natives a direct route to Geneva Lake, where they built massive lake homes. The destination's popularity endured even after the trains ended in 1975. Some of the area's most recognizable landmarks  the Riviera fountain and the Black Point estate  came from Chicagoans.

Today, thousands of flatlanders journey north. They pay $10 per person to bask at the city beach. They pay $4 per hour to park downtown on the weekends.

More: Packers vs. Bears, Brewers vs. Cubs: Wisconsin's beef with Illinois run deep in realm of sports

The Fountain in front of the Riviera Shops in Lake Geneva is a popular tourist attraction as seen on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Together, Krause said, parking and beach ticket revenue fund a fourth of the city's $16 million annual budget.

"People that don't like tourists, they don't understand the amount of money they feed to our economy," he said.

Illinois residents make up largest share of Wisconsin visitors

The Riviera Shops & Boathouse in Lake Geneva is a popular tourist destination as seen on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Illinois is the No. 1 out-of-state market for visiting Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin tourism department. Illinoisians accounted for 18% of overnight trips in Wisconsin and 22% of day trips in 2022.

Travel Wisconsin develops ads that "speak directly" to Illinois, encouraging them to Come on up," department spokesperson Logan Wroge said. About 72% of Illinois residents surveyed by Longwoods International in 2022 recalled a Travel Wisconsin ad, the highest awareness level of all survey respondents.

Travel Wisconsin said top destinations include Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Madison, Baraboo and Lake Geneva.

Door County is another popular place for Illinoisians to venture. About a third of the peninsula's visitors come from Illinois, said Jon Jarosh, a spokesperson for Destination Door County. They bring benefits sometimes lost in the stereotypes.

Visitors dine outside the Barrique Bistro & Wine Bar in Lake Geneva, Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Those who own second homes there pay property taxes that help fund local schools, Jarosh said. Some part-time residents volunteer at summer festivals and fairs. And it's hard to image an arts community the size of Door County's existing in other places with just 30,000 year-round residents.

Jarosh concedes the tourists brings some pain points, too. Residents learn when not to go grocery shopping and what routes to take depending on the time of year. They make sacrifices to live full-time in a place others consider lucky to spend a couple days.

"As locals, you learn to live with it," he said. "Anyone would grumble about it, but that's human nature."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why Wisconsin finds Illinois tourists annoying
The Euston to Holyhead train was one of many sleeper routes in the UK - SSPL

National railway networks have two choices. Make trains fast, regular and efficient so that passengers can travel during the day, and maintenance work can take place after dark. Or, run night trains so people can  at least  save time and perhaps money by sleeping as they travel.

Britain has the worst of both worlds. Its trains are certainly slow and can be very expensive. There are regional inter-city trains that average 30 miles an hour, as on the notorious Penistone Line between Sheffield and Huddersfield. The record-breaking Blackburn-Kirkby service takes two hours to move people around 20 miles across the north west, the most densely populated area of the UK outside London. Inter-city trips to the capital are somewhat faster, and the Home Counties are well served by modern express trains.

Sleepers go slower than daytime trains. The Glasgow Central to London Euston service  as featured on the new BBC One comedy-thriller Nightsleeper  takes seven hours and 35 minutes, a lot of time to cover a mere 400 miles, and slow enough to stretch out into three weeks of telly. Britain isnt huge and in some ways the tortoise speed arguably suits the business of boarding, dining, falling asleep and waking around dawn.

The Glasgow Central to London Euston is the centre of a new BBC thriller Nightsleeper, starring Joe Cole (left) - BBC

But we just dont have enough sleepers, do we? You will have read in these pages of the Europe-wide revival of night trains  how start-up firms such as European Sleeper and Midnight Trains, as well as the Swedish and French governments, are reopening sleeper routes across the continent. Austria came top of our comprehensive survey of rail travel in European countries partly because OBB, which operates its railways, took a punt in 2016 and bought up all the City Night Line sleeper cars that Deutsche Bahn had dumped. Its now the largest night-train operator in central Europe, connecting Vienna and other Austrian cities to more than 25 European destinations.

Britain currently has sleeper trains from London Euston to Glasgow and Edinburgh, which continue as far north as Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen  collectively known as the Caledonian Sleeper  as well as Night Riviera trains from London Paddington to Penzance via Taunton and Plymouth. The timetables and, to an extent, distances, mean the services cater principally to Londoners and London-bound weekly commuters. I recently used the Caledonian Sleeper to go from Preston to Wick in Scotland; I departed after midnight and on the return leg was ejected at 4am. Some stops on both lines are drop-off only.

Nevertheless, the two surviving routes have featured in novels, poetry and song, documentaries and now a rather unfrightening thriller. Despite the often-exorbitant fares, baffling price structures, delays, cancellations, strikes and cancelled megaprojects, Britons somehow still keep faith in their railways, and they reserve special affection for the idea, if not always the reality, of the sleeper service.

Inverness is one of the few destinations still accessible via sleeper services - Moment RF

Perhaps thats down to the collective memory of how things used to be. Older readers may recall the delights of these lost services: separate night trains from Euston to Liverpool and Manchester; Kings Cross to Bradford Exchange; Manchester to Plymouth via Bristol; night ferry services via Stranraer, Heysham, Milford Haven and Holyhead; London to Newcastle on the East Coast mainline; Inverness-Carlisle-Stranraer; Poole to Edinburgh; sleeping cars through to Mallaig; St Pancras to Settle.

This is the stuff railway-lover dreams are made of. But all the above existed, as can be confirmed by a shunt around rail fan forums or by scanning vintage timetables. During the Second World War, night trains continued to run, often covering long non-stop sections unimaginable today, even by daylight. Right up until 1980, the Paris Night Ferry, a sleeper boat train, departed London Victoria every evening at 9pm, arriving at Gare du Nord 11 hours later.

Specific sleeper services have come and gone, but the basic idea of night trains played an important role in British transport and leisure until the Thatcher era.

Sleeper services were rationalised by British Rail in 1988, with services to Scotland concentrated on Euston to make [them] more financially viable against the car and internal flights, says Dr Thomas Spain, a research associate at the National Railway Museum.

Some of the withdrawn sleepers once formed connections with shipping routes, such as Euston-Stranraer or Holyhead-Euston. There was also a cross-country sleeper service linking Bristol with Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Scottish internal services connecting key cities.

Many of the former sleeper trains connected with shipping routes - Getty

Cross-country night trains had ceased by 1994. In tandem with the recently launched Eurostar services, a UK-to-Europe night service called Nightstar was proposed (promotional material dangled promises like Go to bed in Plymouth or Swansea and wake up in Paris), but never got off the ground because of the focus on rail privatisation and a perceived lack of commercial viability due to competition from cheap air travel.

According to a report by sustainability consultancy the Rebel Group, per carriage costs for UK sleepers are among the highest in Europe. The recent Tory government was more interested in electric road transport than railways, and the word sleeper doesnt appear on Labours pre-election transport policy document, Getting Britain Moving. But Greenpeace has identified a range of workable London-Europe rail connections that can compete with air travel and the UK has long-distance daytime routes (Scotland to Devon, West Wales to East Anglia, anywhere to Penzance) that would be more pleasurable in a sleeper  and markets can change. As recently as 2017, the European Parliament produced a report called Passenger Night Trains in Europe  the end of the line?

Dr Spain says: Potentially, more sleeper trains can be run, if political and public demand is there. The Caledonian Sleeper shows how a network of locations can be served by two trains.

The Caledonian Sleeper is the collective name for sleeper trains from London Euston to Glasgow and Edinburgh - Alamy

Sleeper services tend to be more viable over longer distances, which is why the Night Riviera and Caledonian Sleeper remain. They can be woven between overnight planned engineering works and freight services.

The night trains of the past had names like the Tynesider, the Northern Irishman, Night Aberdonian, Royal Highlander and Freedom of Scotland. Televisions fictional Nightsleeper doesnt work as a show title nor as a train name. The tech-filled nonsense of the over-wrought plot sent me back to Graham Greenes Stamboul Train (1932), a novel of shadows and subtleties, exotic locations and mysterious characters. Somehow the journey from that strange book to the daft television series mirrors the decline of the sleepers  which used to connect us, provide us with travel fantasies as well as literal places to dream, and make travel romantic and memorable.

What have we today? Few options to sleep on trains without crossing the Channel, and nothing unless we happen to live in the capital, Scotland or Cornwall. For the rest of us its the crack-of-dawn, wallet-busting inter-cities, an assurance of delays, a stiff-backed chair and, where once there were kippers and silver service in the Pullman buffet car, we get apologies but the coffee machine is broken today.

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.
Where Is Jessica Barnes? A S.C. Woman Vanished 7 Weeks Ago  and Then Mom Received Unsettling Text

The 20-year-old woman was last seen on Aug. 1, per police

Town of Pendleton Municipal Complex, South Carolina/Facebook Jessica Barnes

Authorities in South Carolina are continuing their investigation into the disappearance of a woman who was last seen nearly two months ago.

Jessica Barnes, 20, vanished from her Pendleton, S.C., home, according to the Pendleton Police Department.

Barnes was last seen on Aug. 1, Pendleton police said in a statement on Sept. 12.



On Friday, Sept. 20, Pendleton police conducted a search at the residence where Barnes lives with her husband, who is not a suspect, Pendleton Police Chief Roberts Crosby tells PEOPLE.

Authorities were searching for clues, articles of clothing, electronic devices that could provide indications about the woman's current whereabouts, Crosby tells PEOPLE. They recovered several items, including a phone, that have been sent to a crime lab for processing.

Town of Pendleton Municipal Complex, South Carolina/Facebook Jessica Barnes Missing Poster

Barnes mother Cecilia Varvara said on Sept. 10, she received a text message from her daughter which did not sound like her, per WYFF 4,

Crosby, who has been in contact with Varvara, confirms to PEOPLE that she has claimed several times that she received text messages from an account under Barnes name, but doesn't believe them to be from her daughter.



Crosby tells PEOPLE this is not an official determination by investigators and is currently considered Varvara's suspicion.

Barnes allegedly disappeared following an argument with her husband, Crosby tells PEOPLE. The police department has no record of any prior calls of disturbance at the residence, he says.



Town of Pendleton Municipal Complex, South Carolina/Facebook Jessica Barnes

As part of their investigation, police also tracked the couples roommates car to a location frequented by the couple, with phone records showing Barnes husband drove the vehicle to the location. Crosby did not comment further on that discovery.

While they have information on when and where the missing wifes phone last pinged, Crosby says they are not disclosing this information at this time.

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.

As of Monday, Sept. 23, police say this is a missing persons investigation and have not said they suspect foul play. Barnes was last seen wearing an orange t-shirt, dark jean shorts, flip-flops and carrying a black backpack, police say.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Chief Crosby or Pendleton Police at 864-646-9409 or robertc@townofpendleton.org.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.




More from Footwear News





James Whitner and The Whitaker Group  the parent company to retailers A Ma Maniere and Social Status  were named in a complaint last year alleging an international money laundering scheme. On Monday, the retailer announced they have been cleared of all allegations.

Following a thorough investigation by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina (USAO) into James Whitner and The Whitaker Group, the office has declined prosecution based upon, among other things, the sufficiency of admissible evidence to support prosecution, The Whitaker Group wrote in a statement today. This outcome reaffirms our stance all along of the integrity of our business, the transparency of our operations and the regulatory compliance of all our tools, platforms and processes that allow us to serve both community and consumers effectively.

The Whitaker Group ended its statement by thanking its vendor partners for their trust and support as it worked through the investigation, and stated it is excited to keep building a legacy of excellence, telling the stories and building experiences that shape community and culture.

In November 2023, a civil forfeiture complaint filed in a North Carolina district court stated Whitner was involved in a trade-based money laundering network in which he allegedly helped move millions of dollars in illegal funds under the guise of reselling footwear and apparel. Whitner was not charged criminally.

The complaint stated Whitner sold millions of dollars worth of sneakers to a Chinese national, who then resold the products in China and elsewhere. Then, a broker in China would direct Chinese money couriers to collect large sums of cash made from illegal activity including, potentially, prostitution. This cash then went to Whitner, the filing said.

These illicit transactions occurred between Nov. 2017 and April 2022 and totaled more than $32 million, according to the complaint. The forfeiture totals about $1,199,530, which was seized in August of 2021 from the residence of Antwain Freeman, Whitners close friend, in North Bergen, N.J.

The complaint stated Whitner resold shoes and apparel that were produced by an Oregon-based manufacturer that did not allow for these products to be resold to another distributor or broker or outside of the U.S.

Last week, Charlotte-based news organization WSOCTV first reported that Whitner would not file a claim for the nearly $1.2 million that was seized. The report stated attorneys for Whitner and his associates asked for four extensions in the civil forfeiture, but did not file a claim by the final deadline.

Additional reporting provided by Shoshy Ciment.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.









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Over the last 7 days, the Canadian market has remained flat, but it is up 19% over the past year with earnings forecasted to grow by 15% annually. In such a robust environment, growth companies with high insider ownership can offer unique investment opportunities due to their potential for sustained performance and alignment of interests between insiders and shareholders.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Canada

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Vox Royalty (TSX:VOXR) 12.3% 70.7% Allied Gold (TSX:AAUC) 21.9% 73.5% Almonty Industries (TSX:AII) 17.7% 117.6% Alvopetro Energy (TSXV:ALV) 19.4% 72.4% Amerigo Resources (TSX:ARG) 12% 36.8% Propel Holdings (TSX:PRL) 40% 37.2% Aritzia (TSX:ATZ) 18.9% 60.4% Medicenna Therapeutics (TSX:MDNA) 15.4% 57.2% Alpha Cognition (CNSX:ACOG) 17% 69.5% ROK Resources (TSXV:ROK) 16.6% 161.8%

Click here to see the full list of 39 stocks from our Fast Growing TSX Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Aritzia Inc., with a market cap of CA$5.49 billion, designs, develops, and sells apparel and accessories for women in the United States and Canada.

Operations: The company generates CA$2.37 billion in revenue from its apparel segment.

Insider Ownership: 18.9%

Aritzia has seen substantial insider buying over the past three months, signaling confidence in its growth prospects. The company reported Q1 2024 sales of C$498.63 million and provided strong revenue guidance for Q2 and Fiscal Year 2025, expecting up to C$2.62 billion in annual revenue. Despite a decrease in profit margins from last year, Aritzia's earnings are forecast to grow significantly faster than the Canadian market, with an expected annual profit growth rate of 60.4%.

TSX:ATZ Ownership Breakdown as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. is involved in the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals primarily in Africa, with a market cap of approximately CA$25.42 billion.

Operations: Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. generates revenue through its mining, development, and exploration activities focused on minerals and precious metals in Africa.

Insider Ownership: 12.3%

Ivanhoe Mines, a growth company with high insider ownership, recently signed an MOU with Zambia's Ministry of Mines to explore and develop mineral resources. The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex achieved record copper production in August, signaling strong operational performance. Despite past shareholder dilution, Ivanhoe's earnings are forecast to grow significantly faster than the Canadian market at 71.5% annually. Analysts expect the stock price to rise by 26.2%, indicating positive market sentiment.

Story continues

TSX:IVN Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Propel Holdings Inc. is a financial technology company with a market cap of CA$1.09 billion.

Operations: Propel Holdings generates revenue of $382.44 million by providing lending-related services to borrowers, banks, and other institutions.

Insider Ownership: 40%

Propel Holdings' earnings are forecast to grow significantly at 37.25% per year, outpacing the Canadian market's 14.9%. Despite substantial insider selling in the past three months, the company has shown strong financial performance with Q2 sales of US$106.75 million and net income of US$11.12 million, both up from a year ago. Propel was recently added to the S&P Global BMI Index and increased its credit facility to $330 million, supporting further growth initiatives.

TSX:PRL Ownership Breakdown as at Sep 2024

Key Takeaways

Discover the full array of 39 Fast Growing TSX Companies With High Insider Ownership right here.

Hold shares in these firms? Setup your portfolio in Simply Wall St to seamlessly track your investments and receive personalized updates on your portfolio's performance.

Join a community of smart investors by using Simply Wall St. It's free and delivers expert-level analysis on worldwide markets.

Looking For Alternative Opportunities?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years.

Companies discussed in this article include TSX:ATZ TSX:IVN and TSX:PRL.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH)  Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen gave a presentation at a city council meeting addressing the lingering allegations against the department.

In a roughly 45-minute presentation on Sept. 17, Crispen addressed complaints against him, the city and the department, including allegations of ticket quotas, low morale and that he fired former officer Enrique Ortega unjustly. Crispen also defended his leadership  with one of the complaints against him being a vote of no confidence in him as a leader  and the departments initiatives.

Recreational marijuana businesses temporarily banned in Delaware

Ortega was the union representative for Whitehall police, and he gave a presentation to Mayor Michael Bivens of an internal survey he conducted. According to Ortegas presentation, which NBC4 received a copy of, officers said they were overwhelmed, depressed, anxious and angry.

In Ortegas presentation, he showed a graph of 36 officers answers to department morale, of which 66.67% of respondents said morale was horrible. Another 22.22% said morale was below average or poor. Only one respondent said morale was above average. Crispen disagreed with these findings.

Almost everything that was said was a lie, Crispen said. Theres some stuff thats got peoples morale a little low because theyre being told to work and they dont like it. And others morale is real high because they like the work.

In June, the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge 9  Franklin Countys police union branch  sued the city of Whitehall over Ortegas firing but voluntarily retracted the case on July 8. In his presentation to City Council, Crispen also accused the FOP of misconduct and alleged that local FOP president Brian Steel lied about the vote of no confidence.

Ohio Statehouse leaders address Springfield claims

If all your employees came in, and you had a handful of them who werent doing their jobs so you made them work harder to do their job so they all got together and wrote a letter and said, We have a representative here that says we have no confidence in you, what would you likely say? Crispen asked. Well, good, now get to work. Thats what you would likely say.

In August, Bivens said he would not conduct an investigation into the police department alone because he said he had doubts about the surveys accuracy.

Crispen also accused other officers of breaking the law, saying several officers who have spoken against him have misbehaved and alleged those who disagreed with his policies would rather be sitting behind Kroger and watching social media. He held the same stance when he spoke on Ortegas firing a few months ago, and maintained in his presentation that Ortega was fired for unprofessional conduct.

Public safety and the ability to ensure good behavior by employees far outweighs the unions feelings or strategies, Crispen said.

Ortega and the FOP maintain their position that the former was fired unjustly. Ortega was sworn in as an officer at Mifflin Township last week. In a post on Facebook, he said he is excited to work for his new department and thanked the Whitehall community for support.

Hey Dude fined by feds, refunds on the way

I am excited to be working for an agency that wants me, encourages me to continue to refine and develop my skills, Ortega wrote. This new chapter does not mean that my fight is over with, it means that the stress of providing for my family has been relieved.

Councilmembers said they have spoken with Crispen at length and thanked him for his hard work. Some councilmembers circled back to the discussion at the end of the meeting, thanking him once more or saying they had a lot to think about following the presentation and independent meetings with the chief.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
In Latino exile communities across the US, a question is being asked: is Kamala Harris really a communist?

The vice-president has been the subject of numerous misleading claims that she is a socialist or communist since becoming the Democratic candidate for president, according to the USs largest Spanish-language fact-checker Factchequeado.

Experts say these claims capitalise on genuine fears held by some voters who fled repression in countries like Cuba and Venezuela.

In one viral video, Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz appear to pose for a selfie in front of a sign for Revolutionary Communists of America, a far-left group.

The video is fake. The background was doctored by a group of Donald Trumps supporters known as the Dilley Meme Team.

Their original post had more than 420,000 views, but it was shared by many Spanish accounts - and repeated offline.

Its everywhere, this doubt: Is this person a communist? Evelyn Perez-Verdia, a cultural context strategist from south Florida, told the BBC.

She was listening to the Spanish-language radio station La Nueva Poderosa in Miami when she heard the hosts discussing the false meme.

Did you see them standing in front of that picture? They have no shame in who they are, the hosts said.

She contacted the station to express concern. The hosts later said on air that they wanted to clarify the story was not true but that doesnt take away from the reality that Kamala is a Marxist.

'Genuine fears' being weaponised

There are nearly 36.2 million eligible Latino voters in America, about 14.7% of the US electorate, and many live in key swing states like Nevada and Arizona, which makes them a coveted demographic for both campaigns.

They are by no means a homogeneous voting demographic, but historically, Latinos have tended to favour the Democrats. In 2020, 44% voted for Joe Biden, with only 16% voting for Trump. But polls suggest Republicans have gained ground this election cycle, with many factors cited including the economy, immigration, and abortion rights.

And for some immigrants, concerns about America today reflect their past experiences in their home countries.

Political messages warning about socialism or communism have been particularly prevalent in communities with large Cuban and Venezuelan populations, like in south Florida, experts noted.

These expats are especially vulnerable to misinformation about communism because of the trauma they experienced fleeing repression, said Samantha Barrios, a Venezuelan-American based in Miami, Florida, who votes Democrat.

She accused right-leaning Spanish media of using these terms to scare Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans because of the main reason that we left our countries, trying to leave these regimes.

For some, their criticism of the Democrats is grounded in opinions that the US government has not provided a tough enough response to political repression in Cuba or Venezuela.

But Ms Barrio is wary of the way these legitimate concerns are being weaponised through false claims that Kamala Harris herself is a communist.

Ms Perez-Verdia agrees, but she also criticised the Democrat campaign for not doing enough to address their concerns.

Dont laugh off peoples fears. Its really disrespectful. People have genuine fears, they came to the United States, they left everything behind. If they have doubts you should address their doubts.

Debate fuels 'communist' claims

Not all claims exclusively target Latinos, said the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA), which monitors more than 1,300 WhatsApp groups and more than 200 Telegram channels in Spanish and Portuguese.

And notable right-wing and pro-Trump actors and influencers have pushed a fear of socialism since 2020, the organisation found.

But while Joe Biden was accused of being a communist when he ran for president, Factchequeados founder, Laura Zommer, said their fact checkers had never seen this volume of AI and doctored images before.

Some of this misinformation has been spread by Trump himself, or his high-profile supporters.

Elon Musk, who has endorsed Trump, posted a faked image of Kamala Harris in a red uniform emblazoned with the communist hammer and sickle, captioned Kamala vows to be a communist dictator on day one. Can you believe she wears that outfit!?

It had more than 83.9 million views. A reverse image search suggests this was the earliest posting of the image on X.

Donald Trump shared an AI image of Harris addressing a communist crowd that had at least 81.5 million views on X, but it was not the first posting of this image.

Posts linking Harris to communism really took off online after the presidential debate, according a report by the DDIA prepared for the BBC.

During the debate, Donald Trump called Kamala Harris and her father a Marxist and suggested she would turn the US into Venezuela on steroids through her immigration policies.

After the debate, Marxista trended on social media and searches for "Marxist" on Google in the US jumped 1000% in 17 hours.

Factchequeado said the most searched question in Spanish after the debate was: "Who is Kamala Harriss father?"

BBC Verify traced the membership card image to a website which allows people to make fake communist party documents [X]

The DDIA said two claims especially gained traction in the week after the presidential debate. In one, a fabricated document falsely claiming Kamala Harris is a member of the Russian communist party went viral, according to Metas own metrics. Another claim, that Harris is Kamarada [Comrade] Kamala, arose from a Trump speech in which he portrays her as a communist comrade.

BBC Verify traced the membership card image to a website which allows people to make fake communist party documents.

The membership number, stamp and other details on the card were identical to a template on the site for making a party membership card.

Posts sharing the fake image, which was first shared in August, have been viewed more than half a million times.

'We'll slide into communism'

Republicans have been gaining ground with Latino voters in recent years [Getty Images]

The Democratic Party is not a socialist party, nor does it claim to support communist regimes. But some high-profile members like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have described their political views as democratic socialist.

When she was a California senator, Harris co-sponsored Sanders Medicare for All bill, which would have brought a single-payer health care system to the US. She has since said she no longer supports a single-payer health-care system, which would have abolished private insurers.

She has never advocated for communist policies, such as the abolition or seizure of private property.

Kamala Harriss plan to crackdown on price gouging at supermarkets has been cited in Spanish social media posts as communist. Mr Musk claimed it would mean empty shelves, just like in Venezuela.

Her proposal, which would involve asking the trade commission to investigate price spikes far above the increase in the cost of production, is a far cry from the widespread price controls seen in Cuba and Venezuela that were in part blamed for severe food shortages.

But for some voters who fled those countries, their fear lies in anything they feel remotely resembles policies from the countries they came from.

Duke Machado, who runs a Latino Republican Facebook page from Texas called Latino Strikeforce, said he fears that if the Democrats win, the country would be on a slippery slope to communism.

If were not careful, well slide into Cuba and Venezuela. Their ultimate goal is to destroy capitalism."

When asked if it was responsible to share fears that the Democrats could turn the US into a communist country with his followers, including Latino exiles who had fled repression, he said: Its not irresponsible at all. I see it as a duty.

With additional reporting by Kayleen Devlin from BBC Verify

[BBC]

More on the US election

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Why Hezbollah wont fire its most advanced missiles at Israel  yet

Hezbollahs precision-guided missiles, like the Fateh 110 with a range of 300km, come from Iran - Mohsen Shandiz/Getty Images

It might be foolhardy to poke the Russian bear, but poking the Lebanese one seems to be a different matter.

Hezbollah is almost unquestionably the worlds most formidable non-state fighting force. Its military capability exceeds that of the armies of many Middle Eastern states, Lebanon among them. Its vast arsenal includes guided missiles that could hit any Israeli city.

Yet the groups response to days of provocation has been pretty tepid so far.

Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, had repeatedly warned Israel that any airstrikes on its strongholds in southern Beirut would be met with a salvo of rocket strikes on Tel Aviv.

In the past two months, Israel has twice bombed the Lebanese capital, killing some of Nasrallahs most experienced battlefield commanders. Last week, thousands of Hezbollahs rank-and-file were incapacitated in synchronised attacks on the groups pagers and walkie-talkie radios.

Hezbollahs response has not quite been to bend over and ask for more.

Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, has repeatedly warned Israel over airstrikes - Al-Manar/AFP/Getty Images

This weekend, it unleashed its most ferocious cross-border rocket salvo since it began firing into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas last October.

The barrage followed with a declaration that Hezbollah is now in an open-ended battle of reckoning with Israel.

But the group has deliberately not targeted Israeli population centres, nor has it deployed its most sophisticated weaponry. It has spoken menacingly but vaguely about retaliation at an unspecified time in the future.

This is well short of a full-scale declaration of war, that some of its fighters are itching for  so why the coyness?

The most obvious answer is that Iran is restraining the group. Hezbollah is Tehrans most powerful proxy force in the Middle East. Its precision-guided missiles, like the Fateh 110 with a range of 300km, and its attack drones come from Iran.

The Iranian regime, however, regards Hezbollah as its insurance policy if Israel attacks its nuclear programme. The more missiles Hezbollah fires, the more Irans deterrent is eroded. The group has to sing to its paymasters tune.

But Hezbollahs leadership is also reluctant to escalate the conflict too far for reasons of its own.

Some of those are to do with domestic opinion, said Kassem Kassir, a Lebanese commentator with close links to Hezbollah and inside knowledge into its thinking. The other reasons concern the groups fears that embracing war would be to walk into a trap laid by Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister.

There are two things to take into consideration, Mr Kassir told The Telegraph. The first is internal. Hezbollah knows that Lebanon is divided and so does not want to take the country into a war that some do not want.

The other is that Hezbollah knows Netanyahu is trying to draw it into an all-out war in the hope of drawing the United States into the conflict.

Hezbollah knows that if it fell for this, any war would not just be with Israel but also with Israels western backers, he added.

Hezbollah members march during the funeral of comrades killed in a recent Israeli strike in Beirut - Bilal Hussein/AP

Hezbollah is much better equipped than it was in 2006 when its forces fought Israels to a standstill in a bloody 34-day confrontation in southern Lebanon.

During that conflict, the group had just 15,000 mostly unguided rockets, firing off just 4,000 of them.

But even though it now has an arsenal 10 times greater in number and far more potent, Mr Kassir said Hezbollah would far rather engage Israel in a longer low-level conflict that weakens its resolve rather than blow its full firepower in a single confrontation it probably cannot win.

Weakening Israel through an attritional, drawn out confrontation is, in my opinion, the strategy Hezbollah prefers, he said.

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UPDATE (Sept. 24, 2024, 3:07 p.m. ET): On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan granted special counsel Jack Smiths motion to file an oversized brief on presidential immunity.

Special counsel Jack Smith wants to file an oversized motion in Donald Trumps federal election interference prosecution. Its the sort of request that might be unremarkable in a typical case, but Trumps opposition to it underscores its significance.

Smiths request came in a court filing Saturday to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, whos presiding over Trumps Washington, D.C., criminal case and now faces the complex task of figuring out what the Supreme Court meant in its July ruling granting broad criminal immunity to the Republican presidential nominee. The Republican-appointed high court majority told Chutkan she must determine in the first instance which of Trumps alleged actions are immune from prosecution under the new immunity test.

The July 1 decision grants absolute immunity for core presidential acts, presumptive immunity for all other official acts, and no immunity for unofficial acts. The vague nature of the ruling makes it difficult to apply. And whatever Chutkan decides, the justices will have the chance to review her work before any trial can go forward. If Trump wins the coming presidential election, he will be empowered to dismiss the federal case, which would legally moot the issue of whether the government overstepped in charging him for his alleged criminal efforts to subvert the last presidential election.

After the justices sent the case back to her following the immunity ruling, Chutkan set a scheduling order for how theyll proceed. Among the dates on her order is one telling Smith to file an Opening Brief on Presidential Immunity by September 26, 2024  thats this coming Thursday.

Explaining his reasoning for wanting 180 pages instead of the typical 45, Smith pointed to the Supreme Court ruling itself. In that ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts majority opinion explained that the analysis is necessarily factbound. The special counsels team wrote to Chutkan that, because whatever she decides faces exacting appellate review  that is, another round of scrutiny by the justices  it is essential that the Court [Chutkan] ensure that the record in support of its determinations is complete.

Smiths filing notes that Trump opposes the request. Chutkan gave the former presidents team until Monday at 5 p.m. ET to explain his opposition. Well see what it says. But Smiths filing suggests that, whatever issue Trump has with a longer-than-usual motion arguing why his alleged actions arent immune from prosecution, he should take it up with the Supreme Court ruling that said a detailed analysis is required.

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This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
What a difference eight years makes, especially at his age. Donald Trump is holding way fewer rallies than he did during his previous presidential runs, in part because hes older and enjoys staying in at Mar-a-Lago, Axios reports.

The former president did 72 rallies in the summer leading up to the 2016 election, barn-burning events that demonstrated Americans enthusiasm about his bid. This summer, he did 24, just over a third as many.

According to people on Trumps team, besides his inclination to remain at his resort, voters already know who the former president is, so theres less need for him to introduce himself to live audiences. Rallies are also costly, and his campaign is trying to budget carefully as his fundraising lags behind that of Kamala Harris.

The rally tally was likely also impacted by the assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania, earlier this summer. After he was shot in July, he spent about a month avoiding outdoor rallies. When he does them now, he appears behind bulletproof glass.

"President Trumps signature rallies remain a staple of his efforts on the campaign trail," Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Axios.

Indeed, the campaign plans to ramp up rallies as November approaches. In 2016, Trump did nearly 70 rallies over the weeks ahead of Election Day, and nearly as many amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Sometimes, he would do five per day.

The former president does have a packed schedule this week traversing the battleground states. On Monday night, hes scheduled to hold a rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He will speak about the tax code and U.S. manufacturing in Savannah, Georgia, on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he's scheduled to deliver a speech in Mint Hill, North Carolinaalmost certainly without the states gubernatorial candidate, Mark Robinson, until recently a close Trump ally, whose campaign has imploded over his black NAZI and porn revelations. Trump ends the week with a speech in Walker, Michigan.

Trump is also doing a bevy of non-rally events this year, Leavitt noted. He often does work-from-home TV and podcast appearances, as well as press conferences. In total, he and running mate JD Vance have done more than 70 such events, plus additional sit-downs with conservative commentators, while Harris and her running mate have done only a handful.

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Donald Trumps cozy relations with Middle Eastern leaders are causing him to bleed support.

The backlash began after the Republican presidential nominee took to Truth Social Sunday to share some of the details of his recent caucus with foreign heads of state at Mar-a-Lago, reported RawStory.

It was great seeing my friends His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar and His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump wrote.

The Amir has proven to be a great and powerful leader of his country, advancing on all levels at record speed, he continued. He is someone also who strongly wants peace in the Middle East, and all over the world. We had a great relationship during my years in the White House, and it will be even stronger this time around!

But Trumps MAGA followers werent appreciative of his buddy-buddy relations with the Middle Eastern rulers, whom some critics pinned as antisemitic for their countrys positions against Israel.

Come on President Trump. We luv ya, but I dont think the hostages and families are thrilled about Qatar hosting the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist freaks! wrote one user who identified as a constitutional conservative.

Other users questioned why Trump would be spending one-on-one time with supposed opponents to the Jewish state when there were still hostages in Gaza. Qatar has been hosting the unsuccessful negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Qatar? Are funding and housing Hamas leaders, WTF are you doing, wrote another Truth Social user. You can meet with the devil, but you dont bargain with him in your home!

But other users saw the far-right revelation as an early predictor for November, suggesting that such relationships could cost Trump the race.

Hey Don. You should really start watching your mouth. Its going to cost you the presidency, wrote another user on Sunday.
Walmart logo. - Credit: Betul Abali/Anadolu/Getty Images/

Walmart has removed a pair of T-shirts for the infamous white-power group Skrewdriver that were on sale on the companys website via third-party retailers.

At least two shirts were available; one emblazoned with an illustration of a raised white fist on a black background and the words White Power beneath Skrewdrivers name. Another featured the cover art for Skrewdrivers Boots and Braces, a 1987 album that later turned into a compilation with another record called Voice of Britain (both album titles appeared on the shirt).

More from Rolling Stone

Based on screengrabs of the listings taken by Rolling Stone Monday morning (Sept. 23), it appears that two different third-party retailers were selling the shirts. The listings, which have now been deleted, also appeared to garner some attention on Reddit over the weekend but had not been widely reported on.

A spokesperson for Walmart told Rolling Stone, Like major online retailers, we operate an online marketplace that allows outside third-party sellers to offer merchandise to customers through our eCommerce platform. This item was listed by a third-party seller and was removed because it did not comply with our standards and policies.

Walmarts rules for third-party retailers preclude the sale of a variety of goods, from alcohol and precious metals to funeral products and vapes. The company also prohibits the sale of items that may violate its Offensive Content policy, including goods that promote intolerance, hate, humiliation or the mistreatment of others due to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, body image or similar characteristics. Under this umbrella, the policy specifically cites: Items, media, or propaganda associated with Nazism, white supremacy, or any other hate groups which promote prejudice or bigotry.

Skrewdriver was first active as a skinhead/Oi! band in the Seventies and became an explicitly white nationalist, neo-Nazi group after frontman Ian Stuart Donaldson resurrected the group in the Eighties (Donaldson died in 1993). Skrewdriver was part of the Rock Against Communism movement, which staged white-power concerts across the U.K. Their music is unavailable on most major commercial platforms.

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'Wicked high tide:' Days of coastal flooding in Northeast not over yet

A coastal storm has been lurking off the East Coast of the United States for five days, contributing to persistent coastal flooding, rip currents and rough surf from North Carolina to Maine.

Boston Harbor rose to minor flooding stage at the National Weather Service (NWS) tidal gauge for each high tide between Thursday and Sunday afternoon. The peak on Saturday afternoon put local businesses and roads underwater, as videos showed.

A local environmental group in Boston, Stone Living Lab, posted signs in the water directing onlookers to its website, which said, "Wicked High Tides are back! These annual tides are 2-4 feet higher than normal and give us a window into how sea level rise will soon affect our daily lives."

An NWS tidal gauge on the Chesapeake Bay at Bishop's Head, Maryland, rose into major flooding stage Sunday, hitting 4.41 feet, tying the fifth-highest level at that location, recorded on Dec. 22, 2022. The station has records that date back to 2005.

Boston, MA - September 20: A waiter at Chart House uses a garbage bag to protect against floodwaters. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

"The storm off the New England coast brought persistent onshore winds along a large swath of the Eastern Seaboard, bringing dangerously large surf that resulted in extensive beach erosion in some areas, Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Regional Expert, explained.

Coastal flooding and beach erosion were exacerbated by high astronomical tide cycles, called "King Tides," following the full supermoon last week.

Similar risks will continue along area beaches from New England to the Outer Banks of North Carolina through midweek as an onshore flow persists.

Although the coastal storm has weakened and will continue to shift south over the next few days, gusty onshore winds will persist, and there can continue to be episodes of coastal flooding, especially at high tide.

As of Monday morning, a total of 16 National Weather Service tidal gauges were forecast to rise into moderate flooding conditions early this week.
Defunct Nashville-based teledental company SmileDirectClub lost its appeal against NBC News in a high-profile defamation lawsuit Thursday that tested the mettle of a recent Tennessee law strengthening First Amendment rights.

SmileDirectClub accused NBC Universal Media of publishing over 40 false and misleading claims about the company in a scathing article published in February 2020, and sought $2.85 billion in damages.

But a judge dismissed the lawsuit in December 2021 under the 2019 Tennessee Public Participation Act, which is an expansion of the states anti-SLAPP law  or strategic lawsuits against public participation, a term applied to civil suits that are determined to be a direct result of the defendant exercising their First Amendment rights. NBC had filed a petition under the 2019 law.

These lawsuits, often referred to as SLAPP suits, are common methods of silencing criticism and preventing people from exercising their First Amendment rights through baseless and expensive legal proceedings.

Measures against SLAPP suits, strengthened formidably by the 2019 law, allow judges to dispose of cases earlier in the legal process before litigation drags on in the courts and the costs, often imposed by incredibly wealthy plaintiffs, mount to such extremes that defendants cannot pay.

However, in February 2023, lawyers for SmileDirectClub appealed the decision before the Tennessee Court of Appeals, continuing to accuse NBC of defamation as well as questioning the constitutionality of the anti-SLAPP law  the first major test of the 5-year-old state law.

But the appeals court ruled Thursday that while the teledental company did provide some convincing evidence that two statements quoted by NBC were false, the evidence does not prove that NBC acted with malice or intentional falsity.

Considering the evidence in a light most favorable to the plaintiffs and disregarding all countervailing evidence, we have determined that the plaintiffs presented prima facie evidence of falsity to support some of their claims but failed to produce clear and convincing evidence of actual malice, the decision stated. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Actual malice is a standard legal requirements of defamation lawsuits that requires that a rational jury could clearly and convincingly find that defendants made statements with knowledge of their falsity or reckless disregard.

The court also ruled that the 2019 anti-SLAPP law is indeed constitutional, refuting a number of claims made by SmileDirectClub claiming the opposite.

The company, which went bankrupt in 2023, will be required to pay the attorneys fees for NBC.

Lawyers for both parties have not responded to requests for comment.

Tennessee is one of few states across the nation with formidable anti-SLAPP laws. According to the Institute for Free Speech's annual anti-SLAPP report card, which looks at developments in anti-SLAPP protections across the country, Tennessee is 12th best in the nation for anti-SLAPP protections  one of only 17 states with an "A" rating on the subject.

A similar lawsuit was dismissed under the law by a Davidson County judge in December 2023, after former Metro Council member Dave Rosenberg was the subject of a defamation lawsuit filed by former Tennessee House candidate Michelle Foreman.

Rosenberg was awarded $100,000 in sanctions after the lawsuit was dismissed and determined to be a SLAPP suit  the largest sanction ever awarded under the state law.

Nashville attorney Daniel Horwitz, who was representing Rosenberg at the time, said the ruling was a warning for future litigants.

This historic order should serve as a warning to other politicians who would abuse the litigation process to threaten critics: Filing SLAPP suits will be financially devastating," he said.

The USA TODAY Network - Tennessee's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 931-623-9485, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: SmileDirectClub loses appeal against NBC in win for free speech in Tennessee
An Alabama state representative had a protective order filed against him Friday after allegedly making violent threats against another person.

The petition for protection from abuse attached to the order in the filing in the Circuit Court of Marion County said that Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, verbally threatened the recipient of the order for two hours. The person said she was afraid she would be seriously injured, and that Estes threatened to hurt her.

Alabama Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, represents House District 17 in the Alabama Legislature.

A message was left at a number listed in Estes campaign filings. No attorneys for either party were listed in online records early Saturday afternoon.

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said in a statement Saturday via spokesperson that he is aware of the situation and he has confidence that our justice system will determine an appropriate course of action.

Alabamians deserve the very best from their elected officials, and its my expectation that House members are beyond reproach in both their professional and personal lives, he wrote.

Estes was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. He previously served on the Marion County Board of Education. according to Ballotpedia.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama State Rep. Tracy Estes of Winfield accused of violent threats
By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI (Reuters) - President Joe Biden will host the United Arab Emirates president on Monday for a visit set to include White House talks on the Gulf state's plans for artificial intelligence, an ambitious effort also drawing interest from U.S. geopolitical rival China.

The UAE, a wealthy oil producer and longtime security partner of the U.S., is hoping for greater access to American technology to build its own advanced tech industry.

G42, the state-backed technology company, has already secured a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft, partnered with chipmaker Nvidia and is using supercomputers built by Cerebras Systems.

But the U.S. has been concerned about the UAE's warm relationship with China and placed restrictions on exports of some American technology to the UAE and other Middle Eastern states over concerns that it could be shared with Beijing.

Under pressure from the Biden administration, G42 this year began ripping out Chinese hardware it was using and sold off Chinese investment so it could work more closely with American firms. That preceded the $1.5 billion Microsoft investment.

"We cannot let this sort of wave of technological breakthroughs pass by us and not be somehow in partnership with it," Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE's president told journalists on Thursday ahead of the White House visit.

The White House has said Biden and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss areas of deepening cooperation like advanced technology, artificial intelligence, investments and space exploration.

It will be the first time a UAE president visits the White House, although Sheikh Mohamed, as crown prince of Abu Dhabi, visited the White House in 2015 to meet President Barack Obama and in 2017 to meet President Donald Trump. Sheikh Mohamed met President Biden in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2022.

The UAE president is also due to meet Vice President Kamala Harris and leaders from the American business community.

AI AMBITIONS

The UAE is pouring billions of dollars into artificial intelligence, which has included the development of Arabic and Hindi language chatbot applications similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Emirati officials believe the Gulf state's bet on artificial intelligence will strengthen its international clout by making it a key economic actor long after demand for oil has dried up.

"We are in a position to be a pivotal country in this new information and technology age," said Faisal Al Bannai, Sheikh Mohamed's adviser on strategic research and advanced technology.

Story continues

"We think we have the ingredients to build AI that can compete globally," he told Reuters in a July interview.

Emirati officials also argue the UAE must have control over its own AI and develop its own, globally-competitive technology so that it could guarantee no outside actor could shut down the technology, harm its performance or alter its algorithms.

"The last thing we want to be in, is in the future as a nation, someone telling us well, you will get the latest version or you will not get the latest version," Al Bannai said.

Although U.S. officials are wary of the UAE's relationship with China, some believe artificial intelligence and fostering closer U.S.-UAE technology ties is one area where Washington could drive a wedge between Abu Dhabi and Beijing.

The UAE's Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan Al Olama has acknowledged that there is a need for greater alignment and engagement between the UAE and the U.S.

CHINA SEEKS AI PARTNERSHIP WITH UAE

"There is the willingness for us to engage," he said in a June interview, adding that Abu Dhabi was fully committed to being a long term strategic technology partner with Washington.

"We haven't been shying away from our ambitions but we're going to do it in the right way. We're going to do it through partnership. We're going to do it through transparency."

China also sees the UAE as a long-term technology partner.

During a visit to Beijing in May by Sheikh Mohamed, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the two countries to strengthen artificial intelligence cooperation.

Chinese AI companies SenseTime, sanctioned by the U.S. which has said it has links to China's military industrial complex, and Terminus Group, both developers of facial recognition technology, are also working in the UAE.

Terminus Group's Chief Scientist Ling Shao, who previously worked for G42, said there were many opportunities in the UAE.

But while the U.S. government may have reservations about the UAE's pursuit of AI and ties with China, what is crucial for American industry is that the UAE has both the financial resources to fund expensive artificial intelligence research and a government committed to advancing its development.

"They're among the leaders today and they're on a path to be at the very top," Cerebras CEO Andrew Feldman said in July.

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell with additional reporting by Federico Maccioni; Writing by Alexander Cornwell and Andrew Mills, Editing by William Maclean)
Corey DeAngelis speaking with attendees at the 2022 Hazlitt Summit hosted by the Young Americans for Liberty Foundation Orlando Florida

Corey DeAngelis, a conservative education reform advocate who has espoused anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, has been exposed for his past involvement in gay adult films. The revelation has triggered widespread accusations of hypocrisy online, given DeAngelis long-standing public stance against LGBTQ + rights and inclusion.



Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

DeAngelis, a self-described school choice evangelist, is a senior fellow at the American Federation for Children and a frequent Fox News contributor, though the organization has scrubbed its website of DeAngelis. His career has primarily focused on promoting school choice and criticizing public education for allegedly indoctrinating children with woke ideologies, including support for LGBTQ+ rights. However, it has now emerged that as recently as 2014, DeAngelis performed in gay adult films under the pseudonym Seth Rose, including a scene in which he won a group masturbation contest.

The revelations, first reported by StraightUpGayPorn.com, have ignited a firestorm of criticism.

Matt Bernstein, a prominent LGBTQ+ activist, took to X (formerly Twitter ) to share the news, writing, just learned this anti-lgbtq school reform guy does gay porn, in a post that quickly went viral.

DeAngelis has gone silent on social media and has not responded to The Advocates requests for comment. The Advocate has not been able to independently confirm that DeAngelis is the person who appeared in the adult films, but The Advocate compared images and audio of DeAngelis with Rose. Our analysis of the clips suggests they are the same.



The Advocate contacted a representative of Blurred Media Inc., the parent company of the adult film studio that produced the content, but did not receive a response.

Before the adult film revelations, DeAngelis had carved out a prominent role within conservative circles as a leading advocate for school choice, a policy that allows parents to select the educational setting for their children rather than being limited to public schools in their district. School choice encompasses a range of mechanisms, including voucher programs that fund private school tuition, charter schools, education savings accounts, and tax-credit scholarships. However, critics, including public education advocates, have long argued that school choice diverts necessary funding from public schools, leaves disadvantaged students behind, and contributes to greater inequality in the education system.

DeAngelis is a senior fellow at multiple think tanks, including the Reason Foundation and the Cato Institute, and is the executive director of the Educational Freedom Institute. DeAngelis has regularly appeared on Fox News and other conservative media outlets, where he has railed against public schools for what he claims is an overemphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, including those that support LGBTQ+ students.

DeAngelis also courted controversy recently when he promoted a post by Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, which criticized the Biden-Harris administration for allegedly pushing woke ideologies in schools. Johnsons post included a graphic that claimed the Radical Lefts 2024 Weekly Lesson Plan for schools consisted of topics like Critical Race Theory, Drag Queen Story Hour, mandatory pronoun recognition, boys participating in girls sports, and pro-Hamas protests. DeAngelis quote-tweeted Johnsons message: Its time to pass the Educational Choice for Children Act. School choice defeats the woke mind virus.

 (@)

DeAngelis is scheduled to speak at a right-wing conference in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Sept. 29. The event, titled Rescue The Republic, will feature a lineup of anti-LGBTQ+ extremists, including Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice and other far-right figures such as Charlie Kirk, Jordan Peterson, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In a July 2023 appearance on Fox News, DeAngelis expressed outrage at the California superintendent of public instructions opposition to a school districts policy to out transgender students to their parents. Its really disgusting, DeAngelis said, We have some people here today in 2023 fighting to keep sexual secrets from parents when it comes to their own children. Its absolutely ridiculous. He praised the Chino Valley Unified School District board for informing parents, saying, Freedom can ring even in Communist California, a deep blue state.

During another Fox News appearance this year, DeAngelis criticized LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts, claiming they overshadowed basic education. Theyre focused more on the LGBTs than the ABCs, he said. They want to indoctrinate your kids, not educate them.

Around the country, the American Civil Liberties Union is tracking around 200 anti-LGBTQ+ education bills in 2024.

DeAngelis is not the only conservative figure facing recent accusations of hypocrisy. Last week, Mark Robinson, the Republican lieutenant governor of North Carolina and gubernatorial candidate, made headlines after it was revealed that he previously called himself a Black Nazi and admitted to enjoying transgender pornography, despite his long history of anti-transgender rhetoric. Robinson has also been accused of promoting Holocaust denial and expressing support for reinstating slavery.

GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis highlighted DeAngeliss hypocrisy in a statement to The Advocate.

Corey DeAngelis is yet another public figure whose anti-LGBTQ extremism already makes him deeply unqualified to be an expert in improving safety and education at school, she said. The latest news on DeAngelis further reveals his baseless, hypocritical attempt to profiteer and score political points. DeAngelis is a sideshow charlatan. The real threat is from the people whove propped him up and their Project 2025 blueprint for a government takeover that would demolish the Department of Education and refuse to recognize rising LGBTQ visibility and acceptance across society.

Correction: A previous version of this article mistakenly listed 500 anti-LGBTQ+ education bills being tracked by the ACLU. The actual number is 200. This was made during the editing process. We apologize for the error.
MIAMISBURG, Ohio (WDTN)  A prominent Dayton company is looking to expand in southern Montgomery County.

Winsupply, a company which supplies materials for construction, announced Monday that it signed an agreement to purchase 38 acres of land at the corner of Byers and Lyons roads.

During the Sept. 17 city council meeting, Miamisburg Development Director Chris Fine detailed the city has received a request for a large distribution and warehouse facility at 490 Byers Road in Miamisburg. The city would have to rezone the site from highway service and office service zoning districts to special development district.

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Although Bill Tolliver, real estate services and in-house counsel at Winsupply, said the company does not currently possess a need for the property, he claims the time is now to act to try and obtain the property.

While we dont have an immediate need, Winsupply is preparing for the growing needs of our entrepreneurs who make up Winsupply, said Tolliver. We do not have a set timeline for construction on a potential facility. However, we need to ensure the city of Miamisburg favors our project before we close on the land purchase. This is why Winsupply needed to approach zoning now.

The Montgomery County Auditors Office reports the property was annexed in 1993. Online property records show the property was once sold in 1999 from General Motors Corporation. Fine said the site was once used as a training facility for General Motors/Delphi.

In 2018, Mall Park Properties, which also is listed as the property owner of Matt Castrucci properties near the Dayton Mall, purchased the land for $5 million.

The Miamisburg Planning Commission is expected to discuss the potential project during its Oct. 21 meeting, which will be open to the public.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
(WFRV)  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is urging Wisconsinites and visitors to think twice before giving invasive species or harmful hitchhikers a ride in their firewood this fall.

As October is National Firewood Awareness Month, help the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources prevent the spread of invasive pests and harmful insects by making smart firewood choices.

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Tree-killing hitchhikers often lurk on or inside firewood. These include the spongy moth, emerald ash borer, the fungus that causes oak wilt, and many other invasive insects and fungi.

Your firewood choices are important, and with good practice, you can help slow the spread of these tree-killing pests and diseases, said Mike Hillstrom, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resourcess Invasive Forest Insects Program Coordinator.

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When untreated firewood is transported away from the tree where it was harvested, those pests and fungi can later emerge to attack trees at the new location. This can happen whether that new location is in the next town or hundreds of miles away.

This fall, the risk of spreading spongy moths on firewood remains high. Although infestation rates in 2024 were not as high as the record-setting summer of 2023, many areas in the state still saw high caterpillar numbers. That means increased numbers of egg masses and an elevated risk of spreading those egg masses to less-infested areas through firewood.

Heres how you can help:

A state spongy moth quarantine prohibits the movement of firewood and other products that can carry spongy moth eggs to counties on and near Wisconsins western border or other states where the pest is not established.

Uncertified firewood from over 10 miles away is prohibited from entering state parks, state forests, or other Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources properties. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Firewood Rules and Resources webpage explains firewood regulations.

County, federal, and private campgrounds may have similar firewood restrictions. If you are moving firewood to or through tribal properties in Wisconsin, contact the tribe and follow its policy on allowable firewood.

The Dont Move Firewood website urges people to buy local, burn local. That means purchasing firewood for your camping trip on-site instead of bringing it from home or picking it up along the way.

Its also strongly recommended that campers leave any unused firewood behind. Hillstorm says, Its not worth bringing a pest home to infest your property.

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The same guidelines apply to those who use wood to heat their cabin or home.

Closer is better, added Hillstorm. You dont want to put the trees on your property at risk from hitchhiking insects or fungi.

However, the treatment-certified firewood by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection is safe and legal to take anywhere in the state.

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All staffed state parks and forests with campgrounds offer local firewood for sale, which is often available privately nearby.

To find local firewood sellers and vendors of certified firewood, visit the Firewood Scout website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
This story will be updated throughout the day on Monday.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The federal trial for three former Memphis Police officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols is moving into its third week.

After a morning delay for court motions, cross-examination of the officers former Scorpion Unit supervisor picked up where it left off last week.

Justin Smiths lawyer, Martin Zummach laid out how Lieutenant DeWayne Smith trusted Justin Smith, making him Scorpion Unit 1 team leader.

Zummach said his client was even the one who turned in another officer who slapped a handcuffed suspect.

The Lieutenant said Justin Smith was a hard worker and level-headed. He was also asked about his several interviews with the FBI, admitting they were uncomfortable because the FBI was looking at charging him.

They wanted to know why he met privately with his team after Nichols death, and why his report said there were no policy violations. That later changed when he saw the Skycop video.

They didnt need to hit him anymore, ex-Scorpion Unit supervisor testifies in Tyre Nichols federal trial

Smith said that he did not know about the Skycop camera footage until he saw it on the news after the incident, although he said he did not watch the video until he testified in front of the grand jury.

I turned it off. I was starting to learn what actually happened. I didnt want to see it, said Smith. It was surprising. They didnt need to hit him anymore.

Lieutenant DeWayne Smith testified on Friday that none of the five officers on the scene of Tyre Nichols beating informed him they had hit Nichols with a baton, punched him, kicked him, or struck him in the head. He said he was only told they had pepper sprayed and tased Nichols on the first scene.

Also on the stand, was a newer Scorpion Officer, Valandria McKinnie, who took the incident report the night of the beating.

Lieutenant DeWayne Smith informed the jury that Justin Smith wasnt even supposed to be at work the night of Nichols beating, and McKinnie confirmed that when the officers got back to the station on Jan. 7, Smith was seen limping.

Hed asked for the day off but was told to come in. Hed also sustained a knee injury from a recent arrest, so he was supposed to just be working in the office.

McKinnie also testified she reported exactly what the officers involved told her.

She added that Desmod Mills texted her a picture of Tyre Nichols from the scene. A picture she did not need, so she said she deleted it.

McKinnie admitted that things were left out of her report.

I dont know why I was picked to do all of this, McKinnie said. People drive by my house cause my name is associated with it.

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The next person called to the stand was Vashtye Logan, a family friend of Demetrius Haley.

She testified that on January 7, Haley texted her a photo of Tyre Nichols leaning against the car. She said that was odd because he had never sent her photos like that.

She said Haley asked her to delete the picture but she had already done so, because she didnt want it on her phone and didnt want to do this, what were doing right now.

Before being dismissed, she denied knowing Nichols and also denied having an intimate relationship with Haley.

The final witness of the day was Zayid Saleem, formerly a part of MPDs in-house counsel and currently a judicial commissioner.

He testified that officers are told that if they do not comply with the duty to intervene, they could be charged or lose their jobs.

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The jury was dismissed at 5:30 p.m. Cross-examinations will resume tomorrow morning.

As the trial continues, Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson says he will be at the Odell Horton Federal Building this entire week and next week to support Tyre Nichols mother, RowVaughn Wells, and the rest of the Nichols family during this time.

We owe them a debt of love and gratitude as a community and need to stand with them during this time just as we were after Mr. Tyre Nichols death, said Pearson.

Pearson said he hopes the trial will end with guilty verdicts for all three of the accused officers.

I hope for them all to be guilty, guilty, and guilty. What they did was heinous, horrible, and horrific. It was one of the most despicable crimes to be committed, particularly by people who are supposed to be caring about communities, he said.

Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith will stand trial over the next one to two weeks on charges of federal civil rights violations, conspiracy, and obstruction in connection to Tyre Nichols death in 2023.

All five suspects still face an upcoming murder case at the state level. Tyre Nichols family also has a $550 million lawsuit pending against Memphis Police and the City.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A 40-year-old woman and an eight-year-old girl have been found dead at a home in Greater Manchester.

Police said they were investigating the circumstances after the two bodies were found in South Radford Street, Salford.

Emergency services were called to the area at about 10:30 BST following reports of concerns for their welfare.

Greater Manchester Police said they were not actively looking for anyone else in relation to the investigation.

The force added that "all known next of kin" had been informed and were being supported by specialist officers.

Det Sup Simon Moyles said: We are working hard as a team to establish what happened here this morning.

While we are not actively looking for anyone else in relation to this investigation, I understand the news of their deaths and the large police and emergency services presence at the address will most likely cause some concern.

I want to reassure them that we believe this to be an isolated incident with no wider threat in the community."

'Ongoing investigation'

A cordon has been put in place along the street and officers were continuing to patrol in and around the area.

A Salford City Council representative said: We are aware of the terribly sad news this morning and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives.

"Were working closely with Greater Manchester Police and assisting them with their ongoing investigation.

"Our teams will be supporting both local residents and council staff who have no doubt been greatly affected by the events today.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

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BENTON, Ill.  A Pompano Beach, Florida, woman appeared in federal court on Monday to be sentenced after she admitted to scamming her grandmother living in Cahokia Heights out of more than $300,000.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Missouri said Tanya M. Aboseada, 39, lied to her grandmother on at least 12 different occasions between November 2021 and August 2022 and asked that she wire her money.

Aboseada told the court she needed money to transfer a truck title into her name, to cover money owed to the IRS, to pay attorney fees and fines for a car crash, and to pay the family of an alleged child she killed in a car accident to avoid jail time.

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Seniors are warned to avoid giving money to strangers who may be looking to take advantage of them, but its a different kind of deceit when criminals target their own elderly family members, U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe said.

All told, Aboseada scammed her grandmother out of exactly $317,049, prosecutors said.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Aboseada to three years in federal prison. Aboseada was also ordered to pay back the money and serve three years of supervised release.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Woman sentenced to 28 years in crash that killed 2 on Bayside Bridge

A St. Petersburg woman convicted in a DUI crash that killed her passenger and a motorcyclist will serve 25 years in prison.

A Pinellas judge on Friday sentenced Shanquia Zaneta Holte to 28 years in state prison, followed by two years of probation, closing an investigation into the fatal crash that occurred more than three years ago.

Holte has spent those three years in jail awaiting trial and will get credit for time served as part of her sentencing.

During Fridays hearing, prosecutors presented autopsy photos, recorded interviews and jail calls to argue that Holte should receive a sentence of 40 years. There were more attendees than seats inside the tense Pinellas County courtroom, and a bailiff ejected one relative after an argument broke out between Holtes family and victims relatives.

Holte, 32, sank down and hunched forward over the defense table when Judge Joseph Bulone read her sentence.

During jury selection for her trial in April, Holte changed her plea to guilty on all five charges: two counts each of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide and one count of driving under the influence.

Holte spoke briefly in court Friday and apologized to the families of both victims killed in the crash.

It was a good night that went bad, she said.

On Jan. 24, 2021, Holte drove a 2019 Nissan Altima across the median on the Bayside Bridge in Clearwater and collided with two vehicles, killing her passenger, Kristina Marie Afasano, 29, and a motorcycle rider, Thorney Ray Spell, 52, investigators said.

Matthew Barnhart was outside his home that night on 162nd Avenue playing cornhole with his 18-year-old son when he heard tires screeching.

He turned to see a car cornering at a high speed around a bend in the road. Then he heard the crash.

I heard it and I saw a glimpse of it. It all happened so fast, he told attorneys in a deposition.

Barnhart recalled jumping over a fence and running to the scene. He cracked open the passenger door, but not enough to free Afasano, who he said was twisted 180 degrees and struggling to breathe.

Half of her body was facing one way, the other half of her body was facing totally the opposite, he said. And the motorcycle driver was even worse.

Barnhart said he could tell immediately that the motorcyclist was dead and Holte was unconscious but OK, so he turned his attention to Afasano.

He called over construction workers who were tending to Spell, and together they pried open the Altimas passenger door with hammers from a nearby job site.

Thats when he noticed Holte crawling out of the drivers side, he said in the deposition. Barnhart helped her away from the car just as paramedics arrived.

She was concerned with her friend, he recalled. She kept asking me about her friend.

Prosecutors argued that Holte had no remorse for her actions that night.

Prosecutors pointed out that Holte, speaking during a recorded jail call, called Afasano a bug who Holte said she was using to get over a prior relationship.

Shes a manipulator, narcissistic, and she cares more about herself than she cares about what shes done in this case, Assistant State attorney Kathryn Spurlock said.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers determined Holte was driving south on the bridge when she lost control, crossed the median and struck two northbound vehicles  a Nissan Rogue and Spells 2018 Qipai motorcycle. Holtes Altima and the motorcycle came to rest in the tree line on the east side of the bridge. The Rogue spun across the median and came to rest in the southbound lanes.

An expert witness hired by Holtes lawyers to conduct crash reconstruction testified Holte struck the motorcycle while moving between 79 and 88 mph, according to court records. Prosecutors said Friday Holte had been driving at 105 mph prior to the crash.

Holte and Afasano were not wearing seatbelts, troopers said. Holte told investigators she had been drinking Hennessy on the rocks at a lounge north of the bridge and was feeling tipsy, according to an arrest report.

Corp. Tabarie Sullivan, the lead investigator on the case, testified that he found a bottle of Hennessey in Holtes car.

Holte had a blood alcohol level of .191, more than twice the legal limit for drivers of .08, according to arrest records.

When Sullivan first spoke with Holte in her hospital room at what was then called Bayfront Medical Center, he smelled alcohol on her breath. He conducted two interviews about 3 a.m. and Holte told him that she had smoked marijuana earlier that afternoon and still had two joints in the car, according to a recording played in court Friday. A drug test taken at the Pinellas County jail tested positive for marijuana.

Sullivan told Holte that Afasano, her passenger, had died.

She kept apologizing, the trooper said in a deposition.

Holte was treated for minor injuries at Bayfront and arrested seven hours after the crash.

Afasano suffered deadly brain injuries, a fractured chest and organ lacerations, while Spell received a fractured upper jaw and lacerations of his heart, lungs, liver and spleen, according to the doctor who performed their autopsies.

The 50-year-old Tampa woman driving the Rogue was not hurt.

Kimberly Johnson, who testified Friday she has known Holte since birth, called the crash a freak accident.

Prosecutors pounced.

You said this is an accident, but its not an accident, Spurlock said. Ms. Holt made a conscious decision to consume alcohol that day.

Afasanos mother, Florence Afasano, read a statement in court and said both women made a mistake when they got in the car after drinking.

My daughter wasnt a saint, but she was a good person, Florence Afasano said.

She is now raising her 15-year-old granddaughter, Zaniah, who she said misses her mother every day. Shortly after the crash, the family started a GoFundMe page to help with costs for raising Zaniah.

Lisa Spell, the wife of the motorcyclist killed in the crash, also read a statement during Fridays hearing and told Holte that she deserves the death penalty.

You are guilty, and Im here to see you get the max, Lisa Spell said. I hope you take your life while in prison.

Thorney Ray Spell was a veteran who grew up in Raleigh, N.C., his wife said. The couple lived in Holiday, not far from his daughter Alicia Hall in Brooksville, according to an obituary.

After Holte was fingerprinted and escorted out of the courtroom, Lisa Spell grappled with the sentence.

Its not enough, she said. None of this is going to bring my husband back, but it gives me closure, as she will be away for all those years.
MARION COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT)  A 54-year-old woman was sentenced on Friday on multiple charges, including embezzlement, in Mississippi.

According to 15th Circuit Court District Attorney Hal Kittrell, Joy Beth Harden was sentenced to serve 30 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). She was sentenced on charges of embezzlement by a public employee, alteration of records and embezzlement from an employer.

Marion County auto theft suspect arrested after fleeing into wooded area

Ten years of her sentenced has been suspended. She was also ordered to pay fines, fees, restitution to the victims and extradition expenses incurred by the Marion County Sheriffs Office in transporting Harden from a federal prison in Florida.

While working as a Marion County Deputy Circuit Clerk in Spring 2021, prosecutors said Harden altered records on several restitution payments received by her, converting the money to her own use. Later that same year, Harden was employed by Bug Me Pest Control, where she embezzled several thousand dollars.

Harden pled guilty in both cases earlier this month. Her pleas in Marion County Circuit Court shortly followed her 18-month sentence served in federal prison for healthcare fraud.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Two women charged with multiple misdemeanors for vandalizing the Ohio State Jewish student center in November have pleaded guilty.

According to the Columbus City Attorneys Office, the pair each pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree misdemeanor criminal trespass charge, after being accused of vandalizing the Ohio State Hillel Wexner Jewish Student Center on East 16th Street. The pleas come after Hillel officials requested a restorative justice plan for the individuals. Part of this plan included prosecuting attorneys dropping other charges of ethnic intimidation, theft and criminal mischief.

Police previously told NBC4 that two women entered the center on Nov. 9 and asked to look around, before one of the women went into a room and began taking Israeli flags. The suspects vandalized the flags and shouted out antisemitic threats. When confronted, the suspects allegedly yelled obscenities and said, You support genocide. Free Palestine, before leaving in a car driven by a man.

View a previous report in the video player below.

Stabbing at bus stop causes some Hilliard schools to close and lock down Monday

As part of the plea offer, the defendants participated in hours-long listening and learning sessions with Jewish students from Hillel, attended a dinner with a local rabbi and enrolled in a workshop at the center. In addition, the women gave a talk about their experiences to Hillels board. Both defendants completed each of these requirements, according to the city attorneys office.

Vandalism at the OSU Hillel Wexner Jewish Center and an assault nearby were reported one day apart on OSUs campus. (NBC4)

The Columbus City Attorneys Office noted the two women accused of the hate crime are not students at Ohio State.

The incident occurred one day earlier and just north from where an assault was reported on campus, near East 15th Avenue and High Street. According to police, two students were approached by two men, who asked them their religion. The men then reportedly yelled anti-Semitic slurs and struck both students in the face before running away.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Gov. Laura Kelly speaks Sept. 19, 2024, at the at a Greater Kansas City Womens Political Caucus event. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Women candidates from Kansas and Missouri gathered Thursday at a Greater Kansas City Womens Political Caucus event in support of female power and personality in politics.

Gov. Laura Kelly, the keynote speaker, highlighted how she kept her femininity while running for office. She spoke of the advice she got on her campaign  how men told her that women should appear tough and strong while running for office.

Im sure of this one piece of advice: Dont try to be something youre not, Kelly said. In order to convince others you can do a certain job, youve got to show them that who you really are is exactly how you will do the job.

Kelly said women possess traits that make them valuable in office  traits like being good listeners, collaborative, creative problem solvers and able to juggle multiple tasks all at once.

You see, I believe the traits we as women come by naturally are exactly the traits that make for effective executive leaders, Kelly said.

Kelly is one of 12 women governors, eight of whom are Democrats. Kelly said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the women governors were in constant touch. She said the group of women Democratic governors are close  seeking advice from each other, celebrating each others wins and supporting each other in difficult times. This was showcased at the Democratic National Convention, when a video of the eight women went viral on TikTok.

While were really proud that there are 12 female governors, the last time I checked, there are 50 states, Kelly said. So do the math. Weve got some work to do. I believe we will prevail. I am so energized by the next generations of women coming after mine.

Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, a Democrat from Leawood, said that women have to prove more to themselves before they run for office. When Poskin was asked to run  after shed worked in higher education for 20 years, raised seven children, and held a membership in Mensa  she responded that she should get her law degree before running. After a few more asks, she was convinced to run.

People laughed at me, like, You have everything you need! You are so ready,  Poskin said. And as it turns out, you dont, of course, have to be a lawyer.

A 2023 Pew Research study found that the main reason women dont run for office is because they have to do more to prove themselves than men. Rep. Melissa Oropeza, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, doesnt believe a female candidate should have to prove herself on the basis of gender.

Is it on us to educate people in 2024? I think they have to do some soul searching on their own, and evaluation of their own beliefs, Oropeza said.

Every candidate at the event is an abortion rights advocate. Rep. Jo Ella Hoye, a two-term Democrat from Lenexa, said she originally ran to end gun violence.

But a lot of women candidates get told not to talk about guns and abortion, Hoye said. We know that those are two priority issues on voters minds. So keep talking, and keep winning.
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Household and Personal Care Stocks to Buy. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) stands against the other household and personal care stocks.

According to Grand View Research, the global market for beauty and personal care products is projected to increase at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2024 to 2030. The market was valued at $557.24 billion in 2023. Growing customer awareness of appearance is one of the main forces propelling market progress. In terms of type, in 2023 the conventional beauty and personal care market held the highest revenue share of 84.6%. Last year, the skincare segment brought in 33.7% of the total revenue from the beauty and personal care products market, while the market for haircare products is anticipated to expand between 2024 and 2030 at a CAGR of more than 8.1%. Regionally, the Asia Pacific beauty and personal care products market dominated the global market in 2023, accounting for 39.3% of total revenue, and is predicted to rise at a CAGR of approximately 9% from 2024 to 2030 as per the research.

Specifically, the market for personal care products in the United States was estimated to be around $73.17 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% between 2024 and 2030. The primary driver of the personal care products market's expansion in the United States is the country's aging population. The number of Americans 65 and older increased from 49.2 million in 2016 to 57.8 million in 2022, according to the US Census Bureau. In 2022, they made up 17.3% of the entire population. These individuals are primarily interested in healthcare products that help them retain a youthful appearance.

The purpose of regulations in the market for beauty and personal care goods is to guarantee product efficacy and consumer safety. Government organizations that regulate the industry, such as the European Commission in the European Union and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, set standards for product ingredients, labeling, and advertising.

On the other hand, Expert Market Research estimates that the global market for household care was valued at $106.40 billion in 2023. In order to reach a value of approximately $148.01 billion by 2032, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period of 2024-2032, according to the research. The market is being driven by a growing focus on cleanliness and health care, a growing popularity of washing machines, and the rising demand for household care goods like laundry detergents. In addition, the market's primary regions include Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

Story continues

According to Deloittes 2024 consumer products industry outlook, as growing prices hit their limit in an unstable economy, the consumer products industry is predicted to shift from price-taking strategies to concentrating on "profitable volume" in 2024. Businesses that have performed well recently have demonstrated increased revenue and improved return on assets (ROA) by striking a balance between pricing power, innovation, and supply chain efficiency. The profitable expansion will depend on increasing volume while improving the product mix and holding onto as much pricing power as is practical, as additional price increases will encounter resistance from both retailers and cost-conscious consumers.

Advantageous mergers and acquisitions, strategic innovation, targeted advertising, and precision revenue growth management will be important strategies. Improved supply chain management and operational effectiveness are also essential. The consumer product executives Deloitte surveyed are cautious about maintaining volume and margin expansion in a difficult geopolitical climate, even with a positive outlook. It will be up to leaders to manage new and developing rules like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, and generative AI.

Methodology:

We sifted through holdings of household and personal care ETFs and online rankings to form an initial list of 20 household and personal care stocks. Then we selected the 10 stocks that were the most popular among institutional investors. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q2 2024. We have used the stock's market cap as a tie-breaker in case two or more stocks have the same number of hedge funds invested.

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 newsletter's 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 supermarket shelf overflowing with a variety of fast-moving consumer goods.

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 21

Market capitalization as of September 12: $161.06 billion

Among the many household and personal care brands owned by Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL), one of the Biggest Cosmetics Brands in the World, are the well-known names Dove, Vaseline, and Magnum Ice Cream found in supermarkets and pharmacies. The company intends to spin off its ice cream business, which includes Ben & Jerry's and Magnum, by the end of 2025.

Compared to its rivals, Unilever is often more active when it comes to acquiring and selling companies businesses. The firm bought Seventh Generation, a line of eco-friendly cleaning goods, and the direct-to-consumer Dollar Shave Club in 2016. In 2022, it sold off its global tea business, which included Lipton , and is currently targeting acquisitions in the plant-based foods industry. Other recent noteworthy acquisitions include Horlicks, Paula's Choice, Liquid I.V., Garancia, and The Vegetarian Butcher.

Tens of billions of dollars are made by Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL), one of the major global companies in the cosmetics industry. Despite being a defensive stock for customers, it also benefits from significant funding that allows it to investigate cutting-edge cosmetic solutions.

In Q1 2024, the underlying sales of the Beauty & Wellbeing division increased by 7.4% YoY. The segment's volume grew 5.6% YoY, mostly as a result of Prestige Beauty and Health & Wellbeing experiencing double-digit growth. Despite a particularly strong prior year comparison, Personal Care growth was 4.8% YoY, with volume up 1.4% YoY.

Unilever and Accenture have extended their strategic alliance in an effort to streamline UL's digital core and use generative AI to increase productivity and business agility.

The firm's exceptional development prospects, which include an expected 4.6% organic CAGR from 2024-2027 and a 10% EPS CAGR from 2023-2026, are highlighted by Bank of America's twofold upgrading of UL to "Buy." The focus that it places on innovation and "power brands" in its strategy, along with the expectation that its Ice Cream division will be separated by 2025, will improve the company's focus on higher-growth categories, all of which serve to reinforce its market positioning. With a revised price target of 5,600p, there is a predicted 19% upside potential, suggesting that the current turnaround is gathering steam.

Ken Fisher's Fisher Asset Management is the largest shareholder in the firm, with 15,612,223 shares worth $858.52 million.

Overall UL ranks 9th on our list of the best household and personal care stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of UL 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 UL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
A satellite image shows the crater on the launchpad left by the nuclear-capable Sarmat RS-28 missile - Maxar Technologies/REUTERS

A Russian missile touted as the worlds deadliest weapon failed to launch for the fourth time on Saturday, exploding as it was being refuelled at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome 500 miles north of Moscow.

Satellite images showed that the nuclear-capable Sarmat RS-28 missile, nicknamed Satan-2, left a crater on the launchpad, with damage visible to surrounding roads and buildings.

The missile detonated in the silo, leaving a massive crater and destroying the test site, said MeNMyRC, an open-source investigation project.

Four fire engines photographed at the test site had been responding to a forest fire that was probably linked to the failed launch, the project added.

The Sarmat is a liquid-fuelled missile so this accident could have occurred separate from the actual launch activity, it said.

The failed launch happened a week after a member of Vladimir Putins security council warned that a Sarmat missile could strike the European Parliament in Strasbourg in under four minutes.

For your information, the flight time of the Sarmat missile to Strasbourg is three minutes 20 seconds, Vyacheslav Volodin said in response to an EU vote that recommended allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with Western missiles.

The Kremlin has declined to comment on the incident but Pavel Podvig, a senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Studies, agreed that a Sarmat missile had exploded before a test launch.

Looks like the Sarmat test was not quite successful, to put it mildly. Its a big crater, Mr Podvig said.

The Sarmat missile on its only know successful launch, in April 2022 - Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service/AP

The Sarmat is known to have had only one successful launch, in April 2022.

The Kremlin has promoted the Sarmat programme as its core nuclear missile, producing slick videos using computer-generated graphics showing it delivering death to hundreds of thousands of people on the other side of the world within minutes of being launched.

Vladimir Putin unveiled the missile in 2018 as a replacement for the smaller original Satan. It was intended to support his promise of nuclear war if his red lines were crossed, although analysts have said that these threats appear increasingly empty.

This is a sign that Russian manufacturing is seriously degrading, said Carl Bildt, a former Swedish prime minister and now co-chairman of the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank.

Designed as a heavy intercontinental missile, the Sarmat has a range of 11,100 miles and can carry up to 16 nuclear warheads.

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World leaders gather in NYC for UN General Assembly: What to know

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Dozens of world leaders have gathered in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly.

Here's what you need to know:

JUMP TO: ROAD CLOSURES | NYC TRAFFIC MAP | SECURITY | "PACT OF THE FUTURE" | BIGGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

Road closures

Starting Sunday, New Yorkers can expect road closures that will significantly affect traffic. Gridlock traffic will likely consume much of Midtown.

Streets affected include:

1st Avenue from 34th to 51st Streets

42nd Street from 2nd to 1st Avenue

Portions of 44th, 46th, and 48th Streets from 2nd to 1st Avenue

NYC traffic map

NYPD on security

While officials have confirmed there are no credible threats at this time, law enforcement remains on high alert to ensure the safety of foreign dignitaries, New Yorkers, and visitors.

Visible security measures, including canine units, aviation patrols, and water security, will be deployed throughout the city, particularly around the UN headquarters on First Avenue. However, many security tactics will remain behind the scenes, with diplomatic security personnel monitoring every move.

"This is the largest annual gathering of global leaders on the planet," said Patrick Freaney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Services New York Field Office. "Given the enormity of this event, the Department of Homeland Security has given it the designation of a national security event."

This year, protests over the Israel-Hamas war are an expected concern for the NYPD, who say that violence and vandalism will not be tolerated.

Authorities say the goal is to be ready for any and everything.

"Pact of the Future"

The U.N. General Assembly has approved a blueprint to bring the worlds increasingly divided nations together to tackle 21st-century challenges.

Those range from climate change and artificial intelligence to escalating conflicts and increasing inequality and poverty.

The 42-page "Pact of the Future" challenges leaders of the 193 U.N. member nations to turn promises into real actions that make a difference to the lives of the worlds more than 8 billion people.

The pact was adopted at the opening of the two-day "Summit of the Future" called by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He said the group was gathered to, as he put it, "bring multilateralism back from the brink."

This is the UN's biggest week of the year

A general view of hall during the first day of UN General Assembly's emergency special session on Palestine at United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States on September 17, 2024. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The summit is the prelude to this years high-level meeting, held every September. More than 130 presidents, prime ministers and monarchs are slated to speak along with dozens of ministers, and the issues from the summit are expected to dominate their speeches and private meetings, especially the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan and the growing possibility of a wider Mideast war.

"There is going to be a rather obvious gap between the Summit of the Future, with its focus on expanding international cooperation, and the reality that the U.N. is failing in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan," said Richard Gowan, U.N. director for the International Crisis Group. "Those three wars will be top topics of attention for most of the week."

One notable moment at Tuesdays opening assembly meeting: U.S. President Joe Bidens likely final major appearance on the world stage, a platform he has tread upon and reveled in for decades.

At the upcoming meetings, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters this week: "The most vulnerable around the world are counting on us to make progress, to make change, to bring about a sense of hope for them."

To meet the many global challenges, she said, the U.S. focus at the U.N. meetings will be on ending "the scourge of war." Roughly 2 billion people live in conflict-affected areas, she said.

Last September, the war in Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, took center stage at the U.N. global gathering. But as the first anniversary of Hamas deadly attack in southern Israel approaches on Oct. 7, the spotlight is certain to be on the war in Gaza and escalating violence across the Israeli-Lebanon border, which is now threatening to spread to the wider Middle East.

Iran supports both Hamas in Gaza and Lebanons Hezbollah militants. Its new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, will address world leaders on Tuesday afternoon. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to speak Thursday morning and Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday afternoon.

Zelenskyy will get the spotlight twice. He will speak Tuesday at a high-level meeting of the U.N. Security Council  called by the United States, France, Japan, Malta, South Korea and Britain  and will address the General Assembly on Wednesday morning.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Yellowstone National Parks famous geothermal pool named Morning Glory has reportedly changed color due to the volume of debris thrown in by visitors.

According to park historians and former employees, the once-jet blue water of the pool has been affected by coins, trash, and rocks that tourists have thrown in over the years.

We found tons, probably thousands of coins, former Yellowstone ranger Jeff Henry told Wyoming news outlet Cowboy State Daily. The main park road used to go right by Morning Glory, so that would account for some of the metal parts that looked like car parts chucked into the bottom of the pool.

According to the publication, the deep parts of the pool are now green and the edges of it have transitioned to yellow. As artifacts have continued to be thrown in the pool, this color change has also been due to the temperature of the water.

Hotter pools tend to be a brilliant blue, and cooler pools can be more colorful since bacteria can grow there, Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, said. At Morning Glory, the temperature cooled because people throwing objects in caused the conduit to become partially blocked, and the temperature went down, allowing different types of bacteria to grow.

The tradition of throwing things into the pool dates back to 1872, when the park first opened, according to Yellowstone National Park historian Alica Murphy. She claimed that tourists have always been known for throwing objects into the pool, hoping for either good luck or to prompt a geothermic event.

Morning Glory Pool in the Yellowstone Upper Geyser Basin of the United States (Getty Images)

People didnt understand the plumbing and how geysers worked, she told Cowboy State Daily. There were lots of ideas about, If we throw something into this pool, we might be able to make it erupt.

I think there was some trial and error and a misunderstanding of the damage they were doing.

Murphy added: Wishing wells are a time-honored tradition. Flip a coin into a wishing well and make a wish. There is something about a pool of water that gives humans a weird instinct to throw things into it.

However, Henry noted that he hasnt seen anywhere near as many coins in pools in recent years as he did at the beginning of his decades-long career.

The bottoms of the more accessible springs used to be paved with coins, but now its pretty rare to see anything thrown into the pools, he said.

He shared that throughout many of the pools at Yellowstone Park, hes seen fewer and fewer coins being thrown in there. I think people are much more respectful than they were in my early days. Its one way that values and behavior have changed over the years, he added.

According to the National Park Service, the Morning Glory Pool was named in the 1880s for its remarkable likeness to its namesake flower. As it has become a victim of vandalism, much of the debris thrown into it became embedded in the sides and vent of the spring, which reduced the water circulation and thus the water temperature.

However, natural changes may be cooling the water, with cool temperatures allowing orange-and yellow-colored bacteria to thrive. The average temperature of the pool is 159.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Morning Glory Pool is thought to have changed colour due to years of tourists tossing in coins and other objects into the crystal-clear waters (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Tourists have been blamed for ruining the beautiful blue colour of a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming by throwing coins and other objects into the water.

Morning Glory Pool, located in the Yellowstone Upper Geyser Basin in the United States, has attracted visitors ever since the national park was established in the late 1800s due to its crystal-clear blue colour.

The pool got its name because of its resemblance to the blue Morning Glory flower, but the spring hardly bears any similarities to the plant after years of slowly turning into a pit of orange-yellow rust-like colour with a green-hued centre.

The National Park Service (NPS) said that the pool became the victim of vandalism as it grew in popularity. Over the years, tourists have thrown coins, trash, rocks and logs into the water.

The debris that was tossed inside became embedded into the sides and vents of the spring, reducing its water circulation and its naturally hot water temperature.

Morning Glory Pool used to be clear blue in colour, as shown in this historic photo (National Park Service photo by Rentchler)

The orange and yellow-coloured bacteria thrive in the pool as a result of the cooler water, slowly eroding away at the brilliant blue that the pool was once known for.

The vandalism is thought to have started over a hundred years ago, along with other geysers and pools around Yellowstone that are filled with coins, handkerchiefs and other objects.

Former Yellowstone ranger and currency park caretaker Jeff Henry told the Cowboy State Daily that he and a team had carefully fished out hundreds of objects from the Morning Glory Pool as part of a restorative initiative in 1991.

Morning Glory Pool as it looked in 1993 (Getty Images)

We found tons, probably thousands of coins, he said. The main park road used to go right by Morning Glory, so that would account for some of the metal parts that looked like car parts chucked into the bottom of the pool.

There were a lot of rocks that didnt belong there, and I think we found some hats that probably had blown off peoples heads and landed in the pool. And they, wisely, didnt try to retrieve them.

While the objects have damaged the thermal levels of the pool, Henry said the NPS no longer makes thorough cleaning of the pools a priority due to its policy of preserving natural elements as they are if they have adapted to change.

What the Morning Glory Pool looks like today, after hundreds of years of objects being thrown into the thermal water, changing the type of bacteria grown (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Most of what was recovered from the Morning Glory Pool in the 1990s had been recently tossed, with anything thrown in a hundred years earlier having already embedded itself into the rock and sediment.

The NPS said that while vandalism has decreased in recent years, it still remains a problem. It asks any visitors who see vandalism occurring to report it to a park ranger. They also admit that natural changes could be cooling the water, too.

I dont see anywhere near as many coins in pools as I used to back in my early days in the park, Henry told the website. The bottoms of the more accessible springs used to be paved with coins, but now its pretty rare to see anything thrown into the pools.

United States national parks are no stranger to tourists causing damage. In June, two people were caught on social media smashing ancient and federally protected red rock formations in a national park in Nevada.

In August, three tourists faced fines and prison time for firing paintball guns inside Joshua Tree National Park in California.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
New Yorks first human case of EEE since 2015 has died

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10)  On September 20, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) identified its first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) since 2015 in Ulster County. On Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that person has died.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald has issued a Declaration of an Imminent Threat to Public Health for EEE. The declaration allows state resources to help support EEE prevention response by local health departments, including mosquito spraying efforts, from September 30 to November 30.

Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority, said Governor Hochul. Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took statewide action to help protect communities  and with todays declaration were making more State resources available to local departments to support their public health response. Weve been informed this patient has passed away from EEE, we extend our sympathies and our hearts go out to their family.

Experts said EEE in humans is rare. The disease can cause brain inflammation and is often deadly. Doctors recommend wearing long sleeves and insect repellent as well as removing standing water to reduce the mosquito population.

Mosquito repellent is being made available to state park visitors at park offices, visitor centers and campground offices. Signage is also being placed at parks and historic sites to raise awareness of EEE. Parks in affected areas may have limited hours and camping availability during peak mosquito activity.

In the Capital Region, the disease was recently found in two Emus in Renseelaer County, a horse in Washington County, and another horse in Saratoga County. There is no treatment for the virus.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Young and diverse. A look into the second largest racial, ethnic group in Utah

Young mariachi band members cheer during Sones de Mariachi en Utah, a mariachi competition in connection with Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

As National Hispanic Heritage Month has begun in Utah and around the country, a look at the Latino and Hispanic population shows a young and vibrant group. And perhaps more diverse than meets the eye.

The University of Utahs Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently released a fact sheet, Exploring Utahs Hispanic or Latino Groups: A Detailed Analysis. This analysis looked into the size, growth, age and specific demographics of the Latino and Hispanic population of Utah, finding that this population is younger than the rest of Utah.

Heidi Prior, a public policy analyst at the policy institute, was the primary author on the fact sheet. The information in the analysis came from the 2020 U.S. Census.

The largest purpose is just to provide a really thorough in-depth look at Utahs Hispanic and Latino population, Prior said. We have half a million Hispanic and Latino residents in the state. Thats 15% of our population. So its a really huge group of people that merits some attention and some research.

Utahs Latino and Hispanic population is the second largest racial or ethnic group in the state.

So when I think about the Hispanic population, I think of this fast growing group thats very diverse, coming from lots of different ethnic origins and countries, Prior said. I also think of a very young population.

Prior emphasized the fact that Utahs Hispanic and Latino population is so young. According to the fact sheet, Utahs median age is 31.3 years, while the median age of Utahs Hispanic population is 25.4 years.

Fewer than 1 in 20 Hispanic Utahns are age 65 or older but more than 1 in 8 non-Hispanic Utahns are over 65.

Youth under the age of 18 make up 35.8% of Utahs Hispanic population, while only 27.8% of Utahs non-Hispanic population are under 18.

We have a young population to begin with, and then our Hispanic population is even younger, Prior said.

What else does the fact sheet tell us about Utahs Hispanic population?

Hispanic Utahns make up more than 15% of the states total population.

The Hispanic population within Utah also made up a major portion of the states population growth between 2010 and 2020, with 1 in 4 of new Utah residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino.

Specific cities in Utah gained more Hispanic residents in this 10-year period than the rest of the state. Those three cities are West Valley City, West Jordan and Herriman.

In the analysis Prior also looked at the Hispanic populations in each of Utahs counties, finding that this population is concentrated along the Wasatch Front. More than 8 in 10 of Utahs Hispanics live in either Weber, Davis, Salt Lake or Utah counties. The majority of Utahns in general live in these counties, with 75.5% of the states population there.

In the 2020 census a new feature was added to questionnaire. In the race portion of the survey there was a fill in the blank option, which allowed people to be more specific in their race identity.

So if you were Hispanic or Latino, you could check a box indicating that you identified as Hispanic or Latino, but then you could also write in how you identified in a more detailed way, like, Im Venezuelan, Im Spanish, Im Mexican, and Chilean, Prior said. As a demographer, it was really exciting to get that detailed data about how people self identify.

Young mariachi performers watch during Sones de Mariachi en Utah, a mariachi competition in connection with Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

This detailed information was released by the Census Bureau about a year ago.

Thanks to this new detailed data, the policy center was able to do a more in-depth and detailed analysis into Utahs Hispanic population than was possible before.

According to the fact sheet, Hispanic or Latino Utahns belong to four regional groups and identify as 30 different detailed origins, including Mexican, Dominican, and Chilean.

One in 10 Utahns identify as Mexican, making up two-thirds of Utahs Hispanic or Latino Population. According to Prior, this isnt surprising since Utah is in the Southwest, but it is different than the demographics found on the East Coast.

Utahs Hispanics most commonly identify as Mexican (326,430), Spaniard (14,489), Salvadoran (14,426), Peruvian (12,488) or Spanish (11,981).

The largest share of Chilean residents in the U.S. is in Utah, with 0.2% of Utahns identifying as Chilean. Utah also has the countrys second largest share of Argentine and Venezuelan residents.

Utahs Venezuelan population is the states fastest growing Hispanic group, having almost quadrupled between 2010 and 2020.

National Hispanic Heritage Month in Utah

National Hispanic Heritage Month is currently underway. It started on Sept. 15 and goes until Oct. 15.

Its important for this data to be out there all the time, Prior said. But Hispanic Heritage Month is a great event to remind us about this part of our population And the contribution that they make.

According to KSL.com, the timing of Hispanic Heritage Month lines up with the independence anniversaries of several countries, Sept. 15 in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; Sept. 16 in Mexico; and Sept. 18 in Chile.

There are a variety of events in Utah celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and a few of them have already happened such as The Utah Central American Festival, a Latino Festival in Logan and a celebration to mark the 214th anniversary of Mexicos independence hosted by the Mexican Consulate of Utah.

One of the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Events in Utah is a Latino and Hispanic Heritage event on Sept. 23 in North Salt Lake, per KSL.com.

The Utah Symphony is also putting on a Celebracion Sinfonica event at Abavanel Hall on Sept. 27 and 28.
Zelenskiy holds flurry of bilateral meetings at UN to shore up support for Ukraine

World leaders attend United Nations "Summit of the Future", in New York

World leaders attend United Nations "Summit of the Future", in New York

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is in New York for the meeting of world officials at the United Nations, held talks on the sidelines with German, Indian and Japan leaders on Monday trying to shore up support for Kyiv's war efforts.

"We talked about how to make a just peace closer," Zelenskiy said on his Telegram messaging app after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. "The main thing is to maintain unity."

Germany has been one of most significant backers in Europe of Kyiv's defensive fight against Russia.

The full-scale Russia invasion of Ukraine, or "special military operation" as Moscow calls it, began in Feb 2022 and has killed thousands of people, uprooted millions more and turned Ukrainian towns and cities into rubble.

After the U.N. General Assembly sessions, Zelenskiy is to travel later in the week to Washington to present his "victory plan" and influence White House policy on the war no matter who wins the U.S. election on Nov. 5.

Zelenskiy said that he also met with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We are dynamically developing our relations," he said on the Telegram after the meeting.

Reuters reported earlier this month that artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers were diverted by European customers to Ukraine and New Delhi did not intervene to stop the trade despite protests from Moscow,

India has warm ties with Russia, its primary arms supplier for decades, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has refused to join the Western-led sanctions regime against Moscow.

Zelenskiy also held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Japan's energy aid to Kyiv.

"Restoring our energy supply after Russian shelling and preparing for winter are tasks we are actively working on now," Zelenskiy said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. "Together with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, we discussed the situation in the energy sector."

Japan has been one of several nations sending support, including $4.5 billion this year, according to the Japanese foreign ministry website.

Japan has provided Kyiv with equipment for restoration work and increasing the capacity of the Ukrainian power system to get through winter amidst Russia's continued strikes on energy infrastructure.

Ukraine's electricity supply shortfall could reach about a third of expected peak demand amid the attacks and the expiry of a gas supply contract at the end of this year, the International Energy Agency said in a report last week.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Oleksandr Kozhukhar in Kyiv; Writing by Lidia Kelly; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, Lisa Shumaker and Kim Coghill)
(Bloomberg) -- Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet executives from major energy companies at Bank of Americas New York headquarters on Monday to discuss Ukraines urgent need for power after the war with Russia plunged its energy sector into crisis.

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Bank of Americas Bernard Mensah, the lenders president of international operations, will be among the executives attending the meeting with the Ukraine President this afternoon, according to a person briefed on the plans.

A representative for the bank declined to comment. Zelenskiy has met Bank of Americas Mensah previously, when the executive went to Kyiv earlier this year, the person familiar said.

Russia has been stepping up efforts to knock out Ukraines civilian infrastructure, including power, heating and water supplies, before the winter season. In the biggest aerial attack to date, Russia launched a combined strike of more than 230 drones and missiles that targeted power substations in late August, causing blackouts.

More than two years after the invasion, Russian natural gas continues to be fed through Ukrainian pipelines to supply customers in central Europe. Ukraine is in talks about swapping out Russian gas for supplies from Azerbaijan, but hasnt yet reached an agreement.

Earlier this month, Ukraines top energy official warned that further Russian airstrikes against the countrys energy grid could trigger an emergency at one of the three operating nuclear power plants still under Kyivs control.

At a meeting in New York on Monday regarding Ukraines energy sector support, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Group of Seven countries and other allies have mobilized more than $4 billion for Ukraine energy supplies since Russias invasion in February 2022.

We have once again not just the prospect but the reality of Putin weaponizing winter, weaponizing the weather, to use energy as a weapon in his efforts to subjugate Ukraine, Blinken said. The group will discuss how to repair and protect the countrys power networks, and make sure companies are doing their part, he added.

During his US visit, Zelenskiy will also speak at the UN General Assembly and is planning to present his victory plan to force Russia to end the war to US President Joe Biden, as well as to presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

--With assistance from Simon Casey, Piotr Skolimowski, Ramsey Al-Rikabi and Daryna Krasnolutska.

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(Bloomberg) -- Volodymyr Zelenskiy began his visit to the US with a stop at an ammunition plant in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state that will help determine the outcome of Novembers US presidential election.

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The trip to Scranton, Joe Bidens hometown, on Sunday kicked off an intense week of diplomacy as Ukrainian president is set to address the UN General Assembly in New York and unveil his so-called victory plan to force Russia to end the war.

For our warriors who are defending not only our country, not only Ukraine, the plant will be ramping up production, Zelenskiy said in a post on X social media platform. It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail.

The Scranton plant produces 155mm artillery shells used in howitzer weapons systems, some of the most-needed munitions for Ukraines fight to deter the Russian troops.

Zelenskiy also met with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Bob Casey, and Congressman Matt Cartwright. We agreed to work even more actively to increase our common strengththe strength of both Ukraine and America, the president said in another post on X.

Governor Shapiro and the governor of Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraines south, Ivan Fedorov, signed a cooperation agreement on energy, agriculture, defense, digital technologies and reconstruction, according to the presidents website. The manufacturing of weapons and military equipment is an absolute priority for Ukraine, Zelenskiy said.

Zaporizhzhia region has been partially occupied by Russia since 2022 and is regularly attacked by Russian air strikes. It is home to steelworks, machine-building and energy facilities. In March, Russian missile barrage put a major hydroelectric plant in Zaporizhzhia out of operation by destroying a dam and turbines.

The US has supplied Kyiv with military aid worth of billions of dollars since the beginning of Moscows invasion in 2022. Weapon producers are getting more orders to replace defense aid which was shipped to Ukraine.

Along with speaking at the UN General Assembly, Zelenskiy is planning to present his victory plan to US President Joe Biden as well as to presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

In their meeting, Zelenskiy will push Biden to provide an official invitation for Ukraine to join the NATO military alliance and commit to a sustained supply of advanced weapons.

Ukrainian president has repeatedly criticized his western partners for delays in promised military support. He said this month that Ukraine faced severe shortages of ammunition shells in its eastern Donetsk region before his troops surprise incursion into Kursk region of Russia in August got underway.

That incursion is part of the victory plan to force Kremlin to end its full-scale invasion, president said last month.

It will be decided this autumn what will happen with the war, Zelenskiy said in his video address on Sunday.

--With assistance from Olesia Safronova.

(Updates with meeting with Pennsylvania governor and cooperation agreement with Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region from 5th paragraph.)

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In an interview with the New Yorker, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Donald Trump's running mate J. D. Vance is "too radical" in his ideas of how to end the war in Ukraine.

"The idea that the world should end this war at Ukraines expense is unacceptable. But I do not consider this concept of his a plan, in any formal sense," Zelensky said during the interview published on Sept. 22.

Vance said in an interview with Shawn Ryan on Sept. 12 that Donald Trump's plan to end Russia's war could include the establishment of a special demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine would retain its sovereignty, but at the same time it would have to give guarantees to Russia that it would not join NATO or any other allied institutions, Vance added.

"I dont take Vances words seriously, because, if this were a plan, then America is headed for global conflict. It will involve Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Taiwan, China, as well as many African countries. That approach would broadcast to the world the following implicit rule: I came, I conquered, now this is mine," Zelensky added.

Zelensky announced on Sept. 22 that he began his official visit to the U.S., where he will share his much-anticipated "victory plan" with foreign leaders.

Vance, who was selected as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's running mate in July, has been outspoken about his opposition to U.S. aid for Ukraine. He repeatedly has said that he "doesn't care about Ukraine," including just days after the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Vance also repeatedly disparaged Ukraine and voiced his unwillingness to continue U.S. support in leaked text messages with far-right conspiracy theorist Charles Johnson, the Washington Post reported on Aug. 7.

According to the texts, which Johnson shared with the Washington Post, Vance said in October 2023, "Dude, I won't even take calls from Ukraine." The exchange came as congressional Republicans began blocking an aid package for Ukraine, an impasse that continued for several months.

Read also: Zelensky latest to nudge Biden toward boosting Ukraines firepower during US trip

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By Abhinav Parmar and Lisa Baertlein

(Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Labor has reached out to the United States Maritime Alliance ahead of a threatened Oct. 1 port strike on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico by the International Longshoremen's Association, the employer group said on Monday.

The Department of Labor's involvement suggests that President Joe Biden's administration is willing to help hammer out a deal before the existing contract covering 45,000 workers at three dozen ports expires at midnight on Sept. 30.

The likelihood of an ILA strike is "on the rise as negotiations prove contentious, though action is unlikely to last long," TD Cowen analyst Jason Seidl said in a client note. Any work stoppages or slowdowns would come just weeks ahead of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election.

The USMX employer group expressed willingness to collaborate with the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service in contract negotiations - contingent on both parties agreeing to mediation.

USMX said it has been unable to schedule a meeting with the ILA to continue talks on a new Master Contract.

ILA disputed that in a statement on Monday, saying the two sides have communicated multiple times in recent weeks.

"The stalemate remains in Master Contract negotiations because USMX continues to offer ILA longshore workers an unacceptable wage increase package," the union said.

The ports affected by a potential strike stretch from Maine to Texas and handle about half of U.S. imports through facilities in cities such as New York/New Jersey, Houston and Savannah, Georgia. Any ILA action would mainly affect labor-intensive container shipments and have little to no impact on critical shipments of oil and gas.

The five largest East and Gulf Coast ports each day in August handled a combined 49,532 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo valued at $2.7 billion, said John McCown, senior fellow at the Center for Maritime Strategy.

Any cargo backups from work disruptions would cascade through U.S. and global supply chains, stranding goods and sending costs surging.

Echoing calls from industry groups representing retailers, manufacturers and farmers, 69 Republicans from the U.S. House of Representatives last week called on the Biden Administration to do everything in its power to prevent a port work stoppage that could lead to "dire impacts to our supply chains, our economy, and the American consumer."

Biden recently said he did not intend to invoke a federal law known as the Taft-Hartley Act to prevent a port strike.

Story continues

He did, however, send Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to negotiate a pivotal contract between U.S. West Coast seaport employers and union workers last summer, following labor disruptions at California ports. The resulting contract deal included a 32% pay increase that was anticipated to set a precedent for East and Gulf Coast labor talks.

(Reporting by Abhinav Parmar in Bengaluru and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Tasim Zahid and Nick Zieminski)
President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a Sept. 21 video address, stressed that Ukraine is striking Russian arms depots "thanks to our capabilities, our weapons." His announcement came after Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on the afternoon of Sept. 21 that the country's military and security service struck two Russian arms depots overnight.

"Another arsenal in Russia has been damaged, and it was a significant arsenal for the occupier. [...] The Security Service of Ukraine has also done a good job on another arsenal of Russian troops. These were depots of Russian tactical missiles and guided aerial bombs  all the things that Russia uses to terrorize our cities, our positions," Zelensky said.

Ukraine's General Staff confirmed a strike on the Tikhoretsk weapons depot in Krasnodar Krai, which it called one of three largest ammunition depots in Russia and "one of the key storage facilities in the Russian military's logistics system."

Ukraine's military has also confirmed a strike on an ammunition depot in Tver Oblast that was earlier reported by Russian Telegram channels.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) hit the 23rd arsenal of the Russian Defense Ministry's Main Artillery Directorate near the village of Oktyabrsky in Tver Oblast, according to the General Staff.

Read also: Ukraines 79th brigade releases video of massive Russian attack being repelled near Kurakhove

Zelensky did not specify the type of weapon used but Ukraine last month announced the first successful use of the Palianytsia drone missile.

Zelensky insisted that Ukraines partners could further increase Ukraines security by supplying long-range weapons and granting permission for their use.

"If we were able to use all of our capabilities to defend our country, if we had enough missiles and permissions that our partners can grant us, the situation would have been much better for our security, the security of Ukraine and everyone the world over who does not want to exist amid the aggression like this Russian aggression," Zelensky added.

Read also: Zelensky comes to US in attempt to boost firepower, pitch victory

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What Zelensky really wants from his plan for victory

Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday - TIMOTHY A CLARY/GETTY IMAGES

Volodymyr Zelensky has reached a fork in the road.

Ukraine is slowly losing territory and the support of its allies. Does its president continue on the same path and hope things turn around? Or does he try to corral Western backers into signing up to a scheme that could end the war?

Mr Zelensky has chosen the latter, opting to head to the US with what he has described as a victory plan.

Details remain a closely guarded secret, saved for meetings with Joe Biden, the US president, and those vying to replace him in the White House, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

However, the Ukrainian president has outlined the main contours of his four-pronged proposal, which he believes can force Russia to the negotiating table.

Moscows forces have accelerated their attacks in Ukraine - STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE/REUTERS

The victory plan, this bridge to strengthening Ukraine, can contribute to more productive future diplomatic meetings with Russia, he told reporters, adding that the plan should be agreed and implemented by the end of the year.

Nato-style security guarantees

Ukraine has already signed up to long-term security guarantees with about 30 allies.

These mostly comprise agreements that Ukraines supporters will restart military aid and sanctions on Moscow in the event of another act of aggression from Russia.

But these fall short of Natos Article 5 mutual defence clause, which declares that an attack on one member state is an attack on them all.

Mr Zelensky is seeking a guarantee akin to Article 5, as the threat of a war with Nato would likely be enough to dissuade Vladimir Putin from mounting another invasion.

The US has been one of the main countries blocking Nato extending an invitation to Kyiv to join because of fears the move would trigger an escalation with Moscow.

The Kursk incursion

The Kursk incursion, launched last month by Ukrainian forces, is the first foreign invasion of Russian soil since the Second World War.

The first the world heard of it was from panicked Russians warning that they were under attack.

British Challenger 2 tanks and American Himars rocket launchers were used on Russian soil as Ukrainian forces conquered about 500 square miles of territory.

The assault was designed to serve several purposes for the Ukrainians.

First, it would provide them with an exchange fund of captured Russian prisoners of war who could be swapped for Ukrainians being held in captivity.

Second, the Kremlin would be forced to divert resources away from the front lines in eastern Ukraine if it wanted to quash the invasion. This has not happened, Moscows forces have doubled down and accelerated their attacks in Ukraine.

For Mr Zelenskys victory plan, the retention of even a tiny piece of Kursk would act as a huge bargaining chip in any talks with Putin.

There is an expectation that the Kremlin would not allow itself to endure the embarrassment of Ukraine holding some of its territory if the current lines of engagement were frozen.

Long-range missiles

Long before Mr Zelensky spoke of his victory plan, he had been lobbying the US, UK, France and Italy to endorse strikes with Western missiles on Russian soil.

But Mr Biden has so far refused to give the green light to such actions, except for strikes on Russian troops who are preparing to attack Ukraine.

Even if permission for the strikes is eventually given, the delay has allowed Russia to move many of its missile systems and fighter jets out of range.

Though the US has thus far blocked the use of its weapons, Britain could still approve the use of its Storm Shadow missiles.

A top Ukrainian presidential aide previously told The Telegraph that permissions to use Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia are seen as a key demand.

Financial aid for Ukraines war-stricken economy

This is by a country mile the least controversial element of Mr Zelenskys plan to end the war.

Almost every one of Ukraines Western allies have agreed to invest in the post-war redevelopment of its economy.

Last week, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commissions president, announced the EU would lend up to $35 billion on a visit to Kyiv.

This could be further topped up to $50 billion if the G7 club of industrialised economies can reach an agreement on underpinning the loan with frozen Russian assets.

Mr Zelensky began his visit to the US on Sunday by going to a factory in Pennsylvania that produces 155mm artillery shells - COMMONWEALTH MEDIA SERVICES/REUTERS

The cash could be used to bolster Ukraines domestic arms industry further, especially its domestic drone programme, which has proven successful in recent days, destroying at least two big caches of Russian weapons stored deep inside its borders.

Today you help us in the implementation of this plan and in the future Ukraine will save you a lot of your resources, Mr Zelensky said.

Why now?

There are several reasons why Mr Zelensky could have chosen now to unveil his plan for victory.

Ive put it all on paper, with specific arguments and specific steps to strengthen Ukraine during the months of October, November and December, and to enable a diplomatic end of the war, he told The New Yorker.

The timeline suggests that Kyiv sees the approaching end of Mr Bidens term in the White House to be the main reason to go for a diplomatic deal to end hostilities.

Before leaving for the US, Mr Zelensky described his plan as a historic opportunity for Mr Biden to be the president that secures Ukrainian independence.

Lets do all this today, while all the officials who want the victory of Ukraine are in official positions, Mr Zelensky added, in a nod to a potential Trump presidency.

Trump has said he would end the war in 24 hours if he were to win the election in November, without revealing his exact plans to do so.

This has led to fears of a quick and dirty peace agreement that would result in Ukraine ceding territory to Russia against its will.

With each day that passes, the military situation in his country becomes ever more dire.

Russian forces are advancing at their fastest rate in the Donbas region for years.

With Mr Zelenskys message that each and every Ukrainian life is precious, the 70,000 reported to have died fighting Russia is particularly painful.

The toll has only fuelled pushes from the likes of Germany, India, China and South Africa for Kyiv to reach a diplomatic conclusion.

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Zelensky: Trump doesnt know how to end war and Vance is too radical

Volodymyr Zelensky signs a shell in a munitions factory in Pennsylvania, at the start of his tour of the US - AFP via Getty

Donald Trump doesnt know how to stop the war in Ukraine, despite claiming he could end it on his first day as US president, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

In his harshest criticism yet of the Republican presidential nominee, the Ukrainian president also described Trumps running mate JD Vance as dangerous and too radical.

His message seems to be that Ukraine must make a sacrifice, Mr Zelensky said of Mr Vance in an interview with the New Yorker magazine before he flew to the US to present his Victory Plan to the White House this week. But I believe that we have shielded America from total war.

Mr Vance has been criticised by supporters of Ukraine for pushing a peace deal that consolidates the Kremlins control over captured territory.

Mr Zelensky said such a deal would disrespect the sacrifices that Ukrainian soldiers have made, appease Vladimir Putin and encourage other dictators to invade their neighbours.

Trump, pictured in New York last week, is behind in the polls - David Dee Delgado/AFP via Getty

Whichever president or vice-president raises this prospect, that ending the war hinges on cementing the status quo, with Ukraine simply giving up its land, should be held responsible for potentially starting a global war, he said.

Mr Zelensky added that he had held more positive conversations with Mr Trump who he said had promised to continue to support Ukraines military.

Ukrainian officials have said they are concerned Trump would turn off the supply of weapons Joe Biden has approved for Ukraine, in an attempt to force Mr Zelensky to negotiate with Putin.

But the Ukrainian president insisted Putin could not be trusted and Trump, despite his public stance, would not be able to strike a quick deal to end the war.

My feeling is that Trump doesnt really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows how. With this war, oftentimes, the deeper you look at it the less you understand, he said.

Kamala Harris in the lead

Mr Zelenskys intervention in US politics comes with polls showing Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, building a slender lead over Mr Trump ahead of the election in November.

Mr Zelensky began his tour of the US on Sunday with a visit to a weapons factory in Pennsylvania producing 155mm artillery shells to be sent to the frontlines in Ukraine, telling employees that the democratic world can prevail because of their work.

He is due to meet Mr Biden in the White House on Thursday to present his Victory Plan, which he will also share with Ms Harris and Trump.

Mr Zelensky inspects a newly made munition at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant - AFP via Getty

This Victory Plan comes at a crucial moment in the two-and-a-half-year war, with Russian forces slowly grinding towards key targets on the front line in Ukraines eastern Donbas region.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces are digging in to defend their salient in Russias Kursk region.

The plan is likely to include strategies to keep Ukrainian forces inside Russia, as well as a push for permission from Mr Biden to fire Western-made long-range missiles at targets in Russia, according to media reports.

Sir Keir Starmer has tried to persuade Mr Biden to grant Ukraine this permission, but the US president has said he wants to hear Mr Zelenskys Victory Plan before making a final decision.

Mr Zelensky didnt divulge details of the plan during the New Yorker interview but he said that failing to back his plan would extend the war.

We would end up with a very long war, an impossible, exhausting situation that would kill a tremendous number of people, he said.

The Kremlin has said that if Mr Biden did allow Ukraine to fire US-made missiles into its territory, Russia would consider itself to be at war with Nato.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky visited a Pennsylvania ammunition factory under tight security on Sept. 22 to personally thank the workers producing some of the most crucial munitions for Ukraines defense against Russian forces.

Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Democrat who greeted Zelensky at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, shared the presidents straightforward message: "Thank you. And we need more," the Associated Press reported.

The Scranton facility, one of the few in the U.S. manufacturing 155 mm artillery shells, has ramped up production over the past year. The Pennsylvania factory announced in August that it was boosting production of 155 mm artillery shells from 24,000 rounds per month to 36,000. Ukraine has already received over three million of these shells from the U.S.

The 155 mm shells produced at the Scranton plant are designed for howitzer systems, large towed guns with long barrels capable of firing at different angles. These howitzers can hit targets from 24 to 32 kilometers (15 to 20 miles) away, making them crucial for ground forces to destroy enemy positions from a safe distance.

Zelensky said he conveyed his appreciation to all the workers at the plant.

"It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail," he wrote on X. "Thanks to people like these  in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries  who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected."

Zelensky is set to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Sept. 24 and 25, before heading to Washington on Sept. 26 for meetings with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. His visit aims to bolster ongoing support for Ukraine.

Read also: Zelensky begins visit to US, will share victory plan with allies

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Zelenskyy to ask for security guarantees and modern weapons as part of Victory Plan presentation in US  The Times

Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his visit to the US. Photo: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will deliver his Victory Plan, which includes getting security guarantees, modern weapons and financial support for the country, during his visit to the US.

Source: The Times

Quote from The Times: "Zelenskyys plan has four key points: first, a request for western security guarantees akin to the mutual defence pact of NATO membership; second, to continue Ukraines incursion into Russias Kursk region to provide a territorial bargaining chip; third, a request for specific advanced weapons; and fourth, international financial aid for Ukraines shattered economy."

Details: The Times says one of Zelenskyy's top priorities is American support in view of Donald Trump's potential return to office. The Republican nominee has previously stated that the war could be settled by Ukraine making territorial concessions.

The Ukrainian president intends to present his idea not only to the current US president, but also to both presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, in order to emphasise the significance of continuing to support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia.

Background:

On 22 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the start of a tour to the US, where he plans to reveal the Victory Plan to President Joe Biden and other leaders from partner countries.

Zelenskyy is expected to present his Victory Plan to Biden during a meeting in Washington DC on 26 September.

Zelenskyy previously revealed that the Victory Plan outlines decisions that are expected to be made between October and December 2024.

On the eve of his visit to the United States, Zelenskyy said that the possibility of US President Joe Biden not supporting Ukraines Victory Plan is "a horrible thought", because that would lead to a very long war with a huge number of casualties.

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Zelenskyy does not believe Trump really knows how to stop the war

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump does not really know how to stop the war in Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with The New Yorker, European Pravda reports

Details: Zelenskyy told journalists that Trump does not really know how to stop the war, even "if he might think he knows how."

"With this war, often the deeper you look at it, the less you understand," the president said.

He added that he had seen "many leaders who were convinced they knew how to end it tomorrow, and as they waded deeper into it, they realised its not that simple."

Background:

Earlier, Trump said that if he wins, he will be able to get along "well" with Russia and China.

Trump has repeatedly stated that he knows how to end the war in Ukraine. In a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, he dodged the question of whether he wanted Ukraine to win the war, repeating only that he "wants to end the war" and claiming that the real human cost of the war was allegedly in the millions.

Harris, in turn, said that if he had been president in recent years instead of Joe Biden, it would have been a disaster for Ukraine and Eastern Europe.

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Zelenskyy: We don't have much time, next few months will be decisive

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the American Academy of Achievements' Golden Plate Award ceremony, has stated that time should not be wasted because the next few months will be critical in Russia's battle with Ukraine.

Source: Presidents Office, as reported by Ukrinform

Quote: "We dont have much time. The next few months will be decisive. Ahead of us in this war  Russias war against Ukraine and all of you, because this is Russias war against freedom itself  we are short of time to define what the outcome will be. And we must define it. Not Russia, not their bloody allies. We need to be faster. We need not to lose the next few months in war, so that we dont lose the next decades."

Details: The President recalled the Victory Plan, which he introduced to the United States. "And I will present this Plan to America  first of all to President Biden, to Congress and to both Presidential candidates  Kamala Harris and Donald Trump  and all our global allies. And I believe this must be our shared achievement  victory for freedom, with no compromises at freedoms expense," Zelenskyy stated.

Zelenskyy also stressed that "the world today does not allow us to lose a single battle when on one side is freedom, and everything we would never wish for our children is on the other."

Background:

On his way to the US, Zelenskyy declared in his address that he planned to propose the Victory Plan to President Joe Biden and other leaders of partner countries. "This autumn will determine what comes next in this war. Together with our partners, we can strengthen our positions as needed for our victory  our shared victory  for a truly just peace," he stated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit the US and present his Victory Plan to President Joe Biden during a meeting in Washington DC on 26 September. Zelenskyy also hopes to explain the plan to presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Bloomberg reported that the Victory Plan envisages an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO and a commitment from the US to provide constant supplies of modern weapons.

Zelenskyy further noted that the Victory Plan outlines decisions that are expected to be made between October and December 2024.

On the eve of his visit to the United States, Zelenskyy said that the possibility of US President Joe Biden not supporting Ukraines Victory Plan is "a horrible thought", because that would lead to a very long war with a huge number of casualties.

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Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed the UNs Summit of the Future and called for global unity to overcome the destructive power of Russia and its allies.

Source: Zelenskyy's speech at the Summit of the Future, as reported by Suspilne

Quote: "This time, during the work on the Pact for the Future, the same small group of seven accomplices led by Russia has once again acted destructively, always opposing any global initiatives that strengthen the effectiveness of the UN Charter. This group has always behaved like this whenever the UN has tried to do something that works for the good of all.

The world needs a peaceful future and sustainable development. And I say this as the president of Ukraine, a country that is resisting Russia's brutal colonial aggression. And we know exactly how much global unity can achieve  both here at the UN, and through the Peace Summits for Ukraine, where we seek to overcome the destructiveness of Russia and its allies."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is preparing for the second Peace Summit: working on food and energy security and bringing Russia to justice. The release of prisoners and the restoration of territorial integrity will also be considered.

The president also thanked Germany and Namibia for their joint work on the Pact for the Future; Zambia and Sweden for facilitating negotiations on the Global Digital Compact; Jamaica and the Netherlands, which co-chaired the intergovernmental process on the Declaration on Future Generations; and African countries for their common position.

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Zombie-style knives have been linked to the surge in knife crime

Zombie knife crime has doubled in just five years, police data has revealed.

The number of recorded crimes that mentioned machetes, swords or zombie knives has increased from 7,159 in 2019 to 14,195 in 2023, according to Freedom of Information requests.

Crimes where police reported their use or possession included robberies, assaults, public order offences, stalking and harassment, according to the data from 32 of the police forces in England and Wales.

The disclosure, in a survey of forces by the BBC, comes ahead of a Government ban that comes into force on Tuesday making it illegal to possess, sell or manufacture or transport zombie-style knives and machetes. The maximum penalty will be four years in jail.

Tuesday will also mark the closure of a zombie knife surrender scheme under which anyone who has bought a zombie-style knife or machete will be able to claim their market value.

What is a zombie knife?

The deadly weapons  usually over eight inches long with serrated blades and garish names and designs  have been linked to the surge in knife crime which has risen to more than 50,000 offences in the past year.

The ban is the second attempt by ministers to crackdown on zombie knives after manufacturers and dealers exploited loopholes in the definition of the design. Under the new laws, any knife over eight inches with a serrated edge, spikes, holes in the blade or more than two sharp points will be banned.

Commander Stephen Clayman, the lead for knife crime at the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), said the ban would have an impact but added: I cant say it will be the end of the issue. Clearly it wont.

He said the biggest threat is in the online space.

Manufacturers quite cleverly got around the design, he said, forecasting that more legislation was likely.

Pledge on ninja knives

Labour has pledged to extend the ban to cover ninja knives and is also looking to introduce tougher sanctions on online company bosses who allow banned knives to be sold on their platforms.

Matthew, 20, who got his first blade  a Rambo-style knife at age 16  told the BBC that buying a zombie knife was as easy as getting a takeaway delivery.

Matthew  which is not his real name  said everyone walks around with one. They feel like they need to, he said, behind a balaclava pulled over his face. If you have a flick knife and someone pulls a Rambo out on you, then youre going to be thinking why dont I get a bigger one?

If youve got the bigger weapon, youve got more of a chance. If my knife is bigger than theirs, Im going to win.

But Matthew says hes ready to hand it in. You grow up... I realise it aint worth it, Ive lost people.

Knife crime hit record highs in eight police forces in the year to March 2024. That included the Metropolitan police where it was up from the previous record of 14,680 in 2020 to 14,961 in the year to March 2024. West Midlands also saw a high of 5,266 - up from 5,192 last year.

There was a sharp increase in the number of robberies involving a knife or sharp instrument, with 21,226 recorded by forces in 2023/24, up 13 per cent from 18,787 in the previous 12 months. Rape with a knife was at a record high with 737 offences.

Labour has pledged to halve knife crime in a decade.

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2025 Polestar 3 performance EV opens a welcome space between the brand and Volvo

JACKSON, Wyo.  Four years since Volvo created it, the Polestar EV brands identity starts to come into focus with its new 3 midsize luxury-performance SUV.

The Polestar 3 sets the tone for future vehicles from the brand, which were told are coming in rapid succession: Three more in the next three to four years, enough to establish Polestar as a true brand, not a placeholder where a brand may eventually exist.

Polestars dealers, currently slogging along with a single model easily mistaken for a Volvo, will appreciate that.

Prices for the 2025 Polestar 3 electric luxury performance SUV start at $73,400

So will drivers, based on my day driving a couple of 2025 Polestar 3s over mountain passes, alongside the Snake River and through alpine valleys in Wyoming and Idaho.

Fast, comfortable and loaded with features, the 3 makes the case for Polestar as a luxury brand that puts an equal premium on responsiveness and responsibility, performance and sustainability.

Polestar dealers are getting the first vehicles now, so deliveries should begin soon.

Polestar 3 prices fall in the middle of the range of electric luxury SUVs. The Polestars performance and many features make it appealing, despite some frustrating controls.

2025 Polestar 3 trim levels and prices

Launch Edition Long Range Dual Motor: $73,400

Launch Edition Long Range Dual Motor w/ Performance Package: $79,400

Option packages:

Pilot Package: Standard in Launch Edition

Plus Package: $5,500

Pro Package: $2,100

Source: Polestar. Prices exclude $1,400 destination charge.

A 14.3-inch touch screen controls many of the 2025 Polestar 3's features

More: Breakthrough Volvo lidar safety system expected to be on 2025 EX90 SUV

Not a Volvo, but related

The Polestar 3 shares many parts with the Volvo EX90 electric SUV, but theyre very different vehicles. Volvo used to own Polestar, but the EV brands been spun off, though its still part of Geely, the Chinese giant that also owns Volvo.

Polestar 3s sold in the United States are built alongside the EX90 in Charleston, South Carolina.

The 3 is a sporty five-seater, 5.3 inches shorter and lighter than the three-row, seven-seat EX90. Its roofline is about 4 inches lower.

The vehicles share motors, batteries and many controls, including a central touch screen that controls most features, and a rectangular instrument cluster mounted on the steering column.

The 3 is sportier and luxurious, with faster acceleration, more responsive handling, and optional Nappa leather seats in place of the Volvos vegan interior. The Polestar interior also has grained ash wood trim.

The 3 has a low center of gravity and 50/50 weight distribution, characteristics associated with sporty handling and acceleration.

The 3s styling is distinctive, with a long hood, big wheel openings, fast windshield, falling roofline and short rear overhang. The Polestars front running lights are nearly identical to Volvos signature Thors hammer design.

2025 Polestar 3 electric luxury performance SUV prices start at $73,400

2025 Polestar 3 top features

All-wheel drive

489 or 517 horsepower

Seats five

Bowers & Wilkins audio

Up to 315-mile range

4.5 or 4.8 seconds 0-60 mph

50/50 weight distribution

Lidar sensing to be activated in 2025

2025 Polestar 3 instrument panel

Driving impressions

The Polestar 3 has two electric motors, one for each axle, and a 111 kWh battery. It shares those parts with the EX90, but the smaller lighter Polestar 3 is more responsive and involving.

I drove both a base model  489 hp and 620 pound-feet of torque  and the Performance Pack, which generates 517 hp and 671 pound-feet.

Both drivetrains deliver strong acceleration. The SUV pulled confidently and quietly up Teton Pass long 10% grade to 8,400 feet.

The steering is firm and direct, while air suspension and adaptive dampers provided a smooth and controlled ride on driving on past meadows on fast, rolling roads and alongside twisting rivers.

Theres plenty of space for the driver, passengers and luggage. A small compartment under the hood is effectively filled by the portable charging cable, but the rear compartment has plenty of space, including a roomy bin under the floor with a lid that can double as a cargo divider.

The available Bowers & Wilkins audio system is outstanding.

Bower & Wilkins distinctive top-mounted tweeter in 2025 Polestar 3 electric SUV

The controls are somewhat over-reliant on a 14.3-inch touch screen, but at least theres a physical volume dial. Multifunction touch points on the steering wheel arms also provide easy control for features like adaptive cruise control and the instrument, media and nav display in front of the driver.

Google voice recognition can handle many features, potentially reducing the need to interact with the touch screen.

Some features, including long-range lidar and Apple CarPlay will be added in over-the-air software updates. CarPlay should be available soon. The lidar, which provides an extraordinary level of detail in virtually all light and weather conditions, should come online in 2025.

Selected competitors:

Audi Q8 E-tron

BMW IX

Cadillac Lyriq

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Kia EV6 GT

Mercedes EQS SUV

The 2025 Polestar 3 electric luxury performance SUV can cover 315 miles on a charge

Range and charging

The EPA rates Polestar 3 range at 279 to 315 miles, depending on power output, wheels and other equipment.

Its 111 kWh battery can accept DC fast charging at up to 250 kW. Under ideal conditions, that will take the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.

The 240-volt charging most EV owners use for daily charging will top the battery up in 10 hours.

All those figures compare well to other EVs. The Polestar 3s range and charging should make for pleasant everyday driving and longer trips.

The driver must use a clumsy three-switch design to control the 2025 Polestar 3 EV's four windows

What should be better?

The Polestar 3 occasionally works a little too hard in search of minimalism, if you can get your head around that concept. The desire for a clean, simple looking interior led to the creation of a some overly elaborate and complicated controls.

The key offenders are the center touch screen, which sends you into submenus for tasks as simple as opening the glove box. The approach also makes it unnecessarily difficult to adjust the side mirrors, steering column and other features while driving.

In Polestars defense, those settings  and more  can be linked to each drivers profile. Contrariwise, its foolish to assume only regular drivers will pilot the vehicle during its decade-plus life.

The most ostentatious sin in the name of simplicity, though, are the drivers controls for the vehicles four power windows. Nearly every vehicle in existence provides four toggles  one for each window.

Polestars design eliminates a grand total of one switch, but the result is that the driver must locate a seldom used touch point on the armrest to convert the other two main switches from controlling the front windows to operating the rear. And find it again to work the front windows. Puh-lease.

The Polestar 3s full-length sunroof does not come with a standard sun shade. The tinted glass reduces glare and heat, but not as much as a physical shade would.

The Polestar 3's battery will not initially qualify for full federal tax credits, a drawback the automaker is working to remedy.

Prices for the 2025 Polestar 3 electric luxury performance SUV start at $73,400

Why get a Polestar 3?

The Polestar 3 deserves a look for anybody in the market for a luxury or performance SUV. Involving and fun to drive, its battery and charging system also provide competitive range and charging times.

Prices are higher than some mainstream sporty EVs, but the Polestar stacks up particularly well against sporty electric EVs from other European-based luxury brands.

2025 Polestar 3 rear cargo compartment

2025 Polestar 3 at a glance

All-wheel drive five-seat electric luxury-performance SUV.

Base price: $73,400 (All prices exclude $1,400 destination charge.)

Model tested: Polestar 3 Launch Edition Long-range dual motor, with Performance, Pilot, Plus and Pro packages

Price as tested: $91,700 (Excluding destination charge).

Specifications as tested:

Powerplant: One electric motor on each axle

Total system output: 517 hp; 671 pound-feet of torque

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds

Top speed: 130 mph

EPA estimated range: 279 miles

Charging time: 10 hours at 240v; 10-80% in 30 minutes at 250kW

Charging capacity: AC11 kW; DC250 kW

Battery capacity: 111 kW nominal; 107 kW usable

Wheelbase: 117.5 inches

Length: 193 inches

Width: 83.5 inches with mirrors

Height: 64 inches

Wheels: 22-inch

Ground clearance: 8.3 inches

Front shortage compartment: 1.3 cubic feet

Cargo capacity: 49.8 cubic feet, including 3.2 under floor

Curb weight: 5,696-5,886 pounds

Weight distribution: 50/50

Towing capacity 3,500 pounds

Assembled in Charleston, South Carolina

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2025 Polestar 3s power, performance, style set electric SUV apart
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Industrial Distribution Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) stands against the other industrial distribution stocks.

The global industrial distribution market is on a robust growth trajectory, projected to escalate from USD 8.41 trillion in 2024 to over USD 12.39 trillion by 2033 (according to estimates from Precedence Research). This remarkable expansion, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.39%, underscores the critical role industrial distribution plays in various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, energy, and transportation. As of 2023, the market was valued at USD 8.06 trillion, indicating a steady rise as industries adapt to changing dynamics and technological advancements.

At its core, industrial distribution encompasses the supply chain segment dedicated to delivering industrial products, equipment, and services to a wide array of industries. The term refers to the transfer of industrial goods from manufacturers to various endpoints in the industrial supply chain, with distributors acting as intermediaries to facilitate this process. Historically focused on Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) items, the scope of industrial distribution has broadened significantly, now including a diverse array of wholesale distributors.

According to the National Association of Wholesale Distributors, the sector boasts over 30,000 organizations that collectively generate upwards of USD 7.4 trillion in annual sales. These distributors connect manufacturers with retailers, government entities, and commercial customers, creating an essential link in the supply chain. Education programs in industrial distribution equip graduates with the skills necessary for high-level technical sales and leadership roles in this multifaceted industry.

The MRO supplies segment leads the market, with significant revenue contributions alongside other categories such as electrical equipment, OEM supplies, and hand tools. As the industrial landscape evolves, these segments reflect the growing demand for efficiency and reliability in operations. Geographically, North America currently dominates the industrial distribution market, commanding a 41.5% share of total revenue in 2023. This region's market size was valued at USD 3.34 trillion and is expected to grow to USD 4.79 trillion by 2033, propelled by a CAGR of 3.65%. The United States alone is anticipated to reach a market size of USD 4.09 trillion during the same period.

Story continues

Conversely, the Asia-Pacific region is poised for the fastest growth, with a projected increase from USD 2.69 trillion in 2023 to around USD 4.31 trillion by 2033. This growth is fueled by governments prioritizing infrastructure development and implementing industrial policies that support industrial expansion. The adoption of advanced manufacturing and logistics technologies in this region has significantly enhanced supply chain efficiency, making it a hotbed for industrial distribution activities.

Looking ahead, the industrial distribution market is set to undergo transformative changes. The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, and blockchain will reshape supply chain management by enhancing automation, customization, and item traceability. Additionally, the emergence of circular economy principles will encourage sustainable practices, with a focus on product lifecycle management and waste reduction. The transition to predictive maintenance and the concept of servitization, offering value added services such as maintenance and equipment leasing, are also expected to disrupt traditional business models. These innovations will provide significant value to customers while enhancing operational efficiencies.

While the market is robust, it is not without challenges. Many industrial distributors face issues related to data management and analytics, which are critical for effective decision-making and demand planning. A lack of data can hinder inventory management and lead to inefficiencies, particularly in the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape. Conversely, embracing digital transformation and automation presents a significant opportunity. By leveraging technologies such as machine learning and inventory optimization tools, distributors can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences.

In this article, we will explore the ten best industrial distribution stocks to buy now. These companies are well-positioned to capitalize on market trends, leveraging advanced technologies and innovative strategies to thrive in this dynamic environment. Whether you are an investor looking to diversify your portfolio or someone interested in understanding the industrial distribution landscape, these stocks represent compelling opportunities in a rapidly growing market. As we delve into each stock, we'll highlight their strengths, market positions, and the key factors driving their success, providing you with valuable insights into the future of industrial distribution.

Our Methodology

For this article, we used stock screeners to identify 20 companies that operate in the industrial distribution industry and shortlisted the stocks with growth catalysts, strong fundamentals, and positive market sentiment. The final step involved the ranking of the identified list of stocks based on their popularity among the top hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey. We selected the 10 stocks that were the most widely held by hedge funds, as of Q2 2024.

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 portrait of an industrial worker wearing safety equipment, smiling while inspecting a piece of equipment.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) is a leading industrial distribution company, making it a strong contender for inclusion in our list of ten best industrial distribution stocks to buy now. The company distributes maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products and services across North America, Japan, the UK, and other international markets. With two primary business segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) offers a wide range of products, including safety and security equipment, plumbing supplies, metalworking tools, and technical support services. As of Q2 2024, 32 hedge funds held positions in the stock, down from 36 in the previous quarter, highlighting its continued appeal to institutional investors.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) Q2 2024 earnings report was solid, with the company beating earnings expectations. The reported earnings per share (EPS) of $9.76 surpassed analysts' estimates of $9.59, reflecting a strong financial performance despite a challenging macroeconomic environment. The companys total sales grew by 3.1%, or 5.1% on a daily organic constant currency basis, showing resilience in both of its business segments. The High-Touch Solutions segment, which contributed significantly to the company's growth, saw solid volume increases and moderate price improvements, driven by its strong position in the MRO market. Operating margins for the total company stood at 15.4%, demonstrating strong profitability despite a slight year-over-year decline due to increased investments in demand generation.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) financial health is further highlighted by its return on invested capital (ROIC) of 42.6%, showcasing the company's ability to efficiently allocate capital and generate substantial returns for shareholders. Additionally, Grainger returned $345 million to shareholders in the quarter through dividends and share repurchases, reflecting its commitment to creating shareholder value. In summary, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) solid fundamentals, robust EPS growth, and efficient operations make it a strong industrial distribution stock to consider. Despite some headwinds such as yen devaluation, the company's financial metrics and strategic growth initiatives position it well for long-term success.

ClearBridge Multi Cap Growth Strategy stated the following regarding W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) in its first quarter 2024 investor letter:

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW), in the industrials sector, was our largest new buy. Grainger is the biggest industrial maintenance, repair, and operations distributor in North America. The company is a share gainer in a large and fragmented market, with less than 10% share of the addressable market for their direct, high touch solutions business estimated at more than $165 billion. Grainger has also barely scratched the surface with its online endless assortment platform, Zoro.com, which targets an even larger market. In addition to its growth and profit potential, we are attracted to Graingers strong balance sheet and improved capital allocation under its current management.

Overall GWW ranks 7th on our list of the best industrial distribution stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of GWW 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 GWW but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
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Verizon is one of the most popular carriers if youre looking for cell phone service, and there are a lot of Verizon new customer deals to shop right now. In fact, a number of the best phones are available for free at Verizon right now, making it a great place to land some of the best phone deals. Youll find some of the best iPhone deals, best Samsung Galaxy S24 deals, best Samsung Galaxy S23 deals, and more taking place at Verizon, and with all of those free phones available we decided to round up the best Verizon new customer deals. So if youre looking for a hefty discount on a phone to pair with some of the best cell phone plans and best cell phone plan deals, read onward for all of the best Verizon new customer deals.

Free iPhone SE (3rd Gen)  $0, was $430

The Apple iPhone SE (2022) being held in a mans hand.

The 2022 release of the Apple iPhone SE is yours for free when you sign up for a new 5G data plan on Verizon  no trade-ins required. Its the best small smartphone in our list of the best smartphones with a 4.7-inch Liquid Retina display, but it doesnt sacrifice performance as its powered by Apples A15 Bionic chip thats also found in the iPhone 13 line and pre-installed with iOS 15. The latest iPhone SE is equipped with a single 12MP rear sensor and 7MP selfie camera, which are boosted by Apples software to enable better photographs.

Buy Now

Apple iPhone 15  $0, was $830

Apple

One of the most popular iPhone models is the Apple iPhone 15, and you can currently get it for free when opening a new line at Verizon. Its available in a variety of colors and storage options. A Verizon Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan is required in order to get the iPhone 15 for free.

Buy Now

Apple iPhone 15 Pro  as low as $280, was $1,000

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Heres a pretty crazy deal. New customers can get the iPhone 15 Pro with titanium for as low as $0 per month. When activating a new line and trading in an old device, you can purchase the iPhone 15 for about $28 per month or a one-time payment of $999  the phones total cost. However, youll receive promo credit on your bill each month for up to 36 months as long as you choose an Unlimited plan. There is an activation fee of $35, so keep that in mind. The discount will show up at checkout.

Buy Now

Samsung Galaxy S23  $0, was $700

Digital Trends

One of Samsungs more popular Galaxy phones, the Galaxy S23 is available for free to new Verizon customers. Youll need to get a Verizon Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan in order to qualify, but this is one of the few deals that doesnt require a trade-in device.

Buy Now

Samsung Galaxy S24+  $180, was $1,000

Samsung

The somewhat recent release of the Samsung Galaxy S24+ has seen it flying off shelves, and one of the reasons may be this deal. When you trade in an eligible device and open a new line at Verizon you can get the Galaxy S24+ for free. A Verizon Ultimate Unlimited plan is required. Additionally, youll get get six months of the Disney Bundle for free with this deal. That includes six months of free Disney+, Hulu (with ads), and ESPN+.

Buy Now

More Verizon new customer deals we love

Does Verizon offer free phones to new customers?

Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

You bet, but temper your expectations. While Verizons new customer deals and sign-up offers are a good way to score a more basic phone for free (like the 2020 iPhone SE or one of the Samsung Galaxy A-series devices, to name just a couple of popular examples), youll still have to pay for newer, more expensive phones like the iPhone 15 Pro.

Thats not to say there arent cheap Verizon deals on those phones, though. Carrier sign-up discounts like these Verizon new customer deals are arguably the best and most straightforward way to snag one of those new flagships for a low price. These markdowns usually come in the form of bill credits and are only offered with unlimited plans, requiring you to buy the phone first and then get a discount on your bill. That might not sound as enticing as a standalone price cut, but thats just psychological  youre still getting the savings. Youll notice those savings as you rack them up with each (discounted) monthly payment. There are even some deals, like the trade-in offer for the Samsung Galaxy S23, that still technically come as monthly discounts, but will completely cover the cost of the phone. That means the phone will be completely free as long as you stay with Verizon for a few years.
Boeing (BA) is sweetening the pot in an attempt to end a costly strike by its unionized machinists. The company announced Monday that it is revising its original offer  the 25% wage increase that members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voted down last week  to a proposed 30% bump.

After listening to our employees and their concerns, Boeing today presented our best and final offer, the company said in a statement provided to Quartz.

The phrase best and final offer is an important bit of legalese because it signifies that the party deploying it has no plans to bargain further. If bargaining grinds to a halt, negotiations will reach what is called an impasse, a more difficult stage where the company might seek to impose its best offer unilaterally and the union might ask a judge to force the company back to the table.

The strike is costing Boeing a lot of money already through lost production, and it could also result in the company losing its investment-grade credit rating, if the work stoppage does too much to deplete the plane makers shrinking cash position. The IAM was seeking a 40% wage increase, so the number that Boeing has put on the table may not satisfy workers who were already willing to walk off the job. The union is currently reviewing the offer.

This news validates every step that hardworking Boeing employees have taken on the picket line thus far, it said in a statement provided to Quartz. Employees knew Boeing executives could do better, and this shows the workers were right all along.

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The chair of Stellantis and Ferrari got caught up in an $84 million tax evasion case

When it rains it pours for some automakers, it seems. After Stellantis (STLA) struggled through poor sales, falling profits and calls to sell off its brands, a key figure at the Jeep and Fiat owner is now facing a tax evasion case.

Stellantis and Ferrari chair John Elkann has been named as part of an investigation into alleged tax fraud, reports the Detroit Free Press. Prosecutors in Italy have seized more than $84 million worth of assets from five people, including Elkann, over allegations that they avoided paying inheritance tax in the country. As the Free Press reports:

The investigation, opened earlier this year, alleges Elkann and his siblings Lapo and Ginevra did not pay taxes in Italy on assets they inherited after the death in 2019 of their grandmother Marella Caracciolo, the wife of late Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli. The case stems from a wider inheritance dispute between the Elkanns and their mother Margherita over the estate of Gianni Agnelli, which has divided one of Italys best known business dynasties. Prosecutors in the northern city of Turin said in a statement that their investigation showed that Caracciolo was a resident in Italy from at least 2010 and not Switzerland, and that her inheritance therefore should have been taxed in Italy. They said claims she had been based in Switzerland were part of a criminal plan to hide her substantial assets and related income from Italian inheritance and tax laws.

In response to the seizure of money and assets worth almost 75 million euros ($84 million), lawyers representing Elkann said this was just a procedural step in the case and did not signal any liability by the defendants.

The Elkann family instead argue that their grandmother, Marella Caracciolo was a Swiss resident for years before the brothers were born, meaning that they wouldnt be required to pay inheritance tax in Italy. As such, the lawyers believe they can prove that our defendants have nothing to do with the facts charged.

A version of this article originally appeared on Jalopniks The Morning Shift.

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Companies join forces to power helicopters with game-changing, hydrogen-electric fuel  and it could revolutionize organ transport

A hydrogen helicopter project in Canada can potentially be a boon for lung health on two fronts.

That's because the parties involved with the effort  a partnership between Quebec's Unither Bioelectronics and California's Robinson Helicopter Company  are developing choppers that will deliver lungs for transplant patients without producing heat-trapping air pollution that can harm respiratory health. That's according to a detailed joint press release from the companies.

"Just as protons from hydrogen atoms drive the mitochondrial power plants in each of our body's cells, we look forward to using protons from green hydrogen to drive the membrane-based fuel cell power plants in our Robinson  organ delivery electric helicopters," United Therapeutics CEO Martine Rothblatt said. United is Unither's parent company.

Robinson is working on the technical, regulatory, and engineering details needed to clear the Transport Canada Civil Aviation and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approvals for the helicopters.

United Therapeutics Organ Delivery Systems head Mikael Cardinal said in the press notice that he considers hydrogen power to be the "next frontier in sustainable aviation."

"This collaboration accelerates the development of sustainable transportation solutions for life-saving organs," he noted.

Hydrogen aircraft are already being developed elsewhere, too. One of Joby Aviation's multi-propeller machines has already flown more than 500 miles during a test flight using a combination of hydrogen and electric technology. It's an electric vertical takeoff and landing craft, aka eVTOL.

Hydrogen fuel cells produce only water vapor and heat when they use chemistry to generate electricity, according to the U.S. Energy Department. The agency is backing a large project in Texas to vet the production and use of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels.

But the government also notes that most commercial hydrogen in the U.S. is made with a process using planet-warming fuel sources. It's a barb marked by the environmental watchdog Sierra Club.

It only supports hydrogen made through a cleaner process called electrolysis, which uses electricity to separate hydrogen from water. What's more, the club will only endorse hydrogen if the electrolysis is powered by renewable energy.

The helicopter press release focuses more on the aircraft and its organ delivery potential than the plan to produce the hydrogen powering the flights.

A Unither video clip shows part of the incredible vision for the technology. The cleaner-energy helicopters would use high-tech, automated navigation and controls to deliver "manufactured" organs with or without a pilot in the scenario outlined in the clip. While Unither focuses on manufactured organs (both pig-to-human and what the company calls "advanced 3D bio-printing"), the tech's applications could easily apply to deceased human donor organs  which medical professionals have identified as an area facing several challenges  and a number of other applications, too.

"We are honored to be working with one of the world's largest helicopter manufacturers as we continue to extend our track record of saving hundreds of lives through aviation-delivered transplanted lungs," Rothblatt said.

We can all contribute to better lung health with some easy, everyday choices. Unplugging unused chargers and devices at night can save you more than $100 a year in energy costs while reducing the creation of planet-warming fumes made as electricity is being wasted.

Riding a bike instead of driving for short trips also prevents air pollutants, saves money, and improves your cardio and lung health.

For their part, officials from Robinson and Unither will be working toward government approvals needed for their unique organ-delivery plan.

"By deepening our existing relationship with Unither Bioelectronics, we can accelerate the arrival," Robinson CEO David Smith said in the press release.

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When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: Future

When a new iPhone goes on sale, a small percentage of the first units purchased will not have a good life; instead, they are doomed to undergo early torture tests to prove how robust (or not) they are.

That was the case with the iPhone 16 Pro when it launched on Friday, and while its hard to call the videos entirely scientific, the early findings are interesting nonetheless.

Take AppleTracks video from Sam Kohl. As with last year, Kohl flew to Australia to take advantage of time zone differences and be one of the first to put the new iPhone 16 Pro through its paces against a brand new iPhone 15 Pro.

The results are definitely a mixed bag. Getting the bad out of the way first, the iPhone 16 Pro stops working after just four drops, with a nasty corner fracture preventing the handset from turning on after a tumble from just over head height. The iPhone 15 Pro, meanwhile, continues to work all the way up to drop number 12 from a dizzying height before it gives up the ghost.

Kohls theory is that the lack of bezel between the edge and screen means that an unlucky side drop essentially hits the iPhone 16 Pros screen directly. And in such instances, its touch and go whether youre looking at an unsightly dent or a costly trip to the Apple Store. Either way, its a reminder that the best iPhone 16 Pro cases are about more than just showcasing your personality.

Again, theres only so much you can do to make these tests fair. Its a sample of two phones, and although theyre dropped from roughly the same height each time, there are just too many variables for this to be consistent. And where the phone connects with the ground ultimately decides how bad the damage is.

Serious question marks over method aside, its a little embarrassing for Apple, especially as the iPhone 15 Pro lasted a similar number of rounds in Kohls testing last year. As he explains at the start of the video, Apple stated that Ceramic Shield  the companys screen protection technology  was 50% tougher than [the] first-generation.

But despite the early failure, theres evidence that theres truth behind Apples claims about the improved strength of Ceramic Shield overall. Kohl continued to drop the iPhone 16 Pro alongside the 15 Pro, and as the latter developed plenty of spider web-like cracks along the screen, the former appeared significantly more robust, with fractures not spreading as easily to other sections of the panel.

While the 16 Pro broke really early on from that corner, on the successive drops you can see all of this different damage that has happened in different areas, but its way less severe overall, Kohl says. The display panel itself is way less cracked and sharp overall, and I think thats due to the new Ceramic Shield that Apple is using.

Theres also some evidence to suggest that Kohl was just plain unlucky with the early breakage. A few hours after Kohls Australian video went live, EverythingApplePro posted its drop test video, where the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max handsets survived multiple drop tests all the way up to 20 feet. In the video, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a similar dead moment as seen in Kohls video from a head-height drop, but it springs back to life with a hard reset, suggesting that maybe Kohls handset was merely playing dead.

Another interesting point can be seen early on in the video, where the new Pro iPhones last around 35-45 seconds longer on a heat mat before giving a temperature warning. Thats interesting because it backs up Apples claims that changes made on the inside would allow 30% higher sustained performance.

Ultimately, these clips and videos like them shouldnt seriously impact your decision whether to buy a phone or not. The damage done to handsets isnt what most people will see in their day-to-day use unless theyre extremely unlucky, and its actually encouraging how much of a beating modern phones can endure before failing.

All the same, if youre spending over $1,000 on an iPhone, you probably can spare a few more bucks on the peace of mind that a quality case will give you.
After missing second-quarter earnings expectations and seeing its stock fall over 50% so far this year, Intel (INTC) is still attracting interest worth billions of dollars.

Chipmaker Qualcomm (QCOM) is reportedly interested in taking over the chip pioneer in a deal that could be worth $90 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported last week. And alternative asset manager Apollo Global Management (APO) has also offered an equity-like investment that could be worth as much as $5 billion, according to Bloomberg.

By taking over Intel, Qualcomm could potentially scale, gain leadership in the market for mobile, PC, and server core processor units, or CPUs, and have access to Intels sprawling chip fabrication plants, analysts at Bank of America (BAC) Global Research said in a note. They added that combining Qualcomms chip revenue of $33 billion with Intels $52 billion revenue would make Qualcomm the largest semiconductor company in the world.

However, the analysts said regulatory and financial challenges from a potential deal would outweigh those benefits, and added they are skeptical of a proposed takeover, and believe confusion over the deal could end up benefitting Intels rivals, including Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) (AMD), Nvidia (NVDA), and Arm.

Here are three reasons Bank of America and other analysts say Qualcomm wouldnt benefit much from an Intel takeover.

Intel and Qualcomm focus on different chips

A deal between a chip designer and a company with the factories to make those chips looks sensible from above, Richard Windsor, founder of research firm Radio Free Mobile, said in a note  but it doesnt actually fit so well.

While Qualcomm uses British chip firm Arms architecture for its PC chips, Intels x86 processors, which are used in a lot of computer and server hardware, are designed differently. Bank of America analysts also noted the difference, saying Qualcomms existing established relationships on the Arm architecture make it tougher to bring product to Intels mostly x86-based fabs.

Meanwhile, Windsor said Intels x86 processors are under assault on all fronts from Arm and accelerated computing, and that Qualcomm has already spent two decades competing against Intels chips in the mobile and PC market.

Consequently, it makes no sense to become the owner of a fading titan when one is in a good position to partially or completely displace it from the market, Windsor said.

And Qualcomm already has a relationship with other chipmakers such as TSMC (TSM) and Samsung, Windsor said, meaning it already knows how to design its chips to be optimally manufactured on these processes. Therefore, having to redesign its chips to be manufactured by Intel, which has already slipped behind with cutting edge chips, sounds like a risky proposition to me, he said.

It would be an expensive takeover

If Qualcomm does go through with an acquisition, it would come at a premium to Intels current expected value of $87 billion, Bank of America analysts said, adding that Intel also has about $53 billion in debt. Meanwhile, Qualcomm has $13 billion in cash on its balance sheet, analysts said.

Intel is also planning to spend billions to support a growing fab network, including a five-year, $100 billion expansionplan for plants in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon. While the chipmaker is expecting to receive almost $20 billion in direct federal funding and loans from the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act to support the effort, it makes up a small portion of how much the expansion plan is expected to cost. Meanwhile, the chipmaker recently saw its shares close on a high after the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it is eligible for a separate $3 billion in CHIPS Act funding under the Secure Enclave program.

Windsor also said in his note that Qualcomm would almost certainly pay for Intel with shares which would lead to dilution for existing holders of Qualcomms stock (which includes Windsor). And while Intels shares have fallen this year, Windsor said its still not cheap due to the chipmakers falling revenue.

The regulatory environment is too tough

Bank of America analysts said the potential deal faces a tough regulatory environment, specifically in China, where medium sized deals have, in the past, taken years to even consider.

Therefore, analysts said, the potential to dominate the CPU market would actually work against a takeover, because it could face regulatory challenges. For example, the analysts noted Qualcomms failed acquisition of Dutch semiconductor company NXP (NXPI) in 2018, after it did not receive approval from Chinas antitrust regulator.

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U.S. Navy-supported researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that could help keep solar panels operating at high efficiency even underwater.

According to Interesting Engineering, researchers funded by the U.S. Navy and working at the Technical University of Denmark have found a way to help prevent biofouling on underwater solar panels. Biofouling is the growth of barnacles, algae, or other organisms on panels, which limits their effectiveness and costs time and resources to remove.

While there are current antifouling coatings in use, they either need to be mechanically cleaned or they block visible light, which hinders their usefulness on solar panels.

Researchers developed a new coating with a seawater-soluble chemical. That way, it will dissolve in the water and polish itself  this means the panels won't need a mechanism to help keep them clean and clear to gather energy from the sun.

The top layer of the concoction will wash away, essentially leaving a freshly polished surface in its place, per the news outlet. The dissolution of the top layer also releases small amounts of biocidal chemicals into the water to keep barnacles and other sea life from taking up residence.

This gives the surface "a consistent self-polishing effect," according to Interesting Engineering. Tests in seawater off the coast of Denmark and Florida showed that the surfaces retained almost 100 percent effectiveness over a 13-week period, with minimal fouling from biological surfaces.

Solar energy is a booming industry, and technological advancements continue to make it more effective and affordable.

A Spanish company has announced a new material for panels that make them more effective at converting light into energy. Also, an American research team discovered a means to draw energy into solar panels from the air, using planet-warming carbon dioxide as a catalyst.

The Navy uses solar panels in UUVs (unmanned underwater vehicles) and AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles) to allow them to travel long distances from bases and ships without human intervention. These vehicles use cameras and sensors that need to remain clear, and this solution will allow them to do so for months on end, according to the report.

The potential civilian applications are fascinating, as well. It could allow for larger solar banks with lower maintenance costs off the coast of many major cities worldwide, further diminishing our reliance on dirty energy sources such as coal and fossil fuels.

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 death chamber, with the lethal injection table and trap doors for hangings in the ceiling, at the Washington State Penitentiary.
An October 1918 photo shows, from left, George H. Hines, Hazard Stevens, W.T. Bonney, Lucullus V. McWhorter and William Charley at a monument commemorating the death of Indian Subagent Andrew J. Bolon near Goldendale. Bolon's death was considered one of the triggers of the Yakama War.
Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) stock ran up 4.9% through 10:10 a.m. ET Monday after investment bank Citigroup switched from sell to buy on the stock this morning, and raised its price target to $68.

Capital spending by North American telecommunications companies is likely to end 2024 down 3% from 2023 levels, explained the analyst. But in 2025, that trend should reverse to show 3% growth in capital spending.

Why Citigroup loves Ciena stock

More details on the upgrade: Ciena stock has been suffering from a supply glut of telecom equipment that's weighing on sales and depressing profits. Last quarter, Ciena's sales slid 12% year over year, while earnings cratered 52%.

As StreetInsider reports today, though, the inventory glut is having a "diminishing impact" on Ciena's business, and as demand for the company's products revives, Ciena could enjoy mid- to high-single-digit sales growth in 2025 -- even above the industry average.

The analyst notes that Ciena's outsize role in supplying networking equipment to cloud service providers will help drive growth. Additionally, the analyst expects investors to begin rotating out of semiconductors in search of cheaper ways to play the rise of artificial intelligence technology.

Is Ciena stock a buy?

In this regard it's important to note that Citi doesn't expect Ciena to benefit immediately from AI work. That's more of a longer-term trend for the stock. And in the near term, I'm not convinced the stock's 30 times FCF price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is quite cheap enough for a forecast of mid- to high-single-digit sales growth.

When you consider furthermore that the stock sells for an even more expensive-looking 61.5 P/E ratio -- a more common measure of valuation -- the case for buying Ciena stock today looks even weaker. Just because Citi might be right about telecom equipment sales improving doesn't mean it's right that you should buy Ciena stock.

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Why Ciena Stock Popped 5% on Monday was originally published by The Motley Fool
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A motorcyclist is killed after being hit by a car traveling 140 mph on a Phoenix freeway

Authorities say a motorcyclist has died after being struck by a car being driven at 140 mph by a suspected impaired driver on a freeway in Phoenix
By Aditya Kalra

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - China's Xiaomi has asked India's antitrust body to recall its report that found the company and Walmart's Flipkart breached competition laws, arguing it contains commercial secrets, two people familiar with the matter said.

Any recall of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) report could delay its antitrust investigation, which began in 2021. In a rare move in August, the commission recalled an antitrust report on Apple after the company similarly complained commercial secrets were disclosed.

Xiaomi has told the commission in an application the investigation report on Flipkart contains sensitive business data on the smartphone company which was supposed to be redacted when the document was shared with parties in the case, said the two sources familiar with the matter.

One of Xiaomi's concerns with the Flipkart report is that it contains its model-wise sales which is sensitive information, one of the sources said.

Xiaomi, Flipkart and the competition watchdog did not immediately respond to Reuters queries.

The commission does not make investigation reports public and they are only shared with parties to the case. A recall requires parties to return the report which then undergoes further review for redactions.

The watchdog has found that e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart gave preference to select sellers and prioritised certain listings, and also colluded with companies like Xiaomi to launch phones exclusively on their websites, Reuters reported this month citing the August reports on Flipkart and Amazon.

Counterpoint Research data shows that South Korea's Samsung and China's Xiaomi are two of India's biggest smartphone players, together holding an almost 36% market share, with China's Vivo on 19%.

Xiaomi is not concerned with data in the report made on Amazon, in which the investigators also said the two companies colluded on online sales in breach of antitrust laws, said both the sources, who declined to be named as the matter is confidential.

It wants the commission to ask parties to return the report and destroy any copies, allowing the watchdog to further redact the sensitive information and reshare the reports, said the first source.

The watchdog took a similar step with its Apple report, which found the U.S. company exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system. The company denies wrongdoing.

The commission's Flipkart report said the Indian units of Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Vivo, Lenovo and Realme indulged in the practice of exclusive product launches on Flipkart's shopping website, saying this was "against free and fair competition" and "against the interest of consumers".

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Gift will also fund endowed chair in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and support the new Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall





VILLANOVA, Pa. (September 23, 2024)  Villanova University has received an estate gift of more than $11 million from the late Bernard John Lucci. The gift will fund opportunities for lifelong learning through the College of Professional Studies (CPS), endow a chair in Italian Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and support the new Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Halldesignations chosen in honor of Mr. Luccis personal connection to Villanova.

Mr. Lucci began taking classes at Villanova in 2005 through CPS Senior Citizen Personal Enrichment Program, which offers lifelong learning opportunities for those seeking personal and intellectual growth. Mr. Lucci would go on to take 10 Italian culture and language courses at the University from 2005-2012, inspired by his family, who emigrated from northern Italy. Most recently, Mr. Lucci resided in Jeffersonville, Pa. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 86.

We are deeply grateful for Mr. Luccis gift and honored by his belief in the power of the Villanova experience, said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, University President. Mr. Luccis restless pursuit of knowledge and humble generosity stand as a remarkable example to us all.

From Mr. Luccis total bequest, $5 million will go to the College of Professional Studiesthe largest gift in the Colleges history. In recognition of the gift and Mr. Luccis connection to Villanova as a CPS student, the program he participated in will be named in his honor: the Bernard John Lucci Senior Citizen Personal Enrichment Program. An endowed fund will also be created to support the College's growth and strategic priorities, including the expansion of the personal enrichment program and additional non-degree learning opportunitiesstrengthening CPSs role as a leader in serving non-traditional and adult learners.

Mr. Luccis bequest will also establish the Bernard John Lucci Endowed Chair in Italian Studies within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This position will further enhance the Colleges dedication to cultural and historical studies with a special focus on Italian culture and heritage, an area of personal importance to Mr. Lucci. Timothy McCall, PhD, professor of Art History, director of the Art History program, and internationally recognized scholar of the Italian Renaissance, has been appointed as the inaugural Lucci Chair.

The final area the bequest will impact is the new Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall, where a dedicated spacethe Bernard John Lucci Doctoral and Graduate Office Suitewill bear Mr. Luccis name. This space will serve as a central hub for graduate and doctoral students, fostering collaboration and academic inquiry.

As an Augustinian Catholic university, Villanova is dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning among its students, ideals personified by Mr. Lucci, said Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD. His generous bequest will have a broad impact on our community, enhancing the academic experiences of countless undergraduate, graduate and personal enrichment students.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
As expected, the COVID pandemic affected the tourism sector in Hungary in many ways. For example, it completely redesigned the habits regarding consuming alcohol in Hungary.

During the lockdown, many people figured out that making cocktails at home is far more affordable than going out to fancy bars. In addition, the price of alcohol in Hungary is not necessarily attracting tourists to the country anymore.



Hungary is no longer an affordable destination Habits and changing trends regarding alcohol consumption in Hungary were the focus of Penzcentrums recent interview with Zsolt Erdei, CEO of Passion Group.



According to the CEO, Hungary is no longer the affordable destination it once was for tourists seeking low-cost experiences, especially when it comes to dining out.



The prices at Hungarian restaurants have risen significantly, with even traditional dishes like goulash soup coming at a cost that rivals meals in cities like Barcelona (where Erdei lives), despite differences in the types of cuisine offered.



Various factors have contributed to these price hikes, making Hungary less attractive for those who previously visited due to its affordability. Do tourists come for the cheap alcohol in Hungary?



The CEO suggests that alcohol in Hungary is not necessarily cheaper than in other EU countries. In addition, the tourism sector in Hungary is also facing challenges in terms of visitor demographics.



Previously, there was a steady influx of tourists interested in good bars and restaurants, but these numbers faced a sharp drop. Meanwhile, Erdei notes that some excellent initiatives and sophisticated bars exist in Hungary.



However, the affluent class of tourists rarely target Budapest.



According to the CEO, the key to regaining this market lies in the fact that the industry needs to adopt a strong strategy. In addition, fostering better partnerships to highlight Hungarys excellent culinary and alcohol offerings, particularly in Budapest, is also of high importance.



Effective marketing and collaboration are essential to attract more gastronomically focused travellers to the capital.



Changing tendencies Globally, alcohol consumption is declining across all age groups. In Hungary, changing habits are starting to reflect a broader international trend. Younger generations, particularly Generation Y, are consuming less alcohol, with a recent survey showing that half had not consumed any alcohol in a given month.



In the decade of social media, young people are trying to be more conscious about what they do, as anything could end up online.



This shift has impacted producers, including winemakers and brewers, who are increasingly focusing on low-alcohol and alcohol-free alternatives such as sparkling wines and flavoured beers.



Major beer companies, present in Hungary, predict that by 2025, non-alcoholic and low-alcohol products will account for half of their sales.



Thus, alcohol in Hungary will become even less popular. Although this trend is slower to take hold here, it is expected that alcohol consumption among younger people will continue to decline in the upcoming years as well.



Source: Daily News Hungary - republished with permission



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Budapest has "passed the flood defence test", Gergely Karacsony, the city's mayor, told a press conference held near the River Danube on Saturday.

Karacsony said the river had peaked in Budapest and was now below morning levels. "We're past the hard part, but it's not over yet. We have lots of work ahead of us," he added.



He said flood defence investments undertaken in recent years had held up well, adding that more projects were planned in future, in the north of the capital, with the support of European Union funding.



He praised the citizens of Budapest and cooperation between the local government and state organisations. "It appears that in times like these, political disputes can be put aside," he added.



Karacsony said flood restrictions would be lifted "as soon as possible", but added that "safety comes first".



The embankment roads may be re-opened in the second half of the coming week, he said in response to a question.



Orban: Flood Peak Could Leave Hungary Tuesday

The flood peak on the Danube could leave Hungary on Tuesday, but vigilance must be maintained, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told a press conference on Sunday, after a meeting of the operative body for flood protection.



Orban said there was a good chance that the peak would leave the country then, instead of Thursday, as earlier expected. He added that the peak was now at Dunafoldvar, some 100km south of Budapest.



He said the third-degree flood alert level could be reduced in a number of areas from Monday, adding that heavy rain that could affect flood levels was not in the forecast.



Orban said flood defence efforts had been successful and gave updates on settlements north of the capital.



Asked whether flood defence workers would get a pay rise, Orban said he was in talks with the head of water management.



Addressing the possibility of closer regional flood prevention cooperation, Orban said that was "on track while the V4 was working". Hungary has know-how that it would gladly share, he added.



Political life will return to normal next week, Orban said, with a conference on European competitiveness on Wednesday and an inter-governmental meeting in North Macedonia on Thursday.



Asked about a proposed debate with Peter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza party, Orban said issues could be debated when the next election takes place.



Orban: Hungary Can Breathe Easier in Five Days

Hungary can breathe easier after five more "difficult days", Prime Minister Viktor Orban told a press conference on flood protection in Budapest on Saturday.



"On the ninth day of defence, we've passed the halfway point," he said, adding that there were five more days to go in a state of heightened readiness.



On Friday, flood defences were carried out along 755km, one kilometer more than the previous day.



He added that water levels remained below those of the 2013 flood, and protection measures were being implemented at a "calm and steady pace".



Orban noted that today the River Danube would peak in Budapest, and attention would thenceforth focus on settlements downstream from Budapest.



He warned that flood-protection leaders must not allow work to slacken, because most bank-bursts, accidents and flooding generally took place as the waters receded. It would take just a "lackadaisical" day or two to ruin the successful work thus far, he added.



On Friday, the protective "backbone" slipped at Pilismarot, and divers were successfully deployed to strengthen the defences in a 16-hour operation.



At Vac, sewage manholes burst due to the high water pressure, "but we managed to contain this", he said.



The focus in the following period will be settlements downstream from Budapest, he said, mentioning Ercsit, Kisapostag, Dunafoldvar and Paks, adding that protection measures were 100 percent ready.



Asked about how much money Hungary may receive from the European Commission's 10 billion euro outlay for central Europe's flood-related measures, Orban said Hungarians had long experience of how they must rely on themselves to solve their own problems, and "for now we've managed, we've stood our ground and protected the country".



"We'll believe it when we see it," he said. "If money comes, it comes, if it doesn't, it doesn't; we can do without," he said. "Every kind of help is welcome  but we shouldn't hold out our hat like a measly beggar," he added.



Orban noted that Hungary has spent 2 billion euros on protecting the EU's external border, "yet for this, the EU hasn't given us a single penny".



Regarding tasks ahead, he said great vigilance in flood defence work would have to be shown right up to the wave reaching the southern town of Baja on Monday, and the biggest dangers would be over by next Wednesday-Thursday. The prime minister said it would be unfair to compare Hungary's situation with neighbouring countries, where there have been fatalities and general paralysis, and he noted that Hungary had had more time to prepare.



Referring to the leader of the opposition Tisza Party, Peter Magyar, and his critical comments of the government's communications about the number of volunteers carrying out flood defence, Orban said Magyar would do better to focus on the work ahead instead of entering into disputes in "bad taste".



"The more volunteers, the better" he said, adding that statistics on people engaged in flood defence were handled by the operational staff each morning, and he quoted numbers accordingly. Orban thanked everyone for their work. Also he noted that flood defence in 2013 cost 19.6 billion forints, and so far this year the sum was "well below that".



Orban Inspects Defences South of Capital

Prime Minister Viktor Orban inspected flood defence work in Kisapostag, south of the capital, as the Danube peaked there on Sunday, the PM's press chief said.



Orban visited temporary flood defences in the village with Gabor Varga, the MP for the region, and Attila Nagy, the mayor of the settlement, Bertalan Havasi said.



Flood defence authorities said a 500-metre long line of sandbags was protecting around 50 homes.



Lantos: Flooding No Threat to Energy Services

Flooding on the River Danube poses no threat to energy services in Hungary, the energy ministry said on Saturday.



Energy Minister Csaba Lantos said gas and electricity had been turned off temporarily in some settlements affected by the flooding, but added that no interruption to countrywide services was expected.



Early on Friday, a second-degree flood alert was ordered on the Danube at the site of the Paks nuclear power plant, but this is not expected to be raised to the third degree as the Danube peaks, the ministry said.



None of the power lines or transformer stations of electricity grid operator MAVIR are threatened by flooding, it added.



Two sluices at oil and gas company MOL's Danube Refinery have been closed and sandbags have been used to reinforce two points, but operation is continuing without interruption, the ministry said.



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.



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The upper section of the Danube is fast receding, and 510km were being protected on Monday, 200km less than the previous day, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told a press conference.

The river is expected to peak at Mohacs, in southern Hungary, and excess waters will flow out of the country during the course of the day, Orban said, adding that there will be fewer operative staff handling the floods from Wednesday.



Rain this week is not expected to have an impact on the flood wave, and it is unlikely that any of the country's rivers will burst their banks or the dykes protecting them.



Fully 40km of temporary levees have been constructed as part of the flood protection efforts on the Danube in 2024, and mobile dyke walls have been erected along more than 4,600m, Orban said after the meeting of the flood protection operative body.



He added that unused sandbags are being emptied and used ones that have come into contact with water are being destroyed.



Chief medical officer Cecilia Muller said the public road maintenance authority will disinfect roads between localities and local authorities would be responsible for those within.



Several localities have detected bacteria and algae in the drinking water, Muller said. Water must be boiled before being consumed there, and drinking water is being delivered by lorry, she added.



Plans in Place for Winding Down of Flood Defence

Plans are in place for the winding down of flood defence efforts, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday, adding that all the necessary tasks have been completed.



Answering a question at a press conference after a meeting of the operative body for flood protection, the prime minister said that once the flood waves have receded the focus will be on public health tasks.



Orban noted that the total cost of this year's flood protection efforts is expected to come to around 5 billion forints (EUR 12.7m) compared with the 19.6 billion forints spent in 2013.



Asked about possible mistakes that might have been made, Orban said the work of the state bodies was reflected in the results. "Hungary 1, Danube floods 0," he added.



The prime minister said he had met well-prepared professionals during the flood defence work, with neither the army, the police, the disaster management nor the water management authority putting in "superficial" work.



Once the waters recede, he said, they will evaluate the defence work and determine the areas where building a permanent flood barrier may be worthwhile. At the same time, he called for "continued discipline" over the next two days.



The prime minister said media briefings on the post-flood public health measures will be handled by the chief medical officer.







Orban: Flood defence nearing end

Flood defence efforts in Hungary are nearing their end, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday, adding that there was "every chance to be as optimistic as possible about the remaining couple of days".



"We have to hold out for another day and a half or two and then the country can breathe a sigh of relief," the prime minister told a press conference after a meeting of the operative body for flood protection, adding that rain that could affect flood levels was not in the forecast.



Orban said the Danube is expected to peak at Baja, in the southwest, at noon, with a third-degree, highest flood alert in place for that town, and a second-degree alert issued for Mohacs.



The Danube is receding quicker on its upper sections than anticipated, he said, adding that the pressure on the country was now easing.



The Danube's water level receded 80 centimetres at Mosonmagyarovar in the northwest, 136cm at Esztergom in the north, 92cm at Vac, north of Budapest, 74cm in Budapest and 17cm at Dunaujvaros, he said. Meanwhile, the Raba receded 130cm at Gyor, he added.



Flood defence operations were carried out along 755 kilometres on Saturday and just 706 kilometres on Sunday, Orban noted. Flood alerts were only in place along 223 kilometres, he added.



Altogether 5,025 people were involved in the flood protection efforts on Saturday, and only 4,458 on Sunday, with just 195 volunteers taking part in the work now, Orban said. The total number of sandbags used in the defence work came to 1,903,100, he said.



The prime minister said that in Budapest, Margaret Island and the Batthyany Square metro station could be re-opened to traffic.



The water has also begun receding in Kisapostag, south of the capital, he said, adding that the situation at Dunafoldvar, Madocsa and Paks was "all right".



In response to a question, Orban said the work of the state bodies was reflected in the results. He said the waters had been kept confined to the riverbeds, and only the Leitha had to be released along one section.



Whereas the peak water levels on the Danube did not exceed the all-time record, the Leitha's peak level marked its highest recorded water levels, he said, adding that the section in question had been protected by the opening of an emergency reservoir.



"If the water stays in the riverbed, then there's no problem and the flood defence is successful," Orban said.



He said the matter of flood defence along certain river sections falling under the competence of the state and other sections under that of the local council had not caused any problems.



"It turns out that when there's trouble, Hungarians are capable of protecting their localities by applying a flexible interpretation of the legal framework and helping each other,"the prime minister said, adding that he had "nothing but the best" to say about the cooperation among those who had participated in the defence work.



Orban also said plans were in place for the winding down of flood defence efforts, and that all the necessary tasks have been completed.



He said that once the flood waves have receded the focus will be on public health tasks.



Orban noted that the total cost of this year's flood protection efforts is expected to come to around 5 billion forints (EUR 12.7m) compared with the 19.6 billion forints spent in 2013.



Asked about possible mistakes that might have been made, Orban said the work of the state bodies was reflected in the results. "Hungary 1, Danube floods 0," he added.



Once the waters recede, he said, they will evaluate the defence work and determine the areas where building a permanent flood barrier may be worthwhile. At the same time, he called for "continued discipline" over the next two days.



In response to another question, Orban said the "migration-related fine" imposed on Hungary by Brussels "has been collected" from the companies operating in the country, adding that the fine would not be covered by the Hungarian people.



Asked about a proposed debate with Peter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza Party, Orban said he always gave an answer when he had something to say, and the place for debates was parliament.



He said there was a time and place for debates outside the legislative assembly, adding that there would be a time for it, "but it isn't now".



Bence Retvari, the interior ministry's parliamentary state secretary, told the press conference that law enforcement officials are on duty at 59 sites to assist with flood defence efforts. There are units dispatched to 50 spots under full road closures and another two under half lane restriction, Retvari said.



The disaster management authority is operating 95 water pumps, he said, adding that drinking water was continuously monitored for quality.



He said local councils were advised on the handling of sandbags.



In the context of the situation in Europe, Retvari noted that floods have claimed 28 lives in neighbouring countries but none so far in Hungary.



Istvan Lang, the head of Hungary's Water Management Directorate, said the Danube was expected to peak at Baja, in the southwest, during the day, adding that all protection measures were in place.



The authorities are also fully prepared for the flooding to peak at Bata, Bar, Dunaszekcso, Madocsa and Mohacs. He said there was an emergency preparedness on the Leitha river.



Eszter Vitalyos, the government spokeswoman, called the overall collaboration in flood defence "exemplary" and preventing the closure of highway 11 in the north "a great achievement".



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.
Hungary's tourism sector is on the upturn, boasting a record number of domestic and foreign visitors this year, Minister of National Economy Marton Nagy said at a press conference, according to TV news channel ATV.

The number of tourists who stayed in accommodation in Hungary was close to seven million in June-August, up 9% from the same period a year earlier, Nagy said.



The number of guest nights rose 3% to almost 18 million during the period, he added.



Passenger numbers at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International reached 11.5 million by the end of August and could come to 17.5 million by year-end, beating the record number in 2019 by over one million, Nagy noted.



Cargo volume at the airport could reach 270 million tonnes by year-end, boosted in part by Hungarians online purchases, he added.



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Over 100 exciting events will be held at HUN-RENs research institutes in Budapest and in the countryside on Friday 27 September.

The Night of Researchers will offer some 2,600 programmes in 250 institutions in 52 localities nationwide on Friday and Saturday, the culture and innovation minister told a press conference.



The number of employees working in R and D at companies in Hungary has grown to around 6,500 from 3,000 per million residents within the last decade, and the government is working to increase that ratio to 9,000 by 2030, Balazs Hanko said.



"Together with young Hungarians, innovators and researchers, we have set the goal to become one of the ten best innovators in Europe," he said.



Hanko said Europe needed a "sea-change" in competitiveness, as it was lagging behind in the fields of innovation and science. "Hungary must show that the Hungarian mind and creativity are world-class," he said.



Researchers Night is a series of free events across Europe to promote science and careers in research. Through entertaining and inspiring talks, experiments, lab visits and other fun activities, people of all ages can discover the many new discoveries in scientific research.



The main aim of the event, initiated by the European Commissions Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions, is to make the diverse work of researchers and developers attractive to young people  boys and girls alike.



In Budapest, the Bay Zoltan Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research will transform a tram on line 47 into a research station, where those interested can make exciting discoveries and interview researchers. Furthermore, visitors can also use VR glasses to scan the huge islands of rubbish in the ocean and, as strange as it sounds, get an insight into the world of sustainable injection molding.



The evening ends with an acoustic concert by Ivan & The Parazol.



Those interested can also try out robots at SZTAKI: Husky, the self-driving robot, mainly likes to map things, while the robot dog will show how much artificial spatial intelligence has evolved in recent times. If all that was not enough, visitors can also find out how old AI thinks they are based on their photos or blood work.



At the HUN-REN Research Center for Natural Sciences, those interested can take a tour of a very colorful light lab, where they can learn about the emission of light from materials and see everyday examples of phosphorescence and fluorescence.



In Szeged (southern Hungary), visitors can gain an insight into the complex workings of our brains and learn how our blood cells are made up and what lies behind the numbers on the blood cell count, as well as mRNA-based vaccine development.



At the HUN-REN Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science in Sopron (northwester Hungary), Hungary, they will discuss why the next Hungarian astronaut might want to study light phenomena related to lightning from space. In addition, Sopron will also reveal how the Carpathian Basin was formed and what tectonic movements can currently be detected in the area.



The programs of HUN-RENs research institutes are collected here.



Until the Researchers Night (September 27), it is worth returning to the website several times, as new programs will be added continuously.



Some events are subject to registration, therefore it is advisable to register as soon as possible, as places are quickly running out.



Event on Facebook
New Delhi: The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Monday issued a notice to embattled low-cost carrier SpiceJet over a petition by Techjockey Infotech Pvt Ltd, one of its operational creditors.

Software solutions startup Techjockey Infotech filed an insolvency case against cash-strapped airline SpiceJet for an alleged default of around Rs 1.18 crore.

The petition was filed under section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. It aims to initiate insolvency proceedings against the airline for default that stems from a 2021 agreement wherein SpiceJet acquired cloud services.

The NCLT has admitted the case for consideration and issued a notice to SpiceJet. The case is scheduled to be heard on November 14.

This case adds to several insolvency cases against SpiceJet for unpaid dues to various vendors and aircraft lessors. The pleas from Aircastle, AWAS 36698 Ireland, AWAS 36694 Ireland, and AWAS 36695 remain pending, along with Shannon Engine Support Ltd and Engine Lease Finance B.V.

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld the Delhi High Courts directive requiring SpiceJet to ground and return three aircraft engines leased from French companies due to non-payment of dues, while dismissing the airlines appeal.

The airline had said in a statement that it is currently in discussions with the aircraft lessor to reach an amicable settlement. It is important to note that two of the three engines in question are already grounded, and our operations remain completely normal and unaffected. We remain committed to ensuring seamless operations," the airline added.

Meanwhile, SpiceJet hit a new low with its market share shrinking by 80 bps to 2.3 per cent (month-on-month) in August, largely due to financial woes and increased grounding, carrying just 3.01 lakh domestic passengers.

Also, embattled SpiceJets board has approved the issuance and allotment of 48.70 crore equity shares to qualified institutional buyers at Rs 61.60 per share to raise Rs 3,000 crore.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with technology industry leaders in New York in a Roundtable anchored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), School of Engineering. The tech-roundtable focused on Artificial Intelligence and Quantum; Biotechnology and Life Sciences; Computing, IT and Communication; and Semiconductor technologies.

Organised by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, the CEOs of top US tech firms, including Google CEO Pichai, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayena, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang attended the conference.Others who participated in the roundtable include AMD CEO Lisa Su, HP Inc. CEO Enrique Lores, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, Dr Noubar Afeyan, Chairman of Moderna, and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg.



The CEOs participated in a deep dive with Prime Minister on the evolving technology landscape at a global level and how these cutting-edge technologies are contributing to the well-being of people around the world including in India. They touched upon how technology is being leveraged for innovations, which have the potential to revolutionize the global economy and human development.



Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the MIT School of Engineering and its Dean for bringing the technology leaders together. He noted that technology collaboration and efforts such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies [ICET] lie at the core of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

He stressed that in his third term, India will make every effort to become the third largest economy in the world. He encouraged the companies to take advantage of Indias growth story for collaboration and innovation. They can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from Indias economic and technological growth. He assured the business leaders of Indias deep commitment to protection of intellectual property and to fostering tech-innovation.



Prime Minister highlighted the economic transformation happening in India, particularly in electronics and information technology manufacturing, semiconductors, biotech and green development. He stated that his government was committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing. He also dwelt on Indias BIO E3 policy to develop India into a biotech powerhouse. On AI, he noted that Indias policy is to promote AI for All, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use.



The CEOs expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India. India's growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities, got much appreciation from the tech-leaders. They also agreed that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in India.



MIT Professor Anantha Chandrakasan, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at the Institute and Dean of the MIT School of Engineering, who chaired the roundtable, thanked Prime Minister and CEOs for their participation, affirming MITs commitment to advancing technology and making it accessible for global good.
Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down as CM last week, faced intense political and legal pressure in recent months. According to Atishi, "The BJP did everything to tarnish his image, filing false cases and having him imprisoned for six months." Kejriwal resigned after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in a case related to the Delhi excise policy. He had submitted his resignation to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena earlier in the week.

Cabinet Portfolios Retained

Atishi, while assuming her new role, continues to oversee the 13 key portfolios she managed in the Kejriwal government. These include education, finance, revenue, power, and the public works department (PWD). In addition to her responsibilities, fellow minister Saurabh Bharadwaj now manages eight departments, including health, tourism, and art and culture.

Newly appointed minister Mukesh Ahlawat will be responsible for the labour, SC/ST, employment, and land and building departments, while Gopal Rai retains his roles overseeing development, environment, and general administration. Kailash Gahlot continues to manage transport, home, administrative reforms, and women and child development.

Upcoming Challenges

Atishi's government faces a short tenure, with assembly elections in Delhi scheduled for February next year. Her new cabinet has a long list of pending projects and initiatives that need to be addressed before the polls.

Despite the brevity of her term, Atishi expressed confidence in her ability to lead the government and fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to her.
The search for two swimmers who went missing from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Saturday resumed on Monday after a pause due to rough conditions on Sunday.

Red flag conditions remain, and Virginia Beach lifeguards on patrol are warning swimmers in the area of the dangers of swimming at this time.

The search area extends from Rudee Inlet to the North End, which police determined based on history, experience and the current weather conditions including tide cycles, a spokesperson said.

The two missing swimmers are Sergio Olcot Ajbal and Sergio Xinico, both 22 years old and from Chesapeake. Police received a report of three men struggling to make it to shore while swimming off 16th Street shortly before 8:30 p.m.

One of the men was found unconscious in the water about 10 minutes after the initial report came in and was close enough to shore to be pulled in by police and EMS, a police spokesperson said. Its unclear how the men knew one another.

The man who was found was hospitalized in critical condition as of Saturday night. A police spokesperson was unable to provide an update on his status on Monday morning.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the men at noon Sunday after more than 14 hours during which it covered 102 square miles, according to a news release.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends during this difficult time, said Capt. Peggy Britton, commander of the Coast Guards Sector Virginia. The Coast Guard is incredibly grateful for the dedication, expertise, and cooperation of all agencies involved in this search. The teamwork displayed by all involved in these challenging conditions demonstrates the unwavering commitment of working together.

Virginia Beach police and fire departments each have one marine unit in the water conducting the search. Police also have two officers on ATVs searching from Rudee Inlet to Fort Story.
Jammu and Kashmir Polls: During a day-long visit to campaign for his party in Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi took a sharp dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticizing him for focusing on "Mann Ki Baat" while neglecting "Kaam Ki Baat." Speaking in Surankot, Poonch, and later in Shalteng, Srinagar, Gandhi addressed large crowds, asserting that the BJP government has failed to address unemployment and restore statehood in Jammu and Kashmir.

Gandhi remarked that while Modi speaks frequently on his radio show, "Mann Ki Baat," he forgets to discuss important issues like jobs and development. According to Gandhi, fewer people are listening to Modis words now. He highlighted that unemployment has spread across the country, with Jammu and Kashmir facing the same issues. He further criticized the government for stripping the region of its statehood and allowing outsiders to make decisions for the people.

Restoring Statehood and Promises of Reform

Gandhi emphasized the need to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stating, "Many times, Union Territories have been converted into states, but this is the first time a state has been reduced to a Union Territory." He promised to push for statehood and said, "If they don't do it, we will make sure it happens." He also assured the people that, if elected, his government would provide health insurance worth Rs 25 lakh and 11 kg of rice for every family.

Alliance Impact and Modi's Changed Approach

Gandhi claimed that the opposition's India alliance has shaken PM Modis confidence and shifted his approach. "Modi used to boast about his 56-inch chest, but now he has to act according to the oppositions demands," he said. He also shared that he has closely observed Modi's changing body language in Parliament, attributing this shift to the pressure from the India alliance.

Local Leadership and Criticism of BJP

Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP for imposing "outsiders" as rulers in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the Lieutenant Governor, who governs against the people's wishes, does not understand the region's needs. He accused the BJP of promoting hatred and division across the country, saying, "Hatred cannot be answered with hatred, only with love."

Gandhi reminded the crowd of his 4,000-kilometer journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, stating that wherever the BJP spread hatred, he and his supporters opened "shops of love."

Support for Congress-NC Alliance

Urging cooperation between Congress and National Conference (NC) workers, Gandhi called for mutual support in voting, with Congress backing NC candidates and NC backing Congress candidates in the ongoing elections.

Public Support for Rahul Gandhi

Thousands of people gathered to hear Gandhi speak in Shalteng, expressing their belief in his ability to bring change. Many cited his inclusive approach, treating all communities equally, as a reason for their support.

Yasir Iqbal, a local resident, expressed his admiration for Gandhis efforts, saying, "No other minister dares to hold such rallies for so long. He works hard, and Im going to vote for him." Another attendee, Ghulam Hassan Bhatt, compared Gandhis approach to that of former Prime Minister Vajpayee, who, he said, took everyone along, unlike Modi, whom Bhatt criticized for being divisive.

Final Campaign Day

Today marked the final day of campaigning for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. On September 25, around 26 lakh voters will choose from 239 candidates across 26 constituencies in the districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu, and Srinagar, Budgam, and Ganderbal in Kashmir.
In a surprising turn of events, a 6-year-old girl was saved by monkeys from getting raped. Reportedly, the monkeys arrived just in time and foiled a mans attempt to sexually assault the girl at Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh. The girl who is a UKG student narrated the incident to her parents.

The event occurred on September 20 in Daula village. The accused has been charged under relevant sections of the POCSO Act but is currently on the run. Police are actively searching for him. According to the media reports, the girl was lured by the accused to a deserted house, tried to rape her. Suddenly monkeys arrived on the scene and showed aggression to the accused. The scared man ran away and left the girl behind.

The accused was caught on CCTV cameras set up in the village, which recorded him with the girl. Police are working to identify the suspect based on the footage. The police said he is a resident of another village. He persuaded the girl to come with him after he spotted her playing outside her house, they said.

According to the girl, the man threatened to kill her and her family if she resisted. After getting saved by the monkeys' sudden appearance, the girl fled home and informed her parents about the ordeal. Her family then went to the police station and filed a formal complaint.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged torture of an army officer and the sexual assault of his fiancee at a police station. The state government is committed to taking strict action against any individuals or officials found guilty, Majhi said. According to a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Justice Chittaranjan Das will preside over the inquiry, which is expected to submit a report within 60 days.

The state government has also requested the Orissa High Court to oversee the investigation being conducted by the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police. Emphasizing the rule of law, Majhi asserted that his government respects the Indian Army. "The state government is fully concerned about the dignity, safety, and rights of women," the CMO statement said on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has suspended five personnel from the Bharatpur police station and filed a case against them for torturing the army officer and sexually harassing his fiancee.

The alleged incident occurred on September 15 when the army officer, stationed in West Bengal, and his fiancee visited the Bharatpur police station to file a complaint about road rage, claiming they were harassed by local youths.

However, a verbal altercation ensued between the couple and several policemen, after which the officer and his fiancee were reportedly assaulted at the police station.

BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has called for a court-monitored SIT probe along with a judicial inquiry into the incident. The opposition party has also announced a Bhubaneswar bandh on September 24.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in New York, expressing deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirming Indias commitment to restoring peace and stability in the region. Modi is in New York for the second part of his three-day visit to the US and met Abbas on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session on Sunday.

"Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated Indias support for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine," Modi shared in a post on X.

PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal tweeted. Modi "expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed Indias continued support to the people of Palestine, the tweet further noted.

PM Modi arrived in New York on Saturday after attending the Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, where he also held bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden.

On Sunday afternoon, Modi addressed thousands of members of the Indian-American community at the Modi&US mega community event in Long Island. He also participated in a roundtable conference with top tech leaders and CEOs from the US, followed by further bilateral discussions with global leaders.

India has emphasized its commitment to achieving a just, peaceful, and lasting resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, reiterating that only a two-state solution reached through direct and meaningful negotiations will yield enduring peace.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), citing estimates from the Ministry of Health in Gaza, reported that between October 7, 2023, and September 16 of this year, at least 41,226 Palestinians have been killed and 95,413 injured.

According to the Israeli military and official sources reported in the media, over 1,542 Israelis and foreign nationals have died during this period, the majority occurring on October 7 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel.
The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala, Tirupati, has been at the centre of a controversy regarding the alleged use of animal fats in the preparation of its famed laddoos prasadams. Following these accusations, the temple authorities performed a ceremonial 'sanitation' ritual to restore the sanctity of the temple and its offerings.

Four-Hour Ritual to Cleanse the Temple

On Monday, the temple underwent a four-hour-long "ritualistic sanitation" known as the Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana. This purification ceremony, which took place between 6 am and 10 am, was aimed at propitiating the deity from the purported sacrilegious practices that allegedly occurred during the tenure of the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

The executive officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), J Shyamala Rao, stated that the ritual would not only restore the sanctity of the laddoo prasadams but also ensure the well-being of Srivari devotees. The sacred offering holds immense significance for devotees, and the allegations of adulteration have caused widespread concern.

Allegations of Animal Fat in Tirupati Laddus

The controversy began on September 19 when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the ghee used in preparing the iconic Tirupati laddus contained animal fat. These claims relate to the time when the previous YSRCP government was in power. Naidu's allegations led to demands for an investigation and immediate action to address the concerns of devotees.

Lab Reports Confirm Presence of Animal Products

According to a lab report from Gujarat, ghee samples sent by the TTD for testing revealed the presence of animal fats, including beef tallow, lard, and fish oil. The executive officer of TTD, J Shyamala Rao, confirmed these findings and said the temple board is taking swift action, including blacklisting the contractor responsible for supplying the adulterated ghee.

SIT to Investigate Adulteration Claims

In response to the controversy, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly probe the alleged use of animal fats in the preparation of the Tirupati laddus. The SIT will investigate the extent of the adulteration, the involvement of suppliers, and ensure that the sacred offerings are restored to their original purity.

This controversy has caused significant unrest among devotees, many of whom regard the laddoo prasadam as an essential part of their pilgrimage to the Tirumala temple. The temple authorities have assured devotees that all necessary steps are being taken to address the issue and maintain the sanctity of the temple offerings.
Vande Bharat Train Between Ayodhya And Sitamarhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to introduce a Vande Bharat train between Ayodhya and Sitamarhi so that pilgrims get better rail connectivity between the two holy towns.

The state government has been developing Punaura Dham Janki Mandir, a Hindu pilgrimage site, in Sitamarhi district that is considered the birthplace of the goddess Sita.

"Better rail connectivity between Ayodhya and Sitamarhi will make things easy for the pilgrims who visit both temples (Ram Mandir and Punaura Dham Janki Mandir) in large numbers every day. The Centre recently introduced several Vande Bharat trains from different cities in Bihar to other places in the country.

"I extend my gratitude to the PM for introducing these Vande Bharat trains. I request you for the introduction of another Vande Bharat train between Ayodhya and Sitamarhi. The Ministry of Railways should be duly instructed in this regard," Kumar wrote in his letter to the PM.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that the central government has already started construction work pertaining to the development of "Ram-Janki Marg" from Ayodhya to Sitamarhi, he said.

The ministry concerned should be directed to complete the project at the earliest so that pilgrims get better road facilities between Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and Punaura Dham Janki Mandir in Bihar, the CM said.

A large number of pilgrims visit the Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi district. Kumar had on December 13, 2023, laid the foundation stone for the overall development of Punaura Dham Janki Mandir. The state cabinet has already approved Rs 72.47 crore for the project.

The development project has been assigned to the state tourism department. "Under the new plan, the state government will develop 'Sita-Vatika', 'Luv-Kush Vatilka', construct a parikrama path, display kiosks, cafeteria, children-playing zones etc," said an official of the state tourism department.

All connecting roads to the pilgrim site are also being developed, he said. Besides, thematic gates and parking areas are being constructed around the pilgrim site, he added.
Mumbai: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan chose a subtle way to end her ongoing divorce rumours with hubby and Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan once for and all. The actress was recently seen attending a fashion event in Paris where she was seen donning her special wedding ring and only hinted that all is well between her and her husband Abhishek Bachchan. Aishwaryas video from the Paris Fashion Week has been going viral on the internet, where the actress is seen eating her wedding ring and this is how she chose to indirectly shut down the divorce rumours.

Aishwarya was seen along with daughter Aaradhya Bachchan at the Paris Fashion Week and her fans are celebrating the fact that she and Abhishek are very much together. Aishwarya seemed to have decided to shut down the divorce rumours forever and this gesture is proof they are very much together.

Just a few days ago Abhishek Bachchan reacted to his divorce rumours with Aishwarya after he liked the separation post on Instagram. Abhishek told the media how things blew out of proportion and he is still married to his wife,I dont have anything to say to you all about that. You all have blown the entire thing out of proportion, sadly. I understand why you do it. You have to file some stories. Its okay, were celebrities, we have to take it Abhishek and

Aishwarya havent been spotted together at the events or red carpets and this led to the rumours of all not being well in the Bachchan household.
New Delhi: National Award-winning composer and performer Devi Sri Prasad, widely known as Rockstar DSP, delivered an electrifying performance at the 'Modi and US' event held at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island on Sunday. The event, part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to the United States, attracted a vibrant crowd and aimed to strengthen ties between the two nations.

Among the highlights of the evening was DSP's rendition of the patriotic anthem 'Har Ghar Tiranga', which had the audience singing along in unison as they welcomed PM Modi to the stage. A heartwarming moment captured on video showed Modi and DSP exchanging hugs and greetings, showcasing the camaraderie between the two.

Reflecting on the significance of the performance, DSP expressed his gratitude, stating, "Super happy to be part of this huge event of welcoming honourable Prime minister Narendra Modi to New York. The day I got the opportunity to compose Har Ghar Tiranga, it is something that I can't express in words. I put my heart and soul in composing the song. And today, getting the opportunity to sing the song to welcome him was an iconic and most cherished moment. The way he greeted me with a warm and lovable hug is something I'd never forget in my entire life. Thank you so much Modi ji. You are such a huge inspiration for all of us."

Alongside DSP's performance, PM Modi also met Kerala-born rapper Hanumankind, whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat. He praised him with a handshake and a hug, even chanting 'Jai Hanuman.'

Take a look at the viral video here:

VIDEO | PM Modi (@narendramodi) welcomed by music artists Hanumankind, Aditya Gadhvi and Devi Sri Prasad (@ThisIsDSP) onstage at the Community Event at Nassau Coliseum in New York earlier today. #PMModiUSVisit



(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/thZKkxDEw2  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 22, 2024

The 'Modi and US' event not only showcased the richness of Indian culture but also reinforced the deepening ties between India and the United States.
New Delhi: The Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel & Training has issued an Office Memorandum (dated 17 September), regarding extension of LTC Relaxation to travel by air to visit North East Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar for Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 - Relaxation to travel by air to visit North East Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar beyond 25 September 2024.

"The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No. 31011/15/2022-Estt.A-IV dated 11.10.2022 regarding relaxation to travel by air to visit North East Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar, and to say that in relaxation to CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988, the scheme allowing Government servants to travel by air to North East Region (NER), Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Union Territory of Ladakh and Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) is extended for a further period of two years, w.e.f. 26th September, 2024 till 25th September, 2026," said the OM.

LTC Rule Change: Check Eligibility And Time Period

i. All eligible Government servants may avail LTC to visit any place in NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh against the conversion of their one Home Town LTC in a four years' block period.

ii. Government servants, whose Home Town and Headquarters/ place of posting are same, they are not allowed the conversion of any Home Town LTC as they are not eligible for the Home Town LTC facility.

iii. The Government servant whose Home Town is situated in NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh will also be allowed conversion of Home Town LTC for availing this Scheme to visit any place in any one of the three regions out of the above mentioned four regions except the region wherein his/her Hometown is situated.

iv. Fresh Recruits are also allowed conversion of one of the three Home Town LTCs in a block of four years, applicable to them to visit NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh. In addition, they are allowed one additional conversion of Home Town LTC to visit UT of J&K/UT of Ladakh in a block of four years.

v. Government servants entitled to travel by air may avail this concession from their Headquarters in their entitled class of air by any airlines subject to the terms and conditions as enumerated in DoPT's OM. No. 31011/12/2022-Estt.A-IV dated 29.08.2022 read with DoPT's OM No. 31011/11/2023 - Pers. Policy A-IV dated 20.10.2023.

vi. Government servants not entitled to travel by air are allowed to travel by air in Economy class by any airlines subject to the terms and conditions as enumerated in DoPT's OM dated 29.08.2022 read with DoPT's OM No. 31011/11/2023 - Pers. Policy A-IV dated 20.10.2023 in the following sectors:-

a. Between Kolkata/Guwahati and any place in NER.

b. Between Kolkata/ Chennai/Visakhapatnam and Port Blair.

c.Between Delhi/Amritsar and any place in J&K/Ladakh.

Journey for these non-entitled employees from their Headquarters upto Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Chennai/ Visakhapatnam / Delhi/Amritsar shall be undertaken as per their entitlement.

vii. Air travel by Government employees to NER, J&K, Ladakh and A&N as mentioned in para (v) and (vi) above is allowed whether they avail the concession against Anywhere in India LTC or in lieu of the Home Town LTC, as permitted.

viii. Government servants not entitled to travel by air are also allowed to travel by air in Economy class by any airlines to any place in NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh from their Headquarters directly, however, the reimbursement will be subject to the conditions as enumerated in DoPT's OM No. 31011/ 12/2022-Estt.A-IV dated 29.08.2022.

ix. The instructions regarding booking of air tickets through authorized travel agents, best available fares, slots, booking time, advances, reimbursement, etc., as mentioned in DoPT's OM No. 31011/12/2022- Estt.A-IV dated 29.08.2022 read with DoPT's OM No. 31011/11/2023 - Pers. Policy A-IV dated 20.10.2023 will also be applicable for this Special Dispensation Scheme.
Apple Users Alert! CERT-In, an Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, has issued a high severity alert for iOS, iPadOS and macOS users soon after the launch of the iPhone 16 in the Indian market.

Notably, CERT-In is the cyber security watchdog under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The alert indicates that Apple products are susceptible to vulnerabilities, which could enable attackers to access sensitive information.

Adding further, these vulnerabilities may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, bypass security restrictions, trigger denial of service (DoS) conditions, circumvent authentication, escalate privileges, and conduct spoofing attacks on the targeted system.

List of Impacted Versions of Apple Products Likely to Be Vulnerable

-Apple iOS versions prior to 18 and iPadOS versions prior to 18

-Apple iOS versions prior to 17.7 and iPadOS versions prior to 17.7

-Apple macoS Sonoma versions prior to 14.7

-Apple macOS Ventura versions prior to 13.7

-Apple macoS Sequoia versions prior to 15

-Apple tvOS versions prior to 18

- Apple watchOS versions prior to 11

-Apple Safari versions prior to 18

- Apple Xcode versions prior to 16

-Apple visionOS versions prior to 2

What Should Apple Users Do To Avoid Security Breach?

CERT-In has reported that specific vulnerabilities in Apple software have been addressed in the latest updates across multiple platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, Safari, Xcode, and visionOS.

Users should verify their current software version to determine if they are using an outdated version that may still be vulnerable.

To update, navigate to the settings of your device and look for the software update option, then follow the prompts to download and install the latest software updates from Apple.

After updating, users should regularly check for new updates to maintain security and protect their devices from potential vulnerabilities.

CERT Advice To Apple Product Users

Meanwhile, CERT-In has reported that the Cupertino-based tech giant has addressed the issues in its latest software updates. To mitigate vulnerabilities, users are advised to update their devices to the latest software versions. Earlier this month, CERT-In also issued a warning regarding vulnerabilities in the Google Chrome browser.
A great opportunity for peace has emerged in the South Caucasus, Azernews reports, citing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoghan, as he stated during his visit to the Turkish House in the U.S.

He noted that permanent peace and stability in the region could be achieved together with Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Erdoghan also mentioned that Turkiye is expanding its influence in different regions through its constructive stance in the Balkans and its diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East.

Recall that President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an arrived in the United States on Saturday, where he was scheduled to address the 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly this week. The Turkish leader received a warm welcome from the Turkish community in the country as he visited Turkish House (Turkevi) in New York.
Former President Donald Trump and Gov. Glenn Youngkin called in to a 15-minute Virginia telephone rally on Sunday evening to urge Trump supporters to vote early in the fight for the states 13 electoral votes.

We have a really good chance to win Virginia, Trump said.

Early in-person voting began Friday in Virginia. Trump, who for years criticized early voting and voting by mail as potential mechanisms for electoral fraud, on Sunday said, We must use every appropriate tool to get out the vote.

If you can do it early, its better, Trump said.

He told listeners that America is 44 days from the most important day in the history of the country.

He pledged to combat what he termed the invasion of our country by undocumented immigrants that he said are coming from jails, mental institutions and insane asylums.

He said he would work to reduce the cost of household goods and would again work to cut taxes and regulation.

In introducing Trump, Youngkin told listeners: Were going to put strength back in the White House.

Youngkin asserted that Americans experience a gut punch when buying gasoline and groceries  or a house.

He said Virginia Republicans would work to post 13 electoral college votes for Trump on Nov. 5.

Through Friday, more than 54,000 early votes had been returned in Virginia, the vast majority in-person, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Virginians voted by mail. Youngkin took heart from Fridays initial results, which showed the highest numbers of early votes cast in Republican-leaning congressional districts.

Sundays call came a day after hundreds of women attended an event for the GOP presidential nominee at the Trump Winery in Albemarle County. The rally was headlined by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, the top-ranking woman in the House GOP leadership.

A survey out Friday from the University of Mary Washington had the Virginia contest within the margin of error, with Vice President Kamala Harris receiving 47% of the vote to 46% for Trump. The survey was an outlier compared with other recent Virginia polls that showed Harris leading Trump in Virginia by 7 to 10 percentage points.

No Republican has carried Virginia for president since President George W. Bush in 2004. Democrat Joe Biden topped Trump in Virginia by 10 percentage points in 2020.

Trump, who continues to make unsubstantiated claims that Democrats stole the 2020 election amid widespread voter fraud, was long skeptical of mail-in ballots and early voting.

But he said in a social media post in April that voting early, voting by mail and voting on Election Day are all good options.

He continues to sound warnings about voting processes and recently warned on social media that Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country.

During the call on Sunday evening, Trump said: Youve heard a lot about voting by mail, but thats what we have right now.

He also said he wants such a large margin that the election is too big to rig.

Susan Swecker, chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, said in a statement Sunday evening: While Trump is literally phoning it in here in Virginia, Team Harris-Walz and Virginia Democrats are turning unmatched enthusiasm into action, highlighting the stark contrast between Vice President Harris new way forward and Trumps extreme Project 2025 agenda that would give him unchecked control over our daily lives, ban abortion nationwide, and raise taxes on families by nearly $4,000 a year.

Democrats passed Virginias 45-day early voting window when they held both houses of the legislature and the governorship. While some Republicans in the state legislature have unsuccessfully sought to truncate Virginias early voting period, Youngkin welcomed early voting in his successful 2021 campaign for governor, saying Republicans had to work within Virginias existing system.

Now, both of Virginias major parties embrace early voting.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., plans to vote early in Richmond on Monday.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Launch: South Korean giant Samsung is expected to launch the imminent Samsung Galaxy S24 FE smartphone next week in the global market. The much-anticipated smartphone has made multiple benchmark appearances, with promotional materials surfacing online.

Now, a recent leak has revealed potential pricing for the device in the US and is expected to arrive with support for Galaxy AI features right out of the box. It was believed the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE would be announced in October since it was the same month in 2023 when the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE was launched.

The phone is expected to launch as a successor to the Galaxy S23 FE.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Price (Expected)

According to tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE could launch at $649 (around Rs 54,000) for the 128GB variant, reflecting a $50 increase over its predecessor. The 256GB model is expected to be priced at $709 (approximately Rs 59,000).

Hey #FutureSquad! Back in June, I revealed the #Samsung #GalaxyS24FE design and dimensions.



Today, I'm back with the USD pricing of its two storage options...



This time, on behalf of @Smartprix https://t.co/yuXkbpIUcq pic.twitter.com/zR7Eqxb75t September 22, 2024

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Specifications (Expected)

The smartphone is expected to feature a 6.7-inch FHD+ Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1900 nits of peak brightness, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+.

It could be powered by the Samsung Exynos 2400e 4nm octa-core processor, with speeds up to 2.9GHz, paired with the Samsung Xclipse 940 GPU. The device comes with 8GB of RAM and offers storage options of 128GB or 256GB.

The phone could run on Android 14 with One UI 6.1.1, it also supports dual SIM functionality. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP wide sensor, and an 8MP telephoto lens with OIS and 3X optical zoom. For selfies and video chats, there could be a 10MP shooter at front.

The handset is expected to be powered by a 4,565mAh battery, supporting 25W wired fast charging, wireless charging, and wireless power share. The phone may come with an additional feature including an IP68 water resistance rating, in-display fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C audio, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.

For connectivity, the smartphone could support a 5G SA/NSA, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS + GLONASS, USB 3.1, and NFC.
India and the US will set up a new semiconductor fabrication plant, called Shakti,' which will be one of the world's first multi-material fabs dedicated to national security. US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed a watershed arrangement to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant focused on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics for national security, next generation telecommunications, and green energy applications.

Here are ten points simply explaining the new India-US new semiconductor fabrication plant Shakti':
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country has delivered "a series of blows" to Hezbollah in recent days that the group "could not have imagined." In a video statement released by his office on Sunday, Netanyahu warned, "If Hezbollah hasn't understood the message, I promise you -- it will understand the message." He emphasized Israel's commitment to restoring security in the north, declaring, "We are determined to return our northern residents safely to their homes ... We will do whatever it takes to restore security."

Overnight, Hezbollah escalated its rocket attacks, targeting areas near Haifa, including the headquarters of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel's state-owned defense technology firm, as well as a military airport at the Ramat David base in northern Israel, according to Xinhua news agency.

Amid this sharp escalation, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that the military would continue its offensive response. Speaking during a visit to an Air Force control center on Sunday morning, Gallant noted that Hezbollah "has begun to feel some of our capabilities," referring to weekend airstrikes in Beirut that resulted in at least 37 deaths, including Ibrahim Akil, acting commander of Hezbollah's Elite Radwan Force.

Israel is also believed to be responsible for a series of attacks earlier this week, which saw thousands of wireless communication devices explode across Lebanon, causing at least 37 deaths, including civilians, and injuring thousands more.

Additionally, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced he had spoken with "dozens" of foreign ministers, sending a clear message: if the international community does not pressure Hezbollah to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, "Israel will do so." Katz emphasized that the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces is "essential" to create a security zone, enabling Israeli residents near the Lebanon border to return home.

The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it is continuing airstrikes in Lebanon and has bombed 400 Hezbollah sites since Saturday. According to Lebanese military sources, at least three people were killed and four others injured on Sunday during intense Israeli airstrikes.

Amid fears that the cross-border fighting, which began in October last year, could escalate into an all-out war in the Middle East, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert warned of an "imminent catastrophe" in the region.

"With the region on the brink of an imminent catastrophe, it cannot be overstated enough: there is NO military solution that will make either side safer," she wrote on the social media platform X.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi vowed to intensify attacks on Hezbollah, saying that Israeli forces "are carefully planning the coming days." Since the Gaza conflict began last year, Israel has eliminated over 600 militants, including dozens of Hezbollah's top military leaders, and struck hundreds of targets in Lebanon. Halevi made these comments during a televised address from the Tel Nof Airbase, a key site for the Israeli Air Force.

"The price Hezbollah is paying is increasing, and our strikes will intensify," Halevi said, according to Xinhua news agency. "We have many more capabilities yet to deploy, and we are in a very high state of readiness, both offensively and defensively." Additionally, he said that an Israeli airstrike on a building in Beirut's southern suburb on Friday had "eliminated" Hezbollah's chain of command.

This building was struck while Hezbollah commanders were reportedly planning an attack on northern Israel, aimed at killing civilians and kidnapping soldiers. "We will ensure the safety of those (displaced Israelis) returning (to their homes along the border), and if Hezbollah hasn't understood this yet, they will continue to face blow after blow until they do," he warned.

Tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have surged sharply following explosions from communication devices across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, which resulted in 37 fatalities and left 2,931 injured, in addition to an Israeli airstrike on Friday targeting a building in the Jamous area of southern Beirut, causing 45 deaths and injuring dozens more.

Since October 8, 2023, the Israeli army and Hezbollah, which maintains strong ties to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, have been exchanging fire across the border, raising concerns that the nearly year-long confrontations could escalate into a full-scale war.
Israel is probing the possibility that Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' leader, was killed in a recent airstrike, according to Israeli media reports on Sunday. Israeli officials are investigating military intelligence suggesting Sinwar's death, as reported by journalist Ben Caspit. "The intelligence being investigated holds that Sinwar was killed during IDF operations in Gaza," a Times of Israel report said. Journalist Caspit noted that Sinwar's history of disappearing after past strikes and subsequent speculation about his death casts doubt on these claims.

The IDF neither confirmed nor denied Sinwar's death reports on Sunday. Sources consulted by The Jerusalem Post expressed skepticism, with one top source dismissing the notion and others citing disagreements within the defense establishment.

No sources mentioned a specific assassination operation targeting Sinwar. Some Israeli officials may be using psychological warfare to encourage mid-level Hamas commanders to cut deals for immunity in exchange for releasing Israeli hostages. Israeli journalist Barak Ravid claimed that officials with direct knowledge told him Jerusalem lacks information confirming Sinwar's death.

Similar rumors circulated in December, claiming Sinwar was dead, wounded, or fled to Sinai. These proved false, attributed to hiding tactics or psychological warfare.

The speculation emerged amid intensified strikes in Gaza. On Saturday, an Israeli strike killed 22 people in a school sheltering displaced persons in southern Gaza City. Israel claimed the attack targeted a Hamas command center, while Hamas denied this.

On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike killed seven people in a Gaza school sheltering displaced families, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel maintained it targeted militants operating from the compound.

The strikes occurred amidst escalating conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah across the Lebanon border, stoking fears of broader regional unrest.
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
Another federal judge cleared the way last week for a jury to decide whether Denver and one of its officers violated the constitutional rights of 14 protesters during the summer of 2020.
The King Soopers shooting case marks the first time since 2015 that a Colorado jury has been asked to determine the sanity of an accused mass shooter. The Denver Gazette spoke with Dr. William Reid, one of court-appointed psychiatrists in the Aurora movie theater shooting case.
Denvers sole slaughterhouse, which supplies scores of jobs in one of the citys poorest neighborhoods, is on the chopping block under a proposal that residents will decide this November.

At stake is 160 direct jobs, and, according to one study, at least $215 million in economic benefits, which could be as high as $860 million, counting indirect factors.

A group of activists wants to shut it down, arguing that slaughterhouses are inhumane to workers and calling the industry one of the worst in Denver. The group also said meat alternatives are a sufficient replacement to the meat coming out of the plant.

The company and workers countered that employees are treated well at the Denver plant, and one councilmember said he is distressed by what he described as a wrongheaded ideological experiment to see if Denvers voters are willing to shut a down the slaughterhouse plant  as a test case.

Superior farms

Superior Farms, which calls the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhood home, is one of the largest lamb slaughterhouses and meat processing plants in the country.

The vast majority of the plants workers are people of color. The company, which supplies lamb to major grocery chains, said the animals brought to the plant are raised by family farms in the U.S.

Isabel Bautista, the operations manager who has worked at Superior Farms for more than 20 years, said the company offers good benefits and treats its employees well.

Theres a reason we like to work here and why we stay for so long, she said.

We treat each other as a family, she added. When different companies go to the harvest floor, theyre surprised to see employees smiling, helping each other and working like any other job. Its totally different from what people say.

Bautista said the company, for example, prefers to promote workers from within, rather than seek someone from outside, she said.

She said she is living proof of that  she is a Hispanic, single mom who learned English on the job and worked her way up the ranks.

She has worked in just about every part of Superior Farms and said there is significant cross training. She claimed this results in a lower turnover compared to other slaughterhouses and better employee health.

Pro Animal Future

In pushing for the companys closure, Pro Animal Future, the group behind the proposed ban, cited a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study showing slaughterhouse workers have seven times the rate of repetitive strain injuries and 76% suffered from an abnormal nerve condition in at least one hand.

On its website, the group also claimed that the company that runs Denvers slaughterhouse was found to have multiple Humane Slaughter Act violations.

The occupational safety study cited by the group was about a poultry plant in Maryland, not a lamb slaughterhouse, while the alleged Humane Slaughter Act violations were leveled against the companys site in Dixon, California  not the plant in Denver.

One study said the plants closure would result in significant job and economic losses.

Researchers from Colorado State University estimated that, on the low end, nearly 700 jobs would be lost and about $215 million in economic benefits would disappear. On the high end, the study said, as many as 3,000 jobs would be affected, and the economic loss could be as much as $861 million.

Directly, 160 people work at Superior Farms.

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Pro Animal Futures representatives attacked the CSU study by accusing its authors of bias, saying the university has a longstanding history with the agriculture industry and citing grant funding its researchers have received.

This is a study funded by the industry claiming to be independent and unbiased, but in the same breath, the authors are saying they have significant working relationships with people in the industry, said Olivia Hammond, a spokesperson for Pro Animal Future. Its really tough when we feel like we cant rely on seemingly independent academic research because of schools starting to get more and more industry funding.

The neighborhood

The Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods fall into Denvers so-called inverted L.

Located to the west of Interstate 25 and the north of Interstate 70, they are home to minority communities and exist in the industrial heart of Denver. To the north stands the Cherokee generating station, formerly a coal-burning power plant, and the Suncor oil refinery.

The neighborhoods are also home to a dog food factory.

When pressed about the jobs that would disappear in the historically low-income neighborhood, Pro Animal Future insists the city will prioritize them and help them find new work.

Theres a budget set aside for transitioning folks to greener jobs, which also provide better job security, said Hammond, the groups spokesperson. I dont think theyre going to be totally without wages if theyre able to file for unemployment.

The group said it is also working closely with a group that offers support to help workers transition out of the animal agriculture industry and into careers that are more empowering, sustainable and prosperous.

The Brave New Life Project is eager to take on new people and help them find their way to new jobs, Hammond said.

Hammond also insisted that the Slaughterhouse workers wont have a difficult time finding new jobs.

Were in an economy where we need workers, so everybody is hiring right now, she said. And so they would hopefully help to fill some of those roles for jobs that we are currently trying to fill in the city.

The ban on the ballot has drawn the ire of Councilmember Darrell Watson.

What initially distressed me the most is that it seems very clear that the organizers are doing this as a test case to see if they can pass this here, they think they can pass it anywhere, he said. I think coming into our state, coming into our city and having no engagement with community and no focus on what the downstream impacts are, is not only wrong but will tick off folks across the city.

Watson said the plant is a bright spot in the low-income neighborhood.

It is employee owned, he said, adding that is unheard of within this type of industry.

And when you consider the role it plays in the neighborhoods, he added, families are able to buy homes and put their kids through school and it breaks the cycle of poverty.

The area, Watson said, has been a test case for so many horrible ideas.

These folks are coming in as just another group testing out their thoughts, ideologies and beliefs on a community that, quite frankly, has had enough of that nonsense, he said. I think its wrongheaded and I could not be more against it.
Communications between the City of Aurora and the counsel of a troubled apartment complex show that officials understood the owners of Aspen Grove at 1568 Nome St. wanted the local government to board up the building in order to take back control of the property from a Venezuelan gang.

The information was revealed after the city released  following the threat of a lawsuit from The Denver Gazette  a cache of unredacted emails to and from the attorney representing CBZ Management that were requested under the Colorado Open Records Act, or CORA.

Officials earlier released the records to The Denver Gazette  but they were heavily redacted. Practically speaking, the only unredacted information were people's contact info contained in the email chain.

To be clear, my impression from what has been occurring generally is that your client has been asking for the City to take this action in order for your client to take control of the property and to sell the property, Peter Schulte, Auroras assistant city attorney, wrote CBZ Managements attorney on Aug. 6.

A week later, officials evicted about 300 residents, citing health and safety issues.

The property owners didnt know what else to do, Aurora Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky said.

Jurinsky  who began sounding the alarm in the community about the Venezuelan gang  helped the city negotiate a deal to "condemn" the building, which would effectively evict the gang members.

The city knew that the property had no staff on it, Jurinsky said.

Jurinsky added: They knew damn well the property had been taken over by gangs.

In the email exchanges from Aug. 5 through Aug. 12, the attorneys negotiated an agreement for Aurora officials to drop all charges against the owner of the Aspen Grove apartment complex in exchange for selling the property, leasing it  or a coming up with a similar disposition  and assuming up to $60,000 of the cost to board up and secure the building.

Based in Brooklyn, CBZ Management operates rental apartments in New York and Colorado, with 11 properties in Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. The three complexes the company owns in Aurora  Aspen Grove, The Edge at Lowry and Whispering Pines  have all been identified by the owners as having been taken over by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua or TDA.

TDA began as a prison gang in Aragua, Venezuela that quickly expanded into the western hemisphere following the economic contraction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The gang is involved in a sundry of criminal activities that include kidnapping, extortion, money laundering, human trafficking  particularly immigrant women and girls  and drug trafficking.

Federal officials have confirmed their activity in the Denver metro region.

Earlier this month, The Denver Gazette requested emails between CBZ Managements attorney and the city under CORA In their final response, Aurora officials redacted all but the salutations in the bulk of the emails, claiming the exchanges represented attorney work product.

Under CORA, government agencies can assert certain privileges to withhold information. Examples include proprietary information or for a law enforcement investigation or work product, such as drafts. For an email to be work product, it would need to contain an attorneys drafts or theories or impressions shared internally. Put another way, the CORA exemption is designed to protect the thought process for the government entitys attorney.

Steve Zansberg, a First Amendment attorney in Denver, called the redactions unjustifiable.

"The city may assert that the city and CBZ Management shared a 'common interest' such that the work product doctrine was not waived, but it is generally understood that adversaries in pending litigation do not share a 'common interest' preventing waiver," Zansberg said in an email to The Denver Gazette.

Last year, Zansberg prevailed in a lawsuit brought by a media coalition that included The Denver Gazette challenging the legality of the Denver school districts executive session to discuss the policy of returning police to campus in the wake of the shooting that wounded two East High School administrators.

After initially insisting that the redactions were permitted under CORA, city officials backtracked after Zansberg wrote that The Denver Gazette intends to file an application for an order to show cause.

Upon further review with our records custodian, the use of the privilege of attorney work-product was not correct, Jack D. Bajorek, deputy City Attorney, said in an email to Zansberg. The correct privilege should have been settlement negotiations.

Because the city had not discussed with CBZ Managements attorney whether the emails were intended to be privileged, Bajorek released the emails, unredacted.

Jeff Roberts, executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, said that records requesters typically have to accept such denials because they dont have the legal resources to fight them.

Its good to see Aurora acknowledge its mistake, but the unredacted records should have been provided to The Denver Gazette when the newspaper first requested them, Roberts said in an email.

Roberts, whose group was formed in 1987 to promote the freedom of the press and open access to government, added: It shouldnt take a lawyers threat of a lawsuit for the city to realize that its citation of attorney-client privilege was improper.
After two weeks of testimony from survivors, forensic mental health professionals and the gunman's family, a Boulder jury on Monday found Ahmad Alissa guilty of all counts in the mass shooting at a King Soopers in Boulder in 2021.

Alissa was found guilty of 10 counts of first-degree murder, 38 counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of first-degree assault, six counts of felony possession of a prohibited large capacity magazine, and 38 crime-of-violence sentence enhancers in connection with the shooting.

The jury deliberated for six hours before finding Alissa guilty of all 55 counts.

As 20th Judicial Chief District Judge Ingrid Bakke read the 10 murder counts, slain Boulder police officer Eric Talley's sister looked to the sky and gave a slow salute. Beside her, the woman's husband rolled a stress ball in his hand and lowered his head.

"We did it," Talley's mother, Judy, said into the ear of a police officer as she walked down the hall of the Boulder County Courthouse to a room reserved for victims' families.

Robert Olds, Rikki Olds' uncle, did not miss a day in court.

"Thank you," he said, and shook the hand of an officer waiting outside of the courtroom.

There were sobs in the courtroom.

The defendant drank from a paper cup and swiveled in his chair as the verdicts were read, often whispering with one of his defense team. His mother, who sat directly behind him next to two of his brothers, sobbed.

As they left the proceeding with a defense team escort, one brother cried.

Some members of the jury looked in Alissa's direction. Some met eyes with victims' family members. One wiped his eyes.

The defense did not contest that Alissa shot the 10 victims on March 22, 2021.

The shooter, 25, has schizophrenia, and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the attack.

Prosecutors have said that schizophrenia is separate from mental illness.

The court immediately proceeded to the sentencing phase and the defendant was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

One of the most definitive pieces to the defendant's insanity plea involved "killing voices," which he said he heard in his head. He dropped clues as to what he meant by that in forensic interviews with mental health experts.

"He often told us about the voices yelling," said Loandra Torres, one of the forensic psychologists who treated him. "He wasnt able to give us more information about how voices yelling led to his behaviors."

How the day went

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On Friday afternoon before they left for the day, jurors appeared to be looking for clarity. They asked the court to provide them Monday morning with the eight minute video of the actual shooting, an interview with the court-appointed forensic psychologists and the body-worn camera of one of the responding Boulder Police officers.

They got to work. Four hours later, they had a verdict.

One of the issues that could have been a turning point for the jury may have been "the killing voices" which he said he heard.

During one of the forensice interviews with Dr. Loandra Torres, a court-appointed psychologist, the defendant said, "I heard voices talking to myself."

"Can you make out what theyre saying?" Torres asked on the video.

"I can't make out what they're yelling," he answered, looking down and shaking his head. "I have voices in my head."

Torres noted that these comments were important because in her experience, almost always, she said, patients who had audial psychotic experiences told her the words they heard. Alissa, who she last saw April 29, 2024, told her that the voices in his head used only select words: "Ah," "Oh," and "Hey."

Torres testified that many of the defendants behaviors proved to her that he was not insane. Included in those behaviors was the fact that days before the shooting, he searched on his phone for crowded events, that he thought about committing a mass shooting during gun practice and also that he bought a carrier vest to protect himself.

"It demonstrates carrying out an action in a reasonably logical manner, Torres testified.

However, though the defendant's attorneys acknowledged he was the shooter, they insisted he was legally insane  that he could not have known that shooting 10 innocent people was wrong under social norms.

In the end, the jury discarded the defense claims that the defendant was not sane at the time of the mass shooting returning a verdict of guilty on all counts.

The defendant was also charged with multiple counts of attempted murder and other offenses, including having six high-capacity ammunition magazine devices banned in Colorado.

Mental illness is not the same thing as insanity under Colorado law. State law defines insanity as having a mental disease so severe it is impossible for a person to tell the difference between right and wrong.

During two weeks of trial, the families of those killed saw graphic surveillance and police body camera video. Survivors testified that a man parked his Mercedes sedan next to a service van at around 2:30 p.m., ran around the back and shot his first victim through the windshield and the driver's side window.

During two weeks of testimony, survivors testified about how they fled, hid or helped others to safety. An emergency room doctor crawled onto a shelf and hid among bags of chips.

Testimony began on Sept. 5, three-and-a-half years after the shooting.

It took so long to get to trial that some of the witnesses have died since the attack, including a 90-year-old man who wheeled his cart around the store, oblivious to the chaos around him.

Prosecutors keyed on Paul Roter's story, noting that Alissa chose not to shoot Roter even though he met up with him several times.

This, District Attorney Michael Dougherty argued, proved that the defendant was making choices during the shooting, which he told the jury proved that he knew right from wrong.
The young woman took the stand, looked at her younger brother and smiled.

It was the first time Aisha Alissa had been in the same room with the man on trial for allegedly murdering 10 people at a Boulder King Soopers three-and-a-half years ago.

We were shocked, she said of the day she got the phone call about what police said her brother had done.

Ill never forget the morning call I got the next day. Oh, my God. I was running in the house back and forth. Shocking, sadness, she told public defender Kathryn Herold during the ninth day of testimony in Ahmad Alissas murder trial in Boulder County.

In that nine days, jurors have heard from two forensic psychologists who testified that Ahmad Alissa was sane on March 22, 2021. In addition, every mental health professional who attended to him since the mass shooting agrees that he suffers from severe schizophrenia. Five members of his family testified this week that his mental illness seemed to start in 2019 and got worse during COVID.

The defendants older brother, Mohammed Alissa, told the court Tuesday that March 22, 2021  the day of the shooting  he was completely degraded to the floor. He said that one of his biggest regrets is that he did not call the police to investigate his brother.

He should not have had weapons at all, said Mohammed Alissa, 27.

Alissas family never wrote him a letter or tried to see him in jail for the three-and-a-half years since the shooting, although there has been reference during trial that they spoke on the phone.

No one, including Alissas lawyers, disputes he was the shooter that day. Alissa has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The defense says he should be found not guilty because he was legally insane and unable to tell the difference between right and wrong at the time of the shooting.

Prosecutors and forensic psychologists who evaluated him for the trial said that, while mentally ill, Alissa knew that what he was doing was wrong when he launched what prosecutors described as a meticulously-planned attack.

What is a jinn?

On Tuesday, Mustafa Alissa  Alissas father  described what life was like in the familys crowded Arvada home as his sons schizophrenia worsened.

Through a translator, the elder Alissa recalled one instance when, at 3 a.m., the two met in the hall during a bathroom break.

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Ahmad came out of the bathroom, and asked, What are you doing? Why dont you go to my room to talk to the guy whos in my room? Mustafa Alissa said. I said to him your door is open and no one is in there.

Alissa testified that he believed that his 25-year-old son was possessed by a spirit called a jinn.

I told you Im not a doctor. I dont know. But when a person behaves like him, we say they are possessed by a jinn. I dont know the term they are using  schizophrenia. I dont know what that is, he said.

According to Islamic Studies professor Andrea Stanton, a jinn is a creature mention in the Quran who is considered lower than humans and with a capricious nature.

A 2018 National Institutes of Health study examining how prevalent the attribution of mental health problems were to a jinn in Muslim cultures found that of the 118 people studied, 43% were positive that their psychiatric symptoms were caused by a jinn. Twenty-seven percent thought not and just less than a third of the respondents doubted it.

Dougherty asked Mustafa Alissa why the family never took him to see a doctor when he started his strange behavior.

Its shameful in our culture if we say our son is crazy, he replied.

The alleged shooter was never treated for mental illness until a year after he was taken into custody. For roughly the first year, he refused treatment and at times thereafter  once he was placed in Pueblos Colorado Mental Health Institute  would not meet with groups.

He was treated with two medications once he was transferred to the institute, but none of them worked until he was prescribed Clozapine in March 2023. By this summer, he had gone from being introverted and unable to express emotions to becoming more engaged with health care personnel and was even participating in karaoke.

I have to assume that the Clozapine had a role in his change, testified Michelle Colarelli, a clinical psychologist who saw the defendant from March to July 2023.

Patricia Westmoreland, who saw the alleged gunman in November 2022, nine months after the shooting, testified that he suffered from schizophrenia and that a diagnosis does not equal insanity.

When pressed by District Attorney Michael Doughtery, Westmoreland said that she was not asked by the defendants attorneys to conduct a sanity evaluation.

Twentieth Judicial Chief Judge Ingrid Bakke, who reminded observers in the courtroom at one point not to distract each other, said she expects to deliver jury instructions and to hear closings by Friday.
Azerbaijans Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, has stressed the importance of enhancing trade and bilateral ties between the two brotherly nations, Azernews reports.

During his visit to Lahore, the capital of Punjab Province and Pakistans second-largest city, the Ambassador met with Punjab Governor Salim Haider Khan and other senior officials. They discussed strategies for strengthening trade and fostering deeper relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

Governor Khan commended the Ambassador's efforts in facilitating direct flights between the two countries and promoting mutual exports, while also highlighting various investment opportunities in Pakistan.

During a state visit to Pakistan in July, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Pakistani counterpart signed 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements aimed at bolstering cooperation in areas such as trade, science and technology, tourism, air services, and cultural exchanges.

The introduction of direct flights by AZAL and Pakistan International Airlines between Baku, Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore has opened new avenues for tourism, trade, and people-to-people connections, further solidifying the partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
A federal judge has dismissed a woman's lawsuit against two Colorado Springs police officers who arrested her instead of looking into her report that she was the victim of domestic violence.

U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney found it problematic if the officers did not follow up on Rebecca Varney's claim of being assaulted by her ex-husband. At the same time, Sweeney noted that according to Varney's own allegations, the officers had probable cause to believe Varney had violated a court order forbidding the harassment of her ex-husband.

"And although the Court does not condone Defendants actions  if true as alleged and argued by Ms. Varney  the Court cannot conclude that the complained-of conduct was 'egregious and outrageous,'" she wrote.

Varney alleged that she called Colorado Springs police on July 18, 2021 to report her then-husband fractured her hand two nights prior. Officers David Kester and Carlotta Rivera responded to Varney's home. Varney told them she had been the victim of assault and domestic violence.

Varney showed the officers a home security video of herself trying to force her way into the bedroom where her husband was. She said she was trying to protect her dogs from him. During the encounter, Varney's wrist was slammed in the door.

The officers learned there was a protection order, also known as a restraining order, in place prohibiting Varney from harassing her husband. Rivera called Varney's husband to get his side of the story and told him Varney "is calling in today to try to get you arrested." Varney's lawsuit alleged that description of her intent was false.

After Varney's husband stated he felt harassed by Varney's conduct, Rivera said that "unfortunately for her, the restraining order is still in effect" and police would seek an arrest warrant for Varney. Kester submitted a statement in support of Varney's arrest on suspicion of harassment and violating the protection order.

The district attorney's office later dismissed the charges.

Varney sued the two officers, the police chief and the city of Colorado Springs for malicious prosecution, violating her right to equal protection of the laws and disregard of her right to due process.

She alleged the police department conducted an internal affairs investigation into her arrest, which concluded Rivera and Kester violated policy by failing to document Varney's complaint of assault, interview other witnesses and consider other relevant factors of domestic violence. The defendants did not dispute the existence of the internal affairs report.

Varney also alleged another instance in which Rivera caused the arrest of an unidentified woman who, like Varney, reported she was the victim of domestic violence.

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"Most fundamentally," wrote Varney's lawyers, "the information the Officer Defendants received from Ms. Varney during their initial interview made clear that the altercation between herself and her ex-husband did not satisfy the elements of either crime they ultimately charged her with."

The defendants countered that Varney's claim of malicious prosecution could not survive if the officers had probable cause to suspect her of a crime. In this instance, they did: the video Varney showed them of her trying to break into her husband's room.

"Because Defendant Officers had probable cause to believe that Plaintiff violated her restraining order, they did not violate her constitutional rights by obtaining a warrant for her arrest," wrote Brian Stewart with the Colorado Springs City Attorney's Office.

Sweeney agreed with the defendants. Even if the internal affairs investigation found Kester and Rivera violated police policies during their investigation, the allegations did not demonstrate they had violated Varney's constitutional rights through their determination she had harassed her husband in contravention of the protection order.

Sweeney acknowledged the allegation Rivera had previously sought the arrest of a woman who reported being the victim of domestic violence. But Sweeney noted it was unclear whether that unnamed woman was, like Varney, also subject to a protection order.

As for Varney's equal protection claim, Sweeney concluded the allegations did not support the notion that the officers treated Varney differently than her husband due to her gender.

"It may be true that both individuals faced domestic violence allegations arising from the same set of facts," she wrote. "But at the time of the incident, (Varney's husband)  not Ms. Varney  possessed a court-ordered mandatory protection order against Ms. Varney which prevented her from harassing him."

Attorneys for both sides did not provide comments on Sweeney's order.

The case is Varney v. City of Colorado Springs et al.
(Editor's Note: This is a part of a series of stories where Colorado Politics interviewed the candidates of the State Board of Education regarding public education funding, policies and other issues.)

While the seven candidates running for four open seats on the State Board of Education agreed that behavioral issues exist in Colorado classrooms, they differed on why and what needs to be done.

The candidates focused on whether behavioral health issues exhibited by some students are affecting other pupils' ability to learn and how to help teachers deal with disruptive students.

District 2 Democratic candidate Kathy Gebhardt said she can relate to the issue, noting that two of her daughters are teachers in Colorado.

I hear about this not daily, but probably weekly, she said. I think we need additional support for teachers to help with behavioral health issues. We need additional support to help our teachers work with families and with kids that are struggling being back in the classroom. This cant all fall on the classroom teacher. I dont think thats reasonable.

As a military family member, Republican District 8 candidate Yazmin Navarro said her daughter has been in classrooms in Italy, El Salvador, and now the U.S. When it comes to the quality of education and discipline in classrooms, Navarro said the U.S. is falling behind.

Due to disruptions and a lack of focus, Navarro said her daughter got a better education in other countries. She noted that in the U.S., teachers are not supported and expected to do much more than they should, noting that many do not even get a break during the day.

Navarro said she sees education from outside the U.S. and also works directly in classrooms to see firsthand how disruptive students can take over a classroom.

Navarro said class sizes are a problem in Colorado, noting that she has supported elementary school teachers with 33 students in class. She said that with a few disruptive students, productivity can slip quickly in a large classroom.

Rhonda Solis, the incumbent District 8 Democratic candidate, said that, since COVID, school boards at the local and state levels have seen a change in how adults in society behave, which is what children see and mimic.

This is not a simple topic, Solis said. I hate that we are blaming kids for this.

Solis said the general public, including students, has gone through something traumatic since 2020.

I dont even know if weve unpacked what we all went through. And, you know, even now, parenting is different. Teaching is different. Being a student is different, she said.

Solis said she believes students are coming back from the trauma that she said the COVID-19 pandemic created, and a natural reaction is to act out.

I just think its a lot to ask from little humans when we, as big humans, did not handle it very well, Solis said. We just need to give them some grace.

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Still, Solis said she deeply respects what teachers have gone through since the pandemic, noting that they have adjusted and evolved to many changes in the teaching environment.

District 3 Republican candidate Sherri Wright said behavioral issues and a lack of discipline in classrooms have resulted in students losing out on quality education, good teachers leaving the profession, and a growing crisis that should be addressed.

Wright said elementary students have put teachers in hospitals, and young, new teachers at the high school level get so stressed out that they are begging the administration for help.

It is a concern, and I dont know if I could teach full-time again, Wright said.

Wright pointed to the failure of school administrators to be authoritative when needed. Wright said parents are taking a role in the growing problem, saying that frequently, they do not want to hear that their child is creating an issue and do not want the school to discipline them.

District 8 Democrat Ellen Angeles said she has seen it through teaching in Colorado districts, noting that it started during and after COVID-19 in 2020. However, she said the problem is that it does not seem to be tapering off.

I think with each year, its gotten a little worse, she said.

While districts are investing more in counselors and in-classroom paraprofessionals to help teachers, Angeles said she believes the primary solution is addressing class sizes.

When you have smaller class sizes, your teachers can spend more time with each kid individually, Angeles said.

Angeles said that when teachers have nearly 30 elementary school students, they struggle to keep all students focused, much less on task, when a handful of disruptive students take over.

District 4 Democrat Krista Holtzmann said the solution may be for the state board to communicate more with teachers and administrators who are implementing policies that are starting to work and creating better learning environments.

Really, the school leaders and teachers, theyre the professionals that are there every day, and they have a lot of creative solutions, she said.

Holtzmann said addressing the statewide issue means educational leaders must listen to the directly affected teachers. Ultimately, that will likely mean giving teachers in struggling classrooms more support and paraprofessionals to manage it, she added.

District 4 Republican Kristi Burton Brown said she has heard the problem exists and continues to be an issue for school districts. Even when students are placed on Individualized Education Plans, Brown said it is not necessarily improving the learning environment in classrooms.

"Even the fixes aren't working for them and the other kids," she said. "The problem really comes down the ratio of adults to students in classrooms. It isn't allowing good teachers to provide quality education to students."

Brown said it is impossible to be a solo teacher and meet every single child's needs because they are all different.
More than 100 colleges and universities from across the country will be represented Monday at the Southern Colorado College Fair at Coronado High School.

The college fair is scheduled 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Students will be able to talk with representatives from colleges and universities in attendance.
The murder trial of Ahmad Alissa, who faces multiple charges in the killing of 10 people at a King Soopers in Table Mesa in Boulder three years ago, has reached its final days after two weeks of complex and often emotional testimony.

The prosecution and the defense made their closing arguments to the Boulder jurors on Friday.

It is rare that mass shooters go to trial because many of them are either killed by police, kill themselves or plead guilty.

The King Soopers shooting case is believed to be the first time in Colorado that a jury has been tasked with determining the sanity of an accused mass shooter since the 2015 trial of Aurora Theater gunman James Holmes.

The Denver Gazette spoke with Dr. William Reid, one of court-appointed psychiatrists in the 2012 Aurora shooting, who interviewed Holmes for 23 hours over several sessions in both Arapahoe County jail and the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo, where the gunman was taken for further examination. Reid is currently a consultant in other large mass killing cases. He is not involved in the King Soopers case.

He interviewed the theater gunman five times two years after the shooting.

The interviews were videotaped, and, since the gunman did not testify, the footage was the only time the jury heard from the defendant during his 47-day trial.

Similarly, since the reported King Soopers gunman did not take the stand, the jury only saw him speak during his mental health evaluation videos. In contrast to the theater shooter, the King Soopers defendant was guarded with his words and never gave a motive for his alleged crimes. When asked why during his evaulations, he said, It was the voices. Thats it.

He did explain planning the shooting during a forensic psychiatrists interview in the summer of 2024. Mental health professionals speculated that occurred in part due to the fact that he was taking the schizophrenic drug, Clozapine.

The theater shooters forensic interviews were done at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo where the gunman was a patient, and also at the Arapahoe County jail.

In this interview, Reid said that Holmes was obsessed with killing and noted that both he and Alissa went into the event prepared to die but then surrendered to the police.

The Denver Gazette: How much time did you spend interviewing the Aurora Theater shooter?

William Reid: I interviewed him for 22-23 hours on video not counting just seeing him in passing in different places.

Can you give us some insight into James Holmes?

Well, by the time I saw him he was responding to medication and getting better. But the medications didnt stop his obsession with killing. That doesnt mean planning additional violence, but it was on his mind. His words were something like, Yeah, youd have to worry about me in prison.

Remember his idea was that he got points for everybody he killed. The points had no particular meaning, but he liked having them.

So, youre saying that two years after he killed a dozen people and injured 58 others, hes still having these thoughts?

Thats what he said and I believe he was being honest with me.

Editors note: Former 18th Judicial District Judge Carlos Samour agreed with Holmes attorneys to omit certain statements from the shooters videos before trial, including that one.

The judge allowed the defense attorneys to remove 20 minutes of the 23 hours of video before trial. Some of the redacted material had to do with his talking about the death penalty. Another little piece, oddly enough, had to do with whether he went to church as a kid. I dont know why.

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Are there any similarities between the two cases which strike you?

I have very little information about the King Soopers shooting, but I noticed that the alleged shooter in the King Soopers case gave up right away without a fight and without trying to kill himself. The same thing happened with Holmes.

It was brought out during testimony that the King Soopers shooter wanted to kill himself going in, but then he changed his mind.

A lot of people think about suicide, or say things like, Im not going to prison or Ill die first. But when it comes right down to it, most people dont choose to die.

Both gunmen were diagnosed schizophrenic and both said that they heard voices at some point, but in both instances, those voices did not tell either man to commit mass murder. Do voices and hallucinations due to schizophrenia mean a person is insane?

You raise an extremely important question for trials and for juries. Whether one has schizophrenia or not is relatively irrelevant to whether or not one is legally insane or legally not responsible at the time of an alleged crime.

Clinical diagnoses and symptoms may or may not be relevant to the specific question and when they are, the relevance must be translated from clinical language to language of the court.

The question at trial is whether or not the person met the legal criteria for sanity or responsibility for ones act at the time of the event. One can theoretically be quite psychotic and not in touch with reality weeks, days, or even hours before an event but meet the legal criteria for sanity. It gets complicated for both psychiatric experts and the jury or judge who must make the ultimate decision.

It took less than two minutes for the man to reportedly kill 10 people at the Boulder King Soopers. Are you talking about from the time he killed the first person?

Speaking in generic terms, and I want to be clear, I did not work on this case. But the beginning of the shooting event may be loading of ones weapons or putting stuff in his car before he leaves his house or possibly earlier. A lot depends on context.

So, youre not saying he had to know the difference between right and wrong only while hes pulling the trigger?

Common sense says before the perpetrator pulls the trigger hes got to have the gun with him anyway, hes got to go to the place where the event occurs, get out of his car in the parking lot, things like that. Its inaccurate to say nothing is relevant until he squeezes the trigger on a weapon.

How important is the jury?

The jury is extremely important. They should be listening carefully. They should be objective as they listen. And very often theyre listening for pieces of evidence that will help them decide.

People arent robots, though, and as Antonin Scalia once noted, Courts and juries are not perfect. What kinds of life experiences do jurors bring to the courtroom, which could keep them from being objective?

If the jurors are angry, for example, about people being killed in their community, if theyre fearful of a mass shooting and going to a supermarket or a theater or the mall, then they may lean in a subjective, personal feelings direction rather than an objective one.

Lawyers say they dont want emotions to come into a decision ...

Well, good lawyers pay attention to both factual evidence and what they think jurors are feeling. Thats part of the way lawyers talk in their opening and closing statements and the way they phrase questions to witnesses.

Colorado does not have the death penalty as an option, so the jury is deciding whether the defendant is guilty of these 10 murders, plus other multiple counts, or if he is not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI). If the decision is NGRI, and the defendant is committed to be treated at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo  youve been there  what is life like for the patients there?

Its a fairly nice place, in my experience, nicer than prison but still an institution. Theres television; there are nice jobs for patients who qualify for them, access to education and recreation. The staff, often through a committee that considers both security and clinical eligibility, can award different levels of privileges, such as moving around within the building, moving around on the campus and maybe even moving around outside the campus (usually with court approval), but these must be earned over time. CMHI-Pueblo is a hospital, not a prison, but one in which security and public safety go hand-in-hand with treatment.
The Colorado Springs City Council is scheduled Tuesday to cast its second vote on a proposed ordinance that will likely prevent recreational cannabis sales throughout much of the city, a move some officials worry could circumvent residents' wishes.

On Sept. 10, the council voted 7-2 in favor of an ordinance that will modify city code and preemptively prohibit marijuana facilities that sell recreational cannabis from operating within 1 mile of K-12 schools and residential child care and drug or alcohol treatment facilities.

Many other Front Range governments do not regulate retail marijuana facility zoning as rigidly as Colorado Springs could under this rule.

For example, Manitou Springs prohibits retail marijuana dispensaries from operating within 500 feet of educational institutions, child care and alcohol or drug rehabilitation facilities. In Boulder and Denver, retail cannabis dispensaries cannot operate within 1,000 feet of those services.

In Colorado Springs, medical marijuana stores are currently prohibited from operating within 1,000 feet of schools and child care facilities.

Though Colorado Springs does not currently allow recreational marijuana sales in city limits, voters in November will decide between two competing ballot questions.

A resident-backed question proposes allowing the city's roughly 90 existing permitted medical marijuana stores to opt into also selling retail marijuana. A council-backed question, in contrast, proposes amending city charter to prohibit retail marijuana stores and product, manufacturing, testing and cultivation facilities from operating in city boundaries.

Councilwoman Lynette Crow-Iverson, who sponsored the ordinance, has said the proposed 1-mile buffer for recreational marijuana sales, measured by a route of direct pedestrian access, is "not scientific." She and other supporters have said they believe the proposed law will keep marijuana out of the hands of underage users.

At previous council and planning commission meetings, supporters highlighted potential health effects of marijuana, particularly if it has high-potency THC, the main psychoactive component in the drug.

It can cause sleep issues, anxiety, depression and can lead to addiction, One Chance to Grow Up representatives testified. The organization advocates for protecting children from the dangers of marijuana.

More opportunities to purchase recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs will increase the likelihood that more people, including children, will use it, One Chance to Grow Up agents previously said.

Councilwomen Yolanda Avila and Nancy Henjum, as well as planning commissioners who opposed the ordinance, said it could sidestep the will of voters if residents authorize recreational cannabis sales.

A map provided by city planners shows the ordinance would likely limit permitted recreational marijuana sales to the city's eastern side, making it "very difficult" for shops to find a legal location to operate, Interim Planning Director Kevin Walker previously said.

"The 1-mile setback ordinance is a de facto ban and an attempt to distract dispensary operators and voters. Those locations are not viable alternatives," Meghan Graf, spokesperson for Citizens for Responsible Marijuana Regulation, the resident-backed campaign, said in a Friday email.

Crow-Iverson maintains the council has the authority to implement laws like the proposed marijuana ordinance.

"We are not a democracy," she said Sept. 10. "We are elected to write policy and govern on behalf of the people."

Opponents have not spoken against the ordinance at recent public hearings. Some  doctors, attorneys, commercial landlords and the board of directors of the Colorado Springs Cannabis Association  submitted letters to the council and planning commission urging both bodies to vote against the document.

The city only considered implementing a 1-mile setback after it was clear residents could have the opportunity this fall to approve recreational sales, the Colorado Springs Cannabis Association's board of directors wrote in an Aug. 28 letter to planning commissioners.

"The proposed setback has nothing to do with land use policy and everything to do with improperly mobilizing the power of the administrative state in an attempt to frustrate the will of Colorado Springs voters and taxpayers," that board wrote.

In an Aug. 28 letter to the City Council and Planning Commission, Dr. Bryon Adinoff, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Doctors for Drug Policy Reform who has taught about, researched and treated alcohol and drug abuse in several capacities, pushed back against recent arguments made about the potential dangers of cannabis.

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Marijuana is not a "gateway drug" and does not lead to opioid use, he wrote. There has been no evidence that marijuana leads to long-term brain changes associated with altered behaviors; and alcohol abuse can contribute to suicide, anxiety and depression as well as cancer, disease, dementia and death, he said.

"To suggest that cannabis is more dangerous than alcohol is incorrect," Adinoff wrote.

It was unclear Friday how the ordinance, if the council affirms its vote this week, could affect the resident-backed campaign to allow retail cannabis sales.

Other items on Tuesday's agenda include:

 Proposed increases to natural gas and electric rates. The municipally-owned Colorado Springs Utilities reviews and adjusts natural gas and electric costs on a quarterly basis to account for changes in the market.

Meeting documents show if the rate changes are approved, the average residential user could see their natural gas costs increase by $5.49 a month, or by roughly 16%. Electric gas costs could increase for residential users by $3.22 a month on average, or 3.3%.

 A second resolution reaffirming Colorado Springs' status as a non-sanctuary city for migrants crossing U.S. borders.

Councilman Brian Risley said Friday he is sponsoring the symbolic resolution in light of recent reported Venezuelan gang activity in Aurora that some officials in that city have said has "significantly affected" apartment complexes there. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky this month maintained the gang issue is localized and limited to a few areas.

Risley also pointed to Denver, a declared sanctuary city that this year and last year has handled a large influx of migrants from South and Central America, though the numbers of arriving migrants there have decreased significantly.

Publicly available data show Denver shelters have served more than 42,800 migrants total, with 14 newcomers Friday.

In February, the Colorado Springs City Council passed a first resolution declaring its status as a non-sanctuary city, vowing not to spend taxpayer money on services "related to this crisis" and calling on the federal government to secure the country's borders.

The council passed that resolution after muddled reports early this year that a busload of migrants had arrived in Colorado Springs. Without a strong response plan in place at the time, those reports left people speculating about the number of migrants in Colorado Springs and how the city and El Paso County planned to address a large influx of migrants in the area, Risley said Friday.

"We want to assure our citizens in a proactive manner that we are monitoring the situation in Aurora and affirming our stance that we will not tolerate lawlessness, violence or drug trafficking," Risley said of Tuesday's proposed resolution.

In February, opponents said such resolutions carry no legal weight, but are "fearmongering" documents that can bolster xenophobia and "hateful rhetoric" about immigrants.

Colorado Springs spokeswoman Vanessa Zink said Friday the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management and community partners continue monitoring capacity at local nonprofit shelters.

The Office of Emergency Management is also in close touch with state officials who have indicated that "sheltering across the region is ready," Zink said. The office, too, monitors publicly available migrant arrival data in Denver, which have declined to low levels.

Tuesday's regular council meeting begins at 10 a.m. at City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave. Meetings are also streamed on the council's Facebook page, @coscitycouncil, or on Springs TV, coloradosprings.gov/springstv.

Agendas are available at coloradosprings.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
China's smart tourism applications offer unique experiences to foreign travelers

Xinhua) 08:17, September 23, 2024

People visit the 2024 China Culture and Tourism Industries Exposition in north China's Tianjin, Sept. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

TIANJIN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Wearing an elegant white dress, Umuhoza, a Rwandan businesswoman, took a photo in front of a smart photo device, which soon generated a photo depicting her as a valiant and chivalrous female with traditional Chinese features.

"When people travel to China, they really want to take memories back home. The device can take a picture of you and then transform you into a Chinese kind of person. I really love it," Umuhoza said.

Umuhoza runs a travel website. She helps tourists from Asian countries travel to African countries, including Rwanda, Egypt and Tanzania. At the same time, her website has a "China package," catering to travelers from Africa who want to go to China.

At the 2024 China Culture & Tourism Industries Exposition held earlier this month in north China's Tianjin Municipality, many foreign visitors were overwhelmed by the novel technologies adopted in China's tourism sector.

"That's amazing. I am very interested in autonomous driving cars and many smart tourism scenes. Perhaps new trade cooperation can be carried out in the future," Umuhoza said.

TELLING PEOPLE MORE ABOUT CHINA

Putting on a virtual reality headset, Elena Jitari-Parry, a full-time travel blogger from Moldova, was instantly drawn to various places to experience the magnificent landscapes of China's mountains and rivers.

"So beautiful. It felt so authentic here," Jitari-Parry said.

She also quickly learned about securing travel tips for exploring Tianjin via an intelligent tourism companion system, which simply requires a person to ask questions at a booth provided by Midu, a company focusing on artificial intelligence and large language models.

"Traveling in China can be so easy for foreigners! The digitalization and intelligence services of Chinese tourist attractions have become a new trend, enabling foreigners like me to enjoy a more comfortable and convenient travel experience in China," Jitari-Parry said.

With the desire to further explore China, Jitari-Parry chose to be a full-time travel blogger, documenting her travels and experiences in China. "Foreigners are very interested in China's technological development. I always advise my audience to come to China and see something different."

The deep integration of technology and the cultural tourism sector not only creates a variety of experiential consumption scenarios, but also meets people's new needs for personalized travel, immersive experiences and creative consumption.

Data showed that by the end of 2023, the scale of China's digital cultural tourism market had exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about 140 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for more than 30 percent of the entire cultural tourism industry.

EXPERIENCING SMART, CONVENIENT SERVICES

In the exhibition area of Meituan, one of China's leading online services platforms, high-end technologies such as drones and autonomous delivery vehicles became the focus of foreign bloggers' lenses.

Ruben Diaz Jr. from the United States was amazed by it. "Some of these things are brand new to me. Tourists can specify drones to deliver the items they need directly to the scenic areas, which is definitely more convenient."

A staff member at the Meituan booth said that currently Meituan drones are operating on more than 30 routes in cities such as Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and have completed over 300,000 orders in total.

Thanks to the rapid development of smart tourism in China, tourists have become accustomed to using online payments, ticket purchases and guided tours during their travels.

Data from iResearch, an industry research and consulting institute, showed that in 2023, the total number of monthly uses and total usage time of online travel apps had grown by more than 30 percent year on year on average.

Some Chinese online travel service companies also use digital technologies to meet the growing travel needs of foreign visitors in China.

In May, Tongcheng Travel launched an international travel reservation platform named HopeGoo, which supports payments in 16 global currencies and via various operating languages.

Richard Santana, a product designer and blogger from the United States, said that with these online services, foreigners will be more willing to go to China, while their travels in China will also be more convenient.

Ma Yiliang, chief statistician of the China Tourism Academy, said that "digitalization plus cultural tourism" has become a development trend.

As "China Travel" has surged to be a hot global social media topic, demand for inbound tourism to China has increased significantly.

"With the smarter and more convenient experience in China, foreign tourists can find a more open, more confident and safer China during their travels," said Ma.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
By Alimat Aliyeva

Scientists from China, France, Portugal, Belgium and other countries gathered for the opening ceremony of the 23rd joint international scientific expedition to Asia's longest Shuangge Cave in Guizhou Province in southwestern China, Azernews reports.

The expedition is scheduled to take place from October 7 to 24, and the results of the archaeological finds will be announced on October 24. Previous scientific expeditions have discovered 44 individual fossils of giant pandas. The oldest of them dates back 100,000 years ago, and the most recent is several hundred years ago.

The fossils prove that Guizhou was once home to giant pandas. Currently, it is known that these animals live in the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Zhou Wenlong, deputy secretary general of the Guizhou Archaeological Association, said the upcoming expedition will continue to study the cave's origin, formation and evolution.

According to the results of the joint expedition in 2023, the cave network has 107 sites connected to each other. Its length is 409.9 kilometers, which makes the cave the longest in Asia and the third largest in the world. It is also the longest dolomite cave in the world.

Jean Bottazzi, a French archaeologist with more than thirty years of cave research experience in China, will lead the upcoming cave research. He calls Shuangge Cave his second home. According to the archaeologist, since the late 1980s, during excavations conducted in the cave by Chinese and foreign experts, many cave fossils and living organisms have been discovered, providing rich and valuable scientific material. During this year's scientific expedition, Suiyang County, which manages the cave area, is organizing a photo contest and short videos on geological science to promote the cave geological park.
Bob Bell, a Denver Realtor, is the founder of Food for Thought Denver and broker-owner of Mile Hi Property in Arvada, Colorado.
Dick Wadhams is a former Colorado Republican state chairman who worked for U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong for nine years before managing campaigns for U.S. Sens. Hank Brown and Wayne Allard, Gov. Bill Owens, and U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.
Pope Francis has canceled his scheduled audiences for Monday due to a slight flu-like state, just days before his planned trip to Belgium and Luxembourg, as reported by AP and confirmed by the Vatican, Azernews reports.

The Vatican's announcement referred to the decision as a precautionary measure. The Pope is set to travel to Luxembourg on Thursday and will spend the remainder of the week in Belgium, culminating in a Mass in Brussels on Sunday.

At 87, Pope Francis has faced numerous health challenges in recent years, including the use of a wheelchair and the removal of part of one lung due to a past respiratory infection. His busy schedule has included multiple meetings with visiting bishops and a significant encounter with members of popular movements following his recent return from an extensive 11-day journey through Asia.

The Holy See press office described the Pope's condition as flu-like, echoing concerns from last autumn and winter when he experienced acute bronchitis and recurring influenza, which previously led him to cancel a trip to Dubai for the U.N. climate conference.
Am I too old for MBA Programs? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by the prospective MBA aspirants who are in their early thirties. Sometimes, I get this question from those who are in their late twenties and have not even hit 30. However, I do feel that the right age for MBA programs is blown out of proportion , so even the 29 years old applicants fear that if for some reason (Low GMAT score, lack of time, medical issues, pressure at work, or family circumstances) they are not able to apply this year, it is end of the road for them, and they will be too old to apply next year.It is true that the average age for MBA admits is in the range of mid to late twenties, and top 10 MBA programs are not very welcoming to older students. However, it is also true that few people apply for MBA programs when they are in their thirties primarily because they have families and they are happy with their career growth. There are some people for whom the right time for MBA comes when they reach 30 or 30+.The truth is there is no right chronological age for an MBA. No school will reject you simply because you have 2-3 years of additional experience than the average candidates. In the AIGAC conferences that I have attended in the past few years, whenever we asked the admission committee members as to how welcoming they are to the older candidates, they confirmed that that 30+ candidates bring maturity to the classroom, and they do accept older candidates if their story makes sense. However, the admission committee will certainly consider many factors when evaluating applications of older candidates.A word of advice to older candidates- stop fretting about your age and make sure you meet the following criteria to make your story convincing and impactful for your target programs:

1. Articulate Your Goals:

Just like younger candidates, you need to have a clear idea about your goals. In fact, the admission committee expects you to have more maturity, confidence, and self-awareness about your goals and your need for an MBA than the younger candidates. You need to have a fair understanding of and why you think NOW is the right time for you to take this critical step in your career, and why the XYZ program is the right fit for you. Research the programs thoroughly and determine which programs are best suited to your career objectives. Your career goals should be in alignment with the way your career has progressed.If the limited space in the required essays does not allow you to explain why you have waited this long to get a management education, you may write an optional essay to explain reasons for your delayed MBA. MER clients have crafted optional essays to explain to the Ad Com reasons behind a delayed MBA. While sometimes 2-3 years delay is because of serious health reasons, sometimes it is also because of family commitments or other personal or professional reasons.

2. Identify your accomplishments:

Since you are more experienced than younger candidates, you are expected to bring to the table more value in terms of accomplishments and leadership experiences. Identify your greatest hits and showcase them well. Let the admission committee know what you will contribute to the class- room through the wealth of your rich professional and personal experiences, your specific expertise in your field, and your wide network. You should also highlight what you will contribute to the community through your participation in clubs and other student-led organizations, leaving the school a better place.

3. Show Your dedication to education:

Through your strong GPA, Stellar GMAT, and convincing essays, show that you are a committed and dedicated candidate and are fully prepared to handle the rigors of the program. Make sure to choose your recommenders who can vouch for your abilities and competence and put in good word for you. Please note that the references are also an important part of the application as they provide third person feedback on your candidacy.

4. Demonstrate your Confidence in the Interview:

Interview is a critical component of the selection process that showcases your communication skills, your confidence and your ability to show the person behind the written word. If a strong application will get you an interview offer, a great interview will get your coveted admit offer. So, prepare well for the interview. Dont be complacent after getting interview calls from multiple schools. Not all interview offers will convert into admit offers. Think of interview as an opportunity to make your impression to the Ad Com by displaying your confidence, maturity, and preparedness that you have highlighted in your essays.

5. Attend Admission Events, Talk to Current Students /Alumni:

Attending admission events and webinars and seeking insights from school representatives will always be helpful to gain valuable insights into the programs. When attending info sessions, you may ask the admission committee members your concerns of being more experienced than the average candidates and follow their advice. Also, visit forums and interact with successful older applicants as their insights will be a valuable resource, too.

6. Consider Other Options:

You may also consider other options such as part- time MBA, EMBA programs, and global EMBA programs. Some full-time MBA programs are designed for senior applicants such as Cornell one-year MBA program and Kellogg, One-year MBA program, Stanford MSX and MIT Sloan Fellows. Some European programs, especially LBS and IMD, may also be good fit for older candidates.To sum up, you are never too old for an education. No school will reject you only because of your biological age. If you have set your mind to gain a management education in your early thirties, and if you are ready and confident that you have reached that point in your career when an MBA from an XYZ school is the next logical step to fulfill your career aspirations, get started and showcase your story to convince the Ad Com.Since 2011, MER has successfully worked with many senior applicants. Last year, we had supported two older candidates with their application for full time MBA programs. One of them (38 years old) was accepted into UNC Kennan Flagler, and the other one (30 years old) was accepted into both ISB and Oxford.Here is the link to the

interview of Oxford and ISB admit

Towards the end of the interview, he shares his insights about the 'right age for full time MBA. (You may read the underlined portion).Good luck with your application.For questions, email Poonam at poonam@myessayreveiw.com
DECATUR  The rain doesnt just fall mainly on the plain in Spain.

There was quite a diluvio all over the Hispanic Heritage Month Festival on Sunday in Decaturs Nelson Park.

El show debe continuar, however, as the event soldiered on under the cover of tents and pavilions to offer a rich sampling of the vibrant culture of sunnier lands.

Students from Johns Hill Magnet School got things off to a lively start with a parade of some 22 flags representing the geographical breadth of Hispanic culture throughout the world.

Elizabeth Rivera, founder and president of the Centro for Hispanic & Immigrant Community Opportunities of Macon County, said representatives of that heritage are a small but growing part of Central Illinois life.

Give or take, the Hispanic population is about 3,000 in Macon County, and its actually the fastest growing population in the county from the 2010 to 2020 census, Rivera explained.

I would say while the majority of the Hispanic community here comes from Mexico, we do have Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Venezuelans and Colombians. There is a pretty diverse group here.

CHICO aims to make them all feel welcome and hosts the heritage festival, now in its fourth year, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Attractions on Sunday ranged from traditional to modern music and dance groups to activities for the young and the young at heart that included anything from bounce houses to balloon animals and temporary tattoos, all free at the point of delivery.

The event opened at noon and ran to 6 p.m. and was followed by a free concert at the nearby Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater featuring Larry Hernandez and Grupo Ezlavon.

And there was, of course, lots of sumptuous Hispanic cuisine. Some of the gastronomica on offer was rarely seen around here, like the range of real fruit desserts offered by La Michoacana Express.

One hundred percent natural products and 100% top quality, assured business owner Adela Rodriguez. There is even a store you can visit in Urbana, managed by Carmen Mata, who fought heroically, with limited English, to reemphasize what weve been missing.

Everything is so fresh, the ice cream is fresh  and all natural ingredients, she said.

While Hispanic people and culture have played a prominent role in this year's U.S. politics, Rivera, the CHICO head jefa, was carefully diplomatic in countering the hyperbole.

We just hope our event will bring different groups together here in Macon County and celebrate all of those different cultures that make up our community, she said.

Over at the balloon animal stand where he was watching kids create inflatable critters, Eliseo Vallon  whose heritage is Puerto Rican  wasnt confident it was easy to push back successfully on the heated rhetoric.

No, Im not so certain, said Vallon, 30. We live in a crazy world, man.
COMPANY NEWS: Singtel today announced that it is the first in the world to commercially deploy a new 5G capability  Ericssons Automated Radio Resource Partitioning (ARRP). Unlike previous iterations of network slicing that require customers to pre-define their network needs, the new software solution intelligently allocates network resources to meet varying workloads of enterprises and consumer applications, thereby overcoming issues of over- or under-provisioning and eliminating the risk of compromising network performance. ARRP also simplifies the complexity of network management for enterprise customers and is particularly beneficial for mission-critical applications where demands on the network frequently changes abruptly.

ARRP was deployed at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1 event, held over the weekend, as part of Singtels 5G Express Pass offering to consumers. This ensured subscribers enjoyed priority network resources and twice the speed, which enabled them to livestream the race and festivities, share content on social media in real-time, and call for ride-hailing services in a congested environment where total attendance exceeded 250,000 spectators.

Mr Ng Tian Chong, CEO, Singtel Singapore, said, With ARRP, businesses only need to specify their desired outcomes and the software handles the rest. Even with no knowledge of network resourcing and management, businesses can tap on the new capabilities of 5G and network slicing. This paves the way for businesses to explore new use cases in dynamic environments like in homeland security, healthcare, smart manufacturing and even high traffic consumer events. We welcome enterprises to test the technology so they can experience the ease with which they can manage their network requirements to support their business needs.

Mr Daniel Ode, Head of Ericsson Singapore, Philippines and Brunei, says, Ericssons Automated Radio Resource Partitioning solution enables Singtel to define and set measurable objectives or intents for its enterprise customers, pertaining to uplink or downlink throughputs, along with a maximum resource utilisation in the network. Amidst challenges from increasing complexity, leveraging automation allows our customers to deliver scalable and sustainable service differentiation for superior network experiences."

Continuous innovation to support business goals

Singtel has been consistently unlocking new features from 5G technology to help businesses improve their business operations and enable the development of innovative applications.

Since achieving nationwide 5G coverage in 2022, it has developed technologies like network slicing that dedicates network resources for specific uses, even up to the mobile application level. 5G is also the foundation for Singtels recently launched national quantum-safe network (QSN). Southeast Asias first, the QSN enables enterprises to secure their communications across the island and extends quantum-safe security to new use cases and applications such as identity, mobility and authentication services. The network is currently open for enterprises to learn more about quantum technology before adoption.

To find out more about ARRP, visit Singtel Networks.
100 years ago,

Sept. 23, 1924

MT. VERNON  Mrs. Elsie Sweetin, comely 32-year-old widow, today confessed that she administered arsenic to her husband, Wilford, on July 26, in accordance with a poison plot hatched by her and Rev. Lawrence M. Hight to remove the two human obstacles to their marriage. The break which brought the confession came after Mrs. Sweetin had spent nearly an hour in the cell where Hight is confined, while authorities spied on the couple. The murders were arranged and executed because of the great love they bore each other, Mrs. Sweetin declared. She said she administered the poison which was obtained for her by the jockey-preacher, three times before it proved effective...CHARLESTON  George A. Kizer versus the Victory insurance Company of Philadelphia is the title of a suit filed in the circuit court here on Monday by Vause & Kiger of Mattoon, attorneys for Kizer, a Mattoon automobile dealer. The action has been brought to recover $5,000 claimed by Kizer on a blanket insurance policy he had with the insurance company on a stock of automobiles stored in several buildings in Mattoon. On April 15, 1924, a garage, the property of J.F. Mallory, in the 2000 block of Prairie Ave, Mattoon, was destroyed by fire. Kizer claims to have lost five sedans and two touring cars in that fire.

50 years ago, 1974

Area farm crops were threatened early this morning by record-smashing low temperatures. The temperature at the weather station at EIU plunged to 32.40 degrees. The intense cold snap heralded the official arrival of fall  at 4:49 a.m. today. Dalias Price, EIU weather observer, told the JG that the prior all-time low for Sept. 23, was 27 degrees set in 1947. Effects of the frost, which blanketed a large portion of the county, on corn and soybeans, has not been determined...CHARLESTON  Coles County Board members will meet Thursday to hammer out plans for the new jail. James Brewster, board chairman, scheduled the public meeting at 7 p.m. in the Circuit Courtroom in the Coles County courthouse. A representative of the architectural firm of Simon, Rettburg & Flom will be present to discuss the proposed construction of a new jail. The County Board Board voted Sept. 10 to negotiate with the firm for the planning and construction of a new jail or the remodeling of the present jail or both.

25 years ago, 1999

Farmers got in their fields a few weeks earlier than usual this year, expecting the worst from the unmercifully hot and dry summer. Many got what they expected, while others where thankfully wrong. The difference between fields' productivity, even within Coles County, is like night and day. "Most of the guys in the area have been pleasantly surprised with their yields," said George Greenwood, manager of the Tabor Grain Co. elevator in Oakland in the northeast corner of Coles County. The story is painfully different on the far west side of the county, where yields are down to about 25 percent compared to an average year, said Steve Booker, manager of the Staley Grain Inc. elevator in Coles, west of Mattoon...MATTOON  The City Council on Tuesday heard a request to include tree plantings in the Link Clinic renovation project. Jacqueline Record, secretary of the Mattoon Tree Commission, said she understands the cutting of a landmark bald cypress in a parking lot west of the Chamber of Commerce office was a mistake. She asked the council to modify the contract the include new plantings that would beautify the area and be good for the environment. She compared the project and the proposed tree plantings with ones in Progress Square and the former Mattoon Federal Building in Mattoon.
CHARLESTON  Sarah Bush Lincoln has moved seven services into the approximately 33,000-square-foot renovated former call center building at 700 W. Lincoln Ave.

Child psychiatry, employee assistance program, integrated behavioral health, neuropsychology, and psychiatry and counseling clinic services opened on Monday in the 11,792-square-foot Suite 200, Entrance B, of what is now the SBL Lincoln Avenue Building. Hospice and home care offices are set to move on Tuesday and Wednesday into 6,490-square-foot Suite 100, Entrance A.

SBL Clinic Director Leslie Jansen said the mental health services that are now together in Suite 200 were previously spread out, including integrated behavioral health and neuropsychology being in the main hospital building and child psychiatry being in Prairie Pavilion 2. She said the new consolidated location will be more convenient for patients and provide more opportunities for staff collaboration.

"It will just make for better patient care overall," Jansen said, noting that the new offices will be roomier than the ones that mental health services had outgrown on the main campus. "We are all about creating safe spaces for the patients and getting them the best care."

Jansen said those spaces will include a sensory room for working with young children, an observation room that is large enough to accommodate families or other group therapy sessions, and soft rounded furniture that is weighted to ensure safety.

The mental health services at the Lincoln Avenue building will have more than 25 staff members, including integrated behavioral health Dr. John Lauer. He takes referrals from primary care providers and makes recommendations to them. This facility also will include office space for 25-27 home care and hospice staff, who will provide patient care off site.

Regarding space, the Lincoln Avenue Building's 3,154-square-foot Suite 300 will be used as unassigned common areas with an employee break room. This leaves 11,000 square feet still available for possible future use.

"It was really designed to grow and provided additional services in the future," Jansen said, adding that the new facility also has freed up space on the main campus.

This newly renovated building, which Sarah Bush Lincoln purchased in 2021, previously had been used as a call center that was originally developed by Consolidated Market Response, which was then acquired by Solix Inc. in 2010.

Colleen Peterlich, president and chief executive officers of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce, said the building at 700 W. Lincoln Ave. has been a good, long-term location for various business over time, going back to when this facility housed an IGA supermarket decades ago. She said she hopes it fits SBL's needs for many years to come.

Peterlich said SBL's renovations have improved the appearance of a building that was already in good shape and added to the welcoming appearance of the west side of Charleston along Lincoln/Illinois 16.

"The fact that they have renovated and reused it, I think it's a great idea," Peterlich said.

Photos: Tour Sarah Bush Lincolns Willow Breeze Hospice House
Not long ago, Forsyth County Commissioner Shai Woodbury posted on Facebook a photograph of a Black boy from New Bern sitting on a barrel and eating a watermelon. The photograph, titled "Satisfied with Life" was published in 1902 by Owen G. Dunn, a local printer whose business later turned into a premier North Carolina printing company for election ballots.

"A picture is worth a 1,000 words," Woodbury wrote on Facebook. "Is the same company that printed the picture below the same company that Forsyth County government will partner and pay to provide election print services for this year's historic election?"

Woodbury then urged citizens to come to the commissioners' meeting last Thursday to speak during the public comment period about the photograph, which she compared to another image of a Black person eating a watermelon. This one was on the cover of a book titled "Understanding Jim Crow: Using Racist Memorabilia to Teach Tolerance and Promote Social Justice."

At the meeting, several people spoke against the decision to contract with a company called Printelect and voiced misgivings about potentially damaging the integrity of the upcoming elections in November.

"I've got some concerns because I've learned that this company with which the county is contracting with for voting equipment may have a history of printing explicitly racist images of Black children in New Bern," resident Olivia Doyle said.

Others voiced similar feelings.

"This year, our elections are contentious," said Chenita Johnson, the chair of a local voting precinct. "We want to make absolutely sure that whoever is scanning our ballots will have accountability and will be transparent."

In a statement to the Journal, Printelect confirmed that its "predecessor," the Owen G. Dunn printing company, was hired to print the photograph on a postcard.

"Printelect upholds the essential values of equality and impartiality in our business practices, especially in printing voting materials that support our democratic process," the company stated. "Printelect strongly condones any implicit or explicit practices of discrimination or alienation of rights, and our company remains committed to transparency, professionalism and respect for all."

Printelect also said the photographer of the image, Bayard Wootten, was nationally known for her imagery of rural Southern life.

Despite concern about the photograph, however, commissioners ultimately voted 6-1 to contract with the company for ballot printing and voting equipment services. Woodbury was the only commissioner who voted in opposition.

Robert Durrah, the chair of the Forsyth County Board of Elections, said during the public comment period that the work for absentee voting had already started and that denying the contract would present another obstacle in addition to the 64,800 ballots that already need to be reprinted due to the withdrawal of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy for president.

"The photograph is a problem that we may not be able to find a resolution for," Durrah said. "If we take away the contract, we will only be endangering our opportunity to provide services to voters so that voters can cast their ballots."

The majority of the commissioners' reasoning largely hung on Durrah's emphasis about the importance of providing voting services.

Commissioner Tonya McDaniel said that she researched the company and found a robust discrimination and harassment policy. McDaniel also said her responsibility as a commissioner was to ensure that constituents have access to a ballot and that a better alternative was to focus on registering voters.

Before the commissioners voted, Woodbury emphasized that no one should provide excuses for the photograph.

"It was very intentional to print that picture and sell it to citizens across this state as a way to propagate white supremacy and Jim Crow," Woodbury said.
A Lincoln resident is one of three people suing an insurance company for denying them coverage for gender-affirming facial procedures.

Announced Sept. 10, the complaint said Aetna Life Insurance refused to pay for the surgeries based on a policy that excludes gender-affirming facial procedures from the types of medically necessary gender-affirming surgery it covers. The policy, CPB 0615, states that gender-affirming facial procedures are a form of "cosmetic" and "medically unnecessary."

All the plaintiffs were diagnosed with gender dysphoria for several years before seeking out the procedures. They had received other types of gender-affirming care but were denying facial surgeries due to the policy. The complaint states that the denial violates section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded health care programs.

"For transgender women, gender-affirming facial surgeries are not about vanity or appearance  they are about providing lifesaving medical care that enable them to live full authentic lives and reduce distress caused by gender dysphoria," said Gabriel Arkles, Co-Interim Legal Director at Advocates for Trans Equality, in a press release announcing the suit. "Aetna's refusal to cover gender-affirming health care, despite the medical necessity, forces many trans women to continue to suffer, and a minority to assume the major financial burden of paying out-of-pocket."

Gender dysphoria symptoms can be addressed through gender-affirming medical care, like hormone treatment, surgery and procedures, including facial surgery. A UCLA study found that trans patients who receive gender-affirming facial feminization surgery reported better mental health after their procedures.

According to the complaints, all the plaintiffs were on health plans offered by Aetna and were receiving gender-affirming care to treat their gender dysphoria and further their transition.

One of the plaintiffs, Binah Gordon, a 42-year-old Lincoln resident, spent about $35,000 out of pocket on facial surgery after Aetna refused to cover it. The delays caused her distress and anxiety, she said in a press release.

Gordon said she spends a lot of time in unsafe places for trans people because she often travels for work. In a climate of rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence, she was afraid of the danger her masculine facial features may place her. Although she ultimately raised the money, she said it was a "long and painful delay" in obtaining care.

"My doctors knew I was desperate to improve my quality of life," she said. "When I was finally able to get the gender-affirming surgeries that I needed, it was like my life finally began. When I looked in the mirror, I used to see an obstacle, a laughingstock, a target, or a victim. Today, in the mirror, I see a capable, socially and spiritually connected, empowered and confident professional, partner, sister and aunt."

Similarly, a plaintiff identified only as S.N. of Pennsylvania paid nearly $50,000 out of pocket for gender-affirming facial and voice surgeries, according to the complaint. The last plaintiff, Kay Mayers, a 52-year-old Alaska resident, is unable to afford the surgery, so she continues to experience severe gender dysphoria and fears for her safety, the suit says.

The complaint states that Aetna has made exceptions to cover facial reconstructive surgery after a traumatic injury or cancer treatment. It concludes that Aetna is ignoring the medical consensus and standards of care regarding gender-affirming facial surgery under their policy.

The suit was filed in the U.S District Court for Connecticut, and the three plaintiffs are represented by Wardenski P.C., Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, and the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, now known as Advocates for Trans Equality.

The plaintiffs are looking to end Aetna's exclusionary policy and have the company compensate damages to all policyholders who have had to pay out of pocket for gender-affirming facial surgery because of the exclusion.

In a statement, Alex Kepness, executive director of communications at Aetna, said that the company can't comment on pending litigation, but noted that it has a "strong track record of supporting the LGBTQ+ community and is committed to meeting the health care needs of all our members."

Top Journal Star photos for September 2024
A former commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Education will serve as the chief lobbyist for the University of Nebraska system.

NU President Jeff Gold named Matt Blomstedt associate vice president for government relations for the university system on Monday.

Blomstedt, a lifelong Nebraskan who led the Department of Education from 2014-23, is a principal at Foresight Law + Policy, a Washington, D.C.-based education law firm.

His first day on the job will be Oct. 1, Gold said in a news release. Blomstedt will serve as the liaison between NU and Gov. Jim Pillen's office, the Legislature, and state and federal government.

According to an NU spokeswoman, Blomstedt's salary will be $280,000.

Gold said Blomstedt "has built strong and trusted relationships that will serve us as he advocates for our students, faculty, and staff," both as a Nebraskan and UNL alum.

"I look forward to the leadership and energy that I know Matt will bring to the University of Nebraska," Gold said.

Blomstedt said he is "excited" to advance NU's mission and Gold's vision.

"Nebraska is a special place, and the university provides many important pillars for the success of the state's education and economic future," Blomstedt said. "I hope to bring my talents and experiences, many that I owe to my education at NU, to this important role."

Blomstedt was hired following a search led by Dr. Chris Kratochvil, the interim vice president for external relations at NU and vice chancellor for external relations for the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Others on the search committee were Matt Hammons, NU assistant vice president and director of federal relations; Erin Cooper, NU assistant director for government relations; Victoria Kohout, University of Nebraska at Omaha chief of external relations; and Jeff Kratz, UNMC director of government relations.

Kratochvil said Blomstedt's breadth of leadership experience, policy knowledge and passion for education and students impressed the committee.

"He will be a great fit in leading government relations work across the University of Nebraska system," Kratochvil said.

As education commissioner, Blomstedt managed an agency with 530 employees and a $2 billion budget, including working with policymakers at the local, state and federal level.

He helped develop a new assessment and accountability policy, coordinated with other agencies to develop policies affecting education, health, and workforce development in Nebraska and led the department during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blomstedt has also served as the executive director of the Nebraska Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council, as a research analyst for the Legislature's Education Committee, and as executive director of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association.

Blomstedt follows Heath Mello, a former state senator who was NU's chief lobbyist before becoming President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and Kristen Hassebrook, an attorney who left NU to return to Mueller Robak earlier this year.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2024
Jennifer Meints expected her 21-year-old daughter would finally get approved this year for state-funded services to help her work, volunteer and live the fullest life possible with her multiple disabilities.

Her daughter, Grace, spent her first 15 years in and out of the hospital before her health stabilized. Growing up, she got Medicaid-supported personal care services at home and special education services at school.

Her family put her on Nebraska's waiting list for intellectual and developmental disability services about eight years ago, in hopes her turn to be offered a shared living home and a day program with work and community activities would arrive shortly after she turned 21 and school ended.

A February letter from the Department of Health and Human Services made it appear as if that plan was working. The letter said she should get her offer of services this fall.

But a few weeks later, Gov. Jim Pillen made a bombshell announcement that the state would eliminate the waiting list for services and take a new approach to "reimagine how services are offered to individuals with IDD in Nebraska and save taxpayer dollars."

His announcement came with few details. State officials have offered few since about how the announcement affects those on the waiting list. Meints said she has been told unofficially the state is not currently extending service offers to people like her daughter, leaving the Lincoln woman feeling scared and desperate.

"I dont know where we stand," she said. "I dont know where we are. I cry daily just worrying about what is going to happen. What is my daughters future going to look like?"

Six months after Pillen's announcement, Meints is far from alone in her confusion and fear.

During that time, Nebraska's developmental disabilities waiting list has actually grown, while state officials have struggled to implement a new Medicaid waiver program for children that officials describe as a key part of the new approach.

Families, providers and advocates continue to seek information about what changes the state is planning. They have raised questions particularly about how the state intends to serve more people while saving money.

Frustration, 'alarms' as state develops plan

Mike Browne, vice chairman of the state's Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee, expressed those frustrations at a committee meeting this month.

"Where is the comprehensive plan that can be reviewed by us in totality or is it still in process?" he asked state officials. "We dont know. Nobody knows. We seem to be doing pieces and parts but there isnt anything pulling it together.

"The problem is this sets off all kinds of alarms with individuals who are out there already hurting and suffering," Browne said.

In a statement to The World-Herald, HHS officials said they have been working to provide information and get feedback about the initiative through a variety of means, including virtual and in-person town hall meetings, website updates, information booths at community events and mailings to families.

"The department understands that change can be difficult, however, eliminating the waitlist will ensure families have the individualized services they need to ensure they are supported and thrive," the statement said.

Tony Green, HHS developmental disabilities director, in July 26 video update posted to the division's website promised state officials would continue to work with families and providers on the changes and called the new approach a "work in progress."

"Gov. Pillens initiative to offer services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the time theyre needed is an innovative and extraordinary approach but it is a process that will take time and collaboration to accomplish," he said. "We are creating a new continuum of care focused on needs and providing supports to everyone as opposed to only a few."

Nebraska provides services for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Medicaid waiver programs. The waivers allow states to use federal Medicaid funds for home- and community-based services that keep people out of institutions.

As of Aug. 1, the state's three IDD waivers provided 5,349 people with services, ranging from help getting jobs and participating in the community to help with personal hygiene and activities of daily living. Some receive services while living with their families. Others live in apartments, homes shared with caregivers or in group homes.

Unlike traditional Medicaid, the waivers also allow states to limit participation and Nebraska has long had a waiting list for developmental disability services, despite repeated attempts to provide services for all. As of Aug. 1, there were 2,848 people on the list, including 1,510 children. That's up from 2,712 on April 1, at the time of the governor's announcement.

About half of those on the list are getting some state-funded services, such as service coordination or day programs, while they wait for other services, especially options for moving out of their parents' homes. Almost all are getting Medicaid to cover health care costs.

History breeds skepticism; state says program will be funded

The only time Nebraska eliminated its waiting list, even briefly, was in 1995. Then-Gov. Ben Nelson pushed a plan under which services were offered to everyone on the list as of July 1 that year. But a new list began on July 2, and there were 400 people on the list by the end of August 1995.

Past proposals to serve everyone on the waiting list have been stymied by the price tag. In 2021, HHS officials estimated it would cost $54 million of state funds plus $71 million of federal Medicaid funds to provide needed services to the 2,964 people waiting at that time.

That history feeds into skepticism at Pillen's initiative. Using the new approach, HHS officials now estimate they can eliminate the waiting list with only $18 million of state funds and $26 million in federal funds. Their budget estimate allows for 2% increases each year to boost provider rates, according to the HHS website.

But the estimate was built on assumptions that only 354 people, or 13% of those on the waiting list, would get residential services under the new approach. Those services typically are the most costly. The estimate also assumes the number of people getting services will remain flat in future years, with the number of those who move, die or drop services balancing out the number added to services.

In their statement, HHS officials expressed confidence that the changes planned in Nebraska's developmental disability services system will make the budget work while providing people with the services they need.

Officials contrast the new approach to the previous one-size-fits-all approach. They said it will provide services and supports early, then adapt to individuals changing needs as they age. It also will use new models of staffing, including telehealth, virtual support and more use of independent providers, who contract directly with families.

"Because this is a new approach and not everyone will need the same services/supports, costs are more evenly spread amongst the various options for service availability," the statement said. "This is the cause for differences from the old approach to our new approach."

HHS said Nebraska has enough money "for the time being" to eliminate the waiting list and, if future needs are greater, they would be addressed through a state budget request.

Kim Bainbridge, an Omaha mother, said she isn't reassured by the department's estimates. Her 35-year-old son waited 7 years and 7 days to get residential services, she said. He now shares an apartment with a friend and has workers come in to help him out. She worries HHS will eliminate the waiting list and make its budget balance by cutting services to people like her son.

"This is my fear," she said. "The money's got to come from someplace."

The lack of specifics from HHS about the new service continuum, including what services will be provided and what changes will be made in how and when people qualify for services, has contributed to those concerns. The worried remain despite assurances from Green that people will still be able to get more costly residential services without having to be in an emergency situation.

Another uncertainty is the department's move toward adopting a new assessment tool for determining what people need, a shift that began before the governor's announcement. A pilot project, comparing the new tool to the state's existing assessment system, is underway but won't be final until January.

Alana Schriver, a parent and executive director of the Nebraska Association of Service Providers, said Nebraska could benefit from a better assessment tool. But she said parents and providers are concerned about how the results of the assessments will be translated into services.

"We know theyre looking for every dollar and dime they can put towards property tax relief, so the fear is that (service) budgets will magically or coincidentally drop when we switch to this new system," she said. "There's no trust."

The shaky rollout of a new waiver aimed at helping children on the waiting list has not helped matters.

The family support waiver, championed by State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, allows the state to provide up to $10,000 a year worth of at-home services to 850 children. The services could include such things as specialized child care, independent living skills, respite care and home and vehicle modifications.

HHS made the first offers of services under the new program in March. As of early September, 408 families had accepted the offer but only 97 were actually being served. HHS officials told the advisory committee that the rest were still trying to navigate a tangled web of bureaucracy involving Medicaid, developmental disability and Social Security, or were searching for an approved provider.

While the department focuses on launching the family support waiver, officials said other offers of services, such as the one Meints expected for her daughter, have been put on hold. Officials did not say how long the pause might last.

"We just want our kids to be loved and safe and happy and healthy," Meints said. "Were not asking for anything crazy."
Gov. Jim Pillen said Tuesday he won't be calling a special session of the Legislature to consider a bill switching Nebraska to a winner-take-all state before the November election.

"Based on the lack of 33 votes, I have no plans to call a special session on this issue prior to the 2024 election," a statement released by the governor's office said. "I am grateful to the many Nebraskans who made their voices heard during this process."

Pillen's statement came the day after a key figure at the middle of a pressure campaign to replace Nebraska's unique way of awarding presidential electors to a winner-take-all system reiterated Monday he would not support the plan ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

Omaha Sen. Mike McDonnell, whose switch from Democrat to Republican earlier this year created speculation he would support a last-minute effort to ensure Republicans win the Electoral College vote for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, said he opposed the plan.

In a statement on Monday, McDonnell said elections "should be an opportunity for all voters to be heard, no matter who they are, where they live, or what party they support."

"For decades, Nebraska has tried to live up to that idea by allocating our electoral college vote in a way that gives all Nebraskans an equal voice in choosing our president," McDonnell said.

Nebraska's method of awarding Electoral College votes "brings tremendous national attention" to Omaha, where McDonnell has lived for 58 years, is impactful on the economy and brings presidential candidates and their running mates to Nebraska's largest city.

McDonnell said the most recent attempt to change Nebraska's law this fall, which follows a failed attempt to advance a bill (LB764) that remained stuck in committee in the waning days of the spring's legislative session, came too late this year.

"After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change," McDonnell said.

The term-limited senator, who is reportedly mulling a run for Omaha mayor, informed Pillen that he "will not change my long-held position" and would oppose any attempt to change the law, according to his statement on Monday.

Instead, McDonnell said he urged Pillen and state senators take the measure to Nebraska voters through a constitutional amendment to be voted on in 2026, "so the people of Nebraska can once and for all decide this issue the way it should be decided  on the ballot."

McDonnell's opposition to the winner-take-all plan, which he initially announced when switching parties in April, likely kills the attempt to bring the matter to a special session of the Legislature this year.

Earlier this month, Charlie Kirk, a conservative podcaster and ally of former President Donald Trump who highlighted the potential importance of the Omaha area congressional district to this year's presidential election, tried to rally support outside of Memorial Stadium during a tailgate ahead of Nebraska's game against Northern Iowa.

Kirk's visit was followed last week by Pillen and Sen. Pete Ricketts inviting Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina to meet with about 20 lawmakers at the Governor's Mansion, where Graham highlighted the importance of Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.

Graham offered to have Trump call several members of the Legislature to speak to them over the phone, according to several senators who attended the meeting. Some reportedly took the South Carolina senator up on his offer while others declined.

Shortly after Graham's visit, members of Nebraska's federal delegation, including Ricketts, Sen. Deb Fischer, and Reps. Mike Flood, Don Bacon, and Adrian Smith, co-signed a letter to Pillen and Speaker John Arch urging the Legislature to act.

"It is past time that Nebraska join 48 other states in embracing winner-take-all in presidential elections, the federal elected officials wrote in their letter.

Flood was invited to talk about the issue on Fox News, as was Jessica Flanagain, a close ally of Ricketts who ran both his and Pillen's campaigns.

Flanagain also filed paperwork with the Legislature registering as a lobbyist focused on issues related to the Electoral College late last week, which signaled to some close observers of the state's unicameral system that a special session could be coming.

Supporters of the proposal, including Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, who sponsored LB764 in the 2023 session, acknowledged neither the meeting with Graham nor the letter from Nebraska's federal delegation won any new support, however.

Lippincott said only 30 or 31 of the 49 state senators supported making the change  less than the 33 that would be needed to break an anticipated filibuster  while other state senators have said privately that the change may have had less support.

Any bill would also require 33 votes in order for the legislation to take effect immediately upon Pillen signing it. If the bill had fewer than 33 votes, it would take effect well after Election Day.

Republicans  including McDonnell  control 33 seats in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, while there are 15 registered Democrats and one independent.

Over the weekend, Lippincott urged supporters of the plan to pray and fast: "We really need churches to get involved and fight the spiritual warfare that is going on in the political arena," he said, according to an email shared on social media.

In a post on Truth Social, the former president's social media website, Trump thanked Pillen "for trying to help the Republican Party simplify the complexity of the State's Electoral Map."

"It would have been better, and far less expensive, for everyone!" Trump posted Monday evening. "Unfortunately, a Democrat turned Republican(?) State Senator named Mike McDonnel (sic) decided, for no reason whatsoever, to get in the way of a great Republican, common sense, victory."

Trump also said he would make an attempt to win the vote of the 2nd congressional district: "I LOVE OMAHA, and won it in 2016. Looks like I'll have to do it again."

'Standing strong'

Following McDonnell's statement on Monday, Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb thanked the one-time Democrat for "standing strong against tremendous pressure from out-of-state interests to protect Nebraskans' voice in our democracy."

"Nebraska has a long and proud tradition of independence, and our electoral system reflects that by ensuring that the outcome of our elections truly represents the will of the people without interference," Kleeb said in a statement.

"In this election and those to come, Nebraskans will continue to lead the way by electing leaders at every level who stand up for the people and respect our spirit of independence," she added.

Civic Nebraska, a nonprofit organization that advocates for democratic causes and expanding voting rights, also lauded McDonnell "and all Nebraska's leaders who are standing up to protect our fair and representative electoral system."

"This is not a partisan issue  this is about Nebraska voters knowing that their voices will be heard and that outside influence will not prevail over our democracy," Civic Nebraska said in a press release. "Now, legislators can return their focus to the pressing issues facing our state."

'Incredibly disappointed'

Ricketts, in a statement Monday afternoon, said he was "incredibly disappointed" in McDonnell opposing the winner-take-all switch.

"We should cast our five electoral votes with one voice by switching from a system that dilutes Nebraska's vote to a system that allows us to elect a president for all Nebraskans," Ricketts said.

The Nebraska Republican Party did not respond to an email requesting comment.

Speaking on CNN Monday afternoon, Flood defended the effort to make Nebraska a winner-take-all state roughly six weeks before the general election, adding he believed it would help Trump defeat Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.

"We are a sovereign state," Flood told CNN's Jake Tapper. "What is wrong about calling a special session, introducing bills, having a hearing on a bill, going through three rounds of debate in our state's unicameral Legislature and having the governor sign the bill?

"That is the way we express ourselves democratically and politically in Nebraska," Flood said. "Forty-seven days, 180 days, two years before an election, if Nebraskans want to do it some way, that is our remedy."

Flood finished calling McDonnell's announced opposition "a big hurdle" to overcome, adding: "We're still working on it."

But on Tuesday, Pillen said he would not call a special session.

"Given everything at stake for Nebraska and our country, we have left every inch on the field to get this done," Pillen said in a statement emailed to news outlets. "Unfortunately, we could not persuade 33 state senators."

Pillen said McDonnell's announcement he was against changing the state's method was "profoundly disappointing to me and the many others who have worked so earnestly to ensure all Nebraskans' votes are sought after equally this election."

Nebraska's so-called "blue dot" has emerged as a dependable battleground in recent years.

Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden won the Electoral College vote in 2008 and 2020, respectively, while Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney turned the blue dot red in 2012, and Trump won the vote in 2016.

The push to change the Cornhusker state to a winner-take-all format for the Electoral College, a process that could have stretched over a calendar week, comes as Nebraskans are set to start voting in the coming weeks.

Ballots were sent to military voters late last week, and early voting ballots will be mailed out on Sept. 30.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2024
1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them.

2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound.

3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes.

4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic.

Vote

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Thanks Nature Cafe (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Enjoying cafes is a big part of Korean culture, and the country is home to a wide variety of unique cafes. Animal cafes stand out as a top tourist attraction among them. The blend of delectable desserts and cute animals continues to attract both locals and tourists, particularly in major cities like Seoul.

These cafes originally started with cat or dog themes, but now they have evolved to include even wild animals like meerkats and raccoons. The popularity of such cafes can be attributed to the relatively lax animal welfare laws in many Asian countries. With that in mind, its crucial to acknowledge the harsh reality that some establishments have been reported for serious animal abuse.

To ensure a positive and responsible experience, having a proper guide can be helpful to find cafes providing a safe and healthy environment for both the animals and visitors. In the Hongdae area of Seoul, you can explore a cluster of animal cafes conveniently located within a close distance. Visiting those cafes can give you fun and special experience of seeing adorable animals in the city. Check them out!

1. Thanks Nature Cafe

This lovely cafe not only serves amazing Korean desserts but also offers a unique opportunity to spend time with adorable lambs! Each year, the cafe owner visits Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm and carefully selects two lambs from the herd struggling to get their mothers milk due to their small or weak physique. These chosen lambs are then raised as the stars of Thanks Nature Cafe. With dedicated and attentive care, the lambs grow up healthy and lively. As they mature, they are returned to Daegwallyeong, and new baby lambs take their place as the new stars.

Most animal cafes tend to focus on the interaction with animals, so they often have limited beverage and dessert menus. Also, the presence of roaming wild animals can sometimes lead to an unclean and odorous environment. However, Thanks Nature Cafe guarantees a leisurely time by separating the spaces for the lambs and the cafe area. Moreover, their desserts are exceptionally delicious, as are their waffles and Korean shaved. Another advantage is that there is no separate admission fee required unlike other animal cafes.

Enjoy a tasty dessert and hang out with fluffy, chubby lambs in Hongdae!

Thanks Nature Cafe (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Thanks Nature Cafe (Photo courtesy of Thanks Nature Cafe) Thanks Nature Cafe (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Thanks Nature Cafe (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Thanks Nature Cafe (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Thanks Nature Cafe (Photo courtesy of Thanks Nature Cafe) Thanks Nature Cafe (Photo courtesy of Thanks Nature Cafe) Thanks Nature Cafe (Photo courtesy of Thanks Nature Cafe)

Address: B121 Seogyo Prugio Shopping Mall, 10 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: 12 p.m.  9 p.m.

2. Day of Butler

This cat cafe was born out of a heartfelt desire to care for injured and abandoned street cats. Day of Butler has opened several branches across Seoul, including Hongdae and care for around 130 cats.

Each cat here receives good care and training so most of the cats are very healthy and friendly. They enjoy playing with visitors while sitting on their laps. Youll have plenty of opportunities to pet and be surrounded by a bunch of charming cats. Also, as the cafe has a spacious and clean environment, its a great spot to enjoy a refreshing drink. And, to become popular with the residents, the cafe sells cat food for 3,000 won.

The cafe even has an adoption program for visitors who fall in love with any of the cats there. The requirements to apply include visiting the cafe at least three times to get to know the cat youre interested in adopting.

Visting the cafe costs 10,000 won, drinks are a separate purchase. However, cat lovers see this fee as a donation and willingly contribute.

Please note that children aged 13 and below can only enter if accompanied by a guardian.

Day of Butler (Photo courtesy of Day of Butler) Day of Butler (Photo courtesy of Day of Butler)

Address: 2F Taekyung Building, 19-8 Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: Noon 10 p.m.

Entrance fee: 10,000 won

3. Winters Village

This is one of Hongdaes hottest cafes, so expect to wait about 30 minutes to enter on weekends to hang out with some beautiful dogs. Winters Village is famous for being home to 12 lively Samoyeds, a Malamute and Pomeranian.

If youre looking for a cafe to relax at a comfortable seat with fancy desserts and beverages, this might not be for you. However, if you want to cuddle, feed and hang out with these large fluffy dogs, then head on over!

Please be aware that since the Samoyeds shed a lot, people wearing dark-colored clothes or those with allergies should be cautious. Admission is available for ages 10 and above, and children aged 13 and below can enter if accompanied by a guardian.

Winters Village (Photo courtesy of Winters Village) Winters Village (Photo courtesy of Winters Village)

Address: 19-5, Wausan-ro 17-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: 1 p.m.  9 p.m. (Tuesday off)

Entrance fee: 14,000 won

4. Table A

Table A is an indoor zoo animal cafe with the most diverse array of animals in Hongdae. It holds the official verification as an indoor zoo from Seoul City. While other animal cafes that arent recognized as zoos arent obligated to follow animal welfare regulations, this official verification ensures that Table A operates with a commitment to animal well-being and staff members are trained caretakers.

The indoor zoo houses a variety of animals, including raccoons, meerkats, Fennec Foxes, and more in the five-story building. Visitors can interact with exotic animals like chinchillas and snakes under the instructions of the caretakers during specific program hours. Some animals like raccoons and cats are freely roaming around, but to catch the attention of these mischievous creatures, you might need to purchase some snacks. As there is a lot to see and enjoy, Table A assures a delightful time for visitors of all ages!

Table A also offers a separate cafe area to enjoy beverages and desserts. Those who purchase an entrance ticket can get a 20% discount on all beverages.

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a guardian during their visit.

Table A (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Table A (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Table A (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Table A (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Table A (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Address: 146 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: Noon  10 p.m.

Entrance fee: 17,000 won (Booking through Naver offers a 15% discount)
On 21 September Kenyas Presidentpaid a visit to Haiti and pledged a further 600 officers for the Kenyan-led multinational security support mission (MSS) for Haiti.

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On 20 September the Colombian guerrilla group Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN) claimed responsibility for a 17 September attack on a military base in Arauca department that led Presidents government to suspend peace talks with the ELN.

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Eiko Araki is an expert of the Sanuki Kagari Temari, a Japanese traditional craft. The craft has been passed down for more than 1,000 years on the island of Shikoku.

Araki is at the center of a small circle of women who are working hard to make temari. These balls are small artistic objects that have colorful designs. They can take weeks or months to finish. Some cost hundreds of dollars although others are less costly.

The balls are not for sports. They are created as special objects, carrying prayers for health and goodness. They might be treasured like a painting in a Western home.

Out of nothing, something this beautiful is born, bringing joy, said Araki about the temari. I want it to be remembered there are beautiful things in this world that can only be made by hand.

Creating the balls

The area where temari began was good for growing cotton. The round creations continue to be made out of that material.

At Arakis studio, which also serves as head office for temaris preservation society, there are 140 colors of cotton thread.

The women dye them by hand, using plants, flowers and other natural ingredients. Outside the studio, cotton thread, in different colors, hangs outside in the shade to dry.

The lengthy process starts with making the basic ball. The careful work with thread called stitching is done on the ball. The outer covering of rice grains, called husks, are cooked and then dried and placed in a piece of cotton. Then the materials are wound with thread, over and over, until, almost magically, a ball appears.

Then the stitching begins.

The balls are surprisingly hard, so each stitch requires a careful, almost painful, push.

New generation

These days, temari is getting new recognition among Japanese and foreigners as well. Caroline Kennedy, for example, took lessons in the ball-making when she was United States ambassador to Japan 10 years ago.

Yoshie Nakamura promotes Japanese handcrafted art in her shop at Tokyos Haneda airport. Nakamura says she features temari there because of its complex 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 available for everyday life. For example, some of the balls can be used to beautify Christmas trees.

Araki often travels to Tokyo to teach. But mostly she works and gives lessons in her studio.

She started out as a metalwork artist. Her husbands parents were temari masters who worked hard to bring back the artform when it was at risk of dying out.

They were not emotional people. They rarely gave praise and instead always scolded her, she remembers. It is a tough love teaching method that is common in many Japanese traditional arts, from Kabuki acting to hogaku music. These art forms demand a lifetime of selfless devotion.

Today, only a small number of people, all women, can make the temari balls to traditional standards.

Araki said that the most difficult issue is training the next generation. She added that it usually takes over 10 years to train them, so you need people who are willing to continue the craft for a very long time."

But, she explained, When people start to feel joy along with the hardship that comes with making temari, they tend to keep going.

Im John Russell.

Yuri Kageyama reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________

Words in This Story

studio n. a building or room where artists work

preservation -- n. the activity or process of keeping something alive

thread  n. a continuous strand formed by spinning and twisting short textile fibers

dye v. to put on or apply a substance that colors cloth

era n. a period of time in the past

interior decoration  n. the job of adding objects and furnishings to a room or home that do not involve its structure or utilities

scold  v. to criticize sharply

devotion  n. the act of dedicating something to a cause or activity

standard  n. something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quality

tend  v. to continue development or movement in a particular direction
17:20





In a post on X, Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji, Anna had inner strength to handle the stress that came with pursuing a gruelling Chartered Accountancy degree. It was the toxic work culture and long work hours that took away her life, which needs to be addressed. Stop victim shaming and atleast try to be a little sensitive, am sure god will be the guide if you seek."





Replying to this, Union Minister Sitharaman said that she only highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children and that in no way victim shaming was done.





"Had referred to this matter in a talk delivered in Tamil at a deemed university on the outskirts of Chennai. Had specifically mentioned that after clearing a demanding and rigorous examination such as CA, the stress on her was unbearable. No names were taken, neither of the lady nor of the firm. The University has set up a Meditation Hall and a place of worship for all its students and faculty. It is in this context that I spoke on how it is necessary to build inner strength for students," she said on X.





"With a sense of grief over the tragic loss, I highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children, and in no way victim shaming was done nor intended, even remotely," Sitharaman added.





She also mentioned that the Union Labour Ministry has already assured a thorough investigation into the allegations of an exploitative work environment related to the tragic demise.





The father of EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil, Sibi Joseph, said on the incident that she had to work late at night, and even after reaching her PG, she had to do additional work.





"She joined there on March 18... After one week, she started the regular auditing. There are 6 audit teams in EY Pune, and she was included in the 6th team. The assistant manager allotted and the Audit Manager reviewed the work... She had to work late into the night... After reaching back to her PG also, she had to do additional work which was not concerned with her work... She was not getting time to sleep and eat. She was stressed and she had work pressure. The manager did not review the work on time, he did it on his schedule... He is a cricket fan, and he changed his schedule according to the match schedule. And because of that, she had to sit late to complete the work assigned to her," Joseph said.





The father also pointed out that Anna used to cry on the phone that she could not work with so much tension and stress.





"We asked her to resign and come back... She decided to continue because she said that she was getting more exposure in EY. Unfortunately, on July 21, she collapsed in her room and died before reaching the hospital."

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi's "victim shaming" allegation over her remarks on the death of a 26-year-old woman Chartered Accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, who died due to alleged extreme work pressure at Ernst & Young (EY).
15:57





The former Delhi chief minister held a roadshow in the Rania assembly constituency in Haryana's Sirsa in favour of Aam Aadmi Party nominee Harpinder Singh for the October 5 state assembly polls.





Kejriwal resigned as the chief minister of Delhi after being released from the Tihar Jail last week following his bail in the excise policy case by the Supreme Court.





AAP leader Atishi later took oath as the chief minister of the national capital. Addressing a gathering during the roadshow, Kejriwal said he had to spend five-and-a-half months in the jail for no reason.





"What was my fault? My fault is being the chief minister of Delhi for 10 years, I set up good government schools for children of the poor. Earlier, there were power cuts for 7-8 hours in Delhi. But, now there is round-the-clock electricity. My fault is that I made electricity free in Delhi and Punjab," Kejriwal said.





"My fault is that I started a free 'tirath yatra' for elderly people. So many works were carried out in Delhi and Punjab. No corrupt person could do these," he said. Kejriwal said his government made electricity free in Delhi which involved a huge amount of money -- "Rs 3,000 crore".





"Had I been a 'chor' (thief), I could have put Rs 3,000 crore in my pocket," he said.





"I set up good schools for children of the poor. It involved expenditure. Had I been corrupt, I could have put it in my pocket," he said.





Attacking the BJP, he said electricity is quite costly in every state the party is in power. "Electricity is not free in Haryana, it is very costly. I want to ask you who is a 'chor' -- the one who makes electricity free or the one who makes electricity expensive."





Lashing out at the BJP, Kejriwal said, "Why did they put me in jail? I am honest. Meri imandari pe chot karna chahte hain. (They want to tarnish my image of honesty. They want to say that Kejriwal is a 'chor' (thief) as he was jailed for five months." But as he walked out of the jail, nobody was ready to accept that he is a 'chor', the AAP chief said.





"Even my 'kattar se kattar dushman' (fiercest enemy) says that Kejriwal can be anything but not corrupt." "They tried to break me mentally and physically in jail. They stopped my medicines. I am diabetic. I have been taking insulin for 10 years. They stopped my insulin. I do not know what they wanted to do with me," he said. "They wanted to break my resolve. But they do not know that I hail from Haryana. You can break the resolve of any one but not of Haryanawala," said Kejriwal.





The AAP leader said he came here to seek votes for his party in the October 5 assembly polls. "I came here to seek votes. It is not for getting power. I came after leaving power. I resigned from the post of Delhi chief minister. In today's era, nobody leaves even the post of a peon. Nobody sought my resignation," he said. The AAP leader said he told the people of Delhi that they should not vote for him if they think he indulged in corruption.





"If you feel that Kejriwal is honest then vote for me. If you give me a certificate of honesty, make me win, then I will sit in the chair of chief minister," Kejriwal said he told the people of Delhi.





The AAP chief said he does not have hunger for power. "Your son and brother made Haryana's name popular in the country and the world. I set up governments in Punjab and Delhi. Give us a chance to serve Haryana. We will build schools and give free electricity in Haryana," he said.





"You will ask how you will do it. Are you going to form the government? My reply is whatever government is formed, it will not be without us," he added.





Last week while campaigning in Haryana, Kejriwal had claimed that the next government in Haryana cannot be formed without the support of his party even as he had targeted the BJP, claiming that the entire state wants 'badlav' (change) and people will oust the ruling party in the October 5 state assembly polls. -- PTI









AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday stepped up his attack on the BJP-led Centre, alleging he was arrested as the ruling party wanted to project him as a "chor" (thief) but even his "fiercest enemy" believes he is not corrupt.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the existing domestic violence law, even as reported cases continue to rise.

In the first half of this year, authorities recorded 29 suspected incidents of domestic violence, including cases involving spouses and children.

This increase comes despite an overall downward trend in reported cases since the laws implementation eight years ago.

The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) has noted that while there has been a general decline in domestic violence reports since the law was enacted, the recent spike in incidents is concerning.

IAS indicated 29 cases were documented in six monthsan increase of 11 cases compared to the same period last year.

Despite this uptick, IAS maintains domestic violence rates are decreasing overall.

Lei Lai Peng, head of IASs Department of Family and Community Services, said many abusers struggle with emotional management issues.

She announced ongoing educational outreach efforts to address these challenges.

Over the years, we have seen from the analysis of domestic violence cases that many abusers likely have emotional management problems and agree to use violence. For this reason, we have been doing educational outreach in different aspects, she said during a press conference launching a new prevention campaign.

Over the past three years, there has been a downward trend in the number of abusers who view violence as a solution. More and more residents are realizing domestic violence should not be used to solve family problems, Lei added.

However, only 8% of reported domestic violence cases have resulted in formal accusations, with many being downgraded to lesser offenses.

This situation has led some lawmakers to call for legislative changes.

Despite these calls, IAS insists the current law is effective and does not require amendments.

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has previously raised concerns about the laws exclusion of same-sex couples and its inadequate enforcement.

In 2023, the Committee reviewed the citys third regular report on related issues.

In its concluding observations, the CESCR noted, The Committee is concerned that the law on preventing and combating domestic violence does not cover same-sex couples, and about reports of its insufficient implementation in the context of a relatively high report rate with conversely proportionate low investigation and low prosecution rate. Nadia Shaw
Macau Urban Renewal Limited (MUR) has said it is pushing forward redevelopment of Iao Hon Estate, engaging with over 2,000 property owners across its seven housing blocks. These blocks, which include Hong Tai House and Kat Cheong House have seen the establishment of 63 management committees designed to unite residents and streamline decision-making. MUR has gathered signatures for the Urban Conditions Plan (PCU) and is actively reaching out to property owners living abroad. The proposed redevelopment will incorporate a vertical city concept, transforming the low-rise buildings into high-rise structures with 30 floors while maintaining the current number of residential units.

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Ferry company Turbojet has resumed Jetfoil services between Hong Kong and Macau.

The company reinstated jetfoil journeys last Friday with the Jetfoil Terceira, according to the Jetfoil Conservation Concern Group.

This was the first Jetfoil trip between the two regions since the pandemic interrupted the service.

Today, after a four and a half years wait, TurboJet resumed Jetfoil services with Terceira setting sail from Hong Kong at 11:45 a.m., the group said in a press statement.

The Jetfoil Conservation Concern Group is glad to see this history of Hong Kong  Macau sailing resume and hopes more Jetfoils will return to service soon.

Doubts about whether Jetfoils would ever resume operations ended after several delays and postponements which the company said were mostly due to safety issues during the Macau Bridge construction.

The group noted the pandemic had led to major changes in maritime transportation between Hong Kong and Macau with the operator facing unprecedented challenges that led to the retiring of several older vessels.

Among the vessels scrapped during this period was the worlds first Jetfoil, Flores, named after the Azorean Island and launched in 1974 as Jetfoil One.

Flores had originally been the official Boeing sample to demonstrate its leading technology.

Flores is one of the jetfoils that has ended its days at Wang Tak Engineering and Shipbuilding Company Limited.

Citing sources within Wang Tak, the group said Flores, unlike several other vessels, has not been dismantled after the group and several other parties called for its museological preservation.

Recently, the group has renewed calls to the gaming concessionaire MGM to include Flores in its revitalization project of Barra District and to link it to the next-door Maritime Museum.

MGM has so far rejected the idea citing several difficulties placing the vessel at this location.

The vessel Terceira, which reinstated the service Friday, was completely revamped late 2023.

The vessel began operation in 1979 as the Normandy Princess, and was operated by Jetlink for about one year on the UK and France route before sailing to Hong Kong.

To commemorate 50 years of sailing history between Hong Kong and Macau, Aero Editor has launched a new book, Hong Kong  Macau High-Speed Ferries (only available in the Chinese language), about the history, development and status of the business, including stories about the legendary Jetfoil fleet.

Although this type of vessel is considered less profitable due to operation and maintenance costs and the fact it only carries a small number of passengers, jetfoils have been well regarded due to their design, which allows the vessel to travel above the water surface to avoid the waves and turbulence that cause seasickness.

They have long been praised for their smooth and comfortable ride which is comparable to a jet aircraft more than a sea vessel.

Jetfoils are the oldest mass transportation in Macau serving three generations of citizens (since the launching of Madeira in 1975) and countless tourists from around the globe have traveled between Macau and Hong Kong.
Lawmaker Leong Sun Iok has called for oversight of casino social responsibility programs.

The lawmaker from the Macao Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) emphasized the need for the gaming industry to complement government efforts in supporting employment, training local talent and promoting economic diversification.

In a press conference on the legislative work review of FAOMs lawmakers, Leong recalled the new gambling license terms require gaming companies to bear a series of social responsibilities.

FAOM has been urging the government to closely monitor and disclose the companies performance in this area, to achieve the desired economic and social benefits for the community.

One key area is protecting the employment of satellite field employees.

As the transition period for these workers expires next year, Leong expressed concerns over their job security and called for the government to provide clarity on the future of the satellite field operations.

Additionally, the lawmaker advocated for the extension and expansion of the governments consumption rewards program, which provides incentives for residents to boost local spending.

He also suggested gaming companies leverage their resources and events to further promote community economic revitalization, such as issuing coupons for participants to use at local businesses.

Leong emphasized the need for the government to dynamically evaluate the effectiveness of its efforts to revitalize the six major gaming-related areas and host large-scale events.

He stressed that non-gaming projects should focus on cultivating emerging industries, new economic growth points, and high-tech talent, in line with the direction of moderate economic diversification. Victoria Chan
On Friday, Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested a 51-year-old man for the alleged sexual assault of a girl under 12 years old on a public bus on her way to school.

According to the authorities, the incident occurred around 7 a.m. as the young victim was commuting to school.

The suspect, who claimed to be a security guard, was seated next to the child on the bus.

Its alleged that on three separate occasions, each lasting over 20 seconds, the suspect reached over and put his hand inside the girls shorts.

He allegedly forcibly touched her inner thighs and private parts, ignoring her attempts to push his hand away.

Terrified but afraid to cause a scene, the young victim endured the abuse in silence.

Too afraid to call for help, the child instead stood and moved to the opposite side of the bus, trying to distance herself from the man.

Upon arriving at her stop, the shaken victim went straight to her school and tearfully recounted the ordeal to her teacher, who then contacted the girls parents and accompanied them to the police station to report the crime.

The suspect was later arrested at his workplace, and the authorities have charged him with aggravated sexual coercion.

The police have reiterated their zero-tolerance for criminal behavior targeting minors.

In the wake of this incident, the public has been urged to immediately contact the authorities if they witness or experience such situations.

The Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSED) has confirmed the bureau will continue to educate students about the importance of reporting such incidents to trusted adults, including teachers, counselors and parents, and to contact the police when necessary.

DSEDJs Wong Ka Ki said expressed deep concern after receiving notification from relevant departments and confirmed he had contacted the school the student attends, adding that teachers and counselors provided appropriate support, and the girl is currently emotionally stable.

Also, PJ said it prioritizes crimes against young people and maintains a strict zero tolerance policy toward any behavior that harms them.

To enhance self-protection awareness among youth, the police will continue educational initiatives in schools, helping students develop a strong understanding of safety and the importance of reporting crimes.

Victoria Chan
* Smaller Homes, Bigger Bills

 Local households have shrunk in recent years while grappling with rising expenses, latest govt survey shows

* Domestic Violence | Govt sees no need to review law amid spike in cases

* Transport | Turbojet resumes Jetfoil services after a four-year hiatus

* Lawmaker Leong Sun Iok has called for oversight of casino social responsibility programs

* Song Man Lei appointed acting president of top court

* Lack of birth certificates puts Cameroons Indigenous people on the brink of statelessness

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Monday, September 23, 2024  edition no. 4571
The Judiciary Police (PJ) has arrested a 55-year-old mainland man for theft during a flight from Beijing to Macau. The arrest occurred at Macau International Airport after authorities reported he allegedly stole HKD39,000 from another passengers suitcase. During the investigation, police found the suspect in possession of 13 types of foreign currency, including euros and US dollars, believed to be proceeds of crime. He is facing charges of qualified theft and is currently under the jurisdiction of the Public Prosecutors Office.

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Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads early official results in Sri Lankas presidential election, according to tallies released yesterday by the Election Commission, but he is still short of the 50% needed for victory.

The election held Saturday is crucial as the country seeks to recover from the worst economic crisis in its history and the resulting political upheaval.

The election, contested by 38 candidates, was largely a three-way race among Dissanayake, incumbent liberal President Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

Dissanayake, whose pro-working class and anti-political elite campaigning made him popular among youth, was leading with 47% of total votes counted, followed by Premadasa with nearly 28% and Wickremesinghe with 15%.

It was a strong showing for Dissanayake, who won just over 3% of votes in a previous presidential election in 2019, and suggests voters are fatigued with the old political guard, which has been accused of pushing Sri Lanka toward economic instability.

Wickremesinghes Foreign Minister Ali Sabry congratulated Dissanayake on the social platform X and said he hopes Dissanayake will lead with a commitment to transparency, integrity, and the long-term good of the country.

I wish Mr. Dissanayake and his team every success in their efforts to lead Sri Lanka forward, Sabry added.

However, neither Wickremesinghe nor Premadasa has conceded defeat.

If no candidate secures at least 50% of the total votes there will not be a separate runoff.

The Sri Lankan election system allows voters to select three candidates on their ballots in the order of their preference. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two will be retained and the ballots of the eliminated candidates will be checked for preferences given to either of the top two candidates, and those votes will be added to their respective tallies.

The candidate with the highest number of votes after that will be declared the winner.

The election was a virtual referendum on Wickremesinghes leadership of a fragile recovery, including restructuring Sri Lankas debt under an International Monetary Fund bailout program after it defaulted in 2022.

Dissanayake, 55, leads the left-leaning coalition National Peoples Power, an umbrella of civil society groups, professionals, Buddhist clergy and students.

No major incidents were reported during the vote but authorities declared a countrywide curfew until midday Sunday as a precaution, police said.

There were 17 million eligible voters and final results were expected yesterday evening.

The government announced Thursday that it passed the final hurdle in debt restructuring by reaching an agreement in principle with private bond holders.

At the time of its default, Sri Lankas local and foreign debt totaled $83 billion. The government says it has now restructured more than $17 billion.

Despite a significant improvement in key economic figures, Sri Lankans are struggling with high taxes and living costs.

Both Premadasa and Dissanayake say they will renegotiate the IMF deal to make austerity measures more bearable. Wickremesinghe has warned that any move to alter the basics of the agreement could delay the release of a fourth tranche of nearly $3 billion that is crucial to maintaining stability. KRISHAN FRANCIS & SHIEKH SAALIQ, COLOMBO, MDT/AP
With the European Union due to vote very soon on imposing tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on electric vehicles made in China, last-ditch efforts to prevent China-EU trade frictions escalating and causing damage to their mutually beneficial economic cooperation have gained a rising sense of urgency.

The EUs 27 members are scheduled to vote on Sept 25 on the tariffs proposed by the European Commission on the grounds that Chinese electric car manufacturers have unacceptable competitive advantages thanks to high subsidies from the government. The tariffs, to be imposed on top of the blocs standard 10 percent import duty on cars, will come into force by the end of October unless a qualified majority of 15 EU members vote against the levies.

In an advisory vote in early July, 11 countries approved he provisional rates, while four voted against them, and nine abstained.

A number of EU states have since expressed their opposition to them, and have called for dialogue and consultations. We dont need another trade war, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said during his recent visit to China, adding that his country advocates talks to prevent potential damage to trade relations.

Given that Spain was among the major EU states that supported the European Commissions proposal to impose additional duties on Chinese-made EVs in the advisory vote in July, its change of mind, which reflects rational and objective thinking, is especially welcome as that reflection on the matter shows the wisdom of finding a political solution to the dispute.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has voiced his support for Sanchezs position, saying that this direction of travel is one that we share. And German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, in a meeting with visiting Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Tuesday, emphasized that the EU and China should avoid a damaging trade war at all costs.

We absolutely want to avoid a trade conflict with spiraling tariffs that ultimately harms both sides, he said.

The EU has committed to phasing out the sale of conventional cars by 2035, and with their cutting-edge technology and products, Chinese EV companies are playing a pivotal role in driving Europes green transportation revolution. Rather than imposing curbs on Chinese EV imports, it serves the EUs green transition ambition to deepen cooperation with China, given that its own automotive industry has been slow in shifting away from internal combustion technology.

In the age of economic globalization, restrictive trade measures will inevitably cause damage to all trading partners. Moreover, protectionist policies may fail as they often lead to higher domestic prices that reduce consumption, according to a report issued recently by the World Trade Organization.

Thus China has always called for reaching a solution with the EU in line with the WTO rules so as to avoid the escalation of the trade dispute. In an effort to ease the EUs concerns about Chinese EV imports, Chinese EV makers recently offered a minimum import price proposal, but it was rejected by the European Commission.

Olof Gill, the commissions trade spokesperson, said the commission had rejected offers for price undertakings by several Chinese auto exporters, as none of the offers could be effectively monitored and enforced to eliminate the injurious effects of subsidies.

If the EU does impose hefty tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, it will not only disrupt the stability of the global automotive supply chain and compromise the global efforts to address climate change, but also lead to China taking countermeasures.

The commissions spokesman said that the EU remains open to a negotiated solution, and China on its part is determined to persist in holding consultations with the EU until the last moment. It is to be hoped that a solution can be found as a trade war is in the interest of neither side.

Editorial, China Daily
The trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose husband repeatedly drugged her over the course of nearly a decade has highlighted the difficulties that sexual violence victims can face in France.

Dominique Pelicot, 71, and his 50 co-defendants face up to 20 years in prison if theyre convicted at a trial that has shocked the world and riveted the French public.

Pelicot tearfully acknowledged in court that hes guilty of the allegations against him, and he said all of his co-defendants understood exactly what they were doing when he invited them to his home in Provence between 2011 and 2020 to have sex with his unconscious and unwitting wife, who divorced him after learning what he had done to her.

Despite evidence including meticulously archived photos and videos that Pelicot shot of the alleged rapes, some of the defendants lawyers have scrutinized Gisele Pelicots private life and motives, even questioning whether she was truly unconscious during some of the encounters. Although they must defend their clients to the best of their abilities, the lawyers tactics have outraged advocates for the sexually abused, who say the attorneys show that victim-blaming is alive and well in France.

This trial is the trial of our society, 27-year-old Nathan Paris, who works in a youth shelter, said this week outside the Avignon courthouse. Paris, a victim of sexual violence himself, has made the trip from Marseille on several occasions since the trial began.

The French population has evolved  and I feel like justice has not evolved over that time, he said, vowing to keep coming back until the trial ends.

The co-defendants range in age from their 20s to their 70s and represent a cross-section of French men: There is a firefighter, a journalist, a nurse, a prison guard and a construction worker. Some are retired, some are unemployed and many have families of their own. One knew he had HIV when he raped Gisele Pelicot on six occasions and chose not to wear a condom, according to police. She didnt contract HIV, though she was found to have other sexually transmitted diseases, a medical expert testified.

Magali Lafourcade, a judge and general secretary of the National Consultative Commission of Human Rights who is not involved in the trial, said the fight against sexual violence in France has slightly improved since the start of the #MeToo movement, which has brought down some of Frances most well-known actors and film directors, among other notables. Women have always talked, but their voices are now being heard more, she said.

For a very long time, we saw the rape and killing of women by men as something that pertained to the private sphere  we thought we should not interfere with peoples private lives, Lafourcade said.

There has been a clear change, or revolution even, with this perception since #MeToo, she added.

Civic groups have lobbied hard in recent years so that judges, politicians and the media understand that sexual violence is not just a private affair, but also a societal, political and financial one, Lafourcade said.

French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to prioritize gender equality and combat violence against women. But Frances public policies are still lagging, and more resources and effort need to be put toward going after sexual offenders, experts told The Associated Press. DIANE JEANTET, AVIGNON, MDT/AP
Song Man Lei has been appointed acting president of Court of Final Appeal following the resignation of former president Sam Hou Fai, who is now running for Chief Executive.

As one of the two remaining judges on the three-member court, Song will hold this position until the incoming Chief Executive appoints a permanent successor.

Sam stepped down from the top court Aug. 28, paving the way for his candidacy in the upcoming CE election.

As cited in multiple reports, court sources note that Songs extensive judicial experience makes her a strong candidate for this interim leadership role. She has been a judge on the court since January 2012.

Under Macaus Outline of Judicial Organizations Act, the most senior judge automatically assumes the presidency in the event of a vacancy.

Notably, she has served on the Court of Final Appeal longer than her colleague Jose Maria Dias Azedo, who joined in November 2019.

The court confirmed Songs appointment, and she has already begun representing it at official functions.

Her first external engagement as acting president was on Sept. 19, when she met with Deputy Procurator-General Li Xiangdong from Guangdong Province.

Macau law mandates the Court of Final Appeal comprises three judges.

The new president of the top court must be a permanent resident of Macau who holds Chinese nationality and will be elected from among the judges, pending approval from the Standing Committee of Chinas National Peoples Congress.

Currently, Song serves as the president of the Electoral Affairs Committee for the Election of the Chief Executive.

Nadia Shaw
Another defendant in the case involving former deputy prosecutor Kong Chi is a lawyer who has already been suspended from office by the courts, according to TDM.

Ho Kam Meng reported being linked to Kongs controversial case.

Hos profile has been removed from the Macau Lawyers Association website, signaling repercussions from an ongoing investigation.

Sources confirm the Macau Lawyers Association acted on an order from an investigating judge to suspend Ho, according to the report.

The exact allegations against him remain unclear, but are reportedly related to misconduct during his legal duties.

It is still uncertain whether Ho will face trial in connection with Kongs or if he will be tried separately.

Kongs retrial is set for July 2025 after the Public Prosecutors Office successfully appealed a prior verdict acquitting him of several charges, including corruption and abuse of power.

Kong, who has been on unpaid leave since 2022, was originally sentenced to 17 years in prison for his crimes but benefited from a lack of evidence on one key charge related to secret societies. LV
While almost every country has clinics offering hair transplant services, Turkey has seen a dramatic rise in popularity. Ask any expert who knows their stuff to name three countries where you can get quality hair transplants, and Turkey will undoubtedly make it to the list. Primarily, this is thanks to two major factors: affordable prices and the expertise of the doctors there. When it comes to finding the top hair transplant in Turkey, the options are plentiful and highly regarded. This article will look at some of these renowned clinics and doctors, as well as procedure prices.

What is the best hair transplant clinic in Turkey?

For individuals seeking the best hair transplant clinic in Turkey, the multitude of options can be overwhelming. Fortunately, experts have conducted extensive research to simplify your decision. Located in Istanbul, Hermest Hair Clinic is a renowned hair transplant clinic. This state-of-the-art facility is staffed by seasoned professionals with decades of experience. Hermest Hair Clinics exceptional online reviews underscore their high level of professionalism and the outstanding success of their procedures. Moreover, Hermest Hair Clinic is among the most cost-effective options, with prices starting at $2,300 and the most comprehensive packages available for just $3,400. By Turkish standards, this represents excellent value.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hair Transplant Clinic in Turkey

Before you can pick the ideal clinic for you, here are some things you should keep in mind.

1. Technique

Various hair transplant methods exist. Ideally, your doctor will present you with the options they offer and guide you toward the right choice. The good thing is that all of the clinics on this list offer free consultations.

2. Budget

You want excellent results but most likely have a rough figure of what youre prepared to pay. As is true in everything, expensive does not always mean the best quality. This is why you need to consider the prices at your chosen clinic to ensure they fall within your budget.

3. Whos the doctor?

Your doctors reputation is everything. Make sure to conduct extensive research to find out how long theyve been practicing, their success rate, and what their former patients say about them.

4. Location of the clinic

Hair transplant procedures generally take several days to complete. You dont want to stay cooped up in your hotel. Choose a clinic in an area with a rich history and various attractions you can tour and enjoy in between your sessions.

The list below will help you identify gems that satisfy these criteria regardless of what you consider most important for you.

How much do 5,000 hair grafts cost in Turkey?

The cost of a 5,000 graft hair transplant in Turkey is heavily dependent on the technique used. The two main methods are DHI and FUE, with the latter often being less expensive. Nevertheless, the cost of 5,000 grafts in Turkey typically varies between $2,000 and $6,000, with some high-end clinics charging as much as $8,000. It is important to note that depending on the clinic, some prices may include all-inclusive packages featuring accommodation and transportation.

How much do 3000 hair grafts cost in Turkey?

This is often the most frequently asked question by people comparing hair transplantation prices in the U.S. and Turkey. The good thing is that most of the prices youll find on Turkish hair transplant clinic websites usually refer to 3,000 hair grafts. According to research, the cost of a 3,000 graft hair transplant in Turkey can range from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on factors such as the clinics reputation, the techniques used, the success rate, and other services that may be included in the price.

What is the cost of a high-quality hair transplant in Turkey?

Hair transplantation prices in Turkey can start as low as $500. However, lower prices often correlate with lower quality services. To ensure a satisfactory experience and comprehensive care, it is advisable to allocate a budget of $2,000 to $8,000 for all-inclusive hair transplantation services. These packages typically guarantee high-quality hair transplantation, post-procedure support, and a satisfaction guarantee.

Who is one of the leading hair transplant surgeons in Turkey?

Dr. Ahmed Murat of Hermest Hair Clinic is undisputably an expert hair transplant surgeon. For 17-plus years, Dr. Murat has dedicated his life to giving his patients a fresh burst of confidence. His passion for the craft and innovation is thanks to tens of years spent honing his passion. A quick Google search of the term Hair transplant Turkey reviews followed by his name will deliver a ton of positive reviews from previous patients.

Top 10 Best Hair Transplant Clinics in Turkey

With that out of the way, heres a list of the top 10 best hair transplant clinics in Turkey. The experts scoured through hundreds of online reviews to come up with a list before subjecting it to further expert review to fine-tune it.

1. Hermest Hair Clinic

Located in Istanbul, Hermest Hair Clinic has distinguished itself with quality hair restoration procedures. There, youll find a world-class team of experts specializing in DHI and FUE methods. Their capabilities are comparable to those of many other clinics in Turkey, given the wide range of procedures that implement these methods, such as long hair FUE and no-shave hair restoration. The lead expert here is Dr. Ahmet Murat who has decades of experience which have garnered him thousands of positive reviews. Depending on the procedure you choose, expect to part with anywhere between $2,100 and $3,400.

2. Nimclinic

This is another top hair transplant clinic in Turkey. Found in the Atasehir municipality of Turkey, Nimclinic stands out for its state-of-the-art facilities, multi-lingual team, and affordable pricing that starts at $1,900 and goes all the way to $2,800. Here, youll find the famous Dr. Musa Yetim. DHI and FUE methods are both conducted here under his expert instruction, with an impressive success rate.

3. HLC Clinic

450 KM away from Istanbul, Ankara attracts hundreds of patients every year who are specifically there to see Dr. Ozgur Oztan of HLC clinic. Their popularity is enhanced by their elaborate consultation procedure where their team will review the extent of your hair loss from images before giving you a price estimate. On top of that, the team will prepare a detailed travel itinerary for your travel plans and provide a translator for you on arrival. FUE is their area of specialty although they conduct a wide range of additional procedures including beard transplants and body hair transplants.

4. AHD Clinic

Moving to the other end of Turkey, there is the AHD Clinic in the seaside city of Antalya. Working with their patients unique needs is central to their approach which has seen them gain a stellar reputation. World-famous Dr. Hakan Dagonay is the lead doctor here and performs both FUE and DHI procedures. His passion for his work is evident in his meticulous approach to hair transplants which he mostly conducts himself. Thanks to his high expertise, Dr. Hakan charges per graft with prices falling between $3,400 to $5,000.

5. MedicalHair Clinic

Medicalhair Clinic attracts thousands of patients every year to their Izmir-based facility thanks to their cutting-edge technology and success rate. A family clinic, the facility is led by Dr. Sibel Ulusan who has been practicing for tens of years now. In addition to FUE hair transplant, the clinic also offers scalp micropigmentation as an option for anyone whos not enthusiastic about surgery. The high quality of their work is accurately reflected in their prices which range between $3,500 and $5,750.

6. Asmed Clinic

Back in Istanbul, Dr. Koray Erdogan has made a name for himself over many years with his expertise in hair restoration. As a true enthusiast of the art, Dr. Koray has gone as far as coming up with a new restoration method that is an improvement of the existing procedures. This particular method known as K.E.E.P FUE is offered at his ultra-modern clinic that is well equipped and staffed by top professionals. K.E.E.P FUE helps patients achieve a drastically improved success rate with less damage to the graft area. Prices here are a bit on the other side ($5,000 to $8,000) but visitors should may have a high rate of satisfaction.

7. Cosmedica Clinic

Founded by Dr. Levant Acar, Cosmedica has carved a special niche for itself, combining fame for its procedures and affordable prices. Both FUE and DHI are performed at their Antalya Clinic which also provides beard transplants and afro hair transplants. For their procedures, a budget of $2,800 to $5,000 will adequately cover the cost of treatment.

8. Pekiner Clinic

Only a few clinics in Turkey can hold a candle to the level of quality offered at Pekiner Clinic. This is a manual FUE procedure whose goal is to create a natural appearance to the hairline with as little scarring as possible. The approach here is so meticulous that Dr. Kaan Pekiner, lead surgeon, is known to only perform one surgery a day for the best results. Prices at his Ankara clinic remain within the affordable range of $3,200 to $5,000.

9. Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic

For years, Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic in Istanbul has been at the forefront of hair transplant solutions. Dr. Serkan himself suggests that if youre considering FUE or DHI methods, this clinic should be one of your top options. Additionally, they also perform body hair transplants. Rates here remain pretty affordable at $2,700 to $3,800 depending on the procedure you choose.

10. Smile Hair Clinic

Despite only being in existence for less than 7 years, Smile Hair Clinic has managed to establish itself as a top destination for hair transplant visitors in Turkey. A partnership between two experienced doctors  Dr. Gokay Bilgin and Dr. Mehmet Erdogan  the clinic is located in Istanbul and is celebrated for the high satisfaction rate of its patients. Their innovativeness can be seen in the procedures on offer which include Sapphire FUE and DHI. A visit here will set you back a conservative $2,800 to $3,400. For anyone thinking of visiting, Istanbul is the city you want to book tickets to.

Picking the right hair transplant clinic is without a doubt a challenge given the significant cost of the procedure and the risks involved if the procedure goes wrong. However, with the above information in mind as well as a little research on the best hair transplant Turkey, youre unlikely to be disappointed.

This content is provided for informational purposes. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical advice.

Lee Enterprises newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content.
The doors didnt always work as they should. There were delays, some riders struggled to understand the new fare system, and more than one bus ended up being towed.

But the launch of Madisons long-awaited Bus Rapid Transit system Monday went off about as well as could be expected, according to riders, drivers and officials with Metro Transit.

Im actually pretty pleased with how its been going, said Gregg May, a BRT launch ambassador and sustainability program coordinator for the city who helped riders at the bus station on East Washington Avenue at Paterson Street navigate the new payment kiosks and plan their commute. Its been smoother than expected. There are some growing pains that are ongoing. Nothing with riders and the system, but making sure the buses are arriving on time.

After weeks of practice runs and a soft launch Sunday, Mondays weekday rush was the first big test of the citys $194 million east-west BRT route. Operating mostly in dedicated lanes newly painted red, the systems 62 electric buses can slice through traffic, sweeping riders from one heated, semi-sheltered station to another every 15 minutes.

I think thats going to be real nice and if its a little quicker, thatll also be a real bonus, said Fletcher Robbins, a UW-Madison graduate student who has been taking the bus for about the last year. With keeping stuff out of the wind, thatll be big for me in the winter. Ive been so used to having to stand there in the freezing cold just shivering in the wind.

While waiting to catch an A bus from the Independence stop near East Towne Mall to Downtown, Antione Williams, 24, said he was impressed during his BRT ride the day before with not only the cleanliness of the bus but the sound.

Its not like how the old buses  that steamy, engine sound, he said. You go on there and it was quiet. It felt like I was in a store.

Getting used to changes

Some of the drivers appeared to still be getting the hang of the new electric drive system. While the vehicles whooshed out of their stations like silent rocket ships, they often seemed to stop just as suddenly.

Xavior Yarn, 19, was taking the bus to his job at Milios on Eastpark Boulevard and had taken it the day before to visit family. He gave it a plus two on a good rating.

I havent seen too much changes in the routes, he said. Its more of the stations are more of an upgrade than the old stations.

Tom Zinnen, who lives in the Vilas Neighborhood, boarded the bus with his bicycle at UW Hospital just to see how the system works. The new buses have a bike rack inside the bus instead of on the front.

The bike fits, so thats great, said Zinnen, a retired outreach specialist at the biotechnology center at UW-Madison. I think its going to be the better $2 I spend today.

Zinnen, 67, liked the speed and smoothness of the bus and the fact that there are digital signs at stations alerting riders to when the next bus will arrive. But he said he wished Metro would put maps inside the buses, not just at the stations, that can show riders the whole route, even though there are digital signs announcing the next stop to riders.

You cant anticipate where the next stop is on the bus itself because they dont have those maps up yet, said Zinnen.

Riders are also getting used to the new bus stations, most of which are located in the medians and can be accessed at crosswalks with signals. The elevated stations offer a degree of safety by keeping riders above the traffic on either side, and railings and ramps direct riders to the crosswalks.

But on the early-morning A route Monday, several East High School students could be seen disembarking from an eastbound bus at Fourth Street and East Washington Avenue, crossing the platform and stepping off it onto westbound East Washington outside of the crosswalk and against the light.

Before the bus station was put there, a heavy metal fence ran the length of the median to discourage pedestrians from crossing the busy thoroughfare outside the crosswalk.

Some hang-ups, delays

There were hiccups, of course. A handful of the BRT stations 35 ticket machines wouldnt connect to the internet. The bus arrival times shown by riders apps didnt always match what was on the stations digital signs. Drivers werent sure how to respond to alerts from the buses that theyd never seen before. Multiple buses were towed, at least some of the time after an issue with their new software caused their doors to malfunction.

And there were delays.

Some delays were to be expected as riders and drivers navigated the updated systems for the first time, said Jessy Stammer, Metros marketing and customer services manager. The fact that Sunday was the fifth-rainiest day in Madisons history didnt help things.

Heavy rain interrupts our service always, regardless of what were doing, Stammer said. Right away, we had closures that we had to detour around, and so that started our day off already delayed.

But Metro staff were encouraged by the amount of enthusiasm they encountered from riders  even those who called with questions or problems. Many of the calls came in before launch day, said Jeremy Olson, Metros customer service supervisor.

Metro handles between about 220 and 250 calls on a typical Sunday, Olson said. This past Sunday, staff were anticipating many more than usual but only received 259. Olson attributed the low call volume to the rollout going generally well and to the many riders who made sure they were prepared ahead of time.

We want to help people prepare themselves even more, Olson said. Were all in this together. Were all learning.

System uses new fare cards

Underscoring that point, about 45 city employees from over a dozen divisions and departments fanned out as launch ambassadors at their local BRT stops or in high-ridership areas.

Metro employee Alexis Turner, cheerfully greeting riders as they made their way onto the platform in the middle of Mineral Point Road at High Point Road on the citys Far West Side, was one of them.

Turner helped guide riders through the process of buying a ticket at the stations kiosk, which takes either cash or cards. She also handed out Fast Fare cards, which cant be bought from a kiosk but can be loaded with cash or credit cards at the stations or online in lieu of buying paper tickets for each ride.

The cards can be ordered by email at mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com or picked up in person at the Metro Transit office, 1245 E. Washington Ave., or at one of several events being held at select libraries this week.

I recommend setting up an account so that if you misplace the card, you can transfer the amount to another card, Turner said. Its fairly easy to move to this.

For now, old Metro cards are also still accepted and can be swiped at the front of the bus, but Metro is no longer selling the old cards, Turner said. Cash is also still being accepted on some buses but will be phased out soon.

Destiny Chavez said that when she used her 31-day pass on her commute to Madison Area Technical College, where shes a student, the driver was really rude about it. She said she told the driver, Im well aware that I need to change to the Fast Fare; its just going to take people a little more longer.

Chavez, 23, who first tried out the new system on Sunday, was not as impressed as some others with the accommodations or the service.

The bus was really cool, she said, but she had to change buses three times on her way to MATC because the doors werent closing properly and the ramps werent folding properly.

Some issues with the doors

The malfunctioning doors were one of the most common complaints Monday.

Dominique Kline, of Madison, was headed to the North Side on her way home from work at a Chipotle restaurant on the West Side when the doors on her first bus didnt work, forcing her to wait for the next bus.

Metro spokesperson Mick Rusch acknowledged some issues with the doors and said drivers were still getting used to the new buses. He said a team from the company that sold the city the buses was in Madison to address each issue with our new equipment as it comes up.

Metro mechanics have also been getting classroom training on how to work with the new buses, Rusch said, and as a result, we have fallen behind with our mandatory inspections of our standard-size buses.

That led to a shortage of standard buses on other routes that Metro is looking to rectify in the next week or two as it catches up on inspections, he said.
Madison police are investigating after a man allegedly stabbed two people early Sunday morning at a Downtown bar.

Officers were called to City Bar, 636 State St., at around 1 a.m. after the man stabbed a 58-year-old man in the neck and then stabbed the victim's son when he tried to come to his father's aid.

The assailant had left the bar by the time police arrived, Madison police said in a news release. The 58-year-old victim was taken to the hospital for his injuries. Police did not release his condition.

How scammers use QR codes to stealand how you can protect yourself How scammers use QR codes to stealand how you can protect yourself What is quishing? Retail payment dupes 'QRLJacking' Secondhand transactions Fake scanning apps
BURLEY  The Magistrates Commission of the 5th Judicial District has scheduled interviews for three candidates vying for the Cassia County magistrate position.

The interviews, which are open to the public, will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, at the Cassia County Judicial Center, 1559 Overland Ave., Burley.

Candidates include Scott B. Lindstrom, of Burley, who will be interviewed from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.; Trenton A. McRae, of Homedale, scheduled from 10:55 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.; and Jacob D. Twiggs, of Jerome, whose interview is set for 11:50 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.

Lindstrom is an attorney and a partner with the Parsons, Loveland, Shirley and Lindstrom. He also is a deputy prosecutor for the city of Burley in criminal matters and represents childrens interests in Cassia County child protection cases.

McRae was a Republican candidate for Owyhee County Prosecuting Attorney during the primary election earlier this year.

Twiggs has worked in the Twin Falls County Prosecutor's Office since 2018.

Following the interviews, the Magistrates Commission will deliberate in a private session.

The vacancy was created by the July 26 appointment of Judge Blaine P. Cannon to district judge.

Gov. Brad Little appointed Cannon as District Judge to the Fifth Judicial District, a position left vacant by Justice Michael Tribe after he was appointed to the Idaho Court of Appeals.
Philippine stocks entered the bull market Monday, rising more than 20 percent from June and sending the benchmark index to its highest level in two and a half years.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index pierced through the 7,400 level as investors cheered the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas move to significantly reduce banks reserve requirement ratio (RRR).

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The index surged 164.93 points, or 2.27 percent, to close at 7,417.25, the highest since February 2022. The wider all-shares Index reached 3,958.02, up by 62.40 points, or 1.60 percent.

The benchmark index continued its very bullish momentum to close at its highest level since February 2022 on the back of BSPs significant reduction of the reserve requirement ratio and strong foreign fund flows, China Bank Capital managing director Juan Paolo Colet said.

Colet said, however, the market is now technically overbought, which could indicate that a technical correction could happen very soon.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the reduction in RRR would increase banks loanable funds by roughly P400 billion.

This will help increase demand for loans/credit which in turn would boost the domestic economy. This also means more funds that could be invested in the financial markets such as bonds and other fixed-income investments.

Financial sector rose 3.69 percent, followed by services which went up 2.01 percent. Holdings firms rose 1.95 percent, while property and industrial climbed 1.72 percent and 1.07 percent, respectively. Mining and oil dropped 0.01 percent.

Value turnover reached P8.23 billion Monday. Foreign investors were net buyers, with inflows reaching P1.77 billion.

Bank of the Philippine Islands was the indexs top gainer, surging 5.06 percent to P139.20, while Converge ICT Solutions Inc. was the main index laggard, falling 2.67 percent to P16.80.
Beirut, LebanonLebanese official media said Monday people were receiving Israeli phone warnings telling them to evacuate, and Information Minister Ziad Makarys office told Agence France Presse (AFP) it had received one of the messages.

The reports came after the Israeli military told people in Lebanon to move away from Hezbollah targets and vowed to carry out more extensive and precise strikes against the Iran-backed group.

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It was the Israeli militarys first official warning issued to Lebanese people since the war in Gaza erupted nearly a year ago.

Lebanons National News Agency (NNA) said that citizens in Beirut and a number of areas are receiving landline telephone warning messages whose source is the Israeli enemy, asking them to quickly evacuate where they are.

It called the phone warnings part of the psychological war that the enemy has adopted.

Minister Makarys office, located in Beirut near several other ministries, said it received a landline call and when staff responded, a recorded message told them to evacuate the building in order to avoid strikes.

Others in Lebanon reported receiving mobile phone text messages with similar warnings from a sender whose number was not displayed.

Beirut resident Khaled, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said he received a text message that said: If you are in a building where there are Hezbollah weapons, distance yourself from the village until further notice.

Imad Kreidieh, head of state telecommunications provider Ogero, said the landline network system in Lebanon blocks all communications from Israel.

But Israel circumvents the communications systems by using the international phone code of a friendly country, he told AFP.

Israel and Lebanon are technically at war, and Lebanon forbids communications with Israel.
The Atlantic Initiative for the Sahel launched by King Mohammed VI of Morocco was presented at a ministerial meeting, held in New York Monday, under the chairmanship of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

During the meeting, held under the theme Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita made a presentation on the Royal ambitious cooperation initiative, launched in 2022, with the aim of promoting peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Atlantic African region.

The goal of the Royal initiative is to enable African countries to take ownership of their development process, he stated, recalling that the 23 Atlantic African coast are home to 70% of the African population, and account for 40% of inter-African trade.

This region, which is rich in potential and opportunities in key sectors such as tourism and mineral resources, also faces enormous challenges. Terrorism, climate change, maritime insecurity, and overfishing are destabilizing factors in the region, Bourita said during the meeting, attended by several other ministers from both sides of the Atlantic.

The Moroccan official who praised the many important steps taken by Atlantic African countries to strengthen the cooperation framework of the initiative, recalled that a secretariat has been established in Rabat, an action program has been adopted, and a Forum of Justice Ministers has been created.

In this context, he noted that action plans from the three thematic groups, which include concrete actions in the areas of security, the blue economy, connectivity, energy, and climate change, will be developed during an upcoming ministerial meeting of these states.

Bourita also welcomed the dynamic of cooperation in all regions of the Atlantic, both South and North, noting that the Process of Atlantic African States, as an expression of the African vision of cooperation for this space, is committed to strengthening partnerships with other initiatives to create a stable, prosperous, and resilient Atlantic region. Morocco firmly believes that a strong and mutually beneficial partnership is essential to support the achievement of common goals through effective cooperation mechanisms, he emphasized.

Through coordinated efforts between our initiatives, which are complementary to each other, we will be able to better serve the interests of the Atlantic community to promote shared prosperity and stability, Bourita said.

He praised in this vein Washingtons efforts to bring together Atlantic countries from all continents around common goals, expressing his belief that no country or continent can tackle Atlantic challenges alone. Morocco is pleased to have actively contributed to the U.S. initiative by co-leading, along with Angola and Spain, the Working Group on Marine Spatial Planning, the Moroccan top diplomat stated further.
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Men/women differences first 3 months of treatment. Credit: Tom Parkhill

A new study reveals hormonal and biochemical factors that affect alcohol dependence (also known as Alcohol Use Disorder), suggesting that men and women with alcohol problems may benefit from different treatments.

Scientists have known that men and women have different risks related to alcohol misuse and related problems and that alcohol treatments may need to be tailored differently to men and women. However, the biological mechanisms underlying those differences are not well understood.

"This is the first large study to confirm that some of the variability in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and related problems is associated with particular combinations of hormones and chemical biomarkers in men and in women. It may mean that sex-specific treatments can be tailored to improve responses for men and women with alcohol problems" said lead researcher Victor Karpyak, Professor of Psychiatry at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota (U.S.). This work is presented at the ECNP Congress in Milan, Italy.

As part of a research project researching the alcohol dependence medication acamprosate, the researchers looked at hormonal and protein markers of 268 men and 132 women with Alcohol Use Disorder. They correlated these markers with psychological markers, such as depressed mood, anxiety, craving, alcohol consumption and treatment outcomes during the first 3 months of treatment.

At the beginning of the trialbefore anyone had taken any medicationthe researchers tested men and women for several sex-specific blood markers, including sex hormones (testosterone, estrogens, progesterone) as well as proteins known to impact their reproduction (such as follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone) or bioavailability of these hormones in the blood (albumin and sex hormone-binding globulin).

Differences men/women at start of the trial. Credit: Tom Parkhill

They found that at the beginning of the trial men with Alcohol Use Disorder, symptoms of depression, and higher craving for alcohol, also had lower levels of the hormones testosterone, estrone, estradiol, as well as the protein sex hormone binding globulin. No such associations were found in women with AUD.

Professor Karpyak said, "We found that there were different associations in men and women. For example, women who had higher levels of testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, and albumin were also more likely to relapse during the first three months of treatment compared to women with lower levels of those biochemical markers. No such relationships were found in men.

"These hormones and proteins are known to have an influence on behavior, and indeed we see an association between different levels of these compounds and different behavioral aspects of alcohol use disorder, although we can't for sure say that one directly causes another. What it does mean is that if you are treating a man and a woman for alcoholism, you are dealing with different biochemical and psychological starting points. This implies that what works for a man may not work for a woman, and vice versa.

"This is the first study large enough to be able to confirm that particular combinations of sex hormones and related proteins may be part of the biological differences in how alcoholism manifests itself in men and women. We need more research to understand what this means for disease progression and its treatment.

"Given that many of those differences are related to sex hormones, we particularly want to see how the dramatic hormonal change women experience during menstrual cycle and at menopause may affect the biochemistry of alcoholism, and guide treatment efforts."

Commenting, Dr. Erika Comasco, Associate Professor in Molecular Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Sweden, was not involved in this work, said, "This research is an important step forward to gender equity in medicine. The findings provide an important first insight into the relationship between sex hormones and alcohol use disorder treatment.

"While sex differences in the way the disorder manifests itself are known, these results suggest that sex hormones may modulate treatment response, potentially supporting sex-specific pharmacological intervention. However, hormone fluctuations related to the menstrual cycle are also potential modulators of alcohol misuse, warranting further investigation into their role in treatment and relapse outcomes for female patients."

More information: This work is presented at the 37th ECNP Congress, taking place in Milan and online 21-24 September 2024, see www.ecnp.eu/Congress2024/ECNPcongress
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Researchers have found that SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants have the potential to improve certain cognitive functions, such as verbal memory. They measured brain function in patients before and after taking the SSRI, escitalopram, and correlated this to a drop in the level of one of the serotonin receptors in the brain and to cognitive improvements during treatment.

This work was presented for the first time at the ECNP Conference in Milan, after publication in the journal Biological Psychiatry.

Serotonin is often described as a 'feel good' chemical, and higher levels of serotonin circulating in the brain contribute to a sense of well-being, and can ease clinical depression in most sufferers. There are several serotonin receptors in the brain, and all will serve to regulate well-being by regulating circulating serotonin's interaction with the brain. However, this work concentrated on only one serotonin receptor, the 5-HT 4 receptor.

The researchers began by scanning the brains of 90 depressed patients, to measure the quantity of 5-HT 4 receptor which serotonin binds to. At the same time, patients were given a series of tests to measure mood and cognitive abilities.

Patients were given daily doses of escitalopram, and at the end of an eight-week period, 40 patients were rescanned to measure the quantity of 5-HT 4 receptor in the brain. The mood of the patients had improved, but the team also found that the levels of 5-HT 4 receptor had dropped by around 9%, possibly due to adaptations to increased levels of serotonin.

When they asked these patients to undertake more cognitive tests, they found that their performance had improved, so that the less the 5HT 4 receptor had changed the better the cognitive outcome. This phenomenon was particularly prominent for the ability to recall words.

"This is potentially significant," said researcher Vibeke Dam (Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark).

"It seems that the SSRI medication contributes to an improvement on cognitive function, at the same time as helping improve mood. Our work ties the improvement in cognitive function to the specific 5-HT 4 receptor and suggests that direct serotonin 4 receptor stimulation may be an important pro-cognitive target to consider in optimizing outcomes of antidepressant treatment. It also reinforces the idea that serotonin is crucial to mood improvement."

Co-researcher Vibe Froekjaer (Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark), added, "This is a first result, so we need to do a lot more work to look at the implications.

"Poor cognitive function is very hard to treat efficiently and may require extra treatment. This work points to the possibility of stimulating this specific receptor so that we can treat cognitive problems, even aside from whether or not the patient has overcome the core symptoms of depression."

The researchers note that this was a real-world study, so there is no placebo control.

The team's next step is to treat patients with drugs which specifically stimulate the 5-HT 4 receptor to see the effect on cognitive function; interestingly, serotonin is also found in the gut, and there are drugs available to treat irritable bowel syndrome which specifically bind to and stimulate 5-HT 4 , which the team may repurpose in these trials.

Professor Philip Cowen, Professor of Psychopharmacology at the University of Oxford, who was not involved in this work, said, "In the context of recent controversies about the role of brain serotonin in clinical depression, it is noteworthy that the PET studies of the Copenhagen Group provide unequivocal evidence that brain 5-HT 4 receptors are decreased in unmedicated depressed patients. Their work also demonstrates the intimate role of brain 5-HT 4 receptors in cognitive function.

"This confirms recent work from Oxford showing that the 5-HT 4 receptor stimulant, prucalopridea drug licensed for the treatment of constipation- improves memory in both healthy participants and people at risk of depression."

More information: Vibeke H. Dam et al, Effect of antidepressant treatment on 5-HT4 receptor binding and associations with clinical outcomes and verbal memory in major depressive disorder, Biological Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.08.009 Journal information: Biological Psychiatry
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Six weeks after an emergency cesarean section, with her newborn twins still in neonatal intensive care, Maya Gobara went to a pharmacy in West Little Rock, Arkansas, to fill a prescription.

"The pharmacy told me I didn't have insurance," Gobara said.

Arkansas is the only state that has not taken the step to expand what's called postpartum Medicaid coverage, an option for states paid for almost entirely by the federal government that ensures poor women have uninterrupted health insurance for a year after they give birth. Forty-six states now have the provision, encouraged by the Biden administration, and Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin either have plans in place to enact legislation or have bills pending in their legislatures.

Federal law requires states to provide pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage through 60 days after delivery. But maternal health advocates say Arkansas often begins the process of moving women out of the program after six weeks, or 42 days.

Gobara said she thinks that's what happened to her: She was transferred to another health plan with a different slate of doctors, and she didn't receive notice of the change.

Gobara, who is 38 and a freelance copywriter, said the health plan switch happened to her just as a cascade of previous health problemsan autoimmune disorder, postpartum depression, and rheumatoid arthritisflared up.

"Everything that I had before hit me like a ton of bricks at once after I had the boys," she said.

Maternal health advocates say many lower-income women in Arkansas have fallen into that familiar health care gap.

Arkansas has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the nation, a grim tally of women who die from any cause related to pregnancy or childbirth, including weeks after delivery. In Arkansas, 20% to 29% of women are uninsured at some point over the period before they conceive to after they give birth.

In March, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, signed an executive order creating a committee of experts charged with improving the state's dismal maternal health outcomes and better educating women about their health insurance options.

At a press conference announcing the initiative, Gov. Huckabee Sanders said, "This specific group that we're establishing through the executive order, they're going to look at every option on the table."

When asked by reporters at the press conference about whether she would support expanding postpartum Medicaid to 12 months of coverage as other states have done, the answer was a firm "no."

"I don't believe creating a duplicative program just for the sake of creating a program is actually going to fix the issue," she said. "We already have so many women who aren't taking advantage of the coverage that exists. Creating more coverage doesn't get more women to the doctor."

Huckabee Sanders, 42, is the youngest governor currently serving, and she is the parent of three school-age children.

In Arkansas, postpartum women can apply for other insurance coverage in Arkansas six weeks after delivery, but they must send in a paper application, said Zenobia Harris, executive director of the Arkansas Birthing Project, a mentor program that works with pregnant and postpartum women.

"Women get told things like their paperwork got misplaced or lost or they have to resubmit paperwork. They get put on hold when they make phone calls in trying to connect with people," Harris said. "So, some people, they quit trying."

Lower-income women, like Maya Gobara, are shifted into ARHOME, a state program touted by Huckabee Sanders, that uses Medicaid funding to buy private health insurance.

The shift to new health coverage happened to Gobara while her twins, Amir and Bryson, were on breathing tubes and needed multiple brain surgeries and she required urgent gallbladder surgery.

"I was supposed to have my gallbladder taken out in one week, but with this new plan I needed a referral for that surgery, but I no longer could see my primary care doctor because she wasn't under that plan that they put me under," she said.

Seized with gallbladder pain, Gobara spent days sorting out what had happened to her postpartum Medicaid coverage.

"It felt like the system was set up so I would give up," Gobara said. "And, honestly, if it was not for my mother sitting next to me and helping me go through step by step by step, I probably would have given up."

New mothers shouldn't be shuttled from plan to plan or uninsured when they are dealing with their own health and their newborns, said Camille Richoux, health policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families, a nonprofit advocacy and policy group. Richoux is part of the governor's maternal health initiative, a committee tasked with developing recommendations to improve maternal health and increase access to maternal health services.

Richoux said the switch to a new health plan can disrupt the continuity of care when health care is vital. "Especially when so many pregnancy-related deaths occur after that 60-days-postpartum coverage," she said.

The committees tasked with making recommendations to Gov. Huckabee Sanders have been meeting this summer and recently prepared draft recommendations.

But missing from the list is an expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage, despite widespread agreement by health organizations and the state's Maternal Mortality Review Committee that doing so would reduce pregnancy-related deaths.

One of the tasks of the maternal health initiative is "making sure Medicaid does a better job of educating women postpartum on their health insurance options that already exist today, to ensure they get enrolled and have the coverage they need," said Alexa Henning, communications director for Gov. Huckabee Sanders in an emailed statement last month.

"The data indicates that most women have continuous coverage, they just need to access it," Henning said. "But if we identify gaps, the Governor is open to all options to help moms and babies."

The final recommendations are expected to be released this month.

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Lebanese haunted by psychological trauma after deadly device blasts

Xinhua) 08:20, September 23, 2024

People attend a funeral of those who were killed in pager explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tears welled in Elias Jradi's eyes as the surgeon stepped out of an operating room at Ragheb Harb Hospital in Lebanon's southern city of Nabatieh. Inside the operating room were dozens of citizens with eye injuries sustained from the explosions of pagers and wireless communication devices a few days ago.

"We went through difficult and critical hours inside the operating rooms, as we saw the injured protruding eyes, severed limbs, and shattered faces," Jradi said.

The pagers and wireless devices widely used by members of Lebanon's Hezbollah group exploded earlier in the week, resulting in 37 fatalities and 2,931 injuries.

In a choked, low voice, Jradi, also a parliamentarian, told Xinhua that it was a terrifying scene never seen in the history of wars, with hundreds of people injured in their eyes and arms crammed into emergency rooms.

"We had to prioritize the most severely injured and perform critical surgeries on them," Jradi said. "At the same time, we had to treat severed limbs through specialized surgeons and bleeding eyes, as a large percentage of them lost their sight."

This photo taken on Sept. 18, 2024 shows motorcycles damaged in explosions of communication devices in Baalbek, Lebanon. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

For Laila Abdallah, a nurse at the governmental hospital in Nabatieh, the days of the explosions still rattle her to the core.

"We did not know what was happening outside, as ambulance sirens were blaring everywhere, with rescue crews transporting numerous injured people covered in blood to the emergency department," she said.

"The horror of the scene shook my body and caused my vision to blur for moments before I was able to find strength again to continue helping the injured," the nurse recalled, adding, "The blood-stained bodies have not left my mind."

Hassan Hamdan, a 50-year-old citizen, said the scene resembled "a horror movie I've never seen in my life, as large numbers of people were falling on the ground, in shops, or inside cars, with most of their injuries being in faces, eyes, and hands."

"I found no way to help the dozens of injured around me in the streets of Nabatieh, so I called the Red Cross, from where ambulances were distributed in every direction, picking up the injured and rushing to hospitals," Hamdan said.

People wait to donate blood for those wounded in pager explosions at a hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Kawthar Fahs, another Lebanese citizen, told Xinhua she was accompanied by her little child at a fruit shop in the center of the southern city of Tyre when a device exploded on a young man in his thirties a few meters away.

"My child seemed anxious and confused and started screaming when he heard the explosion and saw citizens running to help," she said.

Despite the large amount of casualties, local hospitals had prepared to accommodate more injured individuals, as Israel had previously indicated it would intensify military operations in Lebanon.

"We were ready thanks to the intensive training offered to the medical and nursing staff and other hospital workers since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip," Moueness Kalakesh, director of Marjeyoun Governmental Hospital, told Xinhua.

People wait to donate blood for those wounded in pager explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

While the physical wounds of the victims are being treated, the emotional scars left by the explosions may linger for a long time. Psychiatrist Claude Nasr told Xinhua that "the bloody explosions inside homes, on the streets and in many public places will negatively affect the psychological health of individuals and society in general."

"It is tough for children and adults to forget these terrifying scenes," she said, adding a large percentage of people suffer from depression, anxiety, and nightmares, and they need "periodic psychological health consultations for several months."

The explosions, which Hezbollah blamed on Israel, add a new layer to the ongoing 11-month clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel, although making no comments yet about the two incidents, has previously announced a shift in military focus from Gaza to northern Israel, vowing a continuous offensive against Hezbollah until the safe home return of its northern residents.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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A new study shows that less than 2% of total government health spending in Australia goes towards public health efforts like infectious and chronic disease protection, prevention and health promotion. The research also uncovered a lack of transparency in exactly how much and where public health money is spent.

Leading public health experts say the research demonstrates the need for a new government model to ensure that public health spending has maximum impact and is visible.

Published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, the study is the first to analyze and map public health funding from both Federal and State/Territory Governments.

The study reports that in 201920, 1.8% of overall health spending (or $140 per person) was allocated to public health initiatives, though the amount varies among states and territories. For example, the Northern Territory spent $527 per person on public health, while Victoria spent $110.

Lead author, Emeritus Professor Alan Shiell from La Trobe University says that "the effectiveness of public health funding isn't just determined by how much funding is given, but also how it is allocated.

"Our research uncovered a complex and piece-meal funding system. While delegating funding decisions to the states and territories who understand local need is a strength of our current model, it leaves the public in the dark about exactly where the money is going and exactly how much is being spent on public health.

"It also makes it very hard for us to assess what difference public health spending is making."

Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia says that as well as greater transparency, the study demonstrates the need for a new government funding model for prevention to ensure that the health budget is effectively spent.

"After a clear 'spike' in public health spending due to the pandemic, investment in this area looks to have returned to pre-COVID levels.

"We have a sophisticated system to determine the best investment in medicinesthe Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). We need a similar system to ensure that proven, cost-effective public health programs receive consistent funding.

"This would help ensure more consistent and effective health spending to help everyone in Australia live healthier lives.

"The Australian Center for Disease Control could play an active role in developing this proposed funding model. Prime Minister Albanese is on the record as saying prevention will be one focus of the Center," Prof Slevin added.

Over the last 10 years, the Prevention Center has strengthened the evidence base for where to target investment in prevention action. Further investment in proven strategies will improve chronic disease outcomes nationally.

Head of The Australian Prevention Partnership Center Nadia Mastersson says, "This research should encourage discussion on how public health funding mechanisms in Australia can be improved to ultimately keep more Australians healthy and well."

More information: Alan Shiell et al, How do we fund Public Health in Australia? How should we?, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100187 Journal information: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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People who initiate a premature or "before medically advised" (BMA) hospital discharge have a 10-fold increase in the risk of drug overdose in the following month, according to new research in Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Patients leave hospital prematurely for a range of reasons, including improperly treated pain, cravings, stress that accentuates psychiatric issues, conflicts with hospital staff, and restrictions on movement or visitors. Hospital patients who initiate a BMA discharge are up to 3 times more likely to die in the following year than people who undergo routine physician-advised discharge. "Before medically advised" discharge has also been called "patient-initiated" or "against medical advice" discharge.

"For a long time, front-line doctors and nurses have wondered if BMA discharge increases subsequent overdose risk," says Dr. John Staples, study senior author and a clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC.

"For patients with substance use disorder, a long hospital stay can sometimes be a period of drug abstinence, potentially reducing opioid tolerance and interrupting access to [addiction] treatments. After these patients leave hospital, persistent pain and untreated addiction might prompt heavier-than-usual drug use. All these factors can increase the risk of subsequent overdose."

To understand the link between BMA discharge and drug overdose, researchers conducted a study that examined health data on 189 808 hospital admissions occurring between 2015 and 2019 in British Columbia, Canada. A total of 6440 (3.4%) of these admissions ended with patients leaving hospital against medical advice. They found that patients with a BMA discharge were more likely to be younger males with psychiatric illness, substance use disorder, or a history of illicit drug use.

The rate of fatal or nonfatal illicit drug overdose in the first 30 days after departure from hospital was 10 times higher after BMA discharge than after physician-advised discharge. "Before medically advised" discharge was associated with subsequent overdose even after accounting for other risk factors for overdose.

"These findings indicate that patients initiating a BMA discharge are at high risk of overdose, that BMA discharge may be a causal contributor to subsequent overdose, and that patients initiating a BMA discharge (especially those with a history of substance use disorder) should be offered urgent clinical and social supports to reduce overdose-related harms," write the authors.

They suggest there are opportunities to improve medical care for these patients.

"Hospitals and health systems should develop evidence-based protocols to prevent BMA discharge and should explore novel means of postdeparture outreach to reduce the risk of drug overdose after hospital discharge," the authors advise.

More information: Before medically advised' departure from hospital and subsequent drug overdose: a population-based cohort study, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.240364 Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal
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For people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a higher burden of comorbidity is associated with worse clinical outcomes, according to a study published online Sept. 18 in JAMA Neurology to coincide with the annual meeting of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, held from Sept. 18 to 20 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Amber Salter, Ph.D., from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and colleagues examined the association of comorbidities with disease activity in clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies in populations with MS in a two-stage meta-analytic approach. The cohort study included individual participant data for 16,794 participants with MS from 17 phase 3 clinical trials of MS disease-modifying therapies.

The researchers found that 61.0% of the pooled trials had evidence of disease activity (EDA) during the two-year follow-up period. After adjustment for multiple factors, compared with no comorbidity, the presence of three or more comorbidities was associated with an increased risk for EDA (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.14).

The risk for EDA was also increased with the presence of two or more versus no cardiometabolic conditions (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.21). Increased hazard of EDA was seen in association with one psychiatric disorder (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.07).

"As these findings are coherent with observational studies using different study designs and data sources, evidence suggests that clinicians need to routinely address comorbidity in people with MS," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry; the study was based on research using data from pharmaceutical companies.

More information: Amber Salter et al, Comorbidity and Disease Activity in Multiple Sclerosis, JAMA Neurology (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.2920 Journal information: Archives of Neurology

 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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As African countries struggle with overburdened health care systems, limited resources, and an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, digital health innovations are essential.

However, relying on donor funding alone is not enough to support these developments.

So says Kwasi Boahene, director of health systems at PharmAccess, an entrepreneurial non-profit organization that seeks to improve access to quality health care in Africa.

In an interview with SciDev.Net, Boahene explains how digital health can transform health care delivery, making it more equitable and efficientand why public-private partnerships are critical to achieving this.

What exactly is meant by digital health?

Digital health refers to the integration of technology and data analytics into health care systems to improve efficiency, access and patient outcomes.

In Africa, where health care budgets are stretched thin and the disease burden is high, particularly from non-communicable diseasessuch as hypertension [high blood pressure] and diabetesdigital health can be a game-changer.

These diseases account for 37% of all deaths in Africa, yet attract only 2% of global health investments.

By adopting digital solutions, African health care systems can bridge this gap, ensuring more equitable access to quality health care.

Digital health plays a key role in supporting the Universal Health Coverage declaration that most African countries have adopted.

What are the various forms of digital health?

Digital health encompasses a wide array of tools and applications, ranging from mobile health solutions and remote patient monitoring to mobile health wallets and digital platforms.

It also includes health data systems, data analytics, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence. These technologies can significantly expand access to health care, especially in underserved areas, and support data-driven decision-making by health providers.

The data generated by these systems is crucial for improving the value of health care for patients, providers, and payers. Ultimately, digital health not only improves access but also enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of care.

What is digital health's role in health care delivery?

Africa has already demonstrated its ability to innovate in the digital space, particularly in mobile finance and commerce. Mobile payments contribute around 10% of Africa's GDP, compared to just 2% in Europe and the US, despite 57% of Africans lacking a bank account. Building on this success, digital health can bring similar innovations to health care, tackling the continent's unique challenges.

Take the growing burden of non-communicable diseasesAfrica needs more efficient health solutions to manage these conditions. Digital health can optimize resources, improve disease management, and enhance patient outcomes.

Can African countries afford to roll out digital health?

Africa's success with mobile technology offers valuable lessons for digital health. A phased approach, starting with manageable investments and scaling up based on results, can minimize risks and optimize resources.

Digital health technologies, when implemented thoughtfully, can reduce both initial and operational costs.

Collaboration between governments and private sector players is key. These partnerships provide technical expertise, funding, and innovative solutions, reducing the financial burden on individual countries.

By leveraging each partner's strengths, such collaborations can accelerate the rollout of digital health solutions, ensuring that access is more equitable and widespread.

Since many African countries rely on donor funding for their health programs, can digital health be sustained?

While donor funding is important, it is not sustainable for long-term health care needs.

Blended financing is a more viable solution. That's why PharmAccess established the Medical Credit Fund, which offers business training, financing, and technical assistance to entrepreneurs in the health care sector.

By combining domestic financing with private investment, this approach creates greater value and sustainability.

Donor funding, when used strategically, can serve as a risk mitigator, particularly in high-risk environments, helping to catalyze larger investments from the private sector.

Do you have success stories of digital health initiatives in Africa?

Yes, there are several success stories. In Kenya, PharmAccess partnered with CarePay International, a Dutch-Kenyan social enterprise, to develop a mobile health payment platform.

This platform enables millions of Kenyans to access affordable health care via their phones.

Today, the platform serves 4.7 million people and is used in 5,000 health care facilities, generating critical data to improve health care for patients, providers, and governments.

In Ghana, we supported the National Health Insurance Authority in launching the CLAIM-it App, which simplifies claims processing, reduces costs, and minimizes fraud.

The data collected from this app has been instrumental in shaping policy towards value-based care for non-communicable diseases, now being piloted in partnership with CHAG, a network of more than 300 health facilities and training institutions.

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Deployment of the developed system: a enclosure box, and b deployed in NICU. Credit: Acoustics Australia (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s40857-024-00321-3

The major contributor to excessive noise levels in hospital intensive care units (ICUs) is the voices of staff and visitors, a study from the University of Portsmouth has found.

A soundscape analysis conducted in three separate ICUs in hospitals in Iraq found that over 50% of the cumulative acoustic noise came from conversations.

Lead author of the study, Awwab Althahab, from the University's School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, said, "Noise levels in ICUs are much higher than what's recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is a growing concern in hospitals worldwide. With the advancement of technology and the addition of more equipment in ICUs, the environments have become much louder.

"These noise levels pose a major risk to human health as they can affect both patients and staff psychologically and physiologically. And previous research has shown that patients often recall noise as a prominent and sometimes distressing aspect of their ICU stay."

The findings are published in the journal Acoustics Australia.

Due to the significant consequences of acoustic noise, the WHO recommends that noise levels in ICUs should not exceed 35 decibels (dBA) during the day and 30 dBA at night, with no peaks exceeding 45 dBA.

The study developed and deployed an intelligent and cost-effective recording system, which not only measured and monitored the noise levels and recorded sound events but also measured other environmental parameters, including temperature, humidity, and light intensity.

This system was successfully deployed across three ICUs for comprehensive data collection. It was mounted approximately one meter behind a patient's bed in two respiratory ICUs and one neonatal ICU. It recorded acoustic data continuously for varying numbers of days, based on the consent provided by the ICU heads.

The authors accurately classified the collected noise events to identify the major noise sources, while the nursing staff helped annotate the classified audio events, such as ventilator alarms, humidifier alarms, patient monitor alarms and oxygen pumps.

Mr. Althahab added, "By accurately classifying noise events, we've identified speech as a predominant contributor across all observed ICUs. At the same time, care was taken to intelligently remove speech from the collected data for confidentiality reasons."

This research showed that noise levels exceeded the WHO standard limits for a significant amount of time. One ICU was considerably louder than the other twowith the minimum level reaching 41dBA and the maximum nearing 82 dBA.

Mr. Althahab explained that his study leverages deep neural networks to not only detect but also classify ICU noise events, offering a more sophisticated and cost-effective solution.

He said, "Traditionally, noise monitoring in ICUs has depended on expensive sound level meters, which fail to distinguish and identify the sources of noise.

"The precise measurements and comprehensive intelligent analysis achieved by the developed measurement system and acoustic event classification system mark a significant leap forward in understanding and managing ICU noise, as well as serve as a starting point for further research in this area.

"Addressing this problem is crucial for improving patient outcomes, reducing health care costs and promoting a more productive environment for health care workers."

Mr. Althahab is keen to collaborate with UK hospitals, so he can keep working on interventions in this area.

More information: Awwab Qasim Jumaah Althahab et al, Assessing the Acoustic Noise in Intensive Care Units via Deep Learning Technique, Acoustics Australia (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s40857-024-00321-3
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Immunity (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.08.017

Monash University researchers have developed a new technique to boost the effectiveness of both traditional and mRNA-based vaccines in animal models.

Published in Immunity, the study found that adding low doses of a vaccine-specific antibody to a COVID-19 vaccine stimulated the immune system's B cells, which are responsible for generating antibodies to fight viral infections.

The results from this study highlight the potential of antibodies as vaccine components to boost the immune response.

"A key challenge for vaccine design is to ensure sufficient activation and duration of B cell responses to achieve the quantity and quality of antibodies required for protection," said senior author Dr. Isaak Quast, from Monash University's Department of Immunology.

"Adding vaccine-specific antibodies is like adding a red flag, and making it really obvious to B cells that they need to spring into action.

"This method stimulates B cells that would otherwise fail to be active participants in the immune response, potentially allowing new parts of invading viruses to be recognized, thus increasing protective immunity."

Lead author Dr. Alexandra Dvorscek said most vaccines offered specificity and strength, but it was often difficult to achieve breadth. "When you have viruses like influenza or SARS-CoV-2, which can vary significantly from year to year or even shorter time periods, and can cause significant harm, we need that broad-spectrum recognition and response," Dr. Dvorscek said.

One structure that is usually poorly recognized by the immune system is the conserved parts of viral proteinsthe "essence" of a virus that remains stable amid whatever new variants emerge as a virus evolves to evade immune detection.

Dr. Dvorscek said that like adjuvants, which enhance the immune system's response to vaccination, adding antibodies prolonged immune responses and unleashed more antibody production.

"The beauty of this technique is that, in collaboration with Dr. Deborah Burnett from the Garvan Institute in Sydney, we showed that this works for both traditional and mRNA-based vaccines such as those targeting SARS-CoV-2," she said.

"This obviously has implications for existing vaccines and those in development, that we can harness this technology to boost immune responses in a safe and highly targeted way.

"Beyond boosting B cell responses, antibodies influence which viral structures are targeted, and they make sure the immune system spreads its response across multiple parts of the pathogen. Our study provides novel insights into how this happens and how we may be able to use it to steer antibody production towards sites that need to be targeted for broad protective immunity.

"We have found a way to potentially use the immune system's own method, antibodies, to influence how our body responds to a vaccine. This could be particularly relevant for people with poor responses to vaccines, such as the elderly or immunosuppressed. Future research will have to test that."

Dr. Quast said that while so far only tested in animal models, the research could also facilitate the development of vaccines to target structures of pathogens that are otherwise not recognized strongly enough by our immune system.

"In a diverse human population, some people will always respond better than others, and this method could help ensure that a larger proportion of the population develops a 'good, sufficient' immune response for protection," he said.

"The method in this paper has the potential to substantially increase such ordinarily poor responses, and it works with mRNA-based vaccines as well as traditional, and one example we use is to boost an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine developed by study co-author and Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor Colin Pouton."

More information: Alexandra R. Dvorscek et al, Conversion of vaccines from low to high immunogenicity by antibodies with epitope complementarity, Immunity (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.08.017 Journal information: Immunity
Suicide Prevention Original art provided by Jasmine Samson (Jasmine Samson)

For many of her teenage years, Jasmine Samson struggled with severe depression, leading to multiple attempts to take her own life.

Her main triggers, the 25-year-old Filipina American said, were related to fitting in at school and the pressure she felt as a child of immigrants to excel.

Her parents, who emigrated from the Philippines, didnt take her seriously, she said.

I showed my mom the scars on my arms. I was like, listen, I need help. I want to get a therapist; I want to stop. So, my Filipino parents took me out to eat and told me that I just have to push through, said Samson, who now lives in North Brunswick.

Samson eventually got the help she needed and has gone on to become an art teacher for kindergarten and first-grade students in an afterschool program in Princeton. Shes also excited about pursuing a masters degree in art therapy.

But there are many children who are not as lucky.

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Youth suicide rates have risen sharply in recent years, becoming the second leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 19 since 2017, according to the CDC.

Eric Alcera, chief medical officer at Carrier Clinic, says hospitals are working to address the crisis but face limited resources.

He believes reducing the numbers will require a collective effort, with parents listening and health care providers adopting new approaches to support youth struggling with severe depression and suicidal thoughts.

Dr. Ulrick Vieux, has Haitian ancestry, and he understands the pressures faced by children of immigrants. However, he is most alarmed by the rising suicide rates among Black boys.

Studies by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show rates of suicide among Black youth have risen faster than in any other racial and ethnic group in the past two decades. Suicide rates for Black males 10 to 19 years old increased by 60%.

Vieux, chief of The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry division at Hackensack University Medical Center, says a potential barrier for African Americans seeking mental health care is the scarcity of therapists who share their racial background, a view supported by a study from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Less than 2% of the American Psychological Association members are Black, raising concerns among some patients that mental health practitioners may lack the cultural competence needed to address their specific issues.

All the research from the CDC is showing that suicide rates and completion rates, which is more concerning, are rising because the numbers of depressed and anxious teens are also going up, Alcera said.

He believes this could be an aftereffect of COVID or an existing issue that was intensified by the pandemic.

Blaming the use of smartphones and social media is reflexive, he said. Kids are also dealing with increased incidents of gun violence. We have a lot of changes in our culture. We have more political divisiveness; we have so much more going on in the world and kids have constant access to the news.

Alcera also serves as the vice chair at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. There, they are training physicians to interact with low-income, vulnerable populations, like LGBTQ, African Americans and Latino youth so they are more conscious and sensitive to a variety of communities.

Were looking at things like, food insecurity, poverty and homelessness, he said. Weve trained our mental health clinicians and support staff to recognize certain cultural and religious aspects that they must be in tune with.

Carrier Clinic is part of The New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative, which allows Hackensack Meridian partners  Atlantic Care, Cooper and Atlantic Health  to get help for their pediatricians so they can screen for, and manage, mental health issues in their practice.

Pediatricians have access to a child psychiatrist who can teach them how to manage medications and make referrals, which alleviates some of the work of child psychiatrists who are in short supply.

Parents struggle with identifying mental health issues that arise in children, Alcera said.

He offers these tips: Understand their baseline, their norms, their routines and their habits. He says a sudden deviation from those habits appears as dysfunction in social life, family life, in peer relationships and in academics. Thats when they should enlist the help of a professional, he said.

Parents tend to anticipate their kids needs versus just having open, honest conversations. You dont want to have those conversations in the moment of crisis, Alcera said.

After the young Samson made several suicide attempts, she received medication and therapy, including a couple of inpatient stays at the clinic. Samsons parents became more understanding of her illness by then.

They did their best to support me with whatever I needed, Samson said. They would say I dont care how you do in school; I dont care what you do. I just want you to be alive.

Everyone has their own pace and shouldnt give up on seeking help, Samson said, because not everyone finds the right therapy or the right medication on the first try.

It took 10 years of this process to reach a point where I felt I could manage my thoughts and emotions, she said. I still struggle with ideation. Its a lifelong practice of trying to survive every day with these thoughts.

Samson said it doesnt get easier. But it can become more manageable if you try, she said

Editors note: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Read more like this on Mosaic:

Persistent symptoms of depression are more prevalent among Black people in the US

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer, especially if youre Black. Heres how to lower your risk.

Black Americans are still more likely to die from cancer, study says

Ande Richards can be reached at arichards@njadvancemedia.com.

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According to a minimal crash report from the Iowa State Patrol, at about 5:34 p.m. a 2012 Nissan Juke was travelling northbound in the 1100 block of Taylor Avenue while a 2003 Ford Taurus was travelling southbound on the same road. The report said the Nissan crossed the center line and was travelling northbound in the southbound lane. The front drivers side of the Nissan contacted the front drivers side of the Ford. The Nissan came to rest on the east shoulder of the roadway and the Ford came to rest in the west ditch. Both vehicles sustained severe damage.
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges will be beginning its search for a new chancellor this month, a process set to include chances for students, faculty, staff and members of the community to give their input.

We want to make sure the next chancellor is someone who truly represents the values and aspirations of our entire EICC community. The more voices we hear, the better we can identify the right leader for our future, Michelle Garvin, chair of the Chancellor Search Committee, said in a public statement.

EICC will be hosting a series of forums at its Clinton, Muscatine and Scott campuses. A virtual forum session will also be held. Feedback from all four forums then being used to help the search committee and EICCs Board of Trustees in their decision.

The first forum will be held in Room 139 at Clinton Community College on Monday, Sept. 30 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. That same day from 2:30 to 4 p.m., another forum will be held in Belmont Room 2300 (Student Life Center) at Scott Community College.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, a virtual forum session will be held on Zoom from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Also on Tuesday, Muscatine Community College will hold its forum at its Student Center from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

In addition to the forums, EICC has also launched an online survey for students and residents, allowing them to give more detailed input and insight regarding what they wish to see in EICCs next chancellor. The survey will remain open until Oct. 1.

EICC is also accepting nominations for individuals to serve on the Chancellor Search Committee. Community members can nominate colleagues or residents who they believe would contribute valuable perspectives to the selection process. Nominations will be open through Sept. 30.

For more information on the chancellor search and a link to provide input can be found at eicc.edu/about/chancellor-search/.

The parent report card: Teachers get an 'A.' The system? Not so much. The parent report card: Teachers get an 'A.' The system? Not so much. Making the grade Parents are personally satisfied Teachers earn high marks
The Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with a Safaricom PLC-led consortium, will distribute 70,000 mobile tablets to healthcare workers as part of the Social Health Authority (SHA) initiative.

This effort aims to equip healthcare workers under Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the essential tools needed to efficiently serve Kenyans. Additionally, the ministry plans to provide 5,000 laptops to further support the public healthcare workforce.

To support the implementation of the UHC blueprint, the Ministry of Health has awarded a contract for the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS System) to a consortium led by Safaricom PLC. This consortium includes global patient care digitization firm Apeiro Limited (Apeiro Digital) and enterprise technology firm Konvergenz Network Solutions Limited (KNS), the Ministry stated.

The government will also ensure that healthcare workers across the country receive reliable internet connectivity and power backup systems, facilitated by the Safaricom-led consortium. This partnership will establish a locally hosted health cloud to securely store and manage patient data in compliance with Kenyan data protection laws.

The locally hosted health cloud will securely store and manage patient data in accordance with all applicable Kenyan data protection laws. AI and Machine Learning tools will support proactive health management and clinical decision-making, the Ministry of Health noted.

The Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS) will incorporate key components such as the National Health Information Exchange (HIE), which will unify patient records across all levels of care.

For too long, our healthcare system has been fragmented, with patient histories scattered across different facilities. This fragmentation has caused delays in diagnosis, inappropriate treatments, and even the denial of life-saving care, the ministry stated.

Additionally, the IHTS will include the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) for all public health facilities. This system will be implemented in collaboration with County Governments, digitizing the operations of public health facilities and enabling doctors and healthcare professionals to access patient records instantly.

Furthermore, the consortium will manage the health products supply chain management system. The ministry explained that digitizing this supply chain will enhance visibility of both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical products across the healthcare system.

This initiative will ensure that hospitals remain stocked with the necessary medicines and supplies, significantly reduce stockouts, and help prevent unnecessary deaths due to a lack of essential medications.

Finally, the system will encompass the Health Insurance Platform (HIP), which will enable real-time claim authentication, fraud prevention, and automation of all Social Health Authority activities.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies have escalated their criticism of President William Rutos camp as tensions within the Kenya Kwanza administration deepen.

Speaking at a church service in Thika on Sunday, Gachagua warned that if Ruto fails to restore order within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), he risks losing the trust of the Mt. Kenya region, which would be irreversible.

Ruto made one promise that requires no funding, no support from the IMF or World Bank. He promised that, under his leadership, he would not allow his deputy to be humiliated. If he cannot keep that one simple promise, then theres nothing else people can trust him with, Gachagua stated.

Referring to Rutos own experience as Deputy President, Gachagua warned that if Ruto allows his allies to undermine him, it will damage his credibility.

When there was an attempt to betray him, the people of this region said no, we dont like betrayal we dont entertain betrayal and for that reason, the people of this region stood with him to a man to express their displeasure at the betrayal, the DP cautioned his boss.

The Deputy President warned Ruto against allowing an impeachment motion against to be tabled in the National Assembly indicating that it would have grave ramifications.

Our people hate betrayal and are unforgiving if you betray them. I ask my brother President William Ruto not be tempted to go that direction because these people will be very unforgiving.

If the the people of this region feel betrayed as they will if go in that direction, these people will be very unforgiving. That is just my advice it doesnt have to be taken, I have been around for a long time and I know a few things about people from the Mt Kenya region, Gachagua said.

The DPs allies also accused Raila Odingas ODM party of fueling divisions within Kenya Kwanza.

Former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala claimed that Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Homabay Town MP Peter Kaluma are planning to table an impeachment motion against Gachagua next week.

Speakers at the event, including Malala, Gathoni wa Muchomba, Karungo Thangwa, and Mejjadonk, argued that such a motion could only proceed with Rutos endorsement.

Gachagua warned that if the impeachment plan moves forward, Ruto risks losing Mt. Kenyas support. I urge President Ruto to put his house in order and allow us to focus on our work. We have a duty to deliver to the Kenyan people, he concluded.
A memorial service for the 21 boys who lost their lives in the Hillside Endarasha Academy dormitory fire is set for Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

The service will be held at Mweiga Stadium and organized by the County Disaster Committee, according to Acting Central Regional Commissioner Pius Murugu.

Murugu noted that some parents plan to bury their children on the same day.

We aim to conclude the memorial service by 11 a.m. so that we can release the bodies to the respective parents and relatives, he said. He added that the service will be brief to allow families enough time for private burial ceremonies.

Acknowledging the challenges some families may face due to travel distances, Murugu stated, We are giving families time to discuss and decide whether they are ready for the burials that day.

Meanwhile, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. We are still awaiting a report from the DCI as they continue to tather witness statements. This process will take time, but we appreciate their swift work to ensure the bodies are released to the families, he added.

The Kenya Red Cross is providing pre- and post-mortem counseling to the affected families and extending support to the school community and first responders. Esther Chege, Head of the Kenya Red Cross Central Region, mentioned that they are collaborating with Nyeri Countys Department of Health and other partners to offer comprehensive counseling services.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, co-chair of the committee, stressed the importance of adhering to the memorial schedule. The interdenominational service will run from 8:30 am to 11 am. We want to limit, as much as possible, unnecessary talk, he said.

For families unable to bury their loved ones on the same day, Naromoru Hospital Funeral Home will preserve the bodies at no extra cost.

After the burials, the committee will focus on reopening the school to ensure Grade Six candidates can sit for the upcoming Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) national exams.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has announced free entry to all game parks and reserves for Kenyans on Saturday, September 28, as part of the UN World Tourism Week celebrations kicking off on Monday.

This initiative aims to promote domestic tourism and encourages Kenyans to explore and appreciate the nations rich heritage, according to Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.

During a World Rhino Day event at Sereolipi School in Samburu County on Sunday, CS Miano emphasized the importance of this opportunity.

The culmination of this significant event will allow Kenyans free access to all game parks and reserves on Saturday, September 28, 2024, she stated.

Miano urged citizens to take full advantage of the chance to discover the countrys natural attractions.

I encourage Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to see what our parks and reserves have to offer, she added. The CS also reminded visitors to adhere to safety regulations while exploring these wildlife-rich areas.

This years UN World Tourism Day will focus on the crucial role of the tourism sector in promoting peace, fostering cultural understanding, and supporting reconciliation efforts worldwide. The theme, Tourism and Peace, underscores the connection between travel and peaceful coexistence.

Regarding rhino conservation, Miano highlighted Kenyas commitment to protecting rhino populations and other wildlife for future generations.

At the Ministry level, we have embraced innovative technologies such as drones and forensic evidence to strengthen our rhino conservation efforts, she explained.

I assure the global community that Kenya will continue playing its part in wildlife conservation, especially in expanding rhino ranges and ensuring their protection for posterity.

Kenyas Rhino Population

Kenya is a vital habitat for the eastern black rhino subspecies, which can be found in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Sera Community Conservancy, and five private sanctuaries in the Laikipia region. Laikipia alone is home to over half of Kenyas total rhino population.

CS Miano noted that the implementation of the previous six editions of the rhino recovery action plan, along with the ongoing seventh edition, has increased black rhino populations by over 100 percent.

In 1989, Kenyas rhino population stood at fewer than 400. By the end of 2022, estimates had surged to an impressive 1,890 rhinos, including 966 black rhinos, 922 white rhinos, and two northern whites.

Kenya currently ranks third in black rhino population, following South Africa and Namibia.

Miano indicated that the ongoing national wildlife census may reveal even higher rhino numbers than those recorded in 2022. She proudly noted, Kenya is honored to host the worlds last remaining female northern white rhino, following the death of Sudan in 2018. His stuffed figurine now resides at the Nairobi National Museums as a lasting relic of an extraordinary species in our diverse wildlife portfolio.

Additionally, Miano expressed optimism about the efforts of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute and other global researchers working to revive the northern white rhino from extinction.

This ambitious and commendable effort aims to create northern white rhino embryos from genetic material and eventually implant them into southern white rhino females to produce calves, she said.
Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichungwah, has denied claims of an impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, dismissing them as false.

Speaking over the weekend, Ichungwah accused Gachagua of fabricating the reports to gain sympathy and political advantage.

As the leader of majority, I can tell you there has never been an impeachment motion against the deputy president. That has been his creation and those that he walks around with. It is a sympathy-seeking gimmick to try and incite the people from the Mt Kenya region and moreso against the members of parliament, he stated.

It seems its only the DP who has been talking about his own impeachment. He seems to be calling for it and I dont know why. Or he might be imagining that if it comes, he can incite one region of our country against the others and against MPs. That is the fear he has been trying to sell. That is why I have been saying, I have put my chest forward so that I defend the rights of all MPs as their leader, the Majority leader added.

Ichungwah further accused Gachagua of creating a threat by suggesting his impeachment would cause national instability.

The instability he refers to is similar to what they instigated on June 25, 2024. This is a veiled threat to Kenyans, implying he would stir unrest if an impeachment motion were to be introduced, he warned, referencing youth protests that turned violent in June.

The Kikuyu MP also challenged Gachagua to clarify whether he plans to run for the presidency in 2027.

While he hasnt declared his candidacy, there are signs he intends to contest. Ive heard of his efforts to form alliances with figures like Kalonzo Musyoka. He is free to do so, but we expect him to focus on delivering Kenya Kwanzas manifesto first, Ichungwah added.
Activist Morara Kebaso has announced his plan to refund money to certain Kenyans who supported him and feel deceived.

In a post on Saturday, he revealed that he decided to return the funds raised for him after concluding that Kenyans have not done enough to bring about meaningful change in the countrys governance.

But a time comes when a man must decide whether the nation is worth struggling for. My observation is that most Kenyans have already decided the country they want to live in, he lamented.

Morara firmly stated that he would not allow his reputation to be tarnished or be labeled a conman and beggar. He believes his efforts were a genuine attempt to foster positive change in Kenya.

I cannot continue to damage my reputation and be branded as a conman or beggar. Its not worth it. For this reason, I want to refund any Kenyan who supported me and feels deceived, he wrote.

RELATED  Morara Kebaso Hits Mobile Money Limit, Invests in Public Address System for Civic Engagement

He also mentioned that he would not continue his quest for a better Kenya and that he would refund the money along with a top-up to cover withdrawal charges.

I am grateful for all the support Kenyans have given me. Most Kenyans have already decided the country they want to live in, he said.

I have a company to run and a family that loves me. It is for this reason, would like to refund any Kenyan that has supported me and felt conned.

Morara asked donors to comment on his post with their M-Pesa messages to verify their authenticity to be eligible for a refund.

I will refund you in full, plus a top-up for withdrawal, and then I will copy and paste my refund message below your comment, he added.

I want us to part on good terms so I can find some peace. Please avoid fabricating any messages, as I have all records from the day I started. The M-Pesa number has always been 0708985611, so it wont be hard to confirm.
During his impromptu visit to Haiti on Saturday, September 21, President William Ruto expressed his willingness to convert Kenyas anti-gang mission into a full U.N. peacekeeping operation. This trip aimed to assess the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, where Kenya plays a crucial role in combating rampant gang violence that has caused years of political turmoil and mass displacement in the nation.

The U.N. Security Council initially approved the MSS mission for a duration of 12 months, and its mandate is set to expire at the beginning of October. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that the Council is considering a draft resolution to extend the MSS mandate and request preparations for its transition into a formal peacekeeping mission.

In Port-au-Prince, Ruto stated, We have absolutely no problem with the suggestion to transition this into a fully U.N. peacekeeping mission if that is the direction the U.N. Security Council wants to take.

The United States and Ecuador have circulated a draft text that would renew the MSS mandate for another 12 months and prompt the U.N. to initiate planning for the transition of the MSS mission into a peacekeeping operation. The 15-member Council is scheduled to vote on the mandate renewal on September 30.

Ruto also engaged with Kenyan police officers during his visit, joking about reports that the notorious Haitian gang leader, Jimmy Cheriziercommonly known as Barbecuehad allegedly surrendered to the Kenyan police and now wishes to become a preacher.

Congratulations Otunge (the commander of the Kenyan peacekeepers in Haiti) has informed me that you all have flattened Barbecues base, and now he has surrendered and wants to become a preacher. He is almost giving up, Ruto remarked, eliciting laughter from the officers.

Barbecue recently criticized Kenyan officers in Haiti, claiming they were ruthless. In a viral TikTok video, he lamented that the officers, along with those from the Haitian National Police (HNP), stormed his base, firing bullets and tear gas at his gang members.

Ruto praised the Kenyan mission for its efforts in restoring peace and order in Haiti, assuring both the mission and the international community of his continued support in returning Haiti to its people. He urged the international community to provide the necessary resources for the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission.

The President emphasized that support including personnel, equipment, and logistics will expedite the missions goal of restoring peace and stability in Haiti. He encouraged Haitian stakeholdersincluding leaders, citizens, especially women and youth, the civic sector, and the business communityto take advantage of the current relative calm to drive progressive change.

The Mission is here to create an environment where you can reclaim your nations safety and security and determine your future, Ruto asserted.
The cult classic wine adventure film Sideways turns 20 this year, and Napa Valleys Markham Vineyards is tipping its cap to the film that infamously attempted to sabotage Merlot.

In the film about two friends on a wine tasting weekend, Paul Giamattis wine snob character Miles Raymond proclaims he is not drinking any f***ing Merlot!

Two decades after the films debut, Markham Vineyards is ready to make Merlot cool again though the winery firmly believes the varietal never really went out of style, according to a news release announcing its October Merlot Month tasting experience.

Markham is launching a new experience at its St. Helena tasting room called The Right Side of Merlot: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Sideways. This limited-time experience offers guests the opportunity to sample Markhams finest estate Merlots side-by-side to uncover how climate, soil and elevation create magic in every bottle.

According to the press release, the experience culminates with the limited-edition 2022 Yountville "Right Side" Blend, a nod to Miles Raymonds beloved 1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc, a right-bank Bordeaux blend.

For Merlot lovers who cant make it to the tasting room this October, Markhams "Right Side" Blend ($85) will be available for purchase online beginning in October, along with the winerys usual lineup of acclaimed Merlots from Napa Valley estate vineyards spanning from Calistoga to Oak Knoll.

The tasting experience is $75 per guest. Markham Vineyards, located at 2812 St. Helena Highway North in St. Helena, is open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

To learn more, visit markhamvineyards.com/visit/winery-experiences.
Above: Martha Marti Martha C. Marti Crothers has pledged $1 million to establish the Coffman-Crothers Training Institute for Trauma and Psychological Health. (Photo by Russell Bailey). Middle: The program honors Janet M. Coffman, then director of SIUs Counseling Center, who provided invaluable treatment to Crothers and other adult with complex trauma and dissociation. (Provided photo) Bottom: Coffman and Crothers became lifelong friends. (Provided photos)

SIU launches new program to better train counselors who treat complex trauma

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  As a trained counselor looking for a therapist of her own in the 1980s, it was difficult for Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumna Martha C. Marti Crothers to find a professional who was qualified to address the long-term effects of complex childhood trauma she had experienced.

Janet M. Coffman, then director of SIUs Counseling Center, proved to be a godsend for Crothers. Now, Crothers is honoring the longtime counselor who became her friend with a $1 million planned gift to establish the Coffman-Crothers Training Institute for Trauma and Psychological Health Endowment Fund. She is also making annual contributions to provide training to address complex trauma soon, including a symposium next month.

Trauma is a fact of life. When people are seeking treatment, sometimes it will emerge that they have suffered from complex trauma  multiple traumatic experiences that have built upon themselves during their childhood, often resulting in dissociation, said Holly Cormier, licensed clinical psychologist and director of the SIU Clinical Center, within which the program is housed. But while complex trauma may be very common, there is a huge gap in training practitioners to treat adults who have suffered complex trauma. Starting this fall, were going to be working to help fill those gaps.

However, the American Psychological Association doesnt currently recognize complex trauma as a distinct treatment classification, so there is no specific training to address it, Crothers said.

Dr. Crothers feels passionately about this issue, and shes making an extremely generous gift for which we are very grateful, Cormier said. Marti is so grateful to Janet for the help she provided to her, and she wants to help other practitioners get the training they need to be able to help their patients.

Cormier said the situation is akin to asking a general practitioner to perform heart surgery. Its not that one medical professional is superior. Its just that the general practitioner isnt trained to perform heart surgery, and likewise a typical counselor isnt trained to treat complex trauma.

Crothers credits Coffman with showing her that despite suffering from trauma, PTSD and dissociation (a feeling of disconnection between the self and the environment), she could live a worthwhile life, and that she had something to offer. I was so impressed with how hard Janet searched for training to be able to counsel me and others. Many of the things I learned from her, particularly about self-care, I was able to pass along to my students.

The first step to provide specialized training is a one-day workshop on Safe and Effective Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Adults. The inaugural training session presented by the Coffman-Crothers Training Program for Trauma and Psychological Health will take place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 at the SIU Simmons School of Law, 1150 Douglas Drive, and registration through Eventbrite is now underway. Registration is limited and due by Oct. 1.

What the workshop is all about

The workshop, presented in conjunction with the Bridgepoint Psychology Center, is designed to give participants the knowledge, skills and resources they need to work confidently and effectively with multiple trauma-exposed adults. The presenter is Janna Henning, licensed clinical psychologist, incoming president of the trauma division of the American Psychological Association and professor in the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology program at Adler University in Chicago.

Licensed psychologists, professional counselors, social workers and clinical practitioners as well as university graduate students, faculty and staff will find the program beneficial. Participants can earn 6 American Psychological Association continuing education credits. Thanks to sponsorship from the Coffman-Crothers Training Program, the workshop is free for students and $45 for licensed professionals and others, with a group rate of $40 available for groups of three or more. Box lunches are included.

Why the large commitment

For Crothers, addressing complex trauma matters personally and professionally. She is a triple alumna of SIU, earning her bachelors degree in recreation for special populations in 1973, studying with William Freeberg who served as consulting founder with Eunice Kennedy Shriver for the Special Olympics. After working in the field in South Carolina and Kentucky, she returned to SIU to complete her masters degree in educational psychology in 1980 and then her doctorate in counselor education and supervision in 1998.

During her career, she taught at various levels, served as a consultant, helped establish not-for-profit agencies, served as a professional counselor and more. She is also a retired educational psychology and special education faculty member who taught at SIU from 2003 to 2014.

Coffman retired in 2007 as director of Counseling and Psychological Services at SIU. The 1990 recipient of the SIU Women of Distinction Award, she had worked at the Counseling Center since 1980, becoming director in 1985.

Long-term goals

The Coffman-Crothers Training Program is dedicated to establishing and funding scientifically based psychological training programs focused on treating adults with complex trauma and dissociation. It consults with national and international experts to ensure that all training opportunities meet evidence-based professional standards and best practices established by the American Psychological Association. The long-term goal is to establish the program as an institute and to provide educational opportunities for SIU graduate students, faculty, staff, and community licensed or certified psychologists and counselors. Plans also call for offering scholarships for SIU students and faculty members to obtain appropriate training at other locations.

Our mission is to advocate for standardized training for complex trauma treatment and to provide affordable training opportunities for students, the university community and professionals so they can care for those who have suffered complex trauma and dissociation, Crothers said, noting that she takes no salary for her work. Perhaps someday we can be the model for the future.

For more information about the Coffman-Crothers Training Program, visit the website, call 618-453-2361, or email mcrother@siu.edu.
As a part of his three-day visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with industry leaders to discuss the potential and opportunities India has to offer to the world. PM Narendra Modi assured US business leaders of India''s deep commitment to protection of intellectual property and to fostering tech-innovation during his engagement with the top CEOs from the technology industry at a roundtable in New York. The roundtable hosted by PM Modi comprised several prominent figures from leading companies including, Chairman President and CEO of Adobe Shantanu Narayen, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, IBM COE Arvind Krishna, Lisa Su CEO of AMD, and Jensen Huang of NVIDIA and among others During the meeting on the second day of his US visit, the prime minister discussed ways to foster greater collaboration between the US and India when it comes to the cutting-edge areas of Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology. As per an official statement by Prime Minister''s Office, the discussions revolved around the global technology landscape and the impact of innovations on human development and the world economy. The CEOs shared insights into how their companies are leveraging technology for innovation and expressed keen interest in collaborating with India. PM Modi also emphasized the importance of initiatives such as the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) as central to the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. He highlighted that technology cooperation between India and the United States could drive mutual benefits and growth. In a social media post on ''X'' PM Modi said "Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India". PM Modi also invited the participating companies to explore co-development, co-design, and co-production opportunities in India, pointing to India''s rapid economic and technological transformation. He emphasized India''s strategic efforts in electronics and IT manufacturing, semiconductor production, biotech advancements, and green development. PM Modi outlined his government''s ambitious plans for turning India into a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and mentioned the BIO E3 policy aimed at making India a biotech powerhouse. On Artificial Intelligence, the Prime Minister reiterated India''s focus on promoting AI for all, stressing the ethical and responsible use of this technology. The CEOs responded positively, expressing strong interest in increasing investments and collaborations with India. They recognized India''s growing role as a global technology hub, driven by its favorable policies, thriving market, and growing talent pool. Many also highlighted the synergies they see in investing in Indian startups to co-create new technologies and solutions for the future. The roundtable concluded with a mutual commitment to exploring deeper collaboration and partnerships to advance technological innovation on a global scale. The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi emphasised India''s growth prospects, during the meeting with American CEOs. "PM @narendramodi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of USA, in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, in New York today," Jaiswal wrote on X. In a separate bilateral meeting, PM Modi also interacted with Krishna Singh, founder and CEO, Holtec International. According to a social media post by Ministry of External Affairs, during the meeting PM Modi and Krishna Singh discussed Holtec''s plan to expand manufacturing in India and the potential for boosting cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy. "Working towards green goals! PM @narendramodimet Dr Krishna Singh of Holtec International today in New York. They discussed Holtec''s plan to expand manufacturing in (India) and the potential for boosting cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy" said the post. On Saturday (local time), the prime minister attended the Quad Leaders'' Summit in Delaware, which was attended by US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. On Sunday, the Prime Minister addressed a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Long Island and before he departs for the India he will deliver a speech at the "Summit of the Future" at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. (ANI)
The roundtable, hosted by PM Modi and held in New York on the second day of his three-day US visit, discussed India''s role in the global technology landscape, highlighting the country''s growing importance as a hub for innovation and digital solutions. Accenture CEO Julie Sweet praised PM Modi''s leadership and outlined the company''s plans to further grow its operations in India. "I was honoured to meet with PM Modi and to hear more about his leadership and vision for the next decade. After having such a great decade, really making India such an important part of the global technology landscape," said Accenture CEO. She also emphasized Accenture''s commitment to continuing its expansion in India, stating, "I was also very excited to hear about the commitment of so many other companies like Accenture to continue to grow our business in India and to have our individuals in India serve the globe. It''s an exciting time." HP Inc. CEO Enrique Lores also expressed enthusiasm about India''s growing technology and manufacturing potential, underscoring the company''s plans to expand its footprint in the country. "We''re clearly appreciative for the PM to learn and understand what we need to continue to expand in India. We just announced that we are expanding our manufacturing capabilities in India. So, we were very proud to share that with the Prime Minister," said Lores. The roundtable, which brought together several global tech CEOs, is part of PM Modi''s efforts to deepen India''s partnerships with international technology leaders. As India continues to enhance its digital infrastructure, companies are seeing greater opportunities for collaboration and investment. The Prime Minister''s focus on expanding India''s role in the global tech industry has resonated with international corporations. With a rapidly growing digital ecosystem, a young and skilled workforce, and significant policy reforms aimed at promoting innovation and manufacturing, India is positioning itself as a preferred destination for tech giants. The tech roundtable with PM Modi focused on Artificial Intelligence and Quantum, Biotechnology and Life Sciences; Computing, IT and Communication, and Semiconductor technologies. The CEOs participated in a deep dive with Prime Minister Modi on the evolving technology landscape at a global level and how these cutting-edge technologies are contributing to the well-being of people around the world including in India. They touched upon how technology is being leveraged for innovations, which have the potential to revolutionize the global economy and human development. (ANI)
BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 23: Softcell Technologies Global Pvt. Ltd., a leading Systems Integrator in India and provider of IT security and services, proudly announces that it has been awarded the prestigious Check Point Harmony APAC Partner of the Year Award 2024 by Check Point Software Technologies. This marks the second consecutive year that Softcell has received this recognition, having also won the Harmony APAC Partner of the Year Award 2023. The award was presented at the Check Point Software Technologies Asia Pacific Partner Conference 2024, held in Phuket, Thailand in early September, and recognizes Softcell's exceptional achievements in delivering Check Point's Harmony Email & Collaboration solutions to clients across the Asia-Pacific region. Softcell's continued excellence in deploying advanced security solutions highlights its leadership in the cybersecurity domain and its ability to meet evolving customer needs. Manish Alshi, Senior Director, Alliances & Channels (India & SAARC), Check Point Software Technologies, commended Softcell's achievements: "Softcell's success as our Harmony APAC Partner of the Year for both 2023 and 2024 is a testament to their deep expertise in the Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration range of solutions and dedication to customer satisfaction. Their understanding of cybersecurity, paired with their innovative approach to deploying Harmony solutions in large enterprises, has made them a key partner for Check Point in the region. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Softcell to help organizations across the APAC region stay secure." The Check Point Harmony APAC Partner of the Year Award celebrates Softcell's consistent performance in securing users, devices, and access through Check Point's Harmony Email & Collaboration suite. This suite offers comprehensive protection from cyber threats, making it a critical asset in helping organizations safeguard their remote workforces and digital infrastructure. Sai Gopal, Director of Softcell Technologies Global Pvt. Ltd., expressed his excitement over the back-to-back achievement: "Receiving the Harmony APAC Partner of the Year Award from Check Point for two consecutive years is a tremendous honor. It reflects our team's ongoing commitment to excellence and our strong partnership with Check Point. Our goal remains to deliver world-class security solutions that protect businesses from the ever-increasing challenges in the cybersecurity landscape." Softcell's recognition as the Harmony APAC Partner of the Year for two consecutive years underscores its leadership in the cybersecurity market, highlighting its proficiency in delivering advanced security solutions and its unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of its clients. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focused on transforming India with his digital vision and he is exploring the ways in which Artificial Intelligence can benefit the people of India. Google CEO shared his views after interacting with PM Modi at a roundtable interaction in New York on Sunday. The PM who is on a three-day US visit met with CEOs of technology companies. "The Prime Minister has been focused on transforming India with his Digital India vision. He pushed us to continue making in India, design in India. We are proud to now make our Pixel phones manufactured in India," Pichai said after the meeting. The Google CEO also highlighted that PM Modi urged the tech CEOs to explore the application opportunities of artificial intelligence in various fields like healthcare, education etc. and how India can benefit from the emerging technology AI. "He is really thinking about how AI can transform India in a way that benefits the people of India. He challenged us to think about applications in healthcare, education, and agriculture, and he''s also thinking about the infrastructure of India, the data centres, power, energy and an investing to make sure India can transition and we are proud to be partnering with India," Pichai said. Pichai also shared that Google is heavily investing in AI and it is partnering with Indian government bodies also to explore more opportunities for AI in India. "We are robustly investing in AI in India and we look forward to doing more. We have several programs in partnership with MeiTy (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), the Agriculture and Health ministries, and the Central and State governments and we look forward to doing more in India," Pichai said. Sharing the PM Modi''s vision on AI, Pichai stated that PM Modi has a clear vision in terms of the opportunity that AI will create. He added that PM Modi wants to make sure that the AI will benefit the people of India. "He has a clear vision both in terms of the opportunity that AI will create. But he wants to make sure ultimately AI is there to benefit the people of India and he has a clear vision that it should all be in the service of people of India. He''s challenging us to do more" added Pichai. (ANI)
NewsVoir Gurgaon (Haryana) [India], September 23: As part of its ongoing #BlessMeGanesha initiative, Bajaj Capital Insurance has launched a first of its kind, Human+AI music composition, 'Ganesha Aarti'. This innovative project brought together the creative talents of 3,500 employees, each of whom contributed their own version of a Ganesha Vandana. From these, eight were shortlisted, and the first composition has now been transformed into an extraordinary musical piece with the help of artificial intelligence. Bajaj Capital Insurance has consistently been at the forefront of using AI to drive business innovations and enhance client experiences. This latest project highlights how the company blends cutting-edge technology with tradition to create something truly unique. With over 100,000 impressions on the very hour of its release, the 'Ganesha Aarti' has quickly captured the interest and hearts of listeners across the country. Sanjiv Bajaj, Joint Chairman & Managing Director of BajajCapital, shared his thoughts on the initiative, "We are always proud to do new things and build on AI. This initiative not only shows our commitment to innovation but also reflects our dedication to creating meaningful experiences that connect with our culture and values. We are always looking for ways to ensure that our clients benefit from our forward-thinking approach, whether it's through enhanced services, deeper engagement, or unique experiences like this one." Speaking on this initiative, Aabhinna Suresh Khare, Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, BajajCapital, shared his thoughts, "This initiative beautifully showcases the synergy between human creativity and artificial intelligence. While AI played a crucial role in shaping the music, the soul of the composition remains rooted in the creative spirit of our employees. The overwhelming engagement from our workforce and the response from the audience is a testament to the power of innovation when it is grounded in tradition." Bajaj Capital Insurance's approach to AI goes beyond just operational improvements; it serves as a tool for meaningful engagement, both within the organisation and with clients. With the launch of 'Ganesha Aarti', the company reaffirms its commitment to harnessing technology in ways that not only enhance business but also create cultural and emotional connections. This initiative is just one of many ways Bajaj Capital Insurance continues to explore the integration of technology and tradition, paving the way for future projects that connect with people on a deeper level. (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)
Goyal on Monday shed light on discussions aimed at deepening trade, investment, and economic partnerships between the two nations.

Highlighting the significance of the India-Australia partnership, Goyal stated, "Wonderful to join @BCAcomau and the Indian industry delegation to discuss India's growth and future opportunities for collaboration between both sides."

"From Mumbai to Melbourne, the India-Australia economic compass points to shared prosperity and we explored new avenues to strengthen our trade, investment, and economic ties," he said.

Goyal's visit focuses on exploring potential sectors for collaboration that could further enhance bilateral economic relations.

Among the key areas discussed during his meetings was digital infrastructure, which has been a growing focus in India's development strategy.

During his visit Goyal also met with Robin Khuda, the Founder and CEO of AirTrunk, a leading data infrastructure company in the Asia-Pacific region.

He shared insights into their conversation, posting on X, "Got introduced with the Founder and CEO of AirTrunk, Mr. Robin Khuda. Discussed India's digitalisation growth and the significant potential for collaboration in the data infrastructure sector between India & Australia."

With India rapidly advancing in digitalisation, the conversation between Goyal and Khuda centred on opportunities for investment in data centres, cloud computing, and technology-driven infrastructure.

The meeting underscored the potential for joint ventures and partnerships in the tech sector, which is critical to India's goal of becoming a global digital hub.

Goyal is in Australia to participate in the 19th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission meeting to be held in Adelaide on September 25. He is set to co-chair the meeting with Minister of Trade and Tourism of Australia Don Farrell on Wednesday.

During the meeting, both countries will discuss ways to elevate bilateral economic engagement further.

During his three-day visit, Goyal will also participate virtually at the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework meeting on Tuesday.

The Union Minister will also interact with leading Australian and Indian CEOs, industry leaders, and representatives from Australian pension funds to highlight the vast opportunities for investment in India. (ANI)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], September 23: Anant Raj Cloud, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anant Raj Limited is proud to announce its recognition as the winner of the 'Best Innovation in Data Center Design and Infrastructure' at the Data Center Innovation Excellence Awards 2024, organised by Express Computer, Indian Express. The award ceremony was part of the Data Center & Infrastructure Summit 2024, held at Hotel Le Meridian, Hyderabad, on September 20, 2024. The prestigious award highlights Anant Raj's cutting-edge approach to Data Center infrastructure, solidifying its leadership in a rapidly growing market. Express Computer, one of India's most respected IT media brands, organizes the annual awards, acknowledging excellence in Data Center innovation and infrastructure development across the country. In response to receiving the award, Ashim Sarin, Director & Chief Operating Officer, Anant Raj Limited remarked, "We would like to thank the Indian Express Group for this recognition and for valuing our efforts in designing world-class Data Centers in India." He further stated that, "India is rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing Data Center markets in the APAC region, ranked among the top 15 globally. With increased digital transformation, cloud adoption, and the rise of 5G, IoT, and fintech, demand for Data Centers is expected to grow significantly in the next five years. The Indian Data Center market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 18% from 2024 to 2029, with colocation revenue expected to reach USD 4.6 billion by 2029. Despite consuming 30% of the world's data, India currently has only 3% of the global Data Center capacity, indicating strong future demand." To capitalize on this robust growth, Anant Raj Limited through its wholly owned subsidiary "Anant Raj Cloud" is investing over Rs 10,000 crore to develop 307 MW of Data Center capacity across its facilities in Manesar, Rai, and Panchkula. Of this, 6 MW is already operational, with plans to complete 28 MW of IT load by the end of FY25. In addition, Anant Raj is preparing to launch its own Cloud Services platform, "Ashok Cloud", in association with Orange Business, to cater to the growing demand for data storage within the GCC (Government Community Cloud) space, further demonstrating the company's forward-looking vision. The award from Express Computer reinforces Anant Raj Limited's innovative approach and deep commitment to building sustainable, scalable, and secure data infrastructure. (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 Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 23: Shuki Schwartz CEO of Meprolight and Rajendra K Chodankar CEO of RRP S4E Unite to Strengthen India's Defense Manufacturing By Launching their State-of-the-Art Production Line in India. A Proud Partner in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative 'Made in India In a remarkable stride towards bolstering India's defence capabilities and aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary 'Made In India' initiative, Meprolight, the premier manufacturer and global supplier of top-grade Optical Sights, Self-illuminated Sights for firearms, NV, and Thermal Devices, has officially opened its state-of-the-art production line in India in collaboration with RRP S4E. This monumental collaboration marks the company's unwavering commitment to serving India's defence forces with cutting-edge technology and innovative products. As part of the renowned SK Group, an Israeli Group, Meprolight has proudly operated in India for over 17 years, providing advanced solutions for various governmental customers. Its long-standing partnership with Indian defence and security forces is a testament to the brand's dedication to quality, reliability, and service. Meprolight's high-performance products -- from optical sights, self-illuminated firearm sights, and night vision (NV) systems, to thermal devices -- have consistently proven themselves in combat and continue to serve the nation's soldiers in challenging operational environments. Rajendra K Chodankar and his exceptional team, RRP S4E, stand as vital pillars in this success story. Their professionalism and unwavering efforts have significantly contributed to the enduring partnership between Meprolight and Indian forces. The bond between Meprolight and RRP S4E exemplifies the synergy where "1+1 becomes much more than 2," a harmonious collaboration that paves the way for enhanced innovation and success. Speaking on this landmark development, Shuki Schwartz CEO of Meprolight expressed We are incredibly fortunate to be tied with Rajendra K Chodankar and his wonderful, professional team and I am sure they are not saving any effort to push and create our success and I want to thank them very much for that"_ Meprolight's offerings boast unmatched quality, combat-proven durability, and long product life, with many of its sights and systems, installed 15 years ago, still actively serving Indian soldiers today. Rajendra K Chodankar, CEO of RRP S4E, remarked "This collaboration with Meprolight is not just a partnership but a shared commitment to fortifying India's defense capabilities with world-class technology. We are proud to play a role in supporting Prime Minister Modi's 'Made in India' initiative, ensuring that our armed forces are equipped with the best tools to protect the nation. Together, we are not only manufacturing products but building a legacy of innovation, trust, and national pride"_ With a shared vision of progress, innovation, and strength, Shuki Schwartz CEO of Meprolight and Rajendra K Chodankar CEO of RRP S4E are set to seize every significant opportunity that comes their way, offering the Indian forces not just products, but a promise -- a promise of unparalleled quality, resilience, and national pride. (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 23: India is investing in technology and software solutions to strengthen its position as the fifth-largest economy and a key sourcing market for products and services that enhance the consumer experience and enable efficient governance. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one such disruptive technology that is transforming the way industries function. Intelligent machines enabling high-level cognitive processes, like thinking, perceiving, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making are the future and will hugely impact how people live and work. The government of India considers the next decade as 'India Techade' and has launched the 'India AI Mission' to nurture the artificial intelligence industry and promote skill development. The nation already has top global AI skill penetration rates and AI talent concentration, surpassing the United States of America and Germany . The AI market in India is witnessing robust annual growth of 25-35% and is on the path to becoming a $8 billion market by 2025. India is experiencing a rapid integration of AI technologies across sectors, such as healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing, and agriculture. Initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, and the Smart Cities Mission drive AI R&D and adoption nationwide. It has resulted in a surge in AI startups and attracted significant investment from domestic and international investors, creating a vibrant ecosystem for innovation. Under this backdrop, the Exhibitions India Group will organise the first edition of the AI Bharat Expo, to be co-located alongside India's largest technology showcase, the 32nd Convergence India & 10th Smart Cities India Expo 2025. It will be held from 19 to 21 March 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The AI Bharat Expo will focus on the convergence of artificial intelligence and its uses in the industrial and retail ecosystem. On display will be the latest innovations and solutions, flexing AI's rising influence in segments like Healthcare, Fintech, Intelligent Data & Analytics, Supply Chain & Logistics, Intelligent Automation, Cybersecurity, Customer Experience, Governance, and much more. Talking about the need for the industry to have a platform dedicated to artificial intelligence, Chandrika Behl, Managing Director, Exhibitions India Group, said, "AI technologies, such as machine learning, NLP, computer vision, and robotics are revolutionising industries, enabling machines to execute complex tasks efficiently and autonomously, and expanding human capabilities. With its vast talent pool, growing digital infrastructure, and proactive policy initiatives, India presents significant opportunities for global businesses leveraging AI technologies. Along with the co-located expos, the first-ever AI Bharat Expo offers an ideal platform for domestic and international players to showcase their abilities, solutions and their potential to drive production and enhance human experiences. The truly transformative nature of the technology opens up an opportunity for the industry participating in this expo to define its brand and place India as a leader in the global market." The 32nd Convergence India & 10th Smart Cities India Expo 2025 is supported by several Government of India ministries, including the Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Ministry of Heavy Industries, and Ministry of Defence, to name a few. Besides the first-ever AI Bharat expo, other co-located events include the IoT India expo, Embedded Tech expo, Mobile India expo, Fintech India expo, Digital Gaming India expo, Future Cities India expo, Smart Mobility India expo, and Startup Hub expo. Other highlights include: * Technology-specific conference sessions featuring government, industry and academia speakers. * Smart City Awards * Fintech India Innovation Awards * City Leaders Conclave * Experiential Zone The event will attract up to 50,000 attendees, including industry representatives, investors, government officials, researchers, academics, tech enthusiasts, and many more. It will create a competitive environment to attract investments, encourage collaborations between academia and industry, facilitate technology transfers and knowledge exchange, and expedite the adoption of AI applications across sectors. This will help India boost its position in the global landscape and contribute to market evolution. About Convergence India Expo: Since 1992, Convergence India has heralded the telecom and digital revolution in India. It is the country's largest technology and infrastructure expo, providing a platform to showcase 'Brand India' by supporting the 'Make in India' and 'Digital India' campaigns. Convergence India is at the forefront of promoting technological advancements in the fields of telecom, Satcom, broadcast, wired & wireless technologies, 5G & 6G networks, IT solutions such as Cloud, Big Data & Analytics, AI, smart solutions, smart mobility, M2M, Mobile & Accessories, IoT, Embedded tech, Blockchain, FinTech and Digital Gaming - the entire gamut of digital solutions. About Smart Cities India Expo: The Smart Cities India expo displays India's emerging modernisation and development landscape that aims to deliver better citizen-centric services across the country. The expo showcases the integration of transformative technologies with the key pillars of urban development and the use of smart ICT solutions for optimising resources that make cities smart and sustainable. For further details about the AI Bharat Expo, co-located with the 32nd Convergence India and 10th Smart Cities India, scheduled from 19-21 March 2025, please visit www.aibharatexpo.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 23: Curriculum Associates, an edtech company headquartered in North Billerica, Massachusetts (MA), today announced the opening of its first Global Capability Center (GCC) in India, with the new office in Bengaluru. The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates, along with Rajeev Kapoor, vice president of Curriculum Associates--India.

Curriculum Associates develops print and digital assessments and diagnostic and instructional materials that serve more than 13 million students in the United States. Over the past 55 years, the company has grown from its beginnings in North Billerica to a global presence with five offices across the United States, one in Dublin, Ireland, and now Bengaluru. With a dedicated team of more than 2,500 employees spanning various cultures and continents, the company remains committed to enriching a culture of innovation and service.

"Curriculum Associates has always prioritized hiring the best talent to ensure our ability to serve teachers and students," said Waldron. "Opening this office is a pivotal moment in our growth journey. This expansion is part of our commitment to hire top talent worldwide and helps us achieve our mission of making classrooms better places."

The Bengaluru office, located in Prestige Tech Park, features a flexible space with room to accommodate anticipated growth. Interested candidates can view all open positions and apply here.

To learn more about Curriculum Associates, visit CurriculumAssociates.com.

About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2512539/Curriculum_Associates_Logo.jpg

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
India PR Distribution Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 23: Urban Womania, India's beloved fashion destination, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated Festive Season's New Collection. Featuring an exquisite array of Sarees, Festive and Designer Lehengas, Salwar Suits, and Indo-Western ensembles, this collection captures the essence of India's rich heritage and celebrates the spirit of the festival season. Drawing inspiration from traditional Indian motifs and prints, the new designs exude an aura of joy and grandeur with their deep, vibrant hues and intricate interplay of golds and sequins. Urban Womania's Festive Collection boasts a wide variety of options, ensuring a perfect ensemble for every discerning woman. Committed to delivering an unparalleled online shopping experience, Urban Womania guarantees exceptional quality and craftsmanship across its diverse assortment. From seamless purchase processes to secure product delivery and beyond, the brand is dedicated to ensuring the utmost customer satisfaction. What sets Urban Womania apart is its steadfast commitment to empowering small and medium-sized businesses, rural producers, handcraft artisans, and weavers, bridging them with the contemporary metropolitan market. This unique approach creates new avenues of commercial success for producers, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange. A distinguishing feature of Urban Womania is its unwavering dedication to customer convenience. The brand proudly offers free shipping across India and extends a generous 2-day window for hassle-free returns and exchanges, a far-reaching gesture in the industry. Since its inception in April 2021 with 50 SKUs, Urban Womania has rapidly expanded its collection to encompass 4000 SKUs, with ambitious plans to introduce an additional 1000 by year's end. Collaborating with skilled weavers and craftsmen from various corners of India, Urban Womania curates a diverse range of elaborately handcrafted creations, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for creators. Speaking about the brand's vision, Avinash Gupta, the founder of Urban Womania expressed, "We envision Urban Womania as the premier ethnic wear online shopping destination for customers worldwide, offering a diverse range of Indian ethnic wear that meets international standards and makes a lasting fashion statement. The goal is to spread the wonder of Indian ethnic fashion by sourcing the best from our community of designers, artisans, and producers and making them available to our customers at an affordable price." Further emphasizing the brand's distinctive appeal, the founder added, "Urban Womania is your definitive one-stop shop for authentic and stylish ethnic wear, where you can discover an exquisite range of sarees, salwar suits, lehengas, and an unparalleled assortment of fashionable Indo-Western ensembles." Urban Womania's commitment to quality assurance ensures that only the finest products grace its collection. By fostering direct communication with manufacturers, the brand adeptly negotiates competitive prices, passing on unmatched affordability to its customers. A tribute to India's revered handloom industry, Urban Womania's extraordinary collection showcases exquisitely handcrafted designer pieces. Encompassing striking graphic elements, opulent colours, cultural richness, and timeless grandeur, Urban Womania proudly presents the enduring beauty of our shared history to a global audience. As the festive season approaches, Urban Womania invites fashion connoisseurs, trendsetters, and enthusiasts to explore its breathtaking Festive Collection and embrace the elegance of Indian tradition and craftsmanship. Discover the allure of Urban Womania's creations and make a statement that transcends time. Different Styles Available: Discover an exquisite array of festive ensembles at Urban Womania, catering to various styles and celebrations. Whether you seek suave elegance or traditional opulence, our collection is tailored for Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Diwali and beyond. Step into the world of Lehenga Designs, ranging from bridal elegance to festive vibrancy. Explore captivating options such as Bridal Lehengas, Bridesmaid Lehengas, Festive Lehengas, and Designer Lehengas. With choices spanning Georgette, Net, Organza, Silk, and Velvet fabrics, each Lehenga tells a unique story, perfect for your cherished occasions. Indulge in the allure of Banarasi Sarees, Jamdani Sarees, Kanjivaram Sarees, Kashmiri Jamawar Sarees, Paithani Sarees, and Patola Sarees, among others, capturing the essence of every festivity. Each Saree is a masterpiece, intricately designed and thoughtfully priced to complement your style. Dive into our curated selection of designer suits, Shararas, Palazzos, and more, adding a contemporary twist to traditional celebrations. Embrace the festive spirit with Urban Womania's versatile collection, designed to adorn you for those picture-perfect moments. Elevate your festive wardrobe with us and make every occasion truly remarkable. About Urban Womania: Urban Womania is a leading online fashion destination serving customers worldwide. The brand is dedicated to curating a diverse collection of ethnic wear that showcases the country's rich cultural heritage. By collaborating with artisans, weavers, and designers, Urban Womania brings forth exquisitely handcrafted pieces that celebrate tradition and contemporary fashion. Website: https://www.urbanwomania.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanwomania/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
New Delhi [India], September 23: Matchfinder Matrimony, a pioneer in India's matchmaking industry, is excited to announce the introduction of the "Bonus Contacts" option for its premium membership plans, enhancing the "100% Verified Profiles" feature.

Since its inception in 2013, Matchfinder has provided community-based matchmaking services across India. As the company celebrates 10 years of successful matchmaking, this new "Bonus Contacts" feature is being launched to further improve user experience for premium members.

Membership Plans on Matchfinder:

Matchfinder offers an affordable range of membership plans. After free registration, users can browse a large database of profiles and filter matches based on factors such as caste, city, and age. However, communication with potential matches requires upgrading to a paid membership plan. Unlike other top matrimonial sites where basic plans start at Rs. 5000, Matchfinder offers much more budget-friendly options, starting at just Rs. 100 for contacting a single profile.

Here's an overview of their premium plans:

* Basic Plan: Rs. 100 for 1 contact* Economic Plan: Rs. 500 for 5 contacts, valid for 3 months* Standard Plan: Rs. 800 for 10 contacts, valid for 3 months* Gold Plan: Rs. 2000 for 30 contacts, valid for 3 months* Diamond Plan: Rs. 4000 for 100 contacts, valid for 6 months* Platinum Plan: Rs. 6000 for 150 contacts, valid for 1 year

Add-Ons Available: Matchfinder offers several useful add-ons such as:

* Horoscope Matching: Rs. 500 for 5 compatibility reports* Profile Highlighting: Rs. 500 for 1 month* Personal Assistance: Rs. 1000 for premium support throughout your membership

"Bonus Contacts" Feature Explained: Mr. A. Rattaiah, Managing Director of Matchfinder Online Services Limited, explained the working of the new "Bonus Contacts" feature. This initiative ensures that premium members are not disadvantaged when the contact details they receive are unresponsive due to network issues or other reasons. Users who encounter such issues can request Matchfinder to replace these inactive contacts, guaranteeing they get full value for their membership.

To avail the "Bonus Contacts" feature, premium users simply need to:

1. Subscribe to a premium membership.2. Contact profiles of interest, attempting to connect multiple times to ensure there are no network problems.3. If numbers remain unreachable, users can contact Matchfinder's support team via their customer care line or email.

Note: The offer is valid only on plans above Rs. 500 for both Matchfinder app and website users.

The "Bonus Contacts" feature further solidifies Matchfinder's commitment to customer satisfaction, setting it apart from competitors by continually prioritizing user needs.

For media inquiries or more information about Matchfinder's services and features, contact Matchfinder's customer support at 9394950001 or email at info@matchfinder.in.

(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)
PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 23: Ayatana Hospitalities, a premier luxury hospitality brand, has been recognized for excellence in hospitality at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2024. The awards ceremony, held at the City of Dreams in Manila, honoured Ayatana Coorg as Karnataka's Leading Resort and Ayatana Ooty as Tamil Nadu's Leading Resort, underscoring the brand's commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. The World Travel Awards recognises excellence across all key sectors of travel, tourism, and hospitality. As part of the global annual initiative, World Travel Awards covers the entire globe with its Grand Tour, which is a series of regional activities to recognise excellence within each continent. Commenting on the recognition, Vishal Tony, Founder and MD, Ayatana Hospitalities, said, "We are incredibly honoured to receive the prestigious awards at the World Travel Awards 2024. We were listed among the best resorts, with public voting determining the winner." "At Ayatana, our vision is to rediscover the hospitality landscape across the country, by launching resorts in historically and ecologically diverse locations. We are constantly working with our service team to improve our services offered to our guests and ensure the experiences they take back home would keep them wanting for more. I want to express my gratitude to our guests and our hardworking team for making this achievement a reality," he added. Ayatana Coorg is a luxury resort situated in the serene landscapes of Coorg. Surrounded by lush greenery and captivating views, the property provides a tranquil escape with its luxurious accommodations, top-notch amenities, and unmatched hospitality. The resort offers a perfect blend of nature and luxury, making it an ideal destination for an unforgettable holiday experience. Ayatana Ooty, located in the Nilgiris Hills in the midst of the tea plantations of Ooty is a tranquil resort meticulously designed to ensure ultimate comfort while offering an immersive experience in the heart of nature, surrounded by lush green forests and picturesque mountains. It boasts luxurious accommodations, with well-appointed villas offering breathtaking views of the valley. About Ayatana Hospitalities Established in 2017, Ayatana Hospitalities is a distinguished full-service hospitality chain celebrated for its bespoke luxury resorts and hotels. Operating under the umbrella of Aratt, its parent company with a rich legacy tracing back to the early 2000s in the real estate and architecture industry, Ayatana inherits a tradition of excellence. Since its inception, Ayatana Hospitalities has remained steadfast in its commitment to crafting unparalleled experiences in luxury hospitality, catering to discerning guests worldwide. With a diverse portfolio of thriving luxury resorts and hotels nestled in picturesque locales such as Coorg, Ooty and now, the captivating shores of Goa, Ayatana has consistently set new benchmarks for opulence in hospitality. The latest addition of a venture in Goa marks Ayatana Hospitalities' inaugural foray beyond the confines of the southern Indian market, representing a significant milestone in its journey towards nationwide recognition. Driven by a vision to expand its reach and elevate guest experiences, the group is poised to unveil new destinations and resorts across India in the coming years, guided by ambitious expansion plans. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2512434/Ayatana_World_Travel_Awards.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2512433/Ayatana_Resorts_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL New Delhi [India], September 23: Techmagnate, the leading digital marketing agency for banks, has released a new Search Trends Report detailing CASA (Current Accounts and Savings Accounts) industry trends. As a leading digital marketing agency for banks, Techmagnate has a granular view of the BFSI industry. They frequently publish search trends reports that address evolving consumer behavior and the CASA report is their most recent offering. The CASA report analyzes over 12,000 keywords, types and volumes of search queries, the most important keywords for the CASA industry, and more to reveal valuable data about market share and insights about consumer behaviors in the banking industry. Brands offering CASA related products and services can utilize this report to better understand their target audience and personalize their services according to evolving customer needs. Sarvesh Bagla, CEO of Techmagnate, weighed in about the report's insights. "We were surprised to see 13.26K 'near me' searches for savings accounts and current accounts," he says. "It shows how customers are actively looking for banking services, pushing brands to create a stronger local search presence." The CASA trends report is the 12th such report published by Techmagnate. The digital agency - now an established leader for BFSI marketing - frequently publishes search trend reports for the BFSI industry. Other reports from Techmagnate cover evolving search trends for the Lending, Investments, Credit Cards, Health Insurance, Motor Insurance, and Life Insurance industries. CASA Industry Trends Report: Key Highlights * The overall search volume for CASA-related keywords increased by 10.21% from 53.08 Lac average monthly searches in FY 2022-23 to 58.50 average monthly searches in FY 2023-24. * Searches for Savings Accounts dominate the CASA category, representing 70.49% of the total market share. * "Near me" searches saw significant growth, with brand-related queries like "SBI account opening near me" increasing by 76.19%, and non-brand queries like "best bank near me for savings account" growing by 94.12%. * The top 6 cities, including Bengaluru and Mumbai, contributed 28.56% of the total CASA searches, with Bengaluru leading at 23.03%. * Brand keywords accounted for 56.78% of the search volume, growing by 3.67%, while non-brand keywords grew faster, increasing by 20.19% and capturing 43.22% of the market. * Union Bank of India and India Post Payments Bank showed exceptional growth, with over 25% increase in avg. monthly brand search volumes over the previous year. * The "Open Account" category is the most searched, holding a 29.30% share of the market. Download the CASA Trends Report to learn more about CASA industry trends. About Techmagnate Techmagnate is India's leading digital marketing agency, providing comprehensive digital marketing services. The agency frequently releases trends data for the banking industry and specializes in working with enterprise-level clients to optimize their online presence and drive business outcomes. Techmagnate is widely recognized for leveraging a combination of data analytics and marketing technology for developing and executing effective digital marketing campaigns. For media inquiries or access to the complete CASA report, please contact us at +91-9910308266 or visit https://www.techmagnate.com/contact-us.html (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], September 23: MMTC-PAMP, India's only London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery gold & silver refinery, is proud to announce the launch of the purest 24K gold Ram Lalla bar at 99.99%+ purity. Featuring 3D imagery of the Ram Lalla and the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, this gold bar pays homage to the devotion of many customers and investors with the finest Swiss Craftsmanship. Lord Ram is a revered Hindu deity in Indian culture, who embodies virtues such as courage, justice, and humility. He symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and serves as a model for righteous living. This 10-gram gold bar reflects his ethos by being minted from the purest gold with a positive weight tolerance. The Ram Lalla bar is not just a precious metal investment; it's a piece of history commemorating the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as well as the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in January 2024. Lord Ram is celebrated for righteousness, justice, and moral integrity with his epic journey, chronicled in the revered scripture Ramayana which serves as a timeless testament to the triumph of good over evil and the enduring power of faith and devotion. With the launch of this 24K purest Gold Ram Lalla Bar, Vikas Singh, Managing Director and CEO at MMTC-PAMP said, "This Ram Lalla bar is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our deep respect for Indian culture and traditions. Our latest purest gold Ram Lalla bar comes on the back of popular demand from our silver edition. We are honoured by our customers who have retained their faith in us and we hope this bar uplifts their faith and becomes a part of their family for generations to come." MMTC-PAMP's Ram Lalla Gold bar embodies the essence of this sacred connection, offering devotees a tangible symbol of their faith and devotion. Meticulously crafted to the highest standards of purest gold at 99.99+% purity, with the Finest Swiss Craftsmanship, customers can trust the authenticity and value of each bar. The Ram Lalla Silver Bar is a timeless symbol of devotion and spirituality, making it an ideal and cherished memento for many occasions. More information on MMTC-PAMP products can be obtained from MMTC-PAMP's exclusive stores, leading jeweller partners, online marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart, or directly from MMTC-PAMP's website: shop.mmtcpamp.com. Every product created by MMTC-PAMP goes through a rigorous purification process to ensure 999.9+ purity of the metal. To validate the authenticity, every MMTC-PAMP product carries a unique number and comes packaged in Assayer Certified Minted Cards. Each gold and silver product bought from MMTC-PAMP offers positive weight tolerance, which guarantees that every coin or bar one buys weighs more than the listed weight, ensuring customers receive the highest value for their investment. A joint venture between Switzerland-based bullion refinery, PAMP SA, and MMTC Ltd., a Miniratna and Government of India Undertaking. MMTC-PAMP is the only LBMA-accredited gold & silver good delivery refiner in India and is accepted across global commodity exchanges and central banks. The company seamlessly marries Swiss excellence with Indian insights. MMTC-PAMP India Pvt. Ltd. is internationally recognized as an industry leader in bringing global standards of excellence to the Indian precious metals industry. MMTC-PAMP has received several awards since its inception from local and global industry bodies for Refining, Brand and Sustainability. Notably, MMTC-PAMP is India's First Precious Metals Company to have Science-based Emissions Reduction Targets Approved by SBTI. Recognized by the Asia and India Book of Records, MMTC-PAMP is acclaimed as the country's only brand providing the purest gold and silver coins and bars with 999.9+ purity levels and positive weight tolerance to consumers. Adding to its laurels, MMTC-PAMP was honoured as India's Most Trusted Brand of the Nation at The Brand Story- Indian Brand and Leadership Conclave & Awards, 2024. (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 Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 23: IIDE, Asia's largest digital marketing institute, has leveraged the expertise of the full-stack Retention Consultancy WebEngage to co-design and co-certify a Marketing Automation module as part of their Post Graduate Program in Digital Marketing & Strategy. In a landmark partnership, IIDE, India's leading digital marketing institute, has joined forces with WebEngage to introduce a specialised Marketing Automation module for students. This collaboration is set to enrich the institute's revamped Post-Graduation Program in Digital Marketing & Strategy, offered at their Mumbai and Delhi campuses. Since its inception, IIDE has been at the forefront of digital marketing education, providing comprehensive training and up-to-date industry knowledge to over 5,00,000 students across the globe. The institute's mission is to bridge the gap between marketing theories and real-world marketing strategies, preparing students for successful careers in digital marketing. WebEngage, on the other hand, is a full-stack Retention Consultancy known for its robust Marketing Automation tools and AI-powered Customer Data Platform that enable businesses like Unilever, Reliance General Insurance, Adani, Myntra, Bajaj Capital, Cipla, and more to engage effectively with their customers across multiple channels. Understanding the evolving needs of the digital marketing landscape, IIDE has restructured its curriculum to emphasise strategic applications in the field, particularly in Marketing Automation. This initiative aims to bridge the existing gap between academic learning and industry demands by integrating practical, real-world applications facilitated by WebEngage's expertise. The newly introduced module is co-designed and co-certified by IIDE and WebEngage, ensuring that students receive a curriculum that is not only cutting-edge but also reflective of current industry standards. "Our aim with this partnership is to enable our students to master complex CRM tools, making them ready to deliver value from day one in their professional careers," said Karan Shah, Founder & CEO of IIDE. Chirag Parmar, AVP - Growth & Centre of Excellence at WebEngage, said, "The education ecosystem around traditional marketing needs to undergo a massive shift. Students spend 2 years learning concepts that do not immediately come in handy and then spend another 2 years learning hardcore marketing skills on the job. With IIDE bridging this gap, we at WebEngage are happy to partner with them and bring the power of hands-on learning and first principles thinking of Marketing Automation to the students of IIDE. With our vision of building an ecosystem of growth leaders, this strategic partnership between WebEngage & IIDE will go a long way." Students enrolled in the Post-Graduation program will benefit from the direct involvement of WebEngage experts, who have designed, vetted, and will deliver parts of the course content through a specialised masterclass. This course, available at both the Mumbai and Delhi campuses, will cover advanced topics in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and demonstrate how Marketing Automation can be leveraged to drive business growth by strategically engaging with their customers. Students will be awarded a certification upon completion of the module and a rigorous assessment, affirming their proficiency in Marketing Automation strategies. This certification underscores the value of the course through the advanced skills it imparts, equipping students for highly sought-after roles in the digital marketing industry. The curriculum's hands-on approach is complemented by frequent interactions with industry professionals and visits to top agencies, providing students with invaluable insights and exposure. With an average placement rate of 93 per cent, IIDE continues to place its graduates in top agencies like Madison World, FCB Kinnect, Schbang, and Performics, as well as prestigious brands like Nykaa, Sugar, and McDonald's, further reinforcing the effectiveness of its industry-aligned education model. The new Marketing Automation module is expected to further enhance these outcomes, aligning with graduates' expectations of practical education, strong industry connections, and promising career placements. This article, published on behalf of IIDE -The Digital School, highlights their PG in Digital Marketing. WebEngage WebEngage, a full-stack Retention Consultancy, helps brands engage and retain customers with a unified data platform, multi-channel journey builder, and personalization engine to boost conversions. Trusted by 800+ brands like IKEA, Unilever, and Myntra, it is consistently ranked #1 for ease of use. (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)
Approximately a third of this value (around Rs 80,000 crore) is projected to be awarded over the next four years to companies involved in large-scale irrigation projects.

The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has identified 30 ILR projects, comprising 16 peninsular river links and 14 Himalayan river links, to be jointly funded by the central and state governments.

The central government's focus on the water sector has increased significantly in recent years.

ICRA highlighted this focus, noting a substantial rise in the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJ), surpassing Rs 78,000 crore in 2024-25 (revised budget estimates), largely driven by significant funding for the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Chintan Lakhani, Vice President and Sector Head - Corporate Ratings at ICRA, stated, "The four priority links are just the beginning of the ILR project's decade-long implementation plan. While the current share of these projects in the ministry's budget is minimal, at 5 per cent (i.e., Rs 3,908 crore), it is expected to increase as more projects are approved and construction gathers momentum."

The NWDA has prioritised four projects--Ken-Betwa, Kosi-Mechi, Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal, and Godavari-Cauvery--for early implementation.

ICRA estimates that these priority links will be completed at a cost of Rs 2.6 lakh crore by 2034-35.

The Godavari-Cauvery link is the largest of the four (accounting for 45 per cent of the total project cost), while the Kosi-Mechi link is the smallest (at 4 per cent). The Ken-Betwa project, which represents 21 per cent of the cost of the priority links, is already under implementation. (ANI)
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will embark on an five-day official visit to Uzbekistan starting Tuesday, accompanying her will be a delegation of officials from the Ministry of Finance. During the visit, Sitharaman will attend the Ninth Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) scheduled in Samarkand on Wednesday-Thursday, besides other important bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Uzbekistan, Qatar, China, and AIIB President, Ministry of Finance said in a statement, In the Annual Meeting of AIIB, the Union Finance Minister will attend as the Indian Governor to the AIIB. India is the second largest shareholder of the bank. The multilateral discussions centred around a broad spectrum of important global issues relevant to the development agenda. The AIIB Annual Meeting witnesses' participation of delegations from around 80 countries, and other international organisations. As a multilateral development bank, AIIB is focused on developing sustainable infrastructure in Asia and in promoting investments in infrastructure and other productive sectors with a view to foster sustainable economic development, create wealth and improve infrastructure connectivity. As part of the official visit, she is expected to call-on Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, the statement said. During the visit, the Union Finance Minister will sign a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan. The BIT will be signed by the Union Finance Minister and Uzbekistan Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade. The treaty aims to promote more extensive economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries on a long-term basis. The Union Finance Minister will also participate in the India-Uzbekistan Business forum discussions, jointly organised as well as represented by industry captains from both countries. Sitharaman will also visit the Samarkand State University and Lal Bahadur Shastri Monument in Tashkent. The Union Finance Minister will also interact with Indian diaspora representing leading voices from multiple sectors. (ANI)
Following the joyful announcement of her daughter's arrival, the actress has recently offered a lighthearted peek into her motherhood journey through social media.

On Monday, Deepika reshared an Instagram Reel that encapsulates the challenges of new parenthood in a humorous fashion.

The video features a woman navigating a chaotic morning routine, humorously portraying what if "adults ate like newborns".

It begins with her waking up on a sofa, heading to the kitchen, and struggling to eat at the dining table, ultimately passing out right after her first bite.

Deepika accompanied the post with a GIF of a person peeking out from behind curtains, symbolizing her new phase of life.

Just days after her delivery, Deepika was discharged from the hospital, and she made her first public appearance alongside Ranveer Singh as they brought their newborn home.

The couple has been relatively private since the birth of their first child, but Deepika's updated Instagram bio now reflects her new responsibilities: "Feed. Burp. Sleep. Repeat."

This charming addition provides fans with a glimpse into their everyday family life.

In terms of her professional endeavours, Deepika Padukone was last seen in the film 'Kalki 2898 AD.'

She and Ranveer Singh are set to reunite on screen in Rohit Shetty's much-anticipated movie 'Singham Again,' which is slated for release during the Diwali festival. (ANI)
Ahead of the second phase of the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, District Election Officer (DEO) Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, said that their focus is on the welfare of the polling staff and on conducting free and fair elections. The official informed that they have a total of 745 polling stations in all five assembly constituencies in Rajouri. "Polling is going to be held on September 25 in Rajouri and we have five assembly constituencies in Rajouri. We have a total of 745 polling stations in all five assembly constituencies. The doubts regarding EVMs have been cleared and the effort is that the election should be absolutely free and fair as per the guidelines of our Election Commission and our polling parties should return to their reception centres after conducting proper and perfect elections," the DEO told ANI. "So, our first focus is on the welfare of the polling staff and on free and fair elections...PWD voters can vote this time from their homes. 96 per cent of the people have cast their vote in it, which is a very good average. I will appeal to all the voters to celebrate the festival of democracy on September 25," he added. Earlier, Chief Electoral Officer of J-K, PK Pole, participated in an electoral awareness program organised under Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) and expressed hope that a large number of people would participate in the state Assembly elections. PK Pole said, "This (Lal Chowk) is a very historic place having significant meaning. Today under SVEEP, an electoral awareness programme was organised here. This was done to aware the voters. A large number of people participated in the polling here during the Lok Sabha polls. We hope that a large number of people will participate in the J&K Assembly elections also. Assembly elections are going to be held on September 25 in Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal." He appealed to people to come in large numbers to vote on September 25. "For a better polling experience, all kinds of basic facilities have been provided at polling stations. The Election Commission of India has always tried to make the polls inclusive and so we conduct awareness programme," he added. The elections for the 90 assembly seats of Jammu and Kashmir are being held in three phases. The first phase of voting was completed in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 with a voter turnout of 61.13 per cent registered across 24 constituencies in seven districts, as per the Election Commission. The second and third phases will be held on September 25 and October 5, respectively. Vote counting will be conducted on October 8 along with the counting of votes in Haryana. (ANI)
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Monday asserted that the discussion for the Chief Minister's post among the coalition partners in Maharashtra will held after the elections, and added that their only aim is to remove the 'corrupt' government from power. Speaking to media persons, Chennithala said, "We will hold discussions on the Chief Minister's post after the assembly elections." "Our only target is to form the government now. We aim to remove the corrupt BJP government from power," Chennithala added. Hitting out at the ruling BJP government over simultaneous elections in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, he said that the government talks about one nation, one election but didn't announce elections in Maharashtra along with Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. "People who talk about one nation, one election, why didn't they announce elections in Maharashtra along with Haryana and J&K? The elections should be announced as soon as possible as the public has made up their mind to remove the state government from power," the Congress leader said. This remark came in the backdrop of the Union Cabinet's nod to the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. On being asked about Tirupati Laddu Prasadam row, he said that it is a very serious matter. "It is a very serious matter. People from across the country offer prayers at the Tirupati Temple. The news is sad. The government should tell the public about the truth," Chennithala said. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations about the adulteration of Tirupati Prasadam (laddus). Notably, On September 19, Naidu stirred a political controversy after he claimed that the ghee used in the preparation of Tirupati laddoo prasadam, offered at Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati, contained animal fat during the previous YSRCP government. Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati district. (ANI)
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy has slammed Congress-National Conference alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that they want to implement the "Jinnah Constitution" by reinstating Article 370. "In the manifesto released by the National Conference for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, they have said that after coming to power, they will reinstate Article 370. It is wrong that the Congress-National Conference will implement the Jinnah Constitution by removing the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, which was implemented after 70 years by Prime Minister Modi," Kishan Reddy told ANI on Sunday. While Congress' manifesto for the Assembly election is silent on the Article 370, its bigger alliance partner NC promised in its manifesto restoration of Article 370 . The PM Narendra Modi government abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. Kishan Reddy also alleged that Congress snatched away the rights of vulnerable sections of Jammu and Kashmir by not implementing the various provisions of the Indian Constitution. "The Congress Party has done injustice to the Scheduled Caste people, women, Gujjars, here for 70 years, snatching their rights. Nehru, Abdullah, and Mufti families are corrupt parties, they are parties supporting terrorists... The people of the country will not allow the Jinnah Constitution to be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that the central government will not hold any conversation with Pakistan until terrorism is eliminated. Addressing an election rally in Nowshera in the run-up to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Shah stressed against revoking Article 370 in the valley as demanded by the opposition, including the National Conference and Congress. "Farooq Abdullah says that they will bring back Article 370. Farooq Sahab, nobody can bring back Article 370. Now, bunkers are not needed because no one can dare to fire bullets. 'Agar wahan see goli aayi to goli ka jawab gole se diya jayega'. They want to bring back Shiekh Abdullah's flag. Only our tricolour will wave in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorism continued in Jammu and Kashmir for 30 years, curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir for 3000 days in 30 years, 40,000 people were killed. Farooq Sahab, where were you during those days? Let me tell you, when Kashmir was burning, Farooq Sahib was comfortably holidaying in London," Shah said. First phase of voting was completed in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 with a voter turnout of 61.13 percent registered across 24 constituencies in seven districts, as per the Election Commission. The second and third phase will be held on September 25 and October 5 respectively. Vote counting will be conducted on October 8 along with the counting of votes in Haryana. (ANI)
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said that the police have collected a lot of information regarding the shocking murder of a woman whose body parts were found in the fridge of her house in Bengaluru. The Minister said that the police suspect a man from West Bengal behind the murder but added that more evidence is needed to confirm his role. "The police have collected a lot of information, a lot of clues. One individual is also been...kind of they say he is the one. Unless we collect more information we can't really say. He is from West Bengal they say," Parameshwara told reporters here. Reacting to the question regarding the government's measures to enhance the safety of women, the minister said, " We have already taken a lot of precautions for women's safety in Bengaluru. We are very careful about it. We have installed CCTV where lot of women go. These kinds of steps we have taken." In a shocking incident, a 29-year-old woman was murdered and her body parts cut into several pieces and stuffed in the fridge of the house she was living in at Vinayaka Nagar in Vyalikaval in Bengaluru on Saturday. She was living alone in the rented house for the last five months. Shekar H Tekkannavar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Bengaluru, said that the victim has been identified as Mahalakshmi. The body parts were found highly decomposed and worms were found in them. Hence it raises the suspicion that the murder could have taken place a fortnight ago. On Sunday, the state unit of the BJP launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government over the killing of a woman whose body parts were found stored in a refrigerator and said that the Kannadigas are no longer safe in this 'Hitler-led Siddaramaiah'. "Under @INCKarnataka rule, appeasement policies have led to a complete collapse of law and order. The brutal murder of Mahalakshmi by Ashraf is a clear reminder that Kannadigas are no longer safe in this Hitler-led @siddaramaiah government," the official handle of BJP Karnataka posted on X. The BJP further alleged that the Congress opposed the anti-love Jihad laws to please their vote bank. (ANI)
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) is conducting its day long apex body meeting at Sri Lalita Peetam, Vashishtashramam in Tirupati on Monday to discuss the controversy surrounding Tirupati laddus and demand for "freeing" temples across the country, among other issues. Kendriya Margadarshak Mandal meeting of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) is underway at Sri Lalita Peetam, Vashishtashramam, Srinivasa Mangapuram in Tirupati. Bajrang Bagra, secretary general of Vishva Hindu Parishad, is also taking part in the meeting. Bagra said on Sunday that in this meeting, various challenges facing Hindu society will be discussed and some decisions will be taken about their solutions, mainly about the role of saints in those solutions. He also said that there will be a discussion about the kind of misconceptions and worrying news regarding Prasad in Tirupati Balaji temple, which is causing great distress to the entire Hindu society. "In this regard, there is also a possibility of discussion on the role of revered saints and what kind of program should be carried out under their leadership," Bagra said. Earlier, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal on Sunday responded to reports of substandard ingredients, including animal fat, being used in the preparation of Tirupati Laddu Prasadam. He called it a "grave crime" and an "unforgivable conspiracy" against devotees and their religious sentiments. Bansal also demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into the matter, saying that stringent action should be taken against those responsible. "This is a grave crime and an unforgivable conspiracy committed in our religious places. There cannot be a bigger crime than this in the world. Devotees with religious sentiments have not only been let down, but their faith has also been tarnished after the prasadam offered to them was found adulterated with beef," Bansal said. (ANI)
Congress MLA and President Nagpur Congress, Vikas Thakre on Monday praised Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole, saying that he will reap the results of his hard work. On being asked about Patole's role in the rise of Congress in Maharashtra, Vikas Thakre said, "The way he (Nana Patole) took the responsibility of Maharashtra Congress president...He will reap the results of his hard work..." He also stressed that their responsibility is to get maximum elected representatives from Vidarbha region. "...It is our responsibility to get the maximum representatives from Vidarbha. Those who work hard do justice to them," the Maharashtra Congress MLA said while speaking to ANI. Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat stated on Monday that the decision to choose Chief Minister face of Maharashtra will be taken by all coalition partners, adding that there is no reason to believe in rumoured names for the CM post. On decision regarding CM face, Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said, "We are fighting in an alliance. We will make decisions as an alliance...We have enthusiastic workers, different names keep coming up everywhere, and there is no reason to believe them. The decision taken as MVA will be accepted..." Earlier today, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala asserted that the discussion for the Chief Minister's post among the coalition partners in Maharashtra will held after the elections, and added that their only aim is to remove the 'corrupt' government from power. Speaking to media persons, Chennithala said, "We will hold discussions on the Chief Minister's post after the assembly elections." "Our only target is to form the government now. We aim to remove the corrupt BJP government from power," Chennithala added. (ANI)
National Commission for Women has directed the Karnataka police to expedite the arrest of all involved in the gruesome murder of a woman whose body parts were found chopped up and stuffed into a refrigerator. "NCW has come across a media post titled 'Woman's Body Chopped Into 30 Pieces Found Inside Fridge In Bengaluru' involving the gruesome death of a 26-year-old woman in Vyalikaval," NCW said in a post on X. "The Commission has directed the state police to expedite the arrest of all involved and ensure a thorough, time-bound investigation. A detailed report is expected within 3 days." Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda on Monday said that the police have identified the prime suspect in the case. "It is being investigated from all angles. The prime suspect has been identified and efforts are underway to arrest him," Commissioner Dayananda said while addressing a press conference here. He's an outsider. We can't give more information as of now as it may help the accused," he said. Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the police have collected a lot of information regarding the woman's death. The Minister said that the police suspect a man reportedly from West Bengal to be behind the murder but added that more evidence is needed to confirm his role. "The police have collected a lot of information, a lot of clues. One individual is also been...kind of they say he is the one. Unless we collect more information we can't really say. He is from West Bengal they say," Parameshwara told reporters here. Reacting to the question regarding the government's measures to enhance the safety of women, the minister said, "We have already taken a lot of precautions for women's safety in Bengaluru. We are very careful about it. We have installed CCTV where lot of women go. These kinds of steps we have taken." In a shocking incident, dismembered body of a woman was found stuffed in the fridge of the house she was living in at Vinayaka Nagar in Vyalikaval in Bengaluru on September 21. The woman identified as Mahalakshmi was living alone in the rented house for the last five months, Shekar H Tekkannavar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Bengaluru. The body parts were found highly decomposed with worms were found in them raising suspicion that the murder could have taken place a fortnight ago. On Sunday, the state unit of the BJP launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government over the incident stating that the Kannadigas are no longer safe in this 'Hitler-led Siddaramaiah'. "Under @INCKarnataka rule, appeasement policies have led to a complete collapse of law and order. The brutal murder of Mahalakshmi by Ashraf is a clear reminder that Kannadigas are no longer safe in this Hitler-led @siddaramaiah government," the official handle of BJP Karnataka posted on X. The BJP further alleged that the Congress opposed the anti-love Jihad laws to please their vote bank. (ANI)
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a judicial inquiry into allegations of custodial violence against an Army Captain and his fiancee at the Bharatpur police station. The Odisha Government set up a commission of inquiry and the investigation will be led by Justice (Retired) Chittaranjan Das, who is expected to submit a report within 60 days.The Odisha CM confirmed that the concerned police officers have been suspended and a case has also been registered against them."The state government is fully concerned about the dignity, safety and rights of women. The police officers concerned have been suspended and a case has also been registered against them. Action has been taken against the youth involved in the incident," the CMO said.In an official notification, the Odisha government has expressed deep concern over the incident, which involved allegations of assault and misbehavior against the Army officer and his fiancee. The notification emphasized the matter's public importance, warranting an inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. "It has come to the notice of the State Government that cases and counter cases have been lodged alleging misbehavior / assault on a woman and a serving army officer inside Bharatpur Police Station; and whereas the State Government are deeply concerned about the issue and are of the opinion that, this being a matter of serious public importance, should be inquired into by a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952," the Odisha Government wrote in an official notification. The commission will investigate the sequence of events leading to the reported incidents, the roles and accountability of individuals involved, and will suggest measures to prevent future occurrences of similar incidents and security of women. "The Headquarters of the Commission shall be at Bhubaneswar. However the Commission may hold the Inquiry at any other place as may be considered necessary for the purpose," an official circular by the Odisha Government stated. The incident reportedly took place on September 15 when the Army Major and the woman went to the Bharatpur police station to complain against some miscreants, who had harassed them while returning from a hotel late at night. Instead of addressing their concerns, the police allegedly tortured the Major and the woman, even sending her to jail without any justification.Earlier on Sunday, the District Court granted bail to all seven accused in the alleged assault case of the Army officer and his fiancee.Krushna Prasad Dash, Additional DCP, Bhubaneswar, said that they have registered a case under several sections of the BNS.The seven arrested were namely; Rakesh Naik, Abhilash Sawant, Aman Kumar, Aditya Ranjan Behra, Akash Padhiyari, Harish Manta, and Ashish Kumar. (ANI)
Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sukanta Majumdar on Monday launched a scathing attack against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the flood-like situation in the state, saying that the TMC government 'did no repair works' to maintain dams. Speaking to media persons, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said, "West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says the same thing every year that it is a man-made flood. What initiatives has she taken to counter the man-made flood?... They did nothing... The West Bengal government did no repair work on dams...They are telling that they are getting no money from the central government but have they taken any initiative from their side?" This came after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, expressing concern over the flooding in South Bengal, which she attributed to "abnormally heavy releases of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) reservoirs in Jharkhand." In her letter dated September 21, CM Banerjee voiced her disagreement with the central government's handling of the situation. She claimed that the water release from the DVC reservoirs was done unilaterally, without sufficient input from her government. On being asked about RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder case, Sukanta Majumdar said that the CBI investigation depends upon the availability of evidence, adding that no agency can deliver justice if the evidence is not available. "CBI is investigating the incident. Any investigation depends upon the availability of evidence. No agency can deliver justice if the evidence is not available...In the corruption incident, two arrests have been made. I feel that the investigation is going in the right direction," he said. Notably, Bhartiya Janata party conducted a torch march across West Bengal accusing the TMC government in the state of "systematic failure" in the RG Kar medical hospital rape and murder of a 33-year-old trainee doctor. The BJP held torch rallies in various districts of West Bengal, calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. They accuse the state's administration of attempting to cover up the situation. (ANI)
West Bengal BJP leaders on Monday staged a protest outside the DC north office demanding justice in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder incident. BJP leaders accused Mamta led TMC government of not allowing BJP to do peaceful protests. "They let other parties do the program but why not BJP? We were ready to do a peaceful program. Will they be able to stop the atrocities done to women in West Bengal?..." BJP leader Locket Chatterjee asked while participating in the protest. Earlier, Bhartiya Janata party conducted a torch march across West Bengal, accusing "systematic failure" in the RG Kar medical hospital rape and murder of a 33-year-old trainee doctor The party leaders held torch rallies in various districts of West Bengal, calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. They accuse the state's administration of attempting to cover up the situation. BJP leader Sukanto Majumdar, who led the BJP rally against West Bengal government in Jagatballavpur, while speaking to ANI said, "The BJP has been protesting all along against how the incident of the RG Kar hospital is being suppressed. A doctor's statement came recently where she revealed that she was threatened to be killed if she did not perform the postmortem. Such things can happen when the whole system is involved, including the police". Majumdar emphasized the BJP's call for justice, stating, "This is a systemic failure. We have consistently called for Mamata Banerjee's resignation, which is why we are protesting in every district." The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar medical College, on September 2. Ghosh was under investigation for alleged corruption and financial irregularities at the college and hospital, following a directive from a single bench of the Calcutta High Court, which ordered the CBI to probe the matter. A woman trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday listed for September 30 the hearing on 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 matter was earlier listed on September 27 and a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud changed the date to September 30 on request of West Bengal Government counsel. In the last hearing on September 17, Kapil Sibal, senior counsel appearing on behalf of the State of West Bengal informed the court that an assurance to that effect was held out by the Chief Minister to the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front that no adverse or punitive action shall be taken against the doctors who return to work. On September 17, the top court has also said that it was distributed by reading the report given by the Central Bureau of Investigation 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 is hearing the matter and had said that they are also disturbed by what they have read in the status report. Supreme Court was hearing suo motu petition on the rape and murder of a doctor in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. The court has also said that they are concerned about what CBI has flagged for them. The court remark came when a lawyer raised issues like discrepancies in the seizure list, among others. The top court has said that it is not going to share any details, as any disclosure may jeopardise the probe being conducted by the CBI. The top court had denied stopping live streaming of the proceedings, saying that it is a matter of public interest. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal had raised concern about live streaming, saying that it is having huge implications and clarifying that he is not representing the accused but representing the state of West Bengal. He highlighted that as soon as the court makes any comments, their reputation is being damaged. He also said that he has a reputed career of 50 years in the profession. Sibal had also said lawyers in his chamber are getting threats on social media. Sibal pointed out that women working in his chamber are getting threats and being told that acid will be thrown at them and raped, etc. The top court said that it would step in if there were any threats to lawyers and others. (ANI)
Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his recent remarks on the Sikh community and reservation in India during his US visit and demanded an apology in this regard. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Krishnam accused Gandhi of "insulting the country on foreign land" and said, "Rahul Gandhi tells a lot of lies, he lies to the people of the country, to his party members, to women, and to farmers too, he even lies to the depressed and impoverished classes." "Rahul Gandhi should understand that he is not just a Congress politician, he is the Leader of Opposition, he is the whole country's politician. Even if Asaduddin Owaisi, goes out of the country, I don't expect him to say such remarks and insult the country. Yeh (Rahul Gandhi) akele ese neta hai jo desh ke bahar jaake desh ko badnaam karte hai, desh ko nanga karne ka kaam karte hai (Only politician to go out of the country and insult the country, strip the country naked). He should apologise to the nation," he added. The ruling BJP came down heavily on Gandhi for his remarks made during his visit to the US earlier this month. BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused Rahul Gandhi of supporting "anti-Indians" and said that the latter has created new records on telling lies. "The way Farooq Abdullah changed statements in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, similarly, Rahul Gandhi changes statements when he is in foreign land. whenever he went on a foreign trip, he disrespected and insulted India and said lies only one after another. Rahul Gandhi has created new records on telling lies. The comments he made on Sikhs about whether it is about wearing turbans, kadas, or kirpan, or it is about going to gurudwara, if Sikhs were disrespected, then it was during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi, and, in that too, Modi government formed SIT to give justice to the victims," Thakur told ANI earlier. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya alleged that Gandhi's overseas engagements have consistently been detrimental to India's image. "Every time Rahul Gandhi goes abroad, he indulges in the most divisive anti-India politics, including hobnobbing with agencies and collaborating with forces inimical to India's interest. He has gone to the extent of pleading with Western powers to interfere in Indian politics," Malviya said in a post on X. However, Gandhi defended his remarks pertaining to Sikhs and other sections of Indian society and accused the BJP of resorting to lies and making desperate attempts to silence him. He vowed to always speak up for the values that define India. "I want to ask every Sikh brother and sister in India and abroad: Is there anything wrong with what I have said? Shouldn't India be a country where every Sikh--and every Indian--can freely practice their religion without fear?" the Congress MP asked. "As usual, the BJP is resorting to lies. They are desperate to silence me because they cannot stand the truth. But I will always speak up for the values that define India: our unity in diversity, equality, and love," he added. (ANI)
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Tamil Nadu Secretary Muthukumar has said that if the police prohibit the protest by employees near the Samsung company's factory in Chennai, the workers will approach courts to safeguard their rights. More than 1,000 Samsung workers have been on a strike near the factory since September 9, to implement their 20 demands including wage hike, union recognition and 8-hour work. "If police are not allowing us to protest here again, we will take this matter to court and get our rights," Muthukumar said. "After three rounds of negotiations with them (Samsung management), no amicable decision was reached, when the employees tried to march towards the collector's office, they were arrested by the police," the CITU secretary said. Previously, the CITU Tamil Nadu State Secretary, said that the Samsung management has initiated a case in the Kanchipuram court that the protestors should sit 500 meters away from the premises, while they are already sitting two kilometres away. Muthukumar said, "The Samsung management has initiated a case in the Kanchipuram court that we should sit 500 metres away from their premises but we are nearly two kilometers away and blamed us saying that the striking employees have been indulging in brainwashing the employees who have been going to work." The trade unions have informed that the protests will continue until the demands are fulfilled.CITU Tamil Nadu Secretary said earlier that the management had asked the workers to disband the union, and was hindering the recognition of unions by raising various complaints. The workers, led by union head Muthukumar, have been demanding better wages and improved working conditions. Hundreds of striking Samsung employees have been sitting outside the plant in their company uniforms. Muthukumar said, "Our demands were not met and the management has urged us to disband the union. They are hindering the recognition of the union by raising complaints. When the union decided to stop overtime, the management forced employees to work overtime for up to 11 hours." The first and second rounds of talks had failed with the state labour department and labour minister in the Secretariat. On Monday, the protestors were detained when they entered Kanchipuram. They were later released in the evening. A case was filed against more than 100 employees. (ANI)
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for not condemning the remarks of Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu. "The Gandhi family has a lot for the country, but if Ravneet Singh Bittu, who himself has come from Congress to BJP, gives such a statement, then it is condemnable," Gehlot said. He further said that the BJP and RSS should have issued a statement on the comments made by Union minister. Gehlot was referring to an earlier remark made by the Minister of State for Railways in which he said that if there should be an award to catch the number one terrorist, it should go to 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 one terrorist. The biggest enemy of the country whom the agencies should catch is Rahul Gandhi today," he said earlier. Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against Union Minister Bittu for his alleged remarks against Rahul Gandhi over the statements the latter made in the US regarding Sikhs, police said on September 19. The case was filed at High Grounds police station, Bengaluru based on a complaint by one of the officer-bearers of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. Gehlot further spoke on the committee formed in Rajasthan regarding the new districts formed by the Congress government. He said, "There is a new district every 40 kilometres in Haryana. The geographical conditions of Rajasthan were such that there was a need to form new districts here, but every government has its own different thinking. I think that even now more new districts should be formed in Rajasthan." (ANI)
Emphasizing the need for restoring Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that it is the foremost demand of the National- Conference and the Congress to bring back statehood. Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in his addressing in Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir said, "It is for the first time in Indian history that it has been made a state. Your democratic rights have been taken away from you. That is why it is our foremost demand that statehood returns." Addressing the audience, Gandhi said, "You don't have a say in running your government. The orders are followed from Delhi. We wanted the statehood to return here before the elections, but we will definitely try that it does after the polls". Accusing the BJP of practising "politics of hate" across various States, Rahul said, "BJP-RSS only spread hate and violence in J&K and other states. Be it Jammu-Kashmir, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or Manipur. All they know is to spread hate and their politics is of hatred. You all know that hatred cannot be eliminated by giving hate but by love". Hitting back at the BJP for accusing the National Conference of depriving the local community of Gujjars and Pahadis of development in the union territory, Rahul said that the BJP is yet again applying the "divide and rule" policy and trying to create rift between brothers. After the Congress party announced its alliance with NC, Union Minister Amit Shah questioned Rahul Gandhi if he supports the NC's manifesto, "which calls for abolishing reservations for Dalits, Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Pahadis." "They always try to divide and rule and have applied the same tactics here in Jammu-Kashmir. They tried to create a rift between the Gujjars and the Pahadi community here. I guarantee you that this project of them is going to fail," Rahul Gandhi said. Highlighting the unity between the alliance partners, the National Conference, and the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi urged his party leaders to support National Conference candidates in the upcoming elections."I appeal the Congress party candidates to offer full support to National conference candidates," Rahul said.The Congress and the National Conference are fighting the polls in alliance. The PDP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and People's Conference, to name a few, are other parties in the fray for 90 Assembly seats.This is the first election in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Leaders have held hectic campaigns to boost the prospects of their party candidates. Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Votes will be counted on October 8. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused the Congress party of disrespecting Dalit leaders and dubbed it as an "anti-Dalit" party. While addressing an election rally in Haryana's Fatehabad, Shah alleged that Congress denied job reservation to people and also targeted the party for Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks on reservation while in the US. "Congress is an anti-Dalit party. During the Congress rule, the Gohana incident took place in 2005 and the Mirchpur incident took place in 2010. Congress has always disrespected Dalit leaders, be it Dr Ashok Tanwar or Kumari Selja. Dr BR Ambedkar wasn't given Bharat Ratna till Congress was in power. BJP has established Panchtirtha to respect BR Ambedkar and declared Samvidhan Diwas," Shah said. "Just now Rahul Gandhi has said in America that 'After development there is no need for reservation, after development we will remove reservation.' I want to tell you that only Narendra Modi ji can protect the reservation of SC, ST and OBC," Shah said. Shah reiterated the central government's stance on Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and said, "Rahul Gandhi along with National Conference in Kashmir says that we will bring back Article 370 and will release all the terrorists. I want to tell them that Rahul Baba, not just you, even if your third generation comes, Article 370 will not come back. This has now become history." "During your grandfather's time, Article 370 had put a question mark on Kashmir. Narendra Modi ji has done the work of removing that question mark, now it cannot come back," he added. Shah highlighted the BJP governance in Haryana and criticised the previous Congress rule. "Our Haryana is the best example of how BJP rules. Earlier, governments of two parties used to come and go in Haryana. When one party came to power, corruption increased and when another party came to power, hooliganism increased. In both, nepotism and casteism were at their peak. For the first time, BJP has formed the government in entire Haryana," he said. "Before the BJP government came to power, one could not get a job here without an expenditure slip. But BJP has recruited thousands of youth with complete transparency without any expenditure or slip," Shah added. "Congress governments were there - to make happy Delhi's son-in-law, farmers' land was allotted at very cheap rates. In Hooda Sahab's govt, dealers have much say, the son-in-law has a say and the corrupts have a say. BJP has ended the govt of the dealer and son-in-law. Hooda Sahab has promised to give 2 lakhs jobs, it's in the manifesto of Congress, I want to ask the leaders of Congress party -'ye 2 lakh naukariyan kisko doge, jo yuva yogya hai usko doge ya jo aapko kharchi data, jiske paas aapki parchi hai usko doge?'" Shah said. Shah accused Rahul Gandhi of "misguiding" youth regarding the Agniveer scheme. "About Agniveer, Rahul Baba is misguiding the youths. I am firm in what I say, and today I am saying that none of the Agniveer of Haryana will be left. Indian government and Haryana government will provide them with a job having pension facility. Middlemen in Delhi are waiting for Congress to come into power in Haryana, I want to ask the people of Tohana, would you want to give Harayan in the hands of middlemen?" Shah said. Voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5. Votes will be counted on October 8 along with that in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
The Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath Peeth in Uttarakhand, Swami Shri Avimukteshwar Anand Saraswati Maharaj organised a Gau Pratishthan Andolan and Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra in Lakshmanpur on Monday. During his conference, he spoke extensively on the issue of 'Cow slaughter'. "It is diversity and identity of Indian culture that we Sanatanis respect our elders, we offer rotis to 'Gaumata', but it is miserable to see that they are killed. What could be bigger than this for our enemies?" the Shankaracharya said. "We broke the chains of slavery and drove the British out of our country, who lectured us on cows and killed them for their benefit. We thought that our 'Gautmata' was free and gave support to the Congress party, which made a pair of bulls its election symbol. But unfortunately, no work is done for the protection and welfare of cows," he added. The Shankarachraya further said that instead of declaring cow slaughter a crime the abbatoirs were even given subsidies. "We want to tell the government on behalf of 100 crore Hindus that cow slaughter should be stopped and a law should be made on it," he state. The Shankaracharya said that many states have made anti-cow slaughter laws while some states continue to permit it. The Shankaracharya has pledged to go to 35 states conduct special Pratishtha for cow protection. Earlier, on August 6, the 55th Prakatotsav of Jyotirmath's 55th Shankaracharya, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati was celebrated with great fervour this year as the Gopratishtha Festival. A grand event was held at Delhi's Talkatora Stadium where several prominment politicians were also present. 21 scholars from Kashi also came to honour the Shankaracharya. The unique tradition of Tuladan, where Shankaracharya was weighed with rabri, was one of the main attraction of this event. (ANI)
This undated file combo photo shows a jade dragon unearthed from a stone tomb site in the city of Chifeng, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Chinese archaeologists have unearthed the largest jade dragon ever discovered from the Hongshan culture, an important part of the Neolithic Age, at a stone tomb site in the city of Chifeng, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the regional institute of cultural relics and archaeology. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese archaeologists have unearthed the largest jade dragon ever discovered from the Hongshan culture, an important part of the Neolithic Age, at a stone tomb site in the city of Chifeng, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the regional institute of cultural relics and archaeology.

Measuring 15.8 cm long, 9.5 cm wide, and 3 cm thick, the artifact was found at a site featuring a circular tomb in the north and a square altar in the south, which is the only one of its kind ever found in the region.

Apart from the architectural remains, human skeletal remains, burials, fire pits, and cylindrical object pits have also been discovered at the site. The unearthed artifacts include jade and painted pottery basins and tripod pottery cups, among others.

The ongoing research at the site includes studies of the ancient environment, large-scale topographic mapping and carbon-14 dating, among others. The latest dating data indicates that the site belongs to the late Hongshan culture, dating back 5,100 to 5,000 years.

The finds were revealed during a themed seminar held Sunday in Chifeng, which provided updates on the archaeological progress at the stone tomb in Yuanbaoshan of Chifeng's Aohan Banner.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking action against Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu for his alleged remarks about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was withdrawn from the Delhi High Court. The petitioner's advocate, Shahsi Ranjan, informed the Delhi High Court that multiple FIRs had already been registered against Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu across various states for his remarks against Rahul Gandhi. Given these developments, the petitioner no longer wished to pursue the matter in court and requested to withdraw the PIL. The counsel stated that since legal action was being taken in different jurisdictions, there was no need to press further in this particular case. The PIL was filed by Surjit Singh Yadav, the Hindu Sena chief, after Bittu made inflammatory comments in a press conference on September 15, 2024. Bittu had claimed that Gandhi was unpatriotic and linked him to separatists and terrorists, even describing him as the "biggest enemy" of the country. The petition had argued that these statements were false, derogatory, and likely to incite public unrest. It requested that Bittu be prosecuted for his remarks, which had already led to protests by Youth Congress workers. However, this PIL was later withdrawn from the court, though no specific reasons for the withdrawal were reported. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu recently made strong remarks against Rahul Gandhi, criticizing his statements made during a visit to the United States. Bittu, who left the Congress Party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, referred to Rahul Gandhi as the "number one terrorist." Bittu accused Gandhi of being disconnected from India, stating that he spends much of his time abroad and misrepresents the country in international forums. He further alleged that Gandhi's comments have been endorsed by individuals involved in separatist activities, as well as those known for making bombs and weapons. (ANI)
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who presented the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in Parliament, said on Monday that some people are running propaganda that the lands of Muslims are being snatched by the government and it should be stopped as many Muslims have supported the bill. "The Parliamentary Committee has received a record number of recommendations for the Waqf Amendment Bill...The Waqf Amendment Bill has been referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for scrutiny. Some people are running propaganda that the lands of Muslims are being snatched by the government. This propaganda should be stopped...Many Muslim organisations have supported the bill," Rijiju said. The ongoing efforts by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) are part of a broader national initiative to reform the Waqf Act and ensure that waqf properties are used for the greater good of the community. The JPC is discussing key aspects of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, including digitisation of records, stricter audits, better legal recourse for encroachments, and the decentralisation of waqf management. The Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 will conduct informal discussions in five states with various stakeholders from September 26 to October 1. These consultations aim to refine the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, which governs the management of over 600,000 registered waqf properties across the country. Notably, the Waqf Act, 1995, was created to regulate waqf properties, but it has long faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. These consultations will play a vital role in ensuring that the amendments to the Waqf Act are practical, effective and aligned with the needs of the community. The committee has to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the next parliament session. (ANI)
Rejecting speculations that she is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), AICC general secretary and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja on Monday said that she owes the Congress for whatever she is today and that she will soon join the campaign for the party for the October 5 Haryana Assembly elections. The Lok Sabha MP took a dig at the BJP saying that the party has no soft corner for the leaders of the Congress. "...It's election time and hence they are doing this, otherwise BJP has no soft corner for leaders of Congress, but these things have no meaning. Whatever I am today is because of Congress and I have served it all my life. I'll join the campaign in two to three days and will form Congress government," Kumari Selja told ANI. "For years, the party had no organisation but party workers kept working on the ground, people like me just give speeches but it's party workers who work on the ground and hence they have expectations. When they don't get space, they go to other places in search of it as they (party workers) have felt certain things but I will say that we are in Congress and will work for the party...Congress will form the government and we together will form that..." Selja said. Meanwhile, addressing a public rally in Haryana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Congress party has always been disrespectful to the Dalit leaders like Kumari Shelja. "Congress has always disrespected Dalit leaders, be it Dr Ashok Tanwar or Kumari Selja. Dr BR Ambedkar wasn't given Bharat Ratna till Congress was in power. BJP has established Panchtirtha to respect BR Ambedkar and declared Samvidhan Diwas...," he said. Earlier on Sunday, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar responded to speculation about Kumari Selja joining the BJP, saying, "Only she can answer." Khattar had suggested that after the treatment she has received from the Congress party, any self-respecting individual would contemplate their next steps. (ANI)
Union Minister and Jharkhand Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday criticised the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government, calling it a "Jurm, Murder and Mafia" government rather than the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Addressing a public rally in Baharagora today, Shivraj Chouhan said, "Just as clouds have come as a crisis, Hemant Soren government is a bigger crisis than these clouds...This is not JMM but 'Jurm, Murder and Mafia' government run by Hemant Soren." Chouhan also expressed confidence that the darkness prevailing in Jharkhand will soon fade away and change will come. "The clouds are raining, lightning is flashing, and it is raining heavily, but still you are determined to bring about a change... Seeing this, today I can say that the darkness will fade away, the sun will rise, the lotus will bloom and change will come," he added. Later, while speaking to the media, Chouhan said that the women of Jharkhand are asking for help to protect their land, daughters and jobs; the BJP promises to ensure their safety and create jobs while stopping infiltration. "The mothers, sisters and daughters of Jharkhand are appealing that the land, 'roti' and daughters of Jharkhand are in danger. Land means foreign intruders are coming, daughters means our daughters are not safe and 'roti' means there are no jobs. That is why they are appealing to save the land, bread and daughters. On behalf of the BJP, I want to tell my sisters that we will protect the land, bread and daughters... The BJP is committed to providing jobs and preventing infiltration," he said. Earlier today, a delegation of the Election Commission of India led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar arrived in Ranchi to review poll preparedness for assembly elections in Jharkhand expected to be held later this year. The state is likely to witness elections to the 81-member Jharkhand legislative assembly on or before December 2024, as the tenure of the current government is set to end in January 2025. However, the Election Commission is yet to announce the election schedule. In the 2020 Assembly election, JMM won 30 seats, BJP won 25 seats and Congress won 16. (ANI)
Darshan filed a bail application on Saturday, September 21.

The Sessions Court granted bail to two accused, Nikhil Naik and Karthik. Earlier today, the High Court granted bail to another accused, Keshava Murthy, in the case.

Earlier this month, Bengaluru police submitted a charge sheet in a secure box to the court against 17 accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, including star Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his friend Pavithra Gowda, Bengaluru Police said.

Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru B Dayananda, said that a 3,991-page charge sheet, which includes seven volumes and 10 files, has been submitted to the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court.

The police statement said that a strong charge sheet had been prepared after a thorough investigation of the case from all angles.

Earlier, actor Darshan was shifted to Bellary Jail after his purported photograph of hanging out with three others, including a rowdy-sheeter, in the lawns of Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Karnataka went viral.

Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda responded to the matter.He said, "If this person is being given extra privileges, it is wrong. Officers who have facilitated such privileges should be held accountable, and action should be taken against them."

The Karnataka government earlier suspended seven prison officials after purported picture of Darshan from the jail circulated online. In the image, the actor was seen holding a cup in his right hand and a cigarette in the other.

The case relates to Renukaswamy (33), a native of Chitradurga whose body was recovered in Kamakshipalya in Bengaluru on June 9. (ANI)
After Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks, "No stone pelter will be released in Jammu and Kashmir," National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah said on Monday that everyone has the right to prove one's innocence, and most of them are those against whom a case has not even been initiated to this day. "Everyone has the right to prove one's innocence and come out of jail. All I would like to know is if a case has been registered against those who have been arrested, has their crime been proven in a court? You have kept them jailed for 5 years; tell me how many of them had their crime proven in court. Most of them are such against whom a case has not even been initiated to this day," Omar said. Addressing an election rally in Nowshera on Sunday in the run-up to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Amit Shah stressed against revoking Article 370 in the valley as demanded by the opposition, including the National Conference and Congress. "They want us to have a dialogue with Pakistan. Let me be clear, we will not hold conversations or dialogue with Pakistan till terrorism is eliminated. They want to free the terrorists from jails. Modiji came, and we wiped out the terrorists one by one. No terrorist or stone pelter will be freed from jail. BJP assures you, no terrorist will walk free in Jammu and Kashmir!" he added. Shah highlighted the reservation issue raised by the opposition and alleged that the Congress, NC, and PDP "deprived" reservation to those living in the hilly regions, adding that PM Modi ensured reservation despite. The first phase of voting was completed in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, with a voter turnout of 61.13 percent registered across 24 constituencies in seven districts, as per the Election Commission. The second and third phases will be held on September 25 and October 5, respectively. Vote counting will be conducted on October 8 along with the counting of votes in Haryana. (ANI)
India has reported the first case of Mpox clade 1b from Kerala's Malappuram after a 38-year-old man who travelled from United Arab Emirates showed symptoms. According to the official sources, this is the first Mpox clade 1b case. "India reports first MPOX clade 1 case, which was reported from Kerala Malappuram last week. The patient is a 38-year-old man who travelled from the UAE; this is the strain after which WHO declared a public health emergency," sources said. "The man had a fever and rash similar to chickenpox on his body, after which doctor get suspicious and sent sample for testing," they added. However, this is the second case. Earlier, the first Mpox case was reported in Delhi but it was a clade 2 case. Mpox clade 1b spreads rapidly. According to the World Health Organisation, this spreads "mainly through sexual networks and its detection in countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is especially concerning of the public health emergency of international concern (PHIC)." Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been a public health issue in parts of Africa for many years but resurfaced as a global concern in 2022. Since January 1, 2022, Mpox cases have been reported to the WHO from 121 member states across all six WHO regions. The WHO Mpox report dated September 3, 2024, provides global data up to July 31, 2024. A total of 102,997 laboratory-confirmed cases and 186 probable cases, including 223 deaths, have been reported to the WHO. In July 2024, 1,425 cases and six deaths were reported globally. More than half of these cases were from the African region (55 per cent), followed by the American region (24 per cent), and the European region (11 per cent). The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) reported 1 per cent of the total cases. (ANI)
Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday expressed happiness that elections were being held in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir after a gap of ten years while lamenting they were not held earlier. He also wondered how "Islam is in danger" can be an issue in a place where Muslims constitute 98 percent of the total population. In an exclusive interview with ANI, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said, "It's a matter of happiness that elections are happening but the sad thing is that they weren't held earlier... I thought that the issues would change in this election but unfortunately, the issues haven't changed. I am listening to the same slogans that were used in elections when I was in college... Roads, schools, and education are not an issue, but Islam is in danger--that is the issue." He said that the BJP is being accused of dividing the people based on religion but said that people here (Jammu and Kashmir) are doing the same thing. Azad added, "Many big powers came into the world but couldn't finish Islam. How can it be finished now? We oppose the BJP as they divide people based on religion, but here also, people are doing the same. It means they are also dividing people in the name of religion... Even in the places where the Muslim population contributes to 5 percent, they are not in danger, but here, where Muslims are 98 percent, they are saying that Islam is in danger..." "Can anyone dare to touch 98 percent of Muslims?" Azad asked. National Conference President Farooq Abdullah told ANI on September 21, "When they point one finger towards us, three fingers are raised towards them. These (BJP) are the biggest looters. They have ruined the country. They have tried to divide the Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. They do not want to keep India united; they want to divide India." Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Votes will be counted on October 8. (ANI)
Central Health Ministry on Monday issued a show cause notice to a ghee-supplying company. The ministry received samples from 4four companies, out of which one company's samples failed the quality test, revealing adulteration. Meanwhile, Former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), YV Subba Reddy, moved the Supreme Court for the constitution of an independent committee headed by a retired apex court judge, to investigate the allegations of substandard ingredients and animal fat in the ghee to make Laddu Prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. Earlier in the day, a 'purification' ritual, Shanti Homam was performed as per the tenets of Vaikhanasa Agama in the Yagashala of Tirumala temple. To ensure that any 'doshas' which may have taken place during various programs or religious ceremonies conducted for Lord Venkateshwara, every year TTD conducts 'Pavitraotsavams' which involve 'Samprokshnas' in different areas. To ensure confidence is restored in devotees and they pray with a peaceful mind, a one-day 'Samprokshnas' and 'Shanti Homam' was conducted. The Temple Authority also set up a sensory panel which will evaluate food samples on the parameters of aroma, taste and texture. Earlier on Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations about the adulteration of Tirupati Prasadam (laddus). "We are forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers of IGP and above posts. The SIT will submit a report to the government and we will take action based on that report so that such things are not repeated," Naidu said. Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu further stated, " I am taking three angles, first, purification, according to traditions. I am ordering an inquiry at the IGP level. Only those who have beliefs will be there in the management committee. Finally, we will prepare standard operating procedures for all the temples." On September 19, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stirred a political controversy after he claimed that the ghee used in the preparation of Tirupati laddoo prasadam, offered at Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati, contained animal fat during the previous YSRCP government. Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati district. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government over the encounter of a suspect in the Sultanpur jewellery store robbery, calling it "condemnable." He further stated that tarnishing Uttar Pradesh's image with violence and bloodshed was a conspiracy against the state's future. "Weak people consider encounters their strength. Any fake encounter is an injustice. Tarnishing UP's image with violence and bloodshed is a big conspiracy against its future. Those in power today know they won't be re-elected. That's why they want to create such a situation in UP that no one will invest or enter the state," Yadav said. He added, "The BJP is taking revenge because the aware people of UP defeated them in the Lok Sabha elections. Those who have no future spoil the future of others. Condemnable!" Earlier, a suspect in the Sultanpur jewellery store robbery, identified as Anuj Pratap Singh, was killed in an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) in Unnao's Achalganj area, the Uttar Pradesh Police confirmed. The STF engaged in a firefight with the suspects, resulting in Singh's death, while another suspect managed to escape. Singh, son of Dharmraj Singh from Janapur village in Amethi, was transported to a government hospital for treatment. After initial care, he was referred to the district hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors. "On August 28, a robbery took place at Bharat Jewellers in Sultanpur. Today, an encounter occurred between the Lucknow STF and the suspects. One suspect, identified as Anuj Pratap Singh, was injured, while the other escaped. Singh was taken to the district hospital, where he was declared dead by doctors. Further legal action is underway," said Unnao Assistant Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Singh in an official statement. (ANI)
The Chinese Immersion Day highlighted cultural show and donated Chinese books in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Sunday.

The Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch donated children's books in Chinese and books about traditional Chinese culture to the Christchurch Library, as part of the nationwide celebration of the New Zealand Chinese Language Week, which started on Sunday.

Consul General He Ying told the donation ceremony that the annual book donation started more than five years ago, and these books have been widely received by the Chinese community and Kiwis in Christchurch.

The city libraries need diverse language books as part of a wide range of books offered, said a statement from the library, adding the donated books have been wonderful gifts for the community to enjoy.

The Chinese Immersion Day highlighted performance of traditional Chinese music, lion dance and various Chinese language and culture activities, such as calligraphy, paper cutting, Chinese knots making, Chinese painting, fan making, tea art, traditional Chinese medicine consultation, and fun language workshops and games.

The Chinese Immersion Day was jointly held by the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch, the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch Central Library, and the New Zealand Chinese Language Teachers Association (Canterbury).

The Chinese Language Week is a Kiwi-driven initiative launched in 2014 after the Maori Language Week and the Pacific Language Week.

New Zealand has more than 260,000 people of Chinese origin. The number of primary and secondary school students in New Zealand learning Chinese was nearly 70,000 before the global pandemic, according to New Zealand's Ministry of Education.
The Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Public Health Minister, Rajendra Shukla, formally inaugurated 'Ayushman Pakhwada' on the sixth anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana at the Kailashnath Katju Government Hospital in Bhopal on Monday. According to an official release, 'Ayushman Pakhwada' is being celebrated across the state to mark six years of the successful implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, from September 20 to September 30. During the Pakhwada, awareness programmes about the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the issuance of Ayushman cards to eligible people will take place. The campaign will focus on creating Ayushman cards for senior citizens over 70 years of age, with a door-to-door approach, it added. After inaugurating the Pakhwada, Deputy CM Shukla told ANI, "Today, we organised a programme to celebrate the six years of successful implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. A celebration is being held across the country today, highlighting how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided a security shield for the country's poor." "This celebration carries extra energy and happiness as people over 70 from every section of society will be covered by the scheme. The elderly are particularly pleased with the initiative," he added. Meanwhile, in a post on X, Shukla wrote, "Today, I formally inaugurated Ayushman Pakhwada at Kailashnath Katju Hospital, Bhopal, on the sixth anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Yojana. On this occasion, I interacted with beneficiaries of the scheme, learned about their experiences, and shared the news that PM Modi is including everyone over 70 years old in the scheme." In Madhya Pradesh, 4.70 crore people are benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. By expanding the Ayushman Bharat Niramaya Yojana in the state, special backward tribes, victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy, and other disadvantaged sections have also become eligible for the scheme, he further wrote. The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 23, 2018, marked its sixth anniversary on Monday. To celebrate, the Ministry of Health posted on X: "Celebrating 6 years of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY! Here's to 6 years of making healthcare affordable for millions. Each Ayushman card represents hope and access to quality care. Let's continue to strive for a healthier India where everyone thrives!" Earlier, on September 11, the Union Cabinet approved health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of income, under the flagship Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). With this approval, all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of socio-economic status, will be eligible to avail themselves of the benefits of AB-PMJAY. AB-PMJAY is the world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, providing health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to 55 crore individuals, covering 12.34 crore families. (ANI)
Lashing out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, state BJP General Secretary and MLA Agnimitra Paul said that Mamata has consistently shown a lack of respect toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Paul further stated that the CM has refused to acknowledge the PM's contribution to the upcoming American investment in the semiconductor sector in the state. "Mamata Banerjee has consistently shown a lack of respect towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even when he has taken significant steps for the betterment of West Bengal. Yesterday, the Prime Minister brought forward a major development project aimed at boosting Bengal's growth, which could bring immense opportunities to the state. Yet, Mamata remains ungrateful, refusing to acknowledge his contribution. Not once has she expressed appreciation or thanked the PM, instead attempting to hog credit for herself. This blatant disregard is not just disrespectful to the PM but an insult to the people of Bengal," said Paul in her reply to CM Mamata's latest post on social media platform X. "While she constantly writes letters to the PM regarding DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation), Mamata can't seem to manage even a single line of thanks for the significant development projects PM Modi has introduced for the state. Her silence and refusal to publicly appreciate his efforts only highlight her political arrogance and unwillingness to give credit where it's due. This reflects her blatant disregard not only for the Prime Minister but for the growth and future of West Bengal. Prime Minister Modi's project includes initiatives that focus on infrastructure, job creation, and economic upliftment, paving the way for long-term growth in the state. Mamata's silence and refusal to publicly thank him only underline her disrespect and arrogance," Paul added further. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister posted on X, "I am fortunate enough to share with you all the contribution of our West Bengal government in the historic international investment decision for Kolkata, as kindly announced by Hon'ble President of the USA with our Hon'ble PM Modi yesterday. The background story of our long and arduous exercises which lie behind the great news about a major American investment in our State in the semiconductor sector is truly worth sharing. Yesterday's declaration by the Hon'ble President and the Hon'ble PM regarding imminent setting up of a Global Capability Centre in semiconductor sector by Global Foundries as the anchor-industry in West Bengal has a history of relentless promotion by the West Bengal Govt." "Since early last year, the State IT Dept. and our PSU Webel approached leading semiconductor industries as many chip-designing & packaging StartUps had relocated to various Webel IT Parks after the Covid pandemic. Global Foundries, Synopsis, Micron and a few other leading international semiconductor companies held a number of technology-symposiums in West Bengal. They visited our units and offices to discuss emerging technologies & investment potential. This year, the State Govt.-sponsored Global VLSI Conference 2024, held in Kolkata, witnessed participation of all leading giants from the Semiconductor industries. Hence, continuous deliberations coupled with successful promotion of the State's capacity have thus led to Global Foundries' recent proposal to set up a Global Capability Centre in Kolkata. I assure all support to the emerging investment in this frontier sector. Let West Bengal be the true destination for knowledge-based Industries," CM Mamata added. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav criticised Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on Monday, stating it was unfortunate for the state that an elected CM ended up in jail. He also expressed disbelief at Soren's "shamelessness" for returning as CM after serving time in prison. "The leader of the opposition (Hemant Soren) made his wife contest from this Assembly seat (Giridih), misleading the public with lies to make her the CM. But only lies were spoken. It is the misfortune of the state that an elected CM goes to jail because of his wrongdoings... And look at the audacity, after returning from jail, he becomes the chief minister again," CM Yadav said during a 'Parivartan Sabha' in Giridih, Jharkhand. "This time, the public will not be deceived. Whatever the opposition does, the public has seen through them," he added. "All the states benefitted from the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the Jharkhand CM's ego is such that he refused to cooperate with the central government for the development of Jharkhand. They have taken the wrong path, and I regret to say, as you sow, so shall you reap," the CM said. Meanwhile, praising PM Modi, CM Yadav remarked that not only the people of India but even those from other countries wished for a leader like Modi. "Not just the people of our country, but even the citizens of our enemy nations say they wish they had a leader like Narendra Modi," Yadav stated. Jharkhand is expected to hold elections for its 81-member legislative assembly by December 2024, as the current government's tenure is set to end in January 2025. However, the Election Commission has yet to announce the election schedule. In the 2020 Assembly election, the JMM won 30 seats, the BJP secured 25, and Congress took 16. (ANI)
Enforcement Directorate (ED), Mumbai conducted search operations at multiple locations in Delhi, Jalgaon and Ahmedabad as part of an ongoing investigation against Dnyanraddha Multistate Co-operative Society Ltd. (DMCSL), Suresh and its chairman Suresh Kute and others, officials said on Monday. The search operations were conducted on Friday and Saturday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002. During the search operations, movable assets in the form of Bank funds, Fixed Deposit, Demat account holdings to the tune of Rs.7.5 Crore (approx.) have been frozen along with the seizure of various incriminating documents and digital devices, officials said. ED initiated investigation based on various FIRs registered during the months of May to July, 2024 by various police stations of Maharashtra under various sections of IPC, 1860 and MPID Act, 1999 in respect of fraud committed by Suresh Kute and others through Dnyanraddha Multistate Co-operative Society Ltd (DMCSL) with the investors. As per the FIRs registered and verified till date, the tentative amount of fraud with investors amounts to Rs.168 Crore approx. DMCSL was managed and controlled by Suresh Dnyanobarao Kute, Yashvant V Kulkarni and others. DMCSL floated various deposit schemes to lure gullible investors by promising high returns ranging from 12% to 14%. However, the investors were cheated and their funds were embezzled by management of the society for their personal gains by hatching a criminal conspiracy. ED investigation revealed that Suresh Kute in connivance with Dibyayan Das Sharma had fabricated false documents showing a structured investment allegedly promising a funding of Rs. 10,000 Crore over five years from M/s. Minventa Research, Luxembourg through the securitization of the Kute Group's assets. Fraudulent documents related to this scheme were also distributed among investors of DMCSL to prevent them from pursuing legal action against Suresh Kute and others, with the false assurance that all investors of DMCSL would be repaid. It is further revealed that these fabricated documents were also used as submissions before various judicial fora, including Hon'ble High Court and NCLT as an attempt to mislead the authorities and to present the Kute Group as financially solvent. Earlier, ED had conducted search operations in this case on 09.08.2024 and had frozen movable assets to the tune of Rs. 1.73 Crore (approx.) along with seizure of various other incriminating documents & digital devices. Total seizure in this case till date amounts to Rs.9.2Crore (approx.). (ANI)
The Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the people who were killed in a lightning strike in Rajnandgaon district. 8 people, including 6 children, were killed in a lightning strike, an official said on Monday. Making the announcement in a post on his social media account, X, CM Sai condoled the deaths of the people in this tragic incident. https://x.com/vishnudsai/status/1838182312858534242 "The news of the death of 8 people, including 5 schoolchildren, due to lightning in Joratarai village of Rajnandgaon district is extremely sad. Instructions have been given to provide financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased in this tragic incident. The injured person has been rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment. My condolences are with the families of the deceased. I pray to God for peace of the departed souls and speedy recovery of the injured person," CM Sai wrote on X after the incident. Rajnandgaon Collector Sanjay Agarwal said that the students who were on their way back from school, along with other people, took shelter under a tree following rain. "In Joratarai village, during rain, there was lightning, so the students who were coming back from school and a few people took shelter under a tree. At this time, lightning struck them, and 8 people, including 6 children, died...Officials reached the spot and shifted all to the hospital. One person sustained injuries...," Agarwal told ANI. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister said that officials immediately reached the spot and rellief funds are being provided. "Everything is in our knowledge, and the government is taking immediate action on it ... The deceased also include school children. Our officials have reached there immediately, and relief funds are being provided immediately," CM Sai told reporters in Raipur on Monday. However, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajnandgaon, Mohit Garg, said, "Eight persons, including four children, died due to lightening in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh." Earlier this month, seven people were killed and three others were injured after they were struck by lightning in Chhattisgarh's Baloda Bazar. (ANI)
Aam Admi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday claimed that no government can be formed without the support of AAP in Haryana. Arvind Kejriwal stated that he resigned and asked the people of Delhi to elect him only if they think he is honest. "In the entire world, no one believes that Kejriwal is a thief. No one leaves even a job, but I have resigned and asked the people of Delhi that elect me as your CM only if you believe that I am honest. If you will vote for me again, then only I'll sit in the Chief Minister's chair..., Kejriwal said during a roadshow in Haryana's Dabwali assembly. Caling himself the son of Haryana, Kejriwal alleged, "BJP tried very hard to break your son, tortured me, and stopped my medicines. But I am a boy from Haryana; they can break anyone but not a person from Haryana." "No government can be formed in Haryana without AAP. It is my responsibility that whichever government is formed with our support, we will ensure that electricity in Haryana is provided free of charge," said Kejriwal, who was released from Tihar Jail earlier in the month in the Delhi excise policy case. Meanwhile, launching a scathing attack against the Congress party, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that Congress leaders were fighting amongst themselves over Haryana Assembly tickets, adding, that also there is an infighting in Congress for the Chief Ministerial position in Haryana. Addressing a public rally in Haryana's Jagadhari, Shah said, "Hooda father and son are fighting amongst themselves. They are also fighting over ticket distribution. In the BJP, Manohar Lal Khattar himself left his seat for young leader Nayab Singh Saini." Lashing out at the Congress party over one rank, one pension scheme, he said, "It is said that every tenth soldier comes from Haryana. I salute those mothers who send their sons to safeguard us. I want to say to Congress that Haryana has been demanding one rank, one pension for 40 years. Our jawans have also raised this demand but the Congress party never agreed upon it. BJP formed govt in 2014 and passed one rank, one pension scheme in 2015. Lakhs of rupees were transferred to to bank accounts of security personnel." Voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5. Votes will be counted on October 8 along with that in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday participated in the 'Mahila Sammelan' organised in support of BJP candidate from Kalka Assembly constituency Shakti Rani Sharma in Pinjore, Panchkula district. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, "I have come here today to seek support from the women power of Haryana. The Chief Minister said that the way the immense crowd of people gathered at the rally makes it clear that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win with a huge majority in the upcoming assembly polls in Haryana on October 5th." In the program, Chief Minister Dhami said that under the able guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP government of Haryana has set many records in the last 10 years, after which the picture of Haryana has changed and that the state has progressed in every field, including roads, health, drinking water, and infrastructure. The Chief Minister said that in the last 10 years, the BJP government in Haryana has built 40 major national highways and laid a network of roads in every village. "Recently in the past, the Central Government has increased the railway budget for Haryana from Rs 300 crore to Rs 3000 crore. All this is the miracle of the double-engine government," said CM Dhami. Chief Minister Dhami said that the Haryana government is working dedicatedly for women's power along with providing pure drinking water to every household. "In the last 10 years, 24 lakh poor families in Haryana have received free gas connections, while 44 lakh poor families are being given gas connections for Rs 500. The Chief Minister said that the governments of 10 years ago neither allowed the daughters in the state to progress nor took care of them, but in the last 10 years, the BJP government has worked rapidly under the Beti Padhao Beti Bachao campaign, moving the daughters forward. He said that the Haryana government has made a provision of 50 per cent reservation to ensure the participation of women in Panchayati Raj. Today, 41 per cent of the Sarpanchs elected in Haryana are women who are fearlessly working to take their villages forward. The BJP government has done unprecedented work in the field of women empowerment by establishing a large number of Mahila Thanas in Haryana. The Chief Minister said that the state of Haryana is moving the wheel of development forward under the able leadership of Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that in Haryana, the Congress has given the slogan 'Haath Badlega Haalat' but their history shows that the hands of Congress have never changed the situation, rather the hands of Congress have always worked to strangle the common man. The Chief Minister said that 10 years ago, the Congress government was a government of scams, sometimes there was an industrial scam, and sometimes there was a scam of the land of poor farmers. In the Hooda government, the system of Parchi-Kharchi was run by the Congress in government jobs. The Bharatiya Janata Party government has abolished the system of slips and expenses and has brought Haryana out of the quagmire of casteism and corruption and implemented a transparent system. Earlier in the day, Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the BJP governance in Haryana and criticised the previous Congress rule. "Our Haryana is the best example of how BJP rules. Earlier, governments of two parties used to come and go in Haryana. When one party came to power, corruption increased and when another party came to power, hooliganism increased. In both, nepotism and casteism were at their peak. For the first time, BJP has formed the government in entire Haryana," he said. "Before the BJP government came to power, one could not get a job here without an expenditure slip. But BJP has recruited thousands of youth with complete transparency without any expenditure or slip," Shah added. "Congress governments were there--to make happy Delhi's son-in-law, farmers' land was allotted at very cheap rates. In Hooda Sahab's government, dealers have much say, the son-in-law has a say, and the corrupt have a say. BJP has ended the government of the dealer and son-in-law. Hooda Sahab has promised to give 2 lakhs jobs, it's in the manifesto of Congress, I want to ask the leaders of the Congress party -'ye 2 lakh naukariyan kisko doge, jo yuva yogya hai usko doge ya jo aapko kharchi data, jiske paas aapki parchi hai usko doge?'" Shah said. Shah accused Rahul Gandhi of "misguiding" youth regarding the Agniveer scheme."About Agniveer, Rahul Baba is misguiding the youths. I am firm in what I say, and today I am saying that none of the Agniveer of Haryana will be left. The Indian government and the Haryana government will provide them with a job with pension facilities. Middlemen in Delhi are waiting for Congress to come into power in Haryana, I want to ask the people of Tohana, would you want to give Harayan in the hands of middlemen?" Shah said. Voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5. Votes will be counted on October 8 along with that in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah alleged on Monday that attempts were being made to "divide our voice" and "votes." He appealed to the electorate to vote for the National Conference ahead of the second phase of polling scheduled for September 23. "I am seeking one more opportunity to serve you. There are many unemployed youth here. Here is the issue of land and woes of electricity. Electricity bills are skyrocketing. Attempts are being made to divide our voice and divide our votes," Omar Abdullah said while addressing a rally in Ganderbal district. He also targeted the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for aligning with the BJP in 2014. "... In 2014, this party appealed for votes to stop the BJP. The people of Jammu and Kashmir gave them 28 seats. Unfortunately, these 28 MLA's went and sat in the lap of the BJP...If these parties emerge successful, they will do nothing except bring the BJP into the Union Territory, " Omar said. Meanwhile, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy has slammed the Congress-National Conference alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that they want to implement the "Jinnah Constitution" by reinstating Article 370. "In the manifesto released by the National Conference for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, they have said that after coming to power, they will reinstate Article 370. It is wrong that the Congress-National Conference will implement the Jinnah Constitution by removing the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, which was implemented after 70 years by Prime Minister Modi," Kishan Reddy told ANI on Sunday. While Congress' manifesto for the Assembly election is silent on the Article 370, its bigger alliance partner NC promised in its manifesto restoration of Article 370 . The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister is contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal Assembly seats, which are going to polls in the second phase scheduled for September 23. The first phase of three phase assembly elections was held on September 18. Notably, a voter turnout of 61.13 pc was registered in the first phase, which was held in 24 constituencies in seven districts. Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1 respectively. Votes will be counted on October 8. (ANI)
After Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi assumed charge as Delhi Chief Minister on Monday, Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohamed said that during Congress time in Delhi, there was no argument with the Centre, and the people are tired of the 'tu tu main main' between the Bharatiya Janata Party and AAP. Shama told ANI that the people of Delhi want a party that ruled here very well and had shown proper governance. She said, "As a resident of Delhi, she (Atishi) has to understand my pain of what we go through when the roads are flooded, where I was almost going to get electrocuted. I want her to answer that. I want her to answer about the garbage in South Delhi and what the MCD is doing. I want to ask her why electricity is going on and off these days, which never happened during the Sheila Dikshit regime. So these questions they need to answer." "Let us make one thing very clear, when the Congress party was there, there was no 'tu tu - mai mai' between the Congress party, whether it was any central government. There was also the BJP in power when the Congress party was in state. I think the people of Delhi are a bit tired of the 'tu tu mai mai' made between the BJP and AAP. They want a party that ruled Delhi very well and has proper governance in Delhi, and I believe that is the Congress Party," the Congress spokesperson added. Meanwhile, Atishi took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on September 22 after she was named successor to the post by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal earlier this week. In an emotional gesture towards Kejriwal, Atishi placed an empty chair beside her CM chair, saying, "This chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. Today I took charge as the CM of Delhi. Today I have the same pain in my heart as Bharat ji had. Just like Bharat ji worked by keeping Lord Shri Ram's sandals, I will take charge as CM for the next four months." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday described newly appointed Delhi Chief Minister Atishi as "proxy CM," comparing her to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was perceived to be controlled by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. "Today, Delhi has received its new Manmohan Singh. The manner in which CM's chair was kept unoccupied, people of Delhi had also received'missing in action CM' similarly. They first received a 'jail wala CM', then a 'bail wala' CM who had no power or rights left after the Supreme Court's conditions. Today, they received a 'proxy CM', i.e., Manmohan Singh...," Poonawalla told ANI. On September 17, Kejriwal tendered his resignation to Delhi LG VK Saxena, and Atishi staked claimed to form the new government days after the AAP chief was released on bail from Tihar jail in the excise policy case. Arvind Kejriwal said that he is not a politician, and the allegations have affected him, prompting him to step down from the post of Chief Minister. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Ved Pal Singh Tanwar's plea challenging his arrest in Haryana illegal Mining case. He has been arrested by the ED in connection to a money laundering case. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued notice to ED and sought response. The matter has been listed on October 18 for further hearing. Earlier, he was granted interim bail for 56 days on medical grounds. Tanwar has moved a plea through advocate Sumer Singh Boparai and Aman Sharma. He has challenged his arrest by the ED, subsequent remand by the trial court. He has also sought a direction for his release in this case. It is stated that the Arresting Officer has failed in complying with the mandatory requirements/ safeguards enshrined under Sections 19(1) and 19(2) of the PMLA. The arrest of the Petitioner is wholly arbitrary and bereft of any application of mind. Furthermore, the non-supply of the 'reasons to believe' strikes at the root of the Respondent Agency's exercise of the power of arrest under Section 19 of PMLA, the plea stated. ED had arrested Ved pal Singh Tanwar under the provisions of Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 on 30.05.2024 in connection with illegal mining in Dadam area of Haryana. As per ED, it initiated an investigation on the basis of the Prosecution Complaint filed by the Regional Officer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Bhiwani before the Special Environment Court, Kurukshetra against the Firm M/s Govardhan Mines and Minerals for violating the conditions of Environment Clearance under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and subsequent an FIR was registered by Haryana Police under various section of IPC, 1860. ED said that investigation revealed that the firm has been involved in large scale illegal and unscientific mining in the Dadam area of Haryana. It had led to large scale damage to the Environment and huge loss to the exchequer. It is worth mentioning here that rampant illegal mining in the area led to killing 5 persons due to landslides, ED said in a press note. Earlier, a search and seizure was conducted in the case on 03.08.2023 wherein large scale unaccounted cash documents, jewellery of Rs 3.7 crore, cash of Rs 26.45 Lakh and a Mercedes car worth Rs. 1 Crore were seized. During the search, it was found that Vedpal Singh Tanwar is the key managerial person who not only acquired mining rights illegally but also led to illegal and unscientific mining beyond permissible limits. ED investigation further revealed that Tanwar gained to the tune of Rs. 37 Crore from the said illegal mining. He invested these gains, which are Proceeds of Crime (PoC), in movable and immovable properties. Vedpal Singh Tanwar suppressed the facts and misled the investigation being conducted by the ED. In order to establish the money trail and other persons involved in the illegal mining activities, Vedpal Singh Tanwar was arrested and was remanded to 7 days ED custody in June, the ED said. (ANI)
Chinese, foreign scientists to start new expedition into Asia's longest cave

Xinhua) 08:23, September 23, 2024

A member of Guizhou provincial mountain resources institute observes the rock formation inside a branch cave of Shuanghe Cave in Suiyang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 23, 2023. (Photo by Zhao Fei/Xinhua)

GUIYANG, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Scientists from China, France, Portugal, Belgium and other countries gathered on Friday at the Shuanghe Cave, Asia's longest known cave, in southwest China's Guizhou Province for a launch ceremony of the 23rd joint international scientific expedition into the cave.

The expedition is scheduled for Oct. 7 to 24, and the results of their findings will be made available on Oct. 24.

Previous scientific expeditions found 44 individual giant panda fossils, with the oldest specimen dating back 100,000 years and the most recent dating back a few hundred years.

The fossils prove that Guizhou was once a habitat for giant pandas, which are today known to survive in the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu.

Zhou Wenlong, deputy secretary general of the Guizhou Cave Association, said the upcoming cave expedition will further study the cave's resources, formation and evolution.

According to the results of the 2023 joint expedition, the cave network has 107 connected openings and boasts a length of 409.9 kilometers, making it the longest known cave in Asia and the third-longest in the world. It is also the world's longest dolomite cave.

French caver Jean Bottazzi, who has more than three decades of cave exploration experience in China, is acting as chief of the upcoming cave research. He calls Shuanghe Cave his second home.

He said that since the late 1980s, the discoveries of Chinese and foreign experts in the cave have led to repeated updates of the cave's length, and many cave fossils and living organisms have been unearthed, providing rich, valuable scientific research materials.

During this year's scientific expedition, Suiyang County, which administers the cave area, will hold activities such as a geological science photography contest and a short video contest to promote the cave geopark.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Like most, Sun Lixin, the eldest child in the family-run businesses in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, was born with a mission  succession.

The firstborn son was followed by a brother and a sister in a family that has made porcelain for four generations and was trained to inherit the family's ceramic making skills since he was a child.

His father, Sun Tongxin, has a masterly skill for blue and white painting on porcelain and was a trailblazer in splash ink painting on ceramic panels, blending the innovative contemporary high-temperature technique with the expressive methods of traditional Chinese blue and white ink painting. One of Sun Sr's pieces was collected by the Palace Museum in Beijing.

Ink color is one of the color painting decoration methods of ceramics. It refers to a kind of porcelain painting technique that uses thick or bright black as the main colorant to paint on ceramics, presenting a light-black ink effect. It has a strong literati charm and an artistic appeal, showing an elegant and simple, green and subtle aesthetic feeling.

"I grew up in an environment surrounded by ceramics and ceramists," Sun Lixin, 57, said.

He recalled that he did homework at the workshops where his parents worked when primary school finished. The three went home together after the adults got of work.

In 1976, then premier Zhou Enlai decreed the protection for traditional craftsmanship of porcelain production.

Thanks to the regulation, a group of teens in Jingdezhen was recruited by the local 10 state-owned porcelain factories to be trained in pottery-making techniques.

"Though being wet behind the ears, I was thrilled to be an apprentice in a state-owned factory," Sun Lixin said.

He was only 13.

"I liked to learn how to make ceramics, such as drawing, throwing and painting as many of my peers were also in the factory," he said.

Sun Lixin's teacher was his father, who was very strict with the naughty boy. Luckily, his peer apprentices, in his words, learned from their parents' friends, who were very friendly.

"I was always sniveling as my father bawled me out for doing things frolicsome with other children," Sun Lixin said. "One day, I ran away from home, saying to myself that I was damned if I was going to do pottery again."

However, he had no choice but to return home and continue his apprenticeship and his father had more teachers for the boy to sharpen his skill of Chinese painting.

Sun Lixin was a fast learner and became a skilled porcelain painter.

Time of change

But things turned bad in Jingdezhen in the late 1980s and early 90s as all the workers were laid of due to the restructuring of the state-owned factories. Sun Lixin and other potters had to do something else to make a living.

An entrepreneur from Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, invited Sun Lixin to work for him, offering a fat salary of more than 2,000 yuan ($275) a month.

"His offer is very impressive to me. You know, I earned a monthly income of only 300 yuan in Jingdezhen at that time," Sun said.

His parents were also among the massive layoffs, instead bringing home the bacon by drawing for some local people who were the first to run their own porcelain workshops.

Sun Lixin returned to Jingdezhen from Guangzhou when he was told that his grandfather was fatally ill.

"I am his firstborn grandson, whom the big family has great expectation on," Sun said.

He took with him all the money he had saved over several years in Guangzhou and rebuilt the kiln that the family had before 1949.

Most of the Sun family members are artisans. Sun Lixin's uncle has a mastery of porcelain pigments.

In January 1975, the Jingdezhen-based ceramic research institute affiliated to China's former ministry of light industry was assigned the special mission of making porcelain for Chairman Mao Zedong. More than 100 sets of porcelain, or nearly 10,000 pieces, which were coded as 7501, were produced in a year.

Sun Lixin's mother, who is specialized in underglaze polychrome enamels, was in the team for the important assignment.

"In my childhood, I saw my mom doing underglaze enameling on a very thin piece in the middle of night. There was a slight sound of cracking. I saw a tear rolling down her cheek," Sun Lixin recalled compassionately.

"Flaws make porcelain prices drop, so no single flaw is allowed on ceramic pieces," he said.

But Sun has kept piles of porcelain wares with flaws, which, in his words, remind him of the time and effort his parents invested.

"Hard work and dedication is the character of the Sun family to the core. I have a sense of purpose for making the family craftsmanship better," Sun Lixin said.

Family craftsmanship

He is devoted to making the Sun's kiln not only a workshop but also a place for doing research on ceramic making.

Sun Lixin's modern aesthetic perfectly complements the craftsmanship of the classic designs from Chinese ink painting.

His ceramic panels are widely collected by museums such as the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, as well as individuals. He is one of the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage conferred by the Jingdezhen authorities.

In 2006, the Jingdezhen ceramic hand-making technique was included in the first batch of traditional skills in China's national intangible cultural heritage list. There are 1,899 inheritors of Jingdezhen's intangible cultural heritage, more than 90 percent of whom are engaged in the inheritance of ceramic hand-making skills.

When Sun Lixin found that his son was not into the porcelain making, he and his wife decided to have one more child. They had a daughter when Sun Lixin was 41.

The girl's early interest in drawing gives her parents and grandparents pleasure. "It seems that drawing is in her bones. She is making sketches much better than I do," Sun Lixin said as he beamed with pride.

While his 24-year-old son was studying biological engineering in Dalian city in Northeast China's Liaoning province, his daughter, 16, is learning fine art in Beijing.

As the intangible cultural heritage inheritor, Sun Lixin is taking on six young people as his apprentices. They learn to draw the traditional Chinese patterns such as lotus, peony, peach, bat and persimmon.

"These flora and animals used as decorative motifs on porcelain pieces are symbols of traditional Chinese culture, which young people had better have a understanding of," Sun Lixin said.

The Bat, for example, represents good fortune, lotus stands for good luck and the peach means longevity.

"I am obliged to tell them what I know about traditional Chinese culture," he said.

Linglong ware

Lyu Yating, 31, is also the firstborn of a family that makes ceramics for five generations. She has a younger sister who does not find porcelain making appealing, as well as a younger brother who is still a middle school student.

Shortly after graduating from a university where she studied international business management in the United Kingdom in 2014, the 21-year-old Lyu returned to Jingdezhen to take over the family business. "My mother told me that my father, 62, was out of sorts as he always put his nose to the grindstone," she said.

Lyu's father started the Fuyu blue and white linglong ceramic company in the 1990s when the state-owned porcelain factories could not survive. He recruited all six of his brothers and sisters who were laid off from the factories, as well as other skilled artisans.

Jingdezhen is the only place where linglong porcelain is produced. Grain-sized holes are hollowed out in the thin roughcast and covered with several layers of glaze when ceramists make linglong porcelain, also known as a "porcelain inlaid with glass". It is famous for its exquisite carving patterns and glittering, translucent appeal. The process requires a high level of craftsmanship.

Linglong porcelain is one of the most famous types of ceramics Jingdezhen produces. The others include famille-rose porcelain, blue-white porcelain and color-glazed porcelain.

Like Sun Lixin, Lyu also grew up at the ceramic-making workshop.

At that time, she dreamed of doing something different from what her parents did. The young artisan said: "I wanted to be independent."

But she has no heart to let her parents down. The Lyu family has a formula for glaze handed down from her great-great-grandfather.

"After all, I am the eldest child and my father's technique should be passed on. Our family business is well established in Jingdezhen," Lyu said.

She feels a sense of pride when she sees Chinese porcelain, especially items made in Jingdezhen, exhibited in foreign museums.

Lyu started studying ceramic making comprehensively  the way to make the linglong glaze in particular  shortly after coming back to Jingdezhen.

"Though I had no experience for ceramic making at that time, I was of intellectual curiosity and thought outside the box," she said.

The family business produces daily use porcelain at its production lines. At the same time, Lyu has a team focusing on research and development.

She and her team have been experimenting with new media to achieve the best effects for linglong porcelain.

"I want to find a type of glaze that can make the linglong ceramic more beautiful and more translucent," Lyu said.

"Fortunately, the production of the daily use ceramics has increased significantly and made big profit so that investment in R&D is possible," Lyu said.

New ways forward

Now the young entrepreneur is dedicating herself to building brands as she knows that her production lines cannot churn out as much as the companies in Dehua, Fujian province, and Chaozhou, Guangdong province. The two places have a pile-it-high-and-sell-it-cheap strategy.

"I don't want to be an original equipment manufacturer. Instead, I want to sell our brands overseas," she said.

Lyu described herself as a well balanced person who is calm and reasonable and shows good judgment.

"I hope that products of intangible cultural heritage can be salable rather than merely a symbol. In so doing, people can understand what the charm of intangible cultural heritage is," Lyu said.

Lyu, also a designated inheritor of intangible cultural heritage in Jingdezhen, is ambitious to make ceramics that could be handed down from generation to generation.

"I am grateful to my father who has created such a wonderful company," she said.

Her company has four brands; one started by her father and the other three by her. She is pouring a lot of effort into developing products such as coffee and tea sets, jardinieres and copies of antique porcelain.

In Lyu's words, the spirit of artisans means their craftsmanship and pursuit of excellence.

Lyu received offers for graduate study from four foreign universities after her undergraduate education in the UK. When asked whether she regrets not undertaking graduate studies, Lyu said she had no choice but inherit the family business.

" Now I am having a great life, and I have no regrets," she said.
West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Monday blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the flood situation in the state. "Mamata Banerjee is responsible for this... This is TMC's failure, TMC should be accountable to the people of Ghatal... The state government has no role here, Mamata Banerjee herself came here but what happened? There is no rice in people's homes, no tarpaulin, no food for children. The government has completely failed here," Adhikari said. Earlier today, West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari met flood-affected people in Ghatal of Paschim Medinipur district. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the BJP-led Central government of being the main reason behind flooding of lakhs of houses in West Bengal. "In Jharkhand, as soon as it rains, we become worried because they release water to save themselves, which affects the entire Bengal region. The Ganga Action Plan, flood control, and DVC are all under the central government's control, but due to their inaction, lakhs of homes are getting flooded," she said. She also mentioned that if the Central government provided the West Bengal government with one-fourth of the money it spends on elections, building large structures, and erecting statues, then West Bengal would better control the flood situation in the state. "During elections, the money that political parties spend--building large structures and erecting statues--if the Central Government gives us even one-fourth of that amount, we (the West Bengal government) could manage the Ganga Action Plan and flood control much better," he said. Banerjee also claimed that more areas in West Bengal would be flooded in the coming days if the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) releases water. "Two depressions have developed over the Bay of Bengal. The situation will worsen, if it continues to rain, especially if the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) releases more water from its dams," she said. Earlier today, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee toured the flood-affected districts of the state. In Bardhaman, she distributed essential items to the affected people during her visit. Earlier on Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the flooding in South Bengal, which she attributed to "abnormally heavy releases of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) reservoirs in Jharkhand." In her previous letter, Banerjee noted that the floods had affected five million people and urged the central government to release emergency funds to support recovery efforts. "The floods have led to significant loss of crops, damage to public infrastructure, and destruction of homes and livestock," she wrote, adding the state government is working hard to provide relief, with operations underway to evacuate people to safer shelters. Banerjee urged the Prime Minister to seriously consider her concerns and requested the release of funds for flood management efforts to help the affected population. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], September 23: Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjrapu Rammohan Naidu on Monday said that India's rapid growth in aviation demands robust safety measures to keep pace with its expansion. He held discussions on critical aspects of human factors leading to aviation accidents and how AI learning can mitigate human errors. While addressing senior MoCA officials and senior officials of airlines at a seminar organised by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) he said, "Human factors play a crucial role in aircraft safety, from cockpit to ground support operations. Understanding these factors and addressing vulnerabilities is essential for aviation safety. The country has achieved a remarkable growth in the number of airports and fleet in the past 10 years." "Despite an impressive safety record, there has been a 10 per cent increase in human error-related incidents over the past decade. Factors such as pilot fatigue and communication breakdowns contribute to these incidents. It has highlighted the need for addressing human factors to ensure continued safety," Naidu added. During his address, he also focused on the use of AI to mitigate human errors and said integrating advanced psychological research in training programmes for pilots and air traffic controllers is crucial to prevent incidents. Advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics can be combined with psychological research to optimise pilot behaviour and performance. This integration will enhance safety and efficiency in the aviation industry. He also suggested enhancing safety through stress management. "The aviation industry requires robust stress management programs for a stress-free work environment. Aviation psychology plays a crucial role in ensuring safety. The tress-free environment for everyone who is working in this aviation industry is necessary," he said. (ANI)
The opposition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), slammed the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government on Monday over the encounter of the Badlapur sexual assault accused near Thane and criticised the Mahayuti, terming the killing as a breakdown of law and raising questions over the justice system in the state. NCP MP Supriya Sule slammed the Mahayuti government and said, "The Mahayuti government's approach to the Badlapur sexual assault case of two minor girls is shocking! Delay in the filing of the FIR first, and now the prime accused is killed in custody! This is an absolute breakdown of law enforcement and the justice system. This is inexcusable. It deprives the people of Maharashtra of justice." Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also reacted to the same and dubbed it "incompetence" of the Mahayuti government, adding the co-accused in the case are on the run and said that the entire altercation is a "story written by the state government." "The accused is dead, and the other co-accused under POCSO who were the school board members as well as BJP office bearers are on the run. Such a textbook case of shoot and scoot tactics applied by an incompetent government," posted the Rajya Sabha MP on X. "Coming soon, nobody sexually assaulted the 6-year-olds. A story written, sponsored, and executed by the state government," Chaturvedi added. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and spokesperson Anand Dubey also spoke on the incident and said, "The Home Minister and Police should form an SIT to probe the matter as there are many doubts. The government and police should clarify and tell the public what happened." Maharashtra Assembly Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar demanded a judicial probe in the matter, while state Congress chief Nana Patole questioned whether the "encounter" was done to save trustees of the school who have not been arrested so far. NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar, while saying that the incident "raises suspicion," posted on X, "The injustice done to two children in Badlapur should have rightly resulted in the death penalty within the appropriate legal framework. However, the negligence shown by the Home Department while transferring the main accused in this case raises suspicions." "It seems the government has failed to instill enough fear of the law to prevent anyone from even imagining such a heinous act in the future. A thorough investigation into this incident is expected to bring the truth to light," he added. Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan spoke on the matter and said, "He was murdered in cold blood. Nobody will believe that it was an encounter. It is a black day for Maharashtra Police, as once upon a time it had a great reputation." "I have demanded an inquiry from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who was in Mumbai at the same time. I don't believe Maharashtra Police under the current dispensation will be able to do justice. The real perpetrators of this crime will never be found. People of Maharashtra would like to know the truth," Chavan said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said, "We are coming to know that the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case has died. Our demand is that no accused should be spared so that such an incident does not repeat. Why the government is trying to protect the main culprits, the court should investigate this, this is the demand of the Congress party." Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam also slammed the opposition for raising questions on the encounter of the Badlapur accused and said, "The encounter of the accused in the Badlapur incident is good news...Those who are raising questions on this encounter, I want to ask them, are they standing with the accused or with the Maharashtra Police? "When this incident took place, these were the people who were saying that the accused should be publicly punished, and today they are raising questions on this. I would appeal to all the opposition leaders to stand with the Maharashtra Police instead of shedding tears for the accused," said Nirupam. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "His (Akshay Shinde) ex-wife had lodged a complaint of sexual assault against him. Police, along with a warrant, were taking him for an investigation in the case. He snatched the police gun and fired on police personnel and in the air too. Police fired on him in self-defence. He was taken to the hospital. Doctors will declare it later, but the preliminary information that we have is that he has died." "The opposition raises questions on everything; the same opposition was asking to hang him. If he had attacked the police, wouldn't the police do the self-defence? It's wrong to create any issue out of it," said Fadnavis. According to information received from Thane Police, the accused, Akshay Shinde, was being taken from Taloja Jail to Badlapur in a new case filed by his wife when he snatched the weapon from a police official and opened fire and got injured near Mumbra bypass, and later he was taken to the hospital where he died. The man accused in the sexual assault case of two minor girls in Badlapur died on Monday evening in retaliatory firing after he snatched a gun from a police officer and opened fire at him. The alleged sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls at a school in Maharashtra's Badlapur had sparked outrage. On August 17, police arrested an attendant of the school for allegedly abusing the girls. The state government had formed an SIT to probe the sexual assault case. (ANI)
The Enforcement Directorate's Lucknow Zonal Office provisionally attached immovable assets amounting to Rs 14.89 crore (approx.) in the case of real estate broker, Rajeev Tyagi and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, informed a press release on Monday. According to the release, the assets include several immovable properties in the form of flats, commercial shops, residential and industrial plots, registered in the names of Rajeev Tyagi, partner of M/s Sai Construction and Builders, and his sons Amartya Raj Tyagi and Kanishk Raj Tyagi, M/s SKT Garments Private Limited, and M/s. SK Enterprises. ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by CBI, Ghaziabad, (UP) under various sections of IPC, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against M/s Sai Construction and Builders, Ghaziabad, and its partners and others for alleged loan fraud. ED investigation revealed that Rajeev Tyagi, along with his wife, Meenu Tyagi, through their partnership firm, viz., M/s Sai Construction and Builders, Ghaziabad, hatched a "criminal conspiracy" in connivance with other associates/guarantors and availed loans/financial facilities from the bank (erstwhile Corporation Bank and now Union Bank of India after the merger) by submitting fake/forged documents and inflated valuation reports of the mortgaged properties with the intention to defraud the bank, the release added. ED investigation also revealed that loans/financial facilities availed from the bank were allegedly layered/diverted/syphoned off through his accounts or accounts of associated persons/entities, and subsequently utilised the same for other than intended purposes, resulting in default of loan repayment, which caused a huge loss to the public sector bank. Further investigation is underway in the case. (ANI)
BJP and Congress leaders continued to exchange barbs in the electioneering for Haryana assembly polls, with AAP party leader Arvind Kejriwal also stating that no government will be formed in the state without his party's support. Home Minister Amit Shah, who addressed rallies in Haryana, alleged that there was infighting in Haryana Congress and the party leaders in Delhi were looking at an opportunity to "loot" the state after 10 years. He said people will again bring BJP to power in the state based on its governance for development, employment and women empowerment. "Hooda father and son are fighting amongst themselves....In the BJP, Manohar Lal Khattar left his chair for young leader Nayab Singh Saini," he said. He accused the Congress party of disrespecting Dalit leaders and dubbed it an "anti-Dalit" party. "Congress is an anti-Dalit party. During the Congress rule, the Gohana incident took place in 2005 and the Mirchpur incident took place in 2010. Congress has always disrespected Dalit leaders, be it Ashok Tanwar or Kumari Selja. Dr BR Ambedkar wasn't given Bharat Ratna till Congress was in power. BJP has established Panchtirtha to respect BR Ambedkar and declared Samvidhan Diwas," Shah said. Congress leader Kumari Selja on Monday scotched any speculation of her joining the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that she owes the Congress for whatever she is today. The former union minister took a dig at the BJP, saying that the party has no soft corner for Congress leaders. "It's election time and hence they are doing this, otherwise BJP has no soft corner for leaders of Congress, but these things have no meaning. Whatever I am today is because of Congress and I have served it all my life. I'll join the campaign in two to three days and we will form Congress government," Kumari Selja told ANI. "For years, the party had no organisation but party workers kept working on the ground, people like me just give speeches but it's party workers who work on the ground and hence they have expectations. When they don't get space, they go to other places in search of it as they (party workers) have felt certain things but I will say that we are in Congress and will work for the party...Congress will form the government and we together will form that..." she said. BJP leaders had accused Congress of not giving due regard to Kumari Selja. Aam Admi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday claimed that no government can be formed without the support of AAP in Haryana. Calling himself the son of Haryana, Kejriwal alleged, "BJP tried very hard to break your son, tortured me, and stopped my medicines. But I am a boy from Haryana; they can break anyone but not a person from Haryana." "No government can be formed in Haryana without AAP. It is my responsibility that whichever government is formed with our support, we will ensure that electricity in Haryana is provided free of charge," said Kejriwal, who was released from Tihar Jail earlier in the month after getting bail in the Delhi excise policy case. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the 'Mahila Sammelan' organised in support of BJP candidate from Kalka Assembly constituency Shakti Rani Sharma in Pinjore, Panchkula district Campaigning in the state, Congress leader Raj Babbar expressed confidence that party's government will be formed in the state. "No evidence is needed for that," he said, adding that people have rallied in Haryana under the leadership of Bhupendra Singh Hooa." Meanwhile Congress has suspended rebel party leader Chitra Sarwara for a period of six years for being involved in "anti-party activities". This comes after Chitra Sarwara fielded her candidature from Ambala Cantonment as an independent candidate. The Congress has fielded Parvinder Pal Pari from the seat against six-time MLA and senior BJP leader Anil Vij. Voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5. Votes will be counted on October 8 along with that in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (local time) held a bilateral meeting with Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York. "The meeting was very good," Oli told ANI after his meeting with PM Modi. This is the first meeting between the two leaders after KP Sharma Oli took oath as Nepal's PM for the third time in July this year, succeeding Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. PM Modi had congratulated Oli after he was appointed as the new Prime Minister of Nepal. He had expressed hope to work closely to further strengthen the deep bonds of friendship and expand the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Nepal shares border with five Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The age old civilizational and cultural ties that exist between India and Nepal are exemplified by the strong people-to-people link between both countries. Nepal is a priority partner of India under its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy. The bonds of friendship between the two countries are also strengthened by regular exchanges at high level between India and Nepal. Since May 2014, there has been 17 exchanges at the level of Head of State/ Head of Government. PM Modi has visited Nepal five times since May 2014 and Prime Ministers of Nepal have visited India 10 times since May 2014. The last visit by PM Modi to Nepal was his visit to Lumbini in May 2022, on the holy occasion of Buddha Purnima. Indian firms are among the largest investors in Nepal, accounting for 33.5% of the total FDI stock in Nepal, worth nearly USD 670 million. Nepal is India's 17th largest export destination, up from 28th position in 2014. India constitutes 64.1% of the total trade of Nepal, comprising about $8.85 billion USD (Indian FY 22-23). This includes $8.015 billion USD of exports from India to Nepal and $839.62 million USD of exports from Nepal to India. India is Nepal's largest export destination, receiving an overwhelming 67.9% of its total exports . Nepal's exports mainly constitute edible oil, coffee, tea and jute. Nepal's main imports from India are petroleum products, iron and steel, cereals, vehicles and parts, machinery parts. PM Modi arrived in New York in the second leg of his three-day visit to the United States. On Saturday, PM Modi took part in the Quad Summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Quad has emerged as a key group of like-minded countries to work for peace, progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.PM Modi and President Biden reviewed and identified new pathways to further deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. PM Modi interacted with important American business leaders, who are the key stakeholders, and provide vibrancy to the unique partnership between the largest and the oldest democracies of the world. He will also address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York. (ANI)
Prior to this, PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

"The meeting was very good," PM Oli told ANI after his meeting with PM Modi.

Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and discussed strengthening India-Kuwait bilateral relations.

India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations, which are rooted in history and have stood the test of time. India has been a natural trading partner of Kuwait and until 1961, Indian Rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait.

The year 2021-22 marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait following its independence from British Protectorate in 1961. Prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations, India was represented by a Trade Commissioner.

India's trade with Kuwait has seen a surge, with Indian exports to the Gulf nation reaching USD 2.10 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24, as per the official data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

PM Modi arrived in New York in the second leg of his three-day visit to the United States. On Saturday, PM Modi took part in the Quad Summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Quad has emerged as a key group of like-minded countries to work for peace, progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

PM Modi and President Biden reviewed and identified new pathways to further deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

PM Modi interacted with important American business leaders, who are the key stakeholders, and provide vibrancy to the unique partnership between the largest and the oldest democracies of the world. He will also address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York. (ANI)
The Kaski District Court in Nepal issued an arrest warrant against former Home Minister and the chairman of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, on Sunday. A bench of Kaski District Court led by Judge Krishna Jung Shah issued the warrant related to Lamichhane's alleged involvement in cooperatives while managing Gorkha Media Network, owned by GB Rai. Soon after the issuance of the arrest warrant, cadres of the party gathered in the premises of the party office, chanting slogans against the government and the authorities issuing the warrant. They claimed that Lamichhane has been framed by the state given his popularity within a short span of time. Earlier on Sunday, former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Chhabi Lal Joshi, partner of Lamichhane at Gorkha Media Network, was also arrested. A meeting at the party office was prompted by the arrest of Joshi calling all the key members of the party's secretariat and central committee to assemble at the office. The recent development in Nepal leading to the arrest of the former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane comes after incumbent Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak directed Nepal Police to call for a parliamentary special investigation committee. Lekhak sent the report to the police headquarters on Sunday, instructing them to act on it immediately. The report recommends investigating four individuals, including the former managing director of Gorkha Media and chairman of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, on the four charges--fraud, forgery, organised crime and money laundering. The special committee's report, made public on Friday, suggested that Lamichhane, Gorkha Media's chairman Gitendra Babu (GB) Rai, former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Nepal Police Chhabi Lal Joshithe and Kumar Ramtel be investigated for their alleged involvement in the misappropriation of funds from various cooperatives. Chapter 8 of the parliamentary committee's report mentioned that the cooperative fraud case was subject to the Cooperative Act 2017, sections on forgery under the Criminal Code, the Organised Crime Prevention Act 2013, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2008. Rai was Gorkha Media Network's chair and Lamichhane its managing director when over Nepali Rs 650 million was brought into the company from various cooperatives, including Suryadarshan in Pokhara, Sahara in Chitwan, Supreme in Butwal, and Swarnalakshmi in Kathmandu. The seven-member parliamentary committee headed by Surya Thapa comprised Sarita Bhusal of CPN-UML, Ishwari Neupane and Badri Pandey of Nepali Congress, Lekhnath Dahal of CPN (Maoist Centre), Shishir Khanal of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party as its members. Former Home Minister Lamichhane had worked in Gorkha Media, the parent company of now-defunct Galaxy 4K Television, as managing director at the time when cooperative savings were invested, violating cooperative legislation. The incumbent parliamentarian also clarified that he was engaged in Gorkha Media taking sweat share. Later in 2022, Lamichhane, entered politics, announcing the formation of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and entered the federal parliament as a parliamentarian contesting the election the same year. The television's failure to pay salaries to its staff has shut down its formal operation since last year. The parliamentary investigation report has pointed out that the shares were traded on the basis of forged documents recommending the government to draw the attention of authorities. Further, it has instructed the government authorities to determine the payment process for the transfer of shares and pay applicable tax in case of a complete transfer of shares. Also, the committee has directed the government to further explain and strengthen the provisions regarding sweat shares. The committee in its report also recommended the government take legal action against everyone involved in the transfer of money to Gorkha Media from various cooperatives. Millions of rupees were inducted into Gorkha Media from various cooperatives: Suryadarshan from Pokhara, Supreme from Butwal, Swarnalaxmi from Kathmandu, Sahara Chitwan from Chitwan and Sanopaila from Birgunj. The report stated that the embezzlement of amounts was completed with the active involvement of GB Rai, Kumar Ramtel, Rabi Lamichhane (then managing director), and Chhabi Lal Joshi. Rai and Lamichhane had operated a joint account in a bank and had issued cheques amounting to millions, which shows his involvement, the committee report includes. "Every company has its own objective and spirit. Promoters and shareholders are the ones with main responsibilities in such institutions. Those in the role and responsibility as shareholders, promoters and managing directors cannot be allowed to not be responsible and accountable for the money received by the company," the report stressed. During the investigation, the committee held an inquiry session with former Home Minister and incumbent Chairperson of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Lamichhane for over 10 hours. Throughout the inquiry session, he claimed to be unaware that the transfers that were made to the Gorkha Media originated from cooperatives, that too savings of about 50,000 people. Further arguing over the case, Lamichhane also claimed that Rabi Lamichhane, who had borrowed money from Suryadarshan and Supreme Cooperatives, was also someone not in his knowledge. The committee had asked him a set of 50 questions about his alleged involvement in the scam. Following the tabling and endorsement of the report, House Speaker Devraj Ghimire directed the government to implement the report of the parliamentary special inquiry committee formed to investigate the misappropriation of savings of cooperatives. Speaker Ghimire then directed the Parliament Secretariat to send the report to the government for implementation. The HoR had formed the committee headed by CPN-UML lawmaker Thapa on May 28 after the Nepali Congress demanded the formation of a parliamentary investigation committee, saying Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane, who was then deputy prime minister and home minister, was involved in the misappropriation of cooperative savings. The HoR had initially given the committee three months and later extended its tenure by 15 days. (ANI)
One policeman was killed and four sustained injuries following a 'remote-controlled bomb explosion' that targeted a police van guarding a convoy of foreign envoys en route to Malam Jabba from the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, Geo News reported. According to District Police Officer (DPO) Zahidullah Khan, the attack was directed towards a group of foreign diplomats, and as a result, one officer died and four others were hurt. Khan, who also confirmed the explosion, stated that the impacted mobile van was leading the convoy carrying 11 foreign diplomats. He said the deceased policeman was identified as Burhan, while the four injured included a sub-inspector, as reported by Geo News. Following the incident, police officials told the media that all envoys were safe and had been relocated to Islamabad. They said that when the explosion happened in the Sherabad suburbs, the diplomats were on their way to Malam Jabba following an event at the Chamber of Commerce in Mingora. It was confirmed by the police that ambassadors from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Ethiopia, Portugal, Russia, and other nations were in the convoy, Geo News reported. The injured officers were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) in Saidu Sharif. After the incident, a large number of police enforcement agencies were stationed in the area. Till now, nobody took attribution for the assault. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari strongly denounced the incident. According to a statement issued by the President's House, Zardari paid his respects to the police officer killed in the attack. He also prayed for the quick recovery of everyone hurt in the incident and sent his condolences to the bereaved family. Notably, Pakistan has been witnessing rising violent attacks since the return of Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to Geo News. The two provinces saw a sharp rise in deadly attacks last month, according to data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS). The digital database of security incidents managed by the Islamabad-based think tank suggested an alarming situation as the number of attacks jumped from 38 in July to 59 in August. These incidents included 29 attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 28 in Balochistan, and two in Punjab. Meanwhile, KP witnessed 25 casualties in the 29 terrorist attacks during August. (ANI)
The Prime Minister expressed "deep concern" at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India's continued support to the Palestinian people.

"PM @narendramodimet H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today. PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India's continued support to the people of Palestine," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated in a post on X.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1838009887571190155

Notably, India has long weighed for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

PM Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the horrific terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, but India has repeatedly expressed concerns over the deteriorating situation in Gaza.

India also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza as part of its commitment. In July, India released the first instalment of 2.5 million dollars to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, for Palestine refugees for the year 2024-25.

Prior to this, PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

Along with Kuwait's Crown Prince, PM Modi reviewed India-Kuwait bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen our historical linkages and strong people-to-people contacts.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1838007690779378051

During his meeting with PM Oli, Prime Minister Modi discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of the age-old, multi-faceted and expanding India-Nepal partnership.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1838006931656507810

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of the USA, in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, in New York today.

PM Modi emphasized India's growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster collaborations and innovation across diverse sectors, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.

PM Modi arrived in New York in the second leg of his three-day visit to the United States. On Saturday, PM Modi took part in the Quad Summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The Prime Minister addressed a huge gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Coliseum in New York on Sunday.

He will also address the 'Summit of the Future' at the UN General Assembly in New York today. (ANI)
Kinmen on Sunday received its first tour group from the Chinese mainland in more than four years.

The group of 20-plus tourists arrived in Kinmen from Xiamen, Fujian Province, on the Chinese mainland, and will go on a two-day sightseeing tour that ends on Monday.

On Aug. 30, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the decision to resume allowing residents in Fujian Province to travel to Kinmen.

The Kinmen County government organized a lion-dance performance at the wharf, along with a long red banner, to welcome the tour group. Hsu Chi-hsin, chief of Kinmen's tourism department, welcomed the group at the wharf, expressing hope that the tour would pave the way for smoother and more regular cross-Strait exchanges, local media reported.

"We hope that after a long absence, the members of this first group will return to Xiamen with fond memories of Kinmen, sharing its beauty with friends and family, encouraging more mainland tourists to visit, and boosting Kinmen's tourism and local industries," the tourism department said in a press release.

Chen Yu-jen, a Kinmen legislator, urged the Democratic Progressive Party authorities to lift the current ban on tour groups from Taiwan to the mainland as soon as possible.
Following his historic address to the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the city on Monday. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi thanked the New York crowd who were present at the event and shared glimpses from the memorable community programme. "Thank you, New York! These are glimpses from the memorable community programme. Grateful to all those who joined," he said. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1838008483909632215 Prime Minister Modi was in New York on Sunday (local time) to address the "Modi and US" program at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, with 15,000 members of the Indian diaspora gathering from 42 different states to welcome the Prime Minister. During his address, PM Modi touched upon various facets of India-US relations, people-to-people ties, and India's rising global stature and economic growth. In his initial remarks, lauding the contributions of the Indian diaspora, PM Modi said that Indians contribute to do the most no matter where they are. In his over one-hour-long speech, he also apprised the gathering of how India has become a key player in mobile manufacturing--from being an importer to an exporter, digital public infrastructure adoption. He added that the day is not far when Made in India chips will be available in America. Later on Sunday (local time), Prime Minister Modi interacted 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, among others. PM Modi emphasized India's growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster collaborations and innovation across diverse sectors. Following this, he held bilateral talks with the Nepali Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York. The two leaders reviewed the unique and close bilateral relationship between India and Nepal, and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in diverse sectors, including development partnership, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people ties, and enhancing connectivity - physical, digital and in the domain of energy, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The Prime Minister congratulated Nepal on becoming the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a full member, and underlined the importance of a regional response to the challenge of climate change. "Nepal is a priority partner of India under its Neighbourhood First Policy. This meeting continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of our Neighbourhood First policy," the MEA stated. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said the two countries look forward to add even more momentum to their ties. "Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli in New York. The India-Nepal friendship is very robust and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology and trade," PM Modi stated in a post on X. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1838010909312094627 Nepal PM Oli also termed the meeting "fruitful" and said they discussed various matters of bilateral relations. "Had a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi ji on the sidelines of UNGA79. During the meeting, various matters of bilateral relations were discussed," the Nepal PM said in an X post. https://x.com/kpsharmaoli/status/1837994123334136078?s=46 PM Modi also held talks with Kuwait's Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on how both countries can strengthen their ties in sectors like pharma, food processing, technology and energy, among others. The Prime Minister conveyed that India attaches utmost importance to its bilateral relations with Kuwait. Both leaders recalled the strong historical ties and people-to-people linkages between the two countries. They noted with satisfaction that the two countries were supporting each other with energy and food security requirements. They expressed their firm commitment to deepen and diversify bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of both countries. PM Modi also thanked the Crown Prince for ensuring the well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait, which is the largest diaspora group in the country. "The meeting between the leadership of the two countries is expected to impart a fresh momentum to bilateral ties between India and Kuwait," the MEA stated. Taking to X, PM Modi said, "The talks with His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, were very productive. We discussed how to add vigour to India-Kuwait ties in sectors like pharma, food processing, technology, energy and more." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1838016697204105572 He also held a bilateral meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Prime Minister expressed his "deep concern" at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India's continued support to the Palestinian people. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1838009887571190155 PM Modi arrived in New York in the second leg of his three-day visit to the United States. On Saturday, PM Modi took part in the Quad Summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He will also address the 'Summit of the Future' at the UN General Assembly in New York today. (ANI)
The Swedish Uyghur Committee raised concerns over the overe-xploitation of East Turkistan's mine resources by China for the country's military and technological development. In a post on social media platform X, the Swedish Uyghur Committee, an organisation advocating for Uyghur rights, claimed that mine in the Koktoqay region of Altay Prefecture, discovered in 1939, has been pivotal to China's military and technological developments, including the creation of its first nuclear bomb. According to the committee, the mine, referred to as "No. 3," contains 86 types of minerals, many of which are crucial for advanced technologies and military uses. They highlighted that despite its importance, the mine remained hidden from world maps until 1980, keeping it largely unknown outside China. It further emphasised that this mine played a significant role in China's repayment of national debt to the former Soviet Union, contributed to launching the country's first artificial satellite, "Dong Fang Hong" (The East is Red), and continues to provide essential resources for China's space and military programs. "This incredible mine discovered in East Turkistan, coveted by many countries, holds immense potential. It contains 86 minerals, including those essential for making atomic bombs. Since China occupied our homeland, they have not sold even a handful of the mine's soil, keeping this valuable resource untapped and out of reach. Located in the Koktoqay region of Altay Prefecture, this No. 3 mine was discovered in 1939 and played a crucial role in repaying 47 per cent of the Chinese government's national debt to the former Soviet Union," the group said. The committee underscored the broader issue of China's ongoing exploitation of East Turkistan's vast natural wealth, alleging that over 50 per cent of the Chinese economy relies on resources extracted from the region. The group described this as part of a systematic plundering of their homeland, calling the situation a stark reminder of the "genocide" and "brutal colonial occupation" faced by Uyghurs under Chinese rule. "The contribution of this mine is just a fraction of the vast wealth extracted from East Turkestan, where numerous mines and abundant resources exist. More than 50 per cent of China's economy relies on this wealth, showcasing the critical importance of our land. Notably, this mine supplied the fuel for China's first artificial satellite, "Dong Fang Hong" (The East is Red), and continues to be a primary source for satellite launches. With a depth of 200 meters, a length of 250 meters, and a width of 240 meters, it is home to 86 known types of minerals. Remarkably, this mine was not included on world maps until after 1980, leaving many unaware of its significance. It remains a critical site for geologists from China and around the world," the group further added. The organisation also accused China of withholding the mine's potential from the global market, claiming that since Beijing's occupation of East Turkistan, none of its resources have been sold internationally. They argue that China's continuous extraction of resources from the region fuels not only its military advancements but also technological innovations in aviation and space travel. The Swedish Uyghur Committee concluded its post with a call for international recognition of East Turkistan's plight, framing the resource exploitation as part of a broader struggle for independence, justice, and the protection of Uyghur rights. "More importantly, this mine not only supplied the minerals for China's first nuclear bomb but also continues to fuel their military ambitions and technological advancements in aviation and space travel. This is just a small part of how China exploits East Turkistan's resources while perpetrating genocide and maintaining its brutal colonial occupation of our homeland. The ongoing theft of our resources is a stark reminder of the urgency of our struggle for justice, independence and international recognition," it further stated. Notably, China for decades has imposed unimaginable human rights atrocities on the East Turkistan region. Despite attracting severe condemnation from international human rights bodies, the atrocities of China on the Uyghur community of the area are not reducing. This exploitation of China includes a forceful takeover of land resources belonging to the Uyghur community. (ANI)
Hitting back at the criticism over his 'fierce' remarks, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday said that he had "nothing to apologise for" and instead demanded an apology from Pakistan's Punjab government, accusing it of "persecution" of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Dawn reported. Gandapur received a lot of backlash following his strong remarks made on September 8 at the PTI rally outside of Islamabad. Asserting that the media had yielded to pressure from the government and establishment, Gandapur called them "sycophants" and "sellouts." Gandapur's statements were deemed unacceptable even by PTI founder Imran Khan. Speaking to media inside Adiala Jail, he had stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM should not have disparaged journalists in this way, and that he had "spoken a bit too much in his rhetoric." Meanwhile, government leaders and lawmakers urged that Gandapur issue an apology for his remarks. Gandapur posed the question, "What should I apologise for?" in an online video message as reported by Dawn. He stated, "The Punjab government has been asking me for an apology but it is them who should apologise--for imprisoning Imran Khan and for attacking and killing my people who were protesting peacefully." "Zille Shah was a peaceful protester and he was killed...Will IG Punjab apologise? Do not expect us to apologise until you've apologised for persecuting us. I have done nothing that warrants an apology, if you want to file cases, file them...We stand with Imran, we will release him and make him prime minister. I am nobody's slave and will apologise to no one," Gandapur added. Additionally, he thanked PTI supporters who attended the event on Saturday in Lahore and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on behalf of Khan. "I am grateful to those who stood up for truth," he said. The PTI's much-awaited Lahore power show had seemingly met an anti-climactic end as lights went out and police personnel cleared the stage after the 6 pm deadline expired following some speeches from leaders to supporters at Kahna in the provincial capital's Ring Road area on Saturday. By the time the deadline expired, neither Gandapur nor Omar Ayub Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, had arrived at the location. Later on, Gandapur made it to the location, but he was unable to give a speech, as per Dawn. The Punjab government's decision to end the rally at 6 pm, was "condemned" by Gandapur. "There are no standard rules in this country... We want a single, unified Pakistan, not one state with two attitudes,'' he said. According to Dawn, Gandapur went on to criticise the authorities for what he considered to be "fake statements" regarding wide roads and convenient access to the rally site. "They have made fake statements to the media that the routes were open, but people are not stupid," he stated. "For 2 kilometres, they blocked off the rally venue with barriers to prevent people from taking a direct route... If the government is so democratic, they would have let us hold the rally at the Minar-i-Pakistan," he further said. (ANI)
Sri Lanka President-designate Anura Kumara Dissanayake thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday for his congratualtory wishes on winning elections. In a post on X, Dissanayake highlighted strengthening ties between India and Sri Lanka and stressed working towards enhancing cooperation. "Thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for your kind words and support. I share your commitment to strengthening the ties between our nations. Together, we can work towards enhancing cooperation for the benefit of our peoples and the entire region," Dissanayake said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Anura Kumara Dissanayake following his win in the Sri Lankan Presidential election on Sunday. In a post on X, PM Modi said that the island country holds a special place in India's Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which focusses on concerted cooperative measures for sustainable use of oceans and provides a framework for a safe, secure and stable maritime domain in the region. "Congratulations, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on your victory in the Sri Lankan Presidential elections. Sri Lanka holds a special place in India's Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of our people and the entire region," he said. High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, also conveyed greetings to Dissanayake. "HC Santosh Jha called on Sri Lanka President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Conveyed greetings from India's leadership and congratulated him on winning the people's mandate. India, as Sri Lanka's civilisational twin, is committed to further deepen ties for the prosperity of the people of our two countries," the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said in a post on X. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the 55-year-old leader of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna party, was declared the winner of the election on Sunday. He will be the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka, beating Sajith Premadasa after the country's first-ever Presidential election run-off, reported the Daily Mirror. The election commission made the announcement after a second vote count, the first in the country's history. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe came third and was eliminated after the first round, reported Al Jazeera. Saturday's election marked the third time that Ranil Wickremesinghe, unsuccessfully, ran for president. His previous two bids for the top job were in 1999 and 2005. (ANI)
Quad member countries' ministers of commerce and industry are set to meet for the first time in the months ahead, and on the agenda will be critical topics such as semiconductor supply chains and emerging technologies, a White House official said on Monday. "There was a memorandum of cooperation between Quad countries for the semiconductor supply chain contingency network. We also expect semiconductors and critical and emerging technology issues at large, to be a topic of discussion when quad Commerce and Industry ministers meet for the first time in the coming months," National Security Council Director for Indo-Pacific Affairs Josh Rubin said. Rubin was addressing a digital press briefing after President Biden on September 21 hosted the fourth in-person Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware in which he hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida. The White House official stated that four years after elevating the Quad to the leader level, the Wilmington summit showed that the Quad is more strategically aligned than ever before, the Quad is delivering real, positive impact for the Indo-Pacific region, and the Quad is here to stay. "The Quad Summit, from our perspective, was incredibly successful and historic for President Biden's legacy and we are confident that it will be an enduring on peace of the Indo-Pacific architecture going forward," he said. In a significant development for regional collaboration, the commerce and industry ministers from Quad countries--India, the United States, Japan, and Australia--are scheduled to meet for the first time in the coming months. https://x.com/ANI/status/1838038214957007160 The upcoming meeting of the Quad commerce and industry ministries, said Josh Rubin, is poised to address ongoing challenges in the semiconductor industry, which have significantly impacted global supply chains. This first ministerial gathering is anticipated to lay the groundwork for ongoing cooperation, underscoring the Quad's role in shaping a resilient future for the Indo-Pacific. The Quad nations aim to enhance their collaboration to mitigate risks associated with semiconductor shortages that affect various sectors, including technology and automotive industries. The discussions will build on the recent outcomes from the Wilmington Summit, where leaders celebrated the finalisation of the Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network. This memorandum is designed to facilitate cooperation among Quad countries in addressing vulnerabilities in semiconductor supply chains, ensuring a more resilient framework for future needs. The Wilmingon Declration joint statemtn said that the Quad welcomes private sector initiatives--including the Quad Investors Network (QUIN), which facilitates investments in strategic technologies, including clean energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, and quantum. The QUIN is mobilizing a number of investments to promote supply chain resilience, advance joint research and development, commercialize new technologies, and invest in our future workforce, the statement from the leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States read. In addition to semiconductor cooperation, the Quad announced the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI). This initiative aims to empower Indo-Pacific partners by enhancing their capabilities to monitor and secure their maritime domains effectively. The strategic partnership among the Quad nations is anchored in shared values, emphasising the importance of upholding international law and supporting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Through these strategic discussions, the Quad nations reaffirm their dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific that benefits all stakeholders involved. "This weekend the leaders announced that all of our counties have committed to work through our respective budgetary processes to secure robust funding for Quad priorities, National Security Council Director for Indo-Pacific Affairs said. Altogether, the Quad has a burst of momentum heading into 2025 and will be an enduring part of the Indo-Pacific regional architecture, he said. (ANI)
The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) has strongly condemned the growing alliance between Pakistan and China, framing it as being under the misleading guise of "counter-terrorism" cooperation. In a post on X, the ETGE stated, "This dangerous partnership - characterised by joint security cooperation, military exercises, and police training in occupied East Turkistan - represents a blatant attempt to institutionalise state-sponsored terrorism and further entrench China's campaign of genocide against the Uyghurs and Turkic people." https://x.com/ETExileGov/status/1837868499462443341 Since 2001, China has used the pretext of "counter-terrorism" to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in East Turkistan. Using this false narrative, the Chinese government has carried out mass internments, large-scale killings, forced labour, religious oppression, and the destruction of cultural heritage, all in violation of international human rights laws. Salih Hudayar, ETGE Minister for Foreign Affairs and Security said, "Pakistan has not only betrayed the Uyghurs and other East Turkistan Muslims but has also become a willing accomplice in China's Uyghur genocide. The international community must take action now to stop this unholy alliance of terror before it inflicts further destruction and suffering." Millions of innocent Uyghur Muslims and other Turkic peoples have faced unimaginable atrocities, which global human rights organisations have condemned and recognised as genocide and crimes against humanity, ETGE reported in an official press release. The ETGE termed Pakistan's participation in this partnership a shameful act of betrayal. Despite its claims of supporting Muslim solidarity and human rights, Pakistan has aligned itself with China, which has oppressed millions of East Turkistan Muslims. By cooperating with China's imperialist and genocidal regime, Pakistan is complicit in China's campaign of colonisation, genocide, and occupation in East Turkestan, causing immense suffering to its Muslim co-religionists. This hypocrisy is striking: while Pakistan presents itself as a global defender of Muslim causes, it collaborates with the regime responsible for the most severe persecution of Muslims in recent history. The East Turkistan Government in Exile urges nations and international human rights organisations to act immediately against this dangerous alliance. They call on the United Nations, European Union, and democratic governments worldwide to impose sanctions on individuals and entities complicit in China's genocide and Pakistan's betrayal of their Muslim brethren. Additionally, they urge the international community to support East Turkistan's fight for justice by pressing the International Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute Chinese officials for genocide and crimes against humanity in occupied East Turkestan. (ANI)
The protest was organized by Marri's family, with support from the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP). Protesters marched through major parts of the city, including Court Road, Circular Road, Jinnah Road, and Mannan Chowk, the Balochistan Post reported.

https://x.com/VBMP5/status/1837888526131593242

Protesters shouted slogans demanding the recovery of Marri and other long-missing individuals. Banners and placards were displayed, drawing attention to the persistent issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

Marri, the son of Dilshad Marri, was reportedly taken during a military operation in Harnai seven years ago. His family claims that since his disappearance, they have received no updates regarding his whereabouts, leaving his elderly mother waiting anxiously for his return.

Protesters have urged authorities to bring any missing individuals, including Noor Alam, who may face charges, to court. They also called for the release of those who haven't committed any crimes, to ease the ongoing suffering of their families, reported the Balochistan Post.

Despite years of protests, rallies, and growing international awareness, the Pakistani administration has continuously turned a blind eye to the cries for justice in Balochistan.

The military's unchecked power, coupled with a complicit government, has fostered an environment of fear and repression.

The increasing rate of enforced disappearances not only violates fundamental human rights but also highlights the Pakistan Army's brutal tactics in silencing the Baloch people's demand for dignity and justice.

The rally is part of a wider movement advocating for human rights, as enforced disappearances remain a critical issue in Balochistan. (ANI)
The Pakistan Police have filed an FIR against a 25-year-old man from Chichawatni on blasphemy charges related to his Facebook posts. The case was initiated following a complaint from Shamsul Hasan, an assistant sub-inspector at the Saddar Police Station in Chichawatni, on Saturday night. The suspect, residing in Chak 107/12-L, had previously worked for the Senate in Islamabad but was dismissed from his position, Dawn reported. The FIR, filed under Section 295 (C) of the PPC and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, alleges that the suspect posted hate material against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The document references four separate posts in which derogatory comments about revered figures in Islam were made. Reports indicate that ASIs Shams and Imran Hyder, along with Constable Muddasir Jahangir and driver Wakeel Ahmed, were on a routine patrol near the Lower Bari Doab Canal in Chak 107/12-L when they discovered the suspect's Facebook account containing the offensive posts. The police have taken screenshots of these posts and stored them on a USB drive. Although they were unable to arrest the suspect at that time, ASP Maazur Rehman assured that apprehension would occur soon, reported Dawn. The suspect, who is married with three children, had taken the Senate job after his father, who previously worked there as a clerk, passed away. Currently, he is evading capture and was not present in the village when the case was filed. DPO Faisal Shahzad reported that the police have taken the suspect's family into custody and relocated them to a secure location. He confirmed that seven blasphemy cases have been registered in district Sahiwal this year alone. Pakistan's blasphemy laws have drawn frequent criticism from international human rights organizations for being overly broad and often misused, leading to mob violence and extrajudicial killings. Despite these concerns, the Pakistani government has yet to take significant steps toward reforming or repealing these laws, viewed by many as tools of oppression rather than justice. (ANI)
Tibetan leaders have reacted strongly to remarks made by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi regarding China during the recent Quad Summit. Sikyong Pempa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, expressed his views on the evolving dynamics within the Quad alliance. He stated, "It looks like the Quad formation is getting more entrenched and as we have been mentioning over the years the reality of China's threat is very visible so I think India's role particularly in this grouping will be very-very crucial." Tsering also noted the significance of increased cooperation between the United States and India, particularly on issues like microchips. "There is a convergence of strategic alliance that needs to be formed because of China and China's behaviour so that's very much clear in this grouping," he said. Tsering pointed out that the competition for influence in the Global South is also an important factor in this geopolitical landscape. Highlighting the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region, Tsering remarked, "Indo Pacific is a very busy maritime trade route from Malacca Strait to Indian Ocean so it is important not only for the countries in this region but it involves a lot of trade." He emphasized that concerns over China's hegemonic claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea have intensified discussions about security and economic issues. "I think it is very clearly mentioned South China Sea and East China Sea that is where Australia comes into," he said to ANI during the interview. The Sikyong further indicated that nations in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, are also ramping up their defence spending in response to China's actions. He pointed out, "So all of these countries announce many more money on defence only because of China's behaviour." Dolma Tsering, Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in-exile, also weighed in on the importance of the Quad and the remarks from Biden and Modi. "I think these statements are very important that too coming from America and India. India becoming a leading power is a very positive thing that's happening around the world so I want to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for that," she stated. Dolma noted that the Quad Summit reflects a unified stance against threats to the rule of law and democratic sovereignty. She remarked on China's expanding influence, saying, "Looking into Xi Jinping's global ambition of expending to wherever they are touching is not only intimidation endanger to South Asia but also to the whole world." Dolma echoed President Biden's concerns, adding, "Therefore, I think President Biden has well said that China is testing us. Us in the sense is the whole world, the democratic setup," Dolma said to ANI. Dolma Tsering also highlighted the need for a peaceful resolution to global conflicts. "Prime Minister Modi has also told that they are looking for a possible peaceful resolution of conflicts happening around the world," she said. She expressed a specific request to Modi regarding the situation of Tibetans in exile. "The majority of Tibetans are in India, so we want Prime Minister Modi and the stakeholders of the Quad, in America also we have sizeable American Tibetans, in Austria also, Australia also we have a sizeable number of Australian Tibetans," she stated. Dolma urged global leaders to advocate for Tibetan rights, emphasizing, "We want the leaders to raise the issue of Tibet, the occupation of Tibet also and try to resolve this long-standing decades old conflict between Tibet and China in a most amicable way." Earlier on Saturday, the Wilmington declaration of the Quad grouping expressed serious concern about the coercive and intimidating manoeuvres in the South China Sea. In the joint declaration, the leaders from the US, India, Australia, and Japan opposed efforts to disrupt other countries' offshore resource exploitation activities, and reaffirmed that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. The leaders asserted that they are of strong conviction that international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with the maintenance of peace, safety, security, and stability in the maritime domain, should be kept at the topmost priority. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported on Monday that eight Chinese navy vessels were detected operating around Taiwan as of 6 am local time. In a post on X, the Ministry stated, "8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8) today. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. Today's illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operation around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1838020456269373703 Earlier, the ministry had said that it detected seven Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan from 6 am (local time) on Friday to 6 am (local time) on Saturday. In recent months, there has been a notable increase in Chinese military activity around Taiwan. Taiwan has been closely monitoring these military movements and has issued statements emphasizing its preparedness to respond to any potential threats. The increase in military maneuvers by China has raised concerns among Taiwan and its allies, particularly the United States. The US has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan's defense through arms sales and military support, which China sees as interference in its internal affairs. In recent years, tensions have escalated, particularly with increased military maneuvers by China near Taiwan, including naval exercises and air incursions, which Taiwan perceives as aggressive intimidation tactics. Taiwan has fortified its defense and sought support from the United States, which continues to provide arms and military training under the Taiwan Relations Act, maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity. Public sentiment in Taiwan increasingly favors a distinct national identity, with surveys indicating that a majority of the population identifies as Taiwanese rather than Chinese, complicating prospects for reunification. According to Harvard Business Review, this evolving identity, coupled with the geopolitical significance of Taiwan--particularly in the semiconductor industry--heightens global interest in the conflict, as instability in the region could have far-reaching economic consequences. The situation remains precarious, with analysts warning that miscalculations by either side could lead to a military confrontation, thereby challenging regional and international security. (ANI)
Taiwan's military dismissed a report from China's state-run CCTV on Monday, that claimed the Taiwanese government has funded an "internet Army" to infiltrate China's cyberspace and spread disinformation. The report, released on the same day, alleged that the Taiwanese government was behind a group of hackers known as Anonymous 64. Since the beginning of this year, the group has reportedly conducted cyberattacks to seize control of portal websites, outdoor electronic billboards, and video-on-demand platforms in China, Hong Kong, and Macau, according to Taiwan Focus. The report indicated that the hackers' activities include disseminating false information, creating divisions among the public, and undermining the governance of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It linked the hackers to Taiwan's Information, Communications, and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM) within the Ministry of National Defence. The report also named three individuals believed to be active members of the Taiwanese military who are under investigation by Chinese authorities for their alleged involvement in the cyberattacks. In response, ICEFCOM issued a statement rejecting the claims, stating that its focus is on national defense and maintaining cybersecurity. The ICEFCOM emphasized that it is the People's Liberation Army that poses a threat to Taiwan's cybersecurity and undermines regional peace, asserting its commitment to strengthening the nation's cybersecurity under the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense. China maintains a near-daily military presence around democratic Taiwan, claiming the island as part of its territory and frequently deploying fighter planes, drones, and naval ships. China has called on Taiwan to accept the "1992 consensus," which asserts that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, as a precondition for talks. Lai Chang-te, who is set to take the oath as Taiwan's President on May 20, has repeatedly stated that his administration "will work to safeguard the status quo" in the Taiwan Strait, according to a report by CNA. Tsai Ing-wen will step down on May 20 after serving two four-year terms as Taiwan's President. Taiwan has long been a point of contention for Beijing, which considers the island a breakaway province and has expressed intentions to reunite it with the mainland, even by force. The median line of the Taiwan Strait has served as a tacit border between China and Taiwan for decades. During Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022, the Chinese military increasingly sent aircraft, warships, and drones across this line. (ANI)
Permanent representatives from nine of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, in a joint letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, advocated for Taiwan's inclusion in the United Nations, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The joint letter was signed by representatives from Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and Tuvalu. The representatives of the nine nations in the letter urged the UN to take proactive measures against the "malicious distortions" of UN Resolution 2758, which the allies believe threaten the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and jeopardise peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, according to CNA reported. China claims that the UN resolution "confirmed" its "one China" principle, asserting that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is an "inalienable part of China." In contrast, Taiwan has argued that the resolution only addressed China's representation at the UN and did not mention Taiwan or define its political status or establish China's sovereignty over it. The letter also called on the UN to uphold its principle of neutrality and "cease the incorrect interpretation of UN Resolution 2758 that unjustly prevents the people of Taiwan and the media from accessing the United Nations to visit, attend, or cover meetings and events." The letter was delivered to Guterres' office in advance of the UN's Summit for the Future and the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly scheduled for next week, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. After submitting the letter, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' Permanent Representative to the UN, Inga Rhonda King, remarked that it is hard to imagine Taiwan being excluded from the upcoming summit. She emphasised Taiwan's significant role in advanced semiconductor production and artificial intelligence technology, questioning how such a technological powerhouse could be left out of the negotiations. Guatemalan Permanent Representative to the UN, Carla Maria Rodriguez Mancia, expressed hope that more countries would support Taiwan's inclusion in the UN. She noted that the topics discussed at the summit make Taiwan's participation especially relevant, highlighting its status as a thriving democracy and a hub of technology. Carlos Fuller, Belize's Permanent Representative to the UN, stated that Taiwan is one of the island nations most threatened by rising sea levels, making its exclusion from UN climate conferences a significant issue. In a separate statement, Lee Chih-chiang, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, expressed gratitude to Taiwan's allies for their strong support for Taiwan's inclusion in the UN system. He emphasised that a key priority for Taiwan's UN campaign this year is to help the international community correctly interpret UN Resolution 2758 and to encourage the UN to find appropriate ways to include Taiwan. (ANI)
India is more actively working over challenges of climate change, war and peace, jobs, and employment, said Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev, adding, the country is now looking to play a very proactive role in partnering with the world in solving the challenges facing the world. Speaking to ANI, Sachdev said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pushing for a single-point peace plan to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which is 'Stop the war' and this is the message he was giving while addressing the Indian diaspora in the United States. Speaking about PM Modi's visit to the US, he said, "We were talking Prime Minister's, I think key message in this trip to the United States, to the UN and with the world leaders is exactly this. This is not the era of war, this is the era to live and let live and with that thought and philosophy again as a practical point. Prime Minister is pushing for a single point peace plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. You see, Zelensky has a ten-point plan for stopping the Ukraine conflict on his own term." Calling PM Modi's plan "balanced," he elaborated, "Xi Jinping of China has also issued what they call, I think, a 12 or 13 point plan. President Putin has issued what he says his perspective on peace. NATO also has a certain plan as to when the war or how the war should be stopped, but everybody has a plan that is only in their favour; it is not a balanced plan." "What Prime Minister Modi is doing is pushing for a balanced plan, and his plan is a single point plan, one point plan - 'Stop the war' and this is the message he was giving to the Indian diaspora in the United States that the role of India now is a force for the good. And he said that it's not only in conflicts. He said India is a force of good now, more actively on challenges of climate change, war and peace, jobs and employment, generations of the future, the challenges facing them. So, India is now looking to play a very proactive role in partnering with the world in solving the challenges facing the world," he added. He spoke about PM Modi's statement that India is there to bring sunlight into the lives and called it the "key fundamental message" of his visit to the US. He said, "I think what the Prime Minister has said about India and India's role in world affairs that we are not out there to inflame any tensions. We are out there to bring sunlight into the lives. I think that is the key fundamental message of his trip. Plus also you see he is carrying with him what I call Modi's single-point peace plan regarding Russia and Ukraine. Indian foreign policy has made a change of gears in the prime minister's third term, and it has been decided that India will now contribute actively to the good of the world." "So, when the Prime Minister says that we bring sunlight into the world, that's exactly what he's saying, and that's where our diplomacy is now becoming proactive. The first example of this is that he met Putin, then he met Zelensky, and he told Zelensky in front of the world media that we have some concrete ideas that I want to discuss with you in our private meeting. It is the first time that India is now playing such a proactive role and the Prime Minister's visit to the United States is very much, I think the top agenda is this to see and explore how various partners can come together for a single point agenda and that single point agenda is stop the war," he added. Notably, PM Modi is currently in the US for a three-day. During the visit, he attended Quad Leaders Summit and held bilateral talks with several world leaders, including Australian PM Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli. He also addressed the Indian diaspora in the 'Modi&US' programme at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York. Robinder Sachdev said that PM Modi, through his remarks about 5G and 6G in India during the 'Modi&US' event is conveying how "dynamic India" has become and that many of the Indian diaspora can come back and invest in India. Foreign affairs expert said, "I think Prime Minister's message when he says and talks about 5G and 6G is threefold. Firstly, he's telling the Indian diaspora, look, this is how dynamic India has become, and because of that, you see many of the Indian diaspora come back and invest in India. Also, when they see India's progressing so fast, they're impressed; they also want to participate in India's growth story. So that is one message." "The second message is to the world audiences, right, that India is now becoming a tech leader, and this era is also, you know, competitions, race of technology. So by saying that India is going beyond 5G, we are into 6G, and he capped it in a very interesting way by telling the audience, an American audience, sure, Indian diaspora, but they are all Indians, telling them that it is Modi's guarantee that you will see India 'Made in India' chips' or 6G items in the United States. So, that's quite something, that's the confidence of India that he is projecting to the diaspora so that the diaspora also celebrates the success of India," he added. PM Modi was in New York on Sunday (local time) to address the "Modi and US" program at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, with 15,000 members of the Indian diaspora gathering from 42 different states to welcome the Prime Minister. During his address, PM Modi touched upon various facets of India-US relations, people-to-people ties, and India's rising global stature and economic growth. In his initial remarks, lauding the contributions of the Indian diaspora, PM Modi said that Indians contribute to do the most no matter where they are. In his over one-hour-long speech, he also apprised the gathering of how India has become a key player in mobile manufacturing--from being an importer to an exporter, digital public infrastructure adoption. He added that the day is not far when Made in India chips will be available in America. Later, PM Modi interacted 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, among others. He emphasised India's growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster collaboration and innovation across diverse sectors. (ANI)
The demonstrations were aimed at opposing proposed new canals and dams along the Indus River, with protesters vocally condemning recent amendments to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Act.

According to Dawn, protesters expressed concerns that these amendments could grant federal authorities the power to construct up to 30 dams, a move they argue would violate international law and regional water agreements. They accused Punjab of exploiting its position as an upper riparian state to deny Sindh access to essential water resources.

The IRSA Act, enacted in 1992, was designed to establish the Indus River System Authority, which regulates the allocation and distribution of water from the Indus River system among Pakistan's provinces.

However, the Pakistani government recently denied any ongoing legislative efforts to amend the IRSA Act.

The issue of water allocation has long been contentious, particularly between Punjab and Sindh. Sindh has frequently accused Punjab of over-extraction and mismanagement of water resources, leading to severe shortages in the Sindh region. Notably, in 2003, media reported that Sindh protested against unauthorized canal constructions in Punjab that diverted critical water supplies. Compounding these tensions, climate change and population growth have exacerbated the water crisis.

The devastating floods of 2010 severely impacted Sindh's agricultural base, intensifying existing grievances over water distribution. Recent reports from the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources indicate a marked decrease in water availability in the Indus River, raising alarms about equitable distribution among provinces.

As protests continue, the situation remains tense, with activists demanding accountability and fair access to water resources for Sindh.

In Pakistan, inter-provincial conflicts often arise over various issues, including resource allocation, governance, and cultural identity. Another point of contention is the distribution of development funds and infrastructure projects, with provinces like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa feeling marginalised in favour of Punjab.

Additionally, cultural and linguistic differences often lead to political strife, as seen in the conflicts involving ethnic groups in Sindh and Balochistan. (ANI)
The newly appointed head of ISI, who succeeded Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, will assume command of the Pakistani intelligence agency on September 30.

Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik is currently serving as an Adjutant General at the general headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The newly-appointed chief has previously led the Infantry Brigade in Waziristan and the Infantry Division in Balochistan in the past, reported ARY News.

Moreover, he also received a Sword of Honor in his course and served as the chief instructor at National Defence University (NDU), as well as an instructor at Command and Staff College Quetta, the ARY News report added.

Lieutenant General Malik is a graduate of Fort Leavenworth and the Royal College of Defence Studies.

The appointment of the new ISI chief comes one month after the probe took an unexpected turn after the former ISI chief Faiz Hameed's arrest when an iPhone discovered in Chakwal reportedly unveiled details of his relationship with Imran Khan.

On August 12, Pakistan's military announced that General Hameed had been arrested due to "multiple instances of violation" of the Army Act following his retirement in December 2022, according to Geo News.

The military further stated, "The process of Field General Court Martial has been initiated, and Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed has been taken into military custody."

The Pakistani military explained that the action against the former ISI chief was in line with the orders of the Supreme Court, which in 2023 called for an investigation after a land development company named Top City filed a petition, Geo News reported. The company alleged that Hameed and his brother had acquired ownership of several properties and had even blackmailed the company's owner. (ANI)
The federation, secretary cabinet and secretary parliamentary affairs have been named as respondents in the case. The petition reads, "Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had set three conditions in his decision with regard to promulgation of an ordinance."

According to the petition, "In these conditions, emergency and immediate need were basic elements."

The petition stated, "Currently there is no calamity or any emergency situation, the ordinance promulgated in presence of the parliament, which is unconstitutional."

The petitioner stated, "The chief justice in his decision on the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act had endorsed constitution of the committee and he had also written for abolishing the role of Master of the Roaster."

The petitioner stressed that the court's decision that a law could not be amended with an ordinance in the presence of the Supreme Court's decision, according to ARY News report.

According to the petition, "Any amendment in the law would have passed by the parliament after debate. Supreme Court should decide its own matters, any intervention from the government will end the independence of the judiciary."

Notably, the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023, has been recently amended with a presidential ordinance. (ANI)
The death toll from Israel's strikes in Lebanon has risen to 182, with over 700 people injured, CNN reported, citing the Lebanese Ministry of Health. Lebanon's health ministry said that women, children and medics were among those who were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, according to CNN report. Earlier, the Israeli army announced it struck about 300 targets across Lebanon today. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday announced that it launched "widespread" waves of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. It warned people to swiftly move away from homes used by the Iran-backed terror group to store weapons, The Times of Israel reported. The IDF said it had identified Hezbollah operatives who were preparing to conduct attacks on Israel. Meanwhile, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant attended an assessment on the homefront's preparedness amid widening fighting, saying, "Ahead of us are days when the public will have to show composure, discipline, and full obedience" to instructions by the Home Front Command. IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee earlier announced that strikes at houses in Lebanon in which Hezbollah was hiding weapons were "imminent." Lebanese people were asked to immediately distance themselves from sites used by Hezbollah to store weapons. The IDF said it had sent text messages to people, as well as called them over the phone from a Lebanese phone number. In an Arabic message to Lebanese civilians, Adraee said, "Hezbollah is lying to you and sacrificing you." "Its missiles and drones are more valuable and important to it than you are," he added, The Times of Israel reported. People in south Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley received text messages with warnings from Israel, The Times of Israel reported, citing Lebanon's NNA. According to Lebanese media reports, warning messages were also broadcast on radio stations. Amid fears of escalating war with Israel, Lebanon's government has ordered the suspension of classes in public and private schools in various parts of the country. According to the government's order, the schools will remain shut for two days in the southern part of Lebanon and aim to protect students from escalating dangers of the security situation, the Lebanese education ministry said. The order took effect on Monday in the governorates of South Lebanon, Nabatieh, Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel and the southern suburbs, the Lebanese health ministry said. (ANI)
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, has welcomed India's decision to open two Consulates in Boston and Los Angeles in the US and termed it an "important step forward." Taking to X, Garcetti stated, "Excited to see the U.S. & India achieving new horizons together. This weekend, India announced its intent to open two new Indian Consulates in the U.S. in Boston and Los Angeles, a vision I've encouraged since serving as LA Mayor. Now, as U.S. Ambassador to India, it's wonderful to see this important step forward." His statement comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday that India has decided to open two new Consulates in Boston and Los Angeles in the US, forging stronger ties between the two countries, going forward. Addressing the Indian diaspora in the Nassau Coliseum in New York, the Prime Minister said that the bilateral partnership between India and the US is aimed at global good. "The partnership between America and India is growing stronger. Our partnership is aimed at global good, and we are increasing cooperation in every sector. We have taken your convenience into consideration," PM Modi said. "Last year, I announced the opening of a new Indian consulate in Seattle. We requested your suggestions for two additional consulates. India has decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles," he added, making the announcement at the diaspora event. The Prime Minister further praised the strength of ties between India and the US and termed that the two countries are in the celebration of democracy. During his address, PM Modi touched upon various facets of India-US relations, people-to-people ties, and India's rising global stature and economic growth. In his initial remarks, lauding the contributions of the Indian diaspora, PM Modi said that Indians contribute to do the most no matter where they are. During the last US visit in June 2023, PM Modi and US President Joe Biden announced the opening of new consulates in each other's countries. "The United States intends to initiate the process to open two new consulates in India in the cities of Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. India will take steps to operationalise its new consulate in Seattle later this year, and open two new consulates at jointly identified locations in the United States," the US-India joint statement, released by White House in 2023, read. PM Modi, who is on a visit to the US, attended the Quad Leaders Summit in Delaware's Wilmington on Saturday (local time). He also held a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. PM Modi thanked Biden for hosting him at his residence in Greenville, Delaware, and said that the talks between the two of them were extremely fruitful. Both PM Modi and Biden, discussed regional and global issues with each other during their meeting. "I thank President Biden for hosting me at his residence in Greenville, Delaware. Our talks were extremely fruitful. We had the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues during the meeting. @JoeBiden" PM Modi said, sharing a post on X along with their picture. (ANI)
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at UN's 'Summit of the Future' later today, US State Department's Hindustani Language Spokesperson, Margaret Macleod, has said that everyone is 'excited' to hear his statement here. Speaking to ANI in New York, Macleod said that each and every nation will put forward their views for a better future at the UN summit. "Today, the United Nations General Assembly is holding a Summit of the Future. In this 'Summit of the Future', each and every nation will put forward their views on how we can make a better future, and what we can do to achieve permanent development. We are very excited to hear the statement of PM Modi," Macleod said. She stated that the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) Leaders' Summit, which took place in US President Joe Biden's hometown on September 21 in Wilmington, Delaware, his hometown showcased the depth of the relationship between the US, India, Japan and Australia. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the Quad Leaders's Summit...and US President Joe Biden decided to hold the meeting and invite the leaders from Quad nations to Delaware, his hometown. And we saw that their relationship with these three leaders is so deep and this is just a sign of the relationship between our countries. In the Wilmington joint statement, we saw that India, America, Japan and Australia decided to cooperate on such a massive level, which included sectors like cyber security, maritime security, amongst other things," she further said. The sixth edition of the Quad Leaders' Summit was a 'farewell' summit for both US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before they step down from their respective offices. Macleod underlined the importance of Cancer Moonshot event which was announced on the sidelines of the Quad meeting in Wilmington, and said India has an important role to play regarding it. She said, "As I said, it was about health and safety. A special program called Cancer Moonshot was announced. And on this Cancer Moonshot, we have introduced a new program. India will play a very important role in this." "They have made a big donation for testing kits and Serum Institute is also in production," the US official added. The Quad grouping has announced that they had formed the Quad Cancer Moonshot partnership to combat cervical cancer, a joint statement by the leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States said. The programme that will focus on expanding cervical cancer screening; increasing vaccinations against the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection that is the primary cause of cervical cancer; and treating patients. The Quad Cancer Moonshot will focus initially on combatting cervical cancer--a preventable cancer that continues to claim too many lives--in the Indo-Pacific region, while laying the groundwork to address other forms of cancer as well. The US intends to support this initiative, including through US Navy medical training and professional exchanges around cervical cancer prevention in the region starting in 2025, and through US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) openness to finance eligible private sector-driven projects to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer, including cervical cancer, the statement said. India is committed to affordable cancer treatment through Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). As part of its broader health coverage efforts, PMJAY, India is committed to providing affordable cancer treatments to its citizens, ensuring financial protection for those most in need. India's commitment to cervical cancer elimination is further supported by implementation research led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The research is focused on enhancing cervical cancer screening, early diagnosis and initiation of treatment. The results and findings will be shared with the Indo-Pacific countries in the coming years, to strengthen regional collaboration. Meanwhile, the Summit of the Furture is an important milestone in the history of UN as it enters the 80th year of its establishment in 2025. A Pact for the Future , with its two annexes Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations, will be the outcome document of the Summit. PM Narendra Modi will also address the Summit of the Future. The Summit brings world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how to deliver a better present and safeguard the future. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new areas of conflict and that it is high time that "global action must match global ambition". Speaking at the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations, PM Modi said terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security. "While on one hand, terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security, on the other hand, cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new areas of conflict. On all these issues, I will stress that global action must match global ambition." According to the Wilmington Declaration, the Quad nations intend to enhance their cybersecurity partnership to address common threats posed by state-sponsored actors, cybercriminals, and other non-state malicious actors. "In the face of a deteriorating security environment in the cyber domain, Quad countries intend to enhance our cybersecurity partnership to address common threats posed by state-sponsored actors, cybercriminals, and other non-state malicious actors. Our countries commit to taking concrete steps to increase our collective network defense and advance technical capabilities through greater threat information sharing and capacity building," the Quad joint declaration, also known as Wilmington Declaration read. PM Modi emphasised in remarks at the 'Summit of the Future' that for India, "one earth, one family and one future is a commitment." The Prime Minister also spoke on technology in the current era and said balanced regulation is needed. "We want such global digital governance in which sovereignty and integrity remain intact. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) should be a bridge and not a barrier. For global good, India is ready to share its DPI. For India, One Earth, One Family, One Future is a commitment," the Prime Minister said. The Quad leaders, in their declaration, unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism." "We are committed to international cooperation and will work with our regional partners in a comprehensive and sustained manner to strengthen their capability to prevent, detect and respond to threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism, including threats posed by the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, consistent with international law," the joint statement read. PM Modi took part in the Quad Summit on the first day of his three-day visit to the United States. At the UN Summit of the Future, World leaders adopted a Pact for the Future that included a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. The Pact covers a broad range of themes including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the United Nations Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York and called for reforms in the global institutions and termed reforms the "key to relevance." He also called the African Union's inclusion as a permanent member in the G20 an "important step" in this direction. PM Narendra Modi also expressed India's willingness to share its experiences of success with the Global South. He said that the success of humanity lies in "collective strength" and not the battlefield. "When we discuss about the global future, we must accord the highest priority to a human centric approach. While prioritising sustainable development, we must also ensure human welfare, food, health security. By lifting 250 million people out of poverty in India, we have demonstrated that sustainable development can be successful. We are ready to share our experiences of our success with the Global South. Success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield," PM Modi said. "For ensuring global peace and development, reforms are necessary in the global institutions. Reform is the key to relevance. Permanent membership of African Union to the G20 at the New Delhi Summit was an important step in this direction," he added. Calling terrorism, a serious threat to global peace, PM Modi stated, "While on one hand, terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security, on the other hand, cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new theatres of conflict. On all these issues, I will stress that global action must match global ambition." The Prime Minister, also spoke on technology in the current era and affirmed that "balance regulation is needed." "For safe and responsible use of technology, balance regulation is needed. We want such global digital governance in which sovereignty and integrity remain intact," he said. "Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) should be a bridge and not a barrier. For global good, India is ready to share its DPI. For India, One Earth, One Family, One Future is a commitment," the Prime Minister added. At the UN Summit of the Future, World leaders adopted a Pact for the Future that included a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. The Pact covers a broad range of themes including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Vietnamese President To Lam on the sidelines of the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday (local time). The Prime Minister congratulated President, To Lam on assuming enhanced leadership responsibilities and expressed hope for continued collaboration towards strengthening bilateral ties between India and Vietnam. He further reiterated his sympathies and solidarity with Vietnam in the face of loss and damage caused by Typhoon Yagi earlier this month. President and General Secretary, To Lam thanked PM Modi for the timely supply of emergency humanitarian assistance and disaster relief by India under Operation Sadbhav. "Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of deep civilizational and cultural links and growing strategic ties, marked by unwavering mutual trust, understanding and shared interests between the two countries," the PMO release stated. Recalling the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh to India last month, they discussed prospects of advancing bilateral cooperation and further strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The leaders also exchanged views on important regional and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific and underscored a collective role for Global South at international platforms. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said the two leaders took stock of the full range of India-Vietnam friendship, adding that they look forward to adding momentum in sectors such as connectivity, trade and culture. "Met Mr. To Lam, the President of Vietnam. We took stock of the full range of India-Vietnam friendship. We look forward to adding momentum in sectors such as connectivity, trade, culture and more," PM Modi stated in a post. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1838287344329474530 The Ministry of External Affairs said that PM Modi and Vietnam President discussed ways to further enhance the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. "PM @narendramodimet President To Lam of Vietnam today, on the sidelines of UNGA in New York. The leaders discussed ways to further enhance the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on areas of mutual interest. Earlier on Sunday, PM Modi also held a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel here and expressed his "deep concerns" at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India's continued support to the Palestinian people. He also held bilateral meetings with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Along with Kuwait's Crown Prince, PM Modi reviewed India-Kuwait bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen our historical linkages and strong people-to-people contacts. During his meeting with PM Oli, Prime Minister Modi discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of the age-old, multi-faceted and expanding India-Nepal partnership. Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed the 79th United Nations General Assembly's 'Summit of the Future' event and spoke on a wide array of issues, including the importance of safe and responsible use of technology and said that Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) should be a bridge and not a barrier. He also spoke on cyber, maritime and space as a new emerging areas of conflict and that it is high time that "global action must match global ambition." PM Modi also called for reforms in the global institutions and termed reforms the "key to relevance." He also asserted that India is committed to protecting the interests of humanity and said that 'One earth, One Family and One future' is a commitment of the country. On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of the USA in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering in New York. He emphasised India's growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster collaborations and innovation across diverse sectors, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated. PM Modi arrived in New York for the second leg of his three-day visit to the United States. On Saturday, PM Modi took part in the Quad Leaders' Summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The Prime Minister also addressed a huge gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Coliseum in New York on Sunday. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York on Monday. This was the second meeting between the two leaders in about a month. PM Modi had visited Ukraine on August 23 and reiterated India's willingness to contribute in all possible ways to facilitate an early return of peace in the Ukraine conflict. PM Modi had visited Ukraine at the invitation of President Zelenskyy in first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in the year 1992. A joint statement issued following PM Modi's visit to Ukraine had said that both Leaders expressed mutual interest in working towards elevating bilateral relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in the future. They reaffirmed their commitment to further developing bilateral ties for the benefit of the peoples of both countries based on mutual trust, respect, and openness. The statement had said that PM Modi and President Zelenskyy reiterated their readiness for further cooperation in upholding principles of international law, including the UN Charter, such as respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. They agreed on the desirability of closer bilateral dialogue in this regard. "The Indian side reiterated its principled position and focus on peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, as a part of which, India has attended the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, in June 2024. The Ukrainian side welcomed such participation by India and highlighted the importance of high-level Indian participation in the next Peace Summit," the statement had said. "Prime Minister Modi reiterated the need for sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that will have broad acceptability and contribute towards early restoration of peace. He reiterated India's willingness to contribute in all possible ways to facilitate an early return of peace," it added. Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in conflict for over two years. A joint statement issued by Quad leaders after their meeting hosted by US President Joe Biden on September 21 said that they stand for adherence to international law and respect for principles of the UN Charter, including territorial integrity, sovereignty of all states, and peaceful resolution of disputes. "We express our deepest concern over the war raging in Ukraine including the terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. Each of us has visited Ukraine since the war began, and seen this first-hand; we reiterate the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. We also note the negative impacts of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security, especially for developing and least developed countries," the statement said. " In the context of this war, we share the view that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. We underscore the importance of upholding international law, and in line with the UN Charter, reiterate that all states must refrain from the threat of or use of force against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state," it added. President Biden hosted Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, PM Modi, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the Quad Leaders' Summit on Saturday in his home town Wilmington, Delaware. PM Modi is on a three-day visit to the United States, during which he had bilateral meetings with several leaders, including President Biden. (ANI)
PANAMA CITY  The Bay County Sheriffs Office on Sunday announced the arrest of a Tennessee man on multiple charges.

According to a BCSO press release, a deputy who was heading home after working a 12-hour shift observed a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Tennessee. The vehicle was spotted on Highway 77 near White Oaks Boulevard.

The Tennessee man, later identified as Gunner Hillard, was arrested on charges of fleeing and eluding, resisting without violence, and unlawful concealed carry of a weapon.

The deputy attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the suspect continued southbound on 77 through Southport leading deputies on a pursuit with speeds reaching up to 90 mph, the release says.

Halloween 2024: Top events in Panama City and Bay County

Spike strips were set up during the pursuit. Deputies then performed a P.I.T. maneuver on the Bailey Bridge before Hillard had a chance to make it into Lynn Haven, according to the release.

Hillard is wanted for questioning for potential felony charges in Alabama. He is being held at the Bay County Jail.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: BCSO announces arrest of Tennessee man for fleeing and eluding
Harris has 12% lead over Trump among R.I. voters in new poll

About 52% of Rhode Island voters surveyed say they would vote for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris if the election were held today while 40% say they would back former Republican President Donald Trump. (Left: Joe Raedle/Getty Images. Right: Kyle Davidson)

Vice President Kamala Harris maintains a 12-percentage-point lead over former President Donald Trump among Rhode Island voters, who are taking concerns over the economy and immigration to the ballot box, according to a new Rhode Island Current poll.

The poll, conducted by the MassINC Polling Group and funded by a grant from the Knight Election Hub, surveyed 800 likely voters from Sept. 12 to 18.

More than half, 52%, of those surveyed said they would vote for Harris if the election were held today. In comparison, 40% backed Trump. The remainder were unsure, undecided or supported a third-party candidate.

The 12-percentage-point lead Harris maintains over her Republican opponent is notably smaller than the 20-percentage-point margin by which Biden defeated Trump in 2020 in Rhode Island. A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll released Sept. 18 also showed Harris with a 20-percentage-point lead over Trump among Rhode Island voters.

Rhode Island seemed a little closer than maybe we were expecting, but its a very safe lead for Kamala Harris, Richard Parr, senior research director for MassINC, said in an interview Monday. I dont think this is going to become a swing state anytime soon.

Parr also said that the Rhode Island Current poll, while weighted to reflect the political preferences of the state overall, could have inadvertently sampled more Republican-leaning independents than Democratic-leaning independents.

The Rhode Island Current poll has a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points, with 95% level of confidence.

When the poll included those leaning but not yet fully committed to a candidate, Harris lead inched up to 13-percentage points.

Unsurprisingly, Harris support was strongest among registered Democrats, 89% of whom supported her, while 91% of registered Republicans threw their weight behind Trump.

Theyre both nearly maxing out their respective bases, Parr said, though he noted that 7% of Democrats crossed party lines to support Trump, compared to 4% of Republicans gunning for Harris.

Registered independents were nearly equally divided, with 45% backing Harris and 41% backing Trump if the election was held that day.

Outside of the expected distinctions based on party affiliation, Harris also drew strong support among women 18 to 44 (57%), people with advanced degrees (73%), and residents in Bristol and Newport County (67%). Trumps Rhode Island base leaned upon survey takers with some college education but no degree (51%) and Kent County residents (56%).

Its (still) the economy, but immigration policy a top concern

Jobs, wages and the economy topped the list of priorities on voters minds, named by nearly two-thirds of respondents, regardless of party affiliation. However, when asked to choose whether Trump or Harris knew best how to manage the economy, Trump held a 1-percentage-point lead over Harris among survey takers (although the margins were much wider in favor of Harris among Democrats, and Trump among Republicans).

Despite Rhode Islands proximity from border wars and immigration debates, immigration policy was the no. 2. issue on voters minds, tied with the future of democracy in America.

Parr attributed the focus on immigration policy primarily to independent and Republican voters, among whom more than six in 10 named this as a top issue. By contrast, less than 40% of Democrats were thinking about immigration policy, instead focusing on abortion/reproductive rights and climate change as the most pressing issues.

Rhode Island seemed a little closer than maybe we were expecting, but its a very safe lead for Kamala Harris.

 Richard Parr, senior research director for MassINC

While Rhode Island is geographically distant from immigration-related border wars, the influx of migrants  and lack of services to accommodate them  in neighboring Massachusetts also may have made the issue seem closer-to-home for Ocean State residents, Parr said.

Even in the past six months, weve seen immigration rise as an issue of concern here in Massachusetts, Parr said. Its not only among Republicans, but also independents and even Democrats. It makes sense given that Rhode Island is super close to Massachusetts geographically and politically.

Despite confidence in the safety and integrity of presidential state elections, nearly three-quarters of respondents reported feeling that their rights were being threatened. The concern over individual rights remained high across party affiliation, gender, age, race, education and levels. Republican men felt most at risk, with 85% reporting their rights were under threat, versus the low of 60% among Democratic men.

Regardless of political affiliation, most agreed Harris came out on top in the presidential debate against Trump in Philadelphia on Sept 10, with 59% saying Harris won, versus 21% for Trump. Harris also led Trump on questions about relatability, mental sharpness and following the law. However, 40% of survey takers thought Trump would bring change to Washington, compared to 34% who backed Harris.

Both Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, enjoyed higher favorability ratings than their Republican counterparts, with over half of voters sharing positive sentiments on each. In contrast, 57% felt unfavorably toward Trump, while his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, was viewed unfavorably by 56% of voters.

Of those surveyed, 43% identified as Democrats, 27% as Republicans and 29% as independents.. Just over half were women, compared to 47% men. More than eight in 10 survey participants were white, while 16% identified as all others. The survey included responses spanning a variety of ages, income levels and education, as well as four geographic regions: Providence County, Kent County, Washington County and a combined category for Bristol and Newport counties.

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Multiple teens have been arrested and charged in recent days for threatening violence at two middle schools in Kent County, according to police.

The incidents were unrelated, and none of the threats were determined to be credible, police said.

The Smyrna Police Department said Monday that they arrested a 13-year-old boy for threatening a shooting at Smyrna Middle School, where the teen is a student. The student posted a TikTok video "alluding to a shooting" at the school, according to police.

Smyrna School District said in a statement Monday evening that they were alerted to the incident that morning, but that the video itself was posted on Friday. The TikTok is "related to the ongoing national trend of similar threats being shared nationwide," according to police, and was not credible.

"School safety is paramount to the Smyrna School District," the district wrote in the statement. "Thank you for monitoring your childs phone and social media accounts."

The student who posted the video was charged with terroristic threatening. He was arraigned in family court and released on a $500 unsecured bond with mandatory pre-trial services.

Earlier threat at Dover Middle School

Late last week, another 13-year-old boy was arrested on the same charges following threats to Dover Middle School, which he did not attend. The teen made three 911 calls from the same number advising that there was a bomb at Dover Middle School and that there would be a shooting, according to police.

Dover police said officers were sent to the school to assist school resource officers already on the scene. Capital School District ultimately decided to continue with dismissal as usual, but posted on Facebook that they canceled all after-school activities and programs "in an abundance of caution."

CRIME NEWS: County police worried about more victims after UD student charged with sextortion

Police then worked with K-9 units to determine that the school was safe, and later identified the boy who made the threats. He was charged with terroristic threatening and malicious interference with emergency communications and was released to a guardian.

Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on X at @h_edelman.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Smyrna student second teen in 4 days charged with school threats
(This story was updated to add new information.)

SOMERSWORTH  A fire in his home was not the cause of death for 63-year-old Kevin Shea, who was found dead in his residence at 79 Crystal Springs Way Friday, authorities announced Monday.

Firefighters responded to a blaze reported in the mobile home about 11:39 a.m. Friday, according to the New Hampshire state fire marshal. Shea's autopsy was conducted Sunday, determining his death was not related to the fire.

Fire Marshal Sean Toomey, Somersworth Fire Chief Matt Moore and Somersworth Police Chief Timothy McLin stated in a press release the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is active and ongoing by all three agencies.

Flowers rest in the grass in front of 79 Crystal Springs Way in Somersworth on Monday, Sept. 23, 2204. A man was found dead in the home after firefighters responded to a blaze there Friday.

"As the joint press release indicates, the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire continues between all entities," said Somersworth Police Chief Tm McLin in a prepared statement. "I anticipate being able to release more on the death after we receive the final cause of death report and toxicology results from the medical examiner's office. I can tell you that there is no cause for any concern to the public, and no other persons were involved in the incident."

The fire was reported Friday at 11:39 a.m., through a 911 call that reported smoke billowing from the mobile home. Somersworth firefighters arrived first and confirmed flames were showing and requested assistance from mutual aid partners. As crews entered the home to suppress the fire, Shea was found deceased, officials said. The fire was knocked down and determined to be under control at 12:25 p.m.

Firefighters from the communities of Somersworth, Rochester, Dover, Durham, Newington, South Berwick, Maine, North Berwick, Maine and Berwick, Maine, provided mutual aid. Members of the Somersworth Police Department, Stewarts Ambulance Service, Milton Fire Department and the Rollinsford Fire Department also provided assistance.

Police tape is seen at 79 Crystal Springs Way in Somersworth on Monday, Sept. 23, 2204. A man was found dead in the home after firefighters responded to a blaze there Friday.

Authorities ask anyone with information to contact investigator Nicole Lutz of the New Hampshire state fire marshals office at (603) 223-4289 or FMO@dos.nh.gov.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Somersworth man's death not related to home fire, officials say
Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Russian Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft safely landed in Kazakstan on Monday, some three hours after undocking from the International Space Station, returning two cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut to Earth.

The spacecraft made a parachute landing on the steppe of Kazakhstan, near Dzhezkazgan at 7:29 a.m. EDT. The Soyuz, which left the ISS's Prichal module at about 4:36 a.m., EDT, carried NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson and cosmonauts Nikolai Chub and Oleg Kononenko.

The crew were expected to fly via helicopter to the recovery city of Karaganda, Kazakhstan. From there, Dyson will take a NASA airplane back to the Johnson Space Center near Houston. It was Dyson's third trip to the space station as an engineer. She was part of Expeditions 70 and 71, NASA said.

Kononenko and Chub set a record for a single ISS mission, spending 374 days in space. Russians Sergei Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin along with NASA's Frank Rubio set the old record of 371 days on the space station from September 2022 to September 2023.

Kononenko already holds the record for overall time in space with 1,111 days in orbit.

Dyson spent 184 days in space, arriving on SoyuzMS-25 in March with cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy and spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya, from Belarus. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya returned to Earth after 12 days on Soyuz MS-24.

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are expected to join the remaining International Space Station crew with they launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Thursday and arrive on Saturday. They will be arriving on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission.

NASA said the mission to the space station will be the first human spaceflight to launch from the Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 17, 2024 shows a wind farm in Tongliao, China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/Xinhua]

Following the conclusion of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, there is considerable optimism for green cooperation and clean energy capacity-building in Africa. China's recent energy transition advancements promise important gains for a continent crucial to a truly equitable global transition.

A recently released white paper on China's energy shift details factors that propelled China to become a leading global investor in the field. China's leadership in renewables and clean energy carries significant weight for African countries' energy transformation.

For instance, on the renewables front, China has contributed well over 40% to annual increases in global renewable capacity since 2013 and helped other countries reduce their carbon dioxide emissions.

As China and Africa strengthen their commitment to a greener future, African states can benefit from China's energy transition. China's rapid advancement in new energy technologies has improved global renewable energy access and affordability, particularly in wind power. This matters because wind and solar energy are critical to Africa's own sustainable energy transition.

The complementarity says it all. China's clean energy expertise, coupled with its sizeable exports of wind and solar products in recent years, can enhance China-Africa green cooperation. African states are increasingly adopting solar technologies to power their renewable transition. As a leading global producer of solar cells and modules, China can facilitate this transition, helping African countries access these crucial technologies and markets.

History also reflects a mutual advantage: Chinese investments in Africa's clean energy sector soared by over 25% annually from 2010 to 2020. With such a rich backdrop of clean energy cooperation, optimism is high for both sides to implement 30 newly announced clean energy projects in Africa collectively. These projects can help narrow the distance between Africa and its equitable and just energy future.

The impact of emission reduction on Chinese energy products signals another advantage. Last year, Chinese exports of energy products helped nations slash their CO2 emissions by about 810 million tons. Now, as African countries look to deepen their contributions to a greener future, stronger ties with Chinese energy companies could prove mutually beneficial. For one, these links can increase the continent's access to more low-emission products. To the benefit of both sides, potent linkages between China's fast-expanding new energy industry and African countries already exist. Such collaboration could boost Chinese green product supplies in the future. These joint efforts remain critical to increasing Africa's renewable energy capacity, highlighting the value of China-Africa win-win engagement.

As many developing countries struggle to attract clean energy investments, China-backed "green growth engines" could help Africa narrow its energy accessibility gap. These growth points could help both sides overcome financial bottlenecks in developing new energy facilities while creating green jobs. After all, China's clean energy projects in Africa are expected to add at least 1 million new jobs, making their FOCAC vision a model for sustainable energy action.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) adds another key dimension to renewables cooperation. Through the BRI, China has helped partner countries deepen green energy collaborations and address resource and technical challenges in Africa. Recent developments at FOCAC have injected new momentum into BRI-led green development, building on rising Chinese investments in foreign energy sectors. Similarly, increased capacity-building in renewables could benefit parts of Sub-Saharan Africa lacking reliable energy sources.

The consensus from the 2024 FOCAC Summit was not only receptive to Africa's development needs but also reflected global progress. China's energy transition leadership over the past decade, marked by $676 billion in investments across more than 100 countries, sets the stage for increased renewables support to Africa. This cooperation could spur joint efforts in renewables, conservation, critical minerals and green industry growth.

The relevant groundwork appears in place. China is already leveraging business links, technology sharing and domestic policy targets for sustainable energy development overseas, with Africa as a key priority. The 2024 FOCAC Summit positioned Chinese-produced green technology commodities as an important offering for partner countries. The timing is crucial: More than 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, underscoring the urgency of a green development path that advances livelihoods.

Interestingly, China's domestic policy targets also present lessons for Africa to jointly advance its energy transition. For instance, China's National Energy Administration has already backed green electricity trading, addressing barriers to clean energy access and trade, a critical issue for Africa. Similarly, China's pragmatic approach of phasing out high-emission fuels for low-carbon alternatives presents an ideal opportunity for African states to attract Chinese clean energy investments. This way, both sides could reinforce joint energy transition solutions as shared priorities. The Beijing Declaration of FOCAC states, "China will open its market wider to the least developed countries, including those in Africa and encourage Chinese businesses to increase their direct investment in Africa."

Thus understood, China's profound energy transition achievements stand to bolster closer collaboration with Africa on green development, clean energy, and renewable capacity. By sharing expertise in renewable technologies, facilitating product-sharing and promoting international climate cooperation, China demonstrates a concrete commitment to improving African livelihoods and aiding the continent's green industrial growth.

The author is a foreign affairs commentator, author and recipient of the Fulbright Award.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Sep 24 (NHK) - A Japanese government spokesperson says a Russian military airplane entered Japanese airspace three times on Monday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa informed reporters about the incident on Monday night.

Hayashi said a Russian IL-38 patrol aircraft intruded into Japanese airspace near Rebun Island in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido three times between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets were scrambled to respond to the intrusion. The jets also used flares, a device that emits light and heat, to warn the Russian aircraft. It is the first time flares were used since Tokyo launched a set of anti-aerial intrusion measures.

Hayashi said he has reported the incident to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. He said Kishida gave him three instructions; one, respond calmly but with strong determination to defend Japan's land, sea and air; two, closely coordinate with the United States and other relevant nations; three, send out appropriate information at the right time to the Japanese people and the international community.

Hayashi said it is extremely regrettable that Japanese airspace has been violated like this. He said he lodged a protest with the Russian government through diplomatic channels and asked Moscow to never repeat the intrusion.
Honeymoon Photographer OTT Release: The murder mystery drama is all set to hit the digital screens on 27th September on Jio Cinema. The film is a murder mystery drama and marks the debut of actress Asha Negi in Jio Cinema.

Plot

The story of the film moves around a newly wed couple who has come to Maldives for honeymoon and things take a dramatic turn when the husband gets killed by unknown killers.

The actress Asha Negi is playing the role of the Honeymoon Photographer in the film. The film begins with the couple Adhir Irani and Zoya Irani landing in Maldives for their honeymoon

Everything is going well until one morning when Zoya discovers her husband Adhir is missing and she looks around for him everywhere. Zoya also registers a complaing with the local police station

The cops found the body of Adhir in a beach and suspects it to be a murder. They began investigation the murder and guess who becomes the main suspect in the chilling murder?

Its the Honeymoon Photographer Ambika.The cops also question Adhirs family. Meanwhile Adhirs father receives a call from some unknown number, and the guy threatens him that he has a pan drive which carries some important stuff.

As cops widen the probe, everyone comes under suspiscion including Adhirs wife, friends, family members. The film is a pack of emotions, love, heart-break, friendship and suspense.

Do watch the fim to find out who killed Adhir Irani? Is it his wife, his friend or someone from his family? The film is arriving soon on Jio Cinema.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by JioCinema (@officialjiocinema)

Star Cast and Production

The murder mystery is directed by Arjun Srivastava and it also stars Sahil Salathia, Rajeev Siddhartha, and Apeksha Porwal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the US state of Pennsylvania Sunday, kicking off a crucial visit in which he will present Kyivs vision on how to end the war with Russia.

Zelensky is due to explain Ukraines plan to President Joe Biden, as well as to Vice President Kamala Harris and, separately, to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

We have arrived in the United States of America, Zelensky said on social media.

The plan for Ukraines victory will be on the table for all our allies.

He said he was starting the trip in Pennsylvania for a special visit  without giving details  before travelling to New York and to Washington.

Ukraine will present the victory plan in the United States, and the President of the United States will be the first to see it in full, Zelensky said in a video from a plane on route to Pennsylvania.

He will then present it to all leaders of our partners countries  as well as to the US Congress and both presidential candidates, he added.

It is this fall that will decide what will happen next in this war, said Zelensky.

It is now being determined what the legacy of the current generation of states leaders will be. Those in the highest offices.

Zelensky is expected to try to convince Biden to allow Kyiv to strike targets inside Russia with delivered long-range western weapons, which he says would change the course of the war.
By Udeze Ekene

Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has said the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, showed the power of the people.

In a congratulatory message on Sunday, Shaibu noted that Edo peoples voices were heard through their votes for the Governor-elect, Okpebholo and the Deputy Governor-elect, Dennis Idahosa.

On his X handle, Shaibu wrote, Today, we celebrate the triumph of democracy in Nigeria, particularly in Edo State.

I commend the resilient people of Edo for their patience and active participation in the elections.

Your voices were heard through your votes for Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa of the All Progressives Congress. I say a big congratulations to the newly elected governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

This victory solidifies the power of the people, affirming the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Thank you, Edo State, and congratulations to the APC family.

Naija News had reported that Shaibu, in a Monday morning interview with Arise TV said Governor Godwin Obasekis loss of his local government, during Saturdays governorship election, was a vindication that he has always been assisted in his political career.

I feel vindicated; even the governor couldnt win his local government. I won my unit, ward, and local government. Where are the governors results? He has never won; we always assisted him. What is left now is for him to go back and start begging and apologizing to the people of Edo State and he has a lot of them that he needs to go and apologize to, Shaibu stated.
Smoke rsies from the site of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 4, 2020. REUTERS/Mohammed Azakir

By Sikiru Obarayese

At least 100 people have been killed while over 400 have been injured, including women and children in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Monday.

In a statement, the ministrys Public Health Emergency Operations Centre said that Israelis prolonged raids on southern Lebanese towns and villages had led to what it described as an initial toll, meaning the numbers were expected to rise.

According to Lebanons Health Ministry, the dead and wounded were children, women and paramedics, the statement said.

The Israeli army said on Monday it had attacked more than 300 targets linked to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.
Opening your home to a foster pet saves lives, plus it frees up space for another pet to be rescued.

Fostering a pet, whether for days, weeks or months may be short-term, but the results are long lasting  not only to the pet, but to you, too. Studies have shown that having a furry friend around can reduce anxiety and help relieve stress  not to mention brighten even the dreariest days.

Here are just a few ways fostering helps:

A shelter can be a noisy, stressful place, especially for shy and frightened animals. Providing a loving, quiet, safe space goes a long way toward preparing an animal for adoption.

Orphaned or newborn animals, as well as those with special medical needs or behavioral challenges, benefit greatly from the one-on-one attention they receive in foster care.

Fostering helps pets get accustomed to life in a home, smooths their way toward adoption and helps set them up for success in their forever homes.

Not sure you're ready to own a pet? Fostering is a great way to enjoy having a pet without the long-term commitment owning a pet requires. All vaccinations, medications and supplies are provided by Midlands Humane Society. So, the only cost to you is lots of love  and maybe some cleaning!

Plus, foster families get the first chance to make an official adoption of a pet in their care. Sometimes called a "foster fail", this means that you just couldn't send one of your fosters back to the shelter to be adopted by others. And, foster families can have lots of fun naming the pets who temporarily live with them. Please note, all the regular adoption application procedures apply.

If youre thinking about adopting a cat or dog, fostering is a great way to find out if an animal is a good fit for you and your family. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@midlandshumanesociety.org or 712-396-2270.

MHS Pets of the Week:

Trevor is a 7-year-old neutered male Hound Mix that is waiting for a nice laid-back home. Trevor seems to enjoy his walks and hanging out in the play yard. He does ok with other quiet, laid-back dogs in group but gets overwhelmed with high energy/rough and tumble dogs.

Sushi is a 2.5-year-old neutered male Persian. This guy may have a grumpy face but is actually a very sweet boy. He will love a warm lap to curl into for lots of attention. Persians do require upkeep of their haircoats to keep them from getting matted.

Missy is a 3-year-old spayed female Lab mix and she is a very friendly girl whose favorite hobbies include going on nice walks, spending time in the play yard with her dog friends, and eating yummy treats. She likes yummy treats a little bit too much (don't we all?) and will need some help from her new owners to shed some pounds and get her back to a healthier weight.

Eli is an 8-year-old neutered male Westie mix has a very soft and sweet personality. He is a laid-back senior who will enjoy short walks, long naps and lots of love in his new home.

Visit Midlands Humane Society on weekdays from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Offsite adoption events are frequently held on the weekends at PetSmart in Council Bluffs and Omaha, with more information on the MHS Facebook page.

You can always check out available pets at midlandshumanesociety.org.
Cake Pop is as sweet as her name. She is a female mixed breed large dog that is about 1 year old. Cute, young Cake Pop has colors of brown and black. She is slender and long-legged with an adorable face and super-cute ears. Cake Pops ears stand out straight but off to the side. The ears giv
Algerias drastic import cut policy has caused a severe shortage in all sorts of tires in a country where queues for basic goods have become the new norm.

Restrictions to curb the outflow of hard currency in the import reliant country have hit several sectors in Algeria including cars and car parts and tires, leading to shortages that seriously increase traffic risks.

Algerian inter-city transporters, including buses, are already complaining of shortages that triggered price hikes in the market, according to Algerian media Algerie360.

The Algerian transporters union (UNAT) said many buses had to be immobilized due to unavailability of tires in the Algerian market.

The lack of tires poses a serious threat to traffic safety with the country already suffering from high traffic-related deaths.

Despite its oil and gas wealth, Algeria failed to develop petrochemical industries such as tires making, leaving the market dependent on imports.
 Flash

From its bustling capital of Changsha to the mountainous city of Zhangjiajie, Hunan province in Central China is abuzz with an influx of foreign tourists.

At the ongoing third Hunan Tourism Development Conference held in Hengyang from Friday to Sunday, provincial officials hailed inbound tourism as a driving force for the local economy and pledged to spare no effort in promoting Hunan's rich cultural and tourism resources to global visitors.

According to a report released by the Ctrip travel platform, as of Aug 25, the number of inbound tourism orders to destinations in Hunan increased by 137 percent year-on-year. Over the first six months of 2024, the province welcomed 1.4 million inbound visits, generating $364 million in revenue, representing increases of 5.69 and 6.68-fold year-on-year respectively.

Resumption of international flights, improvements in inbound travel, recovery of the inbound tourism supply chain and active marketing efforts are cited as contributing factors in the booming market.

Foreigners entering and exiting through Changsha and Zhangjiajie airports represent 125 countries, with the top five in terms of numbers being from South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore  accounting for 91 percent. Following implementation of the visa-free policy for entry into China, the number of inbound tourists from Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore to Hunan has increased significantly, with arrivals from those three countries exceeding 10 times the figures from the same period last year.

In the first half of 2024, Zhangjiajie welcomed 910,000 inbound visits, ranking first in the province, with a 569.17 percent year-on-year increase. It brought the city about $247 million in tourism revenue, a 673.55 percent increase year-on-year.

The popularity of inbound tourism in Hunan is closely tied to supportive policies. In March, the province advocated the measures to promote the cultural and creative tourism industry, which explicitly advocate promotion of inbound tourism products. The province has also set up cultural and tourism promotion centers and cultivated a group of key enterprises to develop inbound tourism routes targeting different overseas markets.

Support has been provided for Changsha and Zhangjiajie to make good use of the 72-hour and the 144-hour transit visa-free policy, while the recovery and expansion of international flight routes has dramatically influenced development of Hunan's inbound tourism. The summer and autumn flight schedules, spanning March 31 to Oct 26, include a total of 7,076 flights across nine airports, marking a record high  and an 8.3 percent increase compared to 2023.

In February, Changsha conducted an eight-day cultural tourism promotion event in Osaka, Japan; and Seoul, South Korea; to boost the influence of the capital city's culture and tourism resources.

On June 1, the 2024 Hunan International Cultural Tourism Festival and Trip Group Global Partner Hunan (Zhangjiajie) Inbound Tourism Conference welcomed more than 1,000 foreign guests from more than 50 countries and regions.

"The festival provides an excellent opportunity and platform for the development of Hunan's inbound tourism market. The attendees become a major force to drive the inbound tourism market and contribute wisdom to the upgrading of inbound tourism consumption and the tourism industry's new forms," said Shang Bin, deputy director of the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Building worldwide renowned tourism destinations is a long-term goal for Hunan. Previously, opinions on accelerating construction of world-renowned tourism destinations issued by the provincial government outlined targets such as achieving revenue of 1.1 trillion yuan ($154.66 billion) by 2025 and hosting more than 750 million visits. Now, by promoting its five signature attractions, Hunan aims to optimize its tourism industry to have more globalized characteristics.

The first attraction is the picturesque landscape represented by Zhangjiajie. The second attraction is the red tourism and patriotic education paths represented by Shaoshan Mountain. The third attraction is the city tour represented by Changsha. The fourth attraction is the agriculture-themed routes represented by Chengtou Mountain Ancient Cultural Site in Changde. The fifth attraction is the historical culture represented by Mount Heng in Hengyang city. This effort will enrich the forms of tourism consumption, intensify market promotion efforts and enhance the influence of Hunan province nationwide and globally, officials said.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a 15 million loan to Moroccan car equipment supplier, Tuyauto, which produces stamped metal components, exhaust systems, and heat shields.

The loan is guaranteed by the EU through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Municipal Infrastructure and Industrial Resilience program to support the companys environmental improvements, including a building certification according to EDGE standards.

The funding will be used for the construction of a new EDGE-certified green production facility near Rabat  100 km from Tuyautos existing facility in Casablanca  in which the tubular structures of various car models will be welded and assembled.

The EBRD loan will also support the acquisition of new metal stamping equipment to meet the increasing needs of Stellantis in Morocco.

Morocco is a global producer and exporter of cars, with the automotive sector accounting for 25 per cent of its exports and directly supporting more than 200,000 jobs.

The country has established four industrial clusters in Casablanca, Kenitra, Rabat and Tangier, and has several specialized training institutes that ensure a continuous supply of skilled labor.
Egypts Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, reaffirmed the countrys right to safeguard its water security in response to the challenges posed by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), asserting that Egypt will protect its interests in line with international law.

In an interview with Asharq News published on September 22, Abdelatty highlighted the existential importance of water for Egypt, stressing that the country is uniquely dependent on the transboundary Nile River as its sole water source. When asked about the possibility of military action related to the GERD, Abdelatty stated: We will defend our interests within the framework of international law.

He emphasized Egypts responsible international conduct, noting that the nation deploys military forces abroad only under United Nations mandates and for peacekeeping missions. However, he affirmed Egypts capacity to protect its water rights: If our security and interests are threatened, we will not hesitate to act. This concerns the well-being, security, and stability of over 110 million Egyptians.

Abdelatty criticized Ethiopia for what he described as evasion and bad-faith negotiations, which have stalled all diplomatic efforts since 2023. Despite 13 years of talks between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, no substantial agreements have been reached, with Ethiopia continuing to advance the dams construction without compromise.

With Egypt facing acute water shortages, the country relies heavily on the Nile, receiving only around 550 cubic meters of water per capita annuallywell below the global water scarcity threshold of 1,000 cubic meters per person.
Several voices mounted to reject a proposed revision of certain provisions of a 2014 law, which governs elections and referendums in Tunisia. The proposal, put forward by a group of deputies to the General Legislation Commission, was submitted with an urgent request for review.

In this vein, the National Bureau of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), the Islamist Ennahda movement, and the Tunisian Bar Association have voiced strong opposition to the revision.

As reported by Echaab News, the National Bureau of the UGTT called on the Independent Superior Authority for Elections (ISIE) to adhere to the existing legal framework, urging the electoral body to reject any amendments that violate deadlines or compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

In parallel, the Islamist Ennahda movement called for the immediate withdrawal of the legislative proposal, warning that it could become a political scandal. In a statement, Ennahda criticized the attempt to alter election laws during an ongoing campaign, calling it both politically and morally unjustifiable, and arguing that such changes would undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming presidential election.

President of the Tunisian Bar Association, Hatem Mzio, also condemned the proposal. While he noted that he had not received formal notification of the amendment but learned about it from social media, Mzio deemed the proposal unacceptable in both form and substance. He stressed that changing electoral rules just two weeks before the elections would disrupt the electoral climate and violate the principle of fair competition. Mzio called for the proposal to be withdrawn immediately.
The Atlantic Initiative launched in 2022 by King Mohammed VI of Morocco was expounded at a ministerial meeting, held in New York Monday, under the chairmanship of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

During the meeting, held under the theme Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita made a presentation on the Royal ambitious cooperation initiative, which aims, he said, at promoting peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Atlantic African region.

The goal of the Royal initiative is to enable African countries to take ownership of their development process, he stated, recalling that the Atlantic African coast consists of 23 countries, home to 70% of the population, and accounts for 40% of inter-African trade.

This region, which is rich in potential and opportunities in key sectors such as tourism and mineral resources, also faces enormous challenges. Terrorism, climate change, maritime insecurity, and overfishing are destabilizing factors in the region, Bourita said during the meeting, attended by several other ministers from both sides of the Atlantic.

The Moroccan official who praised the many important steps taken by Atlantic African countries to strengthen the cooperation framework of the initiative, recalled that a secretariat has been established in Rabat, an action program has been adopted, and a Forum of Justice Ministers has been created.

In this context, he noted that action plans from the three thematic groups, which include concrete actions in the areas of security, the blue economy, connectivity, energy, and climate change, will be developed during an upcoming ministerial meeting of these states.

Bourita also welcomed the dynamic of cooperation in all regions of the Atlantic, both South and North, noting that the Process of Atlantic African States, as an expression of the African vision of cooperation for this space, is committed to strengthening partnerships with other initiatives to create a stable, prosperous, and resilient Atlantic region. Morocco firmly believes that a strong and mutually beneficial partnership is essential to support the achievement of common goals through effective cooperation mechanisms, he emphasized.

Through coordinated efforts between our initiatives, which are complementary to each other, we will be able to better serve the interests of the Atlantic community to promote shared prosperity and stability, Bourita said.

He praised in this vein Washingtons efforts to bring together Atlantic countries from all continents around common goals, expressing his belief that no country or continent can tackle Atlantic challenges alone. Morocco is pleased to have actively contributed to the U.S. initiative by co-leading, along with Angola and Spain, the Working Group on Marine Spatial Planning, the Moroccan top diplomat stated further.
Is Mike Johnson getting too big for his britches? Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Most government-shutdown threats eventually fade. But still, the speed with which House Speaker Mike Johnson backed away from a demand that Democrats accept Donald Trumps silly and redundant legislation making illegal noncitizen voting really illegal was downright Olympian. Having failed twice to get even his own caucus to support a stopgap spending bill with the so-called SAVE Act attached, Johnson folded like a cheap suit, and over the weekend quietly agreed to a three-month stopgap bill that will more or less continue the status quo until December 20.

This retreat from MAGA principle is in direct defiance of orders from Trump, who thundered on September 20:

But will Trump exact a terrible price for this betrayal, maybe tossing Johnson over the side if he tries to hang onto his gavel after Election Day? Its unclear; Johnson himself met privately with Trump last week and told us the former president understands the situation. On the other hand, Politico Playbook reports that the GOP presidential nominee strongly disagrees with the prevailing congressional Republican sentiment that a pre-election government shutdown would be very bad for the entire ticket:

A government shutdown just five weeks before Election Day would be disastrous, the conventional thinking goes, reminding voters of the chaos that has marked GOP governance in the Trump era. But that, of course, wasnt Trumps thinking, according to three Republicans with insight.

The former president had convinced himself that a shutdown over voting laws would usher in a GOP wave, enabling him to not only reclaim the White House but land substantial majorities in Congress. Trump, after all, had been burned by the 35-day-shutdown over his demands for a border wall at the end of 2018, with voters overwhelmingly blaming him as president for the chaos that ensued. Therefore, he reasoned, Joe Biden, Harris and the Democrats would take the heat this time around, since theyre the ones in power.

In Trumps mind, anything bad that happens right now is good for him. But he does have some other fish to fry right now, so it seems unlikely that hell blow up the House GOP right now out of anger at Johnson, who, after all, helped him make the whole ridiculous noncitizen-voting hoax a national story.

It is generally understood that if Republicans lose control of the House in November, Johnson is a goner as Speaker. If they hang on and Trump wins too, he will hold his gavel precisely so long as the 47th president continues to let him do so. For now, Congress appears to have successfully kicked the can down the road until the next government-shutdown threat appears right before Christmas. And theres no telling what will have happened to the American political system in the meantime.
Ask a Cool Person Where we ask stylish individuals with particular, exacting, or simply exceptional taste to tell us about the things theyre actually buying. Read more here. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

This week on the Strategist, were covering all things tabletop: the best plates, yes, and also everything that goes around (and underneath) them. Welcome to Tabletop Week.

Whether woven with rattan or ramie, accentuated by scallops or stripes, or plain and simple, place mats do much more than just protect your table against heat, cold, and food (though thats important, too). Theyre a tabletop piece that, when factored into an overall tablescape, can transform a blandly set table into a spread thatll have guests reminiscing about more than just the food. And, like tablecloths or drinking glasses, place mats are pieces that you can collect over time. Youre not going to go and say, You know what? Today, Im going to buy every tablescape item for the rest of my life, advises Saanya Ali, writer and founder of the site SOIREE. Its something that the pieces come to you, but bit by bit youre building your arsenal.

To help you build that arsenal, I spoke to more than 12 stylish people  including cookbook authors, store owners, and interior designers, plus the members of the Strategist staff  about their favorite place mats. Here youll find handcrafted mats from artisans in Mexico, kid-proof mats that actually look nice, and plenty of other options in a variety of interesting shapes and sizes. And to help you better achieve your tabletop vision, I sorted the place mats by shape and included picks at a variety of price points.

Round place mats Zinnia Mexican Palma Woven Place Mats $8 $8 Strategist contributor Kiki Aranita pulls these colorful woven place mats out for special occasion meals where she wants to bring a bit of color to her table. The place mats are made of palm leaves that Guanajuato artisans have dyed, woven, and machine-stitched on top (just note: if you are using these on a lighter-colored table or with a light-colored plate, Aranita says the color can transfer). If youre looking to add just a spot of color here and there, alternate these with any of the more neutral-colored place mats, which youll find below. $8 at Zinnia Buy

Crate & Barrel Artesia Round Natural Woven Rattan Place Mat $15 $15 This wont come as a surprise to anyone who reads my newsletter Dinner: A Love Story, but when Im sitting at a dinner table  whether its in the dining room or kitchen  I feel like something is missing if there are no place mats, says author Jenny Rosenstrach. Her current favorite is a round natural rattan option that she inherited from her mother-in-law and that looks similar to these, which are available in three washes: a slate gray, honey brown, and natural rattan. I feel like theyd be just as appropriate for a beach house as they are in my New York apartment, she says. When not in use, the place mats sit in a stack in the middle of my dining room table, propping up a fruit bowl or, right now, a bowl of decorative gourds, Rosenstrach tells me, adding, Yes, I am that person. $15 at Crate and Barrel Buy

Rustic Natural Ramie Woven Oval Place Mat From $16 From $16 If youd rather an oval place mat thats also handmade, go with Strategist senior editor Hilary Reids recommendation. Its a woven place mat from Etsy thats similar to a set that she got while on vacation in Jamaica. I leave them on my table pretty much all the time, and love that the woven grass adds some texture on top of whatever tablecloth is underneath, she says. Plus, she says washing them isnt a drag: Its more of a shake them out after using situation. From $16 at Etsy Buy

MoMA Design Store Dual-Sided Recycled Leather Place Mat $18 $18 These place mats are made of recycled leather, and if youre wondering what that feels like, recipe developer and food writer Rebecca Firkser describes it as having a slippery rather than buttery hand-feel. Over the years, shes tried a variety of place mats, and these are the only ones that shes stuck with. They did exactly what I needed them to do: They keep the table clear, but they feel a little bit simple, but still fun-looking, she adds. Since she owns them in four different colors, Firkser typically pairs them with an assortment of mismatched plates for an eclectic look. And at the end of the night, theres no fuss: I feel like you could just smear anything on them, and then they just wipe clean really quickly, she says. $18 at MoMA Design Store Buy

Williams Sonoma Nito Place Mat $27 $27 Recipe developer and fashion designer Peter Som describes these woven place mats as his everyday set. Like Reids woven oval mats, these are woven in a nice tight weave in a natural tone that goes with any place setting, he says. The higher price comes from the place mats origin: the Philippines, where artisans weave them by hand. And since theyre finished with a layer of lacquer, Som reports that they wipe dry easily. $27 at Williams Sonoma Buy

Plaza Bolivar Hilamos Rust Place Mats $40 for 2 $40 for 2 Anna Polonsky, founder of the branding and design consultancy Polonsky & Friends, has been using these as her everyday place mats for nearly four years. We had met Mariana Suarez over the years before she started her brand, Polonsky says of her and her husband, adding that when the brand launched, We fell in love with her collection. Unlike the Zinnia place mats earlier on this list, these deep rust colored ones dont transfer color and are made to last. Weve never had to change them, and we use them all the time, she says. Theres never an issue of wine stains or stains that dont go away. $40 for 2 at Plaza Bolivar Buy

Gaetano Pesce Transparent Place Mat $65 $65 Fabiana Faria and Helena Barquet, the owners of Coming Soon, have long carried Gaetano Pesces striking vessels in their store, but were always intrigued by his playful place mats. Today, these are the place mats that live on their own kitchen table  and theyre remarkably durable because theyre made of resin. You cant stain them because theyre not fabric, Faria says. And theyre such a fun pop of color. When not in use, you can leave them on the table, or follow Barquets tip: You can also stick them on your window and it looks like stained glass, she says. $65 at Coming Soon Buy

Rectangular place mats CB2 Saddle Faux Brown Leather Place Mat $8 $10 now 20% off $8 Edy Massih, cookbook author and owner of Edys Grocer, uses these mats more for decor than for protecting his dining room table. They go really well with the space because theyre brown and our space is brown and our table is also brown, he says. But if brown isnt your thing, the faux-leather place mats also come in ivory, black, and gray. And whether you use it for eating or for decorating, the place mat makes it a little bit more elegant, and it gives you that feeling that youre at a restaurant, he says. $8 at CB2 Buy

The Vintage Rug Shop Country Gingham Place Mat $10 now 20% off $8 Molly Torres Portnof, a designer and the founder of design studio Date Interiors, recommends pairing this place mat with a wooden table, but adds that it goes well with a variety of styles to either funk up a space or just kind of meld in with whatever the rest of the aesthetic of the kitchen or dining room is. And despite sporting more natural colors, the placement is just so beautiful, textural, and pretty simple, she says. [Editors Note: These gingham place mats are currently out of stock, but well let you know when theyre back in stock.] $8 at The Vintage Rug Shop Buy

Oilcloth Place Mat $11 Easy to wipe down is a key requirement of place mats in my household that involves children, says Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio. These are flexible, which makes them more difficult to wipe down in the sink, but theyve held up for more than three years in Trolios home. As far as kid-proof place mats go, its hard to get better than these, which come in a variety of reversible options. You have to be okay with bright colors and kitsch, Trolio adds. (If youd like a kid-friendly option thats more rigid, she recommends these delightful, and very affordable, ones from Target.) $11 at Oilcloth Buy

Lauhala Place Mats (Set of 2) $19 for 2 $19 for 2 For everyday meals and for toning down a tablescape that involves her Mexican Palma place mats, Aranita swears by these, which she typically buys in bulk as gifts when she goes back to Hawaii, where she grew up. They do wear down over time, but Aranita says that she is extremely not gentle with them and has cycled through many for nearly 20 years. I wipe them down with sanitizer after use, but Ive also hand washed them with soap and water, she tells me. $19 for 2 at Etsy Buy

Maison de Vacances Gingham Place Mat $36 for 2 $41 now 12% off $36 for 2 Though Reid isnt typically a fan of gingham, she says the black trim on these makes them slightly more formal and refined than the typical picnic-y vibe associated with the pattern. Shes been using these for over three years and finds that theyve held up well after several machine washes and air dries, and dont get too wrinkly when theyre dried on a regular drying rack. When it comes to using them for dining, she likes to pair them with some checkered napkins from the same line. And for a real statement, she says, Ill put the whole setup on top of a white linen tablecloth, which really makes them pop and almost look a little graphic. $36 for 2 at Yoox Buy

Fort Makers Fern Place Mat $40 Faria initially recommended these place mats to us in 2020, and the place mats are still a mainstay in her and Barquets rotation  and we have plenty of place mats, Faria adds. After a decade of use, the place mats have only suffered a little fading, so youll be able to enjoy the vibrant fern scene for years to come. To clean, just throw them in the wash as theyre printed on half-cotton, half-linen material. $40 at Fort Makers Buy

Dusen Dusen Place Mats - Set of 4 $32 for 2 $32 for 2 Everything that Dusen Dusen does, Im in love with, Ali says  and that includes the brands striped place mats, which come in a variety of vibrant color combinations, including a delightful lilac and sage green pairing. A two-color or three-color stripe [combination] lends itself to so many different iterations if you can play with one of the colors, she says. And if you mix multiple stripe combinations  as Dusen Dusen allows with its mixed place-mat option  your tablescaping skills are top notch. $32 for 2 at Dusen Dusen Buy

Perigold Provence Avignon Mats (Set of 6) $79 for 6 $94 now 16% off $79 for 6 Inspired by her childhood in France, Ali has a soft spot for Provencal-style place-mats like these, which feature botanical designs. Though the ones her family uses are from France, these linen ones are the most similar mats that shes been able to find over the years. Designed by Parisian artist Bruno Lamy, the mats are handmade by Indian artisans because of Lamys passion for the age-old Indian technique of hand-block printing. $79 for 6 at Perigold Buy $99 for 6 at Couleur Nature Buy

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NSC Closing Keynote: Embracing AI in Safety with the Right Mindset

Dr. Kate Darling' emphasized the importance of a not applying human characteristics to AI when using it in workplace safety.

Given that AI applications are proliferating in the world of workplace safety and health, its important that safety professionals approach AI with the right mindset, according to last weeks closing NSC Safety Congress keynote speaker Dr. Kate Darling, an MIT Media Lab research scientist and leading expert in social robotics.

Speaking on Wednesday, Sept. 18, Darling said that the rapid integration of AI and robotics into the workplace demands a thoughtful and ethical approach. Her keynote, titled The Future of Human-Robot Interaction, highlighted the profound changes that robotics and AI are bringing to various industries and workplaces, including transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Darling explored critical questions about the future of human-robot interaction, such as: What happens when robots begin interacting with humans in everyday settings? Will they supplement human abilities or replace them? How do we ensure that the use of robots aligns with societal values and legal frameworks?

Bearing that in mind, Darling explored the implications of anthropomorphizing AI in the workplace. She argued that the true potential of AI and robotics lies not in replicating human abilities but in enhancing them through partnership.

Why would we want to recreate human intelligence when we can do something different? she asked.  The potential of these modern technologiesAI and roboticsis not to recreate something we already have.

Darling concluded by encouraging safety professionals to stay informed and engaged with the ongoing developments in AI and robotics.
Oil tumbled at the end of the U.S. summer driving season, with fears of an economic slump in China weighing heavily on the outlook for petroleum. As such, the international Brent benchmark plunged by over 12% in a month to lows not seen since early 2022, although in the wake of rising Middle East tensions, it has rebounded to be down 4% over that period. This forced the OPEC+ consortium to delay plans to hike production until December 2024. It is speculated that steadily rising non-OPEC global supply will cap any recovery, with Guyana's impoverished South American country recently emerging as a major international oil producer and exporter. The former British colony, long ignored by Big Oil, will not only become South Americas top oil producer but a key driver of world petroleum supply growth.

After decades of poor drilling results, Guyana has rapidly emerged as a significant global petroleum producer following a series of world-class discoveries made by an Exxon-led consortium in the offshore 6.6 million acre Stabroek Block. The block, where Exxon is the operator holding a 45% working interest with partners Hess and CNOOC controlling 30% and 25%, respectively, is situated in Guyanas territorial waters adjacent to the Essequibo region disputed by Venezuela. Since 2015, Exxon has made nearly 40 discoveries that are believed to contain at least 11 billion barrels of oil. The first discovery occurred in 2015 with the Liza-1 wildcat well, followed by the January 2017 Payara and Liza Deep discoveries, with the Liza 3 appraisal well found a 100 to 150-million-barrel reservoir below the existing Liza oilfield. It is speculated that the Stabroek Block contains well over 11 billion barrels of oil reserves, with the acreage possessing the potential to eclipse Brazils proven and probable reserves totaling 23 billion barrels, the second largest in South America.

The Liza Phase One project commenced operations in December 2019 with the start-up of the Liza Destiny floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel which can lift 120,000 barrels per day. Then, during February 2022, the Liza Phase 2 project was completed with the 220,000-barrel Liza Unity FPSO vessel commencing operations. By the end of November 2023, the Payara project was completed, with the 220,000 barrel-per-day Prosperity FPSO starting operations. This expanded the Stabroek Blocks capacity to 560,000 barrels per day. After enhancements, those facilities, since January 2024, have been pumping over 600,000 barrels per day. These developments, completed at a scorching pace, underscore that the Stabroek Block is a trillion-dollar opportunity for Exxon, its partners and Guyana.

In a stunning development, it took a mere four years for Guyana to go from the first discovery, made in 2015 with Exxons Liza-1 exploration well, to the first oil in 2019. This is incredible because it usually takes a decade or longer for development of billion-dollar offshore energy projects. Indeed, industry data shows it takes, on average, seven years for an oilfield to reach production, with at least a quarter of projects taking even longer to achieve first oil. Deepwater offshore fields, depths of over 4,000 feet or 1,219 meters, like those developed in Guyana and Suriname, are among the most difficult and slowest to develop. The pitfalls of deepwater development are apparent from Surinames Block 58. Despite TotalEnergies and APA Corporation making the first discovery with the Maka Central-1 wildcat well in January 2020, the multi-billion-dollar final investment decision (FID) was delayed, with first oil not expected until 2028, over eight years later.

In August 2024, Guyanas Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, announced that the countrys oil reserves had grown by 600 million barrels to 11.6 billion barrels. This occurred because of Exxons latest oil discoveries in the prolific Stabroek Block. As a result, the South American country of less than one million now possesses the continents third largest oil reserves behind Brazil, which has proven reserves of around 16 billion barrels and Venezuela, with 303 billion barrels, the worlds largest. This abundance of high-quality discoveries in the Stabroek Block indicates that the Guyana Suriname Basins petroleum potential far exceeds the volumes calculated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The U.S. government agency determined the basin holds up to 33 billion barrels of crude oil, yet recent discoveries point to the basins true petroleum potential being significantly greater.

Foreign energy companies, notably Big Oil, invest tremendous amounts of capital in exploration and development activities in offshore Guyana. Aside from Exxons stunning exploration success in the Stabroek Block, a key attraction is the high-quality crude being found. The oil in the Liza oil field has medium density and is sweet, with Exxons assay showing an API gravity of 31.9 degrees and 0.59% sulfur. Those are crucial characteristics in a world where strict emission standards make it costly and complex to refine heavier sourer crude oils into low-emission fuels. Petroleum discovered in offshore Guyana outside of the Stabroek Block possesses similar qualities. One of the most important discoveries was with the Wei-1 wildcat well in the northern section of the Corentyne Block. The oil found was medium grade and sweet, but according to the operator CGX Energy, the reservoir qualities are analogous to those of the Liza-1 discovery.

As Guyanas energy investment inflows rise and oil reserves grow, production in the tiny South American country will expand as more discoveries are made and new projects come online. Exxon is developing four projects in the Stabroek Block scheduled for completion between 2024 and 2029. The first is the multi-billion-dollar 250,000 barrel-per-day Yellowtail development, which is expected to come online by the end of 2025. This will be followed by the Uaru and Whiptail projects, with both possessing the capacity to lift 250,000 barrels per day, which will start up in 2026 and 2027, respectively. The final facility under construction is the Hammerhead project, which is expected to start lifting petroleum in 2029, adding 180,000 barrels per day to production in the Stabroek Block. Those facilities will add 930,000 barrels per day to Guyanas oil production, lifting output to around 1.5 million barrels daily by the end of the decade.

Exxon recently completed work on the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity FPSOs, which began on 2 July 2024. This interrupted production in the Stabroek Block, causing it to plummet to around 500,000 barrels per day by the end of July 2024, significantly less than the 663,000 barrels per day lifted a month earlier. Exxon statements indicate both FPSOs are now pumping at capacity, with output returning to June 2024 levels of around 660,000 barrels daily. This work occurred to complete pipeline tie-ins for a gas-to-energy project, which will commence operation by the end of 2024. It will bring associated gas produced by the Liza FPSOs to shore via pipeline, for processing at a government-sponsored facility on the west bank of the Demerara River. The commercialized gas will fire a 300-megawatt powerplant to generate electricity, which Georgetown asserts will reduce local electricity costs by up to 50%.

For these reasons, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) stated Guyana has emerged as a critical contributor to global petroleum supply growth. In its short-term energy outlook, the U.S. government agency predicts the former British colony will be lifting 865,000 barrels of crude oil daily by November 2025. This will make Guyana the second largest oil producer in South America, behind Brazil, while ranking the country 20th globally, ahead of Colombia and Oman. The impoverished South American countrys rapidly expanding output makes it the third fastest growing non-OPEC oil producer globally, behind the U.S. in first place and Brazil second, making it an essential contributor to world petroleum supply.

Nonetheless, fears emerged that a dispute between Exxon and Chevron would impact the development of the prolific Stabroek Block. Houston-based Exxon, the operator holding a 45% interest in the Stabroek Block, and partner CNOCC claim Chevrons $53 billion acquisition of Hess triggered the first right of refusal to sell the takeover targets 30% share of the block. As such, both supermajors are now locked in arbitration, where Exxon argues that the takeover represents a change of control, activating its right of first refusal. The Houston-based supermajor has flagged that it may bid for Hesss share of the Stabroek Block if victorious, but it wont acquire the company. This is a blow for Chevron because analysts estimate the value of Hess stake in the Stabroek Block comprises up to 80% of the $53 billion bid. Chevron argues there is no change of ownership because Hess will remain intact and become a subsidiary if the takeover, which Hesss stockholders approved proceeds.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

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The report emphasizes the need to address Europe's energy challenges through renewable energy, infrastructure investment, and market reform, while also acknowledging unanswered questions about the cost of social welfare and talent attraction.

Draghi proposes a three-pronged solution: a more assertive industrial policy, increased public and private investment, and regulatory reforms for greater flexibility and efficiency.

Mario Draghi's report highlights Europe's declining competitiveness, attributing it to lagging productivity, energy dependency, and an investment gap.

Mario Draghi's much-anticipated report on European competitiveness, released on September 9th, provides a comprehensive assessment of Europe's economic challenges and proposes solutions.

The report has garnered mixed reactions, with some praising its thoroughness and others criticizing its recommendations.

Draghi's Assessment of the European Economy

Draghi highlights the decline of the European economy, evidenced by a falling share of global GDP and trade.

He attributes this primarily to lagging productivity, particularly in digitalization. This has led to a significant gap in disposable income growth compared to the U.S.

The report points out the disappearance of the foundations on which European prosperity was built, including energy security and sources of growth.

The continent faces challenges such as a protectionist global environment, Chinese subsidized manufacturing, and tech domination.

Draghi also criticizes Europe's fragmented response to these challenges, particularly in climate policy.

He argues that the Green Deal's focus on energy transition without job and industry creation has led to deindustrialization.

The report identifies energy dependency, an investment gap, and excessive regulation as further obstacles to European competitiveness.

Draghi's Three Main Solutions

Industrial policy: The report advocates for a more assertive industrial policy, taking inspiration from China. Draghi proposes categorizing industries and sectors based on strategic importance and implementing corresponding courses of action, including accepting imports for lost industries, promoting domestic production for strategic industries, developing joint ventures, and protecting infant industries. Tackling the investment and innovation gap: Draghi calls for a massive increase in public and private investment, estimated at 750 to 800 billion annually. He recommends completing the Capital Markets Union and Banking Union and advocates for direct public investment through common debt for EU projects. Reforming the EU for flexibility and efficiency: Draghi suggests removing excessive bureaucracy and damaging legislation, particularly those based on the precautionary principle. He proposes impact assessments for law packages and evaluating policies after implementation. The report also calls for increased EU efficiency through political centralization, including extending qualified majority voting.

Energy Challenges and Solutions

A key focus of the report is Europe's energy dependency, which Draghi sees as undermining its economic model.

The reliance on imported natural gas, particularly from Russia, has resulted in high electricity prices, putting pressure on businesses, especially energy-intensive industries like chemicals and metallurgy. This has created a significant competitive disadvantage for European companies compared to their US counterparts.

The report also criticizes Europe's fragmented response to the energy crisis and the challenges of climate policy.

He argues that the Green Deal's focus on energy transition without sufficient consideration for job and industry creation has led to deindustrialization.

To address the energy challenges, Draghi proposes a multifaceted approach:

Promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency: The report emphasizes the need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency across all sectors.

Investing in energy infrastructure: Draghi calls for significant investments in upgrading energy infrastructure, including modernizing electricity grids and developing interconnections to facilitate the integration of renewable energy.

Reforming the EU energy market: The report advocates for a more integrated and efficient European energy market, reducing fragmentation and promoting competition.

Unanswered Questions and Contradictions

While the Draghi report offers valuable insights and solutions, it leaves some important questions unanswered.

The feasibility of debt-driven EU funding and the accountability for productive investments remain concerns.

The report also avoids addressing the cost of Europe's social model and its impact on investment and competitiveness.

Its also missing some clear answers on how to attract and retain top talent while maintaining Europe's egalitarian values.

Whats Next?

Mario Draghi's report serves as a wake-up call for Europe, highlighting the urgent need for reform and investment.

It proposes a more assertive industrial policy, increased public investment, and regulatory reforms to address the challenges facing the European economy.

But the report's silence on the cost of the European social model and the complexities of attracting top talent leaves some crucial questions unanswered.

The future of European competitiveness hinges on addressing these challenges and striking a balance between social welfare and economic dynamism.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Oil and Gas (O&G) activity in the U.S has had exponential growth in recent years. With the advent of more efficient extraction techniques such as fracking, the O&G industry has seen one of the largest production and export growth in the global O&G landscape. This growth, while relatively recent, is preceded by a period of U.S. O&G production that stretches back to the 80s. This frenetic activity in O&G extraction has left thousands of oil wells abandoned across the United States.

Two types of disused oil wells can be distinguished. On the one hand, abandoned wells are those that are known to the company that manages the well, but that has decided to stop exploiting it and extract resources in the area. Orphaned wells are those that have ceased to be producers and that the companies that managed that well are out of business or are unknown. According to the United States Department of the Interior, orphaned wells are extremely dangerous areas for the environment and can severely affect the public health of the area by polluting the water, and emitting harmful gases such as methane. These areas can even be affected by floods, earthquakes and explosions, thus affecting the area's wild ecosystem. In the United States alone, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there may be approximately 4 million abandoned oil and gas wells across 27 states, of which more than 117,000 are considered orphaned wells. The latter means that there is no company that manages and is responsible for the environmental impact that these wells can generate. Because these wells can be abandoned for several decades, in many cases it is very difficult to find them due to the vegetation of the area or to issues inherent to the terrain where the abandoned well is located. For example, in West Virginia it is estimated that there are thousands of orphaned wells that are still not documented, in addition to the at least 6,500 wells that are documented. In the state of Texas, one of the states where much of the North American activity in oil extraction is located, the Railroad Commission estimates that there are around 8,500 inactive wells that have not yet been covered, although experts warn that there are thousands that have not yet been documented. These data warn that orphaned wells are a very serious environmental and social risk that may grow considerably in the coming years.

Related: Shell Ready to Shut Gulf of Mexico Platforms Ahead of Tropical Disturbance

Many of the wells that are now inactive come from the decade of World War II and the decade of the 80s. These wells were at the time covered with steel and cement. However, this material has begun to corrode due to the corrosion effects produced by the contaminated water and oil reserves that are still in the area. Some of the wells that have already been decommissioned and plugged are once again posing an environmental problem because the materials used were inefficient to plug the well. One of the main causes of the resurgence of orphaned wells that were already properly covered may be the fracking boom. Fracking uses wastewater to fracture the source rock. The wastewater could pressurize aquifers under old wells, leading to a well explosion and bursting plugs. This reason, among others, warns that orphaned wells should be considered a priority issue for companies and the government in the United States.

One of the main barriers that make it difficult for companies to manage orphaned wells is the cost of the operation. It is estimated that the costs of plugging an abandoned well can exceed $100,000, even reaching $2 million in the event that the well cover fails and it has to be recovered and environmental cleanup and restructuring work has to be carried out in the area.

Columbia University estimates that the cost of covering 500,000 wells (around 15% of the estimated total in the United States), could exceed $24 billion. Although the cost is high, it is the companies that are the main cause of the possible damage caused by orphaned wells at an environmental and social level, so they must take responsibility for the investment in the management of this problem. However, many of these companies are unknown, or have fallen into bankruptcy. Therefore, it is the United States government in many cases that must pay attention to this problem.

As you might expect, orphaned wells are a major environmental and public health hazard. The main environmental damage is oil leaks that can affect groundwater, as well as methane emissions, which are one of the most harmful effects of climate change. In terms of public health, orphaned wells can affect recreation areas, cultivation areas, and community spaces very close to the population. According to the Environmental Defense Fund and McGill University, 4.6 million people live within half a mile of an abandoned well. Water pollution can lead to negative impacts of vegetation and wildlife on the terrain where the orphaned wells is located. Through water sampling, the San Antonio Testing Laboratory found that each liter of water tested had 0.05 milligrams of benzene, a component that oil has and is highly carcinogenic. These data suggest that immediate action should be taken to reduce the number of orphaned wells that are uncapped or inefficiently capped up.

One of the main state investments was the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated more than 4.7 billion dollars to put the brakes on this problem. However, the cost of covering the orphaned wells currently documented significantly exceeds this amount.

Apart from the need for greater investment, it is important to consider the role of monitoring and follow-up of orphaned wells already covered. The Interior Department recommends that states control up to 5% of the wells they have plugged with federal funds, but few do. According to Dwayne Purvis, principal adviser at Purvis Energy Advisors, "we know that our cement is brittle, that steel left in the hole can corrode, and that interfaces between steel, cement and rock can separate. We know that the risk of failure must increase with time". New technologies such as drones or artificial intelligence can contribute to an improvement in the identification of orphaned wells and their subsequent monitoring.

All in all, orphaned wells may become one of the worst environmental nightmares for the United States in recent history. Greater research and investment in this area is essential to be able to curb the negative impacts that these wells may have on public and environmental health.

By Antonio Garcia for Oilprice.com

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Nearly 70 young people, including youths from Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, Chinese youth scholars and entrepreneurs, gathered in Dunhuang in northwest China's Gansu Province over the weekend, to discuss mutual learning among civilizations and common development.

During the China-LAC youth development forum, youth representatives from Lanzhou University, the Dunhuang Textual Research Institute and other institutions delivered keynote speeches on topics such as jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, and the responsibility of young people in cultural inheritance and innovation.

Leaders of youth organizations and cultural representatives from China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela and other countries exchanged their views on cultural heritage protection, cultural inheritance education, and youth innovation and employment during the event.

The forum was hosted by the All-China Youth Federation.
GIC's stance raises concerns for the Labour government's economic strategy, which relies heavily on attracting foreign investment.

This decision comes amid the ongoing crisis at Thames Water and concerns about Ofwat's price caps impacting investor returns.

Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, GIC, has expressed its unwillingness to invest in UK regulated utilities due to unpredictable regulatory policies.

Singapores sovereign wealth fund has reportedly told the government that it will not invest in regulated UK water, electricity and gas utilities due to unpredictable rules on infrastructure, in a blow for Labours economic strategy.

GIC, the worlds seventh-largest sovereign wealth fund with more than $800bn (600bn) in assets, declared its stance during a private meeting with environment secretary Steve Reed earlier this month, according to The Sunday Times.

It was said that one person at the meeting, including representatives from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Australian infrastructure giant Macquarie, told Reed that UK utilities were totally off our radar at the moment because regulators have become too unpredictable.

City A.M. has approached GIC for comment.

The news comes as Thames Water, the UKs largest water utility, faces the prospect of temporary nationalisation as it struggles under a massive debt pile.

Potential new investors will likely be wary of Thames until regulator Ofwat has published its final determination on how much the firm can charge customers over the next five years, which will be published in December.

Reed was reportedly told at the meeting that Ofwats price caps, rather than allowing water firms to hike bills as much as they want, would impact wider investment in the sector.

Reed claimed just this month that beefing up water regulation would attract global investment to rebuild the UKs sewage and pipeline infrastructure.

His comments came shortly after unveiling the Water (Special Measures) Bill in Parliament, which ramps up watchdogs powers to issue fines, conduct oversight and recoup the costs of investigations.

The comments come at a difficult time for the prime minister, Keir Starmer, and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves.

The new Labour government has placed a lot of hope in attracting billions of pounds of foreign investment into the UK to turbocharge growth.

However, the governments growth plans have gotten off to a shakey start.

Sky News reported that fewer than 150 of the 300 companies ministers have pledged to attract to its flagship investment summit next month had confirmed their attendance.

GIC is understood to remain bullish on other UK investment opportunities. Around five per cent of the funds investments are in the UK.

A GIC spokesperson told The Sunday Times: GIC established its European headquarters in the UK in 1990. For more than three decades, GIC has been investing in the UK across public and private markets.

We remain committed to the UK market and will continue to look for investment opportunities that will be good additions to the total global portfolio.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs commented: These were constructive talks about how there are significant investment opportunities in a reformed water sector where our creaking water infrastructure is upgraded and we clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.

By City AM

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OPECs second-largest oil producer, Iraq, is looking at alternative revenue streams as the volatility in international crude oil prices makes its budget income unpredictable.

The finance committee at Iraqs Parliament said on Monday it was looking to boost non-oil revenues to make government revenues more reliable and predictable.

More than 90 percent of Iraqs government revenue comes from oil, which makes one of OPECs top producers vulnerable to any decline in oil prices.

Iraq relies heavily on oil to boost its revenues, as it is the primary source of funding for the state's general budget. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and increase non-oil revenues in the budget, Atwan al-Atwani, chairman of the finance committee at the Parliament, told Shafaq News Agency on Monday.

As members of the Finance Committee, we are not reassured by the instability of oil prices. We are working to strengthen non-oil revenue collection to support the Iraqi budget, the politician added.

In the short term, Iraqs oil revenues could slide as the country reduces its crude oil exports in an effort to increase its compliance with the OPEC+ cuts.

Iraq has been overproducing above its OPEC+ quota for months and has pledged to compensate for the excess output.

Crude oil exports from Iraq were reduced to around 3.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in August in a boost to the countrys compliance with OPEC+ supply curbs. This was down from 3.48 million barrels daily in July and 3.41 million barrels daily in June.

Iraq, which is the second-largest producer in OPEC, is a regular laggard in production control deals in the cartel because of its overwhelming dependency on oil revenues as a source of financing for the state.

In a bid to boost those, earlier this year the government in Baghdad changed its oil and gas investment regime from technical service contracts to profit-sharing agreements as it sought to attract more fresh investment to its energy sector.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The increased LNG exports from these countries could help Asian buyers reduce their reliance on coal and achieve their climate goals, but the U.S. may lose market share in the long term.

Canada and Mexico are rushing to fill the natural gas vacuum left by the United States ongoing moratorium on new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits introduced by the Biden Administration in January of this year. The countrys neighbors to the north and south are speeding up their own export capacities to the tune of tens of billions of dollars to capitalize on the newfound market opportunity to provide natural gas to Asian buyers as the worlds biggest LNG exporter takes a break.

On January 26th, President Biden announced that it would pause approvals of new licenses to export LNG so that the U.S. Department of Energy could take time to review and assess whether the nations considerable LNG exports are undermining domestic energy security, raising consumer costs and damaging the environment.

Canada, for its part, wasted no time at all rushing to fill the sizeable gap left by the United States. According to figures from Rystad Energy AS, Mexico and Canada have around US$63 billion of capital investment lined up to supercharge their respective LNG export capacities. (Customers) want alternative suppliers, Kenny Stein, vice president of policy at the Institute for Energy Research, recently told the Financial Times. They are happy to have more supply on the market from non-U.S. suppliers.

From a climate perspective, increasing LNG exports from Canada and Mexico are an extremely welcome addition to global markets, particularly for Asian buyers  although they alone will not be able to provide the volumes of LNG needed to wean Asia off of coal. Massive volumes of coal must be displaced through the 2030s and beyond across emerging Asia to achieve the region's net-zero aspirations. This inevitably will mean substantial gas imports, Nikkei Asia reported earlier this year. As the sole realistic coal alternative in terms of affordability and energy density, LNG from the U.S. offers a much cleaner option for always-available power generation that, in partnership with renewables, can meet growing energy demand while facilitating climate progress, the report continues.

Despite their relatively smaller export capacities, Canada and Mexico could have critical strategic advantages over U.S. suppliers that allow them to export LNG to Asian markets more efficiently. The two countries are planning to significantly build out their LNG export infrastructure on their Pacific coasts, allowing them to avoid transporting LNG through the Panama Canal. This could give Canada and Mexico a key edge in LNG markets, as the Canal has become a global choke point for LNG trade in recent years. Exporting directly from the West Coast would give [Canada and Mexico] easier and potentially cheaper access to the Asian markets that are forecast by the industry to drive growth, according to reporting from the Financial Times.

And Canada and Mexico are not alone in the rush to capitalize on Asian buyers demand for new sources of LNG. A floating natural gas project off the coast of Argentina could soon emerge as a new supplier for Eastern markets as BP's Pan American Energy seeks to negotiate contracts with Asian consumers. Pan American is just one of a number of companies aiming to turn Argentina into a major player in global oil and gas markets. Notably, YPF, Petronas, and Tecpetrol are all working on major projects in South America, which sits atop the world's second-largest shale gas reserves. At present, Argentina is one of just four countries producing shale gas at a commercial scale, alongside the U.S., Canada, and China.

This means that when the United States ends its permitting freeze, the marketplace will be significantly changed. LNG exporters should brace for a much higher level of competition from LNG exporters across the Americas who may have key logistical advantages over U.S.-based enterprises.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Negotiations between the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have stalled, raising the likelihood of a strike.

The strike could cause major delays in shipments, empty shelves, and significant losses for businesses, especially during the crucial holiday shopping season.

A potential strike by dockworkers at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports could cripple supply chains and disrupt shipping, with impacts lasting well into 2025.

Late last week, the CEO of Flexport - one of largest US supply-chain logistics operators - warned that "the biggest wild card in the presidential election that nobodys talking about? The looming port strike that could shut down all East and Gulf Coast ports just 36 days before the election.

With just over a week to go until D-Day, authorities are gearing up as a threatened strike by dockworkers at ports along the East Coast and Gulf Coast draws closer.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is "coordinating with partners across the supply chain to prepare for any impacts" from a possible work stoppage by workers represented by the International Longshoremen's Association as they negotiate with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), a Port Authority spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch on Friday.

"We urge both sides to find common ground and keep the cargo flowing for the good of the national economy," added the spokesperson, noting that $240 billion in goods move through the two ports each year and that such trade supports more than 600,000 local jobs.

According to the union, a strike would affect ports from Maine to Texas, and cripple supply-chains worse than the immediate aftermath of the covid shutdown. A stoppage - the first since 1977 - could involve up to 45,000 workers at ports that account for roughly 60% of U.S. shipping traffic, leading to a major disruption of shipments, Oxford Economics said in a report.

"Even a two-week strike could disrupt supply chains until 2025," Grace Zwemmer, associate U.S. economist with Oxford, said in the report.

As Rabobank's Michael Every adds, "US businesses could miss the key Black Friday/Cyber Monday peak sales period. Port trade is around $2.12trn, and 72% would grind to a halt, a one-day strike reportedly taking six days to recover from, a one-week strike in October creating bottlenecks until mid-November, not factoring in Red Sea disruptions caused by the not-terrorist Houthis."

If goods are then forced to shift to the US West Coast ports, Rabobank speculates that Asia-US freight rates could leap to $20,000, far above the peak seen in the last supply-chain crisis. That would mean firms with low margins might opt not to import at all, creating empty shelves.

The ILA has threatened to strike if a new labor agreement with East Coast port terminal and shipping companies represented by the USMX is not reached by the time the current contract expires on October 1. Although the sides continue to negotiate, the odds of a rare strike that threatens to shut down some of the nation's busiest ports are rising.

"There will be a shutdown, assuming that there's is no intervention, at midnight on Monday the 30th," Bethann Rooney, director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the nation's second-busiest port, told a briefing earlier in the week.

Should that occur, all activity loading and unloading cargo containers and automobiles would come to a standstill, while cruise ships would continue to operate, Rooney said.

The Port Authority isn't involved in the bargaining between the ILA and USMX, bur rather leases space at the ports to shipping companies. Terminal operators and ocean carriers are "working to bring in as many ships as possible" ahead of a potential walkout, said Rooney.

Those steps include "working with truckers and the rail carriers to get as much cargo out as humanly possible, as quickly as possible," the port director said.

The two ports are currently unloading about 20 large container ships a week, and they expect 150,000 containers to be unloaded ahead of the strike deadline, Rooney said.

"At the same time, ocean carriers are beginning to put essentially embargoes on export cargo "so that it doesn't come into East and Gulf coast ports and then wind up sitting there," she said.

Container ships carrying imports bound for Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey and Staten Island in New York City will end up moored at specified spots in New York Harbor or off the coast during the strike, or remain at sea until they can come in. The Coast Guard and U.S. customs and Border Protection would oversee arriving ships at the port facilities once a strike was over.

The ILA union walked away from the bargaining table in June, declaring that a type of automation introduced at the Port of Mobile in Alabama was in violation of the current contract.

Based in North Bergen, New Jersey, the ILA represents 85,000 workers across the East and Gulf Coasts. The union is demanding sizable wage increases for its members as well as protection from "job-killing" automation.

The USMX has said it has not been able to schedule new bargaining sessions with the union.

"It is disappointing that we have reached this point where the ILA is unwilling to reopen dialogue unless all of its demands are met," USMX said Tuesday in an update. "The only way to resolve this impasse is to resume negotiations, which we are willing to do at any time."

While the Taft-Hartley Act gives the president the power to impose an 80-day cooling off period to delay a strike, Biden has said he doesnt intend to use it here given the impact doing so could have on union votes; although with the Teamsters refusing to endorse Kamala despite the union's traditional Democrat support (as the majority of its members polled back Trump) that may be a moot point.

On the other hand, Every warns that the kind of strike described above would likely cripple Harris' chances come 5 November.

By Zerohedge.com

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Chinas crude oil imports from Russia jumped by 25.6% month-on-month in August as Beijing last month welcomed the highest monthly crude arrivals so far this year, taking advantage of cheaper supplies.

China imported 2.21 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude from Russia in August, according to data from the Chinese General Customs Administration cited by Russian news agency Interfax.

The second-largest supplier of China last month was Malaysia, further supporting the estimates that Beijing has rushed to buy cheap discounted oil at a time when international benchmark prices also slipped. Malaysia is considered to be a stopover of crude oil from Iran and Venezuela en route to China, which hasnt shied away from sanctioned supply at discount prices.

Chinese crude oil imports from Iraq jumped by 43.1% in August compared to July, while Saudi supply to China fell by 17.4%, according to the data compiled by Interfax.

As China imported in August the highest monthly volume of crude oil for a year, it sought dirt cheap supply from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, judging from the customs data about crude oil imports from Russia and Malaysia.

Last month, China imported the highest monthly volume of crude oil for a year as purchases increased with the fall in international oil prices when cargoes were contracted.

Chinese crude oil imports jumped to 11.56 million bpd in Augustthe highest level since August 2023 and a major rebound from the July low of 9.97 million bpd, per official Chinese data reported by Reuters columnist Clyde Russell.

The July imports of crude into China were the weakest in two years. Crude arrivals rebounded in August, but they were still 7% lower than in August 2023.

Chinas crude import data for August cannot give a definite answer to the question that many analysts have been pondering over this yearwhether Chinese imports reflect an uptick in demand or Beijings propensity to contract more volumes when oil prices are lower. The imports in August were likely contracted in the May and June windows when international crude oil prices were falling.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Europes benchmark natural gas prices rose early on Monday amid continued risks to supply from the Middle East and Ukraine and a colder snap ahead of the winter heating season.

Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures, the benchmark for Europes gas trading, were rising by 2.35% at $39.20 (35.25 euros) per megawatt-hour (MWh) at 11:34 a.m. in Amsterdam on Monday.

Following a weekly decline of 3.4% last week, European gas prices were up on Monday as traders weighed the risks to supply from the conflicts in the Middle East and at the Ukraine-Russia border in the Russian region of Kursk, where the Sudzha gas metering station for pumping Russian gas west to Europe is located.

European gas storage is now more than 93% full, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. This gives some reassurance about supply ahead of the winter heating season.

But gas in storage wouldnt cover Europes needs for winter, so traders are watching potential supply disruptions as price drivers.

Fighting in the Kursk region in Russia continues, unnerving gas market participants. Moreover, the gas transit deal to ship Russian supply to Europe via Ukraine expires at the end of this year. Ukraine has signaled it wouldnt be negotiating an extension of the agreement.

In the Middle East, tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon are rising as the region is teetering on the brink of an all-out war again, potentially threatening the natural gas fields offshore Israel, which supply gas to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan.

In Norway, maintenance work at the Skarv and Sleipner facilities has been extended, meaning that Norwegian supply to Europe in the coming days will be a bit lower than previously expected.

Additionally, weather outlooks point to lower-than-usual temperatures in parts of Europe by the end of this week, potentially boosting demand for power generation and heating.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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A gas leak that caused an explosion in an Iranian coal mine has resulted in 51 casualties, Iranian state media has reported, saying rescue operations for the surviving people in the mine were challenging.

The explosion occurred in two blocks of the Madanjoo mine in Tabas, South Khorasan, eastern Iran. The mine is operated by a local private company, Madanjoo Company.

It is too early to draw conclusions about the incident, but my 30 years of experience suggest that a sudden gas explosion is likely the cause of this large-scale incident, Saeed Samadi, secretary of Irans coal industry association, told Iranian media, as quoted by the Financial Times.

The Tabas mine accident appears to have occurred above the workers in one of the workshops and the explosion was so extensive that it resulted in a high number of fatalities, including the death of the mines safety manager, he added.

There were 69 workers in total in the part of the mine where the explosion occurred, leading to the suffocation of at least 34 people, IRNA reported. Rescue operations were underway, but the reality is that it is a difficult task to rescue the injured from a depth of 700 meters diagonally and 250 meters vertically underground, the head of the local emergency services department told the state news agency.

The workers are trapped behind mine chambers that are still full of dangerously high levels of methane, according to the IRNA report.

76% of the country's coal is provided from this region and around 8 to 10 big companies are working in the region including Madanjoo company, the governor of the South Khorasan province said, as quoted by Reuters.

Irans president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has ordered an investigation into the accident. He also ordered the deployment of additional rescue service personnel to the site of the explosion.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Indias crude oil production in August fell by 3.4% on the year to 2.4 million metric tons, equal to some 17.6 million barrels. Fuel production was also down, more modestly, the Economic Times reported.

The bulk of the August crude output came from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, the state-owned major, which accounted for a share of 1.6 million tons. Crude oil processing in India in August fell 1.9% on the year to 21.5 million tons.

As a result of the decline in domestic production, crude oil imports to India jumped by 6.4% in August, driving a 3.3% increase in oil imports over the period between April and August, as the countrys economy continues expanding.

The price of August oil and gas imports also rose on the year, from $9 billion in 2023 to $11.4 billion this year. The increase, per the Indian Petroleum Ministry, was driven by higher liquefied petroleum gas and lubricant imports.

The worlds third-largest crude oil importer, India, relies on imports to cover more than 85% of its petroleum consumption, which is growing in lockstep with economy and refinery expansion plans.

Over the past two years, India has become a key buyer of Russias oil, which is selling at a discount because of the sanctions and embargoes on Russian crude exports to Western countries. Given Indias sensitivity to oil prices, the development was only to be expected.

The country is set to become a driver for 35% of future energy demand, too, according to petroleum minister Hardeep Puri. Speaking at the Gastech conference in Houston this month, Puri said If you say that global demand is increasing by one percent, ours is increasing by three times that. In the next two decades, 35% of the increase in global demand will come from India.

At the same time, the official said that India wants to succeed with the energy transition as well. We will manage and succeedon the green transition, Puri said. Thats the part with which I am most satisfied.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Shell, Chevron, and Norways Equinor have all begun evacuating staff from offshore facilities as the threat of a potential Tropical Cyclone System 9 intensifies as it moves toward the Gulf coast, where the brewing storm could turn into a hurricane by Wednesday.

Earlier on Monday, Chevron completed the evacuation of nonessential personnel from the Gulf of Mexico facilities, including Anchor, Big Foot, Blind Faith, Jack, Petronius, and Tahiti platforms.

Shell said on Sunday that it was monitoring the storm track for potential impact on its assets and operations in the Gulf of Mexico, and was preparing to shut in production at two platformsStones and Appomattox. Shell has also evacuated non-essential personnel from its Mars Corridor assets as a precautionary measure.

Equinor has evacuated non-essential staff from its Titan platform.

Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches have been issued for Cuba and parts of Mexico, with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warning that the tropical cyclone system, which was near western Cuba on Monday, is expected to intensify over the next 72 hours.

As of noon on Wednesday (ET), the NHC said there was a 90% chance this storm would develop over the next two days, with a Harris County meteorologist stating that it will likely escalate into a Category 4 hurricane as it moves across the GoMs warmer waters.

Oil prices on Monday were responding more to European economic data than to the potential disruption of oil supply from the Gulf of Mexico or intensifying conflict developments in the Middle East.

At 4:13 p.m. ET on Monday, Brent crude was trading down 0.59% at $74.05, while the U.S. crude benchmark, WTI, was trading down 0.47% at $70.53.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL) has ditched plans to build a low-carbon hydrogen plant on Norway's west coast due to a lack of demand, Reuters reported on Monday.

"We haven't seen the market for blue hydrogen materialize and decided not to progress the project," a Shell spokesperson has told Reuters.

Shells announcement comes hot on the heels of a similar move by oil and gas giant, Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR). Last week, the Norwegian state-owned multinational energy company announced that it will not move forward with plans to build a pipeline to carry hydrogen from Norway to Germany with partner RWE (OTCPK:RWEOY), citing a lack of customers as well as an inadequate regulatory framework. Equinor was to build hydrogen plants that would enable Norway to send up to 10 gigawatts per annum of blue hydrogen to Germany.

We have decided to discontinue this early-phase project. The hydrogen pipeline hasnt proved to be viable. That also implies that hydrogen production plans are also put aside, an Equinor spokesman told Reuters.

Over the past decade, climate experts have touted the outsized role that hydrogen could play in helping the planet limit catastrophic global warming. Indeed, net-zero models have forecast that hydrogen could provide as much as 20% of the worlds primary energy by 2050, nearly as much as all renewables currently contribute to the United States energy mix. Not surprisingly, theres no shortage of big hydrogen ambitions.

Unfortunately, the hydrogen sector is struggling mainly due to high costs. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), just 12% of hydrogen plants have customers with offtake agreements. Even among projects that have signed offtake deals, most have vague, nonbinding arrangements that can be quietly discarded if the potential buyers back out.

Green hydrogen made by electrolyzing water using renewable energy costs nearly four times as much as gray hydrogen created from natural gas, or methane, using steam methane reformation but without capturing the greenhouse gasses emitted in the process. This makes it hard to build hydrogen infrastructure when the demand may not materialize for years.

No sane project developer is going to start producing hydrogen without having a buyer for it, and no sane banker is going to lend money to a project developer without reasonable confidence that someones going to buy the hydrogen, BNEF analyst Martin Tengler notes.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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 Flash

Palestinians mourn for the victims after an Israeli airstrike on a school housing displaced people in the Zeitoun neighborhood in southern Gaza City, on Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

At least 17 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

Seven Palestinians were killed and some others injured in an Israeli bombardment of the Kafr Qasem School housing displaced people west of Gaza City, said the report. However, the Israel Defense Forces claimed Sunday that the strike carried out by its Air Force has "precisely" targeted Hamas militants operating within the school compound.

According to WAFA, four other Palestinians were killed and some more injured as a result of an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Dawas family in the Al-Hakkar area of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

In the south of the strip, Israeli artillery targeted the town of Khuza'a, east of Khan Younis, killing two people, WAFA reported, adding emergency teams recovered four bodies from the al-Attatirah area, east of Rafah, following Israeli bombardment.

The Israeli army has not commented on these incidents.

Israel has been waging 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 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 41,431, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
Shell is preparing to shut in oil and gas production at two of its platforms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, days after resuming normal operations at other facilities in the area that were shut in ahead of Hurricane Francine.

The supermajor said on Sunday that it is monitoring tropical Disturbance 35 for potential impacts on its assets and operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

As a precautionary measure, Shell is preparing to shut in production at the Stones and Appomattox platforms and has begun evacuating non-essential personnel from its assets in the Mars Corridor.

We are in the process of safely pausing some of our drilling operations and currently have no other impacts on our production across the Gulf of Mexico, Shell said in a first update on Disturbance 35, which has a 50% chance of becoming a tropical storm, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Earlier this month, Shell shut in production at Perdido, Auger, and Enchilada/Salsa assets, due to Hurricane Francine which made landfall in Louisiana in early September. At the Whale asset, which is not scheduled to begin operations until later this year, Shell has safely paused drilling operations.

On September 11, when Francine reached the Louisiana coast, as much as 46% of manned production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico were evacuated, with some 40% of crude oil production affected. Almost half of natural gas production in the GOM was shut in as well.

After Francine passed, Shell ramped up production at Appomattox, Mars, Vito, Ursa, and Olympus following the resolution of downstream issues.

Refineries that had to dial down operations ahead of Hurricane Francines landfall, including Shells Norco and Exxons Baton Rouge refineries, were starting to reopen on September 13.

Shell's Norco and Geismar facilities were in the process of returning to normal operations. During the storm, the Norco hydrocracker shut down due to a brief power outage but did not sustain any damage. Shell kept the Norco hydrocracker shut-in ahead of a routine, planned turnaround, which has now been moved up.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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More than a dozen of the largest banks in the world are pledging their support to nuclear power, supporting the goal of the COP28 summit to triple nuclear capacity by 2050, the Financial Times reports.

Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Morgan Stanley, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole CIB, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Ares Management, Brookfield, Guggenheim Securities, Rothschild & Co, and Segra Capital Management are set to pledge at a New York event on Monday their support to boosting global nuclear power capacity and generation as a means to achieving net-zero.

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.

The worlds biggest banks are not expected to go into details about what they would do in regard to the pledge, but analysts tell FT that the mere fact that they are now publicly supporting nuclear energy would be an important recognition that nuclear will play a crucial role in the decarbonization of the global energy systems.

There is no scenario in which net zero could be reached by 2050 without nuclear energy, BNP told FT, quoting the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Barclays, for its part, told FT that it supports nuclear power as it could be the backup solution for intermittent solar and wind power generation.

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 Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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 Declares no jumbo pay in NASS as he reaches out to PDP senators

Leading contender for the President of the Senate in the 9th Assembly, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, yesterday described the Supreme Court judgment which voided all votes cast for the All Progressive Congress in Zamfara State as a huge setback for the party.

However, Lawan who is the current Senate Leader, expressed optimism that the APC would still garner enough votes in the election of presiding officers in both the two chambers of the National Assembly especially with his plan to run an all-inclusive leadership structure that would benefit all the lawmakers.

He told reporters at an interactive session in Abuja that although the APC has majority representation in both houses despite the Zamfara judgment it was important to bring every member together to work for the interest of Nigerians at large as against fixation to party affiliation.

His words: The Supreme Court judgment on Zamfara State was a setback to the ruling party because the APC lost three senators and seven or eight in the House of Representatives.

This leaves us with a new set of numbers of representation in the 9th Assembly. The APC had 65 senators before judgment, now the APC has 62. PDP now has 44 because it had 41 before Fridays judgment while the Young Progressive Party has one.

Read also: High points of the Eighth Senate

As it is now, there are two cases that are yet to be determined in Imo State. The case of that of the outgoing Governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha and that of Senator Ben Uwajumogu which we are anticipating to win. If we have these two, we will have 64 from the APC which makes us to be in the majority.

But, for me, the issue is not the distribution or the majority. What is important is our ability to come together to work for the interest of Nigerians in every part of the country. We have the responsibility to work for the betterment of Nigerians because, if there is a crisis, there wouldnt be a distinction between an APC member or the PDP. The crisis will affect all of us.

Reacting to insinuation that Nigerian lawmakers receive the highest pay in Africa, Lawan said the legislature, since inception in 1999, has never received any jumbo pay, noting that it was a misconception that has no bearing with reality.

I dont think there is anything like Jumbo pay. For example, my gross pay is one million naira and what I take home is just about N700,000 after tax deductions. There are funds for us to perform oversight functions, represent and legislate.

We also travel to our foreign missions and that is what the N13m monthly is meant for. It is not free but rather to perform our functions. What is required of Nigerians is for them to ask questions and demand for value for money. We want to have high quality legislation and this comes with attendant cost. Let Nigerians demand for value and there is no jumbo pay. The money does not go into our pockets.

He reiterated the fact that he was not imposed on his fellow senators by the Presidency or the party due to his close affinity to some powerful hawks in the corridors of power, arguing that he was just privileged to be recommended among many other qualified candidates which is in conformity with democratic practice all over the world.

This is a democracy and political parties have the opportunities to recommend certain persons for certain positions. Recommendation does not confer on you the office. A recommended person has the responsibility to reach out to colleagues because they would have to, ultimately, work together. That is why we are not taking anyone for granted. We have to work hard to reach out to our colleagues and we are happy we have reached out to virtually all our colleagues.

He said the fight against corruption should be pursued with all the seriousness that it deserves as this would enable the government to maximise the scarce resources at its disposal for the general wellbeing of the people, noting that it was his desire to run a legislature that adds value to the success story of the executive even when they would have to disagree occasionally in the course of doing their constitutional duties.

We must fight corruption and we must be fair in the distribution of resources. There were years when we had plenty but the administration then did not deploy such for the benefit of all. If you look at Nigeria since 2015 to date and with fewer resources, you will realise that a lot has been done.

I can give the example of the Second Niger Bridge where, in the past, several administrations were busy turning the sod without any physical construction. Today, the story is different because the government has deployed resources for the work. If we are able to tame corruption to the barest minimum as it is not possibly to completely eradicate it, then we will be the better for it.

Today, we have a big base of support. And, as for being a rubber stamp, the function of the legislature is for the majority to take a decision. The presiding officer is just to coordinate the views expressed by legislators. You go with the majority decision. So, how then do I become a rubber stamp? Yes, we must work with the executive instead of going to the market square to fight all the time. We would disagree and out perspective may differ, but we must find a middle ground in the interest of the public. It is my belief that the National Assembly should be part of the success story of the government.
British detectives investigating former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke are now in Nigeria.

They already met with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The commission has so far traced N47.2 billion and $487.5 million to the ex-minister arrested since October 2, 2015.

The agency also claimed that Diezani has N23,446,300,000 and $5 million (about N1.5 billion) in various Nigerian banks.

The EFCC has also secured final forfeiture orders on her assets, including about $37.5 million-Banana Island property; Heritage Court Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu Port Harcourt; 135 Awolowo Road/ Plot 808 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi; and 7, Hurnburn Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba, Lagos.

The detectives from the UK have been in Nigeria for a week in line with the ongoing investigation of Diezani, The Nation quoted a source as saying.

It is a major case the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK has been collaborating with the EFCC to probe.

A few weeks ago, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, was also in London to compare notes with similar agencies on this case.

Magu in November 2018 made it clear that Nigeria was tired of waiting for the trial of Diezani by the UK.

But after the initial issues between EFCC and UK agencies, there were talks which revealed that those at the London end were making painstaking investigations, said the source/

After Magus visit to London, the investigation of Diezani assumed enhanced dimension because some grey areas were cleared.

The coming of the detectives from London was meant to fill some gaps, get additional evidence and crosscheck a few findings on their part.

We are hopeful that the latest bend of investigation was in preparation for the trial of the ex-minister.

President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2019, signed into law about a week ago.

This might help in investigating and recovering loot stashed abroad.

Post Views: 257
Oil fell on Monday, reversing earlier gains after U.S. President Donald Trump told OPEC producers to relax as prices were too high.

Brent crude oil futures were down 91 cents at $66.21 a barrel at 1246 GMT, having earlier risen to a 2019 high of $67.47, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 74 cents at $56.52 a barrel.

Oil prices getting too high. OPEC, please relax and take it easy. World cannot take a price hike  fragile! Trump tweeted.

Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries together with non-OPEC producers such as Russia have agreed to cut production by 1.2 million barrels per day this year to help balance the market and support prices.

The oil price has risen by around 20 percent this year, aided primarily by OPECs production cuts, as well as U.S. sanctions on exports of crude from Iran and Venezuela.

Trump has frequently blamed high oil prices on OPEC while the United States has become the worlds largest supplier thanks to shale output.

Adding to the uncertain supply picture are Libya, where production has been frequently undermined by political tensions and violence, and Nigeria, Africas largest oil exporter, where as many as 39 people were killed in election violence over the weekend.

Supply risk is ever present with Venezuelan tensions brewing a notch higher  the National Oil Corporation in Libya refusing to start production at the El Sharara field, Harry Tchilinguirian, global oil strategist at BNP Paribas in London, told the Reuters Global Oil Forum.

Goldman Sachs analysts said on Monday that the near-term outlook for oil is modestly bullish over the next two to three months, but added that the outlook for later in 2019 was weaker due to surging U.S. exports and an an increasingly uncertain economic, policy and geopolitical backdrop.
Lack of investors confidence in Nigeria is the major bane of investment growth in the country, said the Chief Executive Officer of Linklegal Consulting, Professor Ademola Abass.

Abass said the narrative must be changed in the interest of the country at large.

Security of investment is needed to address identified investment gaps in Nigeria. The company is poised to offer professional and advisory services that would guide potential business investors in the country, he said.

Abass, a former Special Adviser on Overseas Affairs and Investment to the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, stated that investors should know who to talk to in government when it comes to business and that considering the wide scope of business and investment in the country, it is imperative for experienced private organizations to also get involved in rendering such services.

Read Also: Ekiti to take advantage of African investment windows

In his own remark, the Consul-General of Germany in Lagos, Stefan Trumann, described the platform as magnificent and futuristic which would pilot the investment faculty of the country by bridging the gap between investors and the community.

Also speaking at the event, a Nigerian professor of political economy and management expert, Pat Utomi, described the services being rendered by Linklegal as such ones desperately needed in the country, considering the enormous possibilities of investment in Nigeria.

A retired Managing Director/Chief Executive of UACN Property Development Company Plc, Hakeem Ogunniran, in a goodwill message expressed the belief that Linklegal, with the track record of its CEO, will allay all fears associated with investment, including environmental security and legal protection on every investment in the country.

Linklegal Consulting, an investment support services provider, was unveiled on Monday, July 1, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was graced by top officials in the private and public sectors, including ambassadors and investors.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message to Anura Kumara Dissanayake to congratulate him on his inauguration as president of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Xi hailed China and Sri Lanka as traditional friendly neighbors, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 67 years ago, China and Sri Lanka have always understood and supported each other, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes.

Xi said that he prizes the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and stands ready to work with President Dissanayake to carry forward the traditional friendship, and enhance political mutual trust.

He also pledged to work with the Sri Lankan leader to facilitate more fruitful high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and make steady and long-term progress of China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship so as to better benefit the people of the two countries.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the attack on former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at the weekend in Germany. Atiku had in a statement acknowledged Ekweremadu as a democrat, a promoter of Igbo interest and advocate of justice and constitutional reform.

Atiku in the statement declared: The physical assault on the immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in Nuremberg, Germany, is an uncivilised and undemocratic action that I condemn in totality.

I waited to speak privately with Ike before making a public statement and I have expressed my full and total repudiation of the unfortunate incident with him.

No one deserves such mob action, least of all a man who is a specimen of what a democrat should be; a champion of the rights of the people of the Southeast and Nigeria, and a patriot par excellence.

Nigerians, and especially, those who were misguided into physically assaulting Senator Ekweremadu, will do well to remember the patriotic roles he played in saving Nigeria from a constitutional crisis in 2010, when there was a lacuna in the Presidency. He and then Senate President David Mark midwifed the Doctrine of Necessity that stabilised the nation. But for that patriotic action, our democracy might have been terminated.

If those who were involved in that crass action had given due thought to the role Ike has played in nation building, they would have celebrated a man who has made sacrifices for their good.

To Senator Ekweremadu, I say that my family and I, and indeed most Nigerians, hold you in the highest esteem; an esteem that cannot be shaken by this incident.

Finally, I call on those behind the assault to turn a new leaf and repudiate violence in all its forms, to seek peace and pursue it and to learn to give honour to whom it is due.

Post Views: 109
A Key West man faces more than 100 years in federal prison after a grand jury indicted him last week on money laundering charges and on operating an unlicensed money wiring service.

U.S. Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Sean Kerwin Bindranauth, 42, on Friday. Three days earlier, a grand jury indicted him on one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, seven counts of money laundering and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, as does each of the seven money laundering counts, according to the Sept. 24 indictment.

The government has released few details about what led to Bindranauths arrest. Nestor Yglesias, spokesman for Homeland Security Investigations, said his arrest and indictment are part of an ongoing investigation.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is also investigating the case, Yglesias said.

According to the indictment, between March and July 2018, Bindranauth wired $3,838 to a person in Abraka, Nigeria. He wired another $500 to the same person on Nov. 12, 2018, according to the document.

Then, in September 2018 and January and April 2019, he transferred $5,500, $42,000 and $35,000 respectively to an account at the United Bank of Africa, according to the indictment.

Bindranauth is being represented by a federal public defender who did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday at the federal courthouse in Key West.

Bindranauth has an arrest record in Monroe County going back to 1998, when prosecutors lowered a felony burglary charge to misdemeanor petit theft, to which he pleaded guilty.

He pleaded no contest to two counts of felony marijuana possession, for having more than 20 grams, in January 2018, and a judge sentenced him to two years of drug-offended probation. The conviction stemmed from two separate arrests, one by the Key West Police Department in October 2017, and one in June 2017 by the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, according to county court records.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed that the federal government would have to lay off workers in order to be able to meet a wage bill of N580 billion needed to meet labours demand on the N30,000 new minimum wage.

Mr Ngige stated this while speaking when the leadership of the United Labour Congress (ULC), paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

Mr Ngige told labour leaders in Abuja that the sum of 580 billion was what would be needed by government to pay the consequential adjustments as demanded by labour.

However, according to him, the federal government is avoiding a situation where it would have to lay off workers, noting that throwing workers into unemployment would add to their burden.

The minister pleaded with labour to accept the consequential adjustment from levels 7 to 17, adding that government had only three months left to implement the new wage.

He stated that government would not promise labour what it could not pay, noting that no worker deserved to be owed salary.

Mr Ngige disclosed that the federal government had so far paid arrears of N500 billion to workers, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

He restated that implementation of the new wage had since commenced for workers on grade level 1 to 6, adding that the development had helped those on the lower cadre in the civil service to move up.




Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II

The Kano State House of Assembly has began an investigation following accusations that the Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II violated Kano Traditional, Cultural norms and values and Islamic religious tenant rules.

The move has been viewed as an alleged act to remove the Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi ii from his throne by the State Government.

A petitions written to the House by Kano Society for the Promotion Education and Culture and also one Muhammad Mukthar Jain was read on the Floor of the Assembly by the Committee Chairman of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Zubairu Hamza Namasu.

The petitioners according to the Committee Chairman Namasu are accusing Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II of alleged violation of Kano Cultural, Traditional norms and values and Islamic Religious tenants.

They prayed the house to as a matter of urgency investigate the Emir and mete out appropriate punishment on him.

The Speaker of the House Abdulaziz Garba Gafasa after deliberating on the petition formed an eight Man Committee headed by the Legislative Chambers Deputy Speaker Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari, with Majority Leader Kabiru Hassan Dashi, Chief Whip Tasiu Ibrahim and all the members of the House Public Complaints and Petitions Committee as members of the Emirs Investigation Standing Committee.

The petitioners also alleged that they have Video Clips evidence against the Emir ready to be presented to the house.

However, after the house formed the committee to investigate the Emir a member representing Dala local government Lawal Hussaini Dala a PDP member objected that the content of the petition should be read openly on the Floor of the Assembly.

But the Speaker Garba Gafasa rejected his submission since there was already a committee set up to investigate the Emir

The Speaker said the Committee is empowered by section 3 sub section (B) of the house rules to conduct investigation on the matter and submit their findings in the next one week.
Shamed American songwriter, Robert Sylvester Kelly known by his stage name R. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to new charges of child pornography and sexually abusing a teenage girl.

The new alleged victim, referred to as Minor Six, was included as part of an updated federal indictment during an arraignment at a hearing in Chicago on Thursday.

According to prosecution counsel, Kelly is said to have met the girl in either 1997 or 1998 when she was 14 or 15-years-old. He is accused of engaging in sexual contact or sexual acts with her when she was under 18.

The indictment said Kelly engaged in sexual contact and sexual acts with Minor Six and four others when they were aged under 18. It also seeks to forfeit all assets from Kellys production company, Bass Productions Lt.

Prosecutor Angel Krull said they had seized more than 100 electronic devices, after carrying out a search warrant.

Judge Harry Leinenweber also pushed Kellys 27 April trial date back to 13 October.

Kelly, who has denied all allegations of abuse, faces several dozen counts of state and federal sexual misconduct charges in Illinois, Minnesota and New York, from sexual assault to heading a racketeering scheme aimed at supplying the star with girls.
The coronavirus could linger in the testicles, making men prone to longer, more severe cases of the illness, according to a new study.

Researchers tracked the recovery of 68 patients in Mumbai, India, to study the gender disparity of the virus, which has taken a worse toll on men, according to a preliminary report posted on MedRxix, which hosts unpublished medical research papers that have not been peer reviewed.

Dr. Aditi Shastri, an oncologist at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, and her mother, Dr. Jayanthi Shastri  a microbiologist at the Kasturba Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Mumbai  said the virus attaches itself to a protein that occurs in high levels in the testicles.

This protein, known as angiotensin converting enzyme 2, or ACE2, is present in the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract and the heart in addition to large quantities in the testicles.

But since testicles are walled off from the immune system, the virus could harbor there for longer periods than the rest of the body, according to the study.

The mother-daughter researchers said these findings may explain why women bounce back from the virus more quickly than men.

They determined that the average amount of time for female patients to be cleared of the virus was four days, while men saw recoveries that on average were two days longer, the report said.

The study may offer an explanation for reports out of Italy, South Korea, and New York City that men are dying at higher rates from the virus.

Others have suggested that men are more vulnerable because they are more likely to smoke, have high blood pressure or suffer coronary artery disease.

PV: 0
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, leader of the activist group Democracy Hub, has been arrested by the Ghana Police Service in connection with recent protests in Accra.



The demonstrations, organized by his group, led to the obstruction of major roads and caused significant disruptions in the capital.



The protests aimed to draw attention to the country's economic challenges and governance issues. The groups actions led to heightened tensions, with police arresting several protesters earlier for what authorities described as unlawful conduct.



Barker-Vormawor recently became a focal point of public attention and had avoided arrest. His capture follows a police manhunt, marking a significant development in the ongoing protests that have sparked widespread national interest.



In a statement, police accused Barker-Vormawor of inciting public disorder and leading the blockade of key roads in the city. The authorities claim the protests under his leadership caused major inconvenience to commuters and disrupted daily activities in Accra.



The arrest of Barker-Vormawor adds another chapter to the escalating conflict between the Democracy Hub and law enforcement, as the group continues to push for reforms on economic and governance issues.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com









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Togbega Abutia Kodzo Gidi V, the Paramount Chief of the Abutia Traditional Area and President of Abutia Traditional Council, in the Volta Region, has given a thumbs up to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for developing his area.



Without mincing words, he stated emphatically that his community, during the last 25 years, has witnessed massive transformation under NPP administrations so he is eternally grateful to the NPP for having the development of Abutia at heart.



He said its not only the current Nana Akufo-Addo government that has played significant roles in developing his community, explaining that John Agyekum Kufuors administration also embarked on landmark projects in his community.



Yes its true that for the past 25 years, I will say that the NPP has done well for Abutia, Togbega Kodzo Gidi V emphasized when Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, aka Napo, the NPP Vice Presidential Candidate, visited his palace on Sunday.



The revered traditional leader pointed out that his fair comments about the NPP governments performance in his area during the last 25 years is factual, therefore he would not be worried even if it sparks media debate in the country in the coming days.



I know these factual comments will spark media debate that Togbega said this, but Im not worried because Im telling the truth. Thats the fact on the ground. The stool of Abutia has benefited from NPP for the last 25 years, and we are very grateful.



Still showering tons of praises on the NPP for contributing immensely to the development of his traditional area, he said This one is not about politics, reiterating that all the NPP administrations have remained truthful and loyal to Abutia.



Significantly, Napo was at Abutia to pay homage and also congratulate Togbega Kodzo Gidi V for attaining 25 years on the throne. He was accompanied by NPP stalwart, Madam Elizabeth Ohene, his campaign team members, and NPP members.



Special Prayers For Napo



Togbega Kodzo Gidi V, who is impressed with Napos outstanding performance in government, prayed that Napos great ambition of becoming the vice of president of Ghana on December 7, 2024, would become a reality.



My prayer is that you ascend to the Vice Presidency, the traditional leader assured Napo, indicating that the NPP vice presidential candidate is part of Abutia so he should remember his traditional area when his dreams eventually come to pass.



Advise To NPP Members



The traditional leader also cautioned NPP members to do away with complacency and rather unite and work hard to retain power, saying Your party people should work hard, unite as one family, avoid internal wrangling and backbiting among themselves.



Togbega also advised the NPP to adopt a house-to-house campaign strategy so that they could thoroughly explain the good works of their government to the electorates, noting Do well to push the base in order to ensure victory.



Madam Elizabeth Ohene, who is a native of Abutia, urged the people in the Volta Region to reciprocate the NPPs' deep love for the area by voting massively for Dr. Bawumia on December 7.

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.

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The Ghana Police Service has announced a manhunt for Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a leader of the Democracy Hub group, following his involvement in an incident where he was captured on video removing the key from a police van during a protest at the 37 Intersection in Accra.



"The Police are on manhunt to arrest one of their leaders Oliver Vormawor and others who engaged in some acts of lawlessness at the 37 Intersection" a Ghana Police Service public notice reads.



"We would like to assure the public that the Police will arrest all the perpetrators involved and bring them to face justice".



The altercation occurred on Sunday, September 22, during the second day of a three-day protest organized by Democracy Hub as part of their 'Fix The Country' movement, which was aimed at drawing attention to economic mismanagement and other national concerns.



A widely circulated video from the scene shows Barker-Vormawor turning off the engine of a police tow truck, taking the key, and fleeing. In the background, a voice can be heard shouting, "He has taken the key! Thief, thief! Arrest him!"



Barker-Vormawor, who also serves as the Constitutional Rights and Policy Advisor for the Democracy Hub, later admitted to the act.





Oliver Barker-Vormawor, one of the convenors of the Democracy Hub street protest, seen removing a key from a police vehicle and throwing it away.



Police confirm arrests of protesters at 37 Intersection https://t.co/PsHsmb9xrehttps://t.co/H1QYpk7wlF pic.twitter.com/45nTetrxxB  DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) September 22, 2024





In a Facebook post, he justified his actions, saying, "Yes, I took the key of the police tow truck to demobilize it! I own my resistance to the unlawful seizure of the vehicle carrying our water."



The protest, which turned confrontational, resulted in several demonstrators being arrested after engaging in acts of "lawlessness," according to a statement from the Ghana Police Service. Demonstrators reportedly blocked roads, pushed down police barriers, and obstructed traffic in their efforts to voice their discontent.



Police confirmed they are actively searching for Barker-Vormawor and others involved in the unrest. The service assured the public that all perpetrators would be apprehended and face justice.



The protests have drawn widespread attention as demonstrators seek government accountability on pressing national issues, but tensions have escalated between the protestors and law enforcement as arrests continue.



In another post responding to the Police Public Notice, Barker-Vormawor said he was ready to hand himself over to the Police but called for the release of an eight-year-old protestor who was allegedly arrested.



He posted: "Stop hunting. Just tell me where and when you want me to show up with my lawyers. You have my number.



"But first, Please release 8-year-old Rose Sarfo. She doesnt deserve your brutality. Her parents are worried. Also tell us where the 15 others are being held!".

Source: graphiconline









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The Presidential Candidate of the All Peoples Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga on Sunday night launched his manifesto to outline his vision for Ghana and why Ghanaians should vote for him on December 7, 2024.



Dubbed the Nations Manifesto, the manifesto is based on the mantra Transforming Ghana and Restoring Hope.



The event took place at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Auditorium on Sunday night [Sept 22, 2024]



Mr Ayariga is the latest Presidential Candidate to launch his manifesto after the Electoral Commission (EC) cleared him and 12 others to contest the 2024 Presidential election last Friday.



NDC stole 24-hour economy from us - APC



The All Peoples Congress (APC) presidential candidate alleged that the much-touted 24-hour economy was an initiative that belonged to the APC and did not originate from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).



According to the vice presidential candidate of the APC, Samuel Worlanyo Mensah, the APC introduced the policy as far back as 2016.



The 24 Hour Economy was introduced by Hassan Ayariga in 2016 and 2024. It is not for the NDC. It is a stolen manifesto policy by the NDC, he said.



Gold for oil is a scam - APC



The All Peoples Congress (APC) also described the government's Gold for Oil initiative as a scam and fraudulent policy that enriches a few at the expense of the entire country.



The APC's vice presidential candidate said the policy had enriched many middlemen, while the general public continued to suffer under high fuel prices, gaining nothing from its natural resources.



He said the APC will swiftly cancel the policy when it wins the 2024 polls.



Hassan Ayariga promises GH5,000 minimum salary



When it got to his turn to speak, the Presidential Candidate of the All Peoples Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga promised that the minimum salary in Ghana when he wins power in the 2024 elections will be GH5,000.



Mr Ayariga said he will also implement a bi-weekly salary system where people will be paid every two weeks instead of monthly.



Also, he said he would increase the minimum wage from the current GH18 to between GH150 and GH300.



According to him, salaries in Ghana were appalling and could not even take care of peoples basic needs.









Source: graphiconline









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

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The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) has introduced an entrepreneur, Elizabeth Sam, as the vice presidential candidate of the party.



The founder of the LPG, Percival Kofi Akpaloo, is the presidential candidate of the party for the 2024 presidential election.



The unveiling of the vice presidential candidate was done together with the manifesto launch in Ho on Saturday (September 21, 2024).



Elizabeth Sam is married with three children and she received a standing ovation from the crowd at the OLA Ho Assembly Hall when she was introduced.



She said she would valiantly support the LPG presidential candidate to ensure inclusivity and equality, as well as equal opportunities for all Ghanaians.



I will also ensure that the implementation of the social contract that our manifesto has tabled would be realised through the institutional structures that already exist to give a better life to the citizens, she added.



The pretty petite precious running mate urged the electorate to vote for Mr Akpaloo as their president for a better Ghana.



Launching the manifesto earlier, Kofi Akpaloo said it was time the NDC-NPP duopoly was broken to liberate Ghanaians from abject poverty.



The manifesto is on the theme: A better tomorrow, a new plan for jobs and wealth creation.



The LPG flag bearer said the most important resource needed for transformational change in the country was the people.



In that regard, he said, the LPG would set up a USD10 billion Jobs Fund, to provide start-up capital to young Ghanaians who were interested in private businesses.



LPG is committed to making the investments to help all Ghanaians to reach their highest potential, and make our economy work better for every Ghanaian, no matter where they live, Mr Akpaloo affirmed.



Touching on tourism, Mr Akpaloo said the LPG would push for a legislation to have all holidays fixed on Mondays or Fridays to have longer weekends.



He gave an assurance that LPG would pay Ghanaians monthly child maintenance and unemployment benefits, provide free university education, and fix all roads in four years when given the nod.



Meanwhile, Mr Akpaloo said, LPG would help to build a new 21st Century national capital city in the middle of the country, to spur development, ease congestion, and promote jobs, unity, security, and prosperity.



The National Chairman of LPG, John Amekah, said it was clearly evident that Ghanaians were yearning for the better tomorrow stipulated in the partys manifesto.

Source: graphiconline









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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, has reiterated his firm belief in God to make all things possible.



Paying a surprise visit to the Breman Assikuma Assembly of The Church of Pentecost on Sunday as part of his campaign tour of the constituency, Dr. Bawumia was inspired by a scripture that tells the awesome power of God to cause everything to happen, hence he strongly believes it is possible for him to become President in 2025.



"There are so many things men cannot do but we believe God can do everything...There is nothing God cannot do. As the Bible says in Mathew Chapter 19:26, Jesus said, for people, many things are not possible but for God all things are possible...So whatever we do, we have to put our faith and trust in God. Once we put our trust in God, things will go well", Dr. Bawumia told the congregation.



While calling for prayers for peaceful elections this December, he stressed the election is not about insults and violence but expression of views and making choices.



He stated; "We all want peace in our country. Election is not fight or insults. It is all about expressing views and making choices and in the end, God's will shall prevail...I request your prayers for the country for God to continue to preserve the peace we enjoy as a country. Without peace, there cannot be development. We are in politics because we are here to serve the nation, so we pray to God to continue to grant our country peace."



"As we pray for the peace of this country, I also request for your prayers and support for me so that by the grace of God, the next time I come back here, I'll come as President of the Republic of Ghana as I seek to serve our country."

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

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Humans have overfished the ocean, cleared forests, polluted water and created a climate crisis by burning fossil fuels. These actions are affecting biodiversity around the world, from remote islands to our own backyards.

Biodiversity can refer to all the different kinds of life that can be found in just one area of the world, or the teeming variety of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms like bacteria that comprise all life on Earth. In either case, each species collaborates in ecosystems to generate everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, clean air, medicine and shelterthese are what scientists call "ecosystem services."

The rapacious consumption of resources by a minority of humanityand the resulting wasteis causing the variety of living things to diminish and ecosystems to deteriorate. A 2022 report found an average 69% decline in global populations of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians since 1970. It is also estimated that more than a third of the world's land surface and nearly 75% of its freshwater is now devoted to crop or livestock production.

Even as businesses are engaged in this destruction, they depend on reliable and cheap access to the services ecosystems provide, such as food and clean water. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, US$44 trillion (34 trillion) of economic valueover half the world's total GDPis at least moderately dependent on nature and its services and, as a result, exposed to risks from nature loss. The same is true for finance. The European Central Bank estimates that almost 75% of all bank loans are made to borrower companies that depend highly on at least one ecosystem service.

Given this interdependency, businesses are obliged to address the drivers of biodiversity loss. Corporate biodiversity disclosures are one potential solution. The idea being that, by making a transparent declaration of its dependency and impact on nature, a business could shift its operations away from activities that harm biodiversity.

At the end of September, countries will gather in New York City for fresh talks at the World Biodiversity Summit. If nature-positive investments are indeed the aim, how businesses engage with biodiversity will have to change drastically.

Efficient markets?

A global agreement to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, signed in 2022, included a target for businesses and financiers to report how their activities affect and depend on biodiversity.

The ideological basis for this measure is the efficient market hypothesis. This maintains that, if all relevant information is made available, a well-functioning market will align itself with the way market participants value a business. The expectation is that, once a business's relationship to biodiversity is disclosed, the market will use this information to steer money away from high-risk businesses.

However, research shows that most businesses do not consider biodiversity loss a material risk. Some may voluntarily disclose their impacts on biodiversity anyway, to manage reputational damage. For instance, AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, offered an account of the company's commitment to biodiversity in a 2023 report. In it, the company acknowledged how its supply chains might affect biodiversity and promised to invest US$400 million that year to plant and maintain 200 million trees by 2030. Such commitments are not legally binding and so there's a risk that they might not actually materialize.

Overall, this is typical of biodiversity disclosures that have been made so far: undertaken voluntarily and with no universal guidelines or measurement systems that organizations might use to report and manage their impact on biodiversity or be held to account for. Such disclosures add cost, complexity and risk to the operations of companies and investors which few will undertake voluntarily, and the quality of these disclosures varies anyway.

There are other problems. The 2022 agreement urged businesses to increase the prevalence of disclosures, with little regard to them being comprehensive and accurate. Although some standards and frameworks that have been developed so far aim to factor biodiversity into business decisions, they prioritize the short-term financial interests of a business over its long-term duty to biodiversity conservation and restoration.

Take the problem of selective reporting. A company can highlight a small reforestation project in its disclosure and ignore or dilute the habitat destruction caused by its operations on a much larger scale. Without an explicit reference to the tangible effects or benefits for biodiversity, such standards and frameworks cannot contribute toward the goals of the agreement.

Full disclosure

There is a risk of proliferating ambiguous or selective disclosures which hide rather than mitigate biodiversity loss, and so create the illusion of progress.

We can, for example, imagine a case in which a company involved in natural rubber production selectively discloses its "nature-friendly" plan to plant large numbers of a single tree and call it reforestation, offsetting the harm of its rubber plantations. This would instead harm biodiversity by destroying plants and animals that depended on the original, more diverse ecosystem.

More specific measures, such as species richness and habitat quality, are needed to help people understand whether progress is being made towards biodiversity goals. Simply counting the number of companies with biodiversity disclosures opens up huge potential for greenwashing.

Mandatory disclosures, with penalties for non-compliance, should require businesses to measure, set targets and report on their progress across their full value chainfrom the initial design of products, to the sourcing of raw materials, through to production, marketing, distribution and after-sale services.

Scientists should help create and refine the rules about what businesses have to report, ensuring they are based on scientific evidence. Policymakers and regulators, on the other hand, need to enforce these rules and make sure businesses follow them. Such an approach would not only help determine what works, but more broadly, ensures that disclosures are fit for conserving natureand not just protecting investment.

AstraZeneca was approached for comment but no response was received.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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California water regulators are cracking down on a second farming area in the San Joaquin Valley for failing to take adequate steps to curb overpumping that is depleting groundwater, causing the land to sink and damaging a canal that transports water for 1 million acres of farmland and more than 250,000 people.

The State Water Resources Control Board has voted unanimously to place the Tule groundwater subbasin on probationary status, a step that brings additional state oversight, new water fees and requirements for most well owners to report how much they are pumping.

"It just strikes me that we really are in a crisis," board Vice Chair Dorene D'Adamo said after hearing hours of testimony from farmers, water managers, residents and lawyers.

State officials cited deficiencies in local groundwater management plans, including chronic declines in aquifer levels that they estimate could put more than 550 domestic wells at risk of going dry during drought.

They also said the plans don't adequately limit excessive pumping that is causing the ground to sink in parts of the area. D'Adamo said the damage that rapid land subsidence is causing along parts of the Friant-Kern Canal is disturbing and needs to be addressed.

Farms in the area depend on groundwater to irrigate hay, corn, grapes, almonds, pistachios, oranges and other crops. As large amounts of groundwater are extracted, layers of sediment and clay can collapse and cause the land surface to subside.

In one area of the Tule subbasin west of Tipton, state officials said, the ground has sunk more than seven feet since 2015.

About 3.5 feet of land subsidence has been measured since 2015 along parts of the Friant-Kern Canal. The 152-mile canal, which was built by the federal government in the 1940s and early '50s, transports San Joaquin River water from the Friant Dam near Fresno to Bakersfield.

The Friant-Kern Canal is "experiencing alarming amounts of subsidence, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage," said Jason Phillips, CEO of the Friant Water Authority, which operates and maintains the canal. The sinking ground has significantly reduced the canal's water-delivery capacity, and state, local and federal agencies are investing $326 million in the first phase of a project to repair a section of the canal.

Phillips supported the board's action and specifically blamed one agency in the subbasin, the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency, for failing to adopt adequate plans to limit pumping and stabilize the ground. He said continuing subsidence in the area now threatens to undermine recent repairs and investments, including $83 million in state taxpayer funds.

Federal officials urged the state water board to take steps to limit land subsidence and protect the canal, which is estimated to have lost more than 60% of its original capacity in its middle section.

The repair project "went through years of planning, cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and is being significantly negatively impacted due to the failure of properly managing groundwater," said David McCray, a lawyer for the U.S. Interior Department. "Without substantive action to correct subsidence, the Friant-Kern Canaland more than 250,000 Californians and over 1 million acres of farmlandwill continue to be negatively impacted at a considerable cost."

State officials reviewed groundwater plans prepared by seven local agencies and found the plans failed to address the chronic lowering of groundwater levels, degradation of water quality, and continuing land subsidence, among other problems. They cited estimates that current pumping in the area is depleting, on average, at least as much water each year as the combined usage of half a million homes.

Rogelio Caudillo, general manager of the Eastern Tule groundwater agency, urged the state board to delay putting the area on probation. He said his agency has made progress on plans to limit pumping and address land subsidence, and is taking steps to protect drinking water wells.

But board member Laurel Firestone said the agency's pumping limits "aren't kicking in fast enough."

"It just seems like you need a little bit more aggressive program," she said.

At the end of the daylong meeting Tuesday, board members voted to intervene to enforce the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA. The law, which was adopted in 2014, calls for local agencies to develop plans for curbing overpumping. In many areas, agencies are required to achieve goals for managing groundwater sustainably by 2040.

The Tule subbasin is one of six areas of the San Joaquin Valley where officials have deemed local plans inadequate, and it's the second region to be placed on probation.

After the board took its first vote to intervene in the neighboring Tulare Lake subbasin in April, farmers sued in an effort to overturn the decision, arguing the state's demands are unreasonable and damaging to the local economy. That case in Kings County Superior Court has placed the state's determination on hold and paused a requirement that growers begin reporting how much water they pump.

In the Tule area, advocates for protecting rural communities' drinking water supported state intervention, warning that inaction would harm low-income people of color, including many farmworkers.

Local agencies have been slow to address problems in their plans, said Nataly Escobedo Garcia, water policy coordinator for the group Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. "It continues to be frontline communities that literally pay the price and pay the cost of continued overpumping."

Those costs, she and others said, fall on residents not only when shallow household wells run dry, but also when declining water levels worsen concentrations of contaminants, or when land subsidence damages wells.

The Tule area has an estimated population of 152,000 people and includes the city of Porterville as well as communities including Allensworth, Alpaugh, Ducor, East Porterville and Pixley.

Some residents from Pixley told the board they are coping with worsening water quality and rising water bills, which they said are linked to declining aquifer levels.

"Our water has been getting really bad. It comes out brown. It comes out dirty. There's no pressure," said Christina Velasquez, a resident who said her family has been buying bottled water and no longer drinks the tap water, but still must pay higher rates.

One of the reasons for the recent increase in rates was that subsidence caused the collapse of well casing, requiring costly repairs, Escobedo Garcia said.

Beverley Whitfield said higher water bills are a financial burden, and she blamed heavy pumping by nearby dairies and other farms.

"Our wells have subsided. It's because of overuse," Whitfield said. "I think we deserve better."

Recent sampling of drinking water in the Tule area has shown significant numbers of wells with contaminants such as arsenic, nitrate and the carcinogenic chemical 1,2,3-trichloropropane at levels exceeding safe thresholds.

The law requires local agencies to avoid "significant and unreasonable degraded water quality." The state water board's staff listed further degradation of water quality among deficiencies in the local plans, and recommended steps to address the problems.

Managers of Tule's local agencies recently submitted revised plans. The board's staff said an initial review found that some issues have been addressed but that significant problems remain, especially concerning continuing land subsidence.

Now that the area is on probation, most well owners will be required within 90 days to start keeping records of how much water they pump, and will later need to report that data to the state.

Many well owners will be required to pay state fees starting in 2026, which include a flat fee of $300 per well, and $20 per acre-foot of water pumped.

The state water board determined that two local agencies, the Delano Earlimart Irrigation District and Kern-Tulare Water District, are adequately managing groundwater in their portions of the subbasin, and excluded them from fees and required reporting of data.

The board's staff says they will continue working with local agencies to address issues so that intervention can be ended. But if agencies fail to address deficiencies within one year, the board could pursue stepped-up intervention measures including pumping restrictions and fines for exceeding limits.

Several farmers said they are concerned that state intervention will make their businesses even harder at a time when they are struggling with low crop prices and declining land values.

"The banks are refusing to give loans," said Nick Sahota, a farmer in Terra Bella who said he was also speaking for other growers. "We're losing our farms."

Jim Morehead said he has learned to weather hard times during more than five decades in farming, but not like the challenges that are coming.

"Now, for the first time, I don't see a future for the family farm in the San Joaquin Valley," Morehead said. "With the implementation of SGMA, the value of my land has plummeted. Since the change in water policy five years ago, my land has dropped by 70% in value."

He said he's had to take one-third of his family's farmland out of production, and expects to scale back further, which will force him to lay off employees.

"I am not against water regulation, but as I look at other states' processes compared to California, it feels like their farmers are given much more support to succeed," Morehead said.

Morehead's son Justin said he fears that without local farms, their community of Pixley will struggle.

"Water is the currency of the San Joaquin Valley. The SGMA process is more than just water policy. It's an economic framework that will determine whether rural communities will be viable long term," Justin Morehead said.

He said the groundwater law is bringing changes "at a breakneck pace" without considering the effects on communities.

"What future is there for communities like my hometown of Pixley?" he 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A little-known threat to tourists in the form of stinging jellyfish could affect those who like to take a dip in between lazing in the heat on the sun-drenched beaches of Malaga (Spain). These sea creatures are of increasing concern along Spain's most tourism-dependent coastline, the Costa del Sol with more and more frequent outbreaks of jellyfish swarms since the summer of 2018.

While beachgoers are often preoccupied with sunscreen and sangria, it turns out that jellyfish are creating a new kind of trouble in paradise, according to research published in Progress in Industrial Ecology.

Francisco Jose Cantarero Prados and Ana Luisa de la Fuente Rosello of the Department of Geography at the University of Malaga have studied the jellyfish swarms along Malaga's coastline, pinpointing the sections where swimmers are most at risk of encountering the creatures.

To gather data, the researchers turned to citizen science and two mobile apps: Infomedusa and Medusapp. These apps allowed ordinary beachgoers to report jellyfish sightings in real-time. The crowdsourced data could then be combined with historical scientific data from the regional government. The team suggests that the citizen science data represents a useful, scalable, and cost-effective means of environmental monitoring.

The researchers then used geographic information system (GIS) technology to chart detailed maps of the coast and show that a 50-kilometer stretch from Benalmadena to Torre del Mar is particularly risky based on the historical and citizen science data.

The implications of the research are important for beach tourism. Jellyfish blooms can shake up tourism, deterring visitors and so threatening the local economy.

The same approach to citizen science and GIS might also be used in the future to map and monitor other harmful coastal phenomena such as algal blooms, shark sightings, or even the effects of climate change on local marine ecosystems.

More information: Francisco Jose Cantarero Prados et al, Citizen science as a resource to define threats to bathing on beaches: the case of jellyfish in Malaga, Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2024.140515

Provided by Inderscience
Global call for policy synergy on clean energy transition

08:26, September 23, 2024 By Xia Lin, Gao Shan ( Xinhua

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a press conference on climate at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 15, 2023. Guterres called for accelerating action to address climate change, as he voiced concerns over the world's off-tracking and backtracking in reaching climate goals. (Xinhua/Xie E)

Experts on the eve of the UN Summit of the Future said that a clean energy transition is the only path to addressing the climate crisis and achieving sustainable development.

NEW YORK, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- On the eve of the UN Summit of the Future, experts and diplomats gathered at a high-level event at Columbia University on Saturday, calling for rapid transition, enhanced innovation and better financing to facilitate global clean energy development that will benefit more people and nations.

According to them, a clean energy transition is the only path to addressing the climate crisis and achieving sustainable development, and the next 10 years will be a breakthrough period for such a transition on a global level. Countries must strive to curb carbon emissions and move toward significant reductions by 2035.

CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION

There are many problems to be tackled, as supply shortage still deprives over 600 million people of electricity access, energy transition lags far behind with fossil energy accounting for over 80 percent of global energy consumption, and trade protectionism and technical barrier hinder the progress of new energy industry, Cheng Zhiqiang, executive secretary for Cooperation of Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), said at the event on the sidelines of the UN summit.

"This is a power game, not a technical game," said Jeffrey Sachs, president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). There is ample money for the industry, but it doesn't flow to the poor countries; in this regard, the financing policy should be adjusted from a global point of view, said Sachs, also director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University.

King Letsie III of Lesotho said in a keynote speech, "We have to confront the reality head-on," and "pivot to renewable energy as the cornerstone of our national economy," in order to shed the country's reliance on migrant labor remittances, seek self-sufficiency and benefit local communities.

Echoing the king's view, GEIDCO Chairman Xin Baoan said the development of renewable energy must chart its way towards benefiting as many countries as possible, staying inclusive and clean, as well as being electrified and digitalized. "Clean energy is the energy of the future," he noted. "It helps us avoid wrecking our planet."

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy investment is set to exceed 3 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024 for the first time, with 2 trillion dollars going to clean energy technologies and infrastructure. Investment in clean energy has accelerated since 2020, and spending on renewable power, grids and storage is now higher than total spending on oil, gas and coal.

Visitors learn about a concept car displayed at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Fu Tian)

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said that China remains a leader in the transition to a green and low-carbon economy, a promoter of international cooperation for such a transition, and a contributor to global energy and climate management.

The new energy vehicles that we manufacture have been widely popular around the world, said the senior diplomat.

Xu Haoliang, under-secretary-general and associate administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said the whole picture for the industry is far from good, and many major challenges are yet to emerge. Much more money is needed for energy access and transition, he said, floating the concept of Green Bonds or SDGs (UN Sustainable Development Goals) Bond to help finance the cause.

Selwin Hart, special adviser to the secretary-general and assistant secretary-general of the Climate Action Team, reminded the attendees that leadership is needed for the upgrading of the clean energy sector, while international cooperation is a good way to make it come true. "We also have to pick up the pace of transition, guarantee fairness, as well as avoid debt arising from such progress."

Amina J. Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the UN, emphasized that "renewable energy now accounts for over 29 percent of global electricity generation, but this figure must reach nearly 60 percent by 2030 to stay on track with the IEA's 1.5 degrees Celcius pathway." It is an essential driver for achieving Net Zero by mid-century, and a critical means of reducing inequalities through universal access to electricity, she said.

"Although 2023 saw record investments in renewables, global annual investments will need to triple to 4 trillion dollars by 2030, with 1.7 trillion dollars needed in emerging markets and developing economies," she added.

FUTURE ENERGY DECLARATION

A Future Energy Declaration was issued as a highlight of the event co-sponsored by the SDSN and GEIDCO, which assessed the challenges, trends and outlook of future energy development and proposed 10 key initiatives to promote global energy transition.

The declaration calls on "all countries to work together to accelerate the transition to future energy systems and achieve sustainable development for all humanity."

Among its initiatives, the declaration proposes that countries must strive to peak carbon emissions and move toward significant reductions by 2025; Countries should accelerate the development of renewable energy, with developed nations providing comprehensive support to developing countries to jointly achieve the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity. It also proposes a systemic approach to fully advance the energy transition, as well as developing a strong smart digital grid that tackles the energy trilemma.

Moreover, the declaration proposes accelerating the research and application of cutting-edge technologies to provide technical support for the zero-carbon energy transition, as well as strengthening the integration of energy and meteorology to enhance climate resilience, increasing investment in energy systems, adopting comprehensive measures to address the rising cost of energy use, and accelerating an inclusive and just energy transition, among others.

"Looking to the future, we propose that countries strengthen cooperation and work together to promote the global clean energy transition, accelerate the realization of future energy, and let the light of electricity illuminate the path of sustainable development so that clean and low-carbon energy can create a bright future for humanity," the declaration said.

As world leaders convene in New York for the UN General Assembly's high-level week and the Summit of the Future, the SDSN and its partners are hosting a series of events, including Saturday's High-Level Pre-Summit of the Future Event.

More than 130 heads of state and government are scheduled to attend the Summit of the Future, which is taking place on Sunday and Monday, just ahead of the annual debate in the UN General Assembly.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Burnt trees are seen during a forest fire in Dolores, Cordoba province, Argentina, on September 20, 2024.

Colombian authorities said Sunday they were fighting forest fires across seven departments, as a scorching drought fanned blazes across Latin America.

From Ecuador to Brazil, many Latin American nations are gripped by their worst drought in decades, fueling a blistering fire season that has set residents and governments on edge.

Colombia's National Unit for Risk and Disaster Management said in its latest report published on X that almost 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) had been consumed by fires.

Some of the affected departments border Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil, which are also battling flames.

Authorities deployed eight airplanes to fight a fire in the village of Nagataima in the Andean Tolima department, where two people were injured as a result of the blaze.

Meanwhile Ecuador was experiencing power outages in 12 provinces on Sunday to ration electricity as the hydroelectric power-dependent country faces its worst drought in 61 years.

Nightly blackouts are planned from Monday to Thursday, as a way of "safeguarding the water resources" available after 71 days of no rain, the presidency said in a statement.

The Peruvian government this week declared a 60-day state of emergency in the three departments worst affected by fires, jungle regions bordering Brazil and Ecuador.

Map of South America showing estimated areas burnt by wildfires since September 6.

The drought has reduced the flow of the Amazon River where Colombia borders Peru and Brazil, choking food supplies and threatening residents' health.

Another major waterway, the Madeira River in the Brazilian Amazon, has dried up so much that residents are forced to ditch their canoes and walk across its baking sands to buy food and water, get health care and send their children to school.

Brazil, South America's biggest nation, has seen some of the most dramatic impacts of the drought which experts attribute to climate change.

Thick plumes of smoke have clouded major cities such as Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, from fires that have consumed millions of hectares of forest and farmland from the Amazon rainforest to the Pantanal wetlands.

Most of the fires are set deliberately by farmers trying to clear land for agriculture.

On some of the worst days of fires, smoke blew across the border to neighboring Argentinabattling its own firesand Uruguay.

 2024 AFP
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Studied coral genera Favites sp. growing on artificial substrates in the Underground Restaurant study site. Credit: Prof. Noa Shenkar.

A new study from Tel Aviv University and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History detected traces of 10 common medications in coral samples collected from both shallow and deep sites in the Gulf of Eilat. Sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic used for respiratory and urinary tract infections, was found in as many as 93% of the sampled corals.

The alarming study was led by Prof. Noa Shenkar of TAU's School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, and her Ph.D. student Gal Navon, in collaboration with the Hydrochemistry laboratory led by Prof. Dror Avisar at TAU's Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences. The results were published in the journal Environmental Pollution.

"In this first-of-its-kind study, we conducted a large-scale investigation for detection of pharmaceuticals in corals," says Prof. Shenkar. "We sampled 96 reef-building stony corals representing two types, Acropora sp. and Favites sp., in shallow sites (512 meters) as well as deeper sites beyond the limits of recreational diving (3040 meters). We were surprised to find an extensive presence of medications even in the deep-water coralswhich usually escape contaminations affecting corals in shallower areas."

The researchers obtained a list of the most commonly used pharmaceuticals in Israel from Clalit Health Services. Testing for 18 of these compounds, they detected 10 of them in the coral samples. Not even a single sample, retrieved from either shallow or deep water, was found to be drug-free. The 10 pharmaceuticals found in the corals belonged to different categories: antibiotics, blood pressure medications, antiplatelet agents, calcium channel blockers, laxatives, proton pump inhibitors, statins, and antidepressants.

Studied coral genera Acropora sp. growing on artificial substrates in the Underground Restaurant study site. Credit: Noa Shenkar

Prof. Noa Shenkar. Credit: Tel Aviv University

"What does the presence of pharmaceuticals in corals actually mean? Clearly, the corals did not receive a prescription for antibiotics from their doctor," explains Prof. Shenkar. "These medications are taken by humans to affect a certain receptor or biological pathway, and they can also impact other organisms.

"Previous studies, conducted by both our lab and others, have revealed many examples of this negative impact: estrogen from birth control contraceptive pills induces female features in male fish, impairing reproduction in certain species; Prozac makes some crabs aggressive and reckless; and antidepressants damage the memory and learning abilities of squids.

"There is no reason to believe that corals should be immune to such effects. For instance, if our pharmaceuticals should disrupt the spawning synchrony of coral populations, it would take us a long time to notice the problem, and when we do, it might be too late."

"Stony corals build coral reefs, and the types we studied are very common in the Gulf of Eilat," adds Gal Navon. "Coral reefs are a cornerstone of marine biodiversity. They provide food, shelter, and spawning sites to numerous species, and support the human fishing and tourism industries.

"Today, this delicate ecosystem is under pressure as a result of climate change, pollution, and overfishing. The presence of pharmaceuticals in coral tissues adds another layer of concern, indicating that human activities even contaminate faraway marine environments."

"Clearly these medications save lives, and we have no intention of requesting people to reduce their use," says Prof. Shenkar. "However, we must develop new sewage treatment methods that can effectively handle pharmaceutical compounds. Also, each of us must dispose of old medications in ways that do not harm the environment.

"Ultimately, these drugs come back to us. I know people who avoid medications, but when they eat a fish, they might unknowingly consume a 'cocktail' of drug residues absorbed by the fish from the marine environment."

More information: Gal Navon et al, Detection of 10 commonly used pharmaceuticals in reef-building stony corals from shallow (512 m) and deep (3040 m) sites in theRed Sea, Environmental Pollution (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124698 Journal information: Environmental Pollution
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Colombian Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, speaks during the International Meeting of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin in Bogota on August 14, 2024.

As one of the world's most biodiverse countries, Colombia is determined to lead by example when it hosts an upcoming UN summit to save nature, Environment Minister Susana Muhamad told AFP on Monday.

Set to run from October 21 to November 1 in the western city of Cali, the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity offers a pivotal moment to assess global progress toward the ambitious goal of protecting 30 percent of Earth's land and oceans by 2030.

"We've created a platform to put biodiversity on top of the global political agenda," said Muhamad, noting that more than 100 ministers and 12 heads of state, including Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Mexico's incoming president Claudia Sheinbaum, are expected to attend.

"As a biodiverse country, we also see the potential for our country and our region: it's a Latin American moment," she added, speaking at the United Nations in New York.

Few countries can rival Colombia's vast diversity of species and ecosystems, from the Andean highlands to the Amazon rainforest. Colombia ranks first globally in bird and orchid species diversity and second in plants, butterflies, freshwater fish and amphibians.

Muhamad acknowledged Colombia's own environmental challenges, however.

Large areas of forest have been cleared for illicit coca plantations used in cocaine production, and deforestation surged after the 2016 peace deal with the FARC rebel group, as former fighters turned to unregulated farming and ranching.

"Although we can say we have a voice that has been very clear on the international arena, we cannot say that Colombia has its problem solved," said Muhamad.

The minister began her journey as an environmental advocate while at university, before turning to politics upon realizing "this is, at the end, a power struggle."

Colombia's war with rebel groups is not over, with some dissident factions continuing to reject the peace deal signed with FARC.

In July, the EMC faction issued a threat to the COP16 meeting, warning that it "will fail."

Despite this, Muhamad expressed confidence in the conference's security plan, coordinated by Colombia's defense ministry and the United Nations security office, which will mobilize more than 10,000 personnel to protect the event.

Peace negotiations with armed groups are also ongoing, she added, with some dissident groups having publicly supported the COP.

Nature for peace?

Indeed, COP16's theme is "peace with nature," and Muhamad suggested that the outcomes of COP16 could contribute to peace efforts by "empowering and mobilizing local communities in regions where the armed struggle is happening, especially confronting illicit economies."

By focusing on biodiversity protection and promoting initiatives such as sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism and conservation projects, these communities could find new, sustainable opportunities.

At the last biodiversity COP in Montreal two years ago, nations signed a landmark "30x30" pact aimed at halting biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystems.

This year, the focus is on implementing those promises, said Muhamad, with a key priority being the creation of a body that would allow Indigenous communities to directly access funds for conservation efforts.

Another goal is the activation of a new fund that will enable countries in the Global South to better share in the financial rewards from the use of DNA and genetic resources from their native speciesresources that have been widely used in products such as drugs and vaccines.

Finally, said Muhamad, she would call on developed countries to ramp up their nature financing.

Many wealthy nations have historically sacrificed their own biodiversity to exploit resources for economic gain.

In Montreal, they pledged to provide at least $30 billion annually by 2030 to support developing countries in preserving the world's remaining species.

So far, pledges to a new fund created for this purpose have reached around $400 million, with roughly half of that amount disbursed.

 2024 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Election Day is less than 50 days away, but the voting has already started.

In some states, the runway to vote stretches some distance. In Alabama, for example, voters began mailing in ballots as early as Sept. 11.

North Carolina was supposed to be the first state to accept absentee ballots on Sept. 6that is, before an appeals court ruled in favor of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s legal requests to have his name removed from the ballot. (That meant that election workers had to reformat and print new ballots.)

In Pennsylvania, early voting began on Sept. 16. It's set to begin on Sept. 20 in Minnesota and Virginia. Voters in Vermont can start casting their ballots Sept. 21, and, in Illinois, on Sept. 26. In Massachusetts, early voting is available starting Oct. 19 to Nov 1.

Minnesota and Vermont begin in-person and absentee voting this month, two methods of voting prior to Election Day itself.

Every state has different rules with respect to early voting. In general, early voting has been shown to boost participation and help voter turnout, says Costas Panagopoulos, distinguished professor of political science at Northeastern University.

And most voters know who they are going to vote for weeks and months ahead of schedule, Panagopoulos says.

Should a voter change their mind after casting an early ballot, they can change their vote in some states. In others, once you cast a ballot, your choice is final.

In Massachusetts, for example, you can only change your vote if a mailed-in ballot "never reached your local election office." If such is the case, a person can cast their vote in-person.

In New Hampshire, those who cast absentee ballots can show up on Election Day before their ballot is processed and cast a superseding in-person ballot. But in states like Maine, only in-person absentee voting in the presence of a clerk, or absentee by mail, is permitted.

Will people vote early in 2024?

In keeping with recent cycles, a significant chunk of the electorate is expected to vote prior to Nov. 5, Panagopoulos says. The story in 2020 was that early voting via mail-in ballots shot up because of concerns tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 70% of the more than 150 million votes cast in that election were cast in the lead-up to Election Day, reporting shows. Now that pandemic concerns have abated, the question is will that trend hold in future election cycles?

"I expect sizable segments of the American electorate will avail themselves of early voting in the 2024 cycle," Panagopoulos says. "Perhaps fewer than in 2020, but not negligible."

Over the years, a larger number of states have expanded their early voting options because it's been shown to spur participation, Panagopoulos says.

In close racesand by all accounts, this year's presidential contest is expected to be closehe says the added boost from early ballots could make a difference.

"Turnout in 2024 will likely be elevated by convenience voting reforms like early voting, even if only by a few percentage points, which could be decisive in the right places," he says.

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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Pictures of rock cut niches in the hills north of Siraf, Iran (a-b) and Teniky, Madagascar (c-d). Credit: Schreurs et al. 2024. Images of Siraf niches courtesy of Ali Aghajanzadeh.

At the turn of the first millennium AD, an unknown group of people lived in the inland Isalo massif of southern Madagascar. Here, they built vast terraces and carved large stone chambers and small hollow rock niches. The architecture is unlike anything else found in Madagascar or the adjacent East African coast. Who built these structures, when they arrived, and why was unknown.

However, research by archaeologists Prof. Dr. Schreurs and his colleagues published in Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa suggest that a Zoroastrian community in Madagascar may have constructed the archaeological site of Teniky around 1,000 years ago.

Today, Teniky is located in the Isalo National Park. The site's existence has been known for over 100 years; however, no detailed excavations have been undertaken there until now. The site was visited by French naturalists Alfred and Guillaume Grandidier in the 1940s, who hypothesized that the site had been constructed by passing shipwrecked Portuguese sailors as they traversed the island in hopes of coming across a port. Two decades later, a trench excavation during the 1960s uncovered a Chinese jar sherd dating to the 16th century.

Schreurs explains why the site was not investigated in greater detail until now, "Arriving at the site requires a strenuous walk of nearly 20 km across a rugged terrain. All the equipment and food has to be carried to the site. It also has to be mentioned that archaeological research in Madagascar always requires collaboration with local institutions and authorizations from different ministries (which is sometimes challenging).

"Our project is a collaborative project between the Institut de Civilizations/Musee d'Art et d'Archeologie (ICMAA) of the University of Antananarivo, the University of Bern and the University of Fribourg."

In 2019, high-resolution satellite images revealed Teniky's true extent, motivating Schreurs and his colleagues to undertake a detailed archaeological excavation.

The field surveying and excavation were conducted for both the known structures at Teniky and those identified in the satellite images. Among the known structures were the Grande Grotte and its smaller sister, the Petit Grotte, two rock-cut chambers held up by massive stone pillars with carved benches along the walls. The sandstone wall described by the French naturalists was still present at the Grande Grotte, albeit partially collapsed.

Across the rest of Teniky, they found dozens of circular and rectangular stone niches carved into the cliff sides, some of which had circular recesses suggesting they could be closed off by a wooden or stone slab. They also uncovered over 30 hectares of man-made terraces, rock-cut conglomerate boulders, stone basins, circular and rectangular stone structures, and ceramic sherds.

Based on the charcoal recovered from the excavation and the ceramic sherds, it was suggested that the site was occupied during the 10th and 12th centuries. The sherds were not of local origin, suggesting the individuals who had lived here had some form of connection to the Indian Ocean trade network.

The sherds included Southeast Asian ceramics dated to the 11th and 13th centuries, Chinese celadon and Southeast Asian stoneware, both dating to around the 11th and 14th centuries.

This meant that the site was unlikely to have been constructed by the Portuguese, as the first Portuguese ships did not sail the Indian Ocean until 1498, which post-dates the proposed construction of Teniky by a few centuries.

Since the Portuguese did not likely build the structures, nor were similar structures found anywhere in Madagascar or the East African coast, the researchers had to look elsewhere. Considering the local Malagasy Madagascan population has genetic, cultural, and linguistic ties to Austronesia, India, Arabia, and Persia, these places were investigated for similar structures.

Image of one of the areas in Teniky. Credit: Tristan Allegro

According to Schreurs, "While reviewing the literature, I was struck by the mention of rock-cut niches in various shapes and sizes in many regions throughout Iran, including the Fars region. I did find photographs of these niches in several publications, and there were niches with recessesjust as at Tenikyindicating that they were initially probably closed off by a wooden or stone slab; these niches most likely served as bone ossuaries."

This led them to hypothesize that Tenkiy was potentially of Zoroastrian origin.

"Most archaeologists associate the niches in Iran with Zoroastrian funeral rites. So, that's how the initial potential link with Zoroastrian practices came up. At the same time, from primary historical sources, we know that the coastal region of Iran (e.g. the port town of Siraf) was involved in maritime trade since Sassanid times and that ships from Siraf were sailing the oceans as far as China and East Africa," said Schreurs.

"This trade continued when the Arabs conquered Persia in the 7th century and imposed Islam. However, it is also known from primary historical sources that for quite some time, probably until the 10th century, different religions (such as Zoroastrians, Muslims, Jews and Christians) coexisted in these Iranian port towns.

"Although I would like to stress that our interpretation linking the rock-cut architecture with Zoroastrian practices is tentative, the stylistic similarities of the stone basins and tables found at Teniky and those used in Zoroastrian ritual ceremonies seem to point in the same direction."

Zoroastrians believe that one should not bury a body directly in the ground because the body is seen as polluting. Instead, during funerary practices, bodies were left in places of display above ground in niches called "dakhmas" in Pahlavi. Natural decay and consumption by scavengers reduced the body to bones. These bones would then be transported into smaller circular niches that could be closed off, called "astodans."

However, none of the niches at Teniky contained bones; Schreurs elaborates on why this may have been the case, "If the smaller holes in the cliffs represent bone ossuaries that are a thousand years old, it is possible that human skeletal remains underwent considerable deterioration, but even then, one would expect some remains, such as teeth and denser bone, to be present.

"Steve Goodman, an American field biologist at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, who has conducted research in Madagascar for nearly 30 years, mentioned to me, and I quote from his email: 'It is certainly possible that the human remains were removed by subsequent people of the area, perhaps with the focus of the material being used for different types of black magic, which still goes on today at some of the Bara tomb sites.' The Bara people are an ethnic group living in the Isalo National Park region."

It is thus likely that from a historical, archaeological and architectural standpoint, the structures of Teniky were built around the turn of the first millennium by a Zoroastrian community. However, exactly when this community first came to Madagascar, why and for what reason they abandoned the site is unknown.

Further research will be necessary to unravel these questions and prove or dispute the initial hypotheses of the Zoroastrian origins of the site.

"We will return to Teniky in 2025 for further archaeological excavations. We plan a Lidar survey to visualize structures and terraces in great detail, helping us to detect structures we might have missed otherwise. An area that could be the subject of more detailed research is a site, c. 80 x 80 m, in the Sahanafo valley delimited by stone walls," said Schreurs.

"During surface prospecting, we found Chinese and Middle Eastern imported pottery just outside of this area. It might be worthwhile to do excavations here and see if we find further material culture that might hint at the origin/culture/religion of those who once settled at Teniky and tell us more about how they lived."

More information: Guido Schreurs et al, Teniky: enigmatic architecture at an archaeological site in southern Madagascar, Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa (2024). DOI: 10.1080/0067270X.2024.2380619

 2024 Science X Network
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Family-owned businesses account for 59% of the U.S. private workforce, with 35% of Fortune 500 companies being family-owned. Although family-owned firms employ more than half of the U.S. workforce, little is known about their operations due to the secretive nature of their corporate governance.

When it comes to leadership succession, it's well-known that family-owned firms tend to "keep it in the family" to ensure control and loyalty among other reasons, but some situations arise when non-family CEOs are considered the best successors. But are there differences in the accountability standards to which non-family CEOs are held compared to those applied to family CEOs?

"We expect non-family CEOs to be treated differently than family CEOs, but we wanted to identify the difference and at what stage in the CEO's tenure the difference becomes more pronounced," said Cecilia Gu, associate professor of international business at Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business.

To answer that question, Gu and a team of academic researchers analyzed 20 years of data from a sample of family-owned firms in Taiwan spanning 19952015, looking at how family CEOs were measured on financial performance compared to non-family CEOs across different stages of CEO tenure.

Eighty percent of firms in Taiwan are controlled by founding families, with many led by non-family CEOs. The sample analyzed by Gu and team included 532 family-controlled firms, examining the tenure of 680 non-family CEOs and 674 family CEOs.

Their research, published in Family Business Review, found at the mid-stage of CEO tenure (typically five-seven years) non-family CEOs are held more accountable for financial performance than family CEOs.

During this stage, both non-family and family CEOs are evaluated closely for financial performance. Either could be fired due to negative financial performance, but the odds are far higher for a non-family CEO, with more than a 40% chance of firing, compared to a less than 20% chance for a family CEO.

"Family-owned firms tend to be long-term oriented, and they don't always use financial performance as a reason for turnover decisions. But when financial performance does come into play, we found it usually happens at the mid-stage of CEO tenure," said Gu.

"During the early and late stages of a CEO's tenure, other metrics are used to evaluate CEO performance and financial performance is less scrutinized, which is unique to family firms."

During the early stage, the controlling members of family firms are focused on observing non-family and family CEO behavior, such as loyalty and other behavior-based outcomes, and are less concerned with their company's financial performance .

Both family and non-family CEOs also are less likely to be held accountable during the late stages of their tenure because they have established trust and proven their abilities to grow the company.

"Controlling members of family firms tend to be more patient with financial performance than other firms, because they are focused on building long-term financial wealth and long-term succession, rather than short-term performance," said Gu.

"This research helps us better understand how family firms make leadership decisions and findings reveal it's not as simple as family always favored over non-family leadership," Gu said.

More information: Wei Shen et al, Do Family Owners Hold Nonfamily CEOs More Accountable Than Family CEOs for Firm Performance? A Dynamic Perspective, Family Business Review (2024). DOI: 10.1177/08944865241273370
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Homicide is a leading cause of death among people 19 and younger in the United States, and firearms are used in a large proportion of these crimes. Although the homicide rate for this population declined in the 1990s and 2000s, it has increased every year since 2013, with a large spike during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, new research by Hannah Rochford, Ph.D., an assistant professor with the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, and two colleagues from the University of Iowa, provides insight into the characteristics of those who committed these crimes and their use of firearms from 1976 to 2020.

"The more national-level information we have about these perpetrators, the better we can develop comprehensive, evidence-based public health policies and prevention strategies," Rochford said.

"Unfortunately, the data has lagged behind data that is known for most other public health challenges. For example, the National Violent Death Reporting System did not exist at all before 2003, did not include a majority of states until 2015, and still does not fully represent violent deaths in all states. This makes it difficult to learn from past trends, like the youth violence surge of the late 1980s and early 1990s."

For their study, published in Injury Epidemiology, the researchers sought to fill these gaps by describing trends between 1976-2020 in perpetrator characteristics (sex, age and relationship to victim) and firearm presence by the age, sex, and race of U.S. homicide victims from birth to 19 years of age.

To do so, researchers applied the multiply-imputed version of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 19762020 Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR).

"The unimputed SHR is limited by 'unit missingness' because not every law enforcement agency provides data for the reports every year, and 'item missingness' because some homicide incidents were missing case information," Rochford said. "For example, more than one quarter of homicide incidents were missing information on the perpetrator's age, sex and race."

After stratifying the descriptive analyses by victim age group, sex, race and five-year time periods, the team found that family members were the most common perpetrator of infant and toddler (ages 04) and child (ages 512) homicides, and acquaintances accounted for the majority of adolescent (ages 1319) homicides. One quarter of adolescent homicides with female victims were perpetrated by an intimate partner.

The team found there was a sustained increase in the proportion of homicides committed with a firearm. From 2016 to 2020, the proportion of homicides that involved firearms was an all-time high across the study period for three categories: infants and toddlers at 14.8%, children at 53.1%, and adolescents at 88.5%. Firearm homicide was particularly burdensome to Black pediatric victims, with Black infants and toddlers experiencing twice the burden as White infants and toddlers, for example.

"These differences appear to align with developmental changes in family dependency and interaction, peer and romantic relations, and age-related role independence," Rochford said. "For example, adult female family members were responsible for more than a quarter of all infant and toddler homicides, but for less than 1% of adolescent homicides."

Rochford said these findings indicate that policy interventions that improve family stability and well-being may be most effective at preventing infant, toddler and child homicides, and programs that target peer and community relationships, as well as policies that focus on firearm access, may be more crucial for preventing adolescent homicides.

More information: Mark T. Berg et al, Perpetrator characteristics and firearm use in pediatric homicides: Supplementary Homicide Reports - United States, 1976 to 2020, Injury Epidemiology (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s40621-024-00518-0
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A solar flare erupts on the sun. Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

Solar flares are a fascinating thing and have a profound effect on what astronomers refer to as "space weather." These events vary with the sun's 11-year solar cycle, releasing immense amounts of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum (from extreme ultraviolet to X-rays) into space.

The effects of flares have been observed since time immemorial, which include aurorae at high latitudes (Aurora Borealis and Australis), but have only been the subject of study and prediction for about a century and a half. Still, there is much that remains unknown about these dramatic events.

For instance, flares are known to affect the sun's atmosphere, from the visible surface (photosphere) to its outermost layer (corona). However, there are still questions about how these events influence the lower layers of the atmosphere.

In a recent study led by the University of Colorado, Boulder, a team of researchers documented the rotation of two very small sunspots of the sun's surface (pores) using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) at Mauna Kea.

These pores were linked to a less powerful flare and moved in a way that has never been observed, suggesting that the dynamics of the sun's atmosphere are more complex than previously thought.

The study was led by Rahul Yadav, a Research Scientist from the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado, Boulder (UC Boulder). He was joined by colleagues from UC Boulder's Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, the U.S. National Science Foundation's (NSF) National Solar Observatory (NSO), and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of SB RAS.

The paper that details their findings, "Photospheric Pore Rotation Associated with a C-class Flare from Spectropolarimetric Observations with DKIST," was recently published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Solar flares are thought to occur when stored magnetic energy in the sun's atmosphere accelerates charged particles in the surrounding plasma. They occur in active regions and are often accompanied by a significant amount of plasma being ejected into spacea Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)and the release of accelerated particlesa Solar Particle Event (SPE).

These can play havoc with satellites in Earth's orbit, and interfere with radio antennas and electronic grids on the surface, which is why scientists are interested in learning more about them.

Flares are classified according to their strength: B-class is the weakest, C and M-class are slightly more energetic, and X is the strongest. Previous studies have shown how intense solar flares can lead to large sunspots rapidly rotating and distorting active regions on the sun's surface.

But as Dr. Yadav explained in an NSO press release, what they observed was quite unexpected. "This study marks the first time that such rotation has been observed on a smaller scaleless than 2,000 kilometers [~1,245 mi] acrossassociated with a less intense C-class flare," he said.

In addition, previous observations have found that rotational movements of sunspots occur directly at the flare ribbon, where the most intense emissions occur during a flare event. This time, the team observed a pre-flare rotation located a short distance from the flare ribbon, which suggests that the coupling between different layers of the sun's atmosphere during flares may be more complex than previously thought.

Yadav and his colleagues suggest that the process they observed is driven by changes in the Lorentz force caused by interactions between solar charged particles (aka solar wind) and its magnetic fields.

As Prof. Maria Kazachenko, an NSO scientist and co-author of the study, explained, "As the magnetic field lines in the corona reorganize, they could induce changes in the lower atmosphere, leading to the observed rotation. This discovery adds a new dimension to our understanding of the complex magnetic interactions that occur during solar flares."

This animation shows the temporal evolution of a solar flare region and the surrounding sunspots/pores as observed by the VBI instrument on the Inouye Solar Telescope. Credit: NSONSF

The unique observations the team made using the Inouye telescope offer new insights into the mechanisms through which solar flares influence the lower layers of the sun's atmosphere. For example, past observations have revealed much about sunspot rotations that occurred during more powerful flares (Mor X-class).

However, the Inouye data revealed that similar rotational movements can occur with less intense flares and on smaller scales. These findings could lead to new research avenues and help refine our models of solar activity.

This will have implications for the growing constellations of telecom, research, internet, and Earth observation satellites in Earth's orbit. Predicting space weather, which affects everything in the solar system to the very edge of the Heliosphere, is also important for long-duration missions in space. For astronauts working on the moon and Mars and transiting through deep space, knowing more about flare activity will help mitigate the risk of radiation exposure.

More information: Rahul Yadav et al, Photospheric Pore Rotation Associated with a C-class Flare from Spectropolarimetric Observations with DKIST, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2024). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad758d Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters
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Top: the narrowing of support for Polish President Andrzej Duda before his election in 2020. Bottom: Final election results for the 2020 election. Credit: Physical Review E (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.109.044106

Election polls often tighten up remarkably as the election date draws near. "Leave" (the European Union) won the UK election of May 2016 with a majority of 51.9%, but earlier the polls weren't nearly as tightin January 2011 "Remain" was up by about 20 percentage points. In the 2020 presidential election in Poland, Andrzej Duda won with 51.0% of the votes, whereas he was up by about 5 percentage points just eight weeks earlier.

With a choice between only two candidates, the opinion of democracies often splits into quite evenly divided polarized groups.

"We can ask ourselves how, not why, a large collection of interconnected voters can consistently reach such a remarkably organized state," said Olivier Devauchelle of the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris in France. His work, done with two European colleagues, has been published in Physical Review E.

Is there something that pulls the electorate to such an equal polarization? Naively one might expect that voters simply flip a coin, resulting in a 50-50 election. However, in Poland in 2020, eastern voters overwhelmingly preferred Duda, except in a few major cities, and voters in Poland west of the 1815 to 1914 Prussian border mostly voted for his opponent, Rafa Trzaskowski, except for bare majorities near the border.

This result suggests voters do not in fact "flip a coin," but make decisions that depend on those near them and closely related to them. They can be modeled as "interacting agents," adopting the dominant opinion of their neighbors.

In fact, something similar happens in a century-old model in physics called the Ising Model. In it, a variable such as the magnetic dipole moment of particle spins that can have a spin of +1 (up) or -1 (down) exists at every intersecting point in a lattice.

The lattice can exist in any number of dimensions; one-dimension would be points on a string, two-dimensions being every intersection of squares on an infinite chessboard, three dimensions on an infinite lattice of cubes, etc. At each intersection point, particles interact with nearby neighbors and also with an external magnetic field. The model can be run iteratively, step-by-step in time, as particles interact with these factors.

When neighbor interactions are strong, the Ising Model predicts that order can emerge from a chaotic initial state, where spins are aligned over a wide region. In the voting context, this results in a strong majority. But if this was the only interaction between neighbors, elections would acquire a strong consensus for one candidate or the other.

"This sometimes occurs," said Devauchelle, "although mostly in countries with a small population, like Iceland." So in their paper he and his co-authors introduce a new element to this model, one that accounts for the influence of opinion polls on the electorate.

To bring this nonconformity into the Ising model, they assume that voters tend to oppose the general opinion while remaining faithful to their neighbors and friends. Another way to put this is "they have a negative attitude toward the winning camp."

While members of a group tend to oppose those of another group, here every voter opposes the larger majority. They posit that every voter experiences antipathy toward the average opinion of the entire population as told by polls, communicated by the media nearly every day, and assume every voter wants also to oppose that opinion. They call this negative attitude an "antiestablishment feeling" or "ingrained guard against the rule of the majority."

Whatever its cultural, psychological or sociological origins, they then investigated the mathematical consequences of these influences on voters. They found that with this new added factor, "large electorates naturally reach the split-society state." In such a state, "most voters are only connected to like-minded people, but the electorate is nonetheless split into two camps."

"This might feel familiar," Devauchelle noted.

(If you're wondering, presidential elections in the United States don't fit into any of these models, because the winner has to receive the most votes in the states' electoral college instead of a majority of all votes. Not all individual votes for the U.S. president count equally.)

Regardless of how voters acquired this animosity towards the dominant opinion, their mathematical results show the influence of this feedback loop. Aggregating electoral results from recent elections in democratic countries, "we see that countries with less than about a million voters tend to reach a consensus, whereas the electorate of larger countries generally converge to the split-society state, even when one camp was clearly leading in the polls at the onset of the election."

While the group used a two-dimensional geometry (social network), actual social networks are more complicated, and the number of neighbors increases quickly with dimension. Concluding their paper, the group writes, "The pursuit of the split-society phase in complex networks promises an exciting mathematical questone from which we might learn about ourselves."

 2024 Science X Network
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Energy sources of the Galactic outflows. Credit: Nature Astronomy (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-024-02362-0

A new study led by the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), and with contributions from Radboud University's Marijke Haverkorn, has unveiled significant insights into the Milky Way: a magnetized galactic halo.

This discovery challenges previous models of our galaxy's structure and evolution. Researchers have identified several magnetized structures extending far above and below the galactic plane (reaching heights of more than 16,000 light-years or 150 quadrillion kilometers), revealing one of the origins of the so-called eROSITA Bubbles, which are large-scale powered by intense outflows of gas and energy that are also being generated by the explosive death of stars in supernovae.

Remarkably, these bubblesobserved by the eROSITA satellite (an X-ray telescope on board the Russian-German space mission Spectr-Roentgen-Gamma SRG)stretch across the sky from horizon to horizon, providing the first detailed measurements of the Milky Way's magnetic halo. These results were published today (Sept. 23) in Nature Astronomy.

The study discloses that the magnetic fields within these bubbles are highly organized, forming thin filamentary structures. These filaments stretch up to around 150 times the full moon's diameter, showing their immense scale. The filaments are related to the hot winds with a temperature of 3.5 million Kelvin, ejected from the galactic Disk and powered by star-forming regions.

He-Shou Zhang, the first author of the article and a researcher at INAF, highlights that "our results find that intense star formation at the end of the galactic bar contributes significantly to these expansive, multiphase outflows."

He adds, "This work provides the first detailed measurements of the magnetic fields in the Milky Way's X-ray emitting halo and uncovers new connections between star-forming activities and galactic outflows. Our findings show that the magnetic ridges we observed are not just coincidental structures but are closely related to the star-forming regions in our galaxy."

Galactic bar

The research team used a comprehensive multi-wavelength survey, covering frequencies from radio to gamma-rays, to analyze these structures. This detailed approach allowed them to confirm the extended nature of these magnetic features and their association with galactic feedback processes. Notably, the study represents the first observational evidence linking the Milky Way's star-forming ring at the end of the galactic bar with the formation of large-scale galactic outflows.

"This study marks a significant step forward in our understanding of the Milky Way," Gabriele Ponti from INAF says. "It is well established that a small fraction of 'active' galaxies can launch outflows, powered by accretion onto supermassive black holes or starbursts events, which profoundly impact their host galaxy.

"It is believed that such outflows are fundamental ingredients to regulate the growth of galaxies and the black holes at their centers. What is fascinating to me here is that we see that the Milky Way, a quiescent galaxy like many others, can also eject powerful outflows and, in particular, that the star-forming ring at the end of the galactic bar contributes significantly to the galactic outflow.

"Maybe the Milky Way reveals a phenomenon common in Milky Way-like galaxies, therefore helping us shed light on these objects' growth.

This work was possible using more than 10 different all-sky surveys, covering frequencies from radio waves to gamma rays. He-Shou Zhang concludes, "Our work is a timely result. It is the first comprehensive multi-wavelength study for the eROSITA Bubbles since their discovery in 2020.

"The study opens up new frontiers in our understanding of the galactic halo and will help our knowledge of the Milky Way's complex and impetuous star-forming ecosystem."

More information: He-Shou Zhang et al, A magnetized Galactic halo from inner Galaxy outflows, Nature Astronomy (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-024-02362-0 Journal information: Nature Astronomy
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Many human activities lead to methane being released into the atmosphere. Agriculture, landfills, wastewater, and fossil fuel production and distribution are the biggest contributors. These make up roughly 60% of global methane emissions, and natural sources account for the remaining 40% of emissions.

Like carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane is a potent greenhouse gas, estimated to be responsible for more than 40% of recent global warming. However, methane has an atmospheric lifespan (the time it takes to breakdown into something else) of only about 12 years, much shorter than CO 2 .

This means that cutting methane emissions can have a quicker response than CO 2 on slowing global temperature rise.

Methane also contributes to ground-level (tropospheric) ozone, a dangerous air pollutant. Many people know that the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere helps protect us from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, and efforts have been made to protect the ozone layer after decades of decline.

However, ozone released at ground level can be very harmful because it reacts aggressively with lung tissue, causing respiratory illnesses in humans as well as damaging crops and natural vegetation. Recent estimates suggest that roughly 1 million people die prematurely every year because of exposure to harmful tropospheric ozone, 24,000 of those in the EU.

A new JRC paper has studied these effects and highlights how strengthened international cooperation through the Global Methane Pledge can help cut climate-warming, improve human health and improve crop yieldsif we act fast.

Methane's impact on ozone

While the natural background (not due to human activity) is the largest contributor to ozone levels, the study finds that methane is responsible for 35% of global harmful ozone and roughly 37% in the EU. Globally, it is projected that ozone-related mortalities due to methane emissions will increase by at least 7% by 2050 compared with 2015, even under the strictest reduction scenarios.

Reducing methane emissions also helps reduce crop damage from ozone. The study estimates that if we continue with high methane emissions, by 2050 we could see losses in crop yield costing anywhere between USD $404566 million. Whereas, taking strong actions leading to a "high mitigation scenario" could significantly reduce these losses with savings worth USD $3948 million in Europe alone.

International commitments

The Global Methane Pledge, launched at COP26 by the European Union and the United States, is a collective voluntary commitment to reduce global anthropogenic methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. 158 countries as well as the European Union are now participating in the pledge.

In 2020, the EU adopted the Methane Strategy, a comprehensive plan to reduce methane emissions. The strategy focuses on EU and international actions, particularly in the energy, agricultural, waste, and wastewater sectors. A new EU regulation was agreed the following year to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector, both within Europe and its global supply chains.

Positive impact on society

European policy makers and national governments need reliable scientific evidence to help inform their decisions. The importance of cutting methane emissions has been known for a long time, but understanding the costs of inaction, and how significant the benefits of actions are in the short term is vital.

This research helps to show that by cutting methane emissions today, we can fight climate change, strengthen our economy, and improve human health, taking pressure off over-stretched health care systems and helping citizens live better lives.

More information: Trends of methane emissions and their impact on ozone concentrations at the European and global levels. op.europa.eu/publication/manif  ier/PUB_KJNA32005ENN

Provided by European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)
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This visualization of aerosols shows dust (purple), smoke (red), and sea salt particles (blue) swirling across Earth's atmosphere on Aug. 23, 2018, from NASA's GEOS-FP (Goddard Earth Observing System forward processing) computer model. Credit: NASA's Earth Observatory

United States embassies and consulates, along with American citizens traveling and living abroad, now have a powerful tool to protect against polluted air, thanks to a collaboration between NASA and the U.S. State Department.

Since 2020, ZephAir has provided real-time air quality data for about 75 U.S. diplomatic posts. Now, the public tool includes three-day air quality forecasts for PM2.5, a type of fine particulate matter, for all the approximately 270 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. These tiny particles, much smaller than a grain of sand, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

"This collaboration with NASA showcases how space-based technology can directly impact lives on the ground," said Stephanie Christel, climate adaptation and air quality monitoring program lead with the State Department's Greening Diplomacy Initiative. "This is not something the State Department could have done on its own."

For instance, placing air quality monitors at all U.S. diplomatic posts is prohibitively expensive, she explained.

"NASA's involvement brings not only advanced technology," she added, "but also a trusted name that adds credibility and reliability to the forecasts, which is invaluable for our staff stationed abroad."

The forecasts, created using NASA satellite data, computer models, and machine learning, are crucial for U.S. embassies and consulates, where approximately 60,000 U.S. citizens and local staff work. Many of these sites are in regions with few local air quality monitors or early warning systems for air pollution.

"ZephAir's new forecasting capability is a prime example of NASA's commitment to using our data for societal benefit," said Laura Judd, an associate program manager for Health and Air Quality at NASA. "Partnering with the State Department allows us to extend the reach of our air quality data, providing embassies and local communities worldwide with vital information to protect public health."

Enhancing health, safety with NASA air quality data

To manage air pollution exposure, the tool can assist diplomatic staff with decisions on everything from building ventilation to outdoor activities at embassy schools.

For many embassies, especially in regions with severe air pollution, having reliable air quality forecasts is crucial for safeguarding staff and their families, influencing both daily decisions and long-term planning.

"Air quality is a top priority for my family as we think about [our next assignment], so having more information is a huge help," said Alex Lewis, a political officer at the U.S. embassy in Managua, Nicaragua.

Previously, ZephAir only delivered data on current PM2.5 levels using air quality monitors on the ground from about 75 U.S. diplomatic locations and about 50 additional sources. Now, the enhanced tool provides PM2.5 forecasts for all sites, using the Goddard Earth Observing System forward processing (GEOS-FP), a weather and climate computer model. It incorporates data on tiny particles or droplets suspended in Earth's atmosphere called aerosols from MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites.

Aerosols are tiny airborne particles that come from both natural sources, like dust, volcanic ash, and sea spray, and from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels. PM2.5 refers to particles or droplets that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameterabout 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

"We use the GEOS-FP model to generate global aerosol forecasts," said Pawan Gupta, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and the lead scientist on the project. "Then we calibrate the forecasts for embassy locations, using historical data and machine learning techniques."

As of August 2024, the forecasting feature is available on the ZephAir web and mobile platforms.

The new forecasts are about more than just protecting U.S. citizens and local embassy staff; they are also contributing to global action on air quality. The State Department engages with local governments and communities to raise awareness about air quality issues.

"These forecasts are a critical part of our strategy to mitigate the impacts of air pollution not only for our personnel but also for the broader community in many regions around the world," Christel said.

Officials with the Greening Diplomacy Initiative partnered with NASA through the Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team to develop the new forecasts and will continue the collaboration through support from the Satellite Needs Working Group.

Looking ahead, the team aims to expand ZephAir's capabilities to include ground-level ozone data, another major pollutant that can affect the health of embassy staff and local communities.
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Credit: Sora Shimazaki from Pexels

Netflix documentary "The Tinder Swindler" tells the story of a fraudster who convinces women he met on a dating app to "loan" him large sums of money. It shows the devastating financial damage and psychological trauma online romance fraud can inflict on its victims. But it's not just carried out by individualssometimes it's orchestrated by organized crime groups that operate on an industrial scale.

One newer type of such fraud is often called "pig butchering." The term supposedly represents how victims are fattened up for slaughter like pigs. As we argued in our recent paper, this term dehumanizes victims and reveals something of the psychology of the fraudsters themselves, reflecting how they perceive themselves as "hunters," which helps them justify their actions.

This type of fraud is attributed to Chinese organized crime groups called triads. Typically, victims are contacted on messaging apps and dating websites, where fraudsters try to gain a prospective victim's trust by grooming them, often over several months. They then introduce the notion that their family member has a financial background before convincing the victim to invest money in cryptocurrency trading websites.

These websites are also operated by the fraudsters, who edit them to show small initial gains, allowing victims to withdraw these gains to convince them of the scheme's legitimacy. The victims are then advised to invest larger amounts. When the offender sees that the victim has invested a significant sum, they "rug pull" by showing huge losses, providing them with cover to steal their victim's funds.

What makes this type of fraud different is that the offenders are often themselves victims of recruitment fraud. Financially vulnerable people are promised work in casinos and sent to south-east Asia, typically Cambodia and Myanmar, from all over the world. They are then locked in large compounds and may be forced to defraud people for 17 hours a day.

A 2023 report by the Humanity Research Consultancy, a social enterprise investigating modern slavery, offered a glimpse into the conditions in these places. To ensure compliance, the traffickers regularly torture their victims, with methods like electrocution, burying captives alive or smashing their fingers with hammers. Women are often forced into sex work in the compound's brothels and to act as models during video chats with prospective victims.

There is emerging evidence suggesting that these compounds are also operating further afield. An August 2024 investigation by the BBC found a pig-butchering compound operating in Douglas on the Isle of Man, where a hotel and former bank offices were used as premises by nearly 100 Chinese nationals to defraud more than 4 million from victims in China.

The use of the term "pig butchering" in this context shines the spotlight on a broader process of dehumanization. Thinking of themselves as intellectually superior enables fraudsters, in the role they give themselves as hunters, to alleviate guilt while harming people they perceive as inferior.

A 2018 UK study and a 2023 joint Nigeria and UK study found that some Nigerian songs blame and dehumanize online fraud victims in a similar way. For example the song Dejavu, released in 2023, has the lyrics "addicted to my lappy o I still dey bomb maye eh," meaning "addicted to my laptop I'm still bombing (hunting) for senseless clients (victims)."

Psychological research into dehumanization shows that thinking of yourself as superior makes it easier to harm people labeled as inferior. This includes acts of violence, discrimination and exploitation in contexts such as genocide, incel ideology, and prejudice against racial minorities, drug users, and bullying victims. In the context of online fraud, dehumanization diminishes empathy, serving as a shield that enables perpetrators to avoid self-condemnation.

Similarly, hunting and killing a "pig" might be likened to a recreational activity, with the pig symbolizing something less than human. According to late Canadian-American psychologist Albert Bandura's work on dehumanization, mistreating a person who has not been dehumanized can be more distressing for the perpetrator, and often results in misery and self-condemnation.

Passive and active dehumanization differ in expression. Active dehumanization involves explicitly harmful actions, such as diminishing victims' humanity and intellectual capacity, likening them to animals like pigs or impalas (a type of antelope). Passive dehumanization, on the other hand, stems from apathy or neglect.

In online fraud, criminals actively dehumanize victims, while broader discussions of "pig butchering" such as in academia and in news reports, often perpetuate passive dehumanization. Both forms, whether intentional or subconscious, result from either deliberate disregard or a failure to recognize the humanity of others.

Researchers and journalists can help to rehumanize victims of online fraud. In this context, rehumanizing involves attributing the individuality inherent in being human. An example of this is how the term "child pornography" has been reframed as "child sexual abuse material" (CSAM), a term which rehumanizes victims by not trivializing the crime.

The question is what should we call "pig butchering"? The criminologist Cassandra Cross proposes the term "cryptorom," while another simpler term that could describe the offense is "financial grooming."

We need a more empathetic and accurate portrayal of people affected by online fraud that considers the social, cultural and political contexts that surround victims.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A polar bear was spotted in Iceland for the first time since 2016and was promptly shot dead by police.

Police said they had no option but to kill the animal after consultations with environmental authorities.

The bear is believed to have traveled to Iceland from Greenland on an iceberg, a journey of hundreds of miles. It was killed in Hofastrand, on the northwestern tip of the island, on Thursday.

Broadcaster RUV said Friday a number of icebergs have recently been spotted off the Icelandic coast.

Authorities said the bear was healthy and weighed between 330 and 440 pounds. It has been transported back to the capital Reykjavik for tests.

The last polar bear sighting in Iceland was in 2016. After two bears arrived in Iceland in 2008, authorities decided that they would be killed due to the risk they posed to humans and livestock.

Experts also said that the animals could not survive long in Iceland due to the lack of sea ice and a limited food supply. Females would not be able to give birth, nor raise offspring on the volcanic island.

The cost of returning the bear to Greenland is too high, authorities said, forcing police to kill the animal.

2024 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It's not something the police force wants to see, but it still occurs: racist and misogynist behavior in police work. Dr. Linda Louis is a human rights law specialist and has studied how technology could help police officers behave correctly according to applicable legal norms.

On Tuesday 17 September 2024, Linda Louis was awarded a Ph.D. for her research to identify the legal norms and how to implement them in technologies we already use every day, like smartphones and fitness trackers.

"Considering technology that police officers, investigators, enforcers and other police personnel already use for their work," explains Louis. "What if it could be used to track and nudge their behavior in a positive way?"

Because, as Louis adds, police officers also unknowingly engage in behavior they are supposed to be combating or preventing. At times, they discriminate or make sexist or racist remarks aimed at female victims, minorities or against citizens in general.

Practice not in line with theory

This is a subject that Dr. Louis has been working on since her law studies at the top-ranked National Law School in Bangalore, India, the country she was born. She chose to specialize in human rights and humanitarian law in Geneva and worked for various NGOs, including Tulir and UNICEF in India and the Red Cross in Geneva.

As a result, she became involved in developing improved legislation and training programs to help the police in their work so that cases did not fail due to incompetence, including unnecessary sexist or inappropriate behavior.

"I started to wonder what the point was of our work, as scholars of human rights law. We write lots of reports and say what's wrong and what's right, but it's not actually helping to change things on the ground," according to Dr. Louis. Police officers, sometimes unknowingly, fail to adhere to standards of behavior towards victims, even though they would wish otherwise.

Effective tracking with technical gadgets

The natural thing for a legal scholar to do is to seek ways to redirect undesirable behavior using legislation. Louis came up with the idea of linking this to universal and emerging technologies. In particular, by applying technical and behavioral psychological methods to steer people towards desired behaviorknown as "nudging."

"That was my starting point," she says. "What if we had a mobile app that could guide the police and give them appropriate reminders or prompt reflection? They might make fewer biased decisions.

"Police officers already wear bodycams and voice recorderseverything's already digitized and fully intelligent. So the capacity is there and my hope was that if we have all this techcould we use it and bring it together to also improve policing behavior itself?"

Dr. Linda Louis and her dissertation "Towards better policing." Credit: Leiden University

The fitness tracker as a classic example

Influencer technology, known commonly as "persuasive technology," is the gentle influencing of people using technological gadgets and software that surround us in our daily lives. Louis shows the wristband she wears on her left arma fitness tracker.

"It's a classic example of influencer technology," she says. "It tells you by the number of steps whether you're doing well. It tells us to get up and move. It tells us when we're doing well and if we're reaching our target. It's not very forceful, it influences. It's like having a little guardian angel on your shoulder."

Following this principle, she investigated whether this method could be used to correct the undesirable behavior of police officers. Partly because these are not offenses or crimes in the context of criminal law, and that is not what Louis' method focuses on.

"When I started looking into it, I realized there was no literature on the subject. So, my task became to integrate the ideas and establish the feasibility of further research."

Research into behavioral standards

She turned to Professor Simone Van der Hof and Professor Bart Custers of Leiden Law School with her research idea and they recognized the creativity and innovation of her approach. The research she conducted at Leiden Law School focused partially on determining the norms that underpinned legislation. Norms that agents could internalize through apps, software and devices such as smartphones or bodycams through reminder notifications, pop-ups and subsequent feedback.

She drew from experiments on the application of virtual reality to encourage desired behavior. These were always small technical extensions to technology that already existed and was in use. Similar extensions to software could give police officers instant feedback when their tone or choice of words is wrong and they are unknowingly triggering sensitivities within the victims.

Practical application

Dr. Louis' research has yielded six practical applications which the police force can use to tackle racist and sexist behavior.

This month, Louis started working at the research group Center of Expertise on Cybersecurity at The Hague University of Applied Sciences where she has been teaching for the last three years. This research group is already collaborating with the police. "I'd love to be able to develop such technologies in cooperation with the police force and see if it works as we would like it."
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A historic brine bath is the site of a potential breakthrough in the prevention of antibiotic resistance in relation to MRSA, and other hospital pathogens.

The brine in the English market town of Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire is known for its high salt content. Researchers discovered unique microbial life residing in the town's brine and realized it presented an ideal environment for studying salt-adapted microbes with potential medical applications.

The project, a collaboration between Dr. John Munnoch at the University of Strathclyde and Dr. Michael Macey of the Open University, has since yielded significant findings, including DNA sequencing data revealing the microbial life in the brine and isolated organisms capable of inhibiting MRSA and other pathogens.

New antibiotics

Antibiotic resistance, a global health crisis on par with climate change, poses severe threats to medical treatments. As common infections become harder to treat due to resistant bacteria, the discovery of new antibiotics has become crucial.

Dr. Munnoch, a specialist in microbial genomics and antibiotic discovery who has studied samples from polar ice cores to symbiotic microbes from the surfaces of leafcutter ants, said, "A common problem in discovering new and novel antibiotics is the rediscovery of the known molecules.

"Looking for interesting microbes in extreme environments is a key strategy in the antibiotic discovery process. When Michael brought the Droitwich Spa's salt brines to my attention, I jumped at the chance to look for interesting microbes and their antibiotics."

Dr. Macey, a specialist in extremophilesorganisms that thrive in extreme environmentsmore usually carries out international fieldwork in the likes of Iceland, Argentina, India, and Canada, but he identified the middle England town as a unique site of scientific interest, warranting closer examination.

Untapped potential

Dr. Macey said, "The discovery of microbes capable of inhibiting MRSA growth is an exciting step forward. It highlights the untapped potential of Droitwich Spa's salt brines in the fight against antibiotic resistance."

The research was part of the OU Open Societal Challenge scheme, created "to enable the widest collaboration of people to come together to address some of society's greatest issues."

It came about thanks to the support of Councilor Bob Brookes from Droitwich Spa Town Council, a long-time advocate for Droitwich's brine heritage, who was instrumental in reviving salt production in the town after a century-long hiatus.

He gave access to the team in October last year to collect brine samples, with support from Churchfields, the Droitwich salt manufacturer.

In March 2024, Dr. Mara Leite, Project Officer at the OU, isolated three strains of salt-adapted microbes from the brine.

Good microbes

Remarkably, these strains were able to inhibit the growth of various hospital-associated pathogens, including MRSA. Laboratory tests show MRSA being killed off by these "good" microbes, highlighting their potential to produce new antibiotics.

Dr. Leite said, "The results suggest that exploring the microbial diversity of extreme environments is indeed a promising approach to discovering antimicrobial compounds. The harsh conditions of these environments can drive the evolution of unique antibiotics that have yet to be identified."

The research team is now focused on identifying the specific genes and chemicals responsible for this antibacterial activity. While much work remains, these early results suggest that Droitwich Spa's brine could play a key role in developing powerful new antibiotics to combat resistant infections.
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A porcupine fossil recovered in Florida was the key clue in solving a paleontological mystery. Credit: Jeff Gage/Florida Museum, CC BY-ND

A rare, nearly complete fossil of an extinct North American porcupine helped me and my colleagues solve a decades-long debate about how the modern North American porcupine evolved from its ancestors.

Published in Current Biology, our paper argues that North American porcupine ancestors may well date back 10 million years, but they wouldn't be recognizable until about 8 million years later.

By comparing the bone structure of porcupines across North America and South America, we determined that for those 8 million years, North American porcupines unexpectedly still looked like their cousins, the Neotropical porcupines, which live across tropical Central America and South America today.

Our findings detail the North American porcupine's evolutionary path from South Americaand also solve the mystery of why it's been so difficult to find its ancestors.

I'm a paleontologist who researches the fossilized bones and teeth of extinct animals. With museum curator Jon Bloch, I created a class where we analyzed bone structure to reach the conclusions of our study.

Why it matters

The modern North American porcupine is distinctive among its spiky relatives. It has a short tail, a jaw that can scrape bark from trees and weighs between 10 and 25 pounds (4.5 and 11.3 kilograms).

While clearly related, Neotropical porcupines look different. They have long, grasping tails, weaker jaws and weigh between 1.5 and 10 pounds (0.68 and 4.5 kilograms).

DNA analyses of modern animals estimate that these two groups separated about 10 million years ago.

This is where the mystery comes in. Fossils of the North American porcupine are all younger than 1.8 million years old. In other words, roughly 8.2 million years' worth of fossils of North American porcupine were missing.

All researchers had were bits of jaws and tails that looked like they belonged to Neotropical porcupines.

Porcupines in North America have strong jaws and can strip bark from trees. Credit: Jeff Gage/Florida Museum, CC BY-ND

Two competing hypotheses could explain the similarity.

Some scientists argued that the jaw and tail fossils of early ancestors of North American porcupines should look more like their modern descendants. Researchers who backed this idea suggested that the fossil record was incomplete for some unexplained reason, but that it was still possible that fossils that supported their hypothesis may eventually turn up.

Other scientists suggested that all early ancestral porcupines might have had jaws and tails similar to today's Neotropical porcupines. North American porcupine ancestors might be hidden in the existing fossil record becausebased on jaws and tails alonethey look identical to Neotropical porcupine ancestors. Only younger fossils would show distinctive traits because that's when those traits appeared.

This debate went on for decades. It was impossible to solve with the available fossils.

How we did our work

Then researchers from the Florida Museum of Natural History unearthed a 2 million-year-old nearly complete skeleton of a porcupine in north-central Florida in 2005.

The fossil had a long tail and no bark-gnawing jaw, similar to Neotropical porcupines. But it also had dozens more bones that we could use to resolve relationships.

Collecting that evidence required combing through all the bones, looking for hundreds of minute detailslike the shapes of ridges or patterns of boundaries on bonesand comparing these details with skeletons of modern North American and Neotropical porcupines. Bloch and I created a course in which students each took on one portion of the project.

Together, we came up with a list of nearly 150 informative details. Even though the specimen had a few traits similar to Neotropical porcupines, more evidence supported the idea that this fossil was a closer relative of North American porcupines.

Since this porcupine had a jaw and tail like its Neotropical cousins, it's likely that most older relatives of the North American porcupine were also missing the distinctive traits of their modern descendants.

In other words, the solution to the mystery is that the fossil record for North American porcupines appeared young because the reinforced jaw and shorter tail evolved relatively recently. Porcupines looked different than what we expected for much of their 10 million years of ancestry.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Top ocean experts have published a report that redefines the concept of "sustainable fishing" and proposes 11 "golden rules" that radically challenge the flawed approach that currently prevails in fisheries management.

Published a week before Brussels' Ocean Week, and a few months before the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, the rules have been devised to put an end to the ongoing destruction of the oceans caused by fishing, and ensure the renewal of abundant fish populations to feed future generations.

They come at a time when scientists have drastically downgraded their assessment of the ocean's health status.

The rules unfold according to two guiding principles that would revolutionize the way we "manage" the exploitation of the ocean: 1) fishing must minimize impacts on marine species and habitats, adapt to climate change, and enable the regeneration of depleted marine life and habitats; 2) fishing must support and enhance the health, well-being and resilience of people and communitiesin particular, the most vulnerable among usand not simply benefit corporations that tightly steer profits to owners and shareholders while leaving others to bear the costs.

Their work, titled "Rethinking sustainability of marine fisheries for a fast-changing planet," is published in npj Ocean Sustainability.

This scientific endeavor has the ambition to serve as the foundation for a complete reform of the appalling current mismanagement of the Earth's largest common.

The scientists call on policymakers, retailers, fishers and industry leaders to embrace this new vision and commit to its implementation.

The urgent need to produce a new framework for the world's fisheries

Today, fishing is globally recognized as the leading cause of ocean destruction.

The authors of the paper decided to work together over the course of years based on a shared consensus: the prevailing definition of "sustainable fishing" is dangerously flawed and leads to the ongoing depletion of marine species, the destruction of natural habitats and carbon sinks, as well as the disappearance of artisanal fishing communities around the world.

"The current concept of 'sustainable fishing,' adopted by governments and private actors since the post-war period is scientifically obsolete," said lead author Professor Callum Roberts, from the University of Exeter and chief scientist of the Convex Seascape Survey.

"It relies on a simplistic, productivist theory which assumes that as long as global catch volumes remain below a set limit, anyone can fish just about anything, anywhere, with any method."

Professor Jennifer Jacquet, of the University of Miami, added, "Can we truly claim that all fishing gear is environmentally and socially equal? We currently label fisheries as sustainable without considering their impact on marine ecosystems or human factors, such as crew safety and rights."

The scientists denounce an outdated approach to so-called sustainability, which overlooks crucial environmental, human and development factors.

Despite their widespread acceptance by industrial entities and consumers, current standards of "sustainability" fail to address the pressing global biodiversity and climate breakdown, and instead support high-capital industrial practices which benefit the Global North while they harm ecosystems and public finances, jeopardize artisanal fishing and food security, and threaten jobs.

This model further imperils humans' universal right to a clean, healthy and sustainable ocean.

A comprehensive vision for the future of fisheries

Authors reached another consensus: fisheries must be managed in a way that minimizes environmental harm and maximizes social benefits in the context of a hungry and warming planet.

The group of leading ocean researchers have therefore developed a visionary approach to ocean exploitation, based on a comprehensive and interdisciplinary definition of "fisheries sustainability," integrating insights from biology, oceanography, social sciences and economics.

By outlining golden rules (two principles and 11 key actions), their research marks a decisive turning point, providing economic stakeholders and political leaders with foundations for an urgent transition to a viable fishing model for long-term sustainability in a rapidly changing world.

A new path forward: Endless fish supply and thriving ecosystems

The new framework envisions a world where fishing ensures abundant fish stocks for humanity's long-term needs.

"Our work advocates for fisheries that preserve ocean ecosystems' vital functions, mitigate climate change, guarantee food security and respect human rights," said Professor Daniel Pauly, of the University of British Columbia.

This innovative approach recognizes the social, ethical and ecological roles of fishing, proposing a systemic sustainable model enacted by market players, policymakers, and the legal system.

Professor Roberts added, "We must view fishing as a privilege rather than a right.

"Marine life is a public good that should both benefit society and nature, not be the object of a resource race driven by private gains."

Their proposals are ambitious yet realistic, with most recommended actions rooted in proven successful practices.

The urgent call for action

The scientists urge policymakers, retailers and fishery managers to acknowledge the failings of current fishing practices and prioritize the adoption of the proposed golden rules.

Supermarketsresponsible for nearly two thirds of European seafood salesplay a pivotal role in this transition.

They can influence fishing practices through their sourcing policies, scrutinize "sustainability" labels, and address consumers' growing concerns about the hidden impacts of their food.

"We are witnessing a growing disconnect between the widespread availability of supposedly sustainable fish products, the collapse of ocean ecosystems and the frequency of reported human rights abuses. Supermarkets must stop misleading consumers," warned Pauline Bricault, BLOOM's markets campaign lead.

"Both the IPCC and IPBES have set 2030 as a deadline for critical changes. Industry stakeholders have no more excuses, they must act now."

More information: Rethinking sustainability of marine fisheries for a fast-changing planet, npj Ocean Sustainability (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44183-024-00078-2 Journal information: npj Ocean Sustainability
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Peter Neff understands the allure of the world's fifth-largest continent.

The camera roll on his phone is brimming with videos and photos of his trips to Antarctica, where the glaciologist and climate scientist has spent days and weeks at a time collecting ice core samples. His work helps develop a record of past climate conditions and anticipate what's to come.

When the pandemic lockdowns started to keep everyone at home, Neff, a professor at the University of Minnesota, upped his social media presence by posting explanations of his work online under the username "Icy Pete." He reposted a video to TikTok that had done well on X, which captures the sound a chunk of ice makes when it falls 90 meters down a borehole ("Pew!" Just like the sound of a gunshot in a cartoon). It was an immediate success, garnering more than 30,000 views.

In 2024 (and 2022), Neff was featured as a Climate Creator to Watch, a collaboration between startup media Pique Action and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and his posts had gained more than 4 million likes.

"As a scientist, my job is to tell folks what the situation is and what we could choose to do to not make it worse, or to make it better," Neff said in an interview. "I hope I can provide information that is accurately used to describe the challenges that we face, because it is quite serious."

As the internet accommodates a growing range of voices, scientists studying climate and the environment have taken to sharing their work online, translating obscure topics and discoveries into accessible bits of information. Instead of waiting years for their studies and work to be published in academic journals, scientists like Neff have used social media to extend their reachand their brand.

Joe Hanson, the biologist who hosts PBS' "Be Smart" series, is a well-known voice on climate issues on YouTube. One 44-second video explaining the Keeling curve (a daily record of global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration) has 2.4 million views. His 28-minute video tackling climate change myths has been viewed more than 900,000 times.

Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe has an authoritative presence on Instagram and partners with influencers to spread the gospel of climate science. Peter Kalmus took the internet by storm in 2022 when he and other scientists chained himself to the door of the J.P. Morgan Chase office building in downtown Los Angeles to protest the company's fossil fuel investments and were subsequently arrested. On X, his "ClimateHuman" account has more than 330,000 followers.

The potential to attract likes is enormous. According to the Pew Research Center, one survey found about half of U.S. adults said they reported seeing news at least "sometimes" while using social media platforms.

Neff has studied glaciology for 15 years and has traveled several times to the Antarctic region to study ice corescylinders of drilled ice that serve as records of past climate change and are extracted from ice sheets and glaciers. Among his many titles, he is the director of field research and data for the Center for Oldest Ice Exploration.

On TikTok, Neff explains the process of "how to go from old air in ice to an air sample" in 60 seconds. While an academic journal entry might take on more scientific terms and explanations, Neff breaks down the process of his work with ice cores in layman's terms, rushing through the narration"drill your ice core borehole," "load ice in the vacuum chamber," "melt that ice"in a matter-of-fact voice for a video that has more than 617,000 views as of this writing.

Neff's TikTok account had 224,000 followers, and a graduate student and fellow Antarctica scientist, Austin Carter, who also posts about their work through the Center for Oldest Ice Exploration, has eclipsed him with nearly 254,000 followers.

According to a study published in January by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a British nonprofit that monitors online hate speech, climate denialism has shifted from denying global warming is happening to claiming climate solutions won't work and that the climate movement is unreliable across all platforms. (The study, which reviewed about 12,000 videos using artificial intelligence, also found that YouTube makes up to$13.4 million"from channels posting denial.")

Neff has some unkind words for climate deniers. At one point, he deleted a video that showed sun halos in Antarctica because it had gone viral among "flat Earthers" who were trying to use the video as proof that the world is not, in fact, round.

"These people are brick walls  and you're not going to change anybody's mind," he said. "You don't know what people are going to do with your content once you post it."

The climatologist stresses the role scientists can play in spreading fact-based information.

"I'm trying to just educate people  especially with all of our work being publicly funded," Neff said. "We're obligated to share about it."

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist, took a different path to social media stardom. As the former executive director of the La Jolla-based Waitt Institute, which implements sustainable ocean plans and policy, she led communication efforts to make sure Barbudan fishing communities had input in proposing policy.

She began running Facebook pages for the effort, and found she had a knack for communicating her work to the public. Next, she began blogging for National Geographic and writing freelance stories.

"To me, all of climate, environmental communication is about how can we repeat each other's successes and avoid others' failures," said Johnson, who has studied marine biology for about 12 years. "So that requires getting in the weeds a little and hopefully, in a way that's appealing and welcoming as opposed to like, boring and insufferable."

Johnson has acquired her expertise through many endeavors. She's the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College, a co-founder of the think tank Urban Ocean Lab and the All We Can Save Project, both of which promote sustainable marine and climate solutions.

This month, Johnson will release her book "What if We Get it Right?" which features conversations with farmers, climate activists and financiersamong othersin an effort to map out possible climate futures. In addition, she appears in several publications and platforms in an effort to convince the general public that there is still hope in avoiding climate catastrophe.

On TikTok, where she does not have an account, a snippet from one of her Ted Talks with five facts about parrotfish has more than 400,000 views. Johnson is often featured on podcasts as a guest to talk about ocean conservation, and followers share her climate action Venn diagram to inspire action and defeat hopelessness.

She gained a big chunk of her followers in 2020, after the Washington Post published her op-ed that tackled climate policy and racism. The content she posts under her name is personal and conversational (she has more than 120,000 followers on Instagram) but the organizations that she runs stick to policy-driven posts.

Conversations among members of the public, scientists and policymakers are all part of working toward a climate solution, Johnson said. "That is really at the heart of the way I attempt to share information, is not by me being out there just like screaming into the void as one person, but by trying to make this a collective conversation."

For now, Johnson said she will continue her "begrudging" relationship with social media and continue to be a voice that people can rely on when it comes to climate policy ahead of the November presidential election, and even local races, which have a direct impact on voters.

"There's an intense amnesia in the United States about the Trump administration, and how awful that was for the environment," she said, citing the hundreds of environmental regulations on clean air and water that he rolled back.

"I just really want to do my little part in helping people understand how to be a climate voter. The people who follow me care about this issue, but it's really hard to get good information from a person that you trust."

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
QUEENSBURY  A teenager from Clifton Park was arrested Sunday night after allegedly threatening to shoot up Queensbury High School.

New York State Police, in collaboration with the FBI, arrested a 15-year-old Clifton Park resident who authorities say used Snapchat on Saturday around 7 p.m. to make the threats.

Queensbury Union Free School District was notified at the start of the school day Monday of the arrest, the district reported in a press release. State Police have assured the school district there is no reason to be concerned for the safety of the students.

We appreciate our partnership with the State Police, FBI and the Warren County Sheriffs Department, the press release said. The safety of our students is imperative. As always, if you see something, say something.

State Police of Clifton Park with the assistance of the Albany FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested the 15-year-old for making a terroristic threat, as well as second-degree criminal impersonation as well as making a threat of mass harm.

The investigation determined that a 15-year-old who resides in Clifton Park, NY, allegedly accessed the social media account of another without their permission and published the threat, a press release from New York State Police read.

The suspect did not attend Queensbury High School, police reported. Since the suspect is a minor, their name has not been released to the public.

The 15-year-old was arrested at his home and transported to State Police Clifton Park for processing. They were issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Saratoga County Family Court and released to their guardian.
ATLANTIC CITY  Rapper Pitbull will return to Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City for three shows in late December, including one on New Years Eve. The shows are scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 27 and 28 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com and ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. All shows are subject to change.

Born Armando Christian Perez and also known as Mr. Worldwide, Pitbulls hits include Fireball, Timber, Feel This Moment and International Love. His career includes countless awards, dozens of international number ones, hundreds of gold and platinum certifications, millions of single sales, 25 million album sales and cumulative video views in excess of 15 billion, according to a news release from Hard Rock.
School is difficult enough for students and teachers without having to worry about being in danger. And schools shouldnt have to invest energy and resources into investigating threats made on social media, but they do.

A shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, Sept. 4 killed two students and two teachers. Nine others were wounded. Police have taken a 14-year-old student of the school into custody.

Since that shooting, hundreds of school threats have disrupted schools nationwide. In the Quad-Cities, schools in Davenport, Eldridge, Moline, East Moline and Rock Island-Milan have dealt with threats posted on social media.

Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel announced in a press conference on Wednesday that police are aware of an increase in "vague, non-specific" threats of violence in schools circulating on social media.

One threat in the Quad-Cities originated from a social media post that indicated there would be a shooting at a middle school, but did not name a specific school. Police investigated and added security at schools.

Moline police determined one of the threats was from Ohio and not aimed at local schools. Unfortunately, the threat had been shared repeatedly, creating concern and anxiety among local parents, students and staff.

Eldridge police are investigating two separate threats made by students, one in high school and one in junior high. The threat from the high school student was determined to be re-posted from an incident in Missouri. The junior high student made alleged verbal threats.

In Davenport, Bladel said police have received reports of seven school threats in the past two weeks.

Both Bladel and Davenport School Superintendent TJ Schneckloth said the threats to Davenport schools were not credible, but that they all have to be taken seriously and be thoroughly investigated.

That's because school shootings are all too common.

According to data from The Washington Post, more than 380,000 students in the United States have experienced gun violence at school since the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions reported this year that gun deaths remain the leading cause of people ages 1-17 each year since 2020. Gun deaths account for nearly one-third of all deaths among teens aged 15-17.

So, yes, there's reason to take threats of gun violence seriously.

No learning can take place unless everyone feels safe. And parents need assurance that their kids are safe. It makes sense that people would want to warn others about a potential threat, but police and school officials urge anyone who sees a threatening post on social media to reach out to police immediately, so the threat can be assessed before it spreads further.

In some cases, students are behind the threats that are shared on social media.

This is an important reminder about the power of social media to quickly spread misinformation and rumors, Schneckloth said.

He encouraged parents to talk to kids about responsible use of social media.

Bladel warned that sharing non-credible threats creates more problems and chews into resources of both the police department and schools.

Ironically, the biggest threat to student safety in Davenport West High School came with without warnings or social media posts Sept. 4, the same day as the Georgia shooting. On that day Davenport police officers served a search warrant on two students, ages 15 and 17, as part of an investigation. Both students were carrying guns in their backpacks. Two guns somehow made it into a Davenport high school, putting students at risk.

It's scary that the guns were not detected until police checked backpacks as part of their search warrant. We appreciate that police and school officials arrested the students without incident, but students carrying guns in school must be prevented.

Davenport schools already limit points of entry, which adds protection from an outside threat. But if students are able to bring guns to school undetected, the potential for violence is escalated.

Some have called for metal/weapons detectors, which Rock Island-Milan added at the beginning of this school year. We believe Davenport schools need some way to assure students, teachers and parents that guns won't be brought into the schools. If metal detectors will provide that peace of mind, we say it's worth it.

With the social media threats, members of the public need to report those to police immediately and refrain from sharing the threat to others. Beyond that, as Schneckloth suggested, parents should make sure their kids know how to use social media responsibly, understand the harm that posting a threat can cause and that posting such a threat is a federal crime.

The police are best equipped to determine the credibility of a school threat. Let's use them and work together to limit unnecessary fear, while keeping guns out of our schools.
Thrash metal band Megadeth said a damaged steel grid system at Virginia Credit Union Live! was the reason for its canceled local performance on Sunday, Sept. 15.

But Virginia Credit Union Live! said there is no damage to the venues grid.

The scheduled Megadeth concert was impacted due to a suspected production issue that required cancellation, Virginia Credit Union Live! said in a statement. Upon further inspection, there were no safety concerns or damage found to the venues grid.

Back-to-back cancellations appear to have sparked a war of words between aging rockers Megadeth and Peter Frampton, who was scheduled to perform Virginia Credit Union Live! on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and whose show was also suddenly cancelled.

Frampton allegedly blamed the cancellation on Megadeths soundcheck, according to Blabbermouth.net, a website dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock news.

The website said Frampton told a crowd at his performance in Philadelphia: So, we had a show canceled the other day because of weather. And also Megadeth did a soundcheck, I think a couple of days before our show, and after they finished their soundcheck, there was structural damage to the stage. Im not blaming them  could have been another band  but it looks pretty like it. So, sorry, Megadeth. I had to rat on you.

Megadeth released the following statement as the reason for the closure:

Megadeths rigger was in the venues steel grid system above the stage getting ready to hang the lights when he noticed there was damage to the venues grid. He pointed this out immediately to the promoters and the venue.

It was determined that it was unsafe for Megadeth to hang their production or put the band on stage at the risk of in-house grid failure to support the weight of the touring lighting and sound which could fall on the band, crew members, or audience, as it could cause serious injury or death. Therefore, Megadeth, the local promoter, the venue, and booking agents had no other option than to cancel the show, the statement read.

The band said it was releasing the statement due to misinformation Frampton was supposedly spreading about the cancellation.

It seems Frampton was misinformed about our show being canceled, Megadeths Dave Mustaine said in the statement. The decision was purely based on safety. Its disappointing when someone you admire talks out their ass about you.

Virginia Credit Union Live! said, We are grateful to Megadeth for reporting a suspected issue out of an abundance of caution. The Peter Frampton concert was canceled due to the time to properly inspect the grid and expected inclement weather.

The next scheduled performance at VACU Live! is Christian worship singer Brandon Lake on Oct. 18, followed by singer Benson Boone on Oct. 19. We look forward to welcoming fans back as we complete our concert season next month with two stellar concerts, the venue said in a statement.
Chesterfield County Police have arrested a man in a fatal shooting that happened in an apartment complex off Iron Bridge Road on Saturday afternoon.

Police were called at 4:25 p.m. Saturday to the area of Hamner Terrace for a reported shooting. They found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives obtained a warrant and arrested Joshua Carter, 28, of the 20200 block of Sheffield Place in Ettrick. He has been charged with second-degree murder. Carter is being held at the Chesterfield County Jail without bond.

The victim has been identified as Terran Goode, 31, of the 100 block of Lakeview Park Road in Colonial Heights.

Carter was arrested in Richmond with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Police continue their investigation into this incident. Anyone with information should contact the Chesterfield County Police Department at (804) 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660 or through the P3 app.

PHOTOS: Iron Blossom Music Festival
The first bill introduced for the 2025 General Assembly session came from a former high school history teacher, Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, whos long been concerned about how much students know about their government.

Under his House Bill 1548, before students get a high school diploma they would have to pass a test based on the one that people seeking to become U.S. citizens take.

To me, it is just a fundamental, Jeffersonian truth that we want to have citizens who are familiar with government of a federal republic, Ware said.

As someone who taught history and government for 32 years, this is a subject dear to my heart, he said.

The bill sets slightly tougher standards for passing than does U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency responsible for determining if applicants for U.S. citizenship qualify.

The government requires that applicants get six of 10 questions correct. The questions are selected from a list of 100 dealing with American government, history and geography.

Wares bill says high school students would need to have correct answers on 70% of some 25 to 50 questions selected from the federal agencys list.

Those questions range from who the U.S. representative from your district is, to what does the rule of law mean, to naming one of the two longest rivers in the country, to saying what historic figures  including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.  accomplished.

Students could take the test anytime in grades nine through 12 and as many times as needed in order to achieve the 70% passing score.

Ware has tried to win support for the idea twice before.

It died in a House of Delegates subcommittee earlier this year but made it through the full House on a mostly party-line vote by the then-Republican majority in 2023, before the Senate Education and Health Committee killed it, also on a party-line vote by its Democratic majority.

Seven states currently require students to pass tests derived from the one naturalized citizens take to graduate from high school: Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota and Utah, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Nine more states require students to take the test without making it a condition of graduation. These are Alabama, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

A few days after Ware filed his bill, the first state Senate bill of the new session came when state Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Alexandria, filed legislation (Senate Bill 738) that directs schools to develop and put in place policies for student use of cellphones on school property. This bill aims to keep phones from distracting students but would bar schools from suspending or expelling students simply for possessing or using a phone.

Virginia General Assembly opens 2024 session
Hurricane watch in effect for Cancun, Riviera Maya with the anticipated development of Helene

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  The National Hurricane Centre (NOAA) has issued a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for Riviera Maya north including Cancun and its surrounding areas.

The advisory was issued Monday morning with the further development of a disturbance that has been meandering in the Caribbean Sea for several days. The disturbance, according to the NOAA earlier Monday, had become better organized and was expected to develop further.

Tropical Storm Helene is likely to emerge in coming hours before quickly taking on hurricane status as she passes between the Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba tomorrow evening. During that passage, Quintana Roo coastal areas from Riviera Maya north have been put on alert.

This is the same disturbance that Quintana Roo Civil Protection issued a torrential rain alert for Saturday. At the time, the state agency anticipated three days of possible heavy rain as the disturbance crossed over the Peninsula into the Gulf of Mexico, however, that disturbance has since taken on a new trajectory.

According to AccuWeather, residents in the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend region and much of the eastern Gulf coast are expected to be effected by the storm as it makes U.S. landfall as a likely category 3 hurricane sometime Thursday, the strongest to hit the U.S. this season.

However, Monday evening, the NOAA updated that potential hurricane status to major as it approaches the northeastern Gulf. Its current trajectory could see it make landfall along the Florida Panhandle and Florida west coast.

As it nears the Gulf, the disturbance is forecast to intensify and be near hurricane strength when it reaches the far northwestern Caribbean Sea, passing the Quintana Roo coast Tuesday night. The NOAA says hurricane conditions are possible as it passes Riviera Maya and Cancun.



The system, forecast to become Helene later today, is producing showers and thunderstorms that are gradually becoming better organized in association with a broad area of low pressure located over the northwestern Caribbean Sea, the NOAA reported Monday morning.

Environmental conditions appear favorable for further development of this system. A tropical depression or storm is likely to form within the next day as the system moves northward across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, where additional development is expected.

Cancun and Riviera Maya are likely to feel the effects of Helene as she passes the Yucatan Peninsula heading for the U.S. Tuesday.

Image. AccuWeather

Regardless of development, this system is expected to produce heavy rains over portions of Central America during the next several days. Interests in the northwestern Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and western Cuba should closely monitor the progress of this system, as watches or warnings will likely be required for portions of these areas.

Later this week, the system is forecast to move generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and interests along the northern and northeastern Gulf Coast should also closely monitor the progress of this system.
Visitor spending in Giles County reached $35.9 million in 2023, a 7.7% percent increase over 2022, according to state data.

The county has 360 tourism-supported jobs with tourism-related tax revenue of $1.9 million. This is a combined increase of 21.2% since 2019, according to a county news release.

Aside from the city of Radford, where the new Highlander Hotel opened, Giles leads the NRV in tourism growth, according to the release.

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC), tourism in Virginia generated a record high $33.3 billion in visitor spending in 2023. The tourism industry in Virginia directly supported over 224,000 jobs in 2023, an increase of over 13,000 jobs relative to 2022. Direct travel employment is now at 93% of pre-pandemic employment levels. Visitor-facing industries accounted for more than 5% of all jobs in Virginia last year, according to the release.

Travelers spent $91 million a day in Virginia in 2023, up from $83 million in 2022. Virginia visitors directly drove $2.4 billion in state and local tax revenue, an increase of 9% from $2.2 billion in 2022. Overnight visitation to Virginia increased by 1.4 million to 43.6 million visitors in 2023, up from 42.2 million in 2022, essentially reaching full recovery to pre-pandemic levels.

Our communitys commitment to enhancing the New River Water Trail and bringing online the Giles Trail Center at Mountain Lake are examples of leveraging our assets to enhance our residents and visitors destination expectations, said county Tourism Director Cora Gnegy.

Giles County had approximately 140,000 visitors in 2023. Primarily those visitors traveled from other parts of the New River Valley, the Bluefield, West Virginia/Virginia area, Northern Virginia, Richmond and Virginia Beach areas, according to the release. Giles also saw growing visitation from the Charlotte, North Carolinan, region as well as New York City.

In addition to these economic impact numbers released, Giles saw increases across website traffic and social media engagement, according to the release.

All five categories of visitor spending in the state have now fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels and beyond. Those categories include recreation, transportation, lodging, food and beverage and retail. Recreation was the fastest growing category in 2023, up 12% over 2022 and 24% beyond pre-pandemic levels, more than any other category, as travelers continue to show a strong preference for experiences, according to the release.

Throughout 2023, Virginias visitor economy benefited from balanced hotel performance as business and group demand recovered strongly on weekdays against a backdrop of stable leisure demand during weekends.

VTC receives its annual economic impact data from Tourism Economics firm. The information is based on domestic visitor spending (travelers from within the United States) from per-person trips. Visitors included those who stayed overnight or traveled more than 50 miles to the destination. Detailed economic impact data and methodology are available at vatc.org/research.
DAKOTA CITY  Bullets recovered from the homes and bodies of four people found shot to death in Laurel, Nebraska, all were fired by two handguns belonging to Jason Jones.

Five bullets removed during autopsies from the bodies of Gene, Janet and Dana Twiford all were fired by a Ruger 57 semiautomatic handgun. Three bullet fragments and 11 shell casings found in the Twiford home also were fired by the Ruger, a firearms expert testified Monday at the Jason Jones murder trial.

A bullet recovered from Michele Ebeling's body, plus two bullets pulled from her kitchen wall and three spent casings found at the scene all were fired by a .44-caliber handgun owned by Jones, said Cole Goater, a forensic scientist specializing in firearms at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory.

Jones, 44, has pleaded not guilty to four counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of first-degree arson for the Aug. 4, 2022, shooting deaths of Ebeling, 53, in her home and Gene Twiford, 86, his wife, Janet Twiford, 85, and their daughter Dana Twiford, 55, in their home and setting both houses on fire. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty if Jones is found guilty of first-degree murder.

During the trial's eighth day of testimony and evidence, Goater spent more than four hours on the witness stand, giving technical, in-depth explanations of his analysis of both guns and comparisons of the recovered bullets and casings to each other and to test rounds he fired in his Lincoln lab.

Investigators found the Ruger 57 on the living room floor of the Twiford home, located three blocks from Ebeling's house, shortly after responding to the fire. After Jones' arrest, investigators found the empty case for the gun in Jones' bedroom dresser. The serial number from the case matched the number on the gun.

The .44-caliber handgun was found in its case in the same bedroom dresser.

Previous evidence showed Jones bought both weapons from gun shops.

On cross examination from defense attorney Todd Lancaster, Goater said his testing can determine only whether a bullet or casing was fired from a certain gun.

"You can't tell us who was holding that firearm when it was fired, is that correct?" Lancaster asked.

"No, I can't," Goater said.

The defense has alleged Jones' wife, Carrie Jones, was involved in Ebeling's death. A neighbor testified earlier that he saw both Jason and Carrie Jones coming around the side of Ebeling's house after the fire was reported.

State Patrol Sgt. Brad Higgins testified Monday that investigators conducted "very extensive" inquiries into Carrie Jones' possible involvement in Ebeling's death.

"Do you have any evidence she pulled the trigger?" Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Corey O'Brien asked.

"We did not find any evidence that she pulled the trigger," Higgins said.

Lancaster during cross examination asked Higgins if there were any eyewitnesses at the scene who saw anyone pull the trigger.

"Not that I'm aware of," Higgins said in Dakota County District Court, where the trial was moved from Cedar County after a judge determined Jones was unlikely to receive a fair trial there.

Carrie Jones, 45, has pleaded not guilty of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and being an accessory to a felony. She is accused of aiding and abetting the death of Gene Twiford, whom she told investigators had continually harassed her. She awaits trial.

Jason Jones was badly burned the night of the shootings and had to be carried from his home, located across the street from Ebeling, after his arrest roughly 24 hours after the fire was reported at Ebeling's house. Because of his injuries, Jones has been absent from the trial because he's unable to sit upright for long periods of time and he remains in custody in Lincoln.

Kaitlyn Mazzini, a nurse at a Lincoln burn center who cared for Jones at times, testified that during one instance when Jones was being rolled over, he told a nurse who was apologizing to him for causing him pain that, "after what I did, a little torture is OK."

When giving Jones a routine screening for suicidal tendencies later that day, Mazzini said, Jones said he was not suicidal and told her, "If I live, I live. If I die, I die. It's in God's hands now."
SPENCER, Iowa -- A woman was seriously injured Thursday evening when she was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle in rural Spencer.

The crash happened at 7:04 p.m. in the 2300 mile of 340th St., according to a statement released Monday by the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Ruby Alsman, of Spencer, was riding a bicycle westbound on 340th Street when she was struck by a westbound 2021 Nissan Rogue, which was being driven by 22-year-old Carissa Gittins, of Laurens, Iowa.

"Due to the glare of the sun, Gittins was unable to see Alsman on the bicycle," the statement said.

Alsman suffered "serious life-threatening injuries," according to the statement. She was taken to Spencer Hospital and later flown to a Sioux Falls hospital.

The incident remains under investigation.
This is part of Advice Week: Friendship Edition. Well help you make friends, leave themand even sleep with them.

Tragedy struck shortly before the start of second grade. My best friend, Ricarda, who lived in the same apartment complex and always shared her Barbies with me, announced glumly one day that her family was moving back to Germany. This wasnt just devastatingit was incomprehensible. I remember asking when she would return, as if she were only going on an extra-long vacation. Ricarda couldnt give me an answer. So, together, our soft, sheltered elementary-school brains beheld the most terrifying realization imaginable: that we might not see each other again. But just as immediately, that horror was tempered by a soulful promise: We would just have to be best pen pals forever.

For nearly 15 years, we actually made it work. For the rest of grade school and into the better part of middle school, ours was a friendship conducted through monthly-ish letters. I still remember the thrill of unearthing her letters, always festooned with big, bright international stamps and addressed in Ricardas increasingly steadier cursive, from the pile of mail at home. Id squirrel this latest missive up to my room to savor the experience of reading Ricardas dispatches about her new school, her new friends, and her exotic-sounding lifestyle in the city of Friedrichshafen. Id write back corresponding observations about having to take Chinese lessons or getting a little brother. On birthdays, a heavily taped cardboard box would appear on the front porch, stuffed inside with stickers, lip gloss, Diddl Mouse stationery, and Milka chocolate bars. Then Id stress out in the aisles of the Walmart Supercenter, trying to scout out knickknacks and candy that were cool enough to send back to Ricarda in thanks. Eventually, the packages and letters tapered off. But as soon as we were old enough to log on to Facebook as teenagers, we found each other again and sent infrequent but warm messages back and forth.

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One spring, when we were both still in high school, Ricarda messaged me to say that she was in town to perform with her youth orchestra. (This had something to do with Peoria, our hometown, and Friedrichshafen being sister cities, which now seems like a touching twist of fate.) Did I want to hang out? By then, I could barely remember what Ricarda even looked like without using Facebook as a reminder, but I was curious about what had become of her. During her visit, we spent an afternoon walking around an outlet mall together, and it was pleasant enough that, a few years later in college, I visited her during my study-abroad summer. We spent a weekend together in Colognewhere all I recall is how strange it felt to explain who I was to her real friends. Eventually, we both individually fell off Facebook and lost touch.

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But thats the least surprising part, if you ask me. The original friendship wed formed at the apartment-complex bus stop was built on dolls and proximity. If Ricarda had never moved away, we likely would have faded out of each others lives much sooner. But as long-distance friends, we got to watch each other grow up and even celebrate that feat with fireworks over the Rhine River during that one final weekend we spent together. Now that Im in my 30s, where almost every friendship inevitably turns into a juggling act across constraints with space and time, my (fuzzy) memories of Ricarda have sweetened into a real appreciation for our kiddish, determined act of pen-palling against the odds. Its made me think about how long-distance friendshipa bond you build together entirely out of mutual effort, in spite of daily routines, time-zone differences, and an unreliable postal servicemight be the purest form of friendship of all.

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Considering how geographically mobile modern life has become (scrambled only further by the pandemic and a new generation of remote work), long-distance friendships are just a fact of life. In high school and college, the sense of inevitable separation is one of the defining conditions of those early friendships; as adults, our drifts according to the tides of romance, family, or economic prospects leave most of us with a scattered constellation of friendships with people who are no longer just a 10-minute walk or drive away. This used to bum me out. For a long time, I thought that you had to spend only your 20s assembling a sitcom slates worth of friends, then you could be done with it. Instead, I had to learn how to welcome and accept entire seasons worth of casting changesbut also how to fine-tune the delicate, underrated art of keeping in touch as people come and go. That is what all this technology is for, isnt it? Now that long-distance friendships dont have to rely on the business hours of a Midwestern post office, theyre easier to maintain and grow. To build an LDF that lasts, all thats required is what any friendship needs at its core: a little bit of thought.

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First, you have to DTF: define the friendship (not to be confused with define the relationship or the other DTF). This is a concept that Berlin-based friend Michelle taught me; she and I originally met in New York as co-workers, but we didnt become close until she moved away and I reached back out to her on a whim when visiting her city two years ago. She took me on a day trip to visit a nearby castle, and after spending hours gabbing nonstop that afternoon, we realized how much more time we wanted to spend together. Last summer, we decided to meet up again via a weeklong trip to Greece, just the two of us (automatically international vacationsjust one of the perks of the LDF!), and we talked a lot about our hopes for and frustrations with modern friendship. The problem, we agreed, was that its hard to communicate your expectations for friendship versus, say, the well-worn scripts and shorthand we have for romantic love.

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We spent the week toggling between analyzing our desires and dreams under an intense magnifying glassand enjoying the very underrated freedom of exchanging gossip about the people in our lives whom the other would never have to meet. During one of those talks, I remember that Michelle paused and told me that if I ever needed a friend to talk toespecially about these kinds of deep, emotional tanglesshe wanted to be that person for me. Michelle took the leap and told me up front what she wanted to give to me via friendship. I was only too happy to take her up on it and offer to listen and commiserate in return. (I particularly requested that she complain to me about Europeans as much as she wanted, because I am nothing if not a co-complainer and a patriot.) We felt so giddy afterward that we had to keep rubbing our faces from all the smiling, as if wed unlocked a secret password for understanding each other and how to be a part of each others lives.

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This tacit agreement gave our budding friendship a defining contour, and Ive since adopted this approach with other long-distance friendships. Having the DTF conversation, even if only implicitly, has often helped me articulate why I want to hang on to a connection at all, even if its complicated by time-zone math and cultural translation of, like, what a Dimes Square is. For example, theres no one I enjoy clowning on movies with more than Sean in L.A., and theres also no one Id rather discuss deep high school lore with than Jennifer in Chicago. Such LDFs are built on the glorious specifics of what only we can give each other. (Well, Sean in L.A. is probably talking about movies with a lot of people.) It costs nothing to go out of your way to say, Hey, I want to be [this kind of person] for you. Its great for any type of friendship, but for friendships that arent easily sustained by routine contact, Ive found that defining things makes it clear that theyre more than just someone I text when Im bored at work.

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Once youve had the What are we? talk, you do have to come to at least an unspoken rule about the forms and cadence of correspondence. This requires a bit of tinkering and a lot of paying attention to what your LDF responds to. After my friend Julia first moved to San Francisco, I felt guilty about pinging her so many random news items and updates during Eastern Time hours until she told me that she liked having a personal news feed to wake up to. This worked for us because we were both utterly addicted to our phones, but there are other friends whom Id try this on and not hear from for weeks (sometimes even months) because most well-adjusted people do not want a reading to-do list in their iMessages. Ive learned to not take the silence personally and to instead experiment with voice notes, FaceTime, long-ass emails, and, yes, sometimes even a postcard in the mail. Sharing a highly specific TikTok can express that youre thinking of someone and understand a piece of them more than any Hey, so how have you been? text canuntil Jennifer from Chicago goes on a TikTok fast (good for her) and you learn to switch to Reels. Its a small price to pay.

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Which leads me to one final word of advice: Never lose your shared bit. In the absence of regular physical time together doing activities (which is really time spent acquiring primary material for future bits, isnt it?), a successful LDF requires an acute understanding of the location-agnostic binding glue that keeps two people interested and enthusiastic about staying in each others lives that isnt just catching up over drinks until we all die. With Jennifer, its all about the central Illinois humor; with my D.C.based friend Kyle, were never not fantasizing about what being a medieval peon would have been like. And nearly all of my texts to L.A. Lauren are social media updates from a rapper whom we cant stop making fun of: the bonding nectar of life!

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There was a college frienda best friend, reallywhom I used to talk to every day for years until our careers started taking us in literally different directions after graduation. I could never understand why I started avoiding their texts and calls until I realized that these catch-ups were just that: We were only ever trading updates from our lives, which had grown increasingly foreign and unrelatable to each other. Trying to describe something as simple as a night out entailed too much context and explanation for a 30-minute call, much less a text. Our former bits started to run out of materialthe mutual acquaintances we gossiped about became more scarce, our different degrees of existing online meant that neither of us understood the videos the other sent, and neither of us had time, or even overlapping vacation days, to fully translate our experiences to each other.

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Theres a world in which I could have addressed the growing disconnect with this friend directly. Maybe we could have tried a few things, like conversation cards or committing to a TV procedural, that would at least have given us new, weekly-occurring material to talk about. We could have tried to re-DTF since we obviously couldnt give each other what we once did. But ultimately, Im not proud to say that everything ground to a stop. I miss her, of course, though in an ambiguous way. Sometimes I try to picture what shes doing, all those thousands of miles away, and I feel miffed by how blank that mental image is. Long-distance friendships can be forgiving, but effort is the one ingredient you cant paper over with rules about bits and texting cadences. Ive told myself that maybe, as with Ricarda, this particular connection has simply run its course. At least for now; we do still have each others phone numbers, after all. I like to think that that means, as long as neither of us changes our number, well never really be lost to each other. What a comfort that still is, and what a starting point it could still be.
Mary, a high school English teacher of 20 years, has dealt with her share of parental objections toward books. From the mother who worried The Crucible contained witchcraft to the father who questioned Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray because Wilde was gay, Mary has practiced explaining, advocating for, and negotiating her book selections over the decades. Almost every English teacher will encounter parental complaints about a text choice at some point, Mary described to me. They are sometimes frustrating, but they are not typically difficult to handle.

They are also nothing like what many teachers today are up against, and not just in red states. The media spectacles that have been documented in school board meetingsand the countless quieter yet equally high-pressure scenes the public never seesare far from over. In the course of working on a book, Teaching in a Time of Book Bans: Lessons From Teachers and Librarians, I interviewed school faculty from across the country about their recent experiences with censorship. For the majority, the problem comes from inside the institutions where they work.

Marys school board greeted teachers back to work this year with a list of seven novels up for removal. This is simply business as usual in many districts. She plans to testify before her board but expects that one of her favorite books to teach, Beloved, will be cut. Without an appeals process, there will be nothing she can do. The book will be gone forever from her classroom library, thanks, as she sees it, to a lot of power in the hands of a few board members.

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Mary teaches in an American high school, but like the other educators in this story, she asked me not to identify her because she fears retribution from her school or district administrator. As her story suggests, it is not just the unprecedented number of book challenges over the past four years that has been so difficult, but the fact that the process and stakes have changed completely. Forty-one percent of book challenges in 2022 stemmed directly from school board and district administrators. Parental rights has become a major rallying call for conservatives, but in many cases, parents have little to do with the process.

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The dynamic has left teachers feeling vulnerable. To prevent conflict, they are self-censoring, well beyond the most controversial books. Some avoid literary works found in their textbooks because they fear class conversations about anything related to social politics. Those fears are well-founded. Marys principal reprimanded her colleague for teaching Sherman Alexie poems anthologized in her district-approved textbook. Another elected not to teach Martin Luther King Jr.s classic Letter From a Birmingham Jail, convinced she would be unable to respond freely to student comments in class.

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Marys experiences provide texture to trends that big data is starting to show: Schools are censoring themselves. Even in states that lack divisive concepts laws regulating the teaching of so-called CRT, over half of teachers still report censoring themselves. Weak leadership and lack of administrative supportnot parental or community activismare the No. 1 reason teachers cite for altering, limiting, or otherwise censoring their instruction.

Weakness does not equal passivity. In the high school where Laura served as librarian for almost 20 years, two principals refused to remove the graphic edition of Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale from the schools library at a single parents request. Once district leaders became involved, the book and both principals were gone. Soon, the schools librarians were ordered to pull 169 other booksthe librarys entire LGBTQ+ collectionfrom the shelves. Laura recalls that a district official declared, Moms for Liberty have the guns. Were simply taking away their bullets.

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Likening censorship to gun violence, particularly in the context of schools, makes for an unfortunate choice of metaphor. But it offers a window into how school leaders understand their own exertion of power, making choices that far too often seem to become as unilateral, destructive, and antidemocratic as the forces they purport to be protecting students and schools from.

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In many ways, public schools are now operating like private schools historically have, easily beholden to their greatest donors. One of the most striking comparisons between the two is how similarly disenfranchised faculty can feel in both. Mahalia was the first Black librarian to be hired at her private school. When a white teacher colleague assigned her class to read Angie Thomas YA novel about police violence, The Hate U Give, and asked Mahalia to moderate the panel discussion, she agreed. Yet when just one parent complained that the school had taught an anti-police novel, it was Mahaliaand her library collectionthat suffered the blame. Mahalia remembers her administration beginning to monitor her closely. From then on, she says, my collection was analyzed and every programming idea or event I enacted for the student body was under high scrutiny. More than once, she says, her principal demanded books be pulled from library shelves and put in a desk drawer.

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The twinned stories of racial and administrative aggression toward Mahalia began, in her words, with the fact that a lot of the books on [her principals] list were by and for people like me. In her principals pinpointed attempts to censure Mahalia personally, her story is unique from Marys and Lauras. But like them, she began to feel adrift in her school community as her principals demands grew and the collection policies and procedures that should have guided the schools responses were ignored.

Schools are suffering for this now common neglect of democratic practice, starting with a hollowed-out curriculum and teacher burnout and disillusionment. Nationally, 82 percent of teachers believe conditions in K12 education have grown worse in the past five years. Most see political climate as the primary cause. Nearly one-third of all teachers surveyed in a recent Pew report say they have considered looking for another job. But before we lose the actual people, we are already losing their expertise.

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Laura worked at her school for a year after the book bans started, and then left K12 education. During that time, I was questioned about every purchase [by a principal] who had a school administration degree and no training in the selection of materials for a school library, she recounts. In two years, her former school will move into a new building, with no space dedicated for a libraryor librarianat all.

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Marys trustees and administrators have argued that there are thousands of books left in her schools library. Mary says, Thats the perspective of someone who has never tried to match a kid with a good book. Thousands of titles mean nothing when youre trying to find something that will speak to an individual, especially a reluctant reader.

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Both of their cases, representative of so many educators in our country, remind us in an election year that the struggle to reverse the recent trends in school censorship will not be resolved at the ballot box alone. We must look for the ways schools are becoming less democratic institutions, not just because of forces from without, but from within.

Mahalia left her private school and now works in a public school with a student population that is over 50 percent Black and Latino and has a high percentage of impoverished students. Even though she works in one of the most active of the battleground states in the culture wars, she has not experienced a single challenge in her new school. As she sees it, The last thing my parents desire is censorship, as they know the long-term effects of having their voices silenced. Her school leaders hold a similar understanding and have encouraged Mahalia to build programming around some of the very same books that generated criticism in her other school.

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Mahalias new principal and community are a reminder that school leaders are a needed source for good. The success of public schools in operating as what philosopher John Dewey called an embryonic community lifea smaller version of the civic society that they prepare students to participate independs on school leaders appreciation of and dedication to the concept. One of the most important things those leaders can do, educators like Mary, Laura, and Mahalia tell us, is recognize and nurture the talent and expertise in their midst.

As we struggle to preserve and protect that civic society today, we must begin with the foundations. Not every teen is meant to read Beloved, and not every teacher is meant to teach it. That could go for any book. But when the decision of whether to teach or recommend a literary work is out of the hands of the most knowledgeable people to make it, we have already lost.
Scrolling through Xugh, I deleted the app, so now I use the browser to look at it on my phonea post from Farhad Manjoo caught my eye.

Its a screen cap of a picture of five elderly men dressed like veterans sitting on a plane. Below the photo it says, The real heroes are not in Hollywood.

If you look a little more closely, it screams janky A.I. Which commercial airliner has five seats in a row next to the window? God knows what army they belong to: There are eagles, and stripes, but no stars. And what is that writing on their hats? Not English, not a human language.

Manjoo had copied the odd image from somewhere else on the internet and added the comment: We should honor these men, look what war has done to their hands.

we should honor these men, look what war has done to their hands pic.twitter.com/f8DgPEnsqS  farhad manjoo (former bluecheck) (@fmanjoo) August 22, 2024

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But the extra fingers, Manjoos joke, the gibberish hats, the five seats in the row were not the reasons I knew this image was fake. You see, the man seated closest to the camera is my dad. Hes been dead for 14 years.

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It stopped me in my tracks. I wanted to find out where this image had sprung from. I mean, I already kind of knew, and also knew theres likely no way of knowing for sure. In our new reality of vast, untraceable digital plagiarismcreated from us but not by usit feels very hard to know anything for sure.

Earlier this summer, running breathless on the rugged shores of the Pacific on the Oregon coast, I was caught flat-footed by a ghost. It was my father, standing on a bluff, binoculars clasped to his face, looking out to sea. The plaid shirt, the khaki hiking pants, the brown hiking boots, even the dumb floppy hat, all checked out. But then, I ran closer, and of course it wasnt him, it was a generic old beardy guy with binoculars, someone elses father, perhaps.

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Grief is strange that way. Every once in a while, youre tripped up on a street corner, winded by a reflection, because just for a second, it seems that one of the departed has returned. The person you lost is found.

In the weeks before my dad died from prostate cancer, he decided hed like to be interred at a woodland burial site. He visited one and declared it nice enough, but died before any arrangements could be made.

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Dad had converted to Islam a few years before his death. And so my brother, tasked with making the final arrangements on a tight deadline, recounted to me the slightly surreal scene the morning after Dad died, of standing in a small forest in the English countryside talking on his flip phone to a man on a smartphone, with a Qibla-finding app. While my brother and the man on the other end of the phone tried to triangulate an available plot that faced Mecca, workers at the burial site expressed concern as to whether the cloth used to wrap Dads body would be fully biodegradable.

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I wasnt there for the last weeks of Dads life, for the plot finding, nor for the funeral. I was grounded by the very late stages of pregnancy and then the birth and earliest days with my daughter, his first grandchild. Dad was buried at the foot of a slightly wonky beech tree in Beaconsfield, England, while I was at a breastfeeding support group in New York City. We didnt do virtual funerals in 2010.

After I saw the janky A.I. image of my dad, I emailed Farhad, to see if he knew its origin. He figured hed got it from a Reddit forum but couldnt recall the exact link. I did a reverse image search and found the image is circulating all over the place. As far as I can tell, it was first posted by a charming account under the handle ViperEnforcement on a meme forum called Americas Best Pics and Videos. The comments beneath that first post laud the men in the picture for their service, calling them the true patriots, thanking them for our freedom.

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I (like most of us) am not in possession of an advanced A.I. forensics degree. Reverse image search is pretty much the peak of my technical sleuthing skill set on this one. Its not something you can FOIA, so the best I can muster is speculation as to the images provenance. Im guessing an image generator scraped a photo of my dad from somewhere online (maybe the wedding pictures I posted in 2007?) and then didnt jumble it up enough to make it into someone new. Instead, it issued forth an eerie facsimile.

This isnt, however, a bereaved double take. Its not an old beardy man on a bluff. Its a double thats been taken, that has been dredged from Dads years-old digital shadow and repurposed to adorn MAGA forums, to be reposted by Facebook patriots and used for fundraising, even for a puzzle.

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We have given the keys to our once-private analog existences over to the wealthiest companies in human history. Our memories have become forever digital debris to be sucked in, digested, and reanimated by machine learners. Our lives, our dead, and their data are becoming a kind of digital compost. Maybe its a bit like a woodland burial?

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Well, except no, its not anything like that. We are not vegetable scraps, and no trees will grow from my fathers online remains. The ways in which our information is now totally beyond our control make all of us queasy or, if we think about it a little longer, angry. But its an impotent anger. Theres nowhere to put it. Its futile.

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We used to try to do something about it. Kind of. Remember those Facebook posts that were so common, oh, maybe 10 years ago? About Repost this to tell Facebook you withdraw consent for your images being used? They were pointless then, but we dont even try any more (well, maybe your aunty is still doing it). Half the time these days I click accept all cookies when faced with the question. Whats the point? The cat is out of the bag. The big unknown they already know everything about me.

Related From Slate How a Beloved Card Game Became Embroiled in a Controversy Over Bots Read More

My father used to say to me, Its a wise child that knows its own father. His version of a dad joke meant, I think, to jauntily suggest that I wasnt his? He was that kind of man, a man I knew and didnt. He only became more so after death.

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Our place and our rights in this new world of artificial neural networks lie beyond certainty, inflected with the unknowable. We are not wise. We do not know where it all comes from. I cant even prove this picture of my dad is a picture of my dad. There are some minor differences, like the line of the beard, the shape of the glassesbut when I texted the picture to my brothers, each responded, WTAF, or words to that effect. This is unmistakably him.

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And at the same time, Im pretty sure thats not enough evidence to sue anyone, if there even is anyone to sue. Is there anyone to sue? To whom should I address the cease and desist?

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Could the act of writing this story provide some small redress? I could paste the link to it below the posts in all the online groups, forums, and X retweets (or whatever Elon says we have to call those now). I could correct the record: Hey! Theres a real dead person in this fake photo!

I could take back the narrative. I could tell them he wasnt an American veteran at allhe was Canadian, and he was actually pretty rabidly anti-American, an oil engineerturnedenvironmentalist, a serial philanderer. I could tell them his darkest secret, that he was a sexual abuser. A child molester. I could tell of the pain and suffering, the trail of destruction he left behind. The unanswered and unanswerable questions. I could tell them he wasnt a hero, he was my deeply flawed father. A father I loved very much, and love still, in incredibly complicated waysways simplified somewhat, admittedly, by his being dead. Ways complicated all over again by his artificial resurrection and reappearance on my timeline.

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I could tell them all that, but who am I kidding? Like anyone cares. You see? Futile.

Im familiar with futile anger, an abundance of fury with no one to point it at. The extent of the abuse my father perpetrated was not revealed to me until a little over a year after he was washed, wrapped, and put snug in the ground at the foot of that beech tree.

But then what to do with this photographic phantom, this nonconsensual technological transgression? I know that it is nothing on the scale of the horror experienced by (mostly) women whose likenesses have been repurposed into porn, or of people whose identities have been stolen, or people who have been catfished, defrauded, duped by A.I.-generated images and video. This is not a deepfake that will take down democracy. This image has not harmed me. Stumbling upon it among all the crap that flickers before my eyes in the black mirror was just some everyday, humdrum trauma: an image of an all-too-common family ghost, haunting me as I rage against the unreachable. The person I lost can no longer be found. In the end, its just a weird picture of my dead dad.
Hauerland has been a prominent player in the advertising products industry for 33 years.

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Founded by Anita and Eugen Hauerland, the company has grown from a small venture into a well-established family enterprise with deep-rooted traditions and extensive expertise in the import, production, and branding of promotional items.

Hauerland spol. s r. o. Matusova 56, 811 04 Bratislava, Slovakia +421 (0)903 460 504 obch.ponuky@hauerland.sk www.hauerland.sk

With an impressive catalog of over 70,000 products, Hauerland ranks among the leading suppliers of promotional items in Slovakia and Central Europe. We specialize in helping companies enhance their brand presence through promotional items that not only attract new clients but also strengthen relationships with colleagues and business partners.

Extensive Range of Promotional Items

Our wide selection of promotional products is designed to meet the needs of even the most discerning clients. Key categories include advertising items, printed textiles, calendars and diaries, Christmas products, signmaking, rollups, and more. All products are available in our user-friendly e-shop, where you can easily find and order exactly what you need.

"Todays promotional items are sophisticated gifts that embrace sustainability, digitalization, and creativity," says Diana Hauerland, CEO and second-generation leader of the Hauerland family business. Our modern, eco-friendly, and technologically advanced promotional items are highly sought after by companies year-round.

Advertising Textiles and Personalized Products

One of our specialties is printed advertising textiles. Hauerland offers a wide range of customizable apparel, including t-shirts, hoodies, caps, and more, all featuring high-quality printing. These personalized products can significantly boost your brands visibility and prestige.

Calendars and Diaries

Calendars and diaries are essential tools for corporate and personal planning. We offer a variety of customizable options, from elegant leather diaries to practical wall calendars, ensuring that you find the perfect solution for your needs.

Christmas Products and Promotional Gifts

As the holiday season approaches, our selection of Christmas products and promotional gifts becomes particularly relevant. We continually expand our offerings to include a variety of gift items, sets, and products tailored to your needs.

"Our Christmas catalog is a highlight, featuring a curated selection of top products," says Diana Hauerland. "Its the perfect resource for selecting gifts and promotional items to thank your business partners, suppliers, colleagues, employees, and their families. We also emphasize supporting Slovak brands and promoting local products."

Signmaking and Rollups

Hauerland also excels in signmaking and rollup production, offering ideal solutions for presentations, exhibitions, and other events. Our high-quality, professionally crafted rollups with your branding make a lasting impression on every visitor. Additionally, we offer a range of corporate stationery, including business cards, notepads, and folders, all customizable with your logo.

Commitment to Social Responsibility

At Hauerland, we are committed to social responsibility. We partner with a sheltered workshop to provide employment opportunities for individuals with various health challenges. This collaboration allows us to offer alternative performance solutions to our clients, helping them meet legal obligations related to employing disabled persons.

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A key advantage of partnering with Hauerland Ltd. is our fast delivery service, often within 24 hours. We pride ourselves on offering exceptional personal service and expert advice. Our sales team is always ready to assist you in selecting the perfect gift set, drawing on their experience, current trends, and budget considerations. "Price is always a critical factor, which is why our offerings are segmented into various price ranges, ensuring that everyone can find something suitable," adds Diana Hauerland.

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For clients seeking something truly unique, Hauerland offers bespoke solutions tailored to your specific ideas and requirements. Our team of experts is dedicated to creating custom products that perfectly align with your brands needs.

Hauerland Ltd. is a trusted partner for any company looking to enhance its visibility and strengthen its image through high-quality promotional products. With our extensive product range, fast delivery, and professional approach, our family-owned company is the ideal choice for effective and original advertising solutions.

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David Timis believes that brainstorming potential is one of the most underrated ways to use AI-powered chatbots.

David Timis, right, and Ian Bird, speaking at the Festival of Future held by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Slovakia) in Bratislava on September 12. (Source: Courtesy of David Timis)

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While some fear that artificial intelligence (AI) and robots will automate all human work, reality is more nuanced. As automation and AI become integral to peoples jobs, there are skills workers will still be needing like communication, collaboration or critical thinking. Moreover, people should not fall prey to the temptation of using AI-powered solutions as shortcuts in their daily work, but instead focus on developing their skills for the long haul.

Because one shortcut leads to another and another and another, and then you miss out on important skills that you only develop by doing the hard work, David Timis, global communications & public affairs manager of the NGO Generation, told The Slovak Spectator. This global nonprofit organisation trains and places vulnerable people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible.

You will read in this interview -What David Timis uses AI chatbots to do -What skills will he recommend students to acquire in the age of AI -What are the pitfalls of deploying AI at work

Timis was one of the renowned experts who shared his perspective on what will be the essential skills for the future, and how AI-powered technologies will transform the future of work at the Festival of Future. This event marked the 30th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) held in Bratislava between September 10-12.

David Timis David Timis is the Global Communications & Public Affairs Manager of Generation, the largest global employment program by annual volume that both trains and places people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. His mission in life is to prepare people for the future of work and his interests lie at the intersection of reskilling, employment, and technology. David was educated in Business and Management at the University of Glasgow and in European Political and Governance Studies at the College of Europe. He has 10 years of work experience in marketing, communications, and public affairs in organisations such as Google, LOreal, and BCW. David has guest lectured at renowned universities such as Cambridge University and the College of Europe and delivered keynote speeches about the impact of technology on the future of work for a wide range of clients including TEDx, Google, and the European Commission. He has been recognised as an Influential Leader by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List for his work to equip young people with digital skills, and selected by the World Economic Forum to be part of the Davos Lab.

The Slovak Spectator spoke with Timis about skills workers will still use in times of AI, reskilling, on whether AI will solve global environmental, social and economic challenges, and the challenges of distinguishing between what is true and what is hallucination.

When was the last time you used AI at work?

Fifteen minutes ago. I use it on a daily basis, but I use it in ways that are not the most typical. Most people, unfortunately, I would say, use ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI chatbots, for copywriting, to create text for them, social media posts, or summarise information. I use AI to gain new perspectives to what I believe or to brainstorm novel ideas. For example, I have an idea for a campaign and ask it for a similar idea or something more outside the box. If you use AI chatbots to brainstorm, the errors these tools make  they are not perfect, you will always have to review the outputs you get from them  can actually inspire you. I think this brainstorming use case is one of the most underrated ways to leverage AI-powered chatbots.
Analogous tools appear primarily in the territory of today's England, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

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Over the course of three research seasons in the small Huciva diera cave in the Belianske Tatry mountain range, northern Slovakia, archaeologists managed to explore most of the buried hearth from the Stone Age and discovered a wide range of chipped stone tools, bones belonging to game and other small bone artifacts, stone and organic materials, including paleobotanical remains.

The typology of the chipped stone industry, together with established data allowed the experts to classify the settlement as part of the Magdalenian culture dating back more than 14,000 years.

This is the first time the traces of the culture appeared on the territory of Slovakia, the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) reports.

The remarkable cave campsite from the Upper Paleolithic, so far the only prehistoric cave site in the Tatras mountain range, was discovered at the end of 2018. International research began in this cave less than a year later, which continued in 2022 and 2024.

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Related article Why silver coins dug up in a small Slovak town surprised everyone Read more

The stone tools, dominated by tips with an indicated notch, were made from radiolarites, a type of sedimentary rock, but also from various flint varieties from beyond the Carpathian ridge, as well as from Moravia. Analogous tools have been primarily found in the territory of today's England, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The Magdalenian cultures came from western Europe and date from around 17,000 to 12,000 years ago. They are mainly known for their cave paintings featuring individual sculptures of animals and people. These works of art represent the pinnacle of prehistoric art. They have also brought fame to the French and Spanish caves, such as Altamira and Lascaux.

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Related article Priests 1880 book leads to discovery of forgotten settlement and trade route Read more

Among the archaeological finds from Huciva diera, this season was surprising not only due to a number of remarkable artifacts - stone tools, bone needles, a sandstone lamp for lighting, two drilled through fossil snail shells, perhaps from necklaces, as well as due to how varied were the animals the culture hunted, among which were predominantly alpine ibex, and wild horses, brown bears and other fauna to a lesser degree.

Currently, all discovered finds are being evaluated at the Archaeological Institute of the SAS and in Poland.
Breaking new taboos, PM sidelines the opposition in parliament and hikes VAT.

Robert Fico and his fellow coalition leaders Matus Sutaj Estok and Andrej Danko announce the measures to consolidate public finances. (Source: TASR)

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Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Fico announces a major tax hike. The announcement came simultaneously with a vote to oust the opposition leader as deputy speaker.

If you have a suggestion on how to make this overview better, let me know at michaela.terenzani@spectator.sk.

Tax hikes will be hard to swallow for Smer voters

Never before has any government of Robert Fico raised value added tax (known as DPH in Slovakia). Never before has any government removed an opposition politician from the post of deputy speaker of parliament  a role that has always, by convention, been assigned to the opposition. After a convention-trashing year in which the criminal law, the prosecution service and the judiciary have witnessed major interventions that all directly benefit members and allies of the coalition parties, the latest moves in parliament and on taxation mark an even more unprecedented turn.

On Tuesday, parliament held a secret vote to dismiss Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka from the post of the deputy speaker of parliament. It was a first: even the authoritarian-leaning governments of Vladimir Meciar in the 1990s, which frequently engaged in bare-knuckle tactics with opponents, respected the convention that one of parliaments deputy speaker posts should be reserved for the opposition to fill at its own discretion.

The move against the opposition leader  viewed as wilful by critics of the ruling coalition and watchdogs of political fairness and transparency  prompted Simecka to display a previously unseen political  and sarcastic  edge. Mr Fico, you can dismiss the deputy speaker of parliament, but you cannot dismiss the opposition leader. I am looking forward to defeating you in the election. Now I have several more hours a day to do that, he retorted.
They say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions and there is perhaps no better example of this than the European Unions roundly criticized law banning the import of commodities linked with deforestation. No one likes the new measure scheduled to go into effect next year. Large corporations like Lavazza dont like it for reasons that Im sure are entirely altruistic and have nothing to do with their bottom line or having to reveal any unethical buying practices. And pro-farmer NGOs dont like the law for the deleterious effect it may have on vulnerable farmers who dont have the necessary infrastructure to show that their crops arent leading to deforestation.

Well intentioned though it may be, the EUs law has faced nothing but resistance since their intentions to implement the measure were first announced back in 2021. And now, the International Coffee Organization (ICO)the worlds top coffee bodyare asking the EU to postpone the law.

Once the new law takes effect, imported commodities like chocolate, leather, beef, furniture, rubber, charcoal, palm oil derivatives, and coffee will have to provide proof they arent linked with deforestation in order to make it to Europe. Any company caught importing commodities without such proof face steep penalty, and there is even concern that coffee harvested before the requirement may have to be trashed.

As reported by Reuters, in response, the ICO is requesting for a stay on the new law in order to give their members more time to accommodate the new requirements. We cant meet that date, it is not possible, states ICO director Vanusia Nogueira. Its a very ambitious deadline.

The ICO, a United Nations-linked intergovernmental group that represents over 90% of the worlds coffee production is hoping instead that by working with the EU, they will be able to find a solution that doesnt adversely effect the most vulnerable. We believe that by working with (EU leaders), they might be more open to postponing that date, Nogueira says.

Neither Nogueira nor the ICO have given any indication on the date they would like to see the implementation of the new law pushed back to.

The ICO joins the European Coffee Federation as well as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in asking for a postponement. There are currently less than 100 days until the law takes effect.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/iran-backed-middle-east-forces-review-devices-rules-after-mass-pager-explosion---reports-1120254721.html

Iran-Backed Middle East Forces Review Devices Rules After Mass Pager Explosion - Reports

Iran-Backed Middle East Forces Review Devices Rules After Mass Pager Explosion - Reports

Sputnik International

Iran-backed forces in the Middle East are reviewing their communications protection measures in the wake of the mass pager explosion in Lebanon, including issuing new rules for fighters to use electronic devices, the Washington Post reported citing sources.

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Iran-backed forces in the Middle East are reviewing their communications protection measures in the wake of the mass pager explosion in Lebanon, including issuing new rules for fighters to use electronic devices, the Washington Post reported citing sources.In Iraq and the West Bank, senior militants allied with Iran said they were reviewing equipment and issuing new rules for fighters' use of personal devices, the newspaper said. The source, an unnamed senior commander in the Jenin Battalion, which is led by the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad, said extraordinary precautions would be taken and fighters would keep the devices away from themselves. He added that his troops were already avoiding mobile phones and had recently given up pocket radios, which they suspected Israel had hacked. On September 17-18, communication devices like pagers and walkie-talkies exploded in various parts of Lebanon. Official reports indicate 37 fatalities and over 3,000 injuries. It is still unknown what caused thousands of devices to explode simultaneously. Hezbollah and the Lebanese authorities have blamed Israel for the incident. Israeli President Isaac Herzog denied the country's involvement in the incident. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the events in Lebanon a monstrous act of terrorism and an attempt to ignite a major conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/un-warns-of-catastrophe-as-israel-and-hezbollah-near-full-scale-war-1120252050.html

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iran-backed forces in the middle east are reviewing their communications protection measures in the wake of the mass pager explosion in lebanon, including issuing new rules for fighters to use electronic devices, the washington post reported citing sources.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/israel-continues-war-on-journalists-children-with-al-jazeera-raid-in-west-bank-1120252233.html

Israel Continues War on Journalists, Children With Al Jazeera Raid in West Bank

Israel Continues War on Journalists, Children With Al Jazeera Raid in West Bank

Sputnik International

The Israeli government outraged press freedom advocates Sunday when it occupied and forcibly shuttered news broadcaster Al Jazeeras headquarters in the West Bank, representing the latest escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian territory that has often gone overlooked amid the countrys deadly campaign in Gaza.

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Israel said it carried out Saturdays raid on Al Jazeeras bureau in the West Bank after concluding that the news networks offices there were being used to incite terror, reported Bloomberg. An up-to-date intelligence assessment determined that the channels broadcasts endanger the security and public order, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.Staffers at the Ramallah bureau broadcast the initial moments live of the tense confrontation with heavily armed Israeli forces, who ejected workers, confiscated cameras and other equipment and declared the office closed for 45 days. Security officials also reportedly tore down a banner celebrating the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, a prominent Palestinian-American reporter who was shot and killed by the IDF in 2022.The move comes after the Israeli Knesset voted to close Al Jazeeras offices in Israel proper four months ago, raiding the news outlets bureaus in Nazareth and East Jerusalem. Legislation passed in May provided Israeli authorities with significant latitude to shut down news outlets accused of threatening Israeli national security.Al Jazeera has devoted significant resources to documenting Israels military operation in the besieged Gaza Strip, which has killed over 41,400 according to the latest official figures, as well as escalating settler violence in the West Bank.Al Jazeera denounced the closure of the Ramallah bureau in a statement online, noting that it lies within territory under the sovereign control of Palestinian authorities under international law. Israel has illegally occupied Gaza and the West Bank since 1967, also seizing control of Syrias Golan Heights and annexing Egypts Sinai Peninsula and portions of southern Lebanon until forced to surrender the territory after international pressure. Israels control of the Syrian and Palestinian territories represents the longest military occupation in modern world history.The raid on the office and seizure of our equipment is not only an attack on Al Jazeera but an affront to press freedom and the very principles of journalism. These oppressive measures are clearly intended to prevent the world from witnessing the reality of the situation in the occupied territories and the ongoing war on Gaza and the devastating impact on innocent civilians Al Jazeera will not be intimidated or deterred by efforts to silence its coverage.The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists also slammed the move, saying it was deeply alarmed by the forced closure of the Ramallah office.Violence by Israeli settlers and security forces has been on the increase in the West Bank, although the situation there often fails to make headlines as the countrys aggression in Gaza and Lebanon stokes fears of a regional war. In October video emerged of controversial Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir distributing rifles to so-called civilian security teams in the occupied territory.In March, Ben-Gvir celebrated distributing his 100,000th gun license since October 7.According to analysis recently released by the group Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP), one child has been killed every two days in the West Bank over the last 11 months. UNICEF noted that the figure represents a spike of nearly 250 per cent compared to the preceding nine months.An average of five children are killed or injured daily in the West Bank, according to the organization Save the Children.More than 440 Palestinian children have been injured with live ammunition, UNICEF has reported. The increasing tensions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are also impacting the physical and mental well-being of thousands of children and families, who are now living in daily fear for their lives. Children report being scared to walk around their neighbourhoods, or to travel to school.Some 116 journalists and media workers have been killed since the beginning of Israels latest military operation against Hamas said the Committee to Protect Journalists, calling it the deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began gathering data. Casualties in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict have received disproportionate coverage in Western media, but the group noted that more than twice as many journalists had been killed by Israel in just one month of fighting as had died in 18 months of conflict in the Donbass.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240428/world-central-kitchen-to-resume-work-in-gaza-as-hunger-malnutrition-still-stalk-enclave-1118167268.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240918/israel-and-us-behind-two-waves-of-blasts-in-lebanon-to-divert-attention-from-gaza-genocide---expert-1120194799.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240910/at-least-40-killed-60-injured-in-israeli-air-strike-on-al-mawasi-in-gaza-strip---reports-1120091066.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240912/israels-bombing-of-gaza-mapped-out-1120119257.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/israeli-defense-minister-says-discussed-regional-situation-hezbollah-threats-with-austin-1120256588.html

Israeli Defense Minister Says Discussed Regional Situation, Hezbollah Threats With Austin

Israeli Defense Minister Says Discussed Regional Situation, Hezbollah Threats With Austin

Sputnik International

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday that he discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) actions against Lebanese movement Hezbollah with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

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"Spoke yesterday [Sunday] evening with U.S. Secretary of Defense following my visit to the IDFs Northern Command. Provided the Secretary with a situation assessment of Hezbollah threats and briefed him on IDF operations to degrade Hezbollahs ability to launch attacks against Israeli civilians," Gallant wrote on X. Gallant and Austin also talked about the overall regional situation and threats posed by Iran and its "proxies". Last week, Gallant also announced a new phase of the Israeli war effort in the region, with the focus shifting to the northern front. On Friday, Israel carried out an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut, killing 45 people, according to the latest data from the Lebanese Health Ministry. The IDF later said that the strike killed top Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil, as well as 15 other Hezbollah members.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240922/lebanon-pager-attacks-timing-not-tied-to-plot-being-uncovered-israeli-media-says-1120250434.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/jordan-suspends-flights-to-beirut-amid-israeli-strikes-on-lebanon---regulator-1120262278.html

Jordan Suspends Flights to Beirut Amid Israeli Strikes on Lebanon - Regulator

Jordan Suspends Flights to Beirut Amid Israeli Strikes on Lebanon - Regulator

Sputnik International

Jordan has suspended flights to Beirut until further notice amid Israel's massive airstrikes on Lebanese territory, Jordan's Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) said on Monday.

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"The commission decided to suspend flights of Jordanian air carriers to Beirut until further notice," the CARD said. The decision was made in order to ensure the safety of flight crews and passengers amid the growing tensions in the region, the regulator added. Earlier in the day, eyewitnesses told Sputnik that the Israeli Air Force had carried out several strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/about-5000-people-injured-in-lebanon-this-week-due-to-israeli-attacks---health-minister-1120261827.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/less-than-half-of-moldovans-ready-to-support-eu-integration-at-referendum--poll-1120261462.html

Less Than Half of Moldovans Ready to Support EU Integration at Referendum  Poll

Less Than Half of Moldovans Ready to Support EU Integration at Referendum  Poll

Sputnik International

Less that half of Moldovas citizens are ready vote in favor of amending the constitution to include the country's aspiration to join the European Union, according to data released by Moldovan polling company Data Inteligente (iData) on Monday.

2024-09-23T17:38+0000

2024-09-23T17:38+0000

2024-09-23T17:38+0000

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If the referendum on joining the EU was held next Sunday, 45.9% of the respondents would vote for amending the constitution, while 39% said they would vote against, 12.7% said they were undecided and 2.4% refused to answer, iData said. Meanwhile, 66.7% of the respondents said they would attend the referendum, while 25.9% said they would not do it and 7.4% of the respondents are undecided, data showed. Under local legislature, referendum turnout threshold is 33%. Referendum is considered valid if the majority of participants voted in favor. The poll showed that the number of potential votes in favor is not big enough. The iData poll was conducted between September 13-18, on a sample of 1,021 people from 293 localities. The margin of error did not exceed 3%. The EU officially opened accession negotiations with Moldova on June 25, two years after it was granted candidate status. The European Commission said it would continue to assess the state of Moldova's preparedness, including its progress on democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240726/moldova-gravitating-towards-nato-against-peoples-will---deputy-speaker-1119519173.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/south-korea-to-deploy-tanks-artillery-for-overseas-exercise-for-1st-time---reports-1120257207.html

South Korea to Deploy Tanks, Artillery, for Overseas Exercise for 1st time - Reports

South Korea to Deploy Tanks, Artillery, for Overseas Exercise for 1st time - Reports

Sputnik International

South Korea will, for the first time, deploy its tanks and artillery for an overseas exercise participating in combined drills in Qatar next month, the Yonhap news agency reported on Monday, citing military officials.

2024-09-23T11:56+0000

2024-09-23T11:56+0000

2024-09-23T11:56+0000

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Seoul will send 100 soldiers, four K2 Black Panther tanks, and four K9A1 Thunder howitzers to the drills, according to the military, which added that the exercises will run for two weeks starting October 14 at Qatar's Al Qalayel training center. The two countries are expected to stage live-fire drills and equipment maintenance training, the report read. The drills are aimed at practicing deployment of Seoul's military in unfamiliar surroundings. The South Korean contingent will travel to Qatar on Tuesday aboard the Cheon Wang Bong and Nojeokbong landing ships, with the latter having scheduled naval drills in Doha's waters, the South Korean military said. The naval drills will include unloading equipment, maritime maneuvering, and taking off and landing helicopters from deck to deck.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/us-south-korea-conclude-annual-large-scale-military-drills-1119948101.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/sputnik-expert-shared-secrets-of-preserving-and-digitizing-analog-photo-archives-1120260526.html

Sputnik Expert Shared Secrets of Preserving and Digitizing Analog Photo Archives

Sputnik Expert Shared Secrets of Preserving and Digitizing Analog Photo Archives

Sputnik International

The fourth session running this year 2024 of the SputnikPro project for the OIC States Broadcasting Union (OSBU) was held today at the International Multimedia press center of Sputnik.

2024-09-23T16:34+0000

2024-09-23T16:34+0000

2024-09-23T16:34+0000

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The workshop was presented by Ekaterina Volkova, senior editor of Sputnik Photo Directorate. OSBU President Amr Ellissy launched this session with participants from Nigeria, Sudan, Mali, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bangladesh, Yemen and Egypt, mentioning in his opening speech: "Today we are talking about preserving our memory, our photographs in conditions when new technologies are rapidly developing. I am sure that each of our participants will receive new ideas for organizing archives in their media". Participants got acquainted with the best historical photographs from the agency's archive and learned about the specifics of work with original old samples, storage, scanning and cataloging. 15 professionals interested in visual art in the media joined this English-language master class.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240815/sputniks-first-official-partner-in-bangladesh-1119784695.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/uk-defunds-confucius-institutes-in-latest-example-of-western-anti-china-freakout-1120252812.html

UK Defunds Confucius Institutes in Latest Example of Western Anti-China Freakout

UK Defunds Confucius Institutes in Latest Example of Western Anti-China Freakout

Sputnik International

The UK government has announced it is pulling funding from Chinese-backed Confucius Institutes across the country in the latest manifestation of anti-China anxiety across the Western world.

2024-09-23T02:55+0000

2024-09-23T02:55+0000

2024-09-23T02:58+0000

keir starmer

dwight d. eisenhower

mao zedong

china

united kingdom (uk)

cia

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cultural exchanges

culture

world

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/07/19/1097762064_0:0:1980:1114_1920x0_80_0_0_7ec01559066354254a4ad4dc8d77905a.jpg

Like any international body operating in the UK, Confucius Institutes need to operate transparently and within the law, and with a full commitment to our values, read a statement from a spokesperson for Keir Starmers Labour government that asserted challenges posed by Beijing.Confucius Institutes are Chinese government-backed institutions on international college campuses that dedicate themselves to promoting Chinese culture and supporting the teaching of the Chinese language. The program originated in 2004 with the goal of promoting cultural exchange efforts, but it has drawn scrutiny in recent years as Western governments respond to Chinas dramatic economic and diplomatic rise.A report from the UK Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee last year alleged that Confucius Institutes are Trojan horses for Chinese soft power and propaganda. Beijing likens the program to similar Western governmentbacked organizations dedicated to promoting culture and language abroad, such as the UKs British Council, Germanys Goethe-Institut and Frances Alliance Francaise.The intelligence committee found that the [Chinese] organisations are used by the Chinese Government to steer universities from engaging in debates over contentious issues like Tibet and Taiwan, according to the British Daily Mail tabloid news outlet. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has worked for decades to undermine Chinese governance of Tibet by grooming the Dalai Lama as an pro-Western asset, while the United States has backed separatist forces in Taiwan despite a number of memorandums issued in the 1970s and 80s affirming that Beijing maintains sovereignty over the territory.A similar controversy over Confucius Institutes has simmered in the United States over the last several years. The US government alleged in 2019 the organizations exercised undue influence; the number of Confucius Institutes on US college and university campuses subsequently plummeted from 100 to just five.The attacks on the program have contributed to a shortage of Chinese language teachers in the United States, threatening cultural ties between the two countries and putting the future of diplomacy between Washington and Beijing in doubt. The United States Chinese language interpreter was roundly mocked online after making several major mistakes during a tense US-China summit in Alaska in 2021.The United States is running critically low on China expertise, read a piece in the Washington Post earlier this year. By most metrics, China studies in the United States is in decline, with fewer American students studying Chinese than before the pandemic and fewer still spending meaningful time in the country. Enrollments in college Mandarin courses peaked around 2016, then fell by more than 20 percent by 2020, according to data from the Modern Language Association.In 2011-2012, 14,887 American college students went abroad to China. By 2018-2019, that number had declined to 11,639, and by 2020-2021, to just 382. Although some colleges have begun to rebuild their programs in China, the pace is cautious and uncertain.China is the worlds largest economy as measured by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) since 2017. Western countries have increasingly responded with hostility to the countrys meteoric rise, with US Congress recently passing a raft of anti-China legislation.The US military is currently in the midst of a major restructuring amid plummeting recruitment rates, with the goal of preparing for an anticipated war with China in the Pacific region.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220620/helsinki-university-closes-china-funded-confucius-institute-over-soft-power-scare-1096473907.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210211/USHasOngoingConcernsOverChinasActivitiesWithConfuciusInstitutes-StateDepartment-1082049393.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240228/world-war-iii-watch-us-army-restructuring-to-focus-on-large-scale-combat-1117030444.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/ukraine-loses-up-to-16400-soldiers-during-operation-in-kursk-area---mod-1120256408.html

Ukraine Loses Up to 16,400 Soldiers During Operation in Kursk Area - MoD

Ukraine Loses Up to 16,400 Soldiers During Operation in Kursk Area - MoD

Sputnik International

The Russian armed forces have eliminated up to 16,400 Ukrainian servicemen and 127 tanks during military operations in the border areas of the Kursk Region, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Monday.

2024-09-23T11:23+0000

2024-09-23T11:23+0000

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In total, during the fighting in the Kursk area, the Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 16,400 servicemen, 127 tanks, 60 infantry fighting vehicles, 95 armored personnel carriers, 797 armored combat vehicles, 497 cars, the MoD said in a statement. Over the past 24 hours, Kiev lost more than 340 soldiers in battles in the Kursk Region, the ministry added. Russian troops repelled counterattacks in two directions of the Kursk Region, during which the Ukrainian forces lost up to 25 fighters, the ministry also noted. The Russian armed forces also repelled two attempts by Ukrainian troops to break through the Russian border in the Kursk region, eliminating up to 30 Ukrainian troops and a tank.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/ukraine-loses-up-to-600-soldiers-in-battles-with-russias-southern-troops-1120255904.html

Ukraine Loses Up to 600 Troops in Clashes With Russia's Battlegroup Yug

Ukraine Loses Up to 600 Troops in Clashes With Russia's Battlegroup Yug

Sputnik International

Russia's Yug (South) group of forces has eliminated up to 600 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

2024-09-23T09:44+0000

2024-09-23T09:44+0000

2024-09-23T11:03+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

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russian defense ministry

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"The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 600 servicemen, two combat armored vehicles, and eight cars [among other losses in clashes with Battlegroup Yug (South)]," the ministry said in a statement. Russia's Battlegroup Zapad (West) has repelled four counterattacks and eliminated up to 450 Ukrainian soldiers, while Battlegroup Tsentr (Center) has repulsed nine counterattacks, neutralizing as many as 440 Ukrainian troops, the ministry said. Battlegroup Vostok (East) has repelled a counterattack and wiped out as many as 140 Ukrainian military personnel.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240922/ukraine-lost-over-50-of-equipment-involved-in-attack-on-kursk-region---russian-general-1120249594.html

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russia's yug (south) group of forces has eliminated up to 600 ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the russian defense ministry said on monday.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/un-warns-of-catastrophe-as-israel-and-hezbollah-near-full-scale-war-1120252050.html

UN Warns of 'Catastrophe' as Israel and Hezbollah Near Full-Scale War

UN Warns of 'Catastrophe' as Israel and Hezbollah Near Full-Scale War

Sputnik International

Israel and Hezbollah have now entered a stage in their nearly year-long conflict that reports say is verging on a full-out war.

2024-09-23T03:54+0000

2024-09-23T03:54+0000

2024-09-23T03:54+0000

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Israel and Hezbollah have now entered a stage in their nearly year-long conflict that reports say is verging on a full-out war. Citing Israels military, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that dozens of warplanes struck southern Lebanon on Saturday night into Sunday morning. The IDF excused their attack as pre-emptive.In response to the mysterious string of attacks on Hezbollah members communication devices - that left more than 30 people dead, including civilians - the militant group targeted Israels Rafael Advanced Defense Systems which is one of the developers of its Iron Dome air-defense system. Hezbollah also said that they targeted Israels Ramat David Airbase near Haifa.According to the report, the IDF did not confirm the target of the militant groups strikes, but said they had struck deeper than usual into Israeli territory.The IDF said that about 150 rockets, missiles and other projectiles were fired onto its territory overnight on Saturday and early Sunday, BBC reported. The report added that thousands of Israelis took cover in bomb shelters as a result, which resulted in damaging homes near Haifa.On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would deal a series of blows on Hezbollah that it could have never imagined. Meanwhile, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem said: Threats will not stop us We are ready to face all military possibilities.International officials expressed their concern regarding the latest exchange of violence in Lebanon. For example, UN chief Antonio Guterres told CNN he feared the possibility of transforming Lebanon [into] another Gaza. Meanwhile, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert wrote on that the Middle East is on the brink of imminent catastrophe and said there is no military solution that will make either side safer.The US embassy in Beirut also urged citizens in Lebanon to evacuate while commercial options are still available.Tensions between Israel and Lebanon escalated following Israels retaliatory attacks in the Gaza Strip in October of last year. Since then, the IDF and Hezbollah have been exchanging cross-border fire almost daily.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240922/lebanon-pager-attacks-timing-not-tied-to-plot-being-uncovered-israeli-media-says-1120250434.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240923/what-are-the-latest-developments-in-israel-lebanon-tensions-1120259041.html

What are the Latest Developments in Israel-Lebanon Tensions?

What are the Latest Developments in Israel-Lebanon Tensions?

Sputnik International

Hezbollah previously vowed to retaliate against Israel following a deadly wave of explosions last week that targeted pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to members of the Lebanon-based militant group.

2024-09-23T13:49+0000

2024-09-23T13:49+0000

2024-09-23T13:49+0000

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Tel Aviv and Hezbollah have both vowed to increase their cross-border attacks against each other, with the Lebanese militant group's deputy leader Naim Qassem saying that they "have entered a new phase, namely an open reckoning" with the Jewish state.In the latest developments, the Lebanese Health Ministry said that at least 100 people were killed and more than 400 injured, including "children, women and paramedics," in what has likely been Israels most intensive air strikes on Lebanon since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have targeted more than 300 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, destroying thousands of the groups rocket launchers and damaging scores of villages and towns in the area.Hezbollah, in turn, fired rockets towards northern Israel, where IDF bases and logistics warehouses were hit with "dozens" of missiles, in a tit-for-tat move.This came after Israel conducted an airstrike on the southern Beirut suburb of Dahieh in which the IDF killed Ibrahim Aqil, also known as Abdul Khader, the commander of Hezbollah's special operations unit. Lebanons Health Ministry said 51 people were killed in the strike and more than 60 were wounded.Last week, at least 37 people were killed and thousands more wounded after pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah exploded in Lebanon, attacks the group blamed on Israel, who denies the accusations. Earlier in July Israel conducted an airstrike on an apartment building in southern Beirut in which the IDF claimed to have killed Fouad Shukr, a senior military adviser to Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, who was in charge of the movement's missile development project. Lebanons Health Ministry said 100 people, including three children, were killed in the strike.Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel escalated on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions the day after the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240922/us-officials-feign-fear-of-full-on-lebanon-war-while-hoping-israeli-strikes-bring-hezbollah-to-heel-1120248614.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240921/biden-administration-fears-all-out-war-between-israel-hezbollah---reports-1120232964.html

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a wave of explosions, pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to members of the lebanon-based militant group,tel aviv and hezbollah's pledge to increase their cross-border attacks against each other, 300 hezbollah sites in southern lebanon, fighting between hezbollah and israel
Despite starting behind the field of Preferred trotters at Leamington Raceway, Workinitonbroadway got his nose to the wire first for a milestone victory on Sunday, Sept. 22.

An eight-year-old gelded son of Broadway Hall out of the Ken Warkentin mare Working Girl, Workinitonbroadway earned his 50th career victory with a two-minute mile in the $5,000 Preferred 4 Handicap Trot.

Workinitonbroadway got away midfield after a trailing tier start through a :28 opening panel. As the parked out Duke Deo (Nick Steward) worked his way to the top and cleared stablemate Shouldaknownbetter (Anthony Hamlin) at the half-mile mark in :58, Donnie Rankin Jr. made his move with Workinonbroadway and advanced first-over to three-quarters in 1:28.2 with Hally Road (Lorne House) hot on his heels. Workinonbroadway battled past Duke Deo as they raced down the stretch in front of the grandstand and held off the late-charging Hally Road in the three-across finish. Last through the first half, Toscano Girl (Garrett Rooney), the 7-5 race favourite after winning last week's Preferred, finished more than five lengths behind the top trio.

Sent postward as the 5-1 fourth choice in the field of seven, Workinitonbroadway returned $12.30 to his pari-mutuel backers.

Rankin trains, drives and co-owns the trotter with Chris Hadrian. Workinitonbroadway, who also won the first Preferred of the Leamington meet on Aug. 18, now has seven wins from 34 starts overall this year. He currently sits just on the verge of the $400,000 earnings mark with a career summary reading 50-37-28 in 186 starts.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada; Photo of Workinitonbroadway from a previous win)
Diamond Creek is throwing its fourth annual "Champions and Champagne" showcase during the Lexington sale week.

Everyone is invited to the Georgetown, Kentucky farm to sip champagne and meet some of the stallions of Diamond Creek. This year's lineup includes Gimpanzee, Father Patrick and Marseille as well as the recently retired winner of over $2 million, Allywag Hanover.

The showcase is Tuesday, Oct. 1 through Friday, Oct. 4 from 10-12 p.m. each day. The address is 6146 Paris Pike, Georgetown, KY 40324. No RSVPs required.

Diamond Creek is also hosting its annual "Beach Party" on Oct. 4 before the Lexington Selected Sale from 5-7 p.m. at Barn 7. There will be tacos, margaritas and music -- all sponsored by the Downbytheseaside syndicate.

(Diamond Creek)
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Apple Inc. has been warned by the European Union to open up its highly guarded iPhone and iPad operating systems to rival technologies, or eventually risk significant fines under its flagship digital antitrust rules.

EU watchdogs announced under the bloc's Digital Markets Act that Apple must step into line with strict new laws on making operating systems fully functional with other technologies. The Brussels-based authority gave the company six months to comply, or face the threat of future penalties.

While the announcement is a step shy of being a formal investigation, the EU aims to compel Apple to re-engineer its services to allow rival companies to access the iPhone's and iPad operating systems.

"Today is the first time we use specification proceedings under the DMA to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations," EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement. "Effective interoperability, for example with smartphones and their operating systems, plays an important role in this."

Cupertino, California-based Apple said it's created ways for developers to request additional interoperability with iPhone and iPad operating systems, while protecting users' security. Undermining protections built into its systems over time would put European consumers at risk, the company added.

Apple shares rose 1.6% to $224.25 in premarket trading of 164,801 shares. The EU announcement confirms an earlier report by Bloomberg.

One of the aims of the DMA is to ensure that other developers can gain access to key Apple features, such as its Siri voice commands and its payments chip.

The EU may later decide to launch a formal probe if Apple doesn't step into line with the DMA, which could eventually lead to hefty fines of up to 10% of global annual sales. It is already facing a parallel investigation into its App Store rules for developers, which could also lead to hefty penalties.

Earlier this month, Apple announced the latest version of its flagship device, the iPhone 16, betting it can entice consumers with modest hardware upgrades and AI technology that's still on the horizon.

But in June, the U.S. giant said that certain featuresincluding Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharingwould be held back from the EU, due to the DMA's requirements on operating systems to work with third-party apps.

2024 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Cambridge University has today released a report outlining a five-year roadmap to help the aviation sector achieve net-zero climate impact by 2050.

Despite ambitious pledges from governments and industry, the aviation sector remains significantly off course in its efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The report, titled "Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation," outlines four 2030 Sustainable Aviation Goalsspecific, actionable steps that must be initiated immediately and completed within five years if the aviation sector is to be on track to achieve net-zero by 2050.

The 2030 Goals outlined in the report are:

Accelerating the deployment of a global contrail avoidance system, which could reduce aviation's climate impact by up to 40%. This would involve the immediate creation of experiments at the scale of whole airspace regions to learn in real environments.

Implementing a new wave of policies aimed at unlocking system-wide efficiency gains across the existing aviation sector. This has the potential to halve fuel burn by 2050 by tapping into efficiency gains that individual companies can't address.

Reforming Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) policies to account for global biomass limits across all sectors while driving renewable electricity production. This would provide the market with the confidence needed to rapidly scale up SAF production and ensure its sustainability.

Launching several moonshot technology demonstration programs designed to rapidly assess the viability and scalability of transformative technologies, bringing forward the timeline for their deployment.

The report stresses that if these actions are initiated immediately and completed within five years, the aviation sector can put itself on track to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The report was developed by the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA)a project led by the University of Cambridge, hosted by the University's Whittle Laboratory and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). The report will be presented to industry leaders at events hosted by the Sustainable Markets Initiative as part of New York Climate Week.

The Whittle Laboratory is a world-leading research center specializing in flight and energy. Partnering with the world's leading industries to develop low emission and zero emission technologies. CISL is a globally leading institute supporting business and government to move towards a sustainable economy.

Professor Rob Miller, Director, Whittle Lab says, "Aviation stands at a pivotal moment, much like the automotive industry in the late 2000s. Back then, discussions centered around biofuels as the replacement for petrol and dieseluntil Tesla revolutionized the future with electric vehicles. Our five-year plan is designed to accelerate this decision point in aviation, setting it on a path to achieve net-zero by 2050."

Eliot Whittington, Executive Director at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership says, "Too often the discussions about how to achieve sustainable aviation lurch between overly optimistic thinking about current industry efforts and doom-laden cataloging of the sector's environmental evils.

"The Aviation Impact Accelerator modeling has drawn on the best available evidence to show that there are major challenges to be navigated if we're to achieve net zero flying at scale, but that it is possible. With focus and a step change in ambition from governments and business, we can address the hurdles, unlock sustainable flying and in doing so build new industries and support wider economic change."

More information: Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation, xprmnt.uk/cambridgereport/
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The Biden administration has launched a new initiative to crack down on smugglers at U.S. borders and ports. The concern isn't drugs or counterfeit goods, though; it's a refrigerant that's also a dangerous greenhouse gas.

The Environmental Protection Agency, Customs and Border Protection and other agencies are arming themselves with new weaponslike AI tools that can pick out suspicious shipmentsand rethinking ways of teaming up to combat the threat.

"We're deploying our enforcement authorities in ways we never have before to combat climate change," said David Uhlmann, head of EPA's enforcement division. In early September, the agency issued an enforcement alert to spotlight the problem.

The U.S. has experienced a smuggling epidemic like this before, with HFCs' predecessors. When dozens of nations agreed in the 1990s to ban chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), one of the most unwelcome outcomes was the formation of a black market for people who wanted to keep using refrigerants. The market grew so fast that, by mid-decade, $500 million of CFCs were being illegally traded each year, according to the United Nations Environment Program.

Now, the Biden administration is attempting to disrupt an eerily similar pattern from playing out as a phase-out of HFCs leads to a burgeoning black market. So far, the results of the crackdown have been striking. Since the start of fiscal year 2024, the Biden administration has stopped roughly 25 illegal shipments of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), according to an EPA spokesman. Those shipments account for more than 211,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of 50,000 gas-powered vehicles driving for a year.

But those numbers also indicate that the HFC smuggling sector is already enormous, since the amount of intercepted shipments is only a fraction of what sneaks through, according to Richie Kaur, a super pollutant reduction advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Deep cuts drive demand

HFCswhich are mostly used as refrigerants in supermarkets, restaurants, residential buildings and carsare extremely potent greenhouse gases that can't be brought into the U.S. without special allowances from the EPA.

The 2019 American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act mandates the phase-down of domestic HFC production and consumption by 85% by 2036. The EPA took a major step toward that goal in January when it ratcheted down the amount of HFCs permitted in the U.S. to 60% of baseline levels.

But those cuts have driven demand among business owners and consumers who fear they may have to spend thousands of dollars switching out refrigeration equipment.

A handful of cases over the last few months highlight the wide range of actors who try to smuggle HFCs into the U.S.

In January, the EPA settled with geothermal power company Open Mountain Energya subsidiary of a large Chinese company, Kaishan Groupwhich had allegedly tried to bring more 44,000 pounds of HFCs into the country.

Two months later, the EPA settled with electrochemicals company Resonac America Inc. for $416,000, the largest penalty in the agency's history for illegally importing HFCs.

Then, in April, the agency filed a complaint against U.S. Wholesale, Inc. for trying to smuggle 34,480 pounds of HFCs through California. That filing was the first administrative complaint under the AIM Act, which gives the EPA new powers to crack down on the production and use of HFCs.

The Biden administration made its first arrest under the law in March, charging a man in San Diego with smuggling HFCs allegedly bought in Mexico into the U.S. The indictment said Michael Hart concealed the refrigerants under a tarp and tools, then sold them on sites like Facebook Marketplace. The EPA has completed nine civil settlements linked to HFC importation in fiscal 2024, according to the agency.

Retrofitting old equipment to run on a new refrigerant typically requires expensive upgrades and new parts that aren't optimized for cooling capacity, energy efficiency and durability, said Stephen Andersen, director of research at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.

Making matters worse, it's fairly easy to sneak HFCs across the border, according to trade experts. Smugglers typically rely on simple methods like relabeling tanks of HFCs; falsely indicating on an import document that an HFC shipment is only passing through the U.S. on its way to another country; or hiding the relatively small containers somewhere aboard a vast ship.

"Inspections are so minimal," said Michael Ford, a veteran trade specialist and owner of Tradebridge Consulting. "Customs isn't physically opening the containers. There's no way they can."

And once a shipment of HFCs is inside U.S. borders, it can easily slip into the stream of commerceone reason it's so hard to gauge how much is being smuggled into the nation and what effect those contraband products are having on prices of legitimate HFCs.

"There's really no way to tell a legal pound of HFC from an illegal pound of HFC," Kaur said. "We don't have a handle on the size of the black market because we don't know what we're not catching."

Prices of HFCs vary in part because there are so many different kinds, but one of the most common variants, known as R-134A, is available in a 30-pound tank for $489 at Lowe's Pro Supply. The same size tank can be found for between $300 and $350 at specialized retailers like Refrigerant Depot, or as low as $52 on Craigslist. It's legal to sell HFCs in the U.S. as long as the manufacturer or importer have EPA allowances to make them or bring them into the country.

That's why it's critical to catch shipments at or before they reach the border, trade experts agree.

Enforcement agencies are trying to get better at the kinds of old-fashioned tactics they've always relied on, many of which were first learned during the CFC ban.

One strategy that continues to play a central role is the development of human sources on the ground to tip off customs agents about what's coming their way, according to both Uhlmann and AnnMarie Highsmith, executive assistant commissioner at CBP's Office of Trade. But they aren't the only tools being used.

New weapons

"The victory is not the seizure," said Highsmith. "If we're enforcing at the port of entry, we've already lost. The goal of our enforcement efforts is to stop these crimes from being committed in the first place, as well as the harm they cause to the environment, local and global communities, and the economy."

To bolster their ability to do that, federal agencies are busily developing new artificial intelligence tools. Uhlmann, like all the federal officials interviewed for this report, declined to provide granular details about what the government is working on in order not to tip off bad actors. But he did say the EPA is exploring ways that AI can "analyze the enormous quantity of data that is available to the agency and allow us to more quickly identify targets for enforcement and compliance assurance activities."

Similarly, Highsmith said her agency is developing modern tools to quickly process large volumes of data and make targeting decisions earlier in the shipping process. The agency tries to scan shipments quickly to keep commercial trade flowing freely, but an enormous volume of imports flood the nation's ports of entry every day.

One of the primary ways AI can help catch smugglers is by looking beyond the regular paperwork shippers must filewhich essentially declares what's in their containersand peering into databases owned by intelligence agencies, local law enforcement or even other nations to spot potential bad actors, said Andrew Farrelly, the former director of targeting programs at CBP's National Targeting Center.

"A lot of CBP targeting is about making the unknown known," said Farrelly, now CEO of CT Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in border and supply chain issues.

Some red flags could include brand new companies with no shipping history, companies with some nexus to nations known to produce HFCs, companies created or led by individuals with criminal histories, or shipments of products that could have HFCs embedded within them, Farrelly said.

Highsmith confirmed that CBP is trying to modernize its systems to ingest information from supply chain providers who may not be known quantities, then ferret out inconsistencies and "unanticipated, unexpected bad guys."

The agency is also investing in the development of digital supply chain technologies, which could enhance officials' ability to trace and verify the origin, composition and environmental impact of many types of products, Highsmith said.

Other efforts are aimed at knitting regulatory and law enforcement agencies together in new ways. For example, CBP is testing software standards for global interoperability so federal agencies can send and receive secure, verifiable data with trade entities in real time, bridging data silos in the global supply chain, Highsmith said.

Separately, CBP is working on ways to encourage shippers to voluntarily provide information at an earlier stage.

The result of these efforts is that CBP and other federal agencies "will have more information earlier in the supply chain, which better equips us to facilitate legitimate, lawful trade and to prevent illegal activities" such as smuggling, Highsmith said.

Emphasis on proven strategies

Various efforts are also underway to bring together agencies that haven't always worked together to crack down on smuggling. The Biden administration formed an interagency task force in September 2021 specifically to stop the illegal HFC trade, knitting together the EPA, CBP, and the Departments of Defense, Justice and State.

CBP is already skilled at identifying bad actors, detecting trends and patterns in importing and exporting behavior, and keying in on things that "aren't quite right" and may need further review, said Susan Thomas, the agency's executive director of cargo and conveyance security.

But the task force lets the other agencies share what they know about importers and exporters with each otherin the process sharpening targeting across the board, said Highsmith.

Some of those new collaborations are extending to non-governmental organizations, foreign customs agencies and the World Customs Organization, according to Highsmith.

Another old-fashioned technique the Biden administration is using is an active, visible presence of enforcement personnel at ports and border crossings, Uhlmann said.

Still, some critics of the Biden administration say even more needs to be done to get tough on HFC smugglers.

"Transnational criminal networks know CBP can't possibly inspect all cargo that comes through the ports, especially seaports, and they take advantage of that," said Representative Mark Green, the Republican chair of the House Homeland Security Committee.

For that reason, the White House "should be putting increased pressure on China to force changes in behavior and stop flooding our ports with these illicit goods," Green said.

He also said small shipments with a declared value of less than $800known as de minimis shipmentsare far less scrutinized, creating a potential vulnerability. De minimis shipments have more than doubled over the last five years, Green said, which hurts the competitiveness of American business and contributes to human rights abuses abroad.

To fix those problems, Green advocated for the Secure the Border Act, a Republican-backed bill that would increase the number of CBP officers who can target suspicious shipments, shippers and consignees.

Uhlmann said he expects HFCs smuggling to surge, but eventually drop off, as "people will get with the program"the same way they did with CFCs.

Until then, he cautions that people shouldn't expect federal authorities to catch every smuggler, because perfect performance in that line of business is impossible.

"There are illegal shipments of HFCs that will evade detection at the border," Uhlmann said. "It's simply not possible to stop all unlawful importation of HFCs, for the same reason that it's impossible to stop all illegal efforts to introduce fentanyl into the country and to smuggle guns and other contraband into the country."

2024 Bloomberg News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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As the country ramps up its stock of solar farms in the West, rural Nevada is bracing for impact. Especially so in one of the state's most-strained water basins outside of Las Vegas.

Following the release of the Bureau of Land Management's updated Western Solar Plan, some in Nye County's Amargosa Desert wrapped in a bitter, ongoing fight with federal land managers and solar companies have decided to submit official protest letters expressing their concerns. The protest period closes at the end of this month before the plan becomes final.

The plan opens up about 12 million acres of land in Nevada for solar development, 220,000 of which lie in the watershed of the fickle Amargosa River, a largely underground water source that runs from Beatty into Badwater Basin at Death Valley National Park. Nevada's BLM office declined to comment on concerns brought up by the plan.

"It's going to be an industrial park," said Carolyn Allen, town board president of Amargosa Valley, a 900 square-mile rural town where solar farms could border homes and schools as currently proposed. "They are blanketing everything for solar."

The BLM has said it plans to develop 700,000 of the 31 million total acres into solar farms over the course of two decades in the 11 Western states. That's more than seven times the size of the city of Las Vegas.

Nevada's vast public lands are central to the country's goal of 100 percent reliance on clean energy by 2035a priority that could change depending on who is in the White House.

Plenty of solar is likely to come to Nevada, which tops the list of states in the acreage available for projects and has dozens of projects already underway. The state's forthcoming construction of NV Energy's Greenlink transmission lines will make solar siting in rural areas easier, as projects must be within 15 miles of a transmission line to be able to transport energy to urban centers.

Basin 162's solar problem

Of the Silver State's 17 counties, Nye County has the most acres of federal land now eyed for solar, with more than 2 million acres designated, said Megan Labadie, the county's natural resources director. It is the biggest Nevada county by landand far from being the least populated.

It's home to what many believe is the state's most over-appropriated water basin, meaning that the legal rights people have on paper to pump water far exceed the amount replenished every year through snowmelt, or perennial yield.

Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director of the Center for Biological Diversity, said projects can take up to 1,000 acre-feet of water each to construct. The perennial yield of Pahrump's Basin 162 could easily be outpaced by the demands of dozens of large solar companies, he said.

"Where is this water going to come from?" Donnelly asked. "That question is really unanswered in the Western Solar Plan."

In addition to concerns for rural residents who rely on private groundwater wells for drinking water, the basin is connected to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, often called the jewel of Nevada's Mojave Desert.

Through what's known as a mineral withdrawal, environmental groups have been fighting to stave off lithium mining in the area to protect the refuge's many groundwater-dependent endangered species, including the famed Devils Hole pupfish.

Nye County's paneled future

Labadie, the natural resources director for Nye County, said she remains troubled by the lack of rural outreach in developing the plan. There are a litany of threats the plan presents to desert living in Nye County, from the value of homes going down to air quality issues to the loss of historical areas such as the Old Spanish Trail.

A large driver of the economy in these towns is recreational eco-tourism, Labadie said.

"People don't want to be driving through solar facilities," she said. "They want to be driving through untouched desert."

The Nye County Commission voted to extend its moratorium on solar development for another 90 days this week in an effort to slow down the permitting of some proposed projects. Nye County, in addition to environmental group the Amargosa Conservancy and a handful of town boards, will be submitting formal protests to the BLM.

Labadie said county officials have come to the conclusion that they don't have any wide-reaching authority to stifle solar development.

"Regardless of whether or not we want solar in our county, it's coming," she said. "We need to develop some sort of map showing where we would love to have solar, or at least accept it."

The Amargosa Conservancy drafted an online petition it encourages people to sign, which had more than 250 signatures as of Thursday afternoon. Instructions on submitting an official protest letter to the BLM can be found on the official page for the project at eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022371/570.

2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Google has monopolized the technology used to buy and sell online display ads by restricting or eliminating the choices of its customersboth website publishers and advertisersthe U.S. Justice Department alleged at a federal antitrust trial.

Antitrust enforcers have sought to illustrate how the Alphabet Inc. unit's complex ad ecosystem works and the ways in which the company allegedly manipulated the features of its products and the rules of its auctions to its own benefit. Over the last two weeks at the Virginia trial, they accused Google of abusing its market power in three areas: sell-side tools used by websites, called ad servers; advertising exchanges; and buy-side tools used by advertisers known as ad networks.

Website publishers use an ad server to manage space available for sale. The ad server acts as the brain for the website, keeping track of the minimum bids a publisher is willing to accept, what has been sold and for how much. The Justice Department estimates that Google's ad server controls 87% of the U.S. market and 91% of the market globally.

Ad exchanges control the auctions that match website publishers with advertisers. Google operates the largest exchange, known as AdX, later rebranded as Google Ad Manager. The Justice Department estimates that Google's ad exchange controls 47% of the U.S. market and 56% globally. Other popular ad exchanges include Pubmatic Inc., Index Exchange, and Magnite Inc.

Sophisticated advertisers use software known as a demand-side platform to manage their ads and help determine which ad exchanges to bid on and for how much. Google operates a demand-side platform that can bid on an ad exchange.

Advertisers also use ad networks, which take over most of the decision-making process like where to place ads and what to bid, and are most often used by smaller companies. The Justice Department alleges that Google's network, Google Ads, controls 88% of the U.S. market and 87% globally.

Antitrust enforcers alleged that Google gave special access and privileges to its own ad products to encourage both advertisers and websites to spend only through its services.

Google has argued that the Justice Department's case misunderstands the dynamics, pace of innovation and competitive landscape within the online advertising market. Advertisers have multiple choices for where to buy ads, the company said, including Amazon.com Inc., Meta Platforms Inc.'s Facebook and Instagram, as well as Amazon.com Inc. and ByteDance Ltd.'s TikTok.

The company also said that many of the Justice Department's contentions mischaracterize how the technology operates. Changes to the ad tech platform were intended to improve the product, Google said. The limitations on rivals' access were in place to reduce spam and ad fraud or help advertisers have better control over where ads appeared, the company said.

Tying products

As one advertising executive wrote in a 2017 email to her boss: "The value in Google's ad tech stack is less in each individual product but in the connections across all of them."

Advertisers using the Google Ads network are only permitted to place bids through Google's own exchange, AdX, with a few limited exceptions. That gives AdX a significant volume of ads. In 2020, for example, Google Ads sent in bids for 18 million ads sold through AdX, but only about 3 million to 4 million to third-party exchanges. The tight connection between the products requires any websites that want Google Ads advertising to use AdX.

Similarly, certain functions of Google's ad exchange, such as real-time bidding, are only available to publishers that use its ad server, DFP, according to the Justice Department.

"Customers are essentially forced to use DFP to get access to AdX," said Rosa Abrantes-Metz, the Justice Department's economic expert. Likewise, "AdX is the only channel to reach Google Ads in full."

Popular websites testified that they felt compelled to use Google's ad server product because of its exclusive access to Google Ads.

"I felt like they were holding us hostage," said Stephanie Layser, formerly a top executive at News Corp. in charge of the media company's use of advertising technology. Google's ad server technology, developed decades ago, was "slow and clunky," she said, but News Corp. estimated it might lose as much as $9 million a year if it moved to a different server because it would lose access to Google Ads.

Companies that work with advertisers said they had to use Google's ad exchange, even though it charges higher fees than others, to ensure they had enough access to website inventory.

Google has argued that it has no obligation under the law to make its products work with those offered by rivals. The requirement that Google Ads bid almost exclusively through AdX helps the company better manage spam and ad fraud, company employees testified.

In 2015, Google launched a program called AdWords Bidding that allowed more exchanges to bid on Google's inventory. But it was limited to ad retargeting campaigns, by which marketers reach out to users who have visited their website in the past.

Opening up the platform to allow more exchanges to bid on Google's inventory required a huge lift from the company's internal engineering teams to work through others' problems with quality, testified Nirmal Jayaram, a Google engineer who worked on the company's advertising tools for marketers.

First look

Before 2015, online display ads were sold using a "waterfall" method. A website's ad server would ask each advertising exchange for bids sequentially. If the first exchange had an advertiser willing to pay a website's minimum bid, the process ended. Subsequent exchanges only got to bid if the first one didn't want a particular ad impression, even if they would have been willing to pay more.

The majority of websites used Google's ad server, which would automatically call on Google's ad exchange to bid first, according to the Justice Department. That advantage allowed Google to win most often. Even websites that used a different ad server tended to seek out Google's exchange first because of its exclusive access to advertisers using Google Ads.

Facebook's Brian Boland, who helmed the social network's ad tech tools for a decade, likened this to Google getting to pick the best apples out of a crate before any other exchange.

Google was aware of its advantage. "It's strategic for us to have the AdServer being the decision maker to ensure" Google's advertiser product "has first look access," Eisar Lipkovitz, who headed the company's display ad business from 2014 to 2019, wrote in an email exchange with other Google colleagues.

Gabriel Weintraub, an expert who testified for the Justice Department, estimated that Google's first look decreased the share of bids that rival exchanges saw by about 25%.

Google said the DOJ's descriptions of how the ad server worked mischaracterize the technology and that it was technically possible for websites to move another exchange in front of Google's AdX in the waterfall. Few publishers used this technique, the company said, because they wanted to seek bids from the advertisers who had already chosen to work with Google.

AdMeld acquisition

In 2010, Google became worried about competitors known as yield management systems, which helped websites analyze historical ad performance and determine what order to seek bids from the different ad exchanges. In an internal presentation, Google employees said that the rival tools prevented Google's advertising exchange from seeing all of the available publisher inventory.

At the time, some publishers were more comfortable with these tools because they still hadn't wrapped their heads around some of the new features Google was offering, including real-time bidding, according to Neal Mohan, a leader in Google's display advertising business who later became chief executive officer at YouTube. Mohan likened yield managers to DVDs in a world with modern-day video streaming, framing the tools as outdated tech.

But because publishers still used them, Google was interested in acquiring a company that made them. According to documents shown in court, in 2008, Mohan suggested "picking up the one with the most traction and parking it somewhere."

Google eventually decided to buy a leading yield manager, AdMeld, for more than $400 million in 2011. The search giant incorporated some of AdMeld's technology into its own ad exchange, and then shut down the service in 2013.

Last look

DOJ expert Abrantes-Metz said Google's purchase of AdMeld was a classic "killer acquisition"buying a potential rival and deprecating the features that threatened its own product.

By 2015, websites had become frustrated with Google and started using an alternate technology, known as header bidding, which moved the bidding process outside of the ad server. With header bidding, a publisher would add code to the website so that an auction would take place within the browser as a page was loading. This allowed websites to simultaneously seek bids from all exchanges and pick the one that would pay the most.

After the auction had ended, the website would send the information to the ad server. Because Google's ad server is tied into its exchange, though, the company had an opportunity to decide whether it wanted to preempt the winner and take the ad for itself. Lawyers for the Justice Department argued that this allowed Google to win ads without having to directly compete against other exchanges.

The informational advantage also allowed Google to adjust its own bids downward since it had more data on the highest bids coming from other exchanges, the DOJ said.

Abrantes-Metz, the Justice Department expert, likened it to having other exchanges take part in a sealed bid auction, but letting Google open the envelope at the end.

Google acknowledged this advantage in its internal documents. Google's tools "have visibility in to remnant price before they submit bids (commonly referred to in the market as 'last look')," one presentation said. But the company's lawyers also argued that rival ad exchanges could have built integrations with its ad server that they chose not to do because it was costly.

"Both publishers and exchanges have very strongly complained about the fairness of" last look, another Google employee wrote in a 2016 email.

Weintraub estimated that Google's last look advantage increased the amount of ad spend on its platform by $473 million a year.

Google argues that websites could avoid giving its exchange a last look, but that most publishers opted to allow it to bid because of the greater demand in Google Ads. The company also said that when Google's exchange gained a "last look," that led to higher revenue for publishers.

Revenue share

Google's advertising exchange, AdX, charges a 20% fee on winning bids. But in 2014, Google introduced a mechanism, called Dynamic Revenue Share, that would allow AdX to vary the fee if that would help an advertiser to win. The system would keep track of when it had given an advertiser a discounted fee on a particular bid and make up the difference in a later auction.

The search giant was only able to implement DRS because of its last look advantage, Weintraub said, since Google knew what price it needed to beat in order to win. He estimated that it increased ad spending on Google's exchange by about $162 million a year.

"Because they could see all the bids, they could adjust the rev share at the end," Brian O'Kelley, the former CEO of AppNexus, a rival ad exchange that was later purchased by AT&T and then Microsoft Corp. "Because they were at the end of the process, because they owned the ad server, they could win that impression."

Google argues that the mechanism helped publishers because they made more money from their ad inventory. In one 2019 experiment the company conducted internally, it found that the DRS led to an increase of as much as 4% in publisher revenue.

Pricing rules

After the introduction of header bidding, Google discovered that websites would often give AdX a higher minimum price to compensate for its last look advantage.

In 2019, Google introduced Unified Pricing Rules, which eliminated the ability of websites to give Google's exchange a higher minimum price than other exchanges.

Website publishers were very unhappy with the change. At an April 2019 meeting with top publishers where Google announced the new rules, several websites expressed concern that Google was eliminating a key tool they used to control how exchanges bid on ads.

The new rules "stopped our ability to set floors as we would like," Michael Wheatland, an executive with the UK's Daily Mail newspaper, testified. After the rules were adopted, the newspaper saw three times as much of its ad inventory sold through AdX, he said.

The new rules hurt publishers by limiting their ability to distinguish between different exchanges, DOJ expert Weintraub said. He estimated the rules pushed as much as $221 million in advertising spend each year to AdX.

Google disputes Weintraub's assessment of the impact of the rules, attributing them to a separate change in bidding order.

2024 Bloomberg L.P. 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

The electricity provider for Orlando, Florida, and its customers could use relationship therapy as they venture together into an era of sunshine powering homes, cars and most everything else.

What the municipally owned Orlando Utilities Commission aims to do is swift, consequential and risk-taking in a region of the nation only now going full throttle to green energy. Within 16 years, OUC plans to jettison more than 90% of its tried-and-true ability to make electricity with generation plants that burn fossil fuels, mainly coal and natural gas, and will have erected solar panels on more than 10,000 acres, an expanse larger than Winter Park.

In that time, the utility's batteries for providing nighttime power will grow in capacity to as much as that in 35,000 electric cars.

It's difficult to overstate the enormity of the transformation, which is intended to help shrink fossil fuel carbon pollution that drives global warming, rising sea levels, desertification, supercharged wildfires and storms, spreading pathogens, species extinctions and more.

Already, however, Orlando's utility is struggling to enlist its customers in moves it insists are necessary to chart this new course.

OUC wants to adjust rates so that using electricity during high-demand times of the day is more costly than during low-demand periods, a change it says will promote more efficient use of power. Critics say that many renters and low-income homeownersin part because they can't afford modern, programmable applianceshave little or no ability to change when they consume electricity.

But an even more boisterous outcry has arisen over an issue that affects just a fraction of customers: A proposal to pay rooftop solar users less than current rates for the surplus electricity they send into OUC's power lines. Opposition led by influential city council memberand rooftop solar mavenPatty Sheehan has stalled the utility from moving forward with any modernizing rate changes, and has revealed a distrustful relationship at a time when the utility is about to take momentous steps toward a very different energy future.

"Right now, clearly, customers don't agree with OUC," said veteran state Rep. Anna Eskamani of Orlando, who is active with solar and climate issues in the legislature and more recently with her city.

Eskamani strongly supports OUC's larger commitment to ending its carbon pollution. But she said the utility, as it is publicly owned, needs to slow down and regain the confidence of its climate-concerned customers. "It's really important that you have the support of those you serve," she said.

OUC's chief executive officer, Clint Bullock, said in a recent meeting that the utility will "take the appropriate amount of time to reach out to stakeholders, listen to what they're saying, understand some of the studies and information that they're sharing with us and work through some of the misunderstandings and misconceptions."

While struggling with how it will charge customers in the future, the century-old OUC is moving forward with less controversy toward a monumental goal: reinventing how it makes and supplies power.

Most electric utilities traditionally prioritize one practice: burning carbon-based fuels to run electricity generators. Their prime objective decade after decade has been to tweak incremental gains in fuel efficiency.

What OUC is about to dofar outpacing any other municipal power provider in Floridais pioneer a frontier devoid of carbon-based fuels.

"There's no doubt that the disruption to the utility industry as we transition to a carbon-free, clean energy future is unlike anything that they've seen," said Chris Castro, senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of State and Community Energy Programs and previously the sustainability officer for the city of Orlando.

Later this year, OUC will start up a pair of large solar plantsHarmony II and Storey Bend in Osceola Countyable to provide for about 28,000 homes or roughly 10% of residential customers. For the first time, the sun will be a major source of the utility's electricity. That will take some getting used to for system operators because of solar's intermittency as conditions shift from clear skies to clouds to nighttime.

Next year, OUC will mothball one of its two flagship generators that tower in the east Orange County skyline. They consume mountains of coal and generate tons of planet-heating pollution, although they remain in solid enough financial and mechanical shape as middle-aged plants to potentially run for many more decades.

OUC's plan for the other coal plant is to convert it to run on natural gas by 2027.

After that, the journey to a new era of energy begins to take on increasing uncertainty. Unknowns are: where to build solar plants, what revolutionary innovations or inventions may occurincluding with hydrogen, nuclear, wind, and batteriesand what it all means for OUC's rates, its ability to keep the lights on and its continuation of approximately $100 million in annual cash contributions to city hall's operating expenses.

"The utility industry is being asked to transform extremely rapidly, far faster than anything we've done in our past with technologies that aren't as robust as we would like them to be," said Justin Kramer, OUC's director of emerging technology.

"I have to balance that with people who struggle to afford power, and I have to balance equity and clean and reliable energy with technologies that haven't been around for more than five or 10 years. That keeps me up at night," Kramer said.

If it goes well, OUC intends by 2050 to have zeroed out its net contribution to carbon pollution causing climate change.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who has a permanent OUC board seat and is an original and leading proponent of reining in the city's carbon pollution, warns that the path could be bumpy.

"It's not a slam dunk," Dyer said. "It's going to take a lot of wisdom and planning and being adaptable to the changing technology."

Stephen Smith, executive director of the environmental group Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, urges utilities to lean aggressively toward transformations that are bold and rapid. His group, emphasizing analysis, holds credibility with OUC.

"There is nothing more serious in the world than what we're dealing with: climate disruption and destabilizing the atmosphere," Smith said. "The science is overwhelming that the manifestation of the effects is much more pronounced than a lot of scientists even thought it would be at this point, and it's intensifying."

He said the controversy over OUC's proposal to reduce how much it pays for surplus electricity from rooftop solar panels is not uncommon among utilities and is distracting.

"Rooftop solar is a piece of the puzzle but it's a smaller piece of the puzzle," Smith said. "The most important thing we need to be deploying faster than anything else is utility solar. You don't want to get into so much of a big fight over rooftop solar that you lose perspective on what we've got to do to deploy as much as possible."

Just how much electricity OUC will have to harness from the sun is daunting.

Of the utility's nearly 250,000 residential electric customers, about 10,000 have solar panels on their rooftops. Those panels plus those of commercial customers have a combined capacity to generate 104 megawatts, or nearly 5% of OUC's capacitya squirt of energy into the city's torrent of power.

The overall demand for OUC electricity is nearly 1,600 megawatts, with the vast majority of that coming today from burning fossil fuel. About a dozen generators typically provide that power, with many more on standby.

To ensure there's enough electricity at any given timeand get it where it needs to beOUC operates what it calls an energy management center, a spacious bunker in east Orlando equipped with secure, isolated computers that direct millions of watts flowing across nearly 3,000 miles of the utility's transmission and distribution power lines.

The center's arrays of video screens lend to a sense of an intensive care unit, where the patient is breathing not oxygen but electricity. One of the simpler screen graphics depicts the minute-by-minute demand for OUC electricity.

Consumption dips to a low at about 4 a.m., just before the early birds' showers and coffee makers start and the graphic's line begins to steadily increase.

At sunrise, street lights flicker out and the line dips briefly. The need for power then rises until about 4 p.m., though the timing of the daily peak can be dramatically altered by thunderstorms and their cooling effects.

Every day has an operational plan, written beginning a week earlier and accounting for which generators will cost the least to operate and what to do if one of them fails catastrophically.

The overall impression is of deep institutional experience and nothing left unaccounted forexcept for the solar energy on the scale that's coming.

The rise of solar energy will bring challenges never seen before, including how to respond to thunderstorm shadows galloping across millions of solar panels and causing their power outputs to plunge, and whether batteries will compensate sufficiently. That will call for new ways of daily planning.

Engineers study solar exhaustively and look to the experiences of others. OUC has set up two dozen weather stations to watch for and project the shading over solar panels from storms.

But no two utilities are alike, they note, and the sun doesn't shine as relentlessly in the Sunshine State as it does in the Southwest and West.

"Hopefully, there is not going to be a big learning curve," said Keith Mutters, system planning and reliability director.

Nearly three years ago, OUC bought what amounts to insurance in case of a problematic implementation of solar energy.

That would be the Osceola Generating Station, a "peaker" power plant nestled in remote pinelands of Osceola County. "Not many people even know we are out here," said Milliard Long, who is in charge of OUC's generators fueled with natural gas.

About 20 years old and last operated by a private company seeking profit in the electricity market, the station cost $100 million to buy and upgrade.

Groups such as the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Sierra think the investment should have gone to solar. OUC regards the 510 megawatt plantwhich is more output than from either coal plantas an ace up its sleeve.

"As we move forward with our clean energy transition, ensuring operational flexibility is essential," said Bullock, OUC's leader, at the time of the acquisition.

OUC's mainline generators are efficient but ponderous, taking much of a day to start up and put into service.

The Osceola Generating Station, by contrast, fires up "with the click of a mouse" to make electricity in 15 minutes and reach full output in 29 minutes and can power off just as quickly.

Doing the work are three jet engines strapped to generators, devouring natural gas, with a three-day supply of backup diesel fuel on site.

In the worst case of extended cloudy weather coupled with a broken natural gas pipeline, the station will keep Orlando's lights on.

But the station is a hot rod and not an econo-machinejust one of the jet-engine generators will suck down 215 gallons of diesel fuel every minuteand running it can be pricey.

Solar energy, meanwhile, is a rising bargain, with no charge for the sun's rays, which is another justification for projects ahead.

By 2032, according to OUC reporting to the state's Public Service Commission, OUC "anticipates" constructing a dozen large solar plants, each covering between 500 and 800 acres, containing approximately 300,000 panels. The cost of the plants, about $75 million each today, is expected to continue to decline.

The batteries needed to store some of this solar power during the daythen provide it when the sun doesn't shinecome in 4 megawatt units, the size of a shipping container and weighing 75 tons. Batteries are likely to be dispersed widely, plugged in next to solar plants, substations and perhaps big commercial customers.

The Southern Alliance For Clean Energy measures utility solar performance by the number of solar watts per customer.

By that metric, Orlando Utilities Commission now ranks first in the Southeast for projected solar growth from 2023 to 2027, besting the giant, stockholder-owned Florida Power and Light Co. and Duke Energy.

"It's great that we are building more solar, but the real truth is we are not building anywhere near enough," said Jim Fenton, director of the Florida Solar Energy Center at the University of Central Florida. "That includes rooftop solar."

But on that matter, OUC, customers and the city remain mired in animus, and it is still to be determined whether that is reconcilable.

"Honestly, I do not trust OUC," city council member Sheehan said. "They look at us as competition."

OUC had planned by now to adopt its rooftop solar, time-of-day and other rate changescalling them essential to a new way of providing electricityuntil headed off by rare dissension on its board coming from the city's leading green-energy booster.

"If we were voting today," Dyer said at a board meeting this summer, "I would vote no on that."

2024 Orlando Sentinel. 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:

EU-funded research has helped launch Europe's first full-scale cargo drone airline. Credit: Dronamics Group Limited, 2023

Drones can make air freight cheaper and remote areas more connected. But tracking them will be key.

When brothers Svilen and Konstantin Rangelov first set up a small start-up called Dronamics in their native Bulgaria in 2014, their ambition was to democratize cargo deliveries in Europe and make affordable next-day delivery of packages a reality for even the remotest regions.

Remote access

They had spotted a major sticking point in the global trade system: the absence of rapid and reliable cargo transportation to less accessible parts of the world. This was a gap they believed drone cargo delivery could fill.

"We set out to build a next-generation cargo aircraft so that we could help accelerate trade and enable same-day delivery for everyone everywhere," said Konstantin Rangelov, an aerospace engineer with a keen interest in drones.

Thanks to funding from the EU, the Rangelov brothers fast-forwarded their vision and, in 2023, became Europe's first fully licensed cargo drone airline.

Last year they were officially assigned designator codes from IATA and ICAOthe two main international aviation bodiesgranting them recognition on a par with other international airlines.

Europe has more than 2,000 airports, but fewer than 1% of those receive cargo planes. Cargo is today mostly shipped to large airports that can handle jumbo jets.

According to Rangelov, that's a major lost opportunity, and one that drones can solve.

"If we could connect smaller airports and deliver packages there, it would be a boon for economic development in less well-connected regions," he said.

Autonomous cargo delivery

The company has combined advances in autonomy, aerodynamics and production to provide a completely new cargo delivery solution. In May 2023, Dronamics made history when its first full-scale cargo drone, the Black Swan, successfully completed its first flight.

The fixed-wing remotely-piloted aircraft can carry 350 kilograms of cargo, the same as a small delivery van, and has a range of 2,500 kilometers, enough to connect most of Europe. It can also land at the smallest airports imaginable, requiring only 400 meters of runway.

"If we wanted to, we could even land it in a car park," said Rangelov.

The first drone ports will be built in the Mediterranean, with plans to expand across the EU to serve remote or underserved communities.

Sustainable mobility

But why do we need cargo drones? Can't we just use existing small airplanes piloted in the regular fashion? According to Svilen Rangelov, that option is too costly.

"Piloted airplanes are much more expensive," the Bulgarian CEO said. "In a small plane, the pilot takes up a third of the weight. That's a lot of space for freight that you lose. Besides, there's currently a shortage of pilots."

The savings are substantial. Dronamics will be able to carry out international same-day deliveries for up to 50% lower cost than traditional air freight, with up to 60% lower CO 2 emissions.

Its drones can run on standard as well as biofuels, and the company is working towards building a hydrogen-powered version. According to the engineers, the drones are also more affordable to produce and run than alternatives.

The mid-term goal for the company is to operate their drone fleet from their global operations center in Malta using a network of drone ports across Europe and beyond. While there has been some attention in recent years to the use of drones for last-mile delivery of parcels, Rangelov said this is not the priority.

"The problem for cargo delivery isn't the last mile. It's getting the packages to less well-connected places," he said.

With an eye on sustainability, Dronamics is also part of a select group of companies taking part in a European Future Mobility task force advising the EU on its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which sets out how the EU transport system can achieve a green and digital transformation.

Safety first

One of the things that has held up the widespread commercialization of drone parcel deliveries so far is concern over safety. Our airspace could soon get very crowded and the locations of drones need to be tracked correctly to avoid collisions, but also for legal reasons.

This is a concern being addressed by Alberto Mennella, innovation manager at TopView, an Italian unmanned aircraft systems engineering company that specializes in the integration of drones in business activities inside very low-level airspace.

TopView is leading an international research initiative called CERTIFLIGHT, that has developed a device which can securely track where a drone is located by satellite. This information will be shared with nearby aircraft, as well as with authorities and drone operators' customers.

Funded by the EU, the CERTIFLIGHT consortium involves commercial and research partners in Belgium, Czechia, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain, and will conclude in April 2025.

Receipt of delivery

As well as safety, the CERTIFLIGHT research team is also concerned about ensuring secure delivery.

"If we are going to have drones deliver packages, we want a legal guarantee that they are delivered correctly," said Mennella, who has made a career of his passion for drones.

For drone delivery to work, it is necessary to have an accurate location for where the drone landed, which can prove that the cargo was delivered to the right place. But criminals may be able to manipulate location data to intercept deliveries, using a technique called "spoofing."

CERTIFLIGHT uses the EU's Galileo open service navigation message authentication (OSNMA) to mitigate risks from spoofing and jamming and provide location and timing authentication.

"We worked in the laboratories of the EU's Joint Research Center in Italy," said Mennella. "There they have equipment that generates spoofing patterns. By working with them, our software learns to recognize when spoofing happens."

Later this year, CERTIFLIGHT will take its technology out of the lab, with flying tests planned in October, where they will track the flights of drones. If those are successful, the next step would be for CERTIFLIGHT technology to be placed on drones by manufacturers or operators.

Unclogging supply chains

In the meantime, Dronamics is gearing up for the launch of commercial operations. They expect to start in Greece, connecting the capital Athens to remote areas in the north of the country and some islands in the Aegean.

In the meantime, they are also working on plans for scaling up their production, with facilities that could produce 300 of these drones per yearan expansion that is also being supported by the EU.

The intention is to rapidly expand operations across the Mediterranean and Europe with customers in e-commerce, parcel and post, perishables, pharma and spare parts.

Dronamics are also eyeing emerging economies. Rangelov believes that improving supply chains could provide the conditions for an economic boom in regions like Africa.

"Research shows that supply chains have a massive impact on economic development, much more than, say, development aid," he said. "It's like unclogging the veins and arteries of a country's economy. Our drones will allow them to do that."
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the ten analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $130.70.

Several analysts have weighed in on ARE shares. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $126.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Wedbush cut shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the stock from $140.00 to $130.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $140.00 target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the stock from $136.00 to $127.00 in a report on Friday, August 2nd.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Performance

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of ARE. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,784,689 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,452,814,000 after buying an additional 156,643 shares in the last quarter. APG Asset Management US Inc. raised its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 39,243 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 0.9% in 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. M&G Plc boosted its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 4.9% in the second quarter. M&G Plc now owns 1,659,092 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $194,114,000 after acquiring an additional 77,686 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 1.0% in the second quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 1,050,991 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $122,934,000 after acquiring an additional 10,576 shares in the last quarter. 96.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Shares of ARE stock opened at $121.25 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 113.32, a PEG ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 1.16. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a one year low of $90.73 and a one year high of $135.45. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $118.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $119.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.23.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, July 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.34 by ($2.09). Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a return on equity of 0.68% and a net margin of 5.09%. The firm had revenue of $766.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $775.03 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.24 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 9.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.29%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess payout ratio is 485.98%.

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.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of ALLETE (NYSE:ALE  Free Report) in a research report report published on Friday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the utilities providers stock.

ALLETE Trading Down 0.0 %

ALE stock opened at $63.85 on Friday. ALLETE has a one year low of $49.29 and a one year high of $65.86. The stock has a market cap of $3.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.35 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $63.84 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $62.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.45 and a quick ratio of 0.83.

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ALLETE (NYSE:ALE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.57 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.30). The company had revenue of $354.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $547.24 million. ALLETE had a net margin of 14.36% and a return on equity of 7.07%. The firms revenue was down 33.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.90 earnings per share.

ALLETE Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ALLETE

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were issued a $0.7005 dividend. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. ALLETEs dividend payout ratio is 67.79%.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Congress Asset Management Co. MA boosted its holdings in ALLETE by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. MA now owns 18,431 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,099,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its stake in shares of ALLETE by 2.2% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 16,143 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,007,000 after buying an additional 347 shares during the period. State of Michigan Retirement System grew its position in ALLETE by 2.9% during the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 14,146 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $844,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its stake in ALLETE by 139.4% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 699 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 407 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new position in ALLETE in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.55% of the companys stock.

ALLETE Company Profile

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ALLETE, Inc operates as an energy company. The company operates through Regulated Operations, ALLETE Clean Energy, and Corporate and Other segments. It generates electricity from coal-fired, biomass co-fired / natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. In addition, the company provides regulated utility electric services in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers, and 10,000 water customers, as well as regulated utility electric services in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 150,000 retail customers and 14 non-affiliated municipal customers.

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Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Free Report) had its target price boosted by Bank Of America (Bofa) from $171.00 to $190.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the construction companys stock.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on LEN. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $170.00 price target on shares of Lennar in a report on Thursday, June 20th. Argus raised their price target on Lennar from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, June 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Lennar from $157.00 to $154.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and set a $164.00 target price (down from $174.00) on shares of Lennar in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, BTIG Research decreased their price target on shares of Lennar from $177.00 to $175.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $174.61.

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Lennar Stock Performance

NYSE:LEN opened at $182.19 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $176.53 and its 200 day moving average is $164.01. The firm has a market cap of $50.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.39, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 4.93. Lennar has a 52-week low of $102.90 and a 52-week high of $193.80.

Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 19th. The construction company reported $3.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.62 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $9.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.14 billion. Lennar had a return on equity of 15.93% and a net margin of 11.58%. The companys revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.91 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Lennar will post 14.16 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Lennar

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. D1 Capital Partners L.P. increased its stake in shares of Lennar by 428.9% in the second quarter. D1 Capital Partners L.P. now owns 2,420,000 shares of the construction companys stock worth $362,685,000 after buying an additional 1,962,447 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Lennar by 15.1% in the second quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 3,021,856 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $452,886,000 after acquiring an additional 396,951 shares during the period. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI purchased a new stake in shares of Lennar during the first quarter worth about $61,807,000. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Lennar by 157.5% in the first quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 575,003 shares of the construction companys stock worth $98,889,000 after purchasing an additional 351,698 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in Lennar by 20.9% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,015,641 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $302,084,000 after purchasing an additional 348,553 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.10% of the companys stock.

Lennar Company Profile

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Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Get Free Report) (TSE:CP) has earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and twelve have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $96.36.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on CP. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Friday, June 7th. They issued an overweight rating and a $90.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $105.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Barclays cut their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $96.00 to $95.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Susquehanna reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $80.00 target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $82.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th.

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Institutional Trading of Canadian Pacific Kansas City

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Performance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Accretive Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Accretive Wealth Partners LLC now owns 9,530 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $753,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management increased its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management now owns 11,055 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $878,000 after acquiring an additional 241 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 4th quarter worth about $979,890,000. UBS Group AG raised its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,004,693 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $79,431,000 after acquiring an additional 30,305 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Coldstream Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 52.0% during the 4th quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 13,353 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,056,000 after acquiring an additional 4,567 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.20% of the companys stock.

Shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City stock opened at $85.86 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $80.11 billion, a PE ratio of 27.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a 52 week low of $68.92 and a 52 week high of $91.58. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $82.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $82.49.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (NYSE:CP  Get Free Report) (TSE:CP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The transportation company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.31. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 8.77% and a net margin of 24.45%. The business had revenue of $3.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.58 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.62 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Canadian Pacific Kansas City will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be issued a $0.1373 dividend. This represents a $0.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is 17.31%.

About Canadian Pacific Kansas City

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

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Definity Financial (TSE:DFY  Free Report) had its price target boosted by TD Securities from C$52.00 to C$55.00 in a report released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on DFY. Cormark raised their target price on Definity Financial from C$49.00 to C$51.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. National Bankshares raised their target price on Definity Financial from C$60.00 to C$62.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Definity Financial from C$58.00 to C$61.00 in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Raymond James raised their target price on Definity Financial from C$52.50 to C$55.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Cibc World Mkts cut Definity Financial from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$53.10.

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Definity Financial Stock Up 4.8 %

DFY opened at C$52.25 on Friday. Definity Financial has a 1-year low of C$35.48 and a 1-year high of C$52.26. The company has a current ratio of 7.68, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.38. The stock has a market capitalization of C$6.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.79, a P/E/G ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.01. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$48.84 and a 200-day moving average of C$45.98.

Definity Financial (TSE:DFY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported C$0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.66 by C$0.28. Definity Financial had a return on equity of 13.00% and a net margin of 9.60%. The company had revenue of C$1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$1.07 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Definity Financial will post 3.1395647 earnings per share for the current year.

Definity Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.16 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.22%. Definity Financials payout ratio is presently 19.34%.

Definity Financial Company Profile

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Definity Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, offers property and casualty insurance products in Canada. It provides personal insurance products, including auto, property, general and umbrella liability, and pet insurance products to individuals under the Economical, Sonnet, Family, Petsecure, and Peppermint brands; and commercial insurance products, which include fleet, commercial auto, property, liability, and specialty insurance products to businesses under the Definity Insurance and Economical brand name.

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Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Fortis (NYSE:FTS  Free Report) in a research report report published on Friday morning, StockNewsAPI reports. The firm issued an underperform rating on the utilities providers stock.

FTS has been the subject of a number of other research reports. UBS Group raised shares of Fortis to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Fortis from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, August 4th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Fortis has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $61.00.

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Fortis Stock Performance

Shares of FTS stock opened at $44.68 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The companys fifty day moving average price is $43.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $40.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.26, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.47. Fortis has a 12 month low of $36.30 and a 12 month high of $45.83.

Fortis (NYSE:FTS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.49 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.02. Fortis had a return on equity of 7.04% and a net margin of 13.90%. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.96 billion. On average, research analysts anticipate that Fortis will post 2.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Fortis Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, September 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 20th were paid a dividend of $0.431 per share. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.86%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 20th. Fortiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 73.28%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fortis

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Fortis by 123.5% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 666 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new position in Fortis in the second quarter worth about $32,000. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Fortis by 53.6% in the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 992 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. acquired a new position in Fortis in the first quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Fortis during the first quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.77% of the companys stock.

About Fortis

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Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 447,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 103,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,408 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity.

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Tristel plc (LON:TSTL  Get Free Report) insider Elizabeth Dixon sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 397 ($5.24), for a total value of 198,500 ($262,219.29).

Tristel Trading Down 0.4 %

LON:TSTL opened at GBX 398.30 ($5.26) on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 4.92, a quick ratio of 3.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.12. The firm has a market cap of 189.67 million, a PE ratio of 3,319.17 and a beta of 0.23. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 462.99 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 455.34. Tristel plc has a 12-month low of GBX 360 ($4.76) and a 12-month high of GBX 510 ($6.74).

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Tristel Company Profile

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Tristel plc develops, manufactures, and sells infection prevention products in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Hospital Medical Device Decontamination, Hospital Environmental Surface Disinfection, and Other. It offers medical instrument disinfection products, including airway management, cardiology, ear, nose and throat, endoscopy, gastrointestinal physiology, laboratory, ophthalmology, phlebotomy, reproductive health/IVF, surface, ultrasound, urology, women's health, and other products under the Tristel brand.

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PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the sixteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $134.71.

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on PHM shares. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on PulteGroup from $183.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on PulteGroup from $143.00 to $151.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Bank of America upped their target price on PulteGroup from $138.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $141.00 to $152.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th.

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PulteGroup Price Performance

Shares of PHM opened at $141.86 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $29.44 billion, a PE ratio of 11.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.62. PulteGroup has a 52-week low of $68.80 and a 52-week high of $145.84. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $128.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $118.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.76.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The construction company reported $3.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.27 by $0.56. The company had revenue of $4.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.49 billion. PulteGroup had a net margin of 16.75% and a return on equity of 25.67%. PulteGroups quarterly revenue was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.00 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that PulteGroup will post 12.9 EPS for the current year.

PulteGroup Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 17th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 17th. PulteGroups payout ratio is currently 6.41%.

Insider Activity at PulteGroup

In related news, CFO Robert Oshaughnessy sold 71,007 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.83, for a total transaction of $9,573,873.81. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 89,323 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,043,420.09. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other PulteGroup news, Director Thomas J. Folliard sold 19,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.14, for a total value of $2,491,660.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 45,230 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,931,462.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Robert Oshaughnessy sold 71,007 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.83, for a total transaction of $9,573,873.81. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 89,323 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,043,420.09. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 119,000 shares of company stock worth $15,814,039. 0.83% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PulteGroup

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the second quarter worth approximately $2,488,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the 2nd quarter worth $9,995,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 460.7% during the 2nd quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 10,933 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,204,000 after buying an additional 8,983 shares in the last quarter. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of PulteGroup during the 2nd quarter worth $374,000. Finally, New Century Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in PulteGroup in the second quarter worth $217,000. 89.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

PulteGroup Company Profile

(Get Free Report

PulteGroup, Inc, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the homebuilding business in the United States. It acquires and develops land primarily for residential purposes; and constructs housing on such land. The company also offers various home designs, including single-family detached, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes under the Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, and American West brand names.

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Shares of The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the ten research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $34.91.

A number of brokerages have commented on MOS. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Mosaic from $29.00 to $28.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 11th. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Mosaic from $33.00 to $30.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Mosaic from $31.00 to $29.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $30.00 price objective on shares of Mosaic in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on Mosaic from $39.00 to $32.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 16th.

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Insider Activity at Mosaic

Institutional Trading of Mosaic

In other Mosaic news, SVP Walter F. Precourt III sold 39,748 shares of Mosaic stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.96, for a total transaction of $1,111,354.08. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 136,682 shares in the company, valued at $3,821,628.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In other Mosaic news, SVP Walter F. Precourt III sold 39,748 shares of Mosaic stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.96, for a total value of $1,111,354.08. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 136,682 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,821,628.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, Director Kelvin R. Westbrook sold 12,666 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.32, for a total transaction of $346,035.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 34,359 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $938,687.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 0.86% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MOS. Highlander Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mosaic by 515.4% during the first quarter. Highlander Capital Management LLC now owns 800 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 670 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of Mosaic during the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Mosaic by 40.0% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,229 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 351 shares during the last quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mosaic in the first quarter worth $50,000. Finally, ANTIPODES PARTNERS Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Mosaic in the second quarter worth $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.54% of the companys stock.

Mosaic Stock Performance

NYSE MOS opened at $25.56 on Monday. Mosaic has a 1-year low of $24.11 and a 1-year high of $38.30. The company has a 50 day moving average of $27.70 and a 200-day moving average of $29.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The firm has a market cap of $8.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.88, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.36.

Mosaic (NYSE:MOS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.66 by ($0.12). The business had revenue of $2.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.90 billion. Mosaic had a net margin of 2.01% and a return on equity of 6.92%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 17.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.04 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Mosaic will post 2.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mosaic Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 19th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 5th were given a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 5th. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.29%. Mosaics dividend payout ratio is 35.74%.

Mosaic Company Profile

(Get Free Report

The Mosaic Company, through its subsidiaries, produces and markets concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Phosphates, Potash, and Mosaic Fertilizantes. It owns and operates mines, which produce concentrated phosphate crop nutrients, such as diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, and ammoniated phosphate products; and phosphate-based animal feed ingredients primarily under the Biofos and Nexfos brand names, as well as produces a double sulfate of potash magnesia product under K-Mag brand name.

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Tronox (NYSE:TROX  Free Report) had its price target decreased by The Goldman Sachs Group from $18.00 to $16.00 in a research note published on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a buy rating on the stock.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on TROX. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Tronox from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Barclays cut their price objective on Tronox from $22.00 to $19.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Mizuho initiated coverage on Tronox in a report on Friday, June 7th. They issued a neutral rating and a $22.00 price target for the company. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Tronox from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $18.33.

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Tronox Stock Performance

Shares of TROX stock opened at $12.68 on Thursday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $13.94 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $16.38. The firm has a market cap of $2.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.69, a P/E/G ratio of 22.26 and a beta of 1.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 2.98. Tronox has a 52 week low of $10.08 and a 52 week high of $20.70.

Tronox (NYSE:TROX  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by ($0.11). Tronox had a negative return on equity of 3.40% and a negative net margin of 2.14%. The firm had revenue of $820.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $848.04 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.16 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Tronox will post 0.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Tronox Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.125 per share. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.94%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 26th. Tronoxs dividend payout ratio is -22.42%.

Institutional Trading of Tronox

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Tronox during the second quarter valued at about $76,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Tronox during the 2nd quarter worth about $83,000. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in Tronox in the first quarter valued at approximately $124,000. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Tronox in the 2nd quarter worth $121,000. Finally, TFO Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Tronox by 260,833.3% during the 4th quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC now owns 7,828 shares of the companys stock worth $111,000 after buying an additional 7,825 shares during the period. 73.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Tronox

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Tronox Holdings plc operates as a vertically integrated manufacturer of TiO2 pigment in North America, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates titanium-bearing mineral sand mines; and engages in beneficiation and smelting operations. It offers TiO2 pigment; ultrafine specialty TiO2; zircon; feedstock; pig iron; monazite; titanium tetrachloride; and other products.

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Winnebago Industries (NYSE:WGO  Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Truist Financial from $65.00 to $68.00 in a research report released on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the construction companys stock.

WGO has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Winnebago Industries from $71.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 12th. StockNews.com raised Winnebago Industries from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on Winnebago Industries from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, June 21st. Roth Mkm cut their target price on Winnebago Industries from $70.00 to $59.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Winnebago Industries from $75.00 to $70.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, June 21st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued 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 $70.00.

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Winnebago Industries Trading Down 0.7 %

WGO opened at $59.11 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $1.71 billion, a PE ratio of 22.82 and a beta of 1.62. The business has a 50 day moving average of $58.05 and a 200-day moving average of $60.37. Winnebago Industries has a 52 week low of $49.68 and a 52 week high of $75.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 2.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

Winnebago Industries (NYSE:WGO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, June 20th. The construction company reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.30 by ($0.17). The business had revenue of $786.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $798.26 million. Winnebago Industries had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 11.31%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 12.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.13 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Winnebago Industries will post 4.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Winnebago Industries Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 11th. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.30%. This is a boost from Winnebago Industriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Winnebago Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 52.51%.

Insider Transactions at Winnebago Industries

In related news, SVP Stacy L. Bogart sold 3,333 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.98, for a total value of $193,247.34. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 41,315 shares in the company, valued at $2,395,443.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 3.75% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Winnebago Industries

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capstone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Winnebago Industries in the first quarter worth approximately $1,182,000. Bayesian Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Winnebago Industries during the 1st quarter valued at $681,000. Duality Advisers LP purchased a new stake in shares of Winnebago Industries in the 1st quarter worth $1,212,000. Confluence Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Winnebago Industries in the 1st quarter worth $4,001,000. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in Winnebago Industries by 484.1% during the first quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,004,077 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $74,302,000 after purchasing an additional 832,187 shares in the last quarter.

Winnebago Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Winnebago Industries, Inc manufactures and sells recreation vehicles and marine products primarily for use in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The company operates through three segments: Towable RV, Motorhome RV, and Marine. It provides towable products that are non-motorized vehicles to be towed by automobiles, pickup trucks, SUVs, or vans for use as temporary living quarters for recreational travel, such as conventional travel trailers, fifth wheels, folding camper trailers, and truck campers under the Winnebago and Grand Design brand names.

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Dr. Billy Wilson called on evangelicals to open their hearts to being accelerated by the Holy Spirit to witness for Christ to keep pace with a fast-changing world grappling with speedy developments in areas of general knowledge, technology, inventions and science.

The fourth president of Oral Roberts University and a key leader in the contemporary Pentecostal movement, serving in the Empowered21 global relational network for believers, Wilson spoke on The work of the Holy Spirit as a morning plenary speaker at the Fourth Lausanne Global Congress on World Evangelism in Incheon, Korea.

As the global population surges upwards, with latest figures showing eight billion people on the planet in 2022, the growth of Christianity remains stagnant and this is a major concern, he said.

Wilson calculates that Christianity makes up for 31 percent of the world population and, despite a boost in the 19th century, there was a drop in the number of Christians in the 20th century, as a percentage of the total population. Now, during this time of global acceleration, we also must have an acceleration of our mission and evangelistic effectiveness, Wilson says.

The first believers did not have access to the technology tools of mass communication today, such as social media and cell phones and yet the Holy Spirit accelerated through them and turned the ancient world, from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond, upside down with the gospel.

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For Wilson this wildfire of resurrection energy came from five qualities for supernatural acceleration, as the Holy Spirit carried the early followers of Jesus to the ends of the Earth with amazing effect and speed. He believes that evangelicals need those same qualities for effective witnessing in the 21st century, to experience the same Holy Spirit acceleration.

Firstly, the first believers were utterly convinced that Jesus was alive, after the crucifixion. They believed in the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way, truth and life  and salvation lay with him and no one else.

There was no optional way, no alternative root, says Wilson. Jesus was the absolute answer, and they were completely committed to declaring that good news to the world. They lived and died with this conviction, which fuelled the spread of the gospel.

Secondly, a level of flexibility allowed the first church to move forward aggressively but in unexpected ways. Wilson opines that as the first church was the new wineskin for the fresh experience of God, there was a need for flexibility and taking advantage of difficult situations.

Persecution was seen as giving opportunities to evangelize by preaching the gospel. Trials, for example, gave space for believers to give public testimony to the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Christian killers became Christian missionaries, says Wilson. Deacons became evangelists, shipwrecks became salvation. Campaigns, visions, dreams, and impressions  all moved them forward. The unexpected came to be expected, and in just one generation, a predominantly Jewish church became a predominantly gentile church.

They were able to experience supernatural acceleration because they were flexible and expandable. New flexibility will be required in the 21st century if we're going to experience an acceleration of our mission.

Thirdly, the first disciples were obedient to numerous unusual directives as the gospel advanced in the ancient world. Various protocols were broken time and again, to obey the calling of God. Wilson gives examples of paradigms with a Jewish temple becoming a place for Christian healing and a jailhouse being reworked as a prayer house. He cites the example of Phillip the evangelist leaving a revival in Samaria to enter the desert of personal evangelism, just because God said so.

Wilson calls this an Obed obedience, positioning Phillip for supernatural acceleration as he is transported by the Holy Spirit from his desert to his next evangelism assignment.

Wilson compares this example of paradigm shifting to what David Yonggi Cho achieved by building his renowned 900,000-member Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea, just 20 miles away from the Seoul-Incheon 2024 Congress. When Cho was asked how such a large church was built, he replied simply: I pray and I obey.

Fourth, the first disciples had a radical dependence on the Holy Spirit: His guidance, his empowerment, and his strength simply put, they refused to do God's work without God's presence. They discovered that the Holy Spirit was God's greatest evangelist and that he is moving every single minute, every single second, to reach the lost.

As the first followers were joined to the Holy Spirit and relied on him, the results were both history making and world changing, according to Wilson.

Fifthly, the earliest disciples had supernatural synergy from enjoying spiritual unity. Wilson uses an analogy that one person could chase a thousand, but two people working together can chase 10,000.

Their unity brought God's favor and positioned them for supernatural acceleration. In Jesus' prayer in John 17, he prayed that we would be one, as he and the Father are one, that we would have relational unity, but it would have a missional intent that the world might believe that God had sent him. Unity, then, must be relational, missional, and spiritual.

Empowered21, as a relational network, was adopted in 2013 by spirit-empowered leaders with a vision for everyone to have an authentic encounter with Jesus through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. An Everyone Initiative and Everyone Fund was launched last year 2023 to support frontline evangelistic efforts to give each person on Earth the opportunity to be saved before judgment comes.

We did not and do not believe in universalism that everyone will be saved, but we just believe that everyone on earth desires that opportunity to be saved, says Wilson, adding that the aim is that by Pentecost 2033, this evangelism effort, which requires an all-out unified effort by evangelicals, will be achieved.

Providentially, the Year 2033 has captured the imagination of leaders across the kingdom of God, beyond Pentecostal and charismatic movements, there are now multiple initiatives targeting the year 2033, many of them without prior knowledge of other 2033 efforts.

Wilson believes that evangelical Christians stand at the tipping point of an historic Holy Spirit empowered moment, with the potential of being the most significant effort in fulfilling the Great Commission in the entire history of Christianity.

Could it be on the 2,000th anniversary of the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus; and the 2,000-year anniversary of the giving of the Great Commission; and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost at the birth of the church; that together we might do what has never been done in human history, and that is assure that every person on earth has an opportunity to know Jesus Christ? Wilson asks.

At the very least, by 2033 Wilson hopes evangelicals will be participating in the most pervasive missional and evangelistic thrust since the first century. The eternal destiny of millions depends on it, he adds solemnly, pointing to a stark statistic that every day 150,000 or more die on the planet. If a third are Christian, it means that 100,000 people die every day without knowing Christ. That calculation means 4,000 people per hour, or 37 million per year, facing a Christless eternity.

God's word says that God is not willing that any should perish, but that everyone comes to repentance, says Wilson.  Personally, I believe that the greatest injustice of the 21st century is that God's church now has the technology, the manpower, the money, and the capability to reach every person on earth with the gospel. And yet millions have not heard the good news or had an authentic encounter with Jesus.

Wilson believes that God is now calling the Church to unite together to rectify this injustice in our generation. The Holy Spirit is moving a fresh vision for reaching the lost, he says. The Great Commission is emerging in the body of Christ.

Nothing is as important as this, adds Wilson. The main thing must be the main thing. None of us can do this alone. We need each other, and most importantly, we need a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit that will accelerate the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Wilson finishes by expressing hope that delegates will rise from here at the Lausanne Congress and take the good news of our savior Jesus, the Son of the living God to everyone.
Former television personality Joe Pinner has died at 89, according to a statement from Pinners family read on his longtime station WIS-TV Sunday night.

Pinner, who had an extensive and celebrated career in South Carolina broadcasting, passed peacefully this weekend with his sons Michael and Gregg by his side, the family statement said.

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His joyfulness was so contagious, said a tearful longtime WIS-TV anchor Judi Gatson, herself a popular television personality, in announcing Pinners passing Sunday night on the station.

A memorial service is planned for November, WIS-TV said. Details will be announced later.

Pinner was known throughout South Carolina for his outgoing, cheerful and positive personality, and he was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by three separate state governors, according to an obituary on WIS-TV.

He leaves behind his two sons, his two beloved daughters-in-law Diane (Michael) and Paula (Gregg), his cherished grandchildren Allen (Carmen), Christopher (Addie), Danica (Nick) and Lauren, according to the statement reported by WIS-TV.

Pinner retired from the news station in 2018 after 55 years. Among his duties at the station were reporting the weather and hosting the Mr. Knozit childrens show.

Second District Congressman Joe Wilson of Lexington issued a statement Sunday:

The passing of Joe Pinner, the beloved Mr. Knozit, will be recognized as an institution who inspired so many young people to achieve the highest of their abilities. Roxanne and I will always cherish dear friends Peggy and Joe so devoted to the Midlands community betterment.
JOHNSONVILLE, S.C.  Florence County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested Yabriah Latia Lewis,19, of Johnsonville Friday on charges of murder and five counts of attempted murder, and criminal conspiracy.

Smith is one of two suspects wanted in connection to a shooting that occurred on September 18 in Johnsonville. The incident resulted in the death of 14-year-old Jakarta Doctor and wounded another victim.

Shortly after midnight on September 18, 2024 Deputies with the Florence County Sheriffs Office responded to a call of a shooting with victims on Deerfield Road near Johnsonville, SC. It was later determined that the shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Liberty Street Apartments in Johnsonville. Two victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds.

Investigators obtained arrest warrants for Lewis and Kalebsolik Daron Singletary in connection with the incident. According to Investigators, Singletary is alleged to have exited a vehicle driven by Lewis and fired multiple rounds into a parked vehicle occupied by six individuals with projectiles striking Doctor and another occupant, killing Doctor and severely wounding the other victim.

Lewis was taken into custody and is being held at the Florence County Detention Center without bond.

Singletary remains at large. He is described as standing approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 169 pounds.

Singletary is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

Anyone with knowledge or information regarding the whereabouts of Singletary is asked to contact FCSO Investigators at (843) 665-2121, ext. 80169 or Submit-A-Tip on the FCSO free app for iPhone or Android devices.
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Seemingly all students love dinosaurs.

Few, at least in high school, have access to the sciences needed to study them.

This summer, a Rowan University paleontologist and two students, working with students and faculty from Villanova University and the University of North Dakota, traveled to the western badlands of Montana to help create a Virtual Field Trip (VFT) so students everywhere can learn about the sciences involved in dinosaur research.

Kristyn Voegele, Ph.D., then an assistant professor of Geology in the School of Earth & Environment, said she and students Chris Rogoff and Peter Trey Shelton wanted to help make the VFT about hunting for dinosaurs because the creation of a free online tool speaks to a great need in K-12 education: a lack of resources in the geosciences.

The thrill of the work aside, Voegele said by spending a few weeks in the dinosaur boneyards she, her students, and her colleagues are helping to create educational materials that generations of high school students can use.

The goal was to provide resources on the STEM disciplines, using paleontology and the study of dinosaurs as a hook for high school students, said Voegele, who has since accepted a teaching and research position at the University of North Dakota.

The trip involved fieldwork in Montanas Bighorn Basin just across the Wyoming border where researchers deployed professional search, discovery, excavation and removal techniques for a variety of dinosaur bones.

She said the three-year project will be available for free on the American Geosciences Institutes website, most likely in the summer of 2026.

Were going back for two more years. Each year has a field season and the goal is to build out different parts of the VFT each year, she said.

Rogoff, a senior Geology major with a focus on paleontology, said he couldnt miss the opportunity to search for dinosaur fossils in an area known to be teeming with them.

My dream is to be a paleontologist, he said. For paleontologists, a lot of the fun is being out in the field looking for fossils.

He said large herds of sauropods, long-necked dinosaurs such as the Brontosaurus, traversed the region more than 100 million years ago and scientists have proof of these impressive herds from the field of bones they left behind. Many of those bones have been partially unearthed by erosion, Rogoff said.

They basically all died due to a hypothesized drought long before the asteroid hit, he said, referencing the calamitous strike 66 million years ago that killed off most of the dinosaurs and other life on Earth.

Shelton, a junior Geology major whos also focusing on paleontology, said there are technical aspects of searching for, finding and excavating ancient bones that can only be learned in the field. The search area they worked in is owned by the Bureau of Land Management and can only be accessed with permits.

He said many of the fossils in the region were from marine animals, just as they are in Rowans Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park in Mantua Township.

There were lots of belemnites, which were sort of like squid, and Devils Toenails, a bivalve like a clam or oyster, Shelton said.

As for the VFT, Shelton expects it to have great potential to reach students, most of whom wouldnt otherwise have a chance to search for fossils out west, at least not in high school.

Science of this type enriches how you view the world, he said, and I think everyone deserves that.